A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.
Many people lose weight in different ways and different methods work for different people.
For me, I have to weight myself daily to keep me accountable for my food and exercise choices. When I don't weight myself, I just end up telling myself that it doesn't matter and I usually end up eating way worse and not exercising.
But when I know I am going to weight myself, I keep myself accountable for what that number is going to say.
So a quality scale is really important to me!
And can proudly say I have a quality scale now because I am the proud owner of the iHealth Core Wireless Body Composition Scale and with this scale I no longer have to write down my numbers (and then lose them), keep track of my weight loss by myself and I can even keep track of my body fat percentage! AND my husband can do it right along with me and the scale knows who is who when weighing each of us!
Both iOS and Android compatible, the iHealth Core Wireless Body Composition Scale is a cloud-connected wireless scale using state-of-the-art technology to easily and accurately measure weight, body fat, lean mass, muscle/bone mass, water weight, daily calories, BMI, and visceral fat rating.
It has an award-winning sleek Core Smart design with smart technology for precise measurements and secure cloud storage. The scale supports up to 20 unique users and measures up to 400 pounds at a time. Data is tracked on the iHealth smartphone app, which logs your readings, sets goals, and tracks trends over time that you can share with your doctor or caregiver instantly. It also stores as many as 200 readings offline to sync at your convenience. The app also supports other iHealth devices as well, so that you can see an overview of all your health-related data in one place.
With its sleek design and easy set-up,the iHealth Core provides a complete assessment of your body composition. Beautifully designed, this smart scale meets rigorous accuracy standards in both US and Europe.
I couldn't believe how easy it was to set up the iHealth Core and how great it is to also share with my husband. We both have the app on our phones so we can individually track our weight loss every time we step on the scale! I have loved being able to see my body fat percentage and give myself goals for future weight loss.
I also love the sleek look. It looks great in our bathroom and isn't an eye sore like some scales can be!
The iHealth Core Wireless Body Composition Scale package comes complete with:
1 Wireless body composition scale
1 User manual
1 Quick start guide
4 AA batteries
If you are on a journey to a healthier weight, need a scale that tells you body fat percentage or just like tracking your weight loss easier and without any work on your part (except to step on the scale!), then this iHealth Core scale is for you!
Buy It:
You can purchase the iHealth Core Wireless Body Composition Scale for $129.99 from the iHealth website.
* Thank you to iHealth for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*
A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.
I am always striving to eat healthier and reach my goal weight, as I am sure many of you are also! But with a busy family of five and work and other responsibilities, it can be hard to put healthy eating first, especially as the MOM!
So when I had the chance to participate in a “Healthy Summer Slim Down Challenge,” a five day plant-based meal plan to help me kick start a healthy eating routine for the summer, hosted by Veestro, I was so excited! Finally, a chance for me to put myself first and eat healthily without extra work or time!
Plant-based diets naturally promote weight loss, resulting in long term sustainable weight loss. They are low in saturated fats, high in fiber, and reduce excess cholesterol intake. And while it is always possible to overeat on high-calorie foods, this is much harder to pull off on a plant-based diet. Fruits and vegetables contain mostly water, keeping you feeling full without consuming a lot of calories. They are also rich in antioxidants, plant sterols, phytochemicals, and potassium, which are all thought to reduce the risk of heart disease (just another perk of a plant-based diet!)
The folks at Veestro understand that not everyone has the time to cook, they know you are busy, but they also know that you want to eat a wholesome and nutritious meal. At Veestro everything is made fresh, using all-natural ingredients, no preservatives or animal products. You won’t have to worry about recipes, shopping or cooking. You don't calculate 'points,’ keep track of calories, or play games. You just grab a Veestro meal from the fridge or freezer, heat and eat. It's that easy!
I received 15 ready-to-eat meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for 5 days) to help me jumpstart my healthy eating routine.
I will admit I was a bit nervous to start this week of meals. I'll be honest. I am not a fan of vegetarian alternatives like tofu but we do eat vegetarian meals at least three times a week so I am not unused to meals without meat.
What I was excited about was the fact of learning more about vegetarian meals and getting ideas for what I can make in the future for our no-meat meals.
And when I saw the Veestro only uses non-GMO foods and many organic ingredients, I was sold. It fit perfectly in our organic and natural diets that we are already have!
I was sent a good variety of different types of meals, foods and even a juice. Not all of it looked good to me but I was determined to give each meal a try! AND I DID!
Check out my meals and thoughts below:
My first meal to start off this week of Veestro meals was the Oatmeal Breakfast Pie. Since I eat oatmeal on a regular basis for breakfast, this was a easy start to my week.
The Oatmeal Breakfast Pie was pretty good. I liked the added cranberries and I love all the organic ingredients like sweet potato!
Then for lunch, I had a Enchilada Casserole. This meal included tofu, which I mentioned earlier I can't stomach. I just really don't like the texture. The casserole also turned out a little soggy. I definitely tried it but I ended up giving some to my kids (who really liked it!). I wasn't really a fan of the red sauce either.
But what I do love is being able to share with my kids because of the healthy, non-GMO and organic ingredients! They were so interested in what I was eating throughout the week and I loved sharing!
For supper, we grilled up the Veggie Burger! Now, I have tried Veggie Burgers in the past and have not been a fan. But I was determined to have an open mind and try it again.
And this time, I really did like it! I love that this burger was made up of beans and veggies instead of tofu. The texture was a little weird but I topped it with some fresh spinach and I ate it all! And I enjoyed it! This was definitely a meal I would eat again!
Yeah for me! I completed a FULL day of the Veestro Challenge!
I started this day off with the Three Layer Scramble. It was made with Tofu again so I tried it, ate around the tofu and overall enjoyed the taste. I liked the quinoa and it was definitely filling!
My kids also enjoyed this meal!
For lunch, I ate the Chickpea Stew! This meal I really enjoyed! It had a lot of my favorite foods including quinoa, vegetables and potatoes!
It was overall really good and really filling!
One of my favorite foods in life is Calzones so when I saw this on the menu for dinner, I was really excited to try it!
This calzone was filled with vegetables and was overall really good! I didn't care for the vegan cheese (it ranks right up there with tofu!) but overall the crust was crisp, the red sauce was great for dipping and the vegetables tasted great in this calzone! This ended up being one of my favorites from the week!
I started off my Wednesday with the Johnny Appleseed Organic Juice. With a little shaking to mix it up, this juice was REALLY good and refreshing! It felt like a really great way to start my day and it was so light and refreshing!
One of my favorite ethnic foods is Curry so when I saw this Red Curry on the menu I was excited to try it...until I saw the Tofu with it.
However, this time I could take out the tofu and without it, this meal was delicious!!! I loved all the added crispy veggies and the curry paste was really tasty!
This ended up being another favorite meal for the week!
Now I have to be honest to start with. I have never been a fan of eggplant and this meal just didn't look appetizing or taste appetizing. It ended up heating really soggy and fell apart everywhere and there were such HUGE pieces of eggplant. One bite for me was all I could do.
I got my kids to try a bite of eggplant as well but even the kids wouldn't eat this meal. This ended up being the worst meal of the week for me. HOWEVER, if you like eggplant, you would DEFINITELY like this meal!
Started off Thursday with the Croquettes and pretty much I could only eat the Veggie Hash, which I really liked. This meal just had too much tofu for me. The kids enjoyed it though!
I am a big fan of salads and eat Kale usually for lunch everyday so I was really excited to try this Kale Salad.
I love the addition of Quinoa and all the veggies and the Tahini dressing!
This salad for me was one of the best I have ever eaten and definitely at the top of my favorite meal list for the week!
This Risotto was another favorite! With the added Squash and Kale, it was healthy, tasty and not too overbearing in flavor!
I really liked this and it was a top five favorite!
I MADE it to the last day! And it hasn't been too tough!
And I got to start off the day with these tasty Empanadas! These surprised me as being a favorite. They were crispy, filled with veggies and overall really, really good!
This was a meal that I looked forward to trying because it was made with a peanut sauce.
It was overall really good and the kids also enjoyed this one A LOT!
I ended the week of Veestro meals with Thai Chick'N Stew. It wasn't one of my favorites and I wish I would have ended the week on a high note.
The kids and I enjoyed the flavor but it was a little soggy and had giant pieces of red pepper and onion.
But....
OVERALL...
I really LOVED the idea behind Veestro meals and the convenience of having the meals already made and ready for me to just heat up. Although, the one downfall is it took a long time for some of the meals to heat up or some were soggy. That's the downfall of not cooking them up fresh yourself. But it really saved me A LOT of time not having to cook a meal for myself every day.
I loved the variety of meals that Veestro offers. I wasn't a fan of tofu or veggie cheese but there are others out there that are so those meals are perfect for them. However, I was able to find many meals throughout the week that I did really enjoy like the Kale Salad, the Apple Juice, the Empanadas and the Risotto!
I love not having to think about how to eat healthy for each meal. These meals had it all EVERY TIME. Healthy vegetables, healthy grains, healthy fruits and all non-GMO and organic! LOVED THAT!
Overall, over five days I lost 4 pounds and I felt fuller after every meal than I do usually. I didn't snack as much or have sugar or salty cravings. I felt healthier and less tired. These meals really did keep my fuller longer and feeling great about myself and that was most important to me!
If you want an easy meal plan that you know is made with real, healthy and natural and organic ingredients, I recommend Veestro meal plans. They list all their ingredients right on the package so you always know what you are eating and they are easy to heat and eat! I really enjoyed trying new foods throughout the week and broadening my horizons!
Thank you VEESTRO!
Buy It:
You can purchase Veestro meals A La Carte or by Meal Plan on the Veestro website.
And make sure to use promo code, REVIEWSTEW, to save 20% off your entire order! This code is valid through September 30th, 2015.
* Thank you to Veestro for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*
A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.
If you made the common New Year's Resolution to lose weight, take control of your eating or diabetes, and fix bad eating habits, then let me recommend LEVEL Life.
LEVEL Life offers a range of products and a simple step-by-step lifestyle program for people who refuse to let diabetes get in their way. You can use their Glucose Gels to treat daily lows or those that occur from weight loss — or fight high blood sugar and lose weight by integrating their Bars and Shakes into your daily snacking routine.
LEVEL Life will redefine diabetes management and prevention by providing innovative nutritional products and programs that are convenient, great tasting and are based on proven science.
LEVEL Life foods low glycemic and gluten-free, making them ideal for anyone looking for simple solutions to satisfy hunger while watching carb and sugar intake. They offer low-carb protein bars, ready-to-drink shakes and decadent snacks.
The Bars come in 5 Flavors: Caramel Chocolatey Peanut, Chocolatey Crisp Bar, Double Chocolatey Chup Bar, Chocolatey Peanut Crunch Bar
I really enjoyed eating these for snacks throughout the day. They were filling, tasted pretty good and kept my blood sugar level.
The Shakes come in 4 Flavors: Rich Caramel Shake, Classic Vanilla Shake, Strawberry Crème, Milk Chocolate Shake
I loved drinking these alone (especially the Chocolate and Caramel shakes) but I also loved putting them in my smoothies, especially the Strawberry and Vanilla flavors!
They also offer decadent Snacks: Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut Turtle Bars (formulated with 80 percent and 60 percent less sugar than traditional offerings).
They fulfilled my sugar cravings without all the excessive sugar!
* Thank you to LEVEL Life for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*
A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.
Vitamins are a huge part of our daily routine and are what are keeping our kids in school, out of the clinic/hospital and keeping great energy all winter long! I truly believe in them and I don't think we could live without them!
There are only a couple brands of vitamins and supplements that I trust and Rainbow Light is one of the select! Each Rainbow Light formulation is research-backed to deliver optimal health benefits with a customized blend of superfood concentrates, organic spirulina and herbal extracts. Plant enzymes, probiotics and botanicals are added to enhance digestion and nutrient absorption for the Rainbow Light difference, a difference you can feel. Plus, they are all natural and easy to digest!
With the New Year here and the winter cold and flu season upon us, Rainbow Light is the perfect item to stock up on! Check out some of my favorite cold/flu fighters along with health/fitness related products that would be great for those looking to keep their New Year’s Resolutions,
NutriStart Multivitamin Powder™
The most comprehensive multivitamin powder available, Rainbow Light NutriStart provides the optimum balance of nutrients and nourishing foods such as blueberries, apples, vitamin C, vitamin D3 and choline, to support optimal growth and development for children 6 months to 4 years of age.
Convenient individual serving packets are pre-measured and make it easy to provide the vitamins and minerals necessary in a child's healthy diet. NutriStart is 100% natural, easy to digest and Allergen Safeguard® guaranteed to contain no gluten, yeast, milk, eggs, soy, nuts, fish or shellfish. It contains no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or additives.
Berry D-Licious 2,500 IU Vitamin D3
Maximize your Vitamin D3 protection with Rainbow Light's Berry D-Licious™ 2,500 IU Vitamin D3 Gummies. Our delicious raspberry gummies deliver an even more potent level of Vitamin D3 for those adults looking for advanced protection to support bone and muscle strength, immune function, along with circulatory and cellular health. Current scientific research reveals that higher intakes of vitamin D are associated with long-term and enhanced immune resistance. Vitamin D3 is the proven, most effective form of vitamin D and Berry D-Licious contains 2,500 IU of this important vitamin. 100% natural and free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and additives. Allergen Safeguard®: contains no gluten, soy, yeast, milk, eggs, nuts, fish or shellfish.
Gummy Vitamin C Slices™
Rainbow Light's Gummy Vitamin C Slices™ are the perfect solution for both children and adults who need super immune protection. Today's lives are busy and stressful and we often don't get the complete nutritional support we need from our diets alone. That may leave our immune systems compromised. Tangy tangerine gummies provide optimal protection with a boost of antioxidant rich vitamin C, along with added vitamin E, to strengthen immune health. 100% natural and gluten-free, vitamin C slices have no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or additives. They are lactose-free, yeast-free and contain no nuts, so they are safe for those with allergen concerns.
ThinBerry Opti-Curb Cinnamon Twist
Rainbow Light's ThinBerry® Opti-Curb® Cinnamon Twist shake offers a unique approach to help you achieve safe and sustainable weight loss with a comprehensive, low-carbohydrate formula that delivers protein, appetite control and energy support. The creamy cinnamon flavor includes 15 g of high-quality brown rice per serving for an immediate protein boost. A natural Appetite Control Complex, Metabolism and Energy Complex, and 4 grams of fiber help curb cravings, maintain healthy blood sugar levels and fuel energy.
When used as directed, ThinBerry® Opti-Curb® Cinnamon Twist shakes can support a healthy weight management program, and help you achieve your weight loss goals! The gluten-free formula is 100% natural with no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or additives, and no sugar, lactose, wheat, soy or yeast is included. It is VeganGuard® guaranteed to be free of animal products.
Protein Energizer™ Chocolate
Rainbow Light’s protein powder energizer is a convenient, great-tasting source of protein and energy support. This high-protein, low-fat, low-carbohydrate shake provides 14 g of brown rice protein, targeted superfoods, botanicals, fiber - along with digestion-supporting enzymes - for comprehensive energy and stamina support. Rainbow Light's formula is 100% natural and free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and additives.
Protein Energizer™ is gluten-free, sugar-free and lactose-free and a great choice for people with allergy concerns. It is free of most common allergens, including soy, yeast, milk, eggs, nuts fish and shellfish. It is vegan, vegetarian and free of animal products. Protein Energizer™ can be mixed with your favorite beverage for a healthy , delicious, immediate protein boost!
* Thank you to Rainbow Light for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*
A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.
Need the perfect stay fit gift or last minute gift idea for the fitness guru on your list? Check out Tinke!
As the New Year approaches, fitness is a top priority for consumers. Blending the latest technology with fitness, Tinké is the only fitness & wellness tracker that measures your Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Blood Oxygen saturation and Heart Rate Variability.
It has many unique and awesome features: It's small. It's light. Its unique design means you can take it anywhere and monitor your fitness and wellness anytime!
Tinké is all about simplicity. With a touch of your finger, you can obtain the measurements of the 4 parameters, and 2 indexes within seconds. No other device can do this.
How does Tinké work?
Select Vita or Zen measurement to start.
Connect Tinké via Bluetooth to your Android devices.
Gently rest your thumb onto the sensing platform of Tinké to measure.
How is Tinké unique?
Detect 4 body parameters - heart rate, blood oxygen level, respiratory rate and heart rate variability. No other device can do this.
Monitor your Fitness with 'Vita Index' and understand how your heart rate, blood oxygen level and respiratory rate.
Monitor your Wellness with 'Zen Index'. Practice deep breathing and understand your level of relaxation.
A sleek and innovative design makes bringing it around so easy. Subtle yet incredibly informative.
It features sophisticated technology and results in seconds!
Tinké detects changes in your blood volume using optical sensors and advanced signal processing techniques, translating your body signals into valuable information. This is a revolutionary device designed to change the face of mobile fitness and wellness.
Whether you've just woken up, half-way up a mountain hike, commuting to work, or even hitting the ski slopes, you can use Tinké anytime, anywhere to quantify thyself. Within seconds, you can check your heart rate, monitor your blood oxygen level, and obtain your respiratory rate and heart rate variability. No straps or wires to fiddle with, no batteries to replace. Just a simple yet amazing app-powered device.
* Thank you to Salba Chia for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*
A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.
The holidays bring with them a lot of rich, fatty and calorie laden foods. But if you are on a diet or trying to lose the baby weight like I am, you are dreading what that will do to your diet!
But don't worry...I have your back this year and your diet will stay safe without sacrificing taste with these two great products!
Skinnygirl
Whether you’re entertaining guests or looking for the perfect hostess gift, Skinnygirl have some delicious low-calories wine varietals that are sure to please:
Skinnygirl™ Pinot Grigio – offers a refreshing combination of tropical fruit and natural grape sweetness with a delicate and long finish. Suggested retail price of $11.99
Skinnygirl™ Cabernet Sauvignon – features bright aromas of dark berries with a touch of warm chocolate. Suggested retail price of $11.99
Skinnygirl™ Chardonnay – offers aromas of white peach, a hint of French oak vanilla and orange blossoms with a light and lingering finish and a crisp acidity that balances the rich fruit flavors. Suggested retail price of $11.99
For the spirits/margarita enthusiasts, a fun alternative are Skinnygirl Cocktails vodkas options:
Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka - Contains a sassy cherry aroma balanced with a kiss of creamy vanilla for the perfect base spirit for designing guiltless cocktails. Suggested retail price of $17.99
Skinnygirl Bare Naked Vodka – offers a crisp, smooth and somewhat sweet flavor with a lightly warming finish, and is perfect for making any cocktail skinny. SRP: $17.99
NEW Skinnygirl Meyer Lemon Vodka - The newest vodka to join the Skinnygirl Cocktails portfolio contains a light citrus aroma and a bright lemon taste with crisp lime undertones. Suggested retail price of $17.99
Buy It:You can purchase Skinnygirl products at ReserveBar.
Endulge Candies
With the holiday’s right around the corner, and that means candy dishes are everywhere. With that temptation it’s easy to sneak one-too-many butterfingers out of the candy bowl. Some sweets you can indulge in guilt-free (and that are classy and luxurious to boot) are the below new chocolates from Atkins.
My favorite were definitely the Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares! These low-carb treats taste just like Ghirardelli, trust me. But I didn't need to worry about my chocolate craving ruining my diet or calorie count for the day! LOVE IT!
My husband LOVED the Pecan Caramel Clusters. The caramel was the perfect touch to the pecans and they were crunchy and sweet! And low carb!! Perfect combination!
Buy It:You can purchase Endulge candies for $5.99 from the Atkins website.
*Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*
* I received the Walmart gift card as part of a sponsored collaboration with Balance Bar and Walmart.*
Baby #3 is due in 6 days and we are patiently (sort of....) awaiting the birth of our child! Having had two already, I know that getting back into shape afterwards takes effort, healthy food and snacks and exercise...but I am excited for the challenge!
Summer is the perfect time to lose weight and look great and I am stocked up on Balance Bars from Walmart to help me have lasting energy throughout the day and fight my sugar cravings to lose the baby weight after baby arrives!
And Balance Bar wants to help you as well with their Balance Bar Summer Shape Up Challenge!
The Balance Bar Summer Shape Up Challenge is all about looking and feeling your best all summer long. They'll motivate you with daily workout ideas, healthy eating tips and fitness challenges to help reignite your summer fitness routine that you can stick with through these hot summer months.
I recently headed to our local Walmart to pick up my Balance Bars and some other goodies to have fun in the sun and stay healthy! I found them in the Sports Nutrition and Diet aisle near the pharmacy instead of in the granola bar and snack bar aisle. They were on sale for $4.56 for 6 bars.
The Peanut Butter and Cookie Dough flavors were the only available ones but they sounded delicious and I couldn't wait to try them!
Along with great tasting bars, you can also expect some other great things from the Balance Bar Shape Up Challenge:
• Weekly workouts to attack trouble zones by expert trainer Holly Del Russo
• 40 days of 30-minute workouts ideas, fitness and healthy eating tips
• Feel your best in summer shorts, tanks and swimsuits!
So make sure to shape up this summer!
Head to your local Walmart and get your delicious Balance Bars and be sure to check out the great tips and workout ideas from the Balance Bar Shape Up Challenge!
Win It: Balance Bars is generously offering (1) $10 Walmart gift card and a variety pack of Balance Bars to a lucky winner!
Enter here for a chance to win:
(1) $10 Walmart gift card AND A Variety Pack of Balance Bars
