​This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., Abreva, Emergen-C, Lipton, Robitussin and Theraflu. All opinions are mine alone. #SickDayTips #CollectiveBias
 

​On a recent shopping trip I stocked up on these trusted comfort products so that we can quickly get back on our feet again when sickness hits.  

​Conveniently located next to the pharmacy and in the tea aisle, it is easy to be prepared for cold season with these comfort items on hand.

​Be prepared for those pesky cold sores with Abreva.  It’s not for temporary symptom relief, but for healing, delivering the best results when used at the first sign of a cold sore.  It’s the only FDA approved OTC medicine to shorten healing time.  In fact, it’s proven to heal cold sores and shorten the duration of pain, itching, burning, and tingling.  

​Emergen-C Immune+® Super Orange Gummies supports your immune system with key nutrients your body needs, such as Vitamin D, Zinc and lots of Vitamin C.  

​Emergen-C Immune+® Super Orange Gummies with natural fruit flavors are a delicious way to support your immune system.

And this is my favorite.  Saying that I love tea is an understatement because I’m pretty much crazy for tea.  I drink hot tea all day when the weather is cold and iced ​tea in the summer. 

​Since I drink so much tea, I am kind of picky about the tea I drink and Lipton Daily Support Herbal Tea with turmeric, echinacea, and ginger is delicious.  An excellent source of Vitamin C, this herbal infusion helps support your body’s natural defenses.* 

​Carefully selected botanicals are blended with natural essential oils making self-care a part of my everyday routine.  

​If you have children, then Children’s Robitussin® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion DM is a medicine cabinet essential.   (Remember, Theraflu Power Pods Daytime Severe Cold and Children’s Robitussin® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion DM should not be used at the same time.) 
 
Help your child feel better with effective cough relief plus real honey! I was really glad to have Children’s Robitussin® Honey on hand this week.  My oldest has been coughing and this has helped give him some much-needed relief and quiet his cough.  

When cold and flu symptoms get you down, try Theraflu for powerful relief without a prescription. (Remember, Theraflu Power Pods Daytime Severe Cold and Children’s Robitussin® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion DM should not be used at the same time.)  Theraflu Power Pods Daytime Severe Cold fits right in your routine. Compatible with most single-serve coffee makers, these fast-relieving pods work on even your most severe symptoms. Press. Sip. Relief.
 
 
Head to your nearest Kroger and stock up on these wellness essentials to get you back on your feet when cold season strikes. 
 
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​Disclosure:  Theraflu-© 2018 the GSK group of companies or its licensor.  Theraflu is for use in adults 12 years and older.  Use all products only as directed.  Read label and follow directions.  Abreva, Emergen-C, Robitussin – Use only as directed.  Read label and follow directions.
 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.

Slow cooker split pea and ham soup is one of our old favorites.  It has actually been here on the blog for 8 years, but needed some updates.  

This delicious and nutritious soup is really easy to prepare using your slow cooker.  It's also budget friendly and comforting on cold winter days.  My boys love this hearty warm soup for dinner and always clean their bowls.  

This is so easy to make and so delicious!  Hearty, flavorful and loaded with healthy vegetables.  I have been making this soup for my family for years, but recently started adding vegetable broth for half of the water.  I think it is even better now.  

I made a quick youtube video showing how easy and affordable it is to make split pea soup in the slow cooker.  Be sure to check it out.  

Ingredients:

1 lb. package dry split peas
1 onion diced
1 carrot sliced
1 rib celery sliced
2 potatoes peeled and diced ( I don't always peel them)
8 cups water or 1 (32 oz.) carton vegetable broth (4 cups) and 4 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. or more freshly ground pepper
1/8 tsp. dried marjoram
1 tsp. salt (I just grind some salt in)
2 Tbsp. butter
1 ham hock or 1/2 lb. diced ham


1.  Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
2.  Cover, cook on low 8 to 10 hours.
3.  Remove bay leaf and ham hock before serving.  
4.  Debone meat and cut into small pieces to return to soup.
5.  Stir meat into soup and serve.


If using diced ham instead of a ham hock, put diced ham into cooker in step 1.  You will be finished after removing the bay leaf in step 3.  I have made this soup both ways and it is delicious either way.  

This soup is delicious and an easy way to get your kids to eat some vegetables.  My children love it.  It is also really good leftover.  

Disclosure:  I received complimentary products to facilitate this post.  

My husband is creative by nature.  I am always amazed at how he can just pick up a pencil and sketch anything you ask.  He has drawn countless dinosaurs and dragons in his tenure as a parent and I am sure the requests will keep coming for years to come.  

When I was asked to write about Winsor and Newton art supplies, I asked my husband if he would like to try any of their products since he really enjoys artistic pursuits.  He of course said YES! and chose the Winsor & Newton water colour marker collection and the graphic marker collection.   

These Winsor and Newton Marker Sets are perfect for creatives who like to experiment with new media.  These are good quality sets so my husband will be utilizing them in his landscape design class this semester.  

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At first we didn't realize that the water colour set came with a pad of water color paper.  (We later discovered the paper under the plastic tray.)  My  husband tried using some art paper that we had, but it  wasn't good enough to get the soft water color effect he wanted. So he went to the bookstore, bought some water color paper and played around with the markers and a brush and water.  He thought it was easier to get the desired effect with better paper, but not the same as using actual water colors.  

Still, if you want quick and easy delicate "paintings" these water colour markers will do the trick.  They will be perfect for adding soft strokes, shading, and blurred lines to my husband's landscape drawings.  

My husband also chose the graphic marker collection which comes with extra smooth surface paper so you can start creating right away.  

He played around with the graphic markers and came up with this neat Ohio State design which I think brilliantly portrays how vivid and clear they color.  He will have a lot of fun with these.  

A Winsor & Newton gift set would make the perfect Valentine gift for the  aspiring artist in your life.  You can find them at WinsorNewton.com, Amazon, and fine art stores such as Blick.