BzzAgent: Kroger/ Ralph's Skillet Sausage Rigatoni Meal

Located in the freezer section of your local Ralph's, these 10 to 15 minute meals are a one-dish quick way to have dinner ready and set! You just choose what you are craving and you have a large selection to pick from. In the mood for Mexican, you have Chicken Fajitas. Craving something with an Asian flair? Well, Ralph's has you covered with a filling Shrimp Lo-Mein. You perhaps want Italian or Mediterranean, you have Tuscan-style Penne, Sausage Rigatoni or Penne with Grilled Chicken.  I even saw a Chicken Florentine!



Overall Taste and Texture:

I went for the Sausage Rigatoni and I can say Ralph's was fully stocked with all the selections available and a healthy quantity.

Directions can't get simpler and faster with these one-skillet meals. You open the bag, add it to your pan and cook. No butter or oils need to be added!  I worry with pasta based frozen dishes because many tend to come out with a less desired texture but after the meal was cooked, the pasta was al-dente and had a pleasing texture. You get a good portion of sausage and these meals serve 2 to 3 people. I can say that we were full after splitting the meal in half and I actually did not finish my entire serving. I did add fresh (roma) tomatoes 5 minutes before the meal was ready, along with some fresh parsley. After the entree was finished, I added a topping of fresh basil and parmesan reggiano before serving. I was satisfied with the meal and so was my Husband. For those moments when time is not on your side, you can use a little help from Ralph's Skillet Meals and I like that you can personalize the meal by adding ingredients.



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

BzzAgent: Kroger/ Ralph's Meals Fresh House Salad with Bacon Kit

Located with the bagged salads at your local Ralph's, you will find a variety available from Caesar's Salad both "lite' and original but I went for the one with Bacon. The salad kit comes with everything you need except a fork! You get a generous ranch dressing packet, a shredded cheddar cheese packet and bacon. They even included little croutons to compliment the side or you can make this a meal.



Overall Taste and Texture:
I was at the store when the salads were being stocked and all that was available was the Caesar Lite version and the House Salad with Bacon. Even though a brand-new box with the salad kits were being stocked, you could see that the kits experienced some temperature fluctuations because the lettuce and greens were sweaty and even limp. I picked the best bag I could find to go with my dinner. The employee was very nice and even went to check for "better bags" and other kits but this was all that was available.

Upon opening the salad kit at home, I noticed my fears were confirmed because the lettuce had an off smell so I washed it even though the bag stated triple washed on it. Once washed, the greens came back to life in the cold water and I then used a salad spinner to make sure everything was dry enough for assembly. A few leaves did have to go in the trash because they just had gone bad. Not exactly open, mix and serve but worth the process to make sure I got the crispest and cleanest lettuce. The cheese had a little too much corn/potato starch, which is used to keep the shreds separate so I skipped on adding it and left it for Hubby's baked potato. The bacon was not crisp but I placed it in a cup and gave it a 10 second zap in the microwave, that fixed that right up and it smelled delicious. The dressing is a little on the sweet side so I went light with it and also added sliced cucumbers and tomatoes to my salad.



The overall taste and serving portion is great if you are in a hurry but I would not consider this a prime quality product. I think it' may be my not so local Ralph's store that may not be keeping things as they should because the salad's greens could have been much better. I get better quality from a cheaper head of lettuce and the price tag does not justify the not convenient process I got out of this bag. In theory, the product should have been easier and better than the final results. I can say the croutons were crisp and more flavorful in taste than the dressing. Again when it comes to bread, Ralph's does very well!



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

BzzAgent: Kroger/ Ralph's Classic Garlic Bread

Located in the Fresh Bakery section of your local Ralph's grocery store, you will find a french style loaf that is packaged in a foil covered bag. The loaf is large enough for a family to enjoy with two meals! Very easy to warm up in your oven and it's ready to go with no preparation needed. Neat.

Overall Taste and Texture:
I liked the bread itself as it had a wonderful crust and was light and fluffy towards the center. The spread is suppose to resemble a garlic one, however I did not smell much garlic when I checked out the loaf before baking. I smelled oils and what you would describe a very light garlic-ey scent that seemed more like what you find in seasonings (powdered). After heating, I sliced the bread and again did not detect a rich smell that makes you almost drool when you have garlic bread in front of you. I usually sneak a bite in before serving but the spread was so fluorescent yellow in coloring, that it did not pique my appetite. When I lifted the top portion from the bottom, I noticed the "butter" was more oil than anything.....maybe it's a margarine? I felt the spread sort of was a negative compared to how the bread itself is. I would definitely purchase a loaf of bread to go with a meal but I am sticking to plain on this one!

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

 

BzzAgent: Kashi Hummus Crisps in Sea Salt and Olive Oil Review

I love hummus so when BzzAgent offered me this campaign, I immediately thought Red Pepper hummus on a Kashi Hummus crisp........oh my! You bet I signed up immediately because the pita chip was so yesterday.



When my BzzAgent kit arrived, it contained a bag of the Kashi Sea Salt and Olive Oil crisps plus coupons to hand out. I noticed the Kashi Hummus Crisp family consists of:

• The Sea Salt & Olive Oil Hummus Crisps


• Caramelized Onion Crisps


• Sun Dried Tomato, Feta and Basil Crisps

All flavors can wake up a plain hummus dip to even compliment a traditional sour cream based dip.

First Impressions:
Upon opening the bag, I did notice many of the crisps were broken beyond what I call being able to scoop any dip with. You could dunk the pieces but that is fine for me at home but not something I would want for my guests. I had about 65% of the crisps that were broken and the rest were whole or not injured enough to count as a "ruined" crisp. I did notice the product is light an airy, so that is always nice when watching your weight, as a generous 27 crisps are only 120 calories! That is a snack option number I like and it's enhanced by 3 grams of Protein and 4 grams of Fiber, so not just an airy treat but it does pack some nutrition behind it. The ingredients are friendly too, with some natural and even organic ones like the spices, olive oil to the nonfat dry milk. The sweetness comes from dried cane syrup. So far I like what makes up the crisp.



The Taste Test:
I munched on a few plain pieces to get an idea for the flavor and the seasonings are not as plain as you would think with a Sea Salt & Olive oil flavor. You almost get basil and herb notes and this may come from the parsley and "spices" listed. I like when I buy plain flavored chips to pretty much be a nice toasty taste but not something that would not hit off with my dip. I paired the crisps with my Hummus in Red Bell Pepper flavor but the parsley/basil like herb taste tended to even stand out over the dip. You can also smell the herbs coming from the bag. Now, I am a "pro-herb" girl but because they are dry, the were a little too much that the olive oil was almost non-existent. I would have been more accepting of the flavor if it said so in the flavor name "Herbs". The texture is also crisp when you break it in your hand but once the crisp gets wet by a dip or even by being in your mouth, the crisp diminishes quickly. Think air popped popcorn when you put it your mouth and it starts to sometimes leave it a bit dry after eating.

I was craving more crisp so thought why not just pair it up with a salad so I can not lose the crunch and there I did find the chip more pleasing as the seasoning complimented the lettuce blend perfectly.  I also added a dollop of my favorite hummus dip and some seeds (flax, black sesame, toasted sesame, poppy, and pumpkin seeds) to add more of the wanted (crunch) texture.



I am glad I tried the chips as I would have purchased them (before campaign) anyways but I'm 50/50 on purchasing them because of the texture. I understand the air popped texture is too keep them healthier but it leaves me craving a chip, cracker, anything and actually amplifies the craving (so non-diet). I prefer eating 10 "a little naughty" crisps at the same caloric and fat amount that are delicious versus 27 that are good (and may be the only whole crisp amount in the entire bag). That's it! Kashi Hummus Crisps are good.....not bad, but not spectacularly delicious. For a middle of the road hummus crisp, on sale, plus a coupon........yeah, I'd get them but in another flavor because if you are going with herbs, go all the way and those Sun Dried Tomato and Feta, plus Basil crisps have my name all over it.



I received the above products from BzzAgent and Kashi, free of charge.  I am not obligated in providing a favorable/positive review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product(s), which may differ from yours.

BzzAgent: Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savings

 

My blog post before had a review about the great dishes you can prepare with Filippo Berio Olive Oils, but now come the savings.

Go to: http://www.filippoberio.com/ and you can familiarize yourself with their product line

Go to: http://www.filippoberio.com/coupons to get your coupon and save

The site has recipes that will inspire you this Summer in creating light dishes that will taste delicious. #GotItFre

 

BzzAgent: Filippo Berio® Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Not all oils are created equal and I have learned this through trial and error. As with many foods, companies add fillers or even combine oils to create a lesser quality product but still charge consumers a price point that makes you think it equates with quality.

Been there and done that.....and this is why I hold Filippo Berio's oils on a whole different level.

I received an Extra Virgin Olive Oil bottle from BzzAgent along with all the great campaign goodies they include. You have the booklet, which educates you about the benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and how it can improve not only your dishes but your health. Great coupons and even a magnet that reflects the measurements you use when substituting Olive Oil for Butter. Great kit and I love it!



Filippo Berio's company exports their oils from Italy and has been sharing their great products since 1850.  Now, that is staying in business for a long time and you know you have to be doing something right if you want people to support your products.  The company makes several versions of Olive Oils from Extra Virgin, Light, and also makes vinegar (balsamics) and other products like olives and pestos.  Their distribution is massive and they now reach over 65 countries!  Now, that is reaching the masses!



The Health Benefits:

Extra Virgin Olive oil is better for you because it contains no trans fat or cholesterol.  Butters commonly used in savory cooking contain salts and Olive oil does not.  You have an oil that is high in monounsaturated fats, which is commonly known as "the good fat" that doctors want you to eat.



What is the difference between the Extra Virgin and just Olive Oil:

• Virgin means the oil was produced by the use of physical means and the oil was not treated with any chemicals.  It also means the oil is produced from the "first batch" that the seed/grain produces.

• Refined means that the oil has been chemically treated to neutralize strong tastes (characterized as defects) and neutralize the acid content.  Chemicals are many times used in lower quality oils as way to preserve and slow down the oxidation that occurs with age.  Refined oil is regarded as lower quality product.  Oils with the retail labels extra-virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil cannot contain any refined oil, as it would not be Virgin if anything else was added.

• Olive Oil Pommace or Pomace, means oil extracted from the pomace using solvents, mostly Hexane.  Hexane is a carbon based chemical found in glues to gasoline.  Manufactures combine the Hexane and heat to extract from the seeds the oil.  Hexane has a low toxicity level, but nonetheless many industries that use the chemical in their processing, are seeking alternatives due to the adverse health effects.

What the above means is that it all comes down to purity and acidity levels.  Every oil has it's purpose and this is why learning about them is something I like to do because I don't want to pay for a lower end product, much less one laced with chemicals my body does not want or need.  Think about it like chocolate and cacao content.....it's the same mind set.  Don't let the labels fool you and I also try to stay within the brands I can trust because many good manufactures will not distribute to the public, a lower quality product.



Now, Extra Virgin Olive oils have a lower smoke point and this means that the oil will smoke and destabilize with higher temperatures.  You may have heard people say it's a waste to fry in Extra Virgin Olive oil because of it.  I like to do something I call "lacing", it's making my own mixes of oils as I see fit for the dish I am preparing.  I use different oils like Grape because the oil has a higher smoke point.  I decided to get creative and used a mix of Grape Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil and of course Filippo Berio's brand.

• Olive Oil Braised Chicken Legs with a Roasted Garlic and Herb Stuffing

• Foccacia Bread with Parmesan Cheese

I received the above product from BzzAgent and Filippo Berio.  I am not obligated in providing a positive/favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product, which may differ from yours. #GotItFree

BzzAgent: Dr. Scholl's Gel Insoles for Women

I received the BzzAgent's campaign offer for the Dr. Scholl's insoles and have been curious as all the people in the commercials seem super happy and I want that too!

I received the kit and it included the "Outrageous Comfort" insoles, as they make several different kinds of insoles in their Gel line:

• Outrageous Comfort


• Work Insoles


• Arch Support


• Extra Support Insoles


• Sport Replacement Insoles


• Slimsole Insoles

The benefits to Massaging Gel insoles are:

• Waves of cushion to your feet's more sensitive areas


• They also provide Superior Shock absorption


• Product trims to fit and comes with easy instructions for every insole


• The designs available for most activities, for everyday wear, work related, sports to dancing!

I did find that double the comfort may also mean double the thickness, so not all my shoes accepted the insoles but fortunately most did and the objective here is finding comfort, which they did provide. I did find they do not transfer the constant shock you get from walking on concrete to asphalt to uneven ground, so the Doctor did deliver on that promise. They are comfortable but it does take a few hours to get used to the feeling, as there is something else in your shoe other than your foot. By hour 3, I was not even thinking about it. After running errands, I did find my pain level was not as high as usual so they do aid with comfort and minimizing some pain. I did find that the insole tends to move in certain shoes a bit more than others and that was uncomfortable but as long as you wear these in a sneaker, boot or even a casual shoe, you should be fine.

Was I floating and jumping like in the commercials?

No, I unfortunately was not but it did provide that extra cushion that even the most comfortable pair of shoes tend to lose with time and wear. I will be trying the other products in their line that may suit my needs better after trying out the "original" insoles. I see this as an introductory to the Dr. Scholl's Gel line and so far they were good enough that I am seeking to purchase their other products!  I highly recommend trying their products as Dr. Scholl's does have a satisfaction guarantee listed on their products.  If you are not completely satisfied, you may send the original UPC and store receipt to the address listed on the packaging.

Dr. Scholl's Gel Line
Comfort for your feet and wallet (coupons)



The above product was provided free of charge by BzzAgent and Dr. Scholl's. I am not obligated to provide a positive/favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product, which may differ from yours. #GotItFree

BzzAgent Campaign: Nescafé Memento in Caramel, Mocha and Cappuccino

There's few things better than a hot, flavored coffee on those brisk spring nights. And nothing spoils one like grinding, brewing and mixing your own. Why, oh why doesn't someone finally make an instant coffee that gives you all the pluses with none of the minuses?

Along comes Nescafé and their Memento line of "Flavored Coffee Beverages". Uh-oh. That they can't just call it coffee is a huge, flapping red flag. But, sometimes these types of liquid desserts are "good enough", so I'll forge bravely ahead. First up:

Nescafé Memento Caramel Latte



Okay, I can see what they were going for here, but I have to say they missed the mark by quite a bit. Very sweet, not a whole lot of "coffee" flavor comes through, and none of that buttery yum you'd expect from true caramel, and a quick look at the ingredient list shows why. Sugar, nonfat milk, hydrogenated veg. oil, glucose syrup, THEN you finally get soluble coffee, and then more sugars and artificial ingredients. I'm sad to report, this a hot cup of yuck. So, I'll just pour this hot mess down the drain and start over anew with:

Nescafé Memento Mocha



Okay, smells good. Looks good. A little on the bitter side, which makes me flash to that bottom-of-the-pot diner coffee that's been on the heater plate all night, and Flo the waitress decided she's got your fancy-schmancy Starbucks "right here!" and mixed in some Nestlé Quik and then went full froo-froo and put some milk foam on top. Yes, I heated and foamed some milk for this. Sue me. I'm trying to like this, because coffee+chocolate=YUM. But there's just enough off and missing to bork this cup too. At least milk and cocoa were listed within the first 3 ingredients, so it's got that doing for it, but the usual cast of characters that you'd need a degree in chemical engineering to understand. So, half a cup down. That means they're getting better, right?

Nescafé Memento's Cappuccino



Oh goodness, Do I love cappuccino. And after the last two characters masquerading as coffee got the bums rush, I need a good, stiff drink. No, I'm not going to Irish this one up, but I will cleanse my palette a little. So, the smell is good. Check. The look is right. Double check. The taste. Kinda creamy, kinda rich, good flavor and sweetness without fear of your teeth "ceding from the Union" so to speak. Okay, this is no Grand Slam. Not even a home run. Maybe a triple, probably closer to a ground rule double. I see what Nescafe had in mind, what they were trying to accomplish, and this flavor really got the closest. Which is admirable. I'll pay it one more compliment: I'd try it again.

I am happy with the last of the trio and hope they improve the Caramel formula in the future, but these coffees are easy to make with just leaving you with a cup and a spoon to clean up later.  I would make the Cappuccino for those days I am in a hurry and they unfortunately come by more often than I would desire.  The coffee mixes are not high in cost and you add the coupons I have been sharing, it is actually a pretty good deal price point wise.  Those Caramel candies in the picture still tease me!



I received the above products free of charge from BzzAgent and Nescafe.  I am not obligated in providing a favorable/positive review, just my honest opinion.  My opinions are based on my experience with the products that may differ from yours.

BzzAgent Campaign: Claritin D Review

Let me preface this by saying that I was a Zyrtec girl. If there's an allergy out there, I'll suffer from it. Flowers? Check. Pollen? Check. Dander? Double check. Dust? Check, check, all day check. You get the picture. I was famous in high school for always having a Kleenex box in hand. And lately, a little of the shine has come off the Zyrtec apple. How fortuitous was it then that BzzAgents offered me a Claritin-D campaign? Did the stars align for me or what?

What did I like:

Can you say sniffles-be-gone? Because now I can! How cool is that? I'd forgotten the relief I'm supposed to feel with an allergy pill! That's not to completely dump on Zyrtec. It served me very well for many, many years, but the human body is an amazing machine, and it adapts and builds tolerances to a lot of things, medication included. I was long overdue for a change, and Claritin-D is just what the doctor ordered.

Literally.

My doctor recommended it, and BzzAgents offered a campaign. I got the message, universe. Thanks.

It was also nice that both my allergy relief and my nasal congestion is addressed in just one pill. Before, I was taking separate pills, but Claritin-D had the presence of mind to combine both of my pills. One less pill is always a good thing. And before everyone points it out, yes, I know Zyrtec makes a "D" version as well.

What didn't I Like?

This might be nit picking, but the BzzAgents coupon for this campaign didn't cover the cost of the full quantity mentioned on the coupon (10 or more). Bad form, BzzAgents. Bad form.

Also, what's up with the funky quantities, Claritin? Let's all look and see how many days in a month. 30. Split that in half for you lucky seasonal-allergies types. What's that? 15? Someone at Claritin, get on the ball and let's make a box cover a whole month, please? Thank you very much.

The Verdict:

Thanks for the memories, Zyrtec, but don't let the door hit you on the tush on the way out. This is now a Claritin-D house.

I received the above product from BzzAgent and my only commitment is to provide an honest review. I have no obligation of sharing a favorable (or unfavorable) opinion. The above statement are my own opinion based on my experiences with the product. Your opinion may differ from mine.

Go Beyond the Bun with MorningStar Farms

Before you say "Where's the meat?",  please take a moment and give it a chance. I am a meat eater and a veggie lover, I also believe when you want a burger, you get a burger. I have tasted meatless products in the past and because they try to imitate an animal product without being one, they fail at being beefy and worse, they are not even a good tasting veggie meal. I was a little nervous and even thought, "Maybe I should have declined this campaign". I eat vegetables daily and in huge quantities so I am picky and especially when it comes to a frozen product. To get an idea of what I like to eat so you can see where my palette lands in all this, I love Fresh & Easy's stir fry mix to their Broccoli bags and these all come from the freezer section. I also pick up 2 heads of fresh broccoli, and other vegetables, at my local market because I know it will last me a week and the second week I go frozen. It's my way to balance freshness and convenience without sacrificing my need and want for vegetables.



So, I pick up what I call the "original" Garden Veggie Patties. I figure if they do the original right, I then will give their other varieties a try in the future. I have a meat-less meal once a week and it's not planned but sometimes I just don't want meat or fish. I know, I'm a girl with bunny rabbit habits. The patties are just 110 calories per serving, 350 mg of sodium with 10 grams of protein. Okay, a little high on the salt but I have seen much worse and I don't consume large quantities through out the day so I am safe.



The ingredients:
I looked and the first is Vegetables. Okay, I expected water or some tofu but it states Vegetables and the mix equates to mushrooms, water chestnuts, onion, carrots, green bell peppers, and black olives. Next comes the soy protein. You then have wheat gluten, water for hydration, egg white, cooked brown rice, rolled oats to corn oil. Then comes soy sauce and other items like jalapeno pepper powder, celery extract to garlic powder, and a touch of sugar. Mostly, things I can identify, pronounce, and my brain can retrieve an image to the name! My patty will not be glowing in the dark from chemicals so that is a good thing!



Is it good?
I saw the ingredients and minus the jalapeno pepper powder (I thought I would just think chili flakes for that one), I thought why bun it when I can pan-fry it and add it to my stir-fry. You got water chestnuts and soy sauce so I'm already there! I fried with just 1/2 teaspoon of peanut oil and sesame oil. I added no sauce or anything else and when it was done, I used the remainder, plus a 1/4 teaspoon of oil (peanut and sesame) to fry my veggies. I added a tablespoon of Trader Joe's Soyaki sauce to my vegetables and I'm done. I plate it with a Jasmine rice I made two days ago, that I added Edamame (frozen) too. Then topped it with the veggies, cut up the Morning Star patty into bite size, a dash of sesame seeds and I'm done. I then go crazy with the Sriracha Sauce and chili flakes but that is another blog post.



The Verdict:
I would buy these patties again. Found myself craving them a few days later and they settled well. Very filling and flavorful. I would say this is the best tasting vegetable and soy protein I have had and not to sound like everyone, it had a chicken like texture and taste. I don't know if that was the intention but yummy is yummy! I also liked how quick and well they fried up with very little oil. I had that whole golden brown action going that tasted great when you ate it. The product is not so overly milled that it resembles just patties made from baby food. MorningStar Farms treated me like and adult and I see the bell pepper and pieces of real food in the patty. Loved them and I can't wait to try their other selections. They had some that were flavored more towards the Italian to Mediterranean cuisines. I even saw a breakfast sausage......do I dare? These were so good that I'm game!

I received the above product from BzzAgent and my only commitment is to provide an honest review.  I have no obligation of sharing a favorable (or unfavorable) opinion.  The above statement are my own opinion based on my experiences with the product.  Your opinion may differ from mine.

BzzAgent Campaign: Lipton Spiced Cinnamon Chai Tea

Lipton Spiced Cinnamon Chai Tea



Lipton has added a new variety to their pyramid shaped tea bags, featuring black tea with real spices. The ingredients are simple, starting with black tea, cinnamon, ginger root, cloves and black pepper. The product also contains natural flavorings and the food additive, Soy Lecithin. Each serving delivers 30 mg of caffeine and you can enjoy this product warm or even cold. You also get benefits like 75 mg of tea Flavonoids. What are Flavonoids? You may have heard of Catechins, a Flavonoid that is known for it's disease fighting capabilities and antioxidants. The more you steep a cup of tea, the more Flavonoids you brew into your cup and that is a very good thing.

Things I like:
It's easy to brew the Lipton pyramid bag and it does have nice spicy notes and the cinnamon flavor is not overwhelming. It's present but well balanced by the ginger root and cloves. It's a mellow spice and I did brew my second cup a little stronger by using only 6 ounces of water and a little honey. Perfect! I definitely would classify this as a Fall and Winter blend because it may not be craveable as the weather warms up, but worth a variety to have in hand.

Things I dislike:
A mess of packaging! I never found an open pyramid bag, but the outside of the box was littered with tea leaves and spices. When I took the plastic wrap off, I was smart to do it over the sink. The disaster continued inside the box, so I removed every bag and inspected each of the 18 bags. None had holes or broken seals, so that is great but why the mess? I had to tap the box clean and then tap each bag to remove the litter. It not appetizing and if I would have not purchased a box that reflected such a mess on the outside. There was no damage to the unit, so this is definitely just being sloppy when manufacturing.

I received the above item free of charge from BzzAgent. My only commitment was to provide an honest review about the product. I am not obligated to provide a positive review! My opinion is my own and I share because that is what I enjoy doing, however your opinion may differ from mine.

BzzAgent Covergirl BlastFlipstick

I was fortunate again in being able to participate in another BzzAgent campaign and I received 3 Blast Flipsticks (in Stunner, Vixen and Minx), coupons to share and a beautiful glossy book to Bzz and share with friends.



The new Flipsticks (www.covergirl.com/flipstick) comes in 13 beautiful colors and each stick has two tones (think of 2-in-1).  You can easily get several looks for daytime wear to that blast of color that goes perfectly for night wear.  I found myself mixing colors from other Flipsticks, so the possibilities are endless. This is not your typical "bargain" lipstick, the price is fair but the quality and staying power is there. The pigments in the colors remain through out the day and when the product wears off, you are not left with those lip outlines or worse, lip creases like with other products. The best way to describe how it feels when wearing, is creamy. No glossy stickiness and I found the Flipsticks to be nourishing.  Even though we have been hit with several cold snaps, I did not experience any dry lips. Many times I have to nourish my lips with a balm before applying any color to my lips but not with Covergirl Flipsticks. No lip color bleeding and my lips looked alive through the colder than usual Winter we have been experiencing.



My favorite is Minx!  You just get those lovely bronzy and copper hues that make it look like you foiled your lips.  The shimmer is present but you control the sparkle.  Trust me, you do not look like you have been kissing a glitter pot!  The color gets so many compliments and I have been asked so many times what color or brand am I wearing....you know it's working when you get asked!



My next favorite part are the wonderful $2.00 off coupons that BzzAgent and Covergirl included in this kit.  They were so generous and I was even able to share with strangers at the store.  I found that Target and CVS were the best source for the variety of colors I was interested in.  I was able to pick-up Intense and Whisper there.  The other color, Snap, I found to be my second favorite because it has more neutral tones from the entire collection.



I highly recommend trying at least one Blast Flipstick and it sells itself!  The color below Stunner, is like a ray of sunshine!



I received the above products at zero cost.  I have no obligation to supply the company and/or manufacture with a positive or negative review.  I share my honest opinion based on my own experience.  Your opinion and experience may differ from mine.

BzzAgent Green Mountain Coffee Campaign

I received my kit from BzzAgent for the Green Mountain Coffee campaign. I am a no nonsense gal when it comes to making coffee. I have tried many machines in the past and at different price points, but many have left me less thrilled and with a lighter pocket book. I use a simple French Press when I make my coffee. My press is over 20 years old, easy to clean and not having to keep up with the latest "cup" or compatible system they come up with. I can drink and make as much as I want, never having to worry about my coffee getting burned.

I decided to read about the company, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), Inc., before my product arrived to get an idea about what they carried and a little more background information. The company focuses on ethical and environmental standards when it comes to production.  They have a "higher values" system they have implemented in how they treat their employees, coffee growers, to the land's Eco-system.  It seems to encompass a morality you do not see many manufactures/brands out there use.  Many claim but fall short once you get to see the real picture.  At first, I thought it was a gimmick used to justify the higher price point to consumers but once I read and even reviewed the evidence, Fair Trade is important and implemented in everything GMCR, Inc., does.



How does the coffee taste?  This is really what surprised me more....it's great.  Better than the leading brand and smoother.  You get a full flavored drink by using the recommended amount and I like strong coffee.  The bitter notes are non-existent, so no masking with creamers, flavorings, and sugars are required.  I used less sugar than usual and found myself enjoying the base product, the forgotten COFFEE much more.  I actually liked tasting the coffee and this meant less calories when making a cup and a more satisfied palette.  I shared my samples with friends and handed out my coupons, to just find myself being asked for more of both.  I recommend trying this coffee and you will not only enjoy the taste but you get that extra "feel good" feeling for supporting a brand that cares about their impact not only environmentally, but also how they treat their employees.



I received all associated products at no (ZERO) charge.  I am not obligated by either company in supplying a favorable and/or unfavorable opinion.  My commitment is to supply an HONEST review and opinion.  My opinion may differ from yours, but is all my own.

 

Smartfoods Selects Hummus Chips & Popcorn

I was fortunate in being picked for another BzzAgent campaign and got to try Smartfoods Selects. They sent one large bag of Buffalo Cheddar cheese popcorn and two bags of their hummus chips. The chips came in Feta Herb and the second bag was Garlic Tomato Basil.

I will start with the Popcorn: The base of the popped kernel itself is very soft in texture. Airy when felt in the hand but spongy when you put in your mouth. Not the best feeling. Flavor factor I give it a 2 out of 5. The one star is for it smells better than it tastes. You get no heat but mostly a vinegar, almost citric acid flavor and the cheddar could just be called milk in my opinion. I had two pieces and then had 3 after. I figured something was off in my mouth, so I resealed the package. That is also where the second star comes into place, the package is resealable and stays sealed. I let a day pass and thought let's give it a try because the picture on the outside looks good and I like Buffalo sauce. Same results! Not good and for the caloric count, I'll eat something else that delivers the flavor it states but in a good way.

Feta Cheese Hummus Chips: The best of the bunch and they have such a nice crunch.  They stay firm because I also liked them so much that I went for a red bell pepper hummus dip I had in the fridge.  What a combination!  The chips have parsley and rosemary herb flecks that really balance out the Feta nicely and you do taste Feta cheese, not just some odd sour cream base that could be called any cheese.  The best part is the pepper kick you get from the black pepper and it is baked so well into the chips, you just get that freshly cracked peppercorn taste but not overpowering.  My favorite and I would purchase them again.

Garlic Tomato Basil Hummus Chips: I won't make this long but it just tasted like Ketchup.  I like ketchup on certain things but not on hummus.  You get a flavor that is very close to the flavor packets you get in soups.  The balance is off and the garlic is M.I.A.  They mention Basil, maybe those are the green colored flecks but you could really call them anything.  I have dried basil in the pantry and a live plant in the garden.  I have no idea where their basil originated from but it did not resemble either.  It was just tomato soup based broth on a chip.  I felt bad for the poor hummus chip that got subjected to this flavor :(.  Maybe my batch was made on an off day but no way would I eat these again.  Everyone tried just one chip and most that put the whole chip in their mouth, regretted not being smart like the others that just took a bite.  I felt bad sharing these and thankfully the bag did not have a large amount.  The rest were thrown away.

My take on Smartfoods is mixed.  They strike gold with the Feta Herb but did so poorly with the others.  I still like the idea of eating real food, who doesn't?  So their mantra hits home in using natural based ingredients.  I still like that they advertise great flavors like the Italian Herb Multi-grain chip and they also have a Cinnamon version.  They sound awesome but I do fear how their interpretations will taste.  I would chance it one more time and try their Granola coated Popcorn, which I saw in a Blueberry Almond Vanilla flavor and make my final decision.

 

BzzAgent & Glade Expressions Collection

BzzAgent is a wonderful company that I have had the pleasure on participating in over 80 campaigns. I have also shared my campaigns with others as that is really the focus of the company, to share a product with it's members so they can introduce others to it. This time I received the Glade Expression Campaign for the Fragrance Mist and Oil Diffuser. I loved how they sent free coupons so we could purchase the products at no charge and also pick our scent. I went with Lavender & Juniper Berry because it is a relaxing fragrance and all-year-round scent. I figured I would be drowning in cinnamon apple and Fall festive smells so before I dove into the holiday smells, let's try something new. I chose wisely as I was very happy with the power of the scent and it was very close to the real thing. I have two lavender bushes and it came very close with the lavender notes. No headaches because the fragrance was too strong or overpowering but still strong enough to neutralize odors. I moved the diffuser to the family room and the kitchen never had any smells or odors return so this let me know the product does not mask bad odors, but actually takes them away for good. I was able to share coupons with friends and family. Right now, you can get the spray for $2.00 at your local Walmart and with a $2.00 coupon that means it is free. You can see why so many smiled when I shared this. I hope Glade supports this new line because I like the new not-so-common fragrances they created like:

Cotton & Italian Mandarin - Open your home with the bright, breezy blend of cotton and sparkling citrus, honeydew and sandalwood*

Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice - A ripe, spicy blend of sweet pears and crisp apple with a dash of cinnamon and clove that warms and invigorates

Lavender & Juniper Berry - Lush lavender blends with fresh juniper berry, eucalyptus and rose to relax the senses and open your home

Pineapple & Mangosteen - Evoke a tropical paradise with the blend of freshly cut pineapples and hint of tangy mangosteen, creamy coconut and passionflower

*Available in Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist only.

Please visit http://www.glade.com/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx for coupons and more details.

If you wish to become a BzzAgent, please visit http://bzzagent.com

I received the above products free of charge and the above statements are my own opinions that may differ from yours.