Live Infinitely Double Camping Hammock

Alright, so I think this is my absolute favorite product right now. It is pure bliss. I wish I had two trees in my yard so that I could enjoy it anytime I wanted. Instead, I can take it to the park, the beach, camping, or hiking.

It is really easy to set up and take down. It doesn't require any tools or special skills. I mean heck, I can do it. Once you figure out what you're doing you can have it set up in less than 5 minutes. That's pretty impressive.

This package is awesome because it comes with the tree straps, a carrying case, carabiners and the hammock. And it isn't expensive at all. I never bought one of these before because I assumed it would break my bank, but nearly anyone can afford it. That's pretty impressive because the ones that come with a stand are out of my price range. And I can't take them on vacation with me like I can with this one.

Just because it's affordable doesn't mean it's cheap though. This hammock is actually great quality! The stitching was great and the material was as strong as I had hoped. I haven't tested to see if it can hold 450 lbs, but I know that it can at least hold 185 lbs (me and my two daughters). I'll try it out with a couple of more people and let you know if we tear it to shreds. I doubt that we will though because it's pretty tough. I haven't tried it with an animal, but I'd be careful with a dog or cat. I don't think they could put it a hole in it, but I'd use my best judgement with their nails. But it is huge, so there is definitely plenty of room to share it with a friend or canine.

I haven't had a need to wash mine yet, but you're supposed to be able to throw it in the washing machine. And the color isn't supposed to fade. Which is great because the color is beautiful!

I have used a couple of other Live Infinitely products and I have been greatly impressed with their products. You can find their collection on Amazon.

I love how light it is because I can take it hiking and it doesn't add too much weight to my pack since I already have to carry a 25 lb child up the mountain.

I apologize that I don't have any unique photos on this post yet. My phone stopped working and I can't access the pictures on it. I know I know... I should have had everything backed up. You have no idea how many reports, essays, and projects I have lost over my educational years. And yet, I still have not learned. As soon as I can I will either load the pics once I get them or go take new ones so you can see it in use. Until then, just enjoy these. (P.s They are all from the Live Infinitely Amazon page. They are not my own.)

You can find it on Amazon HERE.

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

The Ultimate Squat

I was really excited to try this out. I liked the idea of being able to use the wall to help maintain posture. At first it feels really awkward for people who aren't used to squats because you have to extend your feet farther forward to prevent improper positioning of the knees. But it feels great when you're flowing through the movement. 

I'm 5'4" and I feel like the bands don't engage until I am nearly fully extended. There would be more resistance for taller people. I would really like to be able to increase the resistance.

Backward lunges are much easier to do with this system because you don't lose your balance like you do with free weights. It doesn't hurt at all, but the links rest on my shin during the movement which is distracting to me. You can place it behind your leg, but then you have to use extra muscle to keep your heel planted. Be careful so it doesn't break free and flick you where it hurts most. 

Also, the foam on the foot handles is very thin and flimsy. I don't see it lasting very long especially if you're wearing shoes. But you'll still be able to use the system even if the handles fall apart. 

I loved the workout! I especially love the carrying case. I took it with me on vacation and it was perfect. It's small enough to fit in your luggage and you can assemble it in less than a minute. Just be sure to store it so that the foam rollers aren't compressed or else they become lopsided for a bit and you'll feel it when they're rolling along the wall. 

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

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.

Pinjian Suspension Strap System

I have always wanted to try TRX. The gym that I used to go to actually offered it, but at an extra $25 per month. I just couldn't afford that much money on top of my membership. Plus, the class was only offered a couple of times per week when I was unavailable.

I finally got to try it though! And I LOVED it! It is quite the strenuous workout though. It's not a bad thing. I'm just warning you that you are most likely going to be sore the next day. You can get a killer full-body workout in along with your cardio.

If you're worried that you won't know what to do, don't worry. It comes with a manual that shows a couple of basic workouts. And if you do better with a program that you can follow then there are plenty of resources on the web. Here's a good one for beginners:

And this one explains a lot:

But there are way more out there. Just find one that fits your style and follow along. You can also find articles, pictures, and more out there. Google it and you'll be glued to your computer for awhile. 

I have looked at the TRX straps online for a couple of years now, but I never purchased them because I really didn't want to spend $180+

That's why I jumped at the opportunity to do a review for a similar system. I have been trying out the Pinjian Suspension Strap System. It's on Amazon and quite comparable to the TRX System, but a whole lot cheaper. 

It's way easy to setup. It only took me a few minutes to read over the manual and set up my door system. No need to bolt anything into your walls. If you use the door anchor then it just hangs over a closed door. Easy peasy. You can also set it up outside with the extra strap that comes in the kit. I love that I can do it outside while my kids are playing or inside when it's cold. You can also buy metal anchors to fasten into your wall or ceiling if you want a permanent fixture. I have one of those as well and it's way heavy duty!

The best part about this system is that it transports super easy. You just toss it in the mesh bag and can put it in your suitcase. You can do it at a hotel or while camping. It's the best workout system for someone on the go. 

The straps seem to be of good quality with nice stitching. I haven't had any tearing or fraying yet. The handles have held up well so far, and are pretty comfortable to use. The carabiner is definitely strong. However, it does require the tool (included) to open and close. Don't lose that! It is really small and could possibly fall through one of the holes in the mesh. Be sure to keep it in a ziploc bag or something. The foot cradles are comfortable and big enough. The door anchor has held up really well. If it ever starts to wear down stop using it though! It could end badly. I see that happening in my distant future. Jkjk.

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. This system is fantastic and will be getting tons of use! I just need to start building some more muscle so that I can do it better. I really didn't think I was as weak as I was until I tried to workout with my suspension system. Aaagghhh! Hope you enjoy! Once I get better at it maybe I'll make a workout video of my own!???

If you want to try the same one that I used then you can find it HERE.

Adios friends!

I received a discount on my purchase of this product in exchange for an honest trial and review. These are my personal opinions and experiences. Thanks for reading.

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!

Think Fun Yoga Spinner Game

Ok, so I have been wanting to start yoga. Actually, it's one of my New Year's Resolutions. I just feel like there are so many health benefits that I'm missing out on. It is good for your emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. And when you do it as a game it even helps your social dimension. That's 5 out of the 7 Dimensions of Wellness. It's a lot of goodness.

The only problem with yoga is that I'm not good at it. I am a beginner and I have no idea what I'm doing. I have always loved health and fitness. I've been exercising since I was in elementary school. This is one of the categories in which I feel like a fish out of water though. I just don't know where to start.

That is why I love the Yoga Spinner Game by Think Fun. It is designed for kids. It is meant for the youngest of beginners - which includes me. It's not a routine that you have to memorize. It doesn't include any mantras, meditations, or transitions. It is simply a fun way to introduce you to the positions and names while increasing your flexibility.

There are 54 different cards each with a different position or movement. Some are extremely simple while others a little more challenging. They are simple enough that my almost 4 year old can complete the majority of them, but challenging enough that there is plenty of room for improvement. I like it because we can learn the basics together.

The game play is also very simple. The spinner adds a fun Russian Roulette feel to your yoga routine. It actually makes it possible for anyone to win the game. You don't have to be a yoga rockstar to win. The newbie can actually trump the pro in this game.

Plus, they have spots on the spinning board that add a little oomph to the game. The different choices are: Color Match, Steal a Card, Partner Up, Opponent's Choice, Lose a Card, and Player's Choice. This adds a lot more uncertainty, competition, and possibilities for teamwork. It is so much fun to see where this game takes you.

The objective of the game is to earn at least one card of every color. The first person to collect all four colors wins. The twist is added when you land on one of the options besides Color Match. You can steal cards from the other players, choose any color for yourself, or everyone else can choose which color you have to pick. And you only have to hold the pose for 10 seconds to complete it!

However, I think that as we progress and my children are a little older I will add the rule that you have to hold the pose until your next turn. Muah hahaha! That will give me a couple of years to practice though. Jkjk.

Overall, I am absolutely in love with this game! I think that it is brilliant fun. It's the perfect way to introduce my kids to exercise. It's a great way to turn off the television and get their minds and bodies working. Which is so vital nowadays. This is the perfect introduction to yoga so that we can focus on becoming more well-rounded.

If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find it on Amazon HERE.

Or on their website HERE.

I received a sample of this product complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review. These are my personal experiences and opinions. Please use caution and discretion when performing yoga with your kids. Thanks for reading!

Peak Win Athletics Foam Roller

If you've ever had an awesome workout then you know how much it hurts to be sore. It's a great feeling, but sometimes you need to lessen a little so that you can attack your next amazing gym sesh.

And Peak Win Athletic's Foam Roller will help you get there!

If you're new to foam-rolling then let me explain it a little. Basically, you lay a body part on the roller and let gravity put force on your muscles as you roll back and forth. It is meant to help relieve muscle knots and soreness.

However, there are also many claims that it can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.  By helping to tone the fascia it can help smooth out and reduce the dimpling look. No matter what commercials may lead you to believe, cellulite is just fat. The best way to get rid of it permanently is diet and exercise, but a foam roller when used regularly can temporary help.

Foam-rolling has many other benefits though. It is a form of Self Myofascial Release (SMR). That pretty much means that it is a deep tissue massage that you give yourself. It helps to promote better blood flow to your muscles. More blood means more nutrients as well. More nutrients, like oxygen, means healthier cells. That leads to faster healing, more waste removal, better cell communication, and a healthier body overall. Those are some pretty amazing benefits!

I love foam rolling. I think it feels great! I struggle to stretch regularly after workouts. Foam rolling has created an enjoyable experience that I actually look forward to after my workout now.

My first foam roller was literally just a piece of foam. It looked like a massive blue pool noodle that wasn't hollow. It worked great and I loved it. But then I tried Peak Win Athletic's Foam Roller and it took my foam rolling to a whole new level! The indentations on this roller take the massage so much deeper. The foam seems so much more durable. Plus, the roller is actually functional. It is hollow and has two removable end caps that make the roller a container. You can actually store your belongings in your roller. If you're headed to the gym then you can toss your gloves, keys, phone, and towel in your roller. I love this! I store my jump rope  and other smaller exercise tools in it while it sits in my closet.

If you would like to give yourself a healthy massage then definitely check them out on Amazon HERE.

Plus, you will get a booklet with your purchase that includes three 20% off coupons. One for their jump rope, one for their exercise band, and one for their exercise ball. P.S. I have their exercise ball as well and I LOVE it!

I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review. These are my personal opinion and experiences. Thank you for reading!