Category: Reviews

My Usborne Family

“The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

– Dr. Seuss

As a child I hated reading! I remember it being hard, I remember being made fun of for making mistakes, and I remember my heart pounding whenever I was asked to read aloud.

It never really became a huge issue until I hit high school and was struggling in my honors math and science classes!

MATH and SCIENCE!

The problem was I couldn’t read fast enough to complete my tests. I eventually took speed reading classes to better improve my efficiency and develop better strategies for tests and note-taking.

After high school I pursed my dream to become an elementary teacher and quickly became passionate about children’s literacy. I took additional classes on phonics as well as studied children’s illustrations, language arts methods, and best practices for teaching in a pluralistic society. After graduation I took my first job in the inner city as an academic specialist. My job: get title 1 3rd and 4th grade students to read at grade level.

The love for literacy only continued to grow as I taught elementary school kids, after school programs, and then eventually my own children.

I was the determined teacher training first graders to read silently for 45 minutes a day.

I was the innovated dance teacher incorporating literature into tap class.

I was the passionate mom reading books to my 1 day old baby in the hospital.

I am THAT homeschool mom checking out the maximum number of books from the library.

I have experienced first hand how reading can actually change your life for the good or bad. I’ve seen the facts, statistics, and testimonies how early exposure to books can build a beautiful foundation for children.

PC: Cherish’s Literacy Corner VIP’s

 

So when I met Cherish, I was instantly inspired by her love for literature and learning! As a past high school English teacher her knowledge of literature is extensive, while her heart for student learning is enormous. As a mom, Cherish has establish a home that invites learning with fun and engaging activities

But her passion for education doesn’t end there, Cherish works to enrich the families around her by helping bring high quality books in their homes through Usborne books.

As an Usborne book consultant, she is passionate about equipping parents with the best resources for raising life long learners!

 

Meet Usborne Books 

Website       Facebook

In 1973, Peter Usborne saw TV and comics controlling the attention of kids and wanted to give non-fiction books a fighting chance. This led to the birth of Usborne books and the mission to make both reading and learning fun, not intimidating. The magic of Usborne books is that they break down children’s resistance to reading and learning at home. In return, it opens the door for parents and children to explore and absorb the world of learning together.

Today Usborne books are high quality, innovative, engaging, and educational! There are over 2000 titles to choose from covering a wide variety of subjects and age ranges.

Usborne in my Home

As a past educator, a mom, and homeschool teacher I can’t express the amount of times I’ve been grateful for Usborne products in our home.

It all started with the That’s Not My collection. From a young age my children were drawn to the high contrast but simple illustrations. They loved to feel each new texture as well as look for the silly mouse hiding on each page. We read the same book too many times to count until I happily discovered Usborne had a HUGE collection of That’s Not My books. I honestly did not love reading the same type of book, but I persevered because those books helped open a world of reading to our children. At a young age they were exposed to the wonders of reading and built stamina to sit through 2-3 long picture books each night.

 

Now with preschool aged kids, Usborne’s collection of activities are a real hit. Usborne provides hands-on educational activities for babies to middle school aged kids. My family uses their sticker books for long car trips, water painting books for quiet independent play, and craft books for art projects. 

As a homeschool mama I’ve only just had a tiny taste of how Usborne can enrich and support our curriculum.

Each month we study a different theme that supports and connects to the Core Curriculum standards for preschool age children. Some of the topics include family units, habitats, space, hygiene, and plants. I was delighted to see Usborne’s books align with State Standards and therefore I could find at least one developmentally appropriate book for each of my units.

For most subjects I have a variety of titles and forms to choose from; peek-inside, lift-the-flap, Big Books, wipe-clean, young beginners, and so much more. Cherish even went the extra mile to examine my preschool syllabus and offer book recommendations for my units.

Usborne wipe clean books have also been instrumental in developing my children’s fine motor skills as well as practicing and refining their writing.  The lively illustrations and game-like set up makes handwriting drills a fun reward rather than a frustrating mundane task.

Working with Cherish

Cherish is not just an Usborne consultant that throws parties and sells books. She works almost daily to post innovative ways to bring reading into your home.

I would highly suggest checking out Cherish’s Literacy Corner on Facebook!

Cherish posts fun activities she is doing with her little ones and ways she incorporates reading into her home.

In addition, her literacy corner keeps followers up to date on Usborne new releases! Often when there is a big release Cherish goes live on social media to give followers an inside look into the books. If there is a book you have your eye on but not quite sure, Cherish helps to provide you with a real view video so you can fully see the illustrations, text, and story line.

Last but not least, her page provides insider deals and specials!

Check it out!

I’ve truly only scratched the surface on Usborne’s collection. Their website is a must see when looking for quality literature to bring into your home! To take it the next step further follow Cherish’s Literacy Corner to join a community of families who love and pursue the benefits of reading!

 

The Stainless Way

My family has been slowly working our way toward a plastic free home. Let me tell you, it’s not easy.

Plastic is cheap, and other materials like stainless steel, glass, and silicone are on the more pricy end.

It’s an investment.

Making the switch takes time.

Making the switch takes money.

The Pura Stainless bottles will make your switch a whole lot easier.

Being 100% plastic free and fully recyclable, the Pura bottles are free of everything you don’t want in your home.

These bottles are all interchangeable between each other. All Pura bottles work together with all Pura tops using their patented lid system. This saves you a lot of time, energy, and money.

Big Mouth Sport

This bottle for adults is a great addition to your non-plastic lifestyle.

The convenient finger loop is so great for on the go living. I constantly find myself using the finger loop to ensure that I don’t drop the bottle. It has seriously come in handy in so many instances.

Despite the large body of the bottle, it fits in standard cup holders and bike cages.

I love the insulated bottles because it eliminates sweating. Not only that, but it keeps liquid cold for up to 24 hours with ice.

Kiki 9oz Bottle

I love these bottles.

The interchangeability of them allow these bottles to grow with your child. One set of these bottles can be used for many years, simply swap out the lids.

This bottle is perfect for kids. The durability it gives is incredible. The bottles are light too, which is perfect for little hands.

My only complaint about these bottles is the size. For my three and one year old, we re-fill them so quickly.

I completely understand the size of the bottles though, because they are made to use from infancy to elementary. Use it as a baby bottle or use it as a bottle for the kids at school!

The Pura Stainless bottles are the perfect way to switch from plastic to stainless. The time, money, and energy you’ll save with these bottles is completely worth the small investment.

Check em out!

Safety in the Air

We all want our homes to be safe and protected for our families. Wether kids are in the home or not, we want to be breathing in good, clean air.

It helps us feel better.

It helps us breath better.

Air quality affects a lot of health factors you may not have even thought about.

Allergies, asthma, focus, sleep quality, skin health, and your overall health.

My family is loving our new Awair air quality monitor.

The Awair monitor tracks invisible, fine dust and chemicals in your air to give you personalized recommendations to help you stay safe and healthy.

Using five key factors that determine air quality, the Awair monitor will give you peace of mind. Measuring the Temperature, humidity, CO2, chemicals, and fine dust, this monitor will tell you the good and the bad of the air you’re breathing.

Temperature

Temperature makes all the difference for comfort and mood.

Humidity

To much or too little moisture can lead to cold flu symptoms and risk for toxic mold.

CO2

Indoor exposure to carbon dioxide can impart productivity and decision-making.

Chemicals

Toxic chemicals can be found in everyday materials. They cause skin and respiratory

Fine Dust (PM 2.5)

Invisible dust can be absorbed into your blood and trigger health problems like asthma, allergies, and heart failure. PM2.5 are tiny dust particles that can’t be seen by the naked eye. They are able to bypass your nose and throat and be absorbed by your lungs and bloodstream. Fine Dust has been known to cause coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, irritation of the eyes/nose/throat, and can trigger asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. 

The little light in the top right corner shows you, by color, the Awair score. Using a color-coded scale from 0-100 you can know by the color wether your home has poor air quality (0) or high air quality (100).

The Awair monitor links to an app on your phone where you can track all these factors. The app shows improvements over time and allows you to see, in graph form, your air quality hour by hour, day by day.

There are two small buttons located on the back of the monitor which allow you to see the actual number reading of each of the key factors. The monitor also has an option to show the time, which I personally love.

Remember that low score I mentioned a little earlier, well here’s the end to my story.

After reading some tips in my Awair app, I remembered that I hadn’t changed our furnace air filter in awhile.

Sure enough, it had been four months since I had changed the filter. Whoops!

So after changing the filter our Awair score stayed at a consistent number – 80 on average!

This was enough to get me on board. It also helped me trust our air filter system – they really work!

Get yourself an Awair air quality monitor; you won’t regret it. And go change your furnace air filter; its probably been way too long since you’ve done it last.

Why breath dirty air when you really don’t have to?

Go with Me, Anywhere!

I’ve been on the hunt for a good travel seat for the kiddo.

We travel to my parents a lot, so having one that we can bring with us or leave at their house is a must. That’s why I’m so glad I found the Baby Delight Go With Me Chair.

This is a multi-functional seat that is great for travel, high chair use, or outdoor sitting.

 

Using a similar idea of a folding chair, this seat folds and unfolds super easily and fits nicely in a carrying bag.

Having a variety of different seating options, your child will be comfortable at any age (within the parameters) sitting in the chair. The seating options for the chair include: sitting, standing, and big kid. Baby can start using the high chair at approximately three months of age, and can continue to use it until they reach 75 pounds.

In the sitting position, baby sits in the chair using the 5 point harness straps. This is great for very young children and children who are walking (or are stable on their feet).

Next, the standing position, is a good option for kids who need support standing. Simply un-Velcro the seat portion to reveal the two leg holders where baby can stand with support. Once kids are walking, this option isn’t really necessary for them, but surely can be used. My son recently started walking and I put him in the chair standing up, and he was too tall, so we just went back to the sitting position. The standing option is great to use in any circumstance; use it like an activity jumper.

The big kid option is great for toddlers and beyond. Here the chair is basically a folding chair. Whether using it indoors our outdoors, your toddler will love this seat. Using the chair with this option is perfect for watching sports or relaxing in the backyard.

Baby Delight offers a multitude of color choices to choose from; this fun chair will brighten up any space. If using the chair outside for a (possible) sporting event, get the chair in the color of the team you’re rooting for!

The 5 point removable harness is so great, it gives me peace of mind when baby is in the seat. I love that I have the option to strap baby in around the belly or on the shoulders, or both! The harness is comfortable and keeps baby securely sitting up right. When baby gets older, the shoulder straps aren’t necessary, just snap around the belly.

The high chair is equipped with a removable tray and sun canopy. I love these features because they are both really nice to have in different circumstances. Each of these features can be used on the chair using any of the seating options.

When using the chair for eating, then the removable tray is obviously something you’ll want to utilize. Baby sits right up in the seat and the tray fits snuggly around them.

The sun canopy is the perfect feature when using the hair outside. Whether you’re eating outside and using the tray too, or just sitting in the chair watching a game, The sun canopy is great for keeping that fragile skin safe and protected. The canopy folds up very easily and fits in the carrying bag with the removable tray and the high chair seat.

This is a great seat for any family. Perfect for travel, or to use in the backyard, your kids will love this seat; and you will too! My favorite aspect of the chair is that it folds up super small and fits into a carrying bag. Seriously so convenient!

Check out the other Baby Delight products on their website.

Holiday Travel Done Right

We travel a lot.

My parents live on the other side of the state, and we try to see them at least once a month. With adding kids to our family, we’ve been trying to see them even more often.


November through December – we see them A LOT. It’s great; holidays are the travel inspiration to see family more frequently. Or even to relax! I have had acquaintances who visited Spain sometime recently and she was describing to me the beautiful culture of the country! So much so, that I even now know that there are transport websites (StressFreeCarRental.com and similar others tend to provide such services) that can take me around the country from the airport itself! I mean, who knew technology could make life so much easier, right? It sure would be amazing though, if I ever got the chance to travel with my family!


That’s why I’m tempted to do so now. I may even consider a private jet hire so that I can spend some quality time with my family all alone. Another reason is that I want them to have a luxurious travel experience at least once in their lives. Though I’m not sure if I can afford it, I’d give it my all. It is just as important to spend time with one’s family as it is to have a stable job. You won’t be able to stay deprived of them for long.

As many of you might know, traveling with kids can be tough, and private jet could be a convenient option in that case as well.

Anyway, there are a lot of packing struggles that I experience when getting our family ready to leave. The main issue that I come across is fitting all our stuff into the car (when you’re traveling by car). It’s hard! If you don’t think you can fit it all into your daily car, consider renting a party bus from Texas, it makes traveling roomier and more fun.

We have found a product that will make packing, and re-packing so much easier.

Meet: Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib by Guava.

This travel crib is seriously the best baby product I’ve laid my eyes on. Keep reading and I’ll tell you why I love it so much!

Guava is a family-owned company that offers high-end, top of the line baby products that are innovative and built to last. Their products are so unique, and they don’t like your typical baby gear.

Neutral is always better, in my opinion. Neutral products are great because they can be anywhere and not look like an eye sore. So many baby products are brightly colored and have bold prints on them, having any of the in the same place can be pretty distracting. I love how this travel crib is designed with neutral colors that won’t disrupt any space. Not to mention, you can use it baby after baby – boy or girl.

Even more than their products being neutral, I love that they don’t look like baby products. Everything that Guava creates and sells is designed to be simple, efficient, and elegant. What a great rule to live by. As parents simple and efficient are [like] what we live by. Throw some elegance in there, and you’ll turn heads.

Safety is very important to Guava, and they really do stand behind it. High quality materials and lots of testing ensures that the products are safe for your kiddo. Many third-party safety tests are completed on the Guava products to guaranty the safety of them. This really makes me feel good when laying my little(s) in their crib.

As previously mentioned before, traveling with kids is a challenge. There’s so much equipment and gear you [may or may not] need; always safer to be prepared, right? Having a place for baby to sleep is obviously a must. I love that this travel crib is lightweight and looks really sleek.

This Guava Travel Crib is so compact, it hardly takes up any space in the trunk. Folding up super easily and compactly, it’s nothing [or everything] compared to other travel cribs. With a few simple steps you can have the crib collapsed and in the bag in no time.

The small size of the crib allows you to pick it up and move it from room to room. Because of the small profile you can leave it open and move it – it fits between doorways! Weighing only 13 pounds, almost anyone will be able to lift it.

The mattress is easily attachable, and is easy to clean too. The clips latch very simply, and keep mattress flat on the floor. Because the mattress is supported by the floor, there is no weight limit. There is a height limit for the crib, though – 35 inches. My two year old son is much too big for this Guava crib; he can for sure climb out of it, and he could easily tip it over because of how lightweight it is.

The best part though? The carrying bag is equipped with optional backpack straps.

What?!

Seriously, an amazing feature.

Simply unzip the back pocket and pull the straps out. Connect, using the clips at the bottom of the strap, to the corresponding loop; and off you go!

A really unique feature the crib offers is the zipper opening on the front side. This is great for getting baby out of the crib. Instead of bending over to lift them up, simply un-zip the zipper and squat down to grab them. My son is one and I just un-zip the zipper so he can crawl out himself. My older son is also a fan of this feature. It kind of creates a fort-like feel, which is great for his age.

You can even lock the zipper so little fingers can’t open it on their own.

The whole crib is washable, which is such an important feature for a kids product. Simply un-zip the fabric cover, wash in a cold water cycle, and dry on delicate cycle.

Be sure to click the link to see what other products they offer. We stand behind Guava and their brand and would love to see our readers repping their products! Their products are top of the line and so safe for your baby. No toxic materials, and no flame retardants; that ‘s something all parents want to hear!

Toomies Toys

When you come across a company with the mission of: make the world smile, then you know it’s going to be a hit in your home.

That’s exactly what Toomies toys did for our family.

Toomies is a brand underneath the umbrella brand of TOMY. Some other brands that TOMY represents are John Deere, Lamaze, and the First Years. Their innovative, high quality toys are products that your children will love.

Seeing their mission come to life didn’t take much with toys we were able to play with. That’s why we are a big fan of the TOMY toy line – Toomies.

 

 

Available at Target and Target.com, the Toomies toy line is very easy to come by. And trust me, you’re going to want to check them out.

One of my favorite aspects of these Toomies Toys is that they don’t require batteries. Each of the toys we’re featuring are free of batteries and 100% child (or parent) operated. Like, seriously, what more could a mom of two boys want (besides a massage :D).

 

Pop & Hatch

This cute little mom and chick toy is perfect for an older infant/young toddler. My one year old loves this one. Push down the head of the chicken and off she goes!

The push and go action of the chicken gets your kiddo moving. My son has tons of fun chasing around the mommy chicken. My husband even commented on how fast the chicken moves; he was pretty impressed!

 

 

The chick is a hit too. It hides in the egg and then pops up; great cause and affect for him.

 

Sort & Pop Spinning UFO

This is my two year old’s favorite. Similar to a shape sorter, putting the shapes in their corresponding holes will cause a fun reaction that your toddler is sure to love.

 

 

This toy is educational; allowing your child to differentiate the shapes.

Another learning opportunity that presents itself with this toy are the colors. The bright and vivid colors give your child great potential with color recognition.

 

 

My sons favorite aspect of this toy is the ‘pop and spin’ feature. Once the shapes are in their correct spots, push down on the middle on the UFO then let go. Watch as the toy spins, then POPS!

Seriously endless amounts of fun.

This feature is a little difficult for my two year old to do. It’s hard for him to push down enough on the center piece in order for the toy to spin. He needs just a little bit more muscle power. Luckily he is very persistent, so he eventually gets it to pop and spin on his own.

 

 


Connect with Toomies

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Flappee Stackees

 

This toy is my favorite out of the ones we tried out. I love the colors. The blue and pink are adorable, then add in the orange car; what more do you need?!

This is a fun one because no matter how you stack the different pieces, they all fit together. Just like the name says, this toy is stackee. Creativity is endless with this toy because there are many different options stack it; you could stack it different every time!

 

 

When you push down on the pieces that are connected to the car, off it goes!

This is another great one to have your child chase after; continuous fun.

 

Pirate Bath Ship

Making bath time a tug-a-chug blast is the new Pirate Bath Ship from Tomy.  This interactive bath toy will get your imagination stirring and make bath time a true pirate adventure. With a canon that splashes out water, a tiny separate boat to send your pirate a’ sailin’ and a squirting octopus you will have tons of fun while scrubbing your kid clean.

This toy is not only great for bath time, but it’s perfect for water tables and can be uses as a pool toy too. No batteries are required for this easy to dry toy.

Calling All Gamers

In this house, we game.

My husband and I play board games all the time. We like them all. You name it, we’ve probably played it, or at least heard of it.

For awhile now we’ve been on the hunt for a new game. We just need something fresh.

 

 

We’re both so thrilled that we found a new one!

Chickapig is just what we were missing.

This new, fun game is perfect for anyone who loves to play games. It’s fun, so easy to learn, and can be strategic or not. It’s perfect for anyone, really.

Brian Calhoun is a custom guitar maker to country and rock legends in the music biz. He is the brains behind this new, great game. Brian joined forces with his buddy Dave Matthews in an effort to get his game to tables across the country.

Yes people, you read that right. Dave Matthews is one of the creators of this game.

Pretty cool.

 

The Design:

Chickapig is one of the prettiest designed games I’ve played. My favorite part of the game is the pieces.

 

 

They’re made of wood.

Literal, actual wood.

So cool.

The pieces are durable too; the thickness gives them a nice, hearty feel.

 

 

I like the design because it’s simple and farm – like. Wood pieces, simple art work, rustic color and style; it’s great. Just as their slogan states: A farm to table game.

 

Quick recommendation – read the directions throughly. My husband was in charge of reading, learning, then explaining to the rest of us. He failed. To give him the benefit of the doubt; there are a lot of small little rules where, if you have them slightly wrong, the game changes drastically. We were playing wrong here and there, but kept the directions close so we could check if we had a question.

 

The Play:

Check this video out for a quick guide on how to play.

 

 

So, you totally get it now, right?

You can take my word for it when I say this game is easy to learn.

 

 

See those green rectangles? Those are like goal posts; you’re trying to get your corresponding pigs (green, in this case) through the goal.

Similarly to chess you start across the board and move towards your goal. Just roll the die to see how many moves you have. Then get your Chickapig to the other side!

The catch though, the other players are trying to keep you out of your goal AND get their pigs through their goal.

 

 

The other catch – there’s a cow that can poop on the board.

Nobody likes poop, amirite?

The pooping cow causes a player to pick up a poop cards. Poop cards are bad; they force you to do something that will hinder your chances of winning.

Not cool.

 

Good news is you can get a flower card.

This card is super good and gives you a great advantage over the other opponents. When you roll a two you have the option to move two spaces OR take a flower card.

Always take the flower card. Trust me.

 

 

Not only is Chickapig easy to learn, it can be played quickly.

In about 15 minutes me and three others were playing the game and understanding it well. The first game took about 25 minutes. We started out a bit slow, as we were learning, then by the end we felt we had a pretty good hang of it.

 

 

I like the game because there is some offense and defense that needs to be played. Play too much offense and you give someone the upper hand, play too much defense and you’ll never win. They’re gotta be balance, I like that in a game.

I also really like how you can work together with your opponents to accomplish a task. Whether it be blocking someone, or making the cow poop; if you just play an individual game it’s pretty hard to win.

 

 

Do me a favor and give Chickapig a try. It really is a great game that will entertain you and give you a laugh. It’s easy, fun, and quick!

 

Check out Little Joe Chickapig too. An adorable, rhyming children’s book, written by Brian, that was just released!

Be a Savi Mom

Coming across cute, affordable pregnancy and nursing apparel is a pretty difficult task.

I literally gave up when I was pregnant with my first. I just scraped by, using clothing that could pass as nursing apparel, or making my own.

We live on a budget, so buying clothes isn’t a number one priority.

That’s why I love the Savi Mom clothing line.

You can wear these clothes at all times in your life – pregnancy, postpartum, nursing, and beyond! Also, if you’re pregnant and looking for more than just clothing: I highly recommend HMHB’s guide on finding a crib mattress.

The co-founders of Savi Mom are two moms – just like you and me. Savi Mom was created to help new moms find what they need and want. The versatility of their clothing is perfect for changing bodies.

Free shipping on all US orders makes purchasing from them even more enticing.

Believe me, the Savi mom clothing line is one you’re going to want to check out. Keep reading to find out more!!

Connect with Savi Mom

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Newport T-Shirt

The Newport top is a great shirt for everyday life. The fabric is super soft and feels amazing on the skin. Adorable and flattering, the cuff sleeves give the shirt a unique look. Making it not quite a tank top, you can wear it in any season. Pair it with a cute cardigan, or thrown on a fun pair of shorts, this top versatile!

Nursing is easy to come by in this top with the pleated front. Easy access for baby just takes a simple pull of the fabric.

One feature I like that I didn’t think I would is the pockets. The two small pockets in the front of the shirt do weigh it down a bit, which isn’t great. But the upside is that they’re actually usable. It’s like a dress with pockets – we all love them, right? They are located in the perfect spot and they are easy slip your hands into.

A down side I found when wearing this shirt is that the pleats on the front, that create the nursing panel, really add a lot to my chest. I feel like my chest is really large when wearing this top. I don’t have a large chest to begin with, so it’s not a huge deal to, but for someone with a larger chest size, I could see this causing some trouble.

You really can nurse discretely while wearing this shirt, which is a huge reason I love it so much. Easy access is something that all nursing moms want, ant this shirt meets that need. The fabric is super soft, and the flow of the front panel creates a great look for any mama.

Be sure to check out the Newport T-shirt. It won’t disappoint!

Aspen Yoga Hoodie

This super cute hooded tunic is perfect for any time of the year. The soft, stretchy jersey fabric is seriously so comfy; you’ll never want to take it off. The long body of this top makes it really versatile. Wear it athletically, casually, or throw on a pair of leggings and rock it.

Long sleeves with thumbhole cuffs really top off the shirt. I love that the sleeves are long, it gives me more of a cozy feel.. I love pulling my hands in my sleeves. This is great for chilly morning walks, or even working out.

The best part, though is the extra fabric and tight stitching. With many of my tops, the thumbhole stretches out and becomes uncomfortable. I have confidence that these thumbholes, and the extra cuff that covers my hand, will last.

I’m a huge fan of hoods on my sweatshirts. Don’t get me wrong, I love my crew necks; but hooded, baggy sweatshirts are just the best. This yoga hoodie is no different. The weight of the hood creates the perfect pull to keep the shirt in the right spot on my neck. This is actually a big deal for me because I don’t like my tops too low on my chest, but I also don’t like them hanging back and nearly choking me. It sits in the perfect spot. The downside to the hood is that it’s not very usable. It’s pretty small and isn’t really functional.

Access to nursing is easy too. The front panel is large and baggy which gives the cute look, but also allows quick access when needing it. Not only is this front panel flowy – which I love – the pleats create such a perfect look. It’s great for pregnancy because it stretches with your belly, but it’s especially great for your postpartum body. It really hides anything you may want hidden – like some left over belly after baby makes their debut.

Pregnant, postpartum, or nursing, this yoga hoodie is a great addition to your wardrobe. My sister-in-law, who doesn’t have any kids (yet), told me she wants the top. So seriously mama’s, it’s totally worth it. You will for sure wear this in all walks of life.

Juice it Your Way

Juicing has been on my radar for about two years.

My parents dabbled into juicing awhile back, and that’s when I first was introduced. After reading many blogs and articles, I’ve been really interested and wanting to try it out for myself.

When the opportunity came along for me to try out the SimpleTaste Slow Masticating Juicer Extractor, I just couldn’t pass it up.

Now that I’ve tried it out, I’m so excited to share with you about this SimpleTaste Juicer.

 

SimpleTaste is a brand under the umbrella of 1byone. This company , 1byone, passionately creates products that makes people’s lives better, easier, and more fulfilling. They create a large variety of products under 1byone, Beautural, Simpletaste and Naturalife brands. Their affordable, high quality products give users 100% satisfaction.

Join the Super User Program!

Receive freebies, exclusive discounts, and special rewards.

Join their Super User Program to receive first looks at new products and technologies, directly cooperate on product improvement, and receive special benefits.

 

This juicer is a slow masticating juicer, not to be confused with a centrifugal juicer.

So, what’s the difference?

 

Masticating juicers operate at roughly 80 RPM. A centrifugal juicer runs much faster; somewhere between 3,500-14,000 RPM. This difference is drastically different.

The effective, slow rotating auger squeezes out every last drop of juice from your fruits, vegetables, greens, and even wheatgrass.

 

Why is a slow, masticating juicer better?

The auger that slowly rotates, allows this masticating juicer to crush all parts of the fruits and veggies. The effectiveness of the slow turning auger gives you every last drop of juice from the food, leaving none behind. The slowness of the juicer provides a better juice, and more importantly, a better nutrient yield.

The masticating juicer protects and maintains healthy enzymes and allows juice to be stored for up to 72 hours without degradation.

There is less foam created with a masticating juicer and the juice won’t layer into sections after sometime.

Because of the slowness of the masticating juicer, there is no heat created from the juicing process. No heat means no oxidation is taking place. This is much different that a centrifugal juicer. The faster power of a centrifugal juicer creates heat which can cause oxidation. The oxidation process destroys nutrients that the fruits and veggies hold, therefore creating a less nutrient juice.

So all in all, go with a masticating juicer. The nutrients are greater, the juice is better, and you’re getting every last drop of juice from your fruits and veggies.

The juicer is very easy to clean. This is one of my favorite aspects of it. The parts are completely detachable, and there is no extra tools needed. A cleaning brush is included when you buy the juicer, and it’s truly all you need to clean it after juicing.

Purchasing the juicer includes:

  • SimpleTaste Slow Juicer
  • Cleaning Brush
  • Juice and Residue Containers
  • Instruction manual
  • 30-day full refund
  • 12-month warranty

 

I love that the juicer is safe and easy to use. My son was helping me juice some celery the other day and I was not concerned at all about his safety. The shoot is long and the extra piece on top helps ensure little (or big!) fingers stay safe.

The slow juicer is really quite. Like seriously guys, you hardly know it’s on when you’re juicing. I especially love this. I use my food processor a lot, almost everyday. It’s loud, like unreasonably loud. This juicer though, no sound. It’s the best. My kids like that it’s quiet too! They don’t cry when I turn it on, AND I can use it while they’re napping!

 

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SimpleTaste’s slow masticating juicer extractor is all around a really great juicer. The quietness of it is perfect for everyone; you’ll appreciate that. This juicer is easy to put together and take apart; cleaning is a breeze because of this. You’ll be happy with the slowness of the juicer because it packs all the nutrients and doesn’t leave anything behind.

Use code 1byoneSarah for 20% off!!!

This offer expires on September 10, 2018.

Mama Fashion

Every nursing mom knows how important it is to have an appropriate wardrobe to breastfeed.

 

Shirts that allow easy access and don’t expose your belly.

Clothing that allows moms to feel confident and comfortable in public.

Eliminating the need to wear and have to tug through layers of clothes.

 

 

Momzelle creates innovative nursing apparel that does all of these things.

After crafting a top that was given an overwhelming amount of positive response, Christine, the creater of Momzelle, decided to create tops for other women too. In 2009 Momzelle had the opportunity to pitch their idea on CBC’s Dragon’s Den (the Canadian version of Shark Tank!). As their company continues to grow and reach more people their focus is keeping customers happy with outstanding customer service support.

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The high quality fabric is made and designed to be worn over and over again. The clothing holds its shape and will not pill. As a breastfeeding mother, I can attest to each of these features. I only want the best fabrics around when nursing my child, so the quality fabrics mean a lot to me.

 

Josiane

If you’re looking for a shirt to wear in any part of your mommy stage, this one is for you. The Josiane can very easily be dressed up or dressed down; it’s very versatile.

To the touch this shirt is so soft and almost silky. Made primarily with rayon, this shirt is so, so comfortable. This is my favorite aspect of the shirt. The softness is undeniable.

This top, as well as the Florence and Vanessa, can be worn through all stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding. The ruching on the sides and the long length of the shirt make it easy to wear during pregnancy and postpartum. You will feel great and look good in this flattering top.

Access for nursing comes easy with the Josiane top. The cross over panels open easily to the under panel. This ensures a quick, discreet, and comfortable breastfeeding experience.

Florence

This top is super cute and made for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Its loose, flowing silhouette feature is perfect for hot summer days.

I love the versatility of this shirt. It’s super easy to dress the shirt up, or wear it casually. The lace on the shoulders adds a pretty touch that really adds another dimension to the top.

Accessing your nursing bra is easy with the Florence top. Simply lift up the front panel of the shirt and pull the inside panel down or from the side – whichever you feel more comfortable doing.

I’m usually not a fan of loose fitting shirts; I prefer tighter, formfitting tops. This shirt I actually really like. The top is a tad tight, which I like; and the bottom is flowing. Maybe I’m more of a fan of it because it’s summer and it’s super hot all the time. Either way, it’s a great shirt and it’s now one of my go-to’s.

Vanessa

The Vanessa top is a classic v-neck shirt with a little flare. I love v-neck shirts, and this is definitely one of my favorites now. I especially like this top because of the crossover panels; these really distinguish the Vanessa top from other tops.

These crossover panels are perfect for breastfeeding. They hid what need to be hidden and allow easy access for feeding when needed.

The ruching on the sides of the shirt allow it to grow with your belly all throughout pregnancy. I’m not pregnant, but this shirt fits great. The stretch in the fabric gives plenty of room to grow for future pregnancies. This ruching is also perfect for your postpartum figure. It’s flattering for your pregnancy, postpartum, and nursing figure(s).

This shirt is very affordable and can be worn through pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your money will be well used with a purchase of the Vanessa maternity and nursing top.

 

Momzelle is a great place to find apparel for pregnancy, postpartum, and nursing. Their clothing is affordable and really cute. Check out their website and order something for yourself or give as a gift!