The Shopping Mama

Café Escapes New Indulgent K-Cup Flavors {Review & Giveaway}

by Nicole on April 2nd, 2013 | 5 Comments | For Mama, Giveaways, Reviews

I recently had the opportunity to sample Café Escapes newly expanded line of premium hot beverages. Café Caramel and Café Vanilla are the latest offerings, and like the rest of the Café Escapes collection, are available in K-cups for the Keurig brewing system. I have no doubt that many moms out there will appreciate that a serving of each beverage is well under 100 calories.

11-Cafe-Escapes-WebSite.ashx

13-k-cup-cafe-escapes-cafe-vanilla Café Vanilla is anything but plain; it’s sweet and has a depth of vanilla flavor. And at less than 10 mg of caffeine per serving, it’s safe to drink after the kids go to bed and mom finally gets to relax. And for breastfeeding moms who try to stay away from caffeine, this can be a nice alternative to herbal teas and decaf coffee. (A normal cup of Arabica coffee contains 100-150 mg of caffeine, for reference.)

13-k-cup-cafe-escapes-cafe-caramel Café Caramel is light and not overpowering, yet still very sweet. It contains about 20 mg of caffeine per serving, but that’s still not a whole lot when compared to coffee. These products contain both milk and coffee, with the majority of the beverage being milk-based.

While some of the ingredients in the beverages caused me to raise my eyebrows (modified food starch and artificial sweeteners and flavors for starters), I am a firm believer in occasionally indulging in something a little naughty when Mama needs some relaxation and “me time.” And the ingredients are likely no different than a comparable beverage at Starbucks, yet Café Escapes cost a fraction of the price and can be conveniently brewed at home. What’s not to love?

Café Escapes is available in six indulgent varieties, including:

Café Caramel
Café Vanilla
Chai Latte
Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa
Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa
Café Mocha

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The ability to brew at home in your Keurig makes these drinks a convenient luxury. And at just 73 cents per cup ($17.49 for a pack of 24), you can save more than a few pennies when compared to visiting your local coffeehouse.

Or Not to Buy… You need a Keurig (K-cup or Vue) in order to brew the Café Escapes line of hot beverages. Health conscious consumers may be turned off by some of the ingredients in the beverages.

Shop! Café Escapes can be purchased directly from Café Escapes ($17.49) or from our affiliate Amazon ($17.69).

Win! A Sampler Pack of Café Escapes!

Five lucky readers will be selected at random to receive a sampler pack of Café Vanilla and Café Caramel K-cups.

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mOmma Toddler Cups Rock! Literally.

by Kate on March 26th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Baby, Reviews

A few years ago we celebrated the launch of mOmma feeding products in the States. Just as our family has grown for the better in that time, so has the mOmma family. Now a part of the Lasinoh company, mOmma toddler cups – my new favorites – are now available in select Target stores nationwide and even more is available at Target.com.

momma developmental drink cup set The mOmma cup line is designed for babies starting at 6 months and older and each cup features a distinctive round shape. The cups are weighted at the bottom to help them stay upright, allowing them to rock back and forth rather than tip over. The shape is also perfect for uncoordinated baby and toddler hands. One of the best features of the mOmma cup system is that the tops are interchangeable so it can grow with your child. The Developmental Drink Set (pictured right) converts from a the NaturalWave nipple to the Spillproof Cup for babies to the Straw Cup for toddlers.

mOmma spillproof cup

Available with or without handles, the Spillproof Cup has a new and improved spillproof technology. The soft spout separates from the neck of the cup for easy cleaning, and there are no small pieces or vents to look after. We also love that it comes with a top to keep the spout clean.

We are still using one of the original Straw Cup samples we received two and a half years ago so we’re happy to add the improved version to our collection. As you turn the straw top, the straw folds inside to keep it covered and clean while on the go. This In & Out Straw System also prevents spills and drips.

And, of course, all mOmma products are dishwasher-safe and BPA- and phthalate-free. If you prefer to hand wash, mOmma has an awesome round brush that is perfect for cleaning the unique shape of their cup.

At 12 months, Max still prefers to use the Spillproof Cup over the Straw Cup and can manipulate and drink by himself with or without the handles. We liked the cups when we were first introduced but they’re even better now.

Shop! mOmma Cups are now available at select Target stores nationwide. A good selection of mOmma feeding products is also available online at Target.com. For full information on where to purchase, visit mOmma. Keep up with all the latest from mOmma on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to Lasinoh/mOmma for providing samples.

New Findings on When to Start Solid Foods

by Nicole on March 26th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Blog, Life, Mindful Mama

mindful mama The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) just came out with the findings from their study on when and why parents introduce solid foods to their babies. The results are surprising, to say the least: over 40% of moms are feeding their infants solids before the AAP’s recommended 6 months of age. This is problematic because introducing solids before a baby’s gut is ready can lead to a variety of health issues, such as allergies, eczema, leaky gut syndrome, and an increased chance of obesity and diabetes. It can also lead to poor nutrition, as foods such as cereals and baby foods replace some of the breastmilk or formula an infant would normally consume.

Here are some results from the study that I found interesting:

Out of the 539 moms who introduced solids too early, 1 in 10 gave solids to their infant before 4 weeks of age. This can likely be attributed to the well-meant but misguided recommendations of grandmothers and older generations. We’ve learned a lot about infant nutrition in the last half-century, and the guidelines for introducing solids have evolved greatly.
Participants in the study tended to be older, more educated, and had a higher income than the average mom. “Mothers of lower socioeconomic status are at a higher risk of early solid food introduction,” the study says.
Formula-fed babies were about twice as likely to be given solids before the recommended 6 months of age when compared to exclusively breastfed babies.
Over 50% of moms who introduced solids before 4-6 months said their child’s pediatrician recommended doing so. This is likely linked to pediatricians attending medical school when it was commonplace to introduce solids earlier, and not being educated on the current guidelines for introducing solids. It’s hard to question your child’s doctor – after all, most moms haven’t attended medical school – but if something doesn’t seem right or doesn’t jive with what you’ve read or heard, ask questions and get a second opinion. You are your child’s best advocate!

How can you tell if your baby is ready to start solids? Some good rules of thumb are that your baby can sit on his own (reclining high chairs are completely unnecessary), opens her mouth for food and swallows it, and shows an interest in bringing food to his mouth. Many moms nowadays (myself included) use the Baby-Led Weaning method of introducing solids, as it requires the child to show a true readiness and interest in solid foods and lets him gradually increase his intake at his own pace. And remember, just because the AAP recommends waiting until 6 months to introduce solids doesn’t mean that it’s the magic age for your child. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician and pay attention to your baby’s cues or lack thereof.

When did you start solids with your baby? Would you do anything differently if you could do it all over again?

Photo Credit: OneidaCountryPublicHealth.org

Bumbo Booster Seat {Review}

by Kate on March 20th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Gear, In the Kitchen, Reviews

Both my big kids are still in five point harness car seats in the car and both my big kids still sit on booster seats at the dining room table. Just when they were growing tall enough to reach the table, we moved, and without a separate eating area, we had to ditch our small kitchen table for our more formal dining room set. We eat on the table for every meal. The kids don’t seem to realize the nice wood and leather chairs mean they should always sit up straight with elbows off the table. Frankly, I’d settle for them sitting still for the duration of a meal. But I digress…

The point is we’re loving the Booster Seat from Bumbo.

Bumbo Booster

The Bumboo Booster Seat is made from the same low-density foam material as the Bumbo Floor Seat, which means it’s soft, lightweight and easy to clean. The seat is contoured and provides about 3 inches of extra height to put your little one closer to the action at the table.

4 year old in bumbo booster seat

The Booster has straps which set it apart from similar products. The attachment straps go around the back of the chair and the bottom of the chair to keep the Booster in place. The 3-point harness strap keeps your child secure. The straps make this a perfect first booster seat for toddlers transitioning out of a high chair.

Shop! The Bumbo Booster Seat is available in four colors (blue, red, green and brown) for $40 from retailers including our affiliate Amazon.

Thanks to Bumbo for providing a sample.

boon Mush Manual Food Processor {Review}

by Kate on January 24th, 2013 | 5 Comments | In the Kitchen, Reviews

We’re back in the kitchen with boon! Last week we told you how the Baby Food Pouch Rack helped to tame our cupboard and now we’re dishing on making and feeding homemade baby food with the boon Mush baby food processor and Swap spoon. Spoiler alert: we enjoy these boon products as much as we anticipated!

Mush Baby Food Processor

Quickly and easily prepares fresh and healthy homemade meals for baby
Hand powered baby food processor efficiently chops fruits, vegetables, and boneless meats
Simply pull the handle to chop ingredients from coarse to a fine puree
Compact design is great for travel and storing
Durable stainless steel blades
Bowl and blade mechanism are top rack dishwasher-safe
Capacity: 3 3/4 cups + 24 oz + BpA-free, Phthalate-free and PVC-free

Mush is a manual baby food processor that chops food into baby-size pieces with the pull of a handle. True to boon, Mush has a sleek and simple design. The large bowl has a 24 ounce capacity, which seems surprisingly big. An insert with three stainless steel blades swirls and chops when you pull on the top’s integrated handle.

boon manual baby food processor making pasta

We’ve been using Mush to prepare some of Max’s dinners. He’s at an awkward food stage – his 6 teeth are more than enough to chew small pieces and he’s growing increasingly independent and wants to feed himself. Of course, he’s not exactly ready to feed himself and eat our food full time. The Mush has turned into the perfect solution for our in-between phase. Most nights at dinner, I put a bit of what we’re eating in the Mush, pull on the handle and chop whatever we’re eating. Max has had little bits of everything from our carrots to chicken to pasta. I even chopped up some leftovers to freeze for a later meal.

boon mush food processor to make baby carrots

The Mush doesn’t puree things to the same extent as a powered food processor – (although, I suppose with enough time and arm strength it’s possible) – but you can chop to the extent you want.

Swap 2-in-1 Spoon

Dual-ended spoon offers two texture options
Flat tip is great for cleaning up around baby’s mouth and inside container
Perfect size for tiny mouths
Angled to easily scoop baby food out of jars
Dishwasher-safe
BpA-free, Phthalate-free and PVC-free, hygienic food-grade silicone and stainless steel
Recommended age: 4+ months

Admittedly, it’s hard to get all excited about baby food spoons but I’m not exaggerating: Swap is pretty cool! This double-ended spoon is long and narrow, with one end covered in silicone and the other stainless steel. The flat sides are perfect for scraping food off baby’s cheek and are perfect for getting food out of Mush. The ends are rather small and even though Max is not a new eater, we really like having the narrow end. It still holds plenty of food for a baby food bite.

Shop! boon Mush is available directly from booninc.com and is currently on sale at our affiliate Amazon for $16.99. Swap 2-in-1 Spoon are available in sets of two (blue/orange or purple/green) for $9.99 from our affiliate Amazon.

Thanks to boon for providing samples.

Whole Foods Market New Frozen Foods Line {Review & Giveaway}

by Laura on January 10th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, In the Kitchen, Reviews

It’s no secret that I like to cook. Most of the meals I make consist of fresh vegetables and meat, but that’s because I’ve found that most of the frozen/convenience foods out there are full of unhealthy additives like sugar, lots of salt, and preservatives. With a schedule as hectic as mine, I have dreamed of having just a couple items in the freezer for nights when I need to make a quick but healthy meal for my family.

Is it any surprise that Whole Foods Market has come to my rescue?

Variety, Quality, and Flavor

From the Whole Foods website:

Our Whole Foods Market® products are carefully selected for exceptional taste, authenticity and remarkable quality. From small batch, artisan recipes to exotic flavors, the variety of our products will expand your culinary vocabulary. With natural and organic choices, we have more unique and exquisite products in development.

Healthy (and Affordable!) in a Pinch

I was most amazed by the variety that greeted me in the frozen aisle when I went on the hunt for the new frozen options at my local Whole Foods Market. Appetizers, pizzas, skillet meals, side dishes, desserts, and ice creams were all represented. And every item on the ingredients list for each product was something I could pronounce and identify as real food. There were no artificial flavors, bleached flours, hydrogenated fats or high-fructose corn syrup – a rarity among prepared foods, these days.

The second thing that struck me was the prices. None of the products I purchased that day were more than $5. A skillet meal could feed the three of us for less than it sometimes cost me to make a meal from scratch. Now, instead of ordering expensive takeout on the rare day that I don’t have time to cook, we can save that cash and have a healthy Whole Foods frozen meal for a fraction of the price. What’s not to love, here?

And before I forget… they taste good, too!

For just under $25, I purchased Beef and Broccoli, Sweet and Sour Chicken, and Gnocchi Quattro Formaggi skillet meals, a Mozzarella and Cherry Tomato Pizza and a Fried Rice side dish. The sauce on the beef and broccoli was as savory and tasty as what you’d find in an msg-laced serving from your favorite local Chinese joint. The sweet and sour chicken had all the tang and flavor that I enjoy. The gnocchi was an indulgence that we don’t usually have in our meals – cheesy and creamy, with fluffy clouds of pasta. The pizza made a great weekend lunch and came out of the oven with a crunchy crust. And the fried rice complimented a mid-week stir fry dinner. There were great flavors in every dish.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The new frozen line at Whole Foods Market gives you value, flavor, and quality ingredients. In other words – buy, buy, buy!

Or Not to Buy… With such a variety of options in terms of cuisine and flavor, I am hard pressed to come up with a reason not to buy.

Shop! Visit your local Whole Foods Market to find all of the items in the new frozen foods line. Just look for this logo:

Win! A $25 Whole Foods Market Gift Card!

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Thanks to Whole Foods providing gift cards for review and giveaway.

up&up Baby Food Pouches: Convenient Baby Food & Snacks On the Go {Review}

by Kate on November 30th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Baby, In the Kitchen, Reviews

There are easily 101 reasons why we love Target. Yes, we adore their designer partnerships but we also love that they have a high quality (and super affordable) “house” brand. Target’s exclusive up&up brand offers over 1,000 products in more than 45 categories, including health care, beauty and baby care. Over the years we’ve used a variety of up&up products and we recently got to try the up&up Baby Food Pouches.

up&up Baby Food Pouches

up&up baby food pouches are a hassle-free and convenient solution to feeding
as baby grows, he can self-feed
ideal for on-the-go snacking and nourishment
available in range of age ranges (stage 1 – 4)
basic flavors like apple and banana and flavorful combinations like Pea Pear, Plum Banana and Banana Pumpkin

Convenient Baby Food

As you know, I make homemade baby food for Max. But, it’s not always the most convenient food. For example, it’s all frozen so it takes time to thaw and heat every ounce of it before serving. In addition, when we’re traveling or out and about all day, it requires forethought and extra planning to bring along food to thaw and prepare. For these reasons I love to keep a stash of food pouches on hand an in my diaper bag. They are so totally convenient, making feeding Max quickly and on the go easy.

I usually squeeze little bits on to a spoon to feed to Max, but recently I’ve let him hold the pouch himself. For the most part, he just kind of stares at it, but he’s starting to learn that the top has the good stuff and all it takes is a little squeeze to get some food.

Why Be Sneaky When It Can Be Easy?

So, my five year old does not like fruit. At all. My daughter will eat fresh fruit all day long, if allowed, but my son? Not.at.all. I could get sneaky and bake or cook Max’s fruit purees into his food… OR, I could hand him a baby food pouch that he will eat in five seconds flat. I’ll take the latter, option. Yes, it is baby food (and he’s five), but that means it’s the nutrition and vitamins of pure fruit with no added sugar.

The stage 3 and 4 pouches are perfect for toddlers and picky kids, as far as I’m concerned. They’re an easy and nutritious snack my kid will actually eat and they’re great for adding to his packed school lunches.

Shop! up&up products are available exclusively at Target. The Baby Food Pouches are available in the baby section, and make sure you check out the up&up coupons before hitting the store!

Thanks to up&up for providing samples and compensation. As always, opinions are my own.

Creating Holiday Traditions with Hickory Farms {Review & Giveaway}

by Kate on November 29th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, In the Kitchen, Reviews

One of the coolest things about starting a family is starting traditions. When my first son arrived, the presence of a child in our home changed everything (obviously), but it certainly changed our approach to the holidays. Before kids we celebrated, but now, as a family, we CELEBRATE and create moments worth remembering. It’s particularly important for us, as a military family, to build and maintain traditions because so much changes year to year.

Let me illustrate that point for you. My son was born in December of 2006. He’s celebrated Christmas in Germany (6 days old), California (visiting family between moves), Florida, Ohio, Alabama and now Germany again. The only constant is family and traditions.

Hickory Farms knows that traditions matter. And, more personal to me, they recognize that military families matter. The company has combined the two in a fabulous Home for the Holidays Gift Box that includes a huge collection of Hickory Farms favorites, a donation to the troops and Free Shipping to folks like us who live overseas and have an APO or FPO address.

Home for the Holidays Gift Box

Home for the Holidays Christmas Gift Basket Includes:
-Our Signature Beef Summer Sausage 10 oz.
-Spicy Savory Beef Summer Sausage 10 oz.
-2 -Turkey Summer Sausage 5 oz.
-Mission Jack Blend 4 oz.
-Smoked Cheddar Blend 4 oz.
-Jalapeño Cheddar Blend 4 oz.
-Farmhouse Cheddar 4 oz.
-Creamy Swiss Blend 4 oz.
-Three Cheese & Onion 4 oz.
-Parmesan Herb Blend 4 oz.
-Olive Oil & Rosemary Crackers 1.5 oz.
-Golden Toasted Crackers 1.5 oz.
-Honey & Pineapple Mustard 2.5 oz.
-Sweet Hot Mustard 2.25 oz.

Starting a Thanksgiving Tradition?

This year was the first year we hosted Thanksgiving. Aside from feeling totally overwhelmed, I was really excited to open our home to some great friends. We had quite the crew here: our old friends who live in The Netherlands, a friend who’s deployed to our base, and new friends whose husband/dad was away on emergency leave. The kids totally ran the house, but the adults ruled the kitchen. While we were visiting and preparing the turkey dinner, we snacked on the awesome Home for the Holidays Gift Box. To say this was a hit is an understatement.

I really wish I had an after photo because that pretty plate was picked clean. Twice. Everyone raved about the Summer Sausage and I do believe more than one person suggested drinking the Honey & Pineapple Mustard straight from the little jar. I loved how little effort it took to create such an awesome display of deliciousness – and at a truly affordable price. Seriously, I dare you to create a meat and cheese plate with four sausages, seven cheeses, crackers and two sauces for $55.

Hickory Farms Supports the Troops

One of the coolest things about the Home for the Holidays Gift Basket, from my perspective, is that it ships FREE to military APO / FPO addresses. This may not seem like a big deal but for those of us who rely on the military postal service, we know that it can be a challenge to get things delivered here. Many companies won’t ship to our APO, many charge an arm and a leg and some take literally months to get delivered. Our Hickory Farms arrived quickly and in great condition. If you know someone serving “downrange”, consider this gift for the holidays. In fact, my husband received a Hickory Farms package from my family at the holidays when he was deployed two years ago and he LOVED it. He kept talking about it while we were raving about the gift box this past weekend. Even if you don’t send one directly to the troops, know that when you purchase a Hickory Farms Home for the Holidays Gift Box, one Summer Sausage is donated to the troops via Operation Gratitude.

I think it’s safe to say that between the military support, delicious food and affordable price, Hickory Farms has worked its way into our family’s holiday traditions.

Shop! The Hickory Farms Home for the Holidays Gift Box is $55.50. Hickory Farms gift boxes make great gifts and the website has many products for less than $30.

Win! A Hickory Farms Home for the Holidays Gift Box!

Editor’s Note: If you don’t need the Gift Box, consider entering and having it sent to a deployed troop if you win. We would be happy to provide the address of a worthy Airman.

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Giveaway ends December 7. Open to US mailing addresses, obviously including APO/FPO addresses.