Mom and baby product reviews on The Mommy Insider

Think-ets

It's inevitable; kids get antsy, bored, wound up, and just down right crazy when in the car for more than 10 minutes, waiting for the doctor, or waiting for their food at a restaurant.  Don't bring the Gameboy next time and see just how imaginative your kids can be with Think-ets.  Think-ets is a game that brings out the imagination in your child and will fit in your pocket, diaper bag, purse, or carry-on bag.

Think-ets is a little mesh bag full of trinkets including a horse, a block, a little pair of pliers and more.  Two or more ages 8 & up can participate in a Think-et game / story telling adventure.  Think-ets is played by making up stories based on the trinkets each player draws before the game starts.  For example, if I chose the horse, block, hat, and pliers, my story may start off something like this:

"Once upon a time there was a horse who was training for the Kentucky Derby.  His owner Sally, would sit with her pretty hat on and watch her horse gallop and jump across the field.  Meanwhile, her friend, Bob, was fixing the door to the horse's pen with a pair of pliers and a screw driver while his daughter, Jill played with some blocks."

The second player continues the story based on the trinkets she drew.   An alternate way of playing is to draw one trinket at a time, adding one sentence to the story on each turn instead of half of the story on one turn.

For $1.25 you can buy a Geode "Cave to enhance the story telling experience and for $6.00 you can get a Agate "Stage" that players can use as a stage.

As you can probably tell, Think-ets will bring out the imagination in anyone.   Stories can be as silly or serious as the players want.

Website: Think-ets

Capri Sun, now with 25% less sugar! Every mom's dream.

When we recently asked 20 parents what kids beverage they have in their refrigerator, 16 of them said Capri Sun.  When we asked 25 children what their favorite drink is, 19 of them said Capri Sun, 2 of them said milk (huh?), and the other 4.. well, we won't go there.

Capri Sun has been a staple in our fridge for going on 8 years and I am SO thrilled that all 14 Capri Sun flavors now have 25% less sugar than other leading juice drinks and pulled this off without the use of artificial sweeteners or flavors.

When we received samples of the new 25% less sugar Capri Sun, I gave them to my two kids without mentioning the difference.  Both kids drank their Capri Sun in about 2 minutes flat and neither noticed a difference.  What a relief!  I assumed that less sugar = less flavor.  I was wrong.

I appreciate that my kids are getting a good source of antioxidant vitamin E to help support/maintain healthy cells and tissues and are not getting artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Each thirst satisfying pouch is 6.75 fl oz., enough to tame Sebastian's thirst after a baseball game. In fact, I didn't hear one peep when I brought these for the after-game drink a couple of weeks ago.

Already green or going green?  Eco-friendly innovator, TerraCycle converts your used drink pouches into unique fashion bags, tote bags, and pencil cases for kids and adults!  For every pouch you send to TerraCycle they give $.02 to the charity of your choice.  Simply sign up at TerraCycle.org to get started.

WEBSITE: Capri Sun

20Q the little round gadget that knows what you're thinking

20Q has been around for years and is now available in a smaller, smarter, pastel version.   20Q is an "artificial intelligence" game that tries to guess what you are thinking about by asking questions such as "is it alive", "does it make you feel good", and "is it hard".  Much to my amazement, 20Q figured out what we were thinking 8 times out of 10.    How does it work, you ask?   By process of elimination.

I thought of an elephant, a balloon, and a piece of grass.  20Q guessed the elephant and balloon between the 15-20th guess but the closest 20Q got to guessing a piece of grass was guessing that I was thinking of a leaf.  That is still pretty good.  I was impressed. 

If 20Q doesn't guess what you are thinking about (read your mind) by the 20th question, you win! When 20Q asks the player a question, the player responds by pressing one of four buttons.  Yes, no, sometimes, or don't know.  Based on your response 20Q asks the player another question.

20Q is a great game to take on vacation as it doesn't blast annoying beeps and boings, nor does it take up much room being about the size of a child's palm.  Recommended for ages 8 and up, 20Q is now available in spring colors.

   Learn more about 20Q or buy here

Braun ThermoScan ExacTemp

When Sebastian, now 8, was younger we used a traditional glass thermometer.  After we broke two glass thermometers which posed a danger because of the broken glass and tiny beads of mercury on the floor, I purchased an ear thermometer.  Ours is quite out-dated and when I recently received a Braun ThermoScan ExacTemp to review, I was very pleased with the features as compared to my 5 year old ear thermometer.

What makes it special: Braun's ThermoScan ExacTemp thermometer is exceptional in that is features ExacTemp technology. To help avoid inaccurate temperatures the tip is warmed to a temperature close to that of a human body.   The ThermoScan measures the infrared heat generated by the eardrum and surrounding tissues.  The eardrum shares blood supply with the hypothalamus, the temperature control center in the brain, which means that changes in your child's body temperature are reflected sooner in the ear than at other sites which is just one more reason to use an ear thermometer.

What's included: The ThermoScan comes with protective tip covers and a protective case ensuring that the thermometer is secure when not in use.  To save battery life, the ThermoScan thermometer automatically shuts off after 60 seconds.  I am so tired of buying batteries..I love the auto-off feature!

More features: The LCD screen is easy to read and shows the battery level, the thermometer beeps when it is finished taking a temperature.  When your child is sick and you need to check her temperature often, the memory feature comes in handy.  You can store up to 8 temperatures and can access store temperatures easily.  The ThermoScan is light and is designed in such a way that it is easy to hold and won't slip out of your hand. This thermometer fits into a compact protective case that also stores the probe covers.  I can't tell you how many times I have had to buy a new pack of covers just because they got lost.. or Sebastian played with them.  Being able to store the probe covers directly in the case is great!

Important note:  There are at least two ThermoScan models so look closely at the details before buying as they have different features.

Buy a ThermoScan at Amazon  OR learn more at the Braun website

Whole grain baking mixes...your kids can make!

We were recently given the opportunity to try a few Kids Central Kitchen baking mixes and I am so excited to tell you about them. 
I tend to get stressed when I am cooking or in the kitchen in general but making Kids Central Kitchen's Chocolate Chip Energy Bars was fun and was a good way for Sebastian and I to spend quality time together.  He had a blast making these bars.  Kids Central Kitchen's baking mix recipes are easy for kids to follow and when finished baking the young chef will feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Kids Central Kitchen's natural, whole grain baking mixes are free from trans fats, hydrogenated oils, refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. So what do they have in them?  Yummy goodness.  Organic oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, cane juice and the chef (that's you) adds a few ingredients including applesauce and yogurt.  I wish I could put a 'scratch and taste' on here so you could taste the Chocolate Chip Energy Bars.  They are so good! 

Sebastian was very proud of himself for mixing and baking the bars and then serving the bars to all of us.  You can tell by the picture below that he was in absolute heaven when eating a bar.

Baking mixes include the Homerun Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix, Slam Dunker Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Snow Angel Sugar Cookie Mix, Mudslinger Chocolate Brownie Mix, Swinging Monkey Banana Bread Mix, Flip Flop Flap Jacks Pancake Mix & our favorite, the Propeller Chocolate Chip Energy Bar Mix.

Kids Central Kitchen

15% off your order with code 'insider'

Pixie gloves

Keeping kids hands warm on cold days is a challenge.  Sebastian ends up with two fingers in one finger hole and I simply have a hard time getting full-fingered gloves on Madelyn's little hands.

These tightly knit pink fingerless gloves from Frosty Petals feature a ruffle making them perfect for little girls. Madelyn is able to color, pick up sticks, and toys while wearing these gloves unlike with full-fingered gloves. 

Frosty Petals also sells gloves for little boys and parents that are just as well made and nice looking.  Prices vary depending on style and size and start off at around $10.  Full-fingered styles are also available as well as other colors including black, dark blue and more.

 

  Pixie Gloves at Frosty Petals

Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta

I try to buy all organic, whole wheat pasta as much as possible but Sebastian doesn't like the 'texture' of some of the whole wheat pasta we've tried.  I agree that some whole wheat pasta can be 'grainy'. 

Ronzoni's Smart Taste pasta is a great alternative to gra iny whole wheat pasta's and our kid testers loved the taste and texture of the pasta.  Little did they know they were getting about 25% of their DV of fiber and as much calcium as they would get in an 8 oz. glass of milk. 

Smart Taste is available in several varities including penne, spaghetti, thin spaghetti, elbows, and rotini so you can make all of your favorite pasta dishes with Smart Taste pasta's.

I recently found out that I have high bad cholesterol and low good cholesterol so it is important that I eat foods that are cholesterol free. Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta is a cholesterol free food so I can induldge in an occasional pasta dish without feeling guilty.  The Ronzoni Smart Taste website has a lot of recipes to get you started with your Smart Taste meals. You can buy Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta at your local grocery store.

I have ten boxes of Ronzoni Smart Taste penne pasta to giveaway!  This giveaway will be held from March 3rd 2008 until March 10th 2008.  Click here to enter to win.  I will contact the winners by email and will request the winners mailing addresses then.

Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta

Honey Buns Boutique: bringing simple back

Honey Buns Boutique is truly an exceptional shop.  Stepping away from frilly dresses (not that we don't like frilly) and high prices, Honey Buns Boutique brings simple, and affordable, back.   The designs were created by a mom with a super handsome 6 month old son so you can rest assure that she knows what moms want in both style and durability.

You will find a variety of cute and sassy shirts, onesies, and accessories for mommies, babies, toddlers, and children up to size 16 at Honey Buns Boutique and best of all, Honey Buns clothes are exclusive - you won't find their designs anywhere else! How cool is that? 

I love the Bubbles mommy tees and the Sugar & Spice tote bag. The simplicity of these designs is refreshing.

Honey Buns Boutique: clothes & accessories for mommies, babies, and toddlers.

Q-BA-MAZE construction toy + giveaway!

We received several Q-BA-MAZE kits to review back in December and the feedback from parents and kids alike has been aMAZing!

When Sebastian gets out his Q-BA-MAZE construction toy I know I won't see him for a while.   Like most  children, Sebastian loves to build things then take them apart.  If he could he would try it on my car.  When I received Q-BA-MAZE to review, I knew right away that this is a toy to play with when Madelyn (almost 2) is not around.  With small marbles and pieces that stack, the combination is a sure disaster. She would have Sebastian's project scattered on the floor in no time.

Q-BA-MAZE is unlike any toy I've ever seen. Not only is this a construction toy but it is also a marble maze.  Structures can be designed and built using the included architecture plans, your child's imagination, or from architecture plans found on the Q-BA-MAZE website. 
The fun isn't over when you've used all of the construction pieces.  When you are finished building a structure, drop the included marbles in and see where they come out!   What I love about this toy is that there are so many design possibilities and little inventors can spend hours making their own buildings, bridges, or other structures and then watch the marbles roll down and out!  The structure above is one of the simpler designs. Visit the website to see the design possibilities for each set.

Q-BA-MAZE packs come with 20 or 50 very durable pieces and include several marbles.  We have three 50 piece Q-BA-MAZES to giveaway and will do so in March.  Sign up for our newsletter using the "Get our newsletter" form to the right to be notified when we run the giveaway contest.

Q-BA-MAZE construction toy

Froose: a healthy juice for kids

What's low in sugar, high in fiber, made with organic ingredients and yummy?  Your kids might say.. uh, nothing!?  Have your kids try Froose, a naturally healthy juice for kids, and I think they will change their minds.  Froose is a novel idea. Combine good flavor with organic ingredients and very low sugar to create a great tasting drink.  Good idea huh?

Our testers, ages 20 months - 9 years, tried all three flavors, Perfect Pear, Cheerful Cherry, and Playful Peach.  We didn't hear complaints about any of the flavors but the Cheerful Cherry was the favorite. The kids loved the packaging with the cute moose and I as a parent love it because the colorful juice boxes add fun to a healthy drink.  I tasted the Froose juices, and it was like biting into a real pear or peach.. it was great!  I really appreciate that Froose juices don't have the 'flavored water' taste that many juices have. You feel like you are actually enjoying a piece of fruit when drinking Froose.

Froose juices combine the best of whole grains and fruit in one nutritious, portable package that kids can grab out of the fridge or include in their packed school lunch.  I am impressed that Froose chose to package their juices in smaller 4.23 oz packages than the typical 6.75 or 8 oz packages. No more almost empty juice boxes laying around and no more 'I'm not hungry for dinner' after your child drinks a 6.75oz juice box!

Go to the Froose website to learn more about the flavors, how Froose is made, and the nutritional facts.

Froose whole food kids juices