Prenatal Oxylent: Review and GIVEAWAY!

I have been on prenatal vitamins for a very long time. I started about 5 years ago when my husband and I were starting to think about having a family. I wanted to have the prenatal vitamins in my body well in advance of getting pregnant. We got pregnant with my first child, a daughter and I continued on with taking the vitamins, even now as she is 3 1/2 years old. I took them while I was breastfeeding her, and even afterwards as I knew we wanted more children. I have been on them non-stop since then. I recently had our second child, a little boy who is almost 4 months old. I probably will take multivitamins for several more years.

I hate swallowing pills, especially when they are as large as the ones I currently take, and there are so many of them. I take these pills daily: a folic acid, 2 prenatal pills, calcium, probiotic "pearl", iron, 6 fenugreek, 4-6 blessed thistle, 6 brewers yeast tablets, and dha. I swallow through them, because I know they are healthy for me and for baby (in the womb, and when breast feeding). I drink plenty of water, and I eat fruits and vegetables. When the opportunity came to try a prenatal that was in a powdered form to mix with water or juice, I was truly excited. The product is called Prenatal Oxylent and has a cranberry raspberry flavor.

Prenatal Oxylent is an effervescent (it fizzes and reminds me of a fruit juice mixed with a soda water) powder which offers vital nutrients for those who are expecting and those who are nursing. Naturally sweetened with Stevia, Prenatal Oxylent powder can be added to 6 ounces of water. This unique multi-vitamin is ideal for pregnant women who have a hard time swallowing pills due to nausea or ladies who just do not like swallowing pills. There is no gluten, dairy, soy, calories, herbs, caffeine, or anything artificial in this powdered vitamin supplement. It is designed to meet and exceed the nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing women, which includes iron, vitamin A, folic acid, B vitamins, choline, and other vitamins and minerals.

I have tried this mixed with filtered water and also with a natural low sugar real fruit juice (such as orange juice or cranberry). This could also be put into a fruit smoothie. (Please do not add sugar to your smoothies as it is not needed, the fruit has natural sugars in it.) When I make a fruit smoothie, I add 1-2 frozen or unfrozen bananas, some orange juice, a few frozen strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. I often like to add some plain, unsweetened greek yogurt. I then often add 1 of these packets and blend. If your fruit is not frozen, use ice.

This is a very convenient method of taking your prenatal vitamins. The slim packet makes it super easy to slip into your pocket or purse. It does taste pretty good, and did not cause nausea or any problems for me. I am not a big fan of Stevia or other sweeteners due to the particular taste of them, however, I make a daily smoothie anyway and so I often put this in my fruit smoothie. On days that I make a non fruit smoothie (protein chocolate cacao powder with milk and banana) Then I use my regular pill form prenatals and swallow the pills.

I like how the company makes a variety of powdered multivitamins, including a children's one. The children's one is a good alternative to chewable and gummy vitamins, and is a fun and healthy alternative to sugary drinks (kids love fizzy drinks).

For more information on this prenatal or to purchase on Amazon: Vitalah No Sugar Prenatal Oxylent Weight Loss Product, Sparkling Cranberry Raspberry, 30 Packets, 5.8 Grams

To view the company website: Oxylent

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased.

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Would you like a chance to win some Prenatal Oxylent of your own? One lucky reader will win! USA only please.

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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.

ResurFACE Restoration Cream: Reviewed

I have recently had the opportunity to try out a new facial cream. It is called ResurFACE, and comes in a 1.7 oz. black jar. When my product arrived to me, I opened the box and saw that this was inside a cute grey velvety-like draw string bag. It was not a necessary thing to have the bag as I do not travel much, however, this little bonus was a pleasant surprise and it made my day. I happen to like the color grey a lot and found the soft little pouch a new home in my purse to store small items. I would have preferred a glass jar over a plastic one, but that is just my own preference.

This creamy yellow moisturizer claims to repair and reverse damage, revitalize and protect skin, and make you "wake up looking and feeling younger." It is loaded with some very impressive ingredients: CoQ10, Shea Butter, Sea Kelp, Rosehip Oil, Jojoba Oil, Glycerin, Collagen, Vitamin E, potent antioxidants, luxurious oils and others. The company guarantees that this will restore your skin and prevent the signs of aging. They even guarantee that if you are not completely satisfied, they offer a money back guarantee for 365 days--no questions asked. That is quite impressive.

Here is the full list:

Water, Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Cetyl Alcohol, Soybean Oil, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Coconut Endosperm, Ceramide E, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane), Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol (Alpha-D-Tocopherol, Vitamin E), Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Xanthophyll (Lutein), Alpha Lipoic Acid [R-(+)-], Beta Carotene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid.

Even though I do not smoke, and never have, my face and skin is under a lot of stress from general life and the environment such as pollution and harmful UV rays. I also have unhealthy sleep patterns (lack of sleep). My face is only 31 years young, but sometimes I feel that it looks older. My pores are quite large and my under eye area has dark shadows. I do not have wrinkles, but around my eyes have some fine lines and loss of elastin. As we age, we loose collagen and elastin, and our skin is not as full and supple as it once was when we were babies and in our youth.

There are ways to help boost and promote the production of collagen and assist our skin in replenishing itself. I have made some changes in the last 2 years. I have started drinking more water daily and I have removed sulfates and harsh chemicals from my skin and hair routines. I now only wash my hair twice a week, and this has improved my hair and actually made it less greasy and less damages. It is softer and fuller. I also use oil to cleanse my face almost nightly. When I decide that my face needs a deep cleanse, I use a charcoal or clay mud mask or a low ingredient herbal soap that is sulfate free.

The ResurFACE cream has a light fragrance and is very concentrated in thickness. It is a small jar (1.7 oz.), however I see it lasting me at least 2 months (maybe 3) as I have found that I only need a small amount. I applied to much the first time and although my face felt amazing when it dried, I felt that I used more than I needed (slightly heavy if too much is applied) and had excess on my hands afterward. (Made my hands soft). I am happy to report that this did not make my hands or fingers sticky or greasy. I had no irritation on my skin. My face feels soft and hydrated. As mentioned above, it has oil in it, which some people may not love, but I am quite fond of avocado oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, and sesame oil. Another big plus is that it does not have parabens, sulfates or phthalates, and it is made in the USA!

If you would like more information on this product, check out their Amazon product page: Night Cream - ResurFACE

The company is called Protege and they have several items available to treat various skin areas.

The cream felt nice on my skin and did not appear shiny or feel oily. I do not look years younger, however my skin does look (and feel) soft and healthy. I like the way my facial skin feels a bit plump, (like a baby's leg or cheek). I am thinking that is due to the added collagen and skin loving oils in the cream. Skin undergoes a repair process as we sleep at night, and I think this is a great cream to use while we get our beauty sleep. I think it might be to thick to use during the day.

I have only tested this out for 2 weeks so it is a bit soon to rave about it. It is my opinion and experience that products such as anti-aging serums/creams or weight loss pills need to be used consistently and patiently to see results. I think the best results might be seen after 3-6 months of daily use and that this can do wonders for skin. I also want to add that drinking plenty of water, getting proper rest, and eating your vegetables will add to the anti-aging effect.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased.

Please follow me on Facebook for updates to this blog, reviews, and giveaways. Check me out on bloglovin and Twitter.

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.

Kiva Organic Cacao Powder: Reviewed

I have become quite a lover of smoothies. I am not new to smoothies, I have been making them for myself since grade school. Back then I would use orange juice, a few frozen strawberries and a banana. The smoothies were simple and tasty but did not add extra health benefits. I have since then become more adventurous in my smoothies and have tried numerous fruit options from strawberries and blackberries to other types of fruit from juicy pineapples and mangos.

In the past 6 months I have tried adding many protein and fiber powders in order to add interesting flavor and boost nutrition. I have not ventured into the world of more extreme juicing or smoothies yet that include greens and veggies, but am open to trying new things. The product I will be reviewing in this post is a delicious chocolate powder. But this is not like Nestle Chocolate Quick powder or something that will add unnecessary sugars and additives (chemicals). This is 100% raw, vegan, non-GMO, organic cacao powder from the Kiva brand and it is pure and delightful. It actually adds nutrition to whatever you put it into. I use it daily, often 2-3 times a day.

I would like to explain what cacao is for those of you that may have never heard of it. Cacao and regular chocolate (cocoa) powder are similar but have some differences that change the nutritional makeup of them. It is in how the beans/seeds are prepared, processed and thus changed. Cacao is made from "cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans." This is a less nutritionally stripping process than how cocoa powder is made (which is by heating the beans). Cold pressing "keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa and removes the fat." Raw cacao powder is extremely rich in beneficial plant polyphenols, flavinoids and antioxidants. Consuming raw cacao powder, can add so many benefits to our health. It is packed with antioxidants which can protect your cells from damage and can have the potential to slow the signs of aging. I am sure you have heard about how blueberries are tiny amazing fruits that pack huge antioxidant and health benefits (well you are right, they ARE amazing and are considered superfruit or "superfood") however, raw cacao contains "more antioxidants than acai, goji berries and blueberries." (from I quit sugar website). Raw cacao is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, fiber, iron, calcium and other nutrients. Cocoa has nutrients too, but since it is heated to make it, most of its nutrients and antioxidants levels are lost through the process.

Cacao can have the potential to moderate glucose and cholesterol levels, boost mood, and can even assist in healthy weight loss or be used to maintain a healthy weight. Cacao is high in dietary fiber and low in sugar. (Nourish my Life website) It is quite wonderful! I was concerned that it would be bitter, but it is not bitter at all. It adds a richness to my smoothie and balances the natural sweetness of the bananas with my other ingredients.

Kiva cacao powder is made from cacao beans from Ecuador. They use the gentler, cold pressing method that I spoke about above, preserving nutrients and flavor. There no sugars or fillers in this powder. Here is the company website in case you want to learn more about it. Kiva Health Food It is also available on Amazon.

Kiva Organic Cacao Powder

Here is how I use it. My favorite way to use it is to add it to my daily morning and afternoon smoothie. I make a simple smoothie from milk, 2 bananas, 4 ice cubes (from filtered water), 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use Garden of Life brand) and 1 tablespoon of cacao powder. You can use 2 tablespoons if you like, but it was too rich for me when I tried it. You can add more ice cubes for a thicker shake/smoothie. Often times I use my single sized blender, but for this review I happened to use my large multi-serving one.

I really like this powder. It has a resealable bag and smells lovely. It mixes easily in my smoothies and is not gritty or bitter. I would have liked for it to come with a pre-measured tablespoon size scoop, perhaps one that goes up to 2 tablespoons, but has a half mark line so you can use 1 tablespoon if desired. This powder can be put into milk for a healthy chocolate flavored milk (low sugar for kids and adults alike). This can be used in baking, but please note, that heating this might change/lower the nutritional value (I am unsure about this). This is delicious in plain or lightly sweetened yogurt. I like this in a vanilla yogurt with a few granola pieces crumbled on top. I sometimes flavor my husband's coffee with this cacao powder. I have made pancakes with this powder as well. The list of uses goes on and on!

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased.

Please follow me on Facebook for updates to this blog, reviews, and giveaways. Check me out on bloglovin and Twitter.

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.

Matrixyl 3000 Serum by BellaFab: Reviewed

I have been using a new facial product lately that I was sent to review. It is called Matrixyl 3000 Serum and is from the BellaFab company. They claim "wrinkle reduction up to 85% in clinical tests within 2 months...Tightens, Lifts and Firms skin for a youthful appearance. This powerful Matrixyl 3000 Peptide Serum, is infused to stimulate dermal filling, strengthen tissue cells and reduce the depth of lines, wrinkles and crow's feet." I have not used it for 2 months, but looking over the ingredients, and the way it makes my skin feel and look, I could see how this might actually live up to those claims. I do not have wrinkles, but I do have some fine lines, and lose of tightness around my eye area. I also have chronic dark circles. I hope to lighten these over time.

This serum is non toxic, paraben free, and hypoallergenic, according to the company. This is nice to know and makes me feel better about using it.

Ingredients
Deionized Water, Witch Hazel Extract, Glycerol Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Matrixyl 3000(Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7), Shea Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, PEG-8, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate VP Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, PPG-12 SMDI/Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate(Hyaluronic Acid) Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Peppermint Oil, Green Tea Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate(vitamin C).

I will not go into detail into every ingredient on this list, (as many of the ingredients I am not knowledgeable of) but the few that I recognize are definitely worth mentioning as they are stars in my book. Witch Hazel is a product I use quite often, almost every day. It helps de-puff the area around my eyes and is a great toner and astringent for my entire face. It reduces redness, swelling, and inflammation on the skin. Some people may not like the fragrance of witch hazel, but for me, it is refreshing and wakes me up. Witch hazel has high content of tannins, which are antioxidants. My favorite brand of Witch Hazel is Thayers Lemon.

I like that this has Glycerin in it, which is another of my ingredient favorites. I add vegetable glycerin to most all my homemade beauty creams (shaving soap pucks and lotions) as well as an added ingredient to my facial oil cleansing method. Glycerin attracts moisture to the skin.

Shea butter is a perfect solution for dry skin, eczema, and general skin problems. It is creamy and moisturizing, promoting skin regeneration and healing. I keep a tub of shea butter in my apothecary cabinet and use it for healing and smoothing cracked heels, making homemade aluminum free deodorant (really effective with all my essential oils and other natural ingredients I add to it), and I apply shea to dry areas such as elbows or my husband's knuckles on his hands (he gets severely cracked knuckles in winter).

If you read my blog with any regularity, you know that I am a fan of Hyaluronic acid. I always apply Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid daily after my shower and nightly before bed. It is a humectant, providing moisture to skin and can give skin a more youthful and supple appearance. Hyaluronic acid improves elasticity, boosts collagen production, and reverses free radical damage.

I love how this has a noticeable peppermint fragrance, it is soothing, cooling and smells so luxurious. I have always loved the smell of peppermint and the way it relaxes me. This serum feels amazing around my tired eyes and near my temples. It actually makes me feel awake and refreshed. (I speak a lot about waking up, yes, I am very tired a lot, and need all the help I can get.) Peppermint oil has many health benefits, such as improving blood circulation, and is known for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. I have often use this wonderful oil to calm stress and soothe a bad headache or migraine. Peppermint oil "contains Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, calcium, Vitamins A and C, minerals, potassium, manganese and copper." (Style Craze Website) Peppermint oil is useful for preventing acne and is great for nourishing skin and promoting proper balance of oil production in oily skin. There are many other reasons why this oil is so fantastic, but I only wanted to mention the skin related benefits.

This contains Green Tea, which as we all know green tea has so many health and anti-aging benefits. Green tea can improve and brighten skin, and has antioxidants and tannins. Green tea is soothing to irritated skin. Tired eyes with baggy under eye areas or dark circles, can be improved with green tea. Have you ever used cooled tea bags under your eyes or over your eyelids? (It is super easy to do and improves the appearance of tired eyes).

The last ingredient I will be speaking on is Vitamin C, as you may know, I love this for skin as well. I apply it topically twice every day. Vitamin C helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It is helpful in preventing wrinkles and repairs skin discoloration and age spots.

This cream has been a delight to use each day. It comes in an easy to hold container, is easy to dispense from the pump, and I only need 2 pumps for my entire face. I usually add a 3rd pump and apply to my neck and décolleté area. The fragrance is a wonderful bonus, and the peppermint cooling action makes my eyes and temples feel awake and soothed.

Here is how I use this serum:

1. Cleanse my face (oil cleansing method--I won't go into detail as those of you who read my reviews regularly are bored of my raves of oil cleansing I am sure). Rinse.

2. Exfoliate gently. ( I used to use microdermabrasion crystals once a week, but decided that regular sugar and honey works well and is always available. Lately I have been testing out another product with dead sea salt in it that also works amazingly well). Let skin dry.

3. Apply Vitamin C serum, Hyaluronic Acid.

4. Apply a small amount of this serum to your face (I use 2-3 pumps), neck and décolleté.

For step 5, I wanted to add what the company put, as it made me smile and is great information. Now, even though it is common sense, many of us do not always follow this step:

5. "Eat healthier, sleep more and de-stress! Skincare products definitely help but even the best products won't be effective unless you start pampering yourself daily."

So true. If only I slept more. I do drink lots of water each day and eat pretty healthy. I need to de-stress, I worry far to much and seemed to be over stressed.

Here are a few reasons why this is a great serum to use, according to the company:

Achieve instant tightening, smoothing, firming and lifting of the Skin.
Reduce and prevent fine lines, wrinkles and crow's feet by increasing skin elasticity.
Decrease, treat and prevent dark Circles and puffiness around the eyes.
Brighten and even out skin tone and complexion.
Visibly hydrate the skin for a younger and more radiant Skin.
Soft and radiant skin.

I would have to agree that this makes my skin smooth, firm and supple. I have zero irritation and my skin feels soft and moisturized without a heavy or sticky feeling. My complexion looks bright and radiant. The witch hazel and peppermint seem to help with decreasing puffy areas and soothe irritation. My skin is hydrated and balanced. I feel it is too soon to make extreme claims about whether this smoothes out wrinkles and fine lines, or makes me appear younger, however, I do feel this is a great serum to promote prettier skin. With any skin care regime, you have to be consistent in use, and it often takes several weeks or months before considerable improvement is visible. I do agree that this is a great product and I will say this is one of my favorite products I have tested.

For more information about this serum, visit this link on Amazon:Matrixyl 3000

and BellaFab Website.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review.

Please follow me on Facebook for updates to this blog, reviews, and giveaways. Check me out on bloglovin and Twitter.


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.

Matcha DNA Green Tea: Reviewed (packets)

I recently reviewed a matcha tea from the Matcha DNA company earlier this month. The black tea (blend of black and green) arrived in a generous sized 10 oz. bag with a resealable closure at the top. The tea has a nice fresh herbal fragrance. I had been using it each morning in a smoothie. Here is how I would prepare it:

I use 1/2 teaspoon of the black matcha, 2 bananas, 1 scoop of my Rainbow Light Spirulina Vanilla Energizer / Protein Powder, 1 tablespoon of organic unsweetened/pure Cacao powder, 4-6 ice cubes (made with filtered water), and about 8 oz. of 2 %milk. (you could use skin or 1%, but I like the 2 %) I mix this up in my blender, and enjoy.

I was happy that the matcha was in loose powder form in a resealable bag as it made it possible for me to easily add more or less powder depending on what treat I was going to make (smoothie, hot matcha tea or add to pancakes, etc.) I received my green matcha recently and it was in individual packet form inside my bag. I at first was disappointed as I felt perhaps I was not going to use this version as often as I thought it would be less convenient for me. But I my assumption was incorrect. I end up using these so much more than I thought! I now can keep a few packs in my purse or in the glove compartment of our car to take with us on the go. Often people are unaware that you can order just a mug of hot water when you are dining out. If often is free (so it saves you money to bring your own tea) and you can have the kind of tea you want---and the added nutrients of matcha. My husband drinks a lot of tea at home and in restaurants when we are out. Many times we would pay for hot tea and the tea selection available at the restaurant was only one option: a generic or cheap quality black tea in a tea bag form. It would often cost up to $2 (sometimes more depending on the place) for this uninspiring, and boring tea. I am happy that I have the option to take our matcha tea with us wherever we go.

MatchaDNA powdered green tea is a delicious tea with a delicate and naturally sweet taste. MatchaDNA is organically grown and hand-picked. It can be made as a hot tea, in a frozen smoothie, or used in a variety of recipes. Have you tried making muffins with matcha? I have not tried it yet, but that is what I plan to try next! Matcha tea is full of catechins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. It is a highly antioxidant tea, and high in ECGC. I use it in my daily smoothie, which I have modified the slightest bit since my previous matcha tea review.

I use 1/2 teaspoon of the matcha, 2 bananas, 1 scoop of my Garden of Life Vanilla Raw Protein Powder, 1 tablespoon of organic unsweetened/pure Cacao powder, 4-6 ice cubes (made with filtered water), and about 8 oz. of 2 %milk. I mix this up in my blender. I switched protein powder brands as I found the Rainbow Light brand to be grittier than I was liking.

I really like this brand of matcha, I like both the loose powder form and I like the packets as well. I suggest getting whatever fits you lifestyle best. I like having both varieties on hand so I can take the packet form with me. It is a slim packet that can be slipped into a pocket. My husband can even fit 1 packet in his leather wallet to take with him. We both really enjoy matcha tea and this is a great company to get it from.

For more information:


Matcha DNA Facebook

Matcha DNA Twitter

Matcha DNA website

Matcha DNA Green Tea on Amazon

I really enjoy this matcha tea and have found so many uses for it. I even made a face mask out of it. (In case you missed my previous Argan oil review posting on using this Green Matcha Honey mask a few weeks ago, here is what I did) I used Green tea matcha, honey, argan oil, and glycerin. Green Matcha tea is antioxidant rich. It is stone ground and uses the whole leaf. Matcha is added in my mask to nourish skin and protect against sun damage. Matcha green tea is also cooling and anti-inflammatory to skin. I think it smells nice too, a bit earthy but fresh. It also is green! I added 2 full droppers of Argan oil into the bowl of matcha powder (1 packet of powder). Argan oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E, fatty acids, and proteins. Argan does not smell as great as I would love for it to, bit the benefits far out weight the somewhat pungent fragrance. Argan can assist with smoothing fine lines and slow the appearance of aging. It restores elastin in our skin which gives skin the supple appearance. Vegetable Glycerin draws moisture to the skin and is wonderful, I use it in all my face treatments. (about 3-4 drops of glycerin is good) Honey is packed with antioxidants as well, and is added to the mask as it is a perfect humectant. It provides moisture and it is antibacterial, so its great for acne prone skin. Honey smells amazing and it makes for a glowing complexion. (put about 1 tablespoon of honey into the mixture). I applied to my skin and left on for about 10 minutes. It helps to wear an old tshirt or tank top as it can get drippy and messy. After rinsing, my face was VERY soft and smooth. I think that this could be a monthly mask for me.

Here is the how I made it:

My skin felt great after using this mask. There was no irritation. Please note, that my "after" picture was taken immediately after the mask, and it was SUPER late. I think it was nearly 2 am, so please know that I did not look my best or the most awake or refreshed. I do have dark under eye circles in this picture, but rest assured, results will be better on a more rested individual. :)

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions and do not receive any benefit for any purchases made based on my review.

Please follow me on Facebook for updates to this blog, reviews, and giveaways. Check me out on bloglovin and Twitter.

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.

IGOZEN Fruit/Vegetable Wash Review + Giveaway

I had the opportunity to review a fruit and vegetable spray that rinses off debris and chemicals without using any harmful substances. As a mommy to 2 little ones, I want to always make sure that food and food areas are clean and sanitized. My toddler eats a lot of fruit and veggies, especially grapes and apples, and I am happy to rest at ease knowing that she is eating fully cleaned food. iGOZEN fruit and vegetable wash came to me with 6 powder packets and an empty spray bottle. This is enough to make solution for 6 spray bottles. We had some kiwis and grapes in the fridge that we had bought the day before that I figured would be ideal candidates for a bath. iGOZEN is a "microfine powder" that is ground from seashells. This cleaner is different that others on the market as it can penetrate deep underneath food and surfaces. There is "no oil, perfume, dyes or chemicals" in the white powder. That is pretty neat if you ask me, it is super pure and safe to use. I like that it has almost no fragrance. I would liken the iGOZEN fragrance to crushed egg shells without the foul egg scent. It is proven to eliminate 99.9% of Salmonella, E.coli, pesticides, and toxins. Lots of "natural" and "organic" products available today are still made with some chemicals and could contain allergens or mild irritants. It is a relief that this product is so simple and yet is effective to use. I read the included pamphlet with all these claims and wanted to put it to the test.

To make the mixture, tear open a packet of powder, pour into the empty spray container, and pour clean water into the bottle (I used filtered water). Put on the spray cover to the bottle and shake vigorously to incorporate the powder and water until it is slightly cloudy.

I started out with 4 unwashed kiwis. I put 2 kiwis in plain FILTERED water from my Brita Pitcher into a plastic bowl, and swished around with my fingers gently in the water to rinse. These kiwis were washed in plain water only. I let these sit in the water while I went to work on using iGOZEN spray mixture.

I put the remaining 2 kiwis in another bowl, spray them down with iGOZEN, and swished the liquid to saturate, just like I did with the plain water. I let these 2 sit in the bowl as well. I let both bowls of kiwis soak for about 3 minutes. I checked them and the one sprayed with iGOZEN looked like this:

The plain water and kiwis bowl looked exactly the same. The water was clear with just a few floaty bits in it. Now I do want to mention that the iGOZEN mixture is a cloudy translucent milky color in the spray bottle, however, I did think that the iGOZEN kiwis water bowl looked a bit yellowy once the kiwis had soaked in it. I do feel a bit more at ease using this as it is hard to know exactly where the fruit and vegetables came from and to know if they were grown and harvested in a clean area without the use of pesticides and chemicals. I decided to wash the grapes as well. The pictures below show the differences.

Once I was done with the iGOZEN spray / treated fruit, I then ran the bowls under water to wash out the excess residue and prepared them for my little 3 1/2 year old to eat them. I treated the remaining fruit with the spray as well so that everything was clean.

I like how Eco-friendly this company is. They are conscious about their packaging as well. It was simple and urged the user to recycle and reuse the contents. The box that stored the packets contained a magnet and suggested the user find a new use for the box by putting it on the fridge to store recipes or notes. They sent the formula to me with the powder packets separate (and you add your own water) which lets you mix your own solution, and this saves on shipping costs due to excess weight.

I liked how the fruit had no strange aftertaste. The fruit was fresh and clean, and tasted wonderful. I was put at ease knowing that my family is safe from toxic pesticides and bacteria. The company does make a surface cleaner as well. I think I will use this spray to wipe down my cutting boards after they are used.

For more information on this company, visit iGOZEN.

Would you like to try this as well? The company has offered a sample pack to one of my readers! USA only.

This is a short giveaway and ends 7/25 so please hurry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.