Product Review: Mother Dirt

Bacteria is good.

That's the message of this product line that I had the chance to try out. While people take probiotics to restore the good bacteria in our guts that we're coming to understand is crucial to our immune system and overall health, Mother Dirt is using those principles for hair and skin care. 

The products use good bacteria, leaving out the harsh chemicals and other ingredients that are in most of the products out there. To learn more about the science, check this page from their website. You can also learn more about how it works here. I had the chance to try the shampoo, the cleanser, and the body mist. 

So, how were they? Honestly, I am not particularly loyal to any one shampoo. I prefer to mix up it a bit from time to time, but the shampoo definitely seemed to do the job. I thought my hair looked nice as well. It just doesn't lather like I'm used to with other products, so that was a bit of a surprise and I kept feeling like I should use more.

The body mist was nice, as well. My skin felt nice after using it, which helps cut down on the need for extra moisturizers or body sprays. 

The thing I was most impressed with was the cleanser. It definitely made a difference in the appearance and feel of my skin. My face felt clean, and appeared to look smoother. While I like all three, this is definitely the one I want to make a point of getting again. 

In addition to furnishing products for review, Mother Dirt is offering a special discount code to anyone who is interested in trying these products themselves. Using the code Myblog25-GF29 at checkout will give a 25% discount as well as free shipping. 

GoodBelly #Giveaway - VIP #Coupons & #Target Gift Card!

 GoodBelly is a line of probiotic drinks, shots and supplements formulated for daily digestive health.

The brand is excited to announce that seven (7) SKUs of the brand’s line, including Blueberry Acai, Mango, Tropical Green and Pomegranate BlackBerry Juice Drinks, and PlusShots in Blueberry Acai, Mango and Pomegranate Blackberry flavors, are now available at SuperTarget nationwide!

My Thoughts

Probiotics have been in the know for a few years now and have only become more popular. From supplements to probiotic foods that encourage good healthy gut bacteria, everyone knows that probiotics are something that should be added to everyone's daily lifestyle. Probiotics help with gut bacteria (getting rid of the bad and encouraging the good), while also healing the gut from any bad foods eaten previously or currently. Goodbelly provides all this and comes in delicious fruit flavored varieties that taste great. On top of all that, one of the best things I know about probiotics and our gut is that with a healthy gut you are sick much less than "normal" so making this part of your (and your kids) daily regimen is a no brainer!

My family got to try both their cartons and their shots. The cartons taste just like real fruit juice, so you won't even notice you're not enjoying a regular drink. The shots are a little grainier, but still go down pretty smooth;y and are great for when you're on the go. As for how well it works, my teen daughter has stomach problems from time to time when she eats dairy products, but I have noticed that as she has been drinking GoodBelly daily, she complains much less about her stomach. Also, all of my children have healthier bowel (regularity) habits. I'd say this is a good product for both parents and kids!

The Giveaway

To celebrate this big news, the brand is offering one lucky winner a $20 Target GC & 3 VIP Vouchers for GoodBelly.   To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will 6/2/16  and is open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to GoodBelly for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

Stay healthy with Culturelle Advanced Immune Defense

The holidays may be over, but the winter seems just to be getting started. All that running around from the cold weather to warmer indoor temperatures can take its toll on our immune system—and that’s before factoring in the responsibilities of going back to work and all the efforts to keep up those New Year’s resolutions.

New Culturelle Advanced Immune Defense is available now to keep you on track for the new year. This first of its kind all-day immune booster goes beyond the typical Vitamin C and Zinc supplement to provide a triple-action formula with the added benefit of antioxidants and Lactobacillus GG (the most clinically studied probiotic).

Culturelle has teamed up with celebrity health expert, Dr. Jennifer Wider, medical expert for Cosmopolitan, television personality and host of Sirius XM’s “Am I Normal?” to help spread the word about Advance Immune Defense and how it can help boost your immune health throughout the winter.

Connect with Culturelle

Website - Facebook - Twitter

My Thoughts

This arrived at the right time. My husband and son have been super sick with something nasty. As the woman of the house, I've been taking care of them. A few days before their colds hit, I got Culterelle Advanced Immune Defense to try out. Little did I know how perfect the timing would be.

I started to take it right before they both got sick. The bottle I got came with a 10 day supply. I took this the whole time they were sick and caring for them. I think only one day I felt slightly week, but for the most part, I've felt great. No sickness and I am past the incubation period of whatever they were spreading.

I do believe that this helped because the two of them were very sick. On to of this being a probiotic to help keep my gut flowing, it was also packed with zinc and vitamin C. Both which help fight off colds.

This is a product I was very happy with. As far as a probiotic, I felt like it did it's job. It kept things moving and my bowels regular. I would use this again for sure.

Organic, Kid-Friendly Treat Makes for the Perfect Snack

   

Lifeway Foods, leaders in probiotics and nutritious foods, has a series of kid-friendly snacks. ProBugs is an organic kefir for kids, served in a fun, easy-to-hold pouch. Lifeway's kefir makes it easier for kids to eat healthier, happier, and cleaner, and comes in flavors like Berry Pie, Orange, Kiwi Kale, Lime, and Starwana Split.

Our Thoughts

These kefir drinks did NOT last very long in this house. I am familiar with probiotics, and take them daily but I had yet to find something for my two kids. They were a hit! The fun colors definitely caught their attention and all three of us were excited to try the drink. First thing out of my daughter's mouth was, "Tastes like yogurt, yummy!". They each gulped their drink down in just a few seconds. This was one proud mama, knowing that this was a healthy product for them and they loved it.

The drinks were gone in two days. They taste amazing and  come in a variety of flavors. They also loved the cute cartoon characters on the packaging. It encouraged them to try something new. And did I mention they're organic? You can't ask for a better treat to back into school lunches. To learn more about Probugs and all the great products available at Lifeway Foods, be sure to visit their website or follow their social media.

YoLife Yogurt Maker Review

DIY ALERT! The YoLife™ Yogurt Maker by Tribest Corporation, the leading provider of healthy lifestyle kitchen equipment allows your kids to make their own yogurt— and guess what . . . it’s healthy!

The YoLife™ Yogurt Maker is an easy way to make fresh yogurt from the comfort of your own home. YoLife™ makes delicious, probiotic-rich yogurt in just 8-12 hours. Replenishing the good bacteria in your digestive tract, YoLife™ may help relieve common digestive symptoms.

Accompanied by convenient glass mason jars and larger containers, YoLife™ is perfect for individual and family-sized servings every day of the week.

Our Thoughts

The easiest and tastiest way to add in some health and good gut bacteria. Probiotic pills are all the rage, but eating it in a healthy treat is much more convenient and fun! Also, you know what you're putting in your food and you get to flavor it in any which way possible, completely customizable to your taste. You children can help too, it's so simple, making them feel great that they can help in the kitchen and my girls loved creating their own flavors. You can do it before or after, we prefer to add our flavor after as we always have a ton of fresh fruit on hand. My youngest prefers strawberries and my oldest loves to top hers with bananas.

To make the yogurt you just add this starter to a liter of milk (give or take some minor differences depending on what type of recipe you're making!) and turn on your yogurt maker. Voila! I did not think it was going to be that easy but it really is. A few more steps are added in if you want to add flavoring beforehand, but if you're like me, I do it afterwards with fresh fruit so this is literally all I have to do to make mine. It takes 8-12 hours and I like mine to cook the full 12 hours for my desired consistency.

 

The jars are perfect for up to two servings (for myself at least) so there's pleny for a weeks worth and then you just start up another batch. I like that I can transfer the jars directly to the fridge and store it there all week and just grab and go! They're very easy to wash as well before your next batch gets started. Also, the YoLife comes with an additional, taller lid, if you want to use your own glass jars to create an even bigger batch of yogurt.

The quickest, easiest, simplest way to make healthy, probiotic-rich yogurt from your own kitchen, tastefully designed by yours truly.

Buy yours here and don't forget to check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Reviewed by Jackie

Culturelle Probiotic Review

With the holidays here, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, there are many goodies we're eating, and our kids. All this sugary food and "bad" food can cause many upset stomachs. The last thing you want to worry about while traveling from family member to family member is any gastrointestinal issues.

Probiotics help keep our stomach woes in check and Culturelle provides them for both adults and children alike! Eat well this holiday season with Culturelle to assist you and your family. Most importantly, these probiotics are dairy and gluten free, so even the most health conscious or allergen troubled child can enjoy the health benefits.

Our Thoughts

There are two different probiotic boxes that I received. One box comes in individualized powder packets so that you can mix them into a drink. This type is for children between the ages of one and three, that way you can mask the powder and so they aren't at risk of chewing on one of the chewables. Even though I do not have a child between the ages of one and three, my daughters and I all tested the probiotic packets so we could honestly review it. They were not too keen on the packets, they stated they could feel the powder in the drink when they drank it. I, however, had no issue, especially if it was mixed with juice and drank in one gulp. 

Next we tried the chewables, which are for kids older than three. The only bad thing I have to say about the chewables is that Culturelle made them taste too good. My daughters will not stop bugging me about taking their daily probiotic, they would eat them like candy if I allowed them! I tried one myself and it really is good.

When it comes to helping with digestive issues, I can attest that it is helping my daughters, especially my youngest who is more prone to stomach issues. Any time she eats dairy her stomach bothers her, the severity depending on what type of dairy she is eating. Now that she is taking probiotics regularly her stomach issues are not nearly noticeable. Neither of my girls have any gas issues, my youngest doesn't complain of her stomach hurting after dairy and both of my girls are on a more "regular" schedule.

Good for the body and they taste amazing, I think this is a great probiotic brand! Check out their entire website, they have more than just items for kids, they have items for adults too!

Buy your packets here and chewables here, and don't forget to check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Reviewed by Jackie

EndoMune Junior Review & Giveaway

As kids explore the world around them, they are constantly exposed to potential infectious bacteria and viruses. Preliminary research indicates taking a probiotic like EndoMune may help to prevent the illnesses due to these harmful bugs.

Research has found that the healthy development of a newborn’s intestinal tract requires exposure to the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. EndoMune Advanced Junior contains both of these bacteria strains.

Studies in colicky babies have shown that supplying these bacteria in sufficient number can significantly reduce their cry times. Also, as children grow, these bacteria can interact with the intestinal immune system to lessen the risk of eczema and upper respiratory illnesses.

The unique formula of EndoMune Advanced Junior contains 10 billion colonies of the four primary beneficial bacteria essential for maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria.

Certified Kosher, vegan-friendly and gluten-free EndoMune Advanced Junior, given daily, may assist with:

Increasing immunity
Fighting off common and antibiotic-related episodes of diarrhea
Reducing infantile colic
Supporting the development of regular bowel movements for infants and children



Our Thoughts

Probiotics have been in the know for a few years now and have only become more popular. From supplements to probiotic foods that encourage good healthy gut bacteria, everyone knows that probiotics are something that should be added to everyone's daily lifestyle. Probiotics help with gut bacteria (getting rid of the bad and encouraging the good), while also healing the gut from any bad foods eaten previously or currently. EndoMune also assists with properly digesting food through our system. On top of all that, one of the best things I know about probiotics and our gut is that with a healthy gut you are sick much less than "normal" so making this part of your (and your kids) daily regimen is a no brainer!

At first I just thought this was another probiotic that I can give my kids, and then I realized that it can be for babies too. I had recently been wondering which probiotic brands were safe for infants. With this, you just add it to the formula. I am nursing, however, so I have been taking the probiotic and this helps ensure that my mother's milk is filled with even more nutrition for my son.

I had my daughters try this probiotic in their morning juice, orange or apple. Neither of them tasted anything but they could tell there was a slight powdery residue in their drink. It did not bother them enough to not take their EndoMune Junior. I have taken this product with just plain water, and I don't recommend that because it it quite powdery, but if mixed with the right drink it's fine.

As for how well it works, my youngest daughter has stomach problems from time to time when she eats dairy products, but I have noticed that as she has been taking EndoMune daily, she complains much less about her stomach. Also, both of my children have healthier bowel (regularity) habits. I'd say this is a good product for both parents and kids!

Buy yours here and don't forget to check them out on Facebook, and Twitter! Here is their YouTube channel too!

One lucky winner is going to receive one bottle of EndoMune Junior. To enter just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Open to the US only. This giveaway will end on 12/16/14 at 12:01 am EST. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to EndoMune for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

Reviewed by Jackie

Help Make This Season a Healthy One with Culturelle Probiotic - #Giveaway @Culturelle #Culturellekids

Fall is a special time for kids. Days filled with outdoor sports and activities, trick-or-treating, school days with friends and holidays with the whole family. 

In order to make warm memories, especially during these chilly month, your little ones need to be feeling their best!

That's why Culturelle Kids Probiotic with Lactobacillus GG is a Fall essential. It helps support kids' immune and digestive systems, helping to keep them healthy for the autumn season and all year long!

Share Warm Moments This Chilly Season

The days may be shorter, but the memories can last a lifetime! The chilly season is the perfect time to share your warm moments with your family and friends. 

Upload a photo and match it with one of our fun captions to create a shareable snapshot of your kids' favorite Fall moments. Upload your photos here.  It really easy and fun. Here's mine:

Twitter Party

Don't miss out the CulturelleKids Twitter Party for a chance to win more great prizes! #Thursday November 6th 8-9PM ET. RSVP here.

Only Culturelle Kids! Probiotic contains the #1 most clinically studied probiotic strain, Lactobacillus GG. It is also the #1 Pediatrician recommended probiotic brand and is proven to help reduce digestive upset by restoring the natural balance of good and bad non-beneficial bacteria in the digestive track. 

 

Want to learn more? Just visit their site, and see why Dr. Ben, an established pediatrician in the New York Metro area, recommends Culturelle Kids! Probiotics to her patients. Do you want to try Culturelle Kids Probiotic! You can get a $5 Coupon here.

Connect with Culturelle

Culturelle Kids Probiotic

Culturelle Kids Packets

Culturelle Kids Chewables

Culturelle Store Locator

Culturelle Twitter

Culturelle Facebook

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a prize pack that includes:

2 Boxes of Culturelle Kids! Probiotic Packets

2 Boxes of Culturelle Kids! Probiotic Chewables

1 Box of Culturelle Adult Digestive Health Chewables

1 Culturelle Kids! Tote Bag

To enter, simply fill out  the rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on  11/22/14. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Culturelle for offering this fantastic prize.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kombucha Brooklyn Review

***Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review.***

NY- based, Kombucha Brooklyn  (www.kombuchabrooklyn.com) has it all. Kombucha is a probiotic tea that adds the good and takes away the bad. Kombucha Brooklyn is the result of two foodies who love to be healthy. After experiencing great results from drinking kombucha themselves, they set out to brew the most delectable kombucha they could and then share their expertise with the world. If you can make a cup of tea, you can make Kombucha. It’s loaded with probiotics and antioxidants. Naturally detoxifying and energizing.

The new half-gallon Kombucha Home Brew Kit brings the vitality and goodness of this power tea right to your home. Now it’s effortless to be of healthy body and mind.

Our Thoughts

As promised, I received exactly what the pictures show, the mother scoby, the organic sugar and tea, as well as the jar for to hold my concoction of Kombucha. The instructions, while not inside the box, were cleverly written on the outside of the box! In a matter of thirty minutes my box contents went from this:

to this:

Easy as pie! Now, I've had a mother before, but I was always too terrified of ruining it so I never ended up making any kombucha. These instructions were simple and very straightforward. ANYONE can make Kombucha with this kit!

I have tasted kombucha before and loved it, so the anticipation of trying this (they recommend waiting 10-14 days) was killing me. Today is day 9, and I just had to try it. Very bubbly, but delicious. Now that I feel confident in making this I would like to make bigger bathes. Another great thing about this product is that it tells you how to save your mother scoby and what to do with additional scobys and how to kickstart another batch of kombucha with  your currently fermented bubbly!

Thinking of the possibilities of different flavors is exciting and I love knowing I am making something that is healthy for my body and tasty for my kids to enjoy also! Get yours here and don't forget to check out Kombucha Brooklyn on Facebook too!

Reviewed by Jackie

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***