Discount: Kids Konserve

With summertime in full swing, dining alfresco is a popular choice. But all that plastic wrap, aluminum foil and disposable picnic-ware is hardly earth-friendly. Just thinking about how much BBQ decor ends up in our landfills makes me happy to come across companies like Kids Konserve.

Kids Konserve was formed by a pair of moms after they realized the astounding amount of trash being produced each day at their children's schools during lunch hour. Dedicated to setting an example of conservation and empowering their children to be change agents, they started to research reusable products that could cut down on the garbage. The result is their non-toxic "waste-free" lunch kit and mix-and-match components to create the perfect, "green" meal on-the-go!

Keep your fruit, veggies or cheese chilled with their sweat-free ice pack (ARV $11) - made of recycled plastic bottles! Or, to keep heat locked in to mac 'n cheese, soup or hot cocoa, check out their stainless steel Thermos (ARV $21).

Kids Konserve is becoming a hot trend among celebrity moms like Isla Fisher, pictured here with daughter Olive enjoying a snack from a Recycled Canvas Sack in the adorable Butterfly print (ARV $13):

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Blog/People.com

With back-to-school on the horizon, there's no better time to choose to reuse with Kids Konserve.

BUY IT: You can purchase any of the above products or view the entire catalog online at www.kidskonserve.com.

DELECTABLE DISCOUNT: From now until the end of the month, use code "summer15" to receive 15% off a Kids Konserve Snak Pak! (ARV $19)

This reusable waste-free solution is great for snacks and light lunches, featuring a 9" x 13" cotton draw string bag, cloth napkin, food kozy, 304 food-grade stainless steel food container and recycled aluminum name tag. Perfect for camp or playground!

Disclaimer: I did not receive compensation nor a product to review in exchange for this post. I just wanted to share the discount code with my readers.

Giveaway: Growing Tree Toys CLOSED

Thank you to Growing Tree Toys for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

No birthday is complete without a special toy or two. And since Nate will be turning two in under 3 weeks, we recently decided to pack away some of his beloved but forsaken baby toys to make room for cooler, new toddler-centric ones. Fortunately, I came across Growing Tree Toys just as I had sealed those cardboard boxes.

Growing Tree Toys is a children's toy boutique committed to providing educational toys that challenge, stimulate and encourage children to express their creativity. With their carefully chosen, well-rounded toy selection and helpful gift finder, Growing Tree Toys has the health and happiness of children at heart. Here, you'll find high-quality toys for kids of all ages, from brands we all know and love such as Plan Toys, Playmobil, Alex Toys, Manhattan Toy, Melissa & Doug and more. Growing Tree Toys offers same-day shipping (free shipping on orders over $75) and easy, hassle-free returns. They also have a Deal of the Day, where you can receive up to 60% off one hot toy daily!

I felt a sense of deja vu when I browsed the site and saw how many products they carry that we already own, such as:

Fill N Fun Water Play Mat from Earlyears (Nate @ 9 weeks)



Sophie la Giraffe (Nate @ 7 months)



Baby Farm Friends Bowling Set from Earlyyears (Nate @ 8 months)



Skwish by Manhattan Toy (Nate @ 9 months)



Radio Flyer Pathfinder Wagon (Nate @ 17 months)




Radio Flyer Fold 2 Go Trike (Nate @ 21 months)

I felt like the site was made for me. It was easy to navigate and categorized by age or specialty, enabling you to find the perfect toy for any child, whether two or twelve.

Nate is starting to become attached to his trains and cars so I know he would love some Automoblox. He also adores the Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set that he discovered at a recent playdate. So, I know just where I'll be visiting to spend Nate's birthday money!

BUY IT: Visit www.growingtreetoys.com today and check out their awesome array of popular toys!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a $25 gift card to Growing Tree Toys!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Go to Growing Tree Toys and tell me what you'd purchase with your gift card if you won. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Growing Tree Toys on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Goodie Goodie Gumdrops: #Win a $25 GC to @GrowingTreeToys from @kris10chumley! ENDS 7/22 http://bit.ly/cpXMiR

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Subscribe to the Growing Tree Toys blog via RSS feed or email. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Growing Tree Toys on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

6.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

7.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on July 22, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was offered this giveaway opportunity due to my membership in the Growing Tree Toys blog network. I did not receive monetary compensation nor was I provided a product to review in exchange for this post.

Snuggle Up To SOFT Baby Clothing

We all want our baby's clothing to represent our babies: soft and gentle. Which is why SOFT is so aptly named.

SOFT is a brand new line of stylish, high-quality infant clothing. SOFT is made of 100% certified organic cotton, free of toxic chemicals, unbleached and containing only safe, low-impact dyes. All pieces are ethically made in China, from manufacturers who use low-impact production techniques and treat their workers in an ethical manner. Exhibiting unique designs of layettes, onesies, pants, sleepers, blankets and other baby basics, SOFT provides the ultimate in comfort, cuteness and eco-friendliness.



SOFT is the brainchild of Yee Wong, a native of Hong Kong who came to the United States to study and landed in New York. Many of her original designs are featured in her premiere line. Celebrities such as Padma Lakshmi (of Top Chef) and Rebecca Gayheart are already snatching up SOFT for their babies-to-be.

Who can resist these simple designs with fun splashes of color? Soft and green? Count me in!

BUY IT: SOFT baby clothing is available exclusively online at www.soft-baby-clothes.com (sizes 0-12 months, ARV $19.50 - $35). More designs to be coming soon!

Disclaimer: This information was provided to me by Megan with Carol Leggett Public Relations. I was not provided a product to review, nor was I compensated in any way for this post.

Product Overview: Safest Choice Eggs

When you think about it, there are tons of holiday recipes that call for eggs. Cookie dough. Eggnog. Custard. Salad dressings. The list goes on and on. Rather than risk salmonella or other foodborne-related illness due to cross-contamination, you and your guests can now have Safe Eggs.

Davidson's Safest Choice Eggs are pasteurized in the shell to ensure they are safer than the average egg. Safe Eggs have the same nutritional content, same look and same great taste as a regular shell egg - but without the peril of Salmonella, Avian Influenza or other harmful bacteria and viruses! You can use Safe Eggs in all of your dishes, even those that call for raw or undercooked eggs. They are all-natural, kosher and vegetarian so they will accommodate just about any diet. Poached eggs, anyone?

Safe Eggs are perfect for those with a weakened immune system, who may be more susceptible to illness. This includes pregnant women, young children, adults over 50 and those with immunological disorders or diseases. Preggos, you can now eat that raw cookie dough without the guilt and fear!

I have not yet tried Safest Choice Eggs but I love the concept and hope to come across it the next time I take a trip to the grocery store.

For more information about Safe Eggs and some exquisite holiday recipes, be sure to visit the Davidson's website. Check out these two dessert recipes I gathered:

Ginger Crème Brûlée
Makes 8 servings

Unsalted butter
1 ½ cups heavy cream
9 Davidson’s Safest Choice™ Pasteurized Shell Egg yolks
4 or 5 slices of fresh ginger, peeled and
⅓ cup plus 8 tbsp. sugar
Blanched in boiling water for 30 seconds

1. Lightly butter 8 5-inch heatproof ramekins (little soufflé dishes).
2. Fill a large bowl with ice cubes. Set aside.
3. In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and ⅓ cup of sugar. Set
aside.
4. In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the cream and the ginger. Bring just to a boil
over low heat.
5. Place the bowl with the egg yolks over a pan of simmering water and continue to whisk
vigorously until the mixture becomes a very pale yellow and feels hot to the touch.
6. Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk in the boiling cream. Transfer the bowl back
over the saucepan, but do not turn on the heat. Whisk the mixture occasionally until it
thickens, 5 to 10 minutes.
7. When the mixture thickens, place the bowl in the larger bowl filled with ice cubes. Whisk
occasionally until cool. Strain into a clean bowl.
8. Spoon the custard into the prepared ramekins and refrigerate, covered, until firm, about
2 hours.
9. When ready to serve, sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar evenly over the top of each serving
and caramelize with a propane torch or set under a broiler until the sugar browns.

(c) www.safeeggs.com

Chocolate Peppermint Pie
Makes 8 servings

1 (9-inch) pie crust
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 Davidson’s Safest Choice® pasteurized shell eggs
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup white chocolate chips, melted and cooled
1/2 cup (20) peppermint candies, crushed
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled

Pie Crust: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place or press prepared dough into 9-inch pie pan. Prick pastry with a fork. Line bottom and up sides of crust with foil and add dried beans or pie weights. Bake 15 minutes, remove foil. Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until crust is golden. Remove to wire rack; cool completely.

Filling: In bowl, beat together butter, cream cheese and sugar.

Combine eggs and whipping cream, gradually add to butter mixture while beating, scraping bowl often. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reserve half of mixture in small bowl. Add cooled white chocolate to remaining half of mixture; beat well. Stir in crushed candy. Spread in baked pie crust; chill 10 minutes.

Return reserved butter mixture to bowl, add cooled semi-sweet chocolate; beat well. Spread over white chocolate layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

(c) www.safeeggs.com

For the latest news and updates, follow @SafeEggs on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook. Some incentive: all Facebook fans get a printable $1.00 off coupon!

Disclaimer: I was contacted to write about Safe Eggs by Ryan at American Pop Digital. I did not receive a product to review nor was I compensated in any way for this post.

Giveaway: Little Journeys Baby World CLOSED

I've always had love for handmade items. Scarves. Blankets. Sweaters. Hats. Toys. Furniture. What I find to be most special about handmade things is the story behind them. I hold the item in my hands and think about what the creator was doing or thinking as they made it. Were they knitting in a rocking chair as children played at their feet? A perfectionist sitting isolated at a sewing machine, careful not to stray from their path? Sanding wood in their garage, singing along to a tune on the radio? My imagination runs wild. The histories of the makers and their products is what I find most fascinating.

After giving birth to Nate, my love of handmade has grown exponentially. Unlike many plastic, mass-produced children's products, there is typically no BPA or endocrine-disrupting phthalates to worry about. You can just feel the tenderness and care put into something that is handcrafted. So, I choose to buy handmade whenever possible.

One mom-owned company I've come to know in this time is Little Journeys Baby World.

The founder, Caroline Riepler, got her start in 2001 handcrafting wooden European Good Luck Witches. She was quite successful - Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright even purchased one of her limited editions! But when her son, Stefan, was born in 2003, Caroline shifted her focus to products for babies and children. She started making things for friends and family, eventually expanding to local shops, special events and her very own online store. Unfortunately, her endeavor was cut short when she and her family were involved in a terrible car accident, hit by a drunk driver. It took 4 years to get back on track but her dream business, Little Journeys Baby World, has finally come to fruitition.

Little Journeys Baby World offers unique, hand-embroidered family-friendly products. You'll find everything from clothes to blankets to bath puppets. There are also special keepsakes such as tooth fairy pillows, first haircut bags and corsage cards that would be perfect accompaniments to a baby book. Some of my favorites are the Boo Boo Bunny (a sweet treat for those toddler bumps and bruises) and the Airplane Chalkboard Placemat (great entertainment for little ones while dining out). Each product comes with its own little story and tag - ready for gift giving! - and many have personalization options available.

Caroline's Swiss-American heritage has enabled her to visit different lands and meet people of different cultures. This is reflected in much of her work, specifically her International Apparel line of handmade onesies and bottoms, and her Travelling items such as totes and passport wallets for families to use at home and abroad. Check out her adorable adoption outfits! While all pieces have an international feel, they are all made in the USA.

Most recently, Little Journeys Baby World was a proud sponsor of the Canadian Country Music Awards, where Caroline promoted her Western line of baby products. Her sponsorship opportunity actually came about from a Twitter relationship with the Uptown Giftbox Company. How's that for the impact of social media?

If you're looking for a creative gift with a cultural flair and handmade touch for yourself or for a loved one, I would definitely recommend checking out Little Journeys Baby World.

BUY IT: Little Journeys Baby World products are available exclusively online. Prices vary by product, but range anywhere from $3.95 for a Boo Boo Bunny to $185.00 for a quilt and tote bag combo. Watch out for the monthly specials so you can grab a discount! Or stop by to grab some baby shower games and ideas or fun toddler recipes.

WIN IT: Caroline has generously offered one lucky reader the cloth Western Nursery Block pictured below (ARV $14.95)! Perfect for the little cowboy or cowgirl in your life.



MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Little Journeys Baby World and tell me what other product catches your eye. Simple, right? Be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me and @littlejourneys on Twitter and tweet about the contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)



Giveaway will end on October 8, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Open to US only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was not given a product to review. This post is a company showcase with corresponding giveaway. As such, I can not make and have not made any claims as to the quality of the items mentioned.