Smiley: Efferdent Fresh Guard Starter Kit #Review #Freshguard

I was very fortunate to have had braces. Although you'd be hard pressed to get me to admit it at the time. The last thing anyone wants when they're starting high school is a mouth full of metal. But now, with the benefit of age and understanding I know that my parents did me a huge favor (and laid out no small amount of money) to ensure I had a straight, beautiful smile. Part of maintaining that for all these years has been wearing my retainer from time to time. Yes, I still wear my retainer, much to my husband's amusement, all these years later.

And anyone who has one knows that keeping them clean is paramount. The absolute LAST thing you want in your mouth is a gunky, nasty retainer. Toothpaste isn't the same animal from when we were kids, so I can appreciate Smiley360's offer to try Fresh Guard by Efferdent. Gentle on the appliances we put in our mouths, but rough on germs. It's also good for mouth guards and removable braces. Since I don't have those, just my retainer, I'll be sticking to that.

What I really like from jump street is that you can just drop it in a glass or bowl, pour the crystals and let the fizz carry the junk away. Which is exactly what I did. I notice right away that despite the emphasis on "fresh", there's instead a very distinct chemical smell. The instructions say to wait for the water to turn clear, and you're good to go, but the smell makes me want to rinse it right away, which I do. And I'm glad I did, because there's still a slight "off" taste. I can't imagine what it would have been right from the glass to my mouth. It doesn't seem any cleaner than when I use a toothbrush and toothpaste, so I'm hard pressed to see the benefit from this product.



My kit also comes with a Fresh Guard wipe, which I have to assume would be better suited to something without ridges or pointy edges like my retainer, because it kept getting caught. It didn't do a very thorough job at all.

All things considered, I'm not a huge fan of this product, and don't particularly see the need for the additional expense. If it did a better job than a toothbrush and toothpaste, I could see it but it doesn't. It might also be seen as step backwards with the smell. Shame, really, because I wanted to like this product.

If you would like to try Fresh Guard by Efferdent, please visit:

• On-line: http://freshguardclean.com/


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/freshguard?source=feed_text&story_id=698866333486213


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FreshGuard


• Coupon/Savings- http://smiley360.com/ct_653.php?utm_source=Facebook

I received the above product free of charge from Fresh Guard by Efferdent and Smiley360.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Swaggable: Belegenza RoMANce Deep Conditioning Treatment #Review

 

I read up on Belegenza and their products on-line. Belengenza's (bel-a-jen’-za) name is made up of two italian/latin words, where Bel meaning beauty and Gen for genesis. The company's website was very informative and they make hair products that fit everyone's needs. Their products are gentle but effective and very in tune with nature by using natural ingredients.

I used the shampoo and let's see how the conditioner plays with my hair!

Belegenza RoMANce Deep Conditioning Treatment: A formula made to nourish your hair from tip to tip. Helps replenish moisture and also keep it there, but also encourages a healthier growth due to it being kind to your scalp. Referred as the "energizer" due to it's combination of naturally derived ingredients, this deep treatment is perfect for fine to even coarsely textured hair. You have again the very welcoming Aloe Vera as a base and 3 different kinds of seaweeds to nourish your strands. It does not stop there, also Jojoba essence, Honey, Coconut extracts and oils from Olives and Lanolin. Don't forget your vitamins, Belegenza also feeds your hair with a healthy dose of Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin E. A powerful combination of ingredients and also free of fillers, sulfates, silicone, alcohol.....well, let's say with the smoothie craze at an all time high, the above blend is surely going to feed your hair!



Ingredients as listed on their site: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hypnea Musciformis (Hawaiian Seaweed) Extract, Gelidiela Acerosa (Gulfweed Seaweed) Extract, Sargassum Filipendula (Red Mapleweed) Extract, Sorbitol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Metosulphate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Honey, Cetyl Alcohol, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Secret Salon Ingredient, Acetyl Tyrosine (Amino Acid), Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Lanolin Oil, L-Cysteine (Amino Acid), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Pyridoxine HCL-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B6), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Panthenol, Oleyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Phthalate-free fragrance.

Performance: The treatment again smells so good when applied that it is seriously aromatherapy in the shower. I applied a small amount and it dispersed well through out my hair. A little goes a long way and I left the conditioner on for 5 minutes. Rinsed out nicely and you get instant softness and shine. I towel dried my hair and then proceeded to blow dry. You can feel moisture is locked-in but not the heaviness. My hair still had it's natural body and lift, so it does deep condition without that flat and even greasy film some deep treatments leave behind. Belegenza had none of that! My hair was easy to style and I felt the treatment did help and especially with the stress my hair gets from heated elements like a flat-iron to blow drying. The RoMANce is definitely there because Belegenza loves my hair but forgives me for not always being the best gal to it.

Price Point: $36.00; Trial size bottle available for $17.00



Again very happy with the performance of the Belegenza products and how they left my hair feeling and looking healthy.

For more information on the above product or to view the full Belegenza line, please visit:

• On-line- https://belegenza.com/product/romance-deep-conditioning-treatment/


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Belegenza


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/Belegenza


• YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/Belegenza

I received the above product free of charge from Swaggable and Belegenza.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Swaggable: Belegenza ILLustrious Shampoo & Cleanser #Review

 



I do not receive that many items when it comes to hair products, but so far the Belegenza line makes any room they are in smell so nice and clean. I have never heard of the brand but I always welcome anything new when it comes to hair care. I have very long hair that is a mixture of normal and fine in texture but not flat or thin.....it's really just too much hair if you ask me. I pick-up static like a balloon would (frizz central) and the only two positives I can find is it does not break easily and so far no grays (yet) :) You know how people have combination skin problems, well I have those too but also combination hair ones. At least I'm consistent!

I have been using Carol's Daughter products and very happy but I'm always hunting for something different or better.

I read up on Belegenza and their products on-line. Belengenza's (bel-a-jen’-za) name is made up of two Italian/Latin words, where Bel meaning beauty and Gen for genesis. The company's website was very informative and they make hair products that fit everyone's needs. Their products are gentle but effective and very in tune with nature and using natural ingredients.

Belegenza ILLustrious Shampoo & Cleanser: The shampoo is uses natural extracts that are derived from fruit and vegetables. You have anti-aging extracts like Sugarcane, Apple, Green Tea, Nettle, Sage, Rosemary, Comfrey and Rhizome Root. You also have Castor Beans, 3 types of Seaweeds and Vitamin E and Vitamin B6. No wonder it smells so good but the scent remains welcoming, not over perfume-y. The shampoo is also color safe and free of salt and sulfates. Nothing really synthetic or at all damaging to your hair or scalp. So far I really liked their ingredients and they use an Aloe Vera base versus just selling you products that are just mostly water.

Ingredients as listed on their site:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (Vegetable based) , Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Coconut based), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Coconut based), Hypnea Musciformis (Hawaiian Seaweed) Extract, Gelidiela Acerosa (Gulfweed Seaweed) Extract, Sargassum Filipendula (Red Mapleweed) Extract, Sorbitol, PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate (Coconut based), Glycol Stearate (Vegetable based) , Honey, Secret Salon Ingredient, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Rhizome/Root Extract, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Pyridoxine HCL-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B6), Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Sorbic Acid (Rowanberry distillate), Polyquaternium-10 (Cellulose/thickener) , Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA(Mineral chelator), Citric Acid (Lemon), Phthalate-free fragrance.



Performance: The product lathers up really good and even though I do not have color or chemically treated hair, the shampoo worked wonders. My hair was left feeling clean but not stripped. Very calming scent while you shower and a clean welcoming natural fragrance is left when hair dries. I liked how my hair not only looked but felt. The frizz level was very low and my hair just looks healthier. I tried both a natural (air) drying and then the second time used a blow dryer, again happy with both results.

Price Point: $22.00

I was satisfied and happy with the shampoo and it actually made me curious as to how a more suited for me formula would perform from Belegenza's line of hair care products.

For more information on the above product or to view the full Belegenza line, please visit:

• On-line- https://belegenza.com/product/illustrious-shampoo-cleanser/?add-to-cart=100


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Belegenza


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/Belegenza


• YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/Belegenza

 



I received the above product free of charge from Swaggable and Belegenza.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Smiley: Nature's Bounty / Optimal Solutions Hair, Skin and Nails Gummies #Review

I'm always a supporter of finding ways to improve my skin's health to my hair and nails. Smiley and Nature's Bounty sent me a free bottle of their gummies, which contain Biotin and other supplements that feed your beauty. I was also sent samples to distribute with coupon cards to give away, a few beauty related items, like a compact and nail file, plus a couple of hair bands.

What's in it:
This is for a serving of 2 gummies with a Daily Value (DV) based on a 2,000 caloric daily intake diet.

• Biotin- 2, 500 mg (833% of your DV) > Biotin is usually found in our intestinal's bacteria and our bodies usually produce more naturally than what our body requires (DV). Biotin is what our cells need to be able to grow, produce Fatty Acids and aid with metabolizing fats and Amino Acids. Now, there are people who may have metabolic disorders, in which enough Biotin is not produced. You will also find people that have a issues producing enough gastric acid be low on Biotin, as patients who are elderly, people who consume alcohol and/or smoke. Another cause is a Immune System disorders. Another culprit that may make a person deficient in Biotin is consumption of egg whites in their raw form and on a daily basis (functional Avidin). Avidin is destroyed by cooking. Symptoms of a deficiency is hair loss, skin disorders to even neurological disorders like depression, fatigue, lethargy to hallucinations.


• Vitamin C- 15 mg (25% of your DV) > Ascorbic Acid, which is the source listed has been proven to help with oxidative stress. Being that it is classified as an antioxidant, people may see benefits in cardiovascular disease to even those who suffer from inflammation. Vitamin C also helps the immune system and is a natural antihistamine, so you will also find benefits when it comes to allergies.


• Vitamin E- 15 IU (50% of your DV) > You have probably noticed Vitamin E in many beauty products and I personally use the vitamin in oil form to hydrate and protect the skin around my eyes. Vitamin E is another antioxidant and can help with protecting lipids, neurological function, to even reducing oxidative stress.

Other Ingredients listed- Corn Syrup, Sugar, Dicalcium Phosphate, Grape juice color concentrate, Gelatin, Modified Food Starch, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Natural Strawberry flavor, Black Carrot juice color concentrate, Maltodextrin, Fractionated Coconut oil, Carnauba wax, Beeswax and Silica.

Dosage: For adults, Nature's Bounty recommends a serving of 2 gummies once or twice on a daily basis. They suggest taking them with a meal. A full size bottle comes with 80 gummies in total, so you will run short on a 30-day supply if you go beyond the minimum requirement (once daily).

The Flavor/Taste Test:
The gummies are Strawberry flavored and sweet, with almost a corn starch after-taste. Not your usually clear looking gummy but a more cloudy and waxy consistency.



Overall Performance/Results:
I took the product until I finished the bottle and I must admit I did not like being short on a 30-day supply if I took the product twice daily (total of 4 gummies). It's just not convenient and not a manner I usually buy or take supplements. I like the amount of Biotin and Vitamin C and E found in the blend. I found taking 1 gummy in the morning and 1 gummy in the afternoon worked best for me because 833% of a my Biotin daily value in one dose is really just going to purge out with the amount of water I tend to drink through out the day. I prefer absorbing my supplements a little through out the day versus flooding my system with higher (mega) doses. I noticed changes mostly in my nails and the growth cycle did speed up. My hair grows quickly as it is, so I could not comment there but I did not notice any significance when it came to changes in my skin. I did not have fewer or more breakouts.

A few things I did find negative when it came to this supplement was the corn syrup as first ingredient, then more sugar, to the clear window where you can see the gummies from. Vitamin C oxidizes and becomes useless when exposed to light and this is why you always see the supplement stored in dark/solid colored bottles. I know people like to view products when buying but not at the cost of potentially losing a benefit when you are seeking to better your health. I know I m not Biotin deficient and could not locate studies where a person who produces, or in our case naturally produce more than needed; needed a mega-dose on top of that to see results in skin, hair, or nails. I have been drinking more water so I know that helps with the aforementioned, and it comes at a lower cost per unit, plus you don't get shortened on a 30-day supply there :)

Price Point: 80 gummy count bottle retails for $5.79 to $7.99. I found the lower price point at Walmart, with Amazon being $0.10 more and Walgreen's being the most expensive at $7.99.

You can save by signing-up to their Newsletter- $1.00 off coupon http://www.naturesbounty.com/signup/

You can also try the product and if it does not provide you with satisfied results; get your money back here:

• 30 Day Challenge Guarantee form- http://www.naturesbounty.com/challenge/

I am glad I tried the gummies because I do believe in working from within to improve our outside. With the coupon and guarantee, I personally feel that it may be something you wish to try and see if you get results. It's a win/win in my book!

To find more information on Nature's Bounty and the above product, please visit them here:

• On-line- http://www.naturesbounty.com/optimalsolutions/053545


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/NaturesBounty


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/NaturesBounty


• Pinterest- http://www.pinterest.com/naturesbounty/

 

I received the above product free of charge from Smiley and Nature's Bounty/Optimal Solutions.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Waxelene: All Natural Petroleum Jelly Alternative #Review

I have walked by it so many times, passed the Waxelene on the shelf at Bed, Bath & Beyond....that I think the little buzzing bee on their packaging teases me at this point. Thankfully, Waxelene took pity on me, that or the bee reported me for stalking, but nonetheless......I have my own Waxelene tube now.

What is it?
Waxelene is a blend of Organic Soy oil, Beeswax, Natural Vitamin E oil and Organic Rosemary oil. Pretty simple but sometimes the simplest things are the best.

Let's talk about the day I receive the tube via mail:

I somehow burned my arm taking a bundt pan out of the oven. I would love to say it was when I was pulling the pan out and the mitt was too short but this was plainly me not paying attention. I was using a toothpick to check for doneness and rested my arm against the pan's edge. I did not feel it until it was too late, and it left a nice slash shaped mark on my arm. I tried ignoring it, but the burn turned into an itch that hurt when scratched. The following day my scar looked like a cat got the best of me! Being that it was where my skin's arm is the brightest white in color....I was not only upset by my lack of attention so that I was now sporting this boo-boo, but the scar just stood out. For some reason this burn dehydrated my skin in that area so the scar and surrounding tissue had a nice leather skin pattern.....I went from looking like a cat beat me up to then turning 1% lizard. I finally heard the bee from Waxelene buzzing from the box!

I try it and feel relief and realize I'm at day 5 now from my bundt attack. The itch is no longer there and I look less crusty when the Waxelene is applied. You still see the darkness but I left my lizard-like ways in the past. I shower and notice that my lizard-ness is really openings that are cracks, and bleeding a little. Bundt 1, and Me 0! I continue applying the Waxelene and notice a little goes a long way. No residue or odor left behind and it looks matte when rubbed in. By day 9 I am 0% lizard but have a scar that is lifting. I peel like a snake and underneath is a pinkish colored scar but light in color. I apply for 1 week and a half in total and by the last day, I have a very faint mark that just looks like I leaned against something.....very faint in color and barely visible.



I would love to say this was my first time having an oven "oopsie" but let's say sometimes things attack....like that jumping salmon fillet when my cookie pan (which I no longer own) decided to jump and twist without even being touched. I thought I was a fish catcher and learned that fish fillet pieces are better left where they land than trying to catch to save who knows what. Wish I had Waxelene then. The tube came with a card that lists dozens of uses like-

For:

• Dry Skin


• Chapped lips


• Anti-Chafe


• Make-Up


• Diapers (for rashes or as a diaper cream)


• After-Shave


• After-Sun


• Eczema


• Dry Spots


• Lengthens Perfume life


• Hair dye (barrier)


• Nail polish (barrier) and also un-stick nail polish bottles


• Tattoos (barrier)


• Pets (from paws to hot spots)


• Stops Rust


• Control wild eyebrows


• and let's not forget the new one, "Bundt Pan Attacks".

Waxelene is also Cruelty-free, made in the U.S.A., free of Hydrogenated oils, free of Sulfates, free of Mineral oils and parabens. An all-natural product that is simple and works. Not greasy and colorless, so you are not left with a shiny residue that you spread around. The Waxelene bee is kind and I recommend you pick up a tube today! You never know when pans jump and attack :)



Stalk.....I mean visit the Waxelene Bee at:

• On-line- https://waxelene.com/


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/waxelene


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/waxelene

You can also find Waxelene at many retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, CVS, Whole Foods to Sprout's Markets and many more.

I received the above product free of charge from Waxelene.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Teeccino: Organic Herbal Coffee in Chocolate, Dandelion Caramel Nut, Hazelnut, French Roast and Vanilla Nut #Review

Like most people, I enjoy coffees, trying alternatives to old favorites, and even different flavors and mixes. So many brands, styles, fair trade, even proprietary delivery cups.....it's not so easy just picking out what to buy. I tried several decaffeinated coffees and only one has ever been able to fool me and actually quench my craving for a real cup of coffee.

In comes Teeccino with a whole new look on what you can do with coffee. Teecino calls their large array of coffee products, an "Herbal Coffee alternative" and some come in what I what call tea bags. Most flavors are Organic and don't shy away when you see their products labeled as Naturally Caffeine Free. I thought this was a play of words and that I would not be happy and much less satisfied to start or end my day with a Teeccino cup, but just opening a packet made me think otherwise. I was 50% a fan before I took a sip or even boiled the water. They had me hooked on just how good the packet smelled. It smelled delicious and I figured I can proceed forward because this experiment can go easily into me just finding the best smelling aromatherapy cup on the market! One way or the other, Teeccino would get used. The company sent me a beautiful assortment of flavors:

• Chocolate in a Dark Roast


• Hazelnut in a Medium Roast


• Dandelion Caramel Nut in a Medium Roast


• Dandelion in a Dark Roast

They also go beyond one-serving tea bags, as you also can get 6 cup servings. I was sent two flavors to try in the larger pack variety:

• Vanilla Nut in a Medium Roast


• French Roast in a Dark Roast

I began by trying a one cup serving in Hazelnut. The aroma is intense and so inviting! Just simply delicious. As the water boiled, I flipped the packet and started reading. Teeccino, states you get the same satisfaction without the caffeine and acidity from coffee. I know what they are talking about because sometimes it can be too early or even too late in a day for me to enjoy a cup and the acidity can be a turn off at those hours. My Hazelnut bag contains Organic Carob, Chicory, Dates, Almonds, Organic Figs and Natural Hazelnut flavor. Very simple and I hear the tea kettle calling me.



I shake the bag and pour the water in. You can instantly smell.....well, coffee. It scent fills the room and it's colors start filling the cup like any instant coffee would react. Still smells good, so nice to know my flavor is not just all in the packaging :)

[gallery ids="3200,3197,3199"]

I allow the cup to .......hmmm, shall we call it steep or brew? Let's say the "tea-bag" soaks for 5 minutes, as it says in the directions to steep for 3 to 5 minutes. You make sure to dunk the bag several times in the beginning to get the best brew. You can add milk, non-dairy milk, creamers, even any sweetener you wish. I always taste before adding anything no matter what I'm drinking. I sip and this tastes like a nice Hazelnut flavored cup of coffee should taste. It's not bland and full of burned, nutty notes but smooth. I see exactly what Teeccino means by being non-acidic. The roast was medium like listed and I added nothing to it. Yes, it was that good.  I liked not having the calories associated with sweeteners or creamers. I missed nothing and this is coming from the girl that will take out a french press to make 2 cups of coffee just right and doesn't care if I am cleaning it at midnight. I have to clean nothing and just wait for water to boil. I'm hooked!



Later that week, I had all the flavors and recommend them all! There was nothing I did not like and some I added just a touch of honey, like with the Dandelion Caramel Nut variety. Teeccino's blends also provide benefits like antioxidants, fiber to natural sources of Prebiotics. You get heart healthy potassium and a natural energy boost from nutrients and not stimulants.



Get your Herbal Coffee fix at:

• On-line- http://teeccino.com/


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Teeccino


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/Teeccino


• YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/user/teeccino

I received the above product free of charge from Teeccino.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

TeeChia: Organic Sustained Energy Cereal #Review in Blueberry Date and Cranberry Apple

TeeChia is a company that takes making a healthy and super nutritious cereal to another level. You have a powerhouse of super seeds like:

• Chia


• Quinoa


• Flax


• Ramon


• Amaranth


• and Pumpkin

I was able to test out both flavors and see for myself how they are.  So far I like that the product uses Organic ingredients and is Non-GMO verified.  Sweetened with only fruit and is rich in fiber.



Blueberry Date- Gluten-Free and just one packet provides you with 28 grams of Whole Grains, 6 grams of Fiber and 6 grams of Protein. You get a healthy dose of 1200 mg of Omega-3 fats and the cereal contains zero grams of refined sugar. The Blueberry Date also has currants and real dried blueberries, in addition to apple juice. The base of the cereal is rolled oats, dates and rice flour. The directions suggest to simply add water and you can also punch up the protein by adding milk or yogurt after. I went with a simple Lemon flavored Australian yogurt that complimented the Blueberry flavor perfectly. The reason I mention the yogurt being Australian, is that it's a thicker base and I found the cereal even though I followed the directions and added the hot water first, it remained in a gritty/sandy state. I let everything soak up but it did not seem to want to play well so I resorted to a 20 second zap in the microwave and that helped it blend or at least hydrate to the point I felt this is as mixed as it's going to get. Tasting it alone was a bit on the flavorless side and I felt the yogurt helped add flavor and reduce what I felt was not a pleasant texture. This is not an oatmeal, as the directions say you can use cold water if you do not feel like eating it warm/hot. My yogurt saved it and I appreciate the healthy aspect and the nutritional value TeeChia products provide. I remained unsure on wanting to have more and knowing this is not a product I can enjoy as-is, due to the odd texture and consistency it delivered.



Cranberry Apple- Pretty much the same nutritional facts and contents but this cereal has 7 grams of Protein, versus the 6. Smelled better than the Blueberry variety and you pick-up the Cranberry scent immediately, even though this bag looked different (the base) from the Blueberry Date variety. This one had less fruit but looked more powder like. I decided due to the great Cranberry aroma, I would just eat this one with milk and heated up the milk. I added it to the cereal and again the apple squares did not re-hydrate correctly and this cereal was just sandy and goopy. Still smelled great but when I took the first bite, it was so bitter and you had what can be described as to what you find at the bottom of a cracker bag....dusty and powdery with a taste that was so off. I just could not continue. This cereal did not taste like it smelled! I most times make the best of a situation and especially when it comes to eating healthy. I can get past textures but not when the texture plus the flavor was just so....well, bad unfortunately. I wasted milk in my eyes and I even contemplated adding more cranberries because you can see from the picture that there was just not a lot of dried fruit. I then realized there was no saving this bowl and just discarded it because why add more when in the end the bitter and off taste can't be fixed.

[gallery ids="3190,3191"]

I wanted to really like TeeChia cereals and mostly by what they contain. I have eaten these seeds and actually add them too many of my meals from salads to yogurts. I don't know why TeeChia's same mix of seeds tasted so different from mine. I thought maybe the milling process caused some quick oxidation to occur but there was definitely something off in the Cranberry variety. The cereals need some reworking because if you go by the contents, they are really great. You have the texture issue and the bitterness that is just not a way you want to routinely start your morning with. Eating well can taste so good but this just did not do the trick for me.  I also noticed that both cereals do not re-hydrate or look like the product's picture on the packaging.  I am hoping I got a bad batch because I really wanted to like this super cereal :( and mostly because I love their Teeccino line so much.

If you would like to try TeeChia's Sustained Cereals, please visit them at:

• On-line- http://www.teechia.com/


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/teechiacereal


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/Teeccino

 



I received the above product free of charge from TeeChia.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

 

 

 

Garlic Gold: Double Crusted Cheese sticks made with Marinated Mozzarella #Recipe

I'm so in love with the Garlic Gold brand, that I made another easy recipe to enjoy. These go with everything from pizza, wings, to even a light Italian dinner.  I even pair them with a dinner salad and these sub for my croutons.

Let's Begin.....

• Large Mason Jar


• 1/4 cup of Garlic Gold's Red Wine Vinaigrette


• 8 to 10 sticks cut from Mozzarella Cheese (from a semi-soft block, not the soft fresh type)


• 1/4 cup of All-Purpose Flour


• 1/4 cup of plain Panko Bread Crumbs


• 1/4 cup of plain Bread Crumbs


• Dash of Garlic Gold Nuggets


• 1 egg


• Salt & Pepper (to taste)


• Optional- 1/4 teaspoon of chili flakes if you want to make Fire Crackers. Add the flakes to the marinade.


• Peanut Oil (or one of your choice) for frying

[gallery ids="3153,3154,3155,3156"]

Take your Mason Jar and add 1/4 cup of the Garlic Gold Vinaigrette. Take your cheese sticks and close the jar, give it a toss and lay it down in the fridge.

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I marinated mine overnight and I would walk by the fridge and shake it a few times. You can use a small jar if you wish but I wanted to not fill the jar and waste vinaigrette, so I opted to not filling and used this shaking method.

You will notice the oil will solidify so take the cheese out an hour before cooking and allow the marinade to liquefy and every now and then give the jar a shake.



Take out a plate (I use a glass pie plate) and use that as your flouring station and another dish for the bread crumbs (both the panko and plain combined). Add salt and pepper to taste to the bread crumbs and a dash of the Garlic Gold Nuggets.

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Take cheese out of jar (reserve the vinaigrette) and dip them in the flour, rolling and making sure to not forget to dab the tips too.



Once the cheese is floured, dip the cheese back into the vinaigrette and then roll into the bread crumbs.

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You will notice that not much will stay, but this is the first dip that will insure you have that great flavor. The flour will soak it up and give it a beautiful layer and crunch. Do all the bread sticks and let them relax in the bread crumbs.

Crack open the egg and whisk.

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Dip each bread stick in the egg and back into the bread crumbs. I lay the cheese sticks on a plate because they will be relaxing in the freezer for 20-30 minutes after they have received their second coat. This is the coat that will stick really well and just continue until all cheese sticks are nicely covered and coated.

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Put plate in freezer and depending how cold yours is, it only takes 20 to 30 minutes for them to set nicely. This buys you time when frying and also allows the breading to set.

Once the above time has lapsed, it's time to fry! I use Peanut Oil for how it tends to fry everything really crispy. You can use any frying oil of your choice. Heat up the oil and this is a quick dish to make.

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It takes less than 30 seconds to get golden. I take about 2 to 3 sticks at a time because I used a small frying pan but you can use a larger one (I don't like wasting oil either :) ). You just drop them in and you can see my oil comes up half-way and then once they are golden and this happens in a few seconds, just flip and finish.

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I placed my fried cheese sticks on parchment to rest. Serve immediately and enjoy.

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If you are frying more than the above quota, no worries as you can use a pan with parchment to rewarm them. Again, this happens quick as we are dealing with cheese. Heat your oven to 375 degrees and set your cheese sticks on a cookie sheet (with parchment) and heat until warm and gooey. This can take 5 minutes and I do this with leftovers (from the fridge). You can serve with a pesto and I opted for a eggplant and vegetable marinara sauce. The cheese sticks are flavorful and you can make these into "fire crackers" by adding the chili flakes to your marinade.



 

You can also make this easy dish by getting your own Garlic Gold Products at:

• On-line- http://garlicgold.com/


• Visit Garlic Gold on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/GarlicGold


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/garlicgold


• See the pretty Garlic Gold products and the other dishes you can create onPinterest- http://www.pinterest.com/garlicgold/

I received the above product free of charge from Garlic Gold.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Rumiano Cheese: Organic Sharp Cheddar #Review and #Recipe; Mezzi Rigatoni with Pancetta and Peas

This is a cheesy house. Wait, let me clarify that. We love cheese here. Good cheese. Made with good things. By people who know cheese. So it's with great pride I introduce The Rumiano Cheese family, who has been making cheeses since 1921. I decided to pitch this family-owned company not only because we love cheese, but they are also in my home state of California, but because we love, love and love cheese :) .  Did I mention we love cheese? We have a drawer in the fridge that easily carries 15 different cheese varieties at any given time. I believe there is a cheese for every occasion and even cheese to celebrate with when you find a new cheese. See, I can make any excuse to have cheese. I love it but you would think I consume large quantities of cheese because of the large selection we have, I personally don't. I found that a good cheese will satisfy you in small doses . It's quality versus quantity.

Rumiano's Organic line is:

• Non-GMO verified


• USDA Organic


• Cows that are grass fed


• Global Culture certified Organic


• Made in Northern California using the finest ingredients and are also American Humane Association certified

 



In comes the Rumiano cheeses. I hunted for their smoked mozzarella and wanted to share a recipe that featured two of their cheeses but it's currently on order with the dairy guy at my local Sprout's market. I decided to just jump in and make a dish using just one cheese, their Organic Sharp Cheddar. I went in thinking the dish will need some pizzazz, since using just one variety is so not me but.......this is the best sharp cheddar I have tasted! It tastes clean and it's not just because it's Organic, but the recipe and aging it's in a class all it's own. You get that bite that sharp cheddar has but this one is smooth til the end with no sour tang left behind. A cheese that can stand on it's own. I proceeded with the dish that I decided to make on Easter Sunday. I do this quite often, where I come up with an idea and attempt to make it on the day of and try not to stress. The only thing that saves my hide is using quality products and I can say that Rumiano will be my go to for Sharp Cheddar as of now. No oily residue when I was making a bechamel sauce, a sauce that tells on you if used poor ingredients. I can easily say this is the best 1-cheese sauce I have made and I thank the Rumiano family for helping me come through for mine.

Get your apron and even a chef hat on but don't get comfortable because this is a quick and easy recipe. This is a recipe that yields 2 ramekin servings, can be used as a appetizer or a side dish.  Double it or quadruple it if needed.

Let's Begin.......

Mezzi Rigatoni with Pancetta and Peas, in a Rumiano Sharp Cheddar Cheese sauce

• 2 Ramekins (single serving) and greased (I went with butter but a spray oil is fine)


• 20 to 22 Mezzi Rigatoni pasta shells


• 20 to 22 Frozen Peas


• 3/4 to 1 ounce of Pancetta (small cubes)


• 1/4 ounce of Yellow Onion (finely chopped)


• 1/2 ounce of Salted Butter


• 1/2 cup of Milk


• 2 teaspoons of All-Purpose Flour


• 1 ounce of Rumiano's Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded), plus a little more for topping


• 1 Slice of White Bread


• 1/4 teaspoon of Herbes de Provence


• Salt & Pepper (to taste)


• Dash of Nutmeg (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Begin by filling your ramekins with the dry (uncooked) Mezzi Rigatoni pasta shells. I fit approximately 10 to 12 (allow for expansion) to each ramekin. I boil 24 shells just in case one wants to be naughty and split. Cook pasta about 1/2 way through, drain, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

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Grease ramekins and stand your shells, so they may each be filled with one frozen pea.



In a separate pot, heat the milk until just warm (do not boil)



I use a frying pan and cook the pancetta and onion.



I do not drain the oil when it's done because I then add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the flour to create a roux.

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The roux takes less than a 1 minute to make. You will smell the nutty tones the flour gives when cooking and bubbling. You will then notice a color change and we are going for golden in color and not too deep in tone. Then slowly pour in the milk. I usually get a whisk and begin pouring the milk, whisking and then pouring the rest. This helps temper the milk and you will get no flash heat or mess.



Continue whisking until the bechamel sauce is made. You test this by using a spoon and dipping it into the sauce. If the coat left is thin, continue whisking until it thickens but never allow the sauce to boil.



Take the pan away from the heat and add your seasonings. You can change to fresh herbs but I like the Herbes the Provence mix because I feel the lavender gives the sauce a beautiful taste. Add the cheese and stir.

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Pour the sauce over your pasta.



 

Take a cookie/biscuit cutter and one slice of bread should be enough to yield two circles for toppers. Add the bread toppers and sprinkle some more of the shredded Rumiano Sharp Cheddar cheese.

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I then give each ramekin a dash of freshly grated nutmeg and into the oven it goes.



Baking takes a total of 15 to 20 minutes and you cover with foil for the first half.

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Take the ramekins out and serve with dinner or you can serve these as appetizers.

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You can make everything the evening ahead and then just bake when needed the following day, just adjust the time as the ramekins will be cold from the fridge.

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Great tasting and perfectly creamy! Enjoy!

Find all the cheese and butters Rumiano carries at:

• On-line- http://www.rumianocheese.com/


• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/rumianocheese


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/RumianoCheese


• Pinterest- http://www.pinterest.com/rumianocheese/


• YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/user/RumianoCheese

 

 

 

I received the above product free of charge from Rumiano.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Green Mountain Creamery: Yo Yummy Yogurt Pouches #Review and Cake #Recipe

It should be no secret by now I'm a fan of yogurt. Big time. Going with my yogurt obsession, I recently received a wonderful parcel from Green Mountain Creamery. It was boxes filled with their Yo Yummy pouches, a product geared primarily towards kids. That does not mean an adult can't indulge. We don't have kids, and I have tried to like yogurt that comes in squeeze containers but most brands are watery, almost slimy in texture and then loaded with sugar. The last thing you taste is the fruit and I can see why some kids prefer these types of products in a frozen state. You at least can try to get past the texture problem but then again are left with a cube of frozen sugar and colors. Not Yo Yummy!

Yo Yummy, is finally a yogurt "pouch" product that can be squeezed out and still resembles what is suppose to be: delicious, creamy yogurt. Not filled with sugars and dyes, just flavorful yogurt.

Yo Yummy actually has 10% less sugar than the national leading brands and many benefits that separate this brand from others:

• Gluten-Free


• Added Vitamin A and Vitamin D


• No Artificial Colors/dyes


• No Artificial Flavors


• No Preservatives


• Good Source of Calcium


• Kosher


• Milk derived from Non-RBST treated cows


• Made in Vermont, U.S.A.


• and packed in a BPA free pouch

It's R-E-A-L yogurt for everyone!

I looked into Green Mountain Creamery when I saw their yogurt cups at Sprout's Market. The flavors were tempting and after I had just one cup of their Maple flavor....I was hooked!

Yo Yummy comes in 4 flavors for you to fall in love with and all are only 90 calories:



Mixed Berry- A blend of actual real berries and not just a touch of it. You taste the full berry explosion of raspberry, blueberry, and Ssrawberry. The ingredients list these as purees and you really get that when you eat Yo Yummy. It's a texture of yogurt where you still see the fruit, so each bite (or squeeze in this case) can taste different. We enjoyed this one greatly and I liked that I was left satisfied with just one pouch!



Strawberry Banana- My Husband is not a banana eater (I know, how sad) but I squeezed this flavor until I ran out of pouches! I enjoyed it every morning over granola and when I found strawberries on sale, added banana slices to my granola.....oh my! I was in a Straw-nana heaven with this yogurt. This Yo Yummy blend is just like the others where they use real fruit purees and you taste it until you are squeezing every last drop out. I got good with my technique by day 3, in not letting one squeeze go to waste :)



Strawberry- All I can say it tastes like you took fresh strawberries and just pureed them. That is the other thing, the freshness in their flavors have no match to what is on the market today. Yo Yummy uses premium products and fruit at their peak of freshness and taste because it transfers so well to your taste buds. Just like if you bit into a strawberry and yogurt parfait! Yes, you must make this one into a parfait. My Husband and I voted this flavor #1 and I admit I did not dive heavily into it because I wanted to leave it for him to enjoy. He enjoyed a pouch every morning until it was gone.



Cotton Candy- I was skeptical because I like (not love) cotton candy but never had the flavor in yogurt form. Being that Green Mountain Creamery is wholesome and fills their yogurt cups and pouches with real fruit.....I wondered if there was a cotton candy bush I had no idea existed. I did not question the cotton candy's bush existence after I had one taste of this pouch. Think of a sweet cream and almost a touch of strawberry when eating this flavor. There is a hint of sweetness but it does not overwhelm your palette so I decided to take this flavor a notch up by making a cake!  Yo Yummy will also be coming out soon with grape and sour cherry flavors. I can't wait!



Yup, let's have fun and with this Spring weather, a happy cake can be made with the cotton candy flavor or any of the Yo Yummy pouches. Just 25-30 minutes in the oven and each pouch fills one ramekin. Only three ingredients needed, so let's get started-

Yo Yummy Cotton Candy Speckled Cake (think confetti)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Get one small (individual size) ramekin (greased- you can use cooking spray or even Coconut Oil)

Ingredients:

• 1 Yo Yummy Cotton Candy pouch


• 1/8 of a cup of all-purpose flour (you can use Rice Flour if you wish)


• 1 teaspoon of confetti sprinkles


• 1 strawberry (if desired) and a dash of powder sugar for decor purposes :)

Take the Yo Yummy pouch and empty it into a bowl



Add the flour and if you wish a fluffier cake, add a dash of baking soda (1/4 teaspoon)



Mix



Once incorporated, add the confetti sprinkles and mix quickly and then fill the greased ramekin.

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Put ramekin in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Check cake if done with toothpick and it will be dense like a pudding cake but a toothpick should come out clean when checking.



Allow cake to cool (if you have patience) and you can personalize these as you wish. You can eat it as is or add a scoop of ice cream. I found fresh strawberries on sale an added one on top with a dusting of powder sugar. It's a happy cake and each person can make their own to suit their taste buds. Try it with the other Yo Yummy flavors and even your own mix-ins. Enjoy!

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Visit Green Mountain Creamery and Yo Yummy at:

• Green Mountain Creamery- http://greenmountaincreamery.com/


• Yo Yummy- http://yoyummykids.com/


• On FaceBook- https://www.facebook.com/GreenMountainCreamery


• On Twitter- https://twitter.com/grnmtncreamery


• Via Pinterest- http://www.pinterest.com/gmcyoyummy/

Also, save with these generous coupons:

• Easy to print savings- http://yoyummykids.com/coupons-and-offers

 



I received the above product free of charge from Green Mountain Creamery.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.