Betty Lou's Organic Angell candy bar made with Dark Chocolate, rich cocoa and almond center

I always love to find an organic alternative and especially when it comes to candies and/or chocolates. So many chocolates are so sugary and sweet that the last thing you can actually taste is the chocolate itself.

Betty Lou's was running a nice little promotion via Facebook where if you entered your information, they would send you an item for free in exchange for a review. It's chocolate so I was game!



Soon after a candy bar arrives via mail and with California's hot weather, I was worried it wouldn't be intact but miraculously it was. I see it says dark chocolate that it has a rich cocoa and almond center, so I'm thinking it's like a truffle bar and just richly filled with goodness. Being that it was early in the day and I'm an advocate that chocolate is good at anytime, I figured I wait and split the bar with my Husband later in the evening.

We have dinner and we are a "sweets family", so we always end our meals with a small treat. I take out Betty Lou's Angell bar and split it in half. I noticed the center of the bar, which stated was rich in cocoa and almond.....is not really visible to the eye and the nut pieces are spread throughout the bar. No matter, I take a bite.

Hmmmm......I don't taste a rich dark chocolate outer layer or a rich center of cocoa at all and especially with it listing 72% on the packaging. My mouth fills with grit textured pieces that when I can focus on catching one, I decide to check-it out because I don't taste almond. I also have not chewed sufficiently for the product to be this minced. Sometimes chocolate is not tempered right and maybe this why there is no center, maybe it got lost through out the bar versus staying where it should. I notice what I see is not what it should be, almond. It's texture is to mush-like and flexible to be a hard nut that resembles almond so I do what I should have done before, check the label with the list of ingredients.



The label starts with organic chocolate, cocoa butter, organic soy lecithin, organic tapioca syrup, followed by organic almonds and then the culprit......organic gluten-free OATS! Okay, it may be organic in nature but a filler even though it's not positioned in the center of the bar, is a filler nonetheless. That grit that does not taste like a nut are minced up oats. Not what I expected and even if I get past the unfavorable texture, the flavor is not desirable. The chocolate's intensity is just not present and after my first bite, I jumped ship and in my chocolate world, this is a rare action in my part. My Husband who is a severe chocoholic than I am, finished his 1/4 piece but said, "I'm not finishing it......something is really off".

I wanted to love Betty Lou and her chocolate because we are so limited in selections at the market, which then means I have to drive over to Sprout's or Trader Joe's to find a good quality product through and through. I am for organic products but origin is one thing that should not alter taste. Most time organic products have delivered incredible results and especially if you get Fair Trade labeled products. I don't like blogging with the intent to share something negative about a brand and product. This is the only Betty Lou product I have tasted and unfortunately it just was not a favorable experience. I saw they carry an array of goods from even powdered peanut butter, a product that I have been super curious about and I hope to taste and flip this review from a :( to a :).

• You can visit Betty Lou's Inc at- http://bettylousinc.com/


• Via Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Bettylousinc


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


• Pinterest too- http://pinterest.com/bettylousinc/

 

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

New Tree Hut Soothing Foot Cream in Aloe and Peppermint

Part # 2 of this Wonderful Tree Hut Experience:



We experienced the exfoliation and now comes the moisturizing, as the new skin you resurfaced needs to be nourished, and this is where Tree Hut's Soothing Foot cream in Aloe and Peppermint comes in.



The cream has a fresh minty scent that is lighter than what I experienced with the Exfoliating Foot Scrub. This is a good thing because I don't want everyone to be hit by a mint wave when they go near me. I am one of those girls that wears heels, sandals, toe peeking shoes but dislikes a greasy foot left by many lotions and moisturizers. The last thing I want to leave in a shoe is residue of any kind or worse, have a foot that does not stay in place while I walk. I have to look like I know what I am doing in these heels! Many times I tend to cheat and only moisturize areas that will be seen to avoid the residue dilemma. I then come home and have to do a "sock treatment" so the rest of my foot not only resembles the rest of my cheater parts, but so it gets moisturized. In comes this new moisturizer that feels like velvet when you apply it and since my hands benefited from Tree Hut's exfoliate, I was going to do the greasy test before venturing my footy into a heel or shoe of any kind.



Greasy Test Report-
Okay, after 15 minutes I forgot as I needed to type and catch up on e-mails and it was not until an hour later that I recalled why I smelled so nice. Yes, the lotion did hypnotize me it seems but my keyboard more importantly did not have paw marks. No grease or residue left behind. I had a date that evening and that meant I'm wearing a pair of my nicer heels and I did not slide, or feel like a film was suffocating my foot. My toes in these heels peek out at the tip and not only did they look pretty, they looked like I take care of them on a regular basis NOT showing evidence of my previous cheating ways. I got home and the inside of my heel was as it should be, clean and I remind you this is Summer so if anything was going to be left behind, it would have been on that very hot evening. I showered and felt my feet, which felt soft and nice......still looking pretty and like I have been taking care of them for weeks, not just one mid-afternoon.

The above alone makes me happy I found a lotion that nourishes without the muck. Then comes that feeling of fear, like "Do not stop making this lotion Tree Hut!" I'm a recovering foot lotion cheater that now has had a taste of the other side and I don't want to go back!



Like many of Tree Hut's products, this soothing cream contains Certified Organic Shea Butter, Aloe Vera and Natural Peppermint Oil. The cream nourishes and not only provides visible results like I stated above, but your feet (and my hands) were provided with a source of vitamins and minerals. You get a soft cooling effect that feels nice after the warm exfoliating effect but not an unwelcoming cold that over lingers. Think freshness!

• Product Retails for about $4.88 for a 5.8 ounce bottle

Benefits listed from Tree Hut:

• Certified Organic Shea Butter: skin repairing & moisturizing, anti-aging, promotes elasticity


• Aloe Vera: Nature’s soothing moisturizer


• Peppermint Oil: Moisurizes skin


• Paraben Free and No DMDM


• Made in the USA


• Do not test on animals

Please visit Tree Hut to get more information.


Visit Facebook and become a fan!


Via Twitter, where you can follow as they have promotions:! #TreeHut

Or via Pinterest, where many happy hands and feet reunite:


The above products were provided free of charge by Tree Hut.  I am not obligated to provide a positive/favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the brand and products, which may differ from yours.

Tree Hut Exfoliating Foot Scrub in Peppermint and Sugar

I rarely pitch companies but after experiencing their last product, I was hooked so I sent a line over and asked Tree Hut if they would kindly send me something from their line to test. They were very generous and sent me a second bottle of the renewing hand cream in Moroccan Rose, which I reviewed prior.  I also received two new products and below is the first one.  They are a duo, so make sure to catch the second review shortly!



Peppermint & Sugar Exfoliating Foot Scrub-

First, this is could be considered aromatherapy along with exfoliation. The scent wakes you right up but in a pleasant way....no jolts here as it does smell nice and yes, also delicious. Think spa with a crisp mint scent that just evokes the word, "clean" when you smell it. The product is clear in color with beautiful sugar crystals throughout, it just glistens when you squeeze the scrub out. I love that the product dispenses so easily from the bottle because not only is it more sanitary versus a jar, it keeps the product fresher. You have certified Organic Shea Butter and 100% Real Sugar, with Natural Peppermint Oil.



What you feel with the scrub when it hits your tired feet, is a slight warm feeling as you exfoliate. It's gentle but most important, is how well it performs. My skin was left soft and renewed, no lotion has ever been able to penetrate and produce the results this scrub alone did. I always focus too much on exfoliating my face but tend to neglect or just not think of passing that same method to other parts of my body. My feet looked and felt new! I know the description stated it would leave the skin on my feet smoothed to silky perfection but I thought it was just a play on words because it is more difficult to better the condition of your feet so rapidly. Tree Hut meant what they said. I thought I felt the "silkiness" because I used my hands to exfoliate my feet, so I was unsure who was silkier here. I had my Husband verify and the claims are true.....my feet were extra smooth and nice. As an added bonus, so were my hands. The peppermint also relaxes you, so you get to workout some of that everyday tension that our feet feel from wearing heels to just standing and walking. Great product that I will be repurchasing when I'm half out because I don't want to run out. I used under a teaspoon per foot, so my little tootsies will be getting the spa treatment for a while out of just one bottle.

• Retails for about $4.98 for an 8 ounce bottle

Benefits as listed from Tree Hut:

• Certified Organic Shea Butter: skin repairing & moisturizing, anti-aging, promotes elasticity


• Real Sugar: Natural sugar exfoliates skin smooth


• Peppermint Oil: Moisurizes skin


• Paraben Free and No DMDM


• Made in the USA


• Do not test on animals

Visit Tree Hut's website!


Tree Hut is also on Facebook!


Tree Hut via Twitter!   #TreeHut

Even on Pinterest!


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

Smiley Mission: Aveeno Active Naturals Nourish+ Dandruff Control

Being a Smiley member, I was able to participate in the Aveeno Active Naturals mission, featuring the Nourish+ Dandruff Control Shampoo and Conditioner. My experience in Summer is always getting an itchy and dry scalp caused by the pool's water. The chlorine really tends to make me itch and even though I don't get flakes, you scratch enough and you start mistreating your hair and scalp. I have a regimen where I will use a anti-dandruff shampoo every other time I shampoo my hair because shampoos of this kind....well they tend to not be so nice to my locks.

Smiley sent a coupon that covered the cost in full for each product. I noticed at the store, the supply was low on these two items and I always see that as a good sign. I tried the product for one week and even though I allow usually a full two weeks of use before reporting my results, I was happy and satisfied at the one week point of usage that I decided to blog early (the latter is a rarity for me :) )



I first sniffed the bottles and like very much the scent they have and it stays true to Aveeno's fragrances, natural and almost coconut like but not overpowering. My scalp after just one use did not itch at all and I like this because I usually had to use a deep conditioner for my hair that tended to leave residue. My scalp would not itch as bad with the former method I used but who wants greasy hair? I then would try to space out the dandruff shampoo use of my former brand, but then that meant every other time I used it, I had to welcome the frizz. The juggling act has been seized with just using these two simple products. Aveeno's Nourish+ does control the itch but also helps my hair look it's best. I don't have to miss out or trade one benefit over another one. My hair is manageable, soft but still has life so my volume is not compromised. I also like that I am left with no frizz so I use less anti-frizz product, usually just on the ends of my hair as a way to protect them.  The product also contains  oat peptide and oat extract, which aids in producing an overall healthier scalp and hair.  Finally improvement when it comes to an anti-dandruff product!!

I am a user of Aveeno's lotion products that I have raved about before, from the 24 hour body moisturizers to the products for your face....let's not forget the sunscreens that does not cause me to break out.   Again, Aveeno does not disappoint and I like the instant results and the positive change my hair reflected after just one wash. A girl only has so much patience and I like instant gratification when I can find it!

Aveeno has three different varieties in their Dandruff Control line:

• Shampoo


• Conditioner


• 2-in-1

I noticed the price point is about $7.99, so why not click this link &  save $3.00 with Smiley360?:

I received the above products from Smiley and Aveeno free of charge.  I am not obligated in providing a positive/favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the products, 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

Kiss Nail Dress Ever ez Lashes

I received from Influenster and Kiss not one but two boxes of the Ever ez Lashes. What caught my attention first, was that the product states it's reusable and in addition, you get two pairs in each box. Described as having a natural look and light weight so I'm interested already in trying these.  I can say when I looked at the lashes, I do like the color the lashes are, as they match mine. Style #56735, KPD04 is my favorite because it has the same look as my natural lashes. I thankfully have been blessed with long eye lashes that at age 36 are still nice and full. I thank olive oil for keeping them looking healthy but there are those nights that I wish I could add a little pop without piling layers and layers of mascara. I like the option of faux lashes because you can reverse the look in an instant without damaging your lashes like a some mascaras can by dehydrating them.  Waterproof mascara tends to not come off as easy so that means I also have to use more remover and my eyes nor my lashes are ever too thrilled about that process.



Kiss makes the process easy and fool proof with the easiest instructions right on the back of the package. I applied the lashes and got it right the first time and that evening, I just went with a simple "cat-eye" look created with a liquid liner and my eyes looked different but not over the top. Some lashes make it look like you are using your eyes to dust so the "swiffer" look is not one I was aiming for.  The applicator has a nice swoop so I was able to use the rounded tip with ease.  You apply the adhesive and wait just 30 seconds and then using the applicator, you apply the lashes along your own natural lash line.  I know.....super easy than those lashes you apply one at a time.  I always would get a rebel one that poked up or down with those, but with Kiss ez Lashes, you can trim before to the desired length so matching is a cinch!

The second pair I gifted to my friend because sharing is caring :)



Tip: I would definitely purchase the same style from Kiss and they are reusable.  I got 3 uses out of my first pair and found that the secret is in the removing process.  As long as you do not stress the product when removing them, like by pulling hard, the lashes tend to last and remain in a reusable state very easily.  I just then use Ivory soap to wash off any liner that I used to blend the lashes with mine.  I had to throw my first pair out of the two that come in the box because I was a little careless the last time I used them and deformed the lashes.  Keep the box for easy storage!!

• Check out the site so you can see what style suits you best at: http://www.kissusa.com/lashes/ever_ez_lashes


• Also, a $1.00 off coupon is currently available for printing and looking beautiful should not cost a fortune is my motto: http://www.kissusa.com/special_offers/


• You can also connect with Kiss via Twitter: @KissProducts #KissLashes

I received the above product free of charge from Influenster.  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.