Product Review: Mini Chocolate Fountain from TheLAShop.com

As you know, from time to time I get requests to review products and/or websites. So I'd like to introduce you to a site called TheLAShop.com.

Website: TheLAShop.com
The site design is very clean and they offer a variety of products, everything from party gear (disco balls, cotton candy machine) to home outdoor furniture. The LA Shop prices are very competitive and they offer free shipping within the U.S. and Canada. If you need assistance, there's an online chat and toll-free number.

Product: Mini Chocolate Fountain
My mini fountain arrived quickly and in pristine condition. It's a great little table-top chocolate fountain that would be ideal for holidays, small parties...or when the kids just want a chocolate fix.

The manual was easy to follow and there weren't many pieces, so set-up was a breeze. I was all ready to start melting chocolate until I realized you need 4 pounds of chocolate for the fountain to work properly. You also need special fondue chocolate, but the manual does provide guidance on how to make any chocolate work (add vegetable oil to make it a thinner consistency).

Unless you want to wait two hours, your best bet is to melt the chocolate in the microwave vs. letting the fountain do it. Once we had the chocolate melted, we poured it in and voila! We had a beautiful stream of glorious chocolate. The kids proceeded to put every morsel of food they could find in it. From marshmellows, to bananas, chocolate makes everything taste better.

Clean-up was pretty easy. The manual suggests throwing out the leftover chocolate in the garbage vs. clogging the plumbing. Considering how much chocolate was left, I put it in a container and stored it in the fridge for another day.

If you're looking for a fun way for you and the family to get a chocolate fix, this mini table-top chocolate fountain is it.

Disclaimer: Please note that this product was sent to me free of charge. That said, I always provide my honest feedback on any site or product I review -- good or bad.

Product Review: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

Have you check out CSN Stores yet? They have everything from appliances to bar stools.  I recently had the opportunity to review one of their products, a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker.

Ice cream -- whether you get it from the store or the ice cream man -- can be expensive. What better way to be green and frugal, than to make your own ice cream? Best of all this ice cream maker is snazzy enough to keep out on the counter. Unheard of, right?

As you may know, my husband is the cook in our house and loves to try out new gadgets. He quickly purchased everything you need for homemade strawberry ice cream -- strawberries, heavy cream, milk and sugar -- and within two hours we were eating some of the tastiet ice cream I've  ever had!! We adjusted the amount of sugar, but it didn't change the taste. It was delicious. Best of all, you just add all the ingredients, turn the ice cream maker on and you're done.

There's one piece that looks like a metal bucket that must be kept in the fridge for a few hours prior to making ice cream. (It's permanently in our freezer so that it's ready to go at any given time.) Aside from waiting for that bucket to get cold, making homemade ice cream was a cinch.

Here are the specs from CSNstore.com:

Includes:

•Ice cream maker
•Transparent lid
•Freezer bowl
•Mixing paddle
•Instruction/recipe book

Features:
•Double insulated freezer bowl holds up to 2 quarts of frozen dessert
•Brushed metal housing with embossed logo
•Fully automatic
•Heavy-duty motor makes frozen desserts or drinks in as little as 25 minutes
•Large ingredient spout for adding mix-ins

Specifications:
•Limited 3-year warranty
•Overall Dimensions: 11.25"H x 8"W x 8.25"D

I highly recommend the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker for some of the best-tasting ice cream you've ever had.

Do you make you're own ice cream? Any funky recipe flavors that you'd like to share?

Get Ready for a CSN Store Review

I'm very excited to do a review for CSN Stores! If you haven't heard about CSN Stores, they have over 200 different stores and more than one million items, including beautiful dining room tables, children's furniture and cookware. Best of all, they offer competitive pricing that you can't find on other retail online stores. Their goal is to become a household brand name. From what I can tell, they're well on their way!

Stay tuned for my upcoming review of a CSN Store item, which is a product that helps keep your homegrown herbs fresh. Since we're in the throes of gardening season, it's important to try and keep your fresh produce fresh.

Be sure to check back soon!

Product Review: Marcal Small Steps Paper Products

I've always been intrigued by Marcal's Small Steps products since they are recycled and environmentally conscious. So I was more than happy to review a variety of their paper products recently when they sent me some samples.

Right off the bat, I begin to read their packaging. I'm immediately impressed that their wrapper is recyclable (and they encourage you to recycle it). Marcal Small Steps products are made from paper, not trees. In face, they note if you "change just one regular roll to a Small Steps roll by Marcal, you could help save one million trees." Pretty impressive.

Plus, the products are hypoallergenic, virtually lint free and whitened without chlorine bleaching.

Paper Towels
First, I love any paper towel that lets you pick the size. Marcal calls it "U-SIZE-IT" and touts that it saves towels for less waste. The paper towels don't feel as soft or thick as other paper towels I've used (I usually buy whatever is on sale or whatever is cheapest. No brand loyalty here.) But these paper towels get the job done, from wiping up small spills to drying my hands after washing.

Tissues
I have to say that the tissues aren't as soft as some other brands (and you really need a soft tissue when you're wiping your nose). However, in terms of sturdiness, they're pretty good. I w

Toilet Paper
Now my husband and I constantly debate over toilet paper. He likes to buy what's on sale. I like some middle ground between the cheapest and the most expensive (i.e., something a little soft and somewhat thick). The Marcal recycled toilet paper is really thin, so you feel compelled to use more than normal. Anyway, a personal choice, but I prefer toilet paper with a little more substance.

Napkins
Love the napkins -- they're sturdy, absorbent and soft. I would definitely use these again. I was nervous that they would easily fall apart, but that wasn't the case at all.

Dinner Napkins
I'm saving the dinner napkin for a special occasion (i.e., when we have guests). They're really nice and thick, so I don't want my kids using them for their messes.
I'm definitely sold on the Marcal's Small Steps paper products. They're reasonably priced. I always seem to find a coupon and it makes you feel good to know that you're using recycled items. Keeping it green and frugal!

Have you used Marcal Small Steps? What do you think?

Disclaimer: Marcal provided me with these free paper products in order to review them.

Product Review: Pangea Organics Skincare Discovery Kit

By filling out a simple online form, I received a free sample of Pangea Organics Skincare Discovery Kit. Inside were three tiny samples of their facial cleanser, facial scrub and facial moisturizer.

In addition to coupons, I received a little brochure outlining all of Pangea's products. Their philosophy is that "the face has its own special skin, distinct from the rest of the body, and needs to be treated with care." How true! Pangea's "products are designed to create and maintain balance in your skin."

Facial Cleanser -- Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange
Felt silky smooth and had a very distinct smell, similar to eucalyptus or a relaxing spa.

Facial Scrub -- Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry
With just the right amount of gritty-ness. The scrub made my skin feel very soft and smooth.

Facial Cream -- Italian Red Mandarin with Rose
The final step was applying the moisturizer. The fragrance matched the cleanser and scrub, but was a bit overwhelming. The cream was easily absorbed and a small amount went a long way.

I felt refreshed and energized after using the three products. Best of all was the packaging. The box contains blue spruce tree seeds and can be planted. How great is that? Plus, the label is printed on 100% post-consumer paper with vegetable-based inks, so everything is recycled and recyclable.

Want to try Pangea Organics? Every Friday they give away a free product at http://bit.ly/pangeaFBallure.

Let me know if you try any of their products and what you think.

Product Review: Tom's Toothpaste & Deodorant

Another fabulous post brought to you by our friends at The Greenest Dollar...

Longtime readers of this blog know that I love Tom’s products. They’re eco-friendly, they work, and they don’t test on animals.

And when the company sent along samples of their newest toothpaste and deodorant lines, I was overjoyed. Tom’s has come out with a new “Sensitive” toothpaste line, and a new 24-hr long lasting deodorant.

What’s the skinny on these two new products? Well, here we go!

Tom’s Maximum Strength Sensitive Toothpaste

If you have sensitive teeth (and I do), this toothpaste will make you very happy. Tom’s has done a great job taking away the little zings that go along with regular brushing.

I tested two flavors: true mint and soothing mint.

I loved them both, but the soothing mint was my favorite. The flavor was really mellow, and I used the entire tube without growing tired of it.

The toothpaste itself lived up to its name. I had zero zingers with the Sensitive line, and I was really impressed by that. I give this line a double thumbs up. It rocked.

Tom’s 24-Hr Long Lasting Deodorant

Now, let me start out by saying that I love Tom’s deodorant. I’ve went through several brands before Tom’s, and can honestly say that none of them kept me from being stinky like Tom’s did. A uses Tom’s too (his favorite is the Apricot flavor) and he loves it just as much as I do.

That being said, I was a little disappointed in the 24-Hr line. Did it work? Yes. It worked just as well as the regular Tom’s Lavender deodorant I was using.

But, I didn’t notice any difference between the two. The Lavender stick I used is, I’d imagine, good for 12 hrs. The 24-Hr line didn’t last a full day, at least on me. It worked as long as the Lavender stick does.

If you’re truly looking for 24-Hr non-stinkiness, you might be disappointed here. But if you’re looking for another new scent to try, you’ll be just as happy with this new line as you would be with their regular deodorants. I don’t really need 24-Hr protection (it’s not like writers work up a big sweat), so the fact it didn’t last until midnight was no big deal. But that’s just me. Again, if you need heavy protection, this probably won’t work for you.

I tested two scents: the mountain spring and beautiful earth.

Both smelled really, really great. They were fresh, and slightly floral (but definitely not overwhelmingly so). I think the mountain spring was my favorite.

Last Word…

Although the 24-Hr stick didn’t quite live up to its 24-Hr claim, I still liked it. It worked; it just didn’t work all day.

And the toothpaste was a big hit.

Tom’s definitely still has my loyalty. I’ve always been happy with their products, and their commitment to the environment and to volunteerism has always gotten my respect. Was I happy with these two? You bet.

Follow-up Product Review: Green Goose Reusable Bags

I know that I already wrote a review on Green Goose reusable bags. But when I received a sample, I just had to write another review.

The bags are extremely well made and the packaging is a simple ribbon with care instructions.

Care instructions
Wipe clean with soap and water or machine wash cold, air-dry recommended. May also be placed in a dryer on low heat for 15 minutes.

While it's a small bag, there's plenty of room for a sandwich, chips or anything you'd normally used a disposable sandwich bag to store.

And who wouldn't love the cute little logo that's embroidered on each bag?

Visit www.greengoosebags.etsy.com to get your bag today. There are lots of cute patterns to choose from!

Product Review: Green Goose Reusable Bags

If you're following the "go green" trend, you know that there is a massive push to eliminate plastic shopping bags. But what about all of the other disposable, plastic bags that we use -- sandwich bags, freezer bags, etc?

That's where Green Goose Bags comes in. Not only are these bags reusable, they're downright adorable!

"I began making these bags several years ago after realizing how much unnecessary waste I was creating packing my kids lunches in plastic disposable bags. Green Goose Bags come in several different sizes and can be used for sandwiches, snacks, wet bags, storage, travel, kids crayons, diapers, you name it!"

Did you know that a single reusable bag could potentially save over 1,000 plastic bags from going into landfills, oceans and waterways (plastic bags can be very harmful to sea life.)? But now there's Green Goose Bags which offers an economical, stylish, sturdy, safe way to protect the environment. They're made with cotton canvas and lined with waterproof, stain-resistant nylon. Best of all, no PVC's!! After each use, just wipe the inside of the bag with a sponge or you can even wash them in the washing machine. Air-drying is recommended, but you can use the dryer if you're in a rush!) All Green Goose Bags are made-to-order by Melissa Wright, and she offers a 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

There are so many great uses. Just think of all the times you've used a plastic bag for a sandwich or a freezer bag. Neither one gets much wear or tear -- they're barely even dirty! Now there's an eco-friendly option!

*No PVC's
*Stylish, yet classic prints
*100% cotton exterior
*Signature "Green Goose" embroidered on each bag (how cute is that?)
*Stain-resistant, washable nylon interior
*Handmade to order with highest quality standards

So what are you waiting for? Order your Green Goose Bags today! Mother Earth will be glad you did! If you do place an order, I'd love to hear what you think.

Product Review: Reynolds 100% Recycled Foil

I'm a big fan of Reynolds products. So when I saw that they came out with a recycled version of their aluminum foil, I couldn't wait to try it out! Call me a green geek, but I wanted to see if there was a difference between the recycled version and their standard foil.

First of all, the box is made from recycled cardboard and water-based ink was used for the printing. The foil itself is very thick and sturdy. I actually think it's heavier than its normal foil.

The website has a very cool recipe widget and you can get a coupon for Reynolds Wrap 100% Recycled Foil. Plus, there's information on how to green your kitchen, FAQs, a sweepstakes and a Friends & Community area.

So I used the foil to cover up some leftovers. It's very sturdy, held its shape well and didn't get any food stuck to it. I have to say that I do like the recycled foil much better than the regular.

Get your coupon and try it today! Let me know how you like it.