AmazingGrass

Isn't that name so catchy? Amazing Grass. Makes you wonder what it is. Are you intrigued?! I was and lucky for me, I was selected to give this product a taste test. It arrived in a pretty fancy box. The fancier the box, the greater the goods, right? But first, let me take a selfie. haha

So, what is Amazing Grass? It's a product that is honestly grown and simply enjoyed. Amazing Grass greens are USDA organic, Non GMO, kosher, vegan and gluten free. Containing a plethora of vitamins, minerals, plant based protein and phyto-chemicals, leafy greens assist the body in maintaining healthy organ function, detoxification and immunity. You can mix the greens into juices, smoothies, or anything you're in the mood for.

Sounds pretty good so far, am I right?

Check out what they have to offer here: https://www.amazinggrass.com/store/. I had the privilege of trying out their Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Superfood. Honestly, to me, you can't go wrong with a chocolate peanut butter flavor and when I first tried it, I kept it simple with just a scoop from the jar and water. Not bad, I thought. So, the next time, I decided to change it up and made it with 1 scoop and almond milk. It was even better! The next time, I decided to get fancy and add a banana. Oh my gosh, my taste buds were dancing with joy! I found my recipe -- almond milk, 1 scoop of protein superfood, 1 banana, and ice all blended perfectly in my blender. I took this magical drink to the backyard to enjoy every last drop. I even went all out and drank it from the awesome mason jar cup they gave me with a fancy-schmancy Amazing Grass sleeve.

So, this stuff is good, like really good. I'd totally buy it! So, where can you buy it? Good question. Well, you can definitely purchase it from their online store or you can check out their store locator (all you need is a zip code). I was pretty stoked to find out that GNC, Vitamin World and Target sold their products. I just happen to have these 3 stores within minutes from my house. That's great news!

Now, their products aren't just for smoothies or drinks. You can bake with them, too. Say what?! They even offer you a few recipes on their website.  I went straight for the cookies and brownies. I may have a slight sweet tooth -- but hey, it's healthy so there's that!

As if their product wasn't already badass, they've given me a discount code to share and it's not a measley 10% -- it's BIGGER than that! 30% OFF! I love savings and I love sharing them. So without further ado, go to their website www.amazinggrass.com and browse around their products and then when you're ready to check out, plug this code in: SWEATPINKAlissa16 (a little tip, you must register to use the code at checkout (meaning you can't checkout as a guest)) Discount code expires on 05/31/16.

What are you waiting for? Go check them out and if you buy it and try it, I hope you love it just as much as I do!

Follow them on social media!
Website: https://www.amazinggrass.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amazinggrass/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amazinggrass/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greensuperfood

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amazinggrass

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDOzF3WAoWndhy6O8Chn7tg/videos

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#BeFitAllYear

Fitness is a big thing right now. It's like the IT thing. You can do workouts in gyms, at home, in hotels, anywhere really. You can access free workouts online -- one in particular is BeFit. Heard of them? Check out their BeFit 30 Day Burn Calendar and watch their introductory video:



Their workout series are short, but intense (and challenging)! If you're limited on time, this is a great way to quickly work up a sweat. They are roughly about 10 minutes long. What's intimidating about 10 minutes?! EXACTLY! Give yourself no excuses and just give it a go! I enjoyed them and I'm sure you will, too!

Speaking of BeFit, they have their own BeFit Nutrition Supplements. Pretty cool since so many of us are on a fitness journey. I was chosen to try 3 of their products out for a month. When my wonderful box arrived, I opened it to find these three products...

• BeFit Pre (pre-workout Energy and Endurance Booster (flavor: fruit punch))
• BeFit Whey Protein (Whey Isolate and Casein Combination (flavor: vanilla))
• BeFit Burn (fat burner without the jitters)

Needless to say, I was pretty excited for a 30 day supply from BeFit!

Now that BeFit nutrition is here, let me explain what each is.

BeFit Pre: This is a fruit punch flavored pre-workout energy drink. My favorite of the three. There are three key elements required for a good workout: energy, endurance and focus, and that's what you get with this supplement. It's delicious and when you workout super early, a tasty pre-workout drink is a HUGE help!

BeFit Whey Protein: This product helps to support muscle recovery by combining two types of protein, whey and casein. It comes in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla which are also GMO, sugar and gluten free. Mix this with almond milk, a banana, peanut butter and ice cubes and you've got yourself a delicious shake! That's how I enjoyed mine!

BeFit Burn: This product helps your body create thermogenesis (heat), which helps metabolize, or burn fat. It helps to manage cravings and curbs your appetite. You don't get jitters with this one, but to be honest, I've never taken a fat burner before, so to be able to compare it with another product -- well, I can't. It says you don't get jitters because it doesn't over-stimulate your nervous system. I can confirm that I never did get jitters while using it. I'm not sure this product was a good fit for me.

If you'd like to purchase any of their products or if you simply want to check out what they are all about, head on over to www.befitfitnessnutrition.com 

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Hemp Heart Bar? Yay or Nay?

Manitoba Harvest... the first time I had heard about their name was when I tried their Hemp Hearts and honestly, I fell in love. It was so delicious and I could use their product on so many different kinds of food. When I was selected to be a part of trying a new product of theirs, I was totally on board.

A couple of weeks ago, I was sent two Hemp Heart Bars in two different flavors: Chocolate and Apple Cinnamon. Off the bat, I wasn't thrilled with having to sample anything apple. It's just not a flavor that I'm typically drawn too, so I opted to try out the chocolate first. Sadly, I was disappointed in it. (wah! Not the reaction I was hoping to have after taking my first bite.) It's a chewy bar which is nice and simple to eat. Nothing crunchy at all about it, but the taste just wasn't anything to brag about. Ugh... I felt that giving my honest opinion was, in a way, letting the company down. Needless to say, I procrastinated on sampling the other flavor.

Well, the day had arrived and I was in need of a snack and this apple cinnamon Hemp Heart bar was just staring at me (I can just imagine little beady eyes looking at me -- or perhaps I was just THAT hungry I was envisioning my food having eyes.) Anyway, Apple Cinnamon was quite delicious. I was pleasantly surprised. I'd definitely have another if I had one. And this... this is coming from someone who is not an apple flavor lover at all. I hate apple pies, apple cobbler, apple anything unless it's an actual apple, so me liking this bar was definitely something to brag about!

Now that you have my review of Hemp Heart Bars, you might want to know just exactly what they are, right?! Well, first, they come in THREE flavors: Chocolate, Apple Cinnamon & Vanilla and they are crafted with simple, minimal ingredients and of course the goodness of hemp!

Each Hemp Hear bar has 10 grams of protein and 10 grams of omegas. They are the perfect pre-workout snack, mid-afternoon snack or on the go snack. They'll be sure to help fuel your day!

If this is a bar for you, head on over to www.manitobaharvest.com and fill your cart. When you're ready to check out use this PROMO CODE: hhbarlaunch1015 to save yourself 15%. This code will expire on March 31, 2016. Enjoy!!

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I heart Hemp Hearts

Hemp Hearts... such a simple added ingredient to meals or snacks. I heart Hemp Hearts. Ever had them? They taste great. Some people say Hemp Hearts taste like a sesame seed or a pine nut and I agree. They are so easy to use. Open up the bag and sprinkle away. Literally... on anything you can think of. Yogurt, eggs, spaghetti, inside banana bread (yup, I baked them into the banana bread), sprinkled on top of apples & peanut butter (that was my favorite!!!) They are nutritious, too. They pack 10 grams of protein and 10 grams of omegas per 30 gram serving. They are lower in carbs than flax seeds and chia seeds and they are raw, vegan-friendly and non-GMO!

I even had my toddler eating these with her meals. She absolutely loves eggs, so I would sprinkle them on top of her scrambled eggs every morning. She devoured her food before I even sat down to eat mine and then of course, she was eating off of my plate next. Happy, happy toddler!

There are so many ways that you can enjoy hemp hearts and recipes all over the internet (Pinterest, for one). Here's a link to a search that I did on Pinterest: Hemp Hearts Recipes (<< click there)

Hemp seeds are only grown in Canada and manufactured in their own hemp-dedicated facililty in Manitoba where nothing else gets produced but hemp food.

And no, these are not drugs, nor will they get you high (for you uneducated people reading this) These are good for you, I promise! You can find them at your local grocery store (I buy mine from Shop Rite)

Go try them and get fueled by hemp!

Want to stay connected with the company? You can find them on many social media channels...
Instagram: https://instagram.com/manitobaharvest/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manitobaharvesthempfoodsandoils/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/manitobaharvest
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/manitobaharvest/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ManitobaHarvestHemp

If you head to www.manitobaharvest.com you can save 20% off their entire web store with promo code: HHSP1015 (promo code expires on December 31, 2015.)

Comment on this blog post for a chance to win a bag! One LUCKY reader will receive a 2oz bag of Hemp Hearts. All you have to do is comment on this post. The contest will end on Friday, November 13, 2015. Good luck and I'll announce the winner either Friday or Saturday, so stay tuned!

Avocado, cheese & Hemp Hearts on toasted bread. Delicious!

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HempHearts and ME!

I feel like it's such a special moment when I open my email and it's not spam, but an email saying that I've been selected to do a product review!

Hi Alissa!

CONGRATS! You’re in for the Manitoba Harvest #HempHearts Review & Giveaway. 

Seriously, it's a highlight of my day. 

I've tried Hemp Hearts before and I absolutely loved the product, but now I see that there is a green bag (you can see a sliver of it on the photo posted above). The orangish/gold bag is what I've tried already and I la-la-loved! 

But you know, if I get the same bag again, maybe I'll try cooking with it this time. I didn't get the chance to do that last time. Hmmm... I see lots of scrolling through Pinterest for recipes in my near future!

AND... this review also has a giveaway so one of you might win a bag! How exciting!

But you may be wondering what the heck Hemp Hearts are, right? Check out this cool image that I snagged from the Manitoba Harvest website... it explains it.

Once my HempHearts bag arrives in the mail, I'll try the product (a handful of times) and then give my review. Stay tuned!

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BuluBox Review

I got this pretty, orange box in the mail with some pretty cool typography on it (that's the graphic designer coming out in me - so I give you a thumbs up to your box designer!) I was so eager to open it up, but of course, I had to take a picture of it in my fancy, schmancy mailbox.

Prior to receiving it, I thought the box would be bigger. I didn't expect it to fit in the little slot opening of my mailbox, but ehh, no biggie. Size doesn't matter, right?!

So, what's inside the box???  Calm down, first let me tell you what Bulu Box is. Bulu Box is the first health, nutrition and weight loss discovery box designed to help you feel your best. Each month, you'll get a custom box filled with a new mix of 4 to 5 premium samples from top brands to try. Every sample is sufficient enough to decide if the product is right for you.

Okay, NOW, I'll share with you what 5 samples my box contained.

• Quest PB Protein Powder  • Yerba Prima Daily Fiber Formula • Movit Energy Gummies • Mediterra Bars • Earth's Care Anti-Itch Cream

First off, pretty stoked about the Quest packets and I'm a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE PB lover and this was the one flavor that I was dying to get my hands on. The other four items -- never heard of. So, onto the reviews, shall we!

Quest Protein Powder:
Quest makes amazing products so I wasn't surprised that this one was pretty good. Strong peanut butter flavor, but if you're as big of a peanut butter lover as I am, then you'll love this. I made a shake out of the first packet. I kept it simple with almond milk and ice. Delicious. I even shared it with my 1 year old daughter and she loved it, too!

(This amazingly delicious protein powder is more than your traditional shake. Quest Powders work as a hunger-stopping shake or as a high-protein baking alternative to traditional flour. Cheat clean with Quest Protein! $54.99/30 servings)

Yerba Prima Daily Fiber Formula:

Open packet and pour into an 8oz cup of water. Pretty simple. The flavor was citrus, not my favorite, but I decided to not judge a product by it's flavor. To my surprise, it wasn't a strong citrus flavor, so that was good. It was a little gritty. It didn't mix too well. I had to stir it halfway through drinking it and even when I got to the end of the cup, there was a lot of stuff left in the cup to finish. I've tried other products before (from other companies) and this same thing happened, so maybe this is normal? I don't know. This is not a product that I would need in my life and would probably not purchase it, however, if you need a daily dose of fiber, you may want to give this product a try. 

(Yerba Prima Daily Fiber Formula helps improve digestion to rid your body of excess waste and keeps your system running smoothly. Plus, this fiber formula is sugar free and sweetened with stevia! $14.64/12oz bottle)

Movit Energy Gummies:

Gummie Bears! Well, not really, but they look and taste just like that! I've been known to steal a bag or 5 from my kids stash and devour them. It's a weakness - don't judge.  These Movit Gummies were citrus, but really didn't taste citrus-y to me, but they were tasty. Now, here comes the skeptical part. I don't know that I believe these things work. Personally, I think it is a mind game. You take these gummies 20 minutes before you start your workout, so that gives you 20 minutes to psych yourself up for giving it your all (or 20 minutes to stall prior to pushing play) I didn't feel any different. That's just my 2 cents.

(Movit Energy Gummies use power-boosting ingredients like guarana, CoQ10, and folic acid to combat fatigue and help you perform your best! Movit Energy Gummies contain just 60 calories per serving. $15.00/12 packets)

Mediterra Bars:

At first glance, I notice that the flavor of this is Sundried Tomato & Basil. Sure, it's sounds good for a bag of chips or, I don't know, something else, but I was a little iffy on it being the flavor of a granola bar, however, I gave it a go and took my first bite. It was certainly a different kind of taste. The smell is certainly tomato & basil and it takes some getting used to. On the last bite, I thought it wasn't bad. It was different than what I'm typically used to eating, but I felt that I was eating healthy and I would certainly give the Mediterra Bar another shot. Plus, it's all natural, non-gmo and gluten-free. 

(Mediterra takes all-natural nutrient rich ingredients and packs them into a delicious and filling bar. Mediterra bars use real fruits and vegetables paired with fiber-rich grains and seeds to create a healthier snack option. $23.95/12 bars)

Earth's Care Anit-Itch Cream:

How convenient for this product to arrive as we are dealing with mosquito bites?! Perfect timing as we need to put an end to the itch, itch, itching going on. First things first, where is the safety seal? Most products have a seal that you must open after taking the lid off... this one did not. (I like safety seals. It gives me the satisfaction of knowing that someone else didn't use this product before me.) Anyway, I used the product first on my bug bite. It smells somewhat like Vicks Vapor Rub and when rubbed on the bite, the need to itch was gone. I also tried this on my 6 year old son and 8 year old daughter and they immediately stopped itching. Good job, Earth's Care! We like your product!!

(Relieve pain and itching associated with skin irritations such as poison ivy, sunburn, and minor cuts and scrapes. Earth's Care Anti-Itch Cream contains no artificial colors or fragrances and is petroleum free. $11.99/2.4oz tube)

Overall, I think the idea of the BuluBox is a fantastic one. Not every product is going to be a fan favorite and that's perfectly fine. What works for me may not work with everyone else and vice versa. I think it was pretty cool that 4 of the 5 samples were brands that I had never heard of. Ordering a monthly subscription to BuluBox is a great way to see what products are out there at an affordable cost.

Does this sound like something you'd like to try?

Want a discount to get you started? If you use the code SWEATPINK you'll get 50% off a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription on BuluBox.com

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Bulu! What's Bulu?

Hello and happy (errr, what's today?) Ahh, Wednesday, hump day. Happy Hump Day to you!

I opened up my email today to find this in my inbox. 

Yay! I was selected to do a product review for Bulu Box! Woohoo! It got me all giddy that I started to sing in my best Jessie Spano (from Saved by the Bell) voice, ♫ I'm so excited! I'm so excited! ♪ 

I swear, it's the little things sometimes! So, after my "Woohoo I've been selected moment" I had to read up to remind myself just what Bulu Box is. Off to their website to find out: www.bulubox.com

Bulu Box is the best way to sample and discover new vitamins, supplements and healthy snacks in all areas of health. 

Well, that's right up my alley. I love samples (because it's like my mailbox is a christmas tree and the mailman delivers presents like Santa (don't make fun of my analogies... my husband laughs at me, as it is)) and I love to try new products, because honestly, I'd want to sample the product first to make sure it's something that I would actually spend my money on. Oh my gosh, I'm totally excited now. Vitamins, supplements and healthy snacks - OH MY!

I'm expected to get this bright, orange box next week. Eeee! Can't wait to see what samples they send my way!

Be on the lookout for a blog review soon! 

In the meantime, if you're curious, head on over to the website: www.bulubox.com. If this is something that you think is a good fit for you, use this discount code SWEATPINK for 50% off a 3-month subscription to BuluBox!

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Overeating is over! MealEnders Review & Giveaway

You know that urge you get when you just want to eat for no apparent reason. The urge that is sometimes so strong that you just find yourself saying, "Oh what the hell... having one won't hurt me?" and then you end up going for a second or third. C'mon, don't be shy... a lot of us are this way. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Okay, so, I may have a bit of a sweet tooth, but that's where these little guys (MealEnders) come into play.

So, what are MealEnders?

“MealEnders are great tasting, low-calorie, stimulant-free Signaling Lozenges that help you avoid overeating and master portion control using a combination of behavioral psychology and sensory science. MealEnders work with the body’s natural hunger and fullness process to clear the desire to overeat from your mind and mouth.

MealEnders consist of two components: a sweet, outer reward layer and a cooling/tingling center. The outer layer provides a measured dose of “dessert”, a signal typically associated with end of a meal. The center engages the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that senses “taste” sensations) to cue the end of eating and clear the palate.

MealEnders are an easy, safe and sustainable way to curb your appetite. Each Signaling Lozenge contains only 2 grams of sugar and 15 calories.”

It's the end to overeating! Horray! Something amazing happened when I first tried these tiny little raisinette-looking things that are called MealEnders. It worked. It actually filled the void of wanting to snack on things that I probably shouldn't be snacking on. I should also mention that they are pretty delicious, too.

They come in four different flavors. I'll list them in order of what flavor I liked best... Chocolate Mint {that one was my favorite}, Cinnamon, Mocha, & Citrus. They are like little pieces of candy, but you've got to remember to savor them. DO.NOT.CHEW.

I love how they have different layers to them, or surprises as I like to call it. When my dad was in town, I had him try one and he was quite surprised at how well it worked! 

If I could offer a bit of advice on these, it would be to keep them handy. I kept them in my pantry and it was an inconvenience because they were hidden and I had to remind myself to get them. I now keep them in my purse which is usually nearby and it works much better for me. 

Would you like to try these? It's GIVEAWAY TIME!!
MealEnders will send ONE of my readers a 4-pack of MealEnders (one pack of each flavor)

You must comment below (in the comment section below the Rafflecopter Giveaway) to be entered into the drawing! Good luck!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Hemp Hearts Review & GIVEAWAY

A couple of weeks ago, a packet of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts arrived in the mail. I was selected as part of a SweatPink campaign to review this product. Woohoo!

Now, first off, let me just say that Hemp Hearts is not a drug. It's not marijuana. C'mon now, you know you hear the word 'hemp' and your mind darts right to that. So, what is Hemp Hearts then? Good question!

Hemp Hearts are a very versatile product. If you go on to Pinterest, you'll find a ton of recipes with Hemp Hearts. (I'll be a dear and just copy & paste that link right here for you: Hemp Hearts Recipes on Pinterest. You're welcome.) What might they taste like? Well, they're kind of nutty. They look like little nuts and some people say they taste like a sesame seed or a pine nut and I kind of agree. You simply open the bag and sprinkle these bad boys on your food. What's even cooler is that they are lower in carbs than flax seeds and chia seeds. I was a big chia seed sprinkler prior to this product coming into my life. I think I just may make the switch to Hemp Hearts now.

Just recently I noticed that my local grocery store sells them (you have no idea how stoked I was when I found it (it was in the cereal isle, FYI)) If you're not sure where you can find them, you can do a search here.

Or you can simply visit their website: www.manitobaharvest.com. I've got a lovely promo code to share where you can save 20% off your entire purchase. That code is HHSweatPink215. This promo code expires on March 31, 2015.

I tried Hemp Hearts out on a number of foods. For breakfast, I ate them on scrambled eggs, OOIAJ (Overnight Oats In A Jar), I sprinkled them on my all time favorite snack of apples, melted peanut butter and chocolate chips. I mixed them in with my dinner. Sometimes, I couldn't even tell they were there. I love that I was getting extra protein in without even realizing it! You can even eat them right out of the bag. The possibilities are endless! 

My 13 month old daughter was even eating them (when I would share my breakfast or dinner with her) They're tasty & healthy for people of all ages! 

I'm loving these things and I bet you would, too!

I should also mention that they are vegan-friendly and Non-GMO! Hemp Hearts pack a whopping 10 grams of protein and 10 grams of omegas per 30 gram serving.

Sounds pretty good, huh?

I'd like to share the #HempLove and offer a 2oz bag of Hemp Hearts to ONE LUCKY PERSON who comments on this. Here are the rules: You must live in either Canada or the United States, have a physical address (not a PO Box) and you must follow Manitoba Harvest on one of their social media channels. Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • YouTube

good luck.

*ALISSA

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