This post was sponsored by a2 Milk® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.
I dreamt the other day about being in Kindergarten. I was picking up my usual snack of graham crackers and carton milk and it was a blissful memory, the sweet honey taste of the cracker washed down with ice cold gold. Sigh. I miss a delicious, ice cold, glass of vitamin D milk with crackers, or cereal, or cookies. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to enjoy milk. I remember when I was pregnant with each of my kids, cereal was my go-to craving. It’s been about 10 years now and today I only purchase cereal and milk for my 15 year old son. Though we haven’t been officially diagnosed lactose intolerant, my husband and I and more recently our two daughters are sensitive to many dairy products and have stomach discomfort because of it, it’s a sad thing.
Sure, we have tried milk substitutes, almost all of them along with anti-gas drops and tablets. It’s not the same. The flavor is different, sometimes the texture is different, and often the temperature just doesn’t get cold enough if that makes sense to you. Neither myself or my kids want to rely on remembering tablets or drops before our meals at home or on the go. Did you know that 1 in 4 Americans suffer the same discomfort as we do, our family is over-achieving with those odds apparently. Luckily in my job as a blogger, I was recently asked to join an Ambassadorship for the a2 Milk® brand that may change the way we look at milk in our household. Over the next few months all 5 of us will be trying a2 Milk® and looking to reduce or even eliminate our digestive discomfort for good! I’m hoping to enjoy milk again.
What is a2 Milk® you ask? Good question! a2 Milk® is pure farm fresh milk. Originally, all cows milk contained only the A2 protein (beta -casein) and their milk was easily digested. However over time, farmers migrated herds to the U.S. and cows were forced to adapt to environmental changes. Dairy farming demands for increased milk output led to a new protein variant A1-which digests differently-appearing in cow’s milk and people started to experience digestive discomfort as a result. a2 Milk® only comes from heirloom a2 cows that naturally produce milk free from the A1 beta-casein protein, and the company is partnering with U.S. dairy farmers in New York and the Midwest to expand their heirloom a2 herd. Can this be the answer to drinking milk again we’ve been searching for?
Weekend mornings have us craving a bowl of cereal. My youngest daughter misses eating ice cream. We’ve replaced milk in certain recipes (pancakes, hot cocoa) with water and can taste the void. We also miss the added nutrition milk offers and hopefully our bodies haven’t suffered further, especially of those of our growing children. a2 Milk® contains approximately 6x the amount of calcium as soy beverages, approximately 8x the protein of almond beverages, and approximately 6x the potassium levels of rice beverages. I have high expectations for this challenge and I don’t want anyone in our family to suffer any longer.
The first step was to head to my local Safeway to purchase a2 Milk®, at $4.99 the price is worth the test, I really like how they explain the milk right on the carton. Next, I’m going to indulge in some of my favorite meals that include milk…and then we wait. Did I mention it’s Girl Scout cookie season, oh I am so excited! If you struggle with post-milk/dairy discomfort, follow along with my journey and hey, try it out yourself. a2 Milk® comes in whole milk, reduced fat 2%, low fat 1%, and fat-free varieties. The milk can be found nationally at Sprouts, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic, and in California at Whole Foods, Ralph’s, Sprouts, Gelson’s, and more using the a2 Milk® Store Locator: https://a2milk.com/find/ .
For more information, follow along on social media.
a2 Milk® Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/a2milkUSA/
a2 Milk® Twitter: https://twitter.com/a2MilkUSA
Good luck to all of us!
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One of my favorite things to do in the winter is go somewhere sunny. I can’t help it, my body craves warmth and sunshine all year-round and it’s a side effect from growing up in California. When our college roommate’s December wedding ‘Save the Date’ card arrived in the mail, and we learned it was being held in San Diego, we booked our flights within minutes. We can’t scoff at our central California weather, but winter in Socal can’t be beat, we’re talking up to 10-15 degrees warmer than home. Our bags were packed and the weekend getaway and beautiful wedding of friends was complemented by a memorable stay at the 
Walking around the property you truly feel like you’re in Hawaii. Palm trees abound and although I gave this photo just a hint of highlights and a few filters for emphasis, this was my ultimate favorite spot in the whole resort. I wanted to prop a chaise lounge right here to read, meditate, drink a glass of wine, or just plain stare. You’d be right to think that this will become a framed photo in my home.
Our Bay Front Suite was nothing short of spectacular located on the ground floor overlooking Mission Bay’s waterfront. Here our king bed and 438 square feet of space was full of all the essential amenities that included a large bathroom and separate vanity. I must note that the Tarocco line of bath products with the scent of Sicilian red (blood) orange were one of my favorites from my travels, I almost asked housekeeping for a few to take home. 
Outside our patio was the view of the boat dock and promenade where a constant stream of bikers, runners, and casual walkers paraded from dawn to dusk. 
Across the path, the sand is begging for your toes and the resort offers complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas for your morning juice or evening cocktail and reading material. 
Kids will love the arcade, pool, and hot tub and parents can enjoy the indoor fitness room if they choose or enjoy a spa treatment. 
A few of the wedding guests stayed at this hotel and we met up with them after the rehearsal dinner for drinks at Moray’s, open until 1am on the weekends. The island themed tiki torches and fire pit tables make me think of tribal council on Survivor, but with more wine and beer! It’s a great spot to relax and the fire pit keeps you warm on those cool nights. 
Flatbreads, burgers, cheese plates, and sumptuous desserts are on the menu, though my husband will argue that the Peach Bourbon Mule was like dessert so much he had two! Breakfast beach side is delicious at Oceana Coastal Kitchen. With a large dining room and seating by the bay, the gorgeous morning begged us to sit alfresco.
The Catamaran Resort and Spa has it all and then some. I would book again in a heartbeat whether for a romantic getaway like this trip or for a family vacation, I imagine the resort to be bustling during the summer months. Please note: self-parking is $23.00 per night and valet parking is $28.00 per night, but there is no resort fee. That means wi-fi, the pool, whirlpool, fitness center, exotic birds, and some seasonal activities are included in the price of the room. For more information and to make reservations visit, 
ChapStick® Tropical Paradise Collection. Mix it up with Mango Sunrise or soak in Aloha Coconut, these two scents remind us of Hawaii and you can’t go wrong there. My daughter keeps one in her purse and one in her car just like mom. Aloha Coconut will be available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide while Mango Sunrise will be available at mass retailers and drug stores nationwide.
