Rockin' Green Soap

Rockin' Green Soap, Have you tried it?
I have. :) I very recently received a few sample size packages of Rockin' Green  Classic Rock in the Rage Against The Raspberries scent so I decided to test it out with last night's load of laundry. First thing I would like to mention is how wonderful the scent of Rage Against The Raspberries is. I inhaled after opening my package and my nose was a very happy nose. The soap didn't smell really strong. I did have to get my face close to the package. Second, for the sake of testing the laundry soap I washed a mixture of clothing items and bath items. My load included jeans, a few sweatpants and sweatshirts, a towel, and t-shirts. Because Anthony and I live in an apartment we do our laundry at my parents' house. They own a toploader so I used half of my sample package as instructed and did a hot wash. (If you own an HE Machine you'll get 4 loads out of one sample package!) After the wash was completed I added the extra rinse also as instructed on my sample package. 

When we got back home last night I slid out of my jeans and into sweatpants that I had just washed. It may have been my imagination or the fact that I was extremely tired, but I think it was the benefit of using a natural laundry soap that made those pants extra super soft.  

Something I find really comforting is how open Rockin' Green Soap is about and involved they are in, their products. The Rockin' Green Soap site has all of the information you could ever need about their products, and they have a Support Center for any question you could possibly have!
If you are eager to try Rockin' Green Soaps for yourself you can pick up a 45-90 load package of Classic or Soft Rock for $14.95.  Hard Rock is only $1 more at $15.95. Classic and Hard Rock are available in six different scents: Smashing Watermelons, Motley Clean, Earth Wind & Orchids, Lavender Mint Revival, Rage Against The Raspberries, or Bare Naked Babies (unscented). If you prefer to test out products and different scents before buying a full package like I do, you can grab your own sample package of each in any variety for only $0.85 each!

Now it's time for the magic questions.
Do I recommend this product?
yes definitely. Especially for cloth diaper using families!
Would I purchase this product?
yes, not only did it get my clothes clean and smell delightful, this product and brand are eco-friendly! 

Visit Rockin' Green Soaps on Facebook, Twitter, or go straight to their website at http://rockingreensoap.com/. 

Here comes the best part! Rockin' Green Soaps has generously offered to give one of my readers a full size Rockin' Green Soaps product in the winner's choice of Scent/Formula!! a Rafflecopter giveaway  





I received 3 sample packages for free in exchange for my honest opinion. Although the product I tested was free I received no further compensation. I will never lie about how well a product or brand worked for me and my family, and can not be persuaded to do so. This review is 100% my sincere opinion. 

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$100 Cash Giveaway

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UNREAL Candy Unjunked

Before I tell you how I felt about this candy I would like to share the brief reviews I've read that others posted. I've read that it was awful, that the candy just didn't taste like candy, and that it was to expensive. I should also disclose that I am a bit of a Chocoholic. 

I am not sure if it is because of my lack of enthusiasm about trying this candy that created my opinion or if my opinion is just the cause of my taste buds. With that being said, I liked it! A lot. I received a free product coupon from BzzAgent as a part of my BzzKit. Redeeming my coupon at Walgreen's I picked up a bag of UNREAL 41 Candy Coated Chocolates. I don't understand why people thought the candy didn't taste like chocolate. While I did think it tasted a little bit more like dark chocolate (which I don't mind) it definitely tasted like chocolate. The candy coated tasted like any other candy coated I've tried before. As for the price, I believe at Walgreens which lets be honest is usually a bit more expensive than Walmart or Target, it was priced at $0.99. I'm pretty sure that's only ten cents more than all of the other candy bars sell for in the checkout lanes of Walmart.

I was not unhappy with this candy at all. Being a healthy option to most regular candy brands I would prefer my kids had this as a treat, and I do recommend this product to you.

If you are interested in becoming a BzzAgent to you can sign up here.

Glade Expressions Collection

As a BzzAgent I was given the opportunity to try out both Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist Starter Kit & Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser Starter Kit for free. Oh my do they smell delightful! Before receiving free products I purchased the Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist Starter Kit in the Pineapple and Mangosteen scent. It is such a wonderful smell! After my kit arrived I decided to purchase both my diffuser and fragrance mist starter kits in Fuji Apple and Cardamom scent. It reminds me of Christmas, and when the weather here turns slightly chilly I'm in the mood for a big, huge, festive Christmas tree! Even if Halloween hasn't even arrived yet.

I enjoy the Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist for a burst of yummy happiness when ever I'm in the mood, or my apartment needs it. The smell isn't overwhelming, but it does the trick to perk everything up.

The Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser doesn't seem to have a strong scent yet. I've had it set up in my living room for a few days now, but I have not noticed a big difference. Being a candle loving girl I was hoping it would have a stronger scent release, and maybe after a couple more days it will.  I'm sure my boyfriend appreciates the lack of intensity for now.

I would highly recommend buying both of these items. While I always like to wait around for a sale, even without a sale the Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist Starter Kits sell at Target for $2.99 (regular price), and refills are only $1.99 (regular price). Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser Starter Kits sell at Target for $5.99 (regular price), and refills are only $3.48 (regular price). In my experience those are reasonable prices in comparison with Glade's competitors.
If you are interested in becoming a BzzAgent go here to sign up.

Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Banana Split Ice Cream

After some quality time with my family at the creek yesterday we headed home for ice cream.  A much cheaper route than making our way to an ice cream shoppe.  I spent the weekend at my parents house, and mom's freezer is always packed with tasty treats!  This weekend the tastiest treat was Blue Bunny's Sweet Freedom Banana Split Ice Cream.  I stuffed a few waffle cones to the brim then added a couple scoops on top and my father, nephew, and I all dug in.  This ice cream is a dream!  It's an impossible improvement on the amazingly delicious original banana split.  Blue Bunny's line of Sweet Freedom Ice Creams are no sugar added, light ice creams, but I swear on everything I've ever loved that you would never know you were eating "light" ice cream. The Banana Split version is light vanilla ice cream with tons of strawberry banana and chocolate swirls, large flavorful cherry chunks, an almost never ending supply of nut pieces, and diced pineapples.  Unlike the last few Dairy Queen Blizzards I've had, this ice cream is packed with goodies.  Blue Bunny is not skimping on anything! I especially love it in a waffle cone! Although I would happily eat the ice cream alone if there were no cones available.  <3

Originally posted on May 28, 2012 here.

Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Hairspray

My hair has unfortunately finally let go of the perm I had done about a year ago, so last week in an effort to make it look pretty again I curled it all myself. I'm not a big fan of curling my hair, and then caking on hair spray.  I don't really like the crunch or the fact that my hand always feels a little sticky if I play with it once the hair spray is in there. Plus it's not like I use a lot of hair spray when I use it.  My hair holds curl pretty well on it's own.  The hair spray is just a back up plan.
I'd purchased Suave Professionals touchable finish Hairspray at Target a few months ago when it was almost free, but hadn't used it until the curling event last week.  I am in love.  The packaging lists an Ultra Fine Mist, and it is not lying.  It sprayed on light, left no crunch, and had a light, pretty scent.  As a bonus my hair stayed curled from 8am until 10pm when I slept on it and ruined the curls.  I would purchase this product again!

ULTA Beauty Salon

BEFORE

A couple months ago Seventeen Magazine was giving away 1,000 free hair cut and style sets at ULTA Beauty Salon to their readers.  I was selected as one of the 1,000 winners, and the girls and I decided on Tuesday that we would all go get summer cuts.  Our appointments were yesterday afternoon at the ULTA Beauty Salon in Woodbury MN. All three of us showed up with the pictures of cuts we'd already picked out in hand. Each of us started with a shampoo in the most comfortable salon chairs I've ever laid my head back in.  Unlike most of the places I've been (which pretty much only include Beauty Schools, Great Clips, and Fantastic Sams) I didn't have to fold my neck basically backwards so the stylist could wash my hair.  As an added bonus the sinks were adjustable so Amber who is quite short (Sorry Amber :) ) could have her sink adjusted so that she would also be comfortable.  When the cuts started my stylist confirmed every length of layer she would cut so that she was giving me exactly the style I wanted.  She was professional with her conversations and very friendly.  She knew that I was very nervous about going short so she made sure I was alright with everything explaining how it would fall and look. The only thing I wasn't a 100% fan of was the style at the end itself.  When she styled my hair she styled it more as a poofy bob, and the picture I'd brought it was straight and in pieces.  The cut itself was perfect and exactly what I wanted though so when I got home I just straightened it for the look I'd been going for. Sarah and Amber's hair cuts and styles were gorgeous!  As new customers each of their cuts with style were $30.  Originally $35. As we walked out the door Sarah left 10 inches of hair behind from her layers, I left 7 inches from my length, and Amber left 5 inches from her length behind.  We are beauty prepared for summer! 


AFTER



Originally posted on May 31, 2012. Here.

Bella Bars

Recently I contacted Bella Bar to request samples and offered to write a review.  They very generously sent me 4 full size Bella Bars.  I promise never to lie to promote a company.  Free or not I will never give you a dishonest opinion.  With that being said I can 100% honestly say I definitely enjoyed these bars!  I was sent 1 Chocolate Nut Raw Bar, 1 Cinnamon Nut Raw Bar, and 2 Athena Blueberry Greek Yogurt Bars.

• Chocolate Nut Raw Bar: Although the first ingredient listed in these bars is Dates I was pleasantly surprised with how chocolatey the flavor was.  I'm aware that this bar is healthy for me, but not because of it's taste. It was almost like a brownie bar.  Very good. 
• Cinnamon Nut Raw Bar: The first ingredient listed in this bar is also Dates, but the real flavor of the bar is Cinnamon.  I feel like this bar is very similar to a Cinnamon Raisin Roll conveniently ready for On-The-Go convenience! 
• Athena Blueberry Greek Yogurt Bar: I saved the best for last! I'm not a huge fan of Blueberry usually, but this bar was fantastic! The flavors were so perfect if I hadn't already known what I was eating was good for me, I would have guessed the opposite.  Natural has never been better! This bar was a perfect late breakfast! 

I found that the bars were filling and flavorful enough that I could eat just half for a full meal, and save the other half to enjoy later.  The flavors were sincerely delicious.  In my opinion they make a healthy, all natural, cheap alternative to many prepackaged bars. You can check them out herewww.mybellabar.com.  Let me know what you decide to order! 

Internation Delight Mocha Iced Coffee

The girls' and I picked up a half gallon of Mocha International Delights Iced Coffee with a free product coupon I received in the mail after a Facebook promotion. Oh boy it is good!!  This stuff is better than Starbucks Frappuccinos and cheaper too!  Plus you can resist the urge of drinking more than you really want if you just pour yourself a glass, and put the rest of the carton away.  I thought the flavor was good, more on the side of chocolaty than coffee.  I would happily purchase this again.  In one word Sarah described the Iced Coffee as "Delicious," and Amber said it is "Delightful."  

Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

Peanut Butter & Co. sells a very large variety of all-natural peanut butter, jams and jellies, and other tasty treats.  You can go here to learn more about the company, check out what products they have to offer, and place an online order if you wish to. http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/

I purchased the Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter & Co. with a free coupon they sent me in the mail for the purpose of writing this review. My intention was to make a more natural batch of peanut butter cookies.  I tasted the peanut butter before adding the other ingredients, and I'm not sure I would ever eat it alone.  I feel like it had a strong black coffee after taste.  Once I'd added the other cookie ingredients I tried the mixture. (I know you're not supposed to eat raw egg, but it was worth the risk.)  My friends Sarah and Amber both say it tastes like Coco Puffs.  I don't think I tasted Coco Puffs, but it was very chocolaty and quite delicious.  Although it is a dark chocolate peanut butter it did not taste like dark chocolate at all. After the peanut butter cookies were baked and cooled we tried them again.  Sarah, Amber, Anthony, and I all agree that they were delectable!  To help enforce how great they were I should add that Anthony does not like dark chocolate.  The recipe I made uses only 5 ingredients and can be found here.  It was fantastically easy to make, and baked in only 10 min.  I would buy this product again!

Kernel Season's Popcorn Seasonings

In the last few months I've been looking for healthier, cheaper snacks.  I stumbled upon a simple and brilliant idea to replace store bought popcorn packets.  If you purchase popcorn kernels an entire bag cost only about $2.  Buy a package of generic brand brown paper bags, and fill each individual bag with 1/2 - 3/4 cup of kernels. When you're in the mood for popcorn stick one of your brown paper bags in the microwave for 2 min. and viola! Add butter, salt, and any other seasonings you desire.  The first time I did this I filled 25 bags and still had about half of my kernels left over.   

Personally I like to top my popcorn with salted butter and Kernel Season's White Cheddar Popcorn Seasoning.  This is the only brand I've tried recently, but in comparison to movie theater seasonings I think it's fantastic.  The flavor is strong, the way I like it on my popcorn.  There is no gross after taste or over powering salt flavor.  I would buy this product again. 

Dole Real Fruit Bites

A 90 calorie Dole Real Fruit Bites, Apple Chunks, arrived in my mail today.  I'm not sure why because I do not remember them giving away samples, but I am quite forgetful so it is possible.  Otherwise perhaps I unknowingly won a sample in the 3 Steps to True Bliss IWG.  Either way is fine with me! :)

I was feeling a bit hungry when my sample arrived.  I snapped a picture for our facebook page and dug right in.  I didn't read the package fully at first and was expecting to find freeze dried apple chunks.  To my happy surprise some soft pebble like things poured out into my hand.  Then I read the part "Real Fruit Bites with Yogurt and Whole Grain Oats."  So I popped one in my mouth.  Unlike most yogurt bites I've had in the past these were not hard on the outside, and they weren't so soft that they crumbled apart.  It was the perfect mixture of a granola like subtle taste and only a hint of yogurt, with a splash of apple. The texture was not grainy or chalky.  After finishing the 90 calorie bag I can honestly report there is no bad after taste. As a snack I think these bags are the perfect size, but I have not had my breakfast yet so I think I'll have a small piece of toast to finish filling my belly this morning.  This is definitely I product I would purchase. 

I had already eaten at least 3 larger bites before taking this picture so it is an inaccurate image of the quantity your 90 calorie packs would contain.  I just wanted you to see what they look like. :)

Tositos Artisan Baked Three Cheese Queso Chips

Tostitos Artisan Recipes Baked Three Cheese Queso chips are beyond delicious!  I have never tasted a more perfect chip in my life.  There's no need to pair them with a cheese dip or salsa.  These chips have all of the flavor of cheesy queso chip dip already melted right in.  I picked the bag up because it was on sale at Cub Foods and sounded like it might be good.  I am not disappointed.  My only complaint is they may be too good..  I've finished half the bag already today.  Looks like they will only be allowed in the apartment every once in a while, but I will buy these chips again!

LARABAR Cherry Pie

I received a sample of Cherry Pie flavor LARABAR in the mail today from Eat Better America.  I am not a fan of Cherry Pie in the pie form, and the bar does have a very Cherry flavor.  I really like the texture of the bar though.  It's not like other bars I've had.  The nuts keeps it a tiny bit crunchy. I think perhaps if I had gotten the Apple Pie flavor I would have liked it better.  I would consider buying another variety of the Lara Bar.