Mechatars Robots - Review & Giveaway #CleverRobot #Spon

Robots are cool! I have loved robots ever since the first Short Circuit movies, but I love watching my kids enjoy them even more. There is just something great about being able to animate something semi-human.

If you have a child that likes robots, you are going to love Mechatars! We were lucky enough to be able to play with Mechatar Wrexx:

Robots are always cool, but Mechatars are in sync with this generation. They are controlled by remote and can interact with others online. You can complete online (and offline) missions, battle with friends, and collect badges and points. All you need is a computer with a USB port - Easy.

They are robots. They fight. There's a bad guy (swarm). It's everything a boy could want. My son loves it! I am just waiting for one of his neighborhood friends to get a Mechatar so they can battle each other. Oh, and they get stronger (and more skilled) every time you do battles. And you can "buy" weapons at the online store to change up the battle. It's very interactive and keeps the kids interested. 

They just came out this fall and are available at a bunch of stores: Target, Amazon, Toys R Us, and iloverobots.com.

From now until 11/30, you can use the code: MECHMOMS to save 10% at iloverobots.com. I have seen them online but not in stores - I wonder if they are selling out. These are a must-have on any little boy's Christmas list, so I'd check in to it before the big holiday rush starts. 

You also have the chance to win one here! One Suburban Jungle reader will win a Mechatar robot (retail value $39.99). This giveaway will end on October 10th, so hurry and enter now! To enter: Complete the form below. 

I was selected to participate in this sponsored post series by Clever Girls Collective.

TEAS' tea review

People are always astounded when I tell them I don't drink tea or coffee. I just don't. But I have been trying to branch into the world of Tea. You know why. There are so many antioxidants and other good reasons to drink tea.

I am all about improving my health, and so it only makes sense that I would try to like tea. Just like people try to like vegetables (Eggplant...I'm talking to you!)  So when TEAS' teas offered to let me sample their low (and zero) calorie teas, I thought why not.

My previous impressions of tea include dark, bitter liquid with little bits of leaves floating around. Blech! And when I realized some of these teas were unsweetened, I braced for the worst. But they were surprisingly good! As a big water drinker, it's hard for me to imagine swapping over to any flavored beverage, but I'd gladly take these with to a party or even have them at our own get-togethers.

I'd much rather drink a healthy tea, then soda or other artificially sweetened beverage. They have a lot of flavors and options to choose from (unsweetened, low calorie, and sweetened.) I only tried two of them, so if you want to know more about TEAS' teas you can find info at their website, on Twitter, and Facebook. Right now, you can even get an ITO EN coupon by going here.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sante Nuts Review

We love nuts in our house! If we went a day without almond butter, I just might lose it. We take nuts seriously! But even though we love and eat almost every nut, I've never even tried Candied Walnuts or Candied Pecans. 

I'm mostly a raw-nut kind of gal. Well, there is a first time for everything. Sante Nuts sent us a few bags of their candied and roasted nuts. 

What did we think of them? Let's just say the candied nuts were a big hit with the kids. They were sweet and tasty, but still nutty. I liked them, but to be honest, I am not used to nuts tasting like anything but nuts. I could taste the canola oil used to roast them and that's not a taste I enjoy.

It wasn't a deal breaker and didn't prevent me from eating the whole bag or anything. And my kids were such a big fan of the candied pecans that I will be substituting any little chocolate chips or candy pieces in their trail mixes with candied nuts. 

If you want to check out Sante Nuts you can save 25% on your order by using the code: 2011-Blog-177

This coupon is valid through December 16th 2011.

These would make a great (healthy) gift for a coworker or friend. Consider ordering before Christmas since the code expires just beforehand. 

*I received complimentary samples for review purposes. No compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

PÜR Gum - Aspartame Free Gum Review

A few years ago, I gave up gum forever. It eventually wheedled back into my life, but not without a lot of stressful contemplation. What's the big deal, it's just gum right? Actually....


If you flip over the package on most gums you'll find all sorts of scary ingredients. Dyes, artificial flavorings, artificial sweeteners, and more. 


But if you like gum, you're kind of stuck with the fact that you're chewing chemicals. Maybe not anymore? I recently had the chance to review PÜR Gum and it's free of aspartame! It's also free of sucralose and sugar. 


I've scoured the ingredients list and have not found any artificial dyes/colors. According to the manufacturer it's also gluten-free, vegan, non GMO, diabetic friendly, and nut-free. It also contains antioxidants. I noticed Vitamin E in the the ingredients list.


The flavors were great - pomegranate mint, peppermint, spearmint, and excitemint. Pomegranate mint was my favorite. 


I'm happy to have found an aspartame free gum. Check  PÜR Gum to see if it's sold in stores near you. Wondering why Aspartame is something you want to avoid? Google it...seriously!!!


*I received complimentary gum for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own. No compensation was received. 

Ten Strategies for Decluttering your Playroom

If you have kids, then you probably have toys....everywhere! Kids naturally drop what they're doing and run off to the next thing. This can mean toys, crafts, and mess scattered throughout the house.

Obviously, it's a good decision to start training them to put things where they belong, but in the meantime, how do you tame the clutter?

Since I have 2 children of opposite gender, we have a ton of toys for both of them. This can get out of hand pretty quickly, but we've found a way to keep it under control. Here are my top 10 tips for decluttering the playroom.

#1 - Have your kids pick up what they play with before they start something new. This is a never ending battle, but a lesson that needs to be learned. And when they actually do it, it makes a world of difference.

#2 - Only allow toys in designated areas. This keeps your living room and dining room table from being toy dump spots. And in the worst case scenario, you shut the door to the "toy room" and the mess is gone....for a while.

#3 - Rotate Toys. Take toys that haven't been played with in a while and store them in a closet. After a few months, take them back out and put out something new. It's amazing how much my children will play with something when it's "new again" even if they hadn't noticed it in months.

#4 - Donate outgrown toys right away. When your children are no longer babies, get rid of the baby toys! Goodwill would love to have them. Younger cousins would love to have them. Maybe you can sell them on ebay. Either way, just move them out!

#5 - Consider donating toys when birthdays and Christmas come around - to make room for new toys.

#6 - Store items in their own bins. Legos with legos. Blocks with blocks. Polly pockets with polly pockets. You get the idea. And this makes it easy to clean up. Since your kids will know where everything belongs, it's easier to get them there.

#7 - Involve your children in the donation process. If you explain why and how you donate items (you may have to do this several times) your children will eventually understand and value the extra space and needs of others. They may even come to you randomly with things they wish to donate.

#8 - Keep games and electronics separate from the rest of your toys. You don't want game pieces lost or electronics broken, so store them separately from the rest of your toys. Maybe that means a designated closet. Maybe that means a high shelf. Whatever you do, do not mix them with regular toys. They will be come broken, lost, and unusable.

#9 - Use shelves, storage bins, baskets, and more to store your items. Shelves and Bins help get things off of the floor. And you can tailor your containers to match your decor.

#10- Limit how much you buy in the first place! This is tough but if you can limit how many toys (or stuffed animals - OMG!) you buy, then you will limit the clutter.

Battling clutter is a never ending struggle. But you can keep on top of it. If you have extra tips to share, please leave me a comment.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hot Wheels® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” 

Green Works Cleaning Supplies - Review

Cleaning is one of the most challenging chores. All of the stinky (and harmful) chemicals make it even worse! For the last few years, I have been slowly greening up our cleaning procedures. I've used green cleaners, used less product, and even made my own.

It's been a multi-year process because not all green cleaners have made the cut. I'm really sorry to have to say that, but it's true. Some of them have been a real let down - either in performance or scents. 

So when I was offered the chance to review the Green Works line of products, I jumped at the chance. Even if I have to mix and match green products to get the whole job done, I'm fine with that!

I had the opportunity to sample the Green Works Naturally Derived Cleaning Wipes, All-purpose Cleaner, Laundry Detergent, and Bathroom Cleaner.

My hands down favorite were the Naturally Derived Cleaning Wipes. They didn't have an offensive odor (like most chemically laden ones do) and they are 100% biodegradable. I feel much better knowing they will eventually break down. I love these for kitty accidents or quick bathroom cleanups.

I was also impressed with the Laundry Detergent. It had a surprisingly fresh sent for a "green" cleaner and so far I haven't received any complaints from the family. We also haven't had any major stain incidents lately, so I'm not sure how it will stack up, but on every day laundry it's doing a great job.

I like the bathroom cleaner, since this is the area that most green cleaners have failed me in the past. I'm going to be checking at the store to see if Green Works makes a specific toilet cleaner. If so, I'll give it a try and report back on my thoughts. 

The only cleaner I didn't really find a huge use for was the All-purpose cleaner. I don't use any cleaners in my kitchen (gasps!) and only wash with silver impregnated microfiber towels. So I'm saving this cleaner for a big oven clean-up or major shower job. I clean those items on rotation, and thankfully, I am a few weeks away from needing to do it again!

If you'd like to clean greener, you may want to check these products out. I've seen coupons for them and have seen them at most of the stores I shop. It's an easy swap next time you're out looking for cleaning products.

*I received complimentary products for review purposes. No compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my won.

Entenmann's Big Book of Baking

When I hear the word "Entenmann's" I think cake. They are well known for their quality baked goods. And by quality, I mean tasty. So it would make since that Entenmann's would come out with a coffee table book about baking.

I had the chance to review Entenmann's Big Book of Baking and I could barely look at the words. The pictures were so unbelievable! All the tastiest goodies you could imagine filled the pages.

The book is sectioned off into "Almost homemade" and "From Scratch" recipes. The almost homemade section features easy dessert recipes that feature Entemann's cakes or pastries to save a step or two. The desserts shown are amazing.

But I'm the kind of girl that likes to make it from scratch. Lucky for me, this book contains everything I would ever want to bake - including donuts and all sorts of chocolately goodness.

After I ogled every picture, I went back through and read through my favorite recipes. And I decided making donuts didn't seem so hard anymore. And cakes from scratch? No biggie when you have a simple recipe right in your hands.

This is an excellent collection of recipes and even a great book to keep out. Guests in your home will love to pick it up and look through the pictures. The pictures are truly that good! The only problem? They might jump up and demand that you make some of the recipes. Be sure you have flour, eggs, and vanilla at all times if you are planning to keep this book around!

This book becomes available on 9/27/2011. If you want to pre-order the book, you can do so on Amazon. Head to Entenmann's Facebook page to learn more or follow on Twitter for instant updates.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. No compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Give Back when you Shop at Sam's - plus enter to #win a $25 Sam's Gift Card #Giveaway

Beginning on September 19, 2011 - your purchases at Sam's Club can help benefit Breast Cancer Research. By purchasing specially-marked General Mills products like Cheerios and Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies at your local Sam's Club, you can help fund the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

For 5 years, General mills has partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, and this year thy are making their annual donation of $2 million to the foundation o advance breast cancer research and support education and community projects.

By voting at PinkTogether.com from now until April 14, 2012, you can help decide how half of that contribution will be donated.  The donations will be divided between the Treatment and Assistance program and the Prevention Research program. Voting results will be announced on Mother's Day 2012.

Want to start contributing now? Then head to Sam's and look for specially marked General Mills products. To help you out, Sam's Club and My Blog Spark are offering one Suburban Jungle reader a chance to win a $25 Sam's Club Gift Card.

To Enter fill out the rafflecopter form below.

Disclosure: The information and gift card(s) have been provided by Sam’s Club and General Mills through MyBlogSpark

Calling all Star Wars Fans - #Win a $25 Walmart Gift Card #Giveaway

Are you a Star Wars fan? Come on, who isn't? This September, the Complete Saga will be available on Blu-ray. In honor of this new release, select General Mills Big G cereals will have a limited edition Star Wars good versus evil image on their packaging. 


They will look like this:

And when you flip them over and put them together you can create a panoramic poster like this:

Starting September 16th, the 9-disc STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA will be available on Blu-ray. You can find the special Star Wars Big G cereals for a limited time at Walmart. To help you celebrate, MyBlogSpark is giving one Suburban Jungle reader 3 Big G cereals with the special edition Star Wars packaging and a $25 Walmart Gift Card! To Enter: Fill out the rafflecopter form below.

Disclosure: The cereal, gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Finding Balance to Inspire you to Become your Best Self

The importance of finding balance in your life cannot be understated. It's something I have been working on for years. Even though I've somehow survived into my thirties, I haven't always been "balanced."

What does it mean to be balanced and why is it important? To me, balanced means not being to extreme in either direction. For your health, that might mean finding a happy medium between exercising intensely for hours each day and lying on the couch 24/7.

It may also involve finding a way to schedule your time, your workload, your sleep, and deciding who you spend your time with. And of course, it would mean finding a balance between treats and healthy food choices.

But what about mentally and spiritually? Balance means being mindful of every moment. Not speeding through life, and not going so slow that you don't do anything.

Spiritually, it may mean discovering your role in this great big universe and finding what works for you. It may mean connecting with people that have similar values and surrounding yourself with positive energy (people, thoughts, events.)

It might even mean stepping back and spending time alone for a time.

It's important to find balance because when things are in balance, you have the best vantage point in life. You are the player in your own story. You interact and notice what's happening. You feel. You experience. You live!

I would suggest that you let the drive to balance your life inspire you to make finding your true self a priority this month.

Take a look at your schedule, who you spend time with, your activities and your nutrition choices. Then make the hard changes you need to bring your life into balance.

On a personal note: I feel more balanced than I have been in a long time. I finally understand how I relate to the world/God/people.

I have said goodbye to some friends that were more negative than positive. I have made regular exercise a non-negotiable routine. We are eating more whole, organic foods than ever. And I am continually trying to say no to candy and commitments that detract from the goals of our family.

Fitness-wise, I am stronger than I have ever been. But I'm also focusing on balance, endurance, and flexibility. I am working hard to be "present" in all things and to enjoy this stage of life for what it is.

I'm not always perfect. I'm almost never perfect. But I'm happy. And I am working hard to keep my life in a good place - a balanced place.

I'm curious to know: In your busy everyday life, how do you strive for balance?

By replying you will be entered to win one of two prizes! First Prize: $150 to a Local Spa, plus $50 Gift Certificate to the Cerra Boutique.Second Prize: One of Five $100 Gift Certificate to the Cerra Boutique.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cerra. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Contest Rules.

Growing Mushrooms in Your Kitchen - Easy and Delicious!

Foodiacs is the newest online community for food enthusiasts. And it's not just about good food. They are also doing really good things for our communities. From September 6-20th, Foodiacs featured an event that helped local schools.

During that time, every "Foodiac" that purchased two Back to the Roots boxes received a third box and classroom curriculum to be donated to the school of their choice. Isn't that great?!

Do you know how cool it would be to grow mushrooms in the classroom? I had a chance to review one of the Grow-Your-Own Mushroom Garden kits and I'm currently growing them in my kitchen! 

I plan on bringing them in to show my children's classrooms. The best part about the growing boxes is how contained it is. Growing mushrooms is a moldy, wet business and the box really contains all of the ooze.

Also, each box of mushrooms is growing in sustainably grown and recycled coffee grounds. A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! After your box is done, you can chuck it in your compost bin (or break it up and sprinkle it in the garden) for even more green, recycling fun. 

Foodiacs is hosting an event or offering exclusive product deals through March 2012, so hurry and check them out. Beginning in 2012 they will also be having local food-related events like tastings, and dinners. If you like food (and seriously, don't we all!) and consider yourself a foodie, check it out. You may find all sorts of ways to improve your culinary experience.

**I received a complimentary back to roots mushroom kit for review purposes. No compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Sibu Beauty - Hydrating Serum Review

Summer is tough on my skin. The heat and humidity make wearing moisturizers too much for my skin to handle. But you want to use something to help repair and replenish what the sun and chlorine take away.

That's where serums can be helpful. I recently had the opportunity to review Sibu Beauty's Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum. It was a summer godsend. I had been battling the greasies all summer, but I found this serum to be so light and hydrating. I could use it at night in place of a moisturizer and in the morning under my sunscreen.

Fast forward to fall and winter, and you still have an excellent first step under your usual lotions. I have enjoyed using the Sibu Hydrating Serum. My skin tone is more even, some of the summer acne issues have resolved, and my skin just feels better.

Wondering about what makes Sibu Beauty different? For one, Sea Buckthorn is an ingredient in all of their products. Sea Buckthorn is a plant that contains vitamins A, C, E, K, minerals, carotenoids, flavonoids, antioxidants, polyphenols, polysterols, and Omeaga 3, 6, 7, &9.  It's all natural, fair trade, and easily sustainable.

In short, it's an all around natural product full of natural goodness.  It really does feel light on your skin and has helped me clear up my summer beauty woes. It's also going to provide the extra hyrdation needed for fall/winter. It can get cold and blustery here. I am grateful to have a natural serum to use under my usual routine. Remember, what you put on your skin ends up in your body!

Where can you find Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn products? I've seen them at Whole Foods, GNC and most recently Amazon.

*I received a complimentary bottle of Siba Beauty Hydrating Serum for review purposes. No compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Hearts for Hearts Girls - Authentic Doll Giveaway

When you purchase toys for your kids, do you prefer if part of the proceeds go toward helping others? If so, then you are going to love Hearts for Hearts Girls dolls.

These dolls remind me of the hugely popular dolls that every girls begs for. You know what they are, and you know why they're popular. Girls like to play with dolls that look real and can really be played with.

The Hearts for Hearts Girls fit the bill. They are lifelike, come with interchangeable outfits, and brushable hair. But they also come with a gift for someone else. A portion of each sale is donated to a children's cause in the country the doll is modeled after.

Meet the girls:

• Meet Consuelo from Mexico City. Colorful and warm, Consuelo provides aid to hungry children who are homeless and live on the streets near her parents’ bakery.


• Meet Lilian of Belarus. Determined Lilian provides aid to girls whose parents must find work in the big city and are forced to leave their children with orphanages.


• Meet Dell from the heart of Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains. Dell creates music and knitwear to share with others in need of warm clothing.


• Meet Rahel of Ethiopia. Rahel, who dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can make a real difference for people in her region, journeys with her family into the wilderness of Ethiopia to help bring back aid to her community.


• Meet Tipi from Laos. Based on a real girl who shares her art and storytelling with others through dancing, drawing, and puppetry, Tipi leads her school in a mural contest in hopes of winning much-needed books for her class.


• Meet Nahji who hails from Assam, India. Brave Nahji breaks tradition to bring courage and education to the girls who work in the tea fields of India.

One Suburban Jungle readers is going to have the chance to win one of these dolls! 

Disclosure: The Hearts For Hearts Girls doll, and information have been provided by Playmates Toys through MyBlogSpark.

39 Days down - 51 left to go!

I am great at starting things. Exercise programs, jobs, projects, you name it. I am GREAT at starting. I'm not so great at finishing. If you read my blog, then you know that I've started the Supreme 90 Workout system. And you know that once upon a time I attempted to finish the 30 day shred.

I failed the 30 day shred because I ended up with severe bronchitis. I had it for almost a month. Oh and my hair started falling out and my "cycle" became wild. Never go vegan, have a creepy house guest, commit to extreme exercise, and get sick all at the same time.

But those are just excuses. I probably would have quit from boredom eventually. Not anymore! I am a new "finish what I start" kind of person. Actually, that's my new motto:

Finish what you Start

And I am finishing. If you've done the Supreme 90 day workout, then you KNOW it's intense. Like every day intense. Like don't eat for hours beforehand or you will barf intense. And I don't have a lot of weight to lose. Technically, I don't have any weight to lose, so why push it?

Because I started it. And I am going to finish! As of today I am on day 39. I have stuck with this program longer than any I've ever attempted before. *silent clapping*

I have taken "before" shots. Maybe I'll finally take "after" shots. You have to finish to get after shots. Wish me luck on the next 51 days.

Rodelle Baking Challenge and Real Vanilla Bean Review

Real, fresh ingredients are the secret to good food. If you agree, then you are going to want to get ready for the Rodelle Baking Challenge!

Starting October 1st, you can enter your baking stories (include photos and videos if you like) and enter to win a year's worth of baking supplies and a Kitchenaid Mixer. Three winners will be selected.

So what does Rodelle have to do with baking? Well, if you're like me than you may not have heard of Rodelle before now. Rodelle supplies the finest baking essentials like pure vanilla, extracts and spice blends, all responsibly sourced from premier growing regions.

I initially came across Rodelle in my search for pure vanilla. Yes, I've been using "pure" vanilla extract for years, but I wanted to use Real vanilla beans. But how do you go about finding a supplier you can trust? After reading a few foodie blogs, I determined that Rodelle was an excellent source of vanilla beans and pure vanilla products.

And I had the chance to review their vanilla beans. Yay! So what did I do with them? I made something where vanilla would stand out - vanilla ice cream.

Using real, organic cream and pure vanilla beans - this is what we made:

It was awesome. The flavor was unbeatable. And the experience was unbeatable too. Nothing beats scraping your own vanilla beans and showing your kids where real food comes from.

Don't forget to check out the contest starting October 1st. And be sure to share any fantastic vanilla bean recipes below. I'll be ordering more and I'd love to try them out.


*I received complimentary vanilla beans for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and no compensation was received.

Professor Wormbog in search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo Review & Giveaway

Mercer Mayer has created so many fantastic children's books. There was a time when we owned ALL of the Little Critter books and even though we had read them over and over again, my kids still wanted to hear them.

But we had never heard of Professor Wormbog or the Zipperump-a-Zoo. Have you? "Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo" started it all and now it's been re-released in a collectible version. 

My kids recognized the illustrations right away as a "little critter story" and were eager to jump right in. Just like all of the Mayer books, it is full of great pictures, mischief and sneaky words/images. My kids loved it and yours will too.


If you want to buy a copy of Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo, you can find it at FastPencil. Keep your eyes open because FastPencil will be publishing a whole line of classic collectibles.


One lucky Suburban Jungle reader will also have the chance to win their very own copy of Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo. 


To Enter: Fill out the entry form below. 






*No compensation was received for this review. I did receive a copy of Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo for review purposes.

Justkidcostumes.com Review

Halloween is just around the corner and it's time to start looking for costumes. I'm going to suggest you forgo the trips to the mall and look for your costumes online. JustKidCostumes.com has a fantastic (if not overwhelming) selection of costumes for kids, babies, and adults.

You can find almost every type of costume imaginable. I'd recommend you consider JustKidCostumes when you are hunting for the perfect Halloween costume, but also for other holidays. I saw plenty of costumes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Patrick's day, Independence Day, Valentine's and more.

You just don't find this type of selection in stores (and not in the sizes you need!)  Take a look at some of these super cute costumes:

My hands down favorite is an infant costume called "hotdog" and because the baby's legs are inside the bunting, she looks like a big hot dog. L-O-V-E it!

There are also a lot of really creepy costumes. My children and I poured over the site to decide which product we would like to review. They couldn't agree of course, so I decided I would get a costume for me. I am teen-size after all, so why not buy a teen costume and dress up with my kids this season.

Guess what they had? They had a Gollum mask and I so desperately wanted to be that for Halloween, but my daughter threw a fit and I decided on a pirate costume.

But that's not the end of the story. We also found all the makeup and accessories you could possibly need. And at great prices. Make up kids for under $5. Tails and Whiskers for under $5. Hats, shoes, scarves, and everything you need to complete your outfit.

My costume arrived within 2 days and was in perfect shape. It fit well and was a high quality costume. I'm very happy with it and will go to JustKidCostumes.com again when I need a costume for any event.

Want to see what a costume looks like on your kids - before you buy it? Check out the "Dress - up" Widget below. You may need to use the scroll bars to select your costume and see your face depending on how big your screen is.

Once you've found that perfect costume - why not save some extra money. Right now you can save 10% on your order by using the Coupon Code: BLOGGER10

Use this code to receive 10% off any order of $8.95 or more. All products are eligible for this discount. Coupon is good through Sunday, October 16^th at 11:59pm PST. Merchandise total of $8.95 must be after any coupons have been applied. Discount does not apply to shipping, or sales taxes (CA only.) Coupon will be reflected as a 10% discount on the merchandise subtotal on the checkout page. Coupon cannot be combined with other coupon offers. Coupon is non-negotiable. Not valid for prior purchases. JustKidCostumes.com reserves the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of a discount.

Check out JustKidCostumes.com. For the selection and the prices, you will not be disappointed.

*I received a complimentary costume for review purposes. We were very happy with our experience and all opinions expressed are my own. No compensation was received. 

Kashi Peanut Butter Granola Bars Review

Every once in a while I get together with a group of moms and we talk about life. And by life I mean fitness and food. Our favorite food topics are organic food, gourmet recipes, and proper nutrition.

This may not be your idea of a good time, but my friends and I wouldn't have it any other way. Feeding our families is our job and we want to do the best we can. As former type-A career women, we take it seriously.

Recently, Kashi asked if we would review their line of TLC organic granola bars at our meeting. Um....yeah. We sampled the Kashi Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars. Try not to get lost on the chocolate part.

I've tried Kashi products before (in fact our pantry is always sporting a few Kashi accessories...) but somehow these must have escaped my shopping cart. I've always purchased the coconut chocolate ones. Mmmmm....chocolate.

So when they arrived at my door, I sampled one. And I almost called the entire meeting off. I mean, who in their right mind wants to share such chocolatey goodness? Yes, they were undeniably tasty.

All of the moms thought so. And the kids too. Yes, that means I shared.  They were fantastic and best of all they were made from Kashi - and what that means to me is that I can trust the ingredients.

It means the ingredients are whole, natural, and sometimes even organic. It means I don't have to flip it over and read the ingredients. But of course I did it anyway.

The truth is, there are a lot of ingredients in these bars. I like to buy products with as few ingredients as possible and some of the ingredients in the bars would not be high on my list of "want to eat" but none of the screamed "OMG" to me either.

I make granola bars and I know how hard it can be to get them to be all natural, low in sugar, and still be soft and gooey and all the things we love about them. So all in all, I gave them a thumbs up. And so did the rest of my friends.

**I was sent a monster sized box of Kashi products for review with my moms group. All opinions expressed are my own. If you want to know the actual ingredients or nutritional information, check at Kashi.com. No compensation was received for this review.

Moon Dough Review - New and Improved!

We love moon dough in our household. The molding sets are fantastic and the dough outlasts any other dough we've ever used. 

Well, just when you thought moon dough was the greatest molding product on Earth, they went and changed the formula. Now - moon dough is less crumbly and still NEVER dries out. Wahoo!

So we gave the new formula a try, and we loved it. It was less crumbly and since our original moon dough has still not dried out (going on a year and having been left out a zillion times) I'm guessing this new formula will last as well.

Check out moondough.com to see all of the new push n' pop play sets. We had the chance to try the breakfast set and I highly recommend it. Kids love breakfast foods and what could be more fun than making waffles, pancakes, and toast. 

*We received a complimentary moon dough play set for review purposes. Thank you to Team Mom and Spin Master for supplying the dough for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tropical Traditions Organic Skin Exfoliator Review & Giveaway

If you are what you eat, are you also what you put on your skin? In the quest for better health, I very much believe that you are what you eat and you are what you put on your skin.

I know that sounds scary. As women, we use so many crazy things on our skin in order to look beautiful. Or at least presentable. You know what I'm saying.

Because of this, I've started ditching all of my old cleansers and cosmetics. I started washing my face with natural oils like olive oil and coconut oil. I'm not a beauty expert, so google washing your face with oils and you'll see that it's actually a very normal (and healthy) thing to do.

Some sites even get fancy and give you recipes to make your own scrubs. I wasn't as good at making those, mostly because I didn't have big enough sugar or salt crystals.

That's where Tropical Traditions Organic Skin Exfoliators come in. I had the chance to review the Lavendar skin exfoliator.

Here are the ingredients:
Ingredients: sea salt, organic macadamia nut oil, organic jojoba, organic virgin coconut oil, organic virgin palm oil, and organic essential oil of lavender.


Just like when we select foods at the store, I like to see that the ingredients are real, natural items. I know what all of these things are. To me, it makes sense that they would be good for my skin. So I felt good about using this product.


What about the results? Well, this is one heck of a scrub. And I like it. It's exactly what my homemade scrubs were not. I did feel a little oily after using it but I just stopped using my regular evening moisturizers on the nights I used the exfoliator and all was well.


Want to try it for yourself? Tropical Traditions is graciously offerring one Suburban Jungle reader the chance to win a free jar of Lavendar Skin Exfoliator. 


To Enter: Fill out the form below.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Zhu Zhu Pets Quest for Zhu the Movie Review & Giveaway

Are your kids really into zhu zhu pets? My kids love them. They have loved them from the beginning and they still love them now. My son even bought a zhu zhu baby hamster the other day. A baby!

They were more than thrilled when they found out we'd get to watch the new Zhu Zhu pets movie before it even came out in stores.  It's called Quest for Zhu and as you might expect, it features zhu zhu hamsters as the main characters. In fact, Mr. Squiggles is one of the lead hamsters, and I think we own Mr. Squiggles.

Here's what you should know about the movie from a kid's perspective:

My 5 and 7 year old loved it. They loved it from the moment they saw the cover, and surprisingly they claim to have seen commercials for this movie. They were engrossed in the movie for the entire show. They really, really liked it.

Here's what you should know from a parent's perspective:

This movie is absolutely okay for kids to watch. There are some "scary" parts, I guess, but I think that's what makes the movie. The story line is interesting enough for adults to be engaged. The moral of the story is a good one - be grateful for what you have and don't run away from home. At least that's what I thought the moral was.

There is singing. I'm just warning you. My kids seemed to like the singing. As soon as I noticed there was singing, I thought, "holy smoke, get me out of here." Luckily, the singing happens just a bit at the beginning and the end.

There is no singing in the middle. Phew. I'm not a fan of singing in movies (musicals, cartoons, anything!) The graphics are good and there's something kind of awesome about hamsters running in tubes. There is some quality tube running in this movie.

But I think the movie gets good when the hamsters finally make it to the palace. I'm not going to give it away, but this is the good (and maybe scary for 3 and under?) part. I would have let my 3 year olds watch it, but I'm just saying.

Up until they get to the palace, the story has a few twists and turns but it's mostly a happy, colorful children's story. Let's just say I like the twist and I like the ending - minus the singing.

The movie comes out on September 27th. I've noticed pre-orders available on Amazon and I'm sure you'll be able to find it in stores. Because of the timing, I'd say this would make a great Christmas gift.

One Suburban Jungle reader will also get a free copy of this movie! If you want to enter to win a copy of Quest for Zhu - fill out the entry form below. One lucky reader will be selected at random and notified by email.


*Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the Quest for Zhu for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fundamiddles - Review & Giveaway

Do you shy away from cupcakes because of the huge frosting messes? Yep, it's a disaster. By now you've probably seen coupons and commercials for Fun da middles from Betty Crocker. Fun da middles take the mess out of the frosting by putting it on the inside. 

Kind of like the packaged snack cakes - only fresher. And a lot more fun because you get to make them. I let my kids make these and share them with their friends. They had a blast.

Want to see how it's done? Take a look at this quick video that shows just how easy it is:

 I bet you're itching to try these yourself. Go here to print an 85c off coupon.  And of course, one Suburban Jungle reader is going to get the chance to win a Fun da Middles prize pack:

Disclosure: The Betty Crocker Fun da-middles product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark

Baking Molasses Cookies - Enter to win a baking set

Have you ever tried to make Molasses cookies? I have - and it was horrible. Messy, messy, messy. But they are so yummy!!! Guess what, now there's an easier way to make Molasses cookies.

Leave it to Betty Crocker to create a Molasses cookie mix that's ready in under 20 minutes. We made them and loved them. Actually, my kids made them. They were that easy.

Want to give them a try yourself? You're in luck. You can download a 75c off coupon here. And one Suburban Jungle reader will win a Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie Prize Pack (seen above) that contains one packages of molasses cookie mix, a non-stick baking pan, apron and stirring spoon.

Disclosure: "The product, information and prize pack has been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark."

You can't swim? - Well then try the DEEP END....

Over the weekend, we had a pool party for my son and 6 of his friends. Make that 5 of his friends and a son of one of my friends. I knew she'd find out about the party and she'd be hurt if he wasn't invited. So, that's the back story. That - and the fact that this boy occasionally does destructive things on purpose.

All is going well and the boys are having a great time. My daughter is trying her best to keep herself busy. Eventually, she starts chumming around with one of the boys. You know which one. They eat together and play games near the water.

Eventually I see them standing near the deep end. Whatever. He tells her to get in the water and she says "No, I can't swim. So I can't go in the deep end." With that, he pushes her into the water.

I jump from my seat and start running toward the pool. I scream out her name and I hesitate. I try to decide if it's better for me to jump in and swim across or run around the side of the pool. In my 2 seconds of thought, I see her head come up and she swims to the side of the pool.

She climbs out, turns to find me, and starts wailing. We start walking toward each other and eventually meet. I hold on to her as she tells me how he pushed her in. I squat down so our faces are at the same height and I tell her, "I'm so proud of you. I saw you swim your way to the edge."

"But MOM, he pushed me in! He knew I couldn't swim and he pushed me in the DEEP END!" She's crying and yelling. "You knew exactly what to do. You are a very smart girl. I had no idea you were such a strong swimmer!" is what I said to her.

Then she reminded me again that she told him that she couldn't swim and he pushed her in so she would drown. "You're right. He shouldn't have done that. It was rude and he's a maniac. But you saved yourself. I didn't even have time to get in the water and you were already out!"

Then she smiled and realized how well she had done -after the complaining of course. She started telling everyone that "she swam in the deep end". She asked me if she could do it again. Then she jumped into the deep end for the first time in her life, turned around, and swam back to the edge.

She did this a couple times and felt so much better. But she'll never trust that boy again. And neither will I.

I was proud of her. I wasn't as proud of myself. I hate that I invite problems just because I don't want to hurt someone's feelings and I that I hesitated. Swimming is not my strength and I spent way too much time trying to decide how I'd handle the situation. I knew it would take me more time than a normal person to get across the pool and actually thought it might be faster to run around.

I was hoping my husband would have jumped in and rescued her right away. He's so good at rescuing. In Hawaii, he jumped over a hot tub with his body shaped like a dolphin and was in the water, across the length of the pool and rescuing our son before anyone else could even move.

A few weeks ago, we were floating down the lazy river when out of the blue - a whistle blew and he was off of his tube and under the water. The next thing you know he's pulling a lifeless baby from the water and handing it to the lifeguard who was seconds behind him. I was paralyzed.

Water drama is too much for me. I still have nightmares of pulling my sister from the water when she was only 18 months old. Just thinking about it makes me freeze.

That's why I am the absolute pool stalker. It's no fun, but I will be damned if someone drowns while I am at the pool. Even if I can't get to them first. I will see it and freak out. And I'll eventually get to them or get help. And I no longer trust anyone else when they say "I'll watch him." They won't and that's when problems happen. Now it's all me, all the time. It's just not worth the risk.

And about the other problem....I'm still trying to figure out how to have "mom friends" without my kids having to be friends with children they don't (or shouldn't) like. Being a mom is weird.

It's time to prepare the garden for fall

I love it when the counter is full of tomatoes....

School is back in session, and that means 2 things for the garden. #1 Fall raspberries are in their full swing. #2 The frost is coming and it's time to prepare.

If you're a northern gardener like me, then you know the season is much to short. But you can still make the best of the summer season before fall.

Here are my top gardening priorities for September - I hope they help you ready your garden for winter.

#1 - Remove all new flowers on tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and similar fruiting veggies. Prune out any suckers, new growth, or excess foliage so the plants can focus on ripening the fruit they are currently growing. For tomatoes, this also means removing any tomatoes that are starting to turn color. They can ripen on the counter (see above) while the plant put its energy into increasing the size of it's smaller fruits.

#2 - Prune any summer bearing raspberries you didn't get to in July.

#3 - Stop watering and/or feeding blueberries and other garden perennials so they can begin to harden off for winter.

#4 - Gather the supplies necessary to cover the berries once the leaves drop. For strawberries, I cover them with the leaves that fall in the yard. For raspberries, I make a string trellis to keep the canes from snapping under the snow. For blueberries, I cover them with burlap to protect them from winter nibblers.

#5 - Clean out your garden debris. Pull out dead and dying plants. Add all garden debris to the compost pile so there are no places for bugs/pests to overwinter.

#6 - Make a list of all the plants that grew well and what quantities to plant next year.

#7 - Buy extra garden soil, compost or potting soil while it's on sale this month.

#8 - Clean out any containers or pots so they can be used next year

#9 -Collect seeds from spent plants, dry them for about 2 weeks, then store for next season. Label well. ;)

#10 - Start dreaming of the 2012 garden and planning what and where everything will be planted. :)

$40 Sam's Club Gift Card Giveaway

It's back-to-school time, and we are stocking up on easy (healthy) snacks for lunches and activities. Yogurt is one of those snacks that I routinely pick up. It's portable, easy to eat, and versatile. I add granola, raisins, berries, and nuts to round out the nutritional needs of the snack/meal.

Right now you can load up on Yoplait yogurt products at Sam's Club. Sam's Club usually has good prices, and now they've extended their selection. You can now find Yoplait Light with Granola and Trix yogurt. I'm sure you'll be able to find a variety that works for your family.

To make it even easier - MyBlogSpark is offering one Suburban Jungle reader a $40 Sam's Club Giftcard to stock up on your favorite flavors of Yoplait yogurt.
"Disclosure: The Sam’s Club gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by Sam’s Club and Yoplait through MyBlogSpark."

How do you get your kids to eat healthy food?

.

If you're sending your kids back to school this fall, then chances are good that you're thinking about what they'll be eating. I know I'm thinking about it! Everyone tells you that it's hard to get kids to eat healthy food. That's a lie. For a while anyway. 

If you want your kids to eat healthy, you need to start early. Offer them plenty of fresh whole food options as soon as they begin eating and keep everything else out! Up to the age of 3, this approach works fantastic. 

This method might mean a few (or a lot!) of food fights. Not with your kids - but with other adults! Once your kids start selecting their own snacks and going to play dates or school, then you'll be battling with them.

I had a food fight just the other day. My dad asked, "your kids aren't on a diet are they?" What??!??!?!? And a fight broke out. A fight that lasted the whole night and eventually brought my husband into the disaster. 

When it comes to healthy eating, I mean business. There are a lot of things that I can let go, but not food. My dad had suggested we go out for ice cream for dinner. Not as a dessert. Just for dinner. He asked my kids and they said they didn't think it was a good idea. Hence the "DIET" question. 

No - my kids are NOT on a diet. They just don't need to eat ice cream, cookies, cakes, donuts, candies, and every other piece of garbage whenever a grandparent comes into the room. Well - apparently I'm the only one that believes in that principle. My dad brings junk every time he sees my kids. My husband's parents offer them trash every time they see them. Random ladies on the plane offer them cookies. I know they are trying to be nice, but it's not nice! Filling their veins with toxic chemicals and addicting them to sugar is not NICE. It's setting them up to fail.

Every child's game, party, playdate, school event, book club..... all include garbage food! What about moderation? Sure, it makes sense, but if you live in today's world there is no such thing as moderation. Having a treat every day is not moderation. And how many kids have just one treat a day?

Okay, so back to how to get them to eat healthy food. Like I said - START EARLY and KEEP everything else OUT! 

My kids love fresh fruit, berries, and fresh unadulterated meats and dairy. And they like some veggies. These are the things that were their mainstays for a long time. They used to eat anything they were given. But everything changed when I lost the Jello fight. Honestly, I was so exhausted raising two little babies and managing the house that when my husband started the Jello is fun debate, I lost. 

They ate Jello. Then candy, pudding, cake, cookies, ice cream, hot dogs, fruit snacks and all sorts of gunk made it's way into our home. There was no stopping it. Then one day, I said enough! It has been a long battle over the last 2 years to get my family back to a healthy eating schedule.

Now my children are in school and every day my son comes home to tell me what other kids had for snacks and lunches. Why can't he have fruit snacks? Why can't he have fruit roll ups, cheetos, pudding packs, lunchables, and on and on. I tell him he can't because I love him. I care about what he's building his body with.

I want him to have a strong body and a healthy brain. I've said it so many times, I doubt he listens anymore. But they know how I feel. They are kids, so they will instinctively (or impulsively) choose the most sugar-loaded option. But I tell them why we eat certain foods. I tell them what is wrong with some of the treats that are available. I don't hide fruits, vegetables, or meat. I tell them what is in their food and I hope that someday they will learn to love them.

And most of all - I don't buy the junk they can't resist. Out of sight - out of mind. It works. As long as it's not in our house and as long as other adults aren't offering them garbage, my kids will eat healthy foods. 

Sometimes they eat junk and sometimes I have no control over it.

When Grandpa comes over with a big bag of donuts, I grit my teeth and make a decision. Will I let it go, or will I blow up and throw a fit? Big G - your odds are 50/50! I'm just saying!

Anyone else have any tips to help kids eat healthier? I'd love to hear your tips and your stories.

HandTrux Review

Here's a toy you probably haven't seen at the park or beach: HandTrux. But in the sand is exactly where thi toy belongs and the first place your little one will want to take it!

This summer, we had the chance to review HandTrux. My kids looked at it and thought it was so cool. They could be their own "digger" truck. They could dig, scoop, and look like a robot all at the same time.

They ran to the sandbox to give it a try. And that's when they lost interest in it. Unfortunately, my kids found it tough to dig with. The idea was great. The toy looks super cool and other kids wanted it. But they really had a hard time digging with it.

Maybe it was just them? Check out this video of a little boy having a great time with the Handtrux at the beach.


If you have a child that's really into dump trucks and equipment, then they will be excited about this toy. And hopefully they will have more determination to make it work than my kids did.

*I received a complimentary HandTrux for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.