Citrus Lane January 2012 box

Citrus Lane is a monthly subscription box service. They send 4 to 5 "best of"  products based on child's age (newborn to 5 yrs) with a price of  $25 a month with free shipping. Citrus Lane has come up with a few changes in 2013. They extended the age from 3 yrs to 5 yrs  and there will be no themes for the monthly boxes except for some special occasions.
Shipping was super fast this month when compared to the last month. I was impressed by the contents of the box.
This box is for a 26 months old girl.

1. Skip* Hop Zoo plate and bowl set. 

She has a matching Owl Lunchie (Got an Owl Lunchie in the August box). 

2. Episencial Soothing creme and Playful wash sample.

3. CleanWell To-Go Disinfectant spray.

4. The Animal Boogie book from Barefoot Books.

Also got a 25% off coupon from Skip* Hop and a $5 coupon from Episencial.
 http://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/shirisha.prodduturi

Please use the link above  to start your monthly subscription. Right now you can start your monthly subscription for less. Get $10 off the cost of your new subscription. 

Citrus Lane Boxes May 2012 to December 2012

Who doesn't like surprises.....

I Clicked on the Citrus Lane ad by mistake while on facebook and  liked the idea of  subscription boxes with lots of surprises. Did a quick research on the internet and  thought of giving it a try for 3 months. I liked the boxes and renewed my subscription twice for 12 months.

Citrus Lane is a monthly subscription box service. They send 4 to 5 "best of"  products based on child's age (newborn to 3 yrs) with a price of  $25 a month with free shipping. Each month they send you a box organized around a theme you and your child can enjoy. The box changes each month based on the season and customer feedback. They usually ship the boxes around 15th of everymonth.

May 2012  "Fun in the Sun" 18 months old girl

1. iPlay sun protection hat $15.00

2. Green toys sand play set $21.95
3. Plum organics teensy fruits 2 pouches  $2.99 for a box of 5
4. Episencial sunny sunscreen travel size 2  $9.00
5. CleanWell disinfectant spray $4.49
6. Joyus  $15 gift card.  Used the card to buy Twilight turtle ( the nightlight that projects stars) 
This box is one of my favorite boxes.

 June 2012 "The little artists" 19 months old girl
1. Hohner kids Puppy flute $10.00
2. Eco-kids finger paints (2 pouches) and play dough (1 box) $12.00
3. Chronicle books Magical Menangerie one  $24.95 for a set of 20

4. Babyganics Stain remover  $3.99

5. Putumayo kids  Playground CD sampler  $5.00

6. A $35 gift card to Minted.com
This is not an impressive box.

July 2012 "Bon Voyage" 20 months old girl
1. Wee Knit Zoo animals finger Puppets 3  $7.00
2. Baggu Standard Bag $9.00
3. California Baby travel set (shampoo,conditioner and Jelly Mousse) $10
4. Dapple On-the-go baby laundry detergent 2 $1.99
5. Me4kidz Medi Buddy  $5.95
6. Ella's Kitchen Nibbly fingers $3.99
7. Sincerely Inc- 10 free Postagrams  $10.00
This box is ok.

2012 "Back to School" 21 months old girl
1. Skip*Hop Zoo Lunchie Insulated lunch bag Owl $14.00
2. Innobaby Packin' Smart Keepaa Drink Holder  $5.99
3. Bus stops Book by Chronicle books  $6.95
4. Plum Organics Little cremes $3.75
5. Eco-Me Dish soap and floor cleanser samples 4.00
This is my most favorite box.

September  2012 "Animal Parade"  22 months old girl
1. Begin Again Push along Duck $14.99
2. Green Sprouts Slicker bib $12.00
3. Babybug September issue $33.95 for 1yr subscription
4. Rich Frog Tub sponge Cat $5.95
5. Happy baby pouch $13.99 for an 8 pack
This is my least favorite box. 

October 2012  "Fall fun"  23 months old girl 
1. Munchkin Toddler Dip dish  $5.99
2. I can do it too book by chronicle Books $9.99
3. Oball by Rhino $4.99
4. Babyganics Smooth Moves $5.49
5. DHC deep cleansing oil Mini  $4.99
6. Ella's Kitchen Big smiles Cheesy Potatoes pouch $2.49
This box is ok.

November 2012  "Fun with food"  24 months old girl
1. Plan Toys Fruit and Veggie Play set of 3  $8.50 
2. Green Toys Green eats set of 4 snack bowls $6.99
3. Goodbyn small meals $6.49
4. Plum Organics Tots Mish Mash $1.69
5. Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer $9.00
6. Tiny Prints code for 20% off and free shipping
This is one of my favorite boxes.

December 2012  "A few of our favorite things"  25 months old girl
1. Green Toys Airplane $14.99
2. Pearhead Brag book $8.95
3. Renee and jeremy It's a big world CD  $12.00
4. GoGo Squeez fruit pouch $1.29
5. Madecasse 75% Cocoa mini chocolate bar $1.50
6. Ecomom offer $15.00
This box is ok.

 http://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/shirisha.prodduturi

Please use the link above  to start your monthly subscription. Right now you can start your monthly subscription for less. Get $10 off the cost of your new subscription.

Healthy eating.... Quinoa

My cousin suggested me to replace rice and bulgur wheat with Quinoa as it is a healthier option. It has a slight nutty flavour (like Sesame seeds) and tastes better than rice and wheat. It has better nutritional value than rice and wheat.
Quinoa grain can help to lose weight . Quinoa is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, and it leaves you feeling satisfied, not deprived. This is why quinoa is becoming popular as a grain alternative and weight loss food. 
Quinoa ( Keen-wah) is a pseudocereal  as it is not a member of the  grass family. Quinoa is closely related to species such as beets, spinach, and tumbleweeds is native to the Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Quinoa means "mother grain" in the Inca language and considered sacred by the Incas. 
Quinoa is called a supergrain, as it is highly nutritious   Quinoa  is a source of complete protein. The protein quality and quantity in quinoa seed is often superior to those of more common cereal grains due to the presence of all 8 essential amino acids. 

Quinoa also provides starch, sugars, oil, fiber, minerals, and  vitamins, anti-oxidants,Vitamin E, Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium,folate, fiber, phosphorus, Iron and copper.Quinoa is also a source of calcium, and thus is useful for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Sodium content is low in Quinoa.Quinoa's glycemic index rating makes it a more stable source of energy.

     

Crop	% dry weight
	Water	Crude Protein	Fat	Carbohydrates	Fiber	Ash
Quinoa	12.6	13.8	5.0	59.7	4.1	3.4
Barley	9.0	14.7	1.1	67.8	2.0	5.5
Buckwheat	10.7	18.5	4.9	43.5	18.2	4.2
Corn	13.5	8.7	3.9	70.9	1.7	1.2
Millet (Pearl)	11.0	11.9	4.0	68.6	2.0	2.0
Oat	13.5	11.1	4.6	57.6	0.3	2.9
Rice	11.0	7.3	0.4	80.4	0.4	0.5
Rye	13.5	11.5	1.2	69.6	2.6	1.5
Wheat (HRW)	10.9	13.0	1.6	70.0	2.7	1.8

Tanvi's first year

                                                             Mommy in the labour room

                                           Tanvi Chandra Thalladi was born on 9th December 2010

                                                      Tanvi with mommy and daddy in hospital

                                                          Tanvi ready to go home

                                                                    Tanvi in her carseat

                                               Tanvi with mom and dad on 11th day

                                                               Tanvi on 11th day

Tanvi with mom and dad on 21st day

Tanvi on 21st day

                                                                Tanvi on 21st day

Tanvi  with mom and dad on 21st day

Tanvi's first new year (2011)

Tanvi 1st month

Tanvi 2nd month

                                                         Tanvi's 1st bhogipallu

                                                                     Tanvi 3rd month

  Tanvi 4th month

                                                                     Tanvi's 1st Holi

                                                                         Tanvi 5th month

                                                                      Tanvi 6th month

                                                          Tanvi grabs syringes (Annaprashana)

                                                                  Tanvi 7th month

                                                                  Tanvi 8th month

                                                                     Tanvi 9th month

Tanvi 10th month

                                                               Tanvi 11th month

                                                                   Tanvi 12th month

                                                                 Tanvi's 1st birthday

                                                                 Tanvi's 1st birthday

 Tanvi  cuts the cake on 1st birthday

Citrus Lane June 2012 box review

Woohoo, the wait is over and I finally got my June's box. 

Please Check out the contents of the box June's Citrus Lane box with the theme " Little artists"

1. Hohner kids Puppy flute

2. Eco-kids finger paints (2 pouches) and play dough (1 box)

3. Chronicle books Magical Menangerie

4. Babyganics Stain remover 

5. Putumayo kids cd sampler and 

6. A $35 gift card to Minted.com

She loved the puppy flute and started playing with it right away and danced to the songs in the Putumayo cd sampler. 
The Theme for the July's Citrus lane box is "Bon Voyage" and I Can't wait to get my box.

 http://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/shirisha.prodduturi

Order today and take 10% off the cost of your subscription with code SPRINGFUN. That's up to $25 off an annual subscription! 3-month and 6-month subscriptions are also available. 

Beet root laddu

Beetroot is a rich source of potent antioxidants and nutrients, including magnesium, sodium, potassium and vitamin C, and betaine, which is important for cardiovascular health.

Here goes the recipe for the yummy  Beet root laddu

Beet root        1 cup
Sooji               1/2 cup
Sugar              1 cup( add more or less according to your taste)
Cardomom  powder  2Tspns
Ghee               5 Tbspns
 Dried coconut powder 3 Tbspns
Cashew nuts


Roast Sooji  in ghee until it turns light  brown.
Now add the grated Beet root, sugar, dried  coconut powder and cardamom powder to Sooji. Mix and make small balls with this mixture. Top the laddus with roasted Cashew nuts and store them in an air tight container. Store them in fridge for a longer shelf life.

Nature watch cruise in San diego

The unforgettable experience

Woohoo... it's the season for whale watching in San Diego. I decided to go on a nature cruise by San Diego harbor excursion. It's a six hour guided tour of  Islas Los Coronados and dead man's island where we get a chance to watch whales, dolphins, harbor seals, sea lions, orcas, sea gulls and herons in the mexican waters. I got  excited when they started boarding on Bright morning star at around 10am. We got seated comfortably on the top deck of the boat.  We had fun watching the schools of  Dolphins chasing the boat. We saw two humpback whales and the sightings were just for a few seconds and it was very disappointing. We  visited the luscious green  dead man's island. We saw many Sea lions and Seals basking in the sun. The water around the island is clear blue in color. The blue water hitting the island looks very beautiful  and its an unforgettable scene. Our next stop is Bird rock island where we saw many species of birds. The  white coloured rocks in the island were covered with feces of the birds.

On the way  back to San Diego, we walked around the cockpit and  talked with the Captain of the ship. It's a very wonderful day at the sea.