Petite Palate - Review & Giveaway

In a perfect world - I would make all my babies food from scratch. Unfortunately, I do not live in a perfect world. Luckily there are other options for baby food other than the ones that come in jars at the grocery store. I ran across Petite Palate which offers organic food, flash frozen to maintain the food’s own nutritional content while sustaining the shelf life (frozen).

Petite Palate is gourmet baby food - the founders are both trained chefs and mothers and are "dedicated to providing fresh, organic, superior tasting meals for infants and toddlers that are packed full of wholesome nutrients." I've always questioned the quality of the jarred baby food. I learned that "the jarring process (heating to high temperatures until sterilized and shelf stable), destroys many of the vitamins and nutrients that occur naturally in the food. In order to bolster the nutritional value of the jarred food, common practice is to add vitamin and mineral additives after cooking that did not come from the food itself." Sounds scrumptious huh?

The menu from Petite Palate includes: Apple Pear Blend, Lentil Stew, Spinach Potato Puree, Split Pea Stew, Puree of Garnet Yams, and Banana Peach Blend. Added to these foods are spices such as cinnamon, garlic, oregano, thyme and nutmeg. Petite Palate knows that infants are born with taste buds that need to be nurtured from the very first taste of solid food. While I have tried to keep as many different vegetables and fruits in Jake's diet, I had not used any spices up to this point.

I will admit. It took a few tries for him to get used to the new tastes. But I was persistent and knowing these were good for him kept at it. The color and texture of each flavor were just like homemade. Now since I am reviewing these, I felt it was my duty to try these out myself as well. I will be honest that I have never tried the jarred foods - too afraid. While I have nothing to compare it to, they all tasted like, well, real food. Something I would serve my family. What a concept!

The food is packaged in 4 ounce eco-friendly paper containers and defrost easily and quickly. I received the Petite Palate Variety Pack which has all of their flavors. You can also order them in 12 packs of each flavor. Plus how wonderful is it that it arrives at your door? Love it!

Win It!! One of my readers will win a Petite Palate onesie and a variety pack!

To enter, visit Petite Palate and tell me something that you learned in their Q & A section or that you find is important. (Click on "Post a Comment" located at the end of this post)
This is required before you may use any of the extra credit options.
Please leave your email address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.

Extra Credit! You may do any or all of the following, just don't forget to leave a separate comment for EACH one you do:

1. Blog about the giveaway with a link to the giveaway and Petite Palate. (Be sure to leave a link to your post in your comment)

2. Follow me! Click on Follow This Blog in the left side bar. (Current followers count too! Just be sure to make sure you are still following me.)

3. Subscribe to my blog via email at the top of my left side bar. Don't forget to activate your subscription. (Current subscribers count too!)

4. Add my button to your blog. The code is located in my right side bar. (If you already have it, just let me know!)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest. Leave the link to your tweet in your comment.

Don't have a blog? You can still earn extra credit entries by emailing 5 friends and invite them to enter the giveaway. Email must include the link to the giveaway and be cc'd to me (nateandjakesmom at gmail dot com).

Contest ends March 21st at 11:59 PST and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. I will contact the winner on March 22nd and they will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. US Only.

Winner of the So Easy Baby Food Kit

It pays to be a subscriber!! The winner of the So Easy Baby Food Kit is:

Kaycee!!

I am sending you an email and you will have 48 hours to respond! Congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered!!

Life is a Roller Coaster and I Want Off

I am not sure it has been noticed or not. I have tried to make my "rounds" during the daily carnivals & I have been desperately trying to keep up with my blog but most of what is getting done is fulfilling my obligations to the fabulous companies that I am working with. The past two weeks have been so hard and everyday, it just gets harder.

Starting on Monday, I will be posting about these last two weeks because, well, I am a blogger and that is how I roll. These will be automatic posts so please understand if I don't respond. The ups and downs have literally made me feel like I have been on a roller coaster and I am so tired. So worn out and beat up.
I am so incredibly lucky that I have some of the most amazing friends and family who have been so supportive. My mother and mother-in-law who have been at my house for almost the entire time helping me - My Skype Girls who are my lifelines - I know that my long-time friends are there for me too but for some reason I can't talk to them and I hope they understand.
Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be in this position. Never did I think I would be posting such personal struggles on the internet. The only reason I am doing so is because I want others to learn from this experience so that it will not be for nothing.

Aloha Friday #2

Kailani over at An Island Life is on Aloha Friday #72 - Joining a bit late but I love the premise:

"In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response."

To participate you ask your readers a question and sign her linky.

So head over to her site and answer her question but while you are here you might as well answer mine:

When was the last time you felt like a little kid/teenager?

The last time I felt like a teenager was when I was at Disneyland and my best friend said, "Was that Adam Sandler we just passed?" We proceeded to duck and dodge behind bushes and walls as we attempted to take a picture of him using our phones. We were scolded by security - and being the adults that we are (did I mention we were chaperoning jr. high schoolers?) we walked away - only to sneak back around to where he was walking and attempt to play secret agents and sneak pictures.
We got pictures of the back of his head and a fuzzy face shot that could have been any dark haired man. But we knew who it was... and boy did he look older in person. :) It was fun - I don't think anyone believed us but I think that made it that much more fun.

Winners of the Sleepeasy Solution Book & DVD

Congratulations to the winners of the Sleepeasy Solution Book & DVD

Kathleen and Liza767!

You will have 48 hours to respond. Congratulations and thank you to EVERYONE for entering!!

Writer's Workshop #3

Ok, so I missed a few weeks... I need it to be called Writer's Workshop Thursday so that I can remember... guess I could call it that myself and that would solve that right? Nah, too easy.

Over at Mama's Losin It she holds a Writer's Workshop. She gives you prompts and you choose which one (or more than one) that inspires you most. My choice for this weeks Writer's Workshop is:

#3 Describe a memorable camping experience

So, let me start by saying that my idea of roughing it is having to bring my own blow dryer to a hotel. When I started dating my now husband, he was so excited about this camping trip he took each year to a campground near Mammoth, CA. I was not "lucky" enough to be asked to go. Darn. However, eventually I was given the honor of being asked to go along. Yippee. Ugh.

The first year was fine. A bear or two came near camp but nothing major. The next year, we had bears ALL OVER the place. Every night a mom and her cubs would come and look for food. One night we (ha, ha, we - like I did anything but bury my head in the sleeping bag and curse my husband) scared the mama bear away but the cub ran up a tree. Now, we really are in the middle of nowhere and it is hard to determine where sounds are coming from. But I am in the tent, alone and there is this mama bear howling for her cub. She would not leave. When the cub ran up the tree, I swore it was in the tree right next to the tent. I KNEW that the mama bear was going to come and get me because I was the closest to her cub.

Eventually all the men-folk returned to their tents. Mine came back to a pissed off wife who couldn't understand why he couldn't take a moment to come and explain to me where the bears were in relation to me. My husband said they were a good distance from me & I had never been in any danger. However we heard the cub come down the tree - To this day I swear it was the tree next to my tent.

I don't go camping anymore. The bears can have the forest - there aren't any electric outlets there anyways.

A Thousand Words Thursday #6

It has been one of the longest/hardest weeks of my life - but this smile, and the smiles of all my boys, keep me from just giving up. I will never be able to give them as much as they have already given me.

To see other ATWT's head over to Cheaper Than Therapy.

Winner of the Tucker Blair Headband

Congratulations to the winner of the Tucker Blair Headband:

A Psych Mommy!!

I have sent you an email and you will have 48 hours to respond. Thank you to all who entered!!

Wordless Wednesday - Grandpa & Me

I love this shot of Jakey with Grandpa last July at his 1st birthday party.

For more Wordless Wednesdays - Head over to 5 Minutes for Mom.

My Take On It - Tuesday #5

Why I do not watch The Bachelor:

So tonight, the much anticipated finale of the Bachelor aired. The ONLY reason I know anything about this show is because sooo many bloggers are addicted to this show and Elisabeth on the View has been jabbering about it for weeks. I am a reality show junkie but I have never even had a desire to watch this show. Tonight I now know that I am justified as to my reasons for not wanting to watch this awful show - SPOILER ALERT.

Basically I think it is just comical that women will allow themselves to "compete" for a man's affection on TV, all while he kisses, fondles and who-knows-what-else with your "competition." In my world, I call that cheating but, whatever.

So apparently it was down to two women, Molly and Melissa. He chose Melissa in the "final rose ceremony" only to change his mind 6 weeks later at the "After the Final Rose Special," and dump Melissa and ask Molly for another chance. NOW, this is the same man who has already done this show before and had been rejected by the woman that he chose. What a catch this man is!

Is this all there is out there for single women now? Seriously - all I heard was how wonderful this man was. What a great father he is, blah, blah, blah. I know his fans will applaud him for not taking back the woman who rejected him in his first Bachelor season who came back during the finale to tell him that "I could see myself having a relationship with you." What a prince.

Day Four & Five - Sleeptraining

So, Sunday turned into "one of those days" and it wasn't related to sleeptraining. The book states that you should find a time to start when you will have the least amount of distractions. Unfortunately life happens and in our life, there is rarely a dull moment.

On day 3 we made a mistake. Luke got up before the first scheduled dream feed and we were supposed to wait until he fell back asleep before attempting to feed him. I couldn't take it anymore and I gave in. Threw the whole night off. Last night (day 5) went well. He got up one time between the 2 dream feeds but got himself back to sleep before the 3am dream feed.
It isn't surprising that his naps were fabulous today - 2 three hour naps!! When he had a good night previously the next days naps went great. Hopefully our mistake the other night will not cause too much of a delay. Crossing our fingers! He is doing better - it is getting better - but I really would love to be sleeping more. I think I need to try a little harder.

Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby - Review & Giveaway

I am so in LOVE. I heart Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby. These products are the most amazing I have ever tried. It just goes to show that natural products, taking their cue from the earth, can be simply fabulous.

I worry so much about the products that I put on my little ones. My boys have the most sensitive skin and while the doctors want me to put every cream and medication they have at their disposal, I know that there is a better way. I know that Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby has products made from natural herbs, oils and plants that have been used forever and work just as well and better!

I got very excited about testing these products out after simply working with the representative - Sheri. The dedication and true belief in the products sold me immediately. From the Angel Baby line, I received the Angel Baby Bottom Balm, Angel Baby Shampoo & Wash, and Angel Baby Lotion.
The Bottom Balm smells amazing. It is their #1 best selling salve and it treats more than diaper rashes (it also helps prevent diaper rashes) - It also soothes itchy cradle cap, bug bites, scrapes, chicken pox, minor rashes, burns and scrapes.
I use this on my son's cradle cap and it gave my son instant relief. You could see it in his little face. The only complaint I have is that it smells so good, sometimes I fail to notice when they need diaper changes. Maybe that isn't all together bad though!

The Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is also amazing smelling - It smells like those fancy spas. It is not a detergent, and contains no artificial foaming agents, so we package it in an ingenious self-foaming bottle.
It is also economical, just a small little pump pretty much cleans my entire little one's bodies and another small pump and we have his hair washed too. I now use this to clean my face at night so that I can smell it all night!



Angel Baby Lotion is Heavenly. I "accidentally" pump too much each time I use it so that I can justify using on myself. So much of what you put on your baby can be absorbed through the body's largest organ – the skin! This lotion is 100% naturally preserved with no artificial dyes or fragrances and is cruelty free, toxin-free and certified vegan. Made with organic rooibos, soothing to eczema, skin allergies and diaper rash. It is now a staple in this home.


From their Postpartum line I received the C-Mama Healing Salve. After 3 C-sections you can imagine, my body is having a hard time healing. This salve is clinically tested and was created with 100% natural ingredients rich in Vitamin C, essential fatty acids and amino acids — all nutrients necessary for proper cell regeneration and wound repair. It is formulated especially for cesarean section and other surgical wounds, old c-section scars and stretch marks, and inflamed rashes and burns.

All of Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby's products are Organic and their lines cover you from pregnancy & labor to post-partum and breastfeeding. Having a baby is a moment in which you start to look at how to live better and healthier for you children's sake and for your own. Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby is a way to surely make this possible. Their products are clinically tested and safe for you, your baby and the enviroment.

How safe are your current beauty and toiletry products? Are you unknowingly exposing yourself to products that are in actuality, hazardous to your health? Sheri has introduced me to this site that is such a great resource www.cosmeticdatabase.org where all you need to do is type in products that you use to get a score for each item. The higher the score, the more dangerous it is. I can tell you that all of Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby's products score 0-1!! Consider that a babies’ skin is so delicate and absorbs more than an adult’s skin. If you’re using stretch mark creams, and that’s being absorbed into an embryo, shouldn’t that be as pure as possible as well?

WIN IT!! One lucky, lucky reader will win a $25 Gift Certificate to Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby! (Oh, I am soooo jealous)

To enter, simply go to www.cosmeticdatabase.org and find the score of your regularly used products. Let me know what you learned! I promise you, it is an eye opener. I personally threw away a few products after I visited the site. Click on "Post a Comment" located at the end of this post)
This is required before you may use any of the extra credit options.
Please leave your email address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.

Extra Credit! You may do any or all of the following, just don't forget to leave a separate comment for EACH one you do:

1. Blog about the giveaway with a link to the giveaway and to Earth Mama ♥ Angel Baby. (Be sure to leave a link to your post in your comment)

2. Follow me! Click on Follow This Blog in the left side bar. (Current followers count too! Just be sure to make sure you are still following me.)

3. Subscribe to my blog via email at the top of my left side bar. Don't forget to activate your subscription. (Current subscribers count too!)

4. Add my button to your blog. The code is located in my right side bar. (If you already have it, just let me know!)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest. Leave the link to your tweet in your comment.

Don't have a blog? You can still earn extra credit entries by emailing 5 friends and invite them to enter the giveaway. Email must include the link to the giveaway and be cc'd to me (nateandjakesmom at gmail dot com).

Contest ends March 16th at 11:59 PST and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. I will contact the winner on March 17th and they will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. US Only.

Not Me Monday #4

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

How come it is so hard to write this each week. I am a perfect example of things "not to do," but for some reason Monday rolls around and I draw a blank?

It was not me who started to eat my son's treat (cheese bread) my mother brought him before he even had a chance to see it.

It was not me who then ate half of the loaf of cheese bread and proceeded to eat the extra loaf the next day.

It was not me who ate my husband's treat (chocolate chip cookie) my mother brought him. Though in my defense - he doesn't like sweets and well, someone had to eat it.

It is not me that always manages to fill the majority of "Not me" posts with food related items.

It is certainly not me who has the most FABULOUS, GIVING, CARING and most GENEROUS bloggy friends in the entire world. Knitty, Speedy, Sky and Christine you are the bestest.