Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Super Wubble for Super Fun

The contents of the Super Wubble kit- inflator, ball and easy to follow instructions.
Sponsored post

I’ve had a stability ball for years that my kids have had fun with - it’s a huge, lightweight ball that can torture your abdomen. But it isn’t really a toy. The Super Wubble, on the other hand, is a kind of magic ball - it comes flat and you inflate it in seconds. 

After you find the AA batteries, realize they are no good, walk or drive to the store and pick up a pack of batteries that is. Why are my batteries always no good?

Pouncing on the inflated Super Wubble
But I digress. The stretchy Super Wubble, which promises to be four times stronger than the original Wubble Bubble Ball, and more tear resistant, is guaranteed for life, with a replacement if it pops under normal play.

The Super Wubble  is made from this almost indestructible material called Xpandium and though you can apparently sit on it, I would not advise doing this as a core exercise. I would love to see that Xpandium in a pair of jeans - stretch to fit!

Endless play
What you should do it throw the ball, toss it in the air, bounce it, play kickball - but barefoot and with closely trimmed nailed. It can definitely be pierced by a sharp object, so be mindful.

This would be a good toy to take on a beach vacation - easy to bring deflated and hours of fun (plus it wears the kids out!)

And don’t over-inflate the ball - it can go up to 3 feet in diameter. Plenty big. We pumped ours to about 2 feet in diameter and our dog stalked it and pounced on it. We kept it away from the cat and her claws.

Tuckered out after play
The Super Wubble comes in 4 colors: pink, red, blue and green.

Super Wubble is $19.99 here and is also available at Target, Walmart and ToysRUs. 



Note: I received a Super Wubble and compensation in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Back to School, Back to Baking: Healthier Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Although my youngest child just started her sophomore year of college, I am conditioned to start baking at the beginning of school. Back to school means bake sales and PTA fundraisers, cooler temperatures that allow for baking (hello 90 degrees tomorrow in New York City) and the Jewish holidays, when we host a few dinners and need to have a stock of baked goods on hand.

We also have trips to see our middle daughter's first apartment in Washington, DC and another to Minneapolis for Parents' Weekend.

Mixing in the peanuts
Since we are a peanut butter and chocolate loving family, I decided to bake a simple batch of brownies, but with a healthier twist. I took some butter out of my brownie recipe and replaced it with natural peanut butter (I love the 365 organic natural peanut butter from Whole Foods) and used organic whole wheat flour instead of white flour.

I also used raw cane sugar from The Real Co; it's organic and non-GMO verified. With cage-free organic eggs and a Misto olive oil sprayer for greasing the pan, I reduced most of the chemicals in the  brownies, though I couldn't find organic unsweetened chocolate and had to use Ghirardelli.

Healthier Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies


  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1/2 C natural (no sugar added) peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 C organic raw cane sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 C whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 C dry roasted peanuts


Put chocolate and butter in large bowl in microwave and heat for 30 seconds, stir, heat again for 30 seconds, stir, and heat again for 10-15 seconds if needed.  Stir in peanut butter and mix till smooth.

Add sugar and stir. If mixture is cooled enough not to cook eggs, stir them in with the vanilla, flour and nuts.

Mix well.

Spray a 13 x 9 pan with a thin coating of olive oil and smooth mixture into the pan.

Bake 30 minutes, at 350, until brownies are set. Cool on a rack.

Enjoy!