Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Comcast's RISE and more of their latest news!

*This post was created in collaboration with Comcast. Though I received compensation, all opinions are and always will be, 100% my own. Thank you for supporting Prim and Propah!

It’s been a hot minute since I checked in with what my friends at Comcast have been up to! They sent the latest and greatest over to me this week and as I was reading through the materials, I was thinking about how incredibly important our connections have been this year… not just our connections with other people (yes, that’s imperative!) but also the technological connections that are keeping us together in so many ways.

When I think of how I have kept up with my most important people and all the businesses that I love, it’s because of that technological connection… I’m so fortunate that I have access to the resources to be able to support my son’s remote schooling, Facetime with my family regularly, stream endless entertainment and all on a high speed internet (high school Amanda’s mind would be blown by how fast my internet is now!). The impact of the pandemic has been felt in so many different ways and with a lot of nuances. One area that has had me concerned since earlier this year is the survival of our small businesses… and one of the things that Comcast is currently doing is certainly going to make you say WHOA because it really shows their continued commitment to supporting communities in a real way (remember their virtual call on racial justice efforts and their internet essentials plans?). Check out Comcast RISE:

From Comcast: Small businesses have been dealing with the ongoing impact of the pandemic, social unrest, and environmental events. Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses have been some of the hardest hit. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, between February and April 2020, the number of active Black-owned businesses declined by 41%, Latinx-owned businesses declined by 32%, and Asian-owned businesses dropped by 25%, versus just 21% for the general population. Comcast RISE was created to invest in the success of these critical businesses by providing valuable and practical support.





Comcast RISE – In October, Comcast launched Comcast RISE, a multi-year initiative created to help strengthen and empower small businesses, starting with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color owned businesses; those hardest hit by COVID-19. The Comcast RISE program will help thousands of small businesses over the next three years through grants, marketing and technology upgrades, including media campaigns and connectivity, computer and voice equipment, as well as free marketing insights to all applicants. For more information, visit www.comcastrise.com.

I’m crazy about the idea of long term, tangible assistance to small business owners, especially those owned by Black, Indigenous and BIPOC. The way that Comcast has looked at where it can offer meaningful assistance and turn that into a program like his, impresses me. It’s pretty incredible so if you’re reading this and think your business might fit this program, applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through February 7th, 2021!

In addition to Comcast RISE, Comcast is still doing a lot of the things that they’ve been investing in for quite some time, to increase equity in our communities. Being connected to the internet is essential and should not be considered a luxury. I’ve talked about it before but Comcast has continued to support communities in need by keeping customers connected through Internet Essentials, Network Investment expansion, School Programs, Xifinity WiFi hotspots that are free for everyone (For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi), free educational resources and more!




Even on the local level, Comcast is chipping in. Just recently, they teamed up with Telemundo to provide laptops to local families through the Boston Centers for Youth & Families Blackstone Community Center in the South End. You can read about that effort here

And if you’re into the tech-y type news, Xfinity Mobile, rated #1 in customer satisfaction, is “available to Xfinity Internet customers and includes up to five lines of unlimited nationwide talk and text, no activation fees, and no phone line access fees. When combined with free access to millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, Xfinity Mobile customers can save hundreds of dollars per year on their wireless bills.

Xfinity Mobile customers can choose from two straightforward nationwide 5G data options – By-the-Gig shared data starting at 1GB for $15, 3GB for $30 and 10GB for $60, or Unlimited for $45 per month per line.* Unlike most wireless carriers, Xfinity Mobile gives customers the flexibility to mix-and-match data options per line on an account and switch any line on an account between data options, at any time during their billing cycle.” <-- via Comcast


Learn more about Comcast RISE, Internet Essentials, Xfinity Mobile, fantastic new equipment, and so much more that Comcast is doing on their corporate site. In a time when we are voting with our dollars more than ever, seeing a company doing so much good, cool stuff, is hard to ignore!



Sunday, December 13, 2020

Persona Nutrition Review

 *This blog post was created in collaboration with Moms Meet and Persona. All opinions are 100% my own and as always I appreciate your support of Prim and Propah.



I've been teaming up with MomsMeet for quite awhile now and they're consitently introducing me to new brands that are in my realm of interest and this blog post is no different. I have always wanted to try a vitamin regimine that is catered to my needs and with Persona, I was able to try just that!  Persona is a personalized, high-quality supplement subscription service that delivers your packs to your doorstep every 28 days.


So first of all, you take an assessment so you can see what the right suppliments are for you and your needs! You answer a variety of questions about your general health, your concerns, medications you may be taking, what your goals are and other issues you may have had in the past. I felt that they were taking a lot into consideration when creating my "plan" and so I felt good about the regimine that they sent over to meet my needs. The daily vitamins are split into a cute box that makes it easy to pull out one at a time, unless you have kids who pull them all out at once, in which case, good luck getting them back in the way from which they came! But in all seriousness, the kit is really neat.


Here's what Persona put together for me:




Cordyceps • Supports Energy Production • Promotes Liver Health • May Enhance Libido Cordyceps contains numerous constituents responsible for its health-promotion actions including polysaccharides, cordycepin, and cordypyridones. 


DHA w/ Vitamin D • Promotes Brain Function • Supports Healthy Inflammatory Response & Eye Health Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an important brain boosting Omega-3 fatty acid. Since the body can’t produce it, getting enough in the diet or by supplementation is crucial. When the brain receives adequate amounts of DHA, it is able to produce hormones as needed which makes cell communication easier. 


Daily Probiotic • Supports Healthy Digestion • Replenishes Gut Flora • Supports Immune System Our Daily Probiotic contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus, one of the most popular probiotic strains to help restore good bacteria in the gut. By encouraging a balanced biohm, our Daily Probiotic can support gastro-intestinal complications, diarrhea, and the immune system. 


Foundational Multivitamin Heart Health • Optimal form of Folate • Fills nutrient gaps, supports overall health Food preferences, allergies, prescription medications, digestion issues, and age can impact your nutritional status. Our vegan, non-GMO multivitamin is highly bioavailable to help you fill in diet gaps and achieve a healthy nutrition profile while supporting your immune system. 


Green Tea Extract• Supports Healthy Energy • Fights Oxidative Stress • Supports Brain Function Green tea extract has been used for centuries to provide a variety of health benefits including energy productin, athletic performance support, healthy weight, and overall immunity.


Spirulina • Immune Support • Super Powerful Antioxidant • Anti-Inflammatory Spirulina is an algae that can help fill nutritional gaps from diets lacking fruits and vegetables. 


Vitamin D-3 1000 • Bone Support • Cell Growth Support • Neuromuscular and Immune Function Support Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be produced when the skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For this reason, geographical location, use of sunscreen, and lack of outdoor activities impact vitamin D status in the body and may lead to a deficiency. 


I will say that in taking these supplements, some of them were larger than I am used to taking so it was a bit of a struggle at first to get them all down each morning but I challenged myself to drink more water and taking my Persona supplements certainly helped with that goal! Another thing I might mention, and this is not a very attractive thing to admit, but one of these supplements was 100% giving me gas and the thing is, it's hard to narrow down which one it might be. The great thing about Persona is that they do have nutritionists that you can email, call or chat with so if I really did want to get to the bottom of it, I could have a talk with a member of their team. So just something to consider when you are taking a new vitamin or supplement, that you may have some side effects like gas, doh! So make sure to pay attention to your body and what is happening with it!


So would I recomment Persona? Yes! Actually, even though I got this first supply for free, I am on my way to get another month filled (that I'm paying for!)... so that should give you an idea of what I thought! I have been really trying to take care of my body. I am nursing a back injury in PT. I am having regular appointments at the chiropractor and I am taking my nurtition more seriously.


You can find Persona online, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter... oh and have $25 on me to place your first order, shop here!



Sunday, November 8, 2020

Norm’s Farms ElderKids Organic Elderberry Gummies

 *This post was created in collaboration with Norm's Farms and MomsMeet. All opinions are 100% my own and as always, thank you for supporting Prim and Propah.


ELDERBERRY ME! Norm's Farms sent me and the kids each a bottle of their elderberry gummies to prepare us for the upcoming cold and flu (and more!) season. You may have heard that I love a good elderberry gummy because I am all for trying to combat illness or lessening it this time of year, so was pretty stoked to be introduced to a new (to me) brand called Norm's Farm.




Norm's Farms ElderKids Organic Elderberry Gummies and Norm's Farms Organic Elderberry Gummies are made with organic elderberries, Vitamin C, Zinc and probiotics. The other ingredients are things you would recognize as well, like organic tapioca, organic cane sugar, pectin, organic sunflower oil and the like. It's important to me to take a look at an ingredient list and see that I won't have to google what an ingredient is. Mama doesn't have time for extensive research. In most cases, I'll just move along. 

Now I don't have proof that taking my elderberry gummies every day has helped me or my kids but I do know that I survived last Winter without getting strep throat (even when both my kids test positive for it) and even managed the last year with only a mild cold (allergies aside of course which don't even get me started on!).  I don't want you running out to buy elderberry thinking it will cure all your ailments but it does have benefits dating waaaaaay back. "The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They could help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too." via WebMD That helps inform my decision and as with anything you take or want to give your kids, it's important you do your research and ensure that you're looking at all the info.

As far as the taste and consistency of these gummies, they are pretty spot in. My kids have no issue taking these and I rather enjoy my little treat in the morning. The kids call it their "berry vitamin" and I give it to them with their daily multivitamin daily. When I checked out the Norm's Farm website, I was excited to see that they have different offerings too, in case that gummies aren't your thing, like syrup form. Are you a jelly or jam kinda person? Norm's Farm has Jams and Jellies! Totally next on my list to try.



If you're looking for an elderberry option, I think Norm's Farm would be great to try. They seem to take the process of making their product seriously and we are enjoying it here in the Propah household. You can find all their products on Norm's Farm and peek below for a special discount code!




Follow Norm's Farm on Facebook, twitter, Instagram and Pinterest! Oh and use code  MOM10 on their site to receive 10% off your order!



Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Think-ing about Sunscreens with Think!

*This post was created in collaboration with Go Think. All opinions are my own and as always, thank you for supporting Prim and Propah!



When the folks at Think contacted me to try some of their products, I was excited to check them out! When it comes to providing products for my family, that take into consideration the ingredients that we put on our skin, I’m incredibly impressed with brands like Think. Their commitment to quality is listed in their products descriptions, specifically the sunblocks for babies, kids and adults.

  • First Sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care Requirements
  • Top Rated on EWG 's Skin Deep with a "1" rating since 2010
  • Free of biologically harmful chemicals. No PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, dairy, or toxic chemicals. No animal by-products or testing (Leaping Bunny member).
  • Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection
  • Does not contain any known chemicals harmful to coral reefs. Achieved the highest level of biodegradability testing.
  • Water resistance (80 minutes)
  • Non-aerosol formulation
  • Designed for everyday use
  • Sunscreen produced in the USA
  • A member of the Safe Cosmetics Campaign Compact

Even though we’re headed into the Winter months, that doesn't mean that you shouldn’t be careful about sun exposure, especially if you’re into outdoor, snowy activities! I always have sunblock on hand for me and the kids because I once got a sunburn on my face, while snowboarding, that rivaled some of my worst Summertime burns. I’m loving the variety for everyone in my family’s needs as well as the ingredients free of biologically harmful chemicals.






Think also has some awesome body products like deodorant, body wash, haircare and more, all with the same standards. I’m also loving their waterbottles, especially during hot spin sessions where cold water is the ultimate. I am extremely pleased with what Think sent along, and I am happy to say so in this blog post!


You can find Think on their website, Facebook and Instagram oh and also at Target and Wholefoods!






Monday, October 12, 2020

Peach and a Continually Cool Partnership

 *I have been a Peach ambassador for a couple of years now so you know that when I am talking about Peach it is due to a great partnership where both parties sincerely value one another!




I have been working with Peach for a couple of years now and I am always grateful when they reach out for another campaign or capsule collection. As someone who doesn't fit the mold when it comes to "high style, thin type" influencer, their focus on real, active women, in their real, active lives, is something that always impresses me. They work as a team, for their team and for their community of stylists, ambassadors and customers.




You'll continue to see me sporting their gear, talking about their initiatives, like their Thrive Workshops and how they are contributing to their community through cool events and virtual meet ups. When a brand isn't just trying to sell you stuff, but actually cares about creating a relationship, I pretty much love that.


On October 15th, you can join one of their signature Thrive Workshops! Yes, they are opening it up to their community beyond stylists and ambassadors. How cool is that? I loved this workshop when I participated last year. You basically take an assessment that helps you dig into your internal strengths, tapping into what you're truly good at, whether you know it or not!


Thrive Workshop: Unleash Your Superpowers

October 15th at 7PM ET
Tickets $35

Use promo code: AMANDA10
This will treat you to $10 off the ticket price for the workshop!


Get excited to dig into discovering your internal strengths and celebrating the uniqueness that is YOU. The outcome of this work can help you to discover your true north in the headwinds of today.

In a 75-minute interactive presentation, we will explore:
1. How to identify your signature internal strengths
2. How to operationalize and optimize these strengths for growth
3. How to flip the script on “weaknesses”

Each attendee will receive a link to take their own strengths assessment ahead of time so your results can be discussed at the event.

Attendees will also receive an exclusive discount to purchase our Strengths Bracelets so you can wear your strengths with pride and remind yourself that you are uniquely YOU!


Taking the character traits assessment through Peach's Thrive Workshop was so interesting and fun, too! The assessment itself didn't take very long to complete and once I was given my top strengths, I sort of felt encouraged by what I have always found to be one of my best qualities (honesty) coming up right on top of my list.


The team at Peach explained that this strength, and the others, can be more than just the literal interpretation. Yes, I am honest but I also approach things in my life in an honest and authentic way. That totally resonated with me. It's very cool how once you know what your top character strengths are, that you can see how you are actually living them. And maybe something I thought I represented, like being full of Zest, landed closer to the bottom. It's OK if "Zest" isn't one of my top strengths and focusing my energy there, isn't a valuable use of my time. The workshop really gave me some things to think about and great insight.


They break down your Top 5 and explain what each means and could mean for you. My Character Strength report came with individual highlights of my top Strengths (Honesty, Gratitude, Kindness, Humor and Fairness) and short journaling prompts for each one. This workshop was great, especially if you're looking to dive deeper into what makes you tick! I would recommend it for sure!





Shop my most recent Peach looks!


In this post I am wearing the 7/8 reversible leggings, in deep blue camo, the Harper Bra in deep blue camo,  the Akari Anorak, the Peach signature branded cap. and the Kristina Seamless Legging.




You can find Peach online, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!