Friday, April 28, 2017

PACT Organic Clothing Review


 
Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you PACT Organic Clothing! PACT Organic makes really soft clothing that is better for both people and the planet. PACT Organic uses organic farming practices that don't pollute the water or soil. The company also partners with organizations that protect the well-being of the people who make the clothing. PACT Organic makes clothing for women, men and for baby. :)
 

All of PACT's clothing is super soft and are made with organic cotton which gives you just enough stretch for the perfect fit. Organic cotton is better. Cotton does not pollute the soil or air and it uses less water and less energy than conventional cotton. PACT does not use any toxic chemicals when growing their organic cotton. Which keeps our families safe by not exposing them to harsh chemicals. PACT Organic clothing is Global Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, Organic Content Standard ( OCS) certified and Fair Trade Certified.

 Underwear $22.99
 
 Men's Boxer Briefs $28.99 for 2 pairs
 
 Crew Socks $12.99 for 2 pairs
 
 Hoodie $48.99
 
Leggings $29.99
 
Washing Instructions:

Wash PACT Organic Clothing in cold water. Hang to dry- This saves energy and will ensure a longest life possible for your clothing. However, PACT's clothing can all be safety washed in warm water and tumble dried.

My Thoughts

PACT was nice enough to send me a whole entire wardrobe to try and let me tell ya.. I was super excited! I couldn't wait to slip into my new PACT Organic Clothing. I am amazed by how soft their clothing is! They even sent some underwear for the hubs. And for the record, he loves his new boxer briefs. When asked by someone what my favorite product is from PACT, I couldn't pick just one! I am truly in love with every single piece that I received. I love how the leggings fit. The stretch just enough to hug my curves. The leggings are really soft and 100% better than Lularoe. I always have to wear a camisole under my shirt. I love PACT's because its a shelf bra. So it gives me a little more coverage. The socks are super cozy. They keep my chilly feet warm. The hoodie is of course super soft and its great for chilly summer nights. Fits me snug. I love the lounge bra because its nice for when I have overnight guests. I don't have to wear my uncomfortable bra, I can wear my PACT lounge bra and have coverage and be comfortable. The organic cotton is high quality and the clothing washes nice. I haven't had any trouble with pilling, shrinking or fading. After several washes, my PACT clothing looks brand new! The material is thick and made to last. PACT Clothing is worth every penny! I highly recommend! (I will have a photo up of me wearing the clothes shortly..) :)

The leggings are the BEST!
 
Want to try PACT Organic Clothing?? Use my discount code SamplingBee25 and save 25% off your ENTIRE order! Visit PACT Organic Clothing to order.

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.
 


 
Thursday, April 27, 2017

Vermont Smoke & Cure Meat Sticks Review and GIVEAWAY!


 
Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you Vermont Smoke & Cure Meat Sticks! Vermont Smoke & Cure has been crafting delicious smoked meats(bacon!!) and meat snacks since 1962. These meat sticks are made in small batches and are proudly made in Vermont. Their recipes have changed minimally in the 50+ years that they have been making their products. Vermont Smoke & Cure's method is to keep things simple, local and flavorful. I got to sample 3 of their meat stick flavors: Spicy Italian, Cracked Pepper and Ancho Pepper.

 
Vermont Smoke & Cure uses responsibly sourced meats and local ingredients like maple syrup, apple cider and spices to make their meat sticks. Their meat sticks are made from certified humanely raised meats. The meats do not contain any MSG, eggs, fish or shellfish, gluten and no tree nuts or peanuts. Each and every bite of Vermont Smoke & Cure's Meat Sticks are full of robust flavors including smoke, cider, maple, salt and pure meat. As a company, they believe in Better Meat for All®.


Vermont Smoke & Cure also offers bacon, ham and sausage. They smoke using ground corn cobs and maple wood shavings. They never use any liquid or artificial smoke. The traditional smoke sources are from Vermont. The meats are all hand trimmed and grinded on-site. The uncured items use natural preservatives to ensure food safety. In the Sticks and Summer Sausage, instead of just adding acids, they ferment to lower pH the old-school way for the best flavor.



My Thoughts

I love the fact that Vermont Smoke & Cure's pork, beef and chicken is raised without antibiotics. Nowadays, everything we consume is full of yucky stuff. So, it's nice to know that I can feel good about feeding these meat sticks to my family. With that said, my family LOVES them. Including my 2 year old son. Vermont Smoke & Cure's Meat Sticks are great! They're very flavorful and not overly salty. I can taste the unique difference between the 3 flavors of meat sticks. But, my favorite is the Spicy Italian. The meat sticks aren't hard to bite or chew. They meat is tender and moist. A great snack for road trips, school lunches and mid-day snacks. I love eating Vermont Smoke & Cure's Meat Sticks with cheese and crackers. I just cut up the meat sticks into small chunks! I cannot wait to try their bacon, sausage and ham! I highly recommend Vermont Smoke & Cure products!

I received free products in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Always!

Visit http://www.vermontsmokeandcure.com for more information. SHOP

GIVEAWAY!!
 
Enter to win 24 Vermont Smoke & Cure Meat Sticks! One winner will win 8 sticks of each flavor(spicy Italian, cracked pepper, ancho pepper) US only! Enter below :)
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Umpqua Oats Oatmeal Review


 
Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you delicious oatmeal from Umpqua Oats! Umpqua Oats was launched in Roseburg, OR in 2008 by two moms who were craving a delicious alternative to typical instant oatmeal packets. Their super premium oatmeal is a satisfying, on-the-go breakfast choice for people who crave a hearty, delicious and creative meal to start their day!


Umpqua Oats are custom milled and made with unbleached rolled oats that have a rich, nutty flavor. Their oatmeal contains all-natural nuts and fruits. Umpqua Oats are never mushy. They have a lightly "chewier" texture. Umpqua Oats contain NO fillers, preservatives or artificial flavors. Their oatmeal contains ancient grains and are lightly sweetened.


These high quality oats are available in cups as well as packets. Every cup of Umpqua Oats is loaded with high quality Mix-ins. The Cups come in 8 yummy flavors: Fruit & Nut, Apple Cranberry Cinnamon, Maple Pecan, Triple Berry, Vanilla Almond Crunch, Salted Caramel, Apple Walnut and Blueberry Apple. Their packets of oatmeal come in 3 yummy flavors: Fruit & Nut Fusion, Apple Cranberry Crisp and Maple Pecan Harvest. Umpqua Oats are proudly made in the USA.

Pictured: Insane Grains Maple Pecan Harvest Oatmeal
 
My Thoughts

Umpqua Oats are filling, delicious and satisfying. I love the flavor combinations that they put into each of their oatmeal recipes. An awesome mixture of fruits, nut and spices. I love both the cups of oatmeal and the packets. The cups are great for breakfasts on-the-go or for a healthy packed lunch. Their bigger, thicker oats keep our bellies happy and full. I love to add a banana or some fresh fruit to the top of my packet of oatmeal. Preparation is easy. Just add water and microwave. It's best to follow the preparation instructions either on the box or on the individual cups. Umpqua Oats are great! An oatmeal that my family enjoys. :)

I received Umpqua Oats in exchange for my honest review. All opinions written here are my own.

~Melissa~
 
Saturday, April 22, 2017

April Degusta Box USA Review

 
Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you April's Degusta Box! Each month, Degusta Box USA will send you 10-15 full-sized products each month. All of with will be a surprise! You won't know what you are getting until you open up your box! So, subscribe today for ONLY $19.99 a month!
 
So.... what's inside April's box??
 

Nando's Peri-peri sauce is made from African Bird's Eye Chili and a blend of ingredients- onions, sun-ripened lemons, garlic and spices. A sauce that's full of flavor! $5.99


Chiridos air-puffed snack chips come in 3 healthful flavors that are inspired by traditional dishes in Mexico. These chips are low in fat, high in iron and fortified with eco-friendly cricket protein. $1.49/each.

Lovely Candy Original Chewy Caramels will take you back to the nostalgic days of mom and pop candy shops. These all-natural caramels are made with real butter, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and molasses. Made with NO artificial colors or flavors and no high fructose corn syrup. Just pure and simple ingredients. $2.49



Wild Planet USDA certified organic free range chicken breast, roasted right in the can without added water or fillers. Moist and flavorful, Wild Planet roasted chicken is perfect for salads, burritos and soups. Super easy, quick and versatile! $4.99


PR Bars are certified gluten-free and packed with the perfect blend of carbs and vitamins to boost energy and endurance. PR Bars are fuel to keep you Performance Ready. Made in the USA. $2.07


Bush's Hummus Made Easy and Garbanzo Beans combined make the perfect homemade hummus. These 2 items can be found in the bean aisle of your local grocer. $1.00/Beans, $2.29/Hummus Made Easy.


Mutti is made with 100% Italian tomatoes. This concentrate is a great way to bring flavor, texture and color to your meals. In the upcoming months, there will be more awesome products from Mutti in the Degusta Boxes! $2.99


Better Oats are premium steel cut oats with the added convenience of instant oats. Enjoy a bowl of warm, maple and brown sugar oatmeal. $3.99


Wilton quick and fun Candy Drizzle Pouches make it easy to decorate drizzle treats. Conveniently melt candy right in the package, snip the corner and drizzle away. Add drizzle to popcorn, pretzels, cupcakes or fresh fruit. Available in chocolate flavors, too! $1.99


Skinnygirl Peach Bellini Green Tea k-cups are unique and refreshing. This revitalizing green tea is infused with the sparkling sweetness of ripe juicy peaches. All natural ingredients and sweetened with a touch of stevia-zero calories. Enjoy hot or pour over ice! $4.99

*April's box also contained Café Bustelo Espresso Instant Coffee. Depending on your profile preferences, you'd either get Skinnygirl Tea or the Café Bustelo.
**There were also a few bonus items in this month's box for reviewers.


My Thoughts

For $19.99 a month, you can't go wrong. This monthly subscription box is totally worth the price and the items inside exceed the cost of the box itself. April's items totaled $34.28(that's not including the CafĂ© Bustelo)! I love getting Degusta Box each month because I get to try new products- like the Chiridos chips that are made with cricket flour or the Better Oats that are delish! My favorite item this month?? Everything! :)  Each box also includes recipes and coupons. This is a subscription box that I highly recommend. SUBSCRIBE today!

I received Degusta Box USA in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Always!

For more information, visit https://www.degustabox.com/us/. $19.99/month
 
~Melissa~

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Pacific Gold Beef Jerky Review



 
Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you Pacific Gold Beef Jerky! Pacific Gold marinates their USDA certified cuts of steak in marinade for over 24 hours. Adding a variety of spices and seasonings to leave their jerky with a smoky flavor. The meat is then slow cooked for a tender bite. Their jerky is made with thoughtfully sourced authentic ingredients. Ingredients that's are gourmet and deliver awesome taste. All of their jerky products are made in the USA from U.S. or imported beef.


Pacific Gold's Jerky does not contain any artificial ingredients, high fructose corn syrup or preservatives. Pacific Gold's mission states, " When it comes to quality and flavor, we don't just want our jerky to be good. we want it to be as good as it gets." Pacific Gold's Jerky comes in 5 amazing flavors: 

Bourbon Glazed
Charred oak barrel-aged Kentucky bourbon hand-blended spices. Ingredients: beef, brown sugar, water, bourbon, salt, sugar, spices and natural flavorings- maple syrup concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate, soy sauce & lemon juice concentrate. This flavor contains soy and wheat. 70 calories per serving, 7 grams of sugar, 250mg of sodium.

Sweet Korean BBQ Recipe
Slow roasted pork, brown sugar, tamari soy sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Sweet & Savory. Ingredients: pork, sugar, brown sugar, water, tamari soy sauce, salt, spices & natural flavorings, sesame seeds and sesame seed oil. This flavor contains soy & sesame. 90 calories per serving, 9 grams od sugar, 260mg of sodium.
 
Japanese Style Teriyaki
 Marinated premium cuts of steak in a delicious blend of soy, pineapple and ginger. Creating a rich, authentic teriyaki taste. Ingredients: beef, water, brown sugar, soy sauce, sugar, agave syrup, pineapple juice concentrate, spices and natural flavorings, honey, ginger juice, garlic juice and sea salt. This flavor contains soy and wheat. 70 calories per serving, 7 grams of sugar, 135mg of sodium.
 
Texas Steakhouse Recipe
Paired with a wonderful blend of hardwood smoke, savory and salty notes, garlic, onion and paprika. Ingredients: beef, brown sugar, sugar, water, salt, beef stock, spices and natural flavorings, natural smoke flavor, soy sauce and paprika. This flavor contains soy and wheat. 70 calories per serving 6 grams of sugar, 470mg of sodium. 

Carne Asada
 Crafted to evoke the timeless cast iron-seared flavor. Paired with jalapenos and red peppers. Ingredients: beef, sugar, brown sugar, water, beef stock, salt, spices and natural flavorings & natural smoke flavor. 13g of protein, 420mg of sodium, 0g saturated fat, 80 calories per serving.

Left to right: Sweet Korean BBQ, Japanese Style Teriyaki, Carne Asada, Texas Steakhouse & Bourbon Glazed.
 
Pictured: Texas Steakhouse Recipe
 
My Thoughts

I love Pacific Gold's Jerky not only for their flavors, but because of the sodium content in each serving. The sodium content is way lower than some of the other jerky brands that I have tried. Each 3 ounce bag of Pacific Gold Jerky contains 3 servings so there is plenty to share. Pacific Gold's flavors are amazing. I especially like their Teriyaki and Texas Steakhouse flavors. I love how their jerky is all natural and does not contain any yucky additives or artificial flavors. Everything that Pacific Gold uses to make their jerky is only the best. The texture of their jerky is perfect. Not too tough and not too moist. Pretty perfect, if you ask me! I highly recommend Pacific Gold's Jerky. Which flavor would you like to try??

For more information and to find out where to buy Pacific Gold Jerky, visit https://pacificgoldsnacks.com. BUY now!

I received free product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Always!

~Melissa~
Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Sunridge Farms™ Products Review

 
 
 
Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you yummy products from Sunridge Farms™!
Sunridge Farms'™ foods are all natural and organic. Their mission is to provide the healthiest products to their customers by producing foods without highly processed or refined ingredients. Sunridge Farms uses only non-GMO ingredients. They are committed to supporting organic farming as well as supporting our planet. Sunridge Farms™ has been in business for over 30 years and is a family-owned business. Over the years, the SunRidge Farms™ name has become one of the most widely recognized and trusted names for organic and all natural nuts & seeds, dried fruit, candies, and snacks & trail mixes.




Sunridge Farms™ has hundreds of products. Their product line includes items such as candies, flour, baking goods, trail mixes, dried fruit, pastas, sweeteners, etc. Just to name a few. :) Each and every one of their nut products is free of additives, artificial flavors, and preservatives. The certified organic and natural cranberries, apricots, mango, pineapple, papaya, crystallized ginger, raisins, and more offer the natural sweetness that only Mother Nature can provide. And, SunRidge Farms’™ tropical fruits are guaranteed to have no added sulphites, and do not contain hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

 Heavenly Cranberry Crunch
 
 Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Malt Balls
 
Milk Chocolate Pecan Caramels

My Thoughts

I never knew that Sunridge Farms™ carries so many awesome products! I got to sample their Milk Chocolate Pecan Turtles, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Malt Balls, Heavenly Cranberry Crunch Trail Mix, Chile Lime Cashews, Pumpkin Seeds, Cashews, Caramel Toffee Nut Crunch, Supreme Fruit & Nut Mix, Berries & Chocolate Antioxidant Mix, Maple Pistachio Coconut Cranberry Crunch, Peanut Butter Mini Cups and Dark Chocolate Almonds.

I love taking their trail mixes on road trips! Their trail mixes contain so many healthy ingredients. Perfect for hiking and camping, too. May favorite trail mix is the Caramel Toffee Nut Crunch! Sunridge Farms™ has many different trail mixes available. There is a trail mix for everyone!

Sunridge Farms'™ cashews and pumpkin seeds are great! I like them because they have the perfect amount of salt. The Chile Lime Cashews are to die for! Yum!

Sunridge Farms'™ Peanut Butter Mini Cups are perfect for baking. They're small and can easily be baked into a banana bread or muffins. The Dark Chocolate Almonds are great for snacking on. Pecan Turtles are my favorite and the Peanut Butter Malt Balls?? OMG! Amazing!

All-in-all, Sunridge Farms™ has amazing products. The nuts are great, the fruits are great and the chocolates are great. I can definitely say that they are committed to making good, healthy products for their consumers. I highly recommend Sunridge Farms™. Out of all of the products that I got to try, my favorite is the Caramel Toffee Nut Crunch.

For more information, visit https://sunridgefarms.com/. Sunridge Farms' products can be found, in bulk, at your local health food store(s).

I received Sunridge Farms™ products in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Always!

~Melissa~
Monday, April 10, 2017

Ringling Bros. at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD + Ticket GIVEAWAY!


 
Prepare to see the most extraordinary performers and exotic animals one last time when the ultimate circus spectacle Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Out Of This WorldTM comes to the Baltimore, MD area. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Out Of This WorldTM features an immersive circus experience that takes families to space to witness incredible acrobatic performances on different planets. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Out Of This WorldTM is coming to the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore from April 20 – 30.


In Out Of This World, audiences will be riveted by an interactive, action-packed storyline filled with space-age family fun and technology, which deepens their connection to the performers. Through the lens of a magic telescope capable of discovering the most spectacular circus stars in the galaxy, they will join the Circus Space Fleet on a heroic mission of good versus evil to bring performers back to Earth, traveling to interstellar worlds of sand, water, fire and ice.

For the first time, the show features thrill skaters in addition to unbelievable performances by gravity-defying acrobats, majestic animals and hilarious clowns. Imaginations will run wild throughout the nonstop display of artistic athleticism, with acts seamlessly transitioning from floor to air to ice, a feat never before done in Ringling Bros.

Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, via www.ticketmaster.com, and the Royal Farms box office. For group rates and information, call the Royal Farms Arena Group Sales department at 410-347-2006.
 

Performance Schedule:

  • Thursday, April 20 | 7:30 PM
  • Friday, April 21 | 10:30 AM, 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, April 22 | 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, April 23 | 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
  • Thursday, April 27 | 7:30 PM
  • Friday, April 28 | 10:30 AM, 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, April 29 | 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, April 30 | 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
Royal Farms Arena
201 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
 GIVEAWAY
 
Enter to win 4 tickets to the Thursday, April 20th showing at 7:30pm. Tickets are for this venue and showing only. One winner will be chosen and contacted via email. Good Luck!
 
Friday, April 7, 2017

Legoland Discovery Philadelphia + Ticket GIVEAWAY


 
 
 
Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you our visit to LEGOLAND Discovery at the Plymouth Meeting Mall in Philadelphia! I was very fortunate to attend their press preview on March 31, 2017. LEGOLAND and we got to be one of the first families to look at all of the attractions. LEGOLAND Discovery Philadelphia is an awesome facility that is going to make Lego lovers very happy!

The 33,000 square foot Discovery Center officially opened its doors to the public on April 6, 2017 at 11:00am. The facility has 10 Lego Play Zones including:

Imagination Express: An interactive LEGO ride that takes visitors on an adventure that starts at the Brick Station and goes from a soapy bath all the way to outer space.

LEGO 4D Cinema: Guests will be on the edge of their seats as an incredible action adventure unfolds in 3-D before their very eyes. The film comes to life in the fourth dimensions as flurries of wind, rain, lightning and even snow burst in the auditorium!

LEGO Racers- Build & Test: Let your imagination take over as you build your vehicle and take it to the ramps. Test your car and see how you can make it go faster! Once you have built the ultimate race car, time its speed on the test track.

LEGO® NINJAGO Training Camp: Train through interactive build challenge activities to improve your flexibility, agility, ingenuity and LEGO brick building skills to help protect NINJAGO from its marauding enemies. Complete your training in the NINJAGO Laser Maze.

Pirate Adventure Island: Go on a swashbuckling quest in the soft play area aboard a LEGO-themed pirate ship. Adventure through whimsical scenarios as you climb the rigging, walk the plank and capture the flag. Then, escape down the slide to make it ashore to the island's castle.

LEGO® Friends: Tell a story with Andrea, Mia, Olivia, Stephanie and Emma as you add your own creations to the colorful LEGO® Heartlake City.

Earthquake Tables: Visitors can build their own LEGO skyscrapers and see if their creation can survive the shaking earthquake-stimulating tables.

DUPLO® Park: Little builders can let their imagination loose in the DUPLO® Park. Build a colorful farmer's garden, climb up a small hill and slide down the other side or play on the special big, soft bricks.

MINILAND®: See iconic Philadelphia landmarks recreated from nearly 1.5 million LEGO bricks.

 

The brand new LEGOLAND Discovery Center also holds 25 minute workshops that are lead by experienced LEGO builders. There is also a café where you and your family can enjoy a quick snack or meal. Looking for a place to have your child's birthday party? Book their party at LEGOLAND Discovery Philadelphia in one of their party rooms!

Pictured: Girl's party room
 
Visit the Discovery Center's website HERE to purchase single-day admission passes, birthday party packages and annual packages.
Pictured: Michael Taylor; Store Manager
 

Our Visit

My family and I had such an awesome experience at the press preview for LEGOLAND Discovery! Walking into the Plymouth Meeting Mall in Philadelphia and seeing the bright LEGOLAND Discovery building was the best! My sons both ran straight for the entrance. After our welcome, and photos, the doors opened! We were one of the first families to ride on the  Imagination Express Train! It was so fun to ride an interactive Lego ride. My boys loved the ride. Next, we headed further into the discovery center and my boys ran right to the LEGO Racers- Build & Test area. This is where we spent the majority of our visit. The boys made their own race cars and they enjoyed racing down the slide alongside them. I had to tug them to different parts of the discovery center. :) We got to play with the giant rubber Lego bricks, which my youngest son loved! We also got to experience MINILAND. MINILAND is an awesome display of Philadelphia Landmarks including Independence Hall, Logan Square, Boathouse Row, City Hall, Citizens Bank Park, etc. And if you stay at this attraction for long enough(which you will because there is SO much to look at) the room goes dark and all of the buildings light up. There is even a little firework show! After hours of fun, these 3 attractions are our favorites. Every square inch of the center is covered in Lego themes! We had an the best time and we are looking forward to visiting again soon. We stopped at the Lego store, too!




We got to meet Bert the giant Lego figurine!
 
A HUGE thank you to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia and Merlin Entertainment for allowing my family and I to enjoy this event! We had the best time! :)

Visit https://philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/whats-inside/ for more information and to buy tickets! Tickets: $19- $59.

Plymouth Meeting Mall
500 W. Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

 
GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away two(2) packs of four(4) tickets to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia! I will choose two winners on April 21, 2017. Winners will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond. Tickets expire December 31, 2017. US only. Good luck!