Savvy Sampler R.W. Knudsen all-natural Lemon Lime Spritzer Review

Naturally Savvy had so many complimentary goodies included in my box...one of them that I was particularly excited to see was from R. W. Knudsen.  They included a sample bottle of their Lemon Lime Spritzer.  Lemon-lime is one of my favorite flavors too.  This is a refreshing, sparkling beverage that is all natural with no sugar added. There aren't any artificial sweeteners added either. How refreshing---really!! It is also gluten free.

I have to say the spritzer went down easy and it was really refreshing.  I liked that it also contained 60% juice.  I would look for these the next time I went shopping.  Nice to have for  little refreshing treat sometimes.  I can also see using these as a base for summertime cocktails. Sometimes Glamamama just need a little fancy cocktail on the weekends to relax a little after a hectic week.

Savvy Sampler Oscillococcinum Flu Remedy Review and COUPON!

I was pleased to see a box of Oscillococcinum included in the box of goodies from Naturally Savvy.  It is always good to have an extra box on hand.  I have been using Boiron Oscillococcinum since I was in college and living in Italy. It really helped me through one bad fall episode of flu when I lived abroad. It was my first introduction to homeopathy and it really was a positive one! 

I have used Oscillo so many times for myself and for my family to help us get through the flu. It really seems to help reduce the severity and get us back on our feet sooner!  I keep a little "Flu Emergency Kit" in my home including tissues, Tylenol, Advil (kids and adults), a thermometer and Oscillo so we are prepared for any event.  Let me know if you have any other ideas to add to my emergency kit.  We have been lucky so far this year but so many people have been hit you can be sure I have Oscillococcinum ready in my medicine cabinet just in case.  I have my fingers crossed but as a mom, you always need to be prepared. 

Oscillococcinum is a trusted remedy for helping to reduce the severity and duration of flu like symptoms including body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue.  It is non-drowsy, no side-effects, no drug interactions and it works naturally with your own body.  There are formulations for adults and children alike.  Boiron has been a world leader in homeopathic medicines for years now so you can trust them too.

Oscillococcinum is indicated for adults and children 2 years of age and older. Always consult with your doctor as well.  There is even an offer right now for a $1.00 off coupon on your next purchase so hurry on over and stock up on your Oscillo.

Savvy Sampler RE-BODY Hunger Chews Review

I was kind of fascinated by the RE-BODY Hunger Chews that I received complimentary from Naturally Savvy.  I eat very healthfully and exercise at least 4 times a week but even I, Glamamama, get those unearthly cravings from time to time. Unfortunately, this time of year is rife for those G-dforsaken, never ending tiny little sporadic desires to nibble like a mouse here and there. Maybe this can help me. RE*BODY is an appetite control product that the manufacturer says can help:

• Control hunger and overeating*
• Curb sugar and snack cravings*
• Help inhibit emotional eating impulses*
• The active ingredient Satiereal Saffron Extract 88.5mg
• No fat
• 20 Kcals per serving
• Mandarin Orange  flavor chews

The manufacturer suggests taking one chew twice daily before meals. They do also suggest you combine REBODY with a healthy diet and moderate exercise so I am hopeful.  I do all this.  I tried several chews and they tasted great.  I haven't had any of those tiny little desires for a nibble so I am hoping this will keep up.  I will let you all know.

Late December update: i am just getting around to my December magazines and i read a fascinating article in the December 2012 issue of Shape Magazine. on page 108 they did a nice profile on the founder of Re-Body, Naomi Whittel. you should definitely read it. it adds a lot if credence to this product and makes me more confident in the long term efficacy!  

FYI....This is not a product intended for children or pets.  
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure of prevent any disease. 

***************************************************************************

Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips Starter Kit Review

Now you all know how Gel Nails are so in! But they are SOOOO expensive!  Who can really afford $30 and up every 2-3 weeks?  I love that Sally Hansen knows the ladies need a beautiful mani that stays on up to 2 week with no maintenance!  They created the Sally Hansen Gel manicure kit to keep us beautiful and save us money! 

You can have beautiful nails in just minutes with Sally Hansen’s new Salon Insta-Gel Strips. The starter kit includes everything you need!
The Fast & Easy 2 Step Gel Manicure gives you:

• Up to 2 week wear

• No dry time

• Available in 24 fun colors and patterns

 
I was so excited to learn about Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips through my relationship with StyleWatch Style Hunters.  
Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips Starter Kit™ includes everything you need for a long-lasting manicure: mini LED Lamp with Auto-Timer, Gel Top Coat, 16 Gel Polish Strips, 2 Nail Cleanser Pads, Cuticle Stick, File & Buffer. I love that there is no dry time and is vailable in 24 fun colors and patterns.  A few of them are pictured here.
 

See how easy it is to apply them in this video:



See how easy it is to remove them in the other video:



Let me know what you think. I think it is great that we can have beautiful nails and do it fast and easy at home!

Savvy Sampler Teeccino and TeeChia Review

I always think I am such a savvy Glamamama.  We eat healthy here in my home, we exercise and I shop at Trader Joes and Whole Foods in addition to my regular grocery stores.  Everytime I work with the ladies at Naturally Savvy, I find exciting new products to add to my healthy roster of foods!  This week was no exception either. I received a big box chock full of great new products to try thanks to their Savvy Sampler program.  Let me share them with you:

I sampled several varieties of Teeccino Herbal Coffee in French Roast Organic, Mocha, Chocolate and Vanilla Nut. Teeccino is a yummy herbal alternative to caffeinated coffee.  Teeccino is made from a nutritious blend of Mediterranean herbs, grains, fruits and nuts that are roasted and ground to brew and taste like coffee. Teeccino is naturally caffeine free and non-acidic.  It comes in "Tee-bags" so it is super easy to make.  The manufacturer suggests pouring boiling water over the Tee-bag in a cup.   I made a cup in the evening a few nights in a row by boiling water and pouring it over the Vanilla Nut Tee-bag.  I added some milk too. I also tried the French Roast Organic that came in a big bag and brewed it in my reusable K-Cup in my Keurig machine. It smelled wonderful. It was a nice, relaxing drink in the evening both ways I made it. I would definitely buy this because I don't like caffeine at night but I love a warm drink before bed.  I have to say it tasted very flavorful and creamy...it tasted almost like a regular coffee.

You can also enjoy Teeccino iced which also might be good in the summer..I would drink it mid-morning or in the evening. It would also be great for anyone that is pregnant and avoiding caffeine. I like that it is rich in inulin, a soluble fiber in chicory roots that helps to improve digestion and elimination plus it helps to make sure your calcium and minerals are properly absorbed. It is also gluten free and certified Kosher by Kof-K. It is also certified organic. There are a bunch of other flavors and brews to choose from including Java (Medium Roast), Original (Light Roast), Chocolate Mint, Almond Amaretto and more so check them out for yourself.

I also checked out another product called TeeChia High Performance Super Seeds Cereal. I received the Blueberry Date flavor and the Cinnamon Cranberry.  This cereal is gluten free with no sugar added. It has 6g fiber per serving and is replete with 1100mg ALA Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It is a real powerhouse of a way to start your day.  TeeChia is jam packed with chia, flax, quinoa, amaranth, ramon and pumpkin seeds.  It is a fast way to get nutrition into your day.  I tried both with their suggested preparation method...putting about 1/3 cup TeeChia in a bowl and adding 1/2 cup hot water. You can also use cold water and just add a little more water.  I stirred it and let it sit for a minute. I then added some Greek yogurt and a little milk. It tasted yummy and a little sweet. I noticed that there is also dates and dried fruit in there so I like that the sweetness is all natural. I was energized all morning and felt great after eating it. I enjoyed it a few more times this week for breakfast as well. You can buy it on their TeeChia website or you can find it locally here.

Let me know what you think!   

Doc McStuffins Doctor Bag Set Review

I recently attended The Big Toy Book Biggest Day of Holiday Play #TBTBholiday in New York City.  One of the toys that caught my eye was part of the very popular Doc McStuffins series.  All of the little ones that I know in the pre-school and early elementary schools LOVE Doc McStuffins including my own little one!  This set is so adorable too.  It has tons of great doctor stuff for hours of pretend play:

• Doctor's Bag
• Sticker Sheet
• Play Otoscope
• Play Thermometer
• Play Syringe
• Play BP Cuff
• Magical Light up Play Stethoscope
• Play Bandage cuff

You should have seen my little when she saw this set.  She has always loved to play doctor so I knew it was going to be a hit.   She thought the pink sparkle and purple doctor's bag was the best ever...I have to say I thought it was pretty fashionable too. Maybe Doc McStuffins should start designing some REAL doctor's bags too--I bet they would sell better than iphone cases.  We all got our "flu shots" with the play syringe and then she made sure that my heart was still ticking...thank goodness it was!  She checked our ears and our blood pressure too---good thing my stress level was low that day! Later that afternoon she had a playdate and the kids were having a ball taking turns being Doc McStuffins and the "patient."  

I love these kinds of toys because they really encourage creative play.   We all want to seek out toys that encourage creative play instead of too much screen time but it can be a challenge sometimes.  This is an easy and fun way to promote good play time.  Another advantage to this set is that everything can be packed right up in the little sparkly pink and purple Doc McStuffins doctor bag and toted anywhere you like.  It requires 3 LR44 batteries that are included in the set (yay!!!). It is recommended for ages 3+.  I noticed that it did not have any small parts which is wonderful too. This would be a great car toy or restaurant toy for that very reason.  You can find it at ToysRUs, Target, FAO Schwartz and Kmart as well as other fine retailers of toys.

Disclaimer:  I received the item complimentary in order to provide a review.  As always, all my opinions are my own.

Triple Action Purex Baby Formula Giveway and Review

I love those fresh, clean baby clothes that are free of stains and all those everyday accidents...it is so hard to keep them stain free and not spend a ton...up until now. NEW Purex Triple Action Baby ® gently but thoroughly cleans all those adorable baby clothes!  It is hard to find a good laundry detergent.  I love that I can always count on Purex and now Purex Triple Action Baby too! The best part is that it leaves your clothes fresh and soft too!  I think it is one of the best laundry detergent options out there!

The newest Purex® detergent Triple Action Purex® Baby is hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested too. The great part is that it also works so well against stains! Triple Action Purex Baby laundry detergent powered all the yucky stains that I needed right out.  All Purex liquid detergent products provide excellent cleaning performance and stain removal. Purex Baby detergent is also formulated to be gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin.

Purex has a great Oh Baby Giveaway now IN ADDITION to my giveaway below.
3 lucky winners will each receive a grand prize of $500! An additional 250 winners will win free Purex Baby Detergent too.  Don't forget to enter both...ya never know!

Enter to win a free coupon for a bottle of Purex Triple Action Baby laundry detergent and see for yourself!

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Akodomon AppGear Review..Great Christmas Stocking Stuffer!

I recently was lucky enough to recently attend an event hosted by The Big Toy Book in NYC and was introduced to several great toys and games.  One of them was a fun game by WowWee and AppGear.  You couldn't help but get excited by Akodomon when you saw how enthusiastic the representatives for AppGear were! It was clear that they really loved gaming and toys and had their hearts in the right place with the things that they created.

Akodomon are these small little creatures that harbor big 'ole secrets.  Who doesn't love trying to find out a secret?  You have to help them find out the secrets of their true powers.  Along the way you go on exciting quests, engage in epic battles, discover hidden areas all in order to help restore peace to the beautiful land of Akodomon. Achievements along your journey let you collect coins to spend and hunt for special gems, which give you magical powers.  It is really fun to play.

Each of the characters has their own special skill too:

• Shara:  sword skills and fighting technique

• Gongo: skilled with the boomerang and stubborn

• Tiko:  the slingshot is his weapon of choice

• Snubbs: super long and dexterous tongue

• Zira:fast and accurate shot with blow darts

• Stig:  powerful and fierce with a spear

You must raise and train your Akodomon properly. You raise them, train them to excel in their adventures and battles and then watch them succeed. Your success in properly raising and interacting with your Akodomon actually determines what kind of creature it will evolve into which is amazing.

I would definitely recommend this enjoyable game for any boy or girl 9+.  If you are looking for a Christmas gift, Akodomon is a great stocking stuffer at $9.99 you can't beat the value.  You can find out more about where to buy Akodomon here. Don't forget to follow AppGear on Facebook and Twitter.

Multiplayer battles can take place over local Wi-Fi or online. Compatible for iPod touch, iPhone and Android. You can battle in Multiplayer mode with Wi-fi or online.  Designed for ages 9 years and up.


Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of Akodomon from AppGear. As always, all opinions are my own.

Koosh Galaxy Star Scout Foam Ball Blaster Review #TBTBholiday

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend a wonderful pre-holiday event for bloggers through The Big Toy Book Biggest Day of Play.  It was a super fun day with great toys! One of the toys I was introduced to was from the new Hasbro Koosh Galaxy series launcher line called the Star Scout.  Hasbro has tons of great outdoor toys for children, including the new Koosh Galaxy series launchers. The great part is that they are specifically designed with younger kids in mind.  Each ball launcher in the KOOSH Galaxy series is sized for those smaller hands and encourages imagination and active play.  We all want our kids to be more active and this is a sneaky fun way to get them to run around with each other and get some good exercise at the same time. 

I have to say my own little big one eyed it right away and couldn't wait to get outside and start blasting. She was running around like a kook having a great time.  The one thing that I will do this week though is to buy extra foam balls in addition to buying a second blaster. The Star Scout only comes with two balls which really isn't enough. Maybe I will just buy them online as well on Koosh.


The Koosh Galaxy launchers are also perfect for younger children who have older siblings who enjoy Nerf products. Now everyone can get it on the fun with no worries.  The balls are super soft foam and do not hurt even if they hit you very close.
There are four launchers in the Koosh Galaxy series including Space Agent,  Star Scout, Alien Archer, and Solar Recon Ball Launchers. Each launcher comes with two to four soft foam Koosh balls There are four blasters in the Koosh Galaxy series including Space Agent, Alien Archer, Star Scout and Solar Recon Ball Launchers.
See the entire line of Koosh Galaxy Blasters, accessories and refills on the official website!  While the new series was designed for kids 4 and up, older sibs will have fun playing with the Koosh Galaxy series launchers too.

 I received a complimentary Koosh Galaxy Star Scout from Hasbro Nerf for review purposes. My opinions and comments on this blog are, as always, my own.

The Big Toy Book Biggest Day of Holiday Play #TBTBholiday

I was so excited to be a part of The Big Toy Book Biggest Day of Holiday Play #TBTBholiday in New York City.  There were so many wonderful brands and toys it was an incredibly exciting day.  I felt like a little kid again!  All the kids had a great time and it was fun to see them engaging with all the fantastic toys.

Some of the toys that really caught my eye were the Mystixx® Vampires.  The line has four really cool looking fashion dolls that are have tons of friends at school but they transform into these powerful vampire dolls at night.   Mystixx® Vampires are gorgeous 11" fashion dolls that can flip at the touch of your little one's hand. The faces actually flip around so they are essentially a two-in-one doll!  

Each doll in the collection has two totally different faces and one is has funky vampire teeth.  Each doll has two outfits and two sets of shoes, two different wigs, and a variety of accessories.  They retail for a very reasonable $19.99.  You can buy Mystixx  exclusively at Toys ‘R’ Us® and on their website toysrus.com.  They are meant for and are children ages six and up.  My 3rd grader was totally entranced by the Talin Mystixx Vampire doll she received.  You can get more information here. 

The Boogie Board LCD eWriter was one of the most interesting toys that I saw on Saturday. I had never heard of it before and was pretty much fascinated by the technology. It is essentially a "green", electronic paperless way to keep notes, draw or doodle while saving tons of wasted paper. It was fun and easy to use.  I liked that the stylus moved very smoothly across the Boogie Board.  

The Boogie Board will let you can say goodbye to looking for another memo pad to take down a phone number or scribble a reminder to buy milk...again.  The Boogie Board could definitely be a toy with all those bright, colors but they also have a business appropriate white model.  Sleek black is another option too.  You can really write, draw, play games, solve problems, or even have your little one practice those times tables.  Whatever you can do with a piece of paper and a writing instrument you can do with the Boogie Board and do it in a more eco-friendly way! 

I was impressed with how light and thin the Boogie Board was.  It is constructed very durably so you can feel confident letting it keep the kids busy during downtimes.  They are available everywhere from Amazon to Walmart and ToysRUs. 

Lite Brix Lazer Copter

I have always been kind of fascinated with anything that shines or glitters so I was attracted to the beautiful colored lights coming from the LiteBrix booth.  I received the Lazer Copter which rebuilds into two different models.  How fantastic is that?  You can take it apart and refashion it into a Patrol Sled so it is a 2 in 1 toy...a bonus I love.  LiteBrix is a fun 3-D light up building set.  It was easy to put the helicopter together and my 3rd grader had a lot of fun with it. We all loved the color changing LED lights.  Perfect for the Christmas season too!  The wonderful part is that the bright LED lights are compatible with other building bricks.  

Light Brix is intended for children 3 years old and up because there are small parts.  You also will need 3 AA batteries and a phillips head screwdriver to gets those lights going. Easy enough but good to know while you are in the store that is why I shared! Once you put your LiteBrix set together they cycle through 3 different blinking colors. It was so cool to watch too! 

The other Light Brix models include a super Jet Fighter, a Lumi Star Racer, a space trooper and a Lumi-cycle. You can collect them all.  You can find them everywhere from Amazon and ToysRUS to Barnes and Noble.

You can check out these toys and more at The Big Toy Book.  It is a great way to get some novel ideas for those children's Christmas gifts!

Ella's Kitchen Organic Baby Food Review

I recently was lucky enough to recently attend an event hosted by The Big Toy Book in NYC and was introduced to a ton of great toys and games.  I was interested in another company that was there as well but with food instead of toys. Healthy and yummy baby food.  Wow. You can't beat that combination. This was my first introduction to Ella’s Kitchen Organic Baby food.   The history of the company started with a real "Ella" and her Dad. He wanted to create healthy, yummy, fun food for Ella.  They developed an incredible line of yummy products that are good for your little ones AND taste good. I loved them they were that good.

The products have unique and actually sophisticated combos of flavors and textures that you can almost forget they are meant for babies. They are all yummy and nutritious too which is super important to me.

All Ella’s Kitchen products are 100% Organic. This also means that they have higher levels of Vitamin C and essential minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Chromium. The products contain no additives.  You are getting pure, healthy food.  There arent any thickeners or preservatives or even added sugar. Their flavors are fun and kind of kooky in a good way:  broccoli, pears and peas, apples and bananas and carrots apples and parsnips to mention a few.  I tried them all and I tell you they are really good. My little niece and daughter slurped them right down.

I noticed on their website that they also have meals like the Hugely Hearty Four Bean Feast, fruit smoothies, adorable little baby cookies and whole grain fruit bars.  Ellas products are convenient too since none of them require refrigeration (whoo-hoo!) and can pop right into a purse, diaper bag, or even a lunch box.  They flash pasteurizing their fruits and veggies, creating contaminant–free, healthy, tasty and safe products for kids that have a super long shelf life. I love it!

You can buy Ella's Kitchen products on Diapers.com, Target, BabiesRUs, Amazon.com, Ella’s Online Store. I totally recommend their products to all parents, whether your kid is in diapers, training pants or big kid underwear. It is great way to introduce solid food to your babies, and are definitely the kind of products that will grow with your developing child. Check ‘em out!  You’ll be glad you did.

Yummy Dough Christmas Giveaway and B1G1 Free Code

I was excited to get introduced to Yummy Dough this past weekend at The Biggest Day of Holiday Play in New York City.  Yummy Dough is just as colorful and fun to play with as the brands you grew up with but with a huge added advantage....it is dough that meant to be eaten! Additional information is included on their website about the ingredients and as you can see there is no funny business going on which makes me feel good as a Mom.  The thing is, it really tastes yummy.  My little one taste tested the samples I brought home and she was fascinated.   She started playing with the dough and shaping it immediately.  She found it very easy to create and shape the dough but I had to keep begging her not to eat it all nibble at it. 

I was impressed that Yummy Dough has also won a bunch of international toy awards as well.  I am not surprised though--it truly marries a classic kid's activity with a snack and a mom's peace of mind!

• 2007 “Anuga Taste Award” in Germany
• 2010 “Grand prix de la Presse” in France
• 2010 “Toy of the Year” in Australia
• 2010 ”Toy Star Award” in China
• 2011 "Hobby Award" in Japan

It is easy to get the kids set up to snack and play too...all you do is add the prescribed amount of water and stir it up and then knead it. The colors are bright and cheery and make it fun to mold and shape. The dough I received was already prepared so I didn't get to do the fun mixing and kneading part though. It looks so exciting.  Check this out:  when you open the bucket you mix the dough with the water it is the beginning of the excitement.  The powder looks white but when you add the water and start mixing the color just starts appearing like magic!  How fantastic is that?  You know your kids are going to go bonkers from the first second they see that.  You gently knead the dough and it becomes smooth and the colors develop.  You can shape and mold the dough or even bake it if you like so you have the best of both worlds!  Kids can safely eat it raw or cooked.  This is great to get the kids involved with "baking" which you are trying to get all YOUR holiday baking done too. 

If you would like some fun ideas for Yummy Dough Christmas crafts and designs or Birthday crafts and designs you can check them out here too.  There are tons!  

The best part now....drumroll...just for the holidays I am going to let you in on the secret code for getting two containers of Yummy Dough for the price of one. Yup. Buy one get one free!  B1G1 code is BOGODOUGH and it is good until 1/7/2013.  You can go to the website here to redeem your code.

Let me know what you think!  Meanwhile don't forget to enter the contest and win your own bucket of Yummy Dough in my Rafflecopter giveaway below.
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