I have thick, curly hair that can be difficult to manage. As a busy mom of two, I don’t often have a lot of time to straighten and style my hair, so quality products, designed for my particular needs are essential.  Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy offers six shampoos and five conditioners designed to cleanse, nourish, and strenghten hair…from the scalp. According to the brand, 99% of hair’s natural strength and beauty come from the scalp and it makes sense that we’d start at the “root” for strong, beautiful hair.  In addition to this revolutionary appraoch, the line is designed to begin eliciting results in just seven days.

The shampoos and conditioners are formulated with Nutrium 10 technology, which in essence is a blend of 10 vitamins and nutrients that “feed” the scalp.  I have to admit that had I thought about this approach in the past, I would have been searching for hair care products specifically designed to work on the scalp because one of my primary hair care concerns is dryness. Our weather here in California is already dry and during the winter months my scalp can get incredibly dry and itchy.  One of the first things I noticed after using the products for seven days was the fact that I didn’t experience that dryness.  Over time, I also began to notice that my hair felt softer and in general has become easier to manage.

As much as I try not to pay attention to asthetics, packaging and scent can definitely be a deciding factor when choosing a line of hair care products.  I particularly like the sleek design of the bottles because they stand out amongst other brands on the store shelf.

Before I purchase shampoo and conditioner, I smell it.  It’s important that the scent be pleasant but not overwhelming.  I found Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy to have definite fruity undertones (apple, pear) which I prefer over stronger floral scents.  Interestingly enough, on one of the very first days I used the product, I had a friend ask me what type of perfume I was wearing (I wasn’t wearing any!).

As far as how the products feel, I found that the shampoo lathers immediately and doesn’t require a lot of product to achieve that rich lather.  The conditioner is moisturizing without being weighty.  After a shampoo and condition, my hair feels clean and vibrant.

There are many components that contribute to strong, beautiful hair. Stress, diet, age, and environment can all contribute to the overall health of your hair. Dermatologist Francesca Fusco offers the following tips:

1. Drink 2 liters of water every day

2. Eat a diet rich in anti-oxidants and omega-3 fatty acids

3. Find a way to relieve and manage stress (yoga, meditation, exercise, and sleep can help alleviate stress)

4. Alternate the use of hot and cold water on the scalp to stimulate circulation

5.  Minimize the use of heat on the hair and scalp including blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, and diffusers

6.  Consider the use of an air humidifier to replenish moisture to the hair and scalp

7.  Use a nourishing shampoo and conditioner and massage the products into the scalp for at least one minute

For more information about Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy, just visit your local Walmart.

Be sure to check out all five of the videos featured on the site including Christine, Amy, Erika, and Colleen. Here are some photos from our shoot:

I wish I had someone to do my makeup every day!

Camera Ready?

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I’m always dreaming up new ways to incorporate my favorite breakfast foods.  Since eggs are incredibly versatile, I decided to experiment with a quick, easy, and flavorful egg frittata.  But my foodie side wouldn’t let me just add eggs, cheese, and veggies. I wanted an ethnic spin on this dish so I whipped up a very simple Mediterranean Egg Frittata.  Like most egg dishes, I encourage you to add your own variations.

Mediterranean Egg Frittata

4 eggs

Dash of salt, pepper, and oregano

1/4 each Green and Red Bell Peppers, chopped

1/4 to 1/2 small onion, chopped

1/2 cup Goat or Feta Cheese

1/4 cup Sun Dried Tomatoes, drained

1-2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

1. In a medium sized bowl, use a fork to beat eggs. Season with salt, pepper, and oregano.

2.  Sauté onions and bell peppers until soft, but not brown. (be sure to use an oven-proof skillet)

3. Add eggs over the vegetables and cook until almost set (be sure the top still looks a bit moist before removing from the heat).

4.  Sprinkle with cheese and place in broiler for approximately 5 minutes, making sure to keep a close eye on the frittata.  When the cheese has melted, and the top is slightly browned and set, remove from broiler and serve.

Serve with fresh fruit, toast, coffee, and juice.

How are you celebrating Mother’s Day this weekend?

Whether you’re a mom who loves the kitchen or a mom like me who’s just getting her feet wet, new kitchen items can inspire a renewed love for cooking and baking.  While shopping for my own mother at Walmart, I spotted these attractive, affordable gift options:

This 10-speed blender from Black & Decker comes in a vibrant red and retails for just $29!

I also put together a basket of kitchen linens including four red placemats, a white linen tablecloth, and two cotton velour terry towels.  Because I already had the basket, the gift (excluding tax) cost just $23.82!

I like Walmart’s Mainstays line because the designs are modern and colorful and despite the lower prices, I don’t find quality to be compromised.

What are you getting that special mom in your life for Mother’s Day?

  Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Periodically, Johnson & Johnson in partnership with Walmart, puts out a coupon booklet featuring some of their most popular products. These booklets are then mailed to English and Spanish speaking households across the country. This Spring, you’ll want to pay attention to the booklet because you might just recognize the five bloggers they featured and photographed using the products.

Photo Credit: Marck Jackson

I looked into my bathroom cabinet earlier this week and pulled out at least two tubes of Neosporin and two boxes of BAND-AIDS.  I also found several bottles of Listerine,  at least four Children’s Reach toothbrushes, and a few containers of floss under the sink.  To say that working with the company who manufactures these products was a great fit is an understatement. What better “spokesperson” than a real mom who uses said products each and every day with her family?

Photo Credit: Mark Jackson

One of BAND-AID’s newest innovations is their Quiltvent technology, which helps to keep wounds clean and dry by wicking away fluid.  Traditionally, we keep “owies” covered with a small amount of Neosporin until they begin to dry and heal.  We haven’t tried these out yet because neither of my children have gotten hurt in the past week, but I’m curious to see how different they are from traditional bandages.

This week, I headed to Walmart to shop for some of the products featured in the booklet including Neosporin, BAND-AID, Listerine, and Reach. A tube of Neosporin costs us When you visit each respective website, you’ll find coupons under the special offers tab.  Or, you can use the coupons in the mailer. : )  My complete shopping experience can be viewed here.

Photo Credit: Mark Jackson

The booklet will be sent out to Spanish-speaking households, and some of the photos we shot with Johnson and Johnson will be featured as well including this one with Zyrtec.

The booklet will be hitting a million households this week so look for it! And if you happen to see it, I’d love for you to drop us a note.

 DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shipper insights study for Collective Bias. Thoughts are my own. #CBias #SocialFabric #SmartSavings

Approximately 1 week after planting seeds

Approximately 2 weeks after planting seeds

After two weeks, we definitely have growth from the carrots, and since the seedlings are the right height (3 inches or more), we will be transplanting them to larger pots outside this week. Since it hasn’t been 30 days yet, I’m not giving up hope yet on the lettuce, although I will say that initially, I did see some sprouts.

Seeds of Change is working to help families grow their own gardens.  As a family, we are trying to eat more locally grown, organic foods.  Since we strive to eat fresh wholesome foods, organic produce comprises a large part of our grocery bill.  I dream of one day having an entire garden filled with fresh, organic produce that I can pick fresh from our backyard. For families looking to begin gardening, I highly recommend their kits because everything you would need to get started is included.  For example, I never know what kind of soil to buy and the kits include organic planting mix.  I also like the fact that the pots are designed to biodegrade into the grown (how’s that for minimizing our carbon footprint?).

Here are some of the other things we’ve been planting:

Over the past few weeks, I learned a few things about gardening and now know what I’ll do differently as we continue to grow our garden.

1. Growing a garden takes time and commitment.

2. Too much or too little water will determine whether or not seeds will grow.

3. Most plants need plenty of sun, so be sure to plant during optimal seasons.

4. The type of pot the seeds are planted in is as important as the soil.

5.  It may take more than one attempt to be successful.

Seeds of Change offers these tips for those of us who are just beginning to garden:

Plant outdoors with at least six hours of direct sun, easy access to water, and sufficient drainage

Plant during a season when there is no danger of frost at night, no variable temperature swings from day to day, and daytime temperatures of at least 70 degrees

When you water, be sure the soil is moist (you’ll know because it will crumble into small pieces).  If you can squeeze the water out, it’s too wet and if it’s dusty and falls apart, it’s too dry.

For more information about Seeds of Change or to begin your own organic garden, just visit Walmart.

Since we’re nearing the end of my month-long iced coffee savings challenge, I thought I’d pair my International Delight Iced Coffee with a Sour Cream Coffee Cake.  All month long (when I’ve been in town), I’ve refrained from frequenting any coffee shop to satisfy my iced coffee craving.  Instead, I’ve replaced those iced coffees with International Delight Iced Coffee.

I already know that when I frequent a coffee shop, I’m paying double or even triple what it would cost to do it myself at home.  The cost of convenience is expensive, and when my husband and I were looking at ways to cut back, our joint coffee habits were definitely a nicety we had to forgo.  But rather than completely give up the joy of an iced coffee, I used this month to see how much I could save by doing it myself at home.  The grand total?  $119.93!  Given the fact that I traveled quite a bit this month, I think the savings are quite impressive.  I’ll think about this every time I drive by a coffee shop and feel compelled to buy an iced coffee.

After trying all three flavors (Original, Mocha, and Vanilla), I’m still convinced that mocha will always be my favorite.  However, I paired my Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe with the Vanilla variety and they went together well.  Here is the recipe, which I adapted from Joy of Baking:

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

2 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar (do not pack)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup sour cream

Topping:

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/8 cup light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.

Beat butter until soft then gradually add sugar and continue beating.

Add eggs and vanilla extract and be sure the mixture is combined well.

Alternate adding in the  flour mixture and sour cream. Don’t overbeat.

Topping:  Combine all ingredients in a bowl and set aside for topping before baking the bread.

Bake at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes.

Serve warm with iced coffee, if desired.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias

One of the things I particularly enjoy about being part of the Walmart Moms Program, is the opportunity to highlight the corporation’s greener products and sustainable initiatives.  One of my two tracks is sustainability, and every month, I peruse the store, looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and find products and foods that are safe for our family.

Each year (traditionally around the Spring when Earth Month is celebrated), Walmart holds it’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting, to spotlight those areas where they’ve achieved success and what sustainability looks like in the future for the corporation. I always find this particular meeting to be interesting and informative, and come away inspired and honored to be working with Walmart.

Sustainability is right for the business and the right thing to do – Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke

The quote at the beginning of this post really defines Walmart’s approach in all areas, specifically as a leader in sustainability.  This year, the company will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary, and according to Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke, aims to put sustainability deeper into the business.

So where has Walmart achieved success in the area of sustainability over the past year?  Here are some of the highlights from the past year:

1.  You know the wires that often secure toys in their packaging?  The ones that are nearly impossible to remove, even as an adult?  Walmart replaced them with a sustainable alternative, saving 1 billion feet of wire from ending up in landfills.  That is enough wire to wrap around the earth 8 times!  Yikes!

2. Walmart has worked hard to eliminate more than 80% of it’s waste in US stores.  The result is that this waste does not end up in landfills.

3.  Over the last year, Walmart has increased it’s amount of locally grown produce by 97%, which now accounts for 10% of all produce sold in Walmart stores nationwide.

4.  In 2011, Walmart saved it’s US customers over 1 billion dollars by lowering the price of produce

5.  Through Walmart’s global direct farm program, they’ve helped over 10,000 small and medium sized farmers in Costa Rica, Central America, and Mexico by teaching them sustainable agriculture.

6.  Over the past two years, Walmart has exceeded it’s goal of selling 100 million CFL light bulbs.  Through the 460 million light bulbs sold, they’ve saved $15 billion in utility costs which is the equivalent of saving the emissions from 25 million cars.

7.  Walmart is currently at 80% of it’s goal towards having zero waste.  The income they’ve realized from recycling is equivalent to the profit from 40-50 Supercenters and emissions from 2 million cars.

8.  Walmart’s fleet vehicles drove 28 million fewer miles yet delivered 65 more million cases.

9.  Since 2007, Walmart has saved 1.7 million dollars from 100 solar sites built, most of which are in California

Little things add up to big things - Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke

One of the most interesting concepts introduced is Walmart’s new Sustainability Index.  We are a generation seeking information and we not only want to know that the products we use and consume are safe, but that they were made well and produced in a responsible manner.  The Sustainability Index is a way for customers to evaluate a product’s environmental impact, simply by reading the information on the package.

To succeed, stay out in front of change – Sam Walton

There is a lot of emphasis within the corporation about helping customers save money so they can live better.  Oftentimes, sustainability isn’t the first word that comes to people’s minds when they think about Walmart.  As a leader in the industry, Walmart is constantly asking the question, “what does it take to play an even bigger role on sustainability?”

If you’re interested in learning more about Walmart’s sustainability initiatives, I encourage you to check out Walmart’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting online.

 Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

To celebrate the release, Walmart just released a free app, that offers fans a new way to immerse themselves in all-things superhero!  The Superhero Augmented Reality App offers shoppers the first in-store gaming experience.

In superhero scavenger hunt fashion,  kids and adults peruse the store to unlock each superhero’s powers to continue along in the game.  There are six superheroes, each possessing distinct powers, and it’s your job to find the remaining five throughout the store to defeat Loki.

The game itself is fun, but my son found it a bit challenging.

The app actually offers two modes.  The game mode, which I described above, and a photo capture mode, which allows fans the option of taking photos with their favorite superheroes. When you select the photo capture mode in-store, a 3-D model will be visible on your phone.  My kids really liked this although it takes a very steady hand to get a clear photo.  Once you’ve taken a photo, you can share it on Facebook or via email.

Here are a few tips before going in to the store, based on our experience.

1. Download AND initialize the free app before heading into the store. This is a very large app and takes quite a bit of time to download.  We did not download it on WiFi and it took about an hour using 3G.

2. Plan to spend some time in the store.  Since you’ll be looking throughout the store for superheroes, you might want to use this time to get some shopping done.  This isn’t something you can do quickly.

3.  Take photos! It’s actually one of the best features of the app.

Overall, we enjoyed the experience and plan to go back again this week to scope out more superheroes.

This week, be sure to look in the Walmart circular for an image of Hawkeye or online for an image of Black Widow to bring them back to life.

Marvel’s The Avengers opens in theaters nationwide May 4th, 2012.

As I recently mentioned, Walmart has partnered with several well-known brands to help fight hunger. This month-long campaign ends soon, so  I encourage you to vote for the community you’d like to receive funding.  Simply go to Walmart’s Facebook app to vote before April 30th, 202.

Since I am an LA girl at heart, I have been voting for the Greater Los Angeles community to receive funding.  The Walmart Foundation will award 1 community $1 million and 20 runner-ups will each win $50,000. For more information about how Walmart is Fighting Hunger, just visit the site.

Last week, Walmart introduced a brand new service called Disc To Digital, which offers the convenience of taking your favorite movies to the store to be uploaded to the cloud.  For just $2, you can purchase access to a digital copy, and for just $5 you can purchase access to an upgraded, HD digital copy.

The service takes less than 10 minutes, but here are a few things you’ll want to know before going into the store.

1. Create a free Vudu account, ideally from home.  This will speed up the process when you go into the store.  A Walmart Associate will also be able to help you create a free account, if preferred.

2.  Browse the list of over 1000 movies available for upload to the cloud and create a list of  your favorites.  Be sure to bring this list in to the store, along with the DVDs you’d like digital access to.

3.  Once in-store, an associate will authorize the digital copies and place them in your account. Your DVD(s) will be stamped to prevent anyone else from obtaining digital access.

4.  Enjoy your favorite movies from one of 300 internet-enabled devices including laptops, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and more.

Traveling and want to watch your favorite movies without having to take them with you?  Are your DVDs showing signs of wear or perhaps are unplayable?  Do you want the convenience of digital access anytime, anywhere?  Try out Walmart’s new Disc to Digital Service.

Here are a few important points I should mention:

At present, Walmart has partnered with Paramount Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Universal Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to offer customers digital access to over 1000 movies. The list of available movies will grow over time.

Your DVDs do not have to be playable to utilize the service, but you must own them

Your DVDs will be stamped, but you will get to keep them

You will only have to pay a one time fee ($2 or $5). There are no monthly subscription fees.

For more information about Disc To Digital, visit Walmart’s website or head over to the Photo Center at your local store.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.