6 Doctor's Tips for Pregnant & New Moms Good Health During Winter Cold & Flu Season

Health

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With the flu season already upon us, if you are now pregnant or mothering a newborn at home, it's more important than ever to consider the critical role circulation plays in keeping yourself healthy during these cold winter months. Even without lower temperatures, pregnancy followed by long hours on your feet day and night with your baby can contribute to the formation of painful varicose veins forming as a result of lack of circulation in the legs.

Image from Dr. Navarro

Cold weather complicates things still further, causing circulation issues to multiply. In fact, when temperatures drop, the body reduces blood flow to the extremities, as a way to keep the blood in the main arteries of the body nearest vital organs. This often causes cold hands and feet, making flu season even more difficult and uncomfortable for you and your newborn to get through.

Womens' varicose veins can be unsightly and painful, Image  from Dr. Navarro

To combat these health concerns affecting both pregnant and new mothers -- particularly during the coldest season we are now experiencing -- Dr. Luis Navarro, Director of The Vein Treatment Center, suggests some easy and effective ways to optimize blood circulation.

• GET REGULAR EXERCISE. Any type of exercise that strengthens the "second heart" - the muscles of the calf and foot - is beneficial. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week.
• WEAR GRADUATED COMPRESSION STOCKING. Compression stockings act like an added layer of muscle, aiding the performance of the "second heart" and venous circulation.  
• MONITOR HORMONE INTAKE. Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy constrict blood vessels and can weaken vein valves and vein walls.
• AVOID PROLONGED PERIODS OF SITTING AND STANDING. Rotate your ankles and feet whenever possible, walk for at least 10 minutes every hour, and point and flex your toes to promote leg vein circulation.
• ELEVATE YOUR FEET. Raise your feet 6 to 12 inches above your heart whenever possible to assist circulation. 
• EAT A HIGH FIBER & LOW SALT DIET. Salt retains water and constipation puts pressure on the venous system. 

Luis Navarro, M.D., Image from Dr. Navarro

About Dr. Navarro
Luis Navarro, M.D., M.D., FACS, is the Founder and Medical Director of The Vein Treatment Center, established in 1982. Dr. Navarro is a Diplomat of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American College of Phlebology, International Union of Phlebology, Canadian Society of Phlebology, American Society of Laser Medicine, and numerous other venous-related societies.

FTC Disclosure: No payment was exchanged for 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.

Twitter Parties This Week With Great Prizes January 20 - 26

Twitter Parties

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Updated 1/25/13  - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, January 20

Super Dog Super Sunday Event Barkers Twitter Party 4-5:50 pm ET with @EventBarkers. More than $1000 in dog-friendly prizes #SuperDogPics RSVP

Monday, January 21

Lexus Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @4hatsandfrugal @Lexus. Prizes: TWO (2) $25 American Express gift cards. Participate with hashtag #MakeYourMarkES Details

Avocado Bowl Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @PGAvocados @BirdBanter @WholesomeMommy and others. Prizes: THREE (3) Winners each get 6 pounds Avocados + 1 Case Tortilla Pop Chips Variety Pack. Grand Prize: A Super Molcajete Bowl with 6 pounds Avocados, football theme napkins, guacamole seasonings and 24 one ounce bags PopChips Tortilla Chips in 4 new flavors.   #AvocadoBowl RSVP

Mamavation Twitter Party at 8-10 pm ET with @Mamavation. Prizes: FOUR (4) $25 Paypal payouts and FOUR (4) fitness books. #Mamavation RSVP

Radiant Cosmetics Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @radiantcosmetics @manouvellemode @thegrantlife and others. Lots of prizes. #CopyCatCloset RSVP

Tuesday, January 22

Campbell's Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @CampbellKitchen @TheMommyFiles @miscfinds4U @CBTweetChat. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 Visa gift cards and ONE (1) $100 Visa GC. #Dinnerin15 #cbias RSVP

Safe Haven Twitter Party with actor Josh Duhamel at 3:30 pm ET with @SafeHavenMovie @JoshDuhamel. Prizes: FIFTEEN (15) winners will receive $15 Fandango Bucks plus Safe Haven book and ONE (1) Grand Prize winner will get a custom skinned Nook HD. #SafeHavenChat RSVP

Feel Better Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @FeelBetterFL @Listen2Lena & others. Prizes TBA - Canada only.  #FeelBetter RSVP

Cheese Chatter Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @FoodieWithFamily @LandoLakesKtchn. Prizes from Land O Lakes #CheeseChatter RSVP

Feeding Project Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @momtrends @SavvySassyMoms @PedigreeUS. Prizes: FIVE (5) Dogs Rule Prize Packages. No RSVP, participate with hashtag #FeedingProject

Romance on a Budget Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cleverlysimple @debtfreespendin @thriftyNWmom @Savings @Savings_Nation @ValPakCoupons. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 See's Candies gift card, TWO (2) $50 Amazon GCs, ONE (1) $100 Target GC and TWO (2) $100 Visa GCs. #LovetoSave RSVP

Pampers Swaddlers and Target Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MomitForward @Pampers @Target @AudreyMcClellan and others. Prizes: THREE (3) winners will each receive: On-the-Go Diapering kit, Pampers Wipes & a $125 Target giftcard. #4to5xeasier#gno RSVP

Keeping Our Resolutions with Net10 Twitter Party 9-10:30 pm ET with @Net10Latino @JollyMommy @LatinoMarketing @LatinaMomBlogs. SIX (6) Prizes, including THREE (3) Samsung Galaxy Tablets and THREE (3) $100 Visa gift cards. #Net10Latino RSVP

Wednesday, January 23

Happy Healthy Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @proverbswife. Prizes FOUR (4) $50 Walgreens gift cards, TWO (2) $75 GCs and ONE (1) Grand Prize $150 GC. #HappyHealthy #cbias RSVP 

SunRype Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @SheSpeaksUp @SunRypeUSA. $300 in prizes including gift cards & SunRype products. #SunRype RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prizes: Kindle Fire, Roku set top box and TWENTY (20) Redbox rentals. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Origami Owl Custom Jewelry Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @saramomof2 @hootparty. Prizes: Jewelry. #HootParty RSVP

Thursday, January 24

Smart & Final Choose Smart Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @GlitterFelt @SomedayIllLearn @cbTweetChat. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 Smart & Final giftcards and ONE (1) $100 Smart & Final GC. #ChooseSmart #cbias RSVP

LifeLock Identity Thief Twitter Party at 2:30 pm ET with @LifeLock @Crissy. Prize: ONE (1) $500 Visa giftcard and THREE (3) one year LifeLock memberships. #LifeLock Details

Mom Inspirations Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cafeyak talking about picky eaters. Lots of Prizes: Chocolate, Book, Lunch Tote and Games. #MomInspiration RSVP

Bread Juicer Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Dempsters @listen2Lena @MyChaos @SassyModernMom. Prizes: TBA - Canada Only. #BreadJuicer RSVP

Staying Healthy Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @HappySuperfoods. Assorted family-friendly prizes. #HFWinterHealth RSVP

Love Ripley's Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Ripleys @SavinFamilyMoney @SimplyStAug @FLChats. Prizes: TBA. #LoveRipleys RSVP

Teen Time CraveBox Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @CraveBox. Prizes every 10 minutes #TeenTime RSVP

Safari Ltd Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @ChildhoodBeckon @SafariLtd. Prizes TBA. #educationalplay RSVP

Love is a Work of Art Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @alextoys @MyFourMonkeys @MamaSmiles. Prizes: $175 worth of arts & crafts supplies. #ALEXArt RSVP

Tween Spot Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @30secondmom @tweenspot. Prizes TBA. #30secondmom RSVP

Friday, January 25

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: LG Lucid smartphone + $125 Verizon Gift Card or a TREK 2000 Rechargeable Power Bank. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

For Dummies Twitter Party with @ResourcefulMom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: Dummies Giftpack, $25 Amazon gift card, $25 Barnes & Noble GC, assorted other Dummies book prize packs, $100 Amazon GC, For Dummies Accoustic Guitar Starter Pack ($159 value) and Dummies Keyboard Starter Pack ($200 value). #ForDummies RSVP


NEXT WEEK

Monday, January 28

Manwich Mandays Twitter Party with @ResourcefulMom @HowtobeaDad at 9 pm ET. Prizes: FOUR (4) Manwich prize packs that include branded goodies + $30 grocery giftcard. ONE (1) Grand Prize includes Manwich goodies + $100 grocery GC.  RSVP

Rustic Crust American Flatbread Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @RusticCrust @afbproducts @BlogRConnection @RachelFerrucci and others. Prizes. #BigGameParty RSVP

Tuesday, January 29

Conscious Parenting From The Heart Twitter Party at Noon ET with @somedayilllearn @SDBargainmama @_jennlaurent. Prizes: $25, $50, $75 and $100 Visa gift cards plus other prizes. #FromtheHeart RSVP

Goodness Knows Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with Mom Bloggers Club. Prizes: TBA. More Details soon

Love Your Local Safeway Twitter Party at 4 pm ET with @CanadianBeef. Prizes - Canada Only. #LoveCDNBeef RSVP

Sunstar G.U.M. Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @MomSparkMedia. Prizes: TBA. #MODAwards Watch for more details soon!

Homeschool Buyers Co-Op Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @HSBuyersCoop @momof3boys3702 @CrystalandComp. $1000 in homeschool prizes. #HSSaveBig RSVP

Stanley Steemer Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @StanleySteemer @Julie_Edelman @MomItForward and others. Prize: $250 Stanley Steemer giftcard. #stanleysteemer #gno RSVP

Wednesday, January 30

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, January 31

EAS Sports Nutrition New Year Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @FabFitFun @EASBrand. Prizes: TBA. RSVP

Friday, February 1

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


Coming Soon

Tuesday, February 5

Disney's Peter Pan Twitter Party with @Disney @SocialMoms @StacieinAtlanta at 7 pm ET. Prizes: THIRTY (30) DVD Blu-ray Peter Pan combo packs, including 10 to be given away for tweeting an invite to the party and 20 giveaways during the party. #PeterPanDiamond RSVP

Wednesday, February 6

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, February 7

The Home Depot Twitter Party at 8 pm ET to discuss their new Do It Herself workshops with @MomSpark. Prizes: Home Depot giftcards. Details Soon #DIHWorkshop RSVP

Friday, February 8 

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog.  

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any 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.

Family Friendly Healthy Gift Box Snack Foods That Also Taste Great + 25% Off Savings

Good Food

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Health nuts like me are always on the look out for the next big thing in healthy good-for-you natural foods to feed my active family of six, including four teens. Even those of you just seeking reasonably-priced, great tasting food that will satisfy your kids growing appetites are likely to be interested in this post which is all about a health snack startup that cares as much as you do about proper nutrition, a brand that was created to help kids and adults at every stage of life eat healthier and live well.

Healthy Snacks Overflow out of the NatureBox

"Food and nutrition play a vital role in life and with the right tools, we believe that anyone can be healthy," explains Gautam Gupta, co-founder of NatureBox. "Even slight changes to daily diet can amount to meaningful impact in how you enjoy life."

That's the premise upon which NatureBox was built. A company that enlists the talents of its passionate team of health foodies who scour the world in search of the most unique, tasty, and healthiest snacks on the planet. But this is no ordinary consumer food brand and you won't find their exclusive healthful items in any store. Instead, the company's delicious and nutritious foods are only available online from NatureBox.com, delivered straight to your door. With the convenience of at-home delivery, eating well couldn't be any easier, whether you're snacking out of the bag on the go or incorporating their health morsels into a range of simple to gourmet recipes you cook at home for your family 

The NatureBox sent to us recently was one-of-a-kind and seriously delicious. Inside the tastefully (figuratively and literally) presentation box were five full-size vegan natural snacks for my family to sample  

• Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
• Chipotle Maple Almonds
• Country Ranch Peas
• Carrot Chips
• Cinnamon Spiced Granola

NatureBox Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Seeds

Every product the company offers adheres to the same strict nutritional standards which means there is 

• No High Fructose
• No Partially Hydrogenated Oils
• No Trans Fats
• No Artificial Sweeteners
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors 

MBE's Sweet & Savory Broiled Salmon with Dill & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

For sure, each of the delectable treats we received were yummy savored out of the package but they also inspired me to cook up some equally healthy main and side dishes for dinner. The box included a recipe card if you need some ideas to prepare a meal with the products. Alternately, you can dream up your own concoctions with the ingredients you receive. 

That's what I did, creating two original recipes using the NatureBox Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Seeds including Sweet Savory Broiled Salmon with Dill & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds and Roasted Squash With Rosemary and Pumpkin Seeds. I love that the pumpkin seeds come shelled and seasoned, ready to add to whatever I'm stirring up. Definitely my favorite selection in the package that arrived on our family's doorstep. 

And I can't wait to create some more sumptuous dishes with the other packages that came in our box.

My Roasted Squash with Rosemary & Pumpkin Seeds

Each Nature Box always ships free and is uniquely themed, nutritionist-approved and beautifully packaged featuring an eclectic selection of full-size healthy snack treats. When you sign up for a subscription either for yourself or as a gift you can choose to discover new treats each month or you can personalize a NatureBox based upon specific dietary needs. 

The cost options include: $19.95/month for the deluxe package (5 full-size snacks), $29.95 for the family snacker (serves 4-5 people) and $59.95 for the professional snacker (serves 8-10). There is never a commitment or minimum to buy and you can cancel any time. Check out the various monthly healthy combo boxes that have been offered since July by the young and promising company.

There's a community service element too that I want to share with you. To help fight hunger in the U.S., NatureBox donates one meal for every box sold to help feed over 14 million children in America who might go hungry.

These healthy boxes might be really good for your own family, but don't keep something this delicious to yourself. Instead, consider buying some as gifts, too -- they're perfect for giving for just about any occasion from birthdays to teacher and hostess gifts to just-because presents to healthy alternative gifts for Valentine's Day.

Special 25% Discount Offer

for MommyBlogExpert Readers

That's right. Save 25% off your first month's NatureBox when you use Promo Code REFER25 at checkout on NatureBox.com. Share this deal tip with your friends,  so they can save big too.

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and I received an assortment of NatureBox products to facilitate this review. However, thoughts in this blogpost 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.

The Swan Princess Christmas Kids DVD Review

Movies

This American 2012 fantasy film -- the fourth installment in the popular The Swan Princess franchise that began in 1994 -- uses CG-animation for the first time.  The DVD has a run time of approximately 84 minutes and is rated PG.

MBE partnered with Sony Pictures for this story

Movie Review

If you've got young children at your house I'm especially glad you're reading this post. That's because Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Nest Entertainment released the family-friendly The Swan Princess Christmas on DVD for the holidays that is now available exclusively at Walmart. A CD with the movie's soundtrack is sold separately.

Since I received the opportunity to watch and review it I'd like to share my reactions with you on this enchanting children's picture. 

Christmas may be 11 months away now, but this is so charming and engaging that I think youngsters and whole families will enjoy watching this year round together. In this rendition, Princess Odette, Prince Derek and their woodland friends are back in an all-new Christmas celebration adventure. Beautifully presented, the DVD features music by Anna Graceman from TV's "America's Got Talent." 

Watch the movie trailer now...

Special Features with The Swan Princess Christmas DVD include 

• Storybook Read-Along
• Two Sing-Along Videos
• Making of the Music Video

With another beautiful movie now available for little ones, I'm happy to share that MommyBlogExpert is hosting another fun giveaway for my readers. Read on for details on how to enter The Swan Princess Christmas Giveaway which includes not only the DVD but also the Original Soundtrack CD, one of the stuffed animal characters from the movie, and a blanket that will keep your child warm all winter.

The Swan Princess

4-piece Gift Basket

GIVEAWAY

Ends 2/22/13

The Swan Princess Christmas Prize Package includes

- 1 The Swan Princess Christmas Soundtrack CD
- 1 The Swan Princess Christmas DVD
- 1 The Swan Princess Fleece Blanket
- 1 The Swan Princess Plush Character*

*Sony's choice of either Puffin, Jean-Bob (the frog) or Speed (the turtle)

 

HOW TO ENTER

Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends February 22, 2013 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive 1 The Swan Princess Christmas DVD, 1 The Swan Princess Christmas Soundtrack CD, 1 The Swan Princess Christmas Fleece Blanket and 1 The Swan Princess Christmas Plush Character (Sony's choice of either Puffin, Jean-Bob the frog or Speed the turtle).  Winner will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter 

2. Like @mommyblogexpert Facebook
3. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Pinterest

4. Follow @SonyPictures on Twitter

5. Like @SonyPictures on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***

You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet to copy and paste:

I entered to win @SonyPicture 's The Swan Princess Kids DVD Movie 4-piece Gift Basket Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/bkclmwt

More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways

ENTER Them All HERE

FTC Disclosure: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment provided the movie to facilitate review and is providing the prizes and shipping for this giveaway. However, thoughts in this blogpost 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.

2013 International CES Unveiled - A First Look at Some Cool & Innovative New Technologies

Technology

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Having just returned from the 2013 International CES consumer electronics show -- the world's largest trade show in history -- in Las Vegas, I can assure you that navigating this mega event is a lot like venturing into the wilds of a jungle in Costa Rica.

Jungle near Monte Verde, Costa Rica

As I walked the show I didn't encounter any Viper snakes or Howling Monkeys along the way like the ones you'd expect to find in a Central or South American rainforest. Still, it was just as challenging to cut through the crowds wherever I went to get where I wanted to go.

My full week of on-the-scene media coverage for MommyBlogExpert began with CES Unveiled, a press party held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in the South Seas Ballroom. 

Media members as far as the eye can see line up for CES Unveiled '13 

By the time I reached the door I couldn't wait to see what was inside

The event gave the press a sneak peek at some of the exhibiting companies' products and services that were revealed to the masses on the multi-venue show floor two days later. But before I get into my favorite tech exhibitors that night, first take a look at some of the abundant colorful and extravagant food and drinks that were served. From elegant, artistically arranged crudités to Apple and Blue Raspberry Martinis springing forth from a huge ice sculpture to a seemingly endless tapestry of elegant desserts and much more, this special evening from 100% First Class.

All that gorgeous food really was just a prelude of what was to come. This media affair involving more than a thousand reporters, producers and analysts all vying for a first glimpse at 70+ companies' wares was a mob scene, for sure. Still, I managed to discover and photograph some really cool tech innovations to feature in this post.

Here I am with the "World's Largest Singing Toothbrush" that Brush Buddies debuted at their booth this year. The brand's line of singing toothbrushes now includes not only the best-selling Justin Bieber model but Lady Gaga, One Direction, LMFAO and PSY Gangnam Style -- who dethroned Bieber just a handful of months ago as the most-watched YouTube artist of all time. Brush Buddies says that when compared with manual toothbrushes, talking and singing toothbrushes make brushing fun and increase brushing time by 73%. For those not into singing or the particular artists currently available, a new line of Bling Toothbrushes is on its way, too, coming out later in the first quarter of 2013. 

I couldn't have been more thrilled to have been one of the lucky press corps members to receive one of approximately 100 FitBugs that were given away at this booth so I could join in the brand's CES Marathon Challenge.  I've owned pedometers before (by other manufacturers). This one is different because it is Bluetooth-enabled, automatically uploading walking data on the go via my iPhone. In fact, finding out that I walked 26.5 miles between Monday and Friday at the show has motivated me to continue using this fitness device to exercise more now that I'm home. And guess what? I'm actually wearing it right now!    

Meanwhile, Griffin Technology showed off their super cute and fun new kid-friendly KaZoo line of animal-inspired headphones, cases and accessories.  Top Picture: Several of their new colorful and durable silicone iPod Touch cases and coordinating Kazoo Charms Lanyard bling. Bottom Picture: Kazoo headphones, a SpongeBob pillow and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles iPad case.

Over at House of Marley, celebrity Rohan Marley, son of the late great reggae icon Bob Marley, was holding court. When I stopped by he was speaking passionately about -- what else but music and his namesake brand's in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones. If you ask me, Rohan is just as iconic as his father, definitely a chip off the old block.

When I visited the Trakdot booth I was surprised to learn that a whopping 26 million bags get lost during air travel annually. If you want to know your suitcase(s) whereabouts at all times while traveling, especially after being checked-in by your favorite airline, Trakdot Luggage by GlobaTrac might be worth checking into.

Think you're looking at a Microsoft Surface Tablet or just another ultra book? Think again and take a closer look. This is the new rip and flip ThinkPad Helix running Windows 8 that Lenovo was showing at CES Unveiled. Due out in February, this convertible yet powerful ultrabook will sell for $1,499. If early press reviews are any indication, the ThinkPad Helix appears poised to be a real hit with consumers when it is available next month.

Another cool discovery at the event was SpareOne which was honored with a CES 2013 Best of Innovations Award.  Here's an affordable phone that will be there ready to help you in an emergency and, according to its manufacturer, the only device of its kind in the world that is powered by a standard AA battery. Offering 10 hours of talk time off a single battery it has the added bonus of a mini torch light that stays lit for up to 24 hours. Amazingly, in its unused state it can hold a charge for up to 15 years. And the best part is that it is able to make one-button emergency phone calls without a SIM card.

A few other fascinating CES Unveiled finds...

At the Ion Audio Booth

At the iHome Booth

At the myCharge Booth

Watch for many more posts in the weeks and months ahead about CES 2013. Your roving reporter will be covering all manner of technology enhancing family life for moms, dads, kids and extended family members. 

FTC Disclosure: I attended 2013 International CES 2013 as a credentialed member of the press. No payment received for 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.