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good for you to go: kids gourmet squoosh

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Green Walnut, The Healthy Walnut
May 222013
 

A friend who was recently traveling with her kids wondered what snacks she could pack that would keep them full without having to resort to her usual stash of Goldfish and apple sauce cups. If you’ve bagged one too many cheddar bunnies and cheese strings in your day, it’s time to check out a new kid-friendly treat that’s as fun to say as it is to eat. Squoosh is a line of organic pureed fruit and veggies in a portable pouch. The all-natural snacks are the brainchild of a fellow mom who wanted to offer her kids nutritious snacks while on the go, but did not want to sacrifice taste for the sake of convenience. Each of the four fruity combinations — BeetBerry, OrangeBango, SquabbleBerry and Banago — contain a full serving of fruits and vegetables in a BPA-free pouch. They’re as palatable for little kids as they for backpack-wearing big brothers and sisters. Whether it’s for some after-school sustenance, a snack for a long car ride or a playdate at the park, Squoosh snacks are a refreshing no-brainer.

In a Nutshell: Don’t worry about sneaking spinach into their spaghetti and meatballs; these healthy treats will give kids plenty of reasons to eat their veggies and love it.

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next-gen potty-training: pull-ups big kid app

 The Healthy Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Jan 282013
 

As a kid, my potty seat was as low tech as it gets: a wooden seat with a smiling bunny on the back and a pull-out plastic pot for easy clean-up. Exciting, eh? Innovation in the toilet-training area continues to make leaps and bounds that I can hardly keep up with, like the potty seat that works with your iPad. What could possibly be next? Well, if you’re pulling your hair out over your training-resistant toddler, consider yet another electronic gadget your partner in crime on the war against wet bums. Huggies has created the Pull-ups Big Kid App, a free, downloadable app that celebrates those moments when peeing and pooping are your child’s greatest achievement (don’t laugh; you know how god-awful frustrating it can be!). When plain, old reward stickers just aren’t getting the job done and you’d resort to practically anything to get your kid to use the toilet, then this tool may be a godsend for you. As your child uses the bathroom more frequently, he can collect stars that give him access to fun games featuring his favorite Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Rapunzel. And when your little one really need some motivation, there’s a special feature that enables surprise phone calls from Disney friends to encourage them to keep trying. (Whoever knew a little mouse had such a big influence?)  This app even includes themed photo frames, so you can capture the moment and share the good news with Dad while he’s at the office. Hmmmm…maybe now you won’t mind as much when your toddler is begging to play with your iPhone…

In as Nutshell: Your smartphone just got a whole lot smarter. This potty-training app aims to help kids “take aim” and ditch those diapers once and for all.

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bring it on, sun: baby skinz

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Healthy Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Jan 182013
 

Another bone-chilling day like this, and I may just have to hibernate. At this time of year here in the northeast, thoughts naturally turn to spring and warmer weather. Even if I can’t manage to escape the cold and head off to a seaside resort anytime soon (well, I can surely visit one in my mind…), I imagine there will plenty of peeps booking their sunny getaways right about now. For those of you heading out of town with the kiddies, I envy you…and urge you to cover up. As a mom who continues to fight skin cancer (three battle scars to prove it), I keep my girls protected from head to toe, especially when the summer sun strikes. While sunscreen is strongly recommended, it doesn’t hurt to opt for UV-protection swim wear, either. One brand that recently caught our eye is from UV Skinz. They make everything from hats and shorts, to long- and short-sleeve shirts all in 50+ UPF fabric. That translates to blocking out 98 % of the sun’s harmful rays, which means less time spent squirming for sunscreen application. Not only is the fabric breathable, but it stands up to chlorine wear and tear–good news for all you pool lovers. Because UV Skinz is available for the entire family, there’s no excuse why everyone can’t stay safe–and stylish.

In a Nutshell: Headed out of town for spring break? Be sure to pack the sunscreen and don’t forget this line of protective swimshirts so you can truly enjoy your day in the sun.

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pearly pats: flipper nfl toothbrush holders

 The Healthy Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Jan 172013
 

As the Super Bowl looms closer, our Facebook friends have been posting a lot more comments about their favorite team. (Personally, hockey trumps football in the Walnuts house, but I digress…) Whether you’ve been rooting for the 49ers or the Pats, the Falcons or the Ravens, we know how much football fans like to display their team pride: on your sweatshirts, your cars, you name it. And in honor of diehard fans, you can now add your toothbrush holder to that list. Just in time for the Super Bowl and National Children’s Dental Health Prevention month, Flipper NFL toothbrush holders are a fun way to store your brush, while proclaiming your unwavering devotion to your team. Not only do these holders add a touch of whimsy to your bathroom, but kids will like how easy they are to use. They open and close with a stroke of your toothbrush, rather than manually. Call it the magic touch, if you will. As for on the field, the rest is up to Tom Brady. Or Joe Flacco. Or…

In a Nutshell:  “Let’s brush some teeth!” A treat for your favorite football junkie, big or small.

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hello my name is_____: kidaroo crew sippy grab

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Green Walnut, The Healthy Walnut
Jan 162013
 

I label practically all of my kids’ stuff. Water bottles, backpacks, lunchboxes…you name it. If I’m not busy folding endless loads of whites and darks, you can probably find me perched over some object, Sharpie in hand. Of course, none of the labels I’ve been using have been able to stand up to standard wear and tear or my dishwasher. I’ve tried everything from official-looking file folder labels, to the clever now-I-don’t-have to-do-anything-but stick-them pre-printed return address labels. But nothing will stay put. How incredibly psyched I was to stumble upon Kidaroo Crew’s Sippy Grab. Designed by a mom whose own experiences of keeping her kids’  gear labeled once and for all, these incredibly write-on, slip-on labels fit right over any standard sippy cup, baby bottle or water bottle. You can pick from any one of 10 different styles that mesh with your kid’s personality–soccer star? future princess?–and there’s plenty of room on the back to write your kid’s name. Sippy Grab is great for school, daycare, birthday parties or any place where there will be plenty of kids–and that means more drink mix-ups. For the little ones, these labels make it easier to grip their beverage of choice, and moms will love that they’re disherwasher-safe and BPA-free. We think it’s pure genius–and it makes us want to get our hands on a grown-up version for the office break room. Cheers!

In a Nutshell: A hip way to keep your kids’ bottles and cups labeled once and for all? We’ll drink to that.

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ready to ride: baby jock edition by first bike

 The Healthy Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Dec 212012
 

The clock is ticking, and you still haven’t found the perfect gift for your perfect kid. Wouldn’t it be nice to surprise them with something that Santa might not be able to fit in his sleigh, but that will guarantee many hours of active play? Even better than that, how about a gift that ties into your own New Year’s resolution (yet again) to get more exercise together as a family? Enter the Baby Jock Edition by FirstBIKE. It’s a lightweight bike that vows to get your kid up and riding, sans the training wheels. And did we mention there are no pedals either? The idea is to enable kids ages 2-5 to balance themselves from the very start, without fretting over pedaling their feet fast enough. (If you’ve been “blessed” with a child who thinks about everything, this may be the worry-free way for them to bike.) And for those who are fast on their feet, you’ll appreciate the adjustable hand breaks and specially designed handlebars that prevent sharp turns. We were easily won over by the straightforward assembly and sleek design. Baby Jock Edition by FirstBIKE makes gift-giving as easy as, well, riding a bike.

In a Nutshell: Let the good times roll with a kiddie bike that gets preschoolers up and moving.

 

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creature comfort: thermal-aid zoo

 The Green Walnut, The Healthy Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Dec 202012
 

My 4-year-old loves her stuffed animals like Frosty treasures his magic hat. Sure, they don’t make her shout “Happy Birthday” when she jumps out of bed every morning and “comes to life.” But she does dress them up, carry them around and treat them like gold. And why shouldn’t she? These indispensable buddies provide her lots of comfort, especially on those days when she’s not feeling so great. No wonder then that Thermal-Aid Zoo is a hit with kids in need of a little TLC. A ice pack/heating pad cleverly disguised in the likenesses of a cuddly koala bear, elephant, hippo, monkey and rabbit, these plush pals are more than just a playtime companion. When your little one is feverish, pop one of them in the freezer and see how it brings their temperature waaaay down (sure beats a wet washcloth). And if your little guy has bumped his knee one too many times on that pesky coffee table, a quick zap in the microwave of one of these animals and he’ll be whooping with delight before you know it. Made from natural cotton, this kiddie product contains a heating/cooling element made of specially engineered corn (yup, this group is definitely green). In this season of colds/flu, bumps and bruises, the Thermal-Aid Zoo is the best medicine you can give your child. No spoonful of sugar necessary.

In a Nutshell: A stuffed animal that doubles as a feel-better friend. Makes a great stocking stuffer.

 

 

 

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a pearly white xmas: brush buddies one direction toothbrush

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Healthy Walnut
Dec 062012
 

No matter how old I was, I could always count on one thing on Christmas morning: my stocking stuffed with the Lifesavers Storybook. How I couldn’t wait to savor the flavor of all those rolls of Spearomint, Five Flavors and butterscotch (well, maybe the butterscotch I could live without). Now as a mom, my annual tradition is to fill my kids’ stockings and Easter baskets with new toothbrushes (I know, I’m a real killjoy). Seriously though, it doesn’t hurt to balance out all those sugary sweets we’ve been indulging in since Halloween. And the dentist does recommend replacing your toothbrush every few months or so. My 4-year-old has her heart set on a Yo Gabba Gabba brush that sings to her as she brushes, but I’m guessing the 8-year-old won’t be as mesmerized by that colorful cast. A group like One Direction might be more her speed. If you happen to know any fans of the famous boy band, you’ll surely want to get your hands on the One Direction toothbrush, joining the ranks of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. At the touch of a button, The One Direction toothbrush will play two songs, “What Makes You Beautiful” and “One Thing,” for dentist-recommended 2 minutes of brushing. Now your resident 1 D fan will have all the incentive she needs to brush morning and night. When the Talking Walnut got wind of this new product, we could hardly contain our excitement. Even though it won’t be available until January, you can pre-order it now at Brush Buddies.com. Just consider it a New Year’s gift from the boys.

In a Nutshell: Light up your tween’s world like nobody else, and check out her mega-watt smile with this rockin’ toothbrush. ‘Nuff said.

 

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they did the mash: beaba babycook

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut
Oct 182012
 

No, it’s not quite the “Monster Mash,” but with Halloween just around the corner, we’ve been giving a lot of thought to healthy eating for the kiddies (got to counteract that sweet tooth somehow…). While I know quite a few moms who started out making fresh baby food for their first child, they never quite followed through with their second (or third, etc.). And who can blame them? Trying to find time to keep up with laundry, and manage a shower every now and then, is enough of a chore without the pressure of preparing pureed veggies from scratch. Well, even those wonder women with the best of intentions can now shrug off that guilt like yesterday’s yoga pants. A new baby food maker has come on the scene, promising to allow well-intentioned women everywhere to live up to their greatest expectations. BEABA Babycook is the coolest-looking, compact companion for any health-conscious family kitchen. Having just debuted at this week’s ABC Kids Expo, this countertop appliance makes baby food prep look incredibly easy and extremely efficient. Within 15 minutes or less, you can steam cook, vegetables, fruits and meats for your solids-loving little one without compromising on flavor. You have the options of blending or pureeing your baby’s food to the desired consistency (maybe she’s a fan of those mushy peas, but her choppers haven’t mastered ground beef). Whatever your or her preference, this multitasking tool makes the work straightforward. And if leftovers are on the menu tonight, Babycook can defrost and quickly reheat tomato sauce, beef stew or any other thing you’ve been saving. Once mealtime is over, pop the bowl and basket into the top rack of your dishwasher and you’re good to go. With such simplicity in the kitchen, you’ll wonder how you ever could have resorted to jarred food. Yup, you can pat yourself on the back now.

In a Nutshell: When it comes to cranking out fresh baby food, this easy-to-use, easy-to-clean baby food maker is the real deal.

 

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now hear this: safety 1st advanced solutions talking ear thermometer

 The Healthy Walnut
Oct 162012
 

As a kid, I despised having my temperature taken. It was one duty that my mom specifically designated to my dad who seemed to wrestle with a thermometer at my expense. I could never quite get it to stay under my tongue, and having to endure that entire minute of waiting for the mercury to peak felt like an eternity. My, how things have changed since then. Today, we have the options of under-the-arm or the less invasive in-the-ear models. Yes, you still have to contend with a squirming child, but at least you can get an accurate reading…or can you? The thermometer I currently rely upon is sometimes questionable; I wind up hitting the memory button in a panic and don’t know if I’ve just reset the darn thing or have the answer I’m looking for. For the temperature taking-challenged (like me!) comes a thermometer that lets you know whether your child has a fever loud and clear, just in time for cold and flu season. Within a second, the Safety 1st Advanced Solutions TALKING Ear Thermometer announces the measured temperature in either English or Spanish. As if that wasn’t clear enough, it also shines a visible red when detecting a fever. With a device this easy to use and information that can’t be misconstrued, we think it’s a medicine cabinet must-have. The Safety 1st Advanced Solutions TALKING Ear Thermometer debuted this week at the ABC Kids Expo and will be available in January 2013.

In a Nutshell: The next best thing to the kiss test, this talking thermometer lets you know if your child has a fever in no time at all.

 

 

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