Thursday, July 31, 2014

Fitness Friday: Jost Running "Home Run" (August)


This has been a fun summer running with Jost Running

Any readers done a virtual run through Jost Running after reading about them here? 

August races begin August 3rd and continue through the end of the month. If you haven't run a race yet this summer, be sure to check these ones out. These races only cost $25 and each month a different benefit a charity cause. The charity cause for August is Camp Promise. 

The medals pictured above are the 2 medals you could earn for August. The September races will benefit NYRR's Team for Kids. 

Check out all my other posts of Jost Running Races over the past few month too!

NO EXCUSES THIS MONTH!

If running a race this summer was a goal, let's make it happen!

With Jost Running Virtual Racing, you run at your own time and report in your run results.


I was given the above medals to review JostRunning.com and participate in the program. All thoughts, opinions and photographs belong to SGBG. No monetary compensation was received.

Thrifty Thursday: Jamba Juice at Home (Protein Smoothie Recipe!!)



We have been on a bit of a Jamba Juice kick lately since we have been going to the Mall of America for my daughter's iBook Camp at the Apple Store, and we were thrilled to find out we could make our own Jamba Juice smoothies (2 as packaged or 3 with the recipe below) at home for less then the cost of just 1 small smoothie there. (fyi - the average small smoothie cost there was $4.79 and this was regular price at my local grocer for $3.39). I prefer the smoothies that are amped up with protein, so I created a recipe that was just that.

Protein Packed Jamba Juice Caribbean Passion Smoothie
1 - 8oz. frozen Caribbean Passion Jamba Juice pouch
1 1/4 C apple juice
1 C greek yogurt
2 T flax seed meal
1 C ice cubes

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender in the order listed and blend until smooth. Makes 3 servings.

ENJOY!!


I was sent a coupon from Influenster to purchase the above package. No other monetary compensation was received. All opinions, thoughts, photographs and recipe belong to SGBG.


GIVEAWAY and Review: Lalicious Sugar Tiare Flower Whipped Sugar Scrub


Imagine my surprise when I found out I was getting an unexpected delivery of this LALICIOUS Sugar Tiare Flower Whipped Sugar Scrub and had the option of reviewing it on Save Green Being Green with the option of having a giveaway for my readers. Of course I wanted to review this and Of course my readers wanted a chance to win this!

I love the smell of this sugar scrub, but I am not able to distinguish which flower scent it is. Gardenia perhaps? The flower scent is a parfum on the ingredient list, but there are many other natural products listed on the ingredients list including cane sugar, coconut oil, sweet almond oil (they three are the first 3 ingredients listed too), soybean oil and honey.


I love how it feels on my body after I used it. The oils in it leave your skin feeling moisturized and the sugar that provides the scrubbing power is gentle and cleansing.

This Lalicious Sugar Tiare Flower Whipped Sugar Scrub is available in 2 sizes: 2 oz and 16 oz.

You can buy Lalicious Sugar Tiare Flower Whipped Sugar Scrub from Beauty Care Choices. While you are there, why not pick up some of the other products I have told you about that they sell (You get FREE SHIPPING for order $49+!)

Be sure to also check out other items in the LALICIOUS line of products and see what else you would like to try. I think I would love to try one of the lip butter. My lips get dry in the winter and will probably need a product like that. 

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A CONTAINER OF



a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was sent the above mentioned product with the option of having a review and giveaway. All thoughts, opinions and photographs belong to SGBG. No monetary compensation was received.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Review: Ark Survival Gear Seeds



I got this mega pack of seeds from ARK Survival about a month ago and promptly went through them and figured out which ones I could plant yet this season. The rest of my gardens were planted a month earlier and in Minnesota we don't have a long growing season and have a small window to get in seeds that take longer, so I had to figure out what items could be planted that grow quickly and will do ok trying to start in the heat and still be harvested yet before fall. I have pictures of 2 packets I got in the ground and the sprouts that I have so far.

The ARK Survival Seed Pack contain all heirloom, non GMO seeds and offers a variety of seeds so that you could plant enough seeds be prepared for every aspect of a potential natural disaster.


These are all 30 seed packets. I took a close up picture that you can click on to see some of labels. There is supposed to be over 3500 total seeds inside this bag of seed packets.

I planted Kentucky Wonder Bush Beans, Beets (these didn't come up at all, which make me wonder if the birds got them) and Leaf Lettuce. I might try planting the beets again because I only need 35 days to harvest the greens (55 days for the roots, which I might have time for too). I still have that space in the garden bed where I attempted to grow them.


Product Description from ARK 


100% USA, Heirloom Vegetable Garden Survival Seeds, 30 Varieties With Over 7500+ High Quality Heirloom Seeds NON GMO Organic, NON Hybrid Seeds. All Seeds Are Proudly USA Sourced and Come with LIFETIME GUARANTEE and Bonus Survival Guide. Extended Life Breathable Paper Storage NOT Plastic!

These are the Kentucky Wonder Bush Beans (the smaller plants) that were planted a month after the other beans I had planted. My other beans have been prolific this season and are starting to wrap up, so it was nice to have more beans to plant. I try to do a second crop of beans anyways, to have some in the early fall.

I hadn't actually planted any lettuce this season up until now. Leaf lettuce grows pretty quickly, so you can plant it in the spring, early summer and late summer and have 3 harvests.

I need to pull out my radishes that I let go to seed and then I will try out the cherry belle radish seeds they sent me as well. And it is time to get some peas in the ground for fall harvest.

The tomato & pepper seeds will have to wait until next year when I start seeds indoors in the winter. The alfalfa seeds I will grow indoors in the winter for alfalfa sprouts and the cat nip we will start this fall in a pot for the cats. Everything else I will hold off on and try next year.

There are herbs and spies and medicinal plant seeds included as well. A couple things included I have never tried that I am looking forwards to are yarrow buttercup squash.


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.

GIVEAWAY and Review: Dial Coconut Water Mango Body Wash


The second of my giveaways and review this week that involve pampering yourself. This time I got to try out Dial Coconut Water Mango Body Wash. I was lucky to try it out because as soon as my daughter smelled it she informed me that she was out of body wash for her "swim bag" that she takes to swim team practice with her. Guess I will be going to the store to buy my own bottle of this. It smells awesome and clean very nicely.


Here you can see it in my hand. It is clear, which is awesome. Who needs coloring when you are washing your body clean anyways, but I do appreciate the smell. Did I mention it smells awesome?!?!?

What other scent would you like to try?

One lucky reader is also going to win a coupon to get their own bottle of Dial Coconut Water Mango Body Wash. I haven't looked for it in stores yet, but I usually have luck finding these products at Target or Wal-Mart.


ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A FREE COUPON FOR THEIR OWN BOTTLE OF 
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER BELOW


a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was sent the above mentioned product and coupons for the purpose of review and a giveaway. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts, opinions and photographs belong to SGBG.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Try It Tuesday: Two Re-Purposed Light Ideas




I recently was asked to review RTGS Micro LED 60 Warm White Color Indoor/Outdoor String Lights and new this was the perfect opportunity to try out a couple of crafts using re-purposed items. The top picture shows a coffee can turned in to a Star Light. I will go through the steps on how to make this below.

As you can see I started out with an empty coffee can, the LED battery operated string lights, spray paint (you might remember I did a bathroom fixture update with this same spray paint, I am getting a lot of mileage out of this one can!) and some batteries.


To start out with I drilled random holes all over the coffee can and the lid. Then, I spray painted both pieces (pictured below.)


I got a head start on another craft project that I was spray painting while I had the old bed sheet spread out and spray paint going.


What is great about LED lights is that they don't give off heat so you don't have to worry about a fire hazard so you can put them in either a metal or cardboard can.

 A feature that is really awesome about the  RTGS Micro LED 60 Warm White Color Indoor/Outdoor String Lights is that the strand part can be full immersed in water and so I was able to take this empty bottle and fill it with blue colored water and stuff the light strand inside (the battery pack is behind it) and make this cool light feature for the dining room.

My husband thinks it would be really cool to attach to his line when he goes ice fishing this winter. We'll see if I let him use it or not, but because it is battery operated he could easily take it along with him. Also, the strand is actually 20 feet long (the wire is super thin) and he thinks it would be fun to put on the boat if we take it out at night. There are so many possibilities on where we can use this strand of lights. I am going to have to buy more.


To Find out more information online about 
 RTGS Micro LED 60 Warm White Color Indoor/Outdoor String Lights:

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.

Early Bird Pricing for Lovable Label Back to School Pack

QUICK! 
You have 4 days left to enjoy the Early Bird Pricing for the Lovable Labels Back to School Pack!!!!



Buy in July and receive early bird pricing of $39.95! (Ends July 31st, 2014)

The Back to School Pack

Over 150 labels! - 30 sticker
- 80 slimline labels
- 12 Shoe Labels
- 48 Press N’ Stick Clothing DOTS
- 12 Square Labels
- 2 Mini Metal Tags


FREE STANDARD SHIPPING to Canada and the US (Ends July 31st, 2014)

What I just love about these labels is that they are  dishwasher safe, microwave safe, washer and dryer safe! They are high quality labels that stay on!



I have reviewed many of these labels already and we used them on everything. What this pack offers that I haven't yet tried are the shoe labels and clothing dots. Seriously, I never thought I would need those items because my oldest is so good about keeping track of her things when she is at school or practice, but my youngest is a completely different story. The cost of these labels is so much cheaper than having to replace lost items. Do you know how many times I have walked by the lost & found pile at school and saw single shoes and boots or winter jackets in January (in Minnesota!) and I think to myself - who loses those things? Well, I am willing to bet if items were properly labeled they with a child's first and last name it might find it's way back to them and not even make it in the pile.



Come back in a couple weeks when I have my Back to School Pack to Review and can tell you even more about them and give you a chance to win some in a giveaway!!!

GIVEAWAY and Review: LAVO Facial Mud Mask




It has been a pampering weekend for me, which means it is going to be a pampering week for my readers as I share about a variety of beauty products and hold giveaways for them.

Today I am going to share with you my review of LAVO Facial Mud Mask. It works how you expect a mud mask to work. The volcanic mud dries to your face within 5-15 minutes (depends how thick you put the mud on - I put it on thick in the picture below, so it took 15 minutes to dry.) As it dries it works to dry up acne and tighten up pores. It is supposed to help reduce oil production while the moisturizers in the mask keep you face from drying out.

It does contain sage and eucalyptus oils, which you will notice in the the scent of the mask. It is a pleasant scent and not overpowering. They recommend applying the mask 2-3 times a week, although I am lucky to find time before showering to apply it 2-3 times a month, although this week my skin is feeling quite oily so I think I am going to apply a mask again tonight before I wash my face before bed.

I like how this mask make my skin feel when I am finished. My skin feels tighter and refreshed and anything that makes my skin feel tighter as we age is a good thing.

YOU CAN BUY LAVO FACIAL MUD MASK ON AMAZON.



Product Description from LAVO:

LAVO's HIGH PERFORMANCE VOLCANIC MUD MASK
is an all natural remediy for oily skin, acne, and for minimizing pores. It contains several ingredients highly beneficial for doing just...including, kaolin, actual volcanic mud, vitamin e, brown seaweed, aloe vera, and zinc oxide.

SOME OF THE MANY BENEFITS include softer tighter skin, smaller cleaner pores, & of course reduced oil production. Face will enjoy not feeling like a greasy cheeseburger.

MADE IN USA WITH FINEST ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS - We're not only proud of making this product in America we're proud to be using all natural ingredients. On top of that, it's paraben free, cruelty free, no animal testing, and manufactured in a clean FDA registered facility.

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN THEIR OWN CONTAINER OF
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW

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.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Make It Monday: Low Carb Chocolate Whip (Review too!)




Low Carb Chocolate Whip
8 oz. cream cheese
1 T cacao powder
1 packet of stevia
2 T half and half

Directions:

Whip together all of the ingredients. Top with a dollop of whip cream (if desired). Makes 4 servings.
Enjoy!


My Thoughts:

KIVA Certified Organic Cacao
if you are craving some chocolate and are trying to eat low carb. Not only is there 0g of sugar in this cacao powder per serving, there is also 5 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein per serving as well. That's not all! It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, as each serving of 2.5 grams (there is 60 servings in this bag) contains DV of 40% Copper, 38% Magnesium, 14% Iron, 12% Zinc, 6% Selenium, and 4% Calcium. No wonder our body is craving chocolate sometimes! It needs all these nutrients, but all too often we don't get quality chocolate or cacao. KIVA Certified Organic Cacao is made from hand-selected cacao beans and is just as nature intended.

If you are looking for some other ideas on how to enjoy this cacao powder while eating low carb, try sprinkling it over greek yogurt, making a chocolate peanut butter smoothie or how about some chocolate fudge (I have yet to try making a low-carb fudge recipe, but have seen them on pinterest and they look tasty!)

Product Description from KIVA

100% Raw, Vegan, Non-GMO, Pure Organic Cacao Powder.

Cacao Powder: Cacao has been consumed by the Mayan and Aztec cultures for centuries due to its invigorating health properties. Cacao contains one of the richest sources of antioxidants found in nature and is a great source of magnesium, dietary fiber, iron, zinc, and potassium.

Kiva cacao powder is made from only the finest hand-selected premium Criollo cacao beans from Ecuador. Our low-temperature, minimal processing protects the cacaos natural nutrients and flavor. The result is a delicious powder that is just as nature intended, with no sugars or fillers.

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.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Fitness Friday: 5K Foam Fest is CANCELED



I had told you about the 5K Foam Fest a couple times and how it was my next race. Well, not anymore! The company declared bankruptcy and are not refunding any fees. If you paid for this race (in MN or in any other location that was pending) with a credit card, you should call your credit card company and dispute the charges.

It is very unfortunate that this has happened and as someone who was planning to run the race and invested some money in it, I feel duped. I will certainly be paying attention to my email because another company is offering free registration in one of their races for 2014 or 2015 to those registered for this race (This was actually delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday, so check your junk mail in case you haven't seen it yet.) . Most of the races I could register for have already happened in 2014, so I will be looking at the 2015 races.

In the mean time, I will be looking over my pins on my Pinterest Races Board and finding a new race for this summer, as I wanted to run 3 different organized races this summer in addition to 3 virtual races.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Thrifty Thursday: Tomato & Zucchini Salsa & Canning Labels GIVEAWAY



This is my mom's recipe and I often tell people about it when they are looking for either a thick recipe, another way to use up zucchini, or they just want something different to try. The recipe below is the one she gave me, but you cans always make it spicier if you choose. What is thriftier than growing your own food and canning it?!?!

Tomato and Zucchini Salsa
Yields: 13 pints


8 C shredded zucchini
4 C chopped onions
2-3 hot peppers
1 C green peppers
5 T salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 T cumin
1 1/2 T corn starch
2 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 C vinegar
1 T cayenne
4 dashed hot sauce
1-2 T crushed red pepper
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp black pepper
2 (16oz) cans of tomato paste
10 C peeled tomatoes
1/2 C brown sugar (I have left this out before and it's still very good, if you do not want any sugar)


Directions:
Combine all in a large slow cooker for several hours. Put in jars and process.



Last month, I told you all about the Lovable Label Canning Labels (go check it out and leave a comment! It gets you a 2 free entries in the giveaway!) and now I have had a chance to use them and let you know what I think of them.

I decided to order the Write-On Labels in the Flower Power Design. I wasn't sure what I was all going to can this year, so I wanted to be able to write on them myself. Plus, when you get the write-on labels you get 45 in a pack which was the most amount labels for the price and I really liked that idea.

You just write on the label with a permanent markers (which can later be washed off with rubbing alcohol so they can be reused). The labels are made of the same high quality material that other Lovable Labels are made of, so they are safe to use in the microwave, dishwasher, freezer and fridge.

So, now it is your turn to try out my recipe above and win some of your own labels. You can get them personalized however you want (as long as it fits on the label) or get write-on ones like I did.

What will you get?


ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A SET OF LOVABLE LABELS CANNING LABELS
OF THEIR CHOICE
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER BELOW

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was sent the above labels for the purpose of review. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts, option,s photographs and the above recipe belong to SGBG.


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

GIVEAWAY and Review: Groovy Lab in a Box



Groovy Lab in a Box has been a fun project subscription box that I have been able to review with my children this summer. It has been so great to deter the "summer slide", you know the slide in their academic abilities when they are out of school. It keeps their mind thinking and problem solving and learning. Groovy Lab in a box would also be a wonderful tool for home schoolers or for those parents who want to supplement the science curriculum taught in schools. I bring up that last part because it seems like schools have less and less funds to buy all the necessary supplies needed to do hands-on science projects. This particular box is called "Here Comes the Sun". You can buy this one individually, or 4 other Groovy Labs in a Box called:

  • Swing in to Spring 
  • Out to Launch
  • Lunar Launch
  • Fly with Me



Product Description from Groovy Lab in a Box


Each month through our Groovy Lab in a Box subscription service, young STEMists (your children!) will receive fun, hands-on projects and an engineering design challenge – all focused on that month’s STEM topic.All STEMists will receive a Lab Notebook, where they can read about that month’s topic, perform investigation activities and document their findings. They will investigate, brainstorm, plan, build, test and redesign their own creations.

STEMists also receive access to our special “Beyond…in a Box” online learning portal. This is a unique feature of Groovy Lab in a Box because it gives STEMists a deeper understanding of that month’s topic. “Beyond…in a Box” has videos and more interactive activities to supplement what they are learning from the box projects, which also helps the STEMist even more when completing the design challenge. Additionally, the monthly box contains bonus supplies exclusively for the activities available through “Beyond…in a Box.”

While the investigation activities have step-by-step directions, STEMists won’t have detailed directions to complete the Engineering Design Challenge. Instead, they must rely on their critical thinking skills, and what they’ve learned through the investigation process from the Lab Notebook and online activities. The Engineering Design Challenge is the culmination of your STEMist’s learning experience – the ultimate project where he/she must apply the knowledge gained from that month’s activities.

Science learning made fun! Groovy Lab in a Box: Inspiring the next generation of STEMists…. For ages 8+


Here you can see that I spread out all the supplies to conduct all experiments detailed in the Lab Book, as well as the bonus experiment using Solar Sun Paper, which I took pictures of below when I did it with both my 8 year old and 4 year old. The box is geared towards 8+ and that is very appropriate. Children who are closer to age 8 will need more guidance conducting the experiments than those older children. The Solar paper experiment was one that my youngest could participate in and understand.

You can order a subscription of 1, 3, 6, or 12 months to Groovy Lab in a box and be shipped upcoming boxes to your home. The longer the subscription you order, the lower price you pay per box and if you order 3 months or more you get them shipped FREE.


We have only done 2 out of the 4 experiments sent to us (the one pictured was the simplest) and have really enjoyed them. The solar oven was pretty neat and my daughter remembers when I have done one with her the last 2 summers. We plan to do the Conductivity Tester last this week and my daughter is super excited to hear if she can make a buzzer go off or not with using water.



ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN THEIR OWN GROOVY LAB IN A BOX
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER BELOW
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Wordless Wednesday: Nisswa Pioneer Village