Gugu Guru

Sweeten Up Your Life: Discover the Best-Tasting Natural Sweetener

The problem with sugar is nothing new. We’ve heard about how dangerous sugar is for your body for years now. That’s why we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of natural sweeteners flooding the market.

Everywhere you look, you can find a substitute for sugar that claims to be the best. But many of those products are flavorless or leave you wanting more.

And if it doesn’t taste good, what’s the point? You might as well stick with sugar – you know you won’t make it trying to replace your favorite treat with something that leaves you feeling unsatisfied.

That’s why SweetLeaf does it better. At SweetLeaf, natural sugar substitutes aren’t new to us. They’ve been in the game for over 40 years, bringing you better-tasting, healthier substitutes for sugar.

Not only that, but now they’ve made it easier than ever to get the sweet taste you crave without feeling bad about it later.

What’s Wrong With Sugar?

You can hear it shouted from the rooftops – stay away from sugar. But why? What’s so bad about eating sugar?

The truth is, sugar by itself isn’t a bad thing. It’s the OVER consumption of sugar that’ll get you in trouble. Eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and diabetes in the long term.

There’s also the short-term negative effects of too much sugar. This can show up as cavities, migraines, and those awful blood sugar spikes that can leave you feeling jittery or totally depleted.

You may be thinking you can avoid eating too much sugar by cutting sugar out of your diet. That’s a common pitfall people get into when they want to avoid overconsumption.

Unfortunately, nearly everything you can buy at a grocery store is loaded with hidden sugars. Fast food? Forget about it. You might as well down an entire bag of sugar by itself. Our culture is ruled by sugar.

If you’re one of the disciplined ones who manages to reduce your sugar intake, it’s likely that you’ll fall right back into the sugar temptation within a few days or weeks. Our bodies are so conditioned to eat sugar that without its sweet taste, our mind goes into crazy cravings mode. You won’t be satisfied until you allow yourself to indulge.

And then the negative sugar cycle starts all over.

The bottom line: too much sugar is a problem for our bodies but cutting it out isn’t sustainable for most people. We need a natural sweetener to act as a substitute for sugar so we can get all the taste without any of the consequences.

The Natural Sweetener Your Body Craves

When it comes to natural sweeteners, it’s all about the taste without the crash later.

SweetLeaf natural sweeteners do it differently.

Here’s why their sweeteners are better tasting and better for you:

Stevia. Stevia’s a common plant in Central and South America. It has an intensely sweet taste – up to 300 times that of sugar, which means you don’t need much to pack a punch. The best part is, it has zero calories so you can indulge without the guilt. Stevia also doesn’t affect your blood sugar like normal sugar so those jitters and crashes are a thing of the past. They were the first to bring stevia to the United States over 40 years ago. So they’ve had plenty of time to test, try, and create the perfect recipe to bring you the sweetest, most delicious taste using the stevia plant.
Monk Fruit. They added monk fruit to our family of products in 2020, but it’s been a staple in Chinese medicine for years. Monk fruit is up to 200 times sweeter than sugar and has zero calories. Just like stevia, you get the sweetness you crave without the negative consequences to your body.

These two natural ingredients plus their dedication to bringing you the best tasting sweeteners on the market are a recipe for success. Their passion means a sweeter, healthier life for you.

Taste and Versatility: A Winning Combination

The first question everyone has when trying something new to replace an old favorite is, “Is it going to taste good?”

When it comes to SweetLeaf natural sweeteners, the answer is an easy *YES!*

SweetLeaf prides itself in crafting the best-tasting sugar substitutes. Their unique formulas enhance the natural ingredients and give you a pure, sweet taste.

Maybe you’ve tried other stevia products before that left you with an awkward aftertaste or tingly feeling in your mouth. You won’t find that here. These sweeteners blend in naturally so you won’t notice a difference in the taste, just in how amazing you feel afterwards.

But don’t just take our word for it. Check out one of the 30+ awards their delicious sweeteners have won for their taste and innovation. They’re the best and have the recognition to prove it.

And something that tastes this good deserves to be more than a one-trick pony.

You can use SweetLeaf sweeteners in just about anything. From coffee to baking to adding a splash of sweetness to your favorite dishes, we’ll help you get the sweetness you crave without the junk.

Not only is SweetLeaf bringing the sweetness to your favorite recipes, but they also want to encourage your kitchen creativity. Check out their Sweet Drops, which come in a variety of flavors, to bring some change into your recipes.

Add their natural sweeteners to any recipe in your wheelhouse and feel the difference – a seamless mesh of natural sweetness with your recipe – no aftertaste, no guilt, no side effects.

All the sweetness. None of the guilt. Talk about a recipe for success.

Making the Switch to Natural Sweeteners

Switching from sugar to a natural sweetener doesn’t have to be tough or scary. Use these tips to make the transition a little easier.

Start slow. Take it one recipe at a time. Replace the sugar with their natural sweeteners little by little. This gives your body time to adjust.
Experiment. Try out different flavors and recipes. Some need a little more, some need a little less. Look at cooking as an experiment to create perfection.
Learn more. If you start to waver, brush up on your research about the health benefits of stevia and monk fruit. Chances are, you’ll be motivated again in no time.

Changing your lifestyle can feel daunting. Rely on SweetLeaf’s made-from-nature sweeteners to make substituting sugar an easy, tasty decision you’ll feel good about.

Ready to feel good about making the swap to a natural sweetener?

Learn more here and start your journey toward a sweeter, healthier life.

Rise of Faceless Marketing

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Many parents, particularly moms, are increasingly hesitant to share their children’s faces on social media for several reasons. Privacy, safety and unwanted attention to name a few. While the movement to leave kids out of content has been gaining momentum for a while, the documentary “Quiet on Set” Nickelodeon seemed to add a tremendous amount of fuel to the fire.

faceless and kid-less social media content

What’s interesting and almost unrelated is now many moms are choosing not to show their own faces in the content either with the rise of Faceless Social Media.

The Movement to Remove Kids from Content
Even before the documentary, there has been a growing awareness about the child’s right to privacy and consent. Kids, as they grow older, might not appreciate having their lives documented publicly without their approval – especially moments that could be sensitive or embarrassing (like toddler meltdowns.)

Safety is another significant factor. Parents want to protect their children from potential dangers, such as online predators or cyberbullying. In addition, many parents are concerned about the psychological impact of growing up in the digital spotlight, which might pressure children to perform or behave in certain ways.

On TikTok, many accounts featuring children – most notably Wren Eleanor and her mother Jacquelyn – have received a firestorm of comments from the social media community urging the parents to stop showing their children in the content. The concern seemed to skyrocket after Quiet on Set debuted.

Whether you’re a brand or a mom creator, here are some easy ways to respect a minor’s privacy and not show his or her face in the content.

Focus on product only. This can easily be done with simple product shots or video or with flat lay photography.
Simply don’t show their face. The back of their head works just fine. Sun Protective Apparel Brand Walababy implements this technique for all of its marketing.
Use a doll or stuffed animal. The infant massage platform Kahlmi has done a great job of this.
Obscure using graphics or editing. Use an emoji or simply blur the face.

A Growing Trend Toward Faceless Content in General

The rise of faceless social media accounts has created a unique niche for content creators who prefer to remain anonymous while still building an online presence. A faceless social media account is exactly what it sounds like: an account where the creator does not show their face. Instead, these accounts focus on niche content, such as quotes, lifestyle photos & videos, products, memes, or any other subject that doesn’t require the creator’s personal identity to be front and center.

The Appeal of Faceless Accounts

Faceless accounts have become popular for several reasons:

Anonymity: By not showing their face, creators can maintain their privacy and avoid the pressures and scrutiny that come along with social media.
Focus on Content: These accounts emphasize the content itself, allowing followers to connect with the themes and messages rather than the person behind the account.
Flexibility: Without the need to appear on camera, creators can focus on high-quality content production, posting more frequently and consistently.

How Faceless Accounts Can Work to a Brand’s Advantage.

At Gugu Guru, we see an advantage for brands – specifically parenting brands – to explore faceless marketing. In the case of Walababy and their intentional move to never show kids in their marketing content, they have already gained a lot of favor from parents who appreciate this approach.

There are advantages, as well, for brands to consider not using a “face of the brand” (when it’s not the founder of the brand.) First off, a brand isn’t tied to a single creator’s face. Teams change, people move on- tying your brand to one face or spokesperson is a liability. With parenting brands in particular, a parent or child can “age out” of a product or service – making it difficult or sometimes impossible to create the content required. Brands can utilize a faceless approach for more flexibility and focus on the product.

And for brands who have an exit strategy in mind, it is also worth mentioning that a brand should not be so tightly tied to any founder or team member in a way the brand can’t really “exist” without that individual and/or the content would suffer greatly. This is also a longterm benefit to faceless content.

You Need This on Your Baby Registry in 2024

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Being a new parent can be scary. Even after you read every eBook and watch all the how-to’s, you still don’t feel prepared.

Once you bring your bundle of joy home, it’s up to you to get it all figured out.

Sometimes, you need a little help to boost your confidence and give you the peace of mind you need.

Enter, Aura.

Aura is your perfect parent assistant and is here to help day or night.

“The Aura monitor has been a life saver for me. I have been able to take care of tasks that seemed impossible before, thanks to this monitor.” – Kelsea H. 12/12/2023

Read on to see how Aura can simplify your life and let you breathe easy.

Non-wearable Breathing Motion Monitoring

A sleeping baby should be your cue for rest and relaxation, right? For most parents, that is completely wrong!

A sleeping baby triggers overwhelming anxiety.

Are they breathing?
Are they comfortable?
What if they roll over – can they still breathe?

These are all legitimate concerns and your natural instinct to keep your baby safe.

But with Aura, you CAN take time to rest while your baby’s asleep. You don’t have to give in to the flood of anxiety anymore.

“The app measures the baby’s breathing rate when they are not actively moving, giving comfort that a quiet sleeping baby is healthy and happy.” – Donald W. 12/19/2023

Aura uses AI vision technology to monitor your baby’s breathing so you don’t have to.

This breakthrough technology replaces the need to strap your baby into uncomfortable monitors. You don’t have to struggle between having peace and the fear of sensors connected to your developing newborn. Aura gives you trusted breathing detection without any wearable monitors or sensors – the best of both worlds.

“Not having to attach any wearable device or “tracking” clothing is so convenient and you don’t have to worry about anything harming your child.” – Karen R. 10/17/2023

Forget checking on them every few minutes. Gone are the days of waking up in a panic to make sure they’re still breathing.

Aura works all the time, giving you a well-deserved moment of rest.

Wake-up Call

Once your newborn hits three months, you’ll want to develop a sleep schedule. But no matter what the latest and greatest books say, babies don’t conform to a pre-set schedule.

You have to learn your baby’s individual sleep patterns and create a schedule that works for them.

Of course, you can encourage your little one to sleep longer and have less overnight waking. But following a rigid timeline of exactly when your little one should nap, eat, and sleep isn’t going to happen.

When it’s time to create a sleep schedule for your baby, the first step is monitoring their natural sleep habits. Do they fall asleep after eating? Do they wake and self-soothe? Do they need you as soon as they wake up?

Trying to keep track of your little one’s sleep patterns on an overtired, busy brain can be impossible.

Log sleep and receive notifications from Aura when your baby falls asleep or wakes up. You can monitor your little one from afar and log the wake-up information in the in-app diary.

“Has a great notification system that lets you know when your baby is asleep or awake, but also when they are waking up! This great feature gives you a little time to finish up what you are doing instead of having to abruptly stop.” – Peter B. 12/11/2023

Wake-up notifications give you the liberty to decide what you want to do while your baby sleeps. Whether you want to sleep, eat, do laundry, or binge-watch your favorite show, you know Aura will alert you the moment your babe needs you.

Gentle Soothing Is Just a Click Away

Often when babies wake up, they don’t need anything but a little comfort to drift back to sleep. Fusses, squirms, and screams don’t always mean they’re hungry or need a change.

Newborns are used to the comforting sounds of the womb. Now they’re in a world that can sometimes be loud or scary.

When your baby wakes, easily soothe them back into peaceful sleep through Aura’s built-in sound machine. With access right at your fingertips, Aura’s in-app playlist transports even the toughest sleepers into a land of tranquility.

You’ll find calming melodies, gentle white noise, relaxing nature sounds, and comfortable shushing. The sweet sounds will help your sleepy baby give up the battle and drift into dreamland.

And what baby doesn’t love the mom’s voice? Give your baby reassurance that you’re still with them through Aura’s two-way-talk feature. Hearing your familiar voice will help them settle back down into calm slumber.

With the touch of a button, you’ll both feel at ease in no time.

Crystal Clear Streaming From All Angles

The perfect parent assistant gives you confidence. Resume your normal life knowing you can check on your baby anytime, anywhere.

Aura’s crystal-clear streaming allows you to see your little one perfectly. No fuzz. No blur. A perfect picture of your perfect babe.

And at night, Aura’s HD clarity truly shines. You won’t miss a thing just because the lights are out. From sleepy smiles to adorable yawns to wide-open eyes, Aura captures it all even in pitch-black darkness.

“The hi-definition of the camera is truly out of this world. The nursery room is very dark, however with a small LED light and fantastic camera, the video on the monitor is crystal clear. The options through the app are very helpful and easy to use. Best investment for a nursery!” – Jessica A. 10/16/2023

Once your baby becomes mobile, traditional baby monitors can’t keep up. Aura’s 360-degree viewing capability allows you to pan the camera around the nursery remotely.

Keep track of every roll, flop, and crawl during resting time. Outside of the crib, watch your little one play and explore. Stay connected to them no matter where their curious mind takes them.

Here for You From Newborn Through Childhood

Your desire to keep a close watch on your little one starts with the first look. But just because your baby outgrows the infant stage doesn’t mean you stop checking on them.

As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, Aura’s smart features continue to help you keep a watchful eye on them.

Look in as they toddle throughout the room.
Watch them play and interact with toys.
Check-in to keep track of safe sleep practices.

The in-app diary empowers you to be prepared for well-check doctor visits. Log diaper changes, bottle-feeding volumes, breastfeeding duration, weight, and more. You’ll feel confident stepping into the doctor’s office knowing you’ve kept track of everything.

As your little one outgrows the infancy stage, they’ll spend more time outside of the nursery. As your perfect parent assistant, Aura goes where your baby goes. Thanks to the floor stand, you’re free to keep eyes on your little one no matter which room they’re in.

Embrace your flexibility while confidently knowing you can check on your little one at any time. Since the Aura’s here for you no matter the time of day or place, traveling with a baby becomes much easier. Pack Aura on your trip to see the grandparents or a far-off getaway. You’ll have peace of mind no matter where you are.

Ready to bring Aura into your family as your perfect parent assistant?

Click here to grab one for yourself.

Aura is now available to add to your registry on Babylist and Target.

Enjoy the comfort and tranquility of having an extra set of eyes on your baby anytime, anywhere.

Top Picky Eater-Approved Food Hacks to Make Mealtime the Best Time

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Feeding a picky eater is something nearly all parents can relate to. At some point, parents will hear from their toddler or preschooler, “I don’t like that.”

We’ve all experienced the struggle of kiddos insisting they don’t like something before they’ve tried it. Luckily, there are tons of food hacks for picky eaters to help make mealtimes run a little more smoothly.

Try out each one to find what works best for your little picky eater.

We Eat With Our Eyes First

Food hack #1: Make your food presentation appealing.

No one, especially a picky eater, wants to eat something that doesn’t look delicious at first glance.

Try these fun food hacks to get your little one excited to eat.

StickyLickits Edible Stickers. Your child’s eyes will brighten and go wild with curiosity when they see their favorite characters decorating their lunch. And they’re not just there for looks. StickyLickits are 100% edible and automatically make eating more fun. How can any little one resist chowing down on their favorite Paw Patrol or Ryan’s World characters?
Shape it up. Cutting food into different shapes guarantees a more interesting meal. Use cookie cutters to cut out fruits, vegetables, protein, and sandwiches. You can use cutters to match their interests, holidays, seasons, or letters in their name. They’ll love the variety and interest the new shapes bring to their food.
Theme-based meals. Preparing foods according to a theme makes the entire plate more appealing. And kids are less likely to be picky about individual parts if each food works together as part of a theme. Themes can include colors, places, countries, TV shows, books, characters, and so much more.

Focusing on food appearance takes a little more work on your end. But when you see your little one eating everything you serve them without fussing, you’ll know it was worth it.

Call in the Sioux Chef

Food hack #2: Let your kids help you cook.

Kids love getting the chance to be in control. Let them take charge of something in their life by helping you in the kitchen. You’ll be amazed at how your picker eater suddenly loves everything.

Start by asking your little one to help with simple steps in their favorite recipe. Let them mix, pour, mash, add, and stir. They’ll feel like a chef making a delicious meal they can’t wait to serve and eat. Give them more responsibility as they become comfortable in the kitchen.

Honor the power of choice. Sometimes picky eaters are picky because they aren’t in the mood for what’s in front of them. Let them choose the vegetable or side to go with the meal. Letting them choose means they’re interested and excited to eat what’s served.

The more you can involve your child in cooking, the more likely they are to eat and enjoy their food.

Play with Your Food

Food hack #3: Make food more fun.

What kid doesn’t try to play with their food? As parents, we’re used to telling our kids to quit playing with their food.

When you’ve got a picky eater, it may be time to flip the script. Instead, tell them they need to *START* playing with their food!

Offer interactive foods. With a little bit of creativity and imagination, almost any food can be a way to play. Encourage your little one to stack, build, and create. Foods can become tall towers, rocket ships, racecars, patterns, mosaics, flowers, and more. Spark their curiosity and watch as their creative juices get flowing. Don’t forget to encourage taking bites out of their creations every so often.
Tell a story. Put on your thespian hat and spin a tall tale. Use whatever you’re serving to create a fun story for your child. Incorporate their interests to make it meaningful for them. Children love hearing stories about their favorite characters. StickyLickits Edible Stickers are an easy way to bring their favorite characters to life while getting them to eat. Check out the store locator to find StickyLickits near you and add them to your next grocery pickup.
Reinforcements. Sometimes a little bribery doesn’t hurt. When your picky eater is determined not to eat, it’s time to bring back the timeless tradition of positive reinforcement. Encourage your child to take bites and reward them each time they agree. Gradually increase the number of bites they take before they earn a reward. Rewards can be anything that motivates them: minutes of game time, stickers, praise, high-fives, or points toward a bigger reward. The possibilities are endless. Use what they love to your advantage.

Help your child see the joy in eating by letting them have fun.

Understanding Picky Eaters

It’s important to understand why your child is a picky eater. And for many kids, the reason could change based on the food or how they’re feeling.

These food hacks are here to help, but they’ll give you the most benefit if you understand why your child is being picky. Before jumping in, try to understand the root cause of your picky eater’s behavior. This should help you decide which food hack is right and if one is needed at all.

There are a few common reasons why children turn into picky eaters.

Reason #1: Independence. Young children go through a stage of understanding their independence and testing their boundaries. If your child is suddenly a picky eater because they’re learning how to make choices for themselves, this is not a power struggle you want to get into.

Give your little one the freedom to make their own decisions. Offer a variety of options and don’t force them into choosing what you want. Often, they will fight your pick simply because they aren’t the ones who chose it.

Reason #2: They don’t like what you’re serving. Sure, many times kids will tell you they don’t like something without trying it. But that’s not always the case. Like adults, kids have food preferences.

Let your child try a food a few times prepared in different ways. When they shy away from it or refuse to eat it time after time, it’s safe to assume they don’t like it. You don’t want to eat foods you don’t like. Don’t expect anything different from your little one.

Reason #3: Texture. Food texture is a huge reason preschoolers turn into picky eaters. When food is squishy, slimy, gritty, or stringy, it might be uncomfortable in their mouths. Whether they like the taste or not is irrelevant because all they’ll notice is the texture.

If you notice a picky eater coming out in your child, take note of the food texture. Try to prepare the food differently so they can get the flavor without the texture that bothers them.

Reason #4: Emotions. Toddlers are a fountain of unexplainable emotions. They’re trying to navigate through life while being slammed with emotions they don’t understand. This is when we see the famous toddler tantrums.
Sometimes the inability to express emotions comes out during meals. Your happy-go-lucky little one may turn into a picky eater in an instant. Recognize that it’s an outpour of misunderstood emotions and move on.You can always try again another time.

Make Mealtime Enjoyable

Food hacks are a fun way to encourage your picky eater to get outside their comfort zone.

But making mealtime a comfortable, stress-free space should be the top priority. Remember, young children can become overwhelmed by change and pressure.

Follow these tips to make your mealtime a safe place.

Create an atmosphere of trying new things. If everyone tries something new, it won’t be so scary for your little one.
Watch your tone. Eating should never feel like a punishment, especially for picky eaters. Remain calm and patient with your child.
Listen before accusing. Have you ever asked your child why they don’t like something? Take time to talk with them and understand what’s causing them to not want their food.
Don’t force it. Don’t insist on your child eating something until the point of tears or frustration. This takes away all the peace of mealtime and turns the kitchen table into a scary place for your little one.

Most importantly, use your family meal time as a way to bond with your children. Accept them as they are and embrace their uniqueness.

Enjoy using these food hacks to help make meals with your picky eater a little easier. Have fun and happy eating!

3 Real Mom Reviews: The Larken X Bra & Signature Tank

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Larken has quickly become one of our go-to recommendations for all moms maternity and postpartum. The hands-free pumping and all-in-one Larken X Bra can easily be worn all day long. Pair it with the Signature Tank and you’re prepared for easy wire-free feedings all day long. The Larken Duo (Bra + Tank) was sent to three of our moms to get some real feedback: a pregnant mom of 2 older kiddos, a first-time nursing mom with a 6-month-old, and a pumping/nursing mom

Krysta, pregnant mom of 2 with one on the way

At 33 weeks pregnant, most of my non-maternity tops are too short to cover my ever-growing bump, however, I didn’t want to invest in too many more pieces which would only last a couple of weeks so I love the idea that the Larken Bra and Tank could be used for postpartum and nursing as well. The tank is the perfect layering piece – especially now that the weather is getting cooler. It is thick and flattering without being too constricting. It is soft and stretchy and I can see how easy it will be to pull down to nurse once my baby is here.

The X bra is a different fabric than the tank – likely for more structure. It feels more like a bralette so I would recommend it for the hospital and those first weeks at home with your newborn but not necessarily for exercise or anything where you need more support. The X structure is very unique compared to other pumping bras I have seen and I am excited to try it with a hands-free pump!

Leah, a first-time mom nursing/pumping with a 6-month-old

The Larken bra is very comfortable with buttery soft material that can definitely be worn all day and for sleep. The material is very thin and non-restrictive, which makes it so comfortable, however, it is not as supportive as I’d like when going out and about. Using it to pump with the Spectra is perfect because it holds the flanges in place and is completely hands-free. This bra works best for pumping compared to several others I have tried. If it had a little more support, it would also be good to pump using the wire-free Elvie. I was between a size medium and large. Perhaps if I had the medium it would have been better for a pump like the Elvie. I have a large and am a size 38DD, the straps are a little too big on me.

The Larken tank top is buttery soft and thin and is the perfect undershirt to be worn over any bra. It is stretchy and can be used during pregnancy, postpartum, and daily life. It can easily be pulled down to nurse or pump, and helps the pump stay in place with its stretchy material. It is also long so it is nice to wear with leggings. The tank is perfect for layering and very comfortable with the Larken bra.

Caitlyn, mom of 2 including a 9-month-old

The nursing tank was extremely comfortable, breathable, and functional. I love the long coverage of it as well, making it perfect for late pregnancy into postpartum. I was able to utilize the pumping bra at work and after a few tries, it became easier the hook my pump phalanges in. The hands-free part of pumping is most important to me when at work and trying to multitask. Since I work in a hospital I will say that the bra was slightly warm and not very breathable under scrubs.

Thank you to Larken for providing our testers with the Larken Duo (Larken X Bra & Signature Tank). We also send a huge thank you to our testers and appreciate their honest feedback.

Mom Creator Spotlight: Rachel Meakins

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Rachel Meakins is a doula, lactation counselor, childbirth educator, Fair Play facilitator, newborn care specialist, health coach, and new mom to an 11-month-old son. She enjoys running as an ambassador for Every Mother Counts and gets excited about the work that the Chamber of Mothers is doing to improve parenthood in the United States. She also works with a company called Evvy, which allows users to see the composition of their vaginal microbiome!

Gugu Guru: Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re not creating content.

Rachel Meakins: My favorite thing to do, especially after having a child, is to have the living room completely to myself at lunchtime while eating and watching a show. How exciting!!

GG: What is your favorite snack?

RM: Let’s be honest – I love chocolate.

GG: What kind of content do you love to create?

RM: I love creating content that educates, is thought-provoking, and has the potential to change one small thing in a person’s life that will create a ripple effect to greater satisfaction overall. Parenting is really hard so let’s make it as easy as possible.

GG: What are your top 5 Mom Must-Haves?

RM: Baby Shusher, Philips AVENT baby bottle sanitizer, BOB Gear Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller, Hatch Rest+, Artipoppe Baby Carrier – these things all gave me back a bit of time and space, which is necessary for recovery and sanity : )

GG: What are some of your favorite products and brands?

RM: Hatch Gal for apparel, Minnow, Maisonette, Stokke, Supergoop, Goop, Clare V, DockATot, FridaBaby, Sophie La Giraffe, Maxi Cosi, Nanit, Pehr, SlumberPod, UPPABaby, Manhattan Toy Company, Ever Eden, Pipette, Lake Pajamas

Check out Rachel’s content, and give her a follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Mom Creator Spotlight: Kari Zimbric

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Kari is a stay-at-home mom to six kids ranging in age from 2-13 years. As a mom, she wears many hats – not just because of the different stages her kids are in (toddlers, school-aged, and teens), but also because of the many experiences she has encountered in parenthood. She is a twin mom, a mom to an autistic child, a sports mom, a band mom, a dance mom, and more! Kari takes pride in being the best parent she can be for her kids. She loves to show the realistic, practical side of raising a big family and does her best to present motherhood authentically so that other moms feel encouraged and seen.

Gugu Guru: Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re not creating content.

Kari Zimbric: I love to be outdoors. I was raised in an athletic family, so sports are a part of my kids’ lives too. But we also just love to have fun outside whenever possible – taking walks and bike rides, hitting all of the local playgrounds, going to the beach, or just hanging out in our backyard.

GG: What is your favorite snack?

KZ: Popcorn! All kinds, but if I had to choose one, it would be the O.G. Skinny Pop.

GG: What kind of content do you love to create?

KZ: Authentic, uplifting, sometimes a little sentimental. My goal is always to make other people feel good.

GG: What are your top 5 Mom Must-Haves?

KZ: Coffee (I LOVE Stok cold brew). Comfy shoes (Adidas or Birkenstocks). My phone to take ALL the pictures and videos. My written planner by Simplified – the only way to keep track of all of the kids’ activities and appointments in one place. And I don’t know how we lived before we got our Ninja double air fryer.

GG: What are some of your favorite products and brands?

KZ: Wonderfold, Ninja, Melissa & Doug, Step 2, Learning Resources, Old Navy, Kohl’s, Under Armour, Stride Rite

Check out Kari’s content, and give her a follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Mom Creator Spotlight: Mara Edwards

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Mara Edwards is an actress & model turned mama to three children. She is also a content creator, sharing the hacks and tricks she finds along this journey!

Gugu Guru: Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re not creating content.

Mara Edwards: Rollerblading!!

GG: What is your favorite snack?

ME: Sweet plantains with Guacamole

GG: What kind of content do you love to create?

ME: Content that helps people!!

GG: What are your top 5 Mom Must-Haves?

ME: Clean snacks, Solly baby carrier, LALO highchair, dad shorts, electrolyte water in the Stanley!

GG: What are some of your favorite products and brands?

ME: Free People is an addiction, love all Solly Baby & LALO, Cotton On for the kiddos! Also, love In Your Face skincare and Madewell shorts!

Check out Mara’s content, and give her a follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Mom Creator Spotlight: Imari Shelton

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Imari Shelton is a 30 year old Louisiana mom of two under two. She enjoys making content that is relatable to other moms. She has been a content creator for 2 years. Get to know Imari!

Gugu Guru: Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re not creating content.

Imari Shelton: My favorite thing to do when not creating is cooking a good meal.

GG: What is your favorite snack?

IS: My favorite snack is dill pickle chips.

GG: What kind of content do you love to create?

IS: I enjoy Day in my life, and toy rotation style videos

GG: What are your top 5 Mom Must-Haves?

IS: lululemon belt bag, Crocs, a double stroller, Ms Rachael, and books

GG: What are some of your favorite products and brands?

IS: Lovevery play kits, Gobe snack spinners, Wonderfold wagon, Curly kids hair products, Soul baby pajamas, and Speech Blubs app

Check out Imari’s content, give her a follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Holiday Gift Guide: From our Mom Creators

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Last week in our Facebook community, we chatted with our Mom Creators about what gifts they have their eyes on this season. With Black Friday sales starting up this week, this list might have some sell-out items (fair warning). The Mom Creators have spoken and here are their predictions for the top gifts of the holidays this year!

Little Tikes Story Dream Machine

The Little Tikes Story Dream Machine is arguably the viral toy of the season, and pretty much already sold out everywhere! This toy set comes with a projector and little cards that can be inserted to bring storybooks to life. It also has white noise to double as a sound machine as well! If you can get your hands on it, it’s sure to be a hit!

Tonie Box

The Tonie Box seems to be on everyone’s list this year. This fun, interactive audio device gives kids hours of entertainment, screen-free. Get a bundled set with your favorite Pixar characters or Disney Princesses.

Balance Bike

If you have a toddler or preschooler, consider adding this Balance Bike from Get Up & Go to their list. Do you remember how hard it was to learn to ride a bike? Balance Bikes solve many of the balance challenges that come with learning to ride a bike by teaching kids balance before pedaling. This one has the form of a regular bike, just without the pedals.

Slumberkins

Have you ever held a Slumberkins? We can attest that these are some of the softest, snuggliest stuffed animals you have ever felt. In addition to their cuddly nature, Slumberkins are designed by pediatric experts to help children learn emotional intelligence, express their feelings, and build a positive self-image. There are storybooks, activities, and more that accompany the Slumberkins to create a gift that keeps on giving.

Pikler Triangles

Is your little one entering their climbing phase? The Pikler Triangles are a great place for little ones to safely climb, become more aware of their body, and learn motor planning. This one from Magical4restDE is adjustable, giving your little one even more ways to play and climb! A great idea for active little ones, especially when the cold weather makes it more difficult to get out and play!

Play Kitchen (Lalo)

Are you tired of spending Christmas morning assembling toys? The play kitchen from Lalo does not reuqire any tools for assembly and can be fully put together in a matter of minutes. The neutral-colored design fits well into almost any home. Or perhaps this one from Tender Leaf Toys is more your style! Or maybe this adorable white and wood one from Milton and Goose. Play Kitchens are definitely popular this year!

Magna Tiles

Magna-Tiles make a great gift and are a fun take on building blocks where each piece has magents around the edges to connect them together. Magna-Tiles are hours of fun and can let a little one’s imagination soar to new heights! Best of all, with the magnetic design, it makes for easy clean-

Personalized Sweatshirt

Looking for a personal gift for a little one this year? We have been seeing personalized embroidered sweatshirts everywhere this year! This one is really adorable and you could add a nickname or initials instead of the first name if so desired!

Nanobébé Aura Baby Monitor

The Nanobébé Aura Baby Monitor is brand new to the market this season and is blowing away the competition. With so many smart features including breathing motion detection, HD streaming, a built-in sound machine, and more, this should be top of the list for expecting parents and parents with little ones looking for an exceptional baby monitor!

We are so excited to hear what you are shopping for this season. Check out our other gift guides for this season’s top gifts for expecting moms, new babies, and toddlers too!

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