Valentine’s Day Rocks With Yowie 100% Natural Surprise Inside Chocolates

Got littles who love natural chocolate, endangered animal conservation and collectibles?!

Here at ChiIL Mama, that's an emphatic, YES! My whole family adores 100% natural chocolate, animal conservation efforts, and collectibles. So I was thrilled to be asked to partner up with Yowie Chocolates on a Valentine's day feature. 

I've always made a point to make Valentine's Day special for my kids from the time they were tots. Friend and relationship dramas come and go, but family's got your back and family love is unconditional. If you're looking for a unique treat that educates about saving endangered wildlife and also contributes to animal conservation efforts, check out Yowie Chocolates.  

-- Yowie’s mission is to empower kids and parents to make a difference in ecological conservation through enjoying delicious, 100% natural chocolate with a limited edition endangered animal toy inside --

This Valentine’s Day share the love of chocolate and animals with the sweethearts in your life with Yowie Chocolates, the surprise inside confection that is a perfect addition to any Valentine’s Day gift basket this season. Each Yowie chocolate gives children of all ages a delicious, 100% natural chocolate treat with a collectible, life-like animal toy inside that not only teaches the importance of saving endangered wildlife, but also contributes to animal conservation efforts. 

Yowie chocolates also make the sweetest Valentine’s Day treat for the classroom, too. Whether for a gift basket for the teacher or classroom Valentine's Day grams, parents can feel good about making learning a bit sweeter. Parents can feel even better knowing that for every Yowie surprise inside chocolate sold between now and July 2019, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will receive a portion of the net proceeds to support its mission to save wildlife and wild places worldwide.  



Every chocolate is in the shape of one of the loveable Yowie characters: Rumble, Crag, Boof, Ditty, Squish and Nap. Yowies are magical creatures, champions of our threatened environment, that are here to show us the wonders of our natural heritage, remind us of its value, and teach us how to help save the natural world while having loads of fun at the same time.

Inside each delicious, non-GMO, nut-free, gluten-free, pure milk chocolate character is a limited-edition collectible animal toy and a full color leaflet.  The leaflet features a picture of the real life animal, its profile and level of endangerment to encourage parents to start conversations about ecological conservation with their kids.  They can learn more about the topic by scanning links on the leaflet with a mobile device to download the free YowieScope app on the AppStore or Google Play.  

The YowieScope app expands the fun-filled conservation experience in a highly interactive way through augmented reality. Kids can grow their online animal kingdom by scanning their animal toys to their virtual collection and earn digital rewards by adding new animals.  Each new scan reveals new information about the animal they have collected such as where they live, how they behave in the wild and special abilities they have. The learning fun continues on YowieWorld.com with online and downloadable app games, quizzes, cartoons, downloadable posters and more.

The Yowie brand mission is to empower kids and their parents to make a difference in ecological conservation by bringing attention to the plight of wild animals by connecting kids to that mission through a natural sweet treat and surprise toy animal. Yowie surprise inside chocolates are now available in more than 30,000 retail outlets across the U.S.

For more information, visit www.yowieworld.com.

About Yowie
Each Yowie surprise inside chocolate, created in the shape of the Yowie characters and wrapped in foil, contains limited-edition collectible animal toys, and a full color leaflet featuring a picture of the real life animal, its profile and level of endangerment as well as scannable links to download the free YowieScope app.  The YowieScope app allows collectors to learn more about the animals and their world while earning rewards. The combination of tasty, natural chocolate, fun animal toys and a digital platform encourages kids to learn about the natural world and understand its need for protection. Yowie surprise inside chocolates are now available in more than 30,000 retail outlets across the U.S. for more information visit www.yowieworld.com. 

Disclosure: I have been compensated for sharing information about Yowie Chocolates with my readers. As always, all opinions are my own.

IHHS Favorites: DynaTrap Launches Flylight for Safe, Silent & Simple Indoor Bug Protection

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:

DynaTrap Launches Flylight for

Safe, Silent & Simple Indoor Bug Protection

DynaTrap’s newest product uses proprietary tech to deliver superior protection against disease-carrying insects — all in an attractive, discreet sconce design.

Here at ChiIL Mama we adore spring through fall in Chi, IL, but not the influx of insects those seasons bring. We've had a plague of moths for years, that came in a bag of bird seed and return to their place of birth year after year. The city also has more than it's fair share of flies! In the past we've put up ugly fly paper in the yard and enclosed back porch as they come through the dog doors. Now we're thrilled to have a more effective, and much more attractive option, the DynaTrap® Flylight! Check back soon for my full review and a giveaway too. We're excited to partner up with Dynamic Solutions and will be sent a complimentary sample for review purposes and for our readers. Flylight is brand NEW and just debuted at the giant International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago this month. They have a plethora of products for indoors and out. We've tried a couple in past years and were quite impressed.

DynaTrap® is the creator of technology-driven, indoor/outdoor insect and mosquito traps that are chemical, pesticide, and hassle free. 

Flylight delivers up to 600 square feet of superior protection against disease-carrying flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects. It utilizes DynaTrap’s proprietary AtraktaGloTM Technology to produce a warm UV light at a specifically targeted wavelength, which is irresistibly attractive to insects. The non-toxic StickyTechTM Glue Card then traps the bugs and conceals them behind a sleek, decorative aluminum panel.

“While nearly everyone looks forward to the warmer weather brought by spring each year, nobody likes dealing with the pesky and unhealthy presence of fruit flies, gnats, pantry moths, fleas, and other flying insects that often make their ways indoors. Flylight is the easiest and more effective way to stave off the bugs — just plug it in, let it run, and enjoy a bug-free home.” said Juan Rocha, President of DynaTrap. 

“In addition, the benefits of Flylight go well beyond its unparalleled ability to trap bugs. Unlike other indoor bug traps, you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals or nasty odors; Flylight is completely pesticide-free and safe to use around your family, pets, and food. And while many other bug zappers and eliminators are noisy and obtrusive, Flylight is completely silent and packaged in a low-profile, tasteful, and easy-to-install aluminum unit.” 

Flylight comes in three different models, as well as two different color options — black and white. The deluxe model comes with two AC outlets and two USB ports to maximize outlet utility. Each Flylight comes with a replaceable UV Bulb (rated for approximately 3000 hours), three StickyTechTM Glue Card replacements (that last approximately 30 days each), and a one-year warranty on the device.

User Testimonials
“I’m so impressed with the sleek and stylish design of this bug trap — we love the way it looks in our kitchen, and it even doubles as a night light. It’s especially great not to have to deal with any more ugly sticky paper with dead bugs! The extra built-in outlets mean we don’t have to sacrifice precious charging space. We’ll definitely be buying more for our cabin and camper!” -Dustyn C., Virginia

For more information on DynaTrap, please visit https://www.dynatrap.com.



About Dynamic Solutions Worldwide, LLC
Dynamic Solutions Worldwide, LLC creates technology-driven indoor/outdoor insect traps that protect against mosquitoes, biting flies, moths, wasps, and more. Unlike other bug prevention solutions, Dynamic Solutions Worldwide, LLC produce products that are uniquely chemical- and pesticide-free, affordable, easy to maintain, environmentally friendly and most importantly—effective.  

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is excited to partner up with Dynamic Solutions and will be sent a complimentary sample for review purposes and for our readers. As always all opinions are my own.

The ShiftCon Organic, NonGMO, Eco-Friendly Love Package Is En Route

Here at ChiIL Mama we rock the Green Parenting and are always on the lookout for eco-friendly options for our family and yours. That's why we're jazzed to be selected to receive a ShiftCon Love Package full of complimentary natural products to review from Leah Segedie and Mamavation! 

Follow along on our social media channels with the hashtag  #shiftconlovepackage so you don't miss a thing. 

Here are the brands we're reviewing: 
Here's a master list of all the natural products we'll be reviewing here over the next few weeks. The ones in bold have arrived already and we'll be doing features on them first. Check back like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.

Organic Valley
PlusCBD Oil
Yum and Ona
Oral Essentials, Inc.
Earth Mama Organics
Simply Real Foods Market
Kyo-Green
Clearly Filtered Inc.
Flora, Inc.
Just Thrive Probiotic
NeoCell
White Oak Pastures
RidgeCrest Herbals
Betsy's Best Gourmet Nut & Seed Butters
NutriGold
Mountain Rose Herbs
Kombucha Kamp
SeaSnax
Cybele's Free-to-Eat

Details About the ShiftCon Package Offerings

What: ShiftCon Love Package 2018

Brands Involved: Organic Valley, PlusCBD Oil, Yum and Ona, Oral Essentials, Earth Mama Organics, Simply Real Foods, Kyo-Green, Clearly Filtered, Flora, Just Thrive Probiotics, NeoCell, White Oak Pastures, RidgeCrest Herbals, Betsy's Best Gourmet Nut & Seed Butters, NutriGold, Mountain Rose Herbs & Kombucha Kamp.

- PlusCBD Oil Extra Strength Balm, PlusCBD Oil 1oz 100mg Peppermint or Unflavored Spray, PlusCBD Oil 10 count 15mg Gold Softgels

- Organic Vally products or free product coupons (to be determined)

- Ona functional fuel bars (two types) 

- 14 pack of Oral Essentials Teeth Whitening Strips

- Earth Mama Organics mini-deodorant 4-pack

-Simply Real Foods organic coffee

- Kyo-Green Green Blend single serve

- Clearly Filtered Clean Water Pitcher

- Flora Women's Care Probiotic

- Just Thrive probiotic re-usable shopping bag

- NeoCell super collagen powder

- White Oak Pastures handmade grassfed tallow soap and candles

- Ridgecrest Herbals ClearLungs Immune

- Betsy's Best 1 jar of Gourmet Almond Butter and 1 Jar Gourmet Cashew Butter

-NutriGold Organic Women's Multivitamin

- Mountain Rose Herbs Gourmet salts and organic spice blends

-Kombucha Kamp Fermentation Culture - Kombucha, Jun, Water Kefir or Milk Kefir (You'll receive one of these to make your own)

Mamavation Influencer Network Presents the ShiftCon Love Package

It's back again! After ShiftCon Social Media Conference, we gather together some of our favorite brands and put together a special "Love Package" offer for influencers who were not able to be there but STILL want to have more organic, nonGMO and safer ingredient brands in their life. And thus sharing the love of non-toxic products with their audience.

Here at ChiIL Mama, I'll also be reading and reviewing Leah Segedie's Green Enough, out March 20th.

Disclosure: Here at ChiIL Mama, we've been chosen to receive 18 packages of love from non-toxic brands and agree to share the love of safer products with our audience. I have been compensated with complimentary review products. As always all opinions are my own.

PHOTO FEATURE: ChiIL Mama's Adventures at The Dill Pickle Food Co-Op Grand Opening Celebration

What's green and new and next to the blue? 

The Dill Pickle Food Co-Op's excellent expanded home! 

Yes, there's a newcomer next to the Logan Square Blue Line "L" stop that's bike friendly, neighborhoody, and full of loads of fresh local finds, organic goodies, bulk buys, and more. It's locally owned by your neighbors, but anyone can shop there, not just co-op members. Have you stopped in yet? You can see the cheerful, bright green roof from blocks away, and the inside is just as colorful and welcoming.

October was an exciting month for The Dill Pickle Co-Op. They've been around since 2009, in a much smaller space on Fullerton, but their new Milwaukee Avenue home will allow them to grow and really come into their own. Here's our photo recap of the first hours of their grand opening party in the new space earlier this month. 



They had a day long celebration packed with live music, dance, martial arts, bounce house fun and crafts for the littles, and loads of vendor samples/coupons/demos. We were lucky to catch a fantastic Capoeira demo.

Check out our full photo feature in the slideshow here and more favorites below:

Back in the day, when I heard the word food co-op, it conjured up dusty images of wholesome hippies stocking barrels of grains and aisles of bulk bins, with 20 types of granola. 





The Dill Pickle Co-Op is so much more. Sure, they have great bulk bin deals, but also a host of fabulous vegan, vegetarian, and carnivore finds, and eco-friendly non food items too. They have plenty of frozen items that are quick to fix. They also have loads of love for the locals, stocking a plethora of fresh produce, dairy and meat from farms in the region. And their homemade hummus is to die for.



This spot is sure to be an "L" commuter hit, on the way to or from work. They have a liquor license, a gorgeous salad bar, coffee bar, ready made sandwiches and lots of great grab n go items. They even have kombucha machines, in case keeping a kombucha scoby alive to DIY seems like a daunting task.







Family Friendly:
My kids are teens now, but it wasn't long ago that both were in tow, just about every time I went shopping. The Dill Pickle Food Co-Op loves littles, and has kid sized carts, goodies and a club, to make shopping with your offspring less stress.










The Dill Pickle Food Co-Op also has coupons and rockin' specials. They've joined with a collective of other co-ops for bulk purchasing power and better discounts. And they pass on the savings locally. The profits stay in our neighborhood, too.







Come on by and check it out! All are welcome. We bought a $250 share as owners, at a very reasonable $10 a month. This gives my family extra coupons, discounts and the chance for even deeper discounts with a work/barter program of a couple hours a week as a HOO (Hands On Owner). Here's their website, so you can keep up with happenings, sales, and more. Also follow them on social media on Facebook and Twitter.






Welcome to the neighborhood, Dill Pickle Co-Op! We'll be in to shop like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often!

 Click image to check out current specials, join, or see more info 

More Photo Favorites:

Finlandia: Because Everything's Better With Butter And Cheese

June, AKA: National Dairy Month, may have morphed into July in a rush of graduations, end of the year school events and activities, and weddings, but every month is dairy month in our family. We adore cheese and butter and Finlandia's is an incredible addition to the summer cooking season. 

Check out ChiIL Mama's Coconut Banana Bread recipe below with Finlandia butter in and on it. This week we've also been enjoying Finlandia butter when we grilled out sweet corn and red potatoes, and on French Toast. I've even made Grilled Turkey Rubens With Melted Finlandia Swiss. 

My daughter even made Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispie Treats in Finlandia colors for the 4th of July and beyond, which are extra tasty with Finlandia butter.

In late June, ChiIL Mama was invited to celebrate National Dairy Month by joining Finlandia's campaign. Thanks to them, we were sent a free Dairy Delight Kit which included salted and unsalted butter, swiss cheese, and a cute and practical lunchbox which we're still enjoying on a daily basis. We're thrilled to partner up with them for this sponsored post.

Finlandia Butter and Cheese is made from pure, hormone-free milk, which comes from happy cows that live on family-owned farms in Finland—the greenest country on Earth. No hidden chemicals, no factory farms—just pure, creamy goodness. 

My 15 year old son devours banana bread!

ChiIL Mama's Coconut Banana Bread: 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 1/3 cups of overripe, mashed bananas (approx 4-5 bananas)

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1/2 cup of Finlandia butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

coconut oil spray

15 min prep time

1 hour cook time + 10 min cool down

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. We recommend coconut spray or silicone bread pans so you don't need extra spray at all.

Combine flour, coconut, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl.

Cream butter and brown sugar in a smaller bowl. Stir in beaten eggs, coconut oil and mashed bananas. Blend banana mix into flour mixture and stir well. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Cool bread in the pan 10 minutes then remove from pan, slice and serve. It's extra delicious topped with Finlandia butter, banana slices, and/or fresh berries.

My family and I eat butter and cheese almost everyday. And part of my job as a mom is making sure my family eats healthy foods free of harmful growth hormones, preservatives, and dyes. I trust Finlandia Cheese for my family, a brand that has been crafting some of the highest quality cheese and butter for over a century. Their products taste better and are better for you than those laced with additives, BGH and more!

Finlandia's cheeses and butters are all-natural and hormone-free, and they taste incredible. Imported from Finland using milk produced by well-cared-for cows, Finlandia Butter is rich and creamy.  It's nothing like any butter you've ever tasted.  And you could eat Finlandia Cheese straight from the package—no crackers needed.

GET SOCIAL: 

Want more excellent recipes, deals and fab food photos?Follow the #finlandiacheese and #finlandiabutter hashtags and tag your creations too. Follow @finlandia.cheese on Instagram and @finlandiacheese on Twitter and Facebook.

Here at ChiIL Mama, my husband and son cook just as much as my daughter and I do. Getting your family (and kids of all ages) involved in the kitchen can help create lasting memories and start an important conversation around nutrition and health. It also preps kids to grow into self sufficient adults who have a clue about feeding themselves and others in healthy ways. If you're in need of some culinary inspiration, check out the Finlandia Cheese Facebook page.

GET FINLANDIA: 

Ready to get grilling and baking with the best? Click HERE for a handy Finlandia product locator to find stores in your area.

Disclosure: Thanks to Finlandia for providing complimentary review samples. As always, all opinions are my own.