Kick the Holiday Stress to the Curb with Savesta

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Savesta- though I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.

The holidays are always super stressful to me – year after year I keep telling myself that I’ll plan ahead more; not take on so much work, keep away from those extra cookies and still stay on my workout schedule. Yet every year I continue to do just the opposite. It’s kind of hard to say NO right??

That’s why I love the products from SavestaSavesta is a all-natural supplement developed with the expertise of the Savesta Advisory Board, which includes some of the world’s most renowned Ayurvedic physicians and scientists. They have something for whatever may ails you.. including the holiday funk!

There are a few products that I love for the holiday season that have helped me to stay well balanced, focused – and ready for whatever the holidays (or my family) may throw at you.

My favorite is the Savesta Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha by Savesta 60 Capsule Living with stress is part of living in todays world. Stress is your bodys natural response to everyday physical emotional and environmental demands. You cant avoid this stress altogether but using Pegasus combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes can help minimize its negative effects. Helps to manage normal daily stress Supports healthy brain function. Ashwangandha is an Ayurvedic herb also known as Indian Ginseng that has been in practice for hundreds of years

Benefits

  • Helps to manage normal daily stress
  • Promotes relaxation and more restful sleep
  • Supports healthy brain function
  • Powerful antioxidant
  • Boosts Immune System

My second favorite would be Savesta’s Gymnema – Gymnema from Savesta also known as Gymnema Sylvestre helps to maintain normal blood sugar level and promotes healthy function of pancreas. Gymnema sylvestre, also know as Gurmar and Meshashringi, has been used in Ayurveda for centuries to regulate sugar metabolism.

Benefits

  • Helps to maintain blood sugar levels that are already within normal range
  • Abolishes the taste of sugar, thus neutralizing the craving for sweets
  • Supports pancreas health

Last (but surely not least) is Savesta’s Turmeric; For centuries, Ayurveda has recommended turmeric to maintain joint health and comfortable range of motion. Science has identified curcuminoids as the source of the systemic antioxidant effect-which also helps maintain balanced immune cell function and cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, this youth promoting herb is not always digested efficiently. High concentrations are required to ensure consistent benefit. Savesta™ Turmeric is standardized to 95% curcuminoids to optimize absorption. Tumeric standardized to 95% curcuminoids A natural and safe herb for optimum joint health

Benefits

  • Supports healthy joint function 

The combination of these 3 have made the last few weeks less stress – and I think I’m ready for whatever the holidays may throw at me!

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Christmas in Clive

If you are looking for fun ways to celebrate this holiday season – look no further. Check out all the fun stuff going on in Clive Iowa this Christmas season.

Brenton Skating Plaza

An outdoor skating rink located in downtown Des Moines. Skating season is November through March, and they have skating times throughout the week and on the weekend.

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Jingle Bell Drop
Historic Valley Junction
November 17th

Join the “Jingle Bell Drop” on Thursday, November 17.  This is an event to help kick off “Jingle in the Junction” series (held December 1, December 8 and December 15th from 5-9 p.m.)
Santa will be arriving in Valley Junction to drop 500 Jingle Bells on Maple Street at 6:00 p.m. Each Jingle Bell represents one free prize. Prize value ranges from $5.00 to $1,000.  This is a FREE event with FREE prizes.  There are 500 prizes with a total value of $10,000!
The businesses in Historic Valley Junction and the streets will be lined with over 150,000 twinkling lights. Business will be open for 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. for Holiday Shopping.

Jingle in the Junction (as mentioned above)
Historic Valley Junction
December 1st, 8th and 15th

Jingle in the Junction will take place the first three Thursday’s in December!  The businesses in Historic Valley Junction and the streets will be lined with over 150,000 twinkling lights.  Enjoy free horse and trolley rides, Santa, caroling and much more! Watch Bill Gordish carve beautiful ice sculptures, & Professor Von Air will create balloon magic!

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Holiday Promenade
Historic East Village
November 18th, 5 – 9 pm

This is the holiday kickoff in Downtown Des Moines. Enjoy beautiful lights, shopping, food and more!

Tour De Lights
Adventureland
November 19th, 3:30 – 8 p.m.

A tradition! Get a chance to go through Jolly Holiday Lights before it officially opens to the public. Family Night on Saturday night, allows you to go through at your own pace. Sunday, November 20th is Fitness night and will include a 12 mile bike route option.

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Jolly Holiday Lights
Adventureland
November 22nd – January 1st

Jolly Holiday Lights is back and at a new location! Come out and celebrate the holiday lights at Adventureland! Bundle up the family and enjoy a 2.5 mile ride through more than 100 magical light displays. 100% of admission fees go directly to Make-A-Wish® Iowa! Jolly Holiday Lights is a drive-through holiday light display that is set up annually by Make-A-Wish Iowa at Adventureland. $10 per car. You can also get your picture taken with Santa for $10 and enjoy a cookie and cocoa at Santa’s Wish Shop!

Festivals of Trees and Lights
Veteran’s Memorial Community Choice Credit Union
November 23rd – 27th

Festival of Trees & Lights is a five-day public event that is the main fundraiser for Blank Children’s Hospital. This event features beautifully decorated trees, entertainment, children’s activities, food, shopping and more!

Santa Express
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
November 25th – December 18th

This is a yearly tradition at  the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot. Then entire family can enjoy a trip to the “North Pole”. On your way to visit Santa at the North Pole you will sing songs, fun activities, and more! You will  also be served hot chocolate and a cookie, and you will get to meet, and receive a special gift from, Santa himself.  Wear your pajamas!

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Christkindlmarket
Cowles Commons
December 2nd – 4th

Experience a German-inspired Christmas Market. Vendors will sell old-world, handmade products from wooden vendor stalls. There will be polka music, traditional and choirs, and lots of fun for children at the KinderKorner.

Living History Farms Family Christmas
December 3rd

Another Central Iowa classic, Living History Farms Family Christmas! Bundle up for a horse-drawn wagon ride to visit the festive Flynn Mansion. Enjoy an old fashioned holiday social with dance music in the Church of the Land. Kids will enjoy printing their own holiday greeting cards, decorating cookies, making crafts, and visiting Santa Claus!

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Holly Daze Family Glow Bowling
Warrior Lanes
December 4th

Grab the entire family and close friends and enjoy a holiday glow bowling party! $55 per lane for up to 5 bowlers. Includes 2 hours of glow bowling, shoe rental, 1 pizza, and a pitcher of pop. This is a alcohol free event!

Home for the Holidays
West Des Moines Historical Society
December 4th and 11th

Bring the entire family to celebrate the holidays at the historic Jordan House and Bennett School. The Jordan House will be beautifully decorated and will have refreshments and live music. The Bennett School will offer family-friendly crafts and activities. There is an admission.

Santa at the Zoo
Blank Park Zoo
December 10th & 17th

Bring the entire family for holiday fun at the Blank Park Zoo! After taking a photo with Santa and writing a letter to the North Pole, enjoy a warm cup of cocoa, explore the wonders of the Zoo, both inside and out. Make sure to bring your hat and gloves, so you can visit with all the animals indoors AND outdoors.  Santa at the Zoo is free with regular zoo admission and free for zoo members. 

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The Nutcracker
Des Moines Civic Center
December 17th & 18th

Iowa Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker Ballet. Experience the adventures of a girl named Clara as she journeys to a distant land where a prince battles mischievous mice, flowers waltz and a Sugar Plum Fairy delights children of every age.

Iowa Dance Theatre has produced the ballet at the Des Moines Civic Center since 1997.The Nutcracker is choreographed and directed by a team of dance professionals from Central Iowa. Set to the timeless music of Tchiavosky, Iowa Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet is a great holiday experience for the whole family.

This post is sponsored by Car City West.

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Christmas in Cartersville

Christmas in Cartersville is in full swing already – there are tons of places to shop, places to eat, and fun to be had in the next few weeks in Cartersville Georgia!

Spring Place Pottery & Artists’ Gallery 15 E Main Street
Cartersville, GA 30120
November 18 @ 10:30 am – 7:00 pm
Two days of extended shopping hours, artists’ demonstrations, door prizes, and a free gift with purchase!

Red Top Mountain State Park
50 Lodge Rd SE
Acworth, GA 30102
November 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Iron Hill has a rich history, much of which is unknown to the public. In this exclusive guided hike, a ranger will take you to explore the hidden gems of Iron Hill Trail including an iron mine, homestead sites and more.

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Tellus Science Museum
100 Tellus Drive
Cartersville, GA 30121
November 19 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bring out your inner maker! Discover Day is all about curiosity, creating, and collaborating. Meet with tinkerers, makers, and artists as they share their creations, inventions and robots. Tellus combines science, engineering, art, and crafts in a non-traditional, hands-on, experience-based celebration of maker culture. Make and take your own creations. Be ready for eclectic surprises…

Christmas at Grand Oaks
Grand Oaks 302 W Main Street
Cartersville, GA 30120
November 20 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Begin your Christmas season with the annual open house at Grand Oaks. Tour the home and enjoy light refreshments. $10 donation supports the Thacker Memorial Scholarship presented through the Etowah Education Foundation.

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Tunes for Tea
Stiles Auditorium – Olin Tatum Building 320 W Cherokee Ave
Cartersville, GA 30120
November 20 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm+
Enjoy an afternoon of tea and music before the hectic Holiday Season gets underway. Refreshing tea and delicious tea-time treats will be served with a side of tunes from Broadway!

Grand Oaks Christmas Luncheons
Grand Oaks 302 W Main Street
Cartersville, GA 30120
December 1 – December 22
Christmas is right around the corner. We are please to announce our Christmas Lunches from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM each Tuesday and Thursday and on Sunday, December 4. Reservations are available now but fill up quickly. Weekday lunches are $25 per person, and Sunday lunch is $27 per person. Call today for reservations, 770-608-9864.

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Wine Tasting
November 19th
6 to 8 p.m.

Taste a variety of wine each week in a relaxed setting learning about different varieties as well as how location impacts taste. Very casual and comfortably social.

Cartersville Exchange Club Christmas Parade
Downtown Cartersville
December 1 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Proceeds from the annual Christmas Parade benefit Advocates for Children and Boys & Girls Clubs. Parade line-up begins at 4 PM in the Tabernacle Baptist Church parking lot. Deadline for parade entry is November 21. Rain date is December 8.

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Christmas on the Square
116 Public Square
Adairsville, GA
December 3rd, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Historic Adairsville invites you to celebrate the season on the square. Highlights include choirs, marshmallow roasting, hot cocoa/coffee, a fun photo booth, snow ball toss, pin the nose on Rudolph, plus lots of sweets and treats leading up to the Christmas parade at 6 PM, followed by Santa leading the countdown to the Tree Lighting. Santa will then visit with children to get their wish lists and have pictures taken.

Euharlee Festival of Trees
114 Covered Bridge Rd
Euharlee, GA 30145
November 26th – December 10th

This is sure to be one of the most surprising and heartwarming events of the season. Santa will be in his chair taking wish lists and smiling for photos each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6-8 PM. Hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and other treats will be served nightly. The beautifully decorated trees will be auctioned on the final Saturday of the event with proceeds providing gifts for children ages 12 and younger. The event is presented by the Just Believe Christmas for Kids Foundation. All activities are free; however, donations are always welcome. The Euharlee Festival of Trees is open weeknights 6-9 PM and weekends 6-10 PM.

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Winter Solstice Hike
Pine Mountains
December 21st, 4:30 – 6:15

Hikers and amateur astronomers are invited to join the Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department as they host this guided 1.57 mile hike to the David G. Archer Summit Overlook to celebrate the first day of winter. At 1,562 feet above sea level you will see a stunning view of Allatoona Lake, the Etowah River Valley and the lights of Cartersville. Participants should bring a flashlight. Hikes may be canceled due to bad weather.

 

This post is sponsored by Metro Kia Atlanta.

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Affordable Diapers for Babies on the Move

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Well Beginnings.

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Nothing is like the first year of your little ones life – their first smile, their first laugh, their first holiday,their first steps. . their first full night of sleep (and yours, in a really long time).

It seems like after their first step that they literally just hit the ground running..and don’t stop. 

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Along with all this first comes a whole lot of expense. I know with each child I have gotten better and better at stretching those dollars and making them last. That is one reason I love Walgreens Well Beginnings diapers and wipes , available exclusively at Walgreens.

The one reason I fell in love with Well Beginnings is the 12 hour leak protection – so now that baby girl sleeps through the night,so can I. This was one of the biggest reasons I made the switch (I do believe right now I value sleep more than money!)If she doesn’t leak, she sleeps which is a win for everyone.

The soft stretchable waist is also great for her toddling and crawling around everywhere (and I mean everywhere). 

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The Well Beginnings diapers are very high quality – in fact, Good Housekeeping tested Well Beginnings as being more absorbent than Huggies. So why pay more? 

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I love that Well Beginnings are a great alternative to these other big (more expensive) brands. You can get a package of diapers for the everyday low price of just $6.99! Just think of all that you could do with all that extra money for your little one!

What would you do with all that extra savings? I think baby girl has a few ideas..and I’m sure you do too! 

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Well Beginnings.

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No Bake Veggie Pizza

Veggie Pizza

If you’ve never had a ‘no bake’ veggie pizza – this one you have to try! This  veggie delight pizza is a hit with the entire family (even those picky teens)! You can make it as low fat as you want by using low fat or reduced fat ingredients. Perfect for a fast healthy meal for the whole family to love!

Though we eat this as a family meal, this can also be great to take as an ‘appetizer’ for holiday get togethers. My family is always starving and ready to eat before the turkey hits the table at Thanksgiving, or the ham at Christmas. You can cut this up and place on a cute dish and it make a great appetizer. I have a few family members who are self-proclaimed vegetarians, and a few that are gluten-free – well this can be for both! I found gluten-free crescent rolls, and this is something they all can enjoy. There are hardly ever any leftovers!

Ingredients:

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls

1 (8ounce) package of cream cheese softened

1 cup of sour cream

1 (1 ounce) packet of ranch dressing mix

2 tablespoons of mayonnaise

1 (12 ounce) package of cheddar cheese

All the yummy veggies you want

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Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spread the cresent rolls out on cookie sheets to make a large pizza, cook for 7 minutes or until golden brown then cool.

While it’s cooling mix the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo and dressing mix together.

Wash and chop all your yummy veggies

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Once your crescent roll crust is cool, spread the ranch mixture.

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Top with all your yummy veggies and cheddar cheese and enjoy!

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Get more healthy recipes and follow my Pinterest Healthy Recipe Board here:

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