Giveaway

Boba Baby Wrap & Giveaway!

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When we first found out we were pregnant I knew immediately that we would be the type of parents who would take on the practice of babywearing.  As we learned in our Natural Baby Care Class there are a number of benefits to babywearing which just made us more excited to try it out.

Did you know?*

  • Babies that are held/carried often cry less.
  • Babies that are held/carried are calmer.
  • Babies that are held/carried are better sleepers.
  • Babies that are held/carried nurse more frequently.
  • Babies that are held/carried have better digestion, especially those who experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Babies that are held/carried develop better.

Once we decided to babywear we had to then figure out which carrier would be the best for us to use.  There are so many different types of carriers (you can read about them here) it can get really confusing and honestly expensive because I really want to try them all but alas I have to reign myself in and only try a few.

Since Edie is so tiny our options have been more limited on which carriers are safest due to the weight minimum of many carriers, many are 8lbs which I am happy to say Edie should be up to now or at least soon. So to start out with we have been using the Boba Baby Wrap which I am happy to say Neil and I have both really been enjoying.

The Boba Baby Wrap is the perfect wrap style carrier – with its unique fabric blend and the no-guesswork tying, the Boba Wrap is a great choice for beginners and advanced babywearers alike. The simple design of this baby wrap, free of buckles, straps or buttons makes it perfectly comfortable for both you and your baby. By evenly distributing the weight of your child, there is no time limit to how long your baby can stay in the wrap, so you may calm and sooth your baby with your warmth, your voice, your movement and your heart beat as long as you are both content! (Source)

It took Neil and I a few tries to get the fit right but after watching a few videos and following the instructional photos we finally figured out how to do it correctly.

What I love about the Boba Baby Wrap:

  • The fabric is light which is great with how hot our summer has been.
  • Edie feels secure in it.
  • Edie sleeps in the wrap leaving my hands free to do other things.
  • I can wear it anywhere.  I love to wear it out because Edie sleeps in it and I can walk around without having to push a stroller and it leaves my hands free to eat, drink or shop.

What I don’t love about the Boba Baby Wrap:

  • It takes some thinking ahead when I am planning to wear it out.  I have found that the best way for me to prepare is to put it on before we head out so when we arrive at our destination I can just take Edie out of her car seat and place her in the wrap.  Prior to doing this I would end up dragging the long fabric on the ground as I tried to wrap it around myself.  It’s not a huge deal but I just wish it was a little more convenient to put on quickly.

Overall we love our Boba Baby Wrap and one day when Edie is bigger we hope to try out the other styles of carriers that Boba have to offer.

Giveaway:

Enter for your chance to win a Boba Baby Carrier, and one of two Boba Wraps! All products can be seen at www.bobafamily.com. With Boba products it is easier than ever to enjoy Freedom Together as a family and Boba wants YOU to get a chance to use their products. To enter to win, “Like” them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boba), follow them on Twitter (www.twitter.com/boba) and follow them on Pinterest! (http://pinterest.com/bobafamily/).

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Source: From Babywearing: The Benefits and Beauty of This Ancient Tradition by Maria Blois, MD (Pharmasoft Publishing, 2005) found in excerpt from Mothering magazine.

Disclaimer: Boba provided me with their product at no cost. I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway.

Review & Giveaway: Belli Skincare

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There are a number of prenatal and postnatal beauty products out there today and it can be a real challenge to figure out which ones you should try and which ones you should just pass on.  I recently received a package from Belli Skincare containing their Your Best Baby Bump Duo and their Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen.  Although all three items had their pros and cons, I absolutely loved them all and would recommend everything.  I really look forward to trying products from Belli’s Motherhood Line and maybe even their Baby Line. Check out my review of each product below:

Your Best Baby Bump Duo $49.99

I received the “Your Best Baby Bump Duo” which includes the Elasticity Belly Oil and the All Day Moisture Body Lotion

Elasticity Belly Oil (regularly $39)

Maintains the look of smooth, healthy skin with scientifically researched* ingredients that help prepare skin for stretching during pregnancy.

  • A luxurious blend of pure plant extracts to nourish and moisturize the skin
  • The aromatherapy benefit of lavender soothes and calms the senses
  • Contains Vitamin E and grapeseed oil, both are rich in antioxidants
  • Used in fine spas as a pre-natal massage oil

Pro: I love the smell! It is really wonderful and I am looking forward to packing it up and taking it to the birthing center with us so that Neil can use it to massage my back. I also love how it sprays on so easily and isn’t too greasy feeling. Neil also loves the smell of this oil.

Con: The spray is nice but sometimes it goes on a little wild- I have learned to remove my shirt before putting it on now so it won’t get all over my clothes. The other con is the price- it is a little expensive at $39.

Would I recommend? I would and I AM recommending it to moms-to-be.  I would recommend getting the Your Best Baby Bump Duo because it is a good deal and has both the oil and the lotion.

All Day Moisture Body Lotion (regularly $19)

Deeply moisturizes, soothes and comforts dry skin.

  • Features lemon oil which is known for its uplifting qualities
  • Chamomile soothes and refreshes
  • Shea butter moisturizes and smooths

Pro: Smells like lemon cookies! I absolutely love this lotion and so does Neil. We both used it after spending too much time in the sun and it did a good job at soothing our burnt skin.  It also really does a great job at moisturizing.  I also love that it smells like lemon cookies but the smell isn’t over powering and really mellows out shortly after applying.

Cons: I really can’t think of any cons! It is a little on the more expensive side for some but honestly I think the price is pretty competitive for the quality.

Would I recommend? I would definitely recommended this to anyone regardless of whether you are pregnant or not.

Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25 $24

Shield yourself from UVA and UVB rays with pregnancy-friendly sunscreen ingredients.

  • Features zinc oxide & titanium dioxide– minerals that act as physical sunscreen filters
  • Sun exposure during pregnancy can result in chloasma– dark brown spots that 70% of pregnant women experience
  • Lightly tinted to blend in with all skin types
  • Oil-free
  • May be worn alone or under makeup

Pro: It doesn’t have the normal sunscreen smell (which I hate). Although it is tinted it blends right in and I find it evens my skin tone out just a bit (maybe I’m the only one who notices though). It isn’t heavy on the skin and it works really well with my makeup.  I usually wear a tinted moisturizer and lately I have just been wearing the Belli sunscreen instead.

Con: It is a little expensive, especially if you plan to reapply frequently or if you are a little heavy handed with it.  I wouldn’t wear this as my go to sunscreen if I were heading to the pool or the beach but it is good for everyday wear.

Would I recommend? I would recommend this, however, if you know you really need a lot of sunscreen in the summer and/or spend a lot of time lounging on the beach I would also have another facial sunscreen for that and use this as more everyday use.

Giveaway: (closed)

Winner:

One lucky reader will win both the  Your Best Baby Bump Duo and the Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen. This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canada residents only. Giveaway is open until June 8, 2012 at 6pm EST.

To Enter:

Mandatory: Visit the Belli Skincare site and tell me something you learned or a about a product that interest you.

Additional Entries (leave a separate comment for each entry):

  • Follow @Belliskincare on Twitter
  • Tweet about this giveaway: “I want to win @runwithtongs @BelliSkincare giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-3jU”

Disclaimer: Belli Skincare provided me with these products at no cost. I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway.

Did you know? You can take advantage of savings on Belli products by clicking on the bright pink Share & Save button that appears on the far right-hand side of belliskincare.com.  When they click the button and share Belli with at least 3 of their friends via email, Facebook or Twitter, they and their friends can receive an exclusive promo code good for 20% off their purchase at belliskincare.com.

Weekend Wrap Up: Good Eats & a Giveaway (Closed)

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If you are looking for the giveaway you’ll just go nuts about scroll down! 

This weekend Neil and I were fairly busy and it seems that things aren’t going to be slowing down anytime soon!  We started the weekend off with a homemade Mexican pizza (recipe to come tomorrow) which was absolutely delicious.

Here it is all fixed up with a sprinkle of baby arugula, fresh tomatoes and sour supreme.  We enjoyed our slices, went for a walk and settled on the couch to watch a few shows.

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to bake up a batch of Babycakes gluten free Pumpkin Spice Muffins for our early morning birthing class.  Around 8:30 our birthing class teacher arrived (we are taking private classes) and we served up coffee, muffins and fruit before starting our four hours of class. In other news our birthing class teacher is also a doula and last week after doing a bunch of reading Neil and I made a last minute decision to hire a doula for the birth.  I checked with Sarah (our birth coach) to see if she had any July openings and she did so after our class we decided to hire her to be our doula (she is really wonderful and so comfortable to be around).  I’ll discuss more of this doula talk in Thursday’s update post.

After our four plus hours of birthing class Neil and I were so hungry we decided to use up the remaining homemade dough and make another small pizza for lunch and then I passed out for a few hours.  When I finally woke up Neil was going a little stir crazy and was ready to get out of the house so we decided to have a date night downtown including window shopping, drinks (beer for him and water for me) and dinner out at A Single Pebble <–Neil had a gift card from work so free (almost) dinner for us! After dinner we headed home and cuddled on the couch while watching the remainder of the Yankees game, we should have just gone to bed though such a bad game.

Sunday we enjoyed a lazy morning before heading out for brunch with friends that we hadn’t seen since last July.  We spent over two hours enjoying food, conversation and having tons of belly laughs at Duino Duende.  It was so nice not to have a rushed meal and really enjoy the company.  After brunch we rean a few errands, took a nap, Neil did a training run and I watched House Hunters International.

While Neil finished up his run I made dinner of arugula walnut pesto with peas and white beans, a side of kale and leftover tofu from dinner at A Single Pebble.  After dinner we went for a stroll and then relaxed on the couch. What did you do this weekend?

Now that you’ve read my weekend recap keep scrolling and you’ll find a great giveaway! 

Review and Giveaway: Doug’s Nuts

A few weeks ago Doug’s Nuts sent me a few complimentary bags of their nuts to try out and ever since then I have been in love.  When I first open the nuts I am expecting them to be sugary based on their shiny coating but they were super mild and really delicious.  They are coated with a flavorful glaze consisting of organic evaporated sugarcane juice, honey, oatmeal stout beer <– my husband saw beer and had to try them immediately, sea salt, organic vanilla extract, and other natural flavors. In the mix are roasted almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and pumpkin seeds (the hazelnuts and pecans are my favorites).

I unfortunately finished off my two pouches pretty quickly (time to get some more I guess!)  but boy where they good.  I enjoyed them over soy yogurt, by the palm-full and my favorite way as a topping for apple “nachos”.  What are apple nachos? Simply thinly sliced apples (I use my mandolin) drizzled with almond butter and topped with a sprinkling of Doug’s Nuts and a few mini chocolate chips for good measure.

Giveaway Details- Open Until Friday May 11th at 8pm EST: CLOSED

  • Doug’s Nuts will provide and ship one 6-pack of Doug’s Nuts to the winner ($30 + shipping costs value) – OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY
Winner:

To enter:

  • Visit the Doug’s Nuts and come back and leave a comment letting me know something that you have learned. (Mandatory)
Additional Entries: (Leave a separate entry for each)
  • Follow Doug’s Nuts on Twitter
  • Follow Running With Tongs on Twitter
  • Tweet “I’d go nuts to win @runwithtongs @dougsnuts giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-3fL”

Chia Goodness Giveaway

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Happy Friday! 

Chia seeds can be eaten raw or ground to make a flour substitute and added to baked goods and even pastas. It can also be mixed with a small amount of water to be used as an egg replacer in baked goods. Chia seeds bring a nutty flavor to smoothies, granola and oatmeal. One of my favorite chia seed products are Ruth’s Foods Chia Goodness. Chia Goodness is also a favorite of many of my clients, one is even so in love with it he ordered himself a case!

It is a quick and easy breakfast option or even a snack! I keep a package of the chocolate flavor at my desk at all times so when I get hungry I can make myself up a bowl.  I love that you can eat it hot or cold, which makes it great to travel with.  I usually take along some whenever we travel because as long as I have a bowl or cup, a spoon and water I can eat it anywhere!

Today I am sharing my love of chia AND of Ruth’s Foods Chia Goodness with a giveaway! Three people will be the proud winners of this giveaway and will receive three flavors of Chia Goodness and a package of chia seeds.

Chia Goodness™ is a new concept in breakfast cereal. The ingredients are completely raw – just stir in milk or water, hot or cold, and wait a few minutes for it to thicken, giving it the comfort quality of oatmeal. We combine chia with our shelled hempseed, a great source of protein, essential fatty acids and trace minerals, and add other seeds, fruits and nuts to give you the best breakfast ever. (Source)

How to enter: Giveaway is CLOSED.

The winners are: JW, Jamie and Melissa

Mandatory Entry: Must Enter by March 20, 2012 at 12pm EST

1. What types of post are you most interested in reading on this blog?

Additional Entries (please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry)

Out-takes: my attempts at photographing Chia Goodness

It just isn’t picture friendly!

{Closed} Trop50 and a $50 Spa Week Giveaway

As most of you know since becoming pregnant I have become addicted to citrus and I just can’t get enough.  Lately, I’ve been wanting orange juice all the time, which is crazy for me because I hardly ever drink juice unless it’s a strong freshly squeezed green juice.  Well I have been indulging my juice craving lately by allowing myself to buy a bottle every other week.

Since I am trying to be careful with my sugar intake I decided to use the coupon for a free bottle that Tropicana sent to me and I finally tried Trop50 Orange Juice which has 1/2 the sugar and calories of other orange juices.  Currently I am really enjoying being able to indulge my craving without overdoing the sugar.

(Source)

One of the other cravings I plan on indulging in the upcoming month is a prenatal massage, a much needed massage. The best part is Trop50 is offering one of you a chance to win a $50 Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by Spa Week® to get the spa treatment of your choice. You can also enter for a chance to win a $1000 gift card when you share your New Year’s Resolution on Trop50’s Facebook page!

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me what your favorite treatment is to get at the spa! This giveaway will be open until Tuesday, January 31 @ 8pm EST. A winner will be announced Tuesday.

The Winner is: #4

Jessica says:

I don’t have a favorite since going to the spa is definitely a splurge, but I would love to get a pedicure! Or a facial with the dry weather right now :)

Vega Breakfast Challenge

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A few weeks ago I was invited to participate in the Vega blogger campaign to Take the Vega Breakfast Challenge. Being a huge fan of Vega I decided to take the challenge.  During the challenge I tried Vega’s Complete Whole Food Health Optimizers (WFHO) in a variety of flavors and ways.  My favorite way to use WFHO is in smoothies or in my Banana Bread Protein Pancakes.

Post 3Miler- Choco-Banana Vega Smoothie

After trying the WFHO I then compared my everyday breakfast  to only one single serving of  WFHO using Vega’s online Breakfast Nutrition Calculator. I honestly had a hard time using the the Breakfast Nutrition Calculator because I couldn’t accurately find what I normally eat each morning which is on run days is a super cacao energy bite and then most days oatmeal with banana, nut butter, chia seeds and flax.  Simply finding rolled oats on the calculator was a challenge and then when I found an item labeled “oats”, I was unable to choose the correct quantity. Additionally, when adding the chia seeds and flax to the list it did not accurately compare the two items because both include omega-3’s and they did not show up on the nutrition calculator.  Overall I thought the Breakfast Nutrition Calculator was a bit flawed and did not accurately compare the WFHO with my everyday breakfast.

Moving on to really discuss how I felt the mornings that I ate the WFHO- I felt great.  The WFHO is 100% plant-based, it’s gluten-free, soy-free and dairy free and it’s super low in calories. According to Vega only one single serving guarantees:
·         100% of you daily vitamins and minerals
·         60% daily intake of fiber
·         Healthy weight loss
·         Maintaining optimal health

I did felt more energized, full and ready to take on the day after having a smoothie or the pancakes with the WFHO.  I love that it adds the edition of:

  • A Full Serving of ChlorEssence (High CGF Chlorella)
    • Rich in protein, chlorophyll and nucleic acids DNA & RNA
    • Cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate cells and activate, support immune system
    • Special cell wall fiber binds to and removes heavy metals and other toxins from the body
  • A Full Serving of MacaSure (Organic Gelatinized Maca)
    • Rich in alkaloids, glucosinolates, minerals and sterols
    • Increase energy, reduce stress, balance hormones, improve libido
    • Gelatinization enhances potency and ease of digestion/absorption
Two things I do not get enough of regularly and both are great for active people and non-active people.

Overall I felt that the challenge was a success because I felt a difference in my energy levels throughout the day.  I am, and have been, a fan of the product for years and will continue to use it.  The only downfall in this challenge really was the Breakfast Nutrition Calculator, however there is no debate that the added nutrients in WFHO is a great addition to any breakfast.  Additionally the recipes that Vega offers on the Breakfast Challenge Page are really great and include smoothie, pancake and cereal recipes all using WFHO.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of WFHO? Mine is the chocolate!

*Giveaway*

I am giving away one single serving size of WFHO to one lucky CVL reader- all you have to do is tweet “I want to win @cookveganlover @VegaTeam Whole Food Health Optimizer giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-2yl #vegabreakfastchallenge” and then come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did so BY September 10, 2011. 

Fitness Friday: {Giveaway} Be Seen

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Workouts since last Fitness Friday

Thoughts:

  • Not enough time spent working out. Over a 7 day period I only averaged 23 minutes a day. That is way less than I should be doing.
  • No yoga this week. One of my goals is to do yoga at least once a week. I find that it improves my running, my mind and keeps me balanced.
  • Poor fueling before runs=not so great runs. This is one thing that is going to be fixed starting now, yes right this minute. In the last week I fell off my normal workout routine because our gym was closed, hurricane Irene came for a visit and because I chose not to put as much dedication into my workouts as I should have.
Goals for this week:
  • Spend an average of 45 minutes per day working out even on passive rest days.
  • On passive rest days do yoga, go for a walk or do a gentle swim.
  • Get back to meal planning and work on eating foods that will benefit my health, my running and my body.
  • Hydrate. Drink more water, more frequently.  That is one thing that I haven’t been doing well enough lately and I know I should.
Conclusion.  I see the improvements I need to make and I know I have the power to do them, we all do really.  I will take the time this week to support my body and mind so that it is at it’s healthiest.

Moving on…

Since I started running I have been on the lookout for running gear that fits well, is comfortable to run in and of course it needs to look cute. I have been slowly accumulating new items, some that work really well and some that are not so great and have resulted in chaffing or just don’t fit correctly.  One of the newest tops I have tired out is from Be Seen the creators of active gear for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as running, biking and walking.

Be Seen is the vision of Eric and Lisa Fenstermacher. As dedicated age-group triathletes living in Dallas. TX, they appreciate the need to be safe and aware on the roads. Unfortunately it seems everyone involved in an outdoor lifestyle knows someone that knows someone with a tragic story. Eric and Lisa want to help these stories change to tales of accomplishment. The most effective mechanism to achieve this is through education and awareness. They firmly believe that awareness is the precursor to change. Be Seen out there and stay safe.[1]

Eric and Lisa have created a fashionable and effective way to improve the safety for outdoor activity lovers with their Been Seen athletic tops. The large designs on all sides of the garment brightly reflect vehicle headlights and other ambient light. They are made from sweat wicking fabric, moisture moves quickly to the surface where it evaporates.

Reminder: Don't take photos at 5am.

My thoughts: 
As soon as I received this top I tried it right on and headed out on a early evening run on the bike path.  The things I love about this top:

– The Length. I have found that my biggest issue with woman’s running tops is that they are many times too short or way too long.  I was happy to find that this shirt was just the right length, hitting at the hips and it was perfect because it didn’t ride up while I ran (my other huge issue).

– Safety First. I really love that the large design that is both on the front and back is not an eyesore.  I am all about safety first but I cringe at the though of florescent orange and neon green tops. This top is great because it’s cute and promotes safety.

– Overall fit.  I know I mentioned above that I like the length but the overall fit is also worth noting.  I was told in advanced that the shirts tend to run a little big so when ordering one you probably want to go a size smaller, I had to. I also loved that it was fitted but not tight or hugging and the sleeve length was perfect.

–The fabric.  I thought the fabric was perfect. I went on a hot run in the top and I felt great.  The fabric breathes and doesn’t chaff. I did find that fabric to be a bit heavy though especially for 75F+ and 50%+ humidity (welcome to VT summer), however I do think that it will be perfect now that it is cooler in the mornings and evenings but not cold enough for long sleeves (although Be Seen has those too).

Overall. Overall I love the top.  I would recommend it to anyone especially those who are avid bikers, outdoor runners and walkers.  It is comfortable, cute and of course promotes safety first.

{Giveaway Time} Closed

Winner:

 

Guidelines:  Giveaway for your own Be Seen top is open to US residents only. Giveaway will close at 8pm on 9/6/2011.  You must do the mandatory question, for additional entries you MUST leave a separate comment for each entry.

Mandatory:

1. Visit the Be Seen site here  and complete this sentence: Been Seen is ______

Additional Entries: 

  • “Like” Be Seen on Facebook.
  • Follow Be Seen on Twitter
  • Tweet: “I want to win @cookveganlover @beseenforlife giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-2xo”
  • Follow my new running blog on twitter @LindzNeilRun
  • Subscribe to my new running blog in a reader.

[1]: Been Seen|About