*Mom's Best Bets

A new look for the Disney Store in Hawaii

2012-06-01T06:45:00.002-10:00

The Disney Store unveiled it’s new store today t

The Disney Store unveiled its innovative new store design at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Hawaii on Wednesday, May 30th.

I was there along with hundreds of others to witness the magical makeover. The first 250 guests were given Mickey Mouse ears and got to watch the ceremonial blowing of the conch shell to announce the arrival of a Kahu who performed a Hawaiian blessing. Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Jeff Zimmerman, the regional manager were also there to announce the opening.

Every morning the magic will start with a child who will have a chance to turn a large key that opens the store. What I really liked was the interactive shopping that was filled with technology-infused experiences for the children. My daughter loved the Disney Princess castle with magic mirrors and the translucent trees with Disney animation. There were even villains that came and kids in the store had to chase them away with Tinkerbell's help. My favorite part was how the cast interacted with the kids and involved them in the store. There is a center area that kids can color, watch movie scenes, and play trivia games. I think this is extra special for Hawaii families who get to shop and also experience some Disney fun!

On June 2 at 9:30 a.m., Disney Store will celebrate the grand opening of the store. From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. a meet and greet with Mickey and Minnie Mouse will take place at center stage, with an opportunity for guests to take photos with the characters.

Hawaii House Cleaning Military Discount

2012-05-28T06:56:00.002-10:00

We value the military's dedication and service that ensure our freedom!

If you are military moving to Hawaii or maybe you are moving off the island of Oahu, Maid with Aloha can help you with superior maid service. They clean Schofield barracks, Hickam Air Force Base, Radford, Ko'Olina, and many areas on Oahu. You can also find them on Yelp.com

They offer a 10% discount on all move-in and move-out house cleanings.

Call them today (808) 375-2491

Mahalo!

Mom's Best Bets Monday

2012-05-28T06:17:00.000-10:00

There are so many great ideas, reviews, and giveaways going on around the blogosphere that it is hard to remember them all. There is something new going on here every Monday that you can be a part of.

Let's share our BEST BET on the Linky or in the comments section below. It could be something you read about, an outrageous recipe, or maybe a product that is outstanding, or an amazing giveaway that you want to share about.

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**Home Energy Evaluation (ARV $299) - 5/31

**$100 Gift Card (Amazon, Itunes, Target) - 5/27

Hawaiian Orchids and Anthuriums

2012-05-25T06:49:00.000-10:00

Just snapped this picture this morning. Aren't Hawaiian flowers just gorgeous?

They are orchids and anthuriums. Another reason to just love Hawaii! Have a beautiful day!

Potassium Nitrate in Toothpaste

2012-05-25T06:42:00.000-10:00

Being a natural product loving mommy, I tend to use natural toothpaste bought from my local health food store. The other day I was given a new toothpaste to try from my dentist. He just said that is was excellent. I examined the ingredients and saw potassium nitrate listed as an active ingredient.
According to wikipedia potassium nitrate is commonly used in toothpastes such as Sensodyne or Crest Sensitive as a remedy for Dentine Hypersensitivity and is approved as a monographed drug by the FDA.

What is potassium nitrate?
Major uses of potassium nitrate are in fertilizers, food additive, rocket propellants and fireworks; it is one of the constituents of gunpowder. It's also used for food preservation and food additive in the USA.

The problem is when sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate convert to nitrites in your body creating nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are well known carcinogens.

My take?

It has been shown to help people with sensitive teeth issues. It's also a very small amount and you aren't swallowing it (hopefully). However, if you don't have sensitive teeth, then I really wouldn't want to be brushing with nitrates. I think I will stick to my Tropical Traditions tooth cleaner.

Mom's Best Bets Monday

2012-05-20T20:24:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**Louis Vuitton Purse - $390 (6/12)

**Chicago Cutlery Knife Set & Cutting Board - 5/27

Oahu Hawaii Move Out House Cleaning

2012-05-19T09:14:00.001-10:00

Hawaii is such a beautiful place to live. It's also such a transient island with people moving to and from the islands.

If you are moving and need a thorough MOVE-OUT clean that you can trust, call us for a free estimate at Maid with Aloha (808) 375-2491. We have a 51 point checklist.

You can also visit us on Yelp.com and read what others are saying about us.

Steaming Salmon Trick

2012-05-19T06:48:00.001-10:00

Some healthy ideas for the weekend...

We love to eat fresh Salmon. Here are some cooking tips as well as a nutritional breakdown of this incredible swimmer.

How to prepare it:
Grilled, sautéed, steamed, sashimi...the list goes on. I prefer salmon steamed. Here is a quick and easy tip when steaming fish to make clean up a snap! Place a lettuce leaf under the fish when steaming. The skin will stick to the lettuce instead of the pan. Don't worry, the fish still cooks perfectly.

Why it's good for you:

It is low in calories and saturated fat, yet high in protein. It is also full of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Wild-caught cold water fish, like salmon, are higher in omega-3 fatty acids than warm water fish. The omegas in salmon have been known to help to reduce the risk of inflammation and help circulation. In addition to being an excellent source of omega-3s, salmon also contains vitamins and minerals such as, niacin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B6.

We would love to hear from you and what healthy ideas, tips, or plans you have, so please share below :)

Cup Holder Craft for Kids

2012-05-19T06:45:00.003-10:00

A few weeks ago when we were staying at a hotel and sipping coffee on the veranda, my daughter spied our bright hot pink sleeves around our coffee cups. She loves everything pink and wanted to take them home instead of throwing them out. We agreed, while she collected them and packed them up.

After asking for some tape (one of her favorite things to play with :)) She held up the most beautiful flower that she carefully taped together using the cup holder

sleeves. We were impressed with her idea and proudly hung it in her playroom!

Children love to recycle..sometimes they just don't know they are doing it. I would love to hear your child's latest creation, please share below.

Have a sunny and creative day!

~Aloha!

Mom's Best Bets Monday

2012-05-13T22:34:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**big giveaway, ends 6/1

**AFL - Fused Glass Pendant - 5/24

American Girl Read-a-Palooza Summer Giveaway

2012-05-13T22:11:00.001-10:00

This summer, American Girl is inviting girls and moms to discover the joy of reading while helping a great cause! Read-a-palooza provides girls with fun activities and incentives to inspire them to keep their reading skills sharp and encourage engagement in a variety of different literacy activities! In addition, Read-a-palooza will be contributing to Save the Children through a book purchase donation. Starting May 1 through September 3, $1 from every book purchased from American Girl will benefit Save's U.S. Literacy Program.
To participate in Read-a-palooza, girls can visit americangirl.com/reading, where they can download colorful bookmarks and free book-related content, such as tips and materials for starting a book club. They’ll also be able to do reading challenges and take fun, interactive quizzes. Starting in June, girls can participate in Read-a-palooza by visiting an American Girl retail store, where free reading events will be offered all summer long.

Giveaway: Summer Reading Giveaway
Win a sampling of American Girl books

TO ENTER: Complete one of the following below and comment which one you chose (complete any or all for extra chances)

EXTRA ENTRY:

Follow MBB with Google friend connect
Subscribe to Mom's Best Bets
Follow MBB on Facebook

Follow MBB on Twitter(tweet daily for more)

Put my button up on your blog.

Blog about this giveaway linking back to me

*This contest ends 6/05/2012 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Open to US and Canada only

Umagine Squishy Baff Bath Kit Review

2012-05-10T22:23:00.002-10:00

Ever wonder how a diaper can hold so much liquid? Well, if you cut a diaper open, you will see a crystal bead like substance that is called super absorbent polymer.
The crystals will absorb the water and turn into a gel like substance.

Now, SpinMaster makes this concept a fun science experiment for kids. This Umagine Squishy Baff turns ordinary water into glorious colorful goo and then back again. My daughter loved squishing the goo between her fingers! The kit comes with enough Squishy Baff powder to make two baths of goo! It’s safe, fun, and doesn’t leave stains or residue. When you are done playing, simply add the dissolving powder and watch it go down the drain! Transform water into fun with Squishy Baff! Non-toxic, biodegradable and easily goes down the drain.

We never used it for a bath but we had fun making a few batches to play in.
It was fun and easy to do. I can imagine putting into the bath would be exciting and probably very messy, so we stuck to just keeping it in a large bowl to play with. Also the dissolving packet did bring the goo back to a liquid state but not completely.

Mom's Best Bets Monday

2012-05-07T20:22:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**LIGHTAIR IONFLOW 50 SURFACE AIR PURIFIER $395 RV 5/14

**$100 Gift Code to Shabby Apple 5/18

Mom's Best Bets Monday

2012-04-29T19:37:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**Barely There iPad Case ($40) - 5/16

**Kate n' Kaboodle-Canon Powershot 16 MP Camera 5/17

Faerie Organic Makeup

2012-04-27T07:38:00.004-10:00

"U.S. researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks)." www.ewg.org

This alone has be searching for safer makeup. Luckily there are more organic makeup options out there. One company is www.faerieorganic.com.

Their Handcrafted Skincare is made with organic extracts/herbs/oils and made without...
parabens
dimethicone/silicones
petrol products/mineral oil
synthetic perfumes/fragrance

All Faerie Organic products are produced in an artisan/handmade small batch process. Due to this process and lack of chemical preservatives our products do not carry the shelf life of mainstream products.

*I tried a sample of their powder foundation which had a clean sheer finish and their sample lipgloss was very natural and had a nice delicate scent.

Children's Supportive Shoe with Memory Foam

2012-04-27T07:11:00.004-10:00

Check out how soft, stylish, and flexible these shoes are!

In Hawaii we are all in our bare feet a lot, but protecting little toes are essential. My baby wore nothing but Pedipeds and I was disappointed when she got older and couldn't fit this style any more. Pediped now has a Flex shoes with memory foam technology that provides the best comfort and support for growing feet! Pediped’s complete footwear system can be found at www.pediped.com.
They have a section on Foot Health that I would recommend parents to read. I learned a lot, like hand me down shoes are not the best for your child because shoes mold to the shape of the individual's feet.

I had the opportunity to try out the Stella Pink Sparkle too see how comfortable and wearable they were.

All natural leather upper
All natural rubber sole
Comfortable ballet flat with rhinestone-studded faux buckle and Velcro strap for easy on and off
Features Memory Foam Technology™ in the sole for ultimate comfort
Features the Flex Fit System™, which allows children to adjust the fit of their shoes and prolong the length of wear
Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development

Memory Foam Technology™ (MFT™) acts like a custom insole by shaping perfectly to your child’s foot and supporting it in all the right places. MFT™ also provides excellent absorption, prevents foot slippage in the shoe, and ensures a secure, comfortable fit.

The Flex Fit System™ provides additional insoles that can be inserted for a snug fit then removed for room as your child's foot grows. These insoles can reduce shoe size by almost half a size, extending the life of the shoe.

The sparkly pink flower design is so cute but their memory foam really provides the best fit! There is ample support and they can be used for dress or for running around.

Follow Pediped on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information on one of the best shoes for kids!

* Product provided for review Purposes. All opinions are Mom's Best Bets

Mom's Best Bets Monday

2012-04-22T22:29:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**$550 Cash via PayPal, 4/29 WW

**Kate n' Kaboodle- Rubbermaid Hidden Recycler 4/27

American Girl Readers

2012-04-17T19:30:00.000-10:00

I've recently been on a hunt for early reader chapter books. The American Girl Book collection offers high interest books. My daughter loves the history and pictures the books paint. Here are a few new titles. To check out more of their books visit: www.americangirl.com

Behind the Scenes

Item# F2841

Each reader can imagine herself as the main character in this interactive story, a creative girl who loves to make her own movies. When Innerstar University™ holds a movie contest, she puts together her best video. But when she fears that one of her friends might get upset about something in the movie, does she pull it from the contest? Or does she leave it in, knowing it has a good chance of winning? Readers' decisions will teach them a lot about loyalty—to themselves and to their friends. With more than 20 different endings, girls will enjoy this book again and again to see how different decisions change the story. Plus, each book comes with a secret access code to unlock additional endings online! 120 pages.Paperback. Author: Erin Falligant. Ages 8+

$8.95

New!

The Hidden Gold: A Marie-Grace Mystery

Item# F2825

Marie-Grace can't wait to begin her journey up the Mississippi River with her father. The steamboat they're traveling on is the biggest and fanciest boat Marie-Grace has ever seen. It's crowded with all sorts of interesting passengers, including Wilhelmina Newman, a girl Marie-Grace's age. Wilhelmina is traveling alone, and she's carrying a secret in one of her trunks—clues to hidden Gold Rush treasure. Wilhelmina and Marie-Grace have to unravel the clues to find the gold—and they're not the only ones looking for it! An illustrated "Looking Back" essay provides facts about the 1850s. 150 pages.Paperback. Author: Sarah Masters Buckey. Ages 9+

$6.95

Mom's Best Bet Monday

2012-04-16T04:29:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**4 EcoRain Shower Heads (ARV $140) - 5/1

**BabyBjorn Feeding Prize Package (4/29) Rafflecopter

Mom's Best Bet Monday

2012-04-09T01:13:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**Kodak Easy Share M23 Camera, 4/16

**SavingYourGreen Cuisinart Mixer Ends 4-14

Mom's Best Bet Monday

2012-04-02T03:57:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**SHAKLEE BASIC H NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCT (5 WINNERS) 4/11

**$50 Zoës Kitchen Gift Card - 4/7

Smart Wav Baby Sleep System Giveaway

2012-03-31T14:38:00.001-10:00

SmartWav Babies is an amazing BabySleep CD System that can get fussy/crying babies to stop crying. There website says that the DVD's:

Can stop crying instantly

Allows babies to feel safe and lower stress and agitation

Babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer

So powerful, it's been selected for clinical study!

My thoughts:
The Cd's are very peaceful to listen to. They combine soothing instrumental music to very subtle womb sounds. I had to listen really closely to identify the sounds that baby heard in utero but they were present. It definitely put me to sleep the first night I listened to it. Then, I had my friend try it out on her 3 month old baby. He was waking a lot at night and she was hoping this might help him to stay asleep a bit longer. She said that he slept for longer stretches at night while listening to the Smart Wav music. She did say that it was most useful during nap time when he would wake too soon and fuss. It helped him get into a deeper REM sleep.
I also tried it on my six year old. We only had it on for a few minutes and she wanted it off. She said that the music sounded sad. So, it didn't work on her but seems to be a great soother for babies and some adults too:)

They also have a MusicMath CD that offers early learning through a breakthrough new "tonal technology" that is clinically observed to promote brain wiring which gives babies an advanced opportunity to understand basic MATH and PHYSICS concepts

You can purchase The BabySleep Complete System here: Buy 3-CD Set: $59.97

You can enter to win a BabySleep CD or MusicMath CD. from Smart Wav:

TO ENTER: Tell me which CD you would like to win.

EXTRA ENTRY:

1 Extra Entry- Follow MBB with Google friend connect

1 Extra Entry -subscribe to Mom's Best Bets

1 Extra Entry -Follow MBB on Facebook

1 Extra Entry -Follow MBB on twitter (tweet daily for more)

1 Extra Entry -Enter another giveaway on MBB

3 Extra Entries if you put my button up on your blog.

3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to me

*This contest ends 4/14 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

ABCmouse.com has Educational Games for Pre-School Children

2012-03-28T06:47:00.001-10:00

Have you been looking for educational games for your preschooler to play that prepares them for school? Check out ABCmouse.com. It's an online early learning academy for kids between the ages of 2 and 6.

ABCmouse.com has over 3,500 games and activities that revolves around the subject areas of reading, mathematics, social studies, beginning science, art and music. There are more than 350 custom lesson plans spanning six academic levels—all tailored to supplement and support preschool, pre-k and kindergarten programs.

My six year old still enjoys playing and learning using this website and I know a few friends with 3 and 4 year old children that are excited that their pre-schoolers are learning so much on the computer. There is a virtual reward system where they earn points and can shop in the virtual store which is pretty motivating for kids.
The video below will show you more about this awesome site.

I have only been reading and hearing positive things about ABCmouse. I think it''s refreshing and a fun way for kids to learn. To lear more about how you can sign up visit abcmouse.com.

Sea Buckthorn Oil to Heal Eczema and Dry Skin

2012-03-28T06:26:00.000-10:00

SEA BUCKTHORN SEED OIL

Sea buckthorn seed oil has long been used as a topical treatment to aid in the relief of skin conditions such as eczema, acne, rosacea, burns, and wounds AND as a traditional beauty treatment to preserve youthful skin tone and texture. It is a secret remedy to fight wrinkles and age spots so you may (or may not) want to share it with your friends.

Our therapeutic grade organic seed oil will help restore damaged skin to its natural beautiful state.

Quick acting/readily absorbed
For all skin-types
Helps relieve Rosacea, Acne, Eczema
Helps diminish wrinkles/age-spots
Use to treat burns/wounds
Promotes skin recovery and healing
100% CERES Organic
10 ml bottle w/ dropper tip

I love this oil! Not only is it organic but it's also very nourishing. I use it before bed and after cleansing my face. I only use a few drops to massage into the skin. This is a great natural treatment for eczema or dry skin. It has very little smell and a little goes a long way.

Sibu Beauty has other skin care products made from the sea buckthorn berry like their cream and facial cleanser.

You can purchase the oil for $15.95 online or at stores such as GNC near you.

Mom's Best Bet Monday

2012-03-25T20:33:00.000-10:00

Whatever your best bet is, please share below and we will choose a few to shine in the "Mom's Best Bets Spotlight!"

Here are some best bets from last week to enter:

**March Madness Android Tablet 2.2, Ends 3/27, WW

**Luna B. Tee Personalized T-Shirt 3/27 RC