Let's get cooking

Now that there is a chill in the air I like to make soups and cook a whole lot more. Recently I was selected to try out a Garlic Press from Priority Chef, prior to this I was using a KitchenAid on that I adored let's just say she has been since replaced ! 

The first time I used my new press I made enchiladas Suisas ( recipe can be found on www.allrecipes.com ) I only used two cloves so it was just a little test. I like that it does not come apart into pieces like my other one, it's one cohesive piece. Night number two I made a kale,spinach, bean, potato, quinoa soup I have concocted up and I use LOTS of garlic in that and the press stood up to the test. Not once did any of the garlic skins get into my soup or enchiladas, I did not have to use a ton of muscle and I like that it is stainless steel there will never be any flaking/chipping of paint. Perfect size garlic for me every time and no need to risk my fingers with a grate, mandolin or chopping. It was easy to clean too, very easy to get into every nook and cranny. 

Overall I am quite happy with this addition to my kitchen ! Today we are making a lemon chicken orzo stew I found on Pinterest ...yummy !! 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Emile Noel Artisan Oils

Right before I left for my travel to Pennsylvania I was sent some Emile Noel Artisan Oil for free to taste and review, I had received the Toasted Sesame Oil. I never worked with toasted sesame oil before so I did what any other person would do...I went to Pinterest. 

I found a ton of things to make with this, I started with sesame seasoned spinach  which was oh so good and of course good for you, it was a win win. I also used it to make a dressing for a simple salad and to get a feel for the flavor I simply dressed some zucchini and squash with it. The taste is amazing, I was quite pleased with it really. Next time I go to the grocery store I will be sure to pick up some salmon, I came across a recipe for toasted sesame and ginger salmon...that just made my tummy growl. Such a versatile product and if you know me I am ALL about a versatile product.

What else do I like about you ask ? Well it is organic and Fair Trade, obviously since it USDA Organic its free of GMOs which is a biggie with me. The company has been around since 1985 and in case you were wondering the oil is a product of France...oh la la ;-)

All in all it's a nice light tasting oil, very nice and easy to work with. Cannot wait to make that salmon ! 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Argan Oil Hair Treatment and Elixir

First I would like to apologize for being MIA, I had been going through a difficult time and have been meaning to review this product for some time now. 

With that being said I was sent Insta Natural Argan Oil Hair Treatment and Elixir. It's a great product that has many uses. Before writing this review I used it a few times in a couple of ways to get the full effect of it. Even after a few uses it doesn't even look like I touched the bottle, this product will last a long time, which is great because my hair soaked it up ! 

The first time I used it, I used it as a two hour repair treatment; rubbed some oil in the palms of my hands and coated it through my hair, through it in a bun and let it sit for two hours then shampooed it out. My hair was so soft afterwards. There was no greasy residue. It looked so healthy. I waited a couple days to use it once again, this time as a protective treatment when flat ironing my hair, since there is no spay nozzle on the bottle and you have to rub it it your hair then wash your hands in between ironing your hair it was a little bit a pain in your balls but it is worth it in the end. My hair was not fried because we all know the flat iron is terrible for your hair ! The shine I got was incredible...shine not greasy look ( big difference ) All in all I am quite happy with this product. Argan oil is great for your hair in general anyway :-) 

I would like you all to know that I did receive this product for free, and was not compensated in anyway, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

A little mud goes a long way

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I have gotten the pleasure of receiving and reviewing Pure Dead Sea Mud Mask. I decided to use it the other night since I have been under so much stress with planning a birthday party on a VERY limited budget, lack of a job, family stuff,soon to be ex-husband stuff, lack of a job and feeling like a burden on people weighing on my shoulders. I needed to relax ! I also had a sinus headache going on so a mud mask and bubble bath it was....wish it was a Lush bath cocktail but sadly it was not. 

As soon as I opened the top the smell of eucalyptus hit me in a good way, I really liked the mousse like texture of the mask as well it gave an even spread and felt cool. I noticed relief of my headache a few minutes after putting it on my nose. I settled into the tub and relaxed, the mask tightened, which gives me pleasure for some strange reason guess because I know it's time to remove it but even better my headache was gone and sinuses were felt 100% better. That was an added bonus. 

After gently removing the mask my skin had a nice glow to it, and felt so soft. I felt so much better and relaxed. If my sinuses bother me again you better believe this mask is going on immediately ! I love this stuff, great pick me up.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

It's like a spa in your shower

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Dead sea mud shampoo is kind of an oxymoron if you think about it, really mud is supposed to clean your hair was my thinking. Then my next thought was eww wonder what it will smell like. I love trying new beauty products so this was right up my alley and it was odd, least for me it was, definitely up my alley then ! The company must know me that chose me for this campaign ;-) 

With that being said when I got the package I tore it open I was very curious as to what this was going to smell like and look like. Looks wise well it's a pretty black color, nothing like what I expected. LOL I think I was expecting well mud ! Scent wise it smells floral, not my style really but it's pleasant and not overpowering. 

The day I used it my scalp was really itchy, I have been taking 3-4 mile walks in the sun and not applying sunscreen to my scalp and do not wear a hat, I am assuming that is what is drying out my scalp. I squirted a whole palm full into my hand, why I have no idea, keep in mind I have in my mind I am working with mud when I am in fact not !! So I had a load of shampoo in my hair which lathers extremely well, thank goodness it rinses out easily. That was a couple days ago yesterday I took it easy and used a normal amount and it still lathered and rinsed nicely. My scalp is no longer itchy. My hair is looking fabulous. Another added bonus, they do not test on animals.

I am quite happy with this product and confident that you would be as well just do not go using a palmful of shampoo !

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Want a versatile product ?

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Then try this Emu oil..you read correctly, I wrote Emu oil as in the bid adorable bird with the huge eyes. I was selected to try this oil and give my thoughts. I was a little eh at first, I mean what in the world was I going to do with it ?! 

I used it several ways before writing, first I used it as a moisturizer. It did work well, although it was a little greasy in feeling when going on it did not look greasy at all. It does not feel heavy on your skin at all and another plus is there is no scent to it.

The second way I used it was in my hair. I read that it is good for dry hair, so I gave it a whirl. It gave my hair nice body. Made my hair look like I spent the day at the beach which I didn't of course ! This is where I wish it had a little bit of a salty scent, lol.

Another way I used it was on my legs. They were Sahara Desert dry, gross dry like white flaky dry ( I think you get the idea by now ) I figured hey it worked nicely on my face and hair why not my legs. I was right glad I went with my instincts ! My legs are lookings fabulous now, no more dryness what so ever and that is from one application. I am loving the emu oil. 

I also read that it works on stretch marks, guess where this oil is going next ..... I will keep you up to date ! 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Did a little pampering

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
I have been really lucky lately and getting some wonderful products in the mail to try and review here on my blog. The perks of writing a blog :-) 

Tonight I tried out a purifying mud mask from Adovia Mineral Skin Care. It contains pure dead sea mud ( sounds attractive I know ) Aloe Vera and Vitamin C. It works well for all skin types, men, teens, women and anyone in between ! They do not test on animals, which if you know me is quite important to me. 

A little goes a long way with this mud mask, apply a thin layer, wait 10-20 minutes. I went with 20 minutes and took a bubble bath using a portion of my Lush Comforter Bubble bar. After the mask is dry take a wash cloth and wet it with some warm water and gently wipe away the mask. That's it my friends. I was super impressed with this mask because I had a couple of blackheads on the corner of my nose that drove me absolutely insane, the mask shrunk them and they are pretty much gone. I am in love I tell you. My skin is so soft now.  After the mask I decided to really go all out and use my Lush bubblegum lip scrub so my face and lips are feeling brand new. 

I did receive the Adovia Mask for free in exchange for my honest opinion and I am honestly am impressed with it. As for the Lush products, I bought those bad boys !!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Glowing Skin

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Now that I am in my mid thirties I have been taking even better care of my skin, in addition to cleansing, moisturizing and toners I have added an antioxidant serum. The chosen one is Valentina Even Glow Serum. I did received the serum for free to review and give you my readers my honest opinion ! 

Here are the benefits which are written on the box, in a second I will let you know what I thought when I used it.

It's alcohol free, paraben free, reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Evens skin tone, increases glow and radiance, absorbs quickly and last but not least it is made of 98% of natural ingredients (more than most food on shelves now a days, lol ).

I know the part you all have been waiting for.....Here are my thoughts. I thoroughly enjoy this serum. The dropper applicator makes it easy to apply to fingertips and apply.  The smell is intoxicating, it's a citrus smell - nice and light. It really does absorb quickly, I start at my forehead and by time I get to my chin it's already been adsorbed. It makes my skin look healthy and radiant not greasy at all. I wore it alone and under makeup. It is not heavy at all. Once it is on you do not feel it. I have sensitive skin and I had no reaction. I have started getting little lines ( not many mind you but some ) and they are vanishing with this serum. LOL maybe I need to gift this at Christmas ! Now family and friends are going to be paranoid I am referring to them !!

 I highly recommend The Valentia Even Glow Serum. You do not need to use a lot so the bottle will last you awhile. You can get it on Amazon, here is the link http://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Serum-Antioxidant-Brightening-Absorption/dp/B00HJD8NLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398285575&sr=8-1&keywords=valentia%27s+even+glow+serum.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.