Epicurean Style

Shout Go Play Review

 Growing Tree Toys has teamed up with SC Johnson’s Shout and their new Go Play Initiative and Sweepstakes.  “Go Play is all about encouraging kids and parents to get outside and play.  Play is fundamental to positive cognitive development; it’s how kids solve problems; how they develop coping skills and master the art of conflict resolution.  It’s how they become happy, healthy adults.”

I was lucky enough to be selected to be selected to take part in the product review. One of the first things I pulled out of the box were the 52 Nature Activity Cards, By Lynn Gordon.  These are awesome!  I kid you not.

 

The first card off the top of the pile had to do with gathering leaves and the second with coloring leaves by laying them under a piece of paper and pulling the texture and shape of the leaf  onto the paper.  I know this is a simple idea and we all probably did this a grade school age children, but thats what I loved about it.  It was simple every day items and a fun craft that was out of our normal routine.  As I have looked through the rest of the cards they all seem this way.  Quick and easy, but the obvious things you might not think to do right away.  We have enjoyed them

As for the Shout products I was "lucky" to not have to use them right away. ha.  When does that ever happen.  I had to laugh when, Bennett spilled ketchup down the front of his shirt, and I got excited because I was going to get to use the shout products.  I cheered again later that week when Jackson took a friendly wrestling match into the ONLY muddy patch in the grass.  But my second reaction...?  Are you kidding me THE ONLY muddy patch and he ended up in it?!  Of course.  :)

I used the Spray Triple Acting Shout on Bennett's little stain.  And it came out great. The Shout Trigger allows you to quickly and easily lift stains with just a simple squirt directly on the stain before laundry. Treat fresh stains right before washing and the stain will be lifted right off.  Which was exactly the case with Bennett's little shirt.  I really did luck out since it was laundry day.

As for Jackson's more stubborn stains--when everything settled I found we had khaki pants with mud and grass stains all over them.  I seriously thought I didn't want to face them and since we were in our sunday clothes, I thought for sure these clothes would be new play clothes, but I tried the Shout Advanced Ultra Gel, and it worked wonders.  It is one of my favorite stain removers.  I felt like it really did the job without a lot of  arm work on my part.  

As for your new bestie.  You are going to love the Shout Color Catcher .  First let me say I am really lucky to have a husband who does our laundry 90% of the time.  Lucky, I know.  But we have quite a few accidents when a brand new dark color gets put in the wash with our lighter colors.  Oh I cringe, when it happens, but can't complain because of all the help I am getting.  However, we will no longer be having this problem, with these new color catcher  sheets.  They really work!  You have to use 2-3 in a load but they work and are awesome!

Visit Shout On Facebook...Here.

Get a Coupon for Shout Color Catcher...Here.

Create Your Own Pop-Up Books {review}

I was excited when Growing Tree Toys asked if I would be interested in reviewing this great pop-up book kit, but when I actually got this kit in my hands…I was floored by how awesome it is!

First, I love how educational this toy is withOUT trying too hard.  Sometimes I want to let Jackson sit down and be creative and have fun, without him thinking he HAS to learn something.  So its great when learning just happens.  I don’t have to push it on him and he asks questions and I know he is thinking (and learning how to put a story together draw pictures etc).     

Second, it has got to be of the most fun toys/projects ideas.  Jackson and I sat down a few days ago popped open the kit and I was in awe by the detail…all the pop-ups included, TWO books to work on, markers, and stickers.  All you have to do is add a story and art.  We are still working on our first book and we have spent a good hour using the kit.  Not a frustrating hour, but rather a very entertaining hour of coloring, writing a story, and starting to draw pictures and make pop-ups. 

Third, $19.95 for this great kit.  Seriously, you can't beat that for all the fun and learning that is going to take place.  Plus, it will be a keepsake that will capture the child's imagination and artwork at whatever age your give it to them.  

I am thrilled by this kit and would recommend it to anyone with a child or looking for a fun and unique gift for a child (the only warning I would give is the younger they are the more hands on the parents will have to be).   Growing Tree Toys has a great selection of educational toys--this toys comes from a line of toys called Creativity For Kids.

dang.

I am starting to think that my beautiful Wedgwood Bone China Cereal Bowls may have been a mistake.  I love them, Oh I love them, but when my husband dropped one this morning and it shattered...I think a little piece of my heart broke too.  dang. 

I am thinking that I should have gone with the Corelle Plates and bowls that my Mom had all of our growing up years.  I've never seen one of those things break before.  I am pretty sure they don't (okay so I am sure they do, but my Mom, in all of her married life and raising five kids on them, has never had one break). When Jackson was little and we would do the dishes at my parents home, we would let him bang on the plates with a fork/spoon while we were loading the dishwasher (that's pretty child proof, if you ask me).

Maybe I'll just buy my husband his own set of Corelle bowls for his cereal in the morning.  ha. ....So I won't really and I know we have gone a LONG time since our last incident, but oh my heart breaks. 

I know i will get over it, it is just a bowl.  but, dang.

 

Sniff, Sniff, Hooray! {giveaway}

 

  "This product review was based on a complementary Gain product provided by P&G through My Blog Spark.  I was also given Walmart gift cards and t-shirts to hand out at my discretion.  P&G does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blog site."

You may have heard that there is a New Gain Dishwashing Liquid and I recently received a complimentary bottle of the New Gain to try out.

Let me start with a little story....We currently reside in an apartment complex with a community laundry room, not my favorite thing, but I can't complain too much because I will say it was using this community laundry room that I discovered the wonderful smell of Gain Laundry Detergent.  I haven't quite convinced my husband, since he grew up using a different smelling detergent, but as soon as I heard they had a Dishwashing liquid detergent I was excited!  I could have the scent another way! And it smells as good as the laundry detergent.  

This liquid dishsoap comes in three scents...Original (my favorite), Lavender, and Citrus.  Okay, so I know this might sound a little nuts, but with a small apartment smells can travel and when our sink gets a little smelly, I have been turning on the disposal and slowly pouring a little of the Gain liquid dishsoap down the disposal.  It bubbles up and around in the sink and leaves the best smell in the apartment.  

The only thing that would make this product a little higher in my book would be to add anti-bacterial to the label.  I love a product that can do two jobs at once, saving me a little time. 

The Gain liquid dishwashing soap bubbles and gets very sudsy with only a few drops and I like that, because it saves me a little money in the long run to not have to buy it as often.  

But don't take my opinion on all of this.  Wal-mart carries this for just 97 cents and Two lucky people can try it out from themselves.    

The Giveaway:

The thoughtful people at P&G and My Blog Spark also sent me a few extras to share, so two lucky readers can win an I Heart Gain T-shirt and a $5 Wal-mart Gift Card.

To enter:

1. Leave a comment below

2. Become a Fan on our Facebook Page (2 extra entries)

3. Follow my blog or twitter (2 extra entries)

I'll pick two winners on Tuesday Sept. 21, 2010 (midnight).  Good Luck.

Nature Valley And Our National Parks

Can I please tell you that I am sad to see this summer slipping away and the school year starting? 

Yes, I have told you this.  But luckily I love the smells of fall (fresh pencils and new clothes. yes please.) and enjoyed backpack shopping, however, I love the wonderful sunny weather and living outdoors all day (kids being worn out and skinned knees by the end of the day are the best) and summer is the perfect time for family vacations, it is hard for me to know we are headed back to a steady routine and schedule.

I love family vacations and some of my favorite trips have been camping and hiking in some of our National Parks. We were lucky enough to visit several state parks this last summer, but I am hoping in future summers we will be able to take our kids to see our National Parks, since I really enjoyed visiting them while I was growing up.  

 
 
 Above are two pictures of Marc and I enjoying Arches National Park in Utah.  I am huge and pregnant with Jackson, but having tons of fun.  I walked and biked as much a possible to "hopefully" get labor moving along.  :)  It felt so good to get my huge body moving everyday.  :)   

So let me tell you about the National Parks Project and Nature Valley. Nature Valley and Patricia Schultz (international best selling author for 1,000 Places to See Before You Die) have teamed up with our National Parks to help clean them up and continue to preserve them.

 

What can you do?  

Simply purchase a box of specially marked Nature Valley Bars and mail in your wrappers to the address below:

National Parks Project
PO Box 450328
El Paso, TX 88545-0328

Nature Valley will recycle them and donate 10 cents to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). This year, the National Parks Project will focus on restorative work at Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Biscayne National Parks.  

To learn even more about the Nature Valley National Park Project and how you can make a difference, check out PreservetheParks.com and check out Nature Valley on Facebook or Twitter.  Become a Facebook fan and you can also enter to win a trip, as well as share your photos and videos of your summer vacations. 

It is easy for me to represent these delicious granola bars, because I have grown up eating them.  They are one of those snacks that I can totally get behind.  I have actually taken them and crumbled them into milk and had them for breakfast.  So good!  I have bought them for Jackson, and they are definitely an "outside food" with the crumbliness, but he loves them!  

So, when Nature Valley offered me this prize pack through My Blog Spark, I quickly accepted for you.  :)  I thought you would enjoy winning it.  What is in this prize pack...let me tell you....  Your prize pack will include a mini backpack; a military grade compass; a solar-powered, key chain flash light; a reusable water bottle and a copy of Patricia Shultz’s 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List.   
 

How to win, you might ask?   

To enter:  Tell me about a National Park you have visited or would like to visit. 

Three extra entries: Become a blog follower or "like" us on Facebook or add the epicurean style blog button to your blog.  <a href="http://www.epicureanstyle.com"><img src="http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll432/epicureanstyle/4cover_alt8x1025_for_bleed-1.jpg"></a>

Three extra entries: "like" Nature Valley on Facebook

Two extra entries: Blog or Facebook about this giveaway

One extra entry: for every twitter (once a day)...post a comment for each twitter

Giveaway ends on: Friday September 10, 2010 

Back to School.

I know that some schools have started up again, but we still have a few more weeks of summer with Jackson.  I am excited for him to get back into a schedule and have exciting things ot look forward to at school, but I am a little sad to be sending him and to have our summer come to an end. 

However I can get behind the whole shopping aspect of going back to school.  ha!  :) 

 I have had so much fun finding a backpack.  The second I saw this backpack at csnstores.com I could hardly stand it.  It was quickly put in 'the cart'.  I had to think about it for a few days, because I am just like that, but eventually caved and got the backpack, lunchbox combo.  Jackson Loves it! 

   

I love the clean modern design.  The simple dinosaur images make me smile. The designs on the bags are adorable. The backpack fabric does feel a little thin, but overall, we love it.  The insulation of the lunchbox, the stitching, and the colors seem perfect.  And with everything Jackson has been stuffing in it over the last few weeks, it has definitely seen a hammering.     

Since Jackson has a little shadow named Bennett, who is constantly wanting to be like him, just like him, we had to find him a cute little backpack too. 

 I must admit it was love at first sight with this cute line of backpacks from The Chic Monkey Boutique.  Lets just say that this covers Bennett's two loves.  A snuggly stuffed animal and a backpack (just like Jackson!  yay!).  Bonus--a two for one!!!

    

Can I say these two boys spent all day playing with their backpacks with Bennett's arrived?!  Bennett (and Jackson) love the stuffed bear that comes off the front of the backpack.  Jackson always makes sure to pull it off for him at naptime and bedtime (it is easy enough to get off that Bennett and do it himself, but Jackson loves this thing too).  

The backpack is super soft as is the bear.  The stitching and the sturdiness to the backpack are great.  This backpack it great for playing, but I have also started letting him carry it when we go out, he carries his snacks, diapers, wet wipes, and a few select little toys.  I love NOT having him rumaging through my bag ALL the time.  It is great!  I love back to school shopping.  :)  

Oh and I noticed the lunchbox's on the Chic Monkey Boutique and I think that might be the next addition to Bennett's backpack, I just have to decide on the tin one or the insulated one now.     

Eden Home

Organics.  I haven't fully invested all the time and research into going with all organic in everything I put in front of myself or my children, but I do find something rather comforting knowing that it is organic.  It feels a little more wholesome and a little more real. It is something that made doing my review on the Eden Home website such an easy task and a fun opportunity.

 I loved doing a review for Eden Home!  I flipped when FuelMyBlog asked me to test a few of Eden Home's products and talk about their site! They have the best selection of organic, all natural, and eco-friendly products.  The website is clean and easy to read.  They make their products easy to shop from and the labeling of what you are buying is clear: (O) organic, (N) natural, (E) eco-friendly, (FT) Fair Trade, and (USA) made in the USA. Love it.

They currently have a big baby gift registry contest running until June 30th, 2010. Create your registry for a chance to win a over $2000 in prizes! Awesome.  I think we should all be headed over there right about now. 

The two products I choose to review were based on two things--Jackson and Bennett.  ha!  Seriously, though those two little monsters need so many things and as I scanned their website I had the hardest time deciding what items would be best for them.  

   

 (so many great uses besides just for Baby...Spice holder, Medicine holder, sprinkles holder...the list is endless)

 I eventually settled on Innobaby Packin' Smart Stackable Storage Containers.  Seriously, loved this deal.  The little stacking containers have been used daily since receiving it.  I really was tired of all of the ziploc bags I am constantly carrying in my bag.  Not only did I have to sort through my bag forever to find a snack, but the snack was usually crunched by the time I pulled it out of my bag. oops.  This little beauty is great!  I love that I can easily spot it in my bag and it is rock solid so nothing is getting squished through this baby, and less ziploc bag waste, when I can use it over and over (oh and did I mention they are BPA free?).  Love.  Love. Love.

 

 Secondly, I picked the Plan Toys Wooden Activity Clock.  Did I mention my fetish with wooden toys?!  Yes.  Well, they have a great selection of toys and yes, you are going to hate me for showing them to you because that is where you are going to want to spend all of your money and time shopping.  Sorry.  :)  

This clock is so much fun!  Jackson has recently become aware of time and he loves looking at this clock.  He loves to wake up in the morning and check to see what he needs to put on his "schedule" for the day.  

A conversation at breakfast yesterday, "So Mom.  I've been thinking that maybe I need to have a time that we can sit down and talk about what are plans are for our day.  I need you to schedule me a playgroup.  Okay?"     "Um, Okay."...I'll get right on that...  

Seriously though, it has been fun to watch him match up the time on our big clock and his little clock.  Or randomly use the activity cards that come with the clock and practice setting the clock to what time those events happen.  It is such a great learning resource!  I am a huuGE fan. 

Next on my purchase list...The Animal Domino Toy.  Oh and if you are looking for a great gift...I love their gift sets, but this Dump Truck set caught my eye!  

You can also follow them on Twitter and facebook.

So go enter the Eden Home Organic Baby Shower! 

 Contest Details:

No Purchase Necessary. For a chance to win one (1) Grand Prize of "An Organic Baby Shower" worth $1,000* in Eden Home product from EdenHome.com, you must submit your entry (create an EdenHome.com account, create your gift registry & sign up for Email, add products that you would like for your organic baby shower and email your gift registry link to at least 10 friends), by 11:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. EdenHome.com will randomly select the name of the grand prize winner by the end of the day on Friday, July 2, 2010. The winner will be notified via e-mail. If you are selected and meet the eligibility requirements set forth herein, the Prize will be delivered to the name and address (& email) that you provide with your entry.

zoobi {giveaway}

Looking for the ultimate stroller caddy?  Look no further, because I found it!  I love this bag and use it even when I am not hooking it to my stroller, because of how awesome it.  It holds everything you need for a quick trip anywhere, to the park, zoo, Disneyland (any theme park, that just happens to be the park of our choice...lucky, I know), grocery store, a morning walk in the neighborhood and the mall. 

 The Zoobi was invented by a Mom (Seriously, moms know.  They get it).  It fits securely and neatly to the back of any stroller.  It has more pockets than a kangaroo with a coat. ha.  (I just like the image that comes to mind there).  There is a pocket for everything--two drinks, a place for a cell phone, a pocket for diapers and wipes, a small toy or two, snacks, and of course your wallet.  And when you do have to fold it up and stick it on your shoulder there is a large flat pocket on the back to stick the drinks into. Very convenient.

Can I please tell you about my favorite feature?!....The Beautiful Changing Pad.  And can I tell you how much I detest public restroom changing tables?  gag.  Not to mention the scene I create while holding a squirmy stinky child and trying to lay paper towels down or wipe the whole thing down with a sanitizing wipe.  yuck. I can't even think about it.  Anyway this glorious feature, is a large flat zippered back pocket to the bag and you don't have to take anything out of your bag to use it. 

Anyway, Sarah the inventor of the Zoobi Stroller Caddy has graciously offered to giveaway one bag to one of our luck readers.  Lucky.  You are going to love it.  ....pick up your Zoobi bag HERE.

 Here is how to enter...

1. Make a comment below--tell us what you think is the most exciting feature on the Zoobi bag (one entry). 

2. Add Zoobi's button to your blog or website (two extra entries):

href=" http://www.zoobikids.com"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Rx077a2_xtg/S-iBtuT4I1I/AAAAAAAAAro/2RPakdP0-Lo/s128/button.jpg" /></a></center>

3. Add Epicurean Style's Button to your blog or website (two extra entries):

href="http://www.epicureanstyle.com"><img src="http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll432/epicureanstyle/4cover_alt8x1025_for_bleed-1.jpg" />

Giveaway closes on Monday May 17.  Good Luck

pure goodness.

I am loving these delicious Cheese Crisps!  

I seriously just ate a whole box for lunch.  I thought I would open and eat a few, but just reached my hand in the box to get another handful, only to come out empty handed.  Disappointed.  I am sure the boys and I will be taking a walk to the grocery store later this afternoon for milk and Cheese Crisps!

These crackers are made by Pepperidge Farm (so how could you really go wrong).  They have Four Cheeses (Aged Cheddar, Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago) baked on.  It is shredded cheese baked on top of each lovely cracker.  Yummmmmm!  

Oh and I noticed on the Pepperidge Farm website that you can get a $1.00 off coupon.  

My store didn't have these, but I think I will be on the hunt for them now.  

They sound just as delicious!

boon baby food spoon

love. love. love. love. love. this.  If you are a mom, if you know someone who is mom, or if you know someone who is expecting than you are going to want to read this review.  Every, and I mean, every mom should have one of these.  If not more than one.  

 If you are a mom than you know what it is like to go somewhere around a feeding time, try to balance the baby, the baby food jar, and the spoon with food on it.  Its not usually a pretty picture and if you don't have a highchair you can bet you are both going to walk away from the situation with a few baby food splatters.  It is so hard to keep a baby from grabbing the spoon; such a frustrating situation!  

So let me introduce you to the little device that is going to make life so much easier.....drum roll please........

Boon's Squirt

The baby food dispensing spoon.

One handed feeding became a reality.  Woot!  Woot!  The orange bulb part of the spoon holds up to 3 oz of baby food.  The clear spoon has a small hole to allow the user to squeeze the orange bulb part of the spoon and squirt little food onto the clear spoon-----one bite at a time.  

The bulb is super easy to fill, it easily screws on and off of the clear part of the spoon, but it also stays securely sealed when you have the food in it and are carrying it in your bag.  I have carried it my bag for the last 4 months and have not had even on spill!  Not one.  Maybe those results aren't typical, but really I haven't had any problems. 

The spoon has a protective cover that goes over the tip of the spoon to keep the spoon clean between feedings and doesn't allow the food to squeeze out.  

I really wasn't sure if one handed feeding would ever be an option, but because of Boon, we can now see it really is an option and that is huge.  This spoon doesn't require a highchair and you don't always have access to a highchair, so this little baby is essential to any mom. 

And clean up is a snap.  Simply unscrew it, rinse it and drop it in the dishwasher.   You are seriously going to love it.

It is very reasonably priced and owning more than one might be a must.    

Thank you Boon!  Thank you.

Oh, and Boon's other products...yes, you are going to love them too!  They have some of the most cool, sleek products I have ever seen.  So check out their other products too.