Product Reviews

Mr Christie's Snak Paks Soft Baked Cookies

2010-03-09T01:50:38Z

We all know one of those moms. You know, the ones who bake absolutely everything from scratch? While I'm sure we've all done our fair share of baking, there are times when we're going to buy store-bought snacks for our kids. And for those times, isn't it great to know that there's actually a brand out there using the same kind of tricks - like adding in a touch of vegetable purée - to make great tasting snacks for our little darlings?

Mr. Christie's Snak Paks Soft Baked Cookies fit this bill perfectly. Part of the Kraft Sensible Solution product lineup, all three flavours of these cookies are a source of fibre and iron, are low in saturated fat and have zero trans fat. They've got no artificial flavours or colours and each of them has a touch of vegetable purée to help make the cookies soft. And on top of all this goodness, they're made in a peanut-free facility (each individual bag sports the peanut-free flash) so they're safe to pack in school lunches.
But what you really want to know is, do Mr. Christie's Snak Paks Soft Baked Cookies taste good? Well, 25 of our Go2Girlz panel of product testers were recently treated to a box of each of the three flavours:

Double Chocolate
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Oatmeal Cinnamon

The Go2Girlz tested the cookies with their families and the verdict is unanimous: every one of our testers loved the cookies, would recommend them to a friend and would buy them again. In fact, several of our testers reported that their kids ate the cookies up so quickly that they had already purchased more. According to the Go2Girlz, the most kid-friendly features of Mr. Christie's Snak Paks Soft Baked Cookies are the nutritional features, their portion size and the soft texture. Kids love the soft, small cookies that they can gobble up in two or three bites, and moms appreciate the portion-controlled bags and added vegetable purée.

Additional key features that stood out for our testers are that the packages are labeled with Diabetic Exchange list information, and that Kraft Canada has partnered with TerraCycle to bring their upcycling program to Canada so that used Mr. Christie's Snak Paks pouches can be collected and upcycled into fun items such as backpacks, pencil cases and yoga totes. Visit www.terracycle.ca for further information.

But it's always best to hear from the testers directly, so here's what the Go2Girlz had to say about Mr. Christie's Snak Paks Soft Baked Cookies:

Everyone likes them; I had to hide the boxes! Kim, mom of 3

Peanut free so it is great for the lunch box and a nutritious snack as well. Gina, mom of 3

It's nutritious and you can feel good about feeding it to your children. Danielle, mom of 3

I can see myself tossing a pack of these cookies in my own lunch bag. Jyl, mom of 5

I think they're the best chocolate chip cookies. There are a lot of chocolate chips in these cookies! Viktoryia, mom of 2

We all loved them, adults too. Lisa, mom of 2

My daughter who is very picky ate the whole package...what more can I say! Rachelle, mom of 2

The kids love them and could not get enough of them. Kori, mom of 2

These cookies have now become a staple for my children's school snacks, and I feel good about them eating them. I am hoarding the double chocolate flavour all for myself, though. They're too good to share! Kat, mom of 2

They enjoyed them and devoured them. Helen, mom of 2

Would you like to try out Mr. Christie's Snak Paks Soft Baked Cookies? We have coupons for $1.00 off these great cookies to give away. For more information on how to get your coupon, click here.

†See full contest rules and regulations for details.

Harumika

2010-02-03T00:45:33Z

Harumika. What is it? That was the question on the minds of most of the Go2Girlz who took part in our recent product testing program. We asked 100 Go2Girlz and their daughters to test out this new fashion-design toy in their homes and tell us what they thought. Most of our testing panel members were skeptical at first, although it seems that many of their girls were more enthusiastic, like Freda's daughter, who received the package on her birthday (perfect!) "when I opened the package my daughter screamed, 'oh my gosh this is so beautiful, I can make my own style outfits! Gail's daughter also responded enthusiastically as she tells us, "my daughter said 'wow--this is so cool!'"

Although the concept seems novel at first, playing with Harumika is amazingly simple and straightforward, as our Go2Girlz and their girls (and some boys, too!) soon found out. The mannequin pops into its base, and then you get busy designing outfits. Simply wrap the fabric swatches around the mannequin and tuck them into the channel in the back with a custom-designed tool. The channel is lined with soft plastic that holds the fabric securely in place, but not to worry, it's very easy to remove it when you want to create a new outfit. The fabric swatches are endlessly reusable, and Harumika is compatible with any other small fabric remnants you may have around the house, so it's easy to add on to this toy, too.

Our Go2Girlz were absolutely unanimous in identifying the top benefit of Harumika: imaginative play. Most of our testers reported that their daughters spent hours (yes, hours) at a time designing outfits with their Harumika sets. Here's what Mary, Go2Girlz member and mom of 2 had to say, "when I first looked at it I didn't see it as being something that would hold a child's attention for very long: was I wrong. I gave this product to my child yesterday when she told me she was bored...5 hrs later she was still sitting quietly playing with it." In addition, our testers loved that once the packaging was open it was very simple for girls as young as six to play with Harumika successfully without Mom's help. Here's what Tina, mom of 1 had to say, "I love how easy it is for a child to use so my daughter was able to create things on her own while I made dinner. My only job with this toy was to take pictures of each new style that she created!"

In fact, only one of our 100 Go2Girlz product testing panel reported that her daughter didn't like this toy. Many of the moms who tested Harumika reported that not only did their daughters love it, but their sons were intrigued to try it as well. Our testers pointed out that Harumika is a toy that appeals to a wide range of ages, with kids from 6 to 12 spending hours enjoying playing with it. More than one of our testers commented that it would make an excellent birthday present, commenting that the price point for the starter kits is very reasonable for such a versatile toy.

Several of the Go2Girlz commented that they'd like to see more fabric swatches in the starter kit, although more than one mentioned simply cutting small swatches from leftover fabric around home in order to make the toy even more versatile. One little girl was disappointed that the clothes she created couldn't be used to dress her dolls with afterwards, but the overall feedback is that once children understand the purpose of the toy, they love to create fashions over and over again. Some of our testers mentioned that they'd like something to keep the pieces in - luckily Harumika makes some kits that include purses for this purpose, like the Harumika Fashion Show and Go Set.

Here's a sample of what else the Go2Girlz had to say about Harumika:

I thought this was one of the most innovative toys I've seen in ages. My girls (9 & 6) both adored it and we've gotten hours upon hours of play value out of it. It has a great return appeal for them and after a week it hasn't collected any dust. I must admit, I have spent a fair bit of time enjoying playing with it myself! - Katherine, mom of 2

I thought that this product was a very fresh and new idea. I loved the concept and knew that my daughter would love it too. - Jody, mom of 1

Very unique! Something I have never seen before! - Uzma, mom of 3

Initially I thought there was no way that my 10 year old would want to play with this for more than 5 minutes... boy was I ever wrong!!! - Yvonne, mom of 2

Well put together. A little girl's dream to design their own clothes for their dolls without sewing etc. - Eileen, mom of 2

Wished it was around when I was young! - Lori, mom of 3

Very interesting and easy to manipulate - Michelle, mom of 4

We thought it looked really cool. I couldn't get all the plastic off fast enough. - Rebecca, mom of 2

Encourages creativity in a really experimental way. Very versatile, lots of combinations. - Freda, mom of 2

It is easy and you can do it with your child. - Nicole, mom of 3

It promotes creativity (even my 10 year old son liked it and helped get creative.) There are endless combinations of designs. It was easy for a 7 year old to use. - Gail, mom of 2

It is great. Both my girls (8 and 6) love creating all the different styles. It is really easy to use even for little fingers. - Kelly, mom of 3

First off although it only came with three fabrics, I quickly went to my stash of odds and ends and found many more to add to what it comes with. That already was a huge plus. Secondly I loved that it can be styled in many ways. My daughter lives for toys that are multi purpose. It did not take long before 'quinny' (short of mannequin) made friends with her barbies. - Suzanne, mom of 1

Easy to use, safe and offers a lot of variety. - Sandy, mom of 3

Allows children to express their sense of style and uniqueness! - Uzma, mom of 3

There really isn't anything else like it. My daughter thought it was very cool that she can design her own clothes. - Susan, mom of 1

I love the fact that you can just insert the fabric in the back easily and it stays put. The stickers add a little bling to the outfit. - Jennifer, mom of 3

After seeing my girls play with it, I think the fun thing for them is getting to create all sorts of different 'looks'. The fun thing for me is that it is mess-free (no glue or tiny beads, etc) and it is a quiet, calming activity. - Nicole, mom of 2

The product itself is such a fabulous new idea. It takes on a whole new spin from my days of dressing barbie and her friends. - Margaret, mom of 1

Imagination, Imagination, Imagination! In order to even start to use it, you need to get your imagination going!! - Uzma, mom of 3

I think I have to buy more Harumika kits because my 2 sons were fighting to have a turn. - Ellen, mom of 3

So You Think You Can Squeeze? Recipe #3

2010-02-02T21:43:29Z

Welcome to the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN SQUEEZE CHALLENGE!

It's the final week for you to be in the judge's seat and decide which of our two aspiring Citrus Chefs has done the best job with the three fabulous recipes featuring Florida Citrus products.

You've already spoken on the first two recipes, and so far Kath and Carol are tied. It's a Squeeze-Off! Now, you have seven more days to read both Kath's and Carol's recipe reviews, compare the pictures of their final product and vote!

Remember, when you comment on each recipe after you vote, you'll earn a ballot for some amazing prizes! By voting and commenting on all three recipes (just once for each), you'll earn a maximum of three ballots in the draw. Click on the links to vote and comment on the recipes in week one and week two.

This week, Sweet Sticky Orange Chicken:

KATH'S REVIEW:

This recipe wins the prize out of the three for me and my family. Personally, I found this recipe deceptively easy to prepare...and by that I mean that it is such an impressive-sounding recipe, yet the results are so outstanding that you can't believe how quick and simple it is to put together. We are a chicken-loving family, but I will admit that we usually stick with boneless skinless chicken breasts - in fact, I didn't even know you could buy chicken thighs without the bones and skin, so that was a real treat (I hate deboning chicken). The marinade was so simple to put together, and then the chicken cooked up so quickly in the sauce, I was just stunned at how superb the resulting dish was. My children absolutely adored it, and they each ate two thighs! Dad and I also loved it, and we will definitely be making this family-pleaser again. We served it with hot couscous (another dish my kids love), and with some of the remaining parsley chopped in, it was an excellent accompaniment. It's great to know that my family is also enjoying the benefit of a healthy meal since this recipe has been reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation dietitians and meets the nutritional criteria based on Canada's Food Guide. For more healthy recipe ideas, visit ww.heartandstroke.ca.

CAROL'S REVIEW:

The sweet and sticky orange chicken was a hit for all. While I did have to scrape off the 'nasty green things' from my 7 year-old daughter's chicken, we all enjoyed its great taste. The chicken was simple to prepare, an absolute snap using boneless-skinless chicken thighs. I know that many people think that breast is best, but in our family we prefer dark meat. It's especially important when it comes to preparing lower-fat, healthier recipes. Dark meat is a fattier cut that gives chicken a moister and fuller flavour. It is also more forgiving when it comes to cooking time. Overcooked chicken breast is dry and hard to swallow. You won't ruin chicken thighs if you overcooked them by 5 minutes. But I digress, back to the chicken, which was packed full of flavour. The Italian parsley and garlic were the perfect seasoning for this dish. The orange juice and sodium reduced soya sauce provided a deliciously fragrant sauce. The chicken would be perfect served with brown rice to absorb all the delicious sauce. A definite keeper! An easy delicious meal is even better when you know that it has been reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation dietitians and meets the nutritional criteria based on Canada's Food Guide. For more healthy recipe ideas, visit www.heartandstroke.ca.

]]>
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 mL (1 tbsp) chopped fresh Italian parsley
10 mL (2 tsp) Italian herb seasoning
1 mL (¼ tsp) freshly ground pepper
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1 ½ lbs/750 g total)
10 mL (2 tsp) canola oil
250 mL (1 cup) 100 % pure Florida Orange Juice
25 mL (2 tbsp) liquid honey
25 mL (2 tbsp) unseasoned rice vinegar
15 mL (1 tbsp) sodium reduced soy sauce
15 mL (1 tbsp) cornstarch

Directions

1. In bowl, combine garlic, parsley, Italian herb seasoning and pepper. Add chicken thighs and oil and toss well to coat chicken evenly.
2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium high heat and brown chicken on both sides and place in ovenproof casserole dish; set aside.
3. In small bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey, vinegar, soy sauce and cornstarch. Return skillet to medium-high heat and add orange juice mixture and bring to a simmer, stirring. Pour over chicken and place in 200°C (400°F) oven for about 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside.

Nutritional Information per serving:
Calories: 313
Protein: 33 g
Total fat: 11 g
Saturated fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 124 mg
Carbohydrate: 17 g
Fibre: 0 g
Sodium: 252 mg
Potassium: 464 mg

Content on this blog sponsored by Florida Department of Citrus. Click here for more information.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation thanks the FDOC for its generous support of our recipes on-line. Acceptance of this support does not constitute an endorsement by the Foundation of the FDOC or its individual products.

This recipe has been reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and meets nutritional criteria for healthy eating based on Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide.

TIME TO VOTE (remember, you must also enter a comment below with your reasons for your choice in order to be entered in the contest.)

See full contest rules and regulations for details.

So You Think You Can Squeeze? Recipe #2

2010-01-26T20:46:30Z

KATH'S REVIEW:

Okay, I'm going to be totally honest with you here: this was not my favourite recipe of all time (although it is particularly striking-looking). And it wasn't that I didn't like all the components of it, it's just that I didn't like how they came together. First off, let me tell you that the maple-thyme roasted sweet potatoes were divine. And the spinach salad with white wine vinegar and grapefruit sections was a lovely, light and fresh-tasting salad. It was just that I didn't like them so much all put together in one dish. My husband really didn't like it, and my kids hate sweet potato (I know, I know: weird) so they wouldn't even try a single bite. But again: I enjoyed the salad on its own merits, and I absolutely loved the sweet potato...I think to make it work for me I would have served the sweet potato alongside the Sweet Sticky Orange Chicken, and then served a spinach-grapefruit salad as a simple yet fresh accompaniment. This recipe has been reviewed by Heart and Stroke Foundation dietitians and meets the nutrient criteria based on Canada's Food Guide. For more healthy recipe ideas, visit www.heartandstroke.ca.

CAROL'S REVIEW:

Although it may take a little longer to make than the everyday salad, it's definitely worth the effort. While some may prefer to bypass the preparation of the sweet potato and the grapefruit segments, both these steps lend to a beautiful presentation and delicious taste. My daughters enjoyed components of the salad - the grapefruit (on its own) and the roasted sweet potato. The girls were not a fan of the uncooked spinach and did not like the mixture of textures. My husband and I on the other hand, found the mix of textures to be interesting, and this set the salad apart from the typical weeknight salad. The pairing of grapefruit and sweet potato was also an unexpected mix, and again proved to work well. The sweetness of the maple glazed potato, and tartness of the vinegar dressed spinach and grapefruit, balanced each other nicely. While I wouldn't make this salad on just any old day of the week, it's definitely one to keep for special nights. And it is comforting to know that this recipe has been reviewed by Heart and Stroke Foundation dietitians and meets the nutrient criteria based on Canada's Food Guide. For more healthy recipe ideas, visit www.heartandstroke.ca.

]]> Roasted Sweet Potato and Grapefruit^† Salad:
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients
3 sweet potatoes (about 2 ½ lbs/1.25 kg), peeled and chopped
45 mL (3 tbsp) pure maple syrup
15 mL (1 tbsp) chopped fresh thyme
2 Florida Ruby Red Grapefruits* (about 1 1/2 lbs/750 g)
2 L (8 cups) baby spinach
25 mL (2 tbsp) white wine vinegar
15 mL (1 tbsp) canola oil
Pinch freshly ground pepper

Directions
1. In a large bowl, toss together sweet potatoes, maple syrup and thyme to coat evenly. Spread onto parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast in 220°C (425°F) oven for about 30 minutes or until tender and golden. Return to bowl.
2. Meanwhile, using a serrated knife, cut both ends off grapefruits. Using sawing motion, cut skin and white pith off and discard. Cut grapefruit between membranes into segments into sweet potato bowl. Stir to combine.
3. In another bowl, toss spinach with vinegar, oil and pepper. Divide among plates and top with roasted sweet potato and grapefruit mixture.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 220
Protein: 4 g
Total fat: 3 g
Saturated fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrates: 47 g
Fibre: 7 g
Sodium: 124 mg
Potassium: 892 mg

Content on this blog sponsored by Florida Department of Citrus. Click here for more information.

^†Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation thanks the FDOC for its generous support of our recipes on-line. Acceptance of this support does not constitute an endorsement by the Foundation of the FDOC or its individual products.

This recipe has been reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and meets nutritional criteria for healthy eating based on Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide.

TIME TO VOTE (remember, you must also enter a comment below with your reasons for your choice in order to be entered in the contest.)

See full contest rules and regulations for details.

So You Think You Can Squeeze?

2010-01-19T17:40:05Z

Welcome to the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN SQUEEZE CHALLENGE! Over the next three weeks you'll be the ones in the judge's seat as you decide which of our two aspiring Citrus Chefs has done the best job with three fabulous recipes featuring Florida Citrus products. Your job is simple: check in each week and read both Kath's and Carol's recipe reviews, compare the pictures of their final product and then vote! When you comment below after you vote, you'll earn a ballot for some amazing prizes!

This week, Grapefruit^† Glazed Bran Muffins:

KATH'S REVIEW
Last winter I had the opportunity to try cooking with grapefruit^† and grapefruit juice for the first time (here, here and here) - it was a really fun exercise and I've continued to enjoy using citrus fruits and juices in my cooking ever since. So when I was approached again to take part in this recipe challenge, I accepted with pleasure!

I will admit to a certain amount of trepidation about the contest aspect of the challenge, though...I love to cook, but I'm not entirely confident with my presentation skills! But be that as it may, I had a wonderful time trying these delightful recipes, and it was a great reminder what an excellent addition Florida citrus fruits and juices are in so many recipes.

This recipe has been approved by the Heart & Stroke Foundation and is a great way to incorporate a healthy snack into your daily routine. For more healthy citrus recipe ideas, visit www.heartandstroke.ca.

I loved these muffins. In fact, I'm enjoying one with my morning coffee as I write this review. I'm the kind of person who detests the oily store-bought variety of muffins, sticking with home-made muffins (and usually cutting the oil in those, too). These muffins, though, are perfect. No greasiness - just a perfect texture both inside (soft but not oily) and out (crunchy). The bran flavour was lovely, and the hint of grapefruit was both fresh and tart: a perfect breakfast choice. I always save my favourite part - the muffin-tops - for last, and these didn't disappoint - the grapefruit honey glaze gives them a lovely shine and a kick of sweet grapefruit flavour. Superb!

CAROL'S REVIEW
While I have used orange juice in many recipes I have not had the opportunity to use grapefruit^†. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed its refreshing flavour. Even better, this recipe has been reviewed by Heart and Stroke Foundation dietitians and meets the nutrient criteria based on Canada's Food Guide. For more healthy recipe ideas, visit www.heartandstroke.ca.

The grapefruit muffins had a subtle grapefruit flavouring that both my husband and I found extremely pleasing. I was concerned that the grapefruit juice would make the muffins sour and tart; this was far from accurate. The muffins were perfectly balanced in both sweetness and flavour. My husband and I both agreed that the muffins would make a perfect breakfast or mid-morning treat. They are packed full of fibre and whole-wheat goodness. There is no mistaking that these muffins are chock full of bran. They also contain no white flour; instead whole-wheat flour is used. The use of bran and whole wheat creates a rough and crunchy texture on the outside, while the middle remains soft. The muffins were perfect with a tall glass of milk. My 10-year-old daughter really enjoyed their flavour and thought they would taste really great cut in half with a little smear of margarine. My 7-year-old thought they tasted a little too healthy and was a bit overwhelmed by the bran texture.

]]> THE RECIPE: Grapefruit^† Glazed Bran Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients
375 mL (1 ½ cups) whole wheat flour
5 mL (1 tsp) baking powder
2 mL (½ tsp) baking soda
1 mL (¼ tsp) ground cloves
75 mL (1/3 cup) soft non hydrogenated margarine
175 mL (3/4 cup) packed brown sugar
1 egg
375 mL (1 ½ cups) natural bran
250 mL (1 cup) 100 % pure Florida Grapefruit^† Juice

Glaze
25 mL (2 tbsp) 100 % pure Florida Grapefruit^† Juice
15 mL (1 tbsp) liquid honey

Directions
1. In a bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, soda and cloves; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, using electric mixer beat together margarine and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg. Add bran and grapefruit juice and stir to combine. Add flour mixture and stir until well combined. Divide batter among 12 paper lined muffin tins and bake in 190°C (375°F) oven for about 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.
3. Glaze: In a small bowl, stir together grapefruit juice and honey. Brush mixture on tops of warm muffins and let cool slightly before serving.

Nutritional information per serving (1 muffin):
Calories: 185
Protein: 4 g
Total fat: 6 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 16 mg
Carbohydrate: 33 g
Fibre: 5 g
Sugars: 17 g
Sodium: 122 mg
Potassium: 247 mg

Content on this blog sponsored by Florida Department of Citrus. Click here for more information.

^†Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation thanks the FDOC for its generous support of our recipes on-line. Acceptance of this support does not constitute an endorsement by the Foundation of the FDOC or its individual products.

This recipe has been reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and meets nutritional criteria for healthy eating based on Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide.

TIME TO VOTE (remember, you must also enter a comment below with your reasons for your choice in order to be entered in the contest.)

See full contest rules and regulations for details.

Wonder+ Invisibles

2010-01-04T17:26:09Z

Who doesn't love bread? It's such a staple of the human diet that we have expressions like "our daily bread" deeply embedded in our language. Kids love bread, too, and most of them eat a lot of it (think lunchbox sandwiches). Thing is, though, many kids tend to be rather picky eaters, and some of them just don't like the taste and texture of "brown", whole-wheat or multigrain breads. Enter Wonder+ Invisibles - a new product from Weston Bakeries that combines the same great taste, look and texture of Wonder white bread with the goodness of 14 whole grains. How do they do it? They've taken 14 whole grains and ground them so fine that those picky white-bread-loving kids can't tell that they're actually eating whole grain bread!

Here's what Wonder+ Invisibles is all about:

Nutritious and delicious. Wonder+ Invisibles contains 14 whole grains including, oats, wheat, spelt, whole grain khorasan wheat, golden flax, corn, millet, barley, quinoa, brown rice, rye, soy, sorghum and triticale.
High in taste and fibre. One serving of Wonder+ Invisibles offers 5 grams of fibre, compared to just 1 gram per serving found in regular enriched white bread.
18 Essential nutrients. Wonder+ Invisibles has more essential nutrients than Wonder white bread, including the added benefits of Vitamins B6, A, C, E and B12, Calcium, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenate, Phosphorous, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Magnesium and Molyodenum.

Sounds great, right? But have they been able to pull it off? Well, Weston Bakeries sent samples of Wonder+ Invisibles to 100 of our Go2Girlz product testers to try it out on their own kids. Now, several of our real mom panel of testers were skeptical at first. How could a bread that looks so much like white-bread, actually pack in all the fibre, whole grains and nutrients that a traditional brown-bread is only normally able to do? Well Carolyn, mom of 2 had this to say: "I usually don't buy what looks like 'white' bread, but was really impressed with the whole grain content," and Rosa, also a mom of two said, "I appreciated the fact that it had 14 grains in the bread, but looked like white."

In the end, the Go2Girlz product testing panel was convinced! Almost all the testers and their families really loved the traditional white-bread taste and soft texture of Wonder+ Invisibles. The moms appreciated the fact that their kids loved the bread but were still getting the benefits of whole grains, fibre and added nutrients, while the kids just loved to eat the bread! Most of our testing panel were so convinced that they readily agreed they would recommend the product to a friend, and most would buy it again (in fact, many already have!).

But what else did the Go2Girlz have to say? Here's a sample:

"Tastes great and i love the health benefits" - Linda, mom of 2

"Good idea. My kids prefer white bread but I never buy it because it doesn't have as much fibre". - Katherine, mom of 2

"The bread, despite being white, has the nutritional benefits of eating 14 whole grains. It makes it easier for people who hate eating whole grain bread." - Brenda, mom of 2

"It looks and tastes just like regular wonder bread." - Cathy, mom of 1

"Moms will love that kids eat it without saying 'brown bread? Yuck!'" - Joy, mom of 1

Huggies® Little Movers Diapers Product Review and Coupon Offer

2009-11-17T21:43:05Z

Those first steps towards locomotion are so exciting! Baby rolls, scoots, and soon crawls, moving around freely in her exciting environment. But although it's a huge and exciting milestone in Baby's development, being a little mover brings new challenges for Mom and Dad. Baby gates go up, electrical outlets need covering, and anything precious or dangerous gets moved to a high shelf where Baby's grasping fingers can't reach. Another challenge for parents of rolling, scooting and crawling babies is their diapers - not all diapers are built the same, and not all of them will be able to withstand an active baby's movements.

Enter New Huggies® Little Movers Diapers: shaped to move, featuring a revolutionary design and technology that allows little ones to move, crawl and scoot freely. The new diaper features a curved shape and contoured sides that fit naturally between a baby's legs, helping them move freely while providing unbeatable leakage protection. Huggies Little Movers Diapers stay in place - even during the most active play.

Recently some of our Go2Girlz with little movers of their own were given the opportunity to try Huggies Little Movers Diapers. So what did they have to say? Well, the verdict was unanimous - all of our testers really liked these innovative diapers. In fact, everyone said they would recommend this product and nearly all of the Go2Girlz who tried Huggies Little Movers Diapers said they would buy this brand of diapers again (many already have!). As Stephanie, mom of 2 said, "Its so nice to have found a diaper that doesn't interfere with our daughter's fierce style. Her clothes fit better over these diapers since they are less bulky." And Caryn, mom of 2 told us: "What can i say i have a happy toddler and that in turn creates a happy mommy!! Thanks so much for letting us test such a great product!" Julie, a mother of 2, had serious leaking issues before trying Huggies Little Movers. Here's what she had to say about this product: "... very absorbent. My son usually leaks through everything (we even thought about double-diapering) but these diapers kept him and his bed sheets dry all night."

What else do the Go2Girlz have to say about Huggies Little Movers Diapers? Here are some of their comments:

"No leaks, a design that fits my child well, a diaper that is not bulky, having the number printed on the back is a helpful feature since parents sometimes have more than one in diapers of different sizes. The pictures on the diaper are also nice, and older babies notice them." - Stacey, mom of 2

"I Love the stretchy soft fabric in the back panel and the awesome fit around the hips:) When my 21 month-old woke up in the morning the very full diaper held the bulk in the front and was still fitted comfortably and not drooping or falling off.. I was so happy his jammies were nice and dry:)" - Beverley, mom of 2

"They are thin but there are no leaks! The stretchy sides help with comfort while walking" - Jenn, mom of 2

"They don't bunch up in the middle so they run/walk better." Amy, mom of 4

"The diapers are light weight, provide excellent leak protection, give full mobility for the child, the elasticity of the diaper allows them to fit snug, and not to mention my little one loves the Pooh design!!" - Caryn, mom of 1

"The diaper stayed in place after a full afternoon of playing. They are very absorbent." - Nancy, mom of 1

"The diapers are really well thought out for kids. The shape is perfect! It also absorbs very well and no mess around the diaper." - Nathalie, mom of 4

"How comfortable they seem to be. With other brands we would have to pull them tighter and my son would complain "too tight". We can leave them a bit looser and they still catch all they need to." - Julie, mom of 2

"I would definitely recommend this product to a friend." - Candace, mom of 1

"Having 4 children close in age, we've tried a lot of different brands of diapers over the past few years. While some of worked, we have always come back to Huggies. They have been continually exceptional on all of our kids in one way or another. The best for sensitive skin, or for those babies that manage to drink 3 bottles of milk at night and still need to be dry." - Amy, mom of 4

"Thank you so much for the sample. I am very happy I have the opportunity to speak so highly about a product that really works." - Julie, mom of 2

Huggies Coupon Offer! For your chance to win^† one of 100 coupons redeemable for a free pack of Huggies Diapers, click here! Remember, you must be an urbanmoms.ca member to be eligible to win. Not a member? Join now, it's easy and free.

^†See full contest rules and regulations for details.

Lego DUPLO

2009-10-27T19:20:17Z

Okay folks, it's late October already, and when those Hallowe'en decorations come down you just know that the stores are going to stuffed to the rafters with Christmas stuff (some of them have already jumped on the Santa bandwagon anyway). So with Christmas coming, it's always a good idea to get a jump on this busy season by getting some shopping done. But what to buy? What toys will be hot this season? What TV ads will implant themselves permanently in your children's psyches?

Well, never fear. The Go2Girlz are here with one sure-fire toy that never fails to please children of any age or gender: Lego. Thirty lucky Go2Girlz (and their children) were treated to free samples of Lego and Lego DUPLO interlocking blocks.

The consensus was unanimous: everyone loves Lego DUPLO, from Mom and Dad (especially Dad!) to older siblings to toddlers, and even a few Grandmas, too. Our Go2Girlz testers loved the colourful bricks, the ease of use and the endless opportunities for imaginative play as well as fine motor skills practice. In fact, Francine, mom of 3 says, "this product is the best toy out on the market," and Ashley, mom of 3 says, "loved it! Knew the kids would have hours of fun with it."

The Go2Kidz loved the toys, and more than one Mom reported tales of children insisting on taking the helicopter, truck or a fireman to bed with them! Ramona, mom of 2 tells how her daughters enjoyed their sample kit: "Wow, my girls just love playing with it. They did figure out quick what and how to do it. Playing every day with it. I just love it."

The Go2Girlz were also unanimous in recommending Lego DUPLO to other mothers, and they also all agreed that they would buy this product themselves, in fact Kathi, mom of 1 specifically commented that she "likes that you can add to the set at any time!"

What else do the Go2Girlz have to say about Lego DUPLO? Here are some of their comments:

"I like the bright colours and how easy it is for my daughter to use on her own." - Rae, mom of 2

"I am VERY impressed and so is my son!" - Amie, mom of 2

"Perfect for the age groups listed on the box as well as great for imaginary play." - Andrea, mom of 2

"This is an excellent product all around, I loved it as a kid and my daughter was awestruck upon seeing the package alone, let alone as she played with it. The DUPLO blocks were nice and big for little hands and the LEGO set had more variety than I remember from 20+ years ago." - Fabiana, mom of 1

"Encourages creativity and imagination. Allows hours of play." - Ali, mom of 3

"My kids were quite able to follow the instructions to build the structure. It entertained all my kids 1 to 5 yrs for hours, no doubt adding new kits to it would greatly enhance it." - Michelle mom of 3

"The features are awesome, they are suitable for both genders and no matter the age, it is awesome for imagination." - Michelle, mom of 3

"I think this is a great introduction to the Lego system for younger children. It really gets their creativity flowing with all the special pieces (like the fire flames, siren). I also love that you can pack a smaller quantity of pieces as a take-along toy" - Sally, mom of 2

"It's a lego product so you know it is well made even before your kids play with it. The DUPLO blocks come in their own container to keep everything together - good value for the pricing." - Nicole, mom of 2

"The quality was excellent and the pieces were very safe sizes for a 4 and 2 year old. All of the different parts like the helicopter and the people were also fun for the kids to play with." - Lara, mom of 2

"I have 3 kids ranging From ages 1-5 and I like the fact that all 3 of my kids could sit down and play with the blocks together without it being to advanced for my 1 year old or too boring for my 5 year old." - Ashley, mom of 3

"There are many different ways to play with the toy other than what is shown on the box. Leaves a lot of room for improvising." - Arlene, mom of 3

"My husband enjoyed building it with us as it was something that we could all do together. My daughters loved making suggestions of how to build it. We really didn't follow the instructions and enjoyed seeing our daughters' thinking skills come out and allow them to work together as a team." - Lara, mom of 2

"Wonderful, strong product which I would highly recommend to any mother. Perfect for boys and girls." - Andrea, mom of 2

Sunlight Green Clean

2009-10-20T15:07:29Z

More Canadians than ever before are choosing greener alternatives in their lives; we're switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, hybrid vehicles and everything in-between. Did you know that one of the ways you can have the most positive impact on the environment is by switching to a greener laundry detergent? It's true, but many consumers (especially moms with active, messy kids) worry that they might also give up some cleaning & stain fighting power along with those harsh chemicals if they switch to a greener detergent.

Enter Sunlight Green Clean: using plant-based ingredients, this greener detergent works in cold water to help reduce energy use (and your hot water bills), is suitable for both standard and High Efficiency washing machines (which use less water than conventional washers), biodegrades in 28 days and uses 46% less packaging (along with several other environmental improvements in the manufacturing process) than standard detergents.
But does it really work? Our Go2Girlz product testers were asked to sample Sunlight Green Clean, and many of them had the same reservations. Here's what Jeannine, mom of 1 said: "I was kind of skeptical because I have this impression that environmentally friendly products won't provide me with good results because it is somewhat inferior. But smelling it and then doing a load of laundry with it changed my mind. It's surprisingly nice." And Alana, mom of 3 says, "I loved the smell and how clean my laundry was - even in hard water from a well!"

So, despite their initial reservations, our real mom testers were impressed with how well Sunlight Green Clean performed, particularly in cold water. When asked what they found most appealing about the product, most of the Go2Girlz commented on the "green" characteristic - when we can, we prefer to use environmentally friendly products. Most of our testers also really loved the clean, fresh scent and the fact that Sunlight Green Clean is available unscented for those with sensitivities. Some of our testers expressed concern about the bottle size; they sampled the 32 wash loads bottle, but it is also available in a larger 96 wash loads size. The only difference between the two sizes is that the 32 wash loads size bottle is available in all four scents and the 96 wash loads size bottle is available in Citrus Fresh and Free & Clear only. One of our testers experienced difficulty in getting fresh dirt stains out of her clothes when using Sunlight Green Clean, but the rest of the panel were very pleased with the results they achieved. Nearly all of the moms who tested Sunlight Green Clean said they would definitely recommend it to a friend, and nearly all of them said they would buy it again themselves, too. In fact, Lisa, a mom of four had this to say, "I will be buying this product again and it will now be my number one laundry soap!"

100 lucky Go2Girlz were asked to try Sunlight Green Clean, and here's more of what they had to say about it:

"It's powerful and washes clothes well. It has a nice smell. It's less packaging than a lot of other detergents, with environmental sensitivity." - Lisa, mom of 2

"I like that the detergent is clear - when I pretreated my baby's sleeper, I didn't have to worry about it bleaching out any of the colours. And the low-sudsing aspect means fewer chemicals, and fewer skin sensitivities." - Karri, mom of 2

"I really loved the different 'flavors' they are perfect for bedding, going to sleep with theses scents is lovely." - Dove, mom of 2

"Was effective with only using a small amount on a large load of clothes." - Lisa, mom of 2

"Everyone in my family loved the scent of their clothes after they were washed and dried." - Lisa, mom of 4

"Great concept - people are becoming more and more aware of how hard cleaning products and detergents are on our water supply." - Candace, mom of 2

"I liked it and would purchase it again." - Diana, mom of 3

"Just a great product. From now on, this is the product for us!" - Alana, mom of 2

Be sure to check out our amazing Sunlight Green Clean FREE Sample offer!

Slow-Melt Popsicles

2009-08-17T13:57:04Z

Summertime is here, and for most moms, that means lots of sticky mess from the frozen treats kids love so much. Well, not any more thanks to new Slow Melt Pops from trusted brand Popsicle.
Made with fruit juice, Slow Melt Popsicles contain vitamin C and a touch of gelatin to slow down the melting process. Our panel of Go2Girlz product testers recently had the chance to try out a variety of these new products with their children, and the reviews were unanimous - Slow Melt Popsicle is a must-have!

All of our 100 testers agreed that they would recommend Slow Melt Popsicles to a friend, and, as Brigitte, Go2Girlz member and mom of 2 said, "I will certainly buy this again in the future." In fact, Patricia beat her to it. Here's what this Go2Girlz member and mom of 1 said, "I loved this product so much that I just went out and bought 3 more boxes!"

All our testers loved the slow melt feature, and really felt the product lived up to its claim, despite some initial skepticism. In the end, though, all our testers were convinced and raved about the clean hands and clothes their children boasted after finishing these new Popsicles. As Go2Girlz member and mom of 2 Violet says, "my initial perception was there was no way a Popsicle could melt slowly, especially in hot weather, well I am pleased to say I was wrong."

But in addition to loving the Slow Melt feature, our testers and their kids also adored the delicious flavours. Go2Girlz member and mom of 2 Michele says, "my kids and their friends LOVED the taste. They commented that they tasted better than 'normal' popsicles." And the Go2Girlz really appreciated the Slow Melt Minis, which are the perfect size for toddlers and young children, or even just those with smaller appetites. "I have often run a Popsicle under hot water to melt it to half size before giving it to a toddler. Slow Melt Popsicles were just what I was looking for!" says Laura, Go2Girlz member and mom of 2.

And here's more of what the Go2Girlz had to say about Slow Melt Popsicles:

"The smaller size of the Minis is very good for younger children. Also all the real fruit juices are better than the artificial flavours and colours in the original popsicles." - Nathalie, mom of 2

"Great for two year olds who are just learning the concept of Popsicles. This product will save many loads of laundry." - Yvonne, mom of 2

"It's a brand name, one that is popular and you feel you can trust. It's new and fun. It's sugar free!" - Sherry, mom of 4

"I was pleased to see the price is the same as the other popsicles, as that would possibly be a factor in whether I purchase them or not. They really did live up to their claim and melted much more slowly than a regular popsicle. The children enjoyed every lick and I had much less to clean up." - Laura, mom of 2

"The product is delicious and we'll be buying more of them throughout the summer." - Lyne, mom of 1

"They didn't melt at all which made them last longer and there was no mess! Great for moms and kids." - Michele, mom of 2

"I liked the idea of there being less sugar! And yet they still tasted sweet and the kids never noticed a difference." - Heather, mom of 3

"I would definitely buy this again! The next time I was having a summer BBQ with plenty of kiddies, I would give this out as a cool refreshing treat." - Kristine, mom of 2

"The kids and their friends all enjoyed the Popsicles. In fact, they loved them so much it was difficult to get them to slow down to test out the slow melting feature!" - Susan, mom of 2

"I was very happy to be able to test this product with my family. I actually liked these dripless Popsicles much, much more than regular Popsicles (because of the texture). It was wonderful to not have to worry about dripping Popsicles staining clothes, furniture, etc. My kids loved the flavours." - Mary, mom of 3

Breyers Double Churn

2009-07-21T22:10:49Z

Summer's here, and that means that ice cream season is in full swing! Recently the Go2Girlz paired up with Breyers to give fifty lucky members a Breyers Double Churn sharing kit, so they could experience Breyers' three decadent new flavours with a few friends and loved ones.

Our testers were asked to sample Breyers Double Churn Dark Chocolate Velvet, Breyers Double Churn Banana Cream Pie and Breyers Double Churn Chocolate Cheesecake ice cream with some girlfriends or a special someone in their lives. Their sharing kits included ice cream bowls and spoons and three tubs of ice cream: one of each new flavour.

Sounds like a fabulous treat, but what did the Go2Girlz have to say? Well, everyone was thrilled to open their exciting sharing kit: "what a 'sweet' surprise," says Michelle, mom of 2, "I happened to get my sharing kit the day I was set to host my book club. I put the chips and dip away and served Breyers Double Churn instead - needless to say, it was a 'bestseller' night!"

Some of our product testing panel decided to save their Breyers sharing kits for a romantic evening with their partner. Jennifer, mom of 1 told us about her night: "I surprised my husband with three bowls of Breyers Double Churn - one flavour in each bowl. Then we took turns sampling each flavour with each other and tried to pick a favourite. It was hard to choose, but in the end we agreed: Banana Cream Pie is our number one love!"

All our testers agreed that each of the new Breyers Double Churn flavours are rich and creamy in flavour, and they definitely live up to their decadent reputation. And it seems that these decadent flavours are not only for the grown-up set. Many of the Go2Girlz shared the new flavours with their children, and the Go2Kidz gave them their seal of approval, too. Here's more of what the Go2Girlz and their families had to say about Breyers Double Churn:

"Loved that it was made with real CREAM. We are a dairy farm and take pride in products that are made with and that promote milk!" - Cindy, mom of 1

"I never, ever, in a million years thought I would like Banana Cream Pie ice cream, but I was blown away by this! It is hands-down my favourite flavour of the three, and that's saying a lot because the other two are pretty incredible too." Katherine, mom of 2

"The Dark Chocolate Velvet flavour disappeared in one setting. Between my two teenagers and my husband there was only one small scoop left for me! We will be buying this again, if only so that I can enjoy some this time." Michelle, mom of 2

"We served all the ice cream at our annual family reunion. Absolutely everyone from the grandparents down to a 1 year old loved it. The best part is that the flavours are authentic, and not overwhelmed by sweetness or artificial flavours. The Banana Cream Pie ice cream tasted like real bananas - not banana flavour. Incredible!" Cindy, mom of 3

"I have already bought more Breyers Double Churn, and will be recommending these new flavours to friends." Kathy, mom of 1

"After much hard work and serious deliberation (aka - pigging out!) my hubby and I decided on the Chocolate Cheesecake. It is just so creamy and smooth, and somehow it actually tastes like a real chocolate cheesecake, only better!" Alison, mom of 1

"I think it would be possible to identify a favourite, but as a true chocoholic, I'd have to put my money behind the Dark Chocolate Velvet. I usually find chocolate ice creams to be a major disappointment, so I was skeptical about this one, but it really is excellent. Dark chocolates are really popular these days, and this ice cream captures that true cocoa flavour, while also living up to the word 'velvet' in its name." Christine, mom of 2

Yoplait Minigo Immuni+ Jr

2009-07-01T03:13:12Z

Our Go2Girlz product testing panel were recently treated to samples of Yoplait Minigo Immuni+ Jr, a fresh cheese product that has been reformulated to contain 25 per cent less sugar. This means that 60-gram portions of Yoplait Minigo now contain only eight grams and seven grams of total sugars respectively, or the equivalent of the sugar content of half an apple -- much of which is natural sugar. And it's important to note that the Yoplait reformulation was accomplished without using artificial sweeteners.

Yoplait Minigo Immuni+ Jr contains an exclusive 3P Formula^TM for children: a specific combination of probiotics, prebiotics and protein, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Combine this with 25 per cent less sugar, and that means that this product is specially designed for parents who want to protect their children's health and help them develop a strong immune system.

But you want to know what the real mom Go2Girlz (and their real kids) had to say about Yoplait Minigo Immuni+ Jr, don't you? Well, the feedback was unanimously positive - everyone who tested this product loved it. Many of our testers reported that all of their samples disappeared in a single day (one mom of four even told us hers disappeared in a single sitting!) and apart from a few flavour preferences (some kids just don't like certain flavours no matter what) the kids all enjoyed the taste.

Some of the moms were skeptical that their kids would notice the lower sugar content (after all, 25% is a significant reduction), but they were pleasantly surprised when their little ones gobbled down the Yoplait Minigo Immuni+ Jr with enthusiasm. Elizabeth, mom of 2, said, "when we came home from the grocery store, both my kids wanted to try the 'new Minigo' - almost before I could blink they'd each eaten two cups and were looking for more!" In fact, when asked what the drawbacks of the product were, Teresa, mom of 2 told us: "Can't keep it in the fridge long enough!"

Here's more of what the Go2Girlz had to say about Yoplait Minigo Immuni+ Jr:

"...thrilled to see the reduction in sugar in children's products." -- Teresa, mom of 1

"Less sugar than most other similar brands, good source of protein and healthy advantage with probiotics." -- Ayshea, mom of 1

"Healthy, delicious, geared specifically to kids and their nutritional requirements." -- Amy, mom of 1

"Great source of calcium and a healthy snack for children. PLus you can recycle the container when done!" -- Suzanne, mom of 4

"Reduced sugar. Probiotic. Kids LOVE the flavours." -- Sandy, mom of 3

"Less sugar and a healthy snack. It's a great source of calcium. I'm also a big believer in probiotics." -- Alison, mom of 2

Poly To Go

2009-05-27T02:34:57Z

Click here for a $3.00 Poly To Go coupon!

Summer's almost here, and that means that the kids will be spending a lot more time outside. And as the weather improves, a whole new world of fun activities unfolds: our little ones might be climbing trees, riding their first two-wheeler, perfecting jumps on that wicked new skateboard or racing the asphalt strip in roller-blades. Whatever it is that your kids get up to this summer, be prepared: clad only in shorts and tank tops, those knees and elbows (and other parts, too) are vulnerable to minor cuts and abrasions.

We know that keeping skin clean is important to prevent infection, and applying an antibiotic ointment and bandage helps promote faster healing and can reduce scarring as well. But what to do if you're out at the playground or the skate park when an accident strikes? Enter POLY TO GO, a fabulous new spray-on product from the makers of trusted antibiotic creams and ointments, Polysporin. POLY TO GO is a topical antiseptic to treat minor injuries while on the go, until you can get home and apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage. Not only is POLY TO GO super easy to apply, its new format makes it spill-proof to leave in your purse (or an older child's backpack). It's the perfect solution for active, on-the-go families!

Our Go2Girlz Product testers recently had the opportunity to try POLY TO GO for themselves, and they were unanimous in their opinion: this product is a winner! All of the Go2Girlz who tested POLY TO GO said they wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a friend, and they also all agreed that they would most likely buy this product for themselves. The key benefits for our testers were the size and the ease of use, including the 'touch-free' nature of the spray, which helps to prevent cross-contamination of the wound. Many of our testers said their children could apply it by themselves, and all felt the size was just right for carrying in a purse, and Mary said, "it was perfect because my teenaged son just popped it into his pocket when he went to the skate park with his friends."

But what else did the Go2Girlz have to say about POLY TO GO? Lots! Here are just a few of the comments our testers made:

"This came at just the right time...literally! I received the mail just as my oldest son came limping home from school wheeling his bike and grimacing at his hands... He had taken a very bad spill and skinned his palms on both hands, and his one knee enough to rip his jeans. He was sure the poly-to-go would hurt, but was relieved when the spray action actually felt nice (and mom didn't have to touch him to rub cream on the cuts). Very handy product...and the Band-Aid Perfect Fit bandages with it were great too!" -- Erin, mom of 2

"Everyone can use this product. Our world is full of potentially harmful bacteria. I know first hand how easily a seemingly innocuous cut can turn into blood poisoning. This product can be a defense against some of these potentially life threatening bacteria." - Elizabeth, mom of 2

"With little one's you always need to be prepared for just about anything and now I will have a great product on hand for those scrapes and scratches. When we were in Disneyworld at the wave pool, I was literally dragged along the bottom of the pool. I was scraped from the knee down and it was very painful. I went to the First Aid room and that is what they gave out-Polysporin! It kept the cuts from getting infected and helped it heal quickly." - Launa, mom of 2

"The bottle is the perfect size to keep in a purse or bag. The fact that you can spray the wound is great. If you aren't at home to wash your hands there is no need to worry. Just spray it on." - Joanne, mom of 1

"The ease of this product is the beauty of it. No creams, no gunky mess, no fiddling with tubes while comforting a crying child. This product is the next best thing to mommy's kiss on a boo-boo." - Elizabeth, mom of 2

Mr. Christie's Snak Pak Coupon Offer!

2009-05-19T23:18:16Z

You've read what the Go2Girlz have to say about Mr. Christie's Snak Paks, and you want some for your family, too. That's why we're thrilled to bring you an amazing offer from Mr. Christie's -- 2,500 lucky urbanmoms.ca members will receive a coupon^† for $1.00 off Mr. Christie's Snak Paks!

To receive your coupon^†, click here.

^† Supplies are limited. Offer only valid while supplies last.

Mr. Christie's Snak Paks

2009-05-06T02:51:33Z

We all remember the slogan from our childhoods: "Mr. Christie, you make good cookies". And according to our expert panel of product testers, they still do. 25 lucky Go2Girlz members recently had the opportunity to sample all the cookies in the new line of Mr. Christie's Snak Paks - all five of which are designated as Sensible Solution, Kraft's line of better-for-you products! What makes Mr. Christie's Snak Paks sensible? Well, Barnum's ABC's Cocoa Snak Pak Cookies have 30 mg of DHA/EPA per 1 pack (30 g), are a source of iron and are 0 trans fat and Teddy Grahams cookies and Barnum's Animal crackers Snak Paks are now baked with whole grain, are 0 trans fat and are a source of fibre.

And what makes this line of kids' snacks even more appealing is that four of the five varieties of cookies (all except the Mini Oreo Snak Paks) are made in a peanut-free facility, so they are safe for families with allergies and all moms can feel comfortable putting them in school lunches - whatever your school's peanut policy. What's more, all the peanut-free varieties are clearly marked with the easily recognized peanut-free logo, so kids and adults alike can tell at a glance that they are manufactured in a peanut-free facility.

But what did the real moms, our Go2Girlz testers, have to say about Mr. Christie's Snak Paks? They loved them! Almost every one of the moms who tested Mr. Christie's Snak Paks said they would recommend them to a friend and buy them for their families. The features they loved best were the Sensible Solution features: these snacks are made with whole grain and have no trans fats. Of course, everyone also loved the taste, and the convenient individual packages which make it so easy to add these Snak Paks to lunches. It also works as great portion control, too, for the grown-up cookie monsters in the family! Finally, all our testers were pleased that four of the five cookies in the range are made in a peanut-free facility.

But we'll let the Go2Girlz speak for themselves. Here's a sample of what they had to say about Mr. Christie's Snak Paks:

I appreciate the fact that the snacks are whole grain, no trans fats and are low in fat. - AnneMarie, mom of 2

As a person with a nut allergy, I am always looking for more yummy snacks that we can have in our house! - Julie, mom of 2

I love that they are (mostly) Peanut Free, so my son is able to take them to school, and I can take them to play group without worrying about allergies! - Erin, mom of 2

My children and all their friends LOVED the taste and the great little packages. Perfect for sharing. - AnneMarie, mom of 2

The little bags kept disappearing and they never asked for another snack. They all loved them especially the chocolate chip ones. - Ginny, mom of 4

Fun Packaging and good portion sizes - the kids couldn't wait to try every flavour! - Lori, mom of 2