SlimQuick Pure Protein Supplement Review

After passing off various workout supplements to Hubby to test and review, one targeted towards women finally came my way. SlimQuick Pure Protein shake supplement is a weight loss supplement “designed for women” that boasts it will help you lose “3X the weight” of just a diet alone. Fine print mentions that the diet advises is a paltry 1350 calories, which would be highly effective on it’s own when combined with any sensible exercise routine. Contradicting that is the supplement facts that are centered around a much more achievable 2,000 calorie diet. So let’s just dive right in and see what there is to see, shall we?

Right from jump street I don’t know what about this particular product is specific to women’s health needs or exercise requirements. I see that the ingredients list a proprietary blend of soy and green tea extract, along with taurine and something called “Fibersol-2” digestion resistant maltodexterin. Oh my. Sounds…intimidating. Some reading tells me that Fibersol is generally used as a rapid delivery system for proteins. And the protein used here is whey protein concentrate, which as proteins go is pretty good. Unfortunately, this Fibersol-2 kind of also flies in the face of the “natural ingredients” tagline as well. Moving on, there’s a bunch of other stuff that are missing from hubby’s various protein shakes. In fact, glancing over the supplement facts shows that each 20g serving contains only 10 grams of protein. At this low 50% ratio, it puts SlimQuick at the low end of most protein shake brands listed protein content. To give you some idea, most of hubby’s protein shakes are usually a minimum of 85%, up to about 95% for some. Also troubling is the 20mg of cholesterol per serving as well. Again, referring back to hubby’s shakes, his generally contain between 15 and 30mg’s, but again, we’re talking about 28-30 grams of protein per serving. And not nearly as many added fillers either. Oof. Alright. How’s it taste?

Not too bad, as protein shakes go. A few of hubby’s have been pretty, well, awful at times. Even the ones he says are pretty good are still pretty bad. This one is very, very sweet. Almost too sweet, considering they only recommend 4 oz. of water to mix in. Which means if you don’t shake it vigorously, it’ll be pretty clumpy. Forget stirring it either.

Lastly, I’ll touch on price and results. The price is pretty astronomical for a protein shake. Less than one pound of product (300g to be exact) is good for about 15 servings, or a little more than a week’s worth. For $21.99 (by Amazon.com’s pricing). To put that in perspective, hubby’s “premier” shake containing over 4 pounds of whey protein isolate (which is a purer, better form of protein that is generally more expensive) is usually $49.99, sometimes as low as $40. Scaled up were looking at almost $100 for the same amount of product as hubby has been buying. It’s much more cost efficient to buy a 5lb tub of another brand and supplement the green tea, caffeine, or whatever weight loss “stack” you want separately.  As for results, I didn’t see any difference as far as weight loss, muscle tone or general fitness level as I did from my usual diet and exercise routine, but then I didn’t go on a highly restrictive 1300 calorie diet either. So results will depend on where you are, goal wise, and how intense you are willing to be, diet and exercise-wise, and not on the additives in your shakes. As a meal replacement it’s poor, and as a meal supplement, would be awfully sweet in the mornings and afternoons (as directed on the label). I wanted to like this product. I tried to like this product. But with more negatives than positives, I would have to give this shake mix a failing grade from me, though your mileage may vary. However with a money-back satisfaction guarantee, there’s no harm in trying to see for yourself.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from SlimQuick.  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.

Eu Natural: Caffeine with L-Theanine, Energy Support & Mental Focus; 60 capsules Review #Caffeine

Sometimes a cup of coffee or tea is the last thing I want in the morning and energy drinks are usually full of sugars, so I opt in taking Caffeine pills. A half pill to start the day is what I usually need and the other half I take in the afternoon to get that “umph” to finish the day with completed tasks. I thought all Caffeine pills were the same and most times, I just looked at contents and where the caffeine was derived from, and then at pill count. I later realized that even though caffeine is a simple drug, it’s a supplement, so let the games begin! Some brands gave me no energy, while others had me buzzing around like a Humming Bird even if both bottles stated the same milligrams. It made no sense other than what I was taking was not always what was really what I was getting and disclosed. I now even pick my manufactures carefully to simply purchase caffeine pills, and so should you.

Eu Natural provides the consumer with a product that not only provides you caffeine, but also has L-Theanine.

What is L-Theanine-
The ingredient is usually added to caffeine to aid with jitters, shakes, and more so to curb the not so great effects we sometimes experience. It helps give caffeine a boost, where you also feel more alert and perform faster. L-Theanine, does not effect the potency by diminishing it’s effectiveness either, it just makes sure you get the benefits faster.  It’s just a add-on ingredient that I don’t see on many caffeine bottles and I have only taken the supplement in conjunction in the past. Theanine is a natural ingredient found in many foods, drinks, and teas. Think of Green Tea when it comes to this ingredient, and small clinical studies have shown that it helps by reducing anxiety and so forth, so you can see why it’s beneficial to have this with caffeine intake.

Retail Price Point: $19.95 for a bottle that has a 60-Capsule count.

Directions: You can take one capsule up to 4 times a day, and it’s suggested each capsule be ingested with 8-ounces of water.

Ingredients (as listed on the site): Caffeine (Pharmaceutical-grade), L-Theanine (Pharmaceutical-grade)

Verdict:
I took one capsule in the day and one in the afternoon, as I usually buy tablets and this being a capsule, it meant I could not cut the pill in half. I did get energy and the claims of staying alert and focused, minus the nervous twitch is true. The Humming Bird in me was not flying off the walls and I was able to think and function clearly. I got through my tasks quickly and never had a moment where I felt a drop in dosage and was just hit with tiredness. I was awake when I needed to be and the capsules from Eu Natural did not interfere when it came to sleep and/or downtime. I could control the dosage and not as finely as with a tablet, but enough that I did not feel I was taking more caffeine than needed. My only negative is the price point. It’s high and really up there for the simple ingredients. I like simple supplements and especially when I just want caffeine, however if you take 2 pills a day, this bottle lasts you a month. Take more or the maximum of four pills, and you are looking at spending $20 for a two-week to three-week supply. Ouch! I can see adding Eu Natural into my supplement routine for days the jitters matter but not for everyday consumption. I don’t want to spend that much on what really breaks down to one simple supplement and I myself prefer purchasing L-Theanine separately because I don’t mind taking two pills, versus one when it comes to saving some funds.   If you want an all-in-one, then Eu Naturals is for you!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Eu Naturals.  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.

Beldt Labs, Inc. PULSS Premium Nitric Oxide Load

Part 2 of Hubby’s Experience with Beldt Labs, Inc.’s offerings is below, this time with a “pre-workout” supplement, PULSS. Seems like we have another winner on our hands. Take it away, Hubby:

 

So, last time we talked about a supplement that is generally taken post-workout. This time we cover a supplement that is generally taken prior to your workout, and PULSS has plenty of a version of this supplement, arginine.

Used for bigger “pumps”, or the enhanced muscular definition and vascularity one sees after an intense workout, the jury is still out as to whether there are proven benefits from this particular supplement. I, for one, have been using it for better circulation, and a little extra “oomph” during my workouts. What I wasn’t expecting was the increased vascularity and definition I got. Even the wife noticed the difference, which was marked. Containing primarily A-AKG (Arginine-alphaketoglutarate), and a token amount of ornithine and glutamine for good measure, I substituted this for my regular L-Arginine supplement I use to boost my regular pre-workout drink. No adverse effects, so stomach upset, no jitters.

Made in the USA in a GMP-certified facility, backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, the only thing really stopping me from saying “Buy it. Buy it now”, again, is the price. You can supplement your pre-workout routine for considerably less than the almost $26 price tag for a 30-day supply. So your mileage may vary with results and value, but the Money-Back Guarantee means the most you’ll be out is return shipping if it doesn’t work for you.

 

Okay, 2 for 2 with Beldt Labs. Maybe we’ll consider some other supplements in the future, but I think we’ll probably end on a high note here. Many thanks to Bedlt Labs, Inc. for the opportunity.

Connect with Beldt Labs, Inc. :

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Beldt Labs, Inc..  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.

Beldt Labs, Inc. Crusch Tri-Phase Creatine Tablets

Hubby takes the reigns again as our resident supplement guinea pi…er, I mean, expert, and reviews a couple of new supplements this time, from the kind folks at Beldt Labs, Inc., starting with their tri-phase creatine supplement, CRUSCH. Take it away, hubster!

 

I’m happy to report this time that it seems, on the surface, that a supplement company is actually putting decent, quality ingredients out there, that contain what they claim to contain and work the way they’re supposed to work. Sounds simple but you can read here easily that there’s a LOT of supplement companies that aren’t worth the time, money and potential liver damage to “test” their products. Beldt isn’t one of those. And while they are smaller that the big boys at GNC, they seem to have the product nailed down, aside from a few claims that amount to little more than wishful thinking on their Amazon page, but that is par for the course with any supplement.

CRUSCH contains three forms of one of the most researched and proven workout supplements on the market today, creatine. Initially identified way back in the 1800’s, it has been successfully used for over 2 decades to increase muscle mass, density, power, intensity and strength. CRUSCH contains the standard creatine monhydrate, the most readily commercially available form of creatine, creatine HCL (hydrocloride), a more exotic and expensive form of creatine, and an exotic type of creatine, creatine pyruvate. I have extensive experience with the first two forms, and this is my initial experience with the last. I will say that I saw no drop off in muscle mass, definition or overall strength when switching from my usual CreaPure Creatine from O.N. to this. There is no loading phase listed in the instructions, which is fine because most research will tell you a loading phase is mostly unnecessary. What is does recommend is “cycling”, which means a defined time using the product, and a set time not. Most reliable fitness experts will tell you that with normal creatine monohydrate, there is no need for “cycling” on and off the product, so I’ll leave that portion up to you.

My only problem with this product isn’t with the product so much as the price. 90 capsules (which equals 30 days of product) is $25. You can get regular creatine monohydrate from almost every major supplement company for between $8, and up to $20, for a 90 day supply. Considering that there’s practically no research that the more exotic forms of creatine are any better, results-wise, than plain old monohydrate, I’m at a loss to explain why anyone should pay so much more.

As I stated, the product is fine. It delivers what it claims to deliver, albeit in a massive pill that I recommend taking one at a time. I saw absolutely no drop off in my stats, strength or stamina. But I didn’t see any gains that would make me want to pay more for this than my regular brand. What it has going for it is ease of use (no powder to measure, weigh, and mix), no flavor added to your pre- or post-workout drinks (I don’t care what anyone says, “unflavored” has a flavor, and it’s not good), and is easy to take with you wherever you go. It’s made in the USA and has the 30 -day, money back guarantee (just return the unused portion at your expense). It’s up to you if that is worth the extra cost for the ingredients. But other than that, I liked this product.

 

Nice that Hubby get’s a good one after so many iffy ones before.

Connect with Beldt Labs, Inc. :

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Beldt Labs, Inc..  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.

CortiSlim® Burn™: #CortiSLIM Burn Supplement Review

CortiSlim was a product I was familiar with in the past and it was not because I have taken it, but the huge amount of advertisement that was launched to promote the brand. Years later the product left the market and it has returned, with new ingredients and changes.

One of the new ingredients is the adding of Raspberry Ketones and the proprietary blend called Bioactive Burn Matrix.

Ingredients (as listed on bottle):

• Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, Chromium, Bioactive Burn Matrix: Green Tea Extract, Razberi-K, Caffeine Anhydrous, Caffeine (sustained release) and Guarana Seed.

• Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, Gelatin, Silica, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1

 

Indications (as I took the supplement): You take 2 capsules in the AM and 2 more in the PM.  No more than 4 capsules a day!

Directions (on bottle): 

• For Fitness Enhancement:  Adults take 2 capsules per day 1 hour before exercising with a meal and a full glass of water.

• For Maximum Fitness Enhancement:  Adults take 2 capsules per day with breakfast and a full glass of water, and 2 capsules with lunch and a full glass of water.  Do not exceed 4 capsules in a 24 hour period.  If you are taking CortiSlim® Burn™ while taking another CortiSlim® product, do not exceed 2 CortiSlim® Burn™ capsules in a 24 hour period.

Retail Price Point: $25.99 for one bottle via Amazon or you can invest in 3 bottles for $59.90.  Each bottle has 72 capsules.

Verdict:
I took the product as instructed and took out my 1/2 caffeine pill I take in the morning, as I did not want to be over caffeinated. In week one, I noticed on the first day that my jitters were not present, as I sometimes can get “the shakes” with just the smallest intake of caffeine. I blame the albuterol for my asthma causing this with the caffeine. That was just not there, so that I did appreciate. Week Two, I continue to take the 2 pills in the AM and 2 pills at night. I’m still feeling energized like when I took my 1/2 caffeine pill but no more, nor more less. It’s sort of like the exact amount of “umph” I felt before taking CortiSlim. I was only taking 200 mg divided in half (100), so it’s not like I have a high tolerance and/or base use that would make the CortiSlim negligent. I continue watching what I eat and because I gear what I eat by what my activity will be that day, I consume around 1200 calories. I weigh myself and I can celebrate that I have not gained weight but have not lost any. I’m the exact same weight. The caffeine in CortiSlim is derived from Green Tea Extract Leaf, Caffeine Anhydrous, Caffeine (sustained release) and Guarana Seed Standardized Extract. I am getting more caffeine going by the amounts and intake, but I don’t feel it, see it, or even reap the benefits in caloric loss. I did notice no milligrams are listed on the exact caffeine amount from each ingredient, so maybe I’m taking less (who knows!).  I can see making the leap that the product is “maintaining” my weight. That is the other positive I can maybe find. I just wanted to lose 10 pounds and was hoping to accelerate the loss. I did see that CortSlim makes an “Advanced Formula” and for once I may ask the manufacture to send this out before I make a final verdict on the brand. Right now, it’s a great mix of caffeine for energy because I was steady as can be but that also comes at a price point. I will assume I plateaued when it comes to weight loss and will see if a stronger formula will give me the kick (offing of the 10 pounds that linger) I seek!

Connect with CortiSLIM to checkout the BURN formula and their revamped product line at:

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from CortiSlim.  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.

Nutura Formulas BCAA Capsules

Poor hubby. He’s back again with a workout supplement review, and as so many of these before, there’s some serious questions asked, including that I take a sabbatical from workout supplements after this next batch has been reviewed. So, off to the races, dear readers! Here’s Hubby:

There’s an accepted holy trinity of workout supplements, and they are Protein, Creatine, BCAA’s. Today I’m going over one of that trinity, and that’s Natura’s BCCA Capsules. I’ve taken amino acid supplements in one form or another for almost 20 years, off and on. We’ve covered a BCAA supplement here before, with Diet Standard’s version, I’m afraid for very simple reasons I can’t recommend these capsules from Natura as highly.

To start, BCAA’s are three essential amino acids: l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine. Usually taken in a 2:1:1 (2 parts of one to one and one of the others) stack to help promote lean muscle growth and retain lean muscle mass during a calorie deficient diet and workout routine, these are some of the most researched and proven workout supplements on the market. They are plentiful and inexpensive, and used the world over safely.

 

My problem is fairly simple: I’m currently using a very popular and well known brand of BCAA caspsules from Optimum Nutrition.

They are considered in many circles the industry standard, trusted and tested to be exactly what they say they are, and their serving size is shown as 1000mg for 2 capsules. I only mention this because Natura’s capsules are purported to be 1600mg’s, and they’re smaller. That’s a huge red flag to me. Aside from the sheer physics of it, it makes me cast a very critical eye at the product. For $17.77, they are almost triple the cost of the same count from Optimum Nutrition. For what should be the exact same supplement. The supplement market is completely saturated with products and companies, so for the life of me I can’t see why one would pay 3 times as much for the same thing, and that’s not even considering that there are less expensive brands than ON on the market. Let me stress again that the capsules are smaller to boot. Both are made in the USA, too. Natura has a guarantee that reads: “GET RESULTS OR YOUR MONEY BACK – You are protected by our 100% Money Back Guarantee. If, for whatever reason, you are not satisfied with your purchase from Natura Formulas, just return the empty bottles for a full refund! WE STAND BEHIND OUR PRODUCTS WITH A RISK FREE GUARANTEE. That’s the Natura Formulas Guarantee”. That’s bold, but really, results from a workout supplement are dependent on the work you put in, not the boasts of being the “most potent on Amazon”, which are laughable. Same with the  questionable boasts of “building muscle faster” “alter your bodies metabolism”, “instantaneous results” and “burn fat faster”. Again, you get from a workout what you put into it, so you can pop a million pills but if you don’t put in the sweat equity, you’re wasting your time and money. I didn’t notice any difference, results wise, from my current BCAA capsules, either. I can’t make a very high recommendation for these, because A) the price, and B) the size problem. Sorry, Natura.

Okay, so you can see why he’s asked for a break on supplements after we finish this next batch. Once again, disappointment. There’s talk of the FDA finally getting serious about supplement (and cosmetics) regulation, and it con’t really come quick enough in this girl’s opinion. I absolutely hate being down on products that I try fro free from companies that are trying to get their foot in the door, but I would also hate to be up on a product I had serious reservations about and make it seem like I just love something because it’s free. Like Hubby said: Sorry, Natura, but we can’t recommend this product.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Natura Formulas.  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.

Max Potency – Maximum Strength Testosterone Booster Review

Our resident supplement guru and favorite guinea pig, Hubby, makes another guest appearance today after trying out the latest offering from Vitality Max Labs, Max Potency – Maximum Strength Testosterone Booster. So here’s hubby with his review for WOM-derful. Take it away, hubby!

~♥~

I’m no stranger to workout supplements, and use them frequently. When you want to maximize your effort, every little bit of boost can help, especially after a long day. When my better half mentioned a “testosterone booster” supplement I was wary, to say the least. A testosterone boost would mean significant gains in lean muscle mass, an increase in energy and output, and strength gains. Most reputable studies have shown that very few, if any, OTC supplements will truly boost the body’s testosterone. I’m sad to report that Vitality Max Labs “Maximum Potency” Testosterone Booster did bupkis. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch. 3 weeks of moderately intense exercise and not even a modest increase in any results at all. A quick read of the “active” ingredients shows why. 200IU Vitamin D. 2mg of B6. 10mg of b12. And then 608mg of a “proprietary blend” of roots and seeds that have been boasted about since the 70’s and shown time and time and time again to do nothing to boost testosterone. Fenugreek seed (Nope.), tribulus terrestris (Nuh-uh.), muria puana (Not really.), chrysin (Again, no.), siberian ginseng (Still nothing.) cordyceps sinensis (unproven to do anything, really) and zinc oxide. A lot of exotic sounding stuff, roots and barks and whatnot, and then a clear gelcap of white powder. Interesting to say the least. The Amazon listing initially failed to even list the ingredients. And while I know the industry standard is to put heaping helpings of “proprietary blends” (which may as well be sand, really), I don’t have to like it. And I don’t here either.

Further reading showed me that the main purpose of this supplement was help in the bedroom. I highly doubt, from my reading on the ingredients, that anyone will see any benefit there, either. Vitality Max Labs, the company behind this product, has the distributor listed on the bottle as “EyeFive, Inc.”, who is changing their name to “ShipOffers”,a curious choice to say the least. And confusing as heck. Hard to trace the provenance of a product when you’re not even sure who’s who. At $34.99 for a 30 day supply, that’s some pretty expensive, and questionable, powder to boot. I can’t recommend this product for any reason whatsoever. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence out there about stuff to boost testosterone (most pretty dubious and will fall apart under even modest medical scrutiny), and to boost bedroom performance (see previously mentioned caveat, only much more so), and almost none of that stuff is in these pills. There should really be a lot more oversight in the supplement industry, and for the FDA to just throw up their hands and say that “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease” and say that’s good enough, is pathetic and best, negligent at worst.

I don’t like being negative or down on a product sent for free by a company trying to get it’s foot in the door, but sometimes it’s warranted. Sometimes, to play with the big boys, the little guy needs to try harder. And these guys aren’t trying at all. I would avoid this product, because I don’t see how it could help anywhere.

 

~♥~

Ouch. Poor guy. I may have to give him a break with supplement testing before he sprouts a third ear or a tail! Sometimes, you find solace in taking one for the team so other people don’t end up spending hard-earned money on products with fantastical claims and nothing to back them up.

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Vitality Max Labs. 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.

Life & Food Pro Omega-3 Supreme Fish Oil Capsules Review #LifeFood

We could all stand to vary up our diets a little more. Food in the US isn’t what it used to be and some agri-giants would like to see that it stays that way. It’s no secret that I supplement my diet with various vitamins and minerals, and one that’s made a big difference for me was fish oil. So when I got a chance to try Life & Food’s Omega-3 Supreme dietary supplement, I jumped right into the deep end of the pool.

Packed to the gills with EAA and DHA concentrates, this NSF and GMP certified product is 1400 milligrams of goodness. 644mgs of DHA (a mental-boosting, cancer-busting, & inflammation reducing polyunsaturated fatty acid) and 336mgs of EPA (for good mental, mood, joint and metabolic health) of omega-3 acids per 2 serving means you’re on a good path to great overall health. Made from pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled wild Alaskan Pollock, I did not once have a single fishy burp, and neither did hubby, who was notorious for them with every single fish oil supplement he ever took.

Made in the USA and sustainably sourced as certified by MSC, this Life & Food supplement is not only good for you, but good for the earth. It’s non-GMO, gluten, egg, and additive free. Free from binders, fillers, soy milk and peanuts, these are Omega-3’s for almost everyone. No shellfish, sulfates, stearates, dioxides or laurates to get in the way either. At $24.95 for a 90 day supply, it won’t break the bank for you either. I would compare it very favorably to a my favorite warehouse store’s Kirkland brand for quality. Life & Food’s Omega-3 Supreme fish oil capsules bought direct from them carry a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so for me this one is a must-try supplement for anyone looking to boost their overall health.

Connect with Life & Food via:

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Life & Food.  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.

Zenwise Labs Advanced Green Tea Extract + Vitamin C #Review #ZenwiseLabs

Sometimes, we can really don’t eat the way we should, sometimes we fudge a little on our diets. Some times we’re dragging a little a need a little pick me up. So what’s a person to do? Enter Zenwise Labs Advanced Green Tea Extract (W/ Vitamin C). I’ve reviewed a Zenwise product before, and was impressed with the quality and how the makers stand behind their products 100%. So I was really looking forward to getting to try their latest offering. I wasn’t disappointed. And while the bottle promoted quite a few impressive health benefits of their green tea extract capsules, I chose to focus on the immediate benefits green tea can provide.

This 120ct bottle delivers 725mg of their proprietary green tea extract mix, which includes decaffeinated green tea extract, Vitamin C and EGCG. I used to split a 200mg caffeine pill as part of my daily supplements routine, so I was a little concerned about this having 750mg. Not to worry, my heart didn’t explode. And I had sufficient energy to do my daily tasks, without jitters or heart flutters, and without being so wired I couldn’t sleep at night. It’s not one of hubby’s giant horse pills either, so I don’t have to choke them down. And there’s no wheat, soy, egg, milk, or shellfish. It’s gluten free, and made in the USA from natural ingredients, made in GMP and FDA certified labs, and uses vegetarian capsules. At $22.95 for essentially a 4 month supply, this feels like an excellent value to boot.

If I had a nitpick on this product it would be the inclusion of the EGCG. Some studies have shown EGCG to be a carcinogen, but there’s not enough peer-reviewed studies definitively labeling it a carcinogen, but I’d want to know, so I’m sharing with you. I like Zenwise Labs. I like their products, I like their customer service. I like not having to pop caffeine pills, and take something natural instead. I like the antioxidant boost, too. I like not having to know where the bathroom is because I’ve been chugging coffee by the gallon to stay awake. I wholeheartedly recommend these, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have tried them. I hope you try them too.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Greenwise Products, Inc.  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.

Sari Foods Company: Nutritional Yeast Flakes, Vitamin C from Acerola Cherries and Spirulina Powder #Review

It’s not just because I told myself in 2014 that in 2015 I want to eat better, a la New Year’s resolution, but I have been looking for ways to add nutrition to my diet via super foods. The only way to know if the “buzz” is real, is to get out there and try it.

Super Foods and what makes them super duper is really in the eye of the beholder, however the general rule is a product that is naturally fortified with an enormous amount of vitamins, minerals, omegas, and/or antioxidants, and so forth. As I ventured down the super foods rabbit hole, I literally realized that I needed to go beyond the Goji and Acai berries I was so comfortable with already eating and drinking. I needed to go old school and give Spirulina powder a try, to the ultimate cherries called Acerolas. Yeast flakes is new to me and when the package stated it tastes like cheese, I know I love cheeses but unsure if a yeast flake had the “moo flavor” I was looking for. Time to get out of my comfort zone!

Spirulina Powder– Sari Food’s provides you with a 100% purely organic powder, so that is a positive beginning. Spirulina is not new to the world of super foods that even the Aztecs consumed such a gem. The plant grows and thrives in water beds/lakes and is magical on it’s own, where it even creates it’s own feed so it can thrive. I was already intrigued by the idea of something creating nutrients for itself and to me that was like have an endless supply of energy bars in your purse! The protein level is insane when you look at the amount of product that delivers such a high content. Sarii Food’s Spirulina has 6.5 grams of protein for every 10 grams of servings, that equates to one heaping tablespoon, and it does not stop there:

You have Iron and 6.0 mg, which is 33% of your D.V.
Vitamin A 27 mg, so you get 1800% of your D.V. and we are still on 1 tablespoon’s worth.
Vitamin B12 15mcg., giving you 250% of your D.V.
Vitamin B2 comes at 450 mcg., and 28% of your D.V.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is 350 mcg., and provides 25% of your D.V.
Niacin, known as Vitamin B3 is 3 mg and 15% of your D.V,
Magnesium is 48 mg, and 12% of your D.V.
Vitamin K is 40 mg and a generous 50% of your D.V,
Folic Acid is an astonishing 450 mcg, and comes to 113% of your D.V.
Plus, Total Carotenoids at 30 mg
Chlorophyll at 60 mg
Phycocyanin at 800 mg
Gamma-Linolenic Acid
DHA at 70 mg (Docosahexaenoic acid) which helps with brain function and is an Omega-3 fatty acid, comes at 70 mg

Retail Price Point: $23.95 via Amazon for a 16 ounce package, which provides 45 servings .

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That is a lot in just 1 heaping tablespoon. I tried the product by adding it to smoothies and to my morning power breakfast, which is mixed with fruit, yogurt and granola. The taste did not affect my breakfast in a negative way and by week one, I did notice I felt better but I did not stop taking my daily supplements, so Sari Foods’s Spirulina really filled the void that was missing and/or needed in my daily nutrition intake. The protein is plant based and is even rated better than what you get from legumes and without the bloating effects or feeling too full from eating beans. Studies wise I found very little when it came to having a negative impact from Spirulina and because I can’t beat the boost of energy I have been experiencing, I am addicted to feeling better so will continue it’s use.

Vitamin C powder from Acerola Cherries– Sari Food’s again provides us with a 100% USDA certified, Organic product. The package states that just 1 Acerola Cherry gives you the vitamin C of 65 oranges. Okay, you got my attention! The Acerola cherry tree is found in many regions like Brazil, where so many super foods derive from to California, Florida, Texas and certain regions in South America. The fruit tends to deteriorate quickly once ripe, so cultivation and process is key in making sure you get the most out of every red little gem the tree produces. When I stated quickly deteriorating, think of when you cut into an apple or potato and the Acerola cherry comes near that. Within 4 hours from just harvesting, a negative impact in appearance and in texture is already visible. That is one delicate little cherry but not when it comes to nutrition:

I mentioned the orange versus acerola statement above but to put it into perspective, this cherry juice gives you 13 times more Vitamin C than one glass of O.J.  Sari Food’s has made the impact even better by just 1 teaspoon giving you 500 mg, that is 833% of your D.V. The only other ingredient in their powder is organic and non-gmo Maltodextrin, so nothing gets between you and your Vitamin C!

Retail Price Point: $29.95 via Amazon for a 6 ounce package, which provides you with 58 servings.

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I found many benefits on-line upon reading and we already know what Vitamin C does for the body and protecting our immune system.  Some studies suggested aid with asthma, allergies, regulating blood sugar, shortening colds, helping with the aging impact of free radicals, to reducing cholesterol and heart disease.  The claims were broad and some with clinical back-up and some just anecdotal.  I gave the powder a try for 3.5  weeks and the one thing I was able to attribute to it’s intake, was better skin.  The month of February was the best looking clear skin I have had.  The powder is tart to sour like you would expect from a Vitamin C powder but the package suggested just a touch of coconut sugar would help if that was an issue.  I went with nectarines and once chopped, I added the powder and it actually improved the taste of my fruit versus needing to fix anything with the powder.  I will be taking this when stress is coming my way, which in my world is on a weekly basis!

Nutritional Yeast Flakes– Sari Food’s gives you a Vegan product that is Non-GMO and Gluten Free.  Yeast flakes provide everything from Potassium, Iron and a multitude of vitamins and minerals.  You have also a great amount of fiber, so it fills you up without the guilt!  Yeast is consumed for many reasons and used to amp up a dish’s nutritional value to some people who enjoy the flavor the product provides.

Retail Price Point: $12.95 via Amazon for a 8 ounce package, which provides 14 servings.

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The yeast flake product from Sari Food’s in non-fortified, meaning you get a natural product that is nourished from natural sources.  No fake vitamins or anything created in a lab to increase what is derived naturally!  The yeast has a whopping 18 amino acids and everything from Biotin, which helps with hair and nail growth to 352.0% of your D.V. of B5 Vitamin.  You just take 2 heaping tablespoons and add it to “almost” any dish.  I will say the scent of the product really in my opinion is more geared towards savory dishes.  The only yogurt based spread I could think of that would be pleasurable in taste, was when I made Gyros and combined the yeast flakes with Feta cheese.  We liked the change and especially on potatoes.  It really does amp up the protein content to 8.32 grams, which breaks down to 16.6% of your D.V., so I kept this in mind when cooking with proteins.  I know protein and especially clean protein is good for you but I also want only so much of it.  The fiber content makes digesting easy and especially if you are attempting to lose or just maintain a healthy weight.  This product may have limited me towards the savory dishes but then again everything else is geared towards sweetness in the diet and nutrition world, that I found it welcoming to have something I could add with most dinners.  The Yeast flakes in salads was another boost of flavor I was able to enjoy and especially on avocados!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Sari Foods Company.  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.