{Product Review} Rootology Natural Allergy Remedy!

Note:  The items in this review were provided to me by Rootology for the purpose of this review.  However, the opinions expressed here were in no way influenced by Rootology.  This review represents my honest opinion about the products.

I got a free sample of Rootology last fall, but didn't have a need for it, since my allergies tend to flare mostly in the spring/summer. But, as soon as I started getting stuffy and icky this spring, I dug it out. I only had one dose, but was hooked immediately!

I emailed Rootology and asked if they would sponsor a giveaway for y'all. They happily said 'yes' and sent me a whole bottle to try and some samples to hand out. 

I generally refuse to take OTC/Rx meds unless I'm on death's door, so the idea of a natural option that actually works is so exciting! This one's an herbal blend with some vitamin C and D mixed in (not my favorite form of VitD, but you can't win them all).

My allergies have been strange this year. My nose has been stuffy and my ears have had a lot of pressure (drainage, yum!). The past couple of years, I've just suffered through the symptoms, but within 30 minutes of taking the 2-pill dose, I'm all but cleared up! LOVE it! 

I handed the sample packets out to several different people, and only one said she didn't feel a difference. One of my friends called me a few hours later to ask where I got those "magic pills" I gave her! Luckily, a 20-dose bottle costs about $15, and you can get free shipping through Amazon!

ALSO, the folks over at Rootology are giving y'all a couple of free bottles to try for yourself! I can't wait to hear if it is as amazing for you as it is for me!


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{Product Review} Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

I'm so happy that you've found my little corner of the Internet :) There's quite a bit here to explore, so please have a look around! Also, I'd love it if you would join us over on Facebook:

If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I love coconut oil. Ok, love may not be strong enough. I ADORE coconut oil! We eat it on toast instead of butter, I sub it for butter in recipes (popcorn, carrot cake, chocolate cookies, burger buns...), I use it as a hair mask, I slather it on as a moisturizer, and I've even replaced my face wash with it - but more on that later.

Tropical Traditions came across my hair treatment post (which went super viral on Pinterest!), and offered to send me a jar of their fancy coconut oil. They said I was under no obligation to review the product, write a positive review, or sponsor a product giveaway in return for receiving the free product, but they wanted me to give their coconut oil a try. Not being one to say not to freeness, I accepted :)

I didn't really expect there to be much of a difference in the Tropical Traditions coconut oil and the brands that I usually use, but it actually was a nicer product. The texture is creamier, and the smell is a bit more potent. I'm not sure if I'm crazy about it for frying eggs, but it makes a heck of a toast spread and is really nice for cosmetic uses!


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Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA doesn't let us discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is a great website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

{Product Review} Ceramcor Xtrema 10" Skillet!

I gave away/threw away all of my nonstick pans a few years ago.  Something about nonstick cookware just bothers me.  It's super chemical-laden and usually doesn't hold up without flaking and scratching.  I am way too rough on my pots and pans to worry about scratches and overheating and hand washing...  I've been using Calphalon stainless steel pots and pans since I ditched the nonstick.  I really am a fan of stainless - mostly because it's so durable.  However, I've recently come across several sources that are saying that the metal does leach into food from stainless cookware.  ARGH.  I know we can't avoid everything, but if there's a better option then why not try?

When Ceramcor requested that I review their skillet, I was really excited about getting to try their all-natural cookware.  I instantly checked their pricing and thought that it was more than I would probably ever spend on cookware, but the product was just so intriguing.  The website and other promo materials really talk a big game.  I am a major propaganda cynic, so I wasn't counting on the pan to work the miracles that it claims to work. 

The cookware is lighter than it looks.  It actually has a cast iron look and feel to it, but it weighs significantly less.  The surface is shiny and pretty (and still all 100% ceramic).  The entire skillet is one piece, so I'll never have to worry about the handle coming loose. 

Ok, so it looks good, but can it hold its own on the stove?  Oh my holy moly - yes!  I've never been so impressed by a kitchen item ever.  EVER!  The pan takes a few minutes to get really hot, but it holds the heat amazingly well once its heated.  I wouldn't say that the surface is "non-stick" but it certainly is stick-resistant.  I made a quick tomato cream sauce in it (jarred organic pasta sauce + a dash of cream and garlic) and was super surprised that nothing was scorched at the bottom.  I even tossed in some chicken and whole wheat pasta and then baked it for a short bit.  The food slid right out with no problem!

 

 

Somehow, the pan gets really hot, but it keeps foods from burning (it's not fail proof, but it really is a forgiving pan!).  The bits that didn't pour right out of the pan, came out with one swipe of a Scotch-Brite sponge - just like magic!  It literally goes from super dirty pan to super shiny pan in less than a minute. 

I also loved that I can use anything in it without worrying about scratches.  I used a metal whisk when I made my bacon scalloped potatoes, and it is still pristine.  The metal did leave little grey marks in the bottom, but a vinegar swish and rinse had it restored to its original state in less than a minute.  I overcooked some green beans one night, too, and vinegar pulled up every last bit of imperfection that the beans left.

Since nothing really sticks, all it takes is a quick water soak and a sponge/washcloth and some soap to get it cleaned up.  If you have an accident, and the surface is really messed up, you can even use Bar Keeper's Friend or an SOS pad to get it clean - Ceramcor promises that it won't scratch the surface!

I haven't tried it yet, but the pan can also go straight from the fridge to the oven without cracking.  This would be so useful for prepping dinner the night before and just sticking it in the oven the next night (or for leaving a ready-to-go meal in the fridge that the fam just needs to heat up on a night that you're not home for dinner!).

Ceramcor has a whole line of 100% natural ceramic coookware - skillets, soup pots, bakeware, etc.  I'm absolutely adding a smaller skillet and a wok to my Christmas list!!!

{Product Review} Little Bear & His Trunki!

Little Bear's Easter Trunki got it's first airport trial today, and I am very impressed (with the Trunki and with Little Bear)!

We did a few practice runs by riding the Trunki around the house - just to make sure that he was strong enough to balance correctly - and all systems were go.  He very much enjoys filling it with toys/books and pushing it around the house, too.

At the airport, we attracted more than a few stares and "awww, look how cute"'s.  Little Bear, of course, loved all of the attention.  He started by pulling the Trunki behind him as we walked through the airport.  I told onlookers that if he was going to insist on dragging 5 bazillion toys with him, he was going to help carry them... I was only half joking.  The extra storage space was really great, as was not having to personally carry my purse, the diaper bag and his bag of carry-ons (I literally ran out of room in the checked baggage...)

Once he got tired, I let him ride while I pulled.  I was really surprised at how sturdy the Trunki was!  I had it packed FULL of toys, but, even with all of Little Bear's 33 pounds added on top, we had no troubles with the wheels.  At one point, Little Bear's feet hit the ground while I was walking pretty fast, and he went flying over the front of the thing, but no harm was done. 

The Trunki served not only to hold toys and give LB a break from walking the long terminals, but it was also a way to keep Little Bear's attention focused on something other than bolting for the water fountains (indoor splash parks in his eyes) and windows lined with mesmerizing planes.  I can't imagine going back to the airport without one again!

The Trunkis retail for $40, but they are usually less expensive on Amazon.  {As of the date of this post, the orange one like LB's is only $26!}  I don't think I'd pay the full $40, but the $26 is WELL worth the investment!

{Product Review & Giveaway} ChicoBag Reusable Bags

Note:  The items in this review were provided to me by ChicoBag for the purpose of this review.  However, the opinions expressed here were in no way influenced by ChicoBag.  This review represents my honest opinion about the products.

I am a HUGE fan of reusable bags.  I have reusable shopping bags in every shape, color, fabric & size, and I never leave home without an array of snacks in various little bags.  So, when I heard that ChicoBag has reusable produce bags, I was instantly intrigued!

The produce stand bags come in three types, each for a different type of produce/food. I've been using the Complete Starter Kit, which includes one of each bag type:

• The rePETe bags are "designed to restrict airflow and lock in moisture, making them perfect for squash, broccoli, carrots and celery."  These bags "are made of 94% recycled content [and] are machine washable." 
• The rePETe Mesh bags are "designed to allow ethylene gas, nature’s ripening agent, to escape. The rePETe Mesh bags are perfect for apples, oranges, onions and potatoes."  These bags "are made of 94% recycled content [and] are machine washable."
• The Hemp Cotton bags are "made of 70 percent hemp, 30 percent cotton blend - the ideal produce bag for green beans, nuts, grains and bulk food items. The fabric is designed to absorb excess moisture and restrict airflow."

What a great idea, right?  The 3 bags come with a little carrying pouch, but I'm never together enough to fold the bags and stick them back in their pouches.  I just throw them in with the rest of my reusable bags and take them into the store that way.

I love that each bag has a little tag on the inside to remind you which produce is best in which bag.  I also love that I can throw them in the washing machine and not have to worry about cleaning them.  The Hemp Cotton bag does recommend hand washing, but I have a hand wash setting on my washing machine, so I just used that setting and hung the bag to dry.  It survived and still looks great!

I loved getting to try one of each bag in the Starter Kit, but I really wish that I had more than one of each at the store.  I ended up combining all of the produce that was recommended for each bag together in that bag and then taking it out of the bag at the register for weighing and paying.  Everything went back in the bag and then went straight into the fridge when I got home.

I'm signed up for a CSA (community supported agriculture) share this summer, and the produce comes in one big plastic bag.  I would HIGHLY recommend these bags for anyone participating in a CSA!  It has been super convenient to sort out my produce and store it in the fridge.  Otherwise, the produce has to go straight into the crisper without any protection.

Final Grade:  A

I also got to try ChicoBag's Snack Time bags.  I was leery about the velcro closures at first, as I was worried about smaller items slipping out of the sides.  But, the way that the velcro is placed (at an angle) kept this from being a problem.  I really like that the bags can be closed just at the top for larger items like sandwiches, or you can fold the bag over (almost in half) and close a second velcro tab for smaller items like nuts, animal crackers, and small candies.

Again, I love that these bags are machine washable!  They are also super durable.  You won't have to worry about crumbs breaking through like in a plastic bag and getting all over your purse or diaper bag, because these are just nearly impenetrable! 

Another plus:  Because they are so deep when fully opened (about 9"), I can hand a bag to Little Bear without worrying about loose snacks falling out during his clumsy escapades. 

I do wish that there were more fabric options.  I like being about to put various snacks in bags and know which one I'm grabbing because of the fabric color/pattern.  I also wouldn't want to put anything too wet or juicy in these bags, because the top doesn't seal completely (because of the velcro closure).

Final Grade:  A-

The last ChicoBag product that I tried was one of their Print bags.  These bags come in tons of colors and patterns.  They are super light weight, but still have a 40 pound carrying capacity.  I could tell as soon as I unwrapped the bag that it was extra tough!  Something about the construction just feels like it is very, very well made.  I wouldn't bat an eye at carrying multiple gallons of milk in this baby. 
The bag has an attached pouch that you can fold it back in to, but (as I said) I'm not really patient enough to mess with it.  I did fold it up to throw it in my purse after I dropped some things off that I was carrying in it, and I was surprised at how easy it was to fold it back up.

I have so, so many reusable shopping bags, and this is absolutely one of my favorites!  It just feels fancy and luxurious.  I know that is a weird thing to say about a bag, but when grocery shopping and carrying kids' stuff around is your life, quality bags really do become a thing of luxury :)
Final Grade:  A

Overall, I am super impressed with ChicoBag's reusable bags!  Their bags are a little pricier than the ones you can get off the shelf, but you get what you pay for, right?  Every item that I used seemed super durable with a sort of understated elegance.  The colors are classy and trendy, and the products were absolutely designed for real life. 

Because they are super awesome, ChicoBag has given me an exclusive promo code just for y'all!  Click here to shop their online store, and then use promo code CBBLUR25 to save an extra 25% off everything!  {the promo excludes accessories, sale items, and swag; is good for one use per person; and expires 6/30/2012}

PLUS, what would a review be without a giveaway?!  Three winners will each receive one of reusable bags featured in this review!  Be sure to stop by ChicoBag's facebook page and thank them for this great giveaway!

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Product Review & GIVEAWAY: Little Me Tea

Note: The Little Me Tea in this review was provided to me for the purposes of this review. However, the opinions here are completely honest and were not in any way influenced by Little Me Tea.

Little Me Tea was founded by a mom who wanted a lower-sugar, healthy alternative to juice drinks. They descibe their tea as  

. . . a delicious blend of caffeine-free tea kicked up with fruit and vegetable juices. It's rich in nutrients, super-low in sugar and organic to the core. In today's polluted, nutrient-deficient world, our children need a true force of nature to keep them healthy and strong. That's why we created Little Me Tea — the healthiest kids' drink on the planet.

Y’all should know by now that I’m not really one to believe health food companies’ claims without a little investigation first.  So, as soon as I got my drinks, I flipped over to the ingredient lists.  Here’s the Tropical Tea list (Grape was similar):

§  Reverse Osmosis Water ü – This is the water we drink at home!

§  Organic Apple Juice Concentrate ü

§  Organic Sweet Potato Puree ü ü  – Sneaking in some veggies!

§  Organic Clarified Mango ü

§  Organic Orange ü

§  Organic Pineapple ü

§  Organic Carrot Juices from Concentrate ü

§  Organic Natural Flavors – I’m not a huge fan of “flavors” as an ingredient, but if they are organic, they are generally going to be ok.

§  Organic White Tea ü – Tea is full of antioxidants & this is decaf.

§  Organic Rooibos (Red) Tea ü – Ditto & contains trace minerals.

§  Organic Hibiscus Extract ü  – Good vitamin C source!

§  Organic Chamomile Flower Extract ü  – Immune support & has slight calming effects!

§  Organic Acerola Berry Juice Concentrate ü – Great natural vitamin C source! 

After I inspected the ingredient list, I (of course) had to open both and taste them myself.  I have to say that it’s not something that I would really drink regularly, because the flavors are rather muted.  But, I knew Little Bear was going to love them. 

I poured him a small glass of the grape first, and he really did loved it.  He gulped it down and begged for more.  I poured the tropical flavor next, and it was an even bigger hit!  There were many, many mmmm’s  followed by “more, more, more, more!!!!” 

When he does this for apple juice (which has 27 grams of sugar per 8 ounces), I have to say no.  Although technically the sugar in juice is natural, it’s still a very refined version of the original food.  Drinking a glass of juice is not the same as eating an apple.  Basically, juice is just the sugar and water extracted from the fruit.  An occasional glass won’t hurt, but too much really just isn’t healthy (we allow Little Bear to have about 4 ounces of fruit juice a day). 

I love, love, love the idea behind Little Me Teas.  I’ve actually been giving Little Bear various decaf herbal teas (mint is his favorite) for months.  It’s more fun than water, but doesn’t have the crazy sugar content of juice.  While LMT does have a little bit of sugar (7 grams per 8 ounces), it’s nearly one-fourth of the sugar in juice.  That’s almost 75% less sugar!  Aside from budgetary constraints, I’ve not had to tell Little Bear “no” once when he asks for more Little Me Tea.

We took a cup to the playground today, and I noticed that it isn’t as sticky as juice, either.  Even though he had it running down his chin (still not sure how this happens with a sippy cup…), his face didn’t get all sticky.  With juice, he ends up sticky and covered in gooey dirt - gross!  Some spilled in the snack bag, and although everything was wet, it wasn’t sticky when it dried. 

Will we be buying more?  Yes!  They are a little pricier than what I usually spend on juice (around $4 per carton), so I can’t really afford for Little Bear to drink them too regularly.  We will definitely keep them on hand for special treats, though!


Final Grade:  A

Little Me Tea is available in select Whole Foods Markets & through the Little Me Tea's online store. Check out their locator here. You can grab a $1/1 coupon, too!

Enter to win one of TWO Little Me Tea sampler packs!

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Product Review: Itzy Ritzy Snack Bags

Note: I won this product in a Facebook giveaway by Itzy Ritzy. It was not provided to me for the purposes of writing this review. After the review was written, I contacted Itzy Ritzy to see if they’d like to do a little giveaway for y’all, and they said, “of course!” I can’t wait for you guys to get to try these snack bags!

Let's be honest, how great can a little cloth zipper bag be? How could one possibly be worth 10 bucks? I was more than grateful to be able to get my hands on them, but dismissed the thought of ever paying for one. That's what Ziplocs are for, right?

The fabric patterns are adorable, they are super durable, and oh-oh-oh so convenient! I'm sold! I don't think you need 20 of them lying around, but I absolutely recommend keeping a few on hand.

I keep my 3 in the pantry filled with different snacks and treats - raisins in one, graham crackers in one, and a stash of emergency chocolate chips in another. It's super easy to grab whichever ones I need and toss them in the diaper bag as I'm leaving the house.

The bags are MUCH more reliable than a plastic zipper bag, so I don't have to worry about amassing a pile of random food crumbs in the bottom of my purse/diaper bag because of punctured zipper bags. Plus, they can be tossed in the washing machine with a mild detergent and the waterproof lining doesn't lose its swagger! I've even forgotten to pull them out to hang dry (per the washing instructions) a few times, and they survived the low setting on my dryer just fine.

Obviously, you're also creating less trash and using less plastic by switching from plastic zipper bags to the reusable Itzy Ritzy cloth bags.

These bags are not just for kids, either! I stick some baby carrots and other small veggies in mine and take them as an on-the-go snack. This really helps curb the tendency to grab an unhealthy (and often pricy) snack while I'm away from home.

Final Grade:  A-

I really wanted to share these bags with y’all, so Itzy Ritzy offered to sponsor a giveaway so that I can. Yay! We are giving away a Snack Happened Bag (retail $10) to one lucky Living Unrefined reader (shipped anywhere in the USA)!


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Product Review: Shea Moisture Baby Lotion

Note: I won this product in a Twitter giveaway by Shea Moisture. It was not provided to me for the purposes of writing this review. After the review was written, I contacted Shea Moisture to see if they'd like to do a little giveaway for y'all, and they said, "of course!" I can't wait for you guys to get to try these products!

My little guy has really sensitive skin. He's had rashy mild eczema on and off since birth. The doctor suggested a steroid cream, but that seemed like unnecessary medication to me... As my house is just nearly chemical-free, I've chalked it up to nature and hope he outgrows it.

I've tried several natural baby lotions, including Burt's Bees and Yes To Baby Carrots, to remedy the rashes, but none of them completely cleared him up.

Everytime we go see his Nana and Papa out in (very, very dry) West Texas, he comes back extra dry and scratchy all over his little tummy and back. It just so happened that when we came back from our camping trip out there last week, my package of Shea Moisture Baby Lotions were waiting for me by the front door (along with my other mountain of online shopping deliveries - I may need an intervention, but will never admit it).

After his bath, I slathered Little Bear down with the lotion. The first bottle that I opened was Olive & Marula Lotion with Avocado & Shea Butter. Yum! It smelled heavenly - not baby lotion-y, but yummy and comfy and warm. It's slightly perfume-y and is very inviting. Later in the evening (hours later) Husband even commented on how good Little Bear smelled.

The consistency was super rich and thick, almost like a body butter. It dried fast and didn't leave him or my hands greasy at all. I also love that it's in a pump bottle, since I usually only have one free hand when I'm trying to wrangle the little guy and rub him down.

I was 100% shocked when I was getting him changed and dressed the next morning. His tummy and back were incredibly smooth! Seriously. His skin hasn't been this soft and "baby-like" ever. I still have 2 almost full bottles of other brands of baby lotion, but I will never use another brand again.  It's that good.

Because the results were so shockingly awesome, I double-checked the ingredient list to look for hidden yucks but couldn't find anything. This is good ol' fashioned natural greatness!

The Raw Shea, Chamomile & Argon Oil version is available at Walgreens and Target. Their two new varities are only available from Target (not online yet, though). For more information, visit Shea Moisture's facebook page.

I really wanted to share this greatness with y'all, and Shea Moisture offered to sponsor a giveaway so that I can. Yay! We are giving away 3 sets of baby lotion and body wash: Raw Shea, Chamomile & Argan Baby Head-to-Toe-Wash and Healing Lotion, Olive & Marula Baby Head-to-Toe-Wash and Lotion, AND Red Bush & Babassu Baby Head-to-Toe-Wash and Lotion! Click here to enter!  (Even if you don't have kids, this stuff is great for grown-ups, too!  I've actually swiped one of Little Bear's bottles for myself.)

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Product Review: Celadon Road Products

Note:  I was contacted by a representative from Celadon Road and asked to use and review these products.  The opinions here are completely honest and were not in any way affected by Celadon Road.

Carol, a Celadon Road representative, contacted me and asked if I'd like to pick a few products to try out and review.  I chose the stain removal spray, body wash, and laundry detergent.

My products arrived in a box with the little dissolvable packing peanuts - I appreciate it when a company uses the peanuts rather than non-biodegradable plastic bags, because it makes me feel less guilty about my often non-eco-friendly online shopping habit!

Peppermint Body Wash

Ingredients:  Saponified Organic Oils of Coconut, Olive & Jojoba, Peppermint Essential Oil Blend, Vegetable Gum/Glycerin Extract, Organic Aloe Vera, Rosemary Extract

I chose the peppermint scent, because I sincerely miss my Bath & Body Works holiday peppermint body wash (but do not miss the artificial junk that it contains!)  The scent is super yummy.  It's pure peppermint & really refreshing.  It's glycerine-based, which I'm not usually crazy about, but the obnoxious "squeakyness" that glycerine soaps usually leave behind was relatively minimal.  The suds are light, and it takes a lot of product to get a good foam going.  I think this is one of those things about truly natural products that takes some getting used to.  I have to keep reminding myself that bubbles do not necessarily equal clean.  Overall, a very nice, very natural body wash with a great all-natural scent!

Grade:  B+

Stain Remover

Ingredients:  Organic-based surfactants, cleaning agents, enzymes, and biocatalysts

I honestly approached this product with very low expectations.  How good could an all-natural stain remover really be?  Uhm, AMAZING!  It was also really easy to use - no rinsing, no drying, and no worrying about toxic chemicals being left behind in the carpet.  Spray on (heavily), rub in, wait.  That's it!  I found that the heavier the product was applied, the better it worked.  In cleaning a couple of stained baby clothes, the 2 small wine stains, a semi-large tea stain, my car seats and a persistent pet stain, I used almost half the bottle.  When I reorder, I'll definitely be ordering at least 2 bottles at a time!

The red wine stains in my carpet from my not-so-proud mommy moment are almost completely gone!  Seriously.  I had tried everything to get the wine out of the carpet, but nothing worked (the conventional stain removers and carpet shampooer did nothing!).  It did take 3 applications of the stain remover, but each application left it lighter and lighter.

I also used this product to clean the seats of my car.  I seriously wish that I had taken a before picture, because the comparison is crazy!  I drive a Chevy Equinox, and the cloth seats are impossible to clean.  Truly impossible.  Every product that I've used, including the carpet shampooer, left big, gross streaks on the seats.  But, because this stain remover sprays on evenly and does not require rinsing, there are no longer ANY stains on the seats of my car!  I cannot tell you how excited I was when I saw that the seats were finally clean - cleaner than after the dealership detailed it!  As an extra bonus, the cars even smells clean - not like cleaners, just clean. Ahhhhhh....

Grade:  A+

 Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:  Sodium Bromate, Soda Ash, Coconut Oil, Clay Powder, Vinegar and Essential Oil

So, being the cheap, I-can-do-it-myself-er that I am, my first thought was, these ingredients are so simple that I could just make it myself and save the money.  Yeah, anyone know where to get Sodium Bromate or Soda Ash?  Me neither.

I asked if there was a fabric softener to go with the detergent and was told that you don't actually need a softener with this detergent.  It's built-in to the detergent.  Carol actually suggested that I soak a rag in a mixture of the detergent and water and toss it in the dryer as a dryer sheet.  I never tried this, because my clothes really did come out soft (not quite as soft as when I used conventional fabric softeners, but close enough).  I even washed my jeans (on which I usually use Woolite Dark detergent and Seventh Generation fabric softener) and hung them to dry with really good results.

The detergent is a powder, and is supposed to be compatible with HE washing machines.  I found that occasionally powder reside was left behind in the detergent hole.  I'm not sure if this is my lazy washing machine or the product, but mixing the detergent with a little water before adding it to the machine completely fixed the problem.  I really liked the scent of the detergent (I chose lime), but was disappointed that the clothes did not come out with any scent at all.  Really, though, what's wrong with clothes that just smell clean?

This detergent is supposed to be super versatile.  I haven't had a chance to use it on more than just laundry, but will be trying it on my tile floors and as a general cleaning solution.  The ingredients are super gentle and super natural, so it can be used just about anywhere.

Grade:  B+

Overall, I am really impressed with the integrity of the ingredients in Celadon Road's products.   I think the prices are a little steep, but if you are looking for truly natural products with no hidden nasties this is absolutely the way to go!

Enter to win 1 of the products reviewed here on my facebook page!  There are 3 winners, so you're chances of winning are 3 times higher!

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Exclusive La Mellite Promotion

To help us celebrate 1000 Facebook fans, La Mellite is sponsoring this amazing 3-part promotion!

(1) The first 250 fans to sign up here (promotion closed) will get TWO FREE LUXURY-SIZE SAMPLES! Everyone gets the lluminate Cellular Renewal Perfecting Masque and then you can choose 1 of 5 additional sample options! These will be gone fast, so hurry over, and don't forget to share with your friends (facebook share button is at the bottom of the form)!

(2) One super lucky fan will win an extra-special beauty bag filled with all of my favorite La Mellite products ($250 value)! The beauty bag will include the La Mellite products that I use every day: Bright Lights Clarifying Cleanser, Bright Lights Cleansing Polish, Bright Lights Tonic, Bright Lights Treatment Serum, and Radiance Lotion. Plus, the product assortment will come in a super cute tote bag! The giveaway entry form is here (promotion closed), and there are several ways y'all can get extra entries, so get busy!
(3) After you've received the free samples and had a chance to see how awesome these products really are, La Mellite is offering a free, full-size Illuminate Cellular Renewal Perfecting Masque ($82 value!) with any purchase you make from their web store! La Mellite has never offered such an awesome deal before, so y'all should feel super lucky! Stay tuned for the promo code for this part of the promotion...

About Illuminate Cellular Renewal Perfecting Masque:

This ultra-hydrating and revitalizing nutrition masque restores radiance to soothe, heal, and promote cell regeneration for an instantly smoother, refreshed complexion. Artichoke leaf helps firm, reduce pore size, and even skin tone. Rose hip oil restores circulation and antioxidants/vitamins protect. Learn more about this product here.





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Sunday Spotlight - La Mellite

You know those girls who have amazing skin?  The ones who never seem to have a single blemish on their faces.  The ones who wouldn't know what to do with a tube of concealer if their lives depended on it.  The ones who can always go out with zero makeup on and look like they spent hours prepping in front of the mirror?  Yeah... I used to be one of those girls.  No matter what else was crazy in my life, I knew that I could depend on a clear face and smooth complexion.
Then I got pregnant (I'm pretty sure there is an evil pact among moms everywhere that prohibits them from telling non-moms all of the real awfuls of pregnancy - but that's a whole other blog post).  My doc said pregnancy and "aging" ($&#@!) can cause hormone changes that cause acne even in women who have never had issues with it before.  Yippie.
It had been about 2 years, and nothing that I tried worked worth a darn.  My pores continued to get larger, icky pimples continued to pop up all over my face (and my back, and in my hair line), and my hope of ever having clear skin again slowly dwindled.  I figured that I traded an acne-free adolescense for a one-way ticket to adult acne town (again, $&#@!).
Then, about 2 months ago, I stumbled across an all-natural skin care line that has seriously worked magic on my complexion.  I ordered the Bright Lights Acne Tonic with a Plum District deal through Abe's Market (I'm so thankful that I had the deal and found this company then, because I'm way too cheap to pay full price for products that I haven't tried before).  The toner came with a sample of the Acne Serum.  Between the two products, my skin cleared up super fast.
I'm not saying that my skin is pre-baby again, but it's pretty darn close.  My pores have done some serious shrinking, my breakouts are very minimal, and my blackheads have even cleared up significantly (when I squeeze on my pores now, the little plugs of disgusting junk aren't there anymore - TMI?  Maybe, but it's true!).  I even made it through one of the most stressful few weeks of my life (bar prep) with like maybe 2 small zits to show for it - a truly amaing feat!

I hate to sound like a cheesy infomercial, but it's hard to be excited about facial products without doing so...
Anyway, I very rarely have brand loyalty (it's hard to be loyal when trying to find good deals on natural products), but I am completely sold on this brand!  I did some research, and love that it's a small company that hand makes every product they sell.  They really do care about creating products that use natural ingredients and that REALLY work!
I wanted to be able to share the awesomeness of La Mellite with y'all, sooo I contacted the company and have been working with them to come up with an awesome free sample, gift set giveaway, and coupon promotion just for my fans!  I'll share the details tomorrow, but I couldn't wait to tell you how excited I am for y'all to get to try these products!  Be looking out for the specifics of this great promotion - you don't want to miss out, trust me!

Wallaby Sour Cream & a Haiku

It's time for this week's Sunday Spotlight!

I was originally going in a completely different direction with this post.  I had a great food blog in mind to share with you... and then I made a snack.

I sat down with my snack, and - as I licked every last drop of the sour cream off of the spoon I was holding - I decided that my love for this stuff cannot be kept personal any longer!

I LOVE WALLABY EUROPEAN-STYLE SOUR CREAM

There.  I said it.  I know it sounds weird - sour cream is sour cream, right?  WRONG!  This stuff is amazing!

The only 2 ingredients are organic cream and cultures (bacteria - the good kind!), but somehow this company (Wallaby) has found a way to make these two ingredients transcend being just milk and bacteria.  I'm pretty sure there are real Oopma Loompas or Fairies or something working at the factory...

The fat and calorie content is way higher than regular ole sour cream, but every stinkin' one of those calories is worth it!  Plus, it's the "good" kind of all-natural fat.

The texture is sooo smooth.  It's slightly thicker than normal sour cream, and the flavor is amazingly rich.  I mix it with Frank's Hot Sauce or queso or just eat it straight up - YUM!

Whole Foods has had it on sale for a few months at $2.50 for 16 ounces, which is more than regular sour cream, but isn't crazy expensive.
I seriously love this stuff so much that I wrote it a haiku (yes, I'm serious - don't judge!)

white creamy goodness
you're more than a condiment
I will pay full price

On that note... Happy Sunday!  If you have a new favorite thing, please share!

Review: Earth Therapeutics Clari-T Pore Cleaning Strips

Note:  I personally purchased this product for my own use.  It was not provided to me for the purposes of writing this review.

I've read several commentaries both supporting and bashing pore strips.  I'm currently in the LOVE THEM camp.  I've used the Biore strips for years, but it seems like every time I try to purchase them the price has gone up!  So, I hit up Amazon to find a cheaper alternative (seriously, what can't be found on Amazon?).  After reading tons of reviews and researching several companies, I decided on the Earth Therapeutics Clari-T Pore Strips.   It seemed that most of the negative reviews were bashing pore strips in general, but that most of the customers agreed that they're comparable to Biore.  At just $15 for 30 strips (using Amazon's subscribe & save discount), they are almost half the price of Biore's strips.

The Earth Therapeutic's website describes the strips as being "specially formulated with naturally antiseptic Tea Tree Oil . . . [T]hese strips not only deep clean skin, but further refine the pores to reveal a cleaner, healthier and more radiant complexion."

When I applied the strips to my face, I really could feel the coolness of the tea tree oil.  It was a nice little bonus!  I've used them twice now, and my only complaint is that there are small patches that don't adhere fully to my nose.  This leaves (very small) areas that aren't at all treated.  I'd say they are about 90% as effective as Biore.

I would like to see Earth Therapeutics come out with the rectangle face strips.  I like to cut these into thirds to make small squares and use them on various problem spots on my face.  I am able to do this with the Earth Therapeutic nose strips, but the pieces are oddly-shaped (not sure if this really affected anything, but I generally like things to be straight and even).

Overall, I'm a big fan!  I love that they are so much less expensive.  I can use them more often without worrying about spending almost a buck a strip.  I also like that they use more natural materials than other brands.

Final grade:  A-
Will I repurchase this product:  YES