Young At Heart Mommy

Managing Motherhood Through Love & Laughter

Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit Review

Very soon school will be starting again and this means it’s back to packing lunches for our kids. Rubbermaid has created a unique product called the LunchBlox that can be utilized not only by our children, but us too! Each part of the kit is microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. They are also BPA free! The Lunchblox is designed to make packing lunch easier and to keep your food proportioned in the containers. Each container stacks compactly on to one another to keep your lunch organized in or out of a lunchbox. The lids also snap on to keep contents inside and secure. One the bottom there is also an ice pack that snaps in comfortably. All you have to do is toss it in the freezer overnight and in the morning it will be ready to keep your food cold. It’s everything you need in one block!

The thing I like most about the Lunchblox is that there is a compartment for everything. You can use each container for something different including fruit, salad dressing, salad, and of course a sandwich. The options are endless and whatever you are having for lunch that day can find a place within.

I can also appreciate the lids being a bright green color. It may seem like a minor detail but in my home we tend to misplace, mix-up, and lose our tupperware lids. When it comes time to pack a lunch we can never find the correct top to go with the bottom! After washing and drying, the Lunchblox stacks nicely and can be put away without being separated. This makes it easier to find for the next use.
 
Overall I feel like the general idea of the “Lunchblox” is a fairly good concept. If there is one thing I would change if I could, it would be that the pieces snapped together tighter. It was not so much the bottom ice pack as the smaller containers that are supposed to snap in place on top. I filled on of the mini containers with salad dressing and could not get it to stay on. Since it wobbled around quite a bit, a small amount of dressing did come out and onto the other containers. Other than that, Lunchblox is a neat addition to your lunchbox. It just needs a few minor tweaks! It does keep your food organized, separated, and compact. Who wouldn’t like that?
 
For more information on Lunchblox and other Rubbermaid products, visit www.Rubbermaid.com.  Also, make sure to stop by their Facebook page and stay connected on Twitter by following @Rubbermaid.

Disclosure: I received this product reviewed from Rubbermaid for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!

LARABAR Review & Giveaway

Sometimes being a mom can keep me busy, and at times too busy to grab a normal meal. Recently I have turned to eating healthy snacks that contain at least protein and fruit so I have energy even on the go. One of my favorite things to munch on and keep in my purse is the ever-so famous AND yummy Larabar. Larabar products are delicious,satisfying, and most importantly CLEAN! Larabar believes that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat. There is no better support system than an ingredient in it’s natural state. Their bars are not only made with fruits, nuts, and spices but they are also free of any unwanted additives, food colorings, or preservatives. While some Larabars contain 5 ingredients, you will notice others will only contain a simple 2. No added sugar, just natural sweetness from the whole ingredients they are made from.

 
There are SO many flavors of Larabars to choose from. When asked what kind I would like to sample, I knew immediately I had to try the Coconut Cream pie! When it comes to coconut I love anything and everything that contains even a hint. That being said, this was the first one I tried. I really really liked the flavor of the bar along with the texture. I found it to be dense and filling. The coconut was not too over powering either. I think this is going to be my favorite..actually I know so!

Larabar also sent me three other flavors- Banana Nut Bread, Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte, and Fruit & Nut. The Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte was immediately snatched by Toodie who consumed it within minutes of opening. I think she thought it was a treat because she kept telling me she loved the chocolate bar! If a three year old will eat these it just goes to show how good they really do taste. The last sample they sent was Fruit & Nut which I have conveniently stashed in my purse for running errands and a healthy snack for the movies.

 
If you would like the chance to win a variety of delicious Larabars then enter through the rafflecopter below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received this product  from LARABAR for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!

Twistband Review

 
Being a girly girl who loves having long hair and putting it up, I was interested in trying Twistbands. Twistbands are a new kind of hair tie that are gentle on your hair and will not cause that annoying dent when you take it out of the ponytail. The normal elastic hair tie can tug on your hair, not only damaging it but also giving you a headache if too tight. Twistbands are made of elastic trim and the soft material will keep your hair secure without putting stress upon it. They can also be worn on your wrist without cutting off your circulation! With the wide variety of color choices available, you can find a Twistband to match each and every outfit.

Twistbands are not limited to hair ties, they also have a variety of headbands as well. They even sell stretchy shoelaces! The Twistbands come in several different colors including solids, metallic, tie-dye, and patterns. You can mix and match according to your outfit and even dress them up with rhinestone encrusted baubles. If that isn’t enough- you can customize your Twistbands with your name or logo.

I love that the Twistbands I received were bright neon colors and perfect for the Summer time. They are even brighter in person! The picture truly does not give the color pay off justice. The tie-dye headbands we’re equally as cool because they had a very pretty pearl sheen to them making them sparkle. I can’t wait to use these on those really hot humid days when my hair does no cooperate. So far I have used one of the headbands to keep my hair held back while washing my face before bed. I wish I would have had these lime green shoe laces a couple of weeks ago when I went to my first techno/dance concert! Everyone was wearing neon pink, blue, yellow, and green accessories.  I’m definitely saving these for next time.

Twistbands have become my new favorite hair accessory. I love that there is no metal piece and they actually keep my pony tail held in place tightly. One of the best parts is, if the band gets stretched out from use you can easily tie a new knot to make it smaller again. These are adjustable and can be used multiple times. Even if I am not putting my hair up for the day, I like to wear one on my wrist to match my outfit!

You can purchase your own Twistbands from their website where prices range from $5 – $12 for a set of three. 

  Make sure to follow Twistbands on Facebook and Twitter for updates on new styles, designs, and products!
 hair tie
Disclosure: I received this products reviewed from Twistbands for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!

Buddy Fruits Review & Giveaway

 
Toodie is very picky about her meals, but when it comes to snacking she is all over it. There is never a fight to eat a snack, just pure willingness to invade and rummage through the pantry! About a month ago I came across Buddy Fruits at Publix and decided to purchase a few of their Pure Fruit Bites to try. Of course, Toodie loved them- but so did i! I ate a whole pouch by myself and wished I had purchased more. Buddy Fruits generously sent me several samples of their popular fruit bites and fruit blend puree pouches. We couldn’t wait to give them all a try.
Buddy Fruits provides a healthier option for snacking and their products are packed with nutritional value. This can be hard to find when shopping for snacks to take on the go. Walking down the aisles in the grocery store you see pre-packaged cookies, chips, and fruit snacks loaded with additives. With Buddy Fruits, you do not have to worry about food coloring, preservatives, or artificial flavoring. They are also dairy and gluten FREE. Their convenient packages contain 100% fruit and are the perfect portable snack.

There are six different flavors of fruits bites. Each package is only 95 calories and provides 1 whole serving of fruit. The flavors include Blackcurrant, Orange, Pomegranate & Acai, Apple, Raspberry, and Banana. Finally, a healthier alternative to the typical fruit snack! Toodie had no problem eating two bags as soon as these arrived. These will be a new addition to her lunch box each week.

There is also a wide selection of blended fruit flavors as well. You can choose from Banana, Strawberry, Apple Cinnamon, Mango Passion & Banana, & Multifruit. These pouches are only 60 calories and the contents are 100% fruit. No peel, no seeds, and no mess! They can be eaten straight from the pouch or squeezed into a bowl. Either way the package can be re-sealed for later use.


 The Buddy Fruit Mission:

Simplify your everyday life
Help your kids to eat more fruits
Contribute to a healthier life

Combine eating with fun 

Would you like the chance to win your own Buddy Fruits display mix? This will include their Fruit Bites and  Blended Fruit Pouches! Enter below through the rafflecopter form.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received this product  from Buddy Fruits for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!


Get Your Boogie On! :Boogie Wipes Review & Giveaway

BOOGIES- all kids have them whether they end up on a tissue, their sleeve, or your furniture! If you are a parent then you have probably fell victim to your own shirt becoming a personal tissue for your child’s icky boogies. Three years ago when Toodie first entered the world, my mother introduced me to the great invention known as the Boogie Wipe. Toodie always had your typical crusty runny nose and typical tissues were often too rough. When the Boogie Wipe came around I was beyond thankful!

Boogie Wipes are made with natural saline designed to gently dissolve the mucus caused by common colds, allergies, and the everyday boogies! These wipes are extra soft, moist, and paraben free. They do not irritate little noses and from my experience, are way more effective than your typical dry tissue. Say goodbye to raw,red, sore noses!

Boogie Wipes are available in four scents- Great Grape, Fresh Scent, Minty Methol, and Simply Unscented. Great Grape has always been my favorite! Each of them are “lightly” scented so you do not have to worry about any harsh fragrances or irritations. Boogie wipes are a MUST HAVE for parents because they can be used for all ages. They come in a 30 count package (as pictured above), 90 count canisters, and boxes of 10 individually wrapped wipe packets. The individually wrapped packets are the ideal size to carry a few in your purse, diaper bag, or even in your car.

Connect with Boogie Wipes!

 Enter below through the rafflecopter form to win your very own Boogie Wipes! One lucky reader will win (2) packs of 30 count Boogie Wipes in Fresh, Grape, Menthol, or Unscented.

This giveaway is open to US, Canada, & Australia.  a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received this product  from Boogie Wipes for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!

Zevia: All Natural Soda Review & Giveaway

If your are like me and have been trying to kick your unhealthy soda habit for quite some time, then this review is just for you! Last year I came across the new ZERO CALORIE soda sweetened with the all natural sweetener- Stevia. Zevia has completely satisfied my soda cravings for a good year now. You don’t have to worry about artificial sweeteners or drinking your calories because Zevia contains all natural ingredients. I think that Zevia is an excellent alternative to drinking normal soda. It has the same amount of fizz minus the unnecessary sugar.
Looking back, I wish I would have known about Zevia all natural soda when I was pregnant with Toodie. One of the worst things I did during my pregnancy was consume too much Coke and Dr Pepper! Later on this led to me having a severe gall bladder attack which resulted in surgery. Not fun!
Zevia sent me quite a few flavors to sample and I was really excited to see the variety. The only Zevia sodas I have tried prior to receiving these were Cream Soda and Caffeine Free Cola. I normally purchase Zevia from my local Whole Foods and had no idea that there were so many different kinds available.
 The first flavor I chose to try was Grapefruit Citrus. I expected the soda to come out a pinkish color but it was in fact clear like most of them. I made sure to place all of the cans in the refrigerator prior to drinking so that they would be nice and cold! It is recommended that you drink Zevia ice cold to achieve the best taste. Zevia also suggests you drink the soda from the can as opposed to a cup- to avoid it getting flat quickly. I happened to really enjoy the Grapefruit Citrus flavor. It was tangy, fruity, and had the right amount of citrus.
So far my favorite flavors are the Orange and Dr. Zevia. They both taste like regular soda with a little kick! Now that I am aware that Zevia offers so many different flavors I am going to be on the look out during my next Whole Foods trip. Zevia also just release three new flavors- Strawberry, Lime Cola, and Cherry Cola. They are so good I just want to try them all!
Connect with Zevia!

Would you like to try a 6 pack of Zevia for yourself? Here is your chance! Enter below through the raffle copter form and good luck.
Disclosure: I received this product  from Zevia for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this review. As always, opinion are my own!

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ Review

I am no stranger to the new CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY shampoo and conditioner system so I was glad to see the generous sized samples in my Influenster Summer Beauty voxbox. For the past two months I have used both the shampoo and conditioner duo on my daughter and myself. This line is designed to change the way that we take care of our hair, giving it back it’s strength starting at the scalp. While getting the hair clean it is also helping to nourish the follicles from root to tip. This prevents breakage, split ends, and overall texture by providing a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients. 

 Having color treated hair can be very damaging and it can also be hard to find products that will bring your hair “back to life.” I have colored my hair for years and have always noticed it is harder to keep soft and conditioned. With  the CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ I no longer have this issue.  My hair does not feel dry or brittle and is now smooth, fly-away free, and bouncy!


After using the CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ on Toodie’s hair for a week, I noticed a huge difference in the overall look and texture. Toodie has very curly hair that can be difficult to manage and comb through. It’s also very soft making it prone to tangles and knots. Using the shampoo and conditioner allowed me to comb through her hair easily and prevented frizz after drying. The conditioner is probably my favorite of the two products because it leaves the hair very moisturized without making it oily.
For more information and updates from CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ products are available at several mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.
The suggested retail price is anywhere between $4.99 – $5.99.
Disclaimer: I received the product in this post compliments of Influenster for purposes of this review, however all opinions are my own.

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen #influenster


Summer fun has begun! It’s time for long days at the pool, sand castles at the beach, and vacationing to tropical destinations with your family. While your mind may be occupied by all of the memories you are creating, there is one thing you should not forget- your sunscreen! One of the many items I was chosen to test in my Summer Beauty voxbox from Influenster was the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion.

The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion contains luxurious silk ribbons of sunscreen that nourish and pamper skin while protecting your skin the sun. It also provides 12-hours of moisture that will keep your skin silky soft. If you are headed to the beach or pool this Summer, you may want to check out this product. It contains SPF 30 and will protect your family from the UV rays while keeping your skin moisturized. 

Toodie loves being outside, especially during the Summer when the sun is out and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. She spends a lot of time at the pool, playing water hopscotch and running around in the sprinklers. Even though she has a tan complexion and doesn’t burn when in the sun, I am always protecting her skin from the harmful UV rays. This lotion was easy to apply and absorbed quickly without leaving a sticky or thick residue behind. Toodie was able to put it on herself without mom having to rub in the excess. It also smelled great! If you used the product and had no idea what it was ,you probably would not guess that this was your typical sunscreen.  It’s scent is very light.

You can find Hawaiian Tropic products at most major retailers. The suggested retail price is $8.99 for a 6oz bottle. Also, be on the look out for Hawaiian Tropic’s other products including Sheer Touch Lotion and Tanning Oil.

Check out Hawaiian Tropic on Facebook for more information.

 

Disclaimer: I received the product in this post compliments of Influenster for purposes of this review, however all opinions are my own.

The Many Uses of Ivory #influenster

 
This month I received a bar of Ivory soap in my Influenster Mom Vox Box. Ivory soap has been around for quite some time and is known for being free of dyes and heavy perfumes found in most soaps. It’s simple, affordable, but also effective for the whole family. It’s also the only soap that floats! Ivory soap gives moms like me an easy, effortless way to get the family clean because it is so pure.
 In the process of getting the most out of my Ivory Soap bar, I found many uses for it. Besides the traditional sudsy soap bar for the shower, I also used it to cleanse my face at night. I am happy to say I experienced no break outs or blemishes. The Ivory Soap bar left my skin silky smooth and moisturized. My hair brushes were also treated to a bubble bath with the Ivory Soap bar right by their side. Within minutes of a good soaking my brushes were clean and free of product build up.

I also experimented and decided to use my Ivory soap bar to get my makeup brushes fresh for the week. I try to keep my brushes clean and wash them at least once a week so there is bacteria lurking around. I usually use a liquid soap or shampoo when cleansing but thought that using the bar soap may do a better job. I was right! I couldn’t believe how well Ivory soap worked in deep cleaning each brush, even my eyeshadow brushes looked brand new after. The bristles were also very soft and there was no shedding afterwards or during. Goodbye icky makeup brushes!
  

On top of these uses it can also be an effective stain remover, laundry flakes, and soap projects. You can find Ivory soap at your nearest retailer, including stores such as Walmart and Target as well as any major grocery, dollar and drug store.  A 10-pack of Ivory bar soap retails for around  $4.49 (bath bar size). Ivory Soap is one of the most affordable and versatile on the market. You can’t beat the price especially for all of the uses you are getting from one bar. 

For updates on Ivory Soap follow them on Facebook and become part of the community!
 Disclaimer: I received the product in this post compliments of Influenster for purposes of this review, however all opinions are my own.

Giddy Up: Neon Squeeze N Brush Paint Brush Review

 I came across these “No Mess” Squeeze N Brush Paint Brushes at the store this weekend. It only took me half a second to grab them and toss them in the cart once I read the “No Mess” and “Washable” tag line! Toodie loves to paint so I have been trying to find unique crafting products to give her something different to do. I thought that these were worth giving a try.

 This pack came with five bright colored neon paint tubes. Green, Pink, Yellow, Orange, and Blue were all included. On the back of the package they even tell you that blending the paint for more colors is possible. Tangerine, Turquoise, and Fuchsia can also be made!

  The Squeeze N Brush Paint Brushes save you from the mess, dirty water, and clean up that you would normally have with regular paint. The paint is already in the tube with a soft flexible brush on the end, making painting effortless. All you have to do is squeeze and brush on to your paper. The paint comes out very smooth and is also washable. With it’s thick bristles you can create pictures and also blend the colors together without them getting muddy. 

  I really liked the concept of the Squeeze N Brush paint brushes. It makes the simple act of painting fun without the daunting task of cleaning up afterwards. Another thing that stuck out to me when I purchased them were the colors. The variety of neon colors was a nice change from the typical color pallet you see offered in most paint sets. Toodie seemed to like them a lot and had no problem squeezing out the paint on her own with her tiny hands. When we we’re finished all we had to do was cap the tubes and put them away. No cleaning off dirty brushes or wiping up spilled paint. I am eager to see if they make these in other colors!


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