Natural Coconut Juice - A Healthful, Refreshing Beverage for Kids, Teens & Parents

Coconut Trees Accent My Daughters' Birthday Cake

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

 

Prior to receiving samples of Amy & Brian's drinks (pictured below) my kids, hubbie, and I only had tasted the more familiar coconut milk.  I hadn't even realized until then that there was a difference between coconut juice and coconut milk.  I mean, really, aren't these two both the same coconut "juice" many of us know and love?

The Amy & Brian All Natural Coconut Juice Varieties We Tried

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

As I learned, there is quite a difference indeed.  It turns out that coconut juice -- like the kind Amy & Brian's markets which is produced in Thailand -- comes from the pure water of green coconuts younger than 9 months in age.  This type of juice, which is clear in color, none of us had ever tried before.  

Conversely, coconut milk my family has enjoyed on many occasions.  We've drunk this straight as well as I've used it in Thai cooking and have often mixed it into Pina Colada drinks.  Unlike coconut juice, coconut milk is from expressed juice of mature coconuts mixed with water.  While the latter may be tastier and also nutritious in some aspects, the problem with coconut milk is that it also much higher in calories, sugars, and fats.

Four short years since Amy & Brian launched the first product, this innovative health drink has been covered by an eclectic variety of media ranging from Teen Vogue and Vegetarian Baby & Child to Gourmet Retailer Magazine and Tutti Foodie.  

This wide reaching sort of media attention is likely due -- at least in part -- to the claim that Amy & Brian's Coconut Juice is a natural isotonic beverage that is high in potassium (equivalent to a banana) and other electrolytes.  This quickly absorbs into the body as it resembles plasma in its salt concentration.  Not only that, this juice is lower in natural sugar and calories when compared not only with coconut milk but with most other popular fruit juices.  All these attributes make it a great choice for drinking by both in-active and physically active kids and adults.

Daddy & Daughter During Our Tasting

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

What Did Our Family Think?

Last evening, our family and a good friend sat down for a taste test to compare Amy & Brian's three All Natural Coconut Juices Regular (Plain),  With Lime, and With Pulp. All three adults and three of our four kids tried each of the company's three juice products.

What an interesting assortment of observations and sometimes surprising comments were expressed by both the kid and adult tasters around our table.

• The lime flavoring could be cut by half.  Otherwise, these are really good for my lifestyle since I like to run and work out at the gym.  I liked all three types that I tried.  Daddy

• Though the lime variety was good, the drink without pulp or flavor tasted bland and watery and reminded me of the Pedialyte I once tasted before giving it to my baby triplets when they were sick. Mommy

• This is really delicious. It's clear and nice and light, fresh and healthy-tasting.  Family Friend

• The lime was a little too "limey" for me.  Why don't they make a Pulp with Lime variety? I've got an idea, they should come out with a Punch flavored coconut juice.  That sounds weird -- I'm not even going to try it.  Assorted Kid Reactions

Amy & Brian All Natural Coconut Juices, available in three varieties, retail for approximately $1.79 per 17.5 oz can and are sold through natural, specialty, and beverage distributors nationwide.  The products are widely available at retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Earth Fare, Vitamin Cottage, Shaw’s Supermarkets, Ralphs and hundreds of natural and specialty food stores, as well as online at amazon.com.

Leave a Comment below this post.  Do you and/or your kids like Coconut Juice or Coconut Milk?

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert received the Amy & Brian Coconut Juices mentioned to facilitate the taste taste and this review.  However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.    

Lifting the Lid on Jambu's Cruise Boots for Adventurous Moms

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

The last time I wrote about this several weeks back, the lid on this shoe box was closed.  Now, it's time to look inside and find out what cool style Jambu headquarters in New York sent me to try out and review.  They gave me a choice, so I asked them for something stylish and functional that would be just the ticket for adventurous moms like me.

The Cruise Boot by Jambu
Available in USA & Canada at Zappos.com

When I unpacked The Cruise Jambu boots -- brand new this season -- that are pictured above, they did not disappoint.  In fact, I was absolutely floored at how superior these looked up close than the images on the brand's website.

That's not to say that all the product photography was not top notch and accurate, Jambu's various views of these were quite stunning actually.  It's just that the gorgeous rich chocolate brown suede-like texture with taupe accents of these sporty boots have to be touched and the other fashion nuances in this style boot such as the contrasting trim and other detailing have to be seen up close to truly be appreciated.

This style of footwear is hands down the perfect transitional boot for fall and going into winter for moms on the go.

Jambu Cruise Boot
Closeup of Photo from Jambu's Site
 
The Cruise is fashionable and functional, feminine and rugged

• Soft top-stitched tumble leather with contrasting crazy horse leather and nubuck
• 4" faux fur trim cuff continues inside tongue of the boot to keep legs really warm
• Soft fleece-like interior throughout rest of boot, from mid-calf to toe
• Combination bungee criss-cross lace up front w/ brass metal hardware
• Contrasting argyle machine embroidery pattern around back of boot heel
• Tongue in cheek touches: waffle textured toe, side zipper & above heel baseball stitching
• Deep, lush floral treads on boot bottom to minimize slipping on wet & icy surfaces
• Accented with Jambu's trademarked Sport Wedge Design
• Available in brown (the color reviewed) black, and taupe

The Cruise Has Soul Even on the Bottom of the Boot
Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert
 

As if that isn't convincing enough, Jambu uses only 100% recycled, recyclable and re-usable packaging.  The company extends that commitment to protecting the environment into the actual product, with every single pair of outsoles of their boots, shoes, and sandals, all manufactured with partially recycled and re-usable compressed rubber.

The Cruise from Jambu's Adventure Design Collection is priced at about $170 is available at PlanetShoes and Zappos as well as many other sources online.  Also may be purchased at select Macy's locations.  Visit Jambu online to find the closest location where you can purchase your own pair of these boots.  These are ideal for the busy moms with a sense of adventure who work and play hard 7 days per week with their kids -- whether on a family weekend outing or on the run taking the children to school and all their activities during the week.

Mommy Tries Out Jambu Cruise Boots on a shopping trip to The Grove in L.A. With My Girls

Photo by Mini MommyBlogExpert

What will I be wearing these cool, sleek boots with this fall and winter?   Bookmark this page now, because Another post on this blog is coming up soon, A Mommy Blogger Dresses Preppy From Toe to Head, that will tie in with my upcoming book review of True Prep.

FTC Disclosure:  I received a pair of Cruise Boots from Jambu to facilitate the upcoming series of posts reviewing the product.  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.       

Retro Combi Car All-In-One Baby Walker

Baby

Why didn't they have these when my triplets were babies?  Now available for a limited time at Zulily's special price of just $79.99 each ($107 retail elsewhere) I would have bought THREE of these.

This little Combi vintage-style car is perfect for stylish little kids on the go and has all kinds of cool features.  The kiddie car-style walker comes in pink for girls and blue for boys.  Hurry, though, this deal won't last forever and is only available on Zulily at this price until November 15 at 7 am PST or until these sell out, whichever is sooner.

Product Description:

This vintage-car-shaped activity walker has a steering wheel that turns, lights up and makes sounds. The bounce feature can be locked or unlock and the bottom of the walker has anti-skid pads for safety. Easy to clean -- just wipe down with a soft cloth and soapy water.  There's even a handy child-size snack-and-play tray under the removable front hood. What baby would not love this?

• Steering wheel turns, lights up and makes sounds
• Play mirrors
• Removable hood to access snack-and-play tray
• Handles aid new walkers
• Anti-skid pads
• Lockable bounce feature
• Wipe-clean seat cushion
• 28'' L x 26'' W x 21.5'' H
• Product weight: 14.05 lbs.
• Recommended for children who can sit upright unassisted
• Maximum carrying capacity: 25 lbs.
• Imported

Special Bonus:  Comes with a free Combi bib

What is Zulily, Anyway?

Zulily.com is a social buying online marketplace where you can purchase top-quality apparel, gear and other goodies for moms, babies and kids (both boys and girls).  Members can save up to 70% off retail prices—not to mention discover all the exciting new brands showcasing their products here. Only members can shop their sales, which typically last just a few days, but Zulily membership is FREE and sign up is fast and easy.
 

After you register, be sure to invite your friends to join, too.  For every new friend you invite to Zulily you'll receive a $10 credit to use on the site after your friend's first purchase is complete. There's no limit to how many friends you would like to invite or how many credits you can earn. As Zulily's shopping community grows, so will their ability to offer you even better prices and selection.  Based in Seattle, Washington, this online shopping opportunity was formed by retail and e-commerce veterans.  They're dedicated to bringing members great finds at great prices, as well as giving emerging brands a place to showcase their products.

Psst... Zulily tells me they'll be having lots of great upcoming promos leading into the holidays, too.  Next weekend, for example, they will be running another discount promotion and will also offer free shipping later in November. So be sure to sign up with Zulily.com so you don't miss out on these and other great perks.

What do you think of this car design baby walker? Please leave a comment below this post to share it now.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert is a regular guest columnist for Zulily's Blog.  However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any products, payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.