Family * Travel * Food

Do You Think You're Depressed Or Crazy?

Have you ever felt like you are spiraling into depression or feel like you are going crazy? I think every person goes through this some time in their life and often times physicians will prescribe anti-depressants or sleep aids. I remember 3 years ago having feelings of sadness to the point where I would cry daily for hours and not know why. This went on for longer than I should have let it and I went in for a full physical. Long story short, the culprit was vitamin D deficiency. It was horribly low and I was placed on a high-dose supplement once a week, for 12 weeks. To my surprise, I felt so much better and had my life back!

This same problem has hit my entire family minus the little guy. It turns out that the darker your skin, the harder it is to absorb vitamin D from the sun. That really amazes me since we spend a good deal of time outdoors. I had labs done a month ago and my vitamin D levels have dropped again. The normal range is 30-100 and mine was at 19. I have been put back on a high-dose supplement and am due back to test my levels at the end of the twelve weeks. I really hope it works and I can find a way to get more vitamin D in my body naturally. The supplements are not good for long term since they can cause damage to your kidneys.
Image credit: The Mayo Clinic
I have noticed a lot of family and friends complaining of fatigue, exhaustion or depression and I mentioned having their vitamin D level checked. Turns out each and every one of them had the same issue. As a matter of fact, over 85% of people have low vitamin D levels and may not even know it. So before you get misdiagnosed or self-diagnose that you are depressed or anxious, get your vitamin D level checked by a simple blood test.

If you have ever had issues with vitamin D deficiency, what did you do to raise it? Please share any advice you have in the comments. Stay healthy! xo
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Pay It Forward with Your Vote #CokePayItForward

Hello, all! Some of you may remember me posting about the amazing
Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program a couple months back. That was the nomination phase, and now the final voting is open to help select the winners. Below are the detailed steps on how to vote for the finalists.

Pay It Forward with Your Vote!

Voting is now open for the top Coca-Cola Pay It Forward finalists! These teens have worked very hard, so “pay it forward” by checking out their videos and voting for the nominee(s) you think should win a 3-day summer mentorship experience in Atlanta. Voting ends May 24, 2015.

About The Pay It Forward Program:

The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program embodies the spirit of giving back, helping teens to reach greater heights through education while
empowering moms and communities to help high school students succeed.

The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy, hosted by Steve Harvey, will offer 20 winning teens and their mom/parent/legal guardian 3 days of mentorship, leadership and networking opportunities, and each teen will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

Giving teens the opportunity to excel is just one more way that you can pay it forward by supporting the next generation and building tomorrow’s leaders today.

Steps to Vote:

1) Visit www.coke.com/payitforward

2) Click the “Vote” button and follow the instructions to register or login

3) Check out the nominees’ personal video statements

4) Cast your vote

5) Click on the social icons to share the excitement with friends and family and encourage them to vote!

6) Repeat! You can vote once a day until the voting period closes on 5/24/15

Click here for Pay It Forward official rules: http://CokeURL.com/ycz8m

I was really amazed by the videos the young men and women put up, as that made it super hard to decide. There are so many intelligent youth out there that are really deserving of this great opportunity. I really encourage you all to check out the videos and pay it forward by voting. #CokePayItForward

This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Cheddar Stuffed Meatballs Recipe


Do you ever feel bored with what you cook for dinner each week? I know I certainly do. I'm always trying to figure out different ways to prepare meals that make you feel like you aren't eating the same old thing. I have discovered a way to mix things up using Progresso Bread Crumbs. It can take an ordinary meal from plain to fabulous and flavorful instantly.

I made some cheddar cheese stuffed meatballs and the addition of Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs made them even better! Just 1/3 cup took my meatballs to flavor town.
I made my meatballs with both ground beef and ground pork. Of course, you can use turkey, chicken or whatever you prefer. I seasoned my meats with finely chopped Italian parsley, jalapeno pepper, red onion and garlic, along with 1/3 cup of Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs, one beaten egg and a dash or two of my favorite dry seasonings. Once meat mixture is well mixed, I form them into balls and insert a small cube of cheese.
I put the shaped meatballs in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to chill up and ensure that they stay in the round shape. I pan fry them in a tiny bit of canola oil until they are brown all over and continue the cook in a preheated 375 degree oven. 
The end result is a flavorful, juicy meatball with that wonderful cheesy center. I'm sure anyone would give this recipe 2 thumbs up! 


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#FreeToBe Comfortable In Your Own Skin with all free clear ($15 PayPal Giveaway)


Ever since my first born was an infant, she suffered from eczema. Her doctors all stated that she would probably outgrow it and for the most part, she did. She went through a good 4-5 years beings mostly eczema free, until last summer. She had a flare-up that was the worst any of us have ever seen. When you have such a beautiful young woman covered in thick patches of elephant-like skin, it can be devastating. She was always itchy and irritated. It turns out that allergies were part of what was making her eczema flare up. She had to start taking daily allergy medications, consume more water and also change all of her laundry products.

We started buying all free clear laundry products and she immediately noticed a difference with the itching she suffered with so badly. I was glad to see that all free clear also carries fabric softener liquid and sheets. I know she missed very fragrant laundry, but having clearer skin has been worth it!


all free clear is the #1 recommended detergent brand by Dermatologists, Allergists, and Pediatricians for sensitive skin. It's tough on stains yet gentle enough for the whole family. Plus, it's safe for use in standard and HE machines. It rinses clean and has a gentle, hypoallergenic formula. Powerful Clean. Gentle on Skin.

all® free clear detergent (liquid and mighty pacs), fabric softener and dryer sheets have received the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance™. This is GREAT news for my eczema sufferer!

We are so happy that all free clear products have enabled our daughter to be comfortable in her skin again! Do you or someone you love suffer from eczema? I absolutely encourage you to try all free clear products. They have been a life saver!

I am giving away $15 PayPal cash to one lucky Mom Files reader. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway is open until May 31, 2015 and winner will be contacted via email to claim prize. Follow Rafflecopter instructions and good luck!
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Regain Your Freedom with Depend and Get #Underwareness (FREE Sample & $15 PayPal Giveaway)


There are many subjects that are really uncomfortable to discuss and one of them that tops the list is bladder leakage. You are feeling uncomfortable now, aren't you? Well, it is something that doesn't only happen to senior citizens. Believe it or not, there are more people with bladder leakage in their 20’s than their 80’s and over 65 million people have experienced this issue. I have known people younger than me complain about this problem when trying to exercise, cough, sneeze or even laugh. It's very common and you should not be ashamed of it!

Depend is entering year two of Underwareness, a social movement and charitable cause to break down the bladder leakage stigma. As part of Underwareness, the Depend brand is encouraging people to show their support for women with bladder leakage. For every photo and video shared using #Underwareness and featuring Depend products, the Depend brand will donate $1, up to $3 million, through 2016 to fund charities that advance the research and education of bladder leakage.

Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs have a lower rise+ for an underwear-like look, fit and feel. 


  • As a category first, Depend SAF is available in black and beige colors 
  • More people with bladder leakage are in their 20’s than their 80’s
  • The average age of someone with bladder leakage is only 52! 
  • More people with bladder leakage are 50 or younger than 60 or older! 

Are you unsure if Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs are right for you? Get a FREE sample to try out for yourself (or someone you love). Regain your freedom with Depend!

GIVEAWAY: Want to win $15 via PayPal? Simply go here and tell me what you learned about the #Underwareness Movement. Leave me a comment below and I will randomly pick one winner. You can also Tweet this giveaway (just leave a link to your Tweet in the comments section). Giveaway open until June 5, 2015. Good luck! 
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