Health | She Scribes

Hearts and Handbags

May 22, 2013 By Kimberly 1 Comment

As a blogger I receive A LOT of pitches every day. Many of them are clearly not a good fit for my site (I honestly don’t care about diaper cream…LOL). Sometimes something comes through that I feel is worth sharing with my readers. Most especially when it has to do with health matters and charitable campaigns.

Personally my heart is in good health, although my age and being overweight might change that in the near future (I hope not!). I already had one scare and had to see a Cardiologist when I had chest pains and it hurt to breath. Turns out I pulled a muscle in my chest when I was giving our dog a bath. Needless to say it was an eye opener for me. What if it was heart disease?

WomenHeart and Bayer HealthCare have teamed up for a wonderful campaign to not only bring awareness to women’s heart health but also to help raise funds for the The National Coalition for Women and Heart Disease. The campaign is called Handbags & Hearts.

Here is some more important information about the campaign.

Forty-two million women have or are at risk for heart disease. It’s the biggest killer among women in the U.S., as heart attacks claim the lives of more than 250,000 women annually, which is six times more than breast cancer. With the help of actress, singer and author Vanessa Williams, who is currently starring in “The Trip to Bountiful” on Broadway, Bayer HealthCare, the makers of Bayer® Aspirin and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, launch Handbags & Hearts, a national campaign that leverages the link between women and their handbags – the one item they do not leave home without – and urges women to pledge to carry aspirin at all times and learn the symptoms of heart attack to be prepared for one.

How to Participate:

Take the Pledge: For every Handbags & Hearts pledge and share received, Bayer HealthCare will make donations ($1 for pledge, $2 for share) to WomenHeart up to a total of $200,000. Together we can save hearts – one handbag at a time.

Donate: Bayer has designed a Heart Attack Preparedness Kit that carries aspirin and provides tips for what to do in case of a heart attack. You can make an additional donation of $5 to WomenHeart to receive the kit at HandbagsAndHearts.com.

Advocate: Encourage all the important women in your life to take the pledge and learn the symptoms of women’s heart attacks, which can be different from men’s symptoms.

Visit: Go to www.HandbagsAndHearts.com to take the pledge and learn more about heart disease in women and Vanessa William’s personal connection to heart disease.

I’ve visited the site and found that it’s overflowing with great information about heart health.

The Heart Attack Preparedness Kit includes:

2 Genuine Bayer Aspirin
$1 off coupon
Preparedness card
ProHeart pouch

I would like to encourage you to take the pledge and share this campaign with your family and friends, especially those with heart disease or anyone who has been touched by it. It only takes a minute of your time.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I am sharing the information for the benefit of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise noted.

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Filed Under: Charity, Health

Tips for getting a better sleep plus Tempur-Pedic Giveaway (ends 5/31/13)

May 18, 2013 By Kimberly 217 Comments

Do you always get a good night’s sleep every night? Or are you like millions of people who simply cannot stop from tossing and turning all night long?

I’m a horrible sleeper. I always have been. I tend to take naps which makes it hard for me to get to sleep at night because I have already rested a bit. I also have a difficult time turning my mind “off”. I always stress about the things I need to do the following day, or I stress about other things in my life. My husband always says that I need an “off switch” so I can turn my mind off at night.

My husband snores too. Sometimes it’s so load that I think the roof is going to come off. LOL! That also attributes to my poor sleep at night. In addition we sleep on a sofa bed – need I say more? If you have ever had to sleep on a sofa bed night after night you know just how uncomfortable they can be. I wish they could make a sofa bed without that horrible bar in the middle.

Did you know that May is Better Sleep Month? To help YOU get a better night’s sleep I have some great tips from Kerri Walsh Jennings to share with you.

Kerri Walsh Jennings, volleyball Olympian, is a mother of three (just had her third baby) that is constantly on the go. She has teamed up with Tempur-Pedic for Better Sleep Month (May) to bring some advice to other new moms trying to finds some time herself, figuring out the juggle and just making it through the day. She says:

1) Take nothing for granted and don’t assume anything!

Eat well — the less-processed your food the better (shocker!). I love to snack on fresh fruit, cottage cheese, a raw nut trail mix and a ton of water. I get sick of water alone so I add Nano Greens to my water every day which takes care of my fruit and veggie needs.

Pack well

Sleep well on a bed that supports your body - “I absolutely love my Tempur-Pedic. With my first two kids, I remember I would always get achy when doing feeds in bed and then I would be uncomfortable all night. Fortunately, with my Tempur-Pedic, that hasn’t happened once with my little Scout. And believe me, getting a good night’s sleep is more important than ever!” (Kerri owns a California King TEMPUR-Weightless Select)

Talk things out

2) Preparation is key to “success”. Anything that can be done beforehand is done beforehand. Whether it’s laying out the boys outfits for school, making their lunches, making lists and checking them twice … When we are prepared, it allows us to get things done, adjust to the unexpected when necessary and gives us a sense of security and sanity.

3) Team work: this is our mindset for every little thing we do. Every great team communicates well and this is how we manage all the moving parts. We are all “role” players that make the magic happen. We set a plan, do our parts, work together and get it done.

4) Expect the unexpected. I constantly remind myself of the fact that nothing in life is perfect and that we need to be ready for anything. It’s impossible to stay on top of everything but if my mindset is to be ready for anything, I find I generally am.

5) Smile and breathe. Life is a challenge. Period. Set the tone of your day and of your family by taking the challenges on with a smile. A smile makes everything better. And there is no substitute for some good deep breaths!

I like her last tip. I try to look at life that way but sometimes it’s hard to do it that way.

I would also like to add to this list…
No caffeine past dinner time.
Don’t eat anything heavy before bedtime.
Try to find something soothing and relaxing to do before bedtime such as reading a book.
Make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature. If possible make it slightly cooler. People tend to sleep better when it’s cool.
If your spouse or partner snores try to find ways to get them to snore less (if not at all).
Get a sound machine (one that has sounds like the ocean or river) to help drown out other noises (such as cars, trucks and noisy neighbors).

I WISH I could have a REAL bed. That is one of my dreams in life (no pun intended). My husband and I have not had a real bed to sleep in for 12 years. It’s either been air mattresses, sofa beds or for a brief time a daybed with trundle. I would LOVE a Tempur-Pedic bed! They look so plush and “inviting”. Plus there is no bar to jab you in the back all night long like we have with a sofa bed.

We’ve thought about one of the Tempur-Pedic mattress toppers for our sofa bed but the only problem is we couldn’t close the bed up with the topper on and if we took it off we would have place to store it until it was bedtime again.

If/When we are ever able to move from here the FIRST thing we are buying is a bed. Everything else can wait. And after years of not having a decent bed to sleep in my husband and I plan on getting the top of the line bed and mattresses (well, at least what we can afford). Tempur-Pedic is our top choice.

If you would like to learn more about Tempur-Pedic products visit www.TempurPedic.com. Their products are carried by many retailers across the country. They are also on Facebook and Twitter.

To help me get a better night’s sleep Tempu-Pedic sent me one of their Tempur-Cloud Pillows.

Here is a little more information about the pillow.

The TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow combines the softness you want in a pillow with the comforting head and neck support you need to relax. Treat yourself to the wonderfully soft feeling of sleeping on a cloud.

Feel: soft

Use: Back sleep, Side sleep, Stomach sleep

Features

TEMPUR-ES® material sleeve filled with shapeable TEMPUR-ES micro-cushions that adjusts as you need

Supports head, neck and shoulders, allowing muscles to fully relax for more restful sleep

Removable and washable cover

Dust mite and allergen-resistant

This pillow is VERY thick and soft. It’s like a giant (firm) marshmallow. It even comes in a really nice tote. I actually saved the tote and used it to house some of my Winter blouses.

I slept on the pillow for a few nights. It’s very comfy and it cradles your head and neck. It feels unlike any other pillow I have ever tried before. Unfortunately for me my head sinks deep into the pillow. It’s fine for when I am trying to sleep but often I lie up in bed watching TV for a bit until I’m tired. It was hard for me to use this pillow and watch TV because my head would sink into the pillow.

I let my husband try the pillow out. He loved it. In fact he has yet to give it back to me! LOL!

We normally buy pillows that cost around $10 – $20 each (in this case you DO get what you pay for). When I told my husband the pillow retails for $129 he laughed. He said that it was “insane” and that it was “just a pillow“. He ate his words the first time he laid his head on it. He’s in love with the pillow. He says his head just “melts inside the pillow”. I’ve noticed that he tends to go to sleep very quickly now. Instead of tossing and turning to get comfortable he just seems to put his head down and he’s out cold in minutes.

I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not but my husband seems to snore less now that he’s using this pillow. Please DON’T assume that this pillow is a cure for snoring. That has NOT be proven. I’m only saying from my PERSONAL experience my husband seems to snore less. Whether there is a connection or not I don’t know. I’m just happy to get a decent night’s sleep for a change.

I would love to know what it feels like to sleep on a Tempur-Pedic bed. If the pillow is so soft and dreamy (no pun intended), the mattress must be equally as heavenly.

For more information about Tempur-Pedic products visit www.TempurPedic.com. You can also check out the brand on Facebook and Twitter.

Tempur-Pedic products are sold online as well as many retail locations.

Tempur-Pedic would like to help a lucky winner get a better night’s sleep with one of their Tempur-Cloud Pillow.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on May 31, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.

To enter please comment on this post and tell me what you do personally to ensure that you have a good night’s sleep?

For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly

*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influneced in any way.

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Filed Under: Giveaways, Health, Household, Reviews Tagged With: Cloud Pillow, Tempur-Pedic

Clean & Sanitize Household Surfaces with HAAN AllPro HS-20 Handheld Steamer

May 13, 2013 By Kimberly 1 Comment

As a mother I have always been careful about what products I bring into my home. The last thing I would ever want happening is having one of my children, or my husband, get sick from common household cleaning products. If you ever read the ingredients label on many of these products you would see how toxic they truly are. How they are allowed to be sold for use in home I’ll never know.

Over the years I have made a conscious effort to replace harmful cleaning products with more natural ones. Because of my children, my husband’s migraines (certain things can trigger a migraine) and our cat with severe asthma (we have yet to figure out what triggers her attacks), I am very careful with the products I use and how I use them.

I’ve made small changes that have had a big (positive) impact on our lives including swapping carpet cleaner with baking soda, making my own air freshener with essential oils and water, and using white vinegar to clean off my windows and mirrors. Not only has it saved us a lot of money in the long run but I also know that these products are not harmful for my family or our environment.

Making sure things are properly disinfected is always a big concern for me. I am not a “germ-o-phobe”, but I do go a little crazy with the disinfecting spray because I don’t want my family to get sick. I spray everything including the doorknobs, light switches, cabinet handles, remote controls and even dresser draw pulls. I cannot tell you how much disinfecting sprays I went through each month. Let’s just say A LOT.

We all know that boiling hot water is another great way to disinfect things, but how can you possibly clean doorknobs and switches with boiling hot water. Not only would that be inconvenient but also a bit dangerous too.

About a month or so ago I received a wonderful product from HAAN. They sent me free to review their AllPro HS-20 Handheld Steamer. Not only does it help you to clean many objects around your home but it also sanitizes them too. Best of all you don’t need any chemicals or special cleaning product. All you need you can get from your faucet – water!

The HAAN Handheld Steamer couldn’t be any easier to use. Simply fill the included measuring cup with water, pour it into the steamer, put on whatever attachment you want to use, plug it in and let it warm up. Once the unit is warmed up you are ready to start steaming. It’s as easy as pointing the nozzle towards whatever you want to steam and pressing a button.

The HAAN Handheld Steamer is great for cleaning surfaces such as faucet handles, doorknobs, shower walls, sinks, counter tops, toys (make sure they are heat and water safe), window, sports equipment, pillow cases, pet beds and so much more. You can steam clean just about anything providing that it’s heat and water safe.

The HAAN Handheld Steamer also comes with several attachments to help you clean a variety of surfaces. My favorite is the one that feels like a stee brush. We use this to scrub the grout in the shower. I also love being able to use the brush head to steam and disinfect our pet beds.

The HAAN steamer has a very long cord which allows you to reach many places in your home, and even outside of your home, to steam clean (this would be great on lawn furniture).

Even with the unit filled with water it’s still very light weight and easy to carry around. It has a comfortable grip handle and easy to use steam button.

The first few times I was nervous about using it. I was afraid I would burn myself. Unless you point the unit towards you intentionally and push the button you don’t have to worry about it.

Best of all the HAAN Handheld Steamer uses the the steam to disinfect meaning you don’t have to worry about toxic chemicals around children or pets. Plus water is either free (if you have a well) or inexpensive. You can clean and disinfect so many surfaces in your home for a fraction of the cost of using regular household cleaners. If you are looking to banish toxins from your home this product should be on the top of your list of things to purchase for your home.

The HAAN AllPro HS-20 Handheld Steamer is surprisingly affordable too and only $59.99. That not only includes the unit but also many attachments, measuring cup and a storage bag for all of your attachments. Considering how much you spend on cleaning products and supplies this handy piece of household cleaning equipment will pay for it’s self in about a month or two.

I love the handheld steamer. Ever time I use it I find other surfaces I can clean and/or disinfect with it. I first started out in the shower and around the bathroom. I have since moved on to use this in just about every room in our home. The only surfaces I won’t use it on are anything electric or items I think might get ruined if wet or heated. The steam does dry very quickly (in most cases immediately) but there are some surfaces I am not sure if it’s safe enough for or not. That’s OK. I can still disinvent about 90% of the surfaces in my home. It might cost me pennies for the water where as a can of disinfectant is upwards of $5.00. The savings and health benefits from using this handheld steamer make it a “must have” product.

If you would like to learn more about the The HAAN AllPro HS-20 Handheld Steamer visit the HAAN official website at www.HAANUSA.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets.

This would make a great gift, especially for a wedding or house warming gift. After all, who wouldn’t want a gift that can provide them with an affordable, easy to use device that can help them to clean and disinfect their home.

Kimberly

*I received a free sample product in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

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Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Health, Household, Reviews, Technology Tagged With: HAAN, Handheld Steam Cleaner

Power Up Your Summer with Balance Bars (giveaway ends 5/27/13)

May 13, 2013 By Kimberly 69 Comments

Memorial Weekend is almost here. Can you believe that? Wasn’t it just Christmas yesterday? In just a couple of weeks we’ll all be celebrating the unofficial start to the Summer season. That means that most people will constantly be on the go-go-go for the next couple of months.

With beautiful blue skies and hot, steamy weather it’s hard to sit around and do nothing all summer long. There is so much to do and only a couple of months to get it done. From bike riding to beach combing and from camping to backyard parties.

I personally know people who are NEVER home during the summer months. It seems like every day after work they have something planned and their weekends are booked solid. Some friends I don’t see until well past the start of the new school year. I wish I had the energy to be THAT busy.

It does take a lot of energy to be active and constantly on the go, which most people are during the Summer months. If possible getting enough sleep and plenty of water to stay hydrated does help, but you also need proper nutrition to give yourself the energy you need to power through the dog days of Summer.

Eating right is not always on people’s minds during the summer months. There are too many temptations available including hot dogs, chips and soda. Who wants to think about eating healthy?

One thing you could do it is keep non-perishable snacks handy such as nuts, granola and raisins. In addition you can make sure to fill up on salad, fresh fruits and vegetables before leaving for a barbecue so that you are not tempted to over indulge in chips, hot dogs and hamburgers.

Another suggestion would be to keep a Balance Bar handy. They are non-perishable but I wouldn’t recommend leaving them out in the hot sun because they could melt.

Unlike granola bars or other energy bars, Balance Bars believes in the the principal of 40-30-30.

40% of calories come from carbohydrates – specially blended with a unique protein blend and dietary fat to help promote a slow glycemic response and sustain energy levels.

30% of calories from quality protein – a combination of whey, milk and soy protein for muscle recovery.

30% of calories from dietary fat – a concentrated source of energy and source of essential fatty acids.

Not only are the Balance Bars filling and satisfying but they also help to keep your energy levels going and help with muscle recovery which is great for truly active people who love to fill their Summer with surf boarding, bike riding, mountain climbing and other strenuous sports and activities.

Balance Bars comes in many varieties and flavors. Some delicious flavors include Chocolate Almond, Chocolate Raspberry, Peanut Butter, Honey Peanut and Mocha Chip. Their delicious flavors don’t make you miss not having a slice of pie or fresh baked cookies at your next backyard barbecue.

Each bar is individually wrapped making it an idea on-the-go snack. You can also enjoy one just before you plan on eating at a party, that way you are filled up enough and won’t over indulge on the yummy, but not necessarily good for you, foods like hot dogs and hamburgers. They are also great to toss into your bag for long road trips.

Balance Bars are sold at many retail locations around the country.

For more information please visit www.Balance.com. You can also find the brand on Facebook and Twitter.

To help you gear up for the active Summer months, Balance Bar would like to give a lucky reader an assortment of Balance Bars to enjoy all Summer long. Thank you Balance Bar.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on May 27, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.

To enter please leave a comment on this post and tell me how, or where, you plan on enjoying Balance Bars this Summer?

For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the addition entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in exchange for this post. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Filed Under: Food & Beverages, Giveaways, Health Tagged With: Balance Bar

Are you or anyone in your family Lactose Intolerant? (Giveaway ends 5/18/13)

May 10, 2013 By Kimberly 15 Comments

I used to love milk. I loved to guzzle down a tall, cold glass of milk after school with a couple of cookies. My mom used to make me warmed milk on nights that I had a hard time sleeping. I also loved enjoying ice cream at our local ice cream parlor, especially during the summer months. Sadly that all changed after I had weight loss surgery. Suddenly my beloved milk became my least favorite thing to consume. I simply could no long digest the milk properly. A tall glass of milk can send me to the bathroom for hours. My tummy is grumbling just thinking about it.

Thankfully I can tolerate some dairy products, in moderation. Cheese doesn’t seem to bother me too much. Some yogurts I can enjoy too. Sadly, when it comes to ice cream I can only stomach a few spoonfuls depending on what the ice cream has it in.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a conference call with Melissa d’ Arabian. She is the Spokesperson for LACTAID. She is also the author of the NY Times best selling cookbook, Ten Dollar Dinners. In addition she is also a Celebrity Chef and TV host. You can check out some of her recipes and other videos on Food.Today.com and YouTube.com/LACTAID.

Also on the conference call was Michelle Harrington , R.D. and LACTAID^® Regulatory and Nutritional Affairs Manager. She is also the Pediatric Dietitian at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia and is passionate about helping families find nutrition solutions in today’s complex world.

The first thing we learned on the conference call is the most important thing – What exactly is Lactose?

Lactose is the major carbohydrate in milk and other dairy foods

Lactose (milk sugar) consists of two simple sugars – glucose and galactose

Lactose must be broken down into glucose and galactose by the intestinal enzyme lactase before it can be absorbed by the body

What does it mean to be Lactose Intolerant?

Most people produce that natural enzyme, lactase, which breaks down lactose (sugar in milk). The amount of lactase your body produces will determine how much lactose your body can break down.

Everyone has different levels of lactose intolerance. That is why I can tolerate some dairy, like cheese and yogurt, but not a glass of milk.

It is common for lactose intolerance to be progressive; many people develop a lactose intolerance later in life. In my case it developed due to weigth loss surgery.

If you are Lactose Intolerant I’m sure you have probably heard of the product LACTAID before? LACTAID is a line of products created to help people who have a lactose sensitivity to digest dairy products without stomach discomfort. This allows people to enjoy many of the dairy products they love including all those creamy and delicious dairy treats.

LACTAID is the nations #1 lactose-free dairy brand. LACTAID provides the lactase that the body can’t produce enough of, which helps you break down lactose.

Did you know that LACTAID products include milk, ice cream, cottage cheese and eggnog? Their products are also made with 100% real dairy, they just have the natural yeast-derived enzyme added called lactase.

LACTAID even has ice cream. I have not seen it in my local grocery store yet. I am keeping an eye out for it.

LACTAID ice cream is available in 5 delicious flavors - Chocolate, Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, Strawberries & Cream, Butter Pecan – and has only 160 calories and 8 grams of fat per half cup serving. I would love to try the Butter Pecan! That is one of my most favorite flavors.

LACTAID ice cream is also gluten free, with the exception of the Cookies & Cream flavor.

LACTAID also has cottage cheese. I am not a fan of cottage cheese, but I know a lot of people who enjoy it.

Here are some tips on using LACTAID cottage cheese.

Savory: add veggies or pesto to it; use in enchiladas or lasagna

Sweet: add applesauce, peaches or other fruit to it

Melissa likes to blend it up in the food processor with an egg to taste just like ricotta

You can learn more about all of the LACTAID products as well as their nutrition information on the LACTAID website, http://www.LACTAID.com/Products.

We learned A LOT on the conference call. Here are some of the highlights.

About LACTAID Milk

LACTAID is real milk – 100% lactose free – with the same nutrient profile.

The lactase enzyme is added to the milk to break down the lactose, resulting in a slightly sweeter taste.

LACTAID is ultra pasteurized and lasts longer under proper refrigeration – once open it should be consumed within 1 week

LACTAID products are calcium enriched.

We need about 1000 mg of calcium each day.

Our bodies need about 1,000 mg of calcium each day. An 8 ounce glass of LACTAID provide you with 500 mg (a regular glass of milk only has 300 mg of calcium). Just two 8 ounce glasses of LACTAID each day provides you with the recommended amount of calcium.

If you or a loved one happens to be Lactose Intolerant, Melissa and Michelle offered these great tips.

Tips for eating with Lactose Intolerance:

Important note: if someone who is lactose intolerant consumes products containing lactose on an empty stomach, they will be more prone not to tolerate it. Eating lactose with other food will help you digest it more easily.

Many lactose-intolerant people find that yogurt doesn’t bother them.

Yogurt has live and active cultures in it that help digest the lactose.

Greek yogurt has double the protein and fewer carbs, which means less lactose and easier to digest.

If tolerated, yogurt is a great way to get nutrients and calcium needed in an everyday diet!

Rule of thumb for eating cheese: the harder the cheese, the less moisture or whey in it—as a result, the less lactose in it.

Always choose the aged cheeses, as they are lower in lactose.

Aged Cheddar, Gruyère, Pecorino and Swiss cheeses will have less lactose in them.

Melissa suggests introducing these aged cheeses back into your family’s diets in small amounts to see how much they and/or you are able to tolerate.

Did you know that you can use LACTAID in many of your favorite recipes? I didn’t know that you could cook with LACTAID. I was afraid the cooking process would break down the product and it wouldn’t taste the same. I also know that LACTAID tends to have a bit of a sweeter taste compared to regular milk and I wasn’t sure if that would affect a recipe in any way. According to LACTAID most people don’t noticed the slightly sweeter taste when they add LACTAID to their favorite recipes.

Cooking with LACTAID:

Melissa likes to put in in her coffee instead of flavored creamer or sugar.

Melissa finds that her kids prefer smoothies with LACTAID compared other milks, probably due to the slight sweetness.

Melissa says she simply swaps LACTAID for regular milk in recipes, cup for cup.

When substituting LACTAID for cream in recipes, work in a teaspoon of corn starch (this would be the same for any milk).

Substitute lactose-free milk for buttermilk by adding vinegar.

As you can see we learned A LOT about Lactose Intolerance as well as the LACTAID product. I even went out and picked up a half gallon of LACTAID because I want to try it out in some of my family’s favorite recipes to see if they notice a difference. If not then I can go ahead and use LACTAID instead of milk and finally be able to enjoy many of the recipes I make for my family that I can’t otherwise enjoy due to my intolerance.

For more information about LACTAID visit www.LACTAID.com. You can also find LACTAID on Facebook. You can also follow the conversation about LACTAID on Twitter using the hashtag #LACTAID.

LACTAID would like to give a She Scribes reader a FREE product coupon so that they can try LACTAID for them self.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on May 18, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.

To enter please leave a comment on this post and tell me who in your family is Lactose Intolerant and/or if you have ever tried a LACTAID product before, what did you think about it?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly

*I am participating in a blogger campaign. Although I am being compensated the opinions expressed are entirely my own and not influenced in any way.

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Filed Under: Food & Beverages, Giveaways, Health Tagged With: LACTAID, Lactose Intolerant

Surprising Ways to Relieving Spring Allergies

May 1, 2013 By Kimberly 9 Comments

The spring weather is finally here in the Northeast. I never thought we’d see 70 degree weather. It’s been a very cold spring. In fact we’re just getting leaves on the trees in my area.

There is one tree that I dread in the spring time. It’s the tree directly in front of our balcony. I’m not sure what kind of tree it is, but is produces dark pink flowers before they fall off. That tree is the source of our sniffling and sneezing. Until those flowers disappear my whole family has to suffer with allergies.

I’m not one to take medication, even over the counter medication, unless I have no choice in the matter. I’ll only use over the counter medication if I simply cannot deal with something any longer. I won’t take allergy medication unless the symptoms are unbearable.

Here are some interesting ways that you can help relieve allergy symptoms. I never knew that broccoli was good for allergy sufferers and I never gave my hair any thought when it came to allergies.

Prepare for the Outdoors: If you know you will be taking a trip outside, don’t wait until you have your foot out the door to take your allergy relief remedy. Consuming a remedy about 2 hours before going out will help the active ingredients kick-in in time to relieve symptoms.

Eat to Relieve: Research suggests that food rich in antioxidants – such as broccoli, cauliflower, or brussel sprouts – can lower you chance of suffering from allergies. A 2009 study from the University of California’s School of Medicine found that people ingesting 200 grams of broccoli sprouts had a 101% increase in multiple types of antioxidants in their airways, which can protect you from airborne pollen.

Don’t Throw Away Winter Relievers: Once spring cleaning comes along, many people don’t think twice about throwing away cold & flu relievers used throughout the winter months. However, these remedies can come in handy when fighting allergies. Zinc Gluconate Lozenges, like Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy Lozenges, can help soothe sore throats as well as help stop a spring cold in its tracks with its formula clinically proven to shorten the duration of a cold by almost half.

Exercise More: Physical activity can help to relieve allergy symptoms through boosting and maintaining a healthy immune system. If you are trying to avoid the pollen outside, at-home workout sites like DailyBurn.com will help you get your daily dose of fitness without having to endure the pollen-filled air.

Wash Your Hair: While outdoors, it’s more than common to catch some pollen in your hair. Your beautiful, long locks are a magnet to any outdoor allergy triggers and can have you sneezing and sniffling all night long. If you don’t take the time for a rinse, pollen will stick to anywhere your head will go – including your couch and pillow!

I love these tips! I’m going to implement them with my own family.

Do you have any great remedies to help with allergies? If so I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a comment and share them with me and others.