Bitsy's Brainfood

      Two new moms, Alexandra Buckley Voris and Maggie Jones Patton carry a firm belief that little healthy bodies and their growing, developing minds are connected.  With this in mind, as well as their shared goal to encourage children to eat healthy foods that make learning time fun, they formed EduFoods, LLC and are proud to introduce their first product, Bitsy’s Brainfood.  Bitsy’s Brainfood comes in four distinct varieties─ Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot; Orange Chocolate Beet; Lemon Broccoli and Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin. We recently received a sample of their Orange Chocolate Beet cookies, and we warn you─ these yummy letter shaped cookies are VERY addicting!  One just wasn’t enough!

     What caught my eye at first was the packaging. Immediately, I was sent back to my childhood, since the package that Bitsy’s Brainfood is in was a pleasant reminder of the old animal crackers container that almost always could be found in my family’s kitchen closet!   In the inside of each package, kids will find.  Buckley Voris and Jones Patton have also launched an interactive website guided by Bitsy and her friends that offer families with tips and activities to keep eating healthy.

     Now, back to the cookie!  Each cookie contains a slight hint of tangy orange, which is combined with the subtle flavor combinations of beets and chocolate.  The crisp texture (similar in taste of the consistency of a crisp graham cracker) was extremely tasty.  All of the ingredients in Bitsy’s Brainfood are organic and all natural, with no artificial colors, preservatives and flavors.  Best of all, they are peanut-free, and will make an excellent snack for my students once school begins next month. My family and I look forward to trying Bitsy’s other flavors real soon!

     To find a retailer near you, please visit their website at: http://bitsysbrainfood.com/parents/contactus.html

Dig! Discover Display--The Great Sphinx

     Between constructing his own mini versions of the coliseum and pyramids out of Lego’s, to collecting and reading almost all of Mary Pope Osbourne’s Magic Treehouse series, my son has always had an interest in history.  Needless to say, when we recently received a package from Kristal Educational Inc., the creators of educational toys and games, containing three Dig! Discover Display kits, we were very excited!

     The Dig! Discover Display─ The Great Sphinx, was the first kit that we choose to work on during a cloudy, rainy day last week.  The kit contained 1 excavation block, 2 brushes, 1 paint tablet, excavation tool, booklet and instructions (Quick word of advice--you will also need some glue to attach the head of the sphinx to the body).  It is best if the kit is worked on a clear space covered with lots of newspaper, as yes, you will have a lot of discarded excavation material and dust, which can easily be contained if you take these simple precautionary measures before hand.  This worked out perfectly for us, as we were able to dig, sand, glue and paint the sphinx, and had little mess to clean up when the project was completed.

     The sphinx, when completed, measures about 10” in length, with features that are quite similar to the actual monument in Egypt.  While this project takes time and patience to complete, as there are several steps involved in the process, my son and I thoroughly enjoyed working on this together.  His finished piece came out really well, and he has placed the sphinx on a shelf in our playroom for all to see (we'll be posting a photo of the finished product later this week).

     This is the perfect project to undertake on a rainy day (which is exactly the type of day it was when we worked on it a few days ago), or for use as an educational project for homeschoolers and/or a small group of children (where each child can take turns).  Each Dig! Discover Display can be purchased directly thru Kristal Educational Inc website.

     My family and I are so looking forward to ‘digging’ into the other two kits that Kristal Educational Inc., were so kind enough to send to us very soon. For further information on Kristal Educational Inc. various kits and products, please visit their website at http://kristaleducational.com

Zylie the Bear

    I can honestly say that I can trace back my love affair with teddy bears at the tender age of 2.  A faded photograph of a little pig tailed girl clutching a small, tannish brown bear in her arms as she greets with a huge smile on her face, an even bigger bear, “Winnie the Pooh” at a holiday parade.   Since childhood, I’ve loved all things bear, so needless to say, when I was recently provided with an opportunity to review Zylie the Bear, I was just thrilled.   

      Mary Beth Minton, Founder and CEO created Zylie the Bear with her daughter in mind.  Minton recalls that, “she only liked playing with stuffed animals and would see her sister Kate’s doll clothes and want to dress up her teddy bear.  So she’d stuff the bear into the doll clothes.”  Inspired by her daughter’s imaginative play, Zylie the Bear was born.

      Zylie the Bear is 18” tall, and she wears skinny blue jeans, an orange daisy patterned sleeveless blouse and a soft white coat, just perfect for those cold New York (where Zylie is from) temperatures.  The bear is extremely well crafted, as it quickly reminded me of the stuffed animals and toys that I had when I was a child (made to last and pass along to our future children); her arms and legs are jointed so she moves just like a doll, only Zylie is far cuddlier.  Zylie also comes along with accessories that fit her adventurous lifestyle─ an orange tote, a map, diary, passport, and a delightfully illustrated storybook, “The Adventures of Zylie the Bear─New  York” that you and your little one will enjoy as you learn more about Zylie’s life story, and join along as you follow Zylie, her little brother Theo on their worldly adventures.   The librarian in me loves the fact that the storybook includes a glossary in the back, filled with definitions that explain some of the words and places that are mentioned in the tale.  Ultimately, the care and attention to detail in creating this lovely bear was a total standout, and worth every penny you could spend.

      Due to Zylie’s growing popularity, a series of delightful children’s books follow Zylie on her world travels have been released, along with a line of outfits perfectly respective of the bear’s adventurous spirit, and new ‘friends’, including Shen the Panda debuted.  I was pleased to learn that Zylie’s founders also give back to the community, as each year,  they provide a $1,000 educational scholarship to a student in grades 4 thru 8 in the New York metropolitan area who shows leadership through community service volunteering.

     The winner of numerous awards, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Toy Award and Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Winner, this fashionable, lovely bear is destined to become a classic. It already has won my heart, and I am sure it will win yours!  For further information on Zylie the Bear, and to learn more about where to find a retailer near you, please visit her website at http://www.zyliethebear.com

Soft and Romantic Summer Maternity Styles

     Are you expecting this summer? Expect to look smoldering hot in these latest maternity dress fashion looks that will keep you both you looking fashionably cool during these sweltering months.     With well-known designers enhancing your ‘bump’ by creating soft, feminine flattering, dresses, moms-to-be have a wide range of styles to choose from when searching for that perfect summer dress for every occasion. 

●The Wrap Dress─ A classic style that is dramatic, form-fitting, and exudes sultry sexiness. This sleeveless, light, faux wrap dress from Motherhood Maternityis form fitting in all the right places and the bright pink adds the simplicity of color. Wrap dresses can even be paired with a shawl for that extra touch of glamour!

●Light, Airy and Chic─ This intricately bold-patterned belted airy dress from Rosie Pope’s newest collection for A Pea in the Pod  shines with bold red, white and blue colors.

●Say you have an invitation to your cousin’s seaside wedding on the beach.  You’re six months along, and although you know you will need to wear something special, the idea of searching for that perfect wedding dress seems very daunting.  But, don’t fear as Suzi Chin for A Pea in the Pond has you covered with this elegant strapless maternity dress adorned with floral embroidery.

    The main tip, from my own personal experience when you are out shopping for summer maternity dresses, is to simply remember to cover all your bases with a few good basics that you can mix and match, has good stretch and, most importantly, are airy and comfortable!  Happy shopping!

Having a Pet Can Keep Your Little One's Chance of Colds Away

     Early childhood development experts have long believed that children should have some kind of exposure to animals.  Gail F. Melson, PhD, professor emeritus of developmental studies at Purdue University, in Indiana, and the author of Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the Lives of Children, explains that between 4 in 10 children start their life in a family that has animals, and as many as 90 percent of all children live with a pet at some point during their youth.

     Adopting a pet has numerous advantages for families, and the results of a recent study reveal that a family pet can help keep babies healthier.  The study, entitled, Respiratory Tract Illnesses During the First Year of Life:  Effect of Dog and Cat Contacts”, published in the current online edition of the medical journal Pediatrics, reveals that of the 397 children followed in Finland from pregnancy to 1 year whose families had either a dog or cat (or where around dogs and cats throughout their first year of life), were reported to be healthier and experience fewer respiratory infections than children without contact to domesticated animals. Researchers found that even though respiratory infections and infectious symptoms are frequent during the first year of a child’s life, children with early dog contact seem to have fewer respiratory infectious symptoms and diseases, especially ear infections, and needed a shorter course of antibiotics. Cat ownership also showed a protective effect on infants, but not as strong as dogs. The researchers concluded that animal contact may have an influence on the maturity of an infant’s immune system, which can lead to a shorter time period of infections, and help a child develop better resistance to respiratory infections during their childhood.

       If your family is looking to adopt a pet, please visit the following websites for further information:

http://www.aspca.org/

http://www.petfinder.com/index.html

http://www.animalleague.org/

I Speak Dinosaur!

     As parents, there are so many important things that you want to make sure that you teach your child.  For many, good manners and learning proper behavior lead the list of lessons that we want to ensure in our children.  One of the best ways that you can supplement your hands-on lessons with your child is through the sharing of stories.  Stories, like I Speak Dinosaur!, by Author/Illustrator Jed Henry, provide you not only with an excellent teaching tool, but an enjoyable, endearing experience to share with your little one.

     The energetic, red-headed little boy in the beginning of this charming tale has a huge imagination, preferring to communicate with all around him by speaking ‘dinosaur.’ Speaking ‘dinosaur’ entails the lack of using his manners, choosing to growl and roar at his mom, his little sister and his friends.  This, as predicted, gets the little boy in a mess of trouble, and without other ‘dinosaurs’ to talk to, he finds that he is totally left on his own, and quickly becomes very sad and lonely. 

     One day, while swinging alone on a swing, a few kindly, polite dinosaurs come along and ask if they may, “please play” with him, and the little boy, joyfully accepting their companionship, agrees, and even thanks them!  The little boy’s feelings and actions (as well as the eventual changes) are mirrored in the various colorful dinosaur illustrations throughout the story.  While author Henry encourages the importance of expressing his littlest reader’s individuality in his short story, he manages to gently warn children that even big, scary dinosaurs must always remember to be polite and gracious to others.

I Speak Dinosaur!

Publisher:  Abrams Books for Young Readers

ISBN:  978-1-4197-0233-4

Retails for: $14.95

For Ages:  3 and up

2012

Written and Illustrated by Jed Henry

www.abramsbooks.com

Ella's Kitchen

     Those precious first spoonfuls  that your little ones take will always mark an important and thrilling milestone for you and your baby.  First foods open the door to further experiences of new tastes and different types of textures.  With this in mind, new dad Paul Lindley embarked on a journey in 2006 to create healthier delicious foods that parents use both at home and take anywhere.  With the mantra that eating can be, “fun, tasty, and cool for kids,” Lindley created Ella’s Kitchen, a line of 100% organic first foods for babies and toddlers.  Ella’s Kitchen has won many awards in the United Kingdom, and has quickly grown a large base of admirers in the United States. 

      Recently, the kind folks at Ella’s Kitchen sent Momma some samples of their pouches, and quite honestly, each one was quickly devoured in our household!  Ella’s Kitchen currently has five types of blends which include First Tastes, Ella’s 1 Baby Food, Fruit + Baby Rice, Baby Brekkie and Smoothie Fruits.   

We were sent samples of the following foods to try:

The Red One─ a blend of organic strawberries, raspberries, apples and bananas. 

Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Apple and Blueberries

The Yellow One ─a mix of bananas, mangoes, apricots and apples.

Apples, Apples, Apples

Pears, Pears, Pears

Mango Baby Breakie─ a filling mixture of organic fruit puree of mangoes, natural yogurt and brown rice.  I found that this blend not only made a great breakfast, but also worked as a special dessert treat.

     Ella’s Kitchen organic baby food pouches are nearly mess-free, (if you keep from squeezing the pouch), and chock full of organic fruits, vegetables and grains, with nothing artificial, (the pouches are undiluted with water, juices or concentrates).  The wide variety of full fruit and fruit blends can be easily mixed with your baby’s cereal for additional nutrition and flavor.  I appreciate the fact that unlike several other competitor baby food pouches, Ella’s Kitchen’s packaging is BPA free, and the lids are resealable, and this comes in quite handy if your baby isn’t able to finish all of the pouches.

     Ella’s Kitchen can be purchased individually or in packs and are found in Target stores nationwide, or they can be purchased online thru Ella’s Kitchen’s online store, or thru other online retailers including: Diapers, Target, Babiesrus and Amazon.  For further information on Ella’s Kitchen, please visit their website at: http://www.ellaskitchen.com/

Lack of Vigilance Potential Cause of Allergic Reactions from Food Allergies in Children

     As many as 15 million adults and children in the United States suffer from food allergies. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network explains that a food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein.  The ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals resulting in the symptoms of an allergic reaction.  Symptoms may only be mild (rashes, hives, itching and swelling) or extremely severe (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). The results of a recent study have shed further light that the accidental injection of avoided foods can cause dangerous and potentially life-threating allergic reactions in young children.

     The study, “Allergic Reactions to Foods in Preschool-Aged Children in a Prospective Observational Food Allergy Study,” published in the July 2012 edition of the medical journal Pediatrics (published reveals that of  512 infants studied who were either diagnosed with or at risk for having an allergy to milk or egg, there was a high rate of allergic reactions attributable to problems such as a lack of vigilance in checking ingredients and supervising children, and errors in reading ingredient labels and in preparing foods safely, For example, the non-accidental exposures of milk, egg, and peanuts accounted for 11% of all reactions; and almost half of the allergic reactions were due to food not given by parents, emphasizing the need to provide education to all caretakers, including other relatives and teachers. In addition, only 30 percent of reactions with severe symptoms were treated with epinephrine, and the researchers conclude that improved education on what symptoms warrant treatment with epinephrine, reassurance for caretakers about the safety of administering epinephrine, and teaching its proper use are necessary to prevent these potentially life-threatening reactions in children.

So, what can you do?

●Embrace your multiple roles as parent, advocate and educator. Because food allergies are so misunderstood by the general public, part of your job  will entails educating [others] about what a food allergy is and is not, and the seriousness of food allergies and allergic reactions in your child(ren).

●Keep in mind that while you as well as others around you, understand your child’s food allergies, you will have to engage others attention with educational tools, preventative measures and medications to get them to help you.

●Here’s a tip to also keep in mind─ when you have to speak to people about accommodating your child’s allergies, keep in mind that if you describe their allergy and what needs to be done really simply, you will succeed!