10 Ways to Help Prevent Osteoporosis

Today I’m talking about the big “O” – and NOT the good one! Osteoporosis is a big concern for women as they age (and senior men, too), and for good reason. Osteoporosis makes bones thin and fragile, a result of hormonal changes (mainly the reduction of estrogen in women and testosterone in men), diet deficiencies, genetics, some medical conditions, and lifestyle choices.

Shockingly, it’s reported that 50 percent of women in the U.S. age over age 50 will suffer from an osteoporosis-related bone fracture. That’s bad news, as bone breaks are directly correlated with a poorer quality of life and shorter life span as we get older.

Although some osteoporosis risk factors are out of your control (like genetics, race, body frame size and medical conditions), there ARE many risk factors that can be easily controlled by your actions.

Ten actionable steps to help prevent osteoporosis.

Eat a balanced diet full of leafy green vegetables to help prevent osteoporosis.

Eat a Balanced & Varied Diet:  The good news is that eating well should provide you at least a majority share of the nutrients you need maintain good bone health. You may still want to take a multi-vitamin and calcium supplement (see below). Calcium-rich foods, such as traditional dairy products, are high the calcium needed to maintain bone health. But there are plenty of plant, based options too, that are great for everyone. When shopping, it’s easy to remember “Greens and Beans.” Leafy greens (like spinach, kale and arugula) and other certain green veggies (like broccoli and Brussels sprouts) plus all sorts of beans, chickpeas, legumes and lentils are also winners. So are many ancient grains and many seafood proteins like shrimp and salmon.

*Women under 50 years old should consume 1000mg calcium per day, while women 51 and over should consume 1200mg

Avoid High Sodium Foods: Excess salt strips bones of calcium, so it’s a good idea to stay away from known high-sodium culprits like lunch meats, bacon and other cured deli items. Also watch out for too much salt in packaged foods like canned beans and soups, roasted nuts and other snack items that may seem healthy, but really have too much salt. Also, pretty much everything eaten from a restraint menu is shockingly high sodium – most dining establishments can provide a nutrition facts menu if requested so you can make the best choice and/or prepare your food without salt.

*People with or considered at risk of osteoporosis should ensure that they keep their salt intake below the recommended maximum of 6g.

Stop Sucking Down So Many Sodas: Most carbonated soft drinks and certain other sparkling beverages contain phosphoric acid (not to be confused with phosphorus which you need for bone health). Phosphoric acid can have negative consequences on bone density. This is not to say you can’t enjoy the occasional refreshment, especially if your calcium intake is on point. But it’s best to be mindful of intake and look for healthier alternatives when possible. Read labels and look for carbonated sparkling drinks that do NOT contain phosphoric acid– there are more and more healthier options becoming available.

Cut back on caffeine as an osteoporosis prevention strategy.

Cut Back on Caffeine Intake: Most of us love our caffeine, but that bolt of energy can come with a cost – harm to bones. Too much caffeine consumption leaches minerals from your bones. However, reports say that that consuming adequate calcium through your diet or supplementation will help offset impending bone density loss but for up to about 300mg caffeine daily (about 2 coffees or one high-caffeine energy drink). So – yeah, enjoy a little – but not a lot! An option I like to cut back is to use a half-caff coffee!

*Limit caffeine to 300mg per day, or less.

Consider taking a calcium supplement to help prevent osteoporosis. I like CAL20, it's highly absorbed by the body. Use code JENNIFER10 to save 10% at http://bit.ly/SHOPCAL20

Consider Calcium Supplements: Even with best efforts, it’s sometimes hard to get enough calcium through diet alone – the craziness of life sometimes gets in the way. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider a calcium supplement so that you are meeting your daily calcium target – 1000mg for women under 50 and 1200mg for women 51 and older. This is an important “insurance” step in my osteoporosis prevention strategy.

However, not all calcium supplements are created the same. Traditional calcium supplements are made from calcium carbonate which as a very low absorption rate (as low as 2%). Thankfully, there are better options – like the CAL20 that I take. CAL20 is a low-dose, bioavailable natural milk calcium mineral complex that improves calcium uptake (nearly 100% bioavailable) to improve bone density. Other good things about CAL20 are that it’ has 200iu of Vitamin D which helps deliver the calcium into bones – and it also is the only calcium supplement made with a probiotic to help with digestion and absorption.

Cal20 Calcium Supplement Save 10% code JENNIFER10

I invite you to check out this CAL20 supplement, that is natural, proven effective and has no reported side effects during clinical trials. I even have a discount code – use JENNIFER10 to save 10%.

Double Check Your Vitamin D – As mention about, vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from the food you eat, making it an important vitamin for those at risk of osteoporosis.  Studies show that calcium and vitamin D together can build stronger bones in women after menopause.  You could be getting some vitamin D from sun exposure and diet, but many of us fall short of meeting our daily requirement.

*Minimum daily recommendations for Vitamin D are 600 IU for those under 70 years old and 800 IU for those over 70. The CAL20 calcium supplement I recommend offers 200 IU.

Weight-Bearing Exercise on a Consistent Basis: Walking, jogging, dance class, boot camp, light strength and resistance training with weights, bands or bodyweight. Whatever you like! You don’t have to be a hardcore athlete, just get moving some. Even getting up from your desk to stand up and do some work helps, taking the stairs, or parking at the far end of the parking lot helps – little changes can add up to big improvements.

*Aim for 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise per day. But, even if it’s less, it’s still helpful. University of Michigan researchers found that as little as 15-20 minutes of weight-bearing exercise, three days a week was sufficient for building bone density.

Don’t Smoke and Limit Drinking Alcohol: really good choices for a healthy life all around – including bone health – and also help lessen the incidence so many chronic diseases and certain cancers.

Consult With Your Doctor: Consult with a trusted medical professional before changing your dietary patterns and exercise routine and to also triage your personal risk-factors for osteoporosis and develop a strategy for optimal bone health.

Did you know that about half the women in the U.S. age over age 50 will suffer from an osteoporosis-related bone fracture at some point in life. Bone fractures and osteoporosis are correlated with a poorer quality of life and shorter life span. Many risk-factors are out of our control – race, gender, medical conditions, genetics – however, there are many we can control! Check out these 10 actionable steps you can add to your osteoporosis prevention strategy.

Note: This website provides general information about health and wellness topics. The information and other content provided herein, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website. Please visit with your medical professional for a one-on-one consultation.

Rest, Relax, and Reset – Top Spring Health & Wellness Products

This post sponsored by Babbleboxx

After a whirlwind winter season (with a running or fitness event nearly every weekend paired with loads of family activities), I totally need a break!!!

babbleboxxofficial sent me a box full of products for a  “Spring Reset.”  Head over to thefitfork.com to read more about it all, but in a nutshell:
 Vorrtman Wafters, Wonderbelly antacid, Kennisngton Books, Elysium Health

I’d love to be at a beach right about now (that will happen in June), but a staycation at home is what I’ll have to make the most of! So thankful for finding new Health, Wellness and Relaxation products to help me reset, refresh, and renew!

Suspense books "On the Line" and  "Those Empty Eyes" from Kennsignton PRess

Kicking back on the couch to reach a book is pure heaven, and something I don’t get to do much due to a crazy, busy life.  However, reading is a healthy escape and scheduled distraction from the stress of everyday life. In fact, a 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that recreational reading can reduce stress as much as 68%.  

Recreational reading relaxes your muscles and lowers heart rate, but I’m not going to lie – the suspenseful new books from best-selling authors, Charlie Donlea and Fern Michaels, got me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Lol, but in a GOOD WAY! Both books, Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea and On the Line by Fern Michaels, were suspenseful but fun and exciting to read . . . and live vicariously in the action while sipping on an iced-tea safely at home!

Look for Those Empty Eyes on Amazon or in an Indie Bookstore

Look for On the Line on Amazon or in an Indie Bookstore

Voortman Bakery sugar free cookies and wafers

Oh, and the new Zero Sugar Mini Wafers from Voortman®  –  LOVE!!!! These yummy, bite-sized, zero-sugar wafers have no artificial flavors or colors, no high-fructose corn syrup and are sold in resealable, snacker-friendly stand-up bags. Vanilla and Cocoa Zero Sugar Mini Wafers are new and delish, and I’m also a fan of the Zero Sugar Mini Cookies in Iced Oatmeal and Shortbread.

Voortman Bakery zero sugar cookies and wafers
Cookie time with Voortman®, a zero sugar and better-for-you snack! 


Also, taking care of my digestive health is a priority this spring. I do have an issue with reflux and indigestion and have for a long time, ugh! Typically, it’s only in the middle of the night (but sometimes when working out) and triggers for me are eating too much at dinner, or eating bothersome foods like coffee, tomato sauce, spicy foods – and even some healthy foods like broccoli.  

Wonderbelly Antacid

I’m proactive about my digestive issues, avoiding these triggers as much as possible – but sometimes life just gets in the way (like I really want that pizza for dinner!) or reflux just pops up unexpectedly from stress. I take over-the-counter antacid products, but was always concerned about the label ingredients – talc, dyes, gluten and other allergens, synthetic sweeteners and more.

Wonderbelly Antacid

I’m so thankful to have found  Wonderbelly Antacid™! It fights heartburn, acid indigestion and a “meh” belly with the same effective, active ingredient as many of the leading brands yet doesn’t have the yucky ingredients I had been questioning and wary of in the mainstream products. I’ve tried the new Fruity Cereal (which you can find exclusively at Target) as well as the Strawberry Milkshake flavor. I keep a bottle in my medicine cabinet, by my bedside (and even a few in my purse) at all times!

Special Deal:Text your receipt to 507-652-5235 to receive $5 back on your Wonderbelly purchase – Now available in select Target stores and on Target.com!

Also during my reset week, I decided to take a closer look at my overall health and how I’m doing as keep getting more seasoned (I’ll be 56 in July).  I took a home test from Elysium Health – their Index- Biological Age Test. It was super simple to take at my convenience. After abstaining from food or drink for 30 minutes, I just left a saliva sample in the provided test tube and then dropped in the mailbox. Within the month, I will receive a report with test results covering 10 different aspects of aging that are analyzed through my DNA. 

 Elysium Health - Index, a biological age test to take at home and mail back

This data from Elysium Health will help me understand various markers on how I’m aging – because every person’s aging journey is unique. You can’t just measure aging chronologically – it’ really has more to do with how your body performs and functions. The Index biological age test will report scores on how my brain, heart, metabolism and other systems are performing and also provide evidence-backed suggestions on how to incorporate healthier habits and optimize my lifestyle for maximum longevity. I feel like I’m already doing pretty well at the aging game, but I’m super curious to see what my test results say! When you know better, you do better – and I want to live to 100 years,  happy and healthy!

Special Deal: If you use code GETINDEX50, you can save $50 on your own Index test from Elysium Health.

 Elysium Health - Index, a biological age test to take at home and mail back

Note: this post contains affiliate links.

7-Day Spring Reset for Heathier, Happier Living

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.

Spring is here, it’s a time for renewal, cleansing and getting a fresh start! I’m sharing seven achievable, actionable steps you can take over the next week to head into the season (and the rest of your life feeling great).  I’ve incorporated several of my favorite new products in this Spring Reset and I encourage you to check them out!

I’ve listed each Spring Reset activity by a day, you can choose to focus on one thing a day, or kick them off all at once for the week. And, of course, after the week is over, you’ll be feeling so great and motivated that you won’t toss out the new routine – KEEP IT UP!

Spring is here, time for a refreshing health reset! I’m suggesting 7 easy-to-implement ideas to improve your overall wellness. Start one a day, or all at once – but after you get started you’ll want to keep up these nutrition and exercise changes that improve your life for the better.

Day 1 – Drink at least one more glass of water. In general, a good rule of thumb is to consume about one ounce of water per body pound of weight, a little more or less depending on diet, exercise and weather conditions. So, for a 125lb person, that equates to nearly 1 gallon of water (a gallon has 128 ounces). Drinking enough water will fill you up, flush you out, and keep your brain and body operating for peak performance. If you start to get bored with plain water, add a squeeze of citrus to liven things up. Also, other liquids (without caffeine) can count toward your water intake – but keep the focus on water.  

Day 2 – Add a new vegetable or veggie recipe to your menu. Strive for at least 5 servings of vegetables per day to fill you up with dietary fiber and help you reach your nutritional goals. For every 1000 calories you consume, you should be eating 14g of dietary fiber and plants are the most efficient way to get this done. A rainbow of produce keeps meals from getting boring and ensures you are benefiting from a range of micronutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential plant compounds.  In addition to shopping for fresh vegetables, keep your freezer and pantry stocked with lots of veggie choices – a pouch of cauliflower rice is one of my favorite grab-and-fix starters for an easy meal.

Day 3 – Make snack time count. Often snacking gets a bad rap, but it does have benefits if you make smart choices! Snaking can give you a boost of energy between meals, curb your appetite and prevent overeating at next meal, and offer extra nutrients to fill in any gaps in your daily intake, and provide additional functional benefits.

Core Bars for gut health. Made with healthy functional ingredients for better snacking.

Grabbing a “bar” for a snack is an easy and popular choice. However, you want to make sure that bar is not really just a sugary candy bar with a healthy-sounding name and feel-good wrapper. Instead, check out the bars from CORE Foods, they stand up to my “smart” test. CORE Bars are tasty, plant-powered, organic, refrigerated bars that provide beneficial nutrition and immune support with a combination of probiotics and prebiotic fiber to support gut health and overall well-being.

There are several types of bars from CORE Foods, really something for every dietary preference and mood. Lately, I’ve been fueling up and chilling out with the Adaptogen Bars with a blend of Reishi and lion’s mane mushrooms to help support the nervous system, and promote calm. Even though I don’t follow a Keto diet, per se, I do also love their Keto Bars because there is absolutely no added sugar and only 3g net carbs overall.  Too much sugar of any kind can really do a number on your body, but these bars use allulose, a non-artificial sweetener that tastes like sugar but isn’t processed in your body like sugar.   

You can find CORE Bars in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, on corefoods.com, or on Amazon.

Day 4 – Clean up your vitamin and supplement “cabinet”. Do you have bottles of this and that, stuff you started and never finished? Also toss out expired vitamins and supplements, vitamins with too much added sugar, and also those supplements you can’t remember why you’re taking it, or can’t stand the taste of. Personally, I’m a huge fan of gummy chew-type supplements because they aren’t hard to swallow, taste good, and I know I’ll keep up with the routine. I’ve been incorporating fruit-powered vitamin chews from The Secret Nature of Fruit ®  into my daily wellness routine and love them. Fruit is the first ingredient on the nutrition label so they are pleasantly sweet, but not in an “added sugar” or “fake sugar” sort of way – it’s just natural fruit. In fact, fruit is the 1st ingredient and they remind me more of “fruit leather” with a great texture rather than sticky candy-like gummies. Every supplement is non-GMO, vegan, gluten free, and contain no processed or refined sugars, synthetic fillers, waxes or syrups.

Secret Nature of Fruit gummy vitamins -- functional ingredients for better living.  Lower in sugar, and made with real fruit (that's the very first ingredient)

Available on Amazon and at select retailers like Hy-Vee and Giant Eagle, these functional chew supplements help your body and mind thrive with help from key ingredients, vitamins, minerals, adaptogens – and with no added sugars or fake sugars. The “Beauty” Fruit Powered Vitamin Chews have a yummy strawberry & pomegranate taste and a brimming with Vitamins A & E, Biotin, and CoQ10 to help promote healthy hair, skin and nails along with a host of antioxidants to help keep your completion clear. The Energy” Fruit Powered Vitamin Chews offer a blend of B12, Iron, and Ashwagandha for vitality, stress-relief, and long-lasting energy.

Day 5 – Move more! There is arguing that exercise is essential for good health. You have the chance to live longer, your mood is better, incidence of chronic health conditions and certain cancers are reduced, and so on. There are literally thousands of scholarly articles on the subject. In a nutshell, aim to exercise 50 to 300 minutes per week at a moderate-intensity effort (like biking or gardening) OR 75 to 150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity (like running or HIIT workouts). If you are new to a fitness routine, see your doctor and ease in. A good goal to have is 10,000 steps per day. If you’re not there yet, start with a 5,000 thousand steps per day (or fewer if struggling) and add another 1,000 to your goal every week.   

Day 6 – Eliminate (or at least reduce) alcohol consumption. I’m not necessarily against an every now and then social drink, but for the most part I think that it’s best to stay away. Even drinking just one to two servings of alcohol a day adds extra calories to your diet, enhances food cravings, and slows down metabolism. It also affects your sleep, your mood, your skin, your sex drive, your cognitive performance, increases incidence of certain cancers and the list goes on. And, even if it isn’t alcohol isn’t a “problem” for you, you likely know someone who has addictive behaviors with it. (Note: If you need serious help, please contact your physician.)

Want to celebrate but skip the alcohol, empty calories and headache? Soulless ginger ale is a grown-up soft drink that is alcohol free yet bubbly, delicious and lower in sugar. Cheers.

Sometimes I want a little “something” to drink while socializing or even kicking back to decompress after a hard day. Non-alcoholic drinks like Soulless Ginger Ale are a smart choice. No buzz, no hang-over, no-worries, just a yummy, low-sugar fizzy beverage that lets me celebrate being healthy.  Every real fruit-juice flavored variety of incidence Souless Ginger Ale starts with fresh, cold-press ginger with a hint of sugar (only 6g per can).  It’s keto-friendly, vegan and is a real ginger ale!

Day 7 – Log enough sleep!  Getting enough sleep can be hard in the Spring, especially from re-adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, staying up too late or travel weariness during Spring Break, and trying to keep up with getting taxes done, work deadlines in Q2, or the last push through to the school year finish line. Strive for eight hours of sleep per night, or at least seven.  If you are not getting close to that try these things:

  • Hit the hay 15 – 30 minutes earlier at night.
  • Avoid naps in afternoon so you will fall asleep more promptly at night.
  • Avoid mental distractions 30 minutes before bed like bright lights, cell phones, television, etc.
  • Don’t exercise in the evening, if possible.
  • Don’t over-eat in the evening, consume caffeine, or eat spicy food or other foods that may cause reflux or gut distress.

Fall for these Skin Care Tips for Autumn Outdoor Lovers

 This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.

I’ve been on a skin care and over wellness kick as I transition out of summer into fall. Especially since we just returned from a Mexico trip a couple weeks ago where I enjoy ALL the sun, and ate ALL the things! It was quite a treat to return home, to a box loaded with some of the latest, greatest products designed to help mid-life me live my best life! Read on for my fall skin care tips and how you can incorporate these products into your life.

Check out the “trailer” for all these great products that will help you optimize your health, wellness and beauty this fall!

Remember to Protect Yourself in the Sun

Despite the weather cooling off a bit, the sun can still be shining something fierce and lull you into a false sense of security. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun even gets through and damage your skin (and hair and eyes) on cloudy days. And because the weather is so mild and beautiful (isn’t it an amazing time of year?!), we are all probably spending more time outdoors. So, if you’re heading out for a run, hike or to watch your favorite sports team play outdoors, make sure you are taking proactive, preventative measures by wearing sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and long sleeves, if the weather permits.

Get Your Glow Growing from the Inside

Biosil ® Liquid Capsules.
Take two tiny Biosil liquid capsules a day (AM/PM) to help get your glow on!

In addition to preventative skin measures in the sun, you can also take care of your skin, hair and nails from the “inside out,” thanks to Biosil ® Liquid Capsules. After age 21, your body’s collagen production starts to decline – and UVR from the sun is no friend of keeping collagen, elastin and keratin fabulous over time. Ugh, that’s a real bummer for year-round sun worshipers like myself. But Biosil can help skin, hair, nails and joints that are suffering the effects of diminished collagen production.

Interestingly, Biosil isn’t actually collagen product like the powders and other supplements that are touted, but instead a clinically-proven supplement backed by my 25+ years and $20 million of research into how it can help your body generate more of its own collagen and protect what you already have.

The vegan-friendly capsules are clear, tiny and easy to swallow, and contain the liquid Biosil formula. As directed, I take two capsules a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.  Taking care of my joints is priority number one with me, but also, I appreciate how Biosil also helps elastin and keratin become more resilient and make wrinkles and fine lines soften and hair and nails thicker and stronger – and joints happier! You can learn more HERE.

Take Care of Previous “Sins of the Sun” at Home

Medpeel Professional Strength Dark Spot Corrector Brightening Serum Save 20% with code BABBLE20 at MedPeel.com (valid 10/1/22 to 12/31/22)
Medpeel Cark Spot Corrector is my new best friend!

If you’re like me, and getting a big older, you may have started noticing dark spots on your face . . . and chest and hands (for me). These dark age spots (or “liver spots” as my grandmother called them –ewww), are from cumulative UV damage from the sun, and can also be exacerbated by a genetic predisposition. Well, that’s no fun. I don’t have the time to sit around in a med spa or funds for any laser type treatments to zap them away – so I was THRILLED to find Medpeel Professional Strength Dark Spot Corrector Brightening Serum that is clinical strength, but safe enough for me to use at home. This easy to apply serum can fade dark spots with visible results and make skin tone more luminous overall in as little as 14 days.

Use up to twice daily, after cleaning, exfoliating and toning face with the products of your preference. Then rub in a few drops of the concentrated serum at problem areas (or honestly all over the tops of my hands and full face) and the finish with a sunscreen (SEE, ya need to keep up with the sunscreen). The active ingredient is Alpha Arbutin, a molecule extracted from the bearberry plant which helps prevent the formation of too much melanin which causes these dark spots. Alpha Arbutin is very gentle and kind to the skin and I am not noticing any irritation at all.

Save 20% with code BABBLE20 at MedPeel.com (valid 10/1/22 to 12/31/22)

Get Enough Sleep – 7 to 8 Hours Please

September though the end of the year is a VERY busy time of year. Back-to-school season, along with all the extra-curriculars that come along with busy family life. Work can be ramping up as the final fiscal quarters close out, and deadlines are a plenty. Plus, my running season is ramping up which means more early morning trainings and additional stress put on my body. All these factors may be wreaking havoc on your sleep hygiene – most of us need at least 7 to 8 hours to function optimally! Poor sleep can cause stress hormones to go crazy, and that’s just not good for your skin an overall well-being. So, turn off media an hour before bed, start a relaxing routine (like maybe pamper yourself with a warm bath!)

Exfoliate & Relax with a Seasonally-Inspired Home Spa Treatment

The autumn Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub scents are ahhh-mazing and my skin is too!
The autumn Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub scents are ahhh-mazing and my skin is too!

So, hey! Why not pamper yourself before bed, as mentioned with a nice calming bath, long warm shower, or some other spa-like, out-of-your-norm special treatment? I love using Tree Hut’s Shea Sugar Scrubs — they have an array of delicious scents that will evoke and seasonal mood! This autumn, I’m falling for Tree Hut’s newest Shea Sugar Scrubs — Pumpkin Spice Latte and Velvet Coffee. I can scrub away all that yucky dry skin from my summer adventures to uncover glowing, hydrated skin thanks to the good-for-me ingredients that leave my skin so happy and feeling fab. The Pumpkin Spice Latte scrub smells divine, wafting of pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and orange zest! The nutmeg seed powder acts as an anti-inflammatory to help calm the skin. The Velvet Coffee scrub has me buzzing with excitement because the infusion of caffeine helps to firm and tighten the skin topically while the coffee arabica seed is an effective exfoliant. Plus, it smells like a mug of blissful caramel maple coffee!

In addition, an, these products are also a great way to exfoliate my hands and face before I use the Medpeel Brightening Serum mentioned earlier.

Eat Well! Treat Yourself, but Remember Balance & Moderation

Use code FALLBOX25 on corefoods.com to save 25%
CORE Bar is an ideal snack before my workout & the limited-edition pumpkin spice is YUM!

I’m not a denier. That surprises people, since I’ve been lean my whole life. I say eat a little bit of the treat, it will satisfy you and you’ll be less likely to eat the whole package of “whatever” later. In the fall, the choices for goodies really REALLY ramps up – I’m mean, the Halloween candy alone . . .not to mention all the pies and candies coming up over the holidays. Growing up, my mom would tell me that too much sugar was bad for my skin. Not sure if that’s true, but I do know that drinking enough water and making clean, wholesome food choices most of the time does help with clear, bright, happy skin.

As mentioned, I will have a bit of sweets, if they are around. But I also like to keep healthy bars on hand to curb any cravings in a more mindful way. A favorite is CORE’S newest Pumpkin Spice Bars featuring the taste of warm cinnamon and spices and pumpkin with every yummy bite. In addition to the great taste and texture, I appreciate the quality, plant-based, wholesome ingredients in these bars that offer 6g fiber, 6g protein and immunity support. It’s the perfect bar to fuel up before my run or workout!

Use code FALLBOX25 on corefoods.com to save 25%

Live Life Fully, Don’t Stress Little Problems! Mind & Body Products to Help

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx #TENApartner

Living life to the fullest reaps so many rewards and opportunities.  You love more, you feel more, you see more, you do more, you move more, you give more.  But living life, in general, creates little “issue areas” that can put a damper on ‘seizing the day’ if you allow it.

Mind and Body products to help with life's little issue areas.

Check out four life “issue areas” for me and the mind and body products I’ve been using to help me keep my self-confidence at 100% so that I can live my 110% best life!   

NO MORE GETTING HANGRY

Pursing all the things I love (plus life’s obligations) sometimes gets my schedule overbooked and puts me on the go-go-go. In the past, this has led to a skipped meal or not having time to grab a post-workout snack. Missed opportunities for nourishment and refueling are not good for my general health and wellness. Getting hangry between meals is the WORST – not just for my body, but for friends, family and innocent bystanders.  However, when I make a priority of eating to fuel my goals and staying on top of timing my protein through the day, life is GOOD!  Point of reference, I try to get 25-30g protein at each meal, and 10g for snacks.  

Nutrition products for Tone it Up are delicious., plant-based and offer a great way to boost protein intake for the day.  Try the protein cookies and protein bars.
Protein Bars and Protein Cookies from Tone It Up

Tone It Up nutrition products helps me meet my snack-time protein goals and soothes my notorious sweet tooth in a better way. The Plant-Based Protein Snickerdoodles Cookies has a sweet cinnamon flavor and soft-baked texture, offering 10g of protein and 170 calories per serving.  The Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars are light and crispy, and seemingly decadent while actually a great pick-me-up snack with 10g protein and 170 calories per serving. Tone it up products are plant-based dairy-free, gluten-free and never made with sugar alcohols.

NO MORE ANNOYINGLY DRY SKIN

Every woman wants to feel presentable, if not absolutely fabulous – am I right?!  But I am plagued with dry skin, especially coming out of cold weather. After a winter of sitting in front of my space heater all day, these legs of mine look like old, dried-up elephant hides. With shorts-season underway and a bikini-baring trip to Mexico this week, I needed to feel fabulous again STAT!

TreeHut Strawberr Shea Sugar Scrub - I love this body scrub with Vit C and BHA to naturally keep skin smooth.
Tree Hut Strawberry Shea Sugar Scrub

Thanks to Tree Hut Strawberry Sugar Scrub, I’ve been able to exfoliate my legs (and arms and feet) into silky smoothness. Plus, I love that fresh, summery scent of strawberry with hits of pineapple and peach. I feel confident using Tree Hut scrub, the company never skimps on good ingredients. For example, the top three ingredients in this scrub are sugar, shea butter and the natural compound BHA which penetrates into pores to more effectively reveal glowing skin. Additionally, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, alcohol, formaldehyde and is suitable for a vegan lifestyle.

NO MORE STRESSING OVER SCARS

If you are living life, it’s pretty hard not to get a scar. Collectively, there are something like 100 million new scars made per year, or so they say. I personally have a zillion and they sometimes make me feel awkward – at least, if I have to recount to stories of how I got them!  Whether it’s fresh new scar from something as simple as scraping your knee or an existing scar resulting from surgery, New Skin® Scar Fade™ is an easy, quick, and effective way to make scars less visible for adults. Use on new or existing scars from injury, surgery, burns, and stretch marks. It is even safe to use on the face for acne scars.

New Skin Scar Fade

I’ve been using my New Skin® Scar Fade™ in three places — a NEW long scrape scar down the front of my shin, an older thick scar on my arm from a fall, and a raised scar under my chin left from stitches.  The silicone gel of Scar Fade provides greater efficacy than the “combo” ingredient products that exist today and clinical results showed users to have an 86% reduction in texture, 84% reduction in color and 68% reduction in height of scars.  I haven’t been using long enough to give a before-and-after report, but I can say that I’m already seeing and feeling good results!

NO MORE AWKWARD BLADDER SITUATIONS

I sometimes pee myself a little, involuntarily. There, I said it. Initially, this problem arose with the pregnancy, birth, post-partum process from three nine-pound babies. With one delivery, I suffered a urethral tear, and that definitely didn’t help the situation.  This was about a 15-year time chunk of my life where I suffered with prolapse and incontinence. You can search the blog, I’ve written about it before – and how I finally, mostly healed under my own volition, with time and with exercises to improve muscle weaknesses! However, I do notice that hormones also tend to play a big role in leakage for me, certain times in the month. And now that I’m flirting with menopause, I’m experiencing this problem just a little more frequently again.  

TENA Intimates pads help with incontinence and light bladder leakage you may be experiencing with pregnancy, post partum or in premenopause or menopause
TENA Intimates Pads

But instead of being embarrassed or not living life, I just dealt with it (and sometimes still do) as needed, and then move on to live life. So should you!  In fact, if you are a woman in North America, chances are 1 in 3 that you suffer from urinary incontinence, you are not alone! It annoys me that there is a stigma attached to this – a woman’s body is always evolving and, as I mentioned for me, the post-partum and menopause years are two life stages when this can be the biggest issue. TENA Intimates pads offer a solution you can feel confident using and have been gynecologically tested. The pads are made with super absorbent materials that help lock away moisture from your skin, preventing irritation and discomfort. This breathability also helps control odor.

Use code TENA10 for 10% off any TENA Intimates Pads product.