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As the weather gets warmer, it’s great to be outside and get fresh air. For parents and baby! Here are some essentials that you need for baby’s first summer of fun.

What You Need For Baby’s First Summer

Baby has so many “firsts” and while they are so exciting, they can sometimes be overwhelming to prepare for.  With Summer here, I wanted to share some Summer Haves For Baby thanks to one of our writer’s Hannah.  She has a precious 8 month old, so here are some of her favorites so far!

Take it away Hannah:

As summer is SLOWLY approaching us here in Michigan, it’s time to make sure I have everything I need for my little one’s first summer.

As most of you know I am I nurse and a new mommy to my adorable little 8 months old peanut, I can’t believe it’s been 8 months already! I am ALWAYS looking for the LATEST and GREATEST products for my little family, and I gathered my TOP MUST HAVES for baby’s 1st summer.

BABYGANICS SUNSCREEN

Alright so my FIRST MUST HAVE for summer time fun with your baby is of course, SUNSCREEN. I’m sure many of you have seen in the social media lately all the buzz about sunscreen and what’s good bad and really bad for you. And since my daughter has sensitive skin I wanted to get a product that was safe for her delicate skin but yet effective sun coverage. After doing some research I found babyganics, and let me tell you…. I LOVE IT. My daughter has very fair skin and has been out in the sun A LOT lately with it becoming so nice out, but always having her BABYGANICS on and she has continued to stay fair and not burn her at all. It is a mineral based sunscreen which is a tear free, non-allergenic, non PABA, non Parabens, non fragrance, non nano-particle and water resistant (80 minutes). It even has a SPF of 50.

LI’L SQUIRT BABY POOL

As you all know there are of bunch of swim products out there but when I came across the LI’L SQUIRT BABY POOL I fell in love! It is perfect for my daughter on a hot summer day!! (If we ever can get summer to stay!!) It inflates in just minutes, and it easily attaches to any garden hose, and it includes EXTRA SOFT sprayers and pat mat area with FLOATING 3D FISH!!! It so adorable! The sprayers are a nice gentle tide of water so it is gentle enough for baby and toddlers. It was so easy to set up, I was able to do it ALL BY MYSELF 🙂 And as a mother of a WATER LOVING BABY she absolutely LOVED it, in fact, she didn’t want to get out! It is a well made, wallet friendly summer toy that my daughter really enjoys. It will definitely be getting MAJOR use at our house this summer and for many more here after.

WRAP SHADES

Now let me tell you…. I just LOVE these little sun shades for my daughter!! These little glasses are practical and easy to use. I love how they have a soft stretchy head strap to help keep them on that you can adjust to fit your little ones head. They block 100% of UV rays and are shatter resistant and is pediatrician recommended, and come in sizes for infant to 5yr olds. Can’t get much better then that!

INFLATABLE SAFETY TUB

This baby tub is great, but why is it one of my summer must haves? Well, when your little one comes in from the outside, covered in sand, dirt, chlorine and sunscreen, a bath is required! It is a very durable inflatable tub to use and it is ROOMY enough for her to move around and play. It also has a plug in the bottom of the tub so it is easy to drain and clean out after bath time. But what I love most about this little safety tub is that it doubles as a water toy! It has high enough sides so she can easily play inside of it or it can be used as an outdoor bathtub when camping or when she just doesn’t want to come inside! It is great for bath time and summer time outdoor fun.

SUNHATS and SWIMWEAR

These are a definite must-have for fun in the sun! Every second my daughter is outside she has her little summer hat on, what I love most about them is most now have a UV protection built right in them. They make all different print/colors and also they make a swim suit material kind as well which I really like for water time fun. My daughter as quite a few hats 😉 But they are so worth every penny, since I hate putting sunscreen through her hair.

So these are just of few of my MUST HAVE FOR FIRST TIME BABY’S SUMMER TIME FUN!!! I have used all these products almost daily if not more and they all have stood up to my standards and would recommend them to any new mommies and daddies out there!

p.s. Don’t forget the swim diapers 😉

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What are some of your essentials for baby’s first summer?

Like to be outside a lot in the summer?

Be sure to check out these tips on protecting for your child’s skin from the sun.

Sun Safety For Kids is extremely important. While we all love spending time outside in the sun, you have to protect your child’s delicate skin from harmful UV rays.

Sun Safety For Kids

This is a question I can ask myself just about daily since we live in the Sunshine State. How Can I Protect My Children from the damages of the Sun? is a question we should all ask ourselves on a regular basis. While we all crave the sun, the tan, the fun that comes in the summer months, the sun is also very dangerous.

Did you know that just a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer once they get older? Scary, but true. My sister-in-law is a dermatologist and is always warning us about the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from the sun. It doesn’t have to be sunny, you don’t have to be at the beach and you don’t have to be at the pool to get a sunburn, you just need to be outdoors.

A child’s skin needs protection from the sun. Yours does too of course 😉  So, before you head out for that Beach Day, be sure you and the kids have everything you need to stay protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

Here are a 7 Sun Safety Tips on How to Protect Your Child from the Sun:

Get In the Shade

If there is no shade from trees available, bring your own! We love our Family Beach Cabana. It offers a spot for the kids to relax in, and is the perfect size for us adults to stop in for a few too. It is actually Pop-up cabana – seriously, it just pops-up! Set up on this is under 3 minutes! It also has UPF 50+ protection. You can lower and raise the panels for privacy and airflow. It also has front and back zippered flaps, two mesh windows and built-in flooring. The included ground stakes make sure it doesn’t float down the beach, and the carrying bag makes it easy to bring along whether you go. The sun’s rays are the most harmful during midday, so if you can’t be inside, make sure your child is in the shade and protected.

Use Sunscreen

You need a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection, I personally recommend at least 30 SPF. Be sure to apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before your child is headed outside, that gives it enough time to “soak in.” And don’t forget to reapply!  Most brands will have a recommended time to reapply printed right on the bottle. Learn more about how often you should apply sunscreen.

Wear Clothes/Swimsuits with Sun Protection

There are clothes out there that offer SPF protection as well, the best way to stay protected from the sun is to keep your skin protected, and keeping their skin covered up is an easy way to do that. There are many brands that offer long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, swimsuits, cover-ups, and more that all have SPF protection and are adorable.

Have Your Child Wear a Hat

Hats will shade their face and ears, which are extra sensitive to the sun. It also protects the hair part, one of the worst sunburns I have ever gotten was on my scalp! If they won’t wear a hat, be sure to apply sunscreen to the hair part if they have one.  I actually had skin cancer in my ear, and it was not enjoyable getting it removed, so I am can personally tell you that it is very important to keep those ears covered.

Get Child Sunglasses

Even if they are wearing a hat, sunglasses are a great habit to get into. And be sure to look for sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays. You have to protect those precious little eyes for the future!

Keep a Close Eye on Them

You can actually see their skin start to turn pink when the skin is starting to get burned. Reapply sunscreen and head to some shade!  And don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids.

Stay Hydrated

Not only is drinking water important to stay hydrated, but by drinking water you are actually moisturizing the inner layer and outer layer of your skin cells. Which is VERY important if you are outside in the sun!  So remember to have lots with you.

The times you have at the beach with your family are memories that will last a lifetime, you want to remember the paddling boarding and the fishing, not the horrible sunburn everyone got!  So, be sure to remember these sun safety tips for kids and have some fun this summer!

Be sure to Pin this post, bookmark it, or email it to yourself so the next time you wonder, “How Can I Protect My Child from the Sun?” you have a Sun Safety For Kids Go-To Guide.

Be sure to follow Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more family fun tips, delicious recipes and more!

This post was sponsored by Mondelez International as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my review.

How You Can Help Support Youth Soccer

If you could give $1,000 to your child’s soccer team, would you?  If you could give $1,000 to a local soccer team, would you?  If you could help a soccer team purchase uniforms and help with their fees, would you?  If you had the extra $1,000 to spend, I am sure every single one of you reading this would help if you could.

Well, you may not have that extra $1,000, but I do have a way you can help.

Pass The Love Back.

What?  You may be asking….

The ‘Pass The Love Back’ program, is from the maker of OREO cookies, RITZ BITS crackers and CHIPS AHOY! cookies Multipacks, and it is empowers communities by sponsoring local youth soccer teams.

Now through May 31st – THERE IS ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT – soccer teams can visit www.PassTheLove.com to earn up to $1,000 toward custom T-shirts or a team donation.  This is the 3rd year of the #PassTheLoveBack Program and we have the Official Snacks of U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer, the maker of OREO cookies, RITZ BITS crackers and CHIPS AHOY! cookies Multipacks, to thank.

So, what does that all mean?

It means that YOU have the chance to help out a youth soccer team, and all you have to do is let them know about the Pass The Love Back Program.  Give a friend a call, share this post on Facebook, whatever works!  Just take a moment to Pass The Love Back!

As a proud soccer mom, I know that when it comes to soccer equipment and resources, local teams often have to find ways to support themselves. This amazing campaign helps bridge the divide and connect teams with enhancements.

Team sports help children in so many ways, not just learning something new – but it teaches them responsibility, teamwork, organization, time management, and other essential traits that help our children grow into outstanding adults.  I am proud that my children are part of the soccer community, and I am proud that I can tell you about the Pass The Love Back program.

Learn more about the Pass The Love Back Campaign – don’t forget to share it with friends and family.  There is a way you can help youth soccer and this is it!

Be sure to keep a look out for OREO cookies, RITZ BITS crackers and CHIPS AHOY! cookies Multipacks at retailers nationwide and stock up for your next game!

Be sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + and Instagram for more Florida Fun, healthy recipes, and more.

This post was sponsored by Fresh From Florida as part of Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

The Importance of Buying Local

Fresh from Florida

When I say “Florida” what do you think of? Sunshine, sand, surf, some of the world most beautiful beaches, the Keys, Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, Universal Studios? Oh there are so many fun things to do in Florida. But when I think Florida, I think of all the amazing fresh foods that come from our own backyards!  In fact, I had the opportunity to go to the Food and Wine Conference that is held here in Orlando annually and I was able to interact with farmers, learn from them, hear what their day is like, how much the care for the land and what they do.  It definitely inspired me to cook more with fresh ingredients and appreciate where our food comes from.

We are blessed with amazing weather most of the year here in Florida, we have access to so many delectable Fresh from Florida fruits, vegetables, and seafood. I have to admit, we have some of the best seafood ever here in Florida! In fact, my neighbors and I are planning a trip to do some scalloping here in the next few weeks and for Memorial Day we are celebrating with block party and enjoying fresh caught Grouper. I think I may have to try this Honey-Orange Glazed Grouper recipe….YUM!

And I don’t know about you, but now that corn is in season, we have it at least twice a week! Sweet Corn – boil it, grill it, make it into a corn salsa, or a delicious corn side dish…you can’t go wrong with Florida Sweet Corn.

As you start to spend more time outside with friends and family enjoying this warm Florida sunshine, you know that a plate full of colorful, locally grown food always hits the spot. Fresh produce and seafood always tastes….well, fresher 🙂 From local farms to your table, Fresh From Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture guarantees fresh and delicious food that makes every recipe a win.

Here are six reasons why I like to buy local:

1. The produce and seafood (well, everything local!) tastes and looks better
2. It’s better for you – local grown produce takes less time to get to your family table, that means it’s fresh and at it’s peak
3. Buying local supports your local community – Buying produce Fresh from Florida supports this beautiful state in which I live and that sooooo many people like to travel to every day!
4. It helps preserve farmland – When you buy locally grown food, are you helping those farms stay FARMS.
5. Buying local is an investment in the future – By supporting farmers today, you are helping to ensure that there will be farms tomorrow.
6. Buying local inspires me to create healthy and wholesome meals for my family.

Here are a few of the ingredients that are seasonally grown in Florida that my family and I are enjoying:

• Blueberries – these blue-wonders are in my daily smoothies and on my salads
• Tomatoes – just made fresh salsa this week!
• Sweet Corn – family fave
• Watermelon – perfect refreshing fruit if I do say so myself
• Seafood – Florida seafood requires no additional explanation…it’s just amazing

Which Fresh from Florida ingredients are your favorite?

Fresh From Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture promotes locally grown Florida produce and fresh seafood, and so do I!

Be check out all my delicious recipes  and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google +.

10 Easy Ways To Help Others

A few weeks ago I was in Michigan visiting my parents and when we were on our way out to dinner, a car had broken down on one of the side streets. My dad pulled over and asked if the man needed help pushing his car to a nearby parking lot, and the man responded with an ever-so-thankful YES. Then the next car that was driving by stopped and helped as well. The simple act made my heart smile. And as these 3 men chatted for a few, once the car was safely in the near by parking lot, about cars and mechanics, I couldn’t help but think about how our world has changed over the years.

People don’t stop to help random strangers to push cars as much as they used to. We are either too busy to stop, we don’t even notice that a fellow human being needs help because we are driving distracted, we think “I’m sure they already called someone to help,” or we are too scared to stop. What?? Yes, we think that we may be injured if we stop by a fellow drive-by-er who isn’t paying attention, or maybe this person’s car really didn’t brake down and it’s all a scam to rob someone. Oh, how society has changed.

But, I would really like to think and somewhere deep down, everyone does want to help others. Everyone does have that desire to make someone’s day, to have a positive impact on the community, to pass on kindness so that it may multiply. Because, if you are honest with yourself, doesn’t helping someone else, in anyway, make you feel better about yourself too? I know it does for me.

So, in hopes in sharing a bit of kindness in this crazy world in which we live, I wanted to share 10 EASY ways help others.  Give one…or two…or all ten…a try today!

*Note, this is a VERY small list, as there are hundreds of thousands of ways to be kind to others and help others, feel free to share your ways and thoughts in the comments!

1. Smile – Haven’t you heard the saying that it takes more muscles to frown than smile. Smile folks! It does the body good 🙂
2. Donate – Canned goods at a local food bank (you don’t have to wait to Thanksgiving to do this, they accept donations all year long!), old clothes, clothes and toys that the kids have grown out of, the list goes on and on
3. Volunteer – Need some ideas on how to get started? Check out this list.
4. Help someone in need – Pull over and help that car that is stalled in the road, help the woman at the grocery store out to her car, offer to cut the neighbor’s grass when they are out of town…heck, just do it!
5. Listen – stop for a moment and lend an ear to someone who needs you.
6. Share your strengths – Like to cook but have a friend that hates it? Help them get started! Love to exercise and have a friend that doesn’t know where to start? Help ’em!
7. Give a compliment – Tell someone you like their shoes, hair, the way they did a great job on a presentation at work, etc.
8. Make a care package or just send a letter – Know someone that is way at school, maybe someone that is sick, or someone that is just in need of a pick-me-up? Send a smile via snail-mail 🙂  Admit it, it’s still fun to get something in the mail that isn’t a bill.
9. Love – Show your love and appreciation to those around you. They say happiness is contagious, let’s give it a try!
10. Shop online – Uh? Yes, this may be one of the easiest ways to help others. Simply by doing what you normally do, shop online, when you shop through Giving Assistant, they actually make small donation to Feeding America to give one meal every time cash back is earned. You are given the option to automatically donate any % of your earned cash back to any charity of your choice.

So, can you do it? Can you take one simple step to help someone else today? I hope you can. I hope we all can!

While this post is sponsored, all opinions and my desire to spread a bit of love and kindness around the world are mine!

If you haven’t heard about Giving Assistant, here is some additional information:

Giving Assistant let’s you shop online at over 1,600 large retailers (Amazon included!) and get money back on your purchases. Amazon is definitely one of my favorite places to shop online, I’m sure like many of you, so I love that I can also earn cashback and can help others all at the same time. AND, they even work with Amazon Smile, so your savings of .5% will be added to our cashback donation too. Making a total of 2% cash back donation. That’s like giving back on top of giving back!

Another store I like shopping online at is Best Buy, which is also one of the many stores that I can save with on Giving Assistant. By shopping at Best Buy, I can get up to 2% CASH BACK. Which is fantastic 🙂

My husband likes to do his dress clothes shopping at macys.com, and I actually did a bulk of my holiday shopping on macys.com. And, you guessed it, macys.com is one of the other stores that you can earn cash back on Giving Assistant. Macys.com is actually at 5% right now!

How Giving Assistant Works

• The Giving Assistant mission is to save you more money, so you can better care for your loved ones and support charity. You can earn an average of 5% cash reward after each online purchase.
• Within 3 days of your purchase you will get an email notice with my cash back! You can donate part of the cash back to charity, all of it, or none of it, but in the spirit of this post, may I suggest donating part of it….please 🙂

Giving Assistant’s Cash Back Promise

• Double Cash Back, Always. 
They give you 100% of the commission.
• They pay in days direct to your secure debit card. Not months
 waiting for a check in the mail like other cash back sites. Minimum payout is just $5.01, not $25.
• Hassle Free Guarantee. 
Missing cashback? Giving Assistant has the best customer service in the industry to make sure you get your full cash back amount.

What are some of your favorite ways to help others?

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