Does Mommy Love It?

As often as I am cleaning up spills and messes of all sorts, I need tools that will assist me in this daunting task.  I was thrilled to run across Skoy Cloths, which help my home stay clean and green as well!

Skoy Cloths are extremely light, absorbent, biodegradable, natural, and can be used in a variety of ways.  I use my cloths while cleaning nearly every surface in my home.  Instead of wasting paper towels and sponges, I’ve replaced them with these!  Because they are made from natural cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp, they are chlorine-free and 100% biodegradable.  In fact, after an independent composting test, the Skoy cloth broke down completely after just five weeks! As one who avoids buying paper towels, I felt at ease knowing when I do eventually dispose of these cloths, they are gentle on the Earth!

Skoy cloths are another way to go green in your home.  Using the re-usable skoy cloth is equivalent to using 15 rolls of paper towels!  My favorite feature from these cloths is that you can throw them in the wash and dryer!  So, after a few uses, I simply throw them in the hamper with my other towels.  These European made products are most assuredly worth the investment!  Spread the word, and go green with Skoy!

Skoy Cloths is offering two 4-packs to one of our US readers! Simply visit their  site and leave a comment here on 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 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 September 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. Skoy provided the cloths, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

21 Comments | In: Cleaning, Green, Kitchen | tags: biodegradable, Cleaning, cloths, skoy, towels. | #

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. | #

As the week leading up to the birth of my second son quickly approaches, I find myself scrambling in preparation.  One of the things that I use often is bottles and pacifiers with my newborn.  With my last child, I laid out a towel to separate my son’s accessories with our everyday dishes.  I kept thinking how convenient it would be to have something more aesthetically pleasing as well as more orderly for this process.  When I found Boon’s Grass I new it was the product for our next son and me!

Boon, the maker of many affordable, yet hip baby accessories has now designed a drying rack that can be used in a wide variety of ways.  There are only two pieces involved, which makes for easy cleaning.  The water drains into the lower tray while your accessories sit on flexible “grass blades”.  When the day is over you can easily throw both pieces into the dishwasher!

Clean your babies’ products in style!  I now have to get some lime green towels for the kitchen to coordinate with this cool dish rack.  Be sure to check out all the fabulous accessories Boon provides!

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

1 Comment | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Bottle Feeding, Cleaning, Kitchen, Uncategorized | tags: boon, Dish rack, Grass. | #

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. | #

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

I have grown tired of buying brand name dishes only to discover that the quality is rather poor.  Now that I have a toddler, broken glasses and plates are something I do not enjoy replacing or cleaning up.  Thankfully Duralex has created BPA-free tempered glass dishes that are shock resistant for kids.

Not only are these dishes incredibly strong and dishwasher safe, they are also 100% recyclable!  According to Duralex, tempered glass is 4 to 5 times stronger than standard glass.  The shock resistance stems from the manufacturing process of extreme heating and rapid cooling. Not only are they tough but also non-porous (no scratch, stain, or retaining of odors)!  One of my favorite aspects of these dishes is the fact I can throw them into the microwave.  No more transferring from a microwavable dish to the glass!

Duralex is offering a bowl/plate/cup to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Zoe B 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 COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends April 28th, 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. Duralex  provided the dishes, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

55 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Kitchen, Uncategorized | tags: bowls, BPA free, cups, dishes, Duralex, plates, Zoe B online. | #

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

One of the most impressive lunchboxes I have ever seen pack a one-two punch with attention to detail and wonderful functionality!  Yubo takes the wonderful aesthetic of old school lunch boxes with some wonderful updates for the 21^st century! I knew my son would love it!

The Yubo lunchbox is customizable, interactive, ecological and more.  Most importantly it is BPA-free and contains a food-safe, anti-microbial agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria.  Most lunch bags I have come across tend to smell over time and can be difficult to clean.  The fact that I can throw the Yubo in the dishwasher helps me avoid scrubbing this lunchbox to avoid lingering food odors.

You have the option of buying two different types of lunchboxes.  There is the standard box, which includes customizable faceplates or the deluxe edition, which also includes three containers, and an icepack. A variety of additional faceplates are also available or you can even upload a picture of your child to be used as a faceplate option!  I love the idea of this!  You can complete your lunchbox by purchasing their drink holder.

It feels so great to have your child’s lunch organized and ready for the day.  I feel prepared as a mom when I’ve done this.  Taking the Yubo makes trips to the park a breeze.  I don’t have to worry about wasting paper, or plastic bags because the Yubo has all the accessories I need.  Help preserve the planet and Get YUBO!

Yubo is offering a lunchbox to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Yubo and then leave a comment here on our site.  Mandatory for entry:  Join Yubo Facebook Page.

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 April 12th, 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. Yubo provided the lunchbox, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

54 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Kitchen | tags: lunch containers, Lunchbox, Yubo. | #

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 MARIKO, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

I am so excited to share the good news about Shaklee products!  They have been around for over fifty years, so many of you may already be familiar.  This was the first time I had ever heard of the company.  Apparently, it’s the number one natural nutrition company in the U.S.  They were also one of the first biodegradable household cleaners ever! As one partial to eco-conscience companies, I fell in love with Shaklee.

The Get Clean Laundry line is fabulous!  I have the fragrance free highly concentrated liquid laundry soap and am totally impressed.  As a cloth diaper user, sudsy buildup is detrimental to the longevity of the nappies. Get clean has a suds-controlling formula, thereby making it gentle on your washer.   Fresh Laundry is also fragrance-free and acts a two-in-one cleaner. I can use it as a pre-spotter and a laundry cleaner. I so appreciate the fact that a little goes a long way.  Their small bottle cleans 32 loads! The fact that it is fragrance free, biodegradable surfactants, hypoallergenic, free of phosphates and chlorine, makes this a laundry cleaner of choice!

The Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate has been my personal favorite!  One 16oz bottle has over 700 uses!  They give you exact measurement for different ways of using it.  You can also purchase their empty spray bottles to make the type of cleaner you desire.  I have used this Basic H2 as a glass cleaner.  It only took 2 drops of the Basic H2 with 16oz of water to create a full bottle of glass cleaner!   I could not believe that one bottle of H2 equals the cleaning uses of 5,824 bottles of 26oz Windex!  The Basic H2 worked well as a degreaser for my stove and left is very clean! I simply mixed 1 ½ tsp of the concentrate with 6oz of water in a spray bottle.  It was refreshing to find an organic cleaner that worked that powerfully without the irritating toxic fumes! This is definitely a must-have in every home!  I wholly support this product and thankful that this one bottle is only $12.15 and cheaper for members!  Other ways you can use the Basic H2 is on walls, mirrors, countertops, floors, appliances, sealed woodwork, pots and pans, and furniture.  Most of all, it is nontoxic, natural, doubly concentrated, and with biodegradable surfactants!

I had the opportunity to also try Shaklee’s Germ Off wipes, Dish wash, and their disinfectant Basic-G cleaner.  These products have also lived up to their claims and I found them to be very effective.  It isn’t often that I try an assortment of products from a line and love them all.   Shaklee has so impressed me I am considering becoming a member and sharing the line with others!

Independent Distributer has offered one of our readers the Basic H2, Germ Off, and Laundry soap!  To enter, please visit Shaklee and leave a comment on here with your thoughts on the products!

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 10, 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. Shaklee Rep.
provided the samples and  I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

81 Comments | In: Green, Kitchen | tags: Basic G, Basic H2, Cleaning, Dish wash, Germ off, Get Clean, laundry detergent, Shaklee. | #

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. | #

In older posts, I have written about my quest to be a better cook.  Well, the adventure continues with Chef’n products!  Chef’n is a Seattle based company who designs very simple and modern kitchen tools that are easy to use.  I can attest to this first hand.  I received their veggie chop, salad spinner, and Emulstir for review.  They are absolutely brilliant!

The salad spinner comes in either large or small.  As a New Yorker, the small fits perfectly in our undersized kitchen.  It has a non-skid base with an acrylic bowl.  I just simply wash my spinach leaves and put them in the salad bowl then add two or three pumps with the handle and voila-fresh and crisp spinach for use!  It is incredibly easy to clean and stores neatly in the cabinets.

The Emulstir is a great add on to the salad spinner because it stores your homemade salad dressing. All I had to do was remove the top, fill it with a favorite dressing recipe, replace with lid and squeeze the handle to blend!  The stir stick really did a great job blending the ingredients together.  I didn’t have to worry about wasting left over salad dressing.  When we were finished using it I just stuck it in the fridge for next use!

The Veggie Chop is by far the most powerful handheld chopper!  It currently is the most used gadget in my home.  It works better than the electrical veggie chops I currently own.  You do not need any electricity to get these three stainless steel blades to chop herbs, nuts, bell pepper, carrots, broccoli, and Kale.  It chops them evenly with just the pull of a drawstring! It takes only a second and the clean up is easy.  My toddler is at the age where vegetables are not necessarily his forte.  So, I have to get creative.  I use this chopper to make the smallest flakes of kale and spinach and then mix it in his scrambled eggs or yogurt.  The pieces are too small for him to spit out!  It’s great!

Chef’n carries an assortment of kitchen gadgets that are useful and eye-catching. They can all be placed in the dishwasher and small enough to be stored.  I believe each product is priced right making it affordable for this stay-at-home mom budget!  Be sure to check out their full selection of cook’s tools and more!

Chef’n has offered one of our readers a Veggie Chop ($29.99) and Salad Spinner ($17.99)! To enter, simply visit Chefn and then leave a comment here on our site with your favorite product!  Chef’n is offering extra giveaway entries in return for becoming a fan of Chef’n on Facebook or following them on Twitter!  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 19th, 2009 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. Chef’n
provided the salad spinner, emulstir, and veggie chopper and I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

11 Comments | In: Kitchen | tags: Chef'n, Emulstir, Kitchen gadgets, kitchen tools, salad spinner, veggie chopper. | #

Have you found yourself craving the crisp taste of bottled water without the bottle? I tried to achieve this by purchasing a purifier that attached to my sink.  Unfortunately, I was discouraged because it slowed the flow a great deal, and I didn’t really even taste the difference.  Zero Water surpassed all my expectations! 

            “Zero Water® is the only filtered water from a pitcher that meets the FDA definition for purified bottled water.”  This is a great filtered water pitcher because it’s easy to use, stores easily in the fridge, and ready when you need it. Zero Water is gravity operated and doesn’t waste electricity or water.  The name was derived from a water test.  When you test a sample of zero water it detects 000 that means the detectable dissolved solids have been removed. Normal meter readings in tap water range from 75 and 300.  Most conventional filtered water measures between 30-550.  Zero water has them beat with 000!  You can tell right away because the water is unbelievably crisp!  This is quite an impressive system!  Even if the number has no interest to you, the taste will.  Next time you have the urge to purchase bottled water, opt for this pitcher instead!  

No Comments | In: Kitchen | tags: Zero water. | #

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. | #

There is something wonderfully satisfying about making your own seltzer water and soft drinks.  I recently received the Pure Starter Kit by Soda Stream. This has provided my husband and I to have such a great time experimenting with different flavored carbonated beverages.  How great is it that we have the ability to customize our own drink.  He can control the flavor, amount of flavoring, and the amount of carbonation.  It is also very easy to operate.  My husband had the machine out of the box, assembled, and had brewed a liter of delicious lemon lime soda all in less than ten minutes!   In addition to crisp soda water and the over 20 different flavors of sodas and diet sodas available including root beer, cola, and ginger ale, Soda stream also has three sugar-free citrus flavors for a light splash of flavor to sparkling water.  Soda Stream has on average 2/3 less sugar than store bought soft drinks and their diet beverages are sweetened with Splenda rather than aspartame.   Soda Stream is eco friendly because it uses washable bottles and doesn’t require electricity or batteries.    If you would like to customize your carbonated beverages with less sugar and less waste invest in the Soda Stream!

4 Comments | In: Kitchen | tags: drinks, pure starter kit, soda, sodastream. | #

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

Here is a wonderfully green product that is not only earth-friendly but also eye-catching.  The KOR water is something I carry everywhere and people always stop and ask what it is, and where I got it.  The look of this bottle alone encourages others to reduce the use of store bought bottles and purchase one of these!

“KOR is an elemental expression of the word “core,” which refers to the central, innermost, or most essential part. Every person has core values, a core personality, and core aspirations”

One of my favorite features is the design of the hinged cap and handle that allows for quick and easy access for drinking!  My only concern is that you have to be careful not to drop it because the plastic top, while sturdy, is not indestructible.

In general, this BPA free reusable container is not only healthier for the planet but is also fabulously designed with striking colors and promotes healthier living!  For those sick of twist off caps and unsightly designs, invest in Kor One water vessel!

Kor One has offered one water bottle to one of our readers  (a $30 value)!  To enter, simply visit Kor One and then leave a comment here on our site with your favorite feature!  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 10th, 2009 Midnight EST.  Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

51 Comments | In: Accessories, Kitchen | tags: BPA free, eco friendly, Kor, water bottle, water vessel. | #

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 TO LYDIA, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

What a blessing to have a cleaning line in my home that works beautifully without posing harm to my family’s health, and is safe for the environment. Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbes created a line called Better Life using only cleaning agents that come directly from plants and vegetation, allowing them to biodegrade rapidly!

The products they carry are 2am Miracle, Simply Floored, What-ever (which happens to be my favorite), Wow glass cleaner, and Even the Kitchen Sink!  I have been using these cleaners for a couple months now and love them!  Their floor cleaner is the only one I have used that dries on my floors as quickly as it cleans them.  I don’t mind cleaning my floors as often because the smell is all-natural!  I usually shy away from sink cleaners because of their overpowering scent; however, Better Life makes it scent free and glove free! “No caustic ingredients in this formula which means no burns….no more eye, skin, throat, respiratory tract irritation. Even their Kitchen Sink is solvent-free (no ammonia, alcohol, ethers) and pH neutral.”  Thank you Better Life for making the cleaning experience more enjoyable.  I could not ask for a better cleaning line!  These alcohol free products definitely get my seal of approval!

Better Life has offered a starter kit to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Better Life and sign up for their newsletter and leave a comment here on our site saying you did so!  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 Nov 20th, 2009 Midnight EST.

Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

41 Comments | In: Bathroom & Potty, Cleaning, Green, Kitchen | tags: Better Life, clean happens, cleaners, Green. | #

Many booster seats I’ve researched are rather boring or appear to be rather unsafe.  The Mutsy Grow-Up Seat has laid my worries to rest, creating a very safe booster seat that also boasts of a beautifully modern design.  This is as safe as they come and attaches easily to most any chair.  They also offer both shoulder and waist strap.  This allows me to carry along in the kitchen without worrying if my child is going to fall off.  I am absolutely in love with the foam and wonderfully comfortable material.  I also appreciate that there aren’t any cracks and crevices for crumbs to easily hide away.  This material is easy to clean off with a damp cloth.  Best of all it only weighs only about three pounds and can be used till about four years of age!  This is definitely the best booster seat I’ve ever seen and used! You can purchase this seat for $59.99.

Musty has offered Doesmommyloveit readers a 10% discount from their site using code DMLI10!

2 Comments | In: Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Feeding, Furniture, Kitchen | tags: booster seat, chair, grow-up!, mutsy. | #