Flavor Your Life Campaign with Zucchi's Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Review

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you Flavor of Life Campaign with Zucchi's Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Flavor of Life Campaign aims to educate North American consumers about authentic extra virgin olive oil from Europe. With funding from the European Union, the Italian government, and a consortium of European Extra Virgin Olive Oil producers, Flavor of Life is debunking misconceptions while empowering consumers. The campaign was designed to educate US consumers so that we can make informed decisions when purchasing Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from the drupe of the Olea europaea, or European olive. EVOO is made by pressing without heat or chemicals. EVOO is free of acidity. This is to assure quality rather than taste. Overly processed and rancid oils contain higher levels of oleic acid. Experts also test for taste defects and for the presence of positive attributes of fruitiness, bitterness and spiciness. If an oil does not have the correct amount of fruitiness or harmonious balance, it does not receive an Extra Virgin rating.

Olive Oil can be used for sautéing, deep frying and baking. It has a high smoke point of 400 degrees. Between uses, store the oil in a dark and cool place. It is advised not to keep it on the counter top near a stove or in the refrigerator. Keep the oil around 57 degrees, if possible. Screw the lid on tightly and use the oil within 6 months, or within 18 months of purchasing.

Visit flavor-your-life.com for more information.

My Thoughts

This is a great campaign. I am so for educating people on the importance of watching what they put into their bodies. I have always heard that Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a lot healthier for you than a vegetable oil. EVOO has some good benefits including: lowering cholesterol because its rich in monounsaturated fats. I love using an extra virgin olive oil when cooking and I use one on a daily basis. So, I was excited to try Zucchi's EVOO. I used Zucchi's to sauté some veggies and fish. As well as to make a homemade salad dressing. The fruitiness of Zucchi's is great. I have never tasted a EVOO quite like Zucchi's. The uses for an EVOO are endless. I highly recommend that your read more on the Flavor of Life campaign as well as try Zucchi's Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

I received this product for free from Momsmeet.com to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page my contain affiliate links.

~Melissa~

June's Degusta Box USA Review

 

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you Degusta Box USA- June's Box. This month, Degusta Box USA is celebrating its 1 year anniversary! I have been blessed to be able to review their boxes for them since their launch. I truly love Degusta Box USA. A box that's full of snacks, drinks and other food goodies, sign me up! Receive 9-14 full-sized products each month for only $19.99!

So, what's in June's Box??...

Nativas Naturals snack bars are full of wholesome ingredients from ancient super foods.Each bar is crafted in small batches using only certified organic, plant-based and minimally processed ingredients. My box included the Maca flavor. $2.29

Sir Kensington's Ketchup is made from delicious ripe tomatoes and a blend of tasty seasonings. This is the only ketchup available that has tomatoes as the first ingredient. Sir Kensington's Ketchup has less salt, less sugar and non-GMO ingredients. $2.00

Briannas newest dressing is Creamy Cilantro Lime. It's the perfect kick to any recipe. This dressing is fresh, creamy and zesty. Great for summer salads or tropical dips. $3.99

Bibigo's Go-Chu-Jang Barbeque Sauce is bold, smoky and spicy all in one. Add a flavorful kick to ribs, steak, kebabs or chicken. Just brush on while grilling. $4.99

Ritz Deliciously thin and crispy chips are oven baked to perfection. They contain 50% less fat per serving than the leading regular fried potato chips. $1.29 each

Entenmann's Mini Apple Pie Snack pies are perfectly portioned and individually wrapped and can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. Filled with chunks of apples and a light glaze. $4.69

Hodgson Mills Gluten-free Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix contains orchard-ripened dried apples, cinnamon and a wholesome blend of whole grain flours including, sorghum, millet and brown rice. This is a healthy mix that your whole family will enjoy. Muffins can be sweetened to taste-use sugar honey, syrup or your favorite sweetener. Use to mix to make pancakes, too! $4.49

PopCorners Salt of the Earth Bean Crisps are made with real beans and corn. Cooked with sunflower oil and then topped with a pinch of salt. This is a delicious snack that you can feel good about eating. No gluten, saturated or trans fats. Contains 4 grams of protein. $3.29

Brooklyn Organics USDA organic-certified sodas are gently sweetened with plant-based Stevia. Enjoy this fizzy drink without having to worry about calories and artificial ingredients. $2.00

Julian's Recipe Waffle Thins are available in both sweet & savory flavors: Meyer Lemon with Quinoa, Vanilla, Aged Cheddar & Parmesan and Asiago and Rosemary & Olive Oil. These crispy waffle thins are bite-sized and perfect for snacking. $3.99

Viter Energy Mints are breath mints that contain 40mg of caffeine and B-vitamins in each mint. They're on-demand energy & fresh breath in a pocket-sized tin. (sample size)

My Thoughts

I know I probably say this every month, but this is my favorite box thus far. This month's box contained so many snacks! Being a mom with two boys, I am always looking for healthy snacks to take with us on the go. With that said, my boys, who are 5 and 2 1/2 loved this month's Degusta Box! They not only loved the goodies inside, but they loved the box itself! They turned the box into a car and had me drive them around the kitchen.

Degusta Box is full with all kinds of goodies. We really enjoyed the Ritz Thins, Waffle Thins and the Entenmann's Apple Pies. Sir Kensington's Ketchup is the best ketchup! I love to dip my French fries in it. I have yet to try the Apple Cinnamon Muffins but I look forward to making them soon. Bibigo's BBQ Sauce is great, too! It definitely has a smoky flavor and its great on ribs. All-in-all, I highly recommend Degusta Box USA. This subscription box is worth every penny! What product, in this month's box, are you excited to try??

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

 

SUBSCRIBE || $19.99/month

 

~Melissa~

Nellie's All-Natural Cleaning Products Review

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you Nellie's All Natural Cleaning products! Nellie's All Natural products are biodegradable, non toxic, hypoallergenic, gluten free, chlorine free, non-GMO, free from Phosphates, dyes, SLS, SLES, Parabens, Formaldehyde Free and Ammonia free. Nellie's has a wide variety of products such as: dryer balls, stain removing sticks, laundry soda, bathroom cleaners, soaps, kitchen cleaners and dishwashing tabs. Their products are never tested on animals.

Nellie's All Natural products provide more than an exceptional clean. They help our families go green by not putting any toxins or chemicals into their products. Thoroughly clean and soften your clothing without leaving a residue that can absorb into your skin. Nellie's has you covered for all of your laundry and cleaning needs! Let's keep our families and the environment safe!

Nellie's Lamby Wool Dryer Balls- Throw all 4 dryer balls into your dryer to reduce drying time. These dryer balls are made from 100% pure New Zealand wool. Dryer balls also reduce wrinkles and softens fabrics. The dryer balls come in a reusable tin that can be also used as a piggy bank. I love this idea because there is always loose change in my washing machine! $30 for 4

Nellie's Laundry Soda- A laundry soda that is perfect for every household. The highly concentrated formula dissolves quickly in cold and hot water. Rinses completely and does not leave a residue. FREE FROM: SLS, SLES, gluten, phosphates, fragrance and chlorine. Use one tablespoon of laundry soda per load. Nellie's Laundry Soda is safe to use in HE front loading machines as well as in standard washing machines. $21 for 3.3lbs.

Nellie's WOW Stick Stain Remover- Derived from natural ingredients that do not contain any dyes or synthetic fragrances. WOW Sticks contain lemongrass and sweet orange oils which work well together to remove stains as well as leave your laundry smelling good! $9


My Thoughts

Nellie's All Natural products are wonderful. The Laundry Soda is my absolute favorite. It works well on removing odors and stains on our clothing. The Laundry Soda dissolves completely in my washer and it does not leave any residue on our clothing. I love its light scent. The WOW Stick works wonders on any stains. Grass stain, cooking oil, blood, wine, etc. A quick scrub on the stain, then just throw the clothing item into the washer. Clothing comes out the dryer stain-free! I have been using dryer balls for 2 years now and I can't believe how much they cut down on drying time in the dryer.  Nellie's Dryer Balls leave my clothing softer and wrinkle-free. I love how the dryer ball container is also a piggy bank. Because, we all know that there is always loose change in the washing machine! Nellie's products are great. I highly recommend!

I received Nellie's All Natural Products in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Always!

 

~Melissa~

Garden Lites Carrot Berry Muffin Review + GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you Garden Lites Carrot Berry Muffins. Garden Lites mission is to create delicious foods that are truly healthy for all of us. Every Garden Lites product contains vegetables. They offer foods made with simple and clean ingredients. Garden Lites is bringing solutions that meet the next stage in the ever evolving consumer definition of healthy food – delicious veggie-rich foods. Giveaway below!

 

Garden Lites Muffins are deliciously moist and full of fiber. These muffins are allergy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free. Garden Lites Muffins are available nationwide. The muffins come in a box of 4 and can be found in the frozen section of stores including: Walmart, Target Costco, Publix, Shop Rite Kroger, Meijer, Wegmans, Stop & Shop, The Fresh Market, etc! Look for Garden Lites' waffles, too!

Heating Instructions:

If defrosted: Heat muffin in bag on high for 10 seconds.
If frozen: Heat muffin in nag on high for 35 seconds.

Defrosting Instructions:

Defrost muffin at room temperature for 4 hours. Enjoy!

My Thoughts

Garden Lites Carrot Berry Muffins are SO good! They're moist and full of flavor. They make a great breakfast, snack or dessert. These muffins do not taste one bit gluten-free or dairy-free. I love how these muffins contain healthy vegetables. Which, I couldn't even tell that they were in there! My kids couldn't tell either. Which is a win for me! ;) They're also low in calories. One muffin contains 120 calories, 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of whole grains and 11 grams of sugar. The muffins defrost quickly and easily. I like to eat mine slightly frozen on hot days. I can't wait to try Garden Lites in other flavors:

Garden Lites Muffins are also available in Blueberry Oat, Chocolate and Banana Chocolate Chip.

I received Garden Lites in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Always!

Enter to win 6 FREE Garden Lites Coupons and a Lunch Bag! I will choose 2 winners! Us only, please! Winners will be chosen on 7/1/17 and contacted via email.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

~Melissa~ 

Fresh Wave Father's Day Giveaway!

 

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you a Father's Day giveaway sponsored by Fresh Wave! One lucky dad(or dad to be) will win an Athlete's Kit which contains:

(1) Laundry Booster to keep your favorite gear in tip top shape.
(1) 2 oz. Travel Spray for on the go de-stinkifying for everything from shoes to gym bags.
(1) Packs with 6 packs in each bag you'll have enough for equipment bags, shoes, anywhere else your gear could use a little freshening.

Happy Father's Day! :) Winner will be chosen on June 18th and notified via email.
Prize fulfilled by Fresh Wave. Please enter below!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Royalty Pecan Farms Review

 

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you Royalty Pecan Farms' goodies! This family owned pecan farm that works all year long to deliver delicious pecans. Royalty Pecan Farms pecan are grown 100% naturally in Texas floodplains. These Texas floodplains contain the perfect soil for pecans. Royalty Pecan Farms adheres to the sustainable agriculture growing model. All of Royalty Farms' flavored pecan delicacies are lightly coated with the intention to enhance, not disguise, the taste of the premium grade pecan used in all of their products. Royalty Pecan Farms does not use any preservatives in their products.

Royalty Pecan Farms has a wide range of products. Including In Shell Pecans, Shelled Pecans, Flavored Pecans and Pecan Delicacies. Other items available include coffee, breads, pies and jams. Royalty Pecan Farms starts harvesting their pecans in late October and harvesting lasts until December. Here are a few products that Royalty Pecan Farms sent me to try:

Premium Halved Pecans

 

Beautifully plump, golden Premium Royalty Pecan Halves are the cream of the crop. Enjoy these shelled natural halves by the handful or use them to enhance your favorite recipes.

 

Premium Pecan Pieces

 

Bite sized chunks of shelled Premium Royalty Pecan Pieces are a great topping and addition to recipes. Feature Royalty Pecan in your own gourmet creations or send a gift to your favorite cook.

 

Tex Mex Pecans

 

Just a touch of spiciness is added to these savory roasted pecans. Devour these pecans as an alternative to chips or use them to accent your trail mix or party mix.

Cinnapecans

 

This tempting treat recreates the down-home sensation of buttery cinnamon toast without the fuss. Royalty Pecan Farms' not-too-sweet, oh-so-tasty, crisply cinnamon delicacy is also the ideal topping for ice cream or breakfast cereal.

 

Royalty Pecan Pie

 

Homemade buttery crust filled with caramelized Royalty Pecans in a rich, delicious filling enhanced with their secret ingredients.

 

 

My Thoughts

Royalty Pecan Farms has the best pecans. They're flavorful, moist and large in size. The pecans make a great snack. Especially the Tex Mex flavor. The Cinnapecans are full of a cinnamon flavor and make a great dessert. The pie, oh my goodness, the Pecan Pie is AMAZING! The crust on the pecan pie is the best crust that I have ever had. The best! My youngest son loves the Cinnapecans. He ate most of the bag over a couple of days. My favorite obviously was the pecan pie. :)

I have had several other brands of pecans and none of them compare to Royalty Pecan Farms. The halved pecans and the pecan pieces are great for anything. I put them in salads, on top of my yogurt and in my oatmeal. These 2 products are so versatile. I highly recommend all of Royalty Pecan Farms' products. I look forward to trying more and hopefully visiting their store front soon.

 

 

Royalty Pecan Farms offer tours. They also have events and a store front. Visit them:

10600 State Highway 21 E

Caldwell, TX 77836-8571

 

Toll Free: (800) 694-8362

Local: (979) 272-3904

 

Open Mon-Sat, 10:00-5:00pm

 I received Royalty Pecan Farms products in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

SHOP

 

~Melissa~

HalfPops Curiously Crunchy Popcorn Review

 

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you HalfPops Curiously Crunchy Popcorn! What are HalfPops?? Half-popped kernels- a whole bag full! These little kernels are the perfect salted snack. They are healthy, low in sodium, low in sugar and low in calories. A snack that is crumb-free and indestructible. So, stuff a few bags of Halfpops into your carry-on, overnight bag or back pack and enjoy a healthy, crunchy snack wherever you go!

 

Halfpops are made with only the best ingredients and contain nothing artificial. Halfpops are available in seven awesome flavors: Brooklyn Dill Pickle, Angry Kettle Corn, Aged White Cheddar, Simply Sea Salt, Caramel & Sea Salt, Butter & Sea Salt and Black Truffle & Sea Salt. These crunchy kernels are Non-GMO project verified, Certified Gluten-free and absolutely nut free! The half-popped kernels are never fried. As far as how they're made? Well, that information is under lock & key! Mike, the founder, popped tens of thousands of pounds of popcorn until he created that perfect crunch. Since 2011, his awesome popcorn creation has been flying off the shelves. Which made him realize that he wasn't the only one who enjoyed the half-popped kernels at the bottom of the bowl. Now, Halfpops is available in 2,000 stores across the country!

My Thoughts

HalfPops are super crunchy and tasty. I love waiting until the end of a popcorn bowl because of the kernels that are just not popped all the way. Only to find one or two. But, with Halfpops, the WHOLE bag is half popped kernels! I can sit and munch on these crunchy morsels all day long. I enjoy taking them with me on-the-go and consume them while I watch my kiddos play in the pool. Halfpops is one of the best snacks that I have ever had! All seven of their flavors are amazing. But, I have to say that the Butter & Sea Salt and the Black Truffle & Sea Salt flavors are my favorite. Want a sweet popcorn? I recommend the Caramel & Sea Salt. So yummy! All-in-all, Halfpops is amazing! The kernels are crunchy and the flavors are unique and delish! I look forward to consuming many bags of Halfpops! ;)

I received Halfpops in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own. Always!

Visit https://www.halfpops.com/ for more information. Find Halfpops near you HERE.

BUY  || $3.29/4.5oz bag

~Melissa~

15 Summer Activities to Help Your Kids Appreciate Nature

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I have teamed up with Joe from Nature Rated to bring you 15 Summer Activities to Help Your Kids Appreciate Nature. Read below and check out the cute activities that you can do with your kiddos this summer!

What are your kids doing this Summer? For many of us Summer time with the kids is a time to enjoy the outdoors, the sunshine and if you're lucky the ocean. As much as kids love Summer holidays, keeping them busy can be a real chore! If you've not got the luxury of a Summer camp then it's up to you as parent to find things for the youngsters to keep busy with.

Failing that, your kids might spend all their time in front of a computer, tablet, phone or other screen and research has shown that spending too much time in front of a screen can have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of children. Studies have shown that taking part in nature-based activities helps people who are suffering from mental ill-health and can contribute to a reduction in levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, a daily walk in nature has showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression.

One in four people are estimated to experience bouts of mental ill health and it's on the rise. Prescription medication of antidepressants are also at a record high level and the demand for more invasive treatments are also on the rise. Health and social care commissioners are examining and commissioning different options for cost effective services for mental health and one of these options is a daily walk of 90 minutes or more. We need to learn from the past when kids got excited to spend their time climbing trees and building dens rather than spending hours inside.

Joe at Nature Rated understands this all too well and has put together an infographic on 15 Summer activities to help your kids appreciate nature.

 

From baking a blackberry pie to constructing a pond or insect hotel, there's plenty for the youngsters to get up to. Head on over to his site for step by step instructions to get your kids out and about enjoying nature.

Bio:

 

An outdoor enthusiast, Joe is the lead editor at Nature Rated; a website which rates and reviews the best outdoor gear for people who quickly want to know what to get. He believes in no fluff, to the point reviews, which help you choose the right gear for your next adventure. Whenever daily life gets him down he heads to the nearest lake or river with his kayak and camera spending time recharging his batteries.

I hope you enjoy creating these activities with your kiddos! I plan on making the Nature Table with my boys! Be sure to follow Nature Rated for more fun activities. Please share your creations with us!

~Melissa~

Zemas Madhouse Foods Cookies & Baking Mixes Review

 

Welcome to A Sampling Bee! Today, I share with you yummy products from Zemas Madhouse Foods! The name "Zemas" comes from the owner's five kids- Zev, Emi, Max, Asher and Simon. The "Madhouse" comes from her home being chaotic 24/7 as well as represents what a "madhouse" it is to find clean, healthy, gluten-free foods. Zemas philosophy is about balancing healthy cooking, baking and finding the right on-the-go snacks when needed. That's why Zemas owner created products that are gluten-free and made with ancient grains. Feed your family snacks that are healthy and delicious!

Zemas products do not contain any white rice flour, refined sugars or preservatives. Their products are non-GMO, certified vegan and free from the top 8 food allergens. Zemas offers a wide variety of products including:

Black Bean Brownie Bites, Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Cinnamon Oatmeal Apple Muffin Mix, Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix, Multigrain Pancake & Waffle Mix, Cocoa Teff Pancake & Waffle Mix, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies, Double Chocolate Cookies, Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies and Sweet Potato Spice Cookies.

Zemas uses only the best ingredients in their cookies and mixes. Ingredients such as a superseed trio of hemp, chia & flax meal. As well as whole grains, unrefined sugars and dried cranberries. Just to name a few.

 

My Thoughts

Zemas products are wonderful! I love the cookies. They are super crunchy and full of flavor. My favorite flavor out of the four I got to try is the Oatmeal Cranberry! Oh my, SO good! My sons love the chocolate chip flavor. The cookies are a little bit bigger than bite-size and they are perfect for small hands. I can tell that these cookies contain only the best ingredients. These are great cookies to have with a hot cup of tea or coffee. I love bringing Zemas Cookies on road trips and picnics.

I got to try the Black Bean Brownie Bites as well as the Cinnamon Oatmeal Apple Muffins. These two baking mixes that I got to try are wonderful, too! I made the black bean brownies for my family one night and they were a big hit! My youngest son ate 4 brownie bites! The black bean brownie mix bakes so good. I thought for sure that the brownies would come out super dry. To my surprise, the brownies were SO moist and delicious! I, myself could not stop eating them. All that I needed, from my pantry to make them, was a can of black beans and vanilla extract. The black bean brownie bites batter was super easy to prepare and they only took 8-10 minutes to bake! I have not tried the Cinnamon Oatmeal Apple Muffin yet because I did not have all of the ingredients that I needed to make them. But, I plan on making those soon!

 

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

Please visit http://zemasfoods.com/ for more information and to purchase their amazing products!

~Melissa~