Booda Brand

We all know that one big hurtle with our little ones is communication. Whether you start early using baby signs or maybe you just repeat the same words over and over to your baby with a constipated look on your face, we all try, and try hard, to get into their little heads.

Booda Brand allows your child to make a statement that is all their own. This high quality brand of eco-friendly, eco-conscious shirts has sayings that resonate with everyone. With phrases like, I Will Make A Difference, Dream, Courage, Peace, your baby will communicate with more than grunts and giggles. Well, I say baby, but these shirts come in long and short sleeved and go from size 12m to 4t. They are working on a baby and organic line, as we speak.

And not only is Booda Brand giving our children words to say, they are also helping children across the country have books of their own to read through the Room to Read program! For every shirt that is sold, one book is donated to a child. So visit Booda Brand's website today and see their entire line. Give a child a book, give your child a voice!

"Booda Brand truly believes that education is

the key to breaking the continuous cycle of
poverty. As such we have founded a unique
business model called “One for You ,One for

Humanity!” based on the idea of reciprocity."

Childish Clothing: Review and Giveaway

Childish Clothing is a children's boutique for hip kids and hot mommas. This rock star boutique was started by Skye Hoppus, who is married to Mark from Blink182, so she really knows the rock star style. The products are available in fine boutiques and select department stores around the world, but we have a few products to giveaway on Busy Mom!
I was able to add the stylish boy's baby blanket (picture above) to Colton's room. It is of great quality and would be perfect for a baby shower gift. They come in five different colors and definately aren't your average baby blanket. I was surprised at the size, as it is as big as his crib!


Not only does Childish Clothing have hip clothes, they have fashionable jewelry, wall decor and frames, a wide selection of rockin' baby music, and candles. Busy Mom readers get a chance to win the two candles, featured below, valued at $48 each. Keep one for yourself and give the other one away as a gift! The same winner will also receive a hip baby girl blanket valued at $80. Wow, Childish Clothing is hooking you up!

Click here to go to the contest

OXO Good Grips Review

I bet many of you have an OXO appliance in your kitchen. I absolutely love the OXO Good Grips brand. I actually put many of their appliances on my wedding registry. I love that most of the products are diswasher safe and made out of stainless steel. They carry a wide variety of

kitchen gadgets and helpers such as: food storage containers, cutting boards, cleaning tools, bath accessories and much more.

I have noticed that many cookbook recipes say to cook to a certain degree. I know that your meat has to be a certain temperature for it to be safe. I never used a thermometer before, but now I think it is a handy tool. OXO's thermometer is great. It is a stainless steel digital read thermometer with a case and I use it almost everyday!

I do not have enough good things to say about OXO. We are giving away two OXO Good Grips kitchen accessories in the FORUM. Please join and check it out!

New Native Baby Carrier Review

As a Mom of an infant and a toddler, I know that life needs to be simple! Juggling a diaper bag, a pacifier, a squirmy infant, an energetic toddler and my purse can be exhausting. Give your body a break and let your hands be free with the Baby Carrier from New Native, Inc.!

The New Native Baby Carrier is one of the most popular sling-style cotton carriers on the market! The carrier is worn over one shoulder extending to the opposite hip. Featuring a reinforced curved pouch, the New Native Baby Carrier provides a secure, cozy environment for your baby or a sturdy hip seat for your toddler (up to 35 pounds). It is extremely versatile as it can be worn with the baby in front, side or back and is ideal for discreet nursing. This Baby Carrier is specifically designed to promote contact-carrying. It is super easy to wear and holds your baby securely so that you can accomplish your day-to-day activities "hands free."

New Native Baby Carrier is not only functional, it's stylish, too! The sling comes in an ever changing array of colors, is available in both organic and conventionally grown cotton, and is made right here in the USA! The carriers are available in parent sizes S through XL (smaller and larger sizes available upon request).While looking around the New Native, Inc. website, I found several other products that I would be interested in! Have you seen the adorable baby doll slings? Or the footed blanket? The website is also a wealth of fabulous resources for breastfeeding and babywearing Moms!New Native, Inc. was nice enough to send me the Baby Pouch in Cocoa Brown with Sweet Jane Trim. The first thing I noticed was that the sling was soft and very well made. Being a novice at baby-wearing, I was very excited that the product came with an instructional DVD! In no time at all, I was able to fold the sling properly and was ready to test it out in the hip wearing style for my 10 month old. I quickly realized that I couldn't take pictures for you guys if I was wearing the sling, so I had a friend of mine (who also happens to be a Pediatrician and a Mom of twin girls) help me out!This is what she had to say after testing the New Native baby Carrier:"I really like the design. It is well-made, sturdy, washable and comes in a variety of colors. While wearing my 10 month old, I find that is takes some stress off of my back and arms. Overall, I think this is a very good product."

Guest Reviewer: Bridgette from The Not-So-Blog Blog

Jimeale Review

Mama's got a brand new bag! Well, a diaper bag. But if you're a mama, a cute diaper bag is almost as good as great new handbag. With both of my boys I went with cheapy bags from Wal-Mart, so I've never had a really great, function diaper bag... until now!

I was recently sent a Jimeale diaper bag and makeup bag. The fabric is washable, but so silky. The pattern is the ultra-hip hunter style and has rich shades of blue and brown that are the in combo right now. There are ample pockets, cubbys, and a zippered outter pocket that is perfect for my mommy stuff. I love that there is a detachable bottle/sippy cup holder inside the bag. It's roomy and would fit any number of things, baby bottles, big sippy cups, or even mama's Earthlust water bottle! My matching cosmetic bag also finds plenty of room in the diaper bag!

I've also learned that the stars are in love with Jimeale! Sacha Baron Cohen was spotted toting a Jimeale diaper bag for his little one. All the more reason to get yours!

This is by far my favorite diaper bag I've ever used. It's cute and funtional which makes it great for me and every other mama. Head over to the Jimeale website and get one for yourself! Don't forget to check out the rest of the Jimeale line, which includes weekend totes, men's toiletry bags, and more!

Pistachios review & recipe

I love pistachios - there's something about cracking them open and popping them in your mouth that is comforting. Maybe having to crack them open is one of those great benefits to slowing me down and eating too many as I do with other things. Sunkist is the only Pistachio company that I had ever heard of. But last week I was given the opportunity to try out pistachios from Everybody's Nuts! and Wonderful Pistachios from Paramount Farms. I tasted the Wonderful Pistachios Roasted & Salted flavor. It was delicious. This definitely gives regular pistachios a nice touch. Then I tasted Everybody's Nuts! in the Salt & Pepper flavor (they have 3 more flavors - South of the Border, European Roast, and Roasted No Salt) and I was in love. The Salt & Pepper has a little kick to it with the garlic powder and onion powder, but I think that was the best addition to it. My father said it made it taste more like a meal and felt more filling too him. He already had me look up where he could buy more of the Everybody's Nuts! You can buy them online by the case or you can find where they carry them in your neighborhood by using the store locator.


Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti by Sofia at Skinny Kitchen
If you have a weakness for something sweet with your coffee, you’re not the only one. When I’m enjoying my Sunday morning cup of joe in bed or having some friends over for afternoon tea, I serve my famous chocolate pistachio biscotti. Everyone always asks me for the recipe, which I take as a big compliment. So here it is, my skinny biscotti. Enjoy responsibly — the serving size is one piece, not five!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1 whole egg
3 tablespoons Earth Balance butter(or another brand with low saturated fat)
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup pistachios
1/3 cup slivered almonds
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions:
Heat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Combine the flours, first two sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk with a fork until mixed. Add the eggs, butter, orange juice, and vanilla extract and beat with a mixer on medium speed until dough forms, about one minute. Stir in chocolate chips, pistachios, almonds, and grated lemon zest and mix until incorporated, about 20 seconds. Transfer dough to the baking sheet and form it into a long, flat log about 12 inches long and 1 inch thick. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and remaining brown sugar.* Bake until brown and firm, about 23 to 26 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes. Slice loaf into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange biscotti on 2 baking sheets so that they lie flat on one of the freshly-cut sides. Return to oven and bake about 6 minutes. Then turn them over and bake on other side for another 6 minutes until lightly toasted. For a crunchier biscotti, bake an additional 5 minutes. Cool. Store in an airtight container or freeze for up to three weeks.

*You can also add your favorite toppings such as coconut, cocoa, nutmeg, craisins, almond extract, etcNutrition content: Per serving (1 biscotti): 65 calories, 2.5 g fat, 9 g carbohydrate, .5 g fiber, 1 g protein

Appaman Review

Finding great new clothes for our kids feels like winning the lottery sometimes. That's who I felt when I discovered Appaman. This line gives your child "street-cred" because it's so cool. With awesome cold weather jackets, super cute tee designs, and adorable dresses with the right amount of "hip" this line meets all your cool clothing needs. Pair one of their long sleeved tees with a puffy vest and your little ones will be snug and super cute!

With affordable prices vibrant colors, unique designs, and the perfect look for any time of year, you can't go wrong with Appaman! Check out their whole line from one of the many online stores by clicking HERE!

And one lucky Busy Mom reader will win their very own Appaman tee, just like the one pictured here.Click HERE to enter!