Hydros Bottle filtering water for a good cause

Multiple-Hyros-Water-BottleWhen I was looking into reviewing the Hydros water bottle, I did some research on the company and was very impressed with their bold mission.  This was a company I could stand behind! They have great intentions to do incredible things. hydros-filtering-water-bott

Currently they are working to reduce plastic and fight the global water crisis. Did you know that over one billion people do not have access to water? Well, this start-up company is trying to reduce that. With each bottle they sell they contribute funds to Engineers without Borders to build sustainable water projects all over the globe!

I was sent a Hydros bottle (in pink) to review and here are my thoughts:

Obviously, I was impressed with the company’s clean water movement. Not only that, these hand-held water bottles are made in the USA. I always appreciate when companies produce products in the USA, promoting our economy and our people!

The sleek bottle is definitely attractive, more attractive than (most) my other bottles. All of the color choices in the bottles are light colors, blue, clear, green, etc. which give them a natural, airy feel. However, I did not like that the filter cap is the only cap. I wish you could take the filter off and the top part had a normal cap to close the bottle.

Lastly, I am kind of a water snob. I am talking I can taste the difference in the water every place I go. I SWEAR I can taste the difference between bottled water and bad tap water too.

Anyway, since I am always in different states for my job, I have realized certain places I like the water and the places I don’t. Truth be told, because of the taste, I drink more bottled water than tap. Shame on me, because I know it is a total waste of money and plastic! But like I said, I am a water snob and I can’t stand gross water! This is why I was very excited to see how this filtered bottle compares to bottled water.

The fast flow filter was easy to use, and like it’s name, was a fast flow! But could I tell with the taste that it removed chlorine, chloramine and particulates from the tap water? Actually yes.

I poured the tap water from my kitchen sink into the filter and when it was all filtered in, I set it in the refrigerator to chill. (Once, again I am a water snob – it needs to be cold, not ice cold either!) After leaving it for about 30 minutes I tested the water and I could taste the difference! I am so excited!

The Hydros water bottle might make all the difference when deciding to drink bottled water or not! It is so easy to have great tasting water on the go – of course I would go for this bottle and eliminate plastic bottles!

HydrosBottles-Filter-Fast

Buy Your Own!! You can find these bottles online, at Whole Foods in the mid-atlantic region and they are rapidly expanding! They’re also in many independent retailers as well.

Join them Socially!! Be their Facebook fan and follow their twitter account for more Hydros action!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

Product Review: Green Works Cleaners

Green-works-logo

Green-Works-Clorox-Laundry-ProductsI like Green Works products for many reasons. I like that the ingredients for their products come from renewable resources, are biodegradable, and are free from petrochemicals. I also like that all of Green Works cleaners are at least 99% natural.Green-works-cleaning-wipes

But do they stand up to the cleaning test? Because let’s be honest, a cleaner that doesn’t clean, isn’t worth much in this dirty house!

Well it is no question that one of my all time favorite cleaning products – the natural wipes stands up to the test! These handy cleaning wipes can be used almost anywhere! There is a mess? Just wipe it up with one of these guys! Dirty counter, dusty head board? The Green Works natural wipes to the rescue!

I also got a chance to review a product I had never used before, Green Work’s Oxi stain remover. The Oxi stain remover was great at getting our stained clothes clean in the washer, but not as much with tough stains in the bathroom. While it was easy to add to our laundry load, when we attempted to clean with this product in the tub, it was a scrub fest for hours. It didn’t put up a good fight, and I find that other products do the trick better.

I will be using this product for my laundry though because the items out of the wash appeared sharper and crisp. For the best results I pre-treated with the Oxi stain remover, by soaking and gently rubbing. Then I put it is the bottom of the drum in my washer and loaded my clothes up. I will be using this natural product to fight laundry stains like grass, coffee, spaghetti sauce, juice, chocolate and gravy. And I’ll save the bathroom tile for my trusty other (not natural :( ) cleaner. Green-works-Oxi-stain-remov

Green Works is a line of cleaning products from Clorox that clean without harsh chemicals, fumes or residue. All of the product I tested come in fragrance free, natural scents. These products are refreshing and light. Nothing too fume-y! They have a glass and surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, laundry detergent, bleach, and cleaning wipes!

Buy Your Own!! You can find all of the Green Works Cleaners at a store near you, like Wal-mart or Walgreens and online at Drugstore.com, and Amazon.com.

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor and Mom Bloggers Club for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

Barielle Beauty Nail Products

I just love a good story about how a company first gets started, and Barielle Beauty has a good one, so I’m sharing it… Their story began more than 30 years ago at the Belmont Racetrack. Husband and wife equestrian aficionados devised a breakthrough formula to condition the hooves of their million-dollar thoroughbred racehorses. Reformulated for women and men, the miracle product “Nail Strengthener Cream” was born and Barielle was founded. Their Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream, which helps nails grow healthier and stronger while resisting splits, peels, and breaks, remains a best-selling product even today.barielle-nail-products-for-travel

Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream ($10):

The most popular, ground-breaking product for nail treatment. Helps strengthen nails to resist splits, peels and breaks. Can be used over nail polish or on bare nails.

Barielle Total Foot Care Cream ($12):
Luxurious conditioning cream that helps eliminate calluses and cracks.  Contains NO harsh peeling ingredients, acids, or camphor.  Leaves your feet feeling soft and silky.  Baby powder fragrance.

Shades by Barielle ($8):
Salon-strength formula that is free of the chemicals dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde – pregnancy safe. Provides high-shine glossy coat and forms protective barrier for a long-lasting finish. If shopping online…buy one get one 50%!

Review: Honestly, I am pretty embarrassed by my nails, they are in bad, bad shape. First and foremost, I am a nail biter! Second, I tend to pick at my cuticles and hang nails. And lastly, because of my job (lots of soda can popping!) they are constantly getting beat up… cracked, split and chipped!

I honestly would love to have nice nails, after all, people look at my hands every day as I serve them drinks! So there was no doubt was I pretty anxious about trying these Barielle Nail Products.

Barielle-Foot-Cream-The nail polish color (u-concrete-me) is just gorgeous. It is in-between a gray and blue. It is shiny and two coats will do just fine. The color lasted a few days before chipping on the sides (both my nails and the polish), I am hoping the Barielle nail strengthener will help a little with that too…

The Barielle nail strengthener gave my nails a little boost. I have used this cream just about daily on my nails and they seem to be less brittle. (Now I just need to work on not nervously biting them!)

Lastly I tested out the foot cream.  I love this stuff. My poor feet were so chapped and dry from the winter and then from wearing flip flops the last few weeks. From my toes to my heels, my feet were pathetic! I used it before bed last night and woke up to super-soft feet! It did miracle work while I was asleep! Just one night with this cream – and it did the trick!

If you want to rejuvenate your hands, feet, and/or nails, check out Barielle and their awesome products, just in time to get ready for the strappy sandals season!


{Giveaway}

BUY IT!! Barielle products are sold exclusively at www.barielle.com

WIN IT!! One reader will win the prize:  Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream ($10), Barielle Total Foot Care Cream — Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner ($12), and Shades by Barielle ($8 each) !

*In order for your entry to count please provide a link in your comment showing where you posted about the giveaway.

Rules: Open to US residents 18 years or older. Winner chosen at random via random.org. Winners will be emailed and have 48hours to respond.  BEST OF LUCK!
Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product  from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

Review: New! Ziploc VersaGlass

Ziploc-Versaglass-logoVersa-Glass-Ziploc-ContainersWhen reviewing food storage containers there are a few basic elements I am looking for. How well does it hold in liquids? Is the container shape convenient? Is it multifunctional? Etc.

I tested out the New! Ziploc® VersaGlass™ – medium square shape container and want to answer those important questions and more. So, read on readers…

How well does Ziploc® VersaGlass™ hold in liquids?

Bummer, the Ziploc VersaGlass is disappointing when it comes to the upside down test. I tested it with water (I’m not a risk-taker people!) and when I flipped it over a few times it had a slow drip leak. Although the lid feels secure on the container, it didn’t hold in all the liquid.

This would be a very bad thing it you had a soup, sauces or any other thin liquids. You might not want to use it for traveling, lunch boxes or in your purse. You don’t want to risk the messy clean-up!

Tall-Round-Ziploc-VersaGlassIs the Ziploc® VersaGlass™ container shape convenient?

The container sizes: small rectangle, small round, tall round, medium square, large square, medium rectangle, and a variety pack that includes small round, medium square, and large square. There is a shape for every small dish – from marinating chicken breasts to meatloaf!

The smallest container is small round – 13 (1-1/2 cups) fl. oz. and the largest is the large square 64 fl. oz. (8 cups). No cooking a full meal in these, they’re just big enough for 1-3 left-over portions!

These containers are made of thick and sturdy glass, they stack in one another. With limited room in my kitchen, this is a huge plus for me!Ziploc-Store,-Heat,-Serve-VeraGlass

Is the Ziploc® VersaGlass™ multifunctional?

This container has a lot good things going for it when it comes to multi-purposes! Unlike plastic containers, this container is great in the oven, microwave, refrigerator and freezer! It is dishwasher safe and both the lid and the bowl are suitable in low and high temperatures! (Oven safe up to 400°F (204°C), without lid). Also, this container is a lot more pleasing to the eye when using it as a serving dish, compared to the plastic containers!

Ziploc VersaGlasses are versatile and reusable. You can store, heat and serve—all in one container.

How much does the Ziploc® VersaGlass™ cost?

For the best value, you can purchase the Ziploc VersaGlass variety pack (includes small round, medium square, and large square) on Amazon for $18.86. Single-VersaGlass-Container-Ziploc-Green-Lid

MY SUMMARY

  • PRO – Love the glass vs. plastic! No more bad chemicals leaking into my leftovers!
  • PRO – More bang for your buck! Worth the extra price because they are reusable and will outlast the plastic versions any day!
  • PRO – Multi-functional! Oven and microwave safe! Heat, Store, Serve…
  • CON – Failed the leak test

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product  from Ziploc. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

Review: Blue State, Red State Coffee

Logo-Red-State-Blue-StateWe consume coffee. A whole heckuva lot of coffee.

My husband alone usually drinks 4 to 5 cups of coffee a day. The first cup starts at home and usually the last cup he drinks at home too. The other cups of caffeine he sips during his loooong workdays. So to say the least, we spend a decent of money on coffee and getting the ‘good stuff’ is important to us.Blue-State-Red-State-Coffee

I am always up for trying new brands, because you never know what you might find! Blue State Red State is a new brand to me. I’ve never heard of this coffee, and I’ve never seen it in stores… but that makes sense because it is typically bought online.

There are a few differences in this coffee than other coffee brands, for instance how they donate part of their profits.

They recently launched a mission to give Americans the opportunity to buy quality products to support the causes that matter most to them, beginning with coffee. But it’s all political. No really… they donate 33% of the profits to either the Democratic or Republican causes based on which coffee brand you buy.

Blue State Red State, operates three distinct brands as follows:

• Blue State Red State – donations to charities and politically neutral non-profit organizations
Blue State Blue – donations to Democratic advocacy groups
Red State Red – donations to Republican advocacy groups

But I don’t like politics. In fact I try to stay out of it. And now all this drama with the Governator…. Arnold, oh, dear, Arnold…you’re no different from the rest. Oh, back to the coffee… Right, so since I don’t like politics and don’t really want to donate to EITHER side, there is a coffee for me too, the flagship Blue State Red State brand donates 33% of profits to non-profit organizations. That’s more like it.

We taste-tested the Ramparts Roast coffee. Ramparts Roast is our stronger blend – robust, deep and bold with a delightful smoky accent! This two pack contains a 12 oz. bag of each.

We really enjoyed the taste of this coffee. It is flavorful, high quality, has a lovely aroma and just good. One of the perks about this coffee is it is ordered online and delivered right to your door! We are enthusiastic about the fact this coffee is fair trade, shade grown and organic pieces of this coffee.

Connect with Blue State Red State on Facebook! Buy the coffee at Blue State Red State.

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product  from Red State Blue State on behalf of Family Review Network for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.