Root Touch-Up by Nice ‘n Easy

Do you color your hair? In between colorings, are you trying to cover up some grays? Here’s a potential solution: Root Touch-Up by Nice ‘n Easy can match salon AND at-home shades. It has a plethora of shade choices, and you can chat online with a Clairol Expert Color Consultant for free to find your seamless match (Monday-Friday, 10 am – 6 pm EDT).
http://www.clairol.com/en-CA/how-to-page.aspx?collectionid=4084

You can blend away your most visible roots and grays until your next full coloring with the simple Precise Application System.

Designed to match leading shades, even salon color
100% gray coverage
Permanent formula that blends seamlessly
Lasts up to 3 weeks

Have you tried this or a similar product? What do you think?

Disclosure: I received a coupon for a free box from Vocalpoint (thank you!). http://www.vocalpoint.com/

Dr. Scholl’s® Active Series® Review

I work out every day and nearly always do high-impact activities like running. According to the Dr. Scholl’s Active Series experts, the foot is subject to the shock from impact of 2-3 times your body weight with every step during athletic activity. I received a pair of insoles complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

These insoles are a godsend! Even on long runs they make my sneakers feel cushy and comfy. They provide advanced support for any workout and come in models for both men and women.
Dr. Scholl’s ®Active Series® helps relieve and prevent pain from common sports injuries like runner’s knee and shin splints.

It’s easy to use these:
1. Pull out the insole that came in your shoe.
2. Place it on top of the Active Series® insole and trace the outline.
3. Trim the Active Series® insole on the line you traced.
4. Slip the Active Series® Insole into your shoe.
Learn more at:
http://www.drscholls.com/Brand/ActiveSeries

Hare you tried insoles for sports? What do you think?

Healthy Snacks: Blue Diamond Artisan Nut Thins

Disclaimer: I received samples from the Naturally Savvy blogger program. Learn more at: Naturally Savvy http://naturallysavvy.com/

Time for a healthy snack. Hmmm…nuts or crackers?
How about both!
I just tried Blue Diamond Artisan Nut Thins.
These just might be THE crunchiest crackers I have ever eaten. They would be great with soft spreads or creamy dips and would DEFINITELY not get soggy!
The Nut Thins do NOT melt in your mouth like buttery crackers.
If you want something super-crunchy they will satisfy your cravings.

There are three options:
1. Sesame Seeds are paired with brown rice and almonds in this baked cracker. The gluten-free Sesame Seed Artisan Nut Thins provide three grams of fiber with every serving.

2. Multi-Seed Artisan Nut Thins are made from brown rice, almonds, and six kinds of seeds (quinoa, flax, millet, amaranth, sesame, and black sesame). They have 21 grams of whole-grains per serving.

3. Flax Seed Artisan Nut Thins combine brown rice and almonds baked into a cracker. You get 400 mg of ALA omega-3 per serving.

Learn more on on the Blue Diamond Artisan Nut Thins page: http://www.bluediamond.com/index.cfm?navid=677

Each box has 4 servings (at 130 calories per serving), so you don’t have to worry about portion distortion (as in a huge bag of chips).
What is YOUR favorite topping for crackers?

Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ product for testing and review purposes from Influenster.

Stuck in a styling rut? OSiS inspires you to “Kill routine” when it comes to your hair. During the styling process or after you blow-dry, the right products allow you to personalize your look.
I have been experimenting with the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Gelastic Ultra Strong Flex Gel. It offers lasting definition for short or long hair (mine is long and wavy).
You can apply a small amount of Gelastic onto damp hair before styling or work it into dry hair for extra definition.

Products in the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ line include:
GELASTIC
ROUGH RUBBER
SHAPE
DUST IT
BUFF
4-PLAY
MESS UP
Learn more at the Schwarzkopf website:
http://www.schwarzkopf-professionalusa.com/

Here are a couple of ideas to help you “Kill routine” when it comes to your hair:
Use round or curved brushes in blow-dry styling to add soft curves.
Use bristled brushes for finishing and smoothing a style.
To get beach waves, spritz in texturizing spray or hairspray after your hair is dry to make the look last.

Are you interested in trying a new hair style?

Tastykake® Kandy Bar Kakes

Making “S’mores” is a quintessential summer activity. We always bring graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars when we go camping so we can melt up some gooey treats around the campfire. The S’mores experience is hard to replicate, but the flavors can be captured in other goodies. I just tried S’mores Kandy Bar Kakes from the Tastykake® company.

There is a graham-flavored cake and a marshmallow-flavored layer of frosting that is enrobed in a chocolate coating. It’s like S’mores-on-the go (no campsite required)!
This is what the inside looks like:

The chocolate coating is super. I would have preferred a thicker marshmallow layer (frosting, after all, is my favorite food); however, overall, it was a delicious dessert.
I would recommend cutting the bar into 2 or 3 pieces to serve kids. I would also suggest freezing it and eating it right out of the freezer (sort of like an ice cream bar).

Kandy Bar Kakes are available in S’mores, Peppermint, and Peanut Butter flavors.
Learn more at the Tastykake® website:
http://www.tastykake.com/
The Tastykake® Kandy Bar Kakes are sold at grocery and convenience stores across America, in boxes or individually.

Which flavor would you like to try?
What’s YOUR favorite summer treat?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample for testing and review purposes.

Coincidentally (while on the subject of S’mores), Dairy Queen just announced that S’mores Blizzard® Treat is its Blizzard® of the Month and will be available all summer long at DQ®!

Re-Body Hunger Chews

I was given the opportunity to try
Re-Body® Hunger Chews™ – Mandarin Orange
(thanks to Naturally Savvy…visit
www.naturallysavvy.com for more info).
These are meant to help control your cravings and, in turn, help control your weight. The “secret” ingredient is Satiereal® Saffron Extract. Each chew is 30 calories and contains 88.5 mg of the extract.

Honestly, I work out daily and always have a good appetite, so I am not sure that they reduced my cravings. My theory is that food cravings (e.g. chocolate) are often psychological, and I am not sure there is a supplement to solve that issue.
However, I believe the Re-Body® Hunger Chews™ are a high-quality product and not just a scam; using them for a longer duration may indeed prove their efficacy.

The website says: “Studies have shown that after eight weeks of use, participants had a reduced desire to snack, fewer instances of between meal snacking and had an increased feeling of fullness.”
Other Ingredients: Evaporated Cane Juice, Brown Rice Syrup, Natural Flavors, Rice Syrup Solids, Palm Oil, Soy Lecithin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silcone Dioxide, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Glycerin, Natural Color from Fruits and Vegetables
Learn more at:
https://www.myrebody.com/Products#Control-Appetite

Have you tried these? Or any similar products?
Let me know what has or has not worked for you!

Health & Fitness Inspiration

Where do you go for inspiration on diet and exercise topics? I have a health & fitness Pinterest board to collect images and ideas.
My link is:
http://pinterest.com/robinosully/health-fitness-inspiration/

Blogs are also a great source of tips and encouragement.
I recently discovered
http://knowmybody.com/
which is full of articles about fitness, nutrition, healthy lifestyle practices, wellness, and more.
The site has tutorials on body composition, muscle building, weight loss, and setting goals.
I recommend checking out the site!

Do you have favorite health-related blogs?
Do you want to share your fitness or diet Pinterest board?
Please leave a comment!

L’Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

It might be magic!
I was given the opportunity to try L’Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream through the SheSpeaks blogger program.
This multi-tasking skin beautifier delivers 4 helpful actions: it hydrates, corrects, evens and perfects–all for $10.95!

I don’t like to use a lot of skin products, so the fact that this one could take care of so much all in one little tube was quite appealing.
After one week of daily use, I can say that is really does instantly transform to your appropriate shade for a flawless, bare skin finish.
Over time, I may even see more beautiful skin (here’s hoping!).
The all-in-one skin BB cream has “Beautifying Beads,” which are encapsulated pigments infused in an ultra-light lotion with antioxidants Vitamins C&E.
Check out more details at:
http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Makeup/Face/BB-Cream/Magic-Skin-Beautifier-BB-Cream.aspx?shade=Light

Have you tried BB creams? Do you have a favorite?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary tube of L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Cream for review purposes from SheSpeaks.com

Teeccino: A Healthy Coffee Alternative

Are you a coffee person or tea person? Some people have a strong preference, but I have always been a drinker of both, depending on time of day or depending on my mood.
Teeccino Herbal Coffee is a unique beverage that combines some of the healthy aspects of both coffee and tea.

Teeccino is naturally caffeine-free and non-acidic, but it still provides a natural energy boost. It comes in ground form, like coffee, or in tea-bag form. You can choose from light, medium or dark roast. There are even tasty flavors like Chocolate Raspberry or Caramel Nut!

You can learn more at
http://teeccino.com/category/11/Herbal-Coffees.html

Disclosure: As a Naturally Savvy Team Blogger, I received free samples of Teeccino for review purposes.
Visit Naturally Savvy at: http://www.naturallysavvy.com/

Bath & Body Works Fall Mini Candle

I received a complimentary Bath & Body Works Fall Mini Candle to test through Influenster’s VoxBox program.
The candle I tested was “Cider Lane,” and I was immediately impressed at how strong the fragrance was. I am often frustrated by the vague scent of candles, so I was delighted that this one had some “oomph”!
By the same token, I often get bored after using a large candle for more than a week, so I am excited about the Bath & Body Works line of mini candles, which come in adorable glass containers and facilitate frequent refreshment of your living room!

The mini candles burn for about 15 hours. Bath & Body Works does, of course, have jumbo sizes (and large and medium) as well, so you can pick a more lasting version of your favorite!
Some of the scents that appeal to me in the winter collection are: Fresh Balsam, Winter Candy Apple, Peppermint Mocha, Frosted Gingerbread, and Brandied Pear.
Learn more at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com
and read more reviews at http://www.influenster.com/review/bath-body-works-mini-candles