1THE Water Filter System Review

We all want cleaner water, and we’re all sick of the hassle of buying water bottled, or the expense of having it delivered. And despite what our “benevolent” leaders would have you believe, I don’t think for one second the water that comes straight from the tap is fit to drink. What’s a gal to do?

One thing that has gathered steam lately is under-sink filtration systems. None of the expense and installation issues involved with a whole home system, and none of the waste of buying bottled all the time. I thought when this system was offered it was in in-line system, and indeed there no mention of the one thing that stopped me from permanently installing this setup is that as offered, you must drill a hole in your sink or countertop for the dedicated spigot. If you have an undermount sink, or granite countertops, the absolute last thing you want to do is start drilling holes in either. And while I’m certain Hubby has a larger-than-average drill bit that could make a hole large enough to install the spigot, I don’t know that I’d want him to. So we did mickey-mouse the setup to run our household water through the filters temporarily. There was indeed a notable difference in flavor of the water, to our benefit. The multi-stage filtration looks pretty comprehensive, and there was no leaks from the system itself. But I waited for years to have my granite counters put in, there’s no way on this earth I’m going to start putting holes in it for this.

Another thing that gave me pause is that I don’t see where I can order replacement filters. Not on Amazon, and not from their website directly. Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, Osh…Nothing to be found anywhere. That’s troubling because one thing is the initial expense of the system (which at $144.50 is not insignificant), but to be beholden to a company to offer replacement filters at whatever cost they want because they can’t be found elsewhere? Uh-uh. Sorry, that’s not a system I’d want to buy in to and make permanent alterations to my kitchen’s (or any other rooms) stone countertops and then be left with either a hole or a superfluous spigot. The idea has merit, and I’m not opposed to it, but the application, for me, is a non-starter, and I would not have purchased this unit with that information.

Connect with 1The:

• Online
• On Amazon
• On Facebook
• On Twitter

I received the above product(s) free of charge from 1The. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Advertisement

VMI Sports Vasogen Xt Pump-Activating Vasodilator in Mali-Blueberry Breeze

 

Against my better judgement, Hubby wanted to try out a new supplement for pre-workouts, and while the ingredient list looked promising, the flavor was such that we might not know whether this mix is good or works well. So, here we go again with Hubby taking over the reins.

When one goes into a new pre-workout mix, the very first thing you want to look at is the ingredient list and research if the ingredients they claim are in there work.  So after much Google-Fu, I found that most of the ingredients in VMI Sports’ Vasogen Xt looked promising. There’s some sucralose, maltodexterin, and artificial flavors, but most of your bigger supplement companies will include these now a days. The smell upon opening wasn’t too off-putting, but the flavor…that flavor. VMI Sports sent me “Mali-Blu Berry Breeze”, and as a general rule I tend to avoid “blu”‘s or “berry”‘s because they’re usually super sweet. This one is tooth-achingly sweet. I tried watering it down, but the last thing you want before a workout is pounding 18 ounces of water to be sloshing around in your gut. Okay, new product, maybe I just have to get used to it. The next day I’m dreading it. The day after, I can’t finish it. By day four, I’m back to my old pre-workout because I can’t stomach this stuff. I tried contacting VMI Sports to see if I could exchange the flavor they sent for one of the other two (Tiger’s Blood, Hawaiian Pump), but I got no response. I tried once more but was met with crickets, so I’m not sure if they don’t care or know and don’t want to hear it. Whatever the case is, I couldn’t use enough of the product for a long enough period to tell if it works well or not. It might be good, it might be a bunch of sugars and a pinch of their proprietary ingredients. But for $37.03 for 30 servings, I’ll stick to the companies that address a customer’s concern and don’t make me sick to my stomach with artificial sugars.

VMI Sports did include quite a few samples, including one each of the other flavors of the Vasogen XT, which to their credit were much better flavors, so it might have been the luck of the draw for me. But I can’t rate the one I got very highly, because frankly, the flavor is disgusting. There’s a lot to like about this product, and the company, like being made in the USA and using some quality ingredients that have proven research, but if the flavor is so off-putting you can’t drink it, and the lack of response from the company make me pass on this product.

Poor guy. He can’t win for losing. So while VMI Sports Vasogen XT seemed promising, the company’s handling of a customer concern and flavor issues is enough for me to knock a few stars off. Oh well.

Connect with VMI Sports:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On YouTube
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from VMI Sports. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

American Golden Oak Barrel, Co.’s 2L Oak Aging Barrel

From time to time, you buy those little things that are just too cute to pass up, even if you don’t have a place for them yet, or it serves no practical purpose. This American Golden Oak Wood Barrel fits squarely into this category.

I’m a sucker for things like this, but I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that if you’re thinking of actually using it for spirits or beer, I would strongly advise against this. Primarily because it’s full of wood shavings and splinters, and the workmanship is so poor that the water we put in it to rinse it out leaked like a sieve. There’s also some issues with QC overall, because the stand had an exposed nail point that if not for Hubby’s rhino-skin, would have punctured mere mortals and left them bleeding. Now, to be fair, the amazon page claims that after “initial soaking and curing” there is a “NO LEAKS GUARANTEE” and should it leak they’ll replace it, but since I don’t plan on using it for liquor storage I’m not going to bother. It’s strictly decorational here. And it’s just adorable. Whether on a wine rack, in the kitchen, or in the dining room, it is a wonderful conversation piece, especially since the spigot and bung are both functional. There’s also a 356 day warranty and satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re looking to make this a party favor or use it for liquor, the worst that can happen is a little booze will be lost and you’ll still have a cute little knick-knack.

Like I said, my American Golden Oak Barrel (2L) did leak, and the craftsmanship was a little spotty, but since I don’t plan on using it for liquor, I was satisfied, but if your plan is to use it for it’s intended purpose, I’d be cautious and make sure you get one made a little better than mine, because I’d definitely be sending mine back if i were using it for more than decor.

Connect with  American Oak Barrel, Co.:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Amazon
• Buy your own Oak Barrel here!

I received the above product(s) free of charge from American Golden Oak Barrels. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Moms Meet: So Delicious Dairy Free Creamers #Review #SoDelicious

Who doesn’t love coffee? I’m one of those where coffee not only tastes good but I have found it helps me with other health issues, by increasing my circulation and giving me a boost of much needed energy. Plus, the warmth of a cup helps when my joints ache. What I don’t like are creamers. I mean I love how they taste sometimes, but not when it comes to the chemicals and thickeners, which take the joy of having a cup of coffee that is now more a loaded cup of sugar. I have been hunting for an alternative and when Moms Meet featured So Delicious, this is the brand I have seen in stores but sort of walked by (shame on me).

 

The campaign was mostly focused on the creamers So Delicious makes. You have two non-dairy bases to choose from, Coconut and Almond milk, with the former being the more extensive items to choose from:

• Coconut Milk in Original
• Coconut Milk Barista Style in Original and in French Vanilla
• Coconut Milk in French Vanilla
• Coconut Milk in Hazelnut

You can obtain the above in pints and quart sizes

• Almond Milk in Original
• Almond Milk in French Vanilla

You can obtain the above in only pint sizes

Retail Price Point: Usually under $3 for the pint and if you get a coupon, this creamer can be easily obtained for $1.50 with a sale/coupon combination. I purchased the creamers at Von’s, Sprout’s Farmers Market and at Target.

Verdict:
I was unsure what to expect and with about 25 calories per tablespoon with the Coconut variety and 15 calories with the Almond kind (i.e. comparing French Vanilla), you control what you want to put in your coffee. Not filled with sugars or artificial ingredients, plus soy free. Now, the taste matters. I love them. They taste better than the original creamers I used both in liquid and powder form. I’m getting a shot of flavor and creamer, all in one. I liked them so much, that I kept buying So Delicious. I am not branching out to other products. My friend that tried the creamer with us, has now raved about the ice cream……so look at So Delicious and change your routine. There is no getting bored here when it comes to flavors and all the wonderful products So Delicious makes!  Go on-line and connect with So Delicious because they over sweeten the deals (not your coffee) with the coupons they always offer.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Connect with So Delicious at:

• Online
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• #MomsMeet #SoDelicious

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Moms Meet and So Delicious. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Social Nature: Organic Guru Energy Drink #Review #GuruEnergy

When I think of energy drinks, the last thing I associate with them is real ingredients. So many are filled with ingredients and proprietary blends, which not only stimulate a burst of energy, but you come down crashing as fast as the energy lasted. I began just avoiding them five years ago but there are days where I was dragging and even the red colored bull was an item I went after when coffee failed me. I started now looking for better drinks that increase endurance with a slash of energy, just to make Mondays a little easier to deal with when I just can’t seem to start the week off right. Some of the drinks I pick now have ingredients like teas to even chia seeds.

In comes Guru drinks, they offer an organic alternative rather than a science experiment in a can. Guru also is only 115 calories for a 12 ounce can with 30 grams of sugar. I was also able to locate the cans easily at my local Sprout’s Farmers Market but I noticed you can purchase directly from the company or even via Amazon. Guru is not only certified Organic but GMO free, gluten free and even a Vegan friendly drink. But does it deliver the energy you need and desire like it’s other rivals?

Ingredients: sparkling water, organic cane sugar, organic white grape juice, citric acid, apple acid, natural flavors, organic green tea leaf extract, organic guarana seed extract, organic echinacea flower extract, organic panax ginseng root extract.

Verdict:
I put the can in the fridge overnight to have it cool and ready for the next day. I start hitting that wall at around 2:00 in the afternoon and decide to give Guru a try. I open the can and the sniff test is okay and not unpleasant. I decide to give it a try and this not only where the drink failed me. It tastes like cough syrup and not really good, even though I at least enjoy that the drink is cold on a very hot day. I continue to drink Guru and it has a bad aftertaste, that lingers and also thickens your saliva. That medicinal taste just intensifies the more I drink it and I try to not even hold the drink in my mouth because it even makes my gums taste weird. Not great when it came to flavor but if it gives me energy, I tend to be one of those people that can overlook taste a bit if the product works. I wait 30 minutes, nothing. Another hour passes and the taste is at least starting to go away or maybe I am getting use to it. Oh, Guru is an energy drink……and I have none. Twelve ounces of phlegm giving drink that goes against the mindset that if the taste is like medicine, it should do the opposite of thickening it. After some coughing, clearing of throat and so forth, the energy never hit me or even knocked on the door. I would have taken even one hour of reward after drinking 12 ounces of Guru but the Guru isn’t the giving kind. At $2.50 a can and it was on sale at Sprout’s, I can’t see buying it when other drinks with less volume provide at least some energy, even if you crash after. You add the poor taste and I have felt more refreshed after drinking cold water on a hot day and that never thickens my saliva.

Connect with Guru at:

• On-line
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• #GuruEnergyDrink #SocialNature #TryNatural #GuruEnergy

I received the above product(s) free of charge from . I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

The Utlimate Tea Storage Device: The TeaBook #Review #TheTeaBook

Being a coffee and tea drinker, I always found it kind of humorous when looking at kitchen canisters, and the set came with one that was labeled tea, one coffee container, one flour and so forth. I use 4 different types of flours alone, so I usually stick my bread flour in the container because it’s the one most used. I would not be able to do this with my tea or coffee selections. Impossible! We use too many varieties, seasonal flavors and the 3 to 4 stand-bys alone.

In comes a solution for tea drinkers, the TeaBook. I had my teas in boxes, canisters (mini metal ones) to them sort of filed in one of those keepsake photo boxes. Take one out now and it could mess up my “organization”, and worse if you pulled an index card out with it. My process was not working and creating a headache. I even tried having one box for floral and fruity teas, and another for chocolate and spice flavors. No sooner I outgrew one box, I then added a let’s just throw what does not fit in the other boxes in this box….box. Get where I am going? For a person that dislikes clutter and mess, this was an ongoing nightmare for me. I have to admit, I sometimes skipped on tea some nights because I did not want to deal with the boxes. Love the huge collection I have but oh’ my goodness, I am drowning in tea and not in a good way.

Retail Price Point: $21.oo Early Bird Special or $25.00 regular price.  The early bird special ends on May 18th!

Verdict:

The Teabook was created via a Kickstarter campaign. I love when companies actually succeeded in not only creating a campaign, getting support, and yielding an actual final product. The books are simple as can be. You get pages with plastic inserts, each insert holds a tea bag that you can easily see, access, and use. No other tea bags tumbling and the entire book holds a generous 144 individual bags. I don’t like my flavors mixing and this again fixes that. You can create one page for floral notes, another for fruit blends, spicy varieties, black teas and so forth. No rules and you organize to fit your needs and I call that self customization there! The binder has a smooth finish and made of partially recycled and recyclable materials. Environmentally friendly and the cover feels smooth and soft, sort of like leather even though it is not. No dyes that smell off either because the materials are non-toxic and BPA free. Just a clean finish and the book comes in 5 different colors. Again, as your collection and tastes grow, the binders grow along with you. The binder also weighs only 2 pounds when filled. So much lighter than my box method, which failed and was not exactly organized. Now, if you buy teas in bulk or tins, the binder method does not work but those come labeled (or you label the container if you purchase in bulk bags). That is the only flaw if you really want to find one but 65% of my collection is in bags and this is a real solution to the most messiest problem, of keeping them in order and still being able to see each individual bag. Never lose a tea bag in a stack again!

Checkout the TeaBook at:

• Online
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• #TheTeaBook

I received the above product(s) free of charge from The TeaBook. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Ozeri Deluxe Stainless Steel Frother with 4 Attachments

I have been disappointed time and time again by frothers, because they’re made so shoddily and don’t last. I’ve bought several, from big national brands to smaller, lesser-known brands and to a one, they’ve all failed. I think, finally, I’ve found a frother that will be with me for the long haul. And I have Ozeri to thank.

Most frothers seem to made to be uni-taskers, as well as disposable. Use it to froth milk and then put it away, hoping it works the next time you need it. Ozeri, however, made their Deluxe Stainless Steel Frother to be used all over the kitchen , for multiple jobs, and to last and look good doing it. The frother comes with 3 different attachments, and a spare frothing head. The beater and whisk heads seem dainty, but the whisk held up to a couple of eggs in a cup for an egg wash, and the beater did just fine for a small amount of ganache for a cake. Ozeri refers to it as a “cocktail mixer”, but I’ve retasked it in this house since we don’t drink cocktails. It was dynamite, however, for a vinaigrette for my salad. Yay. Powered by two AA batteries, it has two settings (low and high, up to 15,000 RPM’s!!) to meet the needs of whatever task you throw at it. And the stainless steel body is a cinch to clean and feels solid in your hands. The top mounted clicker to turn it off and on is easy to use and reach as well. It comes with a matching stainless steel stand, but it’s a little finicky about placement and because there’s heft to the frother can become unbalanced easily, so I don’t always use it. But that’s a minor quibble about what I consider a bulletproof product. After a soild 2 weeks of use, this frother has had nary a hiccup and I foresee it becoming a long standing member of our little family. Ozeri even included the batteries this time (How I love that!) so you’re good to go right out of the box.

Frothers come and frothers go, and anyone who’s had one can attest to that. Nothing’s more frustrating than a product you come to depend on and it fails you. Ozeri understands this and makes their products top-notch and made to last. But I know that Ozeri would stand behind their products 100% if for some reason it failed you, and for that, as well as the above reasons, I recommend this product highly!

Get in touch with Ozeri’s family of products:

• On the web
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Amazon
• On Pinterest
• On Instagram
• Buy your own right here!

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ozeri.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Better Body Sports “Amino Ammo” Instantized BCAA Mix

Hubby is at it again in another guest post for supplements. Thankfully, this time, he’s got a good one to review and not some horrible concoction or useless gelcaps. So let’s dive right in to this offering from Better Body Sports, shall we?

---

Some days, it feels like I’m Micheal Corleone in the Godfather. “Every time I think that I’m out, they pull me back IN!” I’m a sucker, it seems, for trying out certain supplements, and it’s usually within my holy trinity: BCAA’s, protein, creatine. And sometimes it comes back to bite me on the butt, but this time, I’m happy to report, I’ve found another winner in Better Body Sports’ “Amino Ammo” BCAA formula. BCAA’s are a very important part of my workout routine. The help increase muscle building and synthesis, as well as support the muscles you’ve already built, but the also help combat fatigue and stamina in the gym. What sets this mix apart from my usual brand of BCAA powder is the 4:1:1 ratio versus my usual 2:1:1. That ratio refers to the amounts of L-Leucine, L-Valine, and L-Isoleucine that comprise a standard BCAA (branched chain amino acid) stack. Emerging research has started to say that a 3:1:1 ratio can produce greater muscle synthesis that the usual 2:1:1, so most companies are starting to put a 4:1:1 ratio in their BCAA stacks. There are also many reports of this just being another heaping helping of “bro science”, but I can tell you from use that I did notice some minor gains from this over my usual Optimum Nutrition BCAA powder. I didn’t have Those who have read my other reviews know that I consider them the standard by which others are judged for the simple fact that I trust them to put exactly what they say is in there, in there. And trust is huge in the supplement market where fly-by-nights come and go it seems almost daily. But Better Body Sports went above and beyond and made this not just a BCAA mix, but a pretty decent pre-workout mix as well by adding beta-alanine, citrulline malate, agmatine (which some have referred to as “super arginine”) and vitamins (C, B6 and B12) as well. Add a caffeine pill and I’d put this up there with the new formulation of Cellucor’s C4. The downsides to Amino Ammo are a super-sweet flavor to mask the bitterness of the vitamins and aminos, and the paltry amount of agmatine sulfate, which is only 250mg. Most studies show the minimum effective dose of agmatine to be in the 500-750mg range. The other is the price for a 30-day serving: $39.99. I can usually get a 30-day supply of pre-workout powders for around $20-25 for a 30 day supply, and less with coupons and promotions.

Overall this is a good product that seems to contain exactly what is says it does, and offers a price point that, while I find a little on the high side, is on par with the other, more well-known names in the industry. If you don’t mind the flavor (I’m not the biggest fan of watermelon, and as Wifey put it best “It tastes like powdered Jolly Rancher”), you have a better than average pre-workout with no caffeine, and some really look hard for that. And for those that don’t, you can add it for about 5 bucks a bottle and never need another pre-workout mix. There’s no filler, binders, no artificial colors, anti-oxidants…Better Body Sports has a real winner on their hands.

---

 

Well, then. It’s nice to actually get a supplement company that actually gets it and I’m glad hubby doesn’t have to choke down something he hated for a review. Better Body Sports makes an entire line of products, and if they’re as good as their Amino Ammo, there’s going to be a new big player in the supplement industry very soon.

Connect with Better Body Sports:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Bodybuilding.com
• On Amazon
• Buy yours right here!

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Better Body Sports .  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

BetterBody Foods: PB Fit, Peanut Butter Powder and PB Chocolate Powder #Review Panettone Pound Cake #Tryazon

I have looked at powdered peanut butter but never actually purchased it. I sort of walked around it and wondered how it was when it reconstituted, how it baked when used in recipes, to even how it was when sprinkled over my morning breakfasts.  I even imagined mixing the powder with peanut butter, creating a grilled PB Nutty &J sandwich that would make everyone stand in lines to get their fix.  The BetterBody Foods PB fit is a brand that I saw was preferred mostly and touted as being the “must try” when it came to venturing into Peanut Butter powders.

Powdered Peanut Butter is not just one of those products that is made just so you can see if you can be done! It has it’s applications because I myself sometimes wish I could up the “peanut flavor” without having to add more nuts or even the butter itself. Formulations have doomed me when I cooked recipes or was experimenting and added too much peanut butter that created an unpleasant texture. From too much oil to even producing bake goods that baked up more like a crunchy paste than a bread or a cookie dough. Thankfully, our dog saves us when my PB creations have failed.

The BetterBody Foods PB fit is also a different product all together than what comes out of a jar and no butter knife required. You can easily add flavor and not sacrifice texture. You also have health benefits that come in to play that I had overlooked. The BetterBody Foods company powder offers:

• A Gluten Free Peanut Butter Powder
• Lower in Fats, which depending on the variety you buy that can be from 75% to 85% lower
• 1/3 less calories per serving compared to standard peanut butter
• Good source of protein and also fiber
• The Peanut Butter powder is also natural with no artificial ingredients, dyes, or preservatives.
• Simply Peanuts, Salt and Sugar made from non-GMO ingredients

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Okay, this Peanut Butter is a different nut all together in my book. It’s a cleaner and a more intense tasting peanut, so I opted to make a recipe and using the PB Fit powder because of the lower fat content but not lowered peanut tasting! With the holidays approaching, almond cakes and pound cakes are some of my favorite baked goods. They just go with anything from the seasonal fruits and berries, to just plain with a dollop of whipped cream or a warm sauce. I figured since I was being adventurous, why not make an Panettone Pound Cake and use a combination of products that are nut based.

Let’s Begin….

• 7 ounces of Almond Paste (grated)
• 2 sticks of Unsalted Butter (softened)
• 3/4 cups of White Sugar

• 4 Eggs (room temperature)
• 1 drop of Lemon
• 2 drops of Almond Extract
• 1 tablespoon of Vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon of Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda
• 4 tablespoons of PB Fit Powder (you can use plain or even the chocolate variety.  You can also divide the batch to make a marble cake by using both varieties)
• 1 cup of Cake Flour
• 1 cup of All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup of Hazelnut Flour (ground hazelnuts)
• Zest of one Orange (any variety you desire)
• 1/2 cup of Milk (room temperature)

• Optional 1/2 a cup to a cup of nuts like Pistachios to even mini chocolate chips.  You can even add candied fruits, dry fruits (imagine figs) and crystallized ginger in lower amounts.  You can also add slivered almonds on top when 1/4 baked through, and then make sure to cover (with foil) to avoid burning when they have toasted.

Set oven to warm at 325 degrees

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I start by grating 7 ounces of Almond Paste and added it to the butter and white sugar. Blend until creamy.  Add eggs to the butter mixture and blend again until smooth and combined.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In a separate bowl, add zest of the orange to your dry ingredients (flours, Salt, PB Fit Powder, and Baking Soda) whisk, and set aside.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Add extracts.  You then grab your dry ingredients bowl and in shifts add some of the dry ingredients and then some of the milk until all ingredients are combined.  Do not over mix, as this produces a dry cake.  You can then fold in the optional ingredients if desired.

I use a large pound cake pan, but you can even use a cake pan and make two layers with the cake batter.  No rules here because I can imagine making a custard/pudding that would be divine with this cake.  You bake the cake for 60 minutes and if it starts to brown too much on top, cover with foil.  At the 1 hour mark, raise the temperature to 350 degrees and bake until done.  Cool for 5 minutes and then flip the cake on to a wire rack to cool an additional 1 to 2 hours before slicing.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This cake is like a Panettone in flavor but with a heavier texture to resemble a pound cake, which has a crumb that can withstand more than the airiness you get from a Panettone batter.  You bake it slow to allow the flavors to build, the butter to brown, and to yield a moist pound cake.  Enjoy!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Verdict:

So, it’s a product with the name PB fit and I made cake (I know)!  Well, I’m a girl that thinks even fit focused products can create magic with what is seen as naughty.  They talk about clean eating, well I think that applies to baking too.  Alienating a product because it carries the word “fit” would just be silly and the BetterBody food company is about making products better for the consumer, and I always say when you use top quality ingredients, you can never go wrong and this cake proves it!  It’s a little of naughty and nice to go with the holiday season.  The holidays are about experiencing flavors from pumpkin to dark chocolates, and peanut butter is no longer seen as just the “poor man’s nut”.  Many companies make exceptional peanut butters that are even considered gourmet creations.  BetterBody Foods, allows the consumer to take a known product that is just not like any peanut butter I ever tasted.  There is that cleaner taste that is more intense and closer to the nut’s true flavor because of the simple process they use that equates to just less processing in the first place!  I can make the powder into a butter by adding water, so don’t think your sandwiches are in jeopardy.  I can’t wait to make a peanut butter cookie because this is the product I have been waiting for!  On Halloween, I added the PB Fit Chocolate powder to crispy rice (cereal) treats and they were different and gone before the evening was over.  It was one of those moments where I was about to add peanut butter and thought I already add mini chocolate chips to the top of the treats when they are cooling, so why not add the powder to the marshmallow and butter mix.  It took just 4 tablespoons to create a flavor that made my treats vanish, and any cook and baker loves that!

Topped with whipped cream

Or Custard or Enjoy as-is.

Connect with BetterBody Foods and get your PB Fit fix at:

• Online
• Product Link to Original and the Chocolate link
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• Instagram
• #PBFit #Tryazon #BetterBodyFoods

I received the above product(s) free of charge from PB Fit and Tryazon.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Ozeri Maestro Electric Wine Opener Kit

Having tried out a few automatic wine openers in the past, I wasn’t sure if the newest version from Ozeri would be quite up to snuff. I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything I liked about my past wine openers, I liked even more from My new Ozeri Maestro.

To start, the fit and finish of this unit is superb. It looks simply amazing just sitting on my countertop.This new generation motor is a marked improvement from the last one, which with stubborn corks might sometimes destroy the cork or bind badly. Not with the Maestro, it powered through any tough to open cork we had, and didn’t obliterate it in the process. The second generation battery is also much better than the last, as we have yet to have to charge it after a couple weeks’ use. Another big plus is the big, bright LCD readout that tells you how much juice is left in the opener. Because nothing’s worse than going to use an electric appliance or gadget and it….just…..power……dooooown. That is a thing of the past with Ozeri’s Maestro.

But wait, there’s more! The Maestro has a built-in non contact thermometer that reads not just ambient room temperature, but the temperature of the wine itself! How cool is that? Don’t worry, the Maestro will tell you. The unit is decked out in a high polished stainless steel, with a matching stainless steel base, and an included foil cutter that tucks away neatly into the back of the charging base. It even comes in a high class black storage/gift box, for those special people in your life that can appreciate quality. And let me tell you, for folks with arthritis and grip issues, this Maestro is a god send. And because it’s Ozeri, you know they stand behind everything they sell 100%, so you can buy with confidence.

 

Get in touch with Ozeri’s family of products:

• On the web
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Amazon
• On Pinterest
• On Instagram

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ozeri.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.