Your World: Healthy and Natural

The Amazing Mat with Free Shipping

2012-02-03T13:07:00.005-05:00

Would you lick the bottom of your shoes? Yikes...No Way, right? Who knows what's on there? I'm sure if you went to your favorite pair of shoes right now and did a little lab experiment you might be surprised at the toxic cocktail beneath your toes. Shoes can host traces of feces, bacteria, road grime, germs, mold, allergens and a whole host of other nasties. The moment you step through the door and into your home you've just invited all that onto your nice clean floors. That's something to think about...especially when you've got a little one crawling around on all fours or if you practice the "5 second rule" every time you drop a little food.

The Amazing Mat is just the solution you're looking for! It's the easiest way to keep your home free from dust, dirt, mold and pollen. Basically it's a welcome mat equipped with anti-bacterial sheets on top. You simply place it in a high traffic area of your home, like your front or back door, nursery or workshop entrance. Remove the top protective sheet and walla! your Amazing Mat is ready to use. Every time you step on it, the anti-bacterial sheet takes the gunk and grime off the bottom of your shoes. How genius right? Now your floors stay safe and clean and your shoes will thank you too!

I put our Amazing Mat right in our entryway and I'm delighted at how easy it is to use. When the top layer gets dirty all I have to do is peel the sheet on the conveniently numbered tab and discard it. In fact the sheets are recyclable...so the Amazing Mat is environmentally friendly as well. You can't beat that.

If you'd like to find out more about the Amazing Mat or order some for yourself visit their website.

If you order soon, you can take advantage of FREE shipping and handling with the coupon code “SHIPNOW”.

*Cara was provided product to review from The Amazing Mat, 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.*

Yala Designs Review and Giveaway

2012-02-01T11:39:00.064-05:00

I just love it when comfort meets style in an Eco-friendly fabulous way!!! That is Yala, in a nutshell.

Besides offering fabulously stylish and comfortable clothing, Yala is making a difference in our world each and every day. Get this - they have an electric Yala truck and use GreenShipping to make their shipments carbon neutral. How responsible and utterly wonderful is that?

That is not all. Their fabric is dyed using only low impact, Azo-free dyes. You will find organic cotton and bamboo products that will feel oh-so-soft on your skin and help keep our planet that much more healthy. Plus, I love their Free Soul Collection, in which proceeds help provide income and stability to women in developing countries.

When I was browsing their store, I seriously started making a list of all the beautiful pieces that I wanted. I just couldn't pick just one! After narrowing down my list, I finally chose the Bamboo Dreams Sasha Tunic in the Bayou color. After receiving it soon after, I can only tell you that wearing this tunic with leggings is the ultimate in comfort and style.

The tunic is sooooo soft, I feel like I should wear it to bed. Then again, it is so cute that I want to wear it out all the time. I also love using it as a layering piece with a little cardigan or belt over the top. You can also get the Sasha tunic in black.

Besides offering women's clothing, Yala also designs baby/toddler, bath/bedding, travel products and more. Head on over and browse around because you are going to love what you see!

And you are going to love this coupon code for 20% off your next order - World20. This coupon code is good through Feb. 16th, 2012.

More goodies!!!
Win It: Yala Designs is generously offering (1) $50 Gift Certificate to (1) lucky winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

When Temptation Strikes...

2012-01-31T08:46:00.000-05:00

By this time in the new year, you have come upon a lot of temptation, which could derail you from your healthy living goals. I know I have.

Today I want to talk about how to strengthen your willpower and practice self-control when it comes to food.

Let me warn you – it isn’t easy. It is one of those “practice makes perfect” things.

First, know your goals. What is your weight-loss goal? Imagine how good you’ll feel when you fit into that new size. Now think about what stands in the way: skipping your workouts, vending machines, your friend’s or hubby’s bad eating habits, being too busy to cook? The list goes on and on. Now, that you know what you are up against, check out the next step.

Second, devise a plan beforehand that helps you cope with situations listed above that may undo you. This shifts the decision-making moment from the danger zone (think chips in hand after a long day of work and no supper started) to a point in time when you are in touch with what you want to achieve (before you even get home from work). When you think through tempting scenarios in advance, you can overcome the temptations a lot easier. Try making an if-then plan. For example: If I get home late and have no idea what to make for dinner, then I will take out the frozen leftover chili and reheat that instead of eating take-out.

Don’t forget to treat yourself with kindness when you experience a setback. If you are too hard on yourself, it is easy to feel defeated and get off track with your goals. You know how to encourage other people and build them up, so try those same things on yourself. Sometimes we don’t even realize how critical we are being to ourselves. Be conscious of it for a day and if you are being too critical, turn that negativity into encouragement.

One of my favorite mantras – Don’t trade what you want most for what you want at this moment.

To Your Great Health and Making Great Choices!
Cara

Proper Deep Breathing - Ahhhhhhh...

2012-01-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

Working, mothering, fathering, and all the other responsibilities we have can take a toll and cause a lot of stress and wear and tear on your body. Dealing with stress on a daily basis is a life skill because of the enormous impact that it has on our mental, physical, and emotional health.

Deep breathing and the rest it brings is essential to releasing stress and maintaining a healthy body and mind.
The problem is, most of us don't take the time to breathe deeply or correctly. We rob ourselves of the rest and relaxation proper deep breathing can bring.

So how do you breathe properly?

I love to practice deep breathing at the end of my Yoga/Pilates classes. But, really, you can do it anywhere and anytime.

1. You want to try to straighten and relax your body. If possible, remove any constrictive clothing and lie down.

2. Breathe in through your nose, and expand your abdomen until it arches upward and outward. At this point you have lowered your diaphragm and completely aerated the lower lobes of your lungs.
3. When this part of the breath has ended, breathe in further and expand your chest. This opens the second stage of a deep breath and earates the upper or super lobes of your lungs. Do this slowly and gradually, until the full expansion of your lungs is achieved.
4. Breathe out through your mouth. Let your stomach deflate and try to empty all the air out of your abdomen.
Focus on not causing tension in your shoulders or rib cage. If you're inhaling with your rib cage, you are not taking in air as much as you could if you inhale with your diaphragm. When you exhale, you should allow your diaphragm muscle to move up to push the air out.
Now go try it before you forget. The best way to remember something is to do it. Enjoy deep breathing and try to do this 3-5 times a day. It is going to feel sooooooo good!

To Your Relaxation,
Cara

Healthy Hair-Ojon™ Review

2012-01-30T05:33:00.000-05:00

In my search for good health, I have been mainly looking at what goes in my body-food, water, air and exercise. I also know that what I put on or outside of my body gets absorbed into my body. Every spray, lotion, tamer, soap, shampoo, straightener, moisturizer, cleanser and toner somehow will get to my bloodstream. So, like my new found eating habits, I have been finding beauty products that are so much better for me. At the beginning of the year, I did a quick search on "natural hair care".

What popped up for me was Ojon™. I contacted the company, and got some products, used them, and did some research that I thought I would share with all of you.

Ojon is a tree in Central America. For years, the native people have harvested the nuts from the tree, and used the oil to protect their hair and skin. The protective and restorative properties of the nut are proven by the the people, and by scientific studies. But what about me? What would it do for my hair?

I first tried Damage Reverse Treatment. The thick potion had to be scooped out of the jar, and warmed with my hands, then applied to my hair and let sit. I washed it out and conditioned with Ojon Super Sleek, and then let it air dry most of the way. I used a few drops of the Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Serum mainly on the ends of my hair. Then I waited to see what my hair looked like without styling. I liked what I saw! My long, naturally curly hair was not frizzy or dry, but soft and shiny. Good Stuff! Could I have just found my new favorite product? A couple of weeks later, I went to the salon for my long overdue cut and highlight. The stylist said more than a few times how "healthy" and "great" my hair looked, even prior to cutting it. I brought my Ojon™ stash with me, including the oil, shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair, leave in Color Sustain, and Dry Recovery™ Conditioning Volumizing Foam . I have to say, I really liked the way I looked when I walked out.

I was given a bunch of hair products.....GIVEN is a big word here. Would I actually BUY some of these products? I am trying to be a good girl, and really do my homework on product safety, value, and effectiveness. Here's what I found out:
Ojon™ products are made from natural ingredients and 100% natural essential oils. They are made without: parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petrolatum, paraffin, DEA, synthetic color, or animal ingredients (except for cruelty-free honey and beeswax). I am pretty confident in the safety after reading about the Ojon™ purity. What do I think of the value? My favorite product, the Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Treatment costs $25. Honestly, this is a little more that I would normally spend on a product I haven't tried. However, the value lies in the fact that this product works, and only a very small amount is needed (like 5 drops for my length of hair). Therefore, I would say that the value is good. The other part of the value of this product is the company's commitment to sustainability and protection of the land, as well as the people of Honduras way of life. I can place value on companies that care.

The best place to get more (and there is a lot) of information is on the Ojon™ website. There, you can purchase the products right for your hair, and find more information on the science, the creation process, and the purity of Ojon™ products. You can also call or email their customer service, who I found was quick to respond and helpful.
If you have any questions about my Ojon™ experience, just ask me in a comment box below.

Nutrition Help For Conceiving

2012-01-28T14:28:00.011-05:00

Seeing the title of this post, you might be thinking..."Ooooooh, she is trying to get pregnant again." "It has been over a year since her last child was born." Well....

The truth is, I am not necessarily trying to get pregnant. I would welcome another baby, but am not really trying. However - I do know of many people who are trying to get pregnant and/or dealing with infertility issues. It is heart-breaking to me to hear those stories.

While you might have heard of some of the tricks to getting pregnant, I want to share with you today the nutrition side of boosting your conception chances.

In both the female and male body, the balance of hormones has to be just right for conception to occur and for pregnancy to proceed. Nutrients that are in excess or that are in depletion can throw off balance and disrupt the pregnancy process. That is why it is so important to eat healthy whole foods and take great quality supplements.

Whole healthy foods I suggest include fruits, fresh vegetables, unrefined grains, beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, and small whole fish. It’s also important to fill in the gaps of missing nutrients with a supplement you can trust. The ones I use and recommend are Shaklee. They are proven effective, completely safe and tested all the time, and they are the #1 nutrition company in the US.

B-complex vitamins need to be replenished all the time, as they are water soluble and passed out of the body with urination. Vitamins B6 and B12 are particularly important for fertility and hormonal function. Baked potatoes with skin, bananas, eggs, and spinach are all great sources of B6 and clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, soybeans, and fortified foods have healthy amounts of B12.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) like those in OmegaGuard work on every system of the body and are essential for healthy hormone production. EFA's can prevent blood from clotting inappropriately which can be helpful to women who have suffered from recurrent miscarriages (if clotting was an issue). They are primarily found in fish oils, but again, with all the toxicity in fish, be choose about what fish you eat and what supplements you take.

Folic Acid, also known as folate, is essential for the production of genetic material in conjunction with vitamin B12. The body cannot store folic acid so it must be replenished regularly. It is found naturally in dark green leafy vegetables, apricots, avocados, carrots, egg yolks, liver, melons, whole grains, and yeast's. It is also found in B complex.

Iron aids in the production of red blood cells and carries oxygen around our bodies. The body can lose iron through periods, childbirth or blood loss. Leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, poultry, and soy food products are all good sources of iron. I get my extra iron in my Vitalizer strip, or you can also take an extra iron supplement.

Besides being a superhero of vitamins for many other reasons, Vitamin C is also helpful to sperm production and may play a role in healthy ovulation. Vitamin C is essential to the normal healthy functioning of many systems in the human body. Excellent sources include blackcurrants, raw red peppers, guavas and citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits. Other good sources include strawberries, kiwifruit, broccoli and Brussel sprouts. I get my vitamin C in my Vitalizer strip, but it is water soluble, so you can always take extra.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Low vitamin E levels can be a cause for subfertility in men and women. Found in wheat germ cereal, sunflower seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, brown rice, eggs, milk, soybeans and sweet potatoes. Again, I get my Vitamin E in my Vitalizer strip, but you can always get it separately too.

Zinc is such a cool dude! Besides being a major workhorse in a ton of other areas, it is an essential component of genetic material and plays an important role in the fertility of men (affecting sperm count) and women. Zinc is vital to healthy cell division, so healthy zinc levels are essential at conception. Zinc occurs naturally in oats, rye, almonds, pumpkin seeds and peas.

So, there is my two cents on nutrition's part in getting pregnant. In a nutshell, I personally use and recommend eating clean, taking Vitalizer Women or Vitalizer Men and an extra B complex and OmegaGuard. I have seen nutrition change my life, and I hope I can help you change yours too!

To Your Health!
Cara

Endorphin Warrior Giveaway

2012-01-27T05:17:00.009-05:00

Simple words can spark a fire in your core, that make you dig deep when you are faced with your biggest challenges: PERSEVERE, RELENTLESS, CONQUER, UNBREAKABLE, BELIEVE, STRENGTH, FOCUS, TRANSCEND, FEARLESS, WARRIOR.

Yes!!! All of these words are why you work for your goals in the first place. By a complete chance encounter, while thumbing through my son's running magazine, I found inspiration that I can wear- Endorphin Warrior training bracelets. I was so taken, that I quickly looked them up on facebook and on the web to see what this company is all about.

Endorphin Warrior makes one-of-a-kind, wearable, high quality training products for you and your whole team. This company doesn't stop there. They back their products with customer service that will not be compromised. They are there for you should you ever need anything, or you just want to send them a message.

The impression I got is that Endorphin Warrior knows you. They know how you feel when in the middle of your "long run" that wall tries to stop you. They know you will Conquer.

Endorphin Warrior knows that when your trainer tells you to do just 5 more pushups, or yet another challenge move, yes, you will Persevere.

Endorphin Warrior knows that when those cold, mocking waves call your name, you are Relentless.

The mission of Endorphin Warrior is to help you train, perform, and live with better strength of body and mind.

Endorphin Warrior is all about that little "oomph" that I can have with me. That when the "going gets tough" I not only can, but WILL, keep going.....The company helped me realize, through a simple word, that I must, despite the persistent and constant challenges, keep going, keep moving, keep believing. Endorphin Warrior is my new CELEBRATION and INSPIRATION.

To purchase Endorphin Warrior products, you can go directly to their website. However, you can also win one right here.

Win It: Endorphin Warrior is generously offering (1) Endorphin Warrior Training Bracelet to (1) lucky winner!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

**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:

Follow Endorphin Warrior on Facebook. (1 entry)

Sign up for the Endorphin Warrior mailing list. (1 entry)

Follow Endorphin Warrior on Twitter. Share your Twitter name in your entry.(1 entry)

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)

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

The deadline for this giveaway is February 9th at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomly 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.

a** Cathy was provided product to review, and Cathy 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.*

7 Weeks to Getting Ripped

2012-01-26T13:58:00.138-05:00

Is it possible to change your body and get ripped and fit in 7 weeks? It sure is possible! 7 Weeks to Getting Ripped can assist you to do just that. It is the ultimate weight-free, gym-free training program. Practically anyone can follow the day-by-day plan and achieve their fitness goals. Plus, you don't have to work out for 10 hours a day to do it. This program takes less than 2 hours per week.

I've found that too many exercise programs force you to do long unrealistic workouts or extreme diets in order to achieve results fast. 7 Weeks to Getting Ripped, written by Brett Stewart, is refreshingly different. The programs are easy to follow and there is a starting point for everyone...whether you are already in great shape or have a long way to go yet. Most of the exercises use your own body weight so you don't need to spend tons of money on fancy equipment. However you will need a pull-up bar and a medicine ball for several of the exercises so that might limit some people on the program. I don't have a pull-up bar in the house and so I couldn't do some of the exercises.

I appreciate that the book doesn't just hit you with an exercise routine, but also offers a number of valuable nutrition tips. If you are going to change your body fast, you have to have a good well-balanced nutrition plan as well. I appreciate his tips, such as keeping a food journal and backing off from the processed food that has invaded the American diet.

One thing I really love about this book are the exercise games in the back. Sometimes getting fit can get boring after doing the same routines over and over again. I'm always looking for ways to make exercise fresh and fun. 7 Weeks to Getting Ripped offers individual and group games that make working out fun and interesting. If you have a friend or two, you can get an awesome workout in half an hour and have a lot of fun doing it!

To get started, buy your own copy off Amazon and start getting ripped!

*Cara was provided product to review from Ulysses Press, 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.*

Inflammation and Your Health

2012-01-25T08:52:00.000-05:00

What does inflammation have to do with nutrition and why do you care? Well, let me explain. Inflammation is involved with a lot of diseases. We've known for years that things like arthritis, bursitis, colitis - in fact anything with an "itis" – are inflammatory diseases. However, in recent years we have also learned that inflammation plays an important role in heart disease, cancer and diabetes as well.

So the question is: "What can we do about inflammation?"

Here are my top 9 things that you can do to reduce inflammation.
#1: Don't smoke.
I probably didn't need to tell you about this one. But among all of the other bad things that cigarette smoke does to your health, it also triggers inflammation.
#2: Control your weight.
We used to think of fat tissue as a storage depot that basically just sits there. Now we know that fat tissue is also an endocrine gland - which is just a fancy way of saying that it releases hormones into the bloodstream. And when we are overweight our fat tissue releases a lot of inflammatory hormones into the bloodstream. That's not a good thing!
#3: Get plenty of exercise.
It's not entirely clear whether exercise reduces inflammation itself or whether it is exerting its beneficial effects on inflammation by helping with weight control and blood sugar control (see below). Nevertheless, among all the other benefits, exercise helps with inflammation too!
#4: Control blood sugar.
When blood sugar levels are high it leads to free radical production and the free radicals cause inflammation. Weight control and exercise are two of the best ways to control blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes.
#5: Reduce intake of saturated and trans fats.
Diets high in saturated and trans fats have been shown to be associated with increased inflammation.
#6: Control blood pressure.
High blood pressure damages arterial walls, which causes inflammation.
#7: Eat foods with a low glycemic load.
That's just a fancy way of saying that you should eat foods that don't raise your blood sugar levels very much. That is why I say no white sugars and no white flours for sure!! Lots of protein is great!
#8: Make sure that you get plenty of antioxidants in your diet.
Antioxidants reduce free radical production and free radicals cause inflammation - so you want make sure that you are getting enough antioxidants in your diet on a daily basis. My advice, however, is to avoid megadoses of single antioxidant supplements by themselves. Recent clinical trials have suggested that they can do more harm than good. Make sure that your nutritional foundation is a supplement like Vitalizer that contains all of the naturally occurring antioxidants in balance. And eat lots of fresh produce!
#9: Make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.
The American diet is actually quite deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower blood pressure and to help control the insulin resistance that leads to elevated blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to be beneficial in several types of inflammatory diseases, so omega-3 fatty acids deserve to be in everyone's anti-inflammation program.(They are included in the Vitalizer and, of course, OmegaGuard)
So there you have it. Nine steps that you can take to reduce inflammation. A lot of these are ones that you want to follow not just for inflammation, but for so many other things related to great health as well!

To Your Health!
Cara

Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out Book Review

2012-01-24T08:00:00.057-05:00

As most of you know, it is my passion to help others feel better, reach their goals, and live as healthy as they can.

JJ Smith, the author of Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out, has a similar passion. It is her passion to help others discover the surprising secrets to losing weight fast and keeping it off. JJ has dedicated her life to the field of healthy eating and living. JJ educates others and shares with them the natural remedies to stay slim, restore health, and look and feel younger.

She also has a similar story to mine that led her to her current passions. While researching how to heal her body and solve her own weight problems, she discovered that the key to successful weight loss comes from detoxifying the body, balancing the hormones, and speeding up metabolism. When you feed your body the right foods, you’ll learn to feel better than you’ve ever felt before. Amen to that, sister!

While I am not a huge fan of books that sound like they promise the world, I am a fan of many of the things in JJ's book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out! Right from the beginning, I agree with her about the dieting thing. I hate the word diet. I think when we say we are "on a diet," that underneath that, we are telling ourselves that we are out of control, food maniacs, and that we need something like a diet to stop our craziness. I don't like that lie.

Instead of diets, JJ Smith offers some great tips for simply eating smart. I love that! Her DEM System (Detox, Eat, Move) is right on the money, and although she says in the title that you can lose weight without working out, she still advocates exercise. Whew! I thought I was going to be disappointed with her book.

There are great tips in this book that WILL work and will help you get healthier while you lose weight, so I am a fan. I tell my own clients much of the same stuff in this book, so I think she is right on. The book is VERY comprehensive and covers almost every question you might have. Two thumbs up from me!

Order this book for yourself or someone you love from Amazon or find it at your local bookstore, library or other online stores.

*Cara was provided product to review from Adiva Publishing, 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.*

5Star Urgent Responder Giveaway

2012-01-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

For all of you parents or caretakers of small children, you will probably agree with my that losing your child(ren) is one of your greatest fears. I won't even get started on how scared I am of losing either of my kids.

With 5Star Urgent Responder, you can rest easy. This is a new personal security product by GreatCall. Basically this product and service is "Help at the touch of a button."

The compact, discrete, and GPS-enabled 5Star Responder can prepare you for any unsafe or uncertain situation. Simply press the button anytime you need help and you’re connected to 5Star – or press and hold to connect to 9-1-1 directly. Conveniently attaches to your keychain, purse, backpack or other items.

So, if you feel uneasy walking to you car late at night in a bad neighborhood, get separated from your child, or find yourself in a dangerous or helpless situation, this products is invaluable.

Check out this great video:

That is why I am delighted to give away to (1) lucky winner (1) free handset, free registration and free 1 month service fee (value: $99.98) for the new 5Star Urgent Responder.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Cara was provided 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.*

Minimus.biz Review

2012-01-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

My hubby and I are leaving in two days to head out on our vacation, and it can NOT come soon enough for me. I can't wait to soak up the sun, snorkel and explore 7 islands in the Caribbean, hike a volcano and go extreme canyoning. Should be a blast!

But, before I get to the cruise, I have to get through the airports. You know how annoying that can be. Plus, we are only taking carry-on luggage, so it will be a tight squeeze. Between the 3.4 oz. liquid limit and the limited space in our luggage, I am extremely thankful for Minimus.biz.

With tons and tons of products that are individual or travel sized, they have everything you need for traveling through airports. I am so happy to see that they even had a great selection of organic and natural products. Here is what I received for our trip:

California Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
Kiss My Face Hand Creme
Kiss My Face Filthy Rich Moisturizer Lavendar and Citrus
EO Shampoo and Conditioner Sweet Orange

Each of these products is between $1-2 per item, so they are very affordable. To find all their organic products, all you have to do is search "organic", and up pops seven pages of great organic products! Or you can click on "Personal Care" and find the subcategory, "Organic and Natural Personal Care." If you want to find other products they offer, they have a huge list of categories to choose from - all the way from baby and toddler to food to toys and games. Make sure to also check out their sale section.

With free shipping on orders over $20 and comparable pricing to your neighborhood stores, Minimus.biz is a great stress-free place to shop when you need travel essentials.

*Cara was provided product to review from Minimus.biz, 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.*

Supreme 90 Day System Review and Giveaway

2012-01-20T09:37:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Total Fitness DVDs, I had the chance to do some double workouts (my own classes and the Supreme 90 Day DVDs) to get my body in the best shape I could before my anniversary vacation with my hubby next week.

Total Fitness DVDs works hard to find the lowest prices on brand new, factory sealed, awesome fitness workouts so you don't have to shop around to find the best savings and best products. You can trust them to do the work for you. I love that they have a huge variety, free shipping on orders over $19 and an organized website to help you find what you are looking for.

As I was browsing, I ran across the Supreme 90 Day DVD Set. After reading about it a bit more, I knew I had to try it. The set includes 10 different workout DVDs, all of which are kick-butt, fast-moving, and help get your body toned fast. I believe it is modeled to be a cheaper version of P90X. I thought it lived up to all of its claims, and it is a great deal for a very reasonable price.

The workouts are all right around 30 minutes, which is easy to fit in every day. This set also comes with a calendar and eating guide to help keep you on track with getting in your best shape yet. The only equipment you need is a stability ball and weights. And if you don't have a stability ball, he does give modifications.

The instructor, Tom Holland, is a good motivator. He really kept me going during my early morning workouts when I wondered if I should just crawl back into bed. He woke me up and got me pumped up to finish each workout strong. My only criticism is that I would appreciate if he would give a little more instruction on how many reps are expected for each move, since I was confused sometimes about how many I was supposed to be doing. I just followed the background exercisers and switched when they switched.

Overall, I LOVE this program, and I would recommend it to everyone. You can make it as challenging as you want by increasing your reps or increasing your weights. So, it is perfect for beginners or those who want a really hard workout.

You can find it on Total Fitness DVDs for only $19.95, which means you will also get FREE SHIPPING. What is there not to love about that? They also offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, and I know you will love this workout and love seeing your body get stronger and stronger! Remember, fit is the new skinny!

Win It: Total Fitness DVDs is generously offering (1) Supreme 90 Day Set to (1) lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

7 Weeks to 50 Pull-Ups

2012-01-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

It has always been a secret, very secret, wish of mine to be able to do 10 pull-ups. I would even be happy with 5. I just have these horrid memories of 3rd grade gym class, trying to do a pull-up for the testing in front of the whole class. Little did I know, but my undies were showing, which got a ton of giggles. I thought they were all laughing at my attempt to do even one pull-up, which they probably were too. Bad memories...

Now, that I am in great shape, you'd think I'd be able to do some pull-ups, but the last time I was at the playground with my kids and snuck away for a second to try to do some pull-ups, I don't remember being very successful.

So, that is why “7 Weeks to 50 Pull-Ups: Strengthen and Sculpt Your Arms, Shoulders, Back and Abs by Training to Do 50 Consecutive Pull-Ups” caught my eye. Follow the 7-week program in this book and you’ll massively increase your strength, muscle tone and overall fitness to such an extreme that you’ll be able to do 10, 20 or even an amazing 50 consecutive pull-ups! Offering several field-tested, day-by-day plans, this book has something for everyone: from beginners embarking on a new workout regimen to athletes looking to expand their strength-training options.

I love all the pictures, helpful charts and workbook area that this book offers. There is a ton of great information in this book for developing a strong upper body and helping you reach your pull-up goals. I also really like that there are a great variety of ways to spice up the regular pull-up, so you don't get bored.

If you are a beginning exerciser, you might have a hard time being successful with this book. But, if you are able to do a pull-up or two already, I think you will love this book! I am going to share it with my dad, because he gets really pumped about challenges like these. It is a great feeling to set a goal for yourself, follow a program and see your progress!

If this book gets you fired up to meet new fitness goals, go for it! Find it on Amazon for $14.95.

*Cara was provided product to review from Ulysses Press, 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.*

Mixed Emotions....

2012-01-18T10:13:00.000-05:00

Mixed emotions about my giveaways today. On one hand, I am overjoyed to share great products with you! I love sharing and making your day!

On the other hand, I don't know what is going on with my site. I can't scroll down to see my blog comments unless I am on Firefox. Once on Firefox, I still can't see the comments numbered anymore. So, in order to pick a giveaway winner, I have to hand count out all the entries. It is hugely time consuming and frustrating!!! I have emailed blogger several times with no response. I tried to re-insert the number codes again - nothing.

So, if anyone has any ideas on how to help, I will LOVE you forever!!!!

In the meantime, here are my giveaway winners. I am overjoyed for you! Congrats!
Little Duck Organics - #143 - Emily

Diaper Rite Diaper - #211 - Trista Z.

Perfect Foods Bars - #83 Amber
#125 Orangefukurou
#91 llinda29

Fruta Vida - #63 - BowieTip

Bellflower Book - #101 - Amy16323

TravelProducts.com - #225 - brich2222

Congrats again. Have a fabulous day, everyone!

I love Cloth Diapers!

2012-01-18T09:00:00.003-05:00

Huh???? Who would love cloth diapering? Only a person who likes the smell of bodily fluids and body solids...only a person who likes to take on a little extra work...

Well, some might think that, but what about the person who likes their baby's butt against something pure, soft, and chemical free? What about someone who loves to save money? What about someone who cares about the environment and wants to live a little less wasteful? Oh yeah, now it is starting to make sense, right? There are a ton of reasons I love cloth diapers, but these are the main ones.

Here are some health reasons to choose cloth diapers:

Conventional disposables contain traces of Dioxin, a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer linked chemicals! Yikes!! It is banned in most countries, but not in the US. That is so sad...

Conventional disposables contain Trubutyl-tin(TBT) a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.

Chemicals and fragrances in some disposables can cause asthma.

Studies have shown there is less diaper rash with cloth than with disposables.

There are even more Environmental reasons to use cloth diapers:

Disposable diapers use 2 times as much water to manufacture as cloth.

Disposables use 3 times more energy than cloth.

Disposables use 20 times more raw materials than cloth.

Disposables generate 60 times more waste than cloth.

Disposables are the 3rd largest single consumer item in landfills. Oh my!!

No one knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years.

Now, granted, you do have to take a little more time to care for cloth diapers, but the benefits far outweigh the stink and extra work. If the reasons I listed above aren't enough to think about switching or at least using some cloth diapers, think of all the money you will save, you frugal parents!!

By the way, there are a heck of a lot of HILARIOUS cloth diapering stories out there. If anyone has one they want to share, I could always go for a good laugh.

Give Them Something Better Cookbook Review and Giveaway

2012-01-17T09:08:00.002-05:00

The last couple of years, I have been thinking more and more about making my own cookbook. This is not necessarily because I am the best cook in the world. Nor is it because I have studied food and cooking at some awesome school. It is simply because almost every recipe I use from someone else, I end up modifying to make it healthier for my family and I. After years of doing this, I am getting sick of it. That is where my idea for my own cookbook started up....

I am telling you this for 2 reasons:

1. I have a new favorite cookbook, Give Them Something Better, in which I have not had to substitute or cut down on anything yet!

2. If I do make my own cookbook, I want to model it after this one, because it is SO WELL DONE!

Give Them Something Better by Sarah Frain and Stephanie Howard is a plant-based cookbook full of over 100 recipes and beautiful pictures to go along with each recipe. Besides that, the authors have included helpful tips to create the meals faster or easier. You will also find great secrets to live a longer and more healthful life.

I love everything about this book. When I first looked through it, I was very skeptical and only wanted to try the safe recipes, like the fabulous Fudgy No Bake Cookies pictured below.

After tasting how good these were and seeing how easy they were to make, I ventured further into trying new things. My biggest surprise yet was how delicious the Alfredo sauce was, even though it is completely vegan. No dairy, which means no cheese or rich fatty cream, but it was delicious! In fact, my whole family loved it, and my husband said he never would have known it was vegan if I wouldn't have told him.

My fav, fav, favorite is the vegan lasagna, which is to die for!!! So yummy and good for you!!

Every recipe I have tried in this cookbook has been easy, delicious beyond my expectations and very healthy! I highly recommend Give Them Something Better. You can buy it on Amazon for $24.50.

For (1) lucky winner, you are going to win your own copy of Give Them Something Better. You will love it!!!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

**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:

Tell me what your favorite thing is to cook. (1 entry)

Tell me something you learned from the Give Them Something Better blog. (1 entry)
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)

The deadline for this giveaway is February 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.

* Cara was provided 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.*

I Love Alice.com

2012-01-16T07:26:00.002-05:00

I had never heard of Alice.com until just recently, and now I feel spoiled and in love with this site.

With the slogan "Everyone needs an Alice", I couldn't agree with them more! Instead of having to run to the store everytime you remember you forgot an ingredient for supper or find somebody used all the toothpaste and didn't tell you, you can do your shopping easily from home. With Alice.com, you can shop at home and get your groceries and other household supplies shipped right to your front door for FREE.

Alice provides you a better way to manage all of your household essentials online. You tell Alice what you buy—choosing from great deals on 1000’s of products—and Alice goes to work. They organize all of your products, find coupons and deals for you, remind you when you might be running low, and help you order just the items you need so you can avoid that trip to the corner drugstore or the big-box store. And all this convenience comes direct to your door with free shipping included.

I had a great experience shopping with Alice.com. For $20, I ordered 2 boxes of Annie's Organic Mac N Cheese, 1 Dr. Collins Natural Toothpaste and toothbrush, 1 EcoTools Ecopumice Smoothing Stone, 1 Heavenly Be Alchohol and Chemical Free Hand Sanitizer and 1 box of Seventh Generation Tampons. PLUS, I got free samples of some fabulous products, all natural and free of icky ingredients - just how I like it!

It was so fun shopping all their organic and natural products, which they have a great selection of! I also loved saving $3.00 in coupons that Alice found for me - no searching for, printing or clipping coupons involved! LOVE it!

As my own schedule gets busier and busier, I find I have less and less time to make the 40 minute round trip to town and back to get groceries and other necessities every time I need them. Alice.com is my new go-to place to shop for items I want to buy on a regular basis.

So, instead of rushing around trying to remember everything on your list while trying to keep track of your children and find the best deals, you can relax, take your time, and use the coupons they provide to have a nice, relaxing time shopping and receiving your products without even leaving your home.

Would you rather ....

or....

Head over to Alice.com, create an account and have fun shopping!

*Cara was provided product to review from Alice.com, 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.*

Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Water Vinegar Review and Giveaway

2012-01-14T11:36:00.000-05:00

I am a huge fan of Tropical Traditions products! I am also a huge fan of good quality vinegars. That is why I decided to try out their Coconut Water Vinegar. Why? Let me explain.

First of all, vinegar is so multi-functional. You can use it for cleaning, cooking, or just for a refreshing health drink. If you are going to cook with it or drink it, I would only use high quality vinegar like this one or like organic apple cider vinegar that has great health properties.

Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Water Vinegar is very unique and is the first of its kind in the US market! Most vinegars are clear because they are distilled and originally made from white sugar. Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Water Vinegar is not distilled, but raw. It contains the mother of vinegar. This helps it to be full of nutrients! You can read more about the details of how they make this unique vinegar here.

So, how do I use this vinegar? I love adding a teaspoon or two to a full glass of water for a drink with a healthy kick. It is almost completely calorie-free, but has so much more health properties than just plain water.

I also like to use it for a stir-fry base! There are some more delicious recipes you can try right on the Tropical Traditions recipe page. How does Coconut Honey Mustard Dressing sound? Or try making homemade fresh tomato ketchup.

Organic Raw Coconut Water Vinegar - 16 oz. bottle

You can also get a free Virgin Coconut Oil book for FREE by clicking on the link above for the Organic Raw Coconut Water Vinegar and purchasing it there.

Plus, we are giving away (1) Organic Raw Coconut Water Vinegar 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)

Check out any of Tropical Traditions products and tell me something new you learned about them. (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 and post the link in your comment. (1 entry per vote)

Post on Facebook about this giveaway, link back to this post, and share the link in your entry.(2 entries)

Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.(1 entry)

Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Share the link to that tweet in your entry.(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 February 5th 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.*

Friday Fun!

2012-01-13T10:53:00.001-05:00

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...

Oh my, where to begin? We finally got our internet fixed. It's amazing how much you take for granted until you get it taken away. Plus, I also cut back to just one feeding with my daughter. That was really hard emotionally for me and her. Besides that, I amped up my workouts a bit more and stayed busy with lots of work!!!

I am inspired by...

Hmmmm...I am inpsired by my chiropractor. He lives his faith every day, and I love it! Plus, he gets the whole healthy living thing. His views are spot on with mine, and I love having that support.

My favorite thing this week was...
personal training a good friend and client of mine. She believed in herself and refused to give up when her body was exhausted. She pushed through to get that awesome exhilarated feeling at the end of the workout. There were goosebumps and tears, and I loved it!!!

What's working/not working for me...
Working - snow. There is a lot of it, all of a sudden. Two days ago, I was loving the gorgeous 50 degree weather in the middle of winter. But, now the snow has started and not stopped.

Not working - When I get overwhelmed and stressed out by too much, I know I should take a little break, calm down and clear my head. But, it is so hard for me to do that. I don't know why. It just is. And this week, I haven't done a good job of that.

Questions/thoughts I have...
Hmmmm...well, I keep thinking I am a bad mother for weaning my daughter of 13 months, mostly because I am leaving in a week and a half for a cruise with my hubby. Deep down, I know this isn't true, but the thought is still there...

Things I'm working on...
Last minute plans for our trip, getting my new session of classes planned, my New Year, New You program, a nutrition presentation for my chiropractor's bi-weekly health nights, and the list goes on...
I'm reading...

Romans in the Bible, catching up on my health and fitness magazines, and trying to start reading a new book for fun, Another Dawn by Katherine Cushman.

I'm cooking...

Tonight, I am going to try out a new vegan lasagna recipe. I am super excited. I also want to make some cookies for my hubby. Other than that, I have been making oatmeal for the kiddos in a slow-cooker every day, because it is beneficial for them and saves time for me.

I'm grateful for...

the internet, my family, my friends, and the beautiful picture of the snowy forest outside my windows that God created last night.

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

This video was taken awhile ago, but I was looking through my camera yesterday, and it cracked me up. So, I hope it cracks you up too. Take a look at my son's dancing skills...

Vitamin C: A True Vitamin Hero

2012-01-12T09:48:00.000-05:00

I love vitamin C. Every one in our house takes it every day regardless of whether we have the sniffles or not. Why? Because vitamin C is a true vitamin hero!

Besides keeping your immune system strong, vitamin C helps maintain our blood vessels, and plays key roles in energy production, mood, and skin, bone and cartilage maintenance. Sound ho-hum? It isn't! Let me get down to the nitty gritty for you.

Over the past several years, research has revealed many benefits to vitamin C. For instance...

Your body needs vitamin C to make L-carnitine, which helps you burn fat for energy. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health reported that fatigue was one of the first signs of vitamin C depletion. In one study, 44 workers received 6 grams of vitamin C daily. After two weeks, their fatigue had decreased by almost one-third.

Did you know you need vitamin C to make collagen, the predominant protein in the body? Collagen forms part of all our tissues, including skin, organs, cartilage, and bone. Some research has found that lotions containing vitamin C can improve skin tone and reduce fine wrinkles. Another study reported that vitamin C reduces the risk of bone fractures.

Not to mention, vitamin C is needed to manufacture several important mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Seeing this, it's not surprising that one of the first signs of vitamin C deficiency is irritability. A recent study in Montreal found that almost two out of three patients in an acute medical ward had low or deficient levels of vitamin C. Taking 1,000 mg of Vitamin C daily led to significant reductions in anger, anxiety and depression. (I am a personal testimony of this fact)

Now get this, considerable research indicates that large doses of vitamin C are helpful as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients. Under these circumstances, the ideal method of administration is intravenous, but oral vitamin C can help too. 10,000 mg of oral vitamin C daily is particularly helpful in reducing nausea, improving appetite, and enhancing overall quality of life in cancer patients.

There you have it. Now you know why vitamin C is such a super star. Use it to reduce the duration of your colds, give you more energy, build healthy skin and bone, improve your mood, and even help cancer patients!

I love you, vitamin C!!!

Add vitamin C to your supplement routine daily, but make sure it is high-quality, digestible and effective! I recommend and use Shaklee for their purity, quality, and effectiveness. And be sure to eat lots of citrus fruits, peppers, and other produce high in vitamin C.

To Your Health!
Cara

Green Toys Review and Giveaway

2012-01-11T10:48:00.000-05:00

If one of your goals for this new year is to live a little greener or have a safer home for your family, you are going to love Green Toys. Get this - they use recycled milk containers as the main ingredient in their toys. And as of the exact moment I am writing this, they have already recycled 9,872, 900 milk jugs and counting. How awesome is that?

Now, these recycled milk jugs don't turn into an icky plastic that you don't want in your home. They turn it into one of the cleanest, safest plastics around - high-density polyethylene. Green Toys products contain no BPA or phthalates to make your home that much safer. Yay!

Plus, the toys are super cute and lots of fun! From blocks to trucks to cookware, and so much more, they have a huge variety!

My children received the Recycling Truck and Chef Set. You can see how much they enjoy playing with them below!

The recycling truck is the greatest idea. Not only is it a fun toy, but it is a teaching toy. I got to teach my son all about recycling and how it works and why we do it - a great lesson!

Both of my children love the chef set! It comes with a stock pot with lid, skillet, ladle and a spatula. These are completely safe and can even be used with real food and washed in the dishwasher. How great is that?

I give Green Toys two huge thumbs up! They are a great company to support and their products are changing the world one milk jug at a time. Head over to their website and check out the great variety of safe toys!

For (1) very lucky winner, we are giving away (1) Recycling Truck!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

**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:

Tell us which toys, besides the ones I mentioned above, are your favorite from Green Toys. (1 entry)
Follow GreenToys on Facebook. (1 entry)
Follow Green Toys on Twitter. Share your Twitter name in your entry.(1 entry)

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)

The deadline for this giveaway is January 25th 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.

* Green Toys 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.*

Do You Have Goals?

2012-01-10T15:25:00.000-05:00

"You are limitless potential...so dare experience. Believe you have the courage to realize all you dream. Say YES to this day!"

I am a big fan of goals. I just feel that without having dreams or a vision, we will fall into a big slump. My passion is helping people achieve great health. So many people out there are suffering and spending a lot of money covering over their symptoms with expensive medications. My goal is to help as many people as possible feel better than they have ever felt and have truly great health!

Having my own Shaklee and fitness businesses has inspired me even more and given me hope to accomplish all my dreams. In fact, I made a little dream book about a year ago that highlights some of my passions, goals I have for myself and family, and words that inspire me. I think a lot of times we lose sight of our own dreams because life can get so hectic. We lose sight of our "why?" Now, I am sure every one of you has a long list of dreams and goals. This might be a great time to revisit them and let yourself be inspired again! I pray that each of you is able to share your passion every day, as I am blessed enough to do.

As you think about goals for your life, I encourage you to think about goals for your health also. We all have them. One of mine is to run a marathon with my dad when he is 60. Another goal is to not need any medications. Please feel free to share with me any goals you have that I may be able to help with. I would love to talk with you and set up a great plan for accomplishing them!

To Dreaming and Accomplishing Goals!
Cara

Superfood Snacks Review and Giveaway

2012-01-09T05:56:00.000-05:00

By now you probably know that snacking can be healthy. Eating a light meal can give you the energy to get through the next part of your day. Where are you getting your "quick meal" energy? I bet many, many of you are way past going to the vending machine. I would bet that you know by now that a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit make a great snack. But, what about that little "wish" inside your head that only something sweet will satisfy?

This week, my "wish" was granted! I was given Superfood Snacks Brazilian Chocolate Ecstasy to try for a snack. Hmmmm, sounds yummy, but What's in It?

Ok...first you should know....the term "SUPERFOOD" is getting a ton of buzz. A superfood is thought to be a food high in quality nutrients and antioxidants, yet low in calories. Superfoods are said to help protect against cancer and heart disease, while lowering blood pressure and total cholesterol. Superfoods also help to regulate your metabolism, prevent inflammation, and protect your body from toxins.

Superfood Snacks is a company that only uses sustainable, raw, organic ingredients to handcraft their snacks. Superfood Snacks combines ingredients such as Brazil Nuts, Raw Cacao, Chia Seeds, and Mango, creating the most tasty and energizing snacks ever. There is a huge difference between eating commercially processed snacks, and Superfood Snacks, which are made from raw, non-GMO, gluten-free ingredients. These super nuggets are the real deal when it comes to fabulous taste, that also produce energy.

Just a few more things I want to tell you before I get to the giveaway. You will be impressed with this product. You will also be impressed by this company! After I received my pack and tried the snack, I went to both their facebook page and website, and "liked" and signed up for newsletter and coupons. I received a generous $9 coupon right away. This week, I received a pretty detailed newsletter on antioxidants, what they are, and how Superfoods Snacks are more packed than other antioxidant rich foods. It helped me simply understand that our bodies age inside, and if they get some help from quality foods, high in antioxidants, our bodies will not age as rapidly. Another impressive fact is that this company not only cares about their ingredients; they care about packaging too. Superfood Snacks is the first company to use color printed packaging that is both biodegradable and compostable. Wow! What a company to fall in love with!

As I promised, it gets better-
Superfood Snacks is going to give (1) lucky reader (2) bags of their Brazilian Chocolate Ecstasy!

Here's how to win:

Just complete the mandatory entry:
**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 (every time you do one of the below, tell us you did in a separate comment):

Follow Superfood Snacks on Facebook. (1 entry)

Sign up for the Superfood Snacks mailing list. (1 entry)

Follow Superfood Snacks on Twitter. Share your Twitter name in your entry.(1 entry)

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)

The deadline for this giveaway is January 23rd at 11:59 pm EST, at which time a winner will be randomly 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. This giveaway is open to US addresses only.

* Superfood Snacks provided Cathy product to review, and Cathy was under no obligation to write this post. She was not under any obligation to sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.*

MPG Fitness Clothing Review and Giveaway

2012-01-07T12:34:00.002-05:00

Now that it is the New Year and everyone is working their booties off, why not look good doing it? I am a huge fan of MPG - Mondetta Performance Gear, as you may remember from my last review of them.

No matter what fitness activity you are doing, you will love doing it in Mondetta Performance Gear. A lot of people feel more confident when they love what they are wearing and when they know their clothing won't hinder their hard work. With their super stylish, unique designs and awesome function and performance, MPG will not disappoint you.

They also have an awesome charity - the Mondetta Charity Foundation (MCF). Their founders were all born in the East African countries of Kenya and Uganda and have decided to support an orphanage in the former and a school in the latter. Most of the children directly benefiting from the MCF's efforts have either lost their parents to AIDS or are themselves living with the disease that has ravaged most of the African continent. One percent of total MPG sales are contributed to the MCF, which is a completely separate entity from the parent company, Mondetta, meaning all operating and administration costs are covered by the company and all donated funds received go directly where they should: to help those in need. I love this charity, because I know how important education is to children in Africa! Thanks, MPG!!

As many of you may know, I practically live in my fitness clothes, so I know good clothing when I see it. I have been thrilled with my new Nebula top, which I have in purple. It is so uniquely stylish and so comfortable! I love how breathable it is, and its moisture wicking cloth makes me feel like I hardly sweat at all, which is great if you have to run errands after your workout. Now you can work out hard and sweat like crazy and still feel fresh afterwards.

I also love their Nadir pant. These pants look great, feel great, and fit really nicely. They hug your curves and compliment any figure! Plus, they also wick moisture away, and they don't feel sticky next to your legs. They are perfect for any fitness activity or just lounging around.

MPG clothing comes in lots of different sizes and colors. Plus, they have men's products, cute jackets and yoga bags. You can buy any of their products right on their website. Don't want to go work out today? I bet you will once you get some stylish and functional MPG clothing...especially when you use this code to get 25% off - naturalworldlovesmpg.

Guess what? We are giving away (1) product of your choice to (1) very lucky reader!!! Thank you MPG!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

**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:

Follow MPGSport on Facebook. (1 entry)

Sign up for the MPG mailing list. (1 entry)

Follow MPG on Twitter. Share your Twitter name in your entry.(1 entry)

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)

The deadline for this giveaway is January 21st 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.

* MPG 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.*