The problem with relaxing outside earlier this summer was that I had no patio furniture. I can’t have a backyard oasis without somewhere to sit! We had a swingset for the kids but that slide just wasn’t cutting it for relaxation.

I love the look of wood and the nature aspect of furniture made of wood. I decided against the patio furniture with cusions because I hate bugs and I believe bugs would flourish there. Instead, I went with these pieces:

Easy to clean and best of all, it created an area for me to relax on those summer late afternoons. I also love these pieces for entertaining. We love to grill out and these benches provide enough space for several guests to relax.

Now that I have shared what turns my backyard into my perfect summer oasis, I want to know what you’ve done to transform your backyard into your oasis. One of my lucky readers will win a $25 Sears gift card!

Need help finding your own pieces for your backyard? Sears is bringing the ease of searching for those perfect pieces with their recently launched iPad digital catalog. On your computer? Don’t fear, Sears has an amazing digital catalog built just for you.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sears. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Share and Enjoy

How are OOFOS different than other flip flops and footwear?  From their website:

The OOFOS brand experience is powered by the cutting-edge proprietary material called OOfoam. Our technology is a combination of compound and our patented footbed design. Our unique DNA provides an unmatched OOfeel that’s energy absorbing.

In fact, test results show OOfoam is 37% more impact absorbing than any existing EVA, the most common material found in footwear.

OOfoam technology:
• Absorbs shock to lessen pain
• Reduces fatigue & restores vigor
• Delivers unparalleled cushioning to recharge & rejuvenate your feet.

I love that these flip flops absorb the impact and are lightweight and comfortable.  Wanna see my feet in them?

Ignore the missing toenail

So comfy!  I don’t think I’ll ever own another pair of flip flops again.  I can walk all day and my feet aren’t sore.  I’ve also done some tuck jumps in the flip flops and I don’t have to worry about injury.  They are great! You can read more about the OOriginal Thong or the OOahh Slide at OOFOS.com.  You can also find a retailer near you here.

Win it!

One lucky reader is going to win a pair of the OOFOS footwear of your choice!  Contest for US only, ends 6/7 at 11:59 EST.  Please fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share and Enjoy

I’m so glad that my nursing and pregnant friends can join the 90 Day Challenge with me!

Body By Vi Shakes – Are They Okay for Pregnant Women & Nursing Moms?

by Heather Nelson on March 4, 2011

The Body By Vi Shakes are a GREAT alternative for sweets for pregnant women and moms nursing. The sweet cream – “shake mix that taste like cake mix” LITERALLY – can be turned into a delicious dessert alternative over a high in sugar, calorie, carbs dessert (that contains no nutrients for the baby)….

By no means are the Body By Vi Shakes an alternative to food to stay slim through your pregnancy, and your doctor will NOT recommend it either..  I found that walking the dogs each morning for 20 minutes really helped me keep off some of the weight.

Pregnant women and those nursing can have a “sweet” body by vi dessert while in-taking 23 vitamins/minerals, quality protein, fiber, and more…. It’s nutritious AND low in calories (90-100), low carbs (7g), low sugar (less than 1g)

This is also a great source of nutrition for pregnant women who have a hard time keeping food down at anytime during their pregnancy. Sipping on a light shake for lunch and keeping it down, is a better alternative to a heavy meal that is going to come back up!

Body By Vi Shake Dessert Alternatives:

You can use a low fat chocolate milk and a scoop of all natural peanut butter for a creamy reeces shake; or a handful of berries (maybe some yogurt) for a fresh treat; or some decaf coffee, low fat chocolate/reg milk for that latte craving; or some frozen pineapples and bananas, splash of coconut/reg milk for a pina colada smoothie; or MY FAV a low fat chocolate milk, small scoop of dark chocolate mini hershey’s kisses, a few cherries, and light whip cream to top for a yummy brownie body by vi shake!

There are a lot of great recipes to have a fun, healthy alternative to a heavy dessert for you to try and even create resembling your favorite dessert!

The information below comes directly from Ms.Audrey Sommerfeld and Dr. Michael Seidman both on the Scientific Advisory Board of Visalus Sciences.

“The shake is fine for pregnant and lactating women to get added nutrition. We don’t recommend that they try to lose weight though as the baby needs the calories. This is why we don’t recommend Vi-Trim or Vi-Slim as babies don’t need hunger control or metabolism support. Neuro is low caffeine, but it depends on if the woman wants that or not, and her doctor recommendations. ”

“Vi-Pak – Omega Vitals and Multi Vitamins are fine but the Anti-aging and Super Charged Antioxidant they should talk to their individual doctors. Nutra-Cookie is fine for them to consume as well.”

Read Which Body by Vi kit is right for me for information on which kit you should get.  As always, please contact me for more information.

Share and Enjoy

Promotioncode.org is an easy to use website with a ton of promo codes!  You can find codes for free shipping, money off and even a discount on some of your favorite products.  They even offer discounts on travel!  I found some great theme park deals I plan to use with my family this summer in Orlando, Florida.  Score!

Promotioncode.org is really easy to navigate with a directory of all their stores and a handy little search bar to find stores easy and fast.  Searching for health yielded tons of results from stores like 911HealthShop, Healthy Directions, Healthy Science, Health Depot and more.  They even have promo codes for gyms like 24 Hour Fitness!  Want to join with no initiation fee?  They have a code for that!

I find a lot of my workout and exercise equipment at Target.  They have tons of Target deals! You’ll find a code for $5 off a $50 purchase, 10% off your online order, free shipping, swimwear deals and more!  Target usually has a lot of workout products on sale so couple that with the codes at Promotioncode.org and you have an unbelievable bargain!

I also shop at Ebay a ton and they even have Ebay codes!  Ebay already has great deals but now you can use a promo code to get an even better one!  I may just be online all day today looking for my next workout DVD.

Do you use promo codes online to purchase items?  What do you think of Promotioncode.org?

Share and Enjoy

Visalus offers the chance to become a promoter and to make an income to anyone in the US, Canada and Jamaica that is 18 and over.  So no matter your background, your education or your current income, you can make money with Visalus.

What kind of training does Visalus offer?  What’s awesome is that I will be your main go-to-girl for help.  We also have a wonderful team full of knowledgeable people to help you along the way with team calls every week.  You don’t have to be an expert on our products to earn money with Visalus.  You will learn while you earn!

Want more information about how to get started with Visalus and start earning an income your first day (like I did)?

Watch the video below and then click on Get Started Now to sign up or Contact Me for more information.

Become a promoter now and earn money!

Share and Enjoy

What is the Pami Pocket?

The Pami Pocket is a revolutionary way to hold your cell phone, ipod and/or credit cards.  It’s a stylish small purse that you can wear when you are in your swim suit or like me, exercising, and don’t want to miss an important call or have to lug around a huge purse.  It is so great for exercising and being able to listen to songs on your phone or ipod without having to hold it!

I wore the Pami Pocket while exercising and I can’t believe I never found this product before.  I’m so in love with it! I was able to listen to my favorite music and I didn’t miss an important email I was waiting for.  It’s absolutely amazing!

Take a look at me modeling the awesome Pami Pocket:

Isn't it awesome!

Where to purchase:

Visit PamiPocket.com to purchase the Pami Pocket for only $14.99.  You can also get $5 off on the website bringing the price down to $9.99!

Win the Pami Pocket!  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  US residents only.  Giveaway ends 05/25 at 11:59 PM EST.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share and Enjoy

A little bit about the company:

The MaxFlow Cross-Grip Hairband is the first product launched from MaxFlowSports.  Steve Hines, the CEO of MaxFlowSports, was a coach for his son Max’s sports teams.  His players who had longer hair couldn’t find a good way to keep their hair under control while they played.  They tried many hairbands but each had a shortcoming (like all the ones that I tried).  In 2011, Steve set out to create a high performance sports hairband that actually worked.  A year later, after much research, design, modeling and performance testing with high-level athletes, the Cross-Grip hair band was born.

The MaxFlow Cross-Grip hairband uses an exclusive scientific weave called Cross-Grip Technology.  It’s comfortable, durable, fashionable and actually stays in place.  What more can you ask for?  And it’s actually a great price of only $9.99.  I must have spent over $50 on hairbands in the last year.  This is my kind of hairband!

Take a look at my bangs and what I’ve had to deal with before receiving my MaxFlow Cross-Grip Hairband:

Now look at me! I’m ready to workout and not worry about my hairband falling, breaking or stretching out!  Woohoo!

I love, love, love the Cross-Grip Technology and think it’s brilliant.  I really wish I would have came up with it because it’s such a great idea.  I worked out for 1 hour a day for 3 days with the Cross-Grip Hairband and it didn’t move! You can see the Cross-Grip Technology in each of the colors:

Where to buy:

Visit MaxFlowSports.com to purchase your stylish MaxFlow Cross-Grip Hairband for only $9.99 so you can exercise like me! Beginning in early summer, the MaxFlow Cross-Grip Hairband will be available in Hibbett Sports stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina (yay!), Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Like MaxFlow on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter!

Share and Enjoy

I want to personally thank Dunkin Donuts for sponsoring our breakfast at Brandcation.  We had yummy bagels and coffee with all the condiments.  Luckily, my condo got to keep all the bagels so I was snacking on them all weekend.

Dunkin Donuts also offers a healthy alternative to their foods called DDSmart. The Dunkin’ Brands Nutrition Advisory Board, comprised of leading experts on nutrition, health and wellness, will assist Dunkin’ Brands’ management with research and perspective to aid in the development and reformulation of products that meet the evolving needs of customers while incorporating current nutritional science.

They offer foods that are reduced in calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar or sodium by at least 25% compared to a base product or other appropriate reference product or contain ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial.  Yum!

Please like Dunkin Donuts of Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  Thanks again for some awesome breakfast!

Share and Enjoy

We had a fabulous Captain and our guide was Meg (love that name by the way).  She was so knowledgeable about the area and about the dolphins themselves.  Did you know that dolphins use 100% of their brain?  Only half of their brain sleeps at a time so they don’t drown.  So cool!

Meg, our wonderful guide

Then we were off to find the dolphins.  On the way, Meg explained all the different landmarks around us and pointed out the military bases and gave us more information on dolphins.  She was terrific.  Soon, we saw dolphins!  It seemed as if they were all around us!

It was such fun and so amazing to see the dolphins in their natural habitat.  We even saw a newborn dolphin that was about a foot and a half long.  So cool!

Here are me with some of my new blogging friends (well new as in we just met but have known each other online for a while):

Me with Alison of BeingAlison.com and Jenn of TheRebelChick.com

Me with Denise of ShopperStrategy.com

A big thank you to Circle Public Relations for sponsoring this cruise!

Share and Enjoy