“Mom’s” Eco-Friendly Picks for Summer

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Kiss My Face Kids Defense Lotion

Get prepared for an eco-friendly summer with these new finds! From play dates and picnics to long days at the park, “Mom” has compiled her top picks for the months ahead!

Kiss My Face Kids Defense Spray

Kiss My Face Kids Sun Care Collection

With the new Kiss My Face Kids Sun Care Collection, kids can protect their skin all summer long with formulas that effectively block harmful UV rays with the use of Antioxidant Defenders™ that are free of parabens, oxybenzone and artificial fragrances. Whether mastering the biggest cannonball or setting up shops for the best lemonade stand, summer’s possibilities are endless thanks to Kiss My Face. “Mom” is loving the Kiss My Face Kids Defense™ with Air Powered Spray™ SPF 50 – this provides a fast, easy applicaton for not only hard to reach places, but little ones on the move! Two more products round out the collection, which includes the Kiss My Face Kids Defense™ Mineral SPF 30 and the Cool Sport™ with Any Angle Air Powered Spray™ SPF 50. All products are biodegradeable, too! www.kissmyface.com

Posh Play Mat

This is a busy mom’s dream come true! This planet-friendly, PVC-free faux leather mat looks classy while providing little ones a sanitary place to play in an instant – both inside and out! With a large celeb following, the Posh Play Mat wipes clean in seconds and can be rolled up to tote anywhere, from the park to playdate to airport! www.poshplaymat.com

Desert Essence Baby

Desert Essence Baby

Afer a long day of playing in the summer sun, get your kiddos squeaky clean with this new favorite line of “Mom’s” by Desert Essence! Their new NSF-Organic & USDA Certified-Organic Babycare & Nursery Care products are simply awesome. The Oh So Clean 2 In 1 Gentle Foaming Hair & Body Cleanser smells delightful and is made from 100% Olive Castile soap blended with vitamin-rich Organic Sunflower Oil. The My Sweetie Pie Baby Lotion is also quite a hit! www.desertessence.com

Bitsy's Carrot Raisin Crunch

Bitsy’s Brainfood Cereals

Move over Raisin Bran! There’s an exciting new cereal called Carrot Raisin Crunch from Bitsy’s Brainfood that will have everyone clamoring to the table this summer! The popular Bitsy’s Brainfood has created a smarter cereal alternative made from organic ingredients and real fruits and veggies!. Bitsy’s cereal is available in three tasty flavor combinations: Fruit & Veggie 1,2,3, Carrot Raisin Crunch, and Banana Squash Squares. Kids can have a nutritious breakfast that will fuel them for the day of summer activities or the cereals make an excellent snack for on-the-go, too! Just place in a reusable container for something fun to nibble on! www.bitsysbrainfood.com

*Companies generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

 

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Three-Egg Omelettes with Spinach, Garlic, and French Goat Brie

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Goat Cheese recipeWho doesn’t love Brie cheese!? This delicious omelette showcases this creamy French Goat brie nicely, and makes a wonderful breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Three-Egg Omelettes with Spinach, Garlic, and French Goat Brie

Ingredients

1 tbs olive oil
3 thinly sliced garlic cloves
2 (5-oz) packages fresh spinach
12 large eggs
2 tbs chopped chives (divided)
2 tbs water
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
4 tbs butter (cut into 4 pieces)
8 oz French Goat Brie (such as Soignon Goat Brie, Florette, Chèvre d’Argental) (sliced into evenly-sized pieces)

Preparation

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm oil. Add garlic, stirring constantly and cooking just 30 seconds. Add half the spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add remaining spinach, again stirring constantly until all the spinach is cooked and wilted. Transfer spinach to a bowl, and use paper towels to pat down spinach to remove excess liquid.

In a large measuring bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 1/2 tbs chives, water, salt, and pepper until foamy. In a small omelet pan, melt 1 butter piece over high heat. Pour one-fourth egg mixture into the pan. Let the eggs cook untouched for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Using a heat-resistant spatula, push cooked edges of the eggs into the pan’s center, letting the uncooked liquid move to the outer edge to cook. When no uncooked egg remains on the surface, keep omelet undisturbed for 20 seconds and remove from heat. On half the omelet, layer one-fourth of the reserved cooked spinach and one-fourth brie slices. Using a rubber spatula, fold the egg-side of the omelet over the filling-side and slide onto a plate. Cover with plastic wrap, and repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 more omelets. Garnish with remaining chives and serve.

Note: If you don’t have an omelette pan, use a nonstick 6-inch or 7-inch sauté pan.

Makes 4 servings.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Goat Cheeses of France.*

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Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa’s Garbanzo Chocolate Brownies

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Garbanzo Chocolate BrowniesA brownie made from beans – who knew?! This rich, fudgy brownie adds protein and fiber to a family favorite, and they will never know the difference, especially when it is drizzled in a delicious vanilla sauce!

Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa’s Garbanzo Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

4 cups cooked Garbanzo beans
½ cup apple puree
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cup Hershey unsweetened cocoa powder OR
1 ½ cup de-fatted bitter chocolate (melted over water bath)
1 ½ cup Splenda (“Mom” uses Stevia in the Raw instead)
½ cup egg white (whipped)

Preparation

In a food processor puree Garbanzo, apple puree, vanilla and ½ cup Splenda and blend until smooth. Combine melted chocolate with 1 cup Splenda and add to mixture. Continue to blend until well incorporated. (if using cocoa powder- combine cocoa powder with Splenda and just enough warm water to make into a thick paste then add to mixture). Add egg white and mix for another two minutes. (for cooking, whip egg white until fluffy before adding).

Line a small square cookie tray and scoop mixture spreading evenly. Bake at 350 degree for 25 minute or until the edge begins to leave side of tray. Cool and cut into 3×3 inch squares. Drizzle with vanilla sauce (recipe below) and serve.

Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa’s Vanilla Sauce

Ingredients

1 cup fat free yogurt or sour cream (“Mom” uses organic)
¼ cup Splenda (“Mom” uses Stevia in the Raw instead)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Whip all ingredients together to make a sauce.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa.*

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Citrus Dream Yogurt Parfait

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Citrus Dream ParfaitThe weather is warming up and it is time to put a spring in our step with a healthy and light breakfast parfait! Green Valley Organics, one of “Mom’s” favorite brands, has a wonderful recipe for Citrus Dream Parfait. Dig in!

Citrus Dream Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients

1 (6 oz.) cup Green Valley Organics Honey Lactose Free Yogurt
2 Tbs. vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup assorted citrus segments: tangerine, orange, blood orange
1 Tbs. goji berries

Preparation

Mix yogurt and protein powder together. Alternate layers of yogurt and citrus fruit. Top with goji berries. Enjoy!

Makes one serving.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Green Valley Organics.*

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Share the Love with MAM!

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MAM Share the Love ImageParenting can be hard, but your unbridled love for your children drowns out all fears and tears. Share with us what makes your little ones so special, your hopes and dreams for their futures and the joys of parenthood by posting a video, photo or letter on facebook.com/mambabyusa.

Eligible entries will be considered for a grand prize of a year’s worth of spa treatments, valued at $2,500. It’s MAM’s way of celebrating you for the love you share.  Enter here: http://bit.ly/mamsharethelove.  Deadline to enter: April 15, 2014.

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