Pepto-Bismol InstaCool Review & Giveaway

• Pepto-Bismol is introducing a new and improved chewable flavor with InstaCool technology.

· InstaCool provides an instant cooling sensation that lets you know relief for your stomach problems is on the way.

• Pepto-Bismol coats your stomach while InstaCool provides a cooling sensation in the mouth and throat.

• Pepto-Bismol Chewables with InstaCool relieve multiple stomach symptoms (nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach and diarrhea) in a convenient, portable form.

· Convenient, small bottle packaging offers even more convenience and portability.

I was contacted and asked to do a review of Pepto-Bismol Chewables with InstaCool. Well, I finally was able to review them the other night. I am not one to get heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea very often.... but after over indulging on to much of the "better than sex cake" that I had made for dessert at a friends house I couldn't get the bottle pulled out of the cupboard fast enough. I honestly have never bought Pepto.. as all I remember about it was the taste of it when I was a kid and Mom made us take it.. LOL! Well these InstaCool tabs are refreshing. They actually do cool on the way down. And, it was just minutes and my stomach was all better. That is a great feeling to know that something can work that fast on a self induced icky tummy.. LOL

In accordance with the Pepto-Bismol InstaCool launch, I wanted to share that as part of Procter & Gamble Co.'s sponsorship of Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Pepto-Bismol(R) announced it will provide all Team USA members with new Pepto-Bismol Chewable Tablets with InstaCool(TM).


Would you like to win a sample of Pepto-Bismol InstaCool and 2010 Olympic Pin ? Sure ya would!! ;)

All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me if you have used Pepto and what you think of it. That's it.. simple :)

Good Luck. Winner will be picked by Random.org on Feb 28th at Midnight.

Fiber for Your Health

Start your day off right with Metamucil.

We all know fiber is an important dietary need, BUT with so many fiber-enriched products popping up in grocery stores every day, it’s really important to know that not all fibers are the same. Certain types of dietary fiber can actually give you more health benefits than others so it’s essential to pay attention to the types of fiber you choose.

Helps lower your cholesterol.
Helps your natural cleansing process.
Provides a good source of natural fiber.
Promotes overall well-being



Recently I was contacted to do a review of Metamucil and was sent a container of the Orange flavor. Well, funny thing is I was wanting to try it because I.. am irregular.. LOL!! Yup.. I have never been regular no matter what I eat. There was a time I got on a Raisin Bran kix.. but that just wasn't good.. LOL! I was way to regular.. OH MY.. Ok.. TMI.. sorry.

Anyhow... so, I started using the Metamucil 2 times a day even though it says to do it 3 times. I am busy during the day and forget, so drank it in the am, and pm. I really like it! I mix my orange flavor with orange juice and add a bit more water as it tends to get thick kinda fast. But, one doesn't know they are even drinking a supplement. Very tasty. I also bought myself the Berry Burst, and mix that with just water, or my cranberry juice and it is yummy as well.

Results.. the last 2 weeks have been the most "Regular" weeks I have had in years. And, I actually feel not so bloated as I normally do.

If you are irregular or just wanting to add more fiber to your daily intake take a moment and check out Metamucil. You won't be sorry.

And, they have recipes.. Click Here!

They also have the new Clear & Natural, which I have also tried and enjoyed that as well. Actually, I added it to my coffee one day ;) What better way to get fiber.. LOL

1871 Candle Co. Giveaway Winners

Huge Huge Huge congrats to Angela and Donna. Angela won the $50.00 GC and Donna won the $25.00 GC.

Big thanks to all who entered.

Visit 1871 Candle Co. for all your natural candle and tart needs. You can take advantage of a great Valentines discount going on right now. Use code V20 at time of checkout to save 20% off your entire order before shipping. Good for orders of $25.00 or more.

YOUR METABOLISM 101

The Truth About Your Slow Metabolism

You probably know someone who can eat everything in sight, but still struggles to keep weight on. I don't know about you, but I can't do that. My metabolism certainly doesn't allow it — and I am guessing yours doesn't either. So where does a slowpoke metabolism come from and how do you change it? You probably want to blame bad genes for your metabolism. Sure, blame your parents! That's the easy way out. Genes are only a piece of the picture — it's the choices you make every day that are to blame. Wise up and take the responsibility yourself!

When we starve ourselves on yo-yo diets, eat processed foods, surround ourselves with toxins, work beyond the point of exhaustion, all these choices influence the way our metabolism processes food, burns calories, and regulates weight. To learn how to manipulate our biochemistry to our benefit, we have to understand how our hormones have already been manipulated to our detriment. Here are some of the ways.

Too many lazy years: You've spent a lot of time on the couch. Don't blame your lagging metabolism just because you never exercised.

Too many yo-yo diets: Instead of maintaining a stable weight, you've developed a frustrating up-and-down weight-loss pattern. You know the drill: You've repeatedly gone on extreme diets and lost weight, then you've slipped back into your old ways of eating and regained that weight.

Too many of the same foods, all processed: You've consumed frakenfoods that your body doesn't recognize as real food — because they're not!

Too many pesticides in our food: Some farmers spray harmful pesticides on our food, and you've chosen those over organic foods.

Too many toxins in our environment: More than 100,000 synthetic chemicals have been registered for commercial use — with 2,000 more added each year — but very few of them have been tested adequately for toxicity. You've been exposed to many synthetic chemicals in products in and around your home.

Too many bad bugs — and not enough good ones: You've tried to rid yourselves of pests with an onslaught of antibacterial products, which is pointless and not beneficial for the healthy functioning of your immune system.

Too many hours at work — and not enough in bed: You've let yourself get stressed out. Stress is like kryptonite for your hormones — even just a bit of it can throw them entirely out of whack.

Too many pharmaceuticals — even in our water: You've taken prescriptions dashed off by your doctor and haven't always checked out how they might interact with certain herbs, vitamins, or other supplements or prescriptions. All these pharmaceuticals could have a serious impact on your hormonal health.

Too many cigarettes: You've ignored all the medical findings on the damage smoking can cause. Smoking negatively impacts endocrine glands, which produce hormones, in addition to pretty much every cell in your body.

Basically too much, period! Yes, there is no denying that we are struggling with an environment that conspires to make and keep us fat. But you have the power to do something about it! You need to realize that your metabolism and hormones can start working for you again — just clean up your act with a healthy home and healthy eating, and you'll be able to tip the balance toward staying naturally skinny.

Tip of the Day ~

Don't Panic

When you look at all these factors together, it's kind of unbelievable that everyone isn't morbidly obese. We are engaged in a struggle, there's no doubt about that. But once we've opened our eyes, we can start to do things differently. Each healthy decision you make will lead to a positive change in your endocrine function and your hormones. Soon you'll have a much healthier, more balanced system — and a lot less fat to show for it.

From Jillian *

Burts Bees Free Toothpaste Sample

Head on over to Burt's Bees and get your free sample of toothpaste.

Thanks to Organic Deals & Coupons for this.

Get Your Heart Rate on Target

Q: When I'm doing cardio, my target heart rate is supposed to be at 85 percent. How do I know what that is, and how do I measure it during my workout?

A: To determine your target heart rate, you should first figure out your maximum heart rate (MHR). This is done by subtracting your age from 220. For example, I'm 32, so check it out: 220 – 32 = 188 (so now I know my MHR is 188). Then I take 85 percent of 188, which gives me 160, so that's my target heart rate — the ideal number of times my heart should beat in one minute when I'm training.

The easiest way to keep track of your heart rate is by wearing a heart rate monitor. If you don't want to spring for one, no problem — just find your pulse, either on your wrist or on your neck (usually right next to your larynx), count the number of times your heart beats in 6 seconds, and then multiply that number by 10.

That said, it's pretty tough to keep your heart rate at 85 percent, so don't be discouraged if you can't at first. Work your way up to it. There will also be times when your heart rate will reach 100 percent of your MHR — if this happens, don't worry. It's not unhealthy, it's just VERY difficult to sustain over 45 to 60 minutes of cardio — which is why 85 percent is the magic number for cardio training.

One footnote before you start doing all the math: If you're on medication for a heart condition, talk to your doctor. Your healthy heart rate range might be a little different than you'd expect.

Tip of the Day ~

We Got the Beat

You should really consider buying a heart rate monitor. It isn't a huge investment, and you can get one at almost any sporting goods or electronics store. Basic models cost about $15 and go up from there, depending on the kinds of bells and whistles — literally, in some cases — you're looking for.

From Jillian *

Can You Drink and Lose Weight?

Whether it's cocktails on ladies' night out, a beer at the bar, or a glass of wine with dinner, most of us enjoy a drink (or two!) every now and again. But remember what I've been teaching you: In addition to being aware of the foods that are good for you, you need to know which ones are not so great. And let's face it — alcohol is in the latter camp.

Simply, alcohol can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. It releases estrogen into your bloodstream, promotes fat storage, and decreases muscle growth. As soon as you have a drink, your body eats up all the glycogen (stored glucose) in your liver, makes you hungry, and reduces your inhibitions, so you're more likely to grab that chicken wing or stuffed potato skin at happy hour. Plus, alcoholic drinks contain many more calories than most people think — a 20-ounce serving of beer can pack 250 calories, a 6-ounce glass of wine contains 120, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor contains about 100. And that's without any sugary mixers.

If you're serious about losing weight, it's best to put alcohol aside until you're in maintenance mode. If you are going to have a drink, choose wine, which may protect the heart and help lower inflammation, or a drink with clear alcohol and no sugary mixers, such as a vodka and club soda or a Patron on the rocks with lime. One drink a day probably maxes out the benefits, though, so keep a cork in your alcohol consumption.

Tip of the Day ~

Choose Organic Wine

If you're going to have a drink, choose organic wine that's produced without pesticides or preservatives such as sulfites. About 1 in 20 people are allergic to sulfites (people with asthma are particularly vulnerable), and many swear that sulfites are behind the "cheap wine" hangover. All wine contains sulfites, but added sulfites can be 10 to 20 times the natural amount, so check labels for added sulfites. Once you've started drinking wines without them, you'll never want to go back — you'll taste the difference right away.

From Jillian *

How to Deal With the Cause of Your Emotional Eating

Do high-stress situations send you straight for the fridge? If you think the solution to a problem with your boss can be found at the bottom of a pint of ice cream, then pay attention. Food is not the solution to whatever it is that is making you feel sad, angry, pressured, or anxious. In fact, unhealthy, emotional eating leads to weight gain and self-loathing. The key to stopping this kind of eating is to identify and understand your triggers. One way to start is to keep a journal or use your online Food Diary to record not only what you eat but how you feel when you eat it. Then you have to work on dealing with your emotions — without food. To break the self-destructive cycle of emotional eating, you have to create awareness and then implement a game plan. Here's how:

Before you eat anything, I want you to ask yourself two questions: Are you hungry? And are you depressed or anxious? Then ask the following question: Can you find an appropriate way to address whatever emotions you've uncovered instead of suppressing them?

For example, if you had an argument with your mother, can you call her and talk it through? If you're feeling anxious about a work- or school-related deadline, can you break down the work into manageable parts, so that each time you finish a part you'll feel more on top of it? If you can address the emotion in the moment by acting on it directly and positively, seize the opportunity to do so.

Using food as an anesthetic is easy in the short term but extremely detrimental in the long term. Looking problems in the eye is difficult, but once you begin to probe beneath your behavior and analyze your feelings, it gets easier and easier.

Tip of the Day ~

You vs. Emotional Eating

It's important to have an arsenal of recovery behaviors to manage emotions in healthy ways. Try engaging in a hobby you enjoy, reaching out to a loved one for support, or experimenting with incompatible behavior, which is behavior that steers you away from the self-destructive behavior. For example: Exercise, take a hot bath, or get your nails done. Doing things that make you feel beautiful make you less inclined to binge.

From Jillian *