>U Mom Knows Best: August 2018

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Beautiful Looking Beauty Products To Keep Me Young Looking

Love beauty products that have no harmful chemicals in them!

         I was sent samples of the mentioned beauty products to facilitate this post.

  I may be a grandma now but that does not mean I have to feel and look old. I eat healthy food and run several miles a day. My body feels young and I want my skin to look like how I feel. So I am all for using beauty products that promise me younger looking skin. I was excited to try out this line of beauty products that Robin McGraw has, you may remember her as Dr. Phil's wife. I used to love watching Dr. Phil, that kind of shows my age.  Robin launched Robin McGraw Revelation’s Luxury Skincare Collection in 2016 and this line features many different beauty products. I love that these products are free of harmful sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, and chemicals. All products are also formulated without animal testing.

                                     Robin looks so young!


The blue bottles are so pretty!


 When I use these beauty products, I feel so special as I just love the color of the containers. These are containers that look good on my vanity. Even the names of the products make me smile. One thing that I noticed right away when I used this creams was how nice they felt. I loved how thick they were. Once I applied them to my skin, my skin felt soft. These products work so well with my natural makeup. These products made me feel young even before I used them as they were so pretty.


  I was sent three different face products and each one targeted a different part of my face. The first one was for my eyes. The next was for my neck and the last was for my whole face. These beauty products had some unique ingredients in them that I really liked.

Dot Your Eyes has a unique 5 peptide complex that reduces the appearance of puffy eyes, dark circles, and fine lines while assisting in natural collagen production to tighten puffy and sagging skin.

Live Life LIFTED targets those fine lines and wrinkles in the neck and décolleté areas. This lightweight cream also features jojoba esters with moisturizing vitamins A, D, and C, plus free radical blocking, anti-aging vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil to provide intense healing and hydration without the sticky after feel.

OMG! Is This Really Me?  Instant Face Shaper uses a fast-acting formula to transport peptides, antioxidants, and vitamins to the skin for visibly smooth, tighten, and lift the eyes, face, and neck.

   As Robin says, “I want to encourage women to put themselves first, understand that they deserve to embrace their own beauty, health, and happiness, to know they must take care of themselves so they can take care of those they love.”

  All of these beauty products have patent-pending Dynamic Infusion Technology™ in them that helps deliver the ingredients faster into the skin. They also have unique peptide blends. To discover more about these products that Robin helped to create, head on over to their website to learn more.

https://www.robinmcgrawrevelation.com/


I also tried some refreshing face sheet masks


 I love how refreshing sheet masks feel on my face. When they have ingredients in them to help my face look younger, even better! The names on these sheet masks were just as unique as the other beauty creams that I tried. I just loved the sound of Peach Blossom Stem Cells helping my fine lines. These sheet masks were very moist and felt very cooling on my face. It was a great way to relax on a hot summer day.



I love the names of these sheet masks!

SHE'S LOOKING GREAT LATELY! WHAT'S GOING ON?
 This hydrating & firming face mask has a fast-acting formula and is packed with orchid stem cells to replenish moisture and provide a boost of antioxidants, while vitamin B3 reduces the appearance of fine lines for smoother, firmer skin. This firming and lifting face mask is also enriched with ultra-soothing chamomilla recutita extract and green tea leaf extract to calm, hydrate, and repair skin.

WHAT HAS SHE DONE? I MUST DO IT!
This fine lines and wrinkles mask is drenched with a concentrated dose of hydrating ingredients and delivers intense moisture and nourishes skin with vitamins and minerals quickly. Naturally potent botanicals help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a visibly smoother, youthful-looking complexion in just one use.

SHE MUST HAVE A SECRET! I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IT IS! 
 This brightening and spot lightening mask is enriched with brightening grape leaf extract, collagen-boosting Centella Asiatica extract, and skin-smoothing vitamin B3, this glowing and brightening face mask helps bring out your skin’s natural vitality. Ice plant stem cell extract provides skin with a blast of cool moisture and powerful antioxidants to soothe, hydrate, and protect against sun damage and pollution while improving overall skin texture.

 My boys thought that I looked funny with this face mask on but I did not care one bit as it was my much needed me time.  We moms all need some pampering time, even if we make the kids laugh!

Find out more about these amazing sheet masks!

https://www.robinmcgrawrevelation.com/

Which product would you like to try?





Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Helping Your Child Succeed In School

           Are my children smart because of genetics?


       I received samples from Hugaroo and Superfood Crumble to facilitate this post.

  I have five kids and all them are above average students. Two of the three older children were high school valedictorians and the two youngest are in the gifted program. I also have a child attending the Merchant Marine Academy, this child got a 96% on his first physics test!  I was smart as a child so some may say my children are smart because of genetics. I think genetics may have a small part to play in kids succeeding in school but I really think it all has to do with how a parent helps them. This not only means starting early with teaching kids through play and reading to them but it also means things you can do throughout each school year. Here are some things that I do to help my child succeed in school.




1. Start the day with a healthy breakfast

 Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. If your child is hungry they cannot think or learn as they are focusing on their hunger. Think about when you may have been on a diet and all you could think of was food. Give your child a breakfast of healthy food like whole grains and protein. I wanted to be a nutritionist when I was younger, but a bike accident in college took that dream away. So I am the mom who serves healthy meals. My boys usually have fruit, milk and a peanut butter sandwich or oatmeal for breakfast. They may also have a yogurt parfait or chocolate protein pancakes. My boys love SuperFood Crumble on their yogurt. This gluten-free granola like crumble is loaded omegas and fuels their body with plenty of healthy energy. I love eating the chocolate dairy free crumble straight from the bag!



2. Get plenty of sleep

 Sleep is so important to learning. I know when I don't get enough sleep because of my allergies, my mind just can't concentrate. My boys get 10 hours a sleep a night but younger kids may need more and older kids less. My teen who is in the academy used to tell his girlfriend he could not stay up talking on the phone because he knew he needed his sleep.


3. Start homework right away

 We have a rule about homework in this house. When you get home from school, have a snack and then start your homework. My boys are still in learning mode so I know it helps them to concentrate better on homework. They also know once they get the homework done, they can then play. I think when homework is done later, like before bed, kids are too tired to think. My youngest has a hard time concentrating so he uses a cute soft weighted lap pad to help him focus on his homework. The Huggaroo Plush Puppy Weighted Lap Pad is weighted so it lowers anxiety and induces a sense of calm. This furry dog is so snuggly so it also makes a great friend for bedtime.



4. Read at bedtime

 My boys still love bedtime stories so we always make time before bed to read a couple of chapters from a book. I do the reading and I know this is great for their learning. Sometimes when this mom is too tired, we may read a book with pictures. My boys love reading and still read on their own after school for homework. Reading is great for kids and they are never too young for books. I started reading to my children when they were babies.


5. Give your kids quality time

  I know that me choosing to be a stay at home mom has something to do with my boys being so smart. Kids need/want time with their parents. That quality time could be as simple as just talking to them at dinner or going for a walk. I know staying at home is not a choice for everyone so if you are a working parent, cut back on outside activities and use that time with your child instead. My boys also have plenty of free play time as I believe it is great for their creativity. They don't do organized sports until middle school. They do participate in Cub Scouts with their dad as again it is great quality time.

6. Exercise

  Exercise is great for the brain and so is fresh air. So after homework is done, my boys go out to play. If I have not had a chance to run that day, they hop on their bikes and I get some running in. Going to the park is also another great way to get some exercise. When winter comes, my boys love running around the house and having Nerf gun fights.

7. Visit the library

  My boys love reading and are awesome readers. They both read above 2-grade levels. I know that visiting the library at least once a month has helped them learn. Books are always a good choice for learning. My boys check out chapter books, comic books, and books that teach them how to make things. The point is they are reading.

8. Limit video games and TV

 Have you ever watched your kid as they are watching TV? Mine look like zombies. TV is great for relaxing but too much is not good for anyone. I limit my boys to one hour of TV as they need to be using their time for play and school work. You won't find a video game system in my house as I feel they can be addicting for kids and I don't want to have those arguments about turning it off. On occasion, my boys do play on the computer but that is after homework, chores, and free play time. Then they each get 30 minutes on the computer. I feel that free play and reading are better options for learning.


9. Do math while shopping

 I am always teaching my children and look for opportunities for learning. When we are at the store, I have my boys figure out the lowest price of products. When things are on sale, I make them figure out the cost of the product after the sale. My boys love weighing the produce and I will have them figure out the cost. Cooking is also great for learning fractions and science. Let them make messes, outside of course, or in the bathroom. My boys love combining baking soda and vinegar when I clean the bathroom drains. They also love making slime and playdough. My youngest learns math when he helps me make his homemade toothpaste. Learning can be through fun.

10. Use big words

   I remember my mom always saying words that I did not understand or she would talk in bits of Spanish or German. I would always want to know what the words meant so my mom would explain them to me. So I am thankful for the internet so I can use big words around my boys and then turn to the internet to explain the word to them. These big words increase my boy's vocabulary and knowledge. When my boys need help with their homework, I never give them the answer. I make them look up the words or help them solve math programs. My son tried to use a calculator for a math problem the other day and I would not let him. I instead showed him how to set up the math problem so he was able to figure out the answer.

Do you have any tips to share with me about helping children learn?

I would love to hear them as I am always looking for new ways to teach my boys.




Friday, August 24, 2018

FREE Mentos Gum Velcro Wallet Pack



FREE Mentos Gum Velcro Wallet Pack Receive ONE (1) FREE Mentos Gum Velcro Wallet Pack (12 pc). Available in most stores.

Exp 09/16/2018


This Friday, August 24th, 2018– ONLY, you can load a coupon to your Kroger (or Affiliate) Plus Card for a  FREE Mentos Gum Velcro Wallet Pack!
Although 08/24/2018 is the only day that you can load the coupon, the coupon offer is redeemable through 09/16/2018


What is the Free Friday Download?
Every Friday, you can download a digital coupon for a FREE item! This offer is available exclusively to Customers with a Smiths Food and Drug or other Kroger store reward card.

How does it work?
Visit this page on Fridays.
Download the digital coupon for the product between 12am-11:59pm PT. You can view your coupon under the "My Coupons" section of your digital account or the Mobile App.

Redeem your coupon in-store within 2 weeks.
Your coupon will automatically be applied at checkout when you use your Shopper's Card.
Remember to check back the next Friday for a new offer!

Don't forget to save even more money with other great coupons under the Savings & Rewards Tab!

Never Pay Unexpected Baggage Fees Again When Traveling


                              I received a sample of a digital luggage scale.

  My family is traveling this month to New York for parents weekend at the Merchant Marine Academy. This is my son's first year at the Academy and we are so excited to check out the Academy. My son has a list of items that he would like me to bring to him, most of it is healthy food. That boy is always hungry. I would normally mail the items to him but since we are traveling there, I will take advantage of saving money on shipping costs. I will also be bringing 20 boxes of protein bars to the academy for the Cookie Cafe next month. Sure, I could just ship the heavy protein bars but again, I want to save money on shipping costs. The trip is already costing us a lot of money so saving money by not shipping items is always a good thing. I am glad that person in charge of the Cookie Cafe said that we could bring the goodies with us for parents week as they can store them until next month. I know it is a cookie event for the students but they also requested healthy items that the kids can take back to their room for snacks. Since I am an ambassador for Genuine Health, I have plenty of protein bars to bring. Now I just have to make sure my suitcase does not weigh more than 50 pounds. I am glad that I have my Digital Luggage Scale to check the weight before we get to the airport. Sure I could use a regular scale to weight my suitcase but I don't have one because I don't weigh myself anymore.



Never rearrange your luggage at check-in or pay unexpected baggage fees again!


Weighs up to 110 lbs 

  My Voyager Digital Luggage Scale is also great for when I travel to blogger conferences for bringing back all my swag. This scale is small enough to tuck into the front pocket of my suitcase. This scale weighs items up to 110 pounds and is easy to read too. This awesome luggage scale beeps too!  I love that it shuts off after 20 seconds so it does not waste the battery. When I do need to replace the battery it uses one small Lithium Battery

                                                  #eatsmartscale 

Two-Handed SmartGrip Design Handle with Durable Strap and Easy Clip Buckle

  I am glad that I have this luggage scale as all these protein bars sure do weigh a lot! I have to also pack other food items for my son. Sure I could distribute the items between all the suitcases that we will be bringing but I want to keep all the food items in one suitcase as we are just paying to check one suitcase. We are checking all the food items as I don't want to risk having any of it taken away at security. I remember my last trip and having security swipe all my food items and that was a big hassle. 


Save time and money now with this easy-to-use travel scale.


 While we are on the subject of traveling smart, you need to check out how to fit more in your suitcase with these Packing Cubes. My boys love using these Packing Cubes when they have to share a suitcase when we travel.



Thursday, August 23, 2018

Surviving a Disney Cruise as an Adult



            Photo by Mike Arney on Unsplash

 When you close your eyes and think of a Disney vacation, you might picture thousands of kids running around and shouting while their parents look tired and stressed out. Disney vacations can be just as fun for adults as they are for kids though. More and more adults now head to these parks and book cruises on their own. You can use some simple tips for surviving a Disney cruise as an adult with or without kids. 


   Before you book your Disney Cruise make sure to check out the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resales available for sale and rent online. Buying or renting points from a current DVC owner can help you save up to 50% off the price of the cruise. If you choose to buy DVC points, remember that you can sell DVC points later for extra cash.

Off-Ship Excursions

   Cruise ship owners know that travelers want to get off those boats every now and then, which is why they offer different excursions. Though the off-ship excursions you can choose will vary based on where the ship goes, you may want to check out Serenity Bay. Castaway Cay is one of the top excursions for those traveling through the Caribbean. Serenity Bay is the only part of this private island that is closed to adults. Only those over the age of 18 can visit.

Make Use of the Oceaneer Club

  All Disney cruise ships have an Oceaneer Club that is open to kids between the ages of three and 12. You can also look for the Oceaneer Lab that accepts kids of the same ages. These clubs are open between the hours of nine am and 3:30 pm. You can sign your kids in first thing in the morning and let them have fun making friends and playing with kids the same age as them. Kids can participate in different activities and play games while they watch Disney films and television shows. Costumed characters even make a few appearances. Disney ships have clubs and other activities for both older and younger kids too.

Book a Meal at Palo


  Many people think of the buffets and cafeteria restaurants when they think about cruise ships, but Disney offers a few different restaurants that you'll want to try. The first of those is Palo, which offers delicious and authentic Italian food. You can talk to your waiter about the menu and get help ordering the perfect wine to go with your meal. Adults also like Remy, which is an upscale restaurant that serves French dishes. Both restaurants let you enjoy delicious food in an exclusively adult setting.

Take Advantage of Dine and Play

  As much as you love your kids, you'll probably want a break from them every now and then. All Disney ships have a Dine and Play program that lets you spend time together but still get the break that you want. When you sign up for this program, your whole family can head to dinner together. The waitstaff will bring the kids' meals out first. Kids have 45 minutes to eat before workers come out and take them away to a play area, giving you time to finish your meal in peace and quiet.

  Though you might think that Disney cruises are only for kids, you can still have a great time. These tips will help you survive the cruise and still have some fun with your children.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

FilterSnap Makes Replacing Air And Fridge Filters So Affordable

            Is it time to replace your air and fridge filters?


         I received an air filter and water filter to facilitate this post.

  Winter will be here way to soon and we will have to start heating our homes. Do you remember the last time you replaced your air filter? Now is a good time to replace that dirty air filter so you can start winter off with clean air. Most people, including myself, don't think about changing the air filters in their furnace and at the most change them once a year. So they put the new filter in when they start up the furnace for the season and then never change it again. Then halfway through the winter, everyone is breathing dirty air. That leads to everyone sneezing and coughing. Until now, I never realized that the nagging dry cough I get in the winter could be due to a dirty air filter.

Why do I even need an air or furnace filter?

  Air filters filter out all the dust in the air so you don't have to breath dirty air. Breathing dirty air is not good for anyone, especially those with allergies and asthma. Air filters also keep your HVAC system running smoothly. All that dust build-up makes your system work harder and it can also over time start a fire.

Did you know that you should change your air filter every 30-90 days?

  How often you change your air filter depends on if you have pets, allergies or asthma. So for me, as I have allergies and asthma, I will change my air filter every month. I only have a furnace in my house and winters are short here so I only need filters 3- 4 months out of the year. If you have an air condition system then you need to change your filters even more, even during the summer.

How am I going to remember when to change my air filter?

  An air filter does not need to look dirty to be changed, so sight is not a good way to remember. Sure you could put it on your calendar but we all know how crazy life can get so that may not work. Some days, I can't even remember what I had for lunch so how am I going to remember to change my air filter? I discovered a wonderful company that does all the remembering for me.


FilterSnap delivers air filters to your door when you need them

  When my furnace needs a new filter, a new one is delivered to my home. I decide how often I want to change my air filter and FilterSnap then sends me a new one so I don't forget to change the air filter. No longer do I have to breath dirty air in the winter. FilterSnap even carries odd sizes that are hard to find in local stores. We use to have to buy an expensive allergy air filter that we had to cut to size as our furnace was not a standard size. With FilterSnap, my husband no longer has to cut an air filter as they have the size we need at an affordable price!


You won't find wimpy cardboard frames or fragile pleats on our filters. We are serious about air filters. Clean air is no joking matter.



FilterSnap delivers water filters too!

   I can even order a water filter for my fridge and have it arrive when I need a new one. The best part is these water filters are way cheaper than the one I was buying at my local store. My fridge is 10 years old and only one store in town carries the water filter that I need so I was so happy to find my water filter at FilterSnap. Now my family has clean drinking water all the time! They no longer have to keep reminding me to buy a new water fridge filter as a replacement shows up at my house every 6 months. In the past, that red light on the fridge would blink forever as I always forgot to buy a new one when I was out shopping.


Our fridge water filters don't have a fancy schmancy brand name printed on them. Why is this better? Remove the brand name, remove most of the price.



So take the chore of buying air and water filters off your list and leave the worry to FilterSnap!



When was the last time you changed your HVAC filter?



https://filtersnap.com



Monday, August 20, 2018

Share Your Best Travel Moments With Polaroid Snap Touch And Win

Capture your best travel moments and win!

      I received a Polaroid Snap Touch to facilitate this post and giveaway.

  Summer is coming to an end and I am getting that last vacation in. My family is headed to New York to see my son who is at the Merchant Marine Academy. I am excited to see my son at the Academy's parents weekend as I have not seen him since June. While we are there we will also be heading into the city for a day of fun. I will make sure to pack my new Polaroid Snap Touch Instant Digital Camera so I can capture all those fun times. Sure I have a phone to take pictures with but this camera is way more fun!

POINT, SHOOT, PRINT


  I love that this cool looking camera prints instantly! I can also add some special touches to my pictures before I print it straight from the camera. If I really want to use my phone for the picture, then I can send that photo over to my Polaroid Snap Touch and instantly print the photo. I am amazed at the ZINK® Zero Ink technology that this camera has. Another cool feature is the small photos have sticky-back paper so I can stick them right into my scrapbooks or anywhere else.

Just frame the shot using the touchscreen display


  The 3.5 LCD touchscreen allows me to see the photo before I take the picture. This camera also has a selfie mirror and time as I love taking selfies with my boys. After I take the picture, I can have some fun and add frames and stickers to my pictures. I can also do HD video recording on the Polaroid Snap Touch. This camera is super easy to use and the prints are so vibrant.

Polaroid Snap Touch instant digital camera allows you to snap, print, and share all of your favorite photos instantly with app-driven creative & new Bluetooth connectivity.

Polaroid makes taking pictures fun!



TRAVEL-READY DESIGN 

The mini, colorful, and pocket-sized design is compact, super portable and perfect for anyone who loves to travel, blog, do DIY projects, or go on adventures. An included wrist strap makes it easy to carry, whether you’re indoors, outdoors, at a party, or on vacation.


Ready for some fun?

Polaroid is asking fans to share their summer travel adventures on social media to win a surprise. Share your best travel moments with #MeetPolaroidTravels throughout this summer for a chance to win...well, it's a surprise! Submissions end on September 4. Like @Meet Polaroid on Twitter for details on how to enter, winner announcements and more!

Got any summer travel adventures?

Check out this fun point, shoot, and print camera and see all the fun colors it comes in.

https://www.polaroid.com/products/polaroid-snap-touch-camera

Get your hands on one for some summer fun and beyond! Buy the Polaroid Snap Touch Instant Digital Camera HERE


Giveaway

I have a Polaroid Snap Touch Instant Digital Camera to giveaway to one lucky reader. Tell me what fun you had this summer or your future summer fun plans. Make sure to head on over to @Meet Polaroid and get the details on how you can win. Then enter on the giveaway form below and good luck!

This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years of age or older.  Chances of winning this giveaway depend on the number of entries. All entries will be verified. The winner will be notified within 48 hours of the end of the contest and will then have 24 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be chosen. Void where prohibited


HP Spectre X360 Convertible Laptop Giveaway #HPBTS18

You need to enter this Giveaway to win an HP computer!



 It is back to school time and a new computer would be an awesome prize to win. One lucky person is going to win an HP Spectre X360 Convertible Laptop and five others will win a $50 Gift Card from HP!

Enter the Giveaway HERE

The Giveaway starts on Monday, August 20th at 12:00 AM ET

The Giveaway ends on Friday, August 24th at 11:59 PM ET


Five (5) winners will receive a $50 Gift Card from HP and one (1) winner will receive an HP Spectre X360 Convertible Laptop. 

The winners will be chosen through a lottery drawing and notified on Monday (8/24) via the email address they used to enter.

See complete Official Rules for entry instructions, full prize descriptions, restrictions and other important details.

Check out this EXCLUSIVE HP COUPON!



OFFER DETAILS:

20% Off Select Laptop & Desktop Orders $599+

Coupon Code: AUGVP20
Includes free shipping.
Restrictions may apply.
Expires: 9/16/2018

Click HERE for the offer details and to purchase an HP computer at 20% off,


I Am Going To Be A Grandma Very Soon

My first grandchild will be here soon!

                       I received a sample of Baby Butz Cream to feature on my website

  I am so excited that I will be able to see my first grandchild shortly after she is born. God worked in an amazing way the other day. My daughter emailed me to let me know that she is going to be induced this Friday and it was the best news ever for the grandma-to-be. I am not sure the induction is good news for my daughter but for me, it means that I am able to fly to Las Vegas for the birth of my granddaughter. This is so amazing because my daughter's original due date was August 30th and that is when we will be visiting my son in New York at the Merchant Marine Academy. So that would have meant that I would not have been able to see the baby until several weeks after her birth. My daughter's induction made things so much easier and I get to be there for the birth of the baby.

A planned birth means this grandma saved money

 When I received my daughter's email about the scheduled inducing of her baby, I was able to buy my plane ticket at a reasonable cost and I found a hotel room also at a good price near the hospital so I could walk to see the baby from my hotel. I love that I can visit my daughter and the new baby for several days. I will also be able to be there to help my daughter's husband with trips to the store so he can stay at the hospital with my daughter. There is plenty of stores and restaurants near the hospital. I am just so excited that I can be there for the birth of the baby.
 
I am just so excited that I can be there for the birth of the baby.


  I will be bringing my daughter lots of goodies. I have presents from friends and grandma approved products that I will be packing in my suitcase. I want to provide natural baby products to my daughter to use on the baby. I discovered a 100% All-Natural diaper rash cream that is 100% safe for babies. I am hoping that the new baby never gets diaper rash but my daughter will be prepared. I love how thick this diaper rash is and it has a nice scent too. This cream is supposed to heal a diaper rash fast and take any away pain right away. My daughter can also use it to prevent diaper rash.


My daughter will be prepared for postpartum constipation


  How many moms remember the dreadful postpartum potty problems after giving birth? Nobody prepares first-time moms for the awful constipation that comes with childbirth. I remember the potty problems that I had after I gave birth and the stool softener that the hospital gives you does nothing. So by the time child number three came along I brought with fiber supplements to the hospital. These supplements made going number two a breeze. I use Regular Girl when I travel as traveling always messes with my potty habits. This prebiotic fiber keeps me regular and it is so easy to mix into liquids like water or juice or even my morning yogurt or oatmeal. My favorite traveling supplement has no taste so it is so easy to take and causes no bloating or gas either. You really got to try Regular Girl as being regular is a great feeling. I call this supplement "you go girl" and I need to get my new granddaughter the Regular Girl onsie!

                    Save 10% on Regular Girl with my coupon code MOMKNOBEST10
                                        http://www.regulargirl.com?rfsn=977462.eafead

This is my favorite travel supplement, even flight attendants love it! 



Probiotics may prevent Group B Strep



Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally found in the vagina and/or rectum of about 25% of all healthy, adult women. Women who test positive for GBS are said to be colonized. A mother can pass GBS to her baby during delivery.

  My daughter was diagnosed with Group B Strep so she will need antibiotics before the baby is born. New research shows that probiotics can help with Group B Strep if used throughout pregnancy. If only my daughter had taken a daily probiotic. I am glad that they are treating her with antibiotics before the baby is born but I am going to bring my daughter plenty of my favorite probiotic so she can get her gut healthy. My youngest boys take a daily probiotic and they no longer complain of tummy problems. I will also be bringing some of my Genuine Health Probiotics to my son as his new diet at the academy has made his acne worse. It just amazes me how a healthy gut can help with so much.

Snacks for me and my daughter

15 grams of protein!

When I travel I always bring plenty of healthy snacks as the food in the airports is expensive. I am loving these fermented vegan protein bars, especially the peanut butter chocolate ones as they have dairy-free chocolate chips in them. They taste like cookie dough and I get my chocolate fix while I am on this dairy-free diet. These bars not only travel well but I get gut healthy protein in them. So it is like a probiotic and protein bar in one. I also love the fiber in them to keep me regular while I travel. I will be bringing a couple of boxes for my daughter so she has healthy snacks to eat. I remember those first months with my babies and how they were always nursing and how I had no time to make food for myself. The nutrition in these protein bars (15 grams of protein) will be great so my daughter makes healthy milk for the baby.

 Save 20% on all Genuine Health products with code Tara18

  Once I get to Las Vegas, I will be making a trip to the store to buy my daughter some more presents for the baby like diapers, fresh fruit, and a balloon bouquet. I just can't wait to spoil my first grandbaby. Since this is my first time being a grandma, I would love advice on what to buy my daughter and how to help her after the baby with not being a pain in the rear.


What advice do you have for this new grandma?


Healthy Chocolate Butterscotch Brownie Protein Muffins

 A healthy back to school breakfast muffin that is gluten-free



  My boys started a new school this year and it is a wonderful school. The only thing is the new school doesn't serve free breakfast or lunch so now my boys have to eat breakfast at home and pack lunches. I am happy in a way because now my boys can eat more healthy foods. I loved the convenience and saving money when they ate at school but sometimes the food was not that healthy. The school's idea of good nutrition was if it had whole wheat flour or whole grains in it then it must be healthy. Well, that meant Cocoa Puffs and whole wheat donuts were on the breakfast menu. So now I am trying to have healthy breakfast options that my boys can eat in the morning besides peanut butter sandwiches and oatmeal. So that means I will be spending more time cooking and sharing recipes. I really do enjoy cooking healthy food for my family.



  So I decided to tweak my Salted Chocolate Protein Donut Holes recipe and make it a bit healthier as the boys really enjoyed them. In my opinion, the donuts had too much oil and sugar in them. So I substituted monk fruit sugar for some of the sugar. I replaced the oil with yogurt.  I also wanted to sneak some fiber into these muffins and chia seeds are a tasty way to do that. So I used chia seed eggs instead of eggs.  These delicious muffins are also gluten-free! I also made the recipe in a muffin pan so they were a bigger size for breakfast. So for a healthy breakfast, my boys have one of these muffins with a glass of chocolate nut milk and fresh fruit. My boy's favorite nut milk is Silk Chocolate Protein Nutmilk and I love that this plant-based milk has plenty of protein in it.



These delicious muffins are also gluten-free!



  My boys loved the taste of these and said they tasted like brownies. These muffins were moist and had plenty of chocolate flavor. The best part was my boys could not taste the pumpkin. I love that they are getting fiber, protein and awesome nutrition along with some gut health from the fermented protein powder. I know a recipe is a winner when my boys keep asking if they can have another one. 

Using a stand mixer makes baking so easy!


Chocolate Butterscotch Brownie Protein Muffins
 Makes 18 muffins

1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup plain yogurt
2  Chia Eggs1 tablespoons chia seeds + 3 tablespoons water = 1 egg (stir and let sit for 2 minutes)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup oat flour (rolled oats ground into flour)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup monk fruit sugar
3 scoops Genuine Health fermented vegan proteins, chocolate
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 -3/4 cup butterscotch baking chips


DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a stand mixer, combine your wet ingredients and mix thoroughly on medium speed.
3. Add in the remaining dry ingredients, except the butterscotch chips and combine until well mixed on medium speed. Add the butterscotch chips and mix on low until combined.
4. Using a measuring cup, add about 1/4 cup batter into each section of your greased muffin pans or use paper liners. The batter will be thick so you may have to use a spoon or fingers to get the batter into the pan.
5. Bake at 350° F for 30  minutes.
6. Let cool before removing the muffins from the pan.



Tips: These muffins do not rise so fill the muffin papers all the way to the top. You can use other flavors of baking chips like chocolate or vanilla.



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