Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula and Goat Milk Yogurt Review #ad #momsmeet

Thanks to Moms Meet I was able to sample and review Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler formula and Goat Milk Yogurt with my family. Both products are non-GMO and easy to digest options, especially for those that may have a cow milk sensitivity (symptoms such as digestive discomfort, colic, constipation and eczema).

My son was a bit too old to use the Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula, but I was able to pass it along to a friend who's son has a cow milk sensitivity. Her son liked the mild, sweet taste and happily drank it down. His mom loved that it had 22 vitamins and minerals including folic acid, DHA, ARA, and iron. She said that there was no adverse effects to drinking it either (regular cows milk gave him issues). DHA is naturally present in human milk and essential for visual and cognitive development; ARA is an essential fatty acid found in human milk, which may support normal brain development. The iron is needed for the formation of blood cells and is often depleted by toddler age.

My son was a huge fan of the Kabrita Goat Milk Yogurts. They come in three delicious flavors:

• Mixed Berry 
• Mango Peach
• Banana and Natural Vanilla Bean 

My sons favorite flavor was the Mixed Berry, followed by Banana and finally the Mango Peach. He loved them so much (which is great when your toddler can be a bit picky) and was disappointed when they were gone.  I loved that they don't need to refrigerated and easy to squeeze BPA free packaging so they are easy to take on the go and that they are super gentle on his stomach.

They also contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and no added sugar or water. Now that's something that I can feel good about giving to my children. They are also packed with plenty of vitamins and nutrients (Vitamins C, D & E, contains protein and fiber).

Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula retails for $21.99 for 14 oz. and $41.99 for 28 oz. Kabrita Goat Milk Yogurt and Fruit retails for $2.19 for 4 oz. and a 6-pack retails for $11.99. Prices can vary by retail location. Click here to search for retail locations near you or you can buy online at KabritaUSA.com. If buying online, you can save 20% on your order using code: MM2016.

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program (greenmomsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

Love at First Bite - #TheAmuseBouche Lipstick from Bite Beauty

I've never been much of a lipstick fan...until now!

I was lucky enough to be selected to receive the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick VoxBox from Influenster and it has turned me into a lipstick lover. I always had issues with lipsticks before because of the texture, odd smells or the fact that they would never stay on. I felt like it was never worth it when I hated the smell or how they felt on. Then came along Amuse Bouche!

Sleek and fabulous packaging.

Bite Beauty's newest launch of their Amuse Bouche line of lipsticks is spot on.  These lipsticks ($26 each) are highly pigmented and provide amazing colors that go on seamlessly and beautifully. When I first swiped the color on my lips, I was impressed with the intensity and saturation of the color and the creamy texture. It didn't go on chalky and left my lips feeling super moisturized while still feeling lightweight and non-greasy. The color lasts a long time too! I applied mine before lunch and by dinnertime (6 hours later), there was still significant color remaining despite eating and drinking.

This shade is Pepper.

The citrus scent alone of these lipsticks is intoxicating. They each are made with 12 edible oils (avocado, olive and coconut oil are among them) that leave your lip healthy looking and feeling and a scent that is made from fresh pressed fruit. Another bonus: they are paraben, sulfate and phthalates free because no one needs those terrible chemicals (linked to cancers and reproductive issues) on a product that is likely to be somewhat ingested.

Left to Right: Beetroot, Gazpacho & Pepper

Beetroot, Gazpacho & Pepper

 I was sent three bold and bright colors. These would likely never be colors that I would have picked out on my own as I tend to stick to more neutral tones, but I was shocked at how much I loved having a bold lip added to my normal makeup repetoire. There are 34 shades in the Amuse Bouche line and it's incredibly likely that I'll be adding at least a few more to my makeup obsession (shown below) and checking out the rest of their makeup line.

Peachy Nude

Dusty Mauve

Rich Toffee

If you're interested in checking out Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche line of lipsticks, check out their selection on the Sephora website.


I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, but all opinions are my own.

A Green Smoothie That Will ShamROCK Your World

Today's St. Patrick's Day is a whole new world compared to the celebrations that we had ten years ago. Ten years ago I would have already been at the bar for a few hours with a group of my closest friends drinking green beer, dressed head to toe in ridiculous green outfits and maybe even pretending to have an Irish accent while drinking beer out of a leprechaun hat...it happens.

This year, I've folded laundry, kissed boo boo's, changed more diapers that I want to admit and am sipping on a green smoothie with my two mini leprechaun children in tow. LOL. Worlds apart from years past. I did buy a corned beef brisket to cook, but just realized I have no cabbage. #MomFail. Hopefully, the toddler is in the arts and crafts mood later because I have some art projects planned to celebrate today.

Today's green smoothie is about as close to a green beer as I'm getting. This green smoothie is my new go-to afternoon pick me up and it's great for sneaking some veggies into my veggie avoiding toddler. It's packed with fruits and veggies and the greek yogurt adds a protein punch.

Ingredients:

1 banana (I prefer super ripe as they're more sweet and I like to freeze them)
1/2 cup pineapple (add juice if you want it sweeter)
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
2 large handfuls of spinach
1 tsp coconut oil (add this last and melt before adding)

Add all ingredients together and blend until smooth. If you find that you need more liquid, you can add pineapple juice or a splash of milk. This prepares 1 large serving.

My two year old chugs these down and always ask for more. It's definitely a new staple to our diet and I love it too because it satisfies my sweet craving while providing some nutrition and protein.

Do you have a favorite green smoothie recipe?

 How have your St. Patrick's Days changed from years prior? Let me know below. 

Simple & Savory Red Enchilada Sauce

The other day I was doing my usually refrigerator inventory to see what needed to be used. We've been on a mission to make sure that we don't waste any food and so far it's being going really well. Food is entirely too expensive to waste and being conscious of what we have has prevented us from eating out or ordering take out (my postpartum waist line is thanking me for this). What I've been doing is taking stock of what we have and developing a meal from there...basically putting together all the odds and ends and making a meal of some sort. I had tons of ground beef, black beans and soft tortillas, but wasn't feeling the ordinary taco dinner. I've had a hankering for enchiladas, but definitely didn't want to leave the house with a willful, tired toddler and newborn so I decided to try my hand at my own enchilada sauce....

SO GOOD.

I'm never buying it pre-made again. Not only is it good, it's healthier, has simple ingredients (nothing questionable) and super easy to make.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. flour
3 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. pepper
Dash of cayenne powder (or more, depending on how much heat you like)
Salt, to taste
2 cups chicken broth

Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. Add spices and mix well. Slowly mix in chicken stock and reduce temperature to low. Stir occasionally and allow to simmer for 15 minutes (mixture will reduce and thicken over time).

That's it!

I filled whole wheat tortillas with a seasoned beef and black bean mixture, rolled them up, placed in an oiled pan, and smothered them with enchilada sauce and cheese. 40 minutes in the oven and dinner is served.  Simple, easy and filling meal.

Taking Back Postpartum: Harnessing the Power and Supporting All Moms

I remember when I first saw the #takebackpostpartum tag begin on Instagram.  It was just several days after I had delivered Brielle and I felt such an intense satisfaction and felt like yelling, "go mama!" for each positive, real and heart-warming picture that I would see. This movement put a change and positive spin on detrimental ways I had seen postpartum used before.

As always, I shared much of my pregnancy journey on Instagram for the world to see. The good, bad, happy, sad, tough and sometimes TMI moments. I like to think I keep it real and would rather portray motherhood and pregnancy for what it really is: amazing and fulfilling, but not without it's tough moments. So many times throughout, I would be spammed whenever I would use certain tags, most specifically: #pregnancy, #momlife, #newmom. I'd be spammed by many different health, beauty and lose-weight-quick promoters during this time when many already have varied and sometimes negative feelings toward all the changes going on with their body.

It would infuriate me seeing this because I felt like it was preying on those that already may have doubts during a time in which they should feel like superwomen. I mean, you're building a baby. How much more bad ass and strong can you be? Your body created, sustains and births a baby and then continues to nurture and support it via breastfeeding and on little to no sleep as well. The last thing you should immediately worried about is losing weight, stretch marks, baggy eyes, and the host of other things that society deems as wrong. Instead woman (and the men in their lives), should be empowering each other, letting bodies heal, somehow finding a new normal when your life gets twisted and turned around by that squirming, beautiful baby/babies that you just birthed.

So when I saw that January Harshe, the mom blogger and creator of Birth Without Fear movement posted and started the trend I couldn't be happier. By putting a new spin on #Takebackpostpartum (also #takingbackpostpartum ), it took away that power from those that try to push the notion that a postpartum body is a bad thing.  It's not. Not at all. Is it different than before? Possibly, and most likely. Own those changes for they are part of the journey. Also, if you don't like them, that's okay too, but society needs to back off and take the pressure off women to immediately worry about getting back to their "pre-baby body" and stop with the insinuating that if you don't return to "pre-baby" that you're not good enough or that it's not ideal.

Just stop already.

How about we just start supporting each other instead of tearing each other down? Let's create that tribe; that space in which we can be who we are and comfortable with it. Motherhood can be isolating enough without the body shame so let's put a stop to it.

Seeing all those posts on Instagram tagged #takebackpostpartum made my heart swell. Witnessing all these mama's embracing and loving themselves is a powerful thing. It helps others develop those feelings, build their confidence and allows them revel in the amazing changes that their bodies have went through. I know it helped me. It normalizes it and blocks out all the "not good enough" feelings and the pressure from society to conform to a norm or expectation that's just not reasonable or attainable for most.

My Instagram post: "On the left is three hours before Brielle was born while in the midst of contractions every 4 minutes. The right is 12 hours post all natural, med-free delivery. The body is truly an amazing thing: 10 months of growing and sustaining a baby, 40 pounds gained and uterus growing and shrinking, breasts growing and producing milk to continue to sustain this new life, producing a new organ for pregnancy (placenta), contractions that allow the beautiful, tough and amazing process of labor, and so much more. 

Treat yourself well, mamas. Be kind to yourself, nourish your body & mind and all that it is able to do."

So thank you strong mamas! Keep on being your amazing, powerful, smart, beautiful selves!

If you've participated in the #takebackpostpartum movement, I'd love to know. 

Share your link below in the comments or find me on Instagram. 

Playdate conundrums: What's "too sick" for playdates and school?

Awhile back I wrote a guest post for The Scientific Parent, a public health blog that is curated by some awesome mamas. The post discusses playdates and sick kids and the chaos/sickness that follows.

There is nothing that drives me crazy more when parents bring their sick kids to play dates and events. I understand wanting to get out and not wanting to cancel, but I'd much rather re-schedule than start a weeks long process of sickness moving through our house, especially with a newborn in the home.  This post was the love-child borne after our family became ill after a well-meaning visitor came to our home. Their intentions were good, but the remnants of their illness set our family on a month long process of sickness moving from one person to another and several long nights with a miserable toddler.

If you'd like to check it out, click HERE.  While you're there, show the site some love and check out the other fabulous, fact-based posts by other medical and public health professionals.

 

What's your thoughts on sick kids and play dates? 

What do you consider too sick to be able to participate? 

Birth Story of Sweet Brielle Adalyn

Nearly three weeks ago I was in labor with this beautiful soul. She came rushing into this world just minutes before midnight. I can't believe that so much time has already passed and that the first month is already nearly over. I'm desperately wanting time to slow down, especially knowing that this is most likely our last. I'm trying to absorb every tiny newborn detail and fully appreciate everything as I won't likely have this opportunity again. There's a certain sadness that comes with your last baby. It's your last first everything when it comes to parenting and mothering...

When I went into labor with Aiden, I was fairly certain from the first contraction that I was in labor. With Brielle, it was a bit different. My stomach had been slightly upset for most of that Monday morning and I had some minor cramping. I had had cramping the last week or so as my body was most likely preparing for labor (I had just seen my midwife the Friday prior). After a few hours I realized that those cramps were indeed contractions and were consistently occuring. Around 10am I decided that I should probably give my husband, Ryan, a heads up that I thought labor was imminent as he was at work. I had been very nervous most of this pregnancy about how quickly that labor could progress considering that Aiden made his appearance quite quickly (he was delivered less than 2 hours after arriving at the hospital). I told him to just keep his phone nearby in case things began to progress as my contractions were still 8-9 minutes apart at this time. I decided to give my parents a call as well to let them know that we would likely be having a baby that day! My dad was our on-call babysitter for Aiden so I wanted to be sure he had plenty of time to leave work and get to our house.

The rest of the afternoon I spent puttering around the house, trying to relax and snacking on food when it sounded appetizing. Ryan made his way home and my dad also came over so we could leave quickly if need be. For most of the afternoon my contractions weren't too uncomfortable and slowly began to get closer together and more intense. I spent a lot of time just sitting on the couch with my first baby, Aiden, soaking up the last moments of him being my only 'baby' and bouncing on a yoga ball to help ease contractions and help Brielle move into position.

We made our way to the hospital around 6pm when my contractions were less than 5 minutes apart. When we got there, they checked me and found I was only 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. I won't lie, I was disappointed as that was barely any progress from my appointment the week before and began to become a bit worried if I could handle the pain and go medicine free again. They decided to have me stay a bit to see if I'd progress and Ryan and I walked circles in the hall hoping to get things moving. I was really, really hoping that this was true labor, as I wasn't ready to go home and continue to feel this way. Thankfully, my contractions slowly moved closer together and they admitted me. After walking around for what felt like a 100 times, we ventured back to the room to relax a bit. I bounced on the ball and we halfheartedly watched The Bachelor (haha) to try to distract myself.

This was such a different experience than with Aiden. With Aiden, I arrived at 4cm and within 45 minutes was at 10cm and pushing. Everyone always tells you that your second labor is quicker, so I was expecting to have progression move much more quickly. The slowness made me begin to doubt myself at times.

At about 7cm my contractions became more intense and painful. I was regaining confidence in my decision to avoid using any pain meds or an epidural, but there were moments that doubt would sneak in. I continued to trust that my body could do this on its own and I focused on each contraction and visualized that it was working to help prepare my body and her for delivery. I really believe that keeping calm and focused helps my body to relax enough to continue labor on its own. During both my labors, I get into a deep focus and really start to tune everyone and everything else around me out. It's easier for me this way and allows me to really immerse myself in the experience and tune into my body.

I should mention that I had originally planned on having a midwife be there for my delivery. I saw a midwife for all my appointments and had extensively talked to her about my wishes and desires. That morning when I called the office (she worked under several OB's), I was informed that she had to have emergency surgery and the other on call midwife wasn't able to assist either. I was bummed and nervous because now I had NO idea of who would be taking care of me and baby. I knew that the hospital I was choosing to deliver at were open to midwifery and their practices, so that gave me some comfort. That evening at the hospital, they had very few doctors on hand and I didn't know until an hour or so before labor who would be delivering. Thankfully, we had a great doctor who didn't try to rush anything and let labor take it's own course. I never once felt rushed or that my wishes weren't respected (I did have a general birth plan that my midwife has signed). I really can't say anything but great things about the doctors and nurses that took care of us.

At 11:10 they checked me again and I was nearing 8 1/2 cm dilated and they decided to break my water (I've never had my water break on its own). I felt the warm gush and my contractions became even more powerful and intense. I'd have one extremely tough contraction and the next would be weaker. It allowed me to gather some strength and focus between those intense contractions, but my goodness, some of those contractions were incredibly tough to get through. I remember trying to vocalize and ride them out. Some of the nurses were laughing a bit because I'd almost sing through them because for some reason it made me more comfortable. I really try to avoid screaming, cursing and so on because for me it doesn't seem to help and instead makes me feel frustrated and frightened. It's always amazing to me to see the different ways that people deal with the pain and labor experience. I always feel a bit bad because I really tune people out. My wonderful husband is so helpful and encouraging throughout it all, and I feel like I barely respond.

I vividly remember feeling her move and turn into the birthing canal. It was an unreal feeling and I knew at the moment that it would be very soon that we would meet our little Brielle (unnamed at that time) would be there soon. Several incredibly intense contractions passed and the intense pressure and feeling of crowning and she was nearly here. After 14 minutes of pushing and one last powerful push that took the last of my energy, and she arrived! 11:56 PM on January 25, 2016. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces and 21 inches of adorableness.

They quickly placed her on my chest so we could meet and I was in awe. She came into this world quietly and was wrinkly and purple. The distress from labor caused her to have some issues with respiration so unfortunately our immediate bonding time was very short lived. After Ryan cut the umbilical cord, they quickly moved her to the newborn station (which was in the room with us) to suction more, do the APGAR and monitor her to make sure that she was improving. She slowly improved and after about 20 minutes I was able to hold her again and marvel at all her tiny, delicate features. It was definitely a bit nerve-wracking waiting those 20 minutes, but I was assured that she was okay and that they just wanted to make sure that she improved and to monitor her closely. It wasn't ideal, but at that moment I only cared that she was going to be okay. Due to her increased respiration we weren't able to breastfeed until about an hour after birth. This initially concerned me, but she latched like a pro and we haven't had any issues since. Daddy finally was able to hold her as well and meet his little girl.

The relief that comes after labor is immense. I felt my body relax immediately and that surge of adrenaline. I swear that getting through labor makes you feel like you can take over the world. There's such an intense and raw high that you get from it.

The last few weeks have been a sweet bliss. I can't stop staring at that sweet face and smelling her newness and newborn smell. Seeing the love that her brother has for her, makes my heart explode a hundred times over.

Welcome to the world precious Brielle Adalyn. We can't wait to see the journey you take in this big, bright world!

Midnight Mom Confessions

I was awake in the early hours the other morning just thinking about birth, motherhood and all the changes to come. There's so much that can feel out of control when you're about to give birth to another child that it can feel overwhelming at times:

How quick will it happen? Can I deliver natural again? What if I need a c-section? Can we handle two kiddos? How will our son respond to a new sibling? Will breastfeeding be as difficult to establish this time? Among many other thoughts. 

 

I almost feel as though I'm more nervous and anxious this time around than the first time. Maybe it's because I'm not so naive about how tough, yet amazing those first few weeks (months) can be or how completely primal childbirth can be. During these moments, I trust that my body can handle and knows what to do and just put my heart and trust into the birth process. It's hard not having complete control, but will be so worth it no matter what way it happens. It's funny because I really feel as though the mind forgets a lot about childbirth and now I'm suddenly flooded with all the memories of Aiden's. His birth was quick and intense and a completely empowering experience. I'm hoping to relive something similar with his baby sisters. I think that my biggest fear during this birth is that it may happen very quickly. I'll definitely be heading to the hospital earlier (I went from 4cm to 10 cm in less than an hour last time), especially as we have to be sure that my Pop's is able to get to our home with plenty of time to watch Aiden and for us to get to the hospital. I'm hoping for quick, but not too cute. I definitely don't want to worry about having this baby at home or in the car. Eek! 

At my appointment Friday (38 & 1/2 weeks), I was showing signs of my body preparing for labor (dilating and effaced) and I've had contractions on and off all weekend. Excited to meet and love on our little girl (still unnamed) someday soon.

Send me your labor vibes and calming thoughts mama tribe. I could use them! 

Nutrexin Product Reviews! I'm loving their deodorant & bath salts!

I was lucky enough to be sent some products to try through Moms Meet in exchange for my honest review. I was sent their Aluminum Free Roll-on deodorant, pH Body Restore Bath Salts, and pH Restore Tablets.

I was very skeptical about the deodorant because I typically do not like roll-ons because they leave a sticky residue and also because I was worried about the effectiveness of it. TMI, being currently being 5 months pregnant and hormonal makes my sweat glands go crazy.  I waited until a weekday when I didn't plan on having to leave the house to give the deodorant a try because I was so skeptical about it working, but I have been extremely surprised. Not only, did it go only easily and dry fast, it worked really well. No smell or wetness, at all! I've been using it consistently since I received it and have to say that it works just as well, if not better than my former deodorants. The only downside of this product is the cost, about $10 per roll, but it does seem to go really far. I love that it's aluminum free, especially with concerns of breast cancer being associated with aluminum in deodorant. A few other important facts about the deodorant:

• Aluminum-free
• Fragrance-free
• Preservative-free
• Artificial Color-free

Unfortunately I haven't been able to use the pH Restore Tablets because in pregnant and not sure of the safety of its use while pregnant. I'm looking forward to trying them in the spring post-pregnancy. Here is some information about the product from their website:

"The body naturally produces acids through our major organs, unfortunately with today’s busy lifestyles and diet, these acids levels can get out of balance, resulting in chronic hyperacidity and a variety of illness and disease. pH Restore Tablets provides optimal support for the body’s acid base in a convenient tablet form.  

Why pH restore?

• Eliminates acids from the body
• Optimizes Intestinal Flora
• Better Digestion
• Improved Immune System" 

 

The pH restore Bath Salts is an essential blend of mineral salts (baking soda, sea salt and Himalayan salt) that help support healthy blood circulation and metabolism. The alkaline bath salt blend helps smooth the effects of stress and muscle tension of today's demanding lifestyle. It's great for muscle recovery after training or competitions. Their bath salts leave your skin feeling healthy, smooth and silky as well. I really enjoy using this product for a quick soak after a long day when my back is beginning to ache a bit. I'm really looking forward to trying out this product at a later time when I'm back to my running training, but for now, I'm really loving it for the aches and pains that sometimes accompany pregnancy.

I've really enjoyed being able to try these products. If you're interested in trying these products, please check them out at www.nutrexinusa.com. For a limited time, enter discount code MOMS2015 for 20% off and free shipping on all orders from their website.

 

A Sugar-Free Sweet Summertime Refresher - Sweetleaf Water Drops Review

As a Moms Meet ambassador, I am lucky enough to get to try lots of fun and new products. Recently I was sent a sample pack of SweetLeaf Water Drops to try and review.

What are SweetLeaf Water Drops? SweetLeaf Water Drops are a natural, convenient, sugar-free, and gluten-free water enhancer. SweetLeaf® Water Drops™ contain zero calories, zero carbohydrates, and nonglycemic response, making it ideal for people managing their blood sugar or calorie intake.

SweetLeaf Water Drops uses natural stevia, a plant typically grown in South America that contains an extract 200 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a natural sweetener that doesn't raise blood sugar, unlike typical cane sugar. I was curious as to the safety of stevia since I typically avoid other sweeteners (such as Sweet n' Low and Equal) and from what I have read it appears to be mostly safe. It's a newer approved substance from the FDA so long term impacts have yet to be studied which is a bit concerning, but studies so far show no detrimental impacts.

A bit more information on the flavors and price of the Water Drops:
• SweetLeaf Water Drops come in a convenient bottle that is great for home or
on-the-go use and are available in four award-winning flavors: Peach Mango,
Strawberry Kiwi, Raspberry Lemonade, and Lemon Lime.
• One 2.1 fl. oz. bottle of SweetLeaf Water Drops contains 32 servings and
retails for $4.99. (shopsweetleaf.com)

I was sent all 4 flavors to try and also a cookbook with a ton of different recipes that Stevia sweetener can be used with. The cookbook had a wide variety of recipes to choose from and great photos.

My opinion:  I really, really wanted to love this product, but I just didn't. It wasn't that it was bad, just the sweetener left an odd taste in my mouth. I blame some of this on the fact that I'm pregnant and have super-sensitive senses right now and the fact that I often struggle with sweeteners and their taste. All of the flavors were good, but I just couldn't get past the overly sweet taste (even when I added a very small amount to my water). On the other spectrum, my husband and son LOVED them. My husband has been using them daily to add some pizazz to his water.

I'm really hoping that maybe this is just a pregnancy over sensitive issue because I would love to have these in my water repertoire to add some variety. I especially love that they didn't contain any artificial dyes/colors.

My thoughts on each flavor:

Peach Mango - I couldn't try due to mango allergy, but hubby really enjoyed it.
Strawberry Kiwi - My favorite flavor of the bunch!
Lemon Lime - Reminded me of the gatorade of a similar flavor.
Raspberry Lemonade - Was a bit overly raspberry for me...I wishes for a stronger lemonade flavor.

For those of you looking for a quick and refreshing summertime refresher, mix and freeze water into ice cubes. Once frozen, blend and you have sugar-free, sweet slushies for those hot and humid days that you can feel guilt-free about.

Be sure to check out SweetLeaf at their media outlets listed below:

Website: SweetLeaf.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/SweetLeafStevia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SweetLeafStevia

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

Bump Ahead!

If you haven't guessed yet from the title....we expecting Baby B #2 in early February 2016!

Here's a special announcement from his or her's big brother:

The last 2 months have been a bit rough and I've felt pretty craptastic many days. I'm finally feeling a bit more normal and functional as I creep into the second trimester....thank goodness! My energy levels were terrible, felt nauseous all the time and dealt with some pregnancy insomnia. I'm definitely glad to be feeling back to normal and hoping that with my increased energy I can get back to blogging more regularly.

The last few months I pretty much stopped yoga and running. :( I just didn't have any extra energy to give and when I did workout, I was left feeling completely drained for the day and sometimes even the next. Now that I'm feeling better, I'm slowly working into getting more active again because I really missed it.

My appointments have been great so far with Baby B2's heart rate in the high 150-160's and growing right on track (slightly larger actually). The very beginnings of a baby bump is starting to form. Life is about to get crazy with two little ones running around. Aiden will be just over 2 years old when his sibling gets here and I'm really interested to see how he is going to react. It's probably going to be tough for him to go from having all of our attention all the time to having to share it with a newborn.

Excited to share the special news with you and to share the rest of this journey!

Healthy & Gluten-free snacking and fueling! NoGii Gluten-Free Protein Bars, Powder and Paleo Bar review....love them!

I was lucky enough to have Moms Meet send me a huge package of NoGii entire line of products, including the book, The G Free Diet and a fabulous shirt as well. I felt so spoiled opening up this package and seeing how generous and how many awesome products that were included.

Awesome sample swag pack!

NoGii is a line of certified gluten-free protein bars, protein powders, and paleo bars created by Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Made from high quality and sustainably sourced premium ingredients, all products have an ideal balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates and do not contain high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, or hydrogenated oils. They're a perfect way to get a punch of protein and quick, clean fuel for an on-the-go and active lifestyle. 

The package contained a TON of protein bars, which was the first thing that I wanted to try. I love having protein bars on hand because it's a perfect way to fuel pre or post-workout, especially when short on time or leading a busy lifestyle. There were many different flavors to choose from and also a choice of high protein and super protein bars. The high protein bars range from 17 to 20 grams of protein per bar and are under 250 calories so perfect for a snack or energy boost. The super protein bars had 26 to 30 grams of protein in each single bar! Talk about a protein punch!  The super protein bars are about 400 calories a piece so on the higher end for calories. I actually usually just eat half a bar at a time to keep it around my 200-250 calorie snack goal. I definitely keep one of these bars in all my different bags (purse, diaper bag, yoga bag) and car for quick and healthier snack.

I reached for the chocolate coconut flavor (a high protein bar) first and it was AMAZING! This flavor was by far my favorite one and they didn't last too long in our house (my husband was pretty excited to give these a try too).  To be honest, all the flavors that I have tried were all great tasting and none tasted chalky or dry like some other competitors. I liked that they were chewy and weren't overly sweet to me. Having all natural ingredients (that you can actually pronounce) was a huge bonus and made me feel better about what I was eating. 

Definitely my favorite flavor! 

Also included was paleo bars. I've never seen paleo bars made by a manufacturer before (always see recipes to make your own on Pinterest). These bars are made with all natural ingredients (main ingredients are nuts, dates, honey, and fruits). They have a lower protein content compared to their other products, but they taste great and offer a lot of healthy fats and vitamins from the nuts and fruit in the bars. My favorite was the Nuts About Berries flavor. The tartness from the cherries was nicely balanced by the nuttiness. 

I also received a 2 pound jug of the vanilla Whey and Quinoa Protein Powder. I've had several different brands of protein powder in the past, but none that contained quinoa as well. Quinoa is an amino-acid rich seed that contains more protein than any other grain, and is higher in unsaturated fats and lower in carbohydrates. I'm very reluctant when it comes to protein powders because I feel like most taste pretty terrible. I reluctantly added this to my strawberry banana smoothie and was pleasantly surprised as I loved the addition. It tasted great and added a smooth vanilla flavor to my smoothie. Two scoops of powder (a serving) contains 20 grams of protein, 160 calories, 5 grams of sugar and a ton of fiber (7 grams or 28% of your daily value).

Awesome in smoothies!

Even my toddler loved it!

Overall, I was really pleased with all of these products and would recommend them to anyone trying to lead a clean eating or gluten-free diet. They tasted great, the nutritional facts were on point and they provided a quick and easy source of protein. The only downside to the products that I could find was that they were a bit above my preferred price range (for example, NoGii’s High Protein Peanut Butter & Chocolate Bar retails for $2.50 to $2.99 for one 1.93oz bar). 

If you're interested in learning more about NoGii's product line be sure to visit their website at www.nogii.com and check out their Facebook page as well. 

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. If interested in participating in review panels and other opportunities, join the Moms Meet community at greenmomsmeet.com 

Xlear Care Kit Review - Dental & Nasal Care Products with All-Natural Xylitol #momsmeet

I was selected as one of the Moms Meet Bloggers to be able to recieve a Xlear Care Kit to try and review. The Xlear Care Kit contained several different dental and nasal care products that contain xylitol, a naturally occurring sweetener. According to Xlear, Xylitol has been shown to help the body's naturally cleaning process to clear away allergens, asthmatic triggers and other harmful bacteria. It is also one of the newest, easiest and tastiest ways for people to improve oral health. Research has been found that xylitol use may reduce tooth decay.

Lots of great products to try!

The dental health products that came in my Xlear Care kit were:

• Spry Toothpaste Non-Fluoride - The toothpaste has a fresh taste that left your mouth feeling clean and breath feeling fresh. The toothpaste was a bit different than other toothpaste because it didn't foam as much as others, but still provided a good clean. The toothpaste contains 1/3 xylitol which provides 20-25% of the daily dose recommended for health benefits. The xylitol also increase absorption of minerals into the enamel of teeth providing increased protection.

• Spry Oral Rinse (with awesome wood toothbrush) - I really liked this rinse because it didn't burn like other brands of mouthwash. It left my mouth feeling clean and minty. Interestingly, it uses a mix of natural flavorings and herbal extracts such as aloe vera, chamomile, and echinacea to help soothe irritated mouth tissues. The wooden toothbrush is really nifty too and my toddler definitely claimed it as his own. 

• Spry Gum - I received the peppermint flavor gum to try and it has a great. lasting flavor. I feel like the gum retained flavor better than most competitors gum varieties and was great for a midday breath freshener. 

• Spry Gems - These breath freshening "candies" are sugar free and use xylitol for sweetening, along with natural flavors. The xylitol is combined with calcium to provide an enhanced, balanced formula for increased dental health. I was able to try the peppermint and cinnamon varieties (my favorite was peppermint, but the cinnamon was great as well).

The nasal care product included in this kit was the Xlear Nasal Spray. According to Xlear, this nasal spray combines the use of saline and xylitol to alleviate congestion due to allergies, cold, flu and sinusitis. The addition of xylitol to a saline nasal spray has been shown to decrease bacterial adherence in the nose, therefore decreasing chances of irritation and infection. This spray is to be used twice a day to hydrate the sinuses and passages and to also help rinse the nasal passages of allergens and contaminants that can occasionally lead to respiratory ailments & problems. Unlike some other nasal sprays, long term use of this product doesn't lead to tissue damage.

I was only able to give this product a try a few times. I have a really hard time with nasal sprays and personally hate the sensation of them. The few times I used it were after I had been out in the garden and thought it may help clear away some allergens. I'm not entirely sure that it made a difference for me, but I didn't notice anything being worse than normal after similar conditions. My husband will likely use this, as he tends to have more nasal issues than myself.

If you're interested in these products, Xlear is offering a specials for my readers. You can now purchase the kit (valued at $65) for only $25 by using the code SAVE50. Visit Xlear to order.

Overall, I thought the products were good, but nothing really stood out. My favorites were the rinse, gum and gems for the reasons stated above. The other products didn't stand out enough for me to really pick them over lower priced competitors. I am curious to read more about xylitol and it's therapeutic use as a health care product and the health claims to see if there are any scientific studies on it.

Do you use many products containing xylitol? 

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. 

12 Tips for a Safe & Stress-Free Stroller Run! #StrollerRun15

Being a stay at home mom, there are many days that it can be really difficult to get a workout in. I often take advantage of nap time for a quick yoga session or HIIT, but some days there are other chores/errands/etcetera that need to be done during that time. I'm thankful enough that I was generously gifted a wonderful jogging stroller and I LOVE IT!

It's so convenient being able to pop our toddler in and go. We both love being able to get some fresh air, it can lull him to sleep if need be, stimulates his senses, allows me to get a good sweat session in and allows each of us to zen out for a bit. I'm thankful that he really digs being in his stroller (the faster we run, the better), but there are definitely steps that I take that can make it much smoother of a run.

Below are a few tips for making your stroller runs smooth and tear-free!

1. SNACKS! - I always make sure to have snacks on hand for our son. If he starts to get a little antsy, giving him some yummy fish crackers, fruit or raisins to nosh on can completely allow me to get another mile or two in. 
   
2. DRINKS! - Make sure to pack drinks for both of you! A lot of the time I'm so busy getting his stuff together, that I forget my own drink. DOh! There's been a time or two where his sippy cup definitely came in handy for me as well. Lol. 
   
3. DRESS APPROPRIATE - I get super hot quickly, so I always wear lots of layers. Make sure to do the same for your kiddo. Remember, while you might be hot, your child could be cooler since he's not expending very much energy while sitting there are you run (plus the wind from movement can add a chill). I always keep a light blanket in his stroller for additional warmth or sun coverage. A hat to shield your child's face is a must too for sunny days. Don't forget bright colors and reflectors on clothing as well. 
4. SUNSCREEN - Use it and use it liberally. I always lather both of us up a half hour before heading out the door to make sure to have full protection. 
5. ID - Always carry ID. You never know when you might need it or in case of emergency. I usually keep $10 in my stroller too, just in case.
6. ATTACHED TOYS - We have toys that are always in the stroller and attached via links. No one wants to have to backtrack when a favorite toy is thrown out and also it prevents potential trips and falls. 
   
7. WRIST STRAP! - I cannot stress this enough, use the wrist strap that comes with your jogging stroller. If you don't have one, get one ASAP. Using the straps ensures that if you were to fall or lose grip of the stroller that you child and stroller don't go flying down a hill, ravine, into water and so on. I've read tragic stories of parents losing control of strollers with dire consequences. It's not worth it and gives you additional peace of mind. This story solidified it for me. PLEASE, use one. Accidents happen.  
   
8. BRAKES/LEVERS - If you need to stop, use the back brakes or levers so that the stroller doesn't roll off with your precious cargo.
9. RUNNING FORM - Be aware of your running form. It can take some time and practice to get used to running with a stroller. Your gait changes and arms are actively being used. Run tall, don't slouch and alternate what arm you use to hold the handle.
10. SCHEDULE WISELY - Don't go during your child's fussy times (before meals, while tired unless you want them to nap while you run). 
11. 5 POINT HARNESS - I highly recommend a stroller with a 5 point harness. They protect your child better in case of a quick stop.
12. AGE - Be aware of what age is safe for your child to ride in a jogging stroller. Most professionals warn against jogging with a stroller before 6 months of age (some even 12 months). While young, their neck muscles are not strong enough to support their heads and for the potential jarring motions during a run.

May 31st, is National Stroller Running Day! If you don't have a jogging stroller and are looking to purchase one, now is a great time to do so since many companies (BOB gear definitely is and their strollers rock!) are offering amazing promotions in celebration. 

For more information on National Stroller Running Day check out Moms Little Running Buddy! Also, be sure to tag your photos on Instagram with #StrollerRun15

Do you plan on getting out and running this National Stroller Running Day? 

Do you have tips for a great stroller run?