>U Mom Knows Best: October 2019

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Six Healthy Grooming Products For Men

Does your man need some help in the grooming department?

                   I received samples of the above products to facilitate this post

 When it comes to grooming products, all my husband cares about are two things.
 1. Does it clean me? 
 2. Does it smell good?
 That being said,  my husband does not really give a hoot if the product is made with non-toxic chemicals or is BPA free or free of Parabens. My husband just wants manly grooming products that get the job done. My husband does not want to stink or smell like a girl so he tends to choose products that are made with questionable fragrances and ingredients. I, on the other hand, am the opposite. I want beauty products that are made with safe ingredients that are not made with toxic chemicals or harsh ingredients. I want beauty products that have safe fragrances that are made with natural ingredients. I am sensitive to fragrance, especially chemical fragrances and they tend to trigger an asthma attack or make me nauseated.



My husband thinks I should live in a bubble 


    My son and I at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

  For the most part, my husband uses his stinky manly grooming products in the morning before he goes to work. I wake up after he leaves the house so his toxic fragrant man products don't bother me and the scent is gone by the time he gets home from work. There have been times, in the past, that he uses a scented lotion at night near me and it triggered an asthmatic coughing attack. So thankfully I found a guy lotion scented with essential oils that he likes and will use when he is around me. Now if I could just get my husband to switch out his other personal care products for ones that are scented with natural essential oils. This has been a hard thing to do as my husband things the strongly scented chemical products work the best. It is hard to change a man that is set in his ways.

Men’s Grooming Products They Didn't Know They Needed
  So I decided to try some healthy grooming products that are made for men to see if they pass the scent test with my husband. I am also hoping that these natural products pass the cleaning and body odor protection test with my husband. So below are the products that I gave to my husband to try in the shower and bathroom. Some of the products my boys and I are already using. I am hoping that I can get my husband to use safer beauty products not only for my chemical sensitivity but also for his health.

1. Extract Labs Extra Strength Muscle Cream



  My husband has finally realized that he needs to exercise and is willing to go to the gym 3 times a week. In fact, my husband is the one asking me if I would like to meet him at the gym after work. My husband is liking the positive changes in his body and is starting to do more weights at the gym. So that means he is requesting nightly back rubs from me. I really don't like giving him back rubs as it tends to hurt my hands so I instead introduced my husband to an extra-strength CBD muscle cream. My husband likes the invigorating scent of the CBD-rich blend that includes organic ingredients like jojoba, beeswax, rosemary, lavender, arnica, menthol, and shea butter. I like that the ingredients are plant-based and scented with non-toxic ingredients. The natural menthol even helps my lungs open up when I am having an asthmatic cough, so I use the cream on occasion. This cream is AMAZING for any muscle pain on the body. My husband uses the cream on his neck, back, and shoulders. He likes that the cream is not greasy. The cream takes care of his muscle pain with minutes. When my husband uses this muscle cream, I enjoy the menthol scent that is on his body and I breathe it in deeply as the scent of menthol helps with my asthma.



How To Deal With Exercise Burnout 

2. MyChelle Sun Shield SPF 28 Coconut 



 My husband does use a mineral-based sunscreen when he goes swimming as that is all I pack in the swim bag. My husband knows that mineral-based sunscreens do a great job of protecting him from the sun but he hates the white pasty look that some of the mineral sunscreens have. So he was happy when he applied this reef-friendly sun shield on his face as it did not make him look like a ghost. My husband even liked the coconut scent of the environmentally safe sunscreen. This sunscreen has no nasties in it and absorbs quickly into the skin with a matte finish. The size of the tube is perfect for my husband to toss into his work backpack so he can apply the mineral-based sunscreen before he heads to an outdoor pool inspection. I love using Mychelle Sun Shield products year-round.

Five Good Reasons To Wear Sunscreen In The Winter 


3. Ballsy grooming products 



  My husband was a bit reluctant to try grooming products for his private parts. I think the name of these man personal care products was quite embarrassing to him. I am not sure why my husband was offended by these man cleaning products. To me, they made perfect sense as I want my man to be fresh and clean down there. I told my husband that the Ballwash is just body wash and he could use it all over his body. I really wanted my husband to try this man wash as it was made with good stuff like essential oils and plant extracts. So when he uses the vegan body wash that contains no sulfates or parabens, I will not be coughing when we share the shower together. Most men don't realize that their balls are prone to sweat that has odor-causing bacteria. Maybe my husband will get some more attention from me if he is fresh and clean down there. I love the box that the grooming products come in, it would make a great holiday gift for any man in your life.





Do You Know What Is In Your Perfume?


4. CRYSTAL Mineral-Enriched Deodorant



Does your man need some healthy grooming products?
   My boys already use mineral-based deodorant as I started them on it as soon as they became tweens. Having my husband agree to a natural deodorant is not going to be easy. Most people try natural deodorant and stop using it after a few days because their pits still stink and they are still sweating. Sweating a natural body function and sweating is good for you. Most people need to first do an armpit detox in order to be successful with natural mineral deodorant. I think my husband needs to give this Mountain Fresh deodorant a chance as it is made with essential oils and no harsh chemicals. It even offers 24-hour protection. I like that this deodorant has no aluminum in it and leaves no white marks. Crystal even offers a Freshly Minted scented deodorant that men will like.

Give natural deodorant a 2nd chance with an armpit detox

5. Goodhead Shampoo and Conditioner


 I wanted my husband to try a natural, paraben-free and sulfate-free shampoo so we could get the toxic chemicals out of the shower. So I thought the look of these black bottles would help him with the switch as I want my man to have a good head of hair that does not smell like chemicals.

  This shampoo is a nourishing, growth-stimulating formula that harnesses the benefits of “superfoods” like quinoa and green tea (We knew they were healthy for our insides but who knew they could help hair look fuller and healthier?) and botanical oils like soft, smoothing argan, bracing tea tree and of course, their signature active charcoal. The conditioner features hibiscus oil, olive oil, tea tree and SalCool (provides a cooling effect and refreshing tingle) to help nourish, hydrate, strengthen and protect hair.

6. Quickys Body Wipes


 Now that my husband is going to the gym and working out, I knew that he needed to try these paraben-free textured wipes. I like that they provide a quick solution for cleaning up after the gym when there is no time for a shower. I like that they are in individual packages so my husband can toss them into his gym bag. These passed the smell test for me as they had a pleasant light scent of aloe. I used a quicky wipe on my skin and it did not irritate my sensitive skin.

Quickys are perfect for post-gym, pre-happy hour, camping trips, long days at the office, first and last dates. No matter what situation you find yourself in, Quickys have got you covered with their cooling, refreshing and textured wipes to quickly remove sweat, smell, and dirt in just a swipe.  These individually packaged towelettes feature natural aloe and cucumber extracts.  Use the deep cleansing, exfoliating textured side first and follow with a swipe of the smooth side for the ultimate cleanse. The extra-large wipes are portable and TSA-friendly and come 15 to a box for $15.  

Which product do you/your man want to try?




Wednesday, October 30, 2019

ONN DVD Bonus Deal With Redbox At Walmart

 Sponsored post: I received a DVD player to facilitate this post

Check out this awesome deal on an ONN DVD player
    Just in time for the holidays, for a limited time only, Walmart is offering five free rentals from their local Redbox with the in-store purchase of an ONN DVD player that only costs $19.96, available on November 1st. That’s less than renting four on-demand movies, making it a great deal for families and friends who are planning their next viewing party. This DVD player would lake an amazing holiday gift. Do you know a family that has young kids who love watching DVDs? This DVD player would make a great Christmas gift for most anyone who loves renting at Redbox.




  This deal is only available in-store. So look for the ONN box with the Redbox sticker on it. This is an amazing price for a DVD player and it will be perfect for watching movies that you rent from the Redbox machines that are also at Walmart stores. My family loves renting DVD movies from Redbox as they have a great selection and there is a Redbox location near my house. So head to your nearest Walmart to purchase an ONN DVD player. At this amazing price with the free Redbox rentals, you should buy more than one and donate them to a holiday gift drive. 

  My family loves renting from Redbox weekly and this DVD player will be awesome. Movie night is a night that my boys look forward too. The ONN DVD player will be replacing our old outdated DVD player. My father-in-law has a bunch of old classic movies that he enjoys watching so I will be buying an extra ONN DVD player for his Christmas gift. I will be making him a gift basket with some popcorn, candy, and the DVD player so he can enjoy his movies. So head to your nearest Walmart and look for the ONN DVD box with the Redbox sticker on it. This is available on November 1st while supplies last. At this great price, these DVD players will sell out quickly!



Monday, October 28, 2019

KIDDOZ Makes Cooking Fun For Kids

A new interactive cookbook that turns food into a game

       Sponsored post

  Does your family need some help in the kitchen? Does the thought of cooking sound like a chore? Maybe it is time to start making cooking a quality family experience that can also teach your kids how to cook. Instead of putting the kids in front of the TV, encourage them to help in the kitchen by making delicious meals. I know what you are thinking, my kids are too young to help with the cooking. Chefclub, the world’s leading producer of entertaining recipe videos, wants to change that way of thinking and they have launched their latest endeavor Kiddoz. Now kids as young as 4 can learn how to cook with an interactive cookbook that teaches kids how to cook and no reading skills are required.


  Kiddoz is a brand new cooking kit made specifically for kids to cook nutritious meals that are almost error-proof. With Kiddoz, children don’t even have to know how to read to follow the step by step recipe instructions. Inside every Kiddoz Kit you'll find a set of 6 colorful measuring cups with cute Chefclub characters on them that guides little chefs through easy affordable recipes that are in the interactive illustrated cookbook. Kids simply, with the help of mom or dad, learn how to measure ingredients and combine them to create delicious meals that the whole family will enjoy. The illustrated cookbook has plenty of interactive pictures to guide kids from start to finish. Just imagine the satisfaction that kids and parents will have when the sit down to a meal that the whole family prepared. Eating at home is also way healthier, it brings the family together and it saves you a ton of money



Demystify Vegetables: Kiddoz makes vegetables the STAR!


 Kiddoz is available via Kickstarter for the suggested price of $34.99 and is for ages 4 and up.

 The Kiddoz cookbook even has an app for your smartphone so kids can watch the recipe being prepared so they can cook the recipes without having to know how to read. The fun cookbook even has a shopping list so the teaching can start in the grocery store with a fun family experience. Kids who learn how to cook at an early age are less picky when it comes to mealtime. When your kid makes the food, they are more likely to eat it. The Kiddoz interactive cookbook will have your kids learning how to prepare healthy food like vegetables. Most of the recipes have fruits and veggies in them. The cookbook includes 20 easy to follow recipes and additional recipes that are available via the app.


Look at these adorable measuring cups

 The cute characters on the colorful measuring cups will make cooking fun for young kids. Did you know that kids are learning math skills through cooking? Young kids will learn that they can take simple ingredients and combine them together to make delicious food that the whole family will enjoy. These cooking skills will help kids later in life when they become grownups. Learning to cook when they are young means that they will not be surviving on ramen when they are young adults.



 Strengthen Family Bonds: Create unforgettable memories as a family in the comfort of your own home 



 My youngest son learned how to cook at a young age and now at 11 years old, he is able to make dinner all by himself. This is a huge timesaver for me as I can go to the gym with my husband and come home to a delicious dinner. I am so proud of my son when he cooks dinner. My son is also able to make cookies all by himself. I love being able to ask my son to make cookies and knowing that he will make cookies the whole family can enjoy.



 The Kiddoz interactive kids in the kitchen cookbook will show kids how to have fun in the kitchen with clever measuring cups and playful recipes that will have kids making food that looks like ladybugs, butterflies, and other animals. This awesome kids cookbook is in a Kickstarter but will be available by December, making it a great holiday gift for a Christmas present. So, learn more about a fun interactive kids cookbook that will have your kids begging you to help make dinner.

Kids Can Take Charge: Get your kids to cook dinner, without even trying.


The Kiddoz kit comes with 6 cute character-themed measuring cups, and a cookbook filled with 20 illustrated recipes that use a never before seen language of images and characters, so kids can easily follow recipes with the extremely visual directions. The measuring cups and cookbooks work together to create an autonomous experience similar to playing with Legos or Play-Doh creating a more entertaining and fun cooking experience. In addition, Kiddoz comes with shopping lists to accompany every recipe, embedded videos, and a connected app for more healthy recipes and unlimited cooking excitement.

Kiddoz is available via Kickstarter for the suggested price of $34.99 and is for ages 4 and up.

 Learning By Doing: Give a kid a fish stick, they'll eat for a day. Teach a kid to cook, they'll eat well for a lifetime. Kiddoz is the gateway to a lifelong love of cooking and a healthy understand of where their food comes from but remember... no one is too old to learn a thing or two from Kiddoz.



Thursday, October 24, 2019

Natural Products That You Need For Cold & Flu Season

Be prepared for this cold and flu season with natural products. 

 Products mentioned were received as samples from companies that I met at Shiftcon and Wow Summit.

 The weather is starting to get chilly here and I am not happy about that. I hate it when I have to close the windows in my house and have to start wearing more clothes. I am a shorts and tank top kind of gal and hate when I have to start wearing pants. The other things that I dislike about the change of seasons are it gets dark way too early and the cold germs that my family is exposed to. So that means I have to make changes in my schedule, like running later in the day, as I hate running in the cold. Running in the cold affects my asthma and that makes me cough up a lung. The cold weather also means it is time to stock up on natural products that protect and help my family with cold and flu season.


Check out these 10 tips for exercising with asthma

My favorite cold and flu season products
 I have some favorite natural products that are always in my pantry and cabinets for cold and flu season. These are my go-to products that help keep my family healthy and some also help my kids with cold symptoms if they catch a cold. I would love to say my kids are never sick but unfortunately despite my best efforts, those germs still attack my family. My kids do have a few colds but I have discovered that eating healthy foods, exercising, and some natural supplements have helped them get well quicker. l also praise frequent handwashing to help keep the germs from attacking my kid's immune system. Since germs are also airborne, I also stock my fridge and medicine cabinet with natural products that help my kids feel better and get over their colds faster.

Teaching Kids About The Importance Of Hand Washing 

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Honey syrup
 When my boys are not feeling well and they have a sore throat or cough, I reach for a delicious-tasting soothing honey syrup to help my boys feel better. My boys like the taste of the Manuka honey syrup and it helps them feel better. As a parent, I know if the supplement does not taste good, they will not take it. So half the battle is always getting my boys to try the syrup. I recommend having your kids taste the natural product before they get sick that way they will cooperate better when they are sick. My boys gave 2 thumbs up to this grape and orange-flavored soothing syrups and they really enjoyed the soothing pops. I had to hide the honey soothing pops so I would have them on hand when my boys have a tickle in their throat from the common cold.


Cold & Flu Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

  My boys love drinking tea when the weather gets cold and I always stock my house with ingredients like lemon, honey, and ginger so I can make an amazing tea that has the healing powers to relieve cold symptoms. My Cold & Flu Honey Lemon Ginger Tea helps soothe a sore throat while also helping to clear the mucus gunk from the nose. This delicious tea also has ingredients in it to strengthen the immunity system so I encourage my boys to drink it daily. I keep a batch of premade Honey Lemon Ginger Tea in the fridge so my boys can drink it over ice or warm it up for a soothing warm drink that is great at night. I find that warm tea always helps my boys relax and that makes it easier for them to fall asleep. Did you know that Manuka Honey is known to support digestive and immune health? This delicious honey also helps to soothe coughs and sore throats so I encourage my boys to add honey to their tea and other things like yogurt and oatmeal.



Black Elderberry
 My boys love the taste of black elderberry and I encourage them to have black elderberry gummies daily before the head off to school. When I notice my boys coming down with the sniffles or coughing, I then give them black elderberry syrup to help their immune system get stronger so their cold does not last more than a couple of days. I also take black elderberry syrup when my boys are sick so I can strengthen my immune system. That way I don't become sick. I love that black elderberry comes in so many different formulas and is a natural supplement that helps the immune system. It is a homeopathic medicine that is safe to use with kids.


Vitamin C
 Vitamin C is always a good supplement for kids to have year-round. The best way for kids to get their daily C is from fresh or frozen fruit. So I encourage my boys to eat oranges and strawberries during cold and flu season to keep their immune system healthy. When my boys are not feeling well, I then use a high-dose vitamin C supplement to boost their immune system so it can fight off the germs better. My boys love the taste of this vitamin C supplement and say it tastes like orange creme soda.  Vitamin C has been thoroughly researched and shown to help support the immune system. This delicious supplement can be used from 6 months of age so it is a great way to keep kids healthy during the cold and flu season.


Prebiotics and Probiotics
 Probiotics are great for the immune system so I give them to my boys daily. Probiotics help the digestive system too and they say that a healthy gut affects your whole body. I like to give my boys a daily prebiotic fiber supplement to improve the growth of helpful bacteria and decrease the harmful bacteria in their gut. I like using Regular Girl as it is a tasteless powder that mixes well into oatmeal, yogurt, juice, and even chocolate milk. So my boys get good bacteria for their immune system and it also keeps them regular in the potty department. So my boys do not experience school-time bathroom problems. Regular Girl helps my boys get their #2 done before they head to school.


CLICK HERE 
To Save Save 10% on Regular Girl with my coupon code MOMKNOBEST10

Regular Girl contains 5 grams of clinically proven prebiotic fiber (Sunfiber®), a perfect food source for the good bacteria in your gut. It moves through your system at just the right pace without the drag of creating excess gas or bloating. Regular Girl contains 8 billion active and clinically proven probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis) that work in harmony with our Prebiotic Fiber, forming a union that maintains regularity and promotes wonderfully balanced intestinal health.

 Essential Oil Care
  I love using essential oils during cold and flu season. My favorite way to use essential oils with my boys is with an essential oil roll-on. My favorite cold & cough product naturally soothes coughing and provides a clearing aroma with a blend of essential oils. The essential oil formula contains 100% pure essential oils like Eucalyptus Oil and Tea Tree Oil and has a pleasant scent. This essential oil roll-on is easy to take on the go and I have used it while traveling. When I am having an asthma attack, I find that breathing in the aroma of the essential oils helps me to get some deep cleansing breaths in so I can clear the mucus from my lungs.


The power of echinacea
The use of echinacea for children has been researched for its ability to boost and support a healthy immune system. My boys enjoy the flavor of this easy-to-use echinacea supplement as it is flavored with a natural, sweet, orange essential oil. This delicious supplement can be used from 6 months of age so it is a great way to keep kids healthy during the cold and flu season.


Get Well Shots
 Most people have never heard of Moringa but it is a main ingredient in a delicious caffeine-free wellness supplement. The Get Well Shots contain the green superfood Moringa and a super berry called camu camu that is loaded with vitamin C and known to help strengthen the immune system. This small bottle packs some powerful immunity support and is so easy for kids to drink when they are not feeling well or on a daily basis to keep their immune systems strong. This dietary supplement is one of four plant-based supplements of the brand-new line of Green Tea Energy Plus+ wellness shots from Kuli Kuli!


Daily Immune Support Super Shots
   The power of elderberry is combined with pomegranate and beneficial cayenne in a caffeine-free tea base to give you a delicious daily super shot that will boost your immune system. I love that these super shots are packaged in eco-friendly glass bottles, making them great for the environment. This pretty purple shot is one of five different nutrient-dense wellness shots from Numi Organics that have functional ingredients in them. They are a convenient way to support your body during the cold and flu season.


Homemade Elderberry Syrup In The Pressure Cooker
 If you have the time and want to make your own elderberry syrup, you need to check out my DIY homemade Elderberry syrup recipe. This elderberry syrup is made from dried elderberries in a pressure cooker or instant pot. This recipe allows you to always have the immune support of elderberry on hand so you can keep your kids well during the winter season.



Elderberry Cold & Flu Fighting Gummies

 Elderberries naturally contain A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system. These dried berries are naturally high in immune-boosting compounds that are specifically shown to help beat the cold and flu more quickly. So after you make your homemade elderberry syrup, turn the purple syrup into delicious Elderberry Cold & Flu Fighting Gummies. These delicious purple gummies will make it super easy to get your kids to take their immune supplements so their bodies can be prepared to fight off the germs that kids come in contact with. Your kids will think the elderberry gummies are a treat but you will know that they are a great supplement for the cold and flu season.


 These supplements are always in my pantry so I can make sure that my family is prepared daily to go out into a world that is loaded with germs. Other things that I do during cold and flu season is to make sure my kids wash their hands, eat healthy foods, get plenty of exercise, and get the proper amount of sleep. As a mom, I want to make sure that my boys can stay well during the winter and these health supplements have helped me do just that.

Twelve Tips To Get A Better Night Of Sleep



Monday, October 21, 2019

8 Health Benefits of Probiotics With Seed

Is your gut happy?

         I received a sample of Seed to facilitate this post.

 I remember many years ago when probiotics became popular and I was excited to see an easy way to make my gut healthy without having to eat a ton of yogurt, which was a good thing as I recently discovered that what I thought to be a lactose intolerance was a dairy allergy. I liked that I discovered that I could get my daily probiotics in a pill form. It was three years ago that I introduced my younger boys to probiotics and saw the difference it made in their gut healthy. I quickly learned that the good bacteria of probiotics could help end the weekly stomach problems that my boys were experiencing. It was three years ago that I started testing probiotics out and discovered how a healthy gut could help with so many other things in the body beyond the gut like skin and inflammation. Since then I rarely miss my daily supplement of probiotics as I like having regularity in the bathroom and healthy skin. I like being able to poop every day and not be bloated with constipation.



 So when I discover a new way to take my daily probiotic, I thought to myself what benefits could this Daily Synbiotic give me beyond my regular probiotic?


  I quickly discovered that this was not just any probiotic. Seed is so different, it is MORE than just a probiotic. It’s a synbiotic–a combination of both a PREbiotic and PRObiotic. Wait! What is the difference between a probiotic and a prebiotic?

Learn More Here 

 A probiotic supplement is made of billions of strains of good bacteria and they need to get from your stomach to your colon to help your gut. The problem is the journey from the mouth to the stomach to the colon makes it hard for all those probiotic strains to survive so these stains need prebiotics to help your body get the benefits from probiotics. A prebiotic is essentially food for the probiotic to keep fueling it until it gets to its destination, the gut.

A healthy gut equals a healthy immune system
  The good bacteria of probiotics not only help your body with digestion but they also stimulate the immune system so they are great for cold and flu season. I have been giving my boys a daily probiotic and they get fewer colds and when they do get sick they get better faster. Probiotics are also great for the skin so if you have acne or eczema you need to give them a chance. A healthy gut affects the whole body in a positive way. When your gut is happy, then the rest of your body gets happy.



 I discovered that Seed was a 2-in-1 supplement and had a unique way for me to get both my prebiotic and probiotics in one easy to swallow capsule. I like that there is one pill to swallow instead of two.  Even the ingredients of the prebiotic were unique. The Seed prebiotic is made from pomegranate, organic Scandinavian Chaga mushroom extract (mycelium), & organic Scandinavian pine. So essentially this outer prebiotic capsule helps more of the probiotic strains to survive the journey to the gut so they can do their job.


 Use my code MOMKNOWSBEST to save 15% off the best Daily Synbiotic

Learn More Here


What strains, not just species, are included in the formulation? Bifidobacterium longum SD-BB536-JP, Bifidobacterium breve SD-BR3-IT, Lactobacillus plantarum SD-LP1-IT, Lactobacillus rhamnosus SD-LR6-IT, Lactobacillus reuteri SD-LRE2-IT, Bifidobacterium longum HRVD90b-US, Bifidobacterium lactis RD-BS5-IT, Lactobacillus casei HRVD300-US, Bifidobacterium breve HRVD521-US, Bifidobacterium lactis HRVD524-US, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HRVD113-US, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-150-BE, Lactobacillus rhamnosus SD-GG-BE, Lactobacillus reuteri SD-RD830-FR, Bifidobacterium adolescentis SD-BA5-IT, Lactobacillus crispatus SD-LCR01-IT, Lactobacillus fermentum SD-LF8-IT, Lactobacillus plantarum SD-LPLDL-UK, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-MB2409-IT, Lactobacillus salivarius SD-LS1-IT, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-CECT8145-SP, Bifidobacterium longum SD-CECT7347-SP, Lactobacillus casei SD-CECT9104-SP





 Even the packaging of this Daily Synbiotic is unique. The capsules come in a dark green glass jar, I love that it is plastic-free. So that means no BPAs on my supplement. I even got a small glass travel-size container which means you can take my Seed Daily Synbiotic with me when I travel. This company also uses a compostable Mycelium Tray packaging and FSC certified boxes to ship the product. Refills of Seed also come in a similar fashion to cut down on waste.  I love that they’re as committed to planetary health as they are to human health. I love supporting companies that are doing good things for the environment and are going plastic-free. I made a commitment to start buying more products in glass containers. I also decided to start recycling glass, which I should have done long ago but since my city does not take the glass with its curbside recycling program, I made excuses. That means I will start driving my glass to be recycled once my container in the garage gets full. I am trying to teach my family to reduce-reuse-recycle.


 This is a Daily Synbiotic that you need to check out.

 Use my code MOMKNOWSBEST to save 15% off the best Daily Synbiotic

Learn More Here 






Friday, October 18, 2019

Teach Kids About Fire Safety With PLAYMOBIL

October is Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Month


            I received a sample from Playmobil to facilitate this post.

 Now that my boys are old enough to stay home by themselves for a couple of hours it is a good time to teach them about fire prevention and fire safety. My boys have learned some things like don't use a lighter or matches unless a grownup is nearby and how to escape if there is a fire. These are important things to know but I think my boys and I could use a refresher on fire safety. One does not expect their house to be on fire or even a small fire in the kitchen but one needs to be prepared.



October is Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Month
 Since the whole month of October is Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Month, I decided that this would be a good time to help my boys be prepared for an emergency like a fire. That way I can rest a bit easier when I leave them home by themselves. Since this is a time when public service departments across America join forces to spread the word about fire safety, then I will make it a time for my family to learn about preventing fires and what to do in an emergency.

http://media.playmobil.com/i/playmobil/9462_product_extra6/Fire Station

A wonderful toy to teach kids about fire safety
  PLAYMOBIL has an awesome Fire Station that would be a great teaching tool to help kids learn about fire safety through play. Did you know that most kids learn better through play? This Fire Station comes with everything you need to help kids learn about what to do in an emergency through imaginative play. Kids can move the fireman people around the two-story firehouse and have the people slide down the fire pole to get to the included emergency helicopter. The fire station even has a functioning alarm sound and fold-down bunk beds. My boys love that PLAYMOBIL even though about small items like brooms, fire extinguishes, and chairs. The set includes two firemen that have hands to hold items like helmets, megaphone, flashlight,  and fire extinguisher. So kids can pretend to put out fires and handle emergencies.

 My boys have several other playsets from PLAYMOBIL and my grandbaby has sandbox toys from PLAYMOBIL. These have been fun toys for them. Since my boys are almost teenagers, we will be donating this awesome playset to a Christmas toy drive that my church does every year. So that way some special kid will receive a wonderful gift that will teach them about fire safety and fire prevention. It does not have to be October to learn about how to prevent fires or how to escape from a burning building. These are things that we should be teaching kids year-round. It should be more than stop-drop-and-roll and having fire drills at school.

 I discovered a wonderful website that has plenty of information and resources to help you teach your kids about fire safety. This Fire Prevention website has safety tip information, coloring sheets, and even helps you plan and practice how to escape a fire in your home. I was amazed at all the information. My boys and I will be using these resources so we can be prepared for an emergency like a fire in the home. I hope that my boys never have to put this information into practice but knowing that they are prepared, helps me feel confident in leaving them home by themselves.

What are you doing this month to teach kids about fire safety?

http://media.playmobil.com/i/playmobil/9462_product_detail/Fire Station

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Strawberry Turmeric Muscle Recovery Juice Smoothie

                  I enjoy this delicious drink after a workout at the gym.



  I never thought that I would enjoy visiting the gym. I am a runner by nature as I enjoy that fast-paced workout that gets my heart rate up. Over the years I have heard from many fitness experts that I needed to incorporate weights into my workouts but I just did not make time for lifting weights as I thought it was boring and unnecessary. My body looked fine so why would I want to waste my time with weights? Well fast forward to my 50's, my arms started to get some sag and I knew that it was time to start those dreadful weights. My husband's job just started a free gym membership with their health insurance plan last year and I had no excuse to not give weightlifting a try. At first, I struggled to get to the gym as they meant I had to find the time. Why would I want to spend an hour at the gym when I could go out running for 40 minutes? 



 So I pushed my self to visit the gym last summer and now 2 years later, I call myself a gym nut. I found the time 2-3 times a week to do those dreadfully slow weights. It was not easy at first but I just put on my headphones and did my weights. I realize how weak my arms and abs were so that got me motivated to lift weights. At first, I just did light 5-pound kettlebell weights and then after a few weeks, I started using the weight machines. I pressed on and was able to lift 30-50 pounds! Then my teen son encouraged me to start using free weights as he said it was great for my core muscles.

 I discovered that lifting 20 pounds of free weights in 25 repetitions was harder than using the weight lifting machines. I also discovered that lifting weights is beneficial for my asthma as it helps me get the mucus out of my lungs. My weight lifting routine is now 3 days a week of various arm exercises with the free weights. I am now enjoying the burn of the weights. I am also enjoying how my arms look and feel. Lifting weights has made my arms stronger and I can now even do real pushups. I also think that lifting weights also has helped my endurance and I am running longer distances.


 I like premixing my turmeric and strawberry Nuzest Protein Powder in these small bottles so they are ready to mix in my juice.  I simply mix one scoop of protein powder and 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. The strawberry flavor from the Nuzest protein powder helps the turmeric taste much better. Sure, I could just swallow a turmeric supplement but turmeric powder gives me more of the turmeric benefits. A turmeric capsule only has a small amount of turmeric in it while using turmeric powder in my drink gives me more turmeric. I just grab one container of my pre-mixed powder and a bottle of my favorite juice on the way out the door to the gym. These pre-mixed bottles of protein powder and turmeric make things so much easier when I am having a busy day. The strawberry vegan protein powder has a wonderful fruity taste that I enjoy after my workout at the gym. I love that this plant-based protein powder is also dairy-free and gluten-free. I have discovered that this soy-free protein powder mixes up quickly and has a great taste even when mixed in water.

Turmeric powder gives me more benefits than a turmeric capsule supplement

             Do you love my new running skirt? It is so cute and comfy. I even wear when I am not exercising. These skirts come in sizes from xs to xxl and so many cute styles. You need to get one!
                                                                 http://bit.ly/2m4VvJ5

1 scoop of strawberry Nuzest + 1 teaspoon turmeric + your favorite juice = a great natural pain reliever drink


  On the days that I visit the gym and do weights, my arms sometimes have muscle aches so I make this delicious Refreshing Strawberry Turmeric Muscle Recovery Juice Smoothie as it has been helping with the muscle aches. This fruity drink also has protein in it to help repair and build my muscles. This gym thing must be working as a friend asked me the other day if I workout. When I said "yes!", she mentioned to me that my arms were very toned. I soaked up that comment with happiness and realized that was my goal of the gym, a toned body, not those big muscles like some of the guys I see at the gym.  Did you know that turmeric is great for inflammation and sore muscles? I like to call it my natural pain reliever!







 Nuzest vegan protein powder comes in many amazing delicious flavors like strawberry, vanilla, plain, and more. This is a clean protein that is allergy-friendly and also low in carbs so it is keto-friendly. This amazing plant-based protein is also gluten-free and I love using it in so many recipes like pancakes and more.

Check out some recipes that I used this amazing vegan plant-based protein powder in.



Dairy-Free Vegan Chocolate Protein Pancakes
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2017/05/dairy-free-vegetarian-chocolate-protein.html

Healthy Low Carb Vegan Paleo Strawberry Frozen Dessert
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2016/10/healthy-low-carb-vegan-paleo-strawberry.html

EVERYTHING SPICE PROTEIN BREAD
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2018/11/everything-spice-protein-bread.html

Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Pretzel Protein Bites
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2018/01/peanut-butter-pretzel-protein-bites.html

Gluten-Free Chocolate Mocha Protein Brownies


1 scoop of strawberry Nuzest + 1 teaspoon turmeric + your favorite juice = a great after the gym muscle recovery drink 




Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Fuel Your Muscles With Fresh N Lean Performance Meals

What we feed our muscles as they recover matters a great deal

I received meals from Fresh N' Lean to facilitate this post.

  Many of us pay attention to what we eat before we workout, but what we feed our muscles as they recover matters a great deal. Eating the right foods after exercise can help you recover, build muscle, and prepare for your next workout. Eating meals with protein and other nutrients can make all the difference in our fitness goals.



I took my fitness to a whole new level
 I recently decided to step things up with my fitness routine to make my muscles stronger. My teen had been home for summer break from the academy and he inspired me to work harder at the gym. My son is a performance athlete at his school and participates in cross country and track. This boy can run fast and has placed first in many races. So seeing his gym routine made me want to change the way I spent my time at the gym. My son has a lean muscular body and it has helped his performance so I wanted to perform better. While my son was home he gave me some amazing gym advice and it has made a difference not only in my muscle strength but also in my running.


   The advice that my son gave me was to stop using the weight machines at the gym and start using more free weights. My son said that it would help with my core and stomach muscles. So I decided to try a new workout routine for three months to see what kind of results I could obtain. I also decided to add some hills to my running routine 3 days a week. It was at the beginning of July, right after I attended a fitness conference, that I decided to change my fitness routine. I visited the gym three days a week and ran five days a week with three of those days going up a long hill near my house.

Protein is good for building muscle
 The other thing that I notice when my teen son was home from school was how much he ate and what he ate. My son is a top performer runner at his academy and his coach is doing a great job of training my son. I was amazed that my son was eating so healthy! I was also amazed at how much protein he was consuming. My son is an athlete and he puts in 10-20 miles of running a day and an hour of lifting weights at the gym. So when my son would finish his workout, he would drink a plant-based protein shake and then make his dinner which would be 2 chicken breasts, some type of grain, and veggies. My son knew how to fuel his muscles for performance and muscle recovery.



 The dieticians at Fresh n’ Lean, the nation’s largest organic ready-to-eat meal delivery service, understand the importance of feeding your body with the right nutrients for adequate recovery and to maximize the benefits of your workout.

Made for different meal plans
 So my son encouraged me to take my fitness to a new level and I then realized that I would have to start eating more protein after my exercise workouts to maximize the benefits of my workout. I also knew that eating more protein and other nutrients would help my muscles recover better after I lifted weights. So I ate more fish and other meatless sources of protein after I pumped the iron at the local gym. I continued to eat my other healthy foods like rainbow roasted veggies and my chocolate mocha protein brownies. I also made my meal preparation easy with a healthy ready to eat meal subscription plan from Fresh N' Lean. I was able to have meals in my fridge that were loaded with protein and other nutrients so when I was busy I could grab a performance meal after I went running or went to the gym.


Fresh N' Lean is allergy-friendly
  I enjoyed having fresh organic ready-to-eat meals delivered to my home. What I loved most about these healthy meals, after the awesome flavor, was that I was able to customize my meals to fit my diet plan. I mostly eat plant-based meals but also enjoy seafood once in a while and I have many allergies. I am allergic to dairy, soy, and mushrooms so it was awesome that I could select a plan that had meals that were allergy-friendly. Fresh N' Lean is made for many types of eating styles like Keto, Paleo, vegan, low carb, and even gluten-free. They even have meals that are made for people who are athletic or lift weights.


Heat and eat meals
 Fresh N' Lean does all the meal prep so all I had to do was heat the meal up in the microwave. These delicious meals made it easy for me to eat healthy meals when I was busy so I did not have to think about cooking on a day when I was loaded down with work. I liked that I could use that time instead to meet my husband at the gym to do my simple weights. My husband liked that he could eat dinner right away when we got home from the gym. Having healthy food that is ready to eat helps my husband from snacking on junk food.



Healthy food that has awesome flavor
 These meals were packed with plenty of protein and lots of delicious veggies. They may have been ready-to-eat but they tasted like home-cooked meals. Even the breakfast oatmeal was so delicious. The meal plan that I selected gave me three meals a day so I had oatmeal for breakfast, a plant-based meal for lunch, and a seafood meal for dinner. If you are a meat-eater, then Fresh N' Lean has meals with steak and chicken.


Dairy-free and full of flavor
  Since I had to order dairy-free meals, as I discovered that a dairy allergy was the cause of my asthma, I was expecting bland meals. That was the case with this meal subscription box as the plant-based meals and animal protein meals were dairy-free but filled with lots of flavors. The veggies in the meals made the meals even healthier.



Package in recyclable and BPA-Free materials
 The meals were in microwaveable trays that were recyclable and BPA-Free. So that made things very eco-friendly and convenient. The meals arrived with plenty of ice packs to keep them cold. I loved that the ice packs were reusable. I keep these types of ice packs in my freezer so I can use them for grocery shopping and camping. The meals can be stored in the refrigerator for up to ten days and after that in the freezer. I can also select the plan that works best for me and order how many meals I want and whether I want breakfast, lunch, and /or dinner.



 Adjust your plan to fit your goals the macro calculator
  If you count calories, then you will be happy to know that the calorie info is included on the label of every meal along with the ingredients. Fresh N' Lean even has a macro calculator to make things easier for your busy lifestyle. So there really aren't any excuses when it comes to healthy eating.




Healthy eating made easy for busy people
 My past three months of lifting free weights at the gym and eating more protein have transformed my body. My arms have some awesome lean muscles and my core is trimmer. I even lost 10 pounds. The stronger muscles have even helped with my running as I am now able to run for 3 miles without having to take any walking breaks. The weight lifting even helps my asthma as it helps push the gunk out of my lungs.




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