Does your digestive system ever feel… off? Do you ever get constipated? Have acid reflux? Confession time: I do! Lately I’ve been pounding the probiotic yogurt to try to feel more like myself, but no dice.

So I partnered with ISOThrive [http://isot.us/PH21]—a gastroenterologist-endorsed, bacterially fermented microFood  ‘pre’-biotic—to try out a new solution for digestive health, and to share a little bit about their philosophy. And let me tell you, this has been so eye-opening. I have learned so much about nutrition and digestion!

First: I learned why those probiotic yogurts never made me feel any better—the bacteria they were touting never made it to the part of my gut where they were needed! MicroFood feeds the bacteria that are already in your gut, but aren’t getting the nutrition they need. Brilliant, right?

Here’s what else I learned about what microFood can do:

1. Go where probiotics can’t
Most probiotics are neutralized in our stomachs and never make it to our lower digestive tract. To heal GI issues, the whole digestive system has to be re-balanced. A daily dose of fermented microFood like ISOThrive fuels the good bacteria to tackle the organisms that cause acid reflux, constipation, bloating, and gas.

2. Rebalance our diets the ancient way
Most modern diets lack nutrients to feed our “good” bacteria—more particularly, a very specific type of microFood that our ancestors got by eating lots of fermented vegetables or sourdough breads made from heirloom wheat. ISOThrive adds back this bacterially fermented food to rebalance our diets and keep our bacteria happy. (And, no, the sauerkraut on your hot dog or the kimchi on your bibimbap won’t get you the the microFood you need—you’d have to eat several cups of fermented veggies every day to get the same amount of microFood in one 1/4 teaspoon of ISOThrive microFood!)

3. Prep our bodies to prevent disease
Because the modern Western diet is so deficient in specially fermented microFood, our starving “good” gut bacteria are “breaking bad”—adapting to use other energy sources (such as our gut lining), and making us sick. Fermented microFood restores this imbalance, enhancing immune function and staving off disease.

So let me tell you about my experience with ISOThrive…

I loved it! It’s easy to take it in the morning.  Since it comes in a small packet, it is great to take it on the go! I usually mix it in water and it doesn’t have a bad after taste or anything like that!  I really didn;t notice much of a difference at first but over the next week or so, I started to feel better. It actually helps me not feel so hungry at times.

When my 30-day trial was up, I ordered another immediately. It feels so good to wake up and do something great for my body!

Would you try microFood to balance your own gut health? Check out ISOThrive [http://isot.us/PH21]. 
 
I’d love to hear about your experiences with digestive health. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Self Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate this post. The photo was provided.

Are you looking for some really cute shoes for your little one this Spring? Max & Ola have the most adorable shoes! What is just the coolest thing ever is that they are also made with non-toxic materials! Great for our planet too!

Just as we must protect and care for our earth, so we must protect and care for our children. Whatever is safe for our environment is often safe for our children as well. At Max & Ola’s, they are dedicated to the safety and welfare of the planet, and the health and happiness of our children.

Max & Ola make baby shoes and baby apparel in the time-honored tradition; with their hands & their hearts, using only certified, non-toxic materials. They start with the finest materials they can find, and then they do their best to make sure these are processed as naturally as possible, without harsh chemicals, so they can keep our environment and our children healthy. They believe you should not put anything on your baby that the earth doesn’t know how to produce organically. I think that is really wonderful!

These shoes really are the cutest! I received a pair of the Peak baby Boot in the blue color and they are too adorable! I love the quality and highly recommend!

And they have some really great fans! After being featured in British Vogue, the Dutchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton bought shoes from Max & Ola for her royal princess. Their entire collection was sold out in just 1 hour!!!

For more information, please visit: https://www.max-ola.com/

Self Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate this feature. Photos were also provided except the one taken of the boots.

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching! Are you still looking for a few great gift suggestions?

Here are a few more of my favorites!

These are great for the active, on the go mom:

Chroma Bottle – These bold and beautiful steel bottles will be the envy of her yoga class. This vacuum stainless steel is 18/8 double-wall insulation, perfect for keeping cold liquids cold and hot liquids hot, for a very long time! MSRP: $20-$25.

I love how pretty these water bottles are! This one is a must when I go to exercise class!

       Hipster – Keep mom running in style, whether she’s using a fitness app or streaming music, Mom isn’t leaving the house without her phone, so NATHAN says to bring it (and her keys, gels, ID, cash, and #1 mom keychain too) This new, super-soft stretch belt keeps running essentials snug and secure around the waist, stretching to fit individual contours. It features four separate pockets and best of all, it fits your iPhone 6 Plus. Available in sizes XS to XL, now available in heathered prints. MSRP: $25. This one would also be great for Dad this upcoming Father’s Day! Check out Nathan Sports for more information!

For the mom, always on her feet:

• Bring the spa home to mom with Aloe Infused Socks! Have her slip on ultra-moisturizing spa socks (infused with soft, soothing Aloe and Vitamin E) and put her feet up for some well-deserved TLC! MSRP: $5.99.

I just love these! I don’t even want to take them off!

• Her feet will forget they’re in heels with Hug My Heels Gel Heel Liners – they improve fit and stop rubbing in a flash! Made with clear gel, these silky smooth liners instantly blend in to whichever shoes she puts on, for added discretion and comfort – perfect for date night! MSRP: $5.99.

You can find these at http://www.airplusfootcare.com/

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this Mother’s Day post. Photos were provided.

Are you looking for a great gift for someone special? How about a Grayton Watch? I love the Women’s Automatic Watch Silver Dial & Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch that I received. I like that it is stylish and I like the quality of the watch. This one is stainless steel and I like that the numbers are bigger. I highly recommend this one as a gift! Check out their website because they have a variety of different watches that would all make great gifts! They have both Men and Women Watches. The one above retails for $255. I love that this is an Automatic Watch that does not need a battery.  Now, how cool is that?!

We have a special Discount Code for Our Readers!

Find this one and many more here.

Self Disclosure: I received a free Watch to facilitate this post. 

Looking for a gift for the Mom who loves to take photos with her phone? Picture Keeper is a photo backup system that works with Phones, Tablets, and Computers. Mom will just have to take the photos that she loves to take and Picture Keeper Connect will keep them safe and leave her with room for more!

More things you can do with Picture Keeper Connect:

• Get Creative: Craft custom gifts and prints with your photos directly from the drive using the app. Great for a personal touch to birthday, graduation, Mother’s Day and Christmas gifts as well!
• Keep Calm & Connect: In an emergency, simply plug the drive into any phone or smart device for instant access to stored contacts and important phone numbers.
• Fast & Flexible: View files on your Mom’s phone or share your photos from your own computer or phone.  Share endless photos and videos with family and friends – without using your data plan.
• Enjoy Every Minute: With Picture Keeper Connect, you’re able to view, select, backup and delete single items or entire albums with just the touch of a button. It’s stress-free and gives you extra time to spend with friends and family.

I received a sample to try out for myself and I love using this with my iPhone! I like to take pictures with my phone and I often get the notice on my phone that says that my storage is full. But, now with Picture Keeper Connect…there is no more worry!  I also like that it is easy to use and it doesn’t even need an internet connection! Now, how cool is that?! Seriously…It truly is sooo easy to use! You simply download the free app, plug in the drive into your device, and launch the app. Then you click Start Backup and let Picture Keeper Connect do all the work. 

Melitta Coffee is one of my favorite brands of coffee! My favorites are their flavored ones like Caramel Macchiato! Breakfast in bed with a cup of this delicious coffee sounds like a great way to start off Mother’s Day morning!

Check out Melitta Coffee here! They have a variety of other items that would make great gifts this Mother’s Day!

EO Products

Based in Marin County, CA EO Products has two powerhouse brands EO and Everyone that are formulated and manufactured with plant based ingredients right at home. With products that are as kind to the body as they are to the planet, EO Products offers personal care that is certified non-GMO, cruelty-free, synthetic-fragrance-free, gluten-free, and made with organic ingredients

For over 20 years EO has inspired daily rituals of self-care with eco-conscious and luxurious body, skin and personal products. Launched in 2012, Everyone is a line of fun and affordable personal care products made for every day, every body and every budget.

I really like these products because they are great for the environment and they are made with natural  ingredients!

Available on: www.eoproducts.com

Treets Traditions

Inspired by ancient rituals and traditions around the world, this new brand takes regional ingredients that are proven to work and modernizes them for us today. Products are all natural and free from harmful ingredients and chemicals like SLS, SLES, parabens and silicones, and colorants.

With five collections based on traditions from the Alps, Asia, Africa, the Amazon, and the Nordics,  these collections bring luxury products like Foaming Shower Gel, Body Butters, Salt Scrubs, and Bath Tea to your bathroom!

I received some of their Bath Fizzers and just love them! I recommend the Lavender and Beeswax! I also really like their Nourishing spirits shower cream, It leaves my skin feeling so much softer!

Available on: www.ulta.com

WEN Hair and Body Care By Chaz Dean

Created 1993 by renowned “hairstylist to the stars” Chaz Dean through his personal haircare journey, Chaz completely stopped using lathering products in his hair and went on to create gentle co-cleansing conditioners that were natural, yet effective.

Since then Chaz has led the co-washing movement for decades with his line of Cleansing Conditioners and styling products that create natural, healthy, and soft hair.

My favorite product is the spring gardenia green tea Replenishing Treatment Mist. I just love spraying this one on my face for instant refreshing! I use this one daily!

Available on: www.chazdean.com

I love this next one! Sometimes it’s hard to get out with the hubby when you have kids! This one brings date night into your home! Date Night In, a new subscription box service would make a great gift!

I mean…why put Romance on hold just because you aren’t able to go out for date night?

Date Night In’s monthly, themed boxes add value to couples’ lives and relationships. The activities in each box are designed to strengthen relationships through fun, memorable experiences, while five to seven supplementary items serve to enhance the date. To add an element of surprise and excitement to the date, each box’s contents are kept a secret and only the theme is revealed in advance.

I am impressed with the Spa themed gift box I received. This really would make a great gift for Mother’s Day and many other occasions such as weddings, birthdays and more!

About Date Night In

Date Night In offers a complete at-home date experience for couples through a monthly subscription box service. Boxes provide themed dates with custom-curated activities, ambiance and a treat, designed to strengthen relationships through fun, memorable experiences. Date Night In boxes can be purchased at http://www.datenightinbox.com for a starting price of $34.99. Three-month, six-month and twelve-month subscriptions are also available. For more information visit Date Night In’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Photos and info were also provided to be featured. 

Lil’ Bruiser Linzer Kits provides the perfect solution to make anyone look like a gift-giving hero. Beautifully presented in a retro-chic designed box, the kit includes twelve delicious home-baked cookies (front and back), one jam jar, one wooden knife for spreading jam, and one powdered sugar shaker, all ready to be easily assembled. More than just a box of cookies, the kit also provides a fun cookie-making activity, especially for children, without having to turn on the oven or pull out the mixer.

Lil’ Bruiser Linzer Kits began with a love for making and gifting cookies during the holidays. Founder Lauren Stiles says, “I’ve always loved the tradition of making Christmas cookies with my mom and the idea of gifting them or doing cookie exchanges with others in our town during the holidays. I created the kits as a no fuss, no mess, yet still homemade, version of this tradition of gifting cookies.”

Growing up in Long Island, New York, Stiles recalls the constant smells and tastes of home-cooked meals, especially during the holidays when her mom labored for weeks baking a variety of Christmas cookies. Although all were delicious, Stiles favorite were the linzer tarts that came from her Austrian-Hungarian side of the family. As a child, she remembers eating them as fast as they were assembled. Today Stiles enjoys cooking and baking for her family and friends in Los Angeles. Previously, she worked in the art world at a gallery in Beverly Hills for 13 years. She recently launched Lil’ Bruiser Linzer Kits to share her passion for food and desserts with others who also enjoy a homemade sweat treat.

Lil’ Bruiser is taking advanced orders for Mother’s Day. To guarantee delivery by Mother’s Day, orders outside of California must be received by May 6 and within California by May 10.

Lil’ Bruiser Linzer Kits are $25 a box plus shipping and available at www.lilbruiser.com/. Cookies are baked fresh on demand so orders take about a week to ship.

I was delighted with how fresh these taste and even my son enjoyed them! They are perfect with Tea and would make a wonderful Mother’s Day Gift!

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Photos: SoCal City Kids.

Nowadays you can customize almost anything – pizza, jewelry, phone cases, you name it! But have you ever heard of customizing your own box of toys?

Born out of the belief that toys foster growth and developed by a team of pediatric occupational therapists, HOOT for Kids (which stands for Hands on Occupational Therapy) curates a customized treasure box filled with toys hand-picked based on your child’s age and developmental learning needs.

I had the opportunity to check this out and select a box for a friend’s daughter. My son is too old now that he is a teenager. I really was impressed with how easy this is to customize and order online and the variety of products that are included in the box. They have a variety of brand partners such as Brio and Gund. What I really thought was fantastic was that the Treasure Box included toys and also innovative ways to utilize the toys with fun activities that challenge and stimulate your child. I really haven’t quite seen a subscription box like this before!

There are 3 or more toys in each Treasure box and there is also a Newborn Box that you can order. You can see the different subscription options here. This really would make a great gift for that special young child in your life!

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample box to facilitate this post.