Get Backpacks that will LAST from THE SMARTY CO.

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Let me tell you as a teacher and a mother...backpacks don't usually last long at all!! And they can be so expensive for a cute one with a character your child likes. But usually they don't last through the school year!

Today alone, I had to throw THREE backpacks away from my children because they were ripped up and beaten from the previous school year and I will have to replace them for next year's school year!

Never Again!!!

I have now turned to THE SMARTY CO. for my children's school backpacks!

The clear solution is THE SMARTY CO. which has earned the reputation as the most durable clear backpack in the market and offers convenient online delivery right to your door.

THE SMARTY CO. has quickly become the industry leader in quality, innovation, and style. With only the typical Black Clear Backpacks available, SMARTY has launched trendsetting colors including Cool Gray, American Blue and Pretty Pink. As a customer data driven company, SMARTY never stops improving upon each previous version; this is why K-12 Schools, Airports and Law Enforcement Associations have chosen SMARTY as their #1 preferred vendor.

Breeze through security checks without opening your bag, and feel confident that SMARTY’s upgraded materials, reinforced stitching, and military grade nylon bottom will last longer than the other less expensive brands. Large Pockets with Smooth Zippers and a Big Water Bottle Holder are convenient features for the modern day student, airport employee, or correctional officer.

SMARTY Heavy Duty Clear Backpacks are available in Medium (16.5 x 12.4 x 6.25”) and Large (18 x 13 x 6.75”).

Current Features include:

· Highest Grade Clear Material in the industry (Strong but Soft Feel)

· 55% Thicker Clear Plastic for durability (compare the difference)

· Rugged 1680D Military Grade Nylon Shoulder Straps and Bottom Lining

· 3X Cross Stitching in key areas

· Double Padded S-Curve Shoulder Straps for all day comfort

· Compartment Sleeve for up to 15" Laptops

· Upgraded Strong Zippers and Rubber Pullers

· Big Water Bottle Pocket (bottle won't fall out)

· Mesh Organizer for pens, pencils, calculator, phone, mobile device

· Zipper Pocket to secure keys or valuables

Heavy Duty Clear Backpack - Bold Black (Medium)

Heavy Duty Clear Backpack - Pretty Pink (Medium)

And with an increasing number of schools, festivals, sporting events, concerts as well as jobs now requiring clear backpacks and clear bags, it is the perfect solution to the never-ending

I love these backpacks - I love the quality and the colors giving children the ability to personalize their backpack without sacrificing quality!

Buy It: You can purchase THE SMARTY CO. clear backpacks online starting at $25.97.

Disclosure: A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Fill those Lunch Boxes With Healthy & Tasty @GoGosqueeZ This School Year!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Looking to squeeze more fruits and vegetables into your child's diet? Or maybe you are just looking for some quick, healthy snacks on the go during this crazy time of year called the school year?

I know I am all the above so I am LOVIN' GoGo squeez products including their NEW GoGo squeeZ BlastZ and Fruit & VeggieZ Speedy Strawberry!

They are so easy to eat on the go and they fit perfectly in your child's lunch box for snack or lunch that is healthy and tasty!

GoGo squeeZ BlastZ

A new line of fruit on-the-go (in a bigger pouch) with bold tastes made specifically with tweens in mind. Made from 100% fruit blend, these varieties will make on-the-go snacking even more enjoyable!

My kids love that these are easy to open, easy to eat and DELICIOUS! I love that they are 100% fruit and easy to eat on the go! :)

Price: $2.99 to $3.29 Available at select retailers starting July 2018 including Walmart, Target, Meijer, and Harris Teeter.

Fruit & VeggieZ Speedy Strawberry

Speedy Strawberry is the newest Fruit & VeggieZ flavor. With a simple and delicious blend of apple, strawberry and zucchini, it makes it even easier to integrate more fruit and veggieZ into kids’ daily routine.

I absolutely love that these pouches sneak in some extra vegetables - especially great for families with picky eaters! They taste great but include lots of fruit and veggies!

Price: $2.99 Available nationally at Walmart, Target, Costco, Whole Foods, Kroger, Publix, Harris Teeter and most major retailers. 

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Make Packing Lunches & Snacks Healthier and Tastier with Phyter Food Bars!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

The struggle is REAL!...The struggle of constantly trying to find healthy, nourishing and filling snacks and foods for my kid's lunches at school!!!

With manic mornings, small children and pure chaos the norm in our house every school morning,  it is becoming harder and harder to implement a healthy eating lifestyle, especially for their school lunches.

So today I am here to help anyone who is struggling like me!! Let me introduce you to a company that is helping me and my family with healthy foods and snacks and has quickly become one of our newest favorite brands!

Phyter Food is the creator of 100% plant-based food bars. Whether adding the bars as a topping to your kids’ favorite smoothie bowl or throwing a bar to the kids in the back of the car on the way to school - they are both healthy and convenient.

The food bar line features Kale + Apple (think apple pie), Berries + Peanut Butter (think PB&J) and Beet + Cocoa (think brownies) flavors that use fresh vegetables and fruits as the leading ingredients and are loaded with phytonutrients – hence the Phyter name.

You won’t find any preservatives hiding in the bars, which is why they’re found in the refrigerator. Plus, Phyter bars are GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, kosher and vegan—creating a food everyone can enjoy, even those with dietary restrictions!

In a house, where my husband has to avoid all allergens like soy, gluten and dairy, I am so happy to find a company that provides foods that we can all eat...and ENJOY!

At first, the flavors made me a little nervous, but once I tried the bars, I was hooked! ALL the flavors were delicious and these were a hit with the children as well as the adults in this house! These were great to throw in a kid's lunchbox for a snack or lunch as well as on the go for me for breakfast!

Make mornings easier and lunch packing smoother with Phyter bars this school year!

Buy It:

You can purchase Phyter bars online from their website.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Make Mornings Less Hectic with this Overnight Oats Recipe from @crownmaple!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Any mom can attest to the hectic mornings that happen year after year once school is back in session: breakfast is spilled in the kitchen or forgotten altogether, clothes get covered in toothpaste and homework papers are left on the dining room table. (Maybe hectic was an understatement…). This is my morning EVERY DAY it seems!

Luckily, this year Crown Maple, upstate New York’s preeminent maple brand, is here to harness some of that chaos while helping you and your family reclaim weekday mornings.

For the first time ever, Crown Maple has created five overnight oats recipes to make back to school mornings in your household easier, while keeping your kids full and focused until lunch time. Made using their 100% pure and certified organic maple syrups, these recipes can be prepped at night and kept in the fridge until the morning for a grab-and-go breakfast that will always hit the spot.

I tried several recipes including Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats and Pumpkin Spice but I think my favorite was the Maple Apple Pie Overnight Oats! It was easy to make and tasted delicious...and it is perfect for Fall!

Check out the recipe below:

Maple Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Ingredients
1/2 cup organic rolled oats
3/4 cups unsweetened almond milk
2 tbsp Crown Maple Very Dark or Cinnamon Infused maple syrup
1 apple, diced

Optional toppings: Granola, dried cranberries, a scoop of organic low-fat vanilla yogurt

Mix oats, almond milk and maple syrup in a mason jar. Refrigerate and let soak overnight. In the morning, top with a freshly diced apple, an extra drizzle of maple syrup and your favorite granola.

And this syrup is not just great for overnight oats - we have used on pancakes, waffles, in supper recipes with chicken and when baking! It is delicious, rich and so perfect as a topping!

Best of all, I love that it is organic so it is great for the whole family and our bodies!

Buy It:

You can purchase Crown Maple syrup from their online shop

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Keep Your Child Healthy This School Year with Super Vites from @Previnex!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Everyday since my children were one years old they have taken a multivitamin. I believe that it is so important for their health - especially now that school has started again!

But, I am VERY particular about what vitamin I give my children! There are so many brands and kinds out there but you really have to look what they PUT IN their children's vitamins!

One of the brands I trust with my children's health is Previnex, a health and wellness company that manufactures leading pharmaceutical grade, clinically proven nutritional supplements. They make Super Vites, a Children's Chewable Multivitamin that is not only made from organic ingredients but provides optimal amount and forms of key vitamins and minerals clinically proven to benefit children ages 24 months to 12 years!

It also offers optimal levels of Vitamin D which is so important as winter approaches and sunshine diminishes! Super Vites contain a blend of 28 organic super fruits and veggies and is low in sugar from natural sources!

Most importantly, it contains No Preservatives or Artificial Additives and is Gluten Free, Soy Free & Dairy Free!

And one more great thing about Previnex: for every order, Previnex sends a bottle of children's vitamins to a child in need through its Get Health, Give Health program with the Children's Hunger Fund.

Buy It:

You can purchase Super Vites for MSRP $19.95 (60-ct bottle) from the Previnex website

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Snack Healthy This School Year with Freedom Foods & Mrs. Thinsters

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

It's back to school time and life is crazy busy again! But that doesn't mean we should sacrifice our health, our children's health or trade in our healthy foods for quick, unhealthy options!

Today, I am featuring two great companies that keep our health in mind while providing quick, easy snacks and products to eat on a busy morning or school day!

When I need a quick, HEALTHY snack on the go, I reach for my Freedom Foods bars!

Freedom Foods offers bars, muesli, cereal products that are dairy, gluten, nut free and high in fiber. Their cereal products are a huge hit in our house as well for breakfast!

They recently came out with their new Barley+ line! The Barley+ Toasted Muesli and Snack Bar range is the only product available in the U.S. featuring the superior Australian wholegrain, BARLEYmax™, which has been studied for over three decades by the country's leading research organisation, CSIRO.

Less than a third of U.S. adults eat the recommended 3-ounce servings of grain foods a day. Barley+ makes it easy to achieve the recommended amount, as just one serving of Barley+ Toasted Muesli delivers almost 2-ounce equivalents of wholegrains, nearly two-thirds of the recommended daily intake.

I am a big fan of the bars - especially on the go (which I always seem to be lately!). And the cereal tastes great in the morning with milk or yogurt! I love that it is great for my digestion as well!

Kroger Supermarkets will become the first in the world to launch the Barley+ range, which will be on shelves from mid-July in this major retailer, with distribution expected to roll out to additional U.S. and Australian stores from August. The toasted muesli collection is comprised of three delicious flavors: Cranberry and Nuts, Pink Lady and Macadamia Muesli, and Maple and Nut. The line will retail at $6.49

And when you need a little sweet treat, look no further than Mrs. Thinsters!

Mrs. Thinsters offers crispy, crunchy cookie thins that are NON-GMO, RBGH-Free and contain no corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives!

They only use simple, wholesome ingredients that you have in your pantry. These cookies are thin, crispy and deliciously crunchy. They are the perfect little snack when you need just a little crunch and sweetness!

The current line up includes Lemon Meyer, Brownie Batter, Chocolate Chip, Cake Batter, Toasted Coconut, Key Lime Pie, Pumpkin Spice and more. The Chocolate Chip is definitely our family favorite but the Coconut Chip was a HUGE hit as well!

You can purchase Mrs. Thinsters at your local retailer.
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*Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Stay Hydrated with Refreshing and Electrolyte Rich @aquacarpatica Spring Water!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Water is a must-have in every lunch box this school year and also so important to keep hydrated as the heat continues a little while longer!

But water is not just water! That is why I have been LOVING AQUA Carpatica - a natural nitrate and sodium-free spring and sparkling mineral water! It is the most refreshing and pure water I have ever tasted and it is literally a treat every time I drink it!

In the heart of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, pristine spring water flows underground from the protected Bajenaru Spring. AQUA Carpatica spring water is responsibly captured to naturally preserve its ideal mineral content, balanced pH, and unmatched pure taste.

The naturally nitrate-free spring water is perfect for the whole family including pregnant women, newborns (no boiling required) and young children. The natural sparkling mineral water is actually the only nitrate-free sparkling water in the world so they are the first brand to bring this to U.S. consumers.

It's also rich in electrolytes providing nearly 24% of an adult's daily needs in calcium and 16% in magnesium which is perfectly suited for an active lifestyle or taking kids to and from school, soccer practice, dance, etc.

I can't believe how pure and refreshing this AQUA Carpatica water and it is so AMAZING how many electrolytes are in each bottle! No wonder I feel amazing after every bottle! These bottles of water are at my work, in my home and at our cabin! I love being able to grab a bottle any time I need water!

Buy It:

You can purchase AQUA Carpatica from their online shop.

*Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Products to Help Families Head Back to School!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Whether your children have already headed back to school like mine have or you still have a few days left of summer vacation, eating healthy is a must!

Today I am featuring three great companies that will help us get through the school year whether you are the child or the parent! Check them out below:

Emmy’s Organics

Made with nothing but premium organic ingredients like fresh ginger and fair trade cacao powder, Emmy’s Organics cookies are a tasty, healthy treat both kids and parents can enjoy. These superfood snacks are gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, grain-free and have 6g sugar or less per serving. 

I love that these cookies are grain-free and organic! Finally, cookies that I can feel good about giving to my children and including as a special treat in their school lunches!

And let me tell you....MY CHILDREN LOVE THESE (and so do the adults in the family!). They beg for these every day and it is hard not to give in every day when I know they are full of goodness and without the icky stuff!

Great for an after-school snack or on-the-go grab, Emmy’s flavors include: Chocolate Chip, Dark Cacao, Lemon Ginger, Raspberry, Vanilla Bean, and Peanut Butter.

Purchase online from the Emmy's Organics shop. 

Crunchies

And for an easy snack on the go or for snack time at school is Crunchies! Packed with nutrients and a satisfying crunch thanks to their unique freeze-drying method, Crunchies are an easy way for kids to enjoy their fruits & veggies. 

Unlike chips and other processed snack foods, these tasty single-ingredient snacks have zero sugar added and are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and kosher and halal certified. 

This is such an easy and tasty way to give children their fruit servings each day! I love taking them on road trips and packing them in their lunches!

Available in strawberry banana, mango, blueberries, beets, and more, Crunchies are great atop smoothies, sprinkled in oatmeal, or as a sweet treat straight from the bag.

Purchase Crunchies from their online shop. 

Community Coffee Company

And for the adults who have children headed back to school, school means COFFEE and lots of it! And Community Coffee wants to help with that! 😊

As the largest family-owned and operated coffee company in the U.S., Community Coffee Company offers high-quality blends featuring 100% select Arabica coffee beans in a variety of yummy flavors.

This is my brand of choice every day and you can bet I will be drinking lots of cups of Community Coffee as my kids head back to school AND I head back to teaching!

From the intense, bold flavor of their French Roast to the smooth, velvety taste of their Private Reserve Sumatra blend, Community coffee is sure to help make mornings for mom and dad a little easier. Community also offers an annual Cash for Schools program that helps participating schools earn money by collecting UPC labels! Get your school signed up today!

You can purchase Community Coffee online or at your local retailer. 

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Keep Your Children's Ears Safe at School with @GearForKidz Volume Limit Headphones!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

One of the items on school supply lists across the country this year are headphones for your children to use while listening to books on CD and while using the computer. My son has it on his list again and I am so happy to send with him his pair of Kidz Gear KidzControl Volume Limit Headphones.

Headphones for children have always scared me a little bit because I feel like they don't know how to and that they need to control the volume when listening. But I have peace of mind now when my children use their Kidz Gear KidzControl Volume Limit Headphones.

The Award-winning line of Kidz Gear KidzControl Volume Limit Headphones are designed with the highest quality audio components available. This ensures your child will have the best and most importantly safest listening experience possible. The headphones are compatible with all audio devices that use a 3.5mm (1/8”) audio jack. Kidz Gear wired headphones feature the proprietary KidzControl Volume Limit Technology, which limits the volume to approximately 80% of the maximum volume output capable from audio devices in the market today.

Manufactured with the same high quality components as those used in adult headphones costing far more, the headphones deliver extremely rich sound quality for a variety of audio content. Featuring the proprietary KidzControl Volume Limit Technology and a built-in volume control function, these headphones are also the safest headphones available for the little ones. They are a must for children in the car, on the plane or hanging out at home.

I love these headphones so much that I now have them also in my preschool room. They are perfect for our Listening Center and will give me peace of mind that the children aren't blasting their ears off with the volumes. They are made really well and will last for many years!

Buy It:

You can purchase Kidz Gear KidzControl Volume Limit Headphones for $19.99 from the Kidz Gear website. 

* Thank you to Kidz Gear for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Make Your Walls Fun Again with @MyWndrfulWalls Wall Decals! #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

School starts in a week around here for my kids and early September for preschool. I have been working SO HARD this summer to give my new preschool room a new touch and a fun feeling for the preschoolers! My final touch in the hallways on the way to the preschool room looks so CUTE thanks to My Wonderful Walls and their Jungle Safari Wall Decal Sticker Kit - JUMBO SET.

I was literally able to create a colorful and wild jungle safari for IN MINUTES with these jungle wall stickers. They were so easy to put up, tear-resistant and removable and restickable for my OCD on having things just right!

The Wild Jungle Safari Wall Sticker Kit contains 45 large repositionable jungle wall stickers, making a jungle room transformation fast and easy to do. These wall stickers are made from SafeCling™, an innovative fabric adhesive material that is repositionable, removable, and reusable. Plus, you can even choose to personalize it like I did!

These jungle safari wall stickers have a unique design and organic look that is truly magnificent! They've achieved a “handmade-paper-meets-wall-sticker” look that is quite remarkable. This jungle mural kit contains two large jungle trees, giraffe, mama and baby elephant, tiger, lion and cub, zebra, macaw, toucan, lizard, tree frog, swinging monkeys, butterflies, hummingbird, and jungle flowers, plants and clouds.

It was such a great mix of animals, trees, grasses and sky. They peeled off easily, stuck on quickly and looked so great! I got compliments on them on them from everyone who saw them!

It has brightened up the hallways and really made it fun for the preschoolers headed to school!

These wall stickers are really a great option for people who like instant makeovers, enjoy decorating often, or don’t want to make a permanent change to the walls. And you’ll love the wall sticker material. It is virtually impossible to mess up and leaves no sticky residue when you remove it from your walls!

I HIGHLY recommend wall stickers from My Wonderful Walls for all your rooms!

Buy It:

You can purchase these wall decals and many more from the My Wonderful Walls website.

And make sure to use discount code RSAUG15 for 15% off any order. Expires 9/16.

Win It:

My Wonderful Walls is generously offering (1) $100 gift certificate to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) $100 My Wonderfull Walls Gift Certificate
(to their online store)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*