Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you know that my family loves to snack. I am always extra excited to discover snacks that use natural ingredients. Sweet Chaos is a company that I recently discovered that makes popcorn in an array of delicious flavors. What makes this popcorn stand out is that they pop their non-GMO popcorn in coconut oil. Sweet Chaos popcorn is gluten-free, as well as free from high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, and artificial colors and flavors.
We had the pleasure of trying Sweet Chaos Popcorn in the following flavors:
Sea Salt
White Cheddar
Kettle Corn
Honey Chipotle
Chaos Mix
Jalapeno Blue Cheese
The sea salt flavor is for the popcorn purist. Sweet Chaos uses real sea salt, and the coconut oil adds a unique richness.
My family’s favorite flavor was the Chaos Mix, which is a mixture of cheddar cheese and caramel. The mixture of sweet and savory is just right!
I like how the kernels are nice and crisp. Sweet Chaos Popcorn is the perfect food to satisfy your next snack craving.
Where To Purchase Sweet Chaos Popcorn
Sweet Chaos Popcorn is available through their online store. They also make decadent-sounding drizzled popcorn if you are looking for a truly sweet treat!
Sweet Chaos Popcorn Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win six bags of Sweet Chaos Popcorn: Kettle Corn, Sea Salt, Honey Chipotle, Jalapeno Blue Cheese, Chaos Mix, and White Cheddar!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Blake’s Seed Based is another company that I discovered through the Online Nourished Festival. The idea for this company was born as a result of the founder’s own nut allergy. As an athlete, he wanted to create a bar that would provide healthy fuel, without nuts. Since both of my kids are allergic to nuts, I was eager to have them try these products.
I love the bright and fun packaging!
Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats
Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats are a treat you can feel good about eating. They come in chocolate chip and strawberry flavors, and both are moist and delicious. These cute bars are made with pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and brown flax seed. Seeds are a good food to include in your diet because they are nutrient-dense and contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. If food allergies are of a concern to you, it is reassuring that Blake’s Seed-Based products are made in a nut-free and gluten-free facility and are free from peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, soy and sesame.
Blake’s Seed-Based Snack Bars
Blake’s Seed Based also makes nut-free snack bars using pumpkin, sunflower and flax seed. They come in the following flavors:
Blueberry Lemon
Raspberry
S’mores
Pineapple
We tried the S’mores flavor and it is sure to satisfy any chocolate craving you may have without being overly sweet. The seeds give the bar a heartier texture but they are easy to eat (unlike some bars I have had where nuts are the main ingredient and they almost break your teeth.)
Where To Purchase Blake’s Seed Based Products
Blake’s Seed Based Snack Bars and Rice Crispy Treats are available through their website or at a store near you.
Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win two 6-ct. boxes of Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats!
Disclosure: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Have you ever heard of an artist named Steve Skipper? After watching a documentary called Colors of Character, I hope that his amazing story and artwork become more well-known. Skipper’s paintings are evidence of God-given talent, and he does indeed give God all of the glory! The movie goes into great detail about his rough and troubled childhood (I think the recommendation of ages 12 and up is appropriate). As painful as the reenactments and personal narrative are to watch, they are an integral part of Skipper’s testimony. Colors of Character is an inspiring story about the redemptive power of God and how He can do great things through those who heed His call.
Synopsis
Steve Skipper is one of the most prolific artists in the realms of sports, civil-rights, equestrian, portraiture, and Christian artwork. Skipper has shattered barriers of race and education in the art world. His works are on permanent display in some of the most hallowed halls in America, including: the Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, International Sports Halls of Fame, the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, and has been honored with unveilings at Chelsea Piers in NYC, the MGM Grand and Monte Carlo in Las Vegas, and Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta. With no formal training, Skipper openly gives credit to Jesus Christ for his gifts and for every opportunity that he has been given. An ex-gang member and drug addict, Skipper was transformed into an internationally respected artist.
How To Watch Colors of Character
Rent/buy Colors of Character on DVD or on demand from the comfort of your own home, and watch wherever you watch movies!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
One of the many brands that I learned about at the Online Nourished Festival was Otto’s Naturals. This family-run business makes Cassava Flour, which is a grain-free replacement for wheat flour. Cassava flour is made from 100% Yuca root and it is gluten-free, grain-free and nut-free.
The Ultimate Cookie Mix is super easy to use. All you have to do is stir together the mix, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of melted butter (or dairy-free alternative), 1 teaspoon of vanilla and up to 1 cup of mix-ins of your choice. I made “Kitchen Sink” cookies by mixing in candy coated chocolates, chocolate chips and broken pretzel pieces-yum! They turned out delicious and no one in my family could tell that I used a different type of flour. I am looking forward to using the Otto’s Naturals Cassava Flour in some pancakes or waffles next.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Pretzels are one of my family’s favorite snacks to munch on. I recently learned about Pretzel Pete, a family-owned company dedicated to making delicious pretzels with natural ingredients. What makes Pretzel Pete especially stand out to me is that their snacks are made in a peanut and tree nut-free facility. As a parent of two kids with nut allergies, I know how difficult it is to find truly allergen-safe snacks. Even if no one in your family has nut allergies, you probably know someone who does. It is reassuring to know that you can share these snacks with others without worries about cross-contamination.
Pretzel Pete Mini Twists
The shape of the classic twist pretzel reminds me of a friendly hug. The Pretzel Pete Mini Twist Pretzels are light and crisp and have just the right amount of salt. It is also notable that Pretzel Pete offers two gluten-free options for anyone who adheres to a gluten-free diet. Pretzel Pete Mini Twist Pretzels come in the following flavors:
Lightly Salted Whole Wheat Mini Twist Pretzels
Salted Caramel Mini Twist Pretzels
Cheese Pizza Mini Twist Pretzels
Gluten-Free Salted Mini Twist Pretzels
Gluten-Free Sour Cream Chives Mini Twist Pretzels
Pretzel Pete Nuggets
Pretzel Nuggets are perfect for when you are craving a heartier crunch. The Pretzel Pete Pretzel Nuggets come in the following flavors:
Cheddar & Ale Seasoned Pretzel Nuggets
Honey Mustard & Onion Seasoned Pretzel Nuggets
Garlic & Parmesan Seasoned Pretzel Nuggets
Don’t all of these flavor combinations sound so delectable? My favorite is the Garlic & Parmesan, since I am a big garlic fan. Pretzel Pete “soaks” their pretzels with seasoning instead of just spraying it on like most manufacturers. I have to say that this process really makes a difference in increasing the flavor intensity.
Pretzel Pete Seasoned Pretzel Pieces
I really like Pretzel Pete’s idea of making bags of pretzel pieces. All of the irregular nooks and crannies provide a lot of places for the unique seasoning to permeate. The Pretzel Pete Pretzel Pieces come in the following bold flavors:
Smokey Bacon Cheddar Seasoned Pretzel Pieces
Buffalo Blue Seasoned Pretzel Pieces
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Seasoned Pretzel Pieces
My son likes just about anything with bacon, so of course he wanted to try the Smokey Bacon Cheddar flavor first. He gave them a big thumbs up!
We will definitely be packing Pretzel Pete snacks with us for our spring break excursions!
Disclosure: I received compensation in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.
One of our family’s favorite activities is eating out together. We like to try new restaurants, as well as revisiting our favorites. For as long as I can remember, one of our family’s go-to fast casual restaurants is Rubio’s Coastal Grill.
Rubio’s is a California-based restaurant chain with many locations in California, Nevada and Arizona. Rubio’s specializes in fresh Mexican food that incorporates sustainable seafood and produce that is locally grown (whenever possible).
As you are probably aware, there are many health benefits that are linked to seafood. Seafood provides the nutrients, vitamins and omega-3s that support strong bones, a healthy heart, brain development and the immune system. In fact, both The American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that we eat two servings of seafood per week.
We recently had a Saturday picnic lunch with Rubio’s take-out. My son is a taco fanatic, so he ordered his “usual”, the fish tacos. My husband and daughter both went with one of our family favorites, the Wild Alaska Salmon Burrito, full of Vitamin D and omega-3s.
I ordered the Mango Avocado Salad with mahi mahi. According to the Rubio’s website, mahi mahi is a significant source of selenium, which supports immune responsiveness and boost metabolism. Those are some pretty great benefits for eating something that tastes so good. Eating at Rubio’s is a delicious, healthy, convenient and affordable way to incorporate more seafood into your family’s diet.
Find A Rubio’s Near You
Rubio’s has locations in California, Nevada and Arizona. Find the closest Rubio’s location near you.
Rubio’s Coastal Grill Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win five $10 Rubio’s complimentary meal cards!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Do you have a self-care night routine? While I am diligent about using sunscreen in the day, I am more sporadic about the skincare products I use at night. Brandless is a company that makes high-quality personal care and household products at a reasonable price point. I recently had the opportunity to try out the Brandless Night Routine Bundle.
The Brandless Night Routine Bundle contains some of Brandless’ favorite skincare products. Notably, these products are not tested on animals and are “cruelty free”. Here is a list of the included products, along with some of my thoughts on them.
Grapefruit Facial Cleanser: Grapefruit is one of my all-time favorite scents, so I had high hopes for this facial cleanser. I love the scent and it left my skin feeling clean and refreshed.
Depuffing Eye Gel: I like that this eye gel has the word “depuffing” in its name since my under-eye area is prone to puffiness. In addition, this eye gel provides moisture and claims to reduce dark circles. This eye gel was light going on, and not greasy. It felt slightly tingly and cooling under my eyes as well.
Green Apple Facial Toner: I tend to think of toner as being somewhat harsh on the skin, but this one felt more gentle. The green apple is a welcome addition to the usually strong witch hazel scent. It is a good step to use in between a cleanser and a moisturizer.
Night Cream: My face did indeed feel softer and less dry after applying this night cream before bed. Recently my daughter has been complaining that her facial skin is dry, so I am going to have her try using this cream at night.
Acai Berry Lip Balm-2 Pack: This is a colorless lip balm that anyone can use. The acai berry scent is subtle and it does a nice job of moisturizing my lips.
The Acai Lip Balm is a product you will want to keep in your bag so that you can reapply it throughout the day.
Avocado Basil Hand Cream: I was curious about this hand cream since I like to eat avocados and basil, but I do not necessarily want to smell like them. I found the scent to be pleasant, but difficult to describe. I would not guess that it was avocado and basil! It does have a nice rich consistency and I find myself reaching for it often during these dry winter days.
Mint Foot Cream: I confess that I often neglect the skin on my feet, and my feet deserve better. I tried slathering this cream on my feet and putting on socks to seal in the moisture before bed as suggested. My feet appreciated this treatment! Now I just need to remember to do this more often.
I started to keep the Avocado Basil Hand Cream and Mint Foot Cream in my nightstand drawer so I have it handy before bedtime.
Charcoal Mask: Charcoal seems to be a popular skincare ingredient these days. It is known for drawing out impurities from the skin. This paste has a thick consistency and is easy to apply and rinse. My skin felt like it received a “deep clean” and I would like to incorporate this into a weekly routine.
Where To Purchase Brandless Products
Brandless carries a wide variety of products which are available for purchase through their online store. They are currently offering free shipping on purchases over $40.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Well, we have almost completed a full year of the kids Zooming from home for school. They are currently doing a hybrid schedule where they go in person two times a week and are virtual three times a week. I actually like the flexibility of this type of schedule, and it has just become part of our routine.
I try to keep a stash of relatively healthier snacks on hand so the kids have something to munch on to keep them going through the school day. Poptime Popped Chips are the perfect choice! They come in four highly poppable flavors:
Jalapeno
BBQ & Honey
Sea Salt
Truffle
Everyone in my family devours these light and crispy Poptime Popped Chips. Seriously, all of the flavors are winners. In addition, they are non-GMO, cholesterol-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, contain zero trans fat, no preservatives, and no artificial flavors.
Let’s not forget about my husband, who is also still working from home. I think he is even more of a snacker than the kids. Poptime Snacks help fuel our family during both school and work.
Where To Purchase Poptime Snacks
Poptime Snacks are available for purchase on the Poptime Snacks website (with free shipping on all orders). Use code LIM10 for 10% off your order! Poptime snacks are also available for purchase on Amazon.
Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.
Wearing facial moisturizer with SPF is one of my daily habits. I think we have all heard about how much damage UV rays can do to our skin. However, we also need to be careful about which skincare products that we use to protect ourselves from the sun. Block Island Organics Suncare is a line that uses non-toxic ingredients. In addition, their products do not contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes or artificial fragrances.
I had the opportunity to try Block Island Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30. My personal experience is that most “natural” sunscreens leave a white film on my skin. I do not find it too bothersome when I am at the beach and the sunscreen makes my arms and legs look white. However, going to work with a pasty white face is not attractive. Therefore, I was curious about the “transparent zinc” found in this facial moisturizer’s description.
After using this moisturizer for several days, I am pleased to say that it really does blend in clear, not white. Although the moisturizer itself appears whitish/yellowish out of the tube, it miraculously disappears after applying it to my skin.
This Block Island Facial Moisturizer does a great job of moisturizing my face, which is especially important in the winter. I like that it does double-duty by simultaneously providing SPF 30 UV protection. The fact that it also does not make me look like a mime is a wonderful bonus!
Where To Purchase Block Island Organics
Block Island Organics skincare products are available through their online store.
Block Island Organics Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win Block Island Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Even though playing epic board games with large, beautifully illustrated boards is fun, sometimes you only have time for a quick game. It is also convenient when a game can easily fit in a bag and not take up too much space. Today I am sharing about three games by Winning Moves that are small in size and quick to play, but offer big fun:
Words Over Easy involves making words from letters that look like eggs. The catch is that you need to use all of the letters on the side with the good eggs and none of the letters on the eggs on the bad side. I can see how this would be a good game for strengthening vocabulary and spelling skills. This game is recommended for ages 8 and up.
The goal of Trashed is to line up your cards in the correct order, from 1 to 10. The challenge is to beware of the “Trashed” and “Stop” cards, which make the game more difficult. I appreciate that all of the cards fit neatly in the cute blue trash can. This game is recommended for ages 7 and up.
I can see this game becoming a family favorite. To start the game, players choose a four letter word. Players then put down their cards one at a time to make a new word as fast as they can. The first person to use all of their cards wins. I like how this is a fast-paced game that you can play in just a few minutes. This game is for ages 8 and up.
