Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

     Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is a simple yet funny retail of the classic fairytale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, by three-time Caldecott Honor winner Mo Willems.  After tidying up their home, mommy and daddy dinosaur and a little suitcase carrying dinosaur visiting from Norway, started to feel very, very hungry.  So, daddy dinosaur cooks up three bowls of scrumptious chocolate pudding all at different temperatures (one hot, one cold, one, well…you remember…just right!).  But, our naughty trio decides that this pudding would taste so much better with the addition of a delicious child!  Quickly hatching their plot, the three lay in wait in the nearby woods for an unsuspecting little girl to come by!  While trying to not give so much of the tale away, your little readers will always remember the look on Goldilocks face when she is done eating the bowls of pudding, and the “We are natural gas” poster is hilarious (although for your little ‘dinosaurs’ you may need to explain why it’s so funny). Delightfully entertaining from start to finish, your little ones will have you reading this tale over and over again!

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs (2012)

Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)

As retold by Mo Willems

Ages 4 and up (or, as the author notes, “For dinosaur ages Triassic to Jurassic”)

ISBN: 978-0-06-210418-2

Publisher:  Balzer + Bray (An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)

Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie and the Christmas Kitty

     Stories that take children on an adventure that they perhaps may never get a chance to experience in life are those that I am drawn to, both as a mother as well as an elementary school librarian.  To see the joy in my child’s as well as my students faces when I share a story with them that they will learn something new brings me great pleasure, which I experienced when I shared Charlie and the Christmas Kitty, Ree Drummond’s delightful follow up to her New York Times best-selling picture book, Charlie the Ranch Dog.

     Our tale quickly transports us back out to the Drummond’s Oklahoma ranch, where Charlie, the helpful basset hound’s idyllic life as chief ranch hand and occasional squirrel chaser is quickly turned upside down by the arrival of a new baby kitten.  As Charlie soon tries, to no success, in getting the kitten to go away (“Maybe if I take a nice, long nap, it’ll go away”), he realizes that after the little kitten helps to make his back feel better from a hard day’s work on the ranch by scratching his fur, maybe this little addition to the family won’t be so bad after all.  With Diane de Groat’s colorfully detailed illustrations, and Drummond’s cheerful prose, this delightful storybook is destined to become a great addition to the list of holiday tales that I will share with  both my family as well as my students every year.

Charlie and the Christmas Kitty (2012)

Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane deGroat

Retails for: $17.99 (Hardcover)

Ages 4 thru 8

ISBN: 978-0-06-199657-3

Publisher:  Harper Collins

Website: www.harpercollins.com

 

 

ALEX ®Duct Tape Tote™ kit.

     It may seem funny to us adults, but duct tape has become a unique fashion trend among kids and teens, and your budding fashion accessory designer will find it’s so simple to use to create a one-of-a-kind tote purse with ALEX ® Duct Tape Tote™ kit.

     Simply take the plain pre-sewn tote bag (featuring two straps) and either use the clear instructions found in the kit, or go about setting and expressing your own individual style with the six colorful rolls of duct tape and stencil to design your unique purse.  You can also add your own stickers, using the tape, stencils as well as paper that are included in the kit.   

     We found that although the tape was not as sticky as regular duct tape, we completely recommend this great product from ALEX, as it helps to foster girls’ imaginations to create their very own creations.

     Perfect for ages 7 and up, the ALEX® Duct Tape Tote™ kit retails for $18.95.  To find  a retailer near you, please visit the ALEX website at: www.alextoys.com

 

Santa on the Loose! ─ A Seek and Solve Mystery!

Santa on the Loose! ─ A Seek and Solve Mystery!
     Santa Claus’ sleigh has been checked and is ready to make his annual nighttime trip, except there’s just one (big) problem─ the presents are missing!  This colorful and amusing book by author Bruce Hale reminded me of the “Where’s Waldo?” books that were so popular when I was younger.   Both you and your little one will have to search among brilliantly bright illustrations to solve the clues.  Who hid the presents, you ask?  Was it Loki the eyeglass wearing reindeer? Or could it be Emo, Santa’s elf helper?  Both you and your little one will have to search among pages of brilliantly bright illustrations by artist Dave Garbot.  With so many suspects, your little one will have to do a lot of thinking to crack this case before Christmas comes! 

 

Written by Bruce Hale & Illustrated by Dave Garbot

Retails for: $7.99 (Hardcover)

Ages 4 thru 8

 ISBN:978-0-06-202262-2

 Publisher: Harper Festival

Website:www.harpercollins.com

Modest Momma's Holiday Gift Spotlight #6-Step 2 Creative Cooks Kitchen

Step 2 Creative Cooks Kitchen

     Your littlest gourmets will play with delight in this bright and colorful kitchen from Step 2 that resembles mommy's grown up kitchen!  Realistic features include a farmhouse sink; working shutters, back splash, electronic stove top and microwave create an almost perfect backdrop for hours of imaginative playtime.  The kitchen also contains a 39 piece accessory kit, with large storage space in the fridge and freezer, along with cabinets and bins. 

     The setup and assembly took about 90 minutes altogether, and the kitchen is well built and sturdy enough to handle the task of dealing with the Pre-Ker's in my school! There is plenty of room in this sprawling kitchen.  One of my favorite details is the spinning spice rack.  The little spices contained in this set, fit nicely in the little carousel that spins around (a nice little feature that I'd like to have in my own 'grown-up' kitchen.

      This play kitchen is a great example of a high quality, functional make-believe toy that my family has, for years, turned to Step 2 to provide.  It is a toy that is colorful and bright, yet realistically mimics the tools and products that we,  moms and adults alike, use in our very own real life 'grown-up' kitchens!

     The Step 2 Creative Cooks Kitchen retails for $199.99, and can be found in Target, Wal-Mart and Toys-r-Us stores nationwide and online.

 

Prematurity Awareness Month--Tips for Mommas-to-Be

     Along with all of the joy and anticipation that pregnancy brings, come several unknowns and quite a few worries. First time moms and seasoned pros alike share a common concern─ preterm labor.  Sadly, this concern is well-founded according to the March of Dimes, as nearly half a million babies are born too soon in the United States each year.  Our countries premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years.  This month is National Prematurity Awareness Month, and according to Dennis Costakos, M.D., a neonatologist at the Mayo Clinic Health system in La Crosse, Wisconsin, “one-third of the time, a preterm birth is due to infection, such as membranes rupturing.  Another third of the time, it is due to a medical condition such as preeclampsia or high blood pressure.  Other factors that can raise your risk of preterm labor also may include the following:

●Maternal age─ risk increases if you are younger than 17 and older than 35.

●Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy, or gaining either too little or too much during pregnancy.

●Chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

●Certain problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta.

●Past history of miscarriage and/or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

 

     To lower your risk of developing preterm labor, Dr. Costakos stresses the importance of prenatal care.  “Also, women should avoid smoking, and stay off of their feet as much as possible,” he states.  “A pregnant woman shouldn’t be on her feet for more than 10 hours a day.”

Faber-Castell's Creativity for Kids Beaded Snowflake Kit

     The weather has been getting colder as the days go by, and as we are quickly approaching the holiday season (with Thanksgiving being two days away!), as a mom and as an elementary school librarian, I am constantly on the lookout for holiday creative and fun activities for both my family and my students to work on while we are stuck indoors.

     Faber-Castell’s Creativity for Kids Beaded Snowflake Kit is simply the perfect cold weather day activity.  This kit includes a wide variety of shiny rhinestones, markers, color-in foil stickers, hanging ribbon and convenient gift wrapper envelopes that you can use to give your creations as gifts.  When completed, the snowflake measures about 5 ½ “, and the flakes can be hung in your windows, use them as a decoration when wrapping your presents, or will look pretty hanging from your tree.  The six snowflakes that my son and some of my students created will be hung on our classroom tree next month, and we are all excited to see how they look like when placed against the tree’s lights. 
     My family and I have been fans of Faber-Castell’s Creativity for Kids line of arts and crafts kits for children since our son was small.  There wide variety of kits provides children of all ages with an outlet to discover their ‘artist within’ and strengthen their imaginations, and the Beaded Snowflake Kit did not disappoint!  To find a retailer near you, please visit the Faber-Castell’s website at: http://www.fabercastell.com/creativity-for-kids

34° Sweet Crisps from 34 Degrees

     I’ve found that as I’ve neared the big 4 0, I’m not much of a ‘big’ dessert eater these days, as I prefer to enjoy a lighter, yet satisfying taste to calm my sweet tooth!  Recently, the kind folks from 34 Degrees sent over four flavors from their newest line of ultra-thin, yet ultra delicious cookies, 34° Sweet Crisps for our family to taste. These thin, sweet crisps only contain between 50 to 60 calories per serving, depending upon the flavor crisp you’ve purchased.  And, although they may be thin, don’t let appearances deceive you, as they are rich in flavor!  Made with natural ingredients, they are perfect straight out of the box.  Available flavors include Caramel, Chocolate, Cinnamon and Graham, and each one was an individual favorite with everyone in my house! 

      Their thin shape makes them an ideal snack to pack in your children’s lunchbox, but as they are delicate, I usually pack them along with my son in a small plastic container.  Next week, I’ve planned on using the crunchy chocolate crisps as a crust for my cheesecake bars for our Thanksgiving dessert.  With a wide variety of flavors (including their “Flatbread” line of savory flavors, including Rosemary, Cracked Pepper and Sesame, to name a few) to choose from, look for 34 Degrees on Twitter and “like” them on Facebook, or for further information, please visit their website at: http://34-degrees.com/   where you can find a retailer near you.  

 

Suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser

 

     Suki® is a 100% natural skincare brand that is free of harmful synthetic ingredients and parabens, suitable for all skin types, (especially for those, like me, who suffer from sensitive or eczema prone skin tone).  Recently, I received a sample of the Suki® Face Creamy Foaming Cleanser,  and it could not have come at a better time, as the weather in my part of the country is becoming increasingly drier and cooler, and so, unfortunately, has my skin.

     This pleasant, gentle daily cleanser worked very well for my skin, and the vibrant smell of citrus and apple is just the perfect scent to wake me up in the morning!  Active ingredients like Acai Oil, shea butter, grape seed and chamomile extract, will help you fight against those nasty free radicals, while reducing the pore size and removing dirt from your face.  While one should take care, as the cleanser comes in a glass bottle (especially if you take it into the shower), I found that the pump is very well made and it pumps out surprisingly little, but you don’t need to use a lot in order to achieve great results (only two to three small pumps will suffice).  This cleanser never left my skin with a nasty filmy residue, as it foams beautifully and easily glides all over my face.

     Retailing for $32.95, the Suki Face Creamy Foaming Cleanser can be purchased directly thru Suki®’s website at: www.sukiskincare.com

Modest Momma's Holiday Gift Spotlight #5--LEGO Creator 7345 Transport Chopper

LEGO Creator 7345 Transport Chopper

     Here comes your little hero to the rescue with this 3-in-1 block set.  This 383 piece set features large engines, working rotors, a back ramp which opens, and a fold-away undercarriage.  Children can assemble a detailed transport helicopter, then take it apart to rebuild into a transport boat or a sea plane.  My son, who has been an avid LEGO collector and builder ever since he received his first “Thomas the Tank Engine” LEGO set when he was two years-old,  enjoyed the fact that there was a lot of versatility and creativity in this set─ he even tested the ferry in the bathtub, and to his delight, it actually floated!   The detailed, step-by-step building instructions are very kid friendly, and they encourage new creations and building explorations.  For $34.99, this set is a great value and is guaranteed to provide your little builders with hours of building fun. 

     The LEGO Creator 7345 Transport Chopper can be found in Target and Wal-Mart stores nationwide and online.  For further information on this set, as well as others, please visit the LEGO website at: www.lego.com

 

Modest Momma's Holiday Gift Spotlight #4- Jenny and "The Sweet Shoppe Mystery"

Jenny and "The Sweet Shoppe Mystery”

      Jenny is a delightfully well-made 18 inch doll from the creators of Our Generation line of dolls and accessories, who comes along with an illustrated storybook, The Sweet Shoppe Mystery.  Readers will learn about Jenny’s intriguing life story of solving mysteries, all the while creating the most delectable, and world- renowned cakes! The doll also comes with two complete outfits and several baking accessories, including baking set including cupcake tray, cupcakes, chef’s bag, bowl, whisk, eggs, recipe card, carton of milk, bag of flour and box of butter so your little girl can help create delicious desserts just like Jenny!

     This line of dolls from Our Generation is so adorable and extremely well-constructed.  The facial features are delicate, with eyes that open and close.  The value of this doll and her accessories when compared with other similar doll lines on the market just can’t compare.  Best of all, Our Generation is a company with a conscious─not only is all of the packaging made from recycled material, but for every Our Generation doll or accessory you purchase, 10 cents goes to the Free the Children’s Power of Girl Initiative, an organization started 16 years ago that now has built more than 650 schools worldwide that educate more than 50,000 children.  Retailing for $31.99,  please visit Our Generation’s website at: http://www.ogdolls.com/pages/where  to find a store locator near you.

Modest Momma's Holiday Gift Spotlight #3-VTech's Brilliant Creations Color Touch Tablet

VTech Brilliant Creations Color Touch Tablet

     Your child will learn how to build and develop cognitive and developmental skills through tablet play. This touch tablet has 80 educational yet amusing activities that will engage your child as they learn through interactive games filled with skill drills in creativity, language arts, math and science. When the unit is turned on, you will see the category menu. To choose a category, little ones can touch the arrows on the screen with a finger, then touch the category icon or press enter. Children can also use the tablet's motion sensor and tilt the device left or right, then touch the category icon or press enter. With the sophisticated look of a tablet device but with a kid-friendly design and content,  my son and I enjoyed all of the wide variety of activities available for kids to play, and the different levels for each activity kept the content challenging and engaging. VTech Brilliant Creations Color Touch Tablet is for children between the ages of 4 thru 7 years, and it retails for $35.99.  The VTech Brilliant Creations Color Touch Tablet can be found in Target, Wal-Mart and Toys-r-Us stores nationwide and online. For further information, please visit the VTech website at: www.vtech.com .

VTech Brilliant Creations Color Touch Tablet Highlights:

● Touch tablet features an LCD color touch screen.

●Motion controlled games.

●Parents can see what their child has learned with the Progress Report key.

It's Christmas! A New I Can Read Series 3 Book

It’s Christmas! (I Can Read Series 3)

     Filled with lovely holiday inspired poems by our nation’s first Children’s Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky and delightfully bright water colored artwork illustrated by Marylin Hafner, It’s Christmas! has been reissued for Harper Collins’ I Can Read series of books.   With twelve humorous rhyming verses about Christmas trees, wish lists, nativity plays and caroling, all of those familiar, warm holiday traditions are sweetly shown from a child’s point of view.  It’s Christmas! is the perfect read aloud for one child or for an entire group of children.

Written by Jack Prelutsky & Illustrated by Marylin Hafner

Retails for: $3.99 (Hardcover)

Ages 4 thru 8

ISBN: 9780060537081

Publisher:  Harper Collins

Website: www.harpercollins.com

Dixie Wins the Race

 

      Dixie Wins the Race is the fifth and latest edition of the popular “I Can Read” series of books featuring Dixie, the loyal canine companion of Emma.   Emma is running in a big relay race, and her loyal, lovable pup Dixie has come along to watch the event. When Dixie hears that she must sit and cheer from the sidelines, she is sad, but is determined to show her friend that she can do what she is told.  However, when Emma falls during the race, Dixie must decide to continue to obey her friend, or join in to save the day.  This lovable tale from author Grace Gilman and featuring delightfully whimsical illustrations by Jacqueline Rogers will easily become a story that your little one will want you to read over and over again!

For ages 4 to 8

Retail price: $16.99 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 9780062086181

Publisher: Harper Collins

Website: www.harpercollins.com

Modest Momma's Holiday Gift Spotlight #2: Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Wilson's Wild Ride

     Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Wilson’s Wild Ride – Inspired by the popular children's television series beloved train, Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Wilson's Wild Ride playset provides your little conductors with the tools to be able to build a spiral of more than two feet tall!  Your little ones (this set is perfect for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years-old) will delight with the sounds of rain, wind and thunder as Wilson enters the Storm Maker.  Launch Wilson downwards through four spiraling levels of track, through popping construction cones.  This set is well-made, easy to put together and best of all, it is rearrangeable into different layouts. The set also comes with one adapter for older diecast Chuggington track sets.  Retailing for $49.97, Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Wilson’s Wild Ride can be found at Target and Wal-Mart stores nationwide and online. 

Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Wilson's Wild Ride Highlights:

• New and improved track
• Storm sounds
• 360-degree spiral
• Over 2' tall
• Includes an adaptor track piece that allows you to connect your existing Chuggington Die-Cast track to the new and improved track
• Requires 2 AA batteries (included)

 

A Modest Momma's Holiday Gift Spotlight #1

     Finding the best toys and gifts for your children during the holiday season can be, well, let’s face it, overwhelming.  With so many toys out there to choose from, and the added pressure of your child being bombarded with advertising everywhere, it’s hard to decide which toy is right for them.  So many questions come to mind─ Is it fun?  Is it safe?  Does it interact or teach my little one something, and most importantly, will the play value extend well past the holidays?  But, fear not, as Modest Momma will be putting a spotlight not only on some of this year’s hottest new ‘must have’s’ but will offer you with out of the ordinary, creative, education and fun choices for children of all ages.  I guarantee that you will find something perfect for your little one here. 

 

Our First Spotlight:

HABA Treetop Trouble

     This game will quickly remind you of the old Memory card game from childhood, but with a special unique quality that will engage your child’s imagination.  A delightfully illustrated game where children between the ages of six and up will have to use their memory skills  to help Frog, Fox, Badger and other animals critters back to their home.  The object of this game is to get each of your six animal tiles to their proper floor.  With each roll of the dice, your little ones will send the elevator up or down one or more floors, where all players (best played with two to four players) swap their elevator tile as it enters the elevator.  When you roll, you’ll control whether the elevator goes up or down.  The first player to get all their animals tiles back home wins! 

HABA’s Treetop Trouble includes the following:

2 game boards

1 symbol die

24 animal tiles

Instructions featured in several languages. 

     Retailing for $12.99, you can purchase HABA Treetop Trouble on the HABA website at: http://www.habausa.com/ . HABA has always consistently created appealing, quality products for children, and Treetop Trouble, with its wonderfully illustrated game board and tiles, will surely not disappoint!

A Birthday for Frances

A Birthday for Frances

     This bright and endearing tale about Frances, the lovable little badger was a favorite read during my childhood, as well as for my son. Sweet little Frances is struggling with the fact that her little sister Gloria is having a birthday. Frances does not say it out loud, but rather through her actions and her little rhymes that we quickly discover that she is unhappy about it.  In Frances’ eyes, her sister seems to have all the birthdays and she doesn't have as many. Hoban manages to simply yet brilliantly convey a gentle message about sibling rivalry, maintaining a level-headed balance of not being too entirely heavy-handed.  From a personal perspective, while re-discovering A Birthday for Frances, this time as a grown up mom, I also found that the portrayal of the simple, homemade birthday party was simply refreshing in these days of elaborate, over-the-top children's birthday parties and celebrations. There are lessons to be learned and shared with your little ones while reading Hoban’s classic tale, and moms and dads will greatly appreciate the good morals to the story.

A Birthday for Frances

Written by Russell Hoban & Illustrated by Lillian Hoban

$16.99 (Hardcover)

For ages: 4 to 8

ISBN: 9780060837952

Publisher:  Harper Collins

Website: www.harpercollins.com

The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy

The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy

     Losing a first tooth is a rite of passage in childhood, and it can be a time filled with excitement and yes, apprehension.  Once that wobbly tooth falls out, little ones anticipate their first visit from the “tooth fairy.”  Sister Bear, of the beloved Berenstain Bears family, notices that she too, has a loose tooth, and can’t wait for it to fall out so the Tooth Fairy will come and leave a quarter underneath her pillow as she sleeps.  However, when she soon learns that her best friend Lizzy received more than she did for the last tooth she lost, Sister Bear starts to question the Tooth Fairy’s motives.  With loving advice from Mama and Papa Bear, Sister Bear awaits her next loose tooth and a return visit from her special fairy.  If you’re looking for a book that will help remove the fear out of your little one losing their teeth, this delightful story featuring the classic and beloved bear family may be just the right fit.

The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy

Written and Illustrated by Jan Berenstain

ISBN: 9780062075499

Retail Price: $3.99

For ages: 4 to 8

Publisher: Harper Collins

Website:  http://www.harpercollins.com

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment

 

     Well, I guess the time has come to admit it-- I have had a love/hate relationship with my feet for years. When I was in my early 20s, I took meticulously good care of body, from my hair right down to my toes. No pedicure appointment went ignored; my feet were always smooth and healthy, and the bottom of my bedroom closet mirrored my passion for shoes for any occasion and style. Fast forward to my life to today, and you will see a woman not unlike many, quickly approaching her 40s, juggling family, work and everyday stresses and ultimately, something in her life has got to give. And, sadly, that something for me has been my feet.

     Without a doubt, our feet are the most active and overworked part of our body. They also hold the dubious honor of being probably the most neglected part of our anatomy. Between the years of forcing my feet into the restricted confines of the narrow toe box of my favorite pairs of high heels, and the downright lack of care have resulted in dry, painfully cracked heels, and thickened skin that up until recently, always rubbed painfully against my shoes.
     Regular daily foot care is essential for healthy feet, as many of the common foot problems that plague us are caused by little or no maintenance. Between the cold temperatures of the fall and winter months, combined with the hot baths and showers that we tend to take during these seasons, drains away most of the moisture from our feet. 

     So, needless to say, when the kind folks at Aquaphor recently sent a sample of their Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, I jumped at the chance to try to see if their product could bring my feet some well- deserved relief.  Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is extremely thick, and contains no perfumes or dyes that can irritate the skin, and it healed my chapped heels beautifully after using it daily for over three weeks.  I have found that the best time to use it is before bed.  After slathering the ointment on my heels every evening before bed, the change that I experienced in my heels skin was truly amazing.  

     Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment did a great job of sealing in moisture and restoring and keeping my feet feeling soft and supple. For further information on this, and other Aquaphor products, please visit their website at: http://aquaphorhealing.com/

My Tooth is Loose, Dr. Moose

     For many children, a trip to the dentist is a stressful experience. The sensory environment (the sounds, smells, and lights associated with the clinical setting) can cause anyone’s, most especially a child's anxiety levels to rise.  Author Teresa Johnston helps to ease children’s anxiety with her  picture book debut entitled, My Tooth is Loose, Dr. Moose.  Dr. Moose is the dentist in a town in the country, and even though his patients are of the animal kind, they nevertheless display the same kind of feelings of worry and uncertainty that our children may have. Between the loose teeth of Lily the Leopard and Simon Squirrel to the cleaning of Harriet Hippo’s huge chompers, they each get to experience a little bit of “Moose Magic” from upbeat Dr. Moose. Ms. Johnston’s sweet, appealing story, with delightful illustrations from Brian Sendelbach will captivate your little one’s attention, easing their possible worries about their first visit to the dentist with gentle humor

 

My Tooth Is Loose, Dr. Moose

By:  Teresa Johnston

Illustrated by Brian Sendelbach

ISBN: 978-0-545-28910-8

Retail Price: $3.99

For ages: 3 thru 8

Publisher:  Scholastic

Website:  www.scholastic.com

 

 

Sprout Organic Toddler Meals

     Now that your little one has grown become a squirmy, distracted toddler, you have to work fast on on your toes to get any food past those precious tiny lips.   Think about it─ now that they are far more mobile than they were as a baby, they are far more interested in cruising around and exploring the world around them than sitting still to eat. Then, there’s the issue of getting them to actually eat the food you serve!  To counteract these dilemma’s facing many families, Sprout Foods has recently launched a new line of eight 100% Organic Toddler Meals designed by Co-Founder, Father of three and Food Network star chef Tyler Florence.  They are:

• Pasta, Zucchini & Tomato Sauce with Beef
• Vegetable & Potato Stew with Beef
• Sweet Potato & Apple Risotto with Turkey
• Vegetable & White Bean Stew with Turkey
• Vegetable & Potato Chowder with Chicken
• Vegetable & Barley Stew with Chicken
• Macaroni & Cheese with Butternut Squash
• Vegetable Risotto with Quinoa & Parmesan

 

     Each 6.5 oz., microwavable, BPA-free container meal contains organic ingredients, quality meats, nutritious whole grains, fruits and vegetable free from artificial preservatives.   Florence developed this new line to give parents an option when their time is limited and they want to serve a meal to their little ones that tastes just like homemade. The kind folks from Sprout recently sent us four (Vegetable & Barley Stew with Chicken; Vegetable & Potato Chowder with Chicken; Vegetable Risotto with Quinoa & Parmesan and Sweet Potato & Apple Risotto with Turkey) of these delicious meals to try.  As our family are huge advocates for natural organic foods, which started around the time of the birth of our son, we appreciated the fact that Sprout has taken great care to design each meal with full of variety, loaded with 100% organic vegetables, fruits and whole grains.  

     By far, our favorite was the Vegetable Risotto with Quinoa & Parmesan─ the nuttiness of wholesome Quinoa was accented with flavorful sweet Carrots, Corn and Zucchini with hints of creamy Parmesan cheese. Second place was the Sweet Potato & Apple Risotto with Turkey─ the heartiness of the sweet potato contrasted nicely with the turkey and crisp apple, and was a nice reminder to us that fall will soon be upon us.  Each of the four meals heated well in the microwave (if you prefer, they can be warmed on the stove in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes).  They can be stored covered in your refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days.

     Sprout Organic Toddler Meals retail for $3.55, and can be found in Target stores nationwide.  To find a retailer near you, or for further information about these, as well as all of Sprout’s line of infant and toddler stage foods, please visit Sprout’s website at: www.sproutbabyfood.com

First Meals & More─ Your Questions Answered by Annabel Karmel

     Most pediatricians, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend introducing solid foods to babies at between four and six months of age. If your baby is around this age, can sit up well with support, and shows interest in the foods he sees you eating, it’s probably a good time to make your first forays into feeding baby solid food. 

     First Meals & More─Your Questions Answered by bestselling author and children’s food expert Annabel Karmel is filled with all the tools and information that families need to get their infants and toddlers to begin to develop healthy eating habits that will last their lifetime.  The recipes that are included in this book, from Carrot Purees to Lasagna al Forno, are simple and easy to prepare. We have enjoyed all the ones that we’ve tried so far, with the Fish Goujons being one of my family’s favorites.   I appreciated the fact that in between the recipes, Karmel included hundreds of Q & A’s loaded with helpful advice and tips, including developing a balance and variety in their diet, to adding flavors from around the globe.  

      For further information on author Annabel Karmel, please visit her website at: www.annabelkarmel.com.  To learn more about DK Publishing's wide variety of titles, please visit their website at: www.dk.com

 

First Meals & More─ Your Questions Answered

Author: Annabel Karmel

Publisher: DK (Dorling Kindersley Limited)

ISBN: 978-0-75664-284-6

Retails: $22.00

Website:  www.dk.com

Eyes Wide Open by Andrew Gross

     This summer, a very entertaining and quick read captured my attention, while enjoying the beauty of our trip to the Gulf coast of Florida.  Eyes Wide Open by best-selling New York Times author Andrew Gross takes readers to the scene of what appears to be a tragic suicide of a young man at the base of a rocky cliff in Morrow Bay, on California’s coast.  

     Jay Erlich, a physician, seems to have it all in stark contrast to his older brother Charley.  Charley isn’t what you call a good family man, and his family suffered for it.   His son Evan, had to resort to medication to make his life seem near normal.  One day, Jay receives a phone call from a distressed Charley who had received word that Evan had committed suicide jumping off of a cliff. Charley, in his usual stupor, does not think that Evan could have possibly taken his own life, and pleads with his brother to come to California and help him seek out the truth and justice for his son  Past family secrets remerge throughout, as Goss’ plot is well-crafted.  All of the characters in this thriller feature intriguing insights into the fragility of human nature. 
     I can highly  recommend this book to anyone like me, who enjoys mysteries that leave you on the edge of your seat. Or in my case, on the edge of my beach chair!

       For further information about author Andrew Gross, please visit his website at: http://www.andrewgrossbooks.com.  To learn more about Harper Collins titles, please visit their website at: http://www.harpercollins.com

 

Eyes Wide Open

 

Author: Andrew Gross

 

Publisher: Harper Collins

 

ISBN: 978-0-06-165602-6

 

Retails: $9.99

Website: www.harpercollins.com

 

 

 

Nature's Path Organics

 

     Nature’s Path Organic was started in 1985, and has grown to become one of North America's largest organic cereal brands.  They also sell certified organic breads, cookies, and snack bars in 42 countries around the world.  As my family and I have been fans of their line of granola bars for two years (our favorite, pretty much hands down, is the Peanut Choco Crunch─ a delectable blend of creamy peanut butter studded with dark chocolate chips.  Basically, just imagine eating a Butterfinger candy bar that’s healthy for you!), so we were excited to recently receive some samples from the kind folks at Nature’s Path Organic to try out.

     Love Crunch-Aloha Blend─ Both my husband and son love granola, so we were thrilled to try this product. They both eat as a snack rather than as a cereal, and almost always top their ice cream with it. Of course, according to the label, a serving size is only 1/4 cup, which is quite small for my boys, and that's where the problem comes in! When they first tried the granola, they could have easily finished off half the bag! Both are renowned for their sweet teeth, they basically devoured it.  It has a delicious taste, studded with little bits of pineapple, toasted coconut and tiny chunks of yummy white chocolate. Best of all, for each bag of Love Crunch that you purchase, Nature's Path Organic will donate an equivalent amount of organic food or cash to local food banks across the United States. 

      Pumpkin-n-Spice─ These bars are very appropriate for people who need to avoid foods containing gluten or for individuals suffering from celiac disease, as this is one of the few bars without wheat or malt flavoring. Filled with a warm pumpkin flavor, rich tangy spice notes of nutmeg and cinnamon with heavenly nutty notes all enhance this bar. Great taste and only 150 calories, they have quickly become a staple at our house.

      For further information on where to find Nature’s Path Organic food products near you, please visit their website at:  http://www.naturespath.com/