LifeStraw Go Filtered Water Bottle Review and Giveaway

This review and giveaway is sponsored by Vestergaard through Coyne PR. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

LifeStraw Go in Packaging

Water, we all need it to survive. It is said we can live without food for about 3 weeks, but water is a different story. Water makes up about 60% of the adult human body. It is essential to keep our bodies functioning. The estimate of how long a person could live without water seems to be a week (less in hotter conditions), but this is a generous estimate...three to four days is more likely. The dangers of dehydration are very real and could cause death in severe cases. Whether you are exploring the nearby nature trail or camping in the mountains, having access to clean drinking water is always a priority.

The LifeStraw Go by Vestergaard is a filtered water bottle that uses an advanced hollow fiber membrane technology to convert micro-biologically contaminated water into safe drinking water. The Lifestraw filters and removes 99.9999% of bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, etc.) and 99.9% of protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc.), and some viruses. It will filter a total of 1,000 liters / 264 gallons to 0.2 microns over the filter's lifetime capacity. When the filter has reached its lifetime capacity it will stop taking in water. Since the water filter is detachable, you can simply purchase a replacement filter when the filter has reached capacity. The bottle can be reused indefinitely, saving waste from disposable plastic water bottles.

LifeStraw Go is durable, convenient, lightweight, safe and portable. It requires no: electricity, pumping, batteries, iodine, or chemicals to use. This filtered water bottle meets US EPA drinking water standards and is made of BPA free Tritan plastic. It has a handy carabiner to hook it to a backpack or belt loop so you always have it ready and accessible. LifeStraw Go holds 23 ounces of water and doesn't leak.

The LifeStraw Go is great to take with you different places where you might not have access to clean drinking water. Take the LifeStraw Go with you and rest assured that you will have clean drinking water on-the-go. It is ideal for:

• hiking
• biking
• camping
• travel
• boating
• fishing
• running
• trekking
• survival
• gift giving

The LifeStraw Go filtered water bottle is so easy-to-use. Just fill container with dirty or unfiltered water. Stop at any lake, river, pond, stream, or even a puddle to fill up the bottle. You can even drink directly from the LifeStraw by placing the end directly in the water. After filling screw on the lid and sip filtered water through the mouthpiece and straw. After each drinking session, unscrew the lid and blow through the LifeStraw to expel dirty water. The food-grade silicone mouthpiece is flexible which prevents it from chipping or cracking, and is also removable for easy cleaning.

I will be taking the LifeStraw Go filtered water bottle with me hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, kayaking, etc. Everywhere I go the water will taste amazing with LifeStraw Go and I don't have to worry about the water making me sick. It will be so wonderful to have a water bottle I can always rely on to have clean good tasting water any where I go.

LifeStraw Go is wonderful for trips overseas and cross country. This water bottle is also great for storing in a bug out bag or emergency preparedness kit. It makes a great stocking stuffer for anyone young, old, or in between.

LifeStraw Go and I.

Not only does LifeStraw Go provide clean drinking water to the user, but LifeStraw's 'Follow the Liters' campaign provides one school child in Africa with safe drinking water for an entire school year with the purchase of any LifeStraw water filter!

BUY IT:


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WIN IT
Prize:  LifeStraw Go

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review and the opportunity to give away one for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Prince Lionheart bebePOD Boost Review

When Tatiana was little I wanted a seat that she could sit in independently and since she was a special needs child I needed something that helped promote proper posture while she sat. I looked at both the Bumbo and bebePOD. Both were very basic floor sitter seats for babies when I first was looking. There were great things said about both, but I personally went with the original bebePOD because the reviews I read said that the leg openings on the Bumbo were smaller and so a chubby baby wouldn't be as comfortable in it. Tatiana was already 2 years old when I decided to get it for her so I wanted something that would last a while.

The bebePOD that they have designed now has more features than the one I bought for Tatiana back then. Both my daughters Tatiana and Teela used the original bebePOD in lavender and pink. I held onto it for my daughter Zari because I loved it for them. The makers of bebePOD, Prince Lionheart, has upgraded the version I had to also have a safety harness so the child won't wiggle out of it...something I think that is a very smart upgrade that Bumbo has never done.

They also have different versions now on their website, the new über deluxe version they call their new bebePOD Flex Plus. It has the benefit of being a booster seat and a floor sitter with a tray and toy thrown into the mix! The only thing is the new bebePOD Flex Plus can get quite expensive! While searching for a good friend about information of how the bebePOD was different from the Bumbo I came across a review on Amazon.com for the new bebePOD Flex that said you can find a cheaper price on OneStepAhead.com. What the review didn't say was that these were two slightly different Prince Lionheart products. The one on the Prince Lionheart website conveyed as being a new product to their line is called the bebePOD Flex and then the one that is a Prince Lionheart OneStepAhead.com exclusive is called a bebePOD Boost.

Here is the breakdown in plain English about the products and prices (prices current to this post date):
bebePOD: Baby floor seat with a safety harness and removable pommel (allows you to “upgrade” seat with accessory packages that include a tray, placemat and toy). "NEW & IMPROVED" from the original I had. Price USD $39.99.
bebePOD Plus: Has everything that the bebePOD offers, plus adjustable tray with 2 reusable placemats and an attachable toy specially designed by Sassy. Price USD $46.00.
bebePOD Flex: Has everything that the bebePOD offers, plus you can also use it as a booster seat because of back and lower straps that can mount it to a chair. Price USD $46.00.
bebePOD Flex Plus: Has everything that the bebePOD Flex offers, plus adjustable tray with a reusable placemat and an attachable toy specially designed by Sassy. Price USD $60.00.
bebePOD Boost: Available exclusively through OneStepAhead.com! Has everything that the bebePOD Flex Plus offers, plus a hard shell base that the soft seat sits in for more stability on surfaces. Price USD $49.95 Now: $24.95!!
bebePOD Accessory Kit: Adjustable tray with a reusable placemat. Price USD $12.99.
bebePOD Deluxe Kit: Adjustable tray with a reusable placemat, interactive pat mat and a Sassy toy. Price USD $24.99.

Differences of the bebePOD and Bumbo:
bebePOD: smooth surface, removable pummel in the newer versions, safety harness in the newer versions, leg openings larger than Bumbo & can come with chair mounting straps, tray, placemat, and toy.
Bumbo: bumpy surface, one piece construction, tighter fit in leg areas, dips a bit lower than bebePOD, easy to clean because of the one piece construction & can come with tray.

Also, I wanted to mention that if you already have a Bumbo then you can get these adorable covers for it on Etsy so that the non-breathable foam that the Bumbo is made of won't stick to your babies skin and they're machine washable! Something else too...I saw a stand for the Bumbo that I had never seen before...check it out!

Anyway, I ended up buying a bebePOD Boost for Zari even though I had an original bebePOD because I wanted one that could be used as a booster seat too and the price was way too good to pass up! I am sure you will agree. We received the seat and absolutely love it! It is everything I had hoped for and very portable. I can take it with us while traveling to have a floor seat and booster on hand when Zari needs one too!

***UPDATE 6/2011: This product and price is no longer available on OneStepAhead.com. Shop around though, you might find it at a good price somewhere else.

***UPDATE 2013: The bebePOD Boost that is now listed on the Prince Lionheart website does not currently come with the tray, mat and toys. However; they now have a bebePOD Boost + that is exactly what I purchased in early 2011. Go here to see the list of bebePODs and current pricing at their store online.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I bought this product myself and liked it so much I wanted to review it and let my readers know about the fabulous price for it on OneStepAhead.com. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. No free product or monetary exchange took place.

Boiron Homeopathic Medicine Review

At the beginning of last year I was introduced to a company that makes homeopathic medicine called Boiron by one of my favorite magazines, KIWI. I have mentioned KIWI before. I am a member of their Parent Advisory Board and a subscriber of their wonderful magazine. Anyway, I was invited by email to a free Winter Health Webinar hosted by KIWI and Boiron‏ on the natural approaches to treating cold and flu for the whole family. I received a Boiron Wellness Kit with Children's Oscillococcinum, Children's Coldcalm Pellets, Children's Chestal honey cough syrup in it to try free because I attended. I learned a lot about this awesome company and their products when I attended the Webinar. I was also approached by KIWI and their Moms Meet mom's group division to become a Green Mom Ambassador for them and sample some more Boiron children's products with my moms play group I have here in my neighborhood.

Let me just say that Boiron and their products are awesome! They really work for my family. I really hadn't ever got a chance to try them out myself until recently though because I had only gotten the children's products previously. Thankfully though I saw a promotion that I was accepted to on Tomoson for a Boiron Cough, Cold & Flu Value Pack which has basically the same homeopathic medicine that I got to try out for my kids except in adult strength.

"Homeopathic medicines are therapeutically active micro-doses of mineral, botanical and biological substances. Used to treat many acute health conditions, these medicines are safe, natural, and have no side effects."

The Oscillococcinum is for flu-like symptoms. So it is great for if you're feeling run down, having headaches, body aches, chills, and fever.

The Coldcalm is for cold symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, sinus & nasal congestion and minor sore throat. I tried the Coldcalm for my sinus stuff and it helped it go away.

The Chestal is for dry coughs, chest congestion, and other coughs. It has a great honey flavor that is so much better tasting than any other cough medicine I have tried and really works! I tried it when I got an awful lung infection recently and it helped a lot!

Fan/Like Boiron on Facebook. Follow Boiron on Twitter. Sign up for their e-newsletter.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: 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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

The information provided on this blog post is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a opinion. Even if a statement made about the medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. I am only suggesting that you should try it for yourself and see if helps you. People are all different and outcomes could vary drastically.

Seventh Generation Review and Giveaway

Hopefully your child won't be coming home from school with more than just their backpack, pencils, notebooks, and homework. No, I am not talking about a note from the principal's office...although that would be something to dread too. I am talking about germs, those pesky tiny organisms, or living things, that can cause diseases or make you really sick. A lot of days of good learning time has been lost by germs making your kids sick. Don't just fret about the cleanliness of common school surfaces [as many as 2.7 million bacterial found per square inch on common school surfaces (NSF International)] in the classroom...instead try and help by sending your child's teacher supplies to keep things clean, germ-free, and make the classroom environment a healthier one.

Since my kids homeschool I try to keep my home a healthy learning environment by using eco-friendly products that will safely and effectively eradicate germs. Seventh Generation has some awesome cleaning products that do just that. They have botanical disinfectant spray cleaners and wipes that kill 99.99% of germs* naturally and they are effective against Influenza A virus using the active ingredient thymol, a component of thyme oil which is derived from the common herb thyme. *Refer to disinfecting product labels for full details.

Because I am a member of MyBlogSpark and accepted this free offer to review I received a Seventh Generation "Back-to-School" kit that included a Seventh Generation backpack, two canisters of Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes, disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue and a roll of natural paper towels. I was very surprised with the multi-surface disinfecting spray cleaner and wipes and how well they worked at getting the surfaces clean. They did their job very well. I used them in my kitchen, bathrooms, and my boys' homeschool desks, etc. They smelled lovely of thyme and lemongrass. I also used the natural paper towels for spills and my husband loves using them for extracting the oils out of his face (He has found that brown, unbleached or unwhitened, paper towels and napkins seem to work better for oily complexions). These are made from 100% recycled paper (minimum 80% post-consumer). They are also hypo-allergenic because they are unbleached or unwhitened (no chlorine chemicals used), unscented, and dye-free. The facial tissue is also 100% recycled paper, hypo-allergenic, and instead of unwhitened they are whitened without chlorine bleach. They are super soft and great for sore noses.

This school year, Seventh Generation is sharing tips from best-selling author and pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, to help parents protect their child´s health during back-to-school season. Dr. Greene suggests taking the following precautions:

Optimize the immune system

* Reap the benefits of probiotics like those found in yogurt. A recent study showed that children who received enough probiotics daily throughout the cold and flu season had a significant reduction in the number of illnesses they had and, when they did get sick, the symptoms were both milder and didn't last as long.

* Be sure your child is getting plenty of vitamin D from the sun, from food, or from a supplement.

* Build a strong foundation. Good food, good sleep, and good physical activity all help the immune system to flourish.

Be wise about reducing unnecessary exposure to harmful germs

* Teach children the key times to clean their hands in the classroom/home. The most important times include after sneezing, coughing or using the restroom, upon leaving "high-risk" places (recess, nap-time, play stations) and before meals or snacks.

* Sixty percent of teachers surveyed said that they request that parents donate disinfecting wipes to the classroom. Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes are effective naturally with no toxins or unhealthy chemicals added.

* Stress the importance of not touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

* Demonstrate to your children how to cover their mouth and nose for every cough and sneeze. This simple maneuver has spectacular results in decreasing the spread of viruses and bacteria floating about the room, waiting to be inhaled.

BUY IT:
You can purchase Seventh Generation products off their website HERE or find a store near you that carries Seventh Generation products.

WIN IT:
Jennifer at MyBlogSpark has has generously offered a Seventh Generation "Back-to-School" Kit Prize Pack [includes a Seventh Generation backpack, two canisters of Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes (one for home and one to donate to your child´s classroom), disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue and paper towels] for one of my readers to win.

Mandatory:
1. Go to the Seventh Generation website and tell me what you learned OR what other product you would love to try that I didn't mention above.

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog by feedburner or by email and let me know which way. (2 extra entries each)

2. Become my fan/like on facebook and write that you are entering this giveaway on my wall. (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and Seventh Generation in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)

4. Grab My Button (see sidebar to the left) AND/OR Put My Blog URL in Your Blogroll - Leave Your Link. (1 extra entry)

5. Technorati my blog and let me know your link. (1 extra entry)

6. List this giveaway on any giveaway listing website or blog and tell me where you listed it. (2 extra entries)

7. Follow me on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

8. Tweet this: @finamoon: @seventhgen WIN A Seventh Generation Back-to-School Prize Pack #giveaway #myblogspark http://bit.ly/cIb82u
(Daily Extras are Available)

9. Fave me on Momfaves. (2 extra entries)

10. Comment on any of my other posts or enter my other giveaways and let me know which post you commented on. (1 extra entry per post you comment on)

11. Fan/Like Seventh Generation on Facebook. (1 extra entry)

12. Follow Seventh Generation on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you subscribed, blogged about this, listed it, or faved me on Momfaves leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday August 27, 2010 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is open to U.S. Only!!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: The product, gift pack, information and additional gift pack to give away were all given to me free by Seventh Generation and MyBlogSpark. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

SafetyCaps Review and Giveaway

SafetyCaps are outlet covers/caps that are safer than regular outlet covers/caps. They were made by a father that almost lost his daughter when she choked on a regular outlet plug cover. SafetyCaps are 2 1/4 inches across. Other outlet plugs measure only 1 3/8 inches across. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Dorel Juvenile Group both puts out a Choke Hazard Tester or Small Parts Test Fixture (SPTF), a clear plastic tube that you can put things into to test out if they are a choking hazard. I too have one of these and tested this product out. Sure enough the SafetyCap didn't go in. You can buy one of these handy Small Parts Test Fixtures (SPTF) at OneStepAhead. I also had another brand of safety outlet cover (not going to mention what brand here) that I tested. It too didn't fit in the tube, but it was very close to fitting...too close for comfort! I could now see why the SafetyCaps were so much safer than regular ones.

Not only that but the SafetyCaps are clear so they blend in with the outlet cover whatever color it might be. If somehow swallowed they also have holes in the shield that are an added extra safety feature. The holes comply with US pacifier anti-choking regulations.

Win it! George at SafetyCaps is generously giving one 24 pack of SafetyCaps away for my blog giveaway.

Mandatory:
Go to the SafetyCaps website and tell me one thing you learned about SafetyCaps.

Additional entries:
1. Email Ellen AND Oprah and ask the shows to do a show about SafetyCaps and outlet safety. (4 extra entries)

2. Subscribe to my blog by blogger, by email, or both and let me know. (1 extra entry)

3. Become my fan on facebook. (1 extra entry)

4. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and SafetyCaps in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)

5. Grab My Button - See Sidebar to the left - Leave your link (1 extra entry)

6. Technorati my blog and let me know your link. (1 extra entry)

7. Add me on twitter and retweet this: @finamoon: @safetydad WIN: SafetyCaps http://bit.ly/OAqTj
(Daily Extras are Available)

8. Become SafetyCaps' follower on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

9. Become a fan of SafetyCaps on Facebook. (1 extra entry)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you blogged about this leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday July 03, 2009 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is only open to U.S. only.

Piggy Paint Review and Giveaway

I received a bottle of Piggy Paint nail polish in a beautiful shade of Girls Rule! pink and a bottle of nail polish remover to review. Piggy Paint nail polish is a non-toxic, odorless (less odor than other nail polishes), hypoallergenic, kid-friendly (adult-friendly too), water based polish. "Natural as mud"...their slogan reads. Most nail polish is solvent based, flammable, and have toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone. This polish isn't and doesn't contain any of those harmful ingredients. I was pleased with the quality of the polish and how it dried quickly.

The nail polish remover has aloe vera and vitamin E in it so that it will supply the nails and cuticles with much needed natural oils that protect them. It does have one ingredient that I was concerned about. It has Methyl alcohol in it, however; Melanie assured me that it is non-toxic in the small quantities that would be used on the nails. In the event that a child tried to drink the polish remover, an embittering agent is also an ingredient in the remover to make it taste absolutely horrible. You should always watch your children with either of these products and keep them safely out of reach when not in use even though they are a lot safer than regular nail polish and remover.

I am very happy with Piggy Paint products and they are definitely safer and a lot better for your nails than regular polishes and removers. The quality is also comparable to regular polishes and removers. I really feel overall that these are great products! Here is a picture of me with my finger and toe nails painted with Piggy Paint Girls Rule! :)

Their Little Miss Firecracker Gift Pack normally retails for $26.50, but it is on sale now for just $22.50 (15% off retail - limited time). Buy it before the 4th of July!

Win it! Melanie at Piggy Paint is generously giving one gift pack of your choice away for my blog giveaway.

Mandatory:
Go to the Piggy Paint website and tell me which Piggy Paint gift pack you would love.

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog by blogger, by email, or both and let me know. (1 extra entry)

2. Become my fan on facebook. (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and Piggy Paint in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)

4. Grab My Button - See Sidebar to the left - Leave your link (1 extra entry)

5. Technorati my blog and let me know your link. (1 extra entry)

6. Add me on twitter and retweet this: @finamoon: @piggypaint WIN: Piggy Paint http://bit.ly/129oZn
(Daily Extras are Available)

7. Become Piggy Paint's follower on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you blogged about this leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday June 19, 2009 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is only open to U.S. only.

Dr. Bloom's Chewable Jewelry Review

Ok, I must admit I had only heard of Smart Mom Jewelry and had already bought their jewelry before I went searching for more great products for teething babies. I came across this website called Dr. Bloom's Chewable Jewels. They have a line of teething jewelry and keychains similar to Smart Mom Jewelry's. This jewelry line is conceptualized and manufactured by Dr. Helen Bloom Smith, a dentist and loving mom from Birmingham, Alabama.

These jewels are also made from plastic that is food-safe, non-toxic, phthalate, BPA, latex, lead, and PVC free. They are also dishwasher-friendly. Dr. Bloom's Chewable Jewels are made of food grade silicone that has FDA approved materials and colorings. Not only did Dr. Bloom make sure the material and colorings on her products were safe for your baby, she made sure the product was the perfect thickness/hardness. If a product is too hard it can damage the tooth buds. She apparently has done her research to find the perfect durometer for a teething baby. She should know her stuff, being a dentist and all! The pendants have a latex free cording that has elasticity to allow for stretching instead of the breakaway clasp. The jewels for the necklaces come in a rectangle pendant, circle pendant, or hexagon pendant. They also carry bracelets and keychains.

I was sent a Emerald Bracelet and Circle Slide Necklace for free from Dr. Bloom to test and review.

They are giving $1 to the Starlight Children's Foundation for every Plum jewelry item sold from their website.

Smart Mom Jewelry Review

Here is my littlest one, Teela, enjoying some Teething Bling from Smart Mom Jewelry. She is also pictured on their website.

What a great product they have! I love the fact that they are safe for babies to chew on and so stylish to wear. As many moms know that when you wear your jewelry while holding small children they are always enthralled by it and want to either pull on it or chew on it. I can say that most of my jewelry is not safe to chew on. Most have small parts and some even have lead in them! The Teething Bling is made from plastic that is food-safe, non-toxic, phthalate, BPA, latex, lead, and PVC free. They are also dishwasher-friendly and all pendants come with a breakaway clasp. As you already know I love bangles...so when I heard about this fabulous product on some other mom blogs out there I had to buy one to see for myself. I bought the Lapis Lazuli donut shaped pendant and the bangle to match.

A percentage of all retail sales goes to these worthy organizations:

CureSearch
Dress for Success
(in special memory of Maria Jankowski Maurer)

Also, you can use coupon code S-MWS to receive $12 off with every pendant purchase, expires September 2008. Save yourself. Check it out.

This October 2008, Smart Mom Jewelry supports breast cancer awareness month with a special online offer. Purchase anything from their "Think Pink" line and they'll donate 20% of every sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

November is time for their pre-holiday sale! All month long, everything is 20% off.