Product Review: Drip Drop

Recently Smiley360.com sent me a few samples of a new electrolyte drink mix called Drip Drop. I had actually purchased this product for my son once before and he seemed to really like it and it worked well so I couldn't wait to try it for myself. I wasn't disappointed. 

From dripdrop.com:

MEDICAL GRADE

Hydration

DripDrop’s patented hydration powder is based on World Health Organization’s formula for Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), a precise ratio of sodium, sugars, and electrolytes that enhances absorption and speeds recovery. Oral Rehydration Solutions have been used for more than 50 years to treat dehydration in the most challenging circumstances, including treating Cholera and Ebola patients, and in disaster zones where fresh water is in short supply.

Unfortunately, I came down with a virus a couple of days ago so I was in serious need of hydration and electrolytes. Drip Drop was the first thing I reached for and it helped SO much. The flavor was great. It wasn't too sweet and the powder mixed easily into the water and left no grit or yucky chunks. Now, my husband has the virus and he will be reaping the benefits of our Drip Drop samples. But, you should know that Drip Drop isn't just for when you're sick! It's also great for after physical activity or even when you're just feeling a little run down. Try some and see for yourself!

Here is a coupon to use at your local HEB store!

Recipe:Quick and Easy Bruschetta Bread

I love love love Balsamic Vinegar! It just makes everything so delicious! I threw this together one day for a light lunch. It was delicious and so very easy.

You will need: 

1 Roma tomato

Fresh Basil (2 or 3 leaves)

1 clove of Garlic

3 Slices of French bread

Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil

Parmasan or Feta Cheese (I used Tomato Basil Feta)

Salt & Pepper

I can't give exact measurements because I freehand everything when I cook.

First, dice your tomato and throw into a small mixing bowl.
Chop your basil and throw it in with the tomatoes. The easiest way I have found to do this without bruising the basil is to roll up the leaves together and chop from end do end, creating thin strips.
Pour over balsamic vinegar, just enough to toss and coat the tomatoes.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, mix and let sit.
Peel the garlic. The easiest way to do this is to lay it flat and take the flat side of your knife and lay it on top of the clove, and then hit it with your hand. It will slightly mash the clove and the peel will come right off. It also opens up the garlic nicely for the next step.
Slice about 3 slices of French Bread, lay flat on a cookie sheet and gently rub the top sides with the garlic.
After rubbing the bread with the garlic, mince it and mix it into the tomatoes and balsamic.
LIGHTLY brush the bread with olive oil.

Bake the bread for about 7-10 minutes at 350. It should be warm and slightly crisped on the top.
Top the bread with your tomato/balsamic mixture and sprinkle with cheese.
And Voila! How easy is that?

Let me know if you enjoyed this!

Baby updates

How long has it been since I've written? Too long...I figured a good way to jump back in would be an update on my babies! Levi is not almost EIGHT months old! WHAT?! How did that happen?! and Koda is still growing like a weed...2 going on 20. 

Levi started waving and clapping within the last couple of things and it just melts my heart every time I see it. He lifts up his chubby little hands with his knuckle dimples and smiles that breathtaking, sunshiny smile. He is seriously the happiest little munchkin around. He is still nursing which makes me feel like I've really accomplished something. I really struggled with breastfeeding Dakota and by this age he had already been on formula for a couple of months, but I really really wanted to try to make it at least a year and it seems like we are headed that direction! 

       

He has discovered that he can roll anywhere his little heart desires. I will sit him up on his little mat on the floor with his toys and within seconds he has gotten on his belly and rolled across the entire room. I wonder if he will start crawling soon. Koda skipped crawling so it will be interesting to see what Levi does. 

Levi is also a huge fan of food. Not pureed food. He wants the REAL stuff! He loves eggs, baby banana pancakes, bananas, apple slices (he mostly just teethes on those) and slightly mashed beans. He's also a fan of potatoes, sweet or otherwise. We are definitely going more in the direction of baby led weaning with Levi, whereas with Koda we did mostly purees. 

Sleep training has been going surprisingly well....sometimes. For a while I didn't think he would EVER lay down on his own. I tried the CIO method with him a couple of times but it wasn't sitting right with me and it didn't work. He will lay down on his own if I nurse him to sleep and then hold him for a little while to let him get into a really good, deep sleep and then he will stay in his bed almost the entire night! When he wakes up I just bring him in bed with us and nurse him and he co-sleeps with us until morning. It's working out nicely for us! Nap time is our real issue. Sometimes I can get him to lay down on his own using the same method as we do at bedtime, but sometimes he just won't stay asleep so I end up just holding him. To be honest, I don't mind this. I'm soaking up the baby-ness! My house does suffer, though, when i end up doing this because I would usually use that time to pick up. Oh well, the house can get cleaned another time!

On to my little 2 year old genius...

I'm his mom so...I have to brag, right? 

This kid amazes me every day with the things he has learned. He counts to 13, he knows his letters on sight, and can sing his abc's (with a little help and encouragement). Okay, bragging over. Just couldn't help myself!

He continues to make me laugh-constantly. He just says the funniest things or will do some kind of crazy dance move and it just makes my day. As my dad says 'he's full of piss and vinegar'....What does that even mean? Haha! He loves riding his ride-on toy airplane and is still obsessed with planes in general. He also loves his toy guns and likes to play video games with daddy. He has also become quite the artist! We got him a MagnaDoodle for Christmas and it was a HIT! He also has colors for in the bath that he loves. He is always asking me to draw planes and helicopters, as well as random animals or cartoon characters. I have memorized  how to draw Mickey, Minnie, and Elmo, as well as many animals. One day he asked me to draw a horse and....I just couldn't. There are just some things even mommies can't draw!

 

We finally have him transitioned into his big boy bed (toddler bed) which took a lot longer than it should have, but given our living arrangements, didn't happen until we moved into our place. He has done very well with it, although bedtime is still somewhat of an issue. We have to turn on a light outside his room. I'm not sure when he became afraid of the dark, but unfortunately, he has. He usually sleeps on his own until the wee hours of the morning and then comes and gets in bed with us. I don't mind, it makes mornings a lot easier by having both boys right there in bed with me.  

Potty training is something that we are still struggling a great deal with. I'm not sure how to make him understand to release his bladder while he is on the potty. He may just not be ready yet. I'm not going to force it though. When he's ready, it will happen.

Well, I guess that's enough rambling for now! If you made it to the end of this post, I commend you....and I apologize. lol. It's definitely not my best post but I am going to try to make more frequent posts with better content. Stick around, it will get better!