Juice Plus: Why We Use It

Today I want to talk about something that is a top priority in my life. My family's health! About two years ago I went to see my child's doctor, I was fed up with my picky two year old (at the time). I was looking for ways to ensure that she would get the nourishment that she needs. Since she wouldn't eat veggies or meat--I was desperate. My daughter's doctor gave me a few suggestions. We tried most of them, but my picky eater wouldn't go for those options either. I was fed up. That's when I came to the last suggestion on the list--Juice Plus. I bit the bullet and ordered the gummies for my daughter. At first, my picky eater liked them, and then went through a phase where she wouldn't take them. Nig surprise, right?

I just thought it was another tactic that wouldn't work for her. BUT after talking with her doctor again--she recommended that I start taking the gummies. AND that worked like a charm. I made sure that I took them in front of my daughter everyday for a few days. Each time, I made a big deal about how yummy they were. Eventually, she started asking for them at dinner every night. The rest is history. We have been hooked on Juice Plus ever since. Now I take the capsules as well.

Let me say that I am usually a pretty cynical. I can be overly critical. I would be willing to bet that a lot of moms reading this post right now feel the exact same way. You will ask yourself...does this really work? What is the big deal? Why is this different from any other supplement that is out there? I totally understand your cynicism. I was there in the beginning too.

Let me also tell you that I am not a salesperson. I do not wish to track you down and annoy you with sales pitches. I am just a mom that really struggled with her child's nutrition (and it turns out my own as well). As a blogger, I am in the habit of sharing those things that really work for me, and this has really worked my me and my kid! If you think it would work for you, then great. I would love to share more information with you. If not, then you are free to keep it moving! But for now, here are reasons that we use this product.

1. It is a way to get fruits and veggies in my body and my child's body that we ordinarily wouldn't eat each day

While Juice Plus is not a substitute for actually eating. I can feel better each day when my child refuses to eat lunch at school that she has had 48 different fruits, vegetables, and grains through her Juice Plus gummies, and has received the same naturally occurring vitamins and antioxidants from the gummies.

2. It is NOT a supplement

I am not a supplement person. So this was a huge point for me with Juice Plus. Juice Plus has a nutrition label because it is food. It is not a medicine or a supplement. It is literally juicing done for you. When I look at the nutrition facts on the label I am able to see and understand what all of the ingredients are.

3. It is safe for kids, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women

Since Juice Plus is veggie and fruit juice capsules or gummies--it is totally safe for kids, nursing, and pregnant moms. This was a huge sticking point for me as well. I don't want to have to worry about my kid getting into the gummy bag and overdosing. It is completely safe.

4. There are multitudes of studies online

When we first started Juice Plus I took a look at the multitudes of clinical research findings online. As a responsible parent, I wanted to do my research, even though common sense told me that increasing the amounts of fruit and veggies in my body and my child's body would have positive outcomes. The research I read showed that the use of fruit/veggie/berry juice capsules were shown to decrease the harmful cholesterol in healthy adults. Since my heart health and the heart health of my family is a concern--this was huge for me.

5. It may help support the immune system

The year before we started taking Juice Plus--my daughter missed 11 days of daycare (school). The next year while taking Juice Plus--she missed 4. That was incredible. Whether or not it was due to Juice Plus entirely--I will take it. Here is a link to a study on how JP may support the immune system.
As a teacher--I hate missing days, so I believe that Juice Plus is worth it for this reason alone.

6. It has helped my daughter and me out with constipation

This may be TMI, but my daughter had the worst constipation issues, but I find myself reaching for the miralax a lot less frequently.

Overall, this whole plant based nutrition has given me peace of mind. I truly feel that it will lead us to a better quality of life with fewer sick days, and stronger bodies. If you would like more information reach out to me on social media or via email here. You can also find more information on the Juice Plus Website

What do you use for nutrition in your family? What works for your picky eaters?

Piper's X-Mas List

This year I was having a really hard time figuring out what my P would want for Christmas/ Hanukkah. She is still in that stage where she can show interest in toys, but cannot really tell you what she wants in so many words. So--The best way to determine what she might like is to actually take her to Toys-r-us and actually observe her in her own environment. Then there were things that as I walked through--I just thought would be good for her development. Here's what we came up with. Hopefully it can help you shop for the baby love in your life. Or for P if you are family :)

1. Just Like Home Deluxe Housekeeping Set
P is always the happy helper around the house. She loves to help us do the laundry and wipe up messes on the floors. I know that she would love getting this set for the holidays!

2. LeapFrog My own Laptop
J loves educational toys and specifically felt that we needed to buy this laptop for P for Christmas. It is already purchased and read to place under our tree. It will help P learn her letters and numbers as well as learn how to spell. I think she will love it.

3. Fisher-Price Bright Beats Dance & Move Beatbo
While walking through the store I saw this little guy, and although I didn't purchase him, I know my girl would love him as she loves anything musical.

4. Little Tikes 3 ft. Trampoline
When I was looking through different blogs and parent websites for gifts for 2 year olds. A lot of them said a small trampoline to work on jumping with both feet. P is still having a hard time mastering this skill, so I think that this trampoline will be great for her development. Thanks, Glammy!

5. Baby Amaze Learn To Talk and Read Babydoll

I saw this babydoll when we were walking through Toys r us and just knew that it would be a great pick up for baby P. We opted to get one of her accessories, but not the doll itself. It may be a great pick up for later on, or for another family member to get her. I can just see P reading along with the baby as she has a real passion for books lately. It is one of the things I really love about her!

6. Yvolution Y Velo Jr. Double Wheel Balance Bike

As someone who didn't learn to ride a bike until much later in life--I was fascinated when I saw the whole section of balance bikes in the stores this year. What a cool idea for a little one's development! I like this one because it is for two year olds and the double wheel helps them learn balance but is a little bit more stable. There are no pedals so it is just about learning to balance and move on the bike frame. This gift has already been claimed for baby P, but you should get your little one one of these pronto! I kinda want one for myself, not going to lie. Just make sure you get your little one a helmet too. Safety first Friends!

So that is it. There is my list of things that I think any two year old would want. You could always add Play-doh, coloring books with stickers, board books, and cute outfits. Those things are also always winners in my house. 

Happy shopping, and have a Happy Holiday Season, Y'all.

Fifty Shades

Yesterday I read a number of posts from several different bloggers about why they would not go see Fifty Shades of Grey. A lot of their points were valid (to them, at least). A lot of said bloggers are religious, and therefore they object to the books and movie because of religious reasons.

The one thing that bothered me about all of these posts is that the bloggers who wrote them had never read a word from the books. Not. One. Word. This was bothersome to me because you are literally judging a book by it's cover and reputation. This, I feel, draws a lot of parallels with things that I do not appreciate about the religious community. If you are reading this mom, you might want to stop here.

Growing up I went to church every single week. I was in the children's choir and I was involved in Wednesday night festivities. I think that my religious education was very valuable. I am grateful for what I learned from that time in my life. I truly believe that a lot of my moral education came from that time.

What I did not like is how a lot of the people in the church seemed to relish in other people's pain while appearing to care about them on the outside. Gossip ran rampant all around the place. It became a source of unwanted and unneeded stress in my life. There are many people within the church who I did not (and still do not) feel that way about. Unfortunately, those who participated out-shadowed those who were using the church for what it should be. I found that many people were judged by their covers within the church setting, and that the focus was often pulled from where it should be--you know, on God.

I am fairly quiet about the fact that I do not participate in any religious lifestyle. I have my beliefs, and I have my trainings, and I choose to keep them private and to myself. What I believe is no one's business and it is not up for discussion. It is as simple as that.

When I read these blogs, I understood their arguments from a religious perspective. I even agreed with certain points. Sure, you could absolutely find a better way to spend your money. Absolutely, you should go with your husband and discuss the premise of these books and movie with him before seeing it. I am sure if you read the books, then you would have discussed them with him at some point anyway. I know I did. Sure, it sends a message about relationships that contradicts those of the Bible. But so does our mainstream media anyway.

What I disagreed with vehemently in most of these blogs was the idea that these books and this movie should not be allowed in theaters and on book shelves. Many are calling for censorship of the franchise entirely. But those who are calling for this haven't even read it. So how do they know what it contains and how bad it is? Once again, judging blindly without knowing. I understand that you feel these books are threatening to your morality. BUT I would be willing to bet that there are some parishioners within your church who practice or have practiced some of the acts that are in the novels. Should they be removed from your pews? I think not. People have a right to choose what they want to read and what they want to watch and they should not feel like God would be angry at them for doing so. Such an argument is likely to push more people away from Him than it is to bring them closer. That is my own personal opinion.

I read each and every line of all three books. Then in the last two weeks I read them all again. That's right, shameful. I wanted to remember what all of the fuss was about. Here is what I think about them:

1. There are definitely things in there that make me cringe
Yeah, they do some pretty crazy things together. The first time I read it I remember thinking, "I'm not old enough to read this." or "you can do that?" and even, "why would you want to do that?" But honestly--this is only one part of the book. You are certainly welcome to not be comfortable with the types of things that they do in their consenting sexual relationship. But, honestly--it is relatively mild in the first book at least. It isn't until the end of the second book and into the third book before the really crazy stuff comes out.

2. It is one of the most beautiful love stories
For a person who loves to read and loves literature (as I do), Fifty Shades of Grey is a beautiful love story. While it is a little unconventional--the characters are certainly endearing and lovable. If you actually read the books--you not doubt fell in love with Ana. She is not unlike many heroines in your classic novels--Tess Durbeyfield comes to mind. She is searching for her place in life. But for most of you (and for me) it's Christian that keeps you reading. You understand that this lifestyle he chose is for a reason, and you want to know what it is. This is a story about abuse and it's effects. He is a broken person in need of a change, and he finds that change with Ana. Even without the sex scenes--I would read it. You really root for him to overcome his horrific childhood and find happiness.

3. They are not much different than what your mom used to read
I don't know about you, but my mom used to read those erotic novels. You know the Danielle Steele ones with Fabio on the cover? I would venture to state that these are not much different--if they are at all.

So my opinion is the same that it has always been. Don't knock it before you try it (or read it in this case). Just like in most situations--there is more to the story. While you might think the book became popular because of all of the BDSM weaved throughout, but in my case--it was the love story that brought me to read that second and third book. By the last book I admittedly skimmed over the sex scenes to get to what really matters--and that is the development of these characters. These people who are not much different than me and you in many cases. They just want to find love in a world that hasn't been that kind to them.

So while the sex scenes are a little much, the author seriously needs a thesaurus (I mean all encounters can't seriously be mindblowing or earth shattering), and surely there are a lot of things that go against the moral background that I have. I still feel that people should be allowed to read anything they wish and go see any movie they wish without judgement. To each their own.

Laters, Y'all

Party Decor From The Little Red Wagon

When I started looking on Pinterest for ideas for P's first birthday party. I quickly got overwhelmed. I was wishing that I had a Circuit and knew how to use it--and probably that I had the time to learn. I didn't, but I knew that I wanted some paper decor for P's shindig.

I quickly took to etsy and began looking around for the type and style of decorations that I wanted. I wanted a good sturdy paper Birthday Banner. I also wanted a shop owner who had the time (and patience) to help me figure out other items that might complete the very large space we would be using for the party. To top it all off--I wanted someone local so that I would not have to pay shipping costs. Enter The Little Red Wagon. Diana is a mommy-preneuer. She will be welcoming another bundle of joy sometime next year. She loves helping moms like her make their babies parties spectacular! I think that is just amazing, and I wouldn't want to give my money to anyone else :)

I messaged Diana, and heard back from her immediately. I told her that I was doing an owl theme, but that I didn't have much else decided on. She showed me a banner that she had made for an owl party already and I fell in love with the colors scheme of turqouise, fushia, and lime green. At first, I was really just looking for a banner, but after talking with Diana, I realized that I would need a lot more because of all of the windows and different areas of the party. So we decided on a sign for the front door, dot banners for the fireplace, 1s and owls on sticks for centerpieces, a highchair banner, and a gorgeous birthday banner.

I met Diana about a week out from Ps party and she had everything carefully wrapped in tissue paper to keep it safe until the party. I got so excited peeking at them in the box--I could hardly contain myself. The day of the party--the items were stunning. I received so many compliments on how pretty the banner looked and how cute the little owl centerpieces were. I even had a few people who wanted to take an owl home with them.

The items were made of various card stock and heavy scrapbook paper. They were extremely well made to the point that I think that I could use them again next year if I wanted. The Birthday banner was tied together by tulle ribbon that added the perfect feminine touch. I am just so pleased with the way it all turned out and looked on the day of the party. I know who I will be going to next year for P's birthday party supplies--and you should too.

Diana has some really cute Mickey and Minnie mouse ideas. I am hoping P starts to fall in love with them for next years party. Although, I am kinda leaning towards a bow theme. Yes, I am constantly planning. Check out all of her stuff  on  Facebook or etsy. Tell her I sent you!