Journey Bar review

Lately I’ve been on the hunt for healthier living - for me and my family. Especially for travel snacks that are not going to clog our arteries, make a huge mess (especially in this Texas heat) or sweeten my kids up to the bounce-off-the-walls point. Nutrition bars happen to be something I prefer, but most of them out there are sweet. Drizzled with chocolate, chocolate chips mixed in… If I wanted chocolate, I’d just carry cookies and a case of diaper wipes with me. So, to the internet I went – in search of other options. And I found the Journey Bar. These are savory bars ready to go wherever you go! Their ingredients are organic whole grains and authentic spices from around the world. Such a different experience than what most people are using these days. Journey Bar offers these great flavors: Coconut Curry, Pizza Marinara, Rosemary (crunchy), Hickory Barbecue, and Parmesan Romano (crunchy).



Journey Bar sent me a sample bar of each flavor to try so I could review it for you all. I even brought a couple of them to the manager’s office here at our apartment complex to try with me. She first tried the Coconut Curry (I’m not a big fan of coconut). She said the sweetness of the coconut offset the tangy curry flavor in a good but hard to describe way. Then we had some of the Parmesan Romano bar. It was definitely crunchy and tasted a bit like pizza. She says that bar for sure would be perfect to have on hand for days when you are tempted to have pizza but know you shouldn’t! We even shared these two flavors with the office worker and some residents to get a more rounded opinion. By far the vote leaned to favoring the Parmesan Romano. A tangy “pizza” flavor that was satisfying. These are definitely a great and tasty alternative to the widely used, sweet nutrition bars that you sometimes wonder - are they really that healthy for you…



Then came the ultimate test – my kids! I decided to let them try the Pizza Marinara bar with me. And to my pleasant surprise, my 3 ½ year old was smiling and begging for more after the first bite!!! He’s a really picky eater who hardly ever wants anything healthy besides fresh bananas or strawberries. My 2 year old son was too busy watching a movie at first to give me his opinion, but after a while he came running in asking for more “pizza”. 8-) So now I know they are also something that my family can enjoy together! I count this as another win for healthy living in my home.



I also enjoyed reading about how they got the idea and started up this business. Two friends doing lots of traveling around the world - looking for something better than the widespread sweetened nutrition bars to grab on the go. They use herbs and spices from places they have travelled to, to season these bars with. And believe me – you can definitely taste the wholesome flavors. The grain in these is mostly amaranth. It’s seedy, but chewy and dissolves in your mouth. It’s not like most bars that have oatmeal (that’s so chewy you look like a cow trying to get it down).
They have these bars in stores all around the United States. Just check their website to see if they have a store that carries them near you. If not, order online! Another great thing about them – FAST SHIPPING! I spoke with them Friday and received the samples Monday morning. Not many companies out there can boast such fast service.
100% natural ingredients, flavors that give your taste buds a pleasant change in pace, and satisfy you while out and about without the mess. I look forward to carrying these around with me. Want to know more about them? Check out the links I’ve included below.
You can check out their website here: http://www.journeybar.com/
Follow them on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/journeybar.france
Follow them via Twitter here: http://twitter.com/journeybar

snackTAXI review and giveaway

Looking to save money or even go green? How about both? And let's add a little fashion to it while we do! You've probably heard of and even use the reusable shopping bags every time you go to the store, right? I know I do. Between having my kids trying to put plastic shopping bags over their heads or my city considering charging for each plastic bag a customer uses, I began using reusable shopping bags. Well, have you ever considered having a reusable snack bag as well? Think about it. We buy plastic bags that end up in landfills after just one use of carrying our snacks and sandwiches. Not only is this adding waste to the environment, but wasting your hard earned money in a dropping economy. So what if there was a bag you could use over and over for just that purpose? I'm happy to announce - there is! I was given the opportunity to try a snackTAXI sandwich-sack out and review it for you.

*The one on the left is the sandwich sack and the one on the right is the snack sack*

snackTAXI makes these cute snack-sacks, produce-sacks, bread-sacks, and sandwich-sacks that you can use over and over. No more wasted money or waste for landfills by buying plastic baggies. Fill 'em up, take them on the go, and then wash them when you are done! There are so many cute designs on soft material to choose from too. I like how the front is sealable with Velcro. It makes it so much easier to get them open when your kids want a snack quick. My kids love the colors and design on it. So now we can save money, keep the planet greener, and look cute doing it.

*Easy open and close with Velcro*

snackTAXI also offers bamboo sporks that are cute, just the right size for carrying along on trips or for little hands. Or how about trying the make-your-own-taxi kit – which includes a set of 4 snack-sacks and 4 markers? Let your kiddos decorate their bags any way they choose and make it all the more fun to carry them! They also have reusable napkins and everyday aprons.

This is an American-based company started in 2003 in Massachusetts, by a mom who had three kids going to school and realized one day just how many plastic bags were coming and going through her home then on to the landfills. It truly is a wonderful idea and one that I think we should all be considering just a little more. These products are lead, phthalates and BPA-free as well as machine-washable and made here in the USA by local sewers. As snackTAXI says: Be a snacktivist – add the original reusable bags for snacks and sandwiches to your life on the go! Check out http://www.snacktaxi.com/ for more information and let’s keep our world greener.

Lastly, I’m offering you, my readers, a chance to win a snack-sack! Enter through the Rafflecopter options below and good luck! *The one pictured below is the one I will be sending the winner.*

***I was given these products free for the purpose of reviewing and sharing only. I was not paid to write anything I said, these are strictly my opinions.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OOFOS Shoe product review and giveaway

Who loves shoes?? I know I do. I love comfortable shoes that look good. Particularly shoes that look with more than one outfit. And here in Texas where it’s HOT at least 8 months out the year, I like shoes that are open and let my feet breathe! Recently, I was given the chance to try a pair of really amazing shoes from OOFOS. And as they like to say, I can definitely “Feel the OO!”

Being 9 months pregnant and having to chase my 2 little boys around, I need shoes that offer support and comfort over several hours at a time since I am on my feet a lot. Before trying the OOFOS, I used a cheap pair of flip flops that weren't much better than a couple pieces of cardboard tied together with a thong. After trying OOFOS, I'm walking on clouds! They are super comfy - but offer great support! I prefer the OOriginal Sandals (they stay on my feet better when I have to chase my little guys) and I love how these fit so well. No pinching like new shoes normally do. They have thick soles that contour to your feet.

They are lightweight, water resistant, machine washable (in cold water only – don’t put them in the dryer!), reduce the body impact using revolutionary comfort designs, and have underfoot support.

OOFOS are available in men’s and women’s sizes. They have 2 styles to choose from: OOriginal Sandals and OOahh Slides. Colors that they have for the OOriginals are Black, Mocha, Fuchsia, and Tangerine. The Slides only come in Black, Mocha and Fuchsia (for now). These are shoes – not just sandals that can be purchased online at the Insole Store http://www.theinsolestore.com/insoles-store-brands/oofos.html.
You can also follow OOFOS on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/oofosfootwear, Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/oofos and Pinterest http://pinterest.com/oofos/ to see what they might come out with next!

So do you want a chance to Feel the OO!? I’m happy to offer you, my readers, an OOFOS giveaway! Just enter via the Rafflecopter options below.

***I received these shoes for free for the sole purpose of a product review. I was not paid or otherwise endorsed to write this, it is strictly my opinions on the product unless otherwise stated.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jonathan's Wild Cherry Spoons Review

As a mom, I spend several hours a day in my kitchen. So, when it comes to my utensils - I choose things that are durable and useful - as well as pleasing to the eyes. Recently I was granted the opportunity to try out an amazing spoon from Jonathan’s Wild Cherry Spoons. They are made of cherry wood or maple wood - which if I'm buying any real wood products, cherry is what I prefer! It's durable, soft to the touch, and naturally beautiful. This particular spoon is no exception. It’s also handcrafted in America which is a big plus for my family.  

I chose to review the Spiral Slim Spoon. I love the unique design of swirls on the spoon part and scribble going down the handle. The tag that came on the spoon says, “Spiral Spoon Progressive circles signifying growth and balance in a world gone crazy.” How true! I also love the feel of the wood as I’m stirring food. It’s comfortable, warm and easy to grip. It is also very sturdy - I don’t have to worry about it feeling like it’s going to break like most wooden spoons I have used before.

I also love that while communicating with various members of Jonathan's Wild Cherry Spoons (including Jonathan himself), everyone was very friendly and helpful. They have extremely good customer service.

This is a card that explains more about caring for your spoon (top) and a book mark that gives information about Jonathan and how he got the idea to start his business that came with the spoon.

There are several types of designs to choose from such as; Original, Cat Tail, Flame Blackened, and the Scribbles, Spirals, and Spots. It’s not just spoons though! Spoons, spatulas, ladles, spootles, pasta forks – the list goes on. Each one is something useful but unique to have around your kitchen. The Lazy Spoons collection offer you the chance to simply rest your utensil on the edge of the pot, giving you easy access to it while continually returning to stir whatever you happen to be cooking. It’s a really neat idea. Keeps your cooking space clean too!

Caring for your spoons:

You can easily wash them with a Scotchbrite® pad using soap and water. The owner of Jonathan’s Wild Cherry Spoons also included the following recommendations on his website: “Occasionally oil them when you want them to look their best – natural coconut oil is my favorite! I do not recommend using a dishwasher for any wood, as the drying cycle dehydrates wood too rapidly which can cause it to crack, and cleaning agents may age the surface of the wood. Other than that, people say my spoons survive their dishwasher’s just fine. The color of my spoons will deepen with use, and with age their beauty goes beyond skin deep, becoming the cherished utensils that we always reach for – embodying the internal beauty of usefulness.” (A side note about the coconut oil – Not only is it good for the spoons, but it’s actually good for you too!)

And as a final plus: they come in left-handed as well as right-handed utensils! So if you do happen to be a lefty and find it hard to get cooking utensils suited more to you, Jonathan’s Wild Cherry Spoons is the place to go!

How to order your own:

You can order from Jonathan’s Wild Cherry Spoons online at this website - http://www.woodspoon.com/. Or you can check on his website and possibly find a show or shop nearby that carries his wares. My husband already told me which he wants me to order or find: the Scribble Cheese Board!

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to follow my blog. I’ll be adding more reviews and possibly some giveaways next time.

***The views expressed in this review are strictly my own; I was not paid or given any incentive to write the way I did. I simply received a free spoon to review and wrote my honest opinions on it.***