Why we Love Renew Life Probiotics

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Renew Life invited me to a live event to hear more about their products probiotic and I am excited share with you in this sponsored post. Did you know that almost three-quarters of women have experienced a digestive/gut issue in the past 12 months but none of us talk about it with our friends? A lot of us don’t think of digestive health when thinking of overall health and wellness but we should. Digestive health can affect your entire body, including immunity, memory, mood and more. Taking one Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic a day can improve your overall wellness sign me up!

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With cold and flu season upon us anything I can do to improve my immune system I will do. However it isn’t some juice fast that I’m doing this season it is taking Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotics. I just found out that 70% of the immune system is located in the intestinal tract, therefore keeping a healthy gut is more important than I thought!

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There are more than 100 trillion live cultures of many diverse strains inside your digestive tract that can be easily disrupted by stress, diet, aging, certain medications and even the environment. that is right ladies, just stress and aging as if not bad enough can affect our immune system. Nutrition experts agree that one of the most efficient and impactful ways to bring balance to the digestive tract is with a probiotic like Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotics. It is that easy!

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At the event these delicious muffins were a huge hit! I’m making them for Christmas morning at our house. Recipe below:

Tis the season for pumpkin-flavored everything—from cookies to coffee drinks. But all those artificial flavors aside, did you know real pumpkin is actually loaded with essential nutrients like vitamin A for healthy vision (a cup of cooked pumpkin contains more than 200% of your RDA), vitamin C to support immune health, the antioxidant beta-carotene, potassium, iron, and lots of gut-friendly fiber? Warm up your weekend mornings with this delicious pumpkin treat you can feel good about!

Quick and Easy Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients:
1 + ¾ cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. cloves
¼ cup sugar
¾ cup honey
½ cup canola oil
1 cup canned pumpkin (organic)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine flour, baking powder, spices, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl; set aside. Combine sugar, honey, canola oil, and pumpkin in a medium bowl; mix together until smooth. Add flour mixture to dry mixture and beat until well blended. Spoon batter into a well-greased muffin pan. Bake 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Enjoy!

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Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotics wants to educate women about digestive health, how vital its ecosystem is to our body’s overall health and well-being, and the benefits everyone can reap from taking a probiotic. Visit http://www.RenewLife.com for more information.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Renew Life Probiotics. Photos by Alli Ward from Made with Happy

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Christmas 2016 Movie Schedule

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Join Freeform in celebrating 20 years of Christmas cheer with the “25 Days of Christmas” holiday programming event, beginning on December 1st 2016. For the 20th consecutive year, Freeform (formally known as ABC Family) will be hosting cable’s biggest programming event of the year. 25 Days of Christmas will run from December 1st-25th with 25 continuous days of holiday themed entertainment including festive movies and specials, classic holiday movies and returning favorites.
Can’t get enough of all of the festivities? Be sure to visit 25DaysofChristmasTV.com for fun new holiday content each day such as polls, shareables, gifs and micro-videos.

Check out the Freeform 25 Days of Christmas 2016 schedule below and be sure to download the Freeform app so you can watch all of your holiday favorites on your mobile device.

11:55pm-2:00am) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)

Monday, December 19
(7:00am-8:30am) Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

(8:30am-10:30am) A Dennis the Menace Christmas

(10:30am-12:35pm) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish

(12:35pm-2:40pm) Home Alone 3

(2:40pm-4:45pm) The Search for Santa Paws

(4:45pm-6:50pm) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups

(6:50pm-8:55pm) Elf

(8:55pm-11:00pm) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Tuesday, December 20
(7:0am-9:10am) The Search for Santa Paws(9:10am-11:15am) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups(11:15am-1:25pm) Home Alone 3

(1:25pm-4:30pm) The Holiday

(4:30pm-5:35pm) Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town

(5:35pm-6:40pm) The Year Without a Santa Claus

(6:40pm-8:50pm) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

(8:50pm-11:00pm) The Santa Clause

(12:00am-2:00am) Holidaze

Wednesday, December 21
(7:00am-9:00am) Snow Buddies

(9:00am-11:05am) Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws

(11:05am-1:10pm) Happy Feet Two

(1:10pm-2:10pm) Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town

(2:10pm-3:15pm) The Year Without Santa Claus

(3:15pm-5:20pm) The Polar Express

(5:20pm-5:50pm) Disney’s Prep & Landing

(5:50pm-6:20pm) Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty Vs. Nice

(6:20pm-6:50pm) Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot

(6:50pm-8:55pm) The Santa Clause

(8:55pm-11:00pm) Elf

(12:00am-2:00am) The Mistle-Tones

Thursday, December 22
(7:00am-9:30am) Happy Feet

(9:30am-11:30am) Happy Feet Two

(11:30am-12:00pm) The Little Drummer Boy

(12:00pm-2:05pm) The Polar Express

(2:05pm-4:10pm) Jack Frost (1998)

(4:10pm-4:40pm) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland

(4:40pm-5:10pm) Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot

(5:10pm-6:45pm) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

(6:45pm-8:55pm) Elf

(8:55pm-11:00pm) Jingle All the Way

(12:00am-2:00am) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)

Friday, December 23
(7:00am-7:30am) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland

(7:30am-9:30am) Jack Frost (1998)

(11:00am-1:00pm) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish

(1:00pm-3:00pm) Jingle All the Way

(3:00pm-4:35pm) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

(4:35pm-5:40pm) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

(5:40pm-6:45pm) The Year Without a Santa Claus

(6:45pm-8:50pm) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)

(8:50pm-11:00pm) The Santa Clause

(12:00am-2:00am) Home Alone: The Holiday Heist

Saturday, December 24
(7:00am-8:05am) Jack Frost (1979)

(8:05am-9:40am) Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

(9:40am-11:15am) Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas

(11:15am-12:20pm) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

(12:20pm-1:25pm) The Year Without a Santa Claus

(1:25pm-3:30pm) Arthur Christmas

(3:30pm-5:35pm) The Polar Express

(5:35pm-7:40pm) The Santa Clause

(7:40pm-9:45pm) Elf

(9:45pm-11:55pm) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

(11:55pm-2:00am) Scrooged

Sunday, December 25
(7:00am-9:10am) The Search for Santa Paws

(9:10am-11:20am) Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws

(11:20am-1:25pm) Arthur Christmas

(1:25pm-3:30pm) The Polar Express

(3:30pm-4:35pm) Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town

(4:35pm-5:40pm) The Year Without a Santa Claus

(5:40pm-7:45pm) Elf

(7:45pm-9:55pm) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

(9:55pm-12:00am) Scrooged

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Coaster Holiday Express, Ride the Train with Santa 2016

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Tickets for the 2018 Coaster Holiday Express are here!

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Families can take a ride on a magical holiday train with Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends on Saturday, December 10. North County Transit District’s Coaster Holiday Express is a specially decorated train ride that features photo opportunities with Santa and classic carol singing for children of all ages. Each 65-minute Holiday COASTER Express ride travels non-stop and roundtrip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. The ride is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10. Be sure to bring your camera for tons of photo opportunities throughout the train ride.

orion and santa

Last year we had so much fun taking our son on the Coaster Holiday Express, see picture above. It is only $10 per person this year with departure times of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. from the Oceanside transit center. Please note tickets are NOT available day of and it will SELL OUT AND FAST! Tickets may be purchased on Thursday, November 3rd in person at a transit center or online here.

Saturday, December 10

Trains departing from Oceanside Transit Center at 10am, 12pm & 2pm

Visit with Santa Claus, his merry elves and the beautiful ice queen & snow princess while singing along with carolers

On-sale date: Thursday, November 3

Tickets: $10 per person (limit 10/person)

Purchase tickets online (link available at 8am on 11/3/16) or at the Oceanside Transit Center (205 S. Tremont St, Oceanside), open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

To purchase tickets after November 3 (up to 10 may be purchased at a time) please click here.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THE HOLIDAY EXPRESS

* Passengers must present a ticket to board the COASTER Holiday Express

* Every person must have a ticket (including children of all ages)

* The Holiday Express is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 & 10

* Do not bring food, beverages, strollers, or bicycles on board the train.  Water & small snacks okay.

* Total trip time is approximately 65 minutes

* The trains depart ON TIME.  As this event is usually sold out, we will not be able to accommodate late arrivals.  Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your departure to find parking.

* The Holiday Express will operate rain or shine.

 

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Safe Trick or Treating Halloween 2016

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Halloween is today, Happy Halloween! Do you have a tradition? Do you love trick or treating in your neighborhood? I love the idea of trick or treating at a shopping center or mall because it feels safer. I am always worried about children on Halloween and being struck by a car, this almost happened to us last year! The driver of the car got an ear full from myself and the other parents with us. This year we will be trick or treating at one of the events listed below. Of course my child and probably yours too LOVES Halloween because of the candy, which is another reason I love this, I know who the candy is coming from. We always end our night watching Charlie Brown as our family tradition. Have a very save Halloween!

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Carmel Mountain Plaza Halloween Trick or Treat – Children 12 and under dressed in costumes are invited to trick-or-treat at participating stores from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Parents can enjoy live music with the 80’z All-Stars, or kids can enjoy balloon art, and more!  Register near Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Reading Cinemas and receive a Free treat bag, while supplies last.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets Halloween Trick-or-Treating – From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. costumed children escorted by their parents are invited to trick-or-treat at Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Halloween. Participating merchants will distribute wrapped candy and treats adding to the fun, for more information click here.

The Shoppes at Carlsbad – Halloween Trick-or-Treating at the Shoppes at Carlsbad (formerly Carlsbad Mall) trick or treating begins at 2 P.M. next to the elevator on level one. Some retailers will be participating (while supplies last).  Look for a Pumpkin in their window, also have a list available at the candy table.

CORONADO – From 3:30-5:30 pm on Halloween, local merchants on Orange Avenue provide a great night for the little ones by passing out candy and other gifts!

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Chula Vista Village Walk Trick or Treat – Village Walk merchants will provide free treats for children ages 12 and under dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult.  Two registration areas, one by HSBC bank and one near the children’s sandbox area next to T.J. Maxx, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for more information click here.

Encinitas Safe Trick or Treat  – Along a stretch of South Coast Hwy 101, from Encinitas Blvd. to K street, will transform into Pumpkin lane from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  It will be decorated with elaborately carved pumpkins at different viewing locations.  Downtown businesses generously participate and join in the fun.  Don’t miss the kids zone where children can enjoy games, music and activities at The Lumberyard Courtyard. Downtown merchants hand out candy in a tranquil, safe setting where tricksters of all ages have loads of fun.  For more information click here.

Flower Hill Promenade (Del Mar) Stop by for a Halloween bash that caters to children of all ages as well as their doting parents, Flower Hill Promenade will host its annual Trick-or-Treating event. Kids dressed as princesses, pirates, witches, superheroes and any other Halloween character you can imagine can run from store to store filling their baskets with treats and candies galore, parents can meander through Del Mar’s premier open-air shopping, dining and entertainment center collecting goodies of their own. Meanwhile, parents: feel free to drop into your favorite shops to treat yourselves. Pink Soul boutique will be gifting “Mommy Treat Bags” while kids overflow their Halloween bags.

Grossmont Center on October 31st come in your best Halloween costume and trick-or-treat through over one million square feet of stores, restaurants and eateries. Bring your family to a safe place to trick-or-treat this October for a Halloween to remember. The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Encinitas safe trick or treat

Westfield UTC Mall-O-Ween – Stop in for some fun trick or treating with participating retailers at UTC. From 3 p.m. to 7p.m., select retailers will be participating with in-store “carnival” festivities and bounce back deals available for you to use through the weekend.  From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., more mall retailers will be joining on the festivities, distributing candy for trick-or-treating and Plaza Unplugged performer, Ryan Brolliar, will be joining us in Palm Plaza for musical entertainment!  For more information click here.

 

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Switch Witch as seen on Fox 5

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We were so excited to share all about the Switch Witch and the magic of Switchcraft! Switch Witch is something we love because it gives children the option of doing something else with their Halloween candy rather than just eating it. The day after Halloween the kids know they still have a ton of candy left over and of course will ask for some of it. Instead of giving them the candy you can ‘switch’ the candy out for a great book or a toy they really want. My son has ADHD and adding excess sugar is horrible for him, which is why Switch Witch hit home for me.

It is also really important for children with food allergies, and celiac who can’t eat most of the Halloween candy given out. They partner with the Teal Pumpkin Project, which allows parents of children with food allergies to know where it is safe for their children to trick-or-treat. When parents see a ‘Teal Pumpkin’ they know it is safe, also new this year there is a map so parents can go house by house which houses are safe for their kids. They partner with Operation Shoebox where candy donations are sent to soldiers worldwide. Beginning November 1-10, kids can donate their Halloween candy at various candy drop off locations throughout the US.

The idea of Switch Witch came when award winning author Audrey Kinsman’s son was trick-or-treating. She saw his disappointment knowing he wouldn’t be able to eat most of the candy he was brining home due to a food allergy. That is where the idea of ‘Switchcrafting’ came about! Now kids across the country can be apart of switching candy for any reason. Switch Witch is available on their website for a small price and on Amazon.

switch witch

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That time of year when everything turns pink

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It is that time of year again when everything turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it stabs a knife right into my heart. I was going about my normal life and on October 2nd like most American’s on a Sunday was watching the NFL. Then there it was staring right at me, what can really only be described as a pink vomit explosion on every player, referee, coach and supporting staff as far as the eye can see. I used to think it was really ‘cute’ when the big players wore pink, but that was about as far as that went, I wasn’t thinking about Breast Cancer. They don’t have an area in the stadium of women who have battled or are battling breast cancer that they show on TV. They don’t have the players mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and daughters tell their story of their battle of breast cancer, They just turn shit pink. How does this  help women who have or are battling breast cancer?

Although it is rare, men too suffer from breast cancer, I have a family member who is towards the end of his treatment soon. What does the NFL turning everything pink do for him? Is his breast cancer any less than my own mother who passed away last year from breast cancer because he is male? Breast Cancer Awareness month is a farce, who among us hasn’t been affected by breast cancer? I had my own breast cancer scare only 4 months after my mom passed away from breast cancer. All of us know someone who has had, or is in treatment for breast cancer, so raising awareness for something we are all aware of is idiotic.

I understand raising money for finding a cure but the ‘race for the cure’ only donates 21% of the billions of dollars raised to actually finding a cure, maybe they should change their name? My mother walked ‘for a cure’ multiple times to raise money to find a cure, unfortunately it didn’t happen before the disease took her life.

October has hit me hard this year, I cried pretty much every single day for a week so far. Unless I stay inside my house and don’t turn on the TV I don’t see an end in sight. Somedays I don’t remember my mom is gone and I think I should call my mom she will know the answer to this or that. Sometimes I want to call her to tell her something funny my son has done, sometimes I just want to hear her voice. To hear her call me honey once more, one more hug, one more anything. I am so jealous of my friends who have the relationship with their mothers that I once had. I don’t want to be the dead mothers club, it is the worse club to be apart of and no one really understands it unless they are too.

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