Week 1 - #PersonalTrainerFood

#PersonalTrainerFood

My first week has started off great. I had my first breakfast on Sunday (1/24) morning. I withstood fixing waffles for my guys and then got my first taste of the food that Personal Trainer Food had sent. I had an egg and two sausages. And they tasted really good! I added a pinch of salt to the egg, but nothing else. After fasting, I thought I would be starving like mad, but surprisingly, I didn't shove it in whole and scarf it down like a wildabeast! 

Starting a Journey - Personal Trainer Food

#PersonalTrainerFood

I am starting a 28 day journey. It's one that admittedly makes me nervous. Weight loss. This wasn't part of any New Year's resolution I made to myself, but the opportunity presented itself to review the Personal Trainer Food program. I have been wanting to make a change but I was so overwhelmed. I didn't know where to start. I am nervous. I have never done any program like this. I'm nervous and very self-conscience about sharing it.

Neon Green #JGOB Applicator Makeup Sponge Giveaway

This post contains affiliate links

#JGOB

Anyone that wears makeup knows that blending is key to a smooth, even look. A good sponge helps eliminate streaking while also allowing you to get into the hard to reach areas. I received one of this Blending Sponges from JGOB to review and they are allowing me to give one away to one of you! 

Valentia Organic Rosehip Oil Review

This post contains affiliate links

#rosehipoil

How's the weather been treating you lately? Is your skin screaming at you with a dry and cracked throat?

I received a bottle of Valentia Rosehip Oil to review and it has come in handy for keeping my hands moisturized against the cold winter temperatures we have had. I can't imagine what it must be like for those that have been hit with one snowstorm after another! The cold and wind combine to torture skin.

I have seen it mentioned that rosehip oil had an odor so I was a little apprehensive about that. This does have a slight scent and I don't advise taking a big sniff of the open bottle. BUT, it takes so very little when I massage it into my hands that the odor is scant and actually dissipates pretty quickly.  
I bet getting roses brightens your day! This can brighten and rejuvenate your skin. Rosehip Oil is derived from a species of rose called "Rosa rubiginosa". Rosehip oil is packed with antioxidants, fatty oils and other anti-aging ingredients. It is often used in anti-aging skin creams, but the oil can be applied directly to problem areas. 

It contains a derivative of vitamin A that invigorates and regenerates skin, firming it as well as fighting fine lines. It also helps treat sun-damaged skin by lightening it. Rosehips also contain C, E, B and K. They also contain citric acid, flavonoids, fatty oils, tannin, pectin, and more vitamin C than citrus fruits. Interesting to note that rosehips were used as a dietary supplement during World War II because there was a shortage of citrus fruits.

You skin needs lipids to form and sustain membranes and to prevent transepidermal water loss. Rosehip oil is a natural lipid as all oils are. It helps with the flexibility and permeability of skin and helps keep necessary moisture in and harmful bacteria out. 

Rosehip oils retains a higher amount of its natural antioxident Vitamin C after processing than other essential oils. The healing properties are often used to minimize scars and treat skin conditions such as eczema and burns. It has also been used for rheumatoid arthritis, urinary bladder infections and headaches.

It takes only a few drops for each of my hands to be fully moisturized so this 1.8 ounce bottle will have some lasting power. It offers you great control with a dropper dispenser so you can use as little or and much as you like. 

#rosehipoil

You can try out the healing properties of this 100% natural, Organic Rosehip Oil from Valentia. It is available on Amazon.com. 

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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links which simply serve to help me support my family.

REVIEW: Ozeri Instavac Green Earth Food Storage Set

I received a set of these bowls to review. I LOVE them! Ozeri has taken the best features and combined them to create a fabulous storage bowl. The lids lock on tight. You can push out excess air with just the press of the lid to keep freshness in. The dial helps you remember how long your food has been in the fridge. There is even a wave patterned bottom to keep fruits and veggies elevated out of juices. They nest perfectly for storage, keeping the cupboard neat and tidy. And the sizes are wonderfully generous! 

The largest is a huge 5.2 quart, the next one is 3.2 quarts, the next is 1.6 quarts and the smallest is 3 cups. 

The 3 cup container is fabulous for taking food on the go! I have used it on several occasions to take things like chicken salad or tuna. I was so impressed that there were no spills even as the container was tumbled around in my bag throughout the day. The largest ones are handy for holding larger amounts of foods like my homemade spaghetti sauce and cookies. 

The containers are BPA-free, stain resistant, shatter resistant and transparent so you can see what is inside. They are also freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe so you can be confident storing, heating and cleaning them. 

Green Earth has developed some terrific products that eliminate the toxins that are so harmful to our health and the environment, yet maintain high quality that makes our tasks in the kitchen easier and economical. 

Check out the Ozeri INSTAVAC Green Earth Food Storage Container Set on Amazon!
 
Disclosure: I received the product above to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own and may differ from yours. This post contains affiliate links.

REVIEW: Total Colon Cleanse & Detox

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I'll admit, I did not know what to expect of this product. I have never had anything like it but have been hearing about different detox programs. To be honest, I was a little nervous to try it. I had visions of things like... ummm..... rapid, explosive, projectile... so one the first day I very nervously took the first capsule..... and NONE of those things happened! :)  The directions state to take 1 or 2 capsules and I started with one simply because I rarely take any medications or pills of any kind and I have learned that sometimes the effects or my reactions to things are amplified. I mean even aspirin makes me sleepy! So I thought it best to start with the minimum. 

By the second day I was feeling better and by the third day some of the bloated feeling I had been having was easing. By the fourth day I was feeling energized and not having an afternoon crash and getting so sleepy I couldn't hold me eyes open. In the short time I have taken it, I haven't noticed a drastic weight loss but I have noticed feeling much better and having more energy as well as being more regular and having less bloating. The product has performed as labeled: Gently and effectively without causing any embarrassing effects.

Check them out on their website or find Total Colon Cleanse & Detox on Amazon

 

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. My opinions and results may differ from yours.

Review: Shandali Travel Towel

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I received one of these towels to try and they are amazing! They are a super soft microfiber material that just wicks water right off your skin. It is ultra light too! It's not bulky or difficult to carry in a bag! I went outside recently and got wet in the rain. When I got back in the house, I grabbed my Shandali towel and wiped the water off my face and arms. I was simply amazed at the performance! It hardly felt like I had touched my skin, yet it was immediately dry. This is Star Trek technology! There are several episodes where light weight towels are used with the same result. The towel I received is the medium which measures 24" x 48" so it's not like a full size bath towel, but absorbs moisture so much more quickly that a cotton towel!
We sometimes go camping, I go walking and riding in the Summer, work in the garden and do other outdoor activities and I can see how useful this towel will be in the upcoming months! I have already been carrying it in my bag and it will be staying there. It is so light, it adds nothing to the weight of my bag. There are so many instances where this towel can come in handy: keep it in the car for traveling, put it in your or your kid's sports bag, take it camping or even take it to the pool or the beach. Whether you have a super active lifestyle, just the occasional outing (or get caught in the rain!), the Shandali Travel Towel is a terrific addition to the gear you take with you.
Check them out or purchase your own Shandali Travel Towel, available Exclusively on Amazon

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. This post contains affiliate links.

Review: Warmze Portable Bottle Warmer

I was sent a Warmze Portable Bottle Warmer set for review. Upon opening, it I was impressed with how easy it looked to use. It looks very easy to slip into the diaper bag and go! The large starter kits contains two self-heating warming wraps and one BottleSoc. I received the Owl Print and it is SO adorable!

The wraps are air activated and the package says they take about 30 minutes to heat a bottle. The wraps offer several benefits:

~ Designed to heat bottle to the perfect tepid temperature (90 - 104 degrees), the temp recommended by pediatricians

~ Stays warm to heat several bottles throughout the day

~ Non-toxic, biodegradable

~ No electricity needed

~ No keeping up with a car charger or sitting in the car waiting

~ No microwaving

~ No batteries

~ No boiling water

~ works with breast milk as well as formula

From the Warmze Website:

Why is heating to tepid so important?

Pediatricians recommend tepid temperature, it helps reduce colic and increase nutrients. Wherever you and your baby go, you can always have a perfect bottle with Warmze. The ONLY portable bottle warmer that is truly portable. Warmze is small and compact and can fit in a purse, diaper bag or anywhere you would store a bottle. Warmze warming pads are disposable and biodegradable. Our product is natural and eco-friendly

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Each non-toxic, biodegradable, self-heating  warmer will last up to 10 hours, heating 3 -5. They are air activated so they are a perfect addition to the diaper bag. The BottleSoc is washable, reusable and the large ruffle wipes away dribbles. The BottleSoc also comes in a variety of designs for boys and girls. 

Warmze has been rated the #1 Portable Bottle Warmer!

The starter kits contain a BottleSoc and two warmer wraps 20 hours of warmth!) and are $14.99.

 The warmer refill kits contain 4 warmer wraps (40 hours of warmth!) and cost $12.99

You can view all the wonderful designs and purchase a Warmze kit for yourself on the Warmze website

You can also connect with them on

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

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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.

Review: Nestle Simply Celebrate with Wonka Candies

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I have loved Wonka candies as long as I can remember! I remember when Nerds debuted and were all the rage. The flavor combinations were new and exciting and we liked to mix the flavors from different boxes to create our own combinations. And Sweet Tarts! The more sour the candy, the more we liked it! 
I was super excited to get to try and review some holiday versions of candies that I love and hold a special place on my sweet tooth! 
I didn't have time to create a recipe during the busy schedule we had during Christmas, so I borrowed a recipe from the Simply Celebrate site. 



Candy cane Crunch Brownies
Time to complete: 60 Minutes
Makes 16 Brownies
Suitable for ages 3 - 12

Ingredients
~ ~ Homemade brownie recipe or box brownie mix, made and ready to frost

~ ~Favorite chocolate frosting

~ ~ 4 -5 Wonka SweeTARTS Candy Canes

Directions

Step 1.

Make your favorite brownie recipe or box of brownie mix following directions on box. Let brownies cool and frost with your favorite chocolate frosting. Have children help mix brownies and frost.

Step 2.

Unwrap candy canes. Using blender or small food chopper, crush candy canes leaving some large chunks

Step 3. Have children sprinkle the crushed candy canes all over brownies and pat gently into frosting. Cut and serve.

Things like this are a wonderful way to get the kids involved and have some fun!
You can find many more wonderful recipes and crafts at Nestle Simply Celebrate

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.

REVIEW: Lost Civilizations by Michael Rank

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

This book highlights 10 civilizations that have vanished throughout history. If you have any interest in history, you would like this. As I read about each civilization, I also thought this would be a great book for students in history class or those researching any of these groups. 

I am fascinated by history, so I dove in when I received the book for this review. It is very well written without being so complicated that it can't be understood and I was very surprised to learn new things about people and civilizations that I thought I knew. I don't want to spoil any of it, but the stroy of Christopher Columbus could be much different than we learned in school! I also learned about a few civilizations and people that I had never heard of before! Michael Rank gives us a glimpse into these cultures and their way of life. Some of the things they did seem strange and the theories as to why they performed certain rituals or tasks the way they did, sets you mind to imagining how differently life was at these various points in history. Lost Civilizations takes you on a trip through time to visit these people and see highlights of how they lived and where they lived. Juxtaposed with our own way of life makes these cultures so interesting! You have to wonder what it must have been like. Adding to the fascinating mental imagery is the fact that all of these civilizations just vanished. Whether all at once or in a gradual fashion, they are gone, leaving only clues, scant information and mysteries that beg to be solved. 

I would recommend Lost Civilizations: 10 Societies that Vanished Without A Trace to anyone that is a history buff, a student learning about ancient history or even a kid that likes to read! It's a nice read that adults as well as kids can get into.

You can check it out and purchase this book on Amazon by clicking the image below.

You can also visit the author, Michael Rank's page

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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. This post contains affiliate links.

Piczzle Photo Puzzle Review and Giveaway

I was able to review a photo puzzle from piczzle.com and I have to say, this is a great, unique gift to give for any occasion or just to commemorate a memory. 

I selected a photo I took during an outing to the park. We watched this young crane trying to catch fish for quite some time. He finally managed to start spearing them with his beak. I love watching these birds. They are so pretty! 

Ordering from Piczzle is super duper easy! They offer a selection of cardboard, wooden or even magnetic puzzles in various sizes and shapes. You can get smaller ones that are simple to put together or order a larger one with lots and lots pieces for a challenge. They also have some frame effects you can add too, such a holiday frame that looks great with your family Christmas photo. 

       

Photos from the piczzle.com website

You simply choose the size, shapes, and type of puzzle you want, upload your photo and wha - la! Within a few days, your photo puzzle arrives! These would be fabulous to send out as Christmas cards or party invitations!

Your puzzle arrives in about 5-7 business days, in a sturdy box. There is a great reference photo on the top of the box. The pieces are safely contained in a reusable zip close bag. If you choose to take the puzzle apart, you have the bag to keep your pieces safe and you have the box to store them in!

These would make great gifts for any occasion. Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, anniversaries and even weddings. There are so many ways you could use these to make occasions unique and fun! You can see my video review on Youtube. Visit piczzle.com to see the various designs and order your custom photo puzzle! You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

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Now for a the great part! A giveaway! One reader will win a small cardboard photo puzzle from piczzle.com!
US only.
Ages 18 and older
 Use the giveaway widget below to gain your entries. 
Please note winner can not win from more than one blog and not more than once within a 12 month period.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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