The Biz

For centuries, mothers in India, Thailand and Cambodia have used beautiful bell-adorned anklets to ward off bad spirits and keep track of young children. Alerted to the movements of their babies by the jingling bells, parents could constantly hear their wandering tots. These anklets are the original baby-tracking device! The Giggle Guide^® sounds off on two bell-brands, Bumble Bells and Baby Emi, that have been inspired by the fashion and the function of this age-old tradition.

Krazy Ketchup is revolutionizing America’s favorite condiment by making it healthier! This ketchup includes a special blend of 100% organic veggie purees to its velvety tomato blend: certified organic carrot, organic sweet potato, and organic squash which creates a kid-friendly, nutrient-rich mouth explosion that is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

Hammocks bring to mind images of lazy summer afternoons spent swinging in the breeze, sipping a cool drink with a good book. Curiously, the origins of the hammock go way back in history. Some credit the ancient Greeks with its invention, while others point to the early inhabitants of the Amazon Basin. The Mayans knew that the hammock is an ideal sleep system for an infant because it surrounds the baby, simulating the mother’s womb, as it naturally responds to the child’s movement. The Giggle Guide^® surveys this alternative sleep system for babies, with selections from Hushamok, Kanoe and Mama Little Helper.

When Melanie Morgenthaler and her young family moved back to her childhood home in Maine, she went to work creating a place where parents and children could go to learn, play and bond together. She began offering music programs for children and soon after added a symphony of retail products to meet local demand. Melanie shares her story about blending love of family, music and sharing. Read on to discover how “plorking,” a word she coined, defines her business philosophy!