Exotic Family Travel Made Better by Shopping at Target for Luggage Backpacks + More

Travel

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own.

Enter to WIN a $25 Target Giftcard

Literally, we just got off the plane a few days ago from our most recent family adventure vacation, journeying from Southern California to Alaska. 

The Alaska coast on approach to Anchorage Airport, MommyBlogExpert.com

My hubby and I both grew up fortunate to vacation with our families at least once a year. That passion for all modes of travel by foot, land, sea and air to exotic places burned even brighter after we married. We've since passed that love of travel on to our four kids, who as teenagers have already been privileged to visit many beautiful destinations around the world: Western and Eastern Europe, Israel, Central America, Canada, Mexico, and Iceland, to name but a few.

Selfie on Surprise Glacier boat tour, MommyBlogExpert.com

Seasoned travelers that we are, we still manage to learn at least a few new things on every trip we take. Though we came prepared with coats, long sleeve t-shirts, pants and other clothes to keep us warm, the biggest surprise this time around during our trip to the 49th state still was how cold and rainy it was there. In fact, even though it was summer when we visited and it was 90+ degrees back home, we found ourselves wearing multiple layers and winter jackets just about every time we were outside as the temperature ranged from 40-60 degrees and it rained each day of our trip.

On the way through countryside, uphill to Denali via Alaska Railroad, MommyBlogExpert.com

Packing for a trip that is nearly the complete opposite climate where we live here in sunny Los Angeles, was quite challenging in and of itself. 

Our ATVs lined up in the rain, ready to roll through puddles & up hills, MommyBlogExpert.com 

However, since we were doing a lot of outdoor hiking and activities like touring the glaciers on a day trip, white water rafting and driving ATV vehicles, dressing for the weather wasn't the only problem we faced. 

Late summer Alaskan Wild Currants on a nature walk, MommyBlogExpert.com

We also required luggage for six people to transport everything we were going to need from raincoats, swimsuits, hats and boots to extra food for all the times we were in more remote areas.

SwissGear Zurich 28" Suitcase in Black & Burgundy instore at Target, MommyBlogExpert.com

Our oldest son's brand new, poorly made baggage (not bought at Target -- purchased elsewhere at an unnamed store) arrived at Anchorage Airport with the suitcase zipper torn off sometime during its first flight. 

After that minor fiasco upon arrival, how I wished instead I had known about and invested in the rugged and functional built-to-last SwissGear Zurich 28" suitcase which sells at Target for $149.99 for him. 

Target's huge in-store selection of SwissGear Backpacks, MommyBlogExpert.com

Don't get me wrong, that zipper snafu paled in comparison with how fabulous our vacation was overall. Nevertheless, in retrospect, I think the much better quality SwissGear luggage would have made our experience even better, especially when paired with a sturdy and roomy backpack like Target's SwissGear City Pack $39.99 to double as my son's carry on for the five hour flight north to carry his laptop, iPad Mini as well as to transport all his gear (water bottle, sunglasses, smartphone, etc) when he and his younger brother took off on a rigourous 10 mile mountain ridge hike near Denali National Park just a few days after we arrived. 

The SwissGear City Pack day backpack I recently discovered, currently featured in the Target Wedding Registry, is available at the big box retailer both instore and online with free shipping if you spend $50 or more. 

Just one of the SwissGear backpacks Target offers, MommyBlogExpert.com

Logo provided by Target 

Our next trip to the Southern Hemiphere -- with planning already in the works -- will definitely be different when it comes to upfront preparations. Early on as we map out future adventures to other exotic locales, my first stop will be to shop at Target both instore and online to make sure we have everything we need for an even more memorable journey. 

Find the right tools and accessories for your next ultimate summer adventure vacation by visiting the Target registry. I know that's where you'll find me before we travel again.

Win a $25 Target Giftcard

FTC Disclosure: This is a #TargetWedding #Sponsored post. I disclose that I will receive compensation in exchange for my time and effort on this review and the associated giveaway. Target is providing the giftcard and shipping for the winner's prize. However opinions here are my own. 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.

Giveaway Nature's Bakery Fig Bars Healthy Non GMO Kosher Vegan Snack Foods

Giveaway

This is a sponsored post

Scroll down to enter the Giveaway below 

In association with MBE's review of Nature's Bakery Fig Bars, which are certified Non GMO, Kosher and Vegan, I'm excited to be offering another delicious, healthy giveaway for readers.

Nature's Bakery

Fig Bars

GIVEAWAY

Ends 9/16/14

Image by Nature's Bakery

a Rafflecopter giveaway


MommyBlogExpert's Nature's Bakery Fig Bar 6-pack giveaway ends September 16, 2014 at 12 am PT and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Nature's Bakery will award ONE (1)  Nature's Bakery 6-pack to the winner (the prize is 1 of 10 varieties as determined by the brand). Winner of this MBE contest will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 24 hours to claim their prize.

To learn more about the Nature's Bakery Fig Bar collection, read this review. You can also keep up to date on everything else Nature's Bakery is doing by following the hashtags #FigLove and #NaturesBakeryPtc as well as connecting with the brand via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. If you love figs as much as I do, be sure to join the Fig Fanatics Program, too.

Good Luck!!!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a #FigLove #NaturesBakeryPtc sponsored post. I disclose that I received products and compensation to facilitate the associated review post and this giveway. Nature's Bakery is providing the prize and shipping for this giveaway MBE is hosting. However no payment was received and opinions here are my own. 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.

Natures Bakery Fig Bar Review + Giveaway

Good Food

MBE partnered with Nature's Bakery, post contains affiliate links

Healthy Kids Non-GMO Treats

Getting to sample and review delicious and healthy products like Nature's Bakery fig bars is one of the many perks to love about writing a lifestyle blog like this one. But these aren't just any fig bars the Nature's Bakery line will not only make readers' mouths water, they're also natural, cholesterol-free, dairy-free and certified kosher, too.

10 Flavors Available

• Strawberry Fig Bar
• Mango Fig Bar
• Lemon Fig Bar
• Apple Fig Bar
• Blueberry Fig Bar
• Whole Wheat Fig Bar
• Peach Apricot Fig Bar
• Raspberry Fig Bar
• Vanilla Fig Bar
• Vanilla Raspberry Fig Bar

Each 2 ounce twin pack comes individually packaged and displays not one but three food healthful certifications including Non GMO Project, OU - Dairy Kosher, and Vegan.  With two 1 ounce servings per package each bar is just 110 calories.

All these 100% natural bars begin with stone ground whole wheat, dried cane syrup, brown rice syrup, canola oil, rolled oats and various other good-for-you ingredients. Each bar type is also based on fresh figs that have been transformed into a fig paste. Then, depending on the variety, other fruits and healthy ingredients are added such as red cabbage extract, turmeric, and annatto extract which is derived from the seeds of tropical achiote trees.

Two of my fave fruits: Raspberries & Strawberries

After trying them for the first time, my family and I all agree on one thing -- no matter what flavor you like best, Nature's Bakery fig bars are all really good. These bars are perfect for a child's lunch box this fall. They are equally ideal for us adults to stash in our bags to eat either on the go or the morning commute to work as well as a pre- or post- gym workout energy boost.

The Nature's Bakery box I received for review was huge, including two each of nine different Fig Bar varieties...

MommyBlogExpert.com

About Nature's Bakery
The all natural snack food brand's collection of healthy fig bars are offered at retailers nationwide as well as online at Amazon and REI. Check NaturesBakery.com store locator for the location nearest you. Nature's Bakery is a family business that began when Richard Marson opened a bakery during the 1960s at the start of the natural foods craze. After several decades of work as a baker and businessman, Richard's son, Dave, along with Dave's son Sam Marson partnered to found Nature's Bakery in 2010. Stay up to date on the brand's latest news by following the hashtags #FigLove and #NaturesBakeryPtc as well as connecting with them via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. 

MommyBlogExpert.com

Win a 6-pack of

Nature's Bakery Fig Bars

GIVEAWAY

FTC Disclosure:  As a member of Nature's Bakery Insiders, MommyBlogExpert received samples of the products featured and was compensated to facilitate this review post and the associated giveaway. However, all opinions are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.