Saturday, July 12, 2014

Choosing Summer Chocolate Smoothies or Chocolate Banana Muffins? Easy with Organic Cacao Powder! #FreedomSuperfoods



Summer means smoothie time for our family. We love smoothies but I don't love all those commercial ones out there. Who the heck knows what is in some of them?  The ones with posted ingredients just make me uncomfortable. I don't like all those crazy chemicals and additives.  I prefer to use natural products and even better--organic.  I recently tried Raw Organic Cacao Powder.  I love this dark natural, unsweetened cold pressed and delicious cacao powder for smoothies and even for my yummy chocolate banana muffins.  Freedom Superfoods crafted a non-dutched, non-alkalized cacao powder that is derived from non-fermented beans. It is perfect for any of your homemade recipes. The data is out there about how healthy dark chocolate is for you. Well, pure natural cacao is an antioxidant superfood rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, copper other nutrients.  I totally believe a little bit of chocolate can help keep you happy, healthy and energized, not to mention relaxed. Don't deprive yourself. 
 
Freedom Superfoods Organic Cacao Powder tastes yummy and blends well.  All you need is just one tablespoon to give you that delicious dark chocolate flavor. Sometimes I just add a tablespoon to my almond milk after my workout for a pick-me-up.  My little one loves my Cacao-Banana Frozen Smoothies.  Easy and healthy. I wasn't too surprised to read that other devotees said it "smells like chocolatey heaven!" That is pretty accurate I would have to say.  You can use it for raw treats or even baked treats.  It makes really good homemade chocolate or mocha.  It has a smooth rich dark texture that works well in just about any recipe sweet or savory.  This organic cacao powder is rich in nutrients, minerals and flavonoids.  It is also very alkalizing. What this means is that many people notice improved sleep and energy as a result.



Freedom Superfoods only sources from small sustainably run family owned farms in the most secluded, untouched, ancient rainforest in remote parts of the Dominican Republic. The result is the purest of raw organic cacao powder.  They take this organic cacao powder and process it in their FDA approved facility free of the 8 major allergens including gluten.  This is wonderful for my family and friends that need to cook and bake gluten-free. They can still enjoy all their favorite sweet treats.


Freedom Super Foods Organic Cacao Powder is delivered in a heavy-duty, re-sealable stand-up pouch. This makes it easy to store in my baking cabinet and it doesn't take up much space. It also helps the cacao to stay fresh longer. Freedom Super Foods provides a  60 day, no questions ask money back guarantee. They really want you to be happy. Try it for yourself and see what you think.    

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

La Deessa Premium Anti Aging Elixir 20% Vitamin C Serum Review + Giveaway #ladeessa



Vitamin C serum serum really makes a difference in how my skin looks. La Deessa
Premium Vitamin C serum offers ladies like me many benefits when you use it regularly. Things that mean a lot like improved firmness and elasticity, brighter skin, diminished age spots and hyperpigmentation. I am over 40 and I need to be attentive with my skin care. Vitamin C Serums help a lot. La Deessa even shared with me that you can experience repair from sun damage by using their Vitamin C Serum regularly.  They also pointed out that you can also protect your skin from future damage and signs of aging.  Vitamin C is a powerful skin care tool and La Deessa makes an excellent quality product. When my friends compliment my skin, I always tell them that I am quite careful with protecting it every single day with a SPF 30 day cream at minimum. Even under my makeup. If my body is exposed it is protected as well with sunscreen.  I think you see more benefit from great products like La Deessa Premium Anti-Aging Elixir if you protect your skin regularly.  Who doesn't want improved skin tone and texture?  But you do have to help your skin and your products by doing your part with taking care every day.


This Vitamin C Serum has some powerful anti-aging benefits.  La Deessa told me that it actually stimulates collagen production.  I know I have seen my skin tone and texture improve even in the short time I have been using it so far. I have been applying it in the morning and at night.  Just a bit will work beautifully. My skin looks brighter and the dark circles are less prominent under my eyes.  That is a huge blessing. My sister swears by it too. With continued use skin can appear more hydrated and wrinkles can be reduced. I am in it for the long run because I want to see restoration of the elasticity. Vitamin C Serum can also help shrink pores, treat acne, prevent breakouts and even help minimize scars and hyperpigmentation. Of course nothing happens immediately overnight but I started to see a difference after a few days.

I really like that La Deessa products are made in the USA with 98% Natural and 72% organic ingredients.  This is a product that is free of alcohol, parabens and sulfates too. Big smiley face for that. It is never tested on animals and La Deessa Vitamin C Serum is produced in their own FDA registered USA based laboratory.  Yup, made in the good old USA. I prefer to support the small companies that support our economy. 

A few tidbits about the ingredients for my readers that like to read.  This serum is a colorless oily liquid that is mildly soluble in water. Phenoxyethanol included in the ingredients of this advanced serum is derived from flower extracts. It does not release formaldehyde. It is a weak biocide, most active against gram-negative bacteria.
Instead of using synthetic parabens to preserve and enhance La Deessa chooses ethel-hexl-glycerin, a globally used and approved synthetic emollient that is also derived from plant extracts.  The addition of ethyl-hexyl-glycerin affects the inter-facial tension at the cell membrane of microorganisms. In other words it works in synergy with phenoxyethanol to keep your product fresh and active until the last drop is applied. La Deessa shared with my that data has proven it to be safe for even sensitive skins in minute amounts. It is at the end of the very end of our ingredient list and it just enough to be effective.


LaDeessa products are backed by their 365-day Money Back Guarantee. If you aren't completely satisfied, simply contact them and they will give you a full refund within one year of your original date of purchase.
Of course you can find La Deessa Premium Anti Aging Elixir 20% Vitamin C Serum right on Amazon.  Shopping these days is so easy with my Amazon.

Don't forget to enter to win your own bottle on my Rafflecopter giveaway.  a Rafflecopter giveaway


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Using Australian Tea Tree Oil in skin care and home care: a blog review #teatreeoil



Tea tree oil should not be taken orally. Always check with your physician before using any supplement product and specifically Tea Tree Oil. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition.  Keep out of reach of children.
I have been using Tea tree oil for a number of years now but I never knew the history behind it. I also never realized how many different ways you can use it.  The practice of using tea tree oil actually hails from Australia.  The Aborigine tribes used it historically as an antiseptic to treat cuts and burns years and years. The oil is actually steamed and distilled from the leaves of a Melaleuca alternifolia tree or "tea tree."  Tea tree oil caught on with mainstream Australian doctors and became the antiseptic of choice for them. The popularity of tea tree oil but has gained popularity again in recent years as people realized how many different ways you can use it on your body and in your home. 


You can use Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil to make your own shampoo, lotion, soap, face cleaner, body wash, and even toothpaste.

  Think about how you can stop polluting your home with chemicals and make all natural household cleaners, detergents, shower sprays, bathroom disinfectants, and kitchen sprays.

 Every large 4 ounce bottle comes with a complimentary 100 Page Guide with amazing recipes and ideas. Apothecary Extracts provides you with tons of useful ways to use tea tree oil to improve your life and replace harmful cleaners around the house. Many brands of essential oils are diluted to cut costs. Apothecary Extracts insist on the absolute best quality.  They even share their lab tests to prove the absolute purity of their tea tree oil. They have shared the test results with me below.


I really like the huge bottle which lasts forever. The large sized bottle lets me be creative and use it all around the house.  I even picked up some extra spray bottles and created some cute labels on my computer.  I made some extra Tea Tree Oil cleaners to bring down to our beach house.  I feel more confident when the bath and kitchen smell clean and fresh but natural.  Even my sister in law commented on my new cleaner that I left down at the beach house.  She said she thought it was a super idea to make it myself.
Here is an easy recipe for a great natural exfoliator from the skin care guide:

Tea Tree Skin Exfoliator


1 cup pure coconut butter
10 drops Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil
1/2 cup whole raw almonds

Place almonds in a food processor and pulse about 5 to 8 times, until there are tiny pieces remaining but not until you have a fine powder of milk. Add almonds to coconut butter and tea tree oil until blended.

APPLY IT: Rub scrub into face and body in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water and pat skin dry.

You can find Australian Tea Tree Oil on Amazon and have it in your home in a flash to use in dozens of different ways. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Relax and be calm naturally with Lavender Essential Oil: a review #bestlavender


I love using essential oils and have a stash of different scents that really help to make me feel good.  I love lavender because it is one of my faves to use in the evening or when work gets out of hand. It allows me to easily control stress and restore some balance and happiness to my day naturally.  Aromatic lavender is just an intoxicatingly divine oil from direct from my best friend Mother Nature herself. 


It is no surprise that lavender oil is becoming very popular with all the stress we have going on in our lives. Many of my friends use it with success too.  The smaller bottle tucks right into your purse too. I recently tried what the company shared with me as the #1 best selling Lavender Essential Oil out there on Amazon. This is authentic premium lavender oil that is therapeutic grade, 100% natural, pure, undiluted and chemical-free.  I like that and feel comfortable using it on my body and breathing it in.  When I use lavender essential oil I feel like I have a natural pharmacy at my little fingertips.  You can use it in tons of different ways each and every day. 

Traditional Uses for this luxurious Lavender Oil:

• Relax! Release stress, tension, anxiety *Aromatherapy*
•Rub on temples to ease headaches
•Soothe irritated skin (acne, cuts, sores, scars, stretch marks, itching, athlete's foot)
•Skin burns (stop blistering, faster healing)
•Rub under nostrils to ease nausea
•Clear oily skin
•Super immune-booster (anti-microbial   for bacteria, virus, and fungus)
•Tranquil sleep
•Ease common allergy, cold symptoms
•Insect bite relief, repellent


I like that this brand has superior potency and quality.  This is the only lavender out there that the company has shared with me that uses gentle super-critical steam distilled extraction. This ensures quality and the highest potency. It smells natural and not too floral and definitely not like chemicals. Sometimes I will blend it with other oils as well and it mixes perfectly. I really like that it is made in USA-GMP Certified too.

Control stress and boost your happiness naturally with an excellent true lavender product  "lavandula officinalis."You can buy it right on Amazon and save yourself time and money.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.