Busy Mom Reviews

I was sent samples of Nozin Nasal Sanitizer, and, I'm surprised I accepted , as I have a thing about things in my nose. However, I was relieved to learn they were simply swabs designed to reduce your chances of infection.

Nozin is for use before exposure to areas that may contain hazardous germs such as crowded airplanes, trains, offices, gyms, hospitals, theaters and schools. The citrus scented swabs are safe, and, they have been shown to kill 99.9% of common disease-causing pathogens and creates a nasal barrier to fight germs for up to 8 hours.

I used them when the kids started getting sick. Because I'm a little slow on the uptake, I probably waited too long, but, I will say that, for whatever reason, I did not get as sick as they did. Even if it wasn't related to my Nozin use, it's safe, easy to use, and, there's no harm in trying it out.

Nozin is available in a convenient travel package of pre-filled swabs (10 doses) for $9.95.

I received a Dove Skin Vitalizer to try out. I was more than willing since my skin has been a disaster of wrinkles and zits this winter (so not fair).

The Dove Skin Vitalizer is essentially a vibrating face cleaning brush. It consists of a handle, and, cleansing "pillows" (note to Dove: not all women respond to silly names like "cleansing pillows", "pad" is sufficient) that are pre-soaped, and, are two sided to provide different degrees of exfoliation.

The "pillows" and cleaner smells decent enough, but, they are pretty soapy. I'm not sure I understand the vibrating part, it's not really unpleasant, but, I am unclear on the benefits of vibrating my face. It would make more sense if it was a spinny thing, but, I am no beauty expert.

Since I am a product of the Buf Puf generation, where anything less than a steel wool pad doesn't really clean your face, I preferred the more exfoliating side of the pad. The pads stay put when you attach them to the handle, and, it's waterproof and can be used in the shower.

Like I said, I have problem skin, and, am sometimes wary of using unknown products on my face, but, this has not aggravated my skin at all. Busy Girl keeps getting into it and using the pads (she loves it), so, I don't know if I've used it long enough to tell if it improves my skin or not.

I like it fine, but, I'm not sure I would keep up with pillow purchase when there is Cetaphil or another large bottle of cleanser available. I'll probably never see it again, anyway, because it will end up in Busy Girl's bathroom like everything else.

It retails for about $13, and, the pads pillows are $4.49 for a package of 14.

I received some Keri Lotion in both the Original and Shea Butter varieties (I almost wrote "flavors").

They even came with a cool canvas bag, and, an art set, I guess so my dry skin doesn't distract me from my creative endeavors.

Anyway, I have had such a hard time with dry skin this winter, and, I was glad to get them. Both varieties go on easily, and, aren't greasy at all.

Both varieties have a pleasant smell, not too overpowering or feminine (despite the very feminie looking label), and, they take care of your dry skin all day.

Try them today!

I received a set of SmartMouth products for bad breath to review.

I don't think they were trying to tell me something, as I don't think the can evaluate my breath over the Internet, but, it still makes one wonder.

Anyway, I received the Smart Rinse, the toothpaste, the sugar free mints, and, the sugar-free gum.

The rinse is actually two bottles that most be mixed in a cup. That's no big deal, as they both come with a pump. It's easy to use, it doesn't taste too strong, but, it seems to work pretty well for morning breath, and, "coated tongue" like it advertised.

The only down side is that it dried out my mouth. However, they did warn of that, and, the remedy is to reduce how much you use.

The flouride toothpaste touts "zinc ion technology", and, promises whiter teeth. It's taste is pleasant, and, like the mouthwash, not too strong. I haven't noticed a large difference in the whiteness of my teeth, but, I haven't been using it all that long.

The gum and mints have been very popular around these parts. They're both wintergreen-ish, and, seem to do the trick for bad breath.

Smart Mouth products are available on the website, check them out!

Lamisil AT Gel is an advanced way to cure athlete's foot.

It's a gel that is used in 7 once a day doses of a cooling gel formula. Other athlete's foot products require applications several times a day.

I received a product sample (along with a cool bag, and, some flip flops). Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on my need to do a review) no one in our house is bothered by athlete's foot at the moment.

However, I am here for you, dear reader, so, I tested the product as best as I could.

I put a very small amount on my hand. It has a pleasant smell, goes on easily, and, isn't "goopy". It is, indeed, very cooling, as my hand is still cool in that spot.

Lamisil is so confident you'll like it, that it comes with a money back satisfaction guarantee. It's almost summer, and, sandal season is just around the corner. So, if you're bothered by burning, itching, cracking and peeling between your toes, give Lamisil AT a try.

It's available in grocery stores, drug stores, and, mass market retailers nationwide.

Skin M.D.Natural is a "shielding lotion" which makes a protective, moisturizing barrier after several days of use.

I was sent some samples, and, it really is easily absorbed, and, isn't stick or greasy. It also has a light, but, pleasant smell. I've been using it on my hands, and, heels, and, it's working well.

It's reportedly been beneficial to people with eczema, and, people with latex allergies that have to use latex gloves frequently.

A 4oz.bottle is $25, but, it is a 1-2 month supply.

If you or someone you know has dry skin problems, Skin M.D. Natural has been very successful, and, your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Sweetleaf Baby is a new bath and Body Collection from Thymes, a manufacturer of bath and body, home care, and, home fragrances.

I received a sample of the Baby Wash and Shampoo and the Instant Hand Cleaner, both packaged in a lovely wooden, slide top box.

The Thymes company prides itself on attention to detail, and, wonderful fragrances, and, these products are no exception.

The Sweetleaf Baby Collection is a calming blend of lavender, chamomile, and, honey that is dermatologist tested, and, formulated for sensitive skin. The Baby Wash and Shampoo is tear free.

Both of the products I tried smell wonderful, and, indeed the Baby Wash and Shampoo was tear free and gentle. My youngest has very sensitive skin, and, it didn't irritate it all.

Incidentally, the labels on the products are very pretty, and, would look nice out on the shelf in the nursery.

Other products in the line include lotion, bar soap, diaper balm, blanket wash, and, nursery mist.

Any of them would make a great baby shower gift, or, a treat for your baby.

Check these and all the other products at Thymes.com.

A new report of 3,000 U.S. moms reveals that although most (76 percent) agree it's just as important for mothers to take care of themselves as their families, nearly eight in ten moms don't do enough.

One of the biggest things falling by the wayside is her sense of feeling and looking beautiful.

A whopping 84 percent admit they've let their appearance slide since becoming a mom and that taking care of their appearance has become more of a wish than a reality.

So, can motherhood and womanhood co-exist?

Suave asked some bloggers (including me!) to share tips on motherhood. Go check them out!

Gloves in a Bottle is a shielding lotion that battles dry hands

I received a bottle for review. I tend to get dry hands when I do yard work, so, I tried it out after doing so (back when we had things growing before this drought), and, I really liked it. It smells nice, absorbs quickly, and, most importantly, it's not greasy.

It works by creating a protective layer, not one you can feel, but, one that keeps the drying elements out.

It's received some glowing testimonials, and, is dermatologist recommended.

Stock up now before the cold weather (yeah, right, it was 100 degrees at 7 'clock last night),or, if you have a job that's hard on your hands.

An 8 oz. bottle is 120 applications, and, sells for $12.95.

Pacific Shaving Company All Natural Shaving Oil is a tiny little bottle of essential oils for shaving that produces up to 100 shaves with a 1/2 oz. bottle since you only use a few drops at at time.

It's alcohol free and won't clog pores. It's got a mild scent, and, it's for both men and women. You can even use it with an electric razor!

It's perfect for travel (meets those TSA carry-on restrictions), and, you don't need other shave creams or moisturizers.

I was a little skeptical at first, I always just use soap, but, I have to say that it gives a close shave, and, you don't feel all dried out afterward. Since it's clear, you almost feel like there's nothing between you and the razor blade, but, it's great, and, you can really see what you're doing.

You can find Pacific Shaving Oil online at Amazon or on the Pacific Shaving Company site.

Women's plastic surgery is big in the news lately.

From the press release:

New research from the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) shows life-changing events, such as childbirth, significant weight loss or divorce trigger changes in a woman's mindset, inspiring improvements around health, fitness, and, for 42 percent of women, their physical appearance.

Of those women motivated to improve their appearance, nearly half (45
percent) said they would consider plastic surgery to do so. These are just
a few of the results from the NWHRC's Life Makeover Secrets of the Modern
Woman national consumer survey.

"This research tells us significant life events influence a woman's
overall outlook on life, empowering her to pursue a healthy lifestyle and
her own beauty goals, which often leads to increased consideration of
medical aesthetic procedures," says Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, executive
vice president of the NWHRC. "During the past decade, we have seen the
topic of plastic surgery -- including breast aesthetics -- become
increasingly relevant for women. Therefore, as a premier women's health
organization, it is critical that we provide women the information and
tools they need to make informed decisions."

Other survey results:

--More than half of women (59 percent) surveyed felt motivated to make over their lives after experiencing a life-changing event, such as major weight change (62 percent), childbirth (59 percent) or divorce/separation/end of a romantic relationship (55 percent)

--The majority of women (95 percent) who wanted to make a change actually did so in at least one area of their lives: health or fitness (57 percent) and physical appearance (42 percent)

--Of those women motivated to improve their appearance, nearly half (45 percent) said they would consider plastic surgery to do so.

--Breasts are among the top five body parts women would change; more than half (53 percent) say they are more accepting of breast augmentation than they used to be.

When considering breast aesthetic surgery, women should seek advice
from a plastic surgeon who they can partner with to define realistic
surgical goals and a plan for their long-term breast health. For more
information about breast aesthetics or to find a board-certified surgeon
near you, please visit http://www.healthywomen.org/breastsurgery.

The Life Makeover Secrets of the Modern Woman national consumer survey
and campaign are part of an NWHRC educational initiative, sponsored by
Allergan, Inc., maker of the NATRELLE(TM) Collection of breast implants.

Nail-Aid Fingernail Treatments are an innovative line of nail care treatment products.

These treatments deliver “Beautiful Nails with No Toxic Chemicals”, the first nail treatment brand to be 100% free of toxic chemicals.

Nail Aid products include and they are 100% guaranteed.

Common nail problems include: thinning, chipping, yellowing, artificial nail damage, ragged cuticles, broken nails, and, slow drying manicures, and, Nail-Aid has products to address them all.

I was sent samples of the Clear Liquid Bandage, Cuticle Cure, Grow Tougher and Brush-On Wrap for review.

It was a good choice on the part of the company as I have horrible fingernails. They aren't deformed or anything, they're just oddly shaped, and, soft. I can't grow nice nails to save my life.

I really like all the products, my cuticles aren't usually a problem, but, they're looking good, lately. But, they best part is that my nails really are stronger, there is much less breaking and tearing, and, they have actually grown.

The products stay on well, no annoying peeling every time you turn around, and, it stands up to normal hand wear and tear.

People love Nail-Aid proucts, you should really check them out.

The company is especially proud of their values: to promote women’s health, oppose animal testing, support women’s rights and protect the environment.

Every Man Jack has assembled some of their bestselling, award-winning products into a limited edition Valentine’s Day gift set – ready for gifting – to make the task of shopping for your partner a little easier.

Gift Set Includes:

* Shave Gel Hydrating Formula – Fragrance Free
The Shave Gel’s rich formula contains methyl glucoside to lubricate skin to reduce shave friction, chamomile extract for soothing relief and hydration, aloe + Vitamin E to heal and protect, and glycerin to help skin retain moisture.

* Face Lotion – Post-Shave – Fragrance Free
The light, non-greasy formula in the post-shave Face Lotion deeply hydrates and heals dry or razor-irritated skin. And unlike other lotions, Every Man Jack’s formula will not block pores. It dries to a matte finish, leaving the face feeling clean and refreshed.

* Body Wash – Cedarwood Scent
The refreshing Body Wash nourishes and protects skin, for a deep down cleaning that removes dirt and grime without drying the skin. Coconut derived surfactants cleanse, essential oils invigorate and stimulate the senses, and glycerin helps gather and retain skin’s moisture. Every Man Jack’s Body Wash and Shower Gel is also dye free, sodium laurel sulfate free and paraben free.

* Body Bars – Cedar wood Scent
Every Man Jack’s vitamin-enriched Body Bars cleanse, soothe and condition skin while protecting it against dryness. The bars are 100 % vegetable based and contain marine extracts to soothe and moisturize, keeping skin feeling fresh all day long.

The gift set is only $16 and is available directly through EveryManJack.com, so you don’t even need to leave your house and at Target stores nationwide.

While vaccinations for kids is a controversial topic, pertussis or "whooping cough", isn't controversial, it's very serious for anyone, and, it's a disease that's increasing, and, in my mind shouldn't be.

I worked with a lady whose child contracted pertussis, and, it was a very, very bad thing, for what it's worth to this discussion.

Pertussis is a potentially deadly bacterial infection that can strike at any age, but is particularly dangerous for babies. Adults are the number one transmitter of pertussis to babies. One of the best ways to protect babies from pertussis is to make sure that anyone in close contact with them is vaccinated.

PKIDs (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases), a national nonprofit whose mission is to educate the public about infectious diseases and help families whose children are affected by such diseases.

PKIDS wants raise awareness of pertussis through a program called "Silence the Sounds of Pertussis." At PKIDs’ web site, you can hear an audio clip of what whooping cough sounds like and get advice on how to talk to your doctor about protecting your child or children you may care for from pertussis.

Whatever your views on vaccination are, it's always good to be informed.

I was sent a
Schick Quattro Razor for women for review.

It's nicer than any razor I've ever had since I've been using disposables for forever.

It's solid, but not too heavy, and the handle has a pretty effective no-slip grip. There are 4 blades with "conditioning strips" that help with a close shave and the pivoting head works well to help get around the contours of your legs and arms.

The shave is very smooth, but I had to press a little harder than I thought I would have to, but I had no nicks or cuts. The blades last an average amount of time, and for me the shave lasted somewhat longer that my disposable razor.

The blade did get clogged, but was no big deal to rinse out. It took me a minute to figure out out to get the blade back in as I inadvertently knocked it off in the shower (not a problem, I have no idea how I did it).

It even came with a little suction cup thingy to put in the shower to hang, the razor on, but my shower didn't like it.

I really liked the razor and will stick with it a while, but if money is tight I'd have to let it go as it retails for around $9.00 US and a package of 4 refill blades is a little pricey at about $18.00

There's some fun stuff that Schick is advertising to go along with it (even though I think I'm older than the demographic since my dream date involves going to the grocery).

There's the Girl's Guide to Dating and the Dare to Dream Date II Sweepstakes where you can have a chance to win one of 3 grand prizes of $1,500 cash for the ultimate dream date.

There's even a place for you to create a dream date for yourself or a friend.

Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea is back...

Believe it or not, your sweet smelling baby will one day enter the tween years, and trust me, smelling their head will no longer be an enjoyable pastime.

While there is a certain relief when they get old enough to bathe themselves, at some point you will wonder how anyone can come out of a shower smelling worse than when they went in there. You will learn that when you ask, "Did you wash?" you must add, "With soap?"

Totally Texty shampoo was designed with you stinky headed tween in mind.

There's shampoo and conditioner for both boys and girls. It was designed by moms who wanted a shampoo that would clean a tweens scalp as well as the hair. Totally Text shampoo and conditioner is also free of harsh chemicals such as: Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Parabens, DEA, and TEA.

We received the DGG Shampoo and Conditioner for girls as well as the YTMN Shanpoo for boys, and Busy Boy (age 12) was the first to try them out.

He was confused by their titles at first, but when I pointed out it was just for fun and related to texting, he thought that was cool. He's been using it for several days, and at first thought the shampoo was a bit thick and almost sticky, but he soon became used to it and likes it.

I could tell a difference in the way his head smelled right off the bat. Now, true he may smell better because he's actually using soap, but I do think Totally Texty has been helpful. He's started football now, so that's been the ultimate test and so far, so good.

If you have a stinky headed teen or tween, take a look at Totally Texty shampoo. Though a little pricey at $15.00, he understands that you don't need to use very much for it to work, and it's made a difference here.

This post courtesy of Totally Texty. The opinions are my own (and Busy Boy's). No payment or compensation, other than product samples as described above, was received for this post.

I don't have a fancy skin care routine and I'm a bit skeptical of all that's out there on the market, especially the little machine thingys as I've always been unclear of the benefits of vibrating my face.

But, when I was asked to check out the Clarisonic Skin Care System, I thought, "Sure, I'll give it a shot", particularly since I was not exactly blessed in the good skin department and, well... I'm not getting any younger, either.

The Clarisonic Skin Care System is the first sonic oscillation face brush that deeply cleanses, stimulates and clarifies the skin. It uses sonic technology for a deeper facial skin clean and it has been shown to clean twice as effectively as manual cleansing and removes six times more makeup than traditional cleansing.

According to their website, in the Clarisonic studies, after eight weeks study participants reported:

o Healthier skin, 83%
o Fewer blemishes, 70%
o Fewer dry patches, 69%
o Decreased appearance of pore size, 68%
o Softer skin, 94%

So, did I see any of that stuff?

Like I said, I didn't know what to expect and many times I can't see the difference when I use revolutionary! new! skin care items.

But, you know what? I'll be darned if my makeup didn't go on better and I could see the difference after only a couple of days.

I clean my face at night and use the Clarisonic in the shower (one of my favorite things about it) in the morning. I pretty much thought I was washing my face thoroughly at night, but in the mornings, the brush looks like I just took off a days worth of makeup. It really does get your skin clean.

I don't really have dry patches, but I do have some "blemishes" (acne and wrinkles, so unfair), and I've noticed some improvement there as well.

I give the Clarisonic Skin Care System a big thumbs up and I look forward to using it a long time.

Want to see for yourself? In honor of Father's Day, I'm giving away a Graphite Gray Clarisonic brush for men.

Rules:

1. Visit Clarisonic and leave a comment (with a valid e-mail address) telling us why you'd like to try it (or get it for the man in your life) to be entered for a chance to win.
2. For a bonus entry vote for me here (I'm the last one, it only takes a second) and leave a separate comment.
3. Twitter about this contest for an extra entry. Leave a separate comment and a link to your tweet.
4. Blog about about it and receive yet another entry! Please leave a separate comment and a link to your post.
5, Contest ends 10 pm CST on Thursday, June 25, 2009.
6. Winner will be chosen from the comments by a random number generator.

No compensation other than the product sample as described was received for this post

Pepto-Bismol is celebrating their new Instacool Peppermint chewable tablets that provide an instant cooling sensation that lets you know relief is on the way, with a cool sweepstakes!

Enter the Instacool Sweepstakes a chance to win a getaway to root for Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC. All you have to do is tell them about the last time you could have used new Pepto® with InstaCool™ (probably yesterday, if you've been eating your way throught the holidays like I have)

No payment or compensation was received for this post.

Like countless other people in the world, one of my New Year's Resolutions was to get some more exercise and lose some weight, not just for appearance's sake, but for my overall health. Last year, I had a lot of problems with my knees and I was hardly able to do any real exercise at all.

I'm better now, but I have a lot of catching up to do in the way of getting exercise. I hope to keep my problems from getting worse or returning, so, a few weeks ago when the good folks at Collective Bias asked me if I wanted to participate in the Your Shape Challenge along with 9 other bloggers, I was thrilled.

Your Shape featuring Jenny McCarthy. It is a new fitness game for Wii from Ubisoft. It's different from other fitness games since it uses a camera to monitor your moves and you don't have to hold a controller while you exercise. It also features a virtual Jenny McCarthy who gives you feedback and encouragement as your proceed through the exercises. I'll let her tell you more about it:

My fellow Your Shape Challengers:

• Toni from A Daily Dose of Toni. (@totally_toni)
• Kim from Crafty Mama of 4. (@craftymamaof4)
• Amy From Selfish Mom @SelfishMom)
• Beth from Plus Size Mommy (@plussizemommy)
• Claire from The Mom Claire

• Kelly from The Centsible Life (@CentsibleLife)
• Lori from Operation Fatty (@acowboyswife)
• Stephanie from Mommy Musings (@MommyMusings)
• Jodi from Multitasking Mommy @JodiGrundig

Your Shape was very easy to set up, but I had to play around a little bit to get the camera to pick up my moves properly. I had it on top of the TV at first, and through the suggestions of others, I found that it works better when it's to the side. My den is poorly lit, but once I got some adjustments made there, too, I was ready to go. The game and Virtual Jenny has no problem telling you when you need to correct your form, but it is very encouraging, and the music is great.

When you use Your Shape, you can see yourself alongside the virtual Jenny McCarthy, and not only does it help you with form, I've found it to be a real motivator to see myself right there on TV in all my glory. Yikes.

You can choose what part of your body you want to work on each day, and you can enter your goals and the workout can be tailored to your needs. The workouts are good, and boy have I ended up sore, but it is gradually getting better as I get better at it!

Along with exercise, I've been refocusing on eating right, and have really made some improvements. I've really worked on increasing my water and protein intake as well as just simply eating less. I'm proud to say that even though I've had my ups and downs during the challenge, I am now in the habit of eating much more healthily at lunch at work which was a problem for me! More on that later, though,.

I've lost just over 5 pounds, and that doesn't sound like much, but you gotta remember I'm older than some of my fellow challengers ;) but I still need to work hard. I also feel like I've lost some inches, and I look forward to my next set of measurements!

But, more importantly, Your Shape has inspired me to just do something and get back on the right track for healthful eating, which is something I've lacked for a while, and I'm glad to have fun while I'm doing it.

Stay tuned for more adventures from the Your Shape Challenge!

The challenge is sponsored by Collective Bias, Ubisoft, and Walmart. I received the game and will also receive additional incentives throughout the challenge, but my opinions are my own and will not be influenced.

Flu season is upon us, and I am delighted to participate in the Random Acts of Wellness campaign with The Motherhood and Walgreen's.

I know, I know...

You've never gotten the flu shot, and you've never been sick with the flu.

Please don’t fall for common misconceptions about the flu, (you won’t get the flu from the shot), it's a very serious illness, and that's a pretty big gamble to take for something that kills thousands of people each year.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age an older be vaccinated, but as always, check with your health care provider to make sure it's right for you.

October 1st is the beginning of flu season. Though the best times to get vaccinated are October and November, remember it’s never too late to do it.

Do you know someone who needs a little encouragement or incentive to get a flu shot?

Now, you can give them the gift of wellness with a Walgreen's Flu Shot Gift card.

I've been provided with 5 of these cards to give away in my community (as well as 5 cards to give away below), stay tuned to find out about the Random Act of Wellness I'm going to commit.

Find out more with Walgreen's Flu Shot FAQs, and be sure to check out the Walgreen's Facebook page

The giveaway:

Prize: Enter to win one of 5 Walgreen's Flu shot gift cards (value: $35 each)

1. Leave a comment here with your best tips for illness and flu prevention.

2. 5 (five) winners will be picked randomly via Random.org from the comments.

3. Contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older

4. Winner(s) has 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be drawn.

5. Hurry! Contest ends Monday, October 11 2010 at 10pm CST.

I am participating in this campaign with The Motherhood and I have been provided Walgreen's flu vaccination gift cards and compensation for my participation. No matter what you think about that, I still urge you to get a flu shot.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Carmex. All opinions are 100% mine.

Carmex, the makers of the awesome lip balm that comes in the little white pot with the yellow top, or the bright yellow tube with the red top, has expanded their product line to skin care withCarmex Healing Lotion and Carmex Healing Cream and I received samples of both to try.

Winter is right around the corner, and indoor heat and outdoor cold can really do a number on your skin. I'm not one of those people who requires continuous moisturizing, but my legs tend to be dry in the winter and my heels and elbows have dry patches.

Carmex Healing Lotion comes in a cheery, yellow tube. It's got the familiar Carmex scent, sort of vanilla-y, so if you're not a fan of that, then the lotion may not be for you.

I happen to love it, so I was excited about the it. It's a light, non-greasy texture, absorbs easily and it's worked for me as well as the lip balm.

Carmex Healing Cream is a more intensive product for your driest areas such as heels or elbows. It has the familiar Carmex scent, too, but it's concentrated, so you just use a small amount.

I used it on my heels and elbows. It was lighter than I expected, not the usual texture of intensive creams that never really goes away and gets everywhere. It absorbed right away, and honestly? I have two stubborn dry patches on one heel and one elbow that are gone and nearly gone after 2 nights of use.

Who knew? I will very likely purchase these in the future.

Carmex Healing Lotion and Carmex Healing Cream retail for $5.99 each and are available exclusively at Walgreens, Walgreens.com, and Drugstore.com.

Want to check them out for yourself?

The giveaway

Prize: A set of Carmex Healing Lotion and Carmex Healing Cream (1 tube of each)

1. (Required): Leave a comment here telling me why you'd like to try them.

2. For an extra entry, tweet about this contest (I'm @busymom), and be sure to leave a separate comment with a link to your tweet.

2. One (1) winner will be picked randomly via Random.org from the comments.

3. Contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older

4. Winner(s) has 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be drawn.

5. Hurry! Contest ends November, 22, 2010 at 10pm CST.

We're in the middle of a long, cold winter, and it's wreaking havoc on skin, and Vaseline is on a mission to rescue it and help everyone have "good skin days" with Vaseline Intensive Rescue.

Women are especially vulnerable to dry skin, as a matter of fact, according to Vaseline:

o 77% of women say their dry skin makes them physically uncomfortable
o 86% of women report their quality of life is affected by dry skin
o More than half (53%) of women say they think about dry skin every day
o The majority of women (54%) have more bad skin days than good
- 47% of women say they would give up eating out for a month to make every day a good skin day and 39% say they would give up their favorite dessert

I got to try out some Vaseline Intensive Rescue lotion (they sent me some to try) and it's non-sticky, light and It doesn't have fragrance, and I thought it absorbed quickly. I've had trouble with dry patches on my elbows, and I have to say they're not there at all, anymore (The dry patches, not my elbows. My elbows are still there.)

Vaseline Intensive Rescue products include:
- Intensive Rescue Repairing Moisture – Repairs and softens skin
- Intensive Rescue Soothing Moisture – Repairs and softens skin; features light chamomile scent
- Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy – Prescription strength moisturization available over the counter

Vaseline even recently enlisted some bloggers in the Dry Skin Patrol, sending them on "missions" to some of the coldest places in the country. The tour visited The Philadelphia Marathon, Winternational in Aspen, Polar Bear Club in Coney Island and Bear Grease Dogsledding in Duluth, MN.

From now until March 31, 2011 you could win your own trip to one of these destinations by following the video adventures of the Dry Skin Patrol on the Official Vaseline Facebook Page

Be sure to get your free sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue and join them on a mission to rescue dry skin.

I've been meaning to tell you about Blissdom '11 for a while, I really enjoyed it.

One of the things that stood out to me was the quality of the Blissdom Sponsors. The exhibitors were relevant and engaging, and I can honestly say I learned about the products and companies who were there.

Don't Fret the Sweat, a campaign from Unilever, the makers of Degree deodorant, was a sponsor, and the fact that they bill themselves as, "A guide to sweat, kids and confidence" (and the fact they had a nice couch and electrical outlets) got my attention as I have 3 kids in 4 sports who generate some sweat.

It's weird to wake up one day, and realize your sweet-smelling baby has become a stinky kid. But, even more jarring is the fact that this also means they're on the way to becoming teenagers, and all the changes that go with it.

We've been down this path twice, and are getting ready to do it again with the 8 year old eventually. We've run the gamut of emotions from, "You're growing up, honey, it's time...", to, "For the love of all things good and holy, will you please use that deodorant we bought you?"

Either way, it's a new road for everyone to travel.

Don't Fret the Sweat is a place to learn about the changes tweens go through, including how to handle the new (and not so pleasant) smells.

It offers expert advice, answers to frequently asked questions and there's even a product matchmaker.

Don't forget to check out Don't Fret the Sweat on Facebook

I partnered with Blissdom to highlight "Don't Fret the Sweat", but my words are my own, and we've used a variety of the products for many years.

I've been blessed with a healthy mouth and teeth. I brush regularly, floss (OK, a little less regularly, but I'm working on it) and get dental check-ups twice a year. But, I've never been a regular mouthwash user.

I don't mind a strong taste, I like it when I use it, but somehow I've not seemed to get in the habit like the rest of my family has, so when Mom Central offered the chance to test drive Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse, I thought it might be a way to make it part of my routine as I'm not getting any younger (ahem), and I'd like my teeth and gums to be around for a while.

I've been using it for a couple of days and noted a strong. minty taste that leaves your mouth tingling (which I like). One of the first times I used it, the phone rang, and I had to abandon the process after a brief time. When I was done with my phone call, I noticed the feeling was still there, and that it was working even when I had only used it briefly.

Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse offers more than just fresh breath, it:

- Kills germs
- Helps prevent gingivitis
- Freshens breath
- Reduces plaque
- Keeps teeth cleaner longer (vs. brushing alone)

It does contain alcohol, so I will be sure to note if it dries out my mouth, but so far, so good! Stay tuned to see how it goes. Will I still like it? Will I make using it a habit?

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Crest and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central Consulting sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Hi, and a special welcome to visitors from #Free Anissa!

I'm Busy Mom, and you've found the answer to Question #1 in the Invisalign Teen Blog Hop Sweepstakes.

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What is Invisalign and how does it work?

- Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear, custom-made plastic teeth aligners used as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces to straighten teeth.

- The aligners look a bit like teeth whitening trays, but they are carefully made for just for you to shift teeth into place:

- The aligners are removable, but they must be worn at least 20 to 22 hours per day (you remove them when you eat or to brush and floss your teeth) to proceed with the treatment.

- After approximately 2 weeks (your provider will tell you, and several at a time are given to you as a series), you put in the next set of aligners and continue the process until treatment is complete.

- Invisalign is comfortable and convenient. The trays are smooth, and don't cause irritation like traditional braces can. Since they are removable, you can eat what you like, and easily brush and floss your teeth.

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Busy Boy (age 15) is currently undergoing Invisalign Teen treatment (I'm part of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board, and he received treatment for free so we would be knowledgeable about the process and could share our experiences).

He's done very well with it. I was worried that we'd have to stay on him to wear the aligners, but we really haven't had to at all. He likes that he doesn't have a mouth full of metal brackets and wires (especially important because he plays rugby). You can't really see the aligners, sometimes I even can't tell he has them in and I'll ask him where they are.

He has a little discomfort when he puts new aligners in (that's the teeth beginning to shift), it only lasts a little while, and it seems to be much less than my daughter had when she got her traditional braces adjusted.

As for how his teeth look, we are seeing a difference (he started in January, 2011), but in his particular case, he has just over a year left of treatment, so we look forward to the finished product!

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The Sweepstakes:

Invisalign is proud to sponsor the Invisalign Teen Blog Hop Sweepstakes, hosted by the Invisalign Teen Mom Advisory Board (MAB) bloggers.

The Blog Hop takes place from April 11, 2001 through April 30, 2011, across 5 MAB blogger sites.

During the Blog Hop, each of the bloggers will post the answer to one of the top questions asked about Invisalign.

To participate, visit each blogger’s site to review the question, and then go to the next blogger’s site to collect the answer.

Enter the sweepstakes by completing an official entry form for a chance to win the Grand Prize of Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatment or two runner-up prizes of a $100 American Express Gift Card.

Winners will be randomly selected on or before April 30, 2011 from all valid entries received.

The blog posting schedule for this contest is as follows:

4/11/11 Begin with Anissa @ Free Anissa (http://freeanissa.com): What is Invisalign and how does it work?

** 4/13/11 Elizabeth @ Busy Mom (http://busymom.net/reviews) : Is Invisalign covered by insurance? (That's me, you're here, now)

4/15/11 Linda @ Welcome to Linneyville (http://lindasellers.com): How do I know if I or my teen is a candidate for Invisalign?

4/18/11 Amanda @ Parenting by Dummies (www.parentingbydummies.com): What types of cases can Invisalign treat? Will Invisalign work for me?

4/20/11 Sugar @ Sugar in the Raw (www.sugarjones.tv): How much does Invisalign cost?

4/22/11 Anissa @ Free Anissa (http://freeanissa.com): Final conclusion

How to Enter:

1. Visit all 5 participating blogs, and read the 6 posts listed above, to collect answers to the 5 questions about Invisalign.

2. Insert the 5 answers into the entry form located here: (http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/484893/invisalign-blog-hop)

OR

1. Send a stamped 3” x 5” postcard with the 5 answers and your name, address, and contact phone number to: INVISALIGN TEEN MAB BLOG HOP SWEEPSTAKES, PO Box 1093 Chino Hills, CA 91709.

Optional Additional Entries:

1. Tweet: “I just entered to win FREE #Invisalign treatment at http://www.busymom.net/reviews/2011/04/invisalign_teen_blog_hop_sweep.html)!” - then insert a link to your tweet in the entry form. I'm @busymom

2. Take the Invisalign Teen Self Assessment, then insert the answer you received from the assessment on the entry form.

For official rules, visit: Invisalign Teen Blog Hop Sweeepstakes

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Question #2

So, now that you know a little about Invisalign, visit Linda at Welcome to Linneyville for the answer to Question #2:

Is Invisalign covered by insurance?

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I’m a member of the Invisalign Teen Mom Advisory Board, and my son received complimentary Invisalign treatment.

A few weeks ago, Mom Central offered the chance to test drive Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse. As I said before, I'm the only one in my house who doesn't use some sort of mouthwash/rinse, mainly because I've never gotten in the habit.

But, after a few weeks of trying this out, I have to say I'm impressed with myself!

I've been using it fairly regularly, and as a review, here are some of the cool things Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse offers in addition to fresh breath. It:

- Kills germs
- Helps prevent gingivitis
- Freshens breath
- Reduces plaque
- Keeps teeth cleaner longer (vs. brushing alone)

One of the things that's struck me the most about it is how long it feels like it's working. I can still feel the minty taste several hours into the day, but not in a distracting, "I can't taste anything" way.

It does contain alcohol, and I was concerned that it might make my mouth too dry. When I first use it, it's a strong, minty taste (but, not medicine-y) and for a moment I get that dry mouth sensation, but it doesn't last too long.

So, for me, it's gone well. The real test will come the next time I see the dentist, but I do feel like my teeth stay cleaner longer.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Crest and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central Consulting sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Today, Wednesday, May 25th starting at 9am EDT, Coastal Contacts is giving away 10,000 free (you do pay shipping and handling, though) pairs of glasses to Coastal Contacts Facebook Page. (first-time participants in the US, only, please) .

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit Coastal Contacts Facebook Page. and click on the ‘Free Glasses!!’ tab on the left side of the page.

2. Click the “like” button to reveal the coupon code or if you’ve already “liked” us the code will be displayed when you click on the tab.

3. Visit Coastal Contacts and select a pair of glasses.

4. Starting on Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 at 9am EDT, place your order and enter the coupon code at checkout to get your free pair of glasses.

No payment or consideration was given for this post, I just thought you might be interested.

A while back, I told you that Busy Boy was getting ready to start Invisalign Teen orthodontic treatment.

He's been at it a while, and I'm pleased to say that everything is going great!

If you're not familiar with it, in general, the way Invisalign Teen works is that you have a series of custom made trays made of smooth plastic that fit over your teeth. They aren't retainers, they are actually made to align your individual teeth. The trays are worn for approximately 2 weeks each, and they are removed only for eating or as directed.

It was pretty simple for us to get started. We found our nearest Invisalign provider, and made an appointment for an evaluation. Once he was deemed a candidate, he was ready to go with the first visit.

They do an extensive evaluation including measurements, photos and making a mold of the teeth and mouth in order to make the custom trays:

The trays are are created just for him based on where each tooth needs to move.

Appointments are about every 6 weeks (sometimes it varies) and he usually gets several sets of trays and changes them every 2 weeks. The Invisalign Teen product is especially nice because there are wear indicators and you can tell if he's been wearing them properly.

He's done very well with them, and has only had some minor pain when he starts a new tray and his teeth are moving.

That's a general overview of our experience with Invisalign Teen so far!

I'd be delighted to answer any questions you might have, fire away!

I am a member of the Invisalign Teen Mom Advisory Board. My son
has received complimentary treatment from Invisalign, but all opinions expressed are
my own.

I may be getting on in years, but I still have acne.

Yes, wrinkles AND acne, SO not fair.

I've struggled with acne for many years, I was even on some very powerful medicine at one point. Additionally, over the years the way my acne behaves has changed, and the things that used to help don't always help anymore. My face is very sensitive to medicines and lotions, so I'm wary of trying new things when I've found a routine that works.

However, my current routine hasn't been holding up its end of the bargain lately, so I was excited to try the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line.

I was interested in it because it's specifically designed for adult skin to control acne and help minimize the appearance of pores with regular use. Acne as an adult can be different to treat than teen acne, and the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line was made with adult skin needs in mind.

The three steps of the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line are Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line Pore Clarifying Cleanser, Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Skin Clearing Treatment and Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Complexion Renewing Lotion.

The products are easy to use. I'd like to see the cleanser improve the way it cleans off makeup, but I usually use an exfoliant, so I'm not really used to a cream cleaner, but it wasn't drying or anything and it had no noticeable odor.

The blemish treatment step is salicylic acid based. It absorbs well, and has a bit more odor, but not unpleasant. I don't usually have issues with dry skin, so it wasn't drying to me.

Because I'm prone to acne, many moisturizers make me nervous, but so far, so good with this one, though I've only been using it once a day. It's a little different in that it's not exactly like a lotion, but more like a gel. (Note: It doesn't have SPF, but Olay Professional Pro-X Clear SPF 15 Moisturizer is available as well.)

Overall, my skin is doing well, lately. It didn't clear up over night, so I think consistent use is a key to this product. I even had someone ask what I'd done differently, so I'm pleased!

While we’re on the subject of taking care of your skin, you might want to check out this post by Roxanna Sarmiento in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. She has some great tips for developing habits that will help your skin looks its best!

Want to check it out for yourself?

The giveaway:

Prize: $50 gift card to drugstore.com

How to win:

1. No duplicate comments.

2. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry
methods:

a) Leave a comment telling us how your skin has changed since you've gotten older.

b) Tweet about this promotion (I'm @busymom) and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.

3. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older

4. Contest ends November 3, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.(PST)

5. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

6. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be
selected.

7. Visit the Official Rules. Enter between October 3rd – November 3rd, 2011.

Don't forget to visit the Prizes and Promotions section for even more chances to win!

I wrote this post while participating BlogHer's Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line campaign. I received the product to facilitate my post and monetary compensation for the time to write my post.

Our kids have inherited a lot of things from us, but unfortunately, one of those things is a tendency toward acne. My husband had it, and I even had enough trouble with it that I had to take prescription medication for years for it in my youth and early adulthood.

Even in my old age, I still have some trouble, and it's really not fair to have acne AND wrinkles, but I digress...

Both of my older kids have acne, and my son's (though normal teen acne, nothing severe) seems a little more stubborn than my daughter's. (However, that may be because he's a little more stubborn than she is...)

She already has a skin care regimen, so when I had the opportunity to try out Proactiv, I thought it would be great to see what it could do for him since I've had success with it in the past.

Proactiv is a 3-step acne treatment system:

Step 1 is the Renewing Cleanser. It's an oil-free, soap-free medicated exfoliating cleanser with benzoyl peroxide.

Step 2 is the Revitalizing Toner. This is an alcohol-free toner

Step 3 is the Repairing Treatment. It's a light medicated lotion with benzoyl peroxide that's gentle on the skin.

What makes Proactiv 365 "365" is 24/7/365 support from expert skin care advisors trained by founders Drs.Rodan and Fields themselves.

You can call them toll-free or contact them by email or online chat with questions about Proactiv products and skin care. Additionally, the Proactiv website has an extensive Q&A section about Proactiv products and a Proactiv success stories section to inspire you.

We received a kit with the 3 step Proactiv products as well as the Refining Mask, and the Green Tea Moisturizer, everything you need to get started!

Proactiv was good for my son because the products are more clinical than beauty/girly oriented. I think they smell good, but not "flowery". Another advantage to getting to try out Proactiv is that I could tell him he had to do it to help me out since it's been hard to get him to do anything consistently in the way of acne treatment. It took him a little bit to get into the habit of doing 3 steps, but once he got going he was pretty good at it.

At first, he felt his skin was getting too dry, but I think it was more a matter of him getting used to it as his skin wasn't obviously dry, and he wasn't interested in using the moisturizer, though (it's awesome, more for me, then!).

With proper and consistent use, Proactiv really made a difference in my son's acne, it's nearly gone. It's taken away some of the redness and irritation, too.

Despite my pleadings, he's not one to take products with him when he spends the night away from home, so I wish Proactiv made some sort of wipes or pads for "on-the-go".

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Proactiv and received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Our kids have inherited a lot of things from us, but unfortunately, one of those things is a tendency toward acne. My husband had it, and I even had enough trouble with it that I had to take prescription medication for years for it in my youth and early adulthood.

Even in my old age, I still have some trouble, and it's really not fair to have acne AND wrinkles, but I digress...

Both of my older kids have acne, and my son's (though normal teen acne, nothing severe) seems a little more stubborn than my daughter's. (However, that may be because he's a little more stubborn than she is...)

She already has a skin care regimen, so when I had the opportunity to try out Proactiv, I thought it would be great to see what it could do for him since I've had success with it in the past.

Proactiv is a 3-step acne treatment system:

Step 1 is the Renewing Cleanser. It's an oil-free, soap-free medicated exfoliating cleanser with benzoyl peroxide.

Step 2 is the Revitalizing Toner. This is an alcohol-free toner

Step 3 is the Repairing Treatment. It's a light medicated lotion with benzoyl peroxide that's gentle on the skin.

What makes Proactiv 365 "365" is 24/7/365 support from expert skin care advisors trained by founders Drs.Rodan and Fields themselves.

You can call them toll-free or contact them by email or online chat with questions about Proactiv products and skin care. Additionally, the Proactiv website has an extensive Q&A section about Proactiv products and a Proactiv success stories section to inspire you.

We received a kit with the 3 step Proactiv products as well as the Refining Mask, and the Green Tea Moisturizer, everything you need to get started!

Proactiv was good for my son because the products are more clinical than beauty/girly oriented. I think they smell good, but not "flowery". Another advantage to getting to try out Proactiv is that I could tell him he had to do it to help me out since it's been hard to get him to do anything consistently in the way of acne treatment. It took him a little bit to get into the habit of doing 3 steps, but once he got going he was pretty good at it.

At first, he felt his skin was getting too dry, but I think it was more a matter of him getting used to it as his skin wasn't obviously dry, and he wasn't interested in using the moisturizer, though (it's awesome, more for me, then!).

With proper and consistent use, Proactiv really made a difference in my son's acne, it's nearly gone. It's taken away some of the redness and irritation, too.

Despite my pleadings, he's not one to take products with him when he spends the night away from home, so I wish Proactiv made some sort of wipes or pads for "on-the-go".

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Proactiv and received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that leads to mild cold symptoms for most people, but for some people, especially premature infants, it can be much more serious.

RSV Facts:

- RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, responsible for more than 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 500 infant deaths each year
- RSV occurs in epidemics each fall though spring. The CDC has defined "RSV season" as beginning in November and lasting through March for most parts of North America.
- Despite its prevalence, one-third of mothers have never heard of RSV

Busy Girl had RSV when she was a baby, and though she wasn't premature, it was very scary. The symptoms are similar to a common cold, but they can worsen rapidly, especially with premature babies.

RSV Symptoms

Please be aware of the symptoms, and seek assistance from your healthcare provider immediately if your baby has any of the following or if you have any questions:

- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths
- Blue color on the lips, mouth, or under the fingernails
- High fever
- Extreme fatigue
- Difficulty feeding

RSV Prevention

There is no treatment for RSV, so prevention is key:

• Wash hands, toys, bedding, and play areas frequently
• Ensure you, your family, and any visitors in your home wash their hands or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid large crowds and people who may be sick
• Never let anyone smoke near your baby
• Speak with your child’s doctor if you believe he or she may be at high risk for RSV, as a preventive therapy may be available

November 17th is World Prematurity Day, although the entire month is dedicated to raising awareness. Despite the fact that we are considered one of the most advanced countries in the world, a whopping 1 in 8 babies is still born prematurely in the United States.

Visit RSV Protection for more information.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

A couple of years ago, I suddenly developed a problem with my eye make-up ending up under my eyes, giving me dark circles.

I hadn't really done anything different with my make-up routine, so the issue was baffling.

I've always enjoyed watching make-up tutorials to try to pick up new ideas and learn some stuff, so I looked for an answer there, but didn't really find anything.

One thing I did notice, however was that the people who were really good at eye make-up used brushes. I'd always wanted to try them, but wasn't really ready to make a commitment to them since make-up brushes can be a little spendy.

But, I noticed that e.l.f. makes several affordable makeup brush sets, and since I thought my eyeliner might be the culprit, I tried to figure out how to do it with a make-up brush.

After a little trial and error, I figured out how to do liner using a brush and my regular dark eyeshadow, and the problem went away!

I had thought that brushes were for people really skilled at doing makeup, but I learned that I probably should have been using them all along!

My next project is to learn to do foundation, and check into the mineral makeup that's so popular (hey, I didn't say my skills were cutting edge) and try using mineral makeup brushes. So, back to the e.l.f. section at the store I'll go.

So, eventually I'll figure out what "all those makeup brushes" actually do, and I'll be a professional in no time!