MOM CONFESSIONALS

Recently I was invited to the launch party for Honest Company hosted by MomTrends and got a chance to meet the fabulously gorgeous Jessica Alba, one of the founders of this revolutionary company.  We listened to hear tell the story of her early days as a new parent and it echoed my very own experience.  I became a parent during the early uproar over BPA in bottles and remember the ignited fear within.   I began countless hours of research and at every turn I was more and more horrified.  Not just at the chemicals in everyday products we used but also at the high costs for products that were safer.  “I’ve spent way too many hours researching products and driving around trying to find safer, eco-friendly options for my kids,” exclaimed Jessica Alba, President and founder. “I knew that most people didn’t have that kind of time, nor the means to pay the premium prices. We had to make it easier.”  She teamed up with Christopher Gavigan, former Healthy Child Healthy World CEO; Brian Lee, ShoeDazzle.com founder; and Sean Kane, PriceGrabber.com executive, to launch The Honest Company, an eco-friendly line of family essentials offered through a monthly subscription service at Honest.com.  That’s a pretty amazing team for sure!  Healthy Child Healthy World was my go-to site for the most reliable information and still is.  Meeting Christopher Gavigan was inspiring.  He admits to being asked for product recommendations all the time but it took a LOT of nudging from Jessica Alba to give birth to The Honest Company.  We’re glad he came on board.

Created for parents by parents, The Honest Company founders say they are committed to making safe, sustainable products more convenient, beautiful, and affordable.  While one might be skeptical about signing up for a monthly subscription service, I can barely commit to a magazine subscription, I was pleasantly surprised at the flexibility.  The products are curated into personalized bundles that are automatically shipped every month, and parents can try a FREE Discovery Kit, that includes a sample pack of diapers and wipes, or trial-sized versions of the bath, skin and cleaning products.   If you like the discovery kit, you can continue to receive a customizable kit of FULL size products monthly.  It’s an easy process, and members at Honest.com can purchase a monthly supply of non-toxic stylish diapers competitively priced at less than $20 a week, and can also choose a monthly supply of the body care and home cleaning essentials for under $9 a week.  When it’s put in those numbers, it makes a lot of sense.

I really can embrace the Honest Family Essentials Bundle model where I can select 5 out of 14 currently available products every month.  My needs are always constantly changing, not to mention being a little commitment phobic, having the flexibility to choose the products I need for the next month is awesome!  While I am just transitioning my littlest one out of diapers, I have to say the Honest Diaper Bundle is so gorgeous I even contemplated waiting a bit longer on potty training.  Completely natural & non-toxic – made from chlorine-free, bio-based absorbent, and plant-based materials, these diapers are not only stylish, but also ultra absorbent with a premium fit.

As one of the founders of Trumpeting Media, we love brands that have a charitable arm, doing some Social Good.  I was thrilled to hear that a portion of every dollar Honest Company earns goes to their non-profit partner Baby2Baby. This worthy nonprofit supplies local families in need with essential baby gear and clothing for children up to age four.  We love it!

In these days where BUSY doesn’t even begin to describe a parent’s typical day, convenience and value speaks to us.  We welcome The Honest Company to make every parent’s life a little more manageable.

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Is it me or is this holiday season particularly chaotic?!  There seems to be not enough time for anything these days and yet… I still need a good party to celebrate the holidays!

This season I’ve picked up some fabulous tips from some seasoned party planners, Debi Lilly and Jane Buckingham, to pull together a Holiday Soiree for the books — in a pinch and on a dime!  I have to say I was incredibly impressed with the results!

Debi Lilly had recently introduced me to her line of new affordable products and decorations for Safeway and I went GaGa over them!  The nearest Safeway is a bit of a trek for me, but no more than a trip to Stew Leonard’s is and we do that trip all the time!  Totally worth it if you’ve got grocery shopping still to do after all it’s a one stop shop.  I know what you’re thinking… don’t grocery store decorations usually classify as kitchy?  Well when Debi Lilly stamps her name to it, you know you’re in for a quality, stylish product.  I mean really, finding mercury glass in your grocery store?  Amazing!

First things first, use what you’re already got! Look at all the decorations you already have and see if you can recreate or take a twist on things!  Although my only set of cloth dinner napkins have seen better days and already have made their appearance, maybe one too many times at my parties, I whipped out my new cordless Panasonic 360° Freestyle Iron and lickity split I was ironing out all the creases and wrinkles and using them as decorative accents under my dish display.

Revamp your traditional glassware by customizing each glass with debi lilly design™ Double Faced Satin Ribbon in Taupe.   Taking that cue, I filled my glass bowls with unused ornaments and tied a ribbon around it just like the photo.

Finding ready to heat food items saves loads of time and are amazingly delicious too!  We got a chance to sample their baby maryland crab cakes , and scrumptiously addicting bumbleberry tarts.

With a few easy to make changes, they don’t have to look like something straight out of a freezer box.  Don’t just defrost and put out.  Debi Lilly makes presentation the focus and just elegantly displaying them on a plate with some garnish really makes it look like a world class dish.

Running around like a maniac with not enough time to cook.  The fabulous people at Panasonic and Jane Buckinghan showed some great dishes that are real crowd pleases to make in something as simple as their Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker!  I know you can’t imagine much more than rice being made, but we made …. You can set aside, and push the button at just the right time, or even pre-set the timer up to 24 hours in advance for a perfectly cooked dish!  Time schedule needs to be more flexible?  They’ve got you covered with a stay warm feature that doesn’t dry out your meal!

If you’re looking to redo your kitchen and plan on doing lots of entertaining, I’d recommend checking out the new Samsung Dual Oven Range.  Operating as a single cavity convection range or a double oven with independent temperature control when needed, with 5 burners and a warming compartment, you have the flexibility to create and entire holiday menu or just a small meal without wasting electricity.

A final spin around the room with my cordless Panasonic 360 Freestyle Iron, I iron out wrinkles in my curtains and table cloths on the fly.  It even let me vertically steam cloth too!  Great for steaming out my holiday dress in a pinch too.  Everything was picture perfect!

For some great inspiration, follow Debi Lilly on Pinterest, my new obsession.  Want to follow me too? You’ll see me pinning loads on my next project for the new year — finishing my basement and creating my dream laundry room… I know, how domesticated of me…  To shop Debi Lilly’s new collection for safeway and check out more tips for the holidays, visit at: http://www.safeway.com/ShopStores/Debi-Lilly

For all those last minute jams you might get into before the party, check out Jane Buckingham’s new book, The Modern Girls Guide to Sticky Situations.

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Written by Dr. JJ Levenstein, M.D., FAAP, president and co-founder of MD Moms
With the school year under way, children’s health should be a top priority for every family. Whether your little one has just started pre-school or is back to high school after a long summer break, making sure your child is healthy is vital to academic success. The following tips will ensure the entire family stays happy and healthy in these first few weeks of school and throughout the rest of the year.

Maintain healthy eating habits all day long. To maximize your child’s learning, make sure to leave time for a healthy breakfast. Without food to fuel their brains, children may find concentrating and learning in class difficult. A healthy, complete breakfast should include complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains and fruit), as well as protein and plenty of water. Avoid beverages high in sugar in order to avoid a potential high/low sugar surge. At school, lunch and snack times give children the energy boost they need to maintain their momentum all day long. When preparing food for your child to take to school, make sure to include different food groups, such as protein, dairy, vegetables and fruit. Examples of healthy snacks that can help your child refuel and stay focused on schoolwork include low-fat cheese sticks, nuts, whole-wheat crackers and yogurt.

Don’t put too much stress on the back. Your child’s spinal health is important to keep in mind each school year. When a child’s backpack is too heavy or worn incorrectly,muscles can fatigue or become overused, leading to back pain and muscle imbalance. Make sure your child’s backpack is the right size for his or her body and frame. Also, pack the heaviest items closest to the back, with lighter items in the front. One of the most important things to remember about backpack safety is that a child’s backpack should not weigh anymore than 10 to 20 percent of his or her body weight.

Sun protection shouldn’t end with summer vacation. Although students are in the classroom most of the day, they are often outside during recess, lunch and after-school activities. These activities happen in the peak UV sun hours (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Frequently, children are sent out to play without the protection of sun block, hats or sunglasses. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using at least an SPF 15 sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection. As a general rule, use one ounce of sunscreen (the size of a shot glass, or a palm full) per application. A good practice is to apply sunscreen in the car, enroute to school. Encourage your child to re-apply at lunchtime and after school if anticipating afternoon outdoor activities. MD Moms’ Baby Silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes, for example, contain SPF 30+ physical sunscreen and are easy to pack in your child’s book bag. Just be sure to check with your school before packing sunscreen, as some administrators require a doctor’s note prior to allowing a child to self-apply sun protection.

Don’t forget yearly checkups. Annual checkups with your child’s healthcare provider are pertinent to their learning success, and in fact many schools require them. At these checkups, children usually are screened for vision and hearing problems, allergies, anemia, sleep dysfunction and other issues that could hinder academic performance. Seeing your child’s doctor annually is a proactive way to avoid problems such as having trouble seeing the blackboard or hearing teachers speak.

Beware of germs. Sicknesses ranging from common colds to more serious maladies can spread easily between children during the school day. In order to curtail the spread of germs, make sure to teach your child the importance of washing his or her hands before meals and snacks, and encourage your child to NOT share food or beverages with other children, and practice “covering his cough”. Also, at your child’s annual checkup, make sure immunizations are up to date. Equipping your child with a small container of wipes or hand sanitizer makes remembering easy.

Extra points for staying active. By sitting behind a desk all day, children have less time for physical activity during the school year than they do in the summer. As a parent, you can find creative ways to maximize your time with your child by being active together. Turn on music and dance, have a pillow fight, race while walking home from school or clean the house together — anything to increase everyone’s heart rate and benefit cardiovascular health. Try to walk or bike to school, distance permitting.

Z’s lead to A’s. The more sleep a child gets, the better he or she is able to concentrate and excel in school. The school day can be exhausting and it is a parent’s job to make sure a child gets enough sleep to remain alert and refreshed throughout the school day. Generally, preschoolers need 12 hours (which can include naptime), kindergarteners need 11 hours, and children eight and older need an average of 10 hours. A healthy amount of sleep is important for both your child’s physical and emotional well-being.

GIVEAWAY: ONE (1) lucky reader will win a set of MD Moms Sunscreen Wipes!  To ENTER, from now until October 15th 2011 you MUST subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  For additional entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (Staying safe with MD Moms and @momconfessional’s #Giveaway! http://wp.me/pLvfH-17r) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends. DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on October 1st 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

{ disclosure:  Mom Confessionals was not compensated in any way for this post, nor did we receive any samples.  We believe in these few simple tips that while obvious, is so important. }

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Any way to sneak in some veggies into my child’s diet is awesome in my book!  When we discovered Revolution Food’s Organic Mashups I was giddy with Glee!  My kids are already huge fans of fruit pouches.  They are particularly amazing just to throw into your purse, diaper bag and school bag.  Revolution Food’s has a huge line of Organic Fruit Mashups but with their recent addition of Fruit & Veggies Mashups, its a quick healthy way to get your daily fruits and veggies without the fuss!  You would never be able to tell veggies were included, they taste that good! They’ve made this mom’s job a helluv a lot easier. I particularly love, in light of recent headline new that they always have No Transfats, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, and No Artificial Ingredients!  It’s a no brainer for Back to School!

Available in 3 Yummy flavors -  Beetbox Berry, Carroty Chop and Blueberry Blitz – in packages of 4, these fruit & veggie pouches with kid-safe, resealable caps are available at grocery stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com.

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Knowledge helps us make our decisions and determine what is best for ourselves. Most women want to breastfeed their babies. Sadly, many women wean months before their original breastfeeding goal.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for one year or for as long as is mutually desired by the mother and baby. According to the Center for Disease Control’s 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card, 74.6 percent of U.S. mothers begin breastfeeding at birth. However, more than half of those moms stop before six months and only 23.8 percent continue breastfeeding until baby’s first birthday. A variety of factors can contribute to moms not reaching their breastfeeding goals, including discomfort, lack of support, scheduling or work-related issues.  In order to achieve your six month and one-year milestones, I advise expectant moms to help themselves with the following steps:

Learn the Facts
Understanding how beneficial breastfeeding is for both you and baby is essential to your success. Medical research shows breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from disease early in life. Breastfeeding has been shown to protect against diseases in adulthood such as inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease. Babies who are not breastfed have a higher risk of ear infections, eczema, asthma, obesity, type one and two diabetes and childhood leukemia. Beyond the physical benefits of breastfeeding, baby receives emotional stability and a stronger parent-child bond from skin-to-skin contact with mom. In moments when you feel like quitting, remember the positive physical and emotional impact you’re making on both you and your child’s life. Take one day at a time.

Breastfeeding will help you get your little one off to the best possible start and it also has numerous benefits for moms.  Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type two diabetes and may have protection from future cardio-metabolic diseases. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus naturally contract and return to normal size after pregnancy.

Trust the Pros
Plan to learn as much as you can about breastfeeding before baby arrives. Breastfeeding classes are great for this. Talking to a Board Certified Lactation Consultant is a great source of information and will help you get personalized tips based on your specific situation. Make a list of questions and have them answered prior to your baby’s birth to reduce anxiety. This will help you start the process confidently and continue successfully. Don’t forget to check with your insurance provider before you make an appointment, as some cover lactation services.

Prepare at the Hospital
Take a tour at the hospital where you will deliver so you feel more comfortable when it is time for baby to arrive. Find out the hospital’s policies regarding skin-to-skin and breastfeeding. Moms who have immediate skin-to-skin contact with their babies through the first feeding increase their ease and comfort with breastfeeding. As soon as you arrive at the hospital, remind the doctors and nurses that you plan to breastfeed. Many times, hospitals are not fully equipped to help you breastfeed. Make your wishes clear and discuss concerns ahead of time to minimize any confusion. If the hospital is equipped to help you and provides a lactation consultant, ask your partner to stay and take notes, so you can learn together.

Secure a Support System
With a new baby, you need a support system. Many women run into obstacles and do not have the encouragement or information to overcome them. Lactation consultants and doctors can offer tips and support. While there is often a fee for a private practice lactation consultant, these services are well worth the expense – considering putting an LC visit on your baby shower wish-list. Invite a friend over who has breast-fed successfully to share experiences with someone who has been there. Also, support organizations such as La Leche League International, the Nursing Mothers’ Council and local hospitals often offer opportunities to meet and compare notes with other local breastfeeding mothers.  Most of all trust yourself to know what is best for you and your baby. Finally, make sure your partner and close family members are educated on the benefits of breastfeeding and are prepared to offer support and encouragement.

Plan for the Future
After you spend the first few weeks postpartum bonding with your baby, returning to work or your normal busy routine may become a distraction to breastfeeding. Some breastfeeding moms find a lack of privacy, inflexible schedules or fatigue can impede their breastfeeding intentions. Think about potential barriers and solutions ahead of time to help you stay on track. Before you return to work, talk to a human resources representative about your plans and understand your company’s policies and history with supporting breastfeeding mothers.  According to Section 4207 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, employers must provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom place for you to express your milk during your workday until your baby is one year old.

Choose the Right Pump
If you choose to pump, having the right equipment is vital. The first decision to make when choosing a pump is whether to buy a double electric pump or a manual pump. If you plan to exclusively breastfeed and need a pump occasionally, a manual pump may be your best choice. If you plan to work outside the home or be away from baby for several hours at a time, a double-electric pump may be better fit, You may decide to purchase both (put these on your baby shower registration).  Be sure to understand the specific features of the pump, and make sure it is right for you. A pump that is comfortable and easy to use will help you continue pumping. As you research pumps, check to see if the company has a warrantee or a guarantee for their product and if they have a track record for good customer service.  Be sure to open the pump you get, read the instructions, and know how to use it prior to your baby’s arrival. Understanding your pump ahead of needing to use it will help you avoid frustration once your baby arrives.

With the proper planning and support you can meet your breastfeeding goals. Years down the road you’ll be glad you persevered, and you will reflect fondly on those quiet moments you and your baby enjoyed as you provided the physical and emotional benefits of breast milk. Remember, you are the final expert on you. Knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding, understanding how breastfeeding works and knowing that it can work for you is your greatest advantage in this adventure.

GIVEAWAY: ONE (1) very lucky readers will win a Simplisse Gia Angled Breastfeeding Pillow and Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover!  To ENTER, from now until September 15th 2011 you MUST subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  For additional entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I just entered @momconfessional’s Simplisse & Bebe Au Lait #Giveaway! http://wp.me/pLvfH-15w) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends. DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on September 15th 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

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Bloggers, have you looked recently at all the stuff you’ve accumulated?  I’m not talking about just the swag, but the papers, press releases and ALL those flash drives!  I love those flash drives.  I’d rather get them than the hard copies but to that end, I’ve amassed over 84 of them in the past year.  I remember the days when I had to purchase one for school and they were a pretty penny.  Now I’m practically raining them!   It has become a mission for me to figure out what to do with all those flash drives.

Over time, a minute here and there, I open up my Mac Disk Utility and format those babies, one at a time.  Once formatted they’ve gone into a handy little box labeled FORMATTED.  At first I considered donating them to my daughter’s school.  While I am sure that they would greatly appreciate them, I wanted them to do a greater good.  A greater good you say?  What do I mean?

Well, a little research uncovered that flash drives are need for everyone from schools in under-served neighborhoods, to organizations helping teen boys find jobs and single moms returning to the work force.  A little more digging and I discovered some great places in New York City via a New York Magazine Article – “Where to Donate Everything” –to donate all my flash drives, blogger swag drag and all the other excess in my life.

The Flash Drives will be heading to Mercy Center  (377 E. 145th St., nr. Willis Ave., the Bronx; 718-993-2789) for its women’s job-training program, the center needs new 1 and 2 GB flash drives, which I’ve got a plethora of!

Looking at the list, I’ve got tons of used baby items that would be greatly appreciated by The Children’s Aid Society (105 E. 22nd St., at Park Ave. 212-949-4684)  The Society is in dire need of new shoes and apparel—as well as strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and high chairs—for the 100,000 kids (ages 0 to 11) that it serves. I’ve got much and yet so little of what they truly need.

How about it Bloggers and Friends, would you join me and make charity a year round thing?

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I’m a little crazy about sun protection as everyone should be.  I’m always scouring my family for signs of skin cancer.  No, there is no history in our family but at the same time, they love to be in the sun ALL the time. If they’d only invent a dip that lasts each summer season I would be so happy.  Every year it seems we’re searching for a new sunscreen.  Our first year was our California Baby Sunscreen.  As much as we loved it, it’s thick as can be and applying it can be somewhat of an art form.  It’s still our emergency sunscreen if we run out as it’s often commercially available at some of our favorite box-top stores.

This year I was hoping to find one that wasn’t as pastie and easier to apply, more like a lotion.  We stumbled upon Sunbow Sunscreen.  It is rated on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database with a score of 2.  While it’s not the lowest, it’s not the worst offender either (10 is the highest and worst score).  What I love about Sunbow is that my daughter loves it.  Why?  Because it is covered in her absolute favorite character, Dora the Explorer.  I struggle enough getting that first application of sunscreen on and a repeat is often a fight of will – will she or won’t she.  To prove my point, welcome to my little puerto rican princess.  People often look at her and then look at me and I can see their heads swimming in wonder, where is her mother?  Har Har Har… she tans dark.  Oh I hope for a summer where she colors more closely to mine.  While I intend not to abuse my skin, I plan on slathering her every hour instead of the recommended 2½ hours.  Hey a girl’s gotta try!  Maybe this summer she’ll be a little more Filipino?

Sunbow comes in 3 different application methods – tube, spray and stick.  It’s a winning combination.  While I found the tube as thick as our trusty California Baby, I’ve come to terms that it may be the best coverage yet.  We love the spray!  What I can appreciate is the fun colors that it applies on as, but dries CLEAR.  It lets me know that I haven’t missed a spot and the kids think it’s just magical!  My routine now includes tube first, spray for reapplication and stick for nose, ears and cheeks  – swipe, swipe and swipe!  Sometimes you have to embrace those characters, they can be your friends!  They will be a staple on our end of summer trip!

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My girl and I were invited to a Style Your Soles Party recently and learned so much about TOMS.  Just like their shoes, TOM’s motto is simple, ONE for ONE.  For every shoe purchased, TOMS gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need.  While we were having our very own version of Project Runway: TOMS, we learned that shoes are such a basic part of our daily living we often take it for granted.  In areas around the globe, many children don’t even know what a pair of shoes are.  For many, shoes symbolize an opportunity to go to school, an opportunity to get clean water, to make a living and even live a longer life.  Children dream of having a pair of shoes.

On any other given day I might have overlooked the simplicity of TOMS shoes, as they actually remind me of my own childhood, the simple canvas shoes I owed as a child when money was scarce in our family.  Upon closer inspection, they were nothing alike.  Slipping my feet into a pair of classic canvas, they were shockingly comfortable!  My 6.5 shoe size was an absolute perfect fit and I expect overtime to just mold to my feet.
The real stars of the brand for me were the TINY TOMS.  Seeing them on my children’s feet, I couldn’t help ooooh and ahhhhh over them, not just for the cuteness factor but that I knew my children were experience the same blissful comfort that I was.

Being able to take a small part in something greater by a purchase of a simple shoe is amazing.  Speaking to my sister who has traveled all over the world providing aid to those in need in places like India, Guatemala, the Middle East and rural South Africa, she echoed the amazing fulfillment a single pair of shoes can make for a child and their entire family.

While I can’t be as amazing as my sister, traveling the globe with my entire family, In addition to the canvas shoes TOMS provided for my family, right now there are 2 additional kids out there in this world with brand new shoes because I decided to be a smarter consumer.  My little girl will be rocking her, soon to arrive, pink sparkle classic canvas, for her very first day of school.  I’m already making my holiday list and think a pair of TOMS would make great gifts.  With so many styles beyond their classic canvas, I’m loving their metallic tweed wedges for fall and their woolen classics for winter.  They’ve even got a TOMS version of the oxford.

For more information on the TOMS movement, check out their very first Giving Report.  For more ways to get involved from having your own Style Your Soles Party, to signing up for A Day Without Shoes  or even starting a Campus Club.  Watch the video, get inspired and join the movement by becoming a MOMS for TOMS!

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Earlier this week I had the opportunity to check out the all new Nissan Leaf.  I was totally intrigued by a 100% electric car.  Although electric cars are not new to the market, it certainly seems to be picking up in popularity these days and this is the first MASS-marketed electric car to date.  Right off the bat we were told this electric car is not for everyone.  With only 100 miles to a full charge, this is great for 95% of America which drives less than that on any given day.  For those who do longer commutes, this isn’t for them.  That said, my skepticism was risen as my mother-in-law once did an average of 200 miles a day for her commute to and from work.  A fuel efficient car in my mind was ideal for her.  Putting that aside, I thought about my own daily car usage and surmised that this car might in fact be great for me.  With trips to drop the girl off to pre-kindergarten in September and a wishful job in her area, even if I made a stop at the mall or grocery store, I’d only clock about 50-60 miles.

Well that’s great and all, but how is it powered?  Electricity, yes… but how much and from where?  I found out it has a 24kWh lithium ion battery which fully charges for an approximate 100 miles.  On a 220v outlet, like the ones used to power your air conditioner and washer/dryer units, the Leaf will power up fully in 7 hours.  It can also be powered via your standard 110v home outlet for 16 hours.  What if you’re out and about, gone a little too far from home, where can you pick up a quick charge?  Nissan has teamed up with your local Walmart’s and Kmarts and other shopping centers to install their universal electric charging stations.  Not only can Nissan Leaf’s charge up, but so can other electric cars.  Using the commercially zoned 430v, the Nissan Leaf can be fully powered in an amazing 25 minutes.  Now that’s my kind of speed!  Unfortunately the 430v charge is only available commercially and while the charge is free while you do your shopping, the parking spot may cost you around $3-$5.

The real savings here is in the cost of gas.  At the national average of $3.89 a gallon, the Nissan Leaf is tooting an amazing 18¢ per kilowatt.  A full charge, equivalent to approximately 4 gallons of gas, will cost you approximately $4.50 to the $16.00 for gas.

So is the 100 mile per charge a true 100 miles?  I was told that the car can actually average as much as 130 miles per charge, but depending on the driver and their preferences for speed, heat or air conditioning, they can safely guarantee at least 100 miles on a full charge.  Making the car as efficient as possible, it also passively self charges — regenerative braking — when the car is stopped or cruising, the battery turns into a generator, as well as converting solar energy to electricity for use (in the SL model).

The car itself was impressive too.  The seats are make from partially recycled material such as plastic bottles — we loved that!  It seats a roomy 5 passengers in its super quiet cabin.  I was actually quite taken with how much room it had.  With my girl in the back, I still could imagine my other two fitting, car seats and all, quite comfortably.  As with other eco-cars, the drive itself was rather unassuming.  Aside from the dash turning on, you’ll never actually hear it turning on.  It actually takes some getting use to.  With only 3 modes — drive, reverse and park, it’s simplicity at its best.  You can still have all the bells and whistles that you’ve come to love in cars like a navigation system which notifies you where the nearest charging stations are, bluetooth phone systems and homelink transreceiver (SL model).

I was so excited to tell my husband all about it.  What I got instead was an interesting debate.  As a typical male, he made a lot of really great points which took my excitement down a few notches.  He loved how far electric cars have come but he said the real value would be for the drivers like his mother that do the long commutes.  They would see the payoffs in spades.  He felt if any car company  could get a charge to go up to 200-300 miles, more like a gas car, they would have a really good lock on the market.

He wasn’t as impressed by the thrown in charging station as I was.  I thought it was great that I never had to go searching for a gas station.  The car would always be ready for me when I needed it.  He raised questions about the installation of a 220v line to charge the car.  He felt this was a necessary install to minimize the actual charge time but could be a costly investment on top of the cost of the actual car.  He described that for ourselves, our line would have to be dug underground from our house to the garage and could cost us a couple thousand dollars to run this line.  He felt charging the car for 16 hours on a 110 line was shear ridiculousness and should only be done if you’re visiting a friend and need a little boost to get you home.  Well little did he know that Nissan actually helps with a home assessment to help identify what is needed to make the home Nissan Leaf ready.

He also wanted to know if installing the station locked him into continually buying Nissan electric cars, or was it also a universal unit?  It’s a universal babe!  He did like the idea of charging stations at grocery stores, etc., It was smart business, charging while you shop.  Although when we looked at the map, only a small percentage of the 13,000 charging stations being installed in 2012 will be Level 1 DC Quick Charges, sadly -zero- in New York.  He said if all the charging stations were the 430kWh Quick Charges and as easy to find as a grocery store, that would be ideal.  Soooo if Target had a charging station….

He agreed that this car would be great for someone like me to drive our girl to and from school and possibly my new job.  He was still worried about the car running out of “gas” as conditions can greatly effect the actual mileage gained from a full charge.  On a summer day, cooling the car can utilizing additional energy stores as well as a larger cargo weight after say shopping at our wholesale club.  When I told him you could pre-program the car, while charging over night to “wake-up” and heat/cool the car while still hooked up to power, reducing power usage, he was impressed.

I was actually amazed to learn that the Nissan Leaf had several warning mechanisms to a gas-powered cars one:

• The LEAF on-board navigation system is “smart” enough to tell you based on destination input and state of charge whether you have the range to “make it,” and if not, search for nearby charging station along the route, displaying your current range throughout the drive
• The telematics system called CARWINGS® will alert owners of the need to charge and find charging stations before it runs out of charge
• When your battery has 4kWh remaining, your empty warning light will come on. A notification on your screen will indicate where to find all charging stations within range.
• In the event that your battery becomes critically low, power limitation mode will automatically minimize your energy consumption and reduce your speed to help you get to a charging dock (like turning off AC)
• The “trickle charger” for a 110/120V 20-Amp dedicated outlet comes with the vehicle for emergencies to plug-in if necessary at slower rate.

If all that warning isn’t enough, it’s a good thing they throw in 3-years complimentary roadside assistance!  If there were more quick charge stations, I would definitely be an early adopter.  At an approximate $33,000 sticker price, I felt it incredibly reasonable.  With the Federal incentives up to $8500 in savings and additional incentives by state, it’s a NO BRAINER! For this NYC family, we get Unlimited use of Long Island Expressway HOV lanes by vehicle displaying clean vehicle sticker.  Wowzers!  The husband never considered a hybrid because of the miniscule savings (approximately an additional 5 miles to the gallon), not to mention the higher price tag because of the novelty.  He was definitely open to an electric car after learning all about the Nissan Leaf but convenience was his priority.  Actually he is more worried about me pushing the car to its limits.  I’m a little infamous for ignoring the empty tank warning. He he he!

Having seen charging stations all over California, I’m excited to see the whole country adapt.    I certainly think it’s time for an electric car.  So maybe my husband isn’t an early-adapter.  I was definitely impressed with how far it’s come and it definitely will come into consideration when we decide to purchase another family car.  It gave me a lot of food for thought. 

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Now that’s schools out, how does one keep the kiddies entertained in this summer heat?  Little Tikes has got us covered all summer long.  It’s not just all about fun, there has to be some balance.  Maybe with a little housework?  The toddler felt so professional with her Little Tikes Garden Tool Set by Imperial Toy, helping her father dig and install the new fencing around the house.  It was hard work, but so much fun!  I was amazed at how strong this little shovel (and rake) was.  She kept pace with her daddy, shovel by shovel and he credits her for making his job that much easier.

How to relax after an afternoon full of shoveling… Perhaps a little gardening?  Our garden experience thus far hasn’t been so successful, no thanks to my lack of watering skills.  Perhaps with this Little Tikes Garden Watering Can by Imperial Toy, we can sprinkle a little magic?!  With her very own can, who can’t get inspired to water her plants everyday even in the blistering summer heat!  It comes with a variety of pour options from a sprinkle to a full on waterfall for watering the most delicate of flowers to our hearty shrubs.  Our plants just might have a fighting chance this year afterall!

There’s gotta be some play in summer, and what better way than with bubbles.  It’s fun for kids of all ages and everyone down to the infant got into it.  This toy is shear brilliance and had us all excited.  All kids love big kid tools and this tool is as realistic as it is fun.  Fill up it’s “gas” chamber with bubbles and power it up!  Whether its blowing the Little Tikes Garden Bubble Leaf and Lawn Blower by Imperial Toy or chasing them, battery powered, it provides millions of bubbles and hours of entertainment as this mom sits curbside with her glass of lemonade.

What a wonderful way to spend summer!  Little Tykes Garden toys are available online at Amazon.com and at retailers such as Toys R Us and Target.  Get in gear for summer with Little Tykes by Imperial Toy!

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