Lift me up, Lollitop!

My daughter is going to hate me for this when she is older, but I'm having the time of my life dressing her up like the little doll that she is. With all the great products we receive for review, there really isn't a day that goes by without her sportin' something that makes her the envy of playgroup.

Lollitops USA was one perfect example of "Where'd you get that?" syndrome in full force. Buttercup isn't old enough to realize that the sweet lil' hat with the honkin' flower on it can also be turned into a purse (and she really didn't give two figs when I tried having her wear it as one, either), but everyone else sure wanted to try it out.

The neighbors. The neighbors' kids. The lady at the store. The little girl at the library. For as long as Buttercup decided to amuse me by allowing the Lollitop to remain upon her head, we left with admirers in our wake. Which, perhaps, is why Buttercup left it on her little head for so long. She does love her public, after all.

Lollitops really are the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. Owner/designer Kim Spaan hit it right on the money with her unique take on all-things-girly with this darling purse/hat. In fact, I'm pretty sure if Buttercup was older that she would be demanding two Lollitops so she could wear one as a hat and carry the other as a purse. I know I would if I could get it to fit on my head.

Lollitops go for $30 a piece, but free shipping when you buy two or more will come in handy for decking the little girls in your family out in style for the coming holidays, won't it?

Buttercup was treated to the Hot Cha Cha design, and I'm eyeing the Midnight Honeybee, Glitter Girl, and I'm loving the Cherries Jublilee! Which one is your favorite?



Not sure? Well, you have two weeks to decide because Lollitops has generously offered TWO (berrie) lucky winners the chance to win their own Lollitop of their choice! To enter, you need to visit the site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which design you'd love to win if selected. Comments will be accepted until midnight, EST, Nov. 14 and the winner will have four days from the announcement date to contact me or an alternate winner will be selected.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest. To be eligible, you must use "Berrie Sweet Picks" in your tweet and leave me a comment letting me know you did so. And yep-I'll check!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

Soapy sunscreen protection from Bethesda

I am all about multi-tasking. Give me the opportunity to combine any number of things to do into one check-mark on my to-do list, and I'm all for it.

So when I heard about Bethesda Sunscreen Soap, I was curious enough to not only take a look, but also try it out for myself. Now, you did read right. This is, in fact, a bar of soap with added SPF 10 sunscreen. Not necessarily All-Day-At-the-Beach levels of protection, but it's certainly 100 percent better than I normally do on a daily basis, regardless of the season.

I was admittedly hesitant to try this stuff out since I normally avoid regular bars of soap like the plague and heading straight for the shower gels when stocking up for personal needs. But since I bgan reviewing items regularly, I have been reminded of every parents' favorite saying when their kids scrunches up their nose in disgust when looking at a new and foreign food on their plate: "You can't say you don't like it unless you try it."

So I did. And I'm glad.

The Bethesda Sunscreen Soap is a multi-vitamin, hypoallergenic, all-natural, and non-oily bar that actually leaves your skin feeling soft. That was surprising, and I also liked that there was no "sunscreeny" smell. (My blog, and I get to make up the words here.)

There's also an incredible program I wanted to tell you about, in which Bethesda will provide one bar of free soap to anyone battling cancer. I'm talking about the Melanie Policy, and if you or someone you know could benefit, please stop by the Bethesda site for more information.

Don't buy it. Make it!

There's nothing like waiting until the last minute, is there? I'm the Queen of Procrastination land, so I kknow what it's like to wake up one day and realize that Halloween is the day after tomorrow and I have yet to get a costume! (Okay, so I already have one, but only because my mother remembered that I'm an idiot and saved my sorry butt.)

So what do you do if Grandma can't bail you out with the kids in time for trick-or-treating? What if you are sick to death of your kid having the exct same costume as every other little goblin on the street? Or what if the economy sucks and money is tight and a brand new, over-priced costume just isn't in the budget? (Hey, I'm just sayin'.) That's where You Can Make This comes to the proverbial rescue.

YouCanMakeThis.com is the brain-child of founder Kim Christopherson, and features nearly 700 downloadable eBooks, many by everday moms, providing easy, thrifty, and unique "do-it-yourself" guides with downloadable patterns. Just choose one of the 34 available categories, decide on your favorite project, click, pay, and download. Easy, huh?

I was lucky enough to check out three eBooks from YouCanMakeThis.com and am so wishing my mother had decided not to be considerate this year. This stuff is just too cute and I'm certainly planning on taking advantage of my downloaded eBooks in the future, that's for sure!

The "Too Cute to Spook" outfit is just one example of an outfit that can be made for under $10. Just grab an existing pair of jeans or denim skirt and a T-shirt and add a few minimal details, and boom! Instant costume with flair. Nice.


Or make a kickin' fancy filled Halloween tutu, complete with rose petals or "pirate treasure," or even confetti! You Can Make This also offers ideas for Halloween party treat bags with their "Treat Topperz" for only $1.99. And of course, there are also the 18 "too Cute to Spook" Halloween applique patterns available in one eBook for just $7.95. It's perfect for trick-or-treating totes, fun T-shirts, or anything else you want to "spook" up!

Now, I normally run my contests for at least a week, but considering Halloween would be over by then, We're doing something a bit different today, so pay attention. Three lucky winners will get their choice of eBook sent to them by You Can Make This! You've got SIXTY MINUTES to check out the site and leave me a comment with the eBook you'd like to win and why. If you are on Twitter, you get one extra entry for sending out a tweet with the contest link! Oh, and as always, all entries must contain a valid email address to qualify. Contest ends at 5 p.m. EST!

Okay, peoples. The clock is tickin'. Ready? Set? Go!

Bath time just got easier

I love reviewing products, but hate when I learn about something too late! I recently reviewed Palm-Palms Baby Bath Grips and was just wishing like crazy I had known about these when Buttercup was smaller, wigglier, and so much more breakable than she is now.

The premise is just genius: Instead of juggling with a squirmy and slimy infant while trying to manage actually giving them a proper bath, Palm-Palms allow for a non-slippery and totally stress-free bath experience.

They are easy to put on and quite like finger-less gloves, and once in place these terry-cloth gloves do double duty by acting as your wash cloth and creating a non-slip surface to stabilize your infant.

Once bath time is over, just slip them off and leave them to dry for the next evening. Palm-Palms are available in blue, white, and pink and retail for $9.99 per pair.

For the Pierced and Pregnant

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, lived a beautiful and married maiden with a rockin' bod and a sexy little belly piercing. The fair Mrs. Maiden was proud of her body jewelry, and her kickin' abs, and worked hard to make sure her belly stayed in "show-off" shape.

But when the fair Mrs. maiden learned that she was pregnant, she did what every mother she knew had done before her; she kissed her belly ring days good-bye. She now has a beautiful daughter and a slightly annoying piercing scar. But had the fair Mrs. Maiden known about Pregnancy Piercings, she might still be sporting that pre-pregnancy piercing herself instead of just writing about it for the sake of her loyal readers.

*Sigh*

Oh well, right?

Since my belly is far from the state it was in when I was happy to show off my pre-baby belly, (and yes, we are back in first person now) I'm just going to call this one a learning experience. And I know I can't have been the only woman who winced harder when it was time to put the body jewelry away than I did when I got the actual piercing.

I took a look at the 14 gauge x 2 inch long Maternity navel barbell for use during pregnancy. It's flexible, customizable for size, and allows for growth. Taking the place of the unforgiving stainless steel bar is a piece of non-toxic flexibe tubing already proven safe for various uses such as open heart surgery. And the fact that it comes sanitized and sealed in a sterlized pouch is even better.

The price is right, too, at just $15.99. Just one word of advice: As is already noted on the product site, it is recommended that you not use the Pregnancy Piercings should you be allergic to Latex or Plastic.

So here's the happy ending to my cheesy fairy-tale: since I have no need for a Pregnancy Piercing, I have one brand-new, unopened, still sealed and sanitary Pregnancy Piercing in silver to give away to one lucky winner. To enter, just visit the site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what other item you'd be interested in trying out. Comments will be accepted until midnight, EST, Nov. 2 and the winner will have four days from the announcement date to contact me or an alternate winner will be selected.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest. To be eligible, you must use "Berrie Sweet Picks" in your tweet

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

Good luck!

Have wristlet, will keep my sanity

If there is one thing I have learned since I began reviewing mom and kids stuff, it's that the stuff I think I am going to be least impressed with usually bowls me over and makes me a believer.

Cloth diapers? Baby-wearing with my ergo and baby k-tan? Yeah, none of that would ever have become a regular part of my life until the unassuming packages arrived on my doorstep and made me wonder how in the world I had survived without them.

That's kind of what happened when A.B. Baby Boutique contacted me about reviewing the Wristlet Key Ring Accessory by Kristen Lemoine. The premise is simple: Stop digging in your purse or diaper bag for the keys you swear you just had in your hand and just wear it on your hand to begin with.

It's a great concept, but I really had no idea how I'd heart the wristlet so until I tried it. I have a mondo key-ring with keys for everything, and since I'm all about hauling the world's biggest diaper bag around wherever I go, it was a common occurrence for me to have to stop in my tracks when I got to the mini-van to perform an all-out search for them.

Not only is that not safe, especially at night, it is far from practical with a kid in tow.

Thanks to the wristlet, I have happily slipped my wrist through the loop once I have arrived at my destination and not had to worry about it until it was time to start the engine again. My only concern was that the whole contraption (and by contraption, I mean my fist full of keys) was going to be too heavy. But somehow, magically even, it is far from that and I think you'll heart this, too. And for only $12.00, it's a sweet buy.

May I suggest the Mocca? It's cute and earthy and happens to be the same one I received! Buy one for yourself, and stock up for Christmas! Your girlfriends will love you for it.

So who wants to win one and get a head start on that Christmas shopping? To enter, visit the site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what pattern is your favorite. And thanks to A.B. Bany Boutique for springing for FIVE winners! Contest ends at midnight, EST, on Nov. 1 and is open to US and Canada only. The winner will have four days from the announcement date to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

And that's it! Good luck to everyone who enters.

The freedom to slurp in public

I only breastfed for six weeks, but I distinctly remember plenty of times when I had to choose between hiding in a separate room during a family event or throwing modesty to the wind and baring my breasts for the world to see.

Now don't get me wrong: I fully support public breastfeeding, but I also think that it's a pretty big personal decision on how much to show and when. For me, the only people who were ever getting tickets to my free show were Buttercup herself, my husband, and my sisters. So if I had been aware of the Slurp & Burp at the time, you can bet your lactating boobies that I would have been using it!

As with so many of the best products for mom on the market today, this little baby was, of course, invented by one. The Slurp & Burp allows for discreet breastfeeding sessions that cover your body without covering the baby. And because of the unique sash-like design, you also end up with less attention since it just looks like you are cuddling your child! The new design comes with a detachable burp cloth and its own carrying case.

Now, I'm not breastfeeding now, but I did take the Slurp & Burp out of the packaging and tried it on to get a true sense of how it would work. I read the directions, put it on as directed, and grabbed one of Buttercup's baby dolls to finish out my evaluation.

The Slurp & Burp product claims include:

* covering mom and not her baby
* promoting the mother/baby bond
* loved ones can still interact with the baby while the child is eating
* washable
* Made in the USA
* All in one product for nursing and burping

There are more, but all of these are both good points that I agree with. My only "I don't know" moment is connected to the claim that says this product will help mom avoid the cost of a new nursing wardrobe. And this may just be a point of preference, but I myself would still invest in a few essential nursing tops even with a Slurp & Burp. The only way I could have breastfed with the T-shirt I had on while trying this product out would have been to expose my belly to the public or to stretch the neck of my shirt to the point that I would not have been wearing it again.

But that's really just a minor issue when you consider the fact that you can walk through a crowded mall while breastfeeding your child with no one the wiser. For those who like wearing button-up blouses, I'm sure this claim would ring true for them.

The bottom line, though, is that I really wish I had one of these when I was breastfeeding, and am sure you'll like it, too.

So who wants to win the Slurp & Burp that I reviewed? It's new, and was only taken out of its packaging for a few moments before getting packed back up until one lucky winner gets her hands on it! I have a size S/M in the Garden pattern (pictured) with detachable burp cloth up for grabs. To enter, visit the site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what pattern is your favorite. Contest ends at midnight, EST, on October 31 and is open to US and Canada only. The Winner will have four days from the announcement date to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* And as an added bonus through the end of the month, get one extra entry per $1 donated FOR THIS CONTEST ONLY to my DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge! Just click on the widget at the right hand top of the page and leave me a comment telling me how much you've donated.

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

And that's it! Good luck to everyone who enters.

Baby's got a bumbo

With bouncy seats and swings and playmates cluttering your home, it's probably a given that you don't believe you need another sitting device. I'm here to change your mind.

As soon as your baby can hold their head up on their own, usually at about two to three months, he or she is ready for the chance to actually sit up like a "big kid" and enjoy their expanding worlds from a whole new perspective. It sounds simplistic, but I remember Buttercup absolutely loving her new vantage point when she was placed in the Bumbo for the first time.

Made from a single piece of low-density foam material, this little wonder is lightweight and totally portable. Take it to the park, the family's for dinner, or simply move it from nursery to living room so your baby can interact with the family.

The Bumbo is hygienic and non-toxic and secures your child in a snug and cozy, upright position. It's simple to use, with no fasteners or belts. Just be sure to use common sense and follow the safety precautions (like never using on raised or uneven surfaces. And ALWAYS stay within reach.) Add the optional tray and you now have another option on where to feed Baby. I loved the chance to sit on the floor and R-E-L-A-X while feeding Buttercup while she enjoyed her "big girl" time in the Bumbo. (The photo is from September of 2007, so talk about a little trip down memory lane!)

Once you see your baby's face light up the moment you place them in their Bumbo, you'll be wondering what to do with the bouncy seat you never use anymore. $39.95 or $49.90 with tray.

The Tuesday Ten: Honest Baby's Jill Besnoy

I love me an honest woman. And I definitely love me a snappy comeback for the plethora of unsolicited advice that the world seems to think we all want to listen to as moms.

So when I learned about Honest Baby, I fell in love. Here's a little refresher with my review. Jill Besnoy and her witty little baby/toddler/kid T-shirts are now a favorite of mine (and I really must find that "Not Sleeping Through the Night" T-shirt Buttercup must have shoved in her toy box!)

But before I get to the interview, Jill asked me to announce a discount code for my readers as a way of saying "thank you" for the great response we had to her product line. Just plug in code "berrie" for 20 percent off at checkout!

Read on to learn more about a berrie sweet mom-pranuer!

Q.: So tell me a little about your company or product and the inspiration behind it.
A.: honestbaby.com celebrates imperfect parenting with informative articles, a panel of bloggers and no judgments. Our companion children’s t-shirt line has sassy slogans that poke fun at parenting stress.
When I was a new mother looking for support I found a lot of sites where parents criticized each other’s choices. When moms would share their stories they were made to fell like they were doing things “wrong”. I was looking for moms like me. Moms who made mistakes and found humor in the daily disasters. Not super moms spawning super children. I wanted to fill that gap, so I launched honestbaby.com. My goal was a website that would provide humor, community and most importantly, embrace imperfect parenting.

Q.: What sets your product apart from the rest? What's your "It" factor?
A.: I think we are in the midst of an anti-perfect parent moment. Most mothers are tired of the myth of the super mom and tired of being judged. honestbaby lets you leave those pressures behind and have a more realistic, fun approach to parenting.

Q.: What's the nitty-gritty on you!?? Come on! I want age, rank, and serial number!
A.: I’m just your basic mom living in the suburbs with her patient husband and two energetic boys (4 and 6) trying to run her own business. 37 years old. Live 10 minutes from where I grew up (I know, very daring). I was formerly in the glamorous industry of film and television. Gave it up for the world of parenting. I love travel, tennis, sailing, going to the movies and mostly just hanging with the family doing nothing.

Q.: What's your funniest mommyhood memory to date?
A.: When I was dropping off my kindergartner at school, the bell rang and all the kids ran in. I looked around and my 3 year old who was just playing on the playground was gone. A group of parents and some teachers began to assist me in my search after hearing me yell his name for 5 minutes (seemed like an hour). The principal of the school happened to be outside and began looking too. As we ran towards the front of the school, she suggested maybe we should call the police. It was then that we found my son going number two on the base of the school’s flagpole. Needless to say, the principal was already aware of our family from my older son, this did not help matters.

Q.: Five words. Describe yourself. Go!
A.: Brilliant, gorgeous, daring, elegant, fascinating… Is this the imaginary portion of the interview?

Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?)
A.: Persistence. Just keep going. Even if you doubt yourself (which I did) work through it. Don’t give up. And surround yourself with a good support system, which should include positive people and reliable babysitting.

Q.: Why do you think your products hit home with moms amd families??
A.: Parents are tired of being told how to parent. There is no “right” way to raise a child. And the sooner we let go of that parenting stress the better. Everyone is just doing the best they can. It’s time to bring parenting back to where it belongs, humorous, enjoyable and most importantly realistic. Imperfect parenting is a concept that was long overdue.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? what's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.: Well of course it was the great review on berrie sweet picks that really put us over the edge! Recently honestbaby was written up in Ad Age as leading the “anti-perfect mom brigade” and shortly after I was on FOX NEWS as a guest talking about the myth of perfect parenting. That was cool.

Q.: If you could have one mommy superpower, what would it be?
A.: Easy question, the ability to stop time! I dream about it. First I would catch up on all my television shows, then organize all the closets, finally put my kids’ pictures into photo albums, then catch up on all my honestbaby work! Did I mention sleep for a week straight?

Q.: Sneaky chef or eat-those-veggies-now! What's your parenting style?
A.: Definitely sneaky chef…I find it so much easier to trick my children then to win an argument. Actually my older one eats pretty well. It’s still a battle with my 4 year-old. Yesterday he refused to eat anything until about 1:00 in the afternoon! As they say, he’ll eat when he’s hungry.

Q.: Where can my readers find you online?
A.: www.honestbaby.com Come join our community!

Snug as a bug for Halloween

It doesn't matter where you live: Fall means colder weather for everyone. And winter in the Midwest means it's pretty much time to pull out the parkas.

I distinctly remember everyone telling me that I would need one of those little snow-bunting thingies for Buttercup to get us through the winter. After all, if I was bundled up from head to toe (thanks to said parka) then she should be, too, right?

Well, yes...and no.

See, I do the baby-wearing thing and with all of the no-fuss that I love about not having to worry about a stroller when I can just pop her in and out of my carriers, I really didn't want to make life harder by involving a bunting that I was going to have to put on and take off each time I got her in or out of my carrier.

That, and I really am not a patient person. So I was not interested in spending 20 minutes bundling her up to have to just reverse the whole process five minutes later when we arrived at our destination.

And heck-before we even get to the snowy stuff, what was I going to do on Halloween? She was only 4 months old for her first one and I got the most adorable tu-tu for her to wear, so did I really want to cover that up with a bulky coat?

Of course not!

And of course, that's wear my Snugabug Warmsie same in. This little cutie takes the place of the standard onsie for the colder months, wicking away moisture and keeping baby warm with a comfortable thermal base layer of 100 percent TempRite polyester. The $36 price covers the Warmsie onsie and pants, made of a solid body and cute (and practical)contrasting ankle and wrist bands to keep the warmth in. Best of all, the roomy seat was made with Baby's diaper in mind (and you all know that Buttercup wears cloth!)

But don't stop reading if your kids are past toddlerhood. Snugabug just expanded their product line to include the Snugz sizes from 3-10. They have also introduced their White Warmth line, a basic choice in white, perfect for layering under anything, anytime. Prices range from $30 for an infant toddler set to $22-$24 for individual kids' pieces.

This is definitely one product I highly recommend for parka-free trick-or-treating, and every other fave outdoor activity from trips to the apple orchard to building snow men.

List it, plan it, do it

I'm a "List-it Woman". Simply put, if it doesn't get written down on a To-Do list somewhere for me to check off, erase, cross off, or mark as completed in some fashion, then it pretty much doesn't get done.

So you can bet I was thrilled to try out ListPlanit's services...and by "services," I mean a "List-it Woman's" dream come true.

Run by work-at-home mom, Jennifer Tankersley, and ListPlanit is the place to go for printable lists to keep every aspect of your life in order---everything from meal planning, blog topics to write about, holidays and special occassions, back to school schedules and homework planners, and more! A paid membership is required to access all of what ListPlanit has to offer, but the costs are more than reasonable and you get major bang for the buck.

Once printed, it's simple enough to three-hole punch and stuff into a three-ring binder for easy access to your favorite lists. Or for those who like to save on printing and paper (a la eco-friendly)you also can download one of ListPlanit's E-Planners for contacts, baby, holidays, memories, moving, and anything else you can think of.

It really is a genius site that any mom can appreciate and will most certainly use. So enter to win a quartlery membership here! To enter, visit ListPlanit and leave me a comment telling me why this service appeals to you. Since I'm actually on vacation right now and won't have Internet access to post this contest to my normal contest listing blogs, I'm running this one for two weeks and will randomly choose one winner on Oct. 29 at midnight, EST. The Winner will have four days from the announcement date to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* And as an added bonus through the end of the month, get one extra entry per $1 donated FOR THIS CONTEST ONLY to my DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge! Just click on the widget at the right hand top of the page and leave me a comment telling me how much you've donated.

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

And that's it! Good luck to everyone who enters.

The Tuesday Ten: Fuzzi Bunz's Tereson Dupuy

I heart my FuzziBunz, and made sure to tell the world about my obsession with these berrie sweet pocket diapers here. Now, I get the pleasure of introducing you all to mom-pranuer extraordinaire, Tereson Dupuy, CEO of Mother of Eden and Inventor of FuzziBunz in this week's Tuesday Ten interview.

And before we get on with the interview, I just have to comment on what an awesome family photo this is of Tereson and her kids!

Now, on with the interview!

Q.: So tell me a little about your company or product and the inspiration behind it.
A.: I invented FuzziBunz diapers in an effort to help my newborn son, Eden, feel better. At the time, Eden had horrible diaper rash and disposable diapers were not an option because the chemicals irritated his bottom. And the cloth diapers on the market at the time were a major disappointment because they were wet and soggy against his skin (not to mention hard - and icky - to care for). I remember thinking that I could do better than this. And that is how FuzziBunz diapers were born!

Q.: What's your favorite part of owning your business?
A.: I love the flexibility that my job affords me. I am free to work when I want (mostly), spend time with my children at my leisure, expose my kids to different experiences and I get great personal gratification with having done something that is loved by so many parents all over the world.

Q.: What's the nitty-gritty on you!?? Come on! I want age, rank, and serial number!
A.: I am 38 years young. I'm a single mom and have three kids. I love to travel, scuba dive, sail, hike and do anything outdoors. I love being able to have it all - great kids, great job, great life. I am truly blessed. My rank, well, maybe Super Woman - lol.

Q.: Glass half empty of half full? Or can you not tell because it already got spilled by one of the kids?
A.: My glass is full to the top and ready to spill over. Every opportunity is an opportunity for growth. My outlook on life is that every opportunity is positive, even if it doesn't feel that way at the time.

Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?)
A.: My motto: Always be seen smiling. Smile often, laugh even more. Even when it is hard. Never ever quit.

Q.: Why do you think your products hit home with moms and families??
A.: FuzziBunz diapers work hard and deliver on their promises - any mom can appreciate that. Also, FuzziBunz are mom-invented - some of the best baby products have a mom behind it and FuzziBunz is no different.

Q.: The best part of being a mom? And what's the hardest?
A.: The best part is being able to mold my children into responsible, fun, ambitious humans by leading by my example. The hardest is striking that balance between being a dedicated single mother, entrepreneur and self-fulfilled woman.

Q.: Sneaky chef or eat-those-veggies-now! What's your parenting style?
A.: Each of my children are unique and has different needs so catering to their own specific person is what is important. It's a challenge at times but a challenge I feel well worth it in the long run.

Q.: What's on the menu for dinner tonight? (and can I come over?)
A.: Sauteed Rib eyes with brandy sauce. No kidding. When I cook I really cook. Otherwise I cook in bulk and we do once a month cooking, healthy meals. But the fresh stuff is outstanding.

Q.: Where can my readers find you online?
A.: www.fuzzibunz.com and at my blog at www.thegreendiaperqueen.com.

Sinupret for kids: A safe and alternative option

Maybe it is because of what I do for a living, but after writing about the dangers of giving kids cough and cold medicines, and the lack of research to prove that any of these meds actually do anything for kids 6 and under, I have yet to give any such medications to Buttercup when she has had the sniffles.

In fact, since she has been a year old, I have relied on the old family tradition of treating coughs with honey, which has been proven to be just as effective as over the counter meds, and a heck of a lot safer. (I also do the same for myself!)

But what about preventative measures? If I'm not going to give Buttercup any over the counter meds, you can bet your sweet bottoms I'm going to be just as picky about anything said to work in this capacity.

But when I heard about Sinupret for Kids, ($18.50, available online and at Walmart)an alternative and natural choice actually recommended by the Dr. Bob Sears, you can bet I'm going to take a look.

Now, before anyone says anything, I haven't given it to Buttercup yet and won't be until she turns 2, as studies haven't been done on children any younger than that. But since the packaging says adults can take this stuff, I'm all about an ounce of prevention for myself and my husband.

Sinupret is made by Bionurica, a German company whose products are crafted from sustainably grown, pure plants thoroughly researched for their safety and potency. And with a proven track record of no harmful side effects and over 3.5 million physician recommendations, I can rest assured that I'm taking a safe product.

So what does Sinupret for Kids actually do? According to the product info, Sinupret for Kids helps support healthy sinus and respiratory function, so if taken regularly, can prevent your kids from getting sick to begin with by promoting healthy nasal passages, strengthening the immune system, and supporting the upper respiratory system.

Made from a blend of European Elder, Common Sorrel, Cowslip, European Vervain and Gentian, and even more importantly not containing dangerous ingredients like stimulans, ephedra, caffeine or pseudoephedrine, it's a natural choice for parents looking for alternative and safe options to keep their kids healthy.

And one more major plus in my book is that this stuff is gluten-free. Buttercup is on a gluten-free diet until she is 3 or 4 since her father has Celiac Sprue, and this is always something I am on the lookout for.

Of course, as with many alternative health options, none of these claims have been evaluated by the FDA, but with all of the information I have found on Sinupret for Kids and Dr. Sears' recommendation, I'm already planning on stocking my medicine cabinet with many of the Bionorica product line. Here's to your health!

Celebrate attachment parenting month and help students in need!

October is attachment parenting month, and I for one am excited to help spread the word about what I consider to be a wonderful parenting philosophy. I didn't come into motherhood with a book in hand and a check list of how I was going to raise my daughter via the AP methods; inastead, I did what came naturally to me like co-sleeping and baby wearing, and later realized I was "following" books and advice and doctors I had never read or heard of before.

But I have to say that even though Buttercup is in her own toddler bed now and our co-sleeping is becoming less and less (her call, not mine!), I am still so grateful for the chance to bond while baby wearing. I have tried many baby carriers over the past 16 months, and have been pleasantly surprised to find that there is at least one carrier (or wrap) out there to meet anyone's needs, tastes, and budgets. And this is where the Didymos Baby Sling comes in.

It's high-end in both quality and price (about $150 or so) and requires that you purchase mulitples in different sizes if you like variety in choosing the holds to wear your baby in. But it's been around since 1972, is extrememely secure around the baby with no bounce, and is absolutely gorgeous.

Other bonuses include the fact that the cotton used to weave the slings is 100 percent certified organic; the natural and color grown fabrics are not bleached, dyed, or chemically treated; and it can be washed at very high temps, making it a perfect fit for babies with allergies.

Now for the question of the say: What the heck do you do with a sling that costs boku bucks after Baby's done wuth it? Well, you might wonder what Moms everywhere are going to do with their baby slings and carriers after they are no longer needed, but you'll never have to worry about where to pack up your Didymos wraparound baby carrier after the baby has gotten too big to carry. While your child is light enough for you to carry comfortably, you can enjoy a special closeness and hands-free mobility with up to 10 different carries. Just be sure to get the correct size for your needs and body-type, as the different sizes are geared to work for certain ways to carry your baby. The one-shoulder carries, for example, take much less fabric than other carries, and require smaller wraps.

And after baby wearing time is over, this genius baby-carrier can be used as a hammock, scarf, comforter or swing and you can enjoy it for a lifetime. The Didymos is available at www.peppermint.com and www.theslingstation.com

But before out go out ad buy one, why don't you try and win one her first? In honor of AP month, I'm offering one girly-themed Didymos in pink stripes to one lucky winner. It's a size 6, which is the longest size and one of the most versatile for use with newborns up to toddlers. I used it once for review, and then put it away months ago to save for a future promotion (like this one!) so the sling is new and the box is just a bit beat up. The entry rules are a bit different for this contest, though, so pay attention!

Anyone who donates $5 to my DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge will be entered to win this beautiful sling. Just click on my Blogger Challenge widget on the top right sidebar, and choose the project you'd like to help fund and then leave me a comment letting me know you did so. This would make a great baby shower gift and is an awesome chance at getting a fantastic sling for next to nothing.

This contest is open through October 31, and internaional entries will be accepted. As always, the winner will have four days from the announcement date to contact me or an alternate will be chosen.

Thanks for your generosity and good luck!

Little girls, ballerinas, and fairies...Oh My!

Okay, if you aren't new here, you already known that Buttercup loves music and is just learning how to bop to the music. She's almost 16 months, and I would bet my life that music is going to be a BIG part of hers when she is older.

I was a little skeptical of the Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake DVD that was sent to me, only because I wasn't sure if it was going to actually hold Buttercup's attention. But then I popped it in, and just because I wanted to amuse myself I also put a tutu on her, and we sat down to learn about Swan Lake.

Prima Princessa is a fairy ballerina (the best kind, right?) who transports a group of pre-school girls to see Swan Lake, as performed by the Paris Opera Ballet. Not only does Prima Princessa narrate the story, she also magically transports the girls back home in between acts so they can dress up in their own tutus and learn simple ballet steps. What you see is really a group of little girls having a lot of fun pretending, but that's really the point, isn't it?

First, let me tell you that the moms behind this little number are absolute geniuses! The DVD was created to help introduce 2-6 yr olds to the world of Ballet in a fun and educational way, and they hit their mark. The bonus is that by watching it with Buttercup, now I actually understand what's going on!

I love ballet, mind you, but I was about as educated on the difference between a plie and a jette as I was on the difference between Odelle and Odette! Now that I know, it all makes a whole lot more sense.

Now, Buttercup is younger than the recommended age, but she did dance to the music and always stopped what she was doing to see the little girls practicing the steps they learned while giggling like crazy. I can see already that this DVD is going to have a very long lifespan in out house and am looking forward to watching this single DVD blossom into a very successful series.

Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake is available here at Amazon.com for $17.99. But if you'd like to try to win your own copy first, just visit the Prima Princessa site or its Amazon page and leave me a comment telling me why you think this DVD would be perfect for your little fairy ballerina!

Extra entries are also available if you:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about the contest and link to the giveaway.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my button and place it on your sidebar, linking to Berrie Sweet Picks. (I'll check!)
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* You also can earn 1 extra entry per $1 donated FOR THIS CONTEST ONLY to my DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge. Just click on the widget at the top right of my blog page and select the project you'd like to help sponsor and then leave me a comment telling me how much you donated.
Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

I'll pick one name at midnight (EST) on October 16 and will email the winner to let them know they won! The winner has 4 days to respond, or an alternate will be chosen. Good luck!

DIY: Cute shoes for baby

Okay, so I've been to a million baby showers and pretty much always give a different version of the same thing to the mom-to-be. You know what I mean: the expected, requested, and everybody-else-has-one diaper bag, welcome baby bath kit, or little baby PJ's. It's all super-sweet, of course, but it's not really, well, personal, ya know?

So I about flipped when I received these DOLCISSIMA (That's Italian for very sweet, thank you very much!)do-it-yourself baby shoes from the Etsy Crea Baby Shoes shop.

The adorable Italian creation is a perfect first shoe that comes in pre-cut kits that you actually, well, do yourself! Available in ten different styles,
these little shoes are perfect for babies 0-3 months old, and I think, would make a perfect (and personal) gift for any mom-to-be.

And you can stop holding your breath now because yes, we do have a contest and a discount code! Up for grabs is is one pair for each sex and the winners get to pick the style the like best! To enter, visit the Creakit Shop and leave me a berrie (read: comment) with your favorite style and if you'd like to win the shoes for a boy or a girl. Comments must be received by midnight, EST, on Oct. 15.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* And as an added bonus through the end of the month, get one extra entry per $1 donated FOR THIS CONTEST ONLY to my DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge! Just click on the widget at the right hand top of the page and leave me a comment telling me how much you've donated.
Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

Oh, and about that discount: Creakit is offering Berrie Sweet Picks readers a 15 percent discount. Just place your order and contact Creakit through their Etsy shop with code "berriesweet" and you will receive a revised invoice. Enjoy!

VOTE FOR BERRIES!!!!

Holy wow, bloggy peeps!
I just found out I was nominated for two categories in the Bloggers Choice Awards How cool is that?
So here's the deal: I'm a late entry as winners will be announced on October 16, so I need all of you who love this blog, my mad writing skillz, and my reviews and contests to go here and VOTE FOR BERRIES!
Come on! It's an election year! Get in the spirit and make me look good!

The Tuesday Ten: ERGObaby carrier's Karin Frost

I love babywearing.

If there is one thing that you've picked up about me, it should be that very fact. And since discovering the ERGObaby Carrier, I love it even more. You can see me wax poetic about the many wonderous qualities the Ergo posesses here, but read on for a great Tuesday Ten interview with Karin Frost, president and designer of the ERGObaby Carrier.

Q.: So tell me a little about your company or product and the inspiration behind it.
A.: ERGObaby is a family-owned and operated company located in Maui, Hawaii. Our mission is to offer parents the most thoughtful, highest quality and most innovative baby carriers on the market

Q.: So many good ideas never get past the idea phase...how did you make your business/dream a reality?
A.: When I was pregnant in 2001, I was impressed by the Continuum Concept by Jean Liedoff and became convinced that carrying my baby was the best way to usher him into our world. I tried many different carrying devices, front packs, slings and backpacks. Each had its problems so I created a carrier that incorporated the elements necessary to carry my son for prolonged periods as his weight increased.

Q.: What sets your product or business apart from the rest? What's your "It" factor?
A.: I think that the ability to have a "hands free system" is our “It” factor. The baby can be carried in the front, back or hip position. We have an infant insert for newborns and the carriers can be used from infant through all the babywearing years. Our line of accessories complements the carrier’s versatility.

Q.: How did you come to decide to pursue your own business?
A.: As I began to develop the design, local parents would see me carrying my son and to ask me to make them a carrier. They in turn gave me feedback as I continued to perfect the design. I sewed the first 50 carriers myself before deciding to have them manufactured.

Q.: What's your favorite part of owning your business?
A.: Providing a carrier that allows parents to keep their babies close to their bodies and still have the flexibility of motion and use that so many of my peers were seeking. Educating parents about Babywearing, Attachment Parenting and related topics to improve the way our next generation of babies is introduced into the world.

Q.: Who's the brains behind the operation?
A.: My design background and creative ability is behind the company’s innovation and I am supported by committed customer service personnel and a dedicated staff that handles operations.

Q.: Secrets to success? Tips for making it through to tomorrow with our sanity intact? (read: how did you do it?)
A.: This is a daily challenge due to the fast paced growth of the company worldwide. Each day I have to carefully make choices that fill my personal needs, those of my son and my business. The business often takes priority and that is possible because my mother and father are principals in the business and live on the same property. I try to maintain a regular yoga practice and there is always a trip to the beach to reflect and reduce stress. I always take a family vacation once a year.

Q.: What press have you received since you started? What's the coolest, berrie sweetest press you have gotten to date? (answer carefully....*wink wink*!)
A.: Being selected in 2007 as one of Parenting Magazine’s Top 20 products of the last 20 years was a major highlight. We were also featured on the Today Show and the View.

Q.: Where can my readers find you online?
A.: www.ergobaby.com Our website includes more than just our products. Take a look at the photo gallery, product reviews, many testimonials and educational articles.

Q.: Berrie Blast (read: final thoughts)
A.: I see the practice of babywearing continuing to grow as an integral part of parent’s childrearing years. I foresee that research will document the long term benefits for children’s bodies, minds and spirits as well as those of their parents. I believe that the children who are now being carried will grow up and have the incentive to carry their children and babywearing will become indigenous in our culture as it was in past history. As president and designer, I have focused on our commitment to serve this rapidly expanding movement.

Next up is the genius mom behind Fuzzi Bunz, so be sure to come back next Tuesday!

Deadlines and diapers and donations, Oh My!

Hi all! Just another Donors.Choose.org Blogger Challenge update, this time for my Deadlines and Diapers blog. I decided to try raising money via both blogs, and if you decide to donate $5 or more to the blogger challenge linked to this post, you can also be entered to win a $30 Visa Bank Card, courtesy of Avannabel Baby and Lipstick to Crayons. This contest also runs through October 31, so give much and enter to win!

DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge Update

I said I'd repost this when I had something good to offer up for a prize incentive to donate to my DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge, and I'm so ready to go! SO, like, read up on the original post below...and anyone who sticks around to the end of the post gets a million dollars (no-I'm kidding. ) But you do get a chance to donate to a great cause and get entered to win an extremely sweet prize!

I'm always up for a challenge, so when I was asked to participate in the DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge, I jumped right in and then realized I should have asked how deep the water was.

DonorsChoose.Org got its start in a Bronx high school due to the ingenuity of teachers witnessing their students going without the very materials they needed to learn. Today, public school teachers post projects that range from a $100 classroom library to a $1,000 trip to the zoo. Bloggers like me choose projects we are interested in funding, and readers like you can then choose the ones that are closest to your heart to help with even a $5 donaton. Donors even get a sweet thank-you letter and picture of the classroom they contributed to.

For those of you who don't know (like me before this morning, so there is really no need to feel bad) last year's DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge raised $420,000 toward classroom projects benefitting 75,000 students in low-income communities. And the cool part is that the funds were all raised through the generosity of blog readers like you!

I had no idea that today I'd open my emails to find a request for little ol' me to participate in something so big and so very, very important. But there it was. And I'm honored and excited and ready to do my part to make a difference in the lives of public school children here in Michigan and across the state.

Now, for those of you who ate your Wheaties this morning, you'll notice that this is indeed a challenge. The goal of course, is to try to raise the most funds, with cool perks like press from Fortune magazine for the bloggers whose readers help the most public school students, a Technorati "generosity ranking," and even a special Blogger Challenge for Mommy blogs! It's all just great incentive to try and rally the most funds, which (and most importantly)will come to make a difference in a child's educational experience.

As for that deep water? Well, the DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge started today, Oct. 1...and that's when I got the invite to participate! I may be a bit behind the 8-ball here, but I'm more than ready to step up to the plate for the month-long Challenge!

Ready to help?? Great! Just check out my Challenge Page and choose which project you'd like to donate to!

And just for a little extra incentive, every reader who donates a minimum of $5 will be automatically entered into a random drawing I'll host at a later date for a surprise giveaway. I'll come back and edit this post when I have the details ironed out, and anyone who has already donated will be entered retroactively.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about the Challenge and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Challenge Widget and place it on your blog page. You can get that here. Easy, right?
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

And that's it! So who's ready to give up one morning latte to help make a child smile?

So now for the prize: Anyone who donates a minimum of $5 to my Berrie Sweet Picks "Challenge Page">Blogger Challenge automatically gets entered to win a Star Wars set of Mimobots, including C3-PO, Darth Aidious, (1)Royal Guard, and Wicket, an approximate $160 value.

Here is my recent review, just in case you need me to reinforce the extreme awesomeness of this prize. So tell your husands, your friends, your college buddies, and pretty much everyone else you know since this would make a kickin' Christmas gift for the Star Wars fan in your life (and no one has to know it was free if you win! It can be our little secret, huh?). I'll pick one winner on October 31, and announce here on my blog and send the winner an email. The winner will have four days to respond, or an alternate will be selected. Good luck and let's all do some good in the process!

Update: This contest is open to international entries. As long you donate $5 or more, I am more than happy to accept your entry!!!

Padded bum = Happy Baby

How often are practical and cute combined in a baby product that Moms would not only love to give at baby showers, but buy for themselves, as well? (Yeah, not very often!)

But with Gissy Bellas Comfy Crawlers, you get to dress your tot in style while protecting their lil' bums, knees and elbows from the redness and occasional ouchies that come with learning to crawl, scoot, cruise and walk. The fashionable and functional pants have cushy knee, shin and rear pocket foam pads and are made of durable and comfortable fabrics babys (and Moms) love. (An added bonus is the extra roomy seat, which is a dream for cloth diapers!) Oh, and don't wait if you're interested. A few of the fall courdery pants styles are currently on sale for $19.99!

Buttercup looked super cute in her comfy crawlers, which I washed ofen for her to wear while she was in the crawling and scooting stages.

Coorindating T-shirts are sold separately and are currently on sale for $12, but are worth the little bit extra. The long-sleeved shirts will be nice and comfy on babys skin and the padded elbows will help keep them a little bit happier as they learn to explore their new mobility. Choose from corduroy, cotton, khaki or denim.

Pediped Original: Tip Top for Baby

Before Buttercup was born, I had no one else to direct my shoe fetish upon but myself.

Since she's been around, though, I have only bought myself shoes when I needed them--GASP!!!-- and redirected my little shoe habit to Buttercup and her sweet little baby feet.

That's where her Pediped Originals in Giselle Brown Dot come in. Tip Top Shoes was kind enough to send us a pair to try out, and we were more than happy to give these cuties a go.

And the verdict?

Well, Buttercup tells me they are worth every penny of the $32 retail price because they're pretty and match almost every outfit she owns and they are so comfortable that she never wants to take them off. She also likes that she can wear them indoors and out and the easy on/easy off velcro tabs.

Yep, she told me all that when she brought the shoes right back to me and sat down with her feet out in front of her ready to put the Pedipeds back on...all within a minute of taking them off.

Soft-soled shoes are what's recommended to help support proper development for our children's growing feet, so why not do what's best with style? There are various styles for both boys and girls, so have fun virtual window shopping!

And thanks to Tip Top Shoes!

Fight the Flu: Win a Shuffle!

Summer's out the window and with the coming changes in weather come the unwelcome flu season. No one wants to get achy, sick, and miserable, so it's time to start preventative measures now in order to remain healthy throughout the season.

According to the Global Hygiene Council, 59 percent of surfaces in the home can be contaminated with the flu virus which, surprisingly, can survive for up to 48 hours.

So how do you deal?

First off, wash your hands often and wash them properly, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It might sound simplistic, but hand washing is actually the most effective way to stay healthy, but only if done right. So use regular soap and water, scrub your hands front and back and in between and under the nails, for 20 seconds.

Also remind your kids to seeze and cough into the crux of their elbow and to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth.

Disinfecting is also an important component in fighting the flu and staying healthy. Kids, after all, can touch and retouch more than 300 surfaces in just 30 minutes. (Scary, right?) So parents need to protect against the spread of germs by cleaning commonnly touch surfaces and objects with a disinfectant like Lysol Disenfectant Spray. And if you stay on top of cleaning and disenfecting, you stand a pretty good chance of killing any cold and flu bacteria before the germs have time to get you and your family sick.

Instead of waiting for the first sign of sniffles and body aches, make an appointment now to talk with your doctor to find out if you and your family members are good candidates for the flu vaccine (I get mine every year now that I have a daughter and young nephews!) and learn about over-the-counter medicines and (my fave) alternative remedies.

You also can stock up on items such as tissues, vitamin C, throat lozenges, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray. Keep them in one handy place to make illness prevention even easier.

And, says Dr. Jim Sears, co-author of The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood, excercise, sufficient sleep, and good nutrition can go a log way in preventing the flu. A healthy diet packed with vitamins and nutrients and foods that boost the immune system like fish, citrus fruits and leafy veggies are highly recommended to stay healthy.

These are all great tips of course, but what busy mom doesn't need just a little bit of help? Would a designer diaper bag full of flu-fighting goodies be a welcome addition in your home? Yep, I figured as much.

To kick of Flu season, I've got one berrie sweet giveaway to announce for a Fight the Flu kit valued at $200.00!

One lucky winner will get:

* A JP Lizzy diaper bag withg a removable liner to keep kids safe on public changing tables.
* A portable disinfectant spray
* Hand sanitizer
* Vitamin C
* Digital thermometer
* iPod Shuffle and an iTunes gift card to encourage activity
* Copy of the 70-page book Looking After You and Your Baby
* Tips from pediatrician Dr. Jim Sears who is also the co-host of the new show The Doctors premiering this fall on CBS and his book “The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood”

To enter, leave me a berrie (read: comment) sharing your families traditional and alternative flu-fighting tips by midnight, EST, on October 31.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about the contest and link to the giveaway.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my button and place it on your sidebar, linking to Berrie Sweet Picks. (I'll check!)
* You also can snag an extra entry by grabbing the Fight the Flu button on your blog for the duration of the contest! (I'll get the code up ASAP!)
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

I'll randomly pick one name at the end of the contest and post their name to PRIZEYWinners and on my sidebar. The winner has 4 days from the announcement date to contact me, or an alternate winner will be selected.

And sorry to my international readers, but this giveaway is open only to US and Canadian entries.

Good luck and stay healthy! You also can get more flu fighting tips at Lysol.com.