Showing posts with label Outdoors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outdoors. Show all posts

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Innx Dual Seat Protectors

If you are planning on taking a trip this holiday season with you pet then I definitely recommend getting a seat protector.

I got a chance to try out the Innx Dual Seat Protectors. I love them. I drive a 2015 Camry and they have the headrests that are just connected to the bench. Luckily this still worked with them.




They even have an adjustable strap with a buckle to work with the different styles of vehicles.

They have a plastic piece that I tucked into the seat crevice to keep them in place. They also have an elastic band at the bottom to wrap around the bottom of the seat. However, my seat doesn't fully separate at the botttom so I struggle to keep that part attached.




This cover also features openings so that you can still use the seatbelt buckle receivers. I can even use the special child carseat hooks and leave the cover in place.




Overall, this seat cover seems to be pretty great. They feel like they are made with quality material. They are put together very well. The stitching is done professionally. And they are actually practical unlike some other seat protectors.




You find it on Amazon HERE.

You can also watch my Youtube video, but I wouldn't recommend it.




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

Sunday, October 30, 2016

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.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

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.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

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!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

iClever Bluetooth Speaker




I'm always afraid of purchasing from brands that I don't recognize. That is a regular occurrence when purchasing from Amazon. Most of the brands are smaller businesses that are only found on Amazon. And without being able to hold the product in my hands and examining it before purchasing makes me feel like I am playing Russian Roulette. I tend to fall on the unlucky side.




Lucky for me, the iClever Speaker was a happy surprise. It was better than I expected. It was nice and sturdy. It felt like a quality product that would be very durable. The outer shell looks very rugged and ready for any outdoor adventure. I like the orange and black color scheme. 




It was extremely easy to pair with the Bluetooth on my phone. It took less than 30 seconds. And once it was connected it worked flawlessly. It has about the same range as my Bose Bluetooth Speaker. They booth start to lose connection at the same distance in my house. Which is supposed to be 10 meters. I haven't measured it, but I'm pretty sure it's accurate. 

It actually has more features than my Bose though. When I am listening to Pandora I can actually skip to the next song using the speaker. My Bose requires me to unlock my phone, access the Pandora app, and then press the skip button. I love this button!





Plus, I can actually receive phone calls through my iClever Speaker! My Bose doesn't do that. I can answer, end, and reject a phone call through my speaker. Not to mention, actually talk through the speaker. That is great for when my phone is plugged into the wall or my hands are busy in the kitchen. Did I mention that you can actually call the last person you placed a call to from your speaker as well? Yep! Tried it and it works. 




I got this speaker mainly for when I go jogging though. I have to take my girls on 99% of my runs which means that I have to use my jogging stroller. I don't use my earbuds when I run with my girls because I want to make sure that I can hear them. I also like to make sure that I am more aware of my surroundings and any noises that might indicate danger. That meant no music for me for a long time. I die without music or constant conversation when I am running. I have to get out of my head and distract myself from the pain and discomfort. The iClever is perfect for my runs! I can tuck my phone away in the diaper bag and forget about it. I can listen to music while listening for cars and talking to my little girls. And if a song comes on that I don't think is appropriate for their little ears then I can easily skip it. If somebody calls me while on a run I can answer it without having to rummage through the diaper bag. I can run straight through the sprinklers on hot days without worrying about damaging my Ipod. Plus, if I am caught in a rain shower I know that my phone is tucked securely away and I won't miss a beat. 





I love this speaker! No, the sound isn't the same quality as my Bose, but it still sounds great! No, the phone calls aren't crystal clear, but they sound just as good as my car's Bluetooth. The only thing that I wish that it came with was a car charger or at least the plug that goes into the outlet. It came with a USB cord and an audio jack, but when I'm out on adventures a cord that is compatible with a normal outlet or a car would be handy. Other than that, I love this little gadget. 


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

p.s. This is their image. Not mine. 

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

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Yeti Versus Smart Coolers




Have you heard the joke about the blonde??
A blonde woman walks into a store and is immediately curious about a shiny object on sale. She asks the shop assistant, 'What is that?' The assistant responds, 'It's a thermos.' The blonde then asks, 'What does it do?' 'It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold.' So the blonde buys one. The next day she brings the thermos to work with her. Her boss, also a blonde, asks, 'What is the shiny object?' 'It's a thermos.' 'What does it do?' 'It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold.' Her boss then asks, 'What do you have in there?' The blonde replies, 'Two cups of coffee and a Popsicle.' source
Super cheesy, I know. I remember hearing it as a kid and I've never fogotten it.
Obviously, you can't put hot and cold items in a thermos together and expect them to maintain their temperature. But what if I told you that I have a cup that can keep ice in it for 24 hours?

I do!

Last year my parents gave me a Yeti 30 oz Rambler Tumbler for my birthday. I was stoked! I am an ice lover. I always fill my cups up with ice. They had recently gone on a trip to humid Georgia to visit my Aunt who raved about hers. They purchased some for themselves and were instantly in love. My Dad left his Iced tea in his Yeti in the rental car during the summer for over 6 hours. It still had ice in it when he came back from their excursion!!! Absolutely amazing!




That's why I jumped at the opportunity to review the Smart Coolers 30 oz Tumbler. Could it possibly be as good as my Yeti? Could a cheaper version actually be a nice gift?

You see, I tried buying my husband a Yeti for Christmas. I couldn't though. They were all on backorder or sold out... EVERYWHERE. I was devastated. I wanted to give him the perfect gift, but I didn't trust any other brands. Could anything truly compare with the original?

Yes!

I found one that does. It is made from the same kitchen-grade 18/8 Stainless Steel. This means that you won't taste the metal. It holds the same thirty ounces. Both of them feature Vacuum-Insulation. Neither one of them will sweat, so it's okay to forget the coaster. Both of them come with a clear lid that has a permanent opening for drinking.

Do they really perform the same?

As far as I can tell, Yes! I performed two different tests - one for maintaining ice, and the other for maintaining heat. For the ice test I simply filled them both up to maximum capacity with ice. I placed their lids on and then placed them somewhere where they would both receive the same constant external temperatures. Then I waited. I checked on them at 14 hours and again at 24 hours. These were my results:


*Remember - I did not place any liquids in with the ice. Adding liquids will make your ice melt faster. It's kind of like placing hot coffee and a popsicle in a thermos. However, the ice will maintain much better than your average cup.

I keep my house at 68 degrees during the colder months, so it is fairly reasonable for the ice to last as long as it did. You cannot expect these same results during the summer. I am really curious to see if the Smart Cooler works just as well in the extreme heat of summer like the Yeti did. I'll let you know in July.

Next, I did the heat challenge. I boiled some water on the stove and then I poured it into both containers. I placed the lids on and took an initial reading to make sure we had the same starting temperature. I then placed them in the same location I used for the cold test. Every hour for ten hours I would measure the temperature in my log. Here are my results:



The Smart Cooler actually stayed really close to the Yeti. The temperature differences were only miniscule. It was always within 2 - 4 degrees Farenheit. The Yeti was always slightly warmer, but barely. Not enough that I think it would matter too much when drinking your beverage.

The Smart Cooler is $32.99 and the Yeti retails for $39.99. That is a 7 dollar difference! That is only for Prime Members however. I don't know what the shipping rates for the Smart Coolers are for non-Prime members. If it's more than seven dollars then buy from Yeti because they offer free shipping.
UPDATE: Come to find out, the free shipping only applies to their large coolers, not the tumblers. During checkout you will also be charged sales tax and shipping. For me, that made it an extra $6.73 for the Yeti. Hope that helps!




The Smart Cooler stands just barely taller than the Yeti, but not by much. The base of the Smart Cooler is also slightly larger than the Yeti. I am not sure if that will prevent it from fitting in your cup holder or not. Both of these products fit in the cup holders in my Camry.

Overall, I am really impressed. I did not expect the Smart Cooler to perform as well as the Yeti. Yet, it did! The more affordable option can actually work just as well as the name-brand tumbler. If you want your coffee to still be warm at the end of an 8-hour shift or you don't want your ice to water down your soda then you should definitely invest in a good tumbler. I also love to use mine for smoothies and shakes! It keeps them cold and nice and thick. I would recommend both of these tumblers to my friends and family. You get to choose which option is better for you!

You can find the Smart Cooler Travel Tumbler HERE.
You can find the Yeti Rambler Tumbler HERE.
Go ahead and compare them for yourself.




I received the Smart Cooler Travel Tumbler at a discounted price for testing and reviewing purposes. These are my personal opinions and experiences. Thanks for reading!

Friday, January 22, 2016

30-Minute Jump Rope Full-Body Burn




If you're stuck in a fitness rut then it is time to switch it up!

Most people give up on their New Year's Resolutions by March. Don't be one of them! If your goal was to lose weight then try this routine and get back to torching those calories and dropping the pounds.




A combination of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training has proven to produce some of the best results. That is why this workout will include both. You will alternate between the two forms of exercise to create the most work for your heart while providing the opportunity to catch your breath without stopping the exercise.

Of course, if you need to take a break then please do so. As always, please consult with your physician to see if this program is right for you. You participate in this workout at your own risk. Neither I or any of the social media networks I post to are responsible or liable for anything that happens during your workout. Listen to your body! Please be sure to warm up and cool down properly.


30-Minute Jump Rope Full-Body Burn
0:00 - 1:00 Jump rope - feet together 
1:00 - 2:00 Sumo Squat with Side Bend (Hold sumo squat. Place hands behind head and bring the same elbow towards the same knee.) 
2:00 - 3:00 Jump rope - skip with right leg in front 
3:00 - 4:00 Up & Down Plank (Hold the push-up position and lower yourself one arm at a time to plank position and then one arm at a time return to push-up position) 
4:00 - 5:00 Jump rope - skip with left leg in front 
5:00 - 6:00 Alternating Lunges 
6:00 - 7:00 Jump rope - both feet side to side 
7:00 - 8:00 Spider-Man Push-ups (Start in push-up position, lower body until arms are 90 degrees and then bring right knee out to the side up to the right elbow. Return to push-up. Repeat same movement with left side.) 
8:00 - 9:00 Jump rope - both feet front to back 
9:00 - 10:00 Wall Sit 
10:00 - 11:00 Jump rope - lift knees as high as possible 
11:00 - 12:00 Inchworm Sit-ups (sit on your butt cheeks and place the palms of your hands on the floor next to them. Bring knees to chest and raise toes off the floor. Extend legs completely while lowering torso to a 45 degree angle to the floor. Do not let feet or back touch the ground. Return to start.) 
12:00 - 13:00 Jump rope - alternately hold one foot in the air as the rope goes around 
13:00 - 14:00 Crab-walk 
14:00 - 15:00 Jump rope - feet together
REPEAT!
YOU'RE DONE!




For this routine I used my EverlastingFit jump rope. I love it! It is pink, fast, and super light. If you are struggling with your jump rope then you need to check out a wire rope. They are so much easier than any other kind that I have used. The bearings make them spin smoothly. I have never had an issue with them kinking, catching, or stopping me mid-jump. If you don't have a jump-rope then I seriously suggest you try adding them to your routine.

If you want one like the one that I used for this workout then you can find more info about them HERE



I received my sample complimentary in exchange for an honest trial and review. These are my unbiased opinions and experiences. If you want to know more, just ask!