The baby will be sharing our room for several months until we move so for all intents and purposes, the Joovy Room was the extent baby’s nursery. We’ve since acquired an actual wooden crib, but I have to tell you the Joovy Room has everything we need to serve as a small, organized space for a baby. The Joovy Room Playard sets the bar very high for playard travel cribs.

Meet the Joovy Room

The Joovy Room has elevated the playard to a new level. This premier, full-feature nursery center is a bassinet, changing station and playard, all in one. The Joovy Room has exceptional good looks while offering supreme functionality. Parents love its convenience and multi-purpose usability.

Room Playard Details

• Playard Weight: 34 lbs.
• Playard Dimension Folded: 10.5″ x 15″ x 31″
• Playard Dimensions Unfolded: 34″H x 35.5″ W x 49″L
• Playard Minimum Age: Birth
• Playard Maximum Height: 35″
• Bassinett Maximum Weight: 15 lbs.
• Parent Organizer Maximum Weight: 9 lbs.

Joovy Room Review

The Joovy Room Playard is a full-feature travel crib that has everything you need to create a mobile baby nursery. The Room is a good size without being overbearing or dominating the space its in. It unfolds and folds easily and you can arrange for the Room to be used as a bassinet. Unlike other playard bassinets I’ve used, the Room has a very sturdy support system when in bassinet mode, including metal braces that supper the length of the mattress. The official bassinet maximum weight is 15 pounds, but I have to admit that my kids have tested this by climbing in the thing by themselves. I’m happy to report my 42 pound 5 year old didn’t break the thing when he climbed in to “play baby.” But, seriously, that is NOT recommended.

One of the best features of the Room is the attached parent organizer with 9 compartments for storing baby essentials. There are six large pockets on the end and three smaller containers on the top of the organizer for smaller must haves. In addition, there’s are storage pockets on the end of the Room near the changing table. Honestly, when we got a wooden crib to use in our room I was disappointed to lose all the storage and organization the Room offers.

The changing table is VERY sturdy. Far more stable and secure than other playard changing tables I’ve used. It holds up to 25 pounds and includes a belt to secure your child. The changing table secures on three sides of the playard, which creates a very stable surface, but it means that you can’t remove it casually when you’re not changing a diaper. The Room is large enough that you still have plenty of access to baby sleeping in the bassinet but it would be nice to be able to fold the changing table out of the way when not in use.

The Room has a built-in nightlight and music system which plays sweet nursery tunes. Or, you can plug in your MP3 player and soothe baby with your favorite tunes. The playard moves easily on two wheels and comes with a very nice travel case.

We’ve moved the Room to a common family area where it will serve as a bassinet for day time naps, a place to set baby out of the reach of curious siblings and a convenient place to change baby. I know we’ll get a lot of use out of it when baby arrives and look forward to having a safe place for baby to rest.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Room is a great Playard and Mobile Crib. I absolutely love the clean, modern look of the Room and the parent-friendly features like tons of storage and a safe and secure place to change baby. The Room has impressive safety features and feels far more sturdy – from the bassinet to the changing table – than comparable products. We give the Joovy Room an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

Or Not to Buy… The only inconvenient feature of the Room is that the changing table doesn’t easily move when not in use, blocking access to the bassinet. (Of course, this fact is also part of what makes the changing table so sturdy.)

Shop! The Joovy Room is available in Black, Blueberry and Orangie for $270. Its on sale directly from Joovy and also our affiliate Amazon. Make sure you follow Joovy on Twitter and like them on Facebook to keep up with the latest product information.

Thanks to Joovy for providing a sample.

The Primo Viaggio has been great for us, so I was excited to hear that Peg Perego is introducing a new modular system for 2012. The 2012 Switch Four Modular System is a stylish and functional all-in-one for parents to be. And we’re super excited here at The Shopping Mama to be one of the first to review and giveaway this awesome system.

Switch Four Modular System

The Switch Four Modular System includes everything a new baby needs and more. Are you ready for this list? It’s impressive. The following are included in the Switch Four Modular System package:

• Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30 infant car seat with latch system base
• Navetta XL bassinet and stand for home use
• Recently updated Switch Four Stroller with its own set of impressive features (see below) (notice the stroller seat is included but not pictured in the photo to the right)
• Borsa Diaper Bag
• Coordinating Foot Muff
• Snack tray
• Rain cover

The Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30 Infant Car Seat

As I mentioned, this seat is one of the top rated car infant seats. It has impressive side impact protection (exceeds the most stringent test in the world), an easy to use Latch base (also works with seatbelt), “Comfort Dry” microfiber cloth on headrest and padding (great when you have a serious spitter) and has a 5 point harness with neck padding. We used this seat for my son until he outgrew the height and are now using it for my daughter. This seat makes me feel confident in my baby’s safety and looks great even after regular use. It’s easy to install with the Latch system or a seatbelt and the seat goes from car to stroller seamlessly. My only complaint is that it’s a touch heavy, but from what I’ve heard that’s a pretty standard complaint with infant seats and I’ll trade a little weight for top rated safety. Plus, isn’t that why God created strollers? Speaking of, the Primo Viaggio is easy to snap securely into the Switch Four stroller base or the bassinet stand (great for when you have a toddler who is obsessed with pointing out baby’s eyes).

Navetta XL Bassinet and Stand

I’ve never owned a stroller with a bassinet feature before and I LOVE it. The system comes with a stylish bassinet and foot-muff that attaches easily to the stroller and can also be used with the included stand or placed on the ground and rocked or stabilized with fold away feet. My little girl often falls asleep during walks. I know she’s comfortable in the bassinet and can keep napping even after we get home.

My son helping me unpack the stroller and showing how large the bassinet is. Of course he’s too large to actually ride in it safely. The weight limit is 20 pounds and the bassinet should not be used once baby can push up.

Switch Four Stroller

I could take up a whole rest of your day just talking about this stroller. This is one of the best designed strollers I’ve ever used. All the features function smoothly and it’s clear the designer really thought about how moms want things to work. There’s no jerking or pounding or cussing that is sometimes associated with opening or closing a stroller and the seat, car seat, or bassinet can be securely attached and removed with ease.

Stroller Features

• Seat can face forward or backward
• Weight limit 45 pounds and 43 inches
• Fully reclining seat that easily transforms into a carriage
• Adjustable leg and back rest
• Large, handy storage basket that holds all the necessities
• Telescoping handles for taller adults
• Adult cup holder
• Large hood with peek-a-boo window that unzips to become a sun canopy
• Built-in rear footboard that provides a safe ride for a second passenger
• Included foot muff and rain cover

I have thoroughly (and unintentionally) reviewed how easy this stroller is to push. For some insane reason, I decided it would be a good idea to load a fussy baby into the stroller and head out with my toddler (walking) and yellow lab for a walk to the park. Half way there the baby had not calmed down and I remembered that dogs were now banned from the neighborhood park. Unsurprisingly, little man did not want to turn around. Cut to me pushing stroller with screaming baby with one hand which is also holding the dog’s leash while carrying a 30 pound screaming toddler under the other arm. The only one not having a bad time was the stroller. It was actually possible to maneuver thanks to its four large wheels, ball bearings and suspension system. With two hands, or heck one dedicated hand, it handles like a dream. It’s the first stroller I’ve had that handles as well as my jogging stroller.

I can’t say enough about how great this stroller folds. You know how you always imagined a stroller should fold? Yeah, this one folds that smoothly. A quick squeeze of a trigger on each handle (these can be done independently if you are operating with one hand because HELLO when are you not working with one hand?) followed by a tug on the folding handle and you have this:

It’s a free standing, super compact stroller. It also folds with the seat attached forward or rear facing.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… This stroller system is the cream of the crop in modular strollers. It has everything a new parent needs to get started. With the bassinet baby even has a place to sleep for the first few months.

Or Not to Buy… The Switch Four Modular System is so complete that it may be more than a repeat parent needs.

Shop! The Peg Perego Switch Four Modular System will be available in Zaffiro, Pois Grey, or Geranium for $1099. It currently has limited availability at Amazon.com, but expect to see this system at respected retailers around the country soon.

Win! A Peg Perego Switch Four Modular Stroller System!

How to Enter: Visit the Peg Perego Ciao Mondo blog about the new Switch Four Modular System and leave a comment with your favorite feature.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

• Visit Peg Perego and comment here with another product that you’d like to have in your house.
• Like Peg Perego USA and The Shopping Mama on Facebook.
• Share this post on Facebook and tag @PegPeregoUSA and @TheShoppingMama.
• Follow Peg Perego USA AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do.
  Meet the brand new Peg Perego Switch Four Modular Stroller System and enter to win @TheShoppingMama  - $1000 value! http://bit.ly/xikBkH
• Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
• Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends February 24. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Peg Perego for providing a sample and the giveaway prize.

Even toddler boy loves them. Yes, he will kill me for these photos in the future.

He compensates for the tutu with a manly Lightening McQueen “hunk-o-burning love” shirt.

And even the dog wears tutus. Featured here inside out around her neck.

It is sad to have to retire some of our favorite tutus. However, they are tucked away for future reminiscing and children who may wish to wear them. So how about a tutu that can grow with your child?

That’s exactly what Trinkets and Tutus makes. These shabby chic tutus are made in a variety of color combinations from dozens of materials and ribbons attached to a coordinating adjustable waistline ribbon.

Because they are made from so many varieties of ribbon and fabric, no two tutus are alike (say that three times fast!). At their Etsy shop, trinkets and tutus features adorable fashions for all the upcoming holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.

My daughter loves her (trinket and) tutu! The first time she put it on she said, “It makes me feel like singing!” And sing she did.

As a mama, I’m very pleased with the Trinkets and Tutus product. I love that the product is handmade by moms who have put great thought into their pieces. I like the adjustable waistband (to a point, trinkets and tutus makes them for age ranges) that you can simply tie looser as the child grows. I love that a variety of ribbons and fabric have been used. Preschool girl spent almost an hour one afternoon looking at all the fabrics and ribbons to pick her favorite. Additionally, both children have used the tutu in their imaginative play. This tutu has been a lion mane, a door for their clubhouse and a rug on which their pet store pets (stuffed animals) can sleep.

Upon wearing the tutu to preschool for the first time, preschool girl received a million compliments which made her heart very happy. She loves to be the center of attention (what girl doesn’t?).

We have had some fraying of the satin ribbons in the tutu. I solved that with some fabric scissors and a quick “V” snip.

Our Trinkets and Tutus tutu is great fun!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… With an adjustable waist, variety of colors and textures and the “swing factor,” a tutu from trinkets and tutus is a great gift for that special little one (I would say “girl”, but have proven that my boy likes tutus as well!). On their Etsy site, Trinkets and Tutus also features doll-size tutus, bows, specialty shirts, themed tutus (Hello Kitty, pirates, Dora and Minnie Mouse to name a few). Starting at $22.50 for a newborn size, trinkets and tutus are competitively priced with other homemade and mass-produced tutus on the market. And, should you not find exactly what you are looking for in their Esty shop, trinkets and tutus will make a custom tutu for you.

Or Not to Buy… Our tutu has seen some fraying with the satin and cotton ribbons, but that was quickly and easily solved with a pair of scissors and a “V” cut. If you have a tremendously active child, you may wish to place a dab of fabric glue at the end of the ribbons.

Shop! Find Trinkets and Tutus on Etsy and have lots of fun browsing their unique offerings. Tutus range in price from $22.50 to $42. Remember, if you don’t see just what you need, customized options are available.

Win! A Trinkets and Tutus Tutu!

How to Enter: Visit Trinkets and Tutus and leave a comment here with your favorite style.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

• Like Trinkets and Tutus and The Shopping Mama on Facebook.
• Share or Like this post on your Facebook or give us a shout out on our wall.
• Follow Trinkets and Tutus AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do.
  Enter to win a unique, fabric handmade tutu from Trinkets & Tutus @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/ynv4rP
• Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
• Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends February 17. Open to US residents only.

Svan Play With Me

A child-sized table and chairs set designed to promote child/parent interaction.

Set includes a table, three chairs and a stool sturdy enough to hold mom or dad so that they can play along too. Crafted of high-quality, solid birch wood, the Play With Me Toddler Table and Chairs are built to stand up to year-after-year of art projects, tea parties, games and other children’s activities.

The set’s modern Scandinavian design complements any décor, making it the perfect addition to any living room, bed room, play room or nursery.

Toddler Table & Chair Set

To be honest, before we had the table and chairs set up I really wasn’t sure how much we would use it. Sure, they look beautiful and are a useful thing to have, but I wasn’t convinced they’d be a part of our daily life. After all, our family of four (for now!) easily sits at our kitchen table for most meals. But, I have been pleasantly surprised by how much we have used the Svan Play With Me Table and Chairs Set.

The set is certainly useful for any number of reasons, but here are the main uses in our home. First, it’s been invaluable when we have friends over for dinner. We have a perfect “kids table” and the adults can keep the big table all to ourselves. Second, the kids use it for art projects, coloring and preschool “homework” on a regular basis. And, my kids favorite use, is when they get a “special” meal and can watch a movie while they’re eating. While called a toddler set, it easily accommodates my 5 year old, 3 year old and their friends.

Of course, one of the neat things about the design is that one chair is actually a stool making it adult friendly. Even my giant pregnant self can sit down with the kids comfortably. (And by that I mean without fear of breaking the stool and falling on my bottom because not much is comfortable at 34 weeks pregnant.) I also really appreciate the way it looks in our family living space. The design is modern and simple so it blends in with our adult furniture very naturally. We have the espresso color, which matches our furniture, and it’s also available in honey and natural. The set wipes clean with wet cloth, but it has a glossy finish so it sometimes looks a bit grubby after my kids have eaten on it.

The Svan Play With Me Table and Chairs Set is, like all Scandinavian Child products, made of great quality solid birch wood. The assembly was straightforward and didn’t take much time. While it’s clear the construction is solid and the set is well-made, it’s also light enough to move around. We can easily move it from kitchen to living room to playroom to suit our needs.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Svan Play With Me Table and Chairs Set will serve more purposes than you can possibly imagine. Our kids adore sitting at their special table, and we love having a children’s table for them and their friends to share. It’s the perfect size for art projects and toddler play. The quality of the set is really great and I know this will be with us for years to come.

Or Not to Buy… The set has a glossy finish and requires attention to keep it looking shiny and new.

Shop! The Svan Play With Me Set is available for $200 directly from Svan or our affiliate Amazon.

Stay tuned… we’ll be giving away a Play With Me Set soon on The Shopping Mama!

Thanks to Svan for providing a sample.

pediped Originals New Sole

pediped Originals are designed for to be a child’s first shoes. As children learn to walk they shuffle their feet and experts say it is important for them to feel the floor. A flexible sole like pediped Originals is ideal when bare feet aren’t practical. pediped Originals also have a roomy toebox to allow the feet to move and grow properly. The child’s feet develop naturally without relying on the support of the shoe and feel comfortable. The velcro fasteners help parents get the shoes on and adjust for optimal fit.

The new slip resistant leather sole features a slip resistant diamond design on the same high quality leather sole pediped has been known for. My little man loved running around in his. I just wish he wasn’t so big (can’t believe he’s two already!) and about to outgrow them. He’d be wearing these for a long time otherwise.

New Sole Review Video

About pediped

pediped^® footwear was founded in 2004 by Angela and Brian Edgeworth in their quest for the perfect soft-soled shoe for their first daughter. Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort and distinctive styling have made the award winning company the fastest-growing children’s footwear brand in the United States. pediped^® footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development, and preeminent orthopedic medical professionals, Dr. Mininder S. Kocher and Dr. Thomas W. Vorderer, deem pediped shoes an excellent choice for parents/caregivers who want their children’s feet to develop naturally and healthily. In 2011 Earnshaw’s, the premier media resource serving the children’s market recognized pediped® with Earnshaw’s Earnie Awards for Company of the Year and Best Footwear.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… pediped Originals shoes are some of the best out there and the slip resistant sole just makes them better.

Or Not to Buy… At $33 a pair, little man is not going to end up with a closet full of these shoes, but he doesn’t need one. These shoes last and will be outgrown long before they wear out. His baby cousin will love wearing them too, making them a great value for $33.

Shop! pediped 2012 Spring and Summer Originals shoes are available now at www.pediped.com for $33 a pair.

Win! A Pair of pediped Originals with the New Slip Resistant Sole!

How to Enter: Visit pediped and check out the shoes. Leave a comment here telling us what style is your favorite.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

• Sign up to become a pediped insider (and be the first to get the 411 on sales and new products)
• Like pediped footwear and The Shopping Mama on Facebook.
• Share or Like this post on your Facebook or give us a shout out on our wall.
• Follow pediped footwear AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do.
  Enter to win new improved slip resistant pediped shoes http://bit.ly/xu3buF @TheShoppingMama
• Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
• Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends February 17. Open to US residents only.

Winner will receive his/her a pair of pediped originals in boy or girl and size requested. Requests for a particular style cannot be accommodated. Thanks to pediped for providing a sample and giveaway prizes. As always, opinions are my own.

As if folding up a pack’n'play is not annoying enough, traveling with one can be even worse. They rarely stay folded, the bags that come with them are hard to put on and not very durable, and there’s never anywhere to store accessory rods, sheets, and other attachments.  Enter the bover bag, a stylish and handy way to pack and carry playards in style.

About bover bags

“How it Began: One day not long ago, two very frustrated parents were trying to pack their car for a week at the shore. As the father loaded the car with his hands full of gear, the pack n’ play he was carrying fell from his hand, causing a domino effect as everything collapsed around him. When they got to their beach house, they realized they had forgotten the sheet and two rods because there hadn’t been a place to put them.

‘There’s gotta be a better way!’ he cried out. And the bover was born.

Just throw it over your shoulder and you’re all set. The bover’s shoulder strap gives you two free hands, large rod and sheet pockets mean you never leave gear behind, and the thick double-quilted fabric is chic and easy to wash. We also lined the interior for ease of entry and quick cleaning. With the bover, you’ve got it all.”

You’ve got it all, indeed

I think I heard a chorus from the heavens when I easily slipped the bover bag over my freshly-folded pack n play.  Normally that task is a struggle as I wrestle with both the playard and the ill-fitting bag that came with it.  The bover is lined in a fabric that is designed to slip on easily.  And let’s not forget the fabric on the outside – the patterns and quilting are so stylish thatI foresee us using this bag for other travel purposes even after Charlie has stopped using a pack’n'play.  The generous pockets held all of accessories rods for my model, which is saying alot considering that I got the version with all of the bells and whistles – changing pad, bassinet setting, etc.  I love that the bover bag allows me to keep to keep all pieces and related – linens  in one place.  The best part about this bag is that it’s hard to tell what’s inside it, so it’s not immediately obvious that I’m carrying quintessential baby gear.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… It’s pretty, it’s functional, it’s durable – seems like good enough reason to me!

Or Not to Buy… At $49.99 each, they might not be a necessity, but they are versatile enough that you will definitely get your money’s worth by taking advantage of their many uses.

Shop!  You can purchase at the bover website or at the NJ, MD, or PA stores listed online.

Win your very own bover bag!

How to Enter: Visit the bover bag Facebook Page, click the “like” button, and write on their wall about how a bover bag might make travel easier for your family. Come back and comment on this post to enter to win your own bover bag!

Thanks to boverbags for providing a sample and the giveaway prize.

201 Organic Baby Purees, written by Tamika L. Gardner, is a great go-to resource for homemade baby food production.  Tamika’s website, Simply Baby Food Recipes, has helped answer many of my questions as I started thinking about what Charlie should eat.  The book provides even more information with intro sections on the importance of using organics, ways to stock your pantry with healthy whole foods for baby (including tips for doing it on a budget) and advice on the process of making homemade purees.  The book is then divided into sections based on the age so that the user can easily add new flavors and textures as baby gets old enough to handle them.  I especially like that the final chapter introduces finger foods for children who are ready to transition out of a diet of only pureed foods.

If the title doesn’t make it clear, this book contains a great variety of recipes that provide a wide array of options for children as young as six months.  Another one of our food goals for Charlie is to expose him to as many foods as possible when he’s very young in the hopes that it might inspire a varied palate as he gets older.  As he is just getting ready to move beyond simple vegetable purees and start eating meat and grains, I can’t wait to whip up some of Tamika’s meat-based purees like Fruity Chicken Stew and Meaty Squash Pasta.

Q & A with Tamika L Gardner

Tamika was kind enough to answer a few questions.  Check out the Q&A for info about traveling with homemade purees, the reasons why organic is best, and much more!

Laura, TSM: Your website was a great starter resource for me when I first started making purees for my 9-month-old son. (I’ve wanted to throw a Puree Party for months, now!)  What inspired you to start making homemade purees for your children and then to share them with the mommy blogging world?

Tamika: I started out breastfeeding, the natural and healthier way of feeding infants, and I wanted to stay on the natural path.  The thought of purchasing commercial baby food as a primary feeding method was not appealing to me, at all!  Initially, I reluctantly bought a few jars because I didn’t know any better.  However, I noticed I was over-buying because I would purchase fresh bananas, sweet potatoes and frozen veggies and would purchase the same thing in the jar for my baby.   I’m extremely thrifty so I new wouldn’t keep that up for long!

I can recall my first experience at the dinner table with my husband and new daughter, eating a meal I prepared and giving her baby food from a jar.  I felt really bad that she wasn’t eating the same meal that we had in a form that she could eat.  There was something totally wrong with that picture.

I did a little online research and found a few sites that explained the basics of putting the food in a blender to puree.   Then I spoke with my grandmother who told me all she did was “mash up” the food with her hands or with a fork.   That was all I needed to know to start my new mission.

I started blogging the baby food recipes because I wanted to inspire other moms to start making their own food and try the recipes I discovered.  I love to cook and I also love the internet so it was also a great hobby!

TSM: What is your advice for moms who want to make purees for their babies but might not be able to afford organic options for every ingredient?

Tamika: I highly recommend purchasing foods that are highest in pesticides organic, such as apples and peaches.  The Environmental Working Group, www.foodnews.org, publishes a list of foods that should be purchased organic due to the pesticide load.  I rely on this list when I’m confronted with a sale on produce.  If a particular food item is on sale, but also high in pesticides, I often will pass up that deal and go the organic route.

There are also many foods that are low in pesticides, such as cabbage, avocado, peas, and asparagus, which are great foods for babies.  So, if every ingredient is not organic, I would recommend at least choosing organic options for those ingredients high in pesticides.

There are also many ways to get more bang for your buck, such as stocking up and freezing seasonal produce or cutting back on the weekly trips to Starbucks to acquire healthy foods.

In my book, I go into more detail on what to do when organic options are out of reach and ways to stretch the family budget.

Laura: When my family travels, we usually just buy enough organic pre-made baby food to get us through the trip.  When you travel as a family, do you bring your purees with you? Do you have any tips for moms who want to bring their homemade purees with them on the road?

Tamika: As a busy mom with two kids just over a year a part, I did not take homemade purees on family trips.  Because we would do a lot of camping and spontaneous trips, I would always pack commercial baby food because I didn’t always know what to expect!  When your in a traffic jam or stuck in an airport, the pre-made jars come in handy when your out of fresh options.  I would also pack fresh, whole foods, such as bananas or avocado, because those foods can be mashed up.

However, when my kids would visit their grandparents for the day, I would pack up frozen puree cubes to send with them.

For parents who want to take homemade purees on the road, I would pack the purees in a cooler with plenty of ice packs or dry ice.  Also pack fresh foods that can be peeled and mashed up with a fork while on the road if the baby can tolerate chunkier textures.

Laura: I can’t wait to make some of your meat purees for my son! Do you have any suggestions for how moms can ensure they get the meats that are best for their babies even on a limited budget?

Tamika: When my kids were babies, I always had plenty of extra chicken, beef, or fish to incorporate into purees from meals that I prepared for my husband and I.  I found that I wasn’t purchasing a lot of extra meats because the babies’ portions weren’t that big.  For example, I would normally cook one extra chicken breast, or one extra cup of ground beef with our meals, and that would last the babies a few days.

I primarily purchased meats in bulk at the Farmer’s market in Michigan, or at Sam’s Club, which really stretched our budget!  I would make sure the meats I purchased had no hormones, that the cattle or hens were grain-fed and caged free when possible.  Sometimes, I would even split the bulk with my parents (and the cost too!).  Buying in bulk and splitting the costs with other family members or friends is a great way to stretch your dollar.

Laura: Has your oldest child graduated to “normal” food at this point?  Do you feed him/her whatever you are eating or do you make separate grown-up and kiddo meals?  How do you think that feeding your kids a wide variety of purees influenced their eating habits as they got older, if at all?

Tamika: My kids are now 4 and 5 years old and well past graduation.  I do not make separate meals for them, and I don’t recommend for moms to do that because your kids will always expect something different from what you’re eating.  I would, however, make their plates more kid friendly.  For example, my husband and I like our pasta combined with sauce, chicken, and vegetables.  My kids prefer everything to stand alone.  So I would use the divider plates and put the pasta, veggies, and chicken in their own sections of the plate.

I think making homemade purees made the transition to the family meals a lot easier.  Actually, my children preferred homemade purees and eventually would not eat commercial baby food at all!

My children enjoy many of the foods that I gave them as infants.  My daughter is a great eater and she often tells me that she’s going to eat her “greens” first because she wants to be strong and healthy.  She is well versed in healthy eating and organics.

My son, on the other hand, who was a great eater as an infant, thoroughly examines his food and may decide he doesn’t like it (even it he liked it a few days before).  His personality is a lot different.  However, I talk very positively about the food we eat and my husband and I will never express that I don’t like a particular food in front of them.

I strongly feel that speaking positively about nutrition and explaining why we need to eat healthy benefits my children tremendously.  I hear my son and daughter repeating things that I say when they’re role playing with their toys.  So I know they understand!

Laura: What were your children’s favorite selections from the recipes included in your book?

Tamika: Wow! There is so many.  To name a few:

• Blushing Bananas
• Fall Pumpkin Yogurt
• Cucumber-Melon Mashup
• Simply Sweet Potato
• Blueberry Pomegranate Parfait
• Banana Colada Ice
• Soulful Grits
• Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Mika’s Rainbow Corn Medley
• Green Bean Bliss

Laura: What do you think is the biggest barrier to children’s nutrition today?

Tamika: Honestly I think the biggest barrier to children’s nutrition is the processed food industry.

Children rely on their parents to provide their nutrition, and many parents resort to pre-packaged, processed foods for their nutrition.  Many of the products found in grocery stores today are deceiving people into thinking their eating healthy, when the products loaded with sugar and sodium.

I found out that some of the foods that I used to purchase for my family are not healthy like I thought.  Even salad dressings, ketchup, and other condiments are loaded with MSG and high fructose corn syrup.  I think it’s important that parents read the ingredients on every label!  I now make my own salad dressings and sauces, and I purchase a lot of whole foods.

Shop! 201 Organic Baby Purees: The Freshest, Most Wholesome Food Your Baby Can Eat! is currently available from our affiliate Amazon for less than $12! Get more information at Tamika’s website Simply Baby Food Recipes.

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If you’re interested in homemade baby food (and we think you should be), check out our simple introduction to how to make baby food.

Shabby Apple Maternity Dresses

Finding a cute maternity dress is never easy. That’s why we’ve created an entire line of maternity dresses that will allow you to feel wonderful day or night. As a company founded and run by women, we understand first hand how difficult it can be to find maternity wear for that special occasion, or simply a dress that will make you feel stylish and wonderful. Our maternity dresses are perfect for a wide array of occasions. Whether you’re looking for a cute and trendy maternity dress with more of a casual feel to it, or more formal maternity wear, like an evening or cocktail dress, we think you’ll find one of our stylish maternity dresses will be perfect for the occasion, whatever it may be.

Shabby Apple Mama Apple Dress Review

The Two’s Company maternity dress from Shabby Apple is a comfortable easy-to-wear dress that can be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for every day wear. Made of soft cotton, the dress has a drop waist, puff sleeves and a kangaroo pocket. (Funny story about the pocket. The first time I wore the dress my daughter pointed to the pocket and asked, “Is that where the baby will go when its out of your belly?”) I particularly appreciated the placement of the detail around the drop waist. It’s a thicker material that falls in just the right place to camouflage unsightly pregnant panty lines or bulges. And, I really can’t overstate how comfortable the dress is. It’s a dream to wear.

In these photos, I wore the dress for a casual day with the family and paired it with leggings and flats.

Shabby Apple Maternity Dresses

The entire Mama Apple maternity dress collection from Shabby Apple is fun to admire. Don’t tell the baby in my belly, but I almost wish I was going to pregnant for longer so I could justify buying another dress! Here are a few of my other favorite dresses.

From right to left: Oh Baby, Neopolitan, Aprhodite, & Better than Sweets.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I’m very pleased with the Two’s Company dress from Shabby Apple. It’s comfortable, stylish and is good quality. It balances femininity and function beautifully and is a joy to wear. You can shop with confidence because if you don’t like your dress, you can return it and Shabby Apple will ship you a new dress for free.

Or Not to Buy… If you’re not a dress mama, Shabby Apple isn’t for you.

Shop! The Two’s Company dress is $75. The Mama Apple collection ranges in price from $59 to $92. Right now you can save 20% off with the code NEWYEAR. Shabby Apple also has a beautiful selection of dresses for those of you without child, for kids and a fun collection of accessories.

Thanks to Shabby Apple for providing a sample.

Your Photo as Art

The process of ordering photo canvas art from Gallery Direct is really simple. You upload the photo you’d like to print and then you have several options for how to print. You can print on canvas, paper, aluminum, acrylic, mirror and even wood. I went for a pretty standard photo on gallery wrap canvas.

I chose the medium size which is 24 inches by 16 inches – and it’s a great size for our photo. It’s perfect on the wall in our front room. I just adore it! In the photo below you can see the gallery wrap effect and how the photo wraps around the sides of the canvas.

The canvas print definitely makes the photo look more like art than a simple photo. It’s a step up from traditional photo printing and framing. But, with the current discount – see below – you can get a canvas printed for the same price or less than printing and putting it in a frame! And it’s definitely less expensive than having a photo professionally framed.

Gallery Direct Guarantee

• Free shipping:  Your entire order will ship for FREE, even on oversized canvas artwork.
• No hassle returns: Call it an in-home trial. If you’re unsatisfied, for any reason, you may return the artwork. Just like that.
• Free image optimization: We’ll recreate your artwork on the medium of your choice, with the framing options of your choice, at the size of your choice.

Shop! Turn your favorite photo into art at Gallery Direct “Print Your Photos”. Use code photo75 to save 75%! Code expires February 1, 2012. Prices for canvas art start at $109 – only $27.25 with discount!

Thanks to Gallery Direct for providing a sample for the purpose of this review.