Kid's Busy Box Giveaway

I am not the mom that every kid dreams of; I am not over sentimental, I am not a great baker, and I am definitely not crafty. I try my best to keep my kids busy and involved, I just have a hard time thinking of creative activities to do in the home with my toddler. So when I discovered the Kid's Busy Box I was thrilled and so was my son! He wakes up, literally, every morning and begs to do a craft.

The Kid's Busy Box was designed to give parent's or caregivers the inspiration and materials needed to have fun with their kids. The box is delivered right to your home and includes simple to follow instructions and all the supplies you need to spend some creative quality time with your toddler. I think the Busy Box was a brilliant idea and ideal for busy parents and those creatively challenged, like myself.

The Kid's Busy Box has over 15 prepared and packaged crafts that your child will love. My son and I have spent the last week doing one craft every day. He LOVED to make the scarecrow and must show every person that steps foot into our house. He is so proud that he was able to help with the entire project!

Win It:

One lucky reader will win a "Fall Collection" Solo Kid's Busy Box.

Main Entry:

Visit Kid's Busy Box and comment back here on the cutest craft idea.

Bonus Entries:1 separate entry for each of the following you do:

Follow us on http://twitter.com/otherhoodllc and tweet this giveaway
Blog about this giveaway. Leave the URL to your post in the comment.
Become a fan of Otherhood on Facebook
Follow our blog
Subscribe to our blog via email
Add our button to your blog

This giveaway will end Friday, December 4th at 11:59 PM EST. If your email is not included on your profile please leave it in your comment so we know how to contact you. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to our initial email. If not we will choose another winner. Us entries only, please.

Balsamic Burger with Carmelized Onions

My 3-year old is the PICKIEST eater. Most nights he won't touch his dinner and it is an on-going battle. However, there is one meal I make that he absolutely loves and will actually ask for seconds. It is a balsamic burger with caramelized onions. It is super easy and my whole family enjoys it. My hubby even said he didn't care if I made it every night because everyone actually eats it.

Prep: 9 minutes
Cook: 16 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pound ground sirloin or turkey {I use turkey}
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Cooking spray {or olive oil}
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup beef consomme {I use one package of beef bouillon}
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Shape into 4 {1/2 inch thick} patties.

2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray/oil. Add patties; cook about 4 - 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Transfer patties to a platter, and keep warm.

3. Add onion to pan; coat with cooking spray/oil. Saute over med-high heat 4 minutes. Return patties to pan. Combine consomme and vinegar; pour over onion mixture and patties. Bring mixture to a boil; cover; reduce heat, and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes or until meat is done.

Short Cut:

Sometimes I don't make this meal with onions so I just keep patties in pan until cooked, add consomme/vinegar mixture and let simmer. The burger really eats up the juices and gives it a yummy flavor.

Pair this with roasted asparagus or broccoli and rice & you have a delicious dinner in under 15 minutes!

HappyFamily {Review & Giveaway}

Before children, I loved trying new recipes and enjoyed the whole process from planning the meals, shopping for ingredients to cooking. I always told myself that when I had kids I would make a healthy dinner every night. Now 3 1/2 years later, while I still do cook pretty much every night it is a lot harder with two kids. My hubby works a lot of overtime, so it is usually me trying to make dinner by myself while the baby is pulling at my feet crying and my toddler is running around screaming he is hungry.

There are just some nights where I am exhausted by 4pm {ok most nights} and I just don't feel like cooking. I found a great alternative to quick meals that are actual organic and healthy for my boys - HappyBaby!

I met Trina from HappyBaby about a year ago and feel in love with their mission and products. They sell frozen organic meals, designed for babies age 6 months and up, that provide protein and many of the vitamins and minerals that growing babies need. Perfect for a quick meal when you don't have time!

They have a variety of different snacks and meals for your children. HappyBites are a yummy, balanced meal that have packed veggies in every bite. We tried a few different flavors but my son's favorite was the Chicken Bites and Mac & Cheese.

First of all he loved the box which is genius. Each one contains a "Special Agent" and cleverly gives information on their likes, dislikes, agent mission, etc. My son wanted me to read the box to him over and over and sat there and ate while I did so. How cool!

The Mac & Cheese patties have one serving of veggies hidden; cauliflower & butternut squash are just two that you will find. I am always trying to sneak veggies in so it is perfect that I didn't even have to worry and the kids didn't know they were in there.

There is lots of other fun products that they offer: HappyBaby frozen baby food, HappyBellies organic baby cereal; Puffs that are made with whole grains; HappyMelts organic yogurt melts and HappyTot grab and go snacks.

Win It:
2 free trials for each product line
2 free trials for YB Meals
FAQ Guide on organics
HappyFamily Nutrition Guide
HappyFamily Recipes
HappyBaby's new book, "Our Organic Guide to the First 24 months"
HappyBaby Tee

Main Entry:
Visit HappyBabyFood, look around and comment back here on a product you think your kid{s} would like to try.

Bonus Entries:
1 separate entry for each of the following you do:

• Become a fan of HappyFamily on Facebook
  
• Follow us on Twitter @otherhoodllc and tweet this giveaway
  
• Blog about this giveaway. Leave the URL to your post in the comment.
  
• Become a fan of Otherhood on Facebook
  
• Follow our blog
• Subscribe to our blog via email
  
• Add our button to your blog

This giveaway will end Thursday, December 3rd at 11:59 PM EST. If your email is not included on your profile please leave it in your comment so we know how to contact you. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to our initial email. If not we will choose another winner. Us entries only, please.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Today's is my birthday and to celebrate I am giving everyone 3 extra entries into our giveaways just for wishing me a happy birthday {must wish me a happy birthday under each giveaway}.

Why 3 entries?

Because that is my favorite number so I thought that would be fitting.

I woke up today at 7am to the sound of my toddler yelling, "Wake up Mommy!" I was greeted at the kitchen door to my hubby and son holding a cinnamon bun w/ a candle singing, "Happy Birthday." My hubby had gotten up early just to make them and I am not sure who is more excited to eat them me or my 3-year old? My bet is on my toddler.

Today, I am relaxing with good friends. They are bringing me homemade lunch with wine, they are the best!

Enjoy the day.

BooYah Baby Muff!

As the leaves continue to fall and the air turns crisp, luxurious warmth is needed for little ones while they enjoy their outings with Mom and Dad! BooYah Baby Muff is brand new and it’s sure to be a popular wish list item for the holidays!

BooYah Baby Muff:

• Adjustable for Newborns to Toddlers
• Universal fit for prams, strollers, & joggers
• Embroidered pre-cut 5-point harness holes
• Compatible with or without the BooYah Baby Stroller Liner
• Convenient middle zipper
• Luxurious minky fabric
• Water resistant outer layer
• Machine washable
• Versatile; opens to form a baby play mat once you reach your destination!

A $99 retail value, on-the-go families everywhere will be keeping their little ones cozy and warm.

Holiday Promotion
Receive 15 % off by using coupon code “BLD15off” until January 15, 2010!!

Stay Fit This Holiday Season With Stroller Strides

One of the best gifts you can give yourself or your favorite Mom friend this year is the gift of health. Don’t wait until January 1st to commit to putting yourself first on the list, start today. One way to get a great workout in, meet friends, and spend time with your child is to come to a Stroller Strides Fitness Class.

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for moms that can do with their babies and kids. It includes power walking, cardiovascular and body toning intervals using exercise tubing and the stroller. Whether you are new to working out or a fitness fanatic, this class is great for any level of exerciser. The best thing is that YOUR FIRST CLASS IS FREE! The children are incorporated into the class so you feel like you are getting “me time” along with spending time with them. We also offer a free playgroup for moms and kids called LUNA MOMS Club which offers monthly events to socialize with other moms while the kids make new friends.

In South Jersey we currently have 3 indoor locations for the winter season: Deptford Mall, Temple Beth El in Voorhees, and Little Sport in Maple Shade.

We have such great classes and playgroups planned for this holiday season. Please join us for our November Canned Goods Workout at all 3 of our locations.

Burn some calories for a good cause, Bring 2 canned goods to this FREE class and we will show you how to work up a sweat with the cans you bring. If you donate your cans after class AND sign up, we will take $15.00 off the purchase of your class pass or membership fee. We will also be holding a raffle and everyone gets a ticket for bring cans to donate to a local family in need. Join us at one of these locations:

Moorestown- November 19th at 9:30 am (Salem Road Park or Little Sport for rain location)
Temple Beth El- November 23rd at 9:15
Deptford Mall- November 25th at 9am

December brings more fun with our Nutcracker themed class and other holiday themed Moms Night Out and playgroups.

Stroller Strides gift certificates are the gift that keeps on giving. We are offering 5.00 off for every Stroller Strides gift certificate purchased, so purchase a certificate for $50.00 but only spend $45.00!

Visit our website www.strollerstrides.net/southnj for more information about our classes, prices, events, and Luna Mom’s Playgroup events. Or follow us on Facebook and join our Fan Page: Stroller Strides Southern NJ.

Made by Oots! {Holiday Promo & Giveaway}

OOTS! puts some fun back into the old classic lunchbox with their sleek new designs!

My family had the opportunity to test out the OOTS! Deluxe Lunchbox {$35 for standard version; $45 for deluxe }. It is a bright, modular lunchbox that comes packed with four small and one large container keeping everything nice and snug inside. The containers make it easy to keep everything separate and really maximizes the space with much more organization. There is an elastic strap on top which can securely hold a bottle of water, how genius!

This lunchbox is great for any family member. The kids and I have used ours for trips to the park and it has worked out really well. Both kids had their own container of food and my 3-year old was able to open and close them with no problem.

All materials used are food safe and kid-friendly; made from BPA-free and phthalate-free polypropylene and safety tested for lead. An added bonus; they can be used in the microwave {top rack} and are dishwasher safe.

You also have to check out their cute dishware for kids, called Two Dishes and a Cup. What's included, you ask? Of course two dishes and a cup along with a fork and spoon. They are fun, quirky designs that will add some fun into dinnertime and hopefully keep your little ones at the table longer. It comes perfectly packaged, all stacked up and would make the perfect holiday gift.


Pair this with one of their bbibs and your child will be all set for meal time. Bbib is a bib with sleeves - allowing their clothes to stay cleaner and mess free. They are made with washable terry cloth and have snaps so you can adjust to fit around baby's neck.


Holiday Promo:
Receive 30% discount on all bbibs and dishes by using the promo code oots30 at check-out.

Win It:
One lucky reader will win a dish set along with 2 bbibs - your choice of design {as long as quantities last}.

Main Entry:
Visit OOTS! and comment back here on the dish set and bbibs {2} that you would select if you won.

Bonus Entries:
1 separate entry for each of the following you do:

• Follow us on Twitter @otherhoodllc and tweet this giveaway
  
• Blog about this giveaway. Leave the URL to your post in the comment.
  
• Become a fan of Otherhood on Facebook
  
• Follow our blog
• Subscribe to our blog via email
  
• Add our button to your blog

This giveaway will end Tuesday, December 1st at 11:59 PM EST. If your email is not included on your profile please leave it in your comment so we know how to contact you. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to our initial email. If not we will choose another winner. Us entries only, please.