Stainless Steel Drinking Straws Review + Giveaway

We drink a lot of smoothies in my house, and with little ones this means straws.  We go through a lot of plastic straws!  Cheap enough, but I always feel bad tossing them because I know I am throwing away money as well as adding to a landfill somewhere.  While I'm not super green, I try to do my part to reduce waste and re-use as much as I can.  So, when I got the opportunity to try the stainless steel drinking straws by Eco at Heart, I was so excited!

These stainless steel straws come in a set of five and also has a cleaning brush.

The straws are standard height, but a bit bigger around.  I was concerned they would not fit in my tumbler, but they just fit!

Easy to toss in the dishwasher as well as wash in the sink, these straws are low maintenance, which I love.  I also am thrilled that I do not have to toss them after each use or buy more after a month of smoothies.  They are sturdy and well made.  They look nice after many uses and are a definite conversation starter.

Unfortunately, the straws do not bend, to the disappointment of my children.  They are also not safe for hot liquids as they heat up and become a burn risk.  The edges are rounded off, but I still worry about them cutting one of my rambunctious kids should they fall while holding the cup when I'm not looking or some other freak accident.  So, I do not let my kids use these straws right now.  

I wish I was more thrilled with these straws.  I want to love them, but I can only say I like them.  However, for an adult, these are great and I would feel comfortable recommending them - just not for kids.

You can check them out and get your own here!

Giveaway
I do get to give away one set to a lucky reader!  If you want the chance to try them for free, comment with your favorite staw- friendly drink.  The winner will be chosen at random on October 2.

Another opportunity to win:
Eco at Heart is having their own fun giveaway (for residents of the US only).  The details:

1) We’re giving away two $50 Amazon.com gift cards for the most ‘liked’ Instagram post that uses our logo and the hashtag #ecoatheart…the more creative, the better :)

2) PLUS…We’re also randomly giving away one set of our Straws to 25 individual people who register for the competition by filling out their name and email and follows our Instagram page @ecoatheart

3) The contest will run for 10 days, and will start on 09/23/2014.

Here’s the link: http://ecoatheart.com/eco-competition.html

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.

Bend Your Brain

Bend Your Brain
by The Minds Behind Marbles: The Brain Store

Seldom have I had such fun reading a book.  While I definitely enjoy a good book and can get sucked in for hours on end, I don't often find myself calling the book fun... until now!

Bend Your Brain is a book filled with fun little puzzles designed to improve brain function in the five categories of visual perception, word skills, critical thinking, coordination and memory.  Through a variety of puzzles, readers can play and increase in difficulty as they feel necessary, from "mind- warming" (easy) to "mind-blowing" (hard)

There are 151 different puzzles, tips and tricks within each brain function category, each varied in difficulty, but each engaging and fun to play while growing your mind.

After an introduction that explains the process and the reasoning, readers find the five sections, each with their specific puzzles.  There are answers in the back of the book as well to check yourself.  With lots of pictures that are of excellent quality and text that is varied and engaging to look at, this book is just plain fun!

I have been working through each of the sections a little at a time, still far from the more difficult levels, and am really enjoying the journey. While I cannot prove that I have gained any brain function, I do know I am being challenged.  I find myself grabbing this book when I have a few moments of down time or while doing something mindless like waiting.  I also have had many friends pick up the book while visiting my home, as I leave it on the coffee table, and become lost in the puzzles for quite a length of time.

I definitely recommend this book.  With so many things to do and the benefit of working out your brain while having fun, there's nothing to lose!

About the author:

MARBLES: THE BRAIN STORE is in malls across the country. They and their branded products have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, USA Today, and Wired, as well as on the Today show and Martha Stewart Living.

You can find a copy here!

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Adovia Sulfur Soap Review

I have been on a quest to find better ways to care for my skin and body. My quest is taking me down the natural path, as it is many others. I have been seeking products that I can use for myself and feel confident in their safety as well as their claims of being natural. Any time I get a chance to try a natural product, I take it! Therefore, my recent opportunity to try and review  Adovia Natural Sulfur Soap for Acne, Blackheads and Oily Skin with Dead Sea Salt was one I was eager to undertake.

I have combination skin on my face, and have trouble with some products being too drying while others make it too oily.  I was excited to see it claimed to be for all skin types.  In bar form, this soap has a nice clean, fresh scent, not chemical or overly natural, as some products can be, it does not at all smell like sulfur.

From the seller: 

• Adovia sulfur soap, is highly enriched with minerals and sulfur from the Dead Sea.
• Your skin's natural moisture levels are balanced and optimized with Olive Oil, Dead Sea minerals and Aloe Vera extract.
• Sulfur has Antiseptic, Anti-Fungal and Antibacterial properties
• This soap thoroughly cleanses your face and body and leaves your skin gentle and smooth.
• Our sulfur soap has a 3% sulfur content.

These things, along with my desire to find a product that is safe and natural for my skin, made me eager to try.  I have used this soap as a facial cleanser as well as a whole body wash in the shower.  I have yet to be disappointed.  My skin feels and looks clean.  I don't have oily or dry spots, it is just evenly clean and clear.  I have not had any acne breakouts since using this soap either, which I am very excited about.

Definitely on my list of products to buy again, I love the results and this has fast become one of my favorites.  From a seller I trust due to other products I have tried and liked, I can feel secure that this soap is what it claims to be.

You can check it out or get your own here.

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.

Super Stroller Organizer Review

Going anywhere with little often requires lots of stuff... diapers, wipes, burp cloths, toys, bottles or cups, snacks or food... the list goes on.  Carrying all of this stuff when going out with a stroller often requires cramming it under the stroller in the basket or carrying a diaper bag.  When you want to take a long walk, visit a zoo or other recreational activity, this isn't always the best plan.  Enter the stroller organizer by Children n Us...

 This organizer is a good quality bag with lots of pockets and pouches.  It has a front Velcro pocket for things like your wallet or keys, another front pocket perfect for cell phones, and a pocket in the back for small items like papers or snack bars.  Inside, under the magnetic snapping flap, there are two mesh pockets for bottles or cups, a big compartment for things like diapers, and a zippered pocket at the back.  Each side has a two straps that buckle together to make hanging and removing the organizer from the stroller easy.

 I loaded mine up for a day at the county fair and found I had extra room for a few snacks as well.

 It looks like it belongs on the stroller, doesn't stand out at all, and is so handy!  Everything is right within reach, without having to dig under the child or ruffle around in a diaper bag.

I have even been able to use this with my double stroller with no problem.  The hanging straps are adjustable and I had plenty of extra strap leftover after hanging it on the double.  I found it easy to carry like a bag as well, simply by cross buckling and making two handles of sorts.  When not hanging on the stroller, the organizer is great in the vehicle.  I have two back seat passengers, and it has come in handy for them on road trips, storing their water, some books and toys and keeping it all contained.  

This organizer has so much potential beyond the stroller!  I love this bag!

You can check it out or get your own here! 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.

Solid Cordz Extension Cord Review

In my house, extension cords - the good ones that can stand up to some wear and tear, not the cheapy little wired ones - are hard to keep on hand.  We've always got them in use for something or another.  So, when I got the chance to try two 6' extension cords by Solid Cordz, I took it.

These cords are heavy duty.  Three pronged with a good sturdy plug and receiving end, these are really nice cords.

At 6 feet, they provide just enough length without getting overwhelming and tangled or twisted.  Coated with a sturdy black cover, they are flexible, but not flimsy.  I had no trouble with them getting tangled, looped or kinked.  I didn't notice any heat coming from them while in use and felt safe having them in a home with young children (with parental supervision around them, of course).

My husband loves them for his shop, I love them for extending the laptop cord to a better place for use.  We've both got more uses for them than we have cords and will likely be buying more, perhaps a few in a longer size.  Definitely a solid, well made cord!

You can check them out or get your own here!

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.