Gluten-Free For Good by Samantha Seneviratne

I have been eating gluten-free since March 2016. I have spent years with stomach/digestive issues. For some reason it took me a long time to realize it probably had something to do with my diet. I assumed it was dairy, I had tried to cut dairy out a few times in the past and felt okay for a little while but my love of cheese was too strong and I'd always cheat within a week. We went to lunch to celebrate my birthday in February, after lunch Rob and I went for walk at one of our favorite parks in Nashville. My stomach hurt so bad that we had to turn around and go home a few minutes after arriving to the park. That day I thought about what I ate. I had a turkey club sandwich at lunch. Something finally clicked in my head, I thought "what if is isn't dairy, it's gluten?". My mom has been gluten-free for years but I never thought of trying it myself. After that day I decided to cut out dairy and gluten. I didn't last long without dairy and starting eating it again after a few weeks. I stuck to not eating gluten longer and noticed that I felt better, the sores in my mouth had gone away and my stomach wasn't killing me anymore. It has been hard to stick to a gluten-free diet, especially in a house with four kids but so far I've done pretty well.

I am always on the lookout for a cookbook that will allow me to make delicious gluten-free foods. When I had the opportunity to review Gluten-Free for Good by Samantha Seneviratne I jumped at the chance!

(photo credit: jenloveslife)

The cookbook is beautifully photographed. I enjoyed that Senevirante provides a list of gluten-free pantry staples. Another plus for me is that none of the recipes call for any sort of gum. I am not opposed to using a gum in recipes but I do prefer cheap and easy recipes, adding gums to a recipe does scare me so I typically avoid recipes that call for a gum.

There are so many tasty recipes it was hard to decide what to try first. I have made the Sweet Potato and Spinach Hash, it was so easy and delicious. I did leave out the mint because I didn't have any on hand. Next I would like to try the Chocolate Toffee Popcorn and the Spiced Doughnuts with Mocha Glaze. I am a sucker for sweets so both of these just sound too good not to try!

(photo credit: jenloveslife)

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a gluten-free cookbook full of easy to create, delicious recipes. All of the recipes in the book call for readily available ingredients, almost all of the recipes called for items I have seen at my local grocery store. If there was something I wasn't familiar with I would just look for something similar to sub in its place. For example, the Amaranth Tart with Kale, Caramelized Onions, and Gruyere calls for Lacinato kale, I don't know what that is and my grocery store has regular kale or purple kale so I will just replace the Lacinato kale with whatever the grocery store has at the time. The tart looks amazing, I can't wait to make that soon.

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.

Cascade Platnum Pacs Review and #myPlatinum Instagram Contest - Sponsored

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I hate doing the dishes! I try to avoid it at all costs. I have spent the last 4 1/2 years without a dishwasher so I think that made my dislike for dish washing even stronger. Our new house has a brand spanking new dishwasher! I was very excited to see that since it will make washing dishes a little more bearable. 

I have been using our dishwasher for a little over a month now and I've noticed that the dishes don't seem to be as clean as I was expecting. I've also noticed soap residue in the dispenser after washing. I figured it was the soap I was using since the dishwasher is brand new. I noticed Cascade Platinum Pacs at the grocery store. I saw they were affordable so I decided I'd try them once the liquid soap I was using ran out.

I was fortunate enough to be selected to receive a sample of Cascade Platinum Pacs before my current soap ran out. I started using the product right away and fell in love! Not only are my dishes sparkling clean but the Platinum Pacs are so easy to use. Dishwashing has become so much easier! So much so that I now have the kids do the dishes. I've been wanting to pass this chore onto them but I have been afraid since I don't want to eat off of dirty dishes or waste time, water and money re-washing the dishes. The girls have been doing an excellent job thanks to Cascade Platinum Pacs.

Look at that sparkling clean class my kids washed!

I will definitely be purchasing these in the future!

Visit the Cascade Website

Like Cascade on Facebook

Cascade has partnered with Gail Simmons:

Now, more than ever, people eat with their eyes, and the evidence is all over sites like Facebook and

Instagram. With that in mind, Top Chef judge and editor of Food+Wine magazine, Gail Simmons, has partnered with Cascade to discuss why presentation is just as important as preparation.

• From prep to plating: It’s more than just a great-tasting recipe, but also perfect presentation. Sparkling dishes, shining flat ware and spot-free glasses truly let you put your best food forward with culinary creations that pop!

• Gail recommends impressing with a Platinum Presentation: “The easiest recipes pop with unexpected, gourmet presentations. Drizzle bright sauces on sparkling white plates or layer desserts in crystal-clean glassware. Keep your presentation sparkling with Cascade Platinum, which keeps dishes perfect for anytime entertaining and impromptu guests.”
  

Learn more about Cascade’s partnership with Gail Simmons by viewing videos available on the Link to

the Cascade Facebook page: here and Cascade YouTube page: here

**Cascade Platinum Contest Details:**

The Cascade “My Platinum” contest is a four-week Instagram contest encouraging fans to upload photos related to the weekly contest themes. Show off how sparkly Cascade makes all your pots, pan and plates!

Visit the contest landing page #MyPlatinum Instagram Contest for information on how to enter and submit images:

Each week, two contestants will be selected to receive a brand new Whirlpool dishwasher. Additionally, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Platinum kitchen. Be sure to use the hashtag #myPlatinum and also tag @MyCascade when entering!

All opinions are my own and are my honest thoughts on the product. Receiving a product sample does not influence my review in any way. 

Fysiko Lashes Trial

I was recently selected to review Fysiko Lashes. Fysiko is a lash growth serum. The company states that using the product daily will result in fuller, thicker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks with full results in 16 weeks. The serum can also be applied to eyebrows. Note: I received this product at no cost to me in exchange for a product review. 

I have noticed that over time my eyelashes have been appearing thinner and thinner. I think the few lashes I have left are long enough but I have been dying for fuller lashes for a long time now. I have always wanted to try Latisse but I definitely can't afford the hefty price tag and I was also worried about my eyes changing color. My eyes are a light bluish-green and I would be sad to wake up one day with a different eye color after having these eyes for over 30 years!

Fysiko is expensive (at least in my eyes, but I am also notoriously cheap!) Fysiko Lashes costs about $140. I'm not sure I'd ever fork over that amount of money for something if I wasn't sure it would work. But, if the eyelash serum works I will definitely buy it in the future. According to the company's website one tube of the serum should last about six months.

Before using Fysiko I read the pamphlet that came with the serum. I wanted to see if there was any information about changing eye color. I didn't find anything about eye color changing so I took to my best friend, Google, to see if I could find anything linking Fysiko to changes in eye color. I didn't find anything. I did read in the pamphlet that the serum could cause the eyelids to darken. I decided I'd try it and if anything weird happened I'd stop. The packaging said that there could be eye irritation so I held off on starting it until after we applied for apartments. I didn't want to look like I was just beaten when we were trying to look for a home! I have very sensitive skin so I was worried I might get really irritated.

I have been using the growth serum for almost two weeks now and I am happy to say my eyes are still the same color and I haven't had any irritation! It doesn't mean that the same could be said for everyone but so far I am happy. I have noticed that my eyelashes look longer already. They don't appear fuller yet but I hope that will come soon. I wasn't sure if I was just thinking they were growing so I curled my lashes and took a highly scientific survey...I asked the hubs and kids if I was wearing mascara, they all thought I was, but I wasn't.

I am using the serum once per day. The directions say not to use more than twice a day, I don't want to push it and end up with irritation so I'll go slow and be patient. I took a before picture of my eye for comparison. I will post another picture and update when I have used the serum for eight weeks and again after 16 weeks.

Before Photo: Please ignore my wrinkly, sun-loving face. I didn't want to wear any makeup or anything so that I could give the truest review possible.

Influenster Sugar and Spice Vox Box

I received my Sugar and Spice Vox Box a few weeks ago from Influenster. I was very excited to try all the products in the box and could hardly wait for the goodies to arrive in the mail. I was originally contacted to join Influenster via email and I was excited to join. I have only been a member for a couple months now and this was my first Vox Box so I wasn't sure what to expect.

If you're curious about Influenster you can click here.

The Sugar and Spice Vox Box included:

belVita Breakfast Biscuits
These biscuits come in a variety of flavors. The flavor included in the Vox Box was my least favorite flavor simply because I am not a huge fan of cinnamon. The sample I received was the cinnamon and brown sugar flavor. The biscuits have a good texture and there are four biscuits in a pack.While I didn't like the flavor, I do plan on trying some of the other flavors, like chocolate and golden oat. I didn't eat all of the biscuits, I gave them to the girls, they loved them. The girls compared the texture to a graham cracker and they wanted more.

Nectresse Sweetener
This sweetener is a natural alternative to sugar. Typically I get a terrible headache whenever I use any artificial sweetener so I was a bit afraid to try this. I wasn't sure how I'd incorporate the sugar into my life since I don't like my tea sweetened and I wasn't planning to bake anything. I tried the sugar in tea, and it was good. I used one packet and it added just enough sweetness to cure my sweet tooth. I also sprinkled a packet on some fresh fruit. The sugar didn't give me a headache and it is very sweet, a little bit goes a long way. I plan to try Nectresse in our next batch of peanut butter cookies.

Dickinson's Witch Hazel Towelettes 
These are probably my favorite thing in the box. I wasn't sure at first because the package says "oil controlling" and I have dry skin so I thought it might make it worse, but they didn't. The wipes left my face feeling clean and refreshed. I've been using these almost every day. I am not a fan of the witch hazel smell (because it reminds me of the witch hazel wipes I'm given after giving birth to all of my children) but I do love these!

Colgate Optic White System
The Colgate Optic White System included toothpaste, mouthwash and a toothbrush. This is probably my least favorite thing in the box. I didn't like the foaminess of it all. The toothpaste has a strong peroxide taste and foams so much I thought I might gag. The mouthwash was more of the same. I do like the toothbrush though, it feels like it's doing a good job cleaning my teeth. I will say though that Rob is LOVING the Optic White System, he thinks the toothpaste and mouthwash are amazing. We both agree that the system is affective at whitening teeth but I just can't get passed the taste to continue using it. Rob will be a loyal customer, though.

Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer
My second favorite product! I love the smell of this lotion, it smells fresh and clean. I love how easy it is to use and I love how fast the lotion absorbs into my skin. The lotion is used similar to spray-on sunscreen. You need to rub it in after spraying it on. It is quick, spray everything rub real fast and then you're ready to go. I will buy this one again in the future.

 

I had a blast trying all of these incredible products and I hope to participate again in the future.

Firmoo Glasses Review

I was presented with the opportunity to review a free pair of prescription glasses from Firmoo.com. At first I wasn't sure it was something I was interested in but I looked around at their website and checked out the company's Facebook page. Since my eyes are getting bad and I could of course use a free pair of glasses, I decided to try it out. 

 

I ordered a square pair in tortoise, #CP6061. Ordering was quick and easy. I used the models on the Firmoo site to gauge how the glasses would look as far as size and shape go. There is also an option to upload your own photo to see how a pair will look on you. I didn't use this feature but I will next time. My glasses were smaller than I was expecting but I still love them. Next time I'll know exactly how they fit my face.

It took about two weeks to receive my glasses. I ordered reading glasses, since that is what I need. I was excited to see that the glasses came with a nice hard case and a cleaning cloth. The frames seem pretty strong. I have worn the glasses several times and the girls have played with them a little bit, the glasses have held up fine. I like the style I chose and since receiving my pair I have been thinking about the other pairs I would like to order. I am really wanting to order a few pairs of sunglasses for spring and summer!

The glasses are sturdy, fashionable and affordable. Especially considering Firmoo has a First Pair Free Program.You do have to pay shipping costs, shipping rates vary but appear to be around $12. I may be wrong though, so don't hold me to it. 

Disclosure: I was compensated with a free pair of glasses from Firmoo.com in exchange for my honest review. These are my own opinions.

A few words from Firmoo:

"The old opinion that glasses are only necessities for people with vision problems has already gone. Glasses are increasingly becoming a fad and must-have accessories for  celebs and fashionistas. Everyday we can spot millions of non prescription glasses wearers and we are constantly fascinated by many noted film stars’ signature non prescription glasses.They instantly upgrade your look of modern,sexy, vintage or geek by wearing different styles of frames.

Any hot glasses/sunglasses /goggles frames you want can be found on Firmoo, and all are available for both prescription lenses and non-prescription lenses. Are you desperate to have a new look? Now here is the chance, Firmoo has launched a First Pair Free Program to people  worldwide. You will absolutely fall in love with the excellent quality, affordable prices, fashionable designs, fast delivery and the good service after trying them with paying shipping only! You even can get a refund/exchange if you are not satisfied with them. It's totally Risk free, so why not have a try"

L'Oreal Paris USA Feria Wild Ombre Hair Color Review

Over the weekend I finally got to try L'Oreal Paris USA Wild Ombre. I have been dying to try it since I first found out about it a few weeks ago. Since my hair is dark I bought the Feria O60 box, for dark brown to light brown hair.

The kit comes with a new comb that you use to apply the product to the hair. The idea is that the comb helps create a straight line and also helps to evenly distribute the product. I did use the brush that was included but I found it was hard to get through my hair. I ran the comb through each section of hair a few times then applied some of the mixture to my hand and made sure I didn't miss any spots.

The package directions say to leave the product on for 25-45 minutes, depending on your desired lightness. My hair is pretty damaged (I've dyed it at least 4 times in the last 4 months, if my memory is correct, which it usually is not) so I only left the dye on for about 15-20 minutes. I also didn't want the lightening to be too drastic, I wanted something a little more subtle than what was on the box. I liked the way the Feria O70 and Feria O80 boxes looked, the result was more subtle and gradual than O60.

Hair before...

 I like the result, though I think I might buy another box and make the bottoms just a little bit lighter. I like that it's really subtle but think it would look better just a tad bit lighter.

After

This is the back, I obviously didn't do a great job straightening my hair but at least the color looks mostly even

here's an updated one..curled. Yes, I look tired because I got no sleep the night before due to experiencing our first tornado warnings in TN

Overall, I liked the results. The Wild Ombre kit was easy to use. The comb helped to create a more even, straight line and I would definitely use L'Oreal Feria Wild Ombre again in the future.

***All photos were taken using my iPhone so the quality is not the best, but you get the gist...