Wordless Wednesday First Day of School

Today was Teela and Zari's first day of school. Teela is in 11th and Zari is in 8th.

Kwik Stix Are Now Available at All BJ’s Wholesale Clubs!

For all my eastern US readers, Kwik Stix are now available at all BJ’s Wholesale Clubs! I currently don't have any BJ's Wholesale Clubs near me, but they also have a Kwik Stix Thin Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 24 pk. on their online store for just $19.99!

These are great! Read my Kwik Stix reviews. I love when you paint with them the paint dries so quickly with no mess and no cleanup. This 24 pk has 12 classic, 6 neon, and 6 metallic colors.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: The Pencil Grip Inc., makers of Kwik Stix, offered to send me a set of Kwik Stix for helping spread the word! My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post.

Family Flora Review and Giveaway

The school year has started and the kids are exposed to all sorts of germs that might disrupt their inner harmony. Even if you are homeschooling like me there are germs at extracurricular activities, play dates, events, and just about everywhere you go. Your kids come home sick and then if your immune system is compromised you could get sick too! Trust me, I know that it is really hard being a sick mom that is out of commission! It is even worse when you and a child is sick! You really want to help out, get stuff accomplished, and take care of your family, but you don't feel good. Keeping our immune systems healthy is key. So, how do you do this? Your gut is your body's largest immune system organ. If your gut isn't healthy because of toxic invaders then you probably feel lousy too! So, if you give your gut an army of good bacteria (flora) then you and your family will be healthier overall.

Family Flora is a synbiotic, which is different than any other formulation because it provides both a natural prebiotic + probiotic together in one formula that populates your gut with the healthy bacteria needed to successfully battle health challenges while promoting healthy digestion and vitamin and nutrient absorption. Family Flora gives the immune system a fighting chance to win and grow ever stronger. Prebiotics are the essential food that probiotics eat while in your intestine to keep your gut healthy and ready to fight back. Plus, Family Flora's custom formulations are all Non-GMO, kosher, sodium-free, gluten-free and have no artificial flavors or colors.

What Family Flora Does*:

• Helps support and promote healthy digestion
• Aids in a regular digestive routine
• Helps maintain a healthy gut and GI tract
• Aids in vitamin and nutrient absorption
• Helps build and strengthen the immune system
• Maintains flora balance

Family Flora sent us Daily Balance and Junior Daily Balance with a Family Flora shaker bottle. These each come in boxes of 30 packets for a month supply for a single person. These are a daily use product to get the best results. Daily Balance is primarily for adults and the Junior one is a probiotic for children aged 2-14.

Family Flora Daily Balance

Daily Balance is a blend of 3 probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus acidophilus (DDS-1), Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium Bifidum, ) and one super prebiotic culture (Organic Inulin). Daily Balance contains no artificial colors, no artificial flavors or sweeteners. It is Non-GMO, Kosher and sodium free.

Family Flora Junior Daily Balance

Junior Daily Balance, a blend of 4 probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus acidophilus (DDS-1), Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bacillus Coagulas (Produra), and Bifidobacterium Bifidum)  and some super prebiotic cultures [Oligofructose (FOS), Organic Inulin (Agave Tequilana), and Maltodextrin (FIBERSOL 2)]. The Junior Daily Balance contains 5 grams of prebiotics to support microbiome maintenance & colonization. Besides 30 stick packs the box has some cute, fun stickers of the good bacteria. These are numbered all the way to 30 so that you can give your child one every day they take the Family Flora synbiotic as a reward.

Family Flora mixed in juice.

My Thoughts:
I took the Daily Balance and I had my kids try the Junior Daily Balance. They come in convenient single dose stick pack of powder that you mix into a cold liquid or cold food. These packets can be easily taken anywhere you go or travel. They also are The powder doesn't taste like anything, but also doesn't dissolve completely, so the beverage or food comes out slightly gritty. This didn't bother me though as I am used to drinking juice with Matcha, Spirulina, or Moringa powder mixed in. I took the Daily Balance during my menstrual cycle. Usually I feel horrible with lots of bloating and major cramps. Taking this actually helped with all of that and I felt so much better, so I would definitely recommend Daily Balance as a great woman's probiotic. My kids didn't mind the taste of the Junior Daily Balance either and after trying it once, readily took it. We all liked having this mixed with juice or yogurt. Family Flora is a great probiotic supplement.

Family Flora Family of Products

Be Social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/familyflora 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyFloraProbiotics
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/familyflora/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH674v3vTzyjJZFEi5vCCvw

BUY IT


Get a digital coupon for $3 off any Family Flora Prebiotic at Target.com and try Family Flora to also experience the great health benefits for yourselves.

WIN IT
Prize: A years-supply of Family Flora.

Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for Rafflecopter below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided on this blog post is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a opinion. Even if a statement made about the product is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. I am only suggesting that you should try it for yourself and see if helps you. People are all different and outcomes could vary drastically.

Homeschool Giveaways 2016 Back to School Freebies: Over $230 in Free Curriculum!

Homeschool Giveaways is having their annual Back to School Freebies right now! This is the biggest freebie event they have ever put together. You will get over $230 in FREE curriculum (no purchase necessary.) Click here to get all of this for free now, or scroll for a bit more info first.

Publishers Participating: Master Books, Knowledge Quest, Barefoot Ragamuffin Curricula, Not Consumed, Intoxicated on Life, Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett, Writing with Sharon Watson, Geography Matters, Online Unit Studies, Analytical Grammar, and Home School Adventure Co.

Check out what you get:

• Master Books - The Complex Circulatory System $15.99 value (elementary)
• Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett - Heroes of American History $10.95 value (grades 4-8)
• Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett - Composers Download N Go™ Unit Study $9.95 value (K-4th grade)
• Geography Matters - Geography Through Art $19.95 value
• Analytical Grammar - Junior Analytical Grammar Student Book $19.95 value (4th-5th grade)
  
• Barefoot Ragamuffin Curricula - Wayfarers: Ancient History Term 1 $25.00 value (Preschool-Highschool)
• Barefoot Ragamuffin Curricula - Quark Chronicles: Botany $15.00 value (Preschool-Highschool)
• Writing with Sharon Watson - 159 Fun Middle and High School Prompts Combo $20 value (Middle & High School)
• Not Consumed - A Content Heart: Finding Godly Contentment in a Me-First World $15 value (Youth Version ages 8+)
• Intoxicated on Life - Experience Astronomy Field Guide $9.95 value (ages 10+)
  
• Intoxicated on Life - Learning to Draw By Grid Set $12.00 value (Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced)
• Knowledge Quest - Around the World - Learning About Our Globe One Country at a Time $14.95 value (grades 1-6)
• Online Unit Studies - Famous Americans Biography Bundle $20 value (Elementary - Middle School)
  
• Home School Adventure Co. - Creative Freewriting Adventure - Coloring Book Edition $21.95 value

 

For more information on each product and to get a FREE copy of your own, click here!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this because I participated in it as well. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Back to School with Wild Dill

Back to School season is upon us. There is a lot to do to get ready for school to start. If you homeschool like me you are probably getting your curriculum and homeschool room ready and new school supplies bought. If you do public school you are probably buying a new ensemble and supplies for your school age children.

There is no reason that baby, toddler, and mom can't be fashionable too for the new school year. Wild Dill has great clothing, footware, and accessories for baby and toddler that are organic, fair trade, and natural. They have beautiful jewelry and bags for mom as well to spruce up her wardrobe.



Not only do they have clothing and accessories, they have educational toys that will help your little one's mind grow. These toys teach wonderful learning concepts that should be taught before littles get to school age. What better way to teach these concepts than with fun toys at home!



You can find other organic, fair trade and natural essentials for baby and toddler at Wild Dill as well. They also have bedding, feeding essentials, bath products, nursery decor & furniture. Their products are made in the USA, are European made, or handmade. I love all of their gorgeous products. Wild Dill is a fantastic online store with a wonderful selection of products at reasonable prices that can't be missed!



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: This is a sponsored post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Orkin Household Pests 101 Back to School Pack Giveaway & Blog App

It’s back-to-school time and class is in session … Orkin is back with Household Pests 101 – featuring some of Orkin’s scientific knowledge of pests. The Orkin Man is here to help you #LearnWithOrkin so you don’t get schooled by pest problems in your own home.

But Back-To-School doesn’t just mean for the kids. Orkin knows that moms are on the go more than ever and wants to make sure you’re all set when driving the kids to soccer practice, racing to make it to school on time and just maybe getting a minute for yourself!

About Orkin Household Pests 101

Back-to-school time is a great time to #LearnWithOrkin about pest prevention. Take the Pest Prevention Pop Quiz to find out if you know how to think like a pest!

At Orkin, we use the latest technology and unparalleled training to develop an effective treatment that's right for your needs. To learn more about our pest control based in science or to schedule an inspection, visit orkin.com or call 1-800-800-ORKIN.

Orkin on Facebook: facebook.com/OrkinPestControl
Ask The Orkin Man® on Twitter: twitter.com/AskTheOrkinMan
Orkin YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/OrkinVideo

The Orkin Back-To-School Prize Pack includes:

One (1) Silver USB Portable Charger – We know you’re on the go from sun up to sun down and you can’t afford not to be accessible. This emergency charger is small, sleek and can help your phone keep up with your busy lifestyle!

One (1) Double Wall Stainless Steel Travel Mug w/ lid - Your car isn’t the only thing that needs fueling up in the morning … this stainless steel travel mug is a great way to ensure your morning coffee is always within arm’s reach.

One (1) Orkin “Protect Your Home” PDF Checklist - This handy checklist from the experts at Orkin will help you think like a pest in order to help protect your home from pests.



Blog App:

• Class is in session! Orkin is back with Household Pests 101 – featuring some of Orkin’s scientific knowledge of pests. The Orkin Man is here to help you #LearnWithOrkin so you don’t get schooled by pest problems in your own home.
• Watch the “Bite Back at Mosquitoes” video, as well as the rest of Orkin’s How-To video series, to get the most up-to-date knowledge on dealing with those pesky home invaders.
• Download the “Protect Your Home” Checklist for valuable tips on keeping pests at bay.
• Get social with it! Tweet using the #LearnWithOrkin hashtag and mention @AskTheOrkinMan

WIN IT
Prize: Orkin Back-To-School Prize Pack

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

Each household is only eligible to win Back to School Prize Pack via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Orkin Household Pests 101 App I am getting a Orkin Back-To-School Prize Pack free for my readers as a giveaway and one free for myself. Thanks to PartnersHub and Orkin for providing me this promotion information and free product. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this blog app and giveaway.

Nabisco belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuit Review and Guest Post: Easing Stress During the Busy Back to School Season

I received these products for free to facilitate this review.

Nabisco belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits are a new tasty treat that is wonderful for a grab and go breakfast! They are also wonderful for an after school snack. These come in two flavors: Oats & Chocolate and Mixed Berry. They have 20% daily fiber, 11g whole grain per 50g serving, good source of B-vitamins which help convert food into energy, and only 7g of fat. These contain NO: high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, or artificial flavors or sweeteners.

These soft baked biscuits are so yummy! I loved the Oats & Chocolate one the best myself, but the Mixed Berry one was very good too. These are extra crumbly so make sure to eat over a plate or napkin so you don't lose any morsel of goodness. I recommend these to anyone needing a quick easy breakfast!

Below I have included some great tips to help parents get ready for the Back to School Season from the Lifestyle Mom, Dana Hilmer...

Easing Stress during the Busy Back to School Season Soon families everywhere will be getting back in the school year routine.:

1. It’s important to schedule down time for you and your family. Before signing your kids up for this year’s after-school activities, think about your family’s priorities and the impact each activity will have on your schedules.
2. It’s just as important for you to have a tasty, healthy breakfast as it is for your kids. Perfect for eating on the go, belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits come in two varieties, Mixed Berry and Oats & Chocolate, grab a banana and a latte and you’re good to go with nutritious morning energy. 
3. Take a little time each night to get organized for the following morning. By making lunches and selecting outfits before bed each night, you’ll free time each morning for other things. 
4. Be sure to keep healthy snacks in the kitchen for after-school snacking. Nuts, crackers and fruit are great to give kids right when they walk in the door to keep them from grazing on unhealthy snacks, or spoiling their appetites for dinner. 
5. Moms often complain about not having enough time for themselves, but when life gets busy, it’s even more important to carve out that time. Treat “me time” as a priority. 
6. Start a to-do list with three sections: the priority of the day for yourself, the priority of the day for your family and the priority of the day for your work. Start with these items, and only move on to other less important items once they’re done. 
7. Use Sunday nights to plan your dinners each week. If you take a few minutes to think about how you can creatively use the leftovers from one night to the next, you can create a full week’s worth of healthy, tasty dinners that your family will enjoy. 
8. Give yourself the freedom to say no without guilt. Activities or commitments that may not be right for your family are okay to decline. Saying NO gives you the permission to say YES to things that are important to you. 
9. Back-to-school season is also cold and flu season. You can keep your entire family healthy with these simple habits: eating well, getting enough rest and washing hands regularly. 
10. Create a network of support for yourself. This network looks different for everyone. Consider asking your partner and kids for support. They can be a great help with tasks you feel comfortable handing over. 

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. The Guest Post was provided to me free to share by belVita. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review or posting this guest post.

All You Magazine Back To School Special Issue Review

We received a product free from Crowdtap and All You Magazine to facilitate this review.

All You Magazine has put out a special Back to School issue that you can find in the magazine stand at your local Walmart. I really have enjoyed reading this special issue of All You magazine. This issue is dedicated to getting the school year off to a great start. Its special focus is encouraging kids to read. The contents are organized into relevant categories that you can find things easier with. The categories include: Be prepared, Living healthy, Eating well, Learn together, and Also in the issue.

It has great tips and offers for back to school and home. The recipes for tasty lunches, after school treats, and easy 20-minute meals look yummy. I will certainly have to try the Mushroom Ragout with Polenta! I also love the section about kitchen gadgets and building a book nook.  If you have a new kindergartener, 7th grader or 9th grader going to public school then the article titled "Soothe your child's back-to-school worries is a great read. I loved "End Morning Madness" because really mastering the art of getting everyone out the door without any drama is a special skill that does require some advance planning and they have some good tips to do so. Kellogg's, Scholastic and Walmart has partnered up with All You to give readers the opportunity to get a free Scholastic book when you buy specially marked packages of Kellogg's products at Walmart. It also has valuable manufacturer coupons inside that are good til the end of October.

This magazine has so much great information inside! I enjoyed it from cover to cover. I highly recommend this magazine to other parents.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.