Austin, Texas is no doubt an AMAZING city to live in…but we do have to deal with some killer outdoor seasonal allergies. After living in Houston, Chicago, and Kansas City, I deal with allergens here that I’ve never even heard of. People here get “Cedar Fever” in January from the abnormally high & aggressive cedar pollen, as well as seeing endless days of categorically high mold spores. Today’s allergy report, for example: 
I’ve learned that it’s the mold that gets to me and although I by no means have severe allergies, a long outdoor hike in all that mold can leave my energy depleted & my head all congested. Most days aren’t bad enough to pop a Zyrtec D (I try not to take meds if at all possible anyway) so I’ve been on the hunt to find more natural ways to combat any reaction to allergy symptoms.
So, I guess this is where I should put a legal medical disclaimer…see bottom of this post for that legalese, ok? Because duh — I’m a housewife, not a doctor. Here are 5 things I’m using right now to fight off these symptoms and get through the day with the energy my life as a new mom demands:
1. Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy oral spray: At the very first sign of any cold-like symptoms, I reach for this quick & easy mouth spritz. Rather than using traditional over-the-counter drugs for help with the common cold, I’ve been exploring the idea of more homeopathic solutions — all the products I’ve tried from Cold-EEZE haven’t failed me yet. This stuff is formulated with zinc gluconate and proven to help shorten the duration of the cold by nearly half. Just two sprays under the tongue and I’m out the door, ready to get on with my day! 
2. NeilMed SINUS RINSE Complete Kit: Neti Pots never work for me but this little squeeze bottle system does the trick. Ugh, you’d be surprised to see what you can rinse out of your sinuses during a cold! I use it at night to flush out the allergens accumulated from being outside, and then again in the morning to relieve pressure from nighttime stuffiness. For the warm rinse, I recommend their brand of premixed packets…I’ve purchased drug-store brand generic ones and the solution is never as soothing as the one from NeilMed.
3. USANA Probiotic stick packs: I keep reading more & more about the wide array of benefits from taking probiotics. Not just a digestive aid, they apparently help with all kinds of things, from mood to immunity. You no longer have to eat a bunch of yogurt, either — I’m seeing them in pill form, liquid shots, etc. Right now, I’m taking probiotics in powder stick form from USANA that conveniently pour & blend into my favorite drink. I learned there’s also all different strains of specific probiotic bacteria and I need to do more research into what proprietary types are best for how I intend to use them. However, the two types contained in this USANA blend claim to modulate the body’s natural immune response. Plus, they are clinically proven to survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and remain effective for at least 18 months when stored at room temp. –Which is great, because I worry the “live & active cultures” in the probiotics I buy refrigerated from the health food store are dead from the heat of my hot car by the time I get home!
4. Diffuse essential oils: Yes, I got on the Young Living bandwagon but I’m having fun! It’s interesting to me to experiment in the world of essential oils. I mostly just diffuse everything but that can be quite effective for me, anyway. I hear the essential oil ‘allergy trio’ is lemon, lavender, and peppermint. I’ve got lemon diffusing right now, in fact — smells very fresh & energizing. Also, Thieves is great for mold & RC can help with congestion, so there are more ways I can switch it up in the days ahead.
5. Arbonne Essentials Energy Fizz Sticks: An on-the-go blend of green tea, guarana and ginseng, combined with B vitamins and chromium that mixes with water to boost energy, help promote alertness, enhance cognitive performance, promote endurance and enhance motor performance. Adding these little stick packs can be a great kickstarter when feeling sluggish, which is exactly how I feel when these allergy symptoms get me down! Somehow done without artificial colors or flavors, the Citrus version is a sweet tangerine flavor (not too sour/acidic) and tastes amaze.
***Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information represents what I, a lifestyle blogger, have chosen to do to take charge of my own personal health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.
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Home to our city’s only indoor skydiving tunnel, this place is legit. So legit, in fact, that when we arrived for our mid-morning “flight,” the freaking ARMY was training there. Legit soldiers were in full gear practicing for when they’ll have to jump out of planes to keep America safe. Understandably, they wouldn’t allow me to take pics. Seeing a few minutes of their training was an honor.
Then, we were ready to fly! Neither of us have gone skydiving before so it was our first experience with anything like this. –SO hilarious to see each other’s reactions! With the basic level ticket price, you get two flights. For the second round, we chose to upgrade a bit…the instructor takes you on spins and way up high to the top of the tunnel. This way, even though you’re a beginner, you still get to experiment with trying some tricks! 
It was an unexpected adrenaline rush that left us energized for the week. So, if you’re like me and feel like you & partner’s typical date-nights are in a bit of a rut, definitely give indoor skydiving a try. It’s the “something different” you’ve been looking for, trust me! They’re open until 9 or 10 p.m. most nights, so it can really fit into any schedule. Safe to say, we definitely bought ourselves return flights before we left. Thanks to iFLY for a truly unique day-date experience — we’ll be back!
The boot socks, woven with merino wool & contour cushioning, are essential for anyone that loves a good hike as much as we do. 
This event will also celebrate the launch of Taco Cabana’s month-long fundraiser, Taco Treat, to benefit the 
Blog Joie de Vivre 