PowerBar® Performance Energy Blends Review #IGotItFree

DISCLOSURE: I received samples of PowerBar® Performance Energy Blends from BzzAgent in order to evaluate them and share my thoughts about them.  However, my opinions are always my own since this is a free world and I live in the good ole' USA.

I remember PowerBar from way back in the '90's and they really have expanded the product line since the earlier days.  I love some of the newer PowerBar options including the new PowerBar® Performance Energy Blends.  I always make an effort to eat more natural and/or organic foods when I can. PowerBar® Performance Energy Blends were created for people who workout alot, workout hard or compete.  Perfect for those athletes and fit men and women who are kind of tired of the current gels that are out on the market.  PowerBar® Performance Energy Blends provides quality, natural kinds of energy during hard workouts and endurance activities.


PowerBar® Performance Energy Blends were created for high-endurance athletes looking for different nutrition options to fuel endurance performance:

• fruit-based energy food formulated with PowerBar’s C2Max, 
• 2:1 glucose to fructose blend found to 
• delivers 20-50% more energy to muscles than glucose alone and 
• improve endurance performance by 8% 
•  They’re also a good source of vitamin C.

PowerBar® Performance Energy Blends taste like real food. Wow, what a revolution!
Banana Blueberry and Apple Mango Strawberry both taste like you just pureed them up fresh and sealed them into a pouch. Really yummy and no funny stuff in there either.

Give them a try

#BlackBerryZ10 Keep Moving CrowdTap Party #IWantMyBBZ10 #StoryMaker @VerizonInsider

Disclaimer: I received a BlackBerry Z10, a giftcard and USB branded pens complimentary through CrowdTap in order to review and share my opinions.  As always, my opinions are my own.

#BlackBerryZ10 #IWantMyBBZ10  #StoryMaker @VerizonInsider 
Verizon is celebrating the launch of the sleek new BlackBerry® Z10.  I was lucky enough to be chosen by CrowdTap to receive a brand new  BlackBerry® Z10 to check out for myself and share all the great features with my friends at a get together. We decided to have a dinner out at a casual but fun Turkish restaurant where we could chat, drink some wine and get to know the new BlackBerry® Z10.   Everyone had an opportunity to win a BlackBerry® Z10 of their own by a giveaway on Twitter too! 

Wow, has BlackBerry® come a long way baby!  I was pretty impressed with how light and sleek this new BlackBerry is.  I love the clean look and feel of the phone.   First things first:  no more cumbersome keyboard.  All 100% touch screen now.  Yup, I know....very different in a good way.  The look and feel of the phone is not so different from the high end android or Apple phones you might be familiar with.  The new BlackBerry® Z10 has a really modern look and it is easy to get to know.   You can do everything from the BlackBerry Hub 1-2-3. You can access all of your messages, email and social media updates in the BlackBerry Hub, and respond right away without going back and forth.  Everyone at the party loved that. BlackBerry® Z10 has a easy virtual keyboard and still keeps the BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) that you know and love. The calendar feature is very cool.  You can invite people to a particular type of meeting and the next time you schedule the same type of meeting, BlackBerry will remember the previous people that were invited.  Sweet, right?  Everyone liked the Micro-HDMI port and was pretty impressed with the 8-megapixel camera that actually has built-in editing tools that are super easy to master. 

We ordered a bunch of tapas like appetizers and foods we could share and checked out all the features of the new BlackBerry® Z10 while we ate and had a few glasses of wine. We took some fun pictures and created a little movie with the BlackBerry® Z10 MovieMaker. It was really easy to do and kind of fun.  The MovieMaker app is fairly easy to start using right away and you can really do alot with it. You can flip-flop the order of the pictures and add snippets of video. You can cut bits of video and change the coloration kind of like with Instagram. You can really make something pretty professional if you use all the features. Any which way it is lots of fun!

I gotta say, the lighweight BlackBerry® Z10 and thin frame was popular with the women too....Karen was thinking it really wouldn't weigh down her purse which she liked alot.  The phone is 5.1 inches tall, 2.6 inches wide, and 0.35 inch thick -- only a tiny bit deeper than the iPhone 5. It weighs 4.8-ounces which is in line with the phone's proportions.  Several people commented that they thought the  BlackBerry® Z10 had a much more comfortable grip than the iPhone.  The back of the phone has a bit of texture which helps with the grip.

The BlackBerry Z10 can be snapped right up at Verizon for about $199.00.  You really should consider it...you will enjoy all the new features in line for 2013 and beyond!

Sambazon Greern Moms Meet

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer in order to host a party and share it.  My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.



As a healthy mom who works hard to also keep it fun, I was thrilled to find out I was chosen to sample Sambazon juices and smoothies through my Moms Meet group.  Many of the kids are getting older and want more sophisticated snacks but we still like to keep it healthy.  It was a fun opportunity to introduce some of my mom friends to this great product that can be enjoyable AND healthy for the whole family!

Sambazon generously supplied us with coupons and goodies so that everyone could get to know the products better.  I picked up a bunch of Sambazon at a few different stores.  I found that some stores carried a few varieties and others carried different ones.  I have located them at Walmart, ShopRite, A+P and Whole Foods. I know Kroger and Costco has them as well. It was exciting to see all the options. 

I set out a table with a bunch of Sambazon juices and smoothies and some small cups so everyone could sample and see what they liked.  All of the moms really liked the Energy Mocha Java hands down.  Julie and Barb thought it tasted just like a yummy iced coffee.  Several of the moms agreed that it would be great on those busy mornings instead of coffee...you know you are getting lots of good stuff in your body plus E-N-E-R-G-Y!!  

The Supergreens with Kale & Ginger was also a popular one.  Even several of the kids thought it tasted good. One of my favorites, the Blended Breakfast was also a big hit.  The kids went nuts for this one. I think the light strawberry and banana flavor is perfect for kids and adults. 

The moms all really liked that all the Sambazon products are USDA organic too.  Several of the moms are vegetarian so they were impressed that the products are all vegan. The gluten issue has become big so several moms commented on the fact that Sambazon is totally gluten-free.   The moms in the group were happy to hear that Sambazon is available at the grocery stores they already shop at like A+P, ShopRite, Stop+Shop and more.  It is funny because they are right by the fresh fruits and vegetables though...I reminded everyone so they could find them quickly!

Some key things to know about when you are choosing a juice or smoothie:

• Sambazon juices and smoothies are made with the finest organic AmazonSuperfoods™ on the planet such as Açaí [Ah-sigh-ee], Acerola [Ah-sir-o-la], and Yerba Mate [Yur-ba Mah-tay].

• Their juices and smoothies are available in ten different delicious flavor varieties, and packed with antioxidants and healthy omega 3-6-9s.

• All Sambazon Superfood juices are NON-GMO, USDA organic, vegan, gluten-free, and provide whole food nutrition.

• A bottle of Sambazon Superfood juice (10.5 ounces) retails for $2.99.  Very reasonable considering that it is totally organic too.

They are available in a range of functional flavors providing a variety of health benefits.  I love all the different varieties.  The Sambazon Energy and Blended Breakfast are my two absolute faves but I like them all.  Check them out below:

• Açaí/Antioxidant: This Original Amazon superfood juice is bursting with powerful antioxidants and healthy omegas. It’s a delicious way to combat free radicals and comes in two flavors: Original or Açaí+Blueberry+Pomegranate.

• Energy: This potent blend of Açaí berries, Yerba Mate, and Guarana delivers a whole food experience that boosts the body and mind the way nature intended. Energy is available in two flavors: A rich berry superfood juice blend with 50mg of organic caffeine per bottle, and a new Mocha Java superfood smoothie with 80mg of organic caffeine from fair trade coffee beans, plus a hint of chocolate.

• Protein: These indulgent smoothies are packed with 10g of organic vegan whole food protein per bottle (which helps to build lean muscle) and healthy omegas to keep you full longer. It comes in three yummy flavors: Açaí berry + Vanilla; Açaí berry + Chocolate; Chocolate + Almond + Coconut milk

• Supergreens with Kale + Ginger: This is a potent blend of Açaí berries, a powerful new blend of six varieties, plus a hint of ginger. It delivers around two servings of whole fruits and veggies, without added sugar.

• Blended Breakfast: This is the first beverage to combine whole fruit with ancient grains (like quinoa and amaranth), chia, and Organic/Non-GMO verified soymilk for a smoothie that sustains and nourishes. This delicious strawberry-banana blend is also a good source of fiber (7g per bottle).

You can learn more about Sambazon and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. I love to follow my fave brands like Sambazon on all my social networks. You can find out about coupons, promotions and giveaways first.  

Nude by Rihanna Review

Disclaimer: I received a sample of Nude by Rihanna complimentary through StyleWatch  in order to review it.  As always, my opinions are my own.

I recently received a sample of Nude by Rihanna.   I liked this fragrance and thought it would be appropriate for those hot summer days that are coming up fast. It is sweet though, and I would apply it lightly.  I can see it becoming overpowering if someone goes a bit too heavy.  An interesting blend of notes as you can see below.

I can definitely detect her native flowers and fruits of Barbados interlaced within the layers of guava nectar, mandarin and pear in Nude. The fragrance has a bit of a sultry feel through the blend of orange blossom, gardenia petals and velvet jasmine sambac.  I can detect a bit of the sandalwood and light musk but it is not overpowering.  There is also a hint of vanilla orchid which I love.  Experience Nude by Rihanna with this 3.4 oz Eau de Parfum Spray.