MamatheFox – Page 288

02
Mar
2015

The Natural Dentist Kids Toothpaste Giveaway {hop}

categories: Giveaway

The Natural Dentist Kid’s Toothpaste Giveaway

Read the entire review here

For a complete list of ingredients click here.

Check out The Natural Dentist on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Welcome to the Spring into Green Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering, Easy Green Mom and Brittleby’s Corner through the Green Moms Network! This March we want to help you Spring into Green by showcasing all the great green and eco-friendly products available! After entering my giveaway, be sure to hop around and enter all of the other giveaways listed on the linky at the bottom of this post for your chance to win great eco-friendly gear. Of course, check with a wagga dentist before switching toothpaste brands if you desire a professional testimonial of how wonderful this toothpaste is. I know a lot of people who are resistant to changing brands especially when its for their children which is why they crave assurances from their dentist! Having a good toothpaste could help with maintaining a good dental hygiene, as well a visit to your local dentist similar to somewhere like Dentist Fishers to keep up with your hygiene up to date. Keeping with your Dental hygiene is an important part of every day life so finding a good dentist to help for example, somewhere like Babiner Dental could be a good help.

Be sure to enter the grand prize giveaway! One winner will receive a prize package from Nest Bedding, The Choosy Chick, Globe In and Greenair! Over $838 value! Enter here.

Now here is your chance to win your own The Natural Dentist’s Kids Toothpaste! You can win not 1, not 2 but 3 different kinds of toothpaste! Win (1) Cavity Zapper Fluoride Gel Toothpaste in Berry Blast, (1) Cavity Zapper Fluoride Toothpaste in Groovy Grape, (1) Plaque Zapper Fluoride-Free Toothpaste in Groovy Grape. ARV $25.

The Natural Dentist Kids Toothpaste

Disclosure: This contest will run through March 17, 2015 at 8:59 pm PST (11:59 pm EST). The winner will be chosen the following day and announced on www.mamathefox.com. No purchase necessary. US entries only. Must be 18 years or older to win. The sponsors provided me with free samples of these products to review, and I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to this blog and not to Facebook. Please note that Happy Mothering, Easy Green Mom, Brittleby’s Corner, the Green Moms Network and the Naturally Healthy event bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. We will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 4-6 weeks for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.

01
Mar
2015

Usborne Books with Haley – Giveaway {hop}

categories: Giveaway

Usborne Books with Haley Giveaway

Welcome to the “Spring in to Spring” Giveaway Hop hosted by Heather from Mommy’s Favorite Things and Michelle from Mama’s Baby Cupcakes. This hop has a Open Spring Theme, and each blog has a minimum prize package of $25 per winner. 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! Be sure to check out the Grand Prize on Mommy’s Favorite Things blog for a chance to win from Umi Shoes and a Bubble Guppies DVD

Usborne books with Haley is offering my readers a chance to win a $25 credit to purchase books from Usborne! With Easter approaching us and baskets to fill, we all need to grab those fun goodies now. Haley is also offering that if you email her at hrstrong811 @ gmail.com and mention mamathefox she will send you a FREE activity card! 🙂

Just in case you don’t win, here is a link to order anytime: https://f4862.myubam.com

Usborne Books with Haley Giveaway

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

28
Feb
2015

Usborne Books with Haley – a Review

categories: Reviews

Usborne Books with Haley – A review

What are you putting in your child’s Easter basket? Candy? Trinkets? Books?

Haley Strong is a mom just like me. She loves her children, and cares about their growth and development. A large part of a child’s development comes from their exposure to books. Maybe I should look into book scanners more and use one to share fantastic books with those who don’t have access to them. But anyway, she recently became a rep with Usborne Books so she can supply her child and other children with amazing, beautiful books. We all have heard that reading to your children, starting at birth, is key to their development. Here are ten reasons why books are pivotal in your child’s life:

A stronger relationship with you.
Academic excellence
Basic speech skills
The basics of how to read a book
Better Communication skills
Mastery of language
More logical thinking skills
Acclimation to new experiences
Enhanced concentration and discipline
The knowledge that reading is fun!

(For more about these 10 reasons please visit here)

Knowing the wonderful benefits of exposing your children to books, you are going to want to increase your home library. Books are available everywhere. We see them in big box stores, grocery stores, toy stores…the list goes on and on. When it comes down to it, what matters is content and price. Haley is able to help us get books with both wonderful content and at a great price. Usborne Books and More is a company which holds “book parties” where you can attend a party in person, or the newly popular online party. If you are on Facebook then you have received an invite to some type of party. Nails, candles. beauty products…they are all fun (I mean I know I buy from them) but they don’t fill our children with the knowledge and love that a book can.

“Usborne Books & More is a division of Educational Development Corporation (EDC), a well-established company that has twice been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of The 200 Best Small Companies in America and three times by Fortune Magazine as one of America’s 100 Fastest Growing Small Companies, and has been in existence for over 20 years.”

Haley started selling Usborne just this January after attending a party herself. As a mom and a special education teacher she instantly saw that this business has so much to offer to parents, schools and home schooler’s. Usborne has a great book fair program giving which gives 50% in sales in books, and a grant matching program. As a consultant, you can earn up to 30% in commission, earn free books and other cool prizes, earn trips, and of course get a great discount on the books! If you are looking for a way to make extra income and earn free books for yourself then contact Haley at hrstrong811 @ gmail.com and visit her Facebook page. If you email Haley and mention MamatheFox she will send you a FREE activity card! 🙂

You are able to place an order at anytime here. No need to wait for a party to be open. Usborne wants you to get books into your child’s hands as fast as possible. One of the best parts about Usborne is their shipping. They have a “5 day” typical turn around, but most people that Haley knows have gotten their books even fast then that. You are now wondering, what is the shipping? Like $30?! Nope, a solid $6 flat! No matter how big or small your order is.

I was given 2 books to sample from Usborne. Secrets Of The Seahorse (Shine-A-Light) and That’s Not My Fox Touchy-Feely Board Book.

Secrets Of The Seahorse (Shine-A-Light)

This is such a cool book! I have never, in all my years, seen a book like this. This book has special pages which, when held up to a light, you can see through to the other side. Every page has this feature. The story shows children creatures of the sea, their habitats and the food they eat. My daughter (2 years old) was amazed at the special secrets on every single page. We have a tiny flashlight she uses for comfort at night in bed. We used that because it is small enough for her to hold and control while being powerful enough to reflect the hidden picture. If you don’t have a flashlight you can simply hold the book up to natural sun light or the light from a lamp. This keep my busy, I mean busy, 2 year old sitting still for 10 solid minutes. This is a must for the toddlers in your life.

That’s Not My Fox Touchy-Feely Board Book.

This is the perfect touch and feel book for infants. We all have seen the touch/feel books before. Most, in my opinion, are lame and fall short of any real ‘touch’ engagement. I have been blown away with the quality of Usborne’s touchy-feely books. Each page has an engaging touch feature which captivates your readers and explorers senses. All are relative to the story, large enough for small eyes to spot and have a significant textile distinction to be considered a true feely experience. The story features the quest to find the readers fox. They keep finding other foxes with different qualities but not ‘their’ fox. Will this elusive fox be found!? Grab a copy for yourself to find out.

With Easter approaching us and baskets needing to be filled, what better thing to fill them with then books! Candy is fun and toys come and go, but a book can leave a positive and lasting mark on a child. With book levels from newborn to middle school you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for. They don’t limit their buyers to books alone, they also offer flash cards, sticker books, drawling resources, puzzles and more! For the inquisitive toddler and pre-tween they have a huge selection of non-fiction books to broaden minds and answer questions. These are books that homeschoolers are eating up.

Click here to see more books from Usborne Books and More.

Visit Haley on Facebook.

Try to win a $25 credit to Usborne with Haley (Open 3/2/15-3/16/15 to US and Canada)

25
Feb
2015

Crystal Wash – Review

categories: Reviews

Crystal Wash Review

The smell of all the chemicals in laundry soap grosses me out! I switched to making my own laundry soap a few years ago when I had my first child. Learning about all the harmful chemicals and dyes honestly freaked me out. My husband was not on board with our switch but he eventually hopped on board. We have been on the look out for a new, even safer, laundry alternative. I recently found out about Crystal Wash. I am so excited about this product!

Crystal Wash is able to wash your clothes without the use of chemicals, detergent or dyes. Crystal Wash uses a fine balance of Bio Ceramics (various minerals with very effective antibacterial and anti-oxidant properties which come from the earth) to create 2 benefits in the laundry’s water: deep cleaning and disinfecting. By deep cleaning they mean, “They produce far infrared rays that effectively reduce negative ions in the water of your laundry machine, which raises pH level to 8.5 or greater. This process shrinks the water molecule clusters to a size that allows dirts and soils to be soaked free naturally.” and my disinfecting they mean, “Additionally, the Bio Ceramics create Hydrogen Peroxide which disinfects the clothes, kills bacteria and odor.” “The pH level of laundry water impacts the wash greatly. If the water is overly acidic or alkaline it can damage delicate clothes and fabrics, cause colors to fade and cause clothing to still seem dirty even after washing. Most detergents on the market are a pH level of 6.5 – 9, but they use chemicals to achieve these levels.”

HE Washer Safe!

Not only does Crystal Wash save your family from harsh chemicals but it also saves you money! One of the other reasons that I switched to making my own detergent was to save my family money. As a SAHM I try to do what I can so help the financial situation of my family. A store bought detergent will cost you about $300 for 1,000 loads of laundry. Crystal Wash is only $50 for 1,000 loads! What a sweet sweet saving. Plus, is doesn’t contaminate your water supply. Living in the country, and having a sub-pump, my water goes into my backyard. That is the yard where my children roll around and where I grow my garden, which supplies my family with their food. I don’t want to think of all the gross chemicals that could get into my garden. YUCK!

I do a TON of laundry. My kids seem to go through at least 2 to 4 outfits a day. They seem to find ways to get food, paint, dirt, chalk, play-doh….anything really, on their clothes. Having to wash their clothes way more frequently then intended can cause the colors to fade and loose their brightness. But not with Crystal Wash! It keeps my kids clothes looking sharp, and keeps their integrity.

befor and after with words — No soap or spot treatments were used in this example!

Directions:

Crystal Wash can be used with both top and front loading machines. At the beginning of your wash simply drop the 2 spheres into your washer along with your clothes. No need for detergent. Harsh stains and messes still require an advanced stain remover (darn you blueberries!! ::shakes fist::). If you would like a scent you can add a cap of fabric softener. To ensure effectiveness, every 2 to 3 weeks, you will want to recharge the bio-ceramics contained within the Crystal Wash spheres. To do this, simply place the spheres in the sun for an afternoon.

Once you make the switch you are going to never look back at laundry detergents again. The smell of those soaps literally makes me ill now. Be sure to tell your friends and family when you make the switch. Crystal Wash is also on KickStarter, so please pop over and help them out. Helping them helps our planet and our families.

You can buy this amazing product here for only $49.99!

Check them out at KickStarter!

24
Feb
2015

Leg of Lamb Ragu

categories: Mama's Recipes

Leg of Lamb Ragu

Ingredients:

olive oil (approximately 1 to 2 ounces)
leg of lamb (3-5 lbs)
fresh mint
6-10 fresh garlic cloves
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 yellow onion, medium
elbow noodles (half of a box / around 300 g)

1.) Preheat oven to 200 degrees

2.) Dice your onion.

3.) Place cans of tomato, with juices, into a dutch oven (or another large oven safe pot) along with the chopped onion and the olive oil.

4.) Peel garlic and chop any large pieces of garlic in half. Remove mint leaves from the stems.

5.) Take the lamb and remove any netting it might have come in. Take a sharp knife and make deep holes throughout the lamb. Stuff all the holes with the garlic and mint leaves. Can mix both in the hole or just put mint or garlic in the hole.

6.) Place lamb on top of the tomato/onion mixture.

7.) Cook (covered) for 3 – 3.5 hours. Every 30 minutes spoon some of the juices on top of the lamb. In the last 40 minutes add the noodles to the tomato/onion mixture. Mix the noodles so they are in with the juices.

8.) Enjoy!

24
Feb
2015

Pancake Muffins

categories: Mama's Recipes

How to make Pancake Muffins (in only 12 minutes!)

This is a super easy & quick breakfast to spice up your week.

Make your pancake batter as you normally would.
Pour the batter into greased muffin tins 1/2 to 3/4 full.
Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes.
Top with fruit, chocolate chips, or whatever pancake topper you typically love.
Drizzle with syrup

22
Feb
2015

System Knife Sharpener – Review

categories: Reviews

System Knife Sharpener

As a home cook I am always looking for ways to sharpen my techniques and skills. Now I found a super-easy way to sharpen my knives too (okay okay that was beyond stupid and cheesy just soak in the awkwardness)! I was recently asked to review System Knife Sharpener from DragSys.

This particular system is to be used for kitchen knives, fruit knives, hunting knives, etc. I usually take my knives to a mobile sharpening company and that has worked really well for me over the years. GoSharpening.com is a mobile knife sharpening in NYC and it’s similar to the local company I use. I wanted to try a system knife sharpener for a change, so here are my thoughts.

It has a suction cup design, which is safer and convenient, and ideal for one handed sharpening. It has 2 stages for coarse and fine-sharpening. It features a unique sharpening wheel design that is convenient to sharpen back and forth.

Instructions for stainless steel knives:

Step 1: Course Sharpening

Suitable for blunt knives. Place the Vertoku knives in the sharpening slot. Using slight downward pressure, run the blade from its heel to its point though the slot. Repeat three to five times. Sharpen tools every six months or when necessary.

Step 2: Fine Honing

This is a necessary step used to eliminate burrs on a knife and to polish it. Place a knife in the sharpening slot. Using slight downward pressure run the blade from its heel to its point through the slot. Repeat three to five times. Normally, it is recommended to sharpen a knife once a week to keep your blade sharp at all times.

Caution:

Please keep in mind that this sharpener isn’t suitable for serrated bladed and scissors. This sharpener can also be used for ceramic knives, but only for coarse sharpening (step 1). Do not put this sharpener in the dishwasher and always keep it away from children’s reach.

This knife sharpener is available through Amazon.

20
Feb
2015

The Natural Dentist Kids Toothpaste – a review

categories: Reviews

The Natural Dentist Kids Toothpaste

My children’s health and safety are two of my largest priorities. I want to provide them with the best I can offer. I like to take them to the dentist when I can and I hope that other parents feel the same. There are loads of dentists that you could pick from (for example, you could take a look at going to someone like this Dentist Fort Wayne but it’s up to you). It is also worth having the contact details of an emergency dentist handy, just in case you or your child ever need an emergency appointment. More often than not, an emergency dentist can be hard to find so you want to make sure you have their details ready so that you don’t have to waste time searching for a phone number. It’s not just the dentist that is important, but also picking the right products. By choosing the right products and the right companies I am feel that I am moving in the right direction. One of those important products would be my children’s toothpaste. I recently was exposed to The Natural Dentists Kid’s Toothpaste. I was curious to learn more about the company and product line. I am thrilled at all of the amazing information I learned. In order to help you, let me share some of the information I found most beneficial.

The Natural Dentist’s Plan: “Use kid-friendly packaging and fruity (not-yucky) flavorings to make the brushing ritual a fun activity for both you and them. As with all of our adult toothpastes, this product does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors. Dentists generally recommend the use of a fluoride toothpaste, to help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities starting at about 2 years old. We recommend that you use it on a child-size toothbrush in small amounts and work with your child to teach them not to swallow excessive amounts.”

No artificial sweeteners

No artificial coloring

No preservatives

No SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)

You might be thinking, “why would it matter if my toothpaste is all-natural?” Great question. You should know that many products contain artificial and harsh ingredients, dyes, preservatives and alcohol, which can be absorbed through the soft tissue in your mouth. The Natural Dentist has equal or better results using natural ingredients and will contribute to the overall health of your body.

All products by The Natural Dentist are made in the US. As for GMO’s this is what they have to say, “It is not our intent or our policy to source any plants altered by genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, agricultural experts believe that many American crops have been unintentionally affected because there are ultimately no barriers to cross-pollination. Therefore, we cannot certify that our US-cultivated plant ingredients have not been affected.” Which I think is fair enough.

Allergies are a hot topic now-a-days. If your child has an allergy to strawberries you will want to avoid their Berry Blast and the Orange Zest flavors. You are safe with one of their mint varieties or Groovy Grape. People might also wonder is their products are gluten free? Dairy free? Soy free? Corn free? What about MSG? Their products are free of any soy, MSG, dairy, wheat or gluten based ingredients. However, several of the ingredients in our toothpastes and rinses are sourced through the hydrogenation or fermentation of corn and corn oil. If you have a sensitivity to corn, we suggest that you ask your doctor before using The Natural Dentist products.

My daughter is 2 and is now able to have tiny amounts of fluoride in her toothpaste. The ADA says, “consult with a child’s dentist if considering the use of toothpaste before age 2.” If you are not able to give your child fluoride and need a safe and effective toothpaste then The Natural Dentist’s Fluoride Free Toothpaste is the way to go. I am now able to give the fluoride free version to my 1 year old and the versions with fluoride to my 2 year old. I love that I am able to buy both kinds in the same great flavors so my 1 year old doesn’t get jealous of my 2 year old.

For a complete list of ingredients click here.

Look for The Natural Dentist at your local retailer. Click here to find your closest retailer who carries The Natural Dentist; here is a link to some coupons.

I was talking to a friend the other day who worked in marketing and he was telling me that it would be good idea to get my dentist in touch with an agency that understands the business. I care about local businesses because they take care of my childrens teeth so I recommended them some dentist marketing strategies.

If you would like to purchase some organic toothpaste right now? Here are some Amazon links:

The Natural Dentist Cavity Zapper Fluoride Toothpaste, Groovy Grape

The Natural Dentist Cavity Zapper Fluoride Toothpaste, Berry Blast

The Natural Dentist Cavity Zapper Anti Cavity Rinse

Check out The Natural Dentist on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Try to win a trio of The Natural Dentist’s Toothpaste here

{Opened 3/3/15-3/17/15}

09
Feb
2015

Fall Off the Bone Ribs Recipe

categories: Mama's Recipes

How to cook Fall Off the Bone Ribs

Have you ever had that moment when you are eating ribs and they just melt off the bone? Where you just put them up to your lips and its like they are jumping into your mouth? Making a slab that can do this is way easier then you might think. It’s all in the timing and temperature. Below I will show you how you can achieve that fall off the bone rib you desire.

You will need:

1 slab of ribs
1 bottle of Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon (or two) of Adolf’s Meat Tenderizer
water
9 x 13 casserole dish

1. Cut the slab into sections with 3 or 4 ribs per section.

2. Cover your 9 x 13 casserole dish with several layers of tinfoil (this will be important for steaming).

3. Sprinkle an ample amount of Adolf’s Meat Tenderizer all over your ribs.

4. Rub some of the BBQ sauce on the ribs by hand.

5. Add a small about of water to the bottom of the dish. I typically add around 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of water. Some people like to add more but I feel like that is plenty.

6. TIGHTLY seal the top with tin foil.

7. Cook at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Then loosen the tinfoil cover a tiny bit.

8. Lower temp to 275 degrees. Cook for 2 hours.

9. Lowers temp to 225 degrees. Cook for 1 hour.

10. Add more sauce if desired.

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04
Feb
2015

Why Ohio? Things to do in Ohio

categories: Uncategorized

Are you looking for things to do in Ohio?

Then you have come to the right place. Ohio is such a beautiful and family-oriented state. I moved here approximately 15 years ago. Before living here my honest opinion of Ohio was, “it has a lot of hills and colleges.” That’s it. End of my brain energy on Ohio. Now I see Ohio for that it really is. A beautiful state filled with rolling hillsides, open country, booming cities, strong small business growth (with some even managing to begin investing in marketing experts for tree care providers, to name but one example of how far their reach has grown), and more than you can imagine doing. For those that are planning on moving here, a word of advice, make sure you have all your important documents and needs sorted before you move to your new home, you don’t want to get there and a disaster happen to find out you’re not fully covered yet. There are companies such as First American Home Warranty that deal with Ohio housing needs in this area, to make sure your belongings are safe within your home.

* This page will continuously be updated and changing so please come back often to see what is new!

If you are looking for places to eat I would suggest:

Here is Cleveland.com’s 50 Things to Eat and Drink in Cleveland in 2015

Here is Clevland.com’s Best Pierogi’s in Cleveland

If you are looking for things to do with your children I would suggest:

Gymboree of Strongsville
Cleveland Aquarium
Mapleside Farms
Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo
Cuyahoga County Library’s Story Time
Swim of Things
Amish Country
Kalahari Water Park in Sandusky
Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky
Cleveland Children’s Museum
Brittany Gidley Photography
Extasis Salon and Spa (Phyllis is my favorite masseuse ever)

If you are looking for places to shop I would suggest:

Wicked Sugar
Sheiban Jewlers
The Cute Little Cake Shop
Munchkins Kloset
Crocker Park Shopping Center
Something Different (Unique art and gifts)

If you are looking for something to buy I would suggest: