Showing posts with label Food and Drink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food and Drink. Show all posts

Friday, August 28, 2015

12 ingredient you should never eat

Hi friends,


No worries, I am not going on a food rant or anything like that but I found this article and thought you would be interested.
Deep inside, it just bothers me that we continue to feed ourselves with all the wrong stuff, not to mention that it is approved in our food.
It's time to revisit the shopping list.
I just wish they would give actual examples of brands with these 12 ingredients.

Here is the article from Rodale Organic Life:

12-ingredients-you-should-never-eat


Sophia, NJ.

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Monday, March 23, 2015

Eco Emi Variety Box - February 2015 - Full Review

Hi friends,

I am glad to report that Eco Emi redeemed itself with the February 2015 box. And it is a good thing because the January box was a disaster (to me)!

Eco Emi continues to provide great organic, cruelty free and environmental friendly boxes directly to your door. Price, which includes shipping, will vary depending on the box you are subscribing to. Mine is the original box, called Variety Box, and contains an array of products ranging from skincare and cosmetics to household and food items. I could switch to all skincare and makeup but I have my Ipsy bag for that. I truly enjoy trying new products (in particular the food items) as the Variety Box provides good samples from various mom and pop brands. I am all for supporting my local economy and so, this box is right up my alley.

You can check out my open box video here:


This is what I received in the February 2015 box:


Eco Emi - February 2015 - Variety box



Let me dive right into the review as there were a lot of great items this month:

1. SweetRiot - Yummie - Candy Coated Dark Chocolate - $4.99/pack or $23.95 / 12 packs


Sweetriot - Yummies
These are very similar to the American M&M's or the British Smarties.
With no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no preservatives, these 100 calorie packs are just what I need. Not only are they delicious, they also have more chocolate than they have coated candy! So if you are in search of the right guilt free chocolate fix, you may try this as an option. 
A.







2. Sant - Superfruit Tea with Garcinia Indica -  $9.95 / pack



Sant Superfruit Tea
This is just weird. A pouch filled with dried fruits (Garcinia Indica) which boasts to have potential as an appetite suppressant,  a protector of brain health and as a cancer preventative. The way I look at it, you would have to drink this stuff all day, everyday, for a long time, for any effect to actually take place. While it has been used in Asian countries for centuries, I am really not sure whether Western diets are ready to adopt this "superfruit" as a beverage of choice.

You are supposed to grab a few dried fruits and drop them in water, steep for at least 30 minutes and drink either hot or old.
Mine took forever to turn the water red (I thought it would be something similar to Red Zinger tea by Celestial Seasoning).
The taste was just okay, it gave a hint of tart flavor to my water, nothing sweet, I just did not think it was all that great to be honest. 
I am all for promoting healthy living and better lifestyle, but I really don't see this as being an essential or something so revolutionary that it should be the basic ingredient in all our daily beverages. Not impressed. C.


3. Love Bean - Superfood Fudge Spread - $29.10 / 2 jars or $10 / 10 Squeeze pouches



It really does not take much to make me happy, just throw some chocolate in my general direction and I will follow you to the end of the world. (The preceding statement is NOT an exaggeration!)
So, Eco Emi sends me this tiny pouch of super fudge with coconut flavor, at $1 per pouch and all raw ingredients, I figured I had nothing to lose. 
The stuff is delicious! It's not a replacement to Nutella, let's be real, but it is a good and much healthier alternative.
You can add your super fudge to fruit, waffles, bread of course, anything where chocolate would simply enhance the flavor. If it was calorie free, I would probably add chocolate to steak, cheese, you name it!
Of course this is all vegan, fair trade chocolate. Their store offers one more variety (naturally raw). It's a great concept, for a great taste. And again, if you are looking for a chocolate option that does not wreck your diet, you may want to consider this one, I know I am considering purchasing a jar. It really was delicious! A. (I wish it was a bit more fluid, in that case it would be an A+).


4. Whiskey Ink & Lace Cocoa Mint Lip Balm - $5 / Tin



Whiskey Ink & Lace Cocoa Mint Lip Balm
How can one not completely fall in love here! The brand name itself is adorable, it has this feel of rough old west cowboy saloon with a dash of romantic intrigue (that's the lace part). I am real sucker for these kinds of brands. Now, I have checked the site, most of the products are for men (shaving creams, mustache wax etc.) but they have candles and bath scrubs as well. In all, I find the products not only intriguing, but their ingredients are also very interesting.
You may want to check this Cake Batter Body Butter for instance.
If you have a man in your life who is not afraid of using skin care products, these would make a fantastic gift for Father's Day.
Moving on to the Lip Balm. It's just wonderful. A bit too solid as a formula, but I will attribute that to the fact it was very cold outside and the box stayed on my front porch for a while.  That being said, if you can imagine what rubbing your lips with Girl Scout Cookies Thin Mints would be like, this is it!
Delicious scent, a bit of a tingle from the mint, a nice balm that goes on well and does not melt off right away. I am falling in love with this brand.  A


5.  Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) - Daily Benefits Shampoo and Conditioner - $9 / each

 


BWC Daily Benefits Shampoo
I am fairly familiar with the BWC brand since Eco Emi tends to send quite a few of these each year. 
If you are looking for hair products (or any other skincare products for that matter) that are sulftate, paraben, chemical etc, free. BWC is for you.
This is a no-nonsense line of products that is as pure as can be. Generally I find their shampoos to be too volumizing for my thick hair, I always end up with a ball of fluff on top of my head. So if you have thinning hair, this Daily Benefits line is a good option. For thicker hair, I would recommend their Moisture Plus line. 

Overall, this one did the job as a shampoo and conditioner duo, they are clarifying without stripping your hair of all its essential oils. A good option when traveling since I have noticed that my hair tends to stay cleaner longer when I use their products. B.


6.  Love for Humanity - Eye Serum - $50/ 0.5 oz


Love for Humanity - Eye Serum
 Let me start by letting you know that this is cheaper on Amazon ($41.77 instead of $50).
The sample I received was just too small for me to notice any kind of benefits though.
Their website lists the following claims and ingredients:

• Ultra potent eye serum
• Immediately revives puffy skin around the eyes
• Brightens dark circles
• Helichrysum reduces skin discoloration & fine lines
• Blue Chamomille calms and heals delicate skin
• Pumkin Seed naturally exfoliates and encourages cell turnover for a youthful glow


Overall, I would say these are all excellent ingredients for an eye serum. I did find it to be too fluid, it is almost liquid, more like an oil. It did absorb very well and did not leave a greasy film on my skin. I think one would have to use it for an extended period of time in order to see any difference on dark circles, but the reviews on this product are phenomenal. So you may want to check it out if you have dark circles, creeping eye lids and fine lines. I simply have too many eye products at the moment to consider this hefty purchase. But, take this into consideration, since it is fluid, a little goes a long way and it may be worth the splurge over time. It has a nutty scent that is barely noticeable, I did not care for the yellow color though. B+.

7. Colorganics - Lip Tint in Wine - $11.50



Colorganics Lip Tint
I am really not sure about this lip tint. I have always liked the concept of tinted lip balm, but to be honest, this one does not have much of the "balm" factor in it. I found the formula to be too dry (it may be the sample I received). It goes on okay, and me be applied to your lips throughout the day if you need a hint of color but do not want to carry a full lipstick with you.

Adds a rich sheer tint while protecting and moisturizing your lips with organic castor oil and moisturizing organic hemp seed oil. (quoted from Colorganics website)
 I am not in love with this. C+.




8. Bioterra Herbs - Boing Energy Supplement - $4.99 / 10 caps

Boing Energy Supplement
There has been a lot of talk in the past few months about false claims and false ingredients in drug store supplements. To be honest, I am really not sure who we can trust anymore these days when it comes to our health. I tend to forget to take supplements all the time, I much prefer watching my diet and ensuring that I add a scoop of Green Vibrance to my morning smoothie, that seems to be working for me. 
If you have lousy energy and feel fatigued all the time, you may want to consider these as the reviews for it are generally very positive. 

 Their website reports the following ingredients:

 Asian Ginseng (root), Astragalus (root), Ophiopogon (root tuber),
  Schisandra (fruit), Grass-leaf Sweetflag (rhizome)


And that it is Vegan and organic of course. Back in my college days, I used to take Ginseng vials for energy every morning and that seemed to work. 
I tried these, the pills (which are filled with a slightly brown powder) are a tad too big to swallow, you may need a big gulp to get the stuff down. I am naturally energetic so I cannot say that I noticed any difference, I can tell you however, that these did not give me jitters. I am not on the market for supplements, so this is not something I would consider purchasing in the future, however, you may want to consider these for its energy boosting properties. B.   

And that concludes my February 2015 Eco Emi Variety Box Review. It was indeed a good box, Aside from the weird dried fruit, I did enjoy sampling all of the items in this box.
 


You can get your own box here.
You can view all my Eco Emi open box videos here.
Check out my other subscription boxes here.


 

Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ



Connect with me:









Want to send me a product for review? Have a product request?


Mailing address:

My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 Pompton Avenue
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998




This blog contains affiliate advertising, this is how I support my blog and YouTube Channel.  I was not solicited to advertise for the products mentioned above, all opinions are my own. 

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Saturday, October 25, 2014

Eco Emi - September 2014 - Full Review

Hi friends,

I think it goes without saying that I love how Eco Emi has finally shaped up and resumed great boxes delivered right to my door! For those of you not familiar with the concept, Eco Emi is a sample subscription box for which you pay $15 per month (shipping is included) and receive up to 9 samples (always a full size) of organic and environmental friendly products, whether skin care, cosmetics or food items.
For a while, and I suspect it is because the company was restructuring, the boxes were very lame. However, and for the past two months, Eco Emi is back! And wait until you see the October 2014 box!

Here is the open box video for September 2014:




The September 2014 box was very good, I thought it was in true Eco Emi form, a good mix of fun products and original items I was very eager to try out. The theme this month was "Pay it Forward" and making a difference in the lives of adults with disabilities, why? The boxes are packed and readied for shipping by adults with various disabilities, It's a great way to provide a fulfilling life to often forgotten citizens. Proceeds from the boxes maintain their employment as well. Everyone wins, when you pay it forward!


Eco Emi September 2014 box


1. Bambooee Reusable Bamboo Towel - $10 / towels. - B+

This is an interesting concept. Counter towels for general cleaning that are made of reusable bamboo fiber. They can we washed up to 100 times and are actually quite large. At first I was not too impressed with the item, the availability of these towels in my area is quite limited. But, I found a better use for them: they make very good dusting rags for wood furniture. Having brought back some antiques from our latest trip to Ohio, I can tell you that using these with Sweet Almond Oil (or Pledge , even) makes the job quite fun. They do not scratch and do not absorb so much of the product that you need to reapply. Once I was done with the task, I simply sprayed the towel with more furniture polish and saturated another one with more Almond Oil, then sealed them in a Ziploc bag. Voila, ready for the next dusting task!

2. Green Gaia Essentials - Yoga Mat All Purpose Cleaner Spray - $2.50/ 2 OZ. - C-



Unfortunately, I was not impressed with this item. I do not engage in Yoga, I know all too well it would be good for me. So as a Yoga Mat cleanser, sorry, I cannot help. Instead, I used it as a Linen and general deodorizer and it was just okay. The Lavender scent is faint and does not have much staying power.  I am just not sure that yoga mats require a specific kind of cleaner. That said, it's from an Etsy Shop and I am all about supporting Mom and Pop shops. So if you are into Yoga and your mat needs a pick me up, check them out!

3. The Organic Coffee Company, Zen Blend Coffee - $1.99 / 2 OZ - B+



I am a big coffee drinker (at least 5 cups per day) I guess that makes me somewhat of a connoisseur! This was actually pretty good coffee. In the past, I would find the Eco Emi sponsored coffees to be too bitter or too dark, not smooth and so despite their claim. This one was pretty good. It is not so bold that you have coffee breath until bed time, it is pretty smooth but still feels like a strong coffee. It is made from Central America Arabicas (blend). Fairly traded and shade-grown at high altitudes. A good afternoon choice.

4. Thesis - Organic Eye Serum Lullabies for My Eyes - $19.95 / 1 OZ - C-



I am a big fan of eye serum, I lather the stuff as though my life depended on it. This one did not impress me at all. 


Pampering and rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids, this serum also contains a blend of precious pure organic essential oils of patchouli, palmarosa and lavender which assist in preventing wrinkles, re-hydrating the skin, and promoting cell regeneration. Perfect for damaged skin that is dry and mature and needing repair. Made with pure certified organic ingredients, this highly nourishing serum contains NO petroleum derived substances, artificial fragrances, and synthetic skin irritants.(quoted from Amazon.com)

I thought this was a bit too oily for my liking, it just sat there, pretty much all day and made it difficult to apply under eye concealer since the cream would just lay over it and move around. It did absorb eventually but only partially and the patchouli scent, which I love, lingered throughout the day.  I am glad I received a good enough size for travel and have plenty left for our next trip since I would only recommend you use this at night. I can't say it is depuffering and did not notice my eyes looked more awakened the following day. This is another product that is simply a good emollient for your skin for occasional treatment, but quite frankly I can't see myself using it as a routine.

5. I.C.O.N. India oil - $41.50 / 3.8 OZ. - A


It's not often that I get excited about a hair oil. I usually find them to be over hyped, leaving my hair shinny but oily and dingy looking, or very smooth but with no life. This one is very different. it presents as a fluid gel similar in texture to John Frieda Frizz-Ease . However, it absorbs right away and is very manageable, brushable and yes, it is a good detangler. Following one application, I noticed that my hair looked healthier and shinier but without the greasy look most hair oil leave behind. It also smells delicious...In a way that I cannot describe, a mix of oriental nuts and musk. I really, really recommend this India Hair Oil .

6. Stall Mates - Hygienic Wipes - $11.99/ 30 wipes - B+



These are wipes for your private needs. They work great, they are large enough, they are thick enough, they are lightly scented (Chamomile), they are biodegradable and super discreet for the office. Enough said. They work. Get some.

7. Fruit Bliss Organic Turkish Apricots - $16.69/ 12 pouches - A



I was upset when I received this box because I have been on Weight Watchers for a few weeks and really did not want to wreck my lifestyle change. These are exactly the right excuse for relapse and abuse. I mean seriously, how can you go wrong with a dried apricot! These are sun dried and surprisingly amazingly moist. They also retained their natural dried color, meaning that they come out a dark brown color instead of the perfect apricot color one generally sees at the store. They were delicious, I did not abuse and only had three. Lots of Weight Watchers points for a whole bag (about 5) as a result of all the sugar left behind, but very delicious - in an evil sort of way. I could give them an A+, but seriously look at the price and these are not big pouches!

7. The Cookie Department - Vegan Sweet Potato Cookie - $18 / 12 Cookies - B-



I like sweet potato, but I don't like sweet potato pie. This was a decent cookie for me, very moist, but since it is gluten free, I did not find it to be very filling or even all that tasty. Matter of fact, it tasted like water, in a way, as though missing a few key ingredients found in delicious cookies like tons of butter and flour. Not rushing to the store to get me more, especially at that price.

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This was a good box overall, I am really glad I was able to discover a new
Hair Oil to rave about, not to mention the delicious apricots. October 2014 is a fabulous box, but that will come up next on MGC Vlog and Blogs.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ



Connect with me:





Mailing address:

My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 POMPTON AVE
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998


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