PROBAR just made living a gluten-free life a little easier for PROBAR’s popular fruition bar line is now independently certified gluten-free.  The reformulated gluten-free bars come in seven different flavors and include a new flavor to the fruition lineup: Chocolate Orange.

You may wonder why being certified gluten-free is so important.  As you're probably aware, the prevalence of gluten in our food system has received a lot of attention recently.  It's estimated that celiac disease affects 1 out of every 133 people and generally speaking around 18 million Americans have some degree of gluten sensitivity.

The culprit is the hard-to-digest protein called gluten, that even a healthy intestine can not completely break down.  For those with celiac disease, the undigested gluten essentially causes the body's immune system to lash out at itself, leading to malabsorption, bloating and diarrhea — the classic gastrointestinal symptoms — but also at times, joint pain, skin rashes and other problems.

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One thing I loved about being a stay-at-home mom was having the time and opportunity to make all of Riley's baby food myself.  I'm proud to say that Riley has never had a jar of store-bought baby food because my husband and I discovered how quick, easy and inexpensive it was to just make our own.

Making your own baby food does take a little preparation and planning, but once you get the hang of it and find some terrific baby food recipes, I know you'll love the many benefits that come with making your very own concoctions.  For instance, I loved knowing EXACTLY what my child was eating.  We would buy fresh organic fruits and vegetables, steam them if necessary, and then add whatever seasonings and herbs we selected.  In the days of questionable ingredients and frequent food recalls, knowing every ingredient in your child's food is a benefit that can't be understated.

Next, we saved a lot of money by making Riley's baby food ourselves.  Being a stay-at-home mom, it was essential to try and stretch my family's budget in every sensible way possible.  By buying fruits, vegetables and meats whenever they were on sale , as well as steering clear of overpriced baby food, we were able to drastically cut our "baby food budget".

Finally, when you are the chef of your child's food, you can tantalize their tastebuds with any food combination you wish...including ones that baby food manufacturers' probably find strange.  For instance, my daughter's absolute favorite food was a combination we dubbed "mash".  It was equal parts baby cereal, steamed broccoli and applesauce.  My daughter just couldn't get enough of it and to date, I've never seen this particular variety of baby food in the store.

Beaba is a French brand synonymous with innovative juvenile products  such as the patented Babycook Baby Food Maker.  This handy countertop appliance makes baby food preparation super simple and even cleanup is a breeze.  Keep reading to learn more!

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Math is typically one of the more difficult subjects in school for kids.  It's based purely on logic, which at times, can be hard for a young, developing mind to grasp.  The best way to teach Math successfully is often through the use of manipulatives so that a student can actually visualize the concept for themselves, resulting in one of those "Aha!" moments that all teachers live for.

Learning Resources has so many fine educational toys that I was more than happy to give their newest math activity set a try.  Measuring Motors offers children a fun and engaging way to master measurement, counting and sorting and early addition.  Keep reading to learn more!

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Keeping your teeth pearly white and healthy should be at the top of everyone's to-do list, because when your teeth are healthy, your whole body benefits.  Unfortunately, it's all too easy to let food and drink stains accumulate on your teeth, and without the proper care, you could also begin suffering from inflamed and bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and cavities.

Personally, I've suffered from receding gums for as long as I can remember, for I was raised brushing my teeth with hard-bristled toothbrushes and the notion that gums need to be "toughened up".  I've learned my lesson now, but unfortunately, it is too late.  This has led me to suffer from an extremely sensitive gum line and sometimes it's difficult to get the area around my gums truly clean without incurring a lot of pain.

That's why I was beyond intrigued when I learned of the Emmi-dent 6 Ultrasonic Toothbrush.  Not only does this revolutionary toothbrush claim to destroy plaque, tarter, bacteria and germs in the mouth, it claims to do so without physically brushing your teeth!  Sound interesting?  It is, so keep reading to learn more!

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Before having Riley, I used to be quite the fashion plate.  I was a 7th grade teacher and prided myself on keeping up with the times and looking my best.  (Believe me, kids will be brutally honest and tell you how you REALLY look, whether you want to hear it or not!  :big grin:)  But now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I have to admit that I've lost my touch with fashion a bit.  I just have so many other things to do these days, that I find myself swapping "cool" for comfortable.

Thankfully, Idylle Clothing is on top of what's new and fresh and have created an entire line of thermals, sweaters and tees with unique hand-drawn elements that give them a whimsical, quirky feel.  Keep reading to learn more!

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You know that song by Keith Whitley, "I'm No Stranger to the Rain?"  Well, as a mom to a 3-year old toddler and a solid black-haired dog, my life's theme song should be, "I'm No Stranger to the Stain!"  :rofl:  We have very light brown carpet in our living room that frequently gets stained by one kind of accident or another.

When life's little messes happen all over my carpet, it's important to have a strong team of cleaners to help make things look new again.  Typically, I would lug out our carpet shampooer, clean the area thoroughly and then protectively shoo everyone away for hours until the soggy carpet dried again.  ARM & HAMMER decided to make carpet stains a lot easier to deal with by designing their new Dry Carpet Cleaner in both Stubborn Stain and Pet Fresh formulas.

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