Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Dr. Praeger’s Frozen Food Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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I try really hard not to buy very much frozen food (except ice cream….just can’t limit that purchase!). The reason I avoid it is because most of it LOADED with sodium and preservatives and calories and all sorts of other stuff that my (not so youthful) body just doesn’t need.

But let me tell you, there are some days when I seriously need dinner to be effortless. Even more effortless than getting in my car and picking something up. I’m talking open a box, put food in the microwave/oven, remove and eat. That simple.

There are some great options out there for when you need something super convenient but don’t want to sacrifice nutrition (or flavor!). I have just tried out a brand that is new to me called Dr. Prager’s, and I’m really impressed with it!

Dr. Praeger’s products are all-natural, low in cholestoral and low in fat. And they are made with the finest products available. They also have options that go outside what you traditionally find in the frozen food aisle.

Want to see how I put my two free product coupons to work? I created a Middle Eastern feast for a busy weekday lunch. What a treat!

The Bombay Veggie Burgers were a great choice for spicing up what might otherwise have been just a boring sandwich. These were packed with flavor and had a unique taste; it’s not something I can easily replicate myself, so that was fun. I paired the burgers with the Spinach Pancakes, which I found to be AWESOME with a little dollop of sour cream. Overall, this was an outstanding meal. It felt like getting takeout, only without having to go pick anything up. It was super yummy!

Check out the selection of products made by Dr. Praeger’s. I think you will be extremely impressed with the variety of yummy and good for you foods that they have available!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win two free product coupons from Dr. Praeger’s!

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Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Darah has really become quite fond of a particular story book character, lately. His name is Howard B. Wigglebottom, and all of his stories contain really relevant lessons for younger children. We have been reading Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen for a few months, now. It has inspired some great conversation about just how important it is to pay attention.

Our latest book from the series is Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back: A Tale About Telling the Truth. Recently we have noticed that Darah has discovered that there is, in fact, an alternative to telling the truth. So this book has been very timely for us, as it has given us a great tool to start conversations with her about how tough it can be on everyone when the truth isn’t told.

Howard B. Wigglebottom is the product of the We Do Listen Foundation, which offers a wealth of FREE resources for parents and teachers. Many of the books that are available have free animated versions online that you can enjoy right now! Here’s the animated version of the book I reviewed today! https://www.wedolisten.org/media/

 

There are also songs, games, lessons and posters. Additionally, each hardcover book comes with great ideas for discussion at the end of the book. I think this is an impressive foundation with excellent resources. Hardcover copies of the books retail for $15 and can be purchased most everywhere books are sold in the U.S. and Canada. They are currently on sale on the website for $6 each or $50 for a set of all ten books (US only). What a deal!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Howard B. Wigglebottom (your choice of title!).

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Maternity Monday: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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We are really getting into nesting mode around the house! Part of that experience has been bringing down Darah’s baby toys from the attic and getting them all prepped for the new baby. We all know that cleaning baby toys is important for the prevention of spreading germs, but what if the products, themselves, leave a harmful residue?

This is a non-issue with a great new line of products from Tommee Tippee! Their Closer to Nature line includes a sterliant collection. We’ve been using a few things from the line, and have been really impressed. This range of cleaning products helps you offer long lasting production against 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.

But you don’t need to worry about the products, themselves, being dangerous, either. They are completely safe because the cleaning agents are plant-derived. Yay!

We’ve been using the Baby Gear and Feeding Surface Cleaner to get all the toys ready for action. I will also be using this a great deal once it is time to use the high chair!

Another product we’ve been using A LOT lately is the Antibacterial Hand Soap Mousse. This is in a convenient pump bottle that we keep by the kitchen sink for the frequent hand washing we need to do (did I mention that both Darah and her dad caught Hand, Foot and Mouth disease a few weeks ago?). I have been able to keep the illness at bay thanks to having this product on hand.


Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win two products of your choice from the Closer to Nature Sterliants line!Other products in the Closer to Nature line include an Antibacterial Gel (great for the diaper bag!) and a Pacifier, Nipple, Teether and Toy Wipe (yet another diaper bag must for when baby spits out her binky and it falls on the ground!). The prices for these products range from $2.99-$9.99 and can be found at Target stores across the nation.

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Fertibella Trying to Conceive Kit: Video Review and FREE Trial!

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Today I’m sharing a video post with you talking about one thing that really surprised me when we were ready to start a family: it can be hard to get pregnant!

FertiBella has launched a product unlike anything else on the market, designed to help boost your natural odds of conceiving to their maximum potential. Check out my video review and see for yourself!

What have you got to lose? Go to conceiveeasy.com right now and get signed up for your free trial. If you aren’t happy with the product within 30 days, simply return it, no questions asked. When a company offers something like that, you KNOW they are confident about just how great their product really is!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Conceiveeasy.com. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

Stellaluna DVD Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Recently Darah has been enjoying a really cute Scholastic DVD based on the award winning book, Stellaluna.

It’s about a young fruit bat who is separated from her mother and adopted by a family of birds. Try as she might to fit in, there are just some things that birds can do that she can’t and vice versa. But Stellaluna does make an amazing discovery that helps her see the value in not always being just like everyone else.

The dvd is very fun to watch and has music and excitement. It has been a really fun way to introduce Darah to bats, which she seems quite curious about, and it provides a great starting point for conversations about how we all have different gifts and abilities.

This dvd runs 41 minutes in length and comes with a Stellaluna activity booklet and has an ARV of $12.95. Want a sneak peek? Here’s a link to a clip from the movie!  http://www.newvideo.com/images/Clips/Q2/Stellaluna_Clip1_Flying.mp4

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Stellaluna!

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New Balance Kids No Show Socks Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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We are getting really close to the point where we are putting away all of Darah’s winter tights (she wears dresses constantly, so tights were a big piece of her winter wardrobe). But now it’s time to switch them all out for some really cute socks, and New Balance has some really brights and cheery options! Check out all the beautiful colors that come in the 6 pack…PERFECT for spring and summer!

But these are more than just cute socks. They are called New Balance Kids No Show socks, and they have a few special features I’d like to point out.

First, they have a comfort toe seam, which means that if your kid is really picky about how the seam of her socks feel (Darah throws a fit if she can feel them), then these are the perfect solution.

Second, these have what is called Stability Fit Arch Support & Hold technology, which provides a gentle compression to support the arch of the foot. This is great for growing feet!

Third, these socks have moisture management in them to help keep feet dry, even after hours of play!

Basically, these are all-around terrific socks for kids this summer, and the price is right, too, at just $9.99 for a package of 6. You can purchase them on the New Balance website here! You can also find the nearest New Balance store.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a 6 pack of New Balance Kids No Show socks!

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Your Design Ideas Needed for a “Big Girl” Room!

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Fabulous readers,

Darah will soon be getting an upgrade from her pink nursery to a “big girl” room, complete with some new furniture and new bedding. I have started a board of inspirations on Pinterest (feel free to check it out, and you can subscribe to all my boards here!) but wanted to show you her bedding right now, as it is going to guide the color scheme for the room.

 

I just got this on ebay (it was about $30 bucks cheaper there than at Target!). The colors are a pale gray and there’s also a soft tan color in there, though it can be a little bit tough to see at first.

I am almost certain that I will be painting the walls a soft, pale gray. Her furniture will be white. It will be lovely.

It also needs a shot of color so that the room doesn’t become boring! That’s definitely where I need your help! I think I can go in MANY directions on the accent color (this color could come out in the sheets, throw pillows, a throw at the end of the bed, or just some decorative items around the room). I think I’d prefer not to do pink since her nursery was SO very pink. Any ideas on what would look fabulous? Feel free to send pinterest links my way or any ideas you have. I’d be so grateful for your input and advice!

Can’t Wait from Grenadilla CD Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Grenadilla is the South African name for passion fruit. It’s also the name of a group that puts out kwela music, which is a updeat indigenous South African style of music marked by joyful, lively rhythms and birdlike pennywhistles.

Lead singer and South African native Debbie Lan has a beautiful voice! And the entire cd has such a fun feel…like a neighborhood coming together for a party! We have been absolutely delighted to welcome this fresh, vibrant music into our home. It’s probably not something I would have ever picked up on my own, but now that we have it, I’m so glad we do! It is expanding our musical horizons, and brings sunshine to our day when we listen to it. I highly recommend it!

Can’t Wait was released on March 6th and retails for $14.98. You can puchase it through Grenadillasings.com!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a copy of Can’t Wait by Grenadilla!

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Ezistock: Fair Trade from Thailand Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Ezistock is a company that promotes talented artisans in Thailand to the rest of the world. These artisans produce eco-friendly goods and artifacts using techniques that preserve local artistic traditions and cultures and bring those authentic pieces into your own home to enjoy. Ezistock is committed to not only helping to preserve the crafts of these artisans, but also to advancing fair labor practices in Thailand as well as sustainability practices.

I was recently contacted by the company and had the opportunity to shop with them and report back on my experience. I thought that they had a nice variety of really beautiful pieces in a wide range of prices to accommodate most any budget. They have everything from small trinkets to exquisite pieces of art.

I opted to shop for some jewelry for myself, as I rarely have time to shop for such things. I decided on a fair trade necklace with pearls, smoky quartz and glass beads. It came beautifully packaged in a decorative box, and looked absolutely beautiful when it was opened. I have been very impressed with the quality of the piece and the overall look. I think it was a very good buy at $44.59.

One other thing I absolutely love about the necklace is that Ezistock told me exactly who made it! From their site, “This product was designed and handcrafted by Sirada Chongsukwarakul. She was born and grew up in Chiang Mai. She is married and has a young daughter. She has a passion for flower arrangements and jewelry making. She draws inspiration from nature, beautiful flowers and crafts her jewelry accordingly. She works from home in Chiang Mai.” Ezistock even has a picture of this artisan on the site. This makes me feel so much more connected to the piece, and I absolutely LOVE knowing that this purchase has helped support another mother working from home, just as I work from home. I am very pleased with what I received and with all the great information that Ezistock.com supplied about the artisan who made it. It really does make this piece of jewelry much more special to me.

I do have a few suggestions for improvement, though. The shipping charges for larger and more fragile items (pots and vases, for example) are extremely high. No doubt the charge is true to the cost to ship something like that to the opposite side of the world (products are shipped to the buyer directly from Thailand). But I think buyers will be a bit turned off by the added expense. Perhaps having a distribution center in the United States would be ideal, as shipping prices could be reduced, as well as the time frame for receiving a purchase. The current 3-4 week turnaround might not be realistic given time constraints people might have when shopping for gifts. I will say that my necklace actually showed up in 12 days, which was much sooner than expected, though. But it is my understanding that you need to be prepared for it to take 3-4 weeks before your order arrives. 

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $50 gift certificate to Ezistock.com!

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