Review of StoryLand Yoga DVD from Playful Planet

“Kids learn Yoga by imitating animals and going on a fun-filled adventure to help the planet.”

Playful Planet; Creating a Playful Planet by empowering kids and their families to be healthy and live sustainably. Their site has great tips on teaching our children about "Being Green" as well as resources to help them. A big teaching tool for them are their DVDs. Storyland Yoga is a fun interactive DVD that teaches kids & families the basics of yoga while teaching them good earth conscience values. (details found on their SITE)
My kids love to exercise with me & this DVD was just perfect for them. They were stoked that it was specifically for them & it was quite entertaining EVEN for me. The DVD had many features including; explanation of the poses & 2 stories that the kids could do.

The Yoga instructor is very animated & was easy to follow. As the Yoga instructor told his stories the kids did basic yoga poses, I was impressed. I enjoyed the Yoga also & found myself getting a good workout. My kids were excited that there was more than just 1 story, so we enjoyed the yoga the very next day. Even days after doing the Yoga my girls could remember a lot of the poses.
I can see myself using StoryLand Yoga for a fun preschool activity, or having a kids Yoga Party with my 5 year old & her friends. This would also make a great gift for kids ages 3-8.
Definitely a FABULOUS FIND!
Find StoryLand Yoga on Amazon HERE

**This post looks like Anna wrote the review but it was Rachel who reviewed the product and shared her experience/opinion.  We had to publish it through Anna as we’re having trouble with her blogger login.**

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Review of Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies

Pedia-Lax® Fiber Gummies — Daily Fiber

Supplement

The first complete line of laxatives made just for kids, made by the No. 1 trusted laxative brand. Great tasting Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies are sugar-free with natural fruit flavors. Finally there's a delicious daily fiber supplement to help kids stay regular.*

One word for this product: FABULOUS

Fabulous Points
*Kids Love to Eat them
*Adds that extra Fiber needed for your day
*Great Fiber tips on Bottle

As a mother of 5, I have tried many vitamins for my children. And many brands come in gummy form, which is a favorite among my children. When I heard about these fiber-gummies I was excited to try them, although I wondered about how they would taste. I personally have tried a few fiber supplements, most of which have that traditional "fiberous" texture. When I received the Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies and upon seeing the gummy bottle my kids instantly wanted one. They TRIED & they LOVED. I tried also & I enjoy them MUCH more than our other gummy vitamins, and Yes I do eat the kids gummy-vites once in a while.

Now the true test of a fiber product of course comes later in the day or the next day.....YES I'm talking about the bathroom visit. So after a few days of eating the Fiber Gummies I noticed a big difference in my son's bathroom visit. This Fiber Gummy was working & doing its job just RIGHT.

Lastly I personally always forget about how much fiber is needed in my day. Thanks to the Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummy bottle answered all questions about fiber, how many grams needed & what it compares to. That was a great time saver, saved me a research trip to the computer. Thanks Pedia-Lax.

To find your nearest online or brick and mortar Fiber Gummies retailer, visit Pedia-Lax.com

*I was not paid or compensated for this review. I did receive a bottle of fiber gummies to complete my review. All opinions are my own.

Review and Giveaway of Boiron’s Cough, Cold and Flu Medicines

It was like the review blogger/PR/social media gods were smiling down on us.  On a day when I was hacking up a lung, First Born was in the middle of the cold I’d given her and the hub thought he was coming down with the flu, I opened the package from Boiron and in it I found a value pack of their most popular and effective homeopathic medicine—just when we needed it!  Between the three of us, we got down to business testing Oscillococcinum, Coldcalm and Chestal.

For the sake of this review, I’m going to list the product, its benefits and instructions, followed by our opinion of how it worked.  Ok? Ok.

Oscillococcinum for Flu-like Symptoms

• works best when taken at the first sign of fly-like symptoms such as feeling run down, headache, body aches, chills and fever
• no side effects such as drowsiness; no drug interactions
• shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms
• safe for everyone 2 years of age and older
• directions: adults and children 2 years of age and older: dissolve entire contents of one tube in the mouth every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day.  Children younger than 2 years of age: ask a doctor before use.

The hub took Oscillococcinum on the required schedule and didn’t come down with the flu although flu-like symptoms manifested before he started taking the tubes.  He finished the pack of six doses and said the crystals in the tube tasted like sugar.  As far as we’re concerned, this product is a winner.  I just wish it was easier to say or spell.

Coldcalm for Cold Symptoms

• multi-ingredient formula naturally treats cold symptoms at each stage of the cold, including sneezing, runny nose, sinus and nasal congestion, and minor sore throat
• no side effects such as drowsiness; no drug interactions
• safe for everyone 3 years of age and older
• Directions: Adults and children 3 years of age and older: at the outset of symptoms, take 1 dose (2 tablets) every 15 minutes for 2 hours.  Then, take 1 dose every hour until symptoms are relieved.  Allow the tablets to dissolve in the mouth.

First Born took the Coldcalm and used up almost the entire package.  She said it worked well—the only drawback was sticking to the schedule both at the beginning and the every hour after that.

Chestal for Coughs

• combines safe, natural homeopathic medicines with a natural honey base
• relieves all types of common coughs
• helps loosen phlegm and thin bronchial secretions to make coughts more productive
• no side effects such as drowsiness; no drug interactions
• no artificial flavors or colors
• safe for everyone 2 years of age and older
• Directions: Adults and children 12 years of age and older: Take 2 teraspoons every 2 hours.  Children 2 to 12 years of age: Take 1 teaspoon every 2 hours.  Children under 2 years of age: Not recommended.

I took Chestal for my wild, crazy coughing that was the remnant of a cold I’d had.  I hate cough syrup and I won’t take it unless it’s in capsule form.  The big difference with Chestal is that I can seriously drink that stuff!  It tastes like diluted honey!  The complete opposite of any cough syrup I’ve ever had to take.  Seriously, homies, this stuff is good!  Probably the only issue I had with Chestal is that I had to take it every 2 hours for it to effectively work on the cough.

Conclusion: We all were impressed with how the Boiron homeopathic medicines worked.  The only drawback was the frequency of the doses BUT I think this is the trade-off for taking care of yourself with natural, safe remedies.  I also love that these products (particularly Oscillococcinum) are available at most drug stores.  We would use these again based on the effectiveness and taste of the remedies.

SHOP: You can buy Boiron homeopathic remedies at these online retailers.  Or you can use the store finder to find the nearest brick and mortar store that carries Boiron products.

WIN: Boiron is offering one lucky Moana Saves reader their own value pack which includes one box of Oscillococcinum 6 dose, one box of Coldcalm and one bottle of Chestal.  Everything you need to take care of the common cold and seasonal flu naturally!

To earn a mandatory entry, become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar) and leave a comment saying you’ve done so.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
3. Follow BoironUSA on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win a Boiron Homeopathic Remedies Value Pack from @BoironUSA and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 3/16 http://bit.ly/g9mrGO
5. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
6. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
7.  Like the Boiron USA Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on Wednesday, 3/16/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive product samples to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions are my own.

Review and Giveaway of RelaxZen Day and Night Shots

I have a confession to make: I’m a diet Pepsi-aholic.  To keep everything going, I’m multi-tasking nearly every waking minute of my life and, whether it offers a physiological sense of comfort or a placebo, the DP is what I need to get through most days.  After hearing some good online buzz about RelaxZen shots, I was curious to try them!  Maybe this could be my new liquid crack diet Pepsi!

Here’s some info from the website about RelaxZen shots:
RelaxZen DAY is formulated with the highest quality ingredients to relax you, yet keep you focused and on-task during your day. While other relaxation shots can make you feel drowsy, sleepy, and emotionally distant, RelaxZen DAY eases everyday anxiety and stress while allowing you to stay at the top of your game. RelaxZen NIGHT was crafted to allow people to fall asleep quickly and wake up refreshed and ready to tackle their day. RelaxZen NIGHT is designed for people who often have difficulty falling asleep to help de-stress their minds, increase their focus and balance their mood. For more information about RelaxZen, visit http://relaxzenshots.com.

About RelaxZen Day
Some of the benefits of RelaxZen Day: Reduces stress and fatigue, increases focus and alertness, balance mood and enhances productivity.
My big question was what ingredients are included in the Day shot and the list includes L-Theanine, L-Threonine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, GABA, Passion Flower Extract and Acai Extract. (sounds much better than caramel coloring, carbonated water and caffeine!)
My opinion of RelaxZen Day: This shot is supposed to be relaxing without being tiring and supposed to help with concentration and alertness.  I didn’t feel a difference with the Day formula—maybe a slightly improved mood.  I realize that this may be due to my DP addiction preference but I was as productive and busy as I usually am at work and at home.   I enjoyed the fruity flavor of the shot!

About RelaxZen Night
The benefits and ingredients for RelaxZen Night are the same as what is listed on the site for RelaxZen Day except for the ingredient additions of Chamomile Extract and Pantothentic Acid (Vitamin B-5).
My opinion of RelaxZen Night: This shot was incredibly effective.  It made me sleep well.  I recommend taking it an hour before you go to bed or you may end up feeling tired in the morning.  The berry flavor was great—non-carbonated and tasted like juice!

Since I only got one sample each of RelaxZen Day and RelaxZen Night, my experiences are not conclusive.  I was impressed by how well the Night shot worked and both shots taste yummy enough that I wouldn’t mind experimenting with them for a week or two to see if my long-term mood and energy are improved with them.  At the very least, they taste *way* better than some other energy drinks I’ve tried and I know they would provide a healthy alternative to the hooch DP.

SHOP: You can buy RelaxZen Day and Night shots here. For 10% off, plus FREE shipping on an RelaxZen product, you can use the code SMILE at checkout.  Also, on the Facebook page for RelaxZen, click on the sweepstakes tab to enter to win RelaxZen products for a year.  This will include 24 (12 count) boxes of RelaxZen products!

WIN: You can win a set of RelaxZen Day and Night shots for yourself to try!  The folks at Smile.ly are giving 3 sets of RelaxZen Day and Night shots to 3 lucky Moana Saves readers!
To earn a mandatory entry in the RelaxZen Day and Night, become a Google Connect Follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar) and leave a comment saying you are.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on Tuesday, 3/8/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free samples of RelaxZen Night and Day shots from Smile.ly.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Purely Pleasures: Natural Comforts & Cosmetics - A Review

Purely Pleasures can best be defined by a portion of their mission statement:

"Combine one girl's love for beauty with another girl's interest in natural living, and you get Purely Pleasures: Natural Comforts & Cosmetics. We are dedicated not only to providing our customers with quality products at significantly reduced prices, but also 100% natural products that truly heal, soothe and transform for truly luxurious pampering and beauty. We believe that beauty begins with health."

After reviewing several of their products, I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement. Knowing that their products are 100% natural is one thing, but actually feeling their natural goodness is even better! There are no synthetic preservatives, dyes or chemicals and most products are 100% vegan! Okay, now to the goods... I received the following products (all pictured) to review:

• Oat Face Scrub: I have tried many different types of facial cleansers/scrubs and more often than not, these products really dry out my already very dry skin. Not so with the oat face scrub! I love this stuff. It leaves my face smooth and feeling so fresh! It really does "polish away dry, dull skin and reveal a smooth and soft complexion...." One night I even forgot to apply my moisturizer, which doesn't happen too often because I can FEEL my skin cracking when I do forget, and my skin was fine.
• Polishing Sugar Scrub (Raw Honey & Poppy Seed): This is for daily use "to polish and keep your skin as soft as silk." Applying this stuff was a little distracting because it smelled sooo good, I kind of had the urge to bite my shoulder mid-shower. After rinsing the scrub off, I did feel like I still had an oily/honey-ish coat still on me, so I simply washed off with soap/body cleanser. When I stepped out of the shower I couldn't believe how luxurious my skin felt. It felt so hydrated, moisturized, delectable. I love that you can customize your scrubs with various "added pleasures" they have available, like honey and poppy seed in my sugar scrub.
• Exfoliating Sea Salt Scrub (Rose & Chamomile): This is for weekly use (deep exfoliation). You can feel this stuff working to rid your body of dull, dead skin. After using, this too left an oily coat, so I also washed off with soap afterward. At first, I was discouraged by the oiliness, but have now realized that this is the key to my skin feeling so vibrant and wonderfully moisturized post-shower. Other scrubs I've used make my skin feel clean, but extremely dry as well, unlike these Purely Pleasures scrubs. And, I know these oils are all-natural, not harmful chemicals that are bad for my body.
• Lip Lush Organic Hydrating Balm (Peppermint): LOVE! I'm a lip balm/moisturizing freak, so I was so excited about this. It has a cool, soothing peppermint tingle while working its hydrating magic.
• Bath Powder (Ground Orange Peel): Unfortunately, I have no tub to soak in, but I'm sure it's as wonderful as the rest of the Purely Pleasures products.
• and my FAVORITE... Mineral Eyeshadows in the following colors: Evil Queen, Emerald City, Stardust, Ancient Orchid, and Stormy Skies: I love makeup and these mineral pigments did not disappoint. The colors are so vibrant and fun and provide great coverage. And, there is no creasing or fading. I really liked the versatility of the eyeshadow -- I could tone down the eyeshadow for a day at work (Stormy Skies pictured right) or really glam it up for a night out with the hubby! You can also use it dry (normal eyeshadow wear) or wet (for eyeliner and a really dramatic effect).

Overall, I was very happy with the Purely Pleasures products. They have even more products on their website--from sugar waxes to finishing veils--and everything is so affordable! Affordable, luxurious, natural, refreshing, glamorous!! If nothing else, you have to check out their mineral pigments (eyeshadows) because if you don't see a color you love at first sight, you can create your own custom color here!!! After you're satisfied with the color, you get to name it yourself and they will feature it in a special spotlight section of their website. How cool is that?

Shop
You can shop for affordable, luscious Purely Pleasures products HERE.

Win
One lucky Moana Saves reader will win a Purely Pleasures prize pack! Up for grabs are 5 full size Purely Pleasures mineral eye shadow jars (winner will choose their colors), one mineral eye shadow brush, one mineral eye liner brush, and one organic Lip Lush (winner will choose either peppermint or original).  This giveaway is valued at $25.50.

To earn a mandatory entry in the Purely Pleasures giveaway, head to their website and subscribe to the newsletter on the Purely Pleasures Giveaways page (plus you'll get the scoops on their products and sales!).

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter. 

4. Follow Purely Pleasures on Twitter.

5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win all natural mineral eye makeup, blushes & lip balm from @purelypleasures & @moanasaves #giveaway ends 3/7 http://bit.ly/gV4Emi

 

6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).

7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

8. Like the Purely Pleasures Facebook page.

9.  Subscribe to the Purely Pleasures Youtube channel.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on Monday, 3/7/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a product sample to facilitate the original review.  Any and all opinions here are mine.

GIRL Talk & Pro-Biotics: Fem-Dophilus available at Swansonvitamins.com

As an woman who has been there with periodic yeast infections, I have taken an interest in remedies that can help current and prevent further uncomfortable episodes. I am oral consumer of yogurt but probably more so when I have a Y infection. I have figured what works for me and usually keep something in stock in my medicine cabinet for the future occurrences. Even though I know the routine of what to do and what has worked for me (watching what soap I use, eating yogurt,  taking pro-biotics, being watchful when using anti-biotics, having the right creams on hand), it is still annoying.

Swansonvitamins.com, a great site for discount vitamins and supplements, sent me a probiotic to try.  For several weeks I've been using Fem-Dophilus. Fem-Dophilus is labeled as the MOST EFFECTIVE probiotic for Women's Health. Some info from the makers of Fem-Dophilus: It contains two patented and clinically proven probiotic strains, Lactobacillus GR-1 and Lactobacillus RC-14 discovered and developed by Dr. Gregor Reid and Dr. Andrew Bruce at Urex Biotech. Over 20 years of research supports the oral use of GR-1 and RC-14 to colonize and protect the vaginal tract.

Fem-dophilus® is manufactured under pharmaceutical GMP conditions with guaranteed potency and consistency. The probiotic strains in Fem-dophilus® are in a proprietary polysaccharide matrix, which protects the bacteria from stomach acid and enhances probiotic bacteria survival to the lower intestine.

It is important to keep this product refrigerated. For maintenance, it is suggested to take 1 pill a day and up to 2 a day as directed by your health care provider.

When I started taking Fem-Dophilus, I did not have an infection but because I read that clinical trials have show that the ingredients of Fem-Dophilus 1) help to maintain or restore healthy vaginal flora that are important in maintaining vaginal health, AND 2) support the health of the urinary tract. I was happy to give this product a try!

I have noticed subtle changes down there that are positive and here's my attempt to do this without giving TMI. The first noticeable change I noticed was an increase in moisture. The second change I noticed was that there was less irritation and sensitivity during my monthly cycle than usual. I feel like I haven't been on the product long enough to be able to say that it has solved my problems with yeast infections but I can say I have not had anything resembling the signs of one since I have been taking the product. If you were to google search "femdophilus and yeast infections" or similar, you'll find there are a lot of women out there who have been helped with their chronic yeast infections, B.V. s, and U.T.I.S by using femdophilus. As a woman with these issues, and also a mother of children who have been prescribed way TOO many ANTI-biotics, I am a newer fan of pro-biotics and hope humans can learn to achieve a balance of their consumption of pro and anti BIOTICs.

You can buy Fem-dophilus at Swansonvitamins.com.  Even though a bottle of 30 caps retails for $25.95, Swanson offers this product for $18.17--that's a 30% discount!  Check out Fem-dophilus and more at Swansonvitamins.com

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive a complimentary sample of this product to write this review. Any and all opinions here are mine.

Review of Country Life Zinc Lozenges at Swansonvitamins.com

Did you know that Zinc is an essential mineral in your daily health? And did you also know that Zinc Deficiency affects about two billion people in the developing world and is associated with many diseases? Well I actually did not. I assume because I take a daily multi-vitamin that I am getting everything I need. Well Swansonvitamins.com sent me:

ZINC LOZENGES with Vitamin C
Dietary Supplement
Helps support immune function.**

When I found out that my multi was only giving me 60% of what I needed in Zinc, I was glad to add the ZINC LOZENGES to my vitamin routine. I let the lozenge dissolve in my mouth and the cherry flavor (although not my favorite) was not bad-- it went well with my chewable vitamin C (which after inspecting the label I didn't need to take because the zinc lozenge was packed full with it! 167% RDA!).

You can BUY IT at Swansonvitamins.com. Their site was very easy to navigate; great pictures of all kinds of natural health supplies, simple, detailed descriptions, a rating system and reviews of products when available. You can find the zinc lozenges in a bottle of 60 for under $5--what a great price!

I did not receive any compensation for my review of Swanson Vitamins Zinc Lozenges although I was given a bottle of 60 lozenges to facilitate this review. Any and all opinions here are my own.

Ola Loa Drink Your Vitamins, a Review

I remember when "Airborne" came out. I remember my mother buying it and keeping several tubes in stock and telling us to take some whenever anyone around us had a cough. I remember my husband taking it on every business trip he went on. Because of the taste, Airborne was my first positive experience with effervescents. When I was younger all I knew of effervescents was that I was given alka setzer when I had a tummy ache and the fizzy baking soda tasting water would make me gag. So later as an adult, "Airborne" seemed like a yummy healthy "soda" (fyi, for mainland readers, in Hawaii its common to say "soda" for "pop"). I learned over the years that there are many kinds of effervescents available over the counter and they have been an effective method of helping many ailments in my family.

The newest type of effervescent drink I've been introduced to is named OLA LOA, drinkyourvitamins.com. Dr. Richard Kunin, M.D., a nutrition-oriented physical and Orthmolecular specialist with more than 30 years of experience in nutrition medicine and practice formulated multi-vitamin mineral products that are suitable for all ages. There are four product formulas that each replace a hand full of vitamin pills:

• ENERGY Super Multi for superior vitality and antioxidant protection
• KIDS Multi Formula
• REPAIR Formula for unparalleled bone and joint support and
• SPORT all-natural thirst quenching hydrating drink formula for active people

All products are available in individual packets of effervescent powder, sold in boxes of 30 packets, and ENERGY, KIDS and REPAIR are also sold in 5 packet “travel Packs”.

Ola Loa is so gentle for your system that it can be taken anytime—even on an empty stomach. And because Ola Loa is mixed in a liquid base, the nutrients will absorb better than any pill or tablet possibly could. This means your body will get the full power of your nutrients, as well as the full value for your money. With Ola Loa, there are no capsules or pills. To get your daily nutrient supplements all you need to do is open one convenient single serving packet, add its contents to a glass of water or juice, and DRINK YOUR VITAMINS.

I was given 5 packets to sample, 2 of the REPAIR and one of each of the other three. I tried the SPORT formula after a long run and enjoyed the refreshing mango tangerine flavor that gave me a boost of energy. On that same day I attempted to give my daughter the KIDS formula but somehow after she saw me pour the powder in her little cup, when I stepped out of the room, she got her Fun Dip (candy sugar my son gave her from a birthday party he went to) and poured the candy sugar in the cup we were making her vitamin drink in, and then it turned super purple, and though she took a couple of sips, it was a little too sweet with all that FUN DIP sugar. For the REPAIR and ENERGY formulas, my least picky child and I sampled two flavors : orange and tropical. We also sampled the Orange REPAIR formula. I was actually excited and hopeful that she might take interest in “healthy” soda. Turns out, we liked the orange REPAIR better than the rest. It tasted the least like “vitamins”.  I would have to have a bigger sample size of Ola Loa to be able to write a review indicating if my family benefited from the drinks health wise but nevertheless I'm grateful for every opportunity I have to introduce my family to products that may benefit their physical and mental well being.

From the makers of Ola Loa: To be considered for a 5 pack of Ola Loa - visit our website  and then become a fan/ 'like' us on our facebook page. Following that, post a message on our page either with why you like Ola Loa or a question about Ola Loa and we will pick a winner. Winners will be chosen a week after the review is posted.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Ocean Premium Saline Nasal Spray Review and Giveaway

It's that time of year again when the holidays have come and gone, the ball has dropped in New York City, the air is crisp and chilled, and we're all fighting the same battle we fight every year. No, I'm not referring to the challenge of setting New Year's resolutions and actually sticking to them. I'm talking about the winter-time cold and flu season. Yes, believe it or not but Hawaii does have relatively chilly weather and as a result I've caught my first head cold of the season. This year, unlike previous years, I'm winning the sinus-discomfort battle thanks to Ocean and their handy little saline spray.

 
My history with head colds has always been that I catch a simple head cold and it quickly elevates to a terrible sinus infection, leaving me uncomfortable for weeks and eventually leading to the use of prescription medication to try to alleviate the infection. My personal opinion is that this product has actually helped my body to naturally decrease the duration and severity of my current head-cold. Coming from a non-scientific study, I can say that even though I was ill this week I was also much more comfortable and therefore a happier mom and wife.

Ocean Nasal Care's website links to a video on doctoroz.com describing the benefits of sinus irrigation, including:

• cleans mucus from your nose which can also help make nasally administered medications more effective
• reduces swelling
• increases airflow
• removes bacteria and viruses
• decreases production of proteins associated with inflammation

In the past my only experience with saline nasal sprays was with my infant children. The best part about this product is that it's safe for all ages!  As listed on Ocean's website: "Ocean for Kids® is non-medicated and provides its soothing effect through safe, natural ingredients. It is formulated with pharmaceutical quality isotonic saline, contains Glycerin as a moisturizing agent, and Phenylcarbinol and Benzalkonium Chloride as safe and widely used antimicrobial agents."  Translation: this product is drug free and you may use it as often as needed! My daughter has always struggled with respiratory illnesses and after using a sample of Ocean for Kids® she loved how it made her feel and each morning before she left for school she made sure to remind me to give her the drops. The only drawback I found with this product was that I have multiple children and to avoid cross-contaminating I'll need multiple bottles, one for each child. One idea I had was producing smaller bottles (eye-dropper size of 0.5 FL OZ) so that my medicine cabinet isn't cramped and to avoid waste of product.

The benefits of sinus irrigation are not limited to treating the common cold. You can also use it for general moisturizing during dry climates and cold temperatures and while spending time in enclosed spaces. Have you ever stepped off an airplane and your nose felt like the Sahara Desert? Do you use an oxygen treatment or CPAP machine for sleep apnea? What about allergies? This product can help! My husband tried Ocean's Complete Sinus Irrigation® system. The pollens here are very different from what we're used to and he's struggled the past 2 months with allergies and sinus discomfort. To quote my husband, he calls himself the "grin and bear it type" as a self-proclaimed avoider of over-the-counter drugs. Using the spray morning and night has helped to clear out his sinuses and add moisture to his otherwise dry and itchy nose.

Ocean's website lists stores that carry their saline nasal care products HERE. These products can also be purchased on Amazon in differing varieties including the basic Ocean Premium Saline Nasal Spray - 1.5 fl oz. I highly recommend adding this product to your arsenal as you battle the head-colds and sinus discomfort that will surely come your way.

WIN IT
One lucky Moana Saves reader will win his/her own kit of saline nasal care which includes Ocean Premium Saline Nasal Spray, Ocean's Complete Sinus Irrigation® system and Ocean for Kids.  To earn a mandatory entry, become a public follower of Moana Saves via Google Friend Connect in the sidebar. (Mandatory entry means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.) 

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do: 

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2.  Follow Moana Saves on Twitter. 
3. Follow OceanNasalCare on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win an Ocean saline nasal care kit from @OceanNasalCare and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 2/5 http://bit.ly/fon47e
5. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates.
6. Grab the Moana Saves button and put it on your blog until the giveaway is over.
7. Put Moana Saves on your blog list.
8. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page. 
9. Like the Ocean Nasal Care Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on Saturday, 2/5/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.  


I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a sample of the product to facilitate the review.  Any and all opinions here are mine.