Toddler Meals From Greenie Tots

When my son was a baby, my goal was to make all of his baby food.  I never imagined he wouldn’t actually eat what I made him.  Cooking for a toddler is even more challenging than preparing baby food.  He’s 2 1/2 and very assertive about what he does and doesn’t like.  Both my husband and I strive to provide homecooked meals, but there are times when I just want easy.  Unfortunately, easy is typically accompanied by high fat, sodium, sugar and calories.

If you’re looking for the occasional prepared meal for your baby (or toddler), check out Greenie Tots.  The company offers 3 different stages of minimally processed frozen meals.   Their meals are made from all-natural ingredients and free from hormones, pesticides, or high-fructose corn syrup.  I was a bit surprised that their meals are meatless (particularly for toddlers), particularly because they don’t taste like they’re made from quorn.

My son and I tried these before we finally received the results of his allergy testing (he’s allergic to cow’s milk and eggs).  Unfortunately all of the toddler/kid meals contain dairy and/or eggs.  So one suggestion I have for the company is to offer at least one dairy and egg-free option since more and more kids are being diagnosed with food allergies.  I’m also not quite sure why the company doesn’t use meat, but I do appreciate the fact that each meal includes vegetables.

As I mentioned above, I didn’t even notice that meat was absent in the two meals we tried, (“Chicken”, Cheese, & Spinach Quesadilla with Mixed Vegetables 6-Pack) and Pasta & Spinach “Meat” Sauce.  We popped them in the microwave (you can also boil them) and they were done in less than 5 minutes.  They tasted fresh and not like your typical frozen meal…tainted with sodium and seasonings.  While some of the meals do have a lot of ingredients, they aren’t ingredients you won’t recognize (for the most part).  All of the toddler meals contain 20% or less of the RDA for sodium, are free from trans fats, and act as a good source of protein.  I’d love to see a bit of fiber added to the meals.

Greenie Tots are available for purchase directly from the site (meals are shipped frozen to your home).  At $5 a meal, they’re a bit on the pricey side (especially since they’re not 100% organic), but convenient, tasty, and healthy for the occasional cook-free night!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review.

The Precious Club

I have to admit that I absolutely love dressing my babies up.  And because I’m all about finding the best deals, I thought I’d share one with you that I found!

In a short time, I’ll be reviewing an adorable onesie from The Precious Club.  This new line of baby and kid’s clothing is trendy, fun, and somewhat cheeky.  The company’s goal is to offer soft, comfortable, high-quality clothing that parents and kids will enjoy wearing.  

Through Christmas, you can order from the site and receive free overnight shipping.  If you’re looking for a last minute gift, this just might be the perfect option!

Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Zutano *Giveaway*

Thanks for stopping by, this giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Carol!

When I was younger, my mom and I would go shopping for clothes almost every week.  Sometimes it would simply be window shopping…other times we’d buy outfits for school and work.  If you can believe it, I find shopping for our son and soon-to-be born baby girl more enjoyable than shopping for myself (even when I’m not pregnant).  I know that children grow quickly and I always consider the practical side of shopping for children, but I really enjoy dressing my son up.  And I’ve already bought our little girl several dresses and outfits.

Zutano was one of the online stores I shopped at when my son was a baby.  In fact, I still have some of his outfits I saved in case we decide that our family is not complete.  Their styles are uniquely fashionable and their fabrics are soft and comfy.  The company was started by a mother and father who felt there was need for children’s clothing with the appropriate style, fit, originality and color.  Today the company has grown and their line of children’s clothing includes clothing in over 90 solids, dots, patterns, ginghams and stripes.  The clothes were designed to be mixed and matched which allows for a more diverse children’s wardrobe and the ability to create several different outfits with a few pieces.

Zutano also offers a seasonal collection which changes every Spring and Fall, emphasizing the creative nature of the company.  I love the fact that they’re constantly bringing in you styles.  This collection is offered in sizes 12m to 4T and designed for the active toddler (like my son!).

Itzy Bitzy is their newborn line and fits babies weighing 4-8 pounds.  Because the company uses 100% cotton, the clothing is very soft.  They also offer a 0-3 month line which fits babies weighing 9-13 pounds.  You’ll also find a nice selection of newborn “extras” including hats, socks, mittens, burp cloths, blankets, and sleep sacks. The site offers adorable outfits that make the perfect “going home” outfit.

If you have a baby or child you still haven’t shopped for, consider Zutano’s trend-setting line of children’s clothing.  Itzy Bitzy is the company’s online shopping site offering newborn and baby clothes up to 3 months.  If you’re looking for Zutano’s line for older children, please visit their website which highlights national retailers.

Win It! One of you will win a $75 gift  card to Itzy Bitzy.  Please note that the site only sells newborn clothing.  One other item of note is that if you’ve won a gift card from Zutano/Itzy Bitzy in the last 6 months, you are ineligible to win this giveaway.  In order to enter, simply leave me a comment with an item from the site you’d like to own for your baby (or give as a gift).  Comments will close on December 11, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I did receive a product, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.

All About Baby: Wallaroo Hat Company

I have some of the most amazing online friends (who are actually more than online friends since we’ve all met!).  In one month, there will be a HUGE (yes…HUGE) online baby shower for me (I feel so grateful and humbled by all they’ve done).  Stay tuned for more about the event because YOU will have an opportunity to win some of the same products our baby girl and I received.  With that being said, I really hope that my baby series is fun and informative.  Moms-to-be and moms of babies and tots will want to tune in!

Who knew that a child’s hat could be so much fun?  Wallaroo Hat Company offers fashionable hats that serve as excellent protection from the sun (UPF 50+ to be exact).  The company offers an Art Hat that is stylish and fun to design and wear.  Now that winter is here, you and your children will probably be spending more time indoors.  I always like art projects for cold, rainy days in particular.

We received an Art Hat, courtesy of the company, which included paint, paintbrushes, and a hat.  To be honest, I knew my son would probably need a LOT of help.  In fact, I think this would be best for the preschool and older group, but my son still had a lot of fun “painting” with mommy (who actually did most of the painting).  So how did we fare?

It’s definitely “kid-looking” as far as the art goes.  To be honest it’s a little difficult to paint a hat.  The design on the site looks easy enough but I would encourage you to let your children just paint to their heart’s content, not worrying about dotting their “I’s” and crossing their “T’s”, if you know what I mean. I watered the paints down a bit because they seemed a bit too thick to get fine lines.  I also suggest using a thinner paintbrush than what comes with the hat to refine your designs.

The Art Hat is available in a fuschia or navy trim and sizes 2-5 years or 5-7 years.  The kit retails for $20 and is available for purchase online.

All About Baby: Evenflo

I’m busily getting ready for our little girl, due to arrive very soon.  I’m going through bins of clothes to see what we can salvage from our son’s newborn days.  I’m going through baby gear and dusting it off for her arrival.  And I’m doing a lot of research for the few things we still need that I couldn’t reuse from our little boy.

It seems like so far away, yet by six months, our little girl will be ready to start using a sippy cup…she’ll be staring solid foods.  It will happen before we’ve had a chance to even think about catching up on sleep.  On my quest for feeding products, safety is my number one concern.  Since MOST feeding products are derived from plastic, it’s important that anything that goes in my childrens’ mouth is free from BPA.  A couple of years ago, I can’t tell you that well-known baby companies even thought about BPA as an issue.  These days, it would be a little more difficult to find a company still using BPA in baby products.

Evenflo is one such company who has worked to ensure that their products are BPA-free.  The company has just launched a new toddler line called Smart Steps.  The launch of the line is an effort by Evenflo to address childhood obesity and eating disorders (a product concept I find very interesting).  Here is a little more info from the site:

Smart Steps was developed in collaboration with top nutrition experts from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, to offer parents a simple solution to fostering lifelong healthy eating habits by providing products for each age and stage of a child’s eating development. The products can help toddlers recognize proper portion sizes, explore new and different foods, and learn to self-regulate meals by listening to their bodies to identify when they feel full.

Smart Steps offers products in 3 different lines:  Knowing Portions, Exploring Food, and Serving Myself.  Each category offers products which correlate with varying developmental stages.  Insulated Cups which keep liquids cool, Portion Plates that teach toddlers about appropriate portion sizes, and Snack Stackers which promote toddler self-feeding are just a few of the products offered in this new line.  I really like the incorporation of a child’s development with education about nutrition and eating.  They’ve also aligned their products to correlate with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for toddler feeding.

Overall, I think this the line is healthy, user-friendly, and a great starting point for teaching toddlers.  You can find Smart Steps at Babies R Us and select retailers nationwide.  You can  download a coupon here.

Do you have a picky eater?  I know I do!  Here are some tips, courtesy of the site:

• Let your kids be “produce pickers” at the store.  If they can pick out their own fruits and veggies – they’ll be more inclined to eat them
• Invite your kids to prepare meals with you.  All of that mixing, mashing and measuring will make them want to taste what they are prepping.
• Try to make meals a stress-free time. Talk about fun and happy things.
• Offer choices. Rather than ask “Do you want broccoli for dinner?” ask “Which would you like for dinner: broccoli or cauliflower?”

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Evenflo and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

All About Baby: Foogo Phases

Yes…the time has come!  In between my Holiday Gift Guide, I’ll be posting about THE latest baby products on the market, in prep for our baby girl due in a little more than 9 weeks (due to the scheduled C section!).  I can’t believe that several months ago (or so), I was STRUGGLING to get my son to ditch the bottle and take a sippy cup.  Yes, I was one of those parents who allowed their child to hold onto the bottle for way too long.

Speaking of sippy cups, when is the right time to introduce one?  My pediatrician recommends waiting until a baby is able to sit up and hold an object with both hands (around 6 months of age).  And complete weaning should be done between 12-18 months.  So maybe this time around I’ll be more diligent.  Fortunately, I’m getting some help with Thermos‘ new Foogo Phases drinkware.  The line is a brand new line featuring interchangeable parts that fit all Phases cups.  Featuring three phases and 2 colors (for boys and girls), the line offers products made from BPA-free Eastman Tritan copolyester and stainless steel.  Thankfully, the cups are impact-resistant since babies and toddlers just love throwing things when they’re done with them (ahem!).  Each of the cups are contoured for tiny hands to hold (the Phase 1 products come with a removable handle).  My son should be off of the sippy cup by now and drinking from a cup or a straw, but again I’m dragging my feet!  I’m most impressed with how durable the cups are…and the fact that they don’t leak!  My number one complaint with sippy cups is that most leak (I have a toddler who will FIND a way to make them leak!).

There are three Foogo Phases…for babies and tots over 6 months (soft spout), over 12 months (hard spout), and over 18 months (straw).  The interchangeable lid and body systems allow parents the option of 24 drinkware combinations.  I really like the stainless steel-made cups because they keep liquids cool for 6-10 hours (it’s double-wall vacuum-insulated).  Once your child moves to the next stage, you can simply interchange the lids (rather than buying a whole new set of sippy cups).

Foogo Phases products are available at retailers nationwide and retail for approximately $15.99 each.