Quantcast
Channel: Fun Money Mom
Viewing all 49 articles
Browse latest View live

Simple Changes For A Healthier Lifestyle

0
0

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central

Want to lead a healthier lifestyle? You don't need to do anything drastic...these simple changes are so easy to make! #NatureMade #IC #ad

I’ve worked hard to make some changes in 2016.  I’ve always been relatively healthy but I have to confess, I kind of fell off the wagon towards the end of last year.  I was super busy and had a million things on my plate, plus all the usual holiday stuff.  Let’s face it, when you’re stressed and exhausted, taking care of your health becomes the last thing on your mind!

It didn’t help that I had just started food blogging, too.  I’m not the kind of person that ever kept sweets in the house, much less bake regular batches of cookies and other “not-so-good-for-the-waistline” recipes.  Let’s just say that my willpower is no match for a spoonful of cookie dough!  Exercise went by the wayside too.  I had quit the gym with the intention of running outside for free but then just never really got back into it.

I know, excuses, excuses!  However, I’ve been turning things around!  For starters, I’ve learned a little self control!  Since I hadn’t been used to having sweets in the house, it took me awhile to learn the word “moderation” but I think I’ve got it now!  I’ve also been running again.  Well, it started off as running/walking/running but I’m working hard to build my stamina back up to where it used to be.  Who knows, maybe I’ll run a marathon soon…okay, that’s just crazy talk but I am almost back to fitting into my smallest pair of skinny jeans again…that’s progress!

I’ve also been working hard to get more Vitamin C in my diet because I really wanted to strengthen my immune system.  It was another thing I’d been planning to do for awhile but kept putting off, though it’s really not hard to do.  For starters, you can simply start by eating more of the fruit that contains large amounts of Vitamin C, such as citrus and berries. 

healthier-lifestyle-fruit

You can get even more Vitamin C by loading up on healthy snacks and desserts.  Instead of reaching for the ice cream or cookies, try making these delicious Strawberry Orange Popsicles.  Not only are they tasty but they’re much better for you and completely loaded with Vitamin C.  All you need are strawberries (I had some frozen ones left over from strawberry picking season) and orange juice.  You can’t get much easier than two ingredients!  All you need to do is cut your strawberries into large chunks, put them in the popsicle molds, pour orange juice over them and freeze overnight.

Popsicle collage

 

 

healthier-lifestyle-popsicle

While those are both great sources of Vitamin C, there’s an even easier way to get your daily dose!  Just take a Nature Made Vitamin each morning!  I don’t know why I didn’t start doing this sooner but it’s better late than never, right?  I’ve gotten in the habit of taking my my Nature Made Vitamin C when I wake up and now it’s just become a natural part of my daily routine.

healthier-lifestyle-hero

I feel like I’m really doing something good for myself when I take Nature Made!  Not only does the Vitamin C help support my immune system, it provides antioxidants and helps to synthesize collagen, which in turn supports healthy skin!  I’ve found the best deals for my Nature Made Vitamins at Walmart and I love that their prices are so low that you don’t even have to wait for a sale!  Not only are they super easy to find in the vitamin aisle but you can choose from lots of other Nature Made Vitamins as well.  Since they’re the #1 best-selling brand for vitamins, minerals and supplements*, I definitely feel like it’s a name I can trust! They’re also the supplement that pharmacists recommend most in 9 different categories.**

For even more inspiration on leading a healthier lifestyle, just sign up for the Nature Made Daily Boost Program.   Not only can you find out how to further your own health goals, you can see what others in the Nature Made community are doing to stay healthy!  For even more information on how Nature Made can help, check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Now for even more great news…I-C is hosting a contest where you can enter for a chance to win one of 20 $50 Walmart Gift Cards!  I know I can always use a little extra cash, how about you?  You have between now and April 26th to enter and it’s really easy…all you have to do is share on your choice of social media.
 
Nature
Made Wellness 6

 
I-C will randomly select 20 winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Do you want to lead a healthier lifestyle?  What goals would you set for yourself and what changes would you make to reach them?

*Based in part on data reported by Nielsen through its Scantrack Service for the Vitamins Category for 52-week period ending 1/02/2016, for the xAOC Market. Copyright © 2016 Nielsen

**Based on US News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey, Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand in Nine Categories – Letter Vitamins, Omega-3/Fish Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Flax Seed Oil, Herbal Supplements, Cholesterol Management-Natural, Garlic, Diabetic Multivitamins and Mood Health Supplements

The post Simple Changes For A Healthier Lifestyle appeared first on Fun Money Mom.


House Calls Are Back With Doctor On Demand

0
0

This post was sponsored by Doctor On Demand as part of a Blog Blast Activation for Influence Central.

Moms can’t afford to get sick!  I don’t mean “afford” as in the money, we just really don’t have time for it.  When we’re feeling under the weather, the last thing we want to do is trek to the doctor’s office with kids in tow! It really makes you wish that doctors still made house calls, doesn’t it? 

Thank goodness for technology because now they do, via video, with Doctor On Demand!  It’s faster and more convenient to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home…and when you’re a busy mom, fast and convenient is always good!  With Doctor On Demand, you can have a video visit with board certified physicians, as well as psychiatrists and doctorate level psychologists, using your smartphone, tablet or computer.  Not only that, medical visits are just $40 or less and covered by many health plans.

DOD 3

It’s easy to get started too.  Just download the free Doctor On Demand app and you’ll be ready for a video visit when the need arises. Their physicians can diagnose and treat specific conditions like allergies, asthma, acne and other skin issues and can also provide prescription refills.

Want to give it a try?  Just use the code THOUGHTS10 and you can take $10 off your first visit.  The average wait time is just three minutes (when’s the last time you got that at the doctor’s office).  Now when you or the kids are sick, you can see a doctor right away and feel better fast!

DOD logo

Want to find out more?  Just visit Doctor On Demand on Facebook and Twitter

The post House Calls Are Back With Doctor On Demand appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

7 Healthy Habits Your Kids Can Learn Right Now

0
0

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

You're children should start practicing healthy habits while they're young, so hopefully they'll stick with them for a lifetime. Start with these 7 Healthy Habits Your Kids Can Learn Right Now #NatureMadeAtTarget #IC (ad)

 

Let’s face it, developing healthy habits can be hard.  That’s why it’s so important to start when we’re young.  While it may be too late for some of us past the “kid” years, we can make up for it by teaching our children to make smart choices.  Since we’re starting a new school year, there’s no better time than now, right?  I have two little ones and I’m hoping that these healthy habits stick with them for years to come!

Eating Fruits & Veggies

 

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-veggies

I try to get as many fruits and veggies into my girls’ diet as possible.  My girls see me eating a lot of them so that makes it a little easier.  I also try to keep fruits within easy reach so they’ll grab a banana before they grab that bag of chips.  Sometimes they will be a little stubborn about trying new veggies but I’ve learned one simple trick to get around that…hide them.  If I can inconspicuously hide them in some pasta or other meal, I will.  What they don’t know won’t hurt them, right?

Drinking Water

While I don’t mind giving my girls juice and other drinks, I do encourage them to drink water when they’re thirsty.  There’s really nothing healthier and it’s something I’m trying to do more of myself.  Want to know a secret?  The easiest way to get kids to drink water is to put them to bed!  At least that’s when mine suddenly become thirsty and make it seem like they won’t survive the night if I don’t bring them a glass of water immediately.

Getting Exercise

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-Keira Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-Ashling

Technology makes this more challenging than ever.  My girls would sit on the couch watching TV and playing with tablets all day if I let them!  It’s up to me to get them out and about, whether it’s playing in the yard, going to the park or even going to the play area at the mall.  Lucky for us, daddy helps out with this one!

Washing Hands

Is it normal that the older I get, the more of a germophobe I become?  Anyway, I cringe when I see my kids holding a handrail or pushing an elevator button, then immediately touching their face…yuck!  I’m teaching them how important it is to wash their hands regularly and not just sticking them under running water for 2 seconds.  While I’ve read that you should wash your hands while singing “Happy Birthday” two times, my kids don’t have that much patience.  If they can get through the song once, that’s good enough for me.

Getting Enough Sleep

 

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-sleeping

Kids need plenty of sleep and we’ve all seen the negative effects of when our children don’t get it.  I don’t know about you but I’ll take a happy child over a tired, grumpy one any day of the week!I actually googled how much sleep my girls should get and learned that they should be sleeping about 10-12 hours a night.  If they have trouble sleeping, just let them snuggle with a favorite teddy bear…if there’s room!

Brushing Those Teeth

I don’t know about your kids but mine would never remember to brush their teeth if I didn’t remind them…and remind them…and remind them!  I’m working hard to change that.  My four year old still has her baby teeth but my older daughter has almost all of her permanent teeth and we’d like to keep them.  They have been getting better and with enough nagging gentle reminders, maybe they’ll eventually remember on their own to brush twice a day.

Taking A Daily Multivitamin

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-vitamins

It’s important to take a good multivitamin every day and I’ve got my girls are starting the school year on track with Nature Made® Kids First® Multivitamin Gummies.  Not only do they have 12 essential nutrients including vitamins A, B, C, D and E and minerals like iodine and zinc, they have no preservatives and are gluten free.  The colors are taken from natural sources and my girls love the all natural fruit flavors like orange, cherry and mixed berry.  The older they get, the more important it will be to take a daily vitamin so why not get them in the habit now.

Since I’m at Target on a regular basis (maybe a little too much, according to my hubby), I knew I could easily find them in the vitamin section.

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-store

My girls find them easy to chew and like that they come in gummy form.  I hope that taking Nature Made® Vitamins, along with the other healthy habits we’re working on, will stick with them for a long time to come!

What healthy habits are you trying to instill in your own children?  Do you find some easier than others?

Learn more about Nature Made® Vitamins by following them on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also check out Target on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

The post 7 Healthy Habits Your Kids Can Learn Right Now appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

9 Simple Ways To Get A Better Night’s Sleep

0
0

Want to get a better night’s sleep?  These tips will help…plus, enter to win a Sleep Wellness Bundle that will have you feeling like you’re sleeping on cloud 9!

Can't sleep at night? These tips will help...plus enter to win an awesome Sleep Wellness Bundle ($230 value)

Thanks to Brentwood Homes for providing me with a Sleep Wellness Bundle to review.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

I never realized the importance of a good night’s sleep until I had my first baby and learned what sleep deprivation was all about!  Fortunately both of my girls are older now so they’re no longer waking me up in the middle of the night, except for the occasional bad dream.  However, if you’re having trouble sleeping and don’t even have a baby to blame it on, there are things you can do to change that.

Having trouble sleeping? 9 Tips For Getting a Good Night's Sleep (plus enter to win a Sleep Wellness Bundle worth $230)Click To Tweet

Invest in a quality mattress and pillows

When I was single, way back in the day, I didn’t have a lot of extra money.  The last thing I wanted to do was spend it on an expensive mattress or pillows.  Cute shoes were far more important!  I think I paid about $200 for my first mattress and didn’t know any better.  Then I married my husband and we moved into a new house.  The first thing he did was spend what I thought was a crazy amount of money on a new mattress and pillows.  I had sticker shock at first but once I slept on it, I was amazed at the difference.  It was totally worth every cent!

We’re getting close to having to buy another mattress and this time I won’t bat an eye at investing in a good one.  The same goes for pillows.  I recently got the Sleep Wellness Bundle from Brentwood homes and absolutely love these pillows!

better-night's-sleep-pillows

I’ve been sleeping on the Helena Latex Filled Pillow and it has easily become my favorite pillow.  It’s filled with a combination of 100% latex ribbons and silky smooth kapok fibers.  The latex adjusts to your movements, perfect for if you sleep in multiple positions at night.  It also has a zippered opening so you can add or remove fill for your perfect comfort level, though it was just right for me as is.  Not only that, the cover is 100% organic cotton and the pillow itself is Eco-institut Certified free of synthetic materials.

My hubby has been using the Carmel Latex Pillow and is just as happy with his pillow as I am with mine.  He likes that it gives him a firm supportive foundation and that the latex filling bounces right back, keeping the pillow shape.  Just like the Helena, it also has an organic cover and is free of synthetic materials.

I haven’t tried a Brentwood Home mattress yet but if the pillows are any indication, they are definitely worth checking out!  Want a Brentwood Home coupon to get 10% off?  Just use the code OURHOME to get your Brentwood Home discount.

Now here’s the best part!  I’ve teamed up with Brentwood Homes to help you sleep better at night with an awesome Sleep Wellness Giveaway.  Valued at $230, this Sleep Wellness Bundle includes two of the Helena Latex/Kapok Pillows and two Carmel Molded Latex Pillows.  Trust me, you’re going to want these!  Just scroll down to the end of the post to enter

Want more tips for getting a good night’s sleep?

Avoid alcohol and caffeine

It may be a given that you don’t want to drink caffeine at night but it’s best to start avoiding it earlier in the day so the effects have worn off by nighttime.  That glass of wine (or two) that you pour once the kids are in bed?  It may be relaxing but alcohol has been shown to interrupt your sleep cycle once you start snoozing.  You’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid.  Hmm…no wine at night?  I’ll have to work on that one.

Block out the noise

If every little noise wakes you up at night, block it out with a fan or white noise.  You don’t even need to buy an expensive white noise machine…just download a free app on your smartphone.

Expose your body natural light

It’s been scientifically proven that getting more natural light in the morning helps you to sleep better at night.  It resets your body clock and lets your body know that it’s time to start the day.  That sets your body clock in motion, making it easier for your body to wind down when it gets dark at night.

Nap 20 minutes or less

Most of us don’t have much time for napping but if you do, make it a short one.  Take 20 minutes or less or you’re body may be too wide awake when you try to sleep that night.

Stick to a sleep schedule

Try to get up and go to bed at the same time every day.  Your body will get used to this routine and it will be easier to fall asleep at the same time every night.  This includes not sleeping late on the weekends, though this may be one rule I have to break.

Get regular exercise

Regular exercise has been shown to help you sleep longer and more soundly.  However, if you get that workout in too close to bedtime, it could have you too wound up to fall asleep right away.  This varies per person though…some may be so worn out from the workout that they fall asleep right way.  Listen to your own body signals to see what works best for you.

Watch what you eat before bedtime

Eating rich or spicy foods before you go to bed can have a big impact on how well you sleep.  The same thing goes for heavy meals.  If you feel completely stuffed when you go to bed, it could definitely have an effect on how well you sleep.

Wind down for the last hour

Relax your body for the last hour before bedtime to get it ready for sleep mode.  Read a book, take a warm bath or find something else that relaxes you.  If you get rid of all the stress of the day before you get in bed, your body will thank you for it and reward you with better sleep.

 

better-night's-sleep-contest

Now, are you ready for the giveaway?  You won’t believe the difference it makes when you sleep on a pillow like this.  If you want to try one for yourself, just enter the contest below.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brentwood Home has more than just pillows and mattresses.  They have luxurious sheets as well as items for babies/kids and pets.  What’s at the top of your wish list?

The post 9 Simple Ways To Get A Better Night’s Sleep appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

Smile Brilliant Review: How To Get Whiter Teeth In Just Seven Days

0
0



It’s amazing what a difference seven days can make. After years of drinking coffee and red wine, find out how Smile Brilliant helped me get a whiter, brighter smile again!

It's amazing what a difference seven days can make. After years of drinking coffee and red wine, find out how Smile Brilliant helped me get a whiter, brighter smile again!

I received a complimentary Smile Brilliant Whitening System in exchange for my honest review. As always, all opinions are completely my own.

Like most moms I know, I can’t live without my coffee and wine! Coffee gets me going in the morning when I need it most and I love relaxing with a glass of red wine when I finally get the kids to bed at night. The problem is that they both take a toll on my teeth and recently I noticed that mine weren’t quite as white as they used to be.

I’d  actually been thinking about having my teeth professionally whitened for awhile but the cheap frugal side of me felt guilty about spending that much money. Have you seen how much dentists charge for this? I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Smile Brilliant approached me to try out their whitening system at just the right time. I had a big conference coming up and definitely wanted to look my best. I did a little googling on Smile Brilliant and liked what I saw. They had gotten lots of great reviews and I wanted to see for myself just how well they worked.


Take that, coffee & wine! Smile Brilliant made my teeth white again in just 7 days! Enter now to win
Click To Tweet


The things I like best about Smile Brilliant (aside from getting whiter teeth, obviously) are that they’re not as expensive as going to the dentist for treatments and I could do it in the comfort of my own home. With two kids and a busy schedule, it’s hard enough to find the time to go in for my cleanings twice a year, much less schedule extra appointments!

It didn’t take long for my kit to come in the mail and I was ready to get started.

Smile Brilliant sends the molds for impression trays right to your house

The first step was to make an impression of my teeth for the molds. I was a little worried about messing this part up (though they do send you extra materials in case you do). It turns out that I was worried for no reason because it was very easy to do. I got it right the first time around and shipped the impressions off to have the molds made. They provide the envelope so all I had to do was toss it in the mailbox and my molds arrived back at my house less than two weeks later.

Smile Brilliant sends everything that you need to whiten your teeth at home.

The whitening process is so easy. First I added the whitening gel to the trays and put them in for an hour.

Just add the Smile Brilliant whitening gel to the impression trays.

Then I rinsed the trays and added the desensitizing gel, leaving them in for about 20 minutes. When I’ve used whitening strips in the past, I had some sensitivity in my teeth. However, the Smile Brilliant gel really helped and I didn’t have that problem at all this time. I used the trays for about an hour a day for seven days and loved that I could see the difference so quickly. At the end of seven days, I did a comparison.

You can easily see the difference Smile Brilliant makes in these before and after pictures

Smile Brilliant is definitely the way to go! Now I could have an amazing time at my conference and take all the pictures I wanted without feeling self-conscious about my teeth.

Smile Brilliant gave me the confidence I needed to smile big for the pictures

Do your teeth need a little TLC too? I’m excited to be able to give one reader their own Smile Brilliant Whitening System. It’s easy to enter…just fill out this short entry form with your name and e-mail address and you’re in. It doesn’t get much easier than that! Enter in the next two weeks and maybe you’ll be my lucky winner!

Enter to win a Smile Brilliant Whitening System

If I could give a Whitening System away to all of you, I’d totally do it! I’m pretty sure the people at Smile Brilliant aren’t going to let me do that, though. If you’d like to go ahead and order your own system, use the code FUNMONEYMOM5 to save 5%.

What do you eat or drink that takes a toll on your teeth? Do you get self conscious about your smile? How would a brighter smile make you feel more confident?

 

The post Smile Brilliant Review: How To Get Whiter Teeth In Just Seven Days appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

How To Find Out Of Town Dental Care While Traveling

0
0

Thank you The Smile Generation for sponsoring this post. Contact The Smile Generation today to see how they can help you and your family become healthier and happier!

Out of town and need to see a dentist? If you need out of town dental care while traveling, find out how The Smile Generation can help! 

The Smile Generation can help if you need out of town dental care

We travel a lot but I’ve learned that even if you’re perfectly packed, planned, and prepped for a trip, something can still go wrong.

Keira on the beach looking confused

Most things are an easy fix, like hitting the pharmacy for medicine or the local store for sunscreen or flip flops. However, if you need out of town dental care, that’s not so easy! In fact, it can be kind of scary!

If you or your kids need to find a dentist while you're traveling, The Smile Generation can make it easy.

Dental problems can sneak up on you. Everything can seem fine until it’s not and it happened to me several years ago. I was on vacation when I lost a filling. It was random, inconvenient and not really something I could ignore. My only fix at the time was getting a temporary DIY filling at the drugstore. Even then, the filling kept falling out and kept me from truly being able to relax and fully enjoy my vacay.

Out Of Town Dental Care

The problem was that I had no idea where to even look for out of town dental care. It’s hard enough to find a good dental care provider at home but when you’re away from home and have a dental emergency, it’s even more daunting. I wish I’d known about The Smile Generation because they make it super easy to find a dentist. All you have to do is call or go online, type in your location, and you’ll be connected to The Smile Generation®-trusted dentists in your area.

The Smile Generation is just a phone call away if you need out of town dental care

With The Smile Generation, you’ll get an office that is up-to-speed on the technology of dental care, a friendly and comforting staff, and the feeling that you’re going to be well taken care of. You can use their website to vet dentists offices in the area and read verified patient reviews to help make your decision.

The Smile Generation®-trusted offices also offer pediatric dentists and orthodontists! I’d be even more concerned if it was my child who needed a dentist while we were traveling. Random orthodontic issues always seem to pop up with my 10-year-old (I’ll be so glad when those braces are off!) and they usually can’t be put off. It’s good to know ahead of time that we’ve got backup if we need it!

The Smile Generation also helps to make your dental work affordable

They also help make their services affordable by offering two different financial options. These options can be used regardless of whether or not you have insurance. The My Smile Dental Plan can help you get discounts on both routine dental care and specialty services. Smile Generation Financial also offers minimum monthly payments. When using your insurance, Smile Generation-trusted offices will let you know up front what you’ll owe (because nobody likes surprises!). They’ll even file the claim for you, letting you get back to enjoying your vacation.

Happy kid on the beach

It gives me peace of mind knowing that we can handle any dental crisis that pops up when we’re traveling. With over 650 locations, The Smile Generation is just a call or a click away. Hopefully we won’t need out of town dental care but now we know who to call if we do.

Don't let a dental emergency ruin your vacation.

Check them out at www.smilegeneration.com or call 1-800-SmileGen.

Want to learn more? Follow The Smile Generation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

The post How To Find Out Of Town Dental Care While Traveling appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

Smarter Snacking For The New Year

0
0

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TryALittleGoodness #CollectiveBias #cbias

Smarter-snacking-pinterest

I’ve always been a pretty healthy eater.  While I’ve enjoyed the occasional cookie or bowl of ice cream, I’ve generally made good choices.  However, since I’ve been making recipes for my blog, I’ve had a lot of things in my pantry that never would have been there before.  There have been times when I look for something to snack on and the first thing I see is the open bag of chocolate chips…what’s a girl to do?  I reach in, planning just to grab a couple of course, but we all know how that usually works out!  Those mini-marshmallows?  I couldn’t help it…they were screaming my name!

My other problem comes when I sit down to watch a show with my hubby.  He’s blessed with the gift of being able to eat anything he wants without any consequences…life is so unfair sometimes!  If he sits down with a box of crackers or bag of chips, I can’t help but reach over and grab a handful too.

Lately I’ve realized that I’m eating WAY too much junk food and I really need go back to smarter snacking again!  I’m starting by keeping better snack options on hand.  Now when I hear that little growl in my stomach, I just grab one of these yummy treats.

Smarter-snacking-hero

1. goodnessknows® snack squares

This snack comes with the tagline “Goodness to Greatness” and is my newest awesome discovery!  Not only are goodnessknows® snack squares free of artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, you won’t find any of the dreaded high fructose corn syrup that seems to be in everything these days!  They’re really easy to find too…just look in the checkout aisle at Walmart.

smarter-snacking-Walmart

smarter-snacking-close-up

I definitely feel like I’m treating myself when I have the goodnessknows® Cranberry, Almond, Dark Chocolate variety…how can you possibly go wrong with those ingredients?!  You can also try the goodnessknows® Apple, Almond & Peanut, Dark Chocolate variety and goodnessknows® Peach & Cherry, Almond, Dark Chocolate.  Not only are they a great snack for around the house, you can easily throw them in your purse for those days when you’re on the go.  That way you’ll be less tempted to get that croissant at the coffee shop (okay, maybe that’s just me).

2. Peanut Butter & Celery

I am a huge fan of peanut butter!  I eat it so much that when my daughter made a “fill-in-the-blank” Mother’s Day card for me in Kindergarten, she saw the question “My mommy smells like _____”,  and wrote in peanut butter.   I guess it could have been worse, right?  I love the freshly ground all-natural peanut butter and it tastes great on celery.  Occasionally I even throw some raisins on top and enjoy the old “Ants On A Log” recipe that I loved as a kid!

smarter-snacking-celery

3. Almonds

This is another great go-to snack.  There are a few types to choose from but I always go for the traditional raw almonds.  If you look on any list of healthy snacks to eat, almonds are almost always near the top!  They’re healthy, filling and delicious…a perfect combination.

smarter-snacking-almonds

4. Apples

If you’re in the mood for something a little sweeter, try an apple!  Because they have so much fiber, you’ll feel full much longer and therefore be less likely to grab those cookies.  I’m not sure if it it’s true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away but it can’t hurt, right?

smarter-snacking-apple

5. Popcorn

When you’re in the mood for a salty snack, this is a healthier alternative to chips or crackers.  I always buy the 94% fat free…I feel better about eating it and honestly, I can’t really tell the difference anyway.  Want in on a little secret?  When we go to the movies, my hubby and I always ask for extra popcorn salt (the orange kind).  What we don’t use there, we bring home and save for our microwave popcorn. Popcorn salt hoarding (if that’s a thing) may be a silly habit but it sure does make for some delicious popcorn!

smarter-snacking-popcorn

I’m not saying that I’ll never have a bowl of ice cream or piece of cheesecake again but for regular everyday snacking, I’m going to stick to these!

smarter-snacking-all-snacks

I may have to arm wrestle my husband for the goodnessknows® snack squares though…he loves them too.  Which of the three flavors would you most like to try?

Visit YouTube for more goodness to greatness stories! (They made me giggle!)

 

The post Smarter Snacking For The New Year appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

Healthier Hair with Living Proof

0
0

“This post was sponsored by Ulta as part of a Blog Blast Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products and compensation to facilitate my review

Want healthier hair?  It's easy with Living Proof hair products! #AgeWisely #IC #ad

I refuse to get older!  Okay, while I definitely don’t want to stop having birthdays (first, I live for any excuse to share a bottle of wine with my friends…second, it beats the alternative), I can still take care of myself and do my best not to LOOK any older!

While most of us remember to use moisturizer every every day and to at least try to eat healthy and exercise, sometimes we forget that we need to take care of our hair too.  Those of us who color our hair sometimes find ourselves doing it even more as we get older (when those gray hairs eventually come in, I just don’t want to know).  Since we’re constantly exposing our hair to harsh chemicals, it gets stripped of it’s natural luster and is also prone to damage.  That’s why it’s really important to use good hair products so that beautiful hair doesn’t have to be part of the “good-old-days”.  Your hair can still look just as gorgeous as it did when you were 20…even though we all know that was only 9 years ago, right?

If you’re trying to combat the signs of aging, you’ll love the Living Proof Timeless Collection!  Available only at Ulta Beauty, this collection includes not only shampoo, conditioner and plumping mousse but it includes a pre-shampoo treatment as well.  This treatment contains natural amino acids, proteins and more to strengthen, fortify and smooth your hair (especially great if your hair tends to get frizzy like mine).  I also love that it’s formulated specifically for color treated hair!

living-proof-close

living-proof-mousse

Don’t just take my word for it.  Check out the Ulta Beauty site to learn even more about the benefits of using this Living Proof Timeless Collection.  You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

How have you found that your hair has changed as you’ve gotten older?

 

 

The post Healthier Hair with Living Proof appeared first on Fun Money Mom.


Simple Changes For A Healthier Lifestyle

0
0

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central

Want to lead a healthier lifestyle? You don't need to do anything drastic...these simple changes are so easy to make! #NatureMade #IC #ad

I’ve worked hard to make some changes in 2016.  I’ve always been relatively healthy but I have to confess, I kind of fell off the wagon towards the end of last year.  I was super busy and had a million things on my plate, plus all the usual holiday stuff.  Let’s face it, when you’re stressed and exhausted, taking care of your health becomes the last thing on your mind!

It didn’t help that I had just started food blogging, too.  I’m not the kind of person that ever kept sweets in the house, much less bake regular batches of cookies and other “not-so-good-for-the-waistline” recipes.  Let’s just say that my willpower is no match for a spoonful of cookie dough!  Exercise went by the wayside too.  I had quit the gym with the intention of running outside for free but then just never really got back into it.

I know, excuses, excuses!  However, I’ve been turning things around!  For starters, I’ve learned a little self control!  Since I hadn’t been used to having sweets in the house, it took me awhile to learn the word “moderation” but I think I’ve got it now!  I’ve also been running again.  Well, it started off as running/walking/running but I’m working hard to build my stamina back up to where it used to be.  Who knows, maybe I’ll run a marathon soon…okay, that’s just crazy talk but I am almost back to fitting into my smallest pair of skinny jeans again…that’s progress!

I’ve also been working hard to get more Vitamin C in my diet because I really wanted to strengthen my immune system.  It was another thing I’d been planning to do for awhile but kept putting off, though it’s really not hard to do.  For starters, you can simply start by eating more of the fruit that contains large amounts of Vitamin C, such as citrus and berries. 

healthier-lifestyle-fruit

You can get even more Vitamin C by loading up on healthy snacks and desserts.  Instead of reaching for the ice cream or cookies, try making these delicious Strawberry Orange Popsicles.  Not only are they tasty but they’re much better for you and completely loaded with Vitamin C.  All you need are strawberries (I had some frozen ones left over from strawberry picking season) and orange juice.  You can’t get much easier than two ingredients!  All you need to do is cut your strawberries into large chunks, put them in the popsicle molds, pour orange juice over them and freeze overnight.

Popsicle collage

 

 

healthier-lifestyle-popsicle

While those are both great sources of Vitamin C, there’s an even easier way to get your daily dose!  Just take a Nature Made Vitamin each morning!  I don’t know why I didn’t start doing this sooner but it’s better late than never, right?  I’ve gotten in the habit of taking my my Nature Made Vitamin C when I wake up and now it’s just become a natural part of my daily routine.

healthier-lifestyle-hero

I feel like I’m really doing something good for myself when I take Nature Made!  Not only does the Vitamin C help support my immune system, it provides antioxidants and helps to synthesize collagen, which in turn supports healthy skin!  I’ve found the best deals for my Nature Made Vitamins at Walmart and I love that their prices are so low that you don’t even have to wait for a sale!  Not only are they super easy to find in the vitamin aisle but you can choose from lots of other Nature Made Vitamins as well.  Since they’re the #1 best-selling brand for vitamins, minerals and supplements*, I definitely feel like it’s a name I can trust! They’re also the supplement that pharmacists recommend most in 9 different categories.**

For even more inspiration on leading a healthier lifestyle, just sign up for the Nature Made Daily Boost Program.   Not only can you find out how to further your own health goals, you can see what others in the Nature Made community are doing to stay healthy!  For even more information on how Nature Made can help, check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Now for even more great news…I-C is hosting a contest where you can enter for a chance to win one of 20 $50 Walmart Gift Cards!  I know I can always use a little extra cash, how about you?  You have between now and April 26th to enter and it’s really easy…all you have to do is share on your choice of social media.
 
Nature
Made Wellness 6

 
I-C will randomly select 20 winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Do you want to lead a healthier lifestyle?  What goals would you set for yourself and what changes would you make to reach them?

*Based in part on data reported by Nielsen through its Scantrack Service for the Vitamins Category for 52-week period ending 1/02/2016, for the xAOC Market. Copyright © 2016 Nielsen

**Based on US News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey, Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand in Nine Categories – Letter Vitamins, Omega-3/Fish Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Flax Seed Oil, Herbal Supplements, Cholesterol Management-Natural, Garlic, Diabetic Multivitamins and Mood Health Supplements

The post Simple Changes For A Healthier Lifestyle appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

House Calls Are Back With Doctor On Demand

0
0

This post was sponsored by Doctor On Demand as part of a Blog Blast Activation for Influence Central.

Moms can’t afford to get sick!  I don’t mean “afford” as in the money, we just really don’t have time for it.  When we’re feeling under the weather, the last thing we want to do is trek to the doctor’s office with kids in tow! It really makes you wish that doctors still made house calls, doesn’t it? 

Thank goodness for technology because now they do, via video, with Doctor On Demand!  It’s faster and more convenient to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home…and when you’re a busy mom, fast and convenient is always good!  With Doctor On Demand, you can have a video visit with board certified physicians, as well as psychiatrists and doctorate level psychologists, using your smartphone, tablet or computer.  Not only that, medical visits are just $40 or less and covered by many health plans.

DOD 3

It’s easy to get started too.  Just download the free Doctor On Demand app and you’ll be ready for a video visit when the need arises. Their physicians can diagnose and treat specific conditions like allergies, asthma, acne and other skin issues and can also provide prescription refills.

Want to give it a try?  Just use the code THOUGHTS10 and you can take $10 off your first visit.  The average wait time is just three minutes (when’s the last time you got that at the doctor’s office).  Now when you or the kids are sick, you can see a doctor right away and feel better fast!

DOD logo

Want to find out more?  Just visit Doctor On Demand on Facebook and Twitter

The post House Calls Are Back With Doctor On Demand appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

7 Healthy Habits Your Kids Can Learn Right Now

0
0

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

You're children should start practicing healthy habits while they're young, so hopefully they'll stick with them for a lifetime. Start with these 7 Healthy Habits Your Kids Can Learn Right Now #NatureMadeAtTarget #IC (ad)

 

Let’s face it, developing healthy habits can be hard.  That’s why it’s so important to start when we’re young.  While it may be too late for some of us past the “kid” years, we can make up for it by teaching our children to make smart choices.  Since we’re starting a new school year, there’s no better time than now, right?  I have two little ones and I’m hoping that these healthy habits stick with them for years to come!

Eating Fruits & Veggies

 

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-veggies

I try to get as many fruits and veggies into my girls’ diet as possible.  My girls see me eating a lot of them so that makes it a little easier.  I also try to keep fruits within easy reach so they’ll grab a banana before they grab that bag of chips.  Sometimes they will be a little stubborn about trying new veggies but I’ve learned one simple trick to get around that…hide them.  If I can inconspicuously hide them in some pasta or other meal, I will.  What they don’t know won’t hurt them, right?

Drinking Water

While I don’t mind giving my girls juice and other drinks, I do encourage them to drink water when they’re thirsty.  There’s really nothing healthier and it’s something I’m trying to do more of myself.  Want to know a secret?  The easiest way to get kids to drink water is to put them to bed!  At least that’s when mine suddenly become thirsty and make it seem like they won’t survive the night if I don’t bring them a glass of water immediately.

Getting Exercise

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-Keira Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-Ashling

Technology makes this more challenging than ever.  My girls would sit on the couch watching TV and playing with tablets all day if I let them!  It’s up to me to get them out and about, whether it’s playing in the yard, going to the park or even going to the play area at the mall.  Lucky for us, daddy helps out with this one!

Washing Hands

Is it normal that the older I get, the more of a germophobe I become?  Anyway, I cringe when I see my kids holding a handrail or pushing an elevator button, then immediately touching their face…yuck!  I’m teaching them how important it is to wash their hands regularly and not just sticking them under running water for 2 seconds.  While I’ve read that you should wash your hands while singing “Happy Birthday” two times, my kids don’t have that much patience.  If they can get through the song once, that’s good enough for me.

Getting Enough Sleep

 

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-sleeping

Kids need plenty of sleep and we’ve all seen the negative effects of when our children don’t get it.  I don’t know about you but I’ll take a happy child over a tired, grumpy one any day of the week!I actually googled how much sleep my girls should get and learned that they should be sleeping about 10-12 hours a night.  If they have trouble sleeping, just let them snuggle with a favorite teddy bear…if there’s room!

Brushing Those Teeth

I don’t know about your kids but mine would never remember to brush their teeth if I didn’t remind them…and remind them…and remind them!  I’m working hard to change that.  My four year old still has her baby teeth but my older daughter has almost all of her permanent teeth and we’d like to keep them.  They have been getting better and with enough nagging gentle reminders, maybe they’ll eventually remember on their own to brush twice a day.

Taking A Daily Multivitamin

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-vitamins

It’s important to take a good multivitamin every day and I’ve got my girls are starting the school year on track with Nature Made® Kids First® Multivitamin Gummies.  Not only do they have 12 essential nutrients including vitamins A, B, C, D and E and minerals like iodine and zinc, they have no preservatives and are gluten free.  The colors are taken from natural sources and my girls love the all natural fruit flavors like orange, cherry and mixed berry.  The older they get, the more important it will be to take a daily vitamin so why not get them in the habit now.

Since I’m at Target on a regular basis (maybe a little too much, according to my hubby), I knew I could easily find them in the vitamin section.

Healthy-habits-your-kids-can-learn-store

My girls find them easy to chew and like that they come in gummy form.  I hope that taking Nature Made® Vitamins, along with the other healthy habits we’re working on, will stick with them for a long time to come!

What healthy habits are you trying to instill in your own children?  Do you find some easier than others?

Learn more about Nature Made® Vitamins by following them on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also check out Target on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

The post 7 Healthy Habits Your Kids Can Learn Right Now appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

9 Simple Ways To Get A Better Night’s Sleep

0
0

Want to get a better night’s sleep?  These tips will help…plus, enter to win a Sleep Wellness Bundle that will have you feeling like you’re sleeping on cloud 9!

Can't sleep at night? These tips will help...plus enter to win an awesome Sleep Wellness Bundle ($230 value)

Thanks to Brentwood Homes for providing me with a Sleep Wellness Bundle to review.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

I never realized the importance of a good night’s sleep until I had my first baby and learned what sleep deprivation was all about!  Fortunately both of my girls are older now so they’re no longer waking me up in the middle of the night, except for the occasional bad dream.  However, if you’re having trouble sleeping and don’t even have a baby to blame it on, there are things you can do to change that.

Having trouble sleeping? 9 Tips For Getting a Good Night's Sleep (plus enter to win a Sleep Wellness Bundle worth $230)Click To Tweet

Invest in a quality mattress and pillows

When I was single, way back in the day, I didn’t have a lot of extra money.  The last thing I wanted to do was spend it on an expensive mattress or pillows.  Cute shoes were far more important!  I think I paid about $200 for my first mattress and didn’t know any better.  Then I married my husband and we moved into a new house.  The first thing he did was spend what I thought was a crazy amount of money on a new mattress and pillows.  I had sticker shock at first but once I slept on it, I was amazed at the difference.  It was totally worth every cent!

We’re getting close to having to buy another mattress and this time I won’t bat an eye at investing in a good one.  The same goes for pillows.  I recently got the Sleep Wellness Bundle from Brentwood homes and absolutely love these pillows!

better-night's-sleep-pillows

I’ve been sleeping on the Helena Latex Filled Pillow and it has easily become my favorite pillow.  It’s filled with a combination of 100% latex ribbons and silky smooth kapok fibers.  The latex adjusts to your movements, perfect for if you sleep in multiple positions at night.  It also has a zippered opening so you can add or remove fill for your perfect comfort level, though it was just right for me as is.  Not only that, the cover is 100% organic cotton and the pillow itself is Eco-institut Certified free of synthetic materials.

My hubby has been using the Carmel Latex Pillow and is just as happy with his pillow as I am with mine.  He likes that it gives him a firm supportive foundation and that the latex filling bounces right back, keeping the pillow shape.  Just like the Helena, it also has an organic cover and is free of synthetic materials.

I haven’t tried a Brentwood Home mattress yet but if the pillows are any indication, they are definitely worth checking out!  Want a Brentwood Home coupon to get 10% off?  Just use the code OURHOME to get your Brentwood Home discount.

Now here’s the best part!  I’ve teamed up with Brentwood Homes to help you sleep better at night with an awesome Sleep Wellness Giveaway.  Valued at $230, this Sleep Wellness Bundle includes two of the Helena Latex/Kapok Pillows and two Carmel Molded Latex Pillows.  Trust me, you’re going to want these!  Just scroll down to the end of the post to enter

Want more tips for getting a good night’s sleep?

Avoid alcohol and caffeine

It may be a given that you don’t want to drink caffeine at night but it’s best to start avoiding it earlier in the day so the effects have worn off by nighttime.  That glass of wine (or two) that you pour once the kids are in bed?  It may be relaxing but alcohol has been shown to interrupt your sleep cycle once you start snoozing.  You’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid.  Hmm…no wine at night?  I’ll have to work on that one.

Block out the noise

If every little noise wakes you up at night, block it out with a fan or white noise.  You don’t even need to buy an expensive white noise machine…just download a free app on your smartphone.

Expose your body natural light

It’s been scientifically proven that getting more natural light in the morning helps you to sleep better at night.  It resets your body clock and lets your body know that it’s time to start the day.  That sets your body clock in motion, making it easier for your body to wind down when it gets dark at night.

Nap 20 minutes or less

Most of us don’t have much time for napping but if you do, make it a short one.  Take 20 minutes or less or you’re body may be too wide awake when you try to sleep that night.

Stick to a sleep schedule

Try to get up and go to bed at the same time every day.  Your body will get used to this routine and it will be easier to fall asleep at the same time every night.  This includes not sleeping late on the weekends, though this may be one rule I have to break.

Get regular exercise

Regular exercise has been shown to help you sleep longer and more soundly.  However, if you get that workout in too close to bedtime, it could have you too wound up to fall asleep right away.  This varies per person though…some may be so worn out from the workout that they fall asleep right way.  Listen to your own body signals to see what works best for you.

Watch what you eat before bedtime

Eating rich or spicy foods before you go to bed can have a big impact on how well you sleep.  The same thing goes for heavy meals.  If you feel completely stuffed when you go to bed, it could definitely have an effect on how well you sleep.

Wind down for the last hour

Relax your body for the last hour before bedtime to get it ready for sleep mode.  Read a book, take a warm bath or find something else that relaxes you.  If you get rid of all the stress of the day before you get in bed, your body will thank you for it and reward you with better sleep.

 

better-night's-sleep-contest

Now, are you ready for the giveaway?  You won’t believe the difference it makes when you sleep on a pillow like this.  If you want to try one for yourself, just enter the contest below.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brentwood Home has more than just pillows and mattresses.  They have luxurious sheets as well as items for babies/kids and pets.  What’s at the top of your wish list?

The post 9 Simple Ways To Get A Better Night’s Sleep appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

Smile Brilliant Review: How To Get Whiter Teeth In Just Seven Days

0
0



It’s amazing what a difference seven days can make. After years of drinking coffee and red wine, find out how Smile Brilliant helped me get a whiter, brighter smile again!

It's amazing what a difference seven days can make. After years of drinking coffee and red wine, find out how Smile Brilliant helped me get a whiter, brighter smile again!

I received a complimentary Smile Brilliant Whitening System in exchange for my honest review. As always, all opinions are completely my own.

Like most moms I know, I can’t live without my coffee and wine! Coffee gets me going in the morning when I need it most and I love relaxing with a glass of red wine when I finally get the kids to bed at night. The problem is that they both take a toll on my teeth and recently I noticed that mine weren’t quite as white as they used to be.

I’d  actually been thinking about having my teeth professionally whitened for awhile but the cheap frugal side of me felt guilty about spending that much money. Have you seen how much dentists charge for this? I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Smile Brilliant approached me to try out their whitening system at just the right time. I had a big conference coming up and definitely wanted to look my best. I did a little googling on Smile Brilliant and liked what I saw. They had gotten lots of great reviews and I wanted to see for myself just how well they worked.

[bctt tweet=”Take that, coffee & wine! Smile Brilliant made my teeth white again in just 7 days! Enter now to win” username=”FunMoneyMom”]

The things I like best about Smile Brilliant (aside from getting whiter teeth, obviously) are that they’re not as expensive as going to the dentist for treatments and I could do it in the comfort of my own home. With two kids and a busy schedule, it’s hard enough to find the time to go in for my cleanings twice a year, much less schedule extra appointments!

It didn’t take long for my kit to come in the mail and I was ready to get started.

Smile Brilliant sends the molds for impression trays right to your house

The first step was to make an impression of my teeth for the molds. I was a little worried about messing this part up (though they do send you extra materials in case you do). It turns out that I was worried for no reason because it was very easy to do. I got it right the first time around and shipped the impressions off to have the molds made. They provide the envelope so all I had to do was toss it in the mailbox and my molds arrived back at my house less than two weeks later.

Smile Brilliant sends everything that you need to whiten your teeth at home.

The whitening process is so easy. First I added the whitening gel to the trays and put them in for an hour.

Just add the Smile Brilliant whitening gel to the impression trays.

Then I rinsed the trays and added the desensitizing gel, leaving them in for about 20 minutes. When I’ve used whitening strips in the past, I had some sensitivity in my teeth. However, the Smile Brilliant gel really helped and I didn’t have that problem at all this time. I used the trays for about an hour a day for seven days and loved that I could see the difference so quickly. At the end of seven days, I did a comparison.

You can easily see the difference Smile Brilliant makes in these before and after pictures

Smile Brilliant is definitely the way to go! Now I could have an amazing time at my conference and take all the pictures I wanted without feeling self-conscious about my teeth.

Smile Brilliant gave me the confidence I needed to smile big for the pictures

Do your teeth need a little TLC too? I’m excited to be able to give one reader their own Smile Brilliant Whitening System. It’s easy to enter…just fill out this short entry form with your name and e-mail address and you’re in. It doesn’t get much easier than that! Enter in the next two weeks and maybe you’ll be my lucky winner!

Enter to win a Smile Brilliant Whitening System

If I could give a Whitening System away to all of you, I’d totally do it! I’m pretty sure the people at Smile Brilliant aren’t going to let me do that, though. If you’d like to go ahead and order your own system, use the code FUNMONEYMOM5 to save 5%.

What do you eat or drink that takes a toll on your teeth? Do you get self conscious about your smile? How would a brighter smile make you feel more confident?

 

The post Smile Brilliant Review: How To Get Whiter Teeth In Just Seven Days appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

10 Important Things You Should Do For Your Hair, Skin And Nails

0
0

This post was sponsored by Nature Made as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Important tips for taking care of hair, skin and nails

I wouldn’t consider myself vain (well, not any more than most women) but I definitely want to look my best. I try to take care myself and it gets even more important the older I get. Not that I’m old because we all know that 29 isn’t really that old, right? (wink, wink) However, I definitely think more about my health now than I did when I was younger, when all I thought about was which pair of cute shoes I should buy.

While it’s important to exercise and eat right to stay healthy, let’s face it…we all want to look our best! For me, that means taking care of my hair, skin and nails on a regular basis. One more thing to think about…just what a busy mom needs! The good thing is that Nature Made makes it easy!

If you read my blog regularly, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of Nature Made and use their products regularly. I even give my girls their multivitamins to supplement their diet. I trust them because I know they use quality ingredients, plus they’re the #1 pharmacist recommended brand.

Nature Made VitaMelts help support healthy hair, skin and nails

Now I’ve discovered Nature Made Hair, Skin & Nails VitaMelts, which are full of biotin and vitamin C.  Biotin helps support healthy hair, skin and nails while the vitamin C helps by supporting collagen synthesis. You get 5 key nutrients including copper, zinc and beta carotene. I found mine at Walmart but they are readily available at many other stores.

I also love that the tablets are small, dissolve quickly in your mouth and come in Strawberry Lemonade flavor. The fact that they’re so easy to take in the morning is definitely a bonus!

Nature made VitaMelts are small and dissolve quickly

Another bonus? Now though April 9th, Nature Made Vitamins has partnered with Women’s and Men’s health to host a fun Facebook promotion. You can win prizes and be motivated to stay healthy at the same time. Just go to the Nature Made Facebook Page and find the sweepstakes posts for that weekly entry period. Complete the call-to-action by commenting on the post and you’ll be entered to win the featured prize. They’re giving away some pretty great prizes, including gift cards to Sephora, Blue Apron and Lululemon.

If you think those are great prizes, wait until you hear what else they’re giving away! Need some R&R? You can enter Nature Made’s sweepstakes for an awesome 4 day spa vacation! Just visit http://www.naturemade.com/oneup and submit the registration form. Wow…a spa vacation sounds pretty good to me!

More tips for supporting healthier hair, skin and nails

Nature Made VitaMelts are a great addition to any beauty routine

Skin Care Tips

  • Take your make-up off before going to bed – It can clog your skin and cause breakouts
  • Drink lots of water – Dehydration takes a toll on your skin is visibly noticeable.
  • Always wear sunscreen – Have you seen “There’s Something About Mary”? ‘Nuff said!

Hair Care Tips

  • Don’t wash your hair every day – Too much washing strips away your hair’s natural oils
  • Don’t overuse hair dryers and styling appliances – They can damage and dry out your hair, causing breakage
  • Use a comb, not a brush, for wet hair – Wet hair is weaker and a comb is more gentle than a brush

Nail Care Tips

  • Don’t cut your cuticles – This breaks a seal of protection around the base of your nail that keeps bacteria out and protects from infection.
  • Don’t use fast dry nail polish – It has stronger chemicals and more alcohol than regular polish, making it harsher on the nails.
  • Moisturize – You moisturize your face, right? Your nails need it too and you can even use something as simple as olive oil.

If you follow these tips and remember to take Nature Made’s VitaMelts to support healthy hair, skin and nails, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re doing all you can to take care of yourself.

Find out what you should be doing to help support healthy hair, skin and nails. #OneUpYourHealth #IC ad

Learn more by visiting the Nature Made site.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

The post 10 Important Things You Should Do For Your Hair, Skin And Nails appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

How To Put Together The Ultimate Beach Bag

0
0


This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerSkinReady #ChooseSkinHealth #CollectiveBias

Heading to the pool or beach this summer? Find out exactly what you need to include when you put together the ultimate beach bag.

Heading to the pool or beach this summer? Find out exactly what you need to include when you put together the ultimate beach bag. #SummerSkinReady #ChooseSkinHealth #ad

 

When we lived in Atlanta, we didn’t get many house guests. However, that all changed when we moved to Florida. I’d like to think that it’s because our friends and family love us so much but the fact that we live near so many beautiful beaches may have a little something to do with it.

Usually when people visit, hanging by the pool or heading to the beach is a priority. I try to make sure they have everything they need so I’ve put together the perfect beach bag. Instead of scrambling around for sunscreen or towels, my guests will be ready to go at a moments notice.

Of course, the most important item for any beach bag is the sunscreen. It gets seriously hot here and you cannot visit the beaches without it. One thing I’ve discovered is that not all sunscreens are created equal…get the wrong kind and you just might regret it. Since I’ve used Neutrogena products for years, I know I can trust them and was excited to try out the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc® sunscreens. I picked up Sheer Zinc Face with SPF 50 because I like a little extra protection for my face. For everything else, Sheer Zinc with SPF 30 is perfect.

The most important thing to include in the ultimate beach bag is sunscreen.

Another reason I trust these sunscreens is because they’ve been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal Of Acceptance for people with sensitive skin. These are the only sunscreens to feature breakthrough Purescreen technology with naturally sourced 100% zinc oxide. They’re also hypoallergenic, sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes and won’t clog your pores. I found mine in the sunscreen aisle at Target.

 

Good sunscreen is so important but you need more than that to make the ultimate beach bag. Here’s what mine includes:

There's a lot that goes into making the ultimate beach bag.

What to include in the ultimate beach bag

Towels This is a given right? How else are you going to dry off after splashing around in the pool or ocean?

Bluetooth Speaker Good tunes are a must and my little pink bluetooth speaker is perfect. It’s perfect for streaming your favorite music from your phone.

Reading Material I always throw in a couple local magazines so my guests can see what’s going on around town.

Sunglasses Most people bring their own but it’s always good to have extras on hand.

Snacks All that relaxing in the sun can make a person hungry.

Koozies These are a must-have because nobody wants warm drinks on the beach.

You can also throw in hats or visors, ponytail holders, lip balm or anything else that you think might come in handy.

At the beach with the ultimate beach bag

 

What else would you pack in your ultimate beach bag?

Want to learn more about Neutrogena Sheer Zinc sunscreens and other products? Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

When you’re going to the beach, you’re definitely going to want cool beach gear! These are some of my favorite beach accessories…

21 Of The Best Beach Accessories For Your Summer Vacation

The post How To Put Together The Ultimate Beach Bag appeared first on Fun Money Mom.


The Easy New Way To Avoid Germs

0
0

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Kooty Key. As always, all opinions are my own.

Never touch the door handles in a public restroom again! This touch free tool will help you avoid germs and stay healthy, especially during cold and flu season.

Never touch the door handles in a public restroom again! This touch free tool will help you avoid germs and stay healthy, especially during cold and flu season.

It happens to me all the time. I’m in a public restroom with no paper towels, so when I go to open the door, I struggle with what to do. I get that they are trying to be environmentally friendly but no way am I touching that dirty door handle. Usually I end up using the bottom of my shirt while struggling not to show off too much skin as I go out the door. That’s why when I heard about the Kooty Key, that was the first thing that came to mind. Developed by a traveling saleman who constantly found himself in similar situations, he decided there had to be a better way and took matters into his own hands.

He did this by creating a multi-functional tool to help people avoid germs in public places. I don’t know about you but the older I get (or maybe it’s just since I’ve had kids), the more of a germaphobe I’ve become. Not that I’ve gone totally crazy but when I hit an elevator button or touch the rails going up a flight of stairs, a little voice in the back of my head tells me that a gazillion other people have touched that same thing and now I’m picking up all their kooties germs.

That’s the great thing about the Kooty Key! I recently tried one for myself and found a lot of situations where it came in handy. My first stop was the ATM. I usually use my knuckles to push the buttons but this time I didn’t have to touch them at all. That’s even more important this time of year, when cold and flu season is on the way. How many people touch these things when they are sick or have sick kids that they’re taking care of? Never mind…I don’t even want to know!

When we took off to Atlanta to avoid Hurricane Irma, you can imagine how many pit stops I made with three girls in the car! It was perfect for the doors…no way am I touching that handle.

I even found another use for it. I hate it when there’s no hook to hang my purse so now I have my own portable hook. There’s a smaller latch on the other end of the Kooty Key that can be used to attach it to your purse (or belt loops for guys).

One thing I had questions about was the germs that would be on the Kooty Key after using it. I wouldn’t want to put it back in my purse if it had picked up germs from the ATM or bathroom door. I spoke directly to the inventor of the Kooty Key and found out that it has antimicrobial properties built right in. He shared how this new feature keeps the Kooty Key from harbouring dangerous microorganisms, bacteria and virus and doesn’t allow germs to spread.

Here are just a few of the places you can use the hook…

  • Opening doors
  • Flushing lever toilets
  • Pulling slot machine levers (I think I need to plan a trip to Vegas to try this one out for myself!)
  • Carrying shopping bags while on crutches or a walker

The rubber tip has plenty of uses too…

  • ATM buttons
  • Gas station pump key pads (the worst…I hate touching those)
  • Check out register key pads
  • Elevator buttons
  • Vending machine buttons
  • Pushing doors open
  • Opening garbage cans

Kooty Keys are made from reinforced nylon plastic and strong enough to open doors up to 35lbs.

I won’t lie…I’m not going to miss touching those bathroom doors and I also love this as a purse hook! How will you use your Kooty Key to avoid germs?

You can easily find the Kooty Key on Amazon. Learn more about it what it can do by checking them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The post The Easy New Way To Avoid Germs appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

How To Plan The Perfect Spa Day At Home

0
0

This post was sponsored by Neutrogena as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Mom life is crazy busy and sometimes we just need some “me time”. Find out how you can get some well deserved rest and relaxation by creating the perfect spa day at home.

#ad Spa Day At Home - Need to pamper yourself a little? An at home spa day is easy and inexpensive and it will leave you feeling so refreshed. Find out how to put together a DIY spa day of your own...you deserve it! #RelaxWithRainbath #IC

Nobody needs a spa day more than a busy mom. I should know! After a crazy summer of camp, pool days and fun but exhausting theme park vacations, I need to relax! Now that the kids are back in school, it’s time to treat myself a little…okay, treat myself a lot!

That’s why I’ve planned the perfect spa day at home. Not only is it more convenient than going to a real spa, it’s a whole lot cheaper too! Plus, if you have all the right supplies, it can be so much better!

Spa Day At Home

Pamper Yourself With Neutrogena Rainbath

My spa days start with Neutrogena Rainbath. I’ve been using Neutrogena products for years (I swear by their facial bars) and since I’ve discovered Neutrogena Rainbath at Walgreens, I love them even more!

Neutrogena Rainbath products are perfect for a spa day at home

 

It’s pretty hard to pick a favorite out of the five scents.

  • Refreshing Shower and Bath Gel – Original
  • Renewing Shower and Bath Gel- Pear & Green Tea
  • Rejuvenating Shower and Bath Gel – Pomegranate
  • Replenishing Shower and Bath Gel – Ocean Mist
  • Restoring Shower and Bath Gel – Fresh Plum

They all smell amazing but Ocean Mist is the winner for me. I love the beach and there’s something about the scent of the ocean that totally relaxes me. Plus, we have coastal decor throughout our house so it kind of goes with our theme!

These shower and bath gels are versatile too. You can apply the gel right on your body, use it for shaving and more.

Neutrogena Rainbath products can be used for a number of things

 

My favorite way to use Neutrogena Rainbath? I add it to the tub for a soothing bubble bath. That’s when I really feel my spa day kicking in because there’s nothing more relaxing than a bubble bath, right?

Use Neutrogena Rainbath to make a bubble bath for your at home spa day

I’m loving this new Rainbath collection and it couldn’t be more perfect for a spa day at home! Keep reading to find out how you can win your own Neutrogena Rainbath Shower & Bath Gel Collection.

Get Cozy In A Fluffy Robe And Slippers

It’s not a spa day if there’s not a fluffy robe and slippers. Be sure they’re waiting for you when you get out of the tub! The fluffier the better!

A fluffy robe and slippers are a must have for your DIY spa day

Don’t forget the slippers…your feet will thank you!

Make Mimosas

When we were on vacation recently, I had a mimosa for breakfast every morning. It was a once in a lifetime trip and I just felt like treating myself. That’s what spa days are for too so why not treat yourself with mimosas at home?
Treat yourself to mimosas for an at home spa day
Plus, mimosas go perfectly with the next thing on our list!

Snack On Fruit & Cheese

You’ll want something to snack on too and a fruit and cheese plate is both delicious and healthy.

Snack on a fruit and cheese plate

If you really want to spoil yourself, throw a little chocolate on the side too!

Magazines

For me, there’s nothing more relaxing than reading mindless magazines in the tub. I used to read books and magazines all the time before I had my first baby. Then they started piling up because who has time to read when you’re a working mom. Now when I find a few minutes to get lost in a book or magazine, it’s a real treat!

Take a bubble bath and read a magazine for your spa day at home

Treating myself like royalty while reading about royalty? I’m in!

 

Are you ready to plan your own spa day at home now? You’ll need Rainbath and now through November 4th you can enter to win one of ten awesome Rainbath bundles. Good luck…I hope you win!

Neutrogena Rainbath Sweepstakes

I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and RPR will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes of 10 winners.

I seriously loved my at home spa day and I think it makes us better moms and wives when we stop and take some time for ourselves once in awhile. This is such an easy way to do it and I think I see a lot more spa days in my future!

Spa day at home with mimosas

 

Want to learn more about Neutrogena Rainbath Bath & Shower Gels? Follow them on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Have you ever had a spa day at home? What else do you think makes the perfect spa day?

The post How To Plan The Perfect Spa Day At Home appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

Why It’s Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot

0
0

This post is made possible by the American Lung Association, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

While it’s important for everyone to get their flu shot, some are more at risk than others. Are you one of those people?

Why is it that once the holidays are over and the serious cold weather kicks in, people start getting sick left and right. While flu season started in November, people can really get hit hard this time of year. Plenty of people I know have had it this year and we’re doing our very best to avoid it.

Why It’s Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot

I worry about the flu because it’s more than just a little coughing and sneezing. It’s a serious illness that’s not only contagious but that can lead to severe health issues like pneumonia. It causes even more problems for those with lung or heart disease. In the most extreme cases, it can even lead to death.

If you don’t think you need the flu shot for your own health, think of those around you. If you get sick, you’re putting your family and others around you at risk of getting the flu from you. Honestly, like most women I worry more about them than myself and that’s the main reason I do it. We have older family members that we see on a regular basis and I’d feel terrible if they got sick because of me.

It really hits home when you are listening to this woman’s story…

The American Lung Association has partnered with Sanofi Pasteur to establish the MyShot initiative. They want to remind people that it’s not too late to get your flu shot because even though it’s later in the season now, the chances of getting the flu are still very real.

If you think you don’t need the flu shot because you had it last year, that’s not the case. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting the flu shot annually because the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time. Since the flu strains vary every year, the vaccines are adjusted to keep up with those changes.

While it’s still possible to catch the flu after having had the shot, symptoms can be milder and can help you avoid more severe complications. It can also help reduce potential time spent in the hospital, which to me is reason enough.  I definitely don’t want to be sick and a big hospital bill is even less appealing. Even more, it can help take the burden off older people with less disposable income who can’t afford those kinds of bills.

Where To Get Flu Shots

Flu Shot sign

The good thing is that getting a flu shot is super easy. My husband and I got our shots at our grocery store pharmacy. They even gave us a $10 grocery gift card for doing it! You can swing by your doctor’s office, freestanding pharmacies or pretty much any store that has a pharmacy inside. Many have signs letting you know it’s offered but you can always ask the pharmacist.

It only takes a few minutes and the piece of mind you’ll get is totally worth it. I always feel a little relieved afterwards, knowing that we’ve significantly lessened our chances of getting the flu. Plus, if we get flu, we are less likely to pass it on to others.

Learn more about the risks of the flu, flu shots and more at GetMyShot.org or follow the American Lung Association on Facebook and Twitter.

Does your family get flu shots every year? Have you gotten them yet this year? It’s not too late!

 

The post Why It’s Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

What Is Invisalign® Treatment And Why It’s The Best Teeth Straightening Option For Our Tween

0
0

This post was sponsored by the Invisalign® brand and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

What is Invisalign® treatment? Find out what we learned on our first visit to an Invisalign provider and why we chose Invisalign treatment to correct our tween’s smile.

Braces are horrible…at least that’s what my daughter Ashling will tell you! When she had braces a few years ago, it was a little traumatic for her. It wasn’t just the discomfort and soreness. Like most tweens, she can be self conscious and while she eventually got used to them, she couldn’t wait to get them off.

She wore them for almost two years but had to have them removed when her baby teeth started falling out. Now that her adult teeth are coming in, it’s time to go back to the orthodontist. She has a beautiful smile but a few issues that needed to be addressed.

Ashling smiling

Since Ashling wasn’t thrilled about the idea of getting braces again, we decided to explore Invisalign treatment. The more we learned about it, the more we realized that it would be the ideal alternative to braces.

What Is Invisalign Treatment

I’d heard of Invisalign before but didn’t know a lot about it. One thing I did not know was that Invisalign treatment is the most advanced clear aligner system in the world! What I did know was that one of the biggest advantages to choosing Invisalign treatment over braces is how much better they look. Braces are not only shiny and in your face, once you’ve got them on, they’re not going anywhere. 

The great thing about Invisalign aligners is that they are both nearly transparent and removable. Tweens and teen girls are at the ages where they’re most insecure about their appearance. While that’s just a normal part of growing up, Invisalign clear aligners can at least help make them feel better about their smile.

The aligners are barely noticeable to other people when they’re being worn but the really great part is that they’re also removable. They’re routinely removed for eating and brushing teeth but can also be taken out for special occasions, important photographs and more. While we wouldn’t want to make a habit of it, it’s great to have that option.  

Finding An Invisalign Doctor

Invisalign makes it super easy to find a doctor too. Just look for the doctor locator on the Invisalign website and enter your location and patient age. It’ll pull up a selection of doctors in your area.

Doctor Locator for Invisalign

The cost of treatment can be comparable to braces and is often covered, at least partly, by insurance. Be sure to check your insurance plan to see what percentage of the costs they’ll take care of.

Getting Started With Invisalign Treatment

We visited Dr. Michael Hess of Hess Orthodontics to find out if Ashling was a good fit for Invisalign treatment.

I was really impressed with how technologically advanced the Invisalign treatment is! Once we decided to move forward, an iTero® digital scan was taken to get an impression of Ashling’s teeth.

The iTero scan creates highly detailed digital impressions without all the mess that we parents probably remember from our childhood traditional impressions. Seriously, my daughter doesn’t know how easy she’s got it! 

 

Scanning teeth for Invisalign treatment with iTero

How Does Invisalign Treatment Work

During the free consultation, they took pictures from every angle to assess how complex Ashling’s orthodontic issues were. 

Ashling playing with fake teeth

Because Ashling has a bit of an overbite, it made her a good candidate for these aligners. Dr. Hess explained that over the course of the Invisalign treatment, Ashling would have several sets of aligners made. These aligners shift and move the teeth as needed, whether it’s horizontally, vertically or even rotating them.

Ashling's Orthodontic Images

 Because Invisalign aligners incorporate SmartTrack® material, they straighten more precisely and comfortably than other clear aligners*.

* Compared to off-the-shelf, single layer .030in material

Next, he put together a customized treatment plan. Using the 3D computer model, we were able to see just how her teeth would slowly be shifted into place over time. We also saw what Ashling’s new smile would probably look like when the treatment was finished. This technology is pretty amazing and even the kids thought the 3D computer images were cool!  

Invisalign 3d model screen

I’d already done my research ahead of time and talking to Dr. Hess just confirmed for me that Invisalign treatment would be the right choice for Ashling. Invisalign clear aligners have been around for 20 years so they’ve got 6 million+ smiles** and years of innovation to prove that they really work.  

* *Data on file at Align Technology as of November 7, 2018

Once we finished, we were good to go. It was all very simple and now we just have to wait for the aligners to be ready. Well, there was one more thing…Dip-n-Dots! My girls were pretty excited to learn that a visit to Dr. Hess’ office always concludes with Dip-n-Dots.

Eating Dip-n-Dots

Ashling is really looking forward to starting her Invisalign treatment and we go back in a few weeks for the finished aligners. If you’ve ever thought about Invisalign treatment for yourself or your kids, follow along with us on our journey!

You can also learn more about Invisalign treatment by visiting the Invisalign website or following along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

 

The post What Is Invisalign® Treatment And Why It’s The Best Teeth Straightening Option For Our Tween appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

New House, New School, New Smile: How Invisalign® Treatment Is Helping My Tween Navigate Changes With Confidence

0
0

This post was sponsored by the Invisalign® brand and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Moving into a new neighborhood and starting middle school at an unfamiliar school can be a big adjustment for a child. Find out how Invisalign treatment has helped play a small part in making the transition easier for our tween.

My 11 year old daughter Ashling is going through some big changes. First she graduated 5th grade and said goodbye to elementary school forever. We also just moved into a new house, which she loves, but we no longer have our favorite neighbors to play with. Plus, she won’t know a single person at her new school. As if that wasn’t hard enough, she’s starting middle school!  

That’s a lot for anyone to handle all at once, especially my shy 11 year old. It took her a long time to make friends at her old school and I know she’s really going to miss them. Starting middle school without friends to lean on is going to be hard and of course, I worry about her. That’s what moms do, right? 

Picture of Ashling smiling

I’m trying to do what I can to make the transition easier. When we realized she needed a straightening treatment for her teeth, we knew we didn’t want to go with braces. She’d had them in the past and they made her very self-conscious. The last thing I wanted her to be stressed out about was her smile.

We talked about different options and when I told her about Invisalign® treatment , she was totally on board. She really liked the fact that they were nearly invisible and she’d be able to take them out as needed. Plus, she’d never have to be embarrassed about getting food stuck in them, which happened a lot with her braces. Popcorn was not her friend!

That’s why we went to see Dr. Hess for a consultation. I’d been researching Invisalign treatment and was intrigued to learn that it’s the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, straightening teeth more predictably than other aligners. We wanted to find out if it would be good option for Ashling. Using the doctor locator made it easy to find a provider in our area.

Sign for Hess Orthodontics

Invisalign® Treatment

After our consultation, we decided that Ashling was a great candidate for Invisalign treatment. Because the SmartTrack® material provides a better fit than with other aligners*, I couldn’t think of any reason we wouldn’t go this route. (* than other aligners made from off-the-shelf single layer .030in material) They’ve  got 20 years of innovation and 6 million+ smiles to show that they are the best and I knew that this would be the perfect choice for Ashling.

Plus, I knew that she’d be happier with her smile if we went with these over braces. When it was time for us to go back and pick up the aligners. Ashling was both nervous and excited. She couldn’t wait to see how they’d look…and neither could I!

Ashling waiting to get her Invisalign aligners

One look in the mirror and we knew we’d made the right choice. Ashling was all smiles and loved the fact that you could barely tell she had the aligners in.  Even I had to look closely to see them. They looked great and are such a great choice for a tween going through that self conscious phase!

 

Ashling after getting her Invisalign aligners

As Ashling’s teeth shift each week, she’ll switch to new aligners. This helps her teeth gradually move into place without the uncomfortable adjustments that come with braces (and allows the treatment to work 2x faster than before) . I also like that even if the aligners get stained, she’ll be switching to new ones within a few days so it doesn’t matter.

Aligners for Invisalign treatment

 Using the Invisalign Aligners At Home

Ashling’s teeth were a little sore in the beginning but by the end of day two, she was totally fine. The hardest part for her was putting them in and taking them out again. After a few days though, she totally had it down.  

The Invisalign treatment plan is super easy for us to follow. Because aligners are now replaced weekly, instead of every other week, Invisalign treatment works up to 2x faster than it did in the past. Braces weren’t even close to being this simple and we’re really happy with how well Ashling has adjusted to her new aligners.

Invisalign Aligners In Case

Even with school starting, the transition couldn’t be easier. The only real change is that now she packs her aligner case in her lunchbox with the rest of her food. 

Ashling in Kitchen

When I see that she’s happy, it makes me happy and I love the confidence and self esteem boost that Invisalign treatment has given her. She may be nervous about 6th grade for other reasons but at least her smile isn’t one of them.

Ashling with Invisalign aligner case

 

Take a smile assessment to see if it’s the right fit for your teen this school year.

Want to learn more about Invisalign treatment? Follow Invisalign on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

The post New House, New School, New Smile: How Invisalign® Treatment Is Helping My Tween Navigate Changes With Confidence appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

Viewing all 49 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images