Does Mommy Love It?

If you need an excuse to indulge in a great treat, look no further than Theo brand fine chocolates.  These creations are not only delicious, but organic and fair trade certified, made with renewable energy and sustainable packaging, and sold primarily in natural food stores and small co-ops.  There is also a vegan line available.

Be forewarned, these chocolates are designed for the discriminating chocolate consumer, not the casual user!  Including such flavors as coconut curry, bread and chocolate, fig, fennel and almond as well as some more traditional flavors such as mint dark chocolate and coffee.  I liked the single origin Costa Rica 91% for it’s extra antioxidant punch, but recommend trying the hazelnut crunch or bread and chocolate for a less intense experience!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above.  Theo Chocolate provided the sample, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

1 Comment | In: Food | tags: fair trade, organic, Theo Chocolate. | #

Looking for a delicious detox diet?  No, that wasn’t an oxymoron – thanks to raw food chef Ani Phyo.

As an unabashed foodie, I have to admit I was curious, if not suspicious, of the raw food phenomenon.  My first taste experiment at raw “cooking” (no heating involved) was a chocolate raspberry ganache cake.  Let’s just say curiosity turned into conversion.

From the intro of her latest book, Ani’s Raw Food Essentials, dubbed ‘the how-to uncookbook’:
“Raw food is more than just a diet.  It’s an entire philosophy and way of life… Whole, fresh, unheated, unprocessed, organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are rocket fuel for our body.  This turbo-charged, nutrient-dense food fills us up with the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes our body needs to hum like a well-oiled machine.”

Drop every preconceived notion you might have of raw food:  eggs in smoothies (gag), endless piles of celery and carrots, questionable greens.  Now trade it for:  Chocolate Flurry Shake, Mango Gazpacho, Pine Nut Shiitake Risotto with Peas, Quinoa Tabbouleh, Coconut Cake with Nutella Hazelnut Sauce…  Hello?!

I love how raw food “uncooking” cuts down on the amount of dishwashing (read: no pots and pans) and on the kitchen heat during the summer.  The nut-based “mylk” recipes quickly made their way into my diet, as it’s easily incorporated into my cereals and smoothies.   There’s a cherry tomato marinara recipe that calls for Medjool dates, making it sweeter than the jar stuff – love it!  Almost every dish can be warmed, and though it technically can no longer be considered “raw”, the adaptability is always a plus.

In my opinion, the only downside to this book is that some recipes (namely ones that mimic carbs, like crackers, breads, pizza crust) call for the use of a dehydrator — not exactly a kitchen staple, but the book does equip the reader with dehydration techniques using a regular oven.  That and the amount of recipes found in Ani’s Essentials, coupled with a straightforward how-to’s on raw basics (including utensils and pantry essentials), more than compensate for the raw food beginner.

Plenty are the benefits of eating more unprocessed whole foods.  Personally I can’t say I ever intend to go 100% raw, but I appreciate the philosophy and the approach in Essentials:  it’s not about going to extremes, but taking small steps – maybe it’s adding raw dishes to the diet every now and then.  We fuel the body with good stuff, knowing that good things will come.

Here’s to living healthier, greener, fitter, leaner, happier… Bon “raw”petit!

This review is based strictly on my opinion.  Others may have a different opinion or experience with this book listed above.  I was not compensated aside from a copy of the book for review purposes.

No Comments | In: Feeding, Food, Kitchen | tags: Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Cooking, detox, diet, essentials, Kitchen, raw food. | #

When my daughter turned one, I found myself on a frantic search for the most allergy-friendly treats I could find for her birthday party to accommodate a very diverse guest list – no eggs, no wheat, no dairy, you get the picture.  (FACT: Food allergies affect 1 in 25 Americans, and 6-8% of those affected are under 8 years old.)  Eventually I found a recipe that pleased the crowd, but I wish back then I knew about Dr. Lucy’s — here’s why:

• No  milk
• No eggs
• No wheat
• No gluten
• No peanuts
• No tree nuts

With a list like that, you might question the tastiness factor.  But my kids (who not only have a sweet tooth but a very discerning palate) enjoy eating them, and when they’re not looking, so do I.

Tasty comes in four flavors for Dr. Lucy’s Cookies:  Chocolate Chip, Sugar, Cinnamon, and Oatmeal.   These treats are also great for diets that are vegan, low fat, low cholesterol, or kosher.  Or simply as a natural, healthier alternative to the big brand cookies (read: no high fructose corn syrup, 0g cholesterol, and 0g trans fat).

Dr. Lucy is an actual M.D. and a mother of a child with severe food allergies.  Yay for a mom that truly gets it!

This review is based strictly on my opinion.  Others may have a different opinion or experience with the products listed above.  I was not compensated for this review aside from the samples provided by Dr. Lucy’s.

1 Comment | In: Food | tags: allergies, cookies, Dr. Lucy, Lucy's. | #

I first took note of Navitas superfoods while perusing the aisles of Wholefoods.  I never really understood what that term actually meant and was eager to learn.  I try to include a nice variety of healthy foods into my families diet, and Navitas packages of dried “superfood” seemed like a very easy snack for us.

Navitas is the Latin word for energy and zest, and also the name of this California based company committed to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.  They receive the majority of their food directly from their partnership with farming communities around the world all while creating economic growth for indigenous people in developing countries.  They carry an assortment of dried super foods such as acai, camu powder, goldenberries, mesquite powder, and more.  My personal favorites are their goji berries and goldenberries.

The Goji Berry is known for being one of the most nutrient-rich super foods.  It is a great source of protein, antioxidants, essential amino acids, and over 20 vitamins and minerals — including vitamin A, C, and iron! I like to eat them either raw or mix them into smoothies that my son can enjoy as well.

I absolutely love the goldenberries and am happy to know that they have a high amount of carotene and bioflavonoid (vitamin P).  These vitamins supposedly produce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.  They also have a good amount of vitamin A and C.  I love to just snack on these from the bag throughout the day but also add them to our smoothies for my sons benefit.

Navitas has helped bring specific nutrients into our family life that we wouldn’t have done otherwise.  It’s great to have items in your home that are quick and easy to add for a healthy boost to your diet.  Be sure to check out their recipe page for different ways to use their products.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Navitas provided the products, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

1 Comment | In: Food | tags: Goji berries, healthy snacks, Navitas Naturals. | #

When on the go, it can be rather difficult to pack fruits and vegetables for my son to eat.  Aside from the packing logistics, my son isn’t usually very enticed by lukewarm, bruised fruits and veggies.  Who can blame him?  Thankfully, there is a company called Ella’s Kitchen that offers wonderful easy to open pouches filled with different variations of pureed whole fruits and vegetable combinations!

The  Stage 1 pouches are different from so many other baby foods in that they are not made from concentrate and are not diluted with water.  They are made from choice organic fruits and vegetables including a great deal of superfoods.  They also have no fillers or added sugars and are made with minimal processing.

The pouches can be served cold or warm (by simply placing the pouch in hot water).  My son loves them served cold, so before going on an excursion, I often put these in the freezer for an hour so and by lunchtime, it is the consistency and temperature of a smoothie.  I also love that the screw top can be put back on if he doesn’t finish the whole pouch in one sitting!

For superbly healthy fruits and veggies on the go or at home, I highly recommend Ella’s Kitchen!  Be sure to check out their website to see their entire range of foods for little ones of all ages!

Ella’s Kitchen is offering a sample box to one of our readers! Simply visit their site and leave a comment here about your thoughts.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends June 22th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Ella’s Kitchen provided the product, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

61 Comments | In: Ages- Toddler, Feeding, Food | tags: baby food, Ella's Kitchen, toddler food. | #

Bid farewell to your plastic baggies and hail an irresistible snackTAXI right now.  What better way to enjoy our planet’s Earth Day celebrations than by replacing your ziplocs with these fun, festive and highly functional reusable bags.  And just try not to smile when you say its zippy name: snackTAXI, snackTAXI.  It’s as addictive as collecting these hip lunch box partners.

snackTAXI started as all great family-friendly products do: with a problem and a motivated mom. Owner Erin Kelly-Dill was tired of sending off plastic bags to the landfill with every lunch she packed for her three kids.  Her locally-made snack bags were the eco-friendly answer.

Each snackTAXI is lined with coated nylon and can be washed and dried (I tried it and they come out great) or simply wiped with a damp cloth.  Larger “taxis” are great for sandwiches, while smaller ones are perfect for sliced fruits or other munchies.  Be sure to check out all of the adorable prints.  You can even let you kids design their own (what??)! I took my snackTAXIs beyond the lunchroom and used them for keeping baby essentials in one handy place during a recent trip.

You can feel great knowing that every time you pop a PB&J into a snackTAXI, that’s one less plastic bag ending up in the trash (along with those veggies that your kid isn’t really eating).

The folks at snackTAXI are offering a Lunch Starter Kit to one of our readers. This includes a large sandwich bag, a snack bag and a napkin!  Simply visit the site and leave a comment here that you did.

ps- in honor of Earth Day, snackTAXI is offering 20% off online purchases this week! Check the site for details and the coupon code. Happy snacking.

For additional entries for the Lunch Starter Kit:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with thepermalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends May 31st, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. snackTAXI provided the product, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

52 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Contest, Food, Green, Kitchen, Special Offers and Discounts, Uncategorized | tags: earth day, eco friendly, reusable bags, school lunch, snacktaxi. | #

Lunch was so much easier to prepare before the word “no” entered my son’s vocabulary.  It was fun creating meals with black beans and quinoa with a few spinach leaves thrown in the mix.  I felt proud of the way my lunches looked for my son.  Now, as my son’s will has developed and I get adamant “No’s” from him whenever I place foods of his dislike, or thinks he will dislike.  Thankfully, sandwiches are in his favorable mix of prepared lunches!  I just didn’t know how to make a sandwich look extra special and set apart from the rest.  When I read about the Lunch Punch I was excited about it’s capabilities of making his sandwiches into a piece of art!

The Lunch Punch was designed by an Australian mother with the aim to make lunch fun for everyone.  Knowing that crustless sandwiches are a staple meal in children’s diets she came about the invention of these interactive shape punches!  It’s designed “to capture the most amount of bread to minimize waste” all a while cutting off the crusts. And very importantly the punches are BPA, phthalate, and lead free. They are made with FDA certified food-grade plastic and both the punches and its packaging are 100% recyclable.  Every box set you buy comes with four different shapes.  My personal favorite (and my son’s) is the “Critter Cutters” which includes four animal punches.

As I am developing the love and desire to entertain my son’s playmates, I am grateful for the Lunch Punch because it helps make lunchtime a little more creative and fun!

The Lunch Punch a set to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Lunch Punch and then leave a comment here on our site.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends May 20th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Lunch Punch provided the punches, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

49 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Feeding, Food, Kitchen | tags: The Lunch Punch. | #

I love finding tasty, healthy alternatives to the high calorie sweets.  Goji Gourmet offers delicious cookies made with super foods such as goji berries, almonds, oats, oranges, honey, and walnuts.  They are preservative-free, low sugar, and packed with antioxidants!  It has been great having them around the home when my family and I get a sweets craving.  Now we can satisfy our sweet tooth with these low calorie nutrient rich snacks!

The health benefits of goji berries continue to be discovered.  They are a nutrient-rich fruit that include vitamins A, C, and B-complex.  They are also rich in iron, beta-carotene, selenium, germanium, and also include 18 amino acids.  They help boost the immunes system, protect vision, and may help to prevent heart disease.

It’s no wonder why Allison Jagtiani founded Goji Gourmet!  With such important health benefits, I would say Goji cookies are something we should be munching daily!  These are an excellent replacement to what people normally reach for when hungry for sweets!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Goji Gourmet provided the samples, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

1 Comment | In: Food | tags: cookies, Goji Gourmet, healthy snacks. | #

Oh!  I always feel as if I’m on a perpetual quest for a multi-functional bib! As I was searching the web, I stumbled upon a new line of bibs called Silly Billyz Bibs. The idea of the pocket bib really is a brilliant one! I loved this concept because my son was just beginning to self feed and felt this might be the perfect bib for this stage. The “pocket bib” comes with a huge pocket so it catches every crumb that is dropped from my son’s mouth!  With Silly Billyz pocket bib, I appreciate so greatly that this product is PVC and lead free. You can choose between 100% cotton with snuggle neck or comfy fleece, both have a water-proof nylon backing to protect the clothes underneath.  This makes it very secure for the bib to stay on my son.

So with the combo of an absorbant material, large size and a food catching pocket, this bib is great. It’s also machine washable!  Check out other great types of bibs from Silly Billyz Bibs and you will be pleased!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above.  Silly Billyz Bibs provided a pocket bib, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

No Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Feeding, Food | tags: absorbent, Feeding, pocket, Silly Billyz Bibs. | #

Due to an abundance of health benefits associated with a low-gluten or gluten-free diet, gluten-free products are becoming more and more common.  I am so thankful for the variety of products now available.  Evirokidz cereals and snacks are some of my favorite gluten-free foods.  I used to think they were primarily only for kids, but I have since become rather addicted.  Their Organic Peanut Butter Panda Puff cereal is probably my favorite.  The ingredients are Organic Corn Meal, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Peanut Butter (Peanuts, Salt), Organic Expeller-Pressed Canola Oil and/or Organic Soybean Oil, Sea Salt, Tocopherols (Natural Vitamin E), Added to Preserve Freshness.  Most cereal boxes I look at contain loads of ingredients, while Enviorkidz keep it more simple.  When I am hungry for something sweet, I often reach for this cereal.

In addition to cereals, Envirokidz offers some very healthy and yummy animal cookies that both my son and I can share. Made with organic- evaporated cane juice, brown rice flour, corn flour, and vanilla these cookies are a sweet snack that I don’t feel guilty giving to my one-year-old son.

Envirokidz carries an assortment of products ranging from cereals to chocolate rice bars.  These are great snacks for the family and unlike too many snacks on the market; they are gluten-free and use more wholesome ingredients.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different
opinion or experience with the product listed above. Envirokidz
provided the samples and  I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

1 Comment | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Pregnancy, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Feeding, Food | tags: animal cookies, cereals, crispy rice, Envirokidz, gluten free, snacks. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS MELISSA R, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

I transitioned to a gluten free lifestyle shortly after my son was born.  I was tired of having low energy levels and unwanted weight gain.  Going gluten free granted me loads of energy as well as weight loss.  I really could not believe the difference it made in my life!  Eliminating wheat from my life presented many joys, but made it difficult to find certain “sweet” foods that fit this lifestyle.  That was why I was extremely happy to discover Purely Elizabeth baking goods!

Elizabeth, a certified holistic nutritionist, started the line in September 2009. It includes a line of gluten free baking mixes using nutritious whole grains and superfood seeds (hemp, flax and chia), free of sugar, dairy, wheat, and gluten.  Elizabeth carries ultimate cacao, blueberry maple, and apple spice muffin mixes.  She also carries a super healthy premix pancake mix.  The ingredients in these muffins include millet flour, an ancient grain high in B vitamins, coconut flour which is rich in fiber and protein and low in carbohydrates, and chia seeds, superfoods which provide an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein.

These are definitely treats that you won’t mind your child eating because of all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.  These are great snack foods to keep around the house.  You can bake the muffins and store them in your freezer for up to 6 months! I am loving Purely Elizabeth and I hope you do too!

Elizabeth has offered one of our readers a mix! To enter, please visit Purely Elizabeth and leave a comment on here with your thoughts and  your favorite mix!

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends January 16, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different
opinion or experience with the product listed above. Purely Elizabeth
provided the samples and  I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

30 Comments | In: Ages- Pregnancy, Food, Kitchen | tags: baked goods, diary free, gluten free, Purely Elizabeth, sugar free. | #

I find myself at a lost at times trying to decide what quick meals to make my son.  In addition to the frustration, I have a child who wants to join along in every activity I am doing.  Eebee’s Mix and Mash DVD solve both of these problems.

Eebees adventures are great DVD’s that help you engage and teach your child in everyday activities.   I received their Mix and Mash DVD that consist of ways to interact with your child while making simple, nutritious meals. I never even thought to have him help me place certain ingredients in a bowl or have him mash recipes in a zip lock.  It was insightful.  Though the DVD isn’t something for my son to watch, it is a helpful resource for moms once your child hits 6 months old.  They also just created Mix and Mash recipe board book that goes along with the DVD.  It guides you through the child/parent cooking process without destroying the books with remnants of food.

I can appreciate this Eebee’s Mix and Mash recipe book for because it engages activity with you and your child.  I was also very impressed with their simple, quick, and healthy meals to cook.  It allows me to have more fun in the kitchen!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different
opinion or experience with the product listed above. Eebees
provided the samples and  I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

2 Comments | In: Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Books, Educational, Feeding, Food, Kitchen, Learning | tags: Books, Dvd, Educational, eebees adventures, eebees mix and mash. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATS, SHAWNA O., YOU ARE THE WINNER!

In the recent year, tea has become my hot beverage of choice.  Once I was educated on all the health benefits many teas provide, I couldn’t help but fall in love.  I traded in my soda and coffee addictions for pure luxury tea.  Luxe Tea’s selections are blended with the highest-grade teas, herbs, and other ingredients from around the globe.

Luxe Tea offers loose or bagged tea in a variety of flavors.  My personal favorite is the ‘fruit tea strawberry seduction’.  The packaging alone is enticing.  Their solitaire single serve bags are made from a silky nylon mesh.  No paper or staples in this packaging!  The taste is yummy and so refreshing after a long, busy day.  The ingredients include sweet strawberries, red apples, and hibiscus.  It is loaded with vitamin C, iron and potassium!  It’s not only flavorsome but also good for the body!

For the ‘Twighlight’ enthusiasts, Luxe Tea has designed a few teas inspired by the series such as: “Cullen’s English Breakfast, New Moon Red (Rooibos tea blended with elderberries, blueberries, lavender & rose petals, naturally caffeine-free) and bite me Strawberry Seduction (fruit teas, strawberries, red apples and hibiscus, naturally caffeine-free)”.

The blends of tea Luxe designs are very delicious!  Some of their tea bags contain certified organic ingredients as well.  Not only do they strive in taste but are eco-friendly as well!  For those desiring to try this fabulous tea Luxe Tea has offered all of our readers a “twilight” sample!  Simply email Luxe Tea at info@luxetea.com with your request!

Luxe Tea has offered one of our readers a three of our readers a sample set!  To enter, please visit their site and leave a comment on here with your thoughts!

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends January 2nd, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different
opinion or experience with the product listed above. Luxe Tea
provided the samples and  I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

58 Comments | In: Accessories, Contest, Food, Kitchen | tags: beverage, Kitchen, luxe tea, tea, twilight tea. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  CONGRATS, kAYLE, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

My great aunt always said, “If you look good, you’ll play good.”  Well I think this principle can be applied to food preparation as well. I have to admit that I am not the best cook, but having great quality utensils motivates me to spend more time in the kitchen.  Cuisipro makes some rather stylish cooking utensils.  I know scooping ice cream isn’t cooking, but their ice cream scooper is fabulous!  It shapes ice cream into a 5 star restaurant presentation with its perfectly unique cylindrical shape!   I was most impressed by the fact that it melted through the hardest of ice creams.

I was also given the Scoop and Sift flour sifter.  I love how easily it scoops flour out of bag with its one hand-trigger mechanism.  In addition to the Scoop and Sift, I also received their herb keeper.  I have been buying lots of herbs to add to new recipes, but was so discouraged by how quickly they wilted.  The Herb Keeper is great because it stores the herbs perfectly with minimum water to extend the store life.  The tray rests on interior to support for easy access.  You just have to remember to change the water everyday.  They make this easy because the tray lifts up and you can easily pour the water out and refill.   I am loving me some Cuisipro and I hope you do too!  Be sure to check out Cuisipro for more of their practical and modern kitchen tools!

Cuisipro has offered to one of our readers a herb keeper, flour sifter, and ice cream scooper!  To enter, simply visit Cuisipro’s site and then leave a comment here on our site with your favorite product!  For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends December 28th, 2009 Midnight EST.  Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

107 Comments | In: Feeding, Food, Kitchen, Uncategorized | tags: Cuisipro, flour sifter, herb keeper, ice cream scooper, Kitchen. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  CONGRATS, JANET FAYE, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

Cutting unnecessary spending and healthy eating are two things my husband enjoys daily by bringing his lunch to work.  In order to eliminate disposable waste associated with packing a lunch, I sought out eco friendly ways to store his lunches.  The Reusable Fresh Snack Pack’s are PERFECT for achieving this!

I use these snack packs almost every day!  They come in two sizes, one for large items such as sandwiches and the other for smaller portions such as crackers and cookies.   These are made from ethylene-vinyl acetate that is washable and reusable.  They are BPA, phthalate, and lead free making them non-toxic. You will be amazed by how many people comment on these waste savers! All you have to do to clean them is hand wash them in warm water and either hang dry or towel dry.

It is alarming to see pictures outside of children’s lunchrooms.  The amount of trash generated from their lunches such as non-recycled sandwich and lunch bags is atrocious.  I believe if more parents knew how simple it is to use these cost efficient bags they would.  I even throw my son’s pb&J for quick trips to the park.  It keeps me from purchasing snacks and lunches while out.  I definitely challenge moms to step it up when it comes to reducing waste!  I am thankful for companies like Fresh Snack Pack’s that aim to reduce waste and unnecessary spending!

Fresh Snack Pack has offered one large and small snack pack to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Fresh Snack Pack and then leave a comment here on our site with your opinion!  For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends December 18th, 2009 Midnight EST.  Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

36 Comments | In: Accessories, Feeding, Food, Green, Kitchen | tags: Fresh Snack Pack, lunches, sandwich bags. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS TO LILIA, MEGAN, REGINA, JILL AND DANATTA, YOU ARE THE WINNERS!

Have you ever found yourself trying to creatively get you and your family to eat enough vegetables?  How about a crisp chopped salad?  Silvermark makes these amazing toss &chop scissors that chop up your salad ingredients as small or large as you would like.  I no longer spend loads of time prepping all of my veggies prior to eating them.  I simply throw all the fruits and vegetables I want into a large bowl and chop it easily with these scissors.  I even find myself eating vegetables I would normally shy away from like kale, beets, broccoli, and roots, because I chop them along with tasty fruits so tiny that it helps blend the flavors!  These are incredibly safe, easy to use, and chop your salad up in seconds.  I used to spend up to twenty dollars at work for a chopped salad, and now I can do it on my own with ease for a fraction of the price!

Silvermark designs other wonderful kitchen products such as mortar and pestle sets, salad dryer bags, micro-fiber kitchen towels, grating spoons, and more!  I am a bit choosey about my kitchen utensils, and each of these are top of line in terms of both quality and functionality. The Toss & Chop is the easiest, quickest, and tastiest way to implement your veggies into your family’s diet!

Silvermark has offered a pair of Toss & Chop scissors to 6 of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Silvermark and then leave a comment how these could come in use for you!  For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends Nov 30th, 2009 Midnight EST.  Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

53 Comments | In: Feeding, Food, Kitchen | tags: cut, salad, Silvermark, slice, toss and Chop, vegetables. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS CAROLINE, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

Starved for something delish AND nutrish? Peeled Snacks is as close to natural fruit as you can get in a bag, that is. No added sugar, oils, trans fats, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors.

Great for on-the-go and travelling, when you want to feed the family some fruit but can’t due to lack of space in your diaper bag (or fear of bruising yet another banana).

I tried a fruit variety pack and loved the simple taste of all the fruit. With dried fruit already naturally sweet, who needs high fructose corn syrup anyway?

[Note that this product is not ideal for little eaters. As with any dried fruit or nuts, this can pose a choking hazard, so please exercise caution if you are going to feed this to your kids.]

Simple organic goodness comes at a price. In this case, a Organic Fruit Variety Box of 10 single serving snacks will run $24.99. Slightly more cost effective is the single selection Box of 10 for $19.99. Still, it’s slightly out-of-range for our grocery budget, but if you can foot the bill, I say go for the splurge.

Peeled Snacks has offered a Fruit Picks Gift Box to one of our readers! To enter, simply visitPeeled Snacks and leave a comment here on our site. For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends OCT 25th, 2009 Midnight EST.

Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

37 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Elementary, Ages- Pregnancy, Ages- Preschooler, Feeding, Food | tags: dried fruit, peeled snacks, real fruit, snacks. | #

The MC2 is a wonderful food storage system that combines a stainless steel container with an expandable silicone lid.  The best part about the lid is that it expands into a bowl and is microwavable!  This works very well for storage of soups and stews and makes it easy to warm it up in the silicon lid!  You can store your food in the sturdy spill-resistant stainless steel and then transfer to lid bowl to microwave!  I have been searching for a container that would be easy for my husband to heat up soups while at work and now I’ve found it!  Definitely a brilliant idea.  Innate-Gear also makes other products such as water bottles, sippy cups, and silicon bowls.  All their products are BPA and Phthalate free!  

1 Comment | In: Accessories, Feeding, Food, Kitchen | tags: container, eco friendly, Green, innate-gear, Lunchbox, Organization, storage. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS JACKIE, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

How refined is your baby’s palette?  If its not quite there yet, it will be after experiencing popular chef, Tyler Florence’s sprout baby food!  As a health conscious mother and bit of a health food fanatic, I was very receptive to sprout baby!  It is incredibly tasty, healthy, and best of all organic.  It was created out of a desire for flavorsome baby food made with wholesome ingredients.

Sprout baby food comes in two stages, 1 and 2 ranging from 6 and 7 months and older. The food varies from roasted apples and blueberries to Yukon potatoes and Parmesan.  Not only are these hearty but also incredibly scrumptious.  The oatmeal with roasted apples smelled so delicious, that I had to try it myself.  All their baby food is free of preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.  In addition, they provide choices of pouches that are sensitive to certain food allergens such as diary or wheat.  I happen to be gluten free so I was able to snack on a few pouches myself.

You can purchase an assortment of food pouches from Sprout Baby.  The website carries a mixture of healthy, eco-conscious baby products.  As a very fastidious mother, I can say that the items this site carries are fabulous and well selected.

Sprout Baby has offered one of our readers a month membership to sprout baby, which includes a month supply (60 pouches) of baby food! To enter, simply visit Sprout Baby and leave a comment on this post.  For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK GROUP!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends Septemeber 12th, 2009 Midnight EST.

Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

9 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Food | tags: baby food, Green, organic, Sprout baby, sprout baby club, tom florence. | #

According to To-Go Ware, every year 300 billion pounds of plastic is produced around the world, and only a fraction is recycled.  Americans alone throw away enough plastic forks knives and spoons each year to circle the equator three times!  I try to keep these realities in mind as I purchase and store food for my child.  As he transitions into the toddler stage, the need for portable lunches is growing as we spend many hours on the go.  Instead of using zip locks and bulky plastic containers to store lunch food, I use To-go Ware bamboo utensils and stainless steel containers.

To-Go Ware makes such wonderful products that are all BPA and Phthalate-free and unlike many plastics, are non-leaching.  Aside from their bamboo utensils, I have been using their large and small sidekick containers everyday!  The containers store food so well that I am able to use them for meat, fruit, cottage cheese, etc.  Other mothers nearby always comment on how cool and clever these are.  When I get home I just throw them into the dishwasher.  I will continue to invest in more of their products until plastic containers are obsolete in my home.  It won’t take long because To-Go Ware is very affordable.  In addition to the sidekicks and bamboo utensils they carry stainless steel tiffin sets that are stackable containers with a lid that doubles as a plate. I am so in love with To-Go Ware and encourage other fellow moms to invest in these for lunch containers!

To-Go Ware has offered our readers 10% off their order until August 31.  Coupon Code:  Dmli10

1 Comment | In: Accessories, Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Pregnancy, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Food, Green | tags: bamboo, containers, recycle, repeat, reuse, to go ware, utensils. | #