For savings on all your springtime essentials, check out the Healthy Essentials™ coupon insert in local newspapers everywhere on Sunday, April 7th (and after April 7th online at www.healthyessentials.com). Saving is a cinch – just clip or download coupons for great deals on your favorite products from NEUTROGENA®, LUBRIDERM®, AVEENO® and more!

While you’re showing off that healthy, radiant skin, don’t forget to snap a photo using the new mobile app, Donate a Photo! For every photo shared through the free app, Johnson & Johnson will donate $1 to a cause that you choose from a rotating list. Help a newborn get medicine to thrive, protect kids against sports injuries or restore a public park! Visit healthyessentials.com/our-caring to find out how to download the Donate a Photo app.

“Spring Skincare Essentials” giveaway (valued at approximately $60) includes:

· NEUTROGENA® Naturals Acne Cream Cleanser ($7.99): Keep those humidity-induced breakouts at bay with this naturally-derived cleanser. It’s clinically proven to penetrate deep down into pores to treat breakouts and help prevent new ones from forming, delivering smooth, blemish-free skin for your big night out!

· NEUTROGENA® Naturals Acne Spot Treatment ($8.99): For those blemishes that just can’t be avoided, dab on this naturally-derived spot treatment to stop zits in their tracks and prevent new ones from forming.

· LUBRIDERM® Soothing Relief Daily Lotion ($8.99): Flaunt some seriously healthy-looking, touchably soft skin this spring. This breakthrough formula contains a unique Soothing Complex that delivers long-lasting comfort and a clean, non-greasy feel for smooth, sexy skin from head to toe.

· AVEENO® PROTECT + HYDRATE™ SPF 30 ($9.99): Sun protection is a must for safely enjoying your favorite outdoor activities this spring! ENVIROGUARD™ Technology offers long-lasting, photostable UVA/UVB sun protection, while ACTIVE NATURALS® Oat works to replenish the skin barrier compromised by dehydration caused by sun, chlorine, salt water and sweat.

· AVEENO® Skin Relief Healing Ointment ($9.99): For those extra-dry, chafed or cracked areas that need a little more love, dab on this brand new ointment. Multi-purpose petrolatum helps soothe scaling, peeling and cracking skin and lips while locking in moisture on the skin’s surface.

· NEOSPORIN® ECZEMA ESSENTIALS™ Daily Moisturizing Cream ($13.99): Even those with eczema can dare to bare this spring thanks to this moisturizing cream, which is clinically shown to restore visibly healthier skin in three days. The gentle formula goes beyond ordinary daily lotions to relieve the dryness, itch and irritation associated with eczema.

Frugal Divas need their beauty sleep and the folks at Vitacost help us out with this great post.

Sleep is an interesting paradox. Some people treasure their nightly eight hours, while others treat it like a guilty pleasure, enjoyed only in small “dozes.” As sleep deprivation becomes the norm, it’s rationalized by notions like, “I’ll sleep in tomorrow to catch up.” It’s time to quit dreaming and open your eyes to the importance of a good night’s sleep.

The Dream: “I’m out like a light.”

Reality: Ironically, the body is not completely inactive during sleep. It’s true that muscles in the limbs become temporarily paralyzed; but eyelids are jerking rapidly, heart rate increases and breathing becomes shallow. You may feel “dead to the world” or “out like a light,” but your brain technically is still turned on.

The Dream: “I can catch up on sleep this weekend.”

Reality: The body needs adequate, consistent rest in order to maintain a healthy immune system. Sleep is not like a savings account – you can’t add more when you have time. Sleeping until 2 p.m. on Sunday throws the balance of your circadian rhythm (internal clock), which throws off your mental and physical fitness. Stop running on the hamster wheel and start a routine of balanced sleep, healthy eating and regular exercise.

The Dream: “My body can adjust to sleeping during the day.”

Reality: A grave-shift worker may be able to coax his body to adjust, but his brain knows best. At night, the eyes send a signal to the brain that there is less light, and the internal clock will produce more melatonin to induce sleepiness. Sleeping after sunrise does not generate enough melatonin, making it difficult to fall asleep – and stay asleep.

The Dream: “I function better on less sleep.”

Reality: Sleep deprivation negatively affects the areas of the brain associated with motivation and desire. A sleep-deprived brain will seek food as a reward, because food is the most accessible treat, leading to weight gain. Lack of sleep has also been linked to depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.

The Dream: “I never dream.”

Reality: We sleep in stages: stages 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the fifth stage is rapid eye movement (REM). The brain cycles through these five stages over and over throughout the night, with REM being the deep sleep and dreams stage. Any time the brain reaches REM, you dream – if you don’t remember them, then that’s your own reality.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins and supplements since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamins, probiotics, nutritional supplements, whole foods and diet products. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Please check out the Vitacost Coupons page for great deals and discounts. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

We’ve all been there – wanting to exercise and never finding the time, thinking equipment is too expensive, and worried that our investment will never be used. Play It Again Sports makes the initial outlay reasonable and encourages you to try something new. If you can never make it to the gym this is a great place to buy a stationary bicycle, treadmill, or weights. For a fraction of the cost, see if this option works for you. Sometimes a small investment makes a big difference in your health, plus you might be able to sell it back if this isn’t your type of workout.

Knowledgeable salespeople know all the right items and how to best fit your child for a glove or bat. Kids pass through sports crazes quickly and there is no reason to pay full price when they will only be playing for a few months. Check with your local store to see how they can help you fundraise for your team.

Now Play It Again Sports also carries some never used items they picked up at reduced prices during  manufacturers closeouts.

This store is a good resource for  ski season or for walking off those extra pounds indoors for next swimsuit season.

Divas like to be in shape. And that means at some point we have to exercise. Cheapest is walking. For those of you in colder climes, there is the mall.  And it will give you a chance to keep an eye on an item until it goes to it’s lowest price. For those of us lucky enough to be in Southern California, walk everywhere. If you need a few items at the market, try walking. It’s a twofer – you burn calories and save on gas. Walk out your front door and walk for a mile in any direction. Walk to the post office. This is the best way to start exercising and the best way to save on gas.

Now this is going to sound very unfrugal however joining a gym might be a good investment if (and this is a big if) you are going to use the facilities. I recommend the larger chains such as 24 Hour Fitness.(The Frugal Diva is a member however receives no compensations for mentioning them). They have more classes (aerobics to zumba), keep up the facilities nicely, you can use a variety of locations, and they probably will not be closing down any time soon. Remember to look for deals and bargain, bargain, bargain. They need members and you have all the power. Read the contract carefully and look for any hidden charges.

Ask for the free 7 day pass to see if it fits into your schedule. It should be either near home or work. The classes that you are interested in need to be at times that you can attend.  Remember if you don’t attend at least once or twice a week, this is a waste of money. The more you attend, the better the deal. The other benefit of the gym, it is a great option when you don’t have money to spend on other activities. It gives you choices that make you healthy and keep you out of the mall.  Saturday morning might be a yoga class, swimming, and a sauna – your very own day spa experience.

And many locations have Kid’s Clubs where children can hang out while you exercise.  This is fun place with activities,  games, and close supervision.  Kids’ Club availability, rates, and hours vary per location.

Good health is the best wealth.

The Frugal Diva had a small set back in her workout plan. My gym closed for three months for remodeling and the nearest branch is just a little too far with parking a bit too difficult. It’s not their fault and I’m very excitedly looking forward to the fabulous new facility when it opens.

However what am I to do during this period. Exercise gives me confidence, chases away the blues, and makes sure that worries are left on the doorstep. I don’t workout enough to look much different but I do workout to feel better.

Lululemon surprised me with free yoga class on Sunday. It works like any other yoga class. Come in, roll out your mat, take class, roll up your mat, and go. It’s free and the one I took last Sunday had a very good routine with the instructor coming around to offer corrections for my downward dog.  Plus check the calendar for additional treats when they have the time and the teacher. The gear is pricey however the you are under no obligation to buy and they have the occasional markdowns.

Now for runners, they have a weekly run club with  all levels welcome!  They even have stretching and refreshments afterwards. Meet new people, make sure that you are adhering to best practices, and run with company.  That’s two ways to workout for free at one location. Use the store locator to see what’s happening at your local Lululemon.

Start the New Year off with these savings! Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies is releasing their Healthy Essentials coupon insert on Sunday, January 6th, in local newspapers everywhere and online at www.healthyessentials.com. Healthy Essentials coupons will provide over $175 in savings on all your favorite products.

Winter is in full swing, and between the weather, wind and outdoor fun, our skin is especially in need of TLC during the season. To get a jump start on restocking everything your family relies on during the cold winter months, J & J has put together the Winter Skin Survival Kit (product details below). It’s everything for mom, dad and even baby to keep skin nourished and healthy through the winter weather and beyond!

Winter Skin Survival Kit (valued at approximately $50) includes:

·  JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder ($3.99): It’s a tried and true classic. JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder leaves skin feeling soft and fresh, while helping to eliminate friction to keep skin feeling cool and comfortable.

·  JOHNSON’S® Baby Lotion ($2.99): Classic JOHNSON’S® Baby Lotion is most moms’ “go to” for baby’s skin. It’s no wonder – besides preventing moisture loss from baby’s natural skin barrier, JOHNSON’S® Baby Lotion can be used to “baby” adult skin, too! We can’t resist that sweet yet subtle classic scent.

· JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE® BABY WASH ($3.99) Babies have the most delicate skin of all – did you know that cleansing with JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE® Baby Wash is proven to be as mild as cleansing with water alone? With their special NO MORE TEARS® formula, you can bathe baby knowing that this wash is as gentle to the eyes as pure water.

· BAND-AID® Brand with new QUILTVENT® Technology ($2.29-$4.79): Dry, winter air and outdoor fun can mean more nicks and scrapes. Now, America’s #1 bandage brand just got better! BAND-AID® Brand’s new QUILTVENT® technology creates air channels to let your wound breathe, while still protecting from dirt and germs!

· BENGAY® Zero Degrees ($13.99): BENGAY® introduces this unique stick that can be stored in the freezer and provides an instant, icy cold sensation – perfect after hitting the slopes, shoveling that driveway, or wherever your active family takes you!

· NEOSPORIN® ECZEMA ESSENTIALS™ Daily Moisturizing Cream ($13.99): Harsh weather, with less humidity and heat, can make eczema especially difficult during the winter. With a unique RELIPID™ formula (which contains a lipid, humectant, emollient and botanical blend) this cream goes beyond ordinary daily lotions to relieve dryness, itch and irritation due to eczema. It’s clinically shown to restore visibly healthier skin in 3 days!

· NEUTROGENA® HAND CREAM Norwegian Formula® ($4.99): Winter takes its greatest toll on our most exposed skin – our hands! This hand cream is ideal for those seriously dry, chapped hands, providing prompt healing for hands that suffer even the harshest of conditions, lasting up to 17 hours!

· DESITIN® Maximum Strength Original Paste ($4.99): For baby’s delicate bottom, this is the only leading brand that contains the maximum level of zinc oxide. The rich, thick formula immediately forms a protective barrier to soothe rash discomfort and provides overnight relief for baby’s tender skin!

According to a recent study by Wakefield Research on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies:

·  81% of Americans are likely to make a New Year’s resolution to save more money this year

·  Of those who have made New Year’s resolutions to save more money, 65% were unsuccessful

·  Younger Americans know saving money is a challenge – 46% of 18-34 year olds believe it’s harder to stick to a responsible budget than a healthy diet

·   Of the 81% likely to make a resolution to save more money, 2 in 3 (67%) plan to use coupons to support their resolution

·    It takes Americans an average of 5 weeks to get back to their “normal” budget after the winter holidays

Never has the word “no” been so welcome.  No dimethicone, no paraben, no mineral oil, no animal testing or products make the BWC Hand & Body Lotion worth trying.  Vitacost had sent me a bottle to review and this is The Frugal Diva’s very unscientific report.  After one week of usage, I like it for the following reasons – it did not upset my sensitive skin, it absorbed quickly, left no filmy residue and my skin felt softer immediately after application.

All these things would be immaterial to The Frugal Diva for a high priced bottle of lotion however at $8.19 for an 8.5 oz. bottle, this product went to the top of my list.  It shows that you can pass up all those expensively packaged bottles at departments stores, not have to pay the same amount as a week’s worth of groceries, and still get a natural product at a great price. It just takes a bit a research. After all didn’t they invent the Internet so we could find the best bargains?

Here’s happy news for moms, it is the half way mark on summer vacation! You can start counting down to September and with these coupons there will be a few extra dollars for warm weather fun.

Get your savings this Sunday, July 29^th, with the special Healthy Essentials coupon insert in your local newspaper and online at www.healthyessentials.com (you have to register) to provide $175 in savings on all your favorite products.

To get a jump start on restocking everything your family relies on during the hectic fall months, Johnson & Johnson has put together a Mom’s Back-to-School Survival Kit. It’s everything moms need to stock the medicine cabinet, encourage healthy habits for their little ones and prepare for a new school year!

Mom’s Back-to-School Survival Kit includes:

AVEENO® Continuous Protection for Face SPF 30 ($8.99-$11.99): Perfect for the whole family, especially your athletes who are outside on the playing field this fall! This powerful sunscreen provides high, broad and photostable UVA/UVB protection against the sun’s harmful rays, specially formulated for the face to be oil-free and non-greasy.

AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15 ($9.49-$9.99): Colloidal oatmeal and rich emollients moisturize your skin for up to 24 hours while providing UVA/UVB protection. Ideal for mom on-the-go to keep skin soft, smooth and protected!

REACH® TOTAL CARE Multi-Action Toothbrush ($5.09): Teaching good brushing habits just got easier with this multitasking toothbrush – specially designed bristles clean in multiple directions with each stroke, helping you remove up to 90% of plaque.

LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® PHINEAS AND FERB™ ($5.19): Specially designed just for kids, this post-brush mouth rinse with fluoride – an important ingredient to help provide extra cavity protection – provides 12-hour cavity protection and strengthens teeth 99% better than brushing alone!

JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder ($3.99): It’s a tried and true classic. JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder leaves skin feeling soft and fresh, while helping to eliminate friction to keep skin feeling cool and comfortable.

JOHNSON’S® Baby Creamy Oil ($3.99): Classic JOHNSON’S® Baby Oil gets a rich makeover with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E. With a sweet yet subtle fragrance, it’s an indulgence for mom and something the kids will love as well!

NEOSPORIN® and BAND-AID® Flexible Fabric ($4.77 – $9.07, $6.99): A staple in every family’s first aid kit and a match made in healing heaven. From the #1 doctor-recommended brand, NEOSPORIN® First Aid Antibiotic Ointment kills more types of infectious bacteria in laboratory tests than even the leading topical prescription antibiotic.

BENGAY® Zero Degrees ($13.99): BENGAY® introduces this unique stick that can be stored in the freezer and provides an instant, icy cold sensation. It’s perfect for mom to throw in the cooler for soccer practice, long hikes, or wherever your active family takes you!

A day at the spa is a nice treat, but it’s also an expensive one. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of homemade skincare recipes to help you stay pampered – without having to take out a second mortgage.

Cleansing facial mask

• 1/4 cup raw, organic honey
• 1 raw egg, beaten
• 1/8 tsp apple cider vinegar

Honey is well-known for its anti-bacterial properties, while apple cider vinegar can function as a toner to help tame oily skin. To make this simple mask, mix together ingredients in a small bowl – you may need to melt your honey in the microwave first to achieve a liquid consistency. Apply mixture to face and neck. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

Coconut cuticle cream

• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2-3 drops essential oil of your choice

Are dry, ragged cuticles driving you mad? Whip up this super-easy concoction to soften ‘em up. Simply mix coconut oil and olive oil in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Heat for a few seconds, then add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil. Soak hands in warm water for few minutes before massaging the mixture into your cuticles.

Refreshing foot soak

• 1 gallon water
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup Epsom salt
• 15 drops essential oil of your choice

After a long day, treat your feet to this relaxing foot soak. Boil the water, then add it to a basin (one you can comfortably rest your tootsies in) and let it cool a bit. Toss in the baking soda and epsom salt, let dissolve. Finally, add your favorite essential oil for a soothing scent. Next, add the final ingredient: your feet!

Satisfying body scrub

• 1/2 cup sweet almond oil
• 1 cup finely ground sea salt
• 10 drops essential oil of your choice

In a small bowl, mix together the oil and salt to form a creamy paste – if it’s too scratchy, add more oil. Apply all over and gently scrub in a circular motion to slough away dirt, oil and dead skin cells.  Rinse to reveal softer, more refreshed skin!

By: +Katie Kaleita, writer for Vitacost.com

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamins such as vitamin b12 and vitamin D, nutritional supplements, whole foods and diet products. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.