Truly Organic Baking Review and Giveaway

Since Wiggle Bean was little, I have tried to serve her organic foods whenever possible.  Any one that knows me knows that I am not the best cook and not really that into baking so I am always on the look out for easy ways to make yummy treats for the family.

When I was given the opportunity to try Truly Organic Baking's banana bread and scones, I accepted immediately.  My husband loves baked goods, especially banana bread and I love all things sweet like scones.  I also really appreciate that they are made with organic ingredients.  To keep them organic, you just add a few of your own organic items.

I have never made banana bread before, I tried a zucchini bread once (I thought it was decent but my husband hates zucchini).  Other than that, the extent of my baking skill is the occasional boxed cake mix or refrigerated cookie dough cookies.  I have not made either since i got my new convection oven so I was excited to give it a try.

To make the Truly Organic Baking banana bread, simply add organic eggs, bananas and butter, bake and TA-DA super yummy banana bread!

About Truly Organic Baking
In 2006 founder Kari Ani Shiozawa, a stay at home mother, decided that she wanted to make more of an impact on people and the planet and thus created Truly Organic Baking.  She had lived a healthy organic and holistic lifestyle for many years.  She decided to use the recipes that she has been making in her own home for many years into convenient, affordable and organic alternatives for all to enjoy.

Truly Organic Baking uses sustainable farming & an organic lifestyle to create the full circle between the earth and its people.

What's Next for Truly Organic Baking 
Truly Organic Baking is bringing a new line of Gluten Free Bakers Basics to the market early 2011.

Why gluten free? Did you know that:

• Humans don’t fully digest wheat. The undigested portions of wheat begin to ferment, producing gas in the body.
• Wheat is a pro-inflammatory agent. A pro-inflammatory agent is rapidly converted to sugar, causing a rise in the body’s insulin levels, causing a burst of inflammation at the cellular level, among other problems. And of course, there is the crash after the peak.
• Wheat is one of the top-eight allergens. Millions of people are allergic to wheat — so many, in fact, that it has made it onto the top-eight allergen list.

For more facts about  gluten, see the Truly Organic Baking Blog.

WIN IT!

One Over Thirty Mommy reader will win their choice of three Truly Organic Baking products: Muffin Mix, Scone Mix, Pizza Dough Mix, Banana Bread Mix and Pancake mix

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Truly Organic Baking and tell me a store near you that carries the Truly Organic Baking products, also tell me which baking kit you want to try first. (both parts must be completed)

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Truly Organic Baking on Twitter (1 entry)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy and tweet about this review/giveaway. (leave link to tweet) (1 entry daily).
• Like Truly Organic Baking on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Truly Organic Baking (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile and be age 18 years or older. 
Winner will be chosen via a Random Drawing.  Winners that I am unable to contact or one who does not claim their prize within 72 hours of being sent their winning email notification will forfeit their prize.

Giveaway ends midnight PST on October 16th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received a sample of Truly Organic Baking Banana Bread mix and Scone mix for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

Electrolux Rumpled to Runway

Any one that knows me knows that I avoid doing laundry but I have done quite a bit more of it now that I am a stay at home mom.  I still do not enjoy doing it but I can tolerate it.  I bet I would love it more if I had the beautiful turquoise sky Electrolux perfect steam washer and dryer.

Electrolux Rumpled to Runway
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and all month long, Electrolux is donating $200 to OCRF for every new Turquoise Sky Perfect Steam™ washer/dryer pair purchased.

In addition, every day you press the Perfect Steam™ button online to take your garments from rumpled to runway-ready, Electrolux will donate $1 to OCRF2, plus you'll be entered for a chance to win a shopping spree between $50 and $250 and the grand prize: a luxury washer and dryer from Electrolux3.


** Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this blogpost.  To thank me for my time, I have been entered for a chance to win the gift as part of the Electrolux program and in partnership with BSMMedia.**

MyEZDeal of the Day

$25 for $50 at the Beaverton Bakery, Oldest All Scratch Bakery in Oregon

Two Locations to Choose From! May Buy Multiples!

This ezdeal includes:

• One voucher per visit
• May buy multiples
• No change given
• Must be used all at once
• Voucher expires 3/19/2011
• Voucher available for use Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Notables:

Enjoy Beaverton Bakery's Classic Line of Baked Goods Since 1925!

• Grandma's Coffeecake
  
• Old Fashioned Cinnamon Bread
  
• Butter Crispies
  
• Traditional Loaf Cake
  
• Old Fashioned Snap Cookies
  
• Oregon Hazelnut Cookies
  
• Chocolate Macaroons

Beaverton Bakery is the official baker of the Portland Trailblazers. 

Benefiting Beaverton Education Foundation and Lake Oswego School District.

Available Locations

• 12375 SW Broadway
  Beaverton, OR 97005
  503.646.7136
  
• 16857 SW 65th
  Lake Oswego, OR 97035
  503.639.8900

 

Ragú® Feed Our Kids Well

 If you're having trouble finding time to prepare nutritious meals for your family while adjusting to new back to school schedules, relax, you're not alone.  According to a recent "Feed our Kids Well" survey conducted by Ragú®, half of moms say that during the back-to-school season they have less time to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals for their kids.  Fear not, Mom; Help is on the way!

 

To help make sure your kids get the veggies they need (and the meals they love) Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce now has 2 servings of veggies in every half cup!   Available soon in major retailers nationwide, the healthy, great tasting Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional pasta sauce that is already a kitchen staple has a new, naturally thicker recipe.

 

Healthy, delicious and now with a naturally thicker taste the whole family will love, Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce is a perfect component to pulling together quick and tasty meals during this busy time. And Ragú® wants you to be among the first to try out their great new recipe! To be one of the first to taste Ragú® with 2 servings of veggies in every half-cup visit them on facebook.com/ragusauce for more details.


**Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Ragú® prize package in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place.**

Hellmann's® virtual Sandwich Swap 'n' Share

Back-to-school time is here, and for most Moms that means back to car-pooling, homework monitoring and of course, packing lunches. It can be hard to come up with lunches made with real, simple ingredients that kids will eat and actually enjoy. Luckily, Hellmann's® and Best Foods® Mayonnaise are putting the fun back into lunch this September with their virtual Sandwich Swap 'n' Share program.  

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay and actress/mom Lori Loughlin are teaming up with Hellmann's® to help re-launch Hellmann's® virtual Sandwich Swap 'n' Share on the Facebook® application (Facebook.com/Hellmanns).  This virtual version of the beloved school lunch ritual of swapping sandwiches will benefit Share Our Strength®, the leading non-profit organization ending childhood hunger in America.

 

When people visit Hellmann's® Page on Facebook®, they'll have the opportunity to create a sandwich on the application and, for every sandwich built, Hellmann's® will make a donation to Share Our Strength®.  What's more, when they share a sandwich with a friend, an additional donation will be made as part of Hellmann's® $75,000 commitment to support Share Our Strength®.

 

 

**Disclosure: By posting about the Hellmann’s® virtual Sandwich Swap ‘n’ Share I have been entered to win a gift as part of the Hellmann’s® program through MomSelect.**

 

Yoplait Splitz Review and Giveaway

Thanks to My Blog Spark and Yoplait, I was given the opportunity to try out the new Yoplait Splitz yogurt.

We are huge yogurt lovers in this house and Yoplait Splitz do not disappoint.  They are so good and are more like a dessert than a breakfast food.  They are perfect right out of the fridge and taste like pudding.  Yoplait Splitz are creamy and the flavors are delicious.  We also tried putting a Splitz in the freezer for about an hour and it made the most scrumptious frozen yogurt treat.  YUM!!!

The insulated tote and blanket are perfect for trips to the park or they would be if I could get the blanket away from my daughter long enough to roll it up and get it in the car.  Wiggle thinks the blanket is the coolest thing in the work and claimed it the moment it came out of the box.  She loves to play with the buckles and play on it with her bears and stuffed animals. 

With only 90 calories per serving,  Yoplait Splitz makes a great snack for the whole family.  The new Splizt come in three great flavors, RainbowSherbert, Strawberry Banana Split, and Strawberry Sundae.

Visit Yoplait on Facebook or Yoplait on Twitter to keep up with the latest news on your favorite Yoplait products.

Download a printable coupon for $0.75 off any flavor Yoplait Splitz!

WIN IT!

My Blog Spark and Yoplait are giving away a prize pack that includes a coupon for a free sample of new Yoplait Splitz* as well as a prize pack that includes an insulated carry tote and a roll up fleece picnic blanket. 

 

*This coupon offer for a free pack of Yoplait Splitz is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee. 

How to Enter: Mandatory

comment below and let me know which new flavor of Yoplait Splitz you would like to try.

 

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy and Yoplait on Twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (leave link to tweet) (1 entry daily).
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  and Yoplait on Facebook
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy  (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)
• Add Over Thirty Mommy to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a comment telling me you did so and under what username.  Add to Technorati Favorites (2 entries) 

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile and be age 18 years or older. 
Winner will be chosen via a Random Drawing.  Winners that I am unable to contact or one who does not claim their prize within 72 hours of being sent their winning email notification will forfeit their prize.

Giveaway ends midnight PST on September 30th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.  Yoplait Splizt and MyBlogSpark were kind enough to supply the product, gift pack, information and additional gift pack to give away for the purpose of the review and giveaway.  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the product.**  
 

Transitioning From Crib to Bed

My little girl is growing up so fast!  She wants to do everything herself and now she has decided that she no longer wants to sleep in her crib.

The transition happened so fast, I barley knew what was going on.

It all started about three weeks ago.  I put her to sleep in her crib like usual but about two hours later she woke up crying that she wanted out of her crib.  I was going to snuggle with her for a few minutes on the twin bed in her room so I set her on the bed and went to get her baby and blankie from her crib.  By the time I grabbed them and turned back around to the bed, she was snoring away. 

I tucked her in, pulled up the bed rail (thank goodness I bought one a month ago, just in case) and went back to the living room.  My husband commented on how quickly she fell back asleep and was shocked when I told him that she was on the bed.  He asked me 20 questions on if she was safe and how did the bed rail work.  After the quiz, he seemed assured that she would be alright to sleep on the bed alone.

That night I hardly slept at all, I was up and down every half hour to check and make sure she was still on the bed and sleeping.  She was of course snoring away, happy as a clam. 

First thing the next morning, I set up the video monitor so that I could check on her all I want with out leaving my bed. 

I am torn as to if I should be happy that she is growing up or sad that she is not my baby anymore.  It is bitter sweet and I love seeing her grow and change everyday.

The problem is that it takes FOREVER to get her to go to sleep.  I have to lay on her bed with her for almost an hour every night, until she falls asleep, to get her to stay on the bed.  I have tried sitting on the floor but she just sits up so she can see me and talk to me.  I have tried telling her to stay on the bed and leaving the room, but within minutes (or seconds) she is pitter pattering down the hall way to come find me.

Nap time is much easier, it usually only takes 10-15 minutes to get her to sleep but these hour plus nights are getting to be a bit much (plus, I have a tendency to fall asleep while trying to get her to sleep).

Do any of you mom's who have been through the crib to bed transition have tips on how to get my Wiggle to stay in bed and go to sleep with out me having to stay with her the entire time?

8/18 myEZdeal.com Deal of the Day for Portland

$25 for a private yoga & tai chi session at Body Brain Yoga, a $95 value

Stretch your body, calm your mind!

This ezdeal includes:

• Private Sessions
• Pain Relief-Neck, Shoulder & Back
• Stress Relief
• Increased Energy
• Weight Management

Body & Brain Yoga & Tai Chi: Phone: 503-248-2104: Website: www.bodybrainyoga.com

Proceeds from today's deal will benefit Lake Oswego School District Foundation

 

Click Here To Check Out Today's EZdeal 

 

myEZdeal.com: Deal of the day for 8/16: $75 for Female Self Defense - 10 sessions at Next Level Martial Arts, value of $150

$75 for Female Self Defense - 10 sessions at Next Level Martial Arts, value of $150

Next Level Martial Arts is the place for you!

This ezdeal includes:

• Basic functional self-defense
• Increase your functional strength and fitness level
• Boost your self confidence

Other EZdeals for today: (more coming soon!)

Cleveland, OH: $30 for $60 worth of Diamond Microdermabrasion

Columbus, OH: $50 For 2 Hours of Home or Office Organizational Services( A $100 Value)

Nashville, TN: $14.50 for one hour of cleaning courtesy of Freedom Cleaning Service!

Phoenix, AZ: $99 for two treatments of Dermaplaning, a $250 retail value

Baton Rouge, LA: $5 for $10 Worth of Food,Drinks and Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Birmingham, AL: $5 for $10 worth of Fresh Food and Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe!

Salt Lake City, UT: $20 Includes A "Classic Expe2rience" For Two At Acme Burger Company (Value $40)

Click Here To Check Out Today's EZdeal

My Apple Itunes Account Was Hacked

I hate losing money but I hate it more when money is stolen from me!

I am over the top pissed off!   Who am I mad at? Everyone! I am mad at the hackers (who suck, get a freaking job and quit stealing from people that work for their money), Paypal (even though it is not their fault, they just gave away my money) and Apple Itunes (where the hackers purchased crap, you need better security).

What makes people think that they can go around stealing other people's hard earned money?

It all started with an odd email from Paypal.  It said it was a receipt for a purchase from Apple Itunes.  I forwarded it to the Paypal spoof account, like I do with all the other spam emails I get that are from "Paypal".  I then took a closer look at the email and sure enough it was an actual receipt.  Still, I thought it was some sort of mistake so I opened my Paypal account and yep there it was a transaction for $19.98 paid to Apple Itunes at 4:22 AM.  Like I would purchase the game Plants VS Zombies or the app Goodreader for Ipad (I don't own an Ipad!!!)

Now, I am up early with my daughter (not usually 4:22 AM) but I am never up that early shopping on Apple Itunes.  In fact the last time I even purchased anything from Itunes was in January 2009 and the last time I paid for my Itunes purchases with my Paypal account was in 2007.

I immediately changed my Paypal account password, removed my bank account information from my account and deleted the credit card I had attached to Paypal.  I filed a resolution claim with Paypal and searched the internet for a phone number for Itunes.

I got up and phoned Apple first thing the next morning.  Turns out the phone number I found was for the IPhone (which I do not have).  A really nice employee named Angela, assisted me with changing my Apple Itunes account password and checking for any additional unauthorized charges.  Sure enough the hackers tried to make another almost $40 in charges that were not paid through Paypal (according to my account, Apple would like me to pay them with a credit card, FAT CHANCE!!!).  I can only assume that these charges were not paid because I did not have the full $40 in my Paypal account and the credit card I had on file had expired.  When the card expired my credit card company gave me a new account number, I thank you now even though I cursed you then (I had the old number memorized for easy shopping).

I emailed the Itunes support about the unauthorized charges.  The IPhone employee informed me that there is no phone support for Itunes, I can only assume because they would be inundated with calls from people who have had their accounts hacked.

SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT HAVING BETTER SECURITY, OR CUSTOMER SERVICE!

From what I have been reading online, this is not the first time Apple Itunes has been hacked and it is running rampant again right now.  From what people that have been hacked are being told from Paypal, the hackers are finding open billing agreements between Apple Itunes and Paypal (most being from 2006 and 2007).  Apparently once you make a purchase from Itunes with your Paypal account, it sets up a billing agreement that allows Apple to bill your Paypal anytime unless you go into Paypal and remove the agreement.

Paypal is investigating my claim and Apple says they will contact me (via email) within 48 hours.  I am confident that Paypal will come through for me and return my money but from what I read, Apple is much less helpful and does not seem to care much that their customers are being ripped off (Interestingly 3 of the 7 apps purchased were created by Apple Inc.)

I will keep you updated as to what happens and if I get my money back.  Oh and Apple, if you think for one second that I am paying you the almost $40 that is outstanding on my account, think again!  Depending on how this situation is handled, I may never purchase from you again (not that you will care because I never purchased that often and you might not consider me a key customer).

I guess I should feel lucky that my credit card was expired and for some divine reason Paypal did not charge my bank account (even thought it was attached to my Paypal account) and I was only hit for $20.  I read about some people that were taken for hundreds and one person was out over $1000.

To me it is not the amount that was stolen but just that I was robbed and it SUCKS!!!!

Wiggle's First Trip to the Beach

Wiggle bean is 18 months old and we recently took her to the beach for the first time.  For some people this would not be a big deal but we are less than 2 hours from the Oregon coast and I love the beach, not sure why it took me so long to take her there.

We got her some sand toys and she had a ton of fun sorting through it all and seeing what was in the bucket.

  Daddy was such a great sport making sand castle after sand castle only to have Wiggle Bean smash them flat in less than 2 seconds.  Wiggle of course though it was the most fun game ever.

If she wasn't pounding them with her fist, she was giving us her best King Kong impression and stomping them to smithereens.

After smashing about a hundred sand castles, she found a new game, tossing sand in the air and letting it fall all over herself and everything in sight.  She was covered head to toe in sand, it was everywhere.  She was so coated in sand, that I had to strip her down and hose her off in a hotel bathroom sink so that she could comfortable make the two hour drive home.

All in all, even though it was not a sunny and warm day at the beach (it is the Oregon coast after all!) we had so much fun and I can not wait to take her back again.

Losing my Job!

I know no one is invincible in the down economy but I thought being in Human Resources, handling all the payroll and benefits, for the company I work with that I thought I had some job security.  Boy was I wrong!

Since we do not have a HR department (I am the sole HR contact), I am part of the accounting department.  About eight weeks ago the entire accounting department (three of us) was pulled into the COO's office where the CFO was waiting to tell us that we were being let go.  The entire accounting department was being consolidated with the accounting/HR functions of our parent company in Utah.

The accounts payable/receivable position and my HR position were being eliminated and the Accounting
Manager position was moving from corporate HQ in Portland Oregon to the parent company's office in Utah.  My direct manager, the Accounting Manger, has had the difficulty of knowing that this change was coming since November of last year but had to keep the burden of knowing to herself at the direction of senior management.   Since she was moving to the Utah office, she had to put her home on the market and prepare for the move all while maintaining business as usual at the office.

I had recently started a full bathroom remodel and was in the middle of it when I was told that I would soon be losing my job (not great timing!). 

The AP/AR person and myself were offered a severance package with an additional amount if we stayed on for 6 weeks to train our counterparts in the Utah office.  We both chose to stay and our final days were two weeks ago. 

The first week of being unemployed was like business as usual since I was already scheduled for vacation that week so last week was my first week of having "nothing" to do.  It was odd, not having to get up and get ready for work.  I am not sure where the time went, at the end of the day, I looked around and could not figure out what I did all day.

After finding out I was being laid off, I panicked but thankfully I have a wonderful husband that was my rock and my voice of calm and reasoning.  After my initial panic, I decided that I would look for a job but would not settle for anything.  I was going to spend some quality time over the summer with our daughter since it would not be something that I might have a chance to do again in the future.

Guess there is always a silver lining, even when being laid off of a job you had for 10 years.

Good Earth Dinner Kits: Review and Giveaway

I am not a great cook and never claimed to be, honestly I need all the help I can get in the kitchen.  I thank my mom, who never taught me how to cook because she was (I say was because now that all the kids are grown and out of the house, she has learned to cook some great meals) a terrible cook (with the exception of her AMAZING home made spaghetti sauce).

While I try to cook a few things from scratch, I have to admit that I do have a stash of dinner meal kits in my pantry and I rely on them frequently.  I am always looking to try new and different meals.  Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I had the opportunity to be among the first to try the new Good Earth dry dinner kits.

  100% whole grain, no trans fat, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives, no MSG - just add meat and, voila! Dinner is served.

Now available in stores, Good Earth dry dinner kits offer a selection of four delectable meals: Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta, Spicy Citrus Glazed Shrimp with angel hair pasta, Herb Crusted Chicken with mushroom risotto and Tuscan Chicken with penne pasta.  

The Good Earth Dry Dinner Kits are easy to use and are full of great flavors.  While my Mediterranean Chicken did not look as beautiful as it does on the box, it tasted great and my family loved it.  It was a quick and easy meal to make, just follow the simple instructions on the packaging and ta-da 20-30 minutes later you have a great, filling meal.

WIN IT!

My Blog Spark and Good Earth are giving away a prize pack that includes a Good Earth Mediterranean Chicken dry dinner kit, two sets of bamboo flatware, two bamboo dishes, a bamboo utility board and a 100% recyclable grocery tote.

How to Enter: Mandatory

comment below and let me know which new flavor of Good Earth dry dinner kits you would like to try

 

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy  on Twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (leave link to tweet) (1 entry daily).
• Like Over Thirty Mommy on Facebook
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy  (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)
• Add Over Thirty Mommy to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a comment telling me you did so and under what username.  Add to Technorati Favorites (2 entries) 

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile and be age 18 years or older. 
Winner will be chosen via a Random Drawing.  Winners that I am unable to contact or one who does not claim their prize within 72 hours of being sent their winning email notification will forfeit their prize.

Giveaway ends midnight PST on August 10th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.  Good Earth and MyBlogSpark were kind enough to supply the product, gift pack, information and additional gift pack to give away for the purpose of the review and giveaway.  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the product.**  
 

Touch'd Bath and Body Review and Giveaway CLOSED

Everyone will love to be Touch'd!

When Rachel Ferrucci couldn't find bath and body products to meet all the needs of her family, she decided to create her own.  Tired of seeing doctor after doctor, for her daughter's eczema, who kept prescribing medicated creams that seemed to be drying out her skin.  She wanted to give her daughter relief without slopping medicated creams all over her sensitive skin.

Touch’d Bath and Beauty creates handmade bath & body products helping women to feel sexy and feel beautiful!

I tried the Cucumber Melon Bath Butter and found it to be a great experience.  I normally do not like solid soaps.  I am not fond of the residue that they leave behind.  For this reason, I exclusively use shower gel but the Toudh'd Bath Butter went on smooth and wash off clean.  Best used with a poof, working in a circular pattern, Touch'd Body Butter gives you a nice lather that leaves your skin soft and moisturized. Formulated with grapeseed oil and almond oil, it also works great as a shaving cream.

Touch'd Body Butter comes in six scrumptious scents, Cucumber Melon; Sugar n Spice; Dream; Tropical Paradise; Warm Vanilla and Almond Puff.

It is like a spa experience in the comfort of your home (or when you can not get away from the family to get a spa day!).

Where to Buy

Touch'd products can be purchased on the Touch'd website and in select boutiques, salons, and day spas throughout Connecticut.

Special Discount for Over Thirty Mommy Readers!!

25% off promo code - Over30 - Valid June 7th - July 15th.

WIN IT!
One Over Thirty Mommy reader will win Touch'd Organic Sugar Scrub

How to Enter: Mandatory

Go to http://touchd.net and tell you about a product or scent

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy and Touch'd on Twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (leave link to tweet) (2 entries).
• Like Over Thirty Mommy and Touch'd on Facebook
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Touch'd (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)
• Add Over Thirty Mommy to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a comment telling me you did so and under what username.  Add to Technorati Favorites (2 entries) 

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile and be age 18 years or older. 
Winner will be chosen via a Random Drawing.  Winners that I am unable to contact or one who does not claim their prize within 72 hours of being sent their winning email notification will forfeit their prize.

Giveaway ends midnight PST on July 11th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.  I received a sample of Bath Butter for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the product.**  
 

Safety 1st Complete Air Car Seat Review

When it came to Wiggle Bean moving up from her infant car seat to a bigger seat, we spent hours researching the safety features and ratings of just about every seat on the market.  We made or selections but for the seat we have in our secondary vehicle and send to daycare, we were not happy with the installation and how difficult it was to move it in and out of the vehicle. 

When the car seat was in a vehicle that was involved in a minor accident (no children were in the car), it was mandated by our states laws for the seat to be replaced. 

We used this opportunity to switch to the Safety 1st Complete Air convertible car seat.  My daughter took a liking to the seat the moment we took it out of the box.  She was even happy to demonstrate how easy it is to tighten the shoulder straps.

Did you know that:  

1 in 4 car crashes involving children are side impact collisions. They are by far the deadliest type of collision for children, accounting for 1 in 3 child fatalities; nearly all of which are caused by head trauma.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a crash, a child’s head is the body part most vulnerable to serious and fatal injuries, accounting for 95 percent of all injuries sustained.

About the seat: (from manufacturer)
The Safety 1st® Complete Air™ Convertible Car Seat with Air Protect™ Side Impact Technology is perfect for infants rear-facing from 5-40 pounds and 19"-40" and toddlers forward-facing from 22-50 pounds and 34"-45".

Air Protect™ Revolutionary Side Impact Technology: Breakthrough system shields head and immediately reduces side impact forces through the precise release of air.

QuickFit™ Harness System adjusts harness height from the front in one easy step without uninstalling from the car.

Harness accommodates children up to 50 pounds.

One Click LATCH installation system allows for faster and easier installation when moving between vehicles.

5-position adjustable headrest easily accommodates your growing child.
Removable cup holder. 

What is Air Protect™ Technology?
Air Protect™ Technology is the most innovative safety feature ever offered in a car seat.  It is a technology that protects our children at their most vulnerable – the head.

How does Air Protect™ work?
Through the precise release of air, Air Protect™ shields children from side impact intrusion and immediately reduces crash forces at the most critical spot: around a child’s head.  Air Protect™ does this by extending ride-down, the amount of time it takes to slow a child’s movement in a crash.

Where is Air Protect™ Available?
Air Protect™ may be purchased online at Babies"R"Us. Check your local Babies"R"Us in advance for in-store availability.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts 
The Safety 1st Complete Air convertible car seat was all that we hoped for in a new car seat.  It was easy to install, with the One Click Latch system, it was installed in less than 5 minutes (it is also easy to remove to move to a different vehicle).  It seems to be more secure (less movement) after being installed than the seat we replaced.  I could not keep my daughter out of it, she must have found it comfortable and I liked the additional head padding. 

Over all we are really enjoy the seat and all of it's safety features, it even matches the car interior!

Latest Important Recalls for June

Here are the latest June 2010 recalls:

Ring Slings Made by Sprout Stuff 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Sprout Stuff, of Austin, Texas, is announcing the recall of about 40 Sprout Stuff infant ring slings. CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using these slings due to a risk of suffocation to infants.

CPSC and Sprout Stuff are aware of one report of a death of a 10-day-old boy in the recalled sling in Round Rock, Texas in 2007.


For more information: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10254.html

McDonald's Shrek Movie Themed Drinking Glasses

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. The "Shrek Forever After 3D" collectable drinking glass are 16 ounce glasses that came in four designs, Shrek, Fiona, Puss n' Boots, and Donkey. The designs on the glasses contain cadmium. Long term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects. 

For more information:  http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10257.html

Regal Lager Infant Carriers

Regal Lager Recalls CYBEX 2.GO Infant Carriers due to fall hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following product. Consumers should stop using products immediately unless otherwise instructed. 

 

Hazard: A shoulder strap slider buckle can break, posing a fall hazard to babies.

For More information: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10267.html





Target Children’s Belts

Target recalls children's belts due to violation of lead based paint standards. This recall involves two types of belts: The Cherokee boys’ belts and Circo girls’ belts. The Cherokee belts are black and brown reversible belts with heavy stitching in sizes M-XL. The belts came in a pack of two with the numbers 202/08/0018, 202/08/0019 or

202/08/0020 embossed on the belt. The girls’ Circo belts are pink and white with heart buckles in sizes XS-L. They were sold in a 2-pack with the numbers 202/05/0071, 202/05/0072, 202/05/0073 or 202/05/0074 listed on the product label attached to the inside of the belt.


For more information: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10268.html

 

 

 

Wiggle's Sick Day

For the most part Wiggle Bean has been pretty healthy since she was born, aside from the one ear infection and teething pain. 

A few weekends ago she was doing fine (aside from not wanting to take a nap since we were at grandma's house) and then all of the sudden when she woke up from her nap she was burning up and very cuddly.  Wiggle will give hugs and kisses when she wants to but in general is not the kind of kid that just sits in your lap and lets you snuggle on them (unless she wants something!)

After I put her to sleep, I ran to the store to pick up a few things and when I got back, found her to be running a fever and all she wanted to do was flop around and she never just lays around.  So back out I went to get her some fever medicine, of course it was right after the big recall and there was no baby Tylenol to be found.  I went with what I call Fake Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and raced home to take care of my Bean. 

We rarely give her any type of medications so I only gave her a half dose and we just sat together on the couch.  After a while we were ready to go home.  Let me tell you the almost hour drive (stupid construction!) home was not fun.  She was so upset and screaming in her car seat the entire time.

She pepped up a little before bed and was quietly playing with some of her toys.  I put her to bed, hoping it was a fluke illness and she would be better in the morning (what do I know, I am a first time mom and this was her first illness). 

Morning came and I was getting her ready to go to daycare, it was their last music class and she loved music class, but she was still very lethargic and not at all her normal rowdy self.  I got out the thermometer and sure enough the fever was still there.  I decided that even though she would miss music class, it would be better to keep her home, not only for her but also since her BFF Olivia was leaving the next day for Hawaii and I would have felt terrible if she got sick during her trip.  So I called in to work and we stayed home.

All she wanted to do all day was sit around.  She would sit with me on the couch snuggled up in my lap then climb down and go over to daddy's couch where she would climb up and sit reading her books with her blankie and baby, then she would come back to me.  Occasionally she would go sit on the floor and play with her puzzles but for the most part she just sat on the couch (just like the picture above).

It would have been a dream day of peace and quiet has it not been for her being sick and not feeling well.