Category: Healthy Living

Food, Healthy Living

New Clear Protein Drink by Premier Protein

Erin Sluka

I have partnered with Premier Protein via TapInfluence for this feature. All opinions are my own

New Clear Protein Drink by Premier Protein

I am a Mom and Bonus Mom to a total of 3 boys. Our son is 9 and like his older brothers, is heading into the tween years. Help me! We have been through it twice already but with a coparenting situation so this time we are 100% responsible for how this son gets through it. I recently bought a book a friend recommended that I am reading with my son and it is all about is his changing body and emotions. We just read the chapter on nutrition where it really stresses to stay away from sugary sports drinks and drink more water. My son (and myself) are not good water drinkers.

So I made him a deal. We would measure out a healthy amount of daily water and both of us will work together to drink more water. He does sports year round and I am busy and always on the go so we both need healthy hydration. I do allow his water drinks to include a natural flavor added-cucumbers or lemons added to make it more enjoyable and I have added a bottle of Premier Protein Clear Protein drink to my daily beverage consumption.

Premier Protein Clear Protein drinks are only 90 calories and offer 20 grams of much needed protein for me. There is 0 grams of sugar and no fat, soy, gluten or artificial flavors. I need that boost and protein gives my muscles that lift it needs to help me out whether I am hauling groceries, walking the puppy and even getting a meal prepped and packing lunch at the same time.

With a protein water I don’t have to mix anything, get the blender out. No extra dishes to wash. I can just grab a bottle and go. Clear Protein drinks can be found at Sam’s Club stores nationwide so make sure you pick up your daily helper in the form of protein water by Premier Protein on your next trip in.

Make sure the protein products you consume offer the best ingredients like Premier Protein. Other brands out there may contain artificial ingredients and synthetic nutrients so you really want to do your homework and choose wisely. I have been a regular consumer of Premier Protein for years. The water is so much appreciated and I am so glad I have another protein option I can consume.

Want more food topics? Visit our 2020 Fall Foodie Series!

Healthy Living, Parenting, Reviews, Uncategorized

Keeping Kids Healthy with GIANTmicrobes – Review

Erin Sluka

I have partnered with GIANTmicrobes for feature. All opinions are my own

Keeping Kids Healthy with GIANTmicrobes - Review

Vitamins come in many forms from tablets and capsules to yummy gummies. Most kids get their vitamins in gummies or flavored, candy-like tablets. Now they can play with their vitamins! With actual, enlarged molecules of Vitamins A, B6, C and D they will learn all about these compounds that are essential for growth and nutrition. See these fun Vitamin GIANTmicrobes.

Vitamin A plays an important role in bone growth and vision. It also is great for the skin and teeth as well as cell and tissue growth. What foods are a good source of Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is found in yellow and orange foods like carrots and squash. Ask your child to name a few they can think of?

Microbes Plush

Vitamin B6 is one of those B-Vitamins that converts food into energy. In particular, B6 is important for the cardiovascular and nervous system as well as immunity and digestion.

Vitamin B6 is found in meat, fish, nuts, bananas and potatoes! Ask your child what Disney Minion they think gets the most Vitamin B6?

Vitamin C Facts

Vitamin C fights the cold and flu bugs and helps heals wounds. You can’t stay away from germs, they are all around us but Vitamin C helps our body not get sick from those germs.

Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, cabbage and kiwi to name a few. Ask your child what Vitamin C food they want as a side for lunch or dinner today?

Vit C nutrition

Vitamin D is for the bones! Vitamin D also gives us a mineral that helps our body take in Calcium. Calcium (milk) and Vitamin D are best friends.

Vitamin D can be found in grains, green leafy vegetables, egg yolks and some cereals. Ask your child what they like to put on their green salad?

Learning biology

Now that you and your child have learned about their vitamins, how about some plush molecules to play with. They will use these to learn and memorize. If vitamins don’t excite them, there are so many cells, diseases and critters to learn and have fun with at GIANTmicrobes.

Fashion, Healthy Living, Holiday Shopping

Did You Know? Running Facts to Motivate You

Erin Sluka

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mizuno. The opinions and text are all mine.

Did You Know? Running Facts to Motivate You

Today we are talking about running. The Holidays are here and many of you may be thinking about New Year Resolutions or after overeating you may be thinking about starting to run or even walk for a healthier start to 2018. I searched many resources along with facts I remember in my own head and I want to share the top ones that stick out to me. Motivation is key to success and hopefully these running facts will make you smile or make you more curious to take an extra step closer to starting a healthier routine.

  • Remember this name, Fauja Singh. He is the oldest marathon runner at 100 years old. He finished a marathon in Toronto in 8 hours, 25 minutes, 16 seconds.
  • I have seen in several readings that running 12-18 miles a week can leaves runners with a stronger immune system and are less prone to colds
  • Over 1 billion pairs of running shoes are sold worldwide every year
  • Like stair climbing? In the Great Wall of China Marathon, runners have to climb 5,164 steps (that’s not for me)
  • South African runner Zola Bud won two IAAF World Cross Country titles while running barefoot
  • The average exercise life of a running shoe is about 400 miles
  • The inside will wear faster then the outside in almost every running shoe (Don’t look at a car tire to judge the heath of a car. It’s the engine inside that can have the most problems) such as in the shoes lining or support system

What running shoe am I wearing now? My latest shoe is the Mizuno Wave Rider 21 running shoe. To me, a shoe that I have to ‘break in’ before I feel comfort is not the best running shoe. Like these Mizuno Wave Rider 21 shoes, they should support from the first time you put them on and that should feel comfortable to you.

Before I even stood up and took my first step in these shoes they were comfortable. I have the High Rise Greystone, but they come in 4 total colors – Patriot Blue-White, Baja Blue-Dazzling Blue and Athena-Siver. The redesigned Wave technology offers softer cushioning. Mizuno’s Dynamotion Fit features a breakthrough in “Triple Zone” engineered mesh for breathability, movement, and hold when it is needed while running.

These shoes are made to run and remain comfortable while offering the support your foot needs. Sounds simple, but it is hard to get style, comfort, support and breathability in one shoe. Some have support but rub and cause discomfort. Some shoes are comfortable until later that day when your feet begin hurting from lack of proper support. Some support and are comfortable but it lacks in style and color choices. Mizuno hit it all in one shoe. Know a runner? Share these with them. They may thank you later!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mizuno. The opinions and text are all mine.

Healthy Living

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Erin Sluka

This is a sponsored post brought to you with expert tips

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Having raised 3 boys and the youngest is 9 and has his first Orthodontist Appointment next week for overcrowding teeth, I have learned a lot and am still learning about the link between dental health and overall health. Did you even know that a simple trip to the dentist can turn into a recommendation to see a Physician? When young, dental health can reveal signs of many illnesses.

Knowing this I went from thinking a good time to start dental appointments was sometime after the first teeth have emerged to even sooner then that first tooth appearance!

I really want to share these important tips below with you. It is so important that you truly understand how Dentists can make connections to improving or maintaining systemic health, many systemic diseases have oral manifestations.

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Most Asked Questions & Answers from Dr. Larry Williams of The Academy of General Dentistry and Midwestern University:

1. When should you first take your child to the dentist?

According to leading experts, the first visit should be when the first tooth erupts or at the first birthday. 

2. When should parents expect their child’s first tooth to come in?

Based on nature’s timetable, teeth can erupt at 3 months or later. If no teeth are erupted by the one-year mark, the dental visit will begin the relationship between the parent, the infant, and the dental team.

3. What can a parent expect during the first visit for their baby/toddler?

Often a first visit is simply a time to acquaint your child with the dentist and the practice. As a parent, you should reassure your child that the visit is not scary or something about which to be afraid. Short, successive visits can build the child’s comfort with the dentist and the dental office. Schedule the appointment earlier in the day, when your child is alert and refreshed. You may need to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the first examination. The first visit usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and may include any of the following, depending on the child’s age:

  • A gentle but thorough examination of the teeth, jaw, bite, gums, and oral tissues to monitor growth and development and observe any problem areas
  • A gentle cleaning, which includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar build-up, and stains
  • X-rays
  • A demonstration on how to properly care for your child’s mouth and teeth at home
  • Nutritional counseling
  • An assessment of the need for fluoride

4. How do you instill good teeth brushing habits at home?

The best way to instill habits is by starting your baby’s oral care regimen at a young age:

  • Clean your infant’s gums with a clean, damp cloth twice a day. Ask your dentist when you may begin to rub a tiny dab of toothpaste on your child’s gums. Doing so will help your child become accustomed to the flavor of toothpaste.
  • As soon as the first teeth come in, begin brushing them with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Let your child begin brushing their own teeth around the age of 5 with proper instruction and supervision.

 5. What promotes tooth decay in babies and toddlers?

Just say “no” to bottles in bed. Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or other sweet liquid. The sugar in these beverages can cause cavities in your baby’s bottle before bedtime. If you must give your baby a bottle when he or she is going to sleep, fill the bottle with water instead.

Get more of your questions answered by starting at The Academy of General Dentistry.