Albany Mommy Blog - Fun things to do in the Albany New York Capital District area for kids and parents

Snacks are great too! {Delicious Challenge}

Hannaford challenged us to a week of eating only Hannaford brand items {see all the details here.}

Swapping out the kids normal snacks for Hannaford name brand snacks was what I thought would be the biggest challenge, not so!

There was absolutely no difference in taste between the Hannford brand snacks and name brand snacks.  The only difference was a price difference of $3.41 for one weeks worth of snacks for ONE child!

Stay tuned tomorrow to find ot how breakfast and dinner from Hannaford are... Interesting...

{Disclosure:Hannaford provided us with these groceries at their expense - thanks Hannaford!}

Delicious challenge...

Hannaford recently contacted me to do a " NO NATIONAL BRANDS" challenge for a week. 

I shop at Hannaford, use some of the Hannaford brands, sounded great to me.  Hannaford provided me with a gift card to go shopping and buy Hannaford brand items and "cook" with them for a week.

This week I'll be posting the good, bad, delicious, not so delicious and all. Is this a new way to save money? Will my family be sacrificing taste? Join me and we'll see! And let me tell you, when a 2 yr old and a 5 yr old don't like something they let you know!  When they do like something you get silence while they eat!

We made incredible french toast, pancakes, omelettes, teriyaki chicken, and more!!

Stay tuned...

These books are so cool!

Jewelie from UsBourne Books recently contacted me about the books she sells.  We love to read in my house so she sent a few over for us to review!

The favorite in our house by a long shot? There's a mouse about the house! It's what they call a "slot book".  What's so cool and different about a "slot book"? You take out a little mouse and use the mouse to follow the dotted lines thoughout the story.  The mouse even moves from one page to the next.  It is so cool! My kids were in awe of putting the mouse in a slot on one page and turning the page to find the mouse had appeared there!

Jewelie also puts together buckets with books and items related to the story for special occassions- back to school, new brother or sister, and more.

Prices for these books are really reasonable too.  There's also puzzles, sticker books, activity cards, and more.  You have to check out Jewelie's website.

I love buying gifts for birthdays that I know won't be duplicated by someone else, these books fit the bill perfectly.  Also, think Christmas and stocking stuffers!

Thanks Jewelie!  Jewelie will also be at A Baby Event selling books, checkk them out.

Ramona and Beezus - the movie {review}

I loved to read as a child, pretty much anything I could get my hands on.

Recently, I saw a commercial for the new Ramona and Beezus movie and it brought back such memories.  I read ALL the Ramona books when I was younger, probably more than once. 

My kids are only 2 and 4 so I really couldn't see taking them as an excuse to see the movie.  I asked if I could borrow a niece who was the right age to love Ramona too and was told NO!  Her Mom wanted to be the one to take her. {How selfish!}

Then, I got an email for an advance screening and I was so happy.  A real excuse to go see a movie that I was way too old to see!

We watch Disney channel semi-regularly so I was a little nervous about how it would be to see Selena Gomez who we knew from Wizards of Waverly Place playing someone from a book.  When you've read a book first, the movie doesn't always measure up as well. {Not the case here}.

The movie was just as I remember the books, wonderful!  You completely forget that Selena Gomez is Selena Gomez as see her as her character.  Joey King was an incredible Ramona, just as quirky as expected. 

Anyone with a daughter needs to see this.  Anybody who read the books needs to see this.  It was cute, quirky as Ramona Quimby always is, and brought back such memories for me.  My children didn't make it through the whole movie, they are only 2 and 4, but I already made plans to go back again with my sister and niece {who have seen it twice already}.

You really get to see things from a little girl's perspective all over again.  This is a definite must see for all girls with their Moms!

More powerful than it looks!

See this little, nondescript lantern?  Looks simple enough, doesn't it?

Thermacell recently contacted me to see if they could send me one to try out and then review.

Since our backyard is woody and buggy I said YES!

The Thermacell Lantern amazed me.  I would put it outside and turn it on about 10 minutes before we went out and it worked like a charm.  None of us have gotten bit since we started using it.  NICE!

Granted, it's probably better to use it for a while rather than using it for about 30-40 minutes several different times like we did.  If I was having an outside party or BBQ at my house I would definitely buy some!

How does ThermaCELL’s patented technology work?

ThermaCELL is powered by a butane cartridge which provides the cordless, portable heat to operate the device.  A mat saturated with allethrin, a copy of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers, is heated by the butane cartridge and vaporizes the repellent allowing it to rise into the air, creating a 15 x 15 ft (225 sq ft) “Mosquito-Free-Zone.”

Until July 31st you can also get a $5 rebate - check out all the details and fine print.

I think I'm going to go plan a BBQ now that we can all be safe from mosquitos!

Hope you love it like I did!

Webkinz Jr. {review}

  Albany Mommy's young testers have recently tried out Webkinz Jr. - a brand new educational website for kids 3 to 6.

We had previously tried out Webkinz with our 6 year old, and had no idea a junior product was out there.  The website is great for kids, with lots of places for them to visit.  The activites are all age appropriate and educational, which is great.  Our four year old navigated with ease on her own!  And since the website is aimed only at really young kids, I didn't feel like I had to sit right next to them while they explored it.  A great gift for all those birthday parties that are coming up!!!! 

New Year's Resolution... {review}

One of my New Year's resolutions this year is to eat healthier.  {I decided to forgo the normal "lose weight"}.  I really want to teach my children healthy eating and I think showing them is easiest way.   I have tried the South Beach diet in the past and LOVE the recipes.  My biggest problem is pasta.  Many recipes call for whole wheat pasta and it is gross. Really gross.  I have tried to choke it down in the name of healthy eating and just can't.  So I use regular pasta which doesn't help with healthy eating!

Recently I got an email to try Pennsylvania Dutch pasta.  "New whole wheat pasta which doesn't taste like grass" I was intrigued by the tag line so I said sure.  I tried one of my favorite South Beach recipes and used this pasta telling family it was regular pasta.  I gave them large portions and myself a very small one.  Kids ate it right up and so did I, then had more.  It was really good, not the stiff hard pasta that I have found other whole wheat pastas to be.  Light, soft and really, really good! Even hubby ate his food, then finished the rest.  Way to go Pennsylvania Dutch! Thanks for the help with my New Year's resolution, I'm going to be able to keep this one! 

If you have tried whole wheat pastas in the past and thought YUCK you have to try Pennsylvania Dutch.  I was so surprised by how good it tasted that I wrote back to the person who sent me the pasta to make sure it was really whole wheat.  I was afraid to say that it was.  It tastes good and it's healthy!! Big win for healthy eating!  Thanks Pennsylvania Dutch. 

Visit their website for a coupon and great recipes too.

Cool tummy shaper...{Give a way too!}

Two of the Mommy's here at Albany Mommy recently got to try out Amon body shaping briefs.

Amon Maternity makes great bands, briefs, and skivvies for all the pregnant Moms, but what everybody else?  That's where their body shapers come in to play. I have had two c-sections so you can imagine what that does to the stomach muscles. Frustrating to say the least! 

Sometimes, now matter how hard you try to get rid of that baby belly you just want a little extra help.  I like the Amon briefs because they don't squish everything in to the point where you are uncomfortable.  Amon briefs just help support your belly and make you feel  better. Pants fit better, you look smoother, and that just feels good!

I wore mine on a regular day around town and I have to say they were comfortable.  I did have a few people who see me on a regular basis comment that I looked different.  Woo hoo!  I will definitely be wearing my Amon body shaping briefs again - when I'm having one of "those days" and I need to look better, for special occasions, and when I need a little more help fitting into certain clothes.  These briefs definitely have a place in my wardrobe! Did I mention they are $25? Very reasonable!!

Amon Maternity is offering one lucky Albany Mommy reader a $50 gift certificate!
{Since the body shaping briefs are $25 - that would be 2!!} 

To enter visit Amon Maternity and check out their line, then come back and leave a comment.  Want extra entries since these are so awesome?  Friend Amon Maternity on facebook and leave me a comment that you did.

One winner will be chosen at random on Friday January 15th at 8pm EST. 

Don't be sad if you don't win - use code AM10 to get 10% off your purchase at Amon Maternity!  Sweet!

Laugh and Learn {review}

Have you heard about the Laugh and Learn series of books and DVD's?  It's an awesome tool for Moms and Moms to be.  Written by Sheri Bayles, a registered nurse, lamaze instructor, AND certified lactation consultant, woooh that's a mouth full!

Sheri's DVD's are a great way to learn more about breastfeeding, baby care, and childbirth from the view of a nurse who has taught so many others.  I love that she gets to the point and there isn't so much useless "filler" in between the good stuff.  Seriously, having a baby or with a baby, I want something easy to read where I can find what I'm looking for quickly.

Sheri's new book Laugh and Learn About Childbirth covers everything from false labor right through to what happens to your body after childbirth.  Details you want to know from the point of view of a woman and nurse.  I have only had c-sections so the labor details are completely foreign to me.  But, reading the book answered the questions I would have had.

Pregnant? Have a friend who is? Try and win this set for them.  I am lucky enough to be able to give a way Sheri's new book and her 3 DVD's to someone!!  {Laugh and Learn was nice enough to send me a book and DVD's to review and a set to give a way!} Leave a comment below for your chance to win.  Contest ends Wednesday December 2nd at 8pm EST.

*As always, your doctor knows you best and your doctor's advice takes precidence over all advice*

Incredibly delicious! Wanna' try some? {Give a way}

  I swear this tastes even better than it looks!  You cannot believe how yummy it is.

During a recent day off of school we had some friends over for playtime and dinner.  For dinner we made our own pizzas and for dessert we made "fruit pizza".  The kids thought it was the best thing ever pizza for dinner and dessert.

We have still been using our Fruit Simple coupons and surfing their website for some cool recipes.  I let the kids pick which they wanted to try making and they chose this.  Most likely because it's pizza.  It was sooo easy, graham crackers, cream cheese and fruit.  Each kids had a layer and even though they made a mess it still looked good.  Semi-healthy and soooo good.  The topping is an apricot jam, fruit simple smoothie mix.  I used strawberry banana Fruit Simple since we had strawberries and bananas in the pizza.  I must admit while the kids ate everything the Moms ate the pieces that had Fruit Simple topping. 

The next day we made more topping {apricot jam and strawberry banana Fruit Simple} and used it on hot pancakes. Still amazing.  So yummy!

OK, my family is hooked on Fruit Simple.  Well, we each have our favorite flavor.  If you came to the Mommy Networking Night a few months ago you got to try it out and I heard tons of good things from lots of people. 

Here's your chance.  Fruit Simple is giving away a case to one lucky reader.  3 bottles of each flavor.  {Strawberry Banana, Orange Mango, Mixed Berry, & Pomegranate Blueberry}

To enter visit their website and tell me which recipe you will make if you win.  Leave a comment below with your choice.  Contest runs through  Wednesday November 11th at 8pm EST when one winner will be chosen at random.

Good luck!

Oh, and if you want extra chances to win a case of Fruit Simple check them out on facebook.  Fruit Lovers Unite has more awesome recipes and give a ways!  Here's where I get my chance to win...

Clean give a way...

Clorox Green Works now makes a laundry detergent line.  A green laundry line. 

A got a bottle of detergent and a bottle of stain remover to try out a few weeks ago.  I replaced the stuff I normally use with this and forgot about it. Completely forgot.  Two of the times I used the stain remover I thought "I really hope this works or this shirt will be destroyed, it's so dirty.  I have to remember to check before I put it in the dryer."  Didn't remember at all.  Then I got an email asking how I liked it.  Uh oh.  Well, if I can put clothes through the washer and dryer and then fold them and put them away without seeing stains it must be working.  I hate finding stains when I'm folding the clothes.  Hadn't found a single one since I've been using Clorox Green Works.  I went back through my 4 yr old's white shirts that I had washed and couldn't figure out which ones I had used the stain remover on.  I'd say that's really good! 

What I have used the stain remover on - chocolate milk, eggs, fruit punch, hot chocolate, and more - on white shirts.

The back of the bottle says "Giving you the cleaning and stain removal power you expect from Clorox".  Got that right!

The 2 most important things to me when choosing a laundry detergent?  How well it cleans and how good it smells.  I got to try the original scent.  Soft, breezy, and clean is the best way to describe it.

Green Works Natural Laundry Detergent is available in Original, Free & Clear and Lavender scents with a suggested retail price of $8.79 (45 oz, 30 loads) and $15.49 (90 oz, 60 loads). Green Works Natural Laundry Stain Remover is available in Original scent, with a suggested retail price of $3.69.

I love how well it works so much I want you to see for yourself.  You can win a bottle of laundry detergent, a bottle of stain remover, AND a laundry bag too!  Don't worry, the detergent works in high efficiency and regular washers. 

For your chance to win leave a comment below.  Want more chances?  Tweet this with a link to the contest, facebook it, or write about it on your blog with a link and then leave a comment that you did. {That's up to 4 possible chances to win!} Contest ends Wednesday October 28th at 8pm EST.

Squeezable applesauce

A while ago we received some applesauce in a pouch to try out called GO GO Squeeze.  Really cool flavors - peach, banana, strawberry, cinnamon, and regular applesauce and they have no added suger.  They are in a pouch and you unscrew the top and squeeze the applesauce into your mouth.  Less mess and I am all for less messy. 

I had to try one myself and the taste was delicious, but the texture was funny.  I probably wold have liked it more if I could have squeezed it into a bowl and eaten it that way.  But, I suppose it's not made for my age group.

My kid loved the idea of squeezing something else to eat, didn't matter what it was.  One child loved it and has eaten 6 of them over the past few weeks, the other child didn't like it so much - not that he likes anything these days except peanut butter and jelly.  You can get them at Babies R Us and a few places online. 

We did take a few to a play date in the park and I have to say the GoGo Squeezes were a hit.  The kids loved all the flavors.

Dolls with clothes on...

Recently I received an email asking if I would be interested in reviewing and sharing information about some "wholesome dolls".

Since having a little girl I keep looking at all the dolls when we go to Target waiting for her to get old enough to play with some and cringing at when she'll be older and want to play with others.  Some of the dolls out there are way too_____(insert your own comment there)

I have to say growing up with hard plastic Barbies, these new Only Hearts Club soft dolls felt a little odd at first.  The whole body is soft. 

That being said, one child cannot hurt the other with the doll because it's soft!!  I have to agree these are more wholesome - no incredibly abnormal boobs and no way too small waist.  And, they have clothes on.  Real clothes! 

 You can bend them and move them all over.  They are just plain cute.  Gotta' go play!