Review: Spider Repellent

This spider repellent seems to have such a strong aroma, which I like. I love essential oils! The smell is very inviting, and I can imagine it is the opposite for spiders. They don't like these scents. They tend to stay away from them. I noticed it on ants, when I spray with lavender or peppermint essential oils, they make a complete 180 and walk back to where they came from! I am confident that this spider repellent is doing the same. The smell of essential oils must be overwhelming for them. However, I don't like spiders. I tend to panic when I see one in my house. I don't want to kill them, either. I know they have an important role in this world. I just don't want them in my home. I feel comfortable leaving this sachet laying around the house, because I know it does not hurt us or them. Essential oils are something I use regularly around my house. I diffuse them, I add them to my cleaning products, and I use them for bath and body uses. Therefore, I will be purchasing some more of this spider repellent for my entire home. It really does smell very nice! And, I haven't seen any spiders since I started using it! I am definitely telling my family and friends about this!

I received this product for free from EarthKind and Social Nature in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

You can buy this at EarthKind.

Review: Kingcamp Lightweight Sleeping Bag

I got this sleeping bag for my son. He is in need of a sleeping bag because he is always going on retreats, spending the night at his cousin's or grandparent's house, camping, or to the drive-in. His old sleeping bag was just not cutting it anymore. Not only was it too small, the zipper was no longer working; therefore, he was not able to properly keep warm. I needed to find him something better.

So, I got this nice-looking green one. The color is nice. It is pretty bright! It has a dual-sided zipper, which makes it easy to close from the inside. There is a zipper on the bottom, and when it is hot, it can easily be opened to create ventilation. It is warm but not too hot. Although we haven't used it outdoors, it seems that it would be good for spring and summer weather, only. I don't think it will warm you up in during the cold winter nights--especially if you get cold easily, like me. The temperature that is recommended for a comfortable use is at 53 °F, and the extreme temperature that is recommended for use is at 26 °F. I honestly don't think we will be using it in extreme temperatures--we normally go camping in the summer. It is nice that it has a hood, which is not big or small. The sleeping bag itself is slim and snug. It is very light, too. It is very compact, which is great because it doesn't require a lot of storage space. It also has a handle which makes it easier to carry around or attach to your gear.

This sleeping bag works pretty good and is very comfortable. My son has used it, and he liked it very much. My husband tried it, as well, and he was pleased with it, too. He said it was very cozy, and he likes that he didn't sweat. Normally, he gets hot easily and starts sweating and throwing the covers up in the air--it didn't happen with this item. I also used it while watching TV at night. I had the A/C going so the apartment was cold, but I felt toasty and relaxed while in the sleeping bag. It is nice to know that you are covered and protected with this bag from head to toe!

What kind of sleeping bags do you like?

You can purchase this on Amazon.


Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. The price remains the same for you though. Thanks for your support!

Review: Silk Dairy-Free Yogurt Alternative

I recently had the opportunity to taste this yogurt, which I received complimentary for providing my opinion. Upon the many different flavors this brand offers, I ended up trying the vanilla. I thought it would go great with any fruit or recipe that I were to use it in. Right away, I went straight for a banana and sliced and prepared it on my plate with this yogurt. It was a very good and healthy snack. The vanilla-flavored dairy-free yogurt tasted like regular dairy yogurt with real vanilla! Honeslty, I didn't know what to expect because the yogurt is plant-based rather than dairy-based. I expected it to be weird. Soy milk tastes fine, but still doesn't taste like dairy milk. Dairy milk has its own taste. So, back to the yogurt. It tastes yummy. I like it very much. It has a good consistancy and feel to it. I love that it is nongmo! I will buy this dairy-free yogurt often, because I know my family would enjoy a serving or two of this healthy goodness!

You can purchase this at your local grocery store or online.

Review: Silk Nutchello

This is a wonderful and super healthy treat that can be enjoyed at any hour of the day. The flavor combination that I chose was Caramel Almond + Cashews. It tastes quite different than other drinks. It is nutty with a hint of caramel. It is delicate, yet crisp and vibrant. It is weird how I can taste each flavor at different times. That's pretty cool! I have enjoyed drinking it alone, with ice, or with my morning coffee. My coffee tastes as if it were naturally nutty! The one thing that I disliked was the aftertaste of the cashews. I sensed a slight bitterness that kicked in at the end and took a while to leave my mouth--but this was only when I drank Nutchello by itself. My husband said he liked the drink a lot. I, too, really enjoyed drinking this refreshing and tasty drink. There are many ways to use this in your recipes. Use it in your drinks, smoothies, and shakes. Also, use it to replace milk in your baking.

You can purchase this drink and other Silk Nutchello flavors at your local grocery store or online. The other two flavors you may find are Rich Dark Chocolate + Walnuts and/or Toasted Coconut + Cashews. Which is your fave?

I received this item for free in exchange for testing and reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Review: Ultra Lash Growth Serum

 

New York Biology has a great product in their hands! The Ultra Lash Growth Serum! I received this product not so long ago, and was excited to try it out and let you know all about it! Here is my review on the serum that gives you #lashesfordays!

This is a clear serum that comes in a little black bottle. Their is no scent or strong smell, and it dries fairly quickly. The applicator brush looks like an eyeliner brush. It is very simple to apply, and does not irritate the eye. Just don't get it in the eye. The first time I used it, there was too much on the brush, and it got in my eye. It burned for a little while. My advice here is to make sure you wipe any excess serum from the applicator before applying. Use it like you do eyeliner, running the applicator along the base of the upper eyelash and skin. Use daily, and within a few weeks you should start seeing a change.

The ingredients in this serum nourish and support the lashes so they can grow healthy and strong. Apple stem cells encourage hair growth. Botanical Complex Tricholastyl helps to prevent inflammation and fights free radicals, which both are factors for hair loss. Myrsitoyl Pentapeptide-17 has been clinically proven to increase eyelash thickness and length. Ultra Lash is USA made in FDA approved facilities, and do not contain alcohol, parabens, or sulfates.

I have been using this serum for 11 days now. It is too soon to see full results. However, l have noticed that my eyelashes look a bit darker and they feel conditioned. On one eye I see one or two eyelashes slightly peeking through. Another thing that I noticed was that my eyelashes haven't been falling out like they use to. I would lose about 4 to 5 lashes a day! Ever since using this serum, I have lost maybe 3 total. I am also using it on my eyebrows, but have not seen any new growth here. My eyebrows are just as patchy-looking as before. I will continue using the serum, because I do see hints of new growth, and my eyelashes are looking pretty. Hopefully, I will start to see something soon on my brows, too. I received this eyelash growth serum for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

If you want to purchase or learn more check it out at: Amazon. (UPDATE 10/13/17) Apparently, this serum is currently unavailable and it is not known when it will be back again. I apologize for that, but I searched on Amazon and found one that may help you, if you're searching for an eyelash growth serum. Try this one from Organys Beauty. It is currently the best seller with 4.5 out of 5 stars, and it has free shipping (should you not have prime).

Review: Hair Thinning Scissors

I thought it would be a good idea to trim and give some shape to my own hair, because, honestly, I got tired of all the uneven haircuts that I always got from the salons. Yeah, they texturize and thin it out giving it a nice look, except for the uneven part. This is pretty upsetting considering haircuts are not cheap, and they are time-consuming. I am not a fan of sitting around the waiting area for a long time until they are "ready for you," even though you had an appointment. I have been to several places, and am beginning to think they are all out to get me. Okay, so that is not true. I just wish someone can do a good job at cutting my hair properly, please!

Instead of stressing any further, I went ahead and ordered these thinning scissors. I felt it was time for me to try to trim and thin my own hair. I just wanted a little trim and a little thinning out; nothing fancy. These scissors would give my hair a better look and feel, considering my hair is quite flat, wavy, and a little crazy. After my trim, I went ahead and picked up these scissors. I noticed they were hard to open and close. It is as if they were sticking. They are not very sharp either. As I was passing them through my hair, they were tugging and pulling. A lot of hair was coming out...more than what I had planned for. I was beginning to see my hair take shape, so I tolerated the hair pulling and continued thinning. My goal was to thin out my hair and give it a nice figure. I was so done with the flat, wavy, and crazy do! After a short while, I shook my hair and checked the mirror to see how my hair was looking. My hair turned out okay. It looked simple and cute, and my waves were manageable. I know it is not perfect, but it looks good to me! I just hope these scissors won't pull the next time I try to use them.

What about you? Do you cut your own hair?

You can buy these at Amazon.

Some of the links in this post are amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you though. Thanks for your support!

Review: Coffee Pour Over

This coffee pourover filter, which is stainless steel, is very sturdy. It is easy to wash, dry, and filters the coffee extremely well. I like that we don't have to buy filters, which saves money, and, at the same time, we are doing a little something to help our environment. It also comes with a cute spoon, and a filter holder, both which are very durable as well.

As I brew our morning cup of joe with this pourover, our kitchen seriously smells delicious, as if we were in a coffee shop early in the morning and they had just started brewing fresh coffee. My husband and I are really enjoying our morning coffee. This has really changed how I will be making our coffee from now on as opposed to the regular coffeemaker (it is very old and needs a break). The coffeemaker takes forever compared to this little handy pourover, which takes less than 2 minutes! I am amazed at how well this little thing brews coffee! It smells good while it is brewing, and it tastes good as we are drinking it...till the very last drop. I am also happy to report that there are no coffee grinds at the bottom of the cup. It is definitely a fast and efficient way to brew a great cup of coffee.

This is the way I have been making coffee lately: After placing the filter and holder (with coffee grounds) on top of the cup, I slowly and carefully, pour boiled water to about 1/3 of the filter. As the water is "hugging" the coffee grounds, all while releasing its fragrances and filtering down into the cup, I add more water, while gently bringing the grounds to the center of the filter, until the cup is filled and ready for sugar and creamer. Then, we enjoy!

We will be taking this the next time we go camping with my family. I am sure all of my siblings are going to love this new cup of coffee as much as we do.

You can buy this on Amazon.

I received this item at a discount in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Pro Clipper Trimmer Set

I thought it would be a good idea to learn to cut my hair myself. I am tired of going to salons and requesting a nice haircut and ending up fixing it myself when I get home. I don't know why, but they always end up leaving my hair uneven. Just because it is wavy doesn't mean leave it sloppy!

I had seen that other people cut their own hair, and it looked fine, so I thought I could do it, too. Why not? I hoped for the best and ordered this trimmer set. There are 2 separate pieces. One piece is a larger clip that is used to trim the back of the hair. The other, smaller piece, is used to trim the bangs. Currently, my hair is at shoulder length. As I adjusted the trimmer on my hair, I felt that the clasp was weak. It felt loose on my hair. I then checked the mirror and noticed that the clip was crooked and sliding to one side. Either I don't have enough hair, my hair is too thin, the trimmer is too big for my hair, or all the above. I say all the above. The trimmer could not stay on. I gave up on trimming my hair. This really saddened me, because I was so excited to give this a try and failed.

I moved on to the small trimmer. I separated the bangs that needed trimming and aimed to adjust it quite adequately to cover the length of my forehead. This trimmer was really hard to open. I felt that it was going to break. I managed to open it, but now I needed to snap it into place to make sure it grabbed my bangs appropriately.  This was too hard. It just wasn't moving anywhere. Now I was running the risk of having really messed-up bangs. I held the trimmer guide so tight that it finally snapped on. I was going to worry about removing the clip later. Right now, I just wanted to trim my bangs! I started clipping my hair from the bottom of the guide. It was not as easy as it looked. Even though the guide was tight, I wasn't able to get a good cut. My hair was still too loose, but I still cut the bangs and tried to even them as much as I could.  In the end, my bangs didn't look that bad; however, I couldn't get a straight cut.

I would say this trimmer set would work much better on someone with thicker, fuller hair. Meanwhile, hopefully one of my nieces would let me trim their hair with this and see if it really works or not. I am not sure they will let me, though. As of now, I wish for better results.

You can buy this on Amazon.

Review: WiFi Range Extender

I have been needing something to boost and improve my internet connection and speed on my laptop (which I use in my room, and the WiFi router is somewhat far in the living room). My laptop receives poor connection. The bars are constantly low and unreliable even though we have Fios 100 Mbps. I am a student that regularly has to turn in tests and assignments online. This WiFi range extender has worked perfectly for me! I have been using it for a while now, and I have noticed a huge difference in the connection and speed. The signal has remained strong! I am impressed with the strength of the signal. It even sends out a signal to the driveway, which is about 35 feet away! It has created a stronger signal for my laptop; therefore, allowing it to gain better, faster speed. I no longer feel that I am running against the WiFi connection clock to turn in my assignments. It is a good idea to keep the extender plugged in somewhere in the room or near the areas where you need it (maybe the hallway), so it can pick up a good signal from your router and send it to where you need it most.

I did the speedtest several times and this is what it averaged:

With the range extender: Download 108.80 Mbps, Upload 45.14 Mbps

Without the range extender: Download 28.43 Mbps, Upload 20.63 Mbps.

You can buy this on Amazon.

Review: Vitamin C Toner

This toner has worked nicely on my skin. It has done a really good job at toning and softening. I was surprised to feel how tight my face felt after using this. I also noticed that my pores from my nose have shrunk quite a bit. This toner can be sprayed straight on the face or applied with a cottonball. It has a very light scent of aloe vera; it is soft and cool. You can also use it various times throughout the day. Pour some in a small spray bottle and carry in your bag. Then, whenever the need to freshen the face up arises-just reach in the bag and spritz a bit! I like to spray a cottonball and then dab on my face right after washing it. Then I spray my neck. I let it dry and then continue my skincare regimen. My skin feels nice and fresh with this toner. I feel my skin is more vibrant and soft. I like it!

This Vitamin C toner contains natural ingredients, which I am a big fan of. Due to the fact that I tend to be allergic to certain foods and chemicals, I prefer natural and healthier ingredients that are good for me and my skin. I don't use natural or organic products 100% of the time, but I am gaining more knowledge of certain ingredients that may harm me in some way, shape, or form and would rather stay away from. Back to the ingredients: there is witch hazel, MSM, Vitamin C, aloe, spirulina, pomegranate, and so many more wonderful ingredients. The ingredients have so many healing properties! MSM and Vitamin C are great at helping to heal blemishes and fight wrinkles, boost collagen. Witch hazel is great for inflammation and awesome at balancing and toning the skin. Pomegranate is high in antioxidants, which is great for anti-aging. Guess what else? There are NO parabens, alcohol, phthlatalates, or artificial fragrances in this toner! To me, this is a double plus in my book! 

So, yes, this toner is very nice to have on hand. It works well and keeps the skin feeling smooth, toned, and clean.

This can be purchased on: Amazon.com 

I received this product for free in exchange for my unbiased and honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Review: Matcha Powder

Matcha powder is a concentrated form of green tea. It is much higher in antioxidants than regular green tea. Antioxidants are healing to the body and mind in many ways. This tea may help strengthen your immune system and increase your metabolism, which helps to be healthier overall and have better energy throughout the day. You can drink it hot, cold, or blend it with smoothies or shakes. You can add it to your baking as well as make ice cream or mochi. Green tea mochi is so good!  Personally, I haven't made this, but I do buy it for my family, and we love it! You have many choices as to how you want to take matcha. My family and I decided that we want to try it as a drink.

The instructions say to add 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon to your drink or favorite food. I tried 1 teaspoon in my drink, and it was too strong for me. The flavor was overwhelming, and a lot of the matcha settled at the bottom. So, upon making another drink with this, I decided to add 1/2 a teaspoon to a 16 ounce glass cup. I then added about 1/3 cup of hot water, mixed it, then added sugar, ice, and finally I filled the cup with more water and allowed it to cool. I shared the drink with my family, and they were hooked. They really enjoyed this refreshment. Its leafy flavor is tasty and refreshing! We tried it hot, and it is also good to the taste buds, but our preference was to drink it cold with ice. I tried it in my coffee as well, which was okay, but I rather have the tea and coffee separately. I have yet to add this to smoothies and shakes, but I am sure they will taste just fine. We have been drinking this quite often now; for it has replaced some store-bought juices, which is better because we know that this is healthier for us. This is a drink that is calming yet energizing and quenching yet soothing that my family and I have enjoyed and recommend.

This item was sent to me free in exchange for an unbiased review. I received no compensation, and I am not associated with the seller or manufacturer in any way. All opinions expressed here are my own.

You can purchase this at Amazon.

Review: Alina Skincare Ultimate Eye Cream

This eye cream has a delicate aroma and feel to it. It is almost like a cross between a lotion and a gel. A cream is normally thick, and this one isn't. This cream goes on super light, which made me think that it would not work, but it proved me wrong. I have been using it for exactly 14 days, and it has done a good job at helping the fine lines and crow's feet diminish. I have been using it around the right eye while on the left I have been using regular face cream. My skin feels well-hydrated and healthy, but on the right side, the crow's feet are smaller and the fine lines seem to be less and less. The right side is definitely more toned. I am confident this will only continue to improve. As of today, I am going to start using it around both eyes equally...I have some catching up to do with the left side! This little cream is a gem, and I am glad I found it!

I received this item for free in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

You can purchase this at Amazon.

Review: Derma E Cream

I have been trying to improve my complexion for about a year or so. My skin became very sensitive and dry ever since I started using an acne kit that contained a facial wash, toner, and lotion. My blemishes were disappearing, but at the expense of messing up the rest of my skin. My skin was just too dry, flaky, and dehydrated. I also had stains on my forehead. I was so sad! My skin was damaged! I searched and searched for a lotion that would help my skin. One day, I went to my local pharmacy and picked up this cream, by Derma E. I have to tell you that this is my favorite beauty product! I never cared for creams until this one came along. I have been using it for about 7 months or so. This cream is rich and thick, yet breathable. I do not feel the need to reapply throughout the day. My skin is hydrated and well-moisturized. I usually mix this with other vitamin-enriched creams (like A, C, and D) along with a drop or two of frankincense, myrrh, and jojoba oils. At night, I use the vitamin E cream by itself. The stains on my forehead are only a memory. Yeah! But, I still have scars, but I know that it takes more than a night to heal. At least my skin is getting healthier, and it's feeling better than ever!

I am thankful for this vitamin E cream! I will not go without this one. It is great for my hands, too! My hands feel so soft after using this. I believe it comes in a tube, too, so I can carry it with me in my bag.

You can purchase this at Amazon.


Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you though. Thanks for your support!

Review: Dandelion Root Supplement

For a long time, I have struggled with many health issues with my digestion and skin. Doctors never knew what was wrong with my GI. Every day I had stomachaches, bloating, and/or spasms. I couldn't digest a lot of what I was eating. I was then diagnosed with IBS. I kept my head up and continued my search to good health. As far as my skin, I have been dealing with acne for many years, on and off. I got tired of covering it up with the "acne kits" that contain a face wash, toner, and lotion because they were making my skin so sensitive and dry. The ingredients were too harsh! I couldn't stand it. I knew that this problem was coming from the inside. I wondered which way to go. Should I continue taking prescription medications for my GI although they were not helping me, or should I change it up and go for natural healing? Should I continue buying that kit? Will my skin heal? One of the first things that I did is improve my eating habits by adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet. I also make smoothies and juices at home, and I increased my water intake.One of the first things that I did is improve my eating habits by adding more fruits and vegetables. I also make smoothies and juices at home, as well as increasing my water intake. I still needed something more, and medicines for me were not the answer. Based on research that I had done, herbs really stood out. For the most part because they are high in vitamins and minerals and aim to help the body, and I definitely needed help.

Dandelion is very nutritious. It contains many vitamins, like A, C, and K, and minerals, like calcium and magnesium. It contains potassium as well. It is good for our organs, because it cleans them and supplies them with needed nutrients. It helps to improve circulation and aching joints. It is high in antioxidants, which fight free radicals that harm your body. Dandelion is high in fiber; therefore, the digestive tract functions better. It is also a diuretic. It can be taken in the capsule form or as a tea. In the daytime, I take one capsule with water after I eat, and in the evening, I take another capsule, except I open it and drink it as a tea along with other accompanying herbs (yellow dock and burdock) to help my skin. I take this about 5 days a week. The capsule is easy to swallow. The tea is very light in flavor compared to other brands that I have had. This one is not as bitter. I have noticed improvement on both my digestion and my skin. My tummy is more rested and balanced, and my skin is slowly clearing. I have less and less blemishes. I am hopeful that this is helping me in my journey to natural healing. Although herbs may help the body in many ways, and because everyone is different, results may vary; therefore, check with your doctor or naturopath first.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I am not affiliated in any way with the seller or manufacturer, and I did not receive any compensation for this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Review: Coffee French Press

My husband and I waited anxiously for the French press to arrive. We were really curious as to what the difference would be from a regular coffeemaker. How is this going to taste? What is it like? Well, we love coffee, and we wanted to try the French press so we could get some answers. We have heard that this coffee was very good, but remained curious...until now. As soon as the package arrived, I opened the box, took the French press out, and washed it. This item comes with a carafe, a plunger, a mesh screen, and 2 plates (to not only assist in the pressing, but also to filter the coffee).

 I then proceeded to add ground coffee and hot water to the carafe. I waited a few minutes for it to steep and release its flavors into the hot water. Apparently, at this point it is "blooming." Blooming is when the hot water forces the ground coffee to expand and release its aromas. Then, I added more hot water and mixed it. I waited a bit more. Finally, I pressed the plunger down. I poured our first cup of French press coffee. The aroma that was being released into the air was delightful and earthy. Next, I added a little sugar and creamer to our cups. Everything was looking good so far. The taste? Yum! This was seriously delicious. It was rich and smooth in flavor. It was strong yet not bitter. This is definitely tastier than how our coffeemaker makes the coffee! Lately in the mornings, my husband and I have been enjoying a cup of coffee made with the French press. Every cup has turned out to be full of deliciously, rich flavor that has brought a smile to our faces.

 I have also made tea with this product. I like to use dry herbs, leaves, roots, and powders for my teas (such as chamomile, dandelion, burdock, guava, horsetail, etc). It has been hard finding something that will fully separate the liquid and at the same time keep all the nutrition, so I am glad that I tried making my teas with this. It works pretty awesome!

This french press was received at a discount in exchange for my unbiased and honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

You can purchase this item here at Amazon.

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

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

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

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