Nature Box - August 2013

 

Nature Box is a healthy snack food subscription box.

 

The Cost: $19.95 a month, and you have the option of adding on additional items each month {for an extra cost}.

 

The Goods: 5 healthy snacks that you choose, or you can choose the 'Surprise me' option. 

 

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First look

The Goods Lineup

{A couple of these bags are already in this photo...that's because B-Real got to the box before I did. He already knew that there was food in there since he had helped me pick the options out. He couldn't wait.}

Dried Pears

{When I start off by looking at the ingredients, and there is ONE item listed...I know it's going to be a good product for us! Ingredients: Pears Yep folks, that's all that there is in that bag...pears. They were really yummy...tasted just like off our pear tree in the back yard. My only complaint...some of them still had the stems on them. You should really be watching what you put in your mouth anyways, right?! ha! Two thumbs up on these. *This was one of my choices.}

Granny Smith Apples

{These were the same as the pears...one ingredient. They were really good. Tart just like fresh Granny Smith Apples. *This was a B-Real pick.}

Peppery Pistachios

{My favorite from the whole box. These were SOOOOOOO good! I wish I would've gotten a whole box of these times 10...seriously. I could eat these everyday. *This was B-Real's choice...but I would've picked them if he had not.}

South Pacific Plantains

{These were B-Reals favorite out of the whole box. He allowed me to have a couple of these, and I agree with him...they were really good. I've had cooked fresh plantains, and I really liked them. *This was a group choice.}

**These were the two bags that were opened before I got home to unbox this.**

Blueberry Almond Bites

{These were amazing! There are way too many carbs in them for me to get them on a regular basis, but they were so good. Intense blueberry flavor, hint of almond, and crunchy. *This was my choice.}

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The Lowdown: This is such a good box for us! I love that the snacks are in a large size, plus you get to pick what you want. I'm not good at surprises {I'm totally the kid that would snoop at Christmas time and know ahead of time what I was getting...and then act surprised about what it was} ...and they have SOOO many options to choose from. I love the fact that there is a complete section of Non-GMO products to pick from. This is a win in my book just for that option!

The value is great IMO considering the quality of the products.

Taste Guru - Box Review - August 2013



Outside of Box

Taste Guru is a monthly food subscription box that specializes in full size Gluten Free products.  


 The Cost: $34, $29, or $25/month depending on the subscription plan you purchase.
The Goods: Gluten Free Products

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First Look



The Goods Lineup



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LeVeneziane Gluten Free Pasta {2}

 

{I was amazed that they included 2 of these! I just cooked some up last week for Squish, and she really liked them. I tried a couple, and they are really yum.}

 

Namaste Foods GF Homestyle Coating Mix

 

{We haven't tried this yet, but sometime this fall I will be making fried chicken, or try the included recipe of Chicken Parm.}

 



 

Schar Vanilla Sandwich Cookies {4}

 

{There were originally four in the box when it came, however, one of these didn't make it to the photo shoot. What can I say...I love cookies. These were good, would've been better with a little milk.}

 

truebar

 

{I haven't tried this yet, but it looks yummy.}

 

Baba Joons Chocolate Chewies in Orange Almond

 

{I really wanted to like these...but I didn't. They were really dry, and hard...not a good combination. There was nothing "chewy" about these. I love the idea, but the execution fell flat.}



 

Happy Squeeze Super in Kiwi, Banana, & Apple {2}

 

{I'm on the fence about this company. I've seen it at Meijers - and I love the idea of Organic food pouches - I LOVE Plum Organics for Squish, but when reading the ingredient list...there are a bunch of words that are difficult to pronounce. I won't be giving these to Squish, but I might try them myself in a smoothie or something.}

 



 

 

Rocky Mountain Popcorn {White Cheddar & Jalapeno}

 

{The white cheddar popcorn was really yummy! I'm not a huge spicy fan anymore - since being pregnant with Squish - so this hasn't been consumed yet.}

 

 





 



 

 

Sea Fare Pacific Seafood Bisque

{This sounds really good...haven't tried it yet. We love Seafood Bisque though.}

 

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The Lowdown: I really enjoyed this box. Almost all of the items in the box were a perfect fit for us. We are a low carb home, and I'm pretty new to the Gluten Free lifestyle...so I don't know if these are all common brands in the GF world. I thought this box offered a nice variety of gluten free products though.

I purchased this box as a one time box.

**This post may contain company site links or affiliate links.**



Kona Kase - Box Review - July 2013




Disclaimer: I received this box to review, however, all the opinions within this post are my own. I didn't receive compensation for any of these opinions.



 

 

Kona Kase is monthly food subscription box focused on snacks that will fuel an active lifestyle.

 

The Cost: $15 a month

 

The Goods: A Kase of 8 nutritional {snack} products each month.

 

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Upon opening the box, you get a lovely bit of inspiration. Love!




The Goods Lineup



 

 

Caveman Cookies {2}

 

{I'm on the fence about these. I love that they are made from the simplest of ingredients...no refined sugar, just nuts/seeds/honey/fruit. I tried one, but it didn't grab me by the taste buds and scream...EAT ANOTHER ONE.}

 

Barbara Llewellyn Granola

 

{This was pretty good. I mixed it in my morning Greek yogurt. I have to say, I like my granola better...this was a little to sweet for me.}

 

Enjoy Life Seed & Fruit Mix

 

{This was a lovely addition to the 'pump bag mix'. It was sweet, but not too sweet. It doesn't have any nuts though.}

 





 

 

Pro Bar Bolt Organic Energy Chews

 

{This would be great if I was in training, and not breastfeeding. I try to stay away from things like this for now. I gave it to my friend Nancy, and haven't heard back yet about it.}

 

 

Body Glove Surge Gel

 

{I gave this to my friend Nancy. I haven't heard back yet if she's tried it.}

 



 

 

GarukaBars

 

{I am in LOVE with this bar...seriously. This is one of the best bars that I've had in a long time. I will be ordering more of these bars soon. You can request a sample bar of your own here.}

 

Health Warrior Chia Bar in Acai Berry

 

{I haven't tried this yet, but it's in the rotation for 'pump bag bars'. I did like reading about the company on the Kona Kase blog...they seem like a fun bunch. You can check out that post here.}

 



 

 

Perky Jerky in Turkey

 

{B-Real tried this, and really liked it. I'm not a jerky fan. I don't know if it gave him any more energy than other jerky, but he said it had great flavor and texture. That's a win in my book.}

 

 

 

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The Lowdown: I think the overall value of this box is great, although not all the products fit my lifestyle.  I workout, but I'm training for a marathon...so the energy boost items don't really apply to me {I wouldn't take them even if I was training since I'm breastfeeding still}.

 

The customer service was A+ at Kona Kase, and Taylor is on the ball for sure! {I'm sure John is also, I've only had correspondence with Taylor :) }I think the concept of the Kona Kase is great, and it has introduced me to companies that I've never tried before.

 

 

**This post may contain company site links or affiliate links.**

OrangeGlad Box - Review - August 2013

 





Disclaimer: I received this box for review, however, all the opinions are solely my own. I did not receive any compensation for these opinions.

 

 

 

 









View of the bottom

Orange Glad Sweet Box is a new monthly food subscription box that specializes in Sweets. {See below to get 10% of your first box!}

The Cost: $15 + S&H each month

The Goods: Each month you will be sent a box full of yummy sweet goodness {5 items each month...they just opened their doors in July, so I think this will be the number they stick with}

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First look

 

The Goods...look at all that sweet goodness!

 

Second First Look - Honey dipper!

 




Info cards & Honey Dipper



 

{These cards also tell you the consume by date for each product! There is also an extensive ingredient list for each item. I really wish more food subscriptions would do this!}

 

{You also get a bonus item! This sweet little honey dipper will come in handy! I love that it's sweet related, but not another food product.}

 



 

 

Popcornopolis Popcorn in Kettle Corn

 

{I've had Popcornopolis before in a different flavor. It was yummy then, but I haven't tried this flavor yet.}

 



 

 

I Live For Dessert Cake Balls

 

{I tried these right away, since they had the fastest exp. date. I wanted to like them, the photos on the site looked so yummy, and come on - who doesn't like cake balls?!? I opened up the bag, and there was a small bag of cocoa powder, and two very smashed cake balls. They were dry, and while they tasted like chocolate...it wasn't very tasty...at all. Meh! I hate giving reviews like this...but it happens. Maybe fresh from the original seller they would be better, or a different flavor, but I wouldn't purchase them based on what I tasted.}

 



 

Hottie Biscotti in Coconut Pineapple

 

{I haven't tried these yet...but they look so delicious!}

 



 

 

The Crispery Crispycakes in Chocolate Sprinkled Crispycake

 

{I ate this...the whole thing...in one sitting...all by myself. SMH - I planned on trying this with B-Real, but that didn't happen. It had been a long day, I was up late working on my sister's memorial video, and Squish hadn't been sleeping well at night for WEEKS...I needed a sugar fix. I got one with this. ha! It was AMAZING!! After scarfing this one down, I wanted another one...I will be diligently staying away from their website because they have so many more flavors. It's not your typical rice Crispy treat, this was so soft! You can order some here...I recommend you do so!}

 

 



 

 

Gianna's Homemade Baked Goods in Lemon Frosted Sugar Cookies

 

{These were very tasty. Light lemon flavor, and the frosting was yum too. They are a little on the crisper side for my preference for sugar cookies, but very good!}

 

 

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The Lowdown: Who doesn't like getting sweets delivered right to your door?? I love the concept of this box, the company has stellar customer service {at least in my experience}, and most of the companies I'd never heard of before.

 

I really liked the overall value that they had to offer with this subscription. The bonus item was very fun also!

 

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Want to get your very own Orange Glad Box?? Click the photo link below, and enter 'NUTSHELL7' at checkout and receive 10% off your first box! Woot!

 



Healthy Surprise - August 2013

Outside of the box

Healthy Surprise is a monthly food subscription box that specializes in healthy full size snacks.  When you purchase a box, they immediately pack and ship once payment is cleared!

The Cost: $33, $66, or $99 per month depending on subscription plan

The Goods: Natural, Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Corn Free, & some { if not most products } are Non GMO

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First Look...I was pretty impressed.



 



Information on the inside lid about the company. Professional touch.



 



Unveiling...this baby is packed!




All the Goods!


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 The Daily Crave Veggie Chips 

 

{ The Daily Crave Veggie Chips weren't bad.  I had them with my lunch today...not super flavorful, but crunchy - which satisfied my craving for potato chips. }

 

Beanitos Bean Chips

 

{ These were pretty good.  I wish I would've had some guacamole/salsa/bean dip on hand to dip these in.  I'll be purchasing some of these for an upcoming party we're having. }

 

 

 

 

Just Tomatoes

 

{ Ummm...I love tomatoes, I mean LOOOOVE them.  I really didn't like these.  They were super sweet, but all they are is dehydrated tomatoes.  I prefer mine fresh.  B-Real hates tomatoes, so we gave them to his dad to try...still waiting to hear what he thinks of them. }

 

Lydia's Organics Rawkin' Beet Chips Spicy

 

{ These went directly to B-Real's dad with the Just Tomatoes bag.  Still waiting to hear about these from him. }

 



 

 

 Caveman Foods Nuts

 

{ I tried the Caveman Nuts - meh! I was super excited, because I love nuts.  The front photo shows tons of nuts, then in the corner just a smidge of sunflower seeds.  The pkg. said it would include cashews, macadamia nuts, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.  Except for the 2 pistachios and 1 walnut...it was ALL sunflower seeds.  Don't get me wrong, I like sunflower seeds.  However this package should just read SUNFLOWER SEEDS, not NUTS. }

 

Hail Merry Macaroons Strawberry

 

{ B-Real & I both tried these - although he only ate 1/2 of one since they have so many carbs - and both of us liked them.  They aren't overly sweet, and you definitely taste the coconut in them.  We are a coconut oil household, so these were great.  I like the variety of items they have online as well.  If you get a chance to try these - do it!  Make sure you check out the bottom of the bag as well though, they have a really fun drawing on there! }

 

 

 

 

 

Nibnaks Crancherry Tart

 

{ These were really good...you can't go wrong with dried fruit though. }

 

Plum Organics Kids Mashups Berry

 

 

{ I LOVE Plum Organics!! I can't say enough about their products. They are the only store bought baby food I will give Squish.  She has loved everything I've given her - the Puffs, the Cremes, the Teething Biscuits.  I will wait to give her this since it has Strawberry in it. }

 



 

 

Gopal's Raw Brownie Original

 

{ I wanted to love this, I really did. Brownie...wha??? Of course I love brownies, and I even love GF brownies - that I make - but the "raw"-ness of this just didn't do it for me. I wish I had liked this more, I was really rooting for this one. }

 

Just Great Stuff Cacao + Acai Bar

 

{ I tried this bar the other afternoon while pumping for a little pick me up. I had skipped lunch - so I could pump - and was pretty hungry.  I don't think I'd pick this again, unless it was one of the only choices...but it wasn't bad.  I think I just didn't like the raw, gummy texture.  It was pretty tasty, although I would rather eat my nuts and fruit straight up. }

 

Gorge Delights Just Fruit Bar Pear Strawberry

 

{ This bar was pretty tasty! I typically have bars of all sorts stashed in my pump bag, and this is one that I might add to the mix.  }

 

 

 

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The Lowdown: Customer service is A+ with this company.  The packaging, shipping, and design is impeccable.  Many of these items I've never heard of, or the company is new to me.  I really liked this box, even if I didn't like all the products.

 

I purchased this box as a one time box, but I'm thinking about signing up for their Starter box, and then gifting one to a friend.  

 

 

 

** This post may contain company site links or affiliate links. **

 

Is this week over yet???

I've been asking this question everyday this week.

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I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water the last few days.  Squish has decided that she's going to 'Party Party' at night time...like the good old days. 

{Okay, so the 'good old days' were only a few months ago, but when your kid doesn't sleep at night for the first 4 & 1/2 months of their life - causing you to run on 2 hours of sleep everyday, while going to work full time - your time seems to mash up all together.}

I'm at my wits end again, and don't know how I survived those first few months at all.  The last couple of nights I have caved and let her sleep on my chest a couple nights, and then last night she got to sleep in the bed next to me.  I'm hoping it's just a combo of a growth spurt & teething...that's a big hope.

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Work has been hectic...mostly because I want to crawl under my desk and take a nap.  I'm in the process of getting everything restructured, caught up, and ready to go...for someone else to take over. 

Yes, that's right...I'm leaving work.  I will officially be at home with Squish starting September 7th {okay, so that's technically a Saturday...but the 6th is my last day}.  I'm excited - nervous - anxious - frustrated by this decision.

Things haven't been working out.  I put in for a promotion, was denied that promotion...but was still doing all the work of another person...put in for part time, denied that, and ended up deciding that I'm needed at home.  My milk production has suffered, because they are NOT supportive of my pumping schedule {even though I clock out for this}.  I'm losing sleep {long before Squish started to be up all night again} because I've had to add a couple MOTN pumping sessions to compensate for the lack of milk during the work day.  When I get home from work...it's go go go. I don't feel like I take the time to enjoy Squish {or B-Real}.  I'm so consumed with what needs to get done for the next day, that I'm not really living in the moment...I'm trying to rush through.  Then my weekends are spent catching up on all the stuff that needs to get done throughout the week, but that doesn't.  I don't take the time to enjoy my family on the weekends then like I should be doing. 

I'm salty about what transpired at work, but I know that I'm better off in the direction that I'm going now.  I can focus on my family, enjoying this precious time with my daughter, and can focus on my own business. 

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There is lots coming up in the next month also {I can't believe it's the middle of August...really?!?!}...

September kicks off the Subscription Reviews - starting with food...nom nom nom!

I'll be posting a couple reviews in the coming week that I feel should be done before hand.  For every review post, I will also be posting other things as well. This isn't a 'review blog'...but I'm grateful for the opportunity to review these items.  Who doesn't like coming home to a bunch of fun packages??

There will be a 40 Bags in 40 Days adventure starting in September also. I can't wait until Lent to start this program, it must get done before the holidays! ha!  My house looks like a tornado hit...a tornado by the name of Squish!  It's time to do some purging!

Next month there will be plenty of DIY projects {I've got a list started that I want to tackle from Pinterest}, recipes, shop news, and much more.

You can see Pinterest ideas that I've already completed here.

Thanks for sharing in this adventure with me!