Disclosure:  The Walmart gift card and information have been provided by Herbal Essences.

I just ordered the new Herbal Essences Naked Collection Volume Kit from Walmart and it was so easy, as you can see in my video.  

I can't wait to try my new Herbal Essences Naked Collection Volume Kit.  

Naked Volume Shampoo & Conditioner

- Restores hair’s natural body.

- Made with zero heavy residues, dyes, and parabens.

- Light weight shampoo provides a clean luscious bounce.

- Conditioner keeps hair detangled, nourished, and maintains full volume.

 

Naked Volume Dry Shampoo

- Great for days when you don’t have time to wash your hair.

- Refreshes your look for lightweight, clean hair — even on days when you don’t wash.

- The natural tapioca formula absorbs excess oil and transforms lifeless, oily hair into fresh hair.

- Delights senses with the crisp essence of citrus and mint.

- How to use: Gently spray on and work into roots, brush out as desired.

 

Naked Volumizing Souffle

- Weightless, volumizing styler gives you a lift for fullness that lasts.

- Delights the senses with a boost of grapefruit and mint.

- How to use: Gently work mousse through wet hair for volume.

The Volume collection lets you bare your softest hair! It has an invigorating blend of white grapefruit and mint extracts. It contains zero dyes to leave your hair naturally clean and full of irresistible volume.

It is available online and will be available in store the week of January 6th.  

Enter to win a $50 Walmart Gift Card!

Disclosure:  The Walmart gift card and information have been provided by Herbal Essences.

I am preparing to host a Christmas Cookie Decorating Play-date and have been trying to decorate and organize a little more.  Today I decided I would make a Christmas Card holder out of ribbon over one of the door frames.  Usually our cards are lined up on the piano and fall down and eventually become a big mess.  

No, I am not so on the ball that I have already made Christmas candy this year.  I wish I was.  I am actually feeling a little behind and still have some decorating and lots of cooking to do.  At least the tree is up and full of star wars and star trek ornaments and homemade ornaments that the kids made in previous years.  I let the boys decorate the tree last week and it looks cute with its mis-matched ornaments.  I took these pictures last year with the intention of writing a blog post then.  (...One year later)

We made some simple homemade candy for neighbor and teacher gifts.  These are really easy to make and package into cute little gifts.  

You can use almond bark or chocolate.  Melt in a double boiler or in the microwave in short increments (stirring in-between)  Melting discs work well too.  There are often melting directions on the package.  

These homemade candies are so easy to make.  You just dip stuff in chocolate and let it dry on wax paper.  Chocolate covered pretzels are one of our favorites.  

Last year, we dipped marshmallows and the boys loved them.  

Then dip in sprinkles...

Or crushed peppermint candy

Then let dry on wax paper.

Make peppermint bark by spreading white chocolate on waxed paper then sprinkling the chocolate with crushed peppermint.  When it dries, break it into pieces.  

Peppermint bark is always a favorite.

You can make your candy look festive with colored sugar sprinkles and edible glitter.

Turtles are easy to make too.  Just microwave caramels for a few seconds.  I think I microwaved these for 7-8 seconds.  Then push a pecan into each softened caramel.  

Dip in melted chocolate to make turtles.  We also love nuts dipped in chocolate for nut clusters, caramels and coconut.  Dried berries would be good too.  

Use candy molds to make chocolate suckers or festive chocolate shapes.  After pouring chocolate into the molds, freeze until firm.  Then pop out of the molds.  

If gifting your chocolates, wrap in plastic or waxed paper or use containers and tins to package your handmade treats.  

These are the best gifts - homemade Christmas treats.  Or savor them at home with your friends and family as you make lasting Christmas memories.  

Linking up at Best Mom Advice, Share the Wealth

Disclosure:  The Crayola product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by Crayola.  However, any opinions are honest and are my own. 

We received these Crayola products to make some Holiday crafts and have had such fun crafting as a family.  My husband who is pretty artistic made some pretty cool decorations and the boys got really creative too.  The boys made all kinds of things out of Model Magic this afternoon.  There is quite a collection of small ornaments and creatures drying in the kitchen.    

My husband made this Noel ornament last night with Model Magic.  It is drying now, but will look lovely on the tree.  

My very creative husband also made this charming homemade wrapping paper with Crayola Slick Sticks on poster paper.  

I added some Glitter Glue to some of the embellishments after wrapping this package.  I love the subtle sparkle.  

So have fun and get crafty this holiday.  Enjoy crafting together as a family. 

Check out the Crayola Holiday Crafts Pinterest Board for more ideas. 

Enter to win a Crayola Holiday Crafts Gift Pack:

• Crayola Washable Markers
  
• Crayola Colored Pencils
  
• Crayola Glitter Glue
  
• Crayola Model Magic
• Crayola Slick Sticks
• A $25 Walmart gift card

Disclosure:  The Crayola product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by Crayola.  However, any opinions are honest and are my own. 

5 Steps to Help You Eat Clean (Guest Post)

There’s a growing movement of healthy-minded individuals who have said ENOUGH to the frozen meals and drive-thru dinners and are making a conscious decision to eat clean. Clean eating is process of consuming foods that are in their whole, unprocessed, natural state—free of chemicals and preservatives. But if the microwave has become your best friend, the thought of eating clean may seem a bit daunting. Here are some steps you can take to start eating cleaner.

1.     Buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and essential nutrients and should be a main staple in your daily diet. Buying local produce not only supports your community, it also helps to ensure your fruits and vegetables are fresh and free of chemicals. Many communities hold farmers markets for merchants to sell their locally-grown produce.  To find a farmers market near you visit http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/

Another way to get local produce is with Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. With a CSA farmers offer “shares” (typically a box of vegetables or other farm products) to consumers. The box is delivered to your home, or picked up from the farm. To find a CSA near you visit http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

2.     Buy meats from a butcher or farmer. When you buy meat from your supermarket, oftentimes it has been processed with antibiotics, hormones, and a host of chemicals. Going to a standalone butcher’s shop can help ensure you’re getting a fresher, cleaner, healthier cut of meat.

Another option for fresh meat is to buy meat directly from a farmer. This doesn’t mean that a cow carcass will show up at your door. When you buy meat from a farmer, they will cut it up, just as a butcher would. Most farms allow you to buy a portion of a cow, or the entire cow. That’s probably a lot of meat for one family, so you can go in with some friends and buy the cow together, splitting the meat. To find a farm in your area visit http://www.eatwild.com/products/

3.     Pick whole grains over refined grains. Refined grains, such as white rice or white flour, have been processed and stripped of their beneficial nutrients. That’s hardly their natural state. Good sources of whole grains are brown rice and quinoa.

4.     Hydrate with water. When eating clean, water should be your primary beverage source. Avoid sodas and juices which are loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners, and chemicals.

5.     Ditch the processed foods. Processed meats and frozen dinners are neither whole nor in their natural state. They are filled with sodium, preservatives, and chemicals to enhance their taste and prolong their life. To eat clean, you need to get rid of the processed foods in your diet.

Changes in one’s diet are never easy. It’s best to take one step at a time instead of jumping all in at once. But over time, eating clean will become easier, and your body will thank you for it.

This article is written by  + Stu Lieberman the writer for Nutri-Health.com, an online High Quality Supplement and Health Store.  Assisting people and helping them find quality supplements and health products online is what Stu has been doing for over 2 years.  Nutri-Health.com carries Digestive Supplements to Probiotics to Joint Health.

Disclosure:  I received products for review, but all opinions are honest and are my own.  

It all started with a letter to Santa which included a thank you for last year's presents, a wish list, and a request asking Santa to reserve a special Elf to visit and spend Christmas at our home.  We couldn't believe our eyes when we came downstairs one morning to find that Santa had sent three elves!  There was excitement in the air and much anticipation as we read our letter and instructions from Santa.  Santa also reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Santa instructed us to set crackers and water out each night because the crackers sound like crunching snow and the water is melted North Pole Snowflakes.  

Each night we sprinkle Magic North Pole Snowflakes on the elves to bring them to life.  This allows the elves to go on all types of adventurous Elfcapades!

One morning we awoke to find an elf had been riding the four-wheeler.  

Another elf was missing the cold of the North Pole and was discovered in the freezer.  

This elf decided he liked the view from the ceiling.  

The elves love to play when the boys are asleep.  This elf was found riding on a dinosaur.  

The elves traveled with us over Thanksgiving and enjoyed their new surroundings for their nightly Elfcapades.  The boys made sure to pack everything their elves would need.  My six year old even packed a small blanket and pillow.  

The boys are having so much fun with their elves and love waking up each morning to see what the elves have been up to during the night.  They are so excited for Christmas this year.  Our new elf friends have really helped us get into the spirit of Christmas.  To learn more about this timeless Christmas tradition visit Elf Magic online.  

Disclosure:  I received products for review, but all opinions are honest and are my own.