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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Does Camp Gladiator Really Make You a Gladiator?

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I received one complimentary one-month Camp Gladiator for the purposes of this review. However, all the views and comments expressed are my own.  About a month ago I accepted the mama challenge to participate in one month of Camp Gladiator. I didn’t know what to expect and to tell you the truth I was scared I couldn’t hang with the group – especially since I’m not the most coordinated individual to begin with plus my “extra luggage” probably didn’t help the cause either. However, my true desire to be a healthier person for me and a healthier example for my kids was enough reason three days a week to set my alarm clock for 4:40 am and make it to the 5:15 class. 

And boys and girls, I’m not a morning person. But thankfully from good music (a fundamental must for me), interesting routines, and a great attitude from my trainer, it gave me the incentive to see it through. I was pretty skeptic that much could happen in the 12 camp sessions I attended during the 30 days, but at least it could get me into a very much needed routine of getting up early and working out (which is the only time I have available to exercise even though there are CG times available all day and all over DFW.) So every day I got up, sweat my ass off and got stronger.  The recommended CG plan includes meal recommendations as well as additional cardio days for campers to complete on their own time for achieveing maximum results. While I tried to maintain a moderately healthy diet plan, it wasn’t as stringent as it could be. Additionally, my only additional cardio was my awesome Friday Spin Cycle class at my local YMCA.  Needless, to say, I wasn’t doing myself any favors. But at least I was getting up and going.  So after one month it was time to compare my first day’s measurements with my Day 30 measurements. I’ll admit, I was nervous, but there was nothing I could change at this point except to continue to do what I was doing or do even more. No matter what. So the big reveal begins: 

Arms:        Lost .5 inch
Chest:       Lost 2 inches
Waist:       Lost 1 inch
Hips:         Lost .25 inches
Thighs:      Lost 1 inch

I was pretty excited, but can you imagine what could happen if I stepped it up a little for another month?  Luckily for you this month Camp Gladiator is celebrating its 5th year of changing lives and 500 camp. So to share in the fun, they are offering MAMA CHALLENGE READERS their normal $95 camp for only $50. That’s a pretty good deal when you compare it to any other fitness plan you can sign up for (believe me, I know because I have done many of them.) Just make sure you write down: Autumn Reo in your referral! 


I’m signed up for my second camp and I’d love for you to join me. Especially since I just decided to add another two extra days onto my schedule for five full days of Camp Gladiator. And I can’t wait to share those results with you then too! If it is your first camp, make sure you read up on 10 great tips for making the most of your first Camp Gladiator! 

Get Your Body into Warrior Shape with Camp Gladiator – FOR FREE

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Try-it Tuesdays:

It’s been way too long since I got out there and did a Try-it Fitness Tuesday. I could make all kinds of excuses like I’ve been sick, I’ve been busy, etc. but to get to the point: I’ve been a lazy mama and it’s time to get things going again – especially before it’s fall and those sweat pants and sweaters make it so much easy to cover up all that blubber.

Mama needed to get her rear in gear and that meant I needed something to go full-speed ahead and wouldn’t leave any prisoners (or tolerate any fat-girl whining.)

 Mama needed to a mamachallenge. And I think I’ve found it: Camp Gladiator!

Just the name says you-are-gonna-be-a-warrior-at-losing-weight-and-getting-healthy!

 Camp Gladiator is more than a fitness boot camp, it’s an experience they say. One of the fastest growing and most dynamic fitness program in the nation, Camp Gladiator is a four week, adult fitness boot camp that promises a motivating and challenging environment, where men and women of all ages and fitness levels can push themselves and hopefully be pushed too!

 Campers as we are called should expect a total body workout. A typical session could include interval training, sprint and agility drills, stations, plyometrics, body weight strength drills, cardio mix, and much more!

 In the words of RuPaul, “You Better Work!” 

 Designed to increase your functional strength, speed, stamina and, most importantly, to deliver results, Camp Gladiator works to not just be about exercise, but positive energy and connect people to who they want to be.

And since I want to be a healthier and leaner mama, I’ve enrolled for the upcoming August camp. Yep, for four weeks I’ll be going at it like a mad woman and you are going to be here to help me make it to the finish line! And you can actually get in on the fun too with a special FREE offer! (Keep reading for more details.)

So to prepare me for the challenge, here are 10 Rules to Get Me (and You) 
Ready for Camp Gladiator: 
  1. Rain-outs? Never! Every location has a covered area where camp can be held if needed due to weather. Camp Gladiator is rain or shine!
  2. Go at your own pace. Camp Gladiator is for all fitness levels. Do the best you can at camp! No one is ever holding anyone up and no one is being held up by others. Do what you can and always try your hardest. Kick your own butt!
  3. Modifications are available if needed. Ask a trainer or just keep moving on your own. The goal is to keep your heart rate up for the entire hour, so ask your trainer for an alternate exercise as needed.
  4. Stay positive! This is not an easy workout. Don’t get discouraged if you are not able to do something well. Keep working at it and keep coming to camp. Your body will adjust and you will see great improvements.
  5. Warm-up properly. Don’t go 100% unless you are fully warm. Stretch on your own before and after camp.
  6. You may attend ANY and ALL locations as much as you want!
  7. Each day is different and you might like some workouts more than others. We encourage you to continue coming to camp to experience the entire program.
  8. You always need to: be on time, sign-in, wear a nametag, and bring dumbbells, water and a mat.
  9. Always drink plenty of water! Partner good nutrition with exercise for the best results.
  10. Have FUN! Get to know other campers, be loud, encouraging and energetic! 
And now that I’m sufficiently scared and excited, I couldn’t be happier to get things moving in the right direction. 
So are you ready to get your body in gear with Camp Gladiator? They’ve got a special offer just for you! 


Try Camp Gladiator for FREE throughout the month of July! 


Camp is held at the following locations in Arlington:  
Woodland West Church of Christ – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5:15am
Woodland West Park (Dottie Lynn) – Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm

 All you have to do is contact Amber Dean at amberdean@campgladiator.com to get signed up for camp for the next 2 weeks!


 And make sure to follow my progress on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for my results!

Healthy Summer Crock Pot Recipes To Keep You Out of the Kitchen

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TV Tuesday:

 This morning I made a visit over to Dallas’ WFAA 8 Good Morning Texas to cook up some of our favorite take out recipes – done healthy! And best of all making them in the slow cooker, you aren’t slaving away in the hot kitchen! So bust out that crock pot and let’s get cookin’!

 Check out my healthy crock pot recipe redos for Carnitas Tacos, General Tso’s Chicken, and Chicken Parm!




I have lots more healthy slow cooker recipes where those came from on my Pinterest!

Do you have any healthy recipes you’d like to share? I’d love to test them out! 



What’s Got You? Find Out with My Allergy Test

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Try-it Tuesdays:

I received a free product for the purposes of the review. No compensation was provided. All the comments are my own. 

You know when the meteorologist gives you the weather report along with the pollen count that you live in a place that has allergy issues.

In Texas that’s definitely the case.  I, like many others, are totally at the mercy of allergies. Although I didn’t have them growing up, I totally have something that causes my eyes to swell, my nose to run and my head to throb. And from what I read online, there are any number of allergies that I also could have that could explain so much my complexion, vision, lack of whatever, so I thought it was time I find out what exactly I was allergic to.

Just like it sounds, I was able to prick my finger, fill up a little vial, drop it in the mail and a few days later have my results available online. All without a long test from my doctor. All the contents came in a box including the band-aid.


Each MyAllergyTest Kit includes:
  • Easy-to-read instructions and illustrations for blood sample collection
  • Virtually painless fingerstick lancets (2)
  • Plastic collection tube and straw
  • Alcohol swab and adhesive bandage
  • Information and registration cards

Easy to understand, useable test results While it did take me about 20 minutes to make sure that I was doing it right, everything was simple to understand.

I was so excited to see what my results revealed.

I was surprised to find out of the allergies the tested, I was negative for all of them. For this reason, I wasn’t  able to access the included Allergy Plan, another part of the program that comes with the box to assist you with new found allergies (in the case you have some.)


The allergies tested include:
  • Pollens
  • Timothy Grass
  • Bermuda Grass
  • Mountain Cedar (Juniper)
  • Ragweed
  • Alternaria (mold)
  • Cat Hair
  • Foods
  • Milk
  • Egg White
  • Wheat
  • Dust Mite (the most abundant allergen in house dust)
So what’s the price of this convenience you can find at your neighborhood Walmart, Walgreens or Meijer? Around $50 and about 20 minutes of your time.

I say it’s worth it to at least see if mowing the grass or cleaning the house is actually making you ill.

Hey, at least it’s enough reason to get a gardener and a housekeeper, right?

Why I Was Called “The Sex Lady” – June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

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Wow Mom Wednesdays: 

While lots of people know I’m a mom, blogger and work in marketing, they don’t know that when I was in college I worked at the student health and wellness center on campus. 

Part of my job  was educating students in classrooms and in organizational settings about healthy decision making in regards to sex and conducting free HIV testing. That means sometimes I was talking to around 3,000 kids about sex and showing them photos of what Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections looked like. (I’ll spare you those, but they were pretty rough.) 




[Cue the music…“Let’s talk about sex, baby, let’s talk about you and me…”]
It makes me laugh to think about it now, but there were times I crossed campus going to class and a freshmen would stop me and say, “Hey, aren’t you the Sex Lady?”  and I would get to answer, “Yes, I talked to you about Herpes and HIV last week.” 
However, that was only part of my job. The other part was reaching out to the community to test people who thought they may be at risk for HIV. It really was was life changing to hear their stories, hear so many misconceptions people had and unfortunately, sometimes have to hear some really sad stories. 
While that part of my life may be over, the need for education and testing isn’t. So I’m getting on my soapbox since June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. 

 
Did You Know? (According to the CDC)

  • More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV infection
  • Almost one in five adults and adolescents living with HIV are unaware that they are infected
  • Men and woman in the African-American community make up close to 50% of all new HIV infections in the U.S. per year
  • Men in the African-American community make up 70% of those new infections
  • Women in the African-American community account for 9 out of 10 new HIV infections amongst women
  • The over 50+ age group has one of the fastest rising rates of infection due to physician bias/assumption and lack of HIV community education targeting seniors 

Risk for HIV
HIV is spread through some of the body’s fluids, like blood, semen/sperm, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV is passed from one person to another by:

  • Having unprotected sex (vaginal and anal) with a person who is HIV positive
  • Sharing needles
  • Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or childbirth if the mother has HIV
  • Blood transfusion from contaminated blood 

Misconceptions and Myths about HIV infection

  • The biggest misconception about HIV is that you have to be “high risk.”


    FACT: High risk for HIV is anyone who has ever had sex with one partner, just one time. However, higher risk behaviors include multiple sexual partners, not using protection and IV drug use.

    • MYTH: HIV can be spread through non-sexual physical contact such as hugging, handshakes, sharing toilet seats, and from mosquito bites.
    • MYTH: HIV can be spread during contact with saliva, such as through kissing or the sharing of utensils.
    • MYTH: HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted during oral sex. 

    Many feel as though HIV belongs to a “certain group”, and they are therefore exempt from the risk.  It is important to know that HIV can infect or affect anyone-male/female, married/single, homosexual/heterosexual, or young/old.

    Testing for HIV
    Make sure you are having the uncomfortable conversations regarding testing – not only with your partners and your loved ones, but also your physician.  Physicians sometimes inappropriately assume that you are not at risk for HIV, thereby missing an opportunity for testing and HIV education. 

    • Take it upon yourself to request testing for HIV if your physician has not asked you if you want to be tested.
    • It is now possible to know results of a testing in as little as 20 minutes with rapid testing, and it can even be done at home. 
      • If the test results are negative, you now have a responsibility to live your best life by protecting yourself and practicing safe sex each and every time you have sex.  
      • If the results are positive, you now have a responsibility to get counseled, get treatment, and then live your best life by protecting yourself and practicing safe sex each and every time you have sex.

    Prevention from contracting HIV
    Many are too afraid of the possibility of a positive result and therefore don’t get tested.  If the unfortunate happens, and you are exposed to HIV, it’s important to know that medical advances and treatments have made it possible for anyone living with HIV to live relatively healthy lives. 

    • Abstain from having sex
    • Practice safer sex: Use condoms
    • Get tested regularly (Know your status before having sex with a partner)
    if you are looking to get testing, then type in your zip code here to find a location near you. Most HIV sites will provide testing for free or at little-to-no-cost!

    Thanks for stats shared from The Urban Housecall
    Drs. Rob & Karla Robinson have established The Urban Housecall Magazine, an online health and wellness magazine with health information for men, women, and children as well as The Urban Housecall Radio Show to promote the message of health and wellness through the airwaves.

    Get Your Wellbeing in a Bottle with Rooibee Red Tea

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    Food Fridays:

    I received product for the purposes of this review. However, all the comments and information here are mine. 

    I’m always on the hunt for something good to drink.

    While I enjoy my wines and cocktails, sometimes I prefer a great recipe for healthy juice for my kids, a fun water alternative or tea.

    Oh, yes – me and my tea fixation. I chalk it all up to be southern and the fact that I worked at a Chicken Express in high school and they have delicious sweet tea (and yes, I still eat there.)

    Anyhow, as I get older I can’t go through four glasses of sweet tea a day. Besides the fact it isn’t healthy, I just don’t want that amount of sweetness. I want something with a hint, but not like a whole bag of cane sugar got dumped into my glass. So I was stoked to find some new BOTTLED teas that were just the right amount of sweet and healthy.

    Now before we get into all the coolness of why you should try this tea, I have to preface this with: I don’t like bottled tea. At all. Like I send it back at restaurants if it’s not freshly brewed, so I’m a total snob about the taste of my tea. And now that I have kids, I am becoming a snob about the things I put in my body and theirs.

    Enter Rooibee Red Tea, a family-friendly USDA-certified organic bottled rooibos tea. This tea is made with pure waters, organic ingredients and is available in five flavors including Watermelon Mint, Peach, Unsweetened, Cranberry Pomegranate and Vanilla Chai.



    If you’re not familiar with rooibos, it is a bush that grows only in South Africa. Tea made from rooibos has been enjoyed by South Africans for generations and has recently gained popularity in other parts of the world, including the US, because of its health benefits and inherently sweet character. All Rooibee Red Tea varieties are USDA organic, high in antioxidants, naturally caffeine free, gluten free and low in calories.

    Thanks, Wikipedia for this lovely shot of Rooibos. 


    Best thing about Rooibee Red Tea? Those behind the company are moms and dads, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers who want to live right and take care of their families, community and the planet. They created this family-friendly, caffeine free tea as a healthy alternative to high-sugar juices and sodas that rejuvenates without stimulants and refreshes without anything artificial.

    Gotta love that.

    Rooibee Red Tea is available at local DFW Whole Foods Market.

    For more information about Rooibee Red Tea, check their website and Facebook.



    The Clear Choice: Don’t Call Me Brace Face

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    This is a sponsored post on the behalf of Invisalign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

     

    Everyone (except maybe Heidi Klum) has had their ugly duckling period. 

     Normally it is also the time puberty kicks in around junior high and to make your self-esteem really go downhill, your parents decide this is the right time for braces. Then thankfully about your senior year of high school you get your braces removed just in time to show your new perfectly straightened pearly whites for graduation photos.


    I wasn’t that lucky. Although I was so glad to get braces, I didn’t get mine “installed” UNTIL the end of my junior year of high school. To make it even more fun, I got my first pair of glasses the following week. While my top row were “clear” ceramic braces, my bottom set were the traditional metal braces and my graduation photos would definitely have me with my braces and so would my first year of college…

     Super. (That’s not what I said at the time, but you can imagine what I was thinking, right?) 

    While I wasn’t happy to be “Braceface” and “Four Eyes” all of a sudden, I didn’t mind it near as much as the pain I had when my wires needed adjusting and started poking me in the sides of my mouth. I can still remember the feeling now as well as the huge amounts of wax I just kept sticking into my braces so it would stop hurting just for a little bit. During the first four months I had those babies on, I ate nothing but egg drop soup because it hurt too much to eat and/or would probably get stuck in my teeth anyhow.

     Thankfully technology has changed and made days of throbbing teeth, ugly graduation photos, and wondering “what’s stuck in my teeth” a thing of the past. For instance with Invisalign, patients can watch their winning smile evolve instead of waiting to see the final result when the traditional metal brackets come off. Invisalign patients can start to see improvements and progress in as little as 90 days.

     And best of all, no more wires and brackets required – Invisalign is the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The benefits include no food restrictions, ability to easily maintain healthy dental brushing habits, minimal interference with sports or other activities, and teeth get straightened without most people knowing you are in treatment.


     When compared to metal or even ceramic wire bracket braces like I had, a clear aligner option like Invisalign has many advantages. Although the cost is roughly about the same as traditional braces, the Invisalign treatment usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments and no “emergency” visits for broken wires or brackets.

    Oh, if I could only do it over again. Oh wait, I get to – in just about 8 years with my kids. At least they’ll have Invisalign.

    Have you or someone you’ve known used Invisalign? 

    Soothe Baby Eczema with Aveeno Eczema Therapy Kit {Giveaway}

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    Want-it Tuesdays:

    I received product for the purpose of this review. However, all the information and comments are my own.

    A few months ago my beautiful little girl’s perfectly peach and unmarked skin became red, whelped and dry all over her poor little, chubby legs. Since she didn’t complain and thinking she just had a reaction to being out in a field of bluebonnets (a spring Texas requirement), I let it go for more than a week without doing much than amp up her lotion use. It was only after her school became scared the condition may be contagious and it wasn’t going away, I realized it might be eczema.  But just in case, I needed to take her to the pediatrician. 



    Comfirmed by her pediatrician, we decided it was time to take her for a dip in an oatmeal bath and slather on the lotion. Why oatmeal?  As a skin protectant active ingredient, oatmeal can help restore skin’s normal pH and aid in the maintenance of skin’s moisture barrier to prevent and protect dry skin. 


    Of course, that meant only one brand would do – Aveeno. Since both my husband and I had our own issues with eczema, we already were big fans of their products. But for our little girl we wondered if the treatments might be too intense for her tender skin. 

    The Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Care Kit is a two-step regimen formulated with colloidal oatmeal to help soothe eczema-prone skin. Eczema Therapy Bath Treatment gently cleanses and relieves irritation due to eczema. The convenient kit helps to improve the four symptoms of eczema—itchiness, dryness, irritation and rough skin. When dispersed in water, the hypoallergenic powder forms a tear-free milky bath that soothes as it naturally cleanses without soap. After bathing, baby’s skin is softer and smoother, and dry, irritated, sensitive skin is relieved.


     While I loved that there was a kit including the lotion and treatment, I still needed a wash to clean her body when we didn’t have time for a bath. Thankfully there was a solution for that too…the Aveeno Baby Cleansing Theraphy Moisturizing Wash. awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Best of all everything we needed was purchased at our local grocery store, didn’t need a prescription and didn’t break the bank. 

     And neither will you with this special giveaway from Aveeno! 

     Are you looking for a nighttime ritual to From AVEENO®, the leader in ACTIVE NATURALS® ingredients and recommended by Pediatricians for over 60 years, comes the AVEENO® Baby Bathtime Solutions Gift Set, which includes products to nurture baby’s skin and pamper mom!


    One lucky reader will win the AVEENO® BABY BATHTIME SOLUTIONS GIFT SET (great gift for you or a great baby shower gift) with:

    • Baby Wash & Shampoo: blends natural oat extract into a rich, lathering, soap-free cleanser that cleans without drying
    • Baby Daily Moisture Lotion: non-greasy formula contains natural colloidal oatmeal to help soothe baby’s delicate, dry skin
    • Baby Calming Comfort Bath: tear-free, soap free cleanser contains soothing scents of lavender and relaxing vanilla
    • Stress Relief Body Wash: formulated with natural colloidal oatmeal to clean and moisturize skin, and scented with lavender, essential chamomile and ylang-ylang oils to help calm and relax you in the shower
    ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

    Giveaway is now closed! 



    Time to UNclean: Are Your Cleaning Habits Making Your Kitchen Even Dirtier?

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    Try-It Tuesdays: 

     This is a sponsored post written by me on the behalf of Bounty DuraTowel. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

    When you clean up your kitchen do you use a:
    A) Sponge
    B) Dish Rag
    C) Paper Towel

     If you said A or B, you might be in for a big surprise. Some cleaning habits may actually be making your kitchen dirtier and more harmful for your family.

     Bounty DuraTowel is challenging you to to re-examine the way you tackle your cleaning. While many moms work hard at scrubbing, organizing and wiping their way to a seemingly “cleaner” home for their family, there may still be a few messes lurking behind.

     So, how clean is the average consumer’s kitchen? The CDC estimates each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people) get sick from a foodborne illness. To help stop the spread of germs, stick with the six tips below and kitchen surfaces will soon have a few less germs hanging around.

     1. The dishcloth has a dirty little secret: One of the germiest places in the kitchen rests in the palm of your hand. A dishcloth can harbor millions of germs after just one day’s use. Don’t spread bacteria around your kitchen!

     2. The gift that keeps on giving: The E. coli bacteria can survive for days, even months on kitchen surfaces like countertops and cutting boards. Be sure to use separate cutting boards for meat, vegetables and fish and disinfect them regularly.

     3. Cut the crap: The average cutting board has 200% more fecal bacteria than the average toilet seat. That’s more than enough reason to disinfect regularly.

     4. Just nuke it? Studies show in order to keep your sponge germ-free, you have to nuke it in the microwave for at least 2 minutes after each use, which is just more work. By using a disposable paper towel like DuraTowel, the surface is left three times cleaner than a dishcloth.


    The kitchen is a source of hidden germs: Did you miss a spot? According to a recent NSF International study, the Top 5 Germiest Areas in the kitchen include:

    1. Refrigerator vegetable compartment: Salmonella, Listeria, yeast & mold. 
    2. Refrigerator meat compartment: Salmonella, E. coli, yeast and mold. 
    3. Blender gasket: Salmonella, E. coli, yeast and mold. 
    4. Can opener: Salmonella, E. coli, yeast and mold. 
    5. Rubber spatula: E. coli, yeast and mold.

    Health and hygiene experts agree that paper towels are the best bet for preventing the cross contamination of kitchen surfaces, particularly when it comes to reducing the bacteria left behind from food-prep and more.

    “To use a paper towel to clean up messes and then to throw it away, especially on surfaces in your kitchen where you’ve been preparing food is the ideal thing to do,” said Dr. Elizabeth Scott, founder and co-director of the Simmons Center for Hygiene and Community Settings at Simmons College in Boston. “Dishcloths should be not be used for wiping up surfaces to cut down on the potential for cross contamination.”

    Bounty’s newest paper towel product, DuraTowel, a cloth-like paper towel designed to replace germy dishcloths. Thick and strong, even when wet, a single sheet of Bounty DuraTowel is durable enough to tackle tough jobs like cleaning countertops, sinks and even small appliances, making it the go-to tool for spring cleaning. Thanks to its fiber-rich design, Bounty DuraTowel offers consumers a cloth-like experience without compromising on clean. Bounty DuraTowel helps leaves your kitchen surfaces cleaner than a germy dishcloth.

    “Many people think that their family’s kitchen is clean after wiping up with a dishcloth, but surfaces may be hiding a dirty little secret, said Gregg Weaver, Procter & Gamble research and development engineer for Bounty. “In P&G lab demonstrations, black lights reveal that even after rinsing, used dishcloths can still harbor germs and drag them around. Grabbing a sheet of Bounty DuraTowel gives a cleaner alternative to a used dishcloth.” 

    Bounty DuraTowel retails for $3.19 and is available at food and grocery as well as mass retailers nationwide. More information on DuraTowel as well as the entire Bounty product family can be found at www.bountytowels.com.

     This post also appears on the Star-Telegram’s Mom2Momdfw.com.



    Get Your Sweet Tea Fix with with Half the Calories!

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    Try-it Tuesdays:

     I received samples of Pure Via Stevia for the purposes of this review. However, all the comments here are my own. 

    My family are proud southerners. We fall to our knees at the south of Paula Deen’s name, we LOVE some fried chicken and we relish in every gulp of sweet tea. I mean it IS the official drink of the south. 

    Unfortunately, to make the perfect sweet tea, it takes a “wee bit of sugar” (imagine the sound of high-pitched exaggeration in my voice) to make it just right. And while I do appreciate staying to tradition, a little less sugar – especially in my children’s diet – wouldn’t hurt us at all. (Hey, even Paula has made some changes in her recipes, right?) 

    So when a lovely box of Pure Via Stevia landed at my door, I’ll be honest, I wanted to put it in the pantry to rot with all the other “sweeteners” that were moments of good intentions that never really made the cut – simply because they didn’t taste good. But since it was being launched exclusively in Dallas, I thought hey, can’t hurt to give it a three-second try.  Especially since Pure Via Stevia actually has half the calories AND also offers it in raw turbinado sugar (that’s what they put in mojitos, people), so maybe you wouldn’t know the difference. 

    Maybe it was possible this stuff could be really good. 

    So I called in my biggest judge, my son. My four-year old has sniffed me out for every healthy move I’ve tried to make. When I made winter squash and blended into his mac and cheese, I thought I was a genius. Unfortunately he wouldn’t touch it – or any other mac and cheese – for three weeks. And any switch out for lowfat versions of his full-fat food items have been a total disaster, so I was ready to see his twinge, groan and ask what mama had done to his sweet tea. 


    So I whipped up a pitcher of sweet tea and let him have it. 

    Waiting…

    Waiting…

    “It’s good mama,” he said. “Can I have some more?” 

    As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t get any better than that. You heard it from the mouth of babes! 

    If you need the perfect recipe for sweet tea, then here’s Paula’s recipe. Just use the Pure Via Stevia instead of sugar! 

    More About Pure Via Stevia
    With only five calories per serving, Pure Via® Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar and Stevia Blend offers a lower calorie alternative for those with a sweet tooth to make foods and beverages taste naturally delicious. The blend is made from the pure sweet extract of the stevia plant and turbinado raw cane sugar, which comes from the first press of raw cane sugar.  

    Pure Via® is an all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener this is made from Rebaudioside A (Reb A), the sweetest, best-tasting part of the stevia leaf. Reb A is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Handcrafted for coffee and tea, Pure Via® is available in 40- and 80ct. boxes and a 4-oz. jar for a suggested retail price of $2.49, $4.29 and $4.99 Pure Via® Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar and Stevia Blend is availableexclusively in Dallas, Texas, in 100-ct boxes for a suggested retail price of $2.98. Retail prices may vary. Each packet (100 per box) sweetens like one teaspoon of sugar. 

    Discover more at www.purevia.com or facebook.com/PureViaUS


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