Tis the season for colds and flu. My poor little guys were hit hard with a marathon fever virus that was going around. They literally had fever for over a week and they were not alone. Our pediatrician said it is hitting the area hard. It then turned into strep throat and our youngest missed many days of school leading up to Christmas vacation. They are still not 100% but there are some things we are doing to keep them more comfortable.
One of the things that can make already sore throats feel worse is breathing dry, stuffy air. A cool mist humidifier and make the air much more comfortable. I love this one from Safety 1st, the Ultrasonic 360° Humidifier helps to ease cold symptoms and reduce dry skin and itchy eyes.
Some features that make this my go-to humidifier are that it has 2 fully rotating mist outlets which let me control the direction of the mist and is perfect if you have 2 children who share a room. The other thing I am stoked about is that it requires no filters, so no expensive filters to replace!
It operates very quietly so it works well in the bedroom without making noise that might be frightening or keep children awake. It has a super large tan so you do not have to fill it up as much as one tank lasts about 36 hours. When it is time to refill the unit it will shut off automatically and light up to let me know.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children get an average of 8 to 10 colds every year. In the U.S., the flu is most common between October and May, and peaks in January, February, and March. Parents everywhere should be ready to tackle this season.
If you are looking for other ways to help ease your baby or child’s discomfort when they are sick, Safety 1st has many products besides the humidifier above to help you do that. Check out their extensive selection of thermometers, nasal aspirators, medicine spoons/dispensers and more.
What are some ways you keep your child comfortable when sick. Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear your suggestions. Stay healthy!
I was provided with the above product for free to facilitate my post. As always my words and views are 100% my own.
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KYTrySomethingNew #CollectiveBias
As we head straight into the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” it can often feel like the most stressful time of the year. Most of us already lead incredibly busy lives so throwing the holidays and all the expectations they bring on our already overflowing plate can seem like a recipe for disaster. I think stress is something most would say definitely rises during the holiday season.
The holidays seem to exacerbate so many issues for couples like family tensions, finances, and not having time together. This can all lead to arguments and hurt feelings. I think it is best to get an action plan and go on the offense before we make the most wonderful time of the year feel like the most horrible time of the year.
Couples tend to put their relationships on the back burner this time of year. It is so important to remember that you and your partner need to make time for each other. You might think that while that sounds nice it’s just not possible when you have so much to do. You can barely get through each day as it is and you only sleep 4-5 hours.
Well, time to make a plan. Everyone has the same 24 hours. Your relationship matters and fighting and arguing can zap your energy. So make some small changes and see how you feel. Commit to 12 days of passion with your partner this holiday season.
Sit down with your partner over dinner or coffee and dessert and get out your calendars. Calendar in 12 special times for you and him alone. They don’t have to be elaborate and they don’t have to cost a lot of money either. Just get out your calendars and take a look at some of the suggestions below and you can add your own.
Notes of Passion– Pick a day and agree to leave each other passionate notes throughout the day. Of course you can include texts, but mix it up. It would be fun to stick a note for him to find in his briefcase or coat pocket as well. Speak from the heart and let your partner know why you are thankful he is your soulmate. Just doing this throughout the day can brighten both your spirits and make you feel adored.
2. Unplugged Game Night– for just the two of you- Family game nights are nice, but this is just for you and your partner. Pick a favorite game and spend the time together when the kids are in bed to play together. You can make a favorite dessert, hot cider or cocoa to serve while you play and extra points for playing in front of a cozy fire.
3. Dinner and a Movie– Always a great one, and it does not mean going out. Chances are you have a DVD you still have not had the time to watch and cooking even the simplest dinner together can be fun. Don’t make it hard, even homemade pizza with your favorite toppings works. Heck, even frozen pizza will work, it is about the two of you spending quality time together. It does not have to be expensive or mean slaving over a hot stove all day. Use fun printables and of course some movie theater candy and popcorn containers make it super fun!
4. Couples Massage– I was in Walmart recently and I saw K-Y® TOUCH®. K-Y® TOUCH® is a product that is a 2 in 1 Massage Creme and Pleasure Gel that can be found down the Family Planning aisle. What better way to work out that stress than from a loving massage from your life partner? This cream feels like soft cashmere and creates a feeling like warm cashmere wherever you massage it into. It is touch activated and will have you slowing down together to enjoy the splendor of the feelings it evokes as you lovingly massage one another. Trust me you will not need board games after this to pass your time.
5. Couples Playlist–You and your partner each put together 6 songs that remind you of each other, your relationship or the love you share. Then get together and listen to them. It is amazing the feelings that music can stir up.
6.How Do I Love Thee–Write down 6 things about your partner that you love and cherish and then read them aloud to each other. Too many times we don’t feel appreciated or adored. This will give you the time not to remind each other of your shortcomings as we so often do in our day to day lives but to celebrate what you love about each other.
7.Make Something Special For Each Other– Don’t worry if you are not crafty, it could be a coupon book for special things, a poem, a song if you are musically gifted, etc. Just make something from your heart and share an early gift with the one you love.
8. Take A Walk Together–Even a short one holding hands and unplugged. Just spend some time in nature and with each other, you will be surprised how good you feel when you take the time to connect with nature and each other.
9. Sweets For Your Sweetheart–Pick out a special dessert recipe you have never made and make it together. Taking the time to find something you both think is pure decadence and then making it together may turn out just as sweet as the end result.
10. Share A Favorite Holiday Movie Together–Pick a holiday classic you both love and watch it together. Add cocoa and cookies for extra points.
11. Help Each Other– Help your partner with one of the chores they need to do. Maybe he helps you to wrap presents or you help him paint the guest room. Just pick something that either of you would normally do alone and help the other with it. An extra set of hands makes the load lighter and brings you together doing something that is necessary.
12. Sit Back And Just Talk–Maybe in front of the tree in the quiet evening over some coffee or cocoa, take the time to just talk about what is on your mind. This is a time to connect with conversation and really communicate. You never know what you might learn or where it might lead.
Do you have any special ways that you want to share about how you keep your relationship paramount during the holiday season? If so, please share in the comments, I would love to read your ideas.
You might think of someone with anemia being pale, lethargic, sleepy and weak. I know I did, but anemia can be very severe without those symptoms. Anemia can be caused by many things, but in women it is very often caused by heavy periods. Maybe you have always had heavy periods and so you think they are normal. Perhaps you feel since you have not been anemic in the past with them, there is no reason for it to happen in the future.
I am here to shed some light on dangerously low anemia, the kind of anemia where you are just a point or less away from needing a blood transfusion. It is a personal story, it is my story. I am a person that never stops, I go-go-go all the time, I sleep very little and I work a lot. Not the kind of person who would be the poster child for anemia.
For about a year I was noticing after climbing more than one flight of stairs I was winded. I am in shape, I can easily swim and I mean swim for 7 hours straight pulling my 2 youngest children around our lake on a floating mat. I thought it was heart related, it scared me. I started feeling in the last couple of months weird sensation by my sternum. Thought it was breast related, had a mamo, sono and physical exam and my doctor told me all was good. Went back to the doctor thinking it was my heart as I was feeling more tightness in my chest. Sometimes I seemed to feel like I could not get a deep breath. I went for fasting blood work and then a full physical.
The doctor told me that my blood work was always good, but it was exceptionally good this time. I told him about the feeling in my chest, he told me it was probably a strained muscle. I agreed as I was literally throwing logs a few days earlier. He said he would do an EKG to just make sure. EKG was normal. He said he did not feel it was anything heart related but said if I wanted to go to one of the cardiologists in the practice he would take care of it. I said okay as I feel better safe than sorry. Then I asked what my thyroid levels were. I was diagnosed with being hypo thyroid in 2008, right before getting pregnant with my son Luke. He then noticed he had forgotten to send that blood test through. He said he would have the nurse draw it too along with a CBC that was forgotten.
The next evening, he called me at home around 7 pm. He told me I was severely anemic and that would explain all the symptoms I was having in my chest. He said I was close to needing a transfusion. I explained I have heavy periods but that has always been the case. He had me schedule with my OB/GYN and immediately had me take 2 times the iron dosage. I have been taking a very good total health supplement that consists of patented multivitamins and all kinds of supplements but I had not been taking any additional iron. I had also been drinking Matcha Tea which can slow or interfere with the bodies absorption of iron. I stopped that right away.
That very night I started on the iron which I took with additional vitamin C and orange juice to increase absorption. I added a lot of iron rich foods and my OB started me on Progesterone to try to hold off my cycle so we could build up my iron. We also did an endometrial biopsy to make sure that there were no other issues for the bleeding. That came back good and he found nothing out of the ordinary, he said my endometrium was normal for someone who would be ready to ovulate. I continued on the progesterone and on day 31 of my normal 28 day cycles after calling the office and them agreeing it had worked to hold off my cycle, they told me to stop it and then start it again on what would have been the 15th day of my cycle. Within a day of stopping, my cycle returned. I was crushed, how would I build my iron levels. I did not want to go for a hormonal IUD to stop them or anything more drastic. I hoped they would at least be lighter, I was wrong. They were heavier. I immediately had a return to the crushing chest pain that had left me a few weeks prior.
My blood test prior to this showed my iron levels were still very low but slowly rising. Now I am pretty certain I am extremely low. I feel so helpless in a way. I mean, I pray the iron that I have been taking will keep it above transfusion level, but not sure. I am scared and feel I am in a place where my options are many and I am not ready for something radical. I was hoping this regime would work.
I am writing this as I know it is common in women but not many talk about it, not many know that anemia can present itself in an energetic, on-the-go woman who has symptoms of what one might associate with heart issues. If you are feeling like this, make sure you have a CBC to check your iron levels.
If you have experience with this, feel free to share your story.
Your bone health is something that may not be discussed as often as your skin health, or the health of your overall body, but it is a vital component of an active and healthy lifestyle nonetheless. A key component of healthy bones is calcium, as calcium is the component that works to ensure that your bones are strong and dense.
Calcium is a mineral and is something that is found in a wide variety of foods. The body uses calcium for many things; one of the most prevalent though is the maintenance of strong bones and teeth – as well as many other functions. The calcium in the body is stored almost exclusively in the bones and teeth, and the role of calcium is to support the strength, structure and hardness of these elements of the body.
Calcium isn’t just used for bones and teeth though, calcium is used for muscles and to help nerves to send messages between the brain and other parts of the body. Calcium is also used to help blood vessels to move around the body and to release hormones and enzymes that play a role in many of the vital functions of the human body. If you’re concerned about your levels of calcium and are eating a balanced diet, it’s worth considering something like Algaecal osteoporosis supplements which can play a vital role in bolstering your body’s calcium levels and ensuring that you’re not depleting the calcium found in your bones and teeth.
Bone health is important throughout your life, and the amount of calcium that you needs depends on your age. The average daily recommended amounts for healthy bones is outlined below in milligrams:
Life Stage
Recommended Amount
Birth-6 months
200 mg
Infants 7-12 months
260 mg
Children 1-3 years
700 mg
Children 4-8 years
1,000 mg
Children 9-13 years
1,300 mg
Teens 14-18 years
1,300 mg
Adults 19-50 years
1,000 mg
Adult Men 51-70 years
1,000 mg
Adult Women 51-70 years
1,200 mg
Adults 71 years and older
1,200 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding teens
1,300 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding adults
1,000 mg
You can boost your bone health by eating a diet that is rich in calcium and you’ll find that you’re working to protect yourself in the future, as strong bones are a great indicator of your bone health in the future. You will find calcium in a variety of foods including the following:
Dairy products. Anything dairy is going to be a great source of calcium for your body, but it’s important to note that many people are lactose intolerant or unable or choose not to eat dairy products. In this instance there are a variety of calcium-enhanced foods that you can consume, including non-dairy milks and non-dairy products. Check the labels on your favourite foods and speak to your healthcare professional if you’re concerned about your calcium intake.
Leafy green vegetables are a great source of calcium and working to make sure that your diet includes a range of these kinds of vegetables will ensure that you’re reaching your calcium targets with a diverse diet.
Fish with soft bones are a great source of calcium for your diet, so ensure that you’re mixing things up occasionally with some sardines or salmon with bones in it.
Bone health, as we’ve discussed is a huge and key part of your quality of life. Working to ensure that you’re taking in a variety of calcium-rich foods from diverse sources is going to put you in a good position for having healthy bones both now and in the future as you age. A supplement is a great way to ensure that you’re meeting your target, so be sure to investigate this with your healthcare professional if you’re concerned about your intake. If you are a runner, you might want to do some additional reading about the best protein bars for runners.
This is a sponsored guest post, the views and ideals do not necessarily reflect those of mommy ramblings.
Too busy to go to the doctor? We all are these days. Do you long for the days when doctors made house calls? Would you like the doctor to come to you instead of having to drag your sick, cranky child out? I have good news! Doctor On Demand provides just that. See the doctor without leaving your house! You can even do it for FREE!
At Doctor On Demand you can have Video Visits with Board-Certified Physicians and Licensed Psychologists via your smartphone, tablet or computer at any time of day!
Doctor On Demand provides fast, easy and cost-effective access to some of the best health care providers in the country. These health care professionals are carefully screened and trained to conduct Video Visits with patients. There are even Lactation Consultants who provide invaluable support to moms during the critical first few months of their babies’ lives.
My Experience:
You should know I would not recommend something I have not tried. Let me tell you about my experience using Doctor On Demand for the first time. Whether you are downloading the free app on your smartphone or tablet or creating an account from your computer or laptop, the process is simple. I registered and created an account from my laptop in about a minute.
Yesterday was busy, first day of school, busy day working from home after the holiday weekend, so the last thing I wanted to do was take time out driving to the doctor. With Doctor On Demand I did not even have to leave my desk. I scheduled an appointment for that afternoon. I could have been seen immediately if I wanted. I had tons of times to choose from!
When I scheduled my appointment it asked for some very basic information for the doctor about why I wanted to see them. Providing specific information gives the doctors as much background into the issue before your appointment. Then you will test your video, speakers and microphone.
When your appointment time arrives, you have a pop up that tells you the doctor is ready to see you. They are on time! You then accept and your Video Visit begins. I saw a very nice, personable, female physician who took her time, didn’t rush me and made me feel at ease. At the end of our appointment she said I could add her to my favorite physicians and follow-up with her if I liked. I really liked that you can see the same doctor.
The doctors can even call in scripts if needed to your pharmacy. Check Out Doctor On Demand on Facebook and Twitter.
Get Your Free Doctor On Demand Visit:
Okay like I said at the start, you can see the doctor for FREE! With Back-To-School season in full swing, chances are you need to! Common Back-To-School issues treated are colds, coughs, sore throat, flu, skin rashes, pink eye, intestinal issues, vomiting and more! To get your FREE Visit just go to Doctor On Demand and enter the code RAMBLINGS15 to redeem your free Video Visit with a physician, psychologist or lactation consultant!
Please let me know how your appointment went and what you think about this new way to see the doctor. I would love for you to share your experiences in the comments.
Are you trying to conceive? You want to make sure you are in optimal health before trying to conceive a baby. Getting a physical, health screenings, taking care of weight issues, making diet changes and more can stack the odds in your favor for conception. Read on to find out what you should take care of before trying to get pregnant.
Schedule A Pre-Conception Visit With Your OB/GYN:
See your OB/GYN for a pre-conception visit to get an evaluation of your overall health prior to conceiving. This visit should include STI screening and frank discussion of genetic disorders, problems with previous pregnancies, chronic health conditions and hereditary factors that may cause pregnancy complications. You should also discuss any birth control you have been using and the discontinuation of it.
Make sure to go over all medications you are taking and the safety of them with your doctor. Go over even over the counter medications and herbal supplements to see if they are safe. Ask your doctor about your weight. Being underweight or overweight can affect your chances of conceiving and also lead to pregnancy and childbirth complications. It is best to achieve a healthy weight prior to conception. Have your doctor recommend an exercise and diet plan to help you achieve your target weight.
Visit The Dentist:
Get your teeth cleaned and take care of any pressing dental issues. Pregnancy is no time to be sidelined by toothaches and dental problems. Prevention is key. Have cavities filled and take care of any other procedures you need to. You also want to have a thorough cleaning. Did you know that women with gum disease are four to seven times more likely to have an underweight or premature baby, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association? So get those pearly whites and gums in top condition before conception.
Evaluate Your Diet:
Clean up your diet and eliminate soda, sugary snacks and other empty calories. Start eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy. Be sure to review with your doctor the list of foods women should steer clear of during pregnancy. Fish is good but some fish like swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish should be avoided during pregnancy and conception due to high levels of mercury. Fish with low mercury levels like canned tuna, catfish, shrimp and salmon should be limited to 12 oz. a week.
Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin with Folic Acid:
Start taking a good prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Make sure your vitamin is patented to provide true cellular delivery of nutrients. If not you are wasting your money and can be hurting your health. Most vitamins do not provide cellular delivery of nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. Do your research and make sure you are taking a vitamin that is doing more than just passing through your body. Ideally you want to begin taking a prenatal supplement at least 3 months prior to trying to conceiving.
Detox Your Body:
Stop drinking alcohol. Since we don’t actually know what a safe level of alcohol is in pregnancy or exactly when during pregnancy alcohol might have its most severe effects,” says Myra J Wick, M.D., medical co-editor of Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. “If a patient is actively trying to conceive, I recommend that she not drink at all,” she adds. The same goes for marijuana and other illicit drugs. If you wouldn’t give it directly to your baby, make sure it’s out of your system before pregnancy.
Stop smoking and this includes your spouse! Smoking cigarettes can detrimentally affect both a woman’s and a man’s fertility. Smoking can damage and lower sperm count and motility. Smoking also can cause early menopause, increase chance of miscarriage, lead to low birth weight, premature delivery and more. Second hand smoke is also detrimental so quit smoking before conception and stay away from second hand smoke.
Studies are conflicting regarding the effects of caffeine on fertility and pregnancy. It has been linked by some studies to miscarriage. If you want to be safe, you should try to limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams a day. Remember caffeine is found in more than coffee or tea. It is found in soda, energy drinks, some medications, chocolate and other foods.
Detox Your Home:
Get rid of toxic chemicals in your home. There are many everyday products that people use every day that contain hormone disrupting chemicals. Chemicals that can cause infertility, miscarriage and birth defects. Remember these chemicals cross the placenta and it is best to rid your home of them before you try to conceive. You will want them out of your house after baby, so just get them out now!
Almost all antibacterial soaps contain Triclosan- a hormone disrupting chemical. Dishwasher detergents, laundry soaps, all purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, bleach, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, make up, first aid products and more contain toxic chemicals and carcinogens. Do some research and find out what you have in your home that is not safe. Replace these products with safe and healthy solutions.
Get Familiar With Your Body:
Start charting your cycle, you can do this with several online sites that make charting your cycle very easy. I used one with my last pregnancy and took my temperature every morning with a basal thermometer. I also used an ovulation predictor and both were on target and we conceived that month. It is best to know your cycle so you know the optimal time for conception. The better you know your body will make your chances of uniting that egg and sperm more favorable.
Eliminate Stress:
Relax-do not stress about getting pregnant. I know this is easier said than done especially if you are having a difficult time. Try to relax using whatever means works best for you because it will help your mind, body and spirit be at their peak for conception to occur.
If you suffer from anxiety, adhd, depression or other issues you should see a health care professional if you do not already. Pregnancy can make these conditions worse and having professional support is important. Also as I mentioned above you will want to discuss any medication you are taking and the safety of continuation during pregnancy.
Don’t sabotage your chances of conceiving by using a lubricant that can harm or hinder sperm. When choosing a lubricant, choose wisely. Many lubricants on the market can impede sperm and contain spermicides. Using a sperm friendly lubricant like Astroglide TTC™ that is specially formulated for couples trying to conceive. Astroglide TTC™ supports fertility with adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality and a consistency similar to your own egg white cervical mucus.
Each package has 8 pre filled disposable applicators making supplementing your natural fluids and enhancing your comfort easy. Astroglide TTC™ also contains galactose, which is found naturally in semen, as well as fructose, the main source of energy for sperm. . Astroglide TTC™ is the best value compared to any other competitor on the market with a retail price of $12.99!
Going through the list above will give you the best chance for achieving pregnancy. Do you have any tips to share? Is there anything you did that helped you conceive? I would love to hear them in the comments.
Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine
One of the things I like most about summer are all the fresh berries that are available. My own property is a berry wonderland filled with blueberry bushes older than me , raspberry and blackberry bushes! It is so nice to go out picking fresh berries with my family. I love how healthy and full of antioxidants berries are. A berry I don’t have on my property but is so great for our health is the cranberry.
Did you know that for centuries the cranberry has been used as both food and medicine? It has, this tart berry that is native to North America was used to treat bladder and kidney diseases by the Native Americans. The early settlers used the broth from the cranberry raw and cooked to help with many ailments and conditions like stomach problems, loss of appetite, blood disorders, and scurvy.
I would say that the cranberry is most well know for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) which are most commonly caused by E. coli bacteria. Medical professionals first believed the cranberry made the urine acidic enough to kill the bacteria. New studies show the cranberry may prevent the bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract. Scientific research supports using cranberry in supplements or juice for preventing UTIs.
Recently I discovered AZO Cranberry Gummies, a urinary maintenance tool that incorporates the clinically proven benefits of cranberries. Just 2 AZO Cranberry Gummies are equal to a 10 oz glass of cranberry juice** without all the extra calories. The gummies are so good they have a berry flavor and are not tart. The cranberry gummies are made with Pacran®, a super-concentrated cranberry powder that helps flush the urinary tract to maintain cleanliness.*
Berry Beauty Sweepstakes-Giveaway!
Speaking of cranberries I want to tell you about the AZO Berry Beauty Sweepstakes that is on the AZO Products Facebook Page, check it out, you could win a Berry Beauty Basket Full of Sephora Goodies so enter HERE now!
(3) grand prize winners will be awarded one (1)Berry Beauty Basket. (4) winners will be awarded a $25 Sephora Gift Card each and AZO Cranberry Gummies.
This post is sponsored by AZO, as always my words and opinions are 100% my own.
**Biological activity of 10 oz cranberry juice cocktail
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
AZO Cranberry® used under license by i-Health, Inc.
Pacran® is a trademark of Naturex.
“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Dannon. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All views and opinions are my own, and do not necessarily represent those of Dannon.”
I have to admit, I have a sweet tooth, maybe a couple of them. I often find myself craving a sweet dessert or late night snack and I don’t want to be eating something laden with sugar and calories late at night. I recently discovered Dannon® Light & Fit® Tiramisu Flavored Greek nonfat yogurt and it’s full of all the creamy, sweet, delicious flavor I am craving and none of the guilt. This custard like yogurt has only 80 calories and it great for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Anytime you need a little something sweet but don’t want to sideline your diet with a massive intake of empty calories, Dannon® Light & Fit® Tiramisu Flavored Greek nonfat yogurt is the answer.
I have been eating this dessert flavor yogurt for breakfast and snacks and I am enjoying the satisfying, rich flavor without feeling bad or beating myself up for consuming loads of sugar or calories. This yogurt leaves me feeling full and gives me the energy I need with 12 grams of protein to keep going through my busy day.
I love that it only has 80 calories and 0% fat in each 5.3 oz container. For the times you are craving something sweet or heading toward less healthy snacks,Dannon® Light & Fit® Tiramisu Flavored Greek nonfat yogurt can help you fight the urge to splurge on empty calories.
It really leaves me satisfied not like I’m missing something, in fact, it’s just the opposite, I feel like I should feel guilty, but I don’t have to! Dannon® Light & Fit® Tiramisu Flavored Greek nonfat yogurt makes it deliciously easy for me to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
I know summer is here and you may be feeling that you should have stepped up your get fit routine way before it started. Don’t beat yourself up, you can’t go back but you can start over Did you know that making some diet changes along with exercise can be easier than you think? I was recently in Walmart and they have Balance Bar’s delicious and guilty tasting bare bars in special packs where you get one FREE bare bar and a coupon for $1 off in specially marked boxes like he ones below. If you can’t find them in your store, they are available online, see the links below in this post.
So you get 5 yummy bars for the price of 4 and you have coupon to save $1 on another pack. They come in great flavors like Mixed Berry which is my favorite and Sea Salt Caramel my next favorite flavor. the bars are gluten-free, soy-free, vegetarian and non -GMO. The Mixed Berry Bars are also dairy-free and vegan. Each delicious bar is only 160 calories and they really give you the energy you need to get your exercise routine in.
Some great ways you can fit exercise in is to plan a hike, bike ride, swim time or long walk with your family. Get it on the calendar at least 3 times a week and spend time together doing something that is good for everyone. That is what I am doing this summer, my kids love bike riding, swimming and hiking and I am making sure we are taking the time to do those activities together. My kids won’t let me forget thankfully and I love the time we spend together. It is truly good for our body and minds. For more ideas check out Gabby Reece’s quick and easy workout moves HERE!
Enter To Win!
Balance Bar is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a $15 Walmart gift card and a variety of Balance bare bars. Open to US residents.
$15 Walmart Gift Card and Balance bare bars Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
I am really getting into essential oils and am learning a great deal about them I want to show you some great things I have found to make using my essential oils easier and more effective. I wanted to mix some of my oils with carrier oils, create blends or just put neat oils in roller bottles and I found a great deal on roller bottles on Amazon. I got 24 clear glass 1/3 oz roll on bottles for only $8.88 (keep in mind prices/products change rapidly on Amazon) and it was eligible for my Prime free shipping. Amazingly also included were 3 large transfer pipettes which are really nice for my carrier oil bottles.
If you want colored glass rollers they are available too in a variety of shades like cobalt, green, amber,pink, black even multi color packs. See the selection HERE.
Another super deal I got was 12 Amber 15 ml bottles with dropper tops that are awesome for storage, mixing and sharing your oils. The handy dropper top is perfect for dispensing and mixing. Best of all $6.99 with free Prime shipping!
Diffusing oils is a great way to benefit from the health and healing these oils are known for. The Riverrock Diffuser from Deneve is whisper quiet and so easy to use.
You just fill the chamber with water you can easily measure and pour using the included plastic beaker. You use room temperature water, that is very important. Then add 3-5 drops of you favorite oil or oils and replace the cover.
Turn the unit on and immediately the unit’s LED light band starts changing colors and dispensing the aromatic The diffuser is whisper quiet and has the faint sound of a distant, babbling brook to relax you. Without oil the unit functions as a humidifier. This diffuser covers about 250 square feet for best results.
A video posted by Mommy Ramblings (@mommyramblingsblog) on
The diffuser purifies, sterilizes, moisturizes and ionizes by producing the finest, lightest droplets of water and essential oils without degrading the true essence of the oils, allowing micro droplets to disperse more widely. Using your essential oils in a diffuser like his can help with relieving tension, relaxation, coughs, colds and skin conditions. The changing LED light band is a mood enhancer and accent light but if you want totally darkness, you can turn it off. The river rock sleek shape of the diffuser compliments nearly any decor in the home, office or spa.
Free Essential Oil Books
There are so many free ebooks on using Essential Oils HERE!
Share Your Experience, Recipes, Uses and More!
Please let me know if you have tried these products or are going to. I would love to hear your thoughts, just leave them in the comments.
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
