Runaby Glass Baby Bottle

Any sentence that includes the words "glass" and "baby" is enough to make any Mother catch her breath. 

Or is it just me?

Giving an infant anything made of glass is like a playground made of barbwire in my mind.

Until now.

I read about this bottle and realized I've been missing out. I'm always trying to do right by my kids, but I've been completely missing a huge component in their life - the bottle.

I nurse for the first year of their lives, and so they do get those benefits. Once they turn one though or go to the sitter's then they get the bottle. Half the time it's a super cheap plastic bottle. I NEVER put a bottle in the microwave, and I ask everyone else not to, but there are probably tons of toxins leaching into the milk still. 

Runaby created a glass baby bottle to prevent your infant or toddler having to drink those poisons. Glass doesn't leach chemicals like plastic does. It is much safer for using with food or liquid. If you have walked through the water bottle section at any store you've probably noticed all of the "BPA Free" stickers. Most people don't even know what BPA is, but they assume that if every company is going to go through the trouble of making sure their product does not contain it then they  don't want it either. If you do an internet search about the hazards of plastic and human consumption then it might scare you a little. 

Even BPA-Free products are leaching as much or more estrogen-like hormones into your food or drink. If you haven't done your research then here's a quick snippet of some of the side effects: hormone imbalance (which screws up EVERYTHING in the body), and it can even affect brain development in the womb. Worried about emotional disorders? Then you should be worried about your plastics. 

Ok, now that I have you throwing your bottle of water in the trash and running to WebMD, let me get back on subject. Sorry! I started using a glass baby bottle. I was so nervous at first. However, I've been quite pleased with it. 

It is easy to pour powder or liquids into because the opening is very wide. This also makes it very simple to clean. The silicone cover slips off easy enough to clean, but not so easily that the bottle could fall out. It does come with a nipple (USA made, medium-flow), however you can swap it out with almost any other brand that you prefer (Dr. Brown's, Avent, NUK, MAM, etc.). The silicone sheath does protect it from breaking, but it does not make it invincible. This is not a bottle that I would let my child run around with, toss, or play with. The glass is not very thick, which makes it light enough that it doesn't turn the bottle into a 5 lb weight for your baby. 

Runaby bottles are free of harmful BPA, phthalates, PVC, latex lead, and polycarbonates. They are designed so that liquids only touch the glass and food-grade silicone. It is made from borosilicate glass. It is supposed to hold up against boiling and freezing temperatures. There are measurements clearly visible on the side of the bottle that are easy to read through the silicone window. The handle can swivel or be removed completely. The silicone sheath comes in two colors, blue or pink.

I love it! I am going to continue using it and try to avoid the plastic bottles at all cost. 

Speaking of cost, it's not that much to purchase it. On Amazon it is only $12.99 for the 4 oz or $15.99 for the 8 oz. Plus, you get a coupon for $5 your next purchase from the company. And if you have Amazon Prime then shipping is free. I purchased the pink 8 oz bottle at a discount in order to provide a review. These are my own thoughts, experiences, and opinions. I am not a doctor and neither am I a scientist. 

If you would like to make the switch to glass then you can find the Runaby bottles, HERE.

XANADU 24K Gold Serum

Have you ever thought about wearing gold on your face? Maybe a nose ring? Not your thing? It's not mine either. No worries. I am talking about actually putting gold on your face. Have you heard about this before? I hadn't until about a month ago.

I was given a serum with actual 24K gold flakes in it. Whoa! Now why on Earth would I put it on my face and not turn it into jewelry?! Well, come to find out gold is actually good for your skin. According to myth (who knows if it's actually true), Cleopatra actually used Gold on her face.

Here are some of the health benefits that I found on the internet:

1. Wrinkles and fine lines can be reduced
2. Improves circulation, cells, nerves, and veins
3. Slows the depletion of collagen
4. Antioxidant properties that can reduce allergies
5. Increases elasticity of the skin
6. Makes skin more radiant
7. Has shown improvements when treating autoimmune disease
8. Reduces inflammation

I tried a serum made by ISA Professional. It really does contain flakes of Gold. Probably not enough to make anything like a ring, but enough that you can clearly see the flakes through the bottle. I have been using it for about a month, but have not seen any dramatic results. I don't have many fine lines or wrinkles yet. Thankfully! I'm only 26, so hopefully I don't have too many to worry about. 

I did like how it applied to my face though. It goes on very smooth and evenly. My skin is very dry and absorbs it quite quickly. I usually have to use 2 pumps to cover my face. If I lean in super close to the mirror after application then I can see the gold flakes laying on my skin. 

At first I was afraid that it would clog my pores. I wasn't sure if the gold flakes would cause any issues. I didn't notice any side effects though. My face actually had fewer breakouts. And nobody even noticed the gold flakes when I was without makeup. You can't tell that they are even there when you use foundation. I'm sure they fall off throughout the day. I typically use the serum at night for this reason. 

There is more to this serum than just Gold though. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Rose Extract, P-anisic, Collagen, Creatine, Beta-Glucan, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, and Epidermal Growth Factor. These are all supposed to be beneficial for the skin. I know that Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C serums are a huge thing right now. This product contains both, and so there is no need to buy multiple serums. 

I have enjoyed using this product. The bottle is a 1.0 fl oz container. It is very elegant and the pump works really well. I have dropped the bottle quite a few times (oops!) and it has withstood every fall. The bottle is a little small, but it only pumps a small amount and so it will last a while. I have been using it for a month and have hardly even made a dent in it. 

If you would like to try adding a little shimmer and glow to your face routine then check out ISA Professional's 24K Gold XANADU Vitamin C Serum and Foundation Primer.

You can find it on Amazon, HERE.

Or on their website, HERE.

I received a free sample for testing and reviewing purposes. These are my own thoughts and opinions about the product. I was not compensated in any way.

Oleavine Therapeutic Soap

When my husband and I were dating he had a case of Athlete's Foot. He was in so much pain and discomfort. He tried everything to ease the itch. He was constantly spraying it and rubbing creams on it and cleaning it. I felt so bad for him. I was so thankful I wasn't in his shoes. Literally.

Back then I knew that natural was always better, but I didn't know much about how to treat things naturally. It wasn't until years later when DoTerra Oils became popular and trendy that I learned more. Ever since, I have been sold. They have worked so well for my family and I. Western medicine has caused so many negative side effects that it has actually placed me in the ER quite a few times and nearly took the life of me and my baby.

"Let medicine be thy food and let food be thy medicine."

-Hippocrates

In this case you wouldn't be eating the treatment, but it comes from sources that I feel like you could eat and wouldn't die. I like things that are found in nature and derived in friendly ways. Treatments that have been used for thousands of years are usually pretty reliable. Not surgery though. That one is done better with newer technology.

If you know me then you know that I have skin issues. I have tried so many different products and treatments that I can't list them all. Most of them didn't work for me. It wasn't until I started using more natural, and less harmful solutions that my skin started to change for the better. Once a month I still have a battle though.

Last month I had a ton of battles hit me all at once. I had my "Kelly Kapowski can’t make it to cheerleading practice," depression, poor eating habits, family issues, stress, and lots more I don't wish to share with everyone. Needless to say, I was an emotional and physical train wreck. I was so messed up that I ended up having my first allergic reaction at 4 AM. If you have ever seen the movie HITCH, then just imagine a white girl version of Will Smith after the peanuts. And my skin was so dry that it was peeling, cracking, and flaking for weeks. I couldn't even wear makeup because it was so bad. 

Then I received my Oleavine Therapeutic Soap in the mail. Can you hear the angels singing?? I used it just as a body wash the first time. Then I realized it contained most of the essential oils that they say are good for treating acne and healing sores. I decided to start using it as face wash. It is not meant for the face, and you're not supposed to get it in contact with your eyes, but I was desperate. I had already tried 8 different moisturizers, coconut oil, Neosporin, etc. on my eyelids and face, but nothing was helping. I was in constant pain and was willing to try anything. So, I tried the soap. In less than a week, my dry skin cleared up.  Then my acne cleared up. The sores healed. And I was hooked!

The right pic isn't as focused and does have pearlescent makeup on. But it is better!

This stuff has literally saved me. I feel so good after I use it. The smell is absolutely wonderful (I like the smell of essential oils though). The soap is a little strong though. I am thinking about switching over and trying their Konjac Sponge that is infused with Bamboo Charcoal since it is meant for the face. When I use this soap on my face, it feels very exfoliated, smooth, and clean afterwards. I can only imagine what it is cleaning off the rest of my body.

I recently watched a little clip that was floating around on Facebook about how dirty public pools are and how many illnesses are spread after a jaunt in the waters. It kind of really grossed me out. So of course I took my daughters for a swim the next week. Hahaha! As soon as we came home I washed us off with my Tea Tree Therapeutic Soap and felt all clean and safe again. 

Oleavine's Therapeutic Soap is a 100% natural plant based cleanser that helps remove fungus and bacteria from the skin. It hydrates the skin and contains omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9. It does not contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sulfates, gluten, or chemical detergents. It contains ingredients like Coconut, Hemp, Jojoba, Melaleuca, Oregano, Cinnamon, and Lavendar. It is so good for your skin! Every ingredient listed on their bottle is beneficial to the skin. There is nothing listed that won't benefit you in some way.

This soap is designed to help "wash away and defend against fungus & bacteria responsible for body odor, Athletes Foot, Ringworm, Jock Itch, acne, toenail & nail fungus, yeast, and other common foot and skin irritation. Ideal foot care treatment for smelly feet and body odor eliminator." (www.oleavine.com) If you are using it treat Athlete's Foot or another fungal or bacterial condition I would recommend looking into their Foot Oil as well.

I received a free sample of this product for testing and reviewing purposes. However, these are my own honest and personal opinions, thoughts, and results. I LOVE this product. It is my favorite product that I have had the opportunity to try out. I highly recommend this to everyone. I will be purchasing another bottle after this one is gone. 

If you would like to try it for yourself, you can find it on Amazon HERE.

Or on their website HERE.

Just remember that this is a concentrated solution! They do not add any thickeners to bulk up the product. A little will go a LONG way. It lathers up wonderfully and so be sure to pour it onto a washcloth, loofah, sponge, or cotton pad. You can also use it as a foot soak. Mint works great for the feet! Mint is naturally revitalizing and awakening. If you want something more soothing then try the Lavender scented soap. 

And it is made in the USA. Which is always one of my favorite reasons to support a company. Supporting our economy and jobs within our country is vital. 

Alphashades Car Windshield Sunshade

Living in a desert climate can be very uncomfortable sometimes. Especially if you have to hop in a car that has not been cooled off prior to your entrance. This is why I need to hire a chauffeur. Well, this is why I need to be wealthy enough to be able to hire a chauffeur.

I hate driving anywhere during the summer because I am still driving my old 1997 Plymouth Neon. It does not have tinted windows or a working A/C unit. And if you hop in and think it is hot then you have to get a little workout in trying to hand-crank all of the windows down. I dread driving that human toaster.

The Alphashades Car Windshield Sunshade has made it a little more bearable though. 

When my car is parked I make sure to put up the shade every time. It makes a huge difference for me. My seat does not get nearly as hot as it used to, which means my tush is happy. And now I can actually touch my steering wheel! No more using napkins, gloves, or my favorite game of "how long can I not touch my steering wheel before I careen into oncoming traffic."

Plus, I have noticed a slight decrease in the actual temperature inside my car. It's not a huge difference, but it's something. And it is supposed to protect from 99% of the harmful UV rays, and so your dash and items in your car are less likely to get sun damaged.

When my car is pointed towards the rising or setting sun it also helps to keep the sunlight off my children's seats. There is nothing worse than trying to put your children into the car and realizing you can't because you don't want to singe their skin off. I have even draped this cover over their seats to protect them from sunlight coming in the back window. If you get really crafty you can roll up the fabric edge in the window to to create a drape or tent.

When you're not using it, it can easily be folded up and put back in its carrying case. I can fit the case in the side pocket of my doors. And these pockets are small! You can also store next to the center console or in it. It will also fit under the seat or in the dashboard cubby. It is pretty flat and can go almost anywhere.

I like it because the edges are made of fabric and so it can easily fit  large and small windshields. There is also fabric that runs down the center that you can use to overlap the rings to make it smaller. This section also makes it easy to place around your rear-view mirror to block out more light. I just fold down my visors to hold the sunshade in place.

The company provides a "No Questions Asked, 100% Money Back, Lifetime Guarantee," which makes this a product that I can rest easy with. 
I received a free sample of this product for testing and reviewing purposes. I was not compensated in any way for this review. This is just merely to help you find a company and a product that you can trust.

If you would like to get one for yourself, you can find them on Amazon HERE. 

Mr. Bene's Static Cling Car Sun Shade

I have been driving the same car since I was sixteen years old. My sister drove it, my mother drove it, and my dad drove it. It has been through everything. It's a 1997 Plymouth Neon. It is a manual car. And when I say manual, I mean everything is manual. Rolling down your windows means cranking your arm, and locking the doors means reminding all of your passengers to lock their doors when they exit the vehicle. Oh you want to move your seat? Then you have to find the lever and use your legs and some major hip thrusts to find that perfect spot. You can't see out the mirror, then here's a little stick you can fiddle with. ABS? I don't think so! If you need to stop quickly then it requires you to stomp your foot as fast as you repeatedly can.

The biggest nuisance is the fact that it does not have air conditioning. It was initially equipped with A/C, but once it broke it was gone for good. They stopped making the part that broke, and it failed in pretty much every Neon out there. So, I haven't had A/C in my car in over 10 years. Did I mention that I live in a desert climate? Yep. If I am ever favored with a good hair or makeup day it can be ruined in less than 5 minutes in old Nero (that's his name).

It's ok though. I know how to handle it, but my kids don't. They hate riding in Mom's car. My toddler cries every time because her shirt gets "wet." And my baby cries because she gets blinded from the scorching sun. Did I mention that the windows aren't tinted? I just can't afford to fork out that kind of money right now. We don't go very many places during the summer because I don't want to subject my children to that kind of torture. A hot, bright car has actually affected our levels of happiness and social activity. It's pretty bad.

Or at least it was. 

It's not as bad now that we have started using Mr. Bene's Static Cling Car Sun Shades and Alphashades' Car Windshield Sunshade. These two products have helped so much! It may not feel like an arctic snow being blown on us, but at least it doesn't feel like we're sitting in a frying pan anymore. I have definitely felt and seen a difference with these two products.

My daughter is always complaining about the sun being in her eyes. I keep a pair of sunglasses in my car just for her. The Static Cling Car Sun Shades have helped tremendously with this issue. They block out some of the brightness so that she doesn't have the sun glaring in her eyes. They are still really sheer though so she can still see out the windows. There is enough visibility through these shades that I can place them in the front side windows and drive still.

They are designed to block 97% of harmful UV rays and are UPF 30+. This puts me at ease because I don't have to worry about my girls getting sun damage as we drive around. I leave them left on the windows when we exit the car because they help to keep a little sunlight off of their car seats.

They are a little smaller than I expected, but after using them I am thankful for their size. I can fit them in the small windows of our truck (there is a little overhang). They are 12" x 19". You can put them in any position or angle to block wherever the sun may be at the time. Once my daughter is a little older she will even be able to re-position them herself. I can even roll the window partially down and still use these sunshades.

When your not using them you simply fold them up and put them back in their carrying case. It is small enough that it can fit in the side pocket of my door. They are so easy to put up that I can do it with one hand. And let's face it, pretty much everything we do as Mom's is with only one hand.

I haven't used mine long enough to get them really dirty. I am sure that they don't stick as well once they get dirty. I just make sure to wipe the dust and dirty fingerprints off my windows fairly often, so that I don't have to worry about it when I am in a hurry. They recommend to wipe off your window  before each application. I haven't tried it for myself, but I think that you could just rinse off the dust if they did start to lose their cling. Your window does not need to be wet in order to use these. They are so much easier to use than the old suction cup style.

The best part is that they have a 100% money back, lifetime, no questions asked guarantee!

I received my set as a free sample for testing and reviewing purposes. These are my own honest opinions about the product. I would recommend them to family and friends and purchase them myself. 

If you would like to check them out for yourself, you can find them on Amazon HERE.

Automatic Touchless Soap Dispenser

Have you ever gotten your hands dirty?

Hopefully your answer is, "Yes!" If not, then you have some living to do. 

Have you ever panicked when you realize that both of your hands are covered in raw meat from mixing hamburger, or slathered in shortening and marshmallow while pressing Rice Krispy Treats? It happens to me every time. I end up using my dirty hands to turn on the water and to dispense the soap. This results in me having to wash my faucet and soap dispenser with cleaner. What is more absurd than having to use soap to clean your bottle of soap?

My prayers have been answered though! It's an automatic, touch-free soap dispenser. It is made by the company SimpleOne. I'm not always a fan of technology, but I LOVE this! It really has helped me more than I can tell you. 

The soap dispenser uses Infrared Sensor Technology to determine when to dispense the soap. You just place your hand underneath the sensor and wha-la! It makes it so that you don't have to touch the pump on the soap bottle and spread germs. This is wonderful when you have messy kids or husbands. 

And the dispenser itself was designed with simplicity in mind. The wide opening makes it easier to refill and prevent messy cleaning spills. The silicone valve prevents the dispenser from dripping or clogging. There is a clear window on the body of the dispenser so that you can monitor how much soap is left in the bottle. There's nothing worse than running out of soap when your hands are covered in sludge. The soap tank is refillable and very large. Plus, the entire dispenser is sleek and smooth, and so if you happen to get it messy somehow then you can easily wipe it clean. It runs on four AAA alkaline batteries, but is supposed to be energy efficient and last for over one whole year! I haven't had mine that long, so I cannot testify to whether or not this claim is true. They come in two colors though, Arctic White and Liquid Silver.

Best of all, you can use hand soap, kitchen soap, foam soap (the website says that you can, but the manual says not to?), shampoo, or hand sanitizer in it. I keep mine at the kitchen sink because that's where my hands are always the messiest. I want to get another one for the bathroom sink. I think the next time I have a baby I am going to fill it with sanitizer and keep it by the front door and every time somebody comes to visit the new baby they can easily rid their hands of germs before they spread any sickness. 

This is definitely a product that I love! I think that every house should have one of these. Actually I think every bathroom should have one of these, especially public ones. If you want to wash away your germ-spreading worries then check them out on Amazon. You can find them HERE. I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review. 

Now I just need to win the lottery so that I can afford the touch-less water faucet...



You can also check out the video review on Youtube

Weight Gurus Weightless Bathroom Scale

Alright, so I used to be obsessed with weighing myself. Every day every pound mattered. It was a little insane. I've learned that most of the fluctuations are water weight and to not fret as much. As long as I'm within a good range then I'm happy. There is no perfect number. It depends on what you are made of. It depends on where you are carrying your weight. I do like to check my progress occasionally though. It helps keep me gauged, focused, and motivated.

A month or two ago I finally had to toss my old scale. It was kind of a sad day. I had really mixed feelings. I knew I would have to invest in a new scale which sucked. But I had a lot of memories with my old scale. Is it weird to be sentimental towards a scale? I'm sure it is. I had been using this scale for 10+ years. And if you know my history then you'd understand why this scale brought so many emotions when I had to separate myself from it.

I soon found out that only being able to weigh myself when I went to the gym (which is rare), or to my Mom's house wasn't very convenient. Plus, it was after I already had ingested food or liquid, and never at the same time of day. When I did happen to weigh myself I jotted it down on a piece of paper with intentions of logging it in my weight journal at some point. Those little scraps of paper hardly ever end up being logged though and so most of my tracking gets lost.

Luckily, Weight Gurus sent me a scale to test out. Hallelujah! It is so nice having a scale again. And this is the best scale I have ever owned. And probably the best scale I have ever used, but that's because of the app that came with it.

These are actual screenshots from my phone.

My old scale was the mechanical type that had to be calibrated every time you used it. And you could only see differences in pound increments. This meant that most of my measurements weren't very accurate.

I love my new digital scale. It takes the guesswork out of reading the number. In addition, I can see smaller differences in my weight. Sometimes knowing that you lost half a pound can make a huge difference in my effort. It shouldn't, but it does.

And you have no idea how truly excited I was that my scale came equipped with batteries! None of this "Batteries Not Included" bull. lol. And it automatically turns itself on and off, so you don't waste your batteries. I don't know about you, but these are precious commodities at my house. We are always out of them. I think the sock trolls have upgraded.

The scale is also capable of storing 8 separate user identities. Holy cow! My Mom's scale only allowed for three users and there were five of us. Only the truly dedicated were given priority. This scale should accommodate most families, even us Mormons. Jkjk. Although I think it only stores your most recent weigh-in. And it has a 400 lb capacity so it should accommodate most users as well.

The red line is a day I forgot to weigh-in.

You can also weigh yourself in the weightless version! What is weightless weighing? Well, you can set your measurements to read only your progress and not your scale number. Instead of reading that you are 147 lbs today, it would read that you didn't go to the gym this week and are +1.7 lbs or if you have stuck to your diet then maybe it would read that you are -5.4 lbs. I really like to see just my progression. It keeps me from focusing on the number of the day. When I see the + I know that I have been slacking and need to do better.

Being able to use the free app is such a lifesaver! Instead of jotting my weight down on a piece of paper and losing it, my numbers go straight to my cell. It is not bluetooth enabled, but they do have an upgraded version that is. After weighing yourself, you simply press the "+" button in the app and focus the QR code in your screen and it is in your phone! Just make sure you actually confirm the number is correct by pressing the "Submit" button. I made the mistake of just leaving the screen each time. Later on I realized I never actually logged those measurements. Oops! It's really not hard to use at all. I just have a knack for making things harder than they need to be.

And the sticker is more like a window cling-on. It came right off.

So, if you're in the market for a new scale, or want to enter the digital age with me then I definitely recommend this scale. It has worked perfect for me. 

You can find it on Amazon HERE. 

This company stands behind their product and provides a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, and 5 Year Warranty. 

I received mine for free as a product to test and review. However, these are my own opinions and truly reflect how I feel about the product. If you have any questions for me just leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading!