Birdalamode

Hot Cocoa For the Soul

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This post is sponsored by Organic Stevia In The Raw® and SheKnows Media.

Hot cocoa is like getting a hug from the inside.

And there is no better way to drink your hot cocoa with your insides in mind.

I like my hot cocoa like I like my babies, extra sweet! But that doesn’t mean we have to load up on the chocolate. Simply substitute half the hot cocoa mix with new Organic Stevia In The Raw packets for perfectly chocolatey hot cocoa. *see recipe below*

I am loving the NEW Organic Stevia In The Raw®  –  it is the most recent addition to the In The Raw family of sweeteners. Available in convenient packets, Organic Stevia In The Raw is perfect for sprinkling in your beverages or over your cereal and fruit. Each packet is only three calories, but provides the sweetening equivalence of two teaspoons of sugar (which contains 32 calories). I buy my packets at Walmart, but you can buy it online – here’s a downloadable coupon!

I try to use Organic Stevia In The Raw packets wherever I can to eliminate excess sugar and calories while still preserving a sweet flavor.

Maintaining a lower-sugar diet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cup of hot cocoa on a cloudy fall day. Below I’ve shared my recipe that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tbsp hot cocoa of your choice
  • 1 cup very hot water
  • 2 Organic Stevia In The Raw packets
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

So basic, so easy so-o delicious!

When you’re ready to enjoy your hot chocolate, mix 1 tbs cocoa with 1 cup hot water. Stir in the Organic Stevia In The Raw packets and vanilla extract.

You can even create your own hot cocoa mix and putting it in little mason jars to give out to friends and family during the holidays. I tie a pretty bow with a tag attached to the mason jar. The tag explains how to make the perfect cup of hot cocoa! Pair with a candy cane to use as a stir stick to make it extra festive!

What’s your favorite fall drink? Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

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

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 10/16/17-12/24/17.

Drink Yourself Skinny

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Since having a baby I have been asked many times how I lost the baby weight, especially how I was able to do it quickly.  So, I thought I would share my secret with a clearer explanation and with measurements, along with some variations.
Thanks for all your DMs and emails the other day, I hope this answers all your questions.

Rapid Weight Loss

Drink yourself skinny! Do these shakes twice a day as meal replacements. Use water instead of milk and if you’re going to use a banana twice a day incorporate prune juice into at least one of your shakes.
You can ditch the prune juice altogether if you use one banana per day and substitute with a different fruit such as blueberries or raspberries.

Slim-Fast – 1 scoop

Prune Juice  – 1/4 cup or less 

Peanut Butter Powder – 1 1/2 TBS  => this is really yummy if you use a vanilla slim fast 

Fruit – 1 whole banana or 1/2 cup of fruit of your choice

Ice – 1 cup 8-9 cubes

Water  – 8 fluid ounces or 1 cup

Blend

             This recipe makes 24-26 ounces drink it all 🙂

For weight maintenance I make one of these shakes for breakfast I love the way it tastes and how I feel when I do.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Postnatal Health From The Inside Out

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Mama Bird over here always feeding for two, and sometimes even three. Which is why I have been taking a prenatal vitamin constantly since December 2010 when I first found I was pregnant with Hudson. I continue to take a prenatal vitamin everyday for the year that I breastfeed my babies. This has always been a good thing because I always get pregnant within the first year of my babies life. So yes, sometimes I am feeding for three.

I am a strong believer in vitamins, not only for myself but also for the health of my growing babies. My motto has always been to make sure I am taking care of myself so that I am able to take care of others.

Whether I am creating life in my womb or feeding my newborn, my body has to be properly nourished at all times as it is in constant demand. I want nothing but the best for my babies, and since I am or have been their source of nutrients, I need to be constantly and properly fueling my body.

I am no longer pregnant and am now breastfeeding, I’ve been wanting to find a postnatal vitamin routine that provides essential vitamins and nutrients to both my baby and myself. I recently changed my routine and decided to give Vitamin Packs a try.

I have felt confident every step of the way in that my nutrient needs are being met. I’ve also loved the personalized experience and personalized daily/nightly pill pouch that have my name on it. I don’t feel like I am taking a chance and hoping for the best. I feel like I am getting the perfect amount of vitamins and exactly what I need as an individual.

At the beginning of my experience I took a survey, which asked all sorts of questions about me as a person, my lifestyle habits, dietary preferences and health conditions. From pregnancy and breastfeeding to aging, and even my fitness goals. I’ve taken confidence in knowing that I am getting the exact amount of nutrients for what’s right for me while being a valued Vitamin Packs customer.

Visit VitaminPacks.com & take your free assessment today.

Do you currently take any vitamins or other supplements? Share your answer with me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS:

No duplicate comments.

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

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#sweepstakesentry”; and leave the url to that tweet in a comment on this post
  3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the url to that post in a comment on this post
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to us residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from SheKnows via sweeps@sheknows.com. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The official rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/21/17-10/21/17

Be sure to visit the Vitamin Packs brand page where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Battle The Bloat

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I’ve partnered with Renew Life to create this post! Enjoy!

This summer, well every summer for the last 5 summers, it has taken “guts” to wear a swimsuit, as I am always having summer babies, and this summer is no different. I recently had my 4th baby a couple weeks ago. Questions like when is the new baby coming? And is it a boy or girl? Happens every single time we go swimming from the mouth of my babes. I recently found out there were safe ways to battle the bloat and look and feel my best in a swimsuit this summer.  I started by priming my body this swimsuit season with an herbal cleanse from Renew Life® to help me immediately feel better, lighter and more energized.


Renew Life® Herbal Cleanses promote regularity and support the body’s natural detoxification process. I plan on maintaining that good feeling all summer by taking a daily probiotic like Renew Life® Ultimate Flora Probiotics to help keep occasional bloating at bay and my gut in check.


Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something that causes diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy while keeping you “regular.”


I thought the little extra bloat was just “baby weight” I was holding onto but thanks to my daily & nightly dose of probiotics, I have learned it wasn’t just baby weight. It has been so refreshing eliminating extra waste I have been holding on to. In just 3 days I noticed a huge difference, mostly in my tummy area.  


I have also noticed a huge difference in my skin. My face has been so smooth & clear, an extra added benefit that I wasn’t expecting to happen. 


So how it works: for three days you take 2 pills in the morning and 2 more pills in the evening. It starts working instantly. The 3-Day Cleanse Total-Body Reset capsules work with your body’s natural metabolism to help eliminate waste and toxins and are a quick and simple way to help reduce occasional bloating and water retention. My skin felt clearer, and my belly felt flatter. Overall, I felt like I had a lot more energy. 
 
I want all of you to be your “best self” and have the “guts” to tackle whatever lies ahead for you this summer. Renew Life 3-Day Cleanse Total-Body Reset would be a great companion to take with you on all your summer trips and adventures, to help you stay regular and swimsuit-ready all throughout your trip.

–


To learn more about 3-Day Cleanse Total-Body Reset and the full line of Renew Life® herbal cleansing programs, visit http://www.renewlife.com/herbal-cleansing.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The Big Fat Truth

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With four back-to-back pregnancies, Momma Bird is feeling the need to get her life and body back.

I’m tuning into Z Living’s newest show, The Big Fat Truth every Sunday at 8pm ET along with my own personal goals and health.

Every Sunday different sets of contestants are trying to break their poor health habits. For instance, one week will show a group of moms trying to get healthier and show what habits are getting in their way and why they aren’t reaching their goals.

The Big Fat Truth finds the real reasons people are having weight loss struggles, and gives them hope along with the tools they need to use to transform their lives.

After each episode, I personally have felt more optimistic about getting my body and life back after recently having my fourth baby. I have felt spread thin having four very dependent children and looking for energy anywhere I can get it.

For me, both my weight gain and my weight loss is 90% on what I do & don’t consume, and 10% dependent on how much I exercise.

So what causes me to eat poorly?

I have narrowed it down to two things:

Sugar & Sleep.

Sugar:

Misery loves company. When I eat sugar my body wants more sugar. It’s a vicious cycle. When I don’t eat it, I don’t crave it. 

Sleep:

Being a busy mom with children who still get up around the clock, sleep is a valuable thing; maybe the thing I value most these days and past couple of years. I have noticed that when I get adequate sleep I make healthier food decisions and vice versa.

I am not always the one dictating how much sleep I get, but I have made it a priority to make better eating choices no matter how many hours of z’s I get.

I want to ditch my quick solution of diet caffeinated soda, and find energy through exercise endorphins instead.

Tune in with me Sundays at 8pm ET and feel inspired to find out what’s holding you back in being your best self on The Big Fat Truth.

And don’t forget to join the FREE Big Fat 30 Day Challenge to get health and wellness tips from executive producer JD Roth!

Monday Motivation … It Feels Good To Work

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adidas shorts (pac sun) / guess tee (pac sun) / adidas climacool shoes (pac sun) / white sunnies (banana republic)

 

adidas shorts (pac sun) / guess tee (pac sun) / adidas climacool shoes (pac sun) / white sunnies (banana republic)

Saturday sprints, sore Sunday , Monday motivation…

I recently started working out and have felt like J-E-L-L-O every time I would run on the treadmill.

On Saturday I switched up my routine and did a solid 30 mins of sprints and my body feels amazing. I forgot how good it felt to sweat and to feel sore like that.

This is my recent sprint schedule I just did it again today and I already felt stronger. I am excited to build back my endurance and strength.

I call this the 3 : 2 schedule

3 mins at speed 4 (slow jog/ speed walk)

2 mins at speed 7 (run) – I will eventually get to an 8

<<repeat>>

3 mins at speed 4

2 mins at speed 7

Do this 6 times, for a half an hr, and your body will feel amazing! You will sweat and feel great.

*Bonus, the time goes so fast!

It feels good to work, and to see/feel results

This is so true in every aspect of life.

<i.e. >

This morning my oldest (5) dropped his bowl of cereal, I went down to pick it up, reminded myself and him that it feels good to work, so I handed him a dishrag to help me. I’m not sure how good he felt about having to clean, but we did have a good conversation. He told me that he would like to go on a date with just him and no other babies. A conversation I might not have had if I had just cleaned up the mess for him and let him sit there. Instead we worked and talked on the floor together.

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