Healthy Fall Guide

I love the fall weather but I do not like how it makes me feel.  It makes me just want to curl under my blankets and watch television.  How does it make you feel?

Don't let Fall get you off track.  Stay focused on your goals and find things that can help.

1)  Red Ace-They are beet juice shots that are a quick, healthy, and delicious way to get long-lasting, clean energy.  Beat the slump by having energy without those mid-day crashes. 

2)  Mediterra Nutrition-These are loaded with fiber, nutrients, and vitamins.  Remember it is better to make lifestyle changes versus binging on diets.  Perfect snacks that all are natural, Non GMO, and Gluten-Free for your salty or sweet cravings.

3)  Ozarka Sparkling Water-Say no to sodas and yes, to sparkling water with 0 calories, 0 sweeteners, and 0 sugars.  I cannot say this enough hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  This is a great option for those that don't like plain water.  Or like me, need a little help burping.

4)  G Organic-Gatorade’s new USDA certified organic sports drink, G Organic is made with just 7 organically sourced ingredients and no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.  I love to run when the weather gets cooler.  Usually I am in training for the Aramco half marathon in January and I need to stay hydrated and fueled to get my mileage in.

5)  Lala Yogurt Smoothie-Made from real fruit and is packed with protein, vitamin A, vitamin D and calcium.  These are great for on the go.  The perfect any time snack.

Disclosure-Sample products were received for review.  All products have been Independentmami tested and Independentmami approved.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience. 

Giveaway-good2grow #BzzAgent #GotItFree

Thanks to BzzAgent I received a good2grow bzz kit which included:

• good2grow™ natural 100% Apple Juice singe serve bottle with reusable SippaTop™ character topper
• good2grow™ Strawberry Kiwi V-blend refill 6-pack
• 2 additional SippaTop™ cap bottle toppers
• Pass along coupons for my friends to save a dollar when they buy a bottle of good2grow™
• Pass along coupons for a free good2grow™ refill pack with the purchase of a single serve bottle

My daughter loved the SippaTops.  She could not pick a favorite.  She kept wanting to switch out SippaTops.  These were perfect for my on the go toddler. 

Want to know how you can have a chance to win good2grow™ giveaway! 

Enter the good2grow™ giveaway and you could throw a party full of good2grow™ juices, featuring SippaTop™ caps in the theme of your choice (Princesses, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Superheroes and more), plus $500 cash! This giveaway is EXCLUSIVELY for BzzAgents like me.  I can share this with my readers and you and I can both be winners.

 Every winner wins a prize for themselves AND for whoever referred them to enter the contest! So enter and tell them Alba Garza-Independentmami referred you!  Just for entering you’ll receive a special BOGO coupon. Join the contest now!

BzzAgent- KRE-O Cityville Invasion Building Set

***Disclosure-I am a BzzAgent and received all items free.  As always, all opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Thanks to BzzAgent for sending my boys the KRE-O Cityville Kit.

Ages 6+ / Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 / Includes 206 KRE-O Pieces 
A shark is on the loose in the marina. Use the shark capture claw to save the day, and catch him before he catches you!

The KRE-O Cityville Invasion line also includes a variety of accessory packs — everything from the Sonic Motion Themed Assortment to the Vehicle Booster Pack Assortment to the Population Pack Assortment. Everything your child needs to build for days.

The city may be growing, but something is rotten in the KRE-O Cityville metropolis — the evil Dr. Mayhem has gathered a troop of villains to aid him in his quest for world domination. Each KRE-O Cityville Invasion Building Set tells a part of the story. The invasion has begun, and the city’s fate is in its builders’ hands!

The boys had so much fun building from the youngest to the oldest, even the adults got in on the action.  The kids followed the numbered directions/instructions.  Step by step - they looked for each piece and build their own Dr Mayhem figure.  After that, they popped open the Marina Madness and started building.  They had a blast!

• The KRE-O Cityville Invasion building set line includes a variety of city-themed building sets and accessories
• Sound waves trigger specific movements in the KRE-O motion bricks. Watch as the cities shuffle, swim, crash and roar to life!
• Every set comes with several KREON figures (including a mystery KREON) that kids can collect
• Dr. Mayhem and his evil henchmen have plans to invade Cityville; the Special Ops Squad hopes to stop them — each KRE-O Cityville Invasion set tells a different part of the story

Tune in with your kids at the following times to watch the mini-movie live or check it out on Youtube:

• September 12 between 4:30 – 5 PM EST
• September 19 between 7 – 7:30 PM EST

Fun with NERF FireVision Sports

It's Nerf or Nothin'!

Nerf has really taken it to another level.  Do you Nerf?  We do.  We love to have fun with all the Nerf products.  My son even attended a Nerf bday party for one of his friends and took 3 Nerfs that he had.

But Nerf has new FireVision Sports items.


My thoughts-We really liked the nite vision.  My son can continue to play even when the sun is going down. 

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  I am a BzzAgent and I received sample to review.

New Dentyne Ice Split2fit pack

Do you chew gum like I do?  I use gum to calm my nerves.  I chew it in traffic on the way in and out of work.  I use it after lunch to freshen my breath.  Yeah, I chew alot of gum.  One problem I face is not having some when I want some because I forgot in my car or forgetting it in my purse.  Another problem is girl sometimes don't like to carry purses and we were cute clothes with little pockets.  So where are we going to stick a pack of gum at?  Dentyne Ice has a wonderful solution for me.  Introducing the Dentyne Ice Split2Fit pack.

My thoughts-I love this new packaging.  I can buy one pack and split it.  One can go in my car and the other in my purse.  Also, once they are split it fits everywhere. 

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  I'm a BzzAgent and received sample to review.

Glade Expressions® Collection

The Glade Expressions® Collection is inspired by art and designed to be left out on display. These authentic, easy-to-use home fragrance products release scents that open up note by note, filling your home with lightly layered fragrances and inviting life in. The breakthrough line includes two unique, refillable products:
Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist comes in a chic holder that blends with your décor for a burst of fragrance that's always out and available. Simply squeeze to release a long-lasting, light mist of fragrance; then refill the holder with your favorite true-to-life scent.
The Glade Expressions® Oil Diffuser releases authentic and exotic fragrances without having to plug it in or find batteries. The trendy holder matches décor perfectly - and is also refillable - making it an effective, stylish option for layering true-to-life fragrances in all of your living spaces.
With four inspiring fragrances to freshen your air, modern holders that complement your (already fabulous) decorating sense and the opportunity to refill scents at your convenience, why not invite the Glade Expressions® Collection into your home before the next round of guests? Your inner hostess knows this is a no-brainer.

Cotton & Italian Mandarin - Open your home with the bright, breezy blend of cotton and sparkling citrus, honeydew and sandalwood*
Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice - A ripe, spicy blend of sweet pears and crisp apple with a dash of cinnamon and clove that warms and invigorates
Lavender & Juniper Berry - Lush lavender blends with fresh juniper berry, eucalyptus and rose to relax the senses and open your home
Pineapple & Mangosteen - Evoke a tropical paradise with the blend of freshly cut pineapples and hint of tangy mangosteen, creamy coconut and passionflower
*Available in Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist only.

My thoughts-I love how the Glade Expressions® Oil Diffuser makes my house smell so good.  The scents welcome all my guest in.  Leaving my house with a wonderful scent stuck on you.  It also adds to the decor.  I like to use my Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist in the baby's nursery to cover up any dirty diaper smells.  I also use it in my son's room to get any smell from soccer stinch to boy's will be boys stinch. 

***Disclosure-I am a BzzAgent.  All opinions are my own honest opinions. 

Live Below the Line

Have you ever tried to see what others go through?  You have you ever experienced not having much.  I grew up not having much but what I had was alot!!  I was very blessed to be here in America and that my mother provided all she could for us.  Though at the time it may not have seemed like alot.

Try living on $1.50 per day.

Here was my game plan and menu:

Water-FREE
Ramen Noodles-$2.10 (If you find a sale ($0.15), you can luck out and stock up.  lunch and dinner)
Quacker Old Fashioned Oatmeal-$3.00 (breakfast and snack)

So a total of $5.10

This is a strict menu but staying under $7.50 does not give you many options.  And when you dont have much you are not picky and you do not have options.  I would not complain about food if I didnt have food.  I have options and I missed food.  But this was very eye opening.

If you would like to help, please go to the Live Below the Line website

***Disclosure-I took the Live below the line challenge.  I am a Bzz Agent.  No compensation or sample kit received.

Challenge~Live Below the Line

Live Below the Line is a campaign that challenges individuals and communities to eat and drink on just $1.50 per day for 5 days. By exposing participants to a glimpse of some of the daily difficulties experienced by the 1.4 billion people who live in extreme poverty every day, for everything, the campaign provides a unique window into understanding the realities of life for so many.

Through the insights gained over the 5 days, Live Below the Line is assembling a movement of people passionate about eradicating extreme poverty. Through partnerships with various charities, the campaign raises both awareness and critical funds.

If you don't think you can live off $1.50 a day yourself, pass on the information and the Live Below the Line website to friends and family who you think will be up for it. Be sure to tell them to choose the BzzAgent network from the drop down menu on the Live Below the Line sign-up page so we know my Bzz is working!

May 7th-11th are the challenge dates, are you up for the challenge. I am going to attempt to do this challenge. We will see. I need to eat to produce milk in order to nurse my baby. That has me thinking, how do those moms do it. Survival of the fittest, like my mom said. My mom had to nurse one of my uncles who is the same age as I am because if not he would die of hunger. My grandmother was not producing any milk and they were too poor. This is a true story of my family, and one of many. So I will be attempting this challenge and am asking you to share the link, donate, tweet. We need to help each other.

***Disclosure-No compensation was received. I am a bzzagent, and I am spreading the word.

Kroger's The Truly Awesome™ Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookies review

Let me introduce you to Kroger's The Truly Awesome™ Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookies. I got to try these chocolate chip cookies that are available at your local Krogers. I am 8 months pregnant and I get cravings for sweets all the time. One of my favorite things to eat are chocolate chip cookies. So I was very ready to give them a try. And now they have become a must on my shopping list, to fullfill my cravings!

They taste like homemade cookies and I did not have to make them!

Pick up a box today and give them a try. Everyone at my house loves them. When I do share, lol.


***Disclosure-I am a BzzAgent. All information and product provided for review by BzzAgent. These are my honest opinions.

Tonka XT Ricochet Tricksters

This is not the Tonka toy you grew up playing with. It is a new R/C stunt vehicle. Your child can create, compete, and all around have a great time playing.

Cost $24.99

It can do tricks. All the kids will love to play this and this is must add to the Christmas list.

-Rampage Flip, The Buzzsaw Spin, and The Zia-Zag Jolt.

Our kids had so much fun playing. Trying to do all the tricks. The remote was passing from hand to hand. Even the adults wanted to try some tricks of their own. It was so much fun watching all the kids play. We had from 5 to 13 years playing with their adult parents.

Disclosure-No monetary compensation was received. I received a product to review from BzzAgent.

Bzz Agent-Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil Refills

I am a Bzz Agent. I just received my Smart and Easy Spring Cleaning BzzKit. It came just in time for me and my Spring Cleaning. Here is one of the products in my kit. I love the scent. It is so easy to use and refill. And it fits Glade and Airwick. This is great. This will leave your home smelling wonderful.

Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil Refills

Ready to take your favorite Glade® fragrance someplace new? Whether you have a Glade® or Air Wick®* Scented Oil Warmer, new Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil refill bottles always fit. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the fragrance.

Fit both Glade® and Air Wick®* Scented Oil Warmers

Available in a number of varieties, including:

Hawaiian Breeze® Vacation in a bottle!

Lavender and Vanilla® Relax the day away with a soothing, blooming blend of lavender and vanilla

Crisp Waters™ Soak up the pure, invigorating scents of the great outdoors

Bzz Bzz-New CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick review

Bright, gorgeous color that can transform your day and your lips. Enriched with Silk Therapy Complex, our formula helps sustain moisture levels and helps create soft, smooth, beautiful lips in just 7 days.*

Beautiful, rich color
Transformative Silk Therapy Complex
Moisturizing formula

Independentmami's thoughts-I love how silky smooth this lipstick goes on my lips. It does not leave a nasty taste on your lips. It is not flaky or cause your lips to flake. It is very light on the lips. It is very long lasting. I took the 7 day challenge and love how great my lips feel. I love CoverGirl products. The lipsticks come in great shades.

CoverGirl lipstick are a must have in my make up bag. I love how all the shades look great on me. ***Disclosure-I am a Bzz Agent. I received these 2 shades. These lipsticks have been Independentmami tested and Independentmami approved. I am a CoverGirl product user. These are my honest opinions.