Diabetes Awareness Month with Johnson & Johnson #Moms4JNJConsumer

Disease affects everyone differently. Some people have been greatly affected (and devastated) by cancer. Others, heart disease. Yet others know the weight of living with mental illness. Maybe these ailments have impacted their personal health. Or, perhaps, they watched someone dear to them suffer. When we watch someone struggle with an illness, it gives us a new appreciation and awareness for the disease. We become aware of the symptoms and affects. Our senses are heightened, and we work harder to fight an invisible enemy that we hope to never meet.

For me and my family, I have a great awareness of diabetes.

Both of my grandmothers suffered from diabetes. My dad's mother passed away from complications of the illness. My mom's mother struggled daily with the affects of diabetes until she passed away. I became well-aquainted with the various facets of diabetes. I watched my Nana take her blood sugar. I helped her calibrate her lancers and testers. I watched her hem and haw over dietary choices, knowing some would have greater impacts than others.

I know that this can be hereditary, so I'm more aware of the symptoms. It's important for me to know the symptoms, so that if they ever became present in my life or the lives of my children, I can immediately take action. I hope to never know the disease personally. But there are many who must live with it daily.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This is a great time to learn more about diabetes, as well as to support those who live with the disease. Johnson & Johnson has some great resources for those living with diabetes.

If you have diabetes:

1) Supplements may support overall health.


2) You may be concerned about plaque and gingivitis, so healthy oral care habits are essential. Included in your product box:

• LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN® Dental Floss  – Shred-resistant dental floss stretches, flexes and slides easily between teeth. MICRO-GROOVES® Technology removes 2x more plaque than Glide® Mint Floss. 

• LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN® Mouthwash – The only leading mouthwash with an anti-tartar ingredient and new EVERFRESH™ Technology for a dentist clean feeling that lasts up to three times longer vs. brushing alone. Has the clinically proven plaque and germ-killing power of LISTERINE® Antiseptic. 

3) Lotion or cream such as LUBRIDERM® can help moisturize your skin. Talk to your doctor before use.

• LUBRIDERM® Daily Moisture Fragrance-Free Lotion – Replenish and moisturize dry skin. It’s fragrance-free, fortified with Vitamin B5 and skin-essential moisturizers. The clean-feeling, non-greasy formula absorbs in seconds and moisturizes for hours – in fact, it’s clinically shown to moisturize for 24 hours. 

4) Check with your doctor; your wounds should be treated immediately. Included in your product box:

• NEOSPORIN® Original Ointment – For over 55 years, NEOSPORIN® products have been the gold standard for all your minor cuts, scrapes and burns. NEOSPORIN® Original Ointment provides 24 hour infection protection and may help minimize the appearance of scars. 

• BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages – America’s #1 bandage brand covers all your wound-protection needs. BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages have covered and protected minor cuts and scrapes for millions of people over 90 years. 

5) Currently one in three American adults have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. One of the most important steps you can take to lower this risk is eating well to maintain a healthy weight.

• When used to replace sugar, SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Products can help people with diabetes reduce their intake of carbohydrate and calories. SPLENDA® Sweetener Products can contribute to a healthier lifestyle by helping to reduce calories from added sugar, and can be used almost anywhere sugar is used, including cooking and baking. 

Visit the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® website for savings and diabetes resources.

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS^® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

Third Party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Back-to-School Tips from Steph #HealthyEssentials

The first week of the 2014-2015 school is almost in the books. I can't believe Summer is over and I'm already back to packing lunches and racing to the bus stop every morning!  As I was reflecting on some of the things I wanted to tell Chica on her first day of school, I was reminded that we as parents also need some tips and encouragement for the new school year!

So, as a gift from me to you, I compiled a few pieces of down-to-earth back-to-school advice from an average ol' mom (i.e.: me).

Be Brave (Socially)

This is something that weighed heavily on my heart for Chica, but as I formed the words to share with her, I realized they were equally applicable to me. My girl is shy, so as a mom I am working to encourage her to be brave in social situations: to say hi to someone new, to invite someone to sit next to her at lunch, to join in on games at recess. 

But, friends? Perhaps we need to take our own advice. I need to be brave socially. Because for the amount of nervousness I feel when I enter Parent Night, wondering who to talk to and if I will fit in (AND YES - WE ALL FEEL THIS WAY), I'd imagine many of the other parents are feeling the same hesitation. It takes just one person to step out in courage, stick out their hand and say, "Howdy!" 

Be that person.

Embrace Sleep and Waking Up

Yes, we need to get our kids back on their normal school year sleep routine. Newsflash: parents need their sleep too! And many of us get just as "off schedule"in the summer as our kids do. I find it too easy to bask in the quietness after the kids go to sleep to get work done, to binge watch TV shows on Netflix or to read a book. But then 6:30am rolls around and it is a painful wake-up call. Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night (for me that means going to bed before 10:30pm). 

In the morning, give yourself a Wake Up Routine. Maybe it is laying in bed for 5 minutes and checking your email. Maybe it is washing your face with something invigorating, like Neutrogena's Pink Grapefruit Scrub or rinsing the sleepy mouth scum out of your mouth with Listerine. 

KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

Don't overcomplicate your life. Find life hacks and shortcuts to keep the nights and mornings go as smoothly as possibly. I can't recommend more highly the practice of packing school lunches the night before. Sure, it only takes, like, 2 minutes. But there is something stressful about facing a morning where the lunches still need to be made. I also encourage the kids to pick out their outfits the night before. This eliminates the "I Don't Want To Wear Those Clothes" fight in the morning.

Coffee

Need I say more? 

(Sweeten the deal with Splenda!)




Johnson & Johnson is all about re-engergizing your back-to-school routine! The Johnson & Johnson HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® line is offering amazing printable coupons, tips & tools and so much more for all the products you and your family love. You can save more than $40 by visiting http://www.HealthyEssentials.com now and signing up for HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® program coupons and offers. 

While you’re there, check out some of these great savings:

• Save $1.00 on JOHNSON'S® Baby NO MORE TANGLES® or Extra Conditioning hair care product (excludes sizes 1 oz.-4 oz., JOHNSON'S® BUDDIES® and JOHNSON'S® KIDS® products) 
• Save $2.00 on any (2) AVEENO® products (excludes cleansing bars and moisturizing bars, trial sizes and 2.5 oz. lotion sizes) 
• Save $2.00 on any (1) RoC® Anti-Aging product 
• Save $1.00 on any (1) NEUTROGENA® Cleansing, Moisture, or Acne product 
• Save $1.00 on any (1) SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Products
• Save $1.50 on any (1) VISINE® product (0.5 fl. oz. or larger) 
• Save $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash, or (1) LISTERINE®NATURALS™ Antiseptic, or (1) LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN® Antiseptic, or (1) LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE, or (1) LISTERINE® ZERO®, or (1) LISTERINE® FLUORIDE DEFENSE® Anticavity Mouthwash product (Valid on products 1L or larger)

What are YOUR best back-to-school tips? 

Which Johnson & Johnson 

HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 

products help re-energize your daily routine?

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS^® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

Promises #PromiseToBaby

It will be 6 years ago this Thursday that you made me a mom. And in those years, I have made many promises, both to you and to myself, on the life we would embark on together. 

On the day I found out I was pregnant with you, I promised that I would be the best mommy I could be (despite how absolutely terrified I was of becoming a mother). I knew that you would need me to take the lead when I was clueless, be strong when I was scared and care for you when I wasn't sure how.

Because you would rely on me for survival.

On the day I found out you were a girl, I promised I would live a life exemplary of strength, courage, compassion, empathy, beauty and confidence. I knew we lived in a world that would throw mixed messages to you of who a woman is and how she should be. I knew that other voices would compete with mine about your beauty, your worth, your abilities. 

So I would vowed my voice would be the loudest.

On the day you came into the world, a quiet force, I promised I would put your needs before mine: food, sleep, comfort. I would give up hours upon days upon weeks of sleep for your rest. I would forgo my own nourishment to make sure you were fed. I would give up all pretense of comfort so that you were comfortable.

My goal in life is to keep you safe.


I take these promises seriously, and it is a daily task to be on top of my game to make sure my daughters are empowered, nourished, uplifted and safe. So I appreciate when brands that create the products I use on an every day basis support me in keeping these promises.

I am grateful to JOHNSON’S® Baby for stepping up to the plate in the midst of customer concern. I've used  JOHNSON’S® products on my kids since birth, and when I was a kid my mom used Johnson's products on me. 

There was much rumbling after consumers heard rumors that Johnson's used ingredients that were unsafe in their products. And many times when companies get concerns such as these, consumers are dismissed. 

But  JOHNSON’S® chose to listen.


After they heard that parents were concerned about the ingredients in their products, they made the decision to stand up and change their product formulas—not because of safety, but for peace of mind. Just as moms make promises to their children, JOHNSON’S® Baby also makes promises so moms don’t have to worry about the products they use on their little ones. 

Although their products have always been safe, they changed their formulas to give moms peace of mind. They’ve met their 2013 Safety and Care Commitment to remove formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and reduce traces of 1,4 dioxane from all of of their baby products, everywhere around the world. Additionally, for most of their new and improved baby products, we have removed parabens.

But don't take it from me. 

Let  JOHNSON’S® tell you:

The JOHNSON’S® Baby Family is excited to introduce you to our seven newly reformulated products:

• JOHNSON’S® Baby HEAD-TO-TOE® Wash 
• JOHNSON’S® Baby Lotion 
• JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo 
• JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thick and Curly Hair 
• JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thin and Straight Hair 
• JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo with Calming Lavender 
• JOHNSON’S® Baby Soothing Vapor Baby Bath

For more information about Johnson's Baby policies and timeline, visit safetyandcarecommitment.com.    

What promises do you make to your kids? 

How do you work to fulfill them?

I have partnered with The Motherhood and Johnson's Baby for this sponsored post. All opinions are my own. #Partner

Giving Back with Elmer's and Champions for Kids #BagItForward

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Motherhood and Champions for Kids.

How is it the end of July?

As I look ahead to the next few precious weeks, it's impossible to avoid the Back-to-School rush. Once we moved, we had to register Chica at her new school. That very day, we were given her classroom supplies list, the items we need to send Chica to school with on the first day of school. I love that schools do this, enabling families to participate in supporting their child's classroom by providing important supplies.

I am reminded that there are many families who struggle to meet the requests for back-to-school items. I am reminded that many families struggle to meet their day-to-day needs as well. In addition, schools are receiving less and less funding, making it more difficult for our hardworking teachers to have adequate supplies on hand to educate our children.

So I was grateful that despite being Summer, I had the opportunity to have a Teachable Moment morning with Chica and Bug. Champions for Kids is partnering with Elmer’s to “Bag it Forward,” collecting and donating school supplies to kids in need in our communities! Many children lack the basic resources they need to thrive in the classroom, and teachers often spend their own money on school supplies.

Friends?

First, I am so grateful that there are amazing programs like this in existence. That our schools, that our families, do not have to struggle alone.

Second, I am grateful to be given the chance to talk about real world issues with my girls during a recent trip to Target. We chatted about why school is important, and the very real struggles that families in our own community have with providing for their needs. It warmed my heart that my girls jumped at the idea that the best way to help is to GIVE: to our communities, to our schools.


So, we walked around Target and found our way to the Back-to-School section. We looked through the supplies and found the things a classroom could really benefit from having. The girls joyfully took the supplies and piled them into our cart.

We plan to share our #BagItForward purchases with a classroom in need in our community.

Learn how you can GIVE BACK during Back-to-School at: http://championsforkids.org/elmers/.

Connect with Champions For Kids on Online, Twitter and Facebook.

Connect with Elmer's Online, Twitter and Facebook.

Rock Your Summer with Healthy Essentials at Target

Friends?

Are you loving summer?

We are!  It had quite a chaotic start: moving right before the end of the school year, beginning several new jobs at the same time and the regular end-of-school year craziness (for both Chica and Hubby). When the last school bell sounded, you can rest assured we were CELEBRATING.

One of the best parts of summer is the opportunity to play with friends. Since moving, we are now 30 minutes closer to the people we love and hang out with. The girls are reveling that we can spontaneously get together with their friends on any given day. We've also moved to a neighborhood chock full of kids. We had NO kid neighbors where we lived before, so this has been quite the novelty!

We helped celebrate summer with a joint birthday party for two special little friends. The girls and I were delighted to provide some great summer essentials thanks to Target and Healthy Essentials. As summer approaches, we all rush to try on new bathing suits and stock up corn on the cob. But there are some Healthy Essentials people often overlook, like sunscreen and bandaids (I don't know about you, but thanks to scooters, bikes and insane games of tag we have plenty of skinned knees happening around here).

Before the big party, we headed to our favorite place to stock up on all the supplies: Target! I swear they have anything. Does anyone else find that they go into Target for one thing and walk out with 5 things they hadn't planned on buying? #TargetProblems

In addition to all the Healthy Essentials supplies, we got cute decorations and fun accents, like these paper straws. And thanks to their extensive toy aisle, the birthday gifts were covered.

HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® Products are key essentials that can help you keep going and stay focused on fun this summer, no matter what happens.  You won't have to worry, because you’re prepared for the Best Summer Ever!

• Through August 16, visit www.yourbestsummer.com to play a virtual soccer game, share your score and take a shot at instantly winning a $200 Target eGiftCard.
  
  
• You could win one of more than $15,000 in prizes.
  
  
• You can also score savings with Target-specific coupons on key essentials for summertime (and all the time!) at www.yourbestsummer.com.

In addition, the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® program is offering amazing printable coupons, tips & tools and so much more for all the products you and your family love. You can save more than $45 by visiting http://www.HealthyEssentials.com in June and July and signing up for HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® program coupons and offers.

What are the top 3 Healthy Essentials in YOUR summer beach bag?

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

Let Your (Flash)Light Shine #NoLeaksGuaranteed + Giveaway!

I participated in this program on behalf of Energizer and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

There are many components to the bedtime routine in our household. Most nights, bedtime begins with a soothing bath. And by "soothing" I mean "a water tornado tears up my bathroom and one or both parents leave the room fuming." After the girls are dried off, they put on their pajamas and hop into bed. Hubby or I reads a story, then we turn off the lights. 

But one of the most important components to bedtime is the flashlight.

We seem to be raising readers (high five and a pat on the back to us, right?). So most nights when we leave the girls in their room, they hunker down under the covers, each opening a book to read via flashlight. I often go in to check on them before turning in for the night, and they are splayed across their beds, flanked by books in various stages of open.

I kind of love it. 

Until aforementioned flashlights are left on over night one too many times.'

So one night, the poor unsuspecting parents leave the kids with aforementioned over-used flashlights to find said flashlights will not turn on.

And, of course, nary a battery to be seen.

Weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth ensues.

Batteries have become an essential part of parenting. Why? Because kids have stuff. Lots of stuff. And all of that stuff comes with laughable assembly instructions, far too many choking hazard-sized pieces, and the need for battery power. 

Every. Last. Toy.

And while it is pretty bad to find that a beloved toy has had the battery life sucked out of it, it's even worse to find a toy that has experienced a leaky battery, rendering it unusable.

I still remember the time Chica, upon finding her toy needed new batteries, went to remedy the situation herself (unbeknownst to me). Once she got the battery hatch open, she found corroded batteries. I clearly recall my panic at the leaky, corroded batteries in her hands.

In that moment, I failed not only to protect a beloved toy. I failed to protect my daughter as well.

There is good news in all of this, my friends. 

Not all battery brands are created equal.

Energizer® batteries hold power for up to 10 years in storage, providing long life for the devices you use most. What’s more, Energizer® MAX® protects devices from leakage of fully-used batteries for up to 2 years.

I didn't realize that even fully-used batteries can leak, causing a mess.  Energizer is solving for this decades-old, industry-wide issue with Energizer® MAX® with Power Seal technology. Research shows Energizer® MAX® with Power Seal technology outperforms leading competitors when it comes to in-device leakage.

 

Energizer Battery Myth-Busters:

Myth #1: Batteries only leak after they are left in a device for too long.

False! In reality, batteries can leak at any time.

Myth #2: Batteries only leak after all the power is used up.

False! Batteries can leak at any time, regardless of whether they still have power.


Myth #3: Storing batteries in the refrigerator or freezer helps prevent leakage.

False! The way batteries are stored has no impact on their likelihood of leaking.

Myth #4: Some battery chemistries are more likely to leak than others.

True! Not all batteries were created equal. Energizer MAX alkaline batteries are sure to protect your devices from damaging leaks. Guaranteed.

Now, I can rest assured that when the light clicks off for bedtime in my daughters' room and the flashlights click on, that the batteries used can withstand many long nights of bedtime reading.

I also find comfort that Energizer is protecting not only my devices from damaging leaks, but my girls as well.


Let your (flash)lights shine, friends!

Giveaway!

Energizer will send one randomly selected reader a collection of Energizer batteries and an Energizer Bunny plush. 

Cute, right?

Good luck and happy winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Allergy Relief with VISINE®-A® Eye Drops #EyesonVISINE

This is a sponsored post for VISINE® and The Motherhood, who sent me product and compensated me for my time. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spring and Fall used to be my favorite times of the year. They still SHOULD be. The changing of the seasons, with delectable temperatures and beautiful colors all around. The pinks and greens of Spring warm the heart after a long, grey winter. The burning oranges and reds of Autumn, signaling a welcome end to the dripping heat of Summer. We spend our time delightfully frolicking outdoors, rolling in the grass and breathing in the glorious nature-scents of the season.

And then I break out into hives and start wheezing.

Fact: 

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies (which is approximately 1 in 5 Americans).

I'm pretty sure I account for, like, 99.9% of those stats. 

My allergies developed when I was around 5 years old. One day we noticed, after sitting in the grass playing for a while, that I had an itchy, bumpy rash. Not long after, extended periods outdoors lead to prolonged fits of wheezing. Despite the fact that I was a robust kid, I started spending more time indoors to keep from being plagued with the frustrating symptoms I struggled with after playing outdoors. We consulted a doctor, who said I was just "allergic to the air."

Oh lovely.

I figured I was destined to become Steph: The Girl in the Plastic Bubble.

After a few years of managing the symptoms, we took the route of getting allergy shots, which made a world of difference. I could go outside and play again and visit friends who had cats and dogs (it was good to finally see my Nana again). Although it was helpful, I still struggle with allergies (seasonal and year-round). So I have an arsenal of medical weapons (including a nebulizer) to get through the rough patches, which I have affectionately dubbed, "When Pollen Attacks." 

And now I have a new weapon in my defense against allergies: VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Drops.

Like, Holy Hannah. 

I love this stuff.

I've never thought to take eye drops before. I figured my assortment of inhalers and allergy pills would take care of ALL symptoms. But, I've hit points where my eyes find no relief despite my best efforts to placate the itchy fire. Thanks to eye allergies, I have dealt with some really gross ailments, including the white of my eye swelling.

Yeah. I told you. Gross.

I think it's because eye allergies happen when airborne allergens and other particles land directly on the surface of the eye, causing irritation and redness; subsequently, the body reacts to the substance by flooding the eyes with tears and mucus. 

So it's a topical problem that can't always be addressed from the inside out. The eye drops go right to the heart (or, rather, eye) of the problem, fighting the allergens and particles at the source. VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Eye Drops are clinically proven effective for eye allergy relief because they combine an antihistamine with a redness reliever to temporarily relieve eye itchiness and redness helping eyes get back to normal.

Think you might have eye allergies? Here are some symptoms to consider:

• Itching
• Redness
• Tearing
• Swelling and puffiness of the eyelids
• “Foreign body sensation”
• Burning sensation
• Watery eyes

Sound familiar?

I was dubious at first, even though I was doing this as a blog review. How could eye drops make my eyes feel better? Don't I need medication for that?

Oh people.

The relief was immediate. Many of you know I've been packing boxes as we prepare to move. One day, I was packing a bunch of old moldy and dusty items. I must have touched my eye without washing my hand, because less than 15 minutes later, my eyes were red, watery, itchy and even painful. Things were deteriorating fast, but I remembered I had this bottle of VISINE®-A® Eye Drops, so I put a drop or two in each eye.

Magic. 

It was magic.

Here are some great Allergy Tips from VISINE®

INDOORS:

• Wash linens and clothes regularly 
• Keep windows shut to keep out pollen and other outdoor allergens 
• Vacuum and dust often to reduce indoor allergens, such as dust and pet dander 
• Run the air conditioner or air filter to sift out allergens. Make sure to keep those air filters clean and replace them regularly 
• Put allergy proof covers on pillows, mattresses and comforters to ward off dust mites 

OUTDOORS:

• Check the pollen count before going outside each day – pollen counts tend to be highest 5 - 10AM 
• Shower after being outdoors to remove allergens that may have stuck to you. Use a sterile saline eye wash to flush allergens out of your eyes 
• Do not hang laundry to dry outdoors because allergens can stick to the clothes 
• Glasses and sunglasses act as a barrier or shield to minimize allergens from sticking to your eyes 
• If you prefer to wear contact lenses, choose a daily disposable lens, which can minimize accumulation of allergens as well. Contact lens wearers can use VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief, but need to remove contact lenses before use and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting contact lenses after using the drops 

For more allergy season tips and tricks, visit http://www.visine.com/understanding-eye-allergies/histamines

Pollen is still in full force, friends.

  How will YOU battle the itchy, watery, puffy war against Eye Allergies?

What Are Your HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® for 2014? #Moms4JNJConsumer

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

You know what ruffles my feathers?

Needing an everyday item, the kind that is a necessity and you use on a regular basis, only to find that you are completely out of said item.

Have you ever gone to wash your hair and run out of shampoo? Or treat a diaper rash and the ointment is empty? Or fix a boo-boo only to find there are no more bandages?

Story. Of. My. Life.

That's why I am determined to make sure all of my essentials are always at the ready for my every day needs. And I am lucky that the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® line from Johnson & Johnson covers every area of my every day needs: 

Hair care, skin care, dental care, child care. 

The only thing better than having essentials on hand is having QUALITY essentials on hand. The J&J Healthy Essentials website is also a fantastic resource. I've been loving the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® tips page - all the life hacks that make my life simple and healthy! Like, did you know if you put on Johnsons Baby Oil Gel after a warm shower it locks in 10 times more moisture?? Or that yoga, self-massage and meditation help reduce stress?




GOOD NEWS to all of my frugal readers!

To help families usher in a healthy New Year, HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® is offering amazing printable coupons, tips & tools and so much more. Here’s the deal: you can save over $45 by visiting www.HealthyEssentials.com in January and signing up for extra-special HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® coupons and offers.

Now is the perfect time for a fresh start to your healthcare routine and to create healthy resolutions. From pain & allergy relief to dietary & digestive health to products for kids & babies, there are significant savings on items for every member of the family! Visit www.HealthyEssentials.com to sign up!

Ring in the New Year with Healthy Essentials at the #Moms4JNJConsumer Twitter Party!

We are excited to join Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies for a Twitter party to talk about HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® for the New Year, resolutions, family wellness and how to score great deals on health and hygiene products! Learn how HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® can help you reach health-related goals for 2014.

When: Tuesday, January 14, 1 p.m. ET

Hashtag: #Moms4JNJConsumer (plus #ad or #sponsored for co-hosts)

Prizes: We will randomly award 15 prizes throughout the party, from all eligible correct responses to trivia questions. Each prize includes an assortment of Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® products with an estimated retail value of $50.

Prize Eligibility: No purchase necessary. Entrants must be legal residents of the 50 United States + D.C. 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited.

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann, @TheMotherhood25




YES - I'll be there too!

Soccer Fans

Want to go to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™? Visit HealthyEssentials.com and see if your wish could come true. Plus, get tips and coupons to save on your favorite products for the New Year.

All you have to do is share a picture or story of a moment of caring in your life and you could scream “GOAL!” from Brazil.

Visit www.healthyessentials.com for more information on this amazing opportunity!

~~~~~

I'd love to hear from you:

What are the essentials in YOUR life that you cannot live without?

World Sight Day: Show Your Eyes Some Love #WorldSightDay

I still remember my first pair of glasses.

I was in third grade, and just weeks before, I had failed the required vision test at my school. At the recommendation of the school nurse, my parents immediately set up an appointment with an optometrist. It was at this appointment that I learned I was near sighted (meaning that I could see up close but things farther away were blurry). Soon, I was getting fitted for my first pair of glasses.

They were beauties. Thick brown plastic, with a braided cord looped around each ear piece so I could "take off my glasses and not lose them."

Oh yeah. I was cool.

Luckily glasses have become more en vogue in recent years. Here is the current pair I'm sporting:

I know. You want to be me.

Taking care of my imperfect vision is now part of my life. At 15, I got fitted with contacts. And since that first fateful appointment, I've seen my optometrist every 1-2 years to check the progress of my vision.

In honor of World Sight Day, I was given a chance to hear from The Vision Council, and I learned even more about the importance of caring for your eyes.

Did You Know...

• Eyes are the window to our overall health and being - they are integral to our everyday life. 

• Eyes are the strongest muscle in our body! They process 36,000 bits of information every hour! 

• Exposure to sun rays can lead to short term and long term vision issues. 

• Eyes can get sunburned!

• Years of exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration.  

• People with lighter eyes are more susceptible to UV damage.

Protect Your Eyes

Eyes are greatly affected by UV rays. It is important to wear sunglasses that assure UVA and UVB protection (look for a sticker). I didn't realize that even in the WINTER sunglasses are essential!

This is especially important if you live in one of these cities:

In case you need some more information for your review:

I'm sold. Here is a picture of me and the girls rocking our protective eyewear:

Digital Eye Strain

I was very glad to be alerted to this issue. Not only do I wear glasses, but I am also in front of a computer screen a lot due to my blogging and social media managing.  Eyes can become tired or fatigued while using devices (ie: in front of screen). Symptoms may include dryness, irritation  blurred vision, headaches, neck and back pain, and redness. In an age of so many screens, this is something we need to be aware of for our children as well.

Prevent digital eye strain by watching screen time as well as giving your eyes a break. Abide the 20-20-20 Rule: every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This break reminds your eyes to blink, and blinking is the eye's natural defense against fatigue and dryness. 

(You just totally got a new wrinkle in your brain, right?)

Get Those Eyes Checked!

Too many people go without eye exams. Don't become a vision statistic! Get detected early – starting as kids at routine check ups!  Eye exams should be conducted every 2 years for those with normal vision starting as early as 6 months. If the patient has glasses or contacts, they should be seen yearly.

Optometrists assess internal and external factors that can impact our vision.  Routine Eye Exams also help uncover hereditary issues: near/far sightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia, strabismus, presbyopia. Let your optometrist know if anyone in your family has suffered from any hereditary eye diseases. Assessing for these diseases will become part of your regular eye exams. 

 

Maintain Healthy Vision 

In addition to routine eye exams and keeping your eyes protected, there are several other factors to maintaing healthy vision:

• Eating Right
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Keeping blood pressure under control
• Exercising
• Quit smoking
• Washing your hands

You can learn more about eye care from The Vision Council's website, as well as connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

How well do YOU take care of your eyes? 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. But the information is near to my heart and I am glad I have the chance to share it with you!