When I was told I had plantar fasciitis, I was none too happy to be told that I’d have to change the type of shoes I was wearing. That was until I discovered these sandals! Check out my Kuru Footwear review to learn why these have just become my new favorite shoes.
Kuru provided me with shoes in exchange for this review but my love for these sandals is 100% my own!
It’s always something! I had just started running regularly again and was killing it. That’s why, when I started feeling pain in my right foot, I totally ignored it. I’m pretty stubborn (just ask my hubby) so I ran again the next day. It was little more painful but no pain, no gain, right? After running again a third day and then a fourth, the pain progressively got worse and I realized that I might actually need to get it checked out.
It turned out that I had plantar fasciitis. This was terrible timing because I had three press trips in a row coming up, two of which would require a lot of walking! Next I got even more bad news…I couldn’t wear my cute shoes anymore. The cute black flip flops/sandals that I’d worn practically every day since we’d moved to Florida had to go. I needed more supportive footwear.
Originally I was told that I should wear sneakers every day but sneakers with cute shorts and sundresses don’t work for me (yes, there’s that stubborn side again). I knew I could find a happy medium. I did some research online and after checking out a lot of different sites, I came across Kuru footwear.
Kuru Footwear Review
Kuru Footwear has shoes that are designed for people diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. These shoes can also help with arch support, heel pain and more. I learned that the cutting edge Kurusole hugs the heels to keep them better aligned and balanced. While other shoes flatten the fat cushion in the heel, Kuru moves with each step to keep it just where it should be. In regular terms, these shoes were going to be good for my feet.
Kuru makes everything from sneakers, ballet style flats and loafers but this Florida girl was going straight for the sandals. My favorites were the Sling and the Kala Women’s Sandals because they were so much cuter than other supportive shoes I’d seen on other sites. Both styles had great reviews but in the end, the Kala Sandals won out and I ordered a pair in black and another in white.
Do I like them? No, I LOVE them! I wore them on all my trips and they were so comfortable. By comfortable, I mean that I walked for three days straight at the Universal theme parks and my foot never once bothered me. Not being able to enjoy the trip because of foot pain had been my biggest fear but thanks to Kuru, it wasn’t an issue.
Originally, I was just going to wear these until I could go back to my old shoes but that never happened. These have become my new go-to shoes and I wear them pretty much every day of the week. When I went to Punta Cana last month, they couldn’t have been more perfect for the beach!
When I’m ready to run again (I’m so close), I may just have try out a pair of Kuru sneakers. These sandals have been so comfy that I can only imagine the sneakers are just as good. Since they’re a lot better for my feet than my old ones, maybe I can avoid getting plantar fasciitis again. Once was one too many times for me!
Have a sick child but can’t make it to the doctor’s office? Find out how you can use Amwell online doctor visits to get medical advice from the convenience of your own home.
When my 5 year old daughter got off the bus crying and complaining of a tummy ache, I was worried. This year’s flu season is particularly bad and we’ve been crossing our fingers that nobody gets sick. Even though we’ve all gotten the flu shot, you just never know. After about an hour, things got worse and Keira started vomiting. She definitely had something…I just wasn’t sure what it was.
Luckily she didn’t have a temperature so I set her up on the couch with a blanket, teddy, water and her favorite shows. About an hour later she vomited again. I thought about urgent care but the poor thing was already having such a hard time. I didn’t want to make her more uncomfortable by dragging her to urgent care, where we’d just sit in a waiting room until someone had time to see her.
Amwell Online Doctor Visits
I decided to try an Amwell online doctor visit instead. I’d recently heard about Amwell and wanted to give it a try. As the largest telehealth company, I’d be able to have a live, online visit with board certified, licensed doctors. The best part was that I could do it from the comfort of our home. Skip the germy waiting room? I’m in!
I jumped on my computer (you can use your phone too) and downloaded the app. I used Google Play but you can also download Amwell from the Apple App Store. Using the code MOM36 will allow you to take 25% off an urgent care visit through December 31, 2018.
I love that Amwell is accessible 24 hours a day so that if my child wakes up sick at 4am, we don’t have to wait until morning to talk to a doctor. Not only do the Amwell doctors provide medical advice, they can even write prescriptions and have them sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
It was easy to register. I entered my name, address and insurance information. There was also an option to enter past medical history. Keira didn’t really have any but this would be especially useful for those that have chronic conditions.
Once I was in the system, I was able to select from a list of doctors, all with bios listed. I found one whose bio I liked, though I also had the option to choose from first available. I selected her and waited until she was available. It only took about 5 minutes, much less time than our usual doctor’s visits.
The doctor was knowledgeable and professional. I described Keira’s symptoms and we discussed what could be wrong. While she explained that it was too soon to know for sure if Keira did or didn’t have the flu, she told me what symptoms to look for and what I could do for Keira in the meantime. It felt just like I was in our regular doctor’s office. In the end Keira didn’t have the flu but being able to talk to a doctor about it made me feel a whole lot better.
I love how convenient it was to use Amwell from the comfort of my own home. It was such a relief to be able to keep Keira comfortable, yet still be able to talk with a certified doctor about what might be wrong. It really gave me peace of mind and I’ll definitely be using the Amwell doctors again.
The bonus was that not only were prices reasonable, Amwell even accepted my insurance. They treat a lots of different conditions, too. We can consult them for minor health issues, general concerns, prescription refills and even to manage chronic conditions. They also have more than just primary care physicians and specialists. If the need arises, we can consult with licensed behavioral therapists, dietitians and more.
Take 25% Off Your Next Amwell Visit
If you’re a busy mom like me, you’ll appreciate the convenience of Amwell as much as I did! Urgent care visits are $59 but if you have a qualifying health insurance plan, you’ll pay even less. Want to try it out for yourself? Use my code MOM36 to take 25% off an urgent care visit (good through 12/31/18).
Compensation was provided by Amwell via Momtrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Amwell or Momtrends.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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…
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.
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!
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.
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?
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!
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?
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.
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!
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!
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!
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?
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.
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.
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!
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work
During the free consultation, they took pictures from every angle to assess how complex Ashling’s orthodontic issues were.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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?
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Take a smile assessment to see if it’s the right fit for your teen this school year.
This post was sponsored by the Invisalign® brand and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Middle school can be an adjustment but having a good routine, and Invisalign® treatment, makes it a lot easier.
How To Survive Middle School
This year we’re starting middle school with a routine under our belt. It’s easy to stick to and these small changes keep Ashling on track in the mornings and ready for the day ahead.
Prepping Lunch & Outfits Ahead Of Time
Our routine starts the night before, when we pack lunch for the following day.
Because she wears Invisalign aligners, we bought an extra case that she could keep in her lunchbox.
Ashling likes her aligners because they’re virtually invisible but they’re also the world’s most advanced clear aligner system Invisalign treatment has worked on 7 million+ smiles over the course of 20 years and though Ashling’s orthodontic issues are pretty common, Invisalign treatment works for more complex cases too.
Another part of our routine is picking out clothes the day before. Now that Ashling’s in middle school, she’s pickier about clothes and choosing the right outfit can take a while.
Waking Up Early
Waking up just 10 minutes earlier gives Ashling extra time to get dressed, eat breakfast and put her aligners back in, all at her own speed. It makes mornings more relaxed and sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Discussing Behavior Expectations
This one isn’t for Ashling, it’s for us! Ashling’s more self-conscious now and even the littlest things embarrass her. That’s why she’s laid down ground rules for the bus stop.
She assures us that we don’t do TOO much to embarrass her. We just need a few changes at the bus stop. We’re no longer allowed to kiss her goodbye, hold her hand or call her “pumpkin” in front of other middle school kids. I felt the same way at that age, so I totally get it and am trying my best to abide by the “rules!”
I think that’s also why she’s been so happy with her Invisalign treatment. She was self-conscious when she previously had traditional braces but since her aligners are virtually invisible, she feels more confident and self-assured. She may worry about a kiss goodbye at the bus stop, but she’s definitely not concerned about her smile!
This post was sponsored by the Invisalign® brand and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Getting ready for fall is always fun, especially when Invisalign® treatment lets you eat all the candy corn and caramel apples you want!
Since we moved to Florida, I love fall a lot more than I used to! Before it meant that chilly weather was right around the corner but now, we can enjoy our favorite fall activities without ever having to put on a sweater!
Fall Decor
First, we have to decorate though! Bring on the scarecrows and pumpkins! Because our old scarecrows didn’t survive our recent move, we had an excuse to go shopping for some fun fall decor.
We totally stocked up and made it home with bags full of fall foliage, pumpkins, scarecrows and more. It was time for some fall fun!
Ashling suggested we decorate the stairs by putting fall flowers around the bannister. It was super simple and cheap since nothing we bought was more than a dollar.
We finished with a couple more flowers and raffia. I’m not sure the raffia will survive the season though…our cats have totally had their eye on it!
All we needed was a scarecrow display.
Now we’re officially ready for fall!
Fall Food
Next it was time for another fall tradition, candy corn! I’d bought to make Halloween treats and “Boo” our neighbors but of course we saved a little for ourselves too.
Ashling’s Invisalign treatmentmakes it easy to eat what she wants, including fall treats like caramel apples and candy corn. This wasn’t the case when she had braces and she had to be careful about everything she ate. Certain foods would get caught in her braces or worse, damage them.
Now Ashling can just pop her aligners out, eat her favorite foods, brush her teeth, and pop them back in when she’s done. With Invisalign treatment, she can correct her smile without having to give up foods she loves.
It’s just another reason why I feel good about choosing Invisalign® treatment to correct Ashling’s smile. Invisalign aligners are not only the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, they fit better, are more comfortable and provide more predictable tooth movement because they’re made with SmartTrack® material*. (*compared to aligners made from off-the-shelf, single layer .030in material).
We had so much fun getting ready for fall and can’t wait to hit the pumpkin patches next! What are some of your favorite fall activities?
This post was sponsored by the Invisalign® brand and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
The holidays are here and looking back, it’s been a year of big changes for our family! Find out how Invisalign® treatment played a part in making this a great year for our tween.
It’s hard to believe that the holidays are already here. We are really big on Christmas and look forward to celebrating every year. As soon as Halloween is over, I start pulling out all my favorite Christmas decorations!
It’s also a time to look back and reminisce. 2019 was an exciting year for our family! We moved into a new house and the girls started new schools. It was an even bigger change for Ashling since she started middle school (both scary and exciting at the same time). Plus, she just turned 12, which means it’s her last year of being a “tween” before she officially becomes a teenager!
This was also the year she started Invisalign® treatment. It was a big deal for her because she’d already had braces in the past. Orthodontists have found that it’s easier to correct issues if they start early so that when it’s time for treatment the second time around, treatment is often finished more quickly and with fewer complications. Like most kids, she had counted down the days until her braces were removed. When she found out she’d be getting Invisalignaligners this time, she was excited. I like them because they’re the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, but her favorite feature is that they’re practically invisible.
If you’ve been considering orthodontic treatment, the New Year is a great time to start. Take the smile assessment to see if Invisalign® treatment is right for your child. Once you decide to move forward, it’s easy to find a doctor near you.
Getting started with her aligners was easy and made her feel more confident with the transition to middle school. We’re fortunate that hers is a simple case but these aligners work for complex orthodontic cases too, which they’ve proven with over 20 years of innovations and 7 million+ smiles.
She’s been wearing her aligners since June and though there’s still about a year and a half to go, we’ve already seen a lot of progress.
I’m excited to see the final results, though the outcome simulator did give us a sneak peek at how her teeth would look when she finished treatment.
Now that the holidays are here, Ashling’s appreciating her aligners even more. For starters, she gets to eat all the fun holiday food she wants. Whether she’s eating popcorn at a Christmas movie or munching on Christmas cookies, she doesn’t have to change a thing. Plus, we always love snacking on fun Christmas food after we set up our Christmas village.
We also take a ton of pictures this time of year. There’s our visit to Santa, photos of us celebrating with family and friends, and plenty of shots of the girls opening presents on Christmas morning. Now Ashling doesn’t mind smiling for all my Christmas pictures, which is a win/win for both of us.
Whether she’s helping put up the Christmas village or wrapping presents, the only thing Ashling has to think about for Christmas is having fun. 2019 been a really great year for her and we’re excited to see what 2020 has in store!
Check out the Parent Page to learn more about Invisalign® treatment and how it can give your own tween more confidence in their smile.
Thank you Essilor Vision Foundation for sponsoring this post. EVF provides over 500,000 pairs of glasses per year to people in need and works with schools, eye doctors, charities, and corporations to help build vision ambassadors focused on serving their community.
Did you know that 1 in 4 children in the U.S. has a vision problem that affects their ability to learn? It was surprising to me when I first heard that statistic. I knew that vision problems were common for children, but didn’t realize that the numbers were quite so high.
I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised considering that even my daughter and I have issues with our own vision. Luckily, it never affected my daughter’s ability to perform well in school because we discovered it so early.
Even more fortunate was the fact that we didn’t have to think twice about taking her for an eye exam or buying glasses. We had the money in our budget and were able to get her everything she needed. If not, she may not have loved going to school as much as she did.
Essilor Vision Foundation
Not every child is that lucky, though, and that’s whyEssilor Vision Foundation has stepped in to help. Some families can be hit hard by unexpected bills like these. They may have to make hard choices and once bills are paid, there may not be enough left for a vision exam. In fact, statistics show that 25% of parents simply don’t have the money to spend to correct their child’s vision.
Because of this, these children can often grow up struggling in school. As a former teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how a child’s ability to learn can be affected by vision problems. Years ago, I had a kindergarten student who was having a hard time keeping up with schoolwork. Once we realized that he needed glasses, everything turned around for him. Fortunately, like us, his parents were able to take care of his needs right away. School is hard enough as it is. Kids shouldn’t have to struggle with it just because they don’t have the tools they need to succeed.
It’s not just schoolwork that’s impacted when kids have vision problems. It affects them in every aspect of their lives, whether it’s playing on the playground or playing piano.
How Your Donation Can Make A Difference
There is hope, though, and that’s where Essilor Vision Foundation comes in. Founded in 2007,Essilor Vision Foundation provides vision exams and glasses to children in need, and they’ve helped over one million people so far. They can’t do it without our donations, though.
Donations are what keep Essilor Vision Foundation going, and by supporting them, we’re helping both the children and their families. Parents can feel good knowing that their child is getting the assistance they need, and the best part is that the family will never even see the bill.
These donations can make such a huge difference in the life of a child. We can be an advocate for those children just by giving, because it really does take a village. By working together, we can help these children build better lives for themselves.
You can learn more about these children by visiting theEssilor Vision Foundation website. It’s touching to read their stories and to see firsthand how their lives have been changed, one donation at a time. Think about the difference we can make if we all do this together!
This post is sponsored by Depend®, all opinions are my own.
Postpartum essentials are those things that every expectant mom should have, but they just don’t know it yet. From zippered onesies for 2 a.m. diaper changes to cling shades to keep the sun out of baby’s eyes, this is the baby gear that both mom and baby can’t live without.
Being pregnant is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. It can also be the most stressful. You want to do everything right, from eating the right foods to creating the perfect nursery. Every spare minute of the day is spent preparing for your little one’s arrival.
When it’s your first, it’s even harder because you just don’t know what you don’t know. You can read all the books, watch all the videos and get the scoop from your mom friends but chances are, there will still be a few surprises.
Postpartum Essentials
I recently found out a friend of mine was pregnant and wanted to make a gift basket filled with the postpartum essentials she’d need most. I learned the hard way but she and her hubby wouldn’t have to. The less they worried about what baby gear they still needed, the more time they could spend enjoying their sweet baby.
For Mom:
Depend® Silhouette® underwear – This is the one thing that many new moms don’t realize they’re probably going to need. Bladder leaks are a common issue for new moms, which I discovered years ago when I brought my oldest home from the hospital.
My hubby had done something that made me laugh and that’s all it took. I was not expecting the “laugh leak”…welcome to mommyhood!
I still remember that day, which is why a box of Depend Silhouette was the first thing I added to the gift basket. I certainly could have used a box back then.
Made with a super absorbent material and leg elastic, this underwear traps both wetness and odor immediately. However, the material is so soft and giving that they’re comfortable enough to wear all day.
Because they’re meant to be sleek and hug your curves, these underwear are pretty much unnoticeable under your clothes. You can even wear them under yoga pants, which works out well because most new moms live in yoga pants.
There’s a lot you need for a new baby and it adds up. That’s why it’s nice that you can pick these up for such a reasonable price at Walmart. Shopping there is always so convenient, especially since there are such a variety of ways to do it. You can head to Walmart to shop in-store, use their Online Pickup or have them delivered right to your doorstep. I can tell you that when you’re a new mom, Walmart delivery service will come in VERY handy! Click here to add these to your cart.
While Depend Silhouette is one important postpartum essential, it’s not all a new mom will need…
Hot/Cold packs – It goes without saying that after childbirth, you’re pretty sore. Having hot or cold packs on hand can help relieve some of that pain.
Sitz bath soak – Another great pain reliever is a warm water sitz bath. You can make your own with baking soda or salt or take the easy route (my favorite) and buy a sitz bath soak instead.
Peri bottle – A peri bottle is a squirt bottle used to clean yourself postpartum. It’s important for helping prevent infections and can help lead to a speedy recovery.
Nursing bra – New moms that are planning to nurse will want a good nursing bra. It’s great for support, comfort, and quick access to feed a hungry baby.
Nursing pads – Just like Depend Silhouette underwear is a necessity for bladder leaks, nursing pads help keep bras clean and dry.
Electric breast pump – The emphasis here is on electric. My first pump was manual and I learned quickly what a big mistake that was. I switched and the difference was like night and day.
Milk storage bags – Whether you’re a working mom or just want to pump and dump occasionally, milk storage bags are a must-have. Any new mom will tell you that breast milk is like liquid gold and storage bags help keep it from spilling or spoiling.
Dry shampoo – Once baby comes, showers are few and far between. Dry shampoo is a new moms best friend!
Large tumbler – It’s always important to stay hydrated but even more so when you’re breastfeeding. I always kept a large tumbler close by so I had water when I needed it.
For Baby:
New moms know they’ll need diapers and bottles but these are some of the things they may not think of…
Zippered Onesies – When I was pregnant, I bought all the cute onesies I could get my hands on. After trying to snap one back up after a 2 a.m. diaper change, I realized that they have 5 MILLION snaps! Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration but trust me, you want zippers!
Swaddle – Your baby might look like a baby burrito but being swaddled keeps them cozy and warm. It also helps suppress their natural startle reflex. That means it’ll help them sleep better at night (so mom sleeps better too).
Extra crib sheets – When I bought our crib sheets, I bought two…just two. It made sense at the time because I’d have one for the crib, then a spare when I did laundry. Between spit-ups and diaper mishaps, I realized just how flawed my logic had been.
Baby nail clippers – Terrified! That’s how I felt when it came time to cut my daughter’s nails for the first time. I knew I had to though because I didn’t want her scratching that adorable face. New moms need baby nail clippers, even if they don’t want to use them!
Mittens – Because those little nails grow so fast, baby mittens also help keep babies from scratching their face. The mittens fall off occasionally, and they lose their matches faster than socks in a dryer, but luckily babies only need them for a few weeks.
Diaper rash cream – There’s no explanation needed for this one. Babies get rashes and when they do, they’ll need rash cream to ease the pain.
Burp cloths – Unless you want to walk around with spit-up on your shoulder for your baby’s first year of life, you’ll need plenty of burp cloths. Keep one permanently attached to your shoulder and you just may still have a clean shirt at the end of the day. No promises though.
Nursing pillow – Trying to nurse without a nursing pillow can be done, by why would you want to. The size and shape of a nursing pillow makes feeding baby so much comfortable.
Cling shade – This is a must-have and should be in the car before bringing the baby home! Otherwise, you could have bright sunlight shining in baby’s eyes as you drive home from the hospital.
Baby detergent – Newborn skin is so soft and sensitive that it can be irritated by regular detergents. Using one made just for babies is a safe bet.
While I couldn’t put all these postpartum essentials into my gift basket (I’d need a MUCH bigger basket), I do think it had a pretty good variety. As a bonus, I chose a gift basket that could double as an organizer. It’ll be a great way to keep all that baby gear in one place.
Want to make your own gift basket (or get ready for your own little bundle of joy) but don’t want to forget anything? Bring this printable list along when you go shopping. Just click directly on the image or the title below.
This is a sponsored post written in partnership with Community Care Plan
This silly joke book for kids is the perfect way make your little one smile when they’re under the weather! Print your own and learn how Community Care Plan is making parents smile too!
They say that laughter is the best medicine and I totally believe that’s true. There’s nothing that takes your mind off being sick more than a good laugh, especially when you’re a kid. When my girls aren’t feeling well, they know that they have my permission to just lay on the couch and watch funny movies all day.
Joke Book For Kids
That’s why I also put together this fun joke book for kids (you can scroll down to print your own copy). It’s a great way to cheer up the little ones when they’re feeling under the weather. A good laugh is the perfect distraction and goes a long way towards making them feel better!
It also subtly teaches kids the importance of having a good sense of humor. It’s not just for when your kids are sick either. Kids learn quickly that a good sense of humor goes a long way. When you’re having a tough day, trying to make new friends, or just want to cheer someone up. A little laughter never hurts anyone, and I’m trying to teach my kids how being able to spread that kind of happiness will get you far in life!
Even though Keira is only nine, she learned early on that making people laugh was a great way to break the ice with new friends, cheer others up when they’re down or just make every day brighter in general. She’s already memorizing the jokes in her new book so she can test them out on the rest of the family!
While laughter is good for your general well-being, having a quality health plan is equally important. The peace of mind it can give you is really worth its weight in gold. However, if you’re looking for a good health plan, it can be hard to know where to start.
Community Care Plan
Fortunately, there’s Community Care Plan – the health plan with a heart. They’ve made it their mission to have a positive impact on health and wellness. One way they’re doing this is by helping to ensure that everyone has access to high quality, affordable health care. Because we all have different needs, their health plans cover a variety of health and medical services from high quality physicians and providers. Their benefits help members get and stay healthy!
Whether you need in-person care or want to talk to a health care provider from the comfort of your home computer or smartphone, Community Care Plan covers all the bases. The best part is how easy they make it. You can go to their website to learn about their different plans, look for providers and more.
Between the grownups and the kids, Community Care Plan has everyone covered. As parents, we have enough to worry about and health care shouldn’t be one of them. Now we can worry less about that and more about keeping our kids happy!
Print Your Own Joke Book
That’s where this joke book for kids comes in! It’s a fun distraction and it’s full of super silly jokes that kids love! Cut them out, use a ring binder, metal brad or yarn to put them all together and get ready to giggle!
If you don’t want to cut each one apart separately, you can leave the pages intact and use this cover page instead.
I think your kids will love this joke book as much as mind did! My thirteen-year-old tried to pretend she was too cool to think the jokes were funny, but I caught her laughing when she though we weren’t looking. My youngest still can’t get enough, and we had fun going back through the book together (I just had to pretend that I didn’t already know all the punch lines!).
So print this cute joke book to keep your family happy and check out Community Care Plan to keep them healthy … you’ll be glad you did!
TThis 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.
Are you ready for flu season? I don’t know why but it sneaks up on us every year. Maybe it’s the excitement of fall, school being back in full swing or the approaching holidays. Living in Florida, it’s still warm in October/November and we tend to associate flu with colder weather. The thing is, THIS is the time to get those flu shots.
Why The Best Time To Get Your Flu Shot Is In The Fall And Winter
Flu season typically begins in October and can run as long as April or May. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting your flu shot as soon as possible because it takes two weeks to give the antibodies time to grow so they can help protect you from the flu.
It’s also important to get your shot annually because if you don’t, the shots lose their effectiveness. Flu strains vary every year and the vaccines are adjusted to keep up with those changes.
Why Is Getting The Flu Shot So Important
Some people put off getting their shot because they’re too busy or just forget, but the flu is something you don’t want to mess around with. Spread easily from person to person, the flu is a serious respiratory illness that can lead to severe health issues like pneumonia. It can also exacerbate heart and lung diseases and in the worst scenarios, can lead to death.
The risks are even worse for adults 50 years of age and older. Because it’s more common for older adults to have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and lung or heart disease, it’s especially important for them to get an annual flu shot. When combined with the flu, chronic health conditions can worsen and even cause serious illness.
Getting the flu shot only takes a few minutes and it’s easy to find a place to do it. You can visit your healthcare provider’s office, a freestanding pharmacy or even a store with a pharmacy inside it. In the past, we’ve even gotten ours at the grocery store pharmacy. We always do it sooner than later because the earlier we get it, the earlier our bodies have protection to help prevent flu.
We’re not doing it just for us. We get the flu shot to help protect those around us too. We’re around older family members on a regular basis and if we come down with the flu, we put them at risk too.
Where To Find More Information About The Flu Vaccine
Are you 50 years of age and older or have a loved one that’s older? The American Lung Association has teamed up with Sanofi Pasteur to launch theMyShot initiative. It encourages those 50 years of age and older to learn more about the dangers of the flu and why it’s important for them to get their flu shot.
There’s also a handy Vaccine Finder at GetMyShot.orgto find where flu shots are available locally.
To find out where vaccines are available in your area, check out the Vaccine Finder on GetMyShot.org or talk to your health care provider.
Find out more by following the American Lung Association on Facebook and Twitter.
