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Things You May Not Know About Shaw BlueSky TV – Plus Shaw/Netflix Prize Pack! #sponsored

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Thanks to Shaw Communications for sponsoring this article

A few months ago, Shaw offered to let us trial their new BlueSky TV system. We’ve been long time Shaw customers and have had a PVR for a long time as well. We had previously been using Shaw’s Gateway system but have now finished our trial and made the switch over to BlueSky without looking back. I already shared our first impressions of Shaw BlueSky (which still holds true after a few months).

Here are a few things you may not know about Shaw’s BlueSky TV:

  1. Content Integration is the best thing you never knew you wanted – You can access your regular cable channels, recordings, Shaw On Demand, Netflix and CraveTV all from the same menu.
  2. Adding shows to your PVR is easy – with the voice controls, you no longer have to spend way too much time typing in a show title. Just say the show you want and it will pull right up. As long as the show is in the system, you can ask it to record new episodes at any time – making it easy to set it and forget it.
  3. Special treatment for special events – Whether it is the Olympics or March Madness, BlueSky TV has special menus to make it easy to find the programming you want to watch as well as see stats, scores and more.
  4. No more ‘accidental’ on-demand purchases by the kids – BlueSky TV’s parental controls make it easy to prevent pay-per-view content from being purchased while still allowing access to free on-demand content.
  5. Automatically adds time to live shows This is not a perfect system, but it is a huge improvement. When a This is Us episode played after the Super Bowl, my PVR recorded it seamlessly without me having to adjust the settings.
  6. Show only the channels you have access to – The guide has a ‘free to me’ menu, which shows only the channels that are part of your subscription. No more wading through channels you can’t even watch.
  7. You can change your theme packs online – If you decide you would like to swap one of your theme packs for another, you can make the change in just a few minutes by chatting online with one of Shaw’s customer service people. We did this the other day and the process was quick and easy.
  8. Easy control of what your kids can watch with the Kids Zone – For example, you can restrict content by common sense media age ranges and require a pin to get out of the Kids Zone
  9. Channels are re-ordered – Similar channels are actually grouped together; all the kids channels are in one spot and all the sports channels are in another, making it easy to navigate the guide.
  10. Sports App – You can find tons of information inside the sports app. You can see stats, compare teams and players and settle debates. Just say “sports app” in the remote to access it.

Overall, we’ve been really happy after making the switch to Shaw BlueSky TV. It was easy to get used to and my whole family has enjoyed the new features and voice controls. As with any new thing, there are a few things I would tweak, but I haven’t missed our old system for even a second.

Enter to win this Shaw Prize pack including a 3-month Netflix gift card!

Giveaway open to Canadian residents only

Shaw giveaway package includes:

  • Shaw water bottle
  • Shaw lip chap
  • Shaw hat
  • Stuffed Shaw Bot (his name is Bit!)
  • 3-month Netflix gift card



 

Acts of Kindness You Can Do In Your Community With Your Kids – Kindness Sticks #sponsored

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Thanks to Shaw Communications for sponsoring this post.  Check out the bottom of the post for more information about how your child can apply for a Kindness Sticks Grant to make a difference at their school.

Small acts of kindness show your kids that they have the power to make their world a better place and that even small actions matter. Participating in small acts of kindness with your kids is also a great way to begin conversations about spreading kindness and empathy to those around them.

Here are some acts of kindness ideas you can do with your kids in your community:

1. Bake treats for your neighbors

One of our favourite traditions is baking treats for our neighbours and dropping them off as a special surprise. We usually do it around Christmas but you could do it any time of year.

2. Create appreciation cards

Brainstorm some things that you appreciate about your friends and neighbours. Write a quick note and drop it in their mailbox.

3. Host a neighborhood BBQ

Increase the feeling of community in your neighbourhood by hosting a simple barbecue in your backyard. Invite your neighbors and introduce people who don’t know each other.

4. Drop off treats at your local fire station or police station

Thank some of the people who help make your community a better, safer place to live.

5. Share a meal

Bring food to a neighbour who has had a new baby, illness or death in the family.

6. Welcome new neighbors with a gift and greeting

Nothing makes a new house feel more like a home faster than receiving kindness from your new neighbours.

7. Bring flowers or treats to your child’s teacher

Brighten their day with a few fresh flowers.

 

8. Visit an elderly relative

Take some paper and markers for the kids to keep them engaged when visiting an elderly relative. Then leave their pictures as a reminder of their visit.

9. Write a good review of a business you love

People are more likely to leave reviews after bad experiences than good ones. Help out one of your favourite places by letting them know why you love it.

10. Offer to pick up fruit for a neighbor with a fruit tree

Sometimes neighbours have trees on their properties that produce a lot of fruit, which can be overwhelming to manage. It’s a great job for kids to help with and can be a real relief for someone who needs the help.

11. Recognize someone for giving good service

Make a point of telling the manager at a restaurant or coffee shop that a server or employee did a good job or made an extra effort for you.

12. Bring a cup of coffee for your teacher or hairdresser

It’s an easy way to brighten someone’s day!

13. Make a card for a friend

Create a thoughtful note and drop it in their mailbox.

14. Drop off a sunshine box

Put together a small gift basket of yellow things for someone who is going through a hard time.

15. Host a playdate at the park

Get some neighbours together for a playdate at the park – bring some snacks to share to make it feel extra special.

Kindness Sticks Grant Program

Do you know a student who would like to make kindness stick at their school?

With the Shaw Kindness Sticks grant program, Shaw is looking to partner up with students who have an idea to create positivity and inclusiveness at their school.

If your idea is selected, your school could receive a Kindness Sticks grant of up to $5000 to make it happen. Be creative and involve your school.  Make sure your project is submitted before April 30, 2018, 5 p.m. MST.

Want to apply but not sure where to start? Consider the following questions:

  • How does my project contribute to a positive school environment?
  • What kind of budget does my project need?
  • How can people volunteer and get involved to make my project come to life?
  • Who does my project impact and reach?
  • How is my project creative and unique?

For more information go to the Kindness Sticks webpage.

My favourite amigurumi animal crochet patterns

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I learned how to crochet a couple of years ago and have since made scarfs, hats, blankets and slippers. My favourite thing to make though has been amigurumi. Amigurumi is a technique for creating small stuffed toys. It has been popular in Japan for a while, and has started becoming popular now in North America too.

Here are some of my favourite projects with links to the patterns so you can try them out yourself.

Unicorns

Mimi the Friendly Unicorn – paid pattern

This pattern is easy to read and works well is a huge variety of colours (just be careful with light pink has it can look a little pig-like). My unicorns end up being about a foot tall!
Peachy Rose the Unicorn – paid pattern

This large baby unicorn could not be cuter. I modified the pattern a bit by giving it wavy hair instead of straight and leaving off the wings. The method they used for attaching the hair worked really well.

Pony – free pattern

This tiny unicorn fits into the palm of your hand. Again I modified the hair to make it loose instead of ‘molded’ pieces.

Horse Amigurumi Pattern – Paid pattern

This pattern comes with instructions for a saddle and bridle set which looks adorable but I had trouble making it look good myself. The horse, however is great. I made this horse to look like Ghost from the TV show Heartland.

Baby Groot – paid pattern

This pattern works up quickly and looks adorable. I also made it with lighter colour leaves which I think looks even better.

Porgs – free pattern

These were my most requested item this year. They work up pretty quickly, but the quick colour changes can take a while to get used to.

Labrador Puppy – free pattern

I’ve made a few dogs using this pattern and they have all turned out really well. 

Tiny T-Rex – free pattern

I found this pattern really easy to follow, as long as you remember that it uses UK crochet terminology instead of US terms. It’s an easy switch and shouldn’t deter you from using it.

I also modified it to create this dragon by adding some wings and changing the arms.

Happy Hippo – free pattern

I made this hippo with scrap yarn and my kids adored it. Too bad it wasn’t for them!

Pesto Potato Salad

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My father-in-law is from PEI so potatoes are basically considered their own food group in their house. Baked, mashed, fried, you name it. My son seems to be taking after him, he will often grab cold leftover potatoes out of the fridge for a snack and eat them straight up.

My favorite potatoes have always been little potatoes. I like that they require so little work – they don’t need to be peeled and they can be used whole or cut into bite sized pieces with just a slice or two. The other thing I like about little potatoes is because you don’t peel them, you keep all the good nutrients that are found in the peel.

Pesto Potato Salad - Little Potato Company - talkiginallcaps.com

When I was thinking about what else I should make with them today, I remembered a dish that I’ve made before that contained pesto, gnocchi and vegetables. I figured that a variation on that would make a fantastic warm potato salad and I was right.

5.0 from 1 reviews
Print
Little Potato Company
 
Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs of little potatoes
  • ½ cup of peas
  • ½ cup of asparagus or green beans chopped
  • ½ cup of grape tomatoes cut in half
  • 1-2 Tbsp of pesto
  • 4 slices of monterey jack cheese cubed or shredded
Instructions
  1. Boil little potatoes for approximately 15 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes toss with pesto.
  3. Add peas, asparagus (or green beans), grape tomatoes and cheese.
  4. Mix together and serve warm.


Pesto Potato Salad - Little Potato Company - talkiginallcaps.com

 

Did They Eat It?

Gordie (5 years old): Are there any plain potatoes? I’ll just eat those.

Nicky (2 years old): I want ham.

Stephen: Good.

Dana: I liked this a lot. I would definitely make it again. I might not even try sharing next time!

Butter Tarts

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We love butter tarts and like to try different versions to try to find the best one. One day we decided to make our own and to date they are still our favourites.

Ingredients

2 eggs

1.5 cups brown sugar

0.5 cup maple syrup

3 TBSP melted butter

1 cup raisins

2 tsp vinegar

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

24 tart shells (3″)

Directions

  1. Before cooking, soak raisins in boiling water for hours or overnight. Add a tablespoon or two or rum, rye or vinegar for added flavour. (This step is optional if you are short on time but it’s worth it).
  2. Preheat oven 350F
  3. Beat eggs well in a large bowl.
  4. Add sugar, syrup and melted butter to the eggs. Mix well.
  5. Add vinegar, salt and vanilla.
  6. Drain the liquid from the raisins. Fill the bottom of the tart shells with raisins.
  7. Fill the tart shells 3/4 full with the sugar mixture. I find a small liquid measuring cup works well.
  8. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until set. The tart shells should be lightly browned and the filling should stay put if tipped.

Variations:
Skip the raisins and full the tarts just with the sugar mixture.
Add toasted, chopped pecans to the top of the tarts before cooking.
Add sea salt to the top of the tarts before or after cooking.

First Impressions of Shaw BlueSky TV- Does it live up to the hype?

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Thanks to Shaw Communications for sponsoring this article

We’ve been long time Shaw customers and have had a PVR for a long time as well. We had been using Shaw’s Gateway system which I have liked but found the menu navigation to be a bit clunky and it had a few frustrating features (like no input button on the remote). I had heard about Shaw’s new BlueSky TV system but I wasn’t sure if I actually needed something better. When Shaw offered to let us trial BlueSky TV I was pretty excited to see if it was really as good as they say and to be able to help you decide whether it’s right for your family too.

We’ve only been using BlueSky TV for a couple of weeks, but I wanted to share our first impressions and what it’s been like to get used to using it.

Voice Commands

I’ve been really impressed by the voice commands. Setting our new recordings was super quick because I didn’t have to spend forever typing in the titles. I could just tell the remote what I wanted and up it appeared. You can also consistently use the voice commands from just about anywhere which makes using it really effortless.

I was a little wary of the voice commands, but I’ve found them to work really well. It can even understand my 5-year-old when she’s talking like a baby instead of using her big girl voice.

Speaking of kids, it’s made it way easier for my kids to access the things they want to watch. They can ask the remote for Disney Junior or Treehouse or to go to the KidsZone (more on the KidsZone below) and don’t need me to set it all up for them.

Content Integration

The voice controls are great, but the content integration is what I’ve been most impressed with. You can access your regular cable channels, recordings, Shaw On Demand, Netflix and CraveTV all from the same menu.

For example, if you searched for Grey’s Anatomy, you will find the first 13 seasons that are on Netflix, the current season On Demand as well as your PVR recordings. In the past, I would rarely use Shaw On Demand because I found it to be too much effort to find what I wanted. Now we use it all the time.

KidZone and More

We have a 3-year-old, 5-year-old and 8-year-old so the kids’ programming and access are big considerations for us. With BlueSky TV and the KidsZone, my bigger kids are now able to use the voice controls to get into the KidsZone and then access programming that’s appropriate for them. My 8-year-old mentioned how much he likes being able to access On Demand episodes of his favourite shows.

KidsZone can be customized for what you want your kids to see – you can limit it by channel, age, rating and even eliminate specific shows if you can’t stand your kids watching them (I’m looking at you Caillou).  The KidsZone is a little difficult to get out of, especially if you’re not used to it, but that helps make it so the kids don’t exit accidentally. 

You can also set all kinds of parental controls in the settings. For example, you can set a code for On Demand purchases (but still allow access to free shows) or limit how long the TV can be on.

Navigation

I was a little concerned that the non-voice control navigation would still not be very good (this was one of the things I disliked the most about our Gateway system). But I have been pleasantly surprised to find that this has vastly improved too. One of the only things I’d like to see changed is that it currently doesn’t hold your place very well when you go back to a show you’ve been binge watching, so you have to scroll down to the right episode.

Sports App

The new sports app is also a big improvement. I cannot tell you how many times we’ve been scratching our heads trying to figure out which channel the Flames game is actually playing on. Now it’s easy to find what sports are currently playing or pull up the upcoming games. You can ‘favourite’ the teams your family likes to watch to make them even easier to find.

There are a lot of other features too, like being able to see stats or game scores while keeping the game you are watching on screen at the same time. One of the new features I really love is being able to set a reminder for when a Flames game is coming on. I don’t want to record every game but we like to see them when we’re home so the reminder is perfect.

Overall, we’ve been really impressed with how easy BlueSky TV has been to get used to and are loving some of the new features. We’re looking forward to trying out BlueSky TV more over the next couple of months and will be reporting back to let you know how it goes.

Tips to Host the Best Stress-Free Dinner Party

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Just as you’re celebrating the fact that your Thanksgiving turkey turned out perfectly and you survived the family antics and drama, you realize the Holiday season is just around the corner. If you’re like me, your mind starts racing… gift lists, shopping trips, recipe ideas, and more holiday parties and dinners than you can count on both hands. Where do you start?

If you’re like me, hosting holiday get togethers are at the top of the list. How do you ensure they go off without a hitch? Here are a few simple tips and tricks that will make every meal a hit:

  1. Make a list and check it twice. There are great organizational apps (I like to think of them as my virtual assistant) that can help you prioritize. From stocking up your pantry and creating menu ideas to managing RSVP lists, storing these items in one place can help you organize and strike off those to-dos!  Plus, the feeling of accomplishment you get when you check an item off your list is always a bonus (whether it’s on paper or on your phone!)
  2. Get the fancy silverware and dishes ready. Holiday feasts and festive parties mean bringing out your best silverware and serving dishes. To refresh your silver, try Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Just rub a paste of three-parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and one-part water onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Then rinse thoroughly and your dinnerware will be sparkling-ready to impress your guests!
  3. Expect the unexpected. For that unexpected guest who drops by, not-so-holiday-specific items like stationary, pens and notebooks are a nice last-minute gifting idea that anyone will appreciate. Taking a non-holiday themed approach means items can be purchased well in advance of the holiday shopping rush.
  4. Keep messes to a minimum. Having a trusted stain fighter on-hand to tackle those holiday spills and stains is a must! My go-to products are the OxiClean MaxForce Foam Laundry Pre-Treater and MaxForce Spray Laundry Pre-Treater. Both can treat wine stains, gravy spills and stains from sticky fingers to keep linens and napkins table-ready for next season. The Pre-treaters can stand for up to a week before washing.
  5. Pamper yourself! Treat yourself to that festive latte, Santa-shaped cookie, or extra hour in bed without the guilt! You deserve it for all your hard work, and it may be just what you need to keep your spirits up and stay energized for your next dinner party!

What are your tips for easing dinner party prep and clean-up stress? I’d love to hear them!

Stay Ahead of Cold & Flu Season INFOGRAPHIC

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I am a brand ambassador for the 2017 year with Church & Dwight. As part of this program I receive monetary compensation as well as products to review.

Sweater weather, sore throats and runny noses can only mean one thing – the start of cold and flu season! Luckily, there are easy ways to protect you and your family, and with the proper care and a lot of TLC you can say goodbye to cold and flu symptoms in as little as three days. By taking these preventative steps, you’ll fight every flu season with confidence.

Practice healthy eating: Maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables will help keep you healthy. But sometimes it’s hard to keep up and give your body all its recommended nutrients. To help keep pace with your hectic schedule, take a multivitamin to help support your immune system. If you’re like me and don’t like swallowing pills, try Men’s and Women’s Complete Multivitamin – they come in an easy-to-take gummy format and taste delicious.

Be active: Keep your body moving every day. Take a brisk walk or spend 30 minutes at the gym to keep your immune system healthy and your stress levels low.

Combat stress: Stress can affect how your immune system functions and a weakened system can lead to colds and the flu. To keep your immune system strong, get plenty of rest, and relax– not just when you’re sick!

Drink plenty of liquids: Fluids in general will help soothe a sore throat, loosen congestion and flush out any bacteria in your system. Drinking plenty of water also helps to prevent dehydration and replace fluids lost from a fever or respiratory infection.

Rest and recuperate: Unless you were one of the lucky ones this fall, and managed to avoid getting sick, you may have to spend a few weekends indoors resting. Keep plenty of tissue nearby, enjoy a movie marathon and recover with Gravol™ Multi-symptom Cold & Fever.  This natural health product is an all-in-one anti-nauseant, pain reliever and fever reducer. The medicinal ingredients that make this formula so effective are Ginger and Willow Bark extracts, traditional herbal medicines used for centuries.

Know when to see a doctor: The symptoms of different viruses and bacterial infections can be very similar and often confusing, which is why it’s important to know when to see a doctor. If you don’t start to feel better after a few days, your symptoms worsen or you’re in a high-risk group to develop flu symptoms , you should see your doctor.

Tip: Antibiotics are great at fighting the bad bacteria that makes you sick, but for some women, they can also affect good bacteria (also known as vaginal flora) making them susceptible to bacterial vaginosis (BV), which causes discomfort, discharge and itching. If you’re prone to BV when taking a prescription medication, try RepHresh™ Pro-B Probiotic. Just 1 oral capsule daily while using oral antibiotics can help treat bacterial vaginosis and help maintain vaginal flora in a normal range.

To help you stay ahead of the flu season, print out this infographic and post on your fridge for constant health tips and reminders.

Family Planning – Tips for Couples Trying to Conceive – sponsored

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I am a brand ambassador for the 2017 year with Church & Dwight. As part of this program I receive monetary compensation as well as products to review.

Having a child can be one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. Whether it’s your first baby or you’re looking to expand your clan, once you’ve decided to have a baby, the last thing you want to do is wait!

Getting pregnant isn’t an exact science but you can put some planning behind your baby making to help better your chances:

Take a multivitamin: Start the journey well prepared. Taking a prenatal vitamin prior to pregnancy is an essential part of keeping you and your baby healthy.  The NEW FIRST RESPONSE™ Prenatal Multivitamin is a great option. It helps ensure you and your baby get the essential nutrients needed to stay healthy, maintain immune function and bone health. Two of the vitamin gummies provide the recommended folic acid intake per day to help prevent neural tube defects, which are commonly developed within the first month of pregnancy** and often before many females know they’re pregnant. As a bonus, this vitamin has a naturally sourced fruit flavor, low in sugar and gluten-free—making it easy to remember and delicious to take.


Understand your cycle: You probably don’t know your own ovulation schedules or know when you’re most fertile. But knowing when and if you’re ovulating is going to help you know when to try to conceive. Did you know that there are just two days during your cycle when you’re most likely to conceive? So how do you find these two days?  Pick up a FIRST RESPONSE™ Advanced Digital Ovulation Test. What makes it so great? It’s over 99% accurate in detecting luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in laboratory studies.  LH indicates when you’re most fertile and likely to conceive which is 24-36 hours after you detect your LH surge.

Tip: Be sure to keep a journal as well. This may be an app on your phone, a charting website, or a plain old paper one. The more you know and are in rhythm with your cycle, the more likely you are to pinpoint ovulation. There is a wealth of resources available at  www.1stresponse.ca.

Use a sperm-friendly lube: The last thing you want to do is decrease your chances of getting pregnant because of the lubricant you choose. Pre-Seed™ Fertility-Friendly Lubricant is sperm friendly. It not only enhances your comfort; it’s specially formulated to mimic your body’s fertile fluids. Other lubricants, saliva and even oil can inhibit sperm from reaching the cervical opening but Pre-Seed is pH-balanced and isotonic, allowing sperm to swim freely.

Don’t let the suspense drive you crazy: The amount of time it takes to get pregnant is different for everyone but if you’re “dying” to know, try the FIRST RESPONSE™ Early Result Pregnancy Test. It’s sensitive enough to capture scant amounts of pregnancy hormones to give you results 6 days sooner than your missed period.

Turn to others for advice: Remember, we’re all here to help you along your pregnancy journey—you’re not alone. Chances are, there is someone else out there who is going through the same—or similar—experiences, so don’t be shy about reaching out.

Help spread the conversation: In the spirit of giving advice and sharing to help others in a similar situation, I’d love to hear your conception stories and especially some of your misconceptions around ovulation, birth control and tips for getting pregnant. Share your stories and engage in the conversation online using #conceptionmisconceptions

 

* https://sogc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/gui324CPG1505E.pdf

**Helps to reduce the risk of neural tube defects when taken daily at least three months prior to becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy.

The Great Balancing Act

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I am a brand ambassador for the 2017 year with Church & Dwight. As part of this program I receive monetary compensation as well as products to review.

Tips to keep you happy and healthy ‘down there’ this summer

Oh, summer, how I missed you. After a long winter, there’s nothing I’m craving more than the hot sun and patio weather. What I don’t miss are the pesky issues “down there” that also come with soaking up the sun. Yes, you read that right. For many women, the warmer temperature brings an increased risk of an “itch” that nobody likes to talk about – yeast infections.

Surprisingly, yeast infections affect more women than you think! Approximately five per cent of women experience reoccurring yeast infections (3 to 4 infections in the last year)[1] and this has a lot to do with heat. The infection occurs when moisture gets trapped and yeast can overgrow, causing itching, burning and discomfort. If you’ve had one, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

The good news is that with a few simple tips, you can avoid that pesky itch.

  1. Remember to dry off: Relaxing in a hot tub is the perfect way to enjoy a warm, summer evening. However, yeast grows best in a moist environment, making hot tubs a breeding ground for unwanted infections. This means it’s important to dry off well afterwards and change into dry clothes right away. Use this same approach when spending the day at the beach or pool.
  2. Know your pH: Many vaginal health issues, including odour, itchiness and yeast infections stem from an unbalanced pH. RepHresh™ Gel is a gynecologist recommended product and clinically proven to be pH balanced which can help to eliminate feminine odour and relieve feminine discomfort.
  3. Wear cotton undies: Unfortunately, your tight skinny jeans may not be the best option this summer. Warm, tight clothing allows for little oxygen movement making the perfect breeding ground for yeast. If you must rock the skinnies, wear cotton underwear.
  4. Take healthy measures: RepHresh™ Pro-B reduces the number of urogenital pathogenic bacteria and yeast on vaginal surfaces. It’s clinically tested and works by balancing the yeast and bacteria that are naturally present in a woman’s body to help restore and maintain proper vaginal flora. Try adding one capsule to your daily routine to keep your body on track and ensure nothing slows you down this summer!

Are you ready to beat the summer heat? I would love your feedback if you’ve tried either of these products.

[1] http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/oh-no-not-another-yeast-infection