Healthy & Gluten-free snacking and fueling! NoGii Gluten-Free Protein Bars, Powder and Paleo Bar review....love them!

I was lucky enough to have Moms Meet send me a huge package of NoGii entire line of products, including the book, The G Free Diet and a fabulous shirt as well. I felt so spoiled opening up this package and seeing how generous and how many awesome products that were included.

Awesome sample swag pack!

NoGii is a line of certified gluten-free protein bars, protein powders, and paleo bars created by Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Made from high quality and sustainably sourced premium ingredients, all products have an ideal balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates and do not contain high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, or hydrogenated oils. They're a perfect way to get a punch of protein and quick, clean fuel for an on-the-go and active lifestyle. 

The package contained a TON of protein bars, which was the first thing that I wanted to try. I love having protein bars on hand because it's a perfect way to fuel pre or post-workout, especially when short on time or leading a busy lifestyle. There were many different flavors to choose from and also a choice of high protein and super protein bars. The high protein bars range from 17 to 20 grams of protein per bar and are under 250 calories so perfect for a snack or energy boost. The super protein bars had 26 to 30 grams of protein in each single bar! Talk about a protein punch!  The super protein bars are about 400 calories a piece so on the higher end for calories. I actually usually just eat half a bar at a time to keep it around my 200-250 calorie snack goal. I definitely keep one of these bars in all my different bags (purse, diaper bag, yoga bag) and car for quick and healthier snack.

I reached for the chocolate coconut flavor (a high protein bar) first and it was AMAZING! This flavor was by far my favorite one and they didn't last too long in our house (my husband was pretty excited to give these a try too).  To be honest, all the flavors that I have tried were all great tasting and none tasted chalky or dry like some other competitors. I liked that they were chewy and weren't overly sweet to me. Having all natural ingredients (that you can actually pronounce) was a huge bonus and made me feel better about what I was eating. 

Definitely my favorite flavor! 

Also included was paleo bars. I've never seen paleo bars made by a manufacturer before (always see recipes to make your own on Pinterest). These bars are made with all natural ingredients (main ingredients are nuts, dates, honey, and fruits). They have a lower protein content compared to their other products, but they taste great and offer a lot of healthy fats and vitamins from the nuts and fruit in the bars. My favorite was the Nuts About Berries flavor. The tartness from the cherries was nicely balanced by the nuttiness. 

I also received a 2 pound jug of the vanilla Whey and Quinoa Protein Powder. I've had several different brands of protein powder in the past, but none that contained quinoa as well. Quinoa is an amino-acid rich seed that contains more protein than any other grain, and is higher in unsaturated fats and lower in carbohydrates. I'm very reluctant when it comes to protein powders because I feel like most taste pretty terrible. I reluctantly added this to my strawberry banana smoothie and was pleasantly surprised as I loved the addition. It tasted great and added a smooth vanilla flavor to my smoothie. Two scoops of powder (a serving) contains 20 grams of protein, 160 calories, 5 grams of sugar and a ton of fiber (7 grams or 28% of your daily value).

Awesome in smoothies!

Even my toddler loved it!

Overall, I was really pleased with all of these products and would recommend them to anyone trying to lead a clean eating or gluten-free diet. They tasted great, the nutritional facts were on point and they provided a quick and easy source of protein. The only downside to the products that I could find was that they were a bit above my preferred price range (for example, NoGii’s High Protein Peanut Butter & Chocolate Bar retails for $2.50 to $2.99 for one 1.93oz bar). 

If you're interested in learning more about NoGii's product line be sure to visit their website at www.nogii.com and check out their Facebook page as well. 

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. If interested in participating in review panels and other opportunities, join the Moms Meet community at greenmomsmeet.com 

Xlear Care Kit Review - Dental & Nasal Care Products with All-Natural Xylitol #momsmeet

I was selected as one of the Moms Meet Bloggers to be able to recieve a Xlear Care Kit to try and review. The Xlear Care Kit contained several different dental and nasal care products that contain xylitol, a naturally occurring sweetener. According to Xlear, Xylitol has been shown to help the body's naturally cleaning process to clear away allergens, asthmatic triggers and other harmful bacteria. It is also one of the newest, easiest and tastiest ways for people to improve oral health. Research has been found that xylitol use may reduce tooth decay.

Lots of great products to try!

The dental health products that came in my Xlear Care kit were:

• Spry Toothpaste Non-Fluoride - The toothpaste has a fresh taste that left your mouth feeling clean and breath feeling fresh. The toothpaste was a bit different than other toothpaste because it didn't foam as much as others, but still provided a good clean. The toothpaste contains 1/3 xylitol which provides 20-25% of the daily dose recommended for health benefits. The xylitol also increase absorption of minerals into the enamel of teeth providing increased protection.

• Spry Oral Rinse (with awesome wood toothbrush) - I really liked this rinse because it didn't burn like other brands of mouthwash. It left my mouth feeling clean and minty. Interestingly, it uses a mix of natural flavorings and herbal extracts such as aloe vera, chamomile, and echinacea to help soothe irritated mouth tissues. The wooden toothbrush is really nifty too and my toddler definitely claimed it as his own. 

• Spry Gum - I received the peppermint flavor gum to try and it has a great. lasting flavor. I feel like the gum retained flavor better than most competitors gum varieties and was great for a midday breath freshener. 

• Spry Gems - These breath freshening "candies" are sugar free and use xylitol for sweetening, along with natural flavors. The xylitol is combined with calcium to provide an enhanced, balanced formula for increased dental health. I was able to try the peppermint and cinnamon varieties (my favorite was peppermint, but the cinnamon was great as well).

The nasal care product included in this kit was the Xlear Nasal Spray. According to Xlear, this nasal spray combines the use of saline and xylitol to alleviate congestion due to allergies, cold, flu and sinusitis. The addition of xylitol to a saline nasal spray has been shown to decrease bacterial adherence in the nose, therefore decreasing chances of irritation and infection. This spray is to be used twice a day to hydrate the sinuses and passages and to also help rinse the nasal passages of allergens and contaminants that can occasionally lead to respiratory ailments & problems. Unlike some other nasal sprays, long term use of this product doesn't lead to tissue damage.

I was only able to give this product a try a few times. I have a really hard time with nasal sprays and personally hate the sensation of them. The few times I used it were after I had been out in the garden and thought it may help clear away some allergens. I'm not entirely sure that it made a difference for me, but I didn't notice anything being worse than normal after similar conditions. My husband will likely use this, as he tends to have more nasal issues than myself.

If you're interested in these products, Xlear is offering a specials for my readers. You can now purchase the kit (valued at $65) for only $25 by using the code SAVE50. Visit Xlear to order.

Overall, I thought the products were good, but nothing really stood out. My favorites were the rinse, gum and gems for the reasons stated above. The other products didn't stand out enough for me to really pick them over lower priced competitors. I am curious to read more about xylitol and it's therapeutic use as a health care product and the health claims to see if there are any scientific studies on it.

Do you use many products containing xylitol? 

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. 

#WipeforWater challenge - Neutrogena Purifying Makeup Remove Cleansing Wipes Product Review

The best part of being part of product review companies such as Influenster, is that I get to try so many great and awesome products that I may have not discovered otherwise.  I love opening my mailbox or seeing the UPS guy pull in the driveway and the anticipation of what products are there.

I received a package of Neutrogena makeup remover cleansing wipes complimentary through Influenster and really like them! They remove my stubborn eye makeup much better than other wipes that I've tried without leaving an oily residue or irritating my skin. They have a light, fresh scent that isn't overwhelming too. I've used them the last week and feel that my skin has responded very well to them with very few blemishes and feeling moisturized and smooth. I would definitely consider purchasing these in the future.

This Earth Month, Neutrogena® Naturals is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to save water. Take the #WipeforWater challenge and pledge to clean your face without using water — and only using Neutrogena® Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes — for 3 days! Then, get sharing about your Neutrogena® wipes with your social networks! For each pledge, Neutrogena® Naturals will contribute $1 to The Nature Conservancy to support water conservation, up to $50,000.

To pledge, check out www.wipeforwater.com

If interested in joining Influenster, click here to join.

Disclaimer: I did recieve this product complimentary, however I do give my honest opinion - the good, the bad, and the fabulous.

Influenster #XOVoxBox Review

If you haven't heard of Influenster, then you need to go sign up! I've talked about Influenster before, but will give a quick run down in case you missed it. Influenster is a company that helps link brands and products to consumers. Consumers get products free or highly discounted and in exchange review them (blogging not necessary as they do other social media outlets and surveys). I signed up for Influenster a few years ago and have received so many great and awesome products to try...for free! They send me a box every now and then full of all different types of products to try. Sometimes it's full size products, sometimes trial size and also coupons and promotional codes. If you're interested in signing up go here.

My most recent VoxBox that I received was the XO VoxBox. This recent box has so many fabulous products and I'm really excited that I was able to try them all.

Lots of goodies!

Tide Pods Plus Febreze- These smell amazing! I have been using a free & clear detergent for awhile (since Aiden was born), but these didn't irritate his sensitive skin at all and leaves your laundry smelling so fresh. They clleaned clothes extremely well and got out our everyday stains. These definitely got a good testing with a very adventurous toddler that likes to feed himself and play outside (i.e. get dirty). I loved the convenience of just throwing one in the washer and hitting start instead of measuring with messy liquids. 

John Frieda Frizz Ease Beyond Smooth - They sent me a large sample size of shampoo, conditioner and primer. I have curly hair so fighting frizz and flyaways is a constant concern of mine and I was pleased with this product. It seemed to help combat some of the frizz, but the real test will be using this product in hot and humid summer and for a longer period of time. With continued use you are suppose to see better results (although after a week of use I noticed improvements). I'll likely go out and purchase it to give it another go once the weather warms up. 

Skinfix Hand Repair Cream - I LOVED this product, however I don't like the price of it ($17.99 for 2 ounces at Target). It definitely helped to heal my cracked and dry cuticles and even banished a weird rash that my husband had for weeks. You have to use a very small amount of it so it will go far, but it's a bit above my price budget. It's clinically proven to repair cracked skin and eczema so if that is an issue you deal with regularly, it may be worth it since it did work extremely well.

Colgate Optic White Toothbrush and Built-in Whitening Pen & Express White Toothpaste - I had previously used both of these products before, but really liked them so was pleasantly surprised to get them again. The built-in whitening pen is super convenient for use and storage and my teeth appeared slightly whiter with increased use of the whitening pen and toothpaste. The toothpaste leaves your mouth feeling super clean and fresh.

Lands End - I was sent a promo code to get $25 off a $100 purchase for Land's End product. It was a generous offer, but I didn't use it. They had some really cute clothes to shop online, but I prefer being able to try clothes on. I do have a code to share for others to use if they would like the same discount. Enter VOXLOVE at checkout to receive $25 off a $100 purchase.

Ebay- There was a promotion with this #XOVoxBox to write 2 guides for Ebay and receive a $25 gift card to use on their site. I use ebay occasionally so I took advantage of this and just received my gift card. There's now a VIP Ebay campaign and I'll definitely do it as well for another $25 gift card. One of my favorite things to buy via Ebay is used books. So cheap!

Oh La la! Pretty packaging!

Prettier lingerie...

Adore Me- One of my favorite aspects of the #XOVoxBox was the trial to Adore Me. Adore Me VIP membership is a monthly lingerie service. VIP members get $10 off any style, any time, plus free shipping and every 6th set is free (along with other benefits). You have no obligation to buy or any membership fees.

If you signed up for the VIP membership through XOVoxBox, you got your first set of lingerie free ($49 value). I've been meaning to buy some new bras, so I quickly signed up and soon received my free bra and undies. They're great quality, super cute and fit well (they even have large bust sizes!!!).

If interested, check it out here for more information AND you'll get your first set for $25.

Simple and Savory BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Arla Dofino Cheese - #HavartiParty

I was lucky enough to be able to try Arla Dofino cheese through BzzAgent and I'm hooked. I will admit that initially I had a really hard time tracking down this cheese, but eventually did find it at Walmart (we rarely shop there anymore and stick to Meijer, Sam's Club or VG's).

Arla Dofino offers a delicious range of family-friendly cheeses in varieties like Havarti, Gouda, Edam and Fontina. An added bonus is that they’re made with only a few natural ingredients and no added hormones. I used my coupon to sample the creamy havarti. The creamy havarti is a creamy, buttery, gentle and semi soft cheese with a mellow aroma. This cheese is perfect on burgers, tacos, by itself, and my favorite...on a BBQ chicken sandwich with coleslaw!

Simple and Savory BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients:

French bread (we like the everything variety, but regular or wheat works too)

Rotisserie chicken (or baked/grilled) - shredded into bite size pieces. 

Coleslaw (packaged or homemade - recipe below)

BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's is my favorite)

Arla Dofino Creamy Havarti cheese - sliced
Red onion - thin slices

Butter

Garlic seasoning

1. Turn oven broiler on.
2. Cut french bread into 1 inch slices. Butter each side with butter and garlic seasoning and place under broiler until golden brown. Flip, and repeat on opposite side.
3. Layer one slice of bread with BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, sliced red onion, and havarti cheese.
4. Place under broiler to melt cheese.
5. Top with generous portion of coleslaw and top with slice of toasted bread.
6. ENJOY! 

Seriously easy and quick. Looks, and taste gourmet without a ton of work.

For a quick homemade slaw, mix the following ingredients together, chill and serve:

1 bag (16 ounce) coleslaw mix 

2/3 cup Miracle Whip 

1/8 cup sugar

3 tablespoons milk 

2 tablespoons vinegar (I like apple cider vinegar)

1 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

How would you use this cheese? 

Have you tried this brand before or any of their other varieties? 

Disclosure: I received this product for free through BzzAgent, however all opinions are my own. 

Premier Protein #MixedBerrySmoothie Review

I was recently sent some Mixed Berry Smoothie's to try from Premier Protein. I was excited to receive this product as I'm always looking for fast, quick and affordable protein options. There are many mornings and afternoons where this would be a perfect energy boost, especially with a very active baby running around the house and being limited in time or on-the-go. These smoothies have a great balance of carbs, fats and proteins that provide a long-lasting source of energy.

Let me just say, I was shocked by how great these smoothies tasted.  I rarely, if ever, find protein drinks that I like and I was pleasantly surprised at the flavor and that they didn't taste chalky at all. They tasted awesome and definitely a product that I'll be purchasing!

Another thing that I really liked about this product is that it has 60% less sugar than the leading refrigerated protein smoothies. I find that most contained WAY too much sugar for my liking. Each serving has 5 grams of fiber, 15 grams of protein and 140 calories, which makes it a healthy, delicious choice for a morning boost. midday snack or post-workout fuel.

Since I'm still breastfeeding and continuously training for various running races (10k trail run this weekend!), I'm constantly trying to add additional protein to my diet to help keep my supply up and keep my body fueled. Nursing women need 20 grams more protein a day than they did before pregnancy to support milk production so having just one smoothie daily helps me to nearly reach that goal. Plus, it's also loaded with many other essential vitamins and minerals.

Check out all those nutritional stats friends!

Mom and baby approved!

If you're interested in trying these awesome smoothies yourself, check out the following links to grab a $4 off coupons from Meijer and/or Kroger (don't forget to #ShareGoodEnergy and these savings with others):

• Meijer (its their mPerks so no printing necessary!)
• Kroger (digital coupon to load onto shopping card)

Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for writing a blog review. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

Jamicure! Jamberry manicure & pedicure nail wraps = awesome beauty find!

A few weeks ago (ok, actually more like a few months ago), my friend Liz sent me some Jamberry nail wraps to try and blog about. I had been seeing more and more post all over social media about these wraps and was really curious about them since I have a horrible track record with nail polish. I LOVE having my nails painted, but I'm lucky if polish lasts more than a day before it starts chipping. I'm extremely hard on my nails. I wash my hands ten million times a day while working at the hospital and changing dirty diapers at home, not to forget all the cooking, cleaning and gardening (without gloves) that I do on a regular basis.

To start, here's a little information on the wraps and application process from the Jamberry website:

About the product:

• How many wraps are on each sheet of nails? One regular sheet includes 18 Jamberry nail wraps. One sheet of Jamberry Juniors wraps include 42 nail wraps.
• How many applications does one sheet provide? One regular sheet of nail wraps can be used for two to three applications, depending on the size and length of your nails. One sheet of Jamberry Juniors can be used for up to six applications. 
• How long will my nail wraps last? Jamberry nail wraps last up to 2 weeks on fingers and 4 weeks on toes.
• There are so many CUTE varieties! There is definitely something for everyone.
• Really affordable. Much cheaper than getting a manicure/pedicure regularly, plus you don't have to worry about bacteria/disease from the salon. $15 a sheet which is enough for 2-3 applications or more depending on your use.

Application:

Simple & Easy:

1. Push back cuticles and clean nails with an alcohol wipe.
2. Match nail (finger or toe) to the nail wrap that best fits.
3. Peel off nail wrap and warm the adhesive side with a mini heater or blow dryer (that's what I used) for 3-5 seconds or until soft/flexible.
4. When warm, press wrap onto the nail. Apply firm pressure around edges to adhere wrap to nail.
5. Trim the top with scissors and file off remaining wrap using a downward motion (really important to file in that motion!) to remove excess.
6. Apply heat and pressure to the wrap again until it is bonded to the nail.

My tips for application would be to make sure to have cuticle scissors to cut the wraps. I used regular scissors because I couldn't find my cuticle scissors and it would be much easier with smaller scissors to use. Also, using tweezers to hold the edge of the wrap while warming makes application easier. And finally, have a newer file to use to be more efficient and get a smoother file. I was surprised how easy it was to do once I got the initial hang of it. 

My opinion: 

I honestly really liked this product. I had my reservations since I've had really bad luck with most nail products and their longevity, but these actually stayed on and didn't show wear like normal nail polish does. The application process was simple and didn't take too long (which is great since my free time is very little anymore with a baby in the house). I applied the nail wraps on my hands and they last nearly two weeks before I removed them. At the time of removal I was starting to get a little bit of the wrap coming loose near the tips of my nails. Regardless, I would have been removing them anyway since my nails had grown so much that there was a large gap at the bottom (thanks prenatal vitamins for nails that grow at super speed!). The ones on my toes are still hanging strong at nearly 3 weeks which is pretty amazing since it's sandal season and I walk barefoot most the time and log 15+ miles of running weekly. These babies are durable! 

It's nice to have a little splash of color and festivity on my nails without a lot of work, especially being a stay at home mom most the time. This is a great product to add to your beauty routine that's worth the money and time. I'm definitely planning on ordering some more, the hardest part will be picking out of the many designs!

Day of application!

Isn't the design adorable! So many styles for every occasion.

A few days after application and still no signs of wear.

1 & 1/2 week after application : minor wear, but more than anything just nail growth.

Nearly 3 weeks later!

Only signs of wear is one divot from me dropping a toy on my toe (ouch!)
and nail growth.

If you're interested in ordering or learning more, check out or contact Elizabeth Block at: 

http://lizblock.jamberrynails.net

NailsWithLiz@gmail.com

Special note: They have a subscription service called Style Box that seems pretty awesome! You get a  minimum $30 of Jamberry nail products, nail file, orange stick and monthly style guide each month for $25 (including shipping). Might be worth checking out!

Have you used Jamberry before? Is this something you'd try?

Thoughts?