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Product Review: Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink vs. Bang Energy Drink – A MUST READ!

8/9/2019

2 Comments

 
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Recently, I have noticed a lot discussion about Bang Energy drinks. A lot of people love them, some find them overwhelming with caffeine, and others can take them or leave them.

I decided to find out for myself what they are and if they are something I would drink. In the process of purchasing a variety of bang flavors, I discovered Zevia Zero Calorie Energy drink. So, I purchased a variety of flavors to sample.

This blog is my opinion on these two drinks, pros and cons, and safety concerns.


First the flavors. Bang, by far, has the most unusual flavors; whereas, Zevia has more traditional flavors.

Flavors
​(a few, as I keep seeing new flavors in different stores):
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Ingredients:
​

NOTE: the main ingredients that make these energy drinks is caffeine. However, Bang also has other ingredients that may affect your energy level. The only ingredient that can the Zevia brand has that can affect energy levels is the caffeine.):
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Nutrition Facts:
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SAFETY!

Bang carries a warning statement due to it's high caffeine content. Zevia does not. Bang is ranked as Extreme in the caffeine content and Zevia is ranked as High.


Bang also carries other warnings on the label: Not intended for individuals under the age of 18; Do not use this product if you are pregnant or nursing; Do not consume this product if you are taking any prescription drug and/or have a medical condition; This product intended for use by healthy individuals only; and This product contains caffeine and should not be used with any other caffeine containing products.


The Bang could affect someone who doesn't drink a lot of caffeine, but for me, it was like drinking 2 cups of coffee. Nothing spectacular, but I was awake and ready to work. If you have any heart conditions, liver or kidney issues, or just generally not in good health, these drinks are not for you.


They are extremely sweet. Bang is (in my opinion, about 10 X sweeter than Coca Cola). Zevia is really sweet also, but not unreasonably so. 

The FDA recommends no more than 400 milligrams per day. So Bang is under that at 300 milligrams.

However! If you consume a cup of morning coffee, a couple of cups or glasses of black tea, chocolate, etc., all that contain caffeine, then you “could” potentially overdose on caffeine. (Key word is “could”.)



Side effects from over dosing on caffeine?

Migraine headaches, insomnia, jitters, fast heart rate, upset stomach, nausea, a feeling of unhappiness (dysphoria), among others. Too much caffeine can also affect your health in that it can trigger seizures, damage kidneys, stress your heart, and many other issues.

It also takes your body around 4 hours to metabolize the caffeine from one cup of coffee. So if you have a cup of coffee for dinner or with an after dinner dessert, your body may still be stimulated at bedtime.

With this information in hand, if you drink Bang or Zevia Zero Calorie Energy drinks, will you continue? Will you change anything, like reduce caffeine intake from other sources during the day? How do you feel about Bang, Zevia, and other energy drinks on the market today?
​
XOXO


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Product Review: No.7 Laboratories Line Correcting Booster Serum

7/12/2019

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I purchased this product because I saw it on a morning news show and it had rave reviews.
I also spoke to a lady in the Target where I purchased it (for $41 for .5 oz) and who was using it. She claimed that it worked on her forehead lines. She was younger than I and didn't seem to have any serious wrinkles to start with, but her forehead was smooth.


For one month, I used it every morning. It doesn't take a lot so one tube should last me a couple of months. I used more than most because I used it on every wrinkle I could see on my face. That included forehead, between my eyebrows (the elevens), above my upper lip (I have a stubborn one there), and around the corners of my eyes. I used it exactly how they suggest - on a clean face before I applied any moisturizers or creams, etc.

After a month, yes, I noticed an improvement. All the lines seemed a bit softer. A few of the smaller lines actually seemed to disappear (I am referring to the very small lines that are barely noticeable anyway). So I am impressed with it.
​Will I purchase again? Maybe.


The reason I say maybe is this - the cost. While it did help, it didn't work a miracle. Granted some of the lines on my face are deep (mostly forehead) and while it softened them, they are still noticeable. I am undecided at this point if I will continue to use.

If you have fine lines, shallow, and barely noticeable, then this product is for you. It will help to keep them from getting worse. Also, the less wrinkles you have, the longer the serum will last. You may get more than two months out of tube. For you, it would be worth trying and perhaps adding it to your daily skin routine.

There are two other products that No.7 recommends to use in conjunction with this product: Serum + Eye and the Day/Night Cream. I have no information on these two products currently.

Using these products with Boost Serum may make it work better.

Overall, I am not disappointed in this product, only in the cost. It's worth giving it a try.

Have you used any No.7 products? Have you used this Boost Serum? What are you willing to pay for a serum if it slightly diminishes your fine lines and wrinkles? What do you use and would you recommend it to anyone?
​

XOXO
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Product Reviw: Tropickles - Fruit Punch Flavored Pickles - Weird!

11/16/2018

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Pickles come in all sizes and flavors. They come in huge pickles that are generally dill, to small gerkins that are usually sweet. You can eat them dilled, sweet, spicy, hot, sour, Kosher, and many other ways – even fried! This month's product review is one of the strangest ones I have tasted yet.

Great Value is a Walmart brand and as I was searching through the pickles the other day and I saw a jar of 'red' pickle spears under this brand name. The label said "Tropickles" and described them as fruit punch flavored pickles. Of course, I had to try them, I try anything that's new.

The taste was extremely different from any pickle I have ever eaten. It was sweet with a faint resemblance to fruit punch, but mostly just in color. The taste had an undertone of a dill pickle with the fruity sweet taste over tones. Very different.

Now for the big question – Did I like them? Well, I didn't dislike them, but to say I liked them is a stretch. They were good and they were bad. They were sweet and they were sour. The real answer to this question is probably this – I would eat them until the jar was empty, but probably not buy them again.

Healthy? I think not. The dye to make the pickles 'fruit punch red' was enough for me to label it not healthy, but then if you add the sugar content, no – not healthy.
That's my review of the 'red' pickle known as 'Tropickles'. (Cute name though)

What is the most unusual pickle you have tried? What is your favorite pickle? Does this fruit flavored pickle sound like a good one to you? Would you be willing to try it?
​

XOXO
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Product Review: NYX Pore Filler - A poor filler...

8/17/2018

2 Comments

 
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Never in my blogging career so far have I ever had a product that I hated to write about until now. I tried and tried to find something positive to write about the NYX Pore Filler, I ever asked one of my friends to try (I bought her a tube) and she had the same issues with as I did.

The filler is thick and chalky. It is also lumpy. Once you work it with your finger tips, it does go on rather smoothly, but as far as filling in my pores, no it didn't. Also, when I put on my foundation, it started peeling and flaking all over my face. It looked like I was shedding my skin. I tried different foundations and it did the same with all of them.

I wish I could recommend this product, but I can't. That doesn't mean it doesn't work for some women, but it definitely didn't work for me or my friend, Brenda. She did not like it at all and I was careful not to tell her how I felt about it before she tried it.

This is only my personal opinion of this product and doesn't mean that it won't work for some women.

Do you have a solution for large pores that you could share with the rest of us? Have you tried the NYX Pore Filler? If so, what was your experience?

XOXO
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Product Review: “That's It” Fruit Snack – Simple Name for A Different Snack

7/20/2018

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The unusual name (That's It) is not the only thing different about this fruit snack. It looks like a brown chunk of meat. The flavor I tried is the apple and apricot. Sounds yummy doesn't it?


While this snack is healthy it is not on my favorite list. In fact, I really am not sure I liked anything about this snack. I wish I could say is was as yummy as it sounds, but in reality, in my opinion only, it didn't taste like either of the fruits that it contained. (Maybe an ever so slightly hint of apricot.)

It resembled a dried fig bar, not apple and apricot. It was not very sweet and I was expecting a sweet fruity snack. I was a little disappointed.


Would I purchase again? Probably not. While this snack is not totally bad, it has great ingredients, it's lacking in a taste that resembles the fruit that is in it. However, it will appeal to some people and it is healthy.


Information about this fruit snack:
​


  1. Only 100 Calories per 1.2 oz bar
  2. Gluton Free
  3. Kosher
  4. Vegan
  5. Raw
  6. No Preservatives
  7. 3 g of Fiber
  8. No Fat, No Cholesterol, 15 mg sodium
  9. Non GMO
  10. 1 g of Protein
  11. Carbs - 27 g (9% DV)


If a snack is healthy and doesn't taste bad, but doesn't taste like the flavor it is supposed to be, would you still eat it? What if it tasted like something other than what it is made from? Do you have a healthy fruit snack that we can add to our healthy eating plan?


XOXO
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Product Review: Epic Bar - 100% Natural Chicken Sriracha! 15 g of Protein! (UPDATED!)

5/18/2018

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An epic find at the Fresh Market this week, the Epic Bar made with natural chicken. This little snack bar contains 15 g of protein, a phenomenal amount of protein for a unique snack.

This is a meat snack that is shredded chicken reformed into a block of meat. As a result of being shredded, it is very tender. It is also very spicy...overly so. It has a good flavor, but it is a very spicy flavor.

If you are looking for a good snack for after a workout, this is a good one. The only draw back is if you can't handle spicy foods. It is full of protein and very little fat. Excellent for after a long walk or gym session.

This snack does come in other flavors such as beef, turkey, lamb, salmon, and bison. The other flavors are not seasoned with spicy flavorings, so there is basically something for every taste preference.
​

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The ingredients are straight forward:
  1. Natural Chicken
  2. Sea Salt
  3. Red Pepper Flakes
  4. Lactic Acid
  5. Organic Chia Seeds
  6. Garlic, Paprika, Onion, Celery Powder, Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Cumin and Oregano​
Other Information:
  1. 100 calories, with 35 fat calories
  2. Cholesterol - 25 mg (8% DV)
  3. Sodium - 400 mg (17% DV)
  4. Carbs - 1 g (1% DV)
  5. Protein - 15 g
  6. Vitamins - A, C, Calcium, Iron, B12
  7. Gluton Free
  8. Made in the USA
  9. No artificial ingredients and minimally processed
  10. Cost - Around $3 per bar
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You can purchase Epic Bars at a number of places, here are a few: Amazon, Thrive Market, The Fresh Market, Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe, and Target.

(UPDATED!)

(Since I originally wrote this article, I have tried other flavors of this brand. I have to say that I love fish, but the Salmon: Smoked Maple flavored EPIC bar was not at all a favorite. I really did not care for the flavor. The protein amount was great with 9 g of protein, the ingredients were also great, but the flavor was not what I expected or even liked. That is not to say you won't love it, but I love fish and I did not love the Salmon EPIC bar.

Having said that, I also tried the Bison: Uncured Bacon Cranberry flavor and I loved it! It was really, really good. It has 7 g of protein and no gluten. I will buy this bar again.)

If you try these snack bars, please comment with your thoughts. Be sure to include the flavor you tried. Share your experience with other readers. If you have found another great high protein snack, please let us know about it.
​

XOXO
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Product Review: Tex-Mex Jackfruit by the Jackfruit Company

3/16/2018

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Let me be clear, I love meat. I am not a vegetarian. However, I do like to cut down on my red meat for health reasons.

Moderation is the key to a healthy diet. Moderation with anything you eat. There are all types of meat substitutes on the market. Some are good, some are just okay, and some are not good at all.


Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis knows I like to try new and different foods. They know that I am not afraid to eat something that I have never heard of before.
​

Recently I purchased a meat substitute made from Jackfruit. It was already seasoned and ready to use. I made tostados using traditional taco shells, taco blend shredded cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce (spinach actually). (See picture below) It turned out really good and it was really easy to prepare.
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A few things you should know about Jackfruit:

If you are interested in trying Jackfruit, you can purchase a package that has already been seasoned and is ready to use or you can find many recipes online to make your own from scratch.

If you use a recipe and make your own from scratch, do yourself a favor and purchase the Jackfruit canned. If you buy a whole green Jackfruit, you will find it filled with a sticky white resin that stains whatever it gets on. Trust me, you really don't want to do this from a fresh Jackfruit. It is messy and you can ruin a lot of things with the staining resin.

​ The canned version is so much easier and not at all expensive. Trader Joe has a canned version for only $1.99 for a 20 ounce can (45 calories to a 1 cup serving).

Here is a link to a good recipe for using this fruit as a substitute in BBQ: Jackfruit BBQ Recipe
What can you do with Jackfruit? Here are a few more ideas:


1. The fleshy part (the "bulb") can be eaten as is or cut up and cooked.
    1. Jackfruit Salad (recipe at: Spicey Jackfruit Salad Recipe )
    2. Jackfruit Tacos (recipe at: Jackfruit Fish Free Tacos Recipe )
    3. Buffalo Jackfruit Spinach Dip (recipe at: Buffalo Jackfruit Spinach Dip Recipe )
    4. Jackfruit Tuna Melt Sandwich (recipe at: Jackfruit Tuna Melt Sandwich Recipe )


That's a few to get you started. There is really no recipe that Jackfruit can't be used in place of the meat, if you season it correctly. Jackfruit is a very versatile meat substitute.


Here are a few nutrition facts about Jackfruit:


  1. Calories: 157 per 1 cup sliced fruit
  2. Fiber: 3 grams or 10% of Daily Value
  3. Potassium: 110 mg
  4. Protein: (not much) 1 gram
  5. Low Sodium: 0%
  6. Carbohydrates: 12% of Daily Value
  7. Vitamins: C = 37% of Daily Value
B6 = 25% of Daily Value
Magnesium = 12% of Daily Value
A, Calcium, Iron = 2-4% of Daily Value


Jackfruit doesn't provide a lot of protein, but it is packed with several other nutrients and without the animal fat and cholesterol. A great substitute if your goal is not to eat meat.


I would buy this product again and make tacos, I will admit it is different than beef or pork, but it is good. The texture is like meat and the seasonings are right on the mark for a tex-mex dish.


Do you try to limit your diet of red meat? Are you vegan? Are you open to meat substitutes? Have you ever tried Jackfruit? What was the experience like? Share with us any recipes you may have for using this tasty fruit as a meat alternative.


XOXO

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Product Review: Love Grown Power O's - Cereal Made From Beans!

2/9/2018

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If you go to the website of Love Grown you will find the following statement on their homepage. As a person who not only loves to find new products but also tries to eat healthy, you can't imagine how interested I was when I stumbled across this brand.
"We are revolutionizing breakfast with our power blend of navy, lentil,
and garbanzo beans! We launched our Power O’s after realizing the need
for more nutritious cereals that are also gluten-free. With our power-packed
ingredients and passion for creating delicious foods, we promise you will find
our cereals to be love at first bite."


After considerable research I located a handful of stores in my area that sell this product. I was determined to purchase a box and try them. A cereal made from beans, what an idea! I purchased two boxes - the honey flavored and the strawberry flavored. Now to share what I discovered.


Ingredients for the honey flavored:

Bean blend (navy beans, lentils, garbanzo beans), brown rice, cane sugar, organic honey, natural flavor, sunflower oil, salt, vitamin E (to maintain freshness).
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​Ingredients for the strawberry flavored:

Bean blend (navy beans, lentils, garbanzo beans), brown rice, cane sugar, natural strawberry flavor, salt, purple carrot color, sunflower lecithin, vitamin E (to maintain freshness), citric acid.
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​Naturally low in sodium, cholesterol, fat and high in fiber, protein, iron and only 120 calories in a whole cup makes this cereal a good choice for a meal or a snack. It's gluten free and non-GMO. The strawberry, chocolate, and original flavors are vegan. To add to it's positive attributes it has Vitamin E to preserve freshness. Sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, what good does it do to have a cereal with all the great things going for it that this one does, if it doesn't taste good? How does it taste you ask? YUMMY! Yes, this cereal, made from beans, is remarkably good. The flavors are mild and the cereal is crunchy before the addition of liquids.

Love Grown offers hot cereal, granolas, and children's cereals, also. You will love their website. It is easy to use, colorful, and offers many good recipes. You can find their site here:
​
http://lovegrown.com/about/our-foods/cereals/


Are you willing to try a breakfast cereal made from beans? Have you ever tried this brand? If so, what did you think? Are you adventurous when it comes to trying new foods? I challenge you to taste this unique cereal.

XOXO
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Product Review: ZEVIA - A New Kind Soft Drink (Soda)

1/19/2018

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For a long time we have heard and read that soft drinks are bad for you. Recent research has shown that soft drinks are harmful not only because of the sugar content, but also certain additives used to compose the drink and keep it shelf stable.

For years "diet" soft drinks were considered the answer to the negatives of soft drinks. Now we are learning that artificial sweeteners are unhealthy and even dangerous.

So, do we give up soft drinks all together? The answer for me was "yes!" That is until a new drink was developed and sold that solved all the problems of the soft drink dilemma.

ZEVIA is a soft drink (soda) that is sweetened with a leaf - the Stevia leaf. Stevia has no negative effects on our health and it sweetens extremely well. I have been using Stevia for a few years in a variety of recipes and drinks. I have used it in place of sugar in my apple pies and sweetened my tea with it. No calories - no bad after taste - no negatives.

ZEVIA also doesn't contain any artificial colors or chemicals. My cola was actually clear in color, but tastes like a cola. I loved the cola and root beer flavors. The Dr. Pepper dupe, however, didn't win me over. It is the only flavor that I didn't love.

Coca-cola makes a Stevia sweetened coke, but they still use the same chemicals as regular sugar coke to stabilize the rich caramel color. While it tastes good, I won't drink it because of those chemicals.

If you're looking for a good replacement for your normal sugary soft drink (soda), try ZEVIA. I like it, it's healthful, and it satisfies my cravings for good soda.

Did you give up soft drinks? Do you have a favorite beverage that you go to when you want something sweet but healthy? Have you tried ZEVIA? If so, did you like it? Have you tried Stevia? What do you use Stevia for?
​

XOXO 
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Product Review: Arctic Zero - Frozen Dessert

12/8/2017

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Ice cream is the one thing I can't do without. I love it. But really good ice cream is full of fat and sugar. As a result, I don't buy it very often.

Can you imagine how happy I was to find a frozen dessert so low in sugar that I could eat the whole pint for 150 calories? It is also very creamy and yummy. I love the Salted Carmel and the Vanilla Maple the best.

Here are the good points of Arctic Zero (including the great taste):
  1. Low Glycemic
  2. RBST Free Whey Protein
  3. Certified Gluton Free
  4. Lactose Free
  5. Certified GMO Free
  6. Kosher
  7. Tons of Flavors: They offer many many flavors, but the ones that are 150 calories per pint are: Cake Batter; Poppin' Pomegranate; Purely Chocolate; Vanilla Maple; Hint of Mint; Cappuccino; Chocolate Peanut Butter; Salted Caramel; Toasted Coconut; and Cookie Shake.

What is it made of? Good stuff. All good stuff.🙂
​

Ingredients:
  1. Whey Protein: Non-GMO, Hormone Free and ultra filtered to remove the lactose
  2. Sea Salt: Just a touch of Pacific Ocean salt
  3. Monk Fruit Concentrate Sweetner: A small melon from subtropical hillsides of Asia, low glycemic and about 150 times sweeter than sugar.
  4. Fiber: Non-GMO fiber ingredients are Chicory Root (probiotic and blood sugar stablizing properties) from a Mediterranean plant and Sugarcane fiber that is insoluble and aids in digestion.
  5. Organic Cane Sugar: Non-GMO organic Florida organic cane sugar
  6. Stabilizers: Natural, plant based that includes a blend of xanthan and guar gum to keep it smooth and creamy
  7. Natural Flavors: Plant based flavors with no monosodium glutamate (MSG) or hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
  8. Purified Water: Triple filtered and purified

The ONLY negative I found with this product is cost.
At grocery stores, health food stores, Walmart, etc., it is just under $5.00 per pint.
You can order direct from the company here:
www.arcticzero.com/e-products but you will pay more. It must be shipped in dry ice which adds to the cost.
Do I let the cost stop me from buying? No. If I absolutely do not have the extra money available for a $5.00 pint then I will pass, but if at all possible, I go for it. I love it that much and it satisfies my ice cream cravings without ruining my diet or health.

If you are an ice cream addict like I am (just joking) you need to try Arctic Zero. Note: Just because you can eat the whole pint for 150 calories doesn't mean you have to. You can always eat some today and some tomorrow....although it will be hard (at least it was for me 🙂).

Do you love ice cream? Are you trying to restrict the amount of calories you take in every day and find it difficult to satisfy your sweet tooth? Have you tried this product before? If so, what do you think of it? Do you have any other treats that you can share with the rest of us?

XOXO
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