Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt’s  mission is to promote community and family by providing a great tasting, frozen dessert made just for you, by you, in an environment that is as visually uplifting as it is welcoming.  There are 253 stores with 130 more to come soon. Last week I attended the grand opening of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt on the Upper East Side , the second location to open in NYC. To celebrate the opening the store gave free frozen yogurt from 3:00 p.m until 6 p.m. The line was down the block to try their 16 kosher flavors (including no-sugar-added, gluten-free, dairy-free alternatives) and add a selection of do-it-yourself toppings.  From 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., all proceeds went to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a national non-profit organization committed to raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer.  Cookies from the organization were available on the toppings bar to make your frozen yogurt creation extra special.

How Orange Leaf  works (images below from Orange Leaf) :

Flavors vary by store and change daily.  Click for a complete  list of flavors!

Click link for a list of toppings.

With the temperature warming up, Orange Leaf would be a great outing to cool off!  The self-serve model is great because you can try as many flavors as you want and fill your bowl with as little or as much as you want, for portion control. At the event, we tried a bit of everything.  My favorite flavors were wedding cake, caramel apple and brownie batter topped with chocolate chip cookies from Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.  My girls loved the fruity flavors, pineapple and raspberry. For toppings they immediately eyed the gummy bears and sprinkles.  They had a blast creating their dessert. To add more fun to the experience, let them come up with a name for their creation, write the ingredients and save it for next time.  Keep your eye out for a location opening in the future on the Upper West Side!  Find a location near you!

If you have a child with food allergies, please see the allergy information before trying.  If you try it, I would recommend bringing your own toppings because there is always the possibility that something could get mixed in, especially if it gets busy.

Disclaimer: All information in italics came from Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt.

Caldrea

The Blackcurrant Mint Collection includes products in home keeping and home ambience.

Image from caldreaessentialcollection.com

Home Keeping:

• Dish Soap
• Counter Top Cleaner
• Hand Soap
• Refillable Hand Soap Pump
• Hand Soap refill
• Hand Lotion
• Kitchen Candle
• Kitchen Diffuser

Image from caldreaessentialcollection.com

Home Ambiance:

• Signature Candle
• Fragrance Diffusser
• Glass Candle

Click the links to find out more about the collection and inspiration for the line.

I had the opportunity to try the Blackcurrant Mint hand soap, hand lotion, and signature candle.  I wash my hands several times a day so they get very dry.  The Blackcurrant Mint has a gentle scent that leaves your hands feeling silky.  Combined with the hand lotion and my hands feel great.  I often get headaches and don’t like scented lotions, soaps or candles because they are often to overpowering and give me headaches. I have enjoyed the Blackcurrent Mint.  I keep it in my kitchen but would be great in a bathroom and the candle would be wonderful anywhere in the house.  Add a gift certificate to a spa to any of the Caldrea Essential Collection for a wonderful Mother’s Day gift.

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  All information in italics came from Caldrea Essential Collection.  I received products to try.

The annual Mommybites Summit took place at the New Yorker Hotel in midtown last week. It was the “ultimate” night out with drinks, food, shopping and networking. Highlighted sponsors/vendors included:

Saving Mothers:    Until you see the numbers , you don’t realize how many pregnancy related deaths and complications could be prevented in other countries that don’t have the resources and training that our doctors and physicians have in the U.S. Prior to the event, I had not heard of Saving Mothers, a non-profit organization committed to improving maternal care in developing countries.

In rural Guatemala, only 25% of births are attended by medical professionals.  Saving mothers provides training, educational outreach, and birthing kits (pictured below) to comadronas, Mayan traditional birth attendants, who are well-respected but often untrained.  There is a midwifery program for U.S. trained midwives to go to Guatemala to observe Mayan birth practices, exchange ideas and share practices with comadronas.

In Liberia, Saving Mothers volunteers provide sanitary birthing kits, prenatal care, postnatal care, cesarian sections, training sessions for medical staff , as well as oncologic and urogynecologic procedures.  The organization is currently working on fistula repairs, as they pose a health crisis to women in Liberia.  

In the Domenican Republic, the organization is training health workers to better understand women’s health issues, identify and treat pelvic prolapse, incontinence, and abnormal pap smears.

Check out their Mother’s Day Campaign, their blog, and find out how a donation can help their amazing cause!

Weleda:  Weleda has made natural beauty and wellness products for over 90 years.  They pioneered the use of Biodynamic and organic ingredients in skin care because they believe beauty isn’t something made in a lab-it’s something that should be cultivated from the earth without pesticides and chemicals.  They have 50 acres of Biodynamic gardens in Germany. On display at the Mommybites Summit, was their Baby Care line in which their products are made with calendula, a gentle and nourishing botanical possesses powerful healing and anti-inflammatory properties.  Both of my girls have sensitive skin and eczema so anything all natural and gentle is a bonus.  After speaking with representatives at the Summit, I learned that a line of Eczema products is in the works for 2014.  The Baby Care line is suitable from birth on.  There is also a line just for Mom.  To learn more about all Weleda products, visit their website or facebook page.

Rodan and Fields Dermatologists: As we age, we notice a difference in our skin.  We get wrinkles, extra sun spots, and some sagging.  Knowing about products to help slow down the ant-aging process are always a plus.  Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, creators of Proactiv Solutions, make skin care easier at home with their ant-aging products.  Their products include the:

• Redefine Regimen, a complete skincare program to visibly firm skin and reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. The patent-pending Macro Exfoliator sweeps away dead cells in just 5 minutes, once a week.
  
• Reverse Regimen, exfoliates lightens, brightens and protects your skin for a more even tone and texture.
• Soothe Regimen, helps reduce inflammation, strengthens skin’s natural moisture barrier, calms redness, and reduces irritation.
• Unblemish Regimen, combines acne fighting and skin-lightening medicines to clear skin, control oil production, kill bacteria, prevent post-acne dark spots, and protect against UVdamage.

It was an amazing night out with many more fabulous sponsors/ vendors and great prizes won by many during a raffle. Can’t wait to go back next year!

Disclaimer: This was a sponsored post.  All information about sponsors/ vendors came from their websites, handouts or speaking with them at the event.

image from peterandthestarcatcher.com

Have you ever wondered how Peter Pan got his name or became a boy forever?  Why Peter chooses to visit Wendy?  How tinkerbell came about? Or how Peter, Captain Hook, and the lost boys got to Never Land?  When I watch Peter Pan with my girls, their favorite Disney movie, I have thought about those questions.  My oldest has also asked me why Peter never grows up.  Last week I attended a performance of Peter and the Starcatcher, a grownups prequel to Peter Pan, showing off-broadway at New World Stages.   The show makes a fun outing with friends or your spouse and will answer any questions you’ve ever had about the story of Peter Pan.

photo:broadwayworld.com via greganthonymusic.com

Synopsis:

A wildly theatrical, hilarious and innovative retelling of how a miserable orphan came to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER upends the century-old legend of Peter Pan.

Winner of 5 Tony Awards® and based on the best-selling Disney-Hyperion novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER is directed by Tony Award® winner Roger Rees (Nicholas Nickleby) and Tony Award® nominee Alex Timbers (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Pee-wee Herman Show) and written by Tony Award® nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys). A dozen brilliant actors play more than 100 unforgettable characters using their enormous talent, ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination.

What I loved about the show:

• Simplistic props to let your imagination run free: Rope to make waves and show different levels of the ship, a yellow rubber glove for a bird, many of the props were found in a closet when they were playing around with the idea for the show.
• The cast was on the stage the entire time and became part of the background.  They played all the roles and changed the set.
• The theater is small and intimate and makes you feel part of the adventure.  You are able to see all the facial expressions of the actors which adds to the humor of the show.
• Entertaining, adult humor and a modern twist (“ttfu”, “fui”, and references the song “Milkshake” by Kelis)
• A reminder that we all grow up, things come to an end, and we should enjoy the innocence of our children because they too will grow up before we know it.
• Fun cocktails, try the Star Stuff, and there is even a wait staff that comes around to take orders at your seat so you can avoid lines during intermission.

What you should know before going:

• Bring a sweater, the theater can get chilly
• Recommended for children ages 10 and up
• The show is about 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission.

Purchase tickets to this wonderful show, you won’t regret it!

Disclaimer:  Thank you to Culture Mom Media for the opportunity to see Peter and the Starcatcher.  I received a pair of tickets with the option to review.  Information in italics came from peterandthestarcatcher.com.  All other opinions expressed are my own.

I am very excited to work with the Prevent Cancer Foundation on a Healthy Strategies for Children and Families Webcast.  Please keep checking back for more details and make sure to tune in on Friday, June 21 at 2 p.m.!

Image from Momtrends

Although the weather is warming up a little, it’s still not that warm and my winter coat is still hanging, just in case. All I can think about is a beach, warm weather, and a nice relaxing time with my family. And after this never-ending winter, I think a vacation to a beach next winter will have to be planned. The other week I attended the Momtrends Travel event at Polarn O Pyret TriBeca.  Homeaway Vacation Rentals, TravelSort, and Polarn O Pyret  gave lots of great tips for traveling whether going away for a long weekend or a week that I will put to use when we go on our beach vacation this summer and when planning future vacations.  Below are some of the tips and suggestions that were given to help plan a budget friendly vacation.

Homeaway Vacation Rentals offer over 500,000 properties in 170 countries around the world. Representatives were there to discuss tips for deciding where to go and where to stay. Tips included:

• Reclaiming your destination: Include your children in the planning process in deciding where to go.
• Reclaiming your budget: Staying in a rental property can save you money because they have multiple bedrooms and can easily be shared. You also have a kitchen so you will not need to order room service or eat out as much. They have pet friendly properties so you won’t have to pay a sitter.

TravelSort shared tips and tricks for getting the best airfare and making the most of your points. To get the best value, book about a year in advance.  Use business cards to gain points.  The more you spend the more points you get.

Polarn O Pyret, the number 1 children’s brand in Sweden, shared packing tips for kids.

• Making a list is important so you don’t forget anything. Before you start, check the weather and think about the attire for your destination.
• Be prepared and pack extra clothes for accidents and a jacket or fleece if it gets cold at night.
• Check to see if a washer/ dryer or laundry service is available where you are staying, if so you may not need to bring as much.
• Make sure to bring sunscreen especially when traveling to foreign countries because it is very expensive.

Where will you be heading on your next vacation?

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received a gift bag for attending the event.

Not long ago I attended an event in the beautiful garden of Tree Bistro to celebrate the launch of Erba Vita, a line of all natural health products, in the United States.  While my daughter ate delicious food, I was able to learn about the company and products available to consumers.   Erba Vita was founded 30 years ago in San Marino  by Dr. Carlo Bollini to help Italians live “la dolce vita”. Over the years the company has become an international leader in all natural dietary supplements and health products.  The company-pioneered extraction processes that are proven to maximize purity and efficacy of all-natural agents.  All of their products are rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness and are non- GMO.   Current nutritional supplements available to American consumers are a line of nutraceuticals including Propolis, Kid’s Line, 4Slim Trainer, Digestive Health, Relax, Immune System, and Women’s Health.  Click links below image  for more information about the products in each line.

Propolis: A resinous material collected by honeybees from tree buds and other plant sources shown to benefit the immune system

• Propolis EVSP Soothing Syrup
• Propolis EVSP Children’s Syrup
• Propolis EVSP Throat Spray
• Propolis EVSP Kids’ Throat Spray
• Propolis EVSP Hydro Extract, a water soluble Propolis

Kids Line:

• Lax Kids Syrup
  
• Immun Kids Syrup
• Gassy Kids Syrup
• QUIET KIDS Syrup
• Throaty Kids Syrup

4Slim Trainer:

• Detox Active Caps, screws onto common 500ml bottle of water
• Maintain Liquid Sticks
• Weight Less Fats Capsules
• Weight Metabolism Tablets
• Feel Full Meal Time Capsule
• Feel Full Meal Time Spray

Digestive Health:

• Digest Tablets
• Gastro Tablets
• Acid Tablets
• Breath Tablets
• Clean Lax Tablets

Relax:

• No Stress Capsules
• Happy Mood Capsules
• Sleep Capsules

Immune System:

• Immun Act Capsules, take before change of season or when your immune system is compromised.

Women’s Health:

• Leg Light Spray
• Leg Light Gel
• Leg Light Tablets
• Meno-Guide Capsules
• Menstrual Drops
• Nail Care Tablets

When it comes to my girls, I don’t like to push medications.  I didn’t run to get a flu shot for them because I don’t get them either.  I am a huge advocate of anything all-natural, unless medication is needed for strep or an ear infection that doesn’t want to go away.  When my daughter got a cough during winter, which was often, I tried to make a natural remedy because I didn’t want to over-do it with the cough medicine. I was extremely excited to learn about Erba Vita and have a list of products to try for my family. In the meantime, you can find Erba Vita online and some products are expected to be available at Whole Foods in June.

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received products to try.  All information about Erba Vita came from their website and a press release.  Opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you 360 PR, Erba Vita and Tree Bistro for a wonderful event!

Weekends are always so much fun, which is why Mondays are so hard.  We have pizza, watch movies, stay up late and eat ICE CREAM.  I’m not going to lie, we don’t just have ice cream on weekends.  We occasionally stop at the local ice cream truck if it’s a nice day or have friends over to make ice cream sundaes.  My girls request something sweet after almost every meal.  As health conscious family, I often feel guilty  about the trips to the ice cream truck and scooping out ice cream at dinner because I want to go back to the days where dessert was a treat and not something that is expected after every meal.

Checking out the waffle cone, bowl, and “taco” demonstration by co-founder Susan Patrick!

The other week I attended an Iskream event to celebrate the new packaging, in which family photos will be used on the containers.  Love the idea.  I had not heard of the naturally sweetened, no added sugar ice cream before the event.  Iskream is the first ice cream available on the market made with Truvia®, a natural sweetener that comes from the leaves of the stevia plant.  I don’t feel so guilty giving my family the outrageously delicious treat that’s full of flavor and free of aspartame, sucralose, artificial colorings, high fructose corn syrup and preservatives (more nutritional information).  Will I give it after every meal, probably not but when it comes time for that treat I won’t feel so guilty giving it to them.

Checking out all the delicious flavors!

Iskream flavors:

• Vanilla
• Berry Good
• Chocolate Brownie
• Banana
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Chocolate Cherry Chunk
• Java Chip

At the event, we got to try many flavors in a homemade, all natural sugar, served in either a waffle bowl, cone or “taco”.  My favorite flavors were the Banana and Chocolate Brownie.  My daughter’s favorites were Vanilla and Berry Good. Note: Because of the Peanut Butter and Jelly flavor, the container says that it is made in a facility that processes nuts.  I made sure to ask beforehand and they told me that all the equipment was washed throughly and the flavors my daughter tried (banana, berry good, and vanilla) were made on different days.  She did not have a reaction however  everyone is different.  If you have a child with allergies it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Keep checking back to find out how your family can be on an ISkream Container!

I Scream, You Scream, Screaming for more ISkream!

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received containers of ice cream for attending the event. All opinions expressed are my own.  Information in italics came from the Iskream Website.  I am not responsible for any reactions that may occur if you choose to try the product with a child with a food allergy.

Ready to read with Sofie, my favorite “good girl” beer!

Finding the time to sit down and read is challenging when running to play dates, dance classes, school, taking care of sick kids, and finding time to blog.  When I find a book I  enjoy, I curl up and read until midnight, sometimes later because the night-time is the only chance for time to myself.  Recently, thank you to Culture Mom Media, I had the opportunity to read Drinking Diaries:Women Serve Their Stories Straight Up.    I have to admit, the last books I read were the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy.  Talk about going from fantasy to back to reality.   Drinking Diaries brings to life topics that many people may be in denial about or may not think about in the moment, for instance the long-lasting impact that drinking may have on children of parents who drink often, drunk driving, and the question of “am I an alcoholic?”

We drink for different reasons: to quench thirst, to loosen up, because it tastes good, to enhance a meal, because we are addicted, to self medicate, as part of a ceremony, to celebrate, to mourn.  We drink when we’re happy.  We drink when we’re sad.  And then there are non-drinkers, for whom abstaining may be as much of an issue as drinking (Drinking Diaries:Women Serve Their Stories Straight Up). Whatever our reason is for drinking, it’s important to take a step back and think about what our relationship is with alcohol. Drinking Diaries got me thinking about my own choices, my relationship with alcohol and is making me think a little harder about what I expose my children too, not just alcohol related, but the realities of the horrible events like Sandy Hook and the Boston Marathon.  Should we keep our kids sheltered from what is going on in the world around? Living in New York, you see a lot walking to school, riding the subway and playing in the park. What is acceptable and what is not when it comes to drinking, drugs, and the topic of sex among youth?  And how do us parents approach the subject?

I have a lot of respect for the women who shared their stories.  It is hard to be open.  This is not my first post about Drinking Diaries.  Other posts included personal stories but after re-reading I realized I was not ready to share.   When I am ready, I may hit publish or go to the Drinking Diaries blog to share my stories.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Drinking Diaries:Women Serve Their Stories Straight Up from Culture Mom Media.  This post was optional, all opinions expressed are my own.  

Image from Sneaky Pete’s

Image from

I always worry if my girls have enough fiber in their diet. I have tried oatmeal for breakfast but they do not like the consistency and getting them to eat vegetables is often a challenging task. When it comes to juice and “special” drinks they have no problem guzzling them down which is why I was excited when I learned about Sneaky Pete’s, an all natural oat drink containing three grams of dietary oat fiber in each bottle. The 12 ounce PET bottles come in 5 refreshing flavors: apple, grape, mango, peach, and raspberry.  Sneaky Pete’s uses Stevia Extract, Erythritol, and Evaporated Cane Juice (all natural sweeteners) to create a delicious and smooth tasting fruit flavor.

My girls sampled the apple, grape, and raspberry flavors.  Raspberry was their favorite followed by grape than apple.  I tried a little of each flavor before my girls.  The drink was light and refreshing, especially when served chilled.  It wasn’t overly sweet like most juices my girls drink.   We served all of our drinks chilled because my girls prefer having cold drinks however you can serve Sneaky Pete’s warm for a more soothing drink.   When I took the drinks on-the-go  I made sure to bring a straw along with me to make sure they didn’t spill all over the place because they still have difficulty drinking from bottles.   If you or your child can’t finish all 12 oz, make sure to refrigerate it.  The girls enjoyed Sneaky Pete’s with breakfast and in the middle of the day for a thirst quenching drink.    We can’t wait to try the peach and mango flavors!

Check out Sneaky Pete’s FAQ’s page for more information about why fiber and oats are good for you! You can purchase Sneaky Pete’s at any of these stores or on their website (free shipping)!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  I received samples for the purpose of this review.  All information in italics came from Sneaky Pete’s!