First Lady Launches Let’s Move

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Yesterday, our First Lady, Michelle Obama, unveiled the nationwide campaign Let’s Move, which aims to tackle childhood obesity. This campaign is geared to engage every sector that impacts the health of our kids, giving schools, families and communities the tools to help everyone be more active, eat better and get healthy.

Mrs. Obama unofficially initiated this campaign when she broke ground on the White House organic Garden last year. In a NYT article, Mrs. Obama said, the main purpose of the garden will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at a time when obesity and diabetes have become a national concern.

Soon after, Mrs. Obama appeared on an episode of Sesame Street touting the importance of fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy eating habits.

The Let’s Move Campaign will emphasize four major facets, all of which underline the changes needed to combat childhood obesity:

Helping Parents Make Healthy Family Choices

Serving Healthier Food in Schools

Accessing Healthy, Affordable Food

Increasing Physical Activity

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Give Your Heart a Valentine

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The PBS Kids web property, Fizzy’s Lunch Lab, has launched a fun music video, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Give Your Heart a Valentine” is an ode to your actual heart, as in the organ that thumps in your chest. Just like all the interesting concepts that come from Fizzy’s Lunch Lab, the music video combines education and a little bit of fun. This new music video provokes kids to learn the significance of the heart and the benefit of healthy eating decisions.

In addition to all the sweet and lovey fun this week for Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out this video and give a little love to your heart!

text4baby Launches

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

To further prove just how digital our world has become, the White House announced the launch of a new mobile health service for pregnant women and new moms that distributes helpful tips timed to their pregnancy or age of baby a text.  

Text4baby is an educational program that was spearheaded by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, which is a resource in maternal and child health.

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Spread the Love (Birds) with Glug Collection

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, love is surely in the air.  Sure,  some people consider Valentine’s Day a Hallmark holiday, but it’s still a great excuse to spread a little extra love for the littlest sweethearts.

While perusing the web for some Valentine’s Day gift ideas, I actually came across a really sweet line of modern children’s clothing by Glug Collection.  The name, itself, is catchy and so are their designs.

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Happy Birthday, Elmo! And a Review of the Monster Maker

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but today is America’s favorite fuzzy red monster’s birthday.

Yup, Elmo turns 3 today (again, I know!) Happy Birthday, big guy!

In honor of Elmo’s birthday, I thought I’d mention this new app released by Sesame Workshop, which just so happens to feature the birthday boy himself.

Elmo’s Monster Maker App, which is now available on iTunes, is an app where kids of all ages can create their own monster. With all the different body parts, the choices are limitless as to how many unique monsters can be created. With this app, kids become more aware of several different body parts, with a little Sesame Street-style creativity.

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Ziggy Marley Wins Grammy for Family Time

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Last night, our family enjoyed watching the Grammys, which was, perhaps, one of our most favorite award shows in a long time.  Amidst all the fabulous winners, crazy and entertaining performances, there were, of course, a few relevant categories to NKT.

To be a little more specific, Ziggy Marley won the Grammy for best musical album for children.  Marley, now a five-time Grammy Award winner after last night’s win, released his Family Time cd in May 2009.  The album is a diverse collection of reggae-influenced songs.

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Happy National Puzzle Day!

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

In case you weren’t aware, today is National Puzzle Day.  (I wasn’t aware at all, but now I am.)  With that in mind, I’m reminded by how many really great puzzle sets that are out there.  Did any of you play with puzzles growing up?  I know we did.  I remember playing with whatever character du jour and putting it all together piece-by-piece, and feeling so accomplished when I finally laid the finally piece.

My mother-in-law, in fact, has done a great job of keeping many of my husband and his siblings’ old puzzles.  So, when the grandkids get together, all of whom range in age 17 to 2 years old, it’s fun to see them play with these puzzles together.

National Puzzle Day is said to encourage family togetherness, as well as encourage the skills that are involved in putting together puzzles:  reasoning, concentration and teamwork, among others.

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Toys ‘R’ Us Kicks Off Another Great Trade-In Event

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With our kids’ and babies’ safety in mind, Toys ‘R’ Us is re-launching its Great Trade-In Event today.  Just like the popular campaign that took place in September 2009, TRU is, once again, urging consumers to bring in old and used baby gear that may pose as safety hazards for the wee ones.

The Great Trade In Event kicks off today and lasts until Saturday, February 20.  For the fine print, the company said:

Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us stores will accept returns of any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards, high chairs and toddler beds in exchange for a 25% savings on the purchase of any new baby item, in any of these product categories, from select manufacturers.

With several recent stroller and drop-side crib recalls that have made news in the past few weeks, it seems like it’s a good time as ever to do a trade-in.  That 25% off is certainly a great initiative to shop and to keep the kiddies safe in the process.

Baby Bites: Plum Organics and YoBaby Tout New Offerings

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Organic baby food brand, Plum Organics, has announced its latest addition to its growing product line.  The company added the Just line, which includes six single-fruit purees of USDA organic baby food made with 100 percent fruits. (Hence, the just part)  The Just fruit options include apples, peaches, pears, bananas, pears and mangoes are exempt of any added sugar, juice, colors of artificial flavors.

The Just line joins Plum Organic’s Fruit and Veggie Blends and Mish Mash, which are also packaged in their portable pouch.  Plum Organics is available at Babies R Us/Toys R Us at $1.19 – $1.29 for a 3.17oz. single pouch and $7.19 – $7.29 for a single variety 6-count box.  Plum Organics will soon be available at Buy Buy Baby, HEB, Food Lion, and online at Target.com, Diapers.com, and Drugstore.com.

 

One of our family’s staples, Stonyfield Farms, announced that they’re heeding moms’ advice.  By popular request, Stonyfield Farms  has introduced YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals in 4-ounce multipacks.   The smaller servings, that are perfect for traveling and snacktime, come in pear & green bean, peach & squash, apple & sweet potato.

YoBaby Meals multipacks, priced around $2.99, can be found in natural food stores and select grocery stores.

BabySmart Cooshee Changer is Comfy and Convenient

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With the NY Toy Fair less than three weeks away, I’ve been starting to get my game plan in order.  While I research new companies and new products, I will be posting some picks that I find along the way.  This product is one that I found while reviewing the exhibitor list.

As a parent, there’s nothing less desirable than changing diapers—well, besides cleaning up barf.  But nevertheless, smart products make these tasks much easier to bear.  A line from yet another mompreneur, Cooshee products from BabySmart are constructed from micro-cell foam, which gives them their soft, yet sturdy frame.

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