Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Review and Giveaway

Coffee-mate Natural Bliss

I love coffee and tea.  I don’t take the time to make it every day so it’s a treat for me when I get to enjoy a cup!  I was recently given the opportunity from Mom Central to review Coffee-mate’s new Natural Bliss Creamers and I jumped at the chance.

The Natural Bliss Creamers come in three natural, yummy flavors!  You can choose from Vanilla, Sweat Cream, and Caramel.  I tried them all and let me tell you they are wonderful!  Vanilla was my favorite, followed closely by Caramel, and lastly Sweet Cream.  Sweet Cream was a subtly sweet substitute for milk but I’m just partial to the sweeter flavors.  Don’t get me wrong though, Vanilla and Caramel are sweet but not overly sweet.  They are smooth, creamy, and leave a yummy taste in your mouth.  I may start drinking coffee in the morning and tea in the evening.  I love my Red Rose tea and my Keurig cups dearly.  It would be nice to take a few minutes for myself and relax each day so I think I’ll do it!

Coffee-mate is giving away a free Natural Bliss Creamer of your choice to one lucky Embracing Beauty reader.

How to enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know which flavor you most look forward to trying.  It’s that simple!

The giveaway will end Aug. 30th at 3:00pm EST.  The winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Coffee-mate and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Naturepedic Waterproof Mattress Pad Review

Naturepedic Logo 250x250 .jpgWhen it comes to shopping for baby products we only want the best, right?  Of course we want the best possible price we can get and we might even take a second hand version if we can.  But what about the used items we can’t bleach or throw in the washing machine?  Can you see where I’m headed?  Yes, a mattress or bassinet pad.  We would never buy a second hand mattress for ourselves so why do we consider doing that for our precious newborn?

While recently researching mattresses, mattress covers, bassinet pads, and changing pad covers I realized there was a lot to learn.  There is a wide variety in price and in quality.  After reading and reading about different brands {as you know I do}, finding the pros and cons, and the many regulations for mattresses and pads I came to the conclusion that {in my opinion} Naturepedic was the best.  I already had a mattress so I contacted Naturepedic to see if I could review one of their waterproof mattress pads.  I was overjoyed when they said yes!Naturepedic Waterproof Mattress Pad

When the package arrived I was eager to open it and get it washed and on my baby’s bed.  You know how you are when you are preparing for a baby…everything, I mean everything is exciting!  The package was much larger than I had imagined.  I opened it and was surprised that it was so soft and that it wasn’t crinkly at all.  I had read all about Naturepedic’s organic cotton and their breathable technology but I still had in my head that a waterproof pad had to be rubbery or plastic.  I was glad to be wrong!  This extra soft mattress pad has been wonderful!

The waterproof mattress pad is made of two layers of organic cotton, one layer on the top and the other on the bottom.  In the middle Naturepedic has a layer of their DrySleep technology.  This layer is what keeps wetness from passing through but it also allows the fabric to “breathe.”  This DrySleep technology allows some moisture to escape which leaves baby drier and more comfortable!  It’s also claims to block dust-mites and other allergens.  That’s much better than a sweaty rubber pad!

What I love about it:

Fits standard crib size – 28″ x 52″
NO Vinyl / PVC
NO Phthalates
NO Latex (for those with allergy concerns)
GREENGUARD® Certified (low emissions)
Machine wash and dry
Made in the U.S.A.

Naturepedic sells flat mattress pads and fitted ones.  I reviewed the fitted mattress pad and was pleased to find that it had deep pockets and tight elastic.  It was comforting to see the large amount of fabric tucked under each side.

After a few months of reviewing the pad I have nothing bad to say about it.  I’ve washed it several times and it still looks brand new.  It keeps the wetness from leaking through to the mattress and keeps leaks from waking my little one up.  I love it!  I would recommend this product and Naturepedic to anyone.

A while back a reader gave me a great tip for late night sheet changes.  She suggested stacking sets of mattress pads and sheets on top of each other.  This way if your little one woke up hungry at night and you noticed their sheet was wet you could remove their sheet and mattress pad and there would already be another sheet and mattress pad there to lay your baby on.  I’ve tried this and it makes night changes so much easier.  Thank you, Jenny!

Instead of buying three additional mattress pads from Naturepedic {$59 each} I thought I could get by with a three pack from the local baby store.  That was not a very smart decision.  We’ve got by but it’s not the same.  When were down to the bottom mattress pad, just one nap will leave a clear definition of the mattresses pattern embedded in the sheet (it’s super thin).  It’s crinkly, doesn’t breathe, and my biggest complaint is the shallow pockets.  These cheaper pads are hard to get to fit on the mattress…not to mention when I try to stack them!  I was close to buying a couple extra Naturepedic pads and donating the cheaper ones but thankfully my little angel is sleeping through the night now so there is no longer a need to change her in the wee hours of the morning.  It’s back to my one Naturepedic mattress pad for me!

Disclosure: I received a Naturepedic mattress pad to facilitate this review but all opinions are completely my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this review.  Because I love the Naturepedic brand I signed up for their affiliate program and those links are included in this post.  For more information please see my disclosure policy.

Image credit: Naturepedic

Game Time: Tackling the Past Movie 24 Hour Giveaway

Game Time Movie

Update: The giveaway is now over.  Congratulations to Kelly!

 

 

Win a early viewing of Family Movie Night’s Game Time: Tackling the Past! P&G and Walmart have teamed up for another tremendous family friendly movie!  Following the success of their most recent films, Field of Vision and Who is Simon Miller? they have gearing up to launch the latest Family Movie Night film Game Time: Tackling the Past which premieres September 3 at 8/7c on NBC.

I’m giving away a code to one Embracing Beauty reader so they can watch the movie online before it airs on TV!  How exciting!

Here’s how to enter:

Leave a comment telling me your all-time favorite movie.  If it’s too hard to pick just one you can list a few.

Good luck!  The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon so hurry and get your comment in.

Frugal Food Allergy Living: Well-Stocked Pantry

Stocked Pantry

 

This is the last week for my guest posting stump for Embracing Beauty.  I am so grateful to Ashley for this opportunity to share my experiences with food allergies and frugality.  I hope that it has been helpful to you as well.  Many blessings to you, Ashley, and your sweet family.

 

If you want to know more about food allergies and how to live frugally with them, you can find me everyday at The Willing Cook.  If you ever have any questions or requests, don’t hesitate to let me know.

 

I came across a post recently that mentions the cost savings of having a well-stocked pantry/freezerand I thought that it would be a great “extra” post for the Frugal Food Allergy Living series.

Frugal Food Allergy Living

Living a frugal lifestyle can be a daunting task.  Throw in food allergies and you have a real challenge on your hands.  But challenges are good, right?  Personally, I get a sense of satisfaction out of saving a few dollars at the grocery store, especially allergy-friendly foods, and creating healthy, safe and delicious foods for my family.

 

It is easier to accomplish frugal food allergy living when most of your ducks are in a row.  On top of the list is having a well-stocked pantry.  While it is an inconvenience to not have enough eggs for the cookies you are making to take to your son’s birthday party at school, you can always borrow an egg from a neighbor.  What if your son has an egg allergy and you are completely out of egg replacer? You can’t simply borrow egg replacer.

 

Having a well-stocked pantry is…

  • Convenient
  • Saves money
  • Essential for food allergies

 

A well-stocked pantry is convenient.  There is no arguing with this point.  It’s a pain to be in the middle of cooking and realize that you are missing a key ingredient.  It can change an entire dish.

 

A well-stocked pantry saves money.

  1. You can stock up on the pantry essentials when they are on sale, instead of being forced to pay full price.  If you find that you have to make a quick trip up to the over-priced corner store to pick up that missing item, you are going to pay more.
  2. You save on gas and time when you don’t have to make that spur-of-the-moment trip to the grocery store for that one missing item.
  3. If you have to make a quick run to the store, you are more prone to put other items into your basket that may not be on your grocery budget.

 

A well-stocked pantry is essential for food allergies.

  1. There are not always easy substitutions for missing allergy foods.  Substituting for the “real” thing is simply not an option; in fact, it is dangerous.
  2. You cannot easily borrow an ingredient from a neighbor.
  3. The small corner grocery store is less likely to carry a good selection of allergy-friendly foods causing you to make a trip to the larger grocery store.
  4. Specialty allergy foods are not always the cheapest products on the grocery shelves.  It is good to save a little money by stocking up when they go on sale, not in a last minute state of desperation.

Here is my list for a well-stocked food allergy pantry that I posted a while back.

 

What can you add to this list? What are your reasons for having a well-stocked pantry?  What do you include in your well-stocked pantry that I don’t have on my list?

 

Control Quote

Ireland Coast

“The only thing you can control is your own effort.”

― Theodora van den Beld

Borden Milk: $1 Printable Coupon

Borden CouponYou can get a Bordon Milk printable coupon to save $1 off a 1 gallon or 2 half gallons of Borden Milk! Make sure you use zip 34985.  *This coupon is only valid for participating stores in FL.*

Thanks, Misty!

Earth Fare: Deals for the week of August 24-30, 2011

Earth Fare

Funky Monkey Applemon Dried Fruit – $1.67
Use $0.75/1 printable
$0.92 after coupon

Silk Original Pure Almond Milk – $2.96
Use $1.25/1 coupon from the 7/10 SmartSource insert
$1.71 after coupon

Cascadian Farms Organic French Fries – $2.50
Use $1/1 printable
$1.50 after coupon

Muir Glen Organic Black Bean and Corn Salsa – $2.98
Use $1/1 printable
$1.98 after coupon

Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew (4 pk) – $3.98
Use $1/1 printable
$2.98 after coupon

Chicken Breast 1lb – $1 with coupon
Exp. Aug. 28th

Save A Lot: Deals for the week of August 24-30, 2011

Save a Lot

Reser’s Macaroni or Potato Salad – $1
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Free after coupon!

Nesquik Chocolate or Strawberry Milk (16 oz) – $1
Use $0.50/1 coupon from the 6/5 RedPlum insert
$0.50 after coupon

Duncan Hines Cupcakes, Brownies or Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix – $1
Buy 3 and use Buy 2 Get 1 Free coupon from the 6/5 SmartSource insert
$0.66 each after coupon

Peaches, Plums or Nectarines – $0.79/lb

Jumbo Sweet Onions – $0.79/lb

Bugles (6 to 7.5 oz) – $1
Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from the 7/10 SmartSource insert
Or use $0.50/1 coupon from the 7/10 SmartSource insert
$0.50 each after coupon

Oscar Mayer Lunchables (9.7 to 10.8 oz) – $1.99
Buy 2 and use $1/2 peelie coupon
$1.49 each after coupon

Don’t forget to use the $5/$25 printable coupon for an even better bargain!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

On the Border: Kids Eat Free Today Aug. 24, 2011

On the Border coupon

Here’s another kids eat free deal that’s only good for today!  On the Border is offering one free kid’s meal per adult entree purchased when you present this coupon. This deal is valid today only, Wednesday, August 24, 2011, for children 12 and under.

Thanks, Capitally Frugal!

Chili’s: Kids Eat Free Today Aug. 24, 2011

Chilis Kids Eat Free

Don’t have dinner plans yet?  Head to Chili’s for another one of their Kids Eat Free days.  This is only valid, today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011.  The free meals are only valid for children ages 12 and under.  You can get two free kid’s meals with the purchase of any adult entree.

Thanks, WhoSaidNothingisFree!