And, just like that, I’ve discovered a new favorite! POM Wonderful was kind enough to send me their new product, POM POMS, delicious ruby red arils from California-grown Wonderful variety pomegranates. I didn’t even know that the correct term was arils, but I had been eating pomegranate seeds for years. To be exact, each seed has a surrounding water-laden pulp— the edible aril— ranging in color from white to deep red or purple.

Now, with POM POMS, it’s super-convenient and easy to get the delicious treasures inside the pomegranate.

You just remove the cover, which has a spoon attached, and you’re ready to go.

They are, to me, natural bliss in a cup. Super refreshing, mildly tart and sweet, they remind me of eating fresh picked berries just after a rainfall.

The other night, I was up late, as I so often am, and needed something to perk me up to keep working. I didn’t want coffee or caffeine, so I reached for the POM POMS. It was a healthy pick me up with no crash whatsoever.

I think these are great for a snack. I like to eat them right out of the cup, or mix them in yogurt or oatmeal. My favorite is to make a salad with mixed greens, chevre, walnuts and pomegranate arils. I then add a very light citrus vinaigrette. Really nice flavor and color.

Pomegranate seeds are very healthy – low in calories and carbohydrates with almost no fat and a good content of dietary fiber. They are a great source of vitamins and potassium, and they’re known for their powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols which can help prevent cell damage by free radicals.

POM POMS come in two sizes 4.3 oz and 8 oz cups and they are available now through February.

*Available from October through January.
*Look for them in the refrigerated section of the produce department.

Here is a $1.00 off coupon for anyone who would like to try them!

Enjoy!

 I was sent product to sample for this review, but the opinions expressed are my own.

 I love food with a punch and Country Bob’s Original All Purpose Sauce is exactly that. Somehow the tomato, onion, garlic and tamarind combine just right to give you just enough tang without being overpowering. If you want spicier though, they have that too.

Al at Country Bob’s sent me two bottles to sample and I gave one to my sister and her family. They grilled up some burgers and immediately asked me where they could get more. I tried it with chicken which I grilled inside since it’s getting to be Winter in New England. Although, to be honest, if I could grill outside in the Winter, I would. I used it as a marinade for the chicken and also as a sauce. The chicken was incredibly moist and really flavorful. The reception here was outstanding. Country Bob’s tastes much better to me than the usual sauce that I can buy at the grocery store. I also had french fries which I dipped in it and they were heavenly. I highly recommend Country Bob’s for steak tips, for nachos, for burgers and steaks, for veggies, chicken, veggie burgers and fish. I think the only limit really is your imagination and your tastebuds. I also love that the sauce is gluten-free and has no MSG.

Country Bob perfected the sauce in 1968, then shared it with friends and family and began to sell it in 1977. In 1982, Bob Edson, Terry Edson, Al Malekovic and Reed Malekovic formed their corporation with their main office in Centralia, illinois.

You can check out their website  to find some inspired recipes and more information. For example, their delicious gift pack includes:

1 Bottle of Original All Purpose Sauce
1 Bottle of Apple Chipotle All Purpose Sauce
1 Bottle of Honey Habanero All Purpose Sauce
1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce and
1 Container of Seasoning Salt

and they also have a cookbook, hats, t-shirts and grilling tools.

You can purchase Country Bob’s at select locations, see the store locator here or online at Country Bob’s

I know I’ll be buying more.

Al was very generous and offered 2 of my readers a bottle of Country Bob’s as well as a cool t-shirt, so there will be two winners.

You will each get one bottle of Country Bob’s Original All Purpose Sauce

and one t-shirt in whatever size you desire (they also have kids’ sizes) 

Also check out Country Bob’s on Facebook and Twitter for more fun, info and giveaways!

Enter via Rafflecopter and please include all info, since it will be verified. Thanks and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received product from the Sponsor in order to do this review, however the opinions expressed are my own.

I am in love with Rafflecopter. Yes, I truly am. It has changed the way I look at holding and entering blog giveaways. And now, the innovative folks at R-copter are holding an amazing giveawaay – with an iPad2 or a Kindle Fire. How cool are they? Check it out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to eat healthier and Fit Frappe™made by Big Train® is a delicious discovery that definitely satisfies my desires.

 Rich in 20 grams of protein, with less than 1 gram of sugar and only 130 calories in a great tasting 16-oz beverage, Fit Frappe™couldn’t be easier to make or to take with you on the go.

And, now, for the best part, it tastes fantastic! Not like other protein drinks I’ve tried.  Fit Frappe™ is made with Calcium Caseinate for a creamy taste versus Whey Protein that often  has a chalky protein aftertaste. I found it delicious and very smooth. In fact, I would substitute this for my favorite coffeehouse drink. First of all, it’s more convenient to make, healthier, cheaper, and I can tailor it to my own specs and add whatever I like. Also, I often find coffeehouse versions too sweet.

Check out these flavors! Me, being the coffee-lover I am, adored the Vanilla Latte, Mocha and Espresso, but for those of you not as into java or who want both types, it also comes in Chocolate and Vanilla which are delicious hot, iced, or frappe. Here is a video from Big Train which shows the different methods:

As you can see, you have quite a lot of variations. I love the espresso hot with a touch of soymilk (very creamy!) and also two of my favorite smoothies which I mixed up while experimenting: Chocolate with banana blended over ice (so good!) and Vanilla Latte with blueberries (delicious!). Let’s not forget the delicious Mocha and the non-coffee Vanilla. I honestly would drink this every day.

Fit Frappe™ is wonderful before or after working out. It’s also great for a pick-me-up to keep your energy from flagging during the day or anytime you want a delicious drink, snack, or meal replacement. It helped give me the energy which I need to keep up with my currently very busy life and I didn’t experience that afternoon slump.

Here is the nutritional information per 16 oz serving:

20 g protein
Gluten Free
Only 130 calories 
5 g fiber
less than 1 g sugar
19 vitamins and minerals
Fat – 3.5 g                                          

Big Train has generously offered one of my readers an awesome prize package so they can try Fit Frappe™ for themselves. It has 5 sample (16 oz) packages – 1 each of Vanilla Latte, Mocha, Espresso, and the non-coffee flavors Chocolate and Vanilla.

You’re also going to get this cool workout towel

and this totally fun apron!

Slip on the Big Train Fit Frappe™ apron and you’ll be instantly ripped 🙂 . Great motivation!


Do you know what else I love about Big Train? A portion of all sales from Fit Frappe™ will help support disadvantaged youth receive the equipment they need to participate in athletic programs and help them live a healthy lifestyle. We’ve only got one planet and I love a company that gives back. To find out more, you can visit Good Sports.

If you’d like to purchase Fit Frappe™ through Big Train, please check out: FitFrappe.com and their Facebook shop. 

You can also follow Big Train on Facebook and Twitter to hear more feedback about Fit Frappe™ and other products!

Helpful Social Media Links:

Twitter
Facebook
Empire Avenue
You Tube
FoodBuzz
Blog

To enter the giveaway for a Healthy New Year package with 5 flavors of Fit Frappe™, the workout towel and the muscle-apron, please follow the Rafflecopter:


JUST A QUICK NOTE: ALL ENTRIES CLAIMED WILL BE VERIFIED BEFORE A WINNER IS CHOSEN, i.e. IF IT SAYS FOLLOW VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT OR WRITE A BLOG COMMENT, PLEASE DO because THOSE ARE MANDATORY. All others submitted will be verified as well.  GOOD LUCK and HAVE A GREAT 2012!!!

Disclosure: I was sent product to review from the sponsor but all opinions herein are my own.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ah, nostalgia. Sweet memories that bring the happiness you felt to the present moment. When I was very young, my Dad had a pharmacy that he built from the ground up. He had always wanted to go to medical school to become a doctor, so being a pharmacist and being able to advise and help the local customers, was a dream come true for him. He loved it. I loved the soda fountain he had! He actually made his own ice cream and I made ice cream sodas, lime rickeys and cherry cokes for the customers. I could barely see over the counter but this was so much fun. And you got to mix up whatever you wanted. Which brings me to my review and giveaway today:

I’ve been wanting to try the Sodastream for quite some time and I have to say it surpassed my expectations. Not only is it simple and fun, but the soda is really good! In under 30 seconds, tap water becomes carbonated and you can enjoy it as is or add a myriad of flavors. Save money and also help protect the environment. Before, we would go to the store and I’d end up lugging home cases of soda and then wonder where to store it. No more. I’m saving money now, my back and storage space and having a great time. Everyone here loves it! And, I’m certain I’ll never again have one of those days when I really wish I had a soda and someone took the last one.

Also, SodaStream is an “Active Green” product, meaning that by using it, you are actively reducing your CO2 footprint every time you make soda or sparkling water at home instead of buying it from the store.  I love that.

Because SodaStream uses water straight from the tap, the system makes traditional store-bought beverage bottles obsolete. That means less plastic manufactured, less plastic waste created, and fewer bottled beverages transported from manufacturers to distributors to stores to homes.

So, in a nutshell, using your own home carbonation system means:

* Less packaging waste from cans and bottles.
* Less pollution caused by transport of bottled beverages.

But, what about the taste? What about the varieties? Check this out. You can have:

* Regular Flavors such as Cola, cherry cola, cran-raspberry, ginger ale, root beer, grape, orange mango and many more. 

The regular sodamix flavors contain less sugar, calories, carbohydrates and sodium than national drink brands, and they contain no high-fructose corn syrup. Each bottle of concentrated sodamix makes the equivalent of 12 liters (33 cans) of soda.

* Diet Flavors – diet caffeine-free cola, diet cola, diet cream soda, diet cran-raspberry to name only a few

I love that the diet flavors are sweetened with Splenda® and not aspartame.

* Energy Drinks

Why pay up to $2 for an energy drink from the store when you can easily make it yourself, starting at just 25 cents per serving? One bottle of concentrated Energy Drink sodamix makes 50 8-oz.servings. And you control the fizz and flavor intensity. Contains Vitamins B6 and B12, Niacin, Folate, Riboflavin, Vitamin C, Caffeine and Biotin and tastes really good.

* MyWater Flavor Essences – lemon-lime, orange, raspberry and mint.  Unsweetened, all-natural flavor essences for making lightly flavored seltzer or sparkling water. Adjust the intensity of the flavor by adding more or less flavoring. Each 40 ml bottle will make approx. 20 liters of flavored seltzer.

 * Sparkling Naturals such as apple mango, black currant and pear, cola, green tea, pink graperuit, ginger ale. Made from all-natural ingredients, new SodaStream Sparkling Naturals make great-tasting “better for you” sodas. Sparkling Naturals contain no artificial flavors, no artificial colors and no artificial sweeteners, and do not contain any preservatives, making them a perfect, sparkling, natural soda alternative for the entire family. Each 750ml bottle of Sparkling Natural concentrate will make 6 liters (approximately 25 8-oz servings) of all-natural soda.

* Sparkling Tea such as mixed berry, lemon or peach iced tea, strawberry kiwi and more

* And of course, your basic Sparkling Water – Fresh, Fizzy Sparkling Water for 25 cents per liter!

I seriously was amazed at how easy the SodaStream was to set up. Simple! And, it’s also simple to make your desired beverages:

Just fill the reusable carbonating bottle with tap water and secure it into the soda maker. Press the cbutton down a few times to fizz it up. You can adjust this to the level of carbonation you want. You can then drink this regular sparkling water as is or add the flavoring syrup.

To do this, just measure one cap of your favorite flavor and pour it into the bottle and shake it gently. Voila!

You can find Soda Stream at Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, jcpenney, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Sears, Target and many other fine stores. You can also shop onlline at SodaStream USA. At the site you’ll find lots of ideas, videos and all their products.

I think this is a unique and wonderful gift for your family or friends and definitely for yourself!
I highly recommend it!

And, as if that wasn’t enough to buzz about, here’s something even more exciting! SodaStream has very generously offered one of my readers their very own SodaStream kit (pictured at the top of this post).

You will get a  Fountain Jet Soda Lover’s Start-Up Kit  (ARV $99.95) which includes:

–       A Fountain Jet – in your choice of color –
             (black/silver, red/silver or white)
–       A carbonating bottle, reusable for up to 3 years
–       A reusable carbonator to fizz up to 60L of soda
–       A variety 6-pack of popular sample-size flavors
–       and 3 full-sized flavors of your choice

Helpful Links:

SodaStream.com
SodaStream on Twitter
SodaStream on Facebook
SodaStream on YouTube
Ms Fizz Blog

May your soda be fizzy; may your days be merry and bright!

 So just follow the Rafflecopter and it will lead the way.   The first two entries are mandatory and the rest are extra entries.  Best of luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent a SodaStream and product to review from the sponsor but all opinions herein are my own.  

JUST A QUICK NOTE: ALL ENTRIES CLAIMED WILL BE VERIFIED BEFORE A WINNER IS CHOSEN, i.e. IF IT SAYS FOLLOW VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT OR WRITE A BLOG COMMENT, PLEASE DO because THOSE ARE MANDATORY.  GOOD LUCK!

Yes, I am a makeup junkie. With Smashbox, I’m like a kid in a candy store – one of my all-time faves! I love the quality, the colors, the style. I love that they are always on the cutting edge with new products and ideas.

Smashbox Cosmetics gets its inspiration from Smashbox Studios where the world’s top makeup artists, photographers, celebrities and models help create backstage-tested products. Smashbox is your go-to arsenal for ‘smashing’  results every time. 

Reviewing the Limited Edition Pretty in Pictures Holiday Set was a total joy for me. This festive kit has everything to get you prepped for holiday parties and pictures packaged in a sleek keepsake photo box. A $230 value for only $89 at Smashbox. Also, check out their videos and tutorials for the Hottest Looks.

Inside you’ll find:

– Metallic Proof Cream Eyeliner Palette.
– Soft Lights.
– Two Photo Op Eyeshadow Trios.
– Full Exposure Mascara.
– Two Double-ended Lip Enhancing Glosses.
– Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I love the cream eyeliner palette – it’s small and supersleek to take with you anywhere with 10 sultry hues of their best-selling cream eye liner. You’ll find shades such as amethyst, emerald and blue topaz along with onyx, platinum and bronze. I mix and match for the perfect shade and it just glides on so smoothly, highlighting and enhancing your eyes professionally.

Complement this with the eyeshadow trios. They are soft and vibrant with many color combinations to choose from, great pigments that stay. I can put them on before I got out and not worry about them fading. 

Full-Exposure mascara is their new studio-tested mascara. It is on my top list of mascaras now since it went on really smoothly, defined my lashes well and there was no clumping or caking. It does a great job of lengthening and volumizing. Definitely a keeper.

On to the Photo-Finish Foundation Primer. This is probably one of the best products out there, and one I didn’t even know I needed until now.  Colorless and silky, it has vitamins A and E, grape seed extract and green tea to help soothe and protect skin. It helps with fine lines and pores by filling them in subtly to make your skin softer with a very smooth finish. I use it after my moisturizer and just before my foundation. It’s super light and I’ve found it helps my foundation stay on all day and look natural. There is also a Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light for those with oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin.

The Soft Lights is a silky shimmery powder. It mixes well with blush and gives a subtle, natural glow.

This brings me to a new favorite of mine. I really love the Girls on Film Blush Rush in Pose. Pose is a very soft rose color that is amazingly natural with a matte finish. It isn’t overpowering, but if you want subtle elegance, it’s perfect. What’s also cool is that it has a mirror that swivels out from the bottom of the blush. Very portable and you can take it anywhere.  

Finishing up, I will just say that Smashbox lip glosses are by far my favorite of the many many lipglosses I’ve tried. I really love their Snap You’re Fab Holiday Lip Gloss Set. They go on supersmooth and light and are shiny/sparkly depending on the style. My favorite aspect is that they are not sticky or tacky in any way. If I have to reapply, that’s fine, because I love the look and feel. The Holiday Flash Double Ended Lip Glosses are great because you can throw one in your purse and pocket and be set. 

So, by now, it’s clear that I love Smashbox and I’m thrilled that they’ve offered one of my readers a fabulous Holiday Kit! Due to the holidays, and stock being limited, it will be comparable to the one I received and will be shipped directly from the sponsor. So, best of luck everyone! Glam it up for the holidays and everyday.

Smashbox is great for holiday shopping for yourself or your favorite makeup junkie! Right now, shipping is free and samples are included with every order. Check out the Special Holiday Offers now!

Where to find them:

Smashbox.com
Smashbox on Twitter
Smashbox on Facebook

All entries will be on Rafflecopter, except the first will be a comment on the blog.

The first two entries are mandatory. The rest are for extra entries. Please make sure your entries are valid, since all will be checked before the winner is drawn. Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent product to review from the sponsor but all opinions herein are my own. 

If you’re like me, you know there are always people that it is hard to shop for. I am always on the lookout for unusual gifts and, basically, I’m a bit unusual myself. I love browsing at Uncommon Goods! So much fun and I’ve found quite a few gifts that were just perfect for friends and family. They have gifts for women, men, kids and teens and will fit your budget, large or small. They have great Stocking Stuffers here too and the best thing is these are things you won’t see everywhere else.

Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. They strongly believe that creativity and the expression of individuality represent two great human treasures. Thus, they have set out to create a business that makes uncommon goods accessible to everyone.

The piece I’ve chosen to review is the Reach for the Moon Charm Necklace.  It fits me to a T.  I’m always striving for the moon and beyond.  In gorgeous harmonious colors is a crescent moon, along with a garnet for courage and passion, pink tourmaline for creativity and devotion, and amethyst for happiness and protection. Altogether, they remind me to believe in myself. Sent to another, they let them know I have faith in them.

It is really lovely and comes with a card explaining the meaning behind each charm and stone. The 16″ chain can be be adjusted for lengths up to 18″.

My mom said her father told her to always have faith and she passed that along to me.
When I wear this necklace, I feel inspired to keep following my dreams.

I also love the artist, Mary Steratore’s, other inspirational jewelry pieces: Luck is Believing You’re Lucky Necklace, Dealing with Uncertainty Necklace, Set Yourself Free Earrings, and Positive Energy Earrings.

There are other wonderful women’s gifts at Uncommon Goods.  I would love to buy this Bonsai Forest  for my mom and the Shower Squids are perfect for my sister.

My friend who eats gummy bears all day would go crazy for the Gummy Lamps with their built-in LED light while my science-loving nephew would love the Magnetic Silly Putty.

Something else that I love about Uncommon Goods is their commitment to the environment. Also, they donate a portion of each order to your choice of non-profit organizations: American Forests, AmeriCares, City Harvest, and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

Pretty awesome.

And, what else is pretty awesome, is that Uncommon Goods has generously offered one of my readers a Gift Certificate for $50 to their site so that you can purchase anything your heart desires. Find a unique gift or buy something wonderful for yourself!

The first two entries are mandatory, but fairly painless and the rest are extra entries for you.  Just follow the Rafflecopter and it will lead you through.  Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent product to review from the sponsor but all opinions herein are my own.

  NeoStrata Company, Inc. is located in Princeton, NJ and develops and markets a comprehensive range of clinically-proven skin care brands including NeoStrata, Exuviance, CoverBlend, NeoCeuticals and NeoStrata Therapeutics.

 I’ve been familiar with the company for about a year now and have been very pleased with their products. They’ve also been very helpful and great with customer service. I really like this company.

 Doing some more research, I found that the creators of NeoStrata Company, Inc., Drs. Van Scott and Yu are internationally recognized for making the groundbreaking discovery that Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) have a profound beneficial effect on human skin. Their  subsequent research  established that AHAs are not only beneficial in the treatment of dermatological conditions, but are also effective in stimulating prematurely aged or damaged skin to actually rejuvenate itself, thereby revolutionizing the treatment of aging skin.

 Sounds great, doesn’t it? So when Neostrata offered for me to test and review their Exuviance Performance Peel AP25, I was interested and excited to try it.

I have been really into skincare lately and I honestly can see the difference if you use the right products. I wish I had started when I was in my teens or early 20’s, but, at that age, I was out in the sun just having a great time. In any event, I wasn’t sure that products could help if you already had fine lines and the start of wrinkles, but I’m finding out that some actually can.

This product is a 25% Alpha Hydroxy Acid peel and comes with a 6-week supply.  You can read more about it here. 

It came in a box that opened like a book, with the pads on the right side and instructions on the left. It’s a very easy process.

 This is my experience after using the peel for a few weeks. First of all, I had never tried a peel. But, I can tell you that this was extremely gentle on my skin. I had no irritation, no stinging, no burning. Very mild.  I used it twice a week for a couple of weeks.

After washing my face, I applied the small round Activator pad to my face and neck area, avoiding eyes and lips. I went about doing other things. It really didn’t bother my face at all. After 10 minutes, I applied the small circular Neutralizer pad to the areas where I had applied the peel. It felt cool and soothing and so very easy and with no mess whatsoever. I imagine if you felt any discomfort, you would just use the neutralizer right away as it stops the exfoliating action. If 5 minutes seems right for you, that’s fine too. Again, I had no irritation whatsoever.

Now, I simply washed my face and dried it and felt my skin. It was super smooth and soft and looked brighter. I went around asking my family how my skin looked and my sister said it looked fresh and glowing. She wanted to try it. It’s always good to get a second opinion from someone you trust.

As I’ve been using it over a few weeks, I am noticing that my skin looks bright and the fine lines are lessening,  My forehead and cheeks are totally smooth, even the small crow’s feet I had. The only area I am still working on are the laugh lines around my mouth, but, I’ll give that a bit more time.

I’ve used exfoliators before, and I believe it’s very important to safely and effectively remove the dead skin, but I don’t think I’ve ever had such a deep treatment that you can do at home or such good results. I really am pleased and will be continuing to buy this product after this package is through.

The Exuviance peel is part of Neostrata’s  Official Holiday Gift Guide this year. It’s been featured in InStyle Magazine and Woman’s Day Magazine. It is a 25% blend of AHAs and PHAs including Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid and Gluconolactone that exfoliates dead, dull surface layers, and stimulates the process of cell renewal among all skin layers, to reveal healthier cells. Clinical studies after one month of twice weekly use indicate:

   * 100% of users saw improvement in fine lines & wrinkles
   * 94% of users saw more even skin tone, texture & radiance

The Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 contains 12 peels (a 6 week supply), which can be used up to twice a week on your face, the backs of your hands, your neck, chest and body.

So, what do you think? Would you like to try it for yourself? Neostrata has been very generous in offering one of my readers the opportunity to try this wonderful peel for themselves.  (a $68 value).

Just follow the Rafflecopter for easy entries. As far as Twitter goes, if your tweets are not public, i.e., if they are protected, they will not count. So, if you use protected tweets, please don’t use that method as an extra entry. There are others. Also, if your Facebook name is different than your name used for entries, please put that in the form as well.  Thank you and best of luck!

The first two entries are mandatory and the rest are additional chances to win.

Disclosure: I received free samples from Neostrata for my review. No compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

I have to say I was very pleased when I opened the box.
It was a Full/Queen size plush blanket in Burgundy packaged
very nicely.  

But, my true joy came when I opened the package. The blanket is so luxurious and soft that you just want to snuggle in it immediately. I tried it that night and was very pleased. I don’t like thick heavy plush blankets. This one, however, is just as warm as those but very lightweight, thinner and flexible. It was a particularly cold night, and I wrapped myself up in it and had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.

This blanket is perfect for snuggling in front of the tv, curling up with a good book, sleeping, napping, or just staying warm while you work. It’s really one of the softest blankets I’ve ever felt and I’m thrilled to have it for the coming winter.

And, guess what, my friends? Mertado has been kind enough to offer my readers one of the same supersoft plush blankets.  One reader will win a Coral Springs Home Plush blanket worth $35+ from Mertado.com. 


The first two entries are mandatory and the rest are for extra entries, so best of luck! Please enter via Rafflecopter.

Read more…

Disclosure:  I received a Coral Springs plush blanket for my review. 
No compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own.