Boogie Wipes Giveaway



You read about them HERE. Now get your own packages of Boogie Wipes!

The winner will receive 2 packages of 30 wipes (scent may vary).

Open to US, Canada AND Australia!





Giveaway is over.

Copy Kids Review

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Mama Jo says:

My children HATE vegetables. My oldest has always been an adventurous eater, and will try almost anything. But my 5 year old think the three meals of the day are waffles, corn dogs, and chicken nuggets. My 2 year old is also a picky eater at times, and neither liked vegetables.

That is why I think Copy Kids is such a great idea. Copy Kids is a video that shows children eating fruits and vegetables in a fun environment. The idea is, if kids see other kids loving vegetables, then they will want to try them as well.

Thus far, my son has not asked for more fruit or vegetables, but I am hoping with more time he will see them as a delicious snack and not a punishment.

The video is very fun, and my children enjoyed watching it. It held the attention of my youngest two children, and they really enjoyed watching it. We have watched it a few times since receiving it, and I think over time it will really help them to have a love to all types of food! I hope they come out with a series of videos that introduce kids to even more variety in food!

Mama Steph says:

My little man LOVES vegetables, but does not care for fruit. We watched the video together so we could talk about how food helps us grow big and strong.  Healthy eating was echoed at his pre-school this week as well as in Sunday school!  I loved how it was NOT just mama telling him these facts about food.

Copy Kids is a great video and was fun to watch my guy learn from it.  He sat engaged and asking questions about colors, kids and food. I don't think mamas could ask for much more!  While my guy hasn't jumped into eating a lot more fruit, we are making a little progress.  He at least SAMPLES one bite of fruit at each family dinner.  Maybe a few more Copy Kid views and he will ASK for some :)

Copy Kids has received many awards including Dr. Toy's Top 10 of 2011.


MamaBreak received Copy Kids a copy of the DVD to review here on MamaBreak. No other compensation was received. As always, our opinions and experiences are our own. 

Aroma Rice Cooker and Food Steam Review

When Aroma and I first started discussing a review, I really did not know what to expect from a rice cooker AND food steamer. Then the Aroma rep told me that it also worked as a slow cooker. I was really skeptical. One device that does ALL that?

And it does! It really does! I am so in loved with this thing, you would not even believe it. We have been using it almost every night, but tonight we decided to try a recipe from Aroma.

The Recipe is:

Green Chile and Chicken Rice

Just throw in the ingredients and your rice cooker will take care of the rest.
Prep: 5 min. Total: 30 min. Yield: Serves 4.
1 1/2 cups medium-grain rice, such as Calrose
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 10-ounce chicken breast chunks with liquid
1 4-ounce can diced green chiles with liquid
Place all ingredients in the inner pot and stir. Place inner pot into the rice cooker, cover and press the Steam/Cook button. Allow to cook until rice cooker switches to Keep-Warm mode. Add salt to taste. Stir and serve immediately as a main course.
This recipe came from the Aroma website. 


We used ingredients on hand and used regular white rice instead of medium-grain rice. We also used table salt to replace the kosher sale.

We were so excited to share the Aroma Rice Cooker and Food Steamer that we even made our first Video Blog!


The Aroma Rice Cooker and Food Steamer can is digital and has a setting for White Rice, Brown rice, Slow Cook, and Delay Time. It is AMAZING!



I love having just one device because my kitchen is so small without a lot of counter space. This device takes the place of so many other items, and the entire family loves it!





MamaBreak received the rice cooker so that we could adequately review it here on the site. We did not receive any other kind of compensation. As always, our experiences and opinions are our own. 

Top 5 Places . . . Oahu

This is the first of many in a series about the top 5 places you need to visit when you go to a location. Mama Steph and I (Mama Jo) are both travelers and we have both been all over the country . . . and all over the world (although we both prefer Paris!).

We are going to bring you the top 5 places we like about a certain location. Please keep in mind that neither of us is a travel agent or a professional chef, restaurant critic, etc. We also both have children and all of those factors influence our responses. These are just the top 5 places of MamaBreak.

This week, we are focusing on Oahu. 

Mama Jo recently visited Oahu, and wanted to share the "not to miss" spots while she was there. Without further ado . . . the Top 5 Places in Oahu are: 

1. Hanauma Bay.
I chose Hanauma Bay because I have never experienced anything like it before. If you have never been snorkeling, this is the place for you. Live coral, thousands of fish, in a beautiful cove. It is simply beyond words amazing. We saw many, many schools of fish of different varieties. It makes it my #1 not to miss place!

Tips: You can rent your snorkeling gear there, but purchasing your own is a good idea if you plan to go snorkeling again. You should sign up on the list after the video, because you will most likely WANT to go back! I could not get the hang of the flippers on my feet, so I took them off. If you have the same experience, make sure you have water shoes you can wear instead!

 

2. The North Shore.
If you are a surfer, this is your paradise! If you love food and fresh markets, this is YOUR paradise. Drive along the North Shore and stop at small stands where people are selling their fresh fruits, vegetables, and even shrimp! In my opinion, this is the BEST eating in Oahu! The view is also amazing, and you can find many public beaches that are not overrun with tourists.



Tips: On your way to the North Shore, Take H2 through the island. Stop at the Dole Plantation, which is essentially a tourist trap, but is worth the stop for the BEST pineapple soft serve you will ever have! Also, bring plenty of cash to the North Shore, because many of the small stands only take cash.
 

3. Waimea Valley Audubon Center.

This is like a little hidden gem of a location. It has a tropical rain forest feel, and features plants and flowers from all over the world. It also features local (Hawaiian) plants and flowers. They have learning areas where they showcase different Hawaiian culture, and many places set up for you to experience by yourself. The best part is, at the end of the hike, is a beautiful waterfall that you can swim into.


Tips: There are three things you should bring on this excursion. First, bug spray (you may need it). You will also want good walking shoes. The walk is not extreme, but you will be on your feet for a while. Last, but not least, wear a suit under your clothes so you can swim. You will most likely not need a towel because the natural warmth of the Hawaiian air will dry you off in no time!
 

4. Pearl Harbor. If you are on Oahu, this is one place you simply cannot miss. I am not a hisotry buff, and generally do not enjoy historical types of monuments. However, I was overwhelmed with emotion with just being there. The Arizona Memorial is sutnning, the story is moving, and it is one place you will want to visit. There are several places to visit at Pearl Harbor, but the U.S.S. Arizona is probably the most popular.



Tips: If you do visit, be aware that you need to go to Pearl Harbor and purchase your tickets for a time that day. It is best to go in the early morning to have your choice of times. They open at 8 a.m. every day. You cannot being purses, backpacks, or bags into the monument areas, so be prepared with pockets!
 

5. Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.
Yep. I went to Oahu and visited the swap meet. It is hands down the best place for souvenirs. They have amazing local vendor food (think coconut with a straw in it), and they also feature a garage sale! Some items are hand-crafted with the artisans making them live on site. It is a neat experience, and a great way to bring Oahu home with you without breaking the bank!




(Sorry no picture of the swap meet!)

Tips: Walk around the entire swap meet first if you have the energy. That way you can see what is available before you purchase anything (and can find the best price). Bring WATER. You are going to be walking a lot and it will be hot! I also would bring an umbrella or parasol to stay out of the hot sun at least a little.
There are a few honorable mentions for Oahu as well.
  • We went to Diamondhead, but did not see the view because of my asthma (acted up, did not have my inhaler with). I have heard it is a must see. 
  • If you are in the physical shape to take a hike that is worth the walk, you MUST do Koko Head!
  • If you are a Lost fan, Mokuleia Beach is what you are looking for (and a MUST in my book!). 
  • Ka' Ena point is also supposed to be amazing! 
  • We went to the Paradise Cove Luau, and we feel this is also a MUST see! 
So, that is our Oahu list. This is based on our limited vacation time in Oahu, so your experiences in Oahu may be completely different! That is the wonderful thing about traveling! You can visit the same place again and again and always have a new adventure!

Special thanks to our Hawaii family: Andrew, Caitlan, Holli, Joe, Collin, Chad, and Chelsea-- much love! 

Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect gift? Look no further than the Holiday Gift Guide! We have a gift for EVERYONE on your list!!! Just click below for the person you are buying for!!

When you see this logo on a review
It means it is a Holiday Gift Guide Item!

Want to appear on MamaBreak's Holiday Wish List?
Email the mamas at: 2mamas@mamabreak.com


Drink Chia Giveaway!

You read about our amazing experience with Drink Chia here:
And now it is your chance to experience it for yourself!

You could win a CASE of assorted flavors of Drink Chia of your own PLUS a Drink Chia T-shirt!

What are you waiting for? Enter now!

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Grab a Scab Giveaway!!!

We are so excited to kick off our 2 giveaways a week, and we could not have partnered with a better company to do it with than Grab a Scab. They are adorable, functional, AND mom-owned (and we love Mama businesses!).

The winner will get to choose 3 Grab a Scabs of their own!


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Thred Up Review and Link for FREE Clothes!!!!

*sponsored post*
 
A new company . . . a new site . . . I am SO in love!

A couple of years ago I was introduced to Thred Up. I never used the site because the idea was about swapping clothes with other people. There were MANY dissatisfied customers, and I did not want to risk it. ALL OF THAT HAS CHANGED!!!!

First, the site is completely different and rather than end up with a random box, you choose EXACTLY what you want. The amazing thing is, they have gone through all of the clothing and have searched them for rips, stains, etc. The clothing selection is HUGE!!!

I purchased a dress, pair of jeans, and 2 pairs of pants for my kids. All for $20!!!! AMAZING price! They all arrived, and you HAVE to see this box!




CUTENESS! I love it!

The clothes inside were impeccable! Not a stain, rip, nothing. They looked LIKE NEW.


 I got a Bonnie Jean dress:


KidZone Jeans:



Circo Pants and BoyzWear Pants:




You can SELL back your clothing to them too to earn credit. For $4.95 they will send you a HUGE bag with postage paid. You send it back FILLED. They refund your $4.95 and you get credit for your clothing.

As if all of that is not amazing enough, you can get a $10 credit RIGHT NOW towards your first order by clicking through THIS LINK. The shipping is $6.05, so if you only want to try them out, add $3.05 or less to your cart, and it will be FREE!!! FREE KIDS CLOTHES -- we LOVE FREE!!!!!!

I received a credit to shop at Thred.com so that I would be able to write this review. MamaBreak did not receive any other type of compensation for this review, and our experience and opinions are our own!

Squashie Dippity 2.000 Fan Giveaway!

Join in the fun! Squashie Dippity's 2,000 fan giveaway!


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Busy Moms Need to Drink Chia

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When a friend first told me about Drink Chia, I thought it sounded gimmicky. A drink that can naturally give you energy--- by seeds in it? Sound crazy? It DID to me too.



And then I started work and my second day I had an early morning meeting. I ran out of the house without breakfast. When I got to work I realized I did not have my wallet which meant . . . you guessed it-- not even a coffee! I had a Drink Chia I had brought with me the day before, so I thought-- why not?

It actually DID give me energy and it subsided my hunger until I had time to grab a quick snack.

I am usually opposed to drinking liquids with solids in them. For example, I hate orange juice with pulp in it-- hate it!

Drink Chia has small chia seems in flavored water to provide energy and a lot of other benefits. I was worried about this at first, but it really did not both me. The taste was really good, and I actually enjoyed drinking it.

My husband also tried it, and he liked the boost of energy it gave him (he is working late nights).
Drink Chia provides many nutritional benefits through Zinc, Potassium, and even Omega 3!



We are now Drink Chia drinkers in our house!

Want to try Chia for yourself?
Check out their website: http://www.drinkchianow.com/
They can also be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drinkchia
And on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drinkchia
And you know how we are at MamaBreak. Stay tuned for a GIVEAWAY of a case of Chia!!!

MamaBreak received Drink Chia in 4 flavors to sample in order to write this review. We did not receive any other compensation. As always our experiences and opinions are our own!

Ladies of the Nexus Makeover Giveaway

Nexus GiveawayAn eleven Blogger Mega Event you'd be crazy to miss out on!

The Nexus Girls and SparkleCore have combined their absolute favorite beauty products to design the makeover collection of your dreams.
One Grand Prize winner will receive ALL 35 ITEMS of this amazing collection valued at well over $500!!!
Read on to find out how to enter!
<- Click image to enlarge

Dali Decal $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway

We are so excited to team up with Dali Decals for a giveaway! The winner will receive a $25 e-gift certificate, which can be used towards a purchase on Dali Decals (no minimum, can cover shipping costs).

We just love all of their decals and even wrote a review recently: http://www.mamabreak.com/2012/08/dali-decals-delights.html

What are you waiting for? Easy entries and a fantastic prize!


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Giveaway is over.

Birchbox August 2012 Review

We FINALLY received our BirchBox. I believe this is what we can all call an epic FAIL!

  • First up, I have not seen this in the other boxes, but it is a Whish Shave Cream in Pomegranate. It is a 1 oz bottle. Based on Amazon per ounce prices, Value: $4.00
  • Schick Hydro Silk Razor. Based on Amazon per item (best price), Value: $3.27-- this item was considered a "bonus" item, and is not considered a part of the box per BirchBox.
  • Yu Be Moisturizing Skin Cream. Based on Amazon per ounce prices, Value: $1.10
  • Viva La Juicy Vial of Perfume (yes, the cheap ones you can get free in a department store). Based on Amazon per ounce  prices, Value: $1.97
  • They also include a sample card with the foil packets of foundation (no joke, look below), Value: Epic FAIL! I can get these for FREE!!!! From a magazine.
 Total Value: $7.07. Given that each BirchBox is $10 this is a very bad value. Essentially, they are saying that I am not paying for the items but for the service or receiving their box. Umm . . . actually, I WAS hoping they would provide at least $10 worth of items . . . I do not find that unrealistic at all.

To be honest, I think there are MUCH better values out there for beauty subscription boxes. I usually leave a link here of how you can buy your own Birch Box, but I want to be clear and upfront with my readers. I do not think you should buy a Birch Box. I really do not. I think a much better deal is MyGlam. You can visit them at: www.myglam.com. This is not a referral link, and I do not get anything from sending you to a competitor. MyGlam actually does not even offer referral links. AND you can write all of your comments directly on their wall as comments for everyone to clearly see. BirchBox fans, you all know EXACTLY what I am talking about.

I wanted to share this picture from a fan. She may have gotten the winner box!!!!


Citrus Lane Giveaway

Mamas! You have heard us talk about the amazing Citrus Lane! You have read our raving reviews! Now, here is your change to get one for your very own!

Here is an example of our Citrus Lane April Box
(THIS is NOT the box you are entering to win. You will be entering to win the August or later box/ depending on the redemption time of the winner):


This giveaway is for a 1 month subscription to Citrus Lane. You are under no obligation to subscribe for longer than your 1 month, and you will not need to enter a credit card or anything like that. You will simply receive your box and enjoy!

Citrus Lane is a monthly subscription box that comes to your home filled with goodies. You tell Citrus Lane the age and gender of your child, and they create a box specifically designed for your child's age and gender!

For more information, check out some of our reviews at:

Or visit the Citrus Lane website: Citrus Lane. 
Want to order your own? Enter the code 20LUV to save 20% on a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription!
This giveaway is sponsored solely by MamaBreak.


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Eylure Natural Lashes

*sponsored post* 

I have never considered wearing false lashes. I always considered them something for theater . . . not for every day life.

However, I SHOULD be the person wearing lashes. Here is a picture of my eye without makeup

If you look closely, you will clearly see that the middle of my eye lacks almost any lashes. When I was very young, I had chicken pox, and they spread to my lashes. They removed them from the root because of fear of blindness or infection in my eye.

When a bunch of ladies told me to try Eylure lashes, I was skeptical at first. What if I messed up with the glue (I am an EXTREMELY clumsy person)? What if I put them on wrong? Would they look completely fake. I am so thrilled I tried them out! This is my eye WITH Eylure Natural Lashes:

 Up really close you can clearly see the section with no lashes still, but farther away (what most people would be), you cannot tell AT ALL. This was my first attempt at putting them on, and I think I would have gotten a bit closer to the lash line, but overall I think they look amazing for the first time. AND natural.

Eylure Naturalites Natural Volume lashes are what I tried. It comes with an adhesive which is easy to apply, and you can use them with contact lenses. They did not irritate my eyes at all. In fact, I could not even tell they were there once I put them on.

Eylure-- you have a new fan!


Eylure sent me these and other products (more reviews to come soon!) to review here on MamaBreak. They did not require a positive review and my opinions are my own.


Knot Genie Giveaway

This week, MamaBreak is thrilled to offer a Knot Genie Brush for our giveaway!

The Knot Genie is a wonderful solution to snarly hair, and it a lifesaver in any home! Read the MamaBreak review of the brush here: http://www.mamabreak.com/2012/07/the-knot-genie-will-brush-away-snarls.html






Good luck!
Giveaway is over.

Why We are Happy We Cut Cable

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 Are you sick of watching political ads? 
Do you hate that your children ask for something they see in a television commercial every five seconds?

Five years ago, my family decided to cancel our satellite subscription. We were fed up with ever increasing rates, lost programming, and rude customer service.  The plan, initially, was to switch to a new provider . . . but I had other ideas in mind as well!

After looking into it, we decided were would do a “trial run” of not having satellite television. We live in a small town, so this would mean not only losing cable and premium stations, but local television as well.

That was five years ago, and we have never looked back!

What you will need:
·      Television (Ours is an HDTV and HDMI compatible, but this is not necessary)
·      A device that streams to the television (we use Roku, but many others are pleased with both Slingbox and Apple TV)
·      High speed internet—wifi suggested (you will need something so you can stream, I prefer wi fi because you eliminate the need to run additional cables to your television)
·      An HDMI cable (again, not necessary, but it makes it much easier to install)
·      A subscription to a streaming service (I will discuss the ones we have below)
·      A sense of adventure

First, our family purchased a Roku. I believe we chose the Roku over the other devices simply because we found a good sale. There are pluses and minuses to each device, and I advise you to look into each of them before making a purchase, and try to decide which is right for you. I can only comment on the Roku. We purchased it because it was on sale, and we love it!

Second, you will most likely want a subscription service that gives you programming. The Roku does comes with limited programming. However, we subscribe to the following:
·      Netflix: Netflix streams mostly older television shows after the entire season has been released to DVD. It also has older movies. Occasionally, they will carry newer movies.  We like it because it includes our children’s favorite programming: Dora, Diego, Thomas, Horseland, and other kid friendly programming.
·      Hulu Plus: We subscribe mainly for the recent episodes they provide. You can generally watch shows the morning after they air. Some episodes stay on for long periods of time, some disappear after a week. Networks that can be viewed include NBC, ABC, Family Channel, and Fox (there are many, many more, but those are the main ones we watch). Obviously, there is a major network missing—CBS. We watch CBS on our computers. We feel it is a small price to pay for the added benefits we receive from not having regular television.
·      Amazon Prime Video: I already have a Prime subscription. I have been an Amazon Prime subscriber for 7 years. As an Amazon Prime subscriber, I can stream movies and television shows—many for free. The “free” selection is somewhat limited, but I can also “rent” a movie for the evening for very cheap (for nights I do not want to leave the house to hit the redbox).

What I love about it:
·      Limited advertising on Hulu Plus, none on Netflix. That is right—my children watch their programming COMMERCIAL FREE
·      NO political advertisements!
·      Control over what the children watch. I do not have to worry about what is coming up next, or an inappropriate commercial during their television viewing.
·      I watch television WHEN I WANT!
·      I have access to a HUGE library of television and video

There are some drawbacks, but they are very few and far between. Among them:
·      We cannot watch the nightly news. Instead we depend on reading the paper, listening to the radio, and getting online news.
·      We cannot stream CBS to the television (again, we do this through out computers).
·      At times the Roku can freeze, especially if there is HIGH Internet usage. However, this rarely happens and we have time when both my husband and I are online and the children are watching a program.

Are you ready to cut the wire? I strongly suggest it! It has really changed the way my family watches television, and limits how often we do so.