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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Psst....I Know the Codeword for Summer Fun with My Wolfpack

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

My dogs are my life.   I think I make that pretty obvious but I know not everyone can understand the bond we share, especially when it comes to Pixie.  

And by the end of this post, you'll know that the codeword for summer fun is going to make your next visit to Petsmart so much better! Pixie is the first dog I ever owned and I got her when I was just 19! 

Pixie has been there for me through all types of life struggles.  She was with me in my last year as a teenager, and all throughout my twenties.  And as I embark on my thirties there are plenty more experiences to be had together.   Pixie has been my cuddle buddy when I was going through hard times in relationships and also when I got my first apartment.   She's been on little vacations with me and she's even come to work a few times.  Pixie is just the sweetest and smartest dog I've ever known and that is why she's stolen my heart from day one. 

There are a few secrets to summer fun for my wolfpack this year....
((NUTRITION))

Nutrition is uber important for my wolfpack because it's my way of nurturing them and loving them by keeping them healthy and satisfied.  To me, providing good nutrition is my way of doing everything possible on my end to keep them taken care of so they have energy and strength to play and enjoy their time with me.  And since Pixie likes to play especially outside, I need to ensure she's properly fueled. 

Obviously with my full house of pets (1 fish, 1 rat, 4 chihuahuas) everytime I need to re-stock on pet supplies it's like a full blown shopping spree at PetSmart.  That's why I like to bring Pixie along to keep me company and get some one-on-one bonding time. Pixie loves being held or sitting in the front of the cart while I shop.  She enjoys how everyone makes a big fuss over her and her little tongue that sticks out and she just sits there waiting for the next person to notice her.  Sometimes when we pass a toy that she likes she gets excited and wags her tail and makes little snort sounds of excitement (hence her nickname of Piggy). 

((QUALITY TIME))
Normally bringing a pet with me to a store would stress me out because shopping is already time consuming and I need to concentrate but everything is so easy at PetSmart.   I try to get everything I need in one shopping trip to last me for the month.   Summer is a great time to bring your pet with you when you run errands to pet-friendly stores, and also when you visit friends and family.

PetSmart always has the items I need in stock and there's always a large selection of brands to choose from whether it's for potty pads, dog food, or even tooth paste.   Speaking of brands, Purina has a huge selection of food, treats, and litter for pets available at PetSmart which really takes the mystery out of how to care for your pet and give them what they want most.  Lately, the mystery for me is summer fun.  I want my pups to have a great time outside, so how can I do that? Well, I know the codeword - it's obviously Purina.

((SAFETY))

As you can see, even when we go to PetSmart I make sure to keep Pixie safely contained.  She always has her harness, identifying tags, and leash on.  And when she's in the cart her leash is either held by me or it's tied to the cart handle.   I never let her or the cart out of my site.   Safety is super important whether it's outside in a friend's yard or inside a store.   Always make sure your dog's tags are up to date and that they are secured with a collar/harness and a leash. 








Pixie enjoying the birds!

I had a great haul at PetSmart and got lots of food and treats for my gang when we go out and about this summer. During the month of June PetSmart shoppers can get a $10 PetSmart gift card when you purchase $40 in participating Purina products.   Visit the redemption site for my information and to redeem!  The beauty is that this can be redeemed an unlimited amount of times so make sure you shop at PetSmart often during the promo period in June so you can take advantage of this amazing deal!


You can upload your receipt up until July 9th, 2017.  




So I took advantage of this when I decided to stock up for some summer fun with my dogs.   In order to have the energy to go outside and enjoy the warm weather, my pups need to eat first so I picked up some Purina® Bella Small Dog Food.

These are easy for the dogs to eat on the go so that if we have to have dinner in the car before we get out and walk at the park, they can eat right out of the little tray that their food comes in.

 

I love to reward good behavior, especially when we are outside with distractions so I always keep some Purina® Beggin' handy. 

Treats are a great reward but they are also a way to keep motivation for Pixie to listen to me and behave herself. 



And of course I get something great out of all of this because I can save money on my next trip by using my gift card that I earned, all thanks to Purina!

So how does your pet steal your heart?   Share your story on social media and use the #PurinaMysteries hashtag!

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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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