Sweet Benefits!

                                                             

Apricots were the star of the show this week as our team produced more fantastic blendz in the lab.Our newest blend has the sweet flavors of apricot, peaches, and apples that's sure to please a crowd. We love apricots as it is satisfying to the palette, and a healthy treat.

 Here is a list of the health benefits:

-Rich in fiber/aids in food digestion when your little one is constipated.

-Iron & copper is present in apricots which helps treat people who suffer from anemia. When digested, the fruit helps in the formation of hemoglobin.

Other benefits include:

-Reduces oily skin when applied to the body & relieves eczema...no wonder why apricot is found in facial scrubs.

-The oil of an apricot has been known to relieve asthma.

-The natural oils that are present in an apricot has been known to relieve an earache.

The next time that you enjoy a tasty apricot think of all the health benefits that are packed in the amazing fruit. See you at the market!

Hold your Melons!

Summer is coming and we all know that summer brings delicious produce for us to enjoy. One of my personal favorite fruits include watermelon as it is a great snack to enjoy on a hot and sunny day.Watermelons are part of the Cucurbitaceae family which include relatives such as pumpkins, squash and cantaloupe. Now we all know that watermelon is great to the palette, but the health benefits outweigh the taste. Watermelon is packed with antioxidants, and good sources of vitamins A and C. Watermelon has been found in studies that help to reduce the inflammation that contributes to diabetes, colon cancer, asthma and arthritis. This morning I decided to implement this healthy fruit into my diet. I sliced up pieces of a watermelon and juiced it. My kids love the fresh juice that was waiting for them when they woke up! Try these yummy recipes for your little one.

Watermelon pops
1. Slice thick portions of watermelon into rectangle pieces.
Add a Popsicle stick and freeze
Enjoy after the watermelon becomes frozen
 (This recipe is great for teething babies)

2. Watermelon Smoothie
Add fresh watermelon, Greek yogurt and grapes
Blend and serve

We want to keep you informed!

Have an e-mail address? E-mail us at info@bareblendz.com to receive Bare Blendz information....including coupons! :-) You can also visit us at http://www.bareblendz.com/index.html and leave a comment under our contact us page.

Our top 5 kid & parent friendly companies!

Recently we asked our friends on Facebook to tell us about their favorite kid friendly business . Today, we thought that it would be great to give you the top 5 businesses that make our list for having kid and parent friendly environments. Here they are!

                                                        

1. No Sugar Added

Location: 141 North Yale Avenue

Claremont, CA 91711-4723

Hours:Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-3pm

Why we picked them: They sell a variety of eco-friendly products from laundry soap for sensitive skin to cloth diapers. They carry cute clothing for your little one and a variety of educational toys. No Sugar Added has a backroom that is dedicated for nursing, and a place for your kiddos to watch a movie. My shopping experience here was so pleasant due to my 3 year old watching a movie while I shopped. The best part was that I could see him the entire time through the doorway that is decorated with cute curtains that are pulled to the side with a bow. The staff was so friendly and helpful as they are parents themselves. Cheers to No Sugar Added!

Website:http://www.nosugaraddedshop.com/

2. Victoria Gardens Mall

Location: 12505 North Main Street

#200, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

Hours:Mon-Thu 10am-9pm; Fri-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 11am-7pm

Why we picked them: We love the fact that this mall has turned shopping into a family event! They offer a playground full of benches for parents to watch their little one, a water fountain for the kids to play in, and a large grass area that is great for tossing around a bouncy ball. There are many family restrooms that have mini toilets for smaller children, and nursing stations. They offer free movies and concerts in the grass area during the summer to enjoy. So grab your blanket for a picnic and plan a day out at this kid friendly mall!

Website:http://www.victoriagardensie.com/

3. Ralphs Super Market

Why we picked them: They have mini shopping carts for the kids to push around the store. They are usually located near the self checkout lanes.This can be a great experience for the parents if you plan on purchasing a small amount of products. This fun way to shop can provide your child with a great learning experience. Try having your child count the products that they put into the basket, or help you find the next product that you need in an eye spy game. 





4.Jake & Ella online boutique
Why we picked them: Ok, so this kid friendly business is an online store that offers many eco-friendly goodies. They have everything from clothing to natural wellness supplies. Jake & Ella is a great store that supports eco- friendly merchants, and provides parents with resources that offer healthy alternatives for their children. The owners bio  describes the way that they raised their children which consisted of growing a garden, becoming conscious of nature, and living a healthy lifestyle. Jack & Ella is more than an online store, but a great resource for parents who want to live healthier. Thank you Jake & Ella!


Website:http://www.jakeandella.com/pages/why-shop-with-jake-ella


5.The Americana at Brand in Glendale, Ca
Why we picked them:This is by far the most baby/kid friendly mall we have been to!! There are two private nursing stations plus two private rooms with changing tables and complimentary wipes and diapers. The rooms are in the back of the concierge area, by the women's bathrooms. They even have a open grass and a playground area for the older kids. We give this venue 5 stars!!! 


Website:www.americanaatbrand.com

Attention Working Moms & Dads

Attention Working Moms & Dads 

Do you currently work or thinking about going back to work? For some, the thought of taking your child to a daycare can be a bit scary. Rest assure that there is a way to find the daycare, or babysitter that meets your expectations. Here are some helpful tips.

1. Licensing- A childcare facility or in home daycare must be licensed in order to provide service for your child. Licensing makes sure that the facility, or home is up to standard in regards to sanitation, and safety. For more information you can call your local health department. If you are in the Inland Empire you can call Community Care Licensing at  (951) 782-4200 for information. They are located at:
3737 Main Street, Suite 700, Riverside, CA

2. Ratios-For every 3-4 infants there must be 1 teacher. The more infants there are to a teacher means that your little one may have to wait for someone to attend to his or her needs.

3.Healthy & Safe Staff- This simply means that all staff must be CPR and First aid certified. They must be up to date on their TB test as well as have a current background check. As a parent you are entitled to ask these questions about the staff.

4.Loving Atmosphere- A daycare that allows a parent to come in at any time is always a good sign.

5.Stimulating Atmosphere- Make sure that your daycare offers many stimulating activities such as toys, out door activities, music, books and occasional field trips. These activities allow your child a sense of change which fosters their developmental growth and interaction.

6. Separation of Age Groups- Infants should not be mixed with children over 1 years old due to safety, and developmental issues. Toys must be age appropriate as well as the curriculum.



7. Strict Sanitation Rules- Staff must wash their hands often to avoid spreading germs. Know your daycare's sick policy. Children should not be allowed to come to school if he or she is running a fever. The child is able to return to school 24 hours after having a fever. Toys must be sanitized often and food and diapering stations must be separated.

Money Saving Tricks!

Since gas prices are soaring high, we thought that we could give you a few tricks to keep the grocery budget a bit lower. Any way to save can help! :-) Here are some helpful tips that can help any mom, or dad spend less at the grocery store and still make satisfying and healthy meals. Enjoy!

• Go shopping alone ( if you take your kids your going to spend a lot more)
• Have a budget and stick to it
• Make fewer, larger trips (Create a day to do all your grocery shopping for the week or every two weeks if you can)
• Don’t shop hungry (the hungrier you are, the more you put into your shopping cart)
• Plan your meals in advance 
• Scan your cupboards, pantry, and fridge before leaving ( This allows you to use what you already have to create fantastic meals)
• Keep a running list of items you need on your fridge

• Clip (and use!) coupons for name brand items
• Check the store’s website for printable coupons
• Avoid non-grocery items that can be bought for less elsewhere
• Cook from scratch, avoid processed foods (Cost more)
• Avoid frozen/prepared entrees
• Eat more fruits/veggies, cut back on meat

Walking for a great cause!

Will you support kids in need? We still need donations and/or walkers for Sunday April 10th at Victoria Gardens Mall in Rancho Cucamonga to help raise money for The Ronald McDonald House Charities. They do so much for our community, check out what they do. http://www.rmhcsc.org/community_impact.php 

Also you can make a direct donation on our link http://www.walkforkids.org/bar

eblendz

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California - Community Impact

www.rmhcsc.org

Welcome to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, RMHCSC, where we're making a positive difference for children and families in need

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Baby it’s Cold Outside!

 So rain is in the forecast, and it's not going to mess up my day. With three boys in our household rainy days are always a challenge as they like to stay active.  Bare Blendz understands that keeping our kids entertained can be challenging, but it creates memories. Here are some fun activities and snacks that your kids can help you make. They are sure to bring laughter for you and your children on those rainy days to come.

A Warm Breakfast to Start your Day:

*Pink Oatmeal

What you’ll need:

2 cups of raspberries

2 cups of strawberries

Coconut flakes (optional)

Oatmeal

Directions:

Mix the raspberries, and strawberries in the blender with 1 cup of water.

Mix into the cooked oatmeal, and top with coconut flakes.

Breakfast for Baby:

Bare Blendz Apple Pie A La Mode made with oatmeal, apples, and black strap molasses

*Available at http://www.bareblendz.com/

Arts & Crafts:

Each craft that is created allows your family to bond, and enhance your child’s fine motor skills as they use hand and eye coordination. Your toddler can enjoy these activities too as they are introduced to using these motor skills. (Parents please cut the pieces out for children that are younger.) Try using bright colors to stimulate your child’s thinking process.

Cheers to Magazines:

*We all have magazines in the house that we have read over and over. Instead of throwing them away why not make a funny picture with the cut out pieces. Find pictures of animals and make a farm collage, or tell your child to pick out pictures that describe their house hold and place them on construction paper.

Sock Puppet:

Get an old sock and hot glue buttons for the eyes, or allow your child to draw the eyes on. Yarn displays the puppets mouth and a cheerio for the nose. Create your own puppet show for the family to enjoy!

A fun “Make it yourself” Snack for kids:

These nutritious snacks allow the kids to help you prepare them. Another fun idea to keep the kids entertained! Did we mention that they are all made with raw foods. (yay!)

*Banana Bites

What you’ll need:

2 bananas, peeled with the ends cut off (This part is for the parents to complete)

12 raisins, dry

12 walnuts, dry

Directions

Slice the banana into 6 equal pieces (12 pieces total)

Push a raisin into one banana circle, and then top with a walnut…repeat the process.

Teaching while Creating a Bond

ways to have fun and bond with your baby:


1. Gently rock your baby as you sing. It can increase alertness as you make eye to eye contact.
2. Dangle a bright ribbon or scarf over your baby and say the colors that are on it.
3.Point to your baby's toes, knees, hands, etc. as you make it into a song by saying the name of the body part.



Have fun!

Goodbye Bottle!

Goodbye Bottle!

So you decided to say goodbye to your baby’s bottles. Although the journey may be hard, your baby is growing up which requires new transitions. Here are a few tips to make the process a little better for you and your baby.

1.   Choose fun Sippy cups with characters that your baby will love. Allow your child to pick his or her own “special” cup.

2.    While weaning your baby off of the bottle, try switching the bottle for a Sippy cup and put their favorite drink in the cup.

3.   Get rid of all of the bottles. Yes all of them. :-) By seeing the bottles in the house it will create confusion and possible tantrums as your baby will demand them back.

4.   As you get rid of the bottles make sure that your child sees you do it. Pack them in a bag and tell your child that you are sending them to another baby who needs them.

5.   .Stay motivated mom and dad! Once you have made the decision, stick with it. It’s going to be hard, but well worth it.

Congrats! Your child is moving forward by achieving new milestones. 

How much water does my child need?

Here at Bare Blendz we know that as a parent we all have questions when it comes to our kids. By obtaining the information that we need, we can make better choices for our children.Bare Blendz is dedicated to answering your questions with the help of our dietitian, together we can grow healthier children.

Ask our Dietitian

Question: How much water should my child drink?

Answer: 

 Fluid requirements are based on your child's body weight. It is recommended that children consume between 50-60 mL/kg of fluids daily. 

Why?

Fluid is essential for maintaining hydration status. Water, milk, juice, and other fluids that do not contain caffeine or alcohol are considered suitable for hydration. However, water should be the primary fluid consumed with milk and juice consumed in moderation.

Have a Question? Ask us on http://www.facebook.com/Bareblendz or follow us on our blog

Detecting Food Allergies at an Early Age

If your a parent it probably scares you to think about the fact that your child could possibly be allergic to a certain type of food. As a mother of three young boys, I know that the subject of food allergies is a concern for me.Not knowing the potential threats can be alarming. When I worked in the health field for a school district, I found that in every school that I worked in there were a few children who were allergic to peanuts. In each case we had to lock up their epi- pens in a medicine cabinet  in case the students accidentally ate peanuts in which we would inject the epi-pen into their thigh.Thank goodness I never had to use the epi-pen on a student, but it was always good to have it in our office for them. With the thought of food allergies, I always thought about the idea of my children coming into contact with a food that they could possibly be allergic to without knowing it. The fact of the matter is that food allergies can be detected if you suspect that your child is allergic to something. If you are concerned that your child may have a food allergy, you will want to speak to your child's pediatrician immediately for further testing.

                                                             What are Food Allergies?
A food allergy refers to the body's response in an individuals immune system as food is digested and creates some form of destruction. The immune system builds up antibodies against the food that is causing the destruction in which it releases chemicals against the food allergy. These chemicals create the allergic symptom  to occur within the skin, digestive tract, respiratory system, nervous system and/or joints. In some cases the child may experience a shortness of breath, or hives. 

Common Food Allergies in Children:

1. Peanuts, tree nut, pecans, walnuts   2. Fish, shellfish  4. Wheat   5.eggs    6.soy

If your child is allergic to any of these foods the best decision is to educate them about what they can and can't eat as well as why. You will be surprised of the kids that I came into contact with that knew that they couldn't eat peanut butter due to their peanut allergy. 

Some food allergies can be life threatening due to the airway being blocked, but on a positive note in some cases your child can outgrow them when they reach adulthood.

What Can You Do As a Parent?

1. Write down possible concerns if you noticed any reactions to foods 

2.Talk to your child's doctor about food allergies

3. Educate your kids about food allergies if they have one.

4. Notify your child's caregiver,school and other family members about their food allergy.