Staying On Top of It All and Using Emergen-C

I received this product for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review. You can join Smiley360 here!  #EmergenC

I have been crocheting up a new motif this week, little shamrock's in preparation for St. Patrick's Day. Believe me, I can use all the luck I can get!

We just got back from our annual early Spring break vacation. With the planting season coming it isn't easy to get away when the school calender schedules the break. Instead we duck out after parent teacher conferences for a little fun at a nearby water park.

It is a tradition we all look forward to.

This year the baby was starting to get sick on our last day. Then we all went down, one after another, like dominoes. If you have small children, you probably have experienced this yourself. No matter how many times I request small hands be washed and everyone cover their mouths when they cough, we still share each and every germ that goes around.

Ugh.

Since we have already played this game with my family of 5 twice since the school year began, I decided to do something to take myself out of the line of fire. Besides wiping down every surface in our house with disinfectant wipes, I started taking Emergen-C Vitamin Drink Mix. I think my immune system needs all the support it can get.

It was my Mom who always reminded me to eat my vegetables, eat plenty of fresh fruit and take extra Vitamin C this time of year. Moms know these things, right?

Well, I don't like swallowing vitamins or supplements, I would rather get 1000 mg of Vitamin C in drink form. And I am excited to say there are 3 new flavors for fans of Emergen-C.

From the original formula I was sent three flavors; Super Orange, Strawberry-Kiwi and Coconut-Pineapple. This was my first time trying the Strawberry-Kiwi and Coconut-Pineapple flavors, the Coconut-Pineapple won me over.

If you are new to Emergen-C, you can check out their website for more information about all the good stuff Emergen-C contains. You can also find out more about their complete product line and flavor options.

I am  a fan of the Emergen-C Immune+ formulas, too. Seems like the perfect thing for me to incorporate into my day this time of year.

Now with the Emergen-C Immune+ Warmers, I have a new warm drink to enjoy while the kids nap. Perfect to keep me warmed through and it tastes like my favorite berry infused herbal teas. I like to pair a mug of Berry Medley  with a good book or my latest knitting or crochet project.

So, you could say to increase my luck this year, I am holding tight to those lucky shamrocks... and enjoying my favorite flavors of Emergen-C. When it comes to my immune system, I might not have a choice to always be surrounded my little walking germ magnets, but I can support my immune system with a simple fizzy drink - Emergen-C.

Want to try it for yourself? Grab a free Emergen-C sample while supplies last. Or click here for a $1 off coupon for Emergen-C: http://bit.ly/14e40TG

Connect with Emergen-C on Facebook and @EmergenC Twitter for upcoming promotions and product announcements!

Do you use Emergen-C? What flavor would you like to try?

How Did Exaltria Skin Care Fit into my past 30 Days? My Final Results

This #30Days2BetterSkin Exaltria Skin Care shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and experiences are mine alone.

As I mentioned in my previous post, my skin has really started to show my age. Crows feet, smile lines, uneven skin tone and larger pores... yeah, it doesn't bounce back like when I was 18. And this 36-year old can add to the fun sleepless nights as a Mom and probably not drinking as much water as I need.

Whew! Confessions are good for the soul. Aren't they?

Well, I introduced you all to the #30Days2BetterSkin challenge in my previous post, Skin Care from the Inside Out with Exaltria, and I am excited to say that my month long challenge has ended. Or, I should say I hit the one month mark, but more about that later.

In my before photo, which is completely bare faced, you can see that I have combination skin, dry in patches, oily in others. I have fine lines and blotchy skin. I am good about minimizing my sun exposure and use an SPF moisturizer daily, but the effects of the sun-filled days of teens are showing.

My challenge was to make simple changes in my day to help my skin look it's best. Here is what I promised to do:

1. Healthy eating to start my day
2. Drink 8 glasses of water daily
3. Work up a sweat for 30 minutes a day
4. Wash my face twice daily
5. Take Exaltria daily

So I started my challenge not knowing what to expect. 

The first 2 weeks were the hardest. Hardest to remember to do everything I promised, as well as the hardest on my skin. It was a little drier than usual and areas around my T-zone peeled. Not a big deal, it reminded me of any new topical face creams I tried as a teen from the dermatologist. Everything has a transition period.

During this time I posted on Instagram and Facebook about my journey, but my day starts out with a healthy breakfast. My favorite includes a scrambled egg with my choice of vegetable, fresh fruit and a little Coconut Yogurt. Here is one of my favorites, a morning asparagus scramble.

Morning Asparagus Scramble
(Single Serving)

• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 3-4 Asparagus stalks, cut into 1/2 inch slices on a diagonal
• 1 large egg
• splash of milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Heat up the olive oil in a small pan. Add the sliced asparagus and saute till tender crisp over medium heat. Then scramble the egg with a splash milk and pour over the softened asparagus. Cook eggs through and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Then I have my morning vitamins, one Exaltria pill and start drinking my water. Remember, my goal is to drink 8 glass of water every day. The first 5 are the easiest, but if I don't start early it is hard to squeeze in the last few.

After getting my kids on the bus for school I can push the stroller a little farther and work on getting 30 minutes of brisk walking in. Walking is my exercise of choice because I can do it with the baby. He loves our morning walks!  I was also motivated to finally buy a Fitbit Flex and start tracking my overall activity and steps for the day.

A simple visual reminder always helps me stay on track. And I am a competitive person so earning my step or calorie badges is fun for me.

Along with my walk, regular household chores and the daily life, I keep my water bottle handy. This one has a built-in filter so I can refill anywhere. Taste is a big reason I often don't drink water. The filter has really helped with that.

And then of course I have been washing my face morning and night. Yeah, it seems like a simple thing to do, but sometimes those simple things make all the difference. I know as a teen and into my 20's it didn't always happen twice a day. Too busy to bother, you know?

Not all the lines are gone, but I am happy to say that my skin now looks more hydrated and the tone is more even on my previous problem areas. I would like to hope that my pores, especially around the apple of my cheeks, are less noticeable. For just a 30 day commitment, that isn't too bad.

So how did Exaltria fit in to my day? It was just one more step and a good reminder that there is a lot I wasn't doing for my skin before. It is too easy to overlook the simple things that can be done on a daily basis to help me look my best. And after 30 days these are all good habits that I want to keep going with.

What is Exaltria? It is a natural dietary supplement for skin that works from the inside out. At 25 the body can stop producing molecular acid, which slows or even stops the skin's ability to restore elasticity. One pill of Exaltria a day can help and help you maintain young healthy looking skin. You can purchase Exaltria on Amazon.com and start your own #30Days2BetterSkin Challenge.

What healthy skin routine do you have? Any secrets to share?

Preparing for the Seasonal Flu and Giving Back with Walgreens

This Walgreens immunizations shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and experiences are mine alone. #GetAShot #CollectiveBias

Growing up I wanted nothing more than to see the world beyond my small town. I dreamed of going places that I had only read about in books, or learned about in the pages of National Geographic.

So once I left home, I went out and saw the world.

Teaching English in Japan for 3 years gave me the opportunity to travel on school holidays. I did my traveling through Asia with a pack and second hand guide books. Traveling solo I had many opportunities to meet interesting people and quietly observe the cultures and customs of the countries I visited.  I went to Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and China.

I was scuba diving in Thailand during the 2004 tsunami. Luckily, I was on the opposite side of the country from the destruction and was unaffected by the devastation until I tried to find an open room in Bangkok before my return flight. There was a great wave of displaced tourists and I was grateful to have been able to fly back to Japan without problems. But, I never did find a room and shower.

I still remember the poverty in Bangkok. The helpful children hoping to earn extra money while showing a tourist like me around for the day.

The English language teachers in my area collected and raised money to send to an orphanage in Thailand. Even the simplest items were needed.

Another Summer vacation I headed to China for two weeks. I did see the Great Wall of China and explore a lot of Beijing before the Olympic construction was finished, but I also took planes and buses farther into the heart of China.

Compared to the rural countryside where I taught in Japan, China was another world entirely. Poverty was more prevalent outside the heart of Beijing.

That was nearly 11 years ago. Despite the weather being hot and humid I was so excited to see The Giant Buddha of Leshan in Leshan, China (Sichuan Provence). It was carved into the cliff face in the 8th century. There were stairs behind to climb all the way to the top of Buddha's head.

Now, as a Mom of 3, I don't have the time or energy left to backpack around Asia. Though I treasure those adventures, my priorities have changed.

Now my focus is on keeping my family healthy and happy. With a young toddler, and school back in session, that means we all need to get our seasonal flu shots. I don't have time to catch the flu from my kids. Who would take care of them? And my husband and I being immunized means we won't pass the season's worst gifts onto my 1-year old or the Great Grandparents.

 My kids get their shots during their regularly scheduled check-ups, but my husband and I have to get ours elsewhere. Even more than getting the actual immunizations, I dislike having to find somewhere to get it. Last year we went to our local clinic and waited around for over an hour.

Yeah, for a simple little shot!

This year I got smarter and headed into my local Walgreens. There is no appointment needed and in my store there is almost no wait. But the best part about getting my seasonal flu shot at Walgreens, is helping to give a lifesaving vaccine to a child in a developing country.

This "Get a Shot. Give a Shot" campaign helps children like the ones I met during my travels through Asia.

From now through October 13th, when you get a flu shot or other immunization at Walgreens, you will help provide a life saving vaccine through the United Nation Foundation's Shot@Life Campaign.
Did you know that 1 in 5 children around the globe still don't have access to vaccines against things like Measles and Polio?

My photos may have started to fade, but my memories and the benefit that these vaccines can have for children in developing countries are good for my soul. Yes, Walgreens not only saves me money and has convenient services my family uses, but their charitable efforts can help provide up to 3 Million vaccines to kids that need it most!

Now, that feels good.

Are your immunizations up to date?  Have you heard of the "Get a Shot. Get a Shot" campaign before?

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?

My Secret Weapon? #EmergenC

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

Has it been a rough cold and flu season, or what?

Okay, I got hit really hard because my youngest just started Kindergarten. Yeah, it's true what they say. This year he has brought every single stinkin' bug possible home for us to all share, pass around and then revisit.

People keep telling me it gets better. Our immune systems are going to be really tough after this.

But, I don't care about 2 or 10 years down the line. I want to feel better and not catch the next round of sniffles. This is where Emergen-C comes in.

This is a product I hadn't tried before.

I mean, really?

Yeah, really. After receiving an envelope of various Emergen-C products through Smiley360, I tried it. Lots of flavors to choose from. A little fizzy and full of the good stuff I would want to supplement right now, like zinc and vitamin C. I have to admit that this simple little packet, which I just had to stir into water, is a whole lot easier to take than a bunch of pills.

My favorite out of the pack was the Immune+ - exactly what my body needs right now to fight off all these Kindergarten induced bugs.

My overall opinions is not bad. In fact, a pleasant experience. In times like these, every little bit helps, right?

Grab your own Emergen-C at your local drugstore, or visit the brand site for a free sample of Emergen-C .

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?

Kicking our Cough to the Curb with Zarbee's Naturals

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Zarbee’s Naturals. I received product samples and a promotional item as a thank you for participating. #ZarbeesCough #MC

This year it seems like we have been on and off the  merry-go-round of shared colds more often than not. I attribute it to my oldest starting school. Despite my best efforts to emphasize hand washing and good hygeine, coughs have been a constant sound in our house.

Nothing could be more frustrating for a Mom.

We haven't been sick enough to need our pediatrician's intervention. In fact, we are letting our bodies handle it. But the coughs get very annoying. Post-nasal drip, and the scratchy throat it causes, has not been my friend.  I needed a natural way to kick our family's cough to the curb.

One of my favorite home-remedies and cure-alls is from scratch Chicken Noodle Soup. I like to make my own chicken stock using left over celery, onions and carrots to clean out the vegetable bin. With a little chicken and thick homemade noodles this is my favorite meal during the cold months. It has a way of warming me up from the inside out and making me feel better.

A close second would be honey in warm tea. I often do this for a dry throat or just to relax at the end of my day. Is there anything more soothing?

One more way to beat those coughs is with Zarbee's Naturals. Funny thing is, it is natural like my soup and uses my second favorite home remedy, honey, to soothe dry and scratchy throats.

Zarbee's Naturals was founded in 2008 by pedatrician Dr. Zak Zarbock. A Utah-based pediatrician and father of four small boys, h could relate to his patients' frustrations at not being able to offer natural relief from  uncomfortable sore throats and sniffles of the common cold. In 2007, as the FDA ruled that cough syrups were not safe to use for children under the age of 4, Dr. Zak discovered a clinical trial demonstrating the effective use of dark honey in calming coughs and soothing sore throats in children.

The line has grown from there and now Zarbee's Naturals are available nationwide. You can learn more on http://www.zarbees.com.

Zarbee's Naturals is a line I have used with my children in the past. It is hard to find natural relief approved for little ones that actually works. My husband is very particular about label reading before we buy anything, over the counter or otherwise, and these products have made the cut in our house.

Of course, getting a chance to blog about them I discovered the Cough and Throat Relief for adults. I used it last week for my own throat and found the taste pleasant and that it helped keep my throat feeling better all morning.

One product I was really excited about was the baby cough syrup. Since it is drug free it can be used on infants over 2 months old. Cough syrup for our youngest family member can mean the difference between a rough night or pleasant night sleep.

I have this on hand for my 8-month old. Unlike the other products, for baby's safety it doesn't contain honey. Instead it uses agave syrup for the same clinical benefits as found in honey without the safety issues for children under 12 months.

For my older children, ages 6 and 4, there is a whole line of children's cough syrups for different situations. My favorite is the nighttime cough syrup since sick children really need all the sleep they can get. Sometimes a good night sleep is the final ingredient needed for my kids to feel better in the morning.

And the taste? With a natural grape flavor my son doesn't mind taking it. The regular cough syrup is also available in cherry flavor, too if that appeals more to your crew.

Want some more tip for tackling the cold season? Dr. Zak has some product recommendations to keep on hand if germs have gotten beyond regular hand washing measures:

• Healing Ointments: protect well-blown noses by rubbing on ointment at night. By morning the redness will be gone.
• Saline Wipes: Opt for gentler saline wipes to keep little noses from getting chapped.
• Saline Nose Sprays: All -natural saline nasal sprays can ease discomfort and may prevent ear and sinus infections.
• Natural Cough Syrup: Zarbee's Naturals Children's Cough Syrup is made from antioxidant-rich dark honeys - which clinical trials have shown to be the safest and most effective treatments for relieving coughs in children 12 months and older - and Zarbee's Baby Cough Syrup, formulated with agave syrup, offers relief to children as young as two months old.
• Bath & Shower Gel: Warm, moist air is an effective symptom reliever and nothing soothes like a warm bath. Look for gels with a blend of eucalyptus, fennel and horehound to soothe away symptoms.

Ready to give Zarbee's Naturals a try? Be sure to grab a COUPON for $1.50 OFF.