Review of Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips

Who hasn't tried to whiten their own teeth? With all of the toothpastes, mouthwashes, paints, strips, trays, and brushes on the market designed to make your teeth brighter, I sometimes lose track of the newest and best option.

Recently, however, Bzzagent gave me the opportunity to try Listerine Quick Dissolving Whitening Strips. The results were actually pretty good!

These whitening strips come packaged individually, and the same strips can be used for top of bottom teeth (the directions will show you how to position them to be sure you have them facing the right direction.) Simply line them up with your gums, press onto your pearly soon-to-be-whites, and fold the excess strip under your teeth. In 5-10 minutes, the strip completely dissolves, and your mouth will have an "I just gargled with the strongest mouthwash EVER" feeling.

Pros: Easy to use and really does whiten! With one application I could tell a difference. With 3, I was noticeably whiter to my husband. This coffee drinker really needs a pick-me-up like this on a regular basis.

Cons: Can be irritating. I noticed that I have a lot of gumline and found it hard to perfectly line up the strip so that it covered my whole tooth, but didn't cover any gum. This resulted in a bubbly, burning sensation on the part of my gum that was covered. (It also temporarily turned it white.) This is similar to putting hydrogen peroxide directly on any part of your gums or the soft tissue in your mouth. It didn't last long, however, and once the strip completely dissolved, the tingling and whiteness went away.

Not the best tasting strip, but also not the worst. Quite possibly the easiest and least-noticeable of all the whitening products. It didn't interfere with my daily activities and was a very effective whitener. Give it a try! For more information go to Listerinewhitening.com

Available at Drugstore.com and other health and beauty retailers.

Bling Pacifiers Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Pacifiers

Units: About 1,000

Retailers: Dara Linda’s Baby Bling and Jewelry Design, of Davie, Fla.; Bling Toes, of Cherry Valley, Ill.; Baby Bling Things, of Appleton, Wis.; PeaNaPod Bling and Accessories, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and MJM Crystal Designs, of Boca Raton, Fla.

Hazard: These pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for pacifiers. The pacifiers’ crystals can separate easily, posing an aspiration and ingestion hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves pacifiers that were purchased from stores, decorated with Swarovski crystals, then resold to consumers. The crystals were glued on the pacifier's handle and guard. They come in different colors and designs.

Dara Linda’s Baby Bling and Jewelry Design

Baby Bling Swarovski Crystal Pacifiers sold on Ebay.com and Etsy.com

from June 2006 through March 2007 for between $1 and $40.

www.jewelryandbabyblingbydara.com
Call collect: (954) 600-8988
Email: lkkcreations@yahoo.com

Bling Toes

Baby Bling Swarovski Crystal Pacifiers Etsy.com

from January 2007 through February 2007 for about $35

www.blingtoes.com
Call collect: (815) 718-1280
Email: april.marsh@insightbb.com

Baby Bling Things

Bling Swarovski Pacifiers Ebay.com and Etsy.com

from July 2006 through March 2007 for between $15 and $35.

Call collect: (920) 832-9161
Email: Blingthings4you@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/babyblingthingsbowtique

PeaNapod Bling and Accessories

Bling Pacifiers Ebay.com

from September 2006 through February 2007 for between $10 and $30.

Call collect: (260) 422-3630
Ebay Web site: PeaNapod Bling and Accessories
Email: cjehyde@verizon.net

MJM Crystal Designs

Binkies by Bossman Ebay.com

from December 2006 through March 2007 for between $10 and $12.

Call collect: (561) 715-9591
Email: realta@aol.com

Note: Although these products were advertised by third parties as Swarovski products or containing Swarovski crystals, Swarovski does not manufacture these products or endorse their use.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should take these pacifiers away from young children immediately and contact the firm for instructions on obtaining a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact the firm above.

Review of Lice Free Zone from Circle of Friends

School is starting! And that also means that your child will be exposed to a whole bunch of learning, and quite possibly a case of head lice....

If you want a way to help prevent lice, and are looking for a chance to avoid the strong chemical treatments needed to get rid of the nasty little buggers, Lice Free Zone products from Circle of Friends may be for you.

I was thrilled to learn about and be able to test these products after a recent lice incident in our community. Even though we homeschool, my children come in contact with just as many kids at the library, church, playgroups, summer camps, etc. I really didn't want to have to endure the grueling process of lice treatment. We tried both the Lice Free Zone Shampoo and the Leave In Conditioner, and we were really pleased!

Tea Tree, Andiroba and Lavender Oils are the key ingredients that repel lice safely and naturally. Lemon Peel Oil acts as a natural cleanser, while Vitamin B-5 and Glycerin hydrate the hair leaving it soft, manageable and free of tangles. And who wouldn't love the pleasant and natural lavender scent?

I even used these products on my own hair. The shampoo lathered up nicely, and gave my hair a squeaky clean feel. A few sprays with the leave-in conditioner, and I could comb through my hair in a few seconds, with no residue or build up. I loved that the products even kept mosquitos and gnats away! (No one could tell that I was wearing the products, and they are safe enough for everyday.)

I highly recommend this product, and I plan on keeping it for my own personal arsenal year-round. Available at Circle of Friends website and fine boutiques across the country!

(Check back for more reviews on Circle of Friends products in the coming weeks!)

Win a Back-To-School Wardrobe from Gymboree!

The bloggers over at Loveshakbaby know how crazy it is for families to keep up with the demands of growing children, so they have partnered with Gymboree to bring you a fabulous way to get your kids ready in time for back to school.

Head on over to their contest post to learn more about how you can win one of 2 $250 Gymboree Gift Certificates!

Dog Days Winner!

Congrats to Michelle at Northofthe49 for winning our baby prize pack! Please congratulate her on being a winner, and if you would like access to more exciting prizes, please sign up for our mailing list. We will be giving out secret times to comment on specific posts for entry into exclusive giveaways from our sponsors!

Sara Lee Recalls

Bloomberg News

"Sara Lee Corp. is working with U.S. regulators to recall more than 27 kinds of whole-wheat bread that may contain pieces of metal.

The bread was sold in grocery stores in Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, the Food and Drug Administration said today in a statement.

“There may be metal in the bread as a result of a whole-wheat flour sifter screen that didn’t meet our specifications,” March Goldman, spokesman for Chicago-based Sara Lee, said in an interview.

The bread, which has a “best if purchased by” date between July 25 and Aug. 7, was sold by retailers including Piggly Wiggly, Publix Super Markets Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Goldman said. The recall involves EarthGrains, Publix, Sara Lee Delightful, Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious and several other brands that were stamped “best if purchased by” July 25, 2007, to Aug. 7, 2007, and included the code “222.”

Sara Lee runs its loaves through metal detectors before shipping to stores and none of the recalled batches set off the detectors, Goldman said. The company decided to issue the recall after Sara Lee inspectors found a sifter at its bakery in Meridian, Miss., didn’t meet company standards. Goldman declined to say how many loaves were being recalled.

Consumers can return the bread to the store where it was purchased for a refund, Sara Lee said."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Review of Children's Clothing from Bug Zoo!

I seriously have never considered myself to be to brand-loyal when it comes to children's clothing. I'll admit that if it is cute and on sale, I'll buy it! But there are a few pieces in my kids' closet that I will treasure because they are classic, beautiful, and well-made.

Every item in Bug Zoo's clothing line is just that! Adorably-made pieces are truly mix-and-match for easy dressing, and every garment is 100% African made, from 100% African grown cotton and African milled fabrics. Bug Zoo's manufacturing process is truly phenomenal. They do not make use of, nor do they support "sweatshop" manufacturing in any way. Each garment is independently manufactured on Bug Zoo's premises by highly qualified seamstresses who are paid according to each garment sewn, depending on the garment and detail that goes into each piece.

Check out the charming outfit that my 8-year-old daughter loves:



She told me that she felt like a princess in this 2-piece ensemble, but she was also happy to be able to play freely in the comfy pants and modest-fitting top! I like that there are no morning struggles to determine "which pants" go with "which shirts." We also like that there are no itchy tags, scratchy seams, or stiff-formed lines!

With sizes from baby to 7/8, you will find something whimsical for every child. You can see the new line at BugZoo.com or stop by their online store!

Pottery Barn Kids Recalls Crib Bumpers Due to Entanglement Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Matelassé Crib Bumpers

Units: About 31,000

Manufacturer: Pottery Barn Kids, of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The decorative stitching on the bumper’s edge can come loose, posing an entanglement hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Pottery Barn Kids has received two reports of incidents involving the decorative stitching coming loose. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Diamond Matelassé, Floral Matelassé and Polka Dot Matelassé crib bumpers made of 100% cotton. The Diamond Matelassé bumpers are white and have decorative thread in pink, blue, green, yellow or chocolate stitched along the scalloped edge. The Polka Dot and Floral bumpers come in assorted colors with matching decorative stitching. A label on the bumper reads “pottery barn kids”.

Sold at: Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide, its catalog, and online stores from February 2003 through June 2007 for about $90.

Manufactured in: Portugal

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the bumpers immediately and remove any exposed stitching, or contact Pottery Barn Kids for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (877) 800-9720 between 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. ET daily or visit the company’s website at www.potterybarnkids.com

Review of Kaboom!

I received the gift of housecleaning from my mother. Not that I'm bad at it. I just hate doing it. I procrastinate, waiting so long until it is just unbearable! So imagine my delight when I got to try a cleaner claiming to eliminate cleaning steps and my time!

Kaboom just introduced an awesome new product called NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System. Claiming to help reduce or even possibly eliminate the need for scrubbing with that nasty germ-infested toilet bowl brush, I was anxious to take it for a spin.

Here's what I loved about the NeverScrub:

- Out of sight and out of mind. I hooked the little guy up with the simple instructions on the box within 2 minutes. Since it resides under the tank lid, no one sees it. I like that guests can't see a nasty blue clip-on deodorizer when they visit our bathroom. (Visit the website for a video on how easy installation is.)

- Clear and clean. This is not your grandma's toilet bowl cleaner. No amazingly blue toilet water with this gadget. Just clean water every time you flush. And so far, I've eliminated my weekly super scrubbing task with the brush quite easily.

- Safe for septic tanks. This is a must where I live.

- Refillable. I haven't purchased the refills yet, but I like the idea of saving money and the environment.


The only downside to this product that I could see is what I personally consider the upside. Every time you flush, a slight bleach odor fills the air from the treated water. Now to ME, that is a good thing. It makes my husband think I just cleaned the whole bathroom. But my mother hates the smell of bleach, so for her, it's not so good. But it's really a personal preference.


One other very exciting product from the makers of Kaboom is the Shower, Tub, and Tile Cleaner. While I'm rather fond of my traditional cleaner (to remain nameless), I thought I'd give this one a shot.



My experience was good! While I am a huge fan of those chemical sprays that strip away all the grime with no scrubbing (along with some skin if you're not careful,) this cleaner worked reasonably well at taking away the grey streaking from the hard water and calcium in my shower unit. While I did have to do some minimal wiping with a damp cloth when finished, it wasn't at all as difficult as some scrubbing formulas. The best part of it was that I didn't have to run reeling and gagging from the bathroom or tell the little ones not to go in while it was soaking. I am a huge fan of using a product that doesn't cause a gas-chamber effect in my bathroom. (Pregnant gals take note!)

Kaboom has a bunch of other products, too. I'll be keeping my eye out and letting you know what I find!

Happy Cleaning!

Review of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Who doesn't remember Madeleine L'Engle's timeless tale of the man with red eyes and and little Charles Wallace? I was only a 5th grader when I first heard the words from the pages of my all-time favorite children's novel. A captivating alternative to the Harry Potter franchise, A Wrinkle in Time offers a glimpse at the universe from the eyes of the inquisitive and innocent. Is it any wonder that this award-winning book is still popular with today's kids?

Here is my favorite excerpt:

"Life:

It is a very strict form of poetry is it not?

There are fourteen lines, I believe, all in iambic pentameter. That's a very strict rhythm or meter, yes?

And each line has to end with a rigid rhyme pattern. And if the poet does not do it exactly this way, it is not a sonnet, is it?

Calvin: You mean you're comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but freedom within it?

Yes. You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you."

Now available in a textbook compilation, this boxed set includes the original Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet (which won the American Book Award), and Many Waters.

For ages 9 and up, this could be a much-loved addition to your homeschool curriculum or family library! Available at Amazon and other textbook suppliers.

Dog Days are Here!

I'm so excited! The Dog Days of Summer Giveaways start today! If you are not familiar, then check out the how to here. Basically, its a way for you to win tons of stuff from so many bloggers, it's ridiculous!

My prize for the giveaway is an awesome baby/toddler prize pack full of great surprises! Included in the loot is: Sesame Street Magic Sounds Molecule toy, Blue Jean Teddy Baby Book, Baby Einstein books and learning cards, Huggies Cleanteam detangler, Huggies Extra-Sensitive Disposable Washcloths, and some fun product samples and goodies! You don't want to be left out!



Just post a comment here on anything in the world! We will be drawing one winner this Friday, July 27th at 8 p.m. And for more exciting giveaways, please head over to Rocks In My Dryer for the complete list of all the Dog Days blogs giving away cool swag! (You do NOT need to be a blogger to enter, but you DO need to live in the continental U.S. to receive my prize.)

And while you're here, check out my sponsor giveaway for 2 free movie tickets to the show of your choice!

Thanks and good luck!

Blogger Giveaway Going On!

CONGRATULATION TO LAURA! She has been notified. Thanks so much to all who participated!

Lille Punkin' would like to thank all of the hardworking bloggers out there who have partnered with us to bring great product and recall information to so many families! As a special treat to one lucky blogger, we are offering a fun prize pack now through August 12th! The prize includes the new American Idol All Star Challenge DVD game! I'll also be throwing in some fun product samples and beauty supplies! You will not be disappointed!

All you have to do is post a link to this contest with a brief description of what we offer here at Lille Punkin! (For those of you who are new, check out our mission statement!)

Drop a comment below letting me know the link location, and you're all set! The lucky winner will be drawn on August 13th, and I will be contacting you to see where to send your prize!

Dog Days of Summer Starts Monday!!!

Check back on Monday at 10 am to find out what we'll be giving away as part of the "Bloggy Giveaway!" Dozens of other bloggers will be joining the festivities and many prizes will be given away! Maybe you'll be lucky!

Win $300 of Free Dairy Products from Horizon Organic!

Yep! You could be the lucky winner of 60 gift certificates for FREE Horizon Organic dairy products (approx $300 value!!). Horizon Organic has a well-known commitment to organic farming AND it offers fantastic organic dairy products like their new DHA Omega-3 milk, the only organic milk enhanced with an Omega-3 fatty acid that helps support heart, brain and eye health.

Check out the contest at 5 Minutes for Mom blog.

Castleberry's Announces Voluntary Recall of Chili Products

Augusta, Georgia -- July 18, 2007 – Castleberry's Food Company today announced that it is voluntarily recalling the following products: Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030099533), Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 1111083942), Morton House Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 7526665830), Cattle Drive Chili with Beans, 15 oz can (UPC 3030001515), Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 0788015360), Meijer Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 4125095229), Castleberry's Chili with Beans, 15 oz can (UPC 3030001015), Castleberry's Barbecue Pork, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000402) and Bunker Hill Chili No Beans, 10 oz can (UPC 7526604112).

Castleberry's is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate possible contamination of these products with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness. Botulism can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

This recall only affects the products listed above with a "best by" date of APR30 2009 through MAY22 2009. The "best by" date can be found either on the top or bottom of the can. Consumers who have any of these products should discard them. Consumers should not use these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled. Consumers may return the label to the location where the product was purchased for a full refund.

Castleberry's was notified by the FDA of four potential cases of botulism involving individuals who ate these products. "We are taking this precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our consumers," said Steve Mavity, SVP Technical Services/Quality Assurance for Castleberry's. "We will continue to work closely with the FDA, USDA, and CDC."

Consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry's website (http://www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry's consumer hotline at 1-888-203-8446.

Review of Stride Rite Superball Shoes

I'll admit that there are so many adorable shoes out there. And while I secretly yearn for the joy of picking out some pink patent leather mary janes or some Hello Kitty sandals for a tiny little girl, I will have to be content with the world of shoe shopping for boys. (My only daughter is 8, and can insist on picking out her OWN shoes.)

I had the opportunity to try a pair of Superball shoes from Stride Rite, and I ordered a pair that would fit me! (I ordered a boy's size that was comparable to my women's size 7.5) After wearing these unique shoes for about a week, here is what I have to report:

The shoes were a comfortable fit. Wider around the base, but easily tightened by the grippy laces, they were quickly "broken in" to fit my feet perfectly. They were breathable, and my feet didn't get as hot in them as in some of my other tennis shoes. A walk around the block a few times proved that they had a nice cushion in the soles, but they were firm enough to jog or walk across harder surfaces.

As far as balance goes, I have been walking for some time and was unsure how the superball effect assisted me with my center of gravity. I did feel that they were lighter than most athletic shoes, and this seemed to keep me from leaning too much while going uphill.

The wild colors seem to draw a little attention to this MaMa of 4, but on a child, the bright patterns would most definitely seem natural. (And in my house, brighter colored shoes are more easily found in the yard before the mower gets to them.)

Overall, I think these are just the high-quality athletic shoe you would some to expect from Stride Rite. Available at all Stride Rite retailers for $54-56 in sizes 7 "Boys" to 7 "Big Boys".

CVS/pharmacy Announces Recall of Playskool Sippy Cups

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Playskool Toddler “NoSpill” Sippy Cups

Units: About 84,000

Importer: CVS/pharmacy, of Woonsocket, R.I.

Hazard: Young children can chew through the plastic spout of the sippy cup, which can pose a choking hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 36 reports of toddlers chewing through the plastic spout of the sippy cup, resulting in one choking incident and three near-choking incidents. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Playskool Toddler “NoSpill” Sippy Cup. The 8-ounce cup is clear plastic with red trim, red and yellow handles, and a yellow tip; blue trim, blue and green handles and a green tip; or purple trim, purple and aqua handles, and an aqua tip. The serial number of the recalled cups is 382814, which appears on the back of the packaging.

Sold by: CVS stores nationwide from September 2006 through April 2007 for about $5.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop their children from using the cup immediately and return it to any CVS store for a refund, or throw the product away and bring a proof of purchase of the product to any CVS store for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact CVS/pharmacy toll-free at (866) 434-0098 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit CVS/pharmacy’s Web site at www.cvs.com, or e-mail the company at playskoolinfo@cvs.com

LUVS Fans Rejoice!

OK, I admit that I once was a LUVS diapers groupie. Let's face the fact that they are quite possibly the highest-quality diaper for the price. Leakwise, they stood up to the Big Boys (Pampers and Huggies.) Then I had boys, and I really had a hard time keeping them on. My boys would pull them off, they didn't fit right for my broadest boy, and we were sad to have to switch to the higher-priced Pampers (with caterpillar flex). The boys' little tummies just kept growing and changing through the day, making the Pampers the best bet.

Living in a town of less than 2,000 people, I found it impossible to even buy Pampers anywhere but online. So I gradually made the switch to the Huggies Supreme for quick trips to the store. But my heart was really missing the LUVS.

Then I found out the most amazing news! LUVS now features their version of the stretchy tabs "Bear-Hug Stretch!" YEAH! With the newest design not available everywhere yet, I'll anxiously wait. The low price at my local store, paired with the Sunday paper coupons will have this 3-diaper family singing SAVINGS!!

Are you excited about the news? Are you loyal to one diaper brand? Tell us, and we'll publish the results later in the month!

Review of Graco Pack N' Play

I don't know a single parent living in an industrialized society that hasn't heard of a Graco Pack N' Play. But just in case you haven't (or your model is outdated), I'm going to tell you about the best purchase under $100 that I have ever made for my new baby.

The Pack N' Play is a portable playpen (or playard as the PC term), bassinet, and changing table in one. As the models have improved over the years, they now include some handy features such as diaper organizer, night lights, toy bars, mobiles, music players, quilted mattress pads, and bumper pads. There is also a huge range of colors and styles guaranteed to match any nursery or living decor.

I purchased my Bancroft Pack N' Play last fall before Baby Moses was born. I had one before years ago, but wasn't prepared for the improvements in the models they make now. The push-button folding is amazing! It is lighter (less than 30 lbs) and has wheels to easily move the unit from room to room without folding. It takes up less room than a crib and is perfect for our already crowded boys' room.

Perhaps Graco's best product ever, the Pack N' Play comes fully equipped and ready to use. You can buy it at most retailers at under $100 for most models. Amazon will ship it for free with no sales tax!

Review of Highlights: Fun With a Purpose Magazine

As part of our Required Reading Series, I wanted to take a moment to share one of our family's favorite magazines: Highlights for Children. I'm sure that you are no stranger to Highlights. I remember reading it when I was a child, and so I was thrilled when my daughter picked up a copy at the local library and began sitting for hours on the couch reading through the issue.

With classic favorites such as Hidden Pictures, Goofus and Gallant, Ask Arizona, Fun Crafts, and Nature Watch, Highlights continues to educate and entertain after 60 years of making kids smile!

Highlights' mission:

This magazine of wholesome fun is dedicated to helping children grow in basic skills and knowledge, in creativeness, in ability to think and reason, in sensitivity to others, in high ideals and worthy ways of living—for children are the world's most important people.

I am excited to watch my kids grow to love reading as I did, and I welcome the opportunities that Highlights gives them. Highlights comes monthly, and a one year subscription costs under $30. Visit their website for more details!

Gerber Recalls Organic Baby Cereals

Lille Punkin just learned that the Gerber Organic Infant Cereal varieties that we recently did a review on have been recalled. The full report from the Associated Press is below:

"WASHINGTON (AP) - Gerber Products Co. recalled all packages of its organic rice and organic oatmeal cereals Friday because of potential clumping of the baby food, which can pose a choking hazard.

Gerber said it has received complaints of choking but no reports of injury.

The company said a "limited quantity" of the cereals could contain lumps that do not dissolve in water or milk. The cereals were distributed nationwide and to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Food and Drug Administration compliance officer Sandra Williams said the agency was aware of the voluntary recall "and we concur."

Gerber spokesman David Mortazavi said the company was recalling 306,760 packages of organic rice cereal and 167,724 packages of organic oatmeal cereal.

All codes of the two products, sold in 8-ounce boxes, are being recalled. The organic rice cereal UPC code is 15000 12504 and the organic oatmeal cereal UPC code is 15000 12502.

The baby food should be not be eaten, and customers can call the Gerber parents resource center at 800-443-7237 or 231-928-3000 to return the product and receive a full refund.

Gerber dominates the U.S. baby-food market, with the company holding a 79 percent share, according to Morgan Stanley.

In April, Switzerland's Novartis AG agreed to sell Gerber to Nestle SA for $5.5 billion. Gerber is based in Parsippany, N.J."

FOR UP-TO-DATE RECALL INFORMATION ON FUTURE RECALLS, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED!

Need to Save on Diapers?

Online savings sites are a dime a dozen. With everyone scrambling to be the most up-to-date authority on the best buys for diapers and formula, it can get overwhelming. Looking at store ads, clipping coupons, searching Froogle, and buying in bulk are all good ways to get the lowest price on these essentials.

But wouldn't you love if someone else did the legwork for you? Babycheapskate is that site! Babycheapskate gives detailed lists of the best pre-coupon deals on diapers & formula over the past 20 mos. at these retailers: Kroger, Publix, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, & Target. Really useful links are provided for the best shopping deals everywhere!

Review of Melissa and Doug Vehicle Sounds Wooden Puzzle

My two oldest boys are now 2 and 3, and shopping for presents can be overwhelming. There is just SO much to buy these days. I was really looking for something simple but stimulating while shopping for Christmas last year, and puzzles really seemed the way to go.

At the same time, I knew that it was a lot to expect little boys to sit very long doing one puzzle. And they were very envious of their cousin's battery-operated video games and monster trucks. In comes the Melissa and Doug Vehicle Sounds Wooden Puzzle. I bought this beauty from Baby Browns online store, and I couldn't have been happier.

The puzzle is made from high-quality wood pieces (think back to peg puzzles when you were a kid.) The best part is that every time a little one gets the right piece in the right spot -- animal sounds galore! It's rewarding for little ones to keep trying, and this puzzle brought giggles and cheers of "I did it Mom!" from my boys!

Featuring a firetruck, helicopter, ambulance, motorcycle (my favorite), sports car, train, airplane, and boat to encourage fun and learning, this is STILL a favorite in my family that will hold up until my youngest is old enough to play with!

Win a Blessing For your Baby!

Blessed Baby has the most adorable onesies with a more gentle take on life! Wouldn't your little one look adorable in a "Blessed Baby" or "Faith Baby" piece? If so, check out Drea's website for a chance to win!

Review of Weleda Body Oils

I never was a "spa" kind of girl. Not that I didn't want to be, but I just never took the time to learn about the benefits of aromatherapy, massage, and all that goes along with it. I had my first spa experience last year, and let me tell you, I was missing out.

Ever since that fateful day, I have been looking for ways to enjoy the pampering spa experience at home. Not only does it help me to unwind, but there are also some health benefits to using essential oils in your daily beauty routine.

Weleda Body Oils now has a variety of essential oils for every possible occasion. I am a big fan of the Birch Cellulite Oil and the Arnica Massage Oil. Both smell terrific, and are made from all-natural high-quality essential oils.

Weleda also offers some terrific bath and baby products! Their Baby Tummy Oil Tablets relax and nurture baby and the tummy area. Ideal for use after feeding to relieve colic and other disturbances. Sweet Almond Oil gently nurtures the skin, and natural essential oils of Marjoram, Roman Chamomile and Cardamom have traditionally been used to soothe the digestion. Also try their Nursing Tea and Diaper Cream!

Available at Amazon and online health retailers!

Win a Classic Shirt from Layers and Tip Junkie!

Search no more! These tops are high enough on top and long enough in the back. Yet they are fun, sliming, and on trend. With over 10 colors to choose from, there is sure to be one you'll love?


Want to win one? Tip Junkie and Executive Homemaker is giving one away ( a value of $17) to a lucky winner! Just go to Tip Junkie and post that you want to win! (Be sure to mention that Lille Punkin' sent you to be sure your entry counts!)

SwaddleMe from Kiddopotamus

You've just brought your baby home from the hospital and he/she needs swaddling. You pull out the adorable receiving blanket your received as a gift and start to mummify your little one into a nice snug hold. Fiddling around to nurse, you realize that your baby is starting to come unwrapped! How did those hospital nurses do it so easily?

After 4 babies, I am still no swaddler. I know the benefits of swaddling well: better sleep, more content babies, and a feeling of security similar to that in the womb. I needed an easier way to get my baby bundled - safely and quickly!

Kiddopotamus offers a brilliant product called "SwaddleMe" for those of us with less-than-perfect swaddling skills. A blanket made to wrap and hold baby, it uses velcro to secure the wrap and keep baby snug. SwaddleMe comes in cotton, fleece, flannel, and organic blends. Starting at preemie sizes on up, there is a perfect fit available for any birthweight infant.

What I love most about my SwaddleMe is the easy access slit in the material for buckling your baby in the carseat! Having a January baby in Nebraska meant brutal cold conditions for the first few well-baby checks. Wrapping the baby FIRST, and then putting him in the carseat was so much easier and safer.

SwaddleMe is available at Amazon and other online retailers.

Infantino Recalls Children's Toy Castle

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Shape Sorting Toy Castles

Units: About 68,000

Manufacturer: Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic rod can come loose allowing the colored counting beads to slide off of the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Infantino has received four reports of children nearly choking on the colored beads after putting them in their mouths.

Description: The recalled toy castles have counting beads, four play figures and several different shapes and letters that fit into holes in the castle. “infantino®” is printed in the lower right-hand corner of the side with the letters. The recall only includes castles with the following date codes: 5349, 6087, 6132 and 0906. Castles with other date codes, no date code or with a plastic rod attached with a metal screw are not included in this recall. The date code is stamped on the underside of the blue top and can be viewed through the top square shape or top “A” letter openings.

Sold at: Wal-Mart, Target, Marshalls, Meijers and other specialty toy retailers nationwide from January 2006 through May 2007 for about $12.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toy away from young children immediately and contact Infantino for instructions on how to return the product for a free replacement. A free return shipping label can be accessed on the firm’s Web site.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call Infantino toll-free at (888) 808-3111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at service.infantino.com

Required Reading: The Toddler's Busy Book

We had such a great response to last week's book feature, that we will be doing a Monday spotlight on a new book each and every week. Consider it Required Reading!

Are you pulling your hair out with keeping your toddler busy? Do you spend more time saying "No, No!" and cleaning up messes than anything else in your day? This book is a lifesaver, and I am a huge fan!

This book contains 365 activities for one-and-a-half to three-year-olds (Although my almost four-year-old loves it) using things found around the home. It shows parents and day-care providers how to:

• Prevent boredom during the longest stretches of indoor weather with ideas for indoor play, kitchen activities, and arts and crafts projects.
• Stimulate a child's natural curiosity with entertaining math, language, and motor-skills activities.
• Encourage a child's physical, mental, and emotional growth with ideas for fun music, food, water, and outdoor activities.
• Keep toddlers occupied during long car trips or cross-town errands.

These activities take very little, if any preparation, and can really save a life. For example, today we enjoyed making our own bubble solution from dish soap and water, and we fashioned neato bubble pipes from drinking straws and electrical tape.

This book is small and portable, so you can stick it in a diaper bag for inspiration at your next doctor's appointment or even church (don't tell any one I said that.)

The Toddler's Busy Book is available at Amazon. Also available is the Preschooler's Busy Book!

Service Saturday - WIC Program

WIC: Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The WIC Program serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

Some of the offerings of the program include:

• Supplemental nutritious foods
• Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics
• Screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services

Women and children participating in the program can expect to receive supplemental food vouchers for healthy items such as milk, juice, cereal, eggs, beans, cheese, carrots, and tuna. Infants participating in the programs may receive formula, cereal, or juice.

If you or someone you know may need assistance providing healthy meals for their family, please visit the WIC website for the toll-free number in your area.

The Cute Kid Sponsor for July and Free Movie Tickets!

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to Sheryl! She has been emailed with the codes for 2 movie tickets to the show of her choice! Please check out the new giveaway for August!

I am pleased to announce that The Cute Kid is our sponsor for July! If you are not already familiar with their program, please check them out!

You've captured that special moment, your children are uniquely beautiful and you want to share them with the world! Why not take a chance on winning great prizes in an online baby photo contest! Membership includes:

• A Fun Place to Share & Store CuteKid™ Photos
• Exposure to National Talent and Casting Agents
• Chances to be Selected for Prizes
• Discounts and Special Offers
• Free Gifts from CuteKid™ Sponsors
• Share in The Cutekid™ Community



And Lille Punkin' Wants You to Win movie tickets for two (Hollywood Movie Cash redeemable for 2 tickets)! All you have to do is comment at this post on what movie you would like to see this summer, and you'll be entered! Only one entry per person, please. You have until July 30th to enter, and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter. (Please either leave your email address in your post or have a blogger profile I can reach you at.)

Bloggers can receive 5 BONUS ENTRIES by posting about this contest with a link to this contest. Either comment below with your link or email me to get your extra entries!

Thanks, and be sure to give some link love to our sponsor!

Are You Hopelessly Disorganized?

Well, if you are, take heart! I have my eye on a new little gizmo from NeatReceipts that can really help you get your stuff together! And for just a short while longer, by visiting 5 Minutes for Mom and letting them know what you would use your NeatReceipt Scanalizer for, you could win one (a $200 value!)Personally, there would be no end to the things I would have my Scanalizer do for me. I'm thinking that my fave would be to scan recipes from my favorite magazines for easy storage on my PC. What would you use yours for?

All Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent

I do laundry. Lots of laundry. With 4 kids and a husband who works the cubicle by day and the tool shed by night, there are as many as 10 different outfits being washed in my household a day. And they are usually very, very gross.

I go through so much laundry detergent that we were, for a while, buying the 1 billion oz tubs from the warehouse stores. Then I found All Small & Mighty.

This wonder detergent comes in several varieties, but my favorite is the blue bottle -- or the stainlifter. Just one small bottle (fits easily on any shelf) holds 32 oz of liquid detergent and washes 32 loads! And you can kiss your stain pretreater goodbye! I can get car grease, baby carrots, poopy diaper ricochet, and blood completely out of most any piece of clothing with just a small dab of this stuff before throwing it in the wash. And the one bottle lasts and lasts!

All Small & Mighty comes in Stainlifter, Fresh Rain, Wild & Fresh, Bleach Alternative, Essence of Snuggle, and Free and Clear varieties! Available at Amazon and other retailers!

***Instant Savings: Save $15 instantly when you spend $59 or more on All Small & Mighty and other select laundry products offered by Amazon.com Enter code ALLJULY7 at checkout. Offer expires July 31, 2007. SHIPS FREE!

The Body Shop and Vera Bradley Giveaway!

Sheena's The Body Shop Site and Pinks and Blues want you to win a special gift for the girls! You can receive an adorable Vera Bradley Nantucket Navy “Little Betsy” purse with matching Vera Bradley Nantucket Navy coin purse. Included in this fantastic prize is The Body Shop’s delightful summer favorite, Coconut Body Butter, to moisturize your delicious summer skin.

You have until Monday, July 9th at 8pm EST to get your comments in to win! So head on over to Pinks and Blues and comment on their blog to have your entry count! This prize has a retail value of $90 and is sure to make your summer sizzle!

Arm in Arm by Remy Charlip

Did you have a book growing up that just fit you? Did you treasure it so much and then leave it behind when you left home? Well, I again found my treasured childhood book, and I just have to share it with you!

Arm in Arm: A collection of Connections, Endless Tales, Reiterations, and Other Echolalia by Remy Charlip is a book not easily described. With amazing prose, beautiful illustrations, clever riddles, and styles that remind of Alice in the Looking Glass, "Arm in Arm" is a delight to read over and over again.

An original product of the 60's and an multiple award winning jewel, this book is as simple as it is beautiful. Republished in 1997 for a new generation of inquisitive minds, the imagery and use of language to create a visual tale will capture readers of all ages.

Won't you see for yourself? "Two octopuses got married and walked down the isle arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm."


Available at Amazon and other book retailers.