(Thank you for reading this sponsored post! While I was compensated for this post, I love sharing products that my family uses every day! Hope it helps ward off the holiday sickies for you, too!)

It’s the holiday season and keeping them family healthy is at the top of my Christmas list! We’ve got Christmas concerts, family parties, service opportunities … no time to be sick!

After a less than ideal end to our Thanksgiving festivities (a puking two year old and six hour car ride home from Las Vegas), this mama declared war against germs and holiday sickies. Our family goes back to the basics when a family member gets sick in hopes the rest of us can avoid it!

Here’s our battle plan for the uninfected: fluids, rest, vitamins/supplements, and some extra love and care. Very similar to if you are already sick. Doesn’t hurt to give your immune system extra boosts! I’ll walk you through the low down!

Ways to support your immune system during the holidays!

Vitamins/Supplements

Have you heard of elderberries? It is our secret weapon this year! Some day I will be crunchy enough to make my own elderberry juice, but until then it is Amazon Prime to the rescue. This holiday season we are taking Vita Miracle Elderberry Gummies for immune support.  It has Vitamin C and Zinc with no artificial sweeteners or colors. Best part? They taste good! My kids ask to take to them. I love that I can get a discounted price with Subscribe and Save on Amazon, too!

Fluids

I revert back to tracking water when sickness hits.  It’s so easy to get dehydrated without realizing it. Plus, I want to be hydrated at my best if the flu hits me! I also order a bag of lemons (Smiths Grocery Pickup/Delivery to the rescue) to squeeze into my water. Gives me a little more Vitamin C and helps to detox any of the bad stuff!

Rest

Bring on the naps! You are less likely to get sick if you are well-rested. And if you do get sick – you will heal more quickly if you are getting enough sleep! I wash all our bedding (get rid of those germs, right?) and make up our beds as cozy as we can. And if the sickness includes vomit – that includes a throne of sheets and towels! Much easier to toss a layer in the washing machine than remake an entire bed.

Healthy, Healing Food and Grocery Pick Up

While we were making our long car ride back from Las Vegas and my two year old was thankfully sleeping, I was shopping on the Smith’s Grocery Pick Up App as fast as my fingers would go. Sometimes we do delivery, but since my husband was home, we selected pick up and had an arsenal of gatorade, pedialyte, saltines, oranges, probiotics, kefir, yogurt, bananas, applesauce, etc. awaiting us by the time we got home. Bless, bless, bless grocery pick up and delivery! It’s nice to be fully stocked up with supplies without spending an hour in the grocery store.

Humidifier

I run humidifiers in several rooms in our home when sickness hits. I’ll add oils like lavender and OnGuard to give immune support.

Thankfully, only my 2 year old was hit with this barf bug over Thanksgiving. Crossing my fingers that all of our immune system supporting habits will keep us feeling good during the holidays!

What are your family’s healthy tips for the holidays?

The post Keeping Healthy for the Holidays appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

Schools out and our days days are looking a little like this …

and this …

and a whole lot of this! Splash pads, zoo days, and all the other fun things summer is made of. Inevitably though, someone eventually ends up looking like this:

Luckily this summer I am well-prepared for colds, sore throats, and random rashes that sometimes make an appearance! One of the first things I did once school was out was download the new Intermountain Healthcare Connect Care app. The app is brand new – just barely launched in April. With it, I can visit with an Intermountain Healthcare clinician using my smart phone. How cool and convenient is that?

Connect Care is available around the clock – 24/7/365. If your kids are like mine, they tend to be the most sick late at night after hours. Their temperatures soar and my mommy mind starts to worry. Now I can hop on my smart phone and get a quick consultation with a nurse practitioner or physician assistants specifically trained in telehealth. When I first heard of this app, my immediate concern was – what if they can’t diagnose me over the phone? If that happens, they will give you a referral and you will not be charged for the consultation.

Here’s a little more about how it Connect Care works:

The app works well for urgent care conditions like cold or flu symptoms, sinus or ear pain, sore throats, minor rashes or skin issues, upset stomach, or other minor symptoms. For example, a few years ago my daughter developed a rash right before our family reunion. She had no other symptoms, but we were concerned she had something contagious. We wanted to get it checked out to see if we needed to keep her home.  I paused packing and rushed her into the pediatrician’s office with her little brother only to discover that she had eczema.

I’m betting the app will save me so much time and worry in situations like this one! In the past, I have loved using the Intermountain Healthcare Hub app to find the closest instacare that is open with the shortest wait times. Can I tell you how much I have loved this when we have health issues come up on holidays? Connect Care takes the next step making it even easier! I can get peace of mind without leaving home. As a mom, this is huge for me. It allows me to keep my other cuties snuggled in their beds while I consult live with a doctor about the child who is sick. So convenient!

Downloading the Connect Care app is my top tip for keeping your family healthy and happy this summer! To see the rest of my tips check out my Facebook LIVE video here. 

What are your favorite ways to keep your family healthy during the summer?

What are your favorite apps that make your life easier?

Thank you to Intermountain Healthcare for collaborating with me and sponsoring this post. 

The post My favorite tip for a healthy and happy summer – the new #MyConnectCare App! appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

When I was a college student, a massage at an honest to goodness spa (scented candles, heated tables, the works!) was the ultimate luxury. As soon as we were married, I let John know that massage gift certificates were welcome on any occasion.

It wasn’t until I had our second baby that I had an epiphany. Massage was no longer simply a luxury, it was a necessity that I needed to work into our budget! Here are some of the real reasons that I try to get a massage several times a year even on a tight budget.

1. I’m a Mom and a blogger. I’ve nursed three babies for a combined total of five years. Sadly, my shoulders are stuck in the nursing hunch even though I am no longer nursing. Typing for hours a day on my lap top does not help that. Add in car pool and rush hour stop and go traffic – my neck and shoulders are a hot mess. The result – I’ve got problems with pinched nerves and subsequently problems with numbness in my hand. No good! Regular massage helps to work out those tight spots!
2. I’m exercising and weight-lifting. My trainer has been telling me for years that massage will help my weight loss. Massage directly impacts the circulatory system. Getting a monthly massage (I wish! I’m working towards it!) helps to rest and relax those hard-working muscles that are working over time.
3. I have a hard time sleeping. I’d attribute this to 8 years of waking up with children during the night, but I was a terrible sleeper before that anyway. There’s a reason you practically fall asleep on the massage table! Massage gives your mind and body permission to move into that meditative and restorative space.
4. It’s cold and flu season and I have two children in school. Did you know that massage can increase your disease-fighting white blood cells? Talk about an immune boost! Not to mention that it helps decrease stress, too!
5. I want to my body to last the next 70 years! I am turning 34 on Friday (gasp!) and my body sadly isn’t want it used to be. Three pregnancies and a busy mom lifestyle has taken its toll. I’m proud of what this ole’ body has accomplished and it’s time to say thanks by taking better care of it. That means treating it to the pampering AND restorative maintenance of a massage!                 

Do any of those reasons apply to you? If so, you need to come to the Mountainside Spa Grand Opening Event on September 10th.  They will spoil you silly with free mini facials as well as seated massages. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the brand new spa and experience the Mountainside Retreat – a massage with a facial. It was 75 minutes of pure heaven. My masseuse, Ezralea, had me in a state of complete relaxation. It was the perfect combination of firm and soft touch. I had been at the hospital all week helping my mom after surgery for her broken leg. Needless to say, I melted into that heated massage table. It was my first time on a heated massage table and I must say that I am hooked!

If you’ve never had a facial in combination with a massage, you need to treat yourself! My favorite part of the facial was the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant and the heated towels. My skin is still feeling silky smooth a week later! So important to me that they use an organic skincare line like Eminence.

One of the things that I love most about Mountainside Spa is that there is something for everyone in every price range. Whether you just need a 25 minute chair massage on your lunch break or if you would like to indulge in the 2.5 hour Nordic retreat, these ladies have just what your body needs. Their online booking system is easy to use and you’ll be set up with what you need in no time.

The location is perfect! Mountainside Spa is nestled in Old Mill in Cottonwood Heights (6556 South Big Cottonwood Canyon Road Suite 700) with some of my favorite restaurants – Happy Sumo, Thai Basil, and Cafe Zupas to name a few. Hello date night! Mountainside Spa has other locations up the canyon in Alta. I love that they’ve brought some of that spa on the slopes charm down to the valley for us to enjoy year round.

Be sure to spoil yourself at their grand opening on Thursday September 10th from 11-7 pm. Your body will thank you! More info about the grand opening here. Stay in touch with them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you don’t miss out on any pampering news!

Thrilled to be part of a blog campaign for this local Utah business. To facilitate this review, I received a spa package as well as product to use at home. All love of massages and opinions are my own. 

The post The Real Reason You Need a Massage + Grand Opening of Mountainside Spa appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

I met the lovely Carissa of Carissamiss.com at Roots Tech earlier this month. Best words to describe her: vibrant, passionate, and full of knowledge. This girl knows her stuff and loves to share it.  Love her DIY fashion style (check out her insta feed!) and her creativity (adore these FREE glitter animal silhouette printables). But that is not what we are going to talk about today. Carissa is guest posting to share with us the meal plan that has changed her life. A lucky reader is going to win that meal plan and daily subscription! Be sure to enter at the end of this post.

Hi everyone, I’m Carissa and I blog at Carissamiss.com. I have had amazing success since starting to eat healthy. My changes have cured my migraines, helped me lose weight, and improved my overall energy. I want to share how easy it is to eat healthy! I’ve worked really hard to put together a meal plan that does all the work for you and pleases the whole family so you don’t have to cook two different meals for every meal. Keep on reading to learn more!

We want to get you excited about eating healthy! Enter to win a What to Eat Daily subscription and access my 30 day meal plan for ONE YEAR! That’s over $100 value! Scroll to enter

I’ve partnered with What to Eat Daily to give you easy access and planning with my menu. Simply CLICK HERE to subscribe and you’ll not only have access to my menu but THOUSANDS of other great recipes.

Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect from my Menu:

Once you SIGN UP you’ll be able to completely customize the menu and switch out days, serving sizes, and swap out individual ingredients if you want. You can easily load your shopping list and then head to the store.

You can see the menu at a glance, get nutrition information for each recipe.

I’m working on getting photos of each recipe uploaded as well. The best part? You get access to the FREE APP that lets you do all your shopping without printing off/writing down and losing lists.

DON’T WAIT! I’m offering 20% off for my readers so SIGN UP and get cooking! 

2 lucky winners will get 1 year’s subscription to What to Eat Daily

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Eating healthy with Carissa from Carissamiss.com + $100 Meal Plan Giveaway appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

Time to get excited for all the races coming up in the spring and summer! I’ve been pretty solid in the 5K camp (Love the Color Run and Running with Angels at Thanksgiving Point!), but I think I’ve found the 14.5 mile run to initiate me into longer distances – the Temple to Temple Run!

Mark your calendar and come join me on the Provo River Trail and Murdock Canal Trail to run from the Timpanogos Temple to the Provo Temple.  I’ve jogged on other portions of the Provo River Trail and loved it!

Proceeds from the run go to LDS Charities. LDS Charities is near and dear to my heart. They have world-wide humanitarian programs that include Clean Water, Emergency Response, Immunization, Neonatal Resuscitation Training, Vision Care, Wheelchairs, and Community Projects. Being involved with these activities, LDS Charities seeks “to ensure that all of our humanitarian initiatives are built upon the principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-reliance, and sustainability.”

I love that my participation in the Temple to Temple Run will help support these initiatives! In graduate school, I had planned on spending a summer working in Romanian orphanages, but ended up staying home and starting a family of my own instead. Humanitarian problems still speak to my heart and I am glad that I can help in a small way like this until the day that I can help in a big way!

Here are the details:

Temple to Temple Run

Date: Saturday, May, 16, 20115

Time: 8 am

Location: Drop off at Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, UT, and pick up at Provo Temple in Provo, UT.

Register for the Temple to Temple Run

Forward10 is good for $10 off a group of 4 registration

Forward5 is good for $5 off an individual registration

Be sure to follow I Run Utah to find out about all the races this year!

Now friends, I am in my comfort zone with 5Ks and I love all the advice you gave me about them a few years back (Tips and Tricks for Running Your First 5K).  It’s February, what should I be doing to train for this big race in May. Training tips and race day tips are much appreciated!

What are your favorite races to run in Utah?

Have you been able to be a part of humanitarian efforts?  I would love to hear about it!

The post Temple to Temple Run 2015 with LDS Charities + Discount Code appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

We are a group of bloggers who love to blog about food!  Each month we decide on an all-famous National Monthly Food Holiday to will base our recipes around. This month’s the ingredient is oatmeal.  Yes, January is National Oatmeal Month along with a whole array of other delightful things!! Get excited!

We hope you all enjoy our delicious oatmeal treats this month and come back to see what we bring for you next month.  If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza.  We would love to have you! If you’re a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board! Looking for our previous parties? Check them out HERE. Be sure to enter the rafflecopter giveaway below for the fabulous Oatrageous Oatmeal cookbook by Kathy Hester!

Without further adieu, here is my twist on oats!

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. So many yummy possibilities. This Blueberry Oatmeal Super Smoothie is fun way to get some extra nutrients into my kiddos before school. Oats are a staple at our house and so I loved discovering that they make a great smoothie ingredient. The blender chops up the oats very finely so you get the nutrition of oatmeal – in a smoothie!

Blueberry Oatmeal Super Smoothie
Yields 4 cups

1/2 cup ice cubes
2 very ripe frozen bananas
4 ounces fresh or frozen blackberries (or substitute with berries of choice!)
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1/3 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup coconut water

Place all the ingredients into a blender and blitz on high speed for a few minutes. Serve with optional garnish of banana slices and a drizzle of honey.

As you can see – this smoothie was a success at our house and is an old family favorite. Using frozen bananas and berries vs. fresh definitely gives it more of the smoothie texture. I love that the smoothie contains so many ingredients that I can feel good about giving my children. The oats and peanut butter fill their tummies and the fruits load them up with vitamins and minerals for the day. There aren’t huge amounts of each of the ingredients in the smoothie, but it sure beats a bowl of sugary cereal! Plus they think they are getting a treat for breakfast – can’t beat that.

Here are some of the benefits:

Calcium, from the milk

Vitamin D

Fiber, from the banana, blackberries, and oats

Protein, from the milk and peanut butter

Vitamin C, from the blackberries

In addition, you get all the health benefits from coconut water, too! Coconut water raises your metabolism, boosts your immune system, fights viruses, and aids in digestion!

Another of my favorite oatmeal breakfast recipes is my super easy Overnight Baked Oatmeal. I love that it uses fruit as a natural sweetener instead of a lot of extra sugar.And if you are looking for more berry recipes – the Quinoa Blueberry Breakfast is uber healthy! You can indulge and still be healthy with my Healthier Blueberry Crepes, too.

Be sure to check out these other yummy oatmeal recipes and enter the giveaway below!

Mushroom Ginger Congee / Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies / Making Miracles
Southwestern Oatmeal Cakes / A Day in the Life on the Farm
Oatmeal Pancakes / Sew You Think You Can Cook
Savory Ginger Lemon Oat Porridge / The Joyful Foodie
Chickpea Veggie Soup / Food Lust People Love
Salted Vanilla Oatmeal Cookies / Baking in Pyjamas
Berry Oatmeal Super Smoothie / Keep Moving Forward With Me
Bacon Whole Grain Granola Bars / Pantry Friendly Cooking
Apple Pie Overnight Oats / Wallflour Girl
Homemade Cranberry Almond Granola / Rhubarb and Honey
Mango Poppyseed Oat Muffins / The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Brown Sugar Barbecue Meatballs / Fearlessly Creative Mammas
Oat Cinnamon Rolls / Passion Kneaded
Peanut Butter Oat Snack Balls / Mrs. Penguin
Mini Oatmeal Meatballs / The Freshman Cook
Monster Cookie Granola / From Gate to Plate

The oat-guru Kathy Hester has been so generous in donating one of her books to one of our lucky Foodie Extravaganza readers. With her book OATrageous Oatmeals: Delicious & Surprising Plant-Based Dishes From This Humble, Heart-Healthy Grain (affiliate link), you will learn how to use heart-healthy oatmeal in new and exciting ways! You can find recipes such as Steel-cut Oat Sausage Crumbles, Chickpea Veggie Soup, and Blackberry Mojito Overnight Oats. Now go enter this awesome giveaway because I’m super jealous that I can’t enter! If you don’t win, feel free to grab the link from above to purchase your own! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada only, age 18 and older. The OATragous Oatmeals Cookbook giveaway runs from Wednesday, January 7, 2015 12:00am ET through Thursday, January 15, 2015 12:00am ET. Winners will be randomly chosen and announced on January 16, 2015. Winners will also be contacted by email and will have 24 hours to respond to the email. If a winner does not respond in that time a new winner will be chosen. 

What is your favorite oat recipe?

What breakfast disappears fastest at your house?

Did you make a healthy resolution this year?

The post Berry Oatmeal Super Smoothie + Giveaway #FoodieExtravaganza appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

How many times has this scene happened at your house? It’s 9 pm. Your child has a high fever or other worrisome symptoms and you are wondering how late the Instacare is open and if you should take them in. Or how about this one – it’s Christmas eve and your child just bonked his head on the edge of the fireplace. Does he need stitches?

Can’t even count the number of holidays where someone has gotten sick and we’ve checked out of the festivities to research symptoms and instacare options. This year that changed. On the 4th of July a family member wasn’t feeling well. From our lawn chairs where we were watching the children play in the sprinklers, I was able to check her symptoms, find the nearest Instacare that was open, check their wait times, and make her an appointment. All without missing a second of this 4th of July fun.

What was once a complicated process was made easy peasy with the new Intermountain Healthcare Health Hub App. No need to interrupt the family festivities, make calls, and borrow a computer or phone book. It could all done from my smart phone in a matter of minutes.

I drove my family member to the Instacare where we were able to get right in since we had prescheduled our appointment and they already had our information. The doctor was able to help us with the problem and send us on our way with a prescription. We were back to the family before the 4th of July bbq and fireworks!

You can see why I recommend the Health Hub App to all of my family now. As a mom of three kids, I am busy and looking for anything that will make my life easier! You can download the app for free here.

Want to know more? Here are 10 features and benefits the new app provides:

·        GermWatch: Find out how prevalent various germs are in Utah, and see how their activity level is trending. Learn about symptoms, how germs are spread, treatments, vaccinations, and when you should contact your doctor.

·         InstaCare and KidsCare urgent care centers:  Hold your place in line before you arrive and compare wait times by Utah location.  Also find KidsCare after-hours clinics in Utah and information for making appointments.

·       My Health: Users can access the password-protected My Health patient portal, where they can securely message their Intermountain doctor, check lab results and other parts of their medical records with Intermountain Healthcare, and review benefits and claims.

·        First aid: Get first aid tips for common injuries such as sprains, burns, cuts, etc.

·        Prescription refills: Request refills at Intermountain pharmacies and check the status of prescription requests.

·        Symptoms: Search for adult or child/baby symptoms by key word, body area, or alphabetically by topic.  Find out when you should see a doctor or call 911. Learn about self-care options.

·        Doctors: Find doctors by name, specialty, hospital, clinic, location, and save your doctors to your“favorites” for quick reference later.

·        Locations: Find Intermountain hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies near you and save your favorites for quick reference later.

·        Pay bills: Pay Intermountain Healthcare bills by credit card or eCheck.

·        Send wishes: Send cards with personalized messages directly to patients in Intermountain hospitals.

 For information on other Intermountain Healthcare mobile apps,  visit http://www./Intermountain.com/mobile.

Download Health Hub now and give it a try. Now for the fun part. In addition to having a little more peace of mind over the holidays, when you download the Health Hub app, you can enter to win a $250 Target Gift Card! Check out the details below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you or your family ever gotten sick on a holiday?

What apps make your life easier?

This is a sponsored post. All opinions and experiences are my own. I love sharing what keeps my family moving forward!

The post My favorite health app and a $250 Target giveaway appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

This post is sponsored by Intermountain LiVe Well. All opinions are my own. 

My Lily loves to pack and take her own lunch to school. Plus I have two preschoolers at home so healthy and fun lunches are a pretty big deal around here. Last week I had the chance to sit down with dietician Mindy Probst from Intermountain Healthcare and brainstorm healthy school lunch ideas as well as ways to help make sure our children are eating them AND enjoying them. As part of the event we tested out Rubbermaid’s popular Lunchbloxes and built our own healthy lunches.

Let me tell you, since I have been home – that Lunchblox is a hit! My husband and all three of my children want to use it for their lunches! They love the Bento style and that it has a cooling component that will keep their food safe and fresh during the day. Intermountain LiVe Well is giving away 8 of these parent and kid-approved Lunchbloxes on  their facebook page this month. I’ll be talking about that more later, but first let’s check out some fun lunch ideas!

The first step to fun and healthy school lunches is all about the planning! I know my daughter will be much more likely to eat her lunch if she has had a hand in planning it and making it. We made these simple ham and cream cheese roll-ups this week and they were a hit! Lily could easily make them herself and I knew that she would devour them. Hooray for knowing she is getting some protein in at school!

 Intermountain LiVe Well has put together some great printables to help you and your child plan out their lunches. Sometimes it helps them to see that they need a fruit, a vegetable, a protein, etc. It also helps if your little planner to see what is on the menu that week! (Am I the only with a child who likes to know EXACTLY what is going on each week?!?) You can download these printables here. 

Another huge aspect of making sure that your child is eating and enjoying lunches is to make it fun! These Princess Sandwiches and Fruit Cars always disappear in a hurry when we have little friends over. You can find the princess cutter on Amazon.com and they are perfect for cookies, too!

Some of the bloggers I attended the event with have been sharing their fun lunch ideas as well. How darling are these Halloween Mini Pizzas from Just Between Friends?

I also love this healthier version of a Lunchable Bento Style by Mountain Mom and Tots. She will be listing more lunch ideas this week as well! Be sure to check them out!

I hope some of these ideas have inspired you to get creative and healthy with your back to school lunches! Now you just need the perfect container! Intermountain LiVe Well is giving away 8 Rubbermaid Lunchblox containers this month on their facebook page. . Head on over to win! They also have oodles of healthy lunch ideas on their Pinterest board!

You can also check out more healthy lunch ideas on Intermountain LiVeWell’s Pinterest Board

Do your children pack a lunch from home?

What lunches are favorites at your house?

What is one lunch food your family could not live without?

The post Healthy Back to School Lunch Tips and Ideas + Lunchblox Giveaway! appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

Last summer I learned how important it is to pack the right products on vacation for a child who has eczema. On a week-long vacation to Bear Lake, Utah, my daughter’s eczema flared up with a vengeance possibly due to the sunscreen, bug spray, generic soaps, etc. that we applied to her each day. Instead of protecting her skin, the products may have caused her skin to become even more sensitive and raw.

Bear Lake is a small, vacation town with a general store not quite stocked with eczema essentials. We made an unplanned trip to Logan an hour away to raid the Smith’s skincare aisle for anything that would help. I tossed anything that said eczema into my cart because we were desperate at that point since my poor girl was miserable. Back at the cabin, we tried all the different products and aside from the Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment, she did not get much relief. Bath time was great, but what to do during our days on the lake?

The next day my mom came into town and gave us some lotion from Sego Lily Soap to try. The mixture of shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and beeswax did the trick! It soothed her skin enough for her to enjoy the vacation! Since our trip last summer, I have made it my mission to search out products ahead of time that will work for my daughter’s skin on vacation. We just got back from a 10-day eczema-free trip to Florida where we tried out many products with smashing success! Here are some of my fabulous finds!

1. Swim Zip UV Swimwear

Easiest way to protect eczema-sensitive skin – cover it up! My daughter’s problem areas are on her back and torso under her arms. In a typical swimsuit these areas would need to be covered with sunscreen.

With a Swim Zip swimsuit, my girl is UV protected with no need for extra lotions or spray! Lily selected the Splish Splash design from Swim Zip – I’ve been wanting to try this line ever since I saw Swim Zip on Shark Tank. Besides the awesome UPF  and UV protection, as a mom I loved the zipper that made it easy for Lily to put-on and take-off. Lily stayed cool and looked adorable every day at the water parks.

Another great brand swimsuit brand that I am going to try for my kids is Cabana Life. Zulily is having a fantastic sale right now with free shipping on these darling suits that provide great coverage as well.

2. Plain Jane soap from Sego Lily Soap

For bath time, I brought my daughter’s Plain Jane soap from Sego Lily Soap. I wasn’t taking any chances with generic hotel soap like in the past! This soap is perfect for Lily’s skin sensitivities because there are no colors or fragrances added. It is an unscented goat milk soap that I buy just for her (although I have quite the collection of Sego Lily Soaps for myself!).

3. The Solid Lotion Twist Up Stick from Sego Lily Soap

The Solid Lotion Twist Up Stick from Sego Lily Soap was one of the first items I packed after our wonderful experiences with it last summer. Lily had a minor eczema flare up before the trip, but after a few applications of this lotion it cleared right up and didn’t affect her on the trip. So glad that I had it, though, just in case!

The lotion is a rich blend of Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond oil, Coconut oil and beeswax. All the good things in a luxury lotion, without the water. When you pit it on, let it set for a few minutes to allow the oils sink in so you don’t feel too greasy. It lasts on your skin for hours. This lotion has been the only lotion that has soothed my daughter’s eczema consistently! It comes in natural lavender, natural vanilla, or unscented. We get the unscented!

4. Thinkbaby sunscreen SPF50+ benefiting LIVESTRONG,

For sunscreen, I decided to try out Thinkbaby sunscreen because it has no parabens or toxic chemicals with a non-oily feel. We used this on Lily’s face and sensitive parts of her arms.

Thanks to all of these wonderful products, I am happy to say that we left our Walt Disney World vacation eczema free! What a relief to have my daughter comfortable during the trip! Every case of eczema is different and you need to find what works for you, but I hope I’ve given you some hope!

What are your must-have skin products that you take on vacation?

This post contains affiliate links. I love sharing products that have worked for me! 

The post Vacation Essentials for Children with Eczema appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

I recently had the chance to learn more about the Weigh to Health Program from Intermountain Healthcare. I spent the evening with a nutritionist and trainer getting excited about small changes that will make a big difference in my family’s health and wellness.

The nutritionist spoiled us with a fast and easy meal that even children will love. We went over the Weigh to Health Program step by step to see how easily it can fit into our day to day lives.

I am excited to be offering four entries to the program to four lucky readers!

Fill out the form below for a chance to be entered into the Weigh to Health® program from Intermountain Live Well!

The Weigh to Health® program can help you feel better every day. You’ll learn how to make changes in your life that will help you lose extra weight. Those same changes will also help you:

• Have more energy

• Be more confident

• Reduce stress

• Sleep better

• Be more active

• Manage chronic health conditions

We’re giving away four (4) entries to the program. Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter – Giveaway
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After my last session, my trainer recommended trying out new workout classes and finding one that I love. With the start of the school year, I’ve been slacking a little too much in the workout department and I knew it was time to mix it up! I was invited to an evening at Cardio Barre at Quarry Bend and knew that, since I am a former dancer, this kind of workout would be right up my alley!

Cardio Barre is a high energy/no impact exercise class that combines barre work and light weights with continual fat burning motion. With it being a few years since my last releve’ and plie’, I wondered how I would fare with the rest of the class. Fortunately for me, our instructor was amazing. She kept the class moving at a fast pace, but explained as well as demonstrated all of the moves perfectly. She helped many of us adjust our positions and achieve a better stretch without taking away from the flow of the class. I had no time to feel uncomfortable and was swept up in the fun and frenzy of cardio barre immediately.

During our hour-long workout, we completed toning and resistance exercises for the butt, legs, torso and arms. Loved working on sculpting my muscles while getting cardio in at the same time. There was just enough barre work and ballet terms to engage me as a former dancer, but not enough that your every-day girl off the street would be lost and uninterested.

The stylish studio is brand new and in the shopping center at Quarry Bend. The silver ceiling fans were so appreciated during the workout. Have I mentioned that they also offer childcare? Seriously – you need to check this place out!

Our blogger’s night at Cardio Barre Quarry Bend was also hosted by Red Mango and Lole. Lole’s fitness wear is absolutely darling and now I am dying to visit their new store in South Jordan. Their clothes are the perfect combination between style and function – just what you need when you workout!

This weekend is the perfect time to check out if Cardio Barre will be as awesome of a fit for you as it is for me. From September 13th-September 15th, Cardio Barre Quarry Bend will be donating 50 percent of all proceeds to a little girl in need. Brylee is a darling three year old with cancer and I am so proud of Cardio Barre for stepping in and helping to make some of her sweet dreams come true! You can find out more about the fundraiser here. Treat yourself to an amazing workout this weekend and check it out!

Have you ever tried Cardio Barre?

What do you look for in workout apparel?

What is your favorite workout?

The post Mixing it up with Cardio Barre appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

A few months back I participated in a Woolzies Giveaway. My blogger friends raved about their Woolzies and I couldn’t wait to try them on my own. My oldest child has eczema so I am always on the lookout for more natural products that won’t irritate her skin. The less chemicals the better!

Now what are Woolzies, you ask? Woolzies are 100% pure New Zealand wool dryer balls that do everything that conventional fabric softeners do plus they reduce drying time by 25 percent. I do several loads a day so a shorter dryer time makes my life a lot easier. They are also money back guaranteed to last for at least 1,000 loads! That means more money to set aside for our Disney trip!   Woolzies have no chemicals at all and are also hypoallergenic. This is very important to me when it comes to my daughter’s eczema.

I tossed my Woolzies in several loads today and the first thing I noticed was how quiet they are. I can’t even hear them in there. I’ve tried other kinds of dryer balls in the past and there is typically added noise, so I am quite pleased there is no noise with the Woolzies! The load definitely dried quickly and came out soft and static-free.

You can purchase your own Woolzies at their web-site as well as Amazon.com. Be sure to follow along with them on Facebook and Twitter, too!

What product can’t you live without in your laundry room?

What are your favorite natural products?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The post Time and money-saving laundry products with Woolzies appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

I received a KLUTCHmom box to review for this post. I was not compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links for the products I love! All opinions are mine.

As a mom, I am always looking for simple, easy ways to keep my little family healthy. Thank goodness for the Internet! I’m a big fan of on-line shopping. Should I have something shipped to my door or should I take my three little crazies to the store with me? Doorstep, please!

Lately I’ve been loving subscription companies like Kiwi Crate, Citrus Lane, and KLUTCHclub. This month I  had fun checking out the KLUTCHmom Box – love that it meets my mommy needs! Each month KLUTCHmom (don’t worry, they have boxes for just men and women, too!) sends out boxes full of supplements, nutritional bars, healthy snacks and beverages, personal care products, fitness DVDs or online memberships, and gift cards for fitness apparel and accessories that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Each box guarantees at least $50 worth of value for less than $18 per month. Love me a bargain that comes straight to my doorstep!

My box included:

• Queasy Pop Kids! – Will be trying these out as soon as the kiddos get sick … hopefully not any time soon!
• Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Soap. The soap came with a recipe so that I could make my own laundry soap – way cool!
• Doc Holder – This is perfect for in my shower! Keeps my razor out of the reach of little hands. Love it!
• Ola! Vanilla Almond 100% Natural Handbaked Granola. My breakfast typically consists of greek yogurt + granola + fruit. This granola was delicious. Loved the full size almonds. Yum!

• Smarty Pants Gummy Vitamins for Kids (2) – Both my six year old and my three year old love these vitamins and were begging for more. 
• Smarty Pants Gummy Vitamins for Adults (2) My husband and I were a fan of the taste of these vitamins.
• 3 months free unlimited access to Yoga Vibes – I haven’t tried this yet, but I love yoga so I can’t wait! It is a $60 value.
• Nature’s Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bar – This was our favorite item from the box!
• Just Chill Tropical Drink. This refreshing drink helped me survive my gigantic coupon shopping trip Saturday morning!
• 

The star of the box for my family was the Nature’s Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bar. My three year old has a refined (aka picky) palate and sometime it is tricky encouraging him to try new things. I dread buying an entire package of something at the store only to discover that no one in the family really likes the taste of it. Cortland loved the whole wheat fig bars! You better believe they were on my shopping list and I picked up another box of them at Smith’s  last week. Cort has already finished off that box and we will definitely get more! Healthy snack score! Sorry, no pictures because my little buddy scarfed them down too fast!

The KLUTCHmom box was a perfect fit for my family. There was something for everyone and we have a need for every item in the box. We found some new favorite projects that we are very excited about!

Be sure to KLUTCHclub out on facebook and twitter, too!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

What are your favorite fitness products?
Do you have any fun monthly subscriptions?

The post Family friendly fitness & foods! KLUTCHmom Review appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

Let me preface this by saying that I am DEEPLY GRATEFUL for each one of my children, no matter how they got here. I know that I am so lucky to be their mother and that they are worth every second of pregnancy and labor/delivery. I have learned positive things from each of my pregnancies. I am grateful for technology, doctors, nurses, and doulas for their help in my journey!

The post Kyler’s Birth Story Part 1 – Why I decided to go natural appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

2. Don’t drink too much water while running – check!

3. Eat healthy during the week – check!

4. Go to bed at a good time the night before – thanks honey for getting up with the kiddos!

5. Eat an energy bar on the way there/eat a good breakfast. I ate my yummy organic oatmeal and had a banana – definitely gave me good fuel for the race!

6. Always make a goal – I haven’t even ran outside since high school unless you count chasing my toddler. I did train some on the treadmill. So I didn’t set my goal too high – 45 minutes. MY BIG goal was to finish and LOVE it so I would want to go again. This was definitely achieved. I did push myself, I finished at 45 minutes, and I kept my heart rate up somewhat. Now I have a time to beat!

7. Start at the back of the crowd so you don’t feel bad when the super fast people pass you. We did do this and since the race had chips it worked fine for us.

7. Run in actual sports attire. I went to Runner’s Corner and bought myself a runner’s skirt. Can’t begin to say how much I love it. It is SO SO SO comfortable. Much better than my mommy capris. I did wear just the race t-shirt, but I may be brave and get a nice running shirt next time. I splurged on running socks, too, and they made a huge difference. No sweaty feet or blisters which my sister had problems with – the blister part.

8. Bring a small piece of candy, protein bar, or Shot Blok for the seocnd mile. I bought some Shot Bloks and they were yummy! All three of us enjoyed one at the second mile and I definitely pushed it at the end.

9. Relax, enjoy the run, and don’t stress. Done and done. We loved it! Ready to push ourselves even more next time.

10. Invest in a good sports bra. Wouldn’t have even been running without this. After nursing two babies … definite must.

Some helpful pieces of advice that I will try next time:

1. Make sure your shoes are a half size bigger than normal. So I was running in my sister’s old cheerleading shoes. They seemed to be work fine and they were definitely a half size bigger. My ankles were sore the day after the race so I perhaps I will invest in some nifty little running shoes.

2. Always breathe in and out on your left foot (when your left foot hits the ground).
My sister and I may or may not have had little chatting breaks as we speed walked … during my next official 5K I will focus on this more.

4. Get some great music. I did have my IPOD, but not with music that I loved. Next time when I am running by myself I am sure that I will utilize it more.

5. Run with a watch so you can pace yourself. Definitely wish I had remembered my watch. I think I would have pushed myself a little bit more if I had known my actual pace.

The post 5K – Tips and Tricks! appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

Several months ago I made the goal to run a 5K. I downloaded a training plan and even did some of it – though I should have done much, much more! But I vowed that I would run/walk the 5K no matter what. No excuses.

I picked the Running with Angels 5K at Thanksgiving Point. Afterall, running through the gardens should be fun, right? Proceeds go to Women’s Services at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. I spent lots of time there when I was in the Eager Trial so I can concur that it is a good cause!

After I decided to run, my sister decided to join me. So we will be running together – even better! We start at 8 am and I am kind of excited!

I’ve seen dozens of pictures on facebook and blogs of friends who finished their first half marathon on Saturday. Seriously! Awesome! They are my inspiration. I am definitely in need of advice since I have not been the running type up until now. So please give me some comment love today!

Here are some things I have been wondering about ….

1. Do you eat anything special before or after? At any certain times?

2. What do you wear? I do have my expensive, but oh so worth it sports bra, but are shorts and a tee fine for a 5K?

3. How early should you arrive?

4. What do you take with you? Do you run with a water bottle? IPOD? anything special?

5. What do you wish someone had told you before your first run?

Do tell! It is a simple 5K, but I want it to be a good experience so I am inspired to do more!

Thanks in advance!

The post 5K – Give me the low down appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

My sister over at Live to be Inspired is a smarty pants and already googled why water is so important. Here are her findings:

• We’re made out of water—Between 60 to 70% of your body is made from water. Your blood, muscles, tissues, and other parts are your body are basically water as well. Because so much of our body is made from water, it only makes sense that we need to drink a lot of water to keep our bodies running properly.
• Other drinks can’t keep you hydrated—Caffeinated drinks—especially sodas—actually make you even thirstier after you drink them. That’s because the caffeine acts as a diuretic, leading to more urination and more dehydration. Simply put, soda and other drinks just can’t hydrate the body like water does. That’s not to say you should stop drinking these beverages altogether, but don’t use them as substitutes for your daily water intake.
• Lack of water causes fatigue—Dehydration is one of the top causes of severe fatigue. So, if you aren’t drinking enough water, you’re probably tired all day long, and you might not have the energy to exercise, causing you to stay tired and out of shape. Don’t rely on caffeine to give you an energy boost, but instead, start drinking the recommended 8-10 glasses of water every day.
• Water is necessary for good digestion—Remember earlier when I said your body is made out of water and that it needs water to run properly? Well, this goes for digestive functions as well. If you’re dehydrated, your body won’t be able to break down foods as effectively as it normally does. Poor digestion can cause a wide range of problems, from constipation to severe abdominal pain.
• Water helps blood circulate properly—Water is a necessary ingredient for proper blood flow in the body. As you drink more water, oxygen levels in your bloodstream will increase, leading to better circulation and improved overall health. Good blood flow can help increase your energy levels and burn more fat.
• Toxins get flushed out by water—Your kidneys act as a filter. But for them to work as they should, they need to have plenty of water intake. By drinking the recommended 8-10 glasses of water each day, your kidneys will do their job more effectively, and your body will also expel more harmful toxins from the digestive tract.
• Water helps you burn fat—Drinking water can help you stay skinny in a few different ways. First, a lack of water actually slows protein synthesis—the muscle building function in your body. So, if you want to burn fat and add muscle, your body needs to be fully hydrated. Also, staying hydrated ensures that you don’t confuse thirst for hunger, causing you to overeat and gain more weight.

My two favorite points from her findings: water is necessary for energy and burning fat! Definitely would like to see some improvement in those areas. I’m a decent water drinker already, but I don’t keep track so this week I will keep track and see if I am really getting as much as I should!

On to walking …. awhile back I mentioned that I wanted to do a 5K in June and it seemed so far away. Now it is next month – YIKES! Time to really get moving. The 5K I have chosen to do is the Running With Angels 5K at Thanksgiving Point. I’ll be writing more about why I chose the race itself in a another post … something to look forward to. So it is June 19th – about six weeks away! This week I’ll be posting my jump start training schedule and how I am going to prepare.

But for now I’ll be walking with this little buddy …

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