Say Boo! With Pocket Latte

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

As you may recall, I did a review of Pocket Latte not too long ago. These edible coffee squares are the perfect all-natural caffeinated pick-me-up. Each Pocket Latte contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. Pocket Latte comes in four different flavors: Dark Roast, Cream + Sugar, Hazelnut and Lavender Vanilla.

The principal at the school where I work gave the staff a “You’ve Been Booed!” bag of treats, which was such a thoughtful gesture. This made me think about how Pocket Latte would make a great little gift for Halloween. Also, it’s also not too early to start thinking about Christmas stocking stuffers (hint, hint!).

Here is another Halloween-themed packaging idea–BOO!

Where to Purchase Pocket Latte

Pocket Latte can be purchased through their website or at a store near you.

Pocket Latte Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a Pocket Latte box in the flavor(s) of the winner’s choice, stickers, a lanyard, and a Pocket Latte mask. Hurry, this giveaway ends in one week, on Halloween!

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Breakfast and More With Josie’s Best Gluten-Free Mixes

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

I have really been enjoying experimenting with the gluten-free samples I received as an Online Nourished Festival blogger. Gluten-free brands seem to be on the rise and it is exciting that they are becoming more available in the mainstream marketplace.

Josie’s Best Gluten-Free Mixes come in four varieties:

These mixes are non-GMO and manufactured in a dedicated facility that is free from: wheat, gluten (wheat, barley, rye), milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, soy and soybeans, sesame and coconut.

I decided to try out the waffle and the crepe mixes first.

The Josie’s Best Waffle Mix’s main ingredient is brown rice flour. To make the waffles, all you do is add eggs, oil and milk to the waffle mix. When I had my family try the waffles, they could not tell they were gluten-free. The waffles turned out nice and crisp on the outside with a tender inside.

The Josie’s Best Crepe Mix’s main ingredient is sorghum flour. To make the crepes, you just add eggs, water, milk and vanilla–so simple! Crepes are one of those things that I do not make very often, so they feel like a treat. A savory crepe filled with ham, cheese and spinach would also be delicious using this mix.

Where To Purchase Josie’s Best Gluten-Free Mixes

Josie’s Best Gluten-Free Mixes are available at a store near you, or through their website.

Josie’s Best Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a variety pack of Josie’s Best Gluten-Free Mixes: 1 Pancake, 1 Waffle, 1 Muffin & More and 1 Crepe Mix!

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Ka-Pop Puffs Are Highly Pop-Able Snacks

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.

Ka-Pop Snacks sent me samples of their Ka-Pop Puffs as an Online Nourished Festival blogger, and they are one of my favorite new snack finds of 2020.

These delicious puffs are made from sorghum, which is an ancient grain. I did not know much about sorghum, but according to the Ka-Pop website, it is one of the few grains with an edible husk. This helps sorghum retain nutrients that are removed in other grains, such as essential vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and antioxidants. Sorghum is also the 5th most harvested grain in the United States. Who knew?

We received samples of the Cheddar and Cinnamon Churro Ka-Pop Puffs. Ka-Pop also makes Popped Chips and all their snacks are allergen-friendly, gluten-free, paleo, non-GMO and vegan.

The Ka-Pop Cheddar Puffs remind me of some other not-so-healthy cheese puff snacks that my kids like to eat on occasion. These puffs are a more nutritious alternative. They are packed with cheesy flavor and have a light and crispy texture. My family all really enjoyed these puffs, and my kids will be packing them in their school lunches.

The Cinnamon Churro Ka-Pops are also very tasty. Look at how much these pops look like the picture on the package! I was surprised to see that they contain only 3 grams of sugar per serving. I will definitely be looking for these at my local Sprouts.

Where to Purchase Ka-Pop Snacks

Ka-Pop Snacks can be purchased at a store near you, their online store, or Amazon.

Ka-Pop Snacks Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a gift box of Ka-Pop snacks, t-shirt, chip clips, a tote, back to school pencil case & kid’s KaPop! cape (retail value $50)!

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Make Gray Hair Go Away At Home With Gray Away

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Gray Away as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

The last time I had my hair cut and colored was WAY back in the beginning of the year. I usually try to stretch out the time between my appointments as long as I can. In my opinion, the time and effort it takes to go to the salon is just a hassle. However, I never imagined that stay-at-home orders and salon closures would mean that I still have yet to make a second hair appointment in 2020!

In the meantime, those pesky gray hairs continue to pop up with more frequency. If you have the same issue, I have two product recommendations for you: Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer Spray and Gray Away Root Touch-Up Quick Stick.

Both of these products are super easy to use. I really like how the Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer Spray has a super thin nozzle, which allows for precise color application. The Gray Away Root Touch-Up Quick Stick allows for even more precise coverage. It is also convenient as it can be thrown in a make-up bag for on-the-go touch-ups.

For now, my gray hairs tend to congregate at my temples. For the after picture, I used a combination of the Black/Dark Brown Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer Spray and the Root Touch-Up Quick Stick. Using both of these products took literally just a couple of minutes total. The color blends really well and is natural-looking. Both of these products wash out with shampoo.

The Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer Spray and Root Touch-Up Quick Stick are both such great products to have in your haircare arsenal. By reducing the frequency of salon visits, they save valuable time as well as money. With so much going on in our lives, it is nice to find an easy and affordable solution for those annoying gray hairs.

Where to Purchase Gray Away

Gray Away products are available at several retailers, including ULTA Beauty.

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Flax4Life Baked Goods Are Naturally Delicious

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

Since hearing about the health benefits of flaxseed, I have been trying to incorporate it more into my family’s diet. We add it to cereal, oatmeal and yogurt. I have also been adding flax to my favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. Therefore, I was super excited to receive an assortment of muffins and brownies from Flax4Life as a blogger for the Online Nourished Festival.

Flax4Life Muffins

I am a big fan of eating a muffin for breakfast, but oftentimes the ingredients mean you are basically eating a cupcake. This is not the case with Flax4Life muffins. These muffins contain loads of Omega-3’s, fiber and protein. They are nice and moist and have just the right amount of sweetness. The flavor options include:

  • Apple Cinnamon
  • Blueberry
  • Carrot Raisin
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Cranberry Orange
  • Hawaiian Pineapple

Flax4Life Brownies

If you are looking for something a little sweeter, Flax4Life also makes brownies. Each individual pack comes with two mini brownies, perfect for sharing. (They also come in packages of nine). These brownies also contain flaxseed, which means they offer Omega-3’s, fiber and protein. They are a treat you do not have to feel guilty about! Flax4Life brownies come in the following flavors:

  • Cappuccino
  • Chocolate
  • Dark Cherry
  • Mint Chocolate

Even though my family does not follow a gluten-free diet, I am all for increasing our intake of flaxseed. I also appreciate that their products are nut-free, since my kids are allergic to nuts. I have to say that Flax4Life is one of my favorite finds from the Online Nourished Festival!

Where to Purchase Flax4Life

Flax4Life products can be purchased at a store near you or through their online store. I was happy to see that they are available at my local Sprouts store in Southern California.

Flax4Life Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win an assortment of Flax4Life muffins and brownies!

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Metta Gluten-Free Flour Is A Delicious Alternative

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

Today I want to share about another interesting gluten-free find from the Online Nourished Festival: Metta Gluten-Free Flour. Metta’s founder came up with this product after his eight-year old son was diagnosed with a gluten-sensitivity. Since their family enjoyed eating chapatis and rotis (usually made from wheat flour), he wanted to come up with a gluten-free flour alternative.

According to the website, Metta Gluten Free flour is made with nutritionally rich, non-GMO ingredients like sorghum, teff, and flaxseed, while avoiding other common allergens like corn, soy, eggs, dairy, and nuts. 

I tried a recipe for banana muffins from the Metta Gluten Free Flour website.

The Metta flour had a texture very similar to wheat flour. I found it quite easy to bake with. I used two cups of the Metta flour in this recipe, instead of the suggested 1 cup of Metta flour and 1 cup of almond flour.

I decided to pour the muffin batter into my mini loaf pan instead of a muffin tin. The loaves turned a nice golden brown, and had just the right amount of sweetness.

The texture was a little heartier than when I use wheat flour, but the taste was great! I cannot wait to try using Metta Gluten-Free Flour in more recipes.

Currently, Metta Gluten-Free Flour can be purchased through their website. If you or someone you know is looking for a gluten-free flour, check out Metta Gluten-Free Flour!

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The Ritual of Sakura Self-Care

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.

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Coconut Cloud Vegan Hot Cocoa Is Comfort In A Cup

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!

Where to Purchase Coconut Cloud Products

Coconut Cloud products can be purchased at a store near you, through their online store, or Amazon.

Coconut Cloud Vegan Hot Cocoa Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a 12 oz. bag of Original Vegan Hot Cocoa & an 8 count bag of the Single Serve Hot Cocoa Packets.

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Japan Candy Box Offers A Taste of Japan

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!

Japan 111
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!

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Country Life Gut Connection Kids Review

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!

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