Wellness Blend

Yours truly (me) has a sinus infection. At least I think I do. I went to the doctor yesterday because I was just sick of fighting it on my own. He thought it looked like a sinus infection. One nostril has been completely plugged for 2 weeks. No matter what I did it stayed plugged.

Sure there were things that made me feel better in the moment. Maybe those things would have worked had it been viral. I think what I have is bacterial. When it came down to it I just needed antibiotics. Ever since I started taking antibiotics yesterday I'm getting a lot out. That's what makes me think that I really needed them.

I tried many things to make me feel better: The Neti Pot, Probiotics, steamed greens, and many of my allergy meds did nothing.

There are 2 things I tried new that did bring me some relief:

ONE: ALKALOL A Natural Soothing Nasal Wash

Source

I got this solution at Walgreens. I noticed it had all the stars for the rating. You just add this solution to any nasal cleanse, and boy does it help. It didn't dry me out, I could control how much I added to make it whatever potency I wanted. It just made my nose feel better.

Ingredients: Purified Water USP, Menthol, Eucalyptol, Thymol, Camphor, Benzoin, Wintergreen Oil, Spearmint (Mentha Viridis) Oil, Pine Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Potassium Alum, Potassium Chlorate, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Sodium Chloride, Alcohol (2/100 of 1%)

TWO: Wellness Blend

One of my FB friends posted this recipe. I changed it up a bit because the recipe included way too much sugar, which sugar increases inflammation. Adding 2 spoons full of this stuff to hot water had been such a relief! 

Directions: 

• Boil 4 cups of water in a large pot
• Add 1/2 cup local honey
• Add in 1 1/2 large yellow onions diced
• Add in 3/4 cup ginger diced
• Add in 2 big spoons full of turmeric
• Add in 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
• Add in 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
• Bring to a boil again, turn the heat down to low, and cover it. 
• Let it do it's thing until the water is cooked down 1/2 way. *Note: You'll be able to see where it started because the tumeric colors the pan a slight yellow
• Cool a bit, and put mixture through a blender
• Drink 2 spoons full twice a day in hot water. 
• Store in the refrigerator. 

Why local honey? found here

• It helps build a tolerance to seasonal allergies
• Helps digestion
• Strengthens the immune system
• Stabilizes the blood pressure

Why yellow onions? found here

• They contain vitamin C
• Assists in regulating blood sugar
• Reduces inflammation to heal infections
• Help to prevent cancer
• Help to lower bad cholesterol 
• Reduces ulcers

Why ginger? found here

• Helps with nausea
• Helps with sore muscles and pain
• Is an anti-inflammatory 
• Lowers blood sugar
• Improves your heart

Why tumeric? found here
It's used in many teas, so that's why I don't need tea in with this mixture. It's also added to many pain and depression pills. It's been used in India for 1,000s of years as a spice, but more importantly a medical herb.

• Is an anti-inflammatory
• Kills bad bacteria
• Protects our body with antioxidants 
• Boosts brain function
• Lowers heart disease

I divided the mixture up, so I have some for work, some at home, and I put some in the freezer for later.

This can be a preventative for getting sick. You could drink it all winter long. There are no drugs in it, so the body is just being pumped full of anti-inflammatory things that help lower bad cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, help prevent cancer, boosts brain function and more.

It actually tastes really good! I was having it in tea at first, but the flavor is so strong on its own that I just started putting it in water. It opens me up, while I'm drinking it!

Disclaimer I'm not a doctor. I'm only trying these things to help clear me up. All the things in this post will not clear you from illness. They only help prevent it.

1,000 Piece Puzzle

I love puzzles when I have the time to do them. Some (my husband) might say, "What's the point? Isn't it a waist of time?"

I find them relaxing. When I do them I don't think about anything much, but finding the piece I need to find. It's also fun for me to put things into sections. Yep if you gave me a tub full of Legos with all different colors I'd be the one that would love to color organize them. I did that with my crayon box when I was a kid as well. With puzzles I separate all the edges out, then the blue goes in a pile, greenery in another and so on.

I went to Marshall's and spotted some mystery puzzles. By the way they have some other really neat games and puzzles for older kids there. I wanted to buy a bunch of stuff, but refrained. I had a mystery puzzle when I was a kid. You read a small book, put a puzzle together to help solve the mystery, and back of the book has the answers. You have to read the back in a mirror because it's all backwards.

Mica used to like puzzles, but he really hadn't touched them for a few years. I had no idea if what I got him would be a hit, or not. I thought it would be good regardless because it's something we could do together.

This is the book/puzzle I got him:

Source

I didn't pay too much attention to the fact that it was 1,000 pieces. I was just so excited that it contained a mystery book with it. Yes it's for adults. I'm an adult that helped my tween put it together. 

It took us like 3 nights to put it together. Travis I swear let the cat out of the bag that I'm Santa so many times to Isaak. Travis, "Alissa why did you have to get this thing? I swear you're missing pieces! What's the point?" Blah, Blah, Blah. In his defense we did have a dance party to get ready for. Here a puzzle was all over the floor. When I told him it had a mystery book that went with it, and that we had to solve it he thought that was cool. Nope we didn't have missing pieces, but we did have a missing piece. Down in the bottom middle. We looked all over for it, and couldn't find it. 

Mica picked it up to put it away. I could tell he didn't really want to put it away. He looked annoyed that it was going back into the box. It came up all in 1 piece!

For the record the company makes more. I looked at Sherlock Holmes, and Alfred Hitchcock as well. I think kids Mica's age - age 11 still want toys as gifts, but it's a little harder to find gifts. 

What kind of things would you get for an 11 or 12 year old boy?  

Disclaimer: This is not a review of the puzzle. I just shared because I liked it. 

WW: Happy New Year {Linky}

After Christmas it was a rush to get down that holidays things to make room for our New Years Eve Dance Party! 

I had Travis and Mica blow the dust off the tree piece by piece:

We made too much food! One thing is for sure, one can never have too many lights. 

We had 15 kids show up and 11 adults.

Happy New Year!

I said, "Ok now all the boys have to kiss the girls." I heard loud, high pitch screams, "No!" Ha!

I let the boys have two kids spend the night - 1 for each kid. We know their parent's well. This was their first overnight with kids other than their cousins.

One of the little guys wasn't on his pillow, the other little guy was hanging off the mattress.

These boys could have stayed up all night.

Don't let that older one fool you this was him on New Years Day:

Like Father, Like Son. Here's Dad:

Holiday Performance

I told Travis to skip the boy's holiday performance this year. He's never skipped it. He just got back from being out of town. Asking off for work wasn't something he wanted to do. Their holiday program is smack dab in the middle of the day. They offer it at 2 times 10 and 1. It lasts about 3 hours. I'm not exaggerating. Usually I have to take off work, and it lands on my finals week. Thankfully that wasn't the case this year. Sigh of relief!

My parents came. They had my youngest nephew Edison. I was worried that he'd get restless, but he was pretty good! He's used to being taken all different places where he has to be quiet. He has 3 older brothers, and one has Trisomy 18, so lots of doctor appointments, sports events and church that he has to attend.

Me: Edison Smile! :)

I got more cute pictures of Edison than my boys because when my boys performed the photos were grainy and dark.

My Dad and I have always been good at entertaining kids with very little things. My Dad used to make faces on our hands to make them talk, while we were in church when we were little. Ha! Can you tell I didn't pay attention to what the paster said? With Edison we kept passing back and forth nothing. We put that nothing down his shirt, and he'd pull it out the bottom of his shirt, and hand it to my Dad, then to me, then to my Mom, and it would get back to Edison. 

The next day someone sent me this: 

I imagine it's what Edison was picturing the nothing that we were passing back and forth to look like. 

Mica had his first band performance:

They played really pretty good! A beat of music played, while they played. I'm sure that helped them. When they missed a note I couldn't hold the camera still I was laughing so hard. I don't know why I think that's so funny! I guess I just have a twisted since of humor. 

After the band played the room got really dark. I filmed mostly, so Travis could see. 

The school got me with their last song. All the kids in the whole school came in to go around the gym. They all sang a song about togetherness. I cried like a baby. Travis is like, "Why didn't you record the finale?" It was hard spotting out our own kids + there were people standing up blocking kids + I was crying like a baby. 

I had the teacher's gifts. I made them little loaves of Banana Chocolate Chip Bread, June Berry Jam, Hot Coco. Mica and Isaak looked at me and said, "That's it?" I put in a gift card to Dunkin' Donuts as well. I said, "Just don't tell your Father." Travis always says, "I don't know why you give the teachers so much. My parents never gave the teachers anything. You don't get anything." I'm a college teacher. It's different. These kids get 1 teacher everyday for 5 days a week. 

I picked the kids up after their performance. They were so excited to get out early. Many parents swipe their kids out at that time. The kid's attendance isn't jeopardized. 

We went home. I said, "I have to get a good photo of both of you."

Do your kids, or did your kids (when they were younger) have a holiday program?

Busy Bees

I know I haven't posted about us in awhile. Things have been busy. I'm sure things are busy with you as well. 

In order to play catch up, I'm going to make this a text only post. I'll have follow up posts I promise. There's a list going of everything I want to post about. I'm sure I'm missing something(s) along the way.

Right before Christmas Travis went to see his parents. I played single Mom for 4 or so days. When he got back it was a rush of trying to:

1. Wrap the rest of the presents
2. Figure out what we were going to make for Christmas Eve and Christmas
3. Shopping for food
4. Getting the teacher's gifts together
5. Going to the boy's school holiday performance
6. Making lots of food
7. 2 big family gatherings
8. Santa time
9. Quickly and thoroughly cleaning up after Christmas
10. Putting a 1,000 piece puzzle together
11. Buying more food for New Years
12. Having a New Years Eve Dance Party geared towards kids
13. Each kid got a friend to spend the night
14. We helped Isaak put together a duct tape wallet
15. We figured out if we needed to switch doctors with this new insurance we have
16. We'll have our nephews on Thursday because my nephew Emerson is going in for tests to see what all is going on in his little body.

And the list goes on. I'm sure your list is long like mine is.

Throughout the holidays I've been sick with a cold, or something. I have chronic allergies, so who knows. I'm supposed to call the doctor today - now that we know our insurance is covered. When we signed up for insurance it said 2 of our doctors were not covered. When we looked on our plan online, and boom all of them are covered. That's good. I tried calling yesterday, but like me they had their New Years off. All the hours I can talk to my doctor I work. At work everyone can hear me on the phone. No one wants to listen about how one of my nostrils is completely plugged. It's not the nostril that I have a deviated septum on. Ya breathing is interesting. I'll have to take care of my doctor call during lunch. Then I'll probably still have to talk to them in front of everyone because I'll have to leave a message. Isn't it interesting how doctor's offices make you repeat everything like they didn't hear your message at all?

What has been some of the major things on your list to get done lately?

Alterna Dry Shampoo Bamboo Leaf Review

One thing I've never tried is dry shampoo. I've always wanted to though. This last week I had a chance to try out Alterna Dry Shampoo Bamboo Leaf dry shampoo.

It was packed so well. The whole product was covered in plastic. That guaranteed that no spray came out.

About Dry Shampoo:

This is a virtually translucent dry shampoo that is designed to absorb oil, product build-up, and impurities to extend the life of your blowout without leaving any powdery residue. Use it to give volume to freshly washed hair with a fresh bamboo leaf scent.

Why Dry Shampoo:

• It helps you have a lot of build up of other products in your hair.  

• During allergy seasons I have to keep my hair clean at all times. I can't have pollen in it, and sleep on it. 

• This shampoo is so convenient because I can wash it anywhere at any time. 

• During the winter months some people get really dry. Everyone would love to take a shower daily to stay clean, but it's not always in the cards for dry cracking skin. With dry shampoo you can keep your hair clean. 

What it Doesn't Have:

• No Parabeans

• No Sulfates 

• No Phthalates

• No Synthetic Color 

I'm so glad there's no sulfates. My body hates them.

Cost:

$18.50 for 4.75 ounces.

Disclaimer: I received Alterna Dry Shampoo to review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers.

Nature Soothie Review

I am super excited to share with you Nature Soothie! They are health lollipops for ages 4 and up. They are honey based, and taste good. 

I won 4 boxes. Each box has a different purpose. So it's great to have them all on hand!

Our Elf on the Shelf left them for the boys. Brita (the Elf) was sick. She also left a box of tissues and a thermometer.

Isaak was the first one to land a head cold. It only lasted a few days. I gave him Immune Soothie.

Since his cold I've been suffering too. I hardly slept last night. I was up all night blowing my nose and coughing. Now my nose is all red, and I feel like a walking tired zombie. I decided to give the Immune Soothie a try just to see if I'd like it. I do. 

During times when your child has a stomach ache the Tummy Soothie is great to give them. It contains things that I'd normally drink in tea, but my kids don't care for tea. This is a great alternative!

On Christmas Eve I gave the boys a Relax Soothie. They really just needed some calm down time. Grandma and Grandpa's house was really stimulating. They were super excited to have new gifts, and for Santa to come to our house.

When your child just needs to feel comfort the Comfort Soothie is great!

Ingredients:

I love that there is nothing bad in Nature Soothie Lollipops. 

• No artificial color
• No fake flavors
• No preservatives

PassionFlower - The extract used is from the flowering herb (leaf, flower and succulent stem) of the passionflower vines which are certified organically grown.

Black Elderberry - Their extract comes from fully ripened berries of organically grown Sambucus nigra trees, increasing their full antioxidant potential.

Chamomile - Their chamomiles is obtained from fresh flowers which are certified organically grown, increasing the extract's natural soothing qualities.

Peppermint - Their peppermint extract comes from the dried leaf and the aromatic essential oil of certified organically grown plants.

Fennel - The extract is obtained from certified organically grown mature seeds of the plant.

Lemon - Their extract is made from both the fruit and peel of Citrus Lemon.

Follow Nature Soothie: 

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instagram

You can also find their products on Amazon! They are marked down from $21.99 to $19.99. I'm not sure how long their sale will last.

A Code For My Readers:

They gave me a 20% code to share with people if you are interested: DIJSVWY6 

Disclaimer: I won Nature Soothie products shown in this review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers.

What a Fake!

I got something really odd sent to me in the mail. It was in a hard Priority Mail envelope. My address was printed on what looked like an official mail slip, and taped on.

No letter was inside the envelope. Just a check. A check for $2,470.00 to be exact. I made it very white, so no one could do anything with this.

Upon first inspection I'm like, "Wow where did this come from?" 

I snapped a photo and sent it to my sisters and mom. My mom was like, "Did you invest in anything?" One of my sisters looked up the company - TD Bank with the state on the address and found no TD Bank in Vail, AZ. Plus she pointed out that the signature is going off the page. My other sister was like, "That's odd". 

I noticed that the check wasn't quite centered when it was printed off. The last thing that popped out at me was that there is no routing or checking number at the bottom. I noticed that when I went to deposit my own real work check. 

So what would you do?

I'm the type of person that wants justice. I don't like being taken advantage of. I really don't like the idea of a young person, or old person getting a check like this, and trying to deposit it only to find out they land themselves in a mess of financial hardship. 

• I first emailed our local station 7CanHelp. They emailed me back saying that they cover a lot of cases like this. 

• I next went to the bank to tell them about the check. The guy said he knew off the bat that it was a fake. He told me why. He also said that if there was a new teller they may not know, and could deposit it not even thinking about it. They copied the check, and sent it off to their fraud department.

• I contacted TD Bank. I got no reply from them.

• Lastly I contacted the Attorney General's Office. They said to turn it in to them I'll have to mail them a copy of the check. I just don't know if I want to do this...or not. Here a fake check with my name is floating out there. Would you turn it in, or was turning it into the bank enough?

This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me this year. Well it's the first fraud thing that's happened. 

• But I alone happened to find a credit card in our parking lot at work. The Director of the college said, "Just put it in the lost and found box." I'm like, "Ummm no! I'll turn it into the bank down the street." That was the bank where the card came from. The bank wanted to know where I found it, what time, and when. Uggg! 

• Just a few weeks ago I found a license in our parking lot at work. The boss man said, "Well you can turn it into the police station." I said, "Right now?" He said, "No. On your break." If it were my license I'd want it now, not later. I found her on facebook, and messaged her to come get it within a day, or I would take it to the cops. She never responded, and never came to get it. Uggg! So I hauled my butt over to the police station to turn it in. They wanted my name, number, address, where I found it, and when I found it. 

Lately I feel like I do a lot of running around to do the right thing when not very many people would. I wouldn't want my credit card, or license laying around for someone to swipe my identity. 

Holiday Specs Review

I've always loved objects that transform something into something else. Such as disappearing ink. One product that I discovered last year was Holiday Specs™. They instantly transform Christmas lights, fireworks, candles or any bright point of light into magical shapes.

We got a lot of them that our magic Elf On the Shelf - Brita left behind.

Each pair of glasses turns the lights into different shapes.

This Makes a Great Gift:

• They'd be perfect stocking stuffers
• They'd work wonderfully on top of packages
• They're perfect White Elephant gifts
• A teacher to give to her students
• Party favors
• Fundraisers 

Illusions:

Their holographic lenses bend the light creating magical illusions.

• Snowmen
• Snowflakes
• Candy Canes 
• Ornaments
• Elves
• Christmas Stars
• Angels
• Santas
• Reindeer
• Gingerbread men

These were all seen on the same lights, but with different glasses.

With more than 10 million sold at retail, people of all ages have witnessed this mysterious phenomenon all over the globe. They sell other things besides these Holiday Specs. If you don't celebrate Christmas, jump over to their site to look at other specs. They have: Decoders, Happy Eyes - Valentines, 3D Fireworks Glasses, Spooky Specs and more.

The costs range on what all you buy, and if you buy in bulk.

Our boys most certainly enjoy this time of year! What is your favorite holiday? 

Disclaimer: I got Holiday Specs to Review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers.

Mixed Nuts and Seeds Holiday Gift Tray Review

My family loves nuts and seeds! We eat them daily. I am so happy to share with you Mixed Nuts and Seeds Holiday Gift Tray. This is made by: Oh! Nuts.

As soon as we got this tray Mica asked, "Mom can I have all these?" My response was, "Nope! They are for Christmas Eve." We have to leave some special things for Christmas. ;)

What Mixed Nuts and Seeds Holiday Gift Tray Would Be Great For?

• Corporate Events
• Family Gatherings 
• Friend Gatherings
• A Gift for Any Holiday
• Just Because

Make sure that no one has nut allergies if this is served for a bunch of people. This is great for people that are gluten free, on a Paleo diet, and have diabetes. 

This tray is protein-rich snack foods make this gift basket. This is a value-added gift tray, because along with the delicious flavor of the high-end roasted nuts and seeds comes increased health for the lucky recipient.

Variety:

There's so much variety in this set! The wooden tray has 12 sections that are very sturdy. In fact I may hold on to the tray after all the nuts and seeds are consumed. Then I can add my own variety of nuts, seeds, or other treats. The nuts and seeds are all salted. If I had to change one thing, possibly have some that are plain or sweet. I like all the nuts and seeds in the tray though!

• Roasted Salted Cashews
• Roasted Salted Sunflower Seeds
• Roasted Salted Walnuts
• Roasted Salted Macadamia Nuts
• Roasted Salted Pistachios
• Roasted Salted Brazil Nuts
• Roasted Salted Pumpkin Seeds
• Roasted Salted Pecans
• Roasted Salted Almonds
• BBQ Toasted Corn Nuts
• Roasted Salted Hazel Nuts
• Chefs Blend Peanuts

I am going to love the BBQ Toasted Corn Nuts! There's a little of this and a little of that for everyone.

Cost:

$39.99

It is a bit pricy. Remember that the nuts are high quality, and you get so much variety! 

Are you a nut eater? What's your go to snack?

Disclaimer: I got Mixed Nuts and Seeds Holiday Gift Tray to Review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers.