Bolthouse Farms: Green is Good!

                                                                                                                                                                                 Bolthouse was gracious enough to send me a bounty of juices, like the carrot one I made a tasty treat out of, and the pomegranate one I reviewed recently. And there's a point beyond my love of cooking, and it's that turning up your nose at a juice because you think you might not like it is a shame.

Which is a segue into my next juice. Bolthouse Farms Daily Greens has a whopping 4 and 1/2 servings of veggies per bottle. Eat your heart out, Vitamix. Sadly, it's greatest strength is also it's greatest weakness. It has some serious green pa-power to it and it is NOT for the faint of heart. For hubby, it didn't even pass the sniff test. And I will say, as a lover of veggies in all their crisp, leafy freshness, this juice was tough to swallow. This drink hurts my feelers,  because with only the slightest of tweaks, it could be my favorite.

It's got so much good stuff in it, you want to find ways to use it. Kale, lemons, pears, celery, cucumber, banana, chicory, kiwi, romaine, green tea, wheat grass. It's like Bolthouse peeked into my fridge and saw everything in my crisper drawers and juiced it for me. High in vitamins A, B and C, high in calcium, iron, zinc and fiber, I want to love this juice. But there's too much going on in it for even this little bunny to just drink straight. So, I'd suggest maybe juice a sweet honeycrisp apple, or some pineapple juice to take some of that bite off. Maybe a base for pasta/pesto sauce (future recipe, maybe? ;-) ). Maybe reduced, with a little parm cheese. Boom, dip. All I'm lackin' is crackers. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.



Visit Bolthouse and their Countless Juice Selections, Juices from Blends to the Plain; to Cafe drinks and even Protein ones:

• Say hello to the Daily Greens online!


• Veggies and Fruits on Twitter


• Visit Fun Bolthouse Crew on Facebook


• Catch the pics on Instagram


• Save $1.50 off any bottle here!

I received the above product free of charge from Bolthouse Farms. 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.

Bolthouse Farms: ALMOST Too Much Good Stuff

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Almost. But as it stands, this one is just right. I love it. Hubby loves it. You'll love it too! For those following along at home, this is the last in the Bolthouse Farms Juice reviews. We previously covered their 100% Carrot Juice, 100% Pomegranate Juice, Daily Greens, and now, without further adieu, I happily present Bolthouse Farm's MultiV Goodness!



The last treat in my batch of Bolthouse yum is a newer product for them, the Multi-V Goodness Smoothie. Packed with the juice of pomegranate, cherries, strawberries, apples, peaches, blackberries, cranberries and bananas, but not packed with calories (only 140 per serving) there is nothing not to love about this drink.
Did I mention the 8 grams of fiber? That's nearly a third of the recommended daily intake already. You're set! High in vitamins A, B, C, and D, and none of the yuck that comes in most highly processed smoothies, this one is good for breakfast, lunch or even dessert! I liked how the flavors all blended in harmony, making for a great experience. Hubby loved it too, and he's not big on peaches or bananas. There's no seeds or pulps like a home Smoothie would have. I love it. Hubby loves it. If we hadn't been so quick to enjoy it, I'm sure the pooch would have loved it too. This one also comes in 2 sizes, 15.2 oz and 32, which makes it big enough to share, if you're so inclined.



Visit Bolthouse and their Countless Juice Selections, Juices from Blends to the Plain; to Cafe drinks and even Protein ones:

• Say hello to the MultiV Goodness online!


• Veggies and Fruits on Twitter


• Visit Fun Bolthouse Crew on Facebook


• Catch the pics on Instagram


• Save $1.50 off any bottle here!

I received the above product free of charge from Bolthouse Farms. 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.

Eslor Botanical Peeling Gel

And the hits just keep on comin'!

Eslor offers two exfoliants in their extensive beauty line. At first I thought why not keep it simple, like the face wash, by offering one product. However, each resurfaces differently. Let me explain:



The Eslor Botanical Peeling Gel aids with the reduction of unwanted shine, refines/shrinks pores, and also serves as a skin brightener. Since the product is a gel and a peel, it makes the removal of dead skin cells easy and after application you are left with a smooth surface that will appear and also feel softer. The Botanical Peeling Gel is for Combination, Dry and Sensitive skin. I have used chemical peels and microdermabrasion in the past to achieve exfoliation. I feel this Botanical Peeling Gel is everything you want minus the harsh chemicals, and uses the botanical properties present in the formula to resurface in a more "skin friendly" manner.

Instructions for Use: The instructions indicate use of this product once or twice a week. You apply the gel all over your skin when the skin is dry. Avoid your eye area since the skin is more sensitive there. You leave the peel on for 5 to 10 minutes and the peel tends to almost melt or thin out as it's exposed to the air and warmth from your skin. You do not drip the product off but it does liquefy as the application period passes. Your final step is then to just use your fingers and rub (gently) in a circular motion and then rinse with warm water.

Ingredients: Being that the product is botanical in nature, you see in the list of ingredients Aloe Vera as a gel base and listed first. Aloe Vera has a multitude of benefits and in my opinion there is no reason it should not be used in place of the H2O we seem to pay for in beauty products. Extracts are present that are derived from Chamomile, Papaya, to Pineapple. Chamomile has calming effects, while Papaya and Pineapple have proteins that do help with the resurfacing process. Papaya is rich in BHAs (beta hydroxyl acids) and the fruit's benefits range from lightening dark spots (pigmentation) to evening skin tone. Pineapple like Papaya help with anti-aging and the acids assist with the rejuvenation process we all so desire. Carbomer is also on the list and this helps with the solution of the beauty product, meaning how it emulsifies (thickens) and spreads out. Think about what makes a toothpaste formula stay whipped and not separate in the tube, so it is harmless and a product really created for the beauty and health industry. Sea Buckthorn oil is also listed in the peel and this aids with anti-aging due to it's richness in tocopherols, tocotrienols and plant sterols. To give you an idea, Sea Buckthorn oil is used on skin burns so it does wonders when used in beauty products! Triethanolamine is another ingredient and this serves as a pH balancer.



Results: I have mashed Papaya and Pineapple in the past to create a mask but because individual fruit does differ in acid percentages and even nourishment, I like that Eslor has done the "lab work" for me, and I don't have to guess how long to keep this peel on by how it feels. Not good when feeling "burny", since means this Pineapple had kick and you left the mask on too long (Ouch!). The other ingredients help counteract the redness you may get when exfoliating, and you get to benefit from calming agents that we do not all readily have at hand. My skin has been feeling soft and I like that this peel also purified my pores by cleaning out the junk, so this means less break-outs and better looking skin. Less make-up is another benefit and that means I not only see savings in that arena, but I also just like how the peel makes my skin look without make-up. I got away with using it once a week and this was just determined by the lasting effects I felt and saw. It took a week to lose the best glow I have had with a skin product and by then I was again using the peel. Shiny!

Price Point with Product Details: The product retails for $38.00 for a 2 Fluid Ounce Bottle. I used a small amount that ranged a little under a nickel's worth in size. I made sure to avoid eye areas and if I plucked my eyebrows that day, I skipped this task to avoid irritation.

Visit Eslor and their beauty collection at:

• Their Website


• Their Contact Page


• Their Twitter


• Their Facebook Page


• & Their Pinterest Page

I received the above product from Eslor, free of charge. I am not obligated to provide positive or favorable feedback, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the brand and/or it's products, 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.

Swaggable: Runa Teas in Traditional Guayusa tea

My second flavor to try from Runa, was their traditional Guayusa tea. Call this guy the "espresso" of teas because I let it steep for 12 minutes.  I was seeking a tea flavor that remained smooth but still could stand on it's own. Runa's tea did just that and I love that little sweetness you pick-up in the aftertaste. Most aftertaste experiences can be negative but I had the soft herb-like flavor and then came a little sweet touch....I like it. I even added honey to my second cup because I steeped it in a mason jar, allowed it to get room temperature, and then enjoyed it cold from the fridge. This tea has such a good base that anything just compliments it. Try mint or even a few leaves from the "chocolate mint" plant to really change it up. A squeeze of lemon makes it a perfect cold glass on a sunny day! I'm a Runa fan indeed!



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

Swaggable: Runa Guayusa Teas in Cinnamon-Lemongrass

I have been a yerba mate user for many, many years and grew up drinking this wonderful tea. Yerba mate, is rich in antioxidants and nutritional benefits combined to help improve the immune system. Known to relieve allergies, detoxify your system, aid with digestion and acts as an appetite suppressant that may benefit in weight loss too. There is many other benefits as decreasing the risk of diabetes and hypoglycemia to even nourishing your heart by increasing nutrients and oxygen to the organ, which also aids in reductions of strokes. You name it and this tea helps! llex Guayusa is an improved version for me so I very much follow products that contain this labeling. It's nothing new and this leaf has been consumed for many years but sometimes the "good stuff" takes time to trickle over here but better late than never!



I saw that Runa teas had the "Guayusa" tea written on the top of the package, so I was very happy to see that along with the teas being Fair Trade certified. Double Plus! You add USDA Organic certification and Kosher and this little packet tea has had one heck of a journey to reach my tea cup but very well worth it.

My first favor to try was the Cinnamon-Lemongrass packet. I prepared the tea as directed and I always love one thing about teas, they lift your mood before you even take the first sip. As the tea steeps, it fills the house with a nice calming aroma! I liked that the cinnamon could be detected but it did not smell like I stepped into one of those pine-cone cinnamon infused bags you smell every holiday season. There is such a thing as using too much of something good in my book. Runa teas, thankfully did not assault my senses or my taste buds. The cinnamon is warm and adds enough spice to waken up the lemongrass notes. It tastes nice and what I liked best was I recouped my energy but was not turned into an energizer bunny. It's just a wave that hits you and gives you that "oomph" and desire to complete tasks......sort of like this review :)

Yerba mate can be over brewed creating bitter notes and pretty much ruining the tea but Guayusa tea leaves are impossible to over brew so they are foolproof. This means your tea cup is guaranteed to be successful every time and I have just become a new fan of Runa teas. A little trick I learned years ago is that the Guayusa leaves tend to yield more flavor, thus when I am brewing a cup of tea with a packet, I have a mason jar filled with hot water. Once my cup reaches the desired strength, I transfer the bag over to my large mason jar and allow it to steep for an hour. After that it goes in the fridge and before bed, I remove and dispose the tea bag. The next day, I can yield two nice cold glasses of tea that are rich in flavor. Enjoy!

I received the above products from Swaggable, free of charge.  I have no obligation is providing a favorable/positive review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the brand/product, which may differ from yours.

Swaggable: Smart Pants Gummy Vitamins for Grownups

I never understood why there are forms of vitamins that are different for children and adults. I understand percentages when it comes to supplements but all because I grew up, it does not mean candy was forgotten. As a kid, I loved "gummy" anything and devoured many bears, worms, fruits....now, if it had "sour" in the description, it must be mine!

I was accepted by Swaggable and invited to try gummy vitamins from Smarty Pants. Even the character on the package has a smile so it's not only me who loves these things. Being that I have to "play" an adult, things like exactly what is in them matters.

Smarty pants are an all-in-one Multivitamin, plus Omega 3s and Vitamin D. The Omegas are 3 DHA, EPA, Vitamin D3, plus 9 other key nutrients. Organic sweeteners are only used with no High Fructose Corn Syrups! Major plus for me there but it gets better. The flavors are all natural and the colors/dyes are derived from natural sources too. For those with allergies or sensitivities, the vitamins are Gluten and Casein free. Their products are made in my home state of California in a GMP (good manufacturing practices) certified facility and they have their supplements 3rd party lab tested for purity.



Six gummies are one serving but because they are delicious, I look forward to munching on them. They breakdown 6 gummies to a total of 50 calories for all six. You get vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, Thiamin, B6, Folic Acid, vitamin B12, Iodine, Zinc and don't forget the Omegas I previously mentioned, plus a little other supplements. What I also like about the servings being broken down to 6 gummies, I can eat them through out the day versus taking one vitamin in the morning that my body purges out by mid afternoon. I get my levels "up" and if I get more vitamins from my meals on a particular day, I can eat less gummies. I am all about products that fit my needs and Smarty Pants obviously put them on and made a product that I can mold to my daily needs.



Taste matters: The gummies I received were are all orange in color and have a citrus taste that you get with "sour" like candy gummies. The citric acid hits and covers up the slight vitamin taste that you may note. That vitamin taste is so minute that I notice if you chew rather than suck on the gummy, it barely leeches out. I keep going to them and look forward when I "take" one so that gives you an idea about how I feel about the flavor. They are shaped like small gum drops with sugar crystals surrounding them. I also like that the texture is excellent because I get no pieces stuck to my teeth. The product dissolves without any issues like you experience with corn syrup laden candies.

You can check out Smarty Pants at- http://smartypantsvitamins.com/
Via Twitter- @Smarthealth
Via Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/SmartyPants.Vitamins?fref=ts

I received the above products from Swaggable 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 products, which may differ from yours.

EBOOST

I have not been as spiffy as I want to be since the holidays passed us and trying to de-Christmasify the house, plus everything that has to be done in the New Year….well I admit it (waves little white flag), I can’t hang like I use to. No worries because this is where Influenster must have heard my thoughts because they sent me EBOOST. I try to stay away from anything that has artificial stimulants because they give me pep for a few hours but then I feel worse than before I took the product. It’s like the worst regret you can feel and sometimes I even get a headache for what I refer to as, “trying to cheat my body and make it think it’s energized”. EBOOST does not do this! Yes, I can now cheat and get away with it, this what I wanted and needed! It clearly states on the package “Natural Energy” and I got to try the Natural Pink Lemonade flavor. Very yummy and not over sweetened at all. I actually felt it was better tasting than the other brands that come in package form (even in the same flavor). You get the full care package from EBOOST because it gives you energy and Immunity benefits. I like being taken care of and all I need to supply, is 12 fluid ounces of water! You don’t care for Pink Lemonade? EBOOST has super flavors like Orange, Acai Pomegranate and even Super Berry. I liked it and I did feel energized plus with the flu season always threatening to be worse than the last, I need shielding and an immunity boost wherever I can get it! You can purchase EBOOST for $28 and that supplies you with 20 packets or $39 for for box of 30. You also can opt for the box of 12 shots for $39. @EBOOST / #naturalenergy

• EBOOST website: http://bit.ly/WrjF6M


• EBOOST's Influenster page: http://bit.ly/VQQ87d

The above article is based on my own opinions and none of the brand/companies require I provide a negative and/or positive review. My opinions are honest and based on trying the products at zero cost. My opinions may vary from yours and others.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils, Natural Hemp Hearts

I received a trial size package of Hemp Hearts from Swaggable and I was very curious to try the product, since I have never had it before. Before receiving my sample, I did make sure to look up the seed so I would get an idea about was coming. I did learn that the product is exactly what is called, the heart (middle) portion of the seed and is considered the most nutritious part. The product comes shelled and in it's raw state. Another notable thing to share, Hemp hearts have more protein than Flax or even Chia seeds. The difference is quite notable at 10.0 grams per three tablespoons, compared to Flax having 5.6 grams and Chia Seeds 6.3 grams. Flax does not contain Omega-6 but Hemp does. Omega-3 is found in Hemp Hearts and you also will find it's the lowest in Carbs compared to Flax and Chia. A powerful little seed indeed.

The above is all great but the product has to be palatable for it to even be in the running. I know from my experience, Chia Seeds when they plump in liquid (even your own saliva), they tend to get sort of slimy/sticky so that can be a turn off in texture. I have consumed energy bars that contain the Chia Seeds and hours later, I have seedlings stuck in my teeth so now I make sure to rinse after. The Hemp Hearts advertise a nutty flavor and they do deliver it but it's not intense. Think of how almond slivers taste in their raw state. The company also listed "tender crunch" in their description of the product. I did find a slight hardness but not a crunch at all and this was eating the product as-is, without adding it to any food. I imagine the "crunch" may depreciate once introduced to a wet food like yogurt. The company advertises to sprinkle on salads , cereals and yogurt, however I found it was nice on toast with some preserves (apricot). In this application, I found you get the nutty notes nicely and it goes well with the preserves. The whole tender crunch to slightly hard issue is non-existent because the toast makes up for it. I did like the recipe they included and it was for a Southwest Salad that contained Quinoa and I could easily imagine the flavors blending perfectly. Lastly, I would purchase this product because of it's health benefits but I would not consume it out of the bag as-is. It's too "white rice" like for me when it comes to being plain. I need something added to appreciate it.

Other things of note: The product is part of the NON-GMO project so that's a plus. Vegan and made in Canada. The ingredient's list does not get more simple: Raw Shelled Hemp seeds (no sugar or salt). I may try baking oatmeal cookies I make with dark chocolate and "amping" up it's benefits with these seeds. I am curious as to how they bake and if the nutty flavor intensifies. The company, Manitoba Harvest also makes Hemp Oil and other products so I am again curios because I have never tried Hemp Oil :) Visit them at www.manitobaharvest.com

I received this product for zero charge from Swaggable.  I am not obligated to provide a negative and/or positive review, my honest opinions are my own based on my experience.  Your opinion may differ from mine

Mmmm...StrawNanna? Bananerry? Sure!

SoBe

Strawberry Banana

Sobe kills your thirst with a kick of strawberry and banana! #Ad