Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Perfect for Pot Lucks, Parties, Tail Gating, Bar-B-Ques and More!

This tray is a must have for anyone who throws or attends parties, get togethers, pot lucks, or any other event where people bring food to share. As a dance event organizer, I supply healthy snacks for
To Purchase This 4 Container Tray
Go HERE http://amzn.to/2eDBCn8
my attendees. Until now it's been a matter of using whatever containers I have available... and of course there's no way to keep things cool.

This Pom Premium Condiment Tray is the perfect container for my needs. First, it's SOLID. It's made of good thick acrylic that will withstand being carried and moved and overfilled. There's plenty of room for enough ice to last through most parties, and the individual containers hold plenty of fruits, veggies, or other items. And I love, Love. LOVE the hinged lid which keeps bugs and other flying debris out of the food.

I've used the small (4 container) one for several of my dances as well as my daughter's birthday and I'm totally sold on them now. Soooo much better than a mixed bag of bowls and such. It was nice to
To Purchase the 5 container option,
go HERE http://amzn.to/2eP9J8b
have things on ice when needed so that everything stayed fresh and cool. And clean-up is dead simple.

I just plain love the uniformity and practicality of these things and I know I'm going to use them for a LOT of events and parties in the future!


I received this sample at a discount however I am under no obligation to write a review. My opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my personal experience with the product. I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller. I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions!

Ultra Pro-20 Probiotic Drops

As a Massage Therapist I am always looking for products to recommend to my clients. In addition my 88 yr old father moved in with me recently and so I'm working on improving his diet and health in general. So I jumped at the chance to try out something I've not tried before; a LIQUID Probiotic by Ultra6 Nutrition.

You Can Purchase This Item
Here: http://amzn.to/2f60w0i


I already have my father on Probiotics ... and it's made a huge difference for him. He has struggled with digestive issues both because of a (now repaired) hernia and the not-exactly-ideal diet he had when he was on his own. I had put him on a probiotic quite awhile back and it not only helped him to get through the time leading up to the hernia repair, but it helped him to heal quickly. If someone wants to take ONE nutritional supplement, this is what I'd suggest to most people, because without a healthy gut, the rest of your body will always be out of balance. (Just as an aside, I also put his dog on them .... she used to fart a green gas that could be used in a chemical warfare attack! But no more! We have a fart-free dog now!)

I REALLY like these liquid drops. I prefer to use liquid forms for my supplements wherever possible.... with a liquid, you know you will absorb FAR more of the product, and far more quickly. With this Probiotic you just put some under your tongue and let it sit before swallowing. Couldn't be easier and the taste isn't at all unpleasant - slightly sweet thanks to the Prebiotic Frutctooligosacchrides and a little Stevia.

One of the most impressive things about this product is that there are 20 - yes TWENTY strains of probiotics in this.... which is a REALLY great blend. Many only include a few, and this is one time that "the more the merrier" is a good thing! I have put together a Probiotics Primer HERE where I have described the benefits of many of the strains that you will find in this blend (its a work in progress!) Included in this blend are:

Lactobacillus: Rhamnosus, Plantarum, Fermentum, Acidophilus, Infantis, Casei, Reuteri, Gasseri, Helviticus, Bulgaricus, Paracasei

Saccharomyces: Salivarius, Boulardii, Cerivissiae, Thermophilus

Bifidobacterium: Bifidum, Breve, Subtilus, Longum, Lactis

This is definitely a product that I will be purchasing again.... I don't say that about a lot of supplements because I am usually checking out other products but I'm definitely getting these for my father AND myself!


I received this sample at a discount however I am under no obligation to write a review. My opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my personal experience with the product. I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller. I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions!

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Probiotics Primer: What Do They All Do?

I often give out info on Probiotics to my friends and clients ... but there are so many strains it's impossible for most people to know what they are all for.... so I'm comprising a list of the different Probiotic strains here for reference: (this is a work in progress so keep checking back)

Lactobacillus acidophilus - a bacteria that exists naturally in the body, primarily in the intestines and the vagina. Acidophilus helps maintain an acidic environment in the body, which can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Bifidobacterium bifidum - maintains the micro flora balance within the intestines, controls the increase of detrimental bacteria, bolsters the immune system, and aids in the digestive process. May also have a positive influence in controlling allergies.

 Lactobacillus bulgaricus -  A particularly rugged strain of microbial flora which has been shown to withstand the low pH levels within the stomach during its digestive journey which helps it to help other microflora become established.

Lactobacillus salivarius - Found in the mouth and upper digestive tract, this bacteria has been seen to be effective against the bacteria that causes plaque as well as helping to reduce the effects of colitis, septic shock, and E coli infections.

Lactobacillus brevis - provides anti-inflammatory benefits to the human digestive system and thus is very helpful for people with IBS, constipation, and possibly colon cancer.

bBifidobacterium lactis - helps to ferment a wide variety of carbohydrates, including lactose and the sugars in cruciferous vegetables, dried beans and some cereal grains that humans cannot digest. It also has enzymes to digest proteins so that they don’t putrefy in the colon.

Lactobacillus paracasei - helps protect the human body from disease and illness by restricting the growth of various types of harmful bacteria that cause infection and be detrimental to an individual's health. Some strains of the bacteria help control diarrhea, while other strains have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut. Other advantageous effects include reducing lactose intolerance, alleviating constipation, and even modulation of the immune system

Lactobacillus plantarum - has been shown to be an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and colitis. It has the ability to destroy pathogens and to preserve critical nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. It has also shown the rare ability to produce L. lysine, a beneficial amino acid. One of the most exciting uses for Lactobacillus plantarum involves using it to deliver therapeutic compounds and proteins to the body.

lactobacillus casei - helps protect the human body from disease and illness by restricting the growth of various types of harmful bacteria that cause infection and be detrimental to an individual's health. Some strains of the bacteria help control diarrhea, while other strains have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut. Other advantageous effects include reducing lactose intolerance, alleviating constipation, and even modulation of the immune system

bividobacterium longus - helps to ferment a wide variety of carbohydrates, including lactose and the sugars in cruciferous vegetables, dried beans and some cereal grains that humans cannot digest. It also has enzymes to digest proteins so that they don’t putrefy in the colon.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus -  Aids with strengthening the immune system, particularly in combating intestinal and urinary tract pathogens, Aids in dairy product digestion among the lactose-intolerant and decreases the duration of diarrhea

bacillus subtilis - Survives passage through the GI tract (many cultures don't make it past the stomach) and is believed to increase immune reaction of intestinal cells which is helpful against pathogens

L Fermentum
L infantus
L Reuteri
S Boulardii
L Helveticus
S Cerivissiae
S Thermopilus

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Vitamix Liquid Multivitamin by Ceregumil

To Purchase Go Here: http://amzn.to/2eDNJ49   
As a Massage Therapist I'm always looking for Health and Wellness items to recommend to my clients. I generally don't like stocking a lot of Nutritional items (or anything for that matter) in my office... I'd rather just point people to where they can get it themselves. So I was happy to check out this Liquid Vitamin by Ceregumil, which is available on Amazon. 

Most of us have a good reason to take a vitamin -  life is just plain full of stresses, whether they be physical (Illness/Accidents/Surgery), Emotional (Loss/Anxiety/Relationship or Work stress), or Dietary (Poor diet or Digestive issues like IBS and Chroans Disease). The thing is figuring out the right vitamin/nutritional supplement for you.

I'm a big believer that if you are going to take a vitamin, it might as well be in liquid form. For one thing half the time the pills are large enough for a horse to take. Second, research has shown that many of those pills don't even get properly digested. With a liquid you KNOW you will get the full benefit... and much of that will happen within minutes of you taking the dose.

I have mixed feeling about this one. Vitamix is a good, BASIC liquid vitamin with all the main vitamins and minerals that you will want in your diet. However, the first ingredient is White Cane Sugar. Their claim is that this gives you a good energy boost, supposedly because of the B vitamins, but for those sensitive to sugar, odds are the Cane Sugar and Honey are at least partially responsible for your buzz. Also, it's recommended that you take this 3x/day ... most blends I've worked with have been once/day. So you may want to keep that in mind when researching your options.

However, the vitamins/ingredients are otherwise generally solid.  A partial list is:

• Selenium, B2, B3, B6, B12, biotin & folate to support healthy energy
• Antioxidants B2 (riboflavin) and selenium to help aid in healthy red blood cell production
• Vitamin D3 to promote strong bones and teeth
• Vitamin B1 to support heart health

In addition it contains extracts of wheat, barley, corn, beans, and lentils, all foods found in a Classic Mediterranean diet. The taste is definitely on the sweeter side with a malty, caramel flavor.Again, I see this as a good, basic Vitamin for someone who has a decent diet or those who have food allergy issues that can't use a Vitamin with other supplementary nutritional ingredients.

There are many, MANY liquid vitamins out there. Part of the process of choosing which one is best for you depends on your diet, exercise, and health needs. So if you already have a decent, well balanced diet, this may be a great option for you. If you have a really crappy diet, that lacks in greens or fruits, I'd suggest that you look for a liquid that has food-based blends added to it that include a lot of the trace minerals and benefits that you get from eating those foods (ie, some will have Bromelain, an anti-inflammatory that comes from Pineapples combined with other anti-inflammatory things like Turmeric and Lemon Bioflavinoids). There are TONS of other options including the Bodsmith Liquid Multi with 200 Nutrients. I strongly suggest that you do your research for any Nutritional Supplements that you may take because some of the ingredients may be contraindicated for medications that you are on, and you need to read the labels to make sure you are not allergic to any of the additional ingredients.

I received this sample at a discount however I am under no obligation to write a review. My opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my personal experience with the product. I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller. I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions!


Odeco Rechargable 7 function Vibe in Black and Teal

Attention: This is an ADULT toy and reviews may contain (ahem) sensitive or Adult language.

I've been single for far too long (and being a Caretaker now, I doubt I'll have time to date any time soon!) so I've amassed a nice little collection of vibrators and toys to keep boredom at bay. So I've learned what *I* like ... and these things can be very subjective so I suggest you read as many reviews as you can so you can get a good idea of all the different experiences with these things.

You can get this item here:
Teal http://amzn.to/2dEhxtj
Black http://amzn.to/2dEhP3e
For me, this is a decent standard vibe. The solid silicone construction is easy to clean and should last a long time. The head has a bunch of nubs to add to the experience .... and yes, again, this is a solid silicone... so if you prefer a softer toy, this one won't be for you. I'm not a big fan of the lights on the sides... I just don't see the point of them. Also, the switch and plug are not easy to find (I'm including photos to show where they are) and to be honest, I had a hard time getting the switch to turn on much of the time. Once it's on the switch works well.

The 7 functions are plenty for me... I have a few toys that have 20-something functions and honestly, it's too much. I personally just need it to vibrate... having a ton of different pulse patterns doesn't do much for me. But that's me. If  you like lots of different vibe patterns this may not be for you.

Finally the battery has up to 150 minutes play time which is HUGE. So many vibes just die suddenly
after a short time... so if you like to have extended play time, this is a GREAT vibe. In fact, this may be it's best feature, depending on what you feel is important...So - a decent vibe... good for beginners and those who want a long-acting toy.

One thing you should note: Never use Silicone lube with silicone toys... it will mess them up, so use water based lubes only. 

I received this for free in exchange for my time to work with this product so I can write a fair and honest review... however, I only accept review items I need so I can give them a real trial, and thus my opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my experience with the product. I have received no compensation and I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller.  I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions!

 

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Safe Guard Disposable Latex Gloves - Not Just For Dr's Any More!

I'm a Massage Therapist so I occasionally have the need for disposable gloves (like when I work on someone for TMJ dysfunction) But I've been using this type of glove for other things since long before I became a Massage Therapist over 12 yrs ago.

You can purchase these gloves here
http://amzn.to/2dL3o0d
I use these all the time in the garden. I used to have a business where I often did what I called "Triage Gardening" ... where the gardens were overgrown and need a total renovation. So you never knew what you would come across - anything from cat poop to poison ivy might be in there. I hate using regular gloves because I can't feel the soil and roots when working in these situations, so this kind of glove became my go-to for many of my gardening jobs. Now, being disposable and very thin, they can and do tear easily, but as soon as I get a few tears I just put on another pair. I can't tell you how many times I've grabbed Poison Ivy and been very thankful to have this kind of glove on. I just carefully removed the glove, often it ended up covering the PI so I could toss it all out together and it didn't end up in the compost pile either. They DO get hot and sweaty when working outside but I'll take that over a Poison Ivy rash ANY day!

I also use them for some housecleaning jobs and any time that my hands may end up in something "questionable"... renovations and the like come to mind. Or cleaning a very dirty dog.... or... well, you get the idea.

These gloves by Safe Guard are as good as any I've used... I got the Large size and I'd say they are true to size. They are ambidextrous and powder free (some people are allergic to the powder used in these gloves). DO note they are Latex so if you have a Latex allergy you need to look for another brand that is Latex-free.

I received this sample at a discount however I am under no obligation to write a review. My opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my personal experience with the product. I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller. I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions! Happy Shopping!





Sunday, October 9, 2016

ALL THE NOMS! Ultimate Healthy Bar & Snacks Variety Pack Bulk Sampler

(50 Count) 


You can find these yummy snacks here
http://amzn.to/2e1U2v1
If you are like me, you are always on the run and breakfast/lunch can be hit or miss. So when I got to check this Ultimate Healthy Bar & Snacks Variety Pack Bulk Sampler, I jumped right on it.

This box would make a great Care Package for the student, traveler, parties, Halloween, sports teams, or Service member in your life. There's not one bar/packet in there that I don't like. I love having the huge variety so I can grab something different on my way out the door when I'm heading to my office. I'm also an avid hiker and I like to keep at least one bar with me when I head out just in case I need a little lift on the trail. It comes in a really nice solid box that can be used for other goodies when it's empty too. 

Package includes: (Sometimes you will get one or two different samples when quantities are low)

9 Natures Fig Bar – 2 oz, 8 Fiber One Bar – 1.4 oz, 4 Kashi Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt – 1.2 oz, 8 Quaker Chewy Bar – 0.84 oz, 8 Nature Valley Trail Mix – 1.2 oz, 8 Nature Valley Sweet & Salty – 1.2 oz, & 5 Planters Peanuts – 1 oz

Definitely check this out. You can find it on Amazon.com here http://amzn.to/2e1U2v1

I received this for a discounted rate in exchange for my time to work with this product so I can write a fair and honest review... however, I only accept review items I need so I can give them a real trial, and thus my opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my experience with the product. I have received no compensation and I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller. I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions! Happy Shopping!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Kinga's Heated Ceramic Hair Straightener - Frizzy To Straight In Under 5 Minutes

I've reviewed a number of these Ceramic Brush style hair straighteners now. In general I have liked them all... to be honest many were basically the same hair-brush-style as another that I had reviewed with a different name and perhaps a slightly different placement of the control buttons. And they all worked great. But as with any new technology, once something comes out others will often take the concept and improve on it.

Enter the 2nd Generation of Ceramic Hair Straightening brushes. One of the things I didn't like about the original designs was that they were a bit heavy and clumsy... but the results were worth the downside at the time. Obviously someone else felt the same as I did and designed this new style which is more like a small travel-brush size/style which is MUCH easier to handle with the same results.

Not only is it lighter in weight and easier to handle, the back of the head doesn't tend to get hot like the original versions. As you can see in the video I'm uploading, I'm able to hold the head while its on quite comfortably. Many of the older versions include gloves to keep you from getting burned because the case got so hot.

One other improvement is how fast this thing heats up. Literally 1-2 minutes and it's ready to go. For someone like me who hates to fuss too much with my hair, those minutes mean a lot to me!

The temperature is set in 5 levels instead of by actual temperature. This simplifies things as you quickly learn which setting works best for you. My somewhat curly, thick but not coarse hair does well on the 3rd or 4th setting. The coarser your hair, the higher setting you will need. It takes me less than 5 minutes to get my hair straight and ready to go out the door.

All in all I love this thing. I thought the originals were brilliant, but this newer design is a definite improvement and this is my new, go-to for taming my locks before I go out. I'll be uploading a video as soon as this goes live to show you how it works.


Link To Purchase The Kinga Hair Straightener


 

Saturday, May 7, 2016

GERO Tactical Hard Locking Steel Metal Gun/Security Safe/Case

I got this for my 88 yr old father, who INSISTS on keeping a gun even though there is no way he could get to it (never mind hold it up to use it!) if he had an intruder. The argument for people being allowed to have handguns is often that they need them for self protection, but if your gun is out where anyone can grab it and either take it or use it against you, IMO it's pretty damned useless and is MORE likely to end up in the hands of one of "the bad guys" if his house is ever broken into.

So - I got this so he can keep his gun and *I* can keep my sanity! It scares me to death to think of him trying to actually use the a gun as he's gotten quite frail and has congestive heart failure. But I'm learning how to negotiate things with him so that he feels he has control of his world and *I* have peace of mind, lol!

This thing is SOLID... thanks to the 20 gauge steel and foam lining, once the gun is locked in it there's no way it will accidentally go off if dropped (assuming you like to keep your gun loaded, which I discourage). And while I suppose that a really determined thief might eventually be able to jimmy the lock and break into this box, if it's attached to something in the home they can't just grab and run and deal with it later.... thus keeping it out of their hands. AND ... your kids/grandkids won't be able to find your gun and get hurt. FAR too many children are killed or kill someone in this country and I can't imagine being the surviving child and living with that for the rest of your life.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for having guns.... but part of RESPONSIBLE gun ownership is proper storage when you are not using it... and this case is a GREAT option for smaller handguns.

As for using this for travel - while I can see the usefulness and if you have something that is THAT valuable, you may want to consider this thing, it is HEAVY. As in, 2lb, 12oz heavy...so the decision to use this needs to include your willingness/ability to have that weight in your bag. If you are traveling in hostels and need to keep your money/cards/phones safe when you are away from the hostel or asleep, this may be worth keeping with you. If you are going to an area where the hotel may have a safe, you may want to leave it at home.

I think my father has another, larger gun (as in, there's NO way he can handle it) and I'll be looking for a larger one of these to store that one in. And then I'll be able to breathe easier!

Once I get this to my father I will get a photo with the gun in it - for now I've added photos to show the use for travel.

You can purchase this case at Amazon.com here: http://amzn.to/1Wfm9ci

I received this for a discounted rate in exchange for my time to work with this product so I can write a fair and honest review... however, I only accept review items I need so I can give them a real trial, and thus my opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my experience with the product. I have received no compensation and I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller. I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Imperial Collection White 6 Knife Set


To View/Purchase on Amazon, go http://bit.ly/WhiteKnifeSet
I've been threatening to get new knives for awhile now. I have to admit, I didn't have super high expectations for these knives. I figured, at $20 for the set, they would be a improvement from what I have but that was it. Boy was I wrong.

I'm pretty impressed with these knives. They are sleek, well balanced and have a pretty reasonable edge to them. The textured handles give good grip while being comfortable to hold.

I tested them out on a variety of vegetables - starting with a cabbage. I used the 8" Chef Knife and tested it against my old knife. Lets just say there was a lot less effort needed with this new knife than with my old one. Next I went to the other end of the spectrum and used the 3.5" Paring Knife to cut up some carrots, tomatoes and sweet pepper. I was so

impressed with the cut I've taken a close-up of the tomato and pepper because it was so clean.

The other knives performed just as well with other veggies as well as trimming fat off a pot roast. The only one I haven't tried is the Bread Knife because I only get bread in for special occasions. The veggie peeler also performed as expected.

This set would make a really nice Wedding or Birthday present.... the knives are presented in a beautiful solid box that can hold them until you get a magnet or butcher block to hold them.

I'm delighted with these knives and I'm happily giving my old set away... :)
 
I received this for free in exchange for my time to work with this product so I can write a fair and honest review... however, I only accept review items I need so I can give them a real trial, and thus my opinions and experiences are a real and true reflection of my experience with the product. I have received no compensation and I don't have any kind of personal/business relationship with the seller. I hope my review helps you in your purchase decisions!