Be Rewarded for your healthy choices at Walgreens

This healthy choices shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and experiences are mine alone. #BalanceRewards #CollectiveBias

My day is filled with choices.

First is the choice to hit the snooze button...or not. Then, do I lace up my tennis shoes for a walk, or grab my yoga mat? Or do I skip it all together and dive straight into work?

Yes, there are a lot of choices that I have to face each day, but I am trying to make those healthy choices for myself and my family. Ultimately I want to manage my weight and be healthier. That is a great reward in itself. But, I think Walgreens knows I need a little more motivation to meet my health goals. I am all in for a dangling carrot or reward for my accomplishments. Walgreens is now rewarding me with points for my healthy lifestyle choices.

Yes! Walgreens Balance Rewards have gotten even better.

Are you earning Balance Rewards with Walgreens? The Balance Rewards program is free to sign up and I can earn points (50 points!) for every $1 I spend in-store. With all the great deals and coupons available it just makes sense for me to drop in for my my family's needs.

I don't know how many times I have started a "new" exercise and food log. Always with the best of intentions I begin writing everything down and as the days go by I lose interest and lose track of my progress. Then accountability goes as well and I am back to my old routine.

Now I can set my goals, sync a device or App, track my weigh, bloodpressure or other health indicators and earn points for my effort. Check out the Walgreens Balance Rewards for healthy choices page for all the ways your can track and earn.

I have had my Balance Rewards card with Walgreens for a few years now. I use it to save money and even clip coupons for the products we need. But now just by taking my morning run or enjoying a family walk in the evening, I am earning points.

I was so excited about this new program, I had to get outfitted. My husband watched the kids and I went shopping alone in my neighborhood Walgreens for products just for me. My big goal is to walk daily. I know that just 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference in my health and I am also aiming to get 10,000+ steps into each day. This is just a start, but after having my last baby I have a long way to go to reach my health goals.

Walgreens has a whole variety of items to help me get up, get out and make all those healthy lifestyle choices a little easier. Here is what I found at my local store.

1. Lip gloss - Walgreens has a great selection of brands and flavors to keep my lips happy.
2. Friction Reducer - This runner's glide is helpful for any running chafe that may occur. It is non-greasy and scentless.
3. Pain Reliever - I am not getting any younger and taking an extra strength pain reliever after a run helps me to not be slowed down with aches and pains of exercise and aging.
4. Mixed Nuts - My favorite mid morning or after run snack is a handful of mixed nuts. I love portable protein!
5. Blister bandages - I have new shoes and want to be prepared for the pain of breaking them in. I like to manage blisters when they first start so they don't slow me down.
6. Water Bottle - I only take one bottle on my walks so I grabbed a new one with a built-in carbon-based filter so I can refill as needed on the way.

I was also originally going to buy a FitBit in the store, but when I found out I could sync the RunKeeper App already on my phone, I decided to try that out first. It was easy to add the App and have been earning 20 - 60 points a day for my walks.

When I weigh myself weekly, I add that to the App too and am rewarded. It doesn't get much easier than that.

My kids love my new found motivation. We have had a lot more races lately and my kids are getting fast, too! I know I need to put in some major mileage to be in good enough shape to keep up with them. All that exercise will not only keep me healthy, but will quickly earn enough in rewards to treat us all to drinks and snacks at Walgreens afterwards.

So what are you waiting for? Healthy choices start with a single step and Walgreens is handing out plenty of motivation with their healthy choices program.

As for me, I went ahead and ordered that FitBit from Walgreens.com. It should arrived any day now. Being motivated has re-energized me to take better care of myself for my family. I am really curious to not only track all workouts, but also all my steps and activity throughout the day. There is lot that goes into staying healthy was we get older, but I am on my way.

Ready to be rewarded for your healthy choices? Ready, ...set, ... get connected and GO!

How will you be rewarded?

Anything but Boring! My Month of Salad Swaps with Fresh Express

I received free products from the sponsor of the Moms Meet(SM) program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to try and post about this product. My opinions and experiences are my own and do not reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC, or the product manufacturer.

Does the idea of 30 days of salad make your cringe? Do you get tired of the "same old, same old" lettuce and tomato sides?

I have to admit that I have found myself in that rut several times but this past month I have renewed my appreciation and love of a good salad. Now I am convinced it is all about what goes into your salad. How do you build your salad?

Usually I grab a bag of salad mix at the grocery store and then some sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and occaisionally an avocado. Yes, that means all my salads pretty much taste the same. No wonder I would rather eat a cheeseburger.

Throwing caution to the wind, I downloaded the Fresh Express 30 Day #saladswap App for my iPhone. I mean, at Free, I couldn't really go wrong, right?

Fresh Express is available at both Target and my local grocery store, and it is the bag I grab when I want either an easy salad kit or a ready-to-eat bagged salad mix. They are washed, rinsed, and gently dried, then sealed in a patented “Keep-Crisp®” breathable bag.

I love the wide variety of salad options.

Making all these salads actually showed me that changing up my bagged salad preference can make an old salad taste new again. I always grabbed the Spring Mix before, but now I have some new favorites for my family including the Sweet Butter and Veggie Lover's mixes.

Okay, the App gave me a list of options for swapping out my favorite high calorie foods for a sensible, but delicious salad. And there were so many great options including this Cheeseburger Salad recipe to replace and save calories from a traditional burger. The little meatballs were a perfect to satisfy my tastebuds and all my favorite cheeseburger components were on one plate.

Signing up at saladswap.com also gave me access to a progress tracker (keeping track of all those great salad swaps I am making!), motivation along my journey and even some Fresh Express coupons. Who doesn't love coupons? The website resources along with the App on my phone, got me ready to dig into some great salads. Check out the site for more information.

All these great salads even inspired me to create something new at home. Here is my Mandarin Orange Sesame Chicken salad using pre-cooked chicken strips, mandarin orange segments, Fresh Express Sweet Butter Lettuce mix, slivered almonds and sesame ginger dressing. I highly recomend it. And there isn't a tomato in sight.

Now, my 30 days are not up, but I wanted to share the fun so you can sign up and start on your own salad swaps. Head over to the site, saladswap.com or download the App and then head over to grab a coupon from Moms Meet to get you started. While you are there, check out Moms Meet, a fun place where eco-minded parents meet. There is some great information and products being discussed there.

Connect with Fresh Express on Facebook and Pinterest for even more inspiration and product information.

What would like to swap?

Healthy Changes with Insync Natural Probiotic

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. This post is not a health care professional's opinion. All opinions are my own. #NaturalProbiotic

I can see the cherry blossoms on the farm blooming from my bedroom window. It has been making me restless for Spring, warmer weather and getting outside.And as I am faced with slipping on my favorite pre-baby Summer clothes, it hits me. I don't want to worry about the scale this Spring. No, I just want to make sure I am the healthiest I can be from the inside out.

There seems to be a feeling of peace that has hit me at 35. I seem to worry less about how I look, and care more about how much energy I have, what my family is eating and how the food makes us feel. This has prompted several discussions around the dinner table about fermented foods and digestive system balance.

I mean, with 3 small kiddos, I have a little stress in my daily life. Stress kills..., and it also kills off the good bacteria in my digestive system.

Probiotics seem to be in the news more and more. Of course, I want my family to have healthy gut flora and I try to serve foods that are rich in helpful bacteria like fresh yogurt and homemade Sauerkraut. But with my busy schedule and the baby, I can't always keep up our supply.

So, I decided to start my husband and I on a more regular source for our natural probiotic.

Last month I noticed Insync Probiotic was in Costco's Connection Magazine. I had to check it out. This brand contains Doctor recommended B.Infantis, along with 5 other natural probiotic strains. The GI Guard helps the probiotics get to their destination in one peice so they can get to work.

Since I spend so much time and effort on what my family is eating, we might as well be getting the most out of all those nutrients.

The 90 caplet pack was handy. It contained 2 bottles and I handed one right over to my husband. What can I say? I like to share with those I love.

I started taking mine right alongside my morning regimen of vitmains and supplements. Since I am doing something good for myself I can't help but make better food choices. Dressed up oatmeal and a cup of green tea is my favorite way to start the morning and I feel good all day.

I have also been swapping out more of my usual lunches for salads. No boring lettuce and tomato salads in sight though. This was one of my favorites, quinoa and chicken over a bed of butterhead lettuce, avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes and Cannelini beans.

Yum.

Along with those good food choices, I have resumed my daily walks. My son enjoys the view and I am in a better mood when I am active. I plan on enjoying every minute of good weather this Spring has to offer with my family.

So, yeah... I am feeling good and happy about the choices I am making for myself as well as my family. This Spring I am working towards a new me from the inside out.

Want to learn more about probiotics? Check out Insync Probiotics on Facebook, follow @insyncprobiotic on twitter or check out the Insync Probiotics website for where to buy yours.

Anything But Boring! Centrum Flavor Burst Adult Chews

I participated in this sampling on behalf of Smiley360.com and the Smiley360 Blogger Program. All experiences and opinions are my own. You can join Smiley360 at www.smiley360.com.

Okay, who takes a daily multivitamin?

I hope everyone does, but I know that vitamins can be easily forgotten in a busy day and well, no one likes to take a horse pill sized anything.

Believe me. Prenatal vitamins are humongous. ...I have done that a few times.

Centrum is now offering a fun and easier alternative called Centrum Flavor Burst. I was sent a bottle of the mixed fruit flavor. You can also find them in tropical fruit or wild grape flavors.

The flavors reminded me of a slightly sour candy. A daily suggested serving of 4 bursts can be taken with our without food.

Centrum Flavor Burst Chews

• Chewable adult multivitamin supplement.
• Contains B Vitamins
• Contains Vitamins C & E

Yes, they were tasty and easy to eat. I didn't notice any after effects, after taste or upset stomach after taking them.

Some of my friends who have a hard time with vitamins and are big fans of gummy vitamins. I think this product would appeal to them. It would also be a fun way to entice teenagers or young adults to remember their vitamins. Anyway to get people taking their multivitamins on a regular basis sounds like a good thing to me.

The drawback? Well, with small children in the house these resembled gumballs and looked a little too tempting. I had to hide my bottle on top of the medicine cabinet out of their reach. They do come with a safety cap, but I still wanted to be safe.

Would you like to try the Centrum Flavor Burst Chews for yourself?

Giveaway Time!!!

I have one additional full-sized (60 ct.) bottle of Centrum Flavor Burst to give away to one lucky reader. You must be 18 years or older and in the US. Giveaway ends March 8, 2014.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A New Direction with a Simple Start

I wrote this blog post as part of a movement by Weight Watchers to encourage people to remember that loving yourself starts with taking care of your health everyday. Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.

There is something about seeing the first daffodils of the year that makes me feel like the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Well, right before he created his cocoon.

You know, when the Very Hungry Caterpillar wasn't very hungry anymore? He wasn't so little anymore, either. I'm not quite ready to dazzle you all with butterfly status just yet, but I am ready to make a new start with some simple changes.

I am starting my journey with little steps.

On Valentine's Day I promised to do one thing for myself everyday for the rest of the month. I held myself to it and though I have completed a week already and have done several different things, getting out to exercise was at the top of my list.

The first step, of course, was just to get out the door. I have never understood why New Year's Resolutions begin in January. I always feel the urge to make changes as Winter starts to thaw. Flowers remind me that good things and warmer weather are on the horizon.

Also coming are bathings suits, pool parties and running around the park chasing my children.

To enjoy all of those things though, I need to start moving more. Regular exercise always makes me feel better. It is something I choose to do for myself.

Speaking of my children, I can hardly belive that my baby is already 8 months old.  I feel like it is time to start doing some things for myself again. I don't want to hide behind my maternity clothing and elastic waistbands anymore. Those extra pounds aren't welcome here anymore either. I don't want to miss out on life because I can't find anything that fits right.

Those daily walks have allowed me a chance to enjoy the flowers and scenery along the way. It has also been fun spending time with my 4-year old daughter. She loves to race. She is not self concious, but runs because she enjoys it.

I admire her carefree spirit.

In addition to walking, this week I also broke out Just Dance 2014 for the Xbox One. I love dancing, if only around my living room. It was the perfect way to get moving on the days when it was too rainy to lace up my sneakers. It was also fun to get my kids involved.

My other big project this past week was to reorganize my favorite room. I love crafting, but would rather create in a clean space. And who am I kidding? I couldn't find anything before. Having this room organzied and ready for crafting is a great way to relieve my stress at the end of the day.

My health isn't just about what I eat or how often I exercise. It is also about my emotional health and being happy.

And my inspiration for all these simple step activities was the Simple Start plan from Weight Watchers. They encouraged me to do good things for myself as the start for healthy living. The best part is doing something just for me, to #lovehealthyme, is so simple!

I still have another week in my committment to myself, but the truth is I want to keep going. My small steps may be a reminder to love myself, but the effects have benefited my whole family.

What is one thing you do for yourself?

Motivation to Move - Lifetrak Move 300

*Disclaimer - I received the Lifetrak Move C300 activity tracker as a compensation for my time and efforts via Fitspiration For Moms Network. All experiences and opinions are my own.

Another baby, another set of unwanted baby pounds to shed.  Yes, I have been a busy girl. Once coming out of the new baby fog I started to move. It has been a slow start, but it took 9 months to pack the extra weight on and I will devote the next 9 months to taking it off in a healthy way. I have chosen to start my new chapter one step at a time.

Of course, finding a way to stay motivated and track my progress is important to me. With the other kids I found a device that allowed me to "compete" with my step counts or set goals for myself to achieve. So I was looking for something to help me along this journey. The Lifetrak Move 300 seemed like a great place to start tracking my activity. It sounded like the perfect reason to #GetMoving.

My Lifetrak arrived and I couldn't wait to start set-up. First I downloaded the accompanying FREE app, Argus, for my iPhone. Then I began adjusting the settings for my activity tracker, setting weight, height and checking to see if my stride and step count were accurate. It took me less than 10 minutes to be ready to start using it.

One of the best features, in my opinion, is that the Lifetrak is waterproof - submersible to 90 feet. That is more than sufficient for me to spend an afternoon swimming with my kids, or wash the dishes and not worry about ruining my tracker. Believe me, I have gone through more than my fair share of pedometers and other health trackers due to moisture and shorting out.

Basically I have worn my Lifetrak everywhere for the past 3 weeks.

This device replaced several items I had in my healthy lifestyle arsenal. It could track my heart rate so I didn't have to remember to wear my heart rate monitor during exercise, it counted my steps so I didn't also need a pedometer and helped me keep track of the time and date as well.

This activity tracker connects with Bluetooth Smart enabled devices allowing you to use the data collected for health and fitness apps. To sync up I just needed to have my iPhone nearby and open the app while pressing a button on my wristband. It was fast and easy. Then the info showed up when I opened the Argus app.

I'm a busy Mom and this device was everything I needed to get up and out the door without much fuss. Adding this to the Argus app also allowed me to track and photograph my food, water, the weather and much more. The price point really can't be beat at just under $60 on Amazon. For this price I did a lot more manually entering of items, but it still wasn't bad.

I move for my kids. They are the reason I want to get back into shape and drop a few jean sizes. This little beauty will be going with me for all my activities, walking, swimming or cycling. At the end of the day I know exactly how active I was and am able to set realistic goals for the next day. For that reason, I love my Lifetrak Move 300.

Connect with Lifetrak on Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest for more motivation.

Giveaway Time!!

Now, would you like the chance to win the Lifetrak Move 300? Fitspiration for Moms is running a fabulous giveaway where you can snag your own. Good luck!

Entry-Form

#Ad - Keeping it Fresh and Healthy this Memorial Day Weekend

After such a dry Spring, we finally got some rain this past week, well a lot of it. Of course, it made me worry about how we would be celebrating our Memorial Day Weekend. I had visions of healthy eating outside, easy meals, the sprinkler running and going strawberry picking with the kids.

I am a homebody right now. With this baby coming in less than 3 weeks I just want to spend some quality time with my kids. I know that there will be big changes coming for the older kids soon and I wanted to make this weekend both fun and memorable for them. That means less time in the kitchen, but still eating well.

Armed with a favorable weather forecast for the weekend, and fingers crossed, I took the family grocery shopping to prepare. Okay, I hate to shop on a holiday weekend, so I planned to keep things as fresh and simple as possible. It was pouring and the kids were all bundled up and dressed in rain coats. It was pretty hard to think about fun and sun with that kind of weather. Of course my kids were just excited about all the rain puddles we would hit on the way into Walmart.

Our local Walmart had already been ransacked midweek by people who probably had the same idea I did. I have a feeling that by the end of the week a lot of the chips, dips and easy prepared foods would be running really low, if not out. Luckily my meals were going to be simple and I found everything I needed. But as the week wore on I was still pretty pessimistic that we would have a clear holiday.

Happily I was wrong. The sunshine came out and we were able to head to the strawberry field Saturday morning. My son loves strawberries, so is more than willing to help out with picking. It is a good thing, too, because bending over is getting more challenging for me the closer to my due date I get.

This is the first year my daughter hasn't just picked the green ones. Last year she claimed they were pretty. This year it is more about the taste.

With my husband busy cutting hay today and the kids and I being worn out from all the strawberries, we opted for a super easy and fast meal outside on the back porch. Our family-go-to-favorite during the warmer months is Taco Salad with homemade Catalina dressing.

I enlisted my best salad spinner to help while I prepped the chicken. We make our taco salad a number of ways, sometimes with meat and sometimes without. This time I wanted to cut down on cooking time by using the Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Breast Strips and heating them with just a little taco seasoning for added flavor.

I added just a 1/4 cup of water and let them heat through. It was much faster than slicing and browning all that chicken myself.

I even had time after prepping all the veggies to make a pitcher of whole juice strawberry lemonade. I thought it would be a fun treat for the kids after picking the berries. It is as simple as it sounds, just strawberries, lemons, sugar to taste and diluted with water and ice. Everything goes into the blender and it was garnished with some fresh sliced strawberries.

I set up our salad bar outside on the table. My kids prefer to have a hand in fixing their own salads. Even if I dished up the exact same ingredients and portions for them, it just wouldn't be the same. Our salad bar included items that were either rinsed and sliced, thawed or from a can, so prep time was around 10 minutes total.

The salads were a big hit and so was the fresh air outside. It was the perfect way to kick off our Memorial Day Weekend. I was very pleased with the simple addition of the chicken in our salad, as well. It was moist and tasty. A great little added protein boost to our fresh and hearty salad. Who wants a heavy or complicated meal on a such a beautiful day?

The Kruse Family's Favorite Taco Salad

You Will Need:

• Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Breast Strips
• Taco seasoning
• 1/4 c. water
• iceberg lettuce
• tomatoes
• sliced olives
• kidney beans
• sweet corn
• avocado
• sharp cheddar cheese
• Catalina Dressing
• Tortilla Chips

Heat the Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Breast Strips in a pan over medium heat. Sprinkle with taco seasoning to taste and then add 1/4 cup water to the pan and let them simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is warmed through.

We like to set up all our ingredients in salad bar fashion and let everyone help themselves. Build as you like and then top with Catalina dressing. This is such a fresh and easy dinner. Enjoy!

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

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