Friday, July 22, 2011

Kind Bars

 The whole family is loving Kind Bars. Here is a little info about health benefits from the Kind website:

  KIND's all natural whole nut & fruit bars put an end to hunger by delivering all-natural nutrients like fiber, protein, calcium and iron. At KIND, we believe ‘you are what you eat,’ so while other companies often over-process, we take pride in crafting foods using ingredients you can see and pronounce®. Almond & Apricot is packed with almonds that help prevent osteoporosis and regulate blood pressure and Blueberry Pecan + Fiber is packed with antioxidant-rich blueberries that work to boost your immune system. Every KIND bar is made from all-natural ingredients that deliver a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals.

Kind sent over one of their Almond and Apricot Snack bars for us to try out..


 The apricots, coconut and almonds intertwine in a delicious chewy treat. This one is a bit sticky but I didn't mind lickin it off my fingers. Sweet and salty at the same time. This combination is top notch. Pretty darn tasty. I look forward to trying some of Kind Bars other flavors.

Description from website:
 
Top-selling Almond & Apricot is a fiber-rich mixture of whole almonds, apricots and coconut and only 190 calories and 5g fiber. 
Want to keep up with Kind Bars? you can like em on Facebook, follow em on Twitter and sign up for their newsletter to receive Kind news and Promos.

Ready to buy? Head on over to Kind Bars and get ya some of these delicious treats. They even have a store locator to find Kind Bars near you.

California Olive Ranch

California Olive Ranch sent me a bottle of their extra virgin olive oil for review so I immediately went to their recipe page for ideas. I found a great recipe for Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies and decided to give it a try. I have personally never seen a cookie recipe that did not contain butter or shortening so I was naturally intrigued. 

Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies


The cookies I baked
  • 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • ¼ cup California Olive Ranch extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 or 2 Tbsp. of milk (or rice milk)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
Combine sugars, vanilla, and olive oil. Beat in the eggs one a time. Gradually beat in the flour mixture, then add in 1 Tbsp. of milk to make the dough a bit firmer, maybe another tablespoon if you feel the dough is too sticky/dry (I use about 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon).
Roll the dough into balls with your hands and place on a greased and/or lined baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden and set. (Mine took about 10 and a half minutes.) These overbake quickly, so it’s better to take them out a bit early if you’re unsure. Allow to cool for a bit on the baking sheet, then move to another surface to finish cooling.
Recipe courtesy of Sydney Kania

  The recipe was very simple to follow and I love the way it makes even cookies better for you. I of course had to test a bite of dough and it tasted amazing. I know most people say don't eat raw cookie dough, but I have personally never had a problem with it. The flavor of the olive oil in the dough gave it a really delicious  flavor and the dough was not so greasy feeling on my tongue. Hubby even says they are the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever made.


 After smelling these  little beauties baking for 10 minutes We were ready to give em a try. Absolutely wonderful flavor and texture. I like how they have an almost crunchy outside but the inside melts in your mouth. I can't wait to try out the next California Olive Ranch recipe. This stuff is goo y'all.


 I love that California Olive Ranch's olive oil tastes great right out of the bottle. It does not have that weird old smell you can get from some olive oils. It tastes fresh and light. You can tell the people at California Olive Ranch take pride in what they do. This kind of pride shows through in their oils. Wonderful.


 Want to keep up with all things California Olive Ranch? You can like em on Facebook, follow em on Twitter, check out their blog and sign up for their newsletter.

 Ready to buy? Head on over to California Olive Ranch's store or check out their store locator to find some near you.


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Mango Tree Fitted Bangles

 Finding the right bangle  can be hard at times. You need the right shape, color and look for your style. Mango Tree Fitted Bangles let me choose one of their great fitted bangles for review. They have an absolutely amazing selection of bangles available.They come in 3 styles 50 colors and 4 sizes.

 Not only are the colors and styles amazing at Mango Tree, but they also have the right sized bangle for you. No more one size fits all.. I like the way these bangles don't slide off just because your wrist is to small. I also like that you can put one on if your wrist is larger. Let's face it we are all different sizes. I like that these bangles are too.

Caribbean Islands
                                     The bangle I chose was from the Bold collection. I like a wider bangle so this collection is perfect for me. After much thinking I decided upon the color Caribbean Islands. I even love the name of this beauty.

 The bangle I picked came in very quickly. I am also impressed with the quality of the bangle. My teenage daughter likes it too so these babies are perfect gifts for all ages. Look at the beautiful coloring in the Caribbean Islands Bangle. It is stunning. The one I got looks just as amazing in real life as it did on the website.

Mango Tree Fitted Bangles are available in:


Want to keep up with all things Mango Tree? You can like em on Facebook and follow em on Twitter and sign up for their newsletter.

Ready to buy? Head on over to Mango Tree Fitted Bangles and get yourself or a friend some of these great fashion accessories..

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Milani Cosmetics Baked Blush

 I was sent Milani Cosmetics Baked Blush for review. The shade i received was "Terra sale". The Milani baked Blush comes beautifully packaged. Open to find a convenient mirror for application. The Round shape of the blush makes it super simple  to get the blush powder on you brush. Goes on smoothly. Blends in Beautifully.

 Milani baked Blush comes in nine beautifully different shades, so there is a color for everyone.

BAKED BLUSH:

Dolce Pink




Rose D'oro




Berry Amore




Terra Sole




Luminoso




Bellissimo Bronze




Fantastico Mauve




Corallina




Red Vino















Want to keep up with all things Milani Cosmetics? You can Like em on Facebook, follow em on Twitter and sign up for their newsletter..

Ready to Buy? Head on over to Milani Cosmetics and get ya some or check out their store locator page to find Milani Cosmetics near you.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Cavewoman Bars

  Healthy snack options that taste great are a big hit in my house. Everyone wants something super tasty so when we got to test out  Cavewoman Bars we were thrilled.
  Cavewoman Bars sent me all five of their flavors for review. I have to say I like em all. What I really loved most was finding out how amazing the ingredient lists are. Absolutely nothing bad in there. The folks as Cavewoman Bars describe their bars as:
Cavewoman Bars® are Vegan, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free and Refined Sugar-Free. They contain only the finest raw Fruit, Nuts and Spices – That’s it!

 The first flavor we tried was Baklava. Yes I said Baklava and yes I still say they are healthy. This tasty wonder smells like a spice cake when you open the package. Tender and chewy dates blend  into a delightfully healthy snack. Spices add a lovely note to the aftertaste.

Decadently sweet and studded with pistachios, this bar is inspired by the Middle Eastern pastry – but without all the butter, honey and calories!
Ingredients: Organic Dates, Walnuts, Pistachios, Almonds and Spices – That's it!
(All ingredients are RAW.)


  Next up is PB&J. It smells like your classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The mixture of fruits in this delicious vegan treat is so great you will forget it's good for you.


This bar will take you right back to your childhood. No crusts here!
Ingredients: Organic Dates, Cherries, Blueberries (blueberries, fructose*, malic acid*), Organic Strawberries, Cashews and Organic Peanut Butter (peanuts, salt) – That's it! *From apple juice.


 Blueberry Pancake. What can I say about this one. MMMmmmmmm describes it pretty well. Packed full of big juicy blueberries the nuts add a nice crunch. Delicious.


Tastes just like homemade blueberry pancakes dripping with real maple syrup!
Ingredients: Organic Dates, Blueberries (blueberries, fructose*, malic acid*), Almonds, Pecans, Cashews, Organic Flax Seeds and Natural Maple Flavor – That's it! *From apple juice.

 Pineapple Upside Down Cake is one of my favorite deserts so this one is a big favorite of mine. It is really good. has a chunky texture. You can taste all the ingredients individually.

An old-fashioned tropical treat with tangy pineapple, sweet cherries and crunchy pecans.
Ingredients: Organic Dates, Organic Pineapple, Cherries, Pecans and Almonds – That's it! (All ingredients are RAW.)

Banana Nut Bread tastes like it's namesake. I love this one. Walnuts are nice sized. Wonderful texture.

Look forward to waking up in the morning with this homey bar with a “fresh-from-the-oven taste,” but totally Raw and Gluten Free!
Ingredients: Organic Dates, Organic Bananas, Walnuts, Cashews, Organic Lemon Flavor and Spices – That's it! (All ingredients are RAW.)

Want to keep up with all thing Cavewoman? You can like em on Facebook, follow em on Twitter and even check out their recipe blog.

Ready to buy? Head on over to Cavewoman Bars and get ya some. Or check out their store locator to find some near you.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Libre Tea Glass

 Libre sent me one of their Libre glass'npoly large for review. These are a fantastic way to make loose leaf tea. You can use the glass at home, work , on the go, camping. 

 I tested mine out with my favorite loose leaf tea. It was so easy to use and I was very happy with the results.  I was able to take my tea along with me when I left the house. No more  waiting for green tea to be ready before you can get on your way. 

 Simply add your hot water and loose green tea twist on the filter and lid. Wait a bit then you can remove the lid and sip right through the filter without having to worry about any tealeaves coming through.

 You can make all types of loose leaf tea with your Libre. I love this way to brew tea.

I love that Libre is super easy to clean too. Simply hand wash with soap and warm water. The filter rinses out well.
The Libre glass ’n poly has a health-conscious glass interior for fresh taste and a durable polycarbonate exterior for ‘on the go’ durability. The stainless steel tea filter is surrounded by BPA free polypropylene as is the lid interior. Can be used 2 ways to brew and travel with loose leaf tea.


Check out this video showing how easy it is to use Libre:



 Want to keep up with all things Libre? You can follow em on Twitter, like em on Facebook, sign up for their newsletter and check out their blog.

Ready to buy? Head on over to Libre and get yourself one or two of these great tea glasses and enjoy your tea moment.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Made From Earth

 I love Organic Skin Care. I got to try out a collection of Made From Earth's best sellers. This is a fantastic company that is eco-friendly and environmentally conscious. Their line of organic skincare essentials contain the highest possible levels of certified organic ingredients and fruits.

 Let's Check out the products I got to try:


Green Tea Toxin Cleanser
Green Tea is a base antioxidant. Our healthy cleanser is enhanced with vitamins A, B, C and E. Since it contains no chemicals, the cleanser is hypoallergenic and non-irritating for people with sensitive skin. The Aloe Vera base in the cleanser combines with Green Tea to provide an antioxidant boost to remove free radicals restoring healthier skin. This product does not contain the typical surfactant or detergent ingredient that most cleansing gels contain; it is a chemical-free gentle cleanser.

Leave on face for three minutes. Feels slightly tingly as it helps remove toxins from your skin. Makes your face feel great. I inspected my  pores with a magnifying mirror afterwards and saw no clogged pores whatsoever.


Rosehip + Hibiscus Face Serum
This gentle Rosehip + Hibiscus Face Serum is recommended for sensitive skin. The serum is easily absorbed by the skin. Rose hips are a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and Vitamin C. The serum's ingredients play a primary role in the regeneration process of skin cells and repair of damaged tissues.
Hibiscus extract, with its antioxidant properties, blends perfectly with the Rosehip Oil and provides natural astringent properties.

Smells wonderful. Applies easily and feels great on. Love that it removes the toxins that are always in the air around us like smoke, dust and pollution of all sorts.


Three Berry Daily Face Serum
The Vitamin C in this serum neutralizes environmental damage for healthy and smooth skin. This formula can be used under or over makeup. Raspberry adds a soothing, non-stimulating effect, while blueberry neutralizes free radical damage to the matrix of skin cells. Please see more information on this great blend below.
Note: This product may also be used as a daily face cream due to its deep moisturizing effect.

Smells like berries mixed with fresh aloe. This organic serum comes in a pump bottle that dispenses just the right amount.

Blueberry Lip Balm
Antioxidant rich blueberry lip balm for all berry lovers. Rich and healthy. Blueberry lip balm is designed to heal lips while providing a juicy blueberry flavor.
Glides on like a dream. Lovely Blueberry flavor.
Citrus Fresh tastes like a delicious mix of lemons, limes and fresh squeezed oranges. 

This organic and chemical free lip balm contains vitamin-rich sunflower seed oil and protecting beeswax to avoid a chapped lip texture to aid the production of collagen in the lips, with the sweet taste of oranges.

Smells like fresh lemons. Applies easily. tastes like tangerines. Stays on for a long time.


Want to keep up with all things Made From Earth? You can like em on Facebook, follow em on Twitter and sign up for their newsletter

Ready to Buy? Head on over to Made From Earth and get ya some of these great organic skin care products.

Corazonas







 Corazonas sent over some of their really flavorsome Oatmeal Squares for review. These delightful snacks are very tasty. The whole family likes em.

 What I really like about Corazonas is that all of their products are heart healthy and proven to help lower cholesterol. I love that in a snack. Especially snacks that taste this good.


Check out this great video that shows how Corazonas uses plant sterols to give you the freedom to snack sensibly: 






I got to try all of Corazonas varieties of Oatmeal Squares. 


 Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Squares  taste like a really terrific granola bar with mini chocolate chips. One of my favorites.


Chocolate + oats + nature’s secret cholesterol lowering power. It all  equals you, eating something fantastic. Try one of our delicious  Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Squares.

Cranberry Flax Oatmeal Squares taste like a chewy spice cake with cranberry bits. I like this one alot. Cranberries are sweet. 


This sweet, chewy, incredibly good snack is packed with cranberries,  which are tangy – not bitter. Bitter would be asking you to give up your  favorite foods to lower your cholesterol. We don’t do bitter.

  Banana Walnut Oatmeal Squares have an excellent banana flavor with bits of walnuts intertwined with that oatmeal square goodness.

 Freedom to Snack sensibly also comes in sweet, here it is. Our Banana  Walnut Oatmeal Squares are chewy and indulgent – like a big, soft,  cookie with corners.







Peanut Butter Oatmeal Squares are very tasty. The peanut butter in this bar is the crunchy kind. It really adds a great texture to the snack. Oats are not overly soft. The flavor is quite addictive.


Peanut butter – just one more thing you may have thought you could never  have again. We’re happy to prove you wrong. In fact, get this, the  natural, good fat in this bar actually helps our active ingredient do  its job. Here’s to getting the job done.






Chocolate Brownie and Almonds is my favorite. I know I have this thing with chocolate. This bar is a tasty chocolate brownie with almond bits. It makes my tongue happy. I love it when healthy tastes this good. Love it. Love it. Love it.

Okay, this can’t be accurately described as brownie-like or brownie-ish.  This is a brownie. Rich, over-the-top. Which might not match your  perception of a cholesterol-lowering snack. Guess you’ll have to get  used to not being disappointed.
Corazonas also sells:
both of which I would love to test out.
Want to keep up with all things Corazonas? You can like em on Facebook, follow em on Twitter, check out their blog , sign up for their newsletter and even sign up for e-mail updates.


 Ready to buy? Head on over to Corazonas and get ya some of these delicious healthy snacks from their online store. Corazonas even offer a great way to send Corazonas to someone you love with an ICare package.. You can even check out their store locator to find some near you.