Product Reviews

Being a hot mama blogger (ummmm...what?  did i really just say that?) has it's perks every now and then.  Certain people and companies want me (well, really, Zeke) to try their products out and give my opinion.  So, what it all boils down to is this:  Zeke gets a package in the mail every now and then, opens it in a very giggly manner, and plays for some undetermined amount of time with the contents of the package.  Now comes my job...I have to give feedback.  Did he like it?  Was it "dorky, mom"?  Was it yummy in the tummy?  Or was it REEEEEEEE-jected by my icky, picky 5 year-old?  Here are some results from our latest reviews:

Hexbugs:  um...hells yeah.  Let's just say the little mechanical critters are a go.  With Zeke and about 4 of his little friends.  They love them.  And really, they're just little battery-operated Legos, if you ask me...with a few plastic-y whisker/leggy things on the sides.  But, hey, the 5/6/7-year-old crowd thinks they're sweeeeet.  So be it.  Thumbs up for Hexbugs.

Nature Valley Granola Bars:  this one is simple.  He ate them.  He ate more.  And I was totally okay with him eating them since they were a healthy option to chips, cookies, candy, etc.  I love a product that gives back to the community when I spend Pauly's hard-earned money on it, so here are some nice details about what Nature Valley will do for all of us if we save our wrappers:

Since the dedication of Yellowstone as the world’s first national park in 1872, America’s parks have been visited by hundreds of millions of people who marveled at their beauty, found peace in their wildness and shared their experience with others.



However, these national treasures need care and support to help them flourish. Years of underfunding and environmental problems such as pollution and climate change are threatening our National Park system. To help preserve our national parks and ensure their existence for generations to come, join Nature Valley® and Patricia Shultz, internationally best-selling author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and travel industry leader, to help support the National Parks Project. This year, the National Parks Project will focus on restorative work at Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Biscayne National Parks.



To get involved, simply purchase a box of specially marked Nature Valley Bars and mail in your wrappers to the address below:



National Parks Project


PO Box 450328


El Paso, TX 88545-0328




Nature Valley will not only recycle the wrappers, but will also contribute $0.10 to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for every wrapper received (up to $600,000 in total). To learn more about the National Parks Project and how you can make a difference, check out PreservetheParks.com today. And don’t forget to visit Nature Valley on Facebook or Nature Valley on Twitter to “Like” or “Follow” the brand. Facebook fans can enter to win a trip, as well as share photos and videos of their summer vacations. All of these sites will also feature updates on the restoration projects, as well as videos and pictures from “National Parks Project” volunteers.




There are many other ways you can enjoy the natural beauty and diverse wildlife of our national parks this summer while supporting the cause. The easiest thing you can do to support the national parks is to experience them for yourself and share them with your family – remembering as always to “take only pictures and leave your footprints.” So grab your backpack, your boots and some granola bars and go soak in the scenery.

Nature Valley provided Zeke (me) and one of my loyal readers a super-nice prize pack of goodies, including some tasty granola bars, a copy of Patricia Shultz's book, and an awesome water bottle through MyBlogSpark.  Yippeeeee...we all really enjoyed the package!

Stay tuned for more reviews as Zeke submits his opinions....