Love, Life and Appreciation: 2014

I had the opportunity to try Adovia's Sulfur Soap through the Tomoson website. I've tried a couple of Adovia's products in the past, especially their mud shampoo and sea salt conditioner and enjoyed the results of those products, I was intrigued to try their sulfur soap. I saw that the soap helped with acne and since I still get acne every now and then, I thought the soap could help calm my breakouts. According to the product's description on Amazon, the soap:

Sulphur soap is legendary for it's healing abilities for various skin ailments
Helps treat Psoriasis, Eczema and Especially Acne!
Your skin's natural moisture levels are balanced and optimized with the Olive Oil and Aloe Vera contained in our sulphur soap
Thoroughly cleanses your face and body and leaves your skin gentle and smooth.
Highly enriched with minerals and sulphur from The Dead Sea.

The shipment of the product was quick and the size of the product was 4.4 oz. The color of the soap is a light shade of yellow, consistent with the shade of sulfur. The smell of the soap was very pleasant and not like sulfur at all. I remember smelling sulfur before somewhere and it reeked, smelling so much like rotten eggs. This soap smelled more like minerals and like the sea salt that is also included in the soap. The soap lathered alright. I thought there would be more lather to the soap, but there was enough lather to spread across the skin. When using the soap I felt like my skin was getting a good cleaning. I noticed dirt was coming off my skin when I patted my face dry with a towel. My face felt softer, though I did notice a little drying of my face after using the soap. In using the product for about 3 weeks, I've noticed some improvement in my acne and that the acne I had previously seems to be shrinking. I have not had any breakouts since using the soap. Overall I am happy with this product, though it doesn't lather that much, the soap does clean the skin and leaves behind a somewhat dry but clean feel. I like that the soap is 100% natural too. Currently the soap retails on Amazon for $7.50.

To learn more about Adovia, check out their About Adovia page.

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.

I applied for the Deep Cleansing Facial Oil promotion by InstaNatural on Tomoson, a couple of weeks ago. I've tried a couple of InstaNatural products previously and really liked the results of the products. I was very happy when I got an email that I was accepted. I was very curious to the deep clean properties of the oil. As stated on the product's description on Amazon, the Facial Oil:

NATURAL & ORGANIC: Our Facial Oil Cleanser is made with natural ingredients, such as Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Essential Oils, Tamanu Oil, Hemp Oil, and more.
WORKS FAST: Massage onto skin to gently and effectively remove dirt, impurities and makeup.
GENTLE INGREDIENTS: Our nonabrasive facial wash contains many key active ingredients that work to clean your face and pores without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
POWERFUL RESULTS: Strong enough to be used as a makeup remover - can even tackle eye liner and mascara!
MANUFACTURER GUARANTEE: InstaNatural backs their products with a Lifetime Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy our product. If you're not satisfied, simply contact us and get a full refund.

The product shipped very fast and there is a good amount of product at 4 oz. The oil is a good consistency, not too thick and not too thin. I applied the oil twice a day once in the morning and once at night, with a cotton pad. The product dispensed very well with the pump. The oil went on very smoothly and I could see impurities coming off on the cotton pad. The oil smelled very earthly as well. I like that it is composed of so many different, natural oils, like jojoba oil, hemp oil and sea buckthorn oil. The facial oil was very easy to wash off and my face felt very clean afterward. I haven't noticed my face becoming greasier with the oil and I actually feel like the facial has helped to control the oils on my face. My skin feels softer too. Overall I am very pleased with product. Currently the product retails on Amazon for $19.95.

InstaNatural also invited me to try another product along with the Facial Oil. They sent an email with select products of their line to chose from. I chose the 100% Pure Rosehip Seed Oil. I remember reading about the benefits of rosehip oil in diminishing the appearance of scars and acne. I still have some deep scars from acne and I thought this product could further help with those scars.

The rosehip oil shipped with the facial oil. The rosehip oil is in a good sized container at 4 oz. The oil was a good consistency as well and was not too thick or too thin. The oil had a more orange completion and had a somewhat strong scent of rose. I applied the oil before I went to bed at night, dispensing two pumps for my face. The oil absorbed quickly, not leaving behind an oily residue. I've been using the oil for over 4 weeks now, but I have not seen much a diminish in the appearance of much of my acne scars. I think I'll start applying the oil twice daily to see if there is more of an improvement. I do like how the oil is 100% natural and there is nothing artificial in the product. Overall I think this product has potential, I'm sure with further use I'll see more results. I have not noticed any breakouts while using this product. Currently the rosehip oil retails for $21.95 on Amazon.

To find out more on InstaNatural check out their our story page.

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.

I was very delighted to see the Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Moisturizer Cream Serum by InstaNatural for a promotion on Tomoson. I've reviewed a few InstaNatural products in the past such as their Emu Oil and was very pleased with the products. As per the description on Amazon, the Moisturizer Cream Serum:

FIGHTS ACNE & HYPERPIGMENTATION: Niacinamide has natural anti-inflammatory properties that actively work to even your skin tone by reducing breakouts and blemishes. It also soothes your skin to minimize redness, blotchy spots, and age spots.
MOISTURIZES & NOURISHES: This gentle lightweight serum glides on your skin like a serum easily and effectively, delivering nutrients such as Vitamin B3, Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, and Hyaluronic Acid, which moisturize your skin and leave it feeling soft and smooth.
FIRMS & PLUMPS SKIN: Apply the Niacinamide Vitamin B3 Serum regularly to shrink pores and plump skin while achieving a healthy glow. This skin lightening treatment is the perfect solution in order to achieve a brighter, smoother, more youthful complexions
MADE IN THE USA: Each bottle of Niacinamide Serum is made in our advanced FDA registered facility. We strive to provide high-quality ingredients to our customers to ensure satisfaction.
MANUFACTURER GUARANTEE: InstaNatural backs their products with a Lifetime Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy our product. If you're not satisfied, simply contact us and get a full refund.

The product shipped quickly and is in a 2 oz container. The serum is a medium thick consistency and is white. The serum has a faint smell, like minerals. It dispenses well from the container and a lot of product is dispensed in two pumps. I use the serum in the morning and every other day at night. Since I've been using the serum I've noticed more lightening of the skin and healthier appearance to my face. My face feels very moisturized after using the serum and the serum also lightweight and leaves a cool feeling on the skin as well. Overall I am very happy with this product. I think I found my new moisturizer! Currently the serum retails on Amazon for $16.75.

To find out more about InstaNatural check out their our story page on their website.

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.

About three weeks ago I received the Apothecary Extracts 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil for review. I've heard a few things in the past about tree oil, especially using the oil for the treatment of acne. Though I don't have as much acne as I did when I was younger I still get a few breakout now and then. I also saw that tea tree oil can be used towards the treatment of eczema. Occasionally my daughter's eczema flares up and I was anxious to see how this oil could do for her eczema.

According to the product's description on Amazon, the oil:

One of the most versatile essential oils. Naturally fight Acne, Toenail Fungus, Lice, Yeast Infections, Skin Tags, Cold Sores, Dandruff, Ringworm, Fleas, Warts, Psoriasis, and More.
Use to make your own Shampoo, Lotion, Soap, Face Cleaner, Body Wash, and Toothpaste. Stop polluting your home and make all natural Household Cleaners, Detergents, Shower Sprays, Bathroom Disinfectants, and Kitchen Sprays.
Every purchase comes with a FREE eBook 50+ Uses for Tea Tree Oil. We provide you with all the ways to use tea tree oil to improve your life, and replace harmful cleaners around the house. This is your's to keep even if you return the tea tree oil.
We Have the Tests to Prove Our Tea Tree Oil's Purity and Potency. Many essential oils are diluted to cut costs. We have the Gas Chromatography Report to prove our tea tree oil is 100% undiluted, and without impurities. Find out what the Aborigines have known for centuries about this amazing gift from nature.
Our Australian tea tree plantation has received awards for its industry-leading, conservation farming practices. They have the smaller carbon footprint of any producer of pure and natural Tea Tree Oil. The Australian Parliament has invited them to represent farming operators at a Carbon Farming Incentive forum. They were one of the first producers to be accredited under the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association Code of Practice. The nutrition program for the Tea Tree plants is based on organic fertilizers. When using pesticides (a necessity to ensure the health of the plants) they employ a shield sprayer to minimize any contact with the plant. Whenever possible natural crop protection products are used.

The shipment of the oil was quick and the product was large at 4 oz. The oil also came with a link to a free ebook with other uses of the oil which was nice. The oil itself is a clear color and has a potent scent. The oil dispenses from the bottle slightly slow and I found myself having to turn the bottle upside down and squeezing it to get more of the product out. For my daughter's eczema I used about two teaspoons of the oil to diffuse in her luke warm bath water. She took well to the oil and I noticed she barely scratched after the bath. The smell of the oil lingered in the house for a while after her bath. I found the scent to be somewhat like the scent of Pinesol. The scent definitely opened up the airways. I like the results that she wasn't scratching as much after the bath but I think I'll use less oil so the scent is not as strong. I put a little oil in her moisturizer and it seems its helping her from scratching too.

I have used the oil for my acne bumps. I apply to oil by cotton ball to the bumps at night and I have noticed a reduction in size with continued use of the oil. I will use the oil in other ways such as a bathroom disinfectant as outlined in the book. Overall I am very happy with this oil. I like that it's 100% pure and although the scent of the oil is a bit strong, the oil produces fast results and has so many uses. The ebook was very helpful too. I'll definitely be repurchasing the oil very soon! Currently the oil retails for $24.99 on Amazon.

To find out more about Apothecary Extracts check out their about us page.

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.

A few weeks ago I received the King Athletic Speed Jump Rope for review. I had fun jumping rope when I was in grade school though, I never personally owned one. Since having my daughter I have also been looking for ways to lose the flub from my tummy. When I saw this jump robe advertised I was very excited to try it. According to Amazon the jump rope:

AMAZING WORKOUT - for Cross-Training, CrossFit, double-unders, MMA, boxing, cardio endurance training and speed training. Promotes the greatest amount of weight loss in the healthiest manner possible while improving muscle tone in your legs, lower and upper body.
DURABLE & ADJUSTABLE - lightning speed 10ft Cable Rope made with durable wire assembly, built to withstand heavy use, ONE SIZE FITS ALL, adjustable length for best results.
LIGHTWEIGHT & COMFORTABLE - ergonomic handles, molded to minimize hand fatigue, handles designed to ensure smooth and even rotation.
WORKING FOR A GREATER CAUSE - $1 from every purchase you make is equally divided and donated to prostate and breast cancer research. Our vision is to reinforce organizations developing programs that support research that will have the greatest potential to improve prostate and breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
GUARANTEED INVESTMENT - Protect your investment, jumping rope includes a 30-day money back guarantee and a 5-year warrantee that ensures quality and product satisfaction. See product description below for more info.

Shipment of the jump rope was fast, though the packaging looked a little beat up. The jump rope was a little dirty as well and I had to brush it off with a paper towel. The jump rope is long at first and must be cut to an appropriate length that is comfortable for personal use. I found that cutting the jump rope to a length that more was suitable for me, was hard because the wires. My dad had a hard time cutting the wires as well. After a couple of minutes he was able to cut the jump rope to a comfortable level. The jump rope itself is light and the handles are very firm. The jump rope did not tangle and was easy to fold.

I like how light the jump rope is and how it really made jumping effortless. I like how there were exercise suggestions including in the packaging too. Overall I think this is a great jump rope especially for those who want to workout using a jump rope. The rope does require wire cutters to adjust the length which can be tricky but when the length is suitable for personal use, it's smooth sailing towards a fun workout. I've noticed my stomach becoming tighter with using the jump rope for 3 weeks now. I jump for about 30 minutes 3 times a week. Currently the King Athletic Speed Jump Rope retails for $16.97 on Amazon.

For more information about King Athletic check out their About Us page.

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.

I received the Adovia Pure Shea Butter for review about a week ago. The shipment of this 1 pound of shea butter was very quick. I've reviewed other Adovia products before like the dead sea salt soap and the dead sea salt deep hair conditioner, I really liked those products and was surprised they had a shea butter. I was very excited to try the butter.

As stated on Amazon:

#1 RATED SHEA BUTTER ON THE MARKET! Natural Relief from Dry Skin, Psoriasis Dryness, Eczema and Acne. Excellent for Stretch Marks for Pregnancy or Other.
100% Natural and Organic Pure Shea Butter - Made with Hand Selected Finest Nuts of the Shea Tree in Ghana.
Deep Moisturizer for Skin - Contains VITAMIN A, VITAMIN E AND VITAMIN F - DOES NOT CLOG PORES - Highly Moisturizing and Long Lasting - Beneficial for Hair & Skin Health and Beauty
Used by Top Skin Care DYI Experts for DYI Soap, DYI Lotions, Body Butter and More - Highest Quality Guaranteed
1 POUND - Packaged in a Resealable and Recyclable Container for Easy Access and Storage

The color of the shea butter I received was ivory, though I have seen a more yellow color with other shea butters. The shea butter smells very earthy and natural and melts very well onto the skin. I've been using it on my lips to keep my lips more moist as well as my body. I have been putting the shea butter on my daughter as well as she has flare ups of eczema. The shea butter has been helping to soothe her eczema and add more moisture to her skin. The butter does not live an oily layer and absorbs very well into the skin. My husband also has been using on his skin as well. I like that it is very versatile and even with the three of us using the butter, there is still much more of it to last for the upcoming weeks. Overall I am very pleased with this product and I look further to future results.
The product currently retails on Amazon for $16.00.

To learn more about Adovia, check out their about page.

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.

I applied to review the Nutravia Turmeric Curcumin Supplement on Tomoson, for my mother who has pain in her knees.I did not try the supplements because I am nursing my daughter. I saw that turmeric can help to ease inflammation in the joints and also provides for a lot of antioxidants. I was happy when I got the email that I was approved to review the product and shipment of the product was very fast and easy. The product's description on Amazon states:

Rest Assured We use Zero Fillers/Binders/Preservatives/Artificial Ingredients to Provide Our Customers the Cleanest Turmeric Supplment We Can.
Standardized 95% Curcuminoids (the KEY Ingredients). We are NOT Selling Root Powder, but Instead More Concentrated Curcuminoids.
120 Turmeric Capsules in Each Bottle for 2-3 Months Supply.
Clean & Pure: NO Stearates, NO Silicone Dioxide, NO Titanium Dioxide

I liked that the supplements are clean and pure and they seem to offer great benefits. The bottle is big and there are 120 capsules in the bottle that are good for a 2 to 3 month supply. In total my mom only took 3 supplements. One supplement each for 3 days. She liked how the supplements were easy to swallow and did not leave a foal after taste. However she said she didn't really feel much of a difference taking them and that she felt like she had to use the bathroom more. I feel as though these supplements still might do what they say, though she didn't try it long enough. I will try this supplements when I stop nursing, which will probably be about 3 months from now. The supplements should still be good by then. I'm looking forward to getting more antioxidants and helping my heart and liver. Overall, my mother thinks the product is OK. She thinks she might just had a not so good side effect to taking the supplement. Currently on Amazon the product retails for $29.99.

To find out more about turmeric and its health benefits, check out this Top 10 Evidence-Based facts about the plant.

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.

I wrote a review on the Adovia Dead Sea Mud Shampoo, about three weeks ago. Well here that shampoo's counterpart. I was very happy to see the conditioner on the Tomoson website not long after I had received the shampoo to review. I was happy because I was pleased with the results of the shampoo and was anxious to try the conditioner. I applied to test the product and was approved. Not long after that I ordered the conditioner, which shipped fairly quickly.

The conditioner's product description on Amazon states:

Made with Real Dead Sea Salt - 100% Pure and Genuine for an infusion of 21 Minerals Essential to Proper Skin and Hair Function.
Leaves Hair Looking Hydrated, Healthy and Silky.
Helps to Reduce the appearance of Dandruff and Dry, Flaky Scalp.
Aloe Vera Deeply Nourishes the Scalp and Hair - Hydrating it from Within.
WE SELL OUT FAST - Get it soon before we run out again. We try to produce this item as fast as we can. Dead Sea Salt contains more than 21 skin and hair rebuilding minerals such as magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc and potassium.

The conditioner came in the same size as the shampoo, 7.4 fl oz. The conditioner is a white creamy color and is of semi-thick constancy. The smell of the conditioner is more what hit me first and it is much stronger than the shampoo. The scent is an earthly scent and smells like minerals and salt. I found the scent to be very pleasant. The conditioner lathered very well and felt very soothing on my scalp. After washing the conditioner out of my hair, after about 7 minutes, my hair felt very soft and more manageable. My hair also looked shiny. Overall, I was very happy with this product. It leave such a nice scent after drying. I got compliments about it! Currently on Amazon, the conditioner retails for $18.75.

To learn more about Adovia, check out their about page.

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.

I received the Pure & Essential Minerals Dead Sea Mud Mask for review about three weeks ago. According to the website:

"The Dead Sea mud mask is laden with over 21 essential minerals from the Dead Sea. Each one is highly-renowned for its skin healing properties. While the mud mask does it job of deep cleansing, drawing out excess oils, impurities and toxins for an anti-aging effect, the organic essential oils keep your skin naturally hydrated, adding a softness and glow to your complexion."

The shipping was very quick and the amount of product is 6 ounces. The mask itself is a dark greenish color. It is thick. There is a strong smell of minerals to the mask. It's not a foal scent by any means but it is strong. I would suggest applying a thin layer of the mask. When I first applied the mask it was more of a thick layer and I was over come with the scent of the mask. It was easy to smooth the mask out. I left the mask on for about 10 minutes, during that time the sensation had reduced and the mask had hardened. Washing the mask off was relatively easy and I was very pleased with how clean my face felt. I could feel my face tingling for minutes after using the mask as well.

Since receiving this mask, I've used it only once a week. I have noticed more smoothness in my face and I feel that it's helping my acne more each time I use it. Like I was saying in the beginning, I would suggest using a thin amount. A little really does go a long way. Overall, I am happy with this product. I love that it is organic and natural and that it leaves my face feeling very deep cleaned. It's like a breath of free air each time, I've used it. Currently the mask retails on Amazon for $29.44.

For more information about Pure & Essential Minerals, check out their about page.

Pure & Essential Minerals also offers a free ebook on Natural Skin Care.

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.

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I received Nature's Best Vitamin C Serum for review about two weeks. I applied to review the product on Tomoson. I had heard of Vitamin C helping to fade dark spots. I still have acne, though not as much as when I was a teen. I still have scars however from previous acne flare ups. The product listing on Amazon states that the product is:

Clinically Test and Proven to Stimulate Collagen, Reversing the Effects of Aging.
This is the Highest Quality Vitamin C Serum Available on the Market, Guaranteed to Work.
Our Serum will remove Toxins & create Collagen, Diminishing fine Lines & Wrinkles.
Organic Ingredients make this product Perfect for all Skin types, dry, oily, sensitive.
Manufactured in the U.S.A by our Top of the Line FDA Certified Cosmetic Lab.

The serum itself is a C + E Hyaluronic Acid. The shipment of the serum was very fast. The product was full sized at 1 fl oz. It comes with a dropper which is easy for dispersing the product. The serum itself is a cloudy color is thin in texture. A little goes along way with the serum. I only disperse about 1/4 of the serum to my face which is a very small potion using the dropper. The serum feels refreshing on the face and very rejuvenating. I didn't not feel any stinging or any discomfort when using the product. I don't have any wrinkles but I have seen my face became a little bit more firm. Absorption of the product was fast. I've also noticed my dark spots becoming more faded. Overall, I'm happy with the serum and will continue to use it, especially to help get my acne spots more faded. I'd really excited to see the results with future use of the product.

Currently the serum retails for $17.95 on Amazon.

To find out more about the serum, check the product listing on Mystelic website.

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.

We've reached another stage in our daughter's development. As we learn something new each day, the term I'm referring to is pouching. Last Tuesday May turned 17 months old and for the last couple of days she's been taking her food and storing much of it on the right side of her cheek. Now at first we didn't really see it as being odd but then she started doing it more and more. May is still picky with her foods. We give her rice, pasta, bananas and such but then she just started storing the food in her mouth like a chipmunk! I'm not talking for a few minutes, she'll walk around with the food in her mouth for like 15 minutes. Eventually she'll swallow the food or we have to get her to spit it out.

I searched what she was doing online and saw the article mentioned earlier. I read that it's usually a phase and is relatively harmless, though the child can choke if you aren't careful. Usually when we give May her food, it's in a small bowl and in a small amount. We'll definitely be keeping more of an eye on the foods we are giving her. She is still gaining weight. Hopefully she will grow out of this, it's kind of gross having to take out her already moisten food, but we also want her to be safe.

May is also getting more teeth. Right now she's at 6 teeth, with 4 at the bottom and 2 on the top. It actually looks like she'll be getting another one on the top. We're soon going to start brushing her teeth. I remember her pediatrician said to use toothpaste with no fluoride in it, so I'll have to look out for that. The liquid vitamins she takes, has fluoride in though.

Meanwhile I'm still searching for a job. I'm looking more for temporary at the moment. Even though I have a Masters in Atmospheric Science, many of the jobs in my field are all over the US. Rex and I talked about moving to where the job is and we decided that it is worth it. Rex already has to commute an hour to his job and we've already discussed moving out there. I've really been applying many different places, in anything from clerical to air quality specialist. Air quality is what I really took to heart while doing my research for my thesis and I've always been very passionate about researching to help the general public improve their health and understanding of an atmospheric phenomena. I know Rex too, wants to be more of a nurse and though working at the meat factory he's gaining more experience (and bringing home free meat), he doesn't want to stay there. We actually think we might try to go back to Maryland, or at least Rex go back to Maryland to start. His old job at the hotel said they'd be more than happy to have him back. His condition with his anxiety has gotten better too. He still has a few symptoms but they are becoming more in control.

We know we'll get more on a straighter path eventually. We are so forever thankful of our friends and family who have helped us. It's tough but we'll make it, together.

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