NuNaturals Review + Giveaway

I got a lot of stuff in the mail from NuNaturals to try and out. It's all so good.

Much of the time I don't use NuStevia product in recipes. I usually use them to add something sweet to smoothies, coffee, oatmeal, plain Greek yogurt, or lemonade. That way my family isn't taking in a ton of sugar.  

All their products are:

• Stevia Based
• "0" Calorie
• Sugar-Free
• Dairy-Free
• Gluten Free
• Vegan

Here are the products I got:

A box full of packets of White Stevia Powder

It is great if you are on the go. You can take as much, or as little packets that you choose out of this box.

NuStevia No Carbs Blend

I use this in my coffee at times.

Recently I did make Cranberries with this. I got the recipe off NuNaturals website. I cut the recipe in 1/2, since I'm the only one that enjoys cranberries at my house.

Ingredients:

2 - 12 oz bags fresh cranberries. (6 cups cranberries)
2 tsp orange zest
Juice of 1 large navel orange (approx ¼ cup juice)
¼ cup + 2 Tbsp water
¼ tsp (or to taste) NuNaturals NuStevia Pure White Stevia Extract
½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, orange zest, orange juice and water.
2. Cover with a lid, and heat over medium to medium high heat for about 10 minutes.
3. Lift off the lid, and give the cranberries a stir with a wooden spoon, they should be sauce at this point.
4. From here, add in the stevia, tasting as you go to get it to the sweetness level you want.
5. Once you're happy with the level of sweetness, add the vanilla and stir.
6. Allow to cool to room temp. Serve at room temp or if not using, put in an airtight container and keep in the fridge. Unused portions should freeze well.

It was really good!

NuStevia Cocoa Mint Syrup and Cocoa Syrup 

These are some of my favorites! In a blender I put in a handful of spinach leaves, frozen bananas, unsweetened almond milk, and add the Coco Mint Syrup. It tastes just like mint ice cream. The Cocoa Syrup can be added to any smoothie variety to give it a coco flavor.

The liquid flavored NuNaturals: Orange, Lemon, Vanilla, Peppermint, and Alcohol Free

I make a lemonade or limeade for my boys with 2 freshly squeezed lemons or limes, 1 carbonated water, 4 drops of Orange, Lemon, Lime (another flavor they carry), or Cherry (another flavor they carry) Pure Liquid NuStevia, and fill the rest up with water.  The boys love it!

I add drops of whatever flavor I'm craving in plain Greek yogurt to give it some flavor.

I add drops of whatever flavor I'm craving in plain oatmeal.

NuNaturals NuGrains Oat Fiber 

I add this in smoothies, yogurt, and oatmeal. 

Recently I did make oatmeal with this. I made enough for 3 small bowls.


Ingredients:

¼ cup freshly ground flaxseed
3 tablespoons NuGrains Oat Fiber
2 tsp orange zest

3 cups unsweetend almond milk, or water
1 ½ cups quick oats
Drops of your flavor choice of NuNaturals liquid NuStevia to desired sweetness

Directions:

1. Grind the flaxseed. I used golden flaxseed. Divide into bowls.
2. Put a Tablespoon of NuGrains Oat Fiber into each bowl.
3. Add orange zest in each bowl, or you can choose to top your oatmeal with this.
4. In a small pot add in water, or almond milk. Much of the time I do 50/50.
5. Add in quick oats to the pan.
6. Heat until the oatmeal is thicker.
7. Pour the oatmeal into the bowls and stir.
8. Add in drops of your flavor choice of NuNaturals liquid NuStevia to desired sweetness.

I love the NuNaturals products. They ship fast and taste really good! The owner always gives a lot, which is so nice! 

Win It! You to can win all the products I reviewed! 
Open WORLD WIDE | They can not ship to PO Boxes

4 readers will receive 1 bottle of the Vanilla NuStevia Liquid, 1 bottle of their new sugar-free Cocoa Syrup, 1 bottle of their new sugar-free Mint Cocoa Syrup, plus a 50 pkt. box of their  NuStevia No Carb  packets. In addition, each of your 4 winners will also receive a FREE BONUS PKG. The total retail value of each package is $70.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can't Wait: Enter the DISCOUNT CODE of :  BLG1215 and they will receive -15% DISCOUNT on their entire order. ( Not to be combined with other discounts ). This discount remains EFFECTIVE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2015.


Check out their facebook page, twitter page and recipes.

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. I received samples from NuNaturals to assist with this review. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review.

What’s One Thing That Society Insists You Do That You Can’t Stand?

Again I'm answering the Question of the Month from the blog A Life Examined.

The question this month is, What’s One Five Thing(s) That Society Insists You Do That You Can’t Stand?

There are some things that come to mind:

Elbows off the table!

I don't care if the person in front of me has their elbows on the table, or not. If you are a Table Nazi, you'd hate eating at my house. I don't eat with my mouth open, belch, throw food, or slurp. Sometimes if food looks like it would be better sooted for finger eating, I'll eat it that way. If I can cut my meat with my fork instead of my knife I'll do so. Then I don't have to dirty a knife.

I eat more like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman before she meets Richard Gere. Except I do know the difference between a salad fork and a dinner fork. At home we have salad forks and dinner forks, but use them both for eating whatever.

Fill in the circle. 

The US wants to test our children to gage how smart they are, by enforcing them to take timed tests. Yet we make our children fill in bubbles. If a child circles an answer, checks it, or puts an X through the answer to indicate that, that is the answer, they could get that question wrong because the stupid circle wasn't filled in. It takes a lot longer to fill in a circle, then it does to circle, check, or put an X on the answer. When time is of essence, it's so ridiculous!

Travis told Mica about this and said, "Here in the US we have bullshit ways of doing things. You might as well get used to filling in the circle son."

Oh it makes it easier for the person that's grading the test. Bullshit!

How about we teach kids to double check their work instead of focus on how fast they can think, and fill in a stupid circle?

Source

Color inside the lines! 

I get it. It forces kids to be neat, and builds up those fine motor skills. You mean to tell me that all famous artists painted inside the lines? Many of them started out that way, then abandoned that to become more free, and playful with their work. Teachers, and parents should say what they want out of something. Instead of, "Color inside the lines." Say, "For this exercise I want you to color inside the lines, so we can practice how neat you can be. Next week you can color whatever way you want."

Source

Don't speak unless you are spoken to. 

I'm a random thought kind of person. I blurt out what I think at times. I get in a classroom environment that kids shouldn't talk all the time, or there would be chaos. At other times it's just plain silly to get mad at a child if they speak when they aren't spoken to first. We're training them to be free thinkers, to excel in life, and dream big. We also want them to not talk unless we give them permission? That's contradictory. How are they suppose to learn if they don't ask questions, or share what's on their mind? Yes kids should be respectful, but they should also be free to express their feelings, and talk. Otherwise we're not respecting them, which is teaching them lack of respect for others. They learn by watching. There are times when I say, "I'm sorry I was talking. Can you say what's on your mind later?" My kids better respect that. Isaak sometimes gets annoyed with me because he forgets what he was going to say. They don't get in trouble for talking otherwise. 

Contradictory!

Package only 1/2 way.

This isn't something I'm expected to do. It is something factory workers are expected to do. Fill bags, boxes, and containers only part of the way. Business owners: I'll pay more, I promise if you loose the waisted packaging. 

Rants are done. What’s one, or five thing(s) that society insists you do that you can’t stand?

NatraCure Arthritis Mittens Review

I recently got NatraCure Arthritis Mittens by Poly Gel to review. 

NatraCure Mitts provide relief from arthritis pain and discomfort. I use my hands so much that sometimes I need some relief. I'm on the computer a lot, crafting, painting, or doing dishes. This deep penetrating action of moist heat therapy helps. 

Cost: $19.99

The gloves are put into the microwave on both sides to heat up. You can see the starburst change from a blue to a red to show that it goes from cool to hot. 

1/2 way ready

All the way ready

I like the way that they feel! They have a gel, but also small beans (like you'd feel in a bead bag chair) inside it. This clinically proven system combines traditional heat with the state-of-the-art science of our proprietary SmartGel® Technology.

Essential Oils:

• Avocado Oil can help act as a natural anti-inflammatory.

• Soybean Oil - can help promote general bone health and act as anti-inflammatory.

• Grape Seed Oil - can help dilate blood vessels to increase circulation and reduce pain.

• Jojoba Oil - can help quickly penetrate to deliver healing properties of its partner oils.

• Mineral Oil - can help improve mobility and relieve stiffness of painful, aching joints. 

• Canola Oil - can help act as a natural anti-inflammatory with Omega-3s.

• Olive Oil - can help act as a natural pain killer with its oleocanthal compound.

It felt like my hand was getting a massage. They help improve grip, strength, and dexterity.

I do feel a little like the velcro could be stronger. It seems like the velcro could fall off already. 

Results:

• After 5-10 minutes: Increases blood circulation for pain relief, soothes stiff joints, calms muscle spasms, improves range of motion, & reduces inflammation.

• After 30 days: With regular use, stronger, more energized hands, improved dexterity, & further reduction of pain and discomfort.

This is not messy, so there is no clean up!

It is a great product for anyone that uses their hands a lot like I do. I give it a thumbs up!

 

 

If you have feet problems Poly Gel makes slippers to! I have major feet problems, and would love to try them out.

    
 

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Best Foot Relief Glycerine Filled Liquid Insoles Review

My husband has been complaining about his feet. He said, "I need insoles." I got Best Foot Relief Glycerine Filled Liquid Insoles to review. They sell for $75, but are on sale for $39. 

They came in perfect condition. I had no problems with the company what so ever.

I have medical built insoles. I have very little left ankle + no arch. My insoles are built up a lot! I happen to know that just like braces, and mouth guards are hard to get used to, so are insoles. It's like putting hard shoes on a baby for the first time. They have problems walking in them. 

These insoles are not hard. They are the opposite. It's like a water bed for your feet. They are super comfortable! Just different to walk on. The glycerine moves around, while you walk. It's perfect for people that stand at a job all day. Travis however is still getting used to them. 

There are a Ton of Perks to These Insoles:

• They are comfortable
• Compared to other insoles they are inexpensive
• They are not bulky like my insoles

• They support your arch
• They massage your feet, which increases blood circulation 
• They relieve foot stresses and fatigue by keeping you more relaxed  with their cushioned base
• They absorb shock during sports activities 
•  They keep your feet warm in the winter time 
• They have antimicrobial properties discouraging growth of odor, which causes bacteria 
• They eliminate plantar fascitis and inflammation pain 
• They are unisex
• They can be worn with any type of shoe

Travis had no problem getting them to fit in his shoes. I did notice that he needs not only insoles, but new shoes. His shoes are worn out!

He's walked around in them for a few days. They still feel new and different. He's never had insoles at all. There's a lot of perks to the insoles, so we'll have to wait and see how he feels about them weeks from now. 

Do you have insoles?

    
 

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for a discounted rate in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Blue Building Baseplate 5x5 8 pack Review

My boys play with Legos much of the time. The problem is that Legos are so expensive. I'm finding that off shoot brands are pretty good to. They don't put a dent in your wallet.

We never really had any baseplates to play with. Now we do. I got a Blue Building Baseplate - 8 pack that is 5"x5" to review. They are made by Click n' Play. The cost is $13.61.

Gift of the Season:

• They are going in my kid's stockings. They are the perfect size for a stocking gift. 
• This would be great for any nerdy White Elephant gift. I have a lot of artist friends that still love building with Legos, or similar building toys. 
• You could donate these to a local school, or library for a Lego Club that they have. We have Lego Clubs at both the boy's school, and library. 
• You could donate these for Toys for Tots, a hospital that has children there long term, or other non-profit that gives to children. I love giving, but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg when I give. It's more the thought that is there for me. This would be a great gift for a kid in need. 
• They'd be great for birthday party bags. 

I did a little snooping in Mica's room to find some of his recent constructions to play with. These baseplates just keep the models connected, and make it easy to display them. 

Don't run out of baseplates again with this 8 pack 5x5 inch Blue plates! They are compatible with all major building bricks company's. I did find them best for what they are suited for - baseplates. I tried putting one on top of a construction, and it didn't fit as tight as the Lego ones. They do keep your creations together for small models, and make it easy to carry and display them.

These are ideal for group building with family, friends, and building clubs.  

Recommended for age 3 and up. Not for DUPLO sized blocks. The plates are not affiliated with or endorsed in any way by Lego, a registered trademark of Lego Systems.

Do you have kid in your family that likes to build? I find that my kids build the sets 3 or 4 times, then abandon that to make their own things.

    
 

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.