Shedd’s Spread Country Crock with Calcium and Vitamin D

Raise your hand if you have a picky eater in your house. I'm raising my hand VERY high right now since I have TWO picky eaters. Well, my son pretty much lives on Eggo waffles and Crispix cereal so I guess he would "win" the contest but my daughter isn't much better. So every "meal time" has become a "battle time" as well. Forget getting 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in them. For that matter, forget the entire food pyramid. At the end of the day, I just hope their bellies are full and they keep on growing. As their pediatrician says, they are developing normally so they have to be getting their nutrition from somewhere!

But I'm not alone in worrying if they are getting the nutrition they need. Did you know that 9 out of 10 girls, and 3 out of 4 boys, don't get enough calcium, and a recent study indicates that there has been a decline in Vitamin D levels among Americans, both children and adults, over the past 10 years? As you know, getting enough calcium into the diet is important for the development of strong bones and teeth, while Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium, although very few foods are natural sources.

But when I get the chance to get some of those much needed vitamins and minerals into my kids, I take it. So I was excited to see that Shedd's Spread Country Crock has come out with a new spread (Shedd's Spread Country Crock®Calcium plus Vitamin D) that has the same taste but with added calcium and vitamin D! I'll be honest here - we are already a Shredd's Spread Country Crock family; seriously, that is the only margarine I have ever bought for years. And now to be able to get a version that (per serving) provides 100 mg of calcium, which is 10% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium, and 80 IU of vitamin D, or 20% of the DV for vitamin D)? Win, Win as far as I'm concerned (a big thank you to Mom Central and Shedd's Spread for the $3.00 coupon I used towards the purchase of a tub of Shedd's Spread Country Crock®Calcium plus Vitamin D).

BONUS: To help Moms with nutrition, head on over to http://www.countrycrock.com/ for recipes, nutrition information and tips for simple ways to get more calcium and vitamin D into your diet (I am SO making these cookies: Best Ever Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookies). While you are there, don't forget to print a 55 cent off coupon and sign up for their newsletter so you can get offers, tips and food ideas in your inbox!

You can also take the Shedd's Spread Country Crock® Calcium quiz for a chance to instantly win a $25 Visa® gift card (Visit www.CountryCrock.com daily through June 13, 2009 for more chances to win). You'll also be entered for a chance to win a family vacation for five to Yellowstone National Park (I have ALWAYS wanted to go there - so you know I'm playing daily - one of these days I might even get all 5 questions right!).

This review was sponsored by

Mom Central

KK and The Feeling Friends™

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS KATRINA!

Meet The Feeling Friends
by Karen Cuthrell

List Price:$12.99
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (September 26, 2008)
Language: English

From the KidStuff press release (who graciously sent me a copy of the book to check out): "A difficult task for parents just got a lot easier. That’s because a new book series, KK and the Feeling Friends™, helps children understand what feelings are and how to best communicate their feelings to others. The series encourages children to explore and express their feelings by identifying with 12 diverse Feeling Friends™ characters.

Karen Cuthrell (a.k.a. KK) co-created the Feeling Friends 15 years ago to help her daughter understand her feelings. Cuthrell came up with 12 loveable characters that personified a variety of emotions like panic, worry and shyness, which are often difficult for young children to express. Each endearing character, including Joey the Joy Bird and Griswald the Grumpy Grizzly, embodies an emotion and has a catchy theme song.

Meet the Feeling Friends is the first of thirteen books in the Feeling Friends series. Designed for pre- to beginning-readers, the book transports children to Feeling Free Island, a magical place where children are free to express their feelings in a world as vibrant as their own imaginations.

Meet the Feeling Friends • MSRP $12.99
Journey to Feeling Free Island and join KK as she introduces each of the 12 Feeling Friends. Each friend reveals his or her identity through engaging rhymes and colorful illustrations.

Meet the Feeling Friends is available for purchase on Amazon.com. The remaining 12 books in the series, and a compilation audio CD of the character songs will be available in April 2009. "

My take As a parent, one of my hardest jobs (in my humble opinion) is helping my children sort out their feelings - how to give a name to what they are feeling - and how to teach them that their feelings are honest and true. In that regard, this book works quite well. Through the use of 12 different characters, very real feelings come to life in the pages of this book. With the simple but unerring illustrations (for instance, the use of color to portray an emotion, i.e. purple for lonely, red for anger) and the lively rhyming cadences, the Feeling Friends™ really do help your child put words to what he or she is feeling. Which in turn can lead to better behavior (since my kids, like yours, can get frustrated and act out when they cannot tell us WHAT they are feeling and so we don't understand and cannot help). While this book will not replace real conversations with your kids about emotions and values, it's a good stepping off point for such discussions.

Further validity for me that The Feeling Friends™ is a great concept? Right now (April 27 - May 2, 2009), "KK" is at this year’s National Head Start Association™ (NHSA) 36th Annual Training Conference (Beyond the Boundaries: New Approaches and New Strategies), being held in Orlando, Florida. In her session, "Helping Children to Understand and Express Feelings: Introduction to KK and Friends," she is teaching attendees how they can help children understand and communicate feelings through dialogue, music and interaction. "We are thrilled that KK and Friends will be helping to bring high-quality training and professional development to the Head Start, early care and education communities,” said Angela Smith, Associate Director of Research and Evaluation for NHSA.

ABOUT KK AND FRIENDS - Author Karen Cuthrell (KK) co-created The Feeling Friends™ 15 years ago as a response to her young daughter’s challenges with expressing her feelings openly and honestly. What began as an interactive puppet show for preschoolers in the Metro DC area soon developed into a 13 book series and audio CD. KK and the Feeling Friends™ provides kids with the tools they’ll need to survive the big, wide world of unidentified and unexpressed feelings.

In its previous live show incarnation, Cuthrell has performed live concerts, Songs of The Feeling Friends, to over 5,000 children and their families. Children sang, danced, and interacted throughout the hour-long presentation. Cuthrell’s goal is to recreate those awe-inspiring moments in books, music, and a half-hour television program. That way, this breakthrough concept will be accessible to innumerable children and families. In addition, this concept has the stamp of approval from child psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Williams and educational psychologist Dr. Kathy Philyaw, both from the Washington area, who have reviewed the materials and believe that this program will truly enrich the lives of children.

For more information visit http://www.meetthefeelingfriends.com/.

ABOUT HEAD START - Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. Nearly 25 million pre-school aged children have benefited from Head Start.

**WIN IT! Win a Meet the Feeling Friends™ Book (MSRP $12.99) AND Meet the Feeling Friends™ CD (MSRP $12.99) (a 16-song, 70 minute CD)! To win, just leave a comment here with one line (any line but the first - make a little effort!) from the GRISWALD THE GRUMPY GRIZZLY (my favorite character!) song. Be sure to leave your email address if you do not have a blog or if it is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m. EST, Monday, May 4, 2009. Good Luck!**

Bonus! Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
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• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
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CARES Child Aviation Restraint

Guest post by Lisa Orman, President, Kid Stuff Public Relations:

OLDER KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CAN NOW SOAR WITH FAA-APPROVED CHILD AVIATION RESTRAINT

CARES Gives Parents Of Older Disabled Children Freedom to Fly

Two years ago Helen, the mother of a young girl with special needs, was eager to fly to Disney World for her family’s first vacation. She had the time, the hotel and the ticket. Her only obstacle was her daughter’s specially designed car seat - it was not FAA approved to use on the airplane. Then Helen heard about the CARES child aviation restraint - a belt and buckle device, designed for any size airplane seat, that the FAA had recently certified for all phases of flight. And it weighed only 1 pound. CARES was the answer to her dilemma!

Along with Helen, other parents of young children with disabilities have discovered CARES in the last 2 years and enjoyed the freedom of just being able to bring it on a plane and use it for their kids with no advance arrangements with the airline. But CARES was certified for children 22-44 lbs, and under 40 inches tall – and while typical children eventually grow into using just the airplane seat belt, youngsters with special needs often continue to need additional support.

Candie, the mother of a 10-year-old special needs child who weighed 66 pounds wrote, “We were forced to drive if we wanted to travel, because our son is too big for a car seat. I know other families in this same situation. The world is getting better for kids with disabilities but there is still a long way to go.”

Fast forward two years - the FAA has just granted a special needs youngster who weighs 73 pounds and is 4 ft 11 inches tall, permission to use CARES.

This exciting new development is an outgrowth of the award-winning Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) that has been sold to more than 35,000 families for global travel. This first-of-its-kind harness loops around the back of the airplane seat, has shoulder straps that come over the child’s shoulder, a chest clip to hold the straps in place, and loops at the bottom of the straps for the regular seat belt. CARES holds the child securely against the back of the airplane seat.

Louise Stoll, a grandmother from Vermont and former Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Transportation, created the award-winning CARES initially for toddlers. After hearing many stories from parents of children with special needs that ranged from physical challenges to autism, Stoll contacted the FAA to revisit the issue of certification on behalf of these older kids.

“The FAA took the request from the family of the 73 pound girl very seriously,” Stoll said. “In its approval letter, the FAA noted that the components of the CARES restraints are the same as those used in adult restraints – the seat belts on airplanes – and would maintain their integrity with a larger child,” explains Stoll in layman’s terms. “A major reason for being concerned about a heavier, taller person using CARES is that with that much weight attached to a seat back, it would move forward more quickly in a short stop, causing the person behind the seat not to be able to brace himself. The FAA agreed that if a larger child using the CARES device sits in a row where no one sits behind him – such as in front of the bulkhead – everyone on the plane would be covered in an emergency.”

Stoll noted that families traveling with a special needs child over 44 lbs who wants to use a CARES harness must still file a request with the FAA. “But the request will be granted more quickly and, eventually, we believe, more or less routinely,” explains Stoll, “since the criteria have now been established.”

“Of course” she reminds people, “any special needs child that weighs under 44 pounds can use the CARES product without advance arrangements and may sit anywhere on an airplane except exit rows where no travelers under 16 are permitted.”

The possibilities for disabled children to soar the friendly skies is great news to advocates like Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons, who writes about barrier-free travel for those with wheelchairs and walkers. Says Harrington on her website, www.emerginghorizons.com, “parents who travel with their wheeler kids face some of the same access barriers as adults, hence planning a family-friendly vacation that is also accessible presents some very unique challenges.”

With the FAA-approved CARES, moms and dads traveling with youngsters over 44 lbs who have special needs only have to carry a pocket-sized harness and a letter that grants the exemption for all their future travel. That leaves their arms free for hugs and holding hands.

About CARES
CARES is an innovative child harness designed specifically for airplanes that weighs one pound and provides extra support to children between 22-44 pounds who are in their own airplane seats. It replaces the need for parents to lug a bulky car seat around the airport and onto an airplane. Parents are assured their child has the protection needed, as car seats often don’t fit properly on a plane seat as they were designed for the back seat of an automobile!

Since its debut, the pocket-or-purse-sized Child Aviation Restraint System has wowed judges nationally and internationally, including winning the 2008 Good Housekeeping Good Buy Award - one of only 8 in the U.S. Dr. Toy, the noted child development authority, tapped CARES as last year’s Top 10 Socially Responsible Products, part of the 2008 Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products list.

The multi-award-winning child airplane harness can be ordered online at www.kidsflysafe.com, retailing for $74.95.CARES can also be purchased at select specialty retailers and e-commerce sites throughout the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Singapore.

Operation Paperback

Today is Day 5 of "Green Week" here at Did You See That? and I want to talk to you today about recycling. Not just any recycling, mind you, but a way to recycle your gently used books!

Now, I am a voracious reader. You will not find me ANYWHERE without a book in hand. I keep one in the car to read at stop lights for goodness sakes (what?! Sometimes that is the ONLY time I get to read these days!) I've been this way for years - I have a distinct memory of bringing a book with me to the Shriner's Circus when I was a kid! And many of my friends are just like me - one in particular is gracious enough to send me all her books when she is done with them too.

So often I find myself with stacks of books I've read already - what do I do with all these books? I suppose I could consign them or trade them or even donate them but instead, I've found a way to recycle these books that is a lot more personally satisfying. As a life long Navy "brat" and wife of a former Naval Petty Officer, I am always looking for ways to help our troops. I've worked a bit with the USO so finding Operation Paperback was perfect for me.

What is Operation Paperback? In their own words:

"Operation Paperback collects gently used books and sends them to American troops deployed overseas. Since 1999, we have shipped over 950,000 books to locations around the globe.

Many of our troops are serving far from home and living in facilities that provide few of the comforts of home. At the end of the duty day, the opportunity to escape into a good book is welcomed. Every week we receive thanks from troops who are glad to be appreciated and remembered.

Our service members make sacrifices every day for our country. It takes so little to let them know that we appreciate what they are doing for us. When you donate to Operation Paperback, you will let our troops know that you support them, and you have not forgotten them."

Operation Paperback was founded in 1999 by Chief Master Sergeant Rick Honeywell (may he rest in peace), and it sent its first shipments to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. They have since shipped books to the following locations overseas:

Afghanistan
Arabian Sea Fleet
Bahrain
Bosnia
Crete
Diego Garcia
Dubai
East Timor
England
Egypt
Germany
Greece
Honduras
Hungary
Horn of Africa
Iceland
Iraq
Italy Japan
Korea
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Kuwait
Macedonia
Mediterranean Sea Fleet
Oman
Pacific Fleet
Pearl Harbor
Philippines
Persian Gulf Fleet
Qatar
Republic of Georgia
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Turkey
Uzbekistan

In addition to overseas locations, Operation Paperback provides books to military and veterans hospitals located within the United States, as well as USO centers at US Airport transit points.

Individual citizens, American families and community groups have formed a network of volunteer shippers that have sent over 950,000 books since Operation Paperback began!!

How can YOU help?

There are two ways that you can help Operation Paperback – make a monetary donation or send books directly to the troops. By making a monetary donation you will help fund the purchase and shipment of high-demand genres and other special request books. As a volunteer shipper, you will collect and ship your own books using the addresses that we provide.

Sending books is a simple 7 step process that they send to you in detail once you sign up:

Step 1 - Collect (Troops have requested the following genres: action, bestsellers, biographies and memoirs, fantasy, history, horror, mysteries, science-fiction, true crime. Do not send romances unless specifically requested by the individual! Our troops have received a disproportionate amount of this genre and they aren't very happy about it. Be sure that the books you collect are in good condition.)

Step 2 - Sort (Weed out any books that do not meet the standards of our program. Then sort them out by genre.)

Step 3 - Print and Label (Print OP cover labels and apply one to the front cover of each book. We also have provided a standard letter to go into your box, though you are welcome to include a personal note. This lets troops know where the books are coming from and they often contact us directly asking for more!)

Step 4 - Get Addresses (Only registered volunteers may access our address list through the Volunteer Corner. Click on Request Addresses. Select the number of addresses that you need (typically people send packages of 10-20 books per person) and check off the genres you have on hand. Click Submit Request. The system will generate a list of troops for you.)

Step 5 - Pack (Pack your books into a sturdy box. As a general rule, please keep your boxes within reasonable size (no side should be longer than 16"). Note down how many books are going to each service member that you have selected. You will need this when reporting your shipment to us. Make sure the return address on your shipping label includes your name, the words "Operation Paperback" and your OWN complete address.)

Step 6 - Ship (Send the books "Media Mail." Sending it Priority will not get the box overseas faster and will cost at you twice as much. Flat Rate boxes cost $8.95 per shipment and can hold less than 10 books. A box of 20 paperback books can be shipped via media mail for less than $6.00. You need to fill out a customs form because your box is physically leaving US shores. Indicate the contents as "used books" and check off the "gift" box. If you are a frequent shipper, grab a few extra customs forms on your way out so you do not have to stand in line and try to address them at the post office (or use the online form).)

Step 7 – Report (Log back in to the Volunteer Corner to report your shipment to us when you get back home. The system knows what names you have checked out, so when you log back in, your list is waiting for you. All you need to do is put the quantities of books by each service member's name and click the submit button. If you weren't able to ship to everyone on your list, that's okay. Enter a zero by their name.)

See - easy peasy. Recycle your books, support our troops. Win-Win! I can't wait to start - won't you join me?

Go Green With Me! (edited to add giveaway)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER #1: CHRISTINE (non-blogger)...and WINNER #2: LILY.

Go Green With Me

Rebecca Mattano & Kristen Collier (Authors), Kevin Scott Collier (Illustrator)

Regular price: $7.95, Sale price: $6.95

It's day 4 of "Green Week" here on "Did You See That?" and today I have a book to share with you called "Go Green With Me." This children's book is the latest from The Little Environmentalists (I reviewed I'm Turning Green back in December and Nature Discovery in My Backyard in October).

From the back cover: Join EnviroGirl as she learns about saving the environment! In Go Green With Me you and your child will learn simple, eco-friendly tips that will help protect the planet. From recycling and solar power to worm composting and so much more, Go Green With Me makes these important lessons fun to read and learn. Challenge yourself to learn more about your ecological footprint, and find answers to the Did You Know questions at www.thelittleenvironmentalist.com.

From the authors: The Little Environmentalists, together with famous children’s authors and illustrators Kevin Scott Collier and Kristen Collier, have created a revised edition of the book I'm Turning Green titled Go Green With Me. This beautifully illustrated version will follow a young girl on her journey to become green. Go Green With Me will have the same great message as I’m Turning Green, with refreshing new text by Rebecca Mattano and Kristen Collier, and whimsical imagery by award winning illustrator Kevin Scott Collier.

Mattano, creator and author of The Little Environmentalists, wanted to use illustrations in Go Green With Me instead of the watercolor filtered photography used in previous books, in hopes of reaching children in a different way. “Our books carry important messages for preschoolers,” said Mattano. “So, it is important that we work to discover what they prefer. That way, we can give parents and grandparents the tools they need to develop the next generation of environmental stewards.”

Award-winning husband and wife team, Kevin Scott Collier and Kristen Collier, have written or illustrated over 80 books. Their experience working with publishing companies of all sizes combined with their passion for the message of Go Green With Me, made them an ideal partner for this project. The book, like the rest in The Little Environmentalists Series, is designed for pre-readers and emerging readers. Found in the back of the book is an Earth Notes section full of simple steps that families and classrooms can incorporate to conserve water, energy and other natural resources.

My take: Like the book I'm Turning Green that I reviewed in December, Go Green With Me follows a little girl as she takes simple steps to live more "green." With simple tips that even your youngest children can follow (turn off the water when you brush your teeth), to larger projects like composting (that you can do as a family), this book shows very real, practical steps we can all make to help save our environment. I think my kids' favorite part of the book were the pages on "worm composting" - because what child doesn't giggle when their mom reads to them using the word "poop?!" And they really could relate to the pages about farmers' markets and organic gardening since their dad has a garden in our back yard that they already help with. So I give Go Green With Me 5 out of 5 binkies. Be sure to visit The Little Environmentalists to find out where YOU can buy all three books!

BONUS: Use Coupon Code Earth Day for free shipping on all orders of 2 or more books! Or, if you are in the Milwaukee area, come to the Metro Parents Kids Fest this weekend April 18 & 19, 2009 to buy the books for $5 each at the Little Environmentalists booth.

ABOUT THE LITTLE ENVIRONMENTALISTS:
The Little Environmentalists: We are changing the world one child at a time!

The Little Environmentalists, LLC, is a company committed to developing and publishing children’s material to promote environmental awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship. The company is dedicated to sustainable business practices and producing environmentally friendly products.

The Little Environmentalists proudly print their books using 100% recycled paper that is 100% post-consumer waste and chlorine free, along with environmentally friendly inks. Environmentally friendly printing preserves forests and habitats, keeps toxic chemicals out of the environment and generates fewer greenhouse gases. It has been estimated that producing a ton of paper using 100% post-consumer copy paper rather than virgin pulp saves about 24 large trees, 4000 kilowatt hours of electricity, 60 pounds of air pollution and 7000 gallons of water.

**WIN IT! The Little Environmentalists is giving away one copy of Go Green With Me! for TWO lucky readers (U.S. mailing address only)!! To win, head over to their website and come back here and tell me ONE of the many reasons you should "go green" (hint: look here). Be sure to leave your email address if you do not have a blog or if it is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m. EST, Thursday, April 23, 2009. Good Luck!**

Bonus! Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
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Goody Green Bag...Keeping the Earth Green One Bag at a Time

It's day 3 of "Green Week" here at "Did You See That?" and today I want to introduce you to Goody Green Bag, an "eco-trendy reusable bag for the style conscious & environmentally friendly shopper."

From Goody Green Bag's founders: "Our bags are perfect for browsing the farmers market, trips to the grocery store, mall shopping, picking up take out, running miscellaneous errands, and even baby needs! They easily fold up and can be stored in your glove compartment, purse or pocket for easy access. Our mission is to make it simple for consumers to help preserve and sustain a healthy Earth. Replacing plastic or paper bags with Goody Green Bags is an easy way to reduce your individual carbon footprint on the planet. We make it a priority to continually use the most environmentally positive products to raise awareness of this issue; and we think you'll agree that our product is a great way for the fashion-forward consumer to make a simple commitment to a greener Earth!"

The bags are made from non-woven polypropylene - a coated, water resistant material that is light-weight, durable, fire resistant and washable.

• Functional and stylish alternative to paper or plastic bags


• Trendy patterns make it fresh and fun to do your part in saving our planet


• Easily fold down to the size of an envelope (see picture below)


• Affordable price makes it easy to balance the pressure to be eco-friendly with the desire to stay stylish
  

Goody Green Bag was kind enough to send me the bag they call "Dottie" (they have 6 beautiful designs) to check out. I've got to tell you, I absolutely love, love, love this bag. I have a ton of grocery store bags already - but they are all specific to their individual stores - i.e. Kroger, Food Lion, Rite Aid, etc. What I love about Goody Green Bags is I can take their bags to ANY store because it has no logo on it. And boy is it STRONG - last night I put 2 gallons of milk in it along with some produce at the grocery and had no trouble at all! Also, it's so pretty I've gotten a ton of comments on it from cashiers and customers alike. The best part? It folds down into a small envelope size package that I can store in the door of my van so it's always handy when I need it. If you are looking for reusable bags for all your shopping needs (and more!) I highly recommend you get yourself some Goody Green Bags!

BONUS! Goody Green Bag is running an Earth Day discount of 15% off all bags to promote Goody Green Bags "as a simple step individuals can make towards helping to save our Earth!" Normally the bags are $8.95 each (or 39.95 for a 5 pack) and for this promotion, which runs through the end of April 2009, the bags are only $7.61 (33.96 for a 5 pack)!

Another BONUS: Find a TON of tips for living more green on their website here!

In Memory of Madeline

Celebrate Earth Day with Xeko

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS PAULA (non-blogger)!!

It's Day 2 of "Green Week" here at Did You See That? and today I've got a fun way to involve your kids in living "green" (and a giveaway!).

You may recall these two posts I did previously on the Eco-friendly company Xeko (introduction to the card game here and a second post introducing their Xeko Pal stuffed animal line).

Well now they've expanded their Xeko Pal line with two new plush animals! And like the Xeko Pals: Giant Panda I previously reviewed, the new plush animals (based on the most popular characters from the Xeko eco-adventure game) feature “mission codes” that allow kids to join the fun at xeko.com, where "the Xeko adventure comes to life on the web."

I was mailed both toys to take a look at. And let me tell you, I was lucky to get a peek before my kids took off with them. I can tell you these plush toys are very soft and very realistic in appearance. My son claimed the flying squirrel and my daughter the lemur - they both took them in for show and tell that very day and have slept with them every night since. And I love that they are made with soy and certified organic cotton “fur” and filled with soy-based stuffing (instead of the usual polyester). What a great way to introduce your kids to the some of our most endangered animals on Earth! If you have kids who like stuffed / plush animals at all, these are really a must have toy.

Xeko Pals: Sumatran Flying Squirrel
$16.99

Product Description
The Sumatran flying squirrel must certainly qualify as one of the world’s rarest animals, as only a single individual has ever been seen. How many still exist? No one knows, but you can help Conservation International protect their habitat by taking one home today!This cute squirrel is approximately 5 inches long with fabric eyes; it’s made from soy “fur” and soy stuffing.Key features:- Soy fur and soy stuffing- Status: Vanishing- Habitat: Indonesia- More fun facts about animal on hangtag- Includes Mission Code to join the online adventure at http://xeko.com- 4% of Xeko Pals net sales are donated to Conservation International (CI). Learn more about CI at http://www.conservation.org/

Xeko Pals: Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur
$16.99

Product Description
One of the rarest, smallest - and cutest - primates on the planet, once thought extinct, this nocturnal lemur was "rediscovered" with the help of a Malagasy local in 1966.Their population is estimated between 100 and 1,000 left in the world (all in northern Madagascar). Take "Hairy" home and Conservation International will receive a donation to help save threatened habitats such as Madagascar.This lemur toy is approximately 5 inches cubed with a 7-inch tail; made from soy and certified organic cotton “fur” and soy stuffing.Key features:- Soy and certified organic cotton fur and soy stuffing- Status: Endangered- Habitat: Madagascar- More fun facts about animal on hangtag- Includes Mission Code to join the online adventure at http://xeko.com- 4% of Xeko Pals net sales are donated to Conservation International. Learn more about CI at http://www.conservation.org/

Xeko was also kind enough to send me a booster pack from Indonesia to add to the ones we already have. My son nabbed those up right away as well - he absolutely loves his Xeko cards and has a special card holder for them.

Mission: Indonesia Booster Packs 7.99

Product Description
Expand your winning potential with Mission: Indonesia Booster Packs! Xeko Booster Packs contain nine random cards with one endangered card in each pack. Two Booster Packs for $7.99.Ancient Xeko forces are joining together to defend the most fascinating and most threatened places on Earth. The search is on for the next generation of Xeko Masters. Are you ready for the awesome animals, globe-trotting fun, eye-popping art, and brain-stimulating strategy?Discover the secrets of Xeko and explore exotic Indonesia, the only place in the world where tigers, elephants, and orangutans coexist.All Xeko collections are playable with one another, and players can mix and match to build custom decks.- Creative Child Magazine's Game of the Year 2007- National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2007- The Toy Man Award of Excellence 2007- Xeko cards are printed on recycled paper with eco-friendly inks- Xeko donates 4% of game net sales to Conservation International- Learn more about Xeko and the animals of Mission: Indonesia at xeko.com

Matter Group's mission is to foster sustainability by creating and marketing world-class products and media that entertain and inspire people to make a difference. Matter Group's founders, investors, employees and partners believe that doing well is also doing good. The company's success is measured by our triple-bottom line: profitability, environmental impact and social contribution.

Xeko: Based on the Legend of Xeko and conservation hotspots, Xeko ignites imaginations and sends the next generation of heroes on an adventure to save the world. The Xeko game features remarkable plant and animal species from Earth's biodiversity hotspots first identified by Norman Myers and recognized by Conservation International. Currently numbered at 34, the hotspots contain 75 percent of the planet's most threatened mammals, birds and amphibians while covering just 2.3 percent of the Earth's surface. An estimated 50 percent of all vascular plants and 42 percent of land vertebrates exist only in these hotspots. Preserving our planet's biodiversity is Xeko Mission: Critical. Every Xeko player is an eco-hero. Every game purchase helps fund conservation efforts in the field.

The Xeko motto: Have fun, do good!

BONUS! Save 15% of your entire order at http://xekostore.com from now through 10/31/09 with the coupon code: gogreen (can be used more than once)...or...

*WIN IT- Xeko will provide a Xeko Pals™ “Hairy” to one lucky reader! To win, head over to the Xexo store and come back here and leave a comment with the name of one of the four countries listed that have booster packs. Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Tuesday, April 21, 2009. Good Luck!

Bonus! Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
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Electrolux: Eco-Friendly Appliances

With Earth Day just around the corner on April 22nd, this week is "Green Week" at "Did You See That?" - where I'll be reviewing a few "greener" alternatives we can all use to help reduce our carbon footprints.

First up: Mount Laundry. I don't care if you have 2 kids, 8 kids or no kids, laundry never, ever seems to end. And not only does that mean lots of time down the drain (pun intended!), massive amounts of laundry leads to hefty electricity, water and sewer bills as well. So it was no surprise I was all over this blog tour when Mom Central told me about Electrolux's new eco-friendly washer and dryer.

Electrolux and Kelly Ripa have teamed up again, this time to introduce an eco-friendly front-load washer and dryer in a truly vibrant shade – “Kelly Green” – to help you save energy and use less water! In fact, Electrolux washers are up to 83% more energy-efficient and use 56% less water, which provides an easy way for all of us to be more green.

The new limited edition shade, an upbeat green designed to pack a visual punch, was inspired by the great outdoors and self-proclaimed eco-Mom Kelly Ripa. Here’s a quote from Kelly herself: “I love green … the color green and the act of living green,” said Ripa. “What better place to make a simple, every day difference than in the laundry room? Kelly Green is a gorgeous shade, and just by using the new Electrolux high-efficiency washer and dryer you can save energy and use less water. How green is that?”

I think it is safe to say I yearn for these machines. Take a look:

Front Load Washer with IQ-Touch™ Controls ($1,499.00 MSRP)
available in: KELLY GREEN / RED HOT RED / MEDITERRANEAN BLUE / ISLAND WHITE

Features:
Fastest Wash and Dry Times 18 minutes to wash, 18 minutes to dry - so your clothes are ready before you are.
Largest Capacity Washers and Dryers Wash and dry the most in one load with our 4.7 cu. ft. washers and our 8.0 cu. ft. dryers.
IQ-Touch™ Controls All the wash and dry cycles/options you'll need - including a 'My Favorite' setting.
Eco-Friendly Washers Gentle on the environment and your clothes, with wash cycles that are 75% more energy-efficient and use 56% less water.
Perfect Balance™ System State-of-the-art technology keeps even oversized wash loads balanced for smooth, quiet operation.


Electric Front Load Dryer with IQ-Touch™ Controls ($1,399.00 MSRP )
available in: KELLY GREEN / RED HOT RED / MEDITERRANEAN BLUE / ISLAND WHITE

Features:
Fastest Wash and Dry Times 18 minutes to wash, 18 minutes to dry - so your clothes are ready before you are.
Luxury-Dry™ System Exceptional temperature control helps protect fabrics and keeps clothes looking great.
Gentle Tumble™ Drying Our exclusive dryer design gently separates and tumbles clothes for even drying.
Luxury-Quiet™ sound package Lets you do laundry anytime and no one will notice

BONUS: Be sure to log on to Electrolux's website to help raise funds for Global Green USA ("an organization that builds green schools across America and helps to create a sustainable future for our children"). Everyone who logs on to the site and participates in the campaign will be automatically entered for a chance to win a new eco-friendly Kelly Green front-load washer and dryer [join their virtual flower garden campaign because for every flower "planted," Electrolux will donate $1 to Global Green USA - full details on how to participate here].

In addition, Mom Central will be giving away one eco-friendly “Kelly Green” washer and dryer set! To enter, simply go to http://www.momcentral.com/blogs/win-a-kelly-green-electrolux-washer-a-dryer.html and (1) tell them which flower you planted on the Electrolux site and (2) share your own “laundry tips” for saving time and energy. Mom Central will pick one lucky winner in a random drawing from all entries received!

Now that's an easy way to "go green!"

This review was sponsored by
Mom Central

Making Life Better...Spring Holiday edition!

This year, Easter falls at the worst possible time for CPAs like myself - April 12th is 3 days before the end of tax season! And Passover (on the 9th) was only 6 days before. As if this wasn't the busiest time of the year already with taxes, now we have the holidays to prepare for as well.

But help is at hand (and not just for us busy CPAs but for all of you busy moms and dads as well). You may recall the post I did recently at the AWESOME site from Unilever - Making Life Better. Well, Making Life Better also has great holiday and everyday meal ideas. With a combination of trusted brands that offer great quality at affordable prices as well as plenty of recipes and tips to help make everyday life better, you now have an easily available resource to help with meal prep any day of the year! For example:

Easter Dinner:

Shedd's Spread Country Crock: Make your Easter main course a D-light, with this super-simple recipe for Country-Style Glazed Ham made with Shedd's Spread Country Crock Calcium plus Vitamin D. And if you still have your April 5th Sunday paper in your recycling bin, there was a great holiday meal offer: get up to $20 back on your ham or turkey purchase by mail when you buy $40 in Unilever products like these during the month of April! That would definitely make your at home meal cheaper than dining out!

Bertolli Sauce: If you usually dine out for your Easter meal, but are trying to save money this year, serve a restaurant quality feast at your own table with Bertolli Premium Pasta Sauce. A delicious recipe for Lamb Chops a la Pizzaiola from top chef Rocco DiSpirito will have your family wondering if it came from an Italian restaurant (Ummm....Rocco DiSpirito....)

Passover Meals:

Ragú: Ragú Old World Style Pasta Sauce has a full serving of vegetables in every half-cup of sauce and is a good source of Vitamins A and C. For a family-friendly Passover dish, try Matzo Pizza with Ragú.

Shedd's Spread Country Crock: Add a little nutrition to a Passover favorite, Matzo Brei, with Country Crock Calcium Plus Vitamin D, which provides 20% of the necessary daily value of Vitamin D in each tablespoon.

Everyday Ideas:

Knorr Sides: Spend less time in the kitchen by making a quick one-dish meal in three easy steps. Simply add your favorite cooked meat or chicken to Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides to make your family a satisfying one-dish meal, like Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo.

Recipe Secrets: Creating a Country-Style Pot Roast is as simple as combining a few ingredients in the Dutch oven to roast , including Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix, which provides the perfect blend of seasonings to create delicious, affordable meals and great recipes for every occasion.

Breyers: Bring a sweet ending to your dinner with a classic Hot Fudge Sundae using delicious Breyers All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream - a family-favorite made easily (and more affordably) at home!

Whatever holiday you are celebrating this Spring, be sure to take advantage of all the recipes and ideas on Making Life Better. Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all!

This review was sponsored by

Mom Central

My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too

My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Tigger, Pooh, and a Musical Too

List price: U.S. $26.99 / Canada $29.99
Release date: April 7, 2009
Aspect ratio: Family Friendly Widescreen (1.78:1)
Run time: Approximately 60 minutes
Sound: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: English, Spanish, French audio

Looking for a last minute Easter basket addition? Do your kids LOVE all things Disney? Then this DVD is for you! Join Pooh, Tigger, and all their friends from the Hundred Acre Wood in a brand new full-length movie!

From the studio: "Bursting with laughter, unforgettable new music and your favorite beloved characters, the Super Sleuths partake in adventure while teaching children simple lessons about friendship, determination and sharing.

Pooh’s putting on a show! Get ready to tap your toes and sing along with Pooh, Tigger and all their friends from the Hundred Acre Wood in a brand new full-length movie, inspired by the hit Playhouse Disney series, featuring seven original songs. In the Hundred Acre Wood, it’s time for the annual picnic and this year, the gang elects Rabbit honorary mayor! Thrilled with the prospect of being mayor, Rabbit sets about posting “rules”for everyone to abide by. But Rabbit’s “no bouncing” rule is more than Tigger can bear!



Through lessons of fun, adventure and teamwork, the Super Sleuths realize that treating each other with kindness and respect is the most important lesson of all. This full-length movie includes all-new CG animation, seven original songs, including “One Big Happy Family, “A Few Simple Rules,” Bouncin’” and “Underneath the Same Sky (performed byKenny Loggins) and bonus features such as “Rabbit’s Think, Think, Think Theatre” interactive game that lets kids pick a characters, costumes, music and stage settings to put on their very own musical!"

view the TRAILER here:

BONUS: There are four fun ways to watch including the standard feature, sing-along mode, easy play and active play modes. It’s a singing, dancing adventure that the whole family can enjoy!"

My take on it: I've been a fan of Tigger and Pooh and the entire Winnie the Pooh series since I was a small child myself. So I wasn't thrilled when the newest version of the classic story was introduced on Playhouse Disney a few years ago. But the show, which added Darby and her dog Buster to all my familiar childhood characters, has grown on me. And no surprise, my kids, who love all things Playhouse Disney, loved this DVD. The songs are catchy (which makes the sing-along mode even more fun if you have little ones that like to sing like I do) and as usual, the kids are being entertained while learning a lesson (this time about friendship and getting along). And the basic storyline, where Rabbit forbids Tigger to bounce, is one that is in one of our favorite Winnie the Pooh books as well so it was fun to revisit the story in a new way. Great addition to any Easter basket and beyond!

5 out of 5 binkies.

NOTE: My Friends Tigger and Pooh premiered on Playhouse Disney Block in May 2007 and has since become one of the highest rated kids shows on cable, viewed by more than four out of every ten preschool kids in the U.S. (Source: Nielsen Media Research, NPOWER, qualified audience on Disney Channel).

About the studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainmentindustry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone,Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc andelectronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of DisneyEnterprises, Inc.

Leslie Patricelli

My love for the written word started early - my first sentence, as carefully inscribed in my baby book by my mother, was "I want my book!" I am dedicated to doing my best to passing on my love of books to my own two children. In pursuit of that goal, I've been reading to them since they were in utero! Now that they are older, they have their own opinions on what makes a good book. And when Team Mom sent me these beautiful titles from author and illustrator, Leslie Patricelli, I knew that these were books we all could agree were perfect!

As the director of Team Mom, Marie Baker explains: "Through bright and engaging artwork, Leslie manages to capture the fun and silliness of being a kid, while teaching simple concepts. Whether it’s the witty picture book about a child’s adventure on a swing or the tale of a baby and an ice-cream cone, it’s no wonder Leslie has received glowing reviews from magazines such as Scholastic Parent and Child and School Library Journal."

Take a look at the two books we were lucky enough to receive and you'll agree - no library is complete without Leslie Patricelli's books!

Higher! Higher!

One child. One swing. An obliging dad. The inevitable plea to go Higher! Higher! Add Leslie Patricelli's wildly expressive illustrations, and an everyday past time reaches new heights of humor and whimsy.

suggested retail price (U.S./CAN):$15.99 / $17.50
type/format:Picture book / Hard Cover
age range: 2 yrs - 5 yrs
# of pages: 32
grade range:Preschool - Kindergarten

Baby Happy Baby Sad

A towering ice-cream cone makes Baby HAPPY. But when that delectable treat goes splat, it makes Baby SAD. And how quickly HAPPY turns to SAD when a favorite red balloon flies away! Even the littlest listeners will relate to this playful look at a pair of emotions that are part of every baby’s day. YES! This must-have toddler title sheds light on some concepts with a comical flair that will make readers HAPPY.

suggested retail price (U.S./CAN):$6.99 / $7.50
type/format:Board book / Board Book
age range:1 yr - 3 yrs
# of pages: 24
grade range:Preschool
subjects:Best for Baby; Books for Toddlers; Feelings

About the Author/Illustrator: "My Grandma was a pastel artist and, for as long as I can remember, an artist is what I wanted to be too," says children's author and illustrator Leslie Patricelli. "My hobby as a kid was drawing cartoons and writing stories, and I started to consider a career in art in seventh grade. When the multiple choice career test I took resulted in a recommendation that I pursue a career in forestry, I went back and changed all my answers, so that it recommended instead that I pursue graphic design since they didn't have children's book writer or cartoonist on the list." Leslie Patricelli lives in Seattle, WA with her husband, two children, and cats Sassy and Elvin.

You can read more about Mrs. Patricelli here and be sure to check out her delightful interactive website where you can play games, print coloring pages, see videos and more! I especially loved her "about me" page - look what happens when you move your mouse over everyone's pictures!.

I am proud to be a member of Team Mom, which sponsored this review.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Pirates Treasure

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Pirate Treasure

List Price: $16.98
Format: Animated, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
Language: English
Number of discs: 1
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Release Date: March 24, 2009
Run Time: 82 minutes

Product Description: Set sail for adventure as Wubbzy and his friends discover a whole new world of fun in this collection of wild escapades and silly songs from the Nick Jr/Noggin animated sensation. Tag along with Wubbzy, Widget and Walden as they search to find buried pirate treasure. Find out what happens when Wubbzy gets lost in the woods and why Walden is afraid of the beach. Take a trip with the gang to the nearby town of Plaidsville! Get ready for hours of singing, dancing, laughing and in this Emmy award winning series that puts the Wow! Wow! back into preschool entertainment.

[Click on this link to view a Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Pirate Treasure Sneak Peak]

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy is one of my kid's FAVORITE T.V. shows. And my 6 year old son is WILD about pirates. Put these two together and you could see almost see the fight coming (the one that erupted between my kids the moment this DVD arrived in the mail). I honestly had to break up a physical altercation over who was allowed to just hold the case and this, mind you, was even before the show was played.

And no surprise, they both loved this newest Wubbzy DVD. Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Pirate Treasure includes 5 regular and 2 bonus episodes, including one "never before seen" episode. Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is another one of those great Nick, Jr. /Noggin series that both entertains my kids while teaching them social skills (sneaky!). If you have never seen the show, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is an animated children's television series (set in "Wuzzleburg") that debuted August 28, 2006 on Nick Jr. "The show tells of the adventures of Wubbzy, Walden, Wubbzy's brainy friend, and Widget, another friend of Wubbzy who can fix anything with her toolbox. Wubbzy gets himself into crazy predicaments and strange situations, but with the help of Walden and Widget, Wubbzy gets himself out of trouble (source)."

BONUS: Be sure to visit http://www.wubbzy.com/ for all sorts of fun activities,crafts, games and even recipes for your kids to enjoy (and don't forget to join the Wubb Clubb for even more fun delivered to your email address - including a membership certificate and card your child can print out). And Wubby is even the new Goodwill Ambassador for Autism Speaks!

This review was sponsored by
Mom Central

Let Go of My Eggo!

If you've been reading this blog (or my weight loss blog) for any period of time, you know how much I and my family loves all things Kellogg's. Seriously, check out my cereal shelf or my freezer and it's all Kellogg's, all the time. So I jumped on the chance to try out their all new microwavable pastry, Eggo Bake Shop™ Twists.

If you are like most busy moms or dads, you love fresh baked pastry but have ZERO time most mornings to bake - heck, you're lucky if you have time to throw some cereal in a bowl for your family (Kellogg's cereal of course, heh!) .

Kellogg's Eggo feels your pain and so they have developed Eggo Bake Shop™ Twists, its first microwaveable pastry that combines soft, pull-apart dough sprinkled with sugar crystals and delicious Strawberry or Apple filling made with real fruit. And, in just 2 minutes and 25 seconds, your family can enjoy a warm, bakery-like breakfast, without all the hard work.

And let me tell you, these are seriously good pastries and they come in two flavors (click through to see nutritional information - each one is 4 points if you are following the Weight Watchers plan like I am). They taste just as good as any pastry you'd pick up from the bakery on your way into work and you get to sit down and eat as a family instead of stuffing your face between stoplights - win, win! Eggo Bake Shop™ Twists will definitely be in my shopping cart from now on.

Kellogg's® Eggo Bake Shop™ Twists Apple

Kellogg's® Eggo Bake Shop™ Twists Strawberry

This review was sponsored by
Mom Central

Schoolhouse Rock! Earth

As promised yesterday, I've got another "Green" DVD to tell you about today. And as a child who grew up on the classic Schoolhouse Rock! series, I was very excited to get this all new Schoolhouse Rock!

Rated: Not rated
Studio: WALT DISNEY VIDEO DVD
Release Date: March 31, 2009
Run Time: 60 minutes
Suggested retail price: DVD: $26.99 U.S., $29.99 Canada
Feature run time: Approx. 50 minutes
Languages: English, French
DISNEY PRESENTS ABC’S SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK! EARTH
Original Tunes and Animation Offer a Fun and Funky Take on “Green” Topics Including Conservation, Recycling and Solar Energy
New Music Video for Updated version of Iconic Song “Three Is A Magic Number” Now Called “The 3 R’s”
Recorded by Mitchel Musso (Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, Phineas and Ferb)
Premiering on Disney Channel Spring 2009
Plus a DVD Premiere of the Digitally Remastered Version of the Schoolhouse Rock Classic song “The Energy Blues”

From the Studio: "Kids across America will be rockin’ out while learning about the environment when Schoolhouse Rock! Earth comes to DVD on March 31, 2009. Schoolhouse Rock educated a generation of kids about grammar, math, science, economics and history, winning four Emmy® Awards in the process. Now, the creators of the original series have created all-new songs for today’s kids. Schoolhouse Rock! Earth introduces lots of new fun characters and also brings back several iconic characters including Interplanet Janet and Mr. Morton for a 21st Century take on the classic Saturday morning TV series. Perfectly timed for Earth Day (April 22) 2009, the DVD features eleven original songs and contemporary animation. Kids will love learning about global warming from a polar bear’s point of view, carbon footprints from an animated Sasquatch, the importance of tropical rain forests, the benefits of solar and wind power and other important “green” concepts in this entertaining collection of planet-friendly songs.

Schoolhouse Rock! Earth all-new original songs include:

• Report from the North Pole
• The Little Things We Do
• The Trash Can Band
• You Oughta Be Savin’ Water
• The Rainforest
• Save the Ocean
• FatCat Blue: The Clean Rivers Song
• A Tiny Urban Zoo
• Solar Power to the People
• Windy and the Windmills
• Don’t Be a Carbon Sasquatch
• And more!"

Here is a clip of Save the Ocean:

BONUS: During Spring 2009, Disney Channel will premiere the new music video for the first-ever Schoolhouse Rock tune, “Three is A Magic Number.” This updated version of the iconic song, now called “The 3 R’s” will be recorded by Mitchel Musso (Hannah Montana, Phineas and Ferb) and will feature a sneak peek of clips from Schoolhouse Rock! Earth.

My take: Talk about flashbacks! Even though these are all new songs, they definitely retain the feel and sound of the class Schoolhouse Rock! videos I grew up with - no high tech "improved" versions here and that's just the way I like it! Once again, I also like having another way to teach my kids the importance of saving our planet. It was also a hoot to see old favorite characters from the original series like Interplanet Janet and Mr. Morton - and to see the old song "The Energy Blues" - a song just as relevant today as it was in the 70's. I sent the DVD to school with my 6 year old as well (they watch educational DVDs on Friday afternoons) and he tells me everyone really liked it. All in all, I have to say I highly recommend this DVD. It's fun and educational. 5 out of 5 binkies.

About the Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Handy Manny: Manny’s Green Team

"Going Green" is all the rage right now - and if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I'm doing all I can to live as "green" as possible. The harder part is teaching our kiddos to do the same - how to get across to little ones a very big concept? This week, I've got TWO DVDs to tell you about that can help. First up: Handy Manny: Manny's Green Team:

Handy Manny: Manny's Green Team

Rating:

Studio: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
DVD Release Date: March 31, 2009
Run Time: 58 minutes
Suggested retail price: U.S. $19.99, Canada $24.99

Aspect ratio: Full Screen 1.33:1

Sound: Dolby® Digital Sound

Languages: English, Spanish

DVD Bonus Features: “Livin’ La Vida Verde” Recycling Challenge Game

and, fun family tips on going green

From the Studio: "On TUESDAY MARCH 31, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment “Green’s Up” the environment with HANDY MANNY: MANNY’S GREEN TEAM on DVD! HANDY MANNY: MANNY’S GREEN TEAM is filled with eco-friendly bonus material including a fun family printable check list to help you turn your home green, plus a fun recycling game - “Livin’ La Vida Verde”. HANDY MANNY: MANNY’S GREEN TEAM is the best way to inspire the whole family to pitch in, roll up their sleeves and “go green!”

Product Description: Manny and his boisterous tools are not only dedicated to fixing things right, but also to conserving and preserving the Earth's valuable resources. In Handy Manny Manny's Green Team, the team works together to save baby turtles, restore cool air for the science fair and discover how reflecting light off mirrors helps get a job done. With a never before seen episode and all new interactive game, Manny's Green Team is the enviornmentally friendly DVD the entire family will enjoy. Bonus features include Never Before Seen Episode Saving The Turtles, Fun Family Green Tips.


The story line: "Manny and the gang need YOUR help to complete all their green tasks as they restore cool air for the science fair, protect an endangered nest of baby turtles and harness the power of the sun with a solar-powered motorized sign!"



"In never-before-seen episode Saving Turtles, Manny and the gang take in some beautiful natural scenery and protect a nest of endangered baby turtles. Working together on the shores of Manny’s favorite lake, the gang proves that looking after the natural world is easy when you work as a team."

See a clip of Saving The Turtles here:

Not familiar with Handy Manny? It's a show on Playhouse Disney that is VERY popular around our house - it reminds me of Bob the Builder in theme. Handy Manny is Manny Garcia, the best handyman in the town of Sheetrock Hills and uses his box of mismatched tools to help him make repairs all over town (he is voiced by Wilmer Valderrama of “That ‘70s Show”). In 2007, Handy Manny was a top-rated program on Playhouse Disney with preschoolers aged 2-5 (Source: Quarterly Sales Highlights – U.S. Performance: April-June 2007). Manny and his tools live by the motto “You break it, we fix it!” Among his tools are Pat, the bumbling hammer; Felipe, the ambitious screwdriver; Turner, the grumpy screwdriver; Stretch, the nearly perfect tape measure; Rusty, the fearful monkey wrench; Squeeze, the curious pliers; and Dusty, the not-so-dainty handsaw.

My take: My kids already watch and love Handy Manny so this DVD was a no-brainer for us. They were both excited to get to see an all-new episode and I was excited to see a reinforcement of the "green" principles we're trying to instill in them as well as the usual standards of conduct found in all Handy Manny episodes (the value of working as a team to get the job done, the importance of friendship and the value of community - how we all play important roles in our communities). If you've never seen Handy Manny, this would be a good introduction to the show. I highly recommend this DVD. 5 out of 5 binkies.

About the Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of Disney Enterprises, Inc.