Motherhood requires levels of energy I never anticipated. It requires stamina and feeling good...for all the trips up and down the stairs, hunting for toys under the sofa, and for making dinner with one arm while carrying a child with the other. But, more importantly, being a mother requires wellness for all the fun and wonderful memories ready to be made. Taking hikes, crawling into homemade forts, throwing the football, running after a little one learning to ride a bike...there's no one else who can take your place. Being a fun and active mom calls for a healthy mom.
I'm turned 38 last week, and feeling my best is not as easy to come by as it once was. With young children at home, moms tend to take care of everyone else but themselves. Sometimes we skip breakfast, make a meal out of potato chips and sour cream dip, or drink more coffee than we do water. I so often find myself campaigning for more nutrients in my boys' diets, while I forgo a healthier regimen. I always pay for it later when my entire system gets sluggish.
Then, add in stress and the challenges of real life, and you really see why the ancients thought that the stomach was the seat of one's emotions. What goes on with my belly usually makes a difference in my energy level, how I feel, and whether I go on a hike or stay on the couch.
I'm making an effort to be proactive in this more than ever before. Why? Because I want to be healthy enough and have enough energy to be the active mom I want to be with my six boys. And, these days, I'm looking to preventative forms of health, rather than simply addressing lack of energy with espresso or tummy trouble with antacids.
If you've been reading awhile, you know that we've been incorporating probiotics in our routine through yogurt, kombucha, and fermented foods. I quite enjoy the process of making some of these foods that carry probiotic benefits, but sometimes the help of an at-the-ready probiotic is convenient for a busy life and for travel.
Because i am a fan of probiotics, Nature's Way contacted me about their Probiotic Pearls, supplements that deliver active culture probiotics. I'm looking forward to incoporating these supplements in my daily routine as well as taking a few of these with us during any future travels. They don't require refrigeration, and are an easy way to include live cultures in your system while far from home and away from your normal diet. And because probiotic Pearls survive stomach acid, they can deliver good bacteria to your intestines allowing you to get after the things you have to do. They allow me to be there for all those active things my kids want their mom to do with them. And, that, is worth my energy.
The folks from BlogHer and Nature's Way are giving away a $100 SpaFinder gift certificate. To enter, leave a comment answering this question: "What are some ways in which you create healthy digestive habits with your busy schedule?"
Here's to a healthy and happy you!
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post b: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 c: 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 d: 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. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 10/14/2013-11/15/2013