I always love to try new food, from the sweet to the savory. In this case, the very sweet - Häagen-Dazs® Brownies à la Mode. Yes - this blog is about ice cream.
I chose this particular flavor because who doesn't love brownies with ice cream. Put it all in the form of ice cream, it has to be good, right?? As someone who love to have indulgent ice cream, this flavor seemed right up my alley.
So what did I think? Well, as you can imagine, the bar was set pretty high, as it was coming from Häagen-Dazs®. And while they did not disappoint, it didn't knock my socks off, either. I think I was hoping/expecting a lttle more creaminess with a swirl of sweet vanilla cream (or something to that effect). And while the flavor was there, I didn't find that swirl. And I think I was expecting more of the chewy brownie chunks... which is hard to have when something's frozen. So that was all on me.
But don't get me wrong - it was good ice cream! And I'd absolutely buy it again. The flavor was really good - not overpowering, but rich, none the less. The richness is probably what kept me from eating the whole pint in one sitting. Which is a good thing. For me, at least.
So if you're a brownie fanatic, and love ice cream - and really love the two together - this could be your go to ice cream. I think I'll thrown some strawberries on there next time I try it, because, yum!
Remember the days of the soft serve ice cream trucks that would drive around? Remember how excited you got when you saw him (Mr. Softee, in my case), and how sweet taste of the soft serve was when it hit your tongue? Yeah... that was the bliss I felt when I first tasted Nutchello. The sweet, smooth sensation as I took that first sip. Who knew you could revert back to childhood with such a simple drink??
Nutchello is from the brand, Silk. Which makes perfect sense, since they already do Almond Milk and Cashew Milk, in addition to their popular soy milk. There are currently three flavors - Rich Dark Chocolate + Walnuts; Caramel Almonds + Cashews; and Toasted Coconut + Cashews. My first taste was of the Caramel Almonds + Cashews, which I have to admit, was a tough choice. Of course, it took awhile to find. Not too many stores carry this stuff yet, but it's worth searching it out if you can't find it at your normal grocery spot.
My second thought immediately when to the thought of using this in smoothies. There's just enough sweetness to add a little something sweeter, though I imagine not all mix-ins will work well. But some of the basics, like any kind of berry... YUM! I stood in my kitchen, kind of wishing I had some on hand to try it out right then!
So bottom line, if you can't already tell, is that this stuff rocks! Search it out and try it yourself. There's even a coupon on their website right now. And you can even search out a specific store in your area that DOES have it! So go! NOW!!
I don't get sick too often, but when I do, it hits me pretty hard. And as 'luck' would have it, I got the nasty cold that everyone around me has had just in time to try Robitussin Severe Cough Cold & Flu. Lucky me?
I'm not big on taking medicine unless I really have to... which usually means it something pretty severe. And this cold... this one had everything. Coughing, sore throat, sinus pressure and, eventually, runny nose and sneezing as this lovely sinuses started to drain. Since the cough and sore throat were the early symptoms that seemed to be sticking through it all, it seemed to make sense to go to a brand know for their cough medicines, right? Here's the other thing... I'm not a big fan of liquid medicines. Never a fan of the flavors. I'd rather chock down a big pill... which I hate to do, as well. I wish everything just came in gummy form... but I digress.
So this new version of Robitussin (Severe) promised better flavor. That was a start. And to this day, after going through a whole bottle of it (and thermos), I can't quite put my finger on what the flavor was. I swear, there were notes of chocolate in it... chocolate covered cherry, maybe?? It wasn't sweet like your typical medicinal cherry flavor - there was no sweetness at all. Regardless, while I wouldn't guzzle a whole bottle down, I kind of liked to flavor, for what it was worth. That's a lot for me to say that! So yay!
But at the end of the day, it still had the pitfalls of a liquid medicine... you had to take it every four hours. I don't like having to think about it or, even more so, having my symptoms creep back up on me so often. And while it did subdue my symptoms, I wouldn't say it completely quelled them. I still had to use cough drops for the sore throat and coughing. Maybe my symptoms were more sever than intended for this severe formula? It did note that it the sore throat persisted, I should go see a doctor. I couldn't find the nighttime version that's out there - maybe it's better for overnight... the regular stuff did not last through the night. I woke up way early, very stuffed up and coughing.
So did it work...? Yes, kind of. I think I have high expectations when it comes to medicine. I want it to work quick, and last long. This didn't do that. I also want to evidence of any my symptoms... I'd rather a numb throat I can't feel than have it just be 'less sore' so I can still drink and eat like normal. My hungers is usually nonexistent when I'm sick, anyway.
Would I recommend it? Well, I wouldn't NOT recommend it. My husband prefers liquid medicine and this would probably be right up his alley in flavor and effectiveness. So it really depends on the person and what they expect with their medicinal needs. I'd still like to see what my options are on the gummy side of medicine.
In recent years, I've become a bigger fan of the Aveeno brand. Not that I didn't like the brand before... just really never tried it until I was able to sample some products through CrowdTap. I've even gotten my husband on one of their shampoos - it's the only one he likes to use now!
That said, my most recent 'try me!' opportunity came in the form of their Ultra Calming Nourishing Night Cream. I've tried night creams before, but it's just not a habit I've quite gotten into - which is bad. I always felt like they were too heavy for me. Well, as fate would have it, right before I received my sample in the mail, I had this rough, dry patch of skin area on my cheek, due to the change in weather and turning on the heat. It was annoying, more than anything, but it was also the perfect opportunity to try this stuff out!
One thing I can say, is that if I can feel a product doing something when I put it on, I will be much more likely to continue to use it. With any product, I feel like true visual effects are hard to see on yourself, since you see the change occur so gradually But if you can feel something happening... well, I can that something to pay attention to. And that was the case when I out on this face lotion... un not just the dry area referenced above, in other areas, I fell it almost tingle, if you well... basically, feel it absorbing, as it didn't leave my face with a heavy lotion feel.
And after using it for about a week or so, the dry, rough spot was gone! So I would call that a successful trial run! This is a lotion I could get behind to use nightly. It didn't exactly what I hoped it would do, without and of the side issues I don't want. Avenue wins again!
I know what you're thinking... "Now she's talking about the private stuff... the stuff you only talk about with close friends." Well, yes and no. If you're reading this, I consider you a friend. And any friend of mine deserves to know about this.
So O.B. Pro Comfort tampons... what's up with them? What makes them so great - why are you talking about them? Let me ask you... have you ever used them? Have you ever considered it?
So the most obvious difference is the lack of an applicator. I'll admit, I was never willing to just buy these because of that fact alone. I mean, it's not exactly a pleasant situation to go into with your bare hand, am I right? But, the fact of the matter is, it's no harder than with an applicator, or no more messy. So once you get over that idea and become comfortable the fact that you will be touching yourself in a closer way than you're used to, you can finally focus on the good stuff.
First things first... these expand to fit YOU! Not lengthwise... but widthwise, to top those leaks. So, in my opinion, they work better than some others on the market. That's the biggest plus. Some other perks... well, less waste (with no applicator), for one. Also, way more discreet, and they're small enough to just put in your hand and go. Who doesn't want discreet when it comes to that time of the month?
So all in all, if you can get past the no applicator deal, these are probably a good thing to try. They have benefits others can't give you. And who doesn't like added bonuses??
Sometimes it's the little things...
True story... A group of coworkers and Ii were going out to lunch when right when we got there, one of them sneezed and, well, more came out of her nose than she would've liked. Thankfully, I had a Kleenex Pocket Pack in my car to give her really quick before anyone (but me) noticed. She was beyond grateful, and that moment alone made having them worthwhile.
I say that because at times, when cleaning out my car, i thought about taking them out. When was I going to need them. I cold always just grab a napkin somewhere. But I'd always end up throwing them back in the console somewhere.
Kleenex Pocket Packs have been around for as long as I can remember. But they've revamped them a bit... brightened up the packaging and gave them some fun blurbs on them. Just some little things to make you smile when you need one... or need to give one to someone else. And make them smile. My little story above is a perfect example of why they exist, too... just those moments when you need to share a little love!
So take it from someone who has first hand help someone in need with the simple gift of a tissue... it's such a small thing to keep on hand, but it can make a huge different for someone one day!
I know... Sweet'N Low has been around for a long time (since 1957,to be exact)... why am I writing about it?
Simple. Until I became a member of Team Sweet'N Low on Crowdtap, I have never thought about using it for anything other than a drink sweetener. But did you know you can bake with it?? The idea never even crossed my mind. But, they do sell in in bulk form, and in liquid form, if that's your thing. But even without those option, you can always use the little pink packets we're all familiar with. It's not unit per unit the same measurement, but it's easy to convert.
And that's what I did. I was given the challenge of preparing brunch using Sweet'N Low. 
They actually have some really easy recipes on their website if you want to try out using Sweet'N Low for yourself. I was pleasantly surprised at how things came out - granted, I never had the recipes WITH sugar, it was not evident that there wasn't plain white granulated sugar in it. I baked two kinds of muffins, and aside from my flub of too much flour (oops on my part!), they tasted really good. Even Eric liked them. And I can say I'd make them again, as well, with some personalization, maybe. Like, some additional add-ins maybe? And I'll likely try Sweet'N Low as a substitute in some of my other recipes as well... it's definitely worth trying. Who couldn't use a little less sugar in their life... but you can never have too much sweetness!
So yeah... Sweet'N Low. It's not just for sweetening your coffee and tea! It surprised me and it might surprise you, too!
I chose this particular flavor because who doesn't love brownies with ice cream. Put it all in the form of ice cream, it has to be good, right?? As someone who love to have indulgent ice cream, this flavor seemed right up my alley.
