Placenta What? Encapsulation?

A few weeks before Breccan was born (nearly a year ago), I learned about Placenta Encapsulation. I was pretty grossed out and dismissed it as something 'other people' do. I wouldn't judge someone who did it and I don't necessarily think it's good or back, but I just didn't think it was for me.

Here I am a year later and I have become a much "crunchier" parent and somehow I now know more "crunchy" parents who have said things like:

I did it and I'd do it again
It's totally awesome
I'm a doula and I offer encapsulation services to my clients

So the wheels are turning once again. Is Placenta Encapsulation a fantastic natural option to help with fatigue and reduce the chances of  postpartum depression?

To find out more - check out this article: http://www.babycenter.com/101_placenta-encapsulation-see-how-its-done_10365559.bc

Please weigh in on the topic by leaving your thoughts below. I would also like to hear from people who wanted to do it but their spouse wasn't on board...(if that happens?)

Hugs,
~Crystal

Product Review and GIVEAWAY - for Prenatal Oxylent

My thoughts: Well...the easiest way to do this review is to talk about pros and cons:

Pros:
Easier to take than some prenatals - no fishy taste
Does seem to help with nauseau and morning sickness
Has some fabulous research to back up the vitamin content of the product

Cons:
I really didn't like the taste...but it could be because I really dislike raspberry flavored anything

I would recommend this product to others because I truly think my only aversion is just a "me thing" and has nothing to do with the product.

Register for the Giveaway - by leaving a comment on this post! Good luck!!!

Product Details: Prenatal Oxylent has received the highly prestigious Albion Gold Medallion status, recognizing the product for excellence in mineral formulation. Prenatal Oxylent uses a unique effervescent delivery system, which offers exceptional absorption of vital nutrients. Naturally sweetened with Stevia, Prenatal Oxylent powder can be added to 6 ounces of water for a great-tasting, nutritious, hydrating drink. This unique multi-vitamin is ideal for pregnant women who have a hard time swallowing pills due to nausea.

Product URL: http://www.oxylent.com/product/prenatal-oxylent/
Hashtag: #PrenatalOxylent

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

Ageless - an Amazing Beauty Product Review for Ageless by Thera Vita

Product URL: http://www.amazon.com/best-hyaluronic-acid-serum-vitamin/dp/b00ezzrrhk
Hashtag: #theravita

Product Description: Ageless by Thera Vita's organically infused hyaluronic acid smooths away the appearance of fine lines in seconds and helps keep moisture in and external irritants out to preserve the integrity of the skin and mantain a natural beauty and glow. It also increases the strength and elasticity of the skin for a firmer look.It has ntioxidant properties eliminates sun spots caused by sun, pollution or smoking

It contains extremely powerful organic herbs such as aloe, witch hazel, MSM, green tea, vitamin A, C, E, jojoba oil, and geranium oil.

Great for all skin types.

My thoughts: I was in love with Ageless by Thera Vita the very moment the package arrived from Amazon. The bottle is sleek and gorgeous. One pump of Ageless goes a long way and the texture is luxurious with no heavy perfumes or scents at all. It feels great going on your skin and skin looks hydrated immediately. This is a beauty product I don't want to leave home without. There are plenty of days I'll skip make up entirely, but there's no way i'd skip Ageless. Who doesn't feel great about great looking and youthful looking skin? Ageless is a great value and can easily compete with the pricier products!

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

TheraRelief Review

It is with a sad heart I give a negative review to TheraRelief...I was super excited to try this product and it really doesn't have a smell and isn't greasy so I was totally on board from the beginning. Unfortunately it gave no relief to my sore neck. I even had my husband try it on his sore shoulder and then his ankle. Still nothing...I thought we were doing something wrong because I've tried other TheraVita products and been absolutely in love with them. Unfortunately, this is not the product for me. If you do try it and have amazing results, I'd love to hear about them because I really do believe in this company and want them to do well. I'm hoping I'm the exception to the rule.

PRODUCT url: http://www.amazon.com/pain-relief-cream-alternative-guaranteed/dp/b00h5wixka
Hashtag: #theravita

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

Product Review & GIVEAWAY: Excelerol Brain Health Supplements

Product Review: Excelerol Brain Health Supplements

Excelerol offered me an opportunity to try two of their brain health supplements to improve memory, focus, and concentration. The first is described as follows:
Scientifically Formulated; Supports Memory, Focus, & Alertness.

This product is pioneering advancements in brain health. Clinical studies show that the ingredients in this product are key to improving your memory, concentration, and alertness.

Powered by superior ingredients such as citicoline and phosphatidylserine, This is a non-prescription brain-health formula that can help support your most valuable asset – your brain.

Our advanced 100% vegetarian liquid capsules allow for rapid absorption. Whether you're studying for a huge test, working on your next genius idea, or just rolling up your sleeves and getting ready to get serious about a big project, This product can help support the memory enhancement, focus, and concentration you need now to reach your optimal brain power.

#1 Doctor Recommended Brain Health Supplement.
The success stories are great and so are the results.

Here are my thoughts on both products: As a busy mom, it seems someone is always asking me "where my _____?" or "have you seen the ____?" and sometimes it's overwhelming to know where everything is at any given moment. My husband wants to know where he left the checkbook, my daughter can't find the loom bracelet she made, my son can't remember what he did with his drumsticks, and oh boy...when was I supposed to change the baby? After testing the Exelerol product I didn't feel any side effects like you do with energy drinks. I wasn't jittery or nervous and I had no problem falling asleep at night. I did however feel a little calmer and more composed when working on projects and I found it easier to focus on the task at hand instead of worrying about everything else on the "to do" list. I was pleased with the Excelerol product and would definitely take it again!

Product URL: http://www.excelerol.com
Hashtag: #BrainPillsThatWork


The second is described as:
America's #1 Brain Supplement

Scientifically Formulated; Supports Memory, Focus, & Alertness.

This product is pioneering advancements in brain health. Clinical studies show that the ingredients in this product are key to improving your memory, concentration, and alertness.

Powered by superior ingredients such as citicoline and phosphatidylserine, This is a non-prescription brain-health formula that can help support your most valuable asset – your brain.

Our advanced 100% vegetarian liquid capsules allow for rapid absorption. Whether you're studying for a huge test, working on your next genius idea, or just rolling up your sleeves and getting ready to get serious about a big project, This product can help support the memory enhancement, focus, and concentration you need now to reach your optimal brain power.

#1 Doctor Recommended Brain Health Supplement.
The success stories are great and so are the results.


Product URL" http://www.xlrl.net
Hashtag: #BestBrainPill

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


COMMENT BELOW TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY!

Book Review & Giveaway for Elizabeth Maria Naranjo's The Fourth Wall

Elizabeth Maria Naranjo Stops By as Part of Her WOW! Blog Tour for her debut novel, The Fourth Wall

The Fourth Wall is a fabulously written first novel. When Marin was little and monsters chased her through nightmares, she learned to weave her own dreams. Her mother called the lucid dreaming a gift, and when an accident takes her mother and leaves her baby brother an empty shell, Marin uses this gift to spin a new reality for herself. One without time or sorrow. A world without memory.

But just when Marin thinks she’s safe in her make-believe fantasy world, the monsters come back and her dream turns to a nightmare. Something in the dream doesn’t want Marin to wake up. In order to heal herself and her family, Marin must face the truth she’s forgotten and conquer what lies behind the fourth wall.

Paperback: 235 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Publisher: WiDo Publishing (June 10, 2014)
ISBN-10: 193717851X
ISBN-13: 978-1-937178-51-2

Twitter hashtag: #FourthWall

The Fourth Wall is available as an e-book and paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, andIndieBound.

Book Giveaway Contest:
To win a copy of The Fourth Wall, please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes  August 30th at 12:00 AM CST. I will announce the winner the same day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

About the Author:

Elizabeth Maria Naranjo grew up writing short stories and bad poetry before escaping the cold winters of Wyoming and settling in the Sonoran Desert. She lives in Tempe, Arizona with her husband and two children, Abigail and Gabriel. She still loves to write, but fortunately gave up on poetry. The Fourth Wall is her first novel.

Elizabeth’s creative nonfiction has appeared in Brain, Child,Phoenix New Times, Literary Mama and Babble.com, and is forthcoming in Brevity. Elizabeth is also an award-winning fiction writer; her short stories have been published in The Portland Review, Hospital Drive, SLAB Literary Magazine, andBartleby Snopes. Links to her work and information on classes/critiques can be found athttp://www.elizabethmarianaranjo.com/.

You can also connect with Elizabeth on her social networks:

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/elizabethmarianaranjo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.m.naranjo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emarianaranjo

----- Review by Crystal J. Otto 

The Fourth Wall is listed as YA but deals with some very grown up topics. I really struggled through the first few chapters. Not because they weren’t well written. Elizabeth’s writing is gorgeous with just the right amount of description and dialogue. The reason I struggled was the reality of her writing. She drew me into Marin’s life in such a way I found myself wondering “what if” about my own life.

It’s quite a gift to write fantasy so well it wraps itself around reality. There were times I set down The Fourth Wall and had the same feeling I do when waking from an all too real dream. I felt unsettled and somewhat confused. When Marin hurt, I hurt. I longed to hug the little girl and offer her consolation and love. Naranjo writes her characters with such dimension and depth of character. She has quite a gift for writing.

The Fourth Wall is Naranjo’s debut novel but I am certain (hint, hint) she will have many more publications in her future. Her writing is unique and I can’t think of any author to compare it to. I can say with certainty you’ll enjoy the read and be longing for more!

---------- Keep up with Elizabeth and Check Out These Additional WOW! Women on Writing Blog Tour Dates


Friday, August 15 @ Selling Books
Check out the interview today at Selling Books and find out about today's spotlight author, Elizabeth Maria Naranjo and her debut novel, The Fourth Wall.
http://www.sellingbooks.com/

Wednesday, August 20 @ A Writer’s Dream
Today you won't want to miss a review and giveaway for Elizabeth Maria Naranjo's The Fourth Wall. Stop by and see what Rae Lori has to say and learn for yourself why this debut novel is receiving such high praise!
http://raelori.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product Review - Pure Coffee Bean Extract as Seen on Dr "Oz"

Product Review - Pure Coffee Bean Extract as Seen on Dr "Oz"



Product Link: http://www.xium2.com
Hashtag: #XiumWeightLoss

I took this product awhile back (right before swimsuit season) and was pleasantly surprised about losing 13lbs rather quickly. Even after I stopped taking it, the weight didn't creep back on and I am still slipping into my swimsuit with confidence. What I especially appreciated was there were no jittery feelings or side effects!

Product Details:

Pure Green Coffee Bean Extract, provides safe and effective weight loss for all body types

HIghlighted on the Dr. Oz show - See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L58LkueRRNc#t=68

How Does It Work?

This product's weight loss effects are not caused by caffeine. The key ingredient for weight loss in Green Coffee Bean Extract is called chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acids works by inhibiting the release of glucose into the body, while at the same time boosting your metabolism and burning fat in the liver. These two mechanisms work together to inhibit the absorption of fat and eliminate weight gain.

Chlorogenic Acid, which is an especially strong antioxidant. Antioxidants act as sponges that stop and sop up free radicals within the body, preventing them from causing oxidative damage.

Standardized to 50% Chlorogenic Acid – No added fillers or binders.

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