Moms Wear Your Tees Blog

Kidzmet $400 Summer Enrichment Scholarship Giveaway

2011-04-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kidzmet for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I just discovered a really neat website- Kidzmet!

"Kidzmet: Helping Kids Discover Who They're Meant to Become By Connecting Teachers, Tutors and Coaches with the Local Students They Were Meant to Teach"

Kidzmet lets you sign up for a free account. You can then have your child complete their pairing portrait. You will then receive an in-depth evaluation of your child's personality type, innate strengths and talents, and predominant learning style. This sounds like a really fun, informative tool! An individual profile is created for each child and teacher, which helps Kidzmet pair students with teachers that intuitively know how to help them play to their strengths. ALL Kidzmet member teachers, tutors and coaches offer complimentary trial classes to new students so that you and your child can evaluate how you feel about both the activity and teacher prior to committing to a series of lessons.

"We all need to work together to cultivate an appetite for learning in our youth by feeding them subject matter in a way that celebrates and embraces their unique spirits. "

Enter to win Kidzmet $400 Summer Enrichment Scholarship

The scholarship money can be put toward whatever the child desires--a family camping trip, summer camp, horseback riding lessons, a new instrument, etc. The giveaway ends April 24, 2011 so go check out Kidzmet today!

I am Moving to Wordpress from Blogger!

2011-01-29T11:01:00.003-06:00

All comments are closing right now but will reopen after the move!

ANNOUNCEMENT: I am going to be making the leap and switching to from Blogger to Wordpress! While I am doing so I am going to be changing the name of this blog to FAMILY FOCUS BLOG. I think this will be more reflective of its nature. I will still report on family fun, eco tips, giveaways, products, and causes that you may find helpful or interesting with a focus on going green and saving money! This process will be begin 1/28 and should be done by 1/30

THANKS for your patience!

Blue Lagoon Anti-Aging Day Cream Review and Giveaway

2010-12-22T07:40:00.015-06:00

Well, I just heard about the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa located in Iceland and I must say, it sounds fabulous! The Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater is a part of an ecocycle where nature and science work in harmony. The geothermal seawater comes into contact with cooling magmatic intrusions and captures the earth’s minerals, resulting in this unique natural source known for its healing power and actives. The readers of “Conde Nast Traveller” voted Blue Lagoon as the best medical spa worldwide!

For those of us that can't visit the Blue Lagoon Spa at the moment, they have created a line of Blue Lagoon skin care products that are designed to provide you with the energy of the geothermal seawater and its active ingredients: minerals, silica and algae. They offer a variety of face and skin care ranging from Silica Mud Mask to Mineral Intensive Cream.

"Blue Lagoon Iceland skin care, a true naturceutical brand, provides a perfect harmony between nature and scienceThe Blue Lagoon natural ingredients and products are both in- vitro and in- vivo tested to prove their results they are designed to deliver. The production methods are green and environmentally friendly. Our high-performance formulations pamper all the senses and make your daily skin care regime a joyful Icelandic experience."

I was lucky enough to get to try Blue Lagoon Anti-Aging Day Cream. This intensive collagen care day cream is enriched with patent-pending natural Blue Lagoon deep-penetrating complex and Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater. Blue Lagoon Anti-Aging Day Cream helps boost skin’s natural defense system and prevent UV-induced collagen degradation. This innovative formula is designed to help prevent premature skin aging and the appearance of wrinkles. It contains SPF 15. I found that it went on nicely and sunk right in without leaving an oily feeling or appearance and yet it did leave my very dry skin feeling moisturized. I enjoy using the Blue Lagoon Anti-Aging Day Cream. Of course, my daughter wanted to see what all the fuss was about too!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One lucky reader will receive the 50ml Blue Lagoon Anti-Aging Day Cream- daily care moisturizing and nourishing cream enriched with patent-pending natural Blue Lagoon bl_m5 complex² and Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater. ($145 value)

Giveaway Dates: December 22, 2010- January 17, 2011 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Visit Blue Lagoon and tell me another product you like to try
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Blue Lagoon Facebook page
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @BlueLagoonIS Anti-Aging Day Cream #Giveaway $145 value http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
6. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this page (+2 entries)

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #42, wildcat32.

Blue Lagoon did provide me with the cream in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Yummi Bebe Earth Friendly Apparel 50% off Today Only

2010-12-21T08:53:00.007-06:00

Everything in Yummie Bebe's eco-friendly holiday items category will be 50% at checkout today, December 21st, only! Just use discount code mwyt50. Plus free holiday shipping until January 1st.

So what is in the holiday items section anyway?
Well, Yummi Bebé is an earth friendly apparel company that sells infant/toddler clothing that is either organic, made in the USA, or fair trade for sizes 0-6 years. Yummmi Bebe's holiday selection is packed full of eco-friendly clothing finds such as these:

These adorable 3D Chunkee Monkee Socks come in size 0-24 months. They have pop-up details that will keep your child's attention and capture their hear. Theses sock has nonskid rubber on the sole to keep first time walkers from slipping.

This organic red dress with ladybug is really super cute! It is available in 6 months- 4T. It is made by Twirls and Twigs and they are known for their inventive designs using only eco-friendly fabrics, dyes and designer extras. This is a comfy style dress with adorable ruffled top hem. It is machine washable and made from organic cotton and recycled polyester with 7% Spandex.

This Long Sleeve Dear Onesie has a lap neck and snap bottom for easy dressing.
It is made from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton jersey in solid red with green trim. It is
screen printed on both sides with the deer theme. Available in 0-12 months.

What makes Yummi Bebe stand apart from other baby boutiques is that they are the world’s first Regenerable Apparel Company. They have an open return policy which allows for new clothes to be returned for account credit and gives others the opportunity to purchase the items in its 2nd and 3rd generation state. Pretty cool, right?! And 50% off is always cool so check out Yummi Bebe today and don't forget to use discount code mwyt50 for 50% everything in their holiday section.

Great Puzzles and Brain Challenging Toys: Brain String Advanced, Escher Mirrorkal, Magic Beans, and the Magic Kid

2010-12-20T09:00:00.009-06:00

Here are some great toys that really challenge the brain and get those wheels turning! Stretch a child's mental muscles or your own with these unusual puzzles.

Brain String Advanced
This top selling puzzle has multiple sides, colored strings and easy to grasp rubber tips. Brainstring Advanced is designed to stretch your puzzle solving skills to the next level. To solve the puzzle, maneuver the tabs so that each side has only one color and the knot is untied. This puzzle is meant for age 7 and up, sharpens critical thinking skills, and is great for keeping kids occupied on long road trips because there are no pieces to lose!

Escher Mirrorkal
This visually intricate and rewarding reflecting puzzle features the art of M.C. Eshcer and is a must have for all puzzle addicts! In Escher Mirrorkal, five of Escher’s images are cleverly transformed into a puzzle by renowned inventor Ivan Moscovich. You can't go wrong with a puzzle created by two genius creators. This brain teaser is also aimed at age 7+.

The Magic Beans

The Magic Beans are a great introduction to the Art of Balance and can be enjoyed by those aged 3+. These 5 wooden beans pose a design and balance challenge to young and old alike. Make your own designs and learn about stability with these wooden beans made of a beautiful combination of beechwood and light colors. A challenging and absorbing toy, it is perfect for the small playspaces or the desktop. Hone your balance and concentration skills!

The Magic Kid
The magic of spinning tops and magnetics challenge hand-eye coordination with this shapely quartet of high-gloss Beechwood pieces. Watch the The Magic Kid spinning tops orbiting the wand without collision, or use the magic wand to push away the tops or to make them keep spinning. You can explore and create your own tricks with these 4 elegantly designed wooden pieces with magnets hidden inside. The Magic Kid teaches about balance, gravity and magnetics - all in one beautiful toy!

And now the challenging part is picking just one of these entertaining brain teasers!

Bark it Furward- Leave a Comment and Milk Bone will Donate $1 to Canine Assistants

2010-12-18T20:28:00.012-06:00

It’s Good to Give… Tis the Season After All! I thought I would share a program called Bark it Furward with you. It was created to raise awareness and funds for a non-profit organization that trains and provides service dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities called Canine Assistants. For nearly 20 years, Canine Assistants has provided 1,000 service dogs to people across the country, giving them the chance to have more independent lifestyles and Milk-Bone® has been a charitable partner to Canine Assistants since 1997. Every time you buy Milk-Bone® dog snacks, a portion of the proceeds goes to help the Canine Assistants® organization!

Without the help of any government funding, Canine Assistants relies on the generosity and private donations made by philanthropic partners to help pay for the training of these special needs dogs. This service is so needed that there are actually over 2000 people on the waiting list! Bark It Furward was created by Milk-Bone® brand to educate others about the inspiring work being conducted by Canine Assistants. By joining the Bark It Furward movement, you can help raise awareness and much needed funds to provide assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

So how can you help?
Leave a comment! It is as simple as that.
For every comment this blog post receives, Milk-Bone® will donate $1 to Canine Assistants! Tell your friends too!

THANK YOU for leaving a comment-this simple action will help raise awareness and money for the Canine Assistants organization, forever changing the lives of people with disabilities.

Bonus Giveaway:
One comment will win a Milk Bone Prize Pack with Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy treats, Milk-Bone Essential Plus Oral Care Crunchy Bites, and a Milk-Bone "It's Good to Give" bandana.

Giveaway Dates: December 18, 2010- January 4, 2011 Midnight CST

To Enter:
Leave a comment (which will earn $1 for the Canine Assistants thanks to Milk Bone's generosity!) Leaving 7 comments earns $7 and 7 chances to win!

1. Leave a comment with what you like about the Bark it Furward or Canine Assistants.
2. Leave a comment saying you follow this blog with Google Friend Connect or RSS
3. Leave a comment saying you like this blog on my Facebook page (link in top right margin)
4. Leave a comment saying you like Canine Assistants on Facebook
5. Leave a comment saying you like Milk-Bone on Facebook
6. Share this link on your facebook wall so your buddies can earn a few dollars for the cause too! (Leave a comment letting me know)
7. Tweet this link so even more people can help earn money for Canine Assistants! (Leave a comment letting me know!) Example tweet: Bark it Furward- Leave a Comment and Milk Bone will Donate $1 to Canine Assistants http://t.co/ybzF83g plus a MilkBone giveaway @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #198, mail4rosey.

Eco-friendly Infant and Kids Clothing Yummi Bebe 30% Discount

2010-12-17T02:43:00.017-06:00

Now here is a really cool concept that I haven't run across before! Yummi Bebe not only offers organic apparel for infants and kids, they also let you return your Yummi Bebe clothing at anytime! Based on the condition of the item, the customer will be given store credit, and the items will either be resold at a reduced price or recycled. By doing this, Yummi Bebe is really proving that are are an eco-friendly apparel store in a whole new way! This return policy decreases the amount of landfill waste created by minimally used baby garments while reducing consumer costs. Pretty cool, huh?

Yummi Bebe green kids apparel sells infant and toddler clothing (through size 6) that is either made in the USA, eco friendly, or fair trade. They believe in being socially responsible in all that they do. At Yummi Bebe, they have irresistible clothing, and an irresistible store policy that makes being green affordable! Yummi Bebe offers hats, shoes, socks, Blankets & Bedding, Bath, Bibs & Burpclothes, and Holiday Items.

"What makes Yummi Bebe unique is that we are the worlds first regenerable apparel company. Our new clothing can be returned at any time allowing others to purchase items in their 2nd and 3rd generation state."

Yummi Bebe is offering my readers a special 30% OFF DISCOUNT coupon code- just enter MWYT at check out. The coupon is good from Friday, December 17th, to Monday December 20th. Yummi Bebe also offers FREE HOLIDAY SHIPPING until January 1, 2011.

You can keep up with Yummi Bebe's latest specials with Yummi Bebe on Facebook and Yummi Bebe on Twitter.

Sponsor Feature- no affiliate commissions.

Some Cool Green Wooden Toys To Inspire Play: Varis and Fagus

2010-12-16T09:27:00.010-06:00

You have all seen building logs similar to these. I played with them when I was little and I loved them. Recently, I've noticed most of these type of logs are made of plastic though or composite. These Varis building logs are made of natural, untreated wood, not composite! Varis is a unique, patented construction set that allows making log houses, castles, forts and also airplanes, doll's furniture or other things. All Varis products are FSC certified. The FSC label ensures that the forest products used are from responsibly harvested and verified sources.

"VARIS is a line of natural wooden toys that stimulate a child's imagination and her or his creativity. The main feature of the toys is the assembly itself, which engages the child's mind and promotes the learning of a new skill in the coordination of mind and hands. Putting together quality and design VARIS LOCK system ensures tight construction that derives from perfect work of the single pieces."

Here is another wooden toy that any kid would be lucky to have! Kids love driving cars ans trucks and they love loading and unloading. This is a Fagus Wooden Articulated Truck. All Fagus cars and trucks are made of beech wood (the Latin word fagus=beech) without nails, screws and staples, are interlocked, doweled and glued together by hand and are made to last! Fagus is known for having the highest standards for wooden toy vehicles and producing heirloom quality toys.

This Award Winning, high-quality large, versatile steerable wooden articulated truck comes complete with 2 pallets, 2 cargo boxes, and three wooden figures. Little fingers love to fill the boxes and stack the lumber or take the boxes off and use the truck as a flatbed. Cart the cargo away by using the guiding knob on the roof of the cab. Just imagine the possibilities when used in conjunction with the Fagus crane, forklift, conveyor belt and excavator!

CarlandMe.com is offering a HOLIDAY SPECIAL: 10% Off and Free Shipping on these toys and many more!
(discount code- HOLIDAY)

Reducing Paper Consumption and Recycling Paper Makes a Huge Difference- Some Statistics that Remind You Why You Should Be Green

2010-12-16T08:50:00.006-06:00

According to Wiki Answers, the average business uses about 1 pound of paper per day per employee! Do you think you could use less paper? How about your office or school?

Once you reduce your paper consumption as much as you can, the next step is recycling. Wiki Answers suggests that recycling one ton of paper saves:
* approximately 13 trees
* 2.5 barrels of oil
* 4100 Kilowatt hours of Electricity
* 4 cubic meters of landfill, 141 cubic feet
* 31,780 liters of water, or 8,395 gallons
* 60 pounds less of air pollution

StunningPaper Recycling Facts (from RecyclingRevolution.com)
* If all our newspaper was recycled, we could save about 250,000,000 trees each year!
* The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years if we recycled it all!
* In 1993, U.S. paper recovery saved more than 90,000,000 cubic yards of landfill space.

I hope these statistics inspire you to reduce, reuse, and recycle all the paper you are responsible for and maybe even to help get paper recycling into your office and/ or schools!

You may also like to read You Can Recycle Even Stuff You Thought Was Trash!

Slimy Bookworm Online Children's Bookstore $40 Gift Card Giveaway

2010-12-15T08:44:00.009-06:00

My kids love books! I think that they love the drawings, the stories, and the fact that we spend time all together when we read books. I can't tell you how many times we finish a book and my son says, "Read it again Mama!"

With so many books to choose from, sometimes finding new kids books can be a challenge! That is why one mother created the Slimy Bookworm online children's bookstore. Knowing that the effort put into exploring and acquiring wholesome kids books for her son could come in handy for others looking to unleash the imagination of the kids in their lives, she started SlimyBookworm.com

What I like about the Slimy Bookworm is that she features some great kids books to give you some ideas and she also organized the site in a way that is really easy to find what you want. You can view children's books by age groups or by categories. You can even check out video book previews! I also love her kids book blog where she has in depth info on some of her books and personal experience of herself and her son with certain books.

If you are looking for some great kids books, Slimy Bookworm wants help you out with:
-FREE SHIPPING for orders over $45
-15% off using promo code SLIMY2 at checkout
-Gift wrapping for only $1.99

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Slimy Bookworm will provide you with a $40 Gift Card Code to be used on their children's books selection.

Giveaway Details: December 15, 2010- January 4, 2011 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Visit Slimy Bookworm Kids Books and leave me a comment with a kids book you want
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Slimy Bookworm Facebook page and leave the name a book you want
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow @slimybookworm and MWYT on Twitter
6. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @SlimyBookworm $40 Gift Card #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #120, Michelle.

Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub Review and a 5 Winner Giveaway

2010-12-15T02:14:00.015-06:00

Everyone is familiar with Tiger Balm right? It has always been in my household since I was little and remember stealing wiffs of it as a kid. In my family, we always used as a topical pain reliever for neck and shoulder tightness. It feels great with a massage!

Well, now Tiger Balm has a new product- Tiger Balm Neck & Shoulder Rub. It provides fast, soothing relief for neck and shoulder pain and the aches caused by work stress, tension, and sitting at a desk for long periods of time. I thought that was what the old Tiger Balm did for me so I wondered what the difference was. However, as soon as I got a tube of the Neck and Shoulder Rub and squeezed some out on my fingers I could see the difference. The Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub looks like a thick white lotion. The water-based blend of camphor and menthol gives Tiger Balm Neck & Shoulder Rub a clean, non-greasy feel while the vanishing scent makes it practical for any social or office situation! And it still feels just has amazing! I had a headache the other day and I am pregnant so I am not taking any pain relievers. My muscles in my neck were super tight and I thought of the Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub. I pulled it out and rubbed in on my neck and it felt really nice. Then a minute later it felt really great! It gave me a warming sensation that helped loosen my neck muscles up and I really loved the fast relief!

For over 100 years:
"Tiger Balm's time-proven blend of herbal ingredients provides safe and effective topical pain relief without the pills for sore muscles, arthritis, neck and shoulder stiffness, and just about any other aches and pains that may come your way."

Do you want to try it? You can get a $1.00 off coupon for the Neck & Shoulder Rub on the Tiger Balm website. You also have a great chance to win a tube right here and now!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Tiger Balm will provide 5 lucky readers each with one retail-sized tube of Tiger Balm Neck & Shoulder Rub.

Giveaway Dates: December 15- December 30,2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Visit Tiger Balm and leave me a comment with where you can purchase Tiger Balm
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Tiger Balm Facebook page (This also gives you a shot at their $50 gift pack weekly FB fan prize!)
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow @Tiger_Balm_US and @MWYT on Twitter
6. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @Tiger_Balm_US Neck and Shoulders 5 Winner #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
7. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this page (or add my blog button) and leave URL (+2 entries)

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED Winners selected through random.org- #45, Crafty; #18, Jesika; #95, the4peels; #24, Jessica; #98, Deborah Wellenstein.

Tiger Balm did provide me with the rub in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

The New Generation Lunch Box Helps Green Your School Lunches and Saves You Money!

2010-12-14T08:37:00.006-06:00

The New Generation Lunch Box by BrightBin helps you pack a more environmentally friendly waste-free lunch and saves you money! BrightBin estimates that using the New Generation Lunch Box will allow you to purchase 1000 less plastic bags each year with a savings of $60 on plastic bags!

The New Generation Waste-Free Lunch box can be used on its own as a lunch box or can be inserted inside any insulated lunch bag. The New Generation Lunch Box replaces plastic bags, reusable bags, and small food storage containers. The New Generation Lunch Box has an advantage over using individual food containers because:

1. Kids tend to lose the lids of containers when parents try to pack a waste-free lunch. Replacing the lost lids is costly. The New Generation Lunch Box has a lid that is attached so there are no separate pieces to get lost.

2. Looking for mis-matched lids is time consuming, especially when in a hurry to get off to work or take the kids to school. The New Generation Lunch Box offers ease and convenience because parents will not have to waste time looking for lids.

Another nifty thing about the The New Generation Waste-Free Lunch Box is that the divided compartments serve to help kids learn about healthy portions. “Super sized” is not HEALTHY and this lunch box helps kids pack healthy amounts.

Of course, when packing a waste-free "green" lunch, having a lunch box free from BPA, lead, phthalates, and PVC is paramount to ensure our children's health and the health of the environment. That is why third party safety testing is conducted to ensure that the New Generation Lunch Boxes are made of a pure polypropylene plastic that is completely safe for kids- free of BPA, lead, phthalates, and PVC.

Reasons to check out BrightBin for waste-free lunch box options:
1. Easy to Use
2. Non-Toxic
3. Waste Free
4. Save Money
5. Save Time
6. Save the Environment- Read more about plastic bags staggering facts and statistics.

Ozone Designer Fashion Socks Review and Giveaway

2010-12-14T08:24:00.001-06:00

Ozone Design is devoted entirely to putting fashion and fun into socks and tights... to bring spirit and passion to one of the most intimate and neglected parts of our wardrobe.

Who knew socks could be so exciting and fun right? I ran across Ozone socks and I knew I wanted some. All my socks were boring. So I picked out some cute numbers to jazz things up a little and give some fun to my winter wardrobe. I have to tell you that something totally unexpected happened- I got a compliment from my husband! For those of you that think this is no big deal, he is not the type that gives them out very frequently! He actually saw me wearing my Ozone short socks and said, "I like your socks" as he was walking by. No solicitation at all. I was impressed. If my husband noticed my socks, I can't wait to show them off to fashion forward people!

I also got a pair of fun Ozone knee high socks. These are super cute and fun for wearing with a skirt and still keeping my legs warm or wearing on a snowy day under my pants to stay extra toasty warm.

I love all of the different pattens Ozone has to choose from- just endless! They also have over the knee socks, tights and men's socks too!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One lucky reader will receive two pairs of Ozone socks. (Winner gets to chose socks up to a $70 value.)

Giveaway Dates:
December 14, 2010- January 4, 2011

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Visit Ozone Socks and tell which socks you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Ozone Facebook page
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow @ozonesocks and @MWYT on Twitter
6. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @ozonesocks 2 Pairs of Designer Socks #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #13-Mer.

Ozone did provide me with the socks in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Teatulia 100% Organic Tea Review and Giveaway

2010-12-10T08:49:00.004-06:00

I love tea. I suppose it is the English blood in me! I recently discovered Teatulia- 100% organic, ultra premium, hand-picked, single estate tea. Sounds good right? I thought so too! They offer a line of nine different varieties of organic teas and herbal infusions including Teatulia Black, Teatulia Green, Teatulia White, Earl of Bengal, Bengal Breakfast, Neem Nectar, Tulsi Infusion, Lemongrass Herbal Infusion, and Ginger Herbal Infusion. No pesticides, machinery or unnatural irrigation are used in the cultivation of Teatulia tea. I also love Teatulia's sustainable packaging which consists of compostable tubes, labels made from post-consumer paper, water-based inks and dyes, and biodegradable silken pyramid tea bags.

While ongoing research is being conducted on the health benefits of tea, studies
suggest a relationship between regular tea consumption and:
Reduced risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke
Reduced risk of certain cancers
The prevention of blood clots
Lowered cholesterol
Improved oral health
Improved bone health and reduced risk of osteoporosis
Strengthened immune system
Decreased risk of developing kidney stones

I love all tea but since I am pregnant, I am trying to stick to herbal infusions or white and green tea which are naturally super low in caffeine. I was able to try Teatulia's Caffeine-Free Ginger Herbal Infusion which was a loose leaf mix of small, delicate ginger bits with broken Vasaka leaf.
"Bold, broad spiciness. Initial sips are a lovely intense pronounced flavor, spicy and peppery with sweet overtones. Mellows after three minutes in the cup with just the right amount of heat. Nice any time, but especially after a meal."
I found it to be very nice and well balanced without too much spice or pungency but with plenty of flavor.

I also tried Teatulia 100% Organic White Tea in the pyramid tea bags with white tea half-inch needles.
"Delicately rich with a hint of peach. Excellent choice for starting off a hot summer day or relaxing in the early evening. Also a perfect choice for those new to tea-- the sweet, subtle flavor is a lovely introduction to the world of tea."
I found the white tea to be extremely rich in flavor compared to many white teas I have tried. It was really lovely and I actually used each tea bag for three brews. They were just so full of flavor I couldn't waste any!

Teatulia's Organic Green Tea is some of the best I have had.
"Medium body with a grassy, fresh, slightly vegetal flavor. Slightly astringent finish with a refreshing cooling quality. Perfect any time of day for green tea lovers."
I loved the flavor of this green tea. It was very full bodied and again so full of flavor that I got three brewings out of a single bag. I think the Teatulia tea is so full of flavor because it is so fresh. There is no middle man, no bulk buying tea warehouses so it comes directly to the customer in a very fresh state. The result is really lovely, full flavor on all the teas I tried.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Teatulia will provide one lucky reader with THREE canisters of organic Teatulia Tea (16 tea bags in each canister) The winner will be able to select the teas. (Approximate retail value $30.)

Giveaway Dates: December 10- December 27, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Visit Teatulia Organic Tea and tell me which teas you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Teatulia Facebook page
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow @Teatulia and @MWYT on Twitter
6. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @Teatulia 3 Canisters of #Organic #Tea #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #83, mandala.

Teatulia did provide me with the tea in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Enfusia and Cocoon Organic Skincare Products

2010-12-09T08:34:00.009-06:00

My skin always gets really dry in the winter, especially my hands so I love a good quality lotion that really protects and heals. That is why I was pleased to discover Enfusia's line of organic bath and body products as well as Cocoon, their organic bath and body care for kids.

"Enfusia’s® line of bath and body products are made with organic and natural botanical ingredients and extracts. For centuries, plants, herbs, and essential oils have been used for the vitamins and nutrients they deliver to the skin. We fragrance with 100% pure essential oils. Essential oils have aromatherapeutic properties that benefit the body, mind, and soul. All of our products are sulfate, paraben & wax free. Our line of luxurious and soothing organic products has expanded to address the special needs of the most precious and sensitive skin of all… a child’s. The Cocoon line of organic products includes a hair and body wash, a gentle moisturizing lotion, and soothing massage oil."

Enfusia organic bath and body care for women includes Organic Body Lotion in 8 different concoctions, Organic Body Wash in 6 different scents, Spa Bars, Dead Sea Salts & Scrub, Pink Ribon Collection and Fizz & Foam Bath Bombs. I find a nice warm bath so relaxing and great for taking off the winter chill. I was able to try the pink grapfruit Fizz & Foam Bath Bomb. It comes wrapped like a present in a fancy patterned cellophane. My daughter spotted it right away. "Ooohh...What's this mama?" "That's for me!" I told her! It is huge and I broke it into two parts. The bath bomb is really fun for bathing because not only does it have a lovely relaxing scent but it effervesces while you bath and little tiny bubbles collect on your skin! Then of course, your skin gets to soak up all the good essential oils that are in the bath bombs while you enjoy the treat. My daughter ended up getting to enjoy the rest of the bomb since she kept requesting it! She loved the way it fizzed and I was glad she got so much enjoyment out of it even though I didn't really want to part with it! Enfusia's Organic Fizz & Foam Bath Bombs come in 12 different scents and they make excellent gifts.

My kids also enjoyed getting to sample Cocoon Organic Baby Moisturizing Body Lotion and Cocoon Organic Baby Body & Hair Wash. I love that Cocoon products are not only organic but also paraben, phthalate and sulfate free. The gentle body and hair wash is enriched with organic oils and herbal extracts. Cocoon is glucose based and is formulated for eczema and dermatitis which is great for my son's sensitive skin. Cocoon's delicious scent - a combination of organic chamomile, lavender and lemongrass organic essential oils - was picked by kids and my kids really liked the smell of it too! I loved that the Cocoon moisturizer has organic unrefined shea butter butter and aloe. Cocoon's moisturizer not only aides the skin in moisture retention but helps protect it from the environmental elements. It is great for helping to prevent my son's mild eczema. I also really enjoyed the way it felt on my hands as well as the scent of the organic pure chamomile, lavender and lemongrass organic essential oils.

Enfusia didn't forget Men either! They have a complete organic men's bath and body care line too! Now is a great time to check out Enfusia because they have a special offer going on. Free Shipping on your order of $25 or more on Enfusia.com now through December 17, 2010.

You can stay in the loop on Enfusia and Cocoon sales and like Enfusia on Facebook!

Holiday Sale at For Your Bug-a-Boo Organic Baby Products Shop

2010-12-08T08:51:00.010-06:00

Holiday Sale! - Save 20% on everything! You can even save an additional 20% off already reduced sale and clearance items!! (Sale ends midnight 12/13/10 PST)

I love For Your Bug-A-Boo Organic Baby Products Shop because they only have healthy choices. It is easy to find just what you want and you don't have to spend time weeding out the undesirable because she does that for you and only offers great healthy choices. Of course, I am excited to let you know about For Your Bug-A-Boo's 20% off Holiday Sale but I also have some more exciting news.

For Your Bug-a-Boo now has a "wish list" feature! This is a great option to have just before the holidays and it will be great for baby showers and birthdays! I have a third baby on the way in May and though I have most things I need already, I will be happy to make use of the wish list feature for my remaining baby needs! I know that I will need some of their Imse Vimse Organic Cotton Nursing Pads,
Under the Nile Newborn Organic Cloth Diapers, and flushable diaper liners.

One last new feature I saw at For Your Bug-A-Boo is e-gift cards! Being able to buy (or receive) gift certificates is also wonderful! Head over to For Your Bug-A-Boo and check out their natural and organic selection of baby care products and adorable organic cotton layette and save 20% until 12/13!

BrightBin Waste-Free Lunch Boxes Make a Difference

2010-12-07T08:55:00.011-06:00

BrightBin is dedicated to packing waste-free lunches! This company was developed by a mommy who after having packed many school lunches with wasteful plastic bags, became fed up. She decided to develop a product that would make our schools “greener”, make families more environmentally responsible, and be super easy and convenient for those of us packing the lunches. No more plastic bags, no more lids and containers that become mismatched or get lost, no more washing out reusable bags! Plus kids can keep their favorite insulated lunch bag like their Hello Kitty, Spiderman, or whatever else it might be. It doesn’t get any better, easier, or “greener” than this when it comes to packing lunch each day! BrightBin Waste Free Lunch boxes is 100% committed to changing the way kids bring a packed lunch to school.

BrightBin developed the New Generation Lunch Box:
· Flexible! Comes with a handle to be used as a lunch box on its own or it can be used as an insert inside a child’s favorite insulated lunch carrier. Fits inside all cloth lunch carriers.
· Replaces plastic bags and small food storage containers.
· Simple! One unit with no lids or extra pieces to get lost or forgotten in the cafeteria.
· Two level lunch box with divided built-in compartments and a sandwich/entrée compartment on top.
· 100% FREE of BPA, phthalates, lead, and PVC guaranteed.
· Convenient! Dishwasher and microwave safe.
· Save money! No more buying plastic bags or replacements for lost lids.
· Save time! No more searching the cabinets to find matching lids and containers or fumbling with plastic bags.

Why are waste-free lunch boxes so important?

Fact: The average student bringing a packed lunch to school generates 67 pounds of food packaging waste.

Fact: The average elementary school generates 18,760 pounds of disposable lunch waste each year.

Fact: The average packed lunch utilizes 4-5 plastic bags each day. This adds up to over 1000 plastic bags used each year by one student.

Fact: From K-8th grade, one student bringing a lunch each day with disposable packaging will use over 9000 plastic bags!

Fact: Plastic bags and disposable snack bags in school lunches cost families over $80 per year per child.

Fact: Lids and small food storage containers get lost and left behind on the cafeteria lunch table. Replacing them is costly.

BrightBin offers the Next Generation Lunch Box by itself or with insulated carriers. There is also a decorate-your-own lunch bag that comes with The New Generation Lunch Box inside. My daughter has this and she loves to decorate her lunch bag with the non-toxic washable markers. We both love packing an environmentally friendly lunch each day and I know it builds the foundation within her for valuing her environment and behaving responsibly. You can check out the BrightBin website and follow BrightBin on Facebook to keep up with BrightBin sales and giveaways!

Sponsor Feature

Super Baby Store $100 Prize Package Giveaway

2010-12-07T08:28:00.004-06:00

All of the products in the Super Baby Store are personally recommended by Ruth Yaron, the author of the best selling Super Baby Food book. The Super Baby Food Book takes the mystery and uncertainty out of feeding your baby and toddler. With the book’s simple steps, money-saving tips, and quick recipes, it’s fun and easy!

"Super Baby Food is the most complete and thoroughly researched infant nutrition book on the market today!"

Super Baby Store offers Baby Feeding Products, Breastfeeding Products, Baby Food Products, Child Safety Products, Toys & Learning Products, and Baby & Mommy Products. Super Baby Store also provided my readers with a special discount code for 10% off-"10offmw" which gives 10% off the first purchase!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
The Super Baby Store has prepared a gift package including some of their
bestselling baby food products, baby accessories and a copy of Ruth Yaron's
bestselling book, Super Baby Food! (Total value over $100.)

Giveaway Dates:
December 7, 2010- January 5, 2011 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Visit Super Baby Store and tell me something you would want
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
4. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog on Twitter
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win the $100 Super Baby Store Prize Pack #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #49, sweetpea18.

Organically Grown Baby or Toddler Outfit Giveaway

2010-12-06T13:01:00.010-06:00

With products by ORGANICALLY GROWN, there is no need to compromise between your budget and your conscience. You shop for stylish, affordable, and made of 100% certified organic cotton clothes at great prices!

According to the Organic Exchange, as estimated 170 million pounds of pesticides, and 25% of the world's insecticides are used in the production of conventional, non-organic cotton. 7 out of 10 of these pesticides are on the EPA's "known" list of "likely" or "probable" carcinogens. These chemicals result in the work-force illnesses, water contamination, and the devastation of farmland. All of the problems are eliminated through organic farming practices. Organically Grown is proud to be a part of the solution.

Organically Grown has launched their Fall Infant clothing line. This season, the collection includes soft and cuddly outfits for baby at great prices! Organically Grown three-piece baby bodysuit sets are the perfect holiday gift, at only $20! Rounding out the line are gown, hat, and blanket sets, and a delightful variety of outfit sets for boys and girls.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One lucky reader will receive an outfit selected by Organically Grown in the size and gender requested by the giveaway winner. The value is $20-34.

Giveaway Dates:
December 6- December 21, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 action is required.

1. Required: Visit Organically Grown and let me know what you would like to win.
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
4. Like Organically Grown on Facebook
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @organicallygrwn #Organic Baby or Toddler Outfit #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #82, kathyluman.

Smart & Sexy Lingerie Review and Giveaway

2010-11-19T14:07:00.010-06:00

OK, y'all! This is a little risque for me but everyone enjoys new lingerie on occasion, right?! So when I got the chance to review lingerie from Smart & Sexy I was really excited. I needed some cute new things! I got to tell them my size and then they sent me a surprise lingerie package! It was extra fun this way because it was like opening a present and you don't know what will be inside. It was also kind of fun because they sent some things that are more bold than my normal choices might have been and sometimes it is fun to try something you might not have tried otherwise!

Our mission is to always bring you quality, fit, comfort and value - that's Smart!
We also bring you the latest trends, great design, fabulous colors and the best silhouettes to enhance your body and increase your confidence - that's Sexy!

So as you can see they have some pretty cute and sexy numbers! I love the fit of the items I received too. The bras where very enhancing which is great for my body type. I also like that the chemise had adjustable straps. Everything fits great and washes great and the prices, well, they are ridiculously reasonable!

As a special promotion for my readers, you can shop www.smartandsexy.com using the discount code HOLBLOG to receive $5 off your entire order (it’s like getting the shipping for free!). Code expires Dec 25.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One reader will receive one $50 retail value prize package based upon the winner’s stated size hand-selected by Smart & Sexy personnel.

Giveaway Dates: November 19- December 10, 2010

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Leave a comment with a Smart & Sexy item you would like to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Smart & Sexy Facebook page
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @SaSSocialClub lingerie #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
6. Grab my blog button, blog about this (+2 entries), or enter it in a linky and leave a URL I can visit to see it

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #177, Lily.

Smart & Sexy did provide me with the lingerie in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Preggers Maternity Compression Knee Highs and Tights Review and Giveaway

2010-11-18T09:29:00.014-06:00

My mother has varicose viens which means that I am prone to them too! Pregnant ladies are especially vulnerable to getting them so my midwife suggest I wear compression tights. I ran across a company called Preggers and I am totally impressed. They have the largest selection of maternity support hosiery and compression products that I have been able to find! I am talking 5 different styles of products in lots of different colors!

"What does gradient compression hosiery do?
Support Hose or graduated compression has often been recommended for use during pregnancy to help energize tired, achy legs and to help reduce and prevent swelling. True gradient compression hosiery delivers a controlled amount of pressure greatest at the ankle and gradually decreases towards the top of the stocking promoting better blood flow to help energize tired legs and feet, improve circulation, and assist in the prevention of swelling. They are also ideal for individuals required to sit or stand for long periods of time.

What is unique about Preggers by Therafirm™ compression products?
Finally, maternity compression products where you, expecting moms, are being heard. No more stigma of the old, “yucky” compression that is available in only a few styles, off-trend colors, is uncomfortable, hard to get on, and expensive. We believe you can wear compression and get the benefits it provides and still be fashionable. We want to you to feel AND look great!"

I was lucky enough to get to try out two of their products. I tried the Maternity Trouser Socks 10-15mmHg* Gradient Compression in black diamond. I absolutely love these and want more of them. They are cute and easy to put on and give your legs a good lift. They are easy to wear everyday and no one can even tell. I also tried Maternity Pantyhose 10-15mmHg* Gradient Compression in Sand color. Once again I was truly impressed as they are very well designed. My favorite part about the Preggers compression hose is that there is no band at the top so it doesn't squeeze my belly. The unique top with built-in tummy support panel provides a sense of support for active mommas and can be worn folded under belly or unfolded to cover belly. I really can't tell you enough how great the smooth seams are for not digging into your tummy or showing under clothes. This may sound kind of silly but I also love the packaging! It is so cute and it made them feel like little presents rather than a medical prescription. Preggers gets a huge thumbs up for me!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One lucky reader will get to select two Preggers Compression Products (up to a $58 value).

Giveaway Dates: November 18- December 9, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Leave a comment with the two Preggers compression products and colors you'd like to win.
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Preggers Facebook page
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @preggersmomma 2 products of choice #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
This Giveaway is now closed! Winner selected through random.org- #69, Discovery Woman.

Preggers did provide me with the hosiery in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Blisscuits as a Healthy Snack

2010-11-18T08:24:00.009-06:00

I have discovered another healthy snack. Typically, I am not much of a snacker but I am pregnant right now so I am always hungry! Blisscuits are a new all-natural nutritious snack. Mariel Hemingway, actress, model, author and founder of Mariel’s Kitchen, created Blisscuits which kind of look like biscuits and taste like cookies. The nutrients in Blisscuits come from whole natural and organic foods which help give you balanced health and energy, while satisfying your hunger and your sweet tooth.

"Neither a health bar nor a traditional cookie, Blisscuits™ are part of a new building category known as "functional food". No refined sugar – still sweet – low carbs – no wheat with a gluten free recipe – high comfort – real food and Blisscuits help to boost your immune system!"

Some Things I like About Blisscuits:
All natural
No trans fat
40% organic
Cholesterol free
Cage-free eggs
Gluten free
Omega-3 fatty acids
No refined sugar

They come in four flavors. First my son and I tried the Orange. It really hit the spot. I was having morning sickness when I first woke up and didn't feel like fixing anything so I opened the orange Blisscuit package and my son and I each had one. They are really quite filling and it bought me about an hour before I had to go fix our real breakfast. It was yummy and very much like a macaroon to me in flavor and consistency.

Next we tried the Chocolate Blisscuit after dinner one night. This one did not really go over as well with my son. When he heard chocolate cookie, he was thinking of something much sweeter! I liked it however and it had little chocolate nibs in it that were super yummy. They say, "One's a snack, two's almost a meal™" and really they are totally right about this as they are quite filling.

Blisscuit's are also available in Lemon and Cinnamon. Blisscuits are nationally distributed and can be purchased at select retailers throughout the country as well as at marielsblisscuits.com You might give these a try if you are looking for an easy health snack on the go!

Blisscuits were provided to me in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. No monetary compensation was provided and the opinions expressed are my own.

I Just Had an Energy Audit Done by Pro Energy Consultants

2010-11-17T12:33:00.017-06:00

As you all know, two of the things I am passionate about are going green and saving money. So when I had the opportunity to have a comprehensive energy efficiency audit done on my house, of course, I jumped at the chance!

Derek Pace of Pro Energy Consultants set up a time that was convenient for me and came out and conducted my audit. Now, the thing that made me most confident in Pro Energy services is that they are an unbiased, third party working for the home owner and NOT SELLING any products! I knew before he got started that he wasn't going to hit me up to buy a new furnace or put in new windows or any sales pressure whatsoever because they only sell the audit itself. Knowing that, really makes the audit a much more valuable service because they are just working to provide you with information on your home.

My Pro Energy Consultant, Derek, began by setting up a false door with a fan attached that pressurizes the home and helps give an electronic diagnostic of the home's air barrier. (He called it a blower door with a manometer.) He then proceeded with his infrared thermal imaging scanner throughout my house to determine areas of leakage and below standard insulation. (My son loved this part and Derek was really great about letting him get a peek at the machine and how it works too.) Derek showed me things as he went along so I got a feel for what he was doing and how he was determining things. He also gave me a packet after the visit that summed up all the information he had shared with me and much more that he couldn't have had time to tell me at the visit.

The packet has a lot of great energy efficiency information and then it also has the report on my house. It is very detailed and a person like me could get lost in the details so I really appreciated the Pro Energy/ Comfort Action Plan. Each recommendation that was made to improve the energy efficiency of my home was in priority order. I had 10 things on my list and almost all of them could be done by my handy husband. There was really simple fixes that I didn't even know about, like installing foam gaskets on all outlets!

I also really liked the photo summary he provided which helped show the problems. In this photo, you can see the infrared photo and then the digital photo of the same shot. The first set shows inadequate insulation along the ceiling to wall connection of an interior room. The second set shows the fireplace allowing significant leakage. There were many more photos but I don't want to bore you with the specifics on my home!

If you are interested in getting an energy audit for your own home to help you go greener and save more green too, I definitely think that Pro Energy Consultants does a great job at providing you with easy, simple steps to follow to improve the efficiency of your home. In fact, Pro Energy Consultants offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you don't think it was provided valuable information, then your audit is free! And if you happen to live in the Nashville area, Derek Pace is offering my readers $50 off an audit!

I did receive the energy audit free of charge in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Next Gen All Natural Green Tea Cat Litter Review and Giveaway

2010-11-17T09:27:00.009-06:00

We got a kitten for my daughter a few months ago. The first bag of litter I brought home from the store was picked up in a hurry, (kitty waiting in the car), and it was horrible! I couldn't stand the smell. It was so full of perfumes that I could barely breathe when I passed our laundry room where we put the litter box. I knew I needed to find a more natural option and when I came across Next Gen Green Tea Cat Litter I was very curious about it.

Next Gen Pet products are designed with a simple goal in mind, to provide functional products which are environmentally friendly and safe for you and your pet.

Next Gen Cat Litters are made from ALL NATURAL ingredients. The primary ingredient in the Green Tea Leaves Cat Litter is wood. The wood Next Gen uses is carefully selected recycled wood scrap from factories that make furniture and / or musical instruments (no trees are cut for the making of the litter). Wood has a natural ability to suppress bacteria and control odors in the litter box, so it is not necessary to add any chemicals or artificial fragrances to Next Gen cat litter.

Next Gen cat litter is extremely absorbent and because it doesn't have clay like most litters, it doesn't create a dust cloud when you pour the litter. Clumps made from Next Gen cat litter are smaller and lighter than clumps made with the clay litter. To dispose of the Next Gen cat litter clumps you can simply flush them (a few clumps at a time) down the toilet, dispose of them in the trash, or compost them. In a very short period of time the litter will degrade into a natural mulch – after all it is just wood and green tea! Green tea naturally contains a astringent called CATECHIN, with antioxidant properties that works as an effective deodorant and anti-bacterial agent. What's more? Next Gen Cat Litters are economical! One bag of Next Gen cat litter easily last my kitty for 5 weeks with routine scooping. I love that Next Gen Green Tea Leaves Cat Litter is eco-friendly, can be composted, and that it doesn't stink up my house with perfumes! Thumbs up from me.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Next Gen will provide one lucky reader with two bags of the All Natural Next Gen Green Tea Leaves Cat Litter.

Giveaway Dates: November 17- December 1, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Next Gen and leave me a comment with another all natural pet product you might want to try
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
4. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win all natural eco-friendly Next Gen Green Tea Leaves Cat Litter #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #73, mamipdx.

Next Gen did provide me with a bag in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Eitech Educational Construction Sets at Carl and Me Toys

2010-11-16T09:30:00.007-06:00

Carl and Me Exceptional Toys has a new line of toys called Eitech. If you have children who love figuring out how things work, the will love these educational construction sets. Eitech sets are German-made durable, building toys that allow children to build moving toys. Eitech sets are some of the most popular science toys on the market today and a great gift for curious, creative children.

The Eitech Beginner 10-Model Construction Set lets your child build up to ten different exciting models! This set is suggested for children 4 and up. It encourages tots to build and make tools. The set also offers step by step illustrated instructions to help your child learn to build. All 280 parts can be attached to each other!

What could be cooler? How about throwing solar power into the mix? Now your little scientists can build a creation and become familiar with harnessing solar power to make it go! Eitech Solar Powered Multi-Propelled Construction Set is designed to teach children the basics of solar power and work without generators or batteries. Instead, it uses a powerful solar panel to encourage environment friendly play. Once built, simply place Solar panel directly under sunlight and watch in amazement as it automatically powers up! Each kit builds up to three solar powered models. Illustrations and tools are included for easy assembly. It is recommended for children 8 years and up.

Every kid loves building with wheels! The Eitech Classic Jeep Construction Set offers three different possible models to build. Made of high-quality steel, each set includes fully functional steering and large volume wheels for endless creations. Step by step illustrated instructions are included for easy to follow directions. This one is also recommended for children 8 years and up.

Carl and me offers many more educational, fun, and eco-friendly toys. Check them out at Carlandme.com

Free Room Rental and 25% More Game Play at Dave & Buster's Plus $50 Giveaway to Use at Dave & Buster's

2010-11-16T08:41:00.008-06:00

Have you ever been to a Dave and Buster's? They are a super fun Restaurant with a huge entertainment focus. They like to be the place for family fun, parties, meetings and good times.

Dave and Buster's- "the only place with a restaurant serving everything from wings to New York Strips, a bar with the best happy hour and a Million Dollar Midway filled with the latest interactive and video games."

I went there once when I lived in Atlanta with a party from work and it really was fun to interact with work people in a whole new fun way. First we had yummy appetizers and drinks while we bowled and then we had a blast in the arcade area!

Right now Dave & Buster’s has two great reasons to book a party early: free room rental AND 25% more game play. This offer is only valid if booked before November 24th, so users should contact a planner today at 877-475-0615 or on their website. With party rooms ranging from the giant Showroom to the Small Party Room, Dave & Buster’s is the place for parties of all sizes – party planners can even rent out the whole place!

Want to have a family fun night at Dave and Buster's? Need a couples night out? Dying for a moms/dads night out? It is great for all of these occasions too! You can use the Dave and Buster's locator to find one near you.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One lucky reader will receive $50 to use at Dave & Buster's awarded in the form of one $25 Dave and Buster's Gift Card and one $25 Dave and Buster's Power Card.

Giveaway Dates: November 16- December 7, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
3. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win $50 for use at @daveandbusters #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT great family fun or holiday parties
4. Grab my blog button, blog about this (+2 entries), or enter it in a linky and leave a URL I can visit to see it

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #81, nightowl.

ATG Stores Review and $100 Gift Certificate Giveaway

2010-11-15T08:51:00.014-06:00

ATG Stores has a huge collection of 500 specialty stores like LightingUniverse.com, FixtureUniverse.com, DecorUniverse.com, HomeFurnitureShowroom.com, SportingGoodsCentral.com, NewBabySupply.com, OutdoorLivingShowroom.com and CookingandTableware.com. So needless to say when it came to choosing an item to review my head was spinning with all the options! I ended up selecting a juicer from the small kitchen appliances store.

I chose the SPT Appliance CL-851 Professional Juicer Small Kitchen Appliance. It came packaged very well and I was really impressed at how nice it looks. It will go great with the stainless steel appliances that I hope to someday have and it looks great with my current black appliances too! This Professional Juice Extractor has a powerful 850W motor and an extra large 3" feed tube makes it easy to process whole fruits and vegetables, without pre-cutting or peeling.

We tried it out right away making fresh apple juice for my kids. They loved being able to see how it works. I closely supervised them as they dropped the apples into the shoot and pushed down. The juice immediately shot out into the 0.8 liter juice jug with built in froth remover and pulp immediately shot out into the pulp bucket which is quite large so you could do a lot of juicing before ever having to stop. This juicer is really powerful and it was very easy to feed the apples through and seconds later, drink up the juice! I got a little more adventurous for my second juicing and did apples, carrots and grapes. The STP juicer has two speeds- one for soft fruits and for harder fruits and vegetables. It works so quickly and it is great to be able to get all the nutrients from way more vegetables and fruits than you would probably ever be able to munch down in one sitting. I am really excited to have this beautiful addition to my kitchen. What would you choose?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
ATG Stores will provide one lucky reader with a $100 Gift Certificate to ATG Stores!

Giveaway Dates:
November 15- December 14, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Leave a comment with a link to an ATG Stores product that you would be interested in if you win.
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
3. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @ATGStores $100 Gift Certificate #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
4. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my blog and ATGStores.com(+2 entries)
5. Follow @ATGStores on Twitter (2 extra entries)
6. Become a fan of ATG Stores on Facebook (2 extra entries)
7. Subscribe to ATGStores Email List (3 extra entries) You can do this in the black bar on the bottom of ATG website pages.

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thanks for entering and good luck! Winner selected through random.org- #182, bdiane34. (**Anyone who is currently hosting an ATG Stores product review or giveaway is not eligible to enter.)

ATG did provide me with the juicer in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Old Navy Helps Encourage School Attendance and an Old Navy $50 Gift Card Giveaway

2010-11-15T07:27:00.008-06:00

Did you know that in NYC public schools, approximately one out of every five New York City school students missed one month or more of school last year? Wow! I had no idea they had such a chronic attendance problem. Listen to this creative solution that is sure to make a big difference!

Old Navy has partnered up with Mayor Bloomberg’s Task Force on Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism and has asked NYC Public School students to pledge to go to school every day. In fact, on November 4th, Old Navy rewarded shopping sprees to 300 students with the best and most improved attendance from the 25 schools participating in the Mayor’s Campaign to combat absenteeism with an Old Navy VIP Shopping Experience. These students were given $50 gift cards, along with a surprise winter coat and visit from Mets shortstop, Jose Reyes. Old Navy’s partnership with NYC will continue throughout the school year – with a surprise grand finale at year-end. The first six weeks of the school year have been identified as the most crucial weeks for establishing strong attendance yearlong. This Old Navy program ought to make any kid get to school!

I think it is really neat that Old Navy is partnering with this school district to help this serious problem! You have a chance to win a $50 Old Navy Gift Card right here and maybe you too can use it creatively to reward a child for improving their school performance or for having perfect performance already!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One lucky reader will win one Old Navy $50 Gift Card.

Giveaway Dates:
November 15- December 6, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
3. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @OldNavy $50 Gift Card #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
4. Grab my blog button, blog about this (+2 entries), or enter it in a linky and leave a URL I can visit to see it

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #276, lori.

I want to win!

2010-11-14T15:00:00.003-06:00

I want to win a new Sealy Embody mattress from Workout Mommy Reviews! You too can enter to win here.

Home Essenital Oil Mini Collection- A Great Introduction to Great Essential Oils, Lavender, Lemon, and Grapefruit

2010-11-14T08:14:00.006-06:00

This essential oil collection makes a great introduction for those who are interested in trying essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plant sources via steam distillation, and are highly concentrated and far more potent than dry herbs.
While essential oils often have a pleasant aroma, their chemical makeup is complex and their benefits vast—which makes them much more than something that simply smells good. Essential oils can be used for aromatherapy, massage therapy, emotional health, personal care, nutritional supplements, household solutions, and much more.

Lemon essential oil(Citrus limon) has a strong, purifying, citrus scent that is revitalizing and uplifting. Young Living lemon essential oil consists of 68 percent dlimonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon essential oils also has cleansing properties, and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function. I use it to help remove grease stains, for cooking and baking, making lemonade, washing veggies and fruits, and to make my own furniture polish.

Grapefruit essential oil is a popular oil to use in conjunction with weight management programs. Grapefruit may also be used to enhance the flavor of food and water. Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it is also nourishing to the skin. I love the way it smells in the diffuser.

Lavender essential oils is my all time favorite essential oil. Everyone love the scent! One of the most versatile essential oils, lavender has a sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is calming and soothing. One study showed that lavender added to bath water reduced negative thoughts about the future. I always carry it in my purse for the children’s boo-boos because it is antiseptic, does not sting, stops bleeding, and helps prevent bruises. I also use it for burns and sunburns. I put it in the kid's bath water to calm them in the evenings. I used it in a spray bottle with water as my wipe spray since it is antiseptic and soothing to the skin. I also diffuse it to minimize seasonal reactions to pollen and dust mites. I also put some on cotton balls in my closets to repel moths. So versatile and useful!

Home Essential Oil Mini Collection- Includes one 5 ml bottle each of lavender, lemon, and grapefruit to create an inviting atmosphere and lift holiday spirits. Comes wrapped in an elegant cream-colored gift box with a purple bow.

I have been a distributor of Young Living Essential Oils and Supplements for about 6 years and I truly love the products. You can check out more at my Young Living Essential Oils and Supplements site.

L’Artiste: The New Generation Lunch Bag by BrightBin

2010-11-12T12:09:00.014-06:00

Here is a fun twist on a green lunch box- BrightBin L'Artiste. Your child gets to draw on their waste free lunchbox his or herself and not just once, but over and over!

The Benefits of of The New Generation Waste Free Lunchbox:
* Teach your child early about responsible behavior- Keep about 1000 plastic bags out of the landfills in the course of a year and some scientists estimate that it can take up to 1000 years for one plastic bag to decompose!
* Saves Money- "The average cost of plastic bags for one lunch five days a week for one year more than $50.00. Individual prepackaged snack bags add to your annual costs as well. One child using The New Generation Lunch Box five days a week from kindergarten through 8th grade saves over $700 in plastic bag and prepackaged snack bag costs"
* BrightBin lunch boxes are manufactured using FDA approved materials that are lead-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free, and BPA-free.

L'Artiste Waste Free Lunch Box comes with an insulated lunch bag designed to keep food fresh, the New Generation LunchBox (replaces plastic bags, reusable bags, and small food storage containers), and four non-toxic washable gel markers that wash off with warm, soapy water. Being that my daughter is a huge artist already at the age of 5, I know she would love this blank canvas lunchbox that provides huge opportunity for creativity! She went right to work as soon as I told her what it was. She loved being able to draw on the fabric. We were both very proud of the results.

I was very curious about just how it would work when it was time to wash it off. I read the instructions and they suggest washing it daily but I put it to the Mom test and waited about 5 days! It was so easy to clean. Way easier and less messy than I imagined. I simply got my sponge wet with soapy water and wiped it down about three times and it was clean! Wow!

L'Artiste is a very fun green, easy to clean, lunchbox! BrightBin has lots more choices in waste free lunchboxes so check out their site to see them all!

BrightBin did provide me with L'Artiste in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation for this and the opinions expressed are my own.

Ames Walker Maternity Compression Support Stockings Review and Giveaway

2010-11-12T08:43:00.012-06:00

There are many side effects of pregnancy that are not so fun-, feet and ankles may be swollen by the end of the day, leg cramps may wake you up at nights, and varicose veins can develop and worsen with each pregnancy. If you have any of these problems, you can really benefit from maternity compression stockings.

Most leg problems are due to poor circulation and during pregnancy your expanding belly, coupled with the extra pressure your baby puts on your body causes your veins to dilate and work much less efficiently. Graduated Compression Hosiery will help ward off the spread and severity of Varicose Veins and my midwife recommended that I use them since I started to get varicose veins with my last baby. Support stockings work by promoting circulation and the return of blood back up to your heart through the venous system. They apply gradual amounts of pressure to your leg, with the most compression occurring at your ankle and lessening the further up the leg you go. Many insurance companies will actually cover the cost of the stockings as long as you have a doctor’s prescription.

"Ames Walker Maternity Styles provides you with comfortable, medically correct hosiery at the lowest prices on the internet."

Ames Walker was generous enough to let me try a pair of Style 34, AW 20-30 Sheer Maternity Pantyhose. These are Ames Walker's highest compression maternity Sheer pantyhose. According to Ames Walker- this is the sheerest 20-30 maternity pantyhose available in the marketplace today! They feature reinforced heel and toe, cotton Crotch, and an expanding, non-compressive, tummy panel. I ordered according to my pre-pregnacy weight as instructed and I felt that it was a good fit but almost a tad too small height wise, as I had a little trouble pulling the crotch part all the way up. So I would say if you are between sizes, go ahead up a size. These certainly deliver the compression they promise and I can see that my varicose veins are not sticking out at the end of the day as they are when I don't wear them.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Ames Walker is giving one of my lucky readers a pair of the Style 34, AW 20-30 Sheer Maternity Pantyhose in winner's choice of color and size. (value 19.95)

Giveaway Dates: November 12- November 26, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase.

1. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Follow Ames Walker on Twitter
3. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @Ames_Walker maternity compression stockings, reduce varicose veins #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #20, Kimberly

Ames Walker did provide the stockings in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Bella Mama Natural Skincare Review and Giveaway

2010-11-11T08:24:00.011-06:00

I totally believe in making sure you keep your belly bump moisturized with natural products to prevent stretch marks! I really don't think it is at all optional. That itching sensation reminds me on a regular basis to rub something soothing on it. I had heard about a bunch of celebrity moms (Gwen Stefani, Angelina Jolie, Gywneth Paltrow, and more) using Bella Mama so I was curious to see what they had to offer.

All Bella Mama products are created with the highest quality natural ingredients, chosen for safety and effectiveness and blended with subtlety and care by a master herbalist, aroma therapist and natural skin-care specialist. Each product offers unique ingredients such as oat extract for itchy bellies; cucumber and witch hazel for swollen feet; shea butter to comfort during nursing; and green tea and rose bud to refresh the skin. We also wanted to make sure that we made our luxurious product a pampering one.

Sounds good, right? So I gave it Bella Mama a try and I am glad I did. I was fortunate enough to try the Bella Mamma Holiday Small Gift Box. This is a little pamper spa in a box and let me tell you that you might want to discreetly send this link to your hubby so that you get one of these beautiful boxes under the tree! The small gift box comes with 2 oz. Belly Butter, 1 oz. Belly Oil, 1 oz. Foot Salts, 1 oz. Face & Body Spray plus a travel package of belly butter and belly oil. My daughter was really impressed with the packaging and wanted to play with the box and I am really impressed with the great products inside!

Bella Mama Belly Butter- "This rich and luxurious butter was made to soothe skin, reduce itchiness and minimize stretch marks. Delicately scented with high-quality pure essential oils of lavender, sweet orange and mandarin. The wonderful belly butter nurtures skin before and after childbirth." I really like the soft fragrance of this and it great to use anytime because it sinks right in.

Bella Mama Belly Oil- "This comforting Belly Oil was made to soothe skin, reduce itchiness and minimize stretch marks. Mildly scented with high-quality pure essential oils of lavender and neroli. The luxurious belly oil leaves skin feeling healthy and satiny-smooth before and after childbirth." Now, I really love the Bella Mamma Belly Oil. The smell is really wonderful and it comforting is actually a really good description of the fragrance- it makes me feel really good. It is also very moisturizing and sinks in fairly quickly. I use the oil before bed. Plus listen to the ingredients- sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, hazelnut oil, borage oil, rose hip seed oil, extracts of oat and calendula, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C), essential oils of lavender and neroli- all so great!

Bella Mama Face And Body Spritzer- "Instant refreshment and hydration in a spray with a subtle, light et complex fragrance. Spray the Face & Body Spritzer to keep the “pregnancy glow” alive!" This is really a very refreshing spray. Quite nice.

Bella Mama Foot Soak- "Rest tired, swollen feet in a bath filled with these uplifting salts made with a wonderfully cool and refreshing citrus aromatherapy blend." Smells great and a foot soak becomes a really welcome pleasure especially during the third trimester as I recall. This foot soak has a really relaxing aroma and feels fabulous!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Bella Mama is generously offering one winner one Bella Mama Starter Gift Set which includes 2 oz Belly Oil, Face & Body Spritzer and Foot Salts. ($37.50 value)

Giveaway Dates: November 11- November 29, 2010 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Bella Mama Natural Skin Care and leave me a comment with an ingredient you like
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow Bella Mama on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @bellamamababy natural skincare belly oil, foot soak, & face spritzer #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #65, Yona Williams.

Bella Mama did provide the gift box in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Picture It Picture Books Your Child Illustrates Review and Giveaway

2010-11-10T12:22:00.013-06:00

My kids love to read! And my five year old daughter loves to draw! In fact she draws so much that I constantly have to recycle some of it. (It is bad when she catches me- "What is this doing in the recycling, Mama?!") So when I read about Picture It Picture Books, I knew we would have a hit. We can all enjoy reading, she can have fun drawing, I can have a nice, neat, easy to store keepsake, she's proud, I'm proud, so of course, I wanted these Picture It Books!

Picture It Picture Books come in six different books that help inspire children by leaving room for their imagination and illustrations. First we read, Goodnight Dreams Picture Book, Both my son and my daughter really enjoyed the story and then my daughter had a lot of fun illustrating. And of course, I had a lot of fun watching her and reading it again with her illustrations. It was really neat to see what she pictured the characters' dreams to be like. All six books have a solid entertaining story line and plenty of room for your child's masterpieces. These would make a fabulous gift for any child to encourage their creativity and love of reading.

Our unique line of ‘picture books without pictures’ are a perfect way for children to explore their creativity by getting lost in the stories and illustrating whatever comes to mind. Not only are our books fun and engaging for a child, but what parent won’t keep them for years to come?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One winner will receive two Picture It Picture Books, Imagining Me and My Alphabet, which allow room for your child to illustrate each story. (a $16 value)

Giveaway Dates: November 10- November 23, 2010

How To Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase.

1. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Like Picture It Picture Books on Facebook
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
4. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @pictureitco Children's Books where your child illustrates the story! #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #66, RaettigFamily

Picture It did provide the books in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own those of my children.

Bobo’s Oat Bars Healthy On the Go Snack Review and Giveaway

2010-11-10T10:19:00.010-06:00

As a mom with a three year old and a five year old, I like to keep some snacks on hand in my purse and car for occasions when I need them. It can be a challenge to find healthy, yummy snacks for my stash and now that I am pregnant and I want to snack all the time too, I have been looking for more options! I just found Bobo's Oat bars and they are great!

Bobo’s Oat Bars are distributed nationwide, made with non-GMO ingredients, are wheat-free and vegan. The bars are sweetened with brown rice syrup, a sweetener low on the glycemic index, which means it’s slower for your body to metabolize. Bobo’s Oat Bars are also made with organic rolled oats and heart-healthy oils. The bar comes in ten flavors so you can have lots of variety.

Bobo’s Oat Bars have been recognized by Shape magazine as the healthy snack to grab when you’re craving an afternoon treat. The bar is featured in Shape’s October 2010 issue as a tasty and nutritious choice that is low in fat and calories, yet high in satisfaction.

We tried three flavors of Bobo's Oat Bars- Coconut, Almond, and Oatmeal Raisin. First I tried the Coconut and it was delicious. It reminded me of a macaroon but not quite as sweet and you still go all the good texture an flavor of the organic oats. The almond had a marzapan taste to it was was delicious. My three year old approved of both of these selections too! Last, we tried the Oatmeal Raisin and I kid you not, it is just like an oatmeal cookie in flavor. I like these bars because they are free of artificial ingredients, additives, sweeteners and other harsh chemicals. I like that they are high in fiber offer some protein and they taste great. They are a great healthy snack to have on hand.

Bobo's Oat Bars Can be purchased online or you can use the store locator to find them in a retail store near you.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One winner will receive one case of Bobo's Oat Bars in their choice of flavor. ($28.80 Value)

Giveaway Dates: November 10- November 24, 2010 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Bobo's Oat Bars healthy organic snacks and leave me a comment with the flavor you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow Bobo's Oat Bars on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win a case of @BobosOatBars healthy organic snack #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
6. Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs by clicking here (no login required)
7. Grab my blog button, blog about this (+2 entries), or enter it in a linky and leave a URL I can visit to see it

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- # 13, 5webs

Bobo's did provide the bars in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own those of my son.

Umi Children's Shoes Review and Giveaway

2010-11-09T09:21:00.012-06:00

Umi makes quality shoes for children in the 1-8 age range. They are all about "a little love for little feet." Umi has really precious girls shoes, mary janes, and boots. They also have boys shoes in fun color colors and styles and even some waterproof selections. Umi Shoes does a great job at pairing the detailing with the practical comfort element.

About Umi-
"And around here, happy little feet begin with our gentle hands. Hands that meticulously craft each and every shoe for the utmost in comfort and fit. Hands that simply know how to make a better children’s shoe. So, what makes a better children’s shoe? Years of experience working with age-appropriate lasts, patterns and buttersoft leathers give Umi a step up over everyone else. At Umi, all we make are children’s shoes, and we believe every step your child takes is as important as their very first."

We were lucky enough to select a pair for my 3 year old son. I chose the Tiberius Lo Boys Sneaker. Umi does an amazing job showing photos of the shoe from about 6 different angles so you can really see what you are buying before you get it in the mail. I love the detailing on this shoe- all the different colors of coordinating leather and the stitching. This is a handsome shoe for him to wear to school and still be able to play hard on the playground. Leo loves his Umi shoes and is always choosing them to run around in!

Umi Shoes can be purchased online or you can use their Store Locator to find a store near you. They are also have an awesome special right now where you can get a FREE Laurie Berkner CD. (My kids LOVE Laurie Berkner!)

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One winner will receive their choice of any in stock Umi Children's Shoe. (up to an $85 value)

Giveaway Dates: November 9- November 30, 2010 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Umi Children's Shoes and leave me a comment with the pair you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow Umi Shoes on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow UmiShoes on Twitter and MWYT on Twitter
6. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @umishoes awesome children's shoes (up to $85 value) #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #129, Jolee.

Umi did provide the shoes in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own those of my son.

I discovered Shake Away Vibration Isolation Pads for my HE Washer at Frigidaire Accessories Site

2010-11-09T07:06:00.008-06:00

I have to tell you about the coolest little accessory that I didn't even know existed until the other day! I got my HE Washer almost two years ago and it is great except that I have always hated how vigorously it spins during the spin cycle. The washer is in a laundry room and it is over the basement and when we first got it I have to say I literally hoped it wouldn't spin through the floor! The door to the laundry room would shake if I left it shut during the spin cycle. Wowzer. I never knew there was something I could do about it.

Then the other day, I was browsing through the Frigidaire Accessories Store and I discovered there was an easy solution out there the whole time! KE Shake Away Plus Vibration Isolation Pads sounded pretty great and I was really curious to see how they worked. They promised to:
* Radically reduce floor vibrations - especially those from expensive front-loaders
* Prevent much of the physical and mechanical damage to your laundry machines caused by vibration
* Protect your floors from scratches caused by vibrating laundry equipment
* Reduce the overall noise level from your laundry room

I received them in the mail and read the directions which were very simple! You just slide the 5-layer pads under the feet of your washer, dryer, laundry center or laundry pedestal. They work with any brand laundry machines too! Even though it sounded pretty simple, I was not sure how we were actually going to accomplish it because my machine are set back in a nook. My husband just tilted the washer back and slid the pads under the front feet, then tilted it forward and I held it while he slid the pads under the other feet using a dowel (basically a smooth stick). It was pretty easy. I always have a load of laundry ready to do so I threw one in to test the pads out.

KE Shake Away Plus Vibration Isolation Pads really worked. I love them. Of course, my machine still spins like crazy but that is the job it is supposed to do. But now, there is no shaking! I can actually shut the door to the laundry room without all the shaking commotion. I can visually see a huge difference in the shaking and it really sets my mind at ease! Not only does it save the noise but now I don't have to worry about the damage it could be doing to the machine or my house while shaking away! I would suggest these to everyone with a HE washer! They are so worth it!!

I would like to thank Frigidaire for supplying me with a code that allowed me to only pay tax on the pads. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Del Monte $25 GC Giveaway and Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms

2010-11-08T18:47:00.005-06:00

Del Monte Fresh Produce has launched a program to help support kindergarten thru 12th grade public school teachers with cash to purchase school supplies and fresh fruit in the “Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms” campaign. One hundred prizes totaling $1,000 each will be awarded to teachers who get the most votes in the “Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms” online contest at www.fruits.com. Voting takes place everyday and each Monday, prizes are awarded!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Del Monte will generously give TWO of my readers a $25 gift certificate booklet for Del Monte Fresh Produce. The booklets can be used for Del Monte fresh fruit at any store that carries Del Monte products.

Giveaway Dates: November 8- November 15 Midnight CST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase.

1. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Like Del Monte on Facebook
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs by clicking here

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winners selected through random.org- #5, Hetal and #34, puye.

Oh! Toys Unique Toys and Games

2010-11-08T09:10:00.008-06:00

I discovered Oh! Toys almost a year ago and the thing that I think is really cool about it is that Oh! Toys has a very unusual collection of toys and games that are really different, education, and fun! Today I am going to give you a peek at some of the unusual games they carry.

Gobsmacked. Place 3 in a row of the same color or shape and your opponent scores a point in this maniacal memory game! It will have your mind spinning as you try to remember the pattern on the board before it's spun around and another patterned plug is added. For 2 players ages 6 and up. This looks like a good one for my daughter some time soon!

Anomia. This card game is really fun and fast paced and gets you going! I played this one with some MOMS Club members and we all had a blast. Anomia is a hilarious play experience where everyone is involved at all times. Anomia plays off the fact that our minds are positively brimming with all sorts of random information and you have to be able to access it quickly so people end up shouting out all kinds of funny things! This game can be played with 2-6 players, designed for ages 10 and up.

Inverse. A simple, but ingenious strategy game for 2. Get all 5 of your playing pieces on the field while blocking your opponent. A competitive game of obstruction and construction. Fosters planning, strategy and spatial understanding in a fun and fast competitive framework. For 2 players, ages 6 and up.

Visit Oh! Toys to see their whole selection of unique toys and games! You can also text key word "ohtoys" to 244326 to be in Oh! Toys Fan Club $25 Gift Card November drawing!

Licks and Giggles Pet Boutique Dogswell Beef Vitality Treats Review and Giveaway

2010-11-08T07:35:00.010-06:00

I just recently discovered Lick and Giggles Pet Boutique while I was on Twitter. A bit about it- "This specialized boutique was created for every pet owner who wants to give something back to their pets- something unique, something fun, and something to Giggle about! We have carefully selected each unique piece of merchandise to equip your pet with a style and an attitude to fit every walk of life. Whether looking for that special outfit or accessory to the toys and basic necessities to make your pet feel at home, look no further than Licks and Giggles!"

I have two German Sheperds and one of them is really starting to show signs of aging. We got Mozart at the Humane Society 10 years ago and he was about a year old at the time. He is really getting up there in doggy years and lately I have been trying to keep my eyes open for things he enjoys and things that will offer him that extra nutrition to help his aging body. I spotted Dogswell Beef Vitality Treats and they sounded great for my dogs, especially Mozart.

Dogswell Beef Vitality Treats are made with protein-rich all natural beef liver- No Hormones, No Antibiotics, No byproducts, No fillers! That sounded like a yummy and healthy treat! Dogsweel Beef Vitality Treats are also enriched with with Vitamins A and E for eyes, skin and coat. This is exactly the type of treat I want Mozart to have to help him maintain his health. I received the package and opened it up and it looks like exactly what it is- dried beef livers. My dogs wolfed down the treats right away. I have been giving them one a day and you should she how excited they get when I pull out the bag. Mozart looks years younger just looking at the bag! He starts swirling and his ears are perked up to full attention. He really likes them and I like giving him something healthy.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One winner will receive a 5 oz bag of Dogswell All Natural Beef Vitality Treats enriched with flaxseed and vitamins from Licks and Giggles Pet Boutique.

Giveaway Dates: November 8- November 18, 2010 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Licks and Giggles Pet Boutique and leave me a comment another item you want to try
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like Licks and Giggles on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #9, NativeHalo.

Licks and Giggles did provide the treat in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own those of my dogs.

Sewing With My Child: Eco-friendly and Fun Project to Do Together

2010-11-07T07:09:00.014-06:00

Sewing with kids can be a fun and eco-friendly project! Good thing my daughter made me do it!

My daughter is five and the other day she came home from school with two holes in her tights. One hole was across her hole knee. Oh well, I thought. She said, "Mama, you have to sew these up for me." I said, "Or get a new pair." I thought the big hole was pretty big and it wouldn't really look cute with all the stitches that would show through her tights. "Sew it up," she replied. Her mind was made up. I still wasn't so sure.

I threw them in the wash and dryer and when they came out they had shrunk down in size like tights do and the holes also appeared a little smaller. I still thought about tossing them but then I thought well, it couldn't hurt to try and at least she could see how sewing works. I called her to see if she wanted to help and she was very excited to help sew. I let her pick the thread and she picked a bright pink for the big hole. I showed her how to thread the needle and she watched me. I showed her how to pull the thread even and try a knot since we wanted a double stitch for strength and she watched. I showed her how to pinch the hole in the middle to keep it lined up while you sew and I did the first couple stitches. Then I let her take over the stitching while I held my hand inside the tights so she wouldn't stitch through to the other side and kept the hole pinched. She did a great job. Every once in a while I would have to tell her to pull the needle back out because she was stitching too low or too high or missing the other side of the hole but she sewing until we ran out of thread half way across the hole.

Then she threaded the needle this time and I tied it off. I realized before we started again that while I was trying to keep all the stitching on the inside by sewing while it was inside out, my daughter was actually excited about the stitching and like the pink color! So we switched and she did the second half of the hole with the stitching on the outside. She was very pleased with the results and asked me if I could stitches that would show that shaped a heart. Well sure, I could. So I got out my embroidery thread and sewed a heart on for her. She watched the process. She loved it so much so wanted a flower. So this time I showed her how and she sowed the center of the flower all by herself. I finished it off with the petals. Then she stitched up the last hole.

All in all, I was impressed that we had saved her tights, made an eco-friendly move, and really had a good time together. I felt proud to have taught her such a useful lesson and proud of her for teaching me a lesson too! That is my little wonder! I love that she gave me a fresh view of things. My grandmother would be proud of me for stitching up those tights. She stitched up many things for me and I told my daughter how she used to make me all kinds of things. Maybe that will be our next project when my daughter gets a little older- sewing doll's clothes. She loves learning how to do things and the best part is that I don't have to be perfect when I teach her. I can learn with her!

Happy sewing! If you want to sew with your child but have not done so before, a great place to start is sewing buttons on. Sierra and I had tried this when she was about four and she loved that too. When I was in a Montessori kindergarten, I still remember that they had a station where you could chose different squares of fabric to sew and buttons and they helped you sew them on. It was tons of fun and they let you bring them home and you could make a pillow out of them with your mom. It really gives a great sense of accomplishment. After all, I still remember it fondly!

If you liked this family activity, you might also enjoy, How to Make Rolled Paper Beads, A Fun Kids Craft.

Coy Clothes-Fun, Funny Bamboo and Organic Cotton T-Shirts Review and Giveaway

2010-11-05T20:57:00.015-05:00

Everyone loves a good laugh. I know I do! That is why you are bound to love Coy Clothes' saucy tees with funky graphics! And what makes them even better? All Coy T-Shirts are printed on bamboo and organic cotton blend shirts so they are super soft and hold up very well.

Made you laugh, didn't they? Not all of their shirts are funny though, they also have some just plain cute and fun tees too. Coy Clothes t-shirts for men, women, and kids, plus they do custom t-shirts! You can design your own shirt. You can add extra text, extra images and even some neat-o retro 70s patches. Custom order sizes up to XXXL.

I chose a shirt for my son. That lucky duck! I knew he would LOVE it as soon as I saw the Ride 'Em Cowboy Long Sleeve Boys T-Shirt. He is really into cowboys. As soon as it came, he got a huge smile and he wanted to put it on right away and then of course, his cowboy hat too! He digs the cute patch and I dig the awesome fabric. Bamboo and organic cotton is a fabulous eco-friendly t-shirt choice but it is also plain luxurious to feel. This shirt looks great with jeans or I can dress it up with khakis. Thumbs up!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Winner will receive one free t-shirt from Coy Clothes Funny T-Shirts for the Whole Family. (up to a $55 value)

Giveaway Dates:
November 6- November 26, 2010 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Coy Clothes Eco-friendly T-Shirts and leave me a comment your favorite
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Join Coy Clothes Mailing List (puts you into a weekly drawing for a free tee!)
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow CoyClothes on Twitter and MWYT on Twitter
6. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @coyclothes bamboo and organic cotton custom t-shirt #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- 52, jakiesmom.

Coy Clothes did provide the tee in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own those of my son.

The New Toy: Perplexus Review and Giveaway

2010-11-05T09:34:00.009-05:00

Thenewtoy.com is a whole new twist on toy buying. Rather than focus on huge selection, they focus on one new toy each week! TheNewToy goes into detail on each toy they feature with lots of high resolution photos and video of the toy and of the toy being kid tested! You can sign up for their weekly email on the feature toy.

What caught my eye about TheNewToy, was one of their featured toys- Perplexus! This toy originally appealed to me because it is completely self-contained and I thought it would be handy to have for road trips to my mom's house! Perplexus is distributed by Plasmart and is intended for ages 6 and up. My daughter is only 5 but I thought she could probably handle Perplexus because she is great at puzzles. She was really excited when we got it and she wanted me to teach her how to play it right away. I was busy cooking so she started to figure it out herself. It kept her busy the whole time I was cooking dinner and when dinner was finally finished she said, "Already? But I'm not ready!" Now that is a good toy!

Perplexus is a basically a self-contained sphere maze. The player maneuvers a small, steel ball through 100 twists, turns, and barriers on their way from start to finish. It’s a 3 dimensional maze that is completely encapsulated in a clear, plastic sphere that must be shifted, flipped, and twisted to guide the ball to the goal. It does NOT require any batteries and there are you can't loose any pieces! Another cool thing about Perplexus is that it is a really fun way to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Even by husband loves Perplexus! My daughter and my husband argue over whose turn it is! My husband said, "Wow, this would make a great Christmas present." In short, Perplexus got their seal of approval.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: The New Toy will provide one winner with one Perplexus 3 dimensional maze. ($21.99 value)

Giveaway Dates: November 5- November 19, 2010 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit The New Toy and leave me a comment another cool toy you saw
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow The New Toy on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @thenewtoy Perplexus fun 3D maze #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #136, manthas24.

The New Toy did provide the game in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own those of my family.

GirlGotch Comfortable Girls Underwear Review and Giveaway

2010-11-04T08:34:00.013-05:00

Here is another company started by a mom looking for a a product to meet her daughter's needs and ending up designing it herself! She could not find comfortable panties for her daughter that would stay in place without riding up so she created Girl Gotch underwear in the style of boys underwear but with cute fun girls colors. They come in two styles- brief and boxer!

My daughter was lucky enough to get to try both the boxer and the brief style. We love them both. The underwear also come in a very nice box with a magnetic closure that she loves and uses for storing random loose odds and ends! The boxer style is great for wearing under her skirts and dresses as they just look like little shorts if her dress should happen to expose her undergarments while she is on the playground. Both the boxer and the brief style are made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex so they stretch and move with your child. They are also a very nice thickness, not too thin or thick. GirlGotch are super cute and comfortable for my daughter- what more could you ask for in girls underwear?

GirlGotch is available online or check for retailers in your area. You also have a chance to win some!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: GirlGotch will provide one box of comfortable girls underwear in winner's choice of size, color, and style. ($15.99 value)

Giveaway Dates: November 4- November 18, 2010 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit GirlGotch comfortable girls underwear and leave me a comment which style and color undies you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow Girl Gotch on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @GirlGotch Comfortable and Cute Girls Underwear #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #18, Chelsey

GirlGotch did provide the underwear in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own those of my daughter.

Fluid Flair Cute Runners T-Shirts Review and Giveaway

2010-11-03T14:14:00.008-05:00

Here is a fun company started by two mommy-preneurs! I love stories like this one where people pursue their passion and make it happen! Connecting with other moms through running made an incredible difference their lives. These two moms' love for fitness, function, and fashion has developed into Fluid Flair t-shirt company that offers women of all ages fresh runners merchandise!

Fluid Flair Tees are what you wear to show off your run attitude... The runner t-shirt has to be comfortable enough to sleep in, but versatile enough to wear out on a Friday night, and yet sexy enough... to make us feel good without hugging our mom curves too tightly.

Fluid Flair of has a bunch of cute runners designs to choose from but they all display love of getting out there and going for it! "Run Like a Rockstar" captures their fun trendy look. It is 100% fine combed cotton jersey with Printed white stripped detail on right sleeve.

I chose to try the long sleeve Peace Love Run tee. I couldn't resist their cute modification of the motto and fun pattern in red. As a mom who values comfort, I think you can never have too many t-shirts and of course, I want them to be cute as well as comfy! This t-shirt fits both criteria and would be great with yoga pants or jeans! It is a burnout tee so I put it over a tank when i wear it. Very cute!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Fluid Flair will provide one lucky winner with a Fluid Flair T-Shirt of their choice. (up to a $45 value).

Giveaway Dates: November 3- November 22, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Fluid Flair Running T-Shirts and leave me a comment with the tee you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow Fluid Flair on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @FluidFlairTees Cute Runners T-Shirt #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #96, Misskaoz.

Fluid Flair did provide me with the tee in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

ZenSoy Organic Pudding Review and Giveaway

2010-11-03T09:07:00.009-05:00

I just discovered ZenSoy organic soy products. You would think that organic soy would be easy to find but did you know that "97% of all soybeans are sprayed with pesticides"? Wow. That is why ZenSoy started the campaign Pandas Against Pesticides to safeguard the environment and our food supply from harmful chemical pesticides. ZenSoy pledges 5% of all profits to international wildlife organizations and to promote organic farming! The soybeans for ZenSoy soymilk and pudding are all organically grown in the USA and they are GMO free!

While soy has been touted for health benefits including heart health, bone health, and menopausal health, I eat and drink soy milk on occasion for variety. My family and I got to try the ZenSoy pudding. Their organic soy puddings are available in creamy chocolate, fruity banana flavors, vanilla and a chocolate/vanilla swirl. I was pretty sure I would like their pudding but I was curious to see what my husband and children would think of soy pudding. My husband doesn't really like soy products all that much but when I tasted this pudding, I was sure he wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between milk pudding and this soy milk pudding. It is really delicious! I have to say that this pudding is really very smooth and creamy and just plain yummy. My family approves!

Next time you reach for a soy product, reach for ZenSoy so you can be sure it is organic and GMO free! Their products are available at Krogers and Whole Foods and you can use their store locator if you need help finding a store near you.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Two winners will each receive a free case of ZenSoy pudding, awarded in the form of free product coupons, and a ZenSoy t-shirt with the cute Panda on it.

Giveaway Dates: November 3- November 17, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase.

1. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Like ZenSoy on Facebook
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
4. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win a case of @zensoy pudding and cute ZenSoy Panda t-shirt #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT 2 winners

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #11, Amber and #41, valerie2350.

ZenSoy did provide me with coupons to sample the pudding in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Baby Bunk Makes Co-Sleeping Easy, Safe, and Comfortable

2010-11-02T07:43:00.004-05:00

Cosleeping (sometimes spelled co-sleeping, and also known as bed sharing or "having a family bed") is the practice of having your infant in your bed with you during sleep. We chose this option with our babies because I was breastfeeding and it just makes it so much easier not to have to get up and go in a separate room every couple of hours. I also just wanted my babies close where I could see them and know they were fine.

When I chose to co-sleep, lots of people asked me, "Aren't you afraid, you'll roll over on your baby?" I think this is one of the main reasons people chose not to co-sleep but it can be quite safe and even the American Academy of Pediatrics does encourage room-sharing (or co-sleeping on a separate surface) in its policy statement regarding SIDS prevention. That's why I was so excited when I saw the Baby Bunk cosleeper, because it makes it easy, safe, and comfortable for anyone interested in co-sleeping. The Baby Bunk infant sleeper lets you spend your nights together, helping to keep you closely bonded, but giving you each your own space.

What customers are saying about Baby Bunk Cosleeper:

"I just wanted to let you know how much we love the Baby Bunk. Our daughter, Eileen was born in November right here at home, so has been sleeping in it from her very first night. It is so convenient for breast feeding and to make sure the baby is still breathing when paranoia suddenly strikes in the middle of the night! When my husband goes out of town on business, we stay at my Mom's and I always bring the Baby Bunk for Eileen. I only wish I'd had it when my first son was a baby. I recommend the bunk to everyone I know."

"Easier than a bassinet to get the baby into my bed to nurse, especially after a C-section."

Curious about the benefits of co-sleeping? Here are some studies cited on breastfeeding.com:

*Harvard psychiatrist Michael Commons and his colleagues recently presented the American Association for the Advancement of Science with research that suggests that babies who sleep alone are more susceptible to stress disorders.

*Notre Dame anthropology professor and leading sleep researcher, James McKenna, has long held that babies who sleep with their mothers enjoy greater immunilogical benefits from breastfeeding because they nurse twice as frequently as their counterparts who sleep alone.

*In his book on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, pediatrician William Sears cites co-sleeping as a proactive measure parents can take to reduce the risk of this tragedy. McKenna's research shows that babies who sleep with parents spend less time in Level III sleep, a state of deep sleep when the risk of apneas are increased. Further, co-sleeping babies learn to imitate healthy breathing patterns from their bunkmates.

Every scientific study of infant sleep confirms that babies benefits from co-sleeping. The Baby Bunk cosleeper attaches securely to your bed and keeps your baby right with in arms reach. Another awesome feature is that it can transform into a toddler bench. I love it when things are versatile! Baby Bunk also carries organic bedding and mattresses to complete your infant sleeper so go ahead and take a look!

Top 10 Places to Find FREE Images Online

2010-11-02T06:51:00.007-05:00

This is a guest post by Tanya of Blogelina as part of her Blog Tour. Check out her blog and find out how you can win $100 by following the Blogelina blog tour!

Whether you’re a blogger, a website designer, a homeschooling mom, a crafter – you name it - having access to great images can make your life easier and even more fun! If you aren’t a graphic designer, finding quality images to use can become expensive quickly.

What are some uses for online images?
- Easily create your own teaching materials for your children
- Add interest to your blog posts
- Find images to decorate your family newsletters or cards
- Make your to-do lists a little more fun to look at
- Keep the list going – tell us your ideas in the comments below!

Because different people have different needs, you will find sources for both free photos and free clipart images in the list below.

10 Free Image Sources

Microsoft Images – I was surprised and excited to come across this resource recently. In my searches for free image resources, most of them only provide photos. Microsoft Images gives you access to both photos and illustrations.

Flickr Creative Commons – If you search to find the resource a lot of people are using to get their free images, you’ll probably find them talking about the Flickr Creative
Commons. Here you’ll find thousands of images to use as long as you are using them for
personal use only or you’re willing to credit the image creator with their work.

Stock Exchange – With a database of almost 400,000 free images, you’re probably going to be able to find what you’re looking for at this site. One of the most popular free image sites, it’s easy to navigate and organize what you find.

WikiMedia Commons – Here you will not only find free images to use but free videos, free sounds, and other forms of free media.

Every Stock Photo – If you become a member of this site (membership is free), you will be able to rate, tag, collect and comment on photos. This feature will help you save a lot of time as you’ll be able to easily return to photos that you find but want to save for possible future use.

FreeImages.co – Based out of the UK, this site not only offers an index of free images, they also offer free ideas and tips for using your images.

PicFindr – This site allows you to search several stock image and photo community sites simultaneously. Your search results are broken down into categories based on which sites they came from. A few of the sites displayed may charge for their images but the results return many free images, as well.

Open Clipart Library – If you prefer to use clipart images over photos, this site offers a large library of illustrations. The site is easy to navigate and the download process is very simple.

Burning Well – The library of free images here is made up of images donated from photographers all over the world. You can easily search for photos by keyword, by category, or by popular choices.

Free Digital Photos – Here you can download images for free at their basic level. What I like about this site is that, if you find an image that you particularly like and might want to use for larger projects, you can easily purchase the larger version for a reasonable fee.

You may also like to read my Green Scrapbooking Tips.

Elite Dresses Girls Holiday Dresses Review and Giveway

2010-11-01T11:46:00.006-05:00

My daughter has worn the same dress the last two holiday seasons and she really loved it! She wanted to wear it pretty much anytime she could so I knew that I needed to find a really lovely holiday dress this year. I came across Elite Dresses girls holiday dress selection and was very impressed! They have so many choices of formal girls dresses. They also have girls party dress accessories and Chinese and Vietnamese dresses!

I chose a beautiful burgundy dress with with green sash for my daughter. One thing I loved about Elite Dresses website is that they have multiple pictures of each dress from all angles and close ups so when you get the dress you know exactly how it will actually look! That is definitely true for my selection. When we got the box, my daughter was so excited! She loves getting stuff in the mail! When she saw the beautiful dress inside she really was thrilled. I am excited because this will make a great holiday dress and it will also be great for any special occasion. It also cam packaged nicely without any wrinkles so I could just take it out and let her try it on right away. She is petite 5 year old but I got her a size 6 so she could wear it this year and next year. She loves her new dress and I can tell she feels really special in it by the look on her face and the way she twirls about in it!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Elite Dresses will provide one lucky winner with any Elite Dress they chose (up to a $60 value.)

Giveaway Dates: November 1- November 22, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Elite Dresses and leave me a comment with the dress you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Subscribe to the Elite Dresses Newsletter in their left margin
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow EliteDresses and MWYT on twitter
6. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win a beautiful girls dress @EliteDresses #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #17, Sarah G.

EliteDresses did provide me with the dress in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Evolve Kefir Low Fat Probiotic Smoothie Review and Giveaway

2010-11-01T09:33:00.011-05:00

You probably all know, I love stuff that is good for me and my family! So when I got a chance to try Evolve Kefir, I said, "Of course!" Evolve Kefir is a Lowfat Probiotic Smoothie that not only tastes great but is good for you. One cup of Evolve a day consumed over a two week period has been shown to "help promote digestive health and enhance the immune system."

"Not all Kefirs are created equal. Evolve kefir is different because of the superior quality and quanitity of probiotic cultures it contains. Evolve contains some of the most tested strains of beneficial bacteria that have been clinically shown to promote digestive health and enhance the immune system."

I made a trip to Whole Foods and used my trial coupons to pick up some Evolve Kefir. I knew I would probably like it because I love yogurt and I love smoothies. I was not exactly sure what the kids would think because somtimes kefir can have a little bit of a sharper flavor (like plain yogurts). They liked the pretty bottle and were excited to try it. I found that it is more mild than some other kefirs I have tried. It was really yummy and easy to drink. I like to have it as a mid morning snack. (I am pregnant so I am always seeking healthy snacks!) My son loves it and always asks for more. I think it is especially important this time of year to support our immune systems so I like having Evolve in my fridge!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Two winners will each receive coupons for a free case of Evolve.

Giveaway Dates: November 1- November 16, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase.

1. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
2. Like Evolve Kefir on Facebook
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
4. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win a case of @EvolveKefir Probiotic Smoothie #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #49, loni and #16 susan.

Evolve did provide me with coupons to sample the kefir in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

SmartSeat Chair Protector Cover Giveaway

2010-10-31T14:30:00.007-05:00

Got Kids? Chances are you need the SmartSeat Chair Cover! You know what I am talking about. Kids can be so messy! The SmartSeat creator bought new dining room chairs and couldn’t find a simple, waterproof, and attractive protective cover for her chairs. She didn’t want sticky vinyl covers that flopped over the seat and squeaked when sat upon. That is why she created the SmartSeat, a simple, safe cover that protects your upholstery and looks great too.

The SmartSeat chair protector is a waterproof, stain resistant, and machine washable cover made from soft-to-the-touch, toxin-free fabric. The SmartSeat’s patent-pending design uses adjustable straps to securely fit chairs ranging from 18″ to 25″ wide. You can see it works well for a wide variety of chairs!

Testamonial:
“After my grandchildren came to visit last year, I had to have my chairs professionally cleaned. This year I was prepared. I bought a SmartSeat for all four of them and even the two year old didn’t complain about sitting on it. Now I can relax and enjoy my grandchildren instead of worrying about my furniture.”

This is a handy, easy to wash, solution to protecting chairs, whether at your house or when your kids are going to be dinner guests at someone else's house!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One winner will receive two SmartSeat waterproof, stain resistant, and machine washable fabric chair protector covers in their choice of color. (total value $39.98)

Giveaway Dates: October 31- November 15, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit SmartSeat and leave me a comment with your desired seat cover color
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like SmartSeat on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @SmartSeatCover Chair Protectors #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
6. Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs by clicking here (no login required)

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #54, Louis H.

You can recycle even stuff you thought was trash- like drink pouches, and storage bags!

2010-10-30T07:54:00.011-05:00

Here is something totally cool I just found out about! TerraCycle is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with over thirty major brands in the U.S. and in a growing number of other countries to collect used packaging and products (chip bags, candy wrappers, juice pouches, pens, toothbrushes, etc.) that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new eco-friendly materials and products! The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay schools and non-profits for every piece of waste they collect and return. That is so cool!

Hopefully, you already reduce the amount of this waste that you consume but it is so great that Terracycle helps recycle this stuff that would otherwise end up in landfills!! You just send them your trash (they have a complete list of things they accept on their site and you can do it as a group or individually) and they pay your shipping and donate money per unit of waste and then make cool products out of it! Drink pouches become fencing material!

TerraCycle also runs free national collection programs that pay non-profits and schools TerraCycle has exclusive partnerships with major CPG companies such as Kraft Foods, Frito Lay (Pepsi), Stonyfield Farm, Mars Wrigley and many more. The partnerships create free collection programs that pay schools and non-profits nationwide to collect used packaging such as drink pouches, energy bar wrappers, yogurt cups, cookie wrappers, chip bags and more! The collected materials are upcycled into affordable, high quality products ranging from tote bags and purses to shower curtains and kites. In addition, TerraCycle works with these partners to find innovative uses for all of their waste streams and, by making products from these various waste streams, TerraCycle prevents 1000’s of tons of waste from going to landfills.

Go forth and recycle even more than you did before!! Be a real leader and go to your community schools and start collection bins in the cafeteria to recycle "trash" and earn money for the schools. Go ahead and make a huge difference and pat yourself on the back! Leave me a comment if do this already or feel inspired to do so now!

You may also like to read How to Go Green While Scrapbooking.

O'BON Eco-friendly Pencils and Notebooks Review and Giveaway

2010-10-29T11:46:00.016-05:00

Now here is a great green company I just discovered- O'BON eco-friendly school and office supplies. O'BON, which means "Oh Good" in French, represents a better, greener and more responsible choice. There is no sacrifice to be green here either, wait till you see how beautiful O'BON products are! Not only do they make amazing eco-friendly products, they also contribute by planting a tree for for every purchase made on the O'BON website. How cool is that? Another thing I love about O'BON is that by designing their products around animal designs and environmental facts, O'BON helps nudge kids down the path of environmental responsibility and curiosity.

The trademark product of O'BON was initially a pencil made from used newspaper. By being made from used newspaper instead of wood, the production of the newspaper pencil didn't contribute to deforestation and damage the environment. They offer your standard pencils in beautiful designs, color pencils, and professional art graphite pencils, all made with 100% recycled newspaper. I got to try some of the O'BON recycled newspaper wildlife pencils and they sure are pretty. The backing came with facts about the animals and they suggested you reuse the packaging as a bookmark which I did with a few quick clips and it looks great! I was very curious about how it would be to sharpen these pencils and I have to tell you I was surprised at how easy it was, in fact, the pencil actually seems more firm than a wood pencil! You can see a piece of the pencil shaving in the photos. The L'Artiste Professional Art Set is amazing too! The set includes 10 high quality professional art pencils with a different grade of graphite hardness and each is clearly labeled for easy when sketching. The pencils have a beautiful brushed nickel finish and when make a beautiful gift for any artist or aspiring artist.

O'BON also makes notebooks with paper made from sugarcane pulp, a great alternative resource to wood, and binders made from recycled card stock and cardboard. These are really some stunningly beautiful notebooks and there are LOTS of choices! I got to try out the BONanza A5 Strawberry Sugarcane Journal Notebook. I actually selected this for my daughter but to tell you the truth, I am going to be keeping this beautiful pad for myself! (She'll never know.) Every journal comes with O’BON’s own environmentally-friendly sugarcane bagasse paper. With the cover made from 100% recycled cardstock, and the pages printed with non-toxic soy based inks, this makes it the perfect eco-friendly journal for your daily needs. Their journals also come in all different sizes so you can use them for all your different needs! I also have to tell you that quality of sugarcane paper is way different than your typical recycled paper. The paper in my sugarcane journal was amazing quality- bright white and smooth as could be.

I love my O'BON products because they are eco-friendly, great quality and just plain pretty! If you want to shop O'BON eco-friendly products, you can get an exclusive discount for my readers of 10% by using code "MWYT." (I do NOT get a kickback on any sales, just so you know! I am unbiased!)

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Winner gets to choose two of their favorite O'BON products!

Giveaway Dates:
October 29- November 12, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit O'BON eco-friendly products and leave me a comment with your favorite items
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like O'BON on Facebook and leave them a comment
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @OBON Eco-friendly Office and School Supplies #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT #green

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #125, Cal

O'BON did provide me with the pencils and notebook in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Tera's Whey- Natural Nutritious Whey Protein

2010-10-29T08:09:00.012-05:00

I just discovered Tera's Whey and I love that they make their whey protein in a green factory with only the best ingredients. This is a high quality product that I could feel good sharing with my kids. Whey is often used by body builders because it is the easiest type of protein to build muscle with. Whey is also a good source of protein for people who wish to decrease their meat consumption because of its cholesterol and fat content or vegetarians who wish to eliminate meat from their diet. Additionally, children, picky eaters or people who may not be getting adequate amounts of protein in their daily diet have a easy way to get protein with whey protein powder since it can easily be mixed into smoothies which tastes yummy!

Whey is valued for its high protein content, immune system strengthening properties, weight management properties and diabetes control properties, cardiovascular health effects and soothing effects on the gastrointestinal system or your gut. You can read more of the health benefits of whey protein here.

What makes Tera's Whey different?
"We start with raw whey from artisan cheesemakers and family farmers, carefully concentrate it in our own green plant, sweeten it with low-glycemic stevia and add the highest quality, most flavorful natural ingredients; things like Fair Trade Dark Chocolate and Bourbon Vanilla. All of our fruits are real fruit extracts not flavor derivatives. When we say “natural ingredients” on our label, it means things like real vanilla. No fillers. No additives. Just completely natural, healthy whey protein."

I was lucky enough to try Tera's Whey Starter Kit. I initially planned on just using it to make smoothies to help my kiddos get more protein since it can be hard to get them to eat that much! But now that I am pregnant, I am using it for extra protein for myself too! My Starter Kit came with a Bourbon Vanilla Whey 12 oz canister and 4 single serve pouches of Wolfberry, Yumberry, Acai, and Fair Trade Dark Chocolate. This is working out great great because if I am lazy I can just whip out a pouch and blend it with some milk and a little ice and it is yummy and easy. I like getting to try the flavors out too! The Yumberry is very aptly named, by the way! It is also really great having the large vanilla canister since it is good by itself or easily mixed with fresh fruit. I have also tried mixing it with pineapple juice and fresh spinach to try to increase my green intake. Not bad!

If you would like to try Tera's Whey for yourself, you can buy it at Whole Foods or shop Tera's Natural Whey Protein online. There is all kinds of great info on the site about the Whey Protein including fun recipes to try. Enjoy!

Kiki's Maternity Fashions Review and Giveaway

2010-10-28T09:12:00.008-05:00

I'm pregnant again and I need some maternity clothes! So I was peeking around the internet and I came across Kiki's Maternity Fashions. The thing that is really great about Kiki's is that they offer cute maternity dresses, trendy maternity skinny jeans, and modern maternity tops and all at very reasonable prices.

I really needed a some maternity pants and I wanted something that was stylish and comfortable. I was impressed with their large selection and with their great prices. I chose to try the Blue Embroided Boot Cut Maternity Jeans. I really liked the cute detailing on the pockets! I also love the comfortable stretchy waist that can stay hidden under my shirt and I look like I am wearing real jeans! They are made with stretch denim so they are super comfortable around the waist and knees. I am very pleased with the quality of Kiki's Maternity Fashions and believe me, there are many more styles I want to try!

Do you want some new maternity clothes to make you feel stylish too? You can shop online today and/ or enter to win.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One winner will get to select any one item from Kiki's Maternity Fashions website!

Giveaway Dates: October 28- November 11, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Kiki's Maternity Fashions and tell me what your favorite item is
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like Kiki's on Facebook (this also gives you a chance to win a $50 Gift Card!)
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win Kiki's #Maternity Fashion #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED Winner selected through random.org- #102, Melodic Mom

Kiki's did provide me with the jeans in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

organicKidz™ Stainless Steel Baby Bottles Review and Giveaway

2010-10-27T07:24:00.011-05:00

I breastfed both of my children and I plan on breastfeeding my third but everyone needs some baby bottles in my opinion! Whether you need them for storing your pumped breast milk, delivering the milk when you can't be there, for formula, or just for water, it is always good to have a few on hand.

OrganicKidz caught my eye when I saw that they make a stainless steel baby bottle! I was immediately interested because not only can I be sure that it is BPA free, I also love that it is a green alternative. Stainless Steel is a 100% recyclable product and 50-60% of every Stainless Steel product is made from recycled materials. The most obvious advantage to stainless steel is its durability and longevity. Furthermore, it will not shatter when dropped, or scratch with normal use. The scratch resistance of Stainless Steel also means that food or bacteria cannot find a place to hide, even after washing. And that is the #1 reason I was interested in the stainless steel bottle- hygiene. I always despised how hard it is to get plastic bottles and sippy cups clean! Plastic always seems to absorb the smell of the contents. Stainless Steel is the first choice of hospitals, kitchens and food processing plants because of its easy cleaning ability and it is not prone to increased wear and tear from repeated washing. Yay stainless steel bottles! Oh, and one more thing, they convert to stainless steelsippy cups with a nipple switch and handle accessory- awesome!

Features of organicKidz™ Stainless Steel Baby Bottles:

* only the best quality 304 18/8 stainless steel
* 4 and 7oz Narrow Necked single hulled bottles for easy warming
* 9oz Narrow Necked vacuum insulated bottles so liquids keep cold for 5-6 hours
* 4oz and 9oz Wide Mouthed single hulled bottles available
* 2oz lid for easy measuring
* BPA, PVC and Phthalate free
* compatible with most narrow necked nipples
* light weight and dishwasher safe
* unbreakable and dent resistant
* packaged in environmentally friendly, recyclable cardboard

So now you know why I was excited about trying an organicKidz bottle for my baby that is on the way- greener, cleaner, and safer! I chose to try the 4oz wide mouthed stainless steel bottle. I chose the smaller size because I will just be using it for occasional extra fluids and for pumping and I never get very much milk expressed at one time! I picked the wide mouthed bottle because I think they are easier to clean. I also dig that is is compatible with the Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump which is what I used with my first two. I really like that it has a nice stainless steel cover for the nipple and both nipple and the bottle have measuring marks in case you need them. Here is my son and I giving it the once over to make sure it is up to par for our baby!

To me, organicKidz is the best bottle I could find for sanitary reasons and I am so excited to be able to use it for my third! If you want to try organicKids stainless steel bottles for yourself, then you buy them online or check out their list of retailer that carry them near you. You also have a chance to win one right now!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One winner will receive one 4oz Wide Mouthed organicKidz BPA, PVC and Phthalate free Baby Bottle. ($14.99 value)

Giveaway Dates:
October 27- November 10, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit organicKidz stainless steel bottles and tell me what your favorite item is
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like organicKidz on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @organicKidz stainless steel BPA free baby bottle #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT #green
6. Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs by clicking here (no login required)
7. Grab my blog button, blog about this (+2), or enter it in a linky and leave a URL I can visit to see it

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #74, jenzen69.

OrganicKids did provide me with the bottle in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Natural Baby Products Store For Your Bug-A-Boo Has a New Look and a Big Sale

2010-10-26T09:39:00.010-05:00

For Your Bug-A-Boo Natural Baby Products Store just got a makeover! They have a whole new logo and website look and they are celebrating by with a sale on a bunch of great natural baby basics from their product line!

Baby Bum Balm is one of their natural diapering products that is on sale! This wonderful product is highly effective and can be used for diaper and any other type of skin rash. Shea butter and Olive Oil create a natural protective moisture barrier, while Rosehips, Calendula and Lavender offer natural antisceptic qualities and anti-inflammatory protection. This all makes for instant relief which makes baby very happy! Baby Bum Balm is free of detergents, sulphates, parabens, petro-chemicals, artificial fragrances, genetically modified ingredients and animal testing. Baby Bum balm is also 99% Organic and 100% Natural!

This super cute Organic Sherpa Baby Bunting is on sale too! These Under the Nile Sherpa Buntings are soft as cashmere and come in 3 beautiful color options. They are sure to keep your baby warm and cozy. They are made with the finest 100% organic Egyptian cotton and Fair Trade practices. For Your Bug-A-Boo also carries the side snap Sherpa footie if you prefer it to the bunting and it is on sale too!

Another deal is the Imse Vimse Organic Flannelette Contour Diapers, 4 Pack. I used the Imse Vimse training pants on my little ones and I loved them. They are really great quality and will still be in great shape for using on my third baby which is on the way! This one size diaper is made from 100% organic cotton with elastic through the legs. This diaper has also been approved for the Swedish Evironmental License as being quick drying and energy conserving! This is so great because some brands I tried were not and I never knew what to expect. The Imse Vimse contour diaper is made to be very streamline and not bulky at all.

Visit For Your Bug-A-Boo Natural Baby Products Sale page to see even more items that they have reduced to celebrate their new look. A couple things you might want to check out are Chamomile Willow Baby Shampoo, Organic Rattle Taggie Toys, and the Push Along Dog!

$150 Gift Card to Oh! Toys Giveaway- Wooden Toys, Cuboro Marble Run and More

2010-10-25T08:46:00.014-05:00

Oh! Toys is the home of really special toys. Oh! Toys carries toys that are not widely carried so they are great for getting unique, hard to find gifts. All of the toys I have gotten from Oh! Toys have been really great for encouraging creativity and full engagement of my children's interest in activities such as constructing, playing, and pretending.

The owner of Oh! Toys, discovered the Swiss toy Cuboro in a gift store about 13 years ago and it actually changed his life! He says, "Originally bought as a buliding block and marble run toy gift for my young daughters, Cuboro wound up fascinating me as much as it did them -- for its wonderful design and it's developmental and educational qualities -- and its ability to totally absorb one's attention for extended periods of time! -- and I wound up starting Oh! Toys to help promote Cuboro in the U.S." He is still on his mission to spread the joy of Cuboro!

My family has been fortunate enough to try out ourselves. It is really a great toy because it is fun for the whole family. You and the kids use individual wooden blocks to build a marble track. They have all kinds of shaped blocks where the marble can drop in and spin or run over or through the different blocks. Cuboro provides endless possibilities to build so every time you can create something completely new. I think it is really an educational toy because they have to think about and plan how the pieces can fit together. It is just as engaging for me and my husband and we often find ourselves competing for certain blocks and getting to place the next one we had in mind when we build together! It is also great in that as the kid grows older they can build more and more complex arrangements for all the pretty shiny marbles to run through. My daughter's first creation was quite simple and now they can get pretty big and sprawling!

Want to see Cuboro in action? Check these out:

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One winner will receive one Oh! Toys $150 electronic Gift Card code.

Giveaway Dates: October 25- November 25, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase.

1. Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment with the URL
2. Share this giveaway on Twitter and comment with the URL
Enter to #win a $150 Gift Card to Oh! Toys #Giveaway- Wooden Toys, Cuboro Marble Run and More http://t.co/6XjCnsF @ohtoys @MWYT
3. Share this giveaway in a linky and comment with the URL
4. Grab this giveaway button for your blog or website and comment with the URL

5. Blog about this giveaway with a link to Oh! Toys http://www.oh-toys.com
a link to this giveaway, and a jpg or video of Cuboro (this is worth three entries so leave three comments with the URL)

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!Winner selected through random.org- #169, mamawj.

Oh! Toys did provide me with a Cuboro in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions and the opinions expressed are my own.

Dolce Dreams Handmade Personalized Baby Quilt Giveaway

2010-10-24T08:34:00.018-05:00

I recently discovered an amazing Etsy Shop called Dolce Dreams. Approached by Woman's Day Magazine to do a story on one of her pieces, her shop is filled with hand made and hand embroidered custom baby loveys and quilts, in addition to lavender goods. This lady is full of talent and totally committed to creating luxury, quality items for you and your baby.

Here are few of her lavender eye pillows and lavender sachets:

I love the touch, the feel of luxury. I love the story that comes with "handmade". My passion and life are in each piece that I make, using the highest quality fabrics and threads to last lifetimes and create their own history. -Nathalie of Dolce Dreams

She also makes small and large sized baby loveys- which are little blankies your baby will love cuddling with. Here is her description of one of her loveys- "With gorgeous patchwork in the latest organic cottons by designer Monaluna, elegant hand embroidered initial, and satin and grosgrain circle knotties that babies love to finger and caress... The backing is a sumptuous white on white thick striped Versailles designer minky fabric (not the generic one!) This is exceptionally soft and comforting - every baby that has received one becomes attached immediately....Just take a look at the Feedback comments!"

The real masterpeice of Dolce Dreams is her Handcrafted and Hand Embroidered Heirloom Baby Quilts. Inspired by the highest quality designer cotton fabrics, each quilt is a unique piece that will be a classic heirloom. The squares are machine stitched for durability and then she takes the time to hand tie each square. All of her handmade quilts can be customized with embroidery however you like, with name, or name and date. The quilts are 28" by 36", perfect for tummy time, a lap blanket, or a wall hanging. A truly beautiful gift to be treasured that stands out in a crowd!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One winner will receive one Dolce Dreams Hand Crafted and Hand Embroidered Heirloom Baby Quilt. ($125 Value)

Giveaway Dates: October 24- November 24, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Dolce Dreams and tell me what your favorite item is
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow Dolce Dreams Blog with GFC
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Follow Dolce Dreams on Twitter
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win Beautiful Dolce Dreams Handmade Baby Quilt #Giveaway $125 Value http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT @Dolcevitamamma

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Winner selected through random.org- #262, jmajor4870.

Going Green Tips for an Urban Environment

2010-10-23T07:11:00.009-05:00

This is a guest post by Metro DC Mom. She is a mom of two boys, wife, runner, (temporarily retired) librarian, writer, and wannabe running coach. She does her best to lead a green lifestyle in the nation's capital, while still taking advantage of all the area has to offer."

With a blog titled “Metro DC Mom”, you might guess we live in a very urban area. You'd be right. While we do live in a neighborhood of single family homes, the lots are small and the neighborhood is surrounded by apartments, condos, and businesses. I once thought that such a scenario would make it more difficult to live a green life. While in some ways that is true, in other ways, living in an urban environment actually makes it easier to be green.

I don't have the space to grow a garden. I have one sunny corner of my yard and we manage to grow a few tomatoes and cucumbers each year, but that's about it. I don't compost any food items because of the proximity of my compost pile to the playset (which was literally built around a tree. My house is 60 years old and would require major renovations to stop the energy leaking through the walls (my bedroom closet acts as an extra beer fridge in the winter.) I'd love to hang clothes out to dry, but my backyard is nearly non existent and hanging clothes in the front just seems wrong.

But there are some ways we can be green precisely because we live in an urban city environment:
1. We mow our lawn with an electric lawnmower that we plug in. (Our neighbor actually mows his with one of the old reel lawn mowers!)
2. We can (and do) walk to the library, a grocery store, lots of shops, and plenty of restaurants. When we want to go farther than that, we can easily get to public transportation.
3. The miniscule size of my house makes me “reduce, reuse, and recycle”, even if I didn't want to be green. I have to think about every purchase I make as our house is FULL. Nothing comes in without a purpose any more and I try to donate things as soon as the boys outgrow them.
4. While a trip to a farm is a day's adventure, we have several close by farmer's markets. When time does not allow, we also have the option of two different companies that deliver organic vegetables and milk and a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture- has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer) drops off just down the street. When all else fails, we can walk to a Whole Foods.
5. Our county offers a wonderful curbside recycling program and we take full advantage of it.

I'm sure there are lots more ways I can go green in an urban environment. I'd love to hear from others about how and where they live affects what they can/can't do to live green.

You may also like to read Reducing Your Impact Through Promoting Local Farming.

Mareblu Naturals Healthy Snacks Review and Giveaway- 4 Prizes

2010-10-22T09:35:00.014-05:00

I am pregnant and I need to snack often to avoid the morning sickness so I was looking for some new healthy snacks and I ran across Mareblu Naturals. They sounded great for me, yummy, and like something my kids could enjoy too so I decided to try them out.

Here is what makes Mareblu Naturals great Healthy Snacks:
Locally grown and packaged – This means they taste fresh and come from trusted growers.
Natural – No artificial colors and flavors in this snack. Dried fruits, nuts, evaporated cane juice and sea salt all combine for a delicious flavor you can feel good about eating.
Healthy – High protein, low sugar, low carbs, and health benefits of high quality ingredients.

Mareblu Snacks are:
o All Natural, GMO Free
o Kosher
o 100% Vegan
o Gluten-Free
o Low in Sodium
o Dairy-Free
o Peanut free
o Wheat free
o Preservative free
o Cholesterol free
o No Trans-Fats
o A good source of protein

We were able to try three varieties of the MareBlu Naturals Crunch Bags. The almond crunch was clusters of dry-roasted almonds lightly sweetened and held together with a blend of tapioca syrup and evaporated cane sugar. Very simple ingredients and really yummy. Let me tell you, I can put away these bags pretty quickly!

We were also able to try three varieties of the MareBlu Naturals Crunch Bars. These were my son's favorites and he didn't really want to share with me but I got a few bites anyway and they were delicious. The Pistachio Trail Mix Bar was particularly yummy. I love that these bars are just nuts, some with fruit and you can really see what you are eating.

Want to get some of they healthy snacks for your family? You can order them online or find them at Sam's or Costco. Mareblu has generously provided a 30% discount code for my readers: momswear-30. You also have a chance to win some!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: FOUR WINNERS TOTAL. One grand prize winner will receive a 8 bag variety pack of Mareblu Naturals Crunch Bags ($19.99 value). Runner-Up Prize: 3 winners will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to Mareblunaturals.com

Giveaway Dates: October 22- November 5, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Mareblu Naturals and tell me which variety sounds the best
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Sign up for MareBlu Naturals Newsletter (& get 25% OFF your next online order)
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @Mbnaturals Healthy Snacks #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT Four Prizes
6. Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs by clicking here

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #20, llinda29

Mareblu did provide me with the samples in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Sharkies Organic Fruit Chews Review and Giveaway

2010-10-21T13:47:00.007-05:00

Sharkies Organic Fruit Chews grabbed my attention because they are packed with real fruit juice, whole grains, and carbohydrates. I love that they don't use any food coloring too! Another cool thing is that the naturally occurring electrolytes in Sharkies® come from the potassium in the fruit juice and the sodium in the rice and water. Sharkies are Gluten Free, Wheat Free, GMO Free and Vegetarian!

Aren't Sharkies just candy?
No, although children can and will consume Sharkies as a "better for you" snack, none of the sugars in Sharkies are refined and half the product is brown rice syrup giving it complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. This added to the simple sugars from the fruit and organic cane make Sharkies a functional, healthy alternative to candy or other fruit snacks. Unlike candy, Sharkies don't contain high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or further refined sugar.

Sharkies offers organic fruit chews for kids and adults! My husband and I totally dig the Sharkies Organic Sports Chews. He works a lot of long days where he coaches after school and he has been enjoying them as a treat to give him energy to get pumped up for the practices. These come in four varieties and I think they all taste great!

Sharkies also has lots of kids organic fruit chews options. They have Lunchbox Organic Chews which are indeed the perfect size for packing in my daughter's lunchbox and she really loves it when I pack this treat! They also have organic omega3 Smart Twist which are really yummy and to me, taste the least sweet of all the Sharkies offerings. There is also a Sharkies Kids Sports Chew option which has a larger amount of fish than the lunchbox bags. I like to carry the Sharkies Kids Sports Chews in my purse as a yummy playground snack.

Sharkies can be bought online or it is carried by lots of retailers including Whole Foods and Target. Do you also want to win this all-natural organic snack that is portable and tastes great? Of course you do because you can always use more Sharkies!

Giveaway Details: Sharkies will provide one winner with a variety Sharkies Kids selection including one box of Lunchbox Chews, one box of Smart Twists, and one box of Kids Sports Chews.

Giveaway Dates: October 21- November 4, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Sharkies Organic Chews and tell me which flavors sounds the best
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like Sharkies on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @SharkiesChews Organic Fruit Snacks #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org-#39, Dana.

Sharkies did provide me with the samples in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Artterro Eco-friendly Art and Craft Kits Review and Giveaway

2010-10-20T09:39:00.020-05:00

Today I am excited to feature Artterro, a small mom-owned company that designs and wholesales high-quality, eco-friendly art kits. They feature beautiful, natural materials and love to encourage friends and families to share a quality art experience together! They are committed to sustainability, minimize packaging and print all packaging inserts on 100% post-consumer waste paper using green printing methods with energy use offset by wind power. Artterro kits are assembled in the US by Goodwill Industries in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by people with disabilities and those in need of job training skills.

Artterro is obviously a company I feel good about featuring, so now I bet you want to know more about their awesome award-winning eco-friendly art and craft kits! They currently feature a line of 12 unique, open-ended, mixed-media projects. All kits are intended for kids age 7 or 8 and up, and they retail between $16.95-$24.95. My daughter is only 5 but she loves art and craft projects so I knew she would enjoy these.

My daughter picked the Eco-Friendly Collage Decoration Kit and since Christmas is coming, I though this would be especially useful. I have fond memories of making Christmas ornaments with my mom. She loved all the beautiful papers it came with and she is using all the extras to make oragami with. She got to chose the coordinating papers she liked and then we cut them into pieces together and I held the ornament while she glued each piece on with the paint brush. Then it came with a glaze that she painted on last and which really turns it from a home craft into a beautiful shiny professional looking ornament. I am so proud of each one she did. She really enjoyed this set and it showed us how we could do more of this type of project.

Next we tackled the Eco-friendly Garden Art Kit. We love to garden together and we have a few indoor plants that would benefit from a little extra flare so I was really excited about this kit too! I cut the copper wire for her and explained how it worked after reading the easy to follow instructions. She got to pick out which beads she wanted to use for each construction and what shapes. I created her swirls and heart shapes and she got to thread on the beads and clip the smaller wire with the nail clippers. She loved this set just as much although it definitely required more supervision and help than the first one.

We really enjoyed these kits together and I am sure you will too! You can find store on online store using their "Where to Buy" store locator.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: One Winner will receive an Artterro Eco-friendly Art and Craft Kit of their choice. (up to a $25 value)

Giveaway Dates: October 20- November 5, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Artterro and tell me which art kit you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Like Artterro on Facebook
4. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in the top right margin
5. Tweet and leave URL: Enter to #win @Artterro Eco-friendly Art and Craft Kit #Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT
6. Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs by clicking here
7. Grab my blog button, blog about this (+2), or enter it in a linky and leave a URL I can visit to see it

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #110, Susan.

Artterro did provide me with the art kits in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.