Jolly Mom: Recipes | Crafts | Atlanta Mom Blogger | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews

A few weeks ago I had the sweetest surprise show up at my door-a box of Chobani Non Fat Greek Yogurt packed away into a little cooler. I mean, I knew that Chobani was sending me the yogurt to review, but what I didn't know was how much it would surprise me. I mean I LIKE yogurt well enough except that I always buy non-fat to be healthy and it's just not anywhere as good as the full fat versions. Then, you top that with artificial sweeteners and all of a sudden yogurt just becomes kind of OK. Anyhow, I decided to review Chobani Greek Yogurt because of it's health qualities-it has TWO TIMES the protein of traditional yogurts-not because I thought it would taste any better than the OK yogurt I've eaten before.

About Chobani Greek Yogurt (from the website):
Chobani Greek Yogurt is made from a centuries-old straining technique that enriches the texture and concentrate of protein in the yogurt, giving it more than two times the protein of traditional American yogurts. That burst of protein is what fuels your CHO, the energy we need to deal with everyday life. Chobani is an all-natural yogurt with a rich, smooth, creamy texture and full-bodied taste. Combine active probiotics for healthy digestion and immune-boosting benefits with calcium for strong bones, and it’s easy to see how Chobani is an essential part of the Mediterranean way of life.


Chobani sent me two of each of the following flavors to review: strawberry, blueberry, peach, vanilla, and plain. Immediately after receiving the yogurt, I opened up one of the peach containers. I took a bite and immediately said to Mike-"It's delicious, but this one must be full fat". I didn't think anything of it and gave Lucas a bite who immediately said, "mmmmm...gooooo" (he doesn't say the D-lol). Lucas literally devours the ENTIRE container and I open up a strawberry for ME. Again, I take a bite and say, "Is this full fat too?" I actually look at the container this time and it says NON FAT. I look at Lucas' empty container and his says NON FAT too! Honestly, this is the best yogurt I have ever eaten. It is rich and thick unlike any non fat yogurt I have ever tasted and the fruit is huge! But, it's not that Chobani Yogurt is good compared to other non fat yogurts-it's just DELICIOUS no matter what!


The biggest testament I can give is that since we received the free yogurt to review; we've purchased it THREE times. The only thing is that in my area, it can be a little hard to find. I sent Mike to Walmart, Kroger, and finally Publix before he found it. He was not so happy with me (LOL), but seriously-it's THAT good. Oh yeah, and it's healthy too! Chobani Greek Yogurt is ALL NATURAL which means that it is free of preservatives and added sweeteners, and uses high quality ingredients like milk that contains no artificial hormones. It's an excellent source of lean protein, calcium, and immune boosting probiotics. Each serving of Chobani Greek Yogurt provides at least 20% of an adult's daily calcium requirement and 34% of an adult's daily protein requirement (TWICE the amount of American yogurts)! Chobani Greek Yogurt gets a very enthusiastic thumbs up from me!

Want It: Chobani Greek Yogurt is currently available in regional grocery and specialty food stores throughout the country. For more information about Chobani, visit www.chobani.com.

Spicing up your wardrobe is really easy to do with the right jewelry and accessories. For instance, I tend to dress in monochromatic colors so one of the things that I do to add life to my outfits is to wear colorful jewelry. I recently discovered an amazing online boutique, called Abella Galleries that sells gorgeous, custom designed jewelry that will add color and vibrancy to your wardrobe!

About Abella Galleries (from the website):
Officially launched online in December 2008, Abella Galleries now features Elizabeth's vibrant turquoise and white stone jewelry designs. In the coming months, Abella Galleries hopes to add unique, colored freshwater pearl jewelry designs by Elizabeth as well as the sterling silver jewelry designs of a skilled silversmith based out of Nashville, Tennessee, and the elegant bridal jewelry designs of an artist living in Jacksonville, Florida.


Abella Galleries sent me the Blue Meadow Oval 33 inch turquoise beaded necklace to review and it is truly stunning! It is made from dyed howlite green turquoise beads and has a sterling silver toggle clasp and fittings. Turquoise is actually one of my favorite stones because it adds so much personality and life to every outfit- so let's just say that this necklace had me at hello. The Blue Meadow Oval necklace is also very versatile-pair it with a casual skirt, jeans, or capris for a casual look or wear it with a black dress and heels for a night on the town. Since the necklace is long, you can double it up and wear it as a choker or even wrap it around you wrist as a bracelet. Personally, I like to wear the necklace long for a look that I can only describe as simple elegance. The Blue Meadow Oval is really a necklace that most women-no matter their style-will love! At $40 for the 33 inch and $25 for the 18 inch, it is also very affordable!


Abella Galleries jewelry is not just pretty to look at-these are quality pieces that you can be proud to own and wear. Abella Galleries individually inspects each necklace and provides a satisfaction guarantee ensuring a high level of quality. Their beaded jewelry is composed of real stone beads, sterling silver fittings, and stainless steel nylon-coated wire. Abella Galleries also provides free gift wrap and a customized gift note when requested in the Notes box on the Abella Galleries checkout page!

County Time Lemonade Mix, $1.99
Use $1.50/2 printable
=$1.24 each

One a Day Vitamins (100ct), $5.79 (after $4 off at checkout)
Use $2/1 (4/19 RP)
=$3.79

Ecotrin, $2
Earn $2 RR
Use $2/1 coupon (5/17 SS)
=FREE plus $2 in overage!

Crystal Light, $1.99
Use $1/1 printable
=$0.99

Ban deodorant, 2/$3
Earn $1 RR when you buy two
Use $0.75/1 coupon (4/5 SS)
=$0.25 each

Bayer Contour or Breeze 2, $10
Earn a $10 RR
Use $30/1 coupon (3/1 and 3/22 RP)
=FREE plus $10 in overage!

Chinet Plates, 2/$3
Use $1/1 coupon (5/3 SS)
=$0.50

Bic Soleil Disposable Razor, $4.99
Earn a $1 RR
Use $3/1 coupon (5/17 SS)
=$0.99

Glade Air Fresheners or Scented Oil (1 ct.), $0.99
Use BOGO coupon (4/19 SS)
=2/$0.99

Maxwell House, 2/$4.89 (Limit 4)
Use $2/2 printable coupon
=$2.89 for 2 or $1.44 each

Campbell’s Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup, 2/$1 (Limit 8)
Use $1/2 printable coupon
=FREE

Covergirl Mascaras, $5
Use $2/1 coupon (5/17 PG)
=$3

Schick Disposable Razors (trial size), $0.99
Buy 2 and use (1) $2/1 coupon (5/10 SS)
=FREE

Arm & Hammer Detergent, BOGO (Limit 4)
Use $1/1 printable coupon (print 2)
=Final price varies by store.

St. Ives (trial size), $1.49
Use $1.50/1 coupon (5/10 SS)
=FREE

Having trouble getting your tot to eat his five servings of veggies a day? Even the pickiest tot won't be able to resist the quirky, but oh-so-cute veggies on their Puddlefoot Tees! If they won't eat them, why not wear them? Puddlefoot Tees are the sweet creation of mom and artist, Suzi MacDougall. A lifetime of sketching was reinvigorated after the birth of her son and soon Puddlefoot was born!

Each of the six organic tees depicts a different veggie character that instantly makes everyone smile! Puddlefoot Tees are made from 100% organic Supima® cotton, American-made (grown and sewn in the USA), and dyed and printed with earth-friendly dyes and inks. What does that mean? Peace of mind that your little one's skin won't be touching harmful metals, toxins, or pesticides!


Puddlefoot Tees sent Lucas the Squash Tee for me to review and it is ADORABLE! Seriously. Adorable. I own several organic cotton tees and they are all softer than any traditional cotton tee I have ever owned, but I hadn't really experienced THE SOFTEST until Puddlefoot! The organic Supima cotton takes soft to a whole new level! It feels kind of like silk! The ribbing makes these tees so stretchy and comfy too.


Puddlefoot Tees would make the sweetest new baby gift! How about filling a basket with organic baby food, a bib and baby spoon, and a Puddlefoot Tee. For the mom who wants to make her own baby food, you could fill a basket with a homemade baby food cookbook, baby food storage containers, and a Puddlefoot Tee. I would have totally loved a gift like that!

Want It: Puddlefoot Tees retail for $24.95 and they ship FOR FREE to the US and Canada!

Picture it. The year is 2008... it's fall. Leaves are colored red, orange, and yellow. The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg looms in the chilly air and summer is but a memory. Can you feel it? I remember it well. I landed from New York into my home state of Michigan. It wasn't too long before my family noticed my eyeglasses with super-cool Transitions lenses in them! My mom "ooohed" and "ahhhed" at them. My sisters wanted to try them on. My grandmother wanted to know how much they cost - she always taught me to get a good deal... but in this case the answer was $500. When those numbers came out of my mouth, I thought my grandmother was going to fall over! She screamed "$500!! Are you crazy? Who has that kind of money in this economy?!?!" I tried to explain that I actually saved money by not having to buy two pairs of glasses! Needless to say, she did not want to hear any  more!

A few days later, while all the kids were playing, my then three-year-old nephew came up and tapped me on the shoulder. He asked "Auntie Hil, turn your glasses dark!" We walked outside and I showed him how my prescription eyeglasses went from light to dark just by stepping outside. "WOW! Do it again!" he exclaimed. So we did the process over again. He then asked to hold my glasses. I gladly gave them to him and told him to be careful. Then I heard a "snap!" followed by an "uh-oh!" Given that he's three, I should have seen this coming. Who gives a three-year-old a pair of $500 glasses?! To add insult to injury, my grandmother started giggling! She said "serves you right! You should never have spent so much money on eyeglasses!" All I kept thinking was "this happens to people all the time! What do they do when this happens?" My sister told me that these were not the first pair of glasses her son has demolished (now she tells me!) and she advised me to look for replacements... many replacements.

In a nutshell, I went to six different stores to find a cheap pair of prescription glasses. Let's just say there is no such thing as cheap glasses in a retail optical store. I did the best I could at one of the 1-hour optical shops but they messed up my prescription - I opted for contacts and wore those instead. When I returned to New York, I went online and found that I could actually replace my frames with Transitions lenses for around $150. I saved more than half of what I paid for my original glasses for a pair of "replacements!" In reality, I liked the new ones more than the old ones. For another $40 I got a cool pair of regular glasses as a back-up pair... and an obsession with eyeglasses was born.

Moral of the story: it's always good to have a back-up pair of glasses - especially if you're around kids or pets - but it's even better when you can save money on the deal!

Article Written by Hillary Rubin, Stylist and Creative Marketing Director at GlassesUSA

All parents know that ear infections are just a fact of life. Statistically, about 75% of children up to age four suffer from earache caused by the accumulation of liquids and air in the middle ear. Lucas has had two ear infections so far and both times have been miserable for the little guy! My experience with ear infections goes beyond parenting though. I suffered from ear infections past the age of four and I can vividly remember the pain it caused and the sleepless, crying nights as my mom tried to soothe me. So, when I heard about the EARDOC, a device that naturally reduces the pain caused by ear infections, I knew that all parents, including myself would want to know more about it.

About EARDOC (from the website):
The EARDOC is an efficient non-invasive device that reduces the ear pain by treating the problem rather than the symptom. The eardoc significantly reduces the need for ear tube surgery (Myringotomy) by naturally opening the closed Ear tube and drying the trapped fluids.

The Eardoc is a safe and simple treatment for
Ear infection
Middle ear fluid
Otitis Media
Hearing Loss
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Ear Pain caused by air travel
Ear fullness caused by colds, sinusitis or allergies

How It Works:
EARDOC ™ generates and transmits special vibration waves due to its non-invasive extraordinary design . The waves travel through the bone and the ear base to the middle ear and the Eustachian tube. The waves ease the pressure and drain the trapped fluids. As a result the edema is reduced as well as the pain. Less then five minutes of EARDOC ™ treatment soothes the pain and relieves the patient.



I was sent an EARDOC to review, but FORTUNATELY no one that I know has had an ear infection since I received it. However, the EARDOC makes sense to me. Most ear infections are caused by the narrowing and obstruction of the Eustachian tube which connects the middle ear with the mouth. The trapped fluids and air create pressure on the tympanic membrane resulting in a severe earache. The EARDOC opens the Eustachian tube and allows the trapped fluid to dry naturally. I guess the question is does it REALLY open the Eustachian tube? Well, the good news is that the EARDOC has been tested and shown to work. The Eardoc was tested in a top medical university in Europe {full clinical trial info here}. The test was performed with a Tympanometer on 40 Patients over 6 weeks and results concluded that the EARDOC does indeed OPEN the Eustachian tube and relieves pain. Also, an online survey of EARDOC users showed that 94% of users experienced pain relief and would use EARDOC again. I'll be sure to keep you guys updated on the results we experience the next time someone in my family gets an ear infection or ear ache.


Want It: The EARDOC can be purchased online at Eardoc.info and retails for $55-that includes AIR SHIPMENT WORLDWIDE!

Whenever possible, I try to buy all natural bath products for Lucas. Not only are they obviously better for him, but he has always had sensitive skin that irritates easily. Whenever we deviate from using all natural bath products, Lucas' skin suffers. Sometimes, I THOUGHT I was buying an all natural product because the label said "natural", but then after further investigation I would find out that I was duped. One brand that sticks to their promise is Weleda. We've been using their Tooth Gel since we started brushing Lucas' teeth and it is awesome! So, when Weleda came to me about reviewing their natural baby bath products, I was really excited to try them out!

About Weleda (from the website):
Since its inception in 1921, Weleda has aimed to use only the purest wild-crafted, organically and Biodynamically® cultivated ingredients for their products. But natural isn’t enough for Weleda—their ingredients have to be effective too. They have to work with your body’s own ability to heal, restore well-being and impart radiance. So to ensure their ingredients maintain their innate potency, they harvest them quickly, then process them as little as possible, taking excellent care of them along the way.

Weleda sent me Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash, Calendula Oil, and Calendula Diaper Care for me to review. Calendula has a long history of use as a wound-healing and skin-soothing botanical so it only makes sense that a company, like Weleda who believes in healing would use it in their baby products. After using all three products for several weeks, I must say that I am very impressed with the Calendula line. Not only did they not irritate Lucas' skin, but they actually made his skin softer and cleared up a couple of eczema patches he had on his feet!


Another benefit from these is that all three products are mulit-taskers! For instance, the Oil can be used to cleanse the diaper area and to moisturize your baby's skin. The Diaper Care cream can be used to treat rashes, eczema, skin irritations, and acne! I actually used the Diaper Care on the eczema patches he had on his feet and they cleared up within a few days. If I had to pick a favorite, I would say the Shampoo & Body Wash because the usual suspect anytime Lucas' skin becomes irritated is a harsh body wash (read: not natural). This one is creamy, soothing and does not dry out or irritate Lucas' skin. It also has an amazing scent that is not overpowering like most baby bath products. It is mild, clean, and very soothing. LOVE it!

What I love the most about Weleda is that I can trust them! They have very clear standards for their products and they stand by their promise to us-the parents. When the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 28 popular baby products and found that more than half of them contained two cancer-causing substances; formaldehyde and 1.4-dioxane, Weleda was one of the first organizations to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. They pledged not only to make safer products, but also to provide greater transparency to consumers about their products. When Weleda says “all natural,” they mean “all natural"! Weleda products contain:

• No synthetic preservatives
• No synthetic fragrances
• No synthetic chemicals
• No synthetic anything

Weleda's unwavering dedication to safety, to children, and to parents is something that I highly value and applaude! I definitely give Weleda a thumbs up for giving moms like me peace of mind and products that we can trust!

Want It: Weleda products are available online at www.usa.weleda.com, Target, Whole Foods Market, select independent health food stores and other specialty retailers nationwide and around the world.

Win It! Weleda has generously offered to give one Jolly Mom reader the Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash, Calendula Lotion, and Calendula Diaper Care! To enter, click HERE!

New mothers desire skincare products for their babies with formulas they can trust. Created with the most soothing and calming ingredients, Weleda Baby Care provides the gentle nourishment and care to encourage healthy development. The formulas in Weleda’s all natural Baby Care line harmoniously combines to embrace the child in a calming, organic layer of protection.

Like all Weleda formulas, the Baby Care collection is an all-natural, organic line, free from synthetic additives. Each product cares for your baby with the best ingredients nature has to offer. Calendula flower extract, grown in the largest Biodynamic® fields of Germany, contributes to the line’s healing and anti-inflammatory properties.



To read my full review of the Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash, Calendula Oil, and Calendula Diaper Care, click HERE.

I'm starting the Atkins Diet again tomorrow and if you are a "lifetime dieter" like me then you know about the LAST MEAL. You know, where you eat whatever you want before the big day. Of course, this is dumb because you probably spend an entire week trying to make up for all of the calories you ate in one day. Anyway, I choose the huge serving of ice cream with cereal and whipped cream pictured below as my last meal. Smart, huh? Well, at least the ice cream was fat free...not that it makes any difference (lol).

This contest is closed. Congratulations to the winner, misusedinnocence! Winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to contact me.

If you follow my blog, you already know that my first language was Spanish and that I really want Lucas to be bilingual as well. It's not easy for us though because my husband, Mike does not speak any Spanish at all-we only speak English in our home. So, I am always on the search for books, programs, or DVD's that can help Lucas learn Spanish or at least introduce him to a new language and culture. That's why we love Dora the Explorer at our house and really kids everywhere love her! Seriously, I don't know of a child that doesn't love Dora!

Dora lovers everywhere will be very happy to know that on May 26th (TODAY!), Dora will take on naptime in the all-new DVD Dora the Explorer: Super Babies’ Dream Adventure! The DVD includes the new: "Super Babies’ Dream Adventure" and three new to DVD episodes: “Dora Helps the Birthday Wizzle”, “Pirate Treasure Hunt” and “Benny’s Treasure.” In “Super Babies’ Dream Adventure", Dora takes her baby twin brother and sister on an exciting naptime adventure as she reads them a special Super Babies story. Once upon a time, the Super Babies were getting ready for their nap but the Dream Fairy never showed up because she was still asleep! With your children's help, the Super Babies try to wake the dream fairy so she can deliver all the happy naptime dreams.



We were sent an advanced copy of the DVD for me to review and Lucas loves it! It's a fun DVD and true to Dora style, all four episodes are interactive and keep your kids involved in the story. And, even though Lucas will not become fluent in Spanish from watching Dora, it does introduce him to the culture, the language and reinforces what I teach him. Not to mention that Dora episodes are educational in more ways-kids are introduced to math, nature, and of course Dora's infectious adventurous personality! He, of course, has no idea that he is learning-all he knows is that Dora is fun! That is the BEST way to learn!

Want It: The suggested retail price for the Super Babies’ Dream Adventure DVD is $16.99 but Amazon has it for $11.99!

Mike and I keep our toothbrushes in the shower in a caddy. You know what usually happens? They fall onto the shower floor. I know...pretty gross when you think about it. Showers and tubs are pretty much breeding grounds for bacteria, which thrive under moist and warm conditions. I don't even want to think about what that means for our toothbrushes. Same with my razors-they are also kept in the shower where they can pick up bacteria and rust! So, when Flipper contacted me about reviewing their toothbrush and razor holders, I was thrilled! The Flipper toothbrush holder comes in 28 fun designs and characters, including a line of adorable animals that kids will love.


Flipper sent me the Ozy toothbrush holder (pictured right) for me to review. The Ozy is a more sophisticated version of the Flipper that adults will appreciate. The Flipper is very easy to use. You basically just suction it to a smooth surface-in my case, I suctioned it to our tiled shower wall. Then, you put your toothbrush inside and the patented snap-closed mechanism automatically closes the Flipper on its own! It also has a patented snap-open mechanism. Very cool and I love knowing that my toothbrush is protected from bacteria! Another cool benefit of the Flipper is that it easily converts into a travel case. Just pull it off and throw it into your toiletry case!

Flipper also sent me the Flipper Razor One to review. It basically works just like the toothbrush holder except it is for your razor. The razor holder is a must-have for every woman! I know my razors are always getting rusty because I keep them in the shower where they get wet. That translates into me going through razors very quickly and spending more money. The Flipper Razor One protects your razor from moisture and also the vertical position helps your razor dry quickly! I LOVE it!



Want It: Flipper toothbrush holders range between $4.99 and $6.99 and are available online at MyFlipperUSA.com. You can also find them a little cheaper at Target where they are priced at $10.99 for a 2-pack. The Flipper Razor One retails for $4.99 and can be purchased online at MyFlipperUSA.com.

I don't get a lot of "play" time on the computer anymore. I used to (back in the day) play games and do all sorts of fun stuff on the computer. Now that I'm a mom, it doesn't seem like there is ever the time to commit to a computer game. Not to mention that I'm a blogger so when I am on the computer; it is usually to work on my blog or for my actual day job in real estate. So when I was asked to review a video game called Virtual Families that is MEANT to be played in short spurts, I was really intrigued.

About Virtual Families:
Virtual Families, by Last Day of Work is a casual family sim that runs in true-real time. Adopt and nurture a needy person in the computer. Help them meet a mate, and grow a family. Pass on the house to the next generations.

Features:

• A casual family sim, will appeal to fans of the #1 video game of all time, the Sims.
• Runs in true real-time like all LDW games.
• Virtual Families generates unique and fascinating adoptees from 1000's of combinations.
• Fully trainable people: shape/adapt their personalities through praising and scolding!
• Dynamic illness system.
• Over 100 trophies.
• Hidden puzzles around the house.
• Email 'events' and other random, unpredictable occurrences.
• Weather, day/night cycles (synchronized to the player's system clock, so it is nighttime in the game when it is nighttime
• where you are!).

I must say that Virtual Families is a lot of fun and is perfect for busy moms! You start off by "adopting" a person who you connect with or like. You'll see their likes, dislikes, career, whether they want to have kids, even how much money they have in their bank account.

Here's an example of one of the people that you can adopt:


After you choose, then the game begins. There's a great tutorial at the beginning that basically shows you everything that your person can do and what you should be doing. For instance, you can encourage behaviors by praising your person when they do something good like clean the house or work. You can discourage negative behaviors by "scolding". You can also check in on your family members' stats, which tell you whether they are happy, hungry, healthy, and so on.


You'll receive marriage proposals, which you accept or reject. However, you shouldn't wait too long to marry or the proposals dwindle. Your person needs to have a family! I finally married my adoptee, Lania after three proposals! I felt like I needed to marry her off because she seemed lonely, but I'm not so sure he was Mr. Right because currently she is depressed! You can even make babies, but don't worry...it's not x-rated-lol. Family members will get sick and you have to cure them, they need to be fed, the house needs to be cleaned, and so on. You even get personal "emails" from your family members, which I think is pretty cool! Here's one that I got:


Basically, you are running an entire household...exactly like we already do except that when you need a break; you just turn the game off! The cool thing is that the game keeps going even when you're not playing so you should check in throughout the day to make sure that your virtual family is doing ok!




Want It: Virtual Families retails for $19.99 and is available for Windows and MAC. Soon, Virtual Families will be available for the iPhone as well! To purchase, please visit VirtualFamilies.com.