Stuff Parents Need

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

Make a Busy Weeknight Meal Special with Bertolli Meal Soups!

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On Tuesday of this week I got a wild hair about something we had on our list to do before the baby arrives in May. That thing was deep-cleaning our carpets.

I checked out rental fees from our local hardware store, and felt that we should get this knocked out now. I am having company over on Saturday, so I might as well get the house looking nice before they come over!

It was, in theory, an excellent idea. In practice, it was EXTREMELY stressful. I had no idea just how much STUFF we had scattered throughout the house, sitting on carpeted floors. Some of the stuff had a dedicated space (bookshelves), but much of it was stuff that didn’t really have a home, and was left to wander from room to room, pile to pile. I guess we were so used to seeing the piles that we didn’t even notice them any more. So in order to get our carpets ready to be cleaned, we had to start dealing with all that stuff.

It was ugly, people. And honestly, it’s not over. We still have piles in our uncarpeted rooms (like our bathroom and the hallway). But the good news is that we are now forced to make those tough decisions about where things should live, because they really can’t live next to the front door or next to the bathtub!

In the midst of all this craziness, we still had to deal with our everyday responsibilities, not the least of which is making sure we all get something good to eat! This might have been one of those times when calling for takeout or just swinging by a fast food restaurant was in order, but I really didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a meal and I didn’t want to make a really unhealthy choice.

This is where Bertolli came in!

You likely know Bertolli as a great line of Italian food products that you can find at your local grocery store. I have always found what they make to be of an excellent quality. Did you know that they now offer a frozen soup called Bertolli Meal Soups? They are an EXCELLENT alternative to picking up something quick, and they are even easier than take out because they don’t require you to go get anything (other than picking it up the next time you are at the grocery store).

We tried the Tomato Florentine and Tortellini with Chicken soup. Yes, it was every bit as good as it sounds! It was creamy, tasted fresh and fully of flavor and left us very full and satisfied. If I had received the exact same bowl of soup in a restaurant, I would have been very pleased! All I had to do in order to make this delicious meal was open the bag, dump the contents into a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it cook for 14 minutes, stirring once halfway through. EFFORTLESS, people!

Other flavors that are currently available in this line include the following:

  • Chicken Minestrone
  • Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta
  • Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables

I made this meal smack dab in the middle of our carpet cleaning craziness. It also happened to be an unbelievably gorgeous day outside (early February but 66 degrees and sunny!). Darah asked if we could have a picnic outside for our meal. Frankly, it was a great idea, as it felt good to step outside and away from all the clutter and chaos for a few moments! The picnic and the delicious soup combined together made for a very special meal at a time when having a special meal wouldn’t really have seemed possible.

If you want to learn more about this and other great Bertolli products (and hear about special coupons and promotions!) be sure to follow Bertolli on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Travelproducts.com Review and $25 Gift Card GIVEAWAY!!!

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When traveling with kids, it’s really important to have the right equipment so that you can make things as easy as possible. For example, when we were headed back home from California, we made use of Tim’s parents’ luggage scale. We packed our bags so tightly that some of them were less than 1 pound from the weight limit! We were able to bring everything home with us and not face any surprise fees once we got to the airport. It was great!

Travelproducts.com is an excellent online shopping destination for all your travel gear needs. We got to check out two great products from their extensive website. First, I selected this fabulous giraffe print duffel bag. I actually picked this out to give to my mom as a gift. I already own a duffel bag that has an unusual print on it, and I find it to be of tremendous value at airports. In a sea of black bags, mine stands out so I can very quickly identify it. The same would be true of this animal print bag. Plus, it’s cute! I also think the price point is excellent, as this bag is just $19.95, and it absolutely roomy enough to hold all you would need for a weekend away.

Second, we checked out something that I think would make a great gift for most anyone who is attached to a cell phone (and who isn’t?!). It’s a cell phone charger holder, and I think it is great for home or travel. The reason I think it makes sense to travel with this is because it helps your phone and charger be a little more prominent to your eyes. That’s important when you are packing up to leave your hotel room or wherever you are staying. I know I’ve lost at least 3 chargers, and once I even left my phone while traveling. By having a stand like this where your phone and charger nest together, it makes it harder to forget to retrieve it when it’s time to go!

It’s also great for at home use. One of our charging stations is in our office/laundry room. Our phones usually just sit on the floor to get charged. That’s honestly an invitation for them to get stepped on (either by our feet or by our office chair, which lives close by), or for Darah to find it and play with/mess up the phone. I really like being able to keep it off the floor, now. Plus, it’s only $4.95! What an affordable gift option this makes!

Whatever your travel gear needs may be, Travelproducts.com has got you covered? Lucky enough to be traveling internationally this year? They’ve got an extensive collection of electric converters to help keep your electronics safe and sound. Are you in need of some organizers? The selection here is fabulous!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a $25 gift certificate to Travelproducts.com!

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Guavamitts by Guavakids: Mitts that Stay Put! (GIVEAWAY!!!!)

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My mother loves to tell me about how when I was first born, she marveled at my beautiful face and my perfect peach skin (aren’t moms sweet?). Just as most moms are inclined to feel about their babies, she thought I was the most beautiful baby in the world.

And then she tells me about how on day 2 I was rolled into her room and my face was full of scratches! No harm was done by any of the nursing staff; these were all self-inflicted. She was so distraught that this had happened to me, but given the fact that she’d just been through a c-section (and this was back in the day when you were totally knocked out for this procedure), clipping my nails wasn’t the first thing she had thought to do upon seeing me, and evidently, neither had the nurses.

I took that story to heart when we had Darah, and I even brought little baby mitts to the hospital. They worked only ok. I had a little baby, and those mitts would fall off her hands! And they are small, which means they would then be hard to find. I don’t think we made it out of the newborn stage last time with a single pair of mitts still in tact!

This time, I’ve got a genius product on hand that will help ensure a proper fit. The company guavakids (mom owned and operated!) has come out with guavamitts, and they are SO smart! From their site, “All guavamitts are designed to stay put and protect, engage baby’s senses, and be gentle on the earth — all while looking stylish and modern.”

These mitts have velcro straps at the wrists to help you get a custom fit for your baby’s hands. You can make them snug enough that they won’t fall off when being worn. Hooray!

Take a look at all the pattern options. High contrast options are great for tiny babies, as it does help with brain development. Because these mitts are on their hands, they are at close range and are going to be looked at again and again…very smart to have the design serve a developmental purpose!

The mitts are made with bamboo (a VERY sustainable resource) and organic cotton. I love the thought that went into this choice. Gentle on the planet and gentle for baby! Also, knowing that the product is organic, there’s no concern about baby sucking or chewing on the mitt…it’s chemical-free!

Buy it!: Guavamitts are available in packs of one for $12.00 or two for $20.00. These would make a most excellent shower gift!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a pair of guavamitts! Woo hoo!

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Call for Guest Posts!

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As you know, I am pregnant, and my due date (May 4) is inching closer! I would really love to have some guest posts on my blog right around the time when we will have a newborn at home. It will take a bit of work off my hands, and it will give readers something new and fresh to read!

If you have any interest in writing a guest post on Stuff Parents Need (you don’t have to be a blogger to write a post!), please send me an email at stuffparentsneed (at) gmail (dot) com with your idea and we’ll get you on the calendar for a post in May!

Thank you in advance for your help. I am fortunate enough to read all of your comments and I know that this community has a lot of great tips and advice to share!

Organic, Fair, Natural: Wild Dill for Babies and Toddlers

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Wild Dill is an absolutely fabulous resource for parents. This online shopping destination is chock full of organic, fair trade and natural toys, clothes and bedding for your little loves.

We recently received a fair trade stuffed animal and I have to say, I was really blown away by the quality. You may be wondering what fair trade means. It means that the artisans who produced this work were paid a living wage for their skills and time. The people making these products are earning a living that ensures they can care for themselves, and their families. Just as you and I seek to make a wage that can not only support us but also help us thrive, so, too, do these individuals, and Wild Dill sees to it that they are fairly compensated. Yes, that does mean that the prices for the products are going to be a bit higher. But I promise you, the quality is unparalleled.

I love this panda from Yellow Label Kids for a few reasons other reasons, as well. It’s organic, which means that when (not if!) the baby chews on it, I don’t have to worry about all the pesticides and chemicals that might be lurking in the material and stuffing. Second, the coloring is excellent for newborn and young infant eyes, which are drawn to black and white images. This ensures that this panda is going to be played with a great deal, especially in the early weeks of life! I will use it with the baby to help her practice tracking objects. And I can already tell you that big sister thinks it is a fun toy, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing her play with it a lot, too!

The product selection at Wild Dill is fantastic, with over 50 great natural brands featured. Some I have already known and loved, and some are new discoveries to me, which is so much fun! What a joy it is to see the growth of organic and fair-trade products!

If Wild Dill sounds like the type of place where you’d like to do a lot of your baby shopping, then you are in luck! They offer wish lists and baby registries! Also, all orders over $65 qualify for free shipping, which is great!

Buy it!: You can purchase the organic stuffed panda I reviewed for $34.00.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

Jewelry that Captures the Essence of Motherhood: Vanessa Gade (BIG discount!!!)

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I want to talk for a moment about a matter that has become a bit controversial, largely due to the way people choose talk about it. Ever heard of a “push present”? This unfortunate term was coined to indicate a gift, typically jewelry, that a woman receives from her significant other upon the birth of their child.

I have NO problems with marking such an incredibly special moment in the life of a family with a special keepsake gift. In fact, I will tell you now that I received a beautiful platinum necklace from Tim when Darah was born. It has 3 interlocking circles, representing our new family. I wear it almost constantly (I’m wearing it in the picture on my home page, as a matter of fact!).

I DO have a problem with the term “push present” as it can be perceived to mean that the woman needs some sort of sparkly “treat” for delivering a baby. The work of carrying and delivering a baby FAR exceeds whatever jewels could possibly be offered, people. There’s no way to create some sort of “fair exchange…baby for bling.” I think most any mom will tell you that upon reflection, that concept doesn’t make any sense.

I think of my daughter and my family every time I touch my necklace. It is a reminder of my amazing family that I am blessed to have. I also know that one day I will pass this piece of jewelry on to Darah; it will mark some special occasion for her down the road, and it will be a true treasure to pass on. Not because I “earned” it by delivering her, but because it symbolizes the gift Tim and I were given the day she entered the world.

I have spent a bit of time thinking about what symbol might represent the arrival of our second daughter. It could be a piece of art, a sculpture for our backyard, or yes, even a piece of jewelry. I wasn’t really sure what to look for, but fortunately, something found me. I discovered the jewelry artist Vanessa Gade, and after taking just one look at her pieces, I fell madly in love. For me, her necklaces were capturing what I have been feeling about becoming a mother of two…an interesting dance between chaos and complete harmony.

Piece after piece in Vanessa’s collection show asymmetrical patterns, but all are captured inside perfect circles. There it is…the essence of my day-to-life life as a mom! The particular piece I received to review speaks so clearly to me about having two children. There are two beautiful chains that cut right through the circle (which I am inclined to think of as a symbol of my heart). They intersect with each other and look to me as though they are running and dancing, just as my children will run and dance through my head and my heart every day from now until it stops beating.  The circle is oxidized silver (though it is also available in sterling). I really like this effect. Part of the sacrifice of becoming a parent is that you do get a bit worn down as you stand up against all the elements. Perhaps I’m not as shiny as I was 5 years ago. But look at the light (the gold chains) that radiate from inside of me! Motherhood, even with all of its pains and scars, is a thing of the most tremendous beauty. I have never shined more brightly in my life. Vanessa Gade took all of those complex feelings and captured them perfectly in this piece. This necklace retails for $136 but can be yours for $95.20 (see below for details!).

Vanessa is an incredible artist. Her pieces likely speak to many different people for many different reasons, but I can guarantee that they will tug at your heart as a mother. Please take a look at her collection of stunning pieces. If you are looking for a special memento or perhaps wanting to give your significant other a few ideas for Valentine’s Day, you are sure to find something that calls out to you on her website.

Vanessa is so excited to have you learn about her collection here on Stuff Parents Need that she has decided to offer a BIG discount to my readers…30% off (if you have been following the crazy increase in gold and silver prices, then you know that to offer this sort of a discount is MAJOR)!!!! All you need to do is like Vanessa’s Facebook page and then email her at vanessagade@gmail.com with the piece of interest and she’ll set up a discount code just for you! 

Wanna see my top pick (aside from the piece you already heard about that I obviously adore)? This sterling silver piece with 3 lines going through it is simply stunning! What about you? What do you love the most from her collection? With the 30% discount, this piece could be yours for just $103.60. What a steal for something so unique and special!

Show Vanessa some love by liking her Facebook page. There will be plenty of eye candy to see there as she releases new and gorgeous designs. She also offers her fans special discounts from time to time!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

(Maternity Monday) Luxurious Shampoo and Body Wash: PK Baby

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Did you know that it is known who actually coined the phrase, “bad hair day”? Credit goes to Philip Kingsley, who is actually one of the world’s most respected authorities on hair and scalp health. He is known for his luxurious line of hair care products, and he is proud to be launching a new baby care line.

The first product that has been released is Philip Kingsley Baby Shampoo and Body Wash. We have been using it on Darah for just about a month, now, and I have to say, I can tell a difference in how her hair looks! We only use natural, gentle products on her, and her hair has consistently been soft, but it’s even softer now! Also, she does have a little bit of curl in her hair, and the definition of those curls has become much more clear since we started using this product on her. I wasn’t dissatisfied with what I was using before, but I have to admit, PK Baby Shampoo and Body Wash has made a noticeable improvement!

I am also a big fan of the fact that it can double as a body wash. Darah is a squirmy worm in the tub, so it helps us a great deal if we are using the same product on her hair and her body. I feel comfortable doing this because it is paraben, SLS and SLES free and its fragrance (which is really nice, by the way) is non-allergen in content.

So what’s not to love? Well, I do have two hangups. The first one is the price. It is $28.85, although the bottle is quite large (500ml). I am willing to pay more for quality ingredients, but it is priced beyond what I would normally spend. Keep in mind that this is coming from a gal who likes to use vinegar and baking soda on her own hair; you may feel differently!

Also, the pump on the container is child proof. What’s embarrassing is that it’s also Tiffany and Tim-proof. After many days of attempts to open it, Tim did have success, but he can’t tell you what he did to get it to work. I’m all for smart pumps, but this one may be a bit too smart! 🙂

Philip Kingsley Baby Shampoo and Body Wash can be purchased here.

Have you ever used any products from the Philip Kingsley line? I’d love to hear about it; after seeing how well Darah’s shampoo works, I will admit that I’m quite intrigued!

Challenging My Family to Try Pork! This Week: Pork Tenderloin

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I’m participating in a really interesting challenge that has been launched by the National Pork Board. It’s called the “Good and Good for You Challenge.” The goal is to inspire us all to make healthy lifestyle choices in 2012. Pork is an excellent lean meat option that our family rarely chooses, which is why I wanted to take part in this challenge. I thought it would be fun to expand my culinary horizons. We’ve already drastically reduced our intake of less lean meats over the past few years, but honestly, all that’s really meant is that we mostly eat ground turkey! It’s time to think outside of the gobble and see what pork has to offer!

Publix is the retail partner for the Good and Good for You Challenge, and as such, they are offering a special sale on a different cut of pork each week from now through February 22nd. This week you can score pork tenderloin for just $4.99/pound, which is a most excellent buy! Here’s the cut I purchased, which actually includes 2 one pound tenderloins in the package. I used for one dinner and stuck one in the freezer to use later in the week.

The only thing I’ve ever made with pork tenderloin is carnitas in the slow cooker, so I needed some new ideas. Fortunately, there’s a website just for such a purpose! It’s called porkbeinspired.com and it is full of great recipes that your family and your waistline will love! Since I’ve been craving guacamole like nobody’s business lately, this recipe for pork tenderloin sliders with three sauces really caught my attention. I also liked just how fast it came together. Did you know that thinly sliced pork tenderloin can cook up in as little as 3 minutes? SWEET!!!! The recipe is found below. You can make all three sauces to give your family plenty of options, or you can just opt for one, like we did (guacamole, of course!). 

Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Three Sauces

(note: I’m only including the sauce we used, but you can see all 3 options on the original recipe)

Recipe courtesy of the National Pork Board

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 3 minutes

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 pork tenderloin (1 pound), trimmed

1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning

2 teaspoons olive oil

12 mini (1 1/2-x-2-inches) rolls, split and toasted

6 romaine lettuce leaves, torn

2 plum tomatoes, each cut into 6 slices*

Directions:

Cut pork about 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle pork on all sides with the seasoning. Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning once, until the pork is browned, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side.

Place the tenderloin in the rolls, top with lettuce, tomatoes, and sauce of your choice.

*Tomatoes can be served raw or broiled for more intense flavor

SAUCE

Spicy Avocado Sauce:

1 small ripe avocado, halved, pitted, and peeled

1 tablespoon minced jalapeno, including seeds

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro

Place the avocado in a small bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher; add remaining ingredients and stir until well mixed.

Serving Suggestion:

You can substitute the romaine lettuce with arugula, baby greens, baby spinach, or cabbage instead.  Make all three sauces so everyone has a choice, or choose your favorite bottled sauce, such as barbecue or honey mustard sauce. Serve the sliders with baked sweet potato fries.

Here’s a pic of how our version turned out. It isn’t as pretty as the picture above, but I still thought it was a rather attractive sandwich!

Wanna hear my verdict? This was absolutely DELICIOUS! AND…I love how quickly it came together. It is perfect for a weeknight. Also, this is very kid-friendly. The size is not overwhelming for little hands. There’s no doubt that this is going into my recipe rotation, pork tenderloin and all!

If you live in an area with a Publix, get yourself to the store and pick up some pork tenderloin! The price is right, and the recipe possibilities are enormous! I feel so inspired to try out this particular cut with several different recipes I found on porkbeinspired.com. The next recipe I’m going to try in a few days with my remaining tenderloin is the pork tenderloin cancun with chorizo potatoes. Doesn’t that look incredible??? I’m also going to spend some time on this website learning about the different cuts of pork and different cooking methods. Since I’m new to using pork, I’ve got a lot to learn, and its great to have all the resources I need in just one spot.

If you’d like to learn more about making healthy eating choices by using pork, be sure to follow Pork Be Inspired on Facebook as well as Twitter for great tips, as well as contest info!

Disclosure: I am participation in this campaign in conjunction with The Motherhood, and am being compensated for my time. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.


Win a Kindle Fire with Ronco!

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One of my very favorite brands of pasta is Ronco. I have two main reasons. The first one is because their products are excellent and reasonably priced (ok, I guess that’s two reasons right there!). But there is one more reason I love this company: they do AWESOME giveaways! If you were reading my blog last year, then you probably saw two big giveaways I did with them. Three winners each got a year’s supply of pasta (wow!) and in a separate giveaway, someone won a Cuisinart stainless steel 4 piece pasta/steamer set and 4 boxes of pasta. They have certainly shown Stuff Parents Need readers a lot of love!

And today is no different! I want you to be in the know about a most excellent contest happening over at the Ronco Pasta Facebook page. It’s called the Pasta Moments Photo Contest, and as part of it, Ronco wants to see your favorite pasta moments, as well as what “home” means to you. Break out your cameras and capture the spirit of home and comfort, and submit it to the contest to be entered to win some outstanding prizes!  

One grand prize winner is going to snag a Kindle Fire! OOOOOHHH!! There are weekly prizes for all 7 weeks that the contest is running (weekly winners get a 1 year supply of Ronco pasta!). Official rules can be found here.

You know you love pasta, and you are probably planning on having it for at least one meal this week. So capture those moments, submit them to Ronco, and see if you can snag pasta for the year or a Kindle Fire!

Disclosure: Ronco is providing me with a $25 gift card to Shutterfly as a thank you for the time I spent writing the post. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.