It's Twinsanity Reviews

Redbox Giveaway

2011-06-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

Redbox is kicking off the summer by asking moms, "What's your favorite video game to play together?" Join in the fun by entering for a chance to win a giveaway for free video game rentals from Redbox and a chance to win $10,000 as part of the Redbox Summer of Fun & Games Sweepstakes.

It’s game time! Redbox, America’s favorite destination for movie rentals, is now renting video games in 21,000 kiosks nationwide for $2 a day. Redbox is truly a one-stop shop for affordable, family home entertainment with both games and movies.

As a family, we have a weekly movie or game night. For us, this usually means playing a competitive game on the wii. Even my 86-year old grandmother plays the wii! Our favorite game is probably Mario Kart because my kids love to race each other and we are big Mario fans. Sometimes it can get pretty tense when we're all trying to win. It's always fun though!

Does your family play video games together? If so, what's your favorite game? Leave a comment on my blogfrog discussion and you'll be entered for a chance to win 5 free video game rentals from Redbox. For one additional entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave a link on the discussion.

Redbox is celebrating summer family time with a great line up of family-friendly titles, awesome savings and two chances to win $10,000 as part of the Redbox Summer of Fun & Games Sweepstakes.*

4 Easy Ways to Enter:

1. Enter your email address at www.redbox.com/summer

2. Rent a movie or game at a redbox kiosk (and provide a valid email address at checkout)

3. Reserve a rental online at redbox.com

4. Text 'SUMMER' to 727272

Enter to win today!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Redbox. The opinions and text are all mine.

*Each item rented earns one entry, regardless of how long it is rented, up to three entries per day. Limit 3 entries per day, regardless of entry method. The sweepstakes begins May 27, 2011 at 12:00 a.m. CT and ends on August 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CT. No purchase necessary. See official rules at www.redbox.com/summer.

Libman Freedom Spray Mop

2011-05-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love... with a mop.

I received a Libman Freedom Spray Mop recently and have been using it almost every single day. This mop is amazing. With 6 young children who are running through the house all day long, my floors need frequent TLC. And I can't sleep when my house is a mess. It's a bad combination.

Up until now, I've always used a traditional mop and bucket to clean my floors. I don't like to use harsh chemical cleaners and I don't like the idea of using disposable products in my home. A reusable mop and bucket of water and vinegar (or a "green" cleaner) has always worked for me, although it is a bit more work than some other types of mops. Because of the time it takes to fill the bucket and the little curious hands that often find their way into my bucket, I've been guilty of not mopping as often as I should and instead settling for running the vacuum and wiping spots with a rag by hand. Yes, I am that crazy.

Now that I have started using the Libman Freedom Spray Mop, I'm mopping more often and spending far less time doing it. I am not ashamed to admit that I have fallen in love with this mop. Let me tell you why...

The Libman Freedom Spray Mop is unique because it lets you use whatever type of cleaning solution you want to use and it sprays it right where it needs to be-on your floor. You love good old-fashioned water & vinegar on your floors? No problem. You want to use a certain type of cleaner? No problem. You just want to use plain water? No problem. You want to use more than one type of cleaner for different types of floors in your home? That's ok, too. The Freedom Spray Mop has a refillable bottle that allows you to add your own cleaning solution. You can even get a second refillable bottle and a handy stand to hold a different cleaning solution so that you can easily switch back and forth as needed. It's incredibly convenient.

The Freedom Spray Mop is the perfect green cleaning mop. The cleaning pads are reusable and washable so there is no extra waste. These pads are tough, too. They are made of microfiber and have little layers of scrubby strips that help get up tough, messy spots on the floor. I have been amazed that my mop has cleaned up a sticky glob of peanut butter, smooshed raisins, and even a big splat of spinach and fruit smoothie, without any effort on my part. I just squirt, mop, and I'm done.

One of my favorites things about the Libman Freedom Spray Mop is that it is so convenient. The mop has a little hook that allows it to easily hang for storage. There are no batteries needed to make it spray. The mop head swivels for easy cleaning in hard-to-reach spots. The refillable bottle keeps cleaning solution ready to go so there is no bucket to fill and no measuring needed. I literally just grab the mop and start cleaning. My floors have never been so happy.

The Libman Freedom Spray Mop has a fitting name. This mop gives you the freedom to choose your own cleaning solution, freedom from batteries, freedom from having to buy any kind of refills, and freedom from the old mopping bucket. I have never been so excited about a mop.

Besides all of the benefits of being green, the Freedom Spray Mop also saves money. There are no expense cleaning solutions or costly refills. There are no disposable cleaning pads. And you can even get a rebate coupon to buy the mop. I am still amazed because it's actually cheaper than my regular, old mop and bucket! Visit the Libman website for coupons.

You can enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer and a Freedom Spray Mop from Libman. Just leave a comment telling me any great cleaning tips you have to share. Check out more cleaning tips from Libman and enter for more chances to win at BlogHer.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Visit the Official site

Birth Matters Giveaway

2011-04-21T04:21:00.000-07:00

I am giving away a copy of Ina May Gaskin's new book, "Birth Matters." Ina May Gaskin is America's leading midwife and the author of several books. Her latest book explores modern maternity care in the U.S. and the underlying causes of our poor maternal and neonatal mortality rates. It's an eye-opening exposure of how birth impacts our culture.

For a full review, please check out my main blog.

To enter to win a copy of "Birth Matters," leave a comment on this post.

Giveaway Rules: -No duplicate comments. -You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment in response to this post b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post Giveaway ends on May 8, 2011 and winner will be selected at random, using Random.org.

Newman's Own Organics

2011-04-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan of Newman's Own Organics ever since trying their "Fig Newmans" cookies a few years ago. In general, we don't buy many packaged foods but there are exceptions-especially when we're on a road trip and need portable, easy snacks. While I knew about Newman's Own Organics cookies, I had no idea that there are so many other tasty treats.

Like chocolate, for example.

When cruising the aisle of my local health food store, I can across a shelf of assorted chocolates. I had no idea that Newman's Own Organics made gourmet chocolate bars. For the record, the espresso is my favorite. Heavenly.

When a box of samples arrived on my doorstep, I was shocked. There were almost more snacks in the box than my kids had eaten in the last year! I was delighted to find various organic dried fruits. We mixed the dried fruits with some pretzels and added some seeds and dried coconut that we already had in the pantry. It made a delicious trail mix!

I rationed the chocolate bars and told the kids that they were just for Mommy. They were just too rich to share. The kids got to enjoy several different kinds of cookies though, so they didn't really mind.

One of my kids' favorite snacks was a structural engineering work of art. We used a bag of Newman's Own Organics pretzel rods to construct a log cabin, held together with peanut butter and apple slices. It was as much fun eating the log cabin as it was creating it!

Newman's Own Organics is a division of Newman's Own and Paul Newman has given over $200 million to charities since 1982. The Newman's Own Organics products are all certified organic. They have coupons available on their website too.

I received a box of samples from Newman's Own Organics.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Abundance Boxy Bag

2011-03-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you have ever had twins (or more than one child in diapers) you know that there is never enough space inside the average diaper bag. A "simple" outing requires packing a bag full of diapers, wipes, two changes of clothing, snacks, a random toy or two, and the entire contents of your purse. It's just not pretty. Only now it is pretty! Enter the Petunia Pickle Bottom Abundance Boxy Backpack. It's the newest bag from the company known for chic bags, unique designs, and attention to detail. They make diaper bags look beautiful. The Abundance Boxy Backpack from the 2011 Spring Collection is their first bag designed specifically with mothers of multiples in mind. (The bag pictured above is the Wistful Weekender from the Spring 2011 Collection.) I jumped at the chance to try one of these gorgeous new bags with my crew of multiple multiples. Diaper bags are no stranger to me. I have had at least one child in diapers for the last 8 years and at least 2 children in diapers for the last 6 1/2 years. In fact, when my second set of twins were born I had 6 children under the age of 6 and 5 of them in diapers. Diapers have become part of my life... and to make things even more interesting, I've always used cloth diapers. When you have multiples, you just can't pack light. When faced with the possibility of two (or more) hungry, crying babies needing a clean diaper, you have to be prepared. I always have a loaded diaper bag in my van so that I don't have to worry about running out of diapers or needing a spare outfit when one of the little ones makes a mess on himself while we're out. I pack an extra bag for outings so that we have snacks, extra diapers, and all of the necessities in a bag that can be put into the stroller. Petunia Pickle Bottom's Abundance Boxy Backpack is the perfect solution for moms of multiple little ones. The bag can be worn as a backpack (to keep hands free!) or carried using the messenger strap. One of my favorite features is that the bag can be used with Petunia Pickle Bottom's Valet Stroller Clips so that it can be securely attached to the handle of your stroller. For me, this is a big deal because our stroller is a Quad Runabout and doesn't have the traditional under seat storage of a standard stroller. There is only one storage basket under my stroller so the ability to hang my diaper bag from the stroller handle is a huge benefit. I can pack everything I need without worrying about carrying a loaded diaper bag. Like any good diaper bag, the Abundance Boxy Backpack includes a detachable changing pad and the entire bag has a wipeable exterior fabric (that is PVC-free) for easy cleaning. The front of the bag actually unzips to reveal an entire diaper changing station, complete with the changing pad, a Petunia Pickle Bottom wipes case, and numerous pockets for organizing diaper changing supplies. I love the way this part of the bag is organized because I can keep my wipes solution right where I need it. I store my dry cloth wipes in the wipes case and add a bit of diaper wipe solution from my squirt bottle. The interior of the bag even includes a removable (velcro) zippered diaper pouch. I haven't used the diaper pouch for dirty diapers because I carry a larger, separate wet bag for our cloth diapers but I have found the pouch is perfect for holding my sunglasses so they don't wind up at the bottom of the bag. The interior of the Abundance Boxy Backpack is roomy enough to hold clothes and diapers for several little ones. I love it! This is the perfect diaper bag for multiples. I can easily fit enough cloth diapers and extra clothes for my youngest set of twins, sweaters for my older set of twins, several board books, a bag of snacks, 6 apples, 6 stainless steel water bottles, and the entire contents of my purse. The 4 bottle pockets are perfect for our water bottles and there are so many pockets inside the bag that it makes it easy to stay organized. Plus, there is a key clip at the very top of the inside of the bag so that I will never have to dig for my keys again. If you have ever stood in the rain, searching for your keys at the bottom of your bag while your children wait for you to load them into their car seats, you know you need that feature! And while they may not be a necessity, the chic design and modern fabric choices make this bag a fun and fashionable choice for any mom. Having multiples elevates many new moms to instant celebrity status and with a diaper bag like this, even more heads will turn. I actually feel like I have it all together when I leave the house with my Petunia Pickle Bottom designer diaper bag. (I don't, but it's still a good feeling!) Are you a mom of multiples or do you have several little ones in diapers? Tell me what you think you'd like about the new Abundance Boxy Backpack from Petunia Pickle Bottom and you could win one!

Giveaway Rules: -No duplicate comments. -You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment in response to this post b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post Giveaway ends on March 25, 2011 and winner will be selected at random, using Random.org.

Congratulations to Tracy, winner of the Petunia Pickle Bottom bag!

I received an Abundance Boxy Backpack from Petunia Pickle Bottom for this review, in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

So Delicious Coconut Milk

2011-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and So Delicious.

In my never-ending quest to feed my family fresh, healthy, organic foods, I've found a new secret ingredient. Coconut milk! Actually, I have used coconut milk before, but I had never realized that there are so many uses for it and that it even tastes good as a substitute for regular milk.

Several years ago, my oldest son went on a gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet. At the time, it was extremely difficult to find alternatives to dairy products that my son would actually eat. These days, we don't have the restrictive diet but we still limit dairy for various reasons. The problem is that many of the dairy-free products just don't taste that great.

I am so excited to have found So Delicious Coconut Milk! Coconut milk is naturally gluten-free and cholesterol-free. It's also a good source of calcium and Vitamin B12. It can be used in place of milk, but it is completely dairy-free. Many dairy-free products use soy (and we avoid soy) so I was very happy to see that coconut milk is a healthy alternative to soy milk as well. So Delicious Coconut Milk is Kosher, vegan and it's made from verified non-GMO organic coconuts. Coconut milk is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which are good fats that your body can easily burn and turn into energy instead of storing as fat in the body. (A natural energy boost? I am sure I'm not the only person who could use some of that!)

In the past I have used coconut milk for cooking. It's perfect for making Thai stir-fry or for drizzling over oatmeal in the morning. But, until now, I'd never thought of using coconut milk as a replacement for cow's milk. So Delicious Coconut Milk is light and creamy and has the same consistency of cow's milk-it's not thick like the canned coconut milk I usually use. I decided to do a little experiment and see if I could completely eliminate regular milk from our diet for a week.

Here's how I used So Delicious Coconut Milk 7 ways in 7 days...

When I have my morning coffee (or should I say coffees) I always use a bit of milk. If I make an espresso drink, I use even more milk. Instead of regular milk, I have now been using coconut milk. I chose the So Delicious Coconut Milk's vanilla flavor for my coffee and it is perfect. It tastes just like regular milk but adds a slight hint of vanilla that makes my coffee taste even better! So Delicious also makes an Original and Unsweetened version of their coconut milk.
For breakfast, my children often have oatmeal (made on the stove or in the slow cooker) or cereal. Yesterday I made a huge pot of oatmeal on the stove and switched up my usual recipe. Instead of using water, I used coconut milk in place of 1/2 of the water. It made the oatmeal deliciously creamy and (in all seriousness) my oldest son declared that it was the best oatmeal EVER. That extra bit of creaminess from the milk was just right.

I often use milk in baking recipes and our family usually has pancakes one morning on the weekend. Again, I substituted So Delicious Coconut Milk for regular milk and ended up with perfect pancakes. They looked and tasted just like regular pancakes but were dairy-free thanks to the coconut milk.
Although we don't drink milk, we do use milk on cold cereal. The ultimate test was to see if I could swap out regular milk for coconut milk in the cereal bowls. It worked. My kids actually preferred the coconut milk over the regular milk. I am really happy about this because I've often considered going completely dairy-free again but knew it would be tough. We do such a good job of limiting it already that I know I could make the switch to coconut milk and feel better about the health benefits.

When warmer weather rolls around I am going to try making smoothies with So Delicious Coconut Milk. Once the berries are in season I can mix up some sweet frozen treats! In the meantime, we are embracing the cold weather and enjoying hot chocolate instead. I made an entire batch of homemade hot chocolate on the stove, using organic cocoa powder, organic sugar, water, and coconut milk. For an even richer taste, I tried the vanilla flavored coconut milk and the hot chocolate was even more creamy and delicious.

One of my favorite dinners (and the first to introduce me to coconut milk) is a Thai-inspired stir-fry. I use some combination of fresh ingredients from my CSA produce box-onions, cabbage, sunchokes, broccoli-whatever I have on hand. I chop the onions and cabbage into thin slices and cook them in oil until they're soft. Sometimes I add some chicken. I mix in a few tablespoons of organic peanut butter and a cup of coconut milk. Then I toss in whatever other vegetables I'm using and cook until they're soft. I serve the whole mixture over noodles. My kids even like it!

So Delicious Coconut Milk makes it easy to enjoy milk and be dairy-free at the same time. You can find more recipe ideas and coupons at SoDeliciousDairyFree.com.

How will you use So Delicious Coconut Milk? Tell me your favorite recipes or uses for coconut milk by leaving a comment below and you could win a $100 Visa gift card.

Giveaway Rules:

-No duplicate comments.

-You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this
post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw and will be notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me or a new winner will be selected. Giveaway ends 3/20. Visit the Official Rules for more information and visit BlogHer for more chances to win.

You can also visit So Delicious on Facebook and enter to win their surprise-a-day giveaway "100 Days of Change." It's a 100 day sweepstakes with a prize each day, leading up to a grand prize 14-day trip for two to the Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa in Thailand. The giveaway ends on May 10, 2011 but you can enter daily for a chance to win.

GE ecomagination Challenge

2011-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and GE.

In my continuing effort to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, one challenge is to reduce our energy consumption and look for ways to conserve energy. This is not easy, particularly in a large family and with the huge amount of technology that relies on electricity to work.

In my area, we are very fortunate that our electrical provider offers a "Green Power Program." This program uses renewable energy from wind, biomass, low impact hydro, and solar energy sources. By signing up for this (optional) program, consumers can put their energy dollars to work and support the effort to move to greener power sources.

The biggest energy challenges in my home mostly stem from the use of household appliances and electronics. While we can take small steps toward conserving energy (like hanging laundry to dry, washing clothes in cold water, unplugging appliances that aren't being used, baking more than one thing at a time when using the oven, or using energy-efficient LED light bulbs) there is much left to be done when it comes to improving energy use at home. These small things that our family does can have a big impact when every household does them. GE believes that the widespread use of clean energy starts in the home. What changes have you made in your home to make it more energy-efficient? How do you optimize your home energy use?

The effort to move toward smarter energy consumption benefits us all. Do you have even bigger ideas about saving energy? GE’s ecomagination Challenge: Powering Your Home is an open call for ideas from businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, students and every day people with breakthrough ideas for home energy creation, management and use. The ecomagination Challenge is GE's way of reaching out to entrepreneurs, innovators, students, and anyone with big ideas about home energy technology. The first phase of this challenge generated more than 3,800 ideas from all around the world and GE and their partners have committed to investing $200 million dollars into supporting these new ideas. There is still $100 million dollars up for grabs in the second phase of this challenge and it ends on March 15, 2011 so submit your ideas now!

Share with me what your energy use challenges are at home or share an idea that you submitted to the GE ecomagination challenge, for a chance to win a GE energy smart light bulb. The GE energy smart LED light bulb lasts for more than 20 years and ultimately saves you $85 in energy costs. Now that's smart!

Giveaway Rules:

-No duplicate comments.

-You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this

post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw and will be notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me or a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.

Find more discussion about the GE ecomagination Challenge at BlogHer and at the ecomagination Challenge blog.

You can also check out the ecomagination Challenge on Facebook, Foursquare, and YouTube.

Cheerios Blogger Circle: Breakfast Bar Recipe from The Kitchen of Twinsanity

2011-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a simple, easy recipe that is healthy and fun! You can mix it up by using different fruits as well. It's still winter here in the Pacific Northwest, so I used raisins in our breakfast bars but dried cranberries, blueberries, or strawberries would be delicious too.

Ingredients:

2 cups Cheerios

1 cup instant oats

1 cup walnuts

1 cup raisins

1/2 Tbsp cinnamon

2 eggs

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup ground flax meal

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup shredded coconut

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking pan with cooking spray. (I use an olive oil sprayer.)

2. In food processor (or blender) combine 1 cup of Cheerios, oats, nuts, and cinnamon. Blend until mixture is smooth.

3. In large bowl, whisk eggs and mix in honey, vanilla, and sugar.

4. In small bowl, combine flax meal, wheat germ, and remaining 1 cup of Cheerios. Stir until blended.

5. Add cereal mixture and nut mixture to egg mixture. Mix well.

6. Add raisins and stir to combine.

7. Pour mixture into baking pan, spread flat, and sprinkle with coconut.

8. Bake for about 20 min.

9. Allow bars to cool and then cut into bars.

10. Enjoy!

I am part of the Cheerios Blogger Circle and did receive a gift pack for participating. No other compensation was received.

Power of Two Marriage Program

2011-01-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

After blogging about my own marriage and my husband's recent return from Iraq, I received an email from Power of Two. Power of Two is a marriage enrichment program that aims to improve communication and trust in your relationship. This unique program lets you participate in the comfort of your own home.

I have been using the free trial at Power of Two for several weeks now. I was immediately impressed with the amount and quality of the content on the website. There are videos, interactive quizzes, and worksheets to do alone or with your partner. The program includes a checklist from a "coach" that suggests activities to work toward a goal that you set.

In my case, I am trying to reconnect with a spouse who was gone for more than 20 months. We have many young children. We are not always the best at communicating with each other under stress. We definitely don't have time for traditional marriage counseling. This program is a perfect fit for us. I'm working on calming my emotions and we are both working toward better communication. In general, I'd say we already have a great relationship. (We have survived nearly 10 years together and having two sets of twins-and 6 kids in 5 years!)

The Power of Two program is a flexible program that can help uncover barriers to open communication that you may not have even realized existed. The program aims to help you work together with your partner to improve your relationship without ever leaving your house. Check it out online at www.poweroftwomarriage.com.

ETA: There are scholarships available for military couples! See the first comment on this post for more details.

Products for Good

2011-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Shortly before Christmas I received an email from Products for Good, asking me if I would honor a veteran that I know by giving them a commemorative coin. I was intrigued and agreed to pass along the gift to a special veteran- my husband.

The coin arrived in a beautiful velvet case and was accompanied by a certificate. The certificate explained that the coin was a real Iraqi coin. It was a perfect gift to honor my husband, who had just returned from a deployment to Iraq. It seemed a fitting way to remember his service and the sacrifices our family made during his deployment.
Products for Good sells these coins to honor veterans. With each sale, they donate 20% of the proceeds to charities that support military families. In addition, they have a special Honor One in a Million Project that aims to distribute 1 million coins to veterans across the country through various military service organizations. You can purchase coins to be donated to veterans to thank them for their service or purchase a coin for a special veteran in your life.

Products for Good aims to thank the more than 20 million veterans who have served our country. They even have gifts to honor law enforcement and firefighters, as well as gifts for every branch of military service. Their coins and shadowboxes make unique, thoughtful gifts for the special person in your life.

I received a free commemorative coin in exchange for my honest review.

BlogHer

2010-12-27T03:33:00.000-08:00

This is a compensated review by BlogHer.

If you haven't been to BlogHer's website lately, you really should check it out. BlogHer has a new design that is easy to navigate and recently started syndicating articles (like mine!) so there is always fresh, interesting content. From family and relationships to food and green living, BlogHer has it all.

Some of my favorite posts:

Green Holiday Gift Guide- This green guide to gift-giving is good all year, not just for Christmas. It has great tips for giving gifts that will be used and won't be relegated to life in the back of the closet. I love finding ways to be greener and this article is a great starting point even for those not already living a green lifestyle.

What is Community Supported Agriculture? This informative article covers the basics of how CSAs work to support local farms and provide better food options for consumers. If you've never heard of a CSA, read this and see what you are missing.

Healthy Eating Without Breaking the Bank- This article was shared from a post I wrote on my blog, discussing the ways our family eats healthy by choosing local food sources. If you think you can't eat organic because it's out of your budget, read this for ideas on making it work.

The Idiot Box and Us: Decisions About TV- This is a great read. This mom sums up exactly how I feel about children and too much TV. She also points out that TV can be a useful tool at times.

Head on over to BlogHer and see what you've been missing. There are so many informative posts from some very smart ladies. As an added bonus, there is a BlogHer sweepstakes right now. This week's sweepstakes winner will receive a full conference pass to BlogHer Food '11 in Atlanta, GA. The contest runs from December 27-31 so enter now!

Visit this week's Sweepstakes post on BlogHer.com

Cheerios Blogger Circle: Nourishing Body & Mind

2010-11-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

As a member of the Cheerios Blogger Circle, I was presented with a question that really made me stop and think.

“Being a mom of 6, how do you use quality time with all of your children to ensure that they receive the best nourishment for their body & mind?”

Quality time? What is quality time when you have had six children in just 5 years?

Just kidding!

Actually, when I stopped to think about it, I do squeeze in quality time with my kids each day and I do it a lot more than I realize. Often, it's the little day-to-day tasks that I overlook and fail to recognize for their value and teachable moments. After all, our children are always watching us and learning from seeing what we do in life.

My weekly (or even twice weekly) trips to the grocery store and farmer's market are showing my children how to make healthy food choices and teaching them the value in spending money wisely. The actual experience of trekking to the store has taught my little ones how to behave in a public setting, how to respond politely to adults who ask them questions, and how to be considerate of others. Who would have guessed you could nourish your children's minds just by running errands?

In our home, one of the most obvious ways that I nourish my children's minds is by homeschooling them. I teach them everything-from reading and writing to math and science. It's hard work to have 6 young children in the house all day, every day... but it is totally worth it. The time spent with my children now will be over before I know it and we will do our best to cherish this time together.

My kids love to run and play outside and we always encourage them to be active. (Well, except when they are climbing the furniture or bouncing off of the walls.) They also see me exercising at home or see Daddy going to the gym. This reinforces the importance of staying active and healthy. In a house with two sets of twins (and 4 boys!) there is a lot of physical activity. Little bodies (and big ones too) need to be active to stay fit.
One of the ways that I have nourished my children's bodies is by providing healthy foods for them. It's about more than just eating. My children have grown up visiting farms and farmer's markets. They know where food comes from. They understand the importance of the local farmer who grows the strawberries we eat for breakfast or the local dairy farmer whose cows have provided the milk on their cereal each morning.
Whether we are picking berries together, eating a freshly cooked dinner, or sharing a good book, there are little ways that I can nourish my children's bodies and minds each day. My children are learning just by living!

I am part of the Cheerios Blogger Circle and did receive a gift pack for participating. No other compensation was received.

Earth Mama Angel Baby

2010-11-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Since my second child was just a soft, squishy newborn, I have been in love with Earth Mama Angel Baby. I first fell in love with the Angel Baby Lotion and then went through tub after tub of the Angel Baby Bottom Balm. My son is 6 now, so I have a lot of good things to say about EMAB after years of using their products.

Earth Mama Angel Baby makes products that you can really feel good about using, especially on a newborn's sensitive skin. EMAB makes products that are free of toxins and are created using pure, organic oils. In fact, if you read the label on any of their products you will be able to pronounce each ingredient name because there are no strange chemicals or fragrances. In addition to being safe for us, their products are also not tested on animals. Every single product from EMAB has tested at a level zero for toxins on the Skin Deep Database.

All safety and eco-consciousness aside, Earth Mama Angel Baby makes products that are delightful to use. The Angel Baby Bottom Balm is safe to use with cloth diapers and I have never seen any rash cream do a better job of clearing up whatever rash or boo-boo that my children could get. The Angel Baby Lotion smells heavenly and leaves skin buttery soft. EMAB's pregnancy teas are delicious and work wonders to soothe morning sickness. I'd tell you how well their New Mama Bottom Spray works on postpartum hemorrhoids, but that is just TMI.

I have personally used almost every product that Earth Mama Angel Baby makes, and have used many of their products with my doula clients as well. I can not say enough wonderful things about these products or this company. I'm in love.

A few years ago I contacted Melinda, the Mama behind Earth Mama Angel Baby. I approached her about EMAB supporting ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) through advertising for an upcoming conference. I was amazed by her generosity when she not only offered to support ICAN's conference, but also offered to donate a portion of the proceeds from every C-Section Healing Kit to ICAN. Earth Mama Angel Baby is a company that cares deeply about mothers and babies.
One of Earth Mama Angel Baby's newest products is the Happy Mama Body Wash. See that sweet girl on the label? That's my daughter, Sarah. See that huge belly? That's my belly, ripe with my second set of twins, who were born just a few weeks after the photo was taken. The body wash? Out of this world. It smells good enough to eat (but don't) and it feels like silk on your skin. I use it myself and I use it on my children. In fact, EMAB products are the only ones I use on any of my babies.

Would you like to try a bottle of Happy Mama Body Wash? Leave a comment here telling me why you'd love to try a product from Earth Mama Angel Baby and I'll draw a winner at random on November 20, 2010. For one additional entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post and leave me a comment to let me know.

Giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Anna! Random.org picked your comment as the winner!

I am not affiliated with EMAB in any way and I don't get paid to promote their products. This is just a company I admire with products I won't hesitate to recommend.

Seventh Generation Giveaway

2010-04-25T20:06:00.002-07:00

As you may already know, I'm a huge fan of environmentally-friendly products. I am committed to making my home as safe as possible for my family, and in turn, safer for our planet. A huge part of this is removing toxic cleaners from the home!

Seventh Generation makes cleaning products that are non-toxic and safe for the environment. The best part is, they are easy to grab at the local store. I already use "green" cleaners that I love, but sometimes I run out before I can have more shipped and it's nice to have environmentally-friendly cleaners available locally at a reasonable cost.

Seventh Generation has been making their cleaning products for the past twenty years. Their new line of botanical disinfectant cleaners includes a multi-surface cleaning spray, bathroom cleaning spray and wipes created from the herb thyme, with a natural disinfecting power.

Seventh Generation has also partnered with eco-lifestyle consultant and author, Alexandra Zissu. Her new book, The Conscious Kitchen, includes information about what's healthy for you to eat, healthy for the environment, and tips on making your home more "green." This book has some great tips and is a fantastic resource if you are interested in learning more about keeping your home and body healthy.

One lucky reader will win a Seventh Generation "Disinfecting Cleaning Kit" that includes a disinfecting multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, wipes , a copy of The Conscious Kitchen, a cleaning caddy made from recycled plastic, and two rolls of 100% recycled, unbleached paper towels. Simply leave a comment telling me what you've done to make your home safer and greener. Giveaway ends May 9, 2010.

Giveaway closed! Congratulations wonderchris!

The Seventh Generation products, information and prize pack were given to me by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Fiber One Yogurt

2010-03-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

I was skeptical that the new Fiber One yogurt would taste good at all. It boasts 5 grams of fiber and only 50 calories so I figured it skimped on flavor. Not so! Fiber One yogurt actually tastes good and, thanks to the fiber, it's good for you. I tried the strawberry yogurt and it makes a great snack, even at 10pm when you're doing laundry in your pajamas.
Best-selling author and food expert Lisa Lillien, AKA Hungry Girl, has given her “seal of approval” to the new Fiber One yogurt, the only leading nonfat yogurt with 50 calories and 5 grams of fiber (20 percent of the Recommended Daily Value). It is also a good source of calcium and vitamins A and D, making this a guilt-free and all-around great choice for dieters and those watching their weights. Each cup includes the creamy, delicious taste you expect from Yoplait. Fiber One is available in a variety of flavors including, Strawberry, Peach, Vanilla and Key Lime Pie (see what Hungry Girl thinks about the new yogurt here:
http://hungry-girl.com/news/newsdetails.php?isid=1772 )

Enter to win a Fiber One gift bag that includes a Fiber One yogurt VIP coupon (good for a free 4-pack of Fiber One yogurt), and a $50 Safeway (also good at Dominick’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, Genuardi’s) gift card that you can use to stock up on Fiber One yogurt and enjoy the values that Safeway has to offer. Simply leave a comment telling me which Fiber One yogurt flavor you'd like to try. For additional entries, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave a comment. One comment per entry method. Giveaway ends March 26, 2010.

Giveaway has ended! Congrats to Carolsue!

I received a Fiber One gift pack for myself and for the giveaway from Safeway and Fiber One through MyBlogSpark.

One Million Arrows

2010-03-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed to have a chance to participate in the One Million Arrows Blog Tour. A few weeks ago I received an email from Julie Ferwerda asking if I'd like to read her new book, One Million Arrows. After reading the glowing reviews from respected Christians such as Ron Luce, Dennis Rainey, and Josh McDowell I knew that this must be a good book. And I was not disappointed.

Julie Ferwerda is recognized for making the Bible exciting and relevant to everyday life through her writing and speaking. Her articles are featured in many Christian magazines and websites for both adults and teens, and she frequently volunteers her time and talents to international orphan ministry. You can read more about her at OneMillionArrows.com.
The book One Million Arrows speaks to Christian parents who seek to raise their children to love and serve the Lord. Specifically, One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. Beyond just attending church or youth group, One Million Arrows encourages parents to really strive for a greater impact with their children. The book tells stories of Christian children who grow to change the world.

I was particularly intrigued by this book before I even started reading it. Months ago I "met" Laurel, a blogger and mother of many. She began reading my blog and I then discovered her blog. As I began reading I was struck by her amazing family and their incrredibly strong faith. Her children serve the Lord, each in different ways, but it is obvious to me, even though I've never met them in person, that they are following God's call and seek to lead others to Him. I knew right away that Laurel was doing something right and I wanted to know what it was.

As a mother, my greatest gift is my children and what I desire most for them is for each one of them to grow and serve the Lord. I want them to be who God wants them to be. I've always felt that though I may not have a huge impact on this world, I can raise children who will. I want my children to love God, to glorify Him, and for other people to look at them and want what they have-a personal relationship with the Lord.

I struggle daily to be a good example for my children. It's a huge challenge to show them strong faith in difficult times but I strive to do that. One Million Arrows was the perfect book, sent to me at the perfect time, and was obviously God working in my life yet again.

One Million Arrows features stories of inspiring families who have raised children who really make a huge impact in this world, leading others to Christ. (Tim Tebow, anyone?) I found it incredibly uplifting and motivating. I'm still not sure what path I'm on in this life but one thing became more clear as I read this book: I want my children to be arrows. The term arrows refers to Psalm 127:3-5, where children are described as a legacy—arrows in the hands of a mighty man.

Perhaps the most amazing part of One Million Arrows is that this book gives back to the man who inspired the title. M.A. "Papa" Thomas is an amazing man who started a ministry in India where he rescued orphans and taught them about God so that they could go out and start churches all across India and lead others to Him. It's an awesome story and the proceeds from the sales of One Million Arrows are designated for international orphan ministry.

My thoughts? This book is incredible. It serves its purpose to inspire parents to raise their children to change the world. I'm praying that many parents are moved to read this book because the impact on future generations could just be miraculous.

The book is available through Amazon and other online retailers. Visit the One Million Arrows How to Order page for full details as well as information about church, ministry, and bulk orders.

Bosom Bliss Comfort Packs

2010-02-27T10:19:00.000-08:00

As any breastfeeding mother knows, nursing a baby (or babies) is not always as natural and easy as you might think. Trust me, I know from experience.

I've nursed all 6 of my children through various different challenges and have had a wide range of experiences. I pumped when I went back to work with my first child, I struggled with tongue tie with 3 of my sons, I nursed two sets of twins simultaneously and I've suffered my fair share of complications from over supply, overactive letdown, engorgement, plugged ducts, mastitis, thrush, etc. It's enough to make anyone cringe.

Last month I was very rundown and I developed mastitis. It was a miserable 24 hours with a dangerously high fever and a considerable amount of pain in the affected breast. After writing about my experience, I received an email about Bosom Bliss Comfort Packs. I agreed to try them if I ever had the need to use them again. Unfortunately, I did. I developed another case of mastitis that landed me in the hospital with a lemon-sized mass of infection in my breast. Ouch.

I can now say that I wish I'd had these Comfort Packs 7 years ago when I first started nursing. Those early days with a newborn lead to lots of discomfort and engorgement for many moms and I was no exception. These Comfort Packs use heat to help improve milk flow and induce letdown. The heat is also what helps relieve plugged ducts and mastitis by encouraging milk flow. Breastfeeding dilates the mammary blood vessels and improves blood flow in the affected area but it can be very painful when there is an infection present so mothers are often reluctant to breastfeed. The Comfort Packs can also be refrigerated to provide cooling pain relief to make nursing more comfortable during mastitis.

Bosom Bliss Comfort Packs come in sets of two and feature a cover made of an eco-friendly bamboo fleece core. This cover is removable for easy washing and the bamboo fleece is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial so moisture is wicked away from the skin. This means that you have a soft, dry layer against your skin to protect against leaks while also providing soothing warm or cool comfort from the organic sushi rice pack. The Comfort Packs are generously sized and fit nicely inside a loose-fitting bra.
I used my Bosom Bliss Comfort Packs during my week-long bout with mastitis and loved them so much that I have used them a few times since then to help with engorgement. I've used many different nursing pads and heat packs in the past and these are, by far, the best that I have ever seen. In my professional experience, I've recommended using warm or cool compresses more times than I can count. Often, I've suggested a warm, wet washcloth. These Comfort Packs make washcloths a thing of the past. There is no need to keep a soggy, wet cloth on your breast when you can have a warm, dry pad that is perfectly shaped to fit your breast.

As a special promotion for my readers, Bosom Bliss is offering a 15% discount when you use the coupon code "twinsanity." I encourage you to take advantage of this savings by trying the Comfort Packs and Nursing Pads today! Your breasts will thank you.

In addition, Bosom Bliss is giving away a set of Comfort Packs and a set of Nursing Pads to one of my lucky readers! To enter, leave a comment here on this post. For an additional entry, post about this giveaway on your blog or tweet about and comment here with a link. Please leave a separate comment for each entry method. This giveaway will end on March 17, 2010.

Giveaway has ended! Congrats to comment #5!

Kroger Bonus Box Tops for Education Giveaway

2010-02-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

From now through March 18, Kroger Family of Stores is supporting local schools by giving you the chance to earn bonus Box Tops coupons. The Box Top coupons program has raised over $300 million for schools across the country. It's as simple as clipping a coupon!

Register at www.RewardYourSchool.com and select the personalized offers that you would like to receive. Once you register, you will automatically receive 5 Bonus Box Tops just for signing up! You will also receive custom offers for bonus Box Tops for purchasing participating General Mills products. The offers you select will then load onto your Kroger Shopper Card to be redeemed once you purchase the items. You just scan your Kroger card and the Bonus Box Tops will automatically go straight to your chosen school.

Visit www.RewardYourSchool.com and click on "current promotions" to view bonus Box Tops items. It's an easy way to earn money for local schools!

If you'd like to win a $25 Kroger gift card, just leave a comment here. One additional entry for blogging and/or tweeting about this giveaway. Please leave one separate comment for each method of entry. Giveaway ends February 28, 2010.

Giveaway has ended! Congratulations Erin!

This information, Kroger gift card, and giveaway were all provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

One and the Same

2010-01-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Abigail Pogrebin's new book, One and the Same: My Life as an Identical Twin and What I've Learned About Everyone's Struggle to Be Singular. I never knew that there was so much that I didn't know about twins. And now I know.

I certainly don't consider myself an expert when it comes to twins, but I usually feel as though I know what I'm doing when it comes to raising them. Having two sets of twins has given me the requisite experience necessary to field the many questions I receive as a mother of multiples. Navigating the challenges of rearing twins has become my life in recent years but there is just so much that I had never considered. Until now.

Specifically, I had given little thought to the unique struggle that identical twins face as they journey through life with a carbon copy of themselves. Written by an identical twin, One and the Same was a fascinating read for me, because Abigail Pogrebin understands what it's like to grow up with a double. As she explains in her book, identical twins compare themselves with each other, depend on each other, and share a remarkable bond that is unlike any other.

Because both of my sets of twins are identical, I felt I needed to pay close attention to everything that I read. I want to avoid the mistakes of comparing my twins or failing to recognize their individuality. I want to honor their special bond and encourage them while still seeing them as separate. I read with great interest as the author described her childhood and what it felt like to have friends mistake her for her sister. My twins are often mistaken for each other but I had never really stopped to think about how that must feel.

This book is a must-read whether you are a twin, you are a parent of twins, you know twins, or you are just interested in learning more about twins. Although the author discusses identical twins in great detail, much of what she writes applies to fraternal twins as well. She also covers topics such as fertility treatments, birthing twins, death of one twin, and other things that you've probably never thought of before.

I was impressed with the incredible amount of information and research in One and the Same. What also impressed me was the author's perspective and candor when writing about her own experiences. Her book is an intriguing glimpse into life as part of a set. You can find even more information at her website and she even answers questions on her blog. I highly encourage my fellow twin moms to read this book cover to cover and then share it with another mother of multiples. (Hopefully our twins will thank us one day!)

This is not a compensated review. I received a copy of this book in exchange for offering my honest opinion.

Get Clean

2010-01-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

Maybe you have heard of Shaklee or perhaps you've tried their products before. Maybe you don't know a thing about Shaklee.

Four years ago I had just found out I was expecting twin girls. I found out on December 30th, 2005-my birthday! It was a shock and I was already 22 weeks along. Immediately, I was concerned about my added nutritional requirements since I was having two babies instead of one. I came across Shaklee's website and was impressed with the quality of their nutritional supplements. I used them throughout my pregnancy.

Recently, Shaklee introduced a line of cleaning products that stay true to the company's motto of "providing a healthier life for everyone and a better life for anyone." This is important to me, as I'm always conscious of what I am exposing my children to each day in the foods we eat, the things I use to clean our home, and even the toys in the playroom.

Recently I had the opportunity to try some of Shaklee's cleaning products in my home and I'm so excited to share what I found. If your New Year's plans include a bit of spring cleaning, you'll want to see this...

Perhaps the most exciting product for me is a little item called Germ Off Disinfecting Wipes. Disinfecting Wipes? In a house with 6 kids ranging in age from 7 to 1, this is a necessity. It's not often that a mother of twins is able to find time to sanitize her house on a regular basis. And then, what are you sanitizing with? Harmful chemicals? The old standby of vinegar and water? I'm a germophobe who recently mounted a hospital-grade sanitizer in her home. I take this stuff very seriously!

Shaklee's Germ Off wipes are convenient and they are safe. The wipes are easy to use and they pop up out of the dispenser for a fast wipe down of whatever germy surface needs attention. But they're bleach and alcohol free. They kill 99.9% of common household bacteria without exposing you to dangerous chemicals. Hello, funky toilet-you have met your match! A quick swipe with the Germ Off wipe and then dispose of the nastiness without ever needing rubber gloves or a face mask.

For those times when you don't need to kill germs and just want to wipe down a surface quickly and easily, there's Shaklee's Basic H2 Organic Cleaning Wipes. These wipes work on windows, counter tops, furniture, and even walls. And yes, I tried them in all of those places! These are the ultimate convenience item and are very handy to have in the car for quick cleanups. Because they're recyclable, biodegradable, and free of phosphates, I feel good using them too.

Shaklee has all of your household cleaning needs covered with their Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. This concentrate can be diluted in various strengths depending on what mess you're trying to eliminate. You can purchase Shaklee's set of spray bottles for easy mixing. I prepared the different concentrations and then had them all ready to go for quick clean ups. This concentrate can clean your counters, degrease your microwave, wash your windows and mirrors, or even mop your floor. It's the ultimate all-purpose cleaner and it's perfectly safe to use, even for babies still crawling across the floors.

I refuse to post before and after pictures of my toilet, but I will share a before and after of my stove. I have no shame! I recently moved into a foreclosed home that was in need of some TLC. In short, the place was pretty icky. The kitchen was particularly offensive, and I'll admit that I haven't had time to give the stove top the proper attention it deserves. (Hey, my kids come first!) It wasn't dirty in that sense of the word, but there were burnt-on black rings on the ceramic cook top.
I took this photo when I'd already started cleaning the other burners, but you get the idea. It was pretty bad. I hate it when my house isn't spotless but 6 kids have caused me to reevaluate my priorities sometimes.

Receiving Shaklee's Scour Off cleaning paste was just the motivation I needed to finally tackle that stove top. And I didn't have to worry about toxic fumes when I did it.

Scour Off is a thick paste (with a mild, pleasant scent) that's made from mineral abrasives and biodegradable cleaning agents. It's safe for ceramic, cooper, grout, cement, and other surfaces so it's perfect for ovens, stoves, sinks, and tubs. It even removes rust! The best part is that it contains no bleach, chlorine, or dyes.

I applied the Scour Off paste to my stove top and with some gentle scrubbing I was able to remove every trace of burnt-on crud! Seriously, my stove is sparkling now! The difference is just incredible.
Next on my list was to do something about the pile of laundry that was threatening to overtake my tiny laundry room and overflow into my foyer and out my front door. Don't get me wrong, I do laundry every, single day of my life. However, with 6 kids and 5 wearing cloth diapers/training pants, I do a ton of laundry.

I was pleasantly surprised at how clean our diapers were when I used Shaklee's Fresh Laundry detergent. (Now, if I could just do something about our new washer that I absolutely hate!)Fresh Laundry is natural, biodegradable and contains no phosphates or chlorine. It's also concentrated and it's safe to use in HE washers (like mine.) This means that a little bit goes a long way. Our clothes are clean, smell fresh, and don't have chemicals in them that make your skin crawl. That's a good thing.
In addition to the regular laundry detergent, Shaklee also sells a stain-removing laundry booster, intended to replace bleach for clothes that need some extra cleaning power. (Boys' socks? Check.) Because it doesn't contain any bleach, Nature Bright is safe to use on colors and can even be used to remove stains from carpets and furniture. We tested it out on a spill on our beige carpet and I was quite pleased with the results!
Finishing out the laundry, I was able to try Shaklee's Soft Fabric dryer sheets. I don't usually use dryer sheets at all because of their icky ingredients. I use wool dryer balls for all of our laundry. The downside is that we do get some static when I wash a lot of fleece in the same load. Because the Soft Fabric dryer sheets are vegetable-based, I feel confident that they are definitely safe to use in our home. So I used them. And I loved them! They reduced that stubborn static when I was washing pajamas and for that I am eternally grateful. (I hate getting shocked-literally- when I'm folding laundry!)

Logically, after laundry it's time to do the dishes. Shaklee's got that covered too.

Unlike some other natural brands (who shall remain nameless) Shaklee's Dish Wash actually creates suds when you use it. And it smells great too! I have become increasingly frustrated with my other natural dish soap and using Dish Wash was a reminder of what I dislike. I want my soap to cut grease just like the big name soaps but without the phosphates and other scary ingredients. Why should I compromise quality for safety? Well now I won't!
Dish Wash is effective at cutting grease (I tested it on the grease trays from my husband's George Foreman grill!) and it's safe to wash the plates we eat off of too. It's also super concentrated because I only used a tiny drop to clean a whole pile of pots and pans. I could not find one bad thing to say about this soap!
I wash about 2-3 loads of dishes per day in my dishwasher. It gets a lot of use. I've been pretty pleased with our other natural detergent... until now. I had not really thought twice about the leftover bits of detergent that I usually need to rinse off of our glasses. With Shaklee's Dish Wash Automatic Concentrate, I didn't need to rinse the dishes after they came out of the dishwasher. They were clean! Now, if Shaklee would just make a liquid version I'd be smitten. I always seem to spill powder under my sink or on my wet hands but that could just be me and all of the distractions I have when I'm doing dishes.

At the end of the day, I have a new nightly ritual to unwind from all of the cleaning, laundry, dishes, and exhausting work caring for 6 young children. I rub my feet with Shaklee's Herbal Blend Cream. It's mentholated and it's not greasy so it's perfect for dry hands (we have hard water) and cracked feet (my last pedicure was in April 2009.) And no, I'm not going to post pictures of me rubbing my feet. You can thank me later.

If you are new to Shaklee, let me introduce you to Kim. She is a Shaklee distributor and you can read more about her, and why she uses Shaklee's products, at her website. You can meet her family (and her adorable daughter) at her blog. Right now (through January 16th) free membership is available on orders of 50 PV or more. You can order an entire Get Clean Starter Kit that includes everything you need to make your home sparkle and with it, you'll get a free Shaklee membership!

In more than 50 years of business, Shaklee has never had a product recalled. And they have a 30-day guarantee. And apparently, Oprah loves the Get Clean products too! So make your home cleaner and safer in 2010 with the Get Clean products from Shaklee!

If you'd like to win a free product from Shaklee, here is your chance! Just leave a comment telling me which one of the cleaning products is your favorite and why. For an extra entry, blog or tweet about the giveaway and leave a link in a separate comment. Giveaway ends on January 30, 2010.

Giveaway now closed! Congratulations to Jill (comment #16) for winning a Shaklee Get Clean product!

This is not a compensated review. I have used Shaklee's products before and loved them! I did receive free product samples for the purpose of completing this review.

Holly and Hal Moose

2009-12-10T19:39:00.000-08:00

If you've watched TV lately, you may have seen the new Christmas movie about Holly and Hal Moose. My kids were so excited to watch something new, in addition to our regular Christmas classics. They fell instantly in love with the animated characters of Holly and Hal, the adorable moose children in this story.

Imagine our excitement when Holly and Hal arrived on our doorstep recently! My children delighted in Hal's antler decorations-Christmas lights that actually light up and glow! They've taken pleasure in dressing, undressing, and redressing Holly and Hal and acting out scenes from the movie. In addition to the "real" Holly and Hal, we also received the book that chronicles their "uplifting" Christmas adventure.

Interestingly enough, we recently took our first family trip to the Build-A-Bear workshop. It was there that we created a Christmas gift for Daddy. It's a camo military bear in full Army gear. It's a sweet bear that was made with love. In fact, he has 6 hearts, each kissed by one of our children. The bear also has a recording of our children telling Daddy that they love and miss him. He's deploying to Iraq right after Christmas so this is a very special bear.

While we were at the Build-A-Bear workshop we saw Holly and Hal. My kids were begging to buy them after seeing the movie. I resisted their desperate pleas, only to find Holly and Hal arrive on our doorstep the next day. What a surprise!

The lovable characters of Holly and Hal are receiving a lot of attention from my lovable kids. Even the youngest of my half dozen have been cuddling with their moose friends. I have never seen such a sweet moose. Have you?
If you're still trying to wrap up your Christmas shopping this year, check out Holly and Hal's Uplifting Christmas Adventure. You can find the characters at the Build-A-Bear workshop and there's an interactive website as well. I'd recommend getting the package that includes the characters as well as the book or DVD so that your children can enjoy the fun Christmas story as well.

This was not a compensated review but I did receive Holly and Hal and their book for free from MomSelect in exchange for providing my honest opinion.

BOZ, The Green Bear Next Door

2009-12-07T07:39:00.001-08:00

Until recently, I had never heard of BOZ. BOZ is "The Green Bear Next Door" and he's actually pretty cute, or at least my kids think so! He's the star of his own DVD series for preschoolers.

BOZ teaches early educational concepts to young children while also upholding the morals and family values that parents want their children to learn. BOZ is a faith-based program and is perfect for Christian parents who want to provide their children with wholesome entertainment.

My kids love Veggie Tales and BOZ is very similar, with fun characters, sing-a-long songs, and exciting stories. BOZ and his family (including 4-year old twins- how perfect is that for our house?) are sure to capture the hearts and minds of preschoolers everywhere.

Right now, my children are especially delighted with the BOZ Christmas special, "A Wowie BOZowee Christmas." This DVD reminds children that God's gift to us was Jesus, at Christmastime and all year long. There are special bonuses on this DVD, such as a "Build Your Own Snowman" game that my kids absolutely love!
If you visit the BOZ website you can find many great resources for parents. There are fun games and activities for children and links to support for parents (such as MOPS.) There are even resources for community and church groups as well. The website is easy to navigate and the online shop carries all of the BOZ DVDs, CDs, books, toys, and more.

My only complaint is that the voice of BOZ is eerily similar to Barney, the obnoxiously nice purple dinosaur. (Could it be because the producers of Barney are also the producers of BOZ?) I can easily look past this when I see my children enjoying the BOZ DVDs and singing along with the catchy tunes. I love knowing that my kids are watching shows that uphold our Christian beliefs.

Take a look around the BOZ website and introduce your kids to the green bear next door!

This is not a compensated review but our family did receive 2 BOZ DVDs from MomSelect.

Cheerios Giveaway

2009-12-06T10:26:00.001-08:00

Cheerios is giving away 100,000 books to community-based programs serving children in need. This holiday season you can help provide books to children who might not otherwise have access to them. Did you know that the ratio of books per child in middle-income neighborhoods is 13 to 1, while in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is only 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children? More than 80% of childcare centers serving low-income children do not have age-appropriate books.

Cheerios, First Book, and Jon Scieszka are delivering 100,000 books to these needy children. Jon Scieszka is the author of the popular "Trucktown" series and other books for children. You can help provide books to children in your state by answering trivia questions at www.FirstBook.org/Scieszka. For each correct trivia question that you answer, you can vote for your state to receive books. The top five states will each receive 20,000 books. Go play the quiz and vote for your state today!
I am pleased to also be able to give away a Cheerios prize pack to a lucky reader. This prize pack includes a box of Cheerios cereal, a sampling of children's books, and a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.

To enter, leave a comment below telling me why your state should win 20,000 books. For one additional entry, post about this giveaway on your blog or tweet about it. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Giveaway ends on December 12, 2009.

Giveaway now closed. Congratulations to Carolsue (comment #8)!

This is not a compensated post but Cheerios provided 2 prize packs to me through My Blog Spark.

Two Snowflakes Giveaway

2009-11-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that twins are special! Jennifer Miller's new book, "Two Snowflakes" explores the good and bad things about being a twin from a child's perspective. This was a must-read for our family and is a fun book even if you don't have twins in your house.
"Two Snowflakes" is a children's story about two identical snowflakes and two identical twin girls. We all remember the old saying about no two snowflakes being exactly alike, but have you ever thought about no two identical twins being exactly alike? It's a common misconception that identical twins will always share the same interests, or even look exactly the same. This adorable story addresses the feelings that twins may have when they look the same and how others see them as individuals.

I've been blessed to have two sets of identical twins but I have no idea what it feels like to be a twin. My twin girls are 3 and a half and are just starting to understand that they share a special bond. They really enjoyed reading this book and I'm sure that, even at their young age, they could relate to the story. My older singleton boys now have a little better understanding of what their siblings may feel when people confuse them or think they are the same. This book was a real teaching tool in our house.
Winter is upon us and there's no better time to surprise your child with this adorable snowflake story. If you have twins, or know of a family with twins, this book is the perfect holiday gift! You can find "Two Snowflakes" on Amazon.com or on Jennifer Miller's website.
Right now you also have a special chance to win a copy of "Two Snowflakes." To enter, leave a comment below. For additional entries you may blog or tweet about this giveaway. Leave a link to your blog post or tweet below. One entry per comment. This giveaway ends on December 10, 2009.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! Congrats to Anna (comment #9) who won a copy of "Two Snowflakes!"

This is not a compensated review. I did receive 2 free copies of the book to review and give away.

$50 ebeanstalk Gift Certificate Giveaway

2009-11-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

Ebeanstalk is giving away $50 gift certificates! With the holidays just days away (doesn't it sound more ominous when you say it like that?) everyone is toy shopping. Even veteran moms can use a little help! Ebeanstalk is a website dedicated to selecting great, safe toys for a 3 year old and toddler toys. They also have toys for children of all ages! They rely on the opinions and feedback of bloggers and moms around the country and have a team of child experts who help to pick out kids toys.

Would you like a chance to win a $50 ebeanstalk gift certificate? It's easy! Take a picture of your little one playing with a toy, and email the picture to emily@ebeanstalk.com. You could be 1 of 10 lucky winners to win a $50 gift certificate at ebeanstalk this holiday season. Entries will be chosen on their cuteness factor. For privacy, please only send the first name of your child and your email address. Your email address will be kept private. Please do not send your child's last name or address.

As a special bonus, all blog readers will receive a 10% discount on any ebeanstalk purchase. Enter the code ebeanstalk100 at checkout!

Logitech Webcam

2009-11-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

Recently I was excited to receive a Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 in the mail. I was hoping I'd be able to try it out because I was already planning to purchase one and I'm a webcam virgin. I had no idea what type to buy or even how to use one. (Pathetic, I know!)

With a husband who is deploying to Iraq and 6 children at home who miss him almost as much as I do, the webcam is a huge blessing. We can see each other and talk even though we're thousands of miles apart. Technology is amazing!

Because this is my first webcam experience, I'll admit I don't know much about the specifications of the camera. What I do know is that there is a 2MP autofocus lens and the video and image quality is far better than I was expecting. The camera also has RightLight technology which basically means that if you're using the webcam in your basement at 11pm, you don't have to worry about poor image quality from the lack of light. The camera compensates accordingly and your videos still look good. In other words, it's EASY!

Please ignore the terribly unflattering still shot that appears below, and instead watch the video and see what I mean. This was my third time using the webcam and I had it installed and running within minutes. Logitech even includes free video software so I was able to make video calls instantly. Now, if I could just stop thinking about what a huge dork I am in videos...

If you're looking for a great webcam, this is it! It's high quality, easy to use, and includes everything you need to get started. The software installs quickly and gives you instant access to your videos, pictures, and the ability to make video calls. I was intimidated at first, but the Logitech Pro 9000 webcam really has been a great way for me to plunge into the world of web video!

This was not a compensated post. I did receive the webcam for free.

Sonicare for Kids

2009-10-15T04:20:00.000-07:00

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Sonicare for Kids. This review is my honest opinion.

With 6 children ages 6 and under, I spend a lot of time with personal hygiene. Unfortunately, not my own. I have 6 little mouths full of teeth that need brushing, faces that need washing, and bottoms that need cleaning. The day that my oldest son started to bathe himself and brush his own teeth was a major milestone! With 5 kids in diapers at that time, I was excited to get a break.

As a mother, I worry that my kids are growing up healthy and of course I want them to have clean, white teeth. I always worry about whether my kids are doing a good job when they brush. Once they gain that independence to do it themselves, I get to go back and check their work. I cringe at the thought of last night's chocolate chip cookie rotting away in my son's mouth. Ick.

I'm sure my kids aren't the only ones who rush through brushing their teeth. They never seem to be at the sink long enough to do a good job, and if they are at the sink long enough it usually means they are playing in the water and the bathroom is being flooded. Trust me on this one.

Sonicare for Kids is a fantastic new toothbrush for kids from the makers of the #1 dentist recommended brand of sonic toothbrushes. Sonicare for Kids combines the benefits of the adult Sonicare brushes with special features to encourage good hygiene in kids. Like the adult brushes, the patented sonic technology creates a gentle and powerful cleaning action that gets in between teeth and along the gums. My kids best describes this as "the tickles." It actually feels good to clean your teeth!

The new Sonicare for Kids brush is perfect for kids who are learning to brush on their own. The brush is designed for 4-10 year olds and my 6-year and 5-year old were eager to try it out. Both of my boys are brushing their own teeth but they do sometimes need me to go back and clean them again when they've not done a great job.

My favorite feature of the Sonicare for Kids brush is that it has a built-in times that teaches children proper brushing techniques. There are a series of musical notes that alert the child to switch between cleaning different areas of their mouth. My boys often need a reminder to clean the backs of their teeth and this brush teaches them to do that. It also encourages them to brush for a full 2 minutes by slowly increasing the length of time over 90 days. During that 2 minutes, there are 4 sets of musical notes that let them know to switch between brushing the outside of the lower teeth, inside of the lower teeth, outside of the upper teeth, and inside of the upper teeth. There's no place left for germs to hide!

I was impressed to see that the Sonicare for Kids brush has 2 different modes. The low mode is for ages 4 and up while the high mode is for ages 7 and up. My almost-but-not-quite 7-year old was proud to use the high mode while his younger brother used the low mode. In addition, they each had their own brush heads-one for younger kids and one for older kids. My only complaint is that the set only comes with 2 brush heads (one of each) with no room on the charging base to add more. With 6 kids to brush, we will need more in another few months!

My sons both love their new Sonicare brush and it shows. Their teeth have been perfectly clean since the brush arrived! The brush appeals to kids with 3 different, funky faceplates that can be changed as desired. My kids actually want to brush their teeth now. I feel good knowing that they are doing a good job and I have more time to take care of their twin brothers and twin sisters. We all win!

Would like to try a Sonicare for Kids toothbrush? (You know you would!) BlogHer is giving away a $100 Visa gift card for one of my lucky readers. You have a total of 10 chances to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer Reviewers, plus the chance to win a Sonicare prize pack on the BlogHer.com special offers page!

To enter, leave me a comment below and tell me:
How do you handle your kids' dental hygiene?
or leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below.

The contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. (PST) on 10/15/2009 and will end at 5 p.m. (PST) on 11/15/2009. Make sure that the email address you leave is correct.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.
You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
This giveaway is open to US-residents, 18 years of age or older
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
Please see the official rules here: http://www.blogher.com/sonicare-kids-sweepstakes-official-rules"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Official rules

Official site

Secrets of the Sea

2009-09-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Picking toys is not easy and there is a toy website called ebeanstalk that is dedicated to selecting good, safe learning toys. They need help from moms (like me!) to help pick the toys. We recently received a game from ebeanstalk for Matthew (age 6) and Joshua (age 5) to review. My boys absolutely love board games and we have quite a collection of them. They were both very excited to try out a new game! The game they sent is called Secrets of the Sea from Playroom Entertainment, who makes great educational toys.

As with any new game, I spent several minutes reading the directions while the boys frantically set up the game pieces. There are a lot of small tiles that are placed on the game board but the set up is simple enough that the kids can do it themselves. There is a game piece that requires the installation of a battery (included) so I had to do that for them.

The theme of Secrets of the Sea is a deep sea dive. The object of the game is to dive to the bottom of the sea and earn points along the way by collecting treasure, battling sea monsters, and earning rewards. The game seems a bit complicated at first and my boys were more interested in using the "mystery light" than listening to me read instructions. Once we played one game together, they were experts. They spent an entire afternoon playing together. Two boys playing quietly together? Unbelievable.
The best part of this game, according to Matthew and Joshua, is the mystery light. Each player begins their "dive" at the top of the game board. They roll the dice to determine how deep they can dive and then choose a tile accordingly. Once they pick a tile, they shine the mystery light on the blue surface of the tile to reveal a secret picture. In the words of my 6-year old son, it is "awesome!"
Each player takes turns diving and collecting tiles. There are rewards (treasure chests, gold, etc.) and there are even sea monsters that must be defeated. The players keep diving until they reach the shipwreck at the bottom of the game board or until all of the tiles are gone from the board. The winner of the game is determined by who has the most points, based on the tiles collected.

Secrets of the Sea is a unique board game because of the very cool mystery light. The concept of the game is easy to grasp and appealing to school-age children. The game is intended for children ages 5 and up. I have to admit, I even enjoyed it myself! Up to 4 players can play together, but only 2 are required. This makes it a perfect "quiet time" game for the big kids while I'm taking care of the little kids.

I think Secrets of the Sea even appeals to children who don't typically like board games because the mystery light makes even more interesting than the usual roll-dice-move-peg type games. I love to give (and receive!) board games as Christmas gifts and this is one that I would definitely recommend. My 6-year old and 5-year old loved this game and ebeanstalk has a large selection of 5 year old toys and games. Check out ebeanstalk for more educational toys and games for all ages.

I was given the Secrets of the Sea game in exchange for offering an honest review for ebeanstalk. No other compensation was received.

Dad's Wooden Toys

2009-08-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to write about the great baby teethers that I purchased from Dad's Wooden Toys. I found out about this shop because the toys are made by a father of twins. All of the toys in his Etsy shop are plain wood with no chemicals, dyes, or toxic finishes. I love that the toys leave so much to the imagination and are safe even for young infants!

I bought Nathan & Ryan each a pair of teethers. It was hard to choose which ones to get but in the end I picked the turtle, car, snail, and frog. Each teether has soft, rounded edges and they are very easy for even the tiniest fingers to grasp. An added bonus-those razor sharp first teeth can sink into the soft wood instead of my arm!

The toys from Dad's Wooden Toys are high-quality and I love the fact that they are handmade and not mass-produced in a factory. I'd rather support a family like mine than some faceless corporation. Basically, these are toys I can feel good about and I can feel safe giving them to my children as well.
Besides wooden teethers, Dad's Wooden Toys also offers adorable wooden animals and figurines, heirloom oak building blocks, and interchangeable puzzle piece animal sets. There are toys for children of all ages. I know I'll be buying some of the animals for my children this Christmas. You are never to old for some great imaginative play!

I did not receive any compensation for this review. I just loved the products so much that I wanted to share!

Natural Toys

2008-10-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

I'm sure everyone is now aware of the dangers of certain toys that may contain lead paint, small magnets, etc. after the huge recalls last summer. This prompted many parents to start buying "China-free" toys and other products. Safety is obviously a huge concern and with so many people "going green" it only makes sense that our childrens' toys should follow suit.

I was already a fan of natural toys before the recalls but was even more resolved to find cool toys that were safe for my kids. I love Waldorf type toys that encourage imaginative play. In my quest for exciting new toys I came across some great websites such as Sara's Toy Box and the big toy stores like Oompa and Magic Cabin.

Last Christmas my kids were delighted to receive a wooden playstand and the entire PlanCity set with parking garage and little wooden vehicles. It was a huge hit! We also discovered Automoblox which soon became the boys' favorite toys. (This year we are hoping to get a nice wooden kitchen set for our kids!) PlanToys in particular is a very responsible company that takes pride in being eco-friendly. Their toys are made of organic rubberwood and dyed with water- and plant-based inks.

Sometime in the midst of our toy purging my friend Christen also decided to make the switch to more natural toys. And soon she became somewhat... shall we say obsessed? Out of her new found obsession Lizzy Bee Natural was born.

Lizzy Bee Natural is still relatively new but new products are always being added. From our favorite Automoblox to the adorable PlanToys tea set, there is something for everyone. Because I know the owner so well I can confidently assure you that she has great customer service and she really knows her toys!

From now through December 10th you can use the code "twinsanity" to save 15% off of any order (excluding cloth diapers.) You can't beat that deal for some of the coolest toys around!

I did not receive any compensation for this review. I just wanted to share the news about this great store!

Swingers!

2008-10-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

My boys have just become swingers! The first in the family as a matter of fact!

I've somehow survived infancy with 4 other children before discovering the joys of using a swing. With my oldest child I never bought a swing and he loved his bouncy seat (that's how I snuck in a daily shower) so I just used that instead. When Baby #2 came along I never thought twice about buying a swing since we hadn't used one before. When the first set of twins arrived I did think that a swing would be useful but wasn't going to go buy 2 of them without knowing if the babies would like them. (These were the same babies that hated their bouncy seats!)

Fast forward a few years.

Meet the Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Cradle 'N Swing.
When I was given this swing recently I was excited to finally try an infant swing with my babies. And since these new babies are my fifth and sixth children in less than 6 years- and my second set of twins- I figured the swing would get some use. I was right.

At first neither baby would let me put them in the swing. This is because they wouldn't let me put them down at all! When we tried the swing there was screaming and so we waited a couple of weeks and tried again.

No more screaming now.

I am what some might call an "AP" parent. That is, we practice a lot of the principles of attachment parenting. Usually I have a baby in my arms or I am wearing them in a Mei Tai carrier. With just one baby this is easy! When you start adding more babies it becomes a bit challenging.

I love having the option of putting a sleepy baby into the swing. I will usually nurse the babies and then put the sleepier one in the swing while I wear the other one in the carrier. This leaves my hands free to take care of the other children and (usually) buys us some quiet time.

This swing is perfect for newborns because it has a cradle motion that gently rocks the baby from side to side. My twin boys were about 4 weeks old when they started to really enjoy the swing. There are different speed settings so even the youngest infant can be lulled to sleep. My favorite thing about this swing is the plush fabric. I have never felt such soft fabric. The headrest is so nice that I've considered removing it to use on my bed. Seriously.

At almost 7 weeks old my babies are starting to take an interest in the mobile that hangs over the seat. The mobile is fascinating to them because it has a globe-shaped mirror that is surrounded by soft stuffed lambs. You can even set the mobile to rotate. My babies will actually sit in the swing when it's not moving and just stare at the moving mobile while listening to the soft nature sounds it plays.

As my babies grow we'll get to test out another versatile feature of this swing- the seat converts to a traditional swing so that baby can swing in a front-to-back motion. This works well for older babies who want more stimulation.

For now, this swing is like an extra set of arms for me. Sometimes it's the only way I get lunch made or get the twin toddlers' diapers changed. When I can't have the babies in my arms, I have a nice, soft place to set them for a few minutes. And that is priceless in the House of Twinsanity!

I was given a swing by Fisher-Price in exchange for offering an honest review of their product. No other compensation was received.