Dr. Jacobs Naturals Review

My family has been steadily trying to move in the direction of all natural products. With so many chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients in the health and beauty lines, it can be difficult to find ones that are free of what I like to call "junk". And being that I married a man who comes from a family of sensitive skin people, chances are good that my daughter will follow with that. So we have to be careful with what we use. That is why I was eager to try out Dr. Jacobs Naturals. 

*Disclaimer: I received these products, free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed for my words. All opinions expressed are my own.* 

Teaming up with US Family Guide, Dr. Jacobs Naturals wants to get the word out, through bloggers about their products. They are as they advertise, natural! I was sent three products to try. 

Minty Cucumber Mojito Loofah Exfoliating Castile Soap is a bar soap. Not often do I like bar soap, but this one has my seal of approval! I use it on my skin as well as my feet to exfoliate all over. And the scent is quite alluring. I also appreciate the fact that it is a large bar. These are not like the little ones you buy in stores. 

Almond Honey Castile Liquid Soap came in a pump bottle. This is for both face and body wash. I thought the smell was more cherry than almond or honey. Perhaps the blend of the two made it so. It was too cherry for my liking, however. I used this on my hair first. Being a pure castile soap as it is, it is supposed to work well for anywhere you choose to use it. My hair did not like it as much as my hands did though. It felt a little oily afterwards. I think it is best used for body and face instead. My  husband thought the scent was too overpowering for him. While his hair was not as greasy-feeling as mine, it was definitely a little more weighty than he feels it normally is after being washed. I used it in my baby's bath too. Her skin was silky smooth and she liked the smell. I know because she kept putting her face near the water to breathe it in.
Lastly, I have the Charcoal Castile Soap. This is also a face and body wash. I used this one on my legs to shave with. Lathers up really well! And deep cleans.

I could feel the exfoliation it was doing while I was washing with it. I had thought charcoal was more of a fad, but now I see why so many people are using it. My husband used it to shave with on his face. It did help with the shaving process and made him feel smoother, but the smell triggered a headache for him. He said it was too strong for him, though I thought it was just right. 
Overall, I love these products. I love how my skin feels after using them. I like the scents, well except for the almond one that reminded me of cherries. I am also glad that these are made of more natural products. As the saying goes, if you can't read the ingredients, then it probably isn't very good for you. 
Let me know what you think about the products and the company! Would this be something you would use? Let me know in the comments below!

Artistic Product Review

Time to clean up the desk space, or in my case, create one! Shoplet.com is working with Artistic to help us do just that. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this product, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise endorsed or told what to say. All opinions are my own.*

I have been enjoying the benefits of Shoplet.com for quite a while. They are the largest e-tailer of office supplies. Their teaming up with Artistic has allowed me to share a special product that I really like. The Artistic Lift-Top Pad Desktop Organizer is both creative and purposeful.

It adds extra space to your desktop by allowing you to put things under the clear overlay flap. Important reminders, favorite pictures or even a daily note of to-do's are visible while not in the way of your computer working or desk layout. I'm also a fan of the fact that I can wipe it off neatly if anything gets on it and not worry about the things under the overlay being damaged.  

It grips your desk nicely so that it won't slide around as well. With my kids always around, this is a definite plus. I don't have to worry about them pushing or pulling it around the table. 
What do you think of this product? Let me know how useful it might be for you in the comments below. Check out Shoplet and their other office supplies. Also, they carry more than just typical office supplies. They have medical supplies, cleaning supplies and office furniture.  

Thanks for reading! More reviews coming soon.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Today is that one day a year, dedicated to honoring and loving the "Mother's" in our life. A day when we remember and are remembered for all the things we do. All the sacrifices we make daily. All the love we pour out for our children. Being a parent is the hardest job on earth. No matter what anyone says. Nothing is more difficult than raising a child. It is more than just feeding, bathing and clothing them. You have to teach them. From the language to the movements, from hygiene to manners, from self esteem to thinking for themselves and thinking of others. You are preparing the next generation for life. And you only have so many years to do it! Some kids stick around well into adulthood. Some take off the moment they reach legal adulthood. Or sooner... There is no instruction manual. You have to play it by ear. While relying on experiences, if you have any. I was the oldest of 10. I was the original test for my parents. I had experience with changing diapers and cooking. I knew some other things, but not how to deal with personality traits. Not the intricate details. Those I had to learn day by day while seeking advice and encouragement from the women in my life who had already been there and done that. It is a lifetime job. Even after your child grows up and moves away. After they start their own journey. They may still return to you for advice, encouragement and guidance. 

Remember those in your life who are Mother's. Moms, Nana's, Aunts - any woman who may have been there to play that role in your life. They are not always the ones related by blood either. One of my "Nana" figures is "adopted". However, she was far better to me than many of those people I was born related to. She was there for me, even in the times I didn't want her advice. Even when I thought I knew it all. She loved me regardless and stuck through the hard times with me. My Mother has been there from day one. She never gave up on me, even when times were so hard that she considered it. She fought for me. She believed in me. I would not be the woman I am today without her. My godmother, my Nana, my Mother and sister-laws, my Nana by marriage - these are all women I look up to in some ways or other. I respect them. I love them. And I'd give them all the world if I could. They each have a life story that has encouraged me in some way. 

Though today is dedicated to Mothers, do not limit your love to just today. Let today be the day you go out of your way more so than any other day, but let every other day still be days you let them know you love them very much. And remember this, they won't always be there. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Frustrations with Medical Providers

Right now, I'm not sure which is worse. The fact that the neurologist assigned to me prescribed me an anti-depression or the fact that my husband spent $30 on this prescription that I have no intention of taking whatsoever.

This doctor thought he could cure my "common" disorder that "most women" suffer from. Fainting spells. That is what he thinks I have! And what does he prescribe me? Nortriptyline. We looked it up when we got home. I'm supposed to take one per night before bed and work my way up to taking 3 a night before bed. He told me it would help me sleep. And by getting better sleep, I would not be so anxious. Because my anxiety is causing the fainting spells. As a woman, I am subconsciously hyperventilating myself.

Imagine my surprise when my husband told me it is mainly used as an antidepressant. To treat clinical depression. And the side effects of this medication? Let's just say I'm already having several of them. And this: 

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using nortriptyline. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Yeah... I don't need to be brought down daily. I get down. Whenever I start to hurt a lot and I am reminded of everything I'm losing in life. Like when I had to quit working for Amazon. I really miss that place. And it hurts to know that is no longer an option for me. When I sold my bike. Motorcycles are no longer in my future. Tears me up when I am reminded of that fact. Now I can't drive. Bye-bye independence. No more yard sales on Saturday morning. No more flea market trips. Can't even make a quick trip to the store when I need that one thing I'm missing. Wouldn't you be down about something like that? But I do not let it keep me down. I remind myself that I have something to be thankful for. I can still walk. I'm still alive. And my kids are provided for. That is all I have to worry about. But I am not anywhere near being clinically depressed. I have no need for a hormonal balance. 

Check out this little fact:
"This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert." So this is why I have to take it at night? So that I don't have to worry about being able to think and can remain alert around the kiddos. 

And these side effects? No thanks! I'd rather suffer through the pain, kill my liver with all my over the counter pill taking and not sleep than any of these. Some of which are already problems I have and that he was supposed to help me with!

Side Effects

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• agitation
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or discomfort
• clay-colored stools
• cold sweats
• confusion about identity, place, and time false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• decreased urination
• depression
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• difficulty with speaking
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position (Though I have this on other times too)
• double vision
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• feeling of warmth
• feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
• feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
• feeling that others can hear your thoughts (What the heck?!)
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• hostility
• hyperventilation
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• irritability
• loss of balance control
• lower back or side pain
• mood or mental changes
• muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
• muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
• nightmares
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• painful or difficult urination
• panic
• perspiration
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• restlessness
• seizures
• slurred speech
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stiffness of the limbs
• sweating (Is this not the same as perspiration?)
• swelling of the face, ankles, legs, or hands
• talking, feeling, and acting with excitement
• trouble sleeping
• twisting movements of the body uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Some side effects of nortriptyline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: 

• Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
• black tongue
• decreased interest in sexual ability or desire
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• enlargement of the breast
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• heartburn
• hives or welts
• increase in sexual ability or desire
• increased sensitivity of the eyes or skin to light
• pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
• peculiar taste
• severe sunburn
• small red or purple spots on the skin
• swelling of the testicles
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands on side of face or neck
• vision changes
• waking to urinate at night

I am genuinely fed up with the medical system. I am thoroughly ready to give up on treatment. If I did not have a goal in my head of where I need to be in the next year, I would call it quits and let this body shut itself down. I have already begun to prepare myself for being confined to a wheelchair.

And should that day arrive, I am going to 'punk out my ride. Steampunk that is. These doctors don't seem to want to accept the fact that I am not "common". Never have been. As a matter of a fact, I consider myself to be more of a medical anomaly. I mean, really. What person gets a topical skin infection that embeds itself in the bone? What woman never gets a single fever? Ever?! And that infection in the bone? I had x-rays, MRI, bone scan and blood work. Doctors found no issues and no indication that there was something wrong. The only way we knew is that I had pain. Lots of it. But no, nothing could possibly be wrong. I was just a whiny 17 year old. Ha! Jokes on you. Here I am, young 30 year old woman claiming to have pain and lightheadedness. No reason at all, right? She's just whiny. She's prone to fainting, because that is common in women. Lose some weight and drink some water. While you are at it, take some antidepressants. You will be fine! I look forward to the day that I can show them just how wrong they truly are.

I'm not backing down. For now, I refuse to give up. But I'm prepared for whatever outcome happens my way. And I won't spend any more money on prescriptions from them. At least I know what will happen when I take 5 Ibuprofen. Or when I take Advil, Aleve and Excedrin.