I had always been under the impression that clear urine signified good health, but apparently – the normal color is actually a pale yellow. In exploring this fleeting curiosity, I learned that the human body can produce a rainbow of colors.

Many times, the color of your urine is an indicator of your health, while other shades are linked to things you have drank or eaten.

Below you will learn what the different colors of your urine could mean:

Clear Urine

Clear urine is an indication that you’ve been drinking an excess of water or other diuretic-like drinks, like coffee and beer. It will have little to no color, and is nothing to worry about when it happens on occasion.

Reddish Urine

Usually, red-colored urine is one of the most feared colors. There are a handful of reasons why you have red urine. Medical reasons center on a small amount of blood in the urine giving it a red tint. A bladder infection, kidney stones or bladder stones can cause urine to turn red. Also…

• Suffering a slight injury to the bladder or kidney can result in blood in the urine.
• Professional boxers may pass blood in their urine after a fight.
• Menstruating women will see reddish-colored blood before, during and after their period.
• There are foods that can turn your blood a reddish color, such as beets (reddish-purple), blackberries (red), rhubarb (reddish), and candy or pills that are made with a dye.
• Poisons that you have ingested (such as lead or mercury) can turn urine a reddish color.

Orange Urine

If you love carrots (especially carrot juice) or have too much vitamin C in your system, you may see the color orange in your urine.

Yellow Urine

A deeper shade of yellow urine means you need to drink more liquids and can happen when you’ve been sweating excessively.

Dark Yellow Urine

When you are consistently producing a dark yellow urine, it could be an indication of liver problems or jaundice, but some people might not be drinking enough fluids. Increase your intake of water to see what happens before panicking.

Blue Urine

Yes, your urine can have a bluish tint to it…if you have a psuedomonas bacterial infection. It can also be an indication that you have high levels of calcium in your body.

Greenish Urine

A urinary tract infection, bile problems and certain medications can turn your urine to a greenish color. When the urine is a brighter green color, it means you have an excess of B vitamins in your system.

Brown Urine

Serious conditions are usually associated with brown urine, and can involve ailments, such as liver disease, hepatitis, melanoma cancer, or copper poisoning. However, recently eating fava beans or taking a laxative can also turn your urine brown.

There’s a lot going on when you peer into a bowl of Kashi GoLean Crisp! Toasted Berry Crumble. You see granola, flecks of red and blue, and lots of interesting pieces that Kashi describes as a “naturally sweetened multigrain cluster cereal.”

Dotted with cranberries and wild blueberries, the combination of flavors, texture and healthy benefits makes this cereal an excellent option.

Highlights of the Cereal

Lower Calorie: The majority of granola cereals are typically more than 200 calories per serving, but this Kashi GoLean Crisp is only 180 calories per serving.

High Fiber and Protein: This is an incredibly high-fiber cereal (love it!) with twice as much fiber as a one-cup serving of blueberries and just as much protein as having one egg. There are also 18 grams of whole grains, which will satisfy one of the three servings recommended on a daily basis.

Easy on the Teeth: I took one look at the multigrain clusters and thought for sure they’d feel like I was chewing rocks, but the Kashi GoLean Crisp is just what it says – crispy. The light crunch is easy on the teeth.

Perfect for Breakfast and Snacking: Not only does the cereal jumpstart your morning, but it also provides a tasty snack for lunchboxes, hiking, camping, long car trips, and on-the-go energy. At times, I swear I detect a honey graham flavor.

By the Numbers

One ¾ cup serving equals 180 calories (35 calories from fat).

• 8 grams of fiber (a whopping 30% of your RDV)
• 9 grams of protein (14% RDV)
• Phosphorus – 15% RDV
• Magnesium – 10% RDV
• Iron – 8% RDV
• Potassium – 7% RDV

If you shop at Target, then you are probably already familiar with Archer Farms products. This brand is only offered at Target (and sometimes Amazon.com)– from shortbread cookies to cereal. Under the Archer Farms umbrella, they make a “Simply Balanced” line that provides balanced, healthy foods at affordable prices.

The combination of flavors of the Archer Farms Apple Pear Drink Mix caught my eye. I love apple and pear blends, and this drink did not disappoint. As I sip it in the wintertime, I am reminded that warmer weather is always just around the corner. The flavor is fun and satisfying – like a pear-flavored apple juice. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this blend.

The Health Factor

One packet of the drink mix makes 16.9 fluid ounces and is only 10 calories. Infused with vitamins and electrolytes, the drink mix offers vitamin A (4%), vitamin C (25%), vitamin E (10%), and calcium (10%). There is also a bit of fiber tossed in for good measure – 2 grams or 8% of your recommended daily value.

One box contains 8 packets and costs between $2 and $3 at Target.

When you’re looking for something healthy to drink, who wouldn’t want to incorporate chocolate into the plan? Mayesa offers a way to ‘indulge your health’ as well as your taste buds. The richly flavored Mayesa drinks use all-natural ingredients packed with a lot of healthy benefits (increase clarity, suppress hunger, energize, and replenish the body), as cacao is a superfood. The beverage also satisfies a variety of health requirements or restrictions – they are dairy free, soy free, and gluten free.

Mayesa drinks come in an 8-ounce Tetra pak with a straw that extends in length. I had the pleasure of sampling the Cacao Original and Cacao Mint:

Mayesa Cacao Original

One of the things I like about Mayesa healthy chocolate is that you can drink it hot or cold. As a chilled beverage, Cacao Original is smooth, slightly thick, and addicting. It literally tastes like dessert – chocolate with a little something extra. When heated, the drink is equally satisfying and a delicious way to cap off a hard day of work. The heated cacao reminds me of sipping chocolate. This flavor is my favorite.

Cacao Original is made with organic cacao and hemp protein. You can definitely taste the difference in premium dark chocolate versus your typical chocolate milk. Cacao Original is 170 calories and provides a good source of potassium, calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, and magnesium –  3 grams of fiber (12% RDV), 5 grams of protein, and 50% RDV vitamin D.

Mayesa Cacao Mint

Made with all-natural premium cacao, the Cacao Mint flavor is a good choice for mint chocolate lovers. I immediately heated the drink and think it tastes best this way. I’d serve this flavor at holiday and dinner parties, or for a dessert drink in the wintertime. It’s a very relaxing blend. Best of all – it’s healthy! Cacao Mint is 130 calories and provides a good source of potassium, magnesium and calcium –  5 grams of fiber (20% RDV), 5 grams of protein, and 50% RDV vitamin D.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

GIVEAWAY

Up for grabs is a 6-pack of 3 drinks of each flavor.

Mandatory Entry – complete 1 of the first 3 entries before completing the extra entries.

[use the Rafflecopter form below – you may have to REFRESH or RELOAD to see the form]

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Don’t know how long this is going to last, but you can sign up for a free one-year subscription to Fitness Magazine. I just filled out the form, You’ll receive 10 issues for free. This deal is limited to one subscription per household. Offer is valid thru 11/10, but I’d hurry up – I believe this will continue until supplies last (whatever that means).  I really like this magazine and this came at a good time – my old subscription ran out a couple months ago.

I just requested a sample of Arm & Hammer with Baking Soda toothpaste and you can too! Just fill out the form on their website. You will have to check your email and click a link to confirm your email address. The sample will come within 6 to 8 weeks.

YoCrunch makes it easy for us to enjoy toppings on our yogurt without any hassle. A removable lid filled with granola, cookie pieces or candy is attached to the yogurt cup. Simply detach, open the lid and pour the contents over your yogurt.

I chose to sample the peach-flavored YoCrunch Fruit Parfait that comes with granola. A layer of vanilla yogurt covers a layer of real peaches. The granola offers a lightly sweetened texture. Overall, the yogurt cup makes a really tasty snack or after-dinner treat.

By the Numbers

One container of peach YoCrunch Fruit Parfait is 120 calories and offers one gram of fiber and three grams of protein. You also receive the following recommended daily values: Calcium – 10%, Vitamin D – 10%, Vitamin C – 10%, and Phosphorus – 6%.

Yoplait YoCrunch multipacks offer a variety of flavors and taste options:

• Fruit Parfaits – come with chucks of fruit of real peach, strawberry or blueberry
• Cookie & Candy Crunch –  various flavors with Reese’s Pieces, M&Ms, Nestle Crunch, Butterfinger, and Oreo cookies
• Greek Parfaits – Greek non-fat yogurt with real blueberry or strawberry fruit and low-fat granola
• 100-Calorie Packs – Cheesecake with granola cookie pieces, vanilla with chocolate cookie pieces, vanilla with chocolate chip cookie pieces, and strawberry with granola
• Greek non-fat yogurt with granola –in  strawberry, peach, blueberry, and honey flavors

Up for grabs is one coupon for free YoCrunch multipacks. Three winners.

[Use the Rafflecopter form to enter the giveaway. You may have to REFRESH or RELOAD to see the form]

Disclosure: I was provided free product coupons to conduct a review and host a giveaway on my site. My opinions are 100% my own.

We get harsh winters in Upstate New York, where the windchill factor can drop ridiculously low and braving the cold has new meaning. If you leave your lips exposed for long periods of time, it can take a toll. Lip balm is an essential product in my neck of the woods. I personally don’t like the usual plain, cherry or menthol kinds of lip balm and prefer a little flavor. With Brooke-a-licious Lip Balm, you get the flavor and an inviting scent.

The product definitely passes my sniff test – what a pleasant smelling product! The lip balm also goes on smooth and stays on smooth. I love the way it feels on my lips, and the sweet aroma of the lip balm continues to please my senses hours after the first application. It’s really an inviting scent. Honestly, I sit here at my computer and take a whiff every now and then when I’m looking for a pick-me-up.

Brooke-a-licious Hippie Cravings Lip Balm:

• Uses all-natural ingredients
• Has no harsh preservatives
• Non-waxy or greasy
• Free of parabens
• Not made with artificial colors

The lip balms are produced in small quantities to enhance quality. They are also safe to use on small children, and even contain organic ingredients when possible. The ingredients list for Hippie Cravings is comprised of shea butter, soy wax, hemp oil, flavor, vitamin E, and titanium dioxide – a naturally occurring mineral. Currently, Brooke-a-licious only makes lip balms, but you can be on the lookout for more products in the future.

Other flavors offered under the Brooke-a-licious lip balm umbrella include Caramel Candy, Watermelon, and Cranberry Ginger Tea.

You can stay in contact with Brooke-a-licious and Tara by:

• Becoming a Twitter friend  @TaraTalksBack
• Liking the company on Facebook

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Surrounded by an acai and blackberry juice blend, the pear chunks in the Del Monte Superfruit Cups are an inviting shade of purple. They taste exotically delicious. The antioxidant-rich cup is a real treat – both taste-wise and visually – elevated by the 100% real fruit juice.

With a 6-ounce cup serving of the pear-chunk Del Monte Superfruit Cups, you get 100% of your daily recommended value of vitamin C. The cup offers a total of 120 calories with 0 fat calories. Other healthy highlights include 3 grams of fiber (12% RDV), 2 grams of protein, and 10% RDV of calcium.

The cups are located in the refrigerated section of your grocer’s produce section. Other options for the Del Monte Superfruit Cups include:

• Mixed Fruit Chunks in Mango & Passion Fruit Juice Blend
• Peach Chunks in Pomegranate & Orange Juice Blend

When properly stored, these fruit cups can last up to 12 months. Impressive.

Disclosure: I used a Buy 1, Get 1 Free coupon provided to me through Vocalpoint to purchase Del Monte fruit cups. My opinions are 100% my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

Repechage harnesses “beauty from the sea” to provide facial care made with natural ingredients. The company offers a C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate comprised of a highly concentrated seaweed extract, which delivers a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The product is geared towards preventing dehydration and fighting fine lines. The goal of the C-Serum is to enhance the overall health of your skin with a restorative moisturizing formula.

The hydrating facial serum is a liquid with an earthy green tint best applied using a cotton ball. On the face, the serum feels light and doesn’t leave behind a sticky, oily or noticeable residue. You can also wear the product underneath a facial lotion – preferably the Repechage Hydro-Complex PFS moisturizing cream. The serum is meant for the face, neck and surrounding features. You can use it as a twice-daily treatment.

The C-Serum is made for all skin types. I have sensitive skin, so I was especially keen on evaluating the product to see if I felt any burning or experienced any visual irritation. I did not, so two thumbs up for being a product that truly accommodates sensitive skin. I wonder if the greenness of the seaweed based skin care products plays a role in preventing skin redness and treating sensitive skin. I’m all for using products with natural ingredients for maintaining my health, anti-aging, and reducing my contact with harmful chemicals.

The Scent

The scent of Repechage C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate takes a little getting used to – I can best describe it as smelling a little like cooking sherry. This scent does wear off in time.

The Packaging

Blue is the color of calm and good health, and the new packaging of Repechage C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate is stylishly inviting. I love the shade of deep blue and shiny silver detail.

The C-Serum is just one of the Cell Renewal products offered by Repechage. Other options for skin renewal, hydration and exfoliation includes the Herbal Astringent Pore Perfecting Solution, Essential Oil of Seaweed (for eyes and lips), and the Algo Mist Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray.

If you’re interested in learning more about Repechage skin renewal treatments, you can:

• Visit their website.
• Follow on Twitter.
• Become a Facebook friend.

Disclosure: I was given a sample of Repechage C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate to review. My opinions are 100% my own, and I was not compensated for this post.