Rather than wracking your brain for the perfect gift, I’ll give you some of my favorites to ponder. Here’s a list of things I never would have thought of, but have been great to have on hand. Most have been gifts, others have been products I found along the way and a few I’ve found since blogging. Be sure to let me know if you have a favorite new baby gift to give.

sound machine – I love the HoMedics Sound Spa Relaxation Sound Machine with 6 Nature Sounds. You can play it all night, or set it up for increments of 15, 30 or 60 minutes. It’s only about $20 and can be found just about anywhere.

digital clock with CD player or iPod port – An easily visible clock is nice for midnight feedings / cuddle sessions and it’s an added bonus if it has the ability to play soothing music and lullabies.

Alcohol-free hand sanitizer – I keep a bottle just about everywhere…in the car, in my bag, in the baby’s room, in the kitchen and in the bathroom. The alcohol free variety doesn’t overdry the hands and isn’t toxic to baby. I like BabyGanics, CleanWell and GermX.

car seat bunting – Most experts advise against putting babies in a coat while in the car seat because it prevents a tight fit with the harness, not to mention babies can easily overheat. Car seat covers come in handy for winter months because they’re super easy to use, keep baby warm and don’t fall off like blankets tend to.

Power – All parents need a battery charger and rechargeable batteries, all sizes and lots of them.

plastic totes – to store outgrown clothes, or gifts that baby isn’t ready for.

The Rookie Moms Handbook – This is one of those books I wish I had when my son was born! The popular bloggers have put together 250 activities to do with (and without) your baby in one easy-to-follow resource. Because, let’s face it, parenthood can be lonely, scary and boring at times. The Rookie Moms have a humorous tone that helps lighten the mood and reminds us that we’re not alone. They help new parents get out of the rut that many of us tend to find ourselves in.

Toy/Cup/Paci tether – Every parent needs about five of these! I’ve seen several on the market (and have tried most of them) but the SippiGrip from Booginhead is my fave! It’s perfect for toys, bottles, cups and anything else baby likes to toss on the floor. They also make a PaciGrip, which I’m sure is just as handy!

BabyBjorn Soft Bib – best bib on the market for when baby starts finger foods. They are easy to wipe off and use again, and they catch just about everything in the big pouch. Plus, the closure is made like a beaded necklace making it easy to adjust for growing children.

Formula / Cereal dispenser – This one is from Sassy, but you can find many different brands and colors.

Crib Sheets – Babies sleep in a crib for 2-3 years and can go through A LOT of sheets! It’s also nice to have some flannel sheets for winter and t-shirt sheets for summer.

Sleep Sacks – They keep baby warm without the added SIDS risk that comes with blankets. Plus, they’re a lot easier to use than swaddling blankets. I’m partial to Halo, but there are a few other brands to choose from.

5 – In – 1 Adjustable Gym – This was one of our favorite toys. My son used it from 3 months through his second birthday.

SOS! The Six O’Clock Scramble to the Rescue – Once a baby comes into the picture, dinner time becomes a lot more difficult to manage. This is my favorite cookbook for families looking to put an affordable, yet healthy dinner on the table with little effort.

Shopping Cart Protector – Now I’m not one to be OCD about germs, but shopping carts are downright disgusting. Remember the diaper blowouts your baby had as an infant??? Yeah, that probably happens a time or two in the grocery cart. Not to mention you don’t know what kind of meat products another customer has put in seat of the cart. I also like the floppy seat because it has just enough padding to help support young babies as their learning to sit.

Books – Give your favorite. (mine are Love You Forever, I Love you Stinky Face and Guess How Much I Love You)

Memberships – Help the new parent, and baby, get out of the house with a membership to a local parent’s group (Mothers & More, MOMS Club and MOPS are some suggestions). Or, you can purchase a pass to a play gym for a little action (I like Gymboree, but you might have something different in your town).

Clothes – Buying baby clothes is by far one of the most enjoyable shopping experiences. If you’re considering a clothing purchase, consider these tips:

1. Everybody buys size 0-3 month or 3-6 month clothes…leaving most babies with more clothes than they know what to do with. Consider purchasing clothing for later. Size 6-9 months is good, but size 9 months and above will be the most useful for new parents. (I prefer Carter’s Body Suits and Cotton Pants…in case anybody’s wondering)

2. Don’t try to buy clothing according to what season you think the baby will be wearing them. There’s no telling what the child’s growth pattern will be or when he’ll hit a spurt. You don’t want to buy a winter outfit that he’s big enough to wear in the summer.

3. Try to think of the parent’s style when buying clothes, not your own…or else your gift might end up at the back of the closet.

What not to buy:

Here is a list of things I received in multitude. If you want to be unique or relevant, stay clear of these items.

Diaper rash ointment – My son is almost 3 and we still have about five unopened tubes of diaper cream.

Shampoo/body wash/lotion – Sure, everybody needs to bathe…but do we need 5 bottles of shampoo for a newborn that doesn’t have any hair?

Blankets and stuffed animals – Everybody wants to buy the gift that just might become a child’s lovie. We got so many of these gifts, that at least half of them ended up at the Goodwill.

Clothing in any size smaller than 6 months – Most people know not buy newborn sizes that will quickly be outgrown, so they opt for 0-3 months or 3-6 months. My son had so many outfits for this stage that I had to change him several times a day just so he could wear them all. However, by the time was wearing 9 month clothes, we didn’t have anything.

Mittens – they just fall off

So, I set out to find a solution that would be waste free and affordable for us (no expensive lunch boxes for this single-income family.) I’m also trying to put more of an effort forward to use the things we already have, rather than buying new all the time. Here’s what I was able to put together.

We had a SafeFit backpack at home that we purchased for my son a year or so ago. Its intention is to be a harness, but we bought it to be a weighted backpack for additional sensory input…to calm his hyper activity. While we don’t use it for his sensory needs any more, I thought it was the perfect bag for lunch. My son loves putting it on in the morning and the handy cup holder makes it a perfect fit for lunches.

Next, I needed to find some containers that would be waste free and store his lunch adequately. I found a lot of great containers online, but the backpack is small, so my options were a bit limited. I found a Sassy On the Go Feeding Set at Target that was perfect and only cost about $6. It’s split in half and has three removable, individual feeding dishes with lids…perfect for packing applesauce, yogurt and dips. Plus, all new Sassy feeding products are made from BPA-free plastic.

I just needed to find one more container for sandwiches, crackers and other bread products. Due to the size of our bag, space was limited, so I started researching reusable bags and found ReUsies. The company agreed to provide some for review, and a few for one of you to win, but they were already my favorite choice because the Velcro closure was perfect for little hands (zippers can be too much and origami wrapping is far too confusing even for me). I also liked the affordability of these bags. A snack bag is about $7 and the sandwich bag is about $10. (I use the snack bag for sandwiches…it’s a tight fit, but it works). The bags are 100% cotton, lined with leak-resistant nylon (BPA, Lead and Phthalate free) and are secured with Velcro closures. They come in a variety of colors and patterns that are sure to please everyone in your family. (we chose airplanes) They can be machine washed and dried, washed in the dishwasher, or simply wiped clean with a soapy sponge and air dried. I wash ours by hand and it’s super easy to do.

Finally, I needed to make sure that all this stuff came home at the end of the day. I started by marking each piece with a Sharpie…but that didn’t exactly work out. It washed off the dishes and the dark ink didn’t show up very well on the dark fabric. On the advice of other parents, I got connected with Mabel’s Labels and we’ve been set. I used the sticky labels on the dishes, ReUsie and the backpack, as well as a bag tag on the bag’s zipper.

Where to Buy:

SafeFit backpack – You can find them at most baby supply stores, or online at Toys R Us

Sassy On the Go Feeding Set – You can find this container at just about any major retailer, or online through Drugstore.com or ToysRUs.com.

ReUsies – You can buy ReUsies directly online, through Amazon or at these select retailers.

Mabel’s Labels – These labels can be ordered directly through their website.

Other choices you might like:

Laptop Lunches

Slimline Quaddie Lunchbox

Colorful Klip-It Lunch Cube

Fit & Fresh Lunch on the Go

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

That’s when I set out to find a better solution. First I queried friends and of course, the loyal followers of our facebook page. A few people mentioned Mabel’s Labels and then I saw a post on Cool Mom Picks highlighting their summer camp pack. So, I headed online to see what they were about. I checked out their website, along with a few other similar companies, and decided this was the best fit for our needs.

I love that you can buy the specific labels that you need, or you can find a combo pack that works for you. Each combo pack includes a variety of different label types,  which might include some of the following:

sticky tags –  peel and stick labels that are dishwasher safe, microwavable safe, durable, easy to use and perfect for just about everything.

tag mates – laundry safe and perfect for labeling clothing tags – no ironing needed

iron ons – laundry safe clothing labels easily applied with a household iron (ideal for clothes that don’t have a tag)

skinny-minis – dishwasher safe and ideal for small school supplies and eating utensils, but suitable for just about anything

shoe labels – waterproof and extra sticky labels that won’t tear, peel or budge (my son only has a few pairs of shoes, so I use the rest for other things like toys)

teeny tags – small metal tags for back packs, lunch bags and pencil cases

I was fortunate to receive a supply of labels for review and we’ve been using them all summer. They’re absolutely perfect. Mabel’s Labels are super easy to use and I know they’re not going to budge. In fact, I’ve had so much fun labeling my son’s things that I’ve started looking for more stuff around the house to slap a Mabel’s Label on. (I chose to get our last name on our labels so that I could use extras for family belongings…and so baby number 2 doesn’t have to wear clothes with his brother’s name on them.)

So far, I’ve labeled my son’s clothes with the tag mates, his bag with a teeny tag, his dishes with sticky labels and a few of his toys with the shoe labels. I never have to worry about my his things getting confused for someone else’s and I don’t have to spend precious time writing his name on EVERYTHING. Mabel’s Labels makes sure that everything comes home at the end of the day.

I love them so much that I’m ordering more to make sure I have everything covered.

FREE SHIPPING Update from Mabel’s Labels: “We’ve made some changes to help our customers in the United States save money! Beginning today, Standard Mail shipping will be FREE on US orders over $49, before taxes and/or discounts. It’s our little way of saying thank you for being such fabulous labelers. Have you started your back-to-school shopping yet?”

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

The reason this website is called The Average Parent is because I consider myself to be just that…very average. I do a decent job cleaning the house, although there are definitely some areas I’d like to keep hidden. I try to be a good mom, but there are certainly times when I use the TV as a babysitter a bit more than I should. And, when it comes to cooking…well, it’s just average. I have a few signature dishes, but that’s about it. The problem is that I don’t really enjoy cooking. It doesn’t hold my attention, and quite frankly, there are just other things I would rather do.

As a result, when we evaluated our family budget at the beginning of the year, we realized that we spend far too much money eating out. Not only was this a major expense, it was also very unhealthy. So, we set a goal to cook more while bulking up the nutritional value of our meals. I was on board with this new plan, but with only a few signature dishes to call my own, I was at a loss for what to do.

Enter Aviva Goldfarb’s SOS! The Six O’Clock Scramble to the Rescue: Earth-Friendly, Kid-Pleasing Dinners for Busy Families. I love the term rescue in this cookbook’s title, because it has done just that…it has rescued us from a cycle of unhealthy take out and a limited selection of meals to cook. This cookbook is designed for busy parents who are interested in taking the hassle out of meal time, while still providing an affordable, tasty, nutritious meal…which also happen to be easy on the environment.

I had been hearing some buzz about this book from other bloggers, so I was pretty excited for the chance to review it. When it arrived, I sat down to look it over and mark the recipes I wanted to try. Before long, I realized that I was marking all of them! Everything looked so good.

The recipes are broken down by season, allowing you to take full advantage of ingredients that are in season, at their peak flavor and best price. I started working through the Spring section and so far I’ve prepared about 10 recipes. Each meal was incredibly easy to make, and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the end result was. Not once did I have to resort to ham sandwiches or pizza delivery to replace a botched dinner. Even my uber-picky hubby loved all of the new dishes…and that’s saying something!

The best part is that while each meal is super easy to make (you can prepare most of them in less than 30 minutes), every recipe uses simple, basic ingredients that I already have on hand, or could easily find at any local grocery store. Yes, that’s right; these are easy, healthy AND eco-friendly dishes that have regular everyday ingredients.

This really is an unbelievably good cookbook. Without a doubt, it’s been the best cookbook I’ve ever used. It is now one of my go-to gifts for new parents. Each recipe is listed with complete nutritional information, possible side dish suggestions, as well as tips to shake it up. Plus, Aviva covers all types of meals, from traditional to slightly ethnic, giving you a chance to broaden your family’s taste buds without breaking the bank (or slaving in the kitchen). You can also mix up your weekly menu with dishes that are vegetarian or include beef, pork, poultry or fish.

One thing I do want to point out is that while I say this is an eco-friendly cookbook, Aviva does not ram it down your throat. This is important to me because while I try to be as green as possible, sometimes finances and convenience trump the environmental impact of my purchase. It’s not that I don’t care about the environment; it’s just that life sometimes gets in the way. Aviva doesn’t hammer readers with feelings of guilt nor does she make you feel like you’re doing your family an injustice if you don’t go organic. Instead, she strategically places helpful tips for maintaining a more eco-friendly diet and how to save money going green, as well as advice for when it just doesn’t matter all that much. She gives readers the tools to live green, without pushing it.

In addition to the Six O’Clock Scramble cookbook, Aviva also offers readers a chance to streamline their weekly menus with the Scramble Weekly Plan. For less than $3 a month, you can sign up to get an email every Wednesday with a newsletter, five family-tested healthy meals with side dish suggestions and a corresponding grocery list. You can use all the meals in your weekly newsletter, or swap any recipe for one in their database that fits your fancy. The grocery list is automatically updated with your choices. It just doesn’t get any easier than that! The best part is that the Six O’Clock Scramble cookbook comes with a code for a free one-month trial for the website. One more reason to check it out.

SOS! The Six O’Clock Scramble to the Rescue: Earth-Friendly, Kid-Pleasing Dinners for Busy Families is available through Amazon for $12.23 and most other major book retailers.

You can also have a chance to win it here on The Average Parent. Click here for details.

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

Considering that we needed two seats (one for each car), and we were still paying off the large hospital bill, I was on a bargain hunt. This was also at a time when I bought everything at Babies R Us…not realizing I was paying a good 25% more than many discount web outlets. We bought a very basic $70 convertible seat from Evenflo and figured we’d be good for a few more years. Wrong! Around his second birthday, we went through a car seat safety clinic and realized that my son was already too tall for the seat. The only seat they had that would fit our car was from Safety First, but was still a bit small for him. They installed it and gave us instructions to purchase a larger seat ASAP.

There I was again, looking for a new car seat. At that point I was cursing the cheap Evenflo seat we bought in the first place, thinking if I had just invested in a quality seat, we wouldn’t be in this situation. After all, most Britax seats have about five thousand slots for the shoulder harness, which would accommodate taller children. The cheapo seat I bought only had three.

After doing much research, I decided to go with a booster/harness seat that could grow with my son. I was not going to make the same mistake twice and I wanted something that was going to last. I narrowed it down to the Britax Frontier and the Graco Nautilus. The major difference was the Graco had a removable back to convert one additional time into a standard booster. But honestly, what I saw was the $100 price difference. So, once again, I opted for the cheaper seat. I really like the Nautilus. It was so easy to use, fit wonderfully in my car and looked super comfy. The biggest problem…right after I bought it, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety came out with a report naming the best and worst booster seats. Of course the Britax Frontier was a “best bet” and although they didn’t name the Graco Nautilus specifically, they noted that 3-in-1 boosters tend to be the worst performing. Dangit…I should have bought the Britax.

You can see why I was especially excited when Britax told me they had a new Frontier coming out, and offered to send me one to review. I knew I should have purchased this seat in the first place, so I was really stoked to give it a test drive.

We’ve been using it a little over a month and I have to say that Britax took out all the stops when they made this seat. I keep showing it to all my mom friends so they can see how cool it is. I especially like the sleek design that allows easy access for my son to climb in and out of the seat on his own. (A necessity now that I’m pregnant!) The arm rests of the Nautilus made that a more difficult task.

The Frontier 85 harness can be used for children age 2 and above who weigh 25-85 pounds and measure 30-57 inches. The booster/seatbelt positioner can be use for children who weigh 40-120 pounds and measure 24-65 inches. Plus, it won’t expire for 9 years. So, in fact, this will be the last car seat you will ever need. I encourage you to watch the video demonstration of the seat to truly get an accurate picture of how awesome it is. But, if you’re crunched on time, here’s what you can expect with The Frontier 85:­

• Tangle free, 5-Point Harness with 10 harness height positions (up to 20″) and three buckle positions for a snug and secure fit as your child grows
• Plush, premium cover set with thick, underlying comfort foam provides extra comfort, encouraging your child to stay in the proper position
• Integrated armrests
• Two integrated cup holders, designed to fit common beverages such as 20 oz reusable water bottles (and sippie cups)
• HUGS™ (Harness Ultra Guard System) reduces forward head movement and cushions the chest in the event of impact
• Color-coded vehicle belt guides indicate the path and positioning of the vehicle seat belt
• Durable and washable cover in mature fashions for growing children
• Energy-absorbing foam liner (EPS) absorbs and distributes crash forces
• Premium, push-button lower LATCH Connectors for a quick, simple, and tight installation
• Harness-2-Booster converts to a belt-positioning booster seat
• When it’s in the seatbelt positioner mode, it can be used with SecureGuard, which prevents the child from sliding under the lap-belt portion of the safety belt during impact, therefore minimizing the risk of abdominal injury (The SecureGuared accessory is sold separately, but still very cool!)
• No Re-thread harness adjustment, allowing you to adjust the harness height without re-threading the harness straps
• Energy-Absorbing Base deforms in the event of a crash to absorb impact forces

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

For Babies and Kids

Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple (SPF 50) – Water Babies has been a summer mainstay for more than 50 years because of its gentle formula. Now, Coppertone has taken a good product and made it even better. The new Pure and Simple product goes on thicker and whiter, allowing for more even distribution. Some parents have commented that they don’t like the thick formula. But I think the thicker formula keeps the lotion in place—helping to avoid eye irritation. Pure and Simple absorbs quickly and leaves no sticky, chalky or greasy residue on baby’s skin or clothes. It retails for about $10 for an 8oz bottle and is available at most retailers nationwide.

Some key features you can find with this product: Tear free; Oil, fragrance, and dye free; Hypoallergenic; Gentle, zinc oxide sun protection formula; Special moisturizers and aloe to help keep babies’ skin soft and smooth; Dermatologist, ophthalmologist, and pediatrician tested; Waterproof; and Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

baby silk babysafe sunscreen towelettes from MD Moms (SPF 30) – These towelettes retail for about $26.00 for 15, which I understand is a bit of a splurge, but trust me on this one. Baby Silk is the first pediatrician-developed personal care line especially for babies…so you know where their focus is. Because the application is so fast, easy and gentle they’re an ideal choice for parents with infants or children suffering from hyperactivity, sensory disorders and even autism. The MD Moms products have a fragrance that irritated my son when I used their lotion. However, the scent is so subtle in these towels, that I didn’t even realize it was there.

According to the company website, each wipe is saturated with a gentle, sweat-proof, broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen that’s enriched with Vitamins E and B5, marine silk, aloe and oat. It’s gentle enough for even the youngest baby’s skin. Each wipe contains enough sunscreen to cover baby from head to toe, with no fuss and no mess. It’s so easy to apply that I actually had to contact a company rep to make sure I was doing it correctly.

Some key features you can find with this product: Contains no phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum or waxes; Contains physical sunscreens, titanium and zinc oxide, as the only active ingredients; Protects against UVA and UVB rays; Clinically tested & hypoallergenic; Made in the USA; No animal testing

Mad Gab’s Face Stick (SPF 30) – Coppertone and Banana Boat offer comparable SPF face sticks, but they’re not as good. I just love Mad Gab’s. Check out their website and you’ll understand what I mean. With an eco-friendly, community-minded approach, it’s hard not to fall in love with their all-natural products. The face stick is especially great for families on the go, as well as itty bitty infants. As you may already know, the American Acadamy of Pediatrics now recommends limited sunscreen use on babies under 6 months (opposed to a previous recommendation of no sunscreen at all). Mad Gab’s face stick is ideal for applying all-natural, non-irritating protection to those tiny noses and hands. It’s super easy to apply and perfect for delicate skin. My son actually enjoys it when I apply the product to his face…and we’ve already started using it this summer. The sticks sell for about $6.50 a stick and are available at select locations nationwide and online atwww.madgabs.com.

Some key features you can find with this product: The Face Stick with SPF 30 is packed with cocoa butter and jojoba that moisturizes skin while providing strong protection against the sun’s harmful rays. Just throw it in the diaper bag and off you go.

SAFE BABY Waterproof Sun Protection SPF 50, from Skin by Monica Olson – I tested tons and tons of sunscreens in search of an all-natural alternative to chemical-based lotions. Before I tried SAFE BABY, I was beginning to think I wasn’t going to find one that was worth recommending. Unlike other all-natural lotions, SAFE BABY is extremely easy to apply, has a pleasant smell, goes on smooth and doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind. This lotion sells for $23 for a 4oz bottle and is available at select locationsnationwide, in Canada and online at skinbymonica.com.

Some key features you can find with this product: no harsh chemicals; gentle even on the most sensitive skin; derived from organic ingredients; dermatologist tested.

SunBrellas Family Block SPF 36 by Jason – I’m a big fan of the skin care products by Jason. In fact, we use their Kids Only! Extra Gentle Shampoo for my son and LOVE it. Their sunscreen line is just as good. It was one more lucky find in the all natural arena. This product goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave a sticky residue and has a very pleasant smell that just reminds me of the beach. It’s perfect for my families delicate skin and super sensitive allergies. SunBrellas Family Block sells for about $10 for a 4oz tube and is available at select retailers, through their webstore or on Amazon.

Key features for this product: Their entire line of sunscreen is PABA-free, alcohol-free and water resistant. Each formulation provides the best possible defense from the sun without irritation. Sunbrellas Family Block SPF36 offers full spectrum skin protection while combining powerful anti-oxidants and natural ingredients to protect, nourish and reduce premature aging of the skin.

For Mom (and even Dad)

Banana Boat Ultra Defense Faces (SPF 30) –  With lifelong allergies and the most sensitive skin, I’ve searched high and low for a good sunscreen I could wear on my face without irritating my skin and eyes. For most of my life I either went without protection on my face (eek!) or I used a greasy, all-purpose lotion that did the job, but wasn’t exactly my ideal choice. Finally I’ve found a product that goes on light, is oil free, sweat resistant and non-irritating. I put it on before makeup and you can’t even tell it’s there. Ultra Defense Faces retails for about $10 for a 3oz tube and is available at most retailers nationwide

Some key features you can find with this product: enriched with vitamins and complete with AvoTriplex technology; oil free; hypoallergenic; fragrance free; everyday protection that hydrates skin; new non-greasy formula; very water resistant; absorbs quickly; also available in SPF 15, 30 and 50 lotion and UltraMist 30, 50 and 85 for allover protection.

Coppertone NutraShield SPF 30 with Dual Defense – Along with Banana Boat’s Ultra Defense, Coppertone’s Dual Defense is another hot product that hit shelves last season. NutraSheild is my top pick for overall sun protection for the average parent because this incredibly light lotion absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind and carries a very light and pleasant fragrance. According to Coppertone’s website, it was especially designed for women to be hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). However, I don’t see why the average dad couldn’t also benefit from using this amazing lotion. This lotion retails for about $10 for a 6oz tube and is available at retailers nationwide

Some key features you can find with this product: helps prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun; enriched with specially selected antioxidants to promote natural skin repair; appropriate for everyday use; water resistant; durable broad spectrum, photostable UVA/UVB protection; dermatologist tested; also available in SPF 70 lotion and a SPF 70 face lotion.

Review Disclaimer: During the summer of 2009 The Average Parent tested more than 30 different sunscreen products from mainstream companies, independent small businesses, high-end boutiques and environmentally-conscious manufacturers. Many of the products, with the exception of a few, were provide free of charge by the respective manufacturers or vendors. This is not a scientific review to test the effectiveness of protection or the integrity of ingredients—we simply looked for the best feeling and easiest to use products. To maintain integrity, The Average Parent has a review policy in effect that promises to only post reviews on products we absolutely love. So, you likely won’t hear about the products we didn’t like, and you can be guaranteed that we won’t post a review just because we got a product for free.

Next, we tried an umbrella stroller, but the ergonomics didn’t exactly work for my 6’2” husband, not to mention there was nowhere to store anything. After that we bought a light-weight stroller from Combi. I was rather pleased with this one. I found it at a major baby supply store for about $75 and covered all my needs. Plus, I got all kinds of compliments on the design, too. Unfortunately, looks only go so far. The wheels started to go bad about six months in, and it was inoperable within a year. What a waste!

This brings us to the point when I started blogging. I learned that Britax was coming out with a new light-weight stroller call the Blink. It had all the amenities of a full size stroller, but was a fraction of the size (and price). Britax sent me the Blink to test and I love it. With an average price of about $150, it’s good for parents who plan to get a lot of use out of their stroller. We take our stroller EVERYWHERE, so it was perfect for us. I’ve been using the stroller for about 8 months now, so I feel confident recommending it.

Pros – The Blink has a lot of great features including:

• All-wheel suspension and large wheels that provide great stability, a smooth ride and easy one-handed steering…which is important if you have another child or if you want to carry your coffee while strolling.

• Heavy duty construction with 55 lbs child weight capacity

• Layback recline with adjustable leg rest offers customized sleeping positions

• Oversized canopy with a visor to block wind, rain and sun

• Light-weight (16-pound) design and compact fold make it handy for quick trips, but it also packs well for long excursions

• One-foot, linked rear brake locks both rear wheels with one step

• Practical storage pouch is the perfect place to keep your most frequently used items like keys, wallet, phone, etc…

Cons – Although the Blink gets my overall thumbs up, there were a few things I didn’t like:

• The harness 5-point is a good way to hold little ones in, but a pain for removing and putting on coats. If we unfasten the harness to remove my son’s coat, he thinks it’s an opportunity to get out and run. As a solution, we typically just fasten the bottom part across his lap. It’s a little awkward, but it works; and I avoid the tantrum that would come when he realizes he’s not getting out of the stroller.

• The Blink has a unique fold release mechanism that allows you to fold the stroller without scuffing the tops of your shoes or feet. It’s pretty nifty, but it took me a couple frustrating weeks to really figure it out.

• No cup holder – but, hey, I haven’t found any light-weight strollers that did have one. We purchased a separate cup holder at our local baby supply store and it’s been working just fine.

• The seat could stand to be a bit higher….but this is probably something most people wouldn’t notice. My son is very tall for his age and his feet tend to hit the wheels of most strollers. The Blink does have an adjustable foot rest that eliminates most of this problem, though.

The Blink is available nationwide at retailers such as Buy Buy Baby, and online through Amazon.com.

Manufacturer Update

Although I haven’t experienced any problems with our stroller, Britax has issued a voluntary recall on the strollers and is providing owners with a free repair kit to remedy a potential hazard. New strollers will be shipped with the kit. Here’s what they had to say:

“Because we’re committed to creating the safest products for children, Britax is conducting a voluntary safety recall on its Blink stroller. The recall is in response to a potential risk of harm when a consumer opens or closes the stroller. No injuries have been reported, but as an extra precaution Britax will provide free remedy kits to all registered Blink owners. We encourage all Blink owners to visitwww.BlinkRecall.com or call the Britax information line at 888-427-4829 for further instructions.”

–Jon Chamberlain, president of Britax

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

Dips

Rebeca’s Famous Spinach Dip (what I’m making this Sunday)
Cream Cheese Taco Dip
Hot Broccoli Dip
Ro*Tel Famous Queso (note, I use two cans of tomatoes with the juice drained)

Snack Mix

Ranch Party Mix

Caramel Matzoh Crunch

Finger Food

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sausage Balls

Southwest Pizza from Cabot

Desserts

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Club Cracker Bites (my personal favorite!)
Apple Pie Dip with Crisps (another personal favorite!)
Pumpkin Pecan Crumble
Chocolate Football Bites
Tarte Tatin (perfect for half time)
Tami’s Yummy Caramel Brownies
Earthquake Cake

The scary part is that scammers capitalize on our need to earn extra money and it can be quite dangerous to launch a “work from home” Google search. From phishing sites, malware to outright scams, there’s no telling what you’re going to find. That’s why I love the book “Work at Home Now — The No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Your Perfect Home-Based Job, Avoiding Scams, and Making a Great Living,” by work-at-home experts Christine Durst and Michael Haaren.

When it comes to looking for opportunities to make money, build a career in a certain field or navigate an unfamiliar territory, I almost always look to a book because I feel like it’s a bit more legitimate. My thinking is that anybody can put up a website, but writing a book takes a ton of time, energy and resources. Plus, not anybody can get a book deal with a reputable publisher…you need to be an expert and know what you’re talking about. Christine Durst and Michael Haaren are the experts needed for just such a book. Their job-finding workshops for the U.S. State Department and the Armed Forces are the basis for this book and each has appeared on numerous national news programs such as CNN, ABC News and the Today Show.

They sent me a copy to review and I have to admit, I felt like I hit the jackpot! Recommended by the Wall Street Journal and ABCNews.com, “Work at Home Now” shows you how to find the legitimate jobs and projects with minimal hassle, and avoid the scams. The middle of the book divides employers by field and provides a bit of information on the company, who they hire and their contact information. It’s just so easy!

Here’s What You Can Learn:

• The top insider tips on good and bad Google search terms.
• How to find the “needles in the haystack” on Craigslist, Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, and other big sites.
• Where to find the real jobs for mystery shoppers, transcriptionists, and similar part-time specialties.
• Scam-spotting tips that work.

The best part is that they’ve provided me with three copies to giveaway. Two lucky readers will win a copy and an additional copy will be donated to my local library so that even more people can reap the benefits of this great resource.

Here’s How You Can Win

This contest has ended.

To win, you must visit their website www.RatRaceRebellion.com, then come back here and tell me something interesting you’ve learned.

Additional Entries (make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry):

1. Follow The Average Parent on facebook.
2. Follow Rat Race Rebellion on facebook.
3. Post this page to your facebook profile.
4. Follow The Average Parent on Twitter.
5. Share this page on twitter.

The contest will end at the end of the day Wednesday, Feb. 10, at which time the winner will be chosen at random. The winner will have two business days to respond to me with a shipping address. Must ship to an actual address in the US (no P.O. boxes). Must be 18 or older to enter. Because I use the website Random.org to generate the winner, I’ve decided that Average Parent contributors are now eligible to win. Good luck everybody!

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

I know many people have cut back their spending not just out of need but also to set money aside to help others. But what if your guilty pleasure, actually helps others? You may not skip purchasing a bottle of wine on your next shopping trip if you know the wine is supporting others. Heritage Link Brands founder, Selena Cuffe, started her business after visiting South Africa’s first annual Soweto Wine Festival in 2005. She and her husband created Heritage Link Brands after learning that people of color (which includes blacks, coloreds and Indians) were poorly represented within Africa’s wine industry.

In 2007, the company launched in 26 states throughout the United States. Now, it not only imports and distributes African wine in 41 states, but its expanded portfolio also showcases wine harvested by vintners of African descent throughout the world.

The company initiates fair business practices, civic leadership, and contributes to social causes that improve conditions in Africa. They also support the International Society of Africans in Wine (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) and the Mohau Centre (Atteridgeville, South Africa).

Heritage Link Brands is the largest company that imports wine from Africa. They have two collections of wine, The Continent Collection (which consists of numerous varieties) and The Diaspora Collection (the highest quality wine produced by people of African descent throughout the world.)

I was able to sample three Sauvignon Blanc’s from Heritage Link Brands….

2007 Vivian Sauvignon Blanc, Seven Sisters. South Africa. This pale yellow, almost light green, wine smells of sweet tropical fruit. The taste is quite dry and earthy (with hints of vegetables). The vintner notes that you should serve this chilled alone or pairs well with grilled seafood, poultry, or veal. This wine is available for $14.99 (2009 vintage).

ISong 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa. This Sauvignon Blanc is very pale. It smells and tastes of tropical and citrus fruits. The vintner notes a green pepper flavor as well. My husband and I enjoyed this wine with friends while sampling appetizers. This wine retails for $12.99…such a fantastic deal!!

M’hudi 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa. This was my favorite of the three. It smells of citrus and pear but has a smooth, dry, and fruity clean finish. I enjoyed this wine so much, that I tried to make it last as long as possible! This wine is available for $16.99. M’hudi Sauvignon Blanc can be paired with fish, sushi, or another spicy dish.

So now you’re asking, where can you get these fabulous, affordable wines that support African Vintners? Numerous retailers including Costco, Jewel Osco, and Whole Foods and Wine and Spirit Stores (Pennsylvania) sell wines from Heritage Link Brands. You can also shop online or click  here for more retail and wine information.

REVIEW DISCLAIMER

The Wine Mom has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others.