Brieftons QuickPull Food Chopper, Blender, Slicer & Grater

I don't know why, but anytime I cook it takes me forever. 

The recipe may say that it is 15 min prep time and 30 min cook time, but it's going to take me 3 hours to make it. I am not joking. This happens all of the time. 

It's partly why I hate cooking. My family has gotten used to Spaghetti, Pancakes, and Macaroni for dinner.

But I have a feeling that this new product I have been using is going to change that. 

It's the Brieftons QuickPull Food Chopper, Blender, Slicer & Grater. And it is marvelous! 

I made Sweet Potato Nachos, and it was a breeze. I used the chopper to cut up the tomatoes, avocados, and onions. I used the grater for the cheese. And I used the slicer to make the sweet potato chips. It took me no time at all. I usually save this recipe for special occasions because it takes me so long to prepare it, but not anymore. I had it made and on the table in no time. 

This is probably going to be my most used kitchen gadget. 

The chopper only takes a few pulls to get items into small pieces.



The grater was nice and sharp.



The slicer was so easy to use, and no fingers were cut in the process.



I haven't used the blender, but it will come in handy the next time I make scrambled eggs. 

If you don't own one of these then you need to. It will seriously save you so much time in the kitchen. And it is incredibly easy to use, put together, change out parts, and clean.

You do need to wash it by hand, but that's okay because I don't own a dishwasher anyways. 

You can check it out for yourself on Amazon HERE.

I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review. 

BZTZ Watermelon Slicer and Pineapple Corer

I love fruit!

I haven't found a fruit that I don't like.

I especially love tropical fruits.

But I am always hesitant to get them. First of all, the cost. I live in the Rocky Mountain region. We don't exactly have coconut and banana trees growing on the corner. Second of all, the preparation. Everything is much harder to prepare. The last time we ate a coconut it required power tools to get it open. That's not as easy as simply biting into an apple. 

And even though we can grow watermelon here it is still a pain to prep. It usually requires a large knife, large cutting board, a tray to catch the drippings, a large bowl to store it, an entire shelf in the fridge, and a lot of time for cutting. 

But you can now get rid of 3 of those things. If you have a watermelon slicer then you only need a large knife and medium cutting board to cut it in half; a large bowl and room in the fridge, and a few minutes for cutting. 

It does take a little bit of time to get used to the watermelon slicer. I don't know, maybe you'll be a pro on your first slice, but I wasn't. I had to make a few slices before I got the hang of it. Not all of my slices were perfectly straight, but they were very easy to make and get out. 

The watermelon slicer is going to make summers so much more enjoyable and simple. 

The pineapple corer was definitely my favorite. It was even easier to use than the watermelon slicer. 

You simply attach the handle. 

Cut the top off of the pineapple. 

Center the corer on the open end of the pineapple. 

Press firmly (It doesn't take much at all) and twist clockwise. 

Once you get to the bottom then pull up and out.

Remove the handle. 

Slide off the pineapple and enjoy. 

You can cut it up into smaller pieces, break pieces off, or enjoy the slinky version. 

It literally took me 2 minutes to have diced pineapple. 

Amazing!

You can find it on Amazon HERE.

I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review.

SantaMedical Aneroid Sphygmomanometer and Stethoscope

I have worked in the healthcare profession as a CNA and was curious to see how a kit like this would compare to other products I have used. I personally prefer taking blood pressures manually because I feel it is more accurate.

The box it came in was pretty hammered and seemed fairly stuffed when it arrived. I was quite impressed when I first opened the box though. I ordered the purple because I like pretty colors that brighten my mood.

It's prettier in person.

The carrying case was a beautiful purple. Great quality too! I love the carrying case because I store my others in their original boxes which are hard to put back together and are falling apart.

This is the first set I've gotten that came with so many extras! The extras include: one large diaphragm, one small diaphragm, two ear tips, a large bell, medium bell, and a small bell.

The cuff is pretty nice. It's the exact same color and fabric as the case. I wish the material was a little sturdier though. As you pull it through the D-ring it tends to wrinkle and cinch. It takes a little extra attention to make sure it stays flat.

The meter face is much larger than the ones I typically use. Which makes it much easier to read! However, it does take up more space and is nearly as big as my entire palm. It inflated and deflated as it should. It was fairly easy to turn the knob while taking my blood pressure by myself. I wish the velcro extended just a bit further though because it almost didn't fit my arm. I have smaller arms, but they're not as small as some (about 14 in. circumference around my bicep).

The stethoscope was a little disappointing though. The double tube makes it kind of awkward because the tubes sometimes fight to go in opposite directions and isn't always easy to lay flat.

The name tag was wonderful! I've always had to purchase mine separately. And this one won't fall off! The only problem is that I could not hear very well through the large diaphragm.

I could hear great through the small diaphragm though. I couldn't even listen to my own heartbeat on my chest through the large one. I don't know why that is. I haven't been able to figure out the malfunction. I can hear it loud and clear through my other stethoscopes though. I read some of the other reviews online and it looks like a couple of other people have had the same issue. Plus, it's not the same purple as the cuff. I don't know why, but that made me a little sad. But it was just as they had it pictured on their page. I must've not noticed the difference when I was ordering.

All in all, it is a pretty good set. I haven't tried reaching out to the company yet, but if they are willing to replace the stethoscope then it'd be a great buy! Just my stethoscope alone costs more than this entire set. I was able to get an accurate blood pressure reading with the cuff, so I think that it is pretty decent quality.

I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review. These are my personal opinions and experiences.

Brieftons 5-Blade Spiralizer

The moment I heard that you could slice vegetables and use them like noodles I knew I needed a vegetable slicer. I finally found one at the local kitchen store. It was $50 though! That was way more than I expected. I spent at least 30 minutes debating the purchase while I browsed the shelves. I ended up buying it because I didn't want to live without it.

A couple of years later I received a handheld spiralizer. I did not like it nearly as much. It was far cheaper, but 10x as much work. Plus, it only came with two options - large noodles or small noodles. The cleanup wasn't particularly easy either. The one perk that it did have was that it takes up very little space to store.

I like my 5-Blade Spiralizer by Brieftons so much better. It is very similar to the model I already have in my cupboard. I like the one that I paid $50 for the most because it came in the best condition. For some reason the Brieftons Spiralizer's claw came really dirty and damaged. It looked as if it had been dropped and smashed on the warehouse floor. However, if you want something that works and is $20 cheaper then you should definitely get Brieftons Spiralzer.

It comes with 5 separate blade options: Angel-Hair Blade, Fine-Shredding Blade, Crude-Shredding Blade, Curly-Fry Blade, and Flat Blade. These five blades make it possible to make - curly fries, potato twists, gourmet salads, vegetable pastas/noodles/spaghetti, vegetable pizza toppings, apple chips, garnishes, onion rings, coleslaw, soups, and much more.

However, not all fruits and vegetables are well-suited for this machine. I wanted to make carrot ribbons, but could not find a way. I tried to use the Flat Blade on a carrot and failed miserably. I could not get the carrot to stay on the food holder. It fell off as soon as I started to twist. I tried multiple times, but gave up quickly. I have had great success with sweet potatoes and zucchini though. They advise against soft foods. They have listed recommended fruits and vegetables for your success:

Apple
Onion
Zucchini
Carrot
Cabbage
Cucumber
Beetroot
Turnip
Potato
Sweet Potato
Daikon Radish
Butternut Squash

You can store the unused blades in the storage compartment, but I've only been able to put to blades in at once. If you store another one in the slot on the top of the slicer then you only have two floating in your cupboard. I wish the had a safe and covered storage compartment for all of the blades.

You can easily take the machine apart for cleaning. They suggest using warm water nd mild detergent to rinse it. And it is dishwasher safe! I have handwashed it and it's not too bad. You have to be REALLY careful so that you don't slice your finger in the water bath. There are a lot of parts and it takes up a decent amount of space, but it's worth it.

The meals that you can make with a spiralizer are absolutely delicious and healthy. I love that I can get so much fiber and nutrients in my meals now. Plus, I now have access to recipes for my spiralizer thanks to Brieftons.

If you want to start spiralizing as well you can find one like mine HERE.

I received a sample of this product complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review. These are my personal opinions and experiences. Thanks for reading!

Neocell's Beauty Bursts Review

I hate swallowing pills. Though I have gotten fairly good at it if I do say so myself. I'm not some crazy pill-popper. I just take a steady regimen of vitamins on a daily basis. I've been doing it for years. Practice makes perfect, right?

I know there is a better way. There has to be. I remember enjoying my chewable Flintstone vitamins as a kid. Now, my kids have gummy vitamins that taste quite similar to fruit snacks. I've even had chocolate calcium chews. So why am I still gagging down vitamins?

Honestly, I don't know. Maybe because it's cheaper? Maybe because I feel like they can't work if I enjoy them? Maybe because I'd eat too many if I liked the taste? I don't know. It's probably because I assume I cannot have joy in my daily tasks as an adult.

But I may be changing my ways. Neocell Beauty Bursts are amazing! I thought they might have a horrible aftertaste, but they don't. I thought they might be slightly gritty, but they aren't. I thought they might taste like vitamins, but they actually taste more like candy. I could probably eat the whole bag if I wasn't careful.

Each bag comes with 60 chews. It is recommended to take 2-4 chews each day. I decided to take only 2 each day to see if I could see a difference with the minimum dosage. Each chew contains 20 calories. Out of that 2g comes from sugar, 1g of protein, and 0g of fat. Not too bad for a piece of candy! In order to receive the 2000mg of Collagen, 20mg of Hyaluronic Acid, and 20mg of Vitamin C you do have to consume two soft chews though.

I opted to treat myself to one in the morning and one at night. Hahaha and yes I do mean "treat." I wait until I'm craving something sweet and then it's my little indulgent reward regardless if I've eaten well or not. I love that I don't have to feel guilty about eating a piece of candy.

Neocell Beauty Bursts are gourmet soft collagen chews that remind me of the texture of Laffy Taffy. I think they taste way better though. Not so sickly sweet. Plus, they do taste more berry-like than candy does. They are individually wrapped in foil to provide freshness. It makes it a lot easier to take on the go or to set out on the counter to remind you to take it. However, I don't need the reminder because I look forward to that moment each day.

Neocell's Beauty Bursts contain Hydrolyzed Collagen Type 1&3. These ingredients are meant to provide smoother and firmer skin, and stronger nails and hair. Hyaluronic Acid is said to be "Nature's Moisturizer." If you don't know why this is such an important ingredient then you definitely do not have skin like mine. I am drier than the desert. That means that I am more prone to wrinkles and flaky skin. Vitamin C is added for its supporting role in collagen production. These three ingredients work in unison to provide nourishment to your skin.

Like I said, I've been taking the minimum dosage of two each day. I have a major acne problem and fiercely dry skin. I have not seen a dramatic change. I have only been taking it for thirty days though. I was told by a dermatologist that it requires 90 days to see if a product actually works when it comes to the skin. That seems like a lifetime when you're dealing with your face. I have already noticed that my face isn't as dry as it was before. It's not super moisturized, but it is better. My acne is not gone. Dang hormones. At this point I don't think I'll ever be acne-free. I have noticed that the sores do seem to healing just slightly faster though. Not by much, but enough that I can appreciate it. I'm just curious what results I would see taking the full dosage.

I just can't decide if I want to commit to that vitamin regimen. That means 4 chews each day. One bag would only last 15 days. I would have to buy two bags each month. That means I would need 6 bags to complete the 90-day test. Hmmm???

I initially did an online search and found a few stores that carried the Beauty Bursts, but was then disappointed because they only carried them online. Bummer. I don't like to pay for shipping. Then I used their website to find the closest retailer to me. I was surprised to find out that there are tons. I have five stores within 5 miles of my home. That's awesome news!
I haven't checked to see what the prices were in store, but online I found them anywhere between $15-$20.

If you want to see how much your skin can improve while enjoying a nutritious treat then search your local grocers HERE.

I received this product complimentary in exchange for my honest trial and review. These are my personal experiences and opinions. Thanks for reading!

Mister Tea Silicone Tea Infuser

This past month has been rough. Sickness has been all through our house. Over. And Over. And Over Again! It has been horrible. 

Luckily, I have had my little buddies to help cheer me up. 

Aren't they adorable??!!

I just love them. Personally, I think that they should've called it Mister and Miss Tea though. I guess they could both be misters, but my pink one is a miss. 

My Dad grew his own Elderberries this past Summer and dried and ground them in the Fall. He had heard about their use as a cold remedy and decided to try it. It actually tastes amazing when paired with honey. In order to enjoy it at my house I needed a tea infuser. I purchased this pair on Amazon and hoped that they would work. 

They worked perfectly! I have been enjoying Elderberry Tea all month long thanks to Mister Tea. 

The pants remove from the body so that you can place the loose tea leaves inside. Then you simply connect the legs back to the body and place him in the water to steep. Be sure to hook his arms on the lip of your mug though! 

It looks like he's relaxing in an amazing hot bath. Honestly, I was a little jealous watching Mister Tea soak while I sat with the sniffles trying to keep up with three and one year old girls. I should have gotten the shark or manatee. Haha.

Cleaning Mister Tea is super easy as well. You can simply rinse him out under running water and everything comes right off. If you need a little help then you can just use a sprayer to help remove all the small particles or a baby bottle brush. If you happen to leave him out accidentally and the tea dries onto him, no worries! I simply flipped his pants inside out and scrubbed for a second and he was clean. 

The only thing that I wish they would change is his torso. It's hollow. If they made it solid then it would be much easier to clean. You cannot flip his upper half inside out. My daughter got a hold of my Mister Tea and shook him while he had wet particles in him still. I set him in the sink and forgot to rinse him out. Everything ended up getting dried on inside of him. I just used my spray nozzle to clean his torso out and it worked very well. However, if he was solid on top then I wouldn't have to worry about that happening again.

All in all, I love my Mister Tea Silicone Tea Infusers! They are super cute and great quality. They would be an adorable and hilarious gift for any tea lover. Even the box was good for a laugh. I would definitely buy these again. 

You can find Mister Tea on Amazon HERE.

I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for my honest trial and review. These are my personal opinions and experiences.