MOM CONFESSIONALS

{ disclosure : samples received and coupons for free products were given to guests }

This past weekend I hosted a Dr. Andrew Weil Baby House Party with some of my pregger and mommy friends.  With all the hype over the BPA controversy — which I hope isn’t a controversy anymore — I was shocked to find out that many new, first time moms and mommies-to-be had no idea about the dangers of BPA!  Yes, I was even disappointed in myself, being their friend, not bringing it up sooner amongst all our talks about breastfeeding and getting ready for baby… how did the topic of BPA slip us?

I then slyly asked, so why did you want to come to my party if not to learn about the BPA-Free line of products… they answered… you throw awesome parties…  you always giveaway free stuff… who doesn’t love free stuff?!  I have to love the honesty of my friends.  They did also say that it looked like they were going to get some really cool looking bottles to try.  They were not disappointed.

I was definitely intrigued for my own knowledge to know what set this line apart for the bevy of baby bottles available out there.  With the name Dr. Andrew Weil attached to it nonetheless.  This man proved to be my lifesaver during this pregnancy when I was diagnosed with a severe case of pregnancy eczema.  I wanted to tear the skin off my entire body, but mostly I was concerned with my face.  In a desperate attempt to stop scratching I indulged in a FREE Origins Facial and Dr. Andrew Weil’s Plantidote line gave me some much needed relief — I was hooked!  So I asked Dr. Weil, what is this you’re doing for my unborn son?!  Forgetting about the snazzy modern design, it’s a new line of BPA Free Feeding Tools in both Tritan and Glass!  Also noted was that all parts are engineered, tested and manufactured in the USA to ensure they meet the strictest quality control standards.

Since breastfeeding has been a major topic, they were all happy to see that this system strongly supports breastfeeding first, and the line as a support.  The AirWave vent system effectively works to reduce colic, for some of us repeat moms, that was a concern.

One mom commented on the soft nipple, her having a newborn that was so incredibly picky with nipples, she felt it would pass the test.  Another mom raved about the wide neck which allowed for easy cleaning.  A couple of times it was said how very NY or Metro the design was.  We could see the Bugaboo mom’s toting these bottles around the city.

I was more partial to the glass bottle since I’m leaning towards using glass, but the Tritan bottles were beautiful and many noted not the fuzzy unclear BPA-free bottles too.  What is Tritan you ask?  It is a plastic made from copolyester.  It is BPA-free, Recycle Resin #7, impact and shatter resistant, dishwasher safe and able to be sterilized.  Some plastics with a No. 7 code are polycarbonates, which do contain BPA, yet there are many plastics in the category that do not contain BPA, including Eastman Tritan™ copolyester.  It claims not to retain flavors from previous containments ensuring a fresh expected taste experience.

Another warm-fuzzy feeling thing about Dr. Weil Baby is that all of the products and packaging are recyclable to reduce the carbon footprint.  We’re particularly digging the biodegradable Biomax insert that breaks down in water!

As some mom’s couldn’t make the party, that means a coup for you guys!  I’m giving away 3 coupons for a FREE Dr. Andrew Weil Baby Bottle (5oz or 9oz Tritan Tritan- your choice up to $8.99 value) to (1)  lucky winner.  To ENTER, from now until October 12th, leave a comment with your SAGE advice for a new mom and you’ll have a chance to win the Weil Baby Prize Pack. Get up to (two) bonus entry if you follow me on twitter @greenbaby_nyc and re-tweet this giveaway as well as becoming a fan on Facebook.  Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses. Giveaway ends on October 12th, 2009 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

For my TWITTER friends, a bonus contest for the 15th Tweet of this contest, you’ll win (1) coupon for a FREE Dr. Andrew Weil Baby Bottle (5oz or 90z Tritan – your choice, up to $8.99 value). (One) entry per twitter account, per day.  Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses.

If you can’t wait to see if you’re a winner, you can download a generous $5 coupon off a $15 Weil Baby purchase at Babies R Us.

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I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Jillian Michaels’ exclusive preview of her new Fitness Ultimatum 2010 for Nintendo Wii and DS last week.

Best known as the strength trainer and life coach on NBC’s hit series “The Biggest Loser.”  I admit I’ve never actually watched the show, instead I am more familiar with her workout DVD’s, one of which I used to get my butt back in shape after being on bed rest for 7 months and delivering via c-section two years ago – Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred.  While it was easy to lose the weight while breastfeeding, I wanted the tone that Jillian showed on the cover of her DVDs.  Let me tell you, her body was even more impressive face to face.  Drool worthy biceps!

The event was held at the Chelsea Piers Sports Center where she debuted her 2nd and much anticipated “Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010″.  Her first video game, “Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009” had sold over 600,000 units.  During the event she took us through

many of the new features and discussed the entire process, personal philosophy and approach

to creating the game.  She spent countless hours in a motion capture suit to ensure the exercises were accurately portraying her movements.  This updated game, utilizing the Wii Balance Board accessory, was designed personally by Jillian herself and includes many new features such as my favorite,  the “Resolutions” mode which features customizable “realistic” training calendar, planning routines for up to 6 months in advance, tracking your progress!  Set on a rugged Pacific jungle island, you train One-on-One with Jillian(‘s avatar) while she motivates and kicks your butt with the wit and personality you see on “The Biggest Loser”.  I was incredibly impressed by the entire format.  I am a former gym rat turned workout DVD user.  The feedback and responsiveness of the game is something you simply cannot achieve with a DVD workout.  DVD’s don’t account for the inaccuracy of your form or motivate you when you’re slowing down.  This game through its constant feedback from the motion detection in the balance board and joystick does just that.  I appreciate the ability to skip exercises that you might not be too comfortable with, although, mark my word, the game compensates with other exercises that will help you reach your end goal.   This is a serious workout tool, but if looking at it as a game is what gets you moving, by all means, it’s a GAME!

Meeting Jillian was an incredible experience.  She isn’t your typical celebrity.  So incredibly accessible to her fans, she was eagerly engaging us and talking to us.  Amidst picture-taking and autographing books, she answered as many questions as she could about motivating ourselves,  simple steps to creating a healthier life… very relatable and honest.   Some things that really resonated with me was finding your own “mantra” or motivation.  No one can motivate you  but yourself.  You have to want it badly enough.  Also being healthier is as simple as eating right (organic), getting enough sleep (duh!) and exercising.  Just incorporating those 3 little things and you will have significantly improved your quality of life.  I, sadly, still do not have a Wii, despite wanting one FOREVER!  But perhaps my DH will want (hint, hint!) to get me one as my push present.  Seeing this  video game makes me want one even more.  In the meantime, I’ll have to run next door and sneak in a game or two at my nephew’s.  I hear getting your body back after

subsequent pregnancies gets harder and harder – argh!  I’m going to need Jillian to kick my butt again!

Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 for Nintendo Wii releases October 6th and the DS version releases October 2oth.  For more  information please visit www.jillianmichaels.com.

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If your child is anything like mine, you’re probably struggling like I am to get them to eat their fruits and veggies.  I’ve resorted to disguising when I can and my success rate is still questionable.  Genius things like juice pouches which contain a full serving of fruits and vegetables and my latest find Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Pouches are perfect for kids like mine.  The minute I opened the box, my daughter was begging to have one… the “pink” one of course.  Boy did she love it!  Similar to squeezable drink pouches, she walked around the house sucking on the thing, only giving it up once she was done.  It was an instant hit!  I, of course, loved that it was organic.  I definitely make my share of the effort to make sure she gets as much organics into her as possible and limiting/balancing what I know most of which she will consume is not.  Yes, regaining some of that control.  The pouches are perfect on the go snacks, no added sugar and definitely not diluted with water or juices – simply PURE fruit – that don’t need to be refrigerated.  Simply toss into her school bag or your own bag and you’re off.  I’ll even admit to eating one or two.  Being 6 months pregnant, I often find myself running low on energy and in dire need of food.  The little portable fruit pouches were the perfect pick me up.

Peter Rabbit Organics is a small privately owned company based in the UK.  Their lives are filled with kids everywhere… the perfect inspiration and audience for their delicious fruit pouches.  We’re thrilled to offer to (3) of our lucky readers a chance to win a Peter Rabbit Organics Sampler to try all three of their scrumptious flavors.  If you can’t wait to try it, find out where to get it in your neighborhood at: http://www.peterrabbitorganics.com/where-to-buy.  It is also available through Amazon.com.

To ENTER, from now until September 26th, leave a comment on how you get your kids to eat their daily fruit and vegetable requirements  and you’ll have a chance to win ONE of Three Peter Rabbit Organics Samplers.  Get up to (two) bonus entry if you follow me on twitter @greenbaby_nyc and re-tweet this giveaway as well as becoming a fan on Facebook. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses. Giveaway ends on September 26, 2009 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

UPDATE: Lucky #25, 13 & 44, you are the winner! Please check your email and reply with your address. Congratulations and thanks to all who entered!

{ disclosure : samples requested and received }

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This weekend I hosted a SOYJOY House Party.  We had everyone from Daddies, Mommies and babies stretching Yoga and enjoying our SPA-BQ… Yes you read right… SPA -B – Q. We made this a party for everyone!  In actuality, I used the BBQ part to lure the men in because health education is for EVERYONE!  We munched on everything from edamame to guacamole, roasted corn on the cob and drank everything from soy milk (the Chinese supermarket kind) to organic juices from my own pantry.  We played games with prizes such as a Yoga Mat w/carrier, SELF Magazine’s Ultimate De-Stress Yoga DVD, Real Simple Water Bottle (Jug if anyone asks me) and a SOYJOY Apron.  I didn’t hear any complaints afterwards – to good food and good health!

selection of our SPA-B-Q Menu

Being Chinese, SOY is practically a staple in our diet.  But in the form we eat it, I’m not sure its always so healthy (soy sauce, fermented soy pasted – definitely not made from whole soy)… but some things like tofu, edamame and soy drinks are.  Being a vegetable I just assumed it was healthy but because it’s such a pale green, I usually dismissed its hidden health benefits.  Did you know Soy is good for the HEART?!  It contains soy protein, heart healthy fats including omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals including folate, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium.  They are cholesterol free, low in saturated fat, and a good source of fiber.  Soy is also rich in isoflavones – plant-based compounds with antioxidant properties that may help support bone health.  Being pregnant I know all of that is good for me!  SoyJoy bars are the perfect nutritious on the go snack.  I have to say with everyone sampling all the delicious SoyJoy bars, my own little Ava didn’t want to be left out.  Since it wasn’t super sweet like some of her other snack bars I was surprised how much she like them – her favorite being berry.  The most exotic of the  flavors was the Mango Coconut which I found funny that only the women were willing to try it.

I’m sharing the love and you have a chance to win your very own SOYJOY Prize Pack which includes the following:

- Assortment of SOYJOY bars:

• Berry
• Strawberry
• Mango Coconut
• Peanut Chocolate Chip
• Apple Walnut
• Raisin Almond

- SOYJOY Measuring Spoon

- SOYJOY / RedBook Headband

- Kate Geagan’s Go Green Get Lean Book – awesome book!

- Yoga Morn-Nite DVD Journal

To ENTER, from now until September 4th, leave a comment describing what puts you in your ZEN moment and you’ll have a chance to win the SOYJOY Prize Pack. Get up to (two) bonus entry if you follow me on twitter @greenbaby_nyc and retweet this giveaway as well as becoming a fan on Facebook.  Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses. Giveaway ends on September 4, 2009 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

UPDATE: Lucky #11, you are the winner! Please check your email and reply with your address. Congratulations and thanks to all who entered!

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With all the hoopla surrounding BPA and other leaching chemicals and its prevalance everywhere it seems in our lives from baby bottles, water bottles to canned goods. It’s been hard to find safe alternatives.  I recently stumbled upon a company called Love Bottle.  What immediately attracted me was the name, but what drew me in was the elegance of the concept.  One of my favorite ideals is “finding beauty in the old”.  Made from recycled glass, these bottles are reusable, customizable and did I say CHIC!  They believe if you feel good when you look at your bottle, you will feel great when you drink out of your bottle.  Water tastes best out of glass, it won’t leach any harmful chemicals into it either ~ let me tell you… it’s delish!
It comes in over 14 designs and two sizes, 500ml (approx. size of a beer bottle) or 1000ml (approx. size of a wine bottle).  Additional accessories include bottle carriers and coolers for taking it on-the-go, cleaning brushes, funnels, additional old-fashioned ceramic lids of varying designs, as well as stickers and bands for further personalization.   My personal favorite has to be the “dream big and never let go” etched designed 1000ml.   Priced between $15 – $19, they are incredibly reasonably priced for something so elegant and practical.

Spreading their love even further, this company believes that every human being deserves the right to clean water and has joined up with Global Water to help make this belief a reality.  Did you know that currently over one billion human beings do not have easy access to clean water?  To help improve and protect our water, they have also donated a portion of their proceeds to Clean Water Action.

The designer in me LOVED this, you can be the next designer of the Love Bottle.  Details can be found here for design submissions.

Ahhhh… they have appealed to me in every way possible… If you catch me dancing through Central Park with my Love Bottle swung over my shoulder in its chic black carrier say HI!

{ disclosure : samples personally requested & received }

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The other day my family and I had the wonderful opportunity (again!) to meet more blogger mommies and their families at the Kleenex Battle the Bug event at the Bronx Zoo. It was the last stop of their nationwide tour to launch their new Anti-Viral tissue with educational games and displays for the kids. My daughter and others got to “Whack A Bug”, play an interactive game, catching bugs and learning interesting things like, a single uncovered sneeze releases over 100,000 germy droplets traveling at over 200 miles per hour covering at least 3 feet — eww! They also got to meet Ahhh-Choo, Kleenex’s “Germ” Bug.

The adults had an opportunity to speak with Jean Grabeel, Executive Director of the National Association of School Nurses, (and mom to one of High School Musical’s actors) as she gave us tips on keeping our kids healthy and safe during flu season. Some of the important points I definitely will be keeping in mind are:

Teaching your kids the importance of thoroughly washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap. My GREEN suggestion is something all-natural like my go-to CleanWell Hand Soaps.

Making a fun game out getting your kids to remember to cover their mouths and noses when they sneeze… How you ask? Let them practice sneezing as loud as they can into a Kleenex Anti-Viral tissue and reward them with stickers when they do!

1. A point I wish all parents would remember, if your child shows symptoms of being sick, KEEP them at home. I know its hard in this society with two working parents but you’re not preventing the inevitable and you’re only helping to spread the illness and making it difficult for other working parents who will also eventually have to take time off to care for an ill child.
3. One of the key things I think many parents side bar when thinking of preventing flu is something as simple as having good a good nutritional diet. I appreciated Nurse Jean pointing out that we live in a fast-paced, ready-prepared society and often our kids aren’t getting their RDA of vitamins, fruits and vegetables. Taking a good multivitamin such as my favorite ShakleeBaby MultiMineral and MultiVitamin formula goes a long way in building a child’s immunity.

Another point learned, albeit a minor one that has often crossed my mind with a sports playing fanatic husband in the house, Gatorade and other sports drinks, is not for regular consumption! It contains an enormous amount of sugar and electrolytes whose purpose is for refueling, not for normal thirst quenching.

Throughout this event they were of course touting their Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissues which guarantees to kill 99.9% of germs within 15 minutes thanks to a moisture-active layer. You can bet I will be looking into what exactly in that layer but the concept sounds good to me so far. I definitely know in my household, people sneeze and leave their tissues lying around. When my daughter is feeling her helper mood, I can see her running around grabbing all those germ-laced tissues for disposal – CRINGE!

Thank you to Kleenex Anti-Viral, Nurse Grabeel and The Motherhood for hosting such a fun and informative event!

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So there I was all set to check out at Whole Foods. Already beating myself up for all the extras I just threw into my cart (ie., a small tiramisu, package of Tate’s Bakeshop Chocolate Chip Cookies, guacamole, cranberry scones and garlic naan!)… I went solely for the purpose of buying juice for Ava and somehow I walked out spending almost $75… argh! While flirting with the little toddler Ava’s age, sitting in the cart in front of me, when I happened to peek at items on the conveyor belt… I’m always a sucker for cute interesting packaging and the Smooze Fruit Ice box caught my eye.

Now Ava recently has been obsessed with frozen desserts. It began when her grandmother began sharing her Drumsticks, the ice cream cone sundae frozen treat. It was a nightly ritual much to my dismay. Now I love seeing my daughter so happy, but you know that nagging Mommy feeling I can’t ignore?! I knew her dietary consumption was way off kilter… A few weeks ago I started making my own fruit ice pops with molds purchased from Target. I was thrilled to discover that its just the frozen part in general that my daughter likes. It doesn’t HAVE to be ice cream. She’ll happily eat Italian ices (Ralph’s of course in sophisticated flavors like black raspberry and passion fruit), pre-packaged frozen fruit juice sticks, etc.,

After discovering some frozen strawberries in my fridge due to a malfunction, I ventured into my first homemade pop experiment of strawberries, orange juice, a little lemon and a smidge of sugar… it was a smashing hit! Being ever the modern mom, I found a happy medium to making my own when I can and purchasing somewhat healthy versions in my grocer’s freezer aisle. That’s where Smooze comes in! Maybe its the Asian in me… but the flavors are mouth-watering… passion fruit, mango, pineapple & pink guava all blended with coconut milk. It’s perfect for the kids with dietary constraints. It is dairy free, gluten free, GM free as well as 0% cholesterol, 0% trans fats and Vegan.

Okay so all that matters little to the kids, but the packaging takes me back to the old days in elementary school where we’d occasionally get a triangle frozen treat. My guess is that it was made of high fructose corn syrup and other sweet goodies… but not Smooze! I read some reviews that kids might not like the flavors as its subtle and not too sweet but I think differently. It may be that my Ava is still drinking juice highly diluted with water, but she has been exposed to the sweetness of ice cream and Italian ices… and yet she devoured her smooze and asked for more… I was happy to see her open to different and unique flavor combinations such as the mango & coconut smooze she ate.

So in addition to the Smooze Fruit Ice, which is sure to be a staple in our freezer, I also whipped up a peach, mango, OJ fruit ice to jazz things up a little… God, I love my mini food processor!

{ disclosure : self purchased }

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After being without Central Air for over 7 weeks while Con Edison figured out how to fix our problem, I was so relieved (despite the late hour) when they came and promised us power by 11pm that Saturday night. What was unexpected was the hours we would be powerless until the situation resolved itself. I guess I should be grateful that it was later in the evening, near bed time and it was a cool summer night, unlike the humid sticky night the previous. Out came our hand crank flashlights (gosh I love those things!) and a few battery powered ones that were lying around the house. Totally unprepared ahead of time, it was interesting watching as MIL fretted over the fridge and its contents, kids running around in the dark, attempting to brush teethes and ready for bed… thank God the hand cranked flashlight provided much entertainment as Ava tried to keep it lit… bless her little heart. This combined with a car towing incident, which I won’t get into, really made me think about what would happen if this really was an emergency. I certainly was not prepared for a few hours without power, but what happens if it was for longer or something even worse?! Are you prepared?!

Aside from a simple Target Emergency Kit purchased on a whim after a September 11th remembrance (I worked at the World Financial Center, right next door and lost a co-worker during the attack), I realized we were hardly prepared. When the power suddenly cut off, DH was running around the house searching for flashlights. What still puzzles me is how he knew were they were and I did not… shame on me… I only remembered vaguely a purchased toy crank from the Brooklyn Children’s Museum which I had put in my nightstand just a few weeks earlier.

What would you consider essentials in an emergency of any kind? I googled and came up with this handy list from NYC, Plan to be Prepared. What I found most important about this list, and call me paranoid, but I was running down the west side highway as the twin towers collapsed behind me with dust billowing everywhere, was making a plan and communicating with your family. Key points I will definitely be implementing:

1. Have a hand cranked radio on hand… know the EAS (Emergency Alert System) channels. For NYC, 1010am is always a sure bet.
2. Lots of the hand cranked flashlights… you never know how long a situation will last.
3. Select two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
4. Identify an out-of-town friend or relative as your “emergency family check-in contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated.
5. Keep family records in a waterproof and fireproof safe – and KNOW where it is and how to get to it.
6. Have emergency supplies on hand similar to my Target Emergency Kit (no longer available), like the SafeGuard 2-Person Emergency Preparedness Kit.

Definitely read the Plan to be Prepared list and tweak it for your own family. As a woman, there is no excuse to leave it up to a man. There might not be one available when you need one. You never can be too prepared for an emergency – natural disaster, power outage or a terrorist act. They can occur quickly and without warning.

Another thing I’ve often thought about and never implemented… but will in the coming weeks… is a HOUSE book. A book which contains every detail about your household from:

• doctor’s phone #’s
• vital information on each family member
• account #’s for con edison, telephone, car insurance including license plate numbers, etc.,
• a copy of emergency plan
• warranty plans & associated numbers

Put it in your safe with those vital docs… That box might save yours or someone in your family’s life some day.

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