1. The SnackTime Survival Kit

Is your child overweight or constantly bugging you for snacks? Then this product may be for you.

The SnackTime Survival Kit gives children control over their own snack choices, and by keeping an eye on the clocks, they gain control over their own snack times. Each SnackTime Survival Kit contains a wooden clock board and a deck of 33 fun, easy and delicious snack cards. Beautifully crafted to appeal to both children and parents, the wooden clock board is a whimsical and colorful wall-mounted clock that contains 1 large working clock and 3 small faux display clocks – with moveable hands to set snack times and a hook to hold the cards in place. Each morning, kids choose up to 3 snacks from the deck, parents set the snack times, hang the cards on the hooks – and the rest is up to the kids. The SnackTime Survival Kit can be played as a daily game with toddlers and preschool children. The object of the game? To wait until the clocks match up before asking for a snack. Only the winners get to move on to the “snack-tivity” – and helping Mom make their own snack.

Honestly, I could never see using this product as intended. My children have learned healthy eating habits without a daily game. I am also not a controlling type of mother, nor do I need to be. My children eat healthy snacks whenever they are hungry. I feel that is part of learning proper eating habits to eat when hungry and stop when full, no matter the time on the clock.

That being said, I actually think this is a great toy for teaching time telling.

Also, just because a toy is wooden, does not make it “eco-friendly”.  This product is made in China and came wrapped in some serious styrofoam and bubble wrap.

Would I buy this product?  No.

2.  Aubrey Organics Ultimate Bath Bar and Organic Lip Balm

Aubrey Organics is a brand I have trusted for over 25 years, although perhaps this trust was a little misplaced considering they were one of the “natural” companies that put 1,4-DIOXANE in their products for children.  We were sent the following Aubrey Organics products to try:

Ultimate Bath Bar Unscented:

Made with 85% organic ingredients Basic cleansing bar gives you a cool, creamy lather that rinses clean. Mild, unscented formula is custom-made for sensitive skin. FEATURES: BENEFITS: Organic Shea Butter & Sunflower Seed Oil Rich humectants; smooth & moisturize Organic Olive Oil High in vitamin E & other antioxidants INGREDIENTS: Sodium palmate*, sodium cocoate*, water, glycerin*, butyrosper mum parkii (shea butter)*, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil*, sodium citrate, menthol crystals. *Organic

Treat ‘Em Right Organic Lip Balm

• Peppermint
• Spearmint
• Raspberry
• Vanilla & Honey
• Tangerine

Ultra-conditioning balm softens and hydrates your lips with Rosa Mosqueta® oil and other organic ingredients. Try cooling peppermint and tea tea or any of our other fun flavors. FEATURES: BENEFITS: Organic Rosa Mosqueta® Oil High in antioxidant vitamin C & nutrients; moisturizes & protects Other Organic Oils Soften & condition; restore moisture balance INGREDIENTS INCl: Cera alba (organic beeswax), cocos nucifera (organic coconut) oil, virgin olea europaea (organic olive) oil, simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil, cannabis

It’s not really cannabis, but hemp seed oil, which I think is really funny to read on a label.

These products receive a hazard score of 0 to 2 on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep cosmetic database.

Would I buy these products?  Yes.  The lip balm is very affordable ($2), and I do like Aubrey products.  I just always try to check EWG before purchasing any beauty products.  My daughter really likes the lip balm.

3.  Maple Landmark Wooden Hybrid and Recycling Vehicles at Gracefully Greene

As mentioned above, simply making a toy out of wood does not make it green.  The source of the wood is important, as is the source of manufacturing.  Maple Landmark’s wooden vehicles are made in Vermont, and you can trust the wood is ethically harvested:

The Natural Hybrid Car is a simple, durable wooden vehicle great for toddlers and sized perfectly for playmats.

Recommended Age: 2+

GreeneSense: The toy is quality crafted from locally sourced, responsibly harvested maple with hardwood wheels and laser engraved details.

In addition to the hybrid car, we were sent a recycling scoot.

Would I buy these products?  Yes.  My son loves them. He even gave me a kiss when I handed them to him.  In fact, he asked me for more!   They roll well, they are all natural, and there is no paint to worry about.  At $8 a piece, they are not overwhelmingly overpriced, as many natural toys can be.

4.  Ice Pop Joy

What child doesn’t like popsicles? Making your own frozen goodies is a great idea for sneaking in extra nutrition, guaranteeing organic healthy ingredients, and keeping things fresh!

Ice Pop Joy by Anni Daulter is full of delicious recipes and photographs of homemade popsicles. From Spicy Italian to Tropical Tofu, there is no end to the creativity!

Chill out! You can indulge in deliciously sweet and juicy ice pops without consuming refined sugar and fake sweeteners. What could be better than a sticky-sweet frozen treat to cool you down on a hot summer day? How about a heavenly, fresh and wholesome ice pop that you can feel good about enjoying and giving to your kids? Using fresh, seasonal fruits; sweet, nutritious vegetables; protein-packed whole food bases; and a multitude of other exquisite ingredients, Ice Pop Joy offers recipes for scrumptious treats any time. A wide variety of pops for every taste, Ice Pop Joy offers chapters featuring pure fruit pops, veggie pops, yogurt pops, tofu pops, herbal tea pops, chocolate pops, and specialty pops.

Would I buy this book? Maybe. Although, I am impressed with the variety, I don’t think I would follow a recipe for making popsicles. Instead, we use what needs to be used in our garden and refrigerator to avoid wasting food.

5.  Happy Squeeze and Happy Morning by Happy Family

Happy Family  makes organic, convenience food for busy families.  Certified organic and packed full of goodness, the Happy Squeeze and Happy Morning lines are a great alternative to juice boxes.

HappySqueeze comes in the following flavors:

• Super Orange + Pumpkin with Mangosteen
• Super Yumberry + Apple
• Super Pom, Apple + Peach

HAPPYSQUEEZE – Organic fruit and grain smoothies made from super fruits mangosteen, pomegranate, yumberry, and the super grain Salba. Our smoothies are high in Omega3s and antioxidants- you’ll find ½ serving fruit in each package. Our convenient on-the-go packaging does not need to be refrigerated before use. A healthy snack that’s perfect for your commute, your workout, or for your child’s lunchbox.

HappyMorning comes in the following flavors:

• Super Banana
• Super Cinnamon

HAPPYMORNING- Organic super breakfast smoothies made from yogurt, fruit and the super grain Salba. Our smoothies are high in Omega 3s, fiber, protein, calcium and iron. There is as much protein as an egg in each package.

Would I buy these products?  Maybe.  In an ideal world, I would have time to make my children delicious smoothies all the time.  These pouches are convenient, although not recyclable.  When I criticized HappyFamily before, my sister pointed out that she really loves these products and uses them regularly.

Disclosure:  The products described above were sent to us as free samples.  Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given.  No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews.  The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.