Stuff Parents Need

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

Ziploc Perfect Portions Bags Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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There are some things in life where brand seriously doesn’t matter, and where it pays to overlook the brand names in favor of the off-brands whose products are actually just as good.
Food storage containers are NOT one of those things. Trust me, I know. I’ve bought my fair share of off-brand sandwich bags, freezer bags and plastic storage containers, and I’ve always been disappointed with their performance.
There’s just one brand that is consistently reliable and trustworthy with your freezer foods, your school lunches and your leftovers. That brand is Ziploc.
Today I’ve got a VERY cool new product from the company to share with you. It’s about to revolutionize the way my family stores chicken in our freezer! It’s called the Ziploc Perfect Portions Bags, and they offer an easy and mess-free way to keep your portions separate from one another inside larger bags. They also offer an extra layer of protection against freezer burn. Love it!
I like to buy the family packs of chicken breasts from my local grocery store, as the price drops quite a bit when you buy in bulk. But we always HATE the process of separating the chicken. I’m too cheap to put just one chicken breast in one freezer bag, so I tend to put 3 per bag. But we aren’t huge meat eaters, so 3 breasts is too many for most of our chicken meals. That leaves us with an extra breast or two to have to hurry up and cook any time we thaw out a bag of chicken. This is going to make it a non-issue in the future, and so much easier to reach in and grab exactly what you need…no more, no less!
I also have to say that I’m very happy to not have to be directly touching raw chicken any more. Thank you so much, Ziploc!
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the following from Ziploc:
  • New Ziploc® Perfect Portions™ Bags
  • Ziploc® Freezer Bags
  • Rachael Ray Recipes
  • 1-2 other Ziploc® products (random selection)

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Tropical Traditions Dish Liquid Review and GIVEAWAY!!

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I vividly remember as a child that I was never allowed to hand wash the dishes at home as a chore. It wasn’t because my mom thought I was too much of a princess to have to do it, though! It was because our dishwashing liquid would always irritate my skin and make me break out in hives. I did have very sensitive skin as a child, which I have since outgrown. But still, I shudder to think what must have been in those dish liquids at the time to cause my skin to scream out for help. And I wonder if those same ingredients are STILL in most dish liquids.

Tropical Traditions recently claimed even more real estate in my house by becoming the company behind my family’s dish liquid. The bottle, itself, isn’t very glamorous, but the product is absolutely outstanding. We have been cleaning our pots and pans with this for a few weeks, and it cuts grease just as well as other products that aren’t eco-friendly. This product is also completely free of fragrances, dyes, petroleum solvents and other chemicals that can irritate the skin and respiratory system. I have no worries that my daughter will experience the same fate as me. Perhaps she’s not too happy about not being able to escape dish washing in the future, but I know it is what is best for her!

This dish liquid is especially designed for people with allergies, asthma and multiple chemical sensitivities, so if that’s you or if that describes someone in your family, it’s a must try! Even if it isn’t, you can feel good knowing that you are keeping all those harmful chemicals away from your family without sacrificing ease of use. It is also lo sudsing, which makes it ideal to take with you for camping or other outdoor activities.

We are very pleased with this product. Tropical Traditionshas yet to disappoint us; everything they make is of the highest quality! The site is full of fantastic information about how to use coconut oil (there are hundreds of uses, and this ingredient is the base of all their products!).

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a bottle of Tropical Traditions Dish Liquid! Dirty dishes be gone!

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$50 Gift Card to Educational Insights GIVEAWAY!!!

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As you know, I have partnered up with Educational Insights to bring you monthly selections of AMAZING toys, games and other educational products that your kids will love and that will foster a genuine love of learning at home.

Educational Insights has offered a very special treat to Stuff Parents Need readers this month: one of you is going to get a $50 gift card to spend as you please on the site!

What do you need to do to enter? It’s SO easy! You just have to like Educational Insights on Facebook and let me know you did so on the Rafflecopter form below. Woo hoo!

There are so many great things for you to spend it on….can’t wait to hear your ideas!

What are you waiting for?! Get to it!

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Fantasy Jewelry Box Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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I’m not usually one to closely follow celebrities or their fashions, but I will admit that they often lead the trends that trickle down to the rest of us, so it makes sense to check in on what they are wearing every now and then.

I also can’t help but notice that celebrities tend to wear some really unique and beautiful jewelry; stuff you can’t really find in your local stores. If you CAN find those looks, they are often at really marked up prices, precisely because someone famous was seen wearing them.

Fantasy Jewelry Box is an online affordable jewelry destination that I absolutely love, because they stay on top of the hottest trends in jewelry (including what celebrities are wearing) so that you don’t have to do any of the hunting yourself. And they quickly and beautifully recreate those looks that you’d love to wear, yourself, but they leave the ridiculous prices behind.

I recently received my second piece of jewelry from Fantasy Jewelry Box (here’s a link to my first review….I STILL am bonkers for these earrings). This time I went for a necklace. Often times I find that fashion costume jewelry can look great as a pair of earrings, but look somewhat cheap on larger pieces, like necklaces.

But I could not have been more pleased with the piece I received. While the chain is on the thin side, the pendant itself looks like REAL GOLD. Honestly! It looks absolutely fantastic. The detail on the piece is also exquisite, which is one more reason that I think it looks like the real deal. I’ve been wanting a leaf necklace for a while, and I’m so glad I got one from Fantasy Jewelry Box. They absolutely nailed this look! It also is a quality-made piece, being .925 sterling silver with 14K gold electroplated.

Fantasy Jewelry Box has a HUGE selection of rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces that will help bring your wardrobe up to date without putting a big dent in your budget. They offer free shipping on orders over $75, and free earrings with any $50 purchase. I’ve been extremely pleased with both of my pieces, and I would very highly recommend them to anyone!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $25.00 gift certificate to Fantasy Jewelry box (please note, you can only win one contest from FJB every 6 months).

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Emerald Breakfast on the Go! Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Today I’m bringing you another product that can help you ensure you have a healthy, balanced breakfast, even if your mornings are extremely hectic! Emerald Breakfast on the Go! has some delicious oatmeal nut blends that you just pour straight into your hands and eat.

And let me tell you, these are YUMMY!

This product comes in 6 flavors:

  • Maple & Brown Sugar
  • Apples & Cinnamon
  • Blueberries & Créme
  • Breakfast Nut Blend
  • Berry Nut Blend
  • S’Mores Nut Blend
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana
  • Berries & Creme

You absolutely cannot go wrong with any of these choices! These packets are designed to help satisfy the cravings you know you have for something yummy, while also providing the energy you really need to get through the day. Each pouch has 200 calories or less, 3 grams of fiber and 3-4 grams of protein. I will say that they tend to be a bit heavy on the sugar, but not more so than a “kid” cereal, which is something I love to eat, anyway. I love the protein boost I get with these products, as that really does make a difference in just how long it takes before I’m hungry again.

You can take this meal with you in the car for your commute if that’s your only time to eat breakfast, or you can snack on it throughout the morning, like I do! And don’t forget to clip the box top! Emerald Breakfast on the Go! is part of the Labels for Education program, and each box has 10 points! And don’t forget to get a $1 off coupon here, too!

Win it!: THREE lucky Stuff Parents Need readers are each going to win 3 boxes of Emerald Breakfast on the Go! Woo hoo!

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Get Your Kids Interested in Jazz: A Jazzy Day App Just Released!

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Got a minute? Then check out this great video that previews an app that is perfect for kids ages 3-8.

This is a really cool, interactive and fun story that teaches kids SO MUCH about music and musical instruments, specifically through the lens of jazz. Your children will join in with two kittens and their father as they visit a Jazz Big Band and learn more about the sounds each instrument in the band makes. In addition to the great story, there are also wonderful game features that help continue the learning. Kids can test the aural and visual knowledge as it relates to various musical instruments.

Don’t just take my word for it, though. This app recently won the Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award for 2012. That’s no small feat in the world of apps! Additionally, it has been featured in the “New and Noteworthy” and “Staff Favorites” Education section of the iTunes app store. It’s getting a lot of well-deserved recognition!

A Jazzy Day can be downloaded on the iPh0ne, the iPad or the iPod touch and is available for $4.99 in the U.S.

Disclosure: Special thanks to The Melody Book for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

Maternity Monday: Leading Lady Nursing Bra Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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We’ve talked before about the importance of having quality nursing bras in your collection, and having them ready to go before you bring your little bundle home (I promise you will NOT want to go bra shopping the week after you have a baby!). This is such an important topic that I’m bringing it up yet again, because I really want the message to be received!

Today I’m featuring a company that specializes in nursing and full figure intimate apparel, and has been in the business since 1939…they must be doing something right! Leading Lady really strikes a great balance between comfort, style and affordability, all while keeping “real” women and their comfort in mind. Their mission falls in line with exactly the type of products I need and want, so I’m excited to show them off here on Stuff Parents Need, especially if you are not currently familiar with the brand.

Their entire collection, for the first time, is now available to purchase online. So even if you don’t have a nearby retailer, you can still shop for a nursing or full figure bra that meets your needs. Simply head over to LeadingLady.com and check out their great selection! I actually prefer to shop for bras online because I often find in the stores that they either don’t carry or are out of my size. It’s so frustrating to not be able to purchase what you need when you make a special trip to go get it! Shopping online eliminates that issue!

Lately, I have been wearing the Santoni Wirefree Nursing Bra and I absolutely ADORE it. It is doing a great job of offering the support I need (without uncomfortable wires) AND it has removable bra pads that I can use when I am out and about and want a bit more modesty. The nursing clasp is easy to remove, but at the same time, doesn’t look as though it is going to come off on its own (I’ve had that happen in the past with other bras!). Nursing bras are available in sizes 34B to 48 F, so there’s something on their site for every shape and size!

I’m also very pleased with the overall fit of this bra. Leading Lady ensured I got the right fit thanks to their bra fit calculator that helps determine your bra size. I highly recommend using it to make sure you get exactly the size you need, not the size you think you need!

Leading Lady is also a company that supports programs empowering and supporting the health and welfare of women throughout the nation. It also is working on sustainability issues as a company by actively working on reducing their packaging and using more products made of post-consumer recycled materials. I love when a company is thoughtful about these issues, as it falls in line with what I value, too!

Edit: this giveaway is now closed.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a nursing bra in your choice of style and size from the e-boutique at Leading Lady, as well as free shipping!

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DIY Baby Food Pouches: Beaba Babypote Review

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Thanks to the Beaba Babycook, I made about 95% of Darah’s baby food, and I plan to do the same thing with baby #2. There were times, however, when homemade food was just not as convenient (such as long car trips or overnight stays somewhere). That’s when I discovered all these fabulous squeeze pouch foods that various companies offer. Do you know what I’m talking about? They are plastic pouches that the baby/toddler just sucks the food right out of, like a Capri-Sun!

Darah LOVED these products. In fact, she still loves these products, and I have found them to be one of the very best ways to sneak in some veggies without any complaint from her. If it is in a squeeze pouch, my child wants desperately to eat it. NOW.

But here’s the thing: those pouches are pricey! I’ve noticed that the organic options easily cost $1.50 each or more. Given the fact that Darah completely empties one in about 30 seconds and then says, “More, please!” that’s a treat I simply cannot afford to indulge her in often.

DIY Baby Food Pouches

DIY baby food pouch

Fortunately, Beaba has come up with a reusable squeeze pouch for you to put your homemade concoctions in! Hooray! It’s called the Beaba Babypote, and we are absolutely loving it around here. I predict that I will need to buy another one for baby sister, because I don’t see Darah losing interest in having these pureed treats anytime soon.

The Babypote has saved me a lot of money and given me the opportunity to try out some great puree recipes that incorporate fruits and veggies and that Darah happily slurps down! It’s even brought back applesauce into Darah’s diet. She used to love applesauce with a passion, but then just sort of got over it and didn’t want it any more. All it took was a change in the presentation method and she’s into it again! That’s good, too, because I had purchased 3 large containers of applesauce just before she decided she didn’t like it anymore!

Buy it!: The Beaba Babypote is available for $14.95 (TOTALLY worth it!) and you can find a list of retailers who carry it here, or you can just snag it on Amazon for $11.95!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Beaba Babypote!

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Getting Ready to Write: Gator Tweezers Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Recently I noticed that Darah’s coloring and drawing is starting to look much more controlled than it used to. When she is “writing words like Mommy” her grip on the pen is very close to accurate, and she is drawing shorter, more carefully placed lines and curves. It has been very exciting to watch, but it took me a little while to figure out what has caused this progression.

But then I remembered: tonging! At Darah’s school, several of the lessons involve the use of small tongs to pick up objects and move them from one area to another. At first glance, this may not seem like a very interesting or useful exercise (at least that’s what I thought), but I have since learned that this particular type of lesson helps with the following:

  • hand-eye coordination
  • developing the pincer grasp
  • overall strengthening of the hand muscles, which also helps prepare a child for writing
Since I came to understand just how valuable tonging lessons were, I wanted to get Darah her own set. Learning Resources has just the thing I need by way of these Gator Grabber Tweezers. They come in a set of 12, which means you can put together many different lessons for your child. I actually think I’m going to give a few of them away to younger cousins, as well, so that they can have their own tong sets. Along those same lines, I think giving these out as party favors would be really cool, too! Talk about a fun and useful present!
Learning Resources has these fabulous Gator Grabber Tweezers available for just $10.99, and you get 12 tweezers in the set! That’s an awesome deal! Be sure to check out some of their other great products (one of my favorite ways to poke around the site is to shop by subject).

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a set of Gator Grabber Tweezers!
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