Nature Box Review

 Nature Box sent me a box to review!

Here's some info about them first...

 NatureBox is a subscription service that offers the ability to discover and enjoy
healthy snacks on a monthly basis. We currently ship to the 48 continental states as
well as FPO/APO addresses. We also ship to P.O. Boxes.

Our products are made from wholesome ingredients and are Nutritionist-approved.
We abide by our strict quality standards: No High Fructose Corn Syrup, No Partially
Hydrogenated Oils, No Trans Fats, No Artificial Sweeteners, No Artificial Flavors, No
Artificial Colors.

We are working on new NatureBoxes which will address various dietary needs and
personal preferences. If you are interested in a not-yet-launched line of
NatureBoxes, send us an email to info@naturebox.com to be added to our mailing
list when we introduce new or customized NatureBoxes.

 Currently, our boxes are unable to be customized but NatureBoxes will soon be
available in various sizes depending on you or your family’s needs.

 We catalog all of our NatureBoxes and each month we display the nutrition label and
ingredient list of every NatureBox product on our site:
http://www.naturebox.com/naturebox-foods/

NatureBoxes make great gifts for your friends and family for holidays, special
occasions, or anytime. College students, summer campers, teachers, coaches, new
parents, and deployed service members all love to receive healthy snacks any time of
the year.

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Now, for my review.

First of all, I loved that this box was FULL of healthier options.They took common snacks that people enjoy and made them HEALTHIER! Now that sure is a WIN in my book!

NatureBox Figgy Bars with Honey

Re-think your snack cake dessert and instead enjoy this Fig and Honey bar made with whole wheat flour and juicy figs. Low in fat and sweetened with fruit and honey, these Fig and Honey bars won’t spike your blood sugar or leave you feeling sluggish from too many processed ingredients.

My Rating: 9/10! These bars were super chewy and the flavor was sweet, but not too sweet.  

NatureBox Dried Cherries

Put down the small wrapped package of chewy fruit snacks or candy and treat yourself to a serving of our not-too-sweet and not-too-tart dried cherries. With no added sugars, these cherries are sweetened only by nature and are a great source of fiber.

My Rating: 10/10! I LOVED these! They were the perfect little sweet treat, but I felt good about eating them! So flavorful and tasty! 

NatureBox Nuts for Granola!

If you go nuts over a bowl of cereal, our Nuts for Granola will give you a hearty dose of the nutrients you need around the clock. This granola is high in fiber and protein to give your snack or meal real staying power. Void of processed and excessive added sugar, we’re nuts for this special granola!

My Rating: 8/10. This granola was good. Jared also tried some and said it was the perfect addition to his smoothie!

NatureBox Firecrakers

If a zesty crunch if what you crave in your snacks, you’ll love our sweet chili Firecrackers made from rice and lightly flavored with soy sauce, garlic and paprika. With no artificial flavors or colors and significantly less sodium than your usual snack cracker from a box, you’ll get a satisfying crunch without all the added ingredients.

My Rating: 11/10! OMG. I loved these!!! Watch my video:

NatureBox Sunshine Chips

We know there’s something about crispy potato chips that make them an American favorite. Instead of potato chips that are high in fat, our Sunshine Chips offers a rainbow of vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, taro and green beans as a crispy snack that’s hard to resist. These Sunshine Chips are a better choice when a salty crunch is what you need.

My Rating: 8/10! I loved the crunchiness of these chips. I thought it was great that you get a serving of vegetables while you feel like you're eating potato chips! I didn't really enjoy the green beans, so that is the only reason I gave it an 8. If you like green beans, I am sure you would dig these!

Zevia Giveaway Winner!

CONGRATS!

Please email me your address info so I can send your prize!

:)

Enjoy Life Foods - Not Nuts! Seed & Fruit Mix Review

 I already reviewed Enjoy Life Foods Crunchy Cookies. Check that out if you missed it here!

Here's some info about their Seed & Fruit Mixes from their website:

Salty, sweet and crunchy, our trail mix is so good you won’t even miss the nuts. On the trail or on the go, it's the ideal portable snack. With no peanuts or tree nuts (or any other allergens for that matter), it also makes a great school-safe treat.

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Now, for the review!

I brought Jared back as another guest reviewer to assist me :-)

Beach Bash: 8/10! I liked the Cranberries and Pineapple bits the most! This was a unique trail mix because it did not include any nuts. But, I didn't really miss them! I enjoyed the saltiness from the sunflower seeds. The only thing I would have left out were the Pumpkin Seeds. They weren't my favorite, but those are just my taste buds talking! 

Mountain Mambo: 8/10. It was a bit of a twist to your typical "trail mix", but not exactly a bad thing. The taste was good. The pumpkin seeds aren't my favorite but the fruit, sunflower kernels, and chocolate helped a lot. My dad tried it and he loved it too.  I would definitely use this product for a quick snack!

All smiles from K & J :)

So, there ya go! Please visit Enjoy Life Foods website and check out their awesome products!

Udderly Smooth Review & Giveaway!!!

Udderly Smooth sent me some product to review and host a giveaway!

Here's some info about Udderly Smooth:

Family owned and operated, Redex Industries, has manufactured Udderly Smooth® products for over 30 years. Manufactured in Salem, Ohio, under the direct guidance of Bill Kennedy, CEO and Registered Pharmacist. Originally invented for use on dairy cows and now used for dry and chapped skin
Udderly Smooth® Udder Cream was originally invented in Ohio use on dairy cows under harsh conditions. Now used for dry and chapped skin on people worldwide . Product uses also include:
* Dry and chapped skin
* As a shaving lotion
* Diabetes skin care
* Hand and Foot Syndrome- a side effect of chemotherapy drugs
* Chamois cream for bicyclists
* Needlework and quilting

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My Review:

10/10!

First of all, I have used other creams, but they all have one thing in common: they stink! (literally). The great thing about Udderly Smooth is the smell. It smells GREAT! I really liked that.

All of the products made my skin feel silky smooth! 

I made a video about my two favorites:

Would you like to try some Udderly Smooth for yourself???

Well, here's your chance!

Mandatory Entry:

1. Visit their website and tell me which product you would like to try the most!

Bonus Entries:

2. Follow Udderly Smooth on Twitter

3. Tweet about this giveaway: "@Christianqt07 is having a giveaway for @UdderlySmooth lotions. Click here for your chance:

You must leave me a comment for each seperate entry. 

Giveaway ends on Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

Winner will be chosen via Random.org

Guest Post: 5 Tips to Cope with Down Time Eating

5 Tips to Cope with Down Time Eating


Do you eat simply to have something to do? You’re initial reaction is probably a resounding no, but take a moment to reconsider. Be honest with yourself! If your answer is yes (or perhaps just a slightly guilty maybe), guess what? You’re not alone. Millions of people engage in this bad habit.

Unfortunately, like most bad habits, down time eating (a.k.a. boredom eating) isn’t an easy thing to stop. However, here are five tips that might help:

1.) Recognize – The first thing you need to do is realize that you have a problem. If you don’t think you have a bad habit then how could you possibly break it? Acknowledge that you eat when you’re bored or when you have free time. One way to pinpoint this problem is to keep a food diary. Write down what you eat and when. Keep a sharp lookout for any patterns such as eating whenever you’re waiting for your kids to finish soccer practice or when you’re relaxing in front of the television.



2.) Have a drink…of water that is – When you find yourself looking for a tasty treat have a big drink of water instead. First off, water is just plain good for you, but it can also take up space in your stomach making you feel fuller. There are tons of low or no calorie flavorings you can add to your water if you want something other than “plain”. In addition, studies have shown that sometimes our brains don’t distinguish between being hungry and being thirsty. If your having trouble determining whether you’re actually hungry or just bored grab a glass of water.



3.) Make a list and check it twice – There’s a very simple way to break the habit of down time eating – find something better to do. Ah, there’s the problem. What’s better than indulging in a sweet snack? Make a list. Make yourself a list of things you enjoy doing or need to do that you can refer to when you’re tempted. That book you’ve been wanting to read? That new computer game you’ve wanted to try? That cluttered closet you’ve been meaning to get to? Put them all on your list for the next time your rummaging through the cupboards. The act of making your anti-boredom eating list will help stave off boredom eating!



4.) Brush your teeth – The next time you’re trying to figure out what you can snack on head straight into the bathroom and brush your teeth. At this point, you may be thinking, “wait, what?” but brushing your teeth can have a temporary effect on your desire to eat. Your mouth will feel fresh, minty, and clean which translates to the brain as “meal time is over”. In addition, food doesn’t taste so great right after you brush your teeth so you’ll probably be a little hesitant to go chow down.



5.) Say no to sweets and treats – Okay, this might seem obvious but it’s important. On your trips to the grocery store avoid purchasing problem snacks. Refer to your food diary. Is there a certain food or foods you always pick to satisfy your down time “hunger” cravings? For instance, if you always engage in boredom eating while watching television and your go to snack is popcorn don’t load up on it at the store.

Down time eating (a.k.a. boredom eating) is a bad habit. There’s simply no other way to look at it. The good news is this isn’t an uncommon problem so there are plenty of tips and tricks available to help you kick this habit to the curb.

One final bit of advice: If you simply MUST eat while bored go for a healthy alternative. Instead of chips and dip have carrots and hummus. Instead of ice cream have a frozen banana. Pick out your favorite snack and search the Internet for a healthy alternative.



This post contributed by Alex Webb on behalf of Tristate Orthopaedic Treatment Center providers of Cincinnati sports medicine. Alex is working to lead a healthier lifestyle. She’s always looking for new tips and tricks to aid her on this journey as well as for opportunities to share her own knowledge on safely getting fit and being healthy.

Pur Gum Review

Pur Gum sent me some product to review! 

Info about Pur Gum:

PÜR Gum is the #1 selling aspartame-free better tasting, long-lasting gum. Now there's a great tasting gum made especially for people who are looking for a healthy alternative to aspartame-free chewing gum.

We love our Gum!!

Most gums on the market are made with the ingredient Aspartame- a man-made synthetic sweetener that's been linked to many diseases. The FDA has listed 92 acknowledged symptoms of aspartame poisoning (we're not making this stuff up).

There's hope everyone! PÜR Gum is sweetened with Xylitol, a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol found in corn cobs and stalks which a healthy alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Made in Switzerland, PÜR Gum gives YOU the highest standard of chewing gum on the market (because we care just that much!!) Wait, there's more...Infused with antioxidants, PÜR is naturally coloured and flavoured, vegan friendly, free of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and gluten-free.

Available in four delicious and tantalizing flavours: Peppermint, Pomegranate Mint, Spearmint and eXcitemint, YOU can KICK ASPARTAME to the curb with PÜR Gum.

What has your gum done for you lately?

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MY REVIEW:

First of all, I just have to show you their advertisement:

 

CRACKED ME UP! 

I love it!

10/10! This gum is fantastic! It keeps the flavor a longgggg time and it doesn't hurt my jaw after chewing for a while! I liked how they had the classic flavors (Peppermint & Spearmint) then, they had ExciteMINT and Pomegranate Mint. I liked all the flavors, but pomegranate mint was probably my favorite. It was fruity and minty at the same time. WIN WIN!

Please visit their website at

 http://www.pur-gum.com/pur_home.php

Try some of this awesome gum for yourself!

:)

Pur Gum challenges YOU to kick aspartame!!!

Three things for Tuesday!

1. I just hit the jackpot at Walmart! I found this brand new BEN & JERRY'S FROZEN GREEK YOGURT! To make it even better...get this...it is PEANUT BUTTER BANANA flavored!!!!! Oh.My.Gosh. It's insanely good! It even has 6 grams of protein in it!!!!!!! Perfect little treat! 

2. I love saving money, but I decided to splurge on this beauty... Yup, that's right...a 4 pack of Monster Absolute Zero. I only let myself have those once in a blue moon (because I'm crazy and hyper enough without them!) but this 4 pack was on sale for $6 so I had to take advantage of it!

3. Here's the 3rd Day of the Health Activist Writer's Challenge: 

 Superpower Day. If you had a superpower – what would it be? How would you use it? 

Hmmm... I would definitely pick the ability to fly! I would be able to fly anywhere for free and would be able to get there in a FLASH! Sometimes, long car trips are fun, but I'd much rather spend more time at the destination than sitting in the car all day.

What's something new that you've found lately? 

What superpower would you pick?