BOOK DESCRIPTION:

When people ask Tanya Petrovna, “Are you a strict vegetarian?” she replies, “No, I’m a fun vegetarian!” As head chef of the popular Native Foods chain of restaurants in Southern California, Tanya treats her customers to a vegan cuisine that is so tasty, satisfying, and hearty that it draws praise from nonvegetarians and vegetarians alike. Tanya is known for creating delicious and satisfying meat substitutes from soy and wheat products such as tofu, tempeh, and seitan. And with signature dishes like her dairy-free cheesecake made from cashew nuts, she proves that healthy, animal-friendly eating can be indulgent and fun. Now, with this book, Tanya’s best recipes can be made at home, including: “Fun Mung Curry,” “Seitan Olé Mole,”
and “Rockin’ Moroccan Skewers.” Plus, there are plenty of outrageous desserts such as “Elephant Chocolate Cake with Cinnamon Peanut Butter Topping,” “Sam’s Vegan Cheesecake,” and “Chocolate French Silk Lingerie Pie.”

The Native Foods Restaurant Cookbook also features instructions on basic cooking methods, helpful definitions, nutritional information, and a simple kitchen pantry setup.

Book Details:

# Paperback: 256 pages
# Publisher: Shambhala (November 4, 2003)
# Language: English
# ISBN-13: 978-1590300763

PURCHASING:

*Shambhala

*Available at booksellers nationwide.

Success Through Play™ comments:

A few years ago, we had the great pleasure of eating at the Native Foods Restaurant in Westwood, while on a business trip in L.A. We were pleased with the menu choices and reasonable prices. It was a fairly chilly afternoon and we decided to order two Hot Bowls: The Rasta Pasta Primavera and the Mad Cowboy. While waiting for our meals, we enjoyed the lovely ambiance of the restaurant from the 2nd floor. Our meals arrived quickly and looked delicious! The Rasta Pasta Primavera features organic penne pasta, fresh steamed veggies, marinara, cubed seitan made from scratch and refreshing pesto. This was the first time that we had tasted seitan that was made from scratch and the texture and taste were out of this world. The Mad Cowboy dish was equally impressive with its bbq style tempeh, grilled veggies, baked potato all topped with an excellent ranch dressing. We savored each delectable bite and vowed to return when we were next in town. The Native Foods Restaurant currently has 5 locations and we are confident that they will continue to expand all over the county. The Native Foods Restaurant focuses on healthy and delicious vegetarian and vegan fare and we would highly recommend stopping by one of their locations when are in need of a nutritious and tasty meal.

We were really excited when we found out that the Native Foods Restaurant had published their own cookbook and couldn’t wait to try out some recipes. Tanya Petrovna, head chef and founder of Native Foods, shares that family and friends had initially told her that she wouldn’t be able to succeed in the restaurant business with an all vegetarian restaurant. She was told: “you will have to add chicken and fish or you will go out of business.”

Tanya, the only daughter of European immigrants who had worked in the restaurant business was not phased. Her passion, drive and determination paid off and her outstanding delicious fare has won the hearts of non-vegetarians and vegetarians alike, proving once again that the desire for healthy, great tasting food is universal.

Part one of the book introduces readers includes a glossary of foods, kitchen utensils, and cooking terms, which equip the reader with all the basic knowledge necessary to prepare the recipes. Next up, is Beanery and Grains 101, complete with cooking instructions. The author then teachers us how to make seitan, tempeh, tofu and other meat alternatives from scratch, complete with pictures. This will allow you to create your own healthy meat substitutes without having buy it from the store!

Part two of the book features the recipes which have been influenced by many of the great food cultures of the world. Of particular note are the Eastern European dishes which traditionally are heavily meat based and have been “veganized.”

We tested the following 3 recipes from this book, which were fast and easy to prepare:

Tofu Scrambler

This cholesterol free dish makes the perfect breakfast and which everyone will love.

Fun Mung Curry

This tasty curry is made with mung beans, yams and veggies and is rich and satisfying: the ideal comfort food.

Mr. Weld’s Banana Cream Pie

This delicious dessert will round off any meal perfectly and is made with silken tofu which is a protein packed, cholesterol free alternative to dairy cream. This pie didn’t last very long in our fridge but we will be making it throughout the summer months as a refreshing, potassium rich dessert.

When time allows us, we plan to explore the world of seitan making and hope to recreate the outstanding seitan that we ate at The Native Foods Restaurant.

To learn more about the Native Foods Restaurant, please visit: www.nativefoods.com

To view additional books from Shambhala, please visit: www.shambhala.com

Crocs™ shoes are designed with built-in arch support, circulation nubs, and an orthotic heel cup to support and protect the heel. Crocs™ shoes are the only shoe to be certified by United States Ergonomics. This indicates that Crocs™ shoes are comfortable and beneficial for those standing for long periods of time as they reduce muscle fatigue in the feet and legs. In addition, Crocs™ shoes are ventilated for cooling and filtering purposes.

Distinctive characteristics unique to Crocs™ footwear and the Croslite material include:

– Superior gripping, non marking soles
– A footbed that molds to the feet for ultimate comfort and support
– Anti-microbial in-soles and exterior
– Odor-resistant
– Incredibly lightweight
– Diverse color spectrum

We will be highlighting the following 2 styles today:

BEACH

The original comfort design that kicked off the phenomenon:

* Easy on and off
* Footbed conforms to foot creating a custom fit
* Ventilation ports increase breathability, filter water and debris away from the footbed
* Loose fit allows feet to bend and expand naturally reducing fatigue

ENDEAVOR

* fully enclosed design protects feet from intrusions
* weatherproof design is ideal for all condition performance and stability
* Footbed conforms to foot creating a custom fit
* Ventilation ports increase breathability, filter water and debris away from the footbed
* Loose fit allows feet to bend and expand naturally reducing fatigue

PURCHASING:

Visit www.crocs.com to buy online or to find a retailer near you. Crocs™ shoes are sold in more than 90 countries. Visit www.crocs.com to find a retailer in your country.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Crocs™ are named after crocodiles, robust reptiles who fair equally well in both water and on land. “These qualities and characteristics are inherent to Crocs™ footwear as well, ” says Crocs Inc. Crocs™ are the only branded footwear made from Croslite™, a proprietary closed cell resin that has revolutionized the footwear industry with its unsurpassed comfort and support. There is a selection of Crocs™ shoes for every member of the family from kids to grandparents. Crocs™ also offers a full selection of shoes for working professionals.

The beach model was the original Crocs™ style and Crocs™ has since expanded to offer more than 50 styles, which are available in a range of bold hues.

For the more conservative shoe wearer, neutral colors, and the traditional black, navy and brown are also offered!

The focus of today’s article is on the advantages of wearing Croc shoes when you are pregnant. Many Ob-Gyn’s, who have been wearing Crocs™ in surgery along with other medical professionals including nurses and doctors, are recommending Crocs™ to their pregnant patients because they have some very unique characteristics which make them ideal for the mama-to-be. As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts, causing you to feel more unstable. In addition, the weight that you gain during pregnancy puts extra stress and strain on your joints. Bending down can be a real challenge. Swollen feet can make squeezing into your shoes an impossible task. Your body temperature is naturally raised and finding shoes that are airy, light and breeze that are also odor resistant and anti-microbial can be extremely challenging. Enter Crocs™: the unique shoe that helps keep you comfy and active during your pregnancy. The roomy design lends itself perfectly to feet which are prone to swelling. The easy sizing chart makes selecting the correct size simple and quick! Ergonomically certified to significantly reduce fatigue during use, Crocs™ can be a god-send to pregnant women who are dealing with typical aches, pains and loss of energy and stamina. Crocs™ are designed with shock-absorbing properties to minimize load on feet, lower legs, knees, hips and lower back. Crocs™ boast a supportive foot base with a built-in arch support and provides the wearer with an Orthotic heel support and protects the heels. Crocs™ have a specially designed heel strap, to keep the shoe on your foot. The strap can be stretched until it fits your perfectly! You also have the option to roll the strap forward on the clog models, which will make slipping them on even easier-all without bending down. The port holes on many models filter air, sand and water and the ventilation will keep you cool and comfortable. Crocs™ have circulation nubs which stimulate circulation and provide the wearer with a gentle massage. Crocs™ conforms to ASTM slip resistant standards. Crocs™ should not fit like other shoes. Please click here to learn about the crocs fit.

We distributed Crocs™ in the beach and endeavor styles (courtesy of Crocs, Inc.) to 2 pregnant ladies. Here are some comments:

“Being a 7 month pregnant, working professional who is on my feet all day, hasn’t been easy. When me feet started to swell, I was distraught that I could no longer squeeze my feet into most of my work shoes! I really didn’t have the budget to splurge on new shoes, and I was becoming quite desperate and very uncomfortable. During the day, I was distracted from my work, because I my feet were aching! I was excited to receive 2 pairs of crocs to test in the endeavor style. When they arrived, I marveled at how lightweight they were. The endeavor style has a closed toe with ventilation on the sides. I was thrilled to give them a try the very next day! It was SUCH a relief to have a roomy shoe that felt comfortable from the moment that I put it on and accommodated my swollen feet beautifully. The shoes are soft and cushy and oh so comfy! I really liked the fact that they are anti-microbial and odor-resistant, because I sweat a LOT. They are super easy to clean which means it takes me less time to get ready in the morning. I received many compliments from my colleagues who all wanted to buy their own! Bending down is becoming a chore for me and I really love how I can just slip my feet into the crocs, without much effort at all. The straps hold the crocs firmly on my feet and I don’t have to worry about them falling off, as with other clogs on the market. The circulation nubs provide my feet with a massage as I work, which feels heavenly. Carrying an extra 20 plus pounds on my small frame isn’t fun, and my previous work shoes were heavy, adding to the weight. These crocs are so light, I feel like I am walking on a cloud and my husband. Thank you crocs!”

“I have just entered my third trimester and am I pregnant with twins! I am a stay at home mommy to a toddler who is 2. Chasing my toddler while being pregnant with twins isn’t easy! I run out of steam pretty fast The weather has finally warmed up and I was really looking forward to wearing my summer sandals. I was really disappointed when none of sandals fit me anymore! I didn’t experience much feet swelling with my first pregnancy, so this was an unexpected surprise. I was really pleased to be able to test out the beach styles and received 2 pairs in the mail. I had heard about crocs before, but never tried any. I received instructions about how I could customize my shoe by stretching the strap and was able to do this easily. I put my toddler in his stroller and headed out on a short walk around the block. I couldn’t get over how light and airy these shoes felt. I really LOVED the ventilation holes which were on the top of the shoes and the sides of the shoe, keeping me cool. The molded footbed and built-in arch support was fabulous and I felt a renewed sense of energy that I thought was gone forever! The next day we headed to the beach and the Crocs faired just as well on the sand! What a pleasure to be able to run them under the shower at the beach before heading back home.Thank you”

SolesUnited Program

When its time to retire your Crocs™, you can give back your worn-out Crocs™ shoes to be recycled into new shoes and they will be donated to people in need around the world. Did you know there are over 1.2 billion people worldwide that can’t afford shoes and have to walk many miles a day barefoot? The program is called “Soles United” and was launched by Crocs, Inc. in January of 2008. It is the first-of-its-kind recycled footwear donation program. Through the Soles United recycling process, donated Crocs™ shoes are sorted, cleaned, ground into new material, and manufactured into new recycled shoes. We applaud Crocs, Inc. for this program, which will no doubt change the lives of millions of people worldwide. To learn more and few a video detailing this program, please visit: www.solesunited.com

To view the full range of Crocs™ styles, please visit:

www.crocs.com

Virgin Mobile USA’s sleek and stylish Wild Card by Kyocera Wireless “aces” both great functionality and trendsetting design. Among its most notable features are two vibrant color displays. The first on the front face of the phone is for voice calls.

But by turning the phone sideways and giving its face a quick flip, customers have access to the Wild Card’s wide screen – along with a sizeable QWERTY keypad designed for emailing, texting, IMing, gaming or browsing online.

This dual-screen messaging phone is also stacked with Bluetooth® Wireless and a 1.3 megapixel camera, and is the first Virgin Mobile handset with the ability to stream music.

• Large hidden QWERTY keypad
• Dual display screens – External 65k color 128 X 128 pixel; – Internal 65k color 128 X 160 pixel wide screen
• 1.3 megapixel camera with 3x digital zoom and images effects including black and white photos
• Lightweight (just over 4-ounces)
• Integrated speakerphone
• Real music ringtones
• WAP 2.0 Web browser
• Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
• Pre-loaded with Yahoo! and AOL Instant Messaging
• “Headliner” – Virgin Mobile USA’s exclusive mobile music magazine
• Preloaded demo games such as Tetris, PAC-MAN, and Block Breaker Deluxe
• Access to VirginXL, Virgin Mobile’s full suite of diverse mobile content

**A special, limited edition Virgin Mobile Festival Wild Card will be available this Spring / Summer. For full details on the Festival and this special edition phone, please click here.

Virgin Mobile USA continues to show consumers “Who Rules?” with the recent launch of new Monthly and Pay As You Go voice and messaging plans – all without annual contracts. The new plans offer consumers even better value and more flexibility, with popular features such as Roll Forward Minutes, 7PM Unlimited Nights & Weekends, and Unlimited Text & Messaging options. These plans are highly competitive with other prepaid players – as well as with many postpaid (i.e., contract) plans.

With no annual contracts and no fees for termination, Virgin Mobile USA allows its more than 5 million customers to change plans to suit their needs at any time – without hassle. For additional information on Virgin Mobile USA’s host of new voice and messaging offers, please visit click here.

PURCHASING:

Virgin Mobile’s Wild Card by Kyocera Wireless is available at www.virginmobileusa.com and over 40,000 retail locations nationwide including Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target and Wal-Mart. To find a Virgin Mobile retailer, visit the Store Locator.

*Customers abroad wishing to purchase the Wild Card can do so by visiting the Virgin Mobile USA website at www.virginmobileusa.com. However please keep in mind that Virgin Mobile USA service works only in the United States and its territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.), so if you are coming here on a vacation, or an extended stay, this is the ideal phone for you, with no commitments.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Virgin Mobile USA offers simple airtime pricing, no hidden fees, no monthly bills and no contracts to sign. This company is committed to the environment, and social causes and has implemented several programs which we would like to highlight.

Recycling

Virgin Mobile USA wants to make sure old phones are disposed of properly, so it offers two easy ways to recycle them:

A) If it’s a working Virgin Mobile phone, they encourage customers to “Pass It On to a friend.”

B) Or, the customer can send it to Virgin Mobile USA to be recycled. In fact, Virgin Mobile provide a self-addressed postage-paid envelope in every new Virgin Mobile phone for just that purpose. They accept ANY wireless handsets for recycling.

All profits from the Virgin Mobile USA recycling program go to the charitable partners of The RE*Generation, Virgin Mobile USA’s pro-social initiative to raise awareness about the crisis of youth homelessness in this country.

*More details on the Virgin Mobile USA recycling program may be found here.

*More details on The RE*Generation may be found here.

Social Awareness

*Virgin Mobile USA first launched the TXT2CLOTHE initiative in 2006 to offer its customers an easy way to help give back to those in need. This is an ongoing program and, to date, has generated more than 94,415 items of clothing donated to homeless youth. This year, Virgin Mobile USA be launching some additional dimensions to the program.

More information on TXT2CLOTHE, and other ways to give back via The RE*Generation, is available here.

GOING GREEN:

The upcoming Virgin Mobile Festival is going GREEN: from using clean energy, using recycled and organic products, promoting mass public transport to running eco-workshops, we applaud Virgin Mobile USA for taking eco-friendly measure. Full details of the festival can be found here.

The Kyocera Wild Card from Virgin Mobile USA.

Weighing it at just 4 ounces, and measuring 3-3/4″ long, just under 2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick, the ergonomic Kyocera Wild Card is the new messaging handset from Virgin Mobile USA. The handset is well built and feels solid and robust. The number keypad on the outside is used to make and receive calls. Turn the phone on its side and flip it open to reveal the QWERTY keypad for texting. The inner QWERTY keypad is very well designed and the rectangular base allows one to hold the phone in a stable position for texting. The split keyboard takes full advantage of the wide horizontal base. The keys on the QWERTY keypad are well spaced so that both men and women will be able to text with ease! The raised keys enable quick and accurate texting. The QWERTY keypad comes complete with the symbol and shift keys, which allows you to easily utilize caps, numbers and symbols, without having to scroll through the menu.

The left side of the phone has a volume control and a camera button.

The back of the phone houses the camera flash and lens (1.3-megapixel camera) and has a rubber guard to protect against scratches. We were able to take the following images with this camera lens:

Tester Feedback:

Our experience with the Wild Card has been very positive. We have had the opportunity to test it for several months now, courtesy of Virgin Mobile USA. The manual is well laid out and guides you through the many unique functions and features of the phone. While other phones can be very intimidating to operate, the Wild Card excels in its simple-to-operate menu which we found to be very intuitive.

The ergonomic design of this phone is truly exceptional. When making or receiving calls, you won’t have to struggle to hold the phone because at just under 2 inches wide, the Wild Card phone will fit comfortably in your hand, and you won’t have to strain your muscles, ligaments and joints to hold the phone when talking-as is common with many other phones on the market!

The QWERTY keyboard won our testers approval who really liked the design which enabled them to send text messages at record speeds, all while maintaining a good level of comfort. The horizontal placement of the keys allows the texter to simply focus on typing his message, without having to be concerned about stabilizing the phone, as is common with other phones on the market which make use a vertically placed keyboard. If you have been texting on a regular number keypad, you will be THRILLED with this QWERTY keypad which will forever change the way that you send texts messages make texting simple and FUN!

We really love sending text messages (or smsing!). Think of all the times when you need to send someone a short message, but perhaps your current phone has a typical number keypad and the thought of struggling through the typing is just too much, so instead you call, wasting your minutes! Running late and need to let someone know…want to let someone know that you arrived at a destination safely….want to send a quick message to that special someone in your life? How about when you in the movie theater or in a situation where it isn’t socially acceptable to make a call? Thing about the music recitals…school plays…etc In addition, if you have a hearing impairment, texting is the ideal form of communication. With the Wild Card handset, you will be able to text effortlessly and silently. Texting is the way to go. Texting is not just for teenagers! It’s a fun way to communicate your family and friends.

Practise Safe Text!

In 2002, Virgin Mobile (UK) launched the “Practise Safe Text” Campaign, in an effort to educate consumers about how they can text safely: offering them tools and tips. Click here to access a list of exercises/stretches that have been developed in conjunction with a British physical therapist (physiotherapist), to keep your fingers, hands and arms in tip top shape. These exercises are also pertinent to those of us who are glued to our laptops and spend hours each day typing! If you do experience pain from any repetitive motions, please seek medical advice. We applaud VM for educating and providing consumers with these tools.

Call Quality:

We received good reception in the San Francisco Bay Area, where we are based-often with 3 and 4 bars. The phone quality was good with clear audibility from both sides. We liked the hands free option of being able to use the speaker phone when we opened the phone. This allowed us to multi-task!

Features we like:

*Custom settings, including 2 options for your display:

*All the latest Real music ringtones from your favorite artists can be downloaded with ease.

*Address book which is very user friendly.

*Calling use voice commands-this feature worked really well and is ideal for hands free dialing like when you are in the middle of baking or if you are visually impaired or have arthritis.

*We liked the voice memo options and the scheduler to keep track of events and appointments.

*Picture messaging-you can send picture messages to phones that are capable of receiving them (nationally) or to email addresses.

*Option to enable Smart volume which automatically adjusts the volume of the call based on surrounding noise levels.

*Sending and receiving IM’s from your phone.

*Virgin XL-your gateway to media! You can access music, entertainment, and info services from phone. In addition, ringtones, games, wallpapers, screen savers to customize your phone. We were able to access our yahoo email account with ease and were able to stay in touch when we were away from our laptop.

*In addition, the Wild Card has Bluetooth wireless technology that enables wireless connectivity with headsets (must use a Bluetooth wireless technology device)

*If you need to kill some time, you can play some games on the phone and download additional ones.

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

When we needed some assistance activating the phone, downloading the ringtones, or just had a question, the Virgin Mobile Customer Service team was ready and waiting to help us. In fact, the Virgin Mobile has ranked “Highest in Customer Service” for the 2nd year in a row by J.D. and Associates. We were helped promptly by their well trained staff and received great service.

The Virgin Mobile USA website is hip, fun and well designed. You can compare phones, plans, download ringtones, access manuals, and so much more!

Virgin Mobile has managed to pack so many features into this compact, stylish and sleek phone, which is truly a bargain at under $100.

For more info, please visit: www.virginmobileusa.com

To all the mothers, across the world, we wish you a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

Have a wonderful day with your family.

Sincerely,

The Success Through Play Team.

Baking with Agave Nectar by Ania Catalano

Product Details:

Size: 7 x 8 inches
Pages: 144
Illustration: Full-color photographs
ISBN-13: 9781587613210
Publication Date: 2/2008
Imprint: Celestial Arts (A division of Ten Speed Press)

Even before its health benefits were being touted on Oprah’s daytime show, agave nectar was finding fans among dessert lovers seeking to reduce or eliminate processed sugar in their diets. In BAKING WITH AGAVE NECTAR, natural foods chef Ania Catalano shows how to creatively integrate this up-and-coming natural sugar substitute into every sweet tooth’s repertoire through a variety of delectable recipes. From breakfast goodies (Pumpkin Muffins, Stuffed French Toast) to cookies (Chewy Double Chocolate Meringue) to desserts (Bread Pudding Soufflés with Bourbon Sauce, Pear Frangipane Tart), Catalano makes agave nectar accessible and appealing to health-conscious bakers of all levels.

Ania Catalano

ANIA CATALANO graduated from the Natural Gourmet School of Cooking in New York. She is the owner of the Gourmet Whole Foods Catering and Cooking School in Milford, Connecticut.

PURCHASING:

*Available in bookstores nationwide.

*Ten Speed Press

*Amazon

Success Through Play comments:

We first heard about Agave Nectar from Dr. Oz who was on the Oprah show talking about alternative sweeteners. Dr Oz has a fine reputation and we thought that we would take a closer look at Agave Nectar. We went down to our local Whole Foods store and asked the customer service desk if they carried this product. As assistant led us down an aisle and pointed out the Agave Nectar. There are several brands on the market and Agave is available in light, amber, dark and raw varieties. Agave nectar is a low glycemic sweetener which is sourced from the agave plant in Mexico. Many vegans who aren’t able to consume honey, choose agave. Agave nectar consists primarily of fructose and glucose and although it doesn’t qualify as a health food, it is being recommended as a “better” alternative to table sugar.

Agave nectar can be used straight from the bottle-We initially used it to replace maple syrup as a topping over pancakes etc. and it dissolves readily in cold liquids, which is an added plus. Consumers are looking to replace refined table sugar and agave nectar is one option. The book: Baking with Agave Nectar by Ania Catalano, contains over 100 recipes using agave nectar-including vegan, and gluten free ones. The recipes are diverse and will appeal to every baker! The book features beautiful pictures, which will inspire you to get baking! In the introduction, the author shares why she has chosen Agave Nectar in place of table sugar, maple syrup, honey etc and explains agave nectar in greater detail.The author also explains how you can use agave to replace table sugar in recipes, which is very helpful.

The book is divided into the following sections:

*Muffins, Tea Breads and Breakfast Dishes
*Cookies and Bars
*Cakes and Cupcakes
*Pies, Tarts and Crisps
*Ice Creams, Frozen Yogurts, and Sorbets
*Special Treats
*Frostings, Fillings, and Sauces

There is a Glossary of Ingredients in the back, where the author elaborates on the ingredients used in the book and shares insider tips. A resource list follows which will help you to locate some harder to find ingredients and this is particularly helpful if you do not live in close proximity to a well stocked Whole Foods store. directory in the back which will help you to find.

We had a difficult time selecting just 3 recipes to test, because there were so many recipes that appealed to us instantly! We finally settled on the following three:

1. Orange Pecan Granola

This granola is easy to make and is oh-so-delicious! Perfect for breakfast as a snack with yogurt, this healthy granola is packed with whole grain goodness This granola impressed testers who couldn’t believe that it was homemade. You will never go back to store bought, sugar laden granola again!

Stores well in a container.

2. Spiced Pumpkin Date Pie (vegan)

The nut pastry crust provided the perfect contrast to the rich, smooth pumpkin date filling. This recipe won over even our toughest critics, and will now be our official Thanksgiving Dessert.

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse-Filled Cupcakes

After taking just one bite of these outstanding cupcakes, our testers all proceeded to close their eyes and embark on a spiritual journey! These cupcakes are made without any eggs and yet are moist and wonderfully decadent.

To view additional books from this publishing company, please visit:

www.tenspeed.com

The Cuddle Cubby™ is a soft absorbent pad that offers a comfortable surface for baby-care before and after bath time. The adorable bear-shaped pad is covered with a removable and washable terry cloth cover for extra absorbency. The gift set includes a fun bear mitt for bathing and a soft towel for drying. The Cuddle Cubby™ is fabulous for grooming, massage, sponge-bathing, and more. Use the Cuddle Cubby™ in kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere you need a comfortable place to care for your baby. By Baby Delight®.

FEATURES:

* Cushioned: Foam pad for extra comfort.
* Absorbent: Terrycloth fabric for softness.
* Washable: Machine-washable for easy care.
* Portable: Travel bag for easy carrying and storage.

Safety Warnings:
Never Leave Baby Unattended. Not Intended For Submerging In Water. Will Not Float. Place only on Floor. Recommended For Use After Bath time For Drying, Diapering, And Clothing Baby.

PURCHASING:

*Please click here to locate a retailer in your area.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Winner of an iParenting Media Award, the Cuddle Cubby™ from Baby Delight® is a versatile product which can be used in so many ways. The Cuddle Cubby™ consists of 3 pieces: an adorable bear shaped soft pad (complete with a removable terry cover), a matching bear shaped mitt and a terry towel.

The Cuddle Cubby™ comes in yellow, which is ideal for a boy or a girl. Before your newborn is ready to take a bath, the Cuddle Cubby™ can be used for sponge baths. Place your newborn on the soft, plush pad and give him a sponge bath! Once your baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off and healed and he is ready to take bath and be submerged in water, the Cuddle Cubby™ can be placed next to the tub and is the ideal landing surface for a slippery wet baby, after he comes out of the bath.

Give baby a nightly massage on the cuddle cubby-it’s the ideal surface to do this. We always recommend massaging your baby on the floor and the Cuddle Cubby™ will provide a comfortable and supportive surface to massage your baby. The terry cover will absorb any excess oil and can be easily laundered. The Cuddle Cubby™ can also be used for diaper changes, to dress your baby and for basic baby care. For safety, please use only on the floor and supervise at all times.

The pad is easy to clean, dries fast and can be folded in half and stored in the travel bag (included). The Cuddle Cubby™ will make a great baby shower gift!

To learn more, please visit: www.babydelight.com

Heart Thrives are convenient, delicious, wholesome meals-to-go. Fresh-baked, and with no GMO ingredients or preservatives, these vegan oat bars are a low-fat, no cholesterol alternative to pastries and processed energy bars. They come in 6 fruit flavors, plus the ever-popular Chocolate Chip! Each satisfying 4 oz. package contains 30% of the recommended daily protein, fiber,and calcium. They’re doctor-recommended and diabetic-friendly.

PURCHASING:

Heart Thrives are available at most Whole Foods and Wild Oats Markets, as well as most independent natural food stores and hundreds of coffee shops, gyms, and convenience stores across the US. Heart Thrives are available online at www.suncakes.com or toll-free at 1-800-830-0309. Get 6 free with your first order!

*Don’t forget to check out the special offers from The Healthy Baking Company!

Success Through Play™ comments:

Looking for a delicious AND healthy snack? We have found the perfect snack for you: Heart Thrives-a vegan, oat based snack that is cholesterol free, high in protein, fiber and calcium. These delicious heart-shaped whole grain snacks are dense, satisfying, oh-so-delicious and heart healthy! From the airplane, to the office to the gym-reach for these trans fat free, nutritious snacks when you are on the go and need a low glycemic healthy snack. Check out the impressive nutritional information here.

We received a box of Heart Thrives from The Healthy Baking Company containing each of the 7 flavors! Two 2 ounce snacks are included in every package. Here is a summary from our testers feedback:

Apple Flavor:
Warmed in the microwave for a few seconds, the Apple flavored Heart Thrives tasted like a fresh, rich and satisfying Apple Pie. Enjoy it without any guilt!

Chocolate Chip Flavor:
Studded with chocolate chips, this flavor will appeal to chocolate lovers! The combination of oats and chocolate go very well together and paired with a glass of almond/soymilk, is the perfect post workout/afternoon snack.

Apricot Flavor:
The fruity apricot flavor is so tasty and makes a perfect breakfast on the run. A panel favorite.

Cranberry:
Sweet, fruity and chewy-yummy!

Date:
If you like sweet treats-this is the Heart Thrive flavor for you.

Poppy Seed:
Light and refreshing-the perfect afternoon snack.

In addition to offering Heart Thrives, The Healthy Baking Company offers another snack called Suncakes.

For further information about Heart Thrives and Suncakes, please visit: www.hearththrives.com

New Native Inc. is proud to introduce the New Native Footed Blanket. Our footed blanket’s revolutionary design enables parents and caretakers to swaddle baby while maintaining the freedom of having two separate yet comfortably covered and warm legs. The New Native Footed Blanket is ideal for traveling, as baby can easily be placed in multiple positions in the New Native Baby Pouch or safely and securely buckled into a car seat or stroller. Our footed blanket is available in both organic Fleece and organic French Terry to suit all seasons and climates. This unique blanket has pant like leg pockets to slide baby into, while the sides of the blanket can be comfortably wrapped around to swaddle baby. Just pop baby in, wrap them up and you are ready to go. No more worrying about toes popping out and getting cold. The New Native Footed Blanket’s legs are designed to accommodate the smallest to the chunkiest babies, newborn to 6 months. The legs also allow baby to kick and wiggle while ensuring parents’ that baby will stay warm and covered up.

Our organic Fleece is thick and super soft, perfect for snuggling up on cold winter days. The organic Fleece is available in Dusty Rose, Light Blue, Khaki and Natural.

Our organic French Terry is breathable and light, great for any climate or cuddling up after a bath. Organic French Terry footed blankets are available in Dusty Rose, Light Blue, Khaki, Natural, Zebra and coming soon Black.

All New Native Footed Blankets are beautifully finished with a natural cotton trim. If you are tired of trying to fit your human shaped baby into a square blanket you’ll love the New Native Footed Blanket; and best of all no more lost baby socks!

PURCHASING:

*New Native Inc.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Founded in 1992, New Native Inc., is a business dedicated to healthy families, social responsibility, and a clean environment. This company’s commitment to those in need is nothing short of exemplary. From sending carriers to tsunami disaster relief victims in Asia to sending financial contributions to Habitat for Humanity and other very worthy causes, New Native Inc. is setting the standard in giving back to our global community and is truly an inspiration!

The New Native Footed Blanket is well designed, beautifully made and incredibly versatile. This blanket, as well as the entire line of New Native Inc. products are hand sewn in Watsonville, CA by a highly skilled seamstresses, all of whom are mothers. Babywearers will LOVE this blanket! Babywearers report that when they carry their baby in concern positions, their baby’s pants “rides up” and their socks fall off leaving baby cold. With this innovative footed blanket from New Native Inc. this common problem is solved-baby’s legs and feet will stay nice and warm! The footed blanket works equally well in a car seat or stroller and will keep you baby warm while he is on the move! The footed blankets are offered in either an organic cotton terry-ideal for year round use and an organic cotton fleece, for cooler months. The footed blankets are available in several different colors and patterns- both finished in a lovely natural cotton trim-and will match your carrier, car seat and stroller beautifully!

An added advantage of using this footed blanket is that your baby will be able to move his legs independently and practice kicking movements which help to build coordination and strength-all while staying snug and warm. We hope to see this blanket being offered in larger sizes in the future!

We distributed 3 footed blankets, courtesy of New Native Inc. to members of our parent panel and this is what they had to say:

“I really like the design of the footed blanket. It’s super easily to use and I am able to use this blanket in all my baby carriers with great ease. It has solved the problem of pants riding up and ankles being exposed and socks falling off. My baby is happier now; chores, walks and outing have now become more pleasurable! I am really pleased that my baby is still able to move his arms freely, and that his arms aren’t held in place by a velcro tab. Did I mention all the compliments that I have received? Thank you New Native.”

“The footed blanket is clearly sewn by a highly skilled team and the stitching is impeccable! I really like the design which fits even my baby’s chubby legs. In the past, we had tried using a regular blanket to keep her warm in her stroller, but half way into the walk, the blanket would be tossed to the ground, or ended up in a corner of the stroller, leaving my baby cold! This footed blanket is different! It stays on when my baby is in her stroller and she loves cuddling with it. I am really pleased that the fabric is a soft organic cotton which is healthy for my baby and the environment. Thank you!”

“I am huge fan of the New Native Baby Carrier and when I was asked to test out the footed blanket, I couldn’t have been happier. I honestly was not aware that New Native Inc had expanded to offer beautiful organic cotton products. The range that they offer is fantastic. The footed blanket is designed and stitched beautifully and the organic cotton fabric is heavenly. It truly is a very versatile blanket and I find myself reaching for it several times a day. From the New Native Pouch to the car seat to post bathing, it works really well in all situations. Best of all, my baby can move his legs independently, which is vital for his development and he stays comfy and warm at the safe time. I hope that New Native Inc continues to expand their range of organic cotton products!”

To see the full range of beautiful organic cotton products from New Native, please visit:

www.NewNativeInc.com

Please find a list of products which we featured during the month of April 2008. To find out more, please click on each link and you will be directed the the article.

*Beaded Things Personalized Toddler Spoon

*Preggers n’ Proud: Designer tees for the entire family

*Giveaway: Gone Nuts! Sprouted and Seasoned Nut Blends

*Emma-Jane: Bamboo Nursing Top

*Sleep and Beyond: Visionique™ Certified Organic Comforter

*Manhattan Toy®: Top Picks

*Living in the Raw Desserts

*The Organic Nesting Pillow

*Boob Organic Cotton Designer Maternity and Nursing Apparel

*Dress Me Up: Organic Cotton Soft Blocks and Organic Teething Bonbons

*The Ultra-Metabolism Cookbook

*Birth and Baby Nursing Apparel

*Indigenous Designs Spring 2008 Kids Collection

Stay tuned for an exciting month ahead. During May 2008, we will publish articles which center around: parenting styles, birthing, health, recipe books, healthy snacks, shoes ideal for the pregnant mama-to-be, tech gadgets (ergonomic cellphone, a mini camcorder) organic cotton products, nursing apparel, prenatal belly dance, maternity fitness apparel and MORE!

Thank you for reading! Wishing you a wonderful May!

Welcome to Success Through Play™ Magazine. Here is a list of our current giveaways:

*Giveaway: Aimee’s Babies DVD and Love Notes© CD-Congrats Suzanne B.

*Giveaway: Beaded Things Personalized Toddler Spoon-Congrats Hannah P.

*Giveaway: Gone Nuts! Sprouted and Seasoned Nut Blends-Congrats Jenna K, Carla P, Angie T. & Michelle W.

* Giveaway: The Organic Nesting Pillow-Congrats Sheri H.

Click on each link for details on how to enter. You will receive an email to confirm your entry. Good Luck! Your contain details will remain private and will NOT be sold. We don’t tolerate SPAM. This list will be updated when new giveaways are posted so please stay tuned!

We would like to thank each of the companies above for participating.