B&G Foods, a pure maple syrup powerhouse, is the largest bottler of pure maple syrup in the United States. Tapping Season is now underway, so it’s time to celebrate and learn more about B&G Foods’ extensive offering of pure maple syrup brands, including:  Maple Grove Farms®, Spring Tree®,Cary’s® and MacDonald’s™.

Tapping Season, as the maple syrup season is known, is the time when the trees are “tapped” to gather sap which is then boiled in sugar houses to produce maple syrup. It takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup.  Tapping season, which typically lasts about six to eight weeks, ends sometime in April. Weather dictates the length of tapping season – warm days followed by cool nights are needed to get the sap flowing. Once a tree buds, tapping season has come to an end.

Pure maple syrup is just one ingredient, sourced from nature, and contains no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial flavors or colors.  Our pure maple syrup is naturally gluten-free and certified kosher.  Additionally, pure maple syrup offers inherent benefits of the minerals manganese and zinc.

With proprietary blending methods and the highest standards of quality, B&G Foods is proud to offer the largest branded portfolio – nearly six times that of the nearest competitor. Maple masters on staff have an incredible 860 years of combined experience, ensuring that only the best maple syrup is bottled for our leading brands. Our pure maple syrup goes through numerous taste and consistency checks to ensure the highest quality.

With changes in pure maple syrup grading in 2015, all of our pure maple syrup is now Grade A followed by a color and taste qualifier (Golden Delicate, Amber Rich and Dark Robust). Different grades are best suited for different usage occasions and taste preferences which is why B&G Foods’ portfolio of brands feature different grades and sizes. Additionally, our Maple Grove Farms and Spring Tree brand offer Organic varieties that are USDA or QAI certified and support the sustainable practices of maple syrup farming. For all of our syrups, trees are never tapped in the same place twice, to ensure the health and safety of this renewable resource.

Multiple reports have shown the use of maple syrup is on the rise. According to Techonomics, restaurant menus have shown a forty-five percent increase over the past four years in the use of maple syrup.  Additionally, maple syrup – a delicious alternative to cane sugar and artificial sweeteners – reflects the alternative sweetener movement that has grown 200 percent in the past four years.

“Pure maple syrup is affectionately called liquid gold,” says Meghan Swatt, Brand Manager, B&G Foods.  “It is the secret ingredient to almost every recipe occasion and our brands offer an array of grades and certifications, but one thing always remains – our commitment to quality and consistency.  We encourage everyone to explore with our pure maple syrup beyond breakfast—as a sweetener in baking, roasting vegetables, poured over salmon, stirred into a cocktail and even in your morning tea or coffee!”

B&G Food’s portfolio of pure maple syrup brands satisfies every palate and use:

Maple Grove Farms has been making maple products since 1915 and sources syrup from local and well established farms, including trees that have been tapped since the 1700s. Maple Grove Farms offers Golden Delicate and Amber Rich grades as well as Organic varieties of pure maple syrup. Bottled in the maple syrup capital of the United States, St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in a Zero Waste Certified Facility, Maple Grove Farms pure maple syrup is nationally distributed in three sizes: 8.5 fluid oz., 12.5 fluid oz. and 32 fluid oz.

Spring Tree was founded in 1976 and is named after the time of year maple syrup is produced.  Spring Tree pure maple syrup is available in both Amber Rich and Dark Robust in Organic and regular options.  Spring Tree pure maple syrup is available nationally in three sizes: 8.5 fluid oz., 12.5 fluid oz. and 32 fluid oz. ‘

Cary’s, is the oldest maple syrup brand in the United States, founded in 1906 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Cary’s pure maple syrup is available in Amber Rich nationally in 8 and 12.5 fluid oz. sizes.

MacDonald’s pure maple syrup is available predominantly in the Midwest and West Coast in two sizes of Amber Rich:  8.5 fluid oz. and 12.5 fluid oz.

Stay tuned! I will be reviewing soon! 

Credit: B&G Foods

Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) and our subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute high-quality, branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  With our diverse portfolio of more than 50 brands you know and love, including Back to Nature, B&G, B&M, Cream of Wheat, Green Giant, Las Palmas, Le Sueur, Mama Mary’s, Maple Grove Farms, Mrs. Dash, New York Style, Ortega, Pirate’s Booty, Polaner, SnackWell’s, Spice Islandsand Victoria, there’s a little something for everyone.  For more information about B&G Foods and our brands, please visit www.bgfoods.com.

Self Disclosure: Information and images were provided. I will be receiving samples and reviewing soon so stay tuned!

 Garden Lites®, the delicious vegetable company and the leader in unique veggie-rich foods, is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a lineup of incredibly “green” products, all offering veggies made great. Consumer demand across the U.S. keeps growing for Garden Lites products, which always have vegetables as the first ingredients.  The total line is made with only clean/simple ingredients, is non-GMO certified, gluten free, nut free and always delicious. 

This St. Patrick’s Day, share the luck of the Irish with three Super Green delicious, nutritious powerhouse foods from Garden Lites including:

•  Garden Lites Blueberry Oat Muffins: You’ll never believe the first ingredient in Garden Lites Blueberry Oat Muffins is zucchini!  Heat them in a microwave to enjoy a chocolate lava cake experience or a delightful blueberry packed muffin, both for only 120 calories. All Garden Lites Muffins are Non-GMO and deliciously moist and a great source of fiber.  They are also all allergy-friendly, gluten, and nut free.

•  Garden Lites Superfood Veggie Cakes: These green veggie cakes are incredibly good for you and packed with nutrient-rich superfood veggies like kale and cauliflower. Each veggie cake is packed with veggies, gluten free, non-gmo and nutritionally smart. Though it may be daunting to eat your 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, a great way to accomplish this goal is to make it easy. Garden Lites products are ready in a few minutes, with the muffins ready in 30 seconds, so now you can enjoy the benefits of vegetables with the delicious convenience of our foods.

I actually tried these Garden Lites Superfood Veggie cakes and I really like them! They are a hit in my house! I will definitely be buying these again soon! I like that they are great for an afternoon snack! 

•  Garden Lites Power Ninja Muffins: This wholesome treat will make your kids’ friends “green” with envy! Your child will love the fun characters, you’ll love the fact that zucchini is the first ingredient. Only 80 calories each, Garden Lites Ninja Power Muffins are Allergy-friendly; Gluten, Dairy & Nut Free! Perfect for lunchboxes.

About Garden Lites:

Garden Lites has a variety of products and increased distribution in the freezer section across the country. Some of the best selection can be found at Kroger, Meijer, Target, Costco, Shop Rite, Publix, Stop & Shop, Giant, HEB, Ralph’s, Fry’s, Whole Foods, and many more retailers and online for home delivery at thehealthfoodstore.com The line also has the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Seal of Approval, which is the first health-conscious, lifestyle-aware seal in the food and beverage industry.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to post. Images and information were also provided. 

Here are my favorites for this season!

Looking for cute and comfy shoes for your little one? Pediped has you covered! The Originals Ronnie Navy were a hit with our little reviewer! Mom loved how her little one actually liked to have them on and they are comfortable and stylish! Find out more here!

About pediped^®
Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort, and distinctive styling have made the award-winning company the fastest growing children’s footwear brand in the United States. pediped^® footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development, and preeminent orthopedic medical professionals, Dr. Mininder S. Kocher and Dr. Thomas W. Vorderer, deem pediped^® shoes an excellent choice for parents/caregivers who want their children’s feet to develop naturally and healthily. pediped^® has received numerous industry awards and accolades including recognition from Earnshaw’s, the premier media resource serving the children’s market. In 2015 pediped^® was recognized by the Footwear Industry Awards as the Children’s Footwear Brand of the Year and earned a 2016 Earnie Award from Earnshaw’s magazine as the Footwear Brand of the Year.

pediped^® is sold in over 750 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between its three lines, Originals^®, Grip ‘n’ Go™ and Flex^®. The award-winning footwear is available in EU sizes 17 to 38 (US newborn to 6 Youth). For more information, visit www.pediped.com or call 1-702-567-0311. LIKE on Facebook at /pedipedfootwear and follow on Twitter and Instagram @pedipedfootwear

Looking for cute and snuggly PJ’s this Winter for your little one? Your search is over! 

These are just too cute! You can find these PJ’s here! I love how they can be personalized and come in a cute bag! This would make a perfect gift! Stuck on You also has some other great personalized gift suggestions!

Australia based Stuck On You was founded in 1995 by Carrie Felton, a mom of three boys.  A global leader in personalized products for baby & beyond, Stuck On You products are available in more than 15 countries.  Felton created Stuck On You to celebrate the individuality of every name, bring joy to new parents with unique, timeless products for every child, save families time, energy and money and help them to lead a more organized life.  In addition to a broad offering of labels, the Stuck On You collection includes activity and personalized books, durable and stylish bags, lunchboxes and drink bottles, stationery, bag tags and gorgeous gifts for all ages.

Follow Stuck on You:

https://www.facebook.com/StuckOnYouUS/

https://www.instagram.com/stuckonyouofficial/

https://twitter.com/StuckOnYouTweet

This next one would also make a great baby shower gift! The ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bag. 

ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bag

The ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bag was named Sleeping Bag for 2017 and 2016 in Australia and sold out across the country last winter!  Why are these Sleep Suit Bags becoming so popular?  Because now your baby can sleep anywhere!  The ergoPouch award winning Sleep Suit Bag converts from a sleeping bag to a sleep suit with legs – making the transition from cot to pram or car an easy one.  It’s also a perfect choice for older babies and toddlers who like freedom of movement, with grip pads on the feet for little walkers.  The Sleep Suit Bag is the only sleep suit made from a skin-friendly organic cotton outer layer with a breathable cotton filling.  The Winter Sleep Suit Bag also has cotton fleece sleeves with fold down mitts to keep baby warm and snug.  Like the rest of the ergoPouch range, the Sleep Suit Bag comes in a range of tog ratings and sizes.  New season prints available now! From SRP$49.99.

 ABOUT ERGOPOUCH:

Melbourne, Australia-based ergoPouch was founded in 2009 by Alina Sack.  As a mother, Sack drew on her own personal experiences of sleep deprivation to come up with innovative products designed to help babies and kids get a better night’s sleep.  The award-winning ergoPouch collection includes premium quality baby swaddles, sleeping bags and sleep suits available from birth to 6 years of age sizing.  All ergoPouch products are made with natural fibres including Organic Cotton, Bamboo and Merino.  ergoPouch products offer great functionality and versatility with swaddles that can easily transition to a sleeping bag, and sleep suits that convert from bags to suits with legs for easy use from bassinet to stroller.

For more information visit www.ergopouch.com.

  FOLLOW ERGOPOUCH:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ergopouch

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ergopouch

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ergopouch

YouTube:  ergoPouch

And, of course new Moms (Well..actually all Moms!) need a to-go Coffee or Tea Cup! 

The GoSili Silicone Coffee and Tea To-Go Cup is actually a new favorite of mine! I love that is easy to use and so simple to clean! It also keeps its shape and it is Dishwasher and Microwave safe! I love that it easily fits in my cup holder in my car for travel. 

You can find out more here! 

About GoSili®

Traverse City-based GoSili was founded in 2006 by Stacey Feeley and Giuliana Schwab with the mission of Waste Less!  GoSili designs and manufactures silicone tableware products for the whole family.  The excessive use and waste of disposable paper and plastic inspired the GoSili founders to create a modern line incorporating all the practical benefits that silicone has to offer.  GoSili is the parent company of the award-winning children’s silicone products brand Silikids.  GoSili products make the basics better by bringing an alternative to plastic, bridging the gap between great design and affordability while improving the way we live! A win-win for all!  For more information visitwww.gosili.com.

• Facebook address:https://www.facebook.com/gosiliproducts/
• Twitter address:https://twitter.com/gosiliproducts
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/gosiliproducts/
• Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/gosiliproducts/

Here’s a great gift idea for New Moms!

This product (www.TempTraq.com) is great for giving new moms peace of mind, especially during winter months when cold/flu season starts.

When kids come down with a fever, this wearable, Bluetooth patch monitors body temperature continuously for 48 hours and sends info to smartphones through a free app, letting kids get the rest they need to get better.

Parents can see real-time temperature data from anywhere (without having to wake sick children)…whether dropping a child off at grandma’s house for an overnight visit or checking in on a child staying home from school with the sitter. Plus, you can send info to your doctors and monitor multiple kids at once for those times the entire household gets sick.

I love that this is super simple to use and will give Moms some relief when their little one is sick.

It’s a must-have addition to the medicine cabinet and is currently available at Target.com.

I just love this next one! It is such a wonderful gift idea for New Moms!

This is the sweetest book and a great way to keep memories!

This spring, National Geographic presents Welcome Little One: A Keepsake Baby Book (Feb. 6, 2018; ISBN: 978-1426218958; Hardcover $24.00; 152 pages), a beautiful memento for you to preserve every moment of your child’s first year.

With ample room for personalization, removable monthly milestone stickers and signature National Geographic photography from nature’s nursery, Welcome Little One is the perfect way to celebrate your family’s newest addition. Parents will fill the colorful pages with memories – from the first announcement, to baby’s arrival and every hallmark memory of the first year – and record their little one’s growth.

Whether new to keepsakes or longtime scrapbookers, Welcome Little One makes a thoughtful gift that expectant parents will treasure and may one day pass on to their little one when they’re grown up and expecting a child of their own.

About the Author: Kristin Baird Rattini has entertained and educated adults and children alike for the past 20 years with engaging books and magazine articles. She has written for National Geographic, National Geographic Kids, People, Family Circle, American Way, Midwest Living and dozens of other publications.

Looking for toys for the New Baby? I love some of the ones that HABA USA have! The Star Clutching Toy is perfect for the very little ones!

This one can be found here.  I like that this is safe for baby to chew on. It is made from food-grade silicone. It’s a great price too! Retails for $7.49.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate the Baby Winter Round Up. Some images were also provided. 

This post was sponsored by Ling Ling, all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Our family celebrated Chinese New Year on February 16th with delicious food from Ling Ling Asian Food! I have to admit that it was the first time I decorated for the holiday but I think it will be a new tradition for our family! I know we will continue to enjoy Ling Ling Asain Food at home on a regular basis because it is delicious and it is so easy to prepare!

They also are not difficult to find! I found the Noodles and Rice quite easily at our local Von’s and also saw them at our local Walmart.

You can find out where to find their products by using the Ling Ling Asian Food Store Locator: https://goo.gl/b6N2d9

You can use this great coupon:   $2 off ONE Ling Ling Entree or Appetizer (20oz. or more) just go to http://goic.io/B1f7R5

Ling Ling Asian Food has quickly become my to-go-to favorite Asian food choice! I love the flavor and that the Potstickers can even be made quickly in the microwave and still taste great! I just recently tried the Noodles and they are now a favorite of mine!

I love that they just have so much flavor! The Potstickers are still my favorite but the Noodles are a close second! I still am amazed that the Potstickers are so quick and easy to make! Our family has now had them twice since our celebration on the 16th!

Don’t forget to look for Ling Ling Asian Food on Facebook and Twitter:

• Ling Ling Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LingLingAsianKitchen/
• Ling Ling Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/LingLingPanda

I also have some exciting news to share! You can enter this exciting giveaway opportunity!

I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (5).
Ling Ling Asian Kitchen Giveaway (Phase 3)

Prize: One of (5) $100 Walmart Gift Card
Dates: Tuesday, February 13th – Tuesday, March 6th