Relieving pain with #WellAtWalgreens Keeping my family Happy & Healthy

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its client. All health related suggestions and opinions expressed in this post are all my own #CollectiveBias

Last year my familys world got flipped upside down. My dad got really sick and all our lives got changed forever. Its been a rough ride but with faith and togetherness as a family we have gotten through it. Some of the big changes since then come with our at home necessities. Some people watch me go shopping at Walgreens and wonder whats with all the wellness products but they are all too necessary for our day to day life with relieving pain and keeping healthy. 

With a preschooler and a father with serious medical needs I am constantly needing something from the #WellAtWalgreens line. And I also need to have a go to at home care kit to keep up with our needs. A little pain reliever here and a couple bandages there need to be restocked and ready for our family. 

Typically we head out every couple of weeks and restock and add. I joke about it but sometimes it feels like I could run my own nurse station from home. 

Dont forget to sign up for a Walgreens balance Rewards member card. Its FREE! You get this cute card/key-chain mini card and you can either bring it in during check out or they can even look up your phone number and the points start stacking up and they sure help. 

Here is a typical kit with a mix for both my munchkin and my dad. 

Band aids, bandages, rolling tape and pain reliever. Neosporin, thermometer, and so much more! Its not easy but when you have great prices for good products it all works out especially when you know there commitment to aid our communities. 

Walgreens way to well commitment- starting February 1st of 2011 through December 2014, 1 cent from the purchase of every Walgreens brand health & wellness product, up to 3 million annually will support bringing preventative  wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens way to well commitment. 

What could possibly be better than a happy healthy family? 

Be sure to check out this video --> Moms Cool things at Walgreens {Walgreens brand Wellness Challenge} #CollectiveBias 

How do you keep your family Healthy and well? Especially if you have multiple ages to care over I would love some tips that worked for you. Have you checked out #WellAtWalgreens ? What are your favorite products from the #WellAtWalgreens line?

H-E-B Healthy Family Expo

A couple of weeks ago we headed downtown bright and early to The HEB Healthy Family Expo. We have gone a couple of times in the past years and we always have fun, get lot of goodies and learn something new. This year was a great year to go since my father has been struggling with his diabetes and we always need as much information on diabetes and healthy food choices as we can get. They had the Expo at the Henry B.Gonzalez Convention Center so it was big! 

They had sections on food (samples, recipes and cooking demonstrations) , services, products (coupons and samples), and even an area where they were doing health testings. The whole event was Free! They had a kids area where they could play and even get a free brand New book. We played safety Bingo and won a Bike Helmet which turned out to come very handy since it was just the push he needed to learn how to ride his bike. 

When we got home we had 4 huge reusable bags full of samples and information/coupons and even lots of fresh fruit (strawberry containers, apples). It was fun to go through and here are some pictures of what we got:

It was a great morning and we always get great samples, coupons and information and I cant wait for the next one. Have you been to The expo? If you have how big was your haul?

Having Fun at the Park

A couple of weeks ago we checked out an old Park we hadn't been to in over a year. It had gotten a new walking trail and we were excited to try it out. 

Here are some pictures of our adventure! 

It was fun to look all around at nature. 

At the end of the trail there was a really cute park playground where we took a break and played! It was fun!! 

Play Time... Fun Time! 

Its always fun to discover a new place! It got us outdoors walking and enjoying nature, so I think we might be finding other trails to go on adventures. 

Whens the last time you took a walk with your family? 

Adding more Veggies into our meal thanks to Krazy Ketchup!

I recently got a chance to try out a new side of Ketchup, one where its not just made with tomatoes but it has even more vegetables added in. And yes! It tastes good. What am I talking about? Krazy Ketchup! 

I honestly didn't know what to think at first. Here at home we don't have a problem with veggies. We eat lots of them: Broccoli (munchkin calls them trees), carrots, lettuce, beans, corn, mushrooms, peas and potatoes! (just listing them made me hungry) But there are a lot of parents out there who struggle with there kids and worry they are not eating enough vegetables or even any at all!

Two moms actually were going through struggles with there kids not wanting to eat any veggies and were inventing up ways of sneaking veggies into there meals (who hasn't done this? ) when they realized that there kids loved ketchup! (mine sure does) and tried adding more veggies to it.This led them to eventually make there own. This amazes me the lengths some parents would go to care for there kids nutrition. It made me even more excited to try out there product when I knew moms made this. (For more info on the moms story click here)

Now I bet your wondering if it tastes funny with more veggies added in and the answer is No! It tastes great actually. So now were adding sweet potatoes and butternut squash to our list of vegetables and even I cant tell! 

For our first try at it we ate the ketchup with tater totters at home! It was yummy! Here's the tater totters before we ate them all and munchkin in between bites. 

We are going to be trying it out next with these awesome recipes I found on the Krazy Ketchup website. Here's a sneak peak at them: tacos, meat loaf, meatballs, chicken and more. 

So stop on over to your local store and pick some up! If you want to make sure they carry it before you go here's a link to see all the places Krazy Ketchup is available at. You can even have it delivered straight to your door! 

Hope this helps some of you parents with kids who boycott veggies, and if you are like me and have a kiddo who already likes veggies why not add more in the mix? It sure wouldn't hurt to try something new! 

Disclosure: I was given a Free bottle of Krazy Ketchup to try out. All opinions are my own. Your opinions and experience may vary from mine. 

Happiness Is...

Happiness Is... (Week 2)

Happiness Is... sleep (I need more of it)

Happiness Is... Health which we are blessed with right now

Happiness Is... that on the 13th of January my dad was in the ER with doctors saying he could have lost his leg but today one month later he is feeling so much better, his leg was not lost and is healing so beautifully! 

Happiness Is... the fact that tomorrow is the day of Love... Valentines Day! And I cant wait to see all the cutesy stuff people do. I have munchkins treat bags ready! Are you ready?

Happiness Is... trying out Krazy Ketchup which is full of vegetables and your kids will never know because it tastes so Yummy! So go give them a try!

Happiness Is... Opportunities! I have a big announcement for tomorrow and I have been going crazy keeping it inside for weeks. Hint: It involves paper plates

Happiness Is... My Munchkin! Here he is being a Rock Star! Watch out world! 

Lisa at Crazy Adventures in parenting has been doing a weekly series called "Happiness Is_____" where every Wednesday she will be having a link up for others to share what Happiness is to them. So go check that out and link up! You can also follow others along with the hashtag #HappinessIs on twitter and Instagram. Hope to see you there spreading the happiness!

DIY Vision/Inspiration Board

Over two weeks ago I started my Vision Board, I was almost finished with it when my dads health scare happened so it was put on hold. It also made all the things that I want for more my future that much more clear and serious.

If your wondering... What is a Vision board? A Vision Board is a board that you put your goals on to. You can do this in a variety of ways but the result you want is a place where you can see the things you are working for, dreaming of and pushing for. It helps you as a reminder to not give up, to keep going forward. Inspirational words to keep up your spirits. I have heard a lot of people who highly recommend it and I thought why not? I have nothing to lose and lots to gain so I made one to help me in 2013.

Here's How I made my Vision Board:







I Hope this helps me on my journey this year. Let me know if you make one and how it works out for you. Lets help each other on this journey to make our goals happen this year!



Project 52: Week 3

Project 52: Week 3

Hi there! This week has been such a tough week for us. Last week I wrote that I felt so blessed and you know what? No matter how hard this week has been for my family I still hold true to those words, Because we are blessed. We have food in the fridge, a roof that keeps us warm on these cold nights and a family that stands strong together through all the hardship. Right now our health may be affected but its nothing chicken soup and good rest cant fix. As for my dad, with care and good doctors and lots of antibiotics he will come out all the stronger and wiser from his pain.

This week we had to take my dad to the Hospital in an emergency. He had a huge wound on most of his lower leg. I would say about a Frisbee size if you could bend it (includes the redness around it). He had actually been hiding the wound from us behind pants and was only caught when he ran out of pants to hide in. He didn't want to bother us with his problems even though he is a diabetic with prior amputations, which makes any wound all that much more serious. The middle of his wound was now black and very serious. Doctors told us that if he had waited longer he could have lost his leg. Thank God he ran out of pants! We spent 2 days in the hospital with him and apparently took home with us a serious cold bug. So this week has been hospital stays and more doctor visits and plenty of medicine and so far 3 visits to the pharmacist. But we are all staying strong. This week is a test to our strength. So thats why I have hardly been online, Im either giving medicine or making soup or at a doctor appointment. 

Please send us all the good vibes you can and please if you or your loved ones are diabetic please treat every wound as if it meant your life, because it does. And dont hide your problems from your loved ones, they are there to help you when you need it most. The pictures above are from the doctor waiting room, munchkin reading new books (Thanks to Barefoot Books contest) and starting a vision/inspiration board. 

Checked out My H-E-B Texas Life?

This Saturday I picked up a copy of My H-E-B Texas Life, It was actually in my newspaper (Can be found in store). I had looked at other issues before but this one was special. It had a lot of useful information I wanted to share with you guys.

First of all have you checked them out? Its a Free publication!

Do you shop at HEB? You can actually write to them about a shopping experience or something related to the publication or really as long as its related to HEB (share it with them) and they might put your letter in the publication. Email them or write to them and if you end up (fingers crossed) in the publication you get a $25 gift card for H-E-B (Just for sending them a thoughtful note) in the mail! Cant hurt to try!

This issue was Health themed! (perfect for your New years resolutions)

• It has tips to help you be healthy and eat healthy
• Talks about healthy portions
• It even has yummy recipes!

Plus it talks about a contest for Texas students in K-8, Its called "Think OAT-Side the Box". They want kid created design ideas for H-E-B toasted Oats and H-E-B honey nut toasted oats cereals. If they win they can have there design featured on a limited edition cereal Box plus a $5000 prize for there school and a breakfast party for there class. (Entries due by 4/2/2013) Obtain entry form/rules and more details at heb.com/oats  

Last but not least... Coupons! It has a bunch of special HEB coupons inside that can really help keep you on a budget.

So go to your local H-E-B and pick one up! Its a great resource for Free, you'll see what I mean when you open it up.

Thankful Thursday

The countdown has begun and next Thursday is already Thanksgiving! (yes I know time goes by so fast) And I wanted to share with you My 30 reasons to be thankful. Especially because next Thursday I will be too busy eating turkey and so should you!

What I am Thankful for:

1. My son! He is the light of my life...
2. My family: Mom, Dad, Brother and sister, My son of course & Gilbert
3. Having a roof over my head
4. Food in my fridge
5. Warmth at night
6. Clean clothes
7. Electricity
8. Clean water
9. My Health and that of my family
10. Friendship
11. The kindness of strangers
12. Freedom
13. Opportunities
14. My sons siblings
15. All the Free educational resources my son has had available to him
16. The San Antonio Food bank who has been there for us in tough times
17. Music
18. My pets (our cats and dogs are like family)
19. Gilbert our cat who has been with us for over ten years
20. Art
21. Love
22. The meal we share with our loved ones on Thanksgiving& all the love at that table which makes that day truly worth being thankful.
23. Imagination
24. Wishes that come true
25. The ocean and all its beauty inside (Especially the turtles) that need to be protected
26. Picture memories that mean the world to me.
27. My fellow SA mom Bloggers for all there kindness, support &guidance
28. All the readers and visitors to the Blog because without you this is just a very public journal/diary
29. God for granting me life. On this day I turn 28 years old!(The 29th of November) 
30. The birth of my little brother today on the 30th of November (He turns 23 woohoo!)

What are you most Thankful for? And I know some of the things above might not seem huge to some people but to others who dont have them they mean so much to (especially for those of us who have had to make due without certain things in our lives).

Hello November!

I cant believe November is already here. It feels like October went too fast but at the same time like it lasted forever. So yesterday was Halloween and in a couple of weeks Thanksgiving and then my birthday and my brothers birthday (I'm the 29th and he's the 30th just 5 years apart though).

All over the blogosphere I saw everyone had one major thing in mind today besides too much candy and that was "Thankfulness". November is known for Thanksgiving so of course this month reminds us to be thankful for the things in our lives that mean so much to us and we should never take for granted.

What am I thankful for? I am thankful today for my family, for my loved ones. I don't have a big family so I get to love them all that much more. Above all else my son.

I would like to ask you to think about what you are grateful for? What means alot to you and why? Especially in times like these were Hurricane Sandy left so many people without a roof, food or electricity we need to give thanks for the things we have, the people we love and thanks for every day we get to be on this Earth.

Happy November ya'll! Make it a month to remember   :)

Making a Doctor kit for Munchkin

It all started Sunday morning at 3am when my munchkin woke up throwing up and from then till 9am threw up a total of 5 times! Yep did not sleep hardly a wink that night because in between the throw up on the bed and on me, him crying and washing bedsheets and more there was never a chance to sleep(but that's just a part of the joy of being a mom). Munchkin had a bad fever that day and nothing hurts more than seeing your wildly overactive son just lay around all day wishing he would be up to trouble so that he would be his old self.

 He started feeling better Tuesday and in that time I made him a doctor kit. I saw a bunch of pins on pinterest of different doctor kits/play cases to make for your child and I just wanted to make something from items at home. So I grabbed a clear mini briefcase and some empty pill containers (with fake pills made of stickers), medicine dropper samples, and ear cleaners and tongue depressors(Popsicle sticks), band aid containers and a note pad and pen to be able to write prescriptions and work/school excuses. I put Dr. Lopez on the box with stickers and I put a ruler sticker and more on the outside to add some special touches on front and back.

 I ended up adding more stuff as the week went on and He loved it! Munchkin was doing checkups on everyone and asking if we were sick so he could check us out. It was so cute! And I felt special because I made it :)

You can make your own doctor/kit case using things from home too. Just use your imagination and your child will have lots of fun! By the way I ended up getting sick too and it was not fun but I had a good at home doctor to take care of me  ;)