Forget the gas and fumes with Black & Decker's Corded Electric Lawnmower. #Ad
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
What to Expect? A Great Time!
Want some laughs? Watch What to Expect when you're Expecting by Lionsgate #Ad
Make Your Lips the BEE's Knees!
Burt's Bees offers a natural approach to lip protection w/ ultra conditioning formula #Ad
Peanutty Goodness!!
So, Peanut Butter.
A staple of back-to-school lunches everywhere. Almost a no-brainer, right? Or so I thought. See, I have a "child" of sorts: My husband. He, like most children of his age, grew up with, and out of, peanut butter. Probably Skippy, Peter Pan, Jif. I don't know. I do know that by the time I met him, he wouldn't touch the stuff, and with good reason. As anyone who read labels today will attest, it (and darn near everything else) has changed. Every product label reads like a science experiment, and in this day and age, we want fresh, natural, simple and good. And that's getting hard to find. Now, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that in the last 5 years or so, my "child" has gone through what I'll call a peanut butter renaissance. He has rediscovered his love of the stuff, but we're picky consumers. Again, as anyone who shops for peanut butter today will also attest to, it's not cheap anymore. So when I buy, I want to make it count. Hopefully this review will give my readers a window into the product to make an informed decision. Enough babble, on to the review.
Planters NUT-rition Energy Mix Peanut Butter
A big thank you to Klout for sending these items to me to try. If you haven't signed up to Klout, do it now. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Done? Okay then. I received these items free of charge and I am under no obligation to anyone to say things. good or bad, about this product. Theses opinions are my own, but I encourage you to try these items for yourself and make you own decision if you don't agree with mine. For the purpose of this review, I'm going to compare this product to two I frequently buy and have on hand. One if a major national "premium" brand, Maranatha All Natural creamy no-stir, and a generic store brand, Fresh & Easy creamy.
Hmm. Chunky. It doesn't spread well either, what with the chunks and nuts and berries. But, Maranatha fails there as well, since it is the only one of the three that requires refrigeration, and when hubby wants his peanut butter sammich, he wants in now. Fresh & Easy wins this round. First impressions are mixed, since I think I should smell banana, raisins or cinnamon, right? I get some subtle hints of them, which I'll chalk up to being a good thing, since this is, after all, a peanut butter first and foremost. Mouth feel is what you'd expect. Not too greasy, not too oily, but just firm enough. Good job there, Planters. But, much to my dismay, the banana flavor in the "Banana Granola Nut" mix is just not there. Sad. The "Berry Nut" mix is peanuts and cranberries, and while you can tell they are there, you're not getting any real flavor out of them. Disappointing. What is a pleasant surprise is the "Cinnamon Raisin Granola Nut" mix. Wow. Perfect balance flavors, with everything well represented and nothing beating down anything else. Score!
So, let's dig into the labels, shall we?
For the sake of simplicity, I'll use the best of the bunch, the Cinnamon Raisin mix, for comparison purposes. Otherwise, this will start to look like a U.S. patent application and bore the bejesus out of everyone. The first thing that jumps out at me is the ingredient list. Holy monkey, what's going on with the Planters? That's a complex list of ingredients for what is supposed to be a simple product. Calories and fat are all statistically negligible in their differences, so that's a moot point. Sugar, however, is a very different story. Nearly twice as much. Maybe that's where the "energy" comes from? There does also seem to be less protein, which is disappointing as well. There's a laundry list of "vitamins and minerals" there that can be a good or bad thing depending on your views on vitamin supplements. Personally, we're against them, so that's another minus. Also, I'm very wary when anyone uses a the smokescreen of "natural flavors". If the product is natural and healthy, and has it's own flavors, why add more "natural" flavorings? Brown rice syrup? Evaporated cane juice? Sugar? Why so much sweetener? And with all that sugar, why did of the three have such a salty-flavored finish? Ick.
So, here's my final verdict: No go. Too many negatives here in comparison to the others. It's as pricey as the national premium brand, but not as healthy or natural (fair disclosure, Maranatha is also an organic product. I'll let you decide if that works for or against Planters). It's smaller than the store brand, but nearly 3 times as expensive as the store-branded product. And to be blunt, as good as the Cinnamon Raisin mix was, it's hand down my least favorite of the three. The Maranatha and Fresh & Easy products just plain taste better. I would pass on Planter's Energy Mix peanut butters in favor of the two others, without fail. Too bad. I like the idea Planter's had, and I can see it catching on in a big way, but the execution needs some fine tuning.
And I'm still waiting for that "energy" they advertised on the label.
A staple of back-to-school lunches everywhere. Almost a no-brainer, right? Or so I thought. See, I have a "child" of sorts: My husband. He, like most children of his age, grew up with, and out of, peanut butter. Probably Skippy, Peter Pan, Jif. I don't know. I do know that by the time I met him, he wouldn't touch the stuff, and with good reason. As anyone who read labels today will attest, it (and darn near everything else) has changed. Every product label reads like a science experiment, and in this day and age, we want fresh, natural, simple and good. And that's getting hard to find. Now, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that in the last 5 years or so, my "child" has gone through what I'll call a peanut butter renaissance. He has rediscovered his love of the stuff, but we're picky consumers. Again, as anyone who shops for peanut butter today will also attest to, it's not cheap anymore. So when I buy, I want to make it count. Hopefully this review will give my readers a window into the product to make an informed decision. Enough babble, on to the review.
Planters NUT-rition Energy Mix Peanut Butter
A big thank you to Klout for sending these items to me to try. If you haven't signed up to Klout, do it now. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Done? Okay then. I received these items free of charge and I am under no obligation to anyone to say things. good or bad, about this product. Theses opinions are my own, but I encourage you to try these items for yourself and make you own decision if you don't agree with mine. For the purpose of this review, I'm going to compare this product to two I frequently buy and have on hand. One if a major national "premium" brand, Maranatha All Natural creamy no-stir, and a generic store brand, Fresh & Easy creamy.
First things first, you'll notice that the Planter's bottle is smaller. Significantly so, at only 12 ounces. Whereas the Maranatha weighs in at a standard 16 ounces, and the F. & E. at a hefty 18 ounces. Interesting, especially when you consider the MSRP of the three: Marantha at $4.99 or higher, F. & E. at $2.99 or less, and the Planter's at $4.99 and up. So, for those interested, that breaks down to $0.42 per ounce for Planter's, $0.31 per ounce for Maranatha, and a very enticing $0.16 per ounce for F. & E.. Very interesting indeed. But, price isn't everything, especially since Planter's is advertising a value-added feature of fruit, nuts, and granola, referred to as their "Energy Mix".
Hmm. Chunky. It doesn't spread well either, what with the chunks and nuts and berries. But, Maranatha fails there as well, since it is the only one of the three that requires refrigeration, and when hubby wants his peanut butter sammich, he wants in now. Fresh & Easy wins this round. First impressions are mixed, since I think I should smell banana, raisins or cinnamon, right? I get some subtle hints of them, which I'll chalk up to being a good thing, since this is, after all, a peanut butter first and foremost. Mouth feel is what you'd expect. Not too greasy, not too oily, but just firm enough. Good job there, Planters. But, much to my dismay, the banana flavor in the "Banana Granola Nut" mix is just not there. Sad. The "Berry Nut" mix is peanuts and cranberries, and while you can tell they are there, you're not getting any real flavor out of them. Disappointing. What is a pleasant surprise is the "Cinnamon Raisin Granola Nut" mix. Wow. Perfect balance flavors, with everything well represented and nothing beating down anything else. Score!
So, let's dig into the labels, shall we?
For the sake of simplicity, I'll use the best of the bunch, the Cinnamon Raisin mix, for comparison purposes. Otherwise, this will start to look like a U.S. patent application and bore the bejesus out of everyone. The first thing that jumps out at me is the ingredient list. Holy monkey, what's going on with the Planters? That's a complex list of ingredients for what is supposed to be a simple product. Calories and fat are all statistically negligible in their differences, so that's a moot point. Sugar, however, is a very different story. Nearly twice as much. Maybe that's where the "energy" comes from? There does also seem to be less protein, which is disappointing as well. There's a laundry list of "vitamins and minerals" there that can be a good or bad thing depending on your views on vitamin supplements. Personally, we're against them, so that's another minus. Also, I'm very wary when anyone uses a the smokescreen of "natural flavors". If the product is natural and healthy, and has it's own flavors, why add more "natural" flavorings? Brown rice syrup? Evaporated cane juice? Sugar? Why so much sweetener? And with all that sugar, why did of the three have such a salty-flavored finish? Ick.
So, here's my final verdict: No go. Too many negatives here in comparison to the others. It's as pricey as the national premium brand, but not as healthy or natural (fair disclosure, Maranatha is also an organic product. I'll let you decide if that works for or against Planters). It's smaller than the store brand, but nearly 3 times as expensive as the store-branded product. And to be blunt, as good as the Cinnamon Raisin mix was, it's hand down my least favorite of the three. The Maranatha and Fresh & Easy products just plain taste better. I would pass on Planter's Energy Mix peanut butters in favor of the two others, without fail. Too bad. I like the idea Planter's had, and I can see it catching on in a big way, but the execution needs some fine tuning.
And I'm still waiting for that "energy" they advertised on the label.
Monday, August 27, 2012
My Addidas! Not just for Run-DMC Anymore!
Adidas, Outdoor Boat Lace Water shoes, don't get wet without these! #Ad
Shed Some Light on that DARK KNIGHT!
Warner Bros. brings you the Dark Knight. Go beyond the movie experience. #Ad
Coming Soon: Everything You Wanted to Know About Peanut Butter, but were Afraid to Ask!
Keep your eyes peeled, we're diving into a fresh take on peanut butter soon, courtesy of Planters, and thanks to our friends at Klout.
Stay tuned, WOMderful readers. You won't want to miss this!
Mmmmmmm...Peanut butter....
Stay tuned, WOMderful readers. You won't want to miss this!
Mmmmmmm...Peanut butter....
Sunday, August 26, 2012
GUESS Who Smells Great?
Guess, goes beyond clothing with their perfume that is perfect for day or night! #Ad
Wear Your Kingdom Hearts on your Sleeve! In 3D!
Sora and Riku are under threat. Play Square Enix Kingdom Hearts 3D. #Ad
Just Short It.
Nike Tempo Track Shorts have mesh for great ventilation and are comfortable to wear. #Ad
Still Gotta Catch 'Em All?
Nintendo has reinvented how to play and enjoy Pokemon all over again. Don't miss out! #Ad
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Sweet Tunes
Kenny Chesney has released a new album on the 19th of June. Give it a try! #Ad
Do You Feel Lucky, Punk?
Lucky Jeans feature the Sophia cut that looks great with heels, get yours today! #Ad
O, Hai!
Panasonic Cordless phones keep you connected with the latest features & great sound! #Ad
Music to Your Ears!
Alan Jackson's 30 Miles West album was released on June 5th! 13 new songs! #Ad
Friday, August 24, 2012
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Everyone needs a little help with the yard so get them training early :) #Ad
Momma's Got a Brand New Bag!
Coach makes the perfect purse for everyday use to special occasions! Get one today! #Ad
Watch Me Now!
Love Timex watches because their price points are low and they last a long time! #Ad
Thursday, August 23, 2012
You Deserve a Break Today!
I tried Dailybreak.com through Smiley360! You can join the fun and win rewards at http://bit.ly/O3cxhb #Dailybreakmission Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.
via Dailybreak.
via Dailybreak.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
How Sweet it is!
[caption id="attachment_519" align="aligncenter" width="538"]
Sweets for the sweet[/caption]
I'm always looking for a sweetener that brings a natural approach to the foods I make. It's very difficult to find an acceptable product because everyone has their own definition of what natural means and there is a lot of wiggle room with the term. Agave syrup is great if my palette wants a syrupy texture but that is not always the case.
When I was offered to sample and review Nectresse by Smile.y, I was intrigued. I became more curious when the product stated it was 100% Natural- nothing artificial but it has zero calories. How is that possible? Well, once I received the samples to giveaway and a full box to try out, I was able to look further.
The Breakdown:
Nectresse is made of- Erythritol, Sugar, Monk Fruit Extract and Molasses. That is all!
What is Erythritol, you ask (because I know I did)? Erythritol is sugar alcohol. This product is naturally produced in some fruits and some fermented foods. I'll break down how this works but if you are not in the mood for a little simple science, please just skip to the taste test below. I promise, I won't mind!
Why it is labeled as non-caloric: It is actually "almost" non-caloric. This is where things differ in how foods are labeled here versus in Europe. In Europe, they disclose the 0.2 kilocalories per gram (kilocalorie and the wording calorie are equivalent). This breaks down to Erythritol being 95% less caloric than sugar. Each packet of Nectresse contains 2.4 grams, so I can see why zero is suitable and may be claimed (Thanks, FDA!). The calories are virtually not there and is pretty much 0.5 calories per packet (being generous here and rounding up), so just shake the packet out with some "oomph" and you've had your workout to make up for the calories you will be taking in from Nectresse
How sweet is it compared to simple white sugar: 60 to 70% as sweet as table sugar.
Other Positive Factors to not overlook: The sugar in this form is absorbed in the small intestine and this means 10% only enters the colon. You are left with 90% never entering the large intestine and this results in not experiencing the laxative effects or disturbances (or as I see it, side effects) you get from other sweeteners. Always a major plus in my book. It gets better in case the aforementioned is not a big issue. Due to how the body absorbs Erythritol, it does not affect blood sugar, making it a choice for diabetics or a choice for anyone. Why even play in the pre-diabetis zone with so many products containing so much sugar. Erythritol also does not cause any tooth decay. Your oral bacteria just is incapable of metabolizing it like normal sugar. This means no cavities!
Monk Fruit & Molasses: This just brings fructose and glucose to the table. Pretty much sweetness from the juice and no notable factors to share as with Molasses.
Taste Test:
Alright, I got the science and boring stuff over but I know my pressing curiosity was "how bad does it taste?". Yup, I was thinking bad aftertaste from the start. I used my finger and first dabbed thinking "what chemical is this going to resemble?". To get an idea of how my taste buds work, I dislike Splenda and I feel Stevia and many others that have come down the marketing chain do have an aftertaste that takes away from the "real flavors" of the foods you added it too. I tasted what I would describe as those raw sugar packets. A little white and brown sugar taste. You get a powder sugar finish, meaning the sugar dissolves very finely in the mouth so you are taken aback by how sweet it is. I got a cooling effect on the tongue when the crystals hit and dissolve so quickly- your saliva just liquifies it. I had a little more and sometimes I picked up bitter notes but not like extra sour. Realize this is me tasting from the packet because I did not want any variables from coffee, tea, or even milk masking anything. I will say I went back many times and just made my conclusion: I like it! Does it have an aftertaste? Yes, but not chemical-like and so far has been the best. It did not foul my tea or coffee and I had forgotten I used it at all when I finished drinking my cup. I added less than the packet contained because I found the level that sweetened my cup enough...just like I do with normal sugar.
Addendum: If you are wondering about baking, Erythritol, does not absorb moisture so you would end up with a dryer end product. I'm fine with that as I prefer having a 1/2 piece of cake that tastes great versus an entire piece that is dry and off. One small minus with a whole bunch of pluses!
Enough, Already! What's the Verdict?:
I would buy it. That's my endorsement on this one. I think it's a great option.
Sweets for the sweet[/caption]I'm always looking for a sweetener that brings a natural approach to the foods I make. It's very difficult to find an acceptable product because everyone has their own definition of what natural means and there is a lot of wiggle room with the term. Agave syrup is great if my palette wants a syrupy texture but that is not always the case.
When I was offered to sample and review Nectresse by Smile.y, I was intrigued. I became more curious when the product stated it was 100% Natural- nothing artificial but it has zero calories. How is that possible? Well, once I received the samples to giveaway and a full box to try out, I was able to look further.
The Breakdown:
Nectresse is made of- Erythritol, Sugar, Monk Fruit Extract and Molasses. That is all!
What is Erythritol, you ask (because I know I did)? Erythritol is sugar alcohol. This product is naturally produced in some fruits and some fermented foods. I'll break down how this works but if you are not in the mood for a little simple science, please just skip to the taste test below. I promise, I won't mind!
Why it is labeled as non-caloric: It is actually "almost" non-caloric. This is where things differ in how foods are labeled here versus in Europe. In Europe, they disclose the 0.2 kilocalories per gram (kilocalorie and the wording calorie are equivalent). This breaks down to Erythritol being 95% less caloric than sugar. Each packet of Nectresse contains 2.4 grams, so I can see why zero is suitable and may be claimed (Thanks, FDA!). The calories are virtually not there and is pretty much 0.5 calories per packet (being generous here and rounding up), so just shake the packet out with some "oomph" and you've had your workout to make up for the calories you will be taking in from Nectresse
How sweet is it compared to simple white sugar: 60 to 70% as sweet as table sugar.
Other Positive Factors to not overlook: The sugar in this form is absorbed in the small intestine and this means 10% only enters the colon. You are left with 90% never entering the large intestine and this results in not experiencing the laxative effects or disturbances (or as I see it, side effects) you get from other sweeteners. Always a major plus in my book. It gets better in case the aforementioned is not a big issue. Due to how the body absorbs Erythritol, it does not affect blood sugar, making it a choice for diabetics or a choice for anyone. Why even play in the pre-diabetis zone with so many products containing so much sugar. Erythritol also does not cause any tooth decay. Your oral bacteria just is incapable of metabolizing it like normal sugar. This means no cavities!
Monk Fruit & Molasses: This just brings fructose and glucose to the table. Pretty much sweetness from the juice and no notable factors to share as with Molasses.
Taste Test:
Alright, I got the science and boring stuff over but I know my pressing curiosity was "how bad does it taste?". Yup, I was thinking bad aftertaste from the start. I used my finger and first dabbed thinking "what chemical is this going to resemble?". To get an idea of how my taste buds work, I dislike Splenda and I feel Stevia and many others that have come down the marketing chain do have an aftertaste that takes away from the "real flavors" of the foods you added it too. I tasted what I would describe as those raw sugar packets. A little white and brown sugar taste. You get a powder sugar finish, meaning the sugar dissolves very finely in the mouth so you are taken aback by how sweet it is. I got a cooling effect on the tongue when the crystals hit and dissolve so quickly- your saliva just liquifies it. I had a little more and sometimes I picked up bitter notes but not like extra sour. Realize this is me tasting from the packet because I did not want any variables from coffee, tea, or even milk masking anything. I will say I went back many times and just made my conclusion: I like it! Does it have an aftertaste? Yes, but not chemical-like and so far has been the best. It did not foul my tea or coffee and I had forgotten I used it at all when I finished drinking my cup. I added less than the packet contained because I found the level that sweetened my cup enough...just like I do with normal sugar.
Addendum: If you are wondering about baking, Erythritol, does not absorb moisture so you would end up with a dryer end product. I'm fine with that as I prefer having a 1/2 piece of cake that tastes great versus an entire piece that is dry and off. One small minus with a whole bunch of pluses!
Enough, Already! What's the Verdict?:
I would buy it. That's my endorsement on this one. I think it's a great option.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Heya, look! It'sa Mario!
A blast from the past with Super Mario Bros. 2. Keep yourself entertained for hours. #Ad
OFF! with them Skeeters!
Clip-on Mosquito Repellent
Keep the bugs off and the bites away with OFF! Great and it works as advertised. #Ad
With the threat of West Nile on the rise again, don't take chances with your families health this season!
Hang on, I can't even read WOM-derful posts without my coffee!
Kitchenaid makes it easy to have coffee at anytime of the day or night! #Ad
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
These Pretzel bits BUFFALO'D me over!
Snyder Pretzels bring the Buffalo wings flavor without the bones! #Ad
OPI is tops for my nails right now!
Pink Flamenco GelColor
OPI GelColors in Pink Flamingo is what your nails need this Summer. Get it now! #Ad
It's tops for me because it stands up to the cooking, the cleaning, the husband, the dog, the gardening. Is it nail lacquer or pretty, pretty nail armor? I love it.
I'll Bare My Lips for YOU!
Bare Minerals brings you an array of lip glosses to make your lips shine their best! #Ad
Monday, August 13, 2012
Who says cucumbers are for the eyes only? HAIR is where it's AT!!
Wen is gentle on your hair so it helps keep it looking beautiful everyday! #Ad
Visit Sephora's Tropical Islands oc COLOR!!
Sephora makes sure you look your best, which results in feeling your best :) #Ad
Now you're cookin' with GAS!!
Weber grills are the best and now you can grill anywhere with this one. #Ad
MARSHMALLOW MADDNESS!
Classic Double Barrel Shooter
What a great way to fun with this Marshmallow Shooter, you can snack while you play! #Ad
WHOMP! That's the sound of FUN! GLOMP! that the sound of mrshmallow!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Glide Away to Relaxation!
Welcome summer in style every season with Martha Stewart's Gliders #Ad
Mini size, Big SAMSUNG Features!
Samsung Galaxy with Mini Touchscreen helps keep you connected with portability #Ad
Saturday, August 11, 2012
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