Kids - Parenting Healthy

Thank you to Zollipops for partnering with us on the feature. Opinions and story if my own

Now that you are done with dessert…have a lollipop! Because of a brilliant little girl who had a concept at age 7 to create a lollipop that is good for your teeth you can have some candy after dessert. And you should! Xylitol, Erythritol, Stevia-a triple threat to those nasty cavity monsters have come together in the form of lollipops, taffy and candy drops.

It was her little sister that came up with the name Zollipops! These are the suckers and now there are Zollidrops and ZaffiTaffy. Zollipops and Zollidrops are sugar free, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher and made with natural flavors and colors in the USA.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is an all-natural sugar alcohol that is in many fruits and vegetables. It is so natural we actually produce small amounts in our bodies. With over 40 years of studies and safe records, Xylitol is proven effective. Because Xylitol is absorbed by our body slowly and with only small amounts being absorbed, you get a sweetness with very little calories. It has a low glycemic index of about 7 (most sugars are over 80). It is so low that the body does not require insulin to metabolize it.

How can Xylitol help with dental care?

Did you know that chewing gum after each meal freshens your breath and can help fight acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. Consuming sugar-free chewing gums and candies manufactured with xylitol as the primary sweetener have already received official endorsements from six national dental associations. By reducing acidity, we can help take away the power from those little cavity monsters!

Erythritol is just like Xylitol only a tad smaller molecule size. And Stevia is also a plant with no added calories and sweet like sugar. So all 3 are natural sweeteners with the added benefit of not causing cavities and actually raises the pH in your mouth and reduces the acids that the cavity monsters need to grow the bacteria we don’t want.

So grab a Zollipop in your favorite flavor- strawberry, grape, orange, cherry, raspberry and pineapple. See Anthony hare a bit more about the brand below:

My BEWARE: Xylitol is easily fatal in dogs so always be careful your dogs or pets cannot access your xylitol foods.

Gift Guides, Kids

Fun Birthday Party at Altitude Trampoline Park

May 22, 2017December 20, 2017 Erin Sluka

Thank you to US Family Guide and Altitude Trampoline Park for partnering for this feature

Anthony’s 9th Birthday Party

Altitude Trampoline Park – Marysville, Wa

Friday Night in May- 10 kid party package

Provided:

Table(s) reserved, Party Host, Plates and cups, Clean up
The activity lasts two hours

2 Large Pizzas, Bottled water for kids. Birthday child receives free T Shirt and 1 free pass for a future visit

This was the first time we had jumped at the Altitude Park. Right away we had a table and host waiting for us. The jump arena is well within eyesight of the tables so I can set up and let the kids lose. As each child arrived their parents checked them in, signed waivers if none on file and were given a free pair of jump socks. Within minutes they were off having a blast.

They spent the most time in the Dodgeball area. They worked up a huge sweat and appetite in there. The party was a 6-8pm time slot and pizza was delivered about 7 but the kids aren’t forced out of the arena until the 8 end time so they could jump and eat later or eat and some went right back out. I did bring some chips and juice pouches to go with the provided pizza and water and I am glad I did because they truly gain an appetite out there.

Having a slumber party afterwards? I’d bring some wet wipes before sweaty kids get in your car-lol. I sort of wish I had that handy. But they were worn out and because 4 of the boys were coming back to sleep over they did not stay up too late after 2 hours of jumping. It is sort of a genius thought to bring them here and wear them out.

There was plenty of room at 1 table for all 10 kids for pizza, presents and cake. We nabbed a second tabel to store gifts and for adults who stayed to sit.

An employee saw me cleaning up the mess and came over to help, insisting they will clean up. It was OK-I am a Mom like that and hate leaving my own messes.

We did have a lost tooth incident. This girl bought an ice cream at the snack area and that loose tooth of hers was barely hanging on. The boys helped encourage her to pull it and through tears she did it. That was exciting for her.

What is fun is that Anthony got a shirt and pass to come back for an hour as we left because the birthday child is given this as a gift from Altitude Trampoline Park. It was a Friday night and the place filled quickly. What a popular spot! Find a location near you!

Food, Gift Guides, Giveaways, Kids, Mother's Day, Tips and Tricks

Pokemon DIY Party Favors featuring Palmers Candy – Giveaway

May 2, 2017May 16, 2020 Erin Sluka

Thank you Palmers for partnering for this feature and offering my readers a giveaway. Opinions are my own

With a child turning 9 in a few weeks he is requesting a Pokemon party. It is hard to find the Pokemon theme in stores so I have had to resort to some DIY. He is having his party at a Trampoline Park so I just need a cake and some party favors.

I went to Amazon and found some inexpensive bulk Pokemon Cards and Pokemon Figures as well as food cups. I used yellow and green construction paper I had and my glue gun. Then I used R.M. Palmer confections from their new e-commerce store.

I used the construction paper because filling the cups with just candy seemed ordinary so I created a sort of base, like grass.

R.M. Palmer candies like caramel balls, peanut butter cups and peppermint patties are now available in bulk with fun colors for all of your celebrations and gatherings. I used some common Pokemon colors like red, blue, yellow and white.

It was easier to empty all of the candy in one large bowl and mix. This way as I grab a handful for each cup it was assorted. Watch for little hands sneaking into the bowl.

I stuck a Pokemon card inside facing out. The top was a yellow paper glued on and then a Pokemon figure hot glued to stay.

R.M palmer candies listened to the requests of it’s fans and created an e-commerce site for your bulk candy orders. You can find some fun party inspirations too. Shop by flavor, colors or occasions.

With Mother’s Day coming you can have a lot of fun creating gifts for her with the bright colors and chocolate flavors she likes best. You get to be creative and R.M. Palmer supplies the chocolate.

Want to win a prize pack of R.M. Palmer chocolates? Enter below. Open to US and ends on 5/15. Good luck!

Entry -Form

Gift Guides, Kids, School, School Gifts

Easy Kids Birthday Favors – Free Printable Tags

April 28, 2017April 28, 2017 Erin Sluka

I am an #HPSmartMom and receive product from HP periodically

Our youngest will be 9 in a few weeks and I just booked his party at and now have Invitations, party favors and classroom favors to prepare. The party is for 10 cards and his class favors are for 24. Because a student in his class severe allergies she does not allow food gifts so kids typically bring in trinkets to hand out. I found some water bottles for under $1 and am doing those, but I needed tags to print and attach.

This is what I use my HP Print and Photo Projects download for. I have it installed on my Mac and I just open it, choose a project and design and print. I found this tablet, changed the text and had them printed in under 10 minutes. It took me longer to cut all the string for tying these onto the bottles.

I have an HP Instant Ink eligible printer. The HP Envy 7640 costs under $130 and can print, fax, scan, copy and do photo wirelessly. I am so excited about the wireless feature on this printer because I can sit on the couch and while reading emails or messages, I save it as a document right on my phone then open my HP All-in-One Remote app and hit print! My copy is sitting on my printer and I never left the couch or promised myself I will print out later only to forget.

Why do I need an HP Instant Ink compatible printer? Because it works with my ink cartridge to send a message to HP when I am low and I have ink at my door within days and before I run out! How simple is that?

If you can’t find water bottles, try attaching tags to bulk and inexpensive favors like keychains. Until I stumbled across these bottles, I almost used some Emoji keychains I found for under $15 that was enough for his entire class.

I printed 24 copies, cut them each out and cut 25 strands of ribbon. Used a hole punch so I can insert the ribbon and tie to each bottle. The great thing is that these bottles were under $1 and were BPA free plastic.

Having my HP Envy printer and access to a Project Download that anyone can access makes these party set up projects so easy. See all of the projects you can do with HP Printables.

Category: Kids

Zap Cavity Monsters with Zollipops the Clean Teeth Pops

Fun Birthday Party at Altitude Trampoline Park

Pokemon DIY Party Favors featuring Palmers Candy – Giveaway

Easy Kids Birthday Favors – Free Printable Tags