Author: Rose G

Lifestyle Blogger & Freelance Writer

Staying Healthy During The Holidays

Even though the holidays are supposed to be a generally happy time of year it seems like it can often be full of stress. Personally the stress of school, weird weather changes and previously pressure at work (I was once a Retail Store Manager) usually leads me to getting a cold and sometimes even the flu. My body just breaks down and says “Alright Rose. Time to rest.” But you can’t always get that rest because the world will continue to go on without you.

I usually try to take preventive measures – take more vitamins and supplements that boost my immune system, drink more water and attempt to get plenty of rest. Also – wash my hands and use hand sanitizer as often as I can without being obsessive. Sometimes even though most preventive measures do not always equate to remaining healthy but there are things that you can do even if you end up getting sick.

After travelling recently and the stress of my father passing away as well as everything else I ended up getting sick for about a week. Since I’m a professional at getting sick (but recovering quickly) here are some of my favorite tips for staying healthy during the holidays – including if you already have some type of bug in your system.

how to stay healthy during the holidays

Note: These are things that I personally do/use (not all at the same time) and this is NOT medical advice so please followup with your Doctor for more information about what may be suitable for you. Always read the packaging of any item you use in case you have allergies or are at risk for other side effects.

Staying Healthy During The Holidays – The Basics

+ Drink water. Stay hydrated.
+ Get plenty of rest. Your immune system will thank you.
+ Get some exercise in as often as you can because exercise can boost your immunity. If you are already sick check with your doctor first. Check out this awesome infographic on exercise, illness and your immune system. [You might enjoy: Exercise when sick: Should you sweat it out? Or rest and recover?]
+ Purchase a humidifier if you can.
+ Always have the following stocked up prior to getting sick so you don’t have to run to the store while sick: Cold/Cough and/or Flu Medicine (TheraFlu is my favorite but WalMart carries a generic version that works just as well), hand sanitizer or sani wipes, Ginger Ale, Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, face tissues (for home and pocket size for your purse), Vitamin C, Zinc, EmergenC and/or Airborne, canned broths or clear soups and applesauce.

Staying Healthy During The Holidays – Tips

+ Wipe everything down with your favorite germ killing sprays or wipes – tables, keyboards, door handles, sinks and so on. Anything where someone sick may have touched, breathed or sneezed on… WIPE IT DOWN
+ When in public – especially when travelling, wash your hands well and/or use hand sanitizer after touching door handles, shopping carts, bathroom stalls and so on. If I use a public restroom I will wash my hands, use a paper towel to open doors and often sanitize my hands again once I leave.
+ If you start getting stomach issues or a cold make a mix of Ginger ale, water, 1-2 tsps of Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and a little honey to sweeten (optional): I like to water my ginger ale down because of the carb content. If you don’t care for Ginger Ale you can also do 8 oz of water and 1-2 tsps of Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. I am actually drinking this as I write this and it has significantly kicked my cold recovery time.
+ Check out Tracys Fire Cider Recipe to really keep healthy during the holidays.
+ During holiday travel keep your hands clean at all times and avoid touching your face unless you have cleaned your hands first. If you have to touch handles or other places that others may have touched try to use a paper towel or tissue and always sanitize or wash your hands well. Take Airborne a day before travelling, the day of travelling and a day or two after travelling. When you plan on returning do the same thing – take the day before travelling, day of travelling and a couple days after.
+ If you are having what feels like the stomach flu (go to your doctor first for confirmation) and are ready to start eating do clear liquids and stick to the “BRAT” diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast). I like applesauce so I usually get unsweetened applesauce and put a little cinnamon if I feel I can have that added to it.
+ If you are sick – stay indoors if you can so that you don’t spread illness to others. And let others know it is okay to stay home if they aren’t feeling well too. Sometimes we get sick, spread it to someone else and then the vicious cycle continues. For colds the first couple of days is when we are most likely to spread the cold virus but we can be infectious for up to two weeks on average.
+ Wash your sheets, pillowcases and that blanket you keep snuggling with. If you can do fresh linens daily that would be excellent but if not try as often as you can and especially once you seem “cured” – wash everything!

What are your favorite ways to stay healthy during the holidays? Favorite remedies? Let us know in the comments.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.

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Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals 2016

**This post includes affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase one of the services listed below. For more information please visit our Disclosure page**

Last year I had fun sharing Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals so I thought I would do it again this year because who doesn’t love a good deal? So here are just some of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals from some of my favorite places.

**Please see the respective brand websites for more details on dates, deal and coupon information and any possible restrictions.**.

Black Friday Deals and Coupon Codes

Before you even start shopping online I recommend that you sign up for ebates. It is free to sign up and you can get special savings and cash back at many of the online stores you already shop at. To make it easier also install the ebates Chrome extension and log on to your account. When you are shopping online it will alert you of cashback and deals that are available at that website and all you have to do is activate it.
Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Black Friday Deals 2016

Beauty & Makeup
Receive a 3 Piece Gift with $50 purchase: mini Audacious Mascara, mini Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via Veneto, & mini Gentle Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. Use code DARETOLOOK at checkout. Ends November 30th.

Tarte Cosmetics: save 25% off sitewide (no exclusions) with code FRIYAY at checkout. Offer ends November 25th.

Avon: avon black friday coupon code dealClick here to shop Avon deals

For Bloggers
Creative Market: Black Friday Bundle by DesignSomething $10 for 74 Products

Fashion & Accessories
Check out Stella & Dot’s huge Black Friday Sale: take an extra 25% OFF sale items – up to 50% off!

Lane Bryant: Free Shipping No Minimum! Valid 11/24 only

Payless Shoes: Shop payless.com for an extra 20% off with code ZZDEAL20. Free shipping on orders over $25. Offer valid 11/23/16 – 11/27/16 @ 5 p.m. CST.

Home & Office
Starbucks Store Online: Black Friday Sale: $20 off orders over $100 plus free shipping sitewide. (Valid 11/24 to 11/26)

Cyber Monday Deals 2016

Beauty
Avon:avon cyber monday coupon dealClick here to shop Avon deals

Fashion & Accessories
Payless: Cyber Monday starts early at payless.com, take an extra 30% off with code ZZCYBER1 starting at 5 p.m. CST on 11/27. Plus get free shipping on orders over $25. Offer valid 11/27/16 – 11/28/16.

Home & Office
Starbucks Store Online: Cyber Monday Sale: 25% off all orders sitewide plus free shipping on orders over $60.(Valid 11/27 and 11/28)

Walmart:
Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC

What other Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are you checking out this season?

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.

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Learn How to Make Money Tweeting With A Free Twitter Legend Mini Course

Are you ready to take your Twitter account to the next level? Well it is time to sign up for Twitter Legend Free mini course

Twitter Legend Free mini course

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.

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Flashback Friday’s: Living Through Loss

Trigger Warning: I recently lost my Father so this post may get emotional and be triggering for people that are still in mourning, bereavement and so on.

flashback fridays hertaintedlips

F*ck 2016.
Seriously. I had such a positive outlook for this year and it seems like every time things are going well I get hit with a curve ball. The past couple of years have been challenging but 2016 is really the year that I feel is testing me and taking me to my limit. I am at my breaking point and each time I really want to give up someone comes to me and says something positive, loving and/or encouraging.

I went into 2016 with health and and other personal issues – I got through them the best I could. I felt lost and unsure on so many occasions but things slowly started getting better. I was feeling happy and healthy but over the summer I suffered a serious allergic reaction which sent me to the hospital for 3 days while they monitored me. I now have certain foods I have to avoid and will have to carry an Epi Pen with me for the rest of my life.

Soon after my hospital stay, my Aunt fell ill and ended up in the hospital. She suffered several heart attacks and passed away. I was thousands of miles away and I felt so guilty and frustrated because I wasn’t able to be there to tell her I love her and be with my family. I still have days I reach for the phone to call her only to remember that she is no longer there.

I thought that would be where the struggle and pain of this year would taper off. I was wrong.

Early in October I called my Dad and he told me that he wasn’t feeling well – he thought he had the flu. He apologized for cutting our call short. We exchanged our “I love you’s” and little did I know that would be my last time hearing his voice.

Soon after our last conversation he ended up in the hospital for pneumonia and ended up being put in a medically-induced coma so he could be intubated. Awhile later he seemed to be doing better – tube was taken out and he was moved out of ICU. Within two days he had a heart attack and was intubated again. My Mom worked some magic so that I could come to Georgia and be with him and my family. I thought he would kick this.

He had a total of 3 heart attacks and some seizures. There was too much damage done to his brain and things looked grim. I tried to remain positive and present but I would just cry randomly and my sleep schedule continues to suffer. Once I had the courage to ask the prognosis I knew that even if he was taken off the machines and could breath on his own – he would not be the same person we all knew and loved.

He was removed from life support on a Friday, moved to a Hospice facility on a Saturday and passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2016.

Living Through Loss

It has been a week since I stood in that ICU room while they removed the breathing tube and this weekend we are holding a memorial service for him. Anything that reminds me of him either makes me cry or makes my heart ache – sometimes both at the same time.

I want to sleep because maybe this is just a horrible nightmare yet fear, hurt, resentment and guilt fill my thoughts in the quiet of the night. Why couldn’t I be here sooner? Did he really know how much I loved him? I only eventually sleep because my body just cant take it anymore so it shuts down.

Depression and anxiety constantly knock at my door.

I feel like I am at one place in time and the entire world is just passing me by. I forget what day it is often – days turn to nights right before my eyes. I enjoy time with family but when I am not “busy” I get overwhelmed with grief. I’m an emotional eater yet I let my body feel empty. I feel lost and confused.

I told a friend that reached out to me with comforting words that I feel like I am about to crack open and end up in a dark place. He assured me that I am stronger than I know and if I “go there” I will find my way back out. I have so many wonderful friends and family members – as well as strangers that have reached out to me. I really feel like this support is what has kept me going because there are so many times I just want to give up.

I constantly tell myself that I can get through this. That I am a strong person. I can hear my Dads voice saying “don’t worry suga” – it is reassuring yet hurts at the same time.

This is what it is like living through loss.

Click here to donate to my bereavement fund

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.

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Friends & Family Event: Free Shipping + 20% OFF

You’re Invited to The Friends & Family Event.

Receive FREE SHIPPING plus 20% OFF any order of $50 or more.

Use this code at checkout: FRIENDS

avon free shipping coupon deal friends family

Click here to shop online

Expires Midnight ET, 10/21/2016. Mail Delivery Only. Excludes Avon Living and Avon Auto-Replenish

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.

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Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask by Valentia

I received a jar of Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask by Valentia at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. Product ingredients and directions are from the company, however, my experience and commentary is my own.

Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask by Valentia benefits:
– Reveals softer smoother skin
– Reduces fine lines
– Locks in skins moisture
– Boosts collagen production
– Increases skin radiance

My Experience
I used the Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask by Valentia on the dry patches that I get on my face and it did make those areas seem fuller/plumper than usual and my skin looked smoother as well.

What I liked about the mask was that it wasn’t too heavy and it was a cool golden color which was totally unexpected. It has almost a custard consistency and you can use just a little or a lot depending on how much you need. I also liked that it wasn’t oily or greasy feeling on the skin as a lot of moisturizing or hydrating products are.

The mask also has a pleasant scent and as noted on the jar – there was a tingling sensation. It was more of a cooling feeling. After wiping it off with a damp, warm cloth my skin instantly felt smoother. Even though it is marketed for facial skin, I even tried it on my elbows to see what would happen and again – smoother skin was the result.

Ingredient List and benefits
– Silk Protein Amino Acid Blend: These natural miracles increase moisture content and help in the production of collagen and elastin which decreases the appearance of visible lines.
– Botanical Hyaluronic Acid: Penetrates deep into the skin to secure moisture and plump skin from within.
– Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil: An anti-aging wonder berry that results in fewer fine lines, diminished sun spots, more even skin tone, and firmer more supple skin.
– Japanese Green Tea: Contains catechins that provide anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-irritant effects to the skin.
– Aloe Vera: This botanical moisturizers skin and fight aging by improving skin firmness.

Directions for using Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask:
Apply to face avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15-30 minutes. A slight tingling sensation is normal. Use a damp cloth and warm water to remove.

I have used several of Valentia’s products and have yet to be disappointed with the quality and results that I have had with them. Their Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask is no different.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.

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