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My hair is so hard to tame at times-especially in the summer months when the humidty is crazy here in Florida. But, I finally found something that not only helped my curls stay less frizzy, but it also strengthened them! Say hello to the HYDR-8 Collection from Vegamour.

These results are from just after one week of usage. Before Vegamour, my hair tended to frizz up a lot and looked like a hot mess. After just one week of using the HYDR-8 collection, I noticed:

  • Less breakage
  • Better curls
  • Less frizz
  • More gloss
  • Softer hair

Another thing that I love about the HYDR-8 Collection by Vegamour is that IT’S CLEAN! I am SUPER picky about what goes on my hair and wont use any silicones or nasty ingrdients that could damage my hair or curls in the long run. Their products contain no silicone thank goodness. So what is the secret?

The HYDR-8 Collection is powered by Karmatin™ to revive dry, damaged hair for an unparalleled glass-like shine. Most people experienced up to 15x more hydration after just one use. 97% said hair felt more manageable and was less frizzy which I can concur!

I start off my routine with the HYDR-8 Shampoo and Conditioner Kit. I have to rave about this and say that it smells SO GOOD. I also love how the shampoo does not dry my hair out as this is a common issue I face with most shampoos for curls.

After I am done cleansing and conditioning, I use the HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask every few days as my hair is in pretty bad shape with breakage. Now I only use this once a week or as needed when my hair needs a little TLC. My hair instantly feels hydrated after one use of this stuff.

I like using the HYDR-8 Leave-In Conditioner on a daily basis when I am styling my hair. Not only does it add hydration, it makes my curls bouncy and soft without feeling as if its building up in my hair. None of Vegamour’s products are greasy or heavy by the way!

I am so thrilled to have gotten to try the new HYDR-8 collection from Vegamour. I have heard of how amazing their haircare lines were, but truly happy my curls got to experience the magic!

Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by Truvaga. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Can you imagine stress relief at your fingertips, literally? Now, you can! Meet Truvaga-handheld vagus nerve stimulator that reduces stress. Read more below to see how it fits into my summe wellness routine!

So what is Truvaga? It is a small hand held wellness device that works alongside your body to counterbalance your fight or flight response, reducing stress, enhancing mood, focus and sleep via 2 minute long sessions. It simply reminds me of a TENS unit for your nerves, if that makes any sense.

How does Truvaga work? Truvaga’s patented energy signals penetrate the skin and underlying soft tissues to reach the vagus nerve directly, only 1.5cm beneath the skin. It’s an easy, proven way to safely and effectively stimulate the vagus nerve where it counts. Dont worry-it is super gentle and feels great. No shocks or jolts whatsoever.

One quick thing to note about the Truvaga device is that it is not rechargeable, once all sessions are complete, the customer would need to purchase a new product. Note: it does not expire at 6 months as the battery is designed to cover 350 sessions. To use, you will apply the jelly as shown below to help with the conduction,

Step one is to find your vagus nerve. You will then fee where you feel your pulse on the side of your neck which will show you the correct spot to place your Truvaga device. Keeping the electrodes against your neck, increase the intensity (with the “+” button) until you notice a tingling sensation or a slight muscle contraction at the corner of your mouth. You should feel a tingling sensation that is strong but comfortable, this is typically felt between intensity levels 15-25.

Once you’ve found the right location and intensity level, hold Truvaga in place until it beeps twice. This indicates the end of your 2-minute session. Truvaga will automatically turn off after your session. When finished, remove Truvaga from your neck and wipe off any remaining gel on Truvaga and your neck using a soft cloth or tissue. Replace the caps, and you’ll be ready for your next session.

I personally use my Truvaga once in the morning and once at bedtime for best results. I am truly thankful for this medicine-free approach to stress-relief! As you can see, Truvaga is a win for my summer routine! Another cool thing that I love about my Truvaga, as I mentioned above, is that it comes programmed with 350 sessions, which if used twice daily will last approximately 6 months!

Ready to try Truvaga on your own? They offer free standard shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Simply click here to shop and get started!

I have always taken prenatal vitamins. I learned the trick while I was in nursing school from a friend who swore by it for healthy hair growth. And of course, throughout my two pregnancies, it was a no-brainer so stay on them. But unfortunately, not every prenatal vitamin is created equally.

I was introduced to Beli prenatal vitamins a few months ago and I cannot begin to tell you how much I truly love them. I actually wrote a blog on just the prenatals which you can read here. Why do I love them so much? Simply put: it’s made with ingredients that you actually need to support not only a healthy pregnancy, but also a healthy delivery as well. If you are TTC or trying to conceive, it boosts your fertility and improves your egg health which is so vital!

In the next year or so, I will be embarking on my own pregnancy journey (for the third time) via IVF with my soon to be husband and you bet that Beli will be my BFF. It will also be my husband’s BFF, too. They offer a men’s prenatal! That is right. It helps to increase sperm count, improve sperm quality, and improve egg penetration. If you are on a TTC (trying to conceive) journey, I would highly recommend this for your partner as well.

That isn’t even the most exciting news….. Beli has launched a new product: Beli Collagen Protein Boost. As a mega fan of taking my collagen every morning in my coffee, I cannot say how thrilled I am about this! Just one scoop of Beli’s prenatal collagen protein boost provides the recommended amounts of pure protein plus essential amino acids needed to support baby’s growth and nurture mama during preconception, pregnancy, and post-partum recovery. This is the perfect companion to your prenatal workouts!

You can throw this powder into a smoothie or add it to your protein shakes, but I personally enjoy a scoop in my morning coffee!

How does it help exactly? It helps to maintain balanced blood sugar and promotes healthy pregnancy weight. Collagen protein is easier to digest, can reduce nausea symptoms, and boosts immune system. But that’s not all… this supplement also helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, supports healthy hair growth and recovery, repairs and regenerate tissues. It can also help reduce stress and balance hormones to alleviate some mood disorders.

As always, Beli Baby goodies are made with the best ingredients. No hormones, non-GMO, and science backed.

Beli prenatal vitamins are only $50 a month for a 30-day supply subscription. The great news is that you may cancel anytime, there is free shipping, and if you dislike it they will pay for it.

Use code SIAC for 15% off and click here to shop all Beli goodies.

Summer has officially started with a BANG! We have so many plans for good family time: we are leaving this weekend to go to a water park in Tennessee and we will be heading to Nevada next month. This means plenty of walking so I decided to make sure that my kids had the best and most comfortable sneakers. I chose adidas sneakers because my fiance and I have been loving ours and we wanted to spread the comfort!

First things first: my children LOVE Legos. When I browsed the adidas site, I saw that they had a collaboration with LEGO® and I had to grab a pair or two for the kids! When their new sneakers arrived, they could not believe their eyes. Not only did their shoes resemble their beloved activity, there was an actual “Lego” at the bottom of each shoe!

I got my daughter the ADIDAS X LEGO® RACER TR21 ELASTIC LACE AND TOP STRAP SHOES in bliss orchid color. She could not wait to put them on and asked if she could show them off at school… unfortunately I had to remind her that it is now summer and that her new Sneakers were for our summer trips since there would be a lot of walking! She put them on and did not want to take them off. Tthe elastic laces and a hook-and-loop strap ensure a snug fit through any adventure and I love how this line is made with a series of recycled materials.

As for my son, I chose the ADIDAS X LEGO® TECH RNR ELASTIC LACE SHOES in shock blue. I cannot tell you how many legos this little guy has built, but when he opened his adidas box, his face lit up. He, too, wanted to wear his new shoes to school to show his friends! But again, I reminded him that his new sneakers were for our upcoming summer family trips so that he could run around and play without discomfort. Thanks to the torsion System that offers stability with every jump and leap and the hook-and-loop strap that ensures easy on and off, he will stay comfortable throughout any activity.

If you are struggling to find the perfect sneaker for your kid this summer, be sure to check out adidas. And if your kid is a fan of Lego, definitely browse the Lego collection and surprise your child with the ultimate gift!


Disclaimer: I was given a pair of OrthoFeet to try, at no cost. All opinions are my very own.

As I have gotten older, I have noticed how much it hurts to be on my feet! Welcome to 34, I suppose. The same ole Nikes I used to jump around in and go grocery shopping with just feel off. That is why I wanted a shoe that was a bit kinder to my feet for everyday normal wear. Say hello to OrthoFeet!

OrthoFeet offers shoes for everyday life and professional settings like healthcare, construction, and food service. As a personal trainer, I love them for my walks and playtime at the park with my children. It helps me to keep up with them without constantly stopping to adjust my shoes for more comfort. In fact, these shoes are so comfortable and lightweight that OrthoFeet is doctor recommended and has over 125k 5-star reviews!


The shoe that I am wearing is the Coral Stretch Knit in Turquoise. It fits true to size (I am a 7.5). It features Premium Orthotic Insoles with anatomical arch support (removable) and Arch Booster re-align the foot and entire body posture and Adjustable Arch Support. The wide toe box is what truly matters most to me for alleviating my corns. I also love the cushioning sole with a mild Rocker that improves the ease of walking and adds spring to your step! If you choose this shoe, you will love its features. However, there are so many different styles and colors of other OrthoFeet shoes to choose from.

Other than being extremely comfortable and lightweight, OrthoFeet alleviates and supports 20+ mobility and foot conditions including Plantar Fasciitis, Heel and Foot pain, bunions, corns, calluses, and neuroma, and products for individuals with diabetes, arthritis, and Neuropathy. I personally deal with corns on my little toe which is why I primarily wore flip flops. These shoes actually do not aggravate this anymore!

Inside your shoe box, you will notice a few accessories that come with your OrthoFeet shoe including spacers in case your shoe is too loose and extra shoe laces. Your shoe also includes an Orthofeet Arch Booster that can be added under the orthotic insole to increase the support to the arch and reduce pressure at the heel and ball of the foot. Also OrthoFeet does give a 60 day love it or hate it money back guarantee which is nice!

Overall, I am obsessed with my new OrthoFeet shoes! It is so nice having footwear now that feels extra comfy and wont hurt my toes as most footwear does. If you have any podiatry issues or simply want some TLC for your feet, I highly recommend a pair. You won’t be sorry!

Disclaimer: We were gifted amazing new adidas sneakers in exchange for this honest blog post.

Y’all, I am so excited to be a part of the adidas blogger community! I’ve been an adidas fan since my very first tracksuit as a 7 year old so it was no shocker that I jumped at this opportunity.

My fiancé and I decided to invest in some new adidas his and her kicks for the summer and I’m so glad we did because other than their amazing track suits, they’re known for their shoes. We were sent an adidas gift card to splurge on whatever we wanted so checkout what we decided on!

My fiancé Scotty chose were the adidas Forum Low Shoes which mix leather and suede for a unique feel. These are a new play on the classic style when it debuted in 1984 so it has a bit of a modern meets retro vibe.
The first thing he said was “wow, these are super comfy shoes!” He wanted some causal lifestyle sneakers that would go with most daily outfits so he was super pleased with his choice. I personally think he looks cute in them and if I were a guy, I would totally choose these adidas! 

I personally chose the adidas by Stella McCartney Ultraboost Light Running Shoes. These shoes make running feel like heaven! The adidas PRIMEKNIT upper is engineered with mesh inserts for a breezy feel. They’re also made with sustainable materials because it’s yarn in the upper part of the shoe contains at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic and 50% recycled polyester. Overall, I feel support in them and I feel light with each step. And holy moly they’re cute-I get way too many compliments! I paired mine with adidas no show socks that you can view here.

Being a huge Stella McCartney fan, this isn’t the first time I’ve purchased from this particular collab. I also have some super cute adidas leggings with mesh holes in them that are also Stella. It’s a bit pricey, but worth every single penny as Stella McCartney is a well know worldwide fashion designer. Therefore you know you’re getting a quality yet stylish shoe.

Overall, my fiancé and I are very happy with our adidas shoe picks. It honestly makes me want to try more shoes from adidas! I highly recommend the shoes and the socks!

So, you just found out that you are pregnant. Congratulations! Now what?

The very first thing that you should do after finding out that you are newly pregnant is getting a good prental vitamin to support both you and baby. When we are pregnant, we need more vitamins and minerals to help support the entire process. There are even certain minerals that baby needs for vital spine and brain development! However, it can get super confusing because there are so many on the market these days, but which one is the best?

If I were pregnant for a third time around, I would choose Beli Baby prental vitamins, which are delivered straight to your door each month. I feel any woman could benefit from taking a prenatal vitamin whether or not you are trying to conceive or are already pregnant because, hello nice and stronger hair, skin, and nails. Postpartum mamas may benefit as well because this particular prenatal supports postpartum recovery and breastfeeding.

With only three pills a day, I noticed a pleasant minty aroma when taking each pill.

Why do I like it? Here are a few reasons:

  • third party tested
  • the first to have the right amount of choline in a prenatal
  • improves egg quality
  • protects baby’s brain and spine
  • supports bone density for mama and baby
  • helps reduce nausea
  • help maintain energy levels throughout pregnancy and postpartum
  • supports postpartum recovery and breastfeeding
  • boost fertility for healthy conception

What are some key ingredients?

  • Folate/Folic acid: Helps prevent birth defects and supports the general growth and development of the fetus and placenta
  • Iron: Helps red blood cells deliver oxygen to your fetus
  • Iodine: Essential for healthy brain development
  • Choline: Important for the development of your fetus’s brain and spinal cord
  • Vitamin C: Promotes healthy gums, teeth, and bones
  • Vitamin A: Forms healthy skin, eyesight, and bone growth
  • Vitamin B6: Helps form red blood cells and helps your body use fat, protein, and carbohydrates
  • Vitamin B12: Maintains the nervous system and helps create red blood cells
  • Calcium: Builds strong teeth and bones
  • Vitamin D: Builds your fetus’s bones and teeth and promotes healthy eyesight and skin
Award-Winning Women's Prenatal Vitamins | Beli Baby

Beli Baby prenatal vitamins are only $50 a month for a 30-day supply subscription. The great news is that you may cancel anytime, there is free shipping, and if you dislike it they will pay for it.

Another cool thing about the Beli brand? They offer a men’s prenatal! That is right. It helps to increase sperm count, improve sperm quality, and improve egg penetration. If you are on a TTC (trying to conceive) journey, I would highly recommend this for your partner as well.

Use code SIAC for 15% off and click here to shop all Beli goodies.

Are you a carb lover? Me too! This is why I was so excited when I got asked to partner up with Wildgrain.

Wildgrain is a bread subscription box that is delivered right to your door each and every month and I am here to tell you why you are going to want to try it this spring!

What is it? Basically you receive a box full of frozen goodies: unbaked artisanal breads, fresh pasta, and even tasty pastries from small batch bakeries all around. So if you are into supporting a small business, this helps with that. Also, with every one membership, Wildgrain donates 6 meals.to The Greater Boston Food Bank. How sweet is that? My box arrived packed with dry ice to keep everything nice and frozen by the time it reached my front door. And the sweet part? Every item from the box bakes in 25 minutes or less-how’s that for a busy mom? Oh and no goodies have to be thawed in advance. *happy dance*

What was in the box? There are two Wildgrain box options (the price is the same and you can switch anytime). The Mixed Wildgrain Box includes a mix of sourdough bread, hand-cut pasta and artisanal pastries. The Wildgrain Bakery Box includes a mix of sourdough bread, breakfast baked goods and artisanal pastries. The box that I received was the Mixed Wildgrain Box and so I highly recommend that one!

The boxes change month to month, but this box contained the following items:

Here are all my lovely carb-filled goodies that came inside my box.

First up, the pastas! I was sent Fettuccine (my favorite!) and Tonnarelli.

Next up are the breads. OOOOOFFF. I was sent fresh Sourdough (my favorite), Slow Fermented 3-Seed Bread, and Sourdough Rolls.

Next up in my box were these cute Cherry Pie Bites. The kids loved these in particular and so did I! We actually packed them and brought them to the pool. Out of all goodies, these pie bites were my absolutely fave.

Lastly, in the box, there were crossaints. By the way, from now until March 31st, you can get FREE croissaints for LIFE. You are welcome.

How to get a box: Each box costs $89 and includes free shipping in the continental United States. To get started simply click here to sign up for your first box and to take advantage of the free croissaints for life deal before it ends. They typically ship every month, but you can choose to receive your box every two weeks or 6 weeks if you prefer, but no matter what, delivery is always FREE. Also, you may skip or delay a shipment and cancel anytime

My personal thoughts: I highly suggest a Wildgrain subscription bread box for any busy mom on the planet. They are perfect for making a quick dinner or packing a picnic at the park, or for a sunny beach or pool day. The boxes are costly, but honestly its about the same price if not more if you were to purchase these items from an artisian bakery in person.

What I liked most about the box is that each item tasted fresh-as if it were never frozen. I honestly also enjoyed how quickly it made dinner prep on busy school nights for my family. The pastas in particular tasted WAY better than the boxed noodles that are purchased from stores. Also the ingredients are fresh and high quality in every item.

If you’re looking to treat yourself or your family, or you’re wanting to find some new high-quality artisan breads and pastries, I think it’s worth it! I would definitely give Wildgrain another try and you should, too. Use code SIA10 for a discount on your first box.

Disclaimer: I was sent a Wildgrain box to try, at no cost. All opinions are my very own and I was compensated for my post.

After 3 years of creating this app, I am so happy to announce that it is finally here and you can grab it in the Apple app store now by clicking here. An Android version is available here.

The app is home based workouts, similar to my Strong Body Guides but way better. Packed with a full year of workouts from the start, you will be given new weekly workouts with follow along videos and timers to prompt you along the way. The best part about it all? You dont need much equipment at all and you may take the app to the gym, if you want.

Each workout begins with a warmup, with an option to skip, if needed. Some days are HIIT warmups that features a HIIT timer that you can totally customize while others will include LISS with its own LISS timer that you can again customize. The main workout begins after logging your warmup, pick your favorite song, and GO! The whole workout stays timed and you can pause to return at any moment. When you are done with your workouts, you will then head to an option to cool down OR try one of our mini app workout challenges if you crave more sweat. The cool downs include foam rolling and stretching, led by video and timer.

Also in the app is a water tracker to help you track water intake to reach the standard goal. Your water tracker will then keep a log of all of your days you used it.

Stronger: Women’s Fitness App also includes a meal plan with a choice to choose a standard, vegetarian, or vegan diet. To better accomodate your dietary needs, there is a macro and calorie calculator to help you reach your goals. After setting it up, you will get access to the app’s recipes in which you can build your own meal plan. Once you choose your meals, it will auto generate a grocery list for you! How cool is that?

Another fun part of the app is progress photo tracking within the app. Take photos of your body changes and even create collages to share so you can SEE the changes.

Other cool parts of the app are a forum where you can chat with other users and an education section to learn more about fitness. At this time, this app is tailored to general fitness which means any woman can do it! In the future, I do plan to add a prenatal workout program for pregnant mamas as well as a Diastasis Recti & Pelvic Floor program for my postpartum mamas.

The success of my app will determine new future additions so please go download, try it for free for 7 days, and let me know what you think by leaving a review on the Apple Store. As always, thank you all for the support. It means the world to me! Download the app now. If you are Android, click here to download the app.

App Feature List:
Apple & Android versions
Facebook & Google integration
Google Calendar integration
IAP Subscriptions
Community forum and messaging
Camera integration
Nutrition macro calculator
Water tracker
Reminders
Progress tracker with photos and measurements
Custom CMS for user and content management
Google Fit integration
Spotify & Apple Music integration
Custom workout plans
Push notifications
Meal tracker and shopping list
Recipe database
Education section
Save to favorite capability
LISS and HIIT timers

If you are here, chances are you either have or think you may have Diastasis Recti. I’ve written countless blogs and created many workouts for Diastasis Recti, but this time I simply wanted to give you a quick list of Diastasis Recti safe exercises that you can do on a whim!

Please note that this is just a list of exercises to complete at your own discretion which means you can decide how many reps and sets or even what moves to do. This is not a workout plan. but if you ARE seeking a Diastasis Recti workout plan, be sure to checkout my 12 Week Diastasis Recti Guide.

What is Diastasis Recti and Why Does It Happen?

Moves to Avoid:

  • Anything that “pushes” your tummy out
  • Any form of crunches
  • Heavy lifting of any sort
  • Push ups
  • Front planks of any sort
  • Quadrupled positions (this is a gray area-some are acceptable to do, just monitor)
  • Anything unsupported on your hands and knees
  • Abdominal exercises that flex the upper spine: crunches, curls, V-ups, bicycles, etc.
  • Excessive twisting movements—especially with arms reaching
  • Yoga poses or other moves that stretch the front of the abs like cow pose, upward facingdog, backbends, etc.

15 Diastasis Recti Safe Exercises

  1. Wall Sit
  2. Heel Slide
  3. Supine Pillow Squeeze
  4. Posterior Pelvic Tilt
  5. Bent Knee Deadbug
  6. Bird Dog Hold
  7. Glute Bridge
  8. Elevated Bent Knee V-Tap
  9. Heel Touches
  10. Lying Bent Knee Pull
  11. Clamshells
  12. Side Lying Hip Adduction
  13. Single Straight Leg Lift
  14. Lying Knee Drop
  15. Modified Side Plank

Watch the video below for a how-to for each exercises.

If you enjoyed these exercises, be sure to take a look at my 12 Week Diastasis Recti Guide. All exercises are done from home and teh plan is broken up into 3 phases. It only takes 12 minutes per day! Also comes with a free online support group + step by step images of every move-yours to keep for forever. Here is a client below after just 12 weeks on my guide: this has been one of the best progress pictures to date!

Before

After

Have you all noticed the cute new little feature on my blog posts? It’s called Thank with Google and it is an experimental feature and part of a pilot test program that allows users like you to purchase a virtual sticker to “thank” me for my blog posts.

I was selected to be one of Google’s paid early testers for this fun pilot program to see how you guys respond to the new change. I enjoy the new Thank with Google feature because it is a fun and creative way for you to interact with me so that I know you appreciate my content.

It is simple to use! All you have to do is click the “Thank the creator” button found in multiple places on my posts and choose a cute virtual sticker to send along to me. There are many stickers to choose from and when you send a paid sticker, you can even write me a little message to send along with it. The stickers translate into direct revenue for me, which I always appreciate!

I encourage you all to hit the Thank with Google button and see what it’s all about. As always I thank you for your continued support. If you do use the button and love it, please let me know!

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