product review Archives - Makin' it Mo'Betta

VTech Switch & Go Dinos Turbo Review & GIVEAWAY {#sponsored}

November 25, 2014November 13, 2015 Kim

If you have a little boy on your Christmas list (or a dinosaur/race car loving little girl) then today’s post should interest you. It’s all about VTech® Switch & Go Dinos® Turbo Bronco the RC Triceratops™. We are VTech fans in the Mo’Betta house and I can honestly say that my 6 year old absolutely loves this toy.

comes with a remote that allows the child to transform it from race car to dinosaur at the touch of a button. The remote is easy to us and very kid friendly. The car/dino can make various sounds, talk, move in different directions, and of course, transform from race car to dinosaur and back again. Just check it out…

That’s just a little snippet of it’s “transformation”. I was thrilled at how much my son has enjoyed playing with it. It engages his imagination and gets him away from his beloved video games! (Which is priceless!) It also drives our dogs insane, which my little man thought was quite hysterical. He spent quite a while just torturing playing with the dogs and the toy. Which brings up a good point, VTech products are very durable! One of my dogs attempted to bite it, and didn’t leave a mark on it. You have to be tough in this house.

Bronco the RC Triceratops is just one in a line of VTech Switch and Go Dinos Turbo toys. It is recommended for ages 3-8, with MSRP $44.99. It does require 8 AA batteries, so just keep that in mind if Santa will be leaving one under the tree. Re-chargeable batteries are pretty much the best thing ever for kid toys in my opinion! (They are more expensive initially, but in our house, they pay off in the long run.) As stated, this toy is durable, and has lots of fun features (talking, LED headlights, LCD screen, turbo charge lever, transformation button, and more.)

GIVEAWAY! VTech is providing one Makin’ it Mo’Betta reader a VTech® Switch & Go Dinos® Turbo Bronco the RC Triceratops™. Awesome right?! Just enter via the Rafflecopter Form. Entries will be verified. Shipping only available within the US.

*I was provided with a sample product for review purposes. All opinions are my own, or that of my 6 year old! The sample product, giveaway product and information has been provided by VTech.

VTech InnoTab 3 Review & GIVEAWAY! {#sponsored}

October 14, 2014November 13, 2015 Kim

Guess what?! We are already half way through October. You know what that means? CHRISTMAS will be here before you know it! Don’t panic however, because I have an excellent giveaway to help you get started for those 3-9 years old on your shopping list.

The learning tablet!

I needed my 6 year old to help me with the review, so he got a present a little early 😉 He was pretty excited about it too –

After having the personal experience of having to replace my iPad after my young son dropped it and cracked the screen, I am delighted for him to have his very own durable learning tablet. I also absolutely love the fact that it comes with a rechargeable battery pack. This is new from the InnoTab 2, which you could purchase a separate pack. It also comes with an A/C adapter.

My son loves the 180° rotating camera and using the special effects (it comes with 55 different effects). It also has a video recorder to make movies AND kids can import and listen to their own MP3s with the music player. This is a great feature for older kids!

The InnoTab 3 Plus comes preloaded with 12 different apps, so kids can get started playing/learning immediately, but you have the option of more than 800 educator-endorsed, age and stage appropriate cartridges, software and apps that can be purchased and downloaded from VTech’s Learning Lodge app store. This is great for growing the product with the child and preventing boredom. The additional games and apps do have to be purchased, but keep in mind that kids can get years of use from this one device. You can’t say that about too many toys!

I love that my son is able to learn while playing, and still feels like one of the “big kids” with his own tablet. With two older sisters, sometimes he wants things that he isn’t old enough for!

So who wants a chance to win a VTech InnoTab 3 Plus for a little boy or girl in their life? This is going to be a short giveaway, so go ahead and enter now via the Rafflecopter form! (US residents only…sorry my Canadian friends!)

*I was provided with a sample product for review purposes. All opinions are my own, or that of my 6 year old! The sample product, giveaway product and information has been provided by VTech.

Back to School with Balance Bar – #GIVEAWAY {#sponsored}

August 25, 2014November 14, 2015 Kim

My kids went back to school today. Mind. Blown. This has been the fastest summer EVER. I just can’t believe school is back in session, sports have started back up and before you know, BAM, it’ll be Christmas. Let the panic attack begin. Just kidding, no time to panic. It’s time to meal plan, break out the crock pot, makes lists, and get super-mom organized…and lucky for us, is trying to help with that!

Balance Bar, along with parenting expert and Mom blogger Jenny Ingram, from , have some awesome suggestions for surviving ‘back to school’.

For example:

· Keep Smart Snacks within Reach. Back to school isn’t only exhausting for kids. Moms and dads get worn down too so smart snacking is important. Pack a supply of nutritious snacks to have in your purse for when you’re running errands or going from school to practice. are perfect for keeping your on-the-go snacks organized and always handy. Fill them with grapes, almonds, carrot sticks and for a healthy snack sure to satisfy both busy moms and kids until dinner!

· The (digital) calendar is key.To make sure no one misses an activity, homework deadline or playdate, color code each kid in your calendar so you know exactly who is doing what and where and when. The app – is free and great for organizing your upcoming activities and goes everywhere you do since it’s on your phone.

· Pack bags within your bag. If you’re like me, you have a huge bag. It’s great for storing lots of things, but it can be hard to find anything if you’re not organized. Keeping a mini bag that holds chapstick, hand sanitizer and other items frequently used items in a brightly colored small bag that stands out can help with that. The can even double as an organizational bag that’s stylish too!

· Miniature First Aid Kits. It’s helpful to have some first-aid basics in your bag for everyday incidents that are bound to happen. Jenny’s homemade first aid kit includes Band-aids, Neosporin, Kleenex and wipes, and says the wipes are much more effective than napkins at cleaning up whatever messes my kids have.

· Be prepared for homework. With after-school activities, keep homework supplies in your car and bag so your children can do their work while you’re waiting for soccer/volleyball/etc practice. Keep rulers, pencils, pencil sharpeners, scissors, calculators and a clip board in the car to make sure you’re prepped for any homework assignments.

· Label everything. With 3 kids, and all the supplies and gear that come with them, labeling is important. are great for lunchboxes, backpacks, jackets, shoes, sporting equipment and anything else. It also helps avoid lost items in the school coat closet.

· Pack healthy school lunches efficiently. Trying to accommodate everyone’s lunch needs is hard. Jenny suggests making their sandwiches and then let them choose 3 snacks for themselves. In your pantry, have mom-approved snacks (like Mixed Berry Balance bar bars) in three drawers and every kid is allowed to choose 1 item from each drawer to add to their lunch.

· Transitioning summer bedtimes. Late nights are not going to work once school starts, so gradually transition kids’ sleep schedules. 4-5 days before school starts, move their bedtimes up 10-30 minutes. It’s a slow process but really helps to ensure they’re rested and ready for the first day. Since school has already begun for my kids, it’s important to stick to a nighttime routine and consistent bedtime. I know my kids are going to be worn out by the end of the week!

The Back to School Survival Kit contains these Balance Bare bars. They are made with fruits and nuts, are non-GMO, and Gluten/soy/dairy free. The best part…they taste good! The Sea Salt Caramel Nut tastes almost like a candy bar. It’s my favorite, followed closely by the Sweet and Spicy Nut. I love the hint of spiciness in with the sweet, and it’s a unique flavor idea. However, I also like the Mixed Berry Nut. I’ve been throwing them in my gym bag for after a workout, my daughter has had them as a snack before volleyball, and they are great for curbing my late afternoon ‘Iwanttoeateverything’ phase that hits me around 3:00pm.

The GIVEAWAY consists of your very own Back to School Survival Kit. (The one pictured above is missing a couple of bars. We got hungry before I could take pictures!) The kit contains –

a variety of ,
,
the i-pouch,
a stylus that is also a functioning pen,
and a notepad for all those reminders that will be coming up!

To win, just enter via the rafflecopter form. Shipping only available to US addresses.

I received the above pictured kit to facilitate this post. Both kits and information are provided by Balance Bar. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed regarding product are my own.

Zarbee’s Seasonal Relief Project {#sponsored}

April 22, 2014November 15, 2015 Kim

I participated in a campaign on behalf of for Zarbee’s Naturals. I received a promotional item and a product sample as a thank you for participating.

Spring is in the air! (Finally!) The flowers are blooming, the trees are blossoming, the grass is growing….and while everyone is enjoying all those lovely things, some of us are also experiencing watery eyes, itching, sneezing, copious amounts of mucous….yep, fun times! Our church was filled with flowers on Easter Sunday and it was gorgeous, but within 10 minutes my eyes were pouring and I was sneezing and then the congestion started.

Can you relate to seasonal suffering?! I’ve been trying natural remedies over the years to help combat my symptoms so that I don’t have to take so much medication. One of the best things I’ve found is doing a sinus rinse. This can be done with a Neti-pot or with a squeeze bottle (I use a bottle, but my mom uses the pot). It is simple to do (albeit a little awkward feeling initially) and it helps rinse out the irritants in your sinus cavities. I first tried it when I was pregnant and didn’t want to take medicine, and I’ve been doing it ever since. Most recently, I’ve learned of Zarbee’s Naturals which is made with natural Butterbur to help combat congestion.

I just received my sample, so I haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet, but I am looking forward to it. Zarbee’s Naturals is a natural supplement that is free of dyes and gluten, and Butterbur is a natural plant extract that has had very good results in clinical trials. It is available over the counter at CVS and Target and if you visit the website, you can receive tips to help with seasonal congestion and sign up for a free product sample. Zarbee’s Naturals is intended for children 12 years of age and over.

Every time someone visits the website to share how Zarbee’s Naturals’ Seasonal Relief with Butterbur worked for them, the brand is donating to four causes that support exposure to and the protection of fresh air, including , , , and .

What are your tried and true remedies for seasonal congestion?

Zarbee’s is a dietary supplement and statements regarding the efficacy have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Spring Cleaning with Balance Bars (GIVEAWAY)

April 10, 2014November 16, 2015 Kim

Spring is finally here! I think. You can’t be too sure nowadays. However, if the pollen and asthma/allergies are any indication, then yep, Spring has finally sprung! Even though the pollen does cause my family and I lots of issues, I still love to see the flowers and trees blooming. It gives me a renewed sense of happiness and well being. It makes me want to make things fresh and clean….and that means spring cleaning! I have an entire devoted to cleaning. Not that I’m doing it, but hey, I have the resources whenever I get around to it! Not only do I want to purge and clean my house, but I want to shape up my diet as well. I’ve gotten back into the habit of lots of processed junk and too much sugar and carbs in my diet. Registered Dietitian, Sharon Richter, has come up with some tips to help us all start cleaning up our diet, by spring cleaning our pantry!

is doing their part as well, by offering healthier alternatives to many ‘grab and go’ snacks and teaming up with which has awesome products without harsh toxins, so that we can “Spring Clean” inside and out!

Balance Bar comes in a variety of flavors, like , and . And if you follow my blog, you know that I big pink puffy heart dark chocolate!

Not only do they come in my favorite flavors, but they have 13g of protein, and are gluten free. They make a good pre- or post-workout snack and are great for keeping in your purse or desk drawer for a mid-day snack to tide you over until your next meal. I shared my Balance Bars with my workout buddies and they were well received. It’s not a candy bar, but it doesn’t have the really harsh “protein-y” taste that some protein bars do. I know for me, that I am more likely to make poor food choices when I am really hungry, so keeping healthier snacks around is important. Learn more by following Balance Bar on , and .

In addition to the Balance Bars, today’s giveaway also includes this White Tea and Bamboo All Purpose Cleaner and Hand Soap by J.R, Watkins. It has a very fresh and clean scent without using harsh chemicals. I have already given the all purpose cleaner a work out since I have a lot of kitchen counter tops…and they constantly need cleaning! Learn more about the products by checking them out on , and .

So, on to the giveaway! To get you in the mood to start your own spring cleaning, Balance Bar and J.R.Watkins are providing a prize pack to one Makin’ it Mo’Betta reader including a variety of Balance Bars and the above White Tea and Bamboo All Purpose Cleaner and Hand Soap.

You’ll receive more bars than pictured. I sort of ate most of mine before taking blog pictures. oops.

Just enter via form. Prize pack only available for shipping within U.S.

Disclosure: I received the same prize pack as being offered as a giveaway. Both prize packs are provided by Balance Bar/JR Watkins. No other compensation was received for this post. All opinions are my own.