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.

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!

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!

2 PM-120 Tens Unit Electronic Pulse Massager

I am always down for a good massage. The only problem is that I can never get one.I can't fork out hundreds of dollars each month for a professional, and my husband's idea of a massage is a light back scratch that is over in just a couple of minutes. I haven't trained my three year old well enough because she just ends up jumping on me or clawing me with her "sharps." It's a work in progress.

Back when I was in high school we owned a tens unit made by Omron. Well, technically it was my Dad's, but I always kidnapped it. It lasted us forever, but they electrode pads wore out. I tried finding replacement pads when I was in college, but I couldn't find any. Yes, I even tried Amazon, Walgreens, and every other local med shop. I was devastated. I got so desperate that I used medical wraps to hold the electrodes against me. Without the gel though the pulses just aren't as strong.

About three years ago I happened to be walking through the mall around Christmas-time and there was a kiosk selling tens units called IQ Massager. I was so ecstatic! I decided to get one for my Dad for Christmas to replace the one I overused many years ago. I wanted to buy one for myself, but they were asking $150 for each one. OUCH! I only purchased one and even though I desperately wanted to keep it for myself I gave it to my Dad. Of course the electrode pads wore out over time and by the next Christmas I kept checking for the kiosk to return so that I could buy replacement pads, but it never did.

So, you can only imagine my excitement when I was given the opportunity to review one in December. It was a Christmas miracle!!! Jkjk. 

I purchased it from Amazon and it arrived within 2 days. It came in a very functional box. I know it is kind of weird to talk about the packaging, but it is necessary in this case. The box is very sturdy and seals shut using magnets. You'll be able to safely store your massager after each use without losing all of the parts.

The device felt pretty light in comparison to the IQ Massager. It felt pretty cheap in comparison, but that's because the IQ Massager felt more like you were holding an Ipod. The Santa Medical tens unit felt more similar to the plastic Omron casing, but slightly cheaper. But it was cheaper to purchase, so it didn't really matter to me as long as it worked.

When I turned on the display it was exactly like the IQ Massager. It features a pie chart that you can cycle through to choose which mode you would like to use. Below it has the buttons for Start, Pause, Mode, Increase, Decrease, and Time. To save your battery there is a sliding button on the top of machine that you use to power it on and off. That is where you will also find the two ports to attach the electrodes. To recharge the battery you insert the cord at the base of the machine.

The massager comes with two cords that attach to two pads each. You can use all four on one location or you can opt to massage to separate body parts at the same time. I even tried not connecting one cord and only using two pads and the machine still worked properly.

I love these machines. They are lifesavers! I used to run up to 16 miles a day when I was in high school and these always helped to relieve the pain from my aching muscles. When it was necessary for me to do physical therapy for the Osgood Schlatter's Disease in my knees during Cross Country they used a high-grade tens unit on me. I used to also get horrible charlie horses. I mean they were bad. The muscles would spasm so much that they would lock.

One day I was sitting in my room talking to my brother when my foot went completely nuts. The muscles in the bottom of my foot tightened up so much that it forced my toes to curl under. This had happened to me plenty of times before, but usually I could massage it out with my hands and it would end. Not this time. The muscle kept tightening. I was literally on the ground throwing myself back and forth trying to escape the pain. My brother tried desperately to force my foot back into its normal position, but the muscle wouldn't release. By this time I had tears pouring down my face and I was screaming in agony. I was ready to amputate the wretched limb that had turned against me. Luckily, I saw my Dad's tens unit on my desk and had my brother attach it to my foot. Within seconds the electrical current was able to counteract the contracting muscle in my foot. I have never been so thankful for electric shock therapy before in my life.

I have even found that these come quite handy once a month. Due to my good fortune in life I am also the recipient of incapacitating cramps once a month. Before I had children they were much worse. I don't know if it's the cysts or just my hateful body, but they left me crippled each month... or two or three times each month. Ya my body hates me. The tens unit actually helped though. I placed the electrodes on my lower abdomen and would lie on them while doing homework. It was my saving grace since I hated taking the pain meds prescribed by my doctor.

And of course slapping them on an unsuspecting victim is always a hilarious prank. Although I can't recommend doing this since there is a large risk involved. You could injure yourself or someone else when using this product. The body runs on electrical impulses and messing with them can interfere with normal functioning. Never use these on someone with a pacemaker or a serious heart condition without consulting a doctor first. In fact, nobody should really use one without talking to their doctor first. Use at your own risk.

I LOVE mine though and will be wearing it out very soon!

If you want to check them out for yourself, you can find them on Amazon HERE. 

I purchased mine at a discounted price in exchange for an honest trial and review. These are my personal opinions and experiences.