Mama Speaks

Teeccino Herbal Coffees

Defending the Ritual

Herbal Coffee? Who knew? Teeccino [$9] is actually a roasted blend of herbs, grains, fruits, and nuts that brews just like coffee (in the same way that "herbal tea" isn't really tea, but brews in a similar fashion so it shares the name). As it turns out, that brewing process is much more important than I'd realized when it comes to my wee caffeine addiction. There really is something to be said for the act of brewing a cup - the smell, the sound, the steaming pot - the Teeccino website says it best: "Teeccino allows coffee drinkers to keep their cherished coffee ritual with all the enjoyment and satisfaction of a freshly brewed cup!" And truly, the "ritual" of it all is huge. I won't say that the Mediterranean Teeccino (which is what I was able to sample) "tastes just like coffee" though. Standing on its own as a beverage in its own right, however, I think it has a lot going for it.

Teeccino, which is naturally caffeine-free with no chemical residues, is available in ten different flavors. Those in the sweeter Mediterranean collection are 75% organic, while those from the darker-roasted Maya are USDA certified organic (and according to their website this would probably be the preference for someone who opts for unsweetened coffee - i.e., ME). In addition to the health benefits of choosing a non-caffeinated beverage over a caffeinated or decaf one, Teeccino is also high in fiber, potassium, and inulin, a pre-biotic. Additionally, Teeccino is an incredibly responsible company, striving to preserve rainforests and donating to programs that benefit local communities in the Maya Biosphere Reserve.

Want to try it out? You can get a free sample of Teeccino by just signing up for their newsletter.

-Beth

BUY

WAT-AHH!

THIR-STYYYY?!

I'll get right down to it and say that this is a review of water. Which, as I'm sure you're thinking, when approached to review water we sort of rolled our eyes and echoed a big, "really?!" BUT after diving in, trying it and doing some extra reading and research, we are very happy to bring you this review, of water, but not just any water; this is WAT-AAH!

From the cool bottles to the crisp, clean taste, you'll know from the start that this isn't just any old water. Vapor distilled to 100% purity, it doesn't get any cleaner than this. It's so pure, in fact, that it can actually help cleanse and detoxify your body along the way. Most importantly our kids need water and rarely get enough of it. WAT-AAH is available in 4 varieties to help you change it up and meet the needs of any kid. All varieties are ultra-purified and each has a little something extra. Brain includes kid friendly electrolytes, Bones features bone-building magnesium, Body is as clean as it gets and Energy is extra oxygenated.

WAT-AAH is currently available at Whole Foods and other premium markets.

Choffy

Brew It!

I've been drinking coffee since I was in high school. With the exception of pregnancy and nursing, I never even considered giving it up despite knowing that I was addicted to caffeine and that daily cups of coffee were not the healthiest of choices. If you'd asked me two weeks ago if anything could ever replace for me my morning cup, I would have undoubtedly said no way - I'm thinking about my coffee before I'm even out of bed. There's nothing that could tempt me away from that smell, that warmth . . . except for, perhaps, chocolate.

The Choffy website's tagline is "Drink brewed chocolate." How bad can that be, right? The answer is that it's pretty darn good! And what's more is that Choffy [$15] is actually good for you too. It's made of 100% organic cocoa beans, the food with the highest concentration of antioxidants in the world. It also is full of healthy minerals like magnesium, iron and several other beneficial nutrients. Basically it has all of the health benefits of dark chocolate.

I'm sure you're wondering about the caffeine; believe me, I was too. Is it really better for us if it is still a caffeinated beverage? Well, guess what: apparently it's not (caffeinated, that is). Cocoa beans contain Theobromine, which is also a stimulant but is very different from caffeine. It is gentler but with a longer lasting effect, and most importantly it's not addictive. To read a whole lot more about how Theobromine is actually part of a healthy diet and even see it's chemical make-up, go check out the "Does Choffy Contain Caffeine?" page of the website. And I can vouch for the fact that the stuff doesn't contain caffeine, because despite the fact that I really enjoyed my Choffy that first morning, I still had a booming headache by midday, as any true caffeine addict would.

But I'll tell you what, this is about as tempting as it gets. Choffy tastes great, smells great, is available in three different flavors, it's organic, and while it doesn't offer me the jolt of caffeine, it does have a mild stimulant effect that eases the transition to a non-jacked-up lifestyle.

A note though, so that you can learn from . . . someone's mistake: The directions on the bag of Choffy say to add such-and-such spoonfuls to such-and-such ounces of water. Reading that, combined with smelling something that is not unlike hot chocolate, might make you think you should literally just combine spoonfuls of the grounds with hot water. Um, don't do that. They don't dissolve. Ever. Not that I would know anything about that. Choffy does actually brew in your coffee pot, French Press or espresso machine, as indicated here. Not that I needed to go and read that after dumping a cup full of wet, black, sludgy grounds down the drain, no.

Just remember, it's brewed chocolate, and it's yummy.

-Beth

BUY

Divvies

Simply Divine

Cookies, chocolate, cupcakes, candy, gourmet popcorn. Sounds like you can't go wrong, right?! For most, maybe but for those of us with food allergies in our families these treats top the list of forbidden foods. So, what if I were to tell you, that when you're itching for a treat there is something out there that's just as good (or waaaaay better) than those off limit bakery sweets minus all the gross stuff? I promise it's not too good to be true, it's Divvies, but you have to share.

Made without peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and milk most everything Divvies has to offer will be safe for those with food allergies. Unlike the dry crumbly, blandness that we find in most premade vegan/allergy free cookies [$10/13 cookies], Divvies selection were moist and delicious. The Divvine Chocolate bar [$4] lives up to it's name and the gourmet popcorn [$6-$60] makes a great gift. And everything is made to share, with a reminder to do so that might just be enough to keep you from eating them all yourself.

The only disappointment we had with the Divvies brand is that their candies are colored with artificial dyes which in our house is strictly forbidden even with treats. Take note that many products may also contain wheat and/or soy.

BUY

Hitting The Road For The Holidays

With gas prices lower than we've seen them in sometime we've gotten word that many families will be hitting the road for the holidays for the first time in a long time. Of course, car rides, especially long ones, with the kids can be less than merry but some small comforts and distractions can go a long way. Our choices for happy, holiday travel:

No Fighting Fun

I Get Around Travel Activity Gift Set by Little Jet Set ($40)
This backpacked set is certain to get any trip started on the right foot. You little one will be occupied for some time reading the "I Get Around" board book. The easy travel journal allows your little one to document their days activity with space for a little bit of art work too. And of course, the stickers, LOTS of stickers to place in the journal or anywhere. This one will keep your kids busy and become a keepsake to boot.

Lap Desk from Room it Up ($28)
Best for kids in booster seats or regular belts this lap desk is the perfect surface on the go. The cushioned bottom will snuggle onto any lap and the sturdy, the smooth top is great for writing, coloring or having a snack and the built in cup holder will hold a standard can or travel cup or doubles as a great place to stash crayons or that trusty iPod.

Ring Flash Cards by Mudpuppy ($12)
With themes covering everything your little one could be into these flash cards offer endless possibilities for fun. One side features a whimsical image and word, the other a question or prompt to explore the picture. You can use them to build a story or as clues for a game of I spy and so much more.

The Comforts of Home, On the Open Road

Zoobie Pets ($34)
The snugglerific 3-in-1 pets are a plush, a pillow and a super soft blanket in one. Certain to become the best travel buddy a kid could have you might find yourself sneaking in some snuggles too.

Travel Rest Pillow ($27)
Sleeping upright and buckled in can be uncomfortable for those of us past the car seat stage. Travel Rest will solve all of that and stay in place while you sleep. This slim and smooth inflatable pillow curves just right and secures into place.

Nap Pack by Crafty Baby ($40)
When you finally reach your destination your little one can cuddle up in a space of their own for a long rest. Perfectly sized for 2-7 year olds this fleece blanket and attached pillow provide the perfect sleep place. While originally designed to fit a preschool mat or kindercot we've found this perfect for home and on the go too.

For snacks on the go check out our latest foodie feature.

Win it!
We're giving away a $25 gift certificate to Little Jet Set! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Holiday Travel as your subject and let you know which one item available from Little Jet Set is first on your list. Giveaway ends 12.23.08

Yum, Yum, Give Me Some

We're always on the lookout for new treats for ourselves and our little ones. Some of the latest that have caught our eye...

Primo Water - We're all for staying away from bottled water as much as possible but there are times when it's convience is well, convenient. Primo water is 99.999% pure and guaranteed to be free of chlorine and fluoride. Even better, rather than being made of crude oil Primo bottles are made of plants and can be recycled or composted for zero waste.

Oskri Organics - Snacks that travel well a must for any busy families on the go but it can be hard to find healthy snack bars for the whole family, especially when dietary restrictions come into play. Oskri Organics snack bars are all gluten free and most are completely vegan as well. The Sesame and Jalow bars are great for fueling up and the Coconut bars an amazing sweet treat.

RW Knudsen Sensible Sippers - Oh, the juice box, childhood staple or stay away? RW Knudsen has introduced a new juice box that will please the kids and take a bit of the guilt away. Sensible Sippers are Certified Organic, kid friendly juice boxes that will delight in Fruit Punch, Banana, Apple, and Mixed Berry and moms will enjoy the fact that they're actually 50% water and contain no added sugar, artificial flavors or preservatives.

LIVE Energy Drink - We all need a pick me up every now and then but your run of the mill energy drink is full of toxins. LIVE Energy is in a league of it's own in providing a boost that's all natural, sweetened with organic sugar cane juice and contains no artificial sugar, colors, or preservatives in 6 great flavors. Better yet, they donate a staggering 50% of profits to the charity mentioned on each can.

Snacktrition likes to reward us for eating healthy snacks by enriching the typical almond or cashew with a sprinkle of calcium or a dash of fiber.  Our favorite, the Calcium Sea Salt Almonds are health baked and sprinkled with Sea Salt making them ridiculously yum.

Win it!
We're giving away 10 cases of Primo Water! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Primo as your subject.  Giveaway ends 12.17.08

VerTerra

From Tree to Tabletop

With busy days and nights that you'd much rather spend with your kids than with your dishes we know how easy it can be to turn to disposable dishes. Plates add up fast and it's so much easier to toss them than wash them. Unfortunately what paper plates like in maintenance time they make up for in environmental cost. Aside from the energy and resources used to produce them many contain chemicals, waxes and dyes, harmful toxins that can leach into your food. And while you might toss them and forget about them they don't go away so easily.

We're happy to say we've found a disposable option that won't cause such worry. VerTerra's line of organic, compostable dinnerware is durable, versatile and worry free. Made from fallen palm leaves and water (yes! that's it!) these dishes are not only beautiful but practical. The plates, bowls, cups and serving dishes are microwave, oven and refrigerator safe and are sturdy enough to take whatever dish you can serve. Best of all, because they're made completely out of plant material they're 100% compostable and will biodegrade naturally in 2 months!

All products are currently sold in packs of 10, 12 or 100 and average around $1 per piece. That's definitely a much higher cost than paper but lower impact is worth it. Also, while these are billed as single use and can be tossed, they can be washed and reused. We were able to get 2 weeks worth of uses out of standard use and gentle washing.

Whether you give it a go for daily use or stock up for a special occasion, we challenge you to ditch your standard disposables and give VerTerra a try.

Win it!
We're giving away a sampling of VerTerra products to one reader! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with VerTerra as your subject and let us know where their products are made. Giveaway ends 12.17.08

So Easy Baby Food Kit

Easy Peasey Peas . . . and Carrots . . . and Apples . . .

I probably don't need to tell anyone the benefits of making your own baby food - less waste, less expensive, more nutritious - you know all that. But really doing it is one of the harder practical challenges of being a new mom. The introduction of solids into a baby's diet can be overwhelming, and to add the planning and execution of making the food, well, it can be enough to make even the most health-conscious of us turn away. But apparently it doesn't need to be so hard. The So Easy Baby Food Kit from Fresh Baby [$38] is a great way to learn the basics of starting solids and get going on making your baby's first foods.

The kit consists of a cookbook, a how-to video, an information card to keep in the kitchen, and two storage/freezer trays for your purees (BP-A and Phthalate -free, of course). Of the bunch, I'd say the cookbook is the highlight. It includes a range of information from establishing healthy eating habits to introducing the first solid foods to instructions on making and serving fruits, vegetables, and a few proteins like beans, nuts, and tofu (please note that this book does not include sections on preparing meats or grains/cereals).

As an organization freak, I have to say the real kicker is the second half, which contains single pages for each food to be introduced. Organized by age of introduction, each page of this section is devoted to one specific food, and it includes every piece of information you need to incorporate it into your baby's diet. These pages are broken down into "Shop" (selection, storage, and quantity), "Cook" (all the steps for the prep, pureeing and freezing) and "Serve," which includes variation suggestions on how to spice up the foods according to age, and ideas for great food combinations, or "Medleys." It is with this latter portion that the cookbook also functions as a workbook/record keeper. Each page includes tables where you can keep track of the date when you introduced the food, variation, or medley to your baby, and how he/she liked it.

The information card is another great at-a-glance tool that includes helpful tips and quick summaries of some of the information from the book, including a first foods by age chart and a table with lists of the best sources of various nutrients. And the storage trays freeze and keep your one-serving portions at the ready for baby's first meals. After just a few weeks of devoting about half-an-hour per week to making baby food, you'll end up with an assortment of fresh foods that are ready to be tasted and tried (and most likely swallowed).

Of course you still have to do the work involved in making the food - you still have to prep, cook, and puree your fruits and veggies. But the kit brings together all the information you need from what types of foods to choose according to age, to how to select and prepare these foods, to how to introduce them to your child, making the whole process so much less daunting. Oh, to go back in time and do it all again - it could have been so easy.

Win it!

We're giving away a Baby Food kKt to one reader! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Fresh Baby as your subject and let us know one food you'd love to make, homemade for your baby. Giveaway ends 11.29.08

-Beth

Glow Mama

You're Glowing

I'm parched. Nursing a newborn can feel like you're in a desert sometimes. Water is, of course, my drink of choice. But sometimes a Mama just wants something different and refreshing. Glow Mama is that oasis up ahead.

A healthy alternative to sodas or other sugary drinks, Glow Mama was created with the hydration of expecting and new Mamas in mind. Tasty kiwi and white grape juice accentuate this vitamin-packed drink. It is a great complement and not a replacement to your regular prenatal vitamin.

The bottle is not only a convenient size for keeping available on the go- it also comes in hip and trendy colors. And Glow Mama is earth friendly, too. The bottles are made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which make it easy and relatively cheap to recycle back into goods we use everyday. Soy-based inks can be found on all Glow Mama labels and marketing materials as well.

The flavor is very light and subtle, perfect for those early days of pregnancy. I was excited to experiment with fancy-ing it up as a mocktail. Just because you're staying safe for your baby doesn't mean you still can't have a little fun! Oh what a little lime and mint can do... hello, Mom-ito! That will have you glowing!

Win it!
We're giving away a Two-Week Taster pack of Glow Mama to one lucky reader! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Glow as your subject and let us know which Mocktail recipe has your mouth watering. Giveaway ends 10.10.08 and sorry, this one is open to US residents only.

-Steph

Halloween Guide

It's almost time for miniature ghouls and goblins, fairy princess and firefighters to take to the sidewalks. Those kids of ours will spend the next few weeks anticipating getting all dressed up and spending one joyful evening in search of sugary sweets, scares and silliness (ok, lets be honest, that sugar high will probably last more than one day).

While they flip-flop on costume plans and trick-or-treat brigades you're likely to find yourself up to your eyeballs in fabric, costume catalogs and concern over just where to hide the candy haul this year so that the kids don't find it and neither do you.

But you can stop all that, (really, it's ok) we've done the digging for you and while we can't help you talk your tot out of fashioning a costume out of your discarded nursing bras (yes, I'm speaking from experience) we're happy to cover the costumes, candy and safety side of things to make for a Happy (and hopefully worry free) Halloween night.