Some Moms Have Pure Whey Protein

Looking for a better way to get more protein in your diet?  I recently got the opportunity to try Pure Whey Protein Isolate, a dietary supplement in the form of a chocolate powdered beverage.  I received the product for free in exchange for my honest opinion.  These opinions are completely my own.

This product is Lactose Free, it is Kosher certified, and is free from GMO's.  I sampled the Dutch chocolate flavor and mixed it with Light, vanilla almond milk. It tasted and looked like chocolate milk. It was a little difficult to mix completely which made it a little lumpy, but not at all unpleasant to drink. The almond milk ups the calorie count to 170, which still isn't bad at all and gives it even more health benefits with extra calcium and vitamin D. Almond milk also makes it creamier and more like a milkshake if it  is really cold!

Pure Whey Protein Isolate has only 110 calories per serving and is easy to fit into your everyday routine as part of a meal or as a between meals snack.  It has 25g of protein per serving which is half of the recommended daily intake. It has no sugar and very low sodium, making a healthier choice among other protein drinks on the market.  It also contains an added value of 135mg of calcium which is very important for a healthy diet. 

I couldn't find very much information about the company itself, other than that is manufactured in the United States.  The company has been very reliable in correspondences and seemed very interested in hearing my opinions.  I received the product in a very timely manner and have been very pleased with everything. I would be interested in trying other products by them as well.

You can try 100% Non-Protein Spiking Pure Whey Protein Isolate on Amazon.com 

This Totally Random Review

A mustache, a dachshund,and a pineapple, these are three shapes I just pulled out of a bag of Wonka Randoms.  This is a new product from Nestle featuring delicious gummy candies in random shapes, flavors, and textures.  Check out Randoms at Wonka.com

The bag states that there are a possibility of 70 different shapes in 7 fruity flavors, and 3 textures. I've pulled out a variety already!  It's really a lot of fun to see what shapes your gonna pull next.  I took a bag to work with me today and had a great time sharing with my co-workers.  It became a game trying to see what shapes everyone got.  I think my favorite was the cherry red mustache my cousin pulled and then wore!

These not only look bright and beautiful, they taste great.  They have a nice gummy texture that is not too hard or sticky. They are easy to eat and the packaging is easy to open.  I received two bags, a smaller bag (5oz) that you rip open, and a larger (10oz) re-sealable bag.  I like the re-sealable bag because I don't want to eat them all in one sitting, it also makes it easy to travel with.

Let's talk nutrition.  Okay, this is candy so they are high in sugar with a total of 35g of carbs per serving.  A serving size is equal to about 10 pieces, which is really all you want to eat because they are very sweet. They also contain about 140 calories per serving as well, which isn't great as far a snack foods go.  These are definitely a sometimes treat and should be eaten in moderation.

Randoms are a lot of fun to eat. I think kids and adults would enjoy them.  A bag of Randoms would make a great stocking stuffer or special treat but I wouldn't eat them all the time due to the amount of sugar. Also, they are not recommended for children under the age of 4 years old due to being a choking hazard.  The Wonka brand is very reliable and known for good quality candy.  Wonka's Randoms are no exception to the rule.  I have thoroughly enjoyed sampling these gummies and would definitely buy them!  You can find them at many grocery stores, Walmart, and at online retailers like Amazon.

I received this product for free in exchange for feedback on the product from Smiley360.com.  The opinions in this review are my own personal thoughts.

Follow me on Twitter @Maddoxbel

Child's Pose: Yoga with Your Toddler

It's raining again, for the third day in a row.  My daughter, two years old next week, has more energy to burn than a windmill in Chicago.  Currently, she is running through the house with a bucket on her head and a pair of my shoes on her feet (she's always been very fashion forward :)).

One of our favorite rainy day activities is quick, toddler-centered yoga routine.  We get in our comfy clothes (if we aren't already), get out my yoga mat and a towel or blanket for Miss A. We listen to an ambient music station on Pandora Radio and go through a number of poses until we are calm and relaxed, or until A loses interest.  Here is a great resource for kid-friendly poses at Namastekid.com   Sometimes we watch a guided yoga class on YouTube. There are some great videos made for kids that only do positions for beginners and even have fun names for the positions.  Here is a link to my yoga playlist on YouTube.

Tips for including your toddler in your yoga routine are to make it fun, quick, and safe. Try not to push it on your child, sometimes I don't even ask or tell her what I'm about to do. I just get ready and begin stretching. If your toddler is anything like mine, they will want to do any and everything that mommy or daddy does. She almost always joins in and has a great time.  Also, a session shouldn't last too long.  Start small and work up to longer sessions.  It's important not to stress over correct positions, especially with younger toddlers.  The point is to get them involved and learn a thing or two in the process. Of course, as with any exercise routine it is important to be safe. Only try positions for beginners with your toddler and try to keep them from putting too much pressure on those sweet little spines!  I try to just go with the flow, sometimes we get in a great session and sometimes Miss A just wants to sit on me while I stretch.  Either way, we have a great time together!

                          

Yoga has been around for a long time, we're talking 5th century BCE!  It originated in India as a religious practice, and is one of today's most popular forms of exercise.  According to the Mayo Clinic, Yoga promotes strength, flexibility, balance, and reduces stress. It engages both the mind and the body which makes yoga a great activity for a developing toddler.

The Kitty Pose...well, maybe but not, but it's super cute!

Practicing yoga helps kids learn more about their bodies while building strength and flexibility.  Breathing techniques promote better respiration and requires focus, an important skill for all. Yoga also requires one to be still and learn to quiet the mind through meditation. Most importantly it teaches the importance of taking care of ourselves, both mind and body. Yoga is a wonderful learning tool for people of all ages. 

I recently got the opportunity to try and review a product for Youphoriayoga, a company that sells yoga accessories exclusively on Amazon.  That have some really great products including yoga mats and towels that are great quality.  I got to tryout one of their fantastic yoga towels. They are non-slip, which is great for toddler feet.  They come in a variety of colors, mine is light blue and green.

Their website states that the towels extend the life of your yoga mat and more importantly reduce the risk of bacteria. I mean, who washes their yoga mat after every use? Think about how gross they can get, yuck! The towels are easy to care for and are machine washable.  So, far I think it's a great addition to our workout gear.  The towel is very soft and feels kind of like a microfiber towel.  It really is non-slip, but also doesn't stick to your feet like a sweaty yoga mat.

Of course, you don't really need any tools or equipment to do yoga. That is one of the great things about it.  It is free and easy to learn. It's easier on the hands and feet with a mat, which you can get cheap at your nearest walmart.  The towel is a nice addition, but it isn't a necessity.  I think it would be great for those who go to public or group yoga classes, especially if using a borrowed/house-mat. 

No matter where, or with which tools you use, yoga is a great way to spend time with your child teaching him or her the importance of health through engaging both their bodies and their minds.  It's fun, it's easy, it's educational, and it's showing love in the greatest way possible by just being together.