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Kidobi

July 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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From an early age, children spend more time in front of screens than on any other activity, except sleep.  Children learn from what they watch, and while some content is safe and educational, other content that isn’t age-appropriate can be harmful.  As you know, parents need to be aware of the type of content their children watch while providing a fun environment where they can use technology to learn and grow.

Kidobi is an online video content provider for children ages 2 – 6 that removes parents’ guesswork by automatically generating customized video playlists, completely personalized to fit children’s learning needs and developmental stage.  Since all the videos are pre-screened by educators and child development experts, parents are reassured of the age-appropriate, educational value. My son and I checked it out (even though he is slightly too old for this website) and we were impressed with the great pre-school videos! We give it a thumbs-up for children ages 2-6!

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Kidobi is also available as an iPad and Android app and can be found online at www.kidobi.com. You can also like Kidobi on Facebook and follow on Twitter for the latest updates.

Self Disclosure: We received a free trial subscription to check this fun website out!

Filed Under: Archived Content, Featured Products of the Week

GODDESS GARDEN ORGANICS

July 19, 2013 By 2 Comments

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Is there a difference between Natural and Conventional Sunscreens? I really didn’t know the answer to this question until I heard about GODDESS GARDEN ORGANICS and had the opportunity to receive and review their products. I love that there are no harsh chemicals in the Natural Sunscreen! Only Natural sunscreen ingredients such as sunflower, radish, and active ingredients like zinc and titanium. We received the Sunny Kids Natural Sunscreen continuous spray (6 oz retails for $21.99) and we found that the natural ingredients are as effective as those found in conventional sunscreens. My son and I actually found it to be more effective because they seem to work right away. There is no waiting 15-20 minutes after you apply them before they start protecting from sunburn. The Natural Sunscreen is easy to apply and provides SPF 30 Broad-Spectrum UVA/UVB coverage without chemicals and is 94% certified organic.

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Check out their website! They really have wonderful products for every day use for babies, kids and adults! I received samples of their products and loved them all! One of my favorites is the Natural Daily lotion-Lavender Mint: Goddess Garden’s Moisturizing Sun Body lotion with organic ingredients. It is great to use every day and left my skin soft and I loved the light lavender mint scent. This one retails for $18.99.

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Check out all their products on their website!

More info: (Credit: GODDESS GARDEN ORGANICS website)

Goddess Garden, a Boulder-based skincare company, was founded in 2004 by Nova Covington, entrepreneur and mom. As a new mother, Nova was inspired to create organic skincare products initially for her daughter Paige, who was allergic to chemicals in traditional bath products. Motivated to develop safe skincare solutions, Nova launched natural products using pure minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the active agents for sun protection — the highest organic content of any sunscreen on the market.

In 2009, Goddess Garden launched a line of Organic Sunscreen products that protect and nourish without harsh sunscreen chemicals. This long-lasting SPF 30 sunscreen is made with sheer minerals that reflect 97% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Goddess Garden’s line of organic sun care products is water resistant to 40 minutes, non-greasy, absorbs quickly and nourishes sensitive skin with the highest percentage of organic ingredients available in a sunscreen—up to 94 percent!

Goddess Garden continues to innovate by recently introducing the first organic, chemical-free sunscreen in a continuous spray. Currently, Goddess Garden’s family of sun care products include adult, kids, baby and facial sunscreens.

Goddess Garden was founded with a commitment to product excellence while maintaining a low carbon footprint. The woman-owned company provides safe and effective products using environmentally sustainable business practices. Goddess Garden supports organic farmers, local schools,  and family-friendly organizations.

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* Photo: Nova Covington, entrepreneur and mom and her daughter Paige.

Self Disclosure: I received products to facilitate this feature but any opinions are my own. Photo Credit: GODDESS GARDEN ORGANICS.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content, Featured Products of the Week

Bestowed

July 18, 2013 By 26 Comments

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Looking for a way to try new healthy foods? We found the perfect way! We found a great website called Bestowed and they offer a monthly plan and an annual plan. You can receive a box with 5-7 NEW healthy foods delivered straight to your door every month-each one chosen by celebrity nutritionist and author, Heather Bauer. I received the June Box and the products included: ZICO Natural Coconut Water, Bakery on Main Cashew Truebar, ROOTS by Deeply Rooted: Superfood Powder Packets, Dr. Prager’s California Veggie Burgers (free coupon), GimMe Seaweed Cheddar Cheese Roasted Seaweed Crumbles, Herban Essentials Mini Pack and Artisana Organic Foods SuperFood Acai Berry Nut Butter. I loved trying all of these items and I really also like that there is a note from Heather with a tip for each one. It’s such a great way to try these new products! The monthly plan for The Box is $19.00 a month or you can pay annually for $209. a year. The Boxes will ship and arrive on the 5th of every month and shipping is included. (Boxes ship via USPS and within the US only).

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I also really like the Bestowed website! I find it really helpful! The website includes Tips & Recipes and I love the Categories section. Great categories such as Kids, Dinner and so many more! Would you like to try this great service for yourself? We are teaming up with Bestowed for an exciting giveaway! One winner will receive one free month! You must be a subscriber to SoCal City Kids to enter! Next, go to the Bestowed Facebook page and “like” them. You can tell them we sent you! Next, check out their website and let us know your favorite thing by posting in the comments below! Deadline to enter is July 24th, 2013. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries. Also, a special deal for all our readers: $5 off the first month of Bestowed! Anyone who signs up will get $5 off their first box using discount code 5OFFBSTOWED02.

More about the Founder of Bestowed: Heather Bauer. (*Credit:Bestowed website)

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Heather Bauer is a nationally recognized nutrition expert, author, and entrepreneur.

Her fresh and inspiring approach to diet has landed her prime time spots on Good Morning America, CNN, CBS, The Talk, Access Hollywood Live and The Tyra Banks Show. She has also been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.

She is the author of two top selling books; The Wall Street Diet (Hyperion 2008) and Bread is the Devil (St. Martin’s Press 2012) and has regular columns on The Huffington Post and US News & World Report where she covers the latest trends in diet, health and nutrition.

In 2012, she founded Bestowed — a subscription service that offers consumers a personalized way to discover, sample, shop and learn about the best nutrition and lifestyle products on the market.

She is also the founder of Nu-Train (nu-train.com), a diet and weight loss counseling center where thousands of people have learned how to safely lose weight and keep it off for good.

Heather is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN). She graduated from The University of Wisconsin and is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the New York State Dietetic Association (NYSDA).

Filed Under: Archived Content

NurturMe Introduces Yum-A-Roos Organic Dried Fruit and Veggie Toddler Snacks

July 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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NurturMe, the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals, announced today the introduction of Yum-A-Roo’s, a new line of bite-sized organic dried fruit and veggie snacks for toddlers.

Big nutrition designed for little hands, NurturMe’s new Yum-a-Roo’s organic dry toddler snacks are made from bite-sized pieces of fruits and veggies that easily dissolve in the mouth. Tasty and good for little ones ages 1 year and older, Yum-a-Roo’s are extra nutritious since they contain veggies, in addition to fruit, and are dried – a NurturMe process that preserves the nutrients, freshness and flavor. Kiddos love the taste, and parents love that there’s 1.5 servings of fruits and/or veggies in every pouch. Yum-a-Roo’s are available in four flavors Tropical Twist (Banana, Mango and Pineapple), Caribbean Crop (Pea, Banana and Pineapple), Happy Harvest (Peas, Sweet Corn and Apple) and Bountiful Bites (Banana, Apple and Broccoli).   Suggested retail is $2.99 per each .75 oz. resealable pouch.

NurturMe Yum-A-Roos snack line is certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher and contains no added sugar, salt or preservatives.  Yum-a-Roo’s come in small, re-sealable pouches that are perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, road trips, playgrounds, airplanes and of course, zoos!

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In conjunction with the launch of Yum-A-Roos, NurturMe has created a free iPad and iPhone App starring “Roo” their adorable Kangaroo character.  The fun and educational new App teaches tots about their favorite fruits and veggies.  The Yum-A-Roo App can be downloaded here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yum-a-roo/id656498831.

In addition to the new Yum-A-Roos toddler snack line NurturMe recently announced the expansion of their award-winning line of organic dried baby food – including the introduction of a 100% quinoa rice cereal alternative and a new line of blended NurturMeals organic dry meal pouches that combine delicious and nutrient-rich fruit and veggie flavors. The first “stage-free” food for little ones, NurturMe’s new convenient and healthy organic dry meal pouches and fruit and veggie snacks make it even easier for busy parents to ensure their children are getting maximum nutrition with every bite – from infants to toddlers, and everywhere in between.  All NurturMe products are made in the USA from specially selected organic super fruits and veggies that are lovingly harvested and quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor, phytochemicals and other nutrients.

NurturMe products are available for purchase nationwide online, as well as in select Whole Foods, Kroger family and Babies R Us stores across the country. Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood.

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NurturMe is having a  contest where you can win a free iPad Mini! Contest link: http://www.facebook.com/nurturme.

 

 

About NurturMe

A revolution in feeding little ones, NurturMe is the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created for children 4 months to 4 years. The first “stage-free” food for little ones, NurturMe’s line of organic dry NurturMeal pouches and Yum-a-Roo’s dried fruit and veggie snacks were designed to meet every yummy need, from infants to toddlers, and everywhere in between. NurturMeals and Yum-a-Roo’s are certified organic, gluten-free*, non-GMO and kosher, with no added preservatives, sugars or salts – only the good stuff. All NurturMe products are made from specially selected super fruits and veggies that are lovingly harvested and quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor and nutrients.

Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood. Visit them on Facebook at Facebook.com/nurturme and on Twitter at Twitter.com/nurturme for news of special promotions, new product introductions and more.

Self Disclosure: NuturMe sponsored Feature. No compensation was received to feature.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content, Featured Products of the Week

Binteo

July 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Attention all avid and amateur chefs! Do you love to match taste with presentation? Not sure how to keep your cookies from spreading too thin? Are you looking for tips on the easiest way to peel garlic or make a fabulous chocolate torte with just four ingredients? I know that I have personally wondered these things!

Then, check out the new and exciting way to get (and give) topline guidance and inspiration on the ONLY social media network that connects people with their pursuits:

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Binteo (www.binteo.com) is turning social networking upside down. It isn’t about connecting based on WHO you know, but WHAT you know – or want to learn about it. The site has several interest groups forming now, including cooking, with top experts in the field, as well as other enthusiasts like yourself, to offer great advice. The Binteo cooking community is where you can lead meaningful conversations, in real-time, with others that share your common interest. Is cooking breakfast more of your forte than making dinner entrees? You can connect with others who thrive on making top notch omelets rather than Pasta Bolognese!

Because the Binteo communities are specialized with people seeking specific topics, there is finally an online space where you can take your knowledge to the next level and help others, too, without fearing that your cooking questions or food pics are boring others (such as your Facebook pals).

You can even join sub-groups for specific cooking discussions – such as Mediterranean style cuisine, Italian style, BBQ tips & tricks, cupcakes and more – or start your own! The Binteo community has great communication options such as private chat/calls/video, public posts, group chat, video, photos and news feeds. Experts provide members with insights Q&A, one-on-one sessions and more!

Become one of the newest Binteo cooking community members to be automatically entered to win a $100 gift card to Chef Central, the culinary superstore!

 When you think of Binteo.com, think Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest all combined into ONE fabulous social space based on your specific interest, hobby or passion.  Currently the site is offering cooking, gardening, photography and Autism advocacy communities, but if you don’t see a group you want to join now, sign up and click on YOU DECIDE and tell us what you’d like to see next. Binteo will be launching many interest groups in the coming weeks and months as the new platform rolls out.

Learn more about Binteo in our short video:   http://www.youtube.com/binteoconnect

 

You can sign up now at www.binteo.com and help Binteo reach its new member milestone while it is still in beta! I just signed up and it really seems like a great new website!

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Self Disclosure: Binteo sponsored Feature. I did not receive any compensation to feature.

Filed Under: Archived Content, Featured Products of the Week

SENG Offers Free Parent/Educator Webinars!

July 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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Does anyone really know what you’re going through as a parent of a gifted child? Parents need special understanding in order to raise and advocate for the social and emotional needs of their gifted children. To this end, Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted(SENG) is proud to sponsor, during the third week in July each year, National Parenting Gifted Children (NPGC) Week – an event listed in the National Special Events Registry. NPGC Week celebrates the joys and challenges of raising, guiding, and supporting bright young minds.

This year we are excited to announce a week of free SENG webinars (SENGinars)! From Monday through Thursday during NPGC we will offer one specific SENGinar recording for free each day. These SENGinars are perfect for parents, grandparents and education professionals. Even if you are not sure that your child is “gifted” chances are you will find a topic that resonates.

In order to download your free SENGinar, please visit thestore and find the title below on the specified date (they are listed alphabetically), or follow the link below, and purchase it. It will show up in your checkout cart, for that day only, with no charge! We welcome you to share this offer by telling your friends or posting to your social media sites, but please DO NOT share your downloaded presentation. Free recordings are for single-use only.

Here is the list of free SENGinars:

*Recorded SENGinars are always available in the SENG store for $40 for personal use and $150 for a site license. You can also learn more about our live SENGinars by clicking here.

Last year, SENG coordinated a blog tour of resources related to parenting gifted children. Links to those resources are available on SENG’s website here.

By: SENG (sengifted.org) and Lauren Longworth

Photo Credit: www.sengifted.org

Disclaimer: SENG is not a sponsor of SoCal City Kids. However, Lauren Longworth, Editor and Publisher of Macaroni Kid Santa Fe (and good friend of SoCal City Kids) is also the Manager of Online Communications for SENG. Please contact Lauren directly if you have any questions.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content

A Place at the Table

July 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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“A Place at the Table” Will Open Your Eyes to the Harsh Realities of a Food Insecure Nation.

This documentary investigates incidents of hunger experience by millions of Americans every day and proposes solutions to the problem. Fourteen-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Cassandra reviews it below.

“A Place at the Table” completely transformed my paradigm of America. When I hear the words “hunger” and “starvation,” images of ravenous, malnourished, dying children in Africa instantly pop into my head. However, this poignant, simple, and impacting documentary showed me that “hunger” could be sitting right next to me in school. This 84-minute documentary details with moving austerity how and why even in America, the world’s richest nation, children are going hungry.

Featuring Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, the founder of the End Hunger Network, “A Place at the Table” follows people, all from different towns and cultural backgrounds, who are food insecure. In other words, they have no idea when and how their next meal is going to come in. 50 million people in America are food insecure. This not only stunts physical development but mental development as well. Take Rosie, a fifth-grader growing up in rural Colorado. She tries to focus in school, but hunger pains cause her to zone out or to imagine her friends and teachers as fruits. Her dream is that one day, her kids can do what they want to do and what they need to do without going hungry.

Another instance is Barbie, a single working mother with two kids. Her toddler son mumbles and has an attention-deficit symptom. This is because of the lack of food for Barbie and her family when he was born. The lasting effects of hunger in a child’s first years impact a child much more deeply in the brain than the body. It’s an emotional moment to see Barbie break down into tears in front of her kids, exhausted of the intense struggle to make ends meet.

The documentary grippingly touches on so many different issues. It clears up myths and breaks stereotypes. A false paradigm that America blindly looks through is that hunger doesn’t exist because children struggle with obesity.  However, obesity, hunger, and being food insecure go hand-in-hand. Because of a low income, families on a very limited budget shop for the cheapest foods in store – chips, cookies, and ice cream. Produce is simply too expensive.

Hunger exists not because there is not enough food. Hunger exists because it isn’t a big enough issue on the political agenda. The documentary is packed with real statistics and visuals that are not just standard, cold numbers, but the toll of hunger is shown in the glimpses of families scrambling to break the cycle of poverty.  This film calls out to audiences to end hunger in America by alerting politicians and the government. “It’s just appalling,” says actor Jeff Bridges. “You know if another country was doing this to our kids we would be at war. It’s just insane and it doesn’t have to be that way.”

“A Place at the Table” will truly open your eyes to the harsh realities of a food insecure nation. I am determined to push forward in this fight of ending hunger, and I believe our nation can rise out of the pit we’ve buried ourselves in. America’s youth has a passion and an unbendable will to fight for what’s right, and if pointed in the right direction, I believe that the American Dream of prosperity can come true. The only thing standing between now and the extinction of hunger is the hurdle of ignorance, clouding youths’ and the government’s minds. Share this documentary with friends and family – I recommend this for all ages. If we act with urgency and boldness, perhaps one day, everyone will have a place at the table.

 

Reviewed by Cassandra Hsiao, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Filed Under: Archived Content, Media Reviews

MAM

July 12, 2013 By 1 Comment

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You may remember that earlier this summer we announced that the  MAM products including the MAM Mini Air Pacifier,MAM Perfect Pacifier 0-6 months and 6+ months and the MAM Trainer training cup had been named 2013 National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA) winners.  The Perfect Pacifier was a Gold Winner in the Maternity/Breastfeeding category and MAM’s Mini-Air pacifier and Trainer cup were Silver Winners in the Maternity/Breastfeeding category.

We received the following products: MAM Night pacifier for 0-6 months and the Oral Care Rabbit which is for cleaning baby’s palate and gums. Since I don’t have a little one, a friend (and new mom) tried them out with her daughter. She agrees that these are new baby must-haves! The MAM Night Pacifier glows in the dark which makes it easier to find and it comes  in a sterilizer & carry box. Her favorite is the Oral Care Rabbit because it’s so easy to use and her daughter loves the cute bunny face. She even opens her mouth!

You can find these and many other amazing products at http://www.mambaby.com/

Self Disclosure: I received products to facilitate this feature but any opinions my own.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content, Featured Products of the Week
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