Boiron Oscillococcinum and Children's Chestal Review

The dreaded cold and flu season is here – again (!) – so this year, why not take a vow to use solutions that work naturally with your body. Make sure your medicine cabinet is equipped with medicines such as Oscillococcinum^® (Oscillo^®) and Children’s Chestal^®, both from Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines.

Nip Flu-like Symptoms at the First Sign

Flu is highly contagious and can put you out of commission for more than a week. There is no “cure” for the flu, but the key is to relieve symptoms that make us so miserable at the first sign. Oscillococcinum, or Oscillo for short, may be difficult to pronounce, but it’s a must-have during flu season. The moment you start to feel achy or run down is when Oscillo can start working naturally with your body to relieve flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and fever. Oscillo has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the severity and the duration of flu-like symptoms, helping you feel like yourself again. In one recent study published in a British scientific journal, nearly 63 percent of patients who took Oscillo within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms showed a “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” in as fast as 48 hours. Oscillo has no side effects and is packaged in individual doses, so it’s easy to carry with you and take as you need it. It’s sweet-tasting, melt-away pellets dissolve quickly under the tongue and require no water, chewing, or swallowing, and it’s safe for ages two and up.

Relieve Your Child’s Cough Naturally and Safely, Without Drowsiness or Sleeplessness

If the common cough is an inevitable part of your child’s winter repertoire, then Children’s Chestal cough syrup should have a permanent position in your home. With no artificial flavors or colors, this honey-based cough syrup is one of the safest and tastiest options for relieving all types of common coughs. Safe for children ages two and up, this non-drowsy medicine works by coating the throat with the sweet, natural goodness of honey, temporarily soothing throat irritation, while its blend of safe homeopathic medicines loosens chest congestion, thereby making coughs more productive for a speedier recovery. Children’s Chestal can be your little one’s day and night cough solution—calming those dry, fitful coughs that can prevent sleep at bedtime, but without the drowsy side effects that can hamper an active child’s day. In addition to being safe and non-drowsy, Children’s Chestal is also dye-free with no drug interactions.

Be the first to know about cold and flu outbreaks in your area before they strike in your home. Just enter your zip code in Boiron’s Cold and Flu Tracker at http://www.oscillo.com/flu-tracker to find out your region’s risk level.

Oscillo and Children’s Chestal are available at Walgreens, CVS, Whole Foods and local health food stores. Learn more about Oscillo at www.oscillo.com and Children’s Chestal at www.childrenschestal.com. “Like” the Oscillo Facebook page for great tips about staying healthy during cold and flu season, as well as fun giveaways at www.facebook.com/oscillo.

My Thoughts:

Whenever I'm sick I prefer to try natural products and remedies first before other medications. I learned about Boiron products a few years ago and was pleased with how they are both natural and effective. While pregnant, I relied on Children's Chestal for myself, because of how few medications are actually safe for use during pregnancy. Plus I honestly have to say that it is the best tasting cough syrup I've tried. Currently, we have a bit of a cough and other flu symptoms going around our home, and I was able to get my now two year old to take Children's Chestal without fussing. I also noticed an improvement in his cough after just one dose. I recommend Children's Chestal to anyone with children!

For the purposes writing this review, it was convenient that I was experiencing flu symptoms, especially headaches and fatigue. Since the symptoms provided me with an opportunity to try Oscillococcinum for the first time. One of the things I like is that the tiny pellets dissolve quickly in my mouth. With a sore throat, swallowing a giant horse pill is one of the last things I want to do. Fortunately, Oscillococcinum pellets are easy to take and simple to dose properly, as each dose is divided into its own small tube. Oscillococcinum quickly offered me relief from several of my flu symptoms, including the headaches and body aches. 

WIN IT

One of my US readers will win their choice of Children's Chestal or Oscillococcinum.

MANDATORY ENTRY

1) 

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave one comment for each entry!)

2) Follow Boiron USA on Facebook and/or twitter (1 entry for each)

3) Follow me on Google Friend Connect, twitter, Facebook , networked blogs or Google+ (1 entry for each method)

4) Subscribe by email (2 entries - please leave 2 comments)

5) Grab my button and let me know where I can find it

6) Tweet this giveaway (RT 1 extra entry per day): It's flu season! Be prepared with Children's Chestal and Oscillococcinum

7) Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (you can vote daily for an extra entry each day)

8) Like Recipe Obsessed on Facebook, follow on GFC, twitter or Google+ (1 entry each)

9) Enter any of my current giveaways (1 comment for each giveaway)

Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. Please be honest in your entries as I do check entries and will delete any non-qualified comments! This giveaway will end at midnight on . I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner and post the winner on my website. Giveaway is open to US addresses . Good luck to all!

This giveaway was made possible by Boiron. Thank you for providing the prize for giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure. I was not compensated for this post.

Basa Body Review

The Basa Body story began years ago with a single trip to Kenya. We connected with wonderful, intelligent women working hard to feed their families. Their small-scale enterprise was called Coast Coconut Farms, where they produced virgin, organic coconut oil by hand. Intrigued by their commitment, skill, and entrepreneurial spirit, we were determined to help these women tell their story and grow their business. The result is BasaBody, named after the women of Mombasa, Kenya, where Basa's coconut oil is produced.

As well as providing a sustainable income and employment for the women of Coast Coconut farms, Basa Body also donates 10% of its profits to humanitarian projects in Kenya. Yehu Microfinance is one of our partner organizations and has helped over 18,000 women secure loans to start their own businesses and help themselves and their families rise out of poverty.

All Basa Body products are made with Virgin Organic Coconut Oil that is easily absorbed into the skin and has natural antioxidants that are antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal. Basa Body products help promote healing and give skin a healthier, youthful appearance.

NO PARABENS
NO ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCES
NO ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES
NO HARSH IRRITATING CHEMICALS

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve been using Basa Body Lotion for a couple weeks now and I love it! The lotion applies easily since it contains coconut oil, yet it absorbs quickly and does not leave my skin feeling greasy. Any time I start to feel my skin drying out from the cold winter air here in Tennessee, I reach for the Basa Body lotion and it refreshes my rough patches and leaves my skin soft again. My favorite feature is the coconut scent because it smells fresh and authentic unlike products with synthetic fragrances. For my especially dry and itchy areas of skin I use the Basa Body Stick which is a little more oily and waxy in consistency than the lotion, because all it contains is 100% virgin coconut oil and beeswax. I love when products only contain a few ingredients that I recognize vs. a long list of things I can’t pronounce. I’ve also used the Basa Body Stick on my two year-old’s skin when his eczema flares up and it seems to be soothing his problem areas effectively!

BUY IT

The new Basa Body website launches on November 16th, and you will be able to purchase Basa Body products from them directly. Until then, head over to BasaBody.com and sign up for the newsletter. You will receive great coupons and be entered to win free samples!

WIN IT
One of my US readers will win a 6oz. bottle of Basa Body Lotion ($13.99 value).

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me a skin problem you experience that Basa Body would be helpful for (mine is definitely DRY skin!)

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave one comment for each entry!)
2) Follow Basa Body on Facebook or twitter (1 entry for each method)
3) Join the Basa Body newsletter for news on new products, promotions and discounts
4) Follow me on Google Friend Connect, twitter, Facebook or networked blogs (1 entry for each method)
5) Subscribe by email (2 entries - please leave 2 comments)
6) Grab my button and let me know where I can find it
7) Tweet this giveaway (RT 1 extra entry per day): Basa Body 100% natural coconut oil skin care @BasaBody  #Giveaway  (US )
8) Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (you can vote daily for an extra entry each day)
9) Like Recipe Obsessed on Facebook, follow on GFC or twitter (1 entry each)
10) Enter any of my current giveaways (1 comment for each giveaway)

Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. Please be honest in your entries as I do check entries and will delete any non-qualified comments! This giveaway will end at midnight on . I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner and post the winner on my website. Giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck to all!

This review and giveaway was made possible by Basa Body. Thank you for providing the products for review and giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

Baby Milano Review

"Baby Milano’s products are made 100% with your little ones needs in mind. Our Unique kimono onesies have the labels positioned not to irritate your little ones skin; there’s also an extra button inside to hold the inner flap to eliminate uncomfortable bunching. With Baby Milano’s diverse product line you can coordinate Prints and Solids to create beautiful & versatile gift sets ideal for personalization, including embroidery, heat transfer and screen printing. We also offer Reversible pieces including hats, bibs, burps and blankets. You can feel the aspect of our 100% Quality Cotton in our products that makes them smooth and soft for any baby."

Baby Milano offers a large selection of stylish designer baby clothes in a bunch of fun and colorful patterns, that can also be personalized! If you are a fan of animal prints, you will love the zebra baby clothes and other zebra for baby items including diaper bags, hair accessories, embroidered pieces, and iron ons.

I had a chance to review the Giraffe 4 piece Gift Set in size 6-12 months. The gift set comes with a romper, burp cloth, bib, and beanie hat. Each piece is made with high quality, thick fabric that is also soft, and is free of irritating tags. I particularly liked the beanie hat because it is reversible and keeps Elliot's head nice and warm. 

The bib is also perfect for us because the size and thick fabric catches foods, drool, and all sorts of other pleasant things that come out my baby's mouth. The romper has quite a few snaps and is a little tricky to get on a squirmy baby. Although, the button inside the romper helps keep the inner flap in place, preventing bunching and ensuring a good fit.

I did notice that the Baby Milano gift set was a little large on Elliot (not quite 6 months), so the 6-12 months size is probably a better fit for larger or older babies that are 20-26 pounds as suggested on the website. Overall, I'm very pleased with the Baby Milano Giraffe 4 piece gift set and think it would make a great gift for a new baby!

BUY IT
You can purchase items from Baby Milano directly at www.babymilano.com.

WIN IT
One of my US readers will win a Zebra 4 piece Gift Set from Baby Milano.  Lucky you!

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me what other Baby Milano item catches your eye.  Easy!

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave one comment for each entry!)
2) Like Baby Milano on Facebook or follow on twitter (1 entry for each method)
3) Follow me on Google Friend Connect, twitter, Facebook or networked blogs (1 entry for each method)
4) Subscribe by email (2 entries - please leave 2 comments)
5) Grab my button and let me know where I can find it
6) Tweet this giveaway (RT 1 extra entry per day):  Baby Milano Designer Baby Clothing Zebra 4 pc Gift Set #Giveaway  (US )
7) Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (you can vote daily for an extra entry each day)
8) Like Recipe Obsessed on Facebook, follow on GFC or twitter (1 entry each)
9) Enter any of my current giveaways (1 comment for each giveaway)

Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. Please be honest in your entries as I do check entries and will delete any non-qualified comments! This giveaway will end at midnight on October 23rd. I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner and post the winner on my website. Giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck to all!

This review and giveaway was written by Michelle and was made possible by Baby Milano.  Thank you for providing the product for review and giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

Sassy Grow Up Cup

Great news! You can now ditch all of those sippy cups piling up in your kitchen! Sassy has a new product available that is perfect to help your baby or toddler transition to drinking from regular cups - the Sassy Grow Up Cup. The Sassy Grow Up Cup™ isn't just evolutionary, it's revolutionary—with a patent-pending 360° design that lets your baby or toddler sip from anywhere around the rim with ease. That encourages the
kind of muscle coordination that helps children move up to an open cup.

•	100% BPA free
•	Revolutionary 360° design
•	Helps toddlers move up to an open cup
•	Available in 7oz., 9oz. and 12oz. sizes
	> Both the 7oz. and 12oz. sizes are available in a single pack for $5.99 > 9oz. cup is available in convenient double packs for $8.99
•	Easy grip handles sold with 7oz. cup can be removed and used with each cup size
•	Available exclusively at Babies ‘R Us

The Grow Up Cup has a screw on lid with a flexible rubber edge, however, and I think this is the best part, it is completely spill proof! There are also handle attachments available so that babies as young as nine months may begin using the Grow Up Cup. Once a toddler has grown accustomed to drinking from the Grow Up Cup, the lid may be removed and you have a functional cup to complete the transition. No new cups to buy! As a practical and frugal mom, I look for products that adapt to multiple stages of my child's development. Oh and it's BPA free as well, which is a must for me!


When given the choice Jacob reaches for the Grow Up Cup, and I can tell he appreciates the independence he feels drinking from a cup instead of a straw or spout. He noticed the difference right away and started calling the Grow Up Cup "a cup" whereas his old sippy cups are "bottles." Also, a friend of mine saw Jacob using the Grow Up Cup and remarked that it was a cool idea, and that she wished it had been available when her toddlers were learning to use a cup. I'm a fan, Jacob's a fan, and if you have a little one at home, I highly recommend you check out the Sassy Grow Up Cup!

The Sassy Grow Up Cup is available at Babies R Us, right now you can print a coupon on the Sassy Baby Facebook page! (Offer valid through October 25th, 2011)

WIN IT
Two of my US readers will each win a double pack of Sassy Grow Up Cups. Lucky you!


MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me who will be switching to the Grow Up Cup in your household. Easy!

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave one comment for each entry!)
2) Like Sassy on Facebook or follow on twitter (1 entry for each method)
3) Follow me on Google Friend Connect, twitter, Facebook or networked blogs (1 entry for each method)
4) Subscribe by email (2 entries - please leave 2 comments)
5) Grab my button and let me know where I can find it
6) Tweet this giveaway (RT 1 extra entry per day): Try the new Sassy Grow Up Cup! Two Winners! #Giveaway (US )
7) Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (you can vote daily for an extra entry each day)
8) Like Recipe Obsessed on Facebook, follow on GFC or twitter (1 entry each)
9) Enter any of my current giveaways (1 comment for each giveaway)

Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. Please be honest in your entries as I do check entries and will delete any non-qualified comments! This giveaway will end at:  I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner and post the winner on my website. Giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck to all!

This review and giveaway was written by Michelle and was made possible by Sassy. Thank you for providing the products for review and giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

Giade De Laurentiis for Target collection

MY THOUGHTS

The Giade De Laurentiis for Target collection makes a few Italian favorites both fast and easy! I love a good basil pesto pasta dish, but creating my own pesto is often too labor intensive for my schedule. I was pleasantly surprised by the Genovese Basil Pesto and its rich flavor. I put together a tortellini dish that my family loved in a matter of minutes! The Charred Tomato Vinaigrette was subtle and a little sweet, yet added zing to my grilled squash, zucchini, and tomatoes. Personally I'm not much of a black olive fan so I wasn't crazy about the Black Olive Tapenade. However, for olive lovers, I can see it being a great addition to an appetizer, or easily enjoyed by itself. 

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Target. Thank you to Target for providing the product for review! I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

This post was written by Michelle.

Fotobounce

Over the past few years I have become a bit of a photo addict. It all started when I bought my first digital camera and I discovered that taking and sharing photos was more affordable and faster than with film. Recently, my love of digital photography has even transformed into a freelance photography business. Although, taking and sharing photos still holds greater importance to me personally, rather than professionally. A little over two years ago my husband received orders from the Army to move to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. So we packed up and left all of our friends and family in California, and approximately 2,000 miles away. Shortly after moving, our first son was born, and 19 months later, our second little boy. Photos have made it possible for our families to watch the children grow, and to be a part of moments that 

they would otherwise miss.

With the number of photos I take, organizing and sharing can be somewhat time-consuming. Manually uploading pictures to websites like Facebook is not as quick as I would like it to be. Also, because some of the people I would like to share photos with are not on Facebook, I usually have to upload to multiple places or email photos as well. Fortunately, I discovered Fotobounce, a free software program that helps make photo sharing even easier!

Fotobounce is unique from every other photo sharing method I’ve used before. First, Fotobounce software runs directly from your computer as opposed to online website storage or photo sharing sites. Immediately I was impressed with how simple the download and installation process was. After installing Fotobounce, the software launched and I was organizing photos within minutes!

Next, the main feature I love about Fotobounce is the advanced face recognition technology. This tool allows you to sort photos through the software’s recognition of faces. I find this especially helpful because I’ve taken photos for friends or my photography clients on several different dates. I don’t always remember which dates the sessions took place on, however, using identified faces, I am able to find and group photos quickly. Fotobounce even recognized and grouped photos I’ve taken of Jacob over the past year, which is amazing to me considering how much he has grown and changed in appearance! In addition to recognizing faces, Fotobounce also sorts your photos by date, events, places, keywords, and collections. Essentially all of your photos will be effortlessly cataloged and organized!

Finally, I love that  Fotobounce works using a network that you create through inviting friends and family to view your photo libraries. This ensures your photos are kept private, and are only shared with the people you choose to share with. To speed up the sharing process, you can even import contacts from Gmail or Yahoo, as well as create different groups to share with! Connecting with websites like Facebook, Flickr, 

and Twitter is also simple using Fotobounce.

Download Fotobounce for free: http://fotobounce.com/download/ 

Currently available for Windows or Mac!

This post was written by Michelle

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Fotobounce. All opinions are 100% my own.