Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent

Happy Holiday's cuppies!!


I was fortunate enough to try Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent for free in 3 small fun packages for my honest review.

I love that Seventh Generation stands behind it's products that are made better not only for us as consumers, but for the environment overall. The Free & Clear detergent is all natural that contains no dyes, optical brighteners or synthetic fragrances. It's not only great for people with sensitivities, but for anyone really. All the ingredients are listed on the bottle (even the sample pack) as to inform the consumers what's in their detergent is safe. #comeclean

The ingredients are plant-based and USDA Certified 97%. To be honest I was a little skeptical about being all plant-based and being able to clean sufficiently, but I was pleasantly surprised after using the samples through different loads (types) of laundry. I decided to try the samples on colors, darks and whites to see if I would notice a difference in any load.

The sample size was just the right amount for a medium/large load of laundry. There is no scent to the product and the liquid detergent is clear in color. It's made for HE washer like ours, but will work just as well for regular washers.

I am impressed with the results from all 3 loads of laundry. There was a fresh neutral scent (not perfume) before loading into the dryer and I'm happy to say all my clothes came out clean and soft.  It's definitely a brand I will be switching over with trusted natural ingredients, a honest company and to help out the environment in the long run.

#Seventhgeneration #comeclean #detergent #liquiddetergent #eco #Natural #safe #effective #review #biobased #sensitiveskin #gentle #clean #naturalingredients #happyholidays 

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Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent

Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs

Hello Cuppies, 

Tis the cold season upon us! Perfect timing for Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs!

I started using Zicam cold remedy in Nasal Swab form for about a week now. Prior to receiving the box of Zicam Nasal Swabs free to review I had a minor cold coming on so it was perfect timing.

The packing is nicely done and if I were to see in store I would definitely stop and check it out just because I have never seen nasal swabs to help with a cold. Inside the box there are 20 medicated swabs. They don’t fill the entire box, in fact the box is larger than what it needs to be.

The nasal swabs are placed in a plastic tube (sort of like that of a flea tube for dogs) that you snap open to reveal the swab and medicine inside. Be sure to hold the tube between forefinger and thumb slightly upright before snapping off the cap. The directions are simple and easy to understand.

Using the swabs has helped me to see results after a week of only up two swabs a day. I feel like I am conscious of how many I use because it seems like you could go through these fairly easy. There is an immediate cooling sensation from the menthol and eucalyptus. I love the smell of menthol so it was not a problem for me. Essentially you are swabbing only ¼ inch into your nose, no further!

Overall I have started feeling better and I think the cold will be gone pretty soon here thanks to the nasal swabs. Working with children I always have to be on cautious side of catching anything! I found a quick trip to the bathroom I was able to swab and go back to work! Perfect for on the go.

#sponsored #freegift #zicamcrowd

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Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs

#TastyVoxBox Review Influenster

Hello,

Hope everyone has enjoyed the past few weeks whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not. I like to try and remind myself to be thankful for 5 things everyday, because this life is short and precious.

Today I am thankful for the opportunity have tried and review tasty goods from Influenster from their #tastyvoxbox

The day I received the box it felt like Christmas morning and I eagerly opened to see all the goodies inside. The size and how much stuff in the box was more than I expected, so thank you #Influenster and all the brands that offered up the goodies. 

Tasty Goodies:

Yogi tea
Franks RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
French’s Crispy Fried Onions
Splenda Naturals
Kashi GoLean Shake
Country Crock
Smart Ones frozen meal

Yogi Tea

 

I received a sample pack of two different flavors from Yogi Tea that included Cinnamon Berry Probiotic Balance and Green Tea Kombucha. I seem to be hearing more and more about this tea so I was excited to try two very different teas.

The first I tried in the pack was the Cinnamon Berry Probiotic Balance and I found it intriguing and very different from what I normally drink in teas. It supports digestion by keeping a healthy balance in your digestive tract. The warming spices from the Chai and Cumin and Hawthorn Berry add a spice along with a fruity flavor. I normally don’t have digestive tract issues so unless that changes I will refer to buying this tea for a healthy option before going to medicine. I would recommend for anyone who needs to calm, relieve and promote healthy digestion.  

The second in the pack is the Green Tea Kombucha which I opened up on Black Friday after taking a small trip to one store and all its craziness I needed to feel some serenity. I absolutely love green teas and always get on a kick. There are so many benefits such as antioxidants and nutrients that help you relax and reduce weight. The taste is more than that of just a green tea and I loved that it was fruitier with the plum and passion fruit flavors.

A definite favorite. So I headed to the store to purchase more and I never realized how many flavors they had so it was hard choosing a box to settle on. 

Franks RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce

This would be the first time ever using Franks RedHot sauce and I very much enjoyed it. It’s made from cayenne peppers which add a little hint of spice to whatever you add. I decided to try it on some homemade cheesy potatoes. Yum! Gave it just a little extra flavor and kick. 
I usually can’t eat very spicy foods so I felt this was perfect for the mild lovers of sauces. I’m sure if you douse it in extra sauce you can build up the spicy-ness. For me a little went a long way. I liked it and will be trying it with new things like chicken nuggets and scrambled eggs.

French’s Crispy Fried Onions 

I was excited to receive French's Crispy Fried Onions because I already had planned on making green bean casserole for Thanksgiving. Having tried these before at family gatherings I knew they were going to be tasty. They are crispy right out of the container and taste great just on their own. The casserole turned out great and I loved the little extra crunchiness. What I didn’t know how versatile these onions actually were until I looked up other recipes. We had a little extra left so I will be trying them with my veggie burger next time.

Splenda Naturals

Having already received sample sizes of the Splenda Naturals I was thankful to have a little extra at home, but they won’t last long! I have enjoyed using the original Splenda for years, but after initially trying these I have already went out and bought a box to switch over. Mainly because I love the taste of the Naturals compared to the original and yes they do taste different! I also love the fact that they don’t have any bitter aftertaste whatsoever and it’s made from a more natural process.

Kashi Go Lean Dark Cocoa Power

#Shelfie

I decided I would give my complimentary Kashi Go Lean Dark Cocoa Power from Influenster a go after a hard workout. I was tired and had high expectations that this would relive my hunger and that the taste would be good. I was caught off guard however when I first tasted it. It literally tastes like cardboard. Knowing it was plant-based I was hoping the Dark Cocoa would be enough to counteract that. It is an acquired taste. I would recommend adding fruits, honey, and yogurt possibly with the powder to make a smoothie. I like that is very healthy and from a brand I trust, but I may be hesitant to actually buy this in the future. I do still have a lingering curiosity how it would taste in a smoothie so I may bite the bullet and buy more to get the added benefits of the protein. 

Country Crock (Calcium plus Vitamin D)

I can remember Country Crock being a staple in my household growing up. We never used any other brand except this one. Even the color of the containers are relatively the same tannish-brown. Growing up I have adapted this into my fridge as well. 

It’s great butter that works literally for everything from multi-grain bread to vegetables. The texture is smooth and spreads very easily over anything. The taste is great and this time around I decided to purchase the Calcium with Vitamin D. The sizes of the containers vary to whatever you need and are easily affordable. When I was younger we always got the large tub for our family of 5, but now with my little family we can get by for quite some time with 15 ounces.

The original Country Crock only contains 50 calories per tablespoon, so not as bad as most would think about butter. I like to use mine in moderation and it always tastes wonderful, especially on a piece of warm cornbread. Mmm!

I also made cookies with the Country Crock and they turned out delicious! I will leave a link here soon. 

Smart Ones Frozen Meal (Fettucini Alfredo)

#Shelfie

Sometimes you don't have time to make a five course meal.. wait who actually does that? I had the opportunity to choose a free Smart Ones meal and give my honest opinion. I would say it's pretty good for a frozen meal and the portions are just right. It wasn't as flavorful as I was hoping, but I did enjoy the taste. It's a simple Fettuccine Alfredo with large chunks of broccoli. I am not on the Weight Watchers program, but I do appreciate that it's only 250 calories.  However, the sodium level is a bit high. 


Overall I could see purchasing this in the future and possibly trying other meals from Smart Ones.

I received all products from Influenster for free for my honest opinions. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to try new foods, foods that I haven’t had in years and ones that I already implement in my life because they are so tasty! 



#influenster #yogi #yogitea #Voxbox #review #gotitfree #FranksRedHot #Frenchs #Kashi #KashiGoLean #Smartones #tea #food #foodie #Countrycrock

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#TastyVoxBox Review Influenster

New Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash & Lotion Apricot & Honey

Being a part of Crowdtap I get to try new products I may have not otherwise been familiar with. I am familiar and love the brand Aveeno so I am excited to be able and try their new line of skin care that is made from yogurt and has active ingredients such as oatmeal.  

As part of this experience I was able to try both the Aveeno daily moisturizing body yogurt (lotion) and Aveeno daily moisturizing yogurt body wash. 

Both the body wash and lotion have the scent apricot and honey, a great combination for a fresh, sweet and enriched formula.

The lotion comes in a good size jar that is 7 oz and the body wash in a decent size 12 fl oz bottle. Both are recyclable, so do our planet some good and recycle if you are able (#2, #5).

As for the scent of both the fragrance was strongest in the containers, but the lotion's scent was stronger and lasted longer on the skin compared to the body wash. It's what I expected from the lotion rather than the body wash. The body wash's fragrance was very minimal after showering.

The feel and use of the body wash was that the texture of it was creamy, but it took a lot more product than I would like to get a nice lather. It was easy to spread and get a fair amount of product, but I wish that it came in a larger bottle because I feel like I could easily get through this body wash in no time. It washed off easily. 

The feel and use of the body lotion was a more luxurious experience, I felt that the cool, creamy and watery texture of the lotion spreads easily. I am able to cover a lot of area with less product. There is an instant feeling of a cooling sensation. I don't know if this is true for everyone because I tried it on my boyfriend and he's like "I dunno", so helpful! lol. I however like the cooling sensation and think it's due to the active ingredients. The appearance of the lotion looked just like yogurt, but not the same for the body wash.

The results for the body wash is that I really liked using it and the minimal scent is nice especially for people who are sensitive to fragrances. I personally think that both smell more of apricot and only a hint of the honey. I personally love the scent. After showering I did notice a difference with my skin on the half that I used to the body wash compared to the other where I used nothing. My skin felt noticeably softer, cool, and moisturized. 

As for the results of the lotion I can still smell and feel the lotion after hours of use with only one application. My skin feels instantly more smooth and nourished and just like the body wash I compared using only this lotion against using nothing and I love the results. You can still see a slight sheen and feel the softness of my skin where I used the lotion.

Great tips is that you can use both the body wash and lotion for shaving your legs to get enriching results. Usually my legs feel raw after shaving but I notice a great deal after using the body wash/lotion combo. 

Overall using one or the other or both together you will see results. Just remember if you are taking a sniff of it in the store neither of the products are as strong as the fragrance compacted into the containers. I can see giving these as a gift set for this upcoming Christmas or as a stocking stuffer. 

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New Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash & Lotion Apricot & Honey

Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Mascara

Excitedly I was able to try Maybelline's Jade The Colossal Go Extreme mascara in black. I have tried other mascaras from Maybelline and generally like them.

It appears that there are few different mascaras in the line of “Colossal” and this one is labeled Go Extreme volum express with Jade. I am not sure if this particular “Go Extreme” mascara is available or is discontinued since I couldn’t find the exact one to purchase online.

The packaging is nicely designed and its size and shape is exactly like their The Colossal Chaotic tube. The base of the wand with the two curves is like that of the Pumped Up mascara. The size of the actual wand/bristles is pretty large, but I am able to apply mascara into the corners where lashes are smaller.

I would say I have about average size and amount of lashes, but they are lighter and using mascara greatly improves the appearance. I feel like every application of the mascara is consistent and even, only a few times do I rarely get clumps and that’s at the tip of the wand. So when I do apply the wand to the short inner/outer of my lashes there is a greater chance of clumps. The amount of product is very thin and I find myself applying more like 4 coats to get a good coverage. I would say that the buildup is fair. With plenty of applications I can get my desired look for the most part.

The mascara dries fairly quickly and the pigmentation is jet black. If you do get a clump it’s easy to remove/clean up. I think the best part about this mascara is that it doesn’t feel heavy or clumpy on your lashes. Once dried your lashes feel natural and as if there isn’t product all over them.

Pros
Applies evenly
Lightweight
Waterproof
Smudge proof
Easy separation with comb/fingers
Rarely clumps
Inexpensive

Cons
Not as Extreme as I would have expected
Apply a lot of coats to get any effect/buildup
Brush is a bit large/chunky
Minimal Volume

I’d say the quality is good and it’s an inexpensive mascara that gets the job done. I think a possible improvement for the product is possibly a different formula that does boost the appearance of length and volume. Does not live up to its “Go Extreme” name. I also think the two waves/curves on the wand is just cosmetic and if more attention was paid to the bristle alignment and size it would be easier to get coverage.

Overall I would rate this mascara a 7 out of 10. I would consider this to be a reliable and inexpensive mascara that I could see buying again, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. I would recommend to anyone that is looking for a good drugstore mascara. It applies evenly and dries fairly quickly making it a staple in easy to use mascara.


Thank you #Toluna & #Maybelline
#gotitfree #Maybellinenewyork #maybellinemascara #mascara #beauty

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Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Mascara

Splenda Naturals Stevia Sweetner

Salut Cuppies, 

It's been a while and school is taking 95% of my time I wanted to stop by and drop in the most recent review for Splenda Naturals and new no-calorie sweetener that is made naturally. I received 2 sample packs from Crowdtap, but being a fan of Splenda I just grabbed a box from Walmart. 


I was very excited to try Naturals for the first time having already been using Splenda No Calorie sweetener for years now. I do notice that sweeteners alike all have the same taste and after taste and you can tell that you are using an artificial sweetener and with Splenda Naturals it’s a different experience. 

I really enjoyed the little sample packs that I received, but ultimately it wasn’t enough for me so I decided to pick up a box at my local supermarket. The packaging is nicely designed and has shelf appeal. If I already hadn’t been looking for it this would definitely catch my eye. The colors on the box really speak to being natural as far showing the light ash brown wood and green stevia leaf. 

Inside the box their are individual packets that are white with a dark blue and green text. I think the colors are fitting for it being natural with the white conveying it being pure and healthy. I really like the idea for having a few packets for traveling otherwise I would love if they offered Splenda Naturals in a larger bag. 

The appearance of the actual granules of the sugar are noticeably different from that of the original Splenda. The Natural sugar looks more like real sugar than it does from that of the original no calorie sugar. The original is less dense and generates a lot more dust. There is a noticeable difference when you pour Naturals and original into your coffee. Naturals being a bit more dense sinks into your coffee almost like real sugar and original no calorie for the most part sits on top. 

At first I was a bit skeptical about how this would taste and would it really be different from that of the original Splenda. So I figured if anything that it would be better for my body being that it is naturally made. Unlike the original the Naturals is made from a process that extracts the sugary goodness from the stevia leaf and fermented dextrose. There is no sucralose like the original Splenda which is an artificial sugar. Although I wasn’t sure it would taste different in fact it significantly does. To taste the difference I made 3 cups of black coffee and added real sugar, Splenda Naturals, and Splenda No Calories. The best way I can describe it is that naturals and real sugar taste more alike than the original sucralose Splenda which tastes bittersweet and leaves a harsh after taste. I still like the original, but if I have the option I am now going to choose Naturals over it. 

I have mainly used Splenda to substitute to get the benefits of no calories for a great sugary taste, but now I am excited to happily switch over to Splenda Naturals because it’s not artificially made. I love to add Splenda to my coffee, tea, and when I bake. For now I have only added the naturals to my coffee and tea since they have yet to come out with a larger bag. 

Overall I am happy that I was able to try and buy the new Splenda Naturals made with stevia extract samples. I would definitely recommend that anyone who loves real sugar, but not the calories to give Splenda Naturals a try and see how great it tastes. 

I also received extra samples as you can see in my pictures from the #Goodbyesugar30 challenge where I have been substituting and removing sugar from my diet/life. They also send you lots of tasty recipes and helpful tips to get you on track to a healthier you. Signing up you also have the chance to win a Spa Getaway and who doesn't love that! 


#Review #Splenda #SplendaNaturals #Steviaextract #stevia #spa #giveaway #gotitfree #Goodbyesugar30

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Splenda Naturals Stevia Sweetner