Luv Michael Granola is delicious, snackable and helps individuals with Autism @luvmichaelco #sponsored

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I recently had the opportunity to try a new granola product that tastes delicious and helps people with autism. What could be a better combination? At Luv Michael, they create delicious snackable, granola using the finest organic ingredients. Every bite delivers just the right amount of yum and crunch to give you a tasty, healthy way to get through your day. This granola is fun to eat on its own or as a topping on yogurt or fruit. Use it to create a unique fruit and yogurt parfait, sprinkle it on ice cream or think of your own creative options.  My daughter and I enjoyed a fresh parfait yesterday with lowfat Greek yogurt, sliced strawberries and topped it with Luv Michael granola. Delicious!

Each batch is hand mixed and packed by hard working individuals with Autism who Luv Michael calls their “Granologists.” I love how Luv Michael truly empowers “Granologists” with living wages and independent life skills. It is a wonderful way to create and deliver a product that tastes delicious and does good too.  Michael Kessaris is the inspiration for the non-profit Luv Michael. Michael is 18 year old, loves to cook and has autism. He is from Port Washington, NY.  His family had struggled to find a viable career for Michael. Since Michael didn't have a high school diploma, he was unable to enroll in culinary school. Michael’s parents, Lisa Liberatore, MD and Dimitri Kessaris, MD helped create the Luv Michael food based business so that their son and others with autism would have a career option to help them to lead happy, productive lives. Everyone loves granola and we all know how people snack on it, use it in recipes, as toppings and in a ton of other ways so granola was an ingenious business idea.

Luv Michael has a focus on education and creates custom curriculum for individuals to help foster learning and teach key skills. The idea for the company was truly ingenious since it produced a healthy, quality product that was in demand while it offered income and careers for individuals with autism including Michael. It is no surprise to me that the Luv Michael Granola has been a success. It is even gluten-free so more people can enjoy the granola than ever. Remember, Luv Michael’s mission is to provide meaningful vocational training for the autistic population and to produce exceptional gluten-free and natural products. Luv Michael educates, trains and employs individuals with autism. Every bag of Luv Michael Originola Granola is hand mixed in small batches and packed with LUV by individuals with autism.

So far, success has been super sweet for Luv Michael. The 2-ounce snackable Originola Granola can be found in all New York Fresh + Co., Café Metro and Wild by Nature stores as well as select Starbucks and at local stores in Southampton, New York and throughout Delaware. Luv Michael is expanding daily with hopes of sharing the LUV in all 50 states. You can check online on the Luv Michael website to follow availability and share with friends and family. You can find out more by following Luv Michael on Twitter
and Facebook as well.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Probiotics for Acne and Digestive Regularity - Next Generation Nexabiotic is a great option @brandbacker

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I have had really good success with using probiotics over the past few years. They are a staple for me when I travel and I try to take them regularly at home. I notice a difference. I recently had the opportunity to try a more targeted probiotic that was formulated by a doctor. I was impressed with the results too. Nexabiotic probiotics is one of the most advanced probiotic supplements out there. It has 23 different probiotic strains in each vegetarian capsule. That is definitely more than I have seen even in the natural food stores. It was formulated to helps support digestive health but the company has shared that many customers say it actually improves their skin health. Of course your own results may vary. I also suggest checking with your physician before starting any kind of new supplement or medication.

I do notice that I feel good when I take Nexabiotic.  My skin looks and feels much better. That was not always the case. I recently had a big corporate meeting looming before me with tons of assignments. Usually that means itching, rashes and even breakouts from the stress. It was going to be a week away all the way on the west coast. Just thinking about it made my skin itch. The timing was perfect though and Nexabiotic had just arrived on my doorstep. I started taking it right away and hoped for the best. I powered through all my work and I noticed something different after a few days. My stomach was not in an uproar like it usually is before a meeting. My hands were not getting itchy and dry and I didn't have a rash on my wrists. My face didn't break out. Well, I kept taking the Nexabiotic all through the meeting and I didn't get sick either. One of my other colleagues came home really sick. I think the probiotic support made a big difference so I will keep taking it.

Probiotics have gotten more important over the years to counteract super clean diets and changes in the eco-system like our water supply. Even if you are healthy like me, our food supply is now more processed and sterilized. If you don't eat 100% organic, then maybe even antibiotics are in some of the foods you eat. Your body systems are all connected so the results can be problematic.  Probiotics help break down food in the body and keep bad bacteria from proliferating. In the normal human gut there are over 100 trillion good bacteria. As you age or stress levels rise some of these necessary good bacteria die. Antibiotics can kill even more bacteria. Probiotics supplement the GI tract with good bacteria. Probiotic supplements have increased in popularity because they support digestive health. All of the body systems are connected though, so if your GI tract functions at peak levels, that can add a positive effect to other parts of your body like your brain and your skin. Nexabiotic was formulated to support the whole body.

Each 34.5 billion CFU dose of Nexabiotic provides your digestive tract with 23 different probiotics to support digestive balance. Nexabiotic capsules are also specially designed so that the probiotics inside survive the harsh stomach acid and get to the gut to provide the support you need. Nexabiotic probiotics were founded by a group of doctors who had the desire to revolutionize medical support and health.  Dr. Formulas and Nexabiotic want to make radical changes in the way we think about nutrition.  That is the very reason they designed these quality nutritional products. I was excited to hear that Cosmo Magazine recently recommended Nexabiotic as their probiotic of choice for acne problems. Studies have shown that probiotics can support skin health and digestive regularity and it makes sense.

You can find Nexabiotic right on Amazon for easy shopping anytime. You can find out more about Nexabiotic by going right to their website too. Let me know how it works for you.
 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

StudioGear Mineral Wet and Dry Powder Foundation @brandbacker

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I have to make things simple for myself when it comes to beauty. I don't like to go bare though so I was excited to get a new beauty product from StufioGear. Dual Identity Wet/Dry Mineral Foundation is a true revolutionary advancement in beauty. This is a loose mineral foundation that is easy to apply and provides ease of use to apply wet or dry. I love that too! That option makes it versatile for any occasion and season of the year.

StudioGear has been crafting professional quality beauty and makeup products for years. If you haven't tried a dry mineral foundation, this is a great time to make the leap. StudioGear makes it easy with easy to use tutorials like the one below. Check out the StudioGear Youtube Makeup tutorial for application tips and see how easy it is to use! 

The StudioGear Dual Mineral Foundation is truly a foundation that is easy to use in 4 different ways.

1. Mineral Powder: Keep it simple and buff Foundation into skin on it's own or over primer.

2. Serum Foundation: Mix it Up with Revitalizing Day Serum to create custom, super moisturizing coverage. (Tip, you can also mix with your favorite SPF for added protection)

3. Mattifying Finishing Powder: Take it on the go to set your liquid make-up and stay matte all day.

4. Cream Contour: Mix up darker and lighter shades with Protective Day Lotion for creamy, blendable, custom contour.

 

Even more important is that Dual Identity Wet + Dry Foundation is not tested on animals. It is also free of fragrance, parabens or talc. That makes me feel great about using it each and every day. 

Here is the complete ingredient list:

Ingredients: Boron Nitride, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Stearate, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Sorbic Acid, Water/Aqua, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Honey Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate. MAY CONTAIN: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499) Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Manganese Violet (CI 77742). 

A little history about  Studio Gear Cosmetics first. They have been around more than 15 years.    Studio Gear Cosmetics is a luxury cosmetics brand featuring a full collection of professional makeup brushes, complexion formulas, and an endless selection of color products for the eyes, cheeks, and lips.  They have been in my makeup bag for years too...I remember when they first launched. This is a line created true to the concept that every woman deserves professional, high quality cosmetics at a reasonable price.

Studio Gear has it all too. The Studio Gear Professional Brush Collection is the core of the product line. Brushes are crafted from the highest quality hairs and hand-tied for unbeatable quality. Ladies from all over the United States are using Studio Gear brushes to enhance their makeup application and express their creativity with precision and quality. Every woman deserves high quality cosmetics at a great price. All Studio Gear tools have a lifetime product guarantee. They have unbelievable tools to help you achieve every look from basic to advanced techniques. 

The Studio Gear color palette is vibrant and original - the colors are true, pure and absolutely precise. The simplicity and quality in the eye shadows and lipsticks provide staple colors for any look, whether it be timeless or trend. Customers ask for products by name and keep coming back again and again. I love the convenience of online shopping and Studio Gear makes it easy. You can find all their great beauty and cosmetics including the Dual Identity Wet/Dry Mineral Foundation right on their website for easy shopping anytime.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Ready for a Seventh Generation Healthy Baby Home Party? Take a peek!

Disclosure: Seventh Generation provided me with information and free products in exchange for sharing with my readers. 

I always like to give y'all the skinny on anything good and I just got some! Seventh Generation just launched Healthy Baby Home Parties again so I wanted you to know about the latest round and how to apply to be a party host. Seventh Generation is a great company that has tons of products that I feel good about using for my family and I know you will too.  I am so excited to be participating with them and it was super easy. I had the option to send out invites electronically...e-invites! I loved how that saved paper and made me feel greener right from the get-go.  A Seventh Generation Healthy Baby Home Party is a fun opportunity to get together with the gals and do good at the same time!

Keep the family safe and healthy plus make it a party! Apply for a Healthy Baby Home Party filled with samples, tips on creating a healthy home, and even some great coupons. You get all this pictured above to share with your friends from the folks at Seventh Generation. You can see that it includes many of your favorite eco-friendly brands and maybe some brands you have considered but haven't tried yet. Well this is a perfect opportunity to do so and share your experiences with friends. Moms get so busy that it is nice to take a break sometimes and chat it up with the gals. It is a wonderful way to check in with old friends and perhaps make some new connections.

Tons of party essentials are included in the Healthy Baby Home Party box too. They are all in generous sizes too, enough so that everyone can try one or two and really experience the products. Laugh, learn and teach other moms and families to live a healthier life while hosting a meaningful party. There are even special full sized hostess gifts! It is an ideal way to enjoy time with your friends sharing about important issues that affect your family, and earn points and free products as a member of Generation Good. I have several friends that recently had babies and many of us have toddlers and young children. We really try hard to do good for our families and Seventh Generation makes it easier. All the moms are excited for their goody bags and I know the kids will be eager to try the foods too. I hoping to host my party on a sunny day in the end of July so we can spend a lot of the time on our beautiful back deck and the kids will be able to play in the yard. 

It is so nice because guests get samples, coupons and educational information from the Healthy Baby Home Party package that is sent to your home. You’ll come together like we will to discuss products and parenting.You also learn about Seventh Generation plant based products and get great tips for keeping families safe and healthy. By the close of the party you will learn that we all can make simple changes to get toxins out of our kids. Take the first step in helping this world become a better place for our children.   

Become a member of Generation Good and get started now. 

• Check dashboard for Healthy Baby Home Party application. (Applications are only accepted a few times per year, keep your eyes peeled! You'll get an email letting you know the application is open, too.)
• Complete application and wait to hear if you’ve been accepted!
• In the meantime, explore Generation Good, help others in the forum, test products, and complete surveys! 

It's fun to share with friends plus you get a Healthy Baby Home Party kit! Hop on over to Seventh Generation and fill out your application. Good luck! 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.