Get Through Cold and Flu Season with Culturelle Probiotics!

I received this product for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review.

I am a big advocate for supplements in everyone's diet. Whether you are a child, adult or anywhere in between you need supplements on a daily basis to get the nutrients your body needs - especially during the winter months in the Northern states that I live in where it is gloomy and cold for almost half the year!

I make sure to always add in at least a multi-vitamin, Vitamin C and a probiotic in my daily routine for both myself and my children! I really love probiotics because they do so much for the body - they promote good digestion and they are great for your immunity too!

So which probiotic do I reach for? 

Culturelle Pro-Well Probiotics have been my probiotic of choice lately and I am loving them! They have several different options within the Pro-Well line and each one has such great benefits for the body!

Check out three of my favorites below:

Culturelle Pro-Well Immune + Energy

Culturelle® Pro-Well® Immune + Energy is my choice when I feel a cold or illness coming on! If I need to get through the day while fighting whatever I have coming on, then I reach for the Immune + Energy probiotics! It is formulated with ingredients that work naturally with your body to promote overall health and normal energy production.

The Immune + Energy includes 10 billion live active cultures of the #1 clinically studied probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG®) and it helps to safely restore the natural balance of good bacteria in your digestive tract, where 70% of our immune system lives. Plus, it contains Vitamin C and Vitamin B so it really gives my immune system the boost I need!

Culturelle® Pro-Well® Health & Wellness 

And to restore my body after an illness or after taking antibiotics, I reach for Culturelle® Pro-Well® Health & Wellness which safely and naturally restores the balance of good bacteria and non-beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract, where 70% of the body’s immune system resides.

Balancing the bacteria in the intestines not only helps optimize your immune system and supports your natural defenses, but also helps your digestive system work better. With 15 billion live active cultures of 100% Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG®), the most clinically studied probiotic strain, each capsule contains a clinical strength serving of probiotics.

Culturelle® Pro-Well® 3-in-1 Complete 

And when I need it all - increase my immune health, increase my digestive healthy and promote heart health, I reach for Culturelle® Pro-Well® 3-in-1 Complete because it helps support your health in three ways!

• Heart Health: Promotes heart health
• Digestive Health: Helps your digestive system work better
• Immune Health: Supports your natural immune response

So as you can see Culturelle Pro-Well has a probiotic for all times of the year and for all the ways you are feeling and they are especially great to have on hand during cold and flu season! They will help fight those bacteria and restore your gut health after illness! Definitely get some Culturelle on hand for these upcoming months of cold and flu season!

Buy It:

You can purchase Culturelle Pro-Well at your local store.

* I received this product for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review. *

Defending The Body Naturally With @FamilyFlora Probiotics #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Well, flu and cold season is definitely in full swing. Sometimes our body’s own defenses are unable to fight health challenges, and medication is required. Certain over-the-counter and prescribed medications can wreak havoc on the body’s microbiome, causing an upset stomach and other GI tract concerns.

Family Flora, a probiotic/prebiotic formula, assists in creating a balanced and healthy microbiome. Because health concerns and issues arise more frequently in the winter, a probiotic/prebiotic can be a smart choice to replenish a microbiome that is strained for any number of reasons.

Family Flora’s Flora Renew Probiotic + Prebiotic delivers a two-culture combination plus organic prebiotic formula that can help renew your gut's good bacteria after it’s depleted during a course of antibiotics or other medication.

And for the kids who really suffer during cold and flu season, check out Junior Daily Balance!

Kids live hectic little lives. Whether at daycare, at school, or on the playground, children are constantly coming into contact with germs and bacteria. Most of the time their bodies are able to fight off infections, but sometimes their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the battle and they unfortunately become ill.

Just like adults, children’s “good bacteria” make up the 1 trillion cells in the microbiome. The foods kids eat (or don’t eat!), the medications they take, the other children they come in contact with, can all interfere with a healthy balance in the microbiome. Family Flora Daily Balance Junior Probiotic + Prebiotic delivers a 10 billion CFU, four-culture combination plus prebiotic formula for children ages 2 – 14, helping young tummies to maintain their balance.

The Junior Daily Balance Formula is for Children Ages 2-14 and includes 4 Probiotic Cultures + A Super Prebiotic: Lactobacillus Acidophilus (DDS1), Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, and Bacillus Coagulans (Produra) + Prebiotics

Plus, there are No Artificial Flavors or Sweeteners and they are Non-GMO, Kosher and Sodium-Free! And they are 30 Convenient, Easy-Dose Stick Packs and Fun Stickers in Every Box! One For Each Day!

Buy It:

You can purchase Family Flora products at your local Target

Win It:

Flora Renew is generously offering (1) 6-month supply of Flora Renew to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) 6 Month Supply of Flora Renew 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Family Flora for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Get Ready for Cold & Flu Season with Braun Thermometers!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Well, unfortunately Cold & Flu season is here again! My house has already been hit by both and it is isn't even winter!! With three little ones and a husband (who might tend to act like a little one when sick...), I am always reaching for my thermometer to keep an eye on my children's temps!

As a health professional and mother, I reach for Braun thermometers because they are the number one recommended brand by pediatricians - and moms alike. And I love how innovative their thermometers are and are so great for not making sick children more cranky!

They have two types that I really love - the No Touch + Forehead thermometer and the Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer.

The No Touch + Forehead thermometer allows two ways for the temperature to be taken - on the forehead, as well as simply by holding the thermometer close to the forehead, allowing for the child's comfort.

We have been using a forehead thermometer for years but I love that this is the first and only thermometer with both no touch and touch functions. It uses a new, revolutionary technology that ensures clinically accurate and consistent readings, with gentle convenience.

I LOVE that the Braun No touch + forehead thermometer gives you accurate readings instantly and if I have a really cranky one, I don't even have to touch them with the thermometer! The built-in accuracy sensor guides you to the right distance to take a reading!

This is so great for when children are sleeping and you don't want to wake them! They have thought of everything because they also included a silent mode for sleeping baby and a fast 2 second reading!

Plus, it features an easy fever guidance with a large, color-coded screen that allows instant fever detection. A green screen indicates no fever is detected, yellow suggests a slightly elevated temperature, and red signals a possible high fever may be present.

The Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer is a popular choice among moms because the ear canal is the most accurate site to measure a fever.

Thanks to Braun’s patented pre-warmed tip and ExacTemp® technology, Braun ThermoScan® is widely regarded as a benchmark for accuracy and reliability.

If your child will let you, this is one of the best thermometers to use for the most accurate reading! Braun has really tried to make it work for everyone because they have included a patented pre-warmed tip that ensures accuracy and the ExacTemp® guidance system function: light & beep alert for accurate positioning.

It is fast, gentle and easy to use and it always includes the last reading to track temperature. The package includes hygienic disposable lens filters which are BPA and Latex free.

With the holidays quickly approaching, these thermometers would make a useful stocking stuffer for new moms or moms-to-be!

Buy It:

You can purchase all Braun thermometers from your local retailer or online at Amazon.com

* Thank you to Braun for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Fight Sickness & Relax with Young Living Essential Oils & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Spring is officially here and, sadly, sicknesses, allergies, and cold/flu season are still here as well! In fact, I just found out strep is going around my son's classroom!

It can be very frustrating and tiring to constantly fight sicknesses at school and at home but we use vitamins, adequate sleep at night, frequent cleaning and hand washing and Young Living essential oils in our house and, so far, we have fought off most sicknesses that are popping up at most schools and homes!

Young Living, the world leader in essential oils, not only provides great essential oils, but they also offer safe, natural household cleaners to fight off those germs! Their natural, essential oil-based, Thieves Home Cleaning Products will make it easy to start fresh this season – and are free of the harsh chemicals that many other household cleaners contain!

Check out some of their Thieves cleaning products below:

· Thieves Household Cleaner: Formulated with the power of Young Living’s Thieves oil blend, you can get a deep clean without dangerous or synthetic ingredients. Thieves cleaner also includes the scent of Lemon essential oil for an even more uplifting aroma. Chores will feel like less of a chore with the sweet-and-spicy scent and effective cleaning power of Thieves Household Cleaner.

· Thieves Wipes: Thieves Wipes are infused with the powerful properties of Thieves essential oil blend.

· Thieves Spray (hand sanitizer): Thieves Spray is a portable cleaning spray ideal for purifying small surfaces. Thieves Spray can be used on doorknobs, handles, toilet seats, and more.

· Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier: Convenient, portable, and long lasting, Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier is enhanced with natural Peppermint oil to cleanse and purify hands.

And my personal favorites from Young Living are my Dewdrop Diffuser and my Stress Away oil blend! This spring has proved to be stressful in both my personal life and work life but any time I am feeling overwhelmed, I turn on my diffuser with a couple drops of Stress Away, take a deep breath and I instantly feel the stress drain away!

Stress Away™ is the first product to contain the unique combination of Lime and Vanilla pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. With an aroma that is the perfect blend of tropical and citrus, Stress Away is uniquely relaxing and comforting.

Ingredients
Copaiba (Copaifera reticulata), Lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), Ocotea (Ocotea quixos), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

It smells very refreshing, clean and relaxing and I just can't get enough! Even my children and husband turn on the Dewdrop Diffuser when they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed because it is so easy to use and turn on!

The Young Living’s Dewdrop™ Diffuser functions as a humidifier, atomizer, and aroma diffuser in one simple-to-use product.

Inspired by the purity and elegance of a drop of morning dew, the Dewdrop Diffuser’s design reflects Young Living’s dedication to providing high-quality essential oils. Its ultrasonic technology breaks any mixture of essential oils and water into millions of microparticles, disperses them into the air, and releases the constituents found in Young Living essential oils. Custom designed with up to four hours of continuous run diffusion, automatic shut-off, and ambient light control, Young Living’s Dewdrop Diffuser can transform any space into a spa-like atmosphere.

This is my first diffuser and for someone that had no idea what to do, I soon found it to be extremely easy to use! Just fill to the marked spot, drop in a couple of drops of essential oils, put the lids on and push the button! You can push the button once for a blue, relaxing light or twice for no light. The dewdrop shape looks modern and fun and it fits any decor!

Dimensions: 135 x 135 x 190mm. The Dewdrop Diffuser comes with free 5-ml bottles of Tangerine and Peppermint essential oils.

Buy It:

You can purchase all of the aforementioned products at www.YoungLiving.com.

Win It:

Young Living is generously offering (1) Stress Away Oil and Dew Drop Diffuser.to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Stress Away Oil and Dew Drop Diffuser
from Young Living
(retails for $123!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Young Living for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Fight Winter Colds & Spring Allergies with Safety 1st

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Winter is almost over (thank goodness!) but cold/flu season is still here and sadly Spring Allergy season is on its way too! It definitely makes this winter seem to go on forever when the kids are repeatedly sick!

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 and they can do that with great products from Safety 1st.

Safety 1st has a number of infant healthcare products for combating stuffy noses, dispensing medicine, and helping your little one get better.

Having trouble administering medicine to your baby or toddler? 

Set & Measure Medicine Spoon

The Set & Measure Medicine Spoon offers an accurate way to dispense medicine to your little one. It features preset dosage markings so all you have to do is move the plunger up or down to find your dosage and dispense.

FEATURES:

• Preset doses
• Audible indicator for accurate pour
• Wide pour with soft-touch tip
• Spill-proof cap
• Bold fill line

Ease cold and flu symptoms with a Safety 1st humidifier.

Ultrasonic 360 Humidifier

The Ultrasonic 360° Humidifier helps you keep baby healthy and comfortable. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and raise the level of indoor humidity, helping to ease cold symptoms and reduce dry skin or itchy eyes. The Ultrasonic 360° Humidifier supports baby year round, by putting you in control of humidity levels. Easily adjust the variable mist control for the moisture level that's right for your family. The large tank provides your nursery with up to 36 hours of cool, soothing mist. This humidifier includes 2 fully rotating mist outlets, letting you also control the direction of the mist and giving you the ability to soothe two children in different beds at once. Designed for ultimate convenience, the ultrasonic technology allows the humidifier to operate quietly and without filters. The humidifier features auto shut off and lights up to let you know it’s time to refill the tank.

FEATURES:

• Two mist outlets rotate 360° for full nursery coverage
• Easy clean and filter free tank
• Cool mist and quiet ultrasonic operation
• Easy-fill tank for up to 36 hours of nursery coverage
• Auto shut-off

Safety 1st also offers healthcare kits that include thermometers, nasal aspirators, alcohol wipes, medicine dispensers, travel clutches, and more. It has everything that mom and dad needs to take care of baby on the go.

 Deluxe Healthcare and Grooming Kit

The Deluxe Healthcare & Grooming Kit by Safety 1st is a convenient all-in-one kit containing a full assortment of baby essentials you can keep with you while on-the-go. The wrapping clutch case with zippered, clear-view compartments helps you to easily keep things where you can see them and get to them quickly. Toss the case into your diaper bag and it'll be there when you need it.

FEATURES:

• 3 -in-1 thermometer (with case)
• Bottle medicine dispenser
• Gentle care toddler toothbrush
• Gentle care hairbrush & comb
• Gentle care cradle cap comb
• Steady grip nail clippers
• 5 emery boards
• 5 disposable thermometer covers
• Emergency information card
• Zippered adjustable clutch-style case
• Clear tip nasal aspirator

Complete Healthcare Set

The Complete Healthcare Kit by Safety 1st gives you a stylish and easy way to keep baby's healthcare items organized, both at home and on the go. The clear-view case makes it quick and easy to find the items you are looking for, and each compartment features a secure-close strip to keep everything safely stored inside.

FEATURES:

• 3-in-1 thermometer (with case)
• Pack of thermometer covers
• Nasal aspirator
• Bottle medicine dispenser
• Easy fill medicine syringe
• Fingertip gum stimulator
• Gentle care toddler toothbrush
• Emergency information card
• Adjustable clutch-style case
• 11 alcohol wipes

Buy It:

You can purchase all Safety 1st items at your local retail store such as Walmart, Target, Sears and Amazon.com

* Thank you to Safety 1st for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

New Cold & Flu Gadgets for Your Home

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

As we head into cold and flu season, take the stress out of caring for your little ones with these great gadgets from Vicks and Exergen TemporalScanner!

Exergen Temporal Scanner introduces the Exergen Smart Glow TemporalScanner™, ideal for parents who are caring for a sick child.

The Exergen TemporalScanner™ Thermometer is a non-invasive system with advanced infrared technology providing maximum ease of use with quick, consistently accurate measurements. Advanced, patented technology measures temperatures with a gentle stroke across the forehead.

The TemporalScanner™ comes with four ways to make it even easier to take a temperature:

· A softly illuminated display for easy reading in any light – perfect for checking the temperature of a sleeping infant in a darkened room

· Beeping sound indicating scanning can be turned off or on to avoid waking a sleeping child

· Automatically retains the last eight temperature readings for instant recall to check on fever progression

· Ability to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius modes

Made in the United States, the Exergen Smart Glow TemporalScanner™ is the number one preferred thermometer by both nurses and pediatricians, and is backed by more than 50 clinical studies proving its accuracy.

Sold in major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Costco, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Kroger and BJ’s, the Smart Glow thermometer’s suggested retail price is $49.99. 

The trusted brand Vicks has launched new devices this year to make cold and flu season a bit easier for families. The new gadgets include a smart thermometer that allows the entire family’s health to be monitored from an iPhone and a sleek humidifier that projects animals, stars and more on kids’ ceilings.

New* Vicks SmartTemp Thermometer

The Vicks SmartTemp is the first wireless, Bluetooth enabled digital stick thermometer from a major Mom brand. Designed to meet the demands of today’s connected parents, the SmartTemp makes tracking multiple temperatures easier than ever with a free companion app. Readings are automatically populated from the thermometer via a Bluetooth connection, while symptoms, medications and other notes can be added to help monitor an illness. All of the data can then be saved and exported via email for easier communication with the doctor.

New* Vicks Sweet Dreams Cool Mist Humidifier

The Vicks Sweet Dreams Humidifier takes all of the congestion relief and comforting power of a cool mist humidifier and combines it with magical images for dream filled sleep. While the gentle cool mist eases cold & flu symptoms, the projector turns bedroom ceilings into a safari, sea or star-filled sky. The projector is independently controlled and can run without the mist whenever children want to spark their imaginations. It also accepts two Vicks Scent Pads for long lasting and soothing menthol vapors.

You can purchase all Vicks products from the Vicks website or local retailers near you.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Fight Cold/Flu Season with @BoironUSA & #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

With cold and flu season in full swing, it pays to be prepared! It’s the perfect time to stock up on items that will help you quickly get through the aches & pains of cold and flu season and many of those items come from Boiron: Oscillococcinum for fever, chills and body aches; Coldcalm tablets and Children’s ColdCalm pellets for sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and minor sore throat; and, Chestal and Children’s Chestal, with natural honey for all types of common coughs. And don’t forget about Arnicare! This gel or cream should be a go-to pain reliever for sore arms and legs and stiff backs from raking leaves, participating in school sports, or tackling DIY home projects.

Our medicine cabinet is definitely stocked with these must-haves from Boiron as we prepare for any sickness that comes our way this winter!

Arnicare® Gel

Arnica montana (or Mountain daisy) has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever, and today, it’s one of the most popular homeopathic medicines in the world. Arnica is trusted by professional athletes to soothe sore muscles, by prominent cosmetic surgeons to relieve post-procedure pain, and by savvy moms to treat playground bumps and bruises. And anyone who bruises easily will appreciate Arnica’s ability to reduce bruise discoloration.

Made from this natural active ingredient, Arnicare temporarily relieves muscle pain and stiffness, swelling and discoloration from bruises.  This non-sticky, non-greasy gel has a cooling effect, and it is quickly absorbed by the skin. Available in 4.1, 2.6 oz and 1.5 oz tubes, it is unscented and paraben-free.

I am always reaching for my Arnicare to soothe my sore muscles from working out, heal bruises quickly and get some relief from tight and sore muscles from stress! It works wonders and I love this stuff!!!

Children’s Chestal® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion

Children’s Chestal Honey Cough & Chest Congestion is a multi-cough formula that temporarily relieves all types of common coughs. The natural goodness of the honey in Chestal coats and soothes the throat, while the homeopathic medicines loosen chest congestion, thereby making the child’s cough more productive for a speedier recovery. Recommended for children ages 2 and up, Children’s Chestal Honey Cough & Chest Congestion is your day and night solution — calming those dry, fitful coughs at bedtime so they don’t prevent sleep, but without drowsy side effects for the day. Children’s Chestal Honey Cough & Chest Congestion works best when taken at the first sign of a cough.

I never give my children's mainstream cough medicine when sick because of all the horrible ingredients they put in their stuff like artificial colors, parabens and other bad stuff. When my children have a cough or cold, I reach for Children's Chestal Honey Cough & Chest Congestion because it is safe for them, includes natural healing ingredients like honey and really works!

Calendula Cream

Made from the Garden marigold, Calendula is a paraben-free option to help heal cuts, scrapes, minor burns, chafing, sunburn and other skin irritations. The soothing and moisturizing cream is best for sensitive skin and on children. Boiron’s Calendula works to relieve dry, chafed skin.

With the dry winter season here, I am constantly applying Calendula to dry skin in our house! It is one of the only thing that works on the severe dry skin my children get! Plus, it works great on cuts and scrapes too!

Buy It:

You can purchase all Boiron products at many local retailers near you.

Win It:

Boiron is generously offering a great homeopathic flu, cough and cold essentials pack including (1) Oscillo 6 Dose, Coldcalm, Chestal Cold & Cough and Chestal Honey Cough & Chest Congestion, as well as a pair of Oscillo Touchscreen Friendly gloves and a Oscillo luggage tag to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Boiron Homeopathic Flu, Cough and Cold essentials Prize Pack including: 

· 1 Box of Oscillococcinum® 6 Dose: For more than 70 years, families around the world have relied on Oscillococcinum to reduce both the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue. It nips flu-like symptoms in the bud without drowsy side effects or any known drug interactions in everyone 2 and up.

· 1 Chestal® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion 6.7 fl oz.: Chestal Honey’s multi-cough formula temporarily relieves all types of common coughs. The natural goodness of the honey in Chestal Honey coats and soothes the throat, while the homeopathic medicines loosen chest congestion, thereby making the cough more productive for a speedier recovery. This non-drowsy medicine has no known drug interactions and is recommended for everyone 2 and up.

· 1 Chestal® Cold & Cough 6.7 fl oz.: Chestal Cold & Cough’s multi-symptom formula temporarily relieves symptoms of the common cold such as nasal and chest congestion, fitful cough, sneezing, minor sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose. This non-drowsy, kid-friendly syrup is recommended for everyone 3 and up.

· 1 Coldcalm® 60 Dose: Coldcalm addresses symptoms at every stage of a cold, such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and minor sore throat. Available in pleasant-tasting, quick-dissolving tablets, Coldcalm does not cause drowsiness and there are no known interactions with other medications. Recommended for everyone 3 and up, Coldcalm works best when taken at the first sign of a cold.

· 1 Pair of Oscillo Touchscreen-Friendly Gloves

· 1 Oscillo Luggage Tag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Boiron for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Disney’s Frozen Collection Humidifiers

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

FROZEN merchandise is still so popular! I know my kids love ANYTHING FROZEN and if your children are like mine, then you will LOVE these humidifiers which will not only add to your child's decor but keep them from drying out this winter!

Check out these super cute humidifiers!

Disney's Frozen- Olaf 550ML Personal Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier adds moisture to any room! It fights mold and mildew and features anti-microbial technology, on/off dial (min/max settings) and a Mist nozzle.

Suggested Retail Price: $79.99

Disney's Frozen- Olaf 1 Gallon Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier adds moisture to any room but features everyone's favorite snowman! It also fights mold and mildew and features anti-microbial technology, on/off dial (min/max settings) and a Mist nozzle.

Priced at only $59.99 on Amazon.com

This Disney's Frozen- Elsa & Anna 1 Gallon Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier has all the same features as the other ones mentioned above but features the two beautiful sisters, Elsa and Anna! It is the perfect addition to any little girl's room this winter!

Priced at $59.99 on Amazon.com

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*