How To Really Make Resolutions Stick!

Here at Your World: Healthy and Natural, we are all about making each day your best. I personally prefer to make smaller goals each month that I can accomplish. But, if you prefer making New Year's resolutions, then let me give you a few ideas for how to stay on track with them.



The most important tip I can give you is - don't get down on yourself and give up when you slip up.
Know that you are going to fall off the wagon, and it is OK. We set a goal or a resolution and then feel like there will be only smooth sailing until we reach it. I love that confidence, but I don't want you to feel like a failure when there are bumps in the road. Don't use a bump in the road as an excuse to give up. When you fall off, get back up and get right back on track!

When setting your goals or resolutions, be specific and realistic. Instead of setting the goal to lose weight, change the goal to losing 6 pounds a month. And don't get so lost in your goal that you forget to live each day to the fullest and appreciate all the hard work you have already done!

Don't forget to get support from friends and family. You don't have to make a massive deal of it, but letting others know your goals will help you feel accountable and maybe even motivate someone else.

If you want our support, let us know your New Year's resolutions. Let us know how we can help you get there!

To a fabulous 2012!

Cara

Okabashi Shoes Review

Chances are, you got some money for Christmas and are already thinking of how you want to spend it. If you love shoes and/or have a warm weather trip coming up, you just might want to spend some of your gift money at Okabashi.



Okabashi is a family owned business that has been growing strong for over 25 years. They make comfortable shoes that you are going to love!

I am a shoe lover, especially when it comes to sandals. I love being able to slip on and slip off. However, most sandals are really bad for your spine and your joints, because they have no cushioning and no arch support. Okabashi is the exception. They are made to be good for you, and they feel so comfortable on!

What would you think if I told you Okabashi shoes are made of anti-microbial material that is 100% recyclable, waterproof and machine washable, has superior arch support AND it even has massaging beads inspired by reflexology? You may not believe that a sandal can be all that, but it is true with Okabashi.

This is why I have been nothing but thrilled with my Okabashi sandals. My Splash sandals in brown are cute and comfy all in one. I am going on an 11 day cruise with my hubby next month and these are going to be perfect to use to walk all over the ship and each port stop. I won't have to worry about blisters or sore knees from all the walking either. At only $17.99, I am tempted to go buy a couple more pairs.  

Okabashi has tons of cute men's and women's styles, so head over and check them all out. Their prices are all affordable and you get free shipping when you order over $40 worth of their fabulous shoes. 

Do something great with your Christmas money. Buy some Okabashi shoes that are good for you, good for the planet, good for the USA and good for your bank account.

*Cara was provided product to review from Okabashi, and she was under no obligation to review if she so chose. Nor was she under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

How To Cook Tofu

There are many reasons to be curious about tofu. There is a lot of talk about soy foods and their benefits. But, as with every other thing you put into your body, you want to be choosy. For instance, I drink a soy protein shake every day, but I did my research to find the purest, non GMO soy protein shake around. For tofu, you want find organic, non-GMO varieties. From there, you can choose if you want soft, firm, extra-firm or silk.

You can  use any of the varieties to add creamy texture to smoothies, soups and salad dressings with tofu. But, for most other dishes, you are going want to drain the tofu before you use it. Here's how:

1. Take the chunk of tofu out of the package.
2. Wrap it in a clean dish towel.
3. Place it on a cutting board and stack a few plates on top to press out moisture for about 10 minutes.
4. From there, you can chop firm or extra firm varities for stir-fries and grilling. You can scrambling soft, firm or extra-firm varities for scrambling, like you would an egg. Or you can crumble it, add salt and fresh herbs and use it instead of ricotta in lasagna.


I want to let you in on a little secret. If you are short on time, like me, you can use the tofu without all the steps above. When I am in a hurry, I just cut a slit in the top of the tofu package, drain the water out, try to squeeze out any excess water and then chunk it up for a stir fry or scramble.  My favorite tofu recipe is a scramble, like the one below. After adding tofu, I throw in some fresh herbs, salsa, and some curry powder. Whalla! A very delicious, super healthy, nutritious, fast meal!


If you love tofu and want to share your tips and recipes with us all, I'd appreciate seeing them!

To Your Health!
Cara

Fruta Vida Review and Giveaway

Now, that Christmas is over, your body is probably feeling sluggish, maybe bloated, and probably not in tip top shape. Don't worry, just get back to your regularly healthy lifestyle, and your body will start to bounce back quite quickly.

If you are still feeling sluggish, you may want to try Fruta Vida.  Fruta Vida means "Fruit of Life" and is like a healthy energy drink. It only takes 4 oz to get you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. This nutrient-dense juice formula is consumed daily by young and old to deliver energizing goodness to their bodies and minds.

I love the ingredients. The unique blend of Açaí, Cupuaçu, and Yerba Maté is not only good for you, but tastes good too. If I am going to drink any calories, it has to be jam packed with nutrients and energy. This  drink really is just that. It is full of antioxidants, anthocyanins, polyphenols, plus other important vitamins and nutrients. You can see what all the benefits of these ingredients are here. Plus, the ingredients are all natural, non GMO, and good quality, which I appreciate.  

I actually look forward to drinking my 2 tablespoons of Fruta Vida in the mid-morning. It just feels good. Plus, it tastes refreshing. I take that moment to imagine I am actually on vacation while I enjoy my little taste of the rainforest. It is such a delicious mix of fruitiness with a hint of chocolatey goodness, which comes from the Cupuaçu. Yummmmm!!

You can buy a 30 oz bottle of Fruta Vida from Pro Image International for $36.00 or they also have little 4 oz mini bottles that are perfect for on the go!

We are giving away (1) 30 oz bottle of Fruta Vida to (1) lucky winner!

Here's how to enter this great giveaway:

Complete the mandatory entries below!

**Subscribe to Your World: Healthy and Natural by email on my top right sidebar or your choice of subscription and tell me you did so in a comment.

For more entries:

Like Pro Image International on Facebook. (1 entry)

Enter one of my many other giveaways. (1 entry, you may do this up to 5 times)

Post on your Facebook page about this giveaway. Share the link in your entry.(1 entry)


Become a public GFC follower on my right sidebar of 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/day and copy the link back in your comment for it to be valid)


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


Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to post the link too.(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 January 10th at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada. Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win. 
 

 * Pro Image International provided Cara product to review, and Cara was under no obligation to write this post. Nor was she under any obligation to sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

Need to Lose Weight? Skip Calorie Counting and Burn Fat Instead!

Losing weight has become a matter of life or death and counting calories, Weight Watcher points and fat grams hasn’t lessened the numbers of people affected. In 2010, more than 25 percent of Americans had pre-diabetes and another 1.9 million got a diabetes diagnosis, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The single most effective way for people to avoid the disease? Losing weight.

"The current obesity epidemic proves that the typical low-fat diet recommendations and low-calorie diets have not worked," says Don Ochs, inventor of Mobanu Integrated Weight Loss Solution (www.Mobanu.com), a physician-recommended system that tailors diet and exercise to an individual’s fat-burning chemistry. "America is eating less fat per capita than we did 30 years ago, yet obesity, diabetes and heart disease are all up."

"To drop the weight and keep it off, people need to get rid of their stored fat by eating fewer processed carbohydrates and the correct amount of protein, and by doing both high and low- intensity exercises," Ochs says.

Here are some of his suggestions for getting started:

Eat what your ancestors ate – if it wasn’t available 10,000 years ago, you don’t need it now. Our bodies haven’t had time to adapt to the huge increase in processed carbohydrates over the past 100 years. These refined carbs kick up our blood sugar levels, which triggers insulin production, which results in fat storage. Avoid the regular no-no’s such as candy and soft drinks, but also stay away from sneaky, sugary condiments like ketchup; dried fruits, which have more concentrated sugar than their hydrated counterparts, and anything with high fructose corn syrup.

Eat the right kind of fat – it’s good for you! Bad fats include trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils. Look for these on labels. Trim excess fat from meats and stick with mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. Use olive oil for cooking, as salad dressing or on vegetables. Eat avocados, whole olives, nuts and seeds, and don’t be afraid to jazz up meals with a little butter or cheese.
Vary your workouts to speed up fat loss. Both high-intensity and low-intensity exercises play a role in maximum fat loss. Low-intensity exercise, like walking, is effective for reducing insulin resistance so you store less fat. Alternate walking with high-intensity interval training to build lean muscle mass and increase your metabolism. Interval training can be cardio blasts such as running up stairs on some days and lifting weights on others. This type of exercise forces your body to burn up its glycogen – a readily accessible fuel for your muscles – faster than an equivalent amount of cardio exercise. When you’re done, your body will replenish that fuel by converting stored fat back into glycogen and you’ll lose weight.

"Healthy weight loss isn't about picking a popular diet and trying to stick to it," Ochs says. "It's about discovering the right diet for your unique body. For each person, the optimal amount of carbohydrates, proteins and exercise to burn the most stored body fat will be different. And that’s why one-size-fits-all diets just don’t work."

Thanks, Mr. Ochs!

Christmas Fun!

Wanted to do a Christmas edition of Friday Fun, so here goes...


In my life this week...
Okay, this is not that festive...but this was my reality this week. Someone who I thought was a friend and former client of mine completely backstabbed me, accused me of fraud, and said some extremely hurtful other things that got me questioning many of my friendships. I was completely blindsided by this all, but I am now at a point of forgiveness and moving on.(even though this person has not showed any remorse) I am still a bit baffled why this all happened, but I think it is a case of human pride and selfishness, which deeply saddens me.
Anyhow, I am done licking my wounds and am moving on! Merry Christmas to you all! I am ready to celebrate Jesus' birth and all the blessings I have with my family!
I am inspired by...
love and generosity. When you are reminded of how cruel people can be, the loving generous people mean that much more to you! So thank you to all my friends and family for your love and support always!
My favorite thing this week was...
Singing children's songs and Christmas songs with my children around our keyboard.
What's working/not working for me...
Working - My readiness. I am ready for Christmas! I am also ready for my new session of fitness classes to begin on Monday. 
Not working - my patience isn't the best. My daughter is getting in all four molars, and she has been whining and crying nonstop. While I feel terrible for her, my patience is running thin because of all the crying.
Questions/thoughts I have...
What would it have been to be the shepherds that first Christmas night when the angels filled up the sky and sang their amazingly beautiful song? I was reading the Christmas story to my son the other day, and this question popped into my head. I have been marveling about it ever since...
Things I'm working on...

Just finishing my classes for next week and trying my hardest to just take the day off tomorrow. With three businesses, I am struggling with really giving myself a day off.
I'm reading...
The Love Dare
The Bible book of Acts
An Amish Memoir....still (this is my book "for fun", which is why it is taking me longer to finish)

I'm cooking...
These delicious pretty healthy chocolate, cashew butter treats. I am also making chicken dinner and pumpkin pie for Christmas day.
I'm grateful for...
loving supportive friends and family. I am also thankful for my sweet sister. She has been my rock lately, and I don't know what I would do without her... I love you!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

I learned this lesson from the rough times I had this week -
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them." Oprah


Have a very Merry Christmas!
Cara

Diaper Rite Cloth Diaper Review and Giveaway

I am a fan of cloth diapers and have used them with both of my children. Now that I am more experienced at cloth diapering, I think it is even easier and better for everyone. The benefits of cloth diapering are tremendous! Besides being better for your baby, (think less toxic chemicals and less diaper rash) cloth diapering is also better for the environment. Did you know disposables generate 60 times more waste than cloth? Time to make the switch!

Cloth diapers from Diaper Junction are a great place to start. This is THE place to shop for all things cloth diapering. From their daily diaper deal to their fabulous cloth diaper selection, they have everything you will need to get started.

I reviewed their Diaper Rite One Size Pocket diaper. This diaper is adjustable to fit your baby from newborn to 35 lbs. How awesome is that? I love how snug and comfy this diaper fits on my daughter.

I also like how this diaper has a cross over snap, an extra row of bottom snaps, and a better placed hip snap than many others. These diapers also come with (2) three layer microfiber inserts. They are easy to stuff in and grab out.

I am very happy with the Diaper Rite cloth diaper. I haven't had any leaks with it.  It washes and dries out well, and my daughter is happy wearing it.

You can find this diaper and so many others at Diaper Junction. With tons of colors and varieties to choose from and free shipping on order of $49 or more, I know you will be a happy customer.

Plus, we are giving away (1) Diaper Rite diaper in your choice of color to (1) lucky winner!

Here's how to enter to win it:

Complete the mandatory entry below!
**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...

Like Diaper Junction on Facebook.(1 entry)

Follow Diaper Junction on Twitter. (1 entry)

Like Diaper Rite on Facebook. (1 entry)
Post on your Facebook page about this giveaway. Share the link in your entry.(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/day and copy the link back in your comment for it to be valid)


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


Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to post the link too.(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 January 6th 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. 
 

 * Diaper Junction provided Cara product to review, and Cara was under no obligation to write this post. Nor was she under any obligation to sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

Lots of Lucky Duckies!

Wowsers! Do we ever have a lot of giveaway winners?!

Let's get right to it...

Invisible Shoes - #22 - mkjmc   and #33 - t42vek20

Good Clean Love - #7 - Elyce

Laura's Wholesome Baked Goods - #213 - Deal Dishin' Momma

World Vision Turqoise Bracelet - #48 - Jbmthill

My Favorite Healthy Books:
1. Fatigue Prescription - #159 - Chels
2. Lazy Gourmet - #80 - Leah Baird
3. Frugal Foodie Cookbook - #34 - Orangefukurou
4. Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It - #205 - Erin

Congratulations Everyone!! We have been giving thing away like it is Christmas...wait, it is almost Christmas!! Enjoy all the low entry giveaways going on. There are still plenty of chances to win something special.

Holiday Gift Guide - Rugs USA

Wait, wait, wait! Don't give up on finding that perfect gift. I have a wonderful gift idea for any of those hard-to-shop for people on your list.



Rugs USA has thousands of gorgeous area rugs that will add the perfect touch to everyone's home. From kids rugs to outdoor rugs to animal print rugs and more, they have so many choices! You are guaranteed to find tons of rugs you will love.

Let's me remind you why I love area rugs so much. Did you know that your carpet can probably hold 8 times it’s weight in toxin filled dirt? Older carpets have had years to accumulate pounds of dust mites, dirt, pesticides and other toxins brought in on shoes, feet and pet’s paws, not to mention all the chemicals that the carpet had in it to start out with. That is just gross. My dream house will have absolutely no carpeting, only area rugs. With area rugs, you can shake them, air them out and even wash many of them.

My new rug from Rugs USA is fabulous!

This gorgeous Serendipity Vibes Black Rug is hand tufted and has hand-carved details. The deep black and creamy white colors go perfectly with my decor, and this rug transforms a normal living space into a contemporary, trendy space that is welcoming and calming.

With all the toys and children's stuff all over my house, this rug goes beyond keeping my feet warm when I walk around. It changes the feeling in the room. Besides, being gorgeous, it's smooth backing makes it easy to place right where you want it. It's plush softness makes it very inviting to plop down and read to my kids.

Plus, right now is the perfect time to shop Rugs USA. They have over 2500 rugs on clearance for 40% off. That is where I found my rug. Plus, you will get free shipping and a 30 day return guarantee. And they ship these rugs out very quickly! Head over right away and choose your favorites today!

*Cara was provided product to review from Rugs USA, and she was under no obligation to review if she so chose. Nor was she under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

GlassesUSA.com

If you are dreading looking at your checkbook after Christmas shopping, you will love GlassesUSA.com for all the money they will save you. I look for deals wherever I can, and I love the feeling of nabbing a great deal. Now you can save money on any and all eyeglasses purchases.

Let me tell you a little story. I wear glasses. Ever since my little baby daughter was born, she loves to grab and play with my glasses. Not good. A week or two ago, she reached up, grabbed my glassses and snapped the side of them right off. I tried to fix it. My husband tried to glue it with every glue he owns. But, no luck. Our insurance is lame, so I have just been wearing my "other glasses" or my contacts. What I really need to do is get some new ones, preferably cheap eyeglasses.

Besides their high quality frames and lenses, GlassesUSA offers a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program. They have a huge variety, and their selection is all organized so well. From sunglasses to bi-focals to prescription glasses, this is the place you want to shop for eyeglasses online.


Want to save even more? Check out their awesome holiday sale:
Take 50% off any pair of glasses! Basic single vision lenses included and upgrades are available for an additional cost. Use this code for this great sale: Winter50.

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses by using the code: Blog10
Yes, it is true! You can buy a great pair of eyeglasses without breaking the bank! 

This was a compensated post, but all opinions and thoughts expressed are 100% mine.

Zaggora HotPants Review

Have you ever tried to take the easy way out when it comes to weight loss? I know I have! Just the other day I was dreaming of donating my fat to those less fortunate........I've also tried many products that claim to be super easy, quick fixes, and the answer to my wishes of thin thighs.....

Then, I was given a product to try....HotPants. The claim is that you will sweat off enough of your cellulite in just a couple of weeks to be two sizes smaller. Here is what Zaggora, the creator of HotPants says on their facebook page: Get a 60 minute workout in 20 minutes whilst also reducing the visible appearance of cellulite as you can lose 2 jean sizes in 2 weeks. The claim is that the technology inside the pants heats up, therefore creating sweat and more cellulite loss.

Here's something I really like about the HotPants....they don't work if you don't work out. I did a little test: I put them on and wrapped myself in an electric blanket, just to see if I would sweat. I did not! This is not a quick fix; you have to move it! To me, HotPants were a little thick....I compared them to wearing a wetsuit. Did they make me sweat when I worked out? ABSOLUTELY! They were drenched after my workout, but, I worked out for 45 minutes, not just twenty. I also wore a pair of yoga pants over them.

How did they work in the 2 weeks I wore them? It is really hard to tell.....I have been really watching what I eat, and exercising like crazy for the past couple of months....and I have indeed lost many pounds and inches. But was that because of the HotPants? I don't think so. Did they help? Yes, I think so. Would I recommend spending the $70 plus dollars on them? Sure, if you have the extra funds. You will definitely sweat more! To learn more about HotPants, or to purchase them, head on over to the Zaggora website.

* Cathy was provided this product to review, and she was under no obligation to write this post.*

Smelly Washer Cleaner Review

I am constantly doing laundry. With 4 active males in the house, we have what seems like mountains of towels and gym clothes to wash. I noticed not too long ago, that my towels were smelling a little funky....I attributed it to not drying them enough, or possibly that I just needed new towels...they've had their limit of mixing in with the sweaty clothes.

Then, I was given Smelly Washer Cleaner to review. I never even thought that there was gunk lingering in my washer that would transfer onto my clothes. Ironically, I am pretty sure that there is old build up of cleaners. The same thing that is designed to clean, now causes the need to be cleaned.

I used Smelly Washer Cleaner as directed - one capful, one cycle. When the cycle was over, I took a good whiff.....I could still smell some funk. I pretty much expected that though since my washer is in the basement, and it had never been cleaned before. Then, I ran the cycle again, using the same instructions. This time, I smelled NOTHING. No chemicals, no rainy breeze, no musty odor......nothing. That is because Smelly Washer Cleaner is all natural. There is nothing to smell. You use the natural product to get rid of the chemical build up. Makes sense to me!
If you are troubled with funky towels and clothes that you washed, but couldn't tell if they were clean, try this. You can pick it up on the Smelly Washer Cleaner website or at other retailers.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Rothschild Kids Coat

Here in Michigan, it gets really cold during winter, and winter seems to last forever, so we all need really warm coats, and a lot of them!

Rothschild Kids is the perfect place to shop for coats for your kids. Believe it or not, this company actually started over 125 years ago with Samuel Rothschild, a Frankfurt born itinerant peddler, who sold coats to workers in Pennsylvania from his horse-drawn cart.  Today, two families and a century later, S. Rothschild is the foremost label for quality coats and outerwear for children in the United States.

I received the Color Me Happy Puffer Jacket for my daugher. It is so cute, especially with the matching scarf that comes with it! I love how warm it keeps my little sweety in the freezing wind. I appreciate how the  fleece-lined hood is removeable, which will be perfect for early Spring.

I love being able to get a coat, hat, and scarf all in one with this coat. It saves me money, plus sanity, since this is one less hat and scarf I will have to go searching for.



They have such a huge variety.  I can just picture my son and daughter wearing the coats pictured above. How cute!!

Rothschild has the customer in mind with everything they do, and I appreciate that. They are the perfect mixture of style, quality and savings. Can you believe they have coats for only $14.99 on sale right now?! Now that is a great deal. Plus, you can get 50% off right now with the code SAVE50.

I am so glad that I found Rothschild! As a thrifty, quality-counts Mom, I am thoroughly impressed with their store and their products. In this busy week before Christmas, head over and get some last minute gifts. Order online and save yourself the trip out in the cold and crazy busy-ness of this week before Christmas.
*Cara was provided product to review from Rothschild Kids, and she was under no obligation to review if she so chose. Nor was she under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Shutterfly Review and Giveaway

Photo books are very special and memorable gifts. I love seeing the looks on people's faces when I give them a photo book that I know will mean a lot to them. In fact, I treasure them so much that I even made one from Shutterfly for myself this year!

With Shutterfly, you can easily store your pictures and share them online for free. You can turn your photos into personalized gifts, photo books, invitations and more.

This was my first time working with Shutterfly, and it was quite the experience. Let me just say that I recommend you check out the "How to..." page for clear directions before you get started. I had a few problems with uploading pictures, but with their help, it all got figured out.

I made a photo book of my favorite pictures of my children. The end project is priceless.

 Front Cover

 Baby pics of both of my sweeties

One of my favorite pics of my children

This hard cover book turned out wonderfully. I like that there were so many templates and backgrounds to choose from, and I could add or change whatever I wanted to make it even more personalized. The customer service made me really appreciate Shutterfly. They helped me through my problems and made my work on this book even more worth it.

Shutterfly also provides tips to best capture your stories, in turn making your photo book full of memories. You can turn your holiday pictures into a photo book and you can reminisce the fun and excitement of the season . If you have a little one, you can add this book to your story time routine. Visit Shutterfly’s Story Telling Ideas for more information.

To help you make your holidays special, we are giving away (1) Free 8"x8" photo book and free shipping to (1) lucky winner!(valued at $35)

Here's how to enter this great giveaway:

Complete the mandatory entries below!

**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 us what you would make your photo book about. (1 entry)

Follow Shutterfly on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in your entry. (1 entry)

Like Shutterfly on Facebook. (1 entry)

Enter one of my many other giveaways. (1 entry, you may do this up to 5 times)

Post on your Facebook page about this giveaway. Share the link in your entry.(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/day and copy the link back in your comment for it to be valid)


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


Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to post the link too.(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 January 1st 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. 
 

 * Shutterfly  provided Cara product to review, and Cara was under no obligation to write this post. Nor was she under any obligation to sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

Beautiful Holiday Music Giveaways!

Who has heard of Andrea Bocelli? How about The Canadian Tenors? If you are a music lover, you probably already know them. If you love beautiful music, especially holiday music, you are going to want to know them. 

I am a huge music lover, and I LOVE Andrea Bocelli and The Canadian Tenors, so when I got the opportunity to check out both of their holiday albums,  I jumped for joy. (I mean that quite literally!)

My Christmas is Andrea Bocelli's first-ever Christmas recording, and it is so beautiful. It is full of deeply moving, peaceful and uplifting songs. I was pleasantly surprised by some of his special guests, such as: Mary J. Blige and Natalie Cole. His version of "What Child Is This", done with Mary J. Blige is one of my favorites on the CD. My other favorite is "The Lord's Prayer" with special guests, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. So fabulously done...

As for the Canadian Tenors, they are a dream. I told my husband to get me one of them for Christmas. :-)
Their CD The Perfect Gift is my new favorite CD of all time. It is so dreamy and inspiring. My new favorite song of all time is their "Instrument of Peace." I recognized the words immediately from one of my favorite prayers. Let me just share a few of the inspiring words -

Where there is hatred, let me bring love.

Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.

Where there is falsehood, let me bring truth.

Where there is pain, I'll comfort you.

Where there is silence, let me sing praise.

Where there's despair, let me bring hope...

And with these words I speak

Grant that I may not so seek

To be heard, but to hear

To be consoled, but to console

Not to be seen, but to see

To be loved, but to love...

The words are so full of meaning and a message we all need to hear. And they sing it with so much passion, you can't help but be inspired. LOVE it! Plus, their "Wintersong" with Sarah McLachlan is peaceful bliss. It gives me the goosebumps, it is so good. Their version of "Hallelujah" is perfect! Like I said, this is my favorite CD ever, and it plays in my house on repeat almost all day long. My new dream is to see them live in concert! Ahhhh...that would be heavenly.

I highly suggest you not walk, but run to the nearest store and get both of these CDs. You may want to get several for anyone and everyone on your holiday shopping list. Even better, just order them online. You can buy The Canadian Tenors "The Perfect Gift" on their website or Amazon. You can buy Andrea Bocelli "My Christmas" on his Amazon site.

Plus, (1) lucky reader is going to win  (1) Andrea Bocelli CD and...
(1) lucky reader will win (1) The Canadian Tenors CD!! Merry Christmas to you!

Here's how to enter this awesome giveaway:

Complete the mandatory entries below!

**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:
Follow Andrea Bocelli on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in your entry. (1 entry)

Follow The Canadian Tenors on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in your entry. (1 entry)

Tell which of these CDs you would choose if you won and WHY. (1 entry)
Enter one of my many other giveaways. (1 entry, you may do this up to 5 times)

Post on your Facebook page about this giveaway. Share the link in your entry.(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/day and copy the link back in your comment for it to be valid)


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


Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to post the link too.(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 December 31st 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. 
 

 * Decca Records  provided Cara product to review, and Cara was under no obligation to write this post. Nor was she under any obligation to sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

Guylian Chocolates Giveaway!

What are chocolates doing in my Good-For-You gift guide? Well...I am sure it is not a secret to all you chocolate lovers that dark chocolate is good for you! I personally eat some dark chocolate every day. Thank goodness for all those good flavanoids...


My latest chocolate indulgences have come from Guylian. I have been splurging on their fabulous chocolate seashell truffles. They are silky smooth, 100% pure, and melt in your mouth. Yummmmm...

Here is what really sets them apart. Guylian crafts the finest authentic Belgian Chocolate Truffles, using the original signature recipe and making them in small-batch copper kettles in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. Intrigued? Listen to this romantic fact about Guylian. Their story started in the late 1950's when Guy Foubert, a passionate Belgian Chocolataire married his love, Liliane. They joined their names to create Guylian. Sweet, right?

Like I said before, I am a fan of their delicious truffles. They have delicious hazelnut filled praline seashells and fabulous extra dark chocolate truffles. They also have tasty no sugar added chocolate bars. My absolute favorite Guylian treats are the dark chocolate truffles. Besides looking very beautiful, they taste so rich and smooth. It is the best part of my day to put my kids to bed, relax on the couch and take my time savoring these indulgent melt-in-your-mouth treats.


If there is a chocolate lover on your holiday list or you want to wow your dinner guests with an indulgent dessert, you have got to try Guylian. You can find out how to pair these delicious chocolates with beer, wine, tea or coffee to get a truly unique flavor experience. Make this holiday season a bit more delicious with Guylian.


Get a box or two of these indulgent chocolates at a store near you and savor them...


Plus, guess what? We are giving away (1) lucky winner a box of 22

 Guylian Artisinal Belgian Original Chocolate Truffles.

Here's how to enter this great giveaway:

Complete the mandatory entries below!

**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:
Follow Guylian on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in your entry. (1 entry)

Like Guylian on Facebook. (1 entry)

Enter one of my many other giveaways. (1 entry, you may do this up to 5 times)

Post on your Facebook page about this giveaway. Share the link in your entry.(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/day and copy the link back in your comment for it to be valid)


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


Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to post the link too.(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 December 30th at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of US. Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win. 
 

 * Guylian  provided Cara product to review, and Cara was under no obligation to write this post. Nor was she under any obligation to sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

Friday Fun!

Living healthy natural lives is not always the easiest thing, which is why I started my blog - to inspire and help others live their best life healthfully and naturally. I want to give you examples of how I am doing it through weekly updates, and I am hoping some of you will be willing to share your thoughts and ideas too.

So, here we go! I hope this helps and inspires all of you!

In my life this week...
This past Sunday my daughter turned 1 year old. Such an emotional day! I found myself tearing up around every moment. I am amazed with how blessed I am! Also, this week I took my mother back to the airport to fly back to Minnesota. It will be a lonely Christmas here again without any extended family. But, we have each other and that is a great gift.

I am inspired by...
the fresh air. I realized this week how much I miss walking and being outside. Today was rainy, windy, and chilly, but I loaded on the layers and walked around my yard a dozen times, soaking up the sights/smells of fall/winter. It was heavenly!

My favorite thing this week was...
the morning of my daughter's birthday. As I woke up, I started thinking back to how I was feeling exactly one year ago, laboring in my own home and giving birth to my daughter in my own bed. It was fabulous! Reliving that was my favorite moment. Sounds weird, but it is true.

What's working/not working for me...
Working - my creativity. I am starting a new program with my fitness clients titled, "New Year, New You." I worked out all the ideas that were in my head and got my whole winter session planned out and on paper this week. Lots of thinking and editing!

Not working - my marriage. Okay, well, it is working. But, sad to say, I think it has fallen way too low on my priority list. Starting today, I am going to make a renewed effort to work on it, because my marriage is priceless.

Questions/thoughts I have...
Am I making the right decisions when I work while my children play around me?

Should I add dairy back into my diet now that I have hit my latest health goals?
If you all have thoughts, I certainly welcome them. I am stumped...

Things I'm working on...

Working on trying out new recipes from a new vegan cookbook, getting classes filled for my next fitness session, putting my husband's and children's needs before my own, and somehow keeping my house sorta clean.

I'm reading...
Geneen Roth - "Women, Food and God"
The Bible book of John
An Amish Memoir

I'm cooking...
I have no idea what I am going to whip together tonight after my Boot Camp class. But, tomorrow I am going to make my husband's favorite meal - Mostaccioli.

I'm grateful for...
my amazing family. My two adorable children make me laugh and smile continually. My husband loves me unconditionally. Oh, and I am also grateful for fuzzy pajamas.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

Here are some pics from my daughter's birthday.

Have a great weekend!

Cara

No Nonsense Leggings

I would say that more days than not, I am still sitting in my pajamas at 11 am. Maybe it is just me, but as a stay at home mom, I don't feel like getting out of my cozy warm pjs in the winter. I guess that is one of the perks of having my own businesses and staying at home with my family. 

However...some days I just want to feel like a woman. I want to feel like the stylish, with-it woman that is still living inside me somewhere. That is where No Nonsense comes in.



I happen to think that a nice pair of leggings and a pair of fabulous boots brings out the woman in me. No Nonsense has the most stylish tights and leggings around. Here is what I really love about them -  not only do they make almost all of their products in the U.S., they've encouraged their employees to be as 'green' as possible. They have taken major steps to become more efficient and eco friendly in their manufacturing plants. They even have some products made with organic cotton and recycled materials. Awesome job, No Nonsense!

As I was browsing their leggings, I just kept coming back to the super cute skinny jean leggings. I had to have them!


Even I didn't know how much I would love these leggings. They are super comfortable and look like real skinny jeans. I am not a fan of pulling on cold stiff jeans in the winter. I don't like the way they seem to crisp up even more once you step into the cold winter air. That is why I want to wear my skinny jean leggings everywhere. They are made of nice soft cotton, so they feel very comfy when you put them on. With two kids to get ready, it is so nice to pull on these leggings, throw on a cute shirt, slip on my fav pair of boots and head out the door.

If you have a busy mom on your holiday list, you have to get her a pair. They are only $24.99 for one pair. And you can get free shipping on orders over $35. So, head over, buy some cute leggings and a pair of socks and enjoy your free shipping and great products!

*Cara was provided product to review from No Nonsense, and she was under no obligation to review if she so chose. Nor was she under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

The downside to all the fun and joy of Christmas is that there is a lot of waste. I remember as a child, wrapping paper and boxes and packaging all over the entire living room floor. We had to use a whole trash bag just to throw it all away. Sad....

There is so much you can do to have a more eco-friendly, less wasteful Christmas. One of those things is to make your own wrapping paper. You are probably getting lots of packages in the mail during the holidays, so use that packaging paper to make beautiful, meaningful wrapping paper.

Try to smooth out the crumpled packaging paper.

Ask your child to draw whatever beautiful pictures they are inspired to draw. Or you can draw pictures or write special words yourself.

Here is our finished product. We used the paper to wrap a special gift for a friend. I have a feeling the wrapping paper will be treasured, as well as the gift inside.

Be creative, take a few moments out of the busyness, and recycle.

Cara

Kicking Horse Coffee Review and Giveaway

If you are feeling a little groggy, a little tired, a little sleepy, open your eyes! Today, I want to introduce you to a fabulous organic, fair trade coffee. That's right, organic, fair trade, delicious and good-for-you! How much better can we get?



Kicking Horse Coffee is my new favorite place to shop for coffee for my hubby. I don't drink it myself, but I like to spoil him with fabulous organic coffee. Kicking Horse Coffee is not your average joe coffee. After I found them online, laughed my way through their website from their great sense of humor, and saw how pure and thoughtful their products were, I almost wanted to convert to a coffee-drinker, pack my bags and move to British Columbia, Canada, just so I could go to their cafe every day.

Soon, common sense kicked in and I realized I am just lucky to be able to purchase their products online. I tried out their Three Sisters medium whole bean coffee and was named "Wife of the Year" after my hubby got a hold of it. Three Sisters is named after the trio of peaks just outside of Banff National Park near Canmore, Alberta. It is among the most photographed vistas in the Canadian Rockies. This blend pays homage to it with a triple punch of light, medium and dark roasts of Indonesian, Central and South American beans. Thinking of the Canadian Rockies while drinking in the smell of this coffee is definitely a moment I want every day.

For those of you who haven't tried whole bean coffee, we didn't have a coffee grinder when we received this coffee, but that doesn't have to stop you from using whole coffee beans. You can use your blender to grind them and store them at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can also use a mortar and pestle. It is a bit more difficult to control the size of the grind but there is a richer flavor because there's less heat and friction. Or, if you have a lot of aggression you need to get out, just use a hammer. Place the beans in a heavy-duty plastic freezer bag, remove the air, zip it up and place it between two towels. Smash them with your hammer until they're the size you want.

Why do I think everyone who drinks coffee should drink Kicking Horse? Because it is organically grown in the shade of the rainforest canopy, packaged in recyclable cans that can be recycled an infinited amount of times, and it is fair trade - good for the environment and the coffee farmers' social and economic welfare.

Now, head over to Kicking Horse or Amazon to get some of this fabulous coffee, or find a retailer near you. Guaranteed you will end up laughing about something on the website, feeling good about helping the environment and farmers, and jumping for joy once your coffee arrives at your door.

And I am passing this forward. Thanks to Kicking Horse, we are giving away (1) can of Three Sisters and Kicking Horse Coffee gift bag to (1) very lucky winner!

Here's how to enter this great giveaway:

Complete the mandatory entries below!

**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:

Head over to Kicking Horse and tell me which coffee you are dying to try. (1 entry)

Follow Kicking Horse Coffee on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in your entry. (1 entry)

Like Kicking Horse Coffee on Facebook. (1 entry)

Enter one of my many other giveaways. (1 entry, you may do this up to 5 times)

Post on your Facebook page about this giveaway. Share the link in your entry.(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/day and copy the link back in your comment for it to be valid)


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


Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to post the link too.(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 December 28th at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada. Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win. 
 

 * Kicking Horse Coffee provided Cara product to review, and Cara was under no obligation to write this post. Nor was she under any obligation to sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

Dormia Eco-Dreaming Pillow

On our journey to living more naturally healthy lives, we have to think a LOT about our sleep. After all, we do spend 1/3 of our lives in bed! You want to be choosy about what mattress you have, what linens, what pillows, and you want to think about what helps you have great quality sleep. Good quality sleep is so key to great health.

As I began learning about dangerous toxins and the natural alternatives, one of the first things I decided to switch out was my family's bedding. It took me a couple months to make the switches, since it is not cheap. I look at it as an investment in our health, because the difference it makes in our lives is tremendous and well worth it. I can sleep better just knowing that my family isn't breathing in toxic flame retardents and other harmful chemicals.

I am so happy to share Dormia with you today, because they are dedicated to manufacturing the finest sleep products using craftsmanship, innovative design and the finest materials available anywhere in the world. They make beds, mattresses, toppers, and pillows to meet all your safe sleeping needs.

I graciously received their Eco-Dreaming Latex pillow. I love this pillow! The shell is 100 percent natural latex and is filled with feathered latex creating a plush sleeping surface. That makes this pillow naturally hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial. Plus, the pillow is also encased in a 100-percent organic cotton cover, which is removable and washable. The organic cotton cover is so soft you might find yourself not wanting to put a pillow case on it.

This pillow is just as fluffy and full as the picture above shows it to be. My husband and I are opposite sleepers - he sleeps on a tiny edge of the pillow on his stomach. I sleep with my whole neck and head on the pillow on my side. Both my husband and I have used the Eco-Dreaming Pillow, and we are very happy with it.

I was also really pleased with the lack of odor that came with this pillow. I have a natural latex mattress, and for the first several months, it smelled a little like milk. It was more annoying than anything else, but I am happy to say that this pillow only has a very slight scent, one you probably wouldn't notice unless you were smelling for it.

Overall, I love my Dormia Eco-Dreaming pillow. I not only sleep in comfort, I also wake up with no pain, feeling refreshed and ready for the day! Thanks, Dormia!

You can find a Dormia store near you or find their products online. You can also send for a free information kit to help you decide which products are right for you and your family!

Stay up to date with all the latest Dormia information and news on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

*Cara was provided product to review from Progressive Media Concepts and Dormia, and she was under no obligation to review if she so chose. Nor was she under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.*