Mom Most Traveled

IWAKO Erasers

CanCan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:47:59 +0000

I have to brag a little here, I saw this trend coming a long time ago.
When I was in elementary school, I collected erasers. Most of them were Japanese, from Sanrio. I kept them in a cigar box. Later I expanded by interests and started to collect pencils (unsharpened) as well.
I still have remnants of my collection, even though I have tried to purge over the years. But a cigar box of erasers doesn’t take up all that much room.
Why am I telling you this?
Because COLLECTING ERASERS IS COOL NOW!

Not just any erasers, mind you, the collecting craze is all about IWAKO Japanese Erasers.

These are really neat, and only cost around $1 each (although you can get them in adorable themed sets as well). Stocking stuffer anyone? This would make you the cool mom for sure!

Besides being hip, trendy, and cute, Iwako erasers are made from eco-friendly materials and can be recycled.

I got a cute little frog and bird eraser from Iwako, courtesy of ASTRA, and I am totally smitten.

Seriously, Nick wants to go to Japan in April and I am plotting how to build my stash.

They have darling little food sets, sushi, burgers, trucks, hamsters, anything you can think of, there is probably an adorable Iwako eraser replica of it.

Look at http://www.iwakousa.com to see all of the cute styles, and look at this interesting page about how Iwako erasers are made.

You can purchase Iwako Erasers at your local Learning Express or on Amazon, via a specialty retailer

Lock Away Your Medicines

CanCan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:27:40 +0000

This summer when I was packing for a trip, I had things strewn about my bedroom, waiting to be organized and put in the suitcase.
I walked in on almost-two-year-old Deeds with an open pill bottle in his hand.

It was a terrifying sight (along with the shocking realization that Deeds could open child-proof medicine bottles). It turned out that he hadn’t yet eaten any, but the experience was enough to prompt me to make sure he never got another chance to have a “medicine snack.”

Soberingly, even if your child isn’t a toddler, over-the-counter and prescription drugs need to be locked away.

In addition to the alarming number of toddler incidents, a reported 2.1 million teens are abusing prescription drugs annually and more than a third of the prescription drugs illegally obtained by teens come from their own homes.

If you don’t want your child or their friends taking and/or selling your prescription medicines, lock ‘em up!

I like the simplicity of the MedSafe; it is an electronic lock-box that holds up to 15 bottles of prescription medicine.
There are 19,500 changeable combination and you can affix it to the inside of any medicine cabinet with four self-tapping screws included with each unit, or just store it in a drawer, kitchen cabinet or closet shelf.

A portion of each unit sold will support teen prescription drug abuse awareness programs through non-profits such as D.A.R.E.

The MedSafe retails for $49.95, and is on sale now for $39.95.

Learn more at http://www.helpsaveourkids.com, and visit http://www.otcsafety.org for insight about being safe with over the counter medicines.

1.) To enter to a MedSafe of your own, visit http://www.helpsaveourkids.com and leave a comment on this post with something you learned.

Please don’t just comment with “Enter me” or “Sounds great”. That totally annoys me. Those entries are not eligible to win.

One winner will be chosen by random number generator.

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address.

2.) Email subscribers get an extra entry for as long as their subscription is active.

Already a subscriber? Leave me a separate comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in this giveaway.

Want to subscribe? Just click here: Subscribe to Mom Most Traveled by Email (Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3.) Twitter about this giveaway (include a link to this page and @MomMostTraveled ) and comment here with your Twitter name.

4.) Blog about this giveaway, including a link to this post. Leave me a comment with the link so I can check your post!

This giveaway will close on November 17, 2009, 11:59 pm EST.

Nature’s Baby Organics

CanCan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:14:23 +0000

Nature’s Baby Organics is a yummy-smelling line of organic products created by a mom to meet the needs of her children, who had sensitive skin and eczema.

I really love our Nature’s Baby convenient Travel Pack. It contains: Shampoo/Body Wash, Conditioner, Aromatherapy Calming Spray in Lavender, and fragrance-free Face and Body Moisturizer.

I LOVE the Aromatherapy Calming Spray and have used it both at home and away.
Both of my children are sensitive to smells (Jojo especially gives everything a “sniff test”), and I have used the Aromatherapy Calming Spray on hotel pillows, airplane seats, and at home before bed.
The Aromatherapy Calming Spray has a pleasant, pure scent and isn’t perfumey at all.

All Nature’s Baby Organics products are allergist-approved. They contain NO Paraben, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or synthetic fragrance.

We also received a sample of Vanilla-Tangerine scented Shampoo and Body Wash (a 2-in-1 deal!).
The Shampoo and Body Wash is quite luxurious, you might want to ask your baby to share with you! It is made with Organic Aloe, Comfrey, Calendula & Chamomile, and is 100% Vegan. Paraben, SLS, Propylene Glycol Free & Hypoallergenic.
The Vanilla-Tangerine scent is yummy and refreshing.

I can’t imagine that anything in the Nature’s Baby Organics line would be less than wonderful.

I love this boutique-quality, organic luxury!

Look for Nature’s Baby Organics at Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, Babies R Us, or Amazon (I saw some good deals on Amazon!).

Stash It

CanCan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:14:45 +0000

We are renters (*hisssss*!) and our current home doesn’t have very much shelving or storage. We have one closet. And our bathroom has no cabinets, only a single, tiny shelf under the mirror.
When I first laid eyes on the STASH organizer from Boon, my first thought was that it would be a good organizer for Jojo’s ever growing Lego collection.
But, when the Boon Stash arrived at our house, my husband immediately looked at it covetously and said, “Is that for our bathroom?”
I realized that the bathroom was our area of greatest need; I was tired of being vigilant against Deeds’s grabiness. Would my glasses be bent the next time I needed them? Would my contact solution be squirted out all over the place.
It was only a matter of time…
Hubs mounted the Stash right beside our mirror and just out of reach from little hands.
I was pleased that the Boon Stash allowed space for storing all of the things that were most essential to keep out of the kids’ reach.
Hair gel, shaving brush, contact solution, expensive face soap, glasses and toothbrushes: everything has a place.

Of course, being from Boon, it looks pretty mod, too!

Good job, Boon, Inc.!

Cooking with Eebee Baby

CanCan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:18:48 +0000

Eebee’s Mix & Mash: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby & You is the first ever cooking-with-your-baby book, inspiring you to let your baby be a part of making meals by mashing, smashing, gooshing, shaking, coating and stirring!

Preparing and eating food is a part of every day. This oversized baby board book features six nutritious and simple hands-on baby food recipes, playful rhymes and great pictures of real babies and Eebee having fun with food.

Eebee’s Mix & Mash: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby & You can be used to teach about the beautiful colors in the foods pictured, or about balanced nutrition as well!

Every recipe sets the stage for rich language-skill building exchanges. When making “Guacamol-ee Crunch” recipe, babies help to mash fresh avocado and crushed cereal together in a sealed plastic bag, resulting in some great sensory input about colors, textures, and sounds.

Eebee’s Mix & Mash: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby & You also includes a DVD, helping you to make the most of the learning opportunities and nutritional benefits of each recipe.

I need to find a baby to cook with!

Make It Happen: A Hands-on Adventure with Opposites is a baby-friendly photo essay exploring opposites that are relevant to a baby’s world.
The flashlight tunrs On and Off , and a bowl of water and a towel illustrate Wet and Dry.
This darling book is only $6.99, and shows simple and engaging play ideas that you can easily create with everyday household objects.

Here to There: An Up, Down, and All-Around Adventure is a great title for toddlers on the go!

Babies love to explore, and Here to There: An Up, Down, and All-Around Adventure leads you on feats of baby-stregth while discovering stairs, slides, and hiding places!

Here to There: An Up, Down, and All-Around Adventure has wonderful suggestions to help parents use fun games and activities for developing baby’s motor skills.

Thanks to www.eebee.com, I also have a copy of Eebee’s Mix & Mash: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby & You to give away to one Mom Most Traveled reader!

1.) To enter to win, leave a comment on this post with a fun idea for how to include your baby or toddler when you are working in the kitchen.

Please don’t just comment with “Enter me” or “Sounds great”. That totally annoys me. Those entries are not eligible to win.

One winner will be chosen by random number generator.

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address.

2.) Email subscribers get an extra entry for as long as their subscription is active.

Already a subscriber? Leave me a separate comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in this giveaway.

Want to subscribe? Just click here: Subscribe to Mom Most Traveled by Email (Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3.) Twitter about this giveaway (include a link to this page and @MomMostTraveled ) and comment here with your Twitter name.

4.) Blog about this giveaway, including a link to this post. Leave me a comment with the link so I can check your post!

This giveaway will close on November 16, 2009, 11:59 pm EST.

Great New Music For Kids!

CanCan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:26:01 +0000

I’m teaching preschool full time now, and MUSIC is a fun and exciting part of our play time.

I have two children in my class who excitedly ask me every day if we can turn on the music.

Once I oblige, they dance and scamper about with some nice flowing scarves that I added to the home corner of the class.

We also like to play “freeze dance” and other musical movement games. During snack time, I pick a relaxing sound track to serenade us as we eat.

Music is a welcome part of my school day, and of course as the adult present, I want the music to have appeal for the children but not drive me crazy with kiddie-ness.

Thankfully, these days, quality childrens tunes abound!
Eat A Bowl Of Cherries, from Rhythm Child, is (naturally) infused with rhythm and dance-inducing.
I am one of those Mamas who has a basket of percussion instruments right in our living room.

My brother is a musician (and a drummer too), and I want to give my children an outlet for their musical talent (hey, sometimes these things are genetic.)
So we love the songs on Eat A Bowl Of Cherries!
Shaker Song, perfect, we have a shaker!
Riding On The Bus, Deeds is my resident bus fanatic! Misunderstandings, what do you mean? (Haha!)
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, will this word indeed make me sound precocious? Or just weird?
Eat A Bowl Of Cherries, the title track, is also included on Putumayo Picnic, another favorite around here.

***
Charlie Hope’s beautiful album, I’m Me! A Collection of Songs for Children, is a real gem in my CD collection.

Charlie Hope’s voice reminds me of Ingrid Michaelson, and I think some of these songs could easily pass as grown-up on an indie rock station.

I like the mix of traditional songs and Charlie Hope’s own originals.

“We’re Having A Baby” is a favorite, upbeat track of mine, except that, being a sentimental Mama, it is wont to trigger tears for me. Which is kind of embarrassing when the kids are obliviously doing scarf dances.

Other stand-out faves on I’m Me! A Collection of Songs for Children are Mr. Sun, and Two Little Blackbirds, but honestly this is one of those rare albums where I don’t have an “unfavorite” song.

Also exciting? The CD liner notes are in the form of a coloring book. How fun!

Check CharlieHopeMusic.com or the Charlie Hope Facebook Page for more from this great artist!

“I’m Me!” won a silver Parent’s Choice Award!
Listen to the complete CD HERE.

***

Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck, a children’s music group with music videos on The Channel Formerly Known As Noggin and PBS KIDS, are releasing Rockin’, Rollin’ and Ridin’ on November 10th.

Rockin’, Rollin’ and Ridin’ really brings it with a host of talented musicians; what a great thing that children and be introduced to all kinds of different instruments and sounds instead of being faked out with digi keyboards.

Rockin’, Rollin’ and Ridin’ features Roscoe Orman, AKA “Gordon” from Sesame Street - as guest artist. Props for that, I haven’t seen Maria doing an album. Bob? What about you? Susan? Hmm?

Rockin’, Rollin’, and Ridin’ is 23 minutes long, with six new Rebecca Frezza songs and two special remixes and a bonus video!

The retail price for Rockin’, Rollin’, and Ridin’ is a mere $8.99!

***
Go Waggaloo is a mostly-folksy album by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family. Sarah Lee is the granddaughter of Woody Guthrie, “the family” refers to her husband Johnny Irion, their two young daughters, and friends including Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Tao Rodriguez Seeger.
Most of the tracks are comfortable folk that makes you want to “set a spell”, but hidden amogst these are a few surprises, like Big Moon, on which some turn table scratches and other R&B-esque sampled noises abound.
If Mama Had Four Hands is a little late 60’s rock, complete with background hand claps!
The album includes three songs featuring lyrics by Woody Guthrie never before put to music and eight songs written by Sarah Lee and family.

Go Waggaloo is a fun listen, and I can only imagine that catching one of the live performances on The Guthrie Family Rides Again Tour would be a great family event!

I’m excited that some of the dates are close to my neck of the woods! Let me post them!

NOVEMBER 2009
*	13rd	{info}	Albany NY - The Egg
*	15th	{info}	Harrisburg PA - The Sunoco Theater
*	17th	{info}	State College PA - The State Theater
*	19th	{info}	Burlington, VT, ~ The Flynn
*	20th	{info}	Portland, ME, ~ Merrill Auditorium
*	21st		Orono, ME, ~ Maine Center for the Arts
*	28th	{info}	New York City - Carnegie Hall
*	29th		Newark NJ - NJPAC
DECEMBER 2009
	5th	{info}	Columbia SC - The UU Coffee House
	10th	{info}	Fairhope Alabama - USA/Faulkner Campus
	11th	{info}	New Orleans LA - D. B . A
	12nd	{info}	Joesephine Alabama - Pirate’s Cove
	13rd	{info}	Mobile Alabama - Callaghans Irish Social Club
	31st	{info}	Boston MA 1st Night! - Hynes Convention Center

The tour rides strong until July 2010, so check the Sarah Lee Guthrie website for 2010 dates.

Good news! I have copies of Rockin’, Rollin’ and Ridin’ , and I’m Me! A Collection of Songs for Children (Autographed copy!) to giveaway!

1.) To enter to win, leave a comment letting me know which CD (Rockin’, Rollin’ and Ridin’ , or I’m Me! A Collection of Songs for Children (Autographed copy!) you want to win and why! If you want to win more than one, leave a separate comment for each.

Please don’t just comment with “Enter me” or “Sounds great”. That totally annoys me. Those entries are not eligible to win.

2 winners (one for each title!) will be chosen by random number generator.

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address.

2.) Email subscribers get an extra entry for as long as their subscription is active.

Already a subscriber? Leave me a separate comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in this giveaway.

Want to subscribe? Just click here: Subscribe to Mom Most Traveled by Email (Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3.) Twitter about this giveaway (include a link to this page and @MomMostTraveled ) and comment here with your Twitter name.

4.) Blog about this giveaway, including a link to this post. Leave me a comment with the link so I can check your post!

This giveaway will close on November 16, 2009, 11:59 pm EST.

Tailgating With Frito-Lay!

CanCan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:45:54 +0000

When I think of Frito-Lay and autumn foods, I remember the yummy Tamale Dip my mom prepares by the crock-pot full when she needs to feed a crowd.

“Tailgating” isn’t normally about healthy eating, but Frito-Lay wants to help you get off the greasy train with portion control sizes for enjoying old favorites in moderation.

You can also make simple changes like offering dips made with reduced-fat sour cream or positive nutrition like salsa or guacamole, or cooking with lean turkey meat and fat-free refried beans to cut hundreds of calories off your meals.

Frito-Lay wants to hear tips from Mom Most Traveled readers!

We are calling it the Better-For-You Tailgate Recipe Contest, and you can win a Frito-Lay Tailgating Kit (approximate value: $50) equipped with better-for-you Frito-Lay products, a gift card for purchasing your ingredients and a neat football shaped dish.

To enter, share your better-for-you recipe in the comments below. The winner will be selected based on healthiness, taste, and incorporation of Frito-Lay products.

(Frito-Lay products can be included in a number of ways, either IN the recipe such as Frito-pies, a Tostitos-base in taco salads dishes/dip, or various other Lays chips used for “dipping” the recipes. Or be creative, these are just a few ideas!)

Healthy snacking, everyone!

This contest will be closed on Tuesday, November 10th, and the winner submited to Frito-Lay by Thursday.

This give away is open to US residents.

Winners and Fall Blog Giveaway Carnival Info!

CanCan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:25:33 +0000

Tons of winners to announce! Thank you for your patience. I have been quite time-poor lately!

* Marcal Small Steps Eco-Friendly Home Starter Kit(ended 11/2) congrats to comment 73, trixx!

*Marshmallow Blaster (ends 11/3) congrats to comment 44, Peter!

In other news, it is that time again! Woohoo, the Give It Away Fall Carnival!

Grab the button (designed by Painter Mommy) and spread the word! Fall Blog Giveaway Carnival at Mom Most Traveled: November 9-13, 2009

And, totally awesome giveaway alert at SheBlogs: Enter to win one of three toyboxes from Wood Creations.

To enter, you blog about woodtoybox.com, and mention their personalized, laser engraved toyboxes.

This contest will end on November 15, 2009.

A Magical Holiday Gift

CanCan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:34:55 +0000

If you have someone on your holiday shopping list who is a fan of the book (or film) Polar Express, the Santa’s Classic Gift Set from MagicalBells.com is sure to make an impression!

It comes packaged in a lovely gift box and a velvet bag, without any kind of markings or words or company logos.

This is a very thoughtful detail because it allows the Santa’s Classic Gift Set to become a real gift from Santa. No brand names or “Made In China” stickers to ruin the magic!

I was pleased with the quality of the Santa’s Classic Gift Set that we received as a sample. I had big plans for presenting it to Jojo around Christmas time, but he discovered it on my review table and claimed it right away!

Even though Deeds, at age 2, isn’t yet famliar with Polar Express, Santa, or pretty much anything that involves long-term memory, he appreciates Santa’s Classic Gift Set for it’s musical noise making capabilities! On the Santa’s Classic Gift Set you can listen to a recording of the bell ringing, so you know what you are getting into.

Thanks Magical Bells, for a great product! This gift set is included in the Mom Most Traveled 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.

Fair Trade Cause-Metics

CanCan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:23:41 +0000

Do you know that some lipsticks contain lead? And many other common cosmetic products contain chemicals and preservatives that are harmful to the human body.
PeaceKeeper™ Cause-metics™ was established to help women worldwide by donating 100% of their profits, after taxes and expenses to women’s causes.
Beyond that, are a marvel of modern cosmetic business, because the products are not tested on animals, eco-friendly, slavery-free, fair wage, ethical, and so so pure!

I was so thrilled to receive samples from Taraluna Fair Trade, Organic and Green Gifts of PeaceKeeper Nail Polish, which came packaged in a beautiful Hand-Made Indigenous Bag from Hmong Hill Tribe Women in Thailand.

I didn’t know what to expect from the PeaceKeeper Nail Polish, since I knew it was missing all of the usual preservatives. To my delight, it painted on easily and smoothly with no clumps or other monkey business.

If PeaceKeeper Nail Polish is made ethically and without nasty chemicals but can perform just as well or better than brands containing yucky stuff and employing shady business practices, there is no reason NOT to support PeaceKeeper Nail Polish!

I also got a sample of Eternal Equity Gloss, in a pretty green bag with a brochure and paper flower.

I have to be careful with lip glosses; my lips react to many products, becoming very chapped and disgusting.

I’m happy to report that I had no adverse effects from Eternal Equity Gloss. The color was smooth and I didn’t feel like my lips were coated or greasy. They could still breathe!

I also noticed that when I took a drink while wearing Eternal Equity Gloss, it didn’t leave a thick, scary waxy residue on the glass.

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics sources sustainable organic ingredients from some of the best farmers on earth, who use eco-friendly viable alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are used in traditional farming.

All PeaceKeeper Products have NONE of the following…
No FD&C Coloring
No Animal Testing
No Artificial Colors
No Artificial Fragrances
No Toluene
No Formaldehyde
No Acetone
No Phthalates
No Parabens
No Synthetic Preservatives
No Mineral Oil
No Lanolin
No Sodium Lauryl
No Sodium Sulfate
NO NASTY ANYTHING !

Taraluna Fair Trade, Organic and Green Gifts has lots of products you can feel good about purchasing. PeaceKeeper™ Cause-metics™ are on sale right now! And, between now and November 14, use coupon code TRAVELMOM at checkout to get free shipping on all orders over $60.00.

Taraluna is giving away some PeaceKeeper Nail Polish, packaged in a beautiful Hand-Made Indigenous Bag from Hmong Hill Tribe Women in Thailand to one Mom Most Traveled reader!

1). To enter for your chance to win visit Taraluna.com and comment here telling me another product you like.

2.) Email subscribers get an extra entry for as long as their subscription is active.

Already a subscriber? Leave me a separate comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in this giveaway.

Want to subscribe? Just click here: Subscribe to Mom Most Traveled by Email (Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3) You can tweet about this giveaway once each day for extra entry. Be sure to include a link to this post, and @MomMostTraveled

Leave a comment here for each tweet. Be sure to include your twitter ID.

4.) One extra entry for blogging about this giveaway, including a link to this page and Taraluna.com

5.) Sign up for the Taraluna Newsletter to receive coupons and discounts, and let me know you did. Sign-up is in the left sidebar of Taraluna.com

This giveaway is open to US residents only. This contest will close on November 14, 11:59pm CST