Family * Travel * Food

Go Back To School With Mamma Chia (Giveaway)

It's officially back-to-school season and parents everywhere are scrambling around to get things in order for their families. Buying supplies, shoes, clothing, and backpacks are just the beginning. You have to think about making sure the kids (and YOU) have a nutritious breakfast each day so they can be ready for a full day of learning. Mornings can get really hectic and time seems to be non-existent.

One of the best things you can do to help ease the crazy mornings is to prepare in advance. Pick out a week's worth of outfits for the kids and have them hanging in the closet ready to go. Have the kids get their backpacks set out in a designated place along with their shoes so there's no last-minute searching. Involve the kids in making choices about lunchbox items. Eventually the kids will be old enough to do most things completely on their own (yay!)

Don't let being short on time take you away from eating in the morning. Mamma Chia makes a line of super nutritious foods and beverages that are all organic and convenient to grab and go. The Mamma Chia product line includes their Chia Squeeze pouches, granola, chia vitality and energy beverages, and of course chia seeds.

Chia seeds are very versatile and can be incorporated into salads, smoothies, and baked goods. They are filled with fiber, omega-3's, and protein. Chia seeds are a great way to sneak added nutrition into your everyday foods. Mamma Chia Granola Clusters is another delicious way to get your body fueled up for the day. You can enjoy it by the bowl with milk or yogurt, or plain as a snack. This is perfect for a lunch box or after school snack.


The Chia Squeeze Vitality Snack is a great solution for kids as a breakfast option. They are a blend of organic fruits and veggies along with chia. There's no added sugar, so that is a plus! These are perfect for the kids' lunch boxes and even for us moms.


My personal favorite is the organic vitality beverage. If chia seeds freak you out a bit, I recommend using a straw to drink this. It has such a great fruit flavor without being sweet. I like that it is lightly sweetened using organic agave nectar. This beverage is very satisfying and fills you up. It only contains 120 calories per bottle.


All Mamma Chia products are packed with those all important Omega-3's, fiber and are lower in calories when compared to many other "healthy" breakfast foods. I have found Mamma Chia items in most stores like Kroger, Whole Foods, Target, and Publix. You can even grab a coupon here while supplies last. Do you want to try Mamma Chia out for yourself? Enter our giveaway to win a prize pack filled with healthy and delicious Mamma Chia goodies.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on August 31, 2017. Please follow all rules in the Rafflecopter widget and be sure to use a valid email. One winner will be selected and contacted via email to claim prize. Please be aware that Mom Files is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged prizes. Good luck!

Disclosure: Products and giveaway provided by Mamma Chia. All opinions are my own as always.
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Harmless Harvest Coconut Water Is The Real Deal

Do you ever have a taste of something or even a scent that transports you back to your childhood? I grew up in Miami, Florida and it was very common to see vendors on the street corners selling fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and various goods. One of my favorite things to get was the fresh water coconuts as we called it in my culture. You would get a fresh green coconut that was sitting in a huge cooler of ice and watch the vendor chop the top off with a machete. They would then stick a straw in it and hand it to you to enjoy. There is nothing that can compare to drinking that gorgeous chilled coconut water straight out of the actual coconut. Once you have experienced the real thing, you can't have it any other way. Fast forward... I have lived in South Carolina for close to 18 years and it has been more than 20 years since I have had coconut water like I did in Miami.


I was doing some crowd sourcing on Facebook a month or so ago asking what natural food or drink was rich in potassium. One of my old friends from Florida mentioned coconut water. I told her that would be a winner if I had access to proper coconut water like I did in Miami. She told me to look for one called Harmless Harvest. She is also Guyanese so she knows I know what real coconut water is supposed to taste like. I finally got around to trying it with full hesitation. You see, I've tried about 2 or 3 brands already and I ended up pouring it out in the sink from pure disgust. I took into consideration that Harmless Harvest is refrigerated and is simply organic coconut water with nothing added. It is free of GMOs, toxic pesticides, artificial additives, and irradiation.


I poured some in a glass and was a little intrigued by the pink color. Honestly, I didn't realize that it can be that color (clear to pink). I took my first sip and guess what? I was on transported back to being a kid again. It was the real deal and what coconut water should taste like. No lie, I closed my eyes each time I sipped. I can finally have that taste back in my life all the way up in South Carolina. You can find Harmless Harvest Coconut Water in grocery stores including Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods in the refrigerated organic/health foods section near the produce department. Check out the amazing story behind Harmless Harvest here.
The back of this t-shirt says "I'm Harmless" :-) 
Harmless Harvest coconut water is the perfect hydrating beverage to help beat the summer heat. Have you tried it yet? If you haven't, I really suggest you do!

I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. It doesn't get more honest than this.
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Warm Up With Numi Organic Pu-Erh Tea

Are you a tea drinker? My husband drinks tea every single day, even if it's 100 degrees outside. When I received the Organic Pu-erh collection from Numi Tea, he was thrilled. 
The Pu-erh organic teas are exceptional and full of rich flavor. We received the ginger, chocolate, cardamom and Emperor's varieties. These teas are sourced from 100% real, non-GMO ingredients and that is it. Why would you want anything else? They use biodegradable filter paper for their bags and even the package can be recycled or composted. 
The flavors of these teas are so nice. I'm a strong cup-of-tea girl and these fit my taste just right. My current favorite is the ginger variety. It has a spicy, balanced taste. I like mine with a little organic honey. My husband loves the cardamom and Emperor's blends. He drinks a cup of hot tea after each meal. You certainly can tell the difference in quality from these teas. The fact that they are all made with so much care for the earth and fair labor practices makes it even better. You really can feel good about every cup. 

To learn more about Numi Pu-erh tea and to purchase them, you can order from their website or check their store locator for local stores that carry them. I was lucky to find a couple health food stores locally that carry Numi tea. I look forward to trying out their turmeric teas for the great health benefits. 

If you are a tea lover, you must try these out for yourself. Be sure to follow Numi Tea on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates. 

I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own. 
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Made in Nature Organic Dried Fruit Review & Giveaway (2 winners)

I have a confession. I'm not a fruit lover. I'm very particular when it comes to fruit texture. Oddly enough I prefer to eat fruit dried over fresh. I received some samples of Made in Nature Organic dried fruit in Bananas, Cranberries and Black Mission Figs. Made in Nature organic fruit has no added sugar, are non-GMO, nut-free and are unsulfered. I don't think you can get more natural than that! 
I tried the bananas first. They aren't the prettiest looking things, but boy do they taste amazing. I felt like I could eat them like candy. The texture was so chewy and I just loved how naturally sweet they were. The cranberries were nothing like what I am used to from the usual brand I use. Apparently I have been buying the wrong kind for years. Oh boy, the cranberries were perfectly sweet-tart and packed with flavor. I admit, I wasn't too thrilled about the figs. I went for it. You know what? They were actually very good-- surprisingly sweet with a chewy texture. I browsed the Made in Nature site and didn't realize how many recipes you can add dried fruit into.


Eating dried fruit is a very good option for me since my body is in need of the extra potassium and fiber. My husband really enjoyed snacking on all of the varieties of dried fruit with organic pecans. They keep him energized during the workday and I feel good that he's eating something really healthy, without added sugar. We look forward to trying some of the other fruit varieties, especially the apricots, apples and plums. As a matter of fact, I think the plums or apricots would be amazing in a zesty lamb or beef stew.

Giveaway: Two lucky Mom Files readers will win a gift pack including three varieties of Made in Nature Organic dried fruit in Bananas, Cranberries and Black Mission Figs. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on July 11, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. Two winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I received product samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 
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Summertime with Santa Cruz Organic Lemonades- Review & Giveaway

I received complimentary product samples for review purposes. All opinions are my own as always. 
One of my favorite beverages to drink throughout the summer months is lemonade. I love different flavors too-- strawberry, cherry and mango to name a few. I tried the Santa Cruz Organic brand for the first time this week. My husband was so curious about what the mango lemonade would taste like, so we tried that one first. Before I actually took the first sip, I sniffed it. It smelled as if I just peeled a fresh, ripe mango. I went in for the first taste. It was like a mango and lemon explosion in my mouth. I was able to taste each flavor and combined, it was fantastic! I love that it was not too sweet and had the right amount of tart bite to it. My husband really loves the mango variety and has claimed what's left in the bottle for himself. That shocked me because he is a very traditional person when it comes to food or drink. He usually sticks to original flavors.

I love that these lemonades are made with no artificial ingredients or preservatives and are packaged in shelf-stable glass bottles. That makes it perfect for stocking up when they are on sale. I noticed a big end cap of them at my local Kroger the other day, so I hope to grab a few bottles of other flavors to try in the future.

About Santa Cruz Lemonades:
Santa Cruz Organic® Lemonades are certified organic in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture's organic regulations.  Bearing the official USDA Organic seal, Santa Cruz Organic® Lemonades are guaranteed to be organic, from the ingredients through the recipe-batching process, and into the bottle.  This assures product integrity and supports efforts for environmental responsibility.

Santa Cruz Organic® Lemonades come in Cherry, Peach, Mango, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Original Lemonade. I want to try them all! You can find a location near you here that sells these lemonades.

Two lucky Mom Files readers will win 2 bottles each of Santa Cruz Organic® Lemonades. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on June 20, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. Two winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!
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Whish Three Whishes Body Butter Review

I received a complimentary product sample for review purposes. All opinions are my own as always. 

Do you treat yourself? As a busy mom, I often forget about myself with all the tasks I juggle on a daily basis. School drop-off/pick-up, sports, housework, cooking, managing the home... I am almost always last on the list when it comes to pampering or treating myself. One nice way to get that in is often through simple things like beauty products. It is amazing what a new lipstick or nail polish can do for me.
I received a luxurious bottle of Whish Three Whishes Body Butter to review. The packaging is so pretty. The antioxidant-based formula contains organic aloe, organic Shea butter and organic raspberry butter. How delicious does that sound? I couldn't wait to pump some out of the container to experience this body butter for myself. It has a very creamy feel, but not heavy like your typical body butter. The lavender scent was very rich and feminine. I applied it to my entire body and it left me feeling so soft and pampered. It gave the heavy moisturizing you expect from a body butter without the oily feel.

Whish Three Whishes Body Butter is available in a 5 ounce container for $24 and can be purchased at Nordstrom.com. It comes in 6 gorgeous flavors: Almond, Lemongrass, Pomegranate, Lavender, Coconut and Blueberry. I see the coconut and almond in my future! I truly deserve this type of luxury in my life.

With Mother's Day coming up, this would be a great gift idea. I promise, this is a gift any mom would love. After all, doesn't mom deserve the best? Stay connected socially with Whish on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for products updates and promotions.
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What I do with my homegrown garden cucumbers

One thing I have learned over the years is to not over-plant vegetables. In the past, we ended up with so many veggies that we couldn't even give it all away before they went bad. This time around, we planted only one or two plants of each vegetable we like and stuck to containers. One of the veggies my husband insists on each year is cucumbers. We went with pickling cukes since we prefer the crunch of them.

I love to pluck them right off the vine and give them a good rinse. I slice them up with the skin on and add sea salt, cracked pepper, vinegar and a squeeze of sriracha. Toss them up and you have a great side dish for your savory meals.

You can't get any better than eating something fresh that you grew yourself. Did you plant anything this year or do you plan to? Have you made anything yummy with your harvest?
Shelly, Mom Files
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#SmoothBlogger updates, Big Daddy style

I am participating in a campaign as a Smooth Fitness Ambassador and will be reviewing a treadmill from Smooth Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts/opinions expressed are always my own.
I wanted to update you all on my hubby's progress ever since he started his "Smooth Fitness" way of life. He has worked so hard to make sure he fits in some time in his crazy, busy schedule to get a jog or run in on the treadmill, even if it means getting up at 5:00 AM! So far he lost 6 pounds in the first 6 weeks but gained back 3 pounds. I think it was a combination of holiday festivities and stress eating that did it. He knew that it was time to get serious again.
He had to regroup and go back to eating leaner and cleaner. Thankfully, he was able to lose the 3 pounds he gained and even lost 2 more. I have to say that Dwayne really surprises me with his food choices. He is not one to eat anything he knows nothing about or sounds too trendy. One of his latest favorites (mine as well) is fat-free Greek yogurt with organic granola.

He even requests vegetarian meals and NO rice. Now that one is shocking! He can tell if he has gone a couple days without exercising on the treadmill because it shows clearly through his mood and sleep habits. Dwayne has a goal of being under 200 pounds so there is a lot of work to be done. He has 30 pounds to go right now and the whole family is cheering him on. We will celebrate his 40th birthday at the end of June on the beach so he has his work cut out for him! I will let you all know how far he gets in the next few weeks. 

Be sure to check out Smooth Fitness on the web, Facebook and Twitter to learn more about their line of treadmills and elliptical machines. 
Shelly, Mom Files
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Natural IS Better!

I have been slowly incorporating a lot more natural and organic products in my household including everything from food items to cleaning supplies. I was sent a bottle of Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser from Sibu Beauty to test out. Check out what Sea Buckthorn is here.  I have been using it for about 5 days/nights now. All I can say is WOW! I can't believe how noticeably radiant and smooth my skin is.
The texture of the cleanser reminds me of a gel-like honey with a little sugar scrub in it. It does not lather up like traditional facial cleansers but it sure does remove every bit of my make-up! I keep touching my face all day long and even my husband has noticed how beautiful my skin looks and feels. He wants to start using the facial cleanser as well. I told him he better get his OWN bottle! I need to order the moisturizer to go with it since my skin is normally a bit on the dry side. To learn more about this product check out the site as well as the Facebook and Twitter pages.

Do you use any natural beauty products?
Shelly, Mom Files
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