Mommy Moments with Sasha Marina is BrownStyle Magazine‘s new column that encourages moms to practice mindfulness and create a soft life that speaks to their souls. From adventurous family trips to products that make parenting a little easier, learn how the mother-of-two is navigating motherhood one day at a time.
As a mom, what do you consider essential for creating a day-to-day routine that works? For me, it’s all about finding tools and gadgets that make life easier.
While there are a ton of products out there, not all of them are worth the hype. However, now and then, you stumble upon child-friendly items that are true game-changers.
I was grateful to try a couple of high-quality nursery products from TOMY’s ‘boon’ line, and let me tell you, they’ve made a real difference to my little one’s eating and drinking routine.
I also tried Ella Ola, a wonderful plant-based multivitamin brand that my son enjoys. Ahead, read about my experience!
The Perfect Utensils For Tiny Hands
Now that our 14-month-old toddler is confidently eating solids, we’ve started practicing self-feeding. That means finding safe utensils that are easy for him to grasp and use on his own.
Enter CHOW’s toddler-friendly stainless-steel utensil set that checks all the boxes! It’s BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and designed with easy-grip handles to make it easy for little hands to use on their own.
The fork’s rounded tines have just the right amount of hold to spear food without poking delicate mouths. As you can see from the picture, Massimo has been loving his CHOW utensils—and I love that he’s learning independence while eating safely.
The Bottle Topper That Changes The Game
When you have more than one child, the youngest tries to keep up with the oldest. In our case, my oldest, Marcel, drinks from cups and bottles that instantly catch Massimo’s attention. The problem? Regular bottles and cups aren’t always safe for toddlers.
SNUG makes it different with its genius water bottle topper. Marcel started using it right away, and the best part? Massimo could now “share” with his big brother safely.
SNUG fits tightly on most standard-sized bottles, prevents leaks, and has a slow-flow mouthpiece perfect for toddlers. Made from 100% silicone, it’s easy to clean with no hidden cracks for mold to build up. Plus, keeping one in the car has saved us from countless spills while traveling.
Bonus: no more wasted, half-used bottles lying around. A win-win!
Bonus: A Sugar-Free Multivitamin That Works
Transitioning from breast milk to solids is no joke, but at least this time, I feel more prepared. With our firstborn, I struggled to get him to eat healthier foods as he got older. Like most moms, I figured, “As long as he’s eating, he’s fine.” But at some point, I had to ask myself: Is he getting the nutrients his growing body needs?
That’s when I discovered Ella Ola, a plant-based multivitamin brand in a league of its own. We all remember the Flintstones vitamins and echinacea gummies from childhood, but turns out, many are packed with unnecessary sugars, artificial flavors, and even metals. Yikes!
Ella Ola is different. Created by a team of pediatricians and dietitians, this powdered multivitamin is vegan, allergen-free, and made from the purest ingredients. It has even won the Purity Award from the Clean Label Project, which means it has no added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or artificial ingredients.
As a mom, I feel so much better knowing I’m giving my kids a high-quality supplement. And the best part? The unflavored powder blends seamlessly into their favorite foods, so no more battles over taking vitamins. Talk about a mom guilt reliever.
What’s in Your Kitchen?
What are your go-to kitchen essentials for your little ones? Have you discovered any life-changing products or tricks that make mealtimes smoother? Let’s swap stories in the comments!
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
