Disclosure: I received samples as a Tryazon host. All opinions are my own.
Using special skin products is a nice way to relax and feel pampered. I recently had the opportunity to try products from The Ritual of Sakura, which are available at Sephora.
The three products I tried were The Ritual of Sakura Celebrate Each Day Body Scrub, Zensational Foaming Shower Gel and Magic Touch Body Cream.
I do not use body scrubs very often, but when I do, I always wonder why I do not use them more. I really enjoyed how this scrub gently exfoliated my skin and left it feeling nice and soft. The foaming shower gel was interesting, as I had never even heard of a foaming shower gel before. It reminded me of shaving cream, and left my skin feeling very moisturized. The cherry blossom fragrance in both of these products is quite strong and lingers after you are done using it.
Finally, I tried the Ritual of Sakura Body Cream. It is light and creamy and does a nice job of moisturizing without leaving your skin feeling greasy. If you are searching for some products to add to your self-care routine, The Ritual of Sakura is a luxurious place to start.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
There is nothing more comforting than drinking a hot beverage on a cold day. Coconut Cloud, one of my recent discoveries from the Online Nourished Festival, has a line of vegan hot cocoa, lattes and creamers that are sure to provide comfort in a cup when the weather turns cooler.
Coconut Cloud sent us samples of their Vegan Instant Hot Cocoa Mix. It is available in a 7 oz. or 12 oz. bag, as well as convenient individual stick packs. Coconut Cloud Hot Cocoa Mix is unique because it is dairy-free. The ingredient list includes dried coconut milk, rich cocoa powder, and a hint of sugar. When I first opened the package, I was immediately struck by the strong cocoa aroma.
All you have to do is add 2 Tablespoons of the Coconut Cloud Hot Cocoa Mix to 8 oz. of hot water and stir. I was impressed with the rich chocolate-y flavor that was not overly sweet like other instant hot chocolate mixes I have tried. There is just a hint of coconut flavor at the end, but it is not over-powering. Coconut Cloud also makes instant hot cocoa in other flavors, including:
Toasted Marshmallow
Peppermint
Salted Caramel
If you are more of a coffee drinker, Coconut Cloud also makes Dairy-Free Coffee Creamer. Like the hot cocoa, it is also made with dried coconut milk powder. I’m actually thinking I should add a spoonful of the hot cocoa mix to my next cup of coffee!
Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
It still makes me sad to think about the trip to Japan we had to cancel in May due to the pandemic. However, when I opened up the September Japan Candy Box, it brought a definite smile to my face.
The theme of this box was “Japan Shinkansen Tour”, and it highlighted different regional flavors of Japan. In case you didn’t know, Shinkansen refers to the amazing bullet train system in Japan. Seriously, I never knew public transportation could be so fast and efficient!
We rode the Shinkansen during our Japan trip in 2011.
Japan Candy Box: Japan Shinkansen Tour
Here is a rundown of the contents of the September Japan Candy Box:
Orange Long Chew: You have to love this very literal name-ha! It is indeed an orange long chew. What makes it special is the flavor is from Japan’s “famous Mikan oranges”. I have not actually heard of Mikan oranges, but this sounds intriguing.
Sour Apple Paper Candy Strip: Sour fruit candy is one of my favorites, so this one is right up my alley. This candy features green apples from Aomori Prefecture.
Mr. Ito Languly Hokkaido Melon Biscuits: I like how this box of biscuits is a shareable size. I find it interesting that melon shows up in more Asian desserts than here in the U.S. These cat tongue-shaped cookies contain real Hokkaido melon juice powder. I was surprised by how intense the cantaloupe flavor was.
Umaibo Lemon Corn Puff Snack: This is a savory snack that combines lemon flavor from the Setouchi region with a crunchy corn puff. This is definitely a unique combination!
Calbee Tomoriko Roasted Corn Sticks: Apparently the Japanese are really into corn. This snack was inspired by roasted Hokkaido corn with a sweet soy sauce glaze that is sold as local street food. It was uncanny how these sticks really taste like roasted corn, not just regular corn.
Kasugai 100% Fruit Juice Gummies: I appreciate that these gummies do not contain any artificial colors or flavors.
Yaokin Lemonade Roll Candy: According to the description, this candy is 50 centimeters long!
Strawberry Caviar Gummy Candies: They are meant to look like fish eggs, but taste like sweet strawberries.
Coris Watermelon Seeds Ramune Candy: I know that watermelons are considered pretty special in Japan. According to the pamphlet, Kuamamoto is Japan’s top producer of watermelons. The idea of candy shaped like watermelon seeds that taste like watermelon kind of cracks me up.
Bourbon Fettuccine Sour Plum Gummies: Ume plums from Wakayama Prefecture are an acquired taste that have an intense sour flavor. Fact: umeboshi (pickled ume plums) were one of my pregnancy cravings! This candy has a nice tart flavor and is not too sour.
As you can see, the Japan Candy Box offers a wide variety of candy and snacks that are unique to Japan. Going through this box and tasting everything makes for a fun family activity. I know my kids are always interested in trying out snacks from other countries. You could even make it educational and do some research about all of the different regions of Japan that are mentioned.
Subscribe to Japan Candy Box
Visit the Japan Candy Box website and check out their different subscription plans. There are one month, six month, and twelve month plans available, all with free shipping worldwide!
Japan Candy Box Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Japan Candy Box!
Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.
**Please discuss all supplements that your child takes with his/her health care providers.
Country Life, a well-known brand in the vitamin world, also has a line of Gut Connection supplements designed specifically for kids. Each supplement connects the gut to individual health needs: Digestive Balance, Immune Balance, Cognitive Balance and Sleep Balance. This line of supplements is intended for children ages 4-12 and is shelf-stable.
My son’s favorite was the Gut Connection Kids Immune Balance. These supplements reminded him of Sweet Tart candy in terms of taste and texture. I do not think it would be difficult to convince kids to take these animal-shaped supplements.
Strengthening our family’s immune systems is a top priority, and so much of that starts with gut health. These Gut Connection products contain clinically studied Epicor Whole Food Fermentate prebiotic, which has been shown to support immune and gut health.
The Gut Connection Sleep Balance supplement is an interesting concept in that it is a powder that can be mixed with liquid or food one hour before bedtime. This supplement contains Lactium, a bioactive peptide that comes from milk. It is supposed to enable kids fall asleep faster and sleep longer. Since inadequate sleep is related to so many other health and behavioral problems, Gut Connection Sleep Balance is worth a try if your kids have sleep issues.
Where To Purchase Gut Connection Kids By Country Life + Discount
Gut Connection Kids by Country Life products are available for purchase on countrylifevitamins.com. Enter code MOMS20 at checkout to receive a 20% discount!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
If I ever had to switch to a gluten-free diet, I think bagels would be one of the food items that I would miss the most. Although there are a growing number of companies making gluten-free bagels, the founder of Odd Bagel was not impressed with the available options. Instead, he took it upon himself to create a gluten-free bagel that would provide a satisfying bagel experience for everyone.
I connected with Odd Bagel as a blogger with the online Nourished Festival that took place last month. We received samples of their Sesame, Everything and Onion bagels. (In addition, Odd Bagel also makes Plain, Poppy and Cinnamon-Raisin bagels). When I received the package in the mail, I was surprised by how hefty these bagels were. They certainly are not light and fluffy rolls masquerading as bagels!
My kids’ favorite type of bagel is the Everything bagel; it is their usual order when we go to a bagel shop. I could not believe how much “Everything” toppings were packed onto the Everything Odd Bagel!
We tried the Odd Bagels toasted, with cream cheese spread. However, Odd Bagels are also dairy-free, in case that is a concern for you.
I like how Odd Bagels have that signature smooth and shiny outside crust and chewy interior. My son and husband did not even realize that these bagels were gluten-free.
If you are in search of a gluten-free bagel, Odd Bagel should be at the top of your list!
Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Learning how to cook is such an important life skill to pass down to our children and grandchildren. I have been noticing that subscription cooking boxes for kids are increasing in popularity. Chef Free Club is unique in that it is an inclusive cooking club specifically designed for kids with special dietary needs.
The founder of Chef Free Club came up with the idea after her son was diagnosed with multiple severe food allergies. Chef Free Club fills an important niche, as it seems like food allergies have become so prevalent in kids these days, including my own.
As a Nourished Festival blogger, I received a sample Hola Mexico kit. This kit includes three recipes that are plant-based, gluten-free, food allergy-friendly and top allergen-free:
Street Corn
Pozole
Churro Chips
We did not have a chance to try the Street Corn recipe yet, as I forgot to buy corn on the cob. However, we are looking forward to trying the suggested method of grilling corn on the stovetop.
My son and I did however, make the Pozole and Churro Chips.
I do not think we have ever made Pozole before, so it was fun to try out a new recipe. My son was curious about hominy, as it is not an ingredient we typically use.
This plant-based Pozole is hearty and super-filling! In addition to the hominy, it is filled with tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes and onions; this soup is a great way to increase your kids’ vegetable intake. It also makes a ton, so I think we will be eating Pozole for the next few days!
My son had a blast trying out the recipe for Churro Chips. We appreciated the recipe picture booklets that takes you through the recipes step-by-step.
He enjoyed using the special rotary cutter that was included in the kit to cut the tortillas into wedges. Our family is not gluten-free, so we used regular flour tortillas. However, the recipe booklets include specific brand name suggestions for gluten-free and allergen-free products to use in the recipes, which I can see as being very helpful.
My son also enjoyed the process of dipping the tortilla wedges into melted butter and sprinkling on the cinnamon sugar.
After 8 minutes in the oven, they turned out nice and crispy! I like how there was also a recipe suggestion for savory chips by using taco seasoning instead of cinnamon sugar.
Chef Free Club is recommended for children ages 4-14. In addition to the recipe cards and tool of the month, each kit also includes a pamphlet with games and activities related to the kit’s theme. Another fun surprise was the inclusion of allergy-friendly samples. We received two samples of Coconut Cloud Vegan Instant Hot Cocoa Mix (stay tuned for an upcoming review and giveaway with them, as well!) A subscription to Chef Free Club would make your kids look forward to the mail every month.
Subscribe To Chef Free Club + Discount
It is easy to sign up for a subscription to Chef Free Club here (1-month, 6-month and 12-month subscriptions are available). Chef Free Club is also offering the following discount codes for my readers:
Lim10 ($10 off 6-month subscription) Lim20 ($20 off 12-month subscription)
Chef Free Club Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a Chef Free Club kit!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Birthday celebrations call for cake and treats. This year I celebrated with samples from Gem City Fine Foods, one of the participants in this year’s recent online Nourished Festival. Their baked goods are certified gluten-free, and made in a dedicated gluten-free bakery. In addition, their products do not contain tree nuts or peanuts, and everything is made in a dedicated nut-free bakery. This is especially important to me, since my kids are allergic to nuts.
This is the Gem City Fine Foods Vegan Chocolate Cake. Gem City ships their cakes frozen on Mondays, and I was amazed how this cake still looked like it came straight from a bakery.
This two-layer chocolate cake with white frosting was a real treat. It would be perfect for anyone who is looking for a cake that is vegan, gluten-free and/or nut-free. The cake was nice and moist and we could not tell that it was gluten-free.
Look at that structural integrity! This cake can be cut up into beautiful slices and does not fall apart. It is nice when everyone can indulge in a dessert together and not feel deprived.
We also had the opportunity to try some other Gem City Fine Foods mini desserts. Aren’t they so cute? Pictured here are the Blueberry Lemon Loaf, Flourless Chocolate Torte, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Lemon Zest Cheesecake. I like the idea of serving individual desserts so everyone can choose their favorite. I tend to think of gluten-free baked goods as having a strange texture and taste, but that is not the case with these cakes.
I have to say, my favorite dessert was the Pumpkin Cheesecake; luscious and creamy, pumpkin-y and SO good. This should come as no surprise to anyone who knows my love for pumpkin desserts. Did you notice my pumpkin t-shirt in the first pictures? My love of pumpkin knows no bounds!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.This post contains affiliate links.
Fall is officially here, even though the weather continues to feel like summer where I live. I look forward to fall every year; it is my favorite season!
Therefore, I was elated to receive the October Simply Earth Recipe Box (pumpkin not included). It contains ingredients to make the following self-care recipes:
Natural Hydrating Body Spray
Exfoliating Body Polish
Cleansing Foot Soak
Muscle Soothing Roll On
The Best Natural Lotion Recipe
It’s Fall Y’all Essential Oil Blend
This month’s Simply Earth Recipe Box comes with the following essential oils:
I tried the recipe for the It’s Fall Y’all essential oil diffuser blend, which uses a mixture of Autumn Air, Mandarin and Breathe Easy. It is such a lovely fragrance, and really does put me in the fall mood. This box is one of my favorite combination of Simply Earth essential oils that I have received so far!
Simply Earth Essential Oils Discount Code
Simply Earth is offering a fantastic deal for my readers. When you start an Essential Oil Recipe Box Subscription, you will also receive a Big Bonus Box AND a free $40 eGift card when you use the code LIMBYLIMFREE at checkout. (New subscribers only).
Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box. **Please note that by entering this giveaway, you agree to have your e-mail added to the Simply Earth e-mail list.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
One of my unexpected discoveries from the Online Nourished Festival was the ECO line of products. These innovative cleaning products reduce waste and eliminate the use of chemicals.
Currently, there are four products available:
ECOSCENT: This product eliminates the need of dryer sheets and can be reused for 3-6 months. I personally do not use dryer sheets, but I know many people do. This sounds like a good chemical-free alternative.
ECOBOOST: This product reduces the amount of laundry detergent you need to use by 50%. It enhances cleaning, odor reduction and has a potent antibacterial effect on laundry. It can be reused for 300 loads of laundry.
ECOWASH: This product is a 100% natural laundry washer that is reusable for 300 washes, or one year’s use. It completely replaces the need for laundry detergent! According to the website, It cleans as effective as laundry detergent, reduces odor 10X better than traditional detergent and has a potent antibacterial effect on laundry.
ECOBATH: This product is a pure mineral bath infuser that continuously releases molecular hydrogen (H2) into the bath. According to the website, ECOBATH improves skin hydration, speeds wound healing, enhances skin barrier function and decreases inflammation. It is also effective for stress relief, soaking achy muscles and joints, highly therapeutic for psoriasis, eczema and many other health conditions. It is reusable for 300 baths and does not contain any toxic or synthetic chemicals.
Here is an up-close look at the ECOBOOST. All you have to do is place it in the laundry machine with the clothes you want to wash and use half of the detergent you normally use. After washing, remove the ECOBOOST so that it can air dry, or leave the laundry machine door open. I tried it out on my sheets, and I could not tell that I had used less laundry detergent. It still had that freshly-laundered feel!
The science that makes these products effective is really interesting. Instead of trying to explain the process in my own words, here is the official explanation found on the Natural Products website:
The mineral in the bag reacts in the water in three ways. 1: The mineral pellets release thousands of molecular hydrogen nano-bubbles which are so small they force their way through clothing fibers pushing out dirt, sebum, germs, bacteria and odor into the water to be rinsed away. 2. The pH level is increased creating ionized alkaline water which enhances the cleaning process. 3. Magnesium hydroxide is released which acts as a natural cleansing agent and highly effective natural antibacterial agent.
ECO Discount Code
Visit www.naturalproducts.shop to purchase ECOSCENT, ECOBOOST, ECOWASH or ECOBATH. Use discount code friend20 to receive 20% off any product until the end of the month!
ECOBOOST Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win an ECOBOOST ($39.99 value). This giveaway is open to US and Canada only.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
This year’s Nourished Festival featuring gluten-free and specialty diet products is going virtual, from September 24-26, 2020. To sign up for updates & prizes, go here: online.nourishedfestival.com. As an official Nourished Festival blogger, I am excited to connect with several brands in this wonderful community. I have been busy setting up a lot of reviews and giveaways for my readers, so get ready!
As soon as I tasted one of these Grab The Gold Snack Bars, I knew we had a winner! The first ingredient is organic oats, which gives these bars a nice, hearty texture. They also contain natural peanut butter, which provides 11 grams of hunger-satisfying protein. The chocolate (in the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor) and the cranberries (in the Peanut Butter & Jelly flavor) provides just the right amount of sweetness.
You cannot go wrong with oats + peanut butter + chocolate! One half of one of these hefty disc-shaped bars makes a good mid-morning snack for me. Of course, there would be nothing wrong with eating the whole bar if you are looking for more sustenance. I should also mention that Grab The Gold bars are gluten-free, vegan and kosher!
The Peanut Butter & Jelly flavor is also super tasty. I seriously cannot choose a favorite between the two flavors because they are both really good. Although these bars are perfect to have on the go, they also make a great work from home snack, as well.
Grab the Gold also sent us a sample of their Immune Boost Shot Berry Drink Mix and a Blender Bottle With Storage. The drink mix contains natural flavors and includes elderberry, vitamin C and echinacea + zinc. It can be combined with water or your favorite drink. It is an easy way to help support your immune health, which we all need these days.
Where to Purchase Grab The Gold Snack Bars
Grab The Gold snack bars and supplements can be purchased through their online store.
Grab The Gold Snack Bars Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Box of Grab The Gold (12 bars) in the flavor of your choice. The winner will receive a promo code equaling a 100% discount (including shipping).
