New Beech-Nut Organic Real Food For Babies Review & Giveaway

Disclosure:  I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Beech-Nut.  I received a free coupon to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Have you seen the new Beech-Nut line of organic baby food?  It is sold at Babies "R" Us, Kroger, Wegmans, Price Chopper, Wakefern, Walmart.com, Winn-Dixie, BI-LO, Stop and Shop, Giant Carlisle, A and P, Pathmark, Albertsons, Hannaford, Raley's, Meijer, Nugget Market, Diapers.com, Harris Teeter, Shaw's, ACME, Shoppers Food and Cub Foods.

I went to my local Babies "R" Us to pick up some of Beech-Nut's new organic line.

They had a very nice display set up.

I love the idea of making homemade baby food but to be honest I just haven't had the time or energy to add it into my routine.  The new Beech-Nut organic line is as close to homemade as possible.  Beech-Nut maintains the purity and nutrition of real fruits and vegetables through a gentle cooking process (which doesn't add water or cook nutrients away).  Beech-Nut doesn't want your baby to have baby food but real food!  Only real whole fruits and vegetables and sometimes ancient grains and beans are inside their transparent honeypot glass jars.  What you see is what you get - I love that!

I love the unique and adventurous healthy food combinations available which includes: carrots and sweet potatoes, apples, raspberry, avocados, butternut squash, black bean and cumin, peas and spinach.  I picked up three varieties when I went to the store: banana/cinnamon/granola, apple/raspberry/avocado, and pear/kale/cucumber.  Don't those just sound so good?  If you remember I started making kale, cucumber, apple smoothies last December (see post here).  Beech-Nut did a really great job with their flavors and food combinations in their organic line.

F was pretty excited about his new food.

Beech-Nut Organic Banana, Cinnamon and Granola

First, F ate his Beech-Nut Organic Banana, Cinnamon and Granola.  This particular flavor is nice and thick and has a nice smell.  It is a light brown color, exactly what you would expect with the ingredients.  How did F like it?  I would say he loved it!   

F picked banana, cinnamon and granola to eat first.

Yum!

 Going, going, gone!

 F making sure it is all gone.

We still have two jars.

Yes, that face says pure delight!  What's not to like?  I should also tell you that each jar features the USDA-certified organic seal, which indicates this line is a GMO-free food.  This year, Beech-Nut was awarded Product of the Year in the baby category for its 100% naturals and organic lines, sweet.

 Beech-Nut Organic Apple, Raspberry and Avocado

Next up for F to try, Beech-Nut Organic apple, raspberry and avocado.  Again, this jar had a nice, thick texture and a was a beautiful raspberry shade.  F gobbled it up.  In fact, he decided that I was going a bit slow and he decided to feed himself.

 He really liked it.

 I couldn't believe how fast he was spooning it in.

 I really should have put a bib on him.

Another winner

Beech-Nut Organic Pear, Kale and Cucumber

And last to try, Beech-Nut Organic pear, kale and cucumber.  Can you see how thick these foods are?  They all have such a nice texture.  I don't know about your kids but it has always been difficult to get my babies to eat "green" foods.  What I mean by green foods are anything that looks green.  But just like the other two jars F gobbled it up.  He continued his independent streak of feeding himself.  You know what, I am okay with that.  My son is eating greens, what a score!

 Here I am holding him as he shovels in his pear, kale and cucumber as fast as he can.


Delicious

 Another one bites the dust.

To find a location nearest you that sells Beech-Nut organic, check out the locator here.  Remember you can connect with Beech-Nut on facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest and even their website for more information!

Ready for a giveaway?  One of you will win your own Beech-Nut organic line free product coupon!  Just enter below and good luck!  "Contest entrants are only eligible to win once per sweepstakes, per household as part of a campaign sponsored by Influence Central and must reside in the United States."

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Nuby Teethers Rock With Variety

Our box of Nuby goodies - a variety of teethers!

It has been far to long since I have shared with you about our Nuby goodies that we received awhile back, a variety of teethers!  Baby F (really now Toddler F) has been enjoying using them as he has developed and gotten more teeth.  What a fun process growing up can be!  If you have little ones you probably know how great Nuby is but one thing you may not know is that they have some amazing teethers.  I love the options and variety.  We received 5 different items: Teether Tugz, Under the Sea Teether, IcyBite Teether (2 pack), Wacky Teething Ring and a 3 Step Teether Set.

Our Teething Tugz Elephant - F's favorite

 A young F with his Teether Tugz

 Bumbo time with Tugz


 F loves the textured teething ends.


In this photo you can see that he can now sit up on his own!  He is loving the chewing aspect.


Must taste good.

While F has enjoyed all of his teethers, I would have to say that his Teether Tugz elephant has been his favorite.  I think he enjoys it so much because it really is a toy plush and teether in one!  This teether is appropriate for 0+ months!

 Nuby Under the Sea Teether

Next, we have Nuby's Under the Sea Teether.  This teether features multiple textures that gently massage baby's gums.  This teether is easy for babies to hold and they love the fun, bright colors.  It is appropriate for 3+ months.

 F checking out his Octopus teether.

 IcyBite Teether Two Pack

Next, we have Nuby's IcyBite Teethers.  These teethers provide a cool textured surface for babies to teethe on.  They are engineered with raised offset surfaces that aid in the eruption of teeth by gently massaging baby's gums.  IcyBite teethers stay colder than other teethers, they are colorful and easy for baby to hold.  They are appropriate for 3+ months.  F liked these for awhile and then he decided one day that he preferred teethers that were not cold - yes, children have preferences just like adults.  Here is my Mom confession, these work well as an ice pack when your little one falls.  I have done this once or twice (or a bazillion times) in a pinch and they really help!

Nuby's Wacky Teething Ring

Next, we have Nuby's Wacky Teething Ring.  This teether has a variety of raised, offset surfaces that aid in the eruption of teeth by gently massaging baby's gums.  Each of the textures are specially designed for the front, middle and back teeth.  Babies are drawn to the fun colors and this ring is easy to hold.  The soft, colorful fabric crinkles with your baby's touch.  They are appropriate for 3+ months.

 A very happy F with his Nuby Wacky Teething Ring!

Nuby 3 Step Teether Set in Blue

 

And last, we have Nuby's 3 Step Teether Set in Blue.  This set includes three teethers: one teether for the front teeth, one teether for the middle teeth, and another for the back teeth.  These teethers help soothe, stimulate and clean your baby's gums.  They are appropriate for 3+ months.

Baby F teething with one of the Nuby teethers

He likes it!

He also likes to touch and feel the surfaces.

These teethers are available in a variety of options from BuyBabyDirect.  What do you think?  Does your little one have a favorite teether?  I would love to hear about it!

Thanks Nuby for such awesome teethers, there is something for everyone!  Remember you can connect with Nuby on facebook, twitter, instagram, and pinterest as well. 

Disclosure:  I did not receive any compensation for this post, although as part of this program I may receive items to sample or review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Toddler Caterpillar Clogs by Clogstrom Review & Giveaway

F's new Caterpillar Clogs by Clogstrom

Check out F's new caterpillar clogs by Clogstrom.  They are so adorable!  In fact, he was in love the first time he saw them.  The bright colors and caterpillar antennae make them hard to resist.

F playing with his caterpillar antennae.

 Loving his new clogs.

I love that these clogs are easy slip on and off, this is especially important with an active toddler.  They are also lightweight and front and side vented.  The arch/heel strap also rotates.  I also really like that they are made for both indoor and outdoor play as well as waterproof.  We have many trips to the pool and beach planned soon and we will be taking these babies with us for F.

 Here is F at a park.

 F walking in his stylin' caterpillar clogs.

 Posing for Mommy!

 A closer view of our caterpillar clogs.

 This boy is all smiles!

And he's off...

Clogstrom Clogs are cute, durable and a great price!  When you are looking for quality AND value, they definitely have both!  These clogs are highly limited and they do their best to keep up with demand so when their clogs are in stock I highly recommend placing your order as soon as possible.

Would you love a pair of these for your little one?  Guess what, one of you will win your own pair of Clogstrom caterpillar clogs!  Enter the giveaway below and good luck!

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Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Pipe Cleaner VBS Craft Ideas

Disclosure: I am proud to be a Family Christian Blogger and Affiliate.  I was provided with a Family Christian certificate to facilitate a post about VBS crafts with pipe cleaners.  All opinions expressed are my own.

  Crafting for VBS with Pipe Cleaners

Are you familiar with VBS?  Most likely you are but just in case, VBS stands for Vacation Bible School.  My children have attended each summer and they always have a blast.  They get to meet great people, learn more about God and his word and just have a fabulous, fun time.  My older children have attended several different themed VBS's including High Seas Expedition, Pandamania, Sky, Agency D3 and this year their theme will be Journey Off the Map.  D is excited because it will be her first year to attend!

And did you know that Family Christian is a great resource for VBS supplies?  It is!  You can check out all of their Journey Off the Map VBS resources here.  And they also have quite a few craft items that can be used no matter your VBS theme of choice.

 

 D with our deluxe pipe cleaner set!

Our pipe Cleaners

I ordered this Giant Pipe Cleaner Party Kit to make some fun VBS pipe cleaner crafts to share with you today!  I also picked out this craft themed book the last time I was in my local Family Christian store, Easy to Make Bible Crafts for Kids.  It has a great outline image of Joseph and his coat of many colors that we used!  It is also full of great ideas that can be incorporated into VBS, Sunday School or just everyday fun.

1.  Joseph's Coat of Many Colors (any VBS)

 Line print of Joseph

Have the kids color their Joseph picture however they want.  My children chose to color the vertical stripes different colors.  Then help them cut their chosen pipe cleaners and glue/tape over the coat where they desire.  I love this because kids can use a ton of pipe cleaners or just a few, it is really up to them.  If you have a large group of kids I would recommend precutting the pipe cleaners into long strip for the longer portion of the coat and smaller strips for the sleeves.  It turns out that we were out of glue (yes, we like to craft!) when we did this project so we improvised with tape and it worked just fine.  I love projects that work with improvisation.  The message that God is with you even during the hard times is one that can be incorporated into any VBS.

 E finished her coloring and now she is choosing where her pipe cleaners should go.

with pipe cleaners attached

D's finished picture

C's finished picture

 A's colored Joseph

 B's colored Joseph

2.  Pipe Cleaner Spy Glasses (Agency D3)

 

Spy Glasses with optional mustache!

These spy glasses are not hard to make, they just take a bit of time bending and adjusting them exactly how you want them to be.  We made ours with two dark pipe cleaners.  The kids thought it would be fun to make a mustache to go along with them so we did.

 Agent B

 Agent D

 Agent E

 And the youngest, Agent F!

 Finished Pipe Cleaner Spy Glasses

Of course, we had fun making silly glasses as well!

My silly glasses

3.  Pipe Cleaner Airplanes (Sky)

Up, up and away

Our basic pipe cleaner airplanes are made with three pipe cleaners.  You have one for the basic body, one for the wings, and one for the back end.  These are fairly easy to make and younger kids love to fly them around once they are complete.  These could even be used during some of the VBS songs.

 Bend and twist your pipe cleaner to form the basic body.

Next, figure out the sizing for three loops - two sideways and one vertical and attach them together.  Then attach them to the body of the plane.

Loop a pipe cleaner around and attach it to itself to form the wings and attach to the body - done!

Our airplanes

top view

 D flying a plane.

4.  Chameleons/Lizards (Journey Off The Map)

Directions to make chameleons from Martha Stewart's Craft Book for kids.

These little chameleons were not that hard to make and they look really cute!  Just follow the directions above and you will have a chameleon in no time.  

Bend pipe cleaner in half to begin forming the head.

Wrap around to complete head, remaining piece with be part of the body.

I used my finger to create a coil.

 I attached the coil and make the legs and also added eyes.

 Finished chameleon complete with tongue!

 Finished

These are just a few ideas to get your creativity flowing.  Do you have a great VBS craft idea using pipe cleaners?  I would love to hear about it.