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A few days ago I did a review for Cucuyo Design's Honu Travel Blanket and absolutely loved it. The company contacted me and wanted to offer a 20% discount to readers for use on the Cucuyo site!
Check out their site - they have adorable must-haves for any parents on the go, and now are even more affordable with this exclusive cupon code:
20% off with the code "R&R" that expires July 28th
Don't look so suspicious, baby, it's a good sale.
Have Blanket, Will Travel
As a new mom, I feel like I am constantly shuttling baby’s belongings from point A to point B, then to point C, and back again - all while carrying the baby that goes along with all that gear. What I have found is that most baby items are big, bulky, and never were intended to leave the house. Since shutting ourselves in for the baby months doesn’t work for hubby and me, we are constantly on the lookout for products that can travel with us. Ideally, these products are baby approved and something we don’t mind being seen with in public.
You’d be surprised how many items don’t fit these small requirements, and how many awkward and ugly things us parents are forced to cart around. Lucky for us, Cucuyo makes some of the cutest and functional baby products on the market. Their designs are perfect for any parent that has plans to leave the homestead at any point in the first few years and will be taking baby with.
The gals behind Cucuyo (cu cu yo) Designs completely understand that parenting often happens on the go, and have created the Honu Travel Blanket that we are absolutely in love with. The Honu Travel Blanket is 30” x 30” when laid out, and makes a perfect stroller blanket, medium sized snuggler or car seat cover-up. The Honu combines a super soft and adorable flannel exterior with a 100% real Muppet fur* fleece lining that is impossible not to nuzzle.
But, the best part is what makes the Honu a Travel Blanket as opposed to just a regular adorable fleece and flannel blanket. Hidden in the contrasting fabric around the edge of the blanket is a sewn-in water resistant pouch that the entire blanket stuffs into and zips up to make it a compact 9.5” L x 7.5” W x 3.5” D squishable pillow, ready for any kind of travel.
It is perfect for throwing into the diaper bag, overnight bag or even your extra large “mom purse” without completely taking over the bag. Likewise, it’s also a great fit for toting around in the car, stroller or in the great outdoors without having to worry about keeping the blanket clean and dry. But, if the worst (chocolate ice cream) should happen, just know the Honu is completely washable, and will launder as good as new. Because you have plenty to worry about when you realize you can’t possibly take the bouncy chair, exersaucer and swing with you everywhere.
Random Rave: When using the Honu unfolded, the zippered pouch can still be used to store small items that tend to get lost on the go. It is the ideal spot for a change of clothing, some extra diapers, or even a few soft toys and a pacifier without detracting from the usefulness of the blanket in any way. As baby gets older, I think she will really enjoy zipping a few on-the-go treasures inside as well as using the pouch-stuffed blanket as a makeshift pillow for long car trips.
Price: $48
Looks: Even hubby and I can agree these blankets are adorable, which means that it tends to get used twice as much as our other blankets.
Overall: I am officially in love.
* None of Jim Henson’s Muppets were harmed in the making of the Honu Travel Blanket.
Thank you to cu cu yo for sending the Honu to be reviewed and adored.
It’s no secret I love shopping. But, know what I love more than shopping? Bargain shopping! Hubby and I have an ongoing competition of who can out-save the other. The one catch of this game is that you actually have to need what you buy. No leopard print tap dancing shoes that just happen to be 90% off and no buy-one-get-one ceramic French Fry holders. Which is why one of our favorite places for bargains and deals is our local outlet center, Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip. Our outlet center is a beautiful new Chelsea Premium Outlets location recently built in the Seattle suburbs. This center is single handedly responsible for 90% of baby’s wardrobe and a good chunk of hubby’s and my sale bragging rights.
Some favorite finds: Calphalon CS Non-stick cookware that was indiscernibly flawed, and 65% off as a result, a ridiculously high end but surprisingly inexpensive refurbished 400 disc Sony DVD player that could potentially enable us to watch movies for 42 straight days without having the inconvenience of getting off the sofa.
And then there’s the clothing, handbags, shoes, baby goods, sportswear, jewelry and more that comprise the bulk of our shopping bargains, including one sweater that might have to be buried with me when I go and a whole closet full of super soft clothing that I sneak into hubby’s wardrobe at every holiday.
Since Father’s Day is just around the corner, I have been brainstorming what I’m going to wrap up for him and really looking forward to their nationwide Memorial Day sales of 25% - 65% off their already braggable bargains. The sale runs from May 22nd to May 25th and with stores like the Sony Outlet, Bose, The Gap, Fossil, Restoration Hardware, Puma, Banana Republic Factory Store, Adidas and more*, it is bound to offer numerous Father’s Day gift ideas as well as something for you and the kiddos. Some of the outlet centers are even offering extended sale hours so you have maximum chances of scoring a deal. Check the sales at your local Chelsea Premium Outlets below:
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/sales/
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/
* Not all stores are available at all locations, and you should check your local Outlets here to help you plan your trip.
Images of Chelsea Premium Outlets are compliments of CPGI's website
Made with NeverWake™ Technology, because everyone knows better than to wake a sleeping baby
Every parent always jokes that babies should come with a manual and it’s always met with polite laughter. But, tell a group of parents how much you hate your thermometer and you will be met with a chorus of agreement. And for a good reason - up until recently, the standard thermometer on the market took 60 seconds. That’s 60 screeching, wiggling, wailing, kicking, back arching, ear splitting seconds, if you can get the thermometer positioned to get a temperature in the first place. All that to get one number that may or may not be compromised by said wailing, kicking, and wiggling.
Which begs the question what if your thermometer was more than a thermometer? Well, then it’s a ThermoFocus, a new 5-in-1 temperature wizard that does more than tell you when someone’s sick. It tells you just how sick, in a super fast and extremely accurate little device that requires no skin contact to get a reading. And then it tells you if you need to turn up the thermostat in your room, get some more ice for your 7-up, or wait a bit longer for your chicken noodle soup to cool. And then when hubby gets home, you can tell him just how sick his dear wife was by scrolling through the 9 memorized temperatures to garner sympathy. Just don’t mistakenly claim the chicken noodle soup reading is your own. Hubby is much, much smarter than that.
So, what is this ThermoFocus and what are the 5 ways it can make your life easier? The ThermoFocus is a “No Touch” Infrared Thermometer that measures any temperature in mere moments, all without coming into contact with the subject or item, whether that is people, ambient temperatures, food, bathwater, beverages or more. No contact means you can quickly and easily take the temperature of anything, or anyone. Having already done two around the clock temperature watches in 11 months, the first thing that came to mind was not having to wake the baby to get her readings, which I was thrilled about.
When I started thinking about the thermometer in terms of its true potential, I realized how much a no contact thermometer is a great leap forward for taking the temperature of large groups of people. The recent outbreak of Swine Flu and the public hysteria that followed is prime example of when something like this tool would be invaluable. Being able to handle groups of people in a short amount of time, all with no direct contact, is crucial towards keeping others safe. I have heard reports that these exact thermometers are being used in airports, train stations, public buildings and more as I type. Naturally, they would make a great tool in smaller applications as well, such as a daycare center or school setting and make it easier to help stop the spread of disease. I think we can all agree that not getting sick is a million times preferred to merely being able to tell how sick someone is.
So, how does it Work?
The thermometer is shaped like an arrow, with a triangular tip covered by a protective cap and a handle that has three buttons and an LCD screen. To take a temperature, you just open the protective cap and press the “face” button to activate the two infrared lights, keeping the button pressed. When the thermometer is held perpendicular to and close to the forehead (about 3 cm away), the two points of lights will converge into one spot of light. Then you just release the button and keep the thermometer still until the lights flash and the temperature will immediately be shown on the display. Sounds like a lot of step when you write it out, but the whole process takes only moments. When you are done, you just flip the protective cap back on. You can review previous temperatures by pressing the “Mem” button and viewing the last nine temperatures. Ambient and inanimate objects can be tested by pressing the “house” button and then following the steps above.
Things I’m Raving About:
No contact means no chance of waking baby and no fancy probe covers to buy.
It’s quick, easy and gives consistent readings, which means you won’t be remembering how to get an average and mean reading at 4 am
No beeping noise that could inadvertently startle or wake the baby or cause her to think she has a very cool new toy. Sorry, kiddo, this toy’s for Mama.
Can toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius, for when I’m feeling international
It even has a loop you can clip to on the base of the unit, so you could keep it around your neck and be assured you won’t lose it. Perfect for when you are using it for large groups, in the healthcare field or merely for around the clock baby care.
Uses totally harmless and safe infrared technology, of which I completely trust the FDA on. I have no infrared testing facility… yet.
Baby stays asleep, even through multiple readings.
5-in-1 is four more applications than any other thermometer, and I’ll admit its pretty fun to take the temperature readings of the entire contents of your house. Not that anyone will ever ask you what temperature you keep your kitchen towels, but if they do you will have the answer for them.
Over 10,000 readings from 4 AAA batteries, giving you plenty of opportunities to test and retest those towels.
Can take readings from forehead, armpit, or navel, which translates to a whole lot of fun, providing that person isn’t really sick.
Memory function stores 9 previous thermometer readings, so you can throw away your bedside notebook for recording around the clock readings. (Just joking, you should recycle those notebooks)
Did I mention you don’t have to wake the baby?
Things I’m not crazy about:
No backlit display means that in the middle of the night I have to turn on the light to see the reading, which could possibly wake the baby. I’m fairly certain that this is the case with most thermometers as well, but most thermometers are invasive, and therefore the lack of a lighted display is the least of my worries.
The LCD display has a toggle between Oral and Rectal settings, which doesn’t make any sense for a “no touch” thermometer. I did try doing an oral reading by shining the light in my mouth at the back of my throat and it was surprisingly accurate. Probably not recommended, but kind of fun all the same.
Moving the device between rooms means you need to let the thermometer recalibrate, which takes between 10-30 minutes (with an optional shortcut that involves getting a reading of an object 30 and 60 inches off the ground). I actually couldn’t get the thermometer to indicate it was recalibrating, even moving across our entire house, which means the temperature inside is consistent from room to room (even though I swear the movie room is colder and that’s why I require cuddles and big fluffy blankets when we watch movies). Just make sure you keep the device in the room with the sick person if your house fluctuates a lot from room to room and you won’t ever run into this.
Here are some FAQs from the ThermoFocus website:
Q. How accurate is the Thermofocus?
A. Taking the temperature at the temporal artery (forehead) is deemed as accurate as a rectal or ear thermometer.
Q. Is the Thermofocus for everyone?
A. Thermofocus can be used by people of all ages. It is used and recommended by doctors and pediatricians all over the world.
Q. How fast is the Thermofocus?
A. With each reading, Thermofocus carries out every hundredth of a second, a sequence of 125 readings which are amplified and computer by its sophisticated microprocessor, together with the value of the ambient room temperature, until the correct temperature is shown on the display. Basically, it takes less than a second!
Q. Is the Thermofocus approved by the FDA?
A. Yes, it is a Class II Medical Device and has FDA approval.
The ThermoFocus 5-in-1 is perfect for babies, active toddlers, kids, adults, food, bottles, ambient temperatures, bathwater, Fido and more. It’s quick and it’s easy (a press of a button and then release – no need to even turn off!) which makes it the perfect tool for all sorts of applications, not just for sick babies.
Price: $69.99
Looks: Doesn’t matter at all, but it is kind of cute – I especially like the smiley face.
Overall: A great tool for parents, teachers, health professionals, daycare workers, transportation officials and much, much more.
A BIG thank you to Kidz-Med® for making this review possible and for making life with a sick baby that much more bearable. No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.
For a more beautiful and active world
Have you ever put on a pair of sunglasses and the world just looked better? The grass was greener, the sky was more blue, and everything was more vibrant and saturated. That is the Julbo trademark and why I am raving about their full line of active glasses for athletes, kids and…. the rest of us.
What is Julbo? It’s French, it’s chic, and it’s about much, much more than good looks. Like every superior couture brand should be, you will be pleased to note that Julbo is impossible to pronounce (hubby and I are still debating the correct pronunciation, and have finally decided that you just slur everything together in one mishmash of a syllable in the true style of the French)*.
Founded in 1888 and perfected over three generations, Julbo eyewear has been a leader in eyewear for over 120 years. I had to double check that fact because it just didn’t seem possible that a company has been doing anything for over 100 years, let alone spending over 100 years making glasses. Anyone who thinks that sunglasses are something you purchase at the super market when you stop to pick up beverages (I’m talking to you, dear sister) is seriously missing out.
Julbo Sunglasses has over 120 years of design and science behind them, creating some of the hardest working eyewear in the industry. From extreme sports to literal and figurative walks in the park, there is a Julbo for everybody. So, what kind of science goes into creating great eyewear? No idea. Maybe ask me again in 120 years. What I do know is that it would take me far longer than that to create Julbo’s full line of performance eyewear with its features like “Vario Venting” and “Elastomer”, both of which are completely lost on me.
Features that were not lost on me: I love their photochromatic lenses that are perfect in both bright sunlight and dark conditions, since you never know where the trail ahead will lead. I also love their supreme comfort, anti-fog coating, light weight design, and good looks to top it all off.
I made the mistake of trying Julbo glasses on indoors as I was running out of the house for a bike ride and I wasn’t really paying attention to the way the glasses affected my vision. When I did finally gather all the 1,000 necessary items for leaving the house all day with the family and made it outside, I marveled at what a beautiful day it was, getting a few funny looks from the other bikers. When it started to rain a few miles in, I took off my glasses to wipe the raindrops and that’s when I realized it was a horrible, grey day. The kind of gloomy Seattle day that put us on the map and keeps the umbrella permanently in your handbag. I carefully wiped the lenses and immediately put them back on – I wanted to at least pretend it was a beautiful day.
And it was a beautiful day and a wonderful ride… or at least it was to me in my Julbos. The rest of the riders faced a gloomy, grey day with a 100% chance of rain.
The models I reviewed:
Designed for superior protection while enjoying the great outdoors, the Julbo Tracks Light sunglasses are perfect for biking, hiking or every day sun while retaining the style of fashion eyewear. With a wide field of vision and a minimalist design, these little wonders looked great on every family member that tried them and were universally hailed as comfortable. How many pairs of glasses can you say that about? I firmly believe that this is where 90 years of their design efforts were dedicated. At least.
Tracks Light Specs, compliments of JulboUSA.com:
Flex Nose – Adjustable nose piece for perfect fit, adherent material for optimal hold in all situations
Vario Venting – Adjustable ventilation to adapt to various conditions and/or sports
Light Grip Tech – Elastometer insert at stem ends
Curved, wrapping temples shaped and cut for better hold
Panoramic, photochromic Zebra lenses.
The ultimate in sleek, unobtrusive eyewear, Julbo Motion Sunglasses have gotten rid of (almost) everything but the lenses themselves. Weighing in at a mere eight grams, you will have to blame something else for your weariness at the days end. Perfect for active sports which require a helmet or other headgear, such as biking, skiing, rock climbing or playing tennis with someone way more skilled than yourself.
Julbo Motion Sunglasses are designed with elastic cording that loops around your ears instead of traditional ear pieces, and once properly fitted, are nearly impossible to shake off even with vigorous activity. At first I didn’t realize that the elastic loops were adjustable and could be customized. Although they surprisingly fit me straight out of the package, they didn’t fit everyone who tried them and I had almost given up on sharing these little gems.
A radical departure from eyewear as I know it, I was a bit skeptical at first, but found they were surprisingly comfortable and natural feeling as I rode, even for long distances. By eliminating the external sunglass frame and most of the sunglass arm in trade for the elastic ear piece, it is easy to forget you are wearing them at all – except for the fact that you can actually see in the sun.
Julbo Motion Specs, compliments of JulboUSA.com:
Panoramic, photochromic Zebra lenses
Wrap around shape for exceptional comfort and viewing
* Please do not comment and let me know how to truly pronounce Julbo – it would ruin the allure. Besides, I have a feeling hubby is correct on the pronunciation and no one wants to add fuel to that fire.
www.julbousa.com for their full line of eyewear
Price: $45 and up, with most models falling the mid range of $60 - $80
Looks: Ranging from athletic to chic, varying tremendously by model and use.
Overall: French flair and flawless design with years of expertise that makes you confident of your purchase.
Thank you to Julbo for sending these awesome models for review. Our world looks brighter now thanks to you.
Recommended for all babies 0 – 18 months
When I first found out I was pregnant, hubby wanted to buy our little offspring a pair of these ingenious little Looping Sunglasses for kids. I left him alone at an REI for a little over a half hour and when I returned, these Julbos were one of three items our baby just had to have. They can be put on in any direction (i.e. there is no upside down) and there is no way to wear them incorrectly, which is great since given the chance, kids almost always put things on backwards as they learn to dress themselves. It defies all laws of statistics, but it’s true.
Surprisingly, they look adorable no matter which way they are pulled on and offer 100% UV protection for our little ones’ delicate eyes. Yes, that’s right, I said 100% protection. I had forgotten that things could actually be 100% effective, as I’m used to the 97.5% effective (or worse) disclaimer that accompanies almost everything. But not these little Looping Sunglasses. They are created with the same science and technology as their adult counterparts, but with kids 100% in mind and are adorable, effective and extremely durable.
Having watched my sister’s children destroy numerous pairs of sunglasses as infants with their playful curiosity (and probably why she shops at supermarkets exclusively for her sunglasses), I was thrilled that Looping Sunglasses for infants and toddlers have no hinges and are super flexible. Made of soft and flexible rubber and plastic, Kids Looping Sunglasses are extremely comfortable and wonderfully pinch-free. Even though the glasses are bendable and (almost) unbreakable, they still retain their curved and fitted shape nicely to stay on your little one’s head, because we all know that sunglasses do no good if they won’t stay on.
If you need a little help holding the Looping Sunglasses on, you will be as pleased as I was to find that they come with a removable elastic strap to help keep them on until your little one is able or willing to keep them on without help. Tip from the frontlines: Even after they stay on securely without a strap, the elastic should be retained for high action sports and activities when glasses could jar and disappear forever into Lake Chelan*, which is now home to over four pairs of my immediate family’s eyewear, among other miscellaneous belongings.
While Julbo can’t help keep track of all your infant’s easy-to-pull-off belongings, they can help keep your baby’s glasses where they belong. These little Looping Sunglasses will absolutely win your heart - all while offering 100% protection for your little one and leaving you to actually enjoy the sun together.
Price: $32
Looks: Super cute spectacles for your super cute kiddo
Overall: Settling the score between our family and kids sunglasses once and for all.
Thank you to Julbo for sending Looping Sunglasses for baby to help review.
*As in one of the deepest lakes in the U.S. That’s a fun fact for you to think about while you helplessly search the surface of the water for items that are sink-tastic (hubby coined that term the summer we lost that one sandal that was remarkable in every way but its buoyancy)
“Every Bike Needs a Basket and Every Basket Needs a Betty”
Everyone knows that a cruiser bicycle needs a basket, if not for function, than for looks alone. What most people don’t understand is that every bike basket needs a Betty. The math is simple: bicycle (basket + adorable liner + tote bag at your destination) – stuff escaping while you ride = X, which is the perfect combination of form and function. If you solve for X, the answer is clearly Betty Basket Liners. If you didn’t come up with Betty Basket Liners, you might want to check your math. Remember it’s First, Inner, Outer, Last (FOIL). And that’s the last math tip I will ever give you. Promise.
But, lucky for you, I’ve got tons of tips to help you accessorize your bike. Once I found a bike that I loved and that fit me perfectly, hubby and I spent most spring and summer weekends on our bikes. Weeknights were harder to plan long bike rides around with that pesky work obligation, so hubby and I began to look for any excuse to ride after we both got home. We decided that instead of driving for dinner out, from now on we would bike there. It was great because it gave us a chance to connect while we rode and it at least made you feel better about the french fries you enjoyed while dining. The problem was where to put my purse, cell phone, and a jacket for after the sun went down. And then on the way back there were leftovers, dessert if I was lucky, and anything else we picked up on the journey.
A bike basket was a given, but the problem was finding one that looked good on my Electra Townie and carried the maximum amount of stuff. I ended up with a minimalist wire rack that worked perfectly for carrying my bag and other big items, including groceries once we decided that biking to Safeway made more sense than driving the 15 blocks. And then when we decided that Safeway was far too close and started grocery shopping 5 grocery stores away just so we could have a better ride, the basket was a lifesaver. I could fit a surprising amount of stuff in that basket, and it looked great on the bike. But the problem was how to pack it best without stuff falling through the grids of the basket. I found that plastic bags were too pliable and as I rode, the bags would shift and settle, allowing the items to slip into the crevasses and sometimes even dump the contents along the roadway. Paper and the reusable shopping bags you can buy at most local marts were better, except that the bags are taller than the basket by a long shot and make it really top heavy when full. Not to mention the fact that they covered the handlebar light, making it completely unsafe after dusk.
Once baby arrived, the problem got even more apparent as now I had a purse, diaper bag and whatever groceries or goodies I needed to haul, as well as a 24 hour supply of Gerber Puffs - even for just a small outing. I started to search for Basket Liners at local bike shops and was finding extremely disappointing industrial designs or flimsy, flowery numbers that looked like they wouldn’t last an hour in my daily routine, let alone hold it together on my Electra for a season or two. I had honestly given up hope when I happened upon Betty Basket Liners.
What are Betty Basket Liners? They are double lined and quality crafted bags that fit perfectly in your bicycle basket, folding over the top of the basket and tying on for whatever ride you have planned. Inside there are two larger pockets, one business card or i.d. / credit card sized pocket and a great little key strap with a clip that keeps your keys or other small goodies from bouncing out of the basket while you ride (yes, this actually happens. A lot.) They have sturdy tote straps, which means that when you get to your destination, you can just untie the Betty and lift it out for use as an adorable and lightweight tote. Genius. But what is a Betty, you ask? Betty: /be-dd-eee/, noun. 1. The term betty refers to a hot chick. One that is attractive, stylish and self confident. A betty is typically a looker. -- Urban Dictionary Yep, that sounds like us.
I was sold. It was as if these little Betty’s had been created just for me, incorporating all the loves in my life flawlessly and with style to spare. It was crafty mama meets biking chic meets handmade goodness and I was in love. And when I found out that these adorable liners actually lift out upon arriving at your destination and become the coolest totes ever? I might have cried a little in a “I must have allergies” sort of way. Ditto for when I held my handmade Betty for the first time, instantly being transformed into euphoric and energized version of myself as I imagined all the roads my Betty Basket Liner and I would soon travel.
And oh, do we travel together, my Betty and me. Besides using the Liner as a tote at the weekly Farmer’s Market or on a shopping excursion, my Betty doesn’t leave my bike. And why would it? It’s gorgeous, functional, and quite frankly, my bike now looks naked without it.
Betty Basket Liners come in three different styles of liners to fit in all sorts bike baskets: the EDGE (15"l x 11"w x 10"d) that fits most large rectangular style wire baskets, mine included, and the CURVE ( 13"x9"x9" or 14.5"x9.5"x9") which fits wicker and mesh oval baskets and small rectangular wire baskets. Neither the EDGE nor the CURVE the right size? No problem. There’s that third “style” of liner to choose from, aptly called “custom” in which Betty (not her real name) stitches you up a Basket Liner that is sure to fit. And here’s the best part…. Betty Basket Liners come in 5 adorable designs, or six if you count that “custom” design in which Betty (still not her real name) creates you a one-of-a-kind pattern or design you can dream up. I did the math and with all the fabrics out there in the world, there are more Betty Basket Liner variations than my calculator is equipped to handle. Trust me.
My one complaint? That Betty doesn't make panniers, saddle bags, rack bags and rear bicycle bags as well. My rear bike rack could use a little Betty, too. Betty (again, not her real name) is always coming up with new ideas and is working on an oilcloth bag (more to come on that front, hopefully!) and ways to add even more functionality to the Original Betty. Who knows, maybe she will bring Betty to the back as well!
http://www.bettybasketliners.com/
Price: $59 for all standard designs.
Looks: Attractive and stylish, like the Betty that it is.
Overall: Wherever your biking takes you, Betty Basket Liners are perfect for corralling all your necessities. With infinite customizable possibilities, this little Betty will work with whatever you’ve got – from cruiser bikes to urban workhorses. And, to my delight, it’s a perfect compliment to the full line of Electra accessories.
Thank you to Betty Basket Liners for creating a one-of-a-kind Basket Liner for us to review - my Townie has never looked so beautiful!
A few weeks back I did a review for GoBaby's InMat and absolutely loved it. The company contacted me and wanted to offer a 25% discount to readers for use on the GoBaby site!
Check out their site - they have InMats, OutMats, Nursing jewelry, Organic clothing, and awesome cold weather accessories for little ones.... Now I can finally order the OutMat I have my eye on!
25% off code: MOMDEALS
“Not ‘As Seen on TV’”
Raise your hand if you secretly love infomercials. Not that you TiVo them or anything, but if the show you’re watching ends and you forget to change the channel, sometimes you’ll catch a minute…. or thirty. My absolute favorite is the Magic Bullet infomercial – I like watching the actors make omelets, concoct dip recipes, mix alcoholic beverages, and whip up smoothies all without an ounce of cleanup. I love it because it makes me believe that I could really make a whole day’s worth of food using only one kitchen gadget. I’ll even admit to watching the infomercial all the way through more than once, but less than three times.
When I saw that Dex Products made an Electric Baby Food Processor, I couldn’t contain my excitement. It’s like a Magic Bullet paired with quality construction and the result was the best baby gadget ever. The Dex Food Processor is simple in design, with a removable food processing cup that attaches to the screw-on blade and then flips upside down to rest on the motorized base. You operate it by lining up the plastic tabs on the food processor cup with the base and pressing down to activate the motor. That’s it – no speeds to adjust, no dials to turn, just press down until fully blended and voila! you have baby food.
But, it’s the quality of the Dex that really makes me excited. The base of the Dex is sturdy and sleek with a seamless plastic design that has no crevasses for liquids to pool or food to collect, which means that cleanup is simple and easy, with no need to scrub the base after each use. The high quality removable blending cup is microwave and dishwasher safe and has a flattened top (or bottom, depending on how you look at it) that makes for a stable base when mixing ingredients, microwaving, or when used for feeding.
The fact that it is microwave safe means that you can actually cook the food in the removable blending cup and then just attach the blades and blend. When the food is pureed to your liking, you just turn the blending cup upright and feed directly from the cup. If baby doesn’t finish all her peas, you can screw on the lid for storing and pop it in the fridge. In case you’re not following, that means only one tool to wash (which, in turn, makes for happier parents). Random Rave: For even easier cleanup, you can add water to the dirty cup and put it back on the base, blending it for just a few seconds before dumping the water. This process helps remove any food residue before tossing in the dishwasher, making everyone’s life easier.
Now that we make baby food in such large quantities, I am absolutely in love with the Dex Electric Baby Food Processor. The blending cup holds a good deal of food and does a great job of handling everything we have thrown at it in a fraction of the time a handcrank baby food processor would take and is roughly 1000 times more fun. That’s math even I can get behind. After baby’s menu was set for the month, we found ourselves looking for more things to puree and even used the Dex to concoct dips and sauces that, to baby’s distress, we did not share with her.
The one thing I do wish is that Dex offered two blade options, one for blending soft foods and one for firmer items. Although the Dex does fine with squishable foods and medium textures, it does take a bit longer to fully puree firm fruits and vegetables. I found that adding a little liquid of some kind helps the blending process immensely. Most recipes call for adding water to baby purees, so if you make sure you add the liquids in before blending, you will have even greater success. The extra powerful Dex motor is capable of handling just about anything you can imagine that is also ingestible, but the blades provided really are better suited for softer foods. Which makes sense, because it is for baby food, and not marketed towards adults at all. But, I would urge them to consider expanding to include another more aggressive blade and they might have the best kitchen gadget of 2009 on their hands.
Things I’m Raving About:
• Good size blending cup is perfect for most foods and just the right height for stirring all the way to the bottom.
• Big, powerful motor in an unobtrusive small package, all with an unbelievably small footprint so it doesn’t overwhelm a countertop or cupboard.
• Fresh yellow color is neither pastel-y nor boring.
• Comes with 3 separate kid sized storage containers for holding extra servings.
• Makes baby food creation quick, simple and most importantly, makes it more likely to happen when there’s a fun little gadget calling your name.
• Easy to clean and care for.
• Saving on dishes means saving precious sanity.
I’m in love with this little blending beauty and think you will be, too. The price is right, it’s fun to use, and it’s pretty much the only baby kitchen gadget... ever. All of which makes it one of my new favorite baby items, and something I am looking forward to using well after our pears need to be pureed. Then, baby and I will enjoy omelets, dips and smoothies together – all with minimum cleanup.
Price: $31.99, which is a fraction of the cost of other food processors
Looks: Can food processors be adorable? The answer, clearly, is yes. But, do they need to be adorable? Well, it certainly doesn’t hurt, especially if it’s going to be sitting on my counter.
Overall: If there was an infomercial for Dex make, store & serve baby food processors, I might even TiVo it.
Winner Announced! Winner Announced! Winner Announced!
My purse is always so disorganized - this would make sure I always have a way to keep track of my items, no matter what outfit my purse needs to match!
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