How To Balance Treats And Savings For Kids

Raising children means always having to juggle your priorities - you want them to have fun, enjoy little treats, and feel like they’re part of the activities their friends are doing, but you also want to give them a good financial foundation and start in life. The tricky part is finding that middle ground where you can do both without feeling like you’re failing at either. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to balance treats and savings for kids.

Dr. Dalton's Premium Treats

When it comes to the treats we reward Java with we are very particular. She's like one of our kids so we try to reward her the same with the same types of rules. I don't buy candy that's just pure sugar or snacks that have no added health value to them for my kids. And in turn I don't buy dog treats that don't have any health benefits for Java. If I'm giving her a reward it needs to have a health value to it. Kind of like the treats I recently received from Dr. Dalton's. Dr. Dalton's Premium Treats are a high grade dog treat that only contains a single ingredient - premium quality meat. Dr. Dalton gets rid of the excess water, therefore bypassing the need to add preservatives, binders, fillers, salt, sugars, flavoring and colorings. The simple taste and quality of an all-meat treat is enough to keep dogs hooked and their owners happy. If you check out the above photos I think you'll agree that Java is already hooked. I put one of the treats inside of her treat trap and it keeps her busy for a good amount of time before she finally remembers (or just by random chance) to pick up and knock over the treat trap to get the treat to fall out. Honestly all I have to do is open the bag of Dr. Dalton's Premium Treats and she's immediately right there sitting at full attention waiting for her treat. Heck I don't blame her they do smell pretty darn good!

About: 
Dr. Dalton’s Premium Treats offer a health promoting and delicious way for dog owners to treat their dogs high grade food. In addition to being great for dogs, Dr. Dalton’s Premium Treats are created through a unique process that makes them non-greasy, non-crumbly, and easy to snap to whatever size is best for your dog.

All of Dr. Dalton’s Premium Pet treats are sourced, produced, and packaged in the USA. They can be purchased at Amazon and at www.DrDaltons.com, and are available both as a single purchase and on a monthly subscription basis. These wonderful treats come in three flavors – Simply Beef, Simply Chicken and Meat Medley (made from beef, chicken, and pork).

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation and/or product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

"I and love and you" - Treats for your pup!

Just because they aren't human doesn't mean we forget about them around the holidays. I know in our house the dog and our cats seem to get quite a few presents too. From treats to toys to beds they always get something new just like the rest of the family.

The friendly people over at "I and love and you" have three awesome new dog treats that would make any pup happy this Christmas. These delicious tasting treats are packed with great nutritional benefits to keep your pet healthy and strong. With real meat as the first ingredient, they’ll be begging for more.

Super Smarty Hearties
A treat with a functional benefit and fun reward! These treats contain DHA and Omega 3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and brain development. With Real Salmon as the first ingredient and only 5 calories these Super Smarty Hearties are sure to please both you and you pup.

Hip Hoppin’ Hearties
From playing fetch to going on walks our dogs are always on the move.
Make sure they get the proper nutrition to support healthy joints with these Hip Hoppin’ Hearties. Packed with Real Chicken, added Green Tea Extract and Turmeric these healthy treats are perfect for training or rewarding.

Fresh All Rover Breath Bones
What’s better than fresh puppy breath? Garnished with cloves and peppermint oil for freshness, these dental chews have the taste and texture your dog loves while supporting clean teeth. This limited ingredient, grain-free formula with Real Turkey is sure to keep your dog smiling!

About “I and love and you”
Based in Boulder, CO, "I and love and you" makes super premium pet food and treats that contain everything pets need to be happy and healthy and none of what they don’t.  All products are made with real meat and contain no grains, fillers, or anything artificial, and are approved by a holistic veterinarian for uncompromising quality. That’s why both the Naked Essentials™ and Nude Food™ Kibbles hold the coveted 5 star rating from DogFoodAdvisor.com and are among the top rated natural pet food brands in the market.  “I and love and you” symbolizes the deep bond of love between a pet and pet parent and everything we do helps nourish that love.  “I and love and you” is lovingly made in the USA with handpicked ingredients form around the world and can be conveniently found at your local grocery store or online.

Connect with "I and love and you": Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Celebrate Halloween with Dana's Bakery!

Looking for a sweet and unique treat this Halloween? Then look nor further than Dana's Bakery. They have both the sweet, and the unique covered with their fun flavored Macaroons.

Dana’s Bakery October Candy BoxFeaturing Butter-Mac, Mac-a-Teer, and Milky Way Galaxy, inspired by your favorite Halloween treats!
PRICE: $33 per box

Dana’s Bakery Candy Corn Box
FeaturingCandy Corn flavored Macarons!
PRICE: $33 per box

Head to DanasBakery.com to order today!

Halloween Treats Buffet Style

When it comes to the holidays like Halloween right now I tend to do a little extra. My son is 17 so he's already outgrown dressing up for Halloween, and with my daughter being in middle school now I'm sure it won't be much longer until she's outgrown it too. So for these last few remaining years I'm going to enjoy it while she still wants to dress up and do fun things with her friends. Because after that I'll be waiting until I have grand-kids to be able to have as much fun. Living in the country we really don't get a ton of trick-or-treaters so I usually have to go to a friends house if I want to pass out candy. Or like we are doing this year let my daughter have some friends over for a mini-Halloween party. We thought it would be a good way for her to get to know some of her new middle school friends, and of course it allows me to do that "little extra" for Halloween. We are having some of the kids come over one afternoon after school for a few hours to play some Halloween themed games, and of course pick out some fun treats to take home with them.

To make things a little different I decided it would be fun to do a Halloween buffet. It seems like now days there are so many restrictions on what kids can and can't have so I thought this would be a great way to offer them the choice of what they want for their treats. Plus it was a lot of fun for me to get it all together and ready for them to dig in!

For my Halloween treats buffet I used a fun Halloween themed table runner, orange candy buckets, stress eyeballs, mini stress putty, Halloween themed pretzels, and an assortment of candy. It was super easy to do through ordering off the Oriental Trading website under Halloween Decor and Halloween Headquarters. I love being able to shop for everything in one place. It saves a ton of time and I don't even have to leave my house. Plus it's always fun seeing my daughter's reaction when the big ole box arrives and she gets to see what all I ordered.

Now to wait a few more weeks until it's closer to Halloween for our little Halloween Gathering. In the meantime here's to hoping I can keep it all hidden good enough to for the supplies to last until then!

Connect with Oriental Trading: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received monetary compensation or product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Find everything your cat needs at Chewy.com #ChewyInfluencer

As a busy kid and cat mom I'm always looking for ways to save myself time and money. When I can I like to shop online because it can potentially save me both ways. I can shop when I have downtime at home (even in my pj's) and save money by comparison shopping and not having to drive clear to the stores in town to shop. That's part of the reason I've fallen in love with Chewy.com. With an order over $49 you can get free 1-2 day shipping. And if you sign up for an auto-ship you'll save an additional 20% off their already reasonable prices. And if you're like me and have multiple pets both of those are a great asset.

Now onto a few of my newest favorites from Chewy.com. I say my favorites because of the benefits from both the litter and the canned cat food. The litter is by far the best I've ever used. We got two kittens a few months ago and I honestly thought I was going to pass out every time I passed their litter box. When the Fresh Step Extreme Hawaiian Aloha Litter arrived I decided it was time for a change, and prayed it was a good one. Thankfully I was right it was a good change. This litter actually does eliminate the odors. I actually have to stop and check to see if the litter box needs cleaned now because it doesn't smell like...well you know. The Fancy Feast Classic Poultry & Beef Canned Cat Food is pretty awesome too. I can open a can and the cats be rooms away and they will come running. And we all know how adorable kittens are when they run. It's just as much of a treat for me watching their excitement as it is for them to taste their special treat.

Fresh Step Extreme Hawaiian Aloha Litter
• Formulated with the freshness of Febreze to eliminate odors instead of just masking them.
• Works continuously and leaves behind a fresh, tropical scent that you’ll love to smell.
• Clumps tight with ClumpLock technology for the easiest cleanup yet.
• Low dust formula is great for cleaner surfaces, clearer air and less tracking.
• Made with your pet’s health and happiness in mind so that it’s ultra-safe.

Fancy Feast Classic Poultry & Beef Canned Cat Food
• Provides complete and balanced nutrition for the growth and maintenance of cats
• Super palatable: your cat will go crazy for the taste and texture of this gourmet canned food
• Convenient flip top can makes meal time quick and easy
• A great way to add moisture to your cat’s diet
• Crafted in US facilities, this recipe provides high quality nutrition and ingredients

Connect with Chewy.com: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received monetary compensation or product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

WHIMZEES - the all natural way to reward your pup!

Our Java is one of those dogs that loves to be rewarded when she's done something good. And has gone so far as to walking to the treat container when she's told "she's a good girl". Just like I don't like giving my kids junk food for treats I don't like to give Java a treat that doesn't really do anything for her either. That's why we like the WHIMZEES brand of treats. They provide her with an actual benefit when she's enjoying her reward. Take for instance the Veggie Sausage treats, they are made with clove bud oil for natural oral benefits. They also come in three sizes so the treat size "grows" with your dog. No more giving your 50 lb dog a tiny treat she will devour before even tasting it!

Can your pup outsmart the Treat Trap? Mine did! #Giveaway Ends 5/2

As pet owners we all like to believe that our pets are the smartest when it comes to figuring things out. I'm here to say that mine definitely fits in that category...well...at least sometimes. That was definitely the case with the Treat Trap from Bullibone. The first few times around it took Java a good amount of time to figure out how to knock the trap over to get a treat out of it. But once she realized if she just picked up the entire thing and then dropped it over and over the treats would eventually fall out. There was no outsmarting this pup anymore. It's still entertaining though watching her sniff it all around, then pick it up with her entire mouth and toss it in the air.

About:
The Treat Trap from Bullibone is a 2-in-1 treat trapping product. Combining the fun and entertainment of a toy AND a flavored nylon chew in one.

Created to be a safer and more fun alternative to rawhide chews, the Treat Trap from Bullibone:
• keeps your dog entertained and engaged,
• satisfies a dog's need to chew and play, and
• helps to reduce tartar and plaque.

We also received some of the original Bullibones for Java to enjoy. It was actually really fun seeing how she would use her paws to hold one end while chewing on the other end. Boy did they know what they were doing when they created this treat. I was even surprised at how long the smaller version lasted her. She's a 50+ lb dog and usually has her treats gone in a matter of minutes. This one actually lasted her several days. With the flavoring all the way through the Bullibone she didn't loose interest in it like she does some bones once she got the outer flavor off. Definitely a great way to keep her entertained, and promote good dental health at the same time!

About: 
Bullibones are super tuff nylon chews flavored all the way through! Shaped with an easy-hold paw grip, your best bud can hang on and enjoy for hours! Available in three sizes and three flavors, Bullibones are perfect for every dog.

Connect with Bullibone: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Win it:  One lucky reader will win a Bullibone Treat Trap. This giveaway will end May 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen.  Prize fulfillment will be made by the sponsor, I am not responsible for prize delivery or lost or stolen deliveries. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.

Celebrate Easter with Otis Spunkmeyer

Easter is just around the corner and Otis Spunkmeyer  is ready to help everyone celebrate with a special sweet treat that's just the perfect size for adding to Easter baskets. And just in time for strawberry season they even recently launched Strawberry Frosted Crème Cakes! And oh my are they delicious. I'm a big fan of anything strawberry flavored so I was raring to go when these arrived. I have to say the strawberry filling paired with the strawberry icing is a wonderful combination. Since they are a limited time only product I guess I'll be hurrying up and getting my fill of them before they are gone. They do have a great selection of treats in their tasty line of cookies, cakes and muffins so really there's something to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth (even when my favorite strawberry flavor is gone).

And if you're looking for something that you can take to Easter dinner their super cookie is a definite must. It's plenty big enough to share, and you can even cut it into pie-like slices so it's easy to share, and eat! I for one enjoyed a slice myself with a glass of almond milk and it was oh so good!

Just remember Otis Spunkmeyer treats only have a 30-day self-life. That's because they aren't filled with all sorts of preservatives and fillers - there's nothing but the good stuff inside! Of course in our house once a box is opened there's no way it's lasting 30 days so there's no worries here!

Connect with Otis Spunkmeyer: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation or product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Discover the hidden filling inside TEDDY Soft Bakes

When it comes to trying new treats both of my kids are always eager to raise their hand and volunteer. Neither one of them has backed down yet when I said "Mom has something new to try who wants one?". I guess they are just used to me getting fun (and tasty) things for them to check out. The new TEDDY Soft Bakes were definitely no exception to the norm, they were both right there ready to try out both flavors. Of course being a mom I only let them have one before dinner and wait to try the other until they had both eaten. I can honesty say there wasn't one that any of us really preferred over the other. Both were really good. I couldn't believe just how moist the cake part was. Many times with pre-packaged treats that are a type of cake they end up tasting dried out or not fresh. These were actually fluffy and moist just like cake out of your oven. Plus they have the "hidden" filling inside making them even better!

About TEDDY Soft Bakes
TEDDY Soft Bakes are a fluffy, soft-baked filled snack created in the shape of a bear. Kids will love discovering the hidden filling inside TEDDY Soft Bakes’ playful bear shape, and parents can feel confident about saying “yes” to this treat because it’s made with familiar quality ingredients such as milk, eggs, flour and chocolate. TEDDY Soft Bakes contain no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors or colors and are available in two flavors: Chocolate Filling and Vanilla-flavored Filling.

Connect with TEDDY Soft Bakes: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation or product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Our party was the cat's MEOW

So my daughter is beyond obsessed with this series of books called Warriors. It's a series all about cats. From what I understand the books are written from a cat's perspective instead of the typical humans perspective. So of course that's the one thing she wanted for the theme of her birthday this year. And guess what? There's no such thing as a Warrior cats party theme. So this mamma had to use her thinking skills and get creative. For me that meant heading online and seeing what I could find that even remotely resembled the cats from her books.

Fortunately I remembered from previous parties that Oriental Trading has a really nice party supplies section on their website. From there I just started searching for anything cat related (that didn't look like a cartoon cat or Hello Kitty). Boy was it a challenge. But as you can see I did have some luck. I found some really cute cat figurines, cat shaped gummies, cat shaped eggs, a stone cat, and last but not least I found a cat head and tail set that was leftover from Halloween. 

My mom's really creative when it comes to making cakes so I gave her the task of making a cat body to go with the cat head and tail. I was quite impressed with how awesome it turned out. I on the other hand am not as creative so I just put some of the cat figures on cupcakes.

We actually had two parties one for family, and one for my daughter and her friends. So for family one I just did a cute basket for the few kids filled with the candy and cat eggs. For her friend party we filled the cat eggs with the candy and did a hide and find the cats came. Both places they were equally a hit though. Everyone thought the cat eggs were so cute and kept asking where I got them. With Easter around the corner they wanted to get some too.

I also got lucky and found some really cute kitty beads and knot beads (that I thought looked like balls of yarn) so I was able to make my daughter a matching necklace and bracelet with. I have to tell you she was super excited when I gave them to her. She immediately put them on and had to wear them for both parties.

I even found this super cool tribal cat coloring page on the Oriental Trading website. I printed off several copies for the kids to have something to do in between playing games and they loved it! Of course I had to get a little something for myself too while I was picking things out so I got myself a set of mini fine point pens so I could do me a little coloring too.

Connect with Oriental Trading: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Here Doggy Doggy..I've got a treat for you!

After seeing so many pet food companies in the news lately it's made me really stop and think, and look at what we are feeding our pets. One might think a simple dog biscuit for example can't be bad for them right? Well, that's not always the case. Many times treats are filled with things dogs really don't need in their diets (sort of like candy for humans). Like many foods on the market for us humans, just because they are out there on the shelves doesn't mean they are good for us. That's what lead my daughter and I to start talking about making our dog homemade treats actually. So thus began the quest to finding a good source for not just a recipe, but also information about making homemade dog treats. I wanted to make sure we were doing it for the right reasons and that the treats we ended up making were actually good for our pup and not just an alternative to store bought treats.

Through our quest we happened upon information featured on the SimpleWag website. Not only did it give the recipe for homemade dog treats, it also gave lots of great information on the benefits of them too. Plus the recipe had all natural ingredients you might already have right in your kitchen already like corn meal, bananas, peanut butter (a doggy favorite) and eggs to name a few. I knew this was definitely the way to go.

This recipe for the Gourmet Doggy Biscuits we found was created by Chef Amanda Pallagi-Naim, the Executive Pastry Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, TX. WOW a dog treat created by a chef, how cool is that! I'm sure our pup felt like a celebrity when we gave her the first treat we made..well at least that's what I'm going with.

What about you? Do you make homemade treats for your pets?

Disclosure: I received compensation in the form of product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Caramel Apple Flavored Treats from Bil-Jac

There's just something about flavored treats that really gets our Java pup going. I don't know if it's because she can smell them as soon as we pull them out of the bag, or the flavor of it when she gets her reward. Either way it's fun seeing her get so excited over the idea of getting a tasty treat. The nice thing about Bil-Jac treats is they are nice and small so they fit perfectly in her reward toys. They are a great way to keep her entertained, and she gives her self the reward when she gets them to fall out of the toy from playing with it.

About the brand: Bil-Jac, offers a full line of nutritional super premium dog foods and treats, and is committed to feeding dogs at every stage of life, which makes Bil-Jac the one complete dog food that is for all dogs, throughout their entire life. Your dog’s food and health is not only our business – it’s our passion. More real chicken meat is put into every bag. In fact, 12 lbs. of real chicken is used to make a 15 lb. bag of Bil-Jac Super Premium Dog Food. Bil-Jac Treats offer a treat alternative in a smaller size convenient for dog training or rewarding smaller dogs. Furthermore, Bil-Jac provides resources for puppies in training, health tips, puppy food and answers to dog related questions for owners.

Connect with Bil-Jac: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: I received compensation in the form of product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Surprise them this holiday season with the gift of Graeter’s

Did you know that you can ship one of America’s favorite ice creams to your friends and family across the country? Well now you do, so no more excuses! Graeter’s Ice Cream has been a favorite in our house for as long as I can remember. The creamy textured ice cream comes in small containers so we can each enjoy our favorite flavor which is awesome in my book. No more fights over who gets to pick the flavor at the store, or who isn't happy when I come home with a big tub of ice cream. I know you're probably thinking yeah right who argues over this stuff...well my kids that's who. It's always been a battle between them who gets to pick the next flavor. With Graeter's they can both have their favorite flavor and I can have a little peace. Now back to that shipping to your home thing. I had no idea myself before receiving my shipment of Graeter's that it could be shipped right to your doorstep. How awesome is that? I mean wouldn't it be fun to surprise someone on your Christmas list with the gift of Graeter's? Right from their website you can order their famous hand packed ice cream, fine candies, dessert sauce, and more to be shipped right to your recipient's door. What an awesome idea if you ask me. I know I wouldn't be upset if someone sent me Graeter's for Christmas how about you?

About:
Graeter’s Ice Cream is a nationally recognized and awarded ice cream brand that was founded over 146 years ago in Cincinnati, OH. The fourth-generation family owned and operated company has perfected the art of using the French Pot, a traditional, small batch artisanal process of making ice cream. Known for their indulgent, premium flavors and ingredients, they’re also widely recognized for their gargantuan gourmet chocolate chips.

Connect with Graeter’s:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: I received compensation in the form of product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Healthy Halloween Snacking with Crispy Green

Instead of handing out sugary sweets this Halloween why not hand out Crispy Fruit freeze-dried fruit snacks from Crispy Green? There’s just one nutritious ingredient in every bag – fruit. That’s right, Crispy Fruit is 100% pure fruit, nothing else. So how is it like a treat? It’s all in the freeze-drying process that produces delicate slices that snack like a chip, but contain the perfect balance of flavor and nutrients provided by mother nature – making it both delicious AND healthy.

Lightweight and long-lasting (no refrigeration necessary), the tasty 100% natural, Non-GMO Project-verified snack is ideal for Halloween, but also perfect for school lunches and extracurricular activities for kids (and parents) constantly on the go. There are NO skeletons in the closet here – Crispy Fruit has no cholesterol or fat, no added sugar, is free of additives and preservatives, is nut-free, Kosher certified and has a long shelf life.

Crispy Fruit comes in several varieties to satisfy even the pickiest little ninja warrior or galaxy princess. Choose from seven flavors including tangerine, apple, Asian pear, banana, cantaloupe, mango and pineapple. All Crispy Fruit flavors are also available in a convenient "Grab & Go" 6-pack – six single-serving bags (MSRP: $7.99) – or individual, single-serving bags (MSRP: $1.49 each) that provide approximately one serving of fruit and 55 calories or less per bag.

Crispy Fruit Snacks are 100% natural, freeze-dried fruit slices — 

the perfect Halloween treat that kids and parents love!

I like them because they are the perfect portion size for my daughter's lunchbox. I don't have to worry about fresh fruit being left behind in her locker and going bad because she loves the taste of Crispy Fruit. I have to agree, the flavor is just as good (if not better) than the fresh fruit itself!

Connect with Crispy Green: 
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Disclosure: I received compensation in the form of product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Take a break from the heat with a two-ingredient popsicle!

I honestly can't believe just how hot it still is here some days. Like yesterday for example it was in the upper 80's and as you know the first day of Autumn. That's not typical for good ole Indiana this time of year either. I don't think I've ever had to use the AC this late in the year either, but I'm not about to sweat my butt off all day without it. That means there's still days the kids are outside after school playing and coming in hot wanting a cold treat. And that's where something fun (and healthy) like two-ingredient popsicles come in handy. Using either Jamba® At-Home Smoothies or  Rader Farms® FruitPLUS paird up with some juice you'll be ready in no time! They are super easy to make and can be ready the next day if you make them at night. My kids like them because they help cool them off when they've been running around outside. I like them because they are easy to make and not full of sugar like many you buy at the store. Plus they have that natural sweet flavor from the fruit that makes them extra tasty!

Jamba® At-Home Smoothies and Rader Farms® have put together easy-to-make, two-ingredient popsicle recipes that are fun to make and offer added health benefits versus other frozen popsicles.

Jamba® At-Home Smoothie Popsicle using their new Protein variety that features Greek yogurt and ancient grains. This smoothie recipe is a tasty combination of Jamba® At-Home Protein Smoothie and 8oz of your favorite juice.

Rader Farms® FruitPLUS Popsicle using their new FruitPlus variety - an exciting blend of vitamin-fortified fruits that will help kids reach their daily fruit goals. An exciting combination of Rader Farms® Fruit PLUS Vitamins mixed up with your favorite flavor of juice.

Choose one of these great recipes ideas and then mix up the flavor of juice for the next to keep the fruity flavor variety going!

Connect with Rader Farms:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Connect with Jamba® At-Home:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: I received the products featured in this post for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions state are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Sometimes life calls for a special treat - Why not make it a @Tastykake

Sometimes life calls for a special treat, especially when you want to acknowledge that your kiddo has done well. I'm one of those moms that actually likes to sneak special treats in my kids lunches, and sometimes their backpacks for them to find at school. Just my way of saying "you're special" and I'm thinking of them. Plus it's always fun to hear what they thought about their treat when they get home from school. Recently Tastykake came out with a new line of mini cupcakes and brownies that are actually the perfect size for a special treat in your kiddo's lunchbox. Of course they are a nice reward for a mom's job well done taking care of her family too. I know this mom has enjoyed a few of them since the boxes arrived a few weeks ago. I'm actually really looking forward to trying out their Mini Koffee Kake Cupcakes because I'm a big fan of coffee cake. Sounds like a great morning on the sort of treat to me.

Tastykake's Mini Cupcakes and Brownies are perfectly portioned desserts coming in at under 200 calories per pack, giving lunch boxes everywhere a dose of sweetness. These treats come in three bite-sized pieces per pack, making it easy to share with friends and spread the love.

Tastykake Varieties:

Mini Koffee Kake Cupcakes: bite-sized, crumb-covered creme filled coffee cake cupcakes

Mini Chocolate Swirly Cupcakes: bite-sized chocolate cupcakes with a white creme filling topped with delicious chocolate icing

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes: bite-sized chocolate cupcakes filled with a peanut butter flavored creme and topped with a peanut butter icing

Mini Candy Topped Brownies: bite-sized chocolate iced brownies topped with colorful milk chocolate candies

Connect with Tastykake: 
Facebook | Twitter

Disclosure: I received the products featured in this post for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions state are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Fun time for kitties!

If you have a kitty then you know how important it is to make sure they get lots of exercise. I'm sure you know that kitties love to play with toys and I'm sure you also know that they love treats. So why not give them something that combines two things they love? A toy that will help keep them active that rewards their play with treats! Over at Chewy.com they have these and lots of other great interactive toys for your furry friends so be sure to check them all out!

Treats with Snacky Mouse
Treat time and play time come together with Temptations Snacky Mouse Cat Treat Toy. Simply fill up the bottom-weighted wobble toy with your cat’s favorite treat and watch as they enjoy a riveting game of cat and mouse with a delicious reward dispensed at the end. The adjustable mouse means you can control how many treats are released at a time to keep the game in play without the risk of overindulging all at once.

Key Benefits:
• Interactive toy dispenses treats as cats play with it
• Comes equipped with delicious Temptations treats in Tasty Chicken flavor
• Easy to assemble
• Fill with as many or as little treats as you like, and as appropriate for your cat

Purina Friskies Pull 'n Play
The Pull 'n Play Play Pack combines a wobbly cat toy with tender edible strings and treats, giving playtime a delicious ending. Original Party Mix treats and Chicken & Cheese flavored Pull ‘n Play strings are included with this fun interactive toy, so your cat can let the good times roll as soon as it arrives. Simply add the Party Mix treats to the center opening, and insert yummy Pull ‘n Play Strings in the ears of this cat shaped toy and watch your cat bat, pounce and play with their new rewarding treat dispenser.

Key Benefits:
• Combines play time with treat time
• Includes Chicken & Cheese Pull ‘n Play Strings and Original Party Mix
• Wobbly toy keeps cat entertained
• Works with any Pull ‘n Play flavors or treats of your choice

Stay tuned for more great products from the Chewy.com website in the coming months!

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YumEarth Gummy Bears for Valentine’s Day

YumEarth treats are free from artificial flavors and colors. Plus they are gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, dairy-free and tree nut-free so they are a safe alternative to other treats on the market for classroom exchanges. You never know these days with all of the restrictions schools have as well as individual children. With YumEarth you can feel good knowing your treat is fit for everyone in the class.

Right now they even have special Valentine’s Day packaging so their individual Gummy Bear packages are ready for giving. They come in both a snack pack and a treat pack so you can choose the package size that best fits your needs.

We like YumEarth Gummy Bears because they come in fruity flavors that are unique and you don't find in traditional gummy bears. Plus they aren't packed full of sugar either so as a mom I can feel good about my kids eating them for a treat.

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Try these kid friendly not-too-sweet treats for Valentine's Day

As a parent we always want to show our kids we love them and what better day then Valentine's Day. But we have to be careful not to go overboard and show that love with sugary sweets that aren't good for them.

Thanks to AquaBall, the only no sugar, no calorie children's drink on the market here are a few great ideas that are not only better alternatives, but they are super easy too!

These are some great ideas that kids will love and will definitely be much better for them over the candy hearts and chocolate coated heart shaped marshmallows.