New From Oscar Mayer Lunchables!

Finding a healthy lunch while on the go has always been a challenge for me. Add to that a picky eater, and my choices are even less! When Mom Central let me know about the Lunchables Blog Tour - with their new Better For You Lunch Combinations - I was eager to participate and give them a try!

We have tried the Lunchables before, and I first bought them for her when I discovered their twin packs of meat cubes, cheese cubes, and Ritz crackers. These were the perfect size for her snacks!


Now Lunchables has created a new line of lunches for our kids (and us adults!) When I went to the store to check out their new look, I decided to try the Turkey & Cheddar Sub. These subs are a first for the Oscar Mayer Lunchable Brand, and I was interested in seeing how they tasted and if my daughter would like them. My Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combination included the following:

• Whole Grain Sub
• Turkey Breast
• 2% Cheddar Cheese
  
• Mini Nilla Wafers
  
• Applesauce
• Spring Water
  
• Kool Aid Single
• Fat Free Mayo

I really liked that they really gave you a complete meal in their Lunchable. You can make your little sub sandwich, and add to that your applesauce and cookies and you have a full child! The Kool Aid pack was a great idea to give the water a little extra flavor...but I actually don't buy plastic water bottles regularly anymore so that was one feature I didn't really like. I prefer to use a reusable bottle, but I can see that for a school field trip or when you are really just looking for a quick convenience meal that includes everything, the water bottle would be great to use.

For more information and a complete list of their new Lunch Combinations, visit the Oscar Mayer Lunchables Website!

I overall thought think these new Lunchables Lunch Combinatins are a great new product that would make on the go lunches much easier. I would buy them for special lunches out, maybe for when my daughter gets to stay with Grandma for a few hours, or if we are going to have a long car ride or be out all day running errands. It's certainly healthier than most fast food! Since the price is over $3 for one lunch, I personally wouldn't feed it to my child everyday, just once and awhile for a fun treat!

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Oscar Mayer Lunchables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Freebie for You Cat!

Here is a freebie that your kitty will appreciate! Yes, even your cat can get free samples in the mail LOL!

(My cat, Tiny)

Go HERE to get your free sample of Fancy Feast!

Thanks to Money Saving Mom for finding this freebie for me!

My Little Story Teller!!

Lately, my daughter has been quite the little story teller! It is actually really amusing & quite cute to listen to her talk about things...that may have or may not have really happened!

The other day, she came running over to me.

"Mommy! Tiny BIT me!!"

(Tiny is our cat, and is quite a little snot. So I believed her)

Me: Tiny bit you?

Her: Yeah! Tiny bit me!

Me: Where did she bite you?

Her: On my ear!

Me: On your ear? Really?

Her: Yeah! My EAR!

I looked at the cat, who was sleeping on the couch. This was totally made up LOL! I kinda knew that was the case when she said it was her ear! The cat will take a swat at her once and awhile, but biting her ear probably hasn't happened LOL! Although, I guess we'll never really know!

This was the conversation she had with her Daddy last week. I went to get the mail, an they were alone after him being gone at work all day.

Daddy: Did you get anything in the mail today?

Her: Yeah!!

Daddy: What did you get?

Her: A box! I got a box!

Daddy: A box? Well what was in it??

Her: A present!

Daddy: A present? What kind of present?

Her: Pants!

Daddy: Pants?

Her: Yeah, Pants!

Daddy: you got pants in the mail huh?

Her: Yup!

When I got back he asked me about it. It was so funny, she didn't get any pants in the mail! We didn't even get any boxes that day! i don't think she's ever gotten pants in the mail, well maybe months ago. My little turkey decided to just make up something that sounded really fun to her LOL! He was laughing & was shocked that she had him going on this!!

I love her imagination!!

Yesterday she was helping me cook dinner. I gave her the recipe card to hold & she starting reading out loud - some real words, other things just jibberish.

Then she said "This is a good book!"

LOL, she cracks me up!

Winner of Safe Sippy 2 Giveaway!!

Here is the winner of the Safe Sippy 2 giveaway!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

229

Timestamp: 2009-08-25 18:23:09 UTC

#229 is socmama!! Congrats!! You have 72 hours to respond to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone that entered! Remember to check out Kid Basix and all of the great cups they offer!

Green Toys Giveaway Winner!!

I have the winner of the Green Toys Giveaway!

From Random.org...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

24

Timestamp: 2009-08-25 18:06:34 UTC

That's #24...judybrittle!!

Congrats!! I have emailed you, please respond within 72 hours to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone that entered & to Green Toys for this great review & giveaway!

Clorox What To Expect Healthy Home Growth Chart

I remember as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I went out and bought the What To Expect When You're Expecting book. I read that thing pretty much cover to cover soaking up all of the information I could!! Of course after I had my baby, there were tons of other questions I had! So I got What To Expect The First Year & What To Expect The Toddler Years....I am definitely a longtime reader!

When Mom Central asked me to be apart of the What to Expect Guide to a Healthy Home Growth Chart blog tour, I of course wanted to check it out! It teams together Heidi Murkoff (author of those What To Expect Books I read!) and Clorox to bring us a guide to keeping our homes healthy at each age of our children - from birth to 5 years of age. Although in my opinion all of these tips can be used at any age - even for us adults!Right away the first fact I read on the page was "Did you know that the average child can touch up to about 300 surfaces every 30 minutes?" Well, I certainly believe that! My toddler is basically in non stop motion these days, and everything has to be explored and fiddled with. This means a lot of touching and a lot of germ contact. To keep her healthier I like to carry Hand Sanitizers with me when we are out and about so that I have an easy and convenient way to get those hands germ free. Usually I use this after grocery shopping, or playing at the park. And whenever I get home from being out, we got wash our hands. I always wash mine too, since I am in so much contact with her I need to take care of myself as well!

I think the best way to protect ourselves and our children is to wash hands, plain and simple.

The What To Expect Healthy Home Growth Chart gives you some great tips and ideas starting at 1 month all the way up to 5 years. I definitely learned some new things from this chart. Like did you know that you could put stuffed animals in the freezer (in a plastic bag,overnight) to get rid of dust mites? That is very good to know, since not everything is machine washable. I also loved the tips on making hand washing a part of daily routine o that it becomes natural for the child. If before every meal they have to wash their hands, they will grow to expect it and develop healthy habits!

This Growth Chart is offered to you completely free to download! Just visit this Clorox website and click on the the picture of the Healthy Home Growth Chart on the right side of the page!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and the What to Expect Guide and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

SnackTaxi - Review With Giveaway!

Getting ready for back to school means planning lunches! Rather than use plastic bags and throw them away after every single use you can help cut waste and cut costs by buying reusable bags!

One great place to find these bags is a place called SnackTAXI. SnackTAXI was created by Erin, a mother of three that packs over 500 lunches a year! She invented SnackTAXI's in 2003 as a way to curb the amount of plastic they were sending right to the landfills. By creating SnackTAXI she has really made it easy for us moms to be environmentally friendly in a hip & fun way!

At SnackTAXI, you can purchase Sandwich-Sacks, Lunch-Sacks, or Snack-Sacks...in lots of different patterns that are really fun & unique! Your child can even pick out their favorite design so that they are excited to bring it to school everyday!

Erin sent me 2 products to review. The first was the Sandwich-Sack in a pretty Butterfly Design. This sandwich wrap is large enough to fit a generously sized sandwich (the way I like them!) which is perfect if you have an older teen or like to bring your lunch to work. It has a velcro closure & has a nylon lining inside. It definitely is not just for sandwiches though! The larger size makes it easier to pack a bigger snack, or a larger food item!


The second product I got to try out was the Snack-Sack in Groovy Guitar Lime. This is really the perfect size for my little girl! I can fill it with any of her favorites like crackers, pretzels, or even cookies :) It also has a velcro closure and a nylon lining inside. I love the Guitar print since my daughter is on a huge guitar kick right now! Very fun!

To me the greatest thing about both of these bags is the nylon Lining feature. This makes them super easy to clean and also prevents any fuzz or material getting on your food. I will tell you that other places I have tried before have gotten fuzz & hairy material right into my sandwich! That is NOT good! This nylon prevents any of that, so I love it!

Here are a few designs that kids will love! First is the Fly By Day Sandwich Sack!

This next design is great for the girls! Carnival Bloom Purple is a burst of girly fun!



Washing your SnackTAXI is very easy too! You can throw it in the washing machine or just hand wash it in your sink with a little soap & water...just wipe the inside!

PURCHASE: You can purchase your own SnackTAXI's right from their website! They are also available at some Retail Locations across the Country! A Sandwich-Sack will cost about $8.95 and a Snack-Sack will be about $6.95 each. When you think about how much money you will save not having to buy plastic anymore, it's a great deal! And no plastic means no waste!!

GIVEAWAY: SnackTAXI would like to offer one of my readers their own Snack- Sack & Sandwich-Sack!

TO ENTER: Please visit SnackTAXI and look around at their wonderful assortment of designs! Then come back & leave a comment with your favorite one!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete.

1. Follow my Blog
2. Subscribe
3. Add my NEW Button
4. Blog this giveaway! (3 extra entries! Leave 3 extra comments!)
5. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway! (You can do this once a day!)

Contest will end on September 7th at 10pm CST. Winner will be chosen via radnom.org and will be emailed & announced here on Ladybug Soup. Winner has 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. US Residents only.

Thank you to SnackTAXI for providing the product for review & for the giveaway!

Simply Chickie

I am happy to introduce you to a great company called Simply Chickie! Simply Chickie brings you 100% Organic Cotton Tee Shirts, Onesies, and Hats for your little ones! Each piece is designed and created by a fellow mom, Gwendolyn Gardner.

Gwen's designs are inspired by her little girl, which I really love! It makes it so personal and creative to be inspired by real life memories. Gwen also has very special ways to create these amazing designs, which you can read about on her website. Being a little creatively challenged(that's putting it lightly!), it fascinates me to read about how these clothes are created!

Simply Chickie designs are so unique and fun...you won't find these looks anywhere else! Gwen sent my daughter the 'I am the Frosting' Tee Shirt which was absolutely the perfect saying for her! She loves cupcakes, even when they are on her clothes! And she is definitely the frosting on the cake for me!


The material of this shirt is noticeably softer than any of her other tee shirts we own. The Organic Cotton really makes a difference! This is a huge plus for children and baby's clothing because you don't want anything being scratchy against their soft and sensitive skin! I have already thrown it in the wash, and it came out clean and just as soft as when it was brand new! I also love the off white color of the shirt...she doesn't own anything in this color and I never knew how great it looked on her!

Here are some more of my favorites from Little Chickie!

This I Toot Toot Train Onesie made me smile! We all know little boys loves trains, and the little saying makes it even better!
This I Love School tee would be great for a first day of Preschool or Kindergarten! I know my daughter loves fishies, so she would adore this one for that big day!

There's No Place Like Home makes a great statement for the future of our children! Start their love for the Planet as early as possible in this adorable hat!Simply Chickie offers clothing in sizes 3M - 6T and all of the styles come in Onesies, Tee Shirts or Hats! And all products are made right here in the USA! I think this clothing would make a great birthday or baby shower gift! The designs are so original and creative...and you can feel good about giving someone the 100% Organic Cotton material!

Simply Chickie can be purchased online at the Simply Chickie Website!

Kid Basix: The Safe Sporter!

I have already had the pleasure of introducing you to Kid Basix, creator of The Safe Sippy and The Safe Sippy 2. They have expanded their line even further by creating The Safe Sporter! Like all Kid Basix products, The Safe Sporter is stainless steel that is free of BPA & phthalates. But this cup is made with a Sports Cap perfect for older children who have graduated from their sippy cup days! Even adults will love them! Some great features come along with this new cup like:

• a Mud Cap to keep out germs & gunk
• a TPR Sleeve to protect your hands from feeling cold from your icy drinks
• a plastic Coaster bottom that fits in cup holders
• A Wide Mouth that is very convenient for cleaning & popping in ice cubes

We were able to try out a Safe Sporter, and like all Kid Basix Products, I really like it! The best thing about it to me is that it can easily replace all of those plastic water bottles so many people use everyday. The pull spout is easy to open which is great for children! It's great to know that once my daughter stops using sippy cups, we have another great option that is earth friendly & works great!

I also love that it comes in 2 different sizes...12 ounce & 16 ounce. These would be GREAT to pack in your child's school lunch! You'll save on money by not having to buy individual juice containers (or water bottles!) and it is more more environmentally friendly. Plus, they look so sleek and cool, kids will love using them!

The Safe Sporter comes in Blue, Fuchsia, or Lime Green and can be purchased at many US Retail Locations and Online. Click HERE to find out where to purchase yours!

I also wanted to mention that Kid Basix also offers The Safe Starter - a stainless steel baby bottle! This is a great option for many of you that have babies still young enough to drink from bottles. To learn more about The Safe Starter, visit Kid Basix!

Wordless Wednesday - Zoo Visits

This summer we didn't go on any vacations, so we had to find fun things to do close to home. So, we went to the Zoo a lot! We have a free zoo and a VERY not free Zoo, so we got to mix it up a little!

Here are some of my favorites from our visits!

Here she is sitting on a tractor! If you look closely you can see my husband behind her supporting her back (he tried to hide to make the picture look cooler LOL!)

Here we are feeding the Goats. She is not to fond of them! They are a little too pushy for her I think!



This is the grizzly Bear exhibit! The bears get in the water to swim and are literally right in front of you. It is my favorite part of the Zoo. They are huge & fierce, but look so gentle and sweet when they swim! Adorable!


And lastly, this is us watching the seals, her favorite!! She says it so cute, too. Seee- aal. Adorable!



For more Wordless Wednesday, you can head over to 5 Minutes For Mom! Or if you like Wordful Wednesdays, head over to 7 Clown Circus!

LTDChix Review & Giveaway

Wayyyy back in December I had the chance to review & giveaway a tee shirt from LTDChix and I am very excited to be featuring their latest product!

LTDChix creates comfortable & fun tee shirts that look at the lighter, more humorous side of motherhood! Back in December I tried the Laundry Mom Tee and loved it! I still wear it all the time, and will often get comments & laughs from other moms who know exactly how it feels! Each Tee from LTDChix features a frazzled looking mom engaging in one of our everyday activities...usually with a kid or two attached to her arm!

Now that my girl is a little older, I have felt more like The Cooking Mom:


And someday may be the Minivan Mom!
Now LTDChix has brought us a brand new way to wear these hilarious ( & so true!) logos - on a reusable tote bag! I was very excited to see this new line of bags because I love using my own bags at the grocery store! It is so much better for the environment and I was pleased to see that LTDChix had created these bags for moms! So far you can purchase these bags with Shopping Mom or Yoga Mom.

I was able to review the Shopping Mom Grocery Tote in Royal Blue and I love it! First of all, the Shopping Mom is hilarious. Although i don't have more than one kid yet, I have certainly been having my struggles with my toddler acting a little wild in stores. That's why I chose this particular design! And the Royal Blue is very bold and deep, love that! The bag is large enough to fit all of my groceries, and I will admit that for now it has turned into my carry all tote/purse that I bring everywhere! It can be used for so many things like books, diaper bag, overnight bag, workout/gym supplies, and of course carrying groceries! The handles are nice & long too so it can easily be thrown over my shoulder!

Here is my bag! See the frazzled mom? Yeah, I know most of us have been there! But she's still smiling and that's what is important right?!

The best thing about this bag is that it is very sturdy and well made. And it is very affordable and sells for only $5.00!! It really is a great option - inexpensive, well made, large, and a design that us moms can certainly relate too!

BUY: You can purchase your tote bags from LTDChix for only $5.00 each!

GIVEAWAY: LTDChix would like to offer one of my readers their own Tote Bag!

TO ENTER: Please visit LTDChix and tell me which 'Mom' you relate to most!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave an additional comment for every extra entry you complete!

1. Vote for LTDchix in the 100 Home Best Business Contest (Voting is easy - just click on the words 'vote for me' under the picture!!)
2. Follow My Blog
3. Subscribe
4. Add my NEW Button
5. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway (you can do this once a day)
6. Blog about this giveaway
7. Fave me on Technorati

Please remember to have an email address in your comment or in your Profile. Giveaway is open to US only. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be emailed & announced here on Ladybug Soup. Winner has 72 Hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Contest ends September 7th at 10pm CST.

Thank you to LTDChix for providing the product for review & a giveaway!

Is That A Baby Robot??

My little girl's newest thing is calling everyone & everything a baby, mommy, or daddy.

I mean everything.

It cracks me up! If we are driving and she sees an airplane in the sky, she will ask

"Is that an airplane? Is that a baby airplane? Mommy, is that a baby airplane?"

And she will keep asking until you say yes! Sometimes I will respond & she just keeps asking about it, LOL!

It's adorable! If we got to the fish store, she has to tell me which one is the baby, which is the mommy, and which is the Daddy. She usually picks the biggest one as the daddy :)

At the zoo, every animal is one of those labels!

Is that a mommy monkey? Is that a mommy monkey? Is that a mommy monkey?

LOL! She likes to say things over & over....maybe to make sure you are getting it! It always makes me smile when she talks about these things, I love knowing what she is thinking & that she can tell me all about it now! So much fun!

Winner of Nimli Giveaway!

We have the winner of the Nimli Giveaway!

From Random.org...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
110
Timestamp: 2009-08-11 18:49:25 UTC

That's #110 - Stephanie! I am emailing you right away, please respond within 72 hours to claim your prize!!

Thanks to everyone that entered & thank you to Nimli for this review & giveaway opportunity!

Rock Of Ages CD - Music Review

I love 80's music...I was a little young to really 'grow up' in the 80's, but I had siblings that did. So because of this I really grew up listening to all of those Hair Bands like Poison, Bon Jovi, and WhiteSnake. My brother especially loved these bands, and still does. I can remember learning the Poison songs when I was a little girl....listening to him play those songs on his guitar. And I especially love those Rock Ballads! I still know all of the words and have fun singing along when I get a chance to listen to them again.

I was excited when I was given the opportunity from One2One Network to review to the new Rock Of Ages Original Broadway Cast Recording. Rock Of Ages is a new Broadway musical starring Constatine Maroulis- who you may remember from from American Idol.
Here's some info about the play:

Set in 1987 in a legendary Sunset Strip rock club, a small-town girl meets a big-city dreamer and they fall in love to the greatest metal songs of the 80's. The musical is an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and more.

The CD tracklist includes a lot of songs I know that were big in 80's. This is a packed CD - 22 tracks....some tracks include multiple songs mixed together in a medley.

Just Like Paradise / Nothin' But A Good Time
Sister Christian
We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands
I Wanna Rock
We're Not Gonna Take It
Heaven/More Than Words / To Be With You
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize / We're Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)
Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night
Here I Go Again
The Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock (Reprise)
High Enough
I Hate Myself For Loving You / Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can't Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Oh Sherrie
The Search Is Over
Don't Stop Believin

The CD was actually really enjoyable. At first I listened to it & started to sing along ( a natural reaction for me!) but I quickly realized that wasn't going to work. These songs are performed a little differently than what I was used to so I was thrown off for a minute. So instead of comparing it to what I had already known, I just sat back & listened to them perform. After that, I really started to enjoy it! I would love the chance to see the play someday...I think seeing it live with the actors/actresses singing out their story would be such a cool experience.

Here is a great behind the scenes video of the making of the Rock Of Ages CD. The look like they are really enjoying themselves! And I can totally see why - 80's music is so much fun !

Rock Of Ages can be purchased at Amazon for $12.99

Thank you to the One2One Network for providing the CD for review!

Shopping Woes...

I was at Kohls the other day, returning a couple of things and trying to spend my free bucks I had gotten that were going to expire in a week or so.

My husband has a company dinner coming up, so I thought I would try to find a nice top to wear for the evening. My husband went to take my daughter to look around the store (at more fun things than clothes) while I shopped. Very nice of him!

So I am looking. And looking. And I found some cute things, but I thought they were over priced (I can't spend $40 on a top, is that weird?)

Then I felt it. I tried to resist, I swear I did. But it was too strong. I found myself headed over to the....

Juniors Department!!

Aaaahhh!! I know! Here I am...a mom....25 years old....not exactly a junior size anymore (hahaha) and I just couldn't help myself. It's like a comfort zone for me. I have never found a comfortable place in the women's section before, at any store. It's a problem I have tried to fix, and just can't.

So I am there, surrounded by teens probably back to school shopping.

And I find a top. Doesn't take long. It's cute, just a deep purple colored blouse...

If that same top had been in the Woman's Department I don't think I would have bought it. Somethings wrong with me LOL...

Anyways, the top. My husband didn't like it. I told him he has no fashion sense, being a man and all and not ever knowing what is in or not. But I had no one else there to tell me it was cute, so I left with nothing.

He should have let me buy the thing, because it's in a week and I still have no outfit to wear...more shopping....

Maybe I'll check out Forever 21.... ;) Do they allow 25 year olds in there...? LOL

Wordless Wednesday (full of words) Big First!

It's time for Wordless Wednesday! I don't know why I pretend its actually wordless though...I can't just post a pic & not explain :) So Sorry ahead of time for breaking those rules ;)

Last week my daughter had a HUGE first. I had been skeptical of letting her go on a ride without me (or my husband) riding along with her because I didn't think she was ready. My daughter is a free spirit if you will, and is full of bouncing energy. She is constantly going & going...

So I thought there was NO WAY she would ever sit alone on a ride. For sure, she would be getting up & trying to get out. I didn't think she could handle it. But boy, did she prove me wrong!

I decided to go ahead and try it. She was tall enough, which was a start right? I tend to be over protective of her and possibly shelter her a little (there, I said it) I think because she is my first child. I still look at her as my BABY...so it's hard to think of her as a big girl!

But she is a big girl, and she proved it!

Here we are! I am explaining to her that she CANNOT STAND UP!! STAY SITTING DOWN, OKAY? HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL & STEER YOUR CAR, HAVE FUN!

Watching me walk away...this was really hard for me! Even now writing this, looking at this picture, makes me sad. Just her watching me walk away. I know she was fine with it, it's just my mommy-ness taking over :)

As soon as I left, I came over to stand by her car and she waved like - no big deal - I can do this! She loved it, I think she was proud of herself :) She had a total blast, and had to ride over & over!! She laughed, squealed, and steered that car like a pro!

These next cars were a little bumpier & she really loved them!


Every once and awhile, I step back and look at her and realize just how much she has grown, how big she looks, and that she is not a baby anymore. But then she runs to me & fits so great in my arms and I realize that she's still my baby, even though she is growing up. Even when she's 20 she will still feel like my baby. I am her mom for the rest of my life, and that couldn't make me happier.

That was the most unwordless Wednesday ever! LOL

Problem Following Blogs - No Longer Showing Up!

For some reason, all of the blogs I Follow are not showing up in my google reader. I am trying not to panic, and am hoping it will magically fix itself soon. I even tried to follow a blog again, thinking my original list got deleted. But it is still not there. It says I Followed it, but it's not showing up anywhere in my Reading List. Horrible.

I totally rely on this Google Follow feature...I love having a little snippet of the blogs I read right on my blog dashboard. In real time too. So hopefully this fixes itself soon.

If not, I will cry. Seriously.

So if anyone has any ideas, any clue as to what is going on I would appreciate some help!

Thanks!

Seventh Generation Review & Giveaway

GIVEAWAY CLOSED****

Have you heard of Seventh Generation? If not, let me tell you a little about them! Seventh Generation creates cleaning products and personal health products that are environmentally friendly and safe for the air, pets, fabrics, and your family! And the added bonus is that actually work!

After I had my daughter, I was much more aware of the harsh chemicals I had in my home. I could tell just by smelling them that they weren't made with natural ingredients...and I never felt comfortable using them with my baby around. Breathing in all of those chemicals is not good for anyone. Cleaning the kitchen counters, washing the carpet, the bathtub, cleaning all of these places that we live in and use everyday...it should be done safely yet still effectively.

That's where Seventh Generation comes in! They offer a wide selection of products like Tub & Tile Cleaner, Natural Dish Liquid, Feminine Products (all chlorine free & made of natural cotton), Laundry Detergent, Diapers, Wipes, and so much more! All of your household/personal needs are covered!

Seventh Generation offers you products that:

• Use Natural Ingredients
• Produce No Harsh Fumes
• Are Not Tested on Animals
• Are Hypo Allergenic
• Provide Chlorine Free Diapers, Wipes, Training Pants

I was able to try out some of these products, and I really have been enjoying them...in every room in my house! The Toilet Bowl Cleaner worked very well...the scent was not all overpowering or unpleasant. It has a handy squeeze dispenser that gets the gel/liquid right up inside the bowl in that hard to reach spot (you know the one!) It worked great and made the toilet shine & smell...well just clean & fresh! The way it should!

The Natural Glass Cleaner made my mirrors & windows sparkle...with no streaks. Like the other cleaners, this is non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, and has no harsh fumes!

Over in the kitchen, I've been using the Kitchen Cleaner on all of my counter tops. It has a great misting spray that I use to cover the area, then just wipe up with a wash cloth. I have also used this to wash the inside of my kitchen trash can...it works very well there! It gets rid of all of those icky smells I don't want hanging around my kitchen...and leaves a pleasant clean one in its place!

Overall all of the products I tried worked great! They did it's job, and it's a huge bonus that they are so environmentally friendly and use natural ingredients. Not to mention the entire Seventh Generation website is full of great information, tips, ideas, and even offers coupons!


GIVEAWAY: Seventh Generation would like to offer one lucky reader a chance to win the Living Home Starter Kit! This Kit consists of the following:

• Glass Cleaner - Grapefruit
  
• All Purpose Cleaner - Green Mandarin
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Emerald
• Shower Cleaner - Green Mandarin
• Tub & Tile Cleaner
• Kitchen Cleaner
• 2 Natural Paper Towels (120 Count)
• Reusable Tote

TO ENTER: Please visit the Seventh Generation Website and tell me one thing you learned about them or a fact you read on their site!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete!

1. Sign Up For the Seventh Generation Newsletter (left side, in dark yellow box)
2. Tell me a product from Seventh Generation you would love to try!
   
3. Follow my Blog
4. Subscribe
5. Add my NEW Button
6. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway (you can do this once a day!)
   
7. Follow Seventh Generation on Twitter

Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Contest will end on August 31st at 10pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be announced here on Ladybug Soup & emailed directly. Winner has 72 hours to respond or a new inner will be chosen.

Thank you to Seventh Generation for allowing me to review these products & offering the giveaway!

Skin Free Review & Giveaway

GIVEAWAY CLOSED***


Skin Free is a company that offers 100% Natural Skin Care products for all kinds of people...from those who suffer with Dry Skin, Eczema, allergies to dyes or fragrances, and even pregnant women who are concerned about the safety of their skin care products.

All of the Skin Free Products include:

• All Natural, Vegan Ingredients
• No Perfumes
• No Petroleum Products
• No Harmful Chemicals
• No Steroids
• No Colorants
• No Greasy feeling
• No Animal Testing, Cruelty Free

I have always had dry, sensitive skin. I even have some odor sensitivity to perfumes that are found in many soaps & cleansers. I was able to try out a few products from Skin Free & was very happy with them all!

The first thing that caught my eye was the Extra Moisturizing Soap & Shampoo Bar. This bar was awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance in August of 2008. It's made with extra virgin olive oil and Shea and cocoa butters that help add moisture without drying your skin. I love this soap! It is seriously the creamiest, softest soap I have ever used. My hands are left feeling soft & clean, not dried out. It is so gentle and I love that it is made with natural ingredients...it's even perfect for my daughter's extra soft skin!


The Sweet And Smooth Sugar Scrub is a real treat! This seemed like a great choice because it's summer...and that means I am walking around barefoot! And wearing tanktops...so I need a lot of help to keep my skin smooth & free of any dry patches. The sugar in this product contains natural alpha hydroxy - acids that renew skin and leave it refreshed ! My skin immediately felt like I had been to the spa - silky smooth & pampered!

The Corrective Face Nectar is another great find at Skin Free. This brings together many healing oils including Squalane, Tamanu, Sweet Almond, Carrot Seed, Evening Primrose, and Virgin Olive. These are known for their healing, regenerative, and anti inflammatory properties. It can help with scarring, prevent wrinkles, help heal excema, acne, reverse sun damage, reduce capillaries, and stop visible signs of aging! So basically, a little miracle worker! So far I have been loving the feeling of this Nectar, after I use it my skin is left feeling much softer and healthier. I am hoping that continued use will help with the overall look of my skin...and maybe keep some of those wrinkles away for a little longer!! (I did want to mention that this product is not recommended for pregnant women..see site for more details)


PURCHASE: Skin Free Products can be purchased online and offer free shipping for any purchases over $25.00! You can also find Skin Free items at Walgreens!

GIVEAWAY: Skin Free would like to offer one reader a $30 Gift Certificate to their website! You can pick an item that is perfect for you!

TO ENTER: Please visit the Skin Free website and then leave a comment telling me what your favorite product is!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete!

1. Tell me your biggest skin challenge - and how Skin free could help!
2. Follow my Blog
3. Subscribe
4. Add my NEW Button
5. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway (you can do this once a day!)
6. Blog This

Contest will end on August 31st at 10pm CST. US Residents only. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be announced here & emailed directly. Winner has 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Winner of Tres Sleek Giveaway!

A little late, sorry! Here is the winner for the Tres Sleek Shape Wear Giveaway!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
62
Timestamp: 2009-08-09 00:37:47 UTC


Congrats to #62 Just Another Hofeling!! I am emailing you shortly, please respond within 72 hours to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone that entered!

Blog Makeover at Nurse Mommy - Live Giveaway Tonight!

Do you need a new Blog Makeover/Layout??

If so, you will want to head over to The Nurse Mommy tonight (Friday 8/7) at 10pm EST for a live giveaway for a blog makeover!!

This package includes:

the design (no scrap booking kit)
1 or 2 sidebars with images
custom header with navigational bar
signature
blog button
free troubleshooting for 6months

Be sure to head over if you are looking for an updated blog design (I know you are!) Good Luck!!