Stuff Parents Need

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

Healthy Comfort Food Options from #Publix4Pork (Awesome GIVEAWAY!!!)

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This week you can find pork sirloin cutlets on sale at Publix (more information on the sale can be found here). Once again, this was a particular cut of meat that I have never, to my knowledge, purchased. By this point in the Good and Good For You Challenge, I have come to realize that my avoidance of the pork section of the meat department has been a huge mistake! So many cuts are very lean (not bacon, sorry to say) and cook up super fast, with a super juicy taste!

Porkbeinspired.com has become one of my very favorite online resources for recipes, too. I am blown away by the volume of tasty recipes you can find there, and I especially love that you can search by cut of meat. I think one of the reasons that I have avoided buying pork in the past is simply because I didn’t have any recipes on hand to use. And I didn’t have any recipes because I didn’t ever buy pork. See the viscous cycle? Also, meat is one of the pricier items on our grocery list, so I NEVER want to purchase a cut of meat that doesn’t have a clear intended purpose. There are so many different cuts that I’m unfamiliar with, so I just stick with what I know (ground turkey and chicken breasts…I swear that’s the only meat besides seafood that I bought before this challenge started).

My search for sirloin cutlet recipes turned up dozens and dozens of pages of options on Porkbeinspired.com alone! Trying other cuts of pork will yield similar results on the site, in terms of quantity. Now I have absolutely ZERO fear about buying a different cut of meat (pork in particular) when it is on sale. It will be no problem to find a delicious dish to make with it!

So this week we were to look into healthy comfort food options. I found a healthy version of Pork Piccata (served as a sandwich) and my family thoroughly enjoyed it. The recipe can be found below, but we made ours even healthier by avoiding the butter altogether and simply cooking the meat on the George Foreman Grill.

PORK PICCATA SANDWICHES


Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
4 pork cutlets, 4 ounces, 1/4-inch thick
1 teaspoon lemon pepper, reduced sodium
2 teaspoons butter, unsalted
4 large sandwich buns, split
Lemon wedges

Directions:

Coat cutlets well with lemon pepper to taste. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter to sizzling over medium-high heat. Cook cutlets quickly to brown both sides, turning once, about 4 minutes total. Place on buns; serve with lemon wedges.

 

That’s it! It pretty much couldn’t be any easier, and these tasted totally scrumptious. We made enough to have leftovers the next day, which meant that mom and dad got a free pass the next night at dinner, and all for 10 minutes worth of work the night before. Hooray!

So, again, my big takeaway from the Good and Good For You Challenge is not to shy away from pork any more. There are several cuts of meat that are just as lean as the chicken and turkey we currently eat, and the flavors can be quite exceptional. I feel as though we’ve just opened up a whole new world of culinary possibilities, and I’m so excited. Watch out, Pinterest. I’m coming for you, and I’m looking for pork dishes!

Don’t forget to check out the Love Me Tenderloin sweepstakes on the Pork Be Inspired Facebook page. They are giving away lots of great prizes!

Speaking of prizes, here’s your chance to win a great prize pack!

Win it!: One super lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win all this fabulous stuff:

  • (8) $5 off pork coupons (SWEET!!!!)
  • water bottle
  • reusable grocery bag
  • meat thermometer
  • pedometer
  • recipe book

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Learning Resources Primary Science Mix & Measure Kit Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Play time during the toddler years is a great opportunity for learning. Learning can be one giant experiment in fun if you have the right equipment on hand. Today I’m featuring a Primary Science Mix & Measure Kit, and it is helping Darah have so much fun and also increasing her ability to concentrate.

We wanted to get something like this after Darah got to play with a similar kit that her cousin received for Christmas. Those two spent so much time at the dining room table mixing different colors, and transferring water from one container to the next. I was really amazed by how much time Darah wanted to spend working on her experiments.

This set comes with several mixing containers of different sizes, a scale to determine weight, as well as several activity cards to give parents ideas for different experiments to try. Right now we are really enjoying guessing which containers might hold more or less water than the others. Darah is learning the basics of volume, and seeing that containers can be shaped differently, but still hold the same amount of water. She is fascinated by this idea!

The Primary Science Mix & Measure Kit is just one of a HUGE ARRAY of outstanding products from the company Learning Resources. I have this site bookmarked for the future, and I want to strongly recommend that you do the same. You can shop by age, category or subject which can really help you find what you are looking for, or it can help you discover things you didn’t even know existed! For example, I’m currently mulling over buying the Gator Grabber Tweezers. At school, Darah does several activities that require the use of small tongs to develop fine motor skills. I’d love to be able to continue those lessons at home!

Learning Resources also has a section for resources for special needs children, filled to the brim with fantastic activities! You can shop by skill, modality, and disorder/disability.

I am extremely impressed with the great products that Learning Resources has made available to parents and teachers. I think they have their finger on the pulse of what kids really need to help further their skills as they play, and they have made sure that learning can truly be a lot of fun. I will certainly be doing business with them again!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Primary Science Mix & Measure Kit!

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Ultimate Green Store Review and $20 Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY!!!

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If you are looking for a really great one-stop-shop online for all things green that relate to mom, kid and baby, you really need to check out The Ultimate Green Store! They even offer a green baby registry. If this were my first time expecting, I’d definitely be signing up for that one!

After looking around at The Ultimate Green Store, I am really blown away by the number of products they have, and just how many great gift options there are for different people who may be on your gift list throughout the year. They have everything from luxurious organic cotton jersey sheets to a solar powered ipad charger and everything you can imagine in between!

I, of course, couldn’t help but check out their babysection. When I saw that The Ultimate Green Store carried cloth diapers, I was absolutely delighted! They only carry a few lines, and I think they have chosen to carry one of the brands that is the absolute very best: BumGenius. BumGenius AIO is what I started out with when cloth diapering, and I called it the “gateway drug” of diapers, because it was an all-in-one with velcro closures…it was as close to a disposable as you could get, and every bit as absorbent.

I had the opportunity to review the BumGenius 4.0 in Blossom from The Ultimate Green Store. I decided to try out this diaper because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and also because I wanted to make absolutely sure that you, my fabulous readers, know that The Ultimate Green Store has all their BumGenius on sale right now! You can get the 3.0 pocket diapers for just $10.99! EEEEEE!!!!!! The BG 4.0 with velcro are on sale for $15.95 and the organic cotton 4.0 with snap closures is on sale for $20.95. You most definitely need to check out this sale if you are a BumGenius fan. If you’ve never tried this line, then I want to strongly encourage you to buy one at these great prices right now…you won’t regret it!

What makes the 4.0 different from the 3.0? Well, the 4.0 comes with both a small insert for a newborn or younger infant, as well as a larger insert to use as your baby grows. It has also been designed to be an even trimmer fit than the 3.0 version. It is designed to fit babies from 7-35 pounds, which is quite a range! I put the diaper on the smallest setting to get ready for our little one, and it certainly does look like a small, trim diaper! Prepping it was easy; just one wash needed. I’m extremely excited to have this diaper in my collection and I know it will be one of the diapers I frequently reach for, based on my previous experience with BumGenius.

It seems to me that The Ultimate Green Store has put a lot of thought into the brands and items that it carries. I love when a store has that extra layer of quality control, so that you can shop with confidence knowing that you are going to get something terrific. The bargain shopper in me is also so pleased to see that they have a warehouse clearance sale section up right now, with deals at up to 50% off. This is a great opportunity to re-stock your gift closet with things that people would be thrilled to receive! I’m loving this circuit board picture frame, which my self-professed geek husband would love to have on his desk at work!

 

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $20 gift certificate to The Ultimate Green Store! LUCKY!!!!

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Everyday Minerals Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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I’ve mentioned before that mineral makeup is my very favorite to wear. If you haven’t tried it yet, you simply MUST. Your makeup doesn’t look as heavy on, but that doesn’t meant that it doesn’t provide coverage, I promise. I’m at the age where looking like I don’t have on a stitch of makeup doesn’t really work for me, anymore, but I also don’t want to look like a makeup artist just tried out every product at the counter on my face. I have found mineral makeup to be the very best way to get a polished look, but not a caked-on look.

Also, mineral makeup is good for your skin! What other makeup products can boast such a claim? The ingredients are found in nature and in my experience, don’t clog your pores the way other products do. If you forget to wash your face one night, no big deal. Gotta love that!

Today I’m featuring a line called Everyday Minerals, and I am SUPER impressed with the quality of this makeup! This line is organic, vegan and eco-friendly, and 100% full of quality makeup that lasts all day. The first product I received to review from the line was the soft bronzer. I was quite nervous when I saw it, because I have really pale skin, so I NEVER use bronzer because the end result is always an orange face. Well, I could not have been more pleasantly surprised by this product! It is designed for lighter skin and can be used all over to give a healthy (not orange) glow. I have used it in place of foundation a few times and was pleased with the end result! Want to hear what’s even more exciting? This product is just $9.00! SERIOUSLY!!!

The second product I reviewed was the mineral blush in pink ribbon. Once again, I’ll tell you that when I saw the product, I was a bit nervous. It has a good amount of shimmer in the product, and as a 31 year old, I tend to shy away from putting sparkly stuff on my face. But, as it turns out, this blush is absolutely adorable, and the shimmer is subtle and pretty, not over the top or garish. The shade is also very fresh and absolutely perfect for spring. A big container of this blush is $10.00. These prices are so awesome!!!

If you are curious about trying out mineral makeup, or if you already love mineral makeup but are looking for less pricey options, you will be very pleased to go with Everyday Minerals. Start by putting together 7 samples for yourself. You even get to select the price for these samples (paying as little as .01!), and 100% of what you give goes towards the Everyday Wilderness Preservation Plan. How cool is that?!  If you are ready to place a larger order, you can order products individually, or go with one of their custom kits, ordering 3 big size items for a 25% discount. And remember that the prices are already great!

You are sure to find products that meet your needs and your skin tone at Everyday Minerals. They offer 34 shades of foundation, 20 shades of light application powder, 21 shades of blush, and 84 shades of eyeshadow.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to snag a bronzer and a blush from Everyday Minerals! Get ready to glow!

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(Maternity Monday) Milkin’ Cookies to Increase Milk Supply! GIVEAWAY!!!

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The last time I was breastfeeding, it became fairly obvious as soon as I returned to work that I needed to increase my milk supply, as I wasn’t producing enough to create any sort of storage supply. My doctor recommended that I start taking the herb Fenugreek. For me personally, it only helped a little bit. And it also had a VERY interesting side effect…it made me smell like maple syrup.

Seriously. Just ask Tim.

Maybe that sounds sort of sweet and cool to you, but I hated it. It was certainly not what I wanted to smell like, but I had no choice.

Since I’m already aware that I had supply issues the last time, I’m taking a more proactive approach this time. Tim and I have discussed if the right strategy is to start taking that smelly herb from the start. I’m willing to do it, but oh my gosh, I really don’t want to.

But there is another option, and it is SO much better. I’m trading in my Fenugreek for cookies.

You heard me, COOKIES.

Introducing Milkin’ Cookies, a line of delicious baked treats created by two physicians (and moms!) to help women increase their milk supplies. You may be thinking, “Can I just buy some double-stuff Oreos and get the same results?” Afraid not, my friends. These cookies are a very special recipe, and they are stuffed with galactagogues. Those aren’t ingredients from outer space, by the way, they are ingredients found to naturally increase milk supply (for example, oatmeal, flax seed and wheat germ).

Milkin’ Cookies are made in small batches and are individually wrapped for your convenience. Most women find that they only need to eat one cookie each day to see noticeable results in supply levels. These cookies are made with NO preservatives, so they are best if eaten within 2 weeks, or they can also be frozen and simply thawed for 30 minutes before being ingested. You can purchase a 14 day sample pack ($20.99) , a 30 day supply ($44.99)  or get a 3 month subscription for $119.99.

Could you make something like this yourself? Perhaps, although I can’t point you to an exact recipe. You’d have to dig around online to find one that is getting universal praise (which is what these cookies are getting!). And then you’d have to go purchase all those slightly unusual ingredients. And then you’d have to make them. And then freeze them individually. And then hope that they taste ok. But with a newborn on your hands, you won’t be busy, so this should be no problem (said with much sarcasm).

Seriously, though, I think this is one of those things that is worth paying for, because the cookies have been tested by other moms and have produced great results. Also, I should tell you that they seriously yummy. They come in two flavors: cranberry almond oatmeal and my very favorite, oatmeal chocolate chip. Both Darah and Tim love eating them, too, and they are perfectly safe to be eaten by anyone. All the ingredients are good and good for you. They are also loaded with fiber, which makes them good to eat during pregnancy! I remember that my pain medication I was on right after having Darah caused constipation…a side effect NOBODY mentioned to me. Let’s just say that I did some crying in the bathroom a few days after getting home from the hospital. My plan this time is to eat a cookie. BEST PLAN EVER!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a 14 day supply of Milkin’ Cookies! Yum!!

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La Bella Stella: Celebrate Earth Music Series (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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La Bella Stella is a really delightful compilation of artists who each contributed songs to the album that celebrate this great earth we all call home. It’s been released by Recess Music, a production company with the following mission: “We entertain, encourage, and educate children and families about or magnificent green planet through Earth-friendly music.” This album is a true celebration of the earth (and even the galaxy!) and is perfect in getting geared up for Earth Day in a few months!

One thing I love about albums like this is that they give you a means to familiarize yourself with a variety of children’s artists. Your favorite songs on the album are likely by groups that you would enjoy on their own, so you can go check out their other albums and see for yourself!

My personal favorite song on the album is Gravity. It actually reminds me a bit of the John Mayer song by the same name! The lyrics of this song, though, really help deconstruct just what gravity is and how it works. I love it!

If you are looking to check out some new artists, or you simply want some tunes that help your kids learn about loving our planet, La Bella Stella is a great find!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need winner will receive a copy of La Bella Stella!

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Kid’s Xlear Nasal Spray Review (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Darah is in preschool, which of course means that she frequently has the sniffles. I am reluctant to pump her full of medication all the time, though. So for the most part, we’ve just been trying to keep her Vitamin C intake high, and stocking up on tissues.

Recently, however, we’ve added a new tactic to our plan and it does seem to be helping a bit. It’s a product called Kid’s Xlear (pronounced “clear”). It’s an all-natural nasal spray that is safe enough for infants to take. That really makes me feel good, because as anyone with an infant will tell you, there’s precious little out there safe enough for young babies!

You may already be giving your child a nasal spray to help deal with congestion. But are you paying attention to the ingredients? Many of the ones (yes, even the ones designed for children) contain hazardous chemicals. Kid’s Xlear contains xylitol, which is what sets it apart from every other option on the market.

I didn’t know what xylitol was until I received this product to review, so if you don’t know either, let me explain. It is a white crystalline substance that is naturally occurring, and looks and tastes like sugar. When used as an ingredient in cooking, it has 40% fewer calories and does not promote tooth decay. It’s a very cool product, but what does that have to do with nasal congestion? Well, it has also been shown through studies to be extremely effective in relieving nasal discomfort. It’s also been shown to have overall health benefits to the body when ingested. For these reasons, it is being used by Kid’s Xlear to provide a safe, non-addicting, all natural product that can help with your child’s runny nose.

I have been using it with Darah. The toughest part is getting her to sit still while I administer the product. As you can imagine, a 2 year old isn’t too fond of having me put drops of liquid up her nose. I do wish the dispenser was a mister instead of a drip. But beyond that, I’ve been pleased with the results we are getting. EDIT: I just learned from the sponsor that if I squeeze the product while upright, it is, in fact, a mister! That’s great news!
Buy it!: Kid’s Xlear is available at Whole Foods and Vitamin Shoppe locations all over the country, and you can also purchase it online at www.xlear.com.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a bottle of Kid’s Xlear!

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Tropical Traditions Organic Liquid Soaps (GIVEAWAY!!)

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It never ceases to amaze me just how many incredible uses there are for coconut oil! Tropical Traditions seems to have the inside scoop on all the best uses, and today I’m bringing you yet another outstanding product from their line.

We’ve been using Tropical Traditions Organic Liquid Soaps in our bathrooms and in our kitchen for the past few weeks, and the experience has been very positive. These are the foaming type of soaps, which are my personal favorite. I have to tell you, these soaps are SO creamy! They feel fabulous on the skin and don’t leave it dried out at all. I use the unscented version in Darah’s bathroom. We are using the tea tree scent in the kitchen, which is the perfect choice. And in our bathroom, we’ve got lavender. It smells AWESOME! I feel like I’m getting a mini-aromatherapy session every time I wash my hands!

Wanna hear something really interesting? Tropical traditions organic liquid soap is made with 100% organic coconut oil and NOTHING ELSE (except the essential oils in the scented varieties). What other foaming soaps on the market can boast the same high quality, non-toxic ingredient list? Nobody that I know of!

And as far as their effectiveness as soaps, they work great! No complaints here!

Buy it!: Tropical Traditions Organic Liquid Soaps are $9.50 for 8 ounces (but watch for their frequent sales!) and you can get a refill bottle of 32 ounces for $33.50

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Tropical Traditions Organic Liquid Soap in your choice of scent!

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(Maternity Monday) Stylish Burp Cloths by Ahmelie (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Here’s the deal: babies spit up. A lot. And when I say “spit up” I am not just talking about little dribbles of drool (although they do a heck of a lot of that, especially when teething). I’m talking about what should really be referred to as throwing up, but that’s just too gross to say all the time. They do this OFTEN, and if you aren’t prepared with the right equipment, your laundry basket is about to get seriously full. I learned from the wise parents who came before me that for several months of your life, you should plan on having a burp cloth over your shoulder pretty much at all times. Does it need to be something fancy? Of course not; absorbency is the real key. We used mostly basic pre-folds (so absorbent!) and some cut up towels.

But with that said, we also had a few “nice” burp cloths, and I was really glad to have those when we ventured from the house. If I actually made the time to look halfway decent when going somewhere, I didn’t want to spoil the whole thing by putting a cut up towel over my shoulder! So I do recommend that you get at least 3 nicer burp cloths. But don’t do what my mom did and get burp cloths that are so lovely (full of expensive lace, for example) that you would be upset if they actually got used. If the baby can’t actually spit up on them, then they are useless!

Ahmelie, one of my VERY favorite retailers, offers the perfect marriage of design and function with her burp cloth sets. I had the opportunity to review a set of 3 burp cloths from her line. These are made with 100% cotton cloth diapers, which are very absorbent! But they also have a beautiful piece of fabric added to the middle to make them look beautiful. I really like the size of these burp cloths; they are large enough to double as a changing pad, which makes them all the better. I LOVE when something can do double-duty for me in the diaper bag!

I can tell you as a customer of Ahmelie’s that her designs are simply gorgeous and her quality is outstanding. If your burp cloth stash is looking a little rough around the edges, or if you are looking for a really cute shower gift that will also be useful, I highly recommend these designer burp cloths.

Buy it!: The set of 3 burp cloths I reviewed retails for $17.00, which is a great price for something so darn cute! Ahmelie has a special offer for Stuff Parents Need customers. Use code STUFF10 at checkout to receive 10% off your purchase (good at www.ahmelie.etsy.com or at www.ahmelie.com).

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a set of 3 burp cloths from Ahmelie!

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