One of my friends from a Mommy group lives in Israel. Not too long ago, she asked if I wanted to do a goody swap. There were a few items that she longed for from the States. In exchange, she would send some items that are special in Israel for my family to enjoy.
Wednesday afternoon, as I pulled into the driveway I noticed there was a package on our front steps. As I got closer, I could tell what it was. Check out the cool box:
NHL assumed that the box was just for me. He gets grumpy when Mommy gets packages in the mail and he does not. I quickly told him that this was for the entire family. He asked what was inside. I told him he would have to wait. Once the boys had taken off their winter gear, they chased me into the kitchen to open the box. This is what was inside:
These were all new to me and looked really interesting. So what are they? In back (left to right): White & Milk Chocolate Coated Cookie Crisps, White & Milk Chocolate Coated Biscuit Snacks, Crunchy Stars with Whole Cereal Coated Milk Chocolate, and Nougat Filled Crunchy Cereals Coated with Milk Chocolate. In front are chocolate gelt/coins.
This evening, we decided to open everything up for the boys to try (and us to sample as well). Here are their reactions:
As you can see, the boys loved everything. We were nice and allowed them to try a few pieces from each of the varieties. Now, I am on a mission. I need to find the new bags of Tootie Rolls that are marked kosher (they were set to ship Dec 2 to stores). Have been to many stores and still not there, so perhaps they were not shipped to stores just yet. If anyone has seen them in the States, please let me know.
Thanks to my friend for everything. I promise I will hunt down the goodies for you or figure out something else that you would like.
Friday night was the first night of Chanukah. We lit our menorah at home, gave the boys their gifts from Bubbe and Grandpa and allowed them to play while dinner was in the oven. For the longest time, we had no clue what JL’s parents could get the boys for Chanukah. We thought about asking for money toward season passes to Six Flags, but knew that they would likely prefer something else.
One day, it suddenly dawned on me, so I called JL to tell him my thought. NHL had a difficult time using the Nintendo DS, perhaps we should look into the Leap Frog Didj or Leapster. We opted for the Didj because it was more age/grade level appropriate. Then, it was time to find something for the little guy. For some reason, we had never seen the Leap Frog ClickStart until this year. It has been around a while and is a first computer for toddlers. This seemed like the perfect early learning tool for him. It was compact and looked easy to set up.
We got an amazing holiday deal on the systems (package deals) and a few extra games. The boxes arrived minutes before we were going to light the menorah. The boys kept clawing (literally) at the boxes trying to get inside. NHL was even more eager when he saw that they were from Leap Frog – kids that can read take the fun out of things! Here they are just after they finally opened the boxes.
We set the little guy up and he just "played" by clicking and pressing on keys. He really liked the Tree game because he could connect that by pressing on the keyboard it made the computer talk and the puppy move to catch the fruit. At first, NHL was really frustrated with the Didj. The machine kept turning off as it was getting set up. He was not happy about trying, learning and practicing something new. This quickly changed. By Saturday, there were huge spans of time that we would find his nose at the Didj playing away. Even the adults had fun testing out the Star Wars and racing game. Of course, we also took the ClickStart and JSL was able to show that to everyone.
After dinner on Friday, we went over to Nana and Papa’s house. We lit the candles with them (see above menorah photo) and the boys got another present. NHL received Rush Hour Jr and loved it. He enjoys puzzles and this was a fun challenge for him.
We allowed the boys to play with their toys for a little while. Then, we decided to have my birthday cake that was postponed thanks to all of the events from Wednesday. Since I knew a storm was coming, I asked for an ice cream cake since it would not go bad if we did not have it that day. These were not the typical Carvel cakes, they were specialty ones. One was Strawberry Shortcake and the other Cinnabon. Both were quite delicious.
Soon after the cake, we packed the boys up and went home. The little guy wanted to play his "Pup Pup Puter" before bed. We let him try it while big brother got ready for sleeping. Then, they both went to bed. They had to rest up for fun with Cousin S who was coming in for our family Chanukah party the next day.
Disclosure: All items were purchased by us or relatives and are linked up to our Amazon affiliate to share with other people who may be interested in the items.
Growing up, I do not think I ever heard the word fiber. I can not say the same for my six year old son. He is very aware of foods that are high in fiber and why we eat them. Does that mean that he gets enough in his diet? No, he probably does not get enough fiber in his diet. TechyDad and I work very hard to try to offer the boys healthy food options that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
I recently was asked by Mom Central and Kellogg’s to try the new Apple Jacks and Froot Loops with fiber. I agreed to do this with my family since it was something that intrigued me as a parent. We were sent two boxes of the Apple Jacks with fiber and an original box of Froot Loops to taste test with the new Froot Loops with Fiber.
More about Kellogg’s Apple Jack and Froot Loops with fiber from Kellogg’s:
Kellogg’s® Froot Loops® and Apple Jacks® cereals are making fiber fun!
Sometimes it isn’t easy to keep your kids healthy with foods they love to eat. Fiber usually isn’t something that’s a part of a "fun" meal and studies have shown that 9 out of 10 kids don’t get enough fiber in their diets.
Now there’s a cereal that your kids already know and love that also provides 3 grams of fiber in every serving-Kellogg’s® Froot Loops® and Apple Jacks® cereals. So, when your kids are eating the fun breakfast they love, they’re also getting the added benefit of a little fiber in every bite. It’s just the way kids like it!
Fiber is a great way to keep your kids healthy.
Fiber is part of a healthy diet for all kids. It helps aid the digestive system and helps nutrients to be absorbed to turn food into the energy your kids need, keeping them going throughout the day. And starting kids out right with healthful eating habits, like including fiber in their daily diets, is a great practice that’s likely to continue into the future.
Kellogg’s® Froot Loops® and Kellogg’s® Apple Jacks® cereals now provide fiber. Kellogg’s Makes Fiber Fun™.
For more information about the benefits of adding fiber to your kids’ diet, visit kelloggsnutrition.com
Our thoughts:
When the boys saw the package arrive with the bright and colorful boxes of cereal, they were excited. First, we tried the Apple Jacks with Fiber.
NHL (6) enjoyed them and was able to convince JSL (2) to try a bowl along with him. Both of them gobbled up their cereal and asked to open the Froot Loops next. We had to explain that we were going to do a taste test with those boxes over the weekend. Additional Apple Jacks was poured into the bowls and the boys were happy. TechyDad and I also enjoyed the cereal. It was more of a sweet treat for us, but we liked that it included additional fiber that is crucial for all of us.
Last weekend, we did our Froot Loops taste testing. TechyDad poured bowls and asked NHL, JSL and I to try some of the cereal from each. We wanted to see if we could tell a difference in taste or if we liked one over the other.
NHL thought the tastes were pretty similar. In the end, he said he liked one a little more than the other. Which one did he select? It was the Froot Loops with fiber!
JSL liked both of them and being 2 really only wanted one thing – more!
TechyDad and I both thought that they were almost exactly the same. When pressed, we both liked one a little more than the other. One had a texture that we liked a bit more and was not quite as sweet (we’re adults – sad isn’t it?!). Like NHL, we liked the Froot Loops with fiber more.
Here is a close up photo of both of the Froot Loops mixed together.
Be sure to look for Apple Jacks and Froot Loops with fiber in a store near you.
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kellogg’s and received four boxes of cereal. I will also receive a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions are my own, no other compensation was received.
My boys are not the best when it comes to eating. My oldest son (6) is better than my little guy (2), but that is not saying a lot. Trying to get them to eat healthy, nutritious food is always a challenge. The little guy loves to eat cheese and could live off of it, but to be blunt it constipates him. There is nothing worse than hearing your little guy say he hurts to do his business. We push fiber rich foods into all of our diets with a lot of options.
NHL (6) really likes most dried fruit, but JSL (2) has resisted it in the past. When I was contacted by Family Review Network to try Sunsweet Ones, I jumped at the chance to try something that my little guy may actually eat.
Sunsweet has teamed up with Cheryl Forberg, the registered dietitian and nutritionist from NBC’s "The Biggest Loser" to create the following video on what a Super Fruit is and why prunes fit into this classification.
Additional information about prunes can be found at Pop-a-prune.
Our Review:
JSL was immediately drawn to the package of Sunsweet Ones. Both of the boys hovered around me asking to try what was inside. Who was I to deny them a prune if they wanted to try it?! They each quickly gobbled up their prune and asked for another. I did a double take because this had never happened before when we tried prunes.
The little guy actually grabbed the container and tried to run off with them. He seriously told me that they were his. The word MINE was used frequently.
Before I gave him a second prune, I grabbed my camera to capture the moment. I wanted to be able to show this to him one day in case he ever refuses to eat them again!
The best part was the next day mid-morning. JSL grabbed my hand and led me into the kitchen. He pointed to the Sunsweet Ones container and asked me for a prune. I was floored and quickly gave him another snack. My little Cookie Monster was turning into a prune fan.
I think his smile and request says a lot, especially when you consider he is a fussy eater. On the flip side, I love prunes and have since I was a child. One of my main problems with prunes was eating through a container fast enough or they would get hard and lose the plumb, juicy goodness. The other part I disliked was putting my hand into the container and coming out all sticky. Sunsweet Ones does away with both of these issues. The prunes are individually wrapped so they stay fresh and your hands stay clean (unless you are a messy 2 year old).
We will definitely be buying more of these in the future because they are healthy, delicious and best of all everyone enjoyed them.
Giveaway:
Thanks to Sunsweet Ones five (5) winners will receive a Sunsweet reusable shopping bag and a Sunsweet VIP Coupon, which is good for ANY Sunsweet product up to $5.50 in value
Rules for Giveaway:
MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: What Sunsweet product do you think you will purchase with your VIP coupon if you win?
1 Bonus Entry – Follow me on Twitter @TheAngelForever and Tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Sunsweet Ones prize pack in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Chance to win one of 5 Sunsweet Ones prize pack from @TheAngelForever Head over to learn more about the SUPER fruit http://bit.ly/2OZAr8
1 Bonus Entry – What is your favorite dried fruit?
1 Bonus Entry – Enter one of my other current giveaways. Be sure to leave a comment here telling me what you entered.
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – What is something that you learned from the video (above) of Cheryl Forberg?
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of November. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one.
3 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the Sunsweet Ones prize pack giveaway. Be sure to leave 3 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries
To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today November 19th and ends at 10:59 EST on December 1, 2009. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.
Disclosure:This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Sunsweet Ones, who provided the product for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.
As many of you may know, my hubby also blogs. TechyDad has a regular feature on his website called Cooking With TechyDad. Here he shares items that he has made for our family, along with a lot of photos of the cooking/baking process.
Recently, his new passion is to use purees in items to try to sneak in some extra veggies for our family. Would you have guessed that these two sweet boys are picky eaters?!
This week, TechyDad is kicking off Sneaky Weeky. Today, he posted about preparing purees a la Missy Chase Lapine – otherwise known as The Sneaky Chef. Be sure to head over this week to check out some of the recipes that our family have enjoyed. The best part is, I know our boys are getting extra vegetables into their diets eating foods that are healthy for them.
There are several others. You can find them by looking under the cooking area on the website. I hope you enjoy browsing and know that many more delicious recipes are coming soon. Remember, as a taste tester I know!
