New Textured Sensory Labels from Mabel’s Labels

Price: $19 and up

Website: https://mabelslabels.com/textured-sensory-labels

Help ease your child’s anxiety and fears about being away from home with the NEW Textured Sensory Labels from the parent-loved brand Mabel’s Labels! These personalized name labels have textured surfaces and cute designs, plus they keep little hands busy, allowing for more focus and concentration (plus, no more lost stuff!) Choose from 8 fun design options! 1 sheet contains 3 large labels. View the entire collection of school label packs online at www.mabelslabels.com.  They are perfect on water bottles, lunch boxes and so much more this school year!

Think gluten-free means flavor-free? Think again. There’s a new cookie in town, and it’s taking the snack world by storm. These come in 7 different flavors and they are actually delicious! My favorite is the Peanut Butter! But, the Chocolate Chip comes in a close second!

Say hello to award-winning Mightylicious, the hand-crafted cookie that truly has it all: amazing flavor, perfect texture, clean ingredients, Certified Vegan, Kosher, Gluten-free and non-GMO.  —everything you want in a cookie except the gluten.

What sets these decadent cookies apart from the rest is their surprising deliciousness. Everyone is singing the praises of Mightylicious, not just people with celiac disease and health-conscious snackers, but anyone who simply can’t resist a good cookie.

I love that these are individually wrapped!

The Mightylicious story

A cookie lover who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012, Carolyn spent years seeking out gluten-free cookie brands. One busy holiday season, she was disappointed yet again when a gluten-free cookie crumbled entirely after one bite.

“That’s when I realized there had to be a better way,” says Carolyn, a married mom, member of the LGBTQ community, and one smart cookie herself. “I was determined to create a cookie that was gluten-free, healthy, and above all, irresistibly delicious.”

The Mightylicious line features 7 varieties in all, including 4 vegan options: New Double Dutch Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin Vegan, as well as Chocolate Chip and Grandma Arline’s Oatmeal Coconut.

Also available are Brown Butter Chocolate Chip and Brown Butter Shortbread (both dairy), and Salted Peanut Butter (grain and dairy-free). Each bag contains individually wrapped cookies to maintain maximum freshness.  (6.4 oz bag, MSRP: $7.99)

Find Mightylicious online and in retail outlets including Walmart (231 outlets nationwide), Whole Foods, Costco, King’s, Price Chopper, and more. Available to hospitality and foodservice. BACK2SCHOOL24 – 30% off sitewide through AUGUST, 2024!

Looking for back-to-school essentials? Cra-Z-Art has you covered! I love their markers and colored pencils! They are absolutely favorites of mine!

Art and creativity play a crucial role in a child’s development, enhancing their ability to express themselves, solve problems, and think critically. Cra-Z-Art’s Back-to-School collection is not just about providing supplies; it’s about fostering an environment where creativity can thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

Why Cra-Z-Art?

Cra-Z-Art has long been a trusted name in the world of art supplies, known for our commitment to quality, innovation, and affordability. Here’s why our products stand out:

• Vivid Colors: Our crayons, markers, and colored pencils boast rich, vibrant colors that make every project pop.
• Durability: Cra-Z-Art products are made to last, with durable tips on markers and strong leads in pencils that resist breaking.
• Safety: All our art supplies are non-toxic, making them safe for use by young children.
• Variety: From classic crayons to neon markers, our diverse range ensures there’s something for every creative mind.

Featured Products:

1. Cra-Z-Art Crayons: Smooth and blendable, perfect for shading and mixing colors. Available in classic and unique color packs.
2. Cra-Z-Art Markers: Bold, washable markers ideal for both school projects and home crafts.
3. Cra-Z-Art Colored Pencils: Pre-sharpened with high-quality pigments, ensuring vibrant and precise drawings.
4. Cra-Z-Art Coloring Books: Filled with fun and educational designs, encouraging imagination and relaxation.

The lunch box has entered the 21^st century with an on-the-go “P”B&J Sando from Rudi’s Bakery and Voyage Foods using Voyage’s Roasted Seed Spread and Rudi’s bread, making it entirely nut-free, safe for schools, and safe for clean eaters everywhere.

Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery, known for its selection of organic and gluten-free breads and frozen innovations including Texas Toast and Breakfast Sandwiches, is thrilled to announce the launch of nut-free Sandos made with Rudi’s Signature Country Morning White Bread and Voyage’s Roasted Seed Spread. Available at Whole Food Market nationally. To find Sandos near you following the brand’s official launch in May, please visit: https://rudisbakery.com/store-locator/.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this back-to-school featured post. Images and information were also provided!

Have a wonderful school year and stay tuned for more back-to-school featured products!

Grandpa Gus offers a range of natural and effective pest control solutions across mosquito, rodent, and insect categories, including pouches, powders, and sprays.

I had the opportunity to try out the Natural & Kid-Safe Mosquito Bracelets and was happy to find that they work really well!

They just released a glow in the dark version! Great for those long summer nights! These were my favorites!

Hope you are having a fun summer!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this summer themed post. Images were also provided.

If you are looking for a personalized custom portrait such as a Pet Portrait, Goose and Pebble has you covered! I recently received a portrait of me and my pup and I love it! Melissa Lee is the owner of this wonderful small business. Her portraits will make a great gift!

 Melissa also offers digital downloads for purchase, and every purchase of a physical print gets a complimentary digital download as well. This will be handy for people who urgently need their portrait by a certain date (for a special occasion etc.)

Besides custom portraits and the option to add personalized text to their portraits, she also has Baby Birth Posters available in the shop: https://gooseandpebble.com/products/custom-baby-birth-posters

Check out Goose and Pebble for custom hand-drawn portraits!

Self Disclosure: I received a free portrait to facilitate this post.

Summer is almost officially here! The kids will have fun with these toys!

Vango #UpsideDownChallenge Backyard Edition MSRP $29.99 | Ages 8+ | Available on Amazon This summer, game night is about to be flipped upside down! Players attempt to complete seemingly easy activities such as tossing a ball into a cup, stacking cups into a pyramid or even just walking through an obstacle course made out of rings while wearing goggles that flip your vision upside down. It’s fantastic for game night, backyard barbecues, and picnics and will create hours of laughter and entertainment!  This is so much fun at family get-togethers!

Jumbo Group Hitster MSRP $19.99 | Ages 16+ | Available on Target 

Take a trip down memory lane with 300 hits from the last 100 years. By scanning a card with the free app, players take turns guessing the release date, artist name and song title to build their music timeline! Everything from AC/DC to Bruce Springsteen to Harry Styles and Backstreet Boys, the game play is simple but a ton of fun! First with a timeline of 10 songs wins! Moms and Dads will even love this one!

Squaregles Building Set | MSRP $44.99- $89.99 | Ages 3+ | Available on Amazon & Squaregles.com– You’ll get the chance to build and explore with one of their popular building sets all summer long! Build, then race the Oggs cars or doodle your own pictures on the paperboard panels and add them to the build! Take it outside and build on the deck or driveway, or even bring them along to the playground! The magnetic frames stick to the playset for even more building adventures! This will keep younger kids entertained this Summer!

PLAYMOBIL Camping Playsets | MSRP $14.99 – $29.99 | Ages 4 – 10 | Available on Amazon and Playmobil.com

Have some real . . and imaginative fun – with these new summertime themes including Barbeque, Camping with Campfire, and Mountain Bike Tour. My favorite is the Camping set!

PLAYMOBIL – Mermaids Sea Horse Carriage | MSRP $29.99| Ages 4+ | Available on Amazon

Seahorses pull and guide a carriage through the water, perfect for little mermaids who want to take a break from swimming! Kids use their imagination passing colorful coral reef and fellow sea creatures! Includes two PLAYMOBIL mermaids, baby seahorse, starfish shells and more beautifully detailed accessories.

This next one is perfect for young children and travels this Summer!

Bumpas Mushies MSRP $14.99 | Ages 3+ | Available May on Amazon & MyBumpas.com

Stretch, Pop, and Hug with Bumpas™ Mushies: a soft, comfortable, and squishy plush doll with extendable and retractable long arms and legs! This plush toy is the perfect size to take on trips as your kids little companion and also a great MESH toy that eases travel anxiety and antsy kids!

Happy Summer!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of the above products to facilitate this post. Images and information were also provided.

From spicy to sweet, Sweet Chaos has a gluten-free choice that Dad will love! Try the NEW Dill Pickle variety or stick to more traditional favorites like Movie Theater Butter, White Cheddar or Sea Salt. Sweet Chaos hand pops their NON-GMO kernels in coconut oil for a creamy richness while skipping the nasty, artificial stuff.  In addition to Movie Theater Butter and Sea Salt, exciting flavors include NEW Dill Pickle (made with real dill & vinegar), Jalapeno Blue Cheese, Kettle Corn and White Cheddar. 

View the collection: https://sweetchaos.com/popcorn/

Price: $3.00 per bag

Wiley Wallaby Licorice

Wiley Wallaby offers a large variety of soft and chewy licorice and sourrageous drops that satisfy Dad’s cravings for a sweet treat! Less sugar, fat -free and absolutely no dairy or high fructose corn syrup makes Wiley Wallaby the candy you feel better about gifting dad, too. Wiley Wallaby Sourrageous Drops have a chewy red inside with a sour crunchy outside! Three fruity flavors – Watermelon, Green Apple & Lemon – keep your taste buds on their toes. Wiley Wallaby Licorice is thick, chunky and super-soft, making this gourmet licorice a favorite! Choose from delightful flavors such as Blasted Berry, Watermelon, and Blueberry Pomegranate to nosh on and enjoy! 

View the collection: www.wileywallaby.comand Amazon.com

Price: $5.99

Happy Father’s Day!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this holiday post. Info and images were also provided.

Your beach or pool bag needs healthy snacks, so make sure to include Evo Hemp Bars, which are made from a delicious combination of cashews, protein crisps, and the world’s most nutritionally complete superfood, hemp seeds. With 12 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per bar, Evo Hemp Bars pack a nutritious punch to fuel your day at the pool or beach! Gluten-free and vegan, the bars are available in 5 tasty flavor combinations, including NEW Matcha Latte, Cookie Dough, Brownie Chip, Lemon, and Birthday Cake. 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples. Information and images were also provided.

The handy, compact Keep Going First Aid Kit includes essential first aid supplies from burn relief to bandages, so you will be ready for anything! TSA approved, the lightweight kit is packaged in an organized, stylish water & stain-resistant case for traveling, camping, road trips & more. Four kits are available, including the SuperKit (270 pieces), NEW Adult GoKit (130 pieces), GoKit (130 pieces), NEW MiniKit (60 pieces) and KidsKit (44 pieces). A variety of stylish, trendy patterns and colors are available, such as the NEW Traveler and NEW Minimalist. All of the kits can be found on the website at https://www.keepgoingfirstaid.com/ and on Amazon.com. I never go on a road trip without one of these kits! I love that they are also TSA approved!

Individually packaged and perfect for traveling, road trips, and tucking in beach bags, Handzies Soap + Water Wipes give everyone fresh, clean hands using only natural castile soap, water and essential oils. Say goodbye to harsh hand sanitizers, Handzies do not contain alcohol, BZK, triclosan, artificial perfumes or dyes.   http://handzies.com/ $12.99 and up. These are always in my car!

Snacks are a must on any road trip! Every good trip needs the right snacks to enjoy! From spicy to sweet, Sweet Chaos Popcorn offers a delicious variety of gluten-free choices to nosh on while taking a road trip over Spring Break! Sweet Chaos hand pops their Non-GMO kernels in coconut oil for a creamy richness while skipping the nasty, artificial stuff. Exciting flavors include Movie Theater Butter, Sea Salt, Jalapeno Blue Cheese, Kettle Corn and White Cheddar. https://sweetchaos.com/popcorn/ I love the White Cheddar and Movie Theater Butter!

Another great snack idea! Don’t forget to tuck a treat in your purse, backpack or laptop bag while preparing to fly or drive. Wiley Wallaby offers soft and chewy licorice that satisfies cravings for something sweet! Wiley Wallaby Licorice is fat free, vegan, and does not contain artificial colors and flavors. Plus, each piece is thick, chunky and super-soft, making this gourmet licorice a favorite! Mouthwatering options include Hot Cinnamon, Classic Red (always a favorite!), Green Apple, Watermelon and more.  https://wileywallaby.com/

I love the watermelon flavor!

This one is a new favorite of mine! I prefer it over peanut butter!

A delicious nut butter alternative to bring with you for snacks on-the-go, Oat Boss Granola Butter is free of the top 8 Allergens, this delightful & creamy healthy alternative to nut & seed butters will be your new favorite to enjoy on apples or crackers. Granola Butter is a delicious fiber-rich fusion of the wholesome goodness of granola and the creamy indulgence of a spread. You can choose from 6 delicious varieties, including Original, Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Fudge, Donut and Shortbread. Only 6 grams of sugar per serving, and 100% Nut & Seed Free, 100% Gluten Free, Soy Free & Non-GMO. Learn more at www.oatboss.com. I like the Original and Blueberry Muffin!

Safe and happy Summer Travels!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of the above items. Images and info were also provided.

 There’s a non-profit called The Comfort Cub and it is a weighted teddy bear that has been healing Broken Heart Syndrome for mothers, fathers, siblings, doctors, teachers and children for 25 years. The weight of the bear is scientifically proven to soothe Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, or better known as, Broken Heart Syndrome. People experience Broken Heart Syndrome when they go through severe loss, trauma, and grief. It can be deadly. The Comfort Cub could really be helpful!

The Comfort Cub was founded by Marcella Johnson 25 years ago. Marcella’s journey began with a personal tragedy when she lost her baby boy, George, shortly after his birth. Overwhelmed by grief, Marcella experienced excruciating heartache, which was later diagnosed as Broken Heart Syndrome. She was determined to find relief and healing. Marcella discovered that when she picked up a weighted object her heart attack-like pain slowed way down and her excruciating arm pain was soothed (the arm pain was from not holding her newborn in her arms, since her body had been preparing to hold a baby for nine months, and then she wasn’ts holding him).  She thought she looked silly carrying potted plants around so she quickly put a weight inside one of her other child’s stuffed animals and carried that around. She was shocked at how much better she felt. 

She knew other moms who were grieving could also benefit from a weighted animal to soothe their grief and trauma after losing a baby or even any loved one. Then she created The Comfort Cub and started stocking hospitals and maternity wings with them, giving them away to moms everywhere who lost a baby. But then she noticed more people, who were not only mothers but other family members experiencing loss and grief wanted one too. Even frontline healthcare workers during the height of COVID-19 requested Comfort Cubs, knowing the comfort they brought to patients at the hospitals who lost loved ones. It was helping them sleep better at night. These weighted bears not only alleviate physical symptoms but also trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine, effectively soothing the pain and reducing the enlarged heart valve associated with Broken Heart Syndrome.

What started as a personal remedy soon blossomed into a mission to extend comfort and support to others facing similar hardships. The Comfort Cub has since been distributed to individuals experiencing various forms of loss and trauma, from parents mourning the loss of a child, victims of domestic violence, frontline healthcare workers battling during the pandemic, and survivors of gun violence. (June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, so The Comfort Cub would be an important story to bring up next month too to help those families looking for support. 

I received one to feature in this post and thought that I would give it to a young mom who recently experienced domestic violence. She has expressed to me how comforting this weighted teddy bear is and it has also been so helpful with her daughter who also experienced trauma.

Please check out the website and this non-profit is also in need of donations. The reach of The Comfort Cub is only limited by the resources available. While the organization remains committed to donating these bears to those in need, financial support is crucial to sustain and expand their efforts. The Comfort Cub is really something special!

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.