the Gluten Free Bar + #DiscountCode

When you think of a healthy snack, what do you think of? Raw fruits and veggies? A Smoothie? A bar of some kind? It may depend on where you are, what you are doing, and how long before your next meal! To be satisfying, a snack should have some protein in it! If you are looking for a convenient, satisfying, and wholesome snack, please look at the Gluten Free Bar! It is the most tasty gluten free bar on the market. It comes in many flavors and in a smaller Bite size.

When I was given the chance to try these meals in a bar, I was really impressed. Having recently been diagnosed as "gluten sensitive", I really dreaded trying to eliminate or cut down on some of the foods that I've grown up loving, like popcorn, bread, cereal, (sniff, sniff) cakes, cookies, pies, (sob) and pizza (now we're doing the ugly cry). But these bars have given me a brighter hope. With 10 yummy flavors such as peanut butter, dark chocolate coconut, coconut cashew crunch, and chocolate hazelnut, I think I can safely cut down on the glucose without having to feel deprived. That's really good news for me! Plus, they're less than 300 calories!

In addition to the taste treat, the Gluten Free Bar really packs a nutritional punch! They are made with all natural ingredients like flax, organic plant proteins, organic dates, nuts, seeds, chocolate liquor! They are non-GMO, non-Soy, and much, much more!

Reasons To Pack the Gluten Free Bar:

• You won't be eating a meal for awhile and need something nutritious to maintain your glucose levels.
• You want something in between meals to kill hunger pangs
• You want a snack that is healthy
• You are doing a prolonged sport where you need to have steady energy supplies
• You need something easy and convenient when your schedule is busy

Last weekend my husband and I took a hike to a beautiful lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon. It said 'moderate hike' on the description, but I feel like it was really hard! Hoisting yourself up rocks for a mile isn't my idea of moderate! By the time we were finished, it had been a 6 hour trek. We each took a sandwich, water, and a Gluten Free Bar. We ate the sandwich at the lake, and the bar on the trail down. It was perfect! The bars were so filling and provided the energy needed to make the whole trip.

 I am a believer in these little nutritional powerhouses and plan on incorporating them into my life! 

DISCOUNT CODE: the Gluten Free Bar would love for you to try them out. If you aren't 100% satisfied, they will return your money. For 15% off your purchase, use AGALNEEDSGFB at check-out through October 3rd!

Disclosure: I received product in order to facilitate an honest and fair review. All opinions are my own

Feel Good About Your Neck! Dermagist Neck Restoring Cream Review

Disclosure:  This is a review and a review product was provided in exchange for my honest opinion.  

 It’s a known fact that one of the very first signs of aging for a woman is her neck.  And that is why I loved Nora Ephron and her lighthearted look at aging.  The late writer of ‘Sleepless In Seattle’ and director of other fun films like ‘You’ve Got Mail’,  ‘Julia and Julie’ and ‘When Harry Met Sally’ waxed philosophical and hilarious at the same time in the book  I Feel Bad About My Neck.  For instance she said,

 “Our faces are lies and our necks are the truth.  You have to cut open a redwood tree to see how old it is, but you wouldn’t have to if it had a neck.”  OR  “One of my biggest regrets—bigger even than not buying the apartment on East Seventy-fifth Street. Bigger even than my worst romantic catastrophe—is that I didn’t spend my youth staring lovingly at my neck.”

  Perhaps she hadn't tried using Dermagist Neck Restoring Cream?

   Made with special ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, plant stem cells and various other high quality and precisely blended ingredients, it is designed to get results in 4 areas: Improving the look of very loose skin on the neck, targeting deeply entrenched wrinkles, instant-effect target tightening, and long-term benefits and health.

 

Recommended for use twice daily, it is easy to put on and go.  1 bottle is designed to last for approx. 60 days.  Since its release about 5 years ago, it has had a consistent reputation as one of the very best neck treatments on the market today.   Women are constantly saying things like, “I just started using this cream but love it! I already see a difference and love the light texture!” (review from Buyer Review website)

   My opinion:  I was given a bottle of Dermagist Neck Restoring Cream to try and although I’m not finished with it yet, I can say that it is very soothing, absorbs well, smells lightly of citrus, and doesn’t flake off.   After two weeks, I feel that the skin on my neck is more supple and smooth.  I really do like it!  Advice:  Don’t use more than a few drops at one time!  It’s not a cream meant to slather like butter on toast!  It’s made to absorb into your skin and work is magic down under the top layer!  

   Guarantee:  Dermagist has a guarantee in place to make you feel even more secure trying it!  If you aren't 100% satisfied after 30 days, you can return the bottle for a credit.  By then they're so sure you'll be so happy with it that you won't want to return it, but instead get another bottle!  

   Price:  Let's talk price.  This isn't the most inexpensive cream around.  But there are definitely ways you can pay much less.  A simple one-bottle purchase from the company will run you $99.00 + shipping and 2 bottles costs less at $129.99 + shipping, which turns out to be less than $1.00/day because each bottle lasts for 60 days.  Dermagist also offers regular shipment every 45 days for 20% off the regular price of $99.00. 

You can get social at on Twitter @dermagist, Facebook

A Basic Green Smoothie Recipe To Build On

  Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

 If you are someone who thinks that raw food is awesome, and that you should eat at least a minimum of 8 fruits and veggies per day, then perhaps the smoothie is the route you want to take.  
   Before I started drinking smoothies, I found it very hard to eat 8 fruits and vegetables per day.  I just didn't like them that much!  I much preferred my cereal, toast, and those tempting Cadberry Chocolate Eggs (especially around this time of year).  Now that I have started drinking smoothies, it's easy to get those fruit and veggie counts up!  Not only that, but you can add other nutritious things to pump up the nutrition that much more!  
   I remember that first time I started using my friend's VitaMix blender to make my smoothies.  It was all a big adventure.  I ended up getting rather ill by the time I had finished my smoothie.  But that was the one and only time I got sick.  That was two years ago! 
   Now I've got my own BlendTec and here is what I do to make my Smoothies.
   First, the greens.  Of course there are plenty of varieties of greens and I know that.  But I am a creature of habit and I've become used to the convenience of picking up my 2 bags of spinach and spring mix at the market.  I occasionally use arugula or mustard greens, kale or even chard.  But usually it's the same combo of Spinach and Spring Mix.  I add about 1 1/2 - 2 cups.

   Next I add a minimum of 3 whole fruits.  Today it was 2 bananas, 1 cup of strawberries and 1 slice of fresh pineapple.  Many times I add frozen fruits, such as blueberries or blackberries.

    On top of all this I add about 1 1/2 cup of water, rice milk or almond milk and 3/4 cup of ice.  
    Then I add the turbo nutrition, the add-ins, and the flavor enhancers.  That can be 1 or more of any of the following:

chia seeds - 1 teaspoon or more  Good for digestion, diabetes 2 prevention, great source of fiber, manganese, protein, tryptophan.  And much more!  See this article for more details!

Coconut Oil - 1 Tablespoon - Good for skin, hair, brain supplement, prevention for dementia, Alzheimers, can prevent allergies and boosts energy.  Read up here!

Whey Protein Powder, vanilla flavor - 1 or 2 scoops - Adds some flavor while increasing the protein content and fairly low in calories!

Organic Green Tea Powder -  1/2 teaspoon - Great for energy and focus, lots of antioxidants,  I use organic Matcha Green Tea Powder! 

Powdered Fiber Supplement, peach flavor - 1 scoop = 12 g - Great for appetite control, digestion, and cancer prevention.  I order mine from a health and wellness company I've used for a long time--can I say years? 

Sweetener - I use a non-GMO Stevia  product to add sweetness if needed.  Sometimes I'll use honey. 

Other things I'd like to try:  Silken tofu, pomegranate juice, kefir,  flaxseed,

I'm sure there are so many more things that you could add to make a super nutritious smoothie, I'm still experimenting and learning.  What do you like to add to your smoothies for super nutrition?  
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

A New Flavor! Honey Bunches of Oats now with Greek Yogurt! {Review}

I have GOT to get my rave on about this particular new Post Cereal that I tried - Honey Bunches of Oats, Greek Honey Crunch, the operative word being Greek, as in Greek Yogurt!  I've always liked Post Cereals for their great taste, yet nutritious feel to them.  My favorite cereal used to be Post Spoon-Size Shredded Wheat.  Now it's hands-down Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Style!  It's made with Greek Yogurt, which gives it a distinctive sweet flavor that isn't too heavy!  
   I have two strapping boys over 16 years old and both over 200 lbs. They each could eat a box of cereal in one sitting.  But of course, I try not to let that happen 'cause I really like cereal too!  Now, if you could picture this scene at our house -  I casually mention I've got some cereal that I'm trying out and they can sample it too, if they'd like.  They ask me what kind. I tell them it's a new flavor of Honey Bunches of Oats. That's all I need to tell them. They're on it like shingles on a roof! They each pour themselves a huge bowl and at least a quart of milk on top and plop down on the sofa. I ask them how they like it and I get a few grunts and nods. That's about it. But in teen-age boy speak, that's a thumbs up! Did they care how nutritious it is, that it has 33 grams of whole grain per serving, that it has 0g of trans fat, 0mg of cholesterol and provides 12 essential vitamins and minerals, and 5g of protein? Not really. It's all about the taste and texture for them.

 For me, I do care.  I don't like super sugary, sweet cereals, either.  If I want it sweet, I want to be the one to be able to regulate it to my taste, with the kind of sweetener I want.  I actually did add a teaspoon of brown sugar to my bowl and I was in heaven.  It was delicious!!  I Love the texture, kind of dense with smaller flakes and bigger greek yogurt covered chunks of granola.  And really, if I had to choose between say, apple pie or this cereal, I'd pick this cereal.  It's that good!  So maybe instead of dessert, I'll eat Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch, and then I could eat it at least twice a day, rationalization being a top trait of mine!

I enjoyed learning about how Vernon Herzing, a long-time employee of Post decided to experiment by combining a few of Post Cereals together and then gave it to his daughter to try.  When he saw her face light up, he knew he was on to something and really, that is how Honey Bunches Of Oats Cereal was created!   With this newest addition of Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal, the collection of wholesome goodness is ever-growing.  I'm wondering which one is your favorite of the 12?   You can also find out about your favorite cereals along with cool contests and deals on their Twitter site, @HBOats.  Look them up on Facebook too!

Disclaimer: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and Honey Bunches of Oats partnered in support of this campaign. Honey Bunches of Oats compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Welcome Skiers #SkiUtah And Come to Xage Med Spa $50 #Giveaway

The snow has been fantastic this year in Utah.  The beautiful powder that skiers from all over the world travel to experience has been at its best this year.  I know, I live just 10 miles from Alta Ski Resort and despite my own harrowing experiences with the winter weather, it has been great on the mountains.  

I've got a great suggestion for those who have traveled here for our great skiing.  When you come to Utah for your ski holiday, you also need to get rejuvenated at one of the best medical spas in Utah!  Located in Provo, UT,  Xage Medical Spa features a whole array of wonderful ways to come away feeling not only more relaxed, but also more beautiful.  Sometimes that is just what a gal needs to go ahead and be the life force for good that she was meant to be.  It's surprising what feeling good about yourself physically can do for you in terms of being more productive, more present and more giving to others.  It's because you have been re-charged!

"Did you ever look in the Mirror and think to yourself “I would look much younger (better) without those wrinkles”? Have you thought about trying Botox, or the recently FDA approved Dysport? With ten years of injecting experience behind him, Dr. Porter can explain each injectable product during your consultation and will help you decide which one is right for you."

 
Dr. Stuart Porter and his team of professionals are dedicated to making your experience at Xage one that will make you glad you came!  It is my spa of choice because of the comfortable atmosphere, the individual attention and the great results I get with whatever service I choose.  It was mentioned as one of the best of 2012 in the Deseret News, Utah Valley's newspaper. 

Some of the services that I have personally had experience with are the massage, the ozone therapy, the vein treatment and the restalyne and filler treatment.  It sounds like I go a lot, but actually it has been limited.  However, every single time I have gone, the service has been great and I have always come away very happy.  So chances are good that I will continue my patronage! For instance one time I had some troubling pimple-like things on my face and they wouldn't go away!  I talked to Dr. Porter about it and he suggested and gave me a small jar of Ozonated Olive Oil.  It smelled horrible, but within a couple of days my problem had completely cleared up.   

Dr. Porter is amazing with his wealth of knowledge about beauty and women.  He is an artist, literally, with an eye for beauty. He is known by many as the best injectionist in Utah, and has 19 years of medical experience.  He is also an authority on Women's Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement.  I am currently trying Amberen, a healthy choice for women approaching or already in peri-menopause and the symptoms associated with it.  It naturally promotes hormonal balance by supporting healthy function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is the backbone of the female hormonal system.  It is a supplement program that is 3 months on and 3 months off.  I'm excited to see how it works for me!

So whether you are in the area enjoying the beauty and fun of the snow in Utah or are here already, I highly suggest you make an appointment for one of the great services offered at Xage Medical Spa!  You'll be happy you did!  And let them know that A GAL NEEDS...sent you for a special thank you gift!  Also find special savings and this month's great Valentine's Day Special on Facebook!

Disclaimer:  I received product for this giveaway for review purposes.
 

 


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