I am forever trying to find healthier, more affordable snacks for myself and my children.  Konnor has always been huge on fruits and veggies (I know I’m one lucky mama), but it isn’t always convenient when you are going to the park to slice up an apple or peel an orange, and then find a plastic container (don’t throw it away on accident – those are spendy) to store it in until the kids are ready to eat.  Or you could put it into a sandwich baggie and hope it doesn’t get squished and spill all over everything else in your bag.

With Dole, these problems are a thing of the past!  Each individual serving of their fruit bowls come in a little plastic containers with a peel off lid, which is not only disposable, but easy to open.  Konnor has no problems opening their fruit cups and digging right in, with or without utensils!  Seriously.  The fruit inside are bite size, and great finger foods too!

Ariana can pick up the mandarin oranges bites (which are her favorite) and put them into her mouth with little effort.  Teaching her independence and helping to develop her hand/eye coordination, these are a great snack for her age.

What I love about Dole’s Fruit Bowls is that they come in 7 different flavors:  diced apples, diced pears, mixed fruit, tropical fruit, diced peaches, mandarin oranges, and pineapple tidbits.  My children are not at all picky, but if you have a picky child, they are sure to enjoy at least one of these delicious fruit bowls.

Dole was also sweet enough to send both Ariana and Konnor a Marty (from Madagascar) Snack Pack (shown on the right), which is an insulated pouch that easily fits one of the fruit bowls in.  There is a key chain clip, so you can clip it onto the diaper bag, purse, or, like Konnor does, right onto a belt loop.

Three(3) lucky winners will receive a Marty Snack Pack along with a coupon for a pack of Dole Fruit Bowls.

Mandatory Entry:

Head on over to Dole’s website and tell me what other product from them you like or would like to try.

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise. please please leave your email so I can find you if you win):

• Follow Dole on Twitter
• “Like” Dole on Facebook
• Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
• “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
• Become a google friend follower (publicly)
• Grab my button and put it on your blog
• Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
• Subscribe via RSS
• Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet)
• Enter Kristin or Jackie’s Dole giveaway. (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 7/3 at 8pm PST

Anyone who has been to my house knows that I am a clothing fa-na-tic! Seriously, I don’t know why I buy so many clothes for my children when I know that I am going to have to wash them, dry them, and put them away! It’s probably a problem that I am this addicted to buying the kids clothes – really.

Zutano was kind enough to get me hooked on their clothes by sending Ariana their Annika Short Sleve Dress with pants to match. All I can say is… WOW!! As soon as I pulled the outfit out, I was absolutely shocked. The fabric is extremely soft and just makes me want to snuggle my daughter every time she wears this outfit. No matter how many times I wash it, it stays really soft.

Zutano makes bright, colorful patterns for their clothes so you and your child can enjoy them.

Compliments? Oh boy do I get those. Every time Ariana is out in her Zutano outfit, people comment on it. It’s just so bright and fun!

Jackie, Kristin, and I are giving away one $75 gift certificate to Zutano’s Itzy Bitzy line (which is for 0-9mos). This is one giveaway you want to enter! (please note: due to unfortunate events, the gift card must be used AFTER Sept. 1st, 2010.)

Mandatory Entry:

Fill out this form.
 

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise.  please please leave your email so I can find you if you win):

• Follow Zutano on Twitter
• “Like” Zutano on Facebook
• Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
• “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
• Become a google friend follower (publicly)
• Grab my button and put it on your blog
• Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
• Subscribe via RSS
• Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet):
  
• Enter Kristin or Jackie’s Zutano giveaway. (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 7/3 at 8pm PST

Between Konnor’s “white patches” and Ariana’s sensitive baby skin, I am a worry wart when it comes to the sun.  It would be wrong and unfair of me to not protect them from the harmful UV rays, which is why I spend a ton of time, every year, in the sunscreen isle.

I have two distinct issues with most sunscreens that I have purchased since Konnor was born (and I have bought a LOT of sunscreen):

1. the smell
2. the consistency

Hawaiian Tropic’s sunscreen isn’t like normal sunscreen.  What do I mean by that?  You don’t have that nasty coconut smell that most sunscreens posses.  It’s more of a…. well, tropical smell, which is exactly what drew me in.  Before I could apply this to my kids, before we even had sun here in Oregon, I knew I was going to love this sunscreen.  Yes, because it smelled good.

Now, when you are talking sunscreen and babies, or sunscreen and toddlers, you might cringe.  For one reason.  Applying it to the face, right?  Yes! This is probably the worst part of using the stuff.  Sure, you can use the regular sunscreen, which is runny, and the chances of getting it in their eyes or mouth is pretty high.  Or, you could try the spray sunscreen which you have to end up rubbing in anyways because if you are like me, you have to be sure there is enough on your child to avoid sunburn.

The Baby & Kids Protection line of sunscreen is thick.  Not so thick that you have a hard time getting it to come out, but thicker than normal sunscreen.  It is more of a creme, making it easier to apply, easier to rub in, and that must mean it’s less likely to come off in the water, yeah?  This makes face application a heck of a lot easier, let me tell you!

Plus!  Hawaiian Tropic has come out with a Baby Stick Sunscreen for the easy to miss places on the face, such as nose, under and around the eyes, and even the ears.  It literally is like applying deodorant – super easy and super safe!

Here are some of the features and benefits of Hawaiian Tropic Baby Crème Lotion straight from their website:

• NEW indulgent crème form!
• NEW very light, tropical scent!
• Formulated with our patented SunSure® Technology
- Tested in the natural sunlight!
- Less chemical sunscreens
- Advanced UVA Protection
• Pediatrician & Dermatologist tested
• Gentle & mild
• Won’t run into eyes
• Water resistant
• Island botanicals

Thanks to Hawaiian Tropic, one of my readers will win away one 6oz bottle of Hawaiian Tropic Baby Crème Lotion and one 0.5oz tube of Hawaiian Tropic Baby Stick Sunscreen to one lucky.  Trust me, you want to try this amazing sunscreen!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Hawaiian Tropic’s website and tell me which other product you are most likely to try (they have stuff for Mommy’s too).
Extra Entries:
Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

• “Like” Hawaiian Tropic on Facebook
• Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
• “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
• Become a google friend follower (publicly)
• Grab my button and put it on your blog
• Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
• Subscribe via RSS
• Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet):: ”
  
• Enter Kristin or Jackie’sHawaiian Tropic Sunscreen Giveaway (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 7/3 at 9pm PST

Every child needs a stuffed animal.  A snuggle buddy.  You know, something to curl up with in bed, to hold when you are sick, or even for a long car ride to visit relatives a state away.  I’m sure each and every one of my readers have had, at some point in their life, such a stuffed friend.

Thanks to Build-A-Bear, Ariana now has one.  Their new (and limited edition) Zoorrific Collection has all new animals to choose from, and let me tell you – they are ADORABLE!!!  Ranging from $16-$20, these make for an affordable gift for any child, young or old.  Whether you have a baby who enjoys soft, cuddly toys, or you have a 10 year old whose favorite animal is a Flamingo, Build-A-Bear’s Zoorrific Collection is bound to be a hit!

Ariana received the Giraffe, which is 19 inches in height.  Not too big, and not too small, she took to this stuffed animal right away.  The neck of the giraffe is long and slender, making a perfect area for Ariana to wrap her little arm around and snuggle her new friend.  Not only that, but Build-A-Bear’s animals are so very soft.

Naturally, if you want to dress up your new zoo friends, they have a ton of options in their Clothing and Accessories section.  From adorable dresses, to pants, sunglasses, and shoes, there is literally everything you can think of to put onto your furry companion.

Now, generally with limited edition items, you get some special offers and incentives to go along with it, yes?  Indeed you do, and this, my friends, is no exception.  For one, if you purchase a Zoorrific Collection Furry Friend between 6/4 and 6/13 (only a couple more days), you will receive a reusable backpack for both your furry friend and yourself!  Also, between now and 6/30, Build-A-Bear is hosting a Zoorrific Orlando Sweepstakes (click on the link for more information).  And finally, after receiving your Zoorrific Collection Furry Friend, you can head over to Build-A-Bearville where you will have exclusive access to the new Zoo & a free Zoo Ride for your avatar.

Want to know what the best part about this review is?? Well, Build-A-Bear has graciously decided to allow me to host a giveaway on my blog!  I’m ecstatic!!!!!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Build-A-Bear Zoorrific Collection’s website and tell me which animal you would like to win and why.

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

• Follow Build-A-Bear on Twitter
• “Like” Build-A-Bear on Facebook
• Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
• “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
• Become a google friend follower (publicly)
• Grab my button and put it on your blog
• Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
• Subscribe via RSS
• Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet):: “Win a @BuildABear Zoorrific Collection Furry Friend from @theJAKAmommy http://tinyurl.com/2wmr9qe.. ends 6/23”
  
• Enter Kristin or Jackie’s Build-A-Bear giveaway (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 6/23 at 9pm PST

When 2010 started, I made a New Year’s Resolution (like most people) to be healthier by making better nutrition choices for myself (and my family) and making sure I exercise 4-5 times a week.

As with most New Year’s resolutions, I maybe kind of fell off the bandwagon a little bit.  (Or fell flat on my face into the mud)

Recently, I was able to try something that is not only nutritious but also very yummy!  I’m talking about Yoplait’s Greek Yogurt.  Out of the four flavors it comes in, (strawberry, honey vanilla, blueberry, and plain) I tried the strawberry and honey vanilla.  This yogurt is thicker than most yogurts, which is quite appealing to me.  Not only that, but the taste is something I am unable to explain.  My taste buds were doing a happy dance in my mouth!

How is something so yummy also so nutritious, you ask?

Well, Yoplait Greek Yogurt has 12g of protein (which is twice as much as other leading brands), which is nothing but a benefit, and it has ZERO fat.  In addition, Yoplait’s Greek Yogurt is currently the only leading brand of Greek yogurt to contain both Vitamin A & D in every cup.  Why does that matter?  Well, Vitamin D is what aides your body in the absorption of calcium, which means stronger bones.

A huge thanks to Yoplait and MyBlogSpark ; it was because of them that I received my very own prize pack full of goodies. Not only that, but one lucky reader of mine will win a Yoplait Greek “Nourish Your Inner Goddess” prize pack (pictured below). This includes two coupons for Yoplait Greek Yogurt*** (whichever flavor you like) as well as some spa-type items to help you relax.

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me which flavor you would like to try!

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

• Follow YoplaitYogurt on Twitter
• “Like” Yoplait on Facebook
• Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
• “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
• Become a google friend follower (publicly)
• Grab my button and put it on your blog
• Subscribe via RSS
• Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet)

 ***Please note that these coupons are not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

Giveaway ends 5/31 @ 9pm PST