Hill's ideal balance Pet Food #idealbalance #PetFoodCrew

Disclosure: I received Hill's ideal balance products and samples complimentary through Crowdtap in order to provide my own unbiased review and share with my friends. As always, the opinions here are my own.

A dog's health starts with good quality food like Hill's ideal balance. It is all about a healthy lifestyle! Treats are included in a healthy lifestyle for pets too.  How lucky can you get when your sweet Beau gets a big ole box of Hill's ideal balance to share with his doggie friends? We received an awesome box from Hill's and Crowdtap including the following items:

1 bag of Grain Free Natural chicken and Potato Recipe Dry Food
1 can Grain Free Braised Salmon Recipe Wet Food
1 bag Soft-Baked Naturals with Duck and Pumpkin Treats
1 Coupon Booklet with $20 in Savings
1 Hill's Ideal Balance Retractable Leash

Beau decided he wanted to share with his little friends.  His best friends are Portia and Sammie, a mom and her son. They love to play together and Bob brings them by almost every day.  It was so funny, as soon as Portia and Sammie saw the Hill's food they went kind of nutty.  They went all crazy when I opened up the treats. All three of the dogs were racing around the yard chasing after the treats. 

Bob agreed with me that Hill's Ideal Balance dog food is a high quality product. It is a grain-free dog food. Bob and his wife Teresa have switched around a few times and are pretty particular on the quality of their food. Bob liked that the treats had pumpkin in them. The dogs really seem to enjoy foods that have pumpkin and he feels like it is healthy for them. The other thing we both agreed was a good thing was that Hill's Ideal Balance food  contain no grain. We think is easier for the dogs to digest.  We both appreciate that Hill's pet food is made in the USA. I always try to support businesses that are based here. It just makes good sense.  

Beau also loves Miss Addie. She doesn't live so close so we don't get to see her as often but I decided I would share the coupons with my friend Lynn so Addie could try some of the goodies too. Lynn and I talk often so I told her about the exciting box that Beau and I received.  She was laughing when I told her Beau wanted to share the coupons with Addie so she could try some of the yummy food and delicious treats. She was excited to get the coupons though and she found the Hill's treats this week. She told me that Miss Addie really liked them and the girl's had her running all over to fetch them.  

Hill's Ideal Balance contains the perfect combination of nutrients keeps your pet's weight steady. That is important for their long term health.   At Hill's, they have a whole  team of specialized pet nutritionists who use only natural ingredients to create recipes with optimal levels of over 50 nutrients. This provides the perfect balance of nutrition for your dog's health-nothing more, nothing less. At the same time it tastes yummy so your dog will gobble it up.

If you would like to have the opportunity to sample and share other great brands you can sign up for Crowdtap yourself.  I’ve been a member of Crowdtap for several years now and there are always great opportunities for sample shares, gift cards and more.

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.