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.

Immune Boosting Fire Cider Recipe for Colds and Flu

Fire Cider

Prepare this fall and winter season before things get too cold by making a batch of Fire Cider a.k.a. Master Tonic or Flu Shots. Fire Cider, an all natural cold and flu folk remedy, has been a tradition passed down through the ages of time. This fiery concoction is an immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, warming, decongestant, and helps with circulation & digestion. Its flavor is potent, hot, spicy, pungent, sour and sweet all mixed together.

There are many ways to make this recipe, but most agree upon the basic ingredients of ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, and chile peppers or cayenne powder. These ingredeients are infused with apple cider vinegar, which is strained and mixed with honey. Rosemary Gladstar, a well known herbalist, coined the term Fire Cider over 35 years ago and published her recipe in her book, Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs on page 74. My recipe is adapted from Rosemary Gladstar's version with some added extras of my own. I would encourage you to experiment and make your own according to your own tastes and available ingredients. I have included my recipe below with a few variations and other optional ingredients. The outcomes range from super spicy to something that gently warms. It is fun to play with the mixture of the ingredients and see what subtleties you can taste from the differences.

My Fire Cider Ingredients

Ingredients (* = an optional ingredient I used in mine)

• ½ cup ginger root, pealed and grated or pealed and diced (great for stomach problems, digestion, blood circulation, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis)
• ½ cup horseradish root, pealed and grated or pealed and diced (great for a number of things including digestion, blood circulation, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, tonsillitis, sinus infections and bronchitis. anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-septic, stimulant)
• 1 medium onion, pealed and diced (great for a number of things including blood circulation, upper respiratory tract infections, cough. anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant)
• 10 cloves of garlic, pealed and minced or pealed and diced (great for a number of things including coughs, colds, sore throats, blood circulation, viral infections, and bacterial infections. anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-viral)
• 2 chile peppers like jalapeño, cayenne or habanero peppers, chopped or ¼ tsp ground cayenne or pinch of dried chillies (vitamin C-rich, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator for healthy blood flow)
• *1 lemon, juiced and zested and/or quartered and thinly sliced crosswise (vitamin C-rich, aids digestion, and anti-oxidant)
• *rosemary, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (great for a number of things including digestion, cough, stimulating immune system, increases blood flow. anti-inflammatory)
• *1 tbsp turmeric or ¼ cup fresh grated or pealed and diced turmeric (great for a number of things including stomach problems, digestion, cough, and bronchitis, colds. anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, adaptogen - lessens stress and helps boost immunity)
• *cinnamon, to taste or a couple of cinnamon sticks (great for a number of things including coughs, colds, sore throats, viral infections and bacterial infections. anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial)
• raw unfiltered unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (at least 5% acidity) (great for a number of things including digestion, sore throats, colds, flu, infections. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, energy booster, pro-biotic)
• raw local honey, to taste (to be added after a month when herb infused vinegar is ready to be strained to complete the Fire Cider) (great for a number of things including sore throats, colds, coughs, infections. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, pro-biotic)

More Optional Additions

• cardamom, to taste (helps relieve digestive problems induced by garlic and onion)
• garam masala, to taste (usually a blend of turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, mace spice, cinnamon, peppercorns, cumin, cardamom)
• curry, to taste (usually a blend of coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, and chili powder or cayenne) (great for a number of things including stomach problems, digestion, cough, and bronchitis, colds. anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, adaptogen - lessens stress and helps boost immunity)
• cloves, powder to taste or tsp buds (great for a number of things including digestion, blood circulation, coughs, stress. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immune booster and stimulant)
• nutmeg or mace spice powder to taste (great for a number of things including digestion, sleep, blood flow. anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-depressant, immune booster)
• thyme, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (great for a number of things including sore throats, coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, chest congestion, and bacterial infections. anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial)
• basil, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory)
• oregano, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, nutrient dense)
• prunella a.k.a. all heal or self heal, 1 tbsp freshly chopped or dried leaves (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic)
• hibiscus flowers, 1 tsp dried (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• rose hips, small handful (great for chest ailments, coughs, colds. vitamin C-rich)
• elderberries (Sambucus nigra), small handful (great for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• hawthorn berries, small handful (great for digestion, cardiovascular, circulatory, and respiratory, blood flow. vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• pomegranate seeds/arils, juiced (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• sun-dried tomatoes, small handful diced (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• other smallish citrus fruits, juiced and zested and/or quartered and thinly sliced crosswise (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• ½-1 tsp black peppercorns (digestive stimulant and expectorant)
• other immune system boosting ingredients you want to add

Equipment

• cutting board
• sharp knife/peeler/grater
• canning funnel
• 1 quart size jar
• parchment or wax paper
• cheesecloth or a large ricer (something to strain it after a month or so)

The ingredients before and after Apple Cider Vinegar.

Directions
After preparing; layer and pack all roots, herbs, spices, vegetables and fruit into a clean 1-quart jar. Pour the apple cider vinegar over the contents, making sure they are covered with it. Tap the side gently to make sure the air bubbles rise to the surface and pop. Place a square of parchment or wax paper under the lid so that it doesn't acidify the metal and cause corrosion or use a plastic lid that fits. Tighten lid onto the jar. Shake well. Compost all peals and scraps.

Compost the lovely scraps.

Let the jar sit and steep for a month or longer in a cool dark place, shaking daily. After the month is up strain and decant the vinegar into a clean jar. Add honey to taste. Refrigerate and use within a year.

Serving Suggestions
Take 1-2 tbsp at the first sign of cold and repeat the dose every 3-4 hours until symptoms subside. If you love spicy hot flavors you could even have a whole shot glass full to ward off the nasties.You can also take it throughout the cold and flu season to prevent symptoms from occurring at all.

Make something out of the ingredients you strained out (if you used cinnamon sticks you can grate them as well. waste not want not!):

• spicy egg/spring rolls
• a spicy veggie pancake
• a spicy pizza
• sautée with meats, tempeh, or tofu for a stir fry, soup, or ingredients for a sandwich or wrap
• mince and add to a chip dip, marinade or condiment
• make up your own

Use the Fire Cider herb infused vinegar to:

• baste or marinate meats, tempeh, or tofu
• drizzle over salads as a dressing
• drizzle over steamed veggies or sautéed greens
• mix it with a condiment like honey mustard to give it an extra kick
• add in soups or chilis
• mix with lemonade or orange juice
• mix with hot water and extra honey to make a warming tea
• anything you think would be yummy

If you have made your own Fire Cider/Master Tonic/Flu Shot recipe please share it in the comments below!

Other References
February 2nd, is World Fire Cider Day!
Free Fire Cider
Tradition Not Trademark
Petition to sign
Rosemary Gladstar has a book out now: Fire Cider!: 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar
Herbal Roots Zine: Kids Can Make Fire Cider Too!: has a free printable label, card, and 14 page fire cider e-book
Kiva's Gila Harvest Cider: a variation for sensitive stomachs

Rosemary Gladstar making her version of Fire Cider...

You can find Rosemary Gladstar's version along with so many of her other awesome herbal recipes in her book Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs...

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: The medical information provided on this blog 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 natural remedy 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. I am not selling my Fire Cider, I am simply making my recipe available for free to all those who read this post and want to make it themselves.

Airborne Gummies Review

I received this free sample courtesy of Smiley360 to facilitate my review.

I tried the all new Airborne Gummies. Airborne supports your immune system*. They have a great source of vitamin c (1000 mg) plus 9 other vitamins minerals and herbs. They are assorted fruit flavors (citrus, mixed berry, and grapefruit - naturally and artificially flavored) and comes in a bottle with 21 gummies in it. Has both Vitamins C and E for antioxidant properties. Has Selenium, a component to help with increasing antioxidants. It also has 35 mg of herbal blend including Echinacea and ginger. 3 gummies is a serving size, for children 12-13 years old: no more than twice a day and 14 years and older: no more than 3 times a day. Gluten free. These also come in a larger 42 count size and Kids Gummies, which are specially formulated for younger kids.

These taste really good but have a coating of sugar on the outside which I thought was not necessary. My older kids liked the taste as well. They were gummy and chewy. My favorite of the three flavors is the grapefruit.

Price is around $7.49 (21 ct) and $14.99 (42 ct): during time of post.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received free product to facilitate my 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. *"This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease."