Product Review: Alter Eco (chocolate and quinoa, and rice, oh my!)

A team of activists who strive to provide healthy food while working with small-scale farmers runs Alter Eco. The business is focused on fighting social and economic justice by maintaining Fair Trade and Organic practices. Alter Eco carries a variety of quinoa, rice, chocolate, and sugar.

I received a box of food products from Alter Eco to review in exchange for an honest review. The items were definitely some of my favorite products: chocolate & nutritious food that tastes good!

ORGANIC CHOCOLATE

• Dark Coconut Toffee - crunchy and toasted, wit a chewy bite, and a smooth buttery finish
• Dark Quinoa - light crispy crunch, an artisan update on a nostalgic childhood treat - 
• Dark Blackout - deep fruity intensity, not recommended for those afraid of the dark - 

My favorite bar of chocolate was definitely the Dark Coconut Toffee. Each bite was heavenly. The chocolate was sweet and had just enough coconut to be tasty, but not overpowering. I also enjoyed the other chocolate bars, but they contained higher amounts of cocoa, giving them a bittersweet bite. I did enjoy the crunch of the Dark Quinoa bar.

PEARL QUINOA

Closer to couscous, with an ever-so-slight crunch. 

I am new to cooking quinoa, but I was excited to cook something different for my kids. I prepared the quinoa according to the instructions on the package. Within 15 minutes, I had a small pot of fluffy quinoa. I placed it in a mixing bowl with one cup of applesauce, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, and a few shakes of ground cinnamon. It was a yummy breakfast. My kids gave it two thumbs up! 

THAI STICKY PURPLE RICE

This rare beautiful grain will make any recipe stick.

I was really interested in preparing the Purple Thai Sticky Rice. I decided to cook the rice and serve it with steamed vegetables. I was fascinated by the color and surprised by how it tasted so much like properly cooked sticky white rice. It was delicious. I also enjoyed that it cooked less than 25 minutes. The bonus was that my kids asked for another helping.

I was extremely pleased with the quality of these food items. I look forward to trying more products from Alter Eco and supporting such a cool and positive company.

Learn more about Alter Eco & their products:

http://www.alterecofoods.com/ (recipes are available)

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlterEcoSF

Twitter - @AlterEcoSF

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/alterecosf/

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Product Review: BODY WORKS

Energy is always something I could always use more of. I spend my days juggling the schedules of three children, which are all different, and working from home full-time. Like most busy mothers, I put the needs of my children before my own which means I don’t eat as well as I should, make the time to exercise, or get enough sleep.

When I was given the opportunity to review BODY WORKS, I grabbed it. I was intrigued by an all-natural energy shot that would help and not harm my body. When I think of energy shots, I think of the large cans loaded with sugar.

BODY WORKS shots contain all natural ingredients, amino acids, herbs, and vitamins. The shots come in a mixed berry taste and contain zero calories and NO sugar. I was skeptical. It sounded too good to be true, but I have to tell you, BODY WORKS is truly a high quality company with unbelievable energy shots.

There are six different shots to choose from: Energy, Sleep, Relax & Unwind, Wellness, Perform Under Pressure, and Sport. I received a six-pack box that contained one of each shot. The bottles are small and perfect to toss in your tote bag, purse, or backpack.

The first one I tried was the Energy shot! Within ten minutes or so of drinking it, I could feel a boost of natural energy. I was actually zooming around and accomplishing things. Both Relax & Unwind and Perform Under Pressure calmed my mind and I felt as though I had a comforting cup of chamomile tea. I think the shot that impressed me the most was the Sleep shot. Within fifteen minutes of drinking it, I was curled up on the couch napping. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to have a Sleep shot on those restless nights where you are tossing and turning.

I highly recommend the energy shots by BODY WORKS. The shots are affordable, tasty, and most importantly, they help you both physically and mentally. These products could do wonders for people who lead active lifestyles.

For more information or to order your own energy shots, visit http://bodyworksforme.com/ 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Product Review: Ology (Laundry Liquid & All-Purpose Cleaner)

I’m always looking for new natural products for my family to try, so I was really excited when I was contacted by a representative from Walgreen’s new chemical-free line, Ology, to review two of their products. There were some great items to choose from, including paper items, hair care, and household cleaners. I decided to review the 2X Laundry Liquid and All-Purpose Cleaner.

Ology Stain Fighting 2X Laundry Liquid Free & Clear

Product Description

Our laundry liquid is formulated for delicates, woolens and regular washing. containing no dyes, phosphates or artificial fragrances, it's gentle on clothing & gentle on your skin. Fights tough stains. No harmful chemicals. HE and conventional machine compatible.
 For normal loads fill one cap and a half.  For larger loads or heavy soil, add two capfuls. Pretreat stains where necessary.



My Review

I think the packaging for all the products are very appealing, but I especially loved the container of laundry liquid. The color scheme is eye catching along with a petite shape that makes storing the recyclable bottle super easy. After washing my fist load of laundry with 2X Laundry Liquid, I noticed the clothes were a lot soft than when I use my regular detergent. I have three children, so you can imagine the stains on the clothing I have to wash, and Ology had absolutely no issues removing them. 

Ology All Purpose Cleaner Lemon & Lavender

Product Description

Our all-purpose cleaner is a natural spray for kitchen counters, stove tops, and most household surfaces to clean and shine. Contains no harsh solvents, dyes or ammonia so it is safe for you and your family.  Cuts through grease and grime. Meyer lemon and lavender scented. No harmful chemicals.

No animal testing
Bottle made from 100% post consumer materials.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
 Spray on surfaces. Wipe to dry.


My Review

The All-Purpose Cleaner is lightly scented in Meyer Lemon & Lavender. I adored the relaxing smell of lavender that gently lingered after cleaning my kitchen countertops. I like the idea of a cleaning product leaving such a pleasant smell opposed to something harsh or harmful. The All-Purpose Cleaner efficiently cleaned the daily grime from my kitchen counter and sink. I also enjoyed the amount of spray that came from the bottle. One squirt produced a large spray allowing you to minimize how much of the product you need to use. 

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Here is a link to the official Walgreen’s press release announcing the launch of Ology: Press Release

To learn more about the Ology brand, you can also visit:

www.walgreens.com/ology

www.facebook.com/OlogyBrand

www.twitter.com/OlogyBrand

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I was sent a Walgreen’s gift card for the purposes of obtaining Ology products to review. No other compensation was offered or received. No suggestions or requests to select specific products within the Ology line were offered. I was in no way obligated to write a positive review and all opinions are mine and mine alone.

Product Review & Giveaway: ReUsies

Whooo's Looking Two Pack

ReUsies™ Product Information

ReUsies™ are a re-usable alternative to sandwich and snack bags.  Each one has the potential to eliminate hundreds of plastic bags. ReUsies™ are 100% cotton lined with leak-resistant nylon.  They are easy to clean either by hand, dishwasher, or washer and dryer.  Food safe and come in a variety of prints for any member of the household.

Available Sizes

Snack: approx. 6” w / 5” h

The snack size holds a half sandwich or whole sandwich with the crust cut off! It is good for smaller quantities of crackers, pretzels, apple slices, etc.

Sandwich: approx. 7.5” w/ 6” hThe sandwich size holds a typical "grown up"- sized sandwich, full bagel, or larger quantity of snacks.

A typical lunch would contain one sandwich and two snack-sized bags or three snack-sized bags. 

My Review:

I was really excited when I received a two pack from ReUsies to review. The set I was given had a lovely owl design. I was very impressed with the size of the sandwich and snack packs. With previous reusable holders, I found myself squishing in food to fit properly, which is not desirable for the person eating the sandwich. 

I packed my daughter a peanut butter sandwich and placed it in the sandwich pack. It had plenty of room leftover for larger bread as well, which is great because I bake a lot of homemade bread and the slices are not always similar in size to store bought bread. We were able to comfortably fit two large rice cakes in the snack bag. 

Each pack has a velcro closure and there is also a velcro attachment to connect the sandwich and snack pack together. Along with the owl design, the packs are also available in the following patterns:  

• Airplanes 

• Peace Flowers 

• Skelly Bones 

• Happy Fruit 

• Floral Vacation

 • & many more!

ReUsies has generously offered one of my readers the chance to win a two pack of their choice, so exciting! Enter to win using the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Product Review: Firmoo.com

I recently received a pair of eyeglasses from Firmoo.com. The shopping process online was incredibly easy because you can search for your desired eyeware according to shape, material, size, and frame. I was pleased to see that they had a nice selection of large glasses. I adore big frames because they are fun, interesting, and I think they fit my personality.

Firmoo.com has over 300 classic and fashion frames to choose from. They are very affordable which allows customers to purchase multiple pair of glasses for what you would spend on one pair at a brick-and-mortar eyewear center. 

One of my favorite things about shopping online at Firmoo.com is their Virtual Try-On. You simply upload a forward-facing image of yourself and you are able to click on various glasses to "try them on." You can shop with confidence knowing which frames are best suited for you!

As though all the above wasn't enough awesomeness to get excited about Firmoo.com, they also offer a new buyer's program that focuses on providing free eyewear to first-time customers. That is to say, if a person who has not placed any order with Firmoo.com before, he/she can choose any eyewear at Firmoo.com and get them free. However, he/she need to pay shipping.

Disclaimer: I did not receive financial compensation from Firmoo.com for this post. I received one pair of eyeglasses in exchange for an honest review.

Video: Swimtrainer in action!

Two weeks ago I posted my review of FREDS SWIM ACADEMY SWIMTRAINER. We’ve been enjoying pool time every week, so my son is getting lots of use out of his Swimtrainer. I also noticed how much he is kicking his feet in an attempt to swim. He also has more freedom to terrorize his big sisters in the pool! I took a few videos of him in the pool and wanted to share one with you. Reviews are wonderful, but it’s really great when you get to view the product in action.

Product Review: FREDS SWIM ACADEMY SWIMTRAINER "Classic" Orange

SWIMTRAINER is available in three different models for children ages 3 months to 8-years-old. I chose the “ Classic” Orange model for my son who will be three-years-old next month. We haven’t had much luck with the typical swimming aids so I was eager to try the SWIMTRAINER. What appealed to me about this product is the overall design that focuses on both safety and helping children learn to swim.

It was very easy to inflate and to put on my son. No struggling like with previous swimmers. The SWIMTRAINER has two different clip fasteners, and everything is adjustable, ensuring a snug and safe fit for your child.

As soon as my son entered the pool, he was thrilled. The first thing I noticed was how well the safety belt worked by preventing him from tipping forward. The safety belt comfortably covers his abdomen and gives him the support to stay afloat. He had fun holding onto the side of the pool and kicking his legs as though he were swimming.

He is happier during pool time because he has a bit more freedom to move his arms and legs in the kid’s area of the pool with his SWIMTRAINER. I am a lot happier because I know my son is experiencing the beginning skills in learning how to swim while being protected.

I would highly recommend this product to any parent searching for a swimming aid for their young child. I can’t rave enough about the quality of this product.

Thanksmama.com is family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama does ship worldwide!

Follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +. They host weekly Giveaways, Contests, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties, talk about modern family fun and challenges, natural parenting and green living. 

FAT-TASTIC! #2: a comp zine

Two years ago I decided to put together a compilation zine that celebrated loving your body. A place where people could share stories, rants, and artwork about body image. I was very excited about the feedback I received from the first issue. It felt good to be  part of something that people found both comforting and uplifting. Library Journal recently published a wonderful review of FAT-TASTIC.

Last week I completed the layout for issue #2 and it is now available to order!

FAT-TASTIC! #2

A compilation zine about loving your body.

Spring 2012

$1.50/20 pages/Half size

by Sage & contributors

Issue #2 of FAT-TASTIC! includes submissions regarding body image, being fat & healthy, a thank you letter to Beth Ditto; plus a lengthy interview with yoga instructor, writer & Curvy Yoga founder, Anna Guest-Jelley. Photo submissions: “can you hear my cries”, genders speak out," and “going underground.”

From the interview, Yoga For Every Body: My mom took me to my first Weight Watchers meeting when I was 11. So for me to be in my body – to just feel good and not self-conscious or self-loathing – well, that was monumental. It was from that moment that I got hooked on yoga.

Issues #1 & #2 of FAT-TASTIC! can be purchased at my Etsy shop or 

at my zine distro, Sweet Candy!