11 fruit battery activities for kids was my first round up of science activities from the Internet. I added my own ideas for how to do inquiry with apple or lemon batteries, too!

My dear friend, Michelle, has guest-posted for me twice. Her 3 must-haves for beauty – Arbonne was a big hit. It’s fun to find out how to use products and how they actually work.

I just love Hawaii and it was so much fun to write 8 Oahu breakfast spots. The Gardener and I love to watch sunrise and start the day with some excellent local flavors.

6 books for life transitions was my first Culture post about books. It was a challenge to write because the message in books is so personal to me. I enjoy sharing how these books have helped me.

Makeover: From junk room to office was a huge project with my friend Kathleen. She is a talented designer and her work with me on my office was life changing! If you check out the whole series, you can learn how to make roman shades and pinch pleat drapes!

I loved working with middle and high school students to achieve the dream of college. 6 tips for preparing for college has my best advice for resources and steps children and families should take to work through the difficult maze of choosing and applying to college. You may like Part 2 and the tips for middle school also.

I hope you’ll check out these posts if you missed them and spend some time exploring my other posts.

I’d love to hear about highlights of your year!

Affiliate links:  if you make a purchase using these links, I’ll receive a small compensation towards maintaining this blog, at no extra cost to you.

The post Sharing posts from 2015 year in review appeared first on Casa Bouquet.

Now, here’s Michelle to share wellness information with us:

Arbonne products have botanically based formulas and are vegan. Proudly proclaiming to be pure, safe and beneficial, Arbonne products are gluten free, GMO free, Kosher and have no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. I’m happy to share with you my favorites for wellness and nutrition products, especially as we look forward to a fresh start with a New Year. Here are my top 3 “must haves”:

1. Arbonne Essentials Protein Shake Mix:  Who doesn’t need a quick, go-to breakfast that has 20 grams of vegan protein and more than 20 essential vitamins and minerals per serving? This protein shake delivers 100% amino acid score and has been clinically tested to have a low glycemic index that doesn’t spike blood sugar. They are so good! I mix two scoops with about 8oz of water or almond milk. I have used protein shakes to simplify my diet for about 3 years. However, the first year I was using a different brand that was more expensive and was whey based. Whey can cause lots of tummy trouble- as I found out! Rest assured, Arbonne does not use any whey or soy and is very delicious- no more chalky protein shakes- just smooth, tasty and healthy goodness. My favorite is the chocolate, but the vanilla is great for mixing in fruit or other ingredients!
2. Arbonne Digestion Plus:  Did you know 80% of your immune system health is connected to your gut? How about that most skin conditions are associated with poor digestive health?   Amazing, right? That is why Arbonne Digestion Plus is another favorite. This product contains prebiotics, probiotics and 11 enzymes that promote digestion and nutrient uptake. The prebiotics create the optimum conditions for the bacteria to colonize. The probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) is a robust strain that can survive the trip through the GI tract.   But one of the things I love most about this product is that it helps create an environment that promotes healthy serotonin levels. 80-90% of your serotonin is actually found in your digestive system, but serotonin is an important chemical for your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been linked to mood, sexual desire, sleep and memory. Just mix a packet with an ounce or two of water and drink. I know, you will take two boxes, right?!
3. Arbonne Energy Fizz Sticks:  Energy Fizz Sticks are my afternoon pick-me-up. I am ready to marry these things (my poor husband- but I think he is ready to marry them, too)! I suffer from the 2:00 pm slump and need something give me that boost to finish the work day without the side effects of jitters and heart palpatations that come from too much coffee. Fizz Sticks come in two delicious flavors (citrus and pomegrante), promote alertness and enhance cognitive performance, help promote endurance and enhance motor performance, and help reduce fatigue. They contain antioxidants and a botanical blend of green tea, guarana and ginseng, combined with B vitamins and chromium, to help boost energy. I say they help clear out my brain fog that sets in midday. Try some for a refreshing, bubbly drink anytime during the day – for maximum effect just mix with 8oz of water or more. I mix with up to 32 oz to get in more of my water allotment for the day.

Everyone should do a little something to take care of yourself and Arbonne’s 30-Days to Healthy Living Program has the all the components above and more that make that possible. This month you can get 2 meals, at least one snack and all the supplements for each day for approximately $8 a day for a 30 day supply.

As a special promotion for Casa Bouquet readers that order an Arbonne 30-Days to Healthy Living Package before the end of December, I am providing a thank you gift full of fun samples and goodies. Just contact me directly for more information, special pricing and the Casa Bouquet bonus package.

I hope you enjoy these products as much as I do. Contact me at mtbteacher[at]gmail[dot]com if you have questions or would like to purchase the Casa Bouquet special package.

You may always order directly by simply visiting the website http://michellebenigno.arbonne.com/

Resource links

• http://www.arbonne.com/discover/products/dailyhealth.shtml#recipes
  • Shake recipes from Argonne
• http://www.arbonne.com/discover/videos/the-arbonne-opportunity-video-overview.shtml
  • Arbonne video

“Hey, friends! I’m Michelle Benigno and I am a mom, a science educator and an Independent Consultant/District Manager for Arbonne. I am based in the Asheville, NC area. I love science, cows, musicals, hiking and family time. I love teaching and Arbonne has given me a new opportunity to teach and share.” http://michellebenigno.arbonne.com/

Thanks for the information and the fun offer, Michelle. I’m certainly a cheerleader for your journey with Arbonne.

The post Top Arbonne Health and Nutrition Products appeared first on Casa Bouquet.

Now, here’s Michelle to share beauty picks with us:

Arbonne beauty products have botanically based formulas and are vegan. Proudly proclaiming to be pure, safe and beneficial, Arbonne products are paraben free with no petrolatum. They are gluten free, which is great news for those friends with gluten sensitivities! I’m happy to share with you my favorites for skin care and makeup, but I must admit that it is extremely hard to choose. Here are my top 3 “must-haves”:

1. Arbonne Intelligence Genius Nightly Resurfacing Pads: Looking for a product to minimize fine lines, reduce the appearance of dark spots or skin discoloration, make your skin more luminous and encourage new cell growth? Me, too! I found it with these amazing pads. These are the only plant-based retinol resurfacing pads on the market. These deliver dermatologist results without the common irritation caused by chemical peels. The resurfacing of your skin with the Genius Pads improves your skin’s ability to absorb and maximizes the benefits of the other products in your nightly regimen. It leaves your skin feeling refreshed and soft. Thanks to these babies I am sometimes mistaken for my daughter’s sister instead of mother!
   

   Mother & Daughter!

2. Arbonne Makeup Primer: Another fabulous favorite is the Arbonne Makeup Primer. I must confess.  I put on beautiful makeup in the morning and usually have a smudge from resting my hand on my cheek or rubbing my eye before I even get in the car to officially start my day.  It is a must have if you, too, have trouble keeping your makeup in place all day. Just put this on after your moisturizer and before your foundation (or go without foundation because this stuff is THAT good). It smoothes over your skin like silk. The light covering helps the foundation float right over fine lines holding the rest of your makeup in place. Green tea leaf extract and grape seed extract help condition the skin so it isn’t just for beauty it also benefits your skin!
3. It’s A Long Story Mascara: It’s A Long Story Mascara is a story you will want to repeat again and again. This mascara goes on smooth and never clumps. It never flakes and it is water-resistant. Removing this mascara is no problem with a nice cleanser or Arbonne Eye Makeup Remover so you don’t have to worry causing wrinkles trying to get rid of the “raccoon eye”. I have a history of tragic eyelashes and sensitive eyes. I am not able to wear most types of mascara more than once a week, but I have been using this daily since I got myself a tube for Christmas. I swear my lashes have actually grown! I don’t have breaks or lashes falling out like I have in the past. It has strengthening polypeptides, and pea and bamboo conditioning extracts to make lashes soft and luxurious.

I hope you enjoy these products as much as I do. Contact me at mtbteacher[at]gmail[dot]com if you have questions. If you would like to make an order, simply visit the website http://michellebenigno.arbonne.com/

Related links

• http://www.vanityfair.com/style/beauty-blog/2014/02/hot-looks-batting-an-eye
  • Vanity Fair Feature of It’s a Long Story Mascara
• http://www.arbonne.com/discover/videos/the-arbonne-opportunity-video-overview.shtml
  • Arbonne opportunity video

“Hey, friends! I’m Michelle Benigno and I am a mom, a science educator and an Independent Consultant, District Manager for Arbonne. I am based in the Asheville, NC area. I love science, cows, musicals, hiking and my lovely hammock. I love teaching and Arbonne has given me a new opportunity to teach and share.”

Thanks for stopping by Michelle! I’m certainly inspired by your journey with Arbonne.

The post 3 must-haves for beauty – Arbonne appeared first on Casa Bouquet.