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!

The Most Perfect Garlic-Ginger Salmon {Recipe}

If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, you may know that I love to cook! I prepared some salmon the other day that was out-of-this-world and wanted to share the recipe with you all. This ginger-garlic salmon has so much fresh, savory flavor and pairs well with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes. My husband absolutely loved it! No lie, if we weren't already married, he would have proposed! 

Ingredients:
-Fresh salmon fillets (I used 2 very thick ones)
-1 extra-large clove of garlic
-a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled (using a spoon for peeling makes it easier)
-a small handful of fresh cilantro (you can substitute with parsley if you don't like cilantro)
-1 fresh lemon (cut up a few slices to top salmon)
-Assorted dry seasonings. Here are my favorites minus the salt.
-thin slices of salted butter

Preparation:
Set oven on high broil. Rinse salmon fillets in cold water and dry completely with paper towels. Place fish in foil-lined pan. Use a fine grater to grate garlic and ginger. Finely chop the cilantro and mix with garlic and ginger. Sprinkle seasonings on salmon to taste (do not add salt). Rub garlic, ginger and cilantro on fish, top with butter and lemon slices. Use remaining lemon to squeeze over fish. Place fish in oven under broiler until you start seeing a little brown color. Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees until cooked to your liking. If you want it a little browner, remove foil before fully cooked and let it go for a few minutes uncovered. Enjoy!

Let me know if you try this recipe. Follow the hashatags #howtokeepahusband and #momfilescooks on Instagram for recipe ideas and cooking tips.

Snackeez! Review

I received a complimentary product sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Have you seen the commercial for the Snackeez! cup? My kids (especially the teenagers) have always thought it was the coolest thing. I think the fact that they are big snackers is what makes this cup so attractive. 

Snackeez! is the all-in-one, go anywhere snacking solution. The cup holds up to 16 ounces of your favorite drink and also 4 ounces of a snack at the same time. 

They come in four fun colors and are so easy to use. My little one gave the Snackeez! a try and really loved it. He enjoyed sipping on his iced tea and was mesmerized that you can keep a snack in the top compartment. 

 

It was easy for my little guy to flip open the lid to get to his snack. I like the no-slip grip band around the cup for his smaller hands to hold on to. This makes me feel better about him not dropping it.

Check out the video of how the Snackeez! works...

Snackeez! retails for $9.99 and can be purchased online and at Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart and more. I think this would be perfect for each family member to have for road trips, movie/game nights, beach tips or anytime for that matter. This would make an ideal birthday gift, especially for the kids' classmates. You can't beat a ten dollar gift that is practical and useful. These also make great stocking stuffers or as an addition to a gift basket. Anyone of any age would enjoy this!

10 Things We Can Teach Our Children to Prevent Dog Bites

Did you know that children are the most common victims of dog bites? Many dog bites that affect children happen during everyday activities and with familiar dogs.

May 18 - 24 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has great ways to help parents and their children understand how they can prevent dog bites, so you can help your kids - and dogs-stay safe and happy!

10 Things We Can Teach Our Children to Prevent Dog Bites

1. Avoid dogs you don't know. If you see an unknown dog wandering loose and unsupervised, avoid the dog.
2. Ask before petting!  When the owner is with their dog, always ask the owner for permission to pet their pup. Even if it's a dog you know, asking first can help prevent sudden movements that may startle the dog.
3. When confronted, don't panic. If a dog confronts you, walk confidently and quietly away. If a dog goes after you, stay calm and stand still, keeping hands low and clasped in front of you. It's important to take a defensive position, so the dog won't think you are trying to harm him.
4. Don't make it worse. Avoid escalating the situation by yelling, running, hitting or making sudden movements towards the dog. All of these actions will make the dog feel threatened and can make the dog more aggressive.
5. Let sleeping dogs lie. When a dog is sleeping or eating, leave the dog alone.
6. Never tease dogs. Don't take their toys, food or treats, and never pretend to hit or kick them. This could create distrust in the dog, and make him or her more aggressive.
7. Playtime has a beginning and end. A dog has to want to play, but when the dog leaves that's your cue that playtime is over. The dog will come back for more play if he feels like it.
8. Never pull a dog's ears or tail. Pain makes a dog feel like he is in danger and he could respond by biting.
9. Dogs aren't toys. Never climb on or try to ride dogs. Not only could this scare or anger the dog, but it could also injure the dog if he cannot support the weight or tries to get away.
10. Dog crates are safe spaces. Don't bother a dog when he is in his crate. Dogs need a comfortable, safe place where the child never goes. Remember, dogs need alone time too!

Teach your children these simple lessons to reduce dog bites, and help keep your kids and pups safe, happy and healthy! For more information on preventing dog bites, visit www.avma.org.

Healthier Snacking with Nonni's #THINaddictives - Review & Giveaway

I received products samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

I'm a natural born snackaholic. I crave snacks throughout the day and always like to find something different to try. I have been a huge fan of Nonni's Biscotti for many years. I was excited about their latest product-- THINaddictives. The name was very fitting for this amazing snack. 

I received a couple boxes of THINaddictives in two varieties-- Banana Dark Chocolate and Blueberry Oat. They are jam packed with almonds and have the most crunchy texture, with a lightly sweet taste. The added blueberries, banana and dark chocolate really stand out in these almond thins. They are great with coffee or tea in the morning and can be taken on-the-go for a quick, satisfying snack you can feel good about eating. 

The new flavors maintain the product’s tradition of being made with real, wholesome ingredients, like California almonds and fruit baked into every bite. Created for those seeking a healthy indulgence, THINaddictives are:

·         Low in sugar (5 grams or less per serving)

·         Low in carbohydrates (14 grams or less per serving)

·         Low calorie (100 calories per serving)

·         Available in five delicious flavors, including Cranberry, Cinnamon Raisin, Pistachio, NEW Banana Dark Chocolate and NEW Blueberry Oat.

Nonni’s THINaddictives will host a Facebook giveaway to honor the new flavors May 19-June 1. Fans can choose whether they are “Team Banana” or “Team Blueberry” to entered for a chance to win free THINaddictives!

Be sure to connect with Nonni's THINaddictives for products updates and promotions on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Would you like to try some THINaddictives for yourself? Five Mom Files readers will each win 2 coupons good for a FREE box of THINaddictives. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on May 24, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. Five 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!