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product reviews

The Classic Canopy Chair

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Ten seconds after I first sat outside with my new canopy chair I started getting stares. People actually stopped right in front of me, they asked “what is that and where did you get it?” I let them know that it was a canopy beach chair that someone I know had found. The canopy chair is like a regular beach chair except that it has a removable hood that can be pulled up to cover you from the sun.

Canopy Beach ChairNow, the canopy beach chair is widely available on Amazon.com. There are several styles available with varied shapes, sizes and features. You will definitely want to add one to the top of your list of outdoor summer products to purchase for fun outings this summer. It’s amazing for keeping the sun out of your eyes and your skin safe from UV rays.

This canopy chair can be packed up in a bag or folded down to be carried along with you on your outdoor adventures this summer. Convenience is key when you’re navigating the hot summer months. As far as outdoor products go, this beach chair with canopy is priceless when you find yourself on a summer outing in a location that has absolutely no shade (pretty much any beach). And hey, don’t leave your chair alone for one moment–someone in your group will surely try to take your seat to get some temporary relief!

A canopy chair is the perfect item to bring along with you to a picnic, the beach, a little league baseball game, or a barbecue. Keep in mind that a lot of hot summer products are in short supply as the season progresses due to high demand. Don’t be left out in the sun with the everyone else who missed out on this great addition to the outdoor products category.

Posted by Jade

Review: Drinkwell Cat Water Fountain by Petsafe

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I love my cats and want them to have the best when it comes to both food and water. Since I drink filtered water, I prefer to give my cats the same. A friend told me about the PetSafe Drinkwell Stainless Multi-Pet Fountain, which dispenses water to pets like a drinking fountain. Here is my quick review of this water fountain for cats.

Stainless Steel Drinkwell Fountain

Benefits
– made of stainless steel (no toxic plastic carcinogens)
– holds 1 gallon of water that is filtered, making the water taste great
– multiple cats can drink water at the same time
– ability to adjust the flow of water
– ability to choose different streams
– replaceable filters (foam & carbon filters)
– water pump is fairly quiet

Setting up this fountain is the only downside. It takes some time to assemble the various pieces properly, but once you do it’s pretty easy to figure out in the future. You also have to locate the fountain in a place where it can be plugged into the wall.

But all that aside, the cats love it. After setting the cat water fountain down, I noticed that they were extremely attracted to the streaming water. They then began to luxuriate near the water, sipping for longer periods of time. One of my cats loves to jump on the bathroom counter and sip water out of the spigot, so he particularly loves this contraption.

The clean up and reassembly of this pet water fountain is worthwhile when I consider how much cats love it, but I admit that there are times I take a break and just use the regular water bowl.

So if you are a cat parent that only buys the best cat food, why not provide them with the best water possible and a new fun experience at the same time. I give the PetSafe Drinkwell Stainless Multi-Pet Fountain 4 stars out of 5.

Posted by Jasmine

 

Product Review: Shea Body Butter by Tree Hut

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I get dry skin — especially in colder weather. Most lotions are too thick or heavy and clog the pores. Worst of all a thick, heavy lotion makes my skin feel tacky and dirty. Other products are way too thin and within minutes my skin is dry and ashy again! I finally came across a really great skin care product on Amazon called Shea Body Butter with Hawaiian Kukui Extract made by Tree Hut that I like. It’s a little bit on the expensive side at $10 per jar, but it’s worth every dollar in my opinion.

Tree Hut Shea Body Butter
This jar of Shea Body Butter is about empty now…

Benefits

– smells incredible (warm scent that reminds you of a tropical paradise)
– leaves skin feeling softer, longer
– certified organic shea butter for sun protection and paraben-free
– contains safflower oil cocoa butter
– kukui nut oil absorbs fast and helps soften skin

After applying this body butter to my skin I immediately felt the difference and I didn’t have to use much to cover my skin. It didn’t feel like it was clogged my pores and didn’t make me sweat. I totally recommend this product to people who have dry skin or who are prone to ashy skin.

I give Shea Body Butter with Hawaiian Kukui Extract made by Tree Hut 5 stars.

Review by Jade B.

Review: Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12 Piece High Speed Blender/ Mixer System

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I have been eating healthier for some time now. Yet, I wanted to add a protein drink/smoothie that I could consume in the morning that would give me energy to start my day. My old blender was subpar and couldn’t really process food down to a smooth consistency. I found the perfect replacement blender to accommodate all of my needs: the Magic Bullet NutriBullet High Speed Blender/ Mixer System. Now, I would not use any other blender, nor will I purchase an expensive smoothie from a juice bar again.

Benefits
– it’s very easy to use
– does not take up a lot of counter space
– dual uses chops nuts and grains & makes smoothies.
– pulverizes contents to enjoy a true smooth smoothie
– even capable of turning the seed or nut of your choice into a fine powder
– many accessories ex. lids, 2 different size containers
– not wasteful, utilizes the whole fruit and vegetable
– affordable (and worth the cost over time)
– available in 4 colors to help match your decor

Since this blender has many uses I’ve saved a lot of money. I buy my fruit and veggies in bulk and freeze them for smoothies, which equates to no food spoilage. Everyday I enjoy the versatility that the blender offers. It has also helped me control my weight because instead of a standard breakfast, I have a fruit-filled smoothie instead. I recommend the Magic Bullet NutriBullet to everyone who wants to enjoy a healthy & nutritious meal replacement.

Posted by Lorraine

Review: Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea

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Lately I’ve been testing out an array of teas. I want to gain more energy in a natural way to help me get me through my long days that require a lot of thinking and writing. I’ve opted for energy drinks in the past, but they are full of caffeine, sugars and chemicals. Plus they are expensive to maintain on a smart budget.

So I tried a product called Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea. It can be consumed hot or cold (think of a summertime tea).

Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea

Benefits

  • certified 100% organic & sustainably grown with fair trade
  • provides natural energy, raises metabolism, regulates appetite and aids in digestion
  • full of necessary antioxidants, minerals, amino acids and b vitamins
  • yerba mate’s main ingredient is mateine — it assists with mental and physical stimulation
  • affordable (you can get 24 tea bags for about $4)
  • quick steeping, strong and robust taste

Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea comes from the rain forest of South America and is the national drink in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. It’s not my favorite tea, but some days I have a craving for it. The only way I can describe it’s taste is “robust.” I do feel a little burst of energy when drinking it — especially after a couple of cups. The brew can be added to smoothies and other drinks for a quick antioxidant boost.

I would give this Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5.

Posted by Jade

Review: Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer

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I created a row garden this year with a wide array of veggies, including tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, collard greens, kale, spinach and potatoes. I’ve made the commitment to grow organic, but it can be difficult to maintain a large row garden like mine with all the weeds growing so fast. I looked for an organic weed preventer and I found a product called Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer. I decided to sow it into the soil before planting seeds (it’s also serves a fertilizer).

Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer

Benefits
• it’s affordable at around $15 for a 5 lb container that covers 250 sq ft
• it’s advertised to prevent weeds from growing in the garden and fertilize the soil
• it’s easy to use, no mixing required — just sprinkle and sow it into the dirt
• 1 application is supposed to last for up to 3 months
• can be applied to the soil in the summer, spring and fall

I didn’t see weeds starting to make their appearance in my garden until about a month after using the Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer. So while it worked for a while, it didn’t last in my garden for the 3 months as advertised. However, I might give it another application soon to help keep weeds at bay for another month.

I’d give this product a rating of 3 stars out of 5.

Growing a garden is truly a labor of love. To harvest and eat vegetables that I know grow free of chemicals +\or pesticides is an awesome feeling. However, if you can, you should cut out unnecessary chores whenever possible. I recommend Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer to organic gardeners who need something to help keep their weeds at bay.

 

Posted by Jade