Tag Archives: health & fitness

I’ve always been a fan of smoothies, but I’ve always kept them pretty simple…usually just a fruit or two, milk and ice. Tasty and fairly healthy, but definitely lacking that oomph to really make it a health food, like extra protein or supplements. Especially now that I’m no longer pregnant, but still breastfeeding and trying to lose the weight, I will be looking for ways to get the most nutrients and health benefits from my foods.

I was recently introduced to Coromega during one of my Green Scene Mom Giveaway events, and they offered to send me some products to try and then share them with you all.

Coromega offers various products with the most effective and advanced delivery form of Omega-3 supplement, and make it into incredibly tasty, natural flavors with no fishy taste, aftertaste or fishy burps!

Omega-3s and what they mean for your heart, mind and body.

Today, nutritional science is validating more and more healthful benefits that Omega-3 can have on the heart, mind and body. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are primarily found in fresh, cold-water fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines. Your body can’t naturally produce Omega-3, so you must get these fatty acids from your diet.

Two key fatty acids in Omega-3 are known as EPA and DHA in their long-chain forms, and today several thousand of clinical and scientific studies show that together these Omega-3 essential fatty acids support:

• Heart Health
• Brain and Eye Health
• Skin and Hair Health
• Healthy triglyceride levels
• Joint health and mobility
• Mental clarity and balance
• Healthy nutrition for children over 4

 

I’ve taken fish oil pills in the past and have definitely experienced that fishy aftertaste. Yuck.

As soon as I opened the packages I received, I was surprised to find a nice citrusy smell with one and a coconut smell with the other. No fishy smell whatsoever.

While they do say you can take these straight up, I opted for the fun alternative and decided to mix my serving into a delicious strawberry banana smoothie!

I kept it fairly simple, as usual, but adding the Coromega 3 guaranteed that I was getting extra health benefits. The light coconut taste of the be bright non-gmo superfood contributed to the smoothie without overwhelming it and there was no fishy aftertaste…much better than taking pills!

I used some frozen strawberries and a frozen banana, 1/2 cup of milk, some water (it was a little thick at first), some honey for sweetness, and the Be Bright Non-GMO Superfood oil blend.

Even though I used twice as much Be Bright as I was supposed to (I thought it said tablespoon at first, so I used 1 tablespoon and then stopped when I saw a serving was 2 teaspoons), I still didn’t have any fishy aftertaste.

Smoothies don’t have to be complicated and with the right ingredients, it can really be a convenient way to get a bunch of healthy nutrients!

Plus, they look pretty!

 

To learn more about Coromega and to Buy, visit their website here.

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***GIVEAWAY!***

Prize: 1 Coromega 3 Big Squeeze and 1 Be Bright Non-GMO Superfood Oil Blend

Eligibility: US only

Ends: Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST

How to enter: Use the Rafflecopter form below!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received this product in order to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own and honest. Thanks for reading!

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I definitely have and so have a few close friends willing to tell me, but this blog has definitely been slacking when it comes to photos of me. I mean, you wouldn’t even know who I am unless you looked at our Trip Reports - and that’s because Brett has the camera and takes so many good photos during our trips, I just want to post them all!

My excuse is that I have mostly been in some transitional state…pregnant with Trent, breastfeeding and working and finding it difficult to work out, working out and trying to lose weight, pregnant with Aubrey. Sure, pregnancy can be a beautiful thing, but I’ve said it before…I felt crappy this time around…mostly in the beginning, but then when I felt better, I started dealing with gestational diabetes and just felt big and tired and didn’t want any photos taken of me…well, at least ones that wouldn’t be photoshopped lol. I’m not complaining, just saying that it was a heck of a lot easier to share photos of Trent, seeing as he is the cutest thing anyway.

But I would like to change that and start sharing more of me. One way I hope to accomplish this is to document my journey of losing the baby weight and getting healthy and back in shape…all while breastfeeding and being a working mom to two kids. This ought to be fun.

So let’s start with a “before” photo…although I’d rather call it an “after” photo since it is after the delivery and shows how a mother’s body can take time to get back to normal after doing such an amazing thing. But all wordplay aside, I think any before/progress photos are amazing motivators to any transformation journey. Seeing yourself day to day makes you not see all the changes, but a good before/after comparison can show just how far you’ve come.

This is my 2 week post baby body (taken yesterday).

I have lost 27 pounds since coming home. I was 225 at the hospital during check-in and I was 198 yesterday. I should have joined a bunch of DietBets and made a ton of money! I did not see that significant of a drop up front with Trent, but that’s 100% due to the fact that I could hardly move after Trent and I can do so much more this time around. I had a bad laceration with Trent and none with Aubrey, and let me tell you, that makes all the difference. I even went for a walk two days after I came home from the hospital!

Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller (Love love love!)

I told myself I wouldn’t make any big changes for at least 2 weeks. I do drink a lot more water since coming home, but other than that I have been enjoying the lovely meals brought to us by friends and whatever food Brett brings back home after running any errands. I will be slowly getting back into the working out part. I didn’t work out during the pregnancy (other than walking Trent to the park and stuff), so I don’t want to do too much too fast and risk having problems. I plan to start with walking and light weights and work back up to doing the Couch to 5K program along with Brett, since we did really well with that last year. It’s also just too darn hot out right now to do much outdoor exercise. An ultimate goal of mine would be to run a Disney race!

I hope to create more regular-ish posts to share my journey and truly bring more “working mom” into this blog and not just have it be all about Trent and Aubrey, but still plan on seeing a bunch of them still too

I have 8.5 more weeks of full maternity leave, then 2 months of part time leave, which I hope will allow some great progress to be made!

 

Just the other day, I overheard a conversation between a few moms talking about teeth brushing and their toddlers. One of the moms said she hadn’t started brushing her child’s teeth yet because she didn’t think she had to yet. The other mom gasped and told her she needed to have started back when the first tooth appeared. I didn’t hear the rest of the conversation, but I don’t blame anyone that may not know what the “rules” are. We all just learn how to do well at this whole being a mom thing as we go.

I’ve always found dental health to be important and have tried to instill that in Trent from the beginning. I’ve tried to make it fun by buying a fun toothbrush with characters on it and giving it to him so he can learn to do it himself. He actually loves bringing the step stool up to the sink and will even get sad when I don’t open it right away. Sure, it could be that he likes playing with water too, but hey, whatever gets him to brush!

The other thing is that I’ve tried to introduce a kid-friendly natural toothpaste to him before and he spit that right out. Not that I have a problem with the regular toothpaste, but it can’t hurt to introduce something better. That’s why I wasn’t so sure of trying a new natural toothpaste from Dr. Sharp…but to our surprise he actually likes it!

More about Dr. Sharps’ Oral Care Products:

Dr. Sharp’s fluoride-free natural oral care products offer a healthy alternative to fluoride products by combining a naturally sourced formula. We also use sustainable, vegan ingredients that are free of paraben, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and alcohol to create a line of natural oral care products most effective in the care of teeth and gums.

We received the Dr. Sharp’s Family Package:

Trent got his very own tube of Wild Berry Kids toothpaste. We were waiting for the dreaded spitting it out once he tasted it, but that never happened. It smells like yummy strawberries, so I imagine he enjoys the taste too….which is always a good thing because you want them to brush as long as recommended.

The rest of the items have a light minty flavor. The mint isn’t overpowering and doesn’t leave that strong sensation in your mouth afterward, so keep that in mind if that’s something you enjoy or need in order to feel like your mouth is clean. I was surprised that natural dental items could still do the job like these did.

To learn more about and buy Dr. Sharp’s, visit their site: drsharpcare.com. You can also find their products on Amazon.

 

**Giveaway**

WIN: One lucky reader will win a Dr. Sharp’s Family Package of Dental Care

Eligibility: US Only

Ends: April 20, 2026 at 11:59pm EST

How to enter: Use the Rafflecopter form below.

I will contact the winner by email the day after the giveaway ends. The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their information.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I was given these products in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and honest. Thanks for reading!

 

Even though my fitness/weight-loss efforts have been put on hold, that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on being healthy. Much like my last pregnancy, I tried to keep my weight gain from getting out of control and instead gain the healthy recommended amounts over the entire pregnancy. Sure, I had a few extra cookies that last month, but I’m glad I was able to keep my total weight gain within a healthy range.

Also, I am really happy that Brett has decided to pick back up using his fitness apps that we were using together last Fall. We had a crazy few months and without me running along, he kinda stopped too. But now, he has restarted in the hopes of continuing his journey.

Because of both of these life journeys, I was so excited to receive the Weight Gurus Weightless Series Smart Scale to help us achieve goals and monitor our progress.

About the Weight Gurus Smart Scale:

A full-featured, smart-phone connected body composition scale. Track weight plus; muscle mass, body fat, water weight and bone mass. When desired sync measurements to the Weight GURUS smart phone app. Set goals, Track progress and stay motivated! Manage progress (not weight) yourself or with the help of other GURUS.

Easy to read in all lighting conditions. Bright blue backlight. Extra Large 4.3″ diagonal LCD. 4 high precision sensors provide reliable, truthful measurements every time. Sync weight, body fat and muscle mass automatically with iOS and Android devices. With our free Weight Gurus App you can store weight entries, view trends, and chart progress. Syncing is easy. Simply press the App’s weigh-in button and scan the scale’s display with your smartphone camera - much like scanning a barcode. No bluetooth pairing or network configuration required! Syncing is fast. It takes about a second.

 

Wow, we went from an old school dial scale where we would have to squint in order to be able to see the exact number the dial was on, to a scale that has it’s own app and shows our progress. This is fantastic because Brett can never remember the weight he started at or even the weight he was at the last weigh-in. It also looks sleek and not an eye sore like our old scale. I find that digital scales like this are more reliable and accurate than dial scales.

Now, before you start thinking that this is too complicated and you just want to step on the scale and see a number, let me tell you the options and how easy they are.

1. Step on Scale.

2. View results.
3. If desired, press “sync” and scan the display with your smart phone’s camera.

That’s it! You can see your results and choose whether or not you want to sync them with the app. If you do choose to sync, you simply scan the code displayed on the scale. There’s nothing to plug in to your phone at all.

There are two options for viewing your progress: Traditional View shows you your current weight, much like every other scale (ex. 150 lbs), while Weightless View shows you the difference from your last weigh-in (ex. -5 lbs). Weightless view is perfect for those that don’t want to concentrate on the number or may not be fans of weighing themselves, but still want to view their progress between each weigh-in. I think that is an amazingly healthy approach to weight loss, as I’ve seen others become obsessed with a final number and ignore the fact that they are progressing toward that number at a healthy rate.

The best part of all is how affordable this scale is considering all the extras you get and how much it helps you with your goal tracking. Starting at just $29.99, this is a much better investment for your goals than than those outdated dial scales.

 

***SPECIAL OFFER*** Through the end of March, you can save $5 off on the purchase of a Weight Gurus Smart Scale on Amazon using code GURUS005 (Direct link here)

To learn more: http://weightgurus.com and like them on Facebook for tips and deals!

 

 

**Giveaway**

WIN: One lucky reader will win a Weight GURUS Weightless Series Smart Scale!

Eligibility: US Only

Ends: March 31, 2026 at 11:59pm EST

How to enter: Use the Rafflecopter form below.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I received this product in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. Thanks for reading!

 

Whether you’re keeping track of your current health status, starting a fitness program, or training for a fitness competition, Getting - and Staying - Motivated is the key! For me, a good fast-paced song pumps me up and will even make me workout just a bit harder and longer. I tend to favor hard-core rock or hip-hop beats, but I’m not ashamed to admit that even a catchy dance-worthy pop song will slip its way into my playlist. I have found it really helpful to keep track of my fitness endeavors using my Jawbone UP. I am able to see my progress towards my goals and when combined with various music playlists, I can see which playlists/songs result in more accomplished.

Whatever kind of music gets you motivated, a good pair of earphones that will stay in your ear and deliver that music with crystal clear clarity throughout your workout, whether running or yoga, is so important. Studies have shown that music can increase the intensity and duration of a workout by as much as 15%. Unfortunately, most people miss out on those benefits because their earphones hurt and fall out during active use.

yurbuds was founded in 2008 by an Ironman Triathlete and a 24-time marathoner in response to that problem. Our products are ergonomically designed for comfort and exceptional fit, while providing best-in-class audio quality and durability. yurbuds is passionate about serving our customers and our community. We listen to and learn from our athletes to produce solutions to their needs. We are dedicated to innovating and creatively changing the industry of sport audio. Our goal is to empower athletes through exceptional products and services to help them to push past their barriers, reach new personal bests, and #neverstop.

· Cut the cords and unleash your inner athlete with the Inspire Limited Edition Wireless Sport Earphones. These Stereo-Bluetooth® earphones lock in place comfortably so they never hurt and never fall out. The 15mm drivers provide the biggest sound available, providing the motivation you need to #neverstop. These sweat and water resistant earphones feature full track & call control with a wind-blocking microphone designed for call clarity. The athlete tested battery lasts up to 6 hours and provides visual and audible indicators when running low. This is sound with no strings attached.

· #1 Selling Sport Earphone Company, yurbuds®, Introduces Wireless Product for a Seamless Workout Experience

Key Features of yurbuds:

· With yurbuds TwistLock™ Technology and FlexSoft Comfort Fit, these Stereo-Bluetooth® earphones lock in place comfortably and are guaranteed never to hurt or fall out.

· Bigger Sound for music and calls provided by 15mm drivers

· Smart Battery powers a week’s worth of workouts and provides visual and audible indicators when running low.

· Dedicated Pairing Button for simple 1-touch pairing.

· Compatible with all Bluetooth® devices.

· Earphones that never hurt and never fall out.

· Bigger Sound provided by 15 mm drivers

· yurbuds®, the #1 selling sport earphone company in the United States, is transforming the athlete experience with its new Inspire Limited Edition Wireless earphones to get you motivated through music. Launching at CES 2014 in Las Vegas this January, athletes and tech enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the first-ever Stereo-Bluetooth® wireless earphones guaranteed to never hurt and never fall out.

· “We’ve cut the cords so fitness enthusiasts have less in the way of achieving the perfect workout,” said Daniel DeVille, Director of Marketing for yurbuds. “Designed based on user feedback, we are excited to deliver best-in-class wireless earphones that solve the needs not currently met by other wireless earphones and meet the rigorous standards of even the top professional athletes.”

Find Best Buy’s large selection of yurbuds at Bestbuy.com and even more fitness-related items to keep you motivated here: Health & Fitness at Best Buy.

To help you reach your health & fitness goals, Best Buy is currently offering two exclusive offers for 20% off all yurbuds products both online and in-store as well as a $5 Best Buy Gift Card when you purchase a qualifying Health and Fitness product at a Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores. Both offers are valid 1/19/14 - 2/22/14.:

1. Enjoy a special bloggers promotion 20% OFF ALL yubuds coupon valid both in stores and online, online coupon code is yurbuds20off: http://www.wolfatbestbuy.com/20-off-yurbuds.

2. Also enjoy a $5 Best Buy Gift Card when you purchase a qualifying Health and Fitness product at a Best Buy Mobile Specialty Store: http://www.wolfatbestbuy.com/best-buy-mobile-specialty-stores-5-best-buy-gift-card

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card in exchange for this post. Thanks for reading!