Natrogix Probiotic Supplements with Advanced Prebiotic Review

I've blogged many times about the perks of taking probiotics. I've read that it's important to change brands often to get different strains in your body. Recently I tried out Natrogix Probiotic Supplements with Advanced Prebiotic: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N0ZP0QE?th=1 to review.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health. They really aid in boosting your digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something that is negative, or bad. Bacteria is even known to cause diseases. Just like there is good and bad cholesterol there's also good and bad bacteria. Your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called "good" or "helpful" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. Probiotics are naturally found in your body.

You can also find them in some foods and supplements such as Greek Yogurt. I suggest getting plain Greek Yogurt, and adding your own fruit, or using it as a sour cream by adding lemon juice. The flavored Greek Yogurts are loaded with unhealthy sugar. If you feel you need an extra sweetness just add local honey.

When Do You Need Probiotics?

Probiotics can really be taken anytime. I stress the need to take them when the immune system is compromised, or you're on your road to recovery.

This may include: Skin irritation, nail infections, sickness, auto immune diseases, surgery and more.

I just had a pretty big surgery. I consider it big because it was right up by my brain and eyes. I feel like the recovery is more than either c-section I had. Maybe not emotionally, but certainly with energy level and pain. I was prescribed antibiotics. With that I took these probiotics. Usually when I have antibiotics I have trouble bathroom wise. This time with these probiotics in my system I didn't have trouble at all!

Pills, Pills and More Pills:

I feel a bit like a pill monster lately. I take a vitamin, 2 natural cholesterol reducing meds called Ahi Flower, an allergy pill, a puff of Steroids, and a Seroid pill in my sinus rinse. Then I have 3 allergy shots a week. I start feeling like a walking pill body. 

Much of the time instead of taking probiotics, I open them up and add them to a smoothie. Then I'm not taking 1 more pill. These help with wellness, my digestive track, and brain function. My thinking is all there, but because my energy level isn't all the way back I find myself not being as quick on my feet as I was before in the thinking department. I need all the help I can get with thinking things through right now.

What I Thought of Natrogix Probiotics:

• I certainly think they are well worth taking! 

• Cost: $34.99 on sale for $19.99 + on Amazon Prime. You can catch a deal!

• They are made in the USA! That's always a perk in my mind. 

• They have great health benefits! I went over those already. This one has 15 strains. 

• I don't get why it even comes with a box. The pill container wasn't even in the box when it shipped to me. What was the point of manufacturing that? 

• Like many things these days I dislike how the pills don't fill up the container! I'd rather pay more for more pills, or just had a smaller container. Am I alone on this? It seriously is my biggest pet peeve with packaging. 

• I like the pill style. Because I add probiotics to smoothies often it's important to be able to open them up. Some probiotics don't open up.

What about you? What do you take daily in pill form? Do you take probiotics?

Disclaimer: I received Natrogix Probiotics in return for writing this post. The store certainly inspired me to write this post. I only review things that I think my family or readers will enjoy, or find useful. 

Random Tid Bits

1. I was told I could go back to work two weeks after having surgery. I have to say that I wasn't really feeling it until 2 1/2 weeks. I'm now finding myself being goofy like I was. I don't know if all my family is happy about that one. ;) I tend to be really goofy in the morning. Not everyone is ready for that. Travis is more the type of person that prefers to not be talked to until he's had his coffee. Are you a morning person?


2. Mica's really into two bands right now: Queen and Led Zeppelin.

He say's Bohemian Rhapsody is his favorite song. One day he kept singing it over and over again. I started singing it, but changing the lyrics to fit what Mica was doing. That's something I do often!




3. Mica was telling my Dad (Grandpa) about Led Zeppelin. My parents aren't/weren't music seekers. There's a lot of bands they don't know about. Grandpa told Mica about The Righteous Brothers, and had him listen to that.  


4. Here's something really funny about Led Zeppelin when it comes to the boys: Robert Plant does a lot of "Ahhhs-ah's" in his music. The boys both say, "Ahhh-ah choo". Like Robert Plant needs to sneeze after his, "Ahhh-ah's". One sound he made, Isaak said, "I'm just waiting for him to get done grunting. He sounds like he needs to poop." *Insert eye roll. 




5. This weekend we're going to my cousin's lake property for my Grandpa's 91st birthday. Fancy right?! I was just told, "Bring life jackets if you want to have some lake fun." *Insert eye roll. As if this city girl has life jackets laying around. They made it sound like, if we didn't have them the boys couldn't participate in any water fun. No I don't want my boys to drown, but I also didn't want to go out and pay for life jackets either.
   
   I feel a bit overwhelmed with big bills, and am seriously trying to watch my pennies! I don't want to buy things we may or may not ever use again. Maybe I'm just grumpy because 1/2 the time I still feel like doing nothing. I have my personality back, but I'm not motivated to go out of the house. Nor do I want my boys to loose out on fun with their cousins. I appreciated the lake idea, but was starting to wonder if just having it at a park would have been better. I really don't think my sister, or other cousin that have kids has life jackets either. I ask to have parties outside, and get a lot of negative responses from my family, so that bothered me too. Then I felt bad because my mind was being negative instead of positive. I should be happy my cousins are sharing their lake property with us. 

I just asked if anyone had life jackets to borrow for the weekend on facebook. It couldn't hurt - right? Well one girl who has an adult kid was happy to give up her kid life jackets. It all worked out. When our friend dropped them off, the boys were so excited! They wore their lifejackets all throughout their new favorite show, Just Add Magic. Do you have any new favorite shows?

The Apel Show

About four years back we won a DVD: The Cosby Show. It was a combo of their best episodes.

Mica said, "You know we're just like the people in the Cosby Show." It made me giggle. Mainly because he wasn't even seeing the fact that our skin shades and tints are different.

It's great that Mica sees past the color of one's skin.

For the record I think Mica is a combo of Theo and Vanessa. I think what he was referring to at the time was the fact that they are a funny family, which we can be funny too.

Well then Bill Cosby got accused of many things. For awhile I didn't even want to watch the show. I decided that there's more characters than just Bill Cosby in it.

The Cosby Show is on Amazon Prime right now. I do have to say that I'm not the type of person to ban things just because I don't agree with someone, someone's actions, something said, or something done.

The person that played Elmo on Sesame Street was caught in a scandal, the dad from 7th Heaven was caught in a scandal, and Dukes of Hazard was pushed off TV because of their flag. I like Madonna's music from the 80s, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything she's ever said. I love Subway, but I don't agree with Jarad Fogle's actions!

The boys enjoy The Cosby Show.

The first one we watched on Amazon Prime was all about Vanessa Cosby not wanting to practice her instrument. We've struggled all summer with Mica not wanting to practice his trumpet. It certainly chimed in with what we were experiencing with him.

Do you ban shows, shopping places, or listening to music based on something that has happened with an actor, owner, spokes person, or singer in real life?

WW: Hail Damage {Linky}

I just got done getting an upcycled nose: Deviated Septum fixed and Polyps removed. Then it happened! Lots of baseball sized hail! The biggest I've ever seen!

Boy were we hit! Our newish Subaru Outback has about $6,500 worth of damage. Our old Honda Civic has about $3,500 worth of damage. 

Rings of broken glass on the windshield:

The inspector finally gave up on counting the dings on our vehicles. :( I know it's a little hard to see with all the reflections.

My husband checked out the roof, and said it looked fine. I said, "We need to have an inspector out anyhow." We need a new roof, and all new gutters.

Thank goodness for insurance, but it still is expensive with all my medical stuff on top of it. 

What's the worst damage you've ever experienced?

Check Your Boobies

I'm the Queen of doctor's appointments lately. 

I had an ENT follow up last week to get my nose splints out. That seemed to go fairly smoothly. I did have to talk with Mica when he said, "Hey Trent!" to my doctor. He read his name on the sign when we walked in. I said, "Mica he's Doctor Quinlan."

I guess I don't blame Mica. His guy pediatrician Doctor Francis Harrison says, "Mica come over to see Doc Frankie." He's even said, "Open up for Franny." So his pediatrician is a bit less formal. That's ok. I love Doctor Harrison! He's the best! He's called me back personally when typically a nurse would call, he's stopped off at the hospital when Isaak was there on his way to vacation, he's called to talk to Travis when only I'm around to see him, he's the first to deal with med students, he has his med students research anything out of the normal, he's given my sister his cell phone because of my nephew Emerson's problems, and he's done home visits.

Mica and I had a talk about doctor's, and how they've worked so hard for their title. If they give the ok to call them by their first name, you can do that. Otherwise it's Doctor insert last name.

After work yesterday I went to get my allergy shots. I kept thinking later in the evening, Man I got some mosquito bites on my arm. It didn't dawn on me until later that it was the arm I got the 2 allergy shots in.

Then today I had my OB appointment. I wanted to change the appointment, but she couldn't get me in until Feb. I so wish my allergy/asthma doctor, or my OB doctor were my primary doctor. The only doctor I do not care for is the primary one. He has very little bedside manner, he didn't tell me about my polyps when I went in and told him I see something back there that won't come out, he tells me about his personal life, he's not proactive and rubs me the wrong way. The only reason I've kept him this long is because he's so close to work. I'll be switching him out. My OB doctor gave me some names. She's so much more in tuned with my needs, and asks me about more than just my OB stuff. My only complaint with her is that I have to make an appointment a year in advance to see her.

Here's how the Check Your Boobies talk went:

Doctor: Have you ever thought about getting a mammogram?

Me: Ya because I had a student in her 20s get breast cancer, a guy I went to high school had it last year, my son's Kindergarten teacher got breast cancer, it was by her armpit, so it was hard to detect, and it's not just an older person thing.

Doctor: Some sources say to start getting them at age 40, while other sources say age 50. Your breast tissue is lumpy, so I think you should get one just to be on the safe side. Lumpy doesn't mean anything bad, it's just that there may be something under what I'm feeling. 

Me: Ok sign me up.

So I went upstairs to get my first Mammogram. They'll only call me if anything is wrong. It didn't really hurt, but was a little uncomfortable. Compared to what I've been through lately it wasn't even uncomfortable. It was a breeze.

The biggest awkward thing was when I went to leave. I said, "Thank you for squeezing me in!" because they were busy. Of course Mammograms squeeze your boobies, so I didn't think about what I said until after I said it. It probably wasn't the best choice of words, or maybe it was the perfect choice of words. 

Superior Bidet Review

The day after my sinus surgery happened a package arrived! I got a Superior Bidet to review! 

What is a Superior Bidet?

This is their most popular bidet toilet attachment. It cleans everywhere, so you use less toilet paper. The supreme model is an attractive design that leaves you feeling clean. It has an adjustable dual nozzles, so women and men both will leave the bathroom feeling clean.

Instructions:

The instructions were pretty easy to follow. My husband put it in. I went to go get allergy shots, and by the time I got home we had a new improved toilet! He went from being irritated with me because I didn't tell him about this, to saying it was easy to install.

There was a mishap. He forgot a washer. He did make one trip to the hardware store for toilet seat risers. Otherwise everything was included except for the tools!

Our box had easy to understand instructions:

If you get this, and instructions happen to not be included by accident, or you've misplaced them, there's a set of instructions on their website as well.

What a Superior Bidet looks like:

It's nice! It's like a remote for your tush! I do wish the tubing was hidden, but otherwise it's modern looking. The first time I used it I was excited and nervous. That sounds kind of silly. It is just water. I get nervous with anything new really.

Features of the Superior Bidet:

• There are adjustable dual nozzles that help with rear and feminine washing. I've used both, and they work. 

• It says that all body types and shapes welcome! Isaak used it, and his 9 year old self got water all over. Either he needs practice, or his butty is just too small. I'm thinking he needs practice.

• It has a discreet retractable nozzle.

• Adjustable water temperature from cold to hot, and somewhere in between. I think we have it set right in the middle now.

• Easy installation to cold & hot water connections.

• Easy installation using existing water supply and toilet seat components. 

• Really all you need is a hammer and screwdriver. We did get toilet seat risers. I think that was optional. They give you everything else. 

• There's a self-cleaning feature flushes nozzle with fresh water. That's great if someone is sick. I was on antibiotics, but I really didn't get sick with them like I normally do.

• Ergonomically-designed control panel with attractive, chrome-finished dials that seamlessly adjust the water pressure.

• High quality components including ceramic core internal valve. We've experienced no leaks and this is a safer operation.

What's the right Bidet for you?

I'm glad I got the Superior Bidet - $89.99. It's great that it has different water temperatures. What are some of their other options?

• Deluxe Bidget - $79.99
• Standard Bidet - $69.99
• Base Bidet - $59.99

Each one has less features than the top Bidet - the Superior Bidet is the best! I think in comparison to other brands this is so inexpensive!

Transform your toilet into a booty wonderland!

The boys had a friend get together. They made sure to tell their friends all about our Superior Bidet. It was so funny.

I know I feel much more clean after having one!

Do you know... 

• that flushable wipes are not even supposed to go down the drain? People mess up their toilet every year using them. 

• how many trees are taken down every year just for toilet paper? On the average Americans families spend $400 a year just on toilet paper. 

• bleach is added to most toilet paper and tampons. I could do with a little less bleach! 

Having a Bidet solves all those problems!

Have you ever used a Bidet?

Disclaimer: I received a Superior Bidet to help assist with this review. The company in no way influenced my opinion of the product. I only review products I think my readers or family will enjoy. 

What to Expect After a Sinus Surgery #deviatedseptum #septoplasty #polyps #polypectomy #sinuses

I promise that this post won't be gross, bothersome, just informative.

If you're a new reader: I just had a deviated septum surgery. My septum was really crooked on the inside! I was born with it. I had polyps that really did some damage. They ate through nasal receptors. I don't know if I'll ever be able to smell again. I'm really lucky they didn't eat through that bone by my brain! 

1. Typically this kind of surgery is outpatient. There's a few things you'll have to do before they'll let you leave: Walk and pee.
   
   Walking wasn't hard, but for some reason I was shivering up a storm! I wasn't cold, so I imagine that it was just from the anesthesia. It was odd because I didn't shiver at all when I was laying down.
   
   I did learn that the bladder is the last thing to wake up after having anesthesia. I felt like I needed to go, but not a whole lot comes out. The nurses wanted to make sure I could go well before sending you on my way.


2. At first I just relaxed. They sent me home from the hospital with gauze, and something that helps hold the gauze on. If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy more gauze! Enough to last about 4 days, with changing it every 4 hours.
   
   
   


3. Everyone is different with how long the anesthesia stays in your system. I needed those pain pills. I took one before bed for a good solid week regardless of how I felt, so I'd sleep better. I still have a lot of pills left over.


4. Naps are wonderful! I can't always nap when I want to. There was one day where I fell asleep at 1, and slept until 5! Keep in mind that I didn't sleep all night for the first week of recovery. 


5. I had to sleep propped up for the first week and a half. No bending over. I still have to use your knees to bend over. They want your head above your heart. 


6. The breathing tube from surgery really hurt my throat! I got lots of people telling me to try this and that. The things I thought worked great for me: Less talking, lots of cold water to drink, and have a few boxes of popsicles in the freezer! Real fruit is better than others, but I bought bomb pops for the boys for the 4th of July. You can also make your own with your own molds. Smoothies taste good in the molds! I'm sure everyone is different with this. Other things to try: Warm tea with ginger and local honey, and water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar that has the mother in it. Keep in mind they say no spicy things. I'm used to cayenne pepper in a drink I have. I still have to be careful of that, and I'm on week 3 of my recovery. 





7. I have to have someone around for my first few showers. I made sure it wasn't too hot! I get really fainty on those pain pills.   


8. Ice is great! I wasn't able to use it much until about day 3 of my recovery process. It's just too hard to use it with the gauze. About day three or four I didn't have to use gauze as much. You can use ice packs, or small bags of peas (that you keep refreezing to use just for your nose).
   
   To make your own ice packs: 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water. This gets really cold, but never hardens.





9. Have soft washcloths on hand! I'd wet them, put them in the freezer for 10 minutes, and they felt wonderful for my nose! I started using them in replace of tissues because they are much softer. If you have access to baby washcloths that's the way to go! Bamboo ones work great too!


10. Take a few Tylenol before getting the splints out. No Ibuprofen. It isn't comfortable. They are much bigger than I thought. I read that there's a lot of relief when those splits come out. I actually hurt a few days afterwards. I've never been able to breathe through my nose fully. With the healing process it's very dry! Air going through everything is so painful I thought. Maybe this was just me. I've read that a lot of people feel so great when the splints come out. 


11. I took ALL of my antibiotics as prescribed. One huge pet peeve of mine is when people don't take antibiotic as prescribed. People that do that - sorry, but you're part of the problem with Super Staph not being able to be treated now a days. (Speaking from someone that had a child with a Staph infection). Take your antibiotics, and probiotics to put that good bacteria back into your body. 


12. The ENT doctor will have you do sinus rinses. I expected it to burn. NOPE! It didn't burn at all. Prior to surgery I bought Flonase. Check with your ENT to see if they'll want you on that after surgery. Mine wants me on a specific Steroid that replaces Flonase. Now I have a whole bottle of it that won't get used. This sounds really odd, but I need something bigger than a tissue for sinus rinses. I use old spit up rags. They work great. I have a stack of them, and wash them after each time. 


13. I can sniff, but not blow my nose. What's the difference anyway? I can't plug a nostril and blow. I can blow softly out both nostrils. 


14. Have a few saline mists on hand. I love Ayr Saline Nasal Mist! Other brands sting when I spray it. I've been so dry. This is much of the recovery process. You know when you skin your knee? How it hurts and is dry. That's how my nose is inside. They say spray every two hours, or more.


15. Reading is overrated! I got books to read. I'd read about 2 pages, and feel like falling asleep. About the only things I got done with surgery is: I watched a lot of TV (sad, but true), I paid bills, I played board games with the boys, and I did crafts with Isaak. Thankfully I did have some meals made ahead of time. Travis has been busy with yard work, dealing with insurance because of hail damage we had, working, and he's in the middle of an art residency. When I did make meals it seemed like I was wore out afterwards. Mica washed dishes by hand for the first time (I did have to check his work), both boys unloaded the dishwasher, and I had the boys lug the laundry baskets up and down the stairs for me. 





16. Shaving is overrated. Remember that I can't bend over unless I use my knees. I went awhile without shaving. 


17. I had very little appetite after surgery. It helped to have applesauce, JELL-O, smoothies and anything soft like that. 


18. My upper jaw is sore. I had to ask, but it's normal to have a sore upper jaw. All the work that was done, was above that spot. Biting down on food that's thick just wasn't something I could do. It's still a bit sore on week 3 of recovery, but it's getting better day after day.


19. Makeup is overrated! With a sore upper jaw I can't put lipstick on easily. I don't even want to touch my nose, so rubbing base in is out of the question. I wasn't a big makeup person, but I always wear a little bit. 


20. One thing I never did much is swell, or get bruises. I read that a lot of people do swell and bruise. The spot where they poked me to put in an IV looked worse than my nose, or eyes. That was a pleasant surprise. 


21. Sneezing and yawning are all awkward and uncomfortable. I have to sneeze with my mouth open. I can't really do anything about yawning. Yawning is like stretching a wound. 


22. Where my nose and forehead are the skin on the outside is so dry! Of course it hurts to even touch my nose, let alone put lotion on it.


23. I had to tell my son Isaak, "No Eskimo Kisses!"