Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Coolibar Provides Wearable Sun Protection

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

Living in sunny Southern California, I am constantly aware of how important it is to protect our skin from sun damage. Coolibar is an apparel company that makes clothing, swimwear and accessories guaranteed to provide an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of 50+. The fabrics that they use block 98% of UVA/UVB rays and Coolibar guarantees this protection for the life of their products. I had the opportunity to try some of Coolibar’s innovative products and I am excited to share about them!

Coolibar Clothing

This is the Coolibar Women’s LumaLeo Relaxed T-Shirt in Grey Heather. I requested the small size, and the cut is quite generous (hence the “relaxed” description). However, I did notice a little shrinkage after washing. The neck is cut high to provide maximum sun protection.

I really like this shirt’s full-length sleeves with thumbholes. They provide a lot of coverage, yet still allow you to use your hands. It is so convenient to be able to wear UPF 50+ protection.

I also tried out the Coolibar Women’s LumaLeo Beach Pants. These pants are very comfortable and “flowy”. As the name suggests, they are the perfect pants to wear at the beach. However, I will probably be wearing them most often to my son’s soccer games!

Coolibar Accessories

Coolibar also has a wide variety of accessories that provide UPF 50+, including hats and shawls.

I received the Coolibar Blake Elegant Floppy Hat and Sanibel Everyday Beach Shawl and we tested both of them out at a recent Angels baseball game.

I have been on the hunt for the perfect sun hat for a while now, and the Blake Elegant Floppy Hat is just what I was looking for! It has a wide brim (but not too wide) and is comfortable to wear. The polybraid construction is high quality and it seems like it will last a really long time.

The Sanibel Beach Shawl also proved to be very useful at the game. When the sun was up, we used it as a coverup. When the sun went down, my husband used it to keep warm. (The temperature dropped more than expected, and he did not have a sweatshirt). This versatile shawl would make a wonderful gift, as it is one size fits all.

Where to Purchase Coolibar Clothing & Accessories

Coolibar clothing, swimwear and accessories for men, women and kids are available through their online store.

Coolibar Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Coolibar Blake Elegant Floppy Hat and Sanibel Everyday Beach Shawl (in a surprise color)!

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Food, Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Poptime Snacks Introduces Tasty New Popcorn Flavors

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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.

Poptime Snacks recently introduced five new flavors to their lineup:

  • Nacho Cheese (Big & Bold Popcorn)
  • Salsa with Lime (Big & Bold Popcorn)
  • Spicy Dill Pickle (Kettle Cooked Popcorn)
  • Everything Bagel & Cream Cheese (Poptime Creations)
  • Orange & Vanilla Cream Pop Flavor (Poptime Creations)

Don’t they all sound intriguing? Best of all, Poptime Snacks are vegan, cholesterol-free, preservative-free, GMO-free, nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, trans-fat free and artificial flavor-free.

The Orange & Vanilla Cream Pop flavor would be fun to serve for Halloween. I do not remember having tried orange flavored popcorn before, but it works! The cream flavor is not overly sweet, and it complements the orange.

Everyone in my family enjoys everything-flavored bagels, so we were especially curious about this flavor. It is actually pretty wild how this popcorn does taste like a combination of everything seasoning and cream cheese. This popcorn delivers everything except the bagel!

If you’re looking for a snack on the go, Poptime popcorn also comes in convenient 1.0-1.5 oz. bags. We brought a few bags to a baseball game and they were a *hit*!

Where to Purchase Poptime Snacks

Poptime Snacks, including all of their newest flavors, are available for purchase on the Poptime Snacks website. They are also available on Amazon.

Poptime Snacks Popcorn Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win TEN bags of Poptime’s newest flavors of popcorn (two bags of each of the five new flavors). There will be THREE winners!

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Crafts, Reviews, Sponsored

Do Something Creative Everyday With Chalkola Watercolor Brush Pens

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Disclosure: I received a sample 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.

Do something creative everyday.

-Unknown

So much of our days are made up of routine tasks that we need to do. Using our creativity forces us to do something just for fun and encourages us to use different parts of our brain. Recently I had the opportunity to try out Chalkola Watercolor Brush Pens-Set of 58 Colors with 2 Blending Paintbrush Pens. It was so much fun to bust out my sketchbook and start experimenting with these awesome pens!

As you can see, this set comes with a wide array of lovely colors. If you do not need quite that many colors, Chalkola also has a set that comes with 28 Watercolor Brush Pens.

As a fan of sweets, it is no surprise that my first project involved drawing desserts. I sketched first in pencil, which I highly recommend. After some trial and error and I learned that it is better to use these pens to color in your pencil drawings first. Then, trace the pencil outlines with a black pen. (Otherwise, the black pen ink may smudge from the colored markers).

I really like how these Watercolor Brush Pens have an actual brush as a tip. The ink flows nicely and the colors can be “built up” to create a shading effect. I plan on practicing with these Chalkola pens more and sharing my projects in the future.

My inspiration for these kawaii (cute) drawings came from How to Draw Cute Stuff: Draw Anything and Everything in the Cutest Style Ever! (Volume 1), by Angela Nguyen. This book is filled with super cute drawings that are simple enough for a beginning artist like me. This book plus a set of Chalkola Watercolor Brush Pens would make a fabulous gift for the budding creative in your life.

Where to Purchase Chalkola Products & Discount Code

Chalkola products are available on Amazon; use discount code CHALKOLA10 for 10% off your purchase. This code is applicable both in the US and UK, and can be used for all Chalkola products.

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Food, Reviews, Sponsored

Please Pass the Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto

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Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for the post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Most of us are probably familiar with Barilla pasta and tomato sauces. However, did you know that Barilla also makes pesto? Thanks to Moms Meet, I had the opportunity to try a jar of Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto imported from Italy. The ingredients include Italian basil and grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, along with cashews, olive oil and garlic. The possibilities for this pesto are truly endless.

First, I made a simple appetizer by arranging cherry tomatoes, small mozzarella balls and basil leaves on toothpicks.

The Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto made the perfect dip to provide a burst of complementary flavor. The pesto could also be drizzled on top.

For breakfast, I spread some Barilla pesto on a piece of toasted sourdough bread. I added a fried egg on top and it was so delicious!

Finally, I tried mixing some of the pesto with a steaming bowl of cheese tortellini. One 6.2 ounce jar of pesto mixes well with 16 ounces of pasta, so a little does in fact go a long way! Other suggested uses for this pesto is to use it as a marinade for meats and vegetables or as dip for veggies and pita chips.

Where to Purchase Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto

Look for Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto at Target, Publix, Stop & Shop, Meijer, ShopRite, Hy-Vee, Albertsons, Safeway Vons, or at a store near you.

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Food, Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Choose Your Heat With Thrive Sauce Co.

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

A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed a set of Thrive Sauce Co. Asian-Style Sauces. Today I would like to introduce Thrive Sauce Co.’ s Special Sauces.

Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces are available in three different heat levels:

These special sauces contain Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar, Non-GMO Canola Oil, Agave, Mustard, Habanero, Kosher Salt & Xanthan Gum. Because these Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces are made of 80% vegetables, they are low in fat and calories. I also appreciate that these sauces have a one year shelf life when refrigerated after opening. (You will be sure to run out before then!)

The possible uses for these Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces are endless. The Thrive Sauce Co. website suggests using their sauces on burgers, eggs and potatoes, fish tacos, salads and french fries. I mixed some of the Extra Special Sauce into some chicken salad for a wrap and the sauce added a nice zing of flavor.

Quesadillas are a quick and easy staple in our house. Adding some Extra Special Sauce made our quesadillas taste extra special.

Another easy way to use the Special Sauce is on sandwiches. This Special Sauce was a welcome addition to the turkey sandwiches we brought to the beach yesterday.

Where to Purchase Thrive Co. Sauces

As I noted before, Thrive Sauce Co. is a woman-owned small business that you can feel good about supporting. Their sauces are available for purchase through their online store or at a store near you.

Thrive Sauce Co. Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a set of three Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces!

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Crafts, Reviews, Sponsored

Horizon Group Craft Kits For Kids

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Disclosure: I received samples in partnership with Horizon Group USA. 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 my kids are in middle school and high school now, they still like to do crafts at home. I think there is just something satisfying about creating with your hands. Crafting also offers a good non-technology break from studying/schoolwork.

Just My Style Radical Rainbow Tie-Dye Kit

The first kit we tried was the Just My Style Radical Rainbow Tie Dye Kit. I have always wanted to try doing tie dye with my kids, but never made the effort to gather all the materials necessary to do it. This kit has everything you need; I just bought a couple of cheap white t-shirts. My son also experimented on an old shirt he already had.

This is definitely an activity best done outdoors or where it is fine to make a mess. The clean-up actually was not that bad though. My kids were able to follow the directions and complete their projects on their own.

The vibrancy and variety of the colors was impressive. We had enough dye to complete several projects, so I think this kit is a good deal.

Made By Me Jungle Figurines Kit

The second kit that we reviewed was the Made By Me Jungle Figurines Kit.

This kit comes with two resin figures, paint and a paintbrush. The recommended age range for this kit is five and up. However, even my older kids had fun with this activity.

This type of painting is pretty straightforward and does not require a lot of guidance or instruction. Kids can use their creativity in choosing colors and painting details. Both the Just My Style Radical Rainbow Tie Dye Kit and Made By Me Jungle Figurines Kit would make great gifts for kids.

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Food, Reviews, Sponsored

Snacking on the Go With Monster Pop! Popcorn

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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.

With school and sports back in full swing, our family is seemingly always on the go again. Thanks to Moms Meet, we had the opportunity to try a new to us brand of popcorn: Monster Pop!

These individual bags would make a cute Halloween treat, don’t you think?

Monster Pop! popcorn contains no artificial ingredients, 0 g trans fat, and no high fructose corn syrup. It is also gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher. Monster Pop! comes in four flavors:

  • Big-Time Butter
  • Cheeserific-Cheese
  • Sweet ‘n Salty Kooky Kettle
  • Finger Lickin’ Pizza

My daughter just started daily basketball practices with her high school team. Monster Pop! is a convenient, whole-grain snack that is easy to pack.

My son is starting to play in soccer games and tournaments again. He always seems to be hungry, and a lot of snacking happens in the car. Considering its all-natural ingredients, a bag of Monster Pop! popcorn is a smart choice to keep on hand for him.

Where To Purchase Monster Pop! Popcorn and Promo Code

Monster Pop! Popcorn is available for purchase through their online store at monsterpopshop.com. Use promo code MOMSMEET25 to save 25% on any product. Expires 10/31/21.

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Reviews, Sponsored

Hydrate At Home With Vitapod

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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.

As we all know, hydration is key to a healthy body. I recently had the opportunity to try out the new Vitapod Machine Starter Kit, which turns tap water into filtrated wellness drinks that are optimally formulated with vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and antioxidants.

The Vitapod machine has a modern simple design that looks nice sitting out on the kitchen counter. I would note that this machine is rather large, so be sure to make sure you have space for it! The instructions are clear and easy to follow. My 12 year old son was eager to try it out, and he was able to figure out how to set it up by himself.

The removable water tank makes it convenient to fill up in the kitchen sink. The tank contains a filter that purifies the water.

There are several varieties and flavors of Vitapods and they all contain 100% natural ingredients:

  • Hydra+: electrolytes and vitamins A, C, D, E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium and flavonoids (ages 4+)
  • Hydra: electrolytes, minerals and flavonoids (ages 4+)
  • Iced Tea+: electrolytes and vitamins A, C, D, E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium potassium, flavonoids and 60 mg of clean caffeine from black tea (ages 4+)
  • Iced Tea: electrolytes, minerals and flavonoids, plant-based anti-oxidants and 64 mg of clean caffeine from black tea (ages 4+)
  • Energy+: essential vitamins and minerals, electrolytes, antioxidants and 200 mg of caffeine from green coffee beans (ages 18+)
  • Sports+: electrolytes, amino acids, flavonoids, antioxidants, 100 mg caffeine from green coffee beans and 2 g of organic cane sugar (ages 12+)
  • Immunity+: antioxidants, flavonoids and key minerals (selenium, zinc and boron) (ages 4+)
  • Beauty+: antioxidants, collagen, vitamins and minerals to reduce signs of aging

All you have to do is pop in a Vitapod, press the GO button, and the Vitapod machine does the rest. It is fun to watch the liquid spin around in the clear chamber before it dispenses. My family tried several flavors, including Hydra+ Watermelon, Iced Tea+ Peach and Beauty+ Raspberry Hibiscus. It is so nice to have refreshing and delicious drink options with the touch of a button. I also feel good knowing that these Vitapod beverages contain valuable nutrients that will benefit my family’s health. Also notable is the fact that each Vitapod contains 90% less plastic than a single use plastic bottle and is recyclable.

Where To Purchase a Vitapod Machine & Discount Code

Save $15 on a Vitapod Machine or Vitapod Machine Starter Pack at vitapodworld.com when you use code MOM15. Expires 9/30/21. 

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Liven Up Your Dishes With Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces

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

Earlier this year I had the chance to connect with Thrive Sauce Co. as an Online Nourished Festival blogger. They sent me three of their Asian-Style Sauces to try out:

The versatility of these Thrive sauces is what appeals to me most. As demonstrated below, some of the ways these sauces can be used include as a dipping sauce, a stir-fry sauce or a salad dressing. Thrive sauces are made in Oregon and are vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.

Thrive Sesame Satay Sauce

I added the Thrive Sesame Satay Sauce to some noodles, carrots and spinach for a satisfying vegan lunch.

The first ingredient of this sauce is tahini, which gives it a distinct nutty flavor.

Some other suggested uses for the Sesame Satay Sauce is to use it as a marinade with grilled meats or as a dip with salad rolls.

Thrive Coconut Yellow Curry Sauce

I used the Thrive Coconut Yellow Curry Sauce to make a quick stir fry with chicken breast and spinach. My husband and I enjoy Thai food, but it is not a type of food that I make a lot at home. This sauce is an easy way to add Thai flavors without buying a bunch of different ingredients.

Thrive Sweet-Chili Lemongrass Sauce

Out of the three Thrive sauces that I sampled, the Sweet-Chili Lemongrass Sauce was my favorite. We tried it as a dipping sauce with chicken egg rolls. This sauce has a bright flavor with a spicy kick! I also tried it straight as a salad dressing on some mixed greens and it was delicious.

Where to Purchase Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces

Thrive Sauce Co. is a woman-owned small business that you can feel good about supporting. Their sauces are available for purchase through their online store or at a store near you.

Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win three bottles of Asian-Style Thrive Sauce Co. Sauces!

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Food, Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Grey Ghost Bakery Cookies Make a Great Gift!

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

My husband recently received a thoughtful surprise package in the mail from one of his employer’s business partners. It was a box of a variety of cookies from different bakeries across the United States.

The Lemon Sugar cookies from Grey Ghost Bakery particularly caught our attention. These cookies contain actual lemon zest, which gives them a bright lemon flavor. The pearlized sugar adds a little extra crunch and makes the cookies look nice and festive.

I reached out to Grey Ghost Bakery to see if I could share about their cookies with you. They graciously agreed and sent a gift box sampler with some of their flavors. The flavors currently available on their website are:

The Grey Ghost Bakery cookies arrived carefully packaged and completely intact. I really liked the individually wrapped packages of two cookies, which are just the right size for an afternoon snack. These cookies would make a perfect gift for a teacher, friend, co-worker, or anyone else who deserves a special treat. The small 2-packs are easy to share with others.

All of the Grey Ghost Bakery cookies that we tried have a tender crumb and taste freshly baked. The chocolate chip cookies brought back childhood memories. They pair well with a glass of milk, of course!

Where to Purchase Grey Ghost Bakery Cookies

Grey Ghost Bakery cookies are available for purchase through their online store or at a retailer near you.

Grey Ghost Bakery Cookies Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Grey Ghost Bakery Cookies Sampler Pack!

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