Help Team Topricin Help End Diabetes

disclaimer:  We received nothing in exchange for this post.  Just wanted to spread the word about a cause we believe in and a company that is helping it.

Join Team Topricin by Riding or Donating to help end Diabetes.  

When:  June 4, 2017

Where:  Saratoga Spa State Park

19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

REGISTRATION FEE: $25 through April 30th, 2017 Fundraising Minimum: $200 Route Distances: 100M, 62.5M, 50M, 28M, 10M Join or Donate here.

Beanitos

disclaimer:  We received the following products for free in exchange for our honest opinions.  All opinions remain our own.

Beanitos

  So since we are on the subject of Earth Day this week and about what products we can use to help keep the planet healthier, we decided it would also be a good time to mention a brand that will help keep us healthier too...Beanitos.

  Beanitos aren't just a regualar chip.  Beanitos are just what they sound like they are...Bean chips (and crunch).  I just had to quote their site here  "Every Beanitos snack is a lean bean PROTEIN machine, packed with rich, delicious flavor and amazing wholesome goodies like FIBER and ANTIOXIDANTS. With all this tasty goodness, it may be hard to chew with such a big smile."  #vivalabean

  Each serving of Beanitos boasts 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.  They are free of MSG, gluten, sugar, artificial colors, cholesterol, preservatives, artificial flavors, trans fat, corn, and GMO's.  

  With such a large variety of flavors there is sure to be a flavor for everyone.  Beanitos was kind enough to send us each a variety of flavors and here are our thoughts:

  Mommy in GA:

The Original- These smell like roasted beans, I like the saltiness, definitely a different texture than a regular tortilla chip, not bad plain, very good with salsa.  I really liked this one especially with the salsa.

Honey Chipolte BBQ- Smell is pleasant, the bbq is stronger, good amount of seasonings, very barbequey, kind of wish the flavor was a little stronger.  I am not a huge fan of BBQ chips so I was surprised that I liked these.

Restaurant Style- I am going to assume that these were pretty good as I never even got my hands on the bag, the kiddos devoured the whole thing without me : (

Nacho Cheese- I just didn't like these, maybe my expectations were a little too high due to my love for Doritos, my taste buds were slightly disappointed.

Hint of Lime- The kids must have liked these too as I also never go to try one.

Garden Fresh Salsa- The smell isn't really that strong like I had expected, first bite these seem a little plain, I did taste a hint of sweet and salty, not great but is ok, don't care for them plain.  These were better with salsa but still not my favorite.  

Sweet Chili & Sour Cream- These smell ok but I really expected a stronger smell, I really like these, just enough sweet chili and hint of sour cream to even it out, not too spicy and not too sweet.  These are my favorite!!!  No salsa required : )  

and Mac N' Cheese Crunch- Here is the third product that went MIA during this product testing, I really wish I could have tried these as cheese curls are one of my favorites.

(Note:  Mommy in GA does have five kids so occasionally a product or three, especially food, can mysteriously go missing.  We apologize for the inconvenience : ) )

  Mommy in PA: 

The Original- Honestly these taste like Triscuits, I was a little worried to try these but was pleasantly surprised.  I hate using another brand in my review but that is honestly the best way I can describe them.  I think these would be delicious with some kind of queso : )

Honey Chipolte BBQ- The flavor of these is really good, kind of addictive actually.  This could easily take the place of my regular bbq potato chips : )

Restaurant Style-  These are delicious, especially with salsa.  You won't even be able to tell you are eating a bean chip, these taste almost like a tortilla chip, nice saltiness, just a little easier to chew : )  These were my favorite for dipping.

Nacho Cheese-  My daughter and I liked these ones.  Nice strong cheese flavor.  Not exactly like the other brands but that's ok cause they were still tasty : )

Hint of Lime- These were definitely my least favorite.  I am not a fan of lime on chips I guess, maybe these would be good with a complimenting salsa???  

Garden Fresh Salsa-  These were also delicious with salsa.  I also liked these ones plain, great tomato flavor.  My daughter tried one but didn't like it because she doesn't like tomatoes...oh well, her loss : )

Sweet Chili & Sour Cream- Ok so I thought I liked these the second I put one in my mouth...but just that quick my tongue said no way, this is just not my kind of flavor I guess : (

and Mac N' Cheese Crunch- Not too bad but I just couldn't get past the texture difference.  My husband agreed, tasted ok, texture...nope : (

Oh and a little side note from both of us...we love the packaging, bright colors are our friend : )

Goddess Garden Organics

disclaimer:  We received the products below for free in exchange for our honest opinions.  All opinions remain our own.

Goddess Garden Organics

  So in our quest to be more Earth-Friendly many of us tend to overlook some simple changes we can make...for example, skincare.  Not only are organic skin care products safer for us the consumer but also for the environment.  Just think of all the nasty chemicals that we tend to wash down the drain when removing makeup, skin care products, shampoos, conditioners, soap...etc.  That's where Goddess Garden Organics can help.

  Goddess Garden Organics offers a full line of skincare, aromatherapy, and sunscreen products that are safe for people and the environment.  One of the founders daughters was allergic to the chemicals in sunblocks so they went on a mission to find a safe alternative and it ended up developing into the Goddess Garden Organics brand of products.

  They were kind enough to send each of us some sample packets of a few of their products to try and here is what we thought:

  Mommy in GA: The Erase the Day Mineral-Removing Cleanser- I opened the package and it looked gross, kind of like dirty clay (which it kinda is), the smell was good, I started rubbing it in and noticed it was kinda smooth, I kind of enjoyed it, I actually added some water and massaged it in some more.  After wiping the product off my face it felt very refreshing and kinda tingly.  So this was plus for me, my face was a little bit red but I assume it could be from rubbing it in so long : )  Works great at removing the sticky Sunscreen & Firming Primer.

The Face the Day Sunscreen & Firming Primer- Upon opening I do like the smell.  It is a very sticky product once applied, I didn't really care for this.  I could literally stick my hand on my cheek and my cheek would stick to my hand.  I was able to get the product completely rubbed in but it did take a bit of work.  Would be a lot better if not so sticky.  Note:  not a big fan of sunscreen in general.

The Facial- This one wasn't as hard to rub in as the above product.  Not as sticky as the above product either.  Boy I am sure glad that the cleanser works good : )  Note:  not a big fan of sunscreen in general. 

Dream Repair Sun-Repair Night Cream - Smells kinda weird, made my face tingle a bit upon application.  Slightly sticky (again, not a lotion person here), not a heavy lotion like most night creams so I liked that, in my line of reviews this one is not so bad : )  This smells a bit like Fruit Loops.

  Mommy in PA:  Ok, I received the Dream Repair Sun-Repair Night Cream- I really liked how the product felt on my skin during application, not heavy, went on smoothly, absorbed quickly, only a little bit of oiliness after application...but the smell was not my cup of tea. But huge plus for the lack of oiliness... that is one of my biggest beauty pet peeves...trying to find a moisturizer that doesn't make me look like a greasy french fry.

The Erase the Day Mineral-Removing Cleanser-  I loved this stuff...went on velvety smooth, easy to remove, smelled wonderful, seemed like it did a great job and left my face feeling refreshed and a bit tingly...assuming that was the pore shrinking part : )

The Face the Day Sunscreen & Firming Primer-  This was a total bust for me.  I started by applying a small bit to my forehead and proceeded to try to smooth it out as it had left a bit white dot there and it was just impossible to rub in.  I ended up wiping it off because I just couldn't see tugging at my skin so much just to apply it.

And the Facial-  This product had the same issue as the Primer, left a big white dot that I had to constantly try to redistribute on my face but the initial white dot remained and I proceeded to wipe this product off too rather than stretch out my skin  : (

Wondercide

disclaimer:  We received the product below for free in exchange for our honest opinions.  All opinions remain our own.

Wondercide

  Wondercide is another company working to remove toxic chemicals from our daily lives.  One of the trickier areas to avoid chemicals comes with the removal and avoidance of pests from our pets, homes, and yards.  Pests are typically eradicated by calling an exterminator, using flea control drops, or spraying our yards with who knows what.  Well Wondercide had a better idea...fight nature, with nature.

  Wondercide produces a variety of products that use safe and effective cedar oil to repel and/or extinguish pests such as fleas, ticks, spiders, ants, mosquitos, etc.  You will just have to check out their website to see the vast array of products they make, it is amazing.

  We each received a bottle of the Flea & Tick for Pets, Bedding & Carpet and here are our thoughts:

  Mommy in GA:  I just want to tell ya'll that this stuff smells AMAZING!!  I received the 4 oz.  Flea & Tick Control for Pets & Home.  

I did a test area on my dog and couch before the actual application (about an hour before actual use)...you know like you are supposed to do with your hair color LOL.  So the best way to apply is to spray and rub in, my dog doesn't like being sprayed very much but the rubbing it in is good : )  But do not spray this directly on their face,  apply the spray to your hand and gently wipe it onto their face.  

Seeing as how I do not allow the dog on the couch I decided to save the rest of the spray for the actual dog.  

Seeing as how summer is creeping up on us, and we have camping on the brain,  I think it would be great to have the Flea & Tick Yard and Garden, Natural Personal Insect Repellent, and also the Natural and Organic All-Purpose Pest Control for your campsite.  You could spray around your tent/camper site and apply the Personal spray to yourself and your kiddos : )

Just thinking that would be a great idea as I love the idea of all of these natural products!!!

  Mommy in PA:  Well I had actually requested a totally different product as I was hoping to prevent my basement from becoming a spooky spider place again this spring but alas they sent me this instead.  I do have a dog but he does not do well with spray products, they tend to startle him which in turn leaves him peeing on the floor : (

  Well I decided to make the most of the product I received and had my hubby spray the basement walls.  I would have done it but I was afraid we may have spiders come running out of the cracks (we have a stone foundation) and the thought just terrified me : )

  The good news...it has been about two weeks since application and I have yet to see another spider on my basement walls.  This is fantastic!!!  And it smelled nice too 

: )  Now I would not recommend people using the Flea & Tick for Pets, Bedding & Carpet for their walls as we did just because it would be a lot easier using their other products made for that purpose and we are all out of product now after just one application,  I believe the stuff made for that actually comes in a larger size : )

Fresh Wave

disclaimer:  We received the products below for free in exchange for our honest opinions.  All opinions remain our own.

Fresh Wave

  No matter how many people you have in your household, there is one thing that is guaranteed to disturb your happy home, and we all have it from time to time...odor.  Those odd smells wafting from a stinky gym bag or lingering around your trash can.  Well now is the time to freshen your air with Fresh Wave.

  Fresh Wave has a full line of natural odor removing products.  Using simple, pure and natural ingredients such as water and a combination of plant oils like lime, pine needle, aniseed, clove, and cedarwood,  Fresh Wave doesn't just cover up the odor it gets rid of the odor.

  Their products come in a variety of sizes so if you are a single person household or a large business you can get the amount of product you need.

  In honor of Earth Day Fresh Wave is asking folks to take the #CareAboutYourAir pledge.  By simply learning what your household products have in them, then replacing one product that contains chemicals with something natural, and spreading the word (and taking the pledge) we can help our Earth become a healthier place : )

  Fresh Wave was kind enough to send us each one of their Fresh Wave Gel, Fresh Wave Spray, and Fresh Wave Packs.  And here is our thoughts...

  Mommy in GA: I am with mommy in PA on the packaging, it is ADORABLE and also earth friendly!!!
The products themselves are GREAT!
The Fresh Wave Gel has done wonders keeping our guinea pig scent (and by scent i do mean rodent urine😝) at bay!!! I can walk past her cage and not gag now....thank you Fresh Wave Gel!!!

Fresh Wave Spray I like to spritz a little before having people over that way my house has a fresh smell when people visit as i also have a dog and 5 childen, who all tend to carry their own unique smells (good and bad alike😂)

Fresh Wave Packs are nice to air out my trash can (for poopy diapers!!) Also a nice refresher for the car (you know for all those specialized smells from the backseat😂😂)

All in all i really enjoy the Fresh Wave Lime❤❤

Notice the cute packaging : )

  Mommy in PA:  This was an exciting review opportunity for me, between the pets, the guys, the depends...there is almost always a funky smell or two lurking around.

  The very first thing I did was take out two of the Fresh Wave Packs and stuck them in my husband's work boots.  It's one of those things where you are just sitting there, minding your own business, reading a book, watching tv, etc. when all of a sudden the smell smacks you in the face and you're like "Ewww, what stinks?" ...leather work boots are the worst when it comes to holding in foot odor but the Fresh Wave Packs made an instant difference and I just make sure I toss them back in when he gets home.  Now he doesn't like having to take them out all the time but I don't like his foot odor, so ha ha...we're even : )

  The Fresh Wave Spray is my favorite odor eliminator spray ever.  It comes in a cute little sprayer bottle that has the finest sprayer mist I've ever used.  And it makes this cute little puffing sound when you squeeze the handle...it is just so darn cute : )  Oh and works awesome too!!!  I love the smell, I like to spray it on my couch in the morning and then I can enjoy the scent all day.  It really is a fresh, clean scent.  Kinda reminds me of eucalyptus mixed with some kind of mint.  Hard to explain but really lovely.

  Now the Fresh Wave Gel left me with a bit of a dilemma.  I wasn't quite sure if  I wanted it by my garbage can (for the depends) or if I wanted it by my pet rodents...well I opted for the rodent cage because even with their weekly cage cleaning they can still really stink up the place...especially in the summer.  Well I put the Fresh Wave Gel about a foot away from the cage and I honestly haven't smelled the rodent smell since.  

  So in closing, I really LOVE the Fresh Wave line of products.  This will be something I will be purchasing.  Sometimes it is hard to find products that work well and are good for your family and the environment but this totally does just that.

"Summer's List"

disclaimer:  I received the following for free from MP Newsroom in exchange for my honest opinions.  All opinions remain my own.

"Summer's List"

by Anita Higman

  Summer Snow grew up in her grandmother's bookshop.  She learned her love of books from her grandmother and developed a wonderful friendship with a boy named Martin within those very walls.  

  But time changes things, Martin moved away, her parents are in an accident which leaves them helpless to care for themselves and then they pass away, granny is getting older and having health issues of her own...what's a girl like Summer gonna do?

  Summer wants to take over running the "Once Upon a Time" bookshop for her granny, but granny has other plans.  Her other plan is a list...a list of things that she wants Summer to accomplish.  But granny doesn't want Summer to do the list on her own...there is one very special name on that list, one that would make this a very fun adventure...Martin.

  Will Martin even remember Summer?  Will Summer be able to finish her granny's list before granny is gone?

Well you will just have to read and see.

  Mommy in PA:  This was a very good book.  Some of the scenes did go into way more detail than I thought necessary but it did have a pretty good flow for the most part.  

  

  The characters are very likable, well the ones that should be...and the others come around eventually.  

  I love the list idea.  It makes the characters go off on adventures and along the way their adventures help solve issues that they never would have had answers too before.  Granny was somehow able to help Summer and Martin's family all at the same time.  

  If you like mysteries or love stories or a combination of both than this is a good choice for you.