Review: Ultimate Omega Junior & Vitamin C Gummies

We have been working through using these review samples of Nordic Naturals Vitamin C Gummies and Ultimate Omega Junior capsules for a while now, plus all the individual samples you can see that they sent me in the bottle picture.

My kids just loved the Nordic Naturals Vitamin C Gummies. What's not too love about them? They are tasty and in the shape of cute little orange slices. Just 2 of these little slices is a serving and contains 250mg of Vitamin C, which is DV 417%. They contain no artificial coloring, flavoring or preservatives and are 100% vegetarian (no gelatin!) My complaint is that there is only 60 in a bottle and with 2 kids each having 2 a day, we go through the bottle in 15 days. I like to buy enough for a month supply, so I guess I will have to buy 2 bottle at a time.

The other product we reviewed was the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Junior, which is a fish oil that contains double the strength fish oil in half the size capsule. Honestly, as an adult I prefer a smaller capsule as well and like the size of the Junior capsule like this, but when I compared the nutritional information on both the larger size in the adult capsule does offer twice as much Omega 3s in the form of EPA, DHA and other Omega-3s (which is the same formula in the Junior Capsules). It does say that they capsules are chewable, but my kids did not like the flavor of them at all, but my 8 year old was fine with this as a swallowable capsule. My (almost) 5 year old hasn't really used many swallowable products before and had a little trouble with it.

I need to but more of the Ultimate Omega to see if it helps again with my daughter's eczema. My daughter had never had eczema outside of the winter season, but she did this summer and it was clearing up nicely when she was taking the Ultimate Omega, a probiotic and using hydrocortisone on the affected area. Her eczema has come back in the same spot on the back of her leg and doesn't look good and we are going to try using the Ultimate Omega again with a probiotic, but this time I am going to try using coconut oil on her eczema to see how that helps. The hydrocortisone no longer seems to be affective and I would rather try something more natural and see how that helps her body.

Product Description from Nordic Naturals




ULTIMATE OMEGA JUNIOR

--Double-strength EPA+DHA formula for increased omega-3 benefits

--High-intensity support for healthy brain, eye, and nervous system function in ages 5+*

--Easy-to-swallow, smaller soft gel

Ultimate Omega® Junior is one of our most popular concentrates and provides double-strength fish oil in an easy-to-swallow soft gel that's half the size of standard soft gels. And its great-tasting, all-natural strawberry flavor even makes it chewable. Just one serving (two soft gels) of Ultimate Omega Junior delivers 640 mg omega-3s, making it an excellent way to give children more omega-3s in fewer soft gels.

As with all Nordic Naturals products, Ultimate Omega Junior is in the triglyceride form for optimal absorption.* Our patented nitrogen processing ensures that Ultimate Omega Junior is absolutely pure and fresh. Fresh fish oils are better for the body, and do not create negative side effects such as repeat or burp-back.

VITAMIN C GUMMIES

-For ages 4+
-250 mg vitamin C per serving
-No artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives
-Pectin based and gelatin free
-100% vegetarian
-Supports a healthy immune system*
-Provides antioxidant support*


Vitamin C Gummies offers an essential nutrient that kids need for growth and development. In addition to supporting many of the body's physiological functions, vitamin C helps optimize immunity and provides antioxidant protection.* These delicious, sour, tangerine-flavored gummy slices are suitable for children ages 4+. Grown-ups love them, too!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Try It Tuesday: Hand Print Pumpkin Craft

This is another fun hand print craft that I did with my preschooler. My only part in making this is I got out the supplies, I drew an oval in pencil for him to have an idea of where to paint and cut out some jack-o-lantern face pieces. He did all the painting, including the hand print leaves himself and glues on the pieces.

Now that I have shared 2 Halloween hand print crafts with you this month, you are all set to get started with projects with your kids in October (tomorrow!!)

Check back with me on Facebook in October and I will share with you FIVE HALLOWEEN HAND PRINT CRAFTS over at Northern Cheapskate and then at the end of October I may just have one last one to share with you in time for a last minute Halloween project.

Review: Optimal Healthcare Labs Advanced Probiotic Ultra

I had the opportunity to review Optimal Healthcare Labs Advanced Probiotic Ultra with my daughter this summer. I mentioned in a another post that I was using a probiotic in conjunction with a fish oil to help clear up my daughter's eczema and that probiotic was Optimal Healthcare Labs Advanced Probiotic Ultra.

I need to buy more of the Optimal Healthcare Labs Advanced Probiotic Ultra to see if it helps again with my daughter's eczema. My daughter had never had eczema outside of the winter season, but she did this summer and it was clearing up nicely when she was taking the Optimal Healthcare Labs Advanced Probiotic Ultra, a fish oil and using hydrocortisone on the affected area. Her eczema has come back in the same spot on the back of her leg and doesn't look good and we are going to try using the Ultimate Omega again with a probiotic, but this time I am going to try using coconut oil on her eczema to see how that helps. The hydrocortisone no longer seems to be affective and I would rather try something more natural and see how that helps her body.

You can buy Optimal Healthcare Labs Advanced Probiotic Ultra  on Amazon.

Product Description from Optimal Healthcare Labs


Best Probiotics Supplement for your Body - Probiotic Supplement for Women, Kids and Men. Feel Great with Our All Natural Formula for Essential Good Health. 10.12 Billion Per Serving with More Than 50 Billion Cfus in One Bottle! Safe & No Side Effects, Great for Acne, Excellent for Colon Health and Constipation. Helps with Bloating and Abdominal Discomfort. Have a Digestive Advantage in your stomach today and Boost your Immune System with Billions of Live Cultures . 60 Vegetarian Capsules.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Make It Monday: Low Carb Pinterest Inspiration

These are all different recipes I found on pinterest that are Low Carb and I made them. All the pictures below are of the items I made, but I have also included the link to the blog where I found the recipe so that you can recreate some of these yourself.

My Low Carb Peanut Butter Whip, as inspired by New Every Morning.

My Cauliflower Pizza Crust, as inspired by Brunch Time Baker.

My Low Carb Cucumber Sandwich, as inspired by this random picture posted on Pinterest (not sure where the credit goes to as it does not lead back to a blog.

Fitness Friday: Yoga Design Lab Insulated Water Bottle Review

I can't begin to to tell you how much I love this Yoga Design Lab Insulated Water Bottle. This particular water bottle is 12 ounces and that is the one thing I wish was different. I prefer a bottle that holds 16-24 ounces, so I just have to be able to refill this more often throughout the day.

I absolutely love that it DOES NOT SWEAT. I like to carry along a water bottle with me and like to put in in the pocket of my purse or gym bag, but when the sweat it makes everything damp and can ruin papers. This bottle doesn't do it at all, so I feel safe carrying in in the pocket of my handbag.

I have not had the opportunity yet to try it for hot beverages, but it works for both cold AND hot beverages. It is supposed to keep beverages hot/cold (whichever you have in it for at least 12 hours) and I can attest to that my ice water still had ice left in it after 12 hours. I anticipate my husband will be using this insulated water bottle to take along coffee with him when he goes ice fishing this winter. We have a 48 ounce insulated thermos we use when we are out as a whole family ice fishing, sledding and other outdoor winter activities, but didn't have anything to use just for one person. This will work perfectly for that.

The cap also locks in to place to keep it from popping open (there is a little button to press to open it) if it gets knocked over and I really like that feature. And one last cool thing is that they donate $1 for every purchase to Urban Youth Yoga Programs.

Product Description from Yoga Design Lab



DOUBLE-WALLED STAINLESS STEEL: Designed to keep liquids hot or cold for 12+ hours! Ideal for refreshing cool water during your practice, or keeping that tea or coffee hot on a freezing day.

FREE FROM BPA AND OTHER HARMFUL TOXINS: Certified free from BPA, phthalates, hormones, lead, and other harmful toxins.

EASY SIPPING TECHNOLOGY and SAFETY LOCK: Designed to allow the perfect amount of liquid to pass through sipping area - no spills! Safety lock prevents accidental openings.

You can buy the Yoga Design Lab Insulated Water Bottle on Amazon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thrifty Thursday: FREE Kids History Detective's Club at Steele County Historical Society

Last month my son and I attended the first Kids History Detective's Club for the 2014-2015 school year. This class is held the FIRST THURSDAY of every month at the Steele County History Museum. They took the kids back in time to learn about the railroad and the general store. It was an awesome program (did I mention FREE!) where there were 2 volunteers dressed and acted in character to teach the kids about how the train station and railroad, as well as the general store were used in a different period in history.

Each month there is a different topic that you can find out about on their website or on their Facebook page. We attended the morning preschool class, but they also have an evening school-age class as well.

Please scroll through these pictures to get an idea of the fun that the kids had while learning over the course of the 1 hour glass.

My son and I have been able to attend a few before, but because he had preschool last year on Tuesday and Thursday morning, we were unable to go. Some of the things we learned about was "History of Owatonna", "Old Fashioned Games", "Old West Trail" and "How Yarn is Made".

They were able to use their imaginations and go on a ride back in time as they left the country and journeyed 10 miles north to general store in town. They boarded the train with a ticket they had punched (and got to take home too) and started their journey to barter eggs for vegetables at the county store and buy penny candy (the "station master" gave them pennies to buy some penny candy at the end)

Here you can see a picture of the station master secretly giving the kids pennies to go to the general store with. It made me giggle they were buying "penny candy" as it was this ancient thing because when I was a kid (ok, guess that is making me old) there was a bar at the end of the road (yes, I said bar, it was Wisconsin, things are different there!) and they sold penny candy. I was always thrilled when I had a dollar and was old enough to walk down there by myself to by the candy. 100 pieces!

Here they are buying their penny candy at the end of the class. It was easy to tell that all the kids had a wonderful time. The volunteers who were acting did such a great job engaging the kids and helping them learn about history.

This was the first of this year and during the first week of school, so I think that was why there was not as many kids as we had seen at others we attended. I hope we have a lot more friends the next time.

I had typed this post the day we attended and they told us our next class was going to be about Pumpkins. Check out the SCHS website to find out more details. They have these classes the FIRST THURSDAY of every month. At 9AM for preschoolers and at 6:30PM for school-age children.

The NEXT ONE is next week on OCTOBER 2, 2014. Mark your calendar!

Wordless Wednesday: Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, OR

Review:Littlest Pet Shop "Passport to Fashion"

Guess what was released today!!! The DVD Littlest Pet Shop "Passport to Fashion "!!! My kids love this program, especially my daughter and she was very excited that we were sent a promotional copy in advance so that we could review it on this blog and tel my readers about it. All thoughts, opinions and photographs belong to me.

My Thoughts

This is a DVD that is 110 minutes long so there is plenty of entertainment, especially for the long car rides up to the cabin for us. There are 5 different episodes, so they are not expected to sit and watch all 100 minutes at once. Plus there is a bonus sing a long that is pretty fun for the kids. If you child is in to Littlest Pet Shop or cute little animals with big cute eyes, they are going to love this!

Product Description from Shout Factory

oin Blythe and her very best friends — Zoe the spaniel, Pepper the skunk, Sunil the mongoose, Russell the hedgehog, Penny the panda and Minka the monkey — for more fun and adventure! This time, they take their friendship on the road to exotic locations like Paris, Shanghai and Rio! And you're invited! So pack up your most fashionable attire because it’s time to take a vacation with Blythe and the pets from the Littlest Pet Shop!

You can buy this DVD from SHOUT FACTORY.

Try It Tuesday: Hand Print Bat Craft

I can't get over how cute this turned out!!! This is the start of some of our Halloween Hand Print Crafts. I am going to share a few with you here at Save Green Being Green and then next month I am going to share 5 more over at Northern Cheapskate.

My preschooler isn't going to be so little for too long, so I need to get those little hand prints now. This one was made my stamping the hand in opposite directions with the palms overlapping. Then he glued on a foam moon that I cut out and did some stamping of a star stamp we have with washable paint, but you could easily make a stamp like this for yourselves out of a potato or by cutting up a sponge.

Make It Monday: 10 Paleo Freezer Slow Cooker Meals & Review of Savvy Livings Professional Knife

This time around when I did freezer meals (read my post Making 12 Clean Eating Slow Cooker Meals to see my last time and for more recipes) I decided that I really wanted to incorporate a lot of my favorites that I have shared on here because I do have a lot of really great slow cooker recipes on Save Green Being Green that are paleo and clean eating and can easily be frozen. This time I also wanted a variety of meats including chicken, beef, turkey, pork and shrimp (the other post was pretty much just chicken and beef.) Not all the recipes are mine and I have given credit to where the original recipe is from, but you don't have to go to it because I have included all of the ingredients needed to toss in your 1 gallon bags. The shopping list is below as well to make things easier for you. And then at the bottom of the post I have a review to share with you of the Savvy Living 6" Professional Ceramic Chef's Knife, which is great for all the chopping you are going to be doing to make these meals.

NOTE: ALL OF THESE SLOW COOKER MEALS SHOULD BE COOKED ON LOW FOR 8 HOURS.

10 Paleo Slow Cooker Freezer Meals

1. Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff
2. Cilantro Lime Chicken
3. Shrimp Creole
4. Southwestern Chicken Stew
5. Shrimp Arrabiata
6. Meat Spaghetti Sauce
7. Sloppy Joes
8. Ginger Beef
9. Pineapple Pulled Pork
10. Pork Carnitas

Shopping List

Meat

7 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 lb shrimp

1 lb ground turkey or beef

2 lbs ground beef

2 pounds, beef roast

2 pounds pork shoulder

2.5 pounds pork (chops, tenderloin or roast)

Fresh Vegetables

3 head garlic (22 cloves)

2 pkgs - 8 oz fresh mushrooms

8 med yellow onion

2 med red onion

fresh cilantro

1 lime

1 jalepeno

2 stalks celery

1 green pepper

2 red pepper

3 carrots

1 bunch green onions

3 T ginger root

1 bunch kale or swiss chard

Canned Items

1.5 C chicken stock/broth

1.5 C beef stock/broth

5 C salsa

1 - 15-oz can black beans

1 - 15-oz can corn

2 C tomato juice

1 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes

1 - 28 oz can of whole tomatoes

1 - 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes

2 - 6 oz cans of tomato paste

1 can pineapple chunks

1 10oz can mushrooms

Seasonings and Oils

basil

thyme

cumin

red pepper flakes

garlic powder

cayenne powder

paprika

lemon juice

parsley flakes

oregano

cloves

chili powder

red wine vinegar

apple cider vinegar

Worcestershire sauce

tamari (soy) sauce

taco sauce

ketchup

mustard

stevia

salt

pepper

1. Chicken & Mushroom Stroganoff 

http://savegreenbeinggreen.blogspot.com/2013/09/make-it-monday-clean-eating-crock-pot.html

• 2 ½ pounds, chicken (in strips)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced or quartered
• 1 med onion, thinly sliced
• 1 T basil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• sea salt to taste
• 1 1/2 C chicken broth

Add Later

    6 oz plain Greek yogurt

2 T corn starch

1/4 cold water   

2.  Cilantro Lime Chicken

http://savegreenbeinggreen.blogspot.com/2014/08/make-it-monday-slow-cooker-cilantro.html

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken
• 2 C salsa
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1/3 C fresh cilantro, minced
• juice of 1 lime

3.  Shrimp Creole

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/slow-cooker-shrimp-creole/

• 1 cup Finely Chopped Onion
• ½ cups Chopped Celery
• 1 whole Medium Green Pepper, Chopped
• 14 ounces, weight Petite Diced Tomatoes, With Juice
• 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
• 10 ounces, weight Canned Sliced Mushrooms, Drained
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ¼ teaspoons Pepper
• ¼ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• ¼ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
• 1 teaspoon Parsley Flakes
• 1 pound Cooked Fresh & Shelled Shrimp

4. Southwestern Chicken Stew

http://savegreenbeinggreen.blogspot.com/2014/01/slow-cooker-saturday-southwestern.html

• 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, 1" cubed
• 1/2 C cilantro, minced
• 1 med red onion, chopped
• 1 jalepeno pepper, chopped
• 15 oz can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 oz can corn, drained
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 C tomato juice
• 24 oz salsa

5. Shrimp Arrabiata

http://www.prevention.com/food/cook/summer-slow-cooker-recipes?s=4

• 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes in thick puree
• 1 lg onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

6. Meat Spaghetti Sauce (over zucchini noodles)

http://savegreenbeinggreen.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-it-monday-slow-cooker-spaghetti.html

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 can (28 oz) of crushed tomatoes
• 1 med. onion chopped
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 T red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil

7. Sloppy Joes - Serve on Coconut Flour Drop Biscuits

http://savegreenbeinggreen.blogspot.com/2014/06/make-it-monday-clean-eating-sloppy-joes.html

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 med onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 6oz cans of tomato paste
• 2 T water
• 2 T apple cider vinegar
• 2 T worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp. mustard
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 4-6 packets of stevia
• salt and pepper, to taste

8. Ginger Beef

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2014/02/13/recipe-connection-slow-cooker-ginger-beef/

• 2 pounds beef roast (either leave bone-in or cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 3 carrots, cut into 1-inch-thick slices
• 1 c. green onions
• 1 c. chopped red bell pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2-4 Tbs. grated fresh ginger
• 1 – 1 1/2 c. beef stock
• 2 Tbs. tamari sauce
• 1/2-1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 2 Tbs. tapioca or arrowroot powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• chopped kale or swiss chard, to preference

Add later

• 1 c. sugar snap peas

9. Pineapple Pulled Pork

http://www.mommypotamus.com/slow-cooker-pineapple-pulled-pork/

• 1 and 1/2 pounds pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup fresh-made organic pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup filter water
• 1 small organic onion, roughly diced
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 tablespoon organic mustard
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup organic pineapple, diced into bite-sized chunks

10. Pork Carnitas

http://www.examiner.com/review/slow-cooker-recipe-review-easy-slow-cooker-pork-carnitas

• 2 1/2 lbs. boneless pork chops, pork roast or tenderloin
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 Tbs. chili powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 cup taco sauce

My Thoughts:

With all the chopping you are doing to make these paleo freezer slow cooker meals, you will want to have a high quality knife like the Savvy Living 6" Professional Ceramic Chef's Knife. This knife has been working really well for me and I have been using it for about 3 weeks now and have not had any knicks or dulling to the blade. I really like the 6" length. I think this size is great for chopping up vegetables as well as cutting meats in to chunks. The package says to store it in the sheeth it comes in or in a knife block and I happened to have the perfect space open in my knife block, so I keep it in there. I also like the curved handle. It fits nicely in the there as I am chopping and feels very natural.

When you are making these freezer meals, you will be standing at your counter chopping quite a bit and it will be much more pleasant and efficient if you have a quality knife that you are using.

Product Description of the Savvy Living 6" Professional Ceramic Chef's Knife:


Savvy Living NanoRazor 6" Professional Black Ceramic Chef's Knife is an all-around performance ceramic chef knife that is sharp, durable and delivers effortless & high precision. It is particular great for the healthy eating conscious consumers who love to enjoy the authentic taste of their fruit and vegetables.

Main Features and Benefits

* Ultra-sharp, ultra-durable 6-inch ceramic chef's knife with a gorgeous black blade for effortless, high-precision chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing.

* High-tech ceramic blade forged under more than 100 tons of pressure, and over 1500º C to make it stronger and less porous than other ceramic blades, so food particles, bacteria, and viruses don't stick to it.

* Triple polished with diamond wheels for a smooth finish and razor sharp edge. Matching Sheath that extends blade life time.

* Rust and corrosion free, and doesn't react chemically with acids, oils, salts, or juices and change the flavor of your food like steel knives do.

* Lightweight and balanced, with a curved, ergonomic, easy-to-grip handle to reduce wrist fatigue. Risk Free, 90-Day, no-questions-asked, 100% money back guarantee for any reason.

Ceramic knives are sharper, more lightweight, and much easier to clean than steel ones. However, many people complain that ceramic knives are too fragile, chipping or shattering at the slightest bump. The Savvy Living NanoRazor is made using a special 4-step process which makes our blades sharper, denser, and more durable than those on regular ceramic knives.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fitness Friday: Custom Made Medal Hangers

I decided I was going to try my hand at making Custom Medal Hangers. I have acquired several medals myself and they have just been hanging out in a dresser drawer. I know I am not alone and that some of my friends are storing their medals in similar ways. My daughter has her swim and Tri ribbons and medals just hanging from her reading tent in her room and really wanted to have something more too. I am not completely finished making them all yet, but I can share this one that I have already given to a friend for her birthday present. I think the picture makes it hard to see exactly what the paint is like, but I painted a base coat of yellow on it then a coat of crackle medium and then a coat of gray. You can see the yellow through the crackle.

I enlisted the help of my husband and asked him to cut up a board I bought from Lowe's so that I could make 5 different Medal hangers, each one custom to the person I am giving it to (including myself.)

Here are a bunch of the other supplies I used including hooks, frog tape, scissors, letter stickers and iron-on letters.

I spray painted the base coats (2 coats of each) on the wood that I sanded.

Next I applied frog tape so that I could I could add a pattern detail to them board. My daughter wanted to help make them as well (since one was hers) and I put her in charge of painting the crackle on the ones that we were using it on and then painting the stripes on hers.

Here is what they looked like when I painted the colors over the frog tape (and crackle medium in some instances) . I don't want to spoil the rest and will share them with you another time, but for now you can enjoy the one I made for my friend Jennifer and imagine what the others ones look like. I will share the ones I made for myself and my daughter soon, but the other 2 are gifts for friends and they have not received them yet.