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Hold On To Your Knickers – You & Your Period Can Do Some Good!

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If you asked me a year ago if I’d write a piece on periods I would have blushed and said “Erm, no. No way”. But my, my, my how life changes. From not talking about our periods to full-on promoting a menstrual cup? Yeah, it happened. And I’m stinkin’ proud of it! 

First of all, let me tell you I’m not going to talk about my cycle, or the ups and downs of being a woman, what I really want to talk about is the GOOD the Ruby Cup company does for women. Most of you know by now that I am super fussy about the products, services, and programs I support and/or endorse. I have to LOVE them before I’ll write about them. The Ruby Cup and the lives they change (by being incredibly awesome) is reasoning enough for me to promote them. Add that I actually LOVE the product? Well then, I must write to tell you about it! 

First off, what is the Ruby Cup?

It’s a menstrual cup you use instead of tampons and pads. It’s incredible because not only is it affordable, less fussy than what you’re used to and eco-friendly (this fact gets more important to me every day as I watch my kids grow and wonder what our world is going to look like for them), this company helps improve the lives of women in East Africa, Nepal, Ghana and other places around the world.

Was I leary about trying the Ruby Cup?! HECK YES! I had sooooo many questions and to be honest, it scared the heck out of me. But, here’s the thing: this cup has the capacity of 3 super tampon! What the what?! Yup. And, you learn how to deal with it. It’s comfortable (once you figure it out, and yes, it does take some practice), it will save you money (I mentioned that, but Mamas, I know it’s important) and it’s WAY LESS MESSY than you think! 

Now, HOW does the Ruby Cup help girls and women around the world? 

They have a program called “Buy one. Give one.”

For every Ruby Cup they sell (Every. Single. One.), they give one to a woman or girl who otherwise does not have access to menstrual care products. And, if you think it’s not an issue worthy of looking into, I strongly disagree. This program allows women to access a product that will help with their health, hygiene and confidence. Yeah, that’s worth it to me, that’s so very worth it! 

Listen, almost every woman out there will get their period. If I can help women who wouldn’t have access to products to help them during a relatively messy time of the month, I’m going to do it. Getting your period can be messy, intimidating and scary but we can help. We can get these girls and women access to products that are comfortable, that are better for the environment and that help improve a woman or girl’s life drastically, I’ll talk about my period all day! I mean, you probably don’t want me to and I’m okay with that, but heck yeah…use a product that saves me money, is better for the environment AND helps empower women?  

Thank you, Ruby Cup. I’m in!  

Give it a whirl and help another woman out. Join me in the Buy One. Give One. program and let’s help women in ways we never imaged we could! CLICK HERE to purchase yours (and no, I don’t make money off of this, I just think it’s awesome!). 

Questions? OMG…ask! I’m totally open and honest with all this stuff now. And, I’d love if you joined me in helping another Mama or her daughter out! 

Yay periods! Causing cramps and opening doors to empower women since the beginning of time. LOL.

 

My New Not-So-Secret Skin Care Weapon: Z Natural Life!

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For years, and I mean years and years, I didn’t do a thing with my skin. I know, that’s terrible. All the skin care professionals are shuddering and shaking their heads in disappointment. But, to be honest, at the end of the day I am exhausted and we’re lucky if I manage to brush my teeth before I fall into bed to rest my mind and body.

But, age. Age happened. With age has come wrinkles. No, not laugh lines and cute little crow’s feet. I mean full-on wrinkles and age spots. What the actual heck was happening to my face?!

I looked at myself in a photo and thought “OMG…my face is melting”. So, it was time to find products that work, didn’t take a lot of time, fit my budget, were eco-friendly and well…easy to get.

And I found them! OH YES I DID! 

Remember that blog post I wrote about my awesome natural deodorant from Z Natural Life? Non-toxic. Vegan. Cruelty-free? Remember how much I LOOOOOOVED it and even managed to swing a couple giveaways for our Hot Mama challenges? Ohhhh…they came out with a skin care line!!

Ohhhh Maaamaaaaas…they came out with a skin care line!!

Seeing as I loved their deodorants and body powder so much AND their price point is amazing (less than $25!), I knew I had to try the line. I received the Hydrating Overnight Mask, the Revitalizing Facial Serum and the Energizing Facial Mask. 

And Mamas, these products did not disappoint.

Within the first week, I had people commenting and telling me that I was glowing. I’m not pregnant (*shudder*). So, was it good lighting? More water? Proper nutrition? Maybe. But probably not, seeing as I was drinking like a sailor (er…it was summer), eating like a trucker (I’m going to put the whole summer thing out there again) and I was recording videos where I always did. 

The only change? I took a few minutes each morning and evening to wash and moisturize my face with my new skincare line.

That’s it. 

I truly cannot say enough good stuff about these products. I LOVE that their ingredients are non-toxic and vegan and I truuuuuuly love that they WORK. My skin is super hydrated, it feels mega soft and yup, some of those fine lines are gone, gone, GONE. 

Here’s a quick rundown of the skin care line:

My Secret Weapon: Revitalizing Facial Serum.

If there’s one product you should get it’s this one. I put 3 drops onto my fingertips at night and 3 drops into my favorite SPF Moisturizer in the morning and er…that’s it. How easy is that?! It’s mega-hydrating and amazing. 

It’s got ingredients like hemp oil and jojoba oil that are known for their hydrating qualities. It has rosehip fruit oil that helps with the er…aged skin. Ylang-ylang (I mean, who doesn’t just love saying that?!) and geranium oil help with hydration AND they smell yummy! 

If you were to get ONE product, this serum would be the one I’d recommend.

Energizing Facial Mask

I have combination/oily skin, so this was an awesome mask for me. I use it twice a week. I put it on before I settle into bed to watch my Netflix show of choice (right now Suits is on the go…thanks for the recommendation, Mamas…couple cute lawyers? Yes please!) and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash off, serum on and nighty-night!

Why do I like it so much? Many reasons. They’ve put Pelavie Black Silt in it, which is not only fun to say, but is known to tighten up your skin. Like a good squat tightens your buns, this stuff tightens your face. Along with the salt is a bunch of ingredients that remove toxins, have antioxidants and improve skin damage. I’m not going to list them here because they’re all on their website and I feel like I’m just showing off by writing them all out! 

A hilarious side-benefit…when you put on this mast, it makes your face look dirty and my kids think it is SO funny! One night my son couldn’t stop laughing because I put a little extra between my brows and it looked like a mono-brow. Why did I do that? Er…to make my son laugh, of course!

This mask is great for combination/oily skin.

Hydrating Overnight Facial Mask

Okay, don’t freak out. Yes, you leave something on your face overnight. But NO, it doesn’t get all over the place! It’s super thin, it absorbs into the skin and it leaves your face meeeega soft in the morning. It’s crazy beans! 

I will most likely use this mask more in the winter months because it is incredibly hydrating. For those of you with oily skin, stick with the Energizing Mask. But, if you have normal to dry skin, this baby is amazing. 

This mask has ingredients like olive squalene (I don’t know what that is, but I like olives, so we’re golden), avocado, ylang-ylang and geranium oil…all help with hydration. And there’s something in there called sodium hyaluronate which hydrates the skin and also brings little swords of anti-aging power to the battle against fine lines and age spots.

My Skin Care Regimen:

I use the serum twice a day. I use the Energizing mask twice a week and I use the Hydrating Overnight Mask also twice a week. 

It takes me very little time. It’s budget-friendly. And…well…I simply love the products. I hope you will too!

As always Z Natural Life is a big fan of Hot Mama and because we have this lovefest for one another they’ve created a code for you to use to get…wait for it…20% OFF! 

You can get the products through amazon.com (for my US and International followers) and amazon.ca (for my fellow Canucks, be sure to use the links below). 

So, come on aging process…I’m taking you on! I’m arming myself with amazing products that are helping me feel better. Yup…FEEL better. There’s something wonderful about having skin that looks nice. I feel more confident on video. I feel more confident in photos…and I know that sounds crazy, so judge away.

I’ll take confidence wherever I can find it! If it comes in 3 little tubes that I rub onto my skin, so be it! 

If you’ve been looking for a new skincare regimen, I totally recommend Z Natural Life. And the great news? IT’S NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON.CA!

Remember the issues we had for my Canadian Mamas with the deodorant? Well…no more! Woop! These links take you RIGHT to Amazon.ca where you can find the products in Canadian moolah, and shipping is FREE with orders over $35! BOOMSHAKALAKA!!

For Amazon.ca and znaturallife.com use PROMO CODE: Lindsay1
For Amazon orders use PROMO CODE: Lindsay 3

Here are the Amazon.ca links:

My Secret Weapon: Revitalizing Facial Serum.

Energizing Facial Mask

Hydrating Overnight Facial Mask

Again, use PROMO CODE “Lindsay1”  of amazon.ca and PROMO CODE “Lindsay3” for amazon.com for 20% off until Oct 15, 2017. 

OR…you can go right to Z Natural Life and order from there (but, it’ll come from the States and there may be duty?!). However, the promo code will work on their site, as well! Woop! 

Give it a whirl and let me know whta you think! Off you go!  

 

Healthy Moms – There are Discounts Available for YOU!

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Have you heard of the Healthy Moms Discount Card? No? Well…let me fill you in!
 
Now, don’t get all wiggy if you go to the site and see that it’s available only for businesses in Vancouver and Toronto? Why shouldn’t you wig out? BECAUSE! I’ve got you covered! This card also covers you for online purchases from a lot of the businesses linked with the card!
 
There are over 50 businesses that you can order ONLINE from and get discounts with this card and they are ALL amazing. Free shipping for some, 30% off your purchase for others, $20 off another…seriously…you HAVE to check it out. And the companies involved with the Healthy Moms Discount Card? INCREDIBLE.
 
You can save money on food, clothing, skin care, delicious tea, magazine subscriptions, wraps/carriers and SO much more.
 
When I find something like this, I just gotta share it, so here you go! Woop!
 
 
CLICK HERE to get your card today.
 
I can’t wait for you to find new, healthy, amazing products to try! Please let me know what your favs are…I can’t wait to hear all about them!
 
https://tn01.recomnds.com/r/4a8XPKBY

First Day of School – Why It Gets Harder as They Get Older

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I’m an emotional person. I cry at commercials. I cry when my child cries. I cry during Remembrance Day or Terry Fox ceremonies. For goodness sake, I cry during America’s Got Talent when a little girl is singing and they pan to her parents. Yeah, I own it, I cry a lot. I’m emotional.

But, I thought that as my kids got older, the first day of school would be a safe place and my tears wouldn’t start leaking out my eyes. Boy, was I wrong. 

Today my kiddos started Grade 4 and Grade 2. I love their school. I love their friends. I love their teachers (though we don’t know who they are yet). I know they’re safe and that they’re going to have a great time. But, try as I might this morning, the tears would not stop flowing.

When my daughter started Kindergarten, I had a few tears. Not a lot because she was SO excited and I knew she was ready. So, yeah, although I cry every year, this year was by far the worst. I started crying YESTERDAY.

Here’s why: as your children grow, they become cooler and cooler. I’m not kidding. You think your toddler is amazing and sweet and snuggly and awesome? Wait until they’re 8. They have conversations, thoughts, ideas. They’re hilarious and make life fun. Now, don’t get be wrong. It’s not all rainbows, unicorns and glitter over here. They also push their limits which in turn pushes my limits and sends me to the edge of sanity. But that’s part of growing up, isn’t it? They need to find their boundaries and their place.

But, I’m sad to see them go to school again. And, it’s not all selfish, though yes my desire to be with them because they’re fun is a pretty selfish one. I also know that growing up gets harder with each year. The kids get more gangly and awkward, friends become best friends and then the next day they decide they don’t want to be friends any longer. The social aspect of school is difficult and try as you might, your child is going to come home sad and hurt or mad and angry some days. 

For me, what they feel, I feel. I’m not a helicopter Mom. In fact, I give my kids quite a bit of freedom, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel their hurt when they hurt or cry for them when they make a mistake. So when I cry outside the school during their first few days, it’s not only because I’m going to miss them, it’s also because I know they’re going to experience a lot this year and not all of it will be fun. In fact, as they grow, I know that many days will be filled with emotion…both good and bad.

So, I cry because they’re growing up.

It’s not because they don’t need me. It’s not because I’m going to miss them terribly. It’s simply because…life. 

Life can be hard and although I want to protect those little goobers from the douches of this world…I can’t. They need to learn to stand on their own two feet and they need to come to me when they want to. To talk. For solace. For support. For love. 

So, I wave at my babies and I cry. I cry because I’ll miss them. I cry because they amaze me. Mostly I cry because they’re growing up and as beautiful and wonderful as that can be, it’s also heart-breaking and scary. So yeah…Motherhood…you may learn the ropes as you go, but new lines keep getting thrown at you and the best you can do is the best you can do. 

Stay strong, Mamas. Know that you’re raising amazing people. Know that they’re safe. Know that it’s their life and it’s an honour they get to live it. So, don’t be scared if the tears flow a little more every year, I guess that just a part of us growing up with our kids.

Also…know that wine is fine at 9am after school drop off because, well now, wine makes all the things okay. 

 

3 Ways to Keep Your Water Intake Up When the Temperatures Fall

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As the fall approaches and the cooler temperatures begin to settle in, some folks find it difficult to keep their water intake where it needs to be. In the summer it can be pretty easy to get your water in because you’re hot and a there are plenty of berries and deliciousness to spice up your water and make it taste yummy. 

But, when the temperature falls it can be more difficult to drink the amount of water your body needs to fight dehydration. In fact, it’s been recorded that in the United States almost 75% of the population is chronically dehydrated. I couldn’t find a source for Canada, but I’m keeping my eyes open. 

With that being said, I want to encourage you to keep your water intake up throughout the colder months.

Here are 3 ways to help you keep on track with your hydration:

1) Heat up your water. Yup. It’s that simple. Drink warm water. My Mom calls it “Silver Tea” and it’s actually delicious. Simply put the kettle on, get your favorite super huge mug and drink your water warm/hot. Add lemon if you’d like for a little flavor and yumminess.  

2) Autumn-ify your water. Yup. You can make your water taste like fall and sometimes it’s just the thought of something delicious that gets you sippin’ your water the way your body deserves. Find your favorite pitcher, cut up 1 plum, 1 apple (remove core and seeds, obviously) and 1 pear. Place all the fruit into your pitcher. Add 2-3 cinnamon sticks. Fill up the pitcher with water and let it steep overnight in your fridge. Wake in the morning and enjoy all day!

3) Commit. I don’t think many people really understand how important water is to our bodies. Our bodies are approximately 60% water, so ensuring that you’re drinking enough will help you maintain the fluid balance in your body. Fluids help with digestion, circulation, absorption, transportation of nutrients and maintenance of body temperature. So, you know, it’s kind of important.

One of the easiest things you can do is COMMIT to drinking your water. Set a goal for yourself and aim to reach your water intake goal for a month straight. By doing this you can get yourself into (or back into) the habit of drinking the required amount of water your body needs to work effectively. Fill up a 2L jug of water each morning and shoot to have it gone by the end of the day. Depending on how active you are, how big/small you are you may need to increase that intake up to 3-4L/day. 

But…commit to it. Find yourself a lovely water bottle and get drinkin’. 

You’re important. Your body is important. Hydrate properly and reap the benefits of a better complexion, more energy and even weight loss…simply by drinking water. It’s not magic…it’s science and your body is a scientific goddess.