I received compensation from Bayer Consumer Health, makers of MiraLAX® to write this post. MiraLAX® is a laxative used to treat occasional constipation.  All opinions are entirely my own.  #ReliefMadeEasy #CollectiveBias

I used to be one of those people that just flew through my day and didn't make it a point to properly care for myself whether it was physically or mentally. Of course I was younger then and I was probably more resilient but nowadays I am totally embracing a more conscious lifestyle where I'm taking better overall care of myself.

The ways in which I have become more conscious of how I live are actually pretty basic and if you want to start living a more conscious lifestyle you can definitely learn from me.

||Staying Hydrated||I know how important water is for the body so I make it a point to drink 6-8 glasses a day out of a giant water bottle that I keep at my desk at work. I fill it up about 3 times a day and I make myself drink to certain levels on the bottle by certain times of the day. I am a creature of habit and I love routines so now that drinking water at certain times is part of my daily routine it makes it easy to get the recommended amount. Water keeps my skin clear and gives me energy throughout the day without feeling worn out and overheated. I also notice I don't mindlessly snack on junk food throughout the day because my stomach is full with water. 

 On days I don't drink enough water I feel very hungry and very groggy. Even on weekends now I make sure to keep up with my water intake. If I get sick of regular water I drink flavored water so that I can't use the typical "Water is boring" excuse.

||Eating A Proper Diet||

Gone are the days of me eating frozen dinners and fast food. I make sure to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner AND I choose healthy WHOLE food options. When I am eating real meats, fruits, veggies, and grains and avoiding processed foods I notice that I feel better overall and it's easier for me to stay active by working out and continue keeping fit.

I actually enjoying cooking and so I prepare my dinners and I skip dessert. Instead I'll munch on some fruits so I'm getting natural sugars rather than added sugars.

||Getting Enough Sleep||

I go into lights out mode immediately at 10pm. I have my cell phone set up so that it blocks any incoming notification sounds until my alarm goes off the next morning. I found that when I get a full 7 hours of sleep I wake up feeling refreshed and can get through my day with plenty of energy and focus. I do the same activity to wind down every night before bedtime and I stick to a very similar sleep schedule.

If I don't get enough sleep I make sure to take it easy the next day as much as possible. I have learned to listen to my body and it's needs.

||Limiting Stress||

Everyone gets stressed from time to time but a lot of it has to do with how you allow things to affect you on a daily basis. Overtime I've become a master at staying positive and actively choosing not to let trivial things get me bent out of shape. When my stress levels are higher my body doesn't feel good and I begin a negative mood spiral which makes me unpleasant to be around. So now when I encounter something that begins to stress me out I ask myself if this is really a big deal or if I can quickly conquer it.

||Staying Comfortable||

All of the above things have really helped me but by far the biggest way I'm living a more conscious lifestyle for myself is by staying comfortable when it comes to relieving occasional constipation. My go to solution for that is MiraLAX® because it works with your body's natural process to give you effective relief from occasional constipation. MiraLAX® works with the water in your body, providing a gentle experience without harsh side effects. Obviously you should always use it as directed. MiraLAX® is different from stimulant laxatives that make your body go by forcefully stimulating the nerves in your colon.

Sometimes life is busy and stressful and your body just gets thrown off and when that happens I love having the option of MiraLAX® in bottles as well as MiraLAX® Single Dose Mix-In Pax®.

The awesome thing about the Mix-In Pax is that you can mix them into any hot or cold drink even if you're on the go or away from home so it's always convenient and discreet. I usually keep a few of them in my purse or in my desk at work.   

And the MiraLAX® itself can even be mixed into smoothies.  This is great because I love smoothies in the summer time.

You can find MiraLAX® and MiraLAX® Mix-In Pax at Rite Aid in the laxatives aisle like I did.  You can even save on any Mira-LAX® product with this coupon.




So as you can see, with some gradual lifestyle changes you can definitely begin to embrace a more conscious lifestyle and you will reap a lot of benefits! I feel so much better about myself both inside and out.

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5 Tips to Win Your Yearly Battle Against Allergies

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone.  #ForgetAllergies #CollectiveBias

It never fails - every year just when I think I'm doing great in all aspects of life - BAM! Allergy season attacks me in full force. I don’t know about you but when I am bothered by allergies it’s like my whole life is derailed because my symptoms completely take over.  My eyes water constantly, my throat gets itchy, and I probably sneeze 100 times a day.   Oh, and then there's the non-stop blowing of my nose which results in it getting all red and irritated.  I don't know about you but my life is so busy that I can't just put everything on hold to deal with my allergies. I mean I have a full time job, a blog to run, dinners to cook, a house to clean, and plenty more responsibilities.  I have to keep going and keep moving forward.  So here are 5 tips that I use (and you should too) to successfully win the yearly battle against allergies, including using Xyzal® Allergy 24HR.

*Tip 1* Recognize Allergy Triggers

Allergies can be caused by different things.  For some people it's pollen, but for others it could be something like mold.  I'm kind of a combination of those two things.  So I know that a few days of rain is a good time for me to avoid going outdoors since that's when the mold seems to be at its worst.   If pollen is your worst enemy, then try to avoid the outdoors when the pollen count is high and beware of windy days.  Seriously, have you ever stood outside on a windy day and watched the pollen just blow around in the air?  Scary!    

*Tip 2* Keep a Clean Home

Just because your allergies may be caused by an outdoor trigger doesn't mean the triggers can't be brought indoors.  During allergy season it's crucial to keep your home as tidy as possible.  Pollen and mold can actually be tracked into your home from your clothing, the breeze when you open the door, and your shoes.  So make sure you vacuum on a regular basis, dust all the surfaces of your home, and keep counters clean and wiped down.   Bonus points if you have hardwood floors since they are easier to clean than carpets in most cases.  There's nowhere for the allergens to hide!

*Tip 3* Keep A Clean Workplace

This is especially important if you work in an office because, once again, you and others around you are tracking allergens in on your clothing and shoes.  Make sure you dust your desk and any shelves you have.  I also give my desk a scrub down with disinfectant wipes once a week.

*Tip 4* Keep A Clean Car

I sound like a broken record but your car is a huge trap for allergens.  If you know your allergies are acting up, keep your windows closed when you drive.  Make sure you regularly wipe down (dust and scrub) the dash of your car as that's a HUGE culprit of collecting dust and allergens.  I also vacuum the seats and carpet in my vehicle since I know that I'm constantly bringing allergens in from the outdoors.

*Tip 5* Use the Right OTC Allergy Treatment

This is one of my most important tips because this tip has been my saving grace.  It's important to use the right OTC allergy treatment and that's why I highly recommend Xyzal® Allergy 24HR.  It gives me 24 hour relief from all my annoying symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and itchy throat! It even helps my watery eyes so I don't look like I'm crying all day!  The best part is that it's full prescription strength and it's now available over the counter at CVS.  It comes in 10 count as well as 35, 55, and 80 counts.   

Xyzal has really improved my day to day life.  I can go to work and focus on what I have to get done instead of constantly sneezing and trying to get my nose to stop running.  I even sleep better at night not having to deal with my allergy symptoms when I'm trying to drift off to dreamland.  And when I wake up I'm still ready to take on the day.

Xyzal is an antihistamine product designed to provide continuous all night, all day allergy relief and is as effective at hour 24 as it is the first hour you take it.   Speaking of hours, it starts working in 60 minutes!   Continuously taking it once a day, right before bedtime, means that Xyzal is relieving symptoms while I sleep.  I love that it's conveniently found at CVS so I can get in when I'm there running errands to pick up groceries!

Xyzal gives better symptom relief when taken continuously and it relieves indoor AND outdoor allergy symptoms.  Make sure you read and follow Xyzal product labeling and use it as directed!

You can find Xyzal 10 count in the allergy section of CVS.

So, which of these tips are you most looking forward to trying in order to take back your life during allergy season?

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6 Tips to Power Down Your Body & Mind for the Evening

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone.  #TeaProudly #CollectiveBias

I'm such an adult these days.  Seriously, I do all kinds of things that I never thought I'd do.  I enjoy staying home on weekends instead of going out, I drink tea and ENJOY it, and I go to bed by 10 pm as often as possible.  Sleep is so crucial in our lives and the main reason we don't get enough of it is because we either can't fall asleep at night, or we just don't make it a priority and we claim we are so busy and just can't settle down.   It's so important to take time to relax and prepare for bedtime and it's sad that most of us don't make it a priority.   So today I'm going to give you a few tips on how I power my body and mind down for the evening so you can relax, rest, and get a good night's sleep.

||Stay Active During the Day||
Have you ever sat on the couch all day and then you literally feel like you're going stir crazy and can't even fathom the thought of going to bed.  Where did all the pent up energy come from? Well for me, that's what it's like when I don't stay active enough during the day.  I need to get my energy out before the evening.  During the work day I take 2 walk breaks with some coworkers where we go out and walk around the building.   I make sure that if I don't get to do those things during the day, I take a walk after dinner with Rocky or do some yard work.  It's important to stay active because it helps your body and mind deal with your energy.  Sometimes I'm so active getting things done around the house after work that it's easy for me to get tired by bedtime.

||No Food After 8PM||
Since I go to bed around 10, I like to go 2 hours before bed with no food.   Late night snacking has always been a bad habit of mine because I would get bored while watching TV and ended up eating every night.  Eating and watching TV started to go hand in hand and I couldn't do one without the other.   One of the things I did to break that habit is that at 8PM on the dot, I make tea and sip on that until bedtime. 
no eating after 8 pm.  I'll explain more about my tea habit later on in this post.

||No Phone or Computer||
People always say that the bright light from electronic devices can stimulate you and make it harder for you to settle down and fall asleep.  I found that to be so true for myself so I made a simple rule for myself.  My laptop gets plugged in to charge in the office, and my phone gets charged next to my bed.  That way when I'm in the living room I'm not getting distracted by things online and I'm not staring at a bright light right in front of my face.

||No Bedroom Until Sleepytime||
Some people lay in their bed all evening before falling asleep.  I can't do that.  The only time I go into the bedroom and lay in bed is when I'm ready to fall asleep.  That way I associate my bed with sleep.   When I lived at home with my parents I was always in my bedroom and my bed was basically where I ate, where I blogged, and where I relaxed.  It was so hard to all of a sudden change into sleep mode at an appropriate time.  So I stay in the living room and relax on the couch and when I start to feel sleepy (always around the same time), I go right in, lay down, and I'm asleep within a few minutes of my head hitting the pillow.

||Bedtime Routine||
So some people wait until right before they go to bed to brush their teeth and put their PJs on.   For me, doing those things tells me I'm entering the 1 hour time period before bed where I need to start settling down and prepare to fall asleep.   So at 9PM every night I get my pajamas on (if I'm not already wearing them), take off my makeup, wash my face, and brush my teeth.  There's something about this whole routine that puts my brain into sleep mode.  I stop worrying about things I have to do the next day, I start focusing on letting my body feel tired, and I just simply enjoy the quiet time I have before bed. 

||Sipping Bigelow Benefits Tea||
Like I said before, I actually love drinking tea everyday now.  I've actually made drinking tea part of my routine in the evening.   Sipping tea has replaced my habit of late night snacking when I'm bored which is much better for me since I'm trying to NOT eat after 8pm.  So what I do is sip Bigelow Benefits Sleep Chamomile and Lavender Herbal Tea.  It's got such a great floral flavor and really helps me feel relaxed so I can settle down for the night and get ready for bed.

Bigelow Benefits is a new line of tea designed to support everyday wellness.   It's so important to put good things in our bodies and when Bigelow created the Benefits line they wanted to help us define the life we want to live by incorporating this tea in our everyday routine.  Not only does it taste amazing but it helps support your well-being. 

I'm trying to live a clean and healthy lifestyle and the Bigelow Benefits line is designed to support that, with seven new teas that contain all-natural herbs.  Bigelow has been around for over 70 years and the fact that they are gluten free, contain no GMOs, and are blended and produced in the USA makes it a favorite of mine.  They have 6 herbal teas and 1 green tea and incorporating these teas in your daily routine like I did, can really help promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.   If you're one of those people (like myself) that tries to do little things to maintain and healthy and active lifestyle, this is a perfect addition to your routine.  I now eat more veggies and whole, fresh foods and make my sleep a priority so Bigelow Benefits teas fit right into my lifestyle. 

You can find Bigelow Benefits teas in the tea aisle at Giant. 

Which one of these tips do you think will help you the most when it comes to establishing a sleep-friendly evening routine?

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My Movie Night + Snack Buffet

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #YourTaxCash #CollectiveBias

My taxes are done and I'm living it up with the rewards from my refund!   Using my tax refund I purchased the Samsung Galaxy On5 (just $69 on rollback!) and the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan.  The Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan = Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data which includes up to 10 GB of 4G LTE then 2G plus a free VUDU movie credit every month (which is a $7 value- same cost as a new release rental) per line for just $49.88.    (*Includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G)

Since Family Mobile bills you later, you only have to pay $19.88 for the SIM Kit when you sign up.  There's no activiation fee with the SIM Kit.  You can find this phone and this plan at Walmart in the electronics and cell phone aisle.  

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to http://cbi.as/7e-jr or your local Walmart for current pricing.



That's such a great deal that I had plenty of money left over from my tax refund! I was actually able to put some money aside in my "fun" account which I can use for snacks and treats for movie nights!

The 10GB of 4G LTE data is so helpful to me as someone who is always on their phone and using social media.  I am able to surf the web whenever I want without stressing out about how much data I'm using.   I love being able to get on social media and talk about what I'm up to especially when it comes to movie nights.  My friends always enjoy weighing in on the movies I choose to watch.  Plus, as a blogger it makes it easier for me to stay in touch with my readers at all times!  I can take photos, post them, share blog posts, check out what my other friends and bloggers are up to, and the thought of using too much data will never cross my mind! 

Of course one of the best benefits of all is how easy it is to enjoy movies with the free monthly movie credit!  The Walmart Family Mobile PLUS plan and the free VUDU movie credit each month really make sense for someone like me.  I always say that you schedule some relaxing down time every month (or more often) so the free movie credit gives me a great reason to have a movie night in with James and the dogs! All I need is some candy, my SmartTV, my phone ( so I can share my thoughts on the movie as I watch), and a comfy place to watch.

I personally love being able to sprawl out so spreading comforters, blankets, and pillows on the floor allows me to do that. 

Of course a huge added bonus to movie nights in my home is the candy and snack buffet I put together.  With all the money I've saved, it's not hard for me to splurge on treats for my movie nights!

I love a variety of snacks to choose from so I can go through just like any other buffet and pick out a little bit of everything.  I personally like to combine everything in a bowl to munch from as I watch movies.   Since the buffet is in the same room as me, I can refill my bowl as many times as I want while I watch!

Taking time for myself to have little movie nights like this makes me feel refreshed and rejuvenated.  It's a great way to clear my head and escape into another world for a couple of hours!

How can you reap the benefits from switching to the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan? Will you enjoy a movie night like I did?  Will you enjoy not having to closely monitor and stress out about your data usage?

 

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How I'm Using My Tax Refund Cash

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #YourTaxCash #CollectiveBias

It's that time of year again - tax time! I always enjoy this time of year because I'm proud of how smart I am when it comes to how I use my tax refund. As someone who is careful with their spending, I like to make sure I make the most of every last dollar from my return.

So this year, I spent my tax refund cash to purchase the Samsung Galaxy On5 (just $69 on rollback!) and the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan.  Before I explain how I utilize this, let me explain what it all is.  The Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan = Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data which includes up to 10 GB of 4G LTE then 2G plus a free VUDU movie credit every month (which is a $7 value- same cost as a new release rental) per line for just $49.88.   I mean how great is that? (*Includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G)

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How To Create A Routine for Your Dog [featuring Pixie]

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone.  #NewBeneful #CollectiveBias

Everyone asks me how I do it when it comes to having basically 2 jobs, a home, a relationship, and 4 dogs.  The secret is having a routine, not just for me but for my dogs.  A routine makes everything go much more smooth because it creates habits that even dogs pick up on.  They know when it's time to eat, sleep, and play.  And I revolve my routine around their routine.  I make sure I give them their regular potty breaks, water, food, and play time.   Dogs can pick up on routines pretty quickly and that means they know what to expect from you and you know what to expect from them.  In the end, everyone's happy. 

Now, Pixie is a model student, I swear.  She is the best when it comes to routine but that's likely because I've always had her on one.  Pixie is such a big member of my wolfpack because she has such personality and as she is the first dog I ever owned, she kind of calls the shots and let's everyone else know what they should be doing.

So today, Pixie is going to help show you how to create a routine just like the one she is on so that you can live a stress-free life without worrying about accidents in the house, feeding times, etc. So without further ado - here's how to create a routine for your pooch.

Potty Breaks

Pixie knows when it's time to go out because her body tells her.  But I know when she needs to go out as well because I figured out the pattern.  It's pretty much common sense.   When you wake up you normally have to go to the bathroom right? Well, so does your dog! So first thing in the morning Pixie goes potty.  Then she goes potty again AFTER she eats.   And sometimes I even try to get her to potty one last time before I leave for work in the morning that way she can hopefully hold it all day until I'm home.   As soon as I get home I let her out.  She then goes out again after dinner and one more time before bed.  Make sure you establish a routine with your dog.  Before and after food is a great time to go.   Also, right before you leave to go somewhere and as soon as you get home.  Then of course some time in the evening, and right before bed.  This will hopefully ensure that there are no accidents in between. 

Play Time

Every dog out there needs interaction with their human.  It's good for them and good for you so it's important to ALWAYS make some time to give them direct attention.   Throwing a ball or playing with their favorite toy is a great idea.  Pixie is obsessed with playing fetch and knows the routine so well that after she eats and gets energy she brings me her favorite stuffed toy and waits for me to toss it into the other room. 

Exercise

Play time is always fun but I also like to walk Pixie to give her proper exercise.  It's nice to get her out of the house and walking on the concrete helps keep her nails shaved down a bit.  Since Pixie gets a great wave of energy about an hour after dinner, that's when we go on our walks.  She has come to expect it so after she rests a bit, she'll get up and come find me and whine until I put her harness and leash on and take her for a walk.  Exercise is good for humans AND pets so even you can benefit from a daily walk!

Sleep

Of course sleep is part of the routine for every human and animal on this planet. It's crucial for your body and mind just as it is for your pets.  For this part of the routine, I let Pixie pick when she wants to sleep and that's how the routine got established.  Pixie goes to sleep as soon as I go to work in the morning, and then when I get home she stays up for a few hours and then is usually done for the night by 8pm.  Then she sleeps all through the night and wakes up again when I do.  When you allow your dog to keep their sleep routine, you are letting them rest and hopefully won't need to worry about a grumpy pooch.  Think of how you get when you don't sleep very well at night.  That's why I let her sleep when she wants to, because that's what she needs.

Food

Feeding your dog on a routine simply involves feeding him or her at the same time each day.  Some dogs eat twice a day and some eat even more than that.   Pixie is such a pro with her food schedule that she anticipates it.  The second my alarm goes off in the morning she knows it means FOOD! 

Speaking of food, Purina's Beneful dry dog food has a new formula and features meat as the #1 ingredient and has no added sugar.  So it's delicious for your dog and satisfying for the owner.  I always put a lot of thought into what I choose to feed my dogs.  They are, after all, a special member of the family with their own personality so by feeding them something they love I know I'm making them happy.  I'm so excited that Beneful reformulated their recipes.  They listened to the feedback of real pet owners and did 2 years of research in order to meet our needs and the needs of our dogs.  Of course the new Beneful recipes still have them same texture and taste that dogs love just with a few more benefits.  Pixie seems to really enjoy and look forward to her Beneful Incredibites Dog Food.  The small kibble is perfect for her since it's meant for small breed dogs.   

Just remember that if you are changing your dog's diet make sure you do it gradually because dogs can be sensitive to the change.  You should always transition by first feeding a mixture of their new and current food.  You can find more information and tips here.

Beneful can be found at mass retails and grocery stores including Target, Walmart, and Regional Grocers like Kroger and Albertsons.  I picked some up at my local Karns grocery store. 

So hopefully Pixie has helped motivate you to ensure that you have a good routine that works for both you and your dog! So tell me, what part of your routine do you want to change since reading this post?  

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