MegaFood Kids Nutrient Booster Powders {Review}

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.


Fresh from Farm to Powder™, MegaFood is as real as it gets. Since 1973, MegaFood has been committed to making products that use real food from family-owned farms to make a real difference, and has produced some of the most effective and award-winning supplements available today. A pioneer in the natural products industry, MegaFood was one of the first companies to make their FoodState® vitamin and minerals from scratch starting with farm fresh whole foods. MegaFood continues to innovate by manufacturing more than 36 individual FoodState Nutrients™ using their proprietary Slo-Food Process™, all in their own facility in New Hampshire.

I work at a wonderful local farm and have access to some of the best produce I have ever tasted. It is such a fantastic feeling to feed my family the freshest fruits and vegetables around, not to mention how much I love buying local and supporting an actual farm, as opposed to just going to the grocery and getting fruits and veg from who knows where. However, I do realize that even if I could get them to eat broccoli, kale, etc. several times per day, they still need additional supplements to get the maximum nutrition they need. So when I was recently given the opportunity to review the MegaFood Kids Nutrient Booster Powders™, I decided it would be a good opportunity to see if they would be a fit for us. 

If your little one cannot swallow pills or you can't find a chewable that is really healthy, these powders are the perfect solution! They are easy to mix into a smoothie or glass of juice. I have plans to stir them into soups, stews and curries this autumn and winter, as well. 

This is what came in my sample box:

Kids Daily Multi, Kids Daily Immune, Kids Daily B-Centered, recipe cards and a reusable Mega Food bag.

I was especially excited about the Kids' Daily Multi containing turmeric, as I have read over and over how beneficial it is! In case you haven't heard about it, click here or here.

We decided to use one of the recipe cards that was included in our sample box and make the no bake Peanut Power Bites. My 11 and 9 year old girls made them with no help at all from me. Super easy and healthy! The other thing I love about these powders is that they contain no artificial sweeteners. I'm always surprised (and appalled) when so-called health products contain those poisons. These do not (see below for additional health info)!

Just The Facts

• It’s tough getting our kids to take their vitamins. That’s why MegaFood partnered with Kauai Organic Farms, Lundberg Family Farms, and Uncle Matt’s Organic to whip up kid-friendly powders that can be slipped into just about anything, making good nutrition just that much easier to swallow. MegaFood Kids Booster Powders are perfect for children who have difficulty swallowing, or resist taking a tableted multivitamin. They’re easy to digest and don’t cause stomach upset. Like all MegaFood supplements, they’re tested free of gluten, dairy, soy, pesticides and herbicides. And, unlike other kids vitamin brands, MegaFood Nutrient Booster Powders contain NO sugars, sweeteners, flavorings, colorings or preservatives! MegaFood offers three Kids Nutrient Booster Powders to support the health and well-being of children five years of age and older.
• Kids Daily Multi: Kids Daily Multi promotes well-being and healthy development, with organic turmeric, carrots, fresh fruits and 23 essential vitamins and minerals per serving.*
• Kids Daily Immune: Kids Daily Immune, featuring oranges from Uncle Matt’s Organic and elderberry & echinacea, promotes and helps to strengthen a healthy immune response year round.*
• Kids Daily B-Centered: Kids Daily B-Centered featuring Lundberg Family Farms organic brown rice, provides daily support for mental focus, cognitive function, and a sense of calmness.* Formulated with a full spectrum of FoodState® B Vitamins, this blend supports healthy mental and physical energy levels.*

(*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)

If it's a challenge for you to get your children to eat healthy foods on a regular basis, first, I would encourage you to find a local farm and join their CSA program. It is so beneficial to connect with local farmers and have our children see where food comes from! Second, if you're like many American families and not getting enough nutrition from your food, especially if you have children who are picky eaters, MegaFood supplements would be a great solution for bringing more health into your daily life. 

Check them out today.

Family Recipes - Mom's Minestrone Soup

One of my favourite things to do is to make a scrumptious dinner for my sweet family. And when it's one of my Mom's recipes, it's even more special. This is Mom's Minestrone Soup. I need to ask her where this recipe came from, as I'm 99.8% certain that we have no Italian heritage. You wouldn't know it, by how much we enjoy Italian foods, though. And this is one of our faves.

Mom's original recipe called for dried kidney beans. I don't think I've ever made it with dried beans, but feel free to do so. The above photo is incomplete, as I had forgotten to get out the garlic. And another ingredient that's missing is fresh spinach, because I had forgotten that I used the spinach in another dish a few nights ago. Whoops.

It starts with chopping some yummy veggies - celery, carrots and garlic. Sauté the trio in a little butter and olive oil for 3 or 4 minutes, then add in 3 cans of kidney beans, that have been drained, rinsed and half of them crushed. Mix in a large can of crushed tomatoes, some dried basil, dried parsley, 3 bay leaves, 2 boxes of chicken broth (or water), salt and pepper. Let that simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Add in the macaroni pasta and cook for 15 more minutes. 

Fresh Parmesan cheese is the perfect topping to this delicious and filling soup. Serve with garlic bread or bread sticks, like I did last night or just add a green salad. Either way, it's the perfect meal for a chilly January night.

Mom's Minestrone Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 carrots, sliced
4 celery stalks with leaves, sliced
4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
3 cans kidney beans, drained, rinsed and half of the beans crushed
1 large can crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried parsley
3 bay leaves
2 boxes of chicken broth (or the equivalent of water)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
1 to 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
2 cups macaroni pasta
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Chop celery, carrots and garlic. Sauté the trio in a little butter and olive oil for 3 or 4 minutes, add in kidney beans. Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried parsley, bay leaves, chicken broth (or water), salt and pepper. Let that simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Add in the macaroni pasta and cook for 15 more minutes. Add spinach in last 5 minutes of cooking.

Add Parmesan cheese as a garnish. Enjoy!

This recipe serves 8. It can easily be vegetarian by switching the chicken broth to vegetable broth or water. And it's a frugal recipe, too!

Blessings and love. xo

Taking Care of Me . . . Fighting Fit

Good morning! I shared over the weekend that I have a plan to take better care of myself in 2016 {and beyond}. One of the ways I am committed to a better me is to get back in to exercising on a regular basis. 

Today I am happy to share my new program and to offer you a chance to get in on it {- with a coupon code}! I started Fighting Fit this morning and am SO excited! Like I mentioned last week, I really haven't taken very good care of myself in the last couple of years. I used to get out to walk or take the kids hiking more often, but that has fallen by the wayside somewhere. So in taking care of myself this year, exercise has to be on the agenda. It felt SO good to get back to it this morning. 

Meet fellow Virginian, Seo Kelleher of Fighting Fit! Seo has a passion to see others empowered through fitness. She is the owner of CO2Fit and the creator of the Fighting Fit Workout Videos.

Check out a preview here . . . 


This is a workout just about anyone can do. Whether you are already working out or, like me, are starting fresh, these workouts are perfect. Seo has used her kickboxing skills to design these workouts, but if you've never done kickboxing before, no fear! You can do this. She explains each set clearly and of course with demonstration. This workout is for all shapes, sizes and skill levels. There are two other ladies in the videos with Seo. One demonstrates a slower pace and the other a quicker pace. It's easy to pick which one you most relate to and follow her. Or, you can switch it up and go back and forth. 

I started out at a slow pace this morning, and since I'm just getting back into it, will likely maintain that slower pace for this week. I'll evaluate how I'm feeling next Monday and hopefully can pick up the pace a little more. That's another beautiful thing about this program, there is freedom to slow down, increase speed or even just take a break and shake it off. My goal is to workout 4 or 5 mornings per week. I already feel better just knowing I have this fabulous resource and can get my body stronger and in better shape. My ultimate goal: to be as *badass* as Natasha Romanov! Ha!

These videos are in digital download form, so just download them on your laptop, and you're set. You can workout in the privacy of your bedroom, living room or office. There are three 15 minute workouts included. You can choose one or mix and match two or all three. 

Buy Fighting Fit today and get started! And a huge thanks to Seo for giving my readers 15% off with coupon code: SR15 !

Cheers to happy and healthier lives this year! 

Blessings and love. xo

Disclaimer: This post contains my referral links. Thank you!

Taking Care of Me . . .

Hi Friend,

Happy 2016! Isn't it always thrilling to start something fresh and new?! I love getting my new calendar for dreaming and planning and praying about the adventures ahead. All those stark white squares just waiting to be filled up with coloured ink and pencil. I'm ready to write in my new Polestar Family Calendar (my fave for the past eight years!), and one of the categories I am including this year is care for myself.

Over the past six months or so, Bob and I have been talking about how much we have not taken care of ourselves over the years. It's a tough confession to make. It stinks. We had really taken on this poverty mentality as Christians, and especially in ministry. We didn't even realize it for many years. Or I guess we thought that was how we were suppose to think as ministers and missionaries. Serve, serve, serve. Deny yourself. Keep giving. It was wrong, and we have confessed, repented and are breaking free from that twisted mentality. Thank You, Jesus.

One of the ways I have personally not taken care of myself is in the realm of exercise. Especially since we had to move out of our previous house so suddenly and moved into this one, I have let exercise and self-care fly right out the window. This year, I'm committed to taking it back. I'll be sharing Monday about how I plan to get in shape. It's a fantastic program. I love the simplicity and look forward to sharing it with you!

I'll also be coming back with updates on what I am doing, not only physically, but mentally, spiritually and emotionally to take care of me. And if you have realized you need a little more self-care in your own life, I hope you'll join me on this journey in 2016. I know that if I take care of myself in a more healthy and wholesome way, I will be a better person - wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and neighbour. 

I cannot wait!

Blessings and love. xo

Encore Day - The Essential Oils Revolution!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

There's still time to get in on the incredible education that's been going on this week with The Essential Oils Revolution! This summit is non-branded and no oils are being advertised or sold. This is strictly a teaching event. I have had so much fun learning more about oils this week.

Take a look at the Encore Speakers . . . 

And if you're just now hearing about this summit or if you've had to miss out due to your busy schedule, you have the opportunity to purchase all the talks, so no need to worry. You haven't missed out after all! Woohoo!

Go HERE to see make your purchase now!

Blessings and love. xo

The Essential Oils Revolution: Register Now!

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

I am SO excited to tell you about this upcoming event that I cannot wait any longer! We have been using Essential Oils in our home for over a year, and what amazing results we have seen! If you have been at all curious about the EO craze you may have heard about from your sister-in-law or seen all over social media, this event is for you! And even if you already use sell Essential Oils in your home, there is so much to learn from these speakers. I cannot wait for May to get here!

People all across the world are scrambling to find natural solutions to their health problems. Of all the “alternative” options, essential oils are currently the hottest trend toward regaining control of your health!

WHY ATTEND?

With 31 presentations containing relevant evidence and practical advice from the experts, The Essential Oils Revolution will help you use essential oils effectively and confidently. This event is the first-ever, online, brand-generic event to include experts from every field, including aromatherapy, direct sales, medicine and research.

Register for FREE now at the following link:

Register Now!

Important Things You’ll Learn About Essential Oils:

• Understand what essential oils are and why they are popular today
• Why essential oils are nature’s BEST medicine
• How to use essential oils safely and effectively
• Tips for regaining control of your health with essential oils
• Pain and stress remedies using essential oils
• Culinary uses for essential oils
• How to use essential oils for high performance health
• Essential oils for animal aromatherapy
• And so much more!

Here are a few of the incredible experts who will speak at The Essential Oils Revolution:

• Robert Pappas, PhD, Essential Oil Adulteration
• Jordan S. Rubin NMD, PhD, Biblically-Based Essential Oil Uses
• Josh Axe, DC, CNS, Essential Oils for Gut, Thyroid and Adrenals
• Sylla & Nyssa Hanger, MA, LMT, RYT, Essential Oil Safety
• Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(NA), Homeopath & Mother Raised Children with No Meds, Ever!

With 25+ additional presenters sharing their expertise about essential oils, this invaluable (and FREE) resource is intended for everyone everywhere!

Better yet, if you register today, you’ll have access to the following FREE GIFTS as soon as you register! 

• EARLY ACCESS to Dr. Axe’s expert talk, Essential Oils for Gut, Thyroid and Adrenals
• EARLY ACCESS to Dr. Pappas’ expert talk, Essential Oil Adulteration
• The King’s Medicine Cabinet Essential Oils eGuide by Dr. Josh Axe
• The Essential Homestead: Using Essential Oils in the Home, Barnyard and Beyond eBook by Jill Winger
• Using God’s Medicine For The Abundant Life ebook by Dr. Eric L. Zielinski

The Essential Oils Revolution (ONLINE and FREE) from May 11-18, 2015!

Register for FREE at the following link today:

Register Now!

I’ll see you at the revolution!

Blessings and love. xo

Weekly Menu Plan {8 September}

Hello and Happy Monday! 

I hope your week is starting out on a positive note. We dived into our second week of school, and I am pretty pleased with the way things are going. There are almost always tweaks and interruptions and some weeks that schedules change or we add in a field trip, but I think things are getting off to a good beginning.

Here is my supper plan for this week . . .

Monday -  Ree's Pasta with Whiskey, Wine and Mushrooms, salad, baguette 

Tuesday - Beef and Vegetable Soup (Emma's night to cook - I'm not sure what she decided on but something similar to this recipe.)

Wednesday - Slow Cooker Cacciatore Chicken Recipe, rice, salad, green beans

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Fried Rice

Saturday - Hot dogs, chips, baked beans

Sunday - Snack-y supper

Blessings and love. xo

Linking up: Menu Plan Monday and Good Tips Tuesday

Weekly Menu Plan {25 August}

Hello friends!

We have an exciting week here celebrating Emma's 18th birthday. Goodness, it's hard to believe I just wrote EIGHTEENTH! What? Time keeps marching on, doesn't it? 

We have added some new components to our schedule for the first time this week - Bob has new work hours and Ava starts soccer. Plus I'm still adjusting to Emma's new work schedule, as well. Isn't it a constant factor to keep schedules straight and plan accordingly?

Here's what I have planned for this week:

Monday - Steak bites on the grill, sweet potato fries, salad

Tuesday - Macaroni and cheese (Emma's night to cook)

Wednesday - Birthday dinner for Emma (one night early, due to her work schedule)!

Thursday - Asian Lettuce Wraps

Friday - Curried Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions

Saturday - Thai Coconut Soup with Bok Choy and Mushrooms

Sunday - Snack-y supper

In case you missed it and would like help thinking of what to make for lunch, here is my post on Homemade Lunch Ideas!

Blessings and love. xo

Linking up: Menu Plan Monday and Good Tips Tuesday  

Coconut Oil - Buy 2, Get 2 FREE

Tropical Traditions is having a great sale on many of their products! Don't miss it! Here are just a few of the items which are on sale:

$9.99

33% OFF Organic Coconut Flour!

Tropical Traditions organic coconut flour is fiber from the coconut meat after most of the oil has been extracted to make Virgin Coconut Oil. It is certified organic, unsweetened, and has not been treated with sulfites. This coconut flour is high in dietary fiber and protein (over 19% non-gluten protein!). Since organic coconut flour contains natural sugar from the coconut meat, baked goods need less sugar added. The organic coconut flour has a mildly sweet coconut taste.

$39.90

Buy 2-Get 2 FREE! 4 Pints Virgin Coconut Oil

I use this organic coconut oil in my home on a daily basis! If you haven't used coconut oil before, check here for various uses.

$13.50

4 oz. Lavender Moisturizing Cream

This is the moisturizing cream I have sitting on my nightstand. I love it! 



Blessings and love. xo

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate or referral links. When you use these links to buy a product, I make a small commission. It does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your support and kindness!

Relay Foods

(Photo cred: Relay Foods)

Virginia Friends, this one's for you! Allow me introduce you to Relay Foods. 

What is Relay Foods, you may ask? Relay is the online grocery store where you’ll find the things you need from the best local stores, restaurants, and farms right in your own neighborhood. They’ve partnered with folks you may already know to provide all your grocery shopping needs—from basics, to specialty foods, to local produce, to… you name it! Instead of driving all over town - or multiple towns - order online and pick it up from a central location, or even better, have it delivered to your door. Fresh produce, eggs, milk, nuts, honey, bulk items, meats, salsas, yogurt, snacks and more!

I picked up my very first Relay Foods order yesterday and am so pleased with the surprises that came in my box! I wasn't sure what produce may be growing yet, since it's been a cool spring here in Northern Virginia and all that I had seen at our local farmers' market over the weekend was asparagus and lettuce. Maya went with me for the pick up and we were both delighted to find two bags of spring mix lettuce, strawberries, radishes - red and white, kale, asparagus, tomatoes and cilantro in our box! 

I had a lovely chat with Julie, the staff member on truck duty today. She informed me that Relay pays farmers 70 cents on the dollar (which, in case you are not aware, is about 60-70 times more than a regular grocery store pays). That is impressive. I love supporting local farmers.

Does anyone else get excited about the colours and smells of fresh produce? It's all so gorgeous and the strawberries, especially, smelled heavenly. I'm so glad my kids eat veggies. They were just as excited as I was to see what came in our box.

I went straight home and made a salad with homemade dressing for supper. Delicious!

If you are interested in this wonderful company, I want to highly recommend them to you.  Go here to place your first order and receive $30 off when you spend $50 or more. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your kindness!

The Mom Conference - 2 For 1 Mother's Day Special!

(Sorry, everyone! I had the wrong links earlier but I think I've fixed them all now!)

Guess what, friends!?! The Mom Conference is back with a special offer just for Mother's Day! If you regret missing this fantastic summit for moms the first time it was offered, here's your chance to get it for yourself - and for a friend. 

I enjoyed and learned from each and every Mom Conference session I have had the opportunity to listen to so far. Abby Smith from twistmepretty.com shares some great tips on hair care and styles. I completely connected with Jordan Page from funcheaporfree.com and her budgeting plan and have just started to implement it for my family. Nine year old Nicolas Come from nicolasgarden.com shares how to get your kids to eat healthier. Rich Christiansen form zigzagprinciple.com shares some powerful advice and personal stories on how to raise rock star kids. And SO MUCH MORE!

Mom Conference Two For One Mother's Day Special Buy Now!

Don't miss out on this special, very limited time offer! Now through Sunday at 11:59pm ET, you can get not One, but TWO Mom Conference packages for the price of one. For only $67, you get one to keep and one to share with a friend. How cool is that? Here's what's included for this fantastic price:

Download all 30 Video Slideshow Presentations

(A $997 Value)

Download all 30 Audio Presentations

(A $497 Value)

Download Hundreds of Pages of 

Mom Conference Transcripts

(A $297 Value)

Plus, you get over 20 Bonus Offers with your order!

Order Now

After Sunday, the price returns to $97.

Blessings and love. xo


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your kindness!

Thai Coconut Soup with Bok Choy and Mushrooms

Oh my word. This soup is heavenly. Seriously. I could eat it once a week, which means you will probably see it popping up on the menu plan more often. I started with this recipe, but it was a little too involved (I don't even own a dehydrator)  and too "raw" for my crew. So I came up with my own version and everyone enjoyed it. Several of us went back for second bowls!


Thai Coconut Soup with Bok Choy and Mushrooms

3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 inch piece ginger, chopped
1-2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. turmeric
2 boxes chicken broth
2 cans coconut milk
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 tsp. fish sauce
1 16 oz. pkg. rice vermicelli (I wanted rice noodles, and will hopefully have those for next time, but my little grocery store doesn't carry them, so I used regular spaghetti noodles, which worked just fine.)
1 pkg. mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch bok choy, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

Melt Coconut Oil in heavy saucepan. Add in garlic and ginger and sauté for one minute. Add in cumin and turmeric and stir for one minute. Pour in chicken broth, coconut milk, soy sauce and fish sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add in noodles. Cook five minutes. Add in mushrooms and bok choy. Cook 5-7 additional minutes. Taste to check if salt and/or pepper is needed. 

And if you're like me, add plenty of Sriracha! It makes the world go 'round. 

Enjoy! 

Blessings and love! xo

I'm linking up with Good Tips Tuesday, The Gathering Spot and The Hip Homeschool Hop.

Disclaimer: This post contains referral links. Thank you for your kindness!