O-sip! Silicone Sippy Lids

These are one of the most ingenious creations for toddlers.
Sometimes your child wants their Christmas cup and red Kool-Aid at the same time. And if you have carpet in your house or cute clothes then you know the nightmare that ensues.

The O-sip! Silicone Sippy Lids turn nearly any cup into a sippy cup!

(Can you hear the sigh of relief from moms all over the world?)

How about this one:
Have you ever gone to a restaurant or diner with a toddler and they don't have lids for their cups?! I have. It usually ends with water all over somebody's dish and lap. Even worse is when you go to a restaurant and you forget to take a sippy cup for your one year old. That's a battle over a straw for 3/4 of the meal and then water all over two laps and your food.

As long as you keep an O-sip! lid in the diaper bag then you never have to worry about a situation like that again. Phew!

Any cup with an opening between 2.5 - 3.75 inches will work with these lids. They just won't work with mugs that have handles that go all the way to the brim of the cup.

Did I mention how easy they are to clean? You can toss them in the dishwasher or you can wash them by hand. If something gets stuck in the stem then you can flip it inside out and give it a quick scrub and poof! you're done.

And they're not bad to store either since the sleeve can collapse into itself and then you can stack them.

If you're always getting cups confused between kids because you're one of the lucky households that has a cupboard full of matching dishes then this solves your problem as well. Each pack comes with three different colored lids. As long as you use a different color for each cup then the kids can tell whose cup belongs to whom.

They are also very simple to attach to the cup and remove. If you are super clumsy dealing with a very full cup then you could end up with a little mess, but that's okay when you imagine all of the messes that could have happened if you didn't have these lids.

The only downfall to these lids is my kids. They have a fascination with sticking their fingers into any hole they can fit them in. The silicone does stretch and bounce back into place, but I have a feeling that after a lot of use my kids will end up either tearing these or stretching them out so bad that they do leak. They have done that to nearly all of our sippy cups that have soft lids though.

Anyways, I do like this product and I do recommend it.

Check them out on Amazon, HERE

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

Some of these pictures are borrowed from their Amazon page. 

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.

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!

BrilliantChef Silicone Muffin and Cupcake Pan

Pretty much everything in my kitchen seems to be turning into silicone. Not really, but I have swapped a lot of products for their silicone versions. There are just so many benefits to using silicone.

- They don't rust.
- They are BPA-free.
- Easily remove food without inserting items or prying food out.
- No need to alter your cooking temperature.
- Food doesn't stick.
- They don't hurt when you drop them on your foot.
- They add color to the kitchen.
- Easy to clean.
- They heat quickly, and cool faster than your other pans.
- Kid-friendly. They bend without breaking. No glass shards in your foot.
- Lightweight for packing and moving.
- Easy to store.
- Dishwasher, oven, microwave, and freezer safe.
- They retain their shape.
etc.

So far, I have loved all of my silicone kitchen accessories. I haven't had issues with any of them. The muffin pan excites me the most though. I avoid making cupcakes and muffins because I hate cleaning up afterwards. Plus, I have a tendency of getting them stuck in the pan.

Not anymore!

The silicone muffin and cupcake pan made by BrilliantChef is just that - brilliant. It is so convenient and easy to use. It really does live up to its promise. I had my doubts and hesitations, but it has worked wonderfully.

If you plan on using a recipe with a liquid batter then I do suggest placing a metal tray underneath before you start (cooling rack, cookie sheet, etc.). I made that mistake. The pans are flimsy. Normal cake batter worked just fine though. The recipe I made required me to fill the cups completely. Oops.

I love this pan. I cannot tell you how easy it is to use. My muffins and cupcakes slipped right out of the pan. I didn't even have to flip it upside down. Normally I have to shimmy a plastic knife around the edges before flipping it over. I just used my fingers to pull them right out. They didn't stick at all. They didn't pull apart or tear. I was so thrilled. I even made muffins with an egg coating that came out flawlessly.

I don't have a dishwasher and so I wasn't able to test that part. But it was super easy to wash by hand. It took just a couple of minutes to clean. It was way easier to remove cooked on batter from my silicone pan than my old metal pans.

Plus, the silicone spatula and basting brush were awesome bonuses. They have come in handy on multiple occasions. The spatula works great to get every drop out of your mixing bowl. I didn't initially like the brush though. I remember looking at it and laughing with my husband because the spindles were so sparse. I didn't think that it would work. It did though! I have used it to make garlic bread, spreading sauces, and covering food with egg mixtures. It works great! I think it is because of the pocket in the center. It helps to hold more liquid and spread it easier. Since there aren't as many spindles squashed together it is easier to clean. You can actually clean it better than your stiff brushes. I love it. The cupcake paper cups are adorable and perfect for Valentine's Day or an Anniversary.

If you would like to try the Quinoa Muffins I made for this review then go HERE.
P.S. I made them wrong because the lady who "altered" it for her blog and submitted it to Pinterest changed a step. Dang bloggers. JkJk. But the REAL recipe can be found HERE.

If you would like to get your own BrilliantChef Silicone Muffin and Cupcake Pan then click HERE. 

I received this product complimentary in exchange for my 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.