Monday, March 30, 2015

The Montana Gallagher Trilogy Review





I have an obsession with reading. I stay up way too late finishing books when I should be catching up on my beauty sleep but there are just so many books and so little time! I really enjoy reading books set in the past. I am so very thankful I was not born before my time but really like reading about it.

This trilogy is about the Gallagher family. It is set in the Wild West and is all about family, adventure, and love. This trilogy includes Gallagher's Pride, Gallagher's Hope, and Gallagher's Choice.

I really enjoyed the author's writing. I felt like I was right there while everything was happening. That's how I can tell for myself when a book is really good is when I feel like I'm a part of the story. I also just didn't want it to end!

I somehow read the 2nd book first but plan to go back and read book 1 and then book 3 in the series. I also would like to read her other books. I really enjoyed her style of writing.

You can find The Montana Gallagher Trilogy on Amazon.

* I received this ebook in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.


Pura D'or Shampoo & Conditioner Review


Scalp & Dandruff Shampoo



Winter really takes it's toll on my hair and skin. My scalp gets extra itchy and since I have really dark hair, dandruff is also very noticeable. I've tried so many different shampoos over the years to see what works. Some seem to really dry out my hair. Others feel really harsh and just smell awful. I have used this Premium Organic Argan Oil Based Scalp & Dandruff Shampoo from Pura D'or a few times now. My scalp is starting to feel better and the itchy has been going away with each use. I love the scent of it. It's hard to describe it but it's a mix between minty and woodsy maybe. There are several different oils in it but it makes for the perfect scent. It makes my hair feel very clean afterwards. You just need to leave it in for at least 2 minutes to let it really soak in. It does lather well. 




Lavender Vanilla Conditioner


I've been using this Premium Organic Argan Oil Based Lavender Vanilla Conditioner in addition to the shampoo above. It smells absolutely amazing! It really helps to keep my hair smooth and frizz free. It also just needs to be left on hair for at least 2 minutes to allow for full absorption. 


Using both of these products together my hair feels lighter because it's not weighted down with chemicals. It is shinier, softer, and frizz free! It also smells really good. I also like that they come in a pump style bottle. It makes it so much easier to use and get the right amount. 




Pura D'or products are free from SLS, parabens, and gluten, They are animal cruelty free, USDA Organic, USDA Certified Biobased, and Dr trusted. 

They do offer several other products besides the two I got to review. Be sure to check out all Pura D'or has to offer and their quest to create the best organic beauty and skin products.

*This is a sponsored post. Powered by BrandBacker. I received these products in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

2% Pure Whey Protein Isolate - 3 Single Serve Pack Review





I really like when companies offer smaller sample size packs of their products. Protein powder can be expensive and I don't like buying a huge container only to find out I don't like it. I've learned my lesson on that.

I tend to like vanilla flavored protein powder because it can be mixed in with many other ingredients to make for a different drink each time. I usually always have blueberries, strawberries, mango, pineapple, spinach, oats, or whatever to add in.

This Natural Alpine Vanilla Whey Protein Isolate from Summit Nutritions was really good. It even smelled good when I opened the package. I really don't like just plain vanilla shakes so I did add frozen strawberries and almond milk to make my shake. It mixed well and no clumps. It was delicious!




They do offer a Natural Dutch Chocolate flavor also. I'm not much for chocolate drinks unless it includes coffee in it too! This whey protein isolate is Lactose Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Non-GMO, and Kosher Certified, Their protein is free from protein spiking or amino acid spiking and it gives you 90% protein per scoop.


You can find out more about this Pure Whey Protein Isolate on Amazon.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.


Saturday, March 28, 2015

Solid Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop by SUMO Review



This ice cream scoop by SUMO is made of solid stainless steel. It has a very nice non-slip rubber grip on the handle and it's a pretty purple. It has a nice heavy feel to it so you know it won't break. The scoop has a pointed edge so you can really dig into ice cream and get it out easily.




My kids have even been grabbing this one out of the drawer over our other ice cream scoop that is just rounded and has the gel stuff in it that is supposed to help soften the ice cream to make it easier to get out. They agree this one by SUMO is much easier. 




The non-slip rubber grip makes it very easy to hang on to. The handle itself is very comfortable to hold also. It fits just nicely in my hand. Not sure if that might be a bad thing though. It makes dipping into the ice cream a tad bit too easy! :)

This ice cream scoop is very well made and comfortable to use. Since warmer weather is supposed to be coming soon, (well maybe in a few weeks I hope) I know it will get even more use!

You can find this solid stainless steel ice cream scoop on Amazon.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own and my kids for this post.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Fractionated Coconut Oil Review



This 100% Fractionated Coconut Oil from Radha Beauty has so many uses. It is great for massage, aromatherapy, and as a skin moisturizer. There are no fillers. It is odorless, non-greasy, and colorless. It has a very long shelf life and does not go rancid.

I've applied this to my skin after a shower and also used a bit in my hair to help with a few fly away frizzies I tend to have especially in winter.

You can add this Argan Oil with the coconut oil along with other essential oils like their Radha lavender or Radha peppermint to a hot bath and enjoy the benefits they all bring!


Radha Argan Oil


Both of these oils from Radha Beauty are great for keeping your skin moisturized and your hair shiny and smooth. They are really good quality and decently priced for what you get. They will both last a long time. I love all the versatility I get out of them. Great products to have on hand.

You can find the Fractionated Coconut Oil and the Argan Oil on Amazon.

* I did receive both of these products in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

Inspiralized Cookbook Review



This cookbook was way more than I expected. I kind of thought it would be just a book full of a few veggies in long noodle shapes. I was wrong. So many great recipes of all kinds of veggie shapes included. The photos that are in the book just make me want farmer's market season to get here soon! The dishes are so full of color and so many unique combinations. They are very visually appealing.

I only have one of those small hand held vegetable spiral slicers that turns them into the noodle like shapes. I do like the idea of the tri-blade spiral slicer so you can have the options of different cuts. I may have to consider one as summer approaches. I can see myself using this book a lot more when I have access to fresh produce at the farmer's markets once they open in a few months.

A few of the recipes on my want to try list include the Lemon Garlic Broccoli with Bacon, Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Coconut-Lime Jicama Rice, and the Blueberry Pear Ice Pops.

If you want to see what all the craze of spiralizing is all about be sure to check out Inspiralized.

* I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Ultra Flex Knee Brace & Ankle Support Review


This knee brace from Ultra Flex Athletics comes with a bonus ankle brace. They are both very comfortable. They feel soft to my skin but provide a very good amount of support. I like that it is adjustable and forms nicely to my knee. They did have a bit of a strong smell when first taken out of the package but it has mostly went away now with use. 


 

I was happy to test this product out because I had 2 knee surgeries when I was a teenager and still have issues with it. I've tried a few different braces over the years to help give me support while walking or exercising. This one I like because it has velcro straps and feels very comfortable. Others I've tried are the slip on kind and they just feel way too tight and constricting. This brace also seems to breath well. My knee area doesn't get as sweaty.



This would be a great brace for anyone who needs a bit of extra support while exercising, playing sports, or just if you need it for everyday use while walking. 

You can find out more at Ultra Flex Athletics or head over to Amazon to order this knee brace & ankle support bundle. 

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own. 

Those Eyes: A love story Book Review



This book was totally not what I had expected. I haven't read any other books by Marc Richard so I guess I didn't realize he wrote dark humor type books. I discovered this once I started reading and the book just took bizarre turns and twists. I do like to broaden my horizons and at least give books a chance so I did finish it. 

Even though I was offended by some of the language and completely crazy side stories I give him credit for keeping me in it until the end. I wanted to see what happened between Ronnie & Helen.

If you like books that are full of dark humor then this is the book for you. It is full of twisted and bizarre things. Really crazy things. Not really my cup of tea but if we all liked the same things this world would be a boring place. Read it. You might like it. I'd like to know what you think! 

You can find Those Eyes: A love story on Amazon.

* I received an ebook copy in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own. 


Nutraplex Megaberry Bar Review



If you love berries then this Megaberry Bar from Nutraplex is for you! It has just the right amount of tart & sweet to it. You will taste flavors of acai berries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. It was so very good! It was soft and chewy in texture and with the addition of the chia seeds it gives it that bit of soft crunch I like. I love chia seeds in pretty much anything.





This bar is Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Vegetarian, Kosher, Soy Free, Dairy Free, and has no preservatives. It is full of antioxidants also. 

The ingredients in the Megaberry Bar include: dates, chia seeds, cranberry (with sugar, sunflower oil), cashews, pea protein, honey, raisins, safflower oil, blueberries (with sugar, sunflower oil), strawberries, strawberry juice concentrate, raspberries, acai powder, sunflower lecithin, natural flavors, sea salt, mixed tocopherols, and citric acid.

You can find this Megaberry Bar from Nutraplex along with their other bar flavors on their site. 

These bars make for a great snack to toss in your bag while running errands or for the plane. They also are good for a before or after workout snack. 

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

Nutraplex Pineapple Coconut Bar Review





This Pineapple Coconut Bar from Nutraplex was absolutely delicious! I ate it after a workout the other day and it kept me full until meal time.

This bar has such a good balance of pineapple and coconut flavor. I love the texture of it too. It's mostly soft but you get a bit of soft chewy crunch from the chia seeds. It doesn't leave a bad aftertaste either. It was so good!


A taste of tropical paradise in a bar!

It is Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Vegetarian, Kosher, Dairy Free, Soy Free, and has no preservatives.  

Ingredients in this Pineapple Coconut Bar include: dates, chia seeds, cashews, coconut, pea protein, honey, almonds, pineapple, safflower oil, sunflower lecithin, natural flavors, sea salt, mixed tocopherols, and citric acid.

You can find this Pineapple Coconut Bar on the Nutraplex website. They do offer a variety of flavors.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own. 

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Power Tek Flash Premium LED Headlamp Review



We go through a lot of headlamps at our house for camping, hunting, walking out and back to the bonfire, reading, or just the boys using them in the house at night. They are so useful and make things easier since they are hands free.




This Power Tek Flash Premium LED Headlamp has up to 120 hours of battery life with 3 AAA batteries (not included). It has 3 brightness settings- high, medium, & low, including SOS for emergencies. It also has 2 red LEDs and red strobe light. It's lightweight at only 3 oz. and water resistant rated to IPX6. 



It tilts & has a very comfortable adjustable strap.


All four of our boys and my husband tested this headlamp out. It fit comfortably on each of them when adjusted. They liked that it tilted so they could easily adjust it depending on what they needed it for. It's in rotation through the house currently. I've gotten to use it for reading which is so nice not having to hold onto anything. I don't have a lamp on my side of the bed so a headlamp is nice. My oldest has already requested it for his week at camp this summer. I know this will continue to get lots of use. 

You can find this Power Tek Flash Premium LED Headlamp on Amazon.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own & for this particular post opinions of the rest of my house too.



French Press for Coffee & Tea - Bundle Review



This French Press Coffee & Tea Maker from Kitchen Supreme comes with everything you need to get started making your best cups of tea and coffee. It comes with the French Press, 4 filter screens, 1 thick stainless steel spoon, 1 coffee or tea scoop, and a booklet with instructions. The French Press itself if very sturdy and made from double Borosilicate glass. It is very easy to use and clean.

I made Cherry Tart tea.


I have made coffee and tea with this French Press and both have came out delicious. I've not had any problems with having any coffee grinds or tea leaves getting into my cup. The filter screens keep all of it where they should be. 


 Perfect cup of tea! 


This French Press looks so nice I keep it out on my counter. It's so quick and easy to use and I love just making enough for 2 or 3 cups so it's perfect.

You can find this French Press for Coffee & Tea Bundle on Amazon.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own. 

** I may have been drinking delicious coffee made with this French Press while writing this post. :)


Friday, March 20, 2015

Luxe Home Essentials Microfiber Kitchen Dish Towels Review



These microfiber dish towels from Luxe Home Essentials are super absorbent. They are 15 x 25 inches so they are similar to most of my other kitchen towels in size. These outlast my other dish towels by a long shot. I am able to dry many more dishes even though these towels feel so much lighter and thinner. Microfiber can hold up to 10 times it's weight in water.


The towels are soft but durable. They don't leave streaks when drying. I love the bright white color. It's so clean looking and will also fit with any decor. 




My towels washed up well. I just tossed them in with the rest of my towels. They didn't shrink or get any fuzzballs on them. I'm very happy with these and look forward to not needing as many towels hanging in my kitchen since one of these does the work of a few of my regular ones!

You can find these microfiber kitchen dish towels on Amazon.

* As a blogger companies provide me samples of their products for review just as Luxe Home Essentials did. Opinions are my own.