Y’OUR Skincare Review

I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Last month I posted a video that I would be checking out a skin care line called Y’OUR.  I’m at an age where I’m willing to try anything.  There are a few things I insist upon however – simplicity and products that have clean ingredients.  I will admit, however that I spend way too much time trying to decide which products are right for my skin.  My main concerns are dull skin, exposure to environmental toxins, fine lines (OK, that’s a nice way of saying wrinkles) and dryness.  I literally could spend hours standing in the aisle of Ulta or CVS comparing which products would take care of all these issues.

That’s the main reason I like Y’OUR.  When I was approached about reviewing their skin care line what appealed to me most was that it would be designed specifically for me. And the quiz wasn’t just one or two questions.  I was asked what my main concerns were, did one issue bother me more than others, did I only want vegan ingredients, whether I lived in an area with high levels of pollution, how my skin reacted to the sun and whether some of my skin issues occurred after pregnancy.  Once the survey was complete, a summary of my skin and the list of the specific ingredients that would be included in my products popped up.

It was easy to understand, and I love that they use natural ingredients in the products. I also like that there are only four items – a cleanser, a day cream, a serum and a night cream.  It’s easy to follow and doesn’t require a lot of time. I did learn that the day cream does not have SPF, so I also use a sunscreen. 

A few other things that appealed to me. 

  • Personal interaction – Unlike products you buy in the store, Y’OUR representatives stay in touch to see how the products are working.  Each product lasts for 3 months but if I run out ahead of time, they send gifts to make sure I never run out of product.
  • Cost savings – When I did the math it was much cheaper than what I was paying buying individual products that weren’t custom designed for me.
  • Customer satisfaction – They have a satisfaction guarantee policy where they offer to reformulate the products for free up to 2 times during the first 3 months.  And, before they send out the next set of products, they send an evaluation form to make sure they can make any adjustments necessary.
  • Gentle but effective – The cleanser is safer and more effective than physical exfoliating cleansers since it can penetrate the skin for deeper exfoliation while does not involve actually rubbing the skin. 
  • Quality products – I only have to use a little of each product, they absorb nicely but are thick.

 They also let me know what to expect:

In the first week of using our products, you might find a bit of flaking in the first week of use. Please keep in mind that the flaking isn’t because your skin is dry but the impurities coming out. Our products draw out impurities and congestion from underneath your skin, so if you have  impurities, you will see the impurities coming out.

I wanted to wait a full 30 days before posting this review so I really could tell whether I saw a difference.  The biggest difference is the texture of my skin – it’s definitely softer and plumper.  I also think it looks brighter which was a big concern for me. 

The best thing about Y’OUR is it’s specifically designed for me and addresses all my concerns in just 4 products. 

I would recommend trying out Y’OUR skin care line.  You can take the quiz here to have products designed specifically for your needs.

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How I’m becoming a “new me.”

This summer was the season of freedom for my 16-year-old daughter.  Remember that first summer when you had your driver’s license and some spending money in your pocket, and you could head out to the beach whenever you wanted to?  It was exhilarating.

With her freedom comes mine.  I’ve got less driving around to summer activities and sleepovers. I’m starting to feel the reigns of obligations slip off me and with that I can feel myself ready to start discovering me.  Not the person I was pre-kids – she’s long gone. This new me has a lot more wisdom and confidence.

Here are a few things the new me is excited to do:

The new me is anxious to try new things. I used to be intimidated to try a new class at the gym for fear I’d look like an idiot because I couldn’t keep up. Not anymore.  Now I bravely stand at the front of the class and laugh when I screw up but even more importantly I’m proud that I did it and congratulate myself for the moves I could do.

The new me is ready to have adventures.  I saw a show the other day about these two people touring Thailand and visiting these incredible waterfalls. When you have kids it’s darn near impossible to have trips like that. Disney is the ultimate adventure and while that was fun, I’m ready for the real world not a place that recreates adventures.

The new me is ready for the next big leap in my career.  For years now I’ve made my living blogging and doing TV segments about safety and wellness.  Don’t get me wrong – I love it and will continue to do that. The way my career started was because of the death of my first son.  It drove me to want to help save other kids’ lives. As I’ve gotten older new things drive me.  Listening to women who are scared to leave a relationship or start a new career or struggle with being a caregiver motivate me. I love speaking to these women and offering them support and guidance. I envision a world of confident and happy women and, through retreats and speaking engagements, I want to create that.

The new me is ready to have a few deep friendships.  When we’re in our 30’s and 40’s we’re building a career and/or family that consumes our time. Our friendships tend to be created around the interests of our kids. Some high school and college friendships remain but get-togethers are few and far between and finding current commonalities is tough. For years my girls have been involved in All-Star cheerleading.  For those of you not familiar with this sport, it’s year-round and requires a lot of travel.  When you’re a “cheer mom” that other moms become your friends. But one day your cheer life ends and naturally these friendships fade. But a few transcend the mutual bond of cheer (or whatever activity your child is involved with) and you connect over the big issues. Now I have time for a few friendships that are based on mutual respect, shared beliefs and willingness to talk about the real stuff.  You know the real stuff – our hopes and dreams but also the fears that keep us up at night.

The new me understands that my health is something I can’t take for granted.  When I was in my 20’s and 30’s I worked out to have a hard body and look great.  Now I work out to prevent osteoporosis and keep my heart in good shape.  I used to choose my food based solely on what tasted good.  Now I select food that tastes good and will provide me the nutrients I need to cut cholesterol and provide the right vitamins.  When the kids were younger, I would always  get them to their check-ups but mine would be missed because there wasn’t time.  Now I realize that making the time for health screenings and exercise is what will allow me to live life to the fullest.

As I’m closing in on another birthday I’m loving who I’m becoming and can’t wait for the next chapter. What’s in your next chapter?  Share below as writing it down makes it more real.

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Kiss my keto review

 I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Every since I was diagnosed with high cholesterol (like crazy high) and my husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I’ve been taking a hard look at how food impacts our health.  I’ve always eaten a fairly healthy diet – dark chocolate and red wine are healthy – but I felt like I needed to really start digging more into that impact diet has on chronic disease.

I started looking at Keto diets – not because it seems as if that’s what every celebrity is doing right now and everyone’s talking about it.  I know very little about the Keto diet so I wanted to find a site that lays it all out for me. 

Enter Kiss My Keto.  For those of you like me who want to improve your health and understand what Ketosis is all about, this site is for you.  Here you can find Ketocademy, modules that walk you through how to get started and what to expect. 

What’s the hype about Keto?

So why Ketosis?  Well for starters it’s simply the way your body wants to be – burning fat instead of sugar which improves your metabolism and reduces your risk of disease.  It curbs oxidative stress and inflammation which are major drivers of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

It’s all laid out clearly on the Kiss My Keto site along with recipes and products.  The company sent me a box of their variety pack Keto Bars which included Chocolate Cookie Dough, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Coconut.  Putting Keto aside for a moment I have to say that hands down these are the tastiest bars I’ve ever tried!  The chocolate on the outside tasted like good chocolate, not the fake taste some bars have.  The only thing to note is its best to keep these bars in the refrigerator because the chocolate melts quickly. 

My daughter is probably more picky than I am about protein bars and she also loved them.  Note – these bars are not vegan.  They contain egg and milk as well as Stevia which some people might not like but I didn’t find it overly sweet, especially in the peanut butter one which was hands down my favorite.

Otherwise, they have healthy fats from coconut oil, fibers, and sunflower lecithin.

I hadn’t really spent much time on the site before sampling the bars but it really is a one-stop-site for all information about Keto. 

Will I buy more products?

I’ve been warned that while you do get an energy boost from going into Ketosis you still experience brain fog so I need something to keep my energy up in the afternoon.  I’m a big coffee drinker so that next thing I’ll be trying is the coffee which they note is a good energy boost pre-work out so I figure it will do the trick for the afternoon slump.

Overall Thoughts

A Keto diet is going to be tough if I don’t at least get my hubby to go along with me but the benefits of reducing oxidative stress and inflammation for helping with his MS symptoms are huge.  He loved the bars so we’re on the road.  Stay tuned…..

Excited to offer all my readers 10% of their purchase. Use coupon code THESAFETYMOM when shopping at Kiss My Keto to receive this awesome discount.

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Why You Need Your Girlfriends More Than Ever In Your 40’s and 50’s

Today I start on a new journey with one of my girlfriends. It’s one that I have no experience with even though I’ve been a caregiver for many years now.  Together we’re entering into a world of medical terms we’re forced to learn, side-effects that are unknown and outcomes that are not certain.

While she has an incredibly supportive family, sometimes you just need your girlfriends.  They’re the ones that you can share your fears with because your family will just be too freaked out.

It got me to thinking about the richness of my friendships now and how they are so different than when I was younger.  I still have girlfriends from when I was in my 20’s.  In fact, the first friend I made when I moved to Los Angeles is to this day one of the people who knows me best.  But as we got older the requirements of our relationship changed. In our 20’s and even 30’s we spent most of our time on crazy adventures laughing or consoling each other over our latest break-up.  We talked about our burgeoning careers and our next step up the corporate ladder. Our friendship got real though when my infant son died of SIDS. Within hours of me calling her with the most horrific news I would ever have she was on a plane coming across the country to stay with me and comfort me.

Her way of dealing with tragedy was different. She needed to deal with it privately. She didn’t call me when she was going through a rough divorce and becoming the caregiver for her mother. I didn’t pry – I just waited patiently. When she was ready she reached out and I too was then on a plane across country to listen and support.

There are other women who have entered my life in my 40’s. As is common we were brought together through our kid’s friendships or activities. But our friendships transcended this connection. As I got older I was able to more quickly assess the women who I would form true bonds with and who, like me, needed girlfriends with whom they could be honest and vulnerable. To share hopes and also fears and know it was safe. In my 40’s the conversations changed from comparing toddler’s achievements and celebrity gossip to the evolution of relationships with your older kids and spouses, health issues, aging parents but, most importantly the next steps in our lives towards personal fulfillment. The s&*t gets real.

These are friendships that aren’t perfect selfies (although God knows there are those times that are insta worthy) These are friendships where often what you see is what you get – no make-up, dry shampooed hair in a pony tail and unshaved legs. 

There is incredible beauty of friendships in your 40’s. You’re dealing with the real stuff but also the pleasure of being vulnerable. I was ever so lucky when one of my best girlfriends moved around the corner from me. Being able to sit down after a horrible work day, vent about our kids or significant others or our worries about the future has saved thousands of dollars on therapy. The simple texts we share with one another after one of our chats “Thanks pal for being there” is exactly what it’s about.

So today as I accompany my friend for her doctor’s appointment we begin a journey that will be filled with tears, some laughter and most importantly honesty. As I said last night to her – “we’ve got this.” <3

How have your friendships changed and deepened over the years?  Share some of your girlfriend stories in the replies below.

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5 Kitchen Essentials for Busy Moms

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I never thought I’d see the day where I was asking my hubby for kitchen appliances rather than jewelry or shoes but……well, life changes doesn’t it?  I’m trying to get my family to eat healthy (especially my husband who has Primary Progressive MS) but I barely have time to grocery shop let alone the time needed to make healthy meals.

What I’ve learned is that I needed kitchen gadgets that make cooking easier and faster with less clean up.  Here are the products that I either have or are on my wish list.

Instant Pot

Click to purchase on Amazon

I’m a huge fan of one pot meals in my crock pot.  I almost always have something in my crock pot at least two or three times a week.  I started hearing about the Instant Pot last year and this is on the TOP of my list now!  An Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, crock pot, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, sauté/searing pan, steamer and warming pot all rolled into one handy item.  I originally thought that it was merely a pressure cooker and was able to cook brisket and other tough meats in a fraction of the time but then I learned it is so much more. This isn’t your grandma’s pressure cooker!  You can make mashed potatoes in minutes, rice comes out fluffy, ribs are tasty like slow-cooked but half the time – you can even make cakes in it!  And, unlike a traditional slow cooker, you can put frozen meat directly into it.  This

 

Nutribullet

Click to purchase on Amazon

I’m a huge fan of smoothies.  It’s a quick breakfast or lunch when I’m running late but even more importantly I can get in at least 4 fruits and veggie servings for me and the fam at the start of the day.  I literally get spinach into every one of my smoothies and trust me – it might be green but you do not taste the spinach at all! At first I thought I could just get by with my blender but I learned there’s a big difference! First, the Nutribullet mixer is the cup so no need to mess up another glass and then have to clean the blender like I used to.  Plus, with the Nutribullet I can just throw things in – no prep except for washing the fruits and veggies.  Most importantly, unlike a blender, the Nutribullet literally pulverizes every you put into to it which helps unlock vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids (such as omega-3s) that have been trapped within the cell walls of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. It’s a smooth smoothie loaded with nutrients.

 

Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer with BlenderBall Wire Whisk

Click to purchase on Amazon

 

My son loves pancakes.  My mom who lives with us is in charge of making pancakes on the weekends but it’s a ridiculous mess (she uses her old fashioned electric frying pan, no stove top for her!)  to clean up.  Plus I’d love my son to start doing this on his own.  Enter the Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer.  The batter mixer cleans up in less than 30 seconds and parts are top-rack dishwasher safe. Plus, the base doubles as a stand to keep the mixer stable while cooking. Now if I could stop him from getting the syrup all over the place!

 

5-Blade Spiralizer Vegetable Spiral Slicer, Noodle Maker, Fruits & Veggies Slicer

Click to purchase on Amazon

I’m working really hard to get carbs out of our life but it’s hard when I have two kids who LOVE pasta!  I’ve been slowly introducing zoodles (zucchini noodles) with marinara sauce and they’re enjoying it.  But the price of one package of fresh zucchini noodles is ridiculous and if I buy them on the weekend if I don’t use them right away they get a little funky.  This Vegetable Noodle Maker makes perfect noodles quickly and a lot cheaper than buying them in the store.

 

 

GeniCan

Click to learn more at genican.com

Nothing makes me crazier than planning out my dinner menu only to find that I don’t have one ingredient because no one bothered to tell me that we ran out.  I’ll admit, sometimes that person is me!  I’ll finish up one of my spices and completely forget when I get to the grocery that I need to replenish.  The GeniCan puts an end to that.  This is a smart device that attaches to the inside of your garbage or recycling bin and scans the bar code on anything you’re throwing out.  So, when your kids finish the last piece of sandwich bread when they toss the wrapper into the garbage they can scan the bar code on the bag and it will automatically be saved to a shopping list on your smartphone or delivered directly through Amazon Dash.  If something doesn’t have a bar code, like a banana, just hold the peel over the sensor and you’ll be prompted to say what item you want added to your list.  I love the idea of having everything added to my grocery list as soon as it’s finished.  And, when I’m on the road for business I can have it all delivered!

 

 

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Smart devices that assist seniors and people with disabilities

As a spokesperson for COX Homelife I have the chance to check out so many smart devices that provide accessibility and for seniors to remain in their home.

For more information, visit Cox.com.

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How Healthy is Your Home? Signs of Mold & Lead

healthyhomeAs moms, it can feel as if we deal with endless cycles of coughs and runny noses.  But what if the cause of all these colds is not our child’s friend at school or the germ-laden grocery cart they touched?  Perhaps what’s making them sick is their very own home.  Two major culprits are mold and lead.

Where Does Mold Grow?

Mold can be found in any area of your home where moisture levels are elevated:

  • Basements
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Ceilings and wall interiors where water from leaky pipes or roof leakage can accumulate

What Are The Symptoms?

Infants and children are most susceptible to allergens from mold exposure and their symptoms can be confused for a cold:

  • Nasal and sinus congestion
  • Cough
  • Wheeze/breathing difficulties
  • Sore throat

You can help lower mold levels by reducing the humidity in your home, using mold-reducing products and keeping items in your home as dry as possible. Be on the lookout for the more obvious signs of possible growth, such as musty smells or watermarks on walls and ceilings.  Once mold is detected it needs to be removed immediately and the source of the moisture be identified and eliminated.

Get The Lead Out!

Lead is highly toxic and especially dangerous for children under 7, whose major organs have not fully developed.  If your home was constructed prior to 1978, there is a high likelihood that lead-based paint was used.  And, until Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1988, lead solder was used extensively in residential water piping.

Lead paint in your home is a hazard even if it isn’t peeling, chipping or cracking when it’s on high-use, high-friction surfaces including:

  • Windows and window sills
  • Doors and door frames
  • Stairs, railings and banisters
  • Porches and fences

What are The Symptoms?

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause permanent neurological damage in children including:

  • Nervous system and kidney damage
  • Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and decreased intelligence
  • Speech, language and behavior problems
  • Poor muscle coordination
  • Hearing damage

Immediate symptoms can also, like mold exposure, appear like cold and flu symptoms – tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and constipation.

If you suspect your child has been exposed to lead you should contact your pediatrician immediately.

 

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Look Good Feel Good Twitter Party Sponsored by Nature Unleashed

Disclaimer – I have a material and/or financial connection because I received a gift, sample of a product and/or compensation for consideration in preparing to write this content. All opinions stated within are my own.

NatureUnleashedLooking good comes from being healthy inside and out.  And that requires getting chemicals and toxins out of our homes and off our bodies.  Did you know that more than 1 in 5 personal care products contain chemicals linked to cancer, 80 percent contain ingredients that commonly contain hazardous impurities?

Join us for an informative Twitter Party on Thursday, October 9th at 1P ET to learn about how to keep your family and your home safe, clean and chemical-free.

The party is sponsored by Nature Unleashed, the Simple, Strong, Safe. alternative for all natural personal care, first aid and home cleaning products.

Nature Unleashed honors the women who strive to survive. They are proud to support the Women Survivors Alliance with proceeds from the sale of their amazing Anolyte S Skin & Body product.

Who to follow: @safetymom & @unleashednature

Where: #LookGoodFeelGood

When: Monday, October 9th at 1:00 PM ET

Why: To learn more about Anolyte products, as an alternative to harmful chemicals, for every day use with personal care, first aid and home cleaning.

Prizes:  Three $25 GC’s , and an Anolyte Bundle (valued at $59.80).  Includes: One 32oz Anolyte C (Cleanser) (with 3 mixing bottles), One 2oz Anolyte F (First Aid), One 2oz Anolyte H (Hand) and One 2oz Anolyte S (Skin & Body)

Help spread the word! Here’s a sample tweet or just use the tweet button at the bottom of the post:

#ad Tips for a toxin free home and family #LookGoodFeelGood Twitter Party 10/9 1p ET @unleashnature

Look Good Feel Good Twitter Party RSVP

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