Numi Organic Tea: Moroccan Mint

Second, I tried the Numi Chamomile Lemon Tea before bed. Very relaxing. This tea is a blend of Egyptian chamomile blossoms and Australian lemon myrtle leaves.  Mildly sweet and flowery, a cup before bed was soothing.

Third, and my favorite, was the Numi Moroccan Mint Tea.  The organic mint used is known as “nana mint” and is found in North Africa. This blend had a wonderful aroma and I found myself taking in the scent as I drank it. With its mild spearmint taste that pleased my senses, this is one I will be drinking as iced tea this summer. I really enjoyed it.
 

Tropical Traditions

I recently received a large 32 oz. jar of  Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from TropicalTraditions.com to sample and I was very intrigued. I’d never used coconut oil before, but I have heard that it is very versatile and has a unique taste. I’d read that high quality virgin coconut oil should be snow white in color when it is solid  and water clear when liquid and this coconut oil is a gorgeous pure white. 100% organic, Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil is made in the Philippines.

This oil is made by by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned traditional methods that have been used in the Philippines for hundreds of years. They use the highest quality coconuts hand-picked from each harvest. It is not mass-produced.

Virgin Coconut Oil, Gold Label – 1 quart

I decided to do an experiment. I made two omelettes, one with olive oil and one with coconut oil. They were both very good, but the one with coconut oil had a very light,  mildly sweet taste. It was really delicious. Also, this oil can be heated to high temperatures and remain stable and it that way it was preferable.

I really love the taste and the omelette virtually slid off of the pan and was light, fluffy and not brown at all. The coconut oil is also really good in stir-fry.

One of my new favorites –  I also tried it with fried zucchini which I love – very light and delicious!

You can find many tantalizing recipes on the Tropical Traditions Coconut Recipes blog. 
You can use it in salad dressings, in baking, in dips, in smoothies, even in Chocolate cakes! Since it is such a large jar, I’ll be trying more of these.

I also love to use the coconut oil as a moisturizer. It’s amazingly hydrating and soft on your skin. It smells delicious too. I’m very fond of using natural products on my skin so this fits right in. You only need a little too.

CONNECT:

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Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

My skin goes through phases, at times more sensitive than others. I’ve been drinking more water, which seems to help with hydration, but recently tried a product which irritated my skin. I am not a fan of perfumes or scents in my facial skincare.

This is why I was especially pleased to review some products from the Simple skincare line.

Simple was formed in the UK in 1960, with cleansing products without perfume or color, especially designed for even the most sensitive skin. Today it is the UK’s #1 facial skincare range with no artificial perfumes, dyes, or harsh irritants that can upset your skin’s balance. This is music to my ears! They use “skin-loving” ingredients instead with added vitamins for natural and healthy skin.

I know that when my skin is clean, clear, moisturized and healthy, I look and feel better and more beautiful.

The first product I tried were the Exfoliating Facial Wipes.

 I remember a while back talking to a skincare expert about my skin and she stressed the importance of exfoliating to me. Over time, old dead skin cells cling to the skin’s surface. Exfoliation is beneficial because it removes those cells that are clinging on, revealing the fresher, younger skin cells below.

I really love this product for many reasons. Though some might find the texture a bit rough, that is its purpose and it’s really quite gentle compared to many other exfoliation methods I’ve tried. My skin felt remarkably clean and new afterward, also very soft. These wipes contain Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E to help restore, moisturize and renew as well as aloe vera to help condition.

They come in a convenient, resealable package and they are so easy to use. Just pop one out, smooth it over your face and you’re done, no scrubbing and having to wash afterward. Simple!
They are Dermatologist tested, Opthamologist tested, safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.

They also make Cleansing Facial Wipes.

The next product I tried was the Refreshing Facial Wash Gel.

Disclosure: I was provided these products by the sponsor for review but the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

 Ah, scales. Sometimes we love them and sometimes we hate them, but one thing I strive for is a good-looking scale that is simple to read and use and that is consistent. I’ve found that in the EatSmart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale with Extra Large Backlit 3.5″ Display and “Step-On” Technology.

Continuing with my new year’s resolution (I know, it’s already March!), I’ve been eating healthier and it’s so much fun to see my weight very close to where I want it. This is not to say that there have been no fluctuations over the past months, but somehow, having an accurate scale, I feel more accountable.  This scale has 4 high precision sensors with consistent and accurate measurement up to 400 lbs or 180 kgs every time. It also has graduation increments of .2 lbs. / 3oz. for more accurate measurements.

Over the years, I’ve had some awful scales. Either they were ugly, difficult to read or were unreliable. I’m happy to say that I love my new EatSmart scale. First of all, it’s super easy to set-up. Just take it out of the box, put in your 4 AAA batteries (included) and place it where you want it.

I do want to say that should you move it for any reason, it’s very easy to re-calibrate. Every time a digital scale is moved it needs to be initialized and auto-calibrated. You just:

1. Place the scale back on a hard, flat surface.
2. With one foot, press the platform of the scale so that numbers appear on the display. Once you see zeros or dashes remove your foot.
3. Wait for the scale to turn off again.
4. Step up onto the scale for a weight. 
5. Your scale is now calibrated. 

This is super-easy and if I move it to clean or for any other reason, I can do this in a second or two.

Also, it looks GREAT! It’s thin and sleek and see-thru glass, not bulky or ugly or heavy! It really fits my style and my home.

Also, it has a large 3.5″ LCD display with a cool blue backlight. This looks very attractive and it really is easy to read. You don’t have to bend over to see if you’re seeing it right. Also, sometimes I weigh myself without turning on the light at night and it shows up perfectly. My mom who had a hard time seeing the numbers on my other scale loves this one so much that I bought her one at Amazon.

In fact, it’s on sale there right now for a great price.

The awesome folks at Eat Smart Products have generously offered one of my readers their own Precision Digital Bathroom Scale.  Just follow the rafflecopter and you’re entered!

Ways to Connect and Stay in Touch with EatSmart: 

Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Google Plus

Another cool fact: For March 2012, loyal EatSmart employees, Dominic, Emma and Tux, have chosen the Friends of Wayne Animals as their charity of the month. They will be donating 50 cents for every new Twitter follower during the month of March. The Friends of Wayne Animals is a volunteer nonprofit located in NorthernNJ.

Each month EatSmart has a different charity they donate to. You can read more about this on their blog as well as finding interesting information and cool recipes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided this product by the sponsor for review but the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

  There are so many ways I could title this piece. Wholly Awesome! Wholly Healthy! Wholly Delicious! Wholly Cow!

When I received a cooler on my doorstep filled with Wholly Guacamole of every conceivable variety and Wholly salsas, I must admit I was in seventh heaven. Seeing those colorful packages gleaming at me was a truly beautiful sight, treasures waiting to be opened and explored. If you think I’m going overboard over Wholly Guacamole, well, you would have to understand that I don’t just like guacamole, I am crazy about it. And, it’s hard to find guacamole that is as good as homemade. But, I have to say that Wholly has managed to do that. And to introduce me to new and delightful flavors that have my tastes buds doing the mambo. They even included a stress avocado which I squeeze when I’m searching for just the right word or waiting in line at the bank.

Super generous and my family also thanks you Wholly Guacamole! There was lots to share!

There was really a smorgasbord to fit every taste inside:

Wholly Guacamole Classic – fits every occasion
Wholly Guacamole Classic 100 calorie  packs – a perfect size for a snack
Wholly Guacamole Spicy – this one has a kick!
Wholly Guacamole Spicy Snack Packs
Wholly Guacamole Organic
Wholly Guacamole Guaca Salsa – very tasty – with tomatillo and salsa verde
Wholly Guacamole Pico de Gallo Style – a  little more chunky – with tomatoes onions cilantro jalapeno puree
Wholly Guacamole Double Dip – Classic with a delicious layer of Spicy Pico de Gallo on top

This one is my favorite. I’m in love! 

                Inside was also their all-natural Mild and Medium Salsa

  February is heart-healthy month and I am very conscious about this. My dad and my mom have both had heart issues, so it’s something I watch carefully.

Wholly uses only Hass avocados, and according to the Hass Avocado Commission, 1 oz of Hass avocados contains 3.5 grams of mono-and polyunsaturated fat and a 1/2 gram of saturated fat. Unsaturated fats increase HDL or “good” cholesterol, which, according to The American Heart Association may help protect the heart. Saturated fats increase LDL, or “bad” fats, which build up in the artery walls that feed blood to the heart and brain.

Haas avocados contain 20 vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B, E and K. Avocados actually have 60% more potassium than bananas, are high in fiber when compared to other fruits and are naturally sodium, gluten and cholesterol free. 

I’ve been trying to make healthier choices and I’m noticing a difference in how I feel in my overall energy and well-being. It’s great when those healthy choices are also delicious.

I try to keep avocados around, but often they aren’t ripe enough when I want to use them or, if I don’t use them in time, they turn mushy and I end up using them for moisturizing my skin (which isn’t a total waste because I find them very hydrating). On the other hand, you can have Wholly Guacamole virtually anytime and it’s perfect. Wholly Guacamole uses HPP packaging technology, not heat or chemicals, so that you have all the benefits and taste of homemade guac without additives or preservatives.

HPP is a process of preserving foods through the use of high-pressure water rather than with heat or chemicals and is used in the preservation of some meats and vegetables. With guacamole, the end product is a completely 100% all-natural, fresh tasting product that can be refrigerated for weeks and frozen for months.

Wholly Guacamole Classic is 90% avocado and 10% garlic, onion, jalapeño puree and salt to taste. It’s all-natural, always kept cold and never frozen. This is why you find it in the produce aisle next to the fresh fruit and veggies with the “cool kids”.

Fresherized Foods, the home of Wholly Guacamole, Wholly Salsa and Wholly Queso has a promotion going on right now called “Check Your Choice” which is all about making small changes to make a big difference. For example, exchange Wholly Guacamole’s good fats for the bad fats found in mayo or ranch dressing.

Dip your carrots and celery into Wholly Guacamole instead. 100 Calorie packs can be frozen and put in a lunch box. They thaw by lunch and make a great sandwich spread or snack with veggies or whole grain crackers.

 I’ve found so many more amazing choices this week since I got to experiment. Wholly Guacamole is incredible on a burger, on a turkey sandwich or in chicken or egg salad! Speaking of eggs, I put it in my omelettes with onions and tomato. It’s so good. It’s also great with deviled eggs.  For dinner, it spices up grilled chicken or salmon and is amazing in fish tacos. My friend in CA says she uses it in Sopa de Aguacate, Mexican Avocado Soup.

You’re really only limited by your imagination. And, it’s absolutely amazing right out of the package, especially one of the snack packs. They give me a burst of energy and are great in-between meals or, for a night owl like me, as a late-night healthy treat.

The Wholly Salsa is delicious as well – low in fat, high in flavor and full of vitamins and antioxidants.

 You can find it in Mild, Medium or HOT to fit your tastebuds. It’s perfect for a side with chicken or fish, for recipes, for dips and with chips straight out of the package. It’s also available in 3.6 oz Snack Packs. I love the Mild and Medium, very natural tasting and delicious,  but if you really like it spicy, go for the heat!

You can find a lot of delicious ideas and recipes on eatwholly.com.

You can also enter their weekly Check-n-Win Challenge on Facebook for your chance at $1000s in prizes and explore more fun and healthy choices.

Connect with Wholly Guacamole:

Facebook
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Website
Store Locator
Wholly Guacamole Pinterest

For fun, games and more info, also check out Eat Wholly’s Get Off The Ranch.

So, please enter via Rafflecopter, and I wish you all the best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I was provided samples by the sponsor for review but the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

• Participating Big G cereals include: 
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.),
• Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), 
• Cheerios® (18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz.)

A free download for “Atari 80 Classic Games In 1” 

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HOSTED BY PLANET WEIDKNECHT AND GOING CRAZY!! WANNA GO??!! 

February 18-21
 

Each participating blogger is hosting their own giveaway, with prizes worth at least $20. Be sure to hop through the list below and visit them all to enter to win! 

 

Welcome to my little corner of the hop here! I have a yummy giveaway that hopefully will make life a bit easier and more delicious. Please enter (via Rafflecopter) to win a $40 gift card to Papa John’s pizza and a $5 card to Quizno’s.

                                         Good luck everyone! 

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     One of my promises to myself this year was to be more organized, and I find that compartmentalizing really helps! I’ve used binders before but wasn’t a big fan, as they seemed bulky and cumbersome. Somehow, the paper never quite stayed aligned and they all looked the same.

However, I really like the Avery Heavy Duty Ring Reference Binder. I love that it is very user-friendly and that I can customize it to fit me. I am using this one for Blogging and Writing. I’m able to label it with the Avery Custom Binder Spine Inserts to fit my style. I wrote on my binder label and added a design, but  you can also, for a more professional look, have them customized at Avery.com or print them out with what you choose, as they fit in all laser and inkjet printers.

   I really like that I can easily add art, photos, or whatever you like by simply slipping it in the plastic on the front cover for a great look. If you’re the artsy type like me, you can make a collage, and switch it whenever the mood strikes.

This particular Avery binder is durable but also sleek and stylish. It has One Touch EZD locking rings that open and close really simply and help keep your pages firmly in place. The Gap-Free ring feature prevents any misalignments which can really make your binder difficult to work with and messy. In fact, the rings hold up to 50% more than the same-size round rings so that you can keep adding to the binder without needing a new one as fast. Inside you have four stacked pockets unlike others which have just two so that you can put in note pads, papers, pictures, or whatever strikes your fancy. There’s no print transfer and they are PVC free.

As far as the Avery Custom Binder spine inserts, they are printed on a nice thin but sturdy paper and they are perforated to separate easily. You can change them in and out easily should you want to change the binder or should it evolve into something else organically over time.

 The Avery Note Tabs come in packs of 10 and are a flexible organizing tool that I find works better than classic notes, binder tabs and flags, yet combines the best elements of all. They are made of a durable film material and have a paper tab overlay. You can write on both the tab and body surfaces. I used a magic marker and it worked great. They are see-through for easy reading and you can also reposition them. You can use them like a divider to turn pages for easy reference.

All in all, I think this is a great binder for school, home or work. You can customize it to fit your needs. It’s non-toxic and can hold a great deal while keeping it all in alignment. With the note tabs, you can easily section off partitions. And, so, my opinion on binders has changed to positive. Good work, Avery for making such an enjoyable, usable and very helpful product.

And yes, I am an office supply junkie. I admit it.  The smell of new paper, the feel of the pens and discovering all their colors, the new notebooks before the first word is written. I really love checking out Shoplet.com because of their great selection and they have so many of my favorites.

You can find all the above-mentioned Avery products, as well as other office supplies at Shoplet.com. You can also follow Shoplet on Twitter and Facebook for news and fun, promotions and products. They also have a great Shoplet blog with new products, giveways, reviews and creative challenges!

Disclosure: The above-mentioned office supplies were sent for review by Shoplet.com but all the opinions herein are my own.

 

     I just recently found out about Brothers All-Natural fruit crisps. The brothers Matt and Travis Betters, looking to make tasty food that’s good for you, took into account portion size, calorie count and healthy choices when making their snacks. They source fresh fruit from around the globe and freeze-dry it into thin and tasty chip-like “crisps”. And since many today have food allergies, these crisps are processed at a facility that does not manufacture any products with nuts, dairy, soy or wheat. Freeze-dried fruit retains virtually all of the nutrition of the fresh fruit, including the natural enzymes so they are great for any time of year.

I’m quite impressed with the stats:

Brothers-All-Natural Fruit Crisps are 100 percent real fruit, peeled, sliced and gently freeze-dried into a light, flavorful chip-like “crisp” – all made with no added sugar or preservatives. Fruit Crisps contain zero grams of fat and sodium plus only 30-80 calories per serving (depending upon the fruit).
Their products are also peanut/tree nut free, dairy free, gluten free, soy free, wheat free, non-GMO, vegan and kosher.

But, how do they taste? They had different textures, but all were quite tasty. The peaches and apples were softer and had good fruit flavor, and, my personal favorite, the strawberry-banana were crispier and really delicious. I also really like the pineapple. Each bag contains approximately 25% of a whole pineapple and are super-convenient.

Brothers All-Natural Fruit Crisps are available in eleven flavors, including:

Fuji Apple, Apple-Cinnamon, Banana, Strawberry-Banana, Asian Pear, White and/or Yellow Peach, Pineapple, Strawberry, Organic Strawberry, Mixed Berry (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry) and, the latest addition, Mandarin Orange.

These are great for toddlers, kids, teens, and adults – really for any age – and you can easily take them in the car or on the go. They even have a selection of Disney packaged products for kids. They also make potato crisps. 

February’s Fruit of the Month is Pineapple which means all pineapple is 15% off this month!

You can check out the Website here.
You can also follow them and find special offers on their Facebook page and on Twitter.

Right now you can SAVE $11 on Two 24-Packs (which contain 48 servings of fruit). This is their “BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF” Sale on all 24-Packs.

Check out http://www.brothersallnatural.com/healthy-heart-month/

Coupon code: HeartHealth
(good thru the end of Feb 2012)

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 New Year’s resolution to eat healthier got much easier after I discovered Simply 7 Snacks. I have to admit that’s one area where it’s not been that easy — finding healthy snacks that taste really good as well.

These are pretty addictive though! Super crispy and flavorful, it’s hard to put them down ;).

Simply 7 Snacks are made in Houston, Texas, located close to a port to easily get authentic ingredients from around the world.

At Simply 7, they’re committed to making great-tasting, wholesome snacks, wanting chips that are both delicious and nutritious. All of their snacks are made according to their “7 Core Standards“ :

1. 0 Grams Trans Fat
2. No Artificial Colors or Flavors
3. No Preservatives
4. Gluten Free Ingredients
5. All Natural Recipes
6. Simple Ingredients
7. Simpy Delicious

So, what do they taste like you ask? Well, when I first heard that Simply 7 made Hummus Chips and Lentil Chips, I wasn’t sure. But, they far surpassed my wildest expectations. Light, fluffy, crisp and satisfying, they are full of flavor and natural goodness. And they taste amazing! For some reason, I thought they might have a heavier taste, but not at all. Instead, they are really light and something I feel good after eating.

Check out the flavors they come in:

Lentil Bruschetta
Lentil Sea Salt
Lentil Creamy Dill

Hummus Tomato Basil
Hummus Spicy Chili Pepper

Hummus Sea Salt

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but mine is the Lentil Creamy Dill. It’s like taking a delicious light chip and dipping it in tzatziki, a taste I remember well from Greece. Tzatziki is yogurt-based with cucumber and dill and I’ve never found a chip that captured the taste so well. They just melt in your mouth. All the chips are Non-GMO and the Lentil Chips have 40% less fat than potato chips.

But, that’s not to say the others aren’t delicious, because the Lentil Bruschetta is quite amazing as well. These chips really remind me of bruschetta itself with tomato, basil and veggies. How do they get so much flavor in there and be so natural? It’s a delicious mystery to me. This flavor is also Vegan.

The Lentil Sea Salt is Vegan as well and you get more of the delicious lentil taste shining through with just a pinch of sea salt. These are really good with Hummus dip, Spinach and Avocado Dip or straight from the bag.

My favorite of the Hummus chips is the Hummus Spicy Chili Pepper. The Hummus chips have 50% less fat than potato chips and the Chili has a nice smoky flavor. They are spicy but not too spicy. They really satisfy!

The Hummus Tomato Basil and Hummus Sea Salt are delightful as well.

I was really thrilled to receive this cornucopia of savoriness to review and the wonderful folks at Simply 7 are offering one of my readers a case full as well so you can snack to your heart’s delight. Each flavor of chip has a specific dip recipe on the back of the package that would pair great with that chip. You can see other recipes on their website and mix-and-match to find out what combination you really like.

You will get:

You can find Simply 7 at Amazon or check out the store locator on their website to see where they are sold.

Connect with them here!

Simply7 Snacks Website   (You can also grab a $1 off coupon there)
Facebook
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Just follow the Rafflecopter and best of luck!

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Disclosure: I was provided samples by the sponsor for review but the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.