Nutrabella sent some of their BellyBars my way, and I have to say, I'm not normally a fan of cereal or nutrition bars at all. They always taste like... well, something other than food to me. And I'm on a mission to rid myself of trans fat, so that rules out most of those bars anyhoo. But these bars -- Wow. I was impressed. They tasted like food! And they were portable. And delicious. And healthy. Imagine such a thing.

I am hoping that this is a new trend in nutrition -- easy-to-consume food that is made just for pregnant moms. Sure, a healthy, well-balanced diet provides all that, but reality is that many women don't get all the nutrition they need. Especially when it comes to folic acid. According to the March of Dimes, studies show that 70 percent of all neural tube defects could be prevented if all women were getting the right amount of this essential vitamin.

→ Read the full review of BellyBars

Pink Baby Moccasin Photo © Arrow Gift Shop

I apologize for skipping Link Love recently. I've been so busy with school starting again that I've hardly had time for any surfing pleasures. (If you've got older ones, too, be sure to check out the Back-to-School Carnival here at About.com and the Back-to-School Special.)

Now, here are 20 bodacious bits I happened upon this last week (or so) that I found informative, funny, real or otherwise enjoyable that you might also enjoy checking out. Feel free to share your own finds, too...

On Blogs:

• Dr. Laura Says Sarah Palin is No Role Model
• Five Things You Should Never Do with a Banana
• No More Politics for Me
• Big Boy with an Asterisk
• 25 Things I Thought I Thought

Parenting News and Recalls:

• Recall: Phil & Teds Strollers (Laceration Hazard)
• Recall: International Playthings Stroller Activity Bar (Choking Hazard)
• Recall: Wooden Infant Toys (Choking Hazard -- Check them Out, There are Many Different Toys Here)
• Recall: Bobbie Socks sold at Target (Choking Hazard)
• Toddler Chokes on Grape, Pronounced Dead for 15 minutes, But Recovers

Around About.com:

• Gifts for Grandparent's Day (Sept. 7)
• Night Nannies Help Exhausted Parents Get Sleep
• Are "Bratz" Appropriate for Preschoolers?
• Becoming a Single Mother by Choice
• Will Sarah Palin's Candidacy Set Back Working Mothers?

Other Interesting Bits:

• Adorable Infant Moccasins
• Miracle Mom Finally Gives Birth After Suffering 18 Miscarriages
• Australia Thinking About Paying Moms to Stay Home for First 2 Years?
• Final Report on BPA Safety Released
• Let Potty Training Kids Wash Hands with the Tub Faucet

Lately there's been lots of talk of politics lately and our forum is no exception. Stop by and talk about the issues that matter to you as parents (or that don't matter, whichever the case may be!)

CamberMS writes:

"Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter, Bristol Palin, is 5 months pregnant. She in unmarried, though she does plan on marrying the father of the child.

Do you think this will have any sort of impact on the McCain / Palin campaign - positive or negative?"

Weigh in with your opinion on the Babies and Toddlers Forum.

Want more on parenting and politics? Check out these blogs and join the conversation:

• Sarah Palin Deals with Teen Pregnancy and Makes a Wise Choice
• News From the Republican Party - What's the Implication to Reproductive Health Issues?
• Does Barack Obama's History Make a Difference to You as a Single Parent?
• Sarah Palin -- Inspiration for Girls and Working Moms
• Michelle Obama -- a Working Mom Vying to Be First Lady
• Sarah Palin -- Mom of a Special Needs Child
• The Election and Stay-at-Home Moms
• Parents as Politicians: What Makes a "Good" Mom?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about Simplicity Close Sleeper Bassinets, which have been implicated in the death of one infant this week and one last year. Heather Corley writes:

"Despite the two deaths from these bassinets, no official recall has been issued yet. Simplicity Inc.'s assets were purchased at public auction in April 2008 by SFCA Inc., and SFCA Inc. refuses to cooperate with CPSC to recall the bassinets. Sadly, the company believes it is not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity Inc."

Sad, indeed, when the product is not safe and deaths have been involved. Changes have been made to more recent versions of this model. The deaths occurred because of metal bars that fabric is supposed to cover, thus preventing entrapment (even though the bars exceed the maximum allowable distance). The new versions have the fabric permanently affixed over the bars. If they've made the change, then it's clear that they are aware of a problem, so why no recall when it could prevent more deaths?

UPDATE:

The company won't take responsibility for recalling these bassinets, so retailers have taken action. The following retailers are removing the bassinets from their shelves and are offering refunds and store credits if your bassinet was purchased there:

• Wal-Mart Stores
• Toys "R" Us
• Babies "R" Us
• Kmart
• Big Lots
• Target
• J.C. Penney

Recalled model numbers are after the jump: Read more...