Natural Pain Relief with Noxicare

Noxicare Pain Relief

I blogged a few weeks ago about the chronic pain that I live in due to my osteoarthritis and degenerative back. Honestly, after all these years of having pain, I have a good pain tolerance, and I don't like to use medication on a daily basis.  Since my last bout, I have really struggled with inflamation in my joints and aching in my back and hips especially at night time so I have been trying to find natural alternatives for helping with pain.

This is where Noxicare Natural Pain Reliever comes in.  Noxicare is a patent pending natural pain relief formula which combines 7 different pain relievers known throughout the world for their abilities to minimize and even completely alleviate pain, inflammation, nerve pain, and muscle aches with no ill side effects.  You can find Noxicare in both tablet form to help with all over body pain, or a cream to help with pain in specific spots.

I received a shirt and a couple of tubes of the Noxicare Natural Pain Reliever cream to assist with my review.  The first thing I did was read the ingredients and rather than seeing a bunch of words I couldn't pronounce, I saw this list:  Turmeric, Willow Bark, Ginger, Holy Basil, Rosemary Extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Boswellia Extract.  It sounded more like I was looking through my spice cabinet than reading a tube of pain cream.  The second thing that stood out was the scent, or rather the lack thereof.  I was fully expecting to smell like a peppermint or cinnamon, but Noxicare is completely scent free.

The first time I used it, I didn't really  see much of a difference.  I don't know if I went to sleep too quickly after using it or what, but I just didn't notice anything different.  I tried it again the following night, and I could feel the  area tingling and heating up.  It genuinely helped with  the pain radiating in my back and shooting down my leg.  I have been using this nightly when the pain wakens me, and it helps!

It is really hard to compare this pain cream to the relief I could potentially get from pain management doctors, but I am young, have four children to raise, and I want to set a great example for them by utlilizing natural products.  There will still be times I must resort to pain pills, but this is a great alternative I can use everyday and feel great about it while getting pain relief and I would rank it in my top 10 natural ways to relieve pain.

You can read more about the specifics on the Noxicare website as well as order the cream and pills if you would like to.  Each sells for $19.99 each, so it is comparable to other natural pain relievers in price.  Check them out on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the great happenings in the Noxicare world!

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Noxicare  for the products I received to facilitate this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Please do your own due diligence when making decisions on purchasing something..  

A Healthier Oil: Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil

I have been using Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil for quite some time now, and I am loving it.  Right after the conclusion of my last giveaway, Tropical Traditions contacted me and generously offered to sponsor another giveaway for my readers this time for a GALLON of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!!! How exciting is that?

This Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is such a great alternative to other oils.  It is one of those healthy fats that are just better for our bodies than the frivolous fats we like to fill our bodies with!  I have heard so many great things that can potentially happen with using Coconut oil, but you do your own research.  I'm not a doctor, I'm a Mother, Blogger, Baker, so I am just concerned with making healthy yummy things for my four darlings to eat!

Last time I shared with you how I was cooking eggs with the coconut oil.  Well this time, I am sharing a recipe.  I took a regular old oatmeal cookie recipe and replaced the butter with coconut oil.  I also discovered midway through my recipe that I was out of vanilla so I substituted a tbs of bourbon in the place of the vanilla.  Hey, I had to wing it!  They are really good.  It adds another depth of flavor, and the kids said it tasted a tad nutty.

Healthier Oatmeal Cookies with Coconut Oil

1 cup of flour
2 cups of oatmeal (I used steal cut)
1/2 tsp of baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup of coconut oil
1 cup of brown sugar
1 large organic free range egg
1 tbsp of Bourbon (or Vanilla if you have it)

Mix together the flour, oatmeal, salt, and soda.  Cream together Coconut Oil, Brown sugar, egg, and bourbon.  Stir the dry ingredients into the wet 1/3 at a time.  Roll 1 inch balls of the dough between your hands, then press with a fork lightly to put an indention in the cookies.  I baked on 350  for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.  Enjoy

You can find literally hundreds of other uses for coconut oils, and you can see some of them here watching this video.

I love cooking with the Gold Label Virigin Coconut Oil, and I really think you are going to love it as much as I do! Now for the Great News!!!

Win 1 gallon of  Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America's source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil? You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the  advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

So go ahead and check them out at the Tropical Traditions website, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.  

Disclaimer:  This is a straight giveaway.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Please do your own due diligence when making decisions on purchasing something..  

Eco Friendly Cleaning Products by Ecover!

Ecover Cleaning Products

I love using products that are natural, plant based, made from minerals, and chemical free.  I have alternate solutions I can use for things like cleaning floors, washing windows, cleaning bathrooms, etc, but laundry detergent is something I have been still looking for.  I can make my own, but I am not sure how natural it is since it does use washing soda and borax.

I came across a company Ecover which offers plant based and mineral products to clean your house including laundry and they even use 100% recyclable bottles that are made from sugarcane.  The bottles are 100% renewable and reusable, and while most companies strive for packaging made from 30% PlantPlastic, Ecover uses 100% PlantPlastic.  

I was able to try out the Ecover Laundry Liquid ZERO and the Hand Soap, and I would like to share my personal thoughts with you.  

The Ecover Laundry Liquid ZERO contains plant based and mineral products, no phosphates, no chlorine, no brighteners, and they are completely cruelty free-never been tested on animals.  I was honestly a bit skeptical because I have used commercial "free" products before and not been satisfied.  The bottle is made with a small cap so instructions state to use 2.5 caps for a large load of laundry so the amount I used is similar to laundry detergents from the market.

The laundry DID come out clean!  It has a clean smell about it, but I have to admit I have gotten used to floral smelling laundry detergent, and I had to get used to "clean" smelling laundry not necessarily having a bold scent to it.  It works well though, and I am looking forward to trying the Chlorine free bleach with it to see how well it works to brighten my whites.

The Hand Soap has a nice Lavender scent to it which I love because it is natural, yet beautifully scented.  It too is based on all natural plants, contains Aloe, is perfect for sensitive skin, and also has never been tested on animals.  

I was overall very pleased with my experience with Ecover Laundry Detergent and Hand soap, and have found a new addition to my cleaning family!   You can see all their great products on the Ecover website , Follow them on their Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and can even purchase Ecover products on the website, or can find them using the local store finder

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Ecover USA  for the products I received to facilitate this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Please do your own due diligence when making decisions on purchasing something..  

Kitchy, Funny Gifts with Fun Slurp!

Fun Slurp

Our family is a fun family!  We enjoy jokes, pulling pranks on each other, and unique items that are just overall funny.  The other day I got the gallon of milk out of the refrigerator to pour some milk and a HUGE gray spider jumped out at me.   Before my heartbeat calmed, I hear my almost 3 year old giggling and saying "got you, Mama!"  That's right, I was bested by a 2 year old!

I have found such a great company that sells the most unique products, and I want to share them with you!  Fun Slurp sells the best items from fun ice molds, Facebook Like Stamps, pot holders that look like a slice of pizza, and so much more.  With Father's Day in mind they have things like Bacon flavored lip balm, Camouflage Toilet Paper, a Golf BBQ Grilling set (all the utensils look like different clubs and irons), and even a Grill Sargent Apron.  Honestly, they have 100s of things that I want, and many are just so cute or funny!

I received a package containing the Supreme Yummy Pizza Pocket , Cold Fish Gold Fish Mold, Fossilized Dinosaur Ice Mold, Brain Freeze Ice Mold, and a set of Facebook Like and Dislike Stamps.

The Potholder is so realistic, it makes you want to sink your teeth in it!  However, it is also useful and will protect your hands as well as any other cloth potholder on the market!

The ice molds are not only funny they are cooling.  My kids LOVE ice.  They are constantly grabbing a cup of ice chips from the freezer and eating them.  Their love of ice molds began in October when their Nana sent her monthly package which included a vampire teeth mold.  It has been such a hit, and everyday after school, the get in the freezer to dole out the teeth!

I had a fantastic time surprising my kids with a special drink after school that included a brain ice cube in it!  My two oldest love anything Scientific or to do with the body so this was a huge hit!

The other ice molds are equally fun, Gold Fish swimming in your cup, Dinosaur Bones floating in your drink, and so much more!

The Facebook Like and Dislike Buttons are something my kids would love for sure!  So, go ahead and check out all these wonderful items and more on the Fun Slurp Website and  Facebook.

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Fun Slurp  Inc  for the products I received to facilitate this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Please do your own due diligence when making decisions on purchasing something.

ALl New, Cute Spring Styles I am loving!

All New, cute Spring Styles via People Style Watch!

I adore these orange thong sandals and the matching front tie shirt....so summery and fresh!  I personally would wear the silver sandals with the blue sundress!! I am so ready for the beach!

Keepin' It Cool This Summer with Cool Gear!

Cool Gear Inc

Today I want to share with you what I believe is one of my best finds ever.  A couple of years ago, we decided as a family that we were going to become as eco-friendly and green as possible, and the first thing I did was run out and buy us all some metal water bottles which I fell in love with! This was my first experience with Cool Gear, Inc.  Thanks to my local Walmart and my semi-addiction to shopping there, I have fallen in love with many of their products which are especially abundant in the Spring and Summer times!

As I was frivolously spending purchasing a desperately needed new Summer cup by Cool Gear at the local Wally World a month ago a light bulb when off in my head!  I want to share with you how great they really are!

 I contacted Cool Gear who readily agreed, and sent me a couple of new great products to facilitate with a review!  I received a Stayfit Lunch To Go and a Cool Zooey Flip Top, both of which are nice for different reasons.  

The Cool Zooey Flip Top was an instant hit with Mika because it is so cute, but I love it for Mom reasons.  First of all, the straw detaches, and is in two pieces.  Know all that nasty gunk that can grow or get stuck in a sippy straw if you are using it on an errand day and it is several hours before you can wash it?  No matter how hard you try it won't come out. Not with this sippy!

The straw separates in half and it is super easy to clean by spraying it with hot water, then soaking in soapy water!  After almost a month of daily milk and water use (Mika doesn't like juice), it has zero unidentifiable substances growing it!  I am sold on that feature alone since I have tried every sippy cup on the market and they all grow yucky stuff.

Secondly, it comes with a detachable freezer stick that you can use if you are out and about to keep the drink cool way longer!  I have used this on multiple occasions to the park, off to town for a day of grocery shopping, and even on a 5 hour trip to drop the kids with their Nana, and it keeps the drink cool for several hours without a cooler!

The Stayfit Lunch To Go is a sectioned lunch tray on Steroids!  It's so cool, literally.

 It has a built in icepack in the lid so you can freeze just the lid or the whole container, then fill right before you are ready to leave.

My husband works 12 hour night shift as an officer and on busy nights he doesn't get to eat.  His food is just as cold in the morning as it was when I sent it so we are not wasting food like we used to!

It also has a neat little compartment in the lid  to hold the utensils that comes with it, so now instead of him constantly loosing his silverware, he just puts the dirty items back in their spot.  I haven't had one lost item in a month!

So go ahead and join the COOL crowd and stop by the Cool Gear Inc website to find out what all the buzz is about and check out their awesome affordable products.  You can also connect with them on Facebook, Pinterest, You Tube, and Twitter to keep up with all the great new things they have to share!

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Cool Gear Inc  for the products I received to facilitate this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Please do your own due diligence when making decisions on purchasing something.

The Perfect Replenishing Drink for Summer Weather with Amy and Brian Naturals!!

Amy and Brian Naturals

With four active kids in the house, electrolyte drinks are a staple.  If we aren't needing them for football practice in the Fall, or Baseball practice in the Spring, we are needing them when someone is sick to replenish their bodies.  I don't personally care for them much, but apparently they contain the perfect amount of salt and sugar to give our bodies what they need when they are tired from exercise or  or sickness.

What I don't like is giving my kids anything with added dyes to it, so I really try to have them drink water unless they are sick.  I have found the perfect solution, sort of killing two birds with one stone as the old adage goes!  Amy and Brian Naturals offers a small variety of coconut juice which contains natural electrolytes and will replenish your body the natural way!  I love utilizing things from nature the way things were meant to be!

With coconut water being a buzz word these days, I know you are likely confused and wondering what the difference is.  Well, Amy and Brian Naturals Coconut Juice IS coconut water from young green coconuts, so it is technically the same.  However, they put a spin on things by offering a variety with pulp, one with lime juice, and one that's just plain coconut juice.  The one with pulp is like a spin off of orange juice with pulp, and you can actually see the coconut bits floating throughout the water!  The plain gives you the most natural flavor, which isn't sweet but IS refreshing.

The Amy and Brian Naurals Coconut Juice with Lime is my favorite.  The lime adds a nice tang to the water and is so tasty!  I found myself adding a twist of lime to the plain coconut water once I discovered how lovely the two flavors melded. Also, the coconut water is a base palate so you can add a splash of any juice to add a bit of flavor.  I loved mine with a splash of peach mango juice.

Amy and Brian Naturals also offers a selection of Mangosteen juice.  Mangosteen is known as the "Queen of Fruit" in Asia, and it has a deep purple exterior while the inside is a gorgeous white sweet fruit which resembles a flower!  It is chock full of antioxidants and the fruit is so sweet.  Amy and Brian Naturals Mangosteen comes in three flavors: Mangosteen with Passionfruit, Mangosteen with Goji, and Mangosteen with Pomegranate.  My favorite of the three was the Mangosteen with Passionfruit, but all three are quite lovely and yummy.

The Amy and Brian Naturals website is currently under a bit of construction, but it is currently running an active Twitter and Facebook Feed, and you can also connect with them on Facebook and Twitter directly!  Lastly, you can find out where to purchase these products locally by using their handy product locator which is still up and running on the website here.  

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Amy and Brian Naturals  for the products I received to facilitate this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Please do your own due diligence when making decisions on purchasing something.

Meatless Monday

Meatless Monday

I finally did it.  Call me one of the in crowd!  I must be a cool kid for sure, and I am totally hooked.  Addicted. I need KCA {kale chips anonymous}.  That's right.  I tried the Kale chips.  I thought I was going to have to get all Kung Fu Madea on the 2 year old because he ate almost the whole plate, but then I resorted to my best kept mommy secret:  I grabbed a few and snuck into the bathroom to eat them!  Now I have resorted to Kindergarten feelings and I am jealous of the 2 year old who ate my kale chips.  

In all seriousness, they are awesome.  They taste nothing like chips, so anyone who told you they do lied.  They don't.  But they are sooooooooooo good.  Like, "I could put on ten lbs eating them even though they are healthy" good.  The first go round I followed a recipe off of Recipe.com that said to paint with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

That wasn't a great recipe.  These things are sort of like sponges.  The curly leaves just steal the oil and use way too much olive oil.  However, I must say the first batch tasted amazing.  The second batch were my favorite, so I am sharing this recipe (my own cross version).

Two bunches of Kale, stems removed

Olive Oil Cooking spray

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 tsp of granulated garlic

Arrange the Kale on a baking sheet and coat well with the cooking spray.  Sprinkle the salt, pepper and garlic over the Kale and bake at 350 for 15 minutes and it is ready to eat as soon as it is cool enough.  

Green People: Products I'm LOVING right now!

 Green People:  The Pure-Natural Skincare

 Four years ago when I met my husband I quit wearing the majority of the makeup I used to wear.  I will never forget how truly beautiful I felt as he told me that I look good with makeup on, but in his opinion I am more beautiful without it and not to feel I need to wear it unless I want to.

I don't go without makeup, but now I wear a more natural look.  I do my eyes in a nice natural palette, wear a kohl eyeliner,  black mascara, lip gloss and that's it.  Now that I am not wearing foundation, powder, and concealer I have really started to notice how much good skin care matters!

I currently have a BOX full of face products, and  I wanted to share with you my newest crave which is what I am currently using and will probably use for quite some time:  The Pure and Natural Skincare by Green People.  Their regimen includes five products:  a facial scrub/cleanser, toner, moisturizer, cream, serum, and eye cream which are suitable to all skin types, even sensitive skin.  I have suffered from adult acne ever since I got pregnant with my almost 3 year old as well as rosacea so I have to be so careful what I put on face or it breaks out and turns flaming red.

These products unscented, but they are so natural they have a fresh vegetable smell to them.  I don't really know what the scent is, but to me it is clean.  These products have a high concentration of vitamin C, up to 18% to help nourish the skin and improve sun-damage.  The Pure avoids the following products:  Antibacterial compounds, Chelators, Synthetic Colors, Fragrance, Phthalates, synthetic colors, sunscreens, Quats, Petrochemicals, MEA/DEA/TEA, Paraben, Ureas, and they are cruelty free-never tested on animals!  Better yet, The Pure is fair trade, organic and the majority of the products are 100% Vegan.  

Bottom line is these products are just plain good.  I have not had one single blemish this month, although my rosacea is still red.  My skin isn't too moist, nor is it too dry, and I like how natural it is.

The Vitamin C Foaming Facial Scrub with Natural Exfoliants has granules in it so that it exfoliates and deep cleanses all in one, yet it is gentle enough for me to wash off my eye makeup with it!

The Vitamin C Concentrate Serum goes on right after washing and per the bottle all you need are two drops!  How easy is that?  Two drops are actually more than enough if you dot the serum in prime spots, then gently rub in.

Lastly, there is Vitamin C Eye Gel to be used am and pm.  Rub around the temple bone and under the eye, let dry, then apply the face cream. 

There are two creams:  Vitamin C Facial Moisturizer for day time and Peptide Firming Night Cream for Face and Neck for night time which are pretty self explanatory.  Call me crazy, but I like the simplicity of use this now, use that later.  Since I am usually working on five hours of sleep, simple labels are my best friend!

I am in love with these products because they are tailored to meet specific needs, yet they accomplish it in only four steps in the morning and before bed time instead of 20 different products!  

You can read more about the company and products here on the Green People Website and you can purchase any of the items here.  You can also connect socially on Facebook and Twitter!  

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Green People  for the products I received to facilitate this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Please do your own due diligence when making decisions on purchasing something.

An Easy Way to make a little money!!!

I have found a great new site when I can earn money for shopping!  It's another website that earns commission from major retailers for sending people to them to purchase.  Yhoti shares that commission with it's members.  For example, right now Green Mountain Coffee is offering a 5% cash back on all purchases made through the Yhoti Website!  I have to have coffee, I'm a blogger, therefore the internet is my bestie, so why not earn money while I am doing the two things I do multiple times a day:  drink coffee and get online!

You know you want to earn some money too, so CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO EARN MONEY BACK ON PURCHASES NOW!!