Mary's Cup of Tea

Fit Moms For Life Book Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:41:41 PST

I have noticed that this book is all over the internet lately so I know it must be a truly awesome book to have garnered so much interest in how to lose weight and get fit at the same time. It is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix fad type of diet. If you really want to be successful you have to be willing to give up some of the very foods that got you to this and devote some time to doing any type of exercise even if it is small in increments and you work your way up. My belief is that anything is better than nothing!

This book review (Fit Moms For Life) is gonna be a little different than the ones in the past as those were all fictional stories and you have a plot to follow and know sorta where the book is taking you. In this type of book, the ending is not going to be the same for everybody. We are all different, made up different, have different genes and most importantly different health issues.

Take me for instance. I wanted this book hoping it would give me some insight into how to lose the 15 pounds I have put on since becoming sick in 2004 with Fibromyalgia, RA, IBS, Hypothyroidism, OA, GERD, IC (chronic bladder pain), disc in my neck and lower back that is slightly bulged and filled with arthritis and both knees have been replaced already. And I still have a long way to go. I looked thru the book and knew immediately I was in trouble.

With knee's being replaced, you cannot bend them or get down on all fours like you used to. All of my nerve endings are numb and thus, I can't stomach having to get down and feel that awkwardness and I can't get back up once I am down, I have to scoot to a table and pull myself up. I am not allowed to do any aerobics (no jumping or running with my knees). I do have a stationary bike that I use quite often but even I know it is not the same as getting out there and really working up a good sweat with aerobics.

I emailed the author, Dustin Maher, to get his take on what I should do, and bless his heart. I don't think he has ever run across anyone with so much wrong with them. He said my best bet would be to keep up with the bike and try to watch what I eat. Here in lies the whole problem with food:

I have IC (chronic bladder pain). It gets extremely irritated when I eat or drink products that have potassium in them. You go to the grocery store and try to find a product that does not have potassium. I challenge you to do that. There is hardly a food or drink product that does not have it. It is in our cereals, crackers, fruits, potatoes, vitamin drinks, soups, gatorade, oatmeal, yogurt and so many more I cannot name them all. The bad thing is this: most of the foods that I have found that contain traces of it but if I watch it and don't eat too much of it, I won't have a problem. But guess what they are? SUGAR! Everything that is loaded in sugar and calories has less potassium than foods that are good for you.

So, that is how I gained those pounds and though I don't gain anymore, I can't lose what I gained. Because if I try to eat the foods that are good for me, I start to hurt and burn in my bladder then I have to take upteen meds to get it to stop. Or I just eat the sugary items and sit here and watch all of you get healthy and thin. But, just because the book cannot help me, does not mean that it can't help you. It is a well written book by someone who knows what he is talking about (for healthy people) and if you have no medical issues, I think that you will get all the wonderful results that the people in the book claim that they have.

It is a sound plan and if you stick with it, you will emerge a nicely healthy person who has lost some weight and feels good about themselves. I urge you to at least read it and try the program. There are a few exercises here and there that I can do that requires me to not get on the ground and I do those and ride my stationary bike. You will benefit from what Dustin Maher has gained in his knowledge of how to help people lose weight and keep it off. I just was not a good canidate for this program. But if you are, go out there and claim the real you and achieve all that you can be. This is the first step in a long journey that will lead you to success.

Connect with Dustin Maher on Facebook or by watching some of his YouTube videos on exercise. You can also contact him on his website by filling out the Contact Form.

Dustin Maher has been kind enough to offer the winner of the giveaway their own copy of Fit Moms For Life. Open to the U.S. only. Good Luck!

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The BluApple Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:41:35 PST

I ran across this product quite by accident one day and decided to learn more about it and then decided that this might be a product you might want to try also so I got in touch with them and arranged for a review and a giveaway. I am always interested in finding ways to help my fruits and produce last as long as they can and not cause the other foods in the fridge to smell bad. And this is where the BluApple comes into play. It is a very unique product that will keep your fridge or other areas from taking on the smells of let's say your onions. I don't think you want bananas to smell like onions, do you?

Here is what BlueApple does:

Using the BluApple, you can extend the useful storage life of your produce up to three times longer.

Government experts have estimated a typical family of four throws away as much as $600 worth of spoiled produce each year.

Ethylene gas is given off naturally by fruits and vegetables as a signaling mechanism in order to coordinate uniform ripening. However, once concentrated in your refrigerator or other storage areas, the presence of ethylene gas continues to speed up ripening and hasten spoilage.

You just put them where ever you chose in your fridge and just let that little blue ball go to work. I know we have a tendency to want to keep checking on things but you don't want to keep going the fridge every hour or so. Just let it do its thing and you go do your thing, also! It can handle whatever problems it may face in their contained space and keep your fruits and veggies looking good. This little blue apple will work for about 3 months so put it in and walk away. You should start seeing fewer foods being thrown out which will lower your grocery bill.

The Bluapple is a proven, science-based technology that we have adapted for use in the home. With a single gourmet apple costing $1.25 these days, our produce is an investment worth protecting. It is our view that the Bluapple is essentially FREE. Users easily recover the purchase price in savings within a few weeks, and the Bluapple continues to deliver value for many months thereafter. Oh, Lord look at what I found that just about made me want to cry:

Official surveys indicate that every year more than 350 billion pounds of edible food is available for human consumption in the United States. Of that total, nearly 100 billion pounds - including fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, and grain products - are lost to waste by retailers,restaurants, and consumers.

By contrast, the amount of food required to meet the needs of the hungry is only four billion pounds, according to advocacy groups. Food waste is unfortunate not only in terms of the lost opportunity to feed hungry people, but also in terms of the negative effects on our environment and our wallets. The nation spends an estimated $1 billion a year to dispose of excess food.

So, let's all chip in and do something about this and at least try the BluApple to see if it can help you with some of your produce and that in turn will benefit your family and yourself healthwise, weightwise and just plain feeling better because you are eating most of your healthy food instead of dumping it somewhere in the trash! So far, I don't have any bad smells coming from my fridge when I open it up like I used to and the fruit is staying longer. You can find the BluApple in Whole Foods, Giant Foods, Stop & Shop along with many other stores or if you are comfortable ordering online, you can do that, too.

Here are several options to stay in touch with BluApple:

Mailing Address:
641 West 6960 South, Building 1
Salt Lake City, Utah 84047
Email: answers@thebluapple.com
Contact Form
Facebook
Order online

BluApple has been kind enough to offer (3) winners their own 2 pack of Bluapples for your fridge! Thanks so much! Good Luck!

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Applegate Farms Chicken Nuggets Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:34:51 PST

I don't know if you have ever heard of Applegate Farms frozen foods before but I know I hadn't until I got fortunate enough to be picked to help them talk about one of their new items, chicken nuggets! They are natural and 7 nuggets are only 180 calories, which is pretty darn good considering what a fast food hamburger goes for these days. I am also impressed that it only took 12 minutes for them to be ready to eat! I love quick and easy. I wasn't really sure what to expect since I had never tried this product before. I have however, tried other brands of frozen chicken nuggets and they were awful! Oh, and if you prefer that your products be natural and organic, they have quite a list of those also to choose from.

We made these the other night with some tater tots we had bought and some cole slaw and when the time came to take them out of the oven, I just prayed and hoped that they would taste good because I had not made anything else as a backup. Well, all that worrying was for nothing because they were actually better than I imagined and even my husband Mike said, "Not bad"! And that is saying alot from him. He is not a big fan of frozen foods so this was actually a pretty darn good endorsement! Of course, instead of honey mustard he uses ranch dressing! Whew, that is just not right!

I think the reason they tasted much better than previous brands is that they kept the nuggets small and did not use a ton of batter to cover them up. Even Charlie, our Yorkie got to have just one nugget and I tore it into small bites for him and he gobbled them right up. Charlie is a very picky eater and hardly eats much of anything, so take this to the bank, when Charlie eats something, it really has to be good! Coupled with Mike's comment, I think we will be having Applegate Farms Chicken Nuggets again in this household.

They are most noted for their great Organic and natural hot dogs, which is something I did not know either so this whole review was a great learning process for me. And here is why:

Made from 100% organic grass-fed and finished beef, these lean hot dogs are bursting with old-fashioned classic hot dog flavor—juicy, flavorful and delicious! These dogs have only 8 grams of fat compared to the average 15 grams in most brands, and because they’re made from grass-fed beef, they’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids (the good fat). Great on the grill or steamed on your stovetop any time you’re craving a taste of summer.

I think the next time, I am gonna have to try those hot dogs! Sounds like and looks like they are pretty darn good for you. If they taste as good as the chicken nuggets, I don't think you will or I will be disappointed in how the hot dogs taste either.

Here is what I found out about the Founder of Applegate Farms on the Roots section (this is only a snippet, so please go and read the rest of his story) and how he stumbled onto the perfect hot dog:

Like most good things in life, I stumbled upon Jugtown Smokehouse through a combination of intuition and serendipity. At the time, Jugtown was a family owned business specializing in nitrite-free bacon (deja-vu!) – and it was for sale. While it bore no resemblance to what Applegate Farms is today, I could see its potential. I also knew there had to be more people out there who would appreciate healthy meat products, so I decided to buy the business without much deliberation.

As it turns out, there are countless people who have a love/hate relationship with meat, and are thrilled to finally find meat products they can feel good about eating. People like you have helped build Applegate Farms over the last 20 years. And with that support, you’ve had a hand in preserving the nearly 300 family farms that supply us with humanely raised meat, without antibiotics or hormones.

So… What if you weren't afraid to read the ingredients on a hot dog package? Like me, you’d feel better about eating them, and serving them to your family. And that simple idea has always been, and will continue to be, the inspiration behind Applegate Farms. From our table to yours, thank you for joining the movement,

Lastly, I wanted you to know why they are so committed to making all of us, the consumers, happy with their products and this is their promise to us:

•Our animals are never given antibiotics. Healthy animals don’t need medicine. Instead, we give them space, fresh air, and a healthy diet, which we’re certain beats the alternative.
•Our livestock eat a completely vegetarian diet with no animal by-products. Cattle in our organic program are grass-fed. Hogs and poultry in our organic program are fed a grain diet that includes corn, soy, barley, and flax that are free from GMOs.
•Our animals are never given hormones or artificial growth promotants. They grow at their natural rate.
•All of our products are made with natural and organic ingredients. If you aren’t familiar with a particular ingredient, email us and we’ll tell you what it is.
•Our products are all minimally processed, allowing for a wholesome texture and taste.
•Our products never contain artificial nitrates or nitrites. Instead, we use celery juice and sea salt to preserve our products the natural and old fashioned way.
•Our deli meat, hot dogs, burgers, and bacon are gluten and casein free.
•Our products are made from natural and organic whole muscle meat. Yes, even our hot dogs! No mystery here.

Connect with Applegate Farms by several options:

Mailing Address:
750 Rt. 202 South, Suite 300
Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5530
Phone: 866-587-5858
Fax: 800-358-8289
E-mail: applegatefarms.com
Facebook
Twitter
Store Locator
Flickr

Applegate Farms has been kind enough to offer one winner her own 2 bags of their new Chicken Nuggets to try! Thanks so much Applegate Farms! Open to U.S. only.

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Coupon Trade.com & How It Works

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:00:32 PST

CouponTrade.com: The online savings hub for coupon codes, unwanted gift cards and daily deals

Have you been getting nervous about your Groupon expiring? Is the drawer full of gift cards beginning to collect dust? Nearly $55 million worth of gift cards go unused each day and 30 percent of daily deals go unused each year. CouponTrade.com provides a solution to these dollars that go to waste, offering an online savings hub for consumers to shop using coupon codes as well as buy and sell their unwanted gift cards and daily deals.

Whereas other sites pay based on a percentage of a gift card’s value, CouponTrade helps its users sell to other consumers to recoup from their unwanted deals. On the market place, a user can set the price they want to receive and can manage their own deal.

It’s easy to list a gift card or daily deal – all it takes is a verified PayPal account to begin the process. It is only when a user’s gift card is sold that 10 percent of the sales price plus an additional transaction fee is deducted from the total sale. An email confirmation and a free prepaid shipping label that requires the seller to ship within 48 hours is also sent.

The next time you shop at your favorite retailer, consider shopping online. CouponTrade also has coupon codes from over 1,000 retailers on the site to ensure that users will never pay full price for any item. Since the site’s inception in May, users have saved over $130,000 from actions on the site.

For more information on how to save using coupon codes and recoup from your unwanted gift cards and daily deals, visit coupontrade.com.

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monetary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Image was provided by coupontrade.com.

Linky Followers Blog Hop!

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:53:28 PST

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard the news:

Google Friend Connect is going away after February 29th for non-Blogspot Bloggers and will be completely phased out for EVERYONE in the not-too-distant future!

Have fun meeting and mingling with the many fabulous bloggers participating in this blog hop!

This is a Blog Hop! I made this post so that you could leave your comments here letting me know that you followed so I can follow you back. I have so many giveaways going on right now that you might have had a hard time finding somewhere to leave your comments. Please leave them here because this is where I will check to see who I need to follow back. Thanks!

Blue Moon Promise Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:23:03 PST

I have another great book to tell you about that is set in the days when they still rode horses and still had great beliefs in God and prayers. Here is an exerpt from the back of the book:

Lucy Marsh's wordly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to provide for.

Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh--a city girl--on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is mde of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.

Lucy has to accept Henry Stanton's proposal when the landlord gives her 7 days to be out because he has sold the building. The other reason is that the man her stepmother had left with had come back and wanted to take her younger sister with him. Lucy was suspicious because Catherine was not with him so she just shut the door in his face and he yelled for awhile but left. So, the next day, realizing she had no choice, she accepted Henry's proposal to marry his son, Nate and they left to go to Texas, where Nate has a ranch.

What she did not know was that there was a long standing feud between the Larsons and the Stantons over land and her father's brother still held a grudge. Lucy was determined to bring peace between them now that she was married to Nate Stanton. The children took to Nate faster than Lucy and Nate fell in love with all of them after awhile.

But trouble was coming in the form of Lucy's stepmother and the real reason her father had died. Jed, her twelve year old brother knew something but could not quite figure it out and then one day he remembered it all. Finally, the truth was out and Nate knew he had to protect all of them from Catherine who was capable of anything!

I am stopping there because you need some mystery or you won't want to read the book yourself. Enjoy reading what Lucy & Nate go thru to find out that love was always there right in front of them.

Link to buy the book: Thomas Nelson

Kindle Giveaway and More! Save the Date - 3/13!

Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.

To celebrate Colleen is teaming up with her publisher Thomas Nelson for a "Blue Moon Promise" Facebook Chat party where she will giveaway a KINDLE Fire and a Texas-sized gift basket (fabulous Texas treats and fun Lucy-inspired housekeeping products)!

Click the banner, RSVP today for the Facebook Party and mark the date on your calendar!Invite your friends and don't miss Colleen's evening of chat, trivia, prizes, and more.

About Colleen:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

For more about Colleen and her other books visit www.colleencoble.com
Blog Tour Schedule

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Mary Bearden and her cranky camera took the photo used in this review.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:22:07 PST

I have a lovely book to tell you guys about today called The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen. As is my custom like to give you parts of what was either written on the back cover or on the inside and then give you my opinion of how I saw this book.

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fishbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

Margaret will inherit her fortune when she turns 25 but her stepfather, Sterling Benton intends to make sure that he gets most of it. He persuades his nephew Marcus Benton to go after Margaret and get her to marry him. When Margaret finds this out, she flees the house and ends up at Nathaniel & Lewis Upchurch's home. She has covered her blonde hair with a black wig and cap. She also darkens her eyebrows with kohl.

What is interesting is that at one time, Margaret actually interested in both men! It was Nathaniel who especially liked Margaret. Lewis was the kind of man who wanted a woman, any woman would do for him. Margaret became very close with the men's sister, Helen. Which was a mistake because before long Helen figures out who she really is and so does Nathaniel. But he never lets on to her that he knows who she is and neither does Helen.

One day Lewis is shot by a masked man and almost dies. All of his family and servants are puzzled as to why this happened. It all comes to light when the stable boy Connor was caught trying to finish Lewis off. Margaret asks him why does he want to kill his master and he replies it is because of the way that Lewis treated his 16 year old sister. When Lewis is well enough to travel, Nathaniel sends him back to Barbados where their father is living on a plantation.

This is where the book picks up and really starts to get interesting and that is why I am stopping. I don't like telling the whole story because it leaves you no incentive or imagination to want to read the book. I think you will like the ending and it does have a few surprises in store for you. This was a great story about family, love, the trials of life and what we make of them. Margaret will become your "new" best heroine. I know she was mine as I kept thinking don't let nothing bad happen, even though I knew it was only a book, I still wanted it to all come out and be a huge fairy tale love story. It does but not in the fashion that you might think that it should but you will be rooting for your own personal characters and that is really what reading is all about!

About Julie:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information,visit Julie Klassen

Link to buy the book at Amazon

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

Win a Kindle Fire and RSVP for FB party 3/15!

Enter Today and Save the Date-3/15!

One fortunate winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire

A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14. Winner will be announced at Julie's "Fairbourne Hall" Facebook Party on 3/15 . Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek at her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack!

So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Blog Tour Schedule: litfusegroup.com/blogtours/julieklassen
Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Mary Bearden and her cranky camera took the photo used in this review.

Fan Love Paypal Cash Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:03:43 PST

Giveaway! $30.00 Paypal Cash for one of our Fans!!! Easy Entry!

We want to THANK our FANS fans for being such great supporters!!! Kat’s Corner Niche has teamed up with some amazing blogs to offer you an AWESOME $30.00 Paypal Cash Giveaway! Good Luck!

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Leapin' Lizards Blog Hop Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:04:02 PST

Holy Moly! It’s the Leapin Lizards hop, brought to you by How Was Your Day! Did you know that during Leap Year, ladies can propose marriage to the fellows? It’s true! St Bridget started the tradition in 5^th century Ireland and it has continued on to modern day.

Dulce Mio has generously provided a grand prize. You can enter to win that here.

I have several sponsors in my Prize Package and here is a list of those prizes that total $206.92:

1. Paige Dearth's Believe Like A Child Novel value is $15.99

2. Love with Food value is $70.00 (Sponsor is giving 5 of these away)

3. Case of 24 bottles from Cascade Ice value is $32.00

4. Ecco Bella, your choice of product value is $25.00

5. Conscious's March Box value is $17.00

6. Kid’s Frog Omega-3 Squeezes in Lemon Lime & 30ct. Omega-3 + D squeezes value is $46.98

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The following blogs have put together some really great prize packs in honor of Leap Year. Be sure to hit them all!

Conscious Box Spotlight Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:50:31 PST

This is such a great idea! Have you heard of the Conscious Box that is packed with planet friendly products and sent to you each month. Each box is $12 a month plus $7 for shipping. This is what they supply:

Conscious Box is a monthly subscription service focusing on sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. You’ll receive one Conscious Box per month, and you can choose the plan that works best for you (with some serious savings along the way!)

*Get a variety of unique pure & natural products every month
*From organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites
*Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes
*Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use your box!

Conscious Box is focused on the excitement of discovering great new products—for yourself and the planet. The iconic green window of the Conscious Box icon is die-cut from the packaging, providing a conceptual ‘window of consciousness’ that is filled by a differently themed photo every month, allowing a sneak peek into the fun that begins by opening the box.
Here is what we got in our box:

1. Mate Chocolatte' Yerba Mate
2. Chai Spice Yerba Mate
3. Green Tara Spirulina Energy Bites
4. Golden Earth Euphoria Perfume
5. Raw Rev 100 Spirulina & Cashew Organic Live Food Bar
6. Clean Well Instand Hand Sanitizer
7. Ancient Minerals Magnesium Gel+
8. Jo-Sha Eucalyptus Wipe
9. Think Thin Crunch Fruit & Nut Bar
10. World Centric GMO Free Utensils

and many more that it would go on forever to list them. As you can see, you get alot of samples from alot of different companies. If you are a tried and true vegan, this is the best option for you to sample alot of products until you find all the products that you like best.

Here is a snippet of Conscious's Mission:

Conscious Box is dedicated to introducing you to the most ethical, sustainable, and honest businesses that create the purest products available. We scour the marketplace to find those that stand above the rest. Discovery defines the Conscious Box experience.

We emphasize discovery for a number of reasons. Discovery leads to enlightenment, stronger understanding of others, and better personal and planetary health. By finding conscious businesses that support your personal needs, you can do a lot for the world just by making responsible shopping decisions.

Conscious Box is committed to overcoming the problem of greenwashing. Used to describe deceptive business tactics that lead consumers to believe something is “green” when it really isn’t, “greenwashing” is rampant in today’s markets. We hope to educate, inform, and prevent consumers from falling for these tactics by providing them with products that are authentic and purposeful."

Connect with Conscious several ways:

Contact Form
Phone: 323-364-5028
Facebook
Twitter

Conscious has been so very kind to offer one of their boxes for the winner of Leapin'Lizard's Blog Hop Giveaway that starts on Feb. 23rd! Good Luck!

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Images for this review were taken off of Conscious's site for better quality pictures, except for the two pictures that I showed what was in my box.

Love With Food Sponsor Spotlight Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:49:55 PST

I have a great company to tell you about called Love with Food! For $14 a month you will get some tasty little tidbits and they will donate a meal to help fight hunger! There will be between 5 to 6 different tasty bites for you to enjoy. Right now they have donated 4,680 meals. Also one of the best parts is that the shipping is free also and you get to do everything at home, no going out and shopping. You will also earn points when you purchase your boxes each month and that in turn can be exchanged for free products. You can also get full size products on the ones that you love for an exclusive discount.

For more detailed information check out their site. You can join as a monthly membership or a guest membership. You can meet the chefs, see the products and you can check out the recipes they used and buy the products.

In the box that we got to review here is the tasty morsels:

1. Donsuemor Dipped Madeleines
2. Brix Bites Milk Chocolate that are paired with wines
3. Nunes Farms Almonds with Sweet Chipotle
4. Cookies & Corks (5 expresso chocolate peanut butter cookies) for wine
5. Cocomels which are caramels with coconut milk

I really loved the Donsuemor dipped Madeleines and the Cookies & Corks. Mike loved the Chipotle Almonds and the Cookie & Corks. We divided the Cocomels and thought it was really different. I would not have thought that vanilla and coconut milk would make a unique taste.

So, now that you have an idea of what is in these boxes, I hope you give it a try. They were actually alot better than I thought they would be and it is for a great cause, Share Our Strength - No Kid Hungry. I hope that you enjoy!

Connect with Love with Food on Facebook and Twitter.

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Images for this review were taken off of Love with Food's site for better quality pictures.

Coromega Omega 3 Squeeze Sponsor Spotlight Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:48:38 PST

That was a long winded title to have to put up there, let me tell you! I am not 100% sure I can still say it correctly but here goes. We were very fortunate recently to get to sample some of Coromega's Omega Squeezeable vitamins in an array of flavors:

1. Lemon Lime
2. Orange
3. Chocolate Orange
4. Tropical Orange
5. Juicy Orange

Sounds like they are almost the same thing, huh? All orange? I guess because out of everything, orange is something that can be mixed with just about anything and it will taste good enough for you to either drink it or eat it. And that is the beauty behind the squeezeable packettes. They are easy to carry in your purse or pocket and can be nipped and squeezed onto your food or I guess you could mix it with water or any other beverage but not so sure how that would come out. I can tell you this, they have taken on a promise to get every American to the 7.2 or higher level of Omega 3's by 2015 so that we will all be healthy! Here are the 10 top reasons why we all need to have healthy levels of Omega 3 levels which is 7.2:

1. The intake of the recommended amount of DHA and EPA was shown to have healthy benefits
2. To support healthy triglycerides
3. To keep your brain functioning at its best
4. To support the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response
5. To maintain healthy mood
6. To maintain healthy eyes and good vision
7. To support joint health and mobility
8. To balance omega-6 (which we get too much of the American diet) and promote omega-3 metabolism
9. To make sure every cell in your body has the omega-3 it needs
10. To be your best and keep your body running strong1

I know that I really need help with #2 because my trigs are not good at all but that is because of the Fibromyalgia and RA. I don't have the energy most days to even get on my computer, let alone exercise. Plus, all the foods that don't have alot of potassium in them are the higher calorie foods, especially sweets. And then here is the other bad news for me, I could not take any of these because of the citric acid in each flavor. Remember I have the chronic bladder pain that just about kills me if I drink or eat anything acidy or with potassium. So, my husband and my friends were the testers for me on this one.

If you would rather stick to the soft gels, they have those also. They have gummy fruits for children also. Coromega has tried really hard to make this as easy as possible or to taste good enough that you can tolerate taking them without too many problems. You can check out all the different kinds of forms and flavors they have by checking the Product page on their website.

These were just a few samples of how you can really get creative and put your Coromega 3's. I think out of all of them I could do yogurt. But I can't have many of those either. Who would have thought yogurt would be high in potassium! So, I only have them once in awhile to keep from getting too much potassium. But for the rest of you the possibilities are endless! I think that the smoothie really looks good, too!

They have really neat vitamins for children also! You can get the squeeze packs along with the gummy fruits for those who don't mind chewing their vitamins. I know some children are very stubborn about vitamins so the squeeze one would work by putting it in their orange juice or favorite flavored water. Either way they get the same dosage and the same benefits.
To make things even more fun for them Coromega has made some downloadable fun masks of their vitamins for them to wear and enjoy:

Just click on the above image and it will take you to where you need to be and just follow the directions! Easy as Pie! I think they will have lots of fun playing around with these. Here are some suggestions to what Coromega thinks might help you get your children to take the vitamins:

Unfortunately fish isn’t usually one of our kids’ favorite foods –have you ever tried fish pizza? That’s why we developed a yummy, squeezable alternative, like a Go-GURT®, to provide the critical Omega-3 little ones need for healthy brain and body development with cute animal friends that make it fun!

Here is what I found under About Us:

It all started when a little girl in Norway wouldn’t take her fish oil. Norwegians don’t handle such news well. So her grandfather, who happened to be a renowned scientist, set to work to find a solution to this pesky problem. His discovery later became Coromega; a way for his loved one to get her Omega-3 in a way she enjoyed.

After almost ten years of development, Grandpa Johan finally perfected the patented emulsion formula we use today. What a thought – make an Omega-3 supplement that actually tastes great.

Since 1999, we have produced the most advanced delivery form of Omega-3, and have done Grandpa Johan proud by making it into incredibly tasty, natural citrus flavors with no fishy taste. As they say, the proof is in the pudding – and we’ve made it easy, just squeeze!

Connect with Coromega by seveal options:

Mailing Address:
PO Box 131135
Carlsbad, CA 92013-1135
Toll Free: 877.275.3725
Fax: 760.599.6089
Consumer Questions: support@coromega.com
Facebook
Twitter
Store Locator

Coromega has been so kind as to offer the winner of the Leapin' Lizards Blog Hop Giveaway a Kid’s Frog Omega-3 Squeezes in Lemon Lime and a 30ct. Omega-3 + D squeezes! Thanks so much Coromega! Good Luck!

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Images for this review were taken off of Coromega's site for better quality pictures.

Cascade Ice Sparkling Water Sponsor Spotlight Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:47:52 PST

You are gonna love this new company called Cascade Ice Sparkling Water! They have so many flavors to choose from you won't know which one to pick first or even second! We were very fortunate to get to try 5 different flavors:

1. Blueberry Watermelon
2. Strawberry Lemonade
3. Coconut
4. Peach Mango
5. Orange Mango

I will tell you right off that Mike's favorite was the Blueberry Watermelon. Not that he is so crazy about Blueberries but he is crazy about Watermelon! Evidently, it was enough to overtake the Blueberry because he loved it! I took a small sip and the drink was really good, I just don't do watermelon anything! Never have liked any of the melons for that matter so it's not just watermelon. I know it is good for me and so is cantelope but I just can't stomach either one of them. Then came the really bad news for me: loaded in potassium!!! I was heartsick. So, Mike got all the pleasure while I watched. Most of you know I can't drink potassium because it messes with my chronic bladder condition. I don't know why all these vitamin, sports drinks, etc. have to have so much potassium in them, it is killing me. Anyway, so for this adventure, Mike was the man in the driving seat and he loved it!

There are three categories that the Cascade Sparkling Waters are divided up into and they are Sparkling Cocktail Mixers, Zero Calorie Organic Sparkling Water and Zero Calorie Sparkling Water. What a mouthful that was! All three categories are Sodium Free, Caffeine Free and Gluten Free. But the best part is that there are 31 flavors to choose from! Are you kidding me? No! Have you ever had that many flavors to choose from before? Wow, you should see some of the names, well like: McIntosh Apple, Acai Pomegrante Dragonfruit, Cherry Guava Blueberry, Organic Mixed Berry and Mojito
Cocktail Mixer to name a few. You will just have to check it all out for yourself because there are way too many to talk about.

The one that I liked the best if I had been able to drink it was the Peach Mango. It was one of the best zero calorie drinks I have had that did not leave an awful tasted in my mouth, you know, that sacchrine awful taste. I only got to take 2 quick sips so it would not be enough to set my bladder off, but I can tell you that if you like peaches and mangoes, this is gonna be your drink!

Mike really liked the Strawberry Lemonade also so that was his second choice and unfortunately, Mike is not a coconut fan. I felt bad that the drink would just sit there so I gave it to friend and neighbor to test. She absolutely loved it! She said if you like coconut cake, then you will want this one. She said it did not leave that bad after taste and was actually pretty good to drink by itself or mixed with some of the others. She said she would have tried to pair it with the Mango drinks to see what happened but I am not as brave as she is.

That left us with the Orange Mango. Thank goodness Mike eats oranges like crazy, especially in the winter around Christmas and then after that. The Mangoes give this Orange drink a tropical like flavor so it cuts the edge off a little of the orange so it's not too orange tasting. I had to take everyone's word on this one for sure because Oranges are definitely a no-no with all of that citric acid. I know we need it for our bodies but mine just won't cooperate so I am missing out on all the good things that oranges do for us.

Oh, you can get the variety packs also if you dont' want to get stuck with just one flavor all the time and they even have an Ultra Pure Water to choose from also for those who just like Sparkling Water without the taste. The cases come with 12 bottles and the price is pretty reasonable at $17.00 a case. You can check out all the options on their E-store as far as flavors and what varities they have that can be mixed. Unforunately, they cannot ship to Alaska or Hawaii. You can also use their Store Locator to see if your area sells it in any of the grocery or convenience stores.

You can also go to their recipe section and make all kinds of nifty things like this Tropical Rum Cocktail. You can even leave them some feedback comments on what you think about their drinks or offer some new recipes or even maybe some new flavors, who knows?

You can connect with Cascade Ice by several options:

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2246
Everett, WA 98213-0246
Phone: 1.425.267.0959
Fax: 1.425.710.9765
Email: customerservice@cascadeicewater.com
Contact Form
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Pinterest
Subscribe to their RSS Feed

Cascade Ice has been very kind enough to offer the winner of my Leaping Lizards Blog Hop Prize Package that starts on February 23rd, a case of 24 bottles of their own to drink! Thanks so much Cascade! Good Luck Everyone!

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Images for this review were taken off of Cascade Ice's site for better quality pictures.

Ecco Bella Products Sponsor Spotlight Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:45:52 PST

I have another super great company that I would like to tell you about called Ecco Bella that carries natural skincare. I was very fortunate to be able to review two of their long list of really awesome products:

1. Lavender Eau De Parfum
2. Cleansing Milk and Make Up Remover

Both of these products are fantastic that it was hard to know where to start so I will start witht the Cleansing Milk first. Ecco Bella's Cleansing Milk is preservative free, can be used by people with sensitive skin because it is 70% organic! It has so many good things in that bottle that it would be hard to give you all of the ingrediants but here are a few:

1. Organic Aloe Vera
2. VitaminCells
3. CoQ10
4. Vitamin C
5. Vitamin E
6. Essential oils of Lavender
7. Rosemary Leaf
8. Geranium

And the list could go on but you get the drift. This bottle contains trillions of micro-spheres that deliver nutrients lutein, lycopene, CoQ10, astaxanthin, Vitamin C & E undiluted & potent for anti-aging benefits! You basically can take off your makeup and wash your face all in one! Just lather onto dry skin and rinse it off! How simple can that be? Best part is that it will not dry out your skin. It just lifts off your makeup and dirt leaving you with a clean complexion.

I know I found it hard to believe too until I tried it. I was so amazed! And it smells so great. I do have to tell you that you will smell the faintness of lavender so if you don't like lavender you might not be too crazy about this as I am, but it is very faint. Mmm, it reminds me of being out on the first day of spring and all the trees and plants are blooming for the first time. That is what I think when I smell this wonderful cleansing milk. Oh, and they never test on animals either and their products are gluten free and contain no water. They suggest that we all start at the age of 17 and continue all the way to 107! Well, I wish someone had been around when I was 17 and told me all of this. I could have probably avoided alot of these wrinkles that I see today. Not too sure about the 107 part either. I guess if you can still live at home and take care of yourself it would be all right.

Now, for the product that I absolutely love, the Lavender Eau De Parfum. This little baby has some ingrediants that will surprise you because it did me when I first read them:

1. French Lavender
2. Morrocan Rosemary
3. Egyptian Geranium

Now, did I not tell you that it would surprise you? Who would have thought to put those three together to come up with an unforgettable scent? It has a delicate quality because of the lavender but it also exudes a warm, tender, slightly spiced scent. This is one that you will want to wear when you are feeling romantic and sensual. Because it is Parfum (not quite a perfume) it lasts longer than a cologne. All of Ecco Bella parfums are made from real essential oils and smell unique on each person. So, what I smell when I put it on may not be the same scent that you smell on yourself. I kinda like that whole idea! Everybody can have their own personal scent!

They have other parfums that include Lemon Verbena, Bourbon Vanilla and Organic Ambrosia. They all sound very nice but I think I will stick with the one that I chose. To make your scent last longer they suggest that you layer your scents. For instance, put on your body lotion of the same fragrance then spray and also include your hair so it can smell just as magnificent as you! Using Ecco Bella's parfums will surround your body in nature's seductive, mood altering experience of true aromatherapy.

Ecco Bella has a program that they really believe in called the Invincible Spirit and here is how it works:

Giving a pet in need of a loving home. Volunteering for weekend park clean-ups. Grocery shopping for a neighbor. All deserve to be honored. In recognition of your Invincible Spirit we’ll email you a $10 instant gift certificate. We'd also be inspired by your Invincible Spirit experience. Tell us your story. By either clicking on the link above or on the picture will take you to the form to fill out to sign up and get you started on being your own Invincible Spirit and getting a $10 Gift Certificate. I really hope that you will take the challenge and feel good about yourself at the same time getting a reward for doing good! Hint: This will be part of the giveaway in the Leaping Lizards Prize Package. So, by doing it now, you save yourself alot of time later.

Here is what I found out about Sally who started Ecco Bella in the About Us section:

I started Ecco Bella out of protest to the use of animals for testing cosmetics, and it expanded to inventing products from the universe of organics and nutraceuticals as well.

Thanks to you, I’ve been able to keep my “activist eyes” on every aspect of Ecco Bella. Your support has encouraged me to formulate outstanding natural and organic skin care and cosmetics. My mission is to use my knowledge and passion for you, to create products that make your body and soul brighter, finer, smoother, and happier!

Besides speaking out for animals and the environment, our products help you conserve money. Why? Each Ecco Bella product multi-tasks. For example, all the skin care products are so rich in beneficial ingredients they claim both anti-aging and anti-blemish benefits combined! That means fewer products to buy, and they really work!

I hope you take the time to read the rest of her story. I just don't have the space to tell everyone's story to the fullest. I do however, like to give you a little insight into what makes some companies great, some okay and some are over the top beyond words. It gives me hope when I find companies that really care about our planet, our lives and our well being.

Connect with Ecco Bella in several ways:

Mailing Address:
623 Eagle Rock Ave
Suite 381
West Orange, NJ 07052
Phone: 877.696.2220
Contact Form
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Ecco Bella's Blog
Sign up for Ecco Bella's Newsletter

Ecco Bella has been so kind as to offer one of these products to the winner of my Leaping Lizard's Prize Package that starts on February 23rd. I went back and forth trying to decide what you would like and I know that Lavender is a personal choice so here is what I am gonna do: The winner will get to choose which one of these herself that she would like. That way I know you got what you wanted instead of what I like the best. Good Luck!

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Mary Bearden and her cranky camera took the photo used in this review.

Believe Like A Child Book Sponsor Spotlight Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:46:44 PST

I first reviewed this book back on December 13th, 2011 and it has moved me so much that when the author, Paige Dearth asked me to help her get her message out, I agreed. So, for the next couple of giveaways you will see this book as part of the package. It really is a riveting book and I do hope that you take the time to read it. I am not going to go thru the whole review again, just give you a snippet since you will see this a couple more times this spring. Here is the link to the original Book Review if you need to read the whole review.

Okay, guys, I am taking a little detour on the dark side with this next book called Believe Like A Child. I normally don't read a true story or in this case a partial true story but I was compelled to read this heartbreaking story. I had talked about it so much that my best friend read it after I did and we compared notes and here is what we thought about this wonderfully written book by Paige Dearth.

Alessa is just seven years old when her uncle rapes her for the first time. As the years pass, his sexual appetite becomes more voracious and his perversion more twisted, until the abuse has become almost a daily ritual, with the unspoken involvement of the girl's mother. About to hit rock bottom, Alessa manages to break away from her new tormentors and finds refuge in a shelter for homeless and abused women.

Wherever she goes, however, trouble keeps seeking her out, until she meets three people who change the course of her life forever. Though Alessa's bittersweet journey is perpetually frought with challenges, she does, nevertheless, manage to find fleeting moments of joy along the way. But as she begins to settle down, a ghost from the past comes to haunt her again, threatening to destroy the very foundation of her small world and plunging her back into an abyss of despair, until she makes her final bid for escape.

At the age of sixteen, after the death of her only friend, Alessa finds herself at the mercy of her real-life monster, with no relief in sight. She flees her home to escape this hell, only to find herself descending into a more dangerous one. Alone and helpless in the streets of North Philadelphia, she encounters more human predators who want to take over her life and devour her.

Believe Like A Child is available at Amazon.

Connect with Paige Dearth:
E-mail Paige at paigedearth@gmail.com
Facebook

Paige Dearth has agreed to offer the winner one of her books as part of my Leaping Lizards Prize Package that starts on February 23, 2012. Good Luck!

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Mary Bearden and her cranky camera took the photo used in this review.

Spa De Soleil Renewal Cream & Instant Glow Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:31:37 PST

I have two really awesome and mind blowing skincare products that you are absolutely love the minute you put them on your face and that is the Renewal Cream and Instant Glow from Spa De Soleil! I got both of these from the HomeSpaCollection part of Spa De Soleil. I was so in awe of just about everything that they had on their site and it was hard to pick anything so they kindly picked these 2 products for me asking me what skin concerns I had. And, wow, I am not kidding, both of these products are so awesome and do exactly what they say they are going to do. Before we go any further I wanted to clear something up so you don't get confused. There is a Spa De Soleil Manufacturing that makes these products along with professional grade skincare. But in order to find out and buy the items I was sent you have to visit their parent company called Home Spa Collections, which are the products that we as consusmers can buy. I wanted to tell you that since you will see links that take you to two different sites and I did not want you to get confused.

Let's start with the Renewal Cream first. The Renewal Cream is designed to give give you the effect of a professional skin care treatment, at home. Renewal Cream gently removes dead skin cells and promotes healthy skin cell production, resulting in a radiant and youthful glow. It has pineapple, payaya and mango fruits to gently exfoliate the face. Then there is avocado oil and Vitamin E to moisturize, soften and protect the skin. If you use it right, it could take years off of your life. You will be surprised at how good your skin will feel! They recommend using it twice a day. It comes in a 3.3 fl.oz. bottle that sells for $69.99. And I am here to tell you that it is worth every penny! I loved the way my skin felt the first couple of times I used this wonderful cream! For better proof let me show you someone else who has been using it longer than me to give you a good idea as to how effective it is:

Now, let's talk about the Instant Glow. This is the one that you will want to have the most because it really does hide some of our imperfections! Instant Glow works by using light reflecting micro-spheres to diffuse light; instantly revealing a brighter, more illuminating complexion, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and skin discoloration. I have tried several other products who claim to do the same thing and to be fair, for the price that it was being sold, it did what it could but it cannot stand up in a comparsion test with Instant Glow. It also has a blend of vitamins, amino acids and organic oils penetrate to the skin’s deeper layers to help rebuild collagen, neutralize free-radicals, and restore moisture for a long-lasting illuminating glow.

Here is what Instant Glow can do:

-Enriched with Hyaluronic acid to fill fine lines for an instant plumping effect
-Enriched with Vitamin C for reducing signs of photo-aging by promoting collagen synthesis
-Enriched with Vitamin E to moisturize, soften and protect skin
-Enriched with Vitamin A to reduce skin discoloration

Can you tell the difference? I can and she looks amazing. I did not think to take before or after pictures so I am borrowing the ones off of Spa De Soliel's site to show you the the before and after pictures to give you a pretty good idea what they are both capable of doing to your tired, run down looking face that makes you look so sick or something. Doesn't she look more rested and comfortable in the second picture? They say for the best possible outcome to try and do this as often as you can and you won't look so tired anymore. Can't guarantee how you feel inside but you will look like a million bucks! The two of these products used together will have you looking almost like one of those models we see if we were to diligently use the products they way that they are suppose to. It really seemed to help the most around my lips and eyelids. You can get this bottle which is 1.70 oz. for the same price as the Renewel Cream.

I thought I would throw in some skin facts that I found out about while researching these wonderful products and the company. Here is what I found under the Skin Care Info:

Did you know that the skin is the largest organ of the human body? Comprising 15 percent of the body's total weight, it is multi-layered and multi-purposed. The skin is comprised of three primary layers: the epidermis, the outermost, visible layer of the skin that protects cells from water loss and providing hydration; the dermis, the middle layer of skin that acts as the connective tissue to supply nourishment to the skin and that contains the sweat and sebaceous glands; and the subcutaneous layer that helps bind your skin to all the tissues underneath it and gives contour and smoothness to the body.

One of the skin's main jobs is to provide a protective barrier against environmental stress, bacteria, and other harmful pollutants. We generally take our skin for granted and -- with busy lifestyles -- tend not to take very good care of it. Aside from its important protective functions, our skin is also the first organ to show signs of aging. Although fully understanding the skin‚Äôs unique functions can be difficult, the simplest steps toward achieving healthy skin start with a good skin care regimen. The most important step in choosing proper skin care is recognizing your skin type to ensure you select products that will work with your body -- instead of against it.

Here is just a snippet of what I found out about the company on the About Us:

Spa de Soleil Laboratories was established in 1989. We are a full service contract manufacturer that produces a wide range of health and beauty aids, cosmetics and toiletries for others. We have opened a new Packaging Facility that can cater to all your packaging needs. We manufacture your skin care packaging whether it is a tube, jar, bottle etc.

We pride ourselves on our integrity. Quoting just one of our customers, we are "very easy to work with" and are "quite reasonably priced". We have a genuine willingness to share possible vendor suppliers of components, since we are distributors for many packaging companies in the states and abroad. We are truly a full service operation.

We offer Research and Development, formulating and testing by experienced chemists.

Connect with Spa De Soleil several ways:

Mailing Address:
10443 Arminta St
Sun Valley, CA USA 91352
Phone: 1-800-266-9506
Contact Form
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Spa De Soleil has been kind enough to allow me to offer one winner her own set of Renewal Cream and Instant Glow worth $140! Open to the U.S. only. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

$700 Winter Blast of Cash Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:00:31 PST

Welcome to the $700 Winter Blast of Cash Giveaway hosted by Giveaway Promote. A fantastic group of bloggers has gotten together to give away $700 in cash to one lucky person. Check out the list of participating blogs at the end of this post. Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway. One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries. Bloggers, join us in an upcoming event! Sign up for Giveaway Promote's event mailing list to receive information via email about their future events.

This giveaway is open worldwide.
It will end at 11:59pm EST on March 4th, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway This giveaway is brought to you by:

Giveaway Promote	Review and Giveaway	My Kids Review It
Baby Feeding Shop	Miki's Hope	Yummy Boy Mummy
Gone Klippin' Krazy	Mamacita La Cuponera	Mama Luvs Books
Colleen's Book Nook	Made.By.Jess	Frugal Gals
Kat's Corner Niche	Daily Digital Deals	Couponing4You
Mommies Point of View	Oh! My Heartsie	Money Saving Mindy
Military Wives Saving	Coupons Not Cash	Our Mom Spot
Shopaholic Mommy	Travel Mommy	Building Carpenters
I'm Not Superwoman	Half-Pint House Handouts	A Helicopter Mom
My Cloth Diaper Stash	Someday I'll Learn	Tidbits From A Mom
Blueberry Squash	Style 'n Decor Deals	Twingle Mommy
Its the Simple Things	My Kids' Cool Mom	Acadiana's Thrifty Mom
JustFindIt4U	The Frugal Navy Wife	Operation $40K
Whoreders	The Ladies Lounge	Ohayo Okasan
Taunya's Place Too	Faith and Family Reviews	Freebies With Attitude
Disney Contests and Sweepstakes	Emptynester Savings and More	Flaunting it with the Image Diva
Oh My Gosh Beck!	Our Share of Crazy	Carpe Diem
Potato Chip Cats	Perfecting Photos	Choosing Love
Happy Home and Family	Carmen's Coupon Blog	TheItMom.com
oc Deal Mama	The Anti-June Cleaver	I Heart Giveaways
Krazy Couponing with Trish	Random Deals	My Charmed Mom
Saving While Making Money	I Love My Kids	Fuggs and Foach
Coupon Hauls	Tory's This and That	SwagSaver
Cheap Junkie	Mothering Matters	Sister's Saving Cents
Savior Cents	Linda's Angels	Free Hot Samples
J Magnolia Designs	I Am A Couponer	Picture Clusters
2 Kids and a Coupon	Sweeping The USA	Mary's Cup of Tea
Feed Your Pig	Wonderful Things In Life	Grow With Stacy
Coupon Savvy Sarah	Book Flame	Family Makeover Maven
Coupon Coffee Shop	Capri's Coupons	Green-Baby-Goods
Mom Always Finds Out	Pinching Pennies with Heather	The Mommyhood Chronicles
Prolific Shopping	Bake Sew Write	Krazy Coupon Club
Southwest Coupon Clippers	Cheapskate Cafe	The Coup Diva
Mommy Who Loves Giveaways	Uncreative Mommy in a Sea of Crafty Bloggers	Life: Full of Unexpected Happiness
Arizona Moms Network	Bluegrass Savers	Extreme Coupon Professors
Saving For My Family	Sweet Pea Saving	Deal Doll
Wild N Mild Giveaways	Cute-Ecakes	Relax 'n Save
Adventures in Coupons	Nicki's Coupon Blog	Black, Divorced & Virtuous
Sassy Savings with Susan	For The Love Of Happy	Live. Love. Sticky.
Cheap Is The New Classy	Beauty and Fashion Diva	The Denver Housewife
Celebrate Woman Today	Finger Click Saver	Teach Me 2 Save
Whole Lotta Mama

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring In The Cash Giveaway Sign Ups

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:01:01 PST

MamaNYC will be hosting another HUGE giveaway event! Interested and want to participate? Keep reading for additional details. Participating will only cost you $5.00 (minimum), but the perks and promotional benefits are priceless! The plan is to make this a HUGE event. Let's start off expecting $500.00 prize, but aim for the stars! The last cash event at MamaNYC featured an $850.00 PayPal CASH prize!

[CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS & SIGN UP FORM!]

THE DETAILS

The 'Spring Into Cash Giveaway will launch on Wednesday, March 7th (12:01AM) EST and end on Wednesday, March 14th (11:59PM) EST.
This event will feature over 100 bloggers and serve as an excellent tool to help build your followers and readership!
We will be giving away over $500+ in PayPal Cash!
Each participant will be required to pay a minimum $5.00 in order to participate in this event. This fee will be used towards the prize [only].
You may increase your followings and pay an additional $5.00/each.
So... what are you waiting for?!? Head on over to MamaNYC and sign up today!

The Grand Event Cash Giveaway Sign Ups For March

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:22:21 PST

Cute-Ecakes and Moms with Voices Media are hosting a Grand Event! (Yes- $1000.00)

With a goal of 100 bloggers, we are going to make this thing huge!!

[CLICK HERE FOR THE SIGNUP FORM!]

Details

The Grand Event Cash Giveaway will run from Saturday, March 17th (12:00AM) to Saturday, March 31st (11:59PM).
The Grand Event Grand Prize
The GOAL for this event is a $1000 prize
The actual prize will depend upon participation!
Grand Prize amount will be announced on 2/8!!

BLOGGER REFERRAL CONTEST
For an added incentive to spread the word, we’ve added a blogger prize! There are TONS of ways to enter, and I’ve tried to make it as easy for you as possible!
ONE WINNER- will receive $50 Paypal Cash
ONE WINNER- will participate in the event for FREE!

Find out complete details and sign up HERE!!

Urielle Revital Treatment for Hair Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:58:45 PST

I have an awesome product to tell you about if you have uncontrollable hair or hair that frizzes for no reason or when it is hot and humid outside like mine does. I was very fortunate recently to try a new product called Revital from Urielle. It is a leave in treatment that you apply while your hair is still damp. I will tell you that it is like an oily substance and it does not take much so please be careful when applying. You can also use this on dry hair by applying a few drops during the day as needed if your hair tends to frizz as the day goes on or to protect your hair from UV rays from the sun. Your hair will look healthy and shiny.

The great thing about Revital is that it promotes healing and has the ability to restore over-processed, damage from chemical procedures, excessive heat-styling and environmental factors. This particular treatment is great for dry and damaged hair. Even if you don't have any damage this can make your hair even more manageable and you can still see some impovement.

It can also seal in moisture in your hair to make it feel softer while leaving no residue or weighing the hair down. It even has the ability to restore dry and brittle hair from excessive hair drying. Revitale is enriched with vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids that strengthen hair and elasticity. People living in South Africa have used this oil for years as a body lotion and massaging oil. The oils come from a flower called Manuka and the nectar is called Manuka honey extract. They say it has healing powers as far back as 5,000 years ago!

Well, all I know is my hair is silky and soft to the touch and that is really saying something for my hair. I have very wavy hair that tends to be dry and frizzy so I needed this luxurious feeling oil and so will you! It makes my hair shine and look healthy for the first time in a very long time.

Urielle hair care was founded by Uriel Yusupov, co-owner of the Red Chair Studio, an exclusive salon in the Upper East Side of New York City. This is the "go to" place for all the Who's Who women in the world of beauty, art, fashion and entertainment industry.

So, as you can see from the magazine above, this is some seriously good stuff for your hair and I was very lucky to happen to stumble upon it and got to review it for you guys and it is everything and more! Words can't explain how much this wonderful treatment has changed the feel of my hair! You seriously need to splurge on yourself and get a bottle of this magical potion and try it for yourself. As you can see, I love it!

Please stop by and check out their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter to see who you might catch twittering about their hair experience at the Red Chair! You can only buy this wonderful product on Urielle's website. I thought I better tell you that so you aren't out there looking all over the place for it.

Urielle has been so kind as to offer one reader her own bottle of Revital to try on her hair! Thanks so much! Value is $45.00 and open to the U.S. only.

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Pure Swiss Water Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:44 PST

I have a new mineral water company to tell you about called Pure Swiss that is located in the Alps of Switzerland. I did not know at the time that I first approached them that it was mineral water, I just thought it was pure and simple bottled water so imagine my surprise when they came and it was mineral water! I wish I could have drank some of it but they had potassium in them and I can't have any kind of potassium due to my chronic bladder condition. One thing I can tell you it does not have and that is nitrates! But, my husband who has an outside job, took them to work for several days and he said that they were really good! We got to try Pure Swiss in 2 forms:

1. Plastic Bottled Pure Swiss
2. Glass Botted Pure Swiss

And they sent us a really nice blue tshirt with their name on it! Now, everybody knows what happens to tshirts in this family; yes, you got it, Mike confiscates them immediately!

Doesn't that look like heaven? I can just imagine being out there with them enjoying a nice bottle of water and just feeling so peaceful! Here is what Pure Swiss says about their country and why the water is so good:

Switzerland's pristine and breath takingly beautiful Alps are Europe's water reservoir, ceaselessly providing crystal clear water. The Swiss Alps give PURE SWISS its purity, the strength of all its minerals and its outstanding fresh and balanced taste.

In Switzerland we're proud of all our water - it's our only abundant and valuable natural resource. The Swiss Alps are home to the some of the most pristine and mineral-rich waters in the world.

PURE SWISS is offered in 0.5ltr. & 1.5 ltr. PET bottles as well as 0.5ltr. & 1ltr. glass bottles

Mike says he could tell the difference immediately in the water and he said it was too bad that it is only sold in California right now. I was sorry too because I would have loved to have had a giveaway to pass on this really great tasting mineral water. But, maybe as it gets more and more popular, it will one day be over on this side of the country and that would be awesome for everybody! They have only been in California since 2006 so it is really not that long ago. Hopefully, they will get to expand more once it starts getting popular. Here is one of their YouTube videos about their mineral water:

Lastly, this tiny bit of information was worth mentioning as I have always liked the Olympics myself and I feel that they don't get the full coverage that they should so hats off to Switzerland for hosting the 2010 Winter Games:

PURE SWISS is proud to be a sponsor of the official House of Switzerland during the 2010 Winter Olymics.

Many exciting events will be taking place at the Swiss House, honoring and celebrating all the athletes who are participating in Winter Sports most prestigeous event.

For contact information here in the U.S.:

Mailing Adress:
PO Box 26291,
San Francisco, CA 94126, USA
Phone: (+1 877 60 92837)
Email: afries@pureswisswater.com
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Contact Form

I hope that you will take a moment to check them out and if you are ever in California or have the chance to get your hands on some Pure Swiss Mineral Water, please do, it is worth every last drop! Mike says the taste is clean, crisp and hits the right spot!

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. The photo's used in this post were taken off of Pure Swiss's website and YouTube site.

Everest Nutrition Krill Oil Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:26:34 PST

I don't know about any of you, but, I have had a problem for the last 4 years trying to keep my bad cholesterol in check. I am even on prescription medicine to lower and and it is finally working but the problem is my good cholesterol won't raise up. It is still staying below normal. I have tried regular fish oil supplements so when I was given this opportunity to try Krill Oil, I jumped at the chance because I have heard it is even better than just fish oil by itself. I guess we will know for sure sometime before summer I will go and get it checked again. Everest Nutrition sent me two bottles of their Krill Oil to try.

They look totally different than fish oil, huh? They are more of a reddish color and the surprising thing I found about them is I could smell the fishy smell when I open the bottle but when I actually take them, there is no fishy taste and I don't burp them like I did fish oil. These are smaller than fish oil but still pack a powerful punch. Actually, Krill Oil is 54 times more potent than fish oil! Did you know that? Probably not because I sure didn't and I try to keep up with stuff like this because it is imperative that I get my fish oil or krill oil every day. It really sucks getting older! Once you hit 45 things are never the same again! I can remember when I could eat whatever I wanted and did not gain a pound. And if I did I could just do a little bit of exercise and it was like I never ate the bad stuff! Now, it is a constant battle trying to not eat bad things.

Oh, my Goodness! I just went on Everest Nutrition's site and found out what Krill Oil really is! I am going to quote you what they said and then show you the picture that about gave me a heart attack:

Krill Oil is the oil harvested from antarctic krill, a shrimp like crustacean that lives deep in the ocean. Scientists and doctors have discovered that ingesting this oil can have amazing affects on your body including a stronger heart, pain-free joints, a better mood, lower cholesterol, easier menstruation and overall better health.

Krill oil is a miraculous discovery from the deep pure waters of Antarctica that literally beats the pants off fish oil. When tested head to head by an independent laboratory our Krill oil was found to be 54x more powerful in antioxidant activity than fish oil!

Lord, who even knew things like that existed in the ocean and how did we know that those little things so far down into the ocean were packed with all of the good oils we need to help protect ourselves? I learned that the best Krill is in the Antarctica ocean where it is free of toxins metals and other contaminants which makes it purer than Fish Oil! Makes you wonder who even sets out to find out all this fascinating information! Wow, this is what they are saying that Krill Oil can do:

Clinical data has shown Krill Oil seems to possess numerous benefits and has the ability to: protect your heart, lower your cholesterol, fight PMS symptoms, combat inflammation, optimize your brain's capabilities, fight aging AND boost your overall health and wellbeing!

These days we're all well aware of the importance of including Omega 3 fatty acids into our diets. Everest Nutrition Krill Oil is a fantastic source of Omega 3s, especially EPA and DHA benefits, the two essential fatty acids the body needs to maintain excellent health.

Everest Nutrition Krill Oil goes above and beyond what you would find in any Omega 3 supplement -- even when put up against the highest grade fish oil supplement!

Our Krill Oil contains a rich supply of astaxanthin, a red pigment found in aquatic livestock such as krill, shrimp, lobster, mussel, crab and other seafood sources. Astaxanthin is known as a very powerful anti oxidant which can help rid the body of free radicals that contribute to various diseases and illnesses. Astaxanthin is also known for its anti-aging capabilities.

Even better. krill oil's Omega 3 structure is linked together in a different form compared to fish oil. The essential fatty acids in fish oil are made up in triglyceride form, whereas krill oil is linked together in phospholipid form – the same structure as the fat cells in the human body! This makes absorption of Omega 3s faster and easier.

So, it looks like finally I am doing something right! I picked something that was going to help with those darn triglycerides! That is what the doctor says is worrying her the most. I think she said your numbers need to be 150 or less and mine is hovering anywhere from 250 to 325!! And I have given up so much food it is not funny. Finally, a heart doctor told me to stop stressing because alot of it is hereditary and no matter what I do it will not budge unless I am taking the right kind of supplement to help lower those pesky triglycerides. According to him, people are getting bent out of shape about the wrong numbers. Yes, LDL numbers need to be checked but he said it was the triglycerides that make you more prone to blocked arteries. You need to be taking 2 Krill Oil tablets a day for the maximum effect.

Each one of those Krill Oil pills has 1,250 mg of pure 100& Krill Oil in each one! Isn't that amazing what that one little pill has in it? Make me sad to think of all the money we spent on Fish Oil when I should have been a Krill Oil regimen. But here is the article that really got my attention because of my Fibromyalgia, RA, both knee's have been replaced, and I have IBS:

Inflammation: The results of a study published in the American Journal of Nutrition highlighted the effects of krill oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. The study was conducted by Western University in collaboration with McMaster University. Participants included 90 patients who were diagnosed with inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and / or osteoarthritis. Findings revealed that krill oil reduced pain by 28.9%, stiffness by 20.3% and functional impairment by 22.8%. Moreover, results indicated that krill oil "significantly inhibits inflammation and reduces arthritic symptoms within a short treatment period of 7 and 14 days."

I have noticed that my pain in my knees is not quite as bad as it used to be but I know it will always be there because of the metal and when it gets cold, look out! But even a smidge less pain is better than no gain. I also understand that this does not affect the Fibromyalgia but if it helps the RA that will cut some of my pain down. I used to wake up with terrible back aches and they seem to easing up some. I can't wait until I finish both bottles and see if and what changed from the cholesterol to the inflammation. And then lastly, here is a great thing thrown in for good measure on the effects of Krill Oil:

Anti-Aging: ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values are used to measure the effectiveness of antioxidants. Numerous ORAC tests have proven that krill oil effectively repairs aging cells when compared to other antioxidants. In fact, independent labs confirmed that Everest Nutrition Krill Oil contains an ORAC value of 431 while fish oil has an ORAC value of 8. Krill oil has over 50 times more ORAC power than fish oil! Research concluded that patients (particularly women) who took krill oil for three months reported significant improvement in the texture of their skin, nails and hair. Furthermore, these women reported a 60% reduction in wrinkles and fine lines and a 50% improvement in energy, stamina, mental alertness and concentration.

There are quite a few more things that they say Krill Oil can help but I am going to let you read about that on your own or I could be writing and copying for a long time! Just follow this link to find out what else they say Krill Oil will help. It is in the Benefits section of their site. Lastly, they think you will love it so much that they have a 90 day guarantee that you will or you get your money back!

Connect with Everest Nutrition several ways:

Mailing Address:
501 Silverside Road Suite 105
Wilmington, DE 19809
Phone Number: 1-800-290-7831
Contact Form

Everest Nutrition has been kind enough to offer one bottle of the Krill Oil to one of my readers to try for themselves. Thanks so much! Open to the U.S. only.

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Petcakes Series 2 Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:23:51 PST

I know if you are a mother, then you have more than likely heard about Petcakes! Aren't they the most adorable little things you have ever seen? They are delightful little creatures from all walks of life that come inside of what I call cupcake liners and when you push their cute little heads down into the liners, they really do look like cupcakes! So, I guess they could not call them cupcakes and thus the name Petcakes came to mind! Pretty darn slick if you ask me. The genius who thought this one up really knew what would make a little girl happy and I guess there are little boys out there that might like the Forest animals better than the puppy ones.

They have a Special Offer going on right now that is a really good deal if your child is really into the Petcakes: Buy (4) or more PetcakesR Collectibles plush toys and receive the PetCakesR Collectibles Minis - 4 pack FREE you only pay an additional $1.99 shipping and handling.

My collection that I got was the Forest Collection, Series 2 Limited Collection and the two I received to review was Bamboo Berry the Panda and Roco Coco the Raccoon. They are really cute, fun little toys that can easily go with you on trips because you just push their little heads down and then they won't take up alot of room. Your children will spend, we hope, a good bit of time playing with them while you are driving to your destination.

I am always happy to see old fashion type toys and animals hit the market because we have started programming our children to think that computers and T.V.'s are more fun to play with and I really think it is better for them to have toys that they can imagine things and play make believe and have their toys do fun, wonderful, magical things instead of letting a computer game tell them what to think and do. I grew up in a time when we had Barbie dolls and Ken dolls and I would play for hours having them meet and go places and fall in love and have a wedding and then later children. You make up your own stories as you go along and it keeps your mind occupied and constantly coming up with new beginnings and endings. That why I think the Petcakes series and other toys that they have on their site are so important.

I didn't know this until I did this review that they have all kinds of other toys you can get like Rag Dolls (remember those? I thought they had all but disappeared!), Ballerina Dolls, Baby Dolls and Halloween Dolls! Did you know about those? I sure didn't! And they are so cute and adorable and the best part is: they look homemade! Not mass produced by some machine that makes them look like robots (which they may still be for all I know) but, they don't look like they are. I was really impressed with the Rag Dolls especially. You can get them starting at 12" all the way up to 4 feet tall! Amazing! These wonderful toys are made by a company called Well-Made Toy Manufacturing Corporation. Now, see, I would have thought the company would be called some pet name or something, so it just goes to show you don't know everything!

But, back to the Petcakes. There are so many of them it would be hard to tell you about all of them but they have a Series 1 Limited Edition that has a beautiful white poodle named Coco-Coconut! Which happens to be my favorite cake dessert! She is a girl's girl toy for sure. Then there is Randy Candy, just a regular mutt, Twinkle Sprinkles, who is a beagle and Blueberry Buddy which is a sharpei! So, as you can tell, this is a puppy collection of the cutest Petcakes! Then there is the Series 1 mini collection of Petcakes that are only 1 1/2 inches tall. The kids will love it! But the cutest thing about all the Petcakes is that the top of their heads look like frosting on a cupcake, hence, the name Petcakes!

Here is just a snippet of what I found out under About Us on how it all got started:

Fred Catapano started out in 1966 with a $1,000 loan, two sewing machines and a passion for creating soft playthings. By 1968, Well Made Toy Manufacturing Corporation was in business and Catapano was actively involved in the creating, manufacturing and selling of plush toys and rag dolls. Today, Well Made Toy has offices and design staff in New York, Hong Kong and China, and boasts the most extensive line of soft rag dolls in the business.

Since the Company's inception, Catapano has personally been involved in the creation of a wide range of best-selling stuffed animals, plush characters and soft rag dolls, known and loved the world over. Catapano was the originator of the famous Tattle Talk Friends line, dolls who repeat everything someone says in their own voice. More than 40 years later, Catapano continues to add his insights and creativity to groundbreaking new products, including the 2010 introduction of PetCakes, sweet plush pets with frosting hats each nestled in its own cupcake wrapper pet bed! Catapano has been a member of the Toy Industry Association for over 30 years.

Please take the time to go and read the rest as it is an interesting story. I am fascinated by history and what makes people come up with or dream about inventions that turn into goldmines or an awesome idea and so I like to recognize every person behind the company that started it all. I realize it takes up a little more space but I believe each company owner/inventor deserves the spotlight for just a moment while we sit here in awe of what possessed them to think of this idea, or at least I do anyway. It makes me feel like a part of the bigger picture when I understand how things became what they are today. I hope in my quest to find these interesting tidbits that I help you broaden your horizon just a little at a time!

Watch their YouTube video on Petcakes or check them out on Facebook.

You can contact them by mail or phone:

52-07 Flushing Avenue, 2nd. Floor
Maspeth, NY 11378
Phone: 718-381-4225
Fax: 718-381-5533
Contact Form

Petcakes has been kind enough to offer one reader their own Petcake (will be their choice). Thanks Petcakes! Open to the U.S. only.

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Remington Fast Finish Hair Dryer Review

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:53:36 PST

Oh my, you are gonna love this hair dryer from Remington! I have always known that they had some of the best men's shavers but never gave it any thought as far as women's hair styling tools until I received this one to review, that is. My husband was in awe of the fact that we could see the 2 motors thru the clear place towards the back of the dryer. With the 2 motors working together, it helps speed up the drying time so that your hair gets drier faster and without the frizzies and looking like you just had an Afro perm! I have tried to dry my hair very fast on regular dryers before and the result was I had like 80's hair all over the place! With our new hair dryer, my hair is smoother and not as dry looking because it takes less time to dry my hair.

See the diagram above and you will see where the two motors are and then you will notice the clear area that allows you to see it at work just by pushing a button! Easy peasy as my friends like to say and it really is.

Here are the details that you will love on this dryer:

•Dual Fan Design for High Air Volume and Fast Dry Time
•1875 Watt
•Turbo Boost Setting
•3 Heat/2 Speed Settings, Plus a Turbo Speed
•Ionic
•Ceramic/Tourmaline
•2 Attachments, Concentrator and Diffuser
•Cool Shot, To set style in place
•Removable Air Filter for Easy Cleaning
•2 Year Warranty

I love that it has a 2 year warranty! Most dryers don't even give you one year let alone two! And the fact that it is ceramic is truly awesome because that is where all that heat is accumulated to help speed up your drying process. And if you are really in a pinch for time just hit the turbo speed and off you go! I don't know about you but I really don't use all three heat settings but now I am gonna think about that one because before I either had to use the 1st or 3rd setting. I don't think I have ever used the middle setting, isn't that sad? I am either in a real rush or I am taking my time, hence the 1st setting so that I can dry it slow and eary and give my hair a break from all the fast drying.

You also get both attachments that you see above. I am not big on attachments and I guess I have gotten into a rut because while I was working I did not have time (I worked 2 jobs so there was no time to fiddle around) and now that I do have time to mess around and see what I can accomplish, I still don't. I know the slimmer one would probably help isolate the heat and give you a better more smoothed looking hair but mine is wavy and all it usually does when I do try something is make it look like something gave me a perm and teased the crap out of it! So, I stick to the easy solutions and leave all the rest to those you love to fool around.

You will find lots of awards and articles that are written about the Remington products and see who all the celebrities are that use Remington's products by visiting Remington News. I found it quite fascinating to see stars using products that I figured they would not use. You know, we get an image of a celebrity and we think that they are always buying $500 hair dryers or $1,000 pair of shoes, when in reality, some of them stick to what works best, and Remington is one of those products that know what they are doing and because of that, they have been around for a long time and will continue to be around!

You can connect with Remington by several social media outlets:

Facebook
Twitter for men
Twitter for women
Google+
YouTube
Pinterest
Remington's Blog
You can also sign up for their Newsletter. Go to the bottom of the page and it is on the right hand side.

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. The photo's used in this post were taken off of Remington's site except for the accessories are my pictures from my cranky old camera!

Fembody Slim Select 30/90 Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (mmbear) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:09:20 PST

I have a new product to tell you about that might aid you in helping to shed a few pounds here and there called Fembody Slim Select 30/90. Fembody Nutrition came about because a woman doctor by the name of Dr Heather Hausenblas wanted to make some healthy and natural supplements for women. So, these products in essence, were made by a woman for women! I have for the most part stayed away from supplements that claim to help you lose weight because I was afraid they would be like the old time diet pills from the 80's and 90's that left my heart racing and feeling very nervous and edgy. I could not take them and I certainly cannot take anything like that now with all of the prescriptions I take for all of my health issues. '

I was assured that Fembody Slim Select was natural, by with green tea and should actually help me with some of my fatigue from the Fibromyalgia. And I do believe that that has happened. I don't feel as tired as I used to and I am getting more work done daily. I am however, not losing much weight but that is my fault, not the Fembody Slim Select 30/90. My problem because of my bladder condition, is that I cannot eat anything with potassium, no acids like tomatoes or citrus, no hot and spicy foods like Thai or Mexican. So, I am not left with much to choose from because of the potassium crap! It is in everything from crackers to drinks (Gatorade and all the flavored waters have high levels of potassium, even the diet ones)! Potatoes are loaded with potassium. So, I am left to eat foods that are not very good for me that are low in potassium, so I haven't seen much of a difference in the weight department. I think if I could have been on a good diet like most of you can be, then I think it would have worked for me.

Also, because both knees have been replaced, I can't do any running or jumping which leaves out aerobics. I do have a stationary bike and I do walk but it doesn't take the place of aerobics. I used to be very slender before I got all these health problems because I did exercise like crazy, which is probably why my knees got in the shape that they had to be replaced. I now tell people don't run on concrete the way I did and mix up that aerobic stuff with lighter things like swimming so you don't mess your knees up. I sure do wish we had an indoor heated pool somewhere close by but we don't. I have to do heated due to the metal in my knees and the RA. Always excerise in heated water, not cold or the pain will be unbearable!

So, as you can see, it was not the fault of the Fembody Slim Select 30/90 pills. If you are able to follow the directions and eat healthy good food and exercise, I think you will lose the weight! The science is there to prove it and like I said, it did give me more energy than I have had in awhile so that tells me it can work! Fembody has a whole line of great products besides the Slim Select. They have Nails & Hair Beauty Activator, Advanced Bone Activator and an Appetite Control 100. One of the great things about these products is that you can buy them at GNC!

Here is what Slim Select 30/90 will do if you follow the directions:

•All natural Green Select, a trademarked Green Tea extract shown to facilitate fat burning
•Clinically demonstrated average weight loss of 30lbs in 90 days
•Improves antioxidant defenses
•Lowers LDL cholesterol
•All-natural

I can tell you I am a little excited to see what my LDL levels will be when I have my checkup next month because it hasn't been good the last couple of times it was checked and I am hoping this will be another benefit I can say I got from this particular pill, is that it lowered my bad cholesterol. I would love to hear from some of you who have tried it and did lose the weight. It says if you follow the directions exactly you can lose 30 pounds in 90 days. If I can ever get these health issues under control and can do this program the right way, I would love to try it again and lose the 20 pounds I need to for my knees sake! I can tell you that my clothes aren't as tight as they were but I have resisted weighing myself because I did not want to be disappointed. But come Monday when I go to the RA doctor, they always weigh me, so I will know then. Even if it is just 5 pounds, that is huge for me, seeing as how I am not able to exercise the way most of you can. Riding the stationary bike is better than nothing but it just does not beat a good heart pounding aerobic class!

Here is a little bit about Dr Heather Hausenblas:

Dr. Heather A. Hausenblas, PhD, obtained her Doctorate from The University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Since 1998 she has been a faculty member of the University of Florida. Recognized early in her career for her outstanding research, she has been the recipient of several awards, including the Early Career Distinguished Scholar Award for outstanding research contributions by the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, and the Dorothy V. Harris Memorial Award for outstanding early career development by the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology.

Dr Hausenblas is the co-author of four scientific books, and has published over 80 scientific journal articles. Dr Hausenblas is currently the Principal Investigator on two National Institutes of Health research grants. Her ultimate research goal is understand, promote, and then instill a healthy lifestyle for women during every stage of life.

I hope reading about how confident and successful she is as a doctor will put you at ease about trying any of the Fembody products. Please remember that my experience will not be your experience. I am at a disadvantage because of the diet and exercise but you aren't! So go for it and lose that weight if it is making you miserable or feel bad about yourself. I am thinking I should have probably chosen the other one which is an appetite suppressant and that might have worked better for me. It controls the sugar and snack cravings and that is my problem. See, the crazy people who make our food supply will load all that potassium into our healthy foods but leave the sugar laden and snacks free of it! So, when you have nothing else to eat but the sweets and snacks, well, yeah, you are gonna eat them to keep from getting sick with hunger. Plus, with all the meds that I take I have to have something on my stomach. So, there, that is the root of my problem. I need help in controlling the cravings for my sugar food and snack food. I would really like for you to get back with me and let me know how you did on this new and great tool we as women have at our disposal in our fight to win control over our weight issues.

Lastly, I wanted to leave you with this assessment of what Slim Select 30/90 will do and why it works:

Target stubborn fat cells with this premium formula of clinically supported natural ingredients shown to encourage safe and e ffective weight management.* A human study on key ingredient Green Select®, a standardized green tea phytosome extract, showed an average loss of 30 pounds in 90 days as compared to the placebo.* Further enhanced with Raspberry Ketones and InnovaTea™ for increased fat metabolism.

Here are several ways you can get in touch with Fembody Nutrition:

Mailing Address:
701 S. Howard Avenue Suite 106-310
Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 877-787-5454
Email: info@fembodynutrition.com
Facebook
Twitter
Contact Form

Fembody Nutrition has been so kind as to offer one of you the chance to try your own bottle of Slim Select 30/90! Thanks so much!! Open to the U.S. only.

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