Gut Health in the Summer with Bio-Kult #momsmeet #bio-kult

 *Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

The summer is full of fun and sun! Along with that comes BBQ, Fair Food, Amusement Park food and more. This can take a toll on your gut health. I am a person who daily eats a Greek yogurt for all the probiotics in it, but when I am busy on an outing, I don't have it with me. When Moms Meet sent me Bio-Kult I was excited to try it. Finally, I could have my probiotics on the go.

Among my friends and colleagues, I am known as a person who is always heath aware. Reading labels and ingredients is a must for me. I often share my info even when not asked, HAHA! I shared with my coworkers about how excited I was to try Bio-Kult because of the multi strain formula that can work synergistically together to balance your gut, a few of them wanted to try it with me. Bio-Kult has NO artificial colors or flavors, gluten free and NON-GMO. It does contain milk and soy.

I shared some samples with several of my coworkers and asked them to report back to me what they thought of it. We have cute little paper boxes in our stockroom to leave each other positive messages or little items to encourage a cohesive team. I left some Bio-Kult in a few of them.

For myself I noticed a big change of how balanced my gut felt. I felt less bloated, more regular and even a flatter tummy. It definitely can feel like a good cleaning from the inside out! For the first week I took 1 capsule daily. I was amazed at how it was cleaning out my bowels. Not a bathroom emergency style but a more regular bathroom routine. It feels like as your gut is balanced it helps everything feel better including your mind. After 1 week I took 2 a day, one with breakfast and 1 with dinner. I will absolutely be buying more of these and adding them to my daily self-care regime. 

Most of my coworkers reported back feeling less bloated and more regular in their bathroom routine. One person said no more brain fog and felt overall healthier. With sometimes unhealthy food and stress in our daily work lives having an easy-to-use probiotic is important to the overall health of my whole team. One of my coworkers did not like the capsule form so she opened it and added the powder inside to her morning smoothie. Another coworker was headed down to Mexico on vacation, so I told her about the instructions for Bio-Kult while traveling. They recommend taking 1-2 a day the week before vacation and during travel 4 times daily to maintain gut health. 

About Bio-Kult:

"Bio-Kult believes that a healthier, happier quality of life starts with your unique microbiome. Their award-winning range of clinically proven, probiotic strains are specially designed to support your mood, energy, and general health every day. For the last 25 years, Bio-Kult has been at the forefront of developing conversation around the gut and the microbiome. Bio-Kult, is a scientifically developed, advanced multi-strain formulation containing 14 probiotic strains which are proven to survive the high acidity of the stomach. The bacteria in Bio-Kult helps to reestablish and rebalance the gut microflora. Bio-Kult believes that having the confidence to take your everyday health into your own hands is something to be celebrated."

Bio-Kult Original Multi-Strain Formulation is the UK’s number one probiotic supplement, containing 14 unique probiotic strains for digestive and immune support.* 

This product targets the digestive and immune system and has been proven to survive the high acidity of the stomach.*

The capsules can be swallowed whole or broken apart and the contents added to food or drink.

Bio-Kult Original Multi-Strain Formulation has been approved by the Vegetarian Society as a vegetarian product.

It is also non-GMO and gluten free.

This product has been backed by over 30 clinical trials.

A 30-capsule box of Bio-Kult Original Multi-Strain Formulation typically retails for $14.85; a 60-capsule box for $25.50; and a 120-capsule box for $39.95. 

Save 20% on your entire order at bio-kult.com with promo code MOMSMEET20 

Offer expires 12/31/22

Purchase Bio-Kult Original Multi-Strain Formulation online at bio-kult.com, amazon.com, and walmart.com.

Easy Appetizers: Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto Recipes Hummus Dip and Mini Pizzas

 *Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

With the holidays coming and people staring to have small gatherings new recipes have been on my mind. I wanted to take my normal recipes and add some new flavor profiles. When I had the opportunity to try Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto I knew exactly which recipes I would add it to.

I have always been a fan of Pesto. The flavor is unique and delicious. The Barilla brand is one of my favorites with the rich creamy savory flavor. When you open a jar of it the aroma is amazing. I also like the brand because they are a family company that has been making products since 1877.

Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto is a flavor-packed, versatile, and convenient pantry staple that is a must have for Italian food fans. Imported from Parma, Italy, it’s made with fragrant Italian basil and freshly grated Italian cheese. To preserve the natural color of basil and the fresh aroma of Italian Cheese, Barilla minimizes the handling of ingredients and rapidly prepares their recipe in as little as three hours from the start of ingredient preparation to the tightening of the lid. With Creamy Genovese Pesto, a little goes a long way; one 6.2-ounce jar of pesto mixes well with 16 ounces of pasta. 

I decided to make two different recipes to show the diversity of the Creamy Genovese Pesto. I started with a simple stir in recipe to make Creamy Genovese Pesto Hummus Dip. I love hummus and adding the pesto elevated the flavor into a creamy, cheesy, basil infused flavor that is so delicious. I will continue to make for not just gatherings but a go to snack.

Creamy Genovese Pesto Hummus Dip

-Use your favorite brand of classic plain hummus 10 oz.

-Stir into the hummus 2 oz. of Creamy Genovese Pesto

-Add more Pesto as needed for desired flavor

-Served with baby carrots and sliced sweet peppers

-Add pita chips or other vegetables as needed

Pesto Mini Pizza was also another easy appetizer I decided to make. I purchased ready to cook individual pizza doughs, fresh tomatoes and finely shredded mozzarella. 

Creamy Genovese Pesto Mini Pizza

-Follow the directions for temperature and cook time for the premade dough. 

-Add a spoonful of Creamy Genovese Pesto to the center of the pizza dough and spread evenly.

-Top with finely shredded mozzarella cheese

-Add sliced tomatoes on top of the cheese (you can add olives, onions or meat if preferred)

-Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown dough and melted cheese 

My son was excited to try the pizza. He loved the flavor of the Pesto Pizza. The aroma of pesto filled the house as it cooked and wow it smelled amazing! My son told me it tasted like pizza you would find in a fancy New York restaurant. A very sweet comment coming from my biggest critic. 

These two recipes are easy peasy to make and are delicious. Definitely a good option to make for an appetizer for dinner or even an after school snack. My son has requested the Pesto Pizza to be made again soon. As a Mom that is a win for me!

Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto is available to purchase at Target (SuperTarget), Publix, Stop & Shop (Super Stop & Shop), Meijer, ShopRite, Hy-Vee, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, and more. To find a store near you, visit momsmeet.link/barillalocate.

California H20 Water Challenge for Classrooms #ad #SaveH20 #MomsMeet

*I am writing this sponsored post for Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to share this information and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

As a Californian I know how important our water is to the state. We need it for farms, for homes and for business to function. We take pride in our ability to conserve and protect our watershed. Even in our school system we teach how Californians use water and how important it is to us all. I just completed teaching my own son the ways we use water in our state and how to use less of it.

In our home we make sure we turn off water while brushing our teeth, we don't over water our garden, we only wash dishes and laundry if its a full load and we limit our use of water wasting activities like washing the car.

Jenkinson Lake Drinking Water Reservior 

Many of our beautiful lakes and rivers are an important part of our drinking water that are also our outdoor activities areas. We are extra careful when we are out enjoying our local waterways as to not pollute it or cause waste.

The California Water Service hosts an annual contest to challenge teachers and students to learn more about water conservation through project based learning that aligns California Common Core Standards curriculum.

Information About Cal Water H2O Challenge’s Classroom Challenge:

• The students of participating classrooms initiate, develop, and

implement a 4-8 week-long project (or longer at teacher discretion),

focusing on caring for water. This class-based project explores water as

a global resource and as a local resource, while tackling a local water

problem in an individual and community-based endeavor.

• A handbook can be found at challenge.calwater.com/resources,

including a guide for the flow of the project, and sample lesson plans.

• Upon completion of the project, students create a final portfolio

documenting their work. This portfolio, along with accompanying

cover sheets, student reflections, and a teacher reflection, constitute

the final submission. Sample Portfolios can be found in the resource

section.

• Early Registration closes Dec. 31, 2017. Final Registration closes Jan 31,

2018. Submissions are due February 28, 2018.

• Curriculum Alignment: Common Core State Standards and is

complementary to the Next Generation Science Standards. In aligning

the curriculum, sample lesson plans were developed incorporating

these guidelines.

• Project-Based Learning: Developed with the help of the WestEd /

K-12 Alliance and the North American Association for Environmental

Education, their project-based learning model offers an effective

and engaging manner to inspire students to community action while

achieving curriculum standards.

• Objective Rubric: Judging of the competition will be conducted by a

panel of experts working in education and/or an environmental field.

It will use an objective rubric, developed with the help of the West Ed

/ K-12 Alliance. This rubric evaluates the water topic choice, project

goals, action plan, and outcomes, long term benefits, integration with

student learning and curriculum, student participation, impact on

student learning, presentation, and impact on teacher practice.

You can learn more about the Cal H20 Water Challenge here.

Here is a video of last years winners of the Cal Water H20 Challenge:

Winners of the Cal Water H2O Classroom Challenge will receive:

Grand Prize
Class Celebration: Classroom tent-camping trip to the Santa Monica Mountains with NatureBridge
Class Funding: $3,500 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

2nd Place
Class Celebration: A Pizza Party
Class Funding: $2,500 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

3rd Place
Class Funding: $2,000 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

4th Place
Class Funding: $1,000 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

All Participant Prizes
Student Recognition: An official certificate of participation for every student
Teacher Recognition: A teacher certificate
Teacher Gift: An AMEX gift card

Waterfall at Lake Jenkinson

Sea-Band for Mamas and More Review #MomsMeet #ad

 *I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

When I was pregnant with my son I suffered with severe morning sickness, well all day sickness until I discovered Sea-Band. I did not want to take any medications for the nausea and vomiting but could not figure out a natural way to help me. After some online research my husband went to the store and came back with Sea-Band. I try to look for natural remedies for health ailments and I thought its only a blue bracelet won't cause any harm to try them. Sea-Bands are acupressure bands that fit around your wrist just like a sweat band-with a pressure stud sewn inside. 

At first it felt a little tight like I needed to pull it a bit to make it fit with pressure but not much. After wearing it for a day I did not see too much relief but I think I was so focused on if it felt like they were working that stressing about it was not helping with nausea. The next day I wore them all day and did feel a lot less nauseated. I would put them on as soon as I woke up because I wanted to avoid any feeling of being sick to my stomach. For the remainder of my pregnancy they were my accessory to motherhood, my baby blue bracelets. 

I had significantly fewer headaches while I was using them too. I think it was due to the acupressure benefits of the bracelets. My son is 7 now but I still have those little blue bracelets for road trips and headaches.

Recently I saw a co-worker wearing them and asked her if they were Sea-Bands. She started to rave about how amazing they are for nauseousness just like I do anytime I see another fellow Sea-Band believer!

• Sea-Band is a knitted elasticated wrist band, which operates by applying pressure on the Nei Kuan acupressure point on each wrist by means of a plastic stud. The bands can be worn on each wrist whenever you feel nauseous.
• Recommended by midwives and pregnant women around the world, the Sea-Band Mama! acupressure wrist band provides a natural choice for effective morning sickness relief.
• Scienti c studies have proved that one of the most effective drug-free treatments is Acupressure on the P6 (Nei- Kuan) point between the two central tendons near the wrist.
• For Instructions on positioning the Sea-Band Mama! bands, please see this page: sea-band.com/mama/sea-band.
• Recently, JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) recommended acupressure and Ginger as solutions to relieve morning sickness. An Italian study has also found that morning sickness was reduced in 70% of women who used Sea-Band acupressure bands.

Sea-Band Mama has some products on the market that I would like to try next time I need to cure nausea for pregnancy or may even be worth a try for my headaches. The Essential Oils Rollette contains Lime, Spearmint and Ginger that can be beneficial aromatherapy for nausea. You can buy Sea-Band products at Target, Walgreens, CVS and Walmart.

Since I do suffer from migraine headaches I like to wear my Sea-Bands when I feel like I maybe getting a headache, it can help stop them from becoming too intense. Early in the week I was wearing them as I cleaned up after my son was playing super heroes and reading a book in the living room. They come in many colors but I still love my light baby blue ones.

National Geographic Kids The Book of Heroes and The Book of Heroines Review and Giveaway #natgeokids #momsmeet

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

National Geographic Kids The Book of Heroes and The Book of Heroines have been wonderful additions to our home library. Being a homeschool family these are a valuable resource to us for facts and info that can lead to more learning. I am big on book learning first then using the internet to further explore on ideas. Books in hand make a difference for me and my family. I grew up in a house full of books and am grateful for it.

The Book of Heroes has been my son's favorite. My son loves to read about the men who have shaped the world and imagine himself as his own version of a hero. They even have a section on courageous kids to inspire little ones. This book has sparked his interest in learning more about people making a difference right now and in the past who have made the world better. I love reading this with him. We did not read the book cover to cover but instead have been skipping around chapters letting him pick what we discuss. The books include people from history and others that are also very relevant with current events. The layout of the book and colorful images really help keep kids interested.

My son had a few favorite parts of The Book of Heroes including Chapter 3: Game Changers. It is about men in sports, he loved this chapter. The inspiring stories of athletes such as Jessie Owens, Jim Abbott, Michael Jordan and Tony Hawk were fun to read. Inspiring Minds, Chapter 7, has been my son's top favorite chapter. He loves science and space. The list of 5 great geeks included his favorite game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who created Mario. Heroes of mythology, legends like Robin Hood and King Arthur, heroes in movies like Harry Potter and Star Wars, the book is full of so many diverse categories and people.

Topics on political heroes, human rights leaders, so many interesting facts and other people I had not heard of like the story of Chiune Sugihara a worker at the Japanese consulate in Lithuania during World War 2 who made thousands of visas for refugees to flee from Europe. I am a huge history lover and I loved reading the short stories of everyday people being heroes.

I liked how The Book on Heroes mentions notable women heroines in history as did The Book of Heroines mention men in the book too. A good blend of historical facts from men and women. Even heroic animal stories are shared in both of the books. My son loved the animal stories so much!

The Book of Heroines was fabulous to me, I wish I would have owned a book like this as a little girl. To see how influential and world changing some women can be is inspiring. My son was not as interested in the "girl book" as he put it, but at 7 years old I would expect him to be in his girls are silly stage. He did however enjoy me sharing some of the cool stories and pictures with him from the ones I selected to read.

He recognized Wonder Woman, Hermione Granger aka Emma Watson, Mulan, Oprah and a few other women and their stories but after reading the book I know there are so many other stories to share with him. Since he likes sports he thought Chapter 2 Gritty Girls was cool. He recognized the Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky from the Rio games we watched over the summer.

Heroes for Hire and Heroines on the Job were both chapters on heroes in the work force and were perfect chapters to read for our Social Studies work for the week. We have been learning about workers in the community and the difference of services and goods. It was great to have outside source book that was fun and on topic from what we were leaning that week. I have a few others chapters planned to use as an aid to our school learning.

National Geographic Kids The Book of Heroes and The Book of Heroines are for sale at Barnes & Noble, Books a Million and at National Geographic Store. They would make a perfect Christmas present for the kids in your life. My son loves them and so do I. The facts and stories shared are fascinating and a part of all of our history. In our family a hero is someone who stands up for what is right and makes decisions based on love My son looks up to my husband as his first hero and I could not be more happy about that!

According to the book the world has many meanings and many people can be called heroes in real life or fiction, in these books, heroes tend to share:

7 stupendous qualities:

• Heroes are courageous

• Heroes do the right thing

• Heroes have compassion

• Heroes are competent

• Heroes are inspiring

• Heroes never quit

• Heroes leap to action


National Geographic Kids is a great source of knowledge for your family. You can visit their website for games, videos, fun facts and more.

You can win a copy of both the National Geographic Kids The Book of Heroes and The Book of Heroines here on our website in the Rafflecopter form below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts December 16, 2016 and ends on December 31, 2016 at 12:01 am PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Mushroom and Tomato Pasta with European Olive Oil #MomsMeet

 *I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

I have always loved using EVOO in my cooking. It adds flavor in a way that compares to no other type of oils or butters. I feel like its a must when I make Italian inspired dinners too, it goes together in my book. Trying different olive oils in my recipes leads to new flavor combos and new favorites. Depending on the region and variety of the olives it changes the whole experience of the olive oil. When I had the opportunity to try European Olive Oil from Moms Meet I was happy to try it on one of my simply go to pasta dishes.

In the summer it can get very hot here in Northern CA and I like to make light dinners on those days. I like to use veggies I have in the fridge or ones I have freshly picked to saute in olive oil and toss with pasta. Its an easy meal and can be served with some good bread and savory cheeses.

My recipe is very simple. Chop up any veggies you enjoy, add European Olive Oil, saute until veggies are soft. Add cooked pasta to veggies and toss with a little EVOO, serve and enjoy.

Why choose European Olive Oil?

• The olive tree has been revered in Europe since Antiquity. Over thousands of years farmers have evolved hundreds of varieties of olive trees (cultivars) and optimized them for different environment conditions and terrains to produce the most delicious yields.
• The result of this centuries old bond between the people and the land is the finest extra virgin olive in the world.
• The greatest impact on taste is the type of olive tree (cultivar), region (which affects climate and soil) and time of harvest. Europe offers a vast array of flavor profiles, so keep a variety of oils in your pantry for different occasions.
• Olives harvested early in the season, late August (varies by region), are under-ripe and produce oils that are greener, more bitter and pungent.
• Olives harvested at the end of the season, late November into December, are over-ripe and tend to taste mild and buttery.
• Spanish oil is typically golden yellow with a fruity, nutty flavor.
• Italian olive oil is often dark green and has an herbal aroma and a grassy flavor.
• Greek olive oil packs a strong flavor and aroma and tends to be green.
• French oil is typically pale in color and has a mild flavor

If you are looking for recipe ideas for your cooking you can check out the twitter and facebook of the Flavor Your Life campaign,


-Post by Laura