Packing our Snacks

Disclosure: I received this product in order to facilitate a review.
I am always on the lookout for portable snack containers that can be reused, are safe for our foods, and don't leak all over our lunch bags. I pretty much have to carry something full of snacks and drinks on me at all times with two small kids. My boys are on a restricted diet (gluten free) and C is an insanely picky eater so I have to be prepared with a large variety of food items but don't always need a large quantity. Here's a typical snack/meal for us!

Prepping this sort of meal requires a lot of packing so I was happy to try out the MIRA stainless steel mini containers. They are food grade stainless steel containers with BPA free plastic lids. I loved that they were small enough to easily fit in our lunch bags and just hold a few ounces, 5 to be exact. The lids stay on and even hold in liquidy items like canned fruits and hummus two of our must haves! Carter likes to hold his own snacks so many times he grabs the bases while eating. They've easily  survived throws onto the floor!

If you're looking for something small, spill proof, and safe for your food and snacks check out MIRA!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Juice in the Box

UPDATE: Yesterday (4/29/14) Carter took his JITB on a stroller ride. he knocked it over from the tray onto the concrete and the small part that holds the lid hinge on broke off. It wasn't a rough throw just a normal fall after he accidentally nudged it.  It's still useable at home but we can't take it anywhere as the lid is completely attached and it would drip and make a mess. I contacted precidio and they said they are aware of this happening to a few others and they are looking into making it even more durable. In the meantime they offer to replace for $9.99. Hopefully their next design will include a full removable lid!!


Disclosure: I received this product for free in order to facilitate my review.

 
Carter has been testing out an awesome juicebox alternative the last few weeks. If you've ever read my blog, you know I'm crazy for green, reusable products over those we just throw away. Check out my cloth diaper's info to see just how much we like reusable!!

The Juice in the Box (JITB) refillable and reusable drink container is just what we needed to let our littlest feel a part of the party while still controlling exactly what he's drinking. Since it arrived, I've taken JITB out to eat, to birthday parties, and used it at everyday meals.

Made from Tritan, a BPA and Phthalate Free plastic, it's virtually indestructible. Ask me how many times it's been thrown across the room already!! The top portion pops off and has a soft seal to prevent leaks. The straw folds under the lid for portability yet it is still easy for little ones to drink from. I try to keep it upright in our lunchbox once filled to prevent the straw from dripping some but overall it does not leak excessively. It's about as leak proof as every sippy cup we've ever found.

When Carter sees the JITB he always points and yells "Wawa" asking for water in it! It also helps to entertain him and make him feel like a big boy when everyone else has restaurant cups or kids have disposable juice boxes. 

We love our Juice in the Box or as we use it mainly water with a splash of juice in the box!! I'm excited to have gotten to try one and now Nolan also wants his own. If you need a unique gift this is something moms of toddlers through school-agers can appreciate! These would be perfect for Easter baskets and stocking stuffers too!!



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

NutriCrystal Wireless Smart Food Scale UPDATE!!

UPDATE!! NutriCrystal has provided me with a coupon code to offer you 10% off your purchase of a NutriCrystal Wireless Smart Food Scale. Just enter: K98Z2 in the coupon code portion during checkout and you'll receive the discount! you can visit their online store here.

If you know me at all, or heck, even if you've paid just a little attention to my blog posts, you know we have weight issues in our house. Not the normal I weigh too much problems but the opposite. Both of our children are on the tiny side. By tiny I mean if 100 kids the same age were in a room mine would be the tiniest.... under the 1st percentile. Even when we use a breastfed only growth chart that encompasses the world, mine are way under the 3rd percentile and sometimes they dip and drop even more.

Now we all know weight isn't everything but when your infant or toddler stops gaining weight doctors and mothers tend to freak out. Couple that with their giant appetite and you start to wonder if something is actually wrong. Along with the barrage of tests (and a few diagnoses we've been given) we see a nutritionist. For Nolan, I kept a detailed food journal of every single bite he ate for weeks on end. Fun times for sure! For Carter we've been trying to get an idea of exactly how many calories he's consuming on average in a day.

Up until now this meant notebooks, food journals, and lots of weighing and guesstimating what was being eaten. Then I got the NutriCrystal Wireless Food Scale. It's bluetooth capable and works with a few different free apps on the iTunes store. You can simply set you food on it and have it logged and recorded in an easy to use app. Basically I set my food down and pick up my phone. There I open the app and hit connect. Once I record the weight I can customize the entry with both a food category (drop down amazing list) and a food type. The app has all the info on how much protein, fat, etc. is in the food simply from you categorizing it. I spent hours on Calorie King.com when Nolan was having issues trying to look up the nutrient info for everything he was eating. This is so.much.easier!! I'm still working through the app and finding all of it's fun features. I haven't yet found a way to send my entire summary by email but hope that's there (if not I'll be requesting it on the app feedback). How perfect would that be to send straight to our doctors?!

Other fun facts.. the scale charges by USB. No bulky electrical cables. It's sleek and stylish so it fits in sitting out in our kitchen constantly.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.