Thursday, April 28, 2016

Review: IntelliDent Toothbrush Shield


Have you every wondered how dirty your toothbrush might be?  This is something you use daily, right? Do you know that when flushing the toilet, droplets roam in the air for up to 6 feet? What could be in that air we breathe? Yuck! I am not sure I want to know. But the truth is, there is a lot going on in the air in our homes. There is bacteria, viruses, feces, dead skin, dust, droplets from toilet flushings, and more. Bottom line, all these things that roam in the air have to land somewhere. They are all over your home, on dressers, lamps, sinks, and sadly on our toothbrushes. This is why we should maintain our home by cleaning, dusting, washing our bed sheets, and changing our toothbrushes often.

Let's talk about our toothbrushes for a bit. We are told by dentists to change our toothbrushes every 3 months or each time we get the cold or flu. We have also heard about cleaning our toothbrushes with hydrogen peroxide once in a while. But, does this really help? I am pretty sure it may help a bit. There is something else that has been created. There is a toothbrush shield that was created by IntelliDent. This toothbrush shield is disposable and can be changed on a weekly basis. Well, what is this toothbrush shield, you ask? The toothbrush shield is a cover for your toothbrush. It is made with an advanced barrier technology that helps to block bacteria, germs, and airborne particles and droplets that are roaming around the air. Since it is also breathable, your toothbrush dries quickly; therefore, inhibiting further bacterial growth. The toothbrush shield does not kill germs. The shield blocks 99.9% airborne and surface bacteria. 

After using the shield for a while now, I decided this is a product that I will be buying for my family. I liked how it kept our toothbrushes clean. I liked how quickly our toothbrushes dried. I know that this is safer for us and our mouths. This is good for travel or home. Keep your toothbrush in your bag, backpack, or suitcase. It is disposable; therefore, it is good for up to 7 days. It comes in a pack of 10, so 1 box will last you up to 10 weeks for 1 person. There are 3 of us in my house, so the box should last us about 3 weeks.

There is also a mouthguard shield that IntelliDent made which works just as good. It is made with the same advanced technology; which helps to keep mouthguards and retainers clean and dry.

"Protection by Prevention" is IntelliDent's slogan, and I can see why--a thin shield with advanced barrier technology that may help prevent microbe and airborne particle accumulation on your toothbrush, mouthguard, and retainer. Protect your toothbrush, and protect your mouth! I honestly feel good about this shield, and I do recommend it whether you are travelling or not.

Disclaimer: The company sent me samples in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no compensation, and I am not affiliated in any way with the company or manufacturer of these products.  All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

You can purchase these items at: Walmart, Walgreens Riteaid, and Drugstore.com

Review: WiFi Adapter





This adapter was ordered for my son's laptop. Although his laptop is fairly new, it tends to be a bit slower. He does homework and research on his laptop, and he needs something faster and more reliable. The internal WiFi from his laptop is only able to pick up the 2.5GHz frequency. He is not able to pick up any signals through the 5GHz frequency, which is a whole lot faster. This adapter, which is 802.11ac, is supposed to be one of the best because it is laser beaming fast and is supposed to work very well in the 5GHz frequency. The adapter was very easy to install. Basically it is: Turn off internal WiFi, install CD, and plug adapter to USB. Then, watch the internet zoom!

As soon as the adapter was connected, the internet on this laptop was super fast! I was so surprised to see how fast this was going. I tested it on speedtest, and it downloaded at 99.49 mbps and uploaded at 73.18 mbps. It also picked up a long list of networks that are around our home. This is super fast compared to what I have seen before. Then I wanted to know how fast (or slow) the laptop's internal WiFi was, so I checked speedtest again with the internal WiFi. It downloaded at 25.47 mbps and uploaded at 13.79 mbps. This is a huge difference! This adapter works pretty awesome! I definitely like this product. It is fast and reliable, just what I was looking for. My son can now use his laptop with much higher internet speeds thanks to this adapter.

Disclaimer: This item was sent to me for free in exchange for my unbiased review. I received no compensation, and I am not affiliated in any way with the company or manufacturer of this product. All opinions expressed here are my own.

You can purchase this item at: Amazon

Review: Healthy Wiser pH Test Strips

 Amazon
Every now and then I like to check my pH levels to make sure my body is well balanced. I don't want to be too acidic nor too alkaline. Too much of something only brings chaos to the body.
What is pH you ask? Well, pH is potential of hydrogen, the acid-to-alkaline ratio in all matter. The body is designed to eliminate or neutralize excess acid, but because we constantly eat poorly, take many medications, stress, etc., acidity tends to build up in our body and begins to settle in our tissues, bones, and muscles and chaos occurs. Because of this, we tend to be more acidic instead of properly pH balanced. We then start to notice common signs of imbalance in our bodies: illnesses, diseases, or premature aging. 
These pH strips have allowed me to keep an eye on my health. It brings me awareness should I need to eat more greens or if I am consuming too much sweet bread. I feel comfortable knowing that my pH is at 7.25  and the color was more on the green side as opposed to a year ago when the color was yellow. Yellow is not good. That means too much acid. A more desirable level would be more toward the green side. My pH has gotten better because I have added more fresh fruits and vegetables to my diet. My order also came with an eBook and a food chart that will assist me with delicious recipes like Cool Coconut Parsley Smoothie. I would have never thought of mixing coconut and parsley if I hadn't seen this book. But now, I can comfortably vary the foods we eat and drink and still stay within a normal pH.  
I have tried the pH test tape before, but it would bleed and change to various colors, so I was confused as to what my pH levels really were. This pH strip only took 15 seconds. It is quick and accurate. Boom! One reading...15 seconds...Here you go! I like that you get a quick reading with these pH strips. They can be tested with your saliva or urine. I prefer testing with my saliva. PH levels will vary from person to person and be different throughout the day due to food, drinks, stress, and medications which affect a change in your pH levels. I  tested 2 children (my niece and my son) and 4 adults (my sisters, my mom, and myself). Our results all varied. Some of us had 7.5, 7.25, while others were at 6.5. I like to test about twice a week. I think my pH is good, varying from 7.0 to 7.25. I will continue monitoring my pH with these pH strips to keep myself in check. Have you checked yours lately?
Disclaimer:  I received this item at a full promotional discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I received no compensation, and I am not affiliated in any way with the company or manufacturer of this product. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

You can purchase this on: Amazon

Friday, April 22, 2016

Review: The Olive Tree Company Bath and Body Products


This review is for The Olive Tree Company Rosemary & Mint Shampoo and Conditioner, Olive Oil Soap, and Calendula Oatmeal Facial Grains.

I have a few products here that were sent to me so I can test and review. These products contain only natural ingredients from plants. They do not contain parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic colors, or synthetic fragrances.  This is a big plus for those who suffer from certain conditions such as allergies and eczema, or simply prefer organic and natural products. Key ingredients that are used in their products are olive oil and essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, lemon myrtle, rosemary, peppermint, rose geranium, and sandalwood; all which are soothing and contain various healing benefits for the skin and hair. I love oils and I love natural products. So, of course, I was excited to try them. So, let’s see what I got, shall we?

Rosemary & Mint Shampoo and Conditioner:
This shampoo has a very light scent of rosemary and mint. It doesn’t lather much because it does not contain chemicals that make a rich lather, such as SLS or sulphates. But, it did clean my hair very well, and it left my scalp feeling clean. My hair was soft, clean, and my natural waves stood out.  It did not dry out my scalp. My hair was not frizzy or crazy-looking. When shampoos leave my hair frizzy and crazy-looking, it is unmanageable and just crazy! It is like it has a mind of its own…some waves are facing left while other waves are facing right! Anyways, this shampoo did NOT do any of that craziness. YEY!

I used the rosemary and mint shampoo along with the accompanying conditioner. The conditioner left my hair super soft, and it smelled really nice. It was lightly scented of rosemary with a hint of mint. The conditioner added shine and body to my hair, leaving my hair with my natural waves. It helped with static and frizziness, even on cloudy days. Is it true that on cloudy or gloomy days your hair gets frizzy? I don’t know, I think so only because my hair is crazy on cloudy and gloomy days. But it is also crazy on sunny days…hmm. My hair stylist has called my hair, “cow licks.” This should tell you a little something of what I have to deal with. Well back to the shampoo and conditioner. This shampoo and conditioner is made with aloe vera, olive oil, and essential oils. All of these ingredients are soothing and have healing properties, so the shampoo and conditioner is good for all types of hair.

Olive Oil Soap:
This soap is handmade. It is as if you have just made it in your own kitchen. It has a very light, pleasant scent. Upon using this soap, it left my skin feeling very soft and well moisturized. I also used it on my face. It left my face feeling clean. It did not dry my skin, it doesn’t have a strong perfume aroma, and it didn’t leave my skin feeling stretchy. This soap did its job. I used a soap saver soap holder so it can last longer. So far so good.

Calendula Oatmeal Facial Grains
What’s this you ask?  Well, facial grains is kind of like a scrub that you use on your face. You mix the powder with a little bit of water and apply it in a circular motion, almost like a massage for your face. Oatmeal, calendula, and clays make a great team. Together they tackle many skin concerns, such as eczema. The smell is pleasant and soft. I used it twice a week. My face felt hydrated and well-nourished.

All-in-all The Olive Tree Company has some great products. Natural and organic products are great and you need not worry about them containing harsh chemicals. I will definitely be ordering some more, maybe the Rose Geranium Body Lotion or the Lavender & Sandalwood Hand & Body Wash. Bottom line: Yes, I do like.

Disclaimer:  The company sent me products for free in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no compensation, and I am not affiliated in any way with the company or manufacturer of these products.  All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.


You can purchase these products at: The Olive Tree Company

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Review: Vitex Fruit (Chastetree Berry)

Vitex Fruit supports women’s health by regulating hormone imbalances, reducing pain, improving moods and overall wellbeing, which may help the body to relax and feel calm during her “cycle” as well as throughout the month. It helps with PMS symptoms such as headache, irritability, GI disturbances, and body pains. It also may help with menopausal symptoms as well as irregular menses. I ordered Herbal Secrets Vitex Fruit (aka Chastetree Berry) because I wanted to try it for my general wellbeing. I have tried other brands and have felt the benefits, but one thing that lead me to getting this product was that you only take it once daily. I just want something that I can take once and not have to worry about for the rest of the day. I also wanted to see how this brand worked in comparison to others that I have used.

I have been taking one 400 mg capsule daily for about 10 days. With this product, though, I did notice that I was able to think more clearly. In the short period of time that I have taken it, I have felt more alert, focused, and relaxed throughout my days. The capsule isn’t very large either, which is a good thing.  It is sometimes hard to take supplements because they are so large. This capsule is about two-thirds of an inch. I was curious as to how the product looked inside, so I decided to open a capsule. The powder is a light, grayish-brownish tone. It is a very fine powder that smells really nice. Its scent is very light. I wonder if I can drink it in a tea like other encapsulated herbs, such as dandelion root and ginger. Maybe I will try it someday.

Vitex normally takes a while for you to start seeing and feeling the full results—it may take 3 to 6 months depending on the person. All I can say right now is that it has helped me with my general wellbeing. I feel cool, calm, and collected. I feel that I am able to better focus throughout my day, and I am having better rest at night. I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because I feel it is too soon to fully get the results that Vitex has to offer, though I do like this very much. I will return to update in about 3 months.

Disclaimer:  I received this item at a promotional discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You can purchase this on: Amazon

Friday, April 8, 2016

Review: Plantar Fasciitis Socks

The plantar fascia connects the heel to the front of your foot. It is there to assist in supporting the arch of your foot among other things. It is supposed to absorb stress and strains that we place on our feet as we go about our days. Many problems, such as inflammation and tissue tear, arise if the plantar fascia is not doing its job properly. Plantar fasciitis is very painful. It is sharp pain heading toward the arch and heel of the foot. My husband was told by his doctor that he has plantar fasciitis because he has such wide, super-flat feet, and there is a lot of pressure on his feet from that and his weight. It is difficult for him to walk around with such pain. His feet also normally ache terribly in the mornings, and he has to do certain exercises and stretches in order to be able to just get up and get ready for work. The exercises and stretches don’t work very well, though. Imagine how hard it might be to run. Well, my husband loves playing basketball, but there is a big price to pay afterward. He is aching badly!

Once I saw these socks and gel cushion, I mentioned them to my husband. He was excited and said he was looking forward to trying them. So, I ordered them for him. Once the order arrived, I realized that I had ordered a Large instead of X-large. I thought, “Yikes! I hope he can still use them. He has really wide feet.” We did manage, however, to get the gel and socks on, and this is where my husband contributes to this review:

“This week, I wore both the gels and socks during my regular workdays, which were about 15 hours or more each day. At work, I sit, I stand, and I walk around to meet customers, so you can say I am a bit active throughout the day. During lunch, I go play basketball. Throughout these days while wearing the socks and gel cushions, my feet didn’t bother me at all. Normally, my feet are constantly hurting due to my plantar fasciitis and flat and wide feet. Wearing the gel and socks made my work shoe feel more comfortable. Then, when I wore the socks and gel with tennis shoes, I definitely felt a difference.  My heels felt so much better as opposed to the pain I normally have when I wear my tennis shoes without the gel and socks.

At first, we were trying to figure out which way the gel goes since no instructions came with the order. Once on, I found it was best to wear the gel heel over my dress socks. This was quite comfortable. The reason why I chose to wear it over my socks is because when I wore the gel directly on my feet, the gel and my feet were moist. This was not comfortable for me. I felt they were not going to dry, and it was hard to walk around like this.

The socks are a size large, so I think an x-large may have been better for me. They were very hard to put on, once again, I think because they were a size large instead of x-large. We stretched the sock as much as we could and glided it on my feet slowly. Once they were on, they were actually quite comfortable. I felt relief. I felt support on my feet. In the end, the sock wasn’t too tight or suffocating. They were very comfortable to walk around in throughout the day.

I felt that the socks and gel were absorbing the pain and bringing me comfort. I didn’t feel any pain at all, which made me happy. I really like how cozy the gel cushions are and how well the socks support my feet. I do recommend you try.”


Disclaimer:  This item was received at a discounted rate or free in exchange for our honest review.

You can purchase this on:  Amazon

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Review: Aromatherapy Top 6 Essential Oils by Radha Beauty




This review is for 6 essential oils that came in a pretty, black, sturdy box by Radha Beauty. The essential oils that I received are Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Orange, Eucalyptus, and Tea Tree. I am very pleased with my essential oils. The quality is great. The aromas lasted a long time when used with my diffuser. The oils worked great! The scent that each oil released was very pleasant. You can smell the aromas throughout my apartment, and they lasted a long time. Right now, my diffuser is on my kitchen counter while I am across the living room and I have to say, it smells so good in here! I feel calm, relaxed, and energized at the same time.

There are more uses to these essential oils than just using them with a diffuser.  Essential oils are extracted from different parts of the plant such as the leaf, bark, seed, flower, etc. They are extracted  via steam or distillation. They are naturally antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, as well as soothing, calming, energizing, etc. The essential oils can be used for healing purposes, cleaning and disinfecting your home, for bath and body such as lotions, shampoos, serums, bath salts, and more. They do not contain harsh chemicals, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or anything like that. They are very concentrated so you only need a little, and depending on how you are using them, make sure to dilute the oils with either water or with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil. Also, do not ingest these oils.

Each essential oil works differently. Here is an example of the oils that are included in this set and how they may work for you:


  • Eucalyptus—Breathe better.
  • Lavender—Relax your body and calm the mind.
  • Tea Tree—Kill bad odors and fight fungal infections.
  • Orange—Relax your muscles, disinfect wounds and shine your kitchen table.
  • Peppermint—Helps body aches and pains.
  • Lemongrass—Disinfect the home or use in your homemade deodorant. 

Now let me tell you a little bit more about how I have been using my Radha Beauty essential oils:

1.  The oils that I added to my diffuser were Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Orange. This is one of my favorite mixtures. It is like a party going on, and all of the guests are dancing!

2.   Next, I tried the lemongrass with the diffuser. I love how cool and clean it smells. Shortly after starting the diffuser, I decided to mop my floor. I added a solution of about 20 ounces of water, 3/4 tsp of borax, and about 10 drops of lemongrass to my Flip-it Mop. I started mopping away. My floor was sparkly clean and smelled so good. I am really liking these essential oils so far.

3.  My teenage son has had a long day at school and at basketball practice, so he decided to bathe in an Epsom salt mixture with lavender. He said that the bath helped him to relax, and he really enjoyed it.

4.  Now, my son is using the diffuser in his room. He chose tea tree oil. He said it smells so good, and tea tree is now one of his favorites. He also said that he is happy that the “sport” smell is going away thanks to the tea tree oil.

5.  The peppermint oil was used to brush my teeth and rinse my mouth. I added a drop of peppermint oil and toothpaste to my toothbrush and brushed. Then for my rinse, I added a drop of peppermint oil to an ounce of water and rinsed. I really like the flavor that the peppermint was releasing. It was so refreshing, yet it did not burn my mouth.

6.  The eucalyptus essential oil is great for respiratory problems, whether you use it with your diffuser, add it to your bath, or spray it in the air, it will soothe and help you.

These are just some of the ways that we have used essential oils in our home. I love essential oils, and Radha Beauty essential oils are great.  I have to say that my favorite is orange. I find that the orange oil complimented really well with the rest of the oils. I really like it. I think I will make me a sweet perfume for myself next.

Disclaimer:  I received this item at a discounted rate or free in exchange for my honest review.


You can purchase this on: Amazon

Review: ShockWize Galaxy Note 5 Tempered Glass Screen Protector


I accidentally dropped my Samsung Galaxy Note just yesterday, and nothing happened to it thanks to the ShockWize Ballistic Screen Protector. My phone did not break! My heart was pounding super fast at first, but then I remembered I had already put on the Ballistic screen protector, and I sighed of relief. There are many people that are walking around with their phones scratched and broken-- pieces are missing from their screens! I don’t like cuts on my fingers, and I don’t like to think about my phone breaking, so I decided it was time for a new and better screen protector that would protect my cell and me.

I recently got the ShockWize Ballistic Screen Protector. This item arrived very fast. It arrived in good condition as well. The package came with two wipes: 1-wet and 1-dry, but when I opened them, the “wet” wipe was more dry than wet. I was still able to clean my phone with the wipes as instructed. The wipes did a great job at cleaning and clearing my phone from lint and dust. No application card came with my screen protector, but I was able to put on the screen protector without any problems. The glass screen protector fit my cell perfectly. The screen looks clear, and I am happy to report that it is bubble free! My last screen protector was annoying because it had so many bubbles, and the screen was not very clear. This glass screen protector is environmentally friendly and pollution free…this is really good. I feel good knowing that part of my phone is environmentally friendly and pollution free. Anything we can do to help our environment makes a big difference in our world.

I am very happy with my Ballistic Screen Protector—so clear and bubble free. My husband saw my phone the other day and mentioned how nice it looked. He said he wants one for his phone, so soon I will be ordering another tempered glass screen protector.

UPDATE:  When out in the sun, the screen is hard to see. The screen becomes very dark, and I can see a collection of smudges from my fingers.. I don't like that the bright sun makes it really hard to see the screen. I have to put my hand over the screen in order to see my screen properly or constantly adjust my screen. Indoors, it is perfect still, for the screen is so clear. I still feel safer knowing that this it is protecting my screen should my phone fall again. I still like this protector considering I am hardly out in the sun. 

Disclaimer: I received this item at full promotional discount in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

You can purchase this item on Amazon

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome and thank you for visiting my blog! My name is Pearl. I am simply a wife and mom who enjoys sharing her opinion and testing new products. I am super excited to be here. I will be posting reviews from products that I have tested. These reviews are based upon my own honest opinion, and I hope they will help you. Some of these products were purchased at full price or discount, while others were provided to me free of charge.

Thanks for stopping by!