Green Toys Rescue Boat & Helicopter Review and Giveaway

09/08/2016 R.C. Liley 6 Comments

What comes to mind when you hear a name like Green Toys? When I first heard of the company, I figured the typical eco-friendly manufacturer that only uses a percentage of recycled material to create products. Well, I was wrong…..

About Us
At its core, Green Toys Inc. has always been an eco-friendly toy company. In fact, we say that to us, “every day is Earth Day.” Our commitment to sustainability and playfulness is part of our DNA and we hope to inspire others to share in this passion.

From our 100% recycled materials to our US-based manufacturing, we’re raising awareness about sustainability while delivering unquestionably safe products. We believe that the best way to encourage environmental change is through goods people buy and use every day—and in our case that’s children’s products.

We care about your kids – how they play, what they play with, and what the future holds. We are constantly exploring and innovating to deliver the best products possible for a playful planet for all.

I love the philosophy that every day is Earth Day, just as it should be. Since I’ve realized just how passionate Green Toys is about their products and who uses them (our kids), we slowly started collecting a few for Avery. With her current love of all things construction, their construction trucks were an obvious choice. Her first pick was the Cement Mixer (his name is Dizzy), who she only got after being on her best behavior.

green toys, cement mixer, recycled toys, eco-friendly

Cement Mixer was a hit, and it wasn’t long before we added Dumper to her Green fleet. Then I reached out to Green Toys about working together in exchange for another one of their products. Not only did they happily agree to send Avery their Scooper (the last one needed complete her Green Toys construction truck set), but also their new Rescue Boat and Helicopter.

green toys, giveaway, rescue boat, helicopter, eco-friendly

Perfect for play on land or in the water, this set offers plenty of imaginative play time. It’s offers a two-in-one combo with a big yellow helicopter that fits perfectly on the back of a red a light gray rescue boat that floats on water. To operate the machines, Captain Duck and Pilot Bear are included.

Many toys claiming they are great for the water always end up with water stuck inside that never comes out, but not this Rescue Boat & Helicopter. Green Toys designed the boat to open for easy draining and it’s even dishwasher safe. No wonder it won Dr. Toy’s Best Green Toys Award for 2016.

green toys, eco-friendly, made in usa, kids, playing

Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic with no BPA, phthalates, or PVC, I feel confident in giving my daughter a toy that’s safe and Earth friendly. Even the packaging is made with recycled materials using soy ink for printing.

Avery loved seeing the new boat and helicopter in the box and she started playing with the set right away. She enjoys the helicopter more than the boat right now. But both the Rescue Boat and Helicopter use her trampoline as a giant landing pad shared by her other Green Toys friends. They all get along well together, probably because Avery formally introduced everyone to each other.

But the helicopter enjoys flying solo every now and then.

Avery plays with her Green Toys more than anything else right now, and I must admit, I enjoy playing with them too. They are simple without too many moving parts that can break or get lost, and best of all, super fun, safe, and open to using imagination. That said, I don’t enjoy them to the point of hugging…

How would you like to get your kids’ arms around a Green Toys Rescue Boat & Helicopter of their own? Thanks to Green Toys, they have allowed me to giveaway one set to one of my readers. All you have to do is follow the instructions below to enter. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And maybe, if Avery doesn’t behave, I’ll add in one of her construction trucks to sweeten the deal.

Okay, okay, just kidding, I’d never get rid of these toys.

Phew, you're silly, Daddy. — Phew, you’re silly, Daddy.

Green Toys provided their Scooper and Rescue Boat & Helicopter free of charge in exchange for this post. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are 100% my own.

Life, Parenting

Something Not Mint To Be on Labor Day

09/06/2016 R.C. Liley 4 Comments

We ~~have~~ had a garden full of mint in our backyard for several years. Starting with nothing, it took over everything until all we had was a very fresh garden.

mint, healthy, food, herbs, garden

Avery and I reaped the benefits of mint almost daily by pulling leaves and eating them right on the spot. I’d pick some for her…

mint, healthy, herbs, parenting, real food

…then she’d return the favor. Or should I say flavor?

Having grown tired of our giant mint garden and wanting more diversity, Going Mom decided having so much of this herb just wasn’t mint to be. With a hoe in both hands and determination annihilate our herbal haven, off she went. But she had to stop for a mo-mint when two big frogs appeared from deep within the bug-rich soil.

At the announcement of her amphibious discovery, Avery appeared as if out of nowhere to see. She loves finding and catching frogs, lizards, and, much to Mommy’s dismay, snakes. Yes, Daddy loves reptiles and it seems I passed the love down to our daughter. Snakes might be off limits, but Going Mom gets along with frogs, so she caught one for Avery to pet.

We need to remind her not to pet the eye, but besides that Avery is fairly gentle.

The frogs felt otherwise, and struggled to escape. Kelley could only hold on for so long, but Avery was adamant about catching them herself.

She tried, tried some more, and tried again after that, but these big jumpers did not want to play on Labor Day. We tried to explain that the frogs don’t like to be picked up and just want to be left alone, but Avery was like….

It’s understandable, playing with new creatures is fun and is a wonderful experience, but we must respect them too. My wife worked around the frogs that refused to leave the garden and removed all of the mint just as she said she would. We still have basil in one spot, but for now, no more mint for Avery and I to snack on.

We can get over the lack of mint, but I was concerned the frogs only liked their fresh abode because of the fragrant herb. But, after a short break, we returned to check on the guys and found a new sign posted.

frogs, puns, mint, garden, funny

Guess they still like the spot. Bad news for them since we’ll plant new produce soon. Not sure what, but hopefully it grows as well as their minty predecessor.

Labor Day was fairly low key besides the garden and lots of backyard play. Just how we like it. Now it’s time to find something to plant for the Fall. Any good ideas?

Going Healthy, Going Reviews

High Antioxidant Carrot Bean Dip with Mary’s Gone Crackers

09/01/2016 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Mary’s Gone Crackers recently sent me a package with four of their Super Seed Cracker varieties to try. They provided them free of charge and only asked for a delicious recipe in return. Make a healthy recipe and get awesome organic and nutritious crackers? Win-Win!

Mary's Gone Crackers, bean dip, healthy recipe, football

I’ve been enjoying their Original Crackers for a few years already, but the different flavors were a nice change. My favorite way to enjoy is by pairing them with baby carrots for a super crunchy snack with a little sweetness from the carrots balancing the light saltiness. And of course dipping in cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, crunched on salad, and bean dips are all spectacular uses. On our recent 9 Year Anniversary trip to Travaasa Austin, Going Mom and I both snacked on the crackers in delight.

mary's gone crackers, avocado, travaasa, food, healthy fat — Anchovies + avocado + Mary’s Gong Crackers = Delicious!

I have an affinity for dips, so it didn’t take long to decide on creating the perfect dip for these lovely crackers. Taking my love of pairing carrots with Mary’s Gone Crackers, I knew just what to do. With steamed carrots, beans, and several health-boosting herbs and spices, the dip was done in under 10 minutes.

Mary's Gone Crackers, bean dip, healthy recipe, football

The flavor was just like a good bean dip with a little sweetness added from cooked carrots. Turmeric adds some earthiness and a host of health-promoting benefits. One of them being that it helps to retain beta carotene from the carrots.

Mary's Gone Crackers, bean dip, healthy recipe, football

Mary’s Gone Crackers are one of the few foods I feel good about eating even though they are packaged. No added oils (even helthy ones usually get damaged from high heat processing), lots of delicious nuts and seeds, and all organic make them a great choice for anyone. And if you love crunchy, then these are the crackers for you! Seriously, just crumble them on a salad or over eggs, they are wonderful.

I’ll stop going on and let you try for yourself. Once you grab a box (or five), make this High Antioxidant Carrot Bean Dip to share or keep all to yourself.

High Antioxidant Carrot Turmeric Bean Dip

by RC Liley

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 5 Minutes

Ingredients

1 15oz can of pinto, black, or garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup steamed carrots; Use pumpkin puree if you don’t have or don’t want to use carrots
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp dried parsley (dill or basil would be good too)
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Let me keep this simple…

Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth; scrape down the sides once or twice to get everything.

Enjoy your new dip!

Have you tried Mary’s Gone Crackers before?
Ready for football season to start or could you care less?

Mary’s Gone Crackers provided their products free of charge in exchange for this recipe posting. All opinions are strictly my own and I was not compensated in any other way.