Sprigs Review and Giveaway

I have a lot of love for the company I am going to introduce you to today. I know you are going to really like the innovative fitness and lifestyle products from Sprigs™.

Sprigs was established by mompreneur Val Ciptak Vierra in 1999 and based in New York. Sprigs designs and produces really unique apparel and accessories for every day use. Sprigs is about fresh, new twists on products, blending creative design and utility into original solutions.

I love that they are also earth conscious and use organic cotton and recycled materials for packaging and products whenever they can. They are a great combination of unique useful products and organic wonderfulness all wrapped up together!

For instance, their original Banjees® wrist wallet is such a unique product! They have a huge selection of Banjees, from organic cotton Banjees to Big Banjees to their new recycled Banjees. Banjees wrist wallets hold your keys, cash, cards, ID and MP3 players. So, the next time you are off to exercise, you don't have to drag a big bag or purse with you. You can just throw the essentials into your Banjee. I really like that they are reversible, so you have two style options. Plus, they are made with the highest quality zippers and are 100% guaranteed.

My other favorite product of theirs is the Organic Infinity Scarf , which is made of 55% organic cotton plus 45% organic hemp. I am a huge fan of scarves, and I love how this scarf doesn't have two ends, it is just one big circle of warmth. You can wrap it around your neck once, twice, or three times for the best warmth. You can wear it as an accessory, for warmth or both! I just love how versatile this scarf is and how great it looks with so many outfits! These days, I am hardly ever without one of my infinity scarves on. So, watch out, you may get hooked!

Head over to Sprigsville and check out all their other great products, such as: Earbags bandless earmuffs,  perfect fit socks and an assortment of gloves and headwear. You have also got to check out their Yogi Arms. They are just about the handiest thing around! Yogi Arms are a stylish shrug that you wear over your cami or other top.  When you are running errands after your workout or heading to your kids' ball game, this is the perfect accessory to keep you looking great and feeling comfortable!

For Spring, they are launching a new line of organic active and fitness wear, new Banjee designs, Ergonomic laptop bags, water-friendly big brim visors and so much more. Stay tuned for my review of their organic fitness wear.

Whether you are looking for some great new pieces to add to your wardrobe or if you want a unique Mother's Day, graduation or Teacher gift, you will want to check out Sprigs! Love them!!

Great news!! We are giving away (1) Infinity Scarf and (1) Banjee each to (2) lucky, lucky winners!!! Thank you Sprigs!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Become a public follower of Your World: Healthy and Natural on my right sidebar and tell me you did so in a comment.

For more entries:

Tell me which variety of Banjee or Infinity Scarf you like best! (1 entry)

Subscribe to Your World: Healthy and Natural and comment about it. (1 entry)

Vote for Your World: Healthy and Natural on Top Mommy Blogs or We're on the Fence. (1 entry per vote)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.(2 entries)

Follow Sprigsville on Twitter.(1 entry)

Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.(1 entry)

Like Sprigsville on Facebook. (1 entry)

Like Your World: Healthy and Natural on Facebook.(2 entries)

Comment on any of my posts about healthy and natural living that you have not commented on before. I love to hear your thoughts!! (1 entry)

The deadline for this giveaway is May 14th at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen.  Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win.

* Sprigs provided me with free samples of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.* 

Spring Detox - Day 30

Today is the last day of this detox!! I hope you have put the effort in to detoxing your body, and I hope you are seeing great results!! Many people feel more energy, a clearer head, and lose weight from a good detox, besides other great benefits.

My last tip for detoxing is one you are going to like.

Get your sleep! It turns out not getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night can have some serious health consequences.  In a landmark study at the University of Chicago, researchers found that people who slept 6 1/2 hours or less had a 50 percent increase in insulin blood levels compared to those who slept 7 1/2-8 1/2 hours per night.

Make sure you get your 8 hours of sleep each night to ensure optimal function of your boyd and improved detox!

Spring Detox - Day 29

Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of purified water daily. After all, the human body is anywhere from 55 to 75 percent water, depending on body size.

To function properly, you need to replace the water lost through sweat and urination on a daily basis. Plus, drinking plenty of water helps flush toxins out of your body, making you feel more energized. It's a win-win!

If you are feeling thirsty, chances are you are already a bit dehydrated. Just keep sipping water all day long!!

Orthorexia - Ridiculous or What?

My husband forwarded me this article about Orthorexia, because he was so disgusted by it. After reading it, I am in disbelief.

Check out the article here.

They claim that there is a new eating disorder out there - Orthorexia - which says people who want to eat only healthy foods have a problem. Since when is it bad to eat healthy foods? Since when do we need to worry about people eating too healthy in this country? Are we not #1 in the world for degenerative diseases?

I am shocked that there are those out there who would assign people like me an orthorexic, who believe in eating whole healthy foods, in a plant-based diet that will sustain and heal your body instead of destroying it.

If being proud of my healthy dietary choices and thinking "normal" (as in the fatty, chemical-ridden, preserved, fake food in the SAD) food is harmful to my body means that I am an orthorexic, then I am a proud one, at that!!!

What are your thoughts????

Naturopathica Review

Are you ready for some seriously awesome eco-friendly and truly natural, organic skincare products?

If you want the best for your skin, you will LOVE Naturopathica. Remember, the skin is our body's largest organ, and it absorbs what you put on it very quickly into your bloodstream. So, you want to use high quality, completely safe products. That is exactly what you will find in Naturopathica's products.

"At Naturopathica, we live and breathe A Better Beauty™. Our holistic approach to well-being taps into the best of nature by combining certified natural and organic ingredients with Naturoceuticals, state-of-the-art skin care technology, without harmful synthetics."

For 15 years, Naturopathica has evolved as the expert source for natural solutions by integrating centuries-old traditions from around the globe with the latest breakthroughs in science. From stimulating pear fig enzymatic masks that soften fine lines to warming arnica ointments that ease muscle soreness, Naturopathica creates easy and effective healing rituals to restore your optimal beauty and well-being. I am only sorry that I didn't know about Naturopathica sooner!!

I received one of their best sellers, Beech Tree and Ginseng Daily Moisturizer.  This nourishing moisturizer blends antioxidant rich Beech Tree and Goji Berry with a firming complex of Ginseng to help protect skin from free radicals.  I don't know why, but ever since I gave birth to my daughter in December, my skin has not been the same. It is dry and red in some areas and just bugs me!! I have tried so many other lotions, and nothing has worked! I was so eager to try Naturopathica, to see if it made a difference. Guess what? It did!! Within about 3 days of applying this lotion morning and night, I could see a difference in my skin. Now, I am a customer for life!!

I also received their Plant Stem Cell Serum. I was not familiar with plant stem cell benefits, so I checked it out. Turns out, Swiss scientists have discovered that these naturoceuticals derived from the wound tissue of plants can improve cell vitality. These concentrated liquid cell cultures are proven to increase collagen synthesis and hydration as well as increase suppleness and elasticity in the skin. I apply this serum just at night, and I love it! The combination of this product and the moisturizer I talked about above has done great things for my skin. So, thank you Naturopathica for your fabulous products!

I always say quality makes a difference, and this is more proof of it! I love the high standards that Naturopathica holds to. They do not use toxic or irritating ingredients such as sulfate detergents, PEGs, DEA, TEA, parabens, glycols or urea in any of our products. Plus, they are a very green company, using recycled plastic and paper in their products and packaging, and they make everything in the USA.

For the month of April, they are running a contest to promote sustainability. They are asking people to submit a tip for sustainable living for a chance to receive 10 products from Naturopathica.  If you're interested in winning some fabulous products you can enter your sustainability tip here. But, enter soon, because April is almost over!!

*Naturopathica provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Christophe Artisan Chocolatier-Patissier Review and Giveaway

I am a serious lover of chocolate. I always have been. However, my tastes have changed over the years as I have learned to appreciate great quality food and healthy ingredients. Where I used to be a fan of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, now I am a fan of fine chocolates and organic dark chocolate. If you love and appreciate good quality chocolate, you will love this post!

Let me introduce you to Christophe Artisan Chocolatier-Pâtissier. Christophe Paume is the rarest of artisans, a third-generation French chocolatier, who grew up in his father's pâtisserie in Toulouse, France. Alongside his father, he learned to create exquisite French pastry, the highest quality chocolates, succulent gelato, and every type of bread imaginable. 

Now, he is creating luxury chocolates and chocolate sculptures for all occasions. Their collection of hand-painted chocolates and fine chocolate truffles appeals to those who appreciate gourmet chocolate at its finest. With distinctive flavors and inspired chocolate gifts, their premium chocolates blend rich European tradition with master artisanship.

I love that their chocolates are preservative free and made from the freshest ingredients and premier European chocolate!! You can really taste the difference!

I received their mini chocolate collection of handpainted chocolates, and each piece was divine!! I loved all of the selections, even though I was unsure about some of the flavors. My favorite was the Vanilla Bean, which includes bourbon vanilla bean in a dark chocolate ganache. Hmmm...delicous!

They also sell chocolate bars, chocolate specialties, truffles and more. Head on over and check out all of these fabulous chocolates. Can you believe this chocolate sculptured shoe? Wouldn't you love to see this at your next party?

Plus, we are going to be giving away $10 GC to Christophe Artisan to (1) lucky winner, so you can choose what you want to savor...

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Become a public follower of Your World: Healthy and Natural on my right sidebar and tell me you did so in a comment.

For more entries:

Subscribe to Your World: Healthy and Natural and comment about it. (1 entry)
Vote for Your World: Healthy and Natural on Top Mommy Blogs or We're on the Fence. (1 entry per vote)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.(2 entries)

Follow Christophe Paume on Twitter.(1 entry)

Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.(1 entry)

Like Christophe Artisan Chocolatier on Facebook. (1 entry)

Like Your World: Healthy and Natural on Facebook.(2 entries)

Comment on any of my posts about healthy and natural living that you have not commented on before. I love to hear your thoughts!! (1 entry)

The deadline for this giveaway is May 12th at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen.  Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win.

* Christophe Artisan Chocolatier provided me with free samples of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.* 

Spring Detox - Day 28

With only three days left in this month long detox, I hope you have been using some or all of these tips to feel better and give your body a chance to heal and do its best for you!

Today, eat some liver-friendly foods. Artichokes, dandelions, and beets have all been shown to help move bile more efficiently.  Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. One of the important functions of bile is to move toxins from the liver to the gallbladder and eventually into the duodenum.

Artichokes contain cynarin, which not only improves the flow of bile in the liver, but also helps lower cholesterol.  So, go get some fresh artichokes and eat up!

Winner!

Has everyone checked out all the giveaways going on? I love providing you all with some of the awesome products I receive, which is why I do giveaways. So, head on over to my right sidebar and check them out. They are ALL low entries!! You have an awesome chance to win!

The Acemagnetics.com giveaway winner is....

#40 - pridelandmama

Enjoy your magnetic bracelet! I love mine!

Spring Detox - Day 27

Wow!! We are almost done with this detox! I hope you have been enjoying these tips and using them to feel better.

Today, try to eat some red fruits. Pomegranate, raspberries, and strawberries contain ellagic acid, a compound that has some excellent detoxification properties. Ellagic acid not only acts as an antioxidant, it also has liver-protective effects. Some research even suggests that ellagic acid may help prevent cancer. More reasons to love fruits!! Substitute desserts for delicious and nutritious fruit!

$100 GC Winner!

Our winner of the $100 GC to Trilight Health is....


#12 - Daniel

Congratulations, and enjoy those wonderful natural health products!

Terracycle Review

Just becauses Earth Day is over, doesn't mean we should forget about living more eco-friendly lives. Stay excited, because today I am bringing you an awesome company, Terracycle.

Have you ever realized that waste doesn't exist in nature? All materials are reused or recycled through natural processes. However, modern human society and technology has created a massive waste issue. The creation of complex plastic polymers during and after the Industrial Revolution broke the closed-loop, sustainable system that had existed on Planet Earth. Now the irrepressible demand for safe, conveniently packaged consumer goods is annually creating billions of tons of non-recyclable or difficult to recycle waste.

That is where TerraCycle comes in. This company was the ambitious dream of a college freshman turned sustainable business pioneer, a company that makes eco-friendly, affordable consumer products from waste. By using the trillions of pieces of packaging that go to landfill every year to build high quality consumer goods, TerraCycle hopes to replace the need to create virgin materials, like new plastics and textiles, by showing the world it is more sustainable and more profitable to use waste as a raw material.

TerraCycle collects waste through Brigade® programs, in which schools and organizations send difficult-to-recycle items to us for recycling. After items have been sent in, Brigades receive two cents per item towards their favorite charity. Our programs allow participants to learn about caring for the environment at the same time as giving back to their communities.

I love that they provide opportunities for consumers to become actively involved in community recycling programs that keep trash out of landfills!  They also offer eco-friendly, affordable products such as speakers, tote bags, and pictures frames that are made from upcycled and recycled materials.

I received some of their recycled, eco-friendly products, and I love them!

The biodegradeable fiber pot is just what I needed to plant some of my herbs in. I love that it is made of rice husks, bamboo, and coconut fibers. Even though it is biodegradeable, you can still use it for years before returning to the ground. It allows plenty of room for your bigger herbs to grow, so it is a great size! It is a great and easy way to grow your own plants inside during the winter too.

The Children's Herb Grow Kit is fantastic!! I love teaching my children about where their food comes from. I think it is so great that we are able to have a garden, and using this kit to start growing basil that we will transplant later was perfect! There was minimum waste with this kit, since even the cardboard holding the recycled yogurt containers together is embedded with the basil seeds. My son had so much fun planting the seeds, as you can see!

The Eco Boombox was another really cool product. It wasn't hard to set up and easy to use with your ipod or mp3 player. I just wish it would play the music louder, since I had a hard time hearing the music with my two small children.

You can see why I love Terracycle so much! Head on over to their website and check out all their products and the brigades going on. Spread the word about all they are doing. Together, we can make a difference!

*TerraCycle provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Spring Detox - Day 26

An orange a day keeps the doctor away. Lemons, oranges, and limes have had a long history of use for internal cleansing, and are high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, phytochemicals with powerful antioxidant effects. These compounds can quench free radicals, supporting the body's detoxification pathways.

I give you permission to eat as many oranges as you want! (just don't eat so many that you make your tongue sore)

Spring Detox - Day 25

Ready for this detox tip? What would you say if I told you to eat one clove of garlic per day and a handful of cooked onions? I know, gross and smelly, right?


Well, if you can’t stomach that much garlic and onions, you can always take a garlic supplement. But before you turn your nose up at these ideas, check out all the great benefits from these two powerhouses!

Onions and garlic are rich in a variety of organic sulfur compounds. Studies show both of these vegetables help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar, and provide antibiotic effects. Now, how many of us need that? A lot!!

Go garlic it up!!

Spring Detox - Day 24

Eat ½ cup per day of cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and collard greens.  These vegetables contain a number of important nutrients, making them extremely beneficial for general health.  They are high in vitamin C and soluble fiber, but, more impressively, they contain multiple nutrients with well-known anticancer properties.

Winners!!

We have some lucky ladies!!

The winners of the Rudi's Bread giveaway are...

#41 - ElizaBeth

#38 - pinklady705

The winner of the Endangered Species giveaway is....

#28 - Mary

Congratulations!! Have you checked out the rest of my giveaways going on? They are all really low entry!! It gives you really great chances to win, so enter away!

Happy Easter, everyone!! I wish you a blessed day celebrating with your family!

Green Interior Design Book Review

On your journey to living a more natural life, you are going to be thinking about changing one of the places you spend the most time – your home. I started on my green home improvements a couple years ago, and I have enjoyed making these healthy and eco-friendly changes slowly to accommodate my budget. Some of the things I have done are tap and shower filters, air purifiers, indoor plants, organic bedding for everyone, an organic couch, water heater jacket, solid wood unfinished furniture that we either leave unfinished or paint ourselves with VOC-free paint, compost pile, non-toxic and natural cleaners, and more…



My point is, there is lots you can do, but you have to get started!

A great resource for “greening” your home is Green Interior Design by Lori Dennis. Lori Dennis, a graduate of the UCLA Interior Design program, formed Lori Dennis, Inc. in 1998, to specialize in green, sustainable interior design. Her eco-friendly projects include residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Miami, Palm Springs, and New York. She is also a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and serves on the Green Committee. Lori Dennis’ desire to be part of the solution to waste and pollution in the interior design and construction fields led her to write this easy to use manual for anyone wishing to create green interiors.  With over 100 color photographs illustrating tips on how to use nontoxic, inexpensive, natural, and environmentally responsible materials to decorate, furnish, clean, and maintain your home, this guide makes creating and keeping a green household easy.

I loved this book, and I wish I would have had it when I first started improving our home. I would have saved myself a lot of time searching around the internet and stores.


She gives great tips for making your home healthier for you and safer for our planet. These aren’t just tips for the rich and famous, either. There are lots of easy, manageable ideas that you can do today. How about getting a few indoor plants to help purify your air and make a beautiful statement? She has a whole page of the best plants, what they look like, and what they will do for your home. Love it!! How about flooring? She talks about options, manufacturers, and why you should think twice about switching out your carpet.

Trust me, Lori has included everything you will need for designing your home in a more eco-friendly way.  I recommend this book as a great resource, so you can slowly take steps to go green, live healthier and even save yourself some money.

You can get your own signed copy for $24.95. It will be the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day this year!

*Allworth Press provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Spring Detox - Day 23

Eat ample amounts of fresh, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, which have naturally occurring antioxidants that act as direct antioxidants and support the production of glutathione. These antioxidants include vitamin C, carotenes (such as lycopene and lutein), polyphenols, and dozens of other phytochemicals.


What is glutathione? Remember from our detox day 12, glutathione is continuously defending our body against attacks from disease, toxins, poisons, viruses, pollutants, radiation and oxidative stress. So eat up the fruits and veggies sitting in your fridge!

Spring Detox - Day 22

Did you know you can get addicted to sugar? I think a lot of Americans are, and I think that I was probably close to that point several years ago. With the tons of sugar in the SAD, (Standard American Diet) it is easy to consume way too much!

Today, I want you to try to reduce your consumption of sugar. And that doesn't mean substitute for artificial sweeteners.  Instead, consume more fruits, veggies and complex carbs.  In addition, you should eat less meat and, when you do, make sure it's hormone-free, organically grown meat.

Go!

Go Green At the Grocery Store

There are lots of ways to save money and shop a little greener at the grocery store. Here are a few tips:

1. Reduce waste! Buy just the amount you need – Whether it’s a pound or a pinch, put a stomp on food waste by buying just the amount you’ll use. Pay attention to the amount you select (or scoop, in the bulk foods section) when experimenting with a new spice in your favorite spaghetti sauce recipe or stocking up on trail mix for the kid’s lunches. Overdoing it only means you’ll pay, literally, the next time you rid your cupboard of outdated food.

2. Reuse it and get rewarded! Bring your own bags and containers – Whole Foods and top supermarket chains praise (and sometimes pay) shoppers who use their own bags. Invest in glass Tupperware or give that empty cottage cheese container a second use by filling it with brown rice from the bulk foods section or a quinoa salad from the deli counter. Just ask the cashier to weigh your container ahead of time. While you’re at it, BYOB (bring your own bag). If you must go with single-use, opt for paper!

3. Buy natural and organic, whenever possible – Not only are the pesticides and synthetic chemicals used in non-natural and non-organic foods often toxic to our health – they’ve been linked to cancer and other diseases – they’re bad for the environment. Tainted runoff from conventional farms washes into rivers and lakes, which contaminates waterways and threatens wildlife. Plus, the added benefits of buying natural and organic don’t have to mean added costs. By buying natural and organic in the bulk foods section of the grocery store, shoppers can pay 30 to 96 percent less on their grocery bill.

4. Make it a one shop stop – Save gas, time and the environment by picking up all your groceries in one efficient trip. Visit your local co-op or all-in-one supermarket, or consider cooking recipes made almost entirely with ingredients from one section of the grocery store, such as the bulk foods aisle to save time.

5. Turn the shopping over to the kids – Get your little ones excited about being green by allowing them to select natural, organic or Fair Trade treats and snacks themselves. Be it in the natural foods section or the bulk foods aisle, they’ll enjoy the freedom and you’ll enjoy getting healthy and eco-friendly food into the grocery cart without a fight.

Spring Detox - Day 21

I am sure many of you have heard about the importance of Omega-3 fish oils. They are incredibly important for our skin, heart, eyes, brain and much more!

Make sure to include high-quality Omega-3's, specifically EPA and DHA, in your diet. Besides what I already mentioned above, they also help with diabetes, weight loss, joint health and depression.  When it comes to detoxification, EPA and DHA have the ability to be incorporated into cellular membranes, which means they help improve cell function.

I recommend finding Omegas that are ultra pure, making sure that they don't contain mercury and lead, which is found in many types of fish. The fish oil I use is OmegaGuard, and I love it. It doesn't give you the fishy aftertaste either.

Spring Detox - Day 20

My tip for today is to add more fiber to your diet.

Dietary fiber is critical for binding toxin-laden bile and carrying it out of the body. Plus, it helps keep everything moving through your digestive system.

The best sources are whole grains like oats, barley, legumes, fruits, vegetables, wheat, and bran. Aim for 25-35 grams per day. If you have a hard time getting that much, try a fiber supplement. I like Fiber Plan Tablets or Fiber Plan Unflavored Powder.

The Leakey Collection Zulugrass Jewelry Review

Do you want to support a fair trade certified company that supports the Massai women and men of Kenya? Do you like wearing beautiful jewelry? Do you want to buy jewelry made from sustainably harvested grass that is helping to preserve a wetland in Kenya?

Let me introduce you to Zulugrass, from The Leakey Collection, founded in 2002 by Katy and Philip Leakey. Their work includes the design and manufacture of contemporary jewelry that is hand made by the Maasai women and men of Kenya from environmentally sustainable materials. The flagship item of the collection- Zulugrass- is sold individually or in Multistrand, which allows you to get precisely the color, depth and weight of the jewelry that you want. It has an organic look and feel but is completely modern.

Zulugrass is light weight, durable and most importantly incorporates high design with versatility. You no longer have to carry a bunch of bracelets, necklaces, hair ties etc. because Zulugrass allows you to get several looks from a few lightweight strands. Further, depending on the color and amount of strands used- the look can be as subdued or as colorful you want- just a couple twists or some added strands an you have literally dozens of styles.

Besides supporting the work of the Massai women, 5% of all sales goes back to the local community in the form of education and health benefits. Now that is a jewelry purchase you can feel great about!

I love that there are so many ways to wear this beautiful jewelry. I can wear it as a short necklace or long necklace, as a bracelet or in my hair. I also appreciate that it is such good quality jewelry. In fact, the elastic used in Zulugrass jewelry was invented for the movie Spiderman. These necklaces are waterproof, colorfast and long lasting. I love everything about this beautiful jewelry!

This Earth Day and really, any other day, buy yourself or someone else a gift of jewelry that helps others and supports our planet! Check out the whole Zulugrass line and other beautiful jewelry in the Leakey Collection.

You can buy them right from the website or look for a retailer near you. I was shocked and excited to see that they sell them only 15 minutes from me!!

*The Leakey Collection provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Go Picnic Winner!

Have you all checked out the many low entry giveaways that we have going on right now? Enter your favorites and good luck!

Our Winner of the Go Picnic Care Package is.....


#63 - Stacy!!!!

Congrats! Enjoy picking out and eating your favorite care package.

Spring Detox - Day 19

I am sure you have heard of trans fat, and I hope you avoid it like the plague.

Trans fast is by far the worst type of fat. Read labels and rid your fridge and pantry of trans fat-containing vegetable shortening, margarine, salad dressings, cakes, doughnuts, microwave popcorn, cookies, french fries, chips and snack crackers.

Start using healthy fats instead, such as coconut oil for cooking and extra virgin olive oil for salads.

Warm Tradition Water Bottle Review

I have more ways for you to save electricity, gas and reduce your carbon footprint. Did you know by using a water bottle - hot or cold - hot in the winter and cold in the summer, you can save on electricity from air conditioning and heat? Fill the water bottle with water and freeze, keeping you cool for hours all summer long or fill it with hot water to keep you toasty warm.

Warm Tradition offers a variety of reusable, recyclable thermoplastic water bottle styles for everyone in your family, allowing them to do their part is reducing their carbon emissions and supporting sustainability.
I received their turtleneck knit hot watter bottle. I love how easy it is to use. Just fill it up with cold or hot water, close the top, and use it for aches, pains or to warm or cool you off.

I remember when I was younger, and my mom would always get me the hot water bottle for my "growing pains." It was the only natural thing that ever helped. The only problem was that I didn't have a cool knit cover like this one, so sometimes the rubber would be too hot to put directly on my legs.

I love the knit cover, and I love that this water bottle doesn't have any smell. I remember the one I had when I was a young girl did have quite a smell, and I hope it wasn't from chemicals!

Here are a few more ways to save energy with these hot water bottles:

• When the night is over and the water in your water bottle has grown lukewarm, utilize the water to feed a houseplant.
• Put your hot shower or bath water into your water bottle to save.

Check out all the unique water bottles that Warm Tradition offers, from fun kids designs to soft fleece to travel water bottles, they have a ton of great products!

Warm Tradition is offering all my readers 15% off with the code EARTH, so head on over, order some for your family and save. If your order is over $75, you also get free shipping!!

*Warm Tradition provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Food Matters DVD Review

You are what you eat!

I know I have said that before, but it is really so true, and it is the theme of this AWESOME documentary, "Food Matters." If there is one thing that you do for your health this month, please make it to watch this video.

Food Matters is a hard hitting, fast paced look at our current state of health. Despite the billions of dollars of funding and research into new so-called cures we continue to suffer from a raft of chronic ills and every day maladies.
The film sets about uncovering the trillion dollar worldwide ‘Sickness Industry’ and exposes a growing body of scientific evidence proving that nutritional therapy can be more effective, more economical, less harmful and less invasive than most conventional medical treatments.

Food Matters discusses:
How to use food as medicine

Who needs vitamins?

Is organic better?

How safe is our food?

Natural treatments for lowering Cholesterol

Foods that fight Anxiety and Depression

Natural therapies for Cancer

Which drugs might do more harm than good?

The best ways to detox, lose weight and keep it off!

I LOVE THIS FILM!!! I can't say that enough!!! It is right in line with everything I believe about healthy and nutrition, and it is done so well. If you really care about your health, you will watch this film!  I have already been passing it out at my fitness classes and telling everyone about it.

I just want to share a few highlights that the video shares:

• 25% of commercials are drug commercials, feeding off of sick people and trying to find a drug for everything! 
• Educate! Not medicate!
• Treating symptoms never cures the disease.

So true!!! I guarantee you will learn things about health that you didn't know before, things that really matter! So, head on over to the website, buy the DVD and share it with everyone you love!

*Food Matters provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Spring Detox - Day 18

It is time to start really paying attention to what you are putting in your body.

Today, try to avoid the following: alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, hot chocolate, refined carbs (found in cakes, cookies, muffins, doughnuts, and ice cream), sugar, chemical additives, preservatives, processed meats, fried foods, trans fat, and artificial sweeteners, dyes, colors, and flavors.

Basically, don't each packaged food. Instead fill your body with fresh produce and real homemade food!

The Drain Claw Review

Did you know that drain cleaners are some of the most toxic cleaners there are? I know many people still use them because they think that is the easiest way to get the job done, but there are other eco-friendly, safe alternatives, like The Drain Claw.

The Drain Claw is a completely nontoxic, safe way to get rid of all the gunk in your drains. The Drain Claw was developed by a real estate investor to keep a slow bathtub drain open without the use of dangerous chemical drain openers.

Did you know that the #1 culprit for slow bath drains is hair. The Drain Claw is the fastest, easiest way to rid your home of a slow moving bath drain caused by hair. With over 100 hooks to grab hair, it just takes a twisting motion to capture hair trapped in a clogged bath drain. Check out some videos on how to use The Drain Claw.

I used the Drain Claw in our bathtub drain. It worked quite well! It was flexible and easy to use. I could get into the hard-to-reach areas of the drain without disassembling anything. It pulled out several decent-sized clumps of hair on the first try! I was surprised because the only people who use that bathtub are our kids and people who are visiting our family. I wasn't expecting any hair at all! I would show you the results, but it isn't exactly the most eye-pleasing picture.

I think The Drain Claw is an awesome invention! It will save you tons of money, because you can use it over and over again. You also will never have to buy toxic, dangerous chemicals to clean out your drain, because this does a great job.

You can buy your own drain claw for only $6.99!

*The Drain Claw provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Tropical Traditions Coconut Peanut Butter Review and Giveaway

Let's kick off this Earth Day event with one of my all-time favorite companies - Tropical Traditions.

Brian W. Shilhavy and his wife are the founders of Tropical Traditions, and they are committed to offering us awesome products that are good for our bodies and the environment. Brian says, "We have a strong commitment to family farming and organic standards. We stand firmly against genetically modified foods. But the organic label is not enough for us. We research and find out where the products are produced, and how they are produced. We find that some organic standards too loose for our trust, so we look beyond what is claimed on a label. We find out as much as possible about those who provide the products. And if a certain quality of product does not exist, we will work with others to produce that product and offer it to our consumers. We did that with Virgin Coconut Oil in the Philippines, and we have done the same thing since coming back to live here in the US."
Today I want to tell you about their Organic Coconut Peanut Butter. This Peanut Butter is made from organic peanuts and organic coconut. Two ingredients: nothing else! No fillers, no binders, no sweeteners, and no preservatives. The peanuts are 100% organic Valencia peanuts grown organically by family farmers in New Mexico and Texas. Grown in the dry climate of the southwestern United States, these peanuts are certified organic and free from aflatoxins. The dried coconut is certified organic coconut meat from the Philippines from coconuts that are grown with no fertilizers or pesticides. This premium dried coconut contains no additives or preservatives, and is not sweetened. Unlike most dried coconut on the market, our dried coconut products are not treated with sulfites to keep them white. Together, these premium organic roasted peanuts and the premium organic dried coconut are ground together to make a delicious and nutritious spread!

I am a huge fan of nut and seed butters, and I love to have them on a piece of bread every day. (Ok, truthfully, sometimes I also grab a spoon and dig in) I know how important it is for good quality ingredients to be in the food we eat every day, and it also has to taste great. Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter fits both of those criteria, and I love it! If you are getting bored with your same old peanut butter, you have got to try this!

I also love that this peanut butter comes in glass jars. That way you don't have to worry about icky chemicals leaching into your products, and you can reuse the jars for many other things when it is empty.

You can purchase Organic Coconut Peanut Butter in either the 16 oz or 26 oz size. jar right on the website.

And, all of you can get your own complimentary copy of their Virgin Coconut Oil book by taking part in their Referral Program. When you make your first order, please choose “Referred by a Friend” and enter my User ID: 6904404 on your first online order. The book will then be automatically added to your order. Here is a link to their customer service page so you can email them if you need some help placing your first web order to capture the free book.

Plus, we are giving away (1) 16 oz. jar of the Coconut Peanut Butter to (1) Lucky Winner!!

Here is how to enter this great giveaway:
Mandatory Entry:

1. Become a public follower of Your World: Healthy and Natural on my right sidebar and tell me you did so in a comment.

For more entries:
Subscribe to Tropical Traditions Newsletter. (1 entry)

Tell me what you would put your Coconut Peanut Butter on. (1 entry)

Subscribe to Your World: Healthy and Natural and comment about it. (1 entry)

Vote for Your World: Healthy and Natural on Top Mommy Blogs or We're on the Fence. (1 entry per vote)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.(2 entries)

Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.(1 entry)

Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.(1 entry)

Like Your World: Healthy and Natural on Facebook.(2 entries)

Comment on any of my posts about healthy and natural living that you have not commented on before. I love to hear your thoughts!! (1 entry)

The deadline for this giveaway is May 2nd at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen. Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win!

* Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

Earth Day Event!

I know my blog is about natural and healthy living, so I am posting about eco-friendly products all the time, but I wanted to have a week where I introduce you to some really special companies that are making a difference in our world!

Get ready for some of the greenest products around. I hope you enjoy them!!

And have a fabulous Earth Day on Friday! I can't wait to hear about what you are all doing!

Spring Detox - Day 17

If you are going to eat meat, (which isn't great for you, because it is not easily digested) begin shifting to organically grown, grass fed meat free of hormonees and chemical additives.

Be aware of fish you consume and stay away from farm-raised fish that have high PCB and mercury counts. Plus, they may have other chemicals in them to give them color, etc. I really only eat Alaskan salmon or Alaskan halibut to be on the safe side.

Godly Personalities Book Review

If you struggle with connecting or understanding your own personality or someone else who is a part of your life, you will love the book I am introducing you to today.

Godly Personalities by Roger Deemer shows you how to use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to explore your diverse personality type and apply it to your spiritual strengths and vulnerabilities. Godly Personalities provides hope in facing common temptations, avoiding deception, patiently persevering through life's challenges, and living in peace with all people.

I really appreciate this book! Once I started reading it, I became so addicted to learning about my personality and how it affects my life.  I also went through it with my husband, since he and I are complete opposite personalities. We have always struggled to understand each other and why we communicate the way we do.  This book brought us a lot of clarity in understanding each other. I am so thankful for the great tips on how to communicate better with those whose personalities may seem to clash with your own. We realized how well we actually work together to balance each other and bring unique things to our marriage and family. I am sure a lot of you find yourself frustrated with your spouse or another loved one quite frequently, and this book will really help you work through things more peacefully.
 
People have been using MBTI in professional settings for years to improve individual and team performance and leadership skills—and I understand why. It is so interesting and so helpful!
 
The only downside to this book is that the abbreviations for the different personality types can be confusing at times. After reading for awhile, you get used to it, but at the beginning, I found myself constantly referring back to see what he was talking about.
 
I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone, because I think we all need help with understanding ourselves and the differences between us and others. Understanding these differences will help you in communicating better in all areas of your life!
 
You can order it for $14.99.
 
*Bring It On! Communications provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

To read more reviews like this, go to: Tell Us The Truth Reviews.

Winner!

Can I just first say, you guys are all so cool? I love reading your comments and thoughts on my posts and hearing about the ways you live healthfully and naturally!! Thank you!

Now, it is time for another winner! This time for some fantastic Nicobella organic vegan chocolates...

#89 - Michelle!! Congratulations and enjoy!!

Check out the other giveaways we have going on. There are tons of great low entry giveaways up right now!!  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Spring Detox - Day 16

Become aware of the foods you consume. Begin eating organic produce (especially the dirty dozen) that is free of pesticides and herbicides - the cost is not much different. Sometimes I find organic produce for the same price!!

If you can't get organic, make sure you wash all your fruits and vegetables with natural cleaning solutions like the Basic H, and peel your fruit.

Today, go for 8-9 servings of fruits and veggies! Come on, you can do it!

My Baby's Green Review and Giveaway

Yes, Earth Day is coming up! But, we need to celebrate Earth Day every day and start making small changes in our lives to help our planet. Plus, a lot of times, going green also benefits your health and/or saves you money.

Let's talk about organic cotton today. Besides helping the environment, there are other benefits from organic cotton products. Working environments are better for those on farms and small-scale farmers save money by not having to buy large amount of pesticides. Consumers benefit too, some suggest that organic cotton products are softer and easier on your skin. Recent awareness of these benefits has increased demand of organic cotton and thus, lowered its cost.

I want to tell you about a really great company that has lots of green products and a really lovely organic cotton blanket - My Baby's Green.

My Baby’s Green was started by Rich & Tina with the intent of providing products that are both environmental and baby friendly. They set out with the intent to do this for our baby, your baby, and all of the generations of babies to come. Tina shares her family's story, "My family was not always eco-friendly or even organic.  It wasn't until some major life changes that occurred in my life that had me going organic as much as I could and being eco-friendly just naturally followed. The more I read, the more I learned about the toxic chemicals to which we unknowingly expose our children.  I support my local farmers and when it is time to purchase something new I try my best to either choose eco-friendly products, support local vendors, other small companies, or consignment shops and wherever possible I buy organic." Her story is almost identical to mine, and I love supporting her great shop!

I received the My Baby's Green Organic Cotton Blanket, and I love it! It is nice and big, giving my little daughter room to roll over and scoot around on it. It is also super soft, which I love! Plus, I have noticed it isn't getting icky after being washed several times. It is only getting softer and softer.

I also love that it is made from 100% certified organic cotton, with an eco-friendly, low-impact, AZO and heavy metal free dyeing process. This makes me feel so much better about my daughter always sucking on and chewing on her blanket.

You can buy this blanket at MBG for only $22.00 or check out some of her other great products! She has all kinds of cute stuff on her website. And guess what? Now you can get 40% off by using the code CARE4EARTH! What a great deal!

For (1) lucky reader, we are going to give away (1) My Baby's Green Organic Cotton Blanket!! Wouldn't you love to win?

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Become a public follower of Your World: Healthy and Natural on my right sidebar and tell me you did so in a comment.

Also, become an email subscriber of her blog: My Baby's Green Blog. I just did! And she has a really awesome blog!

For more entries:

Subscribe to Your World: Healthy and Natural and comment about it. (1 entry)

Vote for Your World: Healthy and Natural on Top Mommy Blogs or We're on the Fence. (1 entry per vote)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.(2 entries)

Like My Baby's Green on Facebook.(1 entry)

Follow My Baby's Green on Twitter.(1 entry)

Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.(1 entry)

Like Your World: Healthy and Natural on Facebook.(2 entries)

Comment on any of my posts about healthy and natural living that you have not commented on before. I love to hear your thoughts!! (1 entry)

The deadline for this giveaway is April 29th at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen. This giveaway is only open to US residents. Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win.

* My Baby's Green provided me with free samples of these products to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

MyPurMist Review

I am sure most of you know that the FDA recently recalled children's cold and allergy drugs. I am thankful for that, because those have some seriously icky ingredients that can be harmful for our little ones. So, what do you do if your child has a stuffy nose or sinus troubles? One option is this awesome new product that has just come out - MyPurMist.

What is it? MyPurMist is a hand held, portable, humidifier. It is a safe product that uses a new technology for directing warm humidification to naturally relieve sinus symptoms associated with colds, flu, allergies, congestion and dry air. MyPurMist is effective for you and your children (over the age of 2) and because it disinfects (99.9999% germ free) and has no risk of scalding, you and your children can safely use it.

Basically, kids put the little mask around their mouth, breathe in, and the warm mist immediately begins to clear congestion and sinus pressure.

I borrowed this to a friend of mine who has sinus troubles, and she tried it out a couple times. She said it is a really great idea, and it is very kid friendly, but she didn't notice that much of a difference with her own sinus issues.  She really liked how easily you can change the temperature on it, and how quickly it changes.

She also mentioned that it did take the unit quite awhile to fully dry out, so she had to leave it on after she was done using it. And it is also important to note that you should only use distilled water with MyPurMist, so you don't damage it.

There are a lot of people who have had great results with MyPurMist. Head on over and check out some of their stories.

Having said all that, I will for sure be trying this out with my children if they need it, because I love that there is no chance a child will get burned, and it's absolutely germ-free. This is one way to help your child's stuffiness go away without any risk of hurting them. With a 30 day guarantee, I think everyone should give it a try!

Head on over to MyPurMist, read more about this unique product and buy it today for $129.00.

*MyPurMist provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Spring Detox - Day 15

Eat at home!

What do fast food restaurants and the processed foods we buy at the supermarket have in common? They all contain added chemicals to preserve the food, enhance its flavor, and make it look better. All the more reason to save money and pack a lunch or make a delicious dinner at home tonight. Your body will thank you!

Winner!

Our winner of the Terro Fruit Fly Traps is....

#23 - Ponia Baum!!

Congrats! Now you won't have to deal with those pesky fruit flies this Spring!

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Spring Detox - Day 14

Reducing your overall body fat helps the body to release stored toxins.

So, go for smaller portions.
Make small goals for yourself on your weight loss journey. It can be as small as "I won't eat any processed food today."
Exercise as many days of the week as possible.
Sleep!!!
Never give up! You will get there!

Herbtime Therapeutic Rice Packs Review

Herbtime was founded in 1992 by Karyl, who had a strong desire to work with people and share knowledge on natural health.



Herbtime started out as a small store front herb shop in Georgia. The store front was great and gave Karyl the opportunity to meet many people and interact with them on a one on one basis. Herbtime offered vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, aromatherapy and massage therapy.


Herbtime became an online store in 1998. Herbtime sold the store front after 9 successful years and became a totally online business in 2001. In 2005 Stephanie, Karyl's daughter, joined Herbtime. Stephanie has long struggled with back pain and arthritis. The company slowly shifted from herbal supplements to pain relief and relaxation products.


Herbtime is now in the business of helping people find a way to deal with the pain and stress in their daily lives. Their current product lines focus on mucsle pain, back pain, neck pain and stress relief.  These products go hand in hand with the philosophy of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Care. 

The first thing that I love about Herbtime is that I believe they truly do care about your health and helping you feel your best with natural therapies! That is also how I feel about helping others, so I appreciate their true sincerity. For instance, on their website they have a free health directory and a really great health library full of great articles.  

Their products are great, too! I received several of their therapeutic hot/cold rice packs. I received the back pack, which is oh-so-nice to ease sore back, legs or arms. It really fits along your whole back, and I like how the baffle design keeps the rice from shifting positions and becoming uneven.

I also received the sinus pack, which is great to be used warm to promote circulation and used cold to ease inflammation.  I love this pack!! I think it is so versatile, and I love that! I not only used it for my sinuses, but I also used it on my neck. At the end of the day, after chasing my kids around, teaching fitness classes, and doing all the things moms do, I have a lot of stress and tension in my neck. Sitting down on the couch with this warm pack on my neck is the best feeling in the world!

And last but not least, I received the travel pack, which is great for those times on the go when you can throw it in your purse and take it to work.  It is also great for little kids and their hurts and pains.

Another thing I love about all of these is that you can use them hot or cold. Just heat them up in the microwave(or in our case the toaster oven, since we don't use microwaves) or cool them off in a bag in the freezer. They feel soooo great!

So, before you jump to take a pill for pain, stress, or other hurts, try out one of these therapeutic packs. I bet it will make you feel better! You can buy these and any of Herbtime's other products right from the website. They are very affordable, and I think you will love them!

*Herbtime provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Spring Detox - Day 13

I know I talk about this quite often, but I am going to tell you again today about how important it is to exercise.

Incorporating daily exercise into your routine helps lymph fluids circulate throughout the body, which removes toxins and other harmful materials. When you go for that long walk, hike or bike ride; when you lift weights and do interval training, you are loosening up some toxins. The more intensely you do these activities, the more toxins are released.

Get up and go for it!

i am BEYOND Review

Doesn't it make you feel awesome and just a little bit more motivated to work out when you have cute workout clothes? I know I love it! Now combine organic fabrics with super hot workout clothes and you have i am BEYOND.

i am BEYOND offers a great selection of super sylish active wear and lifestyle pieces that will fit all your needs, from the gym to the office to a night out. They offer all kinds of beautiful colors and fabrics that you will love. They have tons of celebrity fans, and now I am a huge fan too.

I love, love, love that they offer organic fabrics in some really cute styles. You can shop by fabrics, activity, color, size, and more to make it really easy for you to find what you are looking for.

I received the organic fleece scarf jacket, which I think is one of my favorite pieces of theirs. I chose the brown color, but you can also choose between three other colors. The thing that makes this jacket so awesome is that it has a built-in scarf! How cool is that? I love this jacket for so many reasons, but that is one of my favorite reasons. Now, I don't have to go searching for a scarf every time I want to run outside. You can wear the jacket with the scarf wrapped around your neck or with it just hanging down in front.

 The picture above shows the scarf just hanging and the picture below shows it wrapped.

This jacket is so comfortable and cozy with its warm soft fleece layering the inside of the jacket. It definitely keeps me warm during these chilly spring mornings on my way over to my 5:45 am fitness class.

I love what great quality it is, and I love that it is made from 100% Organic fleece, and dyed using certified low impact eco-friendly dyes. And one other thing that I love is that it is so versatile. You can wear it with jeans, khakis or workout pants, and it looks perfect with each!

You can find this jacket and all their other pieces on the website. They have a great sizing chart so you can feel good about making your purchases online. Trust me, you will love i am BEYOND!

*i am BEYOND provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Winner!

The winner of the Element Bars giveaway is....

#94 - Christina F.

Congratulations! Get ready to make your own bars!

Please remember to include your email with at least one comment, so I know how to get a hold of you if you win. I hate turning someone away because they don't have their email or are not a public follower.

Also, get ready for an Awesome Earth Day Event coming up next week!! What are you doing this year for Earth day?

Spring Detox - Day 12

The best way of reducing toxic metals is to ensure optimal Glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is continuously defending our body against attacks from disease, toxins, poisons, viruses, pollutants, radiation and oxidative stress. Low glutathione levels are linked to diseases such as Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Atherosclerosis, pregnancy complications, male infertility and Cataracts. A Glutathione deficiency can cause a lack of coordination, mental disorders, tremors, and difficulty maintaining balance. Without Glutathione our liver would soon become overwhelmed with the accumulation of toxins, resulting in organ failure and death.

A few ways of ensuring optimum levels of Glutathione are through taking milk thistle or alpha-lipoic acid. That is why I like to take the Liver DTX Complex about every six months to detox!

You Bars Review

How often do you have time to make your own energy bars? I know I sure want to, but I haven't found any time yet. I think the next best thing I have found is You Bars, and I think you'll agree.

With You Bar, you can design a custom energy bar perfectly tailored to your personal taste and nutritional needs. Their revolutionary You Bar fresh, customized energy bars are based on the belief that nobody else should decide what tastes good to us or what is good for our bodies. They have been giving their customers a choice with You Bars since 2006.


With You Bar®:
•You choose the ingredients and the bar size.

•You view the nutrition facts of your energy bar while you are creating it.

•Your box of bars is hand made fresh-to-order and shipped to your door with a satisfaction guarantee. If you don't love your bars, you'll get a new box free of charge.

•Your customized nutrition facts and your chosen bar name are printed on each individual bar package.

•Friendly telephone customer support is available to answers questions and provide helpful recommendations.

Sounds great, doesn't it? And get this, they also have You Shakes, You Trail Mix, You Cereal and You Cookies.

To build your own bar, you choose a base, protein powder, nuts and seeds, fruits, sweeteners, other treats and seasonings, grains, and then you can even get an infusion of healthiness at the end. As you build your bar, you get to watch the nutrition facts change, so you can keep tabs on calories, sugar, fat, and more. Then, at the end you can name your creation and pick however many boxes you want to order. So simple and fun!

I really liked all the organic ingredients and healthy choices. They have great options, and I think it is a blast to play around with the ingredients to make the bar I am craving.

If you don't want to build your own bar, you can always browse their popular bars and choose some of them.  I think my favorite is the Honey Cashew.  It has a nutty sweetness with a little crunch of the nutty rice cereal in each bite.

You Bar is so easy to use, and they have such an awesome variety of ingredients and products! I am a huge fan. I also really like their You Trail Mix options. They offer over 40 healthy options for what you can put in your custom Trail Mix.

So, head on over to their website, have fun making your own creations AND for all of my lovely readers, we are offering a 10% discount when you use the code "healthynatural." Enjoy!

*You Bars provided me product to review, and I was under no obligation to review if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Spring Detox - Day 11

The liver is the most important organ for detoxification. Suppor the liver in its daily detoxification work with milk thistle, turmeric, artichoke extract and dandelion root.

One of my favorite supplements for liver detoxification is Liver DTX Complex. It combines milk thistle seed extract, dandelion extract, turmeric extract, reishi mushroom extract, and artichoke extract, all of which have been shown to help the liver with detoxification. It is a great supplement to take for a month long period to help your body detox and work properly!

Grocery Shopping On a Diet

Today, I am welcoming a guest author to our blog! He wrote two great articles for my Healthy Cooking Event: "Grocery Shopping On a Diet," which I am featuring today and "Eating Organic On a Budget," which will come later this week. I thought those were really relevant topics to all of you, so enjoy. Thank you, Scott!!

Scott Schmaltz is the author of Get Skinny! The Six-Week Body Challenge and the co-author of The Couch Potato Diet© Family Edition with author Gregory J.E. Ladas.


Scott Schmaltz is a veteran of the fitness industry, with more than 10 years of experience. He holds a board certification as a Holistic Health Practitioner from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), a degree in nutrition from the Global College of Natural Medicine (GCNM), and seven certifications in personal training and rehabilitation (NASM, NCSF, APEX, and 4 from NIHS in Senior Fitness and post surgery rehab). Scott is the creator of Precision Fitness and Custom Workout Videos, which produces and sells online exercise and nutrition videos (CustomWorkoutVideos.com).
Scott has run personal training departments and corporate wellness programs for companies including Gold’s Gym, Snap Fitness and Health Partners Insurance Company. Scott is passionate about helping people improve their lives by improving their self-image, spiritual self, and reshaping the limiting beliefs that prevent weight loss.


Grocery Shopping on a Diet


Healthy eating starts by choosing quality ingredients from your local grocery store. It is much easier to stick with your diet when you’re able to control what goes in your mouth, especially when you are eating top-quality ingredients. But if you are like most people, you don’t have time to grocery shop, let alone prepare a wholesome meal at home for you and the family. To help you, here are some helpful guidelines you can use the next time that you are planning a trip to the grocery store:


Plan Your Meals


Planning your meals out for the week is the single most important thing you can do to not only stick with your diet but to also save yourself time and money. You will save time by not having to run to the store for last minute items because you don’t have an ingredient, and you save money by only needing to buy the foods items that you are going to eat for the week; helping you to avoid wasting foods that may end up spoiling.


Using Organic Recipes


Cooking with organic recipes at home is easy, and it adds to the many benefits of eating healthy. When cooking with organic ingredients, you will reduce the amounts of herbicides and pesticides that you and your family are consuming, and when transitioning from dining out to cooking at home, organic recipes are the best choice for both experienced and inexperienced cooks.


Organic recipes are extremely easy to use because all you need is a willingness to cook healthy foods and the desire to experiment a little. Using these recipes to cook at home will also help you to expand your tastes in a variety of different foods, which will help to become healthier because you are eating a wider variety of nutrients.


If you need an organic recipe to help you get started, you can try this great recipe that combines fire roasted tomatoes with a special 3-bean blend, farm fresh chicken, bold pieces of fresh red and yellow peppers, onions, and a special blend of seasonings simmered to perfection to give you a homemade Santa Fe Chicken Chili that is anything but ordinary! You can find more recipes at: CustomWorkoutVideos.com


Put a Variety of Foods on Your Grocery List


There are many reasons why you will want to eat a wide variety of foods. The main reason is that it will help you to consume a well-balanced diet, which will help you to maintain a healthy weight and prevent disease.


Consuming a well-balanced diet means that you must eat a wide variety of foods, leaving nothing out. Because if you are simply eating the same foods day after day, you will start to get sick over time as your body runs low on essential nutrients. After all, every nutrient is vital and has an important role to play in your body.


Consuming a well-balanced diet will also help you to avoid going to grocery store hungry, which will help you to maintain your diet by helping you to reduce your caloric intake.


Do Not Grocery Shop When You're Hungry


Grocery shopping while you are hungry is a common mistake because it can ruin your ability to maintain your diet by causing you to make impulse decisions. When you enter the grocery store on an empty stomach, you will not only end up filling your cart with excess foods, but there is also a greater chance that you will end up choosing junk foods over health foods as well.


The best time to go to the grocery store is after you have had a chance to eat a meal. However, if you don’t get a chance to eat before you go to the grocery store, try eating a light snack on the way like a meal replacement bar, a handful of nuts, or a half of a sandwich. This will help you to stay focused at the grocery store by only buying the items on your list, which will also help you to save money by avoiding pre-packaged and processed foods.

Avoid the Processed Food Aisles


Most grocery stores devote entire aisles to processed foods like chips, cookies, and soda pop. All of these highly-processed foods are extremely costly and tend to be very low in their nutritional value.


One of the best ways to fill your cart with healthy items is to stay away from the processed food aisles. If you're shopping in a typical grocery store, the middle aisles are usually the aisles that contain all the processed foods while the outer aisles contain more of the natural foods. However, if you shop at an organic grocery store, then almost all of the aisles contain healthy, natural foods.


By remembering to follow these few simple instructions, you will not only be able to stick with your diet, but you will also be able to save money and time while living a healthier lifestyle!