MeasuPro BPM-50W Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

Are you a #MeasuPro? Measu- blood pressure, that is. It need not be said that blood pressure is important, and monitoring it is just as crucial. Keep track, quickly, easily, painlessly, and almost effortlessly with the Measu Pro Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor from #MeasuPro.

It comes with the two batteries that you need to operate it. You just wrap it around your wrist (not upper arm - yay) and press the little person button. It can store information for up to two people! You can view previous measurements to compare and track your blood pressure.

 

This little compartment here in which the batteries belong, is really, extremely difficult to open!

Mine came up a little bit high. That's a bit nerve-wracking for someone my age, size, etc. Maybe it runs in my bloodline? Pun intended. My blood pressure usually only spikes when I'm uber stressed. (Rib injury - case in point.) Because it gave me high numbers, I took it about three times, making sure to follow the directions verbatim. Keep the wrist at the same height level of your heart, or above.  I made sure I was relaxed and calm. All three were a bit on the high side.

 

My mother is a nurse, and both of my parents informed me that wrist monitors do tend to run their measurements a little bit on the higher side than with one that wraps around the arm, or using a cuff manually.

I would say that as long as you remember the number it gives you will most likely be a little bit higher than your blood pressure is in actuality, you're good to go; keep on measuring!

I like it, especially how convenient it is, just wonder about the accuracy, for obvious reasons.

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

100% Pure Whey Protein Isolate

Lots of firsts since relocating to DC, lots of firsts. A lot of these firsts have been with one of my friends, so I always say it on purpose just to make her chuckle, "to popping cherries." I've never had a protein shake before! Yep, never!

So, my first in that sense is Summit Nutritions' 100% Pure Whey Protein Isolate which you can find here.

One convenient thing that I really like about these is that they come in super convenient one serving packets. You don't have to measure or scoop the proper amount, or anything at all. Rip and dump. Super quick and easy!

What's so great about this versus the others? From what I've learned...

• Summit Nutritions' protein is free from protein spiking or amino acid spiking and it gives you 90% Protein per Scoop (25/27.7g)
• Low fat, low carb, and low cholesterol.
• Non-GMO, lactose free, soy free, naturally flavored, and sweetened with Stevia.
• No fillers!

Basically, it's high quality and the most biopure you can get, without too much of the stuff you don't want.

It really and truly is 100% pure. You don't find that. Some companies (and I'm not just talking protein - all markets) claim purity, but you find when you examine labels there's definitely other crap present. Not here!

I selected chocolate. I mixed one with milk for breakfast one morning. It was good, but not at all filling. In all fairness, what did I expect? It's not meant to be a "meal."  For the second, I also consumed it in the morning, when tired/cranky. It actually helped. I mixed it with water, to see if there was any difference. It tasted the same, and the consistency was just a tiny bit runnier than with milk. The flavor is that of a chocolate milk shake, no matter what you mix it with. I like the taste. I haven't used up number three, yet, but I'll be mixing it with water, rather than using milk.

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

NeoCell Biotin Bursts + GIVEAWAY

Everybody seems to be into taking (and companies making) chewable vitamins and supplements. NeoCell Biotin Bursts #BiotinBursts are awesome! What the heck is a Biotin Burst? The burst part is the soft, chewable aspect - it's almost like a little taffy or starburst, and who doesn't love starburst! Aha... burst, I get it now!  What is Biotin and why should I take it? Biotin is an important B vitamin that promotes healthy lustrous hair and resilient nails. Acai berry is present for protection from free radical damage.

NeoCell explains, "Having beautiful and radiant skin has never been so easy- or so delicious. NeoCell Biotin Bursts deliver high potency beauty nutrients in a delectable, gourmet soft chew. Formulated based off of scientifically proven ingredients NeoCell Biotin Bursts offer a delicious alternative to your daily biotin regimen. Each chew is low in sugar and was especially formulated to be as readily absorbable as possible in delicious Brazilian Acai Berry flavor. Healthy hair and skin were never this easy, or sweet! NeoCell Biotin Bursts, the best way to take your biotin. Period. (You’re Welcome!) Biotin is an important B vitamin supporting hair and skin health 10,000 MCG of Biotin per chew Scientifically formulated to support metabolism of proteins in the body promoting natural energy, luxurious hair and vibrant skin."

They're fun to eat/take, and are really tasty. Refrigerate after opening! 

Unwrap. Chew. Smile. Repeat.

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

Got C? Vitamin C Serum

I wanted to try Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum because my beauty routine was missing something. I cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and I use different products from time to time too. Vitamin C Serum is becoming more and more increasingly mainstream, and part of standard skin care. 

Check out the full list of ingredients Amara Organics shares publicly online.

Deionized Aqua (Water), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide (Botanical Hyaluronic Acid), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Carbomer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Phenoxyethanol, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola Extract), Organic Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail Plant Extract), Organic Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium Extract), Organic Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion Extract).

Also note, this US company only uses natural plant-based ingredients, no parabens, no alcohol, and does not test on animals.

I can see why. It helps with spots and discoloration, fine lines, reduce wrinkles, moisture, and more! 

The Anti-Aging Power Of Vitamin C

Our Vitamin C Serum replenishes your skin's vitamin C levels to give you these benefits:

• Increases the production of collagen to bring back skin's natural elasticity and counteract fine lines and wrinkles
• Powerful antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals to reverse damage caused by the sun, pollutants, and cigarette smoke
• Protects your skin from UV damage such as age spots, discoloration, and fine lines
• Improves skin texture to give you a smoother, brighter complexion
• Combined with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid for extra powerful anti-aging effects

After only using it for a week, I don't see any change in regards to tone/coloration *yet* but I hope to with time. It's definitely extremely hydrating. I like that this product doesn't have an added scent. It says you only need 3 or 4 drops, but I needed more than that, especially if applying to the décolleté as the packaging recommends. Maybe I just like to use a little more product than most people. 

I do notice it makes a difference in little pesky spots that pop up, if you get what I mean. It helps to clear nuances up faster than they would heal on their own, or than if using and applying nasty chemicals on your skin.

If you are someone who does use toner, follow this order: wash, tone, apply your Vitamin C Serum, then moisturize.

Would you like to win a bottle of yourself and C what Vitamin C can do for you? Comment below or tweet about this blog, or this post and tag me at @elchcl. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

The Best Texting Gloves!

Texting in the winter makes for chapped hands. Lotion helps, but so does iGotTech's Smart Tech Gloves.

I really don't know or understand how/why they work, but they really do!! I'll be completely honest, when they first arrived, before I opened the package, I huffed to myself, feeling slightly disappointed. They looked like a pair of those cheap/crappy magic gloves (at least that's what my mother calls them) that don't even keep your hands warm, except with a couple of different tips on a few fingers. I thought to myself, how are these going to work on my phone or iPad, let alone keep my hands warm.

You can't always trust your gut instinct and first impression!  They are really warm, and I mean really warm. The inside feels so soft, so cozy, it feels like the most luxurious fleece on the planet, but it's actually not fleece.

I can prop my phone in my handy holder mount and type in where I'd like to navigate to without removing my gloves. I can use my phone and iPad out in the winter cold like normal with these. It's really rather remarkable.

I showed them to my friend who has a pair of texting gloves that I believe are nylon? Completely different material, and very thin, too. I made her feel the inside. She was equally as impressed!

I'd love to see more color options!

iGotTech makes/supplies a lot of really nifty things that are technology related, and also things that are not even tech related at all. I bought a super awesome screen that you put in your door, to have a screen door where you normally would not. Boom, patio goodness! 

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

Sasquatch Smartphone Car Holder

Every time I say or think of the brand's name, I chuckle. But in all reality the Sasquatch Smartphone Car Holder is incredible. I've been wanting a phone holder for a while, but hadn't caved and purchased one. Thankfully I got to try this and share my experience(s) with you.

It's kinda funky-looking, and I'll be honest, I don't like the orange color, but it is what it is. I do, however, love this gadget. It's truly a life-saver! I live in a big, busy metropolitan area, with lots of traffic, and confusing roads. Driving where I am not familiar makes me nervous. The highways, one-ways, crazy DC drivers, etc are enough to give somebody palpitations. The roads are genuinely confusing at best, and it's stressful and difficult if you don't know where you're going. I've only been here for a year and a half. #newbie That being said, when using the navigation system on my phone, it makes me even more nervous than I might already be to have to look down at the digital map on my lap. Sometimes it reorients itself based on the placement/angle, which is not easy to figure out when given a last minute merge direction, and you see three feasible options. Hallelujah Sasquatch!

You can put it on your window, or a different location on your dash, but this is how I put mine. I actually tried to set it up a little lower, below the volume button you can see in the one photo, but even with the strong hold suction and super sticky back, it wouldn't stay put there. This is because I was trying to put it vertically somewhere which any device would weigh it down. I really like it where I have it. Perfect quick glance to the right and I'm good to go.

My father recently upgraded from his succession of 'dumb' phones to a smartphone, so I gave him a little video demo of how it works, how mobile/manually manipulative it is, and the setup in my car (while parked and off). You can position your device at any angle, turn it any which way you please! The spring hold, nicely opens up to hold devices larger than my tiny (super old, and not so great) android. People have said that it even fits the iPhone 6 Plus. Finally, after showing my father not only how convenient but also how great it is, he wants one for himself too!

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

Uplifting Beauty: Resurrect

I'm not so sure if Indefinite Beauty is a realistic thing to desire and expect, but their Resurrect Moisturizer with Matrixyl 3000® is quite top notch when it comes to moisturizers. I'm very selective when it comes to moisturizers, and this one meets my approval. Is it really that difficult for other companies to give your skin the right amount of nourishment it needs without leaving you looking shiny, oily, dry, tight? #UplifingBeauty got it right!


First and foremost I love the minty/fresh smell of this moisturizer!! Granted that's not the most important piece, it's true, and makes for a great pick me up. I haven't noticed a grave difference in my face as of yet, but I'm hoping that it will make a difference as I continue to use the product. And I'm fairly young, so I intended it as more of a preventative measure - but also for corrective reasons in some areas. It feels great on the skin, glides on smooth, and doesn't leave any residue. I do need more than one full pump when applying (and I'm a small person). I really like it a lot. This product is definitely true to it's non-irritating, skin rejuvenating claims. I hope that this will also be the case from a protective/preventative standpoint down the road, too.

It even comes with a bonus little Vitamin C Eye Serum Freebie!

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

New You with NuElle Anti Cellulite??

What the heck are you doing with this? I'm trying it out, that's what! Don't hate, don't judge. Despite what you might think or say, I actually do have use for it.

It is Skin QR Organics's NuElle Triple Action Anti Cellulite Concentrate which you can find here.

It smells kinda funky or sour-esque, not in a bad way, in a lemony and botanical way. This cream contains over 20 botanicals that are supposedly well known in fighting the cellulite battle. Some of these flub busters include caffeine, L'Carnitine, Butcher's Broom, Bladderwrack, Ivy, and more. You should be able to see a difference within 2-3 weeks, and even more visible reduction over time. NuElle works to firm the surface, detoxify on the inside, reduce water retention and fat cell clusters, while improving circulation and overall appearance of the skin.

Does it work? I'm not really sure... yet. I would like to add that it took a considerably long time to arrive, and this information is based on less time using the product than I'd like. I'd prefer for it to have arrived sooner so I could have tried it out for longer and more consistent use, in order to be able to offer more detailed and thorough information. Unfortunately, I didn't have as much time as I would have liked, so a prime, or at least faster shipping option would be appreciated.

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

Resist Temptation + GIVEAWAY

I bought one large loop resistance band not too long ago, and it was alright, I like it. The first few trials using that, made me really want a set like these, from NeeBoo Fit. And I love them!

One of the things I like most about the set is how clearly labeled they are, and in more than one way. You can memorize the colors and their level of difficulty, if you want. I would like to eventually, but that will take me a while. If you look at the edge, it shows you the little dots. Green is the least amount of resistance, hence why it not only says "light" right on it, but it also displays one dot. Each band as you can see is a different color, states the amount of resistance offered via words and number of dots shown. Depending upon the exercise/muscle I am working on, I might want more or less resistance weight.

It seems that most brands only offer 3-5 bands, NeeBoo Fit's set has 6 bands. Furthermore, they're usually 10" loop bands. These are 12," which means more options! The little carry bag is great because you can take them anywhere. I'm currently house sitting, brought them with me. Essentially this allows for me to be able to do weight training anywhere, anytime I want. I like having my way. I can't wait to take them in my carry on bag when I go on vacation! Yes, I do really mean that.

There is a teeny tiny little exercise booklet included, but it does leave much to be desired. It's super small with only a few measly exercises listed. I'm partial to full sized page activities, eBooks, etc. There are more exercises on the website, thankfully.

Would you like a set for yourself? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received this product in exchange for my honest review.

100% Pure... love

How about a two-for treat? I was selected to sample not one, but two wonderful 100% pure all natural oils from GoPure Naturals. I was extremely excited about this for many reasons. One of my very good friends *see here* tried their Fractionated Coconut Carrier Oil before I received mine. Also, I've read so much hype about how Argan Oil is so beneficial, but knew next to nothing about it.

What the heck is Fractionated Coconut Carrier Oil, you ask? It's coconut oil that has been processed in such a way that it stays in its liquid form and preserves it somehow, too. Science isn't really my thing, but it will stay "fresh" indefinitely (yep, forever - or until you use it all up) as long as you treat it properly. Don't leave it basking in the hot summer sun, or put it in the freezer, keep it room temperature, basically. Easy enough!

What do you use it for? Everything?! One cool thing about it is that you can mix it with any beauty or hair care product you use, and you reap the benefits of coconut oil added to whatever product you mix it with. You can mix it with lotions, soaps, hair products, etc. It's a moisturizer, obviously, and great for dry and even sensitive skin, too. It is lightweight, truly non-greasy, colorless, odorless, and won't stain or leave behind any residue. It makes for an excellent massage oil, too!

Argan oil can be used on your skin, hair, nails, cuticles, etc. "Universally referred to as "liquid gold," argan oil is one of nature’s most effective moisturizers." It comes from the kernels of the argan tree, which is native to Morocco. It contains Vitamin E - E for excellent! As with the coconut oil, you can also mix the argan oil with your favorite lotions and potions for added benefits. I particularly like using it on the ends of my hair, when both wet and/or dry. I have ridiculously long super fine hair, it damages easily, so I like to apply it on the bottom 1/3 to help take good loving care of my fragile ends. It smells divine, looks quite nice - sleek/shiny, and really helps my brittle hair. You really only need a teeny tiny bit, a little of this "liquid gold" goes a very long way.

Check them out on amazon here, facebook here, and their website here. You can find their Argan Oil on amazon at this listing, and Fractionated Coconut Oil at this one.

I received these products in exchange for my honest review.