Futters Nut Butters

If you know me, you know that I've come to love nut butters. But one thing that I've noticed about a lot of nut butters, is that a majority of them are blended with cashew butter. I love cashews so that really doesn't bother me, but my family (mostly the hubs) doesn't care for them.

That is what's great about Futters Nut Butters. You get what it says, nothing in fine print, no added oils or sweeteners. Just the highest quality organic nuts (& the occasional seeds). They're minimally processed without heat, so that you still get all of the nutrients the nuts have to offer.

Macadamia Nut Butter (high in thiamin, protein, flavenoids & Omega-3) is best paired with white chocolate of course. I love white chocolate macadamia anything, so adding just a bit of white chocolate chips to this nut butter, gave me the same great taste with far less sugar. I highly recommend this in ice cream, pancakes & cream of wheat.

Hazelnut Nut Butter (high in calcium, folic acid, folate & protein) can be downright dangerous if you happen to love hazelnuts like I do. After the incident where the dark chocolate bar became an edible spoon (oopsie!), I opted to go the healthier route by adding it to some Greek yogurt instead. Either way is amazing!

Brazil Nut Butter (high in selenium, an antioxidant that helps protect against heart disease & certain cancers), tastes far better than I thought it would. Brazil nuts are high in natural oils, so this nut butter separates (just give it a quick stir before using) which is probably why I thought it wouldn't be very appetizing. But I loved the added sweetness to my oatmeal & smoothies.

Pistachio Nut Butter (helps reduce cholesterol) has a very mild taste. I decided to go out on a limb with this one & eat it the way I do  with peanut butter. Most commonly it was a dip for celery, apples & pears. But it also made a pistachio & raspberry preserves sandwich that was out of this world!

Cherry Almond Nut Butter (high in calcium, arganine, magnesium, potassium, protein & vitamin E) is simply delicious. Almonds are one of my favorite nuts to eat, even by the handful, but I've never had them like this! With a natural cherry oil added (one of the exceptions), this nut butter can make a piece of toast taste like a gourmet pastry.

Sunflower Seed Butter (high in selenium, zinc, potassium, iron & protein) is by far my favorite. I love adding dry roasted sunflower seeds to my salads & fruit, so I knew I would find a delicious way to eat this. I used it in place of regular butter on sweet potatoes & even added it to a homemade vinaigrette. Just be sure to refrigerate this seed butter after opening. 

View this photo on Instagram! Sorry it's the only food photo I have, before I knew it these nut butters were gone!

All of Futters Nut Butters are kosher, gluten free & dairy free. Not to mention peanut free, making them perfect for those with allergies. Funny thing, I used to think that those with a peanut allergy were missing out. Now I know it was me!

Keep up with the latest from Futters Nut Butters on Facebook. And be sure to check out their recipes.

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Futters Nut Butters & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Mira Brands: A Scale Above the Rest

With the new year right around the corner, there will be a plethora of resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier & exercise more. But most don't think that a scale could be an effective way to achieve these goals.

The kind folks at Mira Brands were kind enough to send me two scales - a Digital Glass Kitchen Scale & a Digital Body Fat Scale with Body Fat Analyzer. Both of which have me motivated in different ways, but with the same desired outcome. 

The Digital Glass Kitchen Scale (ST105) is heavy duty enough to weigh up to 11 lb., but small enough to slip into a kitchen drawer for storage. Which I love since I don't have the extra space to store a bulky scale when I'm not using it. But I also love how easy it is to use!

Insert 3-AAA batteries (included) & turn the unit on. When the unit zeros out, you can easily choose your desired measurements (oz., ml., fl. oz. & g.) with the push of a button. 

View this photo on Instagram!

I place a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper on my scale surface to keep cleanup simple & then place what I'm measuring on top. (I've used this quite a bit for making tortillas - 4oz. is the perfect size.) The oz. (which roll over into lb.) & g. are for measuring solids, whereas ml. & fl. oz. are for liquids. To get an accurate measurement, simply zero out the scale & place a bowl on top. Hit the TARE (on/off) button to zero out the scale with the bowl & then pour the liquid carefully. See, easy as pie! Which now I can make a few recipes on Pinterest (pies & cheesecakes) that are measured in grams. Of course I'll weigh them for portion control too.

And when you're done using the Digital Glass Kitchen Scale, simply hold the on/off button (it will also shut off automatically after 1 min. with no use), wipe off with a slightly damp cloth, dry & store it away wherever you decide to keep it.

The Digital Body Fat Scale with Body Fat Analyzer (SBF415) goes above & beyond any bathroom scale that I have ever used. Sure, step on it with your socks on & it gives you your weight (up to 400 lb.). But program a personal profile & then weigh yourself barefoot to get your body fat, total body water, muscle mass & bone mass percentages.

With its sleek tempered glass design, this bathroom scale looks rather intimidating, but is easy to use & will quickly turn into your BFF. To begin using, install 4-AAA batteries (included), place on a flat surface & wait for the unit to zero out. When you step on the scale for the first time, it will most likely show 4lb. While you're standing there bewildered, the light will come on. Don't worry, it's not broke. You just calibrated the scale without even knowing it! (Pat on the back.) 

While barefoot, step on the scale to get your weight. To create a profile (stores up to 8 different users), simply hit the SET button. Use the arrow buttons to select the user number & then the SET button again to get to the next step (you will need to hit SET after each step). After you have entered your gender (athlete or non), height & age, you are all set to get your detailed readings. (The scale easily differentiates between the hubs & I since our weights aren't close together, but if they were we would just have to choose our profile number.)

You can see the hubs weight & total body water percentage.

Making sure that your bare feet are on the circles, a low-level electrical signal (don't worry, you don't feel it) sent through your body fat which then measures the resistance the signal encounters. This in turn gives you your body fat, total body water, muscle mass & bone mass percentages. The hubs has decided that he's going to weigh himself daily &  write everything down to be able to see his progress. He has a really good idea & I'm sure I'll do it too, but probably not until the first of the year.

Both scales are available on Amazon. You can find the Digital Glass Kitchen Scale here & the Digital Body Fat Scale with Body Fat Analyzer here. Both products come with a 2 year warranty.

Keep up with the latest from Mira Brands on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube & Google+.

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Mira Brands & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Down to Earth Handmade Products: Shaving Soap

Shaving. If you're a woman, it's just part of life. Especially in the warmer months. But I'll admit, I despise shaving my legs. I'm either in a huge hurry & nick myself or my shaving cream just doesn't like me. 

The owner & creator of Down to Earth Handmade Products was kind enough to send me some Shaving Soap to try after my curiosity got the best of me. Which I am so glad it did!

There was just a bit if Shaving Soap that made it's way out of the bottle during shipping, therefore just a bit of bleeding on the label.

This Shaving Soap is like a shaving cream, soap & lotion in one! I opted for an unscented version since I usually go for the sensitive skin formulas when shaving my legs. But there are a handful of scents including Sweet Vanilla & lemongrass that I think I might have to get.

With the appearance of a liquid soap I started to wonder how good this was really going to work. Especially since it's far from the creams & lathers I'm used to when shaving. The first swipe of my razor I realized I was applying way too much pressure, even though it was the same amount as always. So I lightened up & finished, expecting to feel a bunch of stubble & missed spots when I ran my hand over.

View this photo on Instagram!

I was shocked! No stubble & no missed spots! Then I realized it was just like what my dentist told me about brushing my teeth - you don't have to apply so much pressure to get the job done. Even though I never realized that's what I had been doing. 

I was even more shocked that I didn't have any stubble the next morning. It was the closest shave I think I've ever had, with no nicks or irritations.

Down to Earth handmade Products are just that, handmade with 100% essential oils, waxes & other earth derived ingredients. And with products like lip balms, soaps, deodorants & even jewelry (to name a few), there's something for everyone.

All products are paraben free, cruelty free, vegan & natural. Down to Earth handmade Products is recognized by PETA & a member of the Humane Society as well as a member of the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild.

Keep up with the latest from Down to Earth Handmade Products on Facebook.

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Down to Earth Handmade Products & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Formulated P28: Original High Protein Foods

Protein is a vital part of a daily diet, especially if you're trying to build muscle or lose body fat. I'm trying to do both, mostly since it would help me with my yoga. But even if you're perfectly content & have no desire for either, protein is still needed by your body to help build & repair tissues. And since our body doesn't store protein, it needs to be consumed daily. 

Now when you think of foods that are high in protein, you think of fish, poultry, beans, nuts, eggs & leafy greens...right? How about breads, bagels, flat bread & spreads instead?

P28 High Protein Bread is made with 100% whole wheat, whey protein isolate, oats, flaxseed, sunflower seed & millet. It's also packed with Omega-3, amino acids & fiber. But that doesn't mean it lacks in the taste department.

This bread has a certain sweetness to it that I just couldn't get enough of. My favorite way to eat it was toasted with some eggs for breakfast. Of course the bread was much larger than my toaster would hold, so I had to toast it on it's side & then flip it to toast the other side. My husband thought that was hysterical, but he sure did devour it! Actually, I had the intentions of snapping a picture but then realized the second loaf was already gone.

P28 High Protein Bagels look like they came from a bakery! Which is good considering P28 was developed by 3 brothers in the bakery business & their personal trainer.

View this photo on Instagram!

Packed with the same goodness as the High Protein Bread, these bagels really seem to go the extra mile in providing energy. They were a bit to "chewy" for my liking, but my husband loved them. One half (that's all I could eat before I was stuffed), topped with a bit of pumpkin butter, really seemed to get me going in the morning.

P29 High Protein Flat Bread is amazing! Seriously, I could eat this every day. It has the same sweetness to it as the bread & bagels (along with the same main ingredients) but is more versatile.

Fold it & forget about it!

We made a pizza, wraps, quesadillas & my favorite spinach & turkey flatbread (which is basically me being too impatient to try & roll it up after over-stuffing it).

And then there was spread! With no added sugar, sodium, trans fat or cholesterol of course.

P28 High Protein Peanut Butter has the great taste of dry roasted peanuts with whey protein. I have to say that I've never seen peanut bitter quite so creamy before, so I keep it in the refrigerator (especially since it says it contains milk). Just a quick stir & it's good to go!

Then there was P28 Signature Blend. Almonds, peanuts, cranberries, sunflower seeds, honey, flax seeds, cinnamon & whey protein make up this delicious spread that never stood a chance in my house. This was great for those busy weekday mornings when I was starving , but in a rush to get my oldest off to school. Just a spoonful on some toast & I was content. Until I realized that the hubs finished it off.

So in case you haven't figured it out by now, there is 28 grams of protein in 1 bagel, 1 flat bread, 2 slices on bread & 2 (2Tbsp. each) servings of spread. Get it...P28! And seeing as how the recommended daily amount is 46 grams for women & 56 grams for mes, you're well on your way with P28 Original High Protein Foods. 

Keep up with the latest from P28 Foods on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Instagram.

Don't forget to check out P28 Foods Menu Ideas.

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from P28 Original High Protein Foods & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Alpine Valley Breads

My family goes through an insane amount of bread in a weeks time. My kids love toast (with butter & brown sugar of course) for breakfast before school, then of course a sandwich for their lunches & occasionally everyone else's lunch too. Then there's weekend breakfasts, the occasional bread pudding, bread crumbs, croutons...you get the point. It's a lot of bread. And most of the time, the bread is just that, bread. Nothing special about it. 

Alpine Valley Breads have changed the way I think about bread. These all natural & organic breads are baked fresh daily from a main recipe containing whole grains, honey, salt, yeast & water. That's right, no oils, dairy products or eggs. Sounds interesting to say the least, right? Yep, interesting & delicious!

•Organic Nine Grain

•Organic 12 Grain with Omega-3

•Organic 21 Whole Grains

•Organic Multi Grain with Omega-3

Eeek! Check out all those sunflower seeds!

Good for you bread has never tasted so good! All of these boast plenty of fiber & nutrients while never sacrificing taste. But my favorite would have to be the Organic Multi Grain with Omega-3. Why, you ask? Because of the delicious sunflower & flaxseed topping of course!

•Country White

•Organic Honey Whole Wheat

•Organic Honey Oat Bran

•Organic Sprouted Honey Wheat with Flaxseed

Let's count the crumbs...one, two.

I refer to these breads as the "classics" And it doesn't get much more classic than a Country White bread. Now before I go any further, I should mention how much I dislike white bread. My kids prefer white over wheat (they must have inherited that from their Dad) for their sandwiches. But, being the one making them, I've seen how easily the majority of white breads fall apart when you spread something thick like peanut butter. Even cutting them is sometimes a chore. So you can imagine how impressed I was at the quality of this Country White. Not to mention how excited my kids were that they got to eat white bread!

•Apple Cinnamon
•Cranberry Spice
•Raisin Cinnamon Whole Wheat

Never thought I would see the day where I ate plain toast. And in my early 30's at that! Blame it on the cranberries.

These breads were so sweet I could eat them plain. And that truly says a lot! Of course it helps that you can see the ingredients, like cranberries, apples & raisins. My favorite is the Cranberry Spice though. It goes perfect as a slice of toast with my morning coffee. 

This is the bread that lured me in. I love anything jalapeno & anything with cheese, so of course the sheer thought had my mouth watering. Especially after noticing a grilled cheese made with this bread on Alpine Valley Breads site. Of course, a grilled cheese was the first thing I made & it was amazing! 

View this photo on Instagram!

Alpine Valley Breads are available for purchase by the box (12 18oz. loaves) & are shipped fresh with 3 day shipping. Now the price does vary based on which "zone" you're in, but that is to ensure that you receive your bread within the 3 day shipping frame. And although it may be a bit pricey for me, I have fallen in love with these breads & will definitely be stocking up on quite a few of them at some point in the future. 

 Keep up with the latest from Alpine Valley Breads on Facebook! 

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Alpine Valley Breads & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Larsen Toy Labs: Sticks and Stones

To this day, I remember the centers from my Kindergarten class (hello, 80's). And of course everyone's favorite was always the building blocks. Actually, I remember a couple times that the entire class built a massive city with all of the blocks (along with a few chairs, books & whatever else we could find). By far, some of the fondest memories of my childhood. Especially since they just don't seem to make toys like they used to anymore. Or do they...

Larsen Toy Labs is the creation of Alex Larsen & his sister Courtney Larsen Keller, which was successfully funded on Kickstarter (a crowdfunding platform). Alex & Courtney have a simple mission, providing unforgettable toys that will last for generations.

View this on Instagram

Sticks and Stones is downright magical! This 20 piece set comes with it's own tote bag & a book written by Alex Larsen himself (& illustrated by his mom, Dana Larsen).

The book takes you on the journey of a young Viking named Leif, who quickly goes from nothing to building an entire town. But what's great about this book, is that it shows you how to build what Leif is building. That really gives a whole new meaning to creative play!

Cherry blocks on top, maple blocks on the bottom.

And let's not forget the blocks. Each natural wood block has every edge individually beveled & then completely hand sanded. The maple blocks have no finish, but the cherry blocks do have a light beeswax coating on them, therefore making them stand out beautifully while building.

There's small lines & dots to use for easy measurements.

Another way Larsen Toy Labs goes the extra mile, is with free custom engraving. Every child can feel extra special by having something meant just for them. Of course this may present the issue of not wanting to share (like it did with my kids at first), but with such a wonderful product, getting more block sets is my simple solution. 

King Kong was looking for his Princess!

Aside from making blocks that have me playing with my kids like I'm their age, there are plenty of other reasons why I love Larsen Toy Labs.

•made in America

•100% satisfaction guarantee

•accepts Paypal & Amazon Payments

•responsibly harvested products

• helps develop reading, matching, memory & balance skills

•partners with Trees for the Future (a tree is planted for every set of blocks sold)

I have to say that I really am glad I discovered Larsen Toy Labs. I may even have to get my own set of engraved blocks! I'm kidding of course. Or am I...

Be sure you check out what else Larsen Toy Labs has to offer here. And don't forget to get the latest updates on Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo & Pinterest.

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Larsen Toy Labs & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Merlot Skin Care & a Giveaway!

We've all heard the benefits from moderate red wine consumption, right? Mostly in the form of heart health. In case you haven't, or have forgotten, allow me to tell you. Red grapes contain a plethora of vitamins & antioxidants, most notably flavonoids and resveratrol. Studies suggest that these antioxidants are responsible for helping to help lower your risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood clots and heart disease.

But after becoming intrigued by the benefits of red wine, the founder of Merlot Skin Care learned that the the grape seed itself was the hidden treasure. The antioxidant power of the grape seed  is 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E and nearly 25 times more powerful than Vitamin C! And when used for skin care, it helps fight free radicals, which in turn helps keep our skin looking & feeling more youthful.

See this pin!

I was eager to find out what Merlot Skin Care had to offer & have a "Spa Day" just like these pumpkins. Being a busy SAHM, finding that time to relax & pamper myself is most of the time slim to none. But what I found, is that in practically no time at all, I felt refreshed like I really had just gone to the spa. Better yet, these products won't break the bank like spa treatments can. 

  

Check out this photo on Instagram!

First Crush 3-in-1 Blemish/Acne Treatment cleanses, tones & treats acne & blemishes all in one step. Which also eliminates the need for multiple products, a major plus for me since my bathroom lacks storage space. 

This is definitely comparable to another unnamed product as far as results. But it didn't feel quite as harsh. That must be why I questioned how well it was actually working since it was so gentle on my skin. But about a week later, I started to noticed fewer red spots & blemishes. Who knew grape seed extract was a natural acne fighter?!

The Purifying Peel Off Mask is, in my opinion, the best thing since sliced bread. Made with grape seed, lemon, orange peel, grapefruit, and ginseng extracts, I noticed a huge difference in the pores on my nose & elasticity of my skin after using this once a week for a few weeks. And it never dried out my face like other masks have done in the past. Not to mention that I got excited when I discovered this was actually purple! It was much easier to avoid my hairline & eyebrows by actually being able to see color instead of a glossiness when I was applying it. And it gets bonus points from me for drying in under 10 min.!

I haven't used an exfoliator for years, due to the fact that they were so coarse & seemed to leave a slight blotchiness on my skin. So I'll admit to being hesitant in trying the Exfoliator Scrub. But boy am I glad I did! The micro beads remind me more of sugar than of sand, so there was no redness left behind. Just a deep down cleanliness & smoothness that my face needed (especially on those days that I swear all I did was clean the house).

The Grape Seed Moisturizer has become a vital part to my daily routine. I use it not only as a moisturizer, but also as a primer before applying makeup. It makes me feel like I have some sort of protective barrier from free radicals. And with it's lightweight feel, my skin doesn't feel weighed down with the addition of other products. Bonus points for drying within the blink of an eye too!

Want to try Merlot Skin Care for yourself?

One  lucky winner will receive the product of their choice from Merlot Skin Care!

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Wednesday 12/25/13. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday 12/25/13. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to Merlot Skin Care for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep up with the latest from Merlot Skin Care on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest. And don't forget to sign up for their newsletter to receive the latest offers & special gifts.

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Merlot Skin Care & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.