Playing Favorites: ShopRite's Wholesome Pantry Snacks

This post was written in partnership with ShopRite Stores.

I'm taking a detour from the regular format of Playing Favorites this month to spotlight a particular brand of food products that I am loving. Ever since I attended a luncheon where Robyn O'Brien was a speaker, I've been on a mission to eat cleaner, healthier. I was so inspired by O'Brien that I came home from the luncheon and swiftly took stock of my pantry and refrigerator contents. Although I didn't toss every bag item in there, I was forced to examine my family's eating preferences and decided to make positive changes.

Eight years ago, most organic foods were of the produce variety. Slowly over the years, more mainstream grocery items (cereals, snacks, soups, etc.) are now available in organic varieties. When ShopRite reached out to me offering a package of a sampling of its Wholesome Pantry line of organic snack products, I was only more than happy to give them a try.

I am certainly no stranger to the Wholesome Pantry line of products. ShopRite is my go-to grocery store, and I've been thrilled with the Wholesome Pantry products since ShopRite debuted them in 2016. To see some of my favorite post-workout Wholesome Pantry snacks, click here.

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Tips for Making Your Home More Eco-Friendly

As our knowledge on the topic of global warming grows, more and more people are turning their attention to eco-friendly living. It couldn't be more timely. With proof surfacing each day of the declining state of the Earth's health, it's time we turned out attention to saving the Earth.

Most of us are already in the habit of making small changes in our daily lives such as recycling, using public transportation when we can, and turning off lights and appliances in an effort to conserve energy.

In some cases, we can be doing more on a larger scale in our homes. The best approach is to keep it simple so that every family member can be involved with becoming overwhelmed.

Here are a few ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

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Tips For Being A More Eco-Conscious Mom

Part of caring about our children's future means doing our part to make sure that the world they grow up in is as beautiful as the world in which we were raised.

Pollution, atmospheric depletion, groundwater contamination, heavy metals, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity are all present and immediate threats to the planet which could negatively impact life for future generations. Forward-thinking moms are looking for ways to parent, but with lower environmental impact. Here are some of the things you can do right now to be an environmentally kind mom and reduce your carbon footprint and those of your children.

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Start Your Next Adventure In prAna Activewear #TheWholeYou

This post is written in partnership with Stonyfield and prAna.

It seems the the health of our planet has been getting a lot of publicity lately. From large scale global climate control to small scale changes we can make as individuals in our own homes, taking care of Mother Earth has never been more en vogue. Green is the new black, and if you are not doing your part to help save this planet, you're failing the world you live in.

I've been passionate about making this world a greener and healthier place to call home. I've proudly been recycling for almost 20 years. And within the past 10 years, I've made a series of changes to the way I eat, the way I dress, and the way I clean my home to be more eco-friendly. The changes haven't always been easy, but I can say that they have definitely been worth it.

About six years ago I took the first steps in making the switch to organic dairy products. After having hear Robin O'Brien speak and subsequently researching the hidden dangers in conventional dairy products, I was convinced that there was no better move to make than to switch to organic dairy. I've been a devotee to Stonyfield products ever since, and lately I've been reaching over and over again for the Organic Whole Milk Greek yogurt.

As always, Stonyfield products are made without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics or GMOs and certified USDA organic. Stonyfield uses only fresh, organic whole milk to make its whole milk Greek yogurt.

When I eat Stonyfield dairy products, I know that I am focusing on my whole self. #TheWholeYou could not be easier to achieve when you are eating the right foods and doing what's best for you.

I love adventure. Everything from hiking to hitting an amusement park satisfies my sense of adventure and keeps me whole. But sometimes, I want to be adventurous and athletic without necessarily looking like I've just run a marathon. When I need clothes for those occasions, I always turn to prAna.

prAna makes versatile, stylish, and sustainable clothing and accessories that you can wear during every activity, every adventure, every day. From yoga to hiking to brunching, prAna has you covered with chic alternatives to typical athleisure clothing. 

I was in search of a stylish pair of shorts that would work for hiking, city exploring, lunching seaside with friends, or relaxing on my deck outdoors. When I found the Tess Shorts, I was thrilled. They were exactly what I was looking for. The cargo style offered the pockets that I needed and yet they were still slightly dressy and could work for going from hiking in the park to brunching al fresco.

The Tess Short is made of 97% organic cotton and features just the right amount of stretch. There is a 5" inseam, and the shorts can be worn rolled up or down.

Here I am wearing the Tess Shorts with a boho, peasant style top, but these shorts work just as well with a tank top or tee shirt. The beauty of these shorts is that whatever the occasion, the Tess Short works. You can dress them up or down. Pair them with sneakers or dressy sandals. Versatility is the name of the game here!

prAna is offering Pieces of a Mom readers a 15% discount on your entire prAna purchase with code WHOLES17PAM.

Check out the prAna web site and start shopping for your next adventure!

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Teaching Your Children To Be Environmentally Friendly

photo via

As parents, we are responsible for teaching our children how to look after the environment around them. After all, they are the future, and when we have long left the world, we want to leave it in their safe hands. Here are some useful ways to help your family be environmentally friendly and make a difference in the lives of others.

Set An Example
If you don’t take the time to recycle or reduce energy, how can you expect your child to do the same? In all the suggestions listed here, be sure that you are the first in the household to care for the environment. As you do so, explain to your child the importance of what you are doing and how it is helping the world.

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From Crunching to Brunching: prAna Helps You Transition

Thank you to prAna for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Like most moms, I lead a full, hectic, busy life of juggling events, activities, and priorities. Whether it's the weekend or a weekday, I try to fit as much into my schedule as I can without taxing myself. In the midst of all of that, I try to be more mindful about what I eat, what I wear, who I spend time with, and how I spend my time.

For the past few months I've been meeting up with a few friends on Wednesday mornings for yoga. At first we'd have our weekly practice and small chats before and after class. As the weeks went by, our chats turned into lunch in the gym cafe, and eventually lunch outside the gym and even Saturday morning yoga followed by brunch.

Since I've never been one to wear my yoga clothes all day or as part of a "uniform", I'm always on the lookout for stylish clothes that can double as gym clothes and everyday wear. When I was introduced to prAna, I knew I had found the clothes to fit my chic, active and adventurous lifestyle. They are the perfect clothes to make a smooth transition from gym to breakfast, brunch, or lunch.

prAna offers sustainable, recycled, fair trade-certified and hemp items. In addition to making sustainable, eco-friendly clothes, prAna makes giving back to communities all over the world a priority. As a consumer, I take pride in know that I'm making a positive impact each time I purchase an item from prAna.

My most recent purchase is the Mantra pant and the Petra top. I chose the combination because it's casual enough for the gym but has an element of dressiness for post-gym activities such as lunch, brunch, or shopping. The Mantra pants are made from a combination of soft hemp and stretch fabric and trimmed with organic cotton, and the Petra top is made mostly of organic cotton with pretty lace insets. Many of prAna's clothes also include recycled items. Producing planet-friendly clothing that is stylish and comfortable is of the utmost importance to prAna.

The lace detail on the Petra top is so pretty and is a nice contrast to the soft, casual cotton. I've worn this top to both yoga class and to brunch. It's the perfect anywhere top. It can be worn for city exploring, hiking a mountain, hanging on the beach, or relaxing on your patio.

prAna strives to make its clothing accessible to everyone. It's made with adventure in mind, but also mindfulness. At the heart of prAna's brand is one driving factor: to give back to this world more than it takes. Now that's a brand I can get behind.

SAVE! prAna is generously offering Pieces of a Mom readers a 15% discount on all purchases made through June 16th with code S17PCLUBPM. 

This is your chance to save on clothes that take you from adventure to relaxation to everything in between. Whether your outdoor activities include the mountains, the beach, or just your backyard, prAna has clothing that fits any adventure.

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Natural Products for Eco-Conscious Moms

I'm a mom who cares about the environment and the materials I use in my everyday life and how they will ultimately affect my family's health. It all started when I began recycling over twenty years ago. But it wasn't until I attended this event that I became fully aware of all the dangers lurking in the products we ingest, use, and wear everyday.

Have you ever wondered exactly what all those ingredients are that go into many baby and children's skincare products or what exactly is in those jars of baby food? If you're uncertain about some of the things you buy, there are healthier and more natural alternatives. Making the switch to more natural products for baby, kids, and even you is a way to be responsible about the environment and make parenting decisions that make you happier and healthier.

Here are some of the things you might want to think about.

Photo credit

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Friday Fresh Picks: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Holiday Scents

One of the many things I love about the holiday season is the holiday scents. Many, many years ago the Gap offered a candle during the holiday season aptly named "Holiday". It was an evergreen tree candle that was so incredibly fragrant that you could smell it long after it had been blown out.

Ever since I first discovered that candle, I've been hooked on holiday scents. A few years ago I made the switch to using green household cleaning products, and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day has been my go-to for everyday cleaning products. During the holidays, Mrs. Meyer's offers holiday scents that fill my home with the best smells of the season.

In today's Friday Fresh Picks, I'm sharing my favorite Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day holiday products and scents.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Everyday Cleaner - Cranberry Scent
I use this spray everywhere from the bathroom to the kitchen to my kids' bedrooms. The light, fruity scent is perfect for the holiday season but could be used year round.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Soap - Iowa Pine Scent
I love switching up my hand soaps to coincide with the holidays and the seasons. One of the things I like about this particular soap is that its scent isn't a typical evergreen or balsam fir scent. There is something refreshingly different about this pine scent, and I definitely like it. I think it's the addition of clove and cedar that gives it a unique smell.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap - Orange Clove Scent
The orange clove scent is by far my favorite of the Mrs. Meyer's holiday scents. Since I was a child, I've been poking cloves into oranges at Christmas time and hanging them in the kitchen. This scent replicates that heavenly smell. I've been finding every excuse I can to actually wash dishes!

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Candle - Orange Clove Scent
I love holiday-scented candles, and this one is a perfect addition to the kitchen for the holiday season. Burn it while you bake and decorate cookies.

To shop Mrs. Meyer's products, click here.

Friday Fresh Picks are hand-picked favorite items, reviews and highlights from the amazing women you see above.

Visit their websites to learn about other amazing picks from this week!

Sarah from Finnegan & The Hughes

Corine from Complicated Mama

Hilary from A Fancy Girl Must

Tina from Life Without Pink

To view all of my Friday Fresh Picks posts, click here.

Disclosure: I received products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

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Five Ways to "Green" Up Your Skin Care Routine

I've been recycling religiously for over 20 years. For me, it's one of the easiest things I can do to prolong the life of our planet. But more recently, I've made serious efforts to "green" up my act in other areas of my life, specifically my beauty routine. Years ago it was difficult to find quality eco-friendly beauty products, but these days, more and more companies are making the shift to producing green beauty products.

Today, on Earth Day, my friends at Earth's Care are sharing 5 tips for greening up your beauty routine in small but impactful ways.

1. Skip long ingredient lists!  Remember that your skin is your largest organ! Anything you put ON your skin gets absorbed by your skin and ultimately goes IN your body. Choose products with a short ingredient list that don’t contain many chemicals. Keep an eye out for products that list Parabens, Artificial Fragrance or Colors, Petrolatum, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on the ingredient panel. If a product contains any of these ingredients, it is likely you are absorbing toxic and unnecessary chemicals into your body.  2. Choose a natural product that can do double-duty.  Most of us have a different product for each skin care need. Separate products for skin, hair and body not only mean you are applying numerous chemicals on your body, but it also increases waste from multiple tubes and bottles. Switch to a versatile product like natural Avocado Oil: a single bottle can be used as a deep conditioner for hair, a nourishing moisturizer for the face, and a fantastic source of moisture for the skin. I love using coconut oil as a moisturizer, as a makeup remover, and as toothpaste. One product. Many uses. No chemicals. 3. Support companies who share your “green” values! For a product to be truly green, look beyond the ingredient list. Is the product packaged with recyclable materials? Does the company believe in giving back? Many companies make a “green” product line, but continue to make products filled with chemicals or materials that are hard to recycle. Earth’s Care believes in nurturing the body and the planet, which means they are member of 1% for the Planet, use 100% recyclable packaging materials, and print their boxes using wind energy. 4. Cut back on your water consumption.  Earth’s Care is based in Long Beach, California, which means the company is acutely aware of how water consumption affects the environment. When using tissues to apply make-up or to wipe off excess product, be sure to dispose of the tissue in the trash! Every time you flush a tissue, 5-7 gallons of water gets wasted! BONUS TIP: Skip the harsh chemicals in typical make-up removers and try natural Sweet Almond Oil instead. It is a superior natural make-up remover, which results in fewer tissues used in the first place! 5. Swap in natural alternatives.  Benzoyl Peroxide isn’t the only way to combat acne. Earth’s Care Acne Spot Treatment utilizes maximum strength Sulfur to clear stubborn blemishes, pimples and breakouts. It contains no parabens, phthalates, artificial colors or fragrances which means harsh chemicals aren’t being placed onto your body!

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Stonyfield Introduces Oh My Yog! Tri-Layer Yogurt

I love yogurt. It's my go-to breakfast food. Served with a side of fresh berries or a banana, a cup of yogurt fills me up until lunch time. But yogurt gets boring fast, even if you change up toppings and mixings.

Stonyfield recently introduced its Oh My Yog! yogurt. It's a three layer yogurt consisting of a top layer of cream, a middle layer of honey-infused whole milk yogurt, and a bottom layer of ripe fruit or vanilla. When mixed all together, it's divine, and this new concoction is just what I needed to shake up my yogurt routine! These three layers of organic deliciousness in a colorful, striped cup will have you making multiple trips to the refrigerator.

Oh My Yog! is available in 6 exceptional flavors with a robust punch of fruit in each cup. I loved the big chunks of pears and apples. Available flavors include:

• wild Quebec blueberry
• apple cinnamon
• gingered pear
• orange cranberry
• Madagascar vanilla bean
• Pacific coast strawberry

Whether you dip your spoon into the yogurt and nosh away like that or whether you choose to stir it up and combine the three layers well, Oh My Yog! is definitely an adventure for your taste buds. It's a different kind of yogurt experience. At first I wasn't sure if I'd like it since I am not fond of whole milk. But when combined with the yogurt and the fruit, it was rich and flavorful.

I experimented a bit with toppings and mixing items into it. Everything from granola to pretzels to crushed cookies were a big hit. But there's no need to for any add-ons as Oh My Yog! is perfectly suited to be eaten as is.

You can find more information about Stonyfield's Oh My Yog! on the Web site.

Disclosure: As a Stonyfeild Yo-Getter, I received complimentary coupons to facilitate sharing Oh My Yog! on Pieces of a Mom. As always, all opinions are my own.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Good Causes

This time of year when budgets are tight, it's tough for many households to justify making a charitable donation. However, there are a plethora of gifts that allow you to give to your favorite people as well as to your favorite charities.

Counterclockwise from top left:

1. Stand Up To Cancer has been supporting cancer research since 2008. Help make a difference in the lives of the 4,563 people who are diagnosed with cancer each day by purchasing an item from their shop. SU2C has something for everyone in the family including your furry friends.

Items shown: women's logo t-shirt and Alex and Ani bracelet.

2. FEED was created in 2007 by Lauren Bush Lauren with the mission of "Creating Good Products That Help FEED the World." This is accomplished through the sale of FEED bags, accessories, and apparel by building a set donation into the cost of each product.

Item shown: FEED (RED) LOVE 30 Bag

3. Best Friends Animal Society is an animal welfare society that helped pioneer the no-kill movement. Through various programs including spay/neuter initiatives, Best Friends helps to save more than 4 million unnecessary animal deaths each year.

Item shown: squeaky bone

4. Every year since 1999 Build-A-Bear Workshop has supported WWF in the U.S. and Canada through their CollectifriendTM make-your-own plush animal series by donating $1 to WWF for each plush animal purchased.

Item shown: WWF red panda

5. Product (RED) joins forces with iconic brands to provide great (RED) products, events, and new ways to fight AIDS.

Item shown: Beats by Dre (PRODUCT)RED Solo2 Headphones
6. TOMS' One for One^™ Movement matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes for a child in need.  In 2011, the One for One model was expanded and TOMS Eyewear was launched. With every pair purchased, TOMS helps restore sight to a person in need.

Item shown: Red woven plaid women's classic slip-ons

7. Susan G. Komen helps to save lives through breast cancer research and awareness. Susan G. Komen also offers emotional support and online resources.

Item shown: breast cancer awareness necklace

For more ways to support good causes, refer to this list of 10 non-profit ways to shop good.

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Best Beauty Buy: Sun Bum Suncare Products #BeautyBuzz

The winter travel season is just around the bend. If you are lucky enough to be jetting off to a tropical location, don't forget to pack the sunscreen.

Did you know...

• One in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.
• We can reduce the risk by 80% simply by regularly applying approved sunscreen products.
• Water and snow reflection can increase the potency of UV radiation by up to 50 percent.
• There are more diagnosed cases of skin cancer each year than of all other cancers combined.**

Two days ago, my family and I returned from an 11-day trip to Florida's west and east coasts. With 8 days spent in Captiva and 3 days in South Beach, sunscreen was an absolute must. From morning walks to lounging by the pool to frolicking on the beach, we were well protected with Sun Bum sunscreens and after-sun products.

We relied on an array of Sun Bum products while vacationing in the Florida sun. We hit the pool and beach armed with these four products that were sent to me to try.

SPF 70 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion - It's enriched with Vitamin E so it helps moisturize while it protects. It's also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is a big bonus when you've got kids who refuse to get out of the pool.

SPF 50 Continuous Spray Sunscreen - Nothing is more convenient than a spray sunscreen, especially when you've got little bodies that won't sit still long enough to lather on a lotion. This one is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it an ideal choice for kids.

SPF 30 Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm - Often ignored when in the sun, our lips need protection too. They can suffer from sunburns and premature aging just like any other part of our bodies. This pink grapefruit flavor is so delightful, you'll be applying it all day long.

'Cool Down' Hydrating After Sun Gel - It's just as important to care for your skin after sun exposure as it is during. Thanks to Sun Bum products, we had no sunburns during our vacation. But after full days at the beach and pool, this aloe-based gel was a welcome relief for our sun-kissed skin. I like to put it in the refrigerator to chill it. This way when you apply it, it's nice and soothing.

All Sun Bum sunscreens are tested, approved, and recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. All the products are paraben-free, hypo-allergenic, and are never tested on animals. Most are gluten-free and vegan. 

But what about the scent? I loved the light tropical scent of Sun Bum products and was completely surprised to learn that they are fragrance free. It's natural aloe and cocoa butter that give the products their wonderful scent.

Got more questions? Check out Sun Bum's FAQs. They are awesomely fun!

So, here's the deal. You know I am a beauty products queen. I like to switch products often and try lots of different ones. But, I am sold on Sun Bum. I'll never use a different brand of sunscreen again. That, my friends, is huge.

When I agreed to try the products that were sent to me, I never imagined that I'd become a Sun Bum brand loyalist. They will always have a special place in my beach bag.

Want more information about Sun Bum? You can find them in all the right places.

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube

Itching to buy a few products for your next getaway? Here ya go.

** Statistics appear courtesy of Sun Bum.

Disclosure: I was sent four Sun Bum products to try. I was not compensated for this post. As always, all opinions are strictly my own.

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Applegate Introduces HALF TIME Lunch Kits {Giveaway}

On most days I am ambitious about packing a balanced lunch for my daughters as well as offering them a healthy snack after the school day is over. But occasionally when I have limited time, have a conference call scheduled in the afternoon or when I am just plain lazy, it would nice to be able to reach for a quick, healthy snack for the girls.

While there are lunch kits available, many are tasteless, use processed meats and cheeses, and offer other snacks that border on junk food.

Applegate, Annie's, and Stonyfield have teamed up to create the perfect grab-and-go lunch kit that you can feel good about giving to your kids. HALF TIME is the first lunch kit that is all-natural and organic to be available nationwide. Three trusted and mom-approved brands have come together to offer a convenient, pre-packed lunch or snack that will energize kids to get through the second half of their day.

HALF TIME is available in 3 varieties: bologna, ham, and turkey. Each kit contains one Stonyfield YoKids Squeezers yogurt, and a yummy snack from Annie's which includes fruit snacks or graham crackers. Crackers and cheese round out the snack kit for a complete lunch or snack to power kids through the second half of the school day.

I love HALF TIME snacks because they are easy to transfer to our favorite Bento-style lunch boxes. In no time at all I have a ready-made lunch that's fun to eat. HALF TIME snack kits have been ideal for my youngest daughter who has type 1 diabetes. The ratio of protein to carbohydrates is well balanced with most kits having less than 40 grams per box. I send her off to school with a HALF TIME in her Bento box, and the carb counting is done for me!

My kids aren't big bologna eaters, so it goes without saying that they love the turkey and ham varieties the best. The accompaniments were, of course, old favorites. My daughters love "playing" with their food. Sometimes they make cracker sandwiches with the HALF TIME, and other times, they eat all the kit elements separately. Whatever floats your kids' boats!

At the end of day, you can feel good about giving your kids a nutritious and organic lunch or snack whether they just need to refuel, relax, or recharge.

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win a HALF TIME prize pack which includes:

• All three varieties of HALF TIME
• Lunch Bag – personalize it!
• Set of Markers – to decorate the lunch bag!
• Fun activity book
• Coupons to use to stock your fridge with HALF TIME

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post was created in partnership with Stonyfield. As a Yo-Getter, I received complimentary packages of HALF TIME snacks to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

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Five Fab Finds

I've decided to rename "This Week's Obsessions" to "Five Fab Finds". It's a better name and more indicative of the items that I feature. I've got lots of good stuff to show you this week. Some of the items are new purchases, others are items I've owned and have recently rediscovered, and one is an item on my wish list.

1. The d'Orsay Flat

d'orsay flats are spring's sexy flat, and I am loving them! They are sleek and sophisticated and pair perfectly with jeans or a pretty spring dress.

The designer Jenni Kayne is known for her fabulous d'Orsay flats. But since I can't afford her hefty price tag, I instead picked up this copycat pair at the Nine West outlet. Truthfully, they look just like Jenni Kaynes.

{Nine West Piper d'Orsay flat, $49.99, available at Nine West outlet stores}

2. A large clutch

I love a good clutch, but honestly, most are too small to carry my necessities. After putting away my car keys, lipstick, compact mirror, iPhone, and debit card and money, I can barely close the clutch. That's why I love my camo/animal print clutch. It's roomy without being boxy or overwhelming.

I bought it last summer at Urban Oufitters. It's no longer available, but you can find a similar one here and here

.

3. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Countertop Spray in Radish

I've been using Mrs. Meyer's products for years. When I first discovered the brand, the lavender scent was my favorite. A few weeks ago, I picked up a bottle of countertop spray in the scent "Radish", and I am hooked. Such a great springtime scent. I love how the scent lingers in my kitchen. You can purchase it at Target or here just in time for spring cleaning.

4. Banquette Butter Dish from Anthropologie

I love both the simplicity of this butter dish and how the bright yellow gives it a funky edge. It's perfect to display on your countertop. Definitely adding it to my must-have list since my current Tupperware butter dish is looking a little ragged. Buy it here for just $16.

5. Tea Towels from Studiopatro

I can get lost for hours on Etsy. I have a bad habit of clicking on the related products and browsing, forgetting time. That's exactly how I discovered Studiopatro, a collection of thoughtfully designed kitchen linens. The tea towels are made of sustainable and luxurious linen. When I first saw the "Devour" towel, I knew I had to have it.  It was everything I love.

I've had my towel for about a year, and I love how after each wash, the linen becomes softer and more broken in. You don't want to miss this Etsy shop. You can purchase individual towels or sets, and I love to give these as hostess gifts. Tea towels start at $24 and towels gift sets start at $36. Buy them here.

What are you crushing on this week? Please share in the comments section. If I love it too, I'll feature it in an upcoming Five Fab Finds.

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What's In That Milk You Are Drinking?

It's milk. It's loaded with calcium. It does the body good.

But does it?

If it's on grocery store shelves, then it must be safe to consume. Right?

Well, not exactly.

I admit that I was blissfully unaware of the dangers lurking in my everyday food. I had no idea. I had never really considered that what I was feeding my body could have been doing more harm than good.

It wasn't until I attended a luncheon hosted by Stonyfield Farm, the makers of organic dairy products, and featuring food activist Robyn O'Brien that I realized that foods produced in the United States are below par compared with foods produced in other industrialized nations. If you have never read my recap of that luncheon, head over there now and give it a read before you continue.

Ok, you're back. Great. Let's move on.

After hearing Robyn speak, I had an overwhelming urge to rush home and completely overhaul the contents of my pantry and kitchen cabinets. But I knew that was neither practical nor cost-effective. So, I asked Ms. O'Brien when making the switch to organic and clean eating, where is the best place to start?

Her answer: dairy products.

Conventionally produced milk contains artificial hormones. Any milk that is not labeled as organic, as raw, or as being rBGH-free is conventionally produced. To boost milk production, farmers treat their cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST). What farmers and the FDA fail to tell consumers is that rBGH also causes udder infections and pus in the milk. rBGH also leads to higher levels of the hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in milk. High levels of IGF-1 have been linked to breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

IGF-1 is banned in most industrialized countries including Canada and 27 countries in the E.U.

Have you spit out your milk yet?

Photo Credit: The Telegraph UK

If those hormones are reaching the bloodstreams of the injected cows, they are eventually reaching your bloodstream if you aren't drinking rBGH-free or organic milk.

After attending the Stonyfield luncheon, I came home with a mission. I vowed to learn more about the food I am eating and the food I am feeding my family. And my mission started with dairy products.

Robyn O'Brien admitted that switching to an organic and clean food diet would not be easy nor would it be a quick transition. It would take time and effort.

The first step I took was to switch to organic milk. We are not milk drinkers per se, but occasionally we use it for cereal as well as for cooking. Over time, we made the switch to organic cheese, butter, and yogurt, sour cream and other products that contained milk such as ice cream.

As we were in the process of swapping out conventional dairy products for organic ones, I continued to do some research. I found conflicting research and opinions. But the more I read, the more I knew that I didn't want my daughters drinking milk which contained rBGH.

A majority of the research I found stated that rBGH contributes to girls reaching puberty earlier than ever before, with onset occurring as early as the age of 8.

As the mother of 2 daughters, I can tell you that 8 years old is too young to physically or emotionally handle puberty. Menstruation alone would be overwhelming at such a young age.

Through my work with Stonyfield Farm as a brand ambassador I have had additional opportunities to learn about the organic cattle farming industry and the many benefits of organic dairy products. I stand by my decision to stop buying conventionally produced dairy products just as much today as I did 3 years ago when we made the switch.

To learn more, visit these sites:

Stonyfield Farm

Robyn O'Brien

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{Fashion Friday} Introducing Faherty Brand #fashionfriday

I love a good story of inspiration, and the Faherty Brand is just that.

I literally stumbled upon this brand a few weeks ago as I was ducking into my local Starbucks while my kids were at their weekly gymnastics lessons. As I parked my car, I noticed that the parking lot was cordoned off and there was a beach shack set up in the parking lot.

A beach shack. In the parking lot.

If you think it sounds cool, you should have seen it!

A mobile beach shack that has traveled the country. Yeah. The Faherty Brand is cool like that.

So, I stepped into the beach shack. I didn't have much time to spare so I had to get the scoop quickly.

Photo source: Faherty Brand

The co-founders of the Faherty Brand, twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty, are from Spring Lake, New Jersey. Just down the road from where I live. Gotta love a good local biz story. The brothers travel the country setting up their beach shack in resort and coastal towns selling their swimsuits and beach inspired clothing and accessories.

Faherty Brand Beach Shack
Source: Faherty Brand

This brand has been their passion ever since they can remember. Creating a brand around a place they love more than anything else, the beach, has been a lifelong dream. Now, they are living the dream.

They paid their dues. Alex working in finance, and Mike putting in his time at Ralph Lauren. They gained the necessary and valuable experience necessary to start the Faherty Brand, a clothing line made by skilled craftsman who use environmentally friendly materials.

It just keeps getting better.

I stepped into the beach shack when it was set up in Sea Girt, NJ. Not only was I incredibly impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of the clothing, but the employees genuinely love being a part of the Faherty Brand. They were knowledgeable and helpful. They were fun and friendly.

What are some my favorite items? I thought you'd never ask!

I loved this beach wrap! It can be worn as shown or as a scarf, as a skirt or as a wrap.

The All Day Shorts in red are fantastic!







I love the cami underwire top and brief bottom bathing suit in Japanese floral. This kind of top is perfect for me since I'm so small busted. I love this print.





Don't worry! You don't have to wait for Faherty Brand's beach shack to hit your town. Faherty Brand offers online ordering at www.fahertybrand.com. If you sign up to receive the Faherty Brand newsletter, you will receive a coupon for 15% off your first online purchase.

You can also visit their showroom in NYC's Flatiron District.

Looking for more Fashion Friday inspiration? Head over to Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife to read all about printed pants for the fall and more!

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Rock the Lunchbox ~ Back to School 2013

I have to admit. I enjoy the summertime break from packing daily lunches. My daughters never buy the school cafeteria food. And on top of that, they are extremely fussy lunch eaters. They don't eat sandwiches. They love fruit and veggies, but they need more than just that.

Packing lunches for two is a daily challenge for me. And to keep them healthy and balanced is an additional weight on my shoulders.

But I've become fairly adept at working with their preferences. But my biggest challenge is changing up what I give them. For example, if I give whole grain pretzels and cheese sticks more than 2 days in a row, they refuse to eat those food items anymore.

Constantly trying to change up what I include in the lunches can be exhausting, but I know that I have to do it to keep the girls interested in what they are eating.

So, over the years I've developed a list of items that I am constantly rotating in and out of the lunch boxes.

As a parent, I know first hand how tedious and monotonous packing lunches can become. As a Stonyfield Yo-Getter, I was invited to participate in the "Rock the Lunchbox" campaign. I received some product samples and/or coupons as part of my participation.

Annie's, Organic Valley, Honest Tea (makers of Honest Kids), and Stonyfield have partnered on a collaborative promotion to inspire parents to pack healthy, wholesome lunches that kids will look forward to eating day after day.

Here's what I typically pack for my 11 year old daughter. She doesn't eat sandwiches, and isn't a big meat eater. So, I have to be creative with her sources of protein.

What's in her lunchbox:

• Pita bread
• Cucumbers
• Hummus (source of protein).
• Annie's cheddar bunnies (salty snack)
• Granola bar (sweet treat)
• Stonyfield YoKids smoothie (her source of calcium)
• Honest Kids pink lemonade

Sometimes she dips the pita and cukes into the hummus. Other times, she'll make a pita pocket and put the cukes and hummus inside. On occasion, I add a few jarred roasted red peppers.

My 7 year old daughter is a little less picky than her older sister. She likes more fruits than veggies in her lunches. She loves yogurt. It's easy to pop a YoKids Squeezer or a container of YoKids low fat yogurt into her lunch.

What's in her lunchbox:

• YoKids blueberry yogurt with granola (main item)
• Banana and apples which she dips into
• Peanut butter (fruit and protein)
• Annie's honey graham bunnies (sweet treat)
• Annie's organic fruit snacks
• Honest kids apple juice

I add a sweet twist on the apple slices by cutting out the core with a small heart-shaped cookie cutter. This isn't something I do everyday, but occasionally I like to do it. It's a fun surprise when she opens up her lunch box.

I also use these Bento-style boxes for their lunches. Obviously, not all items fit into the box, but those that do are kept neatly organized and separated. For items that require more room or an ice pack, I place those into compartments in the kids' lunchboxes.

And there you have it! Two balanced and healthy lunches for two hungry girls.

I would love to hear what you pack for your children and the challenges that you encounter on a daily basis when packing lunches.

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LUSH: Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

Walk by a LUSH store, and it will take all your might not to be lured by the fresh and sweet aromas inside. No, I am not talking about the smells of food. I am talking about the sweet smell of beauty and cosmetic products.

On a recent trip to Short Hills Mall in New Jersey, as my daughters and I strolled the mall, we caught the fragrances that were emitted from the LUSH store. So bewitched we were by these wonderful smells that we just had to venture into the store.

LUSH makes fresh, all-natural cosmetics that are not tested on animals. With 150 stores in North America, LUSH is catering to the eco-conscious consumer who wants fun and high-quality products. The bright, colorful products make up for the monochromatic decor of the stores. Basic black walls with chunky white, artful writing adorn the stores.

It is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the nose.

LUSH specializes in bath, body, face, and hair products. Everything from facial cleansers and moisturizers to shampoos and conditioners to body butters and bath bombs, LUSH's handmade products are the perfect excuse to pamper yourself.

It was a hard decision, but we finally decided on 2 bath bombs. We chose the "Twilight" and the "Sex" bombs.

The "Twilight" bath bomb promises to fend off the demons of insomnia with lavender. This gentle bath bomb is sure to have you relaxed and ready for bedtime.

The "Sex" bath bomb has scents of jasmine, sage, and ylang ylang. The soya milk in the bomb makes your skin silky smooth and soft all over.

Most bath bombs retail for around $6.50.

Undoubtedly, one of the best products LUSH makes is the "Charity Pot", a hand and body lotion. What sets the "Charity Pot" apart from other hand and body lotions? Well, 100% of its proceeds are donated to grass roots charitable organizations. In fact, since 2007, LUSH has donated more than $3,800,000 to grass roots charities in 30 countries.


For more information about LUSH to find a store near you, click here.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I just loved LUSH's products and its philsophy and wanted to share with others.

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Stonyfield Introduces Blends Yogurt

I love yogurt. In fact, so much so that I eat it on a daily basis. It's perfect for breakfast with a little granola tossed in or as an afternoon snack when I am feeling sluggish. I mix it in my smoothies, and I have even traded in sour cream for plain Greek yogurt!!! What? Crazy. I know. Try it, and just maybe you'll make the switch too.

But there is one type of yogurt that I am not crazy about: fruit on the bottom. So, when Stonyfield recently introduced its newest yogurt, Blends, and sent me free coupons to try it, I couldn't resist.

This thick and creamy yogurt is made with all natural and organic ingredients with full fruit blended in. Stonyfield Blends are available in both Fat Free and Low Fat varities and eleven different flavors, such as strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, and lemon. Smooth and delicious, Blends is a good source of calcium and protein.

I loved this yogurt for its smoothness. I want real fruit in my yogurt, but I don't like the texture of bits of fruit. Blends fully incorporates the fruit but without the chunky texture.

Blends is available in supermarkets and grocery stores throughout the United States and retails for about $1.10 per 6 oz. container.

Disclosure: I am a Stonyfield Yo-Getter and received coupons for free containers of Stonyfield Blends yogurt. I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

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