A Good Nights Sleep is a Dose Away with Advil PM

***I was given this product to try for free in exchange for my honest review.***

As a middle aged parent of children with a full-time job sleep at times can almost seem like second nature to me. I wrestle during the year with either sleeping at times too little or sleeping at times too much while in minor pain from a headache or back pains while never feeling rested and refreshed. The polls by National Sleep Foundation though show that I am not alone.

       “Nearly 1/3 of people said they experienced difficulties in their relationships, 10% more than those without pain.”

“4 out of every 10 people suffering sleeplessness with minor pain said their mood was affected.”

“1/3 of people said their sleeplessness with minor pain has interfered with their work.”

Recently, I was given Advil PM to try free for my sleeplessness and minor aches and pains. I was leery at first because I have never wanted to use a sleep aid to fall asleep and get in the habit but thought I would give Advil a try as it was a name I have heard for years and trusted.

Advil PM is made to break the pain/sleeplessness cycle and not only treat the pain while resting but also allow that the person still remain sleeping. As pain can lead to sleep loss, cutting out the pain will insure that the sleep can be uninterrupted.

This study with ADVIL PM is based on 7 hours of sleep which is the minimal recommended amount for adults. Doctors also stress that reducing phone and tablet use before bed, reducing alcohol intake and not eating sugary treats or exercising right before bed are also helpful in preventing a sleepless night.

Last night, I took the ADVIL PM as my back was hurting and legs were sore from exercise and I went to bed early. I turned off the tv, phone and lay back hoping for a restful sleep. After taking about fifteen minutes in I began to feel myself get more tired and find it harder to stay awake and alert. The pain was still present but the desire to rest my eyes seemed to take over. After about a half hour the pain was gone and I was on my way to a good nights sleep. I hoped. When I first woke up it again it was 6 am and I had slept nine hours. This was a success. I will say I still felt groggy but that partially could have been due to being warm and not wanting to meet the Wintry day outside that was blistery cold.

The coated capsule was easy to swallow as I struggle taking pills and was put off at first by the size of the caplet. The coating made it go down easy. The Caplets feature a dual layer patented formula of ibuprofen and Diphenhydramine Citrate which combines to sooth you to sleep and also relieve your pain.

Overall, I would say Advil PM was a success. I would not personally use this nightly but I could definitely see the benefit of not only having fast pain relief but also resting a full nights sleep. I would recommend this product. Always remember to use it as directed!

#silencepain #smiley360 #AdvilPM #freesample

Fun Things to Do With Your Children Outside for FREE or practically FREE!

oto by Snapwire on Pexels.com

 

The sun is out and the temperature is rising and children everywhere are getting ansy as they countdown the final days until school ends. Once school has ended and Summer has begun it does not take too long until suddenly parents everywhere begin to hear those famous words “I am bored.” The first initial “go-to” for children and teens these days are electronics such as video games and television but there is so much more to do that is fun and FREE (or practically free) for children. The following are great ways to spend time with your children making memories:

1. Have a water fight: If you do not have a pool at home there are still ways to beat the heat and enjoy staying cool outdoors. Take water balloons and have a water fight or find some squirt guns and battle each other around the yard. Children just love to be able to soak their parents
2. Plant a garden: A fun thing to do with kids is to involve them in planting seeds that produce food and watching it grow. This is not only an activity that teaches responsibility and care but they end up being able to watch the fruit/vegetables grow and then pick and eat them knowing they created them with all their hard work. The kids will enjoy being able to pick out the fruits and vegetables they want to grow as well
3. Go Camping in the Backyard: If you own a tent the children will love camping out in their own backyard. Grab some marshmallow and graham crackers with chocolate and have a campfire sleeping under the stars but with your own private bathroom and shower a few feet away
4. Go Hiking or take a Nature Walk: If you live in an area with trails or forest, engage the children by having them take a nature walk and bring a bag with you so they can collect any cool findings while on the hike
5. Create a Scavenger Hunt: Place items throughout the back yard and allow the kids to follow clues and find them
6. Go to the Local Playground: Take the children to the local playgrounds in your area and let them run out their energy while you play along with them or read a good book and relax
7. Fly a Kite: As long as you have enough wind take out a kite and fly it around with the children
8. Paint Rocks and Place them: In our area we have a rock exchange where people will paint rocks and hide them and you can go find them and leave your own as well. The kids will paint them and hide them and also look for others as well
9. Have a Car Wash: using the hose and getting a bucket of soapy water let the children wash your car with you. The children will love the bubbles and being able to not only get wet but help to clean the car
10. Jump on a trampoline: If you have a trampoline this can entertain kids for awhile as they play tag on it or do acrobats
11. Draw with chalk on the driveway and sidewalks
12. Family Picnic with a blanket and lunch outdoors
13. Ride Bicycles
14. Open a lemonade stand if you are in a populated area
15. Blow bubbles!
16. Watch a Ball Game: Check your local area for a local baseball team and enjoy the free admission nights for children
17. Go Fishing: find a local pond or creek and make sure you know license laws but let your little one try to catch their first fish
18. Find a pond/lake or river and feed the ducks with a bag of bread.
19. Go looking for beach glass or seashells at the local beach
20. Fly a paper lantern at night and see how long it takes before it disappears out of sight

How to Care For The New Family Member in Your Home: a Kitten!

Kittens, the word just instantly makes your heart skip a beat and go “aww.” Kittens are indeed adorable but they also come with a lot of responsibility. If you are looking to add a new family member into your home you definitely want to consider how this addition will play into your current lifestyle and if it will work even. Sometimes, with cute and adorable we tend to forget about the important stuff and immediately go into a “must have” mentality forgetting that the responsibility is great and will remain for years to come as they get larger and lose that element of baby we love in all animals.

First off, is the kitten’s initial cost free or is there a charge? Are you purchasing the kitten from a local store or buying from an individual online? There are many kittens looking for homes statewide in local shelters and these kittens will come with current immunizations and neuter/spay as well. This may be more upfront economically but in the long run it saves a lot of time and money down the road.

When considering a kitten in the home you need to think about your current housing status. Do you rent or own? Do you see yourself moving or traveling? Are pets even allowed where you reside? Cats can live up to twenty years so this kitten will grow up and will spend a decade or more of its life beside you no matter where you go.

Are there other individual’s in your household? Are they allergic to cats? Too often you hear about kittens and cats going to shelters because their owners suddenly became allergic or found out that they were and these animals become homeless. This is important to find out ahead of time. If you are around a cat and seem fine you can also if still questioning allergies go and have a professional test administered.

Do you have the time for a cat? Yes, cats are less maintenance than a puppy dog but they still require upkeep and maintenance. Animals added to the home become like a child with nutritional, medical and emotional needs. If you are always gone a lot a cat may not be the right fit for you. A cat who is alone all the time will end up most likely aggressive and lack skills needed for socializing with others and other animals. If you still insist on getting a cat you may if alone a lot opt to get an additional one so they can at least have one another.

Can you financially support a kitten in your home? First off, before getting a kitten you will need to make a list of things needed for the first night home. The kitten will need a litter pan, a bed, bowls, food, toys and grooming. You will need to feed the kitten four times a day and depending on the coat make sure to be brushing its fur as well. The kitten is like a child and you need to make sure it is properly nurtured and has a safe environment inside your home.  Make sure to keep all electrical wires, cleaning supplies and poisonous plants away from where the kitten will be able to access.

Housebreaking a cat? Yes, even with kittens they still need to be directed on going to the bathroom. When you purchase a litter pan make sure to leave it in one location in the home and maintain the cleanliness of it. Kittens will learn quickly where to go and when but need the first week or so monitoring to make sure they are going where they should be. When the kitten wakes up place them in the box and a few minutes after feeding time as well.

If you have read this and you still feel that a kitten is the right fit for you then congratulations and enjoy your new pet. Pets are wonderful and it is always a joy to add a new addition into the home. After all, pets are family too.

Heart Healthy: How to Take Care of Your Most Vital Organ

Did you know that every day your heart beats about 100,000 times, sending 2,000 gallons of blood through your whole body? An object no bigger than the human fist has the most vital job to keep our blood flowing to other parts of our body and this is why it is so important we always take the time no matter our age to nurture it.

On a yearly basis it is very important that we visit our local Physician for an annual physical. During this checkup the Physician can check your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels and make sure you are maintaining the proper levels needed to have a healthy body and most importantly heart.

Stay Physical! It is extremely important that we no matter our age never stop moving. I urge many I know to fight the urge to lay in bed and sleep all day and to instead get up and move those arms and legs at least fifteen minutes a day whether it is taking a stroll through the local park or cemetery, marching in place while home watching television or engaging in some form of action to get the blood pumping. Eventually, you would want to increase the fifteen minutes to thirty minutes a day and you will find you are feeling much better!

The third recommendation is a struggle of mine and that is to drink water. Stay hydrated and keep replenishing your water bottle wherever you go. This is so important to keeping the body properly hydrated and you will find many health benefits to your skin and the way you feel in general by doing this. If you struggle to enjoy water try adding lemon, blueberries, melon or cucumber!

If you want to not only keep your heart healthy but maintain a healthy weight for your body always remember to try and eat your best. Stay away as often as possible from unhealthy foods and reach for fresh and unprocessed foods as often as you can. Try to eat lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains!

An obvious tip on keeping your heart healthy is to not smoke. If you are a smoker try cutting back on your smoking intake each day by slowly decreasing the amount of cigarettes consumed. Quitting smoking can be very hard but the benefits and evidence even after a few months of quitting can be powerful to see. Keep a positive attitude which can be hard but always remember only you can maintain a healthy lifestyle for yourself!

Treat yourself every once and awhile to a special dessert or indulgence that you enjoy. Stay strong on keeping healthy and do not derail from your ultimate goal but once a week enjoying something special is a great way to reward oneself for all the hard work of caring for the body all week long. If you follow these suggestions you will find not only will you feel better than you do now but the health concerns and risks that you were headed towards in the past are now less and you can enjoy life without constant fear.

 

Cobblestone Streets and Ghostly Stories: A look at the Guided Tour of Les Visites Fantomes de Quebec

 

 **I received a free tour ticket to facilitate my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.**

The moon is rising and the sun coming off the cobble stone streets of Old Quebec as my departure time of 8pm quickly arrives. The tour is across from 94 Rue du Petit Champlain and is an English speaking tour and upon arriving the fifteen minutes early to the location I can see that I am in for a treat. The tour guide Joseph is clad in old historical clothing and in his right hand he holds a lantern light that will soon guide our way through the streets of Old Quebec.

As we set off on our adventure I had remembered to wear comfortable clothing and sneakers and suggest it for everyone taking the tour as this is a 90 minute tour and the stories can lead you up and down hills and through streets that can at times be daunting towards the end of the tour. You will want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

The tour began by the Rue du Fort and took us to places near the Chateau Frontenac, Escalier Casse-Cou and Bureau de Poste. The stories as our tour guide stopped at each location told of murders, executions and tragedy along with hauntings and historical background of the locations.  The tour guide spoke very animated and kept the attention of the group at all times. As you tour the beautiful city at night you will not only get to hear about witches and local folklore but be captivated at the beautiful landscape of the monuments and old buildings surrounding you. The tour I will say is more history based than “haunting” so if you are looking for stories of ghosts and their encounters in Quebec as of today this is not necessarily the tour that will give you the goosebumps down your arms. This is more history based but still entertaining. I would recommend taking this tour early on in your travels to Quebec as a way to get more accustomed with your surroundings.

The price for the tour is $22 for adults and $19 for students and seniors. The price includes all taxes and admission is free for children 10 and younger when with an adult. The tickets can be purchased either by website, telephone or in person at 34 Boulevard Champlain.

The tour has been featured on Creepy Canada, OLN and Discovery Channel, Mystery Hunters and more and is the best ghost tour out there that you will find in Quebec. I highly recommend it and would definitely go again. This tour can be done in English or French and is definitely appropriate for all ages and includes a special treat at the end that only those who attend will get to find out about! It’s a secret but definitely one for true ghost fanatics to enjoy!

Check them out: http://www.fantomesdequebec.com/#box2

 

Revitalu: Welcome to a new “U.” #revitalu #coffee #caffeine #review

***This review is my own personal review and opinion and I was in no way paid for this opinion below.***

Revitalu is a new product on the market that is geared for those who are looking to suppress appetite, lose weight, gain energy and focus or enhance clarity. The product is a coffee that not only tastes great but has the added benefits behind every sip.

The packets are easy to carry around with you on the go and can be used by mixing either a single packet serving with either 4-8 oz of hot or cold water to taste liking. I personally found that warming it up was better in my own opinion. I would have this in the morning once a day for my coffee intake.

I am a huge coffee lover of all types and I found this very closely resembled a normal cup of coffee without the aftertaste that some mixtures with vitamins and minerals can have. The 100% arabica select coffee tasted just like coffee but I received a daily dose of L-Theanine for mood and Octodrine for metabolism and Chromium Polynicotinate to regulate my blood sugar and avoid the blood sugar roller coaster coffee and caffeine can bring.

I, personally, do not need to lose any weight but the energy boost with the mix of focus and clarity really appealed to me. After using it for three days I already noticed slightly more energy and a bit more focus in my tasks at hand. This was with just one cup a day for three days. The results they say tend to fully act on 14 days of continuous use.

The website http://www.revitalu.com also features some amazing recipes I suggest such as using the mix to make a vital vanilla yogurt or a frozen frappe delight with ice and banana and protein powder. There were many recipes I did not get to try on the website but highly recommend you check out!

The coffee mixture comes in a container, a box of 30 sticks or 2 tubs of coffee mixture all at retail or preferred cost. If pregnant/nursing please consult your doctor before use.

This special blend comes with a 14 day promise to the consumer that if you try it for 14 days and you do not believe it has made you feel healthier and had positive results that they will give you your money back! You know a company is confident in their product when they can stand behind it in such a way.

Overall, I would recommend checking out the website and trying it for yourself. If you do not like it you have nothing to lose with their 14 day trial. The coffee can be a bit pricey but when compared to your average protein powder and coffee at the local coffee shop it is worth every penny!

Product Review: Watch Ya Mouth Game

Looking for a hot new toy or game this holiday season to play with the family? Watch Ya Mouth the hilarious head to head mouthpiece challenge game is for all ages and features fun tasks to do and speak while the other players try and figure out what you are speaking while wearing the mouthpiece in your mouth. This game was recently awarded Top Holiday Toy of 2017 and there is no wonder why. This game is really fun!

I thought the sentences were very easy and simple for even the youngest of players to play but the mouthpieces were a bit hard and uncomfortable to get in our mouths and keep inside. The younger children could not even fit the mouthpiece inside their mouths. The plastic is very uncomfortable and the drooling is less attractive, you literally drool!

4-10 players will face off doing activities, singing and drawing and then after a 30-60 minute round still will leave you with plenty of options to play later. I was a bit disappointed because the game phrases with the mouthpieces inside them were actually really easy to figure out.

Last holiday we bought the actual mouthpiece game of another name and this seemed more like a generic imitation of the same game. The cards were very poorly manufactured and the mouthpieces as mentioned did not even offer much in comfort or different size for different age players.

I found that while most of the children were eager to play, many of the parents and adults had no interest to play due to the drooling and mouth piece. I think what is most important is to remember to wash each piece after play really well. I am not sure how it won best game/toy for 2017 because I felt there were many more options for a fun family night. I would pass honestly.

Overall a fun game. 1.5 out of 4 stars.

 

Ring in the Christmas Season with Bad Moms Christmas! #badmoms #holiday #moviereview

If you saw Bad Moms when it first came out years ago and you enjoyed it then you will definitely enjoy the follow up “A Bad Moms Christmas.” A Bad Moms Christmas really is successful because of the supporting cast though which includes the ever-so-talented Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon. These three really make the movie the success that it could be or is.

These three are not the main characters but seem to evoke the most laughter and glory in the scenes throughout the film. The three portray the main characters mothers’ and each one has their own hang ups with their children played by Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn. Christine Baranski is the controlling Mother who wants everything her way and with glitz and glamour and Cheryl Hine’s plays the mother of Kristen Bell whose husband passed and suddenly she finds all her time and thoughts consumed with her daughter including wearing pajamas with her daughters face on them. Whereas, Iris played by Susan Sarandon (Kathryn’s mother) is a Roadie who does not commit and is just there to grab a loan and run again from her daughter’s life.

The hang up with this movie is the dreadful dialogue that at times was so painful that I cringed when they spoke through each line. The main theme of the movie is that the three main characters decide to “take back” Christmas and that apparently is followed by a drunken stupor in the mall where they steal a Christmas tree and grind on Santa Claus all in a days shopping event. The movie begins with Mila Kunis’ character saying that she was the “worst mom” because she had ruined Christmas for her kids. The movie then continues to take us back five days and we see exactly what brought about this comment. At the end of the film all women will have found a way to make the holiday special and to make a closer relationship with one another. (spoiler: not really, after all its a holiday movie-these always end this way.)

The cameo by Justin Hartley from “This is Us” or “Young and the Restless” previously works with the material he is given as best he can. These scenes were some of the most cringe worthy for myself. Justin Hartley though is adorable and funny and definitely did his best with the role and is to be enjoyed on the film. (stay for the closing credits)

The script is lame but it was entertaining none the less and I enjoyed myself throughout the film. If you go in not expecting Academy Award Winners and just enjoy a few laughs this movie will be great for your friends’ night out or date night. The movie is rated R for crude sexual content and language. The movie runs for 104 minutes and I would give a 2.5 out of 4 stars.

Holiday Gift Idea: Watch Ya Mouth Throwdown Edition #giftidea #usfamilyguide #shopping

Watch Ya’ Mouth Throwdown Edition is the evolution of the original, wildly popular, hilarious Watch Ya’ Mouth game. Rather than just speak phrases, players now go head-to-head with hilarious and challenging tasks – while wearing mouthpieces. Throwdown Edition takes competition – and laughter – to the next level and builds on the multigenerational gaming phenomena.

Throwdown Edition has already been Awarded Top Holiday Toy of 2017 by Toy Insider & selected for the 2017 Amazon Holiday Toy List.

Want a hilarious family game to play during the Holidays? Your search is over. 15% off Coupon Code: 15THROWDOWN http://amzn.to/2i6NKwG

Book Review: Unshakeable TRUST by Joyce Meyer #bookreview #joycemeyer #inspire #faithwords

New York Times Best-Seller Joyce Meyer is at it again with her inspirational new title “Unshakeable Trust.” This title was released back in September and focuses on living your best life while finding the joy in simple things at all times.

The book focuses on trusting God and how when God is trusted in all aspects of your life that he will gear you in the right direction. The main overall theme of this title is that we as believers or non-believers need to be trusting in God more and being less self-reliant. The book applies scripture throughout each and every page that Joyce relates back to her past and shows us how we can relate as well to our own lives. If you struggle to sit and read chapter books the benefit to Joyce Meyer’s books are that the chapters are easy to read and shorter with only 4-5 pages each. The writing is larger print for those that struggle also with the smaller print books.

The 218 page book begins with talking about trust and what trust means to the individual versus what it means to trust in God. The book focuses on how it is very important to “learn what trust is and how to trust. We especially want to learn to trust God.”  Trust which this book focuses mostly on makes it so that we can live without the burden and anxiety that not trusting someone or even God can create in our lives.

Chapter 2 was my personal favorite as it focuses on a struggle I personally have with “resting” ones mind. The writings are so easy to read and I have found do not boggle you down with big words and fancy sentences which sometimes can be overwhelming to an average reader. Chapter 2 gives us teaching lessons and speaks to us on letting God into our day and talking with him, not as a duty but more as a way to regain our inner peace.

I found great solace in the pages and I believe you will too as the reader. The reminder that God is good and that God has greatness in store for our lives and to trust his journey is so important as we move about our days. Joyce asks “Who is in the Driver’s Seat of Your Life?” and we often find we are trying to drive when we should be letting him at the wheel. There is such greatness in each page of this book that I urge even the non-believers to give it a try and to try to just relate in general the motivational pieces into your lives. There is a lot to be said for even just being inspired these days.

If you take your time to read this and apply each page and scripture to your life than it should really benefit you. Joyce Meyer has written quite a few titles and this is one of my personal favorites so far.

Find this at your local bookstore or on Amazon as well!