Author: MamatheFox


Jan
2016

French Broad Chocolates Review

categories: Reviews

French Broad Chocolates Review

About French Broad Chocolates

French Broad Chocolates is not your average chocolatier. It all started when a young couple fell in love. So naturally, as all young couples in love, they took a fun and exciting trip to Costa Rica. After experiencing life in Costa Rica, they both dropped out of graduate school, bought a 40-foot vegetable oil power bus and hit the town running. Living in the area they did, they were exposed to cocoa beans as well as a town that truly understood the bean. The young lovers studied chocolate for over a year and opened a chocolate shop. They soon knew that they were meant to be chocolate people. And we are sincerely grateful that they discovered their calling!

Their first shop was Bread and Chocolate located in Costa Rice (has been since sold) this is where they bought one of their first chocolate tempering machines, this is the machine that mixes and heats the raw chocolate which helps makes their chocolate some of the best I’ve ever tasted, they are now back in the United States and own French Broad Chocolates Lounge in Asherville, North Carolina. When in Costa Rica they helped restored an abandoned cacao farm, as well as helped a friend build a fermentary. By helping their local friends, they now have the connections to directly buy small batches for always fresh and perfectly grown beans. This allows French Broad Chocolates to be miles ahead of any other chocolatiers as far as quality and freshness goes.

French Broad Chocolates are one of a handful of chocolatiers in the world to be bean-to-bar-to-truffle.

My Simple Green Living series is focused on all types of business and products that are in someway ‘green’. French Broad Chocolates supports local businesses by buying their honey from local sources. They strive to buy all their ingredients (like the fruit found in some chocolates) from organic suppliers to ensure the highest quality product to their customers. They even compost things like their egg shells and certain packaging. The most impactful (in my personal opinion) is their support of fair trade. “To ensure that this hard work is valued fairly, we can rely on direct contact, conscientious middlemen, association with like-minded chocolatiers, and fair trade certification.” – French Broad Chocolates Website

Follow French Broad Chocolates

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Mama’s Experience

French Broad Chocolate Review

I was able to review 3 amazing products by French Broad Chocolates: a box of truffles (Holiday Collection), Chocolate Sip and Hazelnut Dragée. Each was far more decadent than I would have expected. After researching the company I knew that this chocolate was not going to be any old chocolate. I knew I was going to be able to taste the difference when indulging in a French Broad treat.

Truffles

As the seasons change and the different holidays come and go, French Broad Chocolates keeps things fresh and current. By ensuring you always get the most fresh batch possible they have limited qualities of special edition treats (like the one I was able to review) and others that are (while still fresh) available year-round.

Currently they have 4 stunning collections of truffles to choose from:

My box was the 2015 Holiday Collection. This box featured the following truffles: gingerbread, peppermint, eggnog, champagne, fruitcake and pecan pie caramel.

truffle combo

These are not the type of treat you keep popping into your mouth one after the next, as you mindlessly watch a Chopped marathon. These are the real deal when it comes to top self truffles. Relax. Slowly take a bite. Let is fully melt in your mouth. This allows the palette to fully take in the depth of flavors as well as the silky smooth texture. By slowly enjoying these fine chocolates you will have so much respect for the love that was put into every cocoa bean.

Hazelnut Dragée

French Broad Chocolates makes 2 types of dragée: almond and hazelnut. I was able to review the hazelnut.

When it comes to sweet and salty snacks, French Broad hit the mark! These are one of the coolest chocolate treats I have ever tried. Its a simple yet stunning creation. A whole hazelnut was lightly dipped in chocolate and then dusted with the same soft chocolate flakes. This gives you 2 chocolate flavors to take in as well as the salty, crunchy nut at the center. These are great for that moment you are craving that tiny bit of sweetness but not wanting to ruin your waist line. You can have a little something without the guilt of slamming half of a chocolate bar. I highly recommend grabbing a bag to help you stay in check if you crave chocolate but watching your figure.

Hazelnut dragee

Chocolate Sip

This is not a hot chocolate. This is a chocolate sip! French Broad Chocolates make their Chocolate Sip with house-ground chocolate, and suggest that we steam it with just enough water to be sippable. I boiled 1/4 cup of water and poured it over 3 tablespoons of this house-ground chocolate. I quickly whisked it to make a deeply flavorful sipping chocolate treat. You can also make it with milk, for a thicker treat or heavy cream for a full on party in your mouth.

Be sure to drink it sooner than later if you only make it with 1/4 cup of liquid. this is because it will go cold faster due to the small amount of liquid in the cup.

sipping raw

(PS – the sipping chocolate bites are good enough to eat raw! )

Please head over to French Broad Chocolates website. Check out their amazon selection and try out a few things today.

 

 


Jan
2016

Spectra S2 Breast Pump Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

Spectra S2 Breast Pump Giveaway

The birth of a baby is a beautiful thing. Many moms choose to nourish their baby with nature’s best food, breast milk. What we know about breast milk continues to expand and we’re constantly learning new things. What we do know is that breast milk provide antibodies to help baby stay healthy and that milk changes to meet baby’s needs including everything from fat consistency to temperature. Weather fed directly from the breast, pumping or a combination; Breast milk is liquid gold.
Pumping breast milk is a skill that comes easily to some and takes more practice for others. A breast pump can make a big difference in how efficiently you pump. While many insurance companies cover one or two styles, these designs don’t meet everyone’s needs. From pump fit to performance, if you need to pump breast milk you need a good pump. As you can see in Mama Banana’s Review, the Spectra S2 Breast Pump is an amazing machine.  It offers features including:

  • Closed system (hygienic for Mom and baby)
  • Double Electric (Can also be Single)
  • Night light and timer
  • Digital Screen and controls
  • Powerful yet gentle and quiet
  • Fully Adjustable separate controls for Speed and Suction
  • Comes with everything you need to double pump
  • Easy to clean
  • Attractive design
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
Enter to win! Giveaway is open to eligible legal residents of the USA and Canada. Ends 1/30 and winner will be notified via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond. If no response is given, a new winner will be drawn. Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
Spectra S2 Breast Pump Giveaway open to USA/Canada
Disclosure; This is not a sponsored post and participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment. This is in no way associated with Facebook or other social media sites in which is it promoted. Questions about the Spectra S2 giveaway? Contact MamaBananasAdventures@gmail.com

Jan
2016

Ozmo Cup Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

Ozmo Cup Giveaway

ozmo smart cup

Have you heard about the coolest new cup around? The Ozmo smart cup will keep track of how much water and coffee you have drank. It even tells you when you need to drink more! This cup retails for $80 and is now available for purchase.

Read the full review here

January2

Welcome to the 1st Annual The New & Improved You Giveaway Hop hosted by Karen’s Got Mail! I have teamed up with a fantastic group of bloggers to share some awesome giveaways with my readers. Be sure to hop around to the participating blogs listed below and enter some fabulous giveaways, all of which are worth a minimum of $25!

Ozmo Smart Cup

Disclosure: Karen’s Got Mail and the New and Improved You Giveaway Hop participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and any other social media are not affiliated with this giveaway.


Jan
2016

Kushy Tushy Review

categories: Giveaway

Kushy Tushy Review

About Kushy Tushy

Service, service, service! I cannot tell you enough about the outstanding service with Kushy Tushy. If you have questions, concerns, worries, thoughts, you will never be left feeling short. Being new to WAHM Cloth (Work-At-Home-Mom) I had so many questions but I was never made to feel less than intelligent or that my questions were silly. The best part of the outstanding service is that you are able to help custom design your diaper if the diaper allows.

Ashley, owner and creator of each diaper, is a mother of four and a fellow Christian. I love supporting a fellow Christians business, I just find a lot of joy in it. While being a busy mom, she still finds time to create these amazing diapers, run the business side and maintain their Facebook group (click here). Ashley is such a ‘super-mom’!

diaper 00

Snap & Elastic Warranty

Kushy Tushy offers free snap replacements for the life of the product and free elastic replacements for the first 6 months of the products life. To read more about their steller program click here.

Follow Kushy Tushy

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Mama’s Experience

WAHM diapers are different than corporately manufactured diapers. When I received my diaper in the mail I was able to see and feel the difference immediately. They are fluffy! Luxuriously fluffy, silky smooth and simply adorable I was instantly in love. These diapers do not have a PUL or outer lining. They are however much thicker than a corporately manufactured diaper. This allows it to keep everything contained. I have confidently used this diaper overnight without worrying about leakage.

When I first out my diaper on my son I was very confused. There was no rise snaps so it was very large on him, being that he is a small guy. It was sagging in the leg holes. I contacted Ashley about my issue. She showed me a nifty diagram on how to put the diaper on properly. I can put the diaper on the natural way once my son is larger, but for now I need to roll the front flap down and snap that way. Mind=Blown!

diagram

 

Now, putting on the diaper properly, I have full confident in it’s effectiveness. I truly think my son loves this diaper. It’s so soft & really cozy. This diaper keeps him feeling dry because of the material used. He loves it and I love it. Now I understand the hype about WAHM diapers, and why Kushy Tushy is the way to go. 

 

in wreath

side by side

The diaper which I was able to review was the John 3:16 diaper. When I saw the print showcased as a ‘coming soon’ diaper a few months back I gasped! I instantly fell in love with this print. John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is a scripture to which all Christians cling to. It holds the hope which in which we need while being this side of the grave. Being a Christian is not a title, it’s a way of life. I’ts living knowing that I myself will never be good enough in my sins and errors, but when I have Christ on my side, accepting His gift of forgiveness and work on the cross, I have hope of eternal glory. Not because of anything I may have done or not done, but as a free gift out grace.

front 00

side by side tushy

Kushy Tushy diapers not only fit my son perfectly, but they are extremely soft, easy to wash/dry, crazy absorbent and beyond adorable. I hands down recommend this diaper to all cloth parents. 

Jan
2016

GAIA Natural Cleaners Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

GAIA Natural Cleaners Giveaway

giveaway

Thank you for stopping by the Natural New Year giveaway hop hosted by The Anti-June Cleaver, Our Piece of Earth, and Mama the Fox.

We have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you a variety of prizes to help you bring in the new year naturally. All of the prizes in this hop will be natural, organic, and/or eco-friendly. After you have entered a giveaway visit the linky at the bottom of each post to visit the other blogs for more great prizes, including three grand prizes from each of the hosts.

Natural New Year Giveaway Hop

 

At this stop you have the chance to win a HUGE prize pack from GAIA Natural Cleaners.

This prize includes:
  • (1) Laundry Detergent ~ Lavender
  • (1) Powder Hand Soap ~ Lemongrass
  • (1) Castile Dish Soap ~ Mint
  • (1) All-Purpose Spray ~ Grapefruit & Tea Tree
  • (1) Glass Cleaner ~ Lavender & Lime
  • (1) Spot Remover ~ Grapefruit and Tea Tree
Value of $50+ in prizes

GAIA


Jan
2016

Ozmo Cup Review

categories: Reviews

Ozmo Cup Review

ozmo smart cup

About Ozmo

This is no ordinary cup. This cup is seriously something straight out the The Jettisons (remember that old 70’s cartoon?). Ozmo had the average every day person in mind when developing their revolutionary product, the Ozmo Cup. We are typically under-hydrated and over-caffeinated every day. At least I am! Being a busy mom of 2, I often forget to pick up a glass of water. I chug a tad too much cold coffee. I know this, and always accepted it as an unchangeable fact, until now.

Ozmo comes from the scientific term, Osmosis. Osmosis is the diffusion of water from a region of high water potential to a region of low water potential. – Ozmo.io

The Ozmo is a cup and app that uses sensor technology to measure your water and coffee intake, which is then transferred to your app. You are able to live time see how much water and or coffee you have taken in today. Here are some of the basic highlights for you:

  • This is a “smart cup” & app which will tell you (in live-time) how much water or coffee you drank today
  • You can set it up with personal goals, or have it tell you how much you need based on age, weight, weight and lifestyle
  • It will notify you when you need to take a sip/it’s been too long since your last gulp of water
  • BPA-Free material
  • USB charging (no batteries required)
  • Holds 16 fluid ounces
  • Leak proof design (confidently toss it into your work bag or purse)
  • 1 charge lasts up to 3 weeks

What the lights mean:

1 blue LED light: achieved 20% of your hydration goals for the day.

2 blue LED lights: achieved 50% of your hydration goals for the day.

3 blue LED lights: achieved 90 % of your hydration goals for the day.

3 blue LED lights blinking: achieved all your hydration goals for the day.

Follow Ozmo

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Mama’s Experience

I cannot even begin to say how cool this cup really is. I mean, we are attached to our phones, so having an app that helps you keep hydrated is just so smart. The app is free and can work independently from the cup. You can manually put in your water/coffee intake and you are set. However, the cool part about the whole program is the cup itself. Having a cup with a USB port makes my nerdy side grin.

Ozmo cup lid

The primary reason I like this cup so much is because it’s so easy to use. I don’t have time to monkey around with inputting data and measuring out things. The app and cup do all this for me. It even has the option to give me a reminder when I have not taken a drink in a while; it vibrates to give me a friendly heads up. The charge hold is amazing! It really does go days and days and days without needing a charge. Not having to remember one more thing to plug in at night is such a blessing. Filling up is easy-peasy. Just fill up to the top line (which hold 16 ounces of water), twist the lid on securely and take a swig.

This cup is NOT dishwasher safe, however they are working on making a newer version that will be. The support staff is always working on ways to make things more efficient and smooth for the user. They want to make you a healthier you but without you having to do the dirty work.

The app has been available on iTunes for Apple users for a while, and only came available to Android users in the past few weeks. The app is free on both devices to download. You can personalize your app by inputting your gender, age, weight, height and activity level. The app will then suggest a daily ounce intake and you can accept it or not. If you want more or less than the suggest total you can change it too.

filled with water

Ordering an Ozmo Cup has never been easier. Click here to check out their website and shop till you drop!

 


Dec
2015

Gaia Natural Cleaners Review

categories: Reviews

Gaia Natural Cleaners Review

gaia_logo

About Gaia

Karen, a mother and entrepreneur, started Gaia Natural Cleaners for the sake of her children. This world is vital to our future and its success, and the more we can preserve it, the better off we leave it for future generations. Karen wondered, “what kind of world do we want to leave behind for our children?” With that in mind, we have done everything in our power to live healthier and more environmentally friendly lives…for our home, community, and environment. – Gaia Natural Cleaners Website

Green Cleaning

Only the finest natural ingredients are used in Gaia products: Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate), Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (Sodium Percarbonate), Essential Oils, Washing Soda (sodium carbonate), Liquid Pure Castile Soap, LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia), High Purity Salt, Castile Bar Soap, LEMON (Citrus limon), Borax (Sodium Borate), Citric Acid, Vinegar, TEA TREE, Pure Grain Alcohol.

To learn why these items are chosen and more about each one, please click here.

Gaia product line contains:

Follow Gaia

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Mama’s Experience

Part of my 2016 goal is to make more green choices. This includes how I choose to clean and what products I use. As a mother I am always cleaning. Dish after dish, load of laundry one after the next. It literally is never ending. When I do each chore I need a product which will help clean but not hurt my family. When I found out about Gaia I was intrigued. They have effective ingredients, which are not harsh or abrasive, as well as natural oils and scents. It seemed too good to be true, but thankfully it wasn’t! GAIA is amazing! If we ever hire the best Maid Service in Thousand Oaks, then I am 100% saying that this is what I want them to clean with, because I could not be happier.

Powder Hand Soap

hand powder 1

I had never heard of powder hand soap before seeing it made by GAIA. This soap is completely preservative free, which is one of the things I have been looking for in products lately. It works just the same as a liquid. Only it’s powder. You simply shake some on your hand, add a bit of water, lather and rinse! I think this is such a fun product. It comes in 3 scents: Tea Tree, Lemon, and Lavender.

in hand

I love how this soap actually lathers and cleans! Having never seen or used powdered soap I was unsure how it would really stack up. Using a small amount I added water and then saw I added too much water and it all fell off my hand. The second try I put a small amount of powdered soap and a small splash of water on already wet hands. This was the perfect storm and the soap started to bubble up once I started moving my hands around. I love this soap so much. It great for everyday use and would make the perfect housewarming gift.

lather hand

Dish Soap

dish soap 1

Dish soap is such an everyday item. I use my dishwasher like most other people, but there will always be certain items that I will not place in my dishwasher. My children’s plates and bowls (not safe), my wooden spoons and utensils (can cause warping and splitting due to high heat), and other things that I am particular about. I use my dish soap daily. I have tried TONS of dish soaps. I have had a very hard time finding an earth-friendly option that actually cuts the grease and works. I have tossed out my fair share of soaps which I felt were sub-par. My husband and I joke that we have such high standards when it comes to our dish soap.

GAIA’s Dish Soap is Castile based, meaning that you can clean with your mind as ease. Being a natural based soap it will not lather like a traditional dish soap. This can be off-putting or confusing to those who are unaware. The unnecessary additives like preservatives cause the studding effect. There will be some studding in the beginning of cleaning, but as it is in use the suds will start to dissipate. This doesn’t mean it is not working/cleaning. You can feel it with your hands whether it is clean or not.

This dish soap has a dual purpose! You can also use it as a hardwood floor cleaner. Add a few squirts to your bucket of water and bam! You have some lovely floor cleaner that smells amazing, and some say this works really well.

This dish soap comes in 3 scents: Grapefruit & Tea Tree, Lemongrass, and Lavender & Lime.

Laundry Soap

laundry powder 1

I do so much laundry. Like so much. Having 2 toddlers, 2 cats and a pet husband (LOL) we have at least 1 or 2 loads a day. That added with cloth diaper laundry, I am my that machine more than I would like to admit. Gaia’s laundry soap is held to the same standards as the products I have mentioned above. It is HE friendly and completely biodegradable. Effective for all fabrics, temperatures and settings. It can lift stains and odors like you want it to.

detergent powder 1

It comes in 3 scents: Cleansing & Purifying (Tea Tree), Uplifting & Refreshing (Lemon), and Balancing & Relaxing (Lavender).

Each and every item the GAIA offers is a treat to behold. Whether you decide to buy it for yourself or as a gift, you will not be disappointed. Click here to check out more about GAIA and view their full line of products.


Dec
2015

Ringing In The New Year Giveaway

categories: Giveaway
Ringing in the New Year Giveaway

Welcome to the Ringing in the New Year Giveaway hosted by The Parenting Patch and sponsored by Conservamom, Mama Banana’s Adventures, The Inquisitive Mom, Sunshine Praises, Our Piece of Earth, and Mama the Fox. These fabulous blogs want to help you ring in the New Year with a $60 PayPal cash giveaway. All you have to do to enter is leave some thoughtful comments on their websites and Facebook pages. To increase your chances of winning, be sure to come back each day and comment again! Although not required, also be sure to like their pages on Facebook!

The Parenting Patch

 

Conservamom

 

Mama Banana’s Adventures

 

The Inquisitive Mom

 

Sunshine Praises

 

Our Piece of Earth

 

Mama the Fox

 

One lucky reader of The Parenting Patch and the other participating blogs will win one (1) $60 PayPal cash. To enter for your chance to win the Ringing in the New Year Giveaway, simply use the following entry form. Be sure to come back each day to claim your daily entries and increase your chances of winning. Good luck!

 

The Ringing in the New Year Giveaway is open worldwide. Void where prohibited. Giveaway is not affiliated or associated with Facebook or any other social media platform. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on December 31, 2015. One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be sent an email and will have forty-eight hours to respond. If no response is received within forty-eight hours, another winner will be chosen. The Parenting Patch is responsible for prize fulfillment.


Dec
2015

Little Bee Co Cloth Diaper Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

Little Bee Co Cloth Diaper Giveaway

Little Bee Giveaway

In the spirit of the Christmas season, The Little Bee Co is offering a special deal to its customers. Get a free diaper with every qualified purchase! If you are feeling giving you can donate that diaper (they will do it for you) to a child in need. This is an amazing deal you don’t want to miss. Check out TheLittleBeeCo.com for more information and to check out all their adorable styles

 

 

Welcome to the “Pink&Blue: Babies are Two” Giveaway Hop hosted by Heather from Mommy’s Favorite Things and Michelle from Mama’s Baby Cupcakes. Two years ago this December we celebrated the birth of Michelle’s daughter and Heather’s son, and now they’re turning TWO! In honor of their birthdays, this hop has a toddler theme, which means anything family friendly is up for grabs for the kiddos 1-4yrs old! Each blog has a minimum prize package of $25 per winner and after visiting my giveaway, make sure you use the linky below to take a look at the other blogs to see what they have to offer for you!

For the Grand Prize the hosts have teamed up with four companies to bring a variety of fun options to your toddlers. First up is Little Tikes and their Perfect Fit 4-in-1 Trike. Fitting children 9 months to 5 years old, it can grow with your child as they learn to navigate themselves on a trike. Retail value $99.99. The Contours Twist Grow-With-Me Seat grows with your child from infant floor seat to a big kid booster seat for table – with a twist because the seat rotates 180° to five different positions. For ages 4 months to 48 months and retail value is $69.99. Zoey’s Attic is an almost one woman show who makes quality shirts and fun items in her basement perfect for sibling sets big sibling shirts and more! Up for grabs is a $35 gift card to their website! Last but not least is winner’s gender choice/size of shoes from Pediped which is a shoe company just for kids. Average shoe is around $60! Head on over to Michelle’s blog Mama’s Baby Cupcakes to enter this Grand Prize for your chance to win! 

Little Bee Co


Mama’s Baby Cupcakes, Mommy’s Favorite Things and the “Pink&Blue” participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.