Gummy Vitamins are Yummy ~ Vitacost Giveaway!

Disclosure: Vitacost.com provided me with free product, however all opinions are my own.

I hated vitamins. I hate swallowing huge pills and therefore never took my vitamins. When I was pregnant, I knew I should take them - for the little guy, but they are so difficult to get down. Then, I discovered Gummy Vitamins - for adults! I LOVE them. They are like a good-for-you gummy bears!

Vitacost.com has launched a new line of adult and kid versions of gummy vitamins. The gummy vitamins are easy to take and really tasty – I've tried both the adult gummies and the Omega-3 Gummies for kids. A really likes them too!

Why choose Vitacost Adult Multi-Vitamins?

• Provide an easy way to fill in nutritional gaps in your daily diet
• Supply a good spectrum of vitamins, including vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, folic acid, B12 and pantothenic acid
• Supply minerals iodine and zinc
• Are All-natural! No artificial flavors or colors and are also Iron free and gluten free

Why choose Vitacost Omega-3 Gummies for Kids?

• An economical, convenient way for kids to increase intake of omega-3 EFAs.
• Provides both EPA and DHA.
• A safe alternative to eating some types of fish, which may contain high levels of methylmercury.
• All natural flavors and colors and Gluten free.

To celebrate the launch, Vitacost.com is giving one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate to Vitacost.com! The giveaway will run until Tuesday, June 26 at 11:59 PM PST and is open to US mailing addresses only. Good luck!

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Trying out the Revolt Fitness Program!

I may have mentioned (a few times?) that I have trouble sticking to fitness programs. That I need some external motivating factor. I LOVE being fit, the fun of exercising, eating healthy food, running with my family...but just can't stick with it.

So I recently decided to do something about that...I joined a fitness program called Revolt Now Fitness! It's more than just an exercise program - it's a diet, exercise and support program. I'm only on day 3, but so far I am totally committed :)

I have to admit I was a little intimidated at first. There is a diet plan for each week - and you prepare it all on Sunday! But it wasn't too hard to prepare and it's actually really nice to have everything all set for the week. The diet is full of fresh veggies - yum! I did have to use every tupperware container in the house though :) My son gets a kick out of me using his lunch containers for "mama's food." He is also loving drinking the juice from my morning grapefruits. It's been quite the bonding experience!

There are also intense workouts 5 times a week. Nichole posts the videos on the site and they are super easy to follow! She makes a pretty grueling workout actually seem like fun. I am not quite ready to show pics of me working out though :)

The best part for me is the facebook community. There are 6-week "uprisings" - where everyone is doing the same diet/workouts at the same time. Even though I'm doing it at home there is a huge support network out there - which is exactly what I need to succeed. I have high hopes for the program.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Disclaimer: As a Revolt Fitness Blogger I received access to the program for free, all opinions are my own.

Happy Monday - Happy Food!

Food that makes me happy? Truth? Donuts!!!

Donuts make me happy...but so does cheese, french toast, fresh strawberries (still warm from the sun!), french fries, a crisp green apple, bacon, peanut butter and chocolate milkshakes, kefir, dried apricots and pretty much any fresh fruit.

Now I realize that I cannot grow bacon or french toast in my garden :-(  but I can grow some very yummy, very healthy, fruits and veggies. So that's my plan to add some happiness to my life through food! I have already planted strawberries, carrots, blackberries, mint and some green onions. When it gets a little warmer I am planning on adding some lettuce, tomatoes and herbs to the mix. Any additional suggestions would be much appreciated!

Not only will I get to have happy food on my table, but my son loves to garden with me (maybe he just like playing in the dirt?). That is a wonderful, happy side benefit that I look forward to!

So what food makes you happy? Link up any relevant post about food, recipes, restaurants - the sky's the limit (or just comment if you don't blog)! Grab the button, link up and check out some other posts. Thanks for stopping by for week 2 of Happy Monday!

<a href="http://www.crazycasak.com/2013/01/happy-monday-link-up.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Crazy Casa K" src="http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u668/crazycasak/HappyMondaysmall_zps43a25dd6.jpg"/></a>

Today is World Food Day

Today is World Food Day. Not everyone will have enough to eat today, in fact:

• Our planet produces enough food for everyone, yet nearly one billion of us (1 in every 7 people) still go to bed hungry.
• About a third of the food produced for our plates ends up lost or wasted between the farm and our plates.
• One pound of ground beef for a family uses more than 28,000 cups of water to produce - that's enough to fill 20 bathtubs, and then some!

So is there any hope? Is there anything that you and I can do? While this may seem overwhelming, there are many ways that we, as individuals, can make simple changes in the way we grow, cook, eat and store our food to be more sustainable. Oxfam America has some great materials on their website to give you ideas on what you can do to make a difference - it's called the GROW Method.

 

The GROW METHOD is reducing food waste, so we’re making the most of the resources that go into making food. It’s buying products and brands that ensure small-scale food producers in developing countries get a fair deal. It’s cooking smart, to cut down on wasted water and energy. It’s buying food that’s in season, which cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions. It’s eating less meat and dairy to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and water use.

*I'm going to try and do my part. Maybe even a little bit can make a difference. Join me? *

Welcoming a New Season

Usually, January is the time for new beginnings - resolutions, gym memberships, connecting with old friends. Spring is time we clean out our closets, garages, attics and start anew. For some reason, this year, October feels like a new start for me. As I look forward to all things fall, enjoying the last few months of A's first year, and getting ready for some cooler temperatures - I just feel ready to start out on the right foot.

The perpetual things on my list? Eating Healthier, Exercising, Living a Greener Life and Making Every Day Count.

So how am I planning on tackling this minor tasks?

1. Eating Healthier - we are trying not only to plan our shopping trips better (to save money), but I am hoping to plan our meals ahead of time. At least 3 days a week I want us to eat together as a family, with a healthy meal. A eats much healthier meals than my husband and I most days. We really need to eat more greens and less cookies! We have been getting better over the last few months, so I want to contiune on that positive track.

2. Exercising - I signed up for yoga on Wednesday nights at the local parks and recreation district. I haven't done yoga since I was pregnant and am excited to try again. I am starting a less crazy running schedule. I was trying to run 4-5 times a week and that was just causing more stress. So I will consider myself successful if I can run 3x a week and walk at lunch. I am very thankful for co-workers who make me leave my office! I also signed up for a 5k in my town next month, that should alleviate any excuses!

3. Living a Greener Life - I'm planning on making October my "restart" month interms of living green. I really believe in living as sustainable life as possible, but I haven't really been "putting my money where my mouth is," so to speak. I am planning on making a concentrated effort to address this on my blog as well - to keep me accountable. Look for "Going Green" spotlights on Thursdays as well throughout the month. Anyone interested in a "green" blog hop?

4. Making Every Day Count - This is the easiset and hardest. It really is a mind-set...prioritizing health, happiness and family. There are so many things in this world to worry about and to stress about and few really, truly matter as much as connecting to your friends and family, enjoying the time you have with them and loving one another. Our calendar is already getting full of time shared with others - pumpkin trains, family visits, date nights, swim time, birthdays, anniversaries and enjoying all the great things that fall brings.

I hope you'll join me on my October journey! I am really excited about this fall...anyone else haev some big plans? or advice on how to keep the momentum going?

Happy Fall!