Organic Coconut Oil (16oz Raw Cold Pressed Extra Virgin ) by Island's Miracle

I use coconut oil for nearly everything. It all started about 2 1/2 years ago with my updated dental care routine of oil pulling and making my own (coconut oil, essential oil, bentonite clay, charcoal powder) toothpaste. I then expanded my use of coconut oil to include making my own deodorant and using it for cloth diaper safe bottom balm. It also works wonderfully for cooking, skin, and hair care. I mostly use the non odor / flavorless coconut oil for cooking, but do enjoy the coconut flavor for stirfry, Indian cuisine, or desserts.
Coconut oil is so healthy for your body on the exterior and interior. Did you know it actually can contribute to losing weight? It speeds up your metabolism to burn the excesses of fat, and gives you energy to move and exercise. Blood sugar can also be stabilized. Our body benefits in other ways by using coconut oil, such as a boost to our immune system. Coconut oil is highly antibacterial, which is why I use it in my oil pulling (swishing it in my mouth for 20 minutes then spitting out---removes toxins), toothpaste, and as a bottom balm for my babies. It does a wonderful job of removing makeup (I use it for eye makeup such as waterproof black liner and mascara) as well as a hair deep conditioning mask.

I am alway happy to try varying brands and will tell you about a brand of coconut oil that was sent to me. Islands Miracle is sold on Amazon and comes in a 16 oz jar. The jar is plastic that is BPA free, but I would have preferred glass. This oil is certified chemical free, organic, vegan and cold pressed extracted. The company offers a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

I liked how the coconut oil was bright white and fresh. It has a delightful coconut flavor and aroma. I am using this jar for dental care, deodorant, and skin care. I did use it once to make some simple ingredient chocolate fudge as we were out of butter, but I prefer using either butter for that purpose or the Refined, flavorless oil for cooking. The coconut oil was nice, but it overpowered my raw cacao fudge.

I have been using this nearly every day (for a month) for some sort of purpose. The jar still has plenty of use left. As mentioned, I did make a fresh glass jar of deodorant with this coconut. I mixed arrowroot powder, zinc oxide non nano powder, magnesium powder, coconut oil, and a few drops of lemon and lavender oil. I use this daily and am odor free for 24+hrs. I shower every day, but did test this for one day a few weeks ago when I learned of adding zinc oxide to my mix. I have been making my own deodorant for a few years now, but the zinc is a new (to me) and wonderful addition--I love it!

I was sent this coconut oil for review, and did not promise a positive review. I was not compensated for my review, but was sent a jar for the purpose of evaluation.

DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation for a product review and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I am always honest in my opinions and never promise a positive review. I only recommend products or services that I feel are beneficial to my family and my lovely readers. I enjoy testing out items and giving my readers an honest and descriptive account of how a product functions. My personal experience or view of an item may differ than yours.

Tiny Drops of Honey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You pay the exact same price for any and all products you order through my links, but I receive a small commission. I am a stay at home mommy and any commissions I receive help support my little ones.

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Product Review: Water Test Kit 9-Way 100ct, 30-Second Results

We live in a nearly 100 year old home with old pipes, that may very well be the original or still 50+ years old if they ever were "updated." We have frequent issues with plumbing and our water from the kitchen sink tap is not delicious. It is leaning towards "ok" at best. We use a Brita pitcher that filters the water to a manageable taste. I have always wondered about our water and have a $70 shower filter (Waterchef) installed as it seems to help with the water hardness and prevents some of the excess chlorine from drying our skin and making our hair frizzy, lifeless, and damaged.

The house really needs a whole house filter but that won't be in the budget for quite some time as we are dealing with some other expensive large repairs at the moment. I was happy to be sent a water testing strip kit that evaluates the water quality in 9 ways. The kit came with 100 test strips and is said to test level of total alkalinity, free chlorine, pH, total hardness, total chlorine, cyanuric acid, nitrite, nitrate, and bromine.  I was really only looking at the chlorine and hardness levels as those are easier for me to understand for now.  

This Water test kit is fairly easy to use right away, dip a strip into water (I only tested our kitchen tap water) and wait 30 seconds, then check results against the chart. I appreciate that the company puts the chart on their box that the product comes in, the actual plastic bottle itself, and an instruction sheet. This is convenient in case the box or paper is misplaced. I do think it would be easier if at least one of the 3 areas were the same size as the actual test strip, to allow the color blocks to line up easier. 

I have tested the water 6 times (3 in the picture as shown) and have gotten varied results. My color blocks differ slightly from one another and some have partial colors (mix of 2 colors). The water was tested from the same glass of water, within 10 minutes of each other. I am happy that 100 strips are included (in case of user error or to improve accuracy of readings), and that currently the price is under $20. For a casual user, this kit might be beneficial if you are not testing for anything in particular. (Such as if you do not have reason to believe your water is highly dangerous and you just are curious about your levels.) As gross as our water is to drink unfiltered, it is safe. I just prefer the water in my hometown (about 2 hours away from where we currently live) much better.  I actually drink most of my water from Dasani (I know, most people are against this and think bottled water is a scam, and yes it is not the best for the environment or my pocketbook).  I do notice when our "filtered" water is put into a Dasani water bottle (my husband tried to test this without me knowing and I mentioned my water tasted like tap---that was from the Brita Filter Pitcher, and so in my opinion the Dasani DOES taste better.  :) 

I like that this kit makes it quick and easy to test water in various areas of the home.  We do not have a pool or aquarium, but this would be beneficial for those households as well. Home water testing kits are affordable, and instant results without having to mail samples and wait for results from a lab.  (Which may cost?).

I did not instantly love this kit, as I was unsure it was fully accurate, but it is nice to have 100 strips to test several times and compare.  I followed the instructions fully each time (only dipping briefly and keeping the strip level for 30 seconds without shaking the excess water) and got some varied results.  I do want to mention that after allowing the kit to dry for about an hour and a half, the results certainly looked better.  The last picture shows that this kit is best read at least an hour after dipping--at least in my experience.

These might work for you, and I would recommend trying them as the price is reasonable.  These were sent to me for review, and this was my honest experience and opinion.

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DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation for a product review and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I am always honest in my opinions and never promise a positive review. I only recommend products or services that I feel are beneficial to my family and my lovely readers. I enjoy testing out items and giving my readers an honest and descriptive account of how a product functions. My personal experience or view of an item may differ than yours.

Tiny Drops of Honey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You pay the exact same price for any and all products you order through my links, but I receive a small commission. I am a stay at home mommy and any commissions I receive help support my little ones.

Botanical Lipstick (BERRY RED) By Skin2Spirit (Review)

I use natural bath, body, hair and home products about 90% of the time. I am completely sulfate free and limit the amount of chemicals I use of have my family use. There are some items I have not completely transferred over to 100% natural. Although the majority of my makeup is natural, I do have some brands in the mix that I cannot give up just yet. I have yet to find a mascara that I love that is completely natural, and a lot of my eyeshadows and lipsticks are from Urban Decay as I love the colors (I try not to peak at the ingredients). For natural based lipsticks I have used Bare Minerals Moxie which is a healthier option. I recently was given an evaluation sample lipstick from Skin2Spirit. I tested their magnesium sprays a while back and was pleased with the outcome as I used them as a part of my natural deodorants.

I selected the Berry Red shade of lipstick which is a pretty, feminine red shade.  I am always drawn to a classic red lip or pink lip.  I find that darker reds (plum brown toned or wine) do not really suit me.  The lipstick arrived to me in a mesh bag and is housed in a simple matte black tube.  The tube closes very nicely which may not seem like a big deal, but honestly my Bare Mineral Moxies would always lose loosely and I have since stopped purchasing them.  (They might have improved this, but for a while they had a push up lever that made for a messy lipstick tube that opened at the worst times).  This simple matte black tube on the Skin2Spirit lipstick is nice.  I think (from what I have seen on Amazon) that they now have a label on them with ingredients listed on the tube, but I think the way mine arrived is classier and looks much more expensive.  

The Skin2Spirit lipsticks are organic and formulated with organic butters, botanical extracts and essential plant oils. I was intrigued to find out that Oregano, Thyme, Cinnamon, Lavender, Lemon essential oils are in the lipsticks. Those essential oils are a combination I never would have thought would be added to a lipstick.  They seem to be a spicier medley, but luckily the lipstick did not tingle or burn my lips when applied.  I also did not notice much of a fragrance.  Sometimes lipsticks and makeup in general has a fake perfume fragrance that is overpowering.  The  (Berry Red) lipstick is a slightly sheer, moisturizing stick, made with organic Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Cocoa Butter. These are all nice ingredients that soften and protect lips. It is crazy how many toxic ingredients are in some of my favorite non natural brands. This lipstick applies nicely and is comfortable to wear.  I did find that it does not last as long as my Urban Decay Vice lipsticks, which are currently my favorite (but not natural).

The ingredients in the Skin2Spirit lipstick are luxurious! They are Vitamin rich with Vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B6 & even Calcium! (wow--another surprise there).  Infused with REAL Vanilla Extract and other Essential Oils (Oregano Thyme, Cinnamon, Lavender, Lemon).  This ingredient list is pure luxury.  

Ingredients

*CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Castor Seed Oil*, Beeswax*, Carnauba wax*, Candelilla Wax*, Sunflower Oil*, Shea Butter*, Cocoa Butter*, Jojoba Oil*, Coconut Oil*, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Oregano Leaf Extract*, Thyme Extract*, Cinnamon Bark Extract*, Rosemary Leaf Extract*, Lavender Extract*, Goldenseal Root Extract, Lemon Peel Extract*, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Vanilla, may contain Mica, oxides

It really is a nice lipstick.  This was sent to me for review and this is my honest opinion.  I do find that it smears off a bit when I eat food (such as sandwiches or something).  It is a moist lipstick and while it is moisturizing and very skin soothing, it does rub off easier than a matte or dry lipstick.  I would suggest applying it after you eat to prevent this problem.  

I like that this brand has a variety of shades that can suit many skin tones.  I am curious about the Sweet Pea and the Pink Peach as they look like other shades I would enjoy.  

Please Follow me! 

Facebook for updates to this blog, reviews, and giveaways.  For updates on new posts, you can subscribe to me on bloglovin.  I would love it if you would visit me (subscribing makes me so happy) on Instagram and Twitter.

DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation for a product review and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I am always honest in my opinions and never promise a positive review. I only recommend products or services that I feel are beneficial to my family and my lovely readers. I enjoy testing out items and giving my readers an honest and descriptive account of how a product functions. My personal experience or view of an item may differ than yours.

Tiny Drops of Honey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You pay the exact same price for any and all products you order through my links, but I receive a small commission. I am a stay at home mommy and any commissions I receive help support my little ones.