This is a partnered post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This time of year happens to be flu season. Even though colds and the flu can happen year around, outbreaks begin as early as October and tends to peak around January or later. I have four children who go to public school that have brought home more colds and germs than I can count.

Below are some daily tips from MinuteClinic to help keep you and your family healthy and help to prevent cold and flu:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially after you cough or sneeze.
2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, and discard of the tissue in the trash. Sneeze into your sleeve if a tissue is not available.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs can spread easily that way.
4. Avoid contact with those who are sick. Flu is thought to be mainly spread from person-to-person contact (coughing and sneezing doesn’t help!).
5. If you’re sick, stay home from school or work to keep others from getting infected.

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“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central for CRYSTAL LIGHT. I received a gift card to purchase CRYSTAL LIGHT products to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

One thing that I love to drink is water. As long as it is nice and cold, I usually prefer drinking it over any other beverage. The others in my family don’t enjoy water as much as I do so I have to find ways to encourage them to drink it.

With water you can add things to give it flavor without worrying about adding a bunch of sugar and calories like the many different CRYSTAL LIGHT products available.

For those of you Miranda Lambert fans, you can now earn cool prizes with the Miranda Lambert Platinum Points program. CRYSTAL LIGHT and Miranda Lambert have partnered to launch a program to reward CRYSTAL LIGHT customers with fun Miranda Lambert prizes like music downloads, CDs, mugs, t-shirts, guitars and more!

Here is how the CRYSTAL LIGHT and Miranda Lambert Platinum Points Program works:

• Sign up for the program here using your email address or Facebook account
• Purchase participating CRYSTAL LIGHT products at Walmart and keep your receipt
• Go to earnplatinumpoints.com in your mobile browser and log in
• Click “Snap,” choose “Walmart,” and then click “Select/Take Photo”
• Snap a clear photo of your receipt and click “Upload This Photo”
• Redeem points for Miranda Lambert rewards

The Platinum Points Program coincides with Miranda Lambert’s Platinum Tour Presented by CRYSTAL LIGHT. I found Miranda Lambert’s music earlier this year on Pandora when listening to different Nashville songs.  I love Miranda’s music and I am excited to earn some Platinum Points that I can redeem for a cool Rhinestone T-shirt.

When it comes to CRYSTAL LIGHT I like the variety of flavors that you can find at Walmart. They actually had so many different choices it was hard to decide on what I wanted to grab. The Raspberry Ice used to be my favorite but now I think the new Tropical Blend from the Pure line might just be my  new fav. When the kids seen the different CRYSTAL LIGHT choices I bought, they were just as excited to give them a try.

Joining the Miranda Lambert Platinum Points is easy and FREE! You can get 30 FREE points by using promo code “mirandaic” when signing up!

I’m participating in the 2014 Believe in Heroes® blogger campaign and received compensation as part of the program.

I am very thankful for those who support and who have supported our country. I am glad that there are many different programs and organizations out there that help our veterans who have risked their lives to help protect ours.

The Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization who has a mission to honor and empower Wounder Warriors. Here are some important services that the WWP provides to those that have been injured protecting our country:

Believe in Heroes is calling on Americans to show their support and appreciation for the newest generation of veterans through the common household task of grocery shopping, while enjoying great savings and sharing how they made a difference to help raise awareness.

For more information on how and where to shop, visit: goo.gl/SGWJfD.

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central for the American Optometric Association. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

Ever since I received a note home from the teacher to have my daughters eye checked, I have been concerned with my family’s eye health. My daughter was in the second grade and had never complained about her eyes. During her previous checkups and physicals the doctor never mentioned that they seen anything wrong with her vision, so it wasn’t a concern. When I took her to have an eye exam, the optometrist was surprised that my daughter never complained and prescribed her eyeglasses. After that appointment, I made an appointment for my son who was just a toddler.

The use of technology among children both at home and at school is definitely on the rise. There is a new survey from the American Optometric Association (AOA) that shows parents drastically underestimate the time that their children spend on digital devices. I know my children use digital devices at home but they are also using them at school. My daughter is even in an after program at school where the students get to use iPads and iMacs to play educational learning games.

Did you know that eighty percent of children surveyed report experiencing burning, itchy or tired eyes after using electronic devices for long periods of time?

Here are some tips that the AOA recommends to remember to help prevent or reduce eye and vision problems associated with digital eye strain and exposure:

Tip One – Check Height & Position Of Device

Computer screens should be our to five inches below eye level and 20 to 28 inches away from eyes. Digital devices should be held at a safe distance away from eyes and slightly below eye level.

Tip Two – Check For Glare On The Screen

Windows and other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of a computer screen. If this happens, turn the desk or computer to prevent glare on the screen. You might also consider adjusting the brightness of the screen on your digital devices or changing the background color.

Tip Three – Reduce The Amount Of Lighting

Reduce the amount of light in the room to match the computer screen. A lower-wattage light can be used instead of a bright overhead light or a dimmer switch may be installed to give flexible control of your room’s lighting.

Tip Four – Adjust Font Size

Increase the size of the text on the screen of the device that is being used to make it easier on the eyes when reading.

Tip Five – Keep Blinking

Frequent blinking can reduce the chances for developing dry eye by keeping the front surface of the eye moist.

When it comes to your family’s eye health, comprehensive eye exams by an optometrist are important and essential in helping to identify the signs and symptoms associated with digital eye strain and other vision problems. The AOA recommends that every child have an eye exam by an optometrist soon after they turn 6 months old, before they turn age three and every year thereafter.

You can learn more about the American Optometric Association (AOA) by visiting there Facebook and Twitter profiles.