Red Apple Lipstick Lip Gloss Review and Giveaway!

Wearing “Hot Mess” Mint 2 Be gloss from Red Apple Lipstick

It seems like spring has finally sprung here (knock on wood!) and what better way to kick it off than with a colorful new line of lip gloss from Red Apple Lipstick? Red Apple let me in on a sneak peak of the new Mint 2 Be Gluten-free lip glosses and after trying them out over the holiday weekend, I was instantly hooked. I love the silky feel of the gloss and it’s foolproof to apply, even for those it’s-a-red-light-time-to-finish-my-makeup-while-driving-t0-work types…not that I ever do that or anything.. The bright hues are amazing and the formula is not the least bit sticky–it really nourishes the lips.

I sampled the “Berried Treasure” and “Hot Mess” glosses, which have a fresh minty tingle, loads of vitamin C and E, and a flattering sparkly sheen. As always from Red Apple Lipstick, these glosses are safe and non-toxic, gluten-free, allergen-free, vegan, paraben free, and of course awesome. To learn more about why toxic free cosmetics are important, check out Mr. Jay Harper’s ebook, “Toxicity in Makeup – Silent Killings for a Profit”. Jay is the CEO and rocking visionary behind Red Apple Lipstick. I think we should all give Jay and his team a big thanks and round of applause for not only making us all feel a little more gluten-free gorgeous, but for also caring about our health in the process. Now for the Giveaway!!

Wearing “Berried Treasure” Mint 2 Be gloss from Red Apple Lipstick

I’m so excited to be hosting my first Give-away ever on the blog! Red Apple Lipstick will be sending one of the new Mint 2 Be lip glosses to a lucky winner on my blog! To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below letting me know which new Mint 2 Be gloss shown here is your favorite, by Friday at 2:00pm Eastern Time. One winner will be chosen at random from the comments below. Please only leave one comment per entry. All repeat comments will be counted only as one entry. Thank you and Good luck to all to enter!

Giveaway contest ends Friday, April 5th at 2pm Eastern Time!

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Friday

November 2012

Gluten-Free Beauty: Hugo Naturals

I’m really excited to talk about my latest find for gluten-free, soy-free beauty: Hugo Naturals. Until today, I’d never heard of the brand but am so delightfully surprised to find that their products are gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, cruelty free, and 100% natural. Most of you probably understand how difficult of a feat something like this can be to find. Surprisingly, I actually found this on a whim when I keyed “soy-free lip balm” into the google search bar, half expecting that nothing would come up. Not only does Hugo Naturals have safe lip balm, they have all natural deodorants, shampoo, conditioners, soaps, body butters, lotions, and more. The best part? I found them at my local Whole Foods on my lunch break at work! Hello happy winter skin!

For the record, this is my own opinion and I have not been compensated in any way for this review. I can’t wait to try all the products in Vanilla & Sweet Orange scent. Check out Hugo Naturals for gluten-free, soy-free body goodness!

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Wednesday

October 2012

Review: SOL Sunflower Beverage

Sunflowers are fascinating. Especially the ones that make me feel short standing next to their tall bright majesty. Okay, majesty might be a strong word. But it’s got to be a strong flower to hold up a head that’s often bigger than my own…

Recently I sampled a product from Sunrich Naturals: SoL Sunflower Beverage. I was pleasantly surprised by how much everyone here loved it. I received a sample of the Original flavor, which is like a sunflower seed milk. I usually prefer unsweetened beverages, so I was slightly disappointed that it contained added sugar. But the taste was nutty and honey like, and I couldn’t deny taking sip after sip. It’s so smooth and delicious.

While this product is free of the top 8 allergens and gluten, the information wasn’t fully listed on the actual product itself which I found surprising. Maybe it was just the sample product that I received, but I really think companies should go ahead and brag about being allergy friendly as much as possible. If it’s not listed, many food allergic folks will likely pass it by easily in the grocery store, especially if it has a long ingredient list. This is only my opinion. That being said, I did contact someone from the company who kindly let me know they take strong precautions to make sure allergens are not present in production, since they also make a soy based milk.

Some of the things I liked about SoL are the high content of Vitamins E, D, Calcium, and Phosphorus. Vitamin E is especially great for the largest organ in your body; your skin! It’s definitely a nice switch from different alternative milks and offers such a unique, tasty flavor. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for SoL at the supermarket next time I’m shopping and be watching how this company will expand it’s allergy friendly products.

{Note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. I received a free sample, but was under no obligation to write a positive review. My opinions are solely my own.}

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Tuesday

July 2012

Good Karma Flax Milk

Flax Milk….Before you came into my life I missed you so bad….Ok I seriously just went there, but I promise this product is worth it. And you might just love it so much that it makes you sing dumb songs you don’t even like. I can’t believe I haven’t discovered this wonderful soy free option sooner.

The newest addition to my dairy free milk alternative rotation: Good Karma Flax Milk. I can’t even express how much everyone in the house is loving this milk right now–even the unsweetened version which is the one I use most often. It has a smooth, rich taste that really rivals dairy milk, in my opinion more so than any other milk alternative I’ve tried. With a good bit of healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), Omega-3′s, and as much calcium as regular milk it’s really a fine replacement. It’s quickly becoming my new favorite go-to for dairy replacement in baking and a staple in the fridge.

The best part about this Flax Milk is that it’s clearly labeled Soy free, Gluten free, Dairy free, Vegan, and Allergen free to boot! This is also great product for those who suffer from tree nut allergies and can’t consume almond milk. So go out, buy, drink, savor, slurp, and rock that Flax Milk mustache! (This is my honest opinion and I’ve not been compensated).

To read more on the health benefits of Flaxseeds, see here.

What’s your favorite dairy free milk alternative?

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Tuesday

July 2012

Maintaining a Healthy Weight with Protein Shakes: Gluten-free, Allergen-free

Whether you’re looking to put on a few pounds (like me) or you’re getting rid of a few, protein shakes can be beneficial in both circumstances. Being allergic to gluten and a few of the top 8 allergens definitely makes finding a good protein powder challenging though. Usually they’re made from soy, whey (dairy) or have a combination of other allergens present in the ingredients. I’m so glad to have found a safe alternative: Jarrow Formulas Brown Rice Protein Powder.

Most rice is usually considered non-allergenic, and when you combine this with the allergen statement from the Jarrow Formulas webpage, you get a wicked awesome product that suits a lot of food allergic folk. Here’s the statement:

No wheat, no gluten, no soybeans, no dairy, no egg, no fish/shellfish, no peanuts/tree nuts.

In addition, the website states that this product is fine for vegetarians and vegans alike. I plan to look into other Jarrow Formulas products in the near future since I now know they have an extensive food allergen labeling system going on.

TIPS:

Gaining Weight with Protein shakes: Sometimes being allergic to many foods can make it hard to increase your BMI to a normal level. Try mixing the chocolate, vanilla, or mixed berry flavors of the powder with some good quality coconut milk (I use SO Delicious Sugar Free Vanilla) and add these shakes into your regular diet. Don’t use them as meal replacements, but rather to supplement and add extra calories and healthy protein. This is the route I’m taking right now.
Losing Weight: Instead of adding sugary or fatty snacks to your mid-afternoon, try whipping up a protein shake instead. It will fill you up and make you feel full longer. When you binge on sugar laden foods, you get an instantaneous boost, but it doesn’t last. You’ll end up crashing, then eating more to keep your energy levels up. Adding a protein shake instead will help break the cycle.

(Disclaimer: As I always like to note, I am not a medical professional and this should not be regarded as medical advice. Talk with your health professional to determine the best diet/health regimine for you).

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