No-Bake Coconut Almond Date Energy Balls {Recipe}

Until recently, I often found myself in a quandary. I'd crave sweets, but the options readily available to fulfill the craving weren't winning any nutritional awards. As a believer in (and general abider by) a clean, healthy diet, I'd either grumpily abstain or give in and endure the subsequent guilt and (all too often) havoc wreaked on my system.

But then I discovered No-Bake Energy Balls, and All Was Well With The World! (And this is only a minor exaggeration - I promise!)

So what are NBEBs, you may ask? Basically, they are bite-sized morsels of deliciousness made of healthy ingredients which provide energy and other nutritional benefits. And, duh, they don't require baking. Nor cooking in any other way, for that matter. You just need a bunch of pantry staples and a means of mashing them up together (generally a food processor). A full batch takes only minutes to prepare, and the lack of heat and chopping means little hands can get in on the action too. Perfect for young, busy families!

A quick search turns up approximately a jillion NBEB variants, however I have arrived at what I humbly believe is the awesomest of them all. They're ridiculously tasty (and I'm not alone here; almost everyone I've shared them with has requested the recipe), chock-full of key nutrients such as iron, fibre and omega 3 fatty acids, and ridiculously tasty. Wait - did I say that already? :) 


No-Bake Coconut Almond Date Energy Balls

Prep Time: 8-10 minutes
Yield: 24 balls (approx)

Ingredients:

• 10 pitted dates
• 4 pitted prunes
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut + 1/2 cup for rolling
• 1/2 cup one minute oats
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 tbsp flax seeds
• 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup water (Depending on how moist you prefer them. I use 1/2 cup myself.)

Steps:

• Put everything except water and 1/2 cup shredded coconut into a food processor.
• Pulse for 20-30 seconds until items are incorporated.
• Slowly add water and continue to pulse until "batter" is moist but not runny.

 

• Form into balls about one inch in diameter
• Roll each ball in extra shredded coconut

• Refrigerate and enjoy!

A couple notes:

• Up until now, I've thrown in the almonds as-is. The next time I make the recipe, I might try soaking them for 24 hours to improve nutrient absorption and reduce the beating endured by my food processor. Other recipes also suggest soaking the dates and prunes for up to an hour, as this helps them incorporate more readily. Another thing to try out.
• As fabulous as this exact recipe is, the beauty of the NBEB is that it's so flexible. So feel free to add, remove or swap ingredients based on your own preferences, availability, etc. (Though note that you may need to adjust the amount of water accordingly.) I'll probably try some variants in the future myself - e.g., pecans or nut butters instead of almonds, cocoa powder instead of cinnamon, etc.

Do you like to make energy balls or any other types of healthy no-bake desserts? What are your favourite recipes?

Menu Plan Monday: Back to Eating Clean

A couple months back when CJ was battling weight gain and reflux issues, I abided by a very healthy, strict diet. No wheat or dairy, very little sugar and lots of greens and good fats. Recently, however, our wee man's been improving and, consequently, I've eased up.

A li'l too much.

That is, cashing-in-on-a-Groupon-for-6-half-liters-of-Marble-Slab-ice-cream too much.

Lemme tell ya - their peanut butter flavour is to die for. But, following a few evenings of indulgence, I've been waking up feeling terrible. Even after an adequate amount of sleep.

A little more research has revealed I likely have a candida overgrowth. For those unfamiliar with this, in a nutshell we all have a naturally occurring yeast called candida albicans in our guts, but various factors (e.g. taking antibiotics or birth control pills, periods of high stress) can cause this yeast to grow out of control. Many medical practitioners (mainly holistic/naturopathic) are convinced that this can result in the body being in a toxic state which then causes various unpleasant conditions / general unwellness, however other authorities feel this is bunk. At this point, I'm leaning toward being a believer. My past is littered with the main overgrowth-promoting factors I mentioned earlier and I've definitely noticed a correlation between eating the notorious "yeast feeding" foods (sugars, starches, alcohol, etc.) and feeling like crap.

So now what? Given I'm breastfeeding, I can't do any sort of detox or full-out cleanse. But I do feel compelled to start eating clean again, and to incorporate a number of candida diet-friendly recipes into our upcoming meals.

On this note, I created a new Pinterest board for inspiration, and whipped up my first official Menu Plan Monday since last January. Has it really been that long? Well, no time like the present to kick things back into gear!

Monday: Rotisserie chicken from Sobey's (love these!) and Spinach Quinoa Bake
Tuesday: Ground turkey and chili stuffed peppers
Wednesday: Chicken avocado salad (using remaining rotisserie chicken) and leftover Spinach Quinoa Bake
Thursday: BBQ at my aunt & uncle's. We'll bring an organic greens salad with this yummy sounding tahini dressing and I'll have this with whatever (bunless) meat they're cookin' up!
Friday: Chicken noodle soup with zucchini noodles. Our garden's beginning to explode with zukes, so I'm hoping some will be ready to harvest by end of week.


Are you familiar with the idea of candida overgrowth? What are your thoughts? Have you ever attempted a candida diet, or another type of cleansing or detox diet?

Dizolve Ultra Laundry Detergent Strips: Review and Giveaway! (Closed)

Did you know that Canadians spend $890 million annually on laundry detergent, and that 33% of this is wasted due to over-use? How about that we go through approximately 134 million plastic detergent jugs each year (enough to circle the Earth more than once!) and that 94 million of these end up in landfills?

These are just a few of the scary estimates you can read about in The Eco-Impact of Laundry Detergent in Canada, an article from Dizolve Group Corporation. The goal of the article is to create awareness and steer families toward their considerably more eco-friendly solution - Dizolve Ultra Laundry Detergent Strips. I got the opportunity to try this product for myself (well more specifically, my family's never-ending mountain of laundry) and I have to say it's the cat's (clean) pajamas!


Product Info (abridged):

 

Dizolve packs ultra-concentrated cleaning power into a tiny, pre-measured strip of detergent that you just toss in the wash.

It makes your laundry washing chore easier, healthier, more economical, and much kinder to our planet.

Doing laundry has never been easier!

• Small and light, easy to carry and store
• No waste, no messy spills
• Dissolves completely in hot or cold water
• For H.E. and standard machines

 
Half load or hand wash? Just tear a sheet in half.

Just about everyone is impressed by Dizolve’s amazing concentration: 93% of participants rated Dizolve's cleaning power equal to or better than their usual brand, according to a 2012 independent research study of 177 participants washing 1,649 loads of laundry with Dizolve.

• Hypoallergenic for sensitive skin
• Free of 1,4-dioxane
• Phosphate-free
• Biodegradable
• Safe for septics

If everyone in Canada switched to Dizolve, the annual eco-savings would be enormous:

• Eliminate 134 million plastic jugs, saving 94 million from going to landfills
• Save 8.2 million litres of truck fuel and 23.8 million kg of CO2 - equivalent to taking 3.2 million cars off the road for a day, or planting one million trees

But that's not all: a portion of your purchase payment supports the environmental youth education programs of the Sierra Club Canada or another fundraising cause of your choice.


My Review:

I received a 72-load package of Dizolve laundry detergent strips to review.

 

I immediately took note of just how small & light the package was. Pretty remarkable that this tiny li'l box can handle 72 loads of laundry! (More, actually - I'll get to this in a bit.)

The product's contents - a recyclable cardboard outer sleeve, and a booklet of detergent strip sheets. That's it!

Here's a single 3-gram strip - all you need to wash a full load of dirties!

 

Needless to say, I'm sold on the company's claim that Dizolve has a considerably reduced ecological footprint.

In terms of safety, first of all the strips have an almost neutral smell which is a good thing in my books. Strong scent = narsty chemicals, in most cases. Second, I reviewed the product's full ingredient list. Each one includes a layman's description of its source and purpose, and none of them appear on several "toxic laundry ingredients to avoid" lists I found online. Convincing enough for me! Side note - the company is working on a natural scent for those who do enjoy a li'l olfactory goodness infused into their family's duds.

All of this is well and dandy, but the most important question - does Dizolve actually work? Happily, I'm one of the (quoted) 93% who believes that it does. And very well indeed! I've run about 20 loads so far in our front loader using these strips (in softened water, at different temperatures), and consistently noted the following:

• Laundry comes out smelling fresh. (Not chemically-scented "fresh" but truly clean fresh.)
• Stains are easily eliminated (or, at least, minimized)

Upon receiving the green light from my PR contact, I've even taken the plunge into cloth diaper laundering and it's been working fabulously. The standard wisdom for washing dipes is to halve the amount of detergent, and this appears true here as well. I initially used a full strip, however following my regular 3-cycle routine, the diapers appeared to be holding some residue. The next time, I tore a strip in half and the everything came out perfectly clean and neutral-smelling. This means a 72-load box could go even further for CDing families; perhaps about 90-100 loads total. Awesome! (All this said, I should note that our son is exclusively breastfed right now so we're not dealing with "real" poo just yet. I'm certainly interested to see how well Dizolve handles things when we get to that point, especially since I've wrestled with major funk in the past with my daughter's diapers.)

Finally, a comment on the convenience factor. I love how clean and simple it is to rip off a strip and toss it in the drum! The instructions say to put in the strip before your clothing, but order doesn't seem to matter in practice as (true to its name) the strip dissolves as soon as it comes into contact with water. On this note, however, my husband pointed out that we shouldn't store our Dizolve under the laundry tub like we do our other detergents. One significant splash and the whole box could dissolve away! As such, it's found a new, safer home on top of the dryer.

Overall (in case it's not clear) I'm a huge fan of Dizolve. It's safe, convenient, performs well and leaves a significantly reduced ecological footprint. I honestly can't come up with any criticism, and that's rare for me. :) The strip format just makes sense, and I can see it becoming the new gold standard for laundry in the not-so-distant future. Kudos to the Dizolve Group Corporation for creating a truly stellar product - I'll certainly be ordering more when my current box is finished!



Buy It:

Purchase Dizolve Ultra Laundry Detergent Strips directly from the Dizolve website. Shipping is free to any address in Canada. Make sure to select the fundraising campaign you wish to support! (Read up on the Dizolve Fundraising Cleanup Program for more information on this.)

Dizolve is also sold in some grocery stores in Atlantic Canada and several other countries.


Win It:

One super-lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a one-year supply (6 boxes) of Dizolve! Open to CANADA ONLY.

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Dizolve Group Corporation.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample items free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.

OraMD "The Mouth Doctor": Review & Giveaway (Closed)

Over the last few years, we've made many changes in our home to avoid potentially dangerous chemicals. One of the substances we've recently axed is fluoride; long story short, research appears mixed regarding its safety and whether or not it's actually beneficial for dental health (especially for people who don't eat a lot of sugar and processed foods). We'd been using a natural, fluoride-free toothpaste for several months when I got the opportunity to review an alternative oral care product called OraMD (from Trusted Health Products). Consisting of 100% botanical oils, this single product is designed to replace toothpaste, mouth wash and breath fresheners all at once. I was certainly intrigued and eager to give it a whirl!

Product Information (abridged):

OraMD is the revolutionary, 100% pure and natural liquid toothpaste, mouthwash and breath freshener with ingredients that kill the 22 harmful bacteria that lead to gum disease and other oral health problems.

• Pure Ingredients - 100% Natural Almond, Spearmint and Peppermint Oils
• Ingredients help create a healthy environment in your mouth
• Has interdental access, so it gets in between your teeth and those hard-to-clean areas
• Leaves a fresh and clean feeling unlike anything you've ever experienced
• Safe and effective for everyone ages 3 and up
• Safe for braces, veneers, bonds, crowns, fillings and dentures
• Also available in Extra Strength, a more advanced formula
• Convenient to carry in your pocket or purse, and can be used anytime to keep your mouth fresh and clean
• Manufactured in the USA by Trusted Health Products
• Vegan
• Not tested on animals
• One bottle lasts a month using our 4 step process (2 drops per application)
• Using the OraMD Oral Hygiene Program could prevent expensive oral care costs in the future

OraMD 5 Step Oral Hygiene Program

Step 1 – Brush twice a day in the morning and evening using 2-5 drops of OraMD on a toothbrush and brush normally. Do not swallow. 
Step 2 – Floss every evening before brushing – more frequently as needed. Get any food particles out from between teeth. 
Step 3 – Use OraMD as mouthwash twice a day: morning and evening. Just put 2-5 drops into an ounce of water, swish and gargle. This is important to kill the bacteria in the entire mouth including the back of tongue. 
Step 4 – Mid-morning, mid-afternoon and as needed: put 1-3 drops on the tip of the tongue to coat the gum line and teeth to kill bacteria and keep breath fresh. Care Instructions: Avoid Eye Contact, Do not swallow, Do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding. 
Step 5 – Follow the oral hygiene instructions provided by your dentist and hygienist, and have regular dental cleanings and checkups.

More information, including FAQs, can be found on the product's website.


My Review:

I was sent two bottles of regular-strength OraMD to review.

Now, I should probably start out by admitting that I goofed up. I'd gone ahead and merrily brushed using the product a few times when my husband asked, "Are you sure it's OK to use while you're nursing?" Good question, and answered right above in the product info - which I obviously didn't read thoroughly enough initially! (Apparently it's recommended against due to the potential of allergies, and further research of my own also suggested that peppermint and spearmint oils can reduce milk production, which, of course, I want to avoid as well.) That said, the bright side of my blunder is that it allowed me to share a few immediate thoughts on the product:

• Whew, this stuff is potent! It has a strong, somewhat medicinal taste and creates a tingling (borderline burning) sensation in the mouth. But I don't mind this as I feel it's an indication that the product's doing what it's supposed to - obliterating bacteria. That said, I do feel it's too harsh for a young child (even though the product info states OK for 3+ years), when used as recommended. Perhaps it could be diluted in water to lessen the potency in this case.
• On a related note, I was amazed by how fresh my breath felt after brushing! The first time I tried it, I was so blown away that I scampered out of the bathroom and inundated my hubby's face with a long exhale in order to solicit his agreement. (He complied. :) 
• I think it may also help clear sinuses! I was pretty gobbed up with some sort of respiratory bug when I first tried it, and had quite the productive "nasal expulsion" shortly thereafter.
• Even after just a few uses, my gums struck me as slightly pinker and healthier.
• The liquid format of OraMD makes it easy to tell which teeth are clean and which still need brushing. Definitely a benefit over traditional pastes which obscure this. The format is also less messy (no more toothpaste smears on the counter!) and eliminates the need to wrestle with the remains of a 98% empty tube. However, getting the desired number of drops on the small surface of a toothbrush can be a bit tricky; you need to hold the bottle straight upside down or the drops can drip off to the side.

I got my husband to try it too, and he agreed to use it longer term which'll allow me to update this review in several weeks to comment on how it's going for him. So far, he primarily agrees with my own early experiences above, and also noted the following:

• With "regular" toothpaste, drinking juice immediately afterwards tastes disgusting. Not with OraMD!
• Regarding the application issue, a dropper applicator would probably make things easier. (Good thinking, Hubs!)

Overall, I really wish I could continue using the product at this point myself. It was disheartening having to go back to my previous paste and note how less clean and fresh my mouth felt compared to OraMD. I really do feel this product does a stellar job at eliminating bacteria, which is the primary culprit of many/most oral hygiene problems.

The above said, one thing I thought it was important to investigate further was how appropriate the product is for long-term use. A few concerns were cited in prior reviews regarding its potency - that it can "melt toothbrushes" and potentially obscure absesses. This, in conjunction with the fact that the tingling sensation reduces each time you use the product, led me to wonder if the combination of strong botanicals could possibly deaden nerves in the mouth. I asked my PR contact about this and he said he doesn't believe there is any validity to the obscured absess claims, and that the reduction in tingling is due to the lessening of bacteria to act on each time. I also found a few very positive Amazon reviews from people who claim to have been using the product for several (plus) years. Third, during my dental cleaning the other day I asked my hygienist for her thoughts. She, herself, is a supporter of fluoride usage as she has seen an increased incidence of cavities in her fluoride-free patients, however she also admitted that, on the flipside, these folks tend to have very healthy gums. Regarding OraMD's specific ingredients, she didn't see them causing any harm to dental health, though she did note that the lack of an abrasive agent means you'd need something else (like baking soda) to combat staining/discoloration. (This is noted right on the OraMD FAQ.)  Finally, Google turned up quite a few DIY "recipes" for toothpaste and mouthwash containing similar ingredients which was nice to see as well.

On the DIY topic, some reviewers have argued that OraMD is pricey compared to home-made variants. However as the cost comparison chart above suggests, it's still a more affordable option than various "traditional" approaches to oral care. I do feel that the cost estimates for the other approaches are somewhat inflated, but I also think a bottle of OraMD would last longer than a month for people starting out with decent oral health. I'd use it myself primarily for brushing with occasional supplementation as a mouth wash and/or breath freshener, and I also feel that 2 drops per brushing session is plenty. Given one bottle contains approximately 400 drops, I estimate it would last me 2-3+ months. That's about $5-7/month which is certainly reasonable. Finally, as frugal as I am, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable going the DIY route with something as "intimate" as oral hygiene. That said, it's certainly interesting reading all the recipes and this has opened my eyes to the plethora of safe, natural alternatives there are for maintaining one's pearly whites.

Like I mentioned to earlier, Chris will continue using OraMD regularly. In the meantime, the product gets our enthusiastic thumbs up from a short-term usage perspective. It's natural, effective, affordable, convenient and, well, we actually kind of dig the "burn". :)

One final side comment I thought I'd note is that the product's web presentation is quite...jumbled. First of all, there are a few different OraMD websites (oramd.com, oramd.ca and trustedhealthproducts.com) with slightly different information on each, so it's not clear which is the best to reference. Second, the info and layout on each has an infomercial-esque feel - lots of strong claims and flashy "Buy Now!" buttons. If I hadn't been corresponding with a PR rep who is obviously knowledgeable and passionate about the product, nor tried and researched the product myself, I'd be quite skeptical that this could be the Real Deal. So I'd definitely recommend a consolidation and makeover in this area.


Buy It:

OraMD can be purchased online from Trusted Health Products. The company offers same-day shipping worldwide and touts a one-year, 100% money back guarantee.

Manufacturer's Note: The manufacturer is willing to offer my readers one FREE bottle. They said they would love to have our readers try out OraMD and agreed to send one bottle FREE if our readers would pay a minimal shipping and handling charge.  They also agreed to include 2 eye-opening reports called 1) "The 6 Hidden Dangers In Toothpaste" and 2) "Why The FDA Requires A Warning Label On Your Toothpaste."  That’s a total value of over $40.00.  Click here to get your FREE bottle and FREE reports now.


Win It:

Three lucky Manager to Mom readers will each win a bottle of regular strength OraMD of their own! Open to CAN/US.

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Trusted Health Products.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample items free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours. 

Squishy Snak Pak Reusable Snack Pouch: Review & Giveaway (Closed)

Spouted pouch snacks are all the rage these days, with their "no mess" factor, convenient size and oodles of available flavour combos. Parents are snapping 'em up like hotcakes, kiddos love 'em and new brands continue to jump on board with their own offerings. The downside is they can be quite pricey (especially organic variants) and their disposable nature results in significant waste. What if there was a way to enjoy the benefits of this snack format without breaking the bank nor adding to our landfills? Well I'm happy to let you know there is, thanks to a mompreneur named Michelle Zacharias and her her nifty and whimsically-named Squishy Snak Pak!

Product Info:

• Snack container you can fill it from the bottom, squish it out the top
• Our product is made from BPA-free materials and features a choke proof cap along with a heavy duty zip closure. Fill it up with any creation your little one loves.
• Wash it and reuse it over and over again
• The clear window on the back allows you to see the contents
• Holds 1/2 cup of your creations
• Ideal for use on the go
• Fun for at home snacks
• Great freezer storage for portioned baby purees

My Review:

Michelle sent me a 2-pack of Squishy Snak Paks to review. All packs currently come in the same bright & colourful, gender-neutral design.

Right away I noted how thin and light-weight the packs are. I'd guess a similar amount of material goes into the creation of a Squishy Snak Pak as a disposable variant, but these, of course, can be reused! The lids are, indeed, pretty large and would be difficult to choke on, however they don't pass the "toilet paper tube test" so technically there'd still be a small risk. As such, they should be kept away from young'uns inclined to put things in their mouths.

To get started, you first need to cut/tear off the excess material at the bottom below the zip closure. This wasn't specified anywhere directly but it was pretty obvious from the pack's construction. (See above photo - note the little holes on each one near the bottom.)

I got to work quickly making a pureed apple, carrot and cinnamon blend for my 2 1/2 year old daughter S.

Next, I rinsed and filled one of the two packs. I used a large spoon which was pretty easy & effective, though a little did get on the outside which I rinsed off afterwards. Pouring directly into the pack or using a funnel would probably work for a thinner puree.

There's a fill line on the pack, but I wasn't able to add puree all the way up to this line as it would start squishing out when I closed the zip. I think the issue with a fill line on a container like this is that the capacity is variable depending on how wide you open the mouth. So I found it easiest just to eyeball it.

The zip mechanism secures easily and results in a strong and leak-proof closure which would be difficult for little hands to rip apart. The window at the back is useful as it allows storing a few kinds at once and knowing which one you're taking out each time without having to unscrew the caps. It also helps show how much is left when a snack is in progress.

The spout is a perfect size for dishing out the pack's contents.

I tried out the first pack myself (delish!!) and then filled up the other one and gave it to my daughter. She's had pouch snacks before so knew exactly what to do with it!

Here's a video of her first Squishy Snak Pak experience. As you can see, she was pretty self-sufficient though I did remove the lid myself and helped her squish the last few mouthfuls of puree from the bottom.

The next time I handed her a pack, she got a little too excited and gave it a good squish before bringing it to her mouth. Needless to say, this was a bit messy! So it's a good idea to remind younger ones in which order operations should occur. :)

In terms of clean-up, these puppies are easy peasy. If you wash them immediately after usage, a simple rinse gets the job done. If a used pack sits for awhile, I just soak for a few minutes in soapy water to loosen the grime and then wipe and rinse. Michelle confirmed that the packs are dishwasher-safe; I haven't washed them this way yet but will do so periodically to give 'em a really deep clean.

Longevity-wise, Michelle mentioned she's used and washed her own packs over 100 times and they're still going strong. They're made of a nylon/poly blend free of BPA and other toxic materials, so she has no concerns of them leaching over time.

Finally, a peek into cost savings vs. pre-made/disposable pouch snacks. The puree I made from two apples and 4 carrots (all organic) cost just under $3.00 and made six full packs. This is about half the cost of pre-made. If I went with non-organic, I probably could have made the same amount for $1.50 or less. Of course, there's the time factor of making purees, filling the packs and clean-up. As such, when time is short a pack could be filled with store-bought foods such as yogurt or jarred applesauce and this would still result in significant savings.

As for areas of improvement, the main one I can think of is that the packs don't stand up on their own like many disposable versions do. Not an issue for our little monkey since she gulps each one down without taking a breath, but I can see this as a desirable feature for slower eaters. Second, from an aesthetic standpoint it would be nice to see a variety of styles in the future. In terms of the website, an FAQ section (or more comprehensive product info page) would be helpful clarifying details on the packs such as whether they're dishwasher safe, specific materials they're made out of, etc.

Overall, I'm a big fan of the Squishy Snak Pak; it functions very similar to pre-made snack pouches but at a lower cost and without all that waste. Plus, there are practically unlimited options for healthy & tasty "squishables" to put inside! You just need a few extra minutes here and there and a dash of creativity. As for our daughter? She's hooked! Whenever we tell her she's getting a Squishy Snak Pak for dessert, her face lights up and she giggles excitedly. Definitely 10/10 on the "fun to eat" scale!

Buy It:

Squishy Snak Paks can be ordered directly from the website or via numerous online and "brick and mortar" shops. A store locator tool is currently under development.


Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win two Squishy Snak Paks of their own! Open to CAN/US.

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Squishy Snak Pak.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample items free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.   

Beanitos the Original Bean Chip: Review & Giveaway (Closed)

In recent years, my hubby and I have made great strides learning about nutrition and choosing healthier foods for our family. Nowadays, we regularly read labels and steer clear of products with processed ingredients. Problem is, we're both big time snackers - especially in the evening. Once the kiddos are in bed, we often find ourselves making a beeline for the pantry and rooting around for something to crunch on - an act which can potentially wreak havoc on an otherwise wholesome diet! Thankfully, we've discovered a brand that has set out to achieve the best of both worlds - enable snack junkies to get their fix and (dare I say it) actually be good for you. Enter Beanitos, the Original Bean Chip!

Product Info:

From the creators (Doug & Dave Foreman):

We’re two brothers who love to snack! We think everyone deserves to crunch and dip without compromise—to enjoy a snack that tastes great and is good for you. But we just couldn’t find a snack that fit the bill… so we created Beanitos©.

Beanitos are an honestly delicious snack made from super nutritious beans that have fiber and protein grown right in them. They're real food, full of crunchy flavor, free of preservatives, and made with only natural non-GMO ingredients.

The following comparison chart shows how a single serve portion of Beanitos measures up nutritionally to several competing snack brands. As it can be seen, the fibre and protein content of Beanitos is two to four times higher in each case. Additionally, fat and calories are generally lower and Beanitos is the only low glycemic option of the bunch.

In addition, Beanitos are vegan and certified kosher, and they are free of corn, gluten, cholesterol, trans fat and msg.

Beanitos come in six varieties - Original Black Bean with sea salt, Chipotle Barbeque black bean, Simply Pinto Bean with sea salt, Better Cheddar pinto bean, Restaurant Style white bean with sea salt and Nacho Cheese white bean. Our local Sobeys carries the black and pinto bean varieties so I've tried all these  already (and they're delicious, I must say!) For this review, I got the opportunity to check out both flavours of the new white bean Beanitos. Here are the ingredient listings of each:

Restaurant Style white bean with sea salt: Whole Navy Beans, Whole Grain Rice, Pure Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil, Guar Bean Gum, Sea Salt

Nacho Cheese white bean: Whole Navy Beans, Whole Grain Rice, Pure Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil, Cheddar Cheese Blend [Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Whey, Buttermilk, Annatto], Sea Salt, Tomato Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Spices, Lactic Acid, Paprika, Citric Acid, Guar Bean Gum

View other nutritional information on Beanitos here.


My Review:

I was sent a case (24 1.25 oz single-serve bags) of white bean Beanitos - 12 Restaurant Style (white bean with sea salt) and 12 Nacho Cheese.

The single size portion is just about perfect - enough to curb the snack craving and inject a solid amount of fibre and protein, but not too much to, y'know, throw your digestive system into overdrive. (Admittedly, I was not entirely gas-free the other week after ingesting almost a whole full-sized bag of the pinto bean & flax variant!) That said, I'm not a fan of the extra packaging that goes into single serve snacks in general; I prefer to buy the full size and consider it an opportunity to work on my self control. ;)

Both the restaurant style and nacho cheese flavours are similar in shape and "crunch factor" to a traditional corn chip. Taste-wise, they're lighter - less fatty and salty.

The Restaurant Style have a very subtle salt and bean flavour. I think they're pretty tasty straight up, however my husband prefers kicking them up a notch with a good dip.

They're delish with salsa too - especially a nice 'n' chunky homestyle variant.

The Nacho Cheese Beanitos are super-tasty on their own. There's no skimping on the cheese here, folks.

I could eat these guys every day. Unfortunately I just started a dairy-free regimen in order to investigate a potential sensitivity in our little guy, so I'll need to wait awhile before I can indulge again - booooo!

Overall, Beanitos definitely fulfill the snack craving! My husband and I both feel they're every bit as satisfying as "traditional" chips; Hubs said something to the effect that with other healthier snacks he's tried, he's found himself wishing he was eating chips, but with Beanitos, he just wants to continue eating! Our 2 1/2 year old daughter enjoys them too, as well as all of our parents who've had the chance to sample them. And with six flavours available (possibly more to come?), there's enough variety to avoid "snack boredom". Beanitos will definitely be a regular item on our grocery list moving forward!


Buy It:

Beanitos offers a store locator tool, however my local Sobeys isn't on the list so evidently it's not comprehensive. You can try this out first, but I'd recommend checking your local stores directly to see if any of them carry Beanitos. If you can't find a store in your area, you could always put in a request to see if one would be up for ordering them in!


Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a box (24 bags) of Beanitos white bean chips. Open to CAN/US.

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Beanitos.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive a sample item free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.  

Libre Glass'n Poly Original Tea Glass: Review & Giveaway! (Closed)

I'm a hot beverage kind of girl. I love sipping from a steamy mug while relaxing at home (during those precious few free minutes I'm able to grab!) and I often have a warm bevvy with me while out and about, especially during the chillier months. Although I do drink both coffee and tea,  I'm currently on a 100% tea kick since I'm nursing and my little guy has proven to have a sensitive tummy. We keep a variety of loose-leaf tea at home, from rooibos to green to fruit-based blends, but up until now my options for enjoying them on the road were a couple cheap software SWAG travel mugs we had kicking around. (Which we should really pitch. Who knows what's in those things? I kinda cringe every time I pour hot water into one of 'em.) Therefore when I discovered the brand Libre and its line of "glass n poly" tea glasses designed for enjoying loose leaf tea on the go, I knew I had to get in on this goodness!


Product Info (abridged - complete info here): 

Loose leaf 'on the go' - The Libre tea glass is the perfect tea gift for your tea lovin' friends and family - they will appreciate a relaxing tea moment anywhere, anytime.

Beautiful and convenient, the Libre glass 'n poly styles feature -

• a health conscious glass interior and durable poly exterior  - keeps tea hot and cool to touch
• a removable stainless-steel filter that keeps tea leaves in the glass, out of your mouth and is removable for easy cleaning
• on the go ease - see Libre 'how to' video for 2 easy ways to enjoy tea moments 'on the go'.

The glass 'n poly Libre styles are all a BPA-free experience for your tea.

Choose the Libre glass'n poly Original (9 oz),  Large (14 oz)  or  Mug (10 0z). 


My Review:

For review purposes, I received a Libre glass'n poly Original. I chose this size as I'm a sipper and don't drink huge quantities at a time (thus earning the moniker "Half Cup", courtesy of my clever husband), plus I figured a smaller glass would cram better into a purse, diaper bag, etc.

 

My first thought - how lurvely! Certainly a marked improvement aesthetically over the aforementioned SWAG mugs. I particularly love the ornate designs on the lid. A very nice touch!

The weight of the glass is similar to a "standard" travel mug and the size is perfect for car cupholders.

 

The glass contains two pieces which attach to the top - the lid and a filter layer. Both of these screw on snugly, resulting in a truly leak-free experience.

The filter "net" holds about 2-3 teaspoons of tea, which is a perfect amount to get a good but not ultra-strong steep (using the limited steeping method - more on this in a bit).

While I wouldn't exactly call it "cool", the glass does remain holdable even when filled with boiling water right from the kettle. (I usually fill mine with my Keurig so the water isn't as hot, but I did the kettle test to confirm that it can, indeed, handle higher temperatures too.) And on a related topic, it holds its heat pretty long - about 30-40 minutes with regular drinking and much longer with the lid left on.

The filter is made of a very fine mesh. Just a tiny amount of tea "bits" manage to sneak through; certainly no more (and probably a little less) than the dome filter I use at home with my regular mugs.

The glass is super-easy to clean, especially using the limited steeping method. I usually just rinse all the parts, though give the whole thing a "proper" cleaning with detergent every few uses.  

Finally, apparently this thing is ultra-robust - though I wasn't about to conduct the following test myself!

In terms of steeping methods, I use the limited approach most often. I find many teas (especially green varieties) are perfect after 4-5 minutes of steeping and then start getting harsh/bitter. Plus, like I mentioned, the glass is easier to clean using this method which is always a plus. Here I've brewed a rooibos chai using the limited steeping method.

I've learned a couple tips for this method. First, it appears helpful to turn the glass right side up and upside down a few times during the steeping period to distribute the brewed tea. Second, after brewing and prior to drinking, I either let the glass sit for a few minutes or carefully unscrew the filter and shake it over the glass opening to drain excess liquid from the leaves. An important step in order to avoid a lap full of tea drippings. 

Here I'm using the full steep method (i.e leaves directly in glass) with some green tea. As you can see, it has gotten pretty dark/strong.

I was initially a bit skeptical about drinking right out of the filter layer using the full method but this works perfectly fine.

Of course, the Libre doesn't *have* to be used with loose-leaf; here I'm using it with bagged tea (using the full steep method, of course).

Really, it could be used to enjoy any hot (or cold!) beverage in style. But, of course, tea is super-healthy and zen-tastic!

Overall, as I'm sure it's evident I LOVE my Libre glass'n poly Original tea glass! It's gorgeous, leak-proof, non-toxic, portable and functions well. As for constructive criticism, the only problem I've experienced is that some condensation has developed inside my lid, on top of the design. However when I mentioned this to my contact at Libre, she told me this isn't supposed to happen and immediately sent out a replacement. So A+ customer service right there. That said, the issue probably could've been avoided (even with a faulty lid) by simply rinsing the lid each time and not submerging in soapy water like I did on a few occasions. Product improvement-wise, it might be nice if there was a spout option for drinking (vs. completely open-faced) as this would keep tea warm longer and probably reduce the likelihood of a spill, however I'm not sure how this would work - perhaps an entirely different lid option? In any case, a potential idea for Libre 2.0!


Buy It:

Visit the Libre retail shop to purchase a glass'n poly tea glass of your own! Save 30% with coupon code GetGrounded4EarthDay (ends April 22, 2013 at Midnight PST).


Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a Libre glass'n poly Original tea glass! Open to CAN/US.

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Libre Tea.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive a sample item free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours. 

My "Big Bang" Daily To Do List

As a parent of a toddler and infant, there are a zillion things on my ideal To Do list every day and little time to get everything done! As such, I'm working on accepting that there will always be unchecked tasks and, instead, focusing my mind and body on those that will yield the biggest bang for the buck and doing these tasks efficiently.

In addition to table stakes items such as eating well, household chores, personal hygiene, etc., I've put together the following list of personal "big bang" daily To Dos. Many of these items take up very little time and/or can be combined with other activities. All of them, I feel, provide significant benefits on a short and/or long term basis.

• Drink at least 6 glasses of water
• Wear my mouth guard overnight
• Take my supplements (multivitamin, iron, probiotic, fish oil) along with a protein shake
• Give my (infant) son a vitamin D drop
• Do my pelvic floor exercises (more on this in an upcoming post!)
• Drink a tea to increase my milk supply
• Get outside, at least for a little while (even on the coldest days!)
• Get my heart rate up for at least 10-15 minutes
• Spend one-on-one time with my daughter doing something creative
• Engage in quality conversation with my husband

And a couple "don't do" items as well!

• Eat heavy carbs after 8 PM (especially those containing gluten)
• Waste time snoozing with my alarm clock

Do you follow a personal daily To Do (or "To Don't") list? What are some of the items on your own list?

Cloth Pads from Goddess Moons: Review and Giveaway! (Closed)

Goddess Moons is a shop based in Vancouver which specializes in hand made cloth menstrual pads, panty liners and postpartum products. The owner, Melissa, firmly believes that the time for cloth pads to be accepted by the masses is long overdue, as cloth is more comfortable, cooler, healthier, affordable and economical, and safer to the environment.

I discovered Goddess Moons while searching for Canadian mama cloth retailers (as part of my quest to try different types of cloth during my latest postpartum period) and was impressed by the variety of sizes and styles offered as well as the company's drive to build awareness of cloth as an alternative to disposable feminine hygiene products. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear back directly from Melissa who generously offered to send me a variety of samples to review!

I received four pads and two inserts, all in the Wildside Goddess style (one of eight beautiful themes available). I was particularly eager to try out the samples with the inserts, as this was the first time I'd come across this mama cloth feature.

Two of the samples are from their regular range, and two are from their new Stronger range which was developed to meet the needs of women passionate about using cloth, but who feel that their flow is far beyond the capabilities of cloth alone.

First, I received a daytime pad with a heavy flow insert from their regular range.

Goddess Moon wings have pockets at both ends designed to hold inserts in place. They are approximately 9 inches long by 5 1/2 inches wide, and are formed with 2 layers of flannel and a core of organic cotton/bamboo batting.

Goddess Moon Inserts are approximately 8 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide.

• a heavy flow insert is made from 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batten, and one layer of 100% cotton.

Next, a night time pad from their regular range.

Night Time Pads are approximately 12 inches long by 3 1/2 inches wide, and contain 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batting, and 1 layer of 100% cotton.

Third, a daytime pad from their Stronger range.

 

Goddess Moon Stronger wings have pockets at both ends designed to hold inserts in place. They are approximately 12 inches long by 6 inches wide, and are formed with 2 layers of flannel and a core of organic cotton/bamboo batting. Goddess Moon Stronger inserts are approximately 11 inches long by 3 inches wide.

• a Stronger insert is made from 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batten, and one layer of 100% cotton.  It also has a backing of PUL (polyurethane laminate).

Finally, a night time pad from their Stronger range.

 

Stronger night time pads are approximately 13.5 inches long by 8 inches wide (including wings), and contain 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batten, and 1 layer of 100% cotton.  They also have a backing of PUL (polyurethane laminate).  PUL should not be ironed as it will reduce its water-resistance.

All of these samples share the following care guidelines: 

When washing and drying, avoid high temperatures and avoid the use of softeners, whiteners or any other unnecessary additives.


My Review:

First things first - I love the animal print patterns in the samples I received! Very unique and attractive. From a tactile standpoint, both the flannel and cotton surfaces of all pads are pleasant to the touch, with the cotton having a cool feel. The night pads and inserts feel spongey when pressed, due to the layers of cotton/bamboo batting in each one. Melissa mentioned that the use of batting allows for better airflow than thinner, denser pads on the market, though it also results in a little extra girth.

I checked the initial measurements of all pads and inserts, and each was within 1/2" of its product description (or matched exactly) so this was good to see! I decided to prep along with my cloth diaper laundry which admittedly went against the recommended guideline to avoid high temperatures (as my CD routine involves one hot wash cycle). As a result, the pads and inserts shrank a little (1/4" to 3/4" for each measurement) which had me concerned they would no longer fit right. Indeed, the snapped together width did become a little narrower causing the fabric of my underwear to fold over a bit in the middle, however thankfully this didn't appear to affect comfort nor performance. (More on this in a bit.) All in all, I'd say my own personal preference is to wash on hot and endure some shrinkage as I like the sanitization factor of a li'l heat, however if maintaining the pre-wash sizing is super-important to you, you'd obviously want to follow the recommended guidelines.

Back to comfort. First, these pads definitely feel much nicer than disposables - no question there! The added thickness can be noticed compared to trimmer cloth pads, however it's not really an unpleasant feeling. The pads feel "pillowy" as opposed to just thick and bulky; again, presumably due to the inner batting. The night time postpartum pad does feel quite large, however there's no getting around this. It's all about function in this case, right ladies? :) Second, once snapped these pads stay in place really well. The only slight shifting I noticed was with the day pad, which appears to secure a little looser allowing it to move up and down a bit at times with moderate activity. This may have just been my own sample, however.

Performance-wise, these pads (and inserts) are awesome! They all appear to draw liquid lengthwise so it stays aways from the outer edges, which is key. The three largest samples (particularly the Stronger night time pad) can hold a heck of a lot of flow. I wore each of these at least once overnight during my first two weeks postpartum and didn't have a single leak. The Stronger night time pad could have probably held 2-3 times the amount so would definitely be an option for those with very heavy postpartum or menstrual flow. I'd even feel comfortable next time around (if there is a next time!) wearing it the very first night postpartum. Seriously!!

A little more on the design of the two day pads. The 2-part system is pretty neat! The base pad can be used alone as a panty liner to handle very light flow, or with an insert to add more protection. For the regular day pads, Goddess Moons offers both light flow inserts (with 2 layers of batting) and heavy flow inserts (with 4 layers of batting), so protection can be customized as applicable. The day pads in the Stronger line come with heavy flow inserts exclusively. Similar to all-in-two cloth diapers, if an insert alone gets soiled you can replace it with a clean one and reuse the base pad. This approach is more cost-effective as you can stock up on inserts and purchase fewer "shells". That said, my own personal preference is to wash both the base pad and insert together when the insert gets soiled, but I'm a bit Type A about these things. :)

All in all, Goddess Moons certainly offers some nifty mama cloth options! Their pads are breathable, perform well, allow for customized protection (via the 2-part system) and come in an array of lovely patterns. I recommend the Stronger line in particular for postpartum and strong menstrual flow. This is some heavy-duty cloth!! I also applaud the company for their commitment to spreading awareness of mama cloth as a greener alternative to disposable products. As for drawbacks, the pads are prone to shrinkage when exposed to heat (though they remain entirely wearable) and they're a bit on the bulky side, but these criticisms are minor. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend Goddess Moons for those venturing into mama cloth, or looking to expand their collections!

Buy It:

You can purchase Goddess Moons cloth menstrual pads, postpartum products and other accessories directly from their website or via several third party retailers. Use the special discount code m2mgm on their website and receive 10% off your order! (Good until March 8, 2013.)


Win It: 

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a 4-pack of panty liners from Goddess Moons! Winner chooses from among available styles. Open worldwide!

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Goddess Moons.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample item free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.