Archive for Health

Weight Loss Goals with Slique™ Tea – Part 2 of the Slique™ Series

Posted by html404 on February 28, 2012
in All Natural Products, Health, Health & Garden Tuesday, Health and Nutrition

Last week I shared my struggle with weight loss and told you my plan to do the Slique™ Tea Challenge. At first I wasn’t sure what that even meant for me. I just knew I was going to do my best to follow the guidelines set forth within the kit.

Weight Loss and Slique™ Tea

I didn’t do too badly this past week. I didn’t get to weigh myself until Friday so no known weight loss to speak of yet. However, I can tell you on my most successful days I do notice that my appetite is less that it usually is. In last week’s post I shared just a wee bit about the Slique™ Tea and how it tastes good and is suppose to suppress appetite and give you natural energy. I can attest that it does as I have been pulling really late nights for the better part of a week and a half now! Usually I can only go a couple of nights before I crash (getting older you know! HA!). I have had a lot to do.

I wanted to show you that I really am drinking it! Next week I’ll remember to show a cup of tea!

Slique™ Tea contains a blend of Ecuadorian ocotea leaf (natives used it for health and wellness), a member of the cinnamon family, Amazonian caco, proprietary vanilla essential oil, jade oolong tea leaves (antioxidant content), stevia and 100% therapeutic grade Arabian frankincense powder, exclusive to Salah, Oman. No wonder it tastes good!

Slique™ Essence

This week I am going to talk to you about the Slique™ Essence, the second product of five that are a part of the Slique™ Kit. It is very flavorful and I have been putting a drop or two in my water and there is a nice feeling of fullness that comes with drinking a couple glasses of water between meals. Not that I have not been hungry at all, I have been, but neither have I been 100% true to the guidelines. I forget to take my tea 15 minutes before my meals or take my enzymes with my meal etc. Plus I am still nursing my youngest so I am starting out slow as I do not want to do anything to jeopardize my milk supply. I am trying to adapt it to my son’s breastfeeding needs. When I weigh myself Friday, I will know if I have to tweak things depending on my weight loss or lack thereof.

I wanted to show you that my bottle is being used. Notice the yellow stains around the cover on the front and more so in the back, as shown below.

Slique™ Essence is made up of these essential oils: grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, spearmint, and ocotea with stevia extract in a unique blend that supports healthy weight management goals. These ingredients work together to help control hunger, especially when used in conjunction with Slique™ Tea or the Slique™ Kit. Several studies have actually been done on this proprietary blend, which is impressive. More and more studies are being done on essential oils and the health benefits they provide, which makes me very excited! (see PubMed)

Exercise

So far I have not implemented any exercise program, which I need to do. Tune in next week to see how week two goes!

Slique™ Challenge

This is how motivated I am…I actually joined Young Living’s Slique™ Challenge, open to all new and currently active distributors. For the challenge we had to send two photos of ourselves (front and side view), our age, weight and our weight loss goals. I just did this last night. We do have to purchase a Slique™ Kit from now through May and be at the Young Living 2012 convention. At the convention six $5000 prizes will be awarded to those who lost the most weight, if I remember correctly. So every month I will have to send my weight and photos! Yikes! How humbling is that? But you know when I think about a prize like that procrastination kind of flies out the window! Like I said, I have never, ever done anything like this before, here’s to a first of firsts! By blogging to all of you I am holding myself to a higher level of accountability or at least I’d like to think I am. (wry smile!)

There you have it, my progression so far. I survived the first week…or so. Any of you make any steps forward in your weight loss goals? What is the hardest thing you are facing?

Giveaway at Planet Weidknecht!

If you would like to win a box of Slique™ Tea, we are hosting a giveaway over at Planet Weidknecht! Ends 3/4. Thanks for your support!

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Vegetable Gardening

Posted by Brande on February 23, 2012
in All Natural Products, Coupons, Deals, Farm Stuff, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gardening, Health, Health and Nutrition, Organic, Saving Money, Shopping, Thrifty Thursday

Spring is Coming!

I found this great deal for vegetable gardening and it all starts with a bumper sticker. A bumper sticker? Yes. Use this link to the left and get your free bumper sticker! When you put your information in you’ll receive an email to confirm your email address. THEN, you’ll get a promo code for 53% off “Seeds of the Month Club“.

Some background – Mike the Gardner Enterprises is located in NJ. Mike is a 3rd generation home vegetable gardner and author. Mike has been featured in many publications around the world with articles and tips, including ABC & NBC.

Mike also has a podcast, blog and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, LinkedIN, Pinterest, & Google +.

“Seeds of the Month Club” – According to their website. “All seeds are non-gmo, open pollinated heirloom varieties that have been tested for a germination rate of 90% and higher. ”

“You receive 8 packs of seeds your first month and 4 packages each month thereafter. With a 30 day money back guarantee.”

With the 53% off it cost $15.06 for the year! I signed up, so we’ll see what it’s like. Granted, I don’t know what kind of seeds I’ll receive monthly. It’s still a great deal!

Happy Growing!

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Slique™ Kit

Posted by html404 on February 21, 2012
in All Natural Products, Health, Health and Garden Tuesday, Health and Nutrition

For all of my child bearing years, I have struggled with my weight. Actually, I have struggled since I was a child, I just managed it better in my late teens through mid-twenties with lots and lots of exercise! I am currently at my highest weight ever. I have tried to focus on my mothering more than my weight and protecting my girls from the idea that “I am not good enough” subconscious message that the media pushes on all females. I worked hard to instill in them that beauty comes from within not from what size clothing they wear. It is hard when the “thin” message is everywhere we look and most people have succumbed to those thoughts as the norm. I mean look at me I am still entrenched in it! The thing is even a couple of years ago I was ok, as long as I didn’t gain anymore but I have and don’t want to gain anymore. I am really not happy with my where my weight is now. Yet I still worry if I try to lose weight what message I will be sending to my daughters. It’s a catch-22.

However, my youngest is 18 months old and we have a new product through our Cornucopia Health Scents business, I thought I would try something I have never done before in hopes of getting phenomenal results while giving my body nutrition it needs. This new product just arrived last week and we do sell it, so anyone interested, please visit the Lose Weight tab at the top of the blog or visit our business site.

Slique Kit

The Product Description (credit for this goes to Jeanmarie Hepworth and is used with permission):

A Revolutionary New Weight Management System featuring Slique™ Tea and the New Essential Oil Blend Slique™ Essence!

The products in this collection work together to support effective weight management by:

Suppressing appetite and food cravings while increasing metabolism

Providing low-calorie supplements that are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and catechins

Helping with the breakdown and absorption of food

There are two kit choices non-vegetarian and vegetarian.

Lose weight and improve your health with the Slique Experience!

My Personal Goal

I have tried a box of the Slique™ Tea on its own when it came out in the fall, but sold my other box at a trade show, so I was excited to try it again. It is really very good. Since it has stevia (a natural sweetener that comes from the stevia plant), no other sugar is needed.

If I am brave enough, I will share my journey with you in upcoming posts. Being a private person, I am hesitant to make myself that vulnerable to be honest, so I haven’t quite decided what I will do yet. However, I will take the next few weeks to go through each of the products in the Slique™ Tea kit and let you know how I like them. Then at the end of this series I will be offering a giveaway of one Slique™ Tea kit to one of YOU! ($275/$285 Value) One of the biggest giveaways we have ever had on Faith and Family Reviews! So bring it on, eh!? And be sure to spread the word!

An associate of mine researched other brand name weight loss programs and came to the conclusion that the Slique Tea kit is cheaper than other weight loss programs available. If you have any experience with Nutri System, Jenny Craig or others let me know if $275/month is cheaper.

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5 Ways to Use Garlic

Posted by html404 on February 17, 2012
in All Natural Products, Food and Treats, Health, Health and Nutrition

I had so many ask me what I was going to do with all our garlic last week that it inspired a post topic for this week! We enjoy using fresh garlic over powdered. While we like it I have to admit that we do not use it a ton. Guess we don’t want to smell like garlic!

5 Ways to Use Garlic

1. Antioxidants. Garlic has a powerful antioxidant. Studies have shown this – especially aged garlic. Antioxidants can help to protect the body against damaging free radicals. There are claims that fermented black garlic contains even higher antioxidant levels than normal cloves, which is very interesting and something I did not know. (Source: Garlic Central) In our home, we make a mixture of garlic and honey to help combat scratchy throats at the onset of a cold. Only a few of us can stand it though, especially since the daughter that mixes it up LOVES garlic!

2. Antibiotic. Modern science has shown that garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic. The bacteria in the body do not appear to evolve resistance to the garlic as they do to many modern pharmaceutical antibiotics so the health benefits can continue over time rather than helping to breed antibiotic resistant “superbugs”. Too bad medical professionals wouldn’t use this more often! (Source: Garlic Central)

3. Insect Repellent. Garlic not only repels mosquitoes, but it also repels ticks, fleas and other parasites. (Source: Life Hackery) Great for us and our pets!

4. Natural Pesticide. Commercial pesticides are harmful not only to the environment, but to humans and animals. Garlic is all-natural but it can be as effective as any commercial counterpart. Mix garlic cloves and extracts with pepper and a bit of soap to make a homemade garlic pesticide. Some gardeners have found this garlic mixture effective in keeping animals such as rabbits, deers, and groundhogs away from their gardens. (Source: Life Hackery)

5. And of course. Cooking. It can be sauteed, dried, roasted or pressed and added raw to salad dressings and such.

There are many other uses for Garlic, this is only a small sampling. It is one herb that we shouldn’t live without!

Sources:
1 and 2 from Garlic Central.
2 and 4 from Life Hackery.

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First Aid – A Healthy Tuesday Tip

Posted by html404 on February 7, 2012
in All Natural Products, Family Stuff, Guest Post, Health, Health and Nutrition, Home

We use 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils for our natural medicine chest. I have always been wary of using over the counter drugs and even prescription drugs due to having grown up with family members who have been addicted to alcohol. You could say that I have gone to the extreme of what I witnessed growing up – to me that is a good thing – but my desire is to use a natural remedy that doesn’t have any side affects! And having the right essential oils on hand when a first-aid situation arises is a must in our home. Below are some suggestions on what oil to use when. For detaild uses of the oils mentioned, please refer to the Essential Oils Desk Reference book, which is available on Amazon or EssentialScience.net

Cuts – Melrose, DiGize, Purification

Puncture wounds – Thieves, Melrose,Purifications, Mt. Savory

Scrapes – Melrose, Purification, DiGize, Lavender

Burns – Lavender, Idaho Balsam, Frankincense

Blister – Lavender, Palo Santo, Frankincense

Bleeding - Helichrysum, Tsuga – DO NOT use Cistus with a bleeding wound

Bruises – Lavender, Deep Relief, Cistus

Broken bones – hospital, Idaho Balsam nearest joint, PanAway nearest joint

Sprains – Marjoram, PanAway, Lemongrass, Aroma Siez

Food Poisoning - DiGize, Peppermint, Thieves, Mt. Savory

Oils to have on hand:

Lavender – burns, cramps, headaches, stye on eye

Frankincense – head injury, trauma, tonsillitis, emotional release

Tsuga – stop bleeding, cystitis, uterine prolapse, gingivitis, wounds, mouth sores

DiGize – nausea, morning sickness, constipation, antiseptic for cuts, diarrhea, vomiting

Melrose – cuts, scrapes, ear aches, abrasions, candida, canker sores, rashes (staph), airplane ear popping

Basil – anti-spasmodic (back muscles, eye twitch), bug bites, nervous tension, malaria, poisonous snake bites

Deep Relief – muscles aches, headaches, pain

Breathe Again - couch, congestion, respiratory, asthma

Ravensara – virus, RSV, flu, colds, chest

Thieves – strep, gums, tooth abcess, dog bite, splinters

Thyme – West Nile, virus, sleep, athletes foot, fungal

RC – expectorant, allergies

Ledum – diarrhea, lymph glands, ears

Cistus – regenerate tissue, blood clots, heart health

Mt. Savory – like oregano but not hot

There’s just a few of the above oils that we have not used yet, but the rest we wouldn’t do without.

Don’t expect the same results unless you are using Young Living Therapeutic Grade essential oils and supplements. Also, each person is different so they may not work as well for you as it does for others, so try another oil or supplement that might work better for you.

Essential oil testimonials are an effective way of learning and sharing. With this knowledge, We can take control of our own personal health. However, we are required by law to state:

“These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and Techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided here is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. Consult with the health authorities of your choice.”

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The Essentials – A Healthy Tuesday Tip

Posted by html404 on January 31, 2012
in All Natural Products, Health, Health and Garden Tuesday

Why Essential Oils are Essential?

*Immune stimulating *Supportive of the body’s natural defenses *Supportive of the immune, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, nervous, and other body systems *Aiding in maintaining normal cellular regeneration *Mood elevating *Antiseptic (topical use only) *High in antioxidants *Aromatic *Oxygenating *Boosting to stamina and energy *Helpful in relaxation *Helpful in managing stress and frustration *Helpful in reducing the appearance of aging *Helpful in the improvement of mental clarity *Helpful in promoting overall health, vitality, and longevity.

What Are Essential Oils

Essential oils are the subtle, aromatic and volatile liquids extracted from the flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark and roots of herbs, bushes, shrubs and trees through distillation. According to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts, priests and physicians were using essential oils thousands of years before Christ to heal the sick. They are the oldest form of medicine and cosmetic known to man and were considered more valuable than gold. There are hundreds of references to oils in the Bible. The wise men brought the Christ Child gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Clinical research now shows that frankincense oil contains very high immune stimulating properties.) Some of the precious oils which have been used since antiquity for anointing and healing the sick are: frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, hyssop, cassia, cinnamon and spikenard. Science is only now beginning to investigate the incredible healing substances found in essential oils.

Young Living Essential Oils are 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade

The Frequency of Essential Oils

The effectiveness of essential oils cannot be fully understood without some discussion of frequency. Frequency is the measurable rate of electrical energy flow that is constant between any two points. Everything has frequency. Pure Essential Oils have very high frequency. Dr. Robert O. Becker in his book, The Body Electric, establishes that the human body has an electrical frequency and that much about a person’s health can be determined by ones frequency. In 1992, Bruce Tainio of Tainio Technology, an independent division of Eastern State University in Cheny Washington, built the first frequency monitor in the world. Tainio has determined that the average frequency of the human body during the day time is 62-68 Hz. (A healthy body frequency is 62-72 Hz.) When the frequency drops the immune system is compromised. If the frequency drops to 58 Hz. cold and flu symptoms appear, at 55 Hz. diseases like Candida take hold, at 52 Hz. Epstein Bar, and at 42 Hz. Cancer. According to Dr. Royal Rife every disease has a frequency. He found that certain frequencies can prevent the development of disease and that others would destroy disease. Substances with higher frequency will destroy diseases of lower frequency. The study of frequencies raises an important question concerning the frequencies of substances we eat, breath, and absorb. Many pollutants lower healthy frequency. Processed/canned food has a frequency of zero. Fresh produce has up to 15 Hz., dry herbs from 12 to 22 Hz. and fresh herbs from 20 to 27 Hz. Essential oils start at 52 Hz. and go as high as 320 Hz., the frequency of Pure Rose Oil. Clinical research shows that essential oils have the highest frequency of any natural substance known to man creating an environment in which disease, bacteria, virus, fungus etc. cannot live.

Essential Oils Are Aromatic

Essential oils are highly aromatic and therefore many of the benefits can be obtained by simply inhaling them. This can be done by breathing in the fragrance from the bottle or can be diffused into the room. Essential oils when diffused can be the best air filtration system in the world. They will: (1) Purify by removing metallic particles and toxins from the air. (2) Increase atmospheric oxygen. (3) Destroy orders from mold, cigarettes and animals. (4) Fill the air with a fresh herbal aromatic scent. (5) Increase ozone and negative ions in the house which inhibits bacteria growth.

Essential Oils Penetrate

The penetrating characteristic of essential oils greatly enhances their ability to be effective. 100% Pure, Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils will penetrate into the body when applied to the skin. Essential oil placed on the feet will be distributed to every cell in the body in 21 minutes. They will even penetrate a finger or toe nail to treat fungus underneath.

Don’t expect the same results unless you are using Young Living Therapeutic Grade essential oils and supplements. Also, each person is different so they may not work as well for you as it does for others, So try another oil or supplement that might work better for you.

Essential oil testimonials are an effective way of learning and sharing. With this knowledge, We can take control of our own personal health. However, we are required by law to state:

Copyright © 2011, Cornucopia Health Scents, All rights reserved.
What Are Essential Oils by Shauna Dastrup used with permission.

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Lose Your Bad Habits or Lose a Limb!

Posted by html404 on November 15, 2011
in Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Health, Health & Garden Tuesday, Health and Nutrition

If you were at a cross road in your health and knew you could lose a limb due to poor circulation probably acerbated by your diabetes, would you lose your bad eating habits? I know I would no matter how much of a struggle it would be! We have a family member who recently faced this very thing. Due to stints and skilled doctors though this person kept their leg, but doesn’t appear to be ready to drastically change their eating habits. This person has had several operations in the last couple of years and undoubtedly more to come if old habits do not die fast and hard.

I find it ironic that people do not want to change. This may sound awful but I understand how people can ignore the obvious problem – their eating habits. I would much rather eat healthy than give myself a shot of insulin. I would much rather have both my legs and eat spinach than ignore fruits and veggies only to chance losing my leg. Losing a limb is life changing. More life changing than simply eating more fruits and veggies. It is a known fact that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed/controlled through diet, exercise, and with the help of alternatives. I have heard of people even stopping their insulin shots! Yet people still choose their medicines, operations and ongoing symptoms over simply changing their eating habits. I don’t get it.

It would be a dreadful thing to lose a limb. Any limb. It is a scary thought. Our family tries hard to eat healthy but I admit we struggle at times too. It concerns me for our future health. I would love to eat healthier to be honest, but like most families our budget will only allow for so much. That is the very reason we desire to grow our own food and raise our own meat birds, laying hens etc. Besides the fact that farming also provides a natural means of exercising. Just working on the farm is exercise. No need to schedule a special time for yet another activity away from home because it naturally occurs….now that is my kind of exercise!

Today’s Health and Garden Tuesday post is to simply challenge all of us (myself included!) that the choices we make today determine what our future will be like. So eat lots of fruits and veggies and cut back on those sweets (my downfall)!

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Apple Co-Founder Dies

Posted by html404 on October 6, 2011
in Health, Techie Stuff, Technology/Electronics

We don’t own any Apple products, except our daughter’s ipod, but we would love to have a couple of their computers. As most of you may have heard, Apple’s co-founder, Steve Jobs, has died after battling with cancer.

In an article I read a writer compared Jobs to other business icons such as Rockafeller, Ford and Walmart and said this of Jobs, “Under Jobs, Apple simply created a bunch of really cool products that people decided they needed to have.” (Source: Yahoo Finance)

Will anyone be able to fill his shoes and continue to create “really cool products” or will they simply copycat? That remains to be seen, doesn’t it? Guess we need to seriously consider getting one of the cool products before they are obsolete, eh?

On a more serious note, Jobs was only 56 and left behind his wife and family. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with them today.

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Attune Foods – Uncle Sam Cereal Review and Giveaway

Posted by Brande on September 30, 2011
in Food and Treats, Health, Health and Nutrition, Organic

Sorry, there’s no prize or marshmallows in the box. Uncle Sam’s Cereal offers much more for you families heath. This product distributed by Attune Foods. Attune’s goals are to help support the digestive & immune system along with general wellness. Uncle Sam’s Cereal has been feeding families since 1908!

In addition to Uncle Sam’s, Attune Foods has 3 other cereals including, New Morning Organic Gram, Skinner’s Raisin Brand, & Erewhom. Attune also has a varities of probiotic granola bars. Last year they added Munch probiotic bars that come in Maple Nut, Chocolate and Apple Cinnamon.

For more infomation you can visit their website at www.attunefoods.com.

It’s wonderful whole grain goodness! My family really enjoyed Uncle Sam’s Cereal. It had great flavor and texture. For something that is so healthy it sure is yummy! We really love it!

GIVEAWAY-

Attune Foods wants to give one winner the chance to win SIX coupons to get your own products from Attune!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what cereal products your family loves best!

Extra Entries;(Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):

1 Entry: Tweet about this giveaway. Include a separate comment for each and your tweet url with your comment:

Enter to win a x2 coupons to @attunefoods @faithandfamilyrewv http://bit.ly/niF3Qo #giveaway

1 Entry: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Twitter

1 Entry: Follow Attune Foods on Twitter

1 Entry: Like/Friend Faith and Family Reviews on Facebook.

1 Entry: Like Attune Foods on Facebook

10 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back this post. Be sure to leave me a link.

1 Entry:For every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!

2 Entries: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Google Friend Connect (on the our right side bar).

Details:

This giveaway will run from September 30th, 2011 to October 14th, 2011 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Attune Foods will send one winner their prize. Winner will be contacted via email on or before October 14th, 2011 and will be asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winners will have 48 hours to send me their e-mail at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). Please note: This giveaway is offered to USA only.

Thanks and have fun!

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Activia Selects Review

Posted by Brande on September 27, 2011
in Food and Treats, Health, Health & Garden Tuesday, Health and Garden Tuesday, Health and Nutrition

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

My Review:

We received French Selects Cherry, French Selects Fruit on the Bottom in Mixed Fruit and Greek Selects in Vanilla. We love yogurt in our house. We especially enjoyed the Activia Selects French & French Fruit on the bottom. They were smooth and creamy. The Activia Selects Greek is a thick yogurt. We don’t usually eat Greek yogurt, because of it’s thickness. But, it was still very enjoyable.

Go to this website and you can get your own free Activia Selects to try!

http://activia.us.com/products/enjoy_activia_selects.aspx

About Activia Selects:

“Everyday, millions of people across the country enjoy Activia at mealtime or as a snack. So, we’re especially excited to introduce you to the newest innovations from Activia Selects – new styles of yogurt made from recipes inspired by global cultures, including those from Greece and France. Each allows fans of Activia – and those who may not have tried Activia before – to explore the wider world of tastes and textures offered by a brand they already trust and love.”

“The new Activia Selects styles and flavors, including French style, with large fruit bites layered on the bottom, and Greek style, a creamy blended yogurt. As always, Activia Selects, made with the unique pro-biotic culture Bifidus Regularis, can help regulate the digestive system when consumed daily for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, so you’ll feel good about what you’re eating.”

“Partnering with Activia Selects is Johnny Luzzini, award-winning executive pastry chef and “Top Chef just Desserts” head judge, who can share delicious ways to explore new flavors and textures based on cultural recipes.”

Activia Selects French are available in Cherry, Mango, Pineapple, & Blackberry. Activia Selects French Fruit on the Bottom are available in Strawberry & Mixed Fruit. And the Activia Selects Greek come in Vanilla, Blueberry, Strawberry, & Pomegranate Berry.