Archives for August 15, 2025

It’s Time for Back-to-School!

Delicious Muffins!

School-Safe Muffins from Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery

Price: $8.99 at local retailers.

Website: www.antoninasglutenfreebakery.com

Make packing lunchboxes easier with school-safe muffins from Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery! Their six delicious muffins are peanut-free, nut-free and gluten-free, providing children with a safe treat to enjoy as a snack or in their lunch. The moist gluten-free muffins are light, fluffy, and full of flavor making them a muffin truly everyone will enjoy. Choose from mouthwatering varieties, including Blueberry Raspberry (also soy-free), Blueberry (also soy-free), Triple Chocolate (also soy-free), Chocolate Chip, Lemon Poppyseed (also soy-free) and Cinnamon Chip (also soy-free). Learn more about Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery at Antoninas Gluten-Free Bakery – Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery (antoninasglutenfreebakery.com). To find a store near you, please visit their store locator

This is literally my favorite!

Sweet Chaos Popcorn

Price: $3.96 per bag

Website: https://sweetchaos.com/popcorn/

Make back-to-school season a little sweeter (and crunchier) with Sweet Chaos Popcorn—perfect for lunchboxes or as a well-earned after-school treat. Certified gluten-free and made with NON-GMO kernels popped in coconut oil, this better-for-you snack skips the artificial junk without sacrificing flavor. From the bold tang of NEW Dill Pickle (made with real dill & vinegar) to kid-approved classics like Sea Salt, Kettle Corn, Movie Theater Butter, Jalapeño Blue Cheese, and White Cheddar, there’s a flavor for everyone! Visit https://sweetchaos.com/popcorn/.

Perfect for storing fruit and snacks!

Glass Prep Jars

Price: $19.96 & up

Website: https://keababies.com/collections/baby-food-jars

Make and prep meals and snacks for your little ones with the Glass Prep Jars from KeaBabies! From perfectly portioned yogurt + fruit, applesauce or purees, and small finger foods, such as crackers, the airtight, leak-proof lids seal in freshness and prevent spills while on-the-go! The perfect homemade food storage solution for you and your children are available in an array of gorgeous colors. The jars are dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe and microwavable, too. BPA-Free. Visit https://keababies.com/collections/baby-food-jars and Amazon.com. 

My favorite First Aid Kit!

KEEP>GOING First Aid Kit

Price: $24.99 (MiniKit) and up

Website: https://www.keepgoingfirstaid.com/

From scraped knees on the playground to classroom mishaps, your child will be ready for anything! TSA approved, the lightweight kit is packaged in an organized, stylish water & stain-resistant case for busy school days. Created by a mom of four, the KEEP>GOING First Aid Kit is an essential for children of all ages. Four kits are available, including the SuperKit (270 pieces), NEW Adult GoKit (130 pieces), GoKit (130 pieces), and MiniKit (perfect for clipping on backpacks!). A variety of stylish, trendy patterns and colors are available, as well as sets. The kits can be found on the website https://www.keepgoingfirstaid.com/ and on Amazon.com.

Great for Toddlers going to Preschool.

My Little Dreamy Pillow: Jumbo

Price: $26.96

Website: www.keababies.com

Give your little one the comfort of home at nap time! Made from 100% organic cotton, My Little Dreamy Pillow: Jumbo is the perfect sleep companion for naps at daycare, home or away! Its soft, gentle design ensures a restful night’s sleep, while its machine-washable durability keeps it fresh and fluffy. Thoughtfully crafted with an ergonomic 14×20 size and Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification, this pillow is a natural and safe choice for your child. Available in 20 vibrant colors and playful patterns to match their personality, it’s ready to be packed for preschool and beyond!

Great for adults and kids!

Parenting Must-Have: Handzies Debuts New 12-Pack Travel Wipes for Clean-Conscious Families

Whether you’re navigating preschool pickups or park playdates, Handzies has your back with their new 12-pack Travel Pack—a gentle, on-the-go cleansing solution that’s perfect for lunchboxes, diaper bags, and glove compartments. Unlike harsh alcohol-based wipes, Handzies rely on simple, natural ingredients like castile (olive oil-based) soap and essential oils for a “just-washed” feel without residue or chemical smells. The soap-and-water formula is alcohol-free, dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and free from Triclosan, parabens, artificial dyes, and perfumes—making it safe for sensitive little hands and grown-up skin alike.

Handzies were created with families and the planet in mind: they’re cruelty-free, vegan, NON-GMO, gluten-free, and crafted with 100% plant-based fiber. Manufactured in the USA in an FDA-licensed, EPA-registered, NSF-certified facility that’s also FSC and Rainforest Alliance Certified, Handzies offer a clean you can feel good about.

Learn more at handzies.com. You can also find the new Travel Pack on Amazon.

Old Trapper’s 1.8 oz Bags Are the Perfect Snack for Busy Students!

Back-to-school season means packed schedules, quick lunches, and on-the-go snacking — and Old Trapper’s 1.8 oz beef jerky bags check all the boxes for students who need smart, satisfying fuel between classes.

Made from lean cuts of real beef and naturally smoked for bold flavor, these conveniently sized bags are perfect for backpacks, lunchboxes, or locker snacks. With classic flavors like Old Fashioned, Teriyaki, Peppered, and Hot & Spicy, Old Trapper gives students a high-protein snack that tastes great and keeps them focused. Absolutely delicious!

MSRP $5.99 each. Available at convenience stores nationwide. www.OldTrapper.com

Love this in Acai bowls too!

Back-to-School Just Got a Whole Lot Better with Alter Eco Granola!

Back-to-school is here…and that means parents and students everywhere are scrambling to find breakfast and snack options that are quick, healthy, and actually taste good.

Enter Alter Eco Granola: a better-for-you, better-for-the-planet option made with whole food ingredients and no refined sugars. Just like their beloved eco-conscious chocolate bars and truffles, Alter Eco’s granola delivers the same crave-worthy taste…with ingredients that are just as good for you.

This isn’t your average granola. Made with regeneratively grown oats, clean ingredients, and packed with flavorAlter Eco Granola turns rushed mornings into moments to savor. With flavors like Dark Chocolate & Cashew Butter or Cinnamon Raisin & NEW Almond Butter, Alter Eco Granola offersa feel-good crunch that supports your body and the planet.

I love this in my Acai bowls and yogurt! But, it can also be added in other recipes such as muffins!

Happy Back-to-School!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to feature for Back-to-School! Images were also provided.

Books of the Week: August 15th, 2025

Fun book to read!

Celebrate Summer-ween with JAZZY THE WITCH IN BROOM DOOM by Jessixa Bagley.

JAZZY THE WITCH IN BROOM DOOM  is about a charming and quirky young witch who struggles to fit in.

In her town full of witches, Jazzy’s always been a little bit different. She’s not excited about magic. She forgets the steps to spells. And even though her parents run the town’s broom shop, she doesn’t want to fly.

Then, one day, she discovers what she was born to do: cycling! Now she just has to find a way to get a bicycle…and learn how to ride it. But will her new passion come between her and her best friend—and possibly get her in big trouble?

This lovable new character from Jessixa is perfect for those who enjoy the Halloween spirit year-round.

Children will fall in love with this character, and I highly recommend this book!

Another great book by Eric Carle and friends.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BUG?: Eric Carle and 14 other beloved children’s book artists illustrate their favorite bugs and explain why they love them.

This is such a fun and educational book for young children! What a wonderful way to learn about bugs!

Love this one too!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?: Eric Carle and 14 other best-loved picture book artists answer the classic kid question: What’s your favorite color?

I love this fun book about colors, and it inspired my youngest reviewer (age 5) to create her very own version after she read this one with me.

So much fun!

The Adventures of You by Ellen Forney (August 12th, 2025; Workman Kids; $12.99), an interactive guide for kids about how to create their own comics, young readers can turn their love of graphic novels and comics into a form of self-expression. This book acts like a comics toolbox, giving kids tips and tools to help kids tell their own stories as comics.  I love how creative this book is and it’s so much fun!

Take Kids on a Ghostly Tour of America with “Haunted USA”!


Celebrate Summerween on the road! Haunted USA, is the perfect addition for adding a sprinkle of ghoulish fun to a summer vacation.

Haunted USA is a treasure trove of supernatural scares from each of the 50 states, with eerie illustrations and sensitively-told tales for 9–12-year-olds. Whether you’re after a campfire fright, a slice of local lore, or a traditional tale to sink your teeth into, Haunted USA is a rich anthology from the land of the really, really brave.

Have you ever heard of the chocolate-loving ghost of Iowa, or Delaware’s specter who can’t stand sneezing? How about tales that are older than the USA itself, from Hawaii’s Night Marchers to the ancient Sleeping Buffalo Rock of Montana (which may not be quite so asleep after all)? Haunted USA is a treasure trove of supernatural scares from each of the 50 states, providing families with a detailed roadmap for the perfect spooky summer road trip. I found this book so interesting and 9-12 years will love it! I learned so much from reading it!

Happy Reading!

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this post. Cover images were also provided.