Ameo Life Health Products Review and Giveaway #ameolife #christianhealth #healthylifestyle #supplements #naturalhealth

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product through FrontGate Media in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Ameo Life health products are backed by science and research, are all natural, and made in the USA. Their mission is is to "produce amazing natural products to promote care for the body using only the cleanest ingredients, free of chemicals, toxins or any harmful substances". Their products include: vitamins and supplements, liquids and gels, soaps, and lozenges.

Here is an overview of 4 of their products:

pH Balanced Alkaline Structured Silver Solution

• 16 oz. (473ml)
• 30ppm Structured Silver Solution
• pH balanced
• Supports a Healthy Digestive System
• Immune System Support
• Naturally Cleanses the Gut
• Naturally Cleanses Bad Bacteria, Yeast, and Mold
• Safe and Effective Supplement

Extra Strength Silver Gel

• 3.38 oz. (100ml)
• 35ppm Silver
• Structured Silver Gel
• Naturally Support the Skin
• pH balanced
• Safe and Effective

Organic Silver Soap

• 4 oz. Bar
• Infused with 30ppm Silver
• Essential Oils
• Naturally, Cleanse the skin
• Toxin and Paraben Free

Chelated Multivitamin

• 60 Veggie Caps
• 18 Essential Vitamins and Minerals
• Increases Energy and Stamina
• Easy to Swallow Vegetarian Capsules
• Iron-Free for Gentle Digestion
• Boosts Nutrient Levels

My Thoughts:

I love products that are natural and nourishing. Ameo Life health products are just that and they are also a company with Christian values. I love how they stand strong in their faith and believe that the human body is a miracle of divine creation and that our planet earth provides the ability to promote healing with natural supplementation and elements. They share this belief with me.

I received 4 Ameo Life products to try out: pH Balanced Alkaline Structured Silver Solution, Extra Strength Silver Gel, Organic Silver Soap, and a bottle of their Chelated Multivitamins. I love that I got to try out different Ameo Life products and not just one thing. 

The pH Balanced Alkaline Structured Silver Solution is a liquid supplement that adults can take 2 tsp of twice daily and children 4 years and older can take 1/2 tsp twice daily. It doesn't really taste like anything and doesn't have a smell. You can use this both for external skin use and internally as a supplement. I have also been using it on my tooth brush and notice a difference. My gums feel better and so does my gut. 

The Extra Strength Silver Gel is Ameo Life's strongest silver gel they offer. It is for external use only and is great for your skin. It comes in a pump and its directions say to apply generously to skin as needed to promote healthy skin. I love to use it on my face as a cleanser. My skin is so dry with this summer heat and this gel is cold and refreshing. My skin soaks it up and feels fresh and rejuvenated. I find that it speeds healing too. I noticed my blemishes disappearing and it is great to quickly heal cuts, burns, rashes, and bug bites/stings too. I have super sensitive skin and this was delicate with no added dyes or perfumes and didn't make me break out like other things.

Ameo Life has 5 different Silver Soaps to choose from. They have Lavender, Charcoal Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Oatmeal Spice, and Peppermint. These bar soaps are all natural, silver infused, and made with organic ingredients. These are great for all skin types and are toxin and paraben free. I received their Charcoal Tea Tree Silver Soap. This soap has orange, tea tree, and bergamot essential oils which make it have a light, pleasant smell. It is a black bar because of the activated charcoal which helps clean the skin, unclog pores, remove oils and impurities, and slough dead skin cells. It also has coconut oil and cacao butter which help moisturize and soften the skin. Plantain leaves from the Broadleaf Plantain have been added because of its healing properties, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and vitamins A, C, and K. Cacao is added for its antioxidants and nutrients and Rosemary extract for its stimulating and astringent effect on the skin, as well as its ability to decongest oily skin. I love this soap! It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth.

The Chelated Multivitamin is an adult daily multivitamin with 18 essential vitamins and minerals. Recommended use is to take 2 cellulose capsules per day with food. They are gluten-friendly and vegan. Chelated means that it has improved absorption and availability for the human body. The added methylated folate, a biologically active form of the B9 vitamin folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-methylfolate), is a bonus because it helps with depression and other mental health issues and is better for us than the synthetic form, folic acid. It is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. I can take these with my iron pills since they don't contain iron. These have a "full complex of B vitamins", meaning 8 different kinds: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin); to help with stress, and to support brain function as well as nervous system and reproductive health. I have noticed a significant boost in energy, mood, and stamina while taking them.

BUY IT

Purchase the Ameo Life Health Products here.

WIN IT

• Prize: Win 4 full sized Ameo Life products!
  
• Host: Ameo Life and its subsidiaries and FrontGate Media.
• Who Can Enter: Open to US residents 18 years or older.
• Selection Process:1 Winner will be selected on 8/25/2022 and notified by email at which time they will ask for your address. Winner will have 2 weeks to respond.
  
• Where to Enter: Go to this link https://www.blessedfreebies.com/ameo-life-giveaway.html and fill out the form to enter.

True Citrus - Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be True Sweepstakes #HealthyHappyTrue

USFamilyGuide provided me with this promotional information and offer to share with my readers. I am getting something for free in return for posting this information.

The #HealthyHappyTrue Sweepstakes was created by True Citrus to celebrate how people live their healthiest, happiest and truest life possible. Entering provides the chance to win a grand prize including a $10,000 cash prize, a Vitamix Professional Series Blender ($600 value), Fitbit watch ($200 value), a True Lemon thermal water bottle and a sampling of all True Citrus products.

To enter the sweepstakes and for details on how to increase chances of winning ENTER HERE: https://www.truelemon.com/be-healthy-be-happy-be-true-sweepstakes/  through June 15.

Click HERE to Enter.

Interested in trying True Citrus for yourself? Save 40% on your order at www.truelemonstore.com by entering the code TRUEFAMILY40US at checkout.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about True Citrus #HealthyHappyTrue Sweepstakes I am getting a FREE a variety of products for my family and I to enjoy, along with a discount code to share with MY followers. Products include: True Lemon (32 ct), True Lemon Lemonade (2 flavors), True Lime Limeade (2 flavors). Thanks to USFamilyGuide and True Citrus 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 about this promotion.

Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) Book Review

I received this book free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Leah Segedie is the blogger behind Mamavation, a wellness blog about how to prevent disease in your home. She is also the CEO of ShiftCon, a social media conference that focuses on food, wellness, health, and sustainability. Leah is a fierce whistleblower of marketing for brands and products and propaganda that are misleading the public and a dedicated promoter of healthy choices. She has been uncovering deception for the last decade and helping others to detox their own lives. Now she has written a book called Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) that tells us how to do just that.

Green Enough is a book that goes into the nitty gritty of just how to Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier! With her humor and often cheeky take Leah gives us the lowdown of exactly what we need to do to make our lives cleaner, smarter, and healthier all the while by not driving our family insane. This goes into household products and food and even takes you into a room by room analysis on what to look for so we know what to purge and replace with better options.

Green Enough Plastics Guide

Green Enough Chapters:

1. Start With Food
2. Food Packaging, Cookware, and Storage Containers
3. Cleaner Produce
4. Healthier Meat and Dairy
5. Good Eats
6. Room By Room
7. Greener Grooming

My Thoughts:
This book is a wonderful take charge guide to helping give your home and lifestyle a wellness makeover. It is backed with scientific facts and truths that Leah wants us to all know and not be in the dark about. The information, practical tips, and strategies in this book help you make informed decisions about healthy things to bring into your home and the toxins to keep out. Leah's witty approach makes one feel you are having a conversation with a good friend. This down to earth book makes the daunting task of changing more bearable and less intimidating. All the information to having a green lifestyle is spelled out for you step-by-step. It even includes some great sounding recipes! Green Enough covers so much ground! Leah certainly did her research when she wrote this book.

BUY IT
Purchase Green Enough on Amazon for $15.63 for the hardcover.



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: We received this book 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.

Some content from this post is reprinted from Green Enough by Leah Segedie. Copyright ©2018 by Leah Segedie. By permission of Rodale Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Available wherever books are sold.

Wordless Wednesday Twisted Carrots

Zari found this fun twisted carrot from the large bag of juicing carrots we get for our horses to eat.

Go Gourmet Slammers Snacks Review and Fun Valentine Printable

With Valentine's Day around the corner, finding healthy treats that won't give kids cavities or bellyaches can be hard. When walking down the Valentine's aisle you will see that stores have stocked the shelves with sweets, chocolate, and candy that are filled with sugar. With diabetes and obesity on the rise among kids, why not offer them a healthier, but fun option for Valentine's this year?

Slammers Snacks are tasty, superfood snacks designed to fuel kids with organic fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, acai berries, beets, sweet potato, carrots, and yumberries. Some even have ancient grains for added nutrition like: chia, quinoa, and amaranth. Not only are they a healthy alternative to sugar-laden candies and convenience store snacks, Slammers are, mess-free, easily digestible, and serve as a great source of essential vitamins. Three new Superfood Smoothie flavors: Creamy Banana Chocolate, Pomegranate Grape Crush, and Watermelon Kiwi Burst come packed with seven grams of protein. Creamy Banana Chocolate is their newest and has the least amount of sugar!

Our Thoughts:
We absolutely love Slammers Snacks! They are so delicious and good for you. We received two cases total with a selection of all the flavors to try. We love them all! I love that they are organic too. My favorite is the New Watermelon Kiwi Burst flavor with added protein. These are in a convenient pouch that lets them easily travel with you for snacks on-the-go.

Slammers Snacks can be given as valentines or placed in lunches with cute lunch notes. I have made some printable Valentine's/Lunch Notes with some Slammer Snacks graphics for you to wrap around your Slammers Snacks when sending them with your kids' lunches or as a special Valentine's Day snack. Click the above graphic to go to the PDF and save it on your computer to print out. Cut around the whole rectangle for each wrap, wrap around the Slammers Snacks, and tape remaining edge to secure it around the superfood smoothie pouches.

BE SOCIAL
Website: http://slammerssnacks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsgourmetslammers
Twitter: https://twitter.com/slammerssnacks @slammerssnacks
Instagram: https://instagram.com/slammerssnacks

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 can be found in this post. Thank you for your support of this blog!

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.

World Heart Day Infographic

World Heart Day is September 29th and Culturelle Probiotic has made a fun infographic to see how well you know this important organ. Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death, accounting for 17.3 million deaths per year, a number that is expected to grow to more than 23.6 million by 2030. The numbers don’t lie—keeping up with your cardiovascular health is something that should be recognized every day not just on September 29th.

This is why Culturelle Probiotic recently introduced new Pro-Well 3-in-1 Complete Formula to its line of everyday wellness products, which contains 100% Lactobacillus GG to maintain both digestive and overall immune health, along with naturally sourced Omega-3s to support a healthy cardiovascular system.*

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I am receiving free product in posting this information but this does not sway my opinions. I received this information all from Culturelle Probiotic. 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.

Online Food Stamps Petition #HealthyFood4All

Sign the petition at ThriveAction.org!

My family has been on food stamps before because of rough times. We lived off of food stamps when we were in Florida. We had moved from Winchester Bay Oregon after getting our car repossessed and evicted from where we were renting because we had been told promises that were not kept by our landlord and the bad economy didn't help either. My husband's sister was getting married in Florida and having a extravagant Disney Wedding there. Even though I had just had a baby, my daughter Tatiana, the month before, we decided that we were going to sell my husband Brian's CNC router and use the money to drop everything to be there for his sister's wedding. We gave and sold everything away that we could in the short time frame we had and stored the rest in our friend's garage, planning to come back for it once we got the chance to do so.

We had three kids at the time all under the age of four. We all hopped on a plane to Orlando and once we got there got a rental van and found a hotel with free internet access and small kitchenettes inside the rooms so we could cook something if we wanted to. Brian took back the rental van and purchased two bicycles and a bike trailer that fit our two oldest children + groceries in it (I would ride with baby Tatiana in a baby carrier on my back also). We also purchased a family season pass to Sea World so that while we were looking for work and a better place to live the four of us wouldn't just be cooped up in the one room hotel room driving each other nuts. Then we all went to the wedding and it was very nice to see Brian's family again. This was just the starting of our adventure there.

If ever there was a place that was really accommodating to the homeless, Florida was it! We were set up on WIC, food stamps, free health care, and a non-denominational church handout program that came out to our hotel and set up tables of hand-me-down clothing and food once a week. I got a small job clipping ads out of the newspaper for a tire company so that we could get a little money for other essentials we needed that food stamps and WIC didn't cover. Orlando also had a fairly nice public transit system which came in super handy too, especially once we found out our daughter, Tatiana, had a brain tumor and needed multiple doctor visits that were all across town. Even though it was trying at times we were very blessed and the experience helped our family grow and become more close knit.

Unlike WIC, food stamps has fairly lax regulations about what food items you can redeem with them. You can purchase unhealthy foods and drinks if you like. "Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream are food items and are therefore eligible items." My family would often choose these items because they were cheaper than the more healthy alternative and did not use up our food stamp money as fast. If we had been given a more reasonable opportunity that had healthier food and drink choices back then to redeem with our food stamps, we would have taken it.

More and more people have access to smart phones and technology that also allows them to use the internet even at or below the poverty line. 74% of people who live at or below the poverty line have internet access, while only 30% have access to a car. This was certainly true for us at the time we had food stamps in Florida. Also, currently food stamps can only be used in brick and mortar stores. This means that the options to use food stamps, especially for the nearly 23.5 million people who live in food deserts, areas in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food, are limited. These people might also live hours from the nearest SNAP approved grocery store! If food stamps could be redeemed online—with the same rules that apply when buying in brick and mortar stores—more people would be able to purchase healthier foods. They could also save time and be able to get food and drink shipped directly to their door! This would be a huge convenience for someone who is disabled and/or without money for gas or transportation.

Now you have the chance to help Americans become healthier. Right now, Thrive Market offers a way to purchase nonGMO and organic food for a 25-50% discount online. Part of Thrive Market's vision is to make healthy, wholesome foods accessible to everyone. By signing Thrive Market's petition at ThriveAction.org for the USDA to make food stamps redeemable online you will help improve food stamp usage and make healthier food more accessible to those Americans who need it the most!

SOCIAL • CORNER
● Facebook.com/ThriveMkt
● Twitter.com/ThriveMkt
● Instagram.com/ThriveMkt
● Pinterest.com/ThriveMarket
● Youtube.com/c/ThriveMarketCo

@Bookieboo (of Mamavation) and @THRIVEmkt is hosting a #HealthyFood4All Twitter party with @ActivistMommy, and @HoneysLife on Tuesday, July 19th at 6pm PST/9pm EST. You can RSVP and Enter Giveaways HERE!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this petition. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog. Please also see my similar post on Planting a Fruit/Nut Orchard and Edible Garden with Food Stamps (SNAP EBT).

Summer Fun With Trudeau Review

I received these products free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Summer is here and Trudeau has some fabulous products that I love and they are great gifts for people of all sorts. I have picked four of my favorites from their innovative kitchen tools, gadgets and other houseware products that would be perfect to wrap up for a gift on someone's special day. Their products are perfect to gift to those that love cooking, baking, and entertaining guests as well.

Trudeau Toss & Chop makes making salads easy!

Toss & Chop: This kitchen gadget is wonderful for making a fresh tossed and chopped salad, salsa, etc. right in the bowl, plate, or pan! These special scissors have dual micro-serrated stainless steel blades that never need sharpening. The scoop and salad tongs gently lifts and tosses ingredients to mix them evenly throughout the dish. The ergonomic, soft grip handles lock in place for secure and compact storage. These are great for any salad or salsa lover. I love to take fresh greens and vegetables from my garden and make a delicious salad with the Toss & Chop. I also love mine to make freshly chopped taco or tostada toppings. These also make chopping an onion so easy. I love how these make the process of creating fresh, healthy meals even simpler. These shears also clean up easily and are dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is recommended. Comes with use and care instructions and important safeguards. 5-year warranty. MSRP $24.99

Trudeau Stress Less Can Opener makes opening cans effortless.

Stress Less Can Opener:  This exclusive can opener is part of Trudeau's Stress Less line of kitchen tools. These tools are designed to help those that have arthritis, limited dexterity, or reduced hand strength. They decrease tension on hands and joints, making the gadgets easier to use. The Stress Less Can Opener has an ergonomic rotating arm that you crank creating more leverage and requires 50% less effort than a traditional can opener. The safety cutting mechanism makes a smooth edge and since it cuts on the side of the can it never comes in contact with the food. Incorporated lid pliers help lift the lid away safely, cleanly, and hygienically. The folding crank handle tucks away compactly for neat storage. I love this can opener! It doesn't hurt my hands and moves effortlessly to open cans without any trouble. I have used it to open small cans like tuna up to large #10 cans and it does perfectly on all of these. Great for a righty or a lefty. Lifetime warranty. MSRP $19.99

Trudeau Reusable Tie Wraps come in very handy!

Reusable Tie Wraps: These green silicone multi-use ties are environmentally responsible and eco-friendly. They are made to hold virtually any kind of bag closed, just wrap the tail around the bag opening like you would do with a wire tie and thread it through the hole in the leaf shapes at the other end pulling snugly. These can also be used for securing electrical cords/wires. I love how these look like green leaves and are so much better than the throw away wire ties. Heat resistant to 428°F - 220°C. Available as a set of eight. Dishwasher safe. 5-year warranty. MSRP $6.99

Trudeau Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill is wonderful for both herbs and spices.

Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill: This 2 in 1 spice mill is great to add savoury flavors to your meal. It dispenses dried herbs and spices two different ways: twist the top to grind dry herbs and spices with the ceramic grinding mechanism directly onto your dish or push down to distribute the herbs or spices whole. I love how you can also create your own designer blends out of your favorite herbs and spices. You can also see the herbs and spices because of the clear plastic viewing window. The wooden top and base makes it look fabulous in my kitchen. Lifetime warranty. MSRP $19.99

Be Social:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/trudeaucuisine
Twitter - http://twitter.com/trudeaukitchen
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/trudeaucorp

BUY IT
You can purchase the Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill and other items from Trudeau.  Or you can help me out this season by purchasing on Trudeau on Amazon with my affiliate links. Thanks...



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free to 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.

Get Outdoors and #DiscoverTheForest

We love getting outside and sharing the great outdoors with friends and family. My favorite pastimes for outdoor activities in the summer are hiking, backpacking, nature walking, camping, tree climbing, rock climbing, biking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, picnicking, barbecuing, foraging, hunting, and gathering, wildcrafting, harvesting crops, farming, and gardening. Any one of these activities lets my family, friends and I get fresh air and get back to nature. We have a "naturehood" nearby us called Dibblee Beach. This beach with Columbia River access is just a short walk from our home. We love to go there and relax and play. We also have Lake Sacajawea Park across the river from us in Longview Washington. We enjoy spending time there to picnic, BBQ, or have our kids play on the playgrounds that surround the scenic lake.

Nature is closer than you think. Every neighborhood has a #Naturehood, urban forest areas and parks that are just a short-drive away, making it easy for families to unplug from the daily routine and reconnect with nature. These urban forests offer many of the same benefits as national forests, but they're right in the neighborhood. Beyond the swings, slides and clearings, there are trails, trees, wildlife and water just waiting for the urban dweller. To find a neighborhood park or green space near you, visit DiscoverTheForest.org.

Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future. Kids need to discover the wonders of nature, make memories with their families and friends outdoors, and develop an interest in the environment by creating a lifelong relationship with it. Spending time together outdoors helps enrich family life.

DiscoverTheForest.org features an interactive map tool that enables users to search for nearby forests and parks, and filter by zip code and desired activities. Free outdoor activities are also available for download and printing, which you can take the next time you visit.

SOCIAL • CORNER
Website - DiscoverTheForest.org
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/discovertheforest
Twitter - https://twitter.com/discoverforest
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/discoverforest/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/discovertheforest/

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I'm participating in a group initiative with Homestead Bloggers Network about the importance of getting outdoors with your family. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for doing this post. My name is going into a drawing for a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

The Planet Friendly Diet Book Review and Giveaway

I was provided with a complimentary copy of The Planet Friendly Diet to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

A part of my New Year's Resolution is getting my family to eat a lot healthier. This is a huge undertaking, let me tell you! My husband and kids have been less than cooperative with the changes I have tried implementing in the past few weeks. When I go grocery shopping with my husband he usually breaks down and buys something unhealthy. I have been trying to change my family's habits, but habits are very hard to break!

Enter, The Planet Friendly Diet by Cat Smiley, a book about getting back to healthy over the course of 21 days. This is how many days it usually takes to create good habits. You may be thinking to yourself why does a skinny lady like me need a weight loss book?? Well Cat's book is really more than just a weight loss book. I need all the help I can get to stay a healthy weight since usually I am considered underweight by physicians and I really do need to eat healthier and exercise more. This book is chocked full of helpful advice and hints to get you well on your way to a healthier, happier lifestyle. It is based on a gluten, wheat, dairy and meat free diet. Some suggestions with recipes in the book do involve fish, with a totally vegetarian option also available. The Planet Friendly Diet is a cleansing program that resets and replenishes without resorting to fasting, hunger, or deprivation. It basically consists of drinking 4 liters of clean water a day - 2 liters before noon and 2 more before 5pm, having a super smoothie for breakfast (or alternative breakfast listed) and super smoothie for lunch, a sensible dinner with healthy ingredients, and nutritious snacks in between. All of this should add up to about 1200 calories per day.

The recipes for the dinners all sound delicious and not at all bland. They usually consist of fish or tofu (these are used instead of red meat and poultry). She also uses beans, brown rice, quinoa, dairy free yogurts/cheese/milk, veggies/mushrooms cooked in veggie broth, and lemon/herbs/garlic/spices/homemade salsa/etc. to season and flavor her recipes. Each single portion recipe has a lovely photograph of the completed meal, is under 500 calories, takes 20 minutes or less to prepare, and costs less than $5.

I love that The Planet Friendly Diet book includes a lot more than recipes and nutrition information. It has a total of 63 tips to help start you out on this journey and make things easier. These tips include information on what to do to get started, basics, hydration, fruit & veggies, grains & fiber, eggs & dairy, meat & fish, salt & sugar, and how to keep going after the 21 days have ended. There are blank lined diary pages to fill out for each of the 21 days with weight, goals, notes, what you ate for each meal and snack with cost and time taken, estimated calories eaten, and how much water you consumed. Weekly shopping lists are also included for the 21 days to ensure zero-waste.

This is a great 21 day guide to sustainable weight loss and optimal health. I do feel that in addition to a physical exercise routine The Planet Friendly Diet book would be the perfect melding of disciplines. If you stick to the plan and don't stray you will be well on your way to a beneficial lifestyle in 21 days.

BUY IT


WIN IT
Prize: One Copy of The Planet Friendly Diet by Cat Smiley!

I run giveaways with 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!

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.

Enter to Win $1000 to Thrive Market!

Affiliate links are in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Thrive Market is a membership-based online shopping club that carries the best-selling 4,000 healthy foods and wholesome products in everyday sizes from the top 400 natural brands on the market at 25-50% below traditional retail prices. You can search over 80+ qualities, values, and certifications including: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Raw, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Made In USA, Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and many more to find the healthy product that fits your own lifestyle. The membership costs less than $5 a month (only $59.95 annually) to have access to the highest-quality, Non-GMO, certified organic and natural products on the market today at well below the regular cost. Thrive Market also matches your membership by donating one to a low-income family in need so we can all thrive together!

Want to check it out? Thrive Market is offering my readers a one month trial membership.  Even better, they've created an amazing opportunity to win a free 1-year membership plus a $1000 shopping spree at Thrive Market, so you can stock up on everything from healthy snacks to green home products.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: 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. Affiliate links are in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Yogurt: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Cookbook Review

I received this book free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Janet Fletcher is an experienced food writer in Napa Valley that loves all things cheese. She is author or coauthor of more than two dozen books on food and beverages, including Cheese & Wine, Cheese & Beer, and The Cheese Course. Her weekly email newsletter, Planet Cheese, is read by cheese enthusiasts internationally, and she is also a member of the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. Her love of dairy didn't stop at cheese; however, because she recently just authored a cookbook called Yogurt: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Yogurt: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner is a wonderful cookbook that takes yogurt to all new levels. This yogurt-centric hardback cookbook gives us more than 50 recipes for breakfasts, appetizers, salads, soups, meaty meals, vegetarian meals, sauces, marinades, desserts, and beverages.

The contents of this book are well laid out and easy to navigate. This book starts with an introduction telling some history, science, differences, health, and some notes on recipes behind yogurt. Yogurt: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner then goes into making your own yogurt at home with topics on choosing: milk, starter, and incubation method. It also goes into making different kinds of yogurt, like: drained, Greek, yogurt cheese, and using whey. After this main section on homemade yogurt it goes into the recipes. The recipes are broken up into these categories: Yogurt for Breakfast, Appetizers & Salads, Soups, Mostly Meat, Vegetables & Grains, Desserts, and Beverages. The end of the book has a bibliography of references to read in addition to this book, resources to find some of the harder to find ingredients and equipment needed for some of the recipes, an about the author page and her acknowledgements in making the book, and an index for finding things easier throughout the book. There is also handy measurement conversion charts inside the back cover of the book.

The layout of each recipe is quite simple. At the left side of each recipe includes the title, how many it serves, ingredients and how much. On the right side there is a small paragraph where the author introduces it, and the directions on how to make it. I do wish that all of the recipes were accompanied by the photograph of the completed dish, but not all of them are. Having photographs of each completed recipe would have been more helpful to people like me who are very visual and love to see what the food should end up looking like before making the recipe. The recipes that do, have gorgeous photographs that represent the dish well and complements the recipe page nicely.

I love this cookbook. Even though yogurt is a staple in my household, I have not tried to make it myself and I would love to someday. This book tells me how to make it homemade even without an electric yogurt maker. I love yogurt and I love experimenting with it in recipes of my own. The Yogurt: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner cookbook gives me even more inspiration to add it to foods and beverages that I might not have thought of.

BUY IT


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Blogging For Books for sending me this book for free to 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.

My New Roots: Inspired Plant-Based Recipes for Every Season Cookbook Review

I received this book free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

You may know Sarah Britton (BFA, CNP) from her extremely popular foodie blog, My New Roots, which focuses on healthy recipes that are plant-based natural whole foods. Sarah Britton is the Copenhagen based holistic nutritionist, writer, and photographer behind both her blog and cookbook that shares the same name. She is also a seasonal eater and lover of organic and super foods. She has won many accolades and awards for her work, been on TED talks and featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Whole Living. If you've seen her blog you have seen her fantastic wholesome recipes gorgeously presented with photographs that she herself took. If you've seen her TED talks (you can on YouTube if you haven't) you have seen her lovely infectious spirit and enthusiasm for nutritious food. She is, in my opinion, a vegetarian culinary goddess.

In her newly released and very first cookbook she takes inspiration from her blog by creating brand new recipes that also are plant-based natural whole foods. The book is divided into seasonal chapters: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, and Winter which then are each divided into recipe groups: Mornings, Small Measures, Mains, and Sweets. In the Introduction, before the recipes start, she introduces herself, her blog, her food philosophy, why eating in the rhythm of the seasons and connecting with the cycles of nature makes so much sense, and the use of symbols in the book. After the Introduction and before the recipes she shares Essential Techniques of cooking dried legumes, cooking grains, making ghee, making seed and nut milks and butters, growing sprouts, and flavoring food with the use of salt (sea salt, Himalayan rock salt, soy sauce, tamari, miso), sugar (raw honey, pure maple syrup, barley malt, brown rice syrup, coconut sugar, dates, fruit juice, applesauce), and acid (citrus juice, vinegar - raw organic apple cider vinegar is healthiest).

This cookbook has whole foods, super foods, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free recipes inside. Sarah Britton does use goat/sheep/cow cheese/yogurt, ghee (which in most cases can be substituted with coconut oil), honey (although she says you can substitute with maple syrup), bee pollen, and eggs in some of her recipes, so this book is not completely vegan, but it does have quite a few recipes that are and they are clearly marked with a v at the top of the page under the recipe title. Besides the v symbol for vegan, there is a gf  symbol for gluten-free, a clock symbol for when the recipes need planning ahead, and a moon symbol for when it will take 8 hours or longer to do a task that is required (like soaking legumes, fermenting, etc.) in the recipe. Some of these recipes are great for paleo and raw food diets as well.

The layout of each recipe is quite simple. At the top of each recipe includes the title, serving sizes or how much it makes in both US standard and metric units, and symbols. Each recipe also has a small paragraph where the author introduces it. I love her down to earth tone and kindred spirit feel of her writing as well. Then she has listed ingredients and detailed directions to each. Sometimes you see a paragraph within the picture or pages to give more information, facts, or background about an ingredient or a note, tips, and tricks to help you in the recipe process.

Just thumbing through the pages in this cookbook is so satisfying to me. There are things in My New Roots that are revolutionary in my opinion. I wouldn't have thought on my own to make "bacon" from coconut, try celeriac, or poach radishes. I can tell you that I couldn't help but drool a bit when looking through the My New Roots cookbook. What I love about this, verses other cookbooks that I have on my shelf, is that just about every recipe in this cookbook has a photo of the finished dish to go with it. The photos are beautiful and mouth watering just all by themselves!

At the end of the My New Roots cookbook there is a section on stocking the pantry, a gratitude section where she thanks people, and an index to help you find things easier. I love that with the section on stocking the pantry you can get the ingredients in your kitchen closer to healthier and more holistic.

For me the My New Roots cookbook is fantastic! I love the presentation and everything looks and sounds so delicious! I cannot wait to dig into this deeper and try all the food and drinks within. I recommend this to vegetarians or anyone willing to try the lifestyle that need inspiring and motivated cooks who would like to be a little adventuresome with their palate.

Watch for a sneak peek of her cookbook...


Follow Sarah Britton and My New Roots
Her Blog http://www.mynewroots.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MyNewRoots
Twitter: @mynewroots
Instagram: http://instagram.com/mynewroots/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mynewroots/

BUY IT


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Blogging For Books for sending me this book for free to 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.

Zero Waste or Waste Free Living: My Challenge to You

Unfortunately humans contribute too much waste to landfills every day. If it is out of site it is out of mind. But really this shouldn't be how we think. Just take a look at your trash can and how much waste you throw away daily in your household and at your work place. It shouldn't be a lot, but I am fairly certain that if you haven't adopted a waste free or zero waste way of living you still have a fair amount of trash per day. Society has thrown us into the idea that if it is convenient it must be better. This is usually not the case. We need to remember the first R in the old adage Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Rarely do we think about reducing our waste because it is so easy to just throw the rubbish away. I am going to be doing different posts throughout the year of how I am trying to change my family's lifestyle to a more sustainable one and tips and tricks to help you do the same. I also have questions in this post for those of you that have already made these changes for the better.

I have been trying to find solutions to my family's huge amount of trash that we throw away every day. We recycle/reuse/repurpose what we can but I still find that we throw away an excessive amount of waste and I find that the majority of it is plastics and other things that cannot be recycled and packaging materials that are evil, i.m.o...like Styrofoam.

As a review blogger I get packages from all over the world. Some are packaged better than others. It is hard when you get packages with things packed in plastic, zip ties, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that are not biodegradable. I love seeing things wrapped in brown paper, cardboard, compostable containers, twine, reusable twist ties, fabric, yarn, and biodegradable packing peanuts, etc. I wonder if asking the people sending the items to send them more eco-friendly would help? Have you ever done this?

Going out to eat can not just be hard on the wallet (and sometimes stomach), but on the environment as well. Fast food and take out produces the worst amount of waste when it comes to restaurants. Plastic containers, lids and straws are a prevalent take away from these, as is Styrofoam. To eliminate this waste we need to bring our own containers with us to pack the food and drink into or make our food and beverages at home. I know many who bring a reusable cup with them for their coffee they get on the road. I wonder if it can be done for other things as well...like when you bring home leftovers from a restaurant or get take-out? Have you ever tried this?

Some of the lovelies in my pantry. A start to a waste-free life.

I know we have a choice for paper or plastic sacks or bags while checking out at the grocery. Choosing paper is a better choice than plastic and you can even bring your own reusable bags from home to use. Places around the country are also banning plastic bags from being used in grocery stores or offer a recycling option. But have you ever thought about the packaging on food and drink that you are bringing home? I know I used to not give it much thought, but now that I am also giving more thought to eating healthier with a nod to organic, non GMO, and raw foods I find myself being even more aware of other things I am bringing into my home too. There are ways to get around the packaging at the grocery store.

• Refuse: Say no to products packaged in plastic or Styrofoam.
• Make your own at home. We are already growing an organic garden and orchard and have chickens who lay eggs. We are also planning on doing aquaponics: growing fish and a garden that in turn give each other nutrients to live and grow. Our neighbor also hunts and fishes and shares some of this with us. We are also going to be slowly transitioning to making our own cleaning supplies, personal care products, etc. too so we don't have to deal with that packaging as well.
• Buy local. Buy from local farms, farmer's markets and co-ops.
• Bring reusable bags and containers to the store with you for filling with the below items.
• Buy from the bulk section (the section of the store with bins filled with dry goods).
• Go to the Deli, Seafood, Dairy, and Bakery Counter more for your meats, cheeses, and baked goods and have them package them in paper or other recyclable material. 
• Purchase unpackaged produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are wonderful and healthy. Buy organic to make sure you don't get toxic stuff with your food and watch the packaging.

There is even a packaging-free, zero-waste grocery store, called in.gredients in Austin, Texas. It is revolutionary and the first of its kind in the US. Hopefully we can get more grocery stores like this one to spring up all across the States.

The folks at these blogs are helping my family and I along our journey to live better and make the better choice of living waste/trash free. They know the ins and outs of living waste free and they want to helps us all to become waste free with them.

• Zero Waste Home
• My Zero Waste
• Trash Free Living
• My Plastic-Free Life
• Zero-Waste Chef
• Trash is for Tossers

I am going to challenge myself  and my family to get towards my goal of a waste free life and I am challenging you to do the same! What are you doing or are going to do to move towards this challenge? Have you thought about this topic much?

Living Heart Healthy

This post is sponsored by Campbell's Soup Company.

Living a heart healthy lifestyle is very important to my family. My family tries to stay heart healthy a number of ways. We are slowly modifying our diet and activity level to better do this.

These are the things we are working towards to stay heart healthy:

• Getting a good amount of exercise: Make regular physical activity part of your lifestyle.
• Children and adolescence should get at least an hour or more per day of moderate or vigorous intensity aerobic age-appropriate physical activity. Vigorous activity should be done at least 3 days of the week. Activities should also include muscle-strengthening and bone strengthening on at least 3 days of the week.
• Healthy Adults should get 2-1/2 hours per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or a minimum of 1-1/4 hours per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or a combination of the two. Adults should also aim to do muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week.
• Older Adults who are healthy should follow the guidelines for healthy adults. If older adults cannot meet these guidelines because of health reasons should do at least what their abilities and conditions allow. Older adults who are at risk of falling should also include activities that promote balance.
• Drinking enough water:
• Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day. All healthy fluids (soups, water, 100% juice, herbal tea) count toward the daily total. I dislike the taste of tap water and my irony well water is down right gross so, I compensate with my Zing Anything Citrus Juicer, naturally flavored water, 100% juice that is watered down, herbal tea, or soup.
• Eating plenty of good fats: (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and good saturated fats)
• Try to eliminate trans fats from your diet. Check food labels for trans fats (avoid anything with partially hydrogenated oil). Avoid commercially-baked goods, packaged snack foods, margarine, vegetable shortening, candy bars and fried foods. Bake, broil, or grill instead of frying. Also limit or eliminate fast food. We are slowly doing this, but habits can be very hard to break. I need to make my own baked goods and snacks from scratch.
• Limit your intake of saturated fats. Cut back on red meat (lean cuts are better than fatty). Try replacing red meat with beans, nuts, poultry, and fish whenever possible. Eat better saturated fats like: whole fat dairy (raw is better), butter, cheese, ice cream, palm and coconut oil. We actually do pretty good with this one. We eat a lot more white meats like poultry or fish than we do red meats. I need to cook with beans more often and we love all manner of nuts.
• Eat omega-3 fats every day. Good sources include fish, walnuts, ground flax seeds, flaxseed oil. We want to incorporate aquaponics (growing fish and hydroponics, plants in water, in a balanced symbiotic system) in our agriculture. We will then have a free natural and organic source of fish for the omega-3 fats. We also already have walnut trees and love to eat them raw or in foods.
• Eating more fruits and veggies. Fruits and veggies are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber and low in fat and calories. I am planning on canning/freezing/drying my own and having my own year round garden.
• Making more healthy, well balanced meals at home. Eating healthy well balanced meals will help in keeping your body strong. Have good time management, proper ingredients and tools, a meal plan and recipes that are both easy and nutritious. I struggle with this because I do not manage my time very well and end up procrastinating and not knowing what I am going to fix. Doing these steps will help me.
• Minimizing and Managing the stress. Laugh more, don't let little things stress you out or make you angry, meditate or do a relaxing exercise like yoga, listen to nice music, take time out for yourself, do a relaxing hobby, etc.
• Getting enough sleep. Getting a good amount of sleep helps with keeping your body well rested and working well.

Other great things that keep your heart healthy that my family already does:

• Not smoking and trying not to be around people that do. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body. Smoking is a major risk factor of heart disease. Second hand smoke is bad for you also.
• Not drinking alcohol. Alcoholism can cause high blood pressure, obesity, stroke and a number of other health problems.
• Minimizing the caffeine. Caffeine increases: alertness (therefore can make you miss sleep you need), cravings of fats and carbs, and stress levels (making you grumpy, edgy, and agitated). Too much caffeine can be bad for your heart because of the constant raised adrenalin levels. This can eventually take a toll on your body as well.

Here are 5 of my favorite recipes from the American Heart Association Certified Recipes:

Broccoli Cheddar Rice


Creamy Turkey & Vegetable Lasagna


Louisiana-Style Chicken, Sausage & Shrimp Skillet


Polenta Turkey Bake


Tilapia & Vegetable Casserole
 

Campbell’s Soup wants you to “Address Your Heart” with Heart Healthy Tips, recipes and more! Visit AddressYourHeart.com to get heart-healthy tips, including 21 Campbell’s recipes that are certified by the AHA and product coupons, as well as Facebook.com/campbellskitchen for the latest Campbell’s recipes and offers.

Click here to get Campbell’s money saving coupons.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by Campbell's Soup Company. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.