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Graham gave up on milk the minute he turned one!  He was a breastfed baby and didn't particularly care for the taste of milk.  My doctor suggested flavoring the milk with syrup, fruit, you name it and it never worked.  Slowly but surely he is starting to warm up to the idea of milk, but only about once a week.

NutraSea Kids has a great way to add essential fatty acids like omega-3 as well as vitamin D to foods that your children already consume!  NutraSea uses the Pure check program to make sure every single bottle is pure and quality.  You can even view the quality of the bottle you own by entering the lot number from your bottle into the Pure Check box at the Ascenta website.



You can add the NutraSea Kids products into foods or just give them to your child like medicine.  The directions are clearly printed on the back.  Both options come in flavors that kids will love like Apple and Very Berry.  If you have a child who does not like to eat fish (besides, who can afford to eat that 2-3 times per week) or who refuses milk or other dairy products, this may be a great option for you. NutraSea is recommended for children two to thirteen years old and if any of your children have fish allergies you should consult your doctor before using NutraSea.

The bottles retail for a little over $15 at Amazon.com.  You can also locate a store near you on the Ascenta website.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of NutraSea Kids campaign and received NutraSea samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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I sampled the crisps before Catherine devoured the bag (!) and found that they were tasty with a satisfying crunch. They did have a slightly healthy taste but that didn't stop my 2-year old from requesting more POPUMZ All Natural Chocolate Crisps! Eight 4-pack trays costs $26.99.

The new Dr. Sears Family Essentials line is definitely kid and parent approved. The prices are reasonable and the nutrition quality cannot be beat. Be sure to check out their online store so that you can stock your pantry!

After stints of living in the Midwest, Northeast, and England, the Monkey's Mama (AKA Allie) currently resides in Atlanta with her wonderful husband of 7 years, "J". Together they have two daughters.

The Monkey's Mama takes great joy in being a Christian Stay-at-Home-Mama. In her spare time, she loves to run and race competitively for her local track club, read mystery novels, and walk her cats Churchill and Thatcher outside on leashes!

You can find her on twitter @monkeysonthebed.

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I have loved every single Burt's Bees product I have ever tried.  I actually used only Burt's Bees products when I was pregnant with Graham because they were so natural.  I wanted to make sure everything I put on my skin was safe for a growing baby.  After he was born I continued to use their products on his sensitive skin.



I recently found a new obsession from Burt's Bees!  The Coconut Foot Creme is amazing!  Not only has it been great for my less than attractive dry feet this summer (my husband thanks you Burt's Bees), but it has also been great for my ever growing baby belly!  If you have ever been pregnant, you may remember how itchy your belly can become from the stretching (or maybe that is just be because I carry Gargantua sized babies).  I picked this up the other day and read the ingredients as well as the fact that it has Vitamin E and thought, "Why not use this for my belly"?  It has been working wonders!  The stretch marks that I had have even faded a little.  Now, will this prevent stretch marks...probably not (definitely not according to my OB).  Stretch marks are just genetic unfortunately.  But, it has relieved the dry, stretchy feeling and makes me feel better.

You can purchase Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme for your feet or belly for about $9!  Yes, sounds pricey at first, but remember a little dab will do you and it is 98.6 % natural!

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This product was provided free of charge by Burt's Bees. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

I was just having the "baby wipes" discussion with a friend of mine the other day about how we only bought the sensitive wipes when our kids were using them.  I tried the others (used ones given at showers) and they did not agree with Graham's sensitive skin at all!  Even now his skin will break out if I use certain types of wipes on his face.  I can remember last summer having the church nursery call me because his face broke out from wipes.



Jackson Reece Soothing Herbal Baby Wipes may not be a brand you are familiar with.  They have previously been sold in the UK and are now available here in the US!  You will be happy to know that the make up of these wipes is plant derived.  There is no alcohol, chlorine, parabens or any of those other ingredients that tend to not fair well on delicate skin.  The great news for our family is that they are suitable for use on hands, face, and body (so we can use them even when we have no baby in diapers).

These bio-degradable wipes even come in packaging that is bio-degradable.  You can purchase the Jackson Reece Soothing Herbal Baby Wipes from Keen Distribution for about $4.99 for a 72-count wipe container.

This product was provided free of charge by Keen Distribution. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Just call me a paranoid mama.  I really am cautious of the things I put on my skin when I am pregnant.  I figure, my skin is the largest organ on my body, so it must be important to try and put less chemicals on it!  When I was pregnant with Graham I even resorted to the most natural make up I could find.



Skin Free sent over a few samples of their products for review a few weeks ago.  I must say, I am extremely impressed with how nice all of the products have been on my skin.  Typically, when I have used more natural skin products they have left my skin feeling dry.  I was able to sample the Super Moisture Body Balm, After Shower Moisture Spritz, Niaouli Butter Stick, and a bar of the Extra Moisturizing Soap.

My favorite product out of the four, hands down, is the Super Moisture Body Balm!  With my ever growing pregnant belly I need something that is more than just your every day lotion.  I absolutely love this stuff!  You only have to use a few drops for it to do the trick.  The Super Moisture Body Balm is made with 100% butters and natural oils.  When you first put it on you think it is going to be greasy, but after about a minute your skin soaks it right up.  My skin feels moisturized the entire day.  I actually just got out of the pool and my skin still feels great.  I also love the price tag of this one: $12.99.  You really can't buy a good lotion now days for less than $10 and to know that this one is all natural is even better.






My entire family has used all of the products and we have all been satisfied.  I actually let Graham use the bar soap and the Niaouli Butter Stick.  He loves bar soaps and I always have to buy the soaps from our local organic grocery store because of his skin sensitivities.  This soap has worked wonderfully on him!  Graham loves the Niaouli Butter Stick because it is easy for him to put on.  I have also used the Niaouli Butter Stick on my belly for even more moisture during the day.

Overall, Skin Free has proven to be a great resource for our family's sensitive and delicate skin.  I would have no problem telling my friends about this company.  In fact, if you have sensitive skin, are expecting, or just like natural products, I would encourage you to try it out (start with the Super Moisture Body Balm)!

This product was provided free of charge by Skin Free. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Sunscreen.  The necessary evil that comes with summer time!  It is expensive and many of them do not work with Graham's skin (many cause him to break out into a rash).  I find myself looking for the same brand of VERY expensive sunscreen every year just because I know it will be good on Graham's skin.  If you want to start saving a little money on all of that sunscreen, you really should check out the SunSkinz from Sun Protection Zone!



We were sent the boys short sleeved SunSkinz for review with Graham and it has been an absolute life saver!  I still had to buy that same expensive sunscreen, but it is going to last me a LOT longer!  The SunSkinz are 100 SPF / UPF 50+ Broad Spectrum UV Protection.  All I have to do is apply sunscreen to the exposed areas of his skin.

So far, we have used the SunSkinz about 4 different times and I have been highly impressed with it.  It is a very sturdy fabric, yet it is comfortable and seems to dry pretty quickly once Graham emerges from the pool or creek.  We have washed it twice so far and it is holding up well.  I make sure to hang it when drying.  I also like the fact that it has a bit of a neck to it.  You do need to make sure you cover their neck well with sunscreen just because it isn't completely form fitting to their necks.








You can purchase the Boys Short Sleeved SunSkinz ($18) as well as a host of other wonderful sun protection items from Sun Protection Zone online.  They are also making trips to local Costco's so keep your eyes peeled.

This product was provided free of charge by Sun Protection Zone. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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It feels like winter has been going on forever and it is taking a toll on my hands!  Most of the time moisturizers that combine hand sanitizer tend to dry my hands even more, but I really like the new Gold Bond Ultimate product.  It combines a hand sanitizer with a moisturizer.  I have always been a fan of the Gold Bond products and wanted to share this one with you.  If you are like me, you like to have some sort of hand sanitizer with you when you leave the grocery store or when you finish pumping gas.  This one is awesome for the winter!  It even has 7 different moisturizers, 5 essential vitamins and no alcohol.

You can receive a $1 off coupon to pick up some for your car or purse. 

This product was provided free of charge by Gold Bond. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.



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Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a mother like a child with a high fever!  If you are like me you are often left feeling helpless and concerned about how much Tylenol or Motrin to give them and when to give it to them.  It seems that there are doctors who will tell you to let the fever go without medicine if it is low, but how low is low and how high is high and how do I alternate the meds again?


There are just too many questions when it comes to treating fevers and up until now, I have relied upon a crude drawing from my doctor that I rely upon when ever we have to alternate between Tylenol and Motrin when a fever just won't go down.  Now there is the Pediatric Fever Fighter dosing card that I am going to include in all baby shower gifts from now on!  It retails for only $3.99 and is available at Kerr Drug and Buy Buy Baby for now.  The Pediatric Fever Fighter is basically a sliding card that has dosing information on either side.  One side is for infants weighing between 6 and 30 pounds and the other side is for children 15-76 pounds.  All you have to do is slide the card to the weight of your child and your dosing information is before you.  It even gives instructions at the bottom on how to alternate the medication if your child is 6 months or older and has a hard to fight fever.  There are also important "Always Remember" tips at the bottom of the card that I'm sure are FAQ's for parents (they are for me)!


The Pediatric Fever Fighter dosing card was developed by a practicing Emergency Medicine physician with over 15 years of experience.  He created this card after his experience with many parents visiting the emergency room with their children because of hard to control fevers that were usually the result of inadequate dosing. 

For $3.99, this is an affordable sanity saver that every parent should have on hand!  You just never know when you are going to need it.  Pick up your Pediatric Fever Fighter at Buy Buy Baby, Kerr Drug, or online!




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These products were provided free of charge by Noodle and Boo. These are Allie's honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

After stints of living in the Midwest, Northeast, and England, the Monkey's Mama (AKA Allie) currently resides in Atlanta with her wonderful husband of 6 years, "J". Together they have one daughter, Baby "C" with a surprise Baby "2" on his or her way in February.


The Monkey's Mama takes great joy in being a Christian Stay-at-Home-Mama. In her spare time, she loves to run and race competitively for her local track club, read mystery novels, and walk her cats Churchill and Thatcher outside on leashes!


You can find her at Monkeys on the Bed or on twitter @monkeysonthebed.

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If you are like me and are a fan of The Biggest Loser you are going to love The Biggest Loser: 30 Day Jump Start DVD!  It features Tara, Ali, and Sione leading you in simple, yet challenging workout routines.  Each routine is only 10 minutes which is perfect for a busy lifestyle or for someone who is not used to working out.  This will definitely get you going!  My husband and I tried day 1 and were both sweating like crazy at the end of the 10 minutes.  It also features tips and tricks from Bob!  The program is set up to where you could do a workout a day, 6 days a week which is very manageable!  The Biggest Loser: 30-Day Jump Start DVD retails for about $10.49 and would make an excellent stocking stuffer!

If you have preschoolers you are still shopping for you can pick up the LeapFrog: Let's Go to School DVD Gift Pack.  It is only about $20-27 and features 3 DVDs that will help your 2-6 year old prepare for school.  Graham is only 2 and he loves to watch Tad, Lily, and Leap in these cartoons.  I love the fact that they use repetition and phonics for teaching word building and letters.  5 Sing-along songs are also featured.  There is even a set of flashcards included to help reinforce learning!

This product was provided free of charge by Lionsgate. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.



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When your child is sick you just want them better!  It can be so confusing knowing what to do when your little one has a runny nose that goes on and on and eventually can lead to a cough.  Pediatricians usually only recommend a little bit of Benadryl if your child is at least 2 years old.  They also recommend saline and making sure to keep the sinuses clean.  What if you want more than just a band-aide?  Well, some friends of mine have been raving over Sinupret and I finally gave it a whirl!





Sinupret for Kids is a natural nasal and sinus support that also improves immunity.  Recommended by Dr. Sears, Sinupret includes a proprietary blend of European Elder, Common Sorrel, Cowslip, European Vervain and Gentian to ease symptoms safe and effectively.  Several of my friends had mentioned using this and loving it, so when I was contacted to review it I could not turn it down.  Now I can say that I can join my friends in the Sinupret believers club!

About a week after receiving the Sinupret for Kids Graham came down with a cold.  Not just any cold, he had the "running like a faucet" cold!  I felt so sorry for the poor little guy.  I started giving him the 1/2 teaspoon of Sinupret 3 times a day and within 2 days his symptoms were significantly lessened.  I was sold!


Here are some quick facts from the Sinupret website:

• Supports the upper respiratory system.
• Promotes healthy nasal passages.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Sinupret has been the subject of multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials for efficacy and safety on more than 3,000 patients and recommended for children ages 2 and up.
• Does not contain stimulants, caffeine, ephedra or pseudoephedrine.
• Sinupret has no history of dangerous side effects
• Sinupret is cited as safe and effective in several medical journals such as the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Plant Medica, the Pharmacist's Letter for Efficacy and Safety and the American Council Guide to Herbs.
• Heart-safe and Gluten-free

So, if you are looking for an effective way to help lessen the severity of your child's cold, I whole heartedly stand behind this product!  You can pick it up at Walmart, CVS, and other local retailers.  You can also download a $3 off coupon!

This product was provided free of charge by Sinupret. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.



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I have recently been compared to good 'ole Emma Pillsbury from GLEE.  I'm not exactly sure why.  Is it because I am a school counselor, or is it because I am a germ-a-phobe!  Ok.. maybe a little bit of both!  I try to do everything around the house and my place of work to keep myself, my family, and the people around me free from getting sick.  The problem is, no matter how hard you try, it is bound to happen.  With H1N1 going around I was afraid I was going to have to start consuming my hand sanitizer!





Zicam is one of those products that our family has relied on a lot in the past when we have felt the common cold coming on.  It is said to cut down the length and severity of your cold and I believe it!  We always go back for more whenever we feel a tickle in our throats or our nose starts to run.  If you are a mom you know it is impossible to have a sick day, so it's important to have every resource on your side!





Zicam now has two new products called Liqui-Loz (which is great for sore throats) and Zicam Zavors which is chewable and has a crunch outer shell!  In my opinion, I would rather use something like Zicam to help lessen the severity than to take stronger medications to put a band aide on the situation.

You can find Zicam at local stores near you like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Kmart, Target and more.

This product was provided free of charge by Zicam. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.



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We have been working with Graham on brushing his teeth since he cut his first tooth. We always let him brush a little it, then we take over and brush everything he missed, which is just about everything. Most days Graham loves to brush his teeth, but not always. It's on those days when we need all the help that we can get.

Graham is a huge Dora and Diego fan (what preschooler isn't) and was sent the Diego Battery-powered toothbrush as well as the Dora toothpaste by Colgate to sample. This has been great for us because now if he is resistant to getting his teeth brushed we just remind him of the Dora toothpaste. It is amazing the power brands have on even the smallest consumers. They see something familiar and gravitate to it. He also seems to really enjoy the flavor.


The toothpaste has all the benefits of regular toothpaste but in a kid friendly package and Mild Bubble Fruit flavor. Because of the easy to use tube and flavor, children are excited about developing good teeth brushing habits early on. There are two toothbrushes, regular and battery powered, with soft bristles to protect your little ones gums. The battery powered toothbrush has a rotating head and replaceable batteries.

What a great stocking stuffer idea to go along with all of that candy! For the tween in your life check out the Pop Stars toothpaste (complete with actual stars). You can pick up the Dora or Diego toothpaste for about $2.79 and the battery-powered toothbrushes for about $3.29.

This product was provided free of charge by Colgate. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.



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We are blessed to have a child who doesn't seem to mind brushing, at least now that he is no longer teething. We do have a few silly brushing rituals that we use when brushing to make it more fun. With the Christmas goodies (cavity central) rolling around, it's a good thing he enjoys it!

Tom's of Maine has a natural toothpaste for kids in Silly Strawberry flavor that I am excited about! It is the only natural toothpaste option to carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. It does this while still being maintaining Anticavity with Fluoride. There are no artificial flavors or dyes because the flavor comes from real strawberry flavor oils.

Graham likes using this Silly Strawberry toothpaste during our own silly brushing rituals. First, we give him his toothbrush and let him brush for about 30 seconds. We always have to remind him to spit "gently" because he has a tendency to become a bit over zealous! The next thing we do is brush his teeth for him, but we say "laugh hard" so that he opens his mouth wide. If he starts to close his mouth we say "you better laugh harder." It is fun for him and helps us out as well! While we are brushing we talk about how we are tickling his teeth so that he will keep laughing.


You can purchase Tom's of Maine Natural Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste for about $2.95 at drugstore.com or retail locations near you.

This product was provided free of charge by Tom's of Maine. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.




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I'm sure that if you are an avid reader you are probably sick and tired of me talking about Graham's skin sensitivities (I'm sure one day he will be tired of me telling you about it). The truth is, he has them and it has been a long road trying to find the perfect thing for his mild eczema or dermatitis. I have found products that have helped to ease the problem and have actually made it go away for a while, but nothing that has completely gotten rid of it for the life of the product.

I was sent the Exederm baby products to try and have fallen in love! My favorite two items are the Baby Eczema Cream and the Baby Eczema Wash. The items are all non scented and free from irritants that cause eczema. There are no parabens, lanolin, SLS or SLES, Propylene Glycol, formaldehyde, or phthalates. Graham's skin has been the best it has ever been since we have been using this product. I love that it is not greasy and dries pretty quickly (a plus when you have a squirmy toddler who needs to be in jammies!).

Even though the children's line was just launched in April, it has already received The National Eczema Association's 5 individual Seals of Acceptance Awards! That is pretty impressive! I have already been spreading the news about this great new product to my friends who have children with skin issues, and am now excited to share it with you!

The prices are pretty reasonable when you compare them to other brands that claim to do the same thing (and fall short in our experience). The Baby Eczema Wash retails for $12.99 and the Cream for $14.99. You receive 20% off if you purchase 3 items, free shipping if your order is over $50, and there is a "No Quibble" money-back guarantee!



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When I was first contacted by Mommy's ER I thought, I wonder why the didn't just put all of this information in a book. Wouldn't it be quicker and easier? I quickly found out why the DVD was so important.

Jennifer Crain, L. Ac., is a holistic pediatrics specialist. Her new DVD series features tips and advice on how to treat acute conditions, chronic conditions, and ideas on how to keep your child healthy and strong. Not only is she a holistic specialist, but she is also a mom. Although I am glad Graham is well right now, I am thankful to have a library full of helpful advice from a natural perspective to go to next time I need it! None of Jennifer's advice or ideas should be your sole source for information when your child is sick. As always, please consult your child's pediatrician before trying any new home remedies and when you feel your child is sick.

Mommy's ER is broken down into three different DVDs that are easily navigated. The first DVD is for acute conditions. Jennifer address different pressure points and herbal remedies for conditions such as earache, fever, and cough. The second DVD is geared towards chronic conditions (ones that are reoccuring) such as asthma, eczema, and ear infections. The third and final DVD is focused on the total well being of your child. Jennifer gives tips and ideas on how to keep your child's immune system up so that they are sick less frequently.



The fact that Mommy's ER is in a DVD form instead of a book is valuable because you get to see the acupuncture points being demonstrated. This is much more helpful than looking at pictures or diagrams in a book. Jennifer shows you step by step how to locate the right pressure points. This is an excellent resource to add to any mother's library. It is wonderful to find practical advice that could potentially take the place of cough medicine and other over the counter drugs. The Mommy's ER DVD set (3 DVDs) retails for $47.95.

Because my allergies are seasonal, I like to find solutions that do not involve medicine. I tend to have negative reactions to most allergy medications that really just make me more miserable than the actual allergy symptoms (sleepy, light headed, or dizzy). I have found a lot of success using saline and nasal washing, but now there is a way to block the allergens before they enter!

You may have seen the commercials for Allergen Block by Chloraseptic and you were probably skeptical of the results. It seems to good to be true to find a non medical way to treat allergy symptoms, but this gel seems to do the trick for my allergies! The creator actually made it for his daughter who suffers from cat allergies. Little Allergies is the child's version of Allergen Block that works the same way.




Allergen Block is made with petrolatum and glycerin and creates positive charges. Allergens are negatively charged and are blocked on contact. There are approximately 150 applications in one small tube that sells for about $14.99. You can even pick up some Little Allergies for your kids for about the same price. These products are sold in your local drugstores!

I will say that when you first put it on it feels a little sticky until you rub it all the way in. It also has a little bit of an odor for a few seconds. But, once it has dried there is no smell or stickiness and it works better than actual allergy medicine for me!

Right now you can submit the funniest sneeze you know for a chance to win a weekend spa getaway in the Allergen Block Side-Splitting Sneeze Contest!