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!

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. 

Melapet Non-Slip Bathtub Mat

This is the third bathtub mat that I've owned in six years. That sounds crazy! lol. The first one got mildew/mold on it and I could never keep it clean after that. The second one started to harden and crack and fall apart. Time will only tell if this new mat can keep up.

 When I saw it online I was very excited! It looked so soft and squishy. It almost looked as if it was made of gel. Plus, it looked so cute! When it arrived I was so sad. It was yellow. The picture that they feature is of a blue mat. If I had thoroughly done my research I would have discovered that it ONLY comes in yellow however. To me, that seems kind of deceiving. I don't like that. You shouldn't lure customers in with a beautiful picture and then offer a different product. It just seems shady to me.

Here is the description from their Amazon page:

• Comfort, cushioning, and reliable slip protection on just about any non-textured tub surface. Let the small raised bubbles gently massage weary feet. Made of durable, allergen free vinyl.Made of 100% allergen-free PVC, Machine washable-Dimensions: 67.5cm x 36cm-Soothing textured surface provides gentle massage for tired feet

• Non-slip surface large cheap girls throw floor rug-star wars chocolate shag rubber ducky backed bathroom rugs-cabin horse batmann eggplant floral moroccan cars bathroom rug-shabby chic mickey mouse cotton round rustic colorful luxury toilet rug

• The many small suction cups on the bottom of the mat hold it firmly in place, so slipping while getting in or out of the tub is greatly reduced

• DURABLE & ANTI-BACTERIAL & MILDEW-RESISTANT - Machine washable-The bath mat's compression-molded rubber resists abrasion and is very durable. Great for bathtubs and shower stalls in homes, gyms, hospitals, hotels, and other living facilities-The non slip bath mat is anti-bacterial and has mildew-resistant properties which keep mildew away effectively. To avoid the growth of mold, please remove the mat from the tub after each use. Just lay it on the front edge of the tub when not used with the suction cups pointing up

Did you read that second  paragraph? What was all that gibberish? I think it is their tactic to pop up in more search engines. Really guys? Your bathtub mat has absolutely NOTHING to do with Batman, chocolate, Star Wars, or any of that other nonsense. It just makes them seem really dishonest and needy.

The bathtub mat is a neon yellow. When it came all rolled up it looked very yellow. Since it is somewhat transparent the color really died down once I laid it flat. I don't like the color though. I don't like yellow in bathrooms. It reminds me of pee stains, discoloration, or scum buildup. Or is that just me? Seeing yellow at the bottom of the tub is not pleasing to me. My four year old kept freaking out while I bathed my one year old because she thought she had peed in the tub.

Plus, the smell was horrible when I removed it from the packaging. It has a gross chemical smell. Since we have been using it the smell has dissipated a lot, but I can still smell it every now and then. Usually after the water drains out of the tub when I bathe my girls. I am sure with more time it will go away.

Product Description

Package Quantity: 1 | Color: Yellow

Elegant High-Quality Bath Mat That Sticks to The Tub Floor with No Worries About Slipping or Falling. It is Actually a Soft, Flexible Mat That Fits All Tubs Perfectly. The mat grips the tub bottom well and will not slip around. It works on almost any non-textured tub surface. The subtle textured pattern on the top side of the mat provides great traction and slip resistance for your feet

-If you are elderly or otherwise fragile and are worried about falling in the tub
-Does your bath tub get very slippery while you are taking a shower?
-What if you find Anti-bacteria & Mildew-resistant & Abrasion-resistant Allergen-free bathtub?Melapet Bathtub mat is wide enough to cover the width of your tub. It does suction well. It is not slippery when the little one is standing. The "bubbles" are comfortable to sit on

-Melapet bath mat provides the foundation that you need for a safe and carefree showering experience
-One of melapet mat's most useful features is the series of evenly spaced suction cups on its bottom side. Better yet, the length of time for which the suction effect can be maintained is seemingly infinite.
-It's clear, has dimples on the bottom side that allow water to flow through yet maintain it's position in the tubAmazon Buyer Trust Melapet Bathtub Mat to be Quality Premium Products
Very Important...Read This

We Apologize If We're Sold Out Because of The Extremely High Demand for...We Tend to Run Out of Inventory Fast
Our Guarantee to You: If within 60 days you're not 100% happy with your purchase, let us know and we'll refund your entire purchase price... no questions asked.
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They claim that it will fit the width of your tub. It doesn't. It is a lot smaller than I expected.  My littlest girl likes to stand and hold onto the side of the tub. She always slips. I thought this mat would help, but it is nowhere big enough to help with this problem.

The suction cups really do work. They stay connected to the bottom of the tub during use. But they only perform that well when you use moisture to secure it. That means that you have to remove it after every use to prevent mold and mildew. So, what's the purpose of the holes then? You still have to hang dry it. And they just make it harder to clean. Now there are more crevices to scrub. Plus, we have three girls in this house. That means we have tons of hair. Guess where all of that hair gets tangled up? Yep, in those lovely holes.  I am also afraid that with all of that pulling and yanking every day that those holes are going to be the weak points and at some point those pieces will tear and the mat will fall apart. I don't know if that will happen, but that's my guess.

The good thing about this mat is that I don't slip while on it and neither have my girls. That is as long as you stay on it since it's not very big. And that massaging effect - it's just bumpy. It's like standing on any other bathtub mat. Sometimes it feels good and sometimes it hits a pressure point and it hurts just a little. My daughter hasn't complained about sitting on it and even my bony bum feels fine sitting on it. Which is great news! Plus, you can toss it in the washing machine when it needs a deep clean. I have a front loading machine so I don't know how well it does in a top loading machine with the spinning thing in the center.

I HATE leaving bad reviews. These companies try so hard to do a good job. However, I don't want my readers to be deceived. I personally don't believe this bathtub mat is worth $16.50. I liked my clear $5.00 mat from Wal-Mart just as much. If you need a mat that you can throw in the wash to clean easily then this is the right mat for you. And if you decorate your bathroom with yellow then this is great. It's just not for me. 

If you want to check it out for yourself then you can find it on Amazon HERE.

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

Stability Exercise Ball by Peak Win Athletics

I remember when stability balls became the hottest new thing for exercising. Everyone wanted them and every exercise video used them. Somewhere along the way they kind of got tossed to the side though. Why?

I love using stability balls. I always felt like I was the only one that ever used them at the gym though. Is it because they aren't made of metal? Do people think they belong on the playground? Is it awkward and embarrassing to use in front of others? If so, then people need to grow up... err umm... find their inner child.

My favorite ab exercises include stability balls. I mean it is right there in the name. Stability requires a center of balance and a strong core most of all. If you want abs then I suggest using a bright pink bouncing ball.

Okay, it doesn't have to be pink, but my new one is and I LOVE it! Pink is my absolute favorite color, and this is the perfect hue. I know it is completely ridiculous, but I am much more prone to work out if I feel cute and I like my equipment. I just enjoy WAY more than if I am feeling blah.

This is actually the third stability ball that I've owned. I had a large blue one and a smaller gold one. This is the first one that has come with a measuring tape however. They always posted the intended size on the box, but I always pumped them up until I assumed they were full and called it good. I now realize that I could've been 10+ inches off! What??!! Yeah.

I started pumping this one up until I thought it was firm. I then pulled out my measuring tape and it was nowhere near the 81 inches it was supposed to fill to. I was only at 66 inches. So, I kept pumping. I got it to 73 and I thought for sure it was going to burst! Nope. I got it to 77 inches and put the plug in and called it good. I didn't want to ruin my pretty ball. Then I decided it wouldn't be a true review unless I put it to its limits. So, I made my daughter leave the room just in case it exploded and killed us all. I removed the plug (they actually give you a tool to do this) and I kept pumping. I pumped until the circles lined up on the measuring tape at 81 inches. WHOA!!! How did it grow another 14 inches??? I was kind of nervous about sitting on it. How embarrassing would it be if I popped it? Nope. It held me just fine. And it has suffered tons of abuse ever since. My kids love to play with it. It has been pressed up against our rocky fireplace, thrown down the stairs, kicked, and sumo-smashed. It is way tougher than I thought it would be!

I also love this ball because they give you 2 plugs! My other balls only came with one each. If you lost the plug while it was deflated and being stored then you were screwed. As I mentioned before, it actually comes with a tool to remove the plug. It is super easy to do. No more gnawing at your ball or whipping out the butter knife and praying that you don't cut your ball. They also give you an instruction guide that directs proper inflation and deflation. And a manual of suggested exercises and proper form with recommend repetitions. Not to mention, the LIFETIME guarantee.

Ok, so I put together a short routine for you to try out. I am extremely out of shape right now, so my form kind of sucks so please forgive me. Plus, my house is a disaster zone. After two weeks of sickness it looks like we live in our own filth. I am so sorry. P.s ignore my lovely husband's Dr. Pepper. That is not mine. Just remember that you should hold your abs in tight and keep your back straight. Try to keep a straight line from the top of your head down then entire length of your spine. Try to point your toes as well and keep your legs straight. Good Luck!

Try to do each move 15x (reps)

And complete the workout 4x (sets)

I got my Peak Win Athletics Stability Ball off of Amazon. You can find it HERE.

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

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!

Battle Rope Burn Workout Routine

I have always wanted to try Battle Ropes. They always look so Bad-A. Now I know why - because they are. It's a simple piece of equipment, but it gives you a killer workout.

If you have knee issues and need to get some cardio in and you don't want to hit the pavement then these are a great alternative (if you're not combining lunges, squats, etc. into your routine). It will get your heart rate up in no time. Plus, it will give you the shoulders you've been dreaming about.

And did you know that there are tons of variations that you can do with ropes? Here is a good video I found that demonstrates how many different moves that you can do.

Ok, so I know that he makes it look easy, BUT IT'S NOT!

If you want a good video with names to each move so that you can reference them then I recommend this one-

And here is a link to a great free 9-minute workout video - Beginner Battle Rope Workout

I finally got some battle ropes for working out and I can't wait for the snow to melt! I don't have my dream at-home gym built yet, so I have to use mine outside. I tried taking them to the gym, but they said that we can't bring outside equipment. Lame!!! However, we did sneak in a short session before we got the boot. 

I got my ropes from Fitness Answered Training Products on Amazon. 

You can find them HERE.

I've also put together a short 10-minute routine that you can blast some calories with.

Battle Rope Burn

0:00 - 0:30 jog in place

0:30 - 1:00 Battle Rope Jumping Jacks

1:00 - 1:30 Push-ups

1:30 - 2:00 Squat and Double Wave with Battle Ropes

2:00 - 2:30 High Knees

2:30 - 3:00 Rainbows with Battle Ropes

3:00 - 3:30 Sit-ups

3:30 - 4:00 Battle Rope Alternating Arms with Side Shuffle

4:00 - 4:30 Butt-Kicks

4:30 - 5:00 Battle Rope Russian Twists

5:00 - 5:30 Wall Sit

5:30 - 6:00 Sidewinders with Battle Ropes

6:00 - 6:30 Skaters

6:30 - 7:00 Outward Circles with Battle Ropes

7:00 - 7:30 Plank

7:30 - 8:00 Stage Coach with Alternating Reverse Lunge

8:00 - 8:30 Mountain Climbers

8:30 - 9:00 Battle Rope Sidewinders with Forwards/Backwards Walk

9:00 - 9:30 Toe Touches

9:30 - 10:00 Battle Rope Rainbow with Lunge

Now take a DEEEEP breath. You're done. Go hydrate!

I received this product at a discount in exchange for an honest trial and review. You perform this workout routine at your own risk. I am not a licensed fitness professional.

Belephant Baby Wrap Sling Carrier

Since I became a mother of two I have not had the time to hit the gym. My arms are string beans now. The muscle has disappeared. I mean it has vanished. Poof! Gone. Both of my babies were at least 20 lbs by the 6 month mark. And both of them wanted to be held and cuddled 24/7. I try to my best to meet their needs and give them the attention they need, but my arms just can't do it. Most people that ask to hold my girls can barely make it 10 minutes before they are exhausted. I needed something that would take the weight off for me.

My sister gave me her Baby Bjorn to use with my girls. I like the Belephant way better! The Baby Bjorn always hurt my shoulders. This does not. Especially when you wear it correctly ( I wore it slightly wrong in my original pics. You're supposed to fan the material out over your shoulders.). I can wear the Belephant a lot longer than I can wear my Bjorn.

I even tried another brand's sling carrier, but the material was so slick that it would slide all over the place. It had a ring to cinch it tight, but the material was constantly sliding out and loosening itself. Plus, my baby would slide out of it. I had to keep one arm constantly supporting it. It was more of a hassle than it was a help. 

That is why I am in LOVE with the Belephant Baby Wrap Sling Carrier!

It stays put. I don't even have to double knot it. The material catches itself and holds your baby securely against you. No extra snaps, straps, hooks, rings, belts, or clips. It is so comfortable!!! The material is like a soft blanket. You feel like your swaddling your baby and yourself in  a warm hug.

This one carrier can actually replace a ton of items! You can leave the stroller at home and chase your toddler around the park while keeping your infant with you. You don't need to pack a shopping cart protector with you to the store. You can wear it on a short hike during the Spring and Fall months. I forgot my baby's blanket for her nap one day and I used her carrier instead to cover her. I've even used it as a nursing cover when I was desperate at the mall.

I mainly use mine at home however. I just don't get out much during the winter. My babies have both had colic and acid reflux and so the constantly want to be held and comforted. I love snuggling them, but it makes it impossible to get anything done around the house. This has been a lifesaver. I can now do dishes, laundry, sweep the floors, vacuum, and dust while holding my baby. She loves it because it feels like I am embracing her.

This baby carrier is completely hands-free! I don't have to use my hands to support her. I love it. And best of all, you can wear it three different ways. Your baby can be forward facing when they want to see the action. Or they can face you and have their arms out and free to move or all swaddled up.

The carrying case is convenient because this wrap is huge. It keeps it all nice and tidy so that you can store it in your car, purse, diaper bag, stroller, or wherever else life might take you. Plus, it's washable. You can clean it if you happen to get it dirty during your adventures.

If there is one baby product that I recommend to new Moms it is a good carrier. And this is a great one! This is definitely the best one I have ever used!

You can find them for your next Baby Shower on Amazon HERE.

Plus, you can shop with peace of mind because they offer a Lifetime Warranty!

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