health/beauty — Family Review Network

Dove Men + Care

April 22, 2010 By Amanda

The new Dove Men + Care product line targets men who have reached a point in their lives where they are comfortable with themselves, but not in their skin. Dove Men + Care address these issues so men can literally be comfortable with their skin.

Dove Men + Care is the first ever product line formulated specifically for men’s needs. It provides the cleansing and refreshment that men want combined with Dove moisturizers to provide total skin comfort.

We had a wonderful group of reviewers share the new Dove Men+Care with their husbands and below is what each one said!

Seeryus Mama – Finally, a body pouf for men! It’s about time! He’s mentioned that his skin feels good after a shower.
Sheltered Not Shattered - I love the how he feels and smells after a shower. It is not an overpowering smell but is just right. He says he also sees a difference in his body odor level throughout the day.
All Because Two People Fell in Love – GJ loves his new body wash and bar. He loves that it is a body wash and face wash in one! I like the nice fresh, clean scent of these products!
The Mom Buzz - Overall, my husband is sold on the Shower Tool and we would buy the Body Wash again.
The Post-It Place – I can attest to the fact that his skin is smoother and softer…and I like the way that it smells.
Army Mom’s Place – The water at my house is hard. Really hard. Like the-stuff-precipitates-out-so-thickly-that-the-hot-water-pressure-in-on-of-our-showers-is-reduced-to-a-dribble hard. You need to use a lot of regular soap, and it just doesn’t rinse off that well. The lather from both the Dove Men+ Care gel and bar, however, rinsed of cleanly and easily, and my skin felt like I had installed a water softener. Daddy like.
The Clan McLeod - He said that at first he was concerned because it didn’t seem to rinse off very well. I told him that was part of the moisturizing aspect and that made him feel better and he’s had no problem with it since. He also likes how long the body wash lasts and was impressed on how little it actually takes to feel clean.
The Angel Forever – I was pleasantly surprised when the bar’s fragrance was subtle, not overpowering. This bar did pretty well. It lathered nicely and washed off clean.
Badger Mom - As soon as I opened the box, I noticed the aroma. My first thought was, “Niiiiiice!” Yeah I could get into that.
Eighty MPH Mom - My son returned home from college a couple of days ago for Spring break, and I was anxious for him to try these. I knew he would be the perfect “subject” for trying this new product for men. He had quite a few nice things to say about these products, he really loved the scent. It was “manly” but not overwhelming.
Moody Mama Says – I have even complimented him on how soft his hands have become. *swoon* The only suggestion my husband would make is that they add a handle to the body tool.
Maria’s Space – We both love the smell. The bottle has a manly look and fits nicely in the hand. Lathers up nicely and does the job! Leaving your skin less dry than soap. No more itchy skin when you come out of the shower.
Forgetfulone – I loved the fragrance, and if it gets my boys clean, great! And I’m really impressed that Dove is addressing the fact that men need to be comfortable in their skin, too!
She Scribes - My husband likes that the body wash and soap rinse off well. He also has made comments to me that his skin doesn’t feel “tight” like it often does when he uses regular soap. He even made me feel his arm to see how “soft” it was.
A Simple Kinda Life – My son has been using the body wash and the bar for about two weeks now, and he has informed me that he loves the smell! I smelled the products when they came, and have smelled it on him, and he smells great!
Brain Foggles – The shower tool felt odd to him too, but after a few days of use, he liked the scrub side for his feet, elbows and knees (his extra dry skin areas).
Angela’s Analysis – The soap had a wonderful men’s fragrance to it, the body was didn’t have as strong smell but a very light one-it reminds me of rain-natural and clean.
Welcome to the Motherhood - The Soap and Body Wash smells clean, masculine and fresh without being overpowering. Sounds great, eh? Most of us ladies love a man who smells good!
Sassyfrazz – He liked that the soap didn’t dry out his skin, or leave any residue behind for irritation. My husband didn’t care for the shower tool, because he prefers the large loofah.

We received product samples to facilitate our reviews. All opinions expressed in our posts are 100% our own

Filed Under: Uncategorized, health/beauty, reviews Tagged With: Body Care, Men

My Yoga 2 Go

October 19, 2009 By Caryn

As a busy mom, it’s hard to find time to do much of anything for myself, particularly when it comes to fitness and workout classes. Many moms don’t have childcare or the free time in their schedule to attend these types of classes. And if you’re like me, the thought of putting your child in the gym day care (if the gym has one) is not appealing, particularly during cold and flu season. The alternative, DVDs, can get tiresome, boring, and in want of something more challenging.

practicesystem-lores

Yoga has numerous benefits including strength and flexibility training, meditation, and relaxation. Several of our reviewers had an opportunity to try out a new yoga system that can be done in the comfort of your home, on your own time schedule. Here is a little more information about My Yoga to Go from the site:

The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System combines the flexibility of working out at home, the versatility of a yoga class and the hands-on guidance of an experienced yoga instructor all in one yoga practice system. The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System will help you to achieve all of your yoga fitness goals without expensive yoga classes or yoga DVD’s. The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System provides an excellent way to set up your own yoga routine to do at home.

Here is what our reviewers had to say about the system:

Forgetfulone: Thank goodness they have a website that explains everything, too. I was having a hard time figuring out how to set things up, but I went to the website, and everything is explained, step by step, in a way even a beginner like me can understand. I would really benefit from having a teacher standing here telling me exactly where to put the weight on my feet, which direction to face, how many counts to hold it, when to inhale and exhale. All the information is right there on the card, but it was kind of hard to read the information and try to do it at the same time.

Maria’s Space: Not only does it look awesome it can go anywhere with you. You can hang and organize your poses before you start depending on the training you want to do and how much time you have. One of the best things about this for me personally was that I have certain poses that I love and I am able to incorporate those into my routine along with the poses depending on my level of energy that day. I like mixing them up. Some advanced poses with some intermediate and then some of my favorite basic beginner poses.

Mom Start: Whether you are a yoga novice or expert, My Yoga 2 Go Practice System makes it easy to customize your workout and practice yoga in the comfort of your own home. It is very easy to use, my trouble is keeping the cards away from my daughter. It is very important to get yourself moving and yoga is nice because it is so easy on your body. I’m not saying yoga is easy I’m just saying the results can be felt.

My Organized Chaos: I liked having this system, as it compares to an instructional class, yet in the comfort of home {and no money spend on babysitters in order to get a great workout in}. Plus, there are so many combinations to choose from, for each workout – it never gets boring and repetitive {unlike videos} Since it’s in a handy tote,
it stores away neatly until the next use.

Nerd Family Things: First off, finding the time and money to go to a yoga studio is always a challenge. And frankly I like yoga but not the meditation side. So this allows me to do yoga on my terms! It has sequence cards that enable you to so a set sequence based on your level and purpose (Energize, core strength, hip opening and more). I also really like the fact that is has a full color picture of each pose with detailed instructions. It has all the benefits of having a teacher right there! It is also very nice that it folds up and can travel with you. Traveling stresses me out greatly so it is convenient that it is light and can hang on just about anything! With the holidays coming up I think this would also be a great gift.

A Nut in a Nutshell: I absolutely love having the sequence right there in plain view. It just takes a quick glance and then I know which pose to move into next. The pockets of the display tote are quite tight so the cards won’t slip out once you’ve put them in there, which is particularly helpful for traveling. The information on the back of the card is extremely informative, especially for more unfamiliar poses. I love the ability to have it all ready to go in the tote, but yet be able to fold it up in between yoga sessions.

Robyn’s Online World: This is a nifty little system that you can take with you anywhere or just tuck away nicely when you aren’t using it at home. The really clever part about this is that you customize it to make it want you want it to be. My Yoga 2 Go is making it easier for me to learn the different posts a little at a time and go more at my own pace. I can put a shorter sequence together or mix things up to keep from being bored with a routine (like on the DVD I own).

Rockin’ Mama: Since I’m pregnant, and classify myself as a beginner, the founder of the program designed a prenatal sequence for me. I recognized many of the poses, but I did find some of them a bit challenging (I’m almost 7 months pregnant!). I like the fact that each card has details on the amount of time it takes to complete each pose/stretch, detailed directions, variations, and benefits. It’s very thorough. I will say that if I didn’t know the pose, I had to turn the card over and spend some time studying it which is really the only downside I see to the system. I do like the thoroughness of the program, the ability to vary based on skill level, and the versatility of using this anywhere. I definitely don’t think you’ll get bored with this system!

She Scribes: From the moment I opened up the package I was very impressed. Personally I enjoy the part where it tells you the benefits from doing this pose. I love how it all folds up into a neat little tote that you could take with you anywhere.

The Mommy Files: I have to say that I loved this system and wouldn’t mind trying yoga again after reviewing the system. It was fun and I could do what I wanted to do. For example, if I wanted to work on Back Strength, I would select the yellow identified cards and place them in the pockets. I simply hang up the display tote and follow along at my own pace. It is an awesome product!

Wish List Worthy: This is a great system if you have done yoga before. If you aren’t as familiar with yoga, it might be harder for you, but the cards are well illustrated and explained. There were even some poses in the deck that I hadn’t seen before, which excited me because I love doing yoga.

The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System retails for $29.95, but you can save 15% when you use the code “BLOGYOGA.” (valid through October 31, 2009).

Filed Under: health/beauty, pregnancy, reviews, women

Always Infinity

May 21, 2009 By Caryn

always_inf_prod_img Every month, we get a reminder that, yes, indeed, we’re still capable of having children. Unfortunately, it is a time of discomfort! While not a hotly discussed topic, it’s nice to hear from one woman to another, which feminine hygiene products work and which ones don’t! Always has recently launched their new line of pads called Infinity. Here is a little more information from the site:

The world’s first pad of its kind, Always Infinity offers women powerful absorbency like never before. It’s made with an über-absorbent material called Infinicel that has the power to absorb 10x its weight, yet remains amazingly light. With a revolutionary wing design that fits the curvature of your panty, microdots designed for fast absorption, and an incredibly soft cover, Always Infinity is a pad like no other.

always-150x150

Some of our reviewers had an opportunity to test out Always Infinity and here is what they had to say:

All Because Two People Fell In Love: I love these great new products! The wings stayed in place which provided me with the confidence I need when wearing a pad. They are very thin and flexible so I felt as if I was just wearing a liner! I love that they are soft and comfortable and still provide super absorbency! I am totally impressed with these great new products!

Homeschooling and Loving It: It was very comfortable and I LOVE the wider back. That is where I have the biggest problem and this pad really helped in that area, especially when I sleep! It has a wonderful protective cover sheet and microdots to keep you fluid away from you. This made a huge difference for me. The pad curved to with my body and didn’t bunch up and make me miserable while wearing them.

Mom Giveaways: When I first opened them up I did a double take because the pad had holes in it. I could actually see through the pad. ”How is this supposed to work?” But it did work; and work good.

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: My daughter just tried them and said she really liked them. I did take a peek at one and they seem very nice. They have a nicer top layer then I remember and a great shape to them.

Red Sox Mommy: Well, I’ve been a fan of Always since high school so it’s no surprise that I liked these. Their shape is more natural and the materials they’re made of are effective and less “diaperish” feeling. They’re definitely quality and I’d use them again in a heartbeat.

Riding With No Hands Reviews: Always Infinity pads are infinitely better than other pads I’ve used in the past! Made with ‘infinicel’, a super-absorbent material that can hold 10x its weight, these pads feel light even on your heaviest days. I honestly had doubts when I first opened up the pad, because it clearly has holes in it that you can see through. These ‘microdots’ are there to guide fluid quickly deep inside the pad so you stay dry. I’d never seen anything like that!It honestly didn’t feel like I was even wearing a pad most of the time! There was no ‘bunching up’ – the pad stays in place, thanks to good adhesive and uniquely-shaped wings.

Rockin’ Mama: Immediately, I noticed that they’re softer than any pad I’ve ever tried. They’re also super thin, considering the samples I received were for heavy absorbency. I woke up feeling dry and the pad had pretty much stayed in place (there is always a little shifting, no matter what you use). I like the natural fit to these and I feel they conform to my body shape better than other pads I’ve tried. They’re also wider in the back where we all need it!

Robyn’s Online World: It has been many years since I have tried the Always line of pads because frankly I did not like the old top lining on them years ago. When I received the samples I was happy to see that the top lining had changed a great deal and was less “plastic-like” in feeling. The other interesting change was that the outer “envelope” of the pad is also the sticky protector that you tear off – one less piece of trash. The Always Infinity is a nice shape and stays put very nicely. Absorption also just as it needs to be and they are super thin which is a must for me.

Filed Under: health/beauty, reviews, women

Exergen

April 18, 2009 By Cathi

Have you ever tried to take the temperature of a child who is crying in discomfort?

Without difficulty, the Exergen Temporal Scanner can quickly get a body temperature reading on a wiggly, feverish child or a baby that’s sleeping soundly.

From the Exergen website: The Exergen TemporalScanner™is the world’s first infrared thermometer designed to measure body temperature by taking a reading from the temporal artery. The patented technology employs an infrared sensor that accurately registers body temperature to within +0.2º F—a much more accurate means of taking the temperature than any other way including oral, rectal, axillary (under the arm) and tympanic (in the ear).

All it takes is placing the thermometer on the center of the forehead and sliding it straight across to the hairline.

It’s that simple! With a little one, or even a spouse who doesn’t feel well, simple is what we want!

Win It!

Thanks to Exergen and the Family Review Network we have a Exergen Thermal Scanner for one lucky reader.

To enter this giveaway:

~Leave a comment here telling us why you want to win.

~This giveaway will close at midnight on April 24th.

Earn extra entries:

~Subscribe to our feed.

~Place our button in your sidebar.

~Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Design Baby:  So, the TemporalScanner is AMAZING! You seriously just put it against your child’s forehead, press and hold the button, rub it across the forehead, release the button, and you’ve got your temperature! It’s so much easier than trying to put a thermometer under their tongue, armpit, or heaven forbid–the bum!

A Little Bit Nutty: The waiting is the worst when your kids are sick and you really want to know RIGHT NOW how high their fever is. When my kids are sick I want to make them as comfortable as possible. Most of the time they spend the day sleeping when they are really sick. With the Exergen TemporalScanner you don’t have to wake them to take their temp.

The Not-So-Blog: Last week, Lily was sick with a stomach virus, so I had the opportunity to really test out the product. What I really loved is that I could take her temperature while she was sleeping without waking her up! I also wanted to mention that when I took Lily to the pediatrician, I was surprised to see that the practice uses the very same Exergen Temporal Scanner! Now I KNOW that I will have the same temperature reading as my pediatrician.

The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth: When Regan was young she had febrile seizures. Anytime she would start to feel warm, I would start trying to monitor her temp withan ear thermometer that we had. I honestly would get so many different and difficult readings that it left me frustrated. It got so bad, that as soon as she felt the slightest bit warm we would plunge her in a cool bathjust to avoid any possible seizures. Due to her cerebral palsy, we couldn’t get her to function with a regular or rectal thermometer. Now I am blessed to have had an Exergen Temporal Scanner to work with and evaluate, and I absolutely love that device!

What’s That Smell?: I really think that no parent should be without this thermometer. It is accurate and easy to use and will likely be my gift of choice for baby showers from now on. It is used by hospitals, recommended by physicians, does not require probe covers and can be used on anyone, from infant to adult.

Rave and Review: Know what’s even better than being able to take a quick and easy scan of a baby that doesn’t feel well? Being able to take a quick and easy scan of a baby while they are sleeping. Seriously, no need to wake a sick baby means that everyone gets more sleep.

Sheltered Not Shattered: How I wish I’d had one of these when mine were babies. I still remember the struggles of taking temperatures…Well, mom’s now have a better solution. The Exergen Temporal Scanner is the easiest thermometer I’ve ever used.

Red Sox Mommy: All I had to do, after installing the battery, was remove the cap, hold down the button and place the probe on the center of the forehead, then I slid it to the side and released the button. The temperature reading was then on the display.

SAHM Reviews: I’m not kidding. It is quick and easy and ridiculously non-evasive. No tugging on ears and it can be done without waking the child. Seriously. And it’s so easy, that my 6 and 4 year old are able to take their own temperature (and mine!)

A Bookworm (Mom)’s Diary: To try this one out, I got my toddler in my lap and after removing the plastic protective tip, I gently ran it over his forehead and in seconds, even before Kiddo realized what was happening, I had the reading. WOW!

Filed Under: health/beauty, kids, reviews

EyeBuyDirect ~ Review & Awesome Giveaway

March 14, 2009 By Cathi

Congratulations to Sharon from Pennsylvania

the winner of this giveaway!!

My oldest grandson has been playing video games since before he could read. Occasionally, while he was playing a game, a text message would appear on the screen.

“Grandma!” he would say, “Come here and bring your glasses!”

That is when I realized I was past the over the counter reader glasses and needed to get a prescription pair. That also was only five years ago and since then I’ve gone through over five pair of prescription glasses. I’ve broken a few, lost a few and just plain decided I didn’t like a few.

There are hundreds of eyeglass frames to choose from at EyeBuyDirect. From Designer frames to Rimless and Sport and Titanium, the options are endless. I choose the Princess frames in red and I really do like them. The quality is much more than I expected. The biggest difference between these and my last pair are the weight. These are just a wee bit heavier but not enough to keep me from wearing them. The Eye Try feature at EyeBuyDirect takes the guess work out of online buying.

~ Giveaway ~

One lucky reader will win a coupon code good for one free pair of prescription eyeglasses (not including sunglasses and designer frames) including any upgrade up to $100 and 100% free shipping.

To enter this giveaway:

~Visit the EyeBuyDirect website.

~Leave a comment here telling us which frames are your favorite.

~This giveaway will close at midnight on March 20th.

Earn extra entries:

~ Visit the Wall of Frame and tell us what your favorite photo is.

~ Use the Eye Try feature and leave the link here.

~Subscribe to our feed.

~Place our button in your sidebar.

~Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

What the Family Review Network Reviewers think:

An Island Review: We had a little problem with the ordering since the frame that DH wanted was not available. However, their customer service kept in touch with us every step of the way until the glasses were shipped. Once received, we found the glasses to be exactly what we expected.

Rockin Mama: I never imagined I’d be ordering a pair of glasses that would sit on my face, for all to see, from a website without trying them on. But…they fit perfectly and they look amazing on me! The site has a service called EyeTry where you upload and image and choose the style that you’d like to try to see how they would look on your face.

The Way I See It Too: I’m embarrassed to admit that I have always paid over $500 for my glasses; the most recent pair being $700. Because of EyeBuyDirect, I’ve learned I’m not the savvy shopper I thought I was.

Wish List Worthy: I thought that the selection was great, and found a fun pair of glasses for myself. I just requested non-prescription lenses, but if I had a prescription it would have been really easy to order for that as well.

A Mama’s Rant: Great customer service – I originally ordered another frame, but they ran out. I was contacted by phone to change my order. I called and changed the order and my glasses were made and mailed out within a week.

Therapeutic Reviews & Giveaways: My hubby has a strong lens prescription and during the ordering we had to talk to customer service about getting a thinner lens so the glasses weren’t heavy. My service rep was intelligent, knew what we could do to fix the problem and the issue was resolved easily.

Mommy Mandy: Another thing that I liked about EyeBuyDirect is that you can upload a photo and virtually try on their selection of frames. This helps to find the right pair to fit your style and face shape. You should have seen me “trying” on all the different pairs of glasses. It was so much fun.

Tara’s View of the World: Ordering was a breeze. All I had to do was enter my mom’s prescription information on the website, choose the frames and options she wanted and I was done! One week later my mom’s new eyeglasses arrived on our doorstep!

Mommy Goggles: Wearing eyeglasses for fashion seems to be a popular trend these days, so I figured “Why not!” I LOVE my Donna frames! They are adorable and very well made! I decided to get an Anti-Scratch lens to help protect the lenses from wear. I have to say that these glasses are truly adorable!

She Scribes: I was a bit worried that the prescription might not be right since I didn’t order them from my eye doctor. I simply picked up my prescription from my eye doctor to use for my EyeBuyDirect order. The prescription was PERFECT! They are exactly like my current glasses that I purchased from my eye doctor for over almost $200. Even better yet I was able to get frame less glasses, something I have been told by my doctor I couldn’t get because of my prescription.

My Trendy Tykes: The whole process from start to finish was simple and FAST! All I needed to do was enter his [my brother] RX, mailing info and choose the frame/lenses. The glasses arrives within the next week and he could not be happier. Oh, and those same eyeglasses that we ordered through EyeBuyDirect??? They would have normally cost $400.00 but we got them for just $79.95!

A Couch With A View: I’m so so so happy that I found EyeBuyDirect! Nice glasses at a great price, you really cant beat that when you kill glasses like I do. Prices start at just $7.95 including the lenses! EyeBuyDirect also does fashion glasses with non prescription clear lenses!

Mom Giveaways: My first impression of EyeBuyDirect was, Wow! What a selection! There are some many different style of glasses to choose from. Everything from plain plastic frames to chic designer frames. It took me hours looking through all the different frames before I finally decided on the Bella frame.

Life’s a Hoot: After I placed my order it took about two weeks to receive my glasses which isn’t bad at all. I love my new glasses and would really recommend EyeBuyDirect for anyone in the market for a new pair of glasses. Eyebuydirectalso takes Paypal which is a big plus in my eyes because I hate giving out my credit card over the Internet.

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: The order process was so easy. I ran up to my eye doctor to get a copy of prescription. Then I selected my frames, input my prescription and that was it. Eyebuydirect.com tells you everything you need, there is even place for notes if you want to add any information. I chose to do my order online, but you can also call.

Sage and Savvy: In about a couple of weeks, DH’s glasses arrived in a sturdy case, along with a lens cloth. He tried the glasses on, and they were almost perfect. The only thing that needed to be adjusted was the nose piece. It was a bit too small, so he took it to a department store and got it adjusted for free. Once the adjustment was made, he’s been using it every day!

Happy Healthy Families: I waited anxiously all day for hubby to come home and try on his glasses– I was like a kid with a big old grin when he came in. The glasses fit perfectly (whew!) and looked great. The quality is very impressive, and the hubbs has worn them everyday since!

From Melissa’s Desk: And for those of you with perfect vision who still enjoy the fashionable look of glasses…Every frame can be fitted with a blank lens. All that you have to do is select “fashion” under “I use my glasses for…” on the prescription page.

Chocolate Fingerprints: Two weeks later, when the glasses arrived, I was very pleased by the quality! They looked great, and I never would have guessed that they were ordered online, or that they costed less than 10 bucks! To me, they looked like a pair of glasses that could be bought at any optometrist’s office, but I know how cheap they were, and it astounds me!

The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth: Regan and I picked out frames from EyeBuyDirect…thank goodness they had several frames in “pink” to choose from. We even uploaded a picture of her to the website so that we could try them on her “virtually”. I must admit it was pretty cool and easy.

A Bookworm(Mom)’s Diary: I confess, that process was such fun, I tried not just my 5 final choices, but nearly all the women’s frames they had, just to see how I’d look in frames I’d never even think of wearing otherwise. Good thing I did, for I eventually ended up with a frame that hadn’t made it my top 5, just because it looked so good on my face!

Just a mom’s take on things…: What really made an impact though is that these glasses – frames and lenses, cost considerably under $100 to order (even when including shipping charges). And we were able to add some options like anti-glare lenses and scratch protection that we haven’t always been able to afford before, even when we had vision insurance.

All Because Two People Fell in LOVE: I ordered the Tiber – Bronze and brown – Fashion Eyeglassesfor myself and I love them! These glasses retail for $250.00, but at EyeBuyDirect you only pay $49.95!! That’s a cool saving of $200.05! The $49.95 even includes single vision prescription lenses!!! What a great deal, much cheaper than the last pair I ordered with my Insurance!

Pink Family Reviews: It was easy to pick my out my glasses from EyeBuyDirect. They have all the latest fashionable frames. The ordering process was also easy. I knew right where to fill in all the correct info from my prescription. My glasses arrived in less than a week…I thought that the glasses were great. They were fashionable and of good quality. They fit me perfectly just by going off of my doctor’s prescription.

Loving Heart Mommy: I was a bit scared at first to order eyeglasses online, I thought to myself how am I going to know what these particular frames look like on my face, what happens if they are too big, too small, just not right? Eyebuydirect has conveniently come up with the solution for this problem, try before your buy. With EyeBuyDirect’s try before you buy software, all you have to do is upload a good face shot and you can view how the frames of your choice will look on your face.

Brain Foggles: I am extremely pleased with my eyeglasses. They look exactly like the images on the site. Having glasses that are anti-reflective has helped me a great deal because of needing them while I use the computer. Their emails kept me up to date on my order and then on the shipping.

Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House: I admit I was worried that I may have messed something up with the prescription, but they’re perfect. I wore them for 3 days straight after I got them and could see perfectly.

Mud Bug: I was very pleasantly surprised at how user friendly their site was. Picking and choosing your eye glasses is so easy. You are able to upload a picture and get an idea of what you would look like in them.

Homeschooling and Loving It: The service of this company was wonderful! I received an email when my order was done and ready to ship.

O Momma Reviews: I began searching for my new glasses right away and the website was very easy to navigate. They also have a great 100% satisfaction guarantee return/exchange policy if for whatever reason you aren’t satisfied with your choice once it arrives.

Busy Mommy Product Review: I just got them and I am so excited! They are awesome! I can not believe how affordable these are.

My Organized Chaos: To find your fabulous pair of frames, you can search by gender, style, price, color and more. The EyeBuyDirect site is very easy to use, it includes measurements on all frames and has helpful tips such as how to choose a frame and how to read your prescription.

NerdFamily Things: Our grand total, counting shipping, was a mere $83.80. Even with insurance we have never gotten out so cheap! We have never gotten away with less than $100 when we were also using insurance.

The Dirty Shirt: I chose the Tiber pair shown above as fashion glasses and I have received a ton of compliments on how great they look and how much they must have cost. These particular frames normally are $250 but at Eye Buy Direct they go for $49.95

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires: The website indicates which frames are suitable for single vision, bi-focal, or progressive lenses. This would be especially helpful for someone like me who currently wears progressive lenses.

1stopmom Reviews and Giveaways: Within a few days the glasses were here. They were packed securely. They were exactly what my daughter picked out. I was very happy with the service at EyeBuyDirect and the quality of their glasses.

MySentimentExactLee: The big draw for EyeBuyDirect.com is that they have the same glasses you find in stores but for 70% less! Sounds good to me. They also have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Maria’s Space: They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, no questions asked. Who has that these days? AND, one of my favorites…they take PAYPAL. I love my PayPal.

Mama Sparkles: The new glasses are great! They are actually a better fit than my old ones and the glass is top-notch. The selection is amazing – everything from simple plastic frames to trendy designer styles are available.

The Soothie Ranch: I upgraded the lenses to super thin ($42.00), and added anti-reflective ($6.95) and UV ($4.95) coatings (anti-scratch coating is always free!). Even with all these extras, my glasses only totalled $88.85!!! That’s a fraction of what I’ve paid for glasses in the past!

Filed Under: giveaways, health/beauty, kids, reviews, women

Box-O-Box

March 9, 2009 By Caryn

For many college students, living in a dorm is their first experience away from home. Care packages are a meaningful way to encourage students who may be feeling a little homesick during birthdays or stressed during exam times. A select group of our reviewers had the opportunity to get a first-hand look at Box-O-Box’s innovative care packages. Here is a little more information about the company from the site:

Box-O-Box allows you to send your college student the most hip, unique and fun care packages, right to his/her door. Box-O-Box gives you a simple way to help motivate and support your hard-working student throughout the entire school year. Our care packages are specialized for exam time, holiday time, birthday time or anytime!

Box-O-Box care packages retail from $39.99-$49.99 and are offered in 24 different, customizable themes (with more to come). Here is what our reviewers thought about Box-O-Box:

An Island Review: My first impression was how fun it looks! It was so much fun to go through this box of surprises and we all oohed and ahhed every time we saw a different item. It was like discovering a treasure chest and it made me feel like a kid again. I think Box-o-Box is a very unique and exciting concept and even though it’s geared towards college students, anyone would be thrilled to receive one. I know I did!

BrainFoggles: Being the good Mom that I am, I had to try out the BOX-O-BOX Movie Night before I send anything to my daughter And let me tell you, it is packed with good stuff! When it arrived, my younger daughter had just come home from school. Of course we had to open this surprise. We found ourselves smiling and laughing and soon tearing into the boxes of candy. Now that I know what an awesome gift this is and how it puts a smile on your face, I’ll be purchasing one for Lady Ali probably for Exam Time.

Go Graham Go: I received the “Feel Better” Box-O-Box and was thoroughly impressed! Not only is it a huge box, but the packaging is wonderful! The items included are some of the best products on the market! I’m talking about organic and hard to find items.

Mommy Goggles: I have found something that is far better than sending flowers to someone who is having a birthday, just had a baby, or just because. I actually think that this would be a great gift for that new mom (Pamper Yourself Box-O-Box), as well as a pick me up for someone like my current state; SICK! (Feel Better Box-O-Box).

A Nut in a Nutshell: Would you take a look at this smorgasboard of delight? There’s something for everyone or in my case, just one. When I saw this, I wanted so badly to sneak a few of those boxes out of there for myself. I didn’t do it though, ok? I knew when he got it because he called me, and that boy hardly EVER calls me. Not only that, when he called he spoke words, real words, not mono-syllabic grunts.
-Mom?
-Hi, honey.
-That care package rocks! Thanks, Mom. I love you.

And those words were all I needed to hear.

Rockin’ Mama: When I received the box, I was already excited about it and it wasn’t even open. That is because the colors are bright and vibrant and it’s packaged perfectly in matching tissue paper. This is a situation where presentation and packaging are key. Some of my favorite things in the box include a Burts Bee’s Head To Toe Starter Kit, Yogi Calming Tea, and Yummy Earth’ Organic Lolli Pops. I can see how special and meaningful a box like this would be from a friend or family member. I also think that a Box-O-Box makes a perfect gift for someone of any age. Sometimes we all need a little boost of cheer and this is the perfect way to brighten someone’s day.

While Box-O-Box care packages were designed for the college student, we definitely think they make wonderful gifts for anyone!

Filed Under: Food, health/beauty, reviews

A Healthy Heart is a Beautiful Heart!!

March 3, 2009 By Cathi

I was recently told I have a higher than desirable cholesterol number. I didn’t give it much thought until I also learned that cardiovascular diseases are America’s No. 1 killers. Okay, so now my cholesterol number has my attention and I obviously need to make some life style changes.

WomenHeart and Metamucil have joined together to create Beautify Your Heart, the perfect program for taking control of heart health.

Because of that looming cholesterol number of mine, I decided to visit the website and see what it was all about. I spent over an hour reading and setting realistic goals and honestly having a jolly good time learning about simple healthy living.

Interestingly, my husband and I had recently decided that setting goals is the first step to actually making changes in our lives. The Beautify Your Heart goal setting program is so incredibly easy to use, it’s actually fun to do!

A few of my “Heart-Healthy” goals are to increase my water intake, walk half an hour everyday, de-stress by letting go of the little things and I’m taking Metamucil daily.

Metamucil is the only leading fiber supplement clinically proven to help lower cholesterol as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. My goal, after all, is to lower my cholesterol and by doing so my total health is improving also. I challenge everyone to Take the Pledge to live Heart Smart.

Just by doing so you’re entered into the Beautify Your Heart Sweepstakes.

Who couldn’t use use a deluxe Spa Getaway?

These are a few of our members who took the Pledge:

A Nut in a Nutshell: I’ve heard about heart health for most of my life but I always thought that was for other people. I didn’t listen. Last year, my friend’s husband had a heart attack. I still didn’t listen. Two weeks ago, a friend had a heart attack. She’s just 3 years older than I am. Now, I’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol. I’m listening. The good news is that it’s not too late, and I found help in the form of Metamucil’s Beautify Your Heart website, where I took a pledge to get a cholesterol screening and live a heart healthy life.

A Couch with a View: This subject is very near and dear to me, as I just lost a friend not too long ago to a heart health issue. I urge you, please take care of your heart. At a loss of where to get started? Metamucil has created a free, online lifestyle program to help. Just select heart healthy goals to complete each day and use Metamucil.

She Scribes: When you are an adult, especially someone around my age, you may have already developed a lot of health issues because of poor eating habits and lack of exercise over the years. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes… a lot of these ailments are more prevalent when you get older. Metamucil, the makers of fiber products, has created a new program called “Beautify Your Heart“. Metamucil wants women across the country to make a pledge to get their cholesterol checked and to start making lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy. After all, you owe it to YOURSELF to be healthy. The last time I checked over 50,000+ women have already taken the pledge.

The Power of a Housewife WOM: When I make changes in my lifestyle, it models to my girls what I expect of them. I want my girls growing up knowing the importance of proper nutrition and exercise, and how fortunate that they have their great grandparents around them today…..because their heart problems have been addressed and are being worked on. Prevention is of course the best medicine, and I applaud Metamucil for helping lead the way.

SAHM Reviews: Companies like DirectLabs provide low-cost lab tests where you can request the labs on your own then either receive the results yourself or have them sent direct to your physician. For most people, getting a cholesterol screening requires just putting in a request to your physician. For those of us without insurance, it means calculating whether it’s a necessary expense. Since February is Heart Health Month, DirectLabs is running a special on their CardioPlus panelwhich includes all the things that WomenHeart recommends that you have tested – for $35. That’s less than dinner and a movie.

Mom Fuse: Most women take the time to beautify their hair, their nails, their wardrobe, etc. but now is the time to go a step further and beautify your heart. Yes! Your heart! Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer in women across America? That’s the bad news, but the good news is that is that you can help change that. By being aware of the risks and how to avoid them you are already working your way towards a healthier, more beautiful heart.

Mom Start: Metamucil is another sponsor for the Beautify Your Heart. They have formed an on-line community where people can seek support and more information about how to take care of your heart. They are also offering free samples for you to try of their new flavors.

Rockin’ Mama: Ladies, we spend a lot of time making our outside look beautiful. Please don’t neglect what’s most important. Getting your cholesterol checked is quick (just a simple blood test) and easy. If it’s elevated, you can begin to work on lowering it by following some of the tips on the site and setting heart-health goals. I like the fact that the site is personalized specifically for you and your goals (once you sign up, which is free by the way). Some of the resources that you should be aware of include a body mass index calculator, a cholesterol screening

, a food journal, and an online community for support.

Filed Under: educational, health/beauty, reviews, women

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

January 30, 2009 By Cathi

Skin care is a concern of almost everyone regardless of age or gender. I found a fabulous remedy in Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion.

Skin MD is incredibly light and unbelievably concentrated. A little drop keeps going and going and going! Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion is unique because it is a shielding lotion. A fundamental difference between this Shielding Lotion and traditional lotions is that Shielding Lotion enhances the skin’s own natural protective abilities by turning the outer layer of skin into what could be described as a hydrating invisible shield.

According to the website and several doctor reviews, Skin MD has helped many people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Mommy Blog Reviews: The first bottle sent was SKIN MD with Sunscreen. I don’t usually use sunscreen but I figured what the heck. If you have really sensitive skin, skip the sunscreen. It left my legs in itchy, splotchy, hive-infested disarray for three days. The sponsor wanted to know if I was brave enough to try the regular shielding lotion without the sunscreen. Because I am THAT DESPERATE to get rid of my dry skin I said I would be happy to, and then passed off the first sample to a friend of mine that does not have sensitive skin. The regular Skin MD shielding lotion (aloe vera plant not included) was AMAZING. Silky smooth legs, no greasy after-feeling from non-absorbed lotion…it was a dream.

Mom Start: My daughter has Eczema sometimes and recently has broken out with a rash under her neck. I put some of this lotion on her and her neck stopped bothering her. I’m not claiming it as a miracle cure for Eczema. My daughter has very mild Eczema and only occasionally.

Mommy Goggles: I had a wonderful opportunity to review some Skin MD Shielding Lotion. Funny because I was just telling hubby the other day how much my hands hurt from this cold wind that we have been having here in Iowa. I have tried a few lotions that we had in our bathroom cabinet, but nothing was working the way I wish they would. Sure, they left my hands soft and felt moisturized just as soon as I put the lotion on, but what happened the next day? Bam – back to the same ol’ dry hands. It was to the point that my hands were cracking. Ouch! What else do I love about Skin MD Shielding Lotion? The smell. There is no smell!

Mama Sparkles: I love this lotion! It’s light, non greasy and has a refreshing smell. You can use it anywhere on your body, from your face, your hands to your feet. My skin feels silky smooth after applying it and the best part is that it stays that way. I can actually feel my skin being protected as it receives the much needed moisture. The reason for this is because Skin MD is a shielding lotion.

Sassy Frazz: This lotion doesn’t leave an oily feeling either, but goes on nice and smooth. With it being winter time, many people think that they are safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Even though the temperatures are colder, the sun’s rays are just as dangerous as in the summer months.

Chocolate Fingerprints: The most harmful thing I do to my skin is wash dishes! That said, I really do feel that this lotion has helped my skin to stay softer, and has protected it from what slight ravages I put it through.

A Little Bit Nutty: What I loved about the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion: It wasn’t greasy. I hate this and feeling like I have to wipe my hands off after applying. I didn’t have to reapply over and over.

Thoughts from the Mrs.: After using this lotion, I found I didn’t need to apply more lotion to my skin throughout the day. Other lotions I regularly use, often need to be applied multiple times a day to keep my skin from getting flaky. I simply applied the lotion once in the morning and once to my hands throughout the day.

Cutie Booty Reviews: I really like Skin MD for my hands. The bottle is small enough to fit in my purse and I use it every time I wash my hands. This is critical during the winter months because if I don’t moisturize my hands they are white from dryness. Another thing that I like about the product is that a little goes a long way. I am sure that I will be able to use this 4 ounce bottle for a couple of months.

Mommy Musing: The lotion is thin, not thick and greasy. The best way to describe this product is a glass of water for your skin. It is one of the only lotions that I have used where the lotion is absorbed into the skin and does not leave any kind of residue. I felt so confident in this lotion after using it on my body that I used it on my face! Usually that is the biggest no-no in skincare, to use a lotion made for the body on your face, but the bottle did say for face, hand, and body- and they were right.

Design Baby: I rubbed it in & it seemed to just seep right into the skin. My skin felt soft, renewed, and radiant! I’ve heard many lotion campaigns claim to make your skin glow in radiance. This was the first product that has ever made me actually feel that way!

The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth: The one thing I have a problem with is that I have oily skin and most moisturizers that also contain sunscreen feel oily…and will cause me blemishes within days (ugh 36 and still dealing with acne). I haven’t had that problem at all with Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion. It has no greasy residue on my face, and I have not broken out since using it for the last two weeks.

Is it Naptime yet?: After using this, I noticed how soft my hands were looking and feeling. My hands always get cracked during the winter.. even to the point of bleeding, this helped immensely.

From Melissa’s Desk: I gave this lotion a shot and I was pleasantly surprised at the light, non-greasy feeling it left. Plus it has really seemed to improve the softness of my skin. I really like the fact that it is hypoallergenic and can be used on your face, hands and body.

Riding With No Hands Reviews: When I squeezed it into my hand the first time, I was surprised at how thin its consistency was. A tiny bit really goes a long way, so I completely understand why it comes in such a small bottle. At only 4 ounces, it’s the perfect size to carry in my purse, which is a huge plus.

Tara’s View of the World: This lovely lotion really does work. It feels wonderful to put on with no icky greasiness left over. It has a light pleasing scent. I love that it’s two main ingredients are purified water and aloe vera! I have found that Skin MD shielding lotion really helps my dry skin. No more uncomfortable skin for me!

Fefyfomanna: When I received my lotion I tried it out right away and the first thing I noticed is that it rubs in quickly. That’s good cuz as a mom who’s busy cooking dinner you don’t need slippery hands! The next thing I noticed is this lotion has a pleasant scent that dissipates quickly…another good thing as my hubby doesn’t care for perfumes. The final test…how does it work? Well my skin feels great! No more dry and cracked skin…and no more bleeding knuckles!

Pink Family Reviews: I was lucky enough to receive a bottle from Skin MD to try. It’s very dry here in the winter in WI and Skin MD was perfect in treating my dry hands. I loved how it not only moisturized, but protected my skin. I definitely recommend this for anyone that cares about their skin.

My Sentiments ExactLee I live in Florida where it is bright and sunny all the time. A sunscreen is a necessity in my beauty arsenal. It is reassuring to know that while I am protecting myself against the irritants of our environment like shampoo, soap and cosmetics I’m also killing two birds with one stone by utilizing a great skin care product which contains SPF 15 as well.

Nerd Family Things: I have sensitive skin that can be prone to breakouts and I was pleasantly shocked that I didn’t breakout at all! The lotion has a light sunscreen odor that quickly dissapaites and has a light feel as you apply that is completely weightless.

Loving Heart Mommy: Due to the harsh cold we’ve been having lately and my tendency to have dry skin, Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion was a moisturizing miracle! It is the most hydrating lotion I’ve ever used. I put it on my face, hands, legs, pretty much all over and the results were miraculous! My skin felt refreshed and revived, soft and smooth without a hint of dryness creeping back at all!

Our Seven Qtpies: I have to say that I think this is the best type of moisturizer to use for your face. It doesn’t add anything to cause acne, it uses your own moisture. Now with the added SPF protection, it really tops my list.

SAHM Reviews: I received a bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion plus Sunscreen in the mail a week or so ago. Sunscreen in the summer makes total sense but how many people think about applying it when they aren’t wearing a swimsuit? You probably think you don’t need sunscreen in the winter, but your skin is constantly exposed to UV rays. Your face gets a double dose of UV rays in the winter as the sun is reflected off the snow.

Three P’s in a Pod: A few years ago, I might have looked at the addition of the sunscreen as kind of an ‘oh, that’s nice‘ kind of addition but not any more. Having my Dad develop cancer really showed me that it can and does happen to anyone. Ask anyone who has themselves or had a family member get that lovely diagnosis – it changes everything.

The Mud Bug: At first I was skeptical of all their promises. I did read up on this product to make sure I knew what I was using. I wanted to be clear on its purpose, outcomes, etc. After giving Skin MD a week of faithful use I can definitely say that all the promises are true.

All Because Two People Fell In Love: We were thrilled with the reults of this great lotion! I hate to put lotion on my face because of the oily feeling but with Skin MD this is something that I don’t have to worry about!! Skin MD is promptly absorbed with no greasy or oily feeling!

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: I have found that this bottle sure packs a big punch. You only need a small amount, it is absorbed quickly and your skin immediately feels better. Another thing I love is that this can be used all over your entire body. I never put my “regular” lotion on my face, but the Skin MD Natural with SPF 15 even works on my face.

Homeschooled Year: What I needed, and didn’t know about, was a shielding lotion. Skin MD Natural Sheilding Lotion with SPF 15 protection is just that. It’s part moisturizer, part SPF 15 sun block, and part magical cream that actually pulls moisture out of the air into your skin, instead out of your skin into the air.

The Mom Buzz: I have sensitive skin, so I usually don’t apply products to my face. But I decided to try Skin MD and was super pleased! Not greasy, no clogged pores and no reaction.

Brain Foggles: I think of it as a way to protect your skin from outside things that can harm your skin like soaps and shampoos, cleaning supplies, makeup, perfumes, and other things like chemicals you use for hobbies, work, etc. Of course there’s the sun too.

Giveaway!

One winner will receive a 4 ounce bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion with SPF+15. (retail $25)

~ Visit the Skin MD website.

~ Leave a comment on this post mentioning what you like about Skin MD lotions.

~ This giveaway closes at midnight, Friday, February 6.

Filed Under: giveaways, health/beauty, kids, reviews, women

Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion

January 15, 2009 By Caryn

It’s January, which means most of the country is enveloped in cold, windy, dry weather. While many of us suffer from dry skin throughout the year, winter exacerbates most skin conditions. Our reviewers were thrilled to try Vaseline’s new prescription- strength lotion called Clinical Therapy. From dry, itchy skin to conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, our reviewers put Clinical Therapy to the test. Here is a little more information about Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion from the site:

It started in Kodiak; one of Alaska’s many small towns, with a population of 6,000. Due to the location, Kodiak endures an extremely icy climate leaving many of its residents with dull, dry and cracking skin. This very reason is why Vaseline thought the demographic would be perfect to demonstrate the effectiveness of Clinical Therapy Lotion.

Vaseline turned to Petal Ruch, a voice coach and 50-year-old mother of four, who tried the product and felt it really worked, to start a word-of-mouth campaign for new Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion. If she liked it, she could then freely “prescribe” it to anyone else she thought needed it. Through word-of-mouth, her experience spread to more than 600 townspeopleâ€”including 39 cousins, a Russian music group, a knife maker, police detective, owners of fishing vessels, and many others– whom also discovered that Clinical Therapy works.

Each of our reviewers were given the opportunity to test out Vaseline’s Clinical Therapy Lotion and then “prescribe” it to a friend or family member of their choosing. Here is what they had to say:

All Because Two People Fell In Love: We were thrilled with the results of this lotion! It worked great for us! This lotion worked wonders on our dry, itchy, winter skin! My hips, legs, and feet tend to really itch during the winter and with the use of this lotion it eliminated the nighttime itching!

Amanda: I get very dry skin during the winter. Living in the mountains it is cold and windy. My cheeks get very dry, and so does my skin. Especially my legs. They get so dry the itch. I love that the lotion offers the moisture I need, plus it doesn’t smell nor make my legs burn after applying like many other top name brand lotions do.

An Island Life: I really didn’t think a lotion could make that much of a difference in such extreme weather conditions but I was wrong. When I used Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion, I immediately felt better. You can tell the texture is thicker than most lotions but it didn’t feel greasy or oily. It just felt like there was a protective layer on your skin helping to repel the elements.

Brain Foggles :  This is the real deal. I felt immediate softness and with continued use, my skin got softer and was protected from further damage.

Chocolate Fingerprints: After only about five uses, my hands are softer than they have been since I became a mother! The lotion, which comes in unfragranced and lightly-fragranced versions, goes on smooth and is not at all greasy. It was almost instantly absorbed into my skin, unlike so many other lotions I’ve used, which leave a layer on my skin but never really soak in. Two hours later, I could still feel a huge difference in the softness of my hands, even after washing them!

The Clan McLeod: It is silky soft and feels great on my hands! I was very pleased with it and can’t wait to share it with others!

A Daycare Life: I have found amazing results, my skins not itchy at all anymore, feels so smooth and no need to reapply at all during the day.

Design Baby: …I absolutely love this lotion! No strong scents, no greasy feeling, & best of all–my skin feels wonderful!

Dinker & Giggles: I have always had issues with eczema and psoriasis, especially on my one ankle. There are times my ankle can be so bad that it actually bleeds. Since I’ve been using this lotion my ankle has actually started to heal and is going back to ‘normal’ skin coloring.

Fefyfomanna: The lotion goes on with no greasy feel and makes my hands all silky smooth. I also tried it on a really dry and itchy spot on my leg and that feels much better too.

From Melissa’s Desk: I’m not alone in the need for some miracle skin care. And after trying Vaseline Clinical Therapy, I think I’ve found it. New  Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion helps make skin amazing again by providing instant relief, long lasting protection and sustained recovery to dry skin.

Homeschooling and Loving It:   I have this really bad spot on one of my hands underneath my thumb, I get it every winter and it gets so sore and cracked. I have been using this lotion on it and I will tell you it is almost gone all together. I saw a difference the day after I started it.

Just a Mom’s Take On Things: …the Clinical Therapy lotion really does help with the itching. After using Vaseline’s Clinical Therapy lotion only for a week (off and on), I’m already hopeful that it will seriously help, if not cure, the dry skin issue on my feet.

A Little Bit Nutty: It leaves my hands feeling so silky smooth. I love the smell too! Winter is rough on my skin for sure. It gets red and itchy and just plain yucky. After using the Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion there was no more itching.

Loving Heart Mommy: I had smooth skin for a full 24 hrs and then some! It is non-greasy, hypoallergenic, and works great for extremely dry skin, it was a lifesaver especially for a season when we have such cold that tends to dry out your skin.

A Mama’s Rant: Best of all, when I wake up in the morning, my hands feel soft and moisturized like I had just put on the cream a few minutes before. And the itchy patch of eczema underneath my wedding ring is gone. I’m very impressed.

Maria’s Space: After a half hour…I checked their legs next to the one without the moisturizer. It was notably different. My daughter’s knees still looked beautiful and my son’s legs although not perfect (they never look good), looked much-much better. There were still dry spots but after the second application the moisture absorbed much better than the first time.

Mom Giveaways:   My favorite feature about the lotion is that it reduces itching. My legs are always so dry and at time itch like crazy, especially at night. In the short time that I have been using the Clinical Therapy Lotion I have noticed a decrease in the itching and dryness

Momma Findings:   My skin is incredibly soft and I’ve said, “So LONG!” to the itchy, dry, patchiness that cold weather brings.

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: I get severely dry skin in the winter. My legs and back itch non-stop. My hands get so dry that my skin literally peels off. I always have little cuts along my knuckles, etc. I’ve been using the new Vaseline clinical therapy for almost a week now and I have no new cuts!

My Trendy Tykes: This stuff is AMAZING! I put a little on my face before applying makeup (as my moisturizer). I also apply it on my feet after a nice long bath each night.

Our Seven Qtpies: When I applied it I was able to notice an immediate and lasting feeling of moisture. My hands felt great. It lasted through to the next afternoon. I was surprised that I did not need to continue to apply lotion in order to not feel all dry and scratchy.

Pink Family Reviews: I also have been using this on my hands at work. It’s very dry there and I had some dry spots on my knuckles. After using this, they are all but gone!

The Post-It Place: It is silky soft and feels great. I love that it isn’t greasy or heavy feeling. And, it works quickly.

The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth:   Within a week of using Vaseline I have had no more dry itchy patch, and definitely no reason to mention it to my doctor.

Red Sox Mommy: I love lotion, but it doesn’t always love me. For some reason my left elbow has decided it wants to permanently be dry and ugly. Surprisingly, in the short time I’ve been using it, it’s already made a noticeable difference.

Robyn’s Online World: After a week of use he definitely has noticed a difference and he says his hands feel better and he doesn’t have that sting feeling that he sometimes has in the winter months in particular. I use hand lotion regularly already, but the Vaseline Clinical Therapy made a noticeable difference for me particularly on my fingertips and around my fingernails. Those tend to by my driest spots in the winter.

Rockin’ Mama: …as soon as I rubbed it in, I felt some relief from the soreness and my hands over the next few days became softer.

Sheltered Not Shattered: Vaseline’s intensive rescue clinical therapy lotion did wonders for the itchy dry skin on my back. It is non-greasy, hypoallergenic and comes in an unfragranced or lightly fragranced lotion.

She Scribes: It works GREAT! My skin has not felt this great in the Winter for as long as I can remember. My hands especially are nice and smooth, and dare I say, almost soft and smooth like a baby’s bottom. It’s prescription strength but without the prescription or the hefty price tag.

A Simple Walk: Now that I’ve tried Vaseline Clinical Therapy lotion, I’m starting to see and a feel a huge difference. This stuff really works! Even my 9 year old, who complains about itchy, dry skin all winter long has enjoyed using it and her complaining now focuses on other things instead.

Something Snappy:  I “prescribed” it to my BIL who works with drywall and always has dry cracked hands. Within a couple days of use, his hands are smooth and soft and no longer hurt!

Tara’s View of the World: I was very happy to try out Vaseline clinical therapy lotion- I think it is working extremely well. It feels so nice going on with no nasty greasy residue left over. I have been using it a few times per day and I think it is working beautifully!

3 P’s in a Pod: For me, that tight look and feel that I get on my hands is gone and my heels are actually coming around. And on P3, well, the difference is nothing short of amazing. She has stopped scratching herself raw from having itchy, dry skin. Her little cheeks are not red and chapped looking and are instead soft and smooth.

The Way I See It:   The lotion is thick and creamy and smooths into my skin without leaving any residue. The scent is light and pleasant, not at all overwhelming. In spite of the weather my hands are remarkably smooth and soft to the touch and my body isn’t dry or itchy at all.

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy: I went to bed that night with the lotion still on my dry cracked feet (rubbed in really well I might add) and stuck some socks on for the night. In the morning my feet were much better than the night before. I’ve continued to do this for the next few nights and I can’t tell you how much softer my feet feel each day. I’ve even started to use this on my face as well, and the dry patches are gone!

Clinical Therapy retails for approximately $7.00 and you can obtain a coupon for $1.00 off directly from the site. Be sure to enter their Prescribe the Nation Sweepstakes, where you can win an 8-day Alaska adventure for four. An additional five will win 2 $100 Spafinders gift certificates every week. The first 45,000 to enter will receive two free samples of Vaseline Clinical Therapy lotion to share with someone they love.

Filed Under: health/beauty, reviews, women

Bender Ball Fitness Review & Giveaway

December 20, 2008 By Cathi

What on earth is a Bender Ball!?!

It’s a fitness program that was developed by master trainer Leslee Bender. Each of Lesless’s moves puts you in the perfect position for body sculpting results. It cranks up the intensity of exercising and targets the muscles you want from all sides – your upper abs, the sides and those hard to reach lower abs. With a regular crunch on the floor, you’re limited.You can only go forward, you can’t go back. With the Bender Ball, you’re getting extension back and flexion forward, which works your muscles more effectively. What’s unique about the Bender Ball is that it will help you relax the muscles that you’re trying to avoid training and help you activate the muscles that you’re really trying to focus on. This is Leslee’s unique method called Selective Stabilization. The Bender Ball gives you a workout that’s up to 408% more effective than ordinary crunches. This means you can sculpt beautiful abs fast!

[12-19-2008+5-39-00+AM.jpg]

The Power of a Housewife Word of Mouth: With the help of The Bender Balland the Bender Method of Core Training, I am going to be one swimsuit ready babe come Spring. This Core Training Method was developed by master trainer Leslee Bender and it targets your upper and side abdominal muscles and even the lower abs….or right where my “little pooch” is. I am ready and excited to have my 2009 fitness program in place and ready to go. This would also be a great gift for anyone you know who will be looking for a way to lose weight come January. Want To join me in becoming a Bender ball babe?
All because two people fell in love: Since having two kids I have dreamed flatter abs! Bender Ball was designed to help me get back those flatter abs! In just using this video a couple of times I can tell that I have more strength in my abdominal area. I think the Bender program is an amazing program!
Something Snappy: I have a little “junk in my trunk”. I go to the gym regularly but have yet to find something effective for my saddle bags and my “baby pooch” that doesn’t hurt my back until the Family Review Network offered me the chance to review an amazing product! The Bender Method is an amazing program developed by master fitness trainer Leslee Bender who has over 25 years of experience. She has has a complete set of ab sculpting moves for optimal results, which, combined with her Selective Stabilization method, delivers the ultimate ab development routine.
Sage and Savvy: I have done many of these exercises before without the Bender Ball, and I can honestly say the Bender Ball makes a big difference. I have only done the Bender Method of exercises a few times, but I plan to do them at least 4 times a week to help me get fitter, stronger, and give me more energy (to help me keep up with the two little ones!). I know with dedication and a healthy diet I will see spectacular results, and my wish of a flatter tummy will finally be granted!
Chocolate Fingerprints: This workout rocks! I could really feel the muscles of my buns and thighs working during the exercises. Sometimes, after a buns & thighs workout, I’m not completely satisfied; some area just doesn’t get enough of a workout. Not so with the Bender Method Buns & Thighs workout! None of the exercises were difficult, skill-wise, but they sure worked out my muscles!
Homeschooling and loving it: If there is an area I struggle with it’s abs. After having 3 c-sections and of course putting on weight naturally it seems so hard to get something that really makes you feel it is working. I really enjoy doing this video, its easy to follow and you can feel the difference your making. Like any exercise program you need to give it time to see your results but this worth a try for sure. I actually look forward to putting it in the DVD player, now when you can say that about an exercise program you know its good! I love the way Leslie teaches too! She does a great job.
The Dirty Shirt: I was excited to get my Bender Ball in the mail, because let’s face it, after having my last baby I need to find my abs again! This program is the perfect one to head me on the right track. The Bender Ball allows you to work your abs in ways that you couldn’t do otherwise.
Mom Giveaways: While The Bender Ball Method was easy enough to use, just place the ball behind your back at the base of your spine in the small of your back, I had a hard time completing a workout. One thing I did like about the workouts is that you can control how fast or slow you go and decrease or increase the intensity in which you perform the exercises. I had to perform the exercises very slowly. However if I had already had a good exercise regimen in place I’m sure it would have been a lot easier. As it is I was still able to feel, although not see, a difference. My abs muscles, especially my lower abs, could sure feel the workout.
Photo Bug Baby: I was extremely excited to receive my Bender Ball in the mail. After having 5 children (last being a c-section) and two major abdominal surgeries, my abs are non-existent. Now I’m usually skeptical with these work-out methods as I have tried so many in the past and none have ever worked. However, after using the Bender Ball for the past two weeks I have noticed a difference. It isn’t much but it’s still a difference. The only thing that stands in my way is my 3-year old keeps taking the ball.

Want to Win it?

We have one Bender ball Method DVD with the Bender Ball for one lucky reader. To enter giveaway, follow these easy steps:
~ Leave a comment on this post telling us why you’d like to win.
~ You have until midnight on December 27th to enter.
~ A random winner will be selected & notified on December 28th.

To earn extra entries, you may do any or all of the following.
~ Subscribe to our feed.
~ Place our button in your sidebar.

Filed Under: educational, health/beauty, reviews, women