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Tropical Relief from the Winter Blues from Del Monte (Giveaway!)

February 14, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 185 Comments

The Del Monte products, information, gift pack, and gift card have been provided by Del Monte. But all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always!

I know that not everyone in the entire country has snow piled up in their yard, but a good chunk of us do, myself included. We got 5 inches here in Chattanooga, an amount that is pretty debilitating to a city in the South. We’ve had snow quite a few times this winter, and let me tell you, the novelty of it has worn off. I’m OVER IT. And I can only imagine how those of you who got 12-18 inches (or more!) this week feel about it.

My kids have been stuck in the house quite a bit this week (we don’t own snow suits, so trips outside to play in the snow don’t last very long). I’ve blown through a lot of our stockpiled craft projects and coloring books and every imaginary game I can think of. My kids knew I was running out of ideas, so Darah suggested that we “play in the pantry.” Which really just means, “Let’s EAT ALL THE THINGS!”

Del Monte To the Rescue

Fortunately, there actually was something tucked away that brightened all of our spirits: a taste of the tropics from ! We’ve really enjoyed the Mango Pineapple Fruit Cup Snacks. I usually have these on hand for road trips, or for occasions when Darah begs to have a “packed lunch” like the kids who get to stay past noon at her school (true story…she feels deprived for not having her food presented to her in a lunch box). But if ever there was a time when we needed something tropical, it was this week!

And when the snow does finally thaw and we get to head back out into civilization, I’ve got my purse stocked with Del Mont Fruit Burst Squeezers. It never fails that my kids tell me they are hungry as soon as we back out of our driveway, and I’m guessing some of you out there have the same experience with your kiddos. Have you seen the on the shelves? I found some at my local Walmart.

I like that both of these Del Monte products leave High Fructose Corn Syrup out of their recipes. They are a very easy way for me to get a serving of fruit in my kids’ tummies, and the girls think of them as special treats. Win/win!

And speaking of winning….

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win 2 Del Monte VIP coupons for free products, as well as a $25 Walmart gift card!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

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NaturalMat Mattresses – The Best for Babies!

February 13, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

by Alanna Peters

While preparing my baby’s nursery I’ve tried to put extra thought into the quality of products I use. I use non-toxic cleaning supplies, but what about the actual ITEMS in the room? One thing I had never really given much thought to was the crib mattress. Our old crib mattress worked fine for my first daughter but after giving it a second look it just seemed so artificial and uncomfortable. It is totally covered in plastic, smells funny, and is full of who knows what? I decided I wanted to try find a more natural mattress for my new baby to sleep on.

Thanks to Naturalmat I was fortunate enough to receive a Coco Mat for my baby – Naturalmat’s signature mattress. It is a perfect choice for babies and children because it provides gentle support and impressive ventilation and insulation. As soon as I opened the package I noticed some major differences between the old and new mattresses. First of all, the Naturalmat mattress cover is much softer and much more comfortable. Rather than a crinkly vinyl cover it has a quilted, organic cotton cover (which zips off for easy laundering!). The mattress is also a bit larger than our old mattress. The old mattress had a gap of about an inch around all the sides of the crib but the Coco Mat fits the crib like a glove. I feel like it is much safer for the baby this way. No gaps for her to get stuck in!

I was slightly concerned about the cover because I knew that the vinyl cover on the old mattress was there to protect it from leaks. How would the quilted cotton cover protect the new mattress? Naturalmat took care of that problem as well. All of their mattresses come with a free organic waterproof mattress protector (washable!) which keeps any leaks away from the mattress. Also, as I already mentioned, the mattress cover IS washable in the case that any leaks do happen to get through. I actually prefer the idea of being able to wash my mattress cover to wiping down a vinyl cover with some cleaning spray.

So, who/what is Naturalmat?

Naturalmat was founded with the aim of helping babies and children sleep safely and comfortably in the best, most natural environment possible. Harnessing the amazing potential of natural and organic materials including organic coir, latex and organic cotton, Naturalmat has created a collection of the finest organic bedding – handcrafted bedding that is superbly comfortable, breathable, washable and non-allergenic.

By choosing Naturalmat, parents know they are doing the very best for their children – and for the world they live in.

Naturalmat is the leading global manufacturer of 100% natural fiber and organic mattresses for babies, children and adults. Naturalmat was founded in 2000 in Devon, England by two sailors who identified a need for better, natural mattress options on boats. They used the knowledge they gained to create natural mattresses for their children. They were proud to create the first range of pure natural fiber mattresses for babies. Their mattresses provide parents with the peace of mind that babies will have a safe and restful night sleep on the highest quality natural fibers available today. Each handmade mattress provides an even temperature for baby to sleep on. Naturalmat manufactures and distributes mattresses around the world from its base in Topsham, Devon.

So, what kind of natural fibers do they use?

organic coconut fibers (coir) for breathability
organic lambswool for insulation
natural latex for spring
organic cotton cover

Curious how a natural fiber mattress is made? Check out this quick video showing how it’s done. Just watching it makes me feel SO much better about my baby’s mattress – I can’t wait for her to try it out! Still want to see more? Check out their YouTube channel for even more informative videos.

So, why Naturalmat mattresses?

They are natural and organic. Everything in Naturalmat mattresses is 100% natural and where possible organic. Each one is made by hand.
They are the most breathable on the market. Babies are very sensitive to temperature and don’t regulate their own body heat very well. Unlike synthetic materials, the natural fibers in Naturalmat mattresses allow a constant circulation of air. This helps keep baby from overheating, allowing better temperature control.
They use 100% renewable materials. All of the raw materials used in Naturalmat mattresses come from sustainable sources that are Fair Trade compliant. Every element of these mattresses is biodegradable and compostable!
They are hypo-allergenic and anti-dust mite. The organic wool used in Naturalmat mattresses has been treated with essential oils of lemon, eucalyptus and lavender (which I LOVE!) to give natural protection against allergies and bugs. Their latex is also 100% hypoallergenic!
They are machine washable. (Which I think is awesome!) The removable covers can be washed at 140°F, and dust mites are killed at 135°F. No more disgusting, dirty old mattresses!
They are naturally fire retardent. Without using any chemical additives or fire retardants in their products, Naturalmat was the first to comply with fire regulations in the US, Britain, and Europe.
They have better spring and support. The makers of Naturalmat mattresses have such an extensive knowledge of natural fibers that they have been able to select the most resilient and durable materials available. They have cleverly created the ideal combination of natural materials to offer a variety of comfortable support levels.
They use eco-friendly packaging. The cartons used for shipping Naturalmat mattresses are 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable. Even the inner liner is made from potato starch which is 100% compostable.

The Coco Mat, which we are using, is perfect for both babies and children. It offers support, ventilation and insulation. It is the most breathable of all Naturalmat mattresses, which is ideal for newborns and infants. This breathability helps babies regulate their body temperature (and hopefully helps them sleep trough the night!) The Coco Mat is treated with lemon, eucalyptus and lavender oils to make it anti-dust mite, anti-moth and anti-mosquito.

Along with the Coco Mat, Naturalmat also offers the Spring Mat, which is ideal for newborns through older babies. The organic coir side is perfect for gently supporting newborns and can be flipped to the latex side for firmer support as baby grows. They also offer the Latex Mat, which is the most allergy-safe, and offers medium support for babies and children, and the Mohair Mat, which offers the most luxurious and firm support for older and heavier children. All of these mattresses are also treated with essential oils to be anti-allergy and anti-bed bug. If you are interested in a Naturalmat but can’t spring (pun intended) for a full mattress, or if you need a light mattress for travel, the Top Mat might be the ideal solution for you. It is lightweight and easily rolls up into a drawstring bag for transport. You can place the Top Mat right on top of an existing crib mattress so baby still gets a good night’s sleep in an ideal environment.

In addition to mattresses, Naturalmat offers a range of organic cotton bed linen, including the organic breathable waterproof mattress protector, organic cotton percale sheets and organic cotton flannelette sheets. Naturalmat’s mattress protector and sheets are made with Soil Association Certified Organic Cotton.

So, are you interested in buying one?! Naturalmat products are available online at www.naturalmatusa.com. Visit their website for the full list of local Naturalmat retailers. You can also keep up with Naturalmat online! Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and on their blog.

Here’s wishing you all an easy, peaceful sleep!

Marvel Super Hero Mashers Join Us for Tea Time

February 11, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

Thanks to Marvel and Mom It Forward for partnering with Stuff Parents Need to make this post possible. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own, as always.

It’s no secret that the dress up bin in our house is overflowing with princess gowns, fairy wings, and accessories that glitter and shine. But it also has a few super hero capes that get worn frequently by our girls. Heck, we even had a super hero birthday party for Darah this past August.

So when I heard about MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS, I knew that Darah would enjoy playing pretend with them. And I knew that Layah, our resident constructor (and DE-structor) would enjoy putting them together and taking them apart. We were sent two figures to play with, and we welcomed them into our home in right proper fashion: by way of a tea party, of course!

MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS are a unique addition to the action figure scene because they have completely interchangeable parts. Hasbro has more than 20 unique MASHERS set to launch in 2014, which means there are pretty much endless ways to blend heros and villians and come up with their own unique action figures.

My 4 1/2 year old had a little bit of trouble getting the pieces to connect, but the more she played with the figures, the easier it got. I think MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS are great for bringing extra creativity to imaginative play. Your figures can look different with each play session!

Just make sure that whatever you create doesn’t get too mad! We had to help Hulk cool down a bit by getting his head on a different body. It diffused the tension that was building up inside of him. That, and petting the sweet bunny giving him a ride. He was pretty much mush after that! 😉

You can find MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS at merchandisers that carry toys all over the nation, and the figures start at the price point of $9.99.

What do you think about this new way of playing with super heros and villains???

EmbarK Online: Our Favorite Online Learning Program Now 50% Off

February 10, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

This post brought to you by K12, the leader in online education for grades K-12. All opinions are 100% mine.

For the last two weeks, every evening after our 21 month old goes to bed, My 4 1/2 year old and I climb into my bed, open up the laptop, and log into EmbarK¹² Online and "play games." Only these are all learning games, perfect for young children ages 3-6.

Last week I witnessed Darah reading her very first book. It happened on EmbarK¹² Online and I'm not ashamed to tell you that I shed a few tears as I watched her work through each page (or in this case, screen). When she finished, she turned to look at me and was positively beaming. It is one of those childhood moments of hers that I will remember forever.

EmbarK12 Online – Over 830 interactive activities to engage your preschooler.

When I agreed to review this online learning system, I expected to enjoy it, but I didn't expect to absolutely LOVE it. But I really do. The huge variety of activities and the various levels of difficulty make it easy to customize what your child is working on based on their skill and comprehension level in each area. For Darah, she's more advanced in a few areas, and in others, needs to be working on the introductory lessons for now. Switching up the levels is seamless, which I really like!

I also really appreciate the responsive design of the program. Darah doesn't have great mouse skills yet, but she sure knows how to operate a tablet. Our laptop has a responsive screen, and that makes it really easy for her to press and swipe and move herself through the activities.

Darah requests to get to "play some of those fun games" with me every single night. Watching her do a little math, a little science, and a little reading before bed each night is something I'm totally on board with. EmbarK¹² Online makes it easy and fun. Check out this helpful video to learn a little bit more about the program.

50% Off Coupon

I'm thrilled to get to share with you a 50% off coupon for EmbarK¹² Online. This code brings the 12 month subsription price down to just $29.50 (regularly $59). If your child likes to play on the computer and if you are looking for some supplemental learning material, I definitely think EmbarK¹² Online is a fantastic choice. And I think $29.50 is a fantastic price for over 830 online, interactive, FUN activities! 🙂

Kindergarten readiness programs by K12. Try a sample activity today.

How Do You Kid-Proof the Scent of Your Vehicle? (Every Parent’s Dilemma!)

February 10, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 62 Comments

This post brought to you by PERK. All opinions are 100% mine.

All the parents out there know the truth: once you have a kid, you can kiss that new car smell you might have in your car goodbye. Kids are messy, and between diaper blowouts, spilled milk and old goldfish crackers stuck in the most unusual places, it is a real challenge for your car to not smell sort of unfortuante.

For the last week, I've been trying out a vent air freshener called PERK Vent Wraps. I'm not really a car air freshener gal. I find those pine trees dangling from the rear view mirror to be distracting, and certainly not attractive. But at a certain point, you've got to take action. For me, that point was when I opened my car door and realized that I didn't really want to get in based on the smell.

Yikes.

PERK is a refreshing alternative to traditional car air fresheners because it is a Vent Wrap. Look how discreet it is!

Since I'm not used to having fragrance in my car, I will say that on the first day of having the PERK wrap installed that I found the scent to be a little bit overpowering. But by day 2, I found it to be barely noticeable, but in a good way, because I also stopped noticing that unfortuante smell that my car has developed over time. So now my car not only DOESN'T smell icky, but it also smells quite nice, without overwhelming passengers in the car. Even Darah remarked about how she thought our car smelled good.

I've tried 3 different scents (fresh valley, clean laundry, and vanilla). I thought I would like vanilla the least, but it turns out that I like it the best. It's just a warm, comforting scent, perfect for this time of year. I'll probably be more interested in the other scents once spring arrives and I'm craving very fresh scents.

PERK Vent Wraps come in packs of 4, with each vent wrap being good for about 2 weeks. So each pack can help keep your car smelling great for about 60 days! If you are tired of conventional air fresheners, or if you are like me and don't use them, but are realizing that you probably should, then PERK is something you should check out! You can also Like PERK on Facebook to keep up with the latest news and to hear about special promotions (there's a $1 off coupon there right now!).

Win it!: Hooray! I get to give away a 6 month supply of PERK to one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of the page.

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Building Words with Word Construction (Giveaway!)

February 10, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 33 Comments

Darah is starting to read, and she enjoys spending time looking at letters and figuring out how they might sound when they have been put together. I’ve been on the hunt for games for early readers, and of course, I found one at Learning Resources.

Learning Resources is one of our favorite places to find educational activities that also foster the imagination and are lots of fun for kids. We were sent Word Construction, a new game for 2014.

Word Construction comes with 6 bolts that can each hold up to four nuts, and the nuts have the letters on them. You simply turn the letters, and make new words. It’s really fun for kids to see how swapping out just one letter can create an entirely different word.

My only complaint about the product is that the nuts seem a bit difficult to get onto the bolts. There is a special groove that needs to be properly aligned in order for them to slide on and off easily. My 4 1/2 year old definitely struggles to successfully do this herself. With that said, I also witnessed my 21-month-old do it herself. Just a heads up that it may not be an easy task for every kid.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t share with you the first word my daughter proudly built. She was all smiles (and blissfully unaware) as she showed me this:

Thanks a lot, kid.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win Word Constrution.

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of the page.
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Vaska Baby: My “Pure-fect” Laundry Detergent (Giveaway!)

February 9, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 132 Comments

by Alanna Peters

This baby of mine is due in less than 2 short weeks and I’ve been busy as can be preparing the nursery and washing baby clothes. (Even though this is my second baby, it still blows my mind how TINY newborn size clothes are!!!) As I started prepping the baby laundry I realized I didn’t have any baby laundry detergent on hand. Then, out of the blue, Vaska reached out to me and voila – problem solved! I received a sample of their new Vaska Baby laundry detergent, and let me tell you, I LOVE it.

If you are unfamiliar with Vaska (like I was!), let me give you a quick introduction. Vaska was founded in Berkeley by a fashion designer who was searching for a detergent that was suitable for delicate fabrics, sensitive skin and the environment. She created this line of laundry products that are pure: they are 100% biodegradable, hypoallergenic, never tested on animals and are greywater safe. Their detergent does not contain pollutants, irritants, toxins, dyes, or binding agents which allows it to wash clean out of the fabric. Sounds pretty awesome, right?! Vaska even claims that their detergent is so pure, you could drink it (although I admit I wasn’t bold enough to put that claim to the test)! You can find out more about the company by visiting their website at www.vaskahome.com and on their Facebook page.

Vaska Baby is a new product from the company, just released in the last couple of months. It comes in the form of scent-free tablets that have no enzymes, phosphates or artificial dyes and thickeners which are often found in other leading baby detergents. The tablets leave behind no chemical residue, and my favorite part? The laundry comes out SOFT. Like, really, really soft. After the first load of laundry I figured it was a fluke so I tried it again, and then again, and again. And every time the laundry came out mind-numbingly soft. Then I thought maybe my water quality had changed so I ran a load of laundry with my usual chemical, dye, and scent-free laundry detergent, and that laundry came out totally normal. So once again I tried the Vaska, and what do you know, my clothes were impossibly soft again!

I am so in love with this detergent. Vaska Baby is my new go-to detergent for baby laundry and I can’t wait to try their regular detergent for the rest of my family! I hear they have a lovely lavender-scented version (my favorite!) that I really want to try. The Vaska product line includes Vaska Baby detergent tablets, Vaska liquid detergent (scent-free and lavender), a color-safe oxygen brightener, and a lavender-scented fabric softener. Prices range from $7.99-$12.99. If you are ready to buy some Vaska detergent for your family, check out their website to find a retail location near you. I will be purchasing the detergent at my local natural grocer or at Cost Plus World Market. (You can also find it online at drugstore.com, soap.com and vine.com.)

Also, if you are interested in trying Vaska, you might be interested in a sweepstakes that they are currently running. You could win a years worth of Vaska Perfect laundry detergent, plus a $500 Cost Plus World Market gift certificate to help create your perfect laundry room! Enter here: http://bit.ly/1hsT85M

For another chance to win, Stuff Parents Need has partnered up with Vaska to give away 2 bottles of Vaska Laundry Detergent – this ends up washing about 112 loads of laundry!

Win It: (2) 42 oz bottles of laundry detergent – winner’s choice of scent!

Be sure to enter our other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of this page.

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The Chattanoogan Hotel: A Fantastic Place to Stay in Chattanooga

February 9, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 4 Comments

Last weekend I packed my bags and left home for a weekend work retreat. I really needed the time and space to do some strategic thinking about the blog: where it’s been, where it is now, and where I want it to be heading. It is really hard to have a good “thinking day” when you are surrounded by piles of laundry and other household distractions. Can you identify with that struggle?

The Chattanoogan, an upscale boutique hotel in downtown Chattanooga, invited me to spend the weekend there as their guest so that I could get my work done in peace, and experience what it is like to stay at the hotel and enjoy their amenities. If a visit to Chattanooga might be in the cards for you (and it totally should be), then The Chattanoogan would be an exceptional place to get to stay. Not only is its location downtown ideal for getting to the major tourist attractions, but there are also many great reasons to stay on site, too!

room at The Chattanoogan

I stayed in a room with a king bed. Tip: if you stay in an odd numbered room, you’ll likely have a view of Lookout Mountain!

As someone who was there to get some work done, I really appreciated seeing the outlets in the work desk, itself. That make getting plugged in so much easier.

And I can’t finish the room tour without showing you the coffee bar, which was where I spent a lot of time hanging out. I’d like to see the selection of coffees, creamers and add-ins go to the next level here, but this is a good start!

The work-out facility is small, but the equipment looks up-to-date. And I LOVE all that natural light coming in from the solarium.

I thought the indoor pool area had a New Orleans Athletic Club vibe to it. It was just lovely, and the water was nice and warm…perfect for a cold February day. The pool is only 3 1/2 feet at its deepest, just FYI.

I also spent some time at The Spa at The Chattanoogan. This on-site facility offers a full range of spa and beauty treatments, and as a local, I’m just thrilled to know about it and plan to come back again later this year for a deep tissue massage. I was pleased to hear that they offer various specials each month, and they even offer discounts to locals. 🙂

I experienced the Signature Chattanoogan 50 minute massage, and I added on a hot stone treatment. Oh my word it was INCREDIBLE!!!! And while I was getting my massage I learned another great tip for the locals: if you receive a spa treatment, you are also entitled to use of the gym and the pool, with their compliments! I think that makes is a fantastic value for those of us who don’t already have personal gyms and our own pools (um yeah, that would be me). My plan for my next appointment is to come an hour early and do some laps, and then head into the locker room to take advantage of the sauna and steam room!

One other amenity I want to point out, especially for the locals who may not be planning on booking a room at The Chattanoogan, is Broad Street Grille, the on-site restaurant. I was absolutely blown away by the food coming out of this kitchen, friends. The skill of the chefs is among the best in the entire city. Tip: ask the waiter to surprise you instead of picking out your own dishes. Wine pairings can even be done that way, taking the guess work off your plate and leaving you to relax and simply enjoy surprise after surprise.

I enjoyed perfectly cooked scallops (a very hard feat!) with a beet sauce made form local produce. I don’t even like beets, and I loved every last bite of this appetizer.

I also tried the pork tenderloin with a cherry-onion glaze and a side of polenta. Pork tenderloin is one of my all-time favorite cuts of meat, and I was so inspired by the flavors in this dish. Definitely going to try that flavor pairing at home the next time I make pork tenderloin!

Peanut butter pie with caramelized bananas came out for dessert, and I nearly wept at the sight of it. It was absolutely beautiful, and it tasted every bit as good as it looked. Let me tell you, no visit to Chattanooga is complete without dining at Broad Street Grille. It was a very memorable dining experience. And I learned that on Saturday nights, they offer menus for two that include appetizers, main courses, desserts AND a bottle of wine for just $65! Tim and I are going to have a date night in a few weeks, and this is where we’ll be going, for sure.

The Chattanoogan offers great specials and package deals, perfect for anyone who wants to explore Chattanooga, have a place to get some work done, or just go on a little retreat from the day-to-day grind. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a fantastic place in town to work, to play, and to simply enjoy the finer things in life. It’s the perfect way to experience the Scenic City.

If you have visited Chattanooga, where did you stay? Have any of my readers ever taken advantage of the spa or enjoyed a meal at Broad Street Grille? I want to hear about it!

Worth the Read: Stress Free Kids

February 6, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I am often asked to take a look at books that are new on the market, and 95% of the time, I have to decline, simply because reading is something I don’t seem to have much time for in this season of life.

But a few weeks ago, I was asked to take a look at a new book from Lori Lite called Stress Free Kids and I immediately said yes. I personally tend to live my life with an elevated stress level, and I have already witnessed this rubbing off on my oldest, which of course, stresses me out. I knew it would be a helpful read for me.

I’m not finished with the book yet, but the fact that I”m halfway through it is very telling, considering that in a typical year I read 1-2 books, total. It seems that on almost every page, I’m finding something written that gives me some pause to think about the example I’m setting for my kids, and the simple steps I can take to make a really positive impact on the environment my family inhabits. Here’s one of my favorite “nuggets” so far:

“It is impossible for the pure, light feeling of love and the dense, foggy feeling of stress to exist at the same moment. If you can tap into the feeling of love, you will reduce stress” (p. 46).

I’ve got some great ideas now, thanks to Stress Free Kids. If you have a child who seems to be prone to worry, or if you are looking for ideas to help you and your children relax a bit more, I really think this is worth the read.

If you read it, I’d really love to hear what your big takeaways were. I’m hoping to blog about some of the tips from the book that I incorporate this year! I also want to recommend the Stress Free Kids YouTube page. It has some helpful videos on there worth checking out!

*Affiliate links included. I only promote what I love, as always.