The Nassar Family took the Listerine Oral Care Challenge! Yup, we sent the last 4 weeks brushing, flossing and rinsing to our little hearts contentment and loved every minute of it…err, ok so maybe that’s not entirely true…

Creating healthy habits is important, most of us can agree with that. What most people struggle with is oral health habits. Some of the information that I learned through this process…

Did you know?
-Nearly 75 percent of American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease* and don’t know it.
-Brushing your teeth alone misses the germs in 75 percent of your mouth.
-According to a survey conducted by the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH®, over one-third of Americans don’t eat their favorite foods or smile in photos because of dental problems like cavities, tooth pain and gingivitis.
-Even sadder, 15 percent don’t kiss their loved ones.

Those stats are sad, but true and so I have been trying my hardest to encourage my children to brush daily! A few times a day is best, but let’s be honest– it’s tough when they are younger. I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old who are way fickle when it comes to brushing, and flossing? UGH! It’s really tough… stressing the importance with the 6 year old has worked to some degree. He did however enjoy the mouth wash which was awesome since I’d never been able to get him to try it before! It works really neat in the fact that when you swoosh the rinse around your mouth, it doesn’t burn at all. That was also a BONUS feature that my husband loved.

My daughter who is 9 stated that she loved how clean and fresh her mouth felt in the morning after brushing and flossing and rinsing the night before! Yes, her mouth still felt clean even the morning after. Truth be told–that kid has some gnarly breath in the morning and it has helped tremendously that it’s not bad in the morning when I have to be in her face to wake her up!

The hubster and I thoroughly enjoyed the effects of the Listerine Total Care Zero rinse. It is an after brushing rinse to strengthen teeth, restore enamel and keep your mouth fresh AFTER your brushing is all done. My husband noted that even after drinking a cup of coffee he still could feel the effects of the rinse and his breath did not smell like coffee as it normally would after drinking a cup. WOW! I had to try that one too after he told me that- same here!

The most noteworthy thing of this whole experience for me personally was the fact that for the last 4 months I have been under treatment for Invisalign…and the trays being on my teeth nearly 24/7 cause this funky slime to form on my teeth. When I say funky, I mean sorta smelly. I found myself having to drink water often to rinse that feeling out of my mouth and to get the smell to subside. While brushing is a great option to keep my mouth clean and fresh during the day, it’s hard to do as often as I’d like to considering I am home with a toddler. So, I noticed that the funk isn’t nearly as evident or reoccurring since I have been using the Listerine Total Care Zero rinse! YAY!

I’m happy to be able to share with you all some tips on how YOU and your family can have Healthy Habits for a Lifetime by checking out the full line of products I was able to use and review at Walmart.com! You will also find Oral Care tips sheets for both adults and kids–packed with information! ONE lucky reader will win a $100 WalMart gift card as well as products from Listerine and Reach to get your own health in check! See the Rafflecopter entry form below to see how to enter! GOOD LUCK!

No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, Eighteen (18) years of age or older. Sweepstakes end March 30, 2012. Prize(s) provided by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products, a division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. Void where prohibited. See Official Rules for complete details: http://www.themotherhood.com/blog/?p=4832

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Did you know that brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth?

Another shocking truth: There can be more germs in our mouth than there are people on earth, it’s more important than ever to make sure to do everything we can to keep our mouths healthy — including brushing, flossing and rinsing every day!

Being on this journey to a better smile, oral health has become a huge focus in our home. A great smile can bring so much confidence to a person and it can help in conveying a complete package for a professional mom like me– if I have a healthy and confident smile then I will feel better about myself and that radiance will shine through to those I interact with. Also, so many other issues can arise out of poor oral health. Gum disease, gingivitis and tooth decay are all some serious problems that can lead to a quick downward spiral. Not to mention, the financial stress that can cause even with dental insurance. I am speaking from personal experience– even with health insurance I have had to pay a lot out of pocket for fillings and crowns. It’s not a fun time and the thought that it could have been prevented is sad.

Did you know that early 75 percent of American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease and don’t know it. I was one of those people! I was shocked to realize that my bleeding gums meant that I had a real issue. I just thought that it was my hard brushing. According to a survey conducted by the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH®, over one-third of Americans don’t eat their favorite foods or smile in photos because of dental problems like cavities, tooth pain and gingivitis. Even sadder, 15 percent don’t kiss their loved ones.

That’s why the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH® are supporting the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life.TM initiative, with the common goal in mind to educate and empower Americans to make positive lifestyle choices each day – including good oral care! That is also why my family & I are onboard to accept the challenge of creating new and better oral care habits.

It is so important for me to learn from my own mistakes and teach my kids better oral care habits. I want them to understand the importance and see how easy it is to do! Brushing is fun when you make it fun! We started singing the ABC song twice under our brushing. We also have shown the kids how to safety and correctly use flossing sticks. The rinse step so far has been the most challenging because as my 9 year old daughter said “the bubble gum flavor is so yummy.. I want to drink it!” *Not recommended! lol

It’s important to understand that teaching our kids how to care for themselves is one of our greatest responsibilities as parents. Thankfully, Listerine makes it affordable by carrying a wide variety of products at Walmart.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for this challenge by The Motherhood. I also received free oral care products from Walmart and Johnson & Johnson. All opinions expressed are my own.

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life initiative, visit www.MyHeartMyLife.org.

I’m blessed to have the opportunities that come my way via writing and working with PR agencies. In building my brand and being influential in my small world, I love that I often have the chance to give other moms opportunities to give feedback and opinions to brands with their actual voices! Mommy Parties are a perfect time to do this and I have a few set to happen this Fall and Winter.

Calling all LOCAL moms in Ocean County!!!

Please fill out this brief information and I will be contacting you to let you know about the latest party I will be hosting where you can come to have some snacks and kids can have some play time, but you will also have a chance to walk away with some free goodies!

CLICK HERE for your invitation to my parties! Also, be sure to Subscribe at the right —> so you can be in the loop on any giveaways and contests we have here at The Posh Parent as well!

You need to create an account to request a Free 2012 Calendar from Joyce Meyer Ministries. You will get mailings sent to your home throughout the year after you sign up.

I adore this woman and her heart and ministry…I hope she will be an encouragement to you as well.

Breast Cancer Awareness month is always one of those times of the year that I thank God that I don’t know anyone who is affected by such a terrible situation…that was until I met someone who had gone through it. My dear sister in the Lord, Julie, is a breast cancer survivor and although I didn’t know her while she went through the struggle, I know her now, and her NOW is an amazing woman of God and a very strong-minded and couragous person. Sadly enough, she lost a friend to breast cancer this month. Just a week or so ago.

When Julie told me about her fight with breast cancer it was jaw dropping all the things that she had to go through. From things as simple as doctor visits that we all normally make at least once a year, to the more complex and unknowing things like tests and procedures and just the waiting… It was just so overwhelming to see this person standing right before me who is healthy and beautiful and so strong and know that she was once so weak, so fragile, so scared. It makes me very happy to know that she made it through and is here today to stand and say “I am a survivor” when so many are not. Also, it opened my eyes to see that it does happen to people we know, everyday it happens to people all around us. Early detection is so very important and I encourage every woman to take this very seriously and to check yourself not just once a year when it is a constant reminder, but often. It’s ignorant to think that it wouldn’t happen to you or to someone you love so please, be aware of the signs and talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.

If you want to know how you can make a difference and help in this fight here are a few ways you can help spread the awareness and help support such an amazing campaign:

- Save while you give. On Sunday, October 2, and Sunday, October 16, a GIVE Hope brandSAVER will be distributed in newspapers across the country, with discounts for P&G products, including Olay, Pantene, Crest and many more. For each GIVE Hope brandSAVER coupon redeemed, P&G will donate two cents to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) – allowing people to give back, while saving money.

- Share with friends. “Like” P&G Beauty on Facebook. For every “like” at http://www.facebook.com/PGUnitedWeBeautify, P&G will donate 10 cents to NBCF to further support their mission of saving lives through early detection. The P&G Beauty Facebook page will also feature stories from female employees who have been impacted by this disease.

- Buy, give and get. During the month of October, consumers will receive a $10 rebate ( http://www.pgpinkrebate.com/pink_rebate.pdf ) and will also trigger a $10 donation to NBCF with the purchase of $50 worth of P&G Beauty products, including Venus, Olay, Secret, CoverGirl, Nice ‘n Easy, Pantene, Safeguard and Ivory.

GIVEAWAY ALERT: Check out this video to see some of the wonderful products that will be included in your giveaway basket! ONE lucky commenter will win a similar gift basket

Please share in the comments section about breast cancer awareness…an anecdote, a story, just any sentiment about the cause and you are entered to win the basket full of products that promote this cause! ENDS FRIDAY!

Disclosure: I have been compensated by P&G, Hearst and TheMotherhood for my post. This does not change my view of the seriousness of the topic. All thoughts and promotion of products are my own words and choice to share.

Pampers is a brand that many know and love. In my family we always called diapers Pampers. It was the only brand that my parents used on all 3 of us kids and Pampers is the brand that most hospitals give and use! The Swaddlers are my favorite because they are so cushy and soft.

Well, imagine my delight when I saw that the new Pampers Crusiers with the 3-Way Fit have the same quilted softness of the Swaddlers diapers. My little toddler here loves the cushy tushy diapers more than the other brands who make the older baby diapers thin and not so “mobile friendly”.

The Pampers brand loves parents, and trusts their opinions! I was able to review a pack of the diapers and I can tell you that not only was I happy to have the new fit, which totally stopped the normal “half buttcheek hanging out” look my toddler had going on, I was also happy to see that they are available in sizes up to size 7! {Although I hope to have her potty trained shortly after Christmas!} That means that baby can go from Swaddlers right into that same comfortable and familiar feel with the Crusiers.

So, wanna try the new diapers AND get a few extra goodies? Here is what I have to giveaway to ONE LUCKY READER!

Pampers Cruisers “Play-A-Palooza” Pack
(1) Jumbo Packs of newly improved Pampers Cruisers with 3-Way Fit diapers (retail value $13.99/each)
(1) 64-Count Tub of Pampers Thick Wipes ($4.49)
(1) 12-Count Travel Pack of Pampers Sensitive Wipes ($1.99)
(1) Let’s Rock! Elmo (Value $69.99)

YES, that’s right….Pampers AND an Elmo! This Let’s Rock! Elmo is so so stinkin’ cute! {Review coming soon} I was able to play with Elmo and my kids rocked out with him last week at his Launch Party, yes.. Elmo had a very cool shindig.

How to Enter

-Subscribe to my Blog: it’s over on the right side. You will want to keep up with all the inside tips and giveaways coming right before the holidays

-Post a comment and let me know what diapers you use! What do you like? Dislike?

-Follow me on Twitter The POSHpreneur

Leave a comment for each of those actions and ONE LUCKY WINNER will be drawn at random on Monday, October 3rd at Midnight EST. Winner will be notified via email so make sure to list it in the comment entry {will not show to public}. Good Luck!

Disclosure: This review and giveaway was provided by Pampers. All opinions of the products are my firsthand experience with them.

I am so very happy and excited to share with you the the Crest 3D strips are legit! I love love love my results after only 2 short hours {I watched a few episodes of Rachel Zoe and got some laundry folded}. You can see from the photo above that my teeth are at least 2 shades lighter. I also picked up some of the Crest 3D toothpaste to hopefully help keep the whiter, brighter teeth shining throughout my Invisalign treatment process which starts in 2 weeks.

Right away I noticed that the strips gripped onto my teeth much much more securely then the basic Crest Whitening strips that they originally came out with. These were like stickers on my teeth and yet were not uncomfortable at all to talk in. They fit snug enough. I did have a little bit of the strip on my gumline and there was a tad of a sensitivity there towards the end. It seemed to go away after the strips were off and I brushed my teeth.

The box says noticeably whiter teeth in 2 hours, and yes, true story! I am so happy to be one step ahead on my new smile venture now with whiter teeth and as I already said, I want to keep up with the whitening and at least I know that these strips are worth every penny {Retail for $54.99; 4 treatments} if I do goof up and stain my teeth again.

The strips are available at most retailers like Target, KMart, WalMart and even drugstores like CVS. For more information you can visit www.3DWhite.com or even Friend Crest on Facebook Do not forget to grab a coupon on the 1st post!

The nice thing about these being so quick, too is that you can do this on a drive to Las Vegas… the day before an interview or even the morning of since it’s only 2 hours! With all these events that I get invited to in NYC for Glamour Magazine promotions or for blogging events I can totally see pulling out these big guns for a quicky whitening just to glam up the smile that much more

From my Facebook Poll, it seemed that most people said they would love to whiten their teeth for a special occasion like family pictures {Christmas is around the corner! SAY CHEESE!}

Disclosure: This is the 2nd post in the campaign for Crest with One2One Network. This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

You only get one chance to make a 1st impression…that’s the saying, right? Ever wonder what your smile says about you? I do…I always have. Unfortunately, I have always had a little bit of a complex about my smile. I’ve had a gap and crowding issues with my teeth for most of my life. It was always something that I just put on the backburner in light of other life events happening such as having 3 kids and especially as a teen, having other siblings, I just never put my lack of confidence in my smile up on the top of my priority list.

Somethings interesting happened when I turned 30 last summer. It was almost like a midlife crisis, but not even close to my midlife age. I suddenly felt this urgency to get ME on point. To get my mama mojo back and start to put myself higher on the list of “to-do’s” I guess.

I tend to smile without reserve when it is from afar…

When it is up close or when I am talking to someone I try to stand back and do the more closed mouth smile or I smile so big that I *hope* it distracts from the lack of whiteness in my smile.

Crest has long been a brand that we trust and use for brushing and whitening. When I received a chance to review their Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips I jumped on it for a few reasons. One being that I have used Crest Whitening products in the past and have been happy with the results and another being that I am starting my Invisalign treatment in 2 weeks and I want to start off fresh and clean with my whole new mouth. The smile I’ve always dreamed of is in such close reach that I can honestly say it chokes me up a bit.

What is different about the 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips is that they contain a thicker active ingredient which results in more concentrated whitening. Crest also has made some improvements in the whitestrip form so it is better fitting. So, if you have tried the strips in the past and they didn’t feel like they fit quite right, and I have heard that from a few friends, you may want to give them another try! For a special coupon CLICK HERE

Tomorrow morning I will be whitening using my Crest whitestripes and I will be showing you my “After” photo…

BEFORE

"Before" my Crest Whitestrips

Disclosure: I am participating in a a Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips campaign hosted by One2OneNetwork. This is a sponsored post. All opinions of the product are 100% my own.