Nona Lim: No Nonsense Noodle Bowls + Bone Broth [Review + Giveaway]

Disclosure: I received product samples in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Nona Lim is yet another company that I discovered through Expo West.  Obviously, the name “Lim” immediately caught my attention, although we are not related that I know of!  I was interested in trying their line of Asian-inspired products, which are gluten-free, dairy-free, preservative-free, additive-free, low-sodium and low-sugar.

I was especially excited to try their new Noodle Bowls, which come in three flavors: Chicken Pho, Thai Coconut Lime, and Green Curry.

This is the Chicken Pho Noodle Bowl, deconstructed.

The prep could not be any easier.  Empty the noodles and broth into the paper bowl and microwave for 5 minutes.

We added some jalapenos, scallions and herbs, but you could add chicken or other vegetables for a heartier meal.

First off, the broth smelled amazing; I felt like I was in a Vietnamese restaurant!  The rice noodles turned out to have a nice texture; not too firm or mushy.  The broth had a lighter flavor than I am used to, but that is probably due to fact that it is not overloaded with sodium and MSG.  It was still delicious–I think it is good for our palates to adjust to what “clean” eating should taste like.

I was also curious about these Heat & Sip Bone Broth Cups.  The flavors include Ginseng Chicken, Vietnamese Pho Beef, Tumeric Chicken, Shiitake Beef, and Thai Coconut Lime.  I have been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of bone broth, including better digestion and healthier skin, hair, nails, joints, immune system and metabolic functions.  Sounds good to me!

In addition to the nutritional benefits, the Nona Lim Bone Broths have wonderfully complex and nuanced flavors that are warm and comforting.  I had D take the Ginseng Chicken Bone Broth to work for an afternoon pick-me-up.  It was so easy for him to heat it up in the microwave and enjoy in his office’s “hub”.

The Heat & Sip Bone Broth Cups also fit perfectly in my car’s cupholders.  I could see taking one of these along when I need nourishment on the go, which seems to be often for me these days!

Nona Lim products can be found at select markets, including Whole Foods.  Go here to find a store near you, or you can order their products online.

I am also excited to announce that Nona Lim is generously offering a $50 gift card to their online store for one of my readers!

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

You may also like

#NewHopeBloggerBox Highlights

I received samples of these products as a New Hope Blogger. 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.

I received my second New Hope Blogger Box filled with natural products, and it did not disappoint.

Here are the products that I received, along with my opinions regarding some of the products.

  • Bellucci Organic 100% Italian On-the-Go EVOO Squeeze Packs: I have tried this brand before, and it is an excellent brand of olive oil.  The squeeze packs are convenient if you want to make salad dressing on the go, like D does at work for lunch.
  • Casa de Sante Mild Chunky Salsa: This brand does not contain any onion or garlic, which I guess some people cannot tolerate. It also does not contain any additives or preservatives. I liked that you can see and taste the real chunks of tomato in this salsa.  It was mild enough for the kids.
  • Colorado Hemp Honey Sticks
  • Crunchsters Variety Pack (Sea Salt, Smokey Balsamic, Beyond Bacon):  These were a surprise hit!  They are mung bean sprouts, and each portion provides 7 grams of protein and 5 grams of prebiotic fiber.  n especially liked the Beyond Bacon flavor.

#MOLDIV

  • Cybele’s Free to Eat Superfood Green Rotini Pasta
  • Emerald Health Bioceuticals ENDO BLISS
  • Enjoy Life Foods Crispy Grain & Seed Bars (Maple Sweet Potato): I appreciate that this brand is nut-free due to our kids’ allergies.  This flavor was interesting; I think I might like other flavors better (maybe Chocolate Marshmallow?–ha!)

  • HumanN SuperBeets Energy Plus
  • Innovix Pharma Inc. High Absorption Curcumin
  • Motherlove Herbal Company Motherlove Green Salve for bites, bumps & bruises: We tried this on some mosquito bites that n and k had and it seemed to help.
  • Nature’s Fusions Essential Oils
  • Nature’s Truth Ultra Beet Root Powder
  • Olivida Soap Company Olive Oil Soap: This is a nice soap in that it does not leave a film on your skin and the scent is subtle and not overpowering.

  • Papa Steve’s No junk Raw Protein Bar (Peanut Butter Choco Chip & Peanut Butter Crunch): These are some hefty protein bars!  I had never heard of this brand before, but I like that there is no refined sugar and 20 g of protein.  It tastes like a bar that you would make at home (if you had time!)

  • SoTru Organic Fermented Beet Powder

So, those are some of my thoughts for this round of products.  Can’t wait to see what is in the next one!

Continue Reading

You may also like

Telestrations: Large Group Laughs! #Telestrations #usaopoly #tryazon

Disclosure: Tryazon provided us a free product in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

It can be difficult to find a game that is fun with a large group of people.  Telestrations is one of those games!  It is a combination of the game Telephone and Pictionary.

There are two versions: 8 player and 12 player.

As you can see, the game comes with everything you need to play.  I like that the dry erase pens and the cleaning cloths work really well in conjunction with the individual sketch books.

Each player starts with a word from the cards and sketches it.  The players pass the sketchbooks after one minute and then guess what the word is.  Then they sketch their guess, and pass it until everyone ends up with their original sketchbook.  It is hilarious to look through the sketchbook to see how the pictures evolved.

This would be a good icebreaker game because there is not a lot of pressure on each individual player.  Everyone is drawing at the same time, with a lot of laughs at the end.  I also like that emphasis is not so much about winning as it is about having fun!

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.

Continue Reading

You may also like

Creating a Brand: StickerYou Review + Giveaway

StickerYouDisclosure: I received free samples in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

As you may have noticed, recently I have been working a lot on improving and promoting this blog.  At the beginning of this year, I had business cards made, which is important for blogger conferences and face to face interactions.  I have been thinking that it would also be nice to have some other LimByLim branded items that I could use as a conversation starter (“LIMBYLIM? What’s that?”) So when StickerYou contacted me about trying out some of their products, I knew it was the perfect opportunity.

StickerYou offers a wide array of products that can be personalized, including stickers, labels, temporary tattoos, magnets, decals, etc. You can upload your own images to the site or use their templates.  The possibilities are truly endless.

Here is one of my LimByLim refrigerator magnets:

I also made glossy white vinyl labels, which are durable, waterproof, and have a removable adhesive.

I used the label to make a personalized thermos!

I also ordered iron-ons and personalized this tote bag.  I think I need to make a LimByLim t-shirt too!

StickerYou makes products that are useful for small businesses as well as for personal use.  For example, my mom is a talented cook, so I thought she would appreciate these food labels.

Wouldn’t these make nice Christmas gifts?

How about making labels for kids so that their things do not end up in the Lost and Found?

I am excited to announce that StickerYou is also offering one of my readers a $50 promo code to use on their site!  What would you make?

Continue Reading

You may also like

Desert Essence Restored My Hair #momsmeet #desertessence

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.

Desert Essence is a line of body, skin, and hair care products that has been around since 1978.  Their hair care products are made from natural ingredients such as Jojoba and coconut oils, aloe, and saw palmetto.

The Anti-Breakage Shampoo and Conditioner contains a special formula of Keratin and Pro-Vitamin B5 to fortify each strand and minimize the breakage that causes split ends.

IMG_3101[1]

I recently dyed my hair for the very first time because my grays were really beginning to multiply.  I like the color of the balayage, but I notice that now my hair can tend to look and feel frizzy and brittle.  The Desert Essence hair products that I tried restored my hair’s shine and moisture!

 

To find Desert Essence Shampoo and Conditioner in your area, visit: desertessence.com/store-locator. Get 20% off Anti-Breakage and Smoothing Hair Care Products on desertessence.com with the promo code DELovesMomsMeet

 

 

 

Continue Reading

You may also like

Screen-Free Playtime With #GoliathGames + Giveaway

Disclosure: Product provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

When my kids get bored, it is natural for them to gravitate toward the iPad, a tablet or our Xbox for entertainment.  While I think that is fine in moderation, I have been trying to encourage them to play screen-free games as well.  Goliath Games is a company I have found that has a wide variety of “traditional” games that appeal to kids of all ages.  Today I am reviewing two of their most popular games.

The first game is Pop the Pig:

IMG_2842

n has speech therapy at school to help him say his “r” sounds.  His speech teacher incorporates a lot of games into his group sessions, and this is one of them.  He was excited to play this game at home with k.

IMG_2851

It looks like k was excited too!  To play, players take turns rolling the die.  Then you pop “hamburgers” into the pig’s mouth and push down on his head.  The more you pump, the more the pig’s belly grows until it suddenly pops!   Pop the Pig is designed for ages 4 and up, 2-6 players.

The second fun game is Catch the Fox:

IMG_2895

First you roll the die to see how many chickens to add into the fox’s pockets.  Then, you push his head one time.  Like magic, the fox’s pants disappear and the chickens will roll everywhere!

IMG_2883

Once the fox’s pants drop, it is a mad dash to pick up the chickens one by one and place them in the coop.

IMG_2886

A victory dance!  Catch the Fox is for 2 to 4 players; ages 4 and up.

Both of these games are available on Amazon:

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.

IMG_2901

I am excited to announce that Goliath Games is offering one of my readers the opportunity to win both Pop the Pig and Catch the Fox!

 

Continue Reading

You may also like

A Fun Way to Develop Fine Motor Skills: Giggle Wiggle Review #GoliathGames

Disclosure: Product provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

I work as a special needs paraeducator at my children’s school, and I have witnessed firsthand how games can be used to develop certain skills.  Giggle Wiggle is an example of a game my school uses that makes working on fine motor skills fun!

IMG_2789

The concept is really simple:

  • Players race to place their colored marbles on the caterpillar’s hands while it sways to the music and spins.
  • The first player to get all their marbles on in a row wins!

IMG_2790

It is nice that it comes with 7 marbles for each color, even though only 6 are needed.  The marbles really roll around, so it might be best to play on a carpeted area.  Also, the marbles look like candy, so make sure toddlers who still put things in their mouths are not in the vicinity.  The game requires 3 AA batteries, not included.

The music and giggling is cute, but I do wish there was a volume control–ha!  This game is designed for 2-4 players, ages 4+.  However, as you can see, my son enjoyed the challenge of placing the marbles on the caterpillar’s hands all by himself, too!

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.

Continue Reading

You may also like

Fast-Paced Fun: Color Smash Review #GoliathGames

Disclosure: Product provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Summer vacation is here, and that means the kids will be looking for things to do at home.

IMG_2737

Color Smash is a fast-paced, simple game.  You flip the cards, and if the color word on the card matches the color of the card, you slap it and you collect the stack.  If there is no color word, you leave the pile alone, and if the color name does not match the color of the card, you do not slap it.  If you accidentally slap a card, you place five of your cards back into the pile.

IMG_2726

This is an easy game to teach to young kids, and it is small and portable.  Screen-free entertainment is always a good thing!

Color Smash is recommended for ages 5 and up, and 2-6 players.

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.

Continue Reading

You may also like

Cleaner Cleaning: Quinn’s Pure Castile Organic Soap Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: I received product samples to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

I have been on a quest to reduce the toxic chemicals in my home by evaluating my stash of personal care and cleaning supplies.  Quinn’s makes an organic castile soap made with certified organic argan, jojoba and hemp oils.  It is made with 100% biodegradable ingredients, so it is better for you and for the environment.

This 32 oz. bottle of Quinn’s Unscented Pure Castile Organic Soap is pretty hefty.  (I love the cute design of the packaging as well!)  There are so many uses for this soap.  A handy list is printed right on the box.  I am seriously going to keep this picture on my phone and save it as a reference.

I started out by making Multi-Purpose Cleaning Spray by mixing 1/8 cup castile soap with 2 cups of warm water.  I poured it into a spray bottle and made a label with my trusty label-maker.

I personally like that this version is unscented.  If you prefer scent, you can customize it with your favorite essential oil.  I think a citrus essential oil would also be nice for this multi-purpose cleaning spray.

Quinn’s products are sold exclusively on Amazon, and as you can see, I am not the only one giving this soap rave reviews.


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.

Quinn’s has generously agreed to give away a bottle of their castile soap to one of my readers!

 

 

Continue Reading

You may also like

Circus Vargas @ The Orange County Great Park

I won tickets to opening night for Circus Vargas at the Orange County Great Park.  Unfortunately, D was traveling for work, and it was a school night (Thursday), but I took the kids anyway.  We only stayed until about 8:30, so we missed the Grand Finale, including the Flying Trapeze, but it was fun.

P1040250

P1040251

The tent was not too large, which was great for sight lines, but poor in terms of air circulation.  It was especially stuffy while we were waiting for the performance to begin, but seemed to improve once the show started.

P1040254

Second row seats!

P1040255

P1040258

There was some amazing talent and stunts that made us cringe.  We missed D’s loud reactions/funny comments.

Continue Reading

You may also like