review - Matthew's Puzzle - Autism Recovery, Gluten Free, Green Living Mom Blog

Acure Organics Review: A Sponsored Post

April 19, 2013 By Maryann

Acure and I have very similar beliefs about body care products. Neither of us think they should be filled with crazy chemicals that haven’t been tested and can do more harm than good. That is what brought me to check out their products. I love naturally scented products for myself and enjoy using items that have an aromatherapy quality to them.

The Acure coconut pumpkin body wash smells amazing. It truly smells like the best of summer and it contains my new FAVORITE ingredient – sea buckthorn seed oil. I am obsessed with this product. I also ♥ the argan cell stimulating body wash. It smells of almonds and I adore anything that smells like almond. I loved using this the other day, it was very uplifting. And the wash left me feeling soft and smooth.

Acure also sent us the cocoa butter + coQ10 ultra-hydrating unscented body lotion to try out. I have been using it on my two youngest boys. They both have suffered from bouts of eczema and I like to keep their skin well lotioned so as to keep the dry patches away. This is working quite nicely.

In the last couple of years I have been getting into oils for my hair. Acure’s argan oil is 100% organic. I have been using a few drops of it to help keep my hair moisturized and eliminate frizz. It also adds a nice shine.

Acure carries lots of hair care products and I was lucky enough to try the Pure Mint + Echinacea Stem Cell Shampoo and Conditioner. The peppermint scent is invigorating and the products are color safe, vegan, gluten free, sulfate free, paraben free, phthalate free, cruelty free with no synthetic fragrance and 100% biodegradable!

Acure is a great option for those of us that want high quality products AND who want to not add to the impact chemicals have on our earth and our bodies. Check out Acure and tell me what product you love! You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with all their new and exciting products.

Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Review: a Sponsored Post

April 18, 2013 By Maryann

Disclosure: I have received Sibu Beauty products to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

You would think by now I would know every single supplement and alternative remedy known to mankind, but Sibu Beauty introduced me to one I had never heard of. It is Sea Buckthorn. Sea Buckthorn is a Himalayan berry that is known for its “beauty” properties. Sibu Beauty is harnessing that berry to create paraben free and cruelty free products.

I had a chance to sample the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Body Cream, the Sibu Raw, the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum and Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil. I love the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil. I am using it on my small lines around my mouth. After just one application I noticed a difference. I actually was surprised and couldn’t believe it was working that quickly. It has also helped ease the lines from my nose to my mouth. For me, it is like a face-lift in a bottle. The Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Body Cream has a light orange scent which is very pleasant. I have been using it on my legs especially to try to liven them up and get ready for leg baring fashions. Winter is not kind to my skin and makes it very dry and ashen, the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Body Cream is helping to awaken and brighten my skin. I love the scent and how quickly the cream is absorbed without leaving me feeling oily or sticky.

The Sibu Raw may be the most exciting product. Although I have only been using it a few days it has interesting potential. Dr. Oz says it may help you stay thin, and it should help aid in waste elimination. It tastes a lot like pineapple that is not sweet. I take a shot glass full of it a day.

I’ve been very impressed with the Sibu Beauty products I have tried. If the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil continues to work the way it has been for me, I will be purchasing my next bottle in a little while. I have to say this is my new go-to beauty product. I am truly in love with the Seed Oil, Hydrating Serum and the Sibu Raw. I am 43 years old, and this is making a HUGE difference in my appearance. I would not hesitate to recommend this to my friends!

Funbites Review: A Sponsored Post

April 17, 2013 By Maryann

Disclosure: I have received a Funbites in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

When I was little I was afraid to tell my mom if I didn’t like something I had for lunch. Not because she would get angry at me, she wouldn’t, but because I never wanted to hurt her feelings. She worked so hard to care for our family and I know she tried her very best to make me delicious lunches, that I hated to tell her something wasn’t quite right. I never want my boys to feel they can’t tell me their lunches aren’t great, so I try hard to make them healthy, yet delicious food. It can be difficult when you have a very strict diet such as gluten and casein free because you are already starting out with limited food options. Then we try to keep the sugar intake to a minimum, and that can spell B-O-R-I-N-G lunches.

I adore the Bento lunch movement, but wow, when do these women that create them actually sleep? Because there is no way I can come up with a theme, orchestrate that theme and get the boys lunches packed while cooking breakfast and keeping the morning arguments to a minimum. How exactly do they do it?

Well who cares, because I have Funbites. These are cool food cutting devices that come in two different shapes. The first is a simple square/grid pattern. This would be great for making uniform squares of food that can be stacked or displayed in a checkerboard patter. Think white and pumpernickel bread, or cheese and salami. The second, which is the one I opted for, is a heart shape. This one is not only comprised of hearts, but it also contains triangles and semi-circles that when put back together also form a larger heart.

I used it today to add some quick fun to the boy’s lunches. It was simple to use, is dishwasher safe, and results in an interesting lunch without all the planning and time. I want to try it out on our pancakes and think it would be great when summer rolls around for adding dimension and interest to a fruit salad. How cool would it be to serve watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew salad that has little hearts, triangles and semi-circles throughout?

Upere Wedge Sneaker Review: a Sponsored Post

April 16, 2013 By Maryann

Disclosure: I have received a pair of Upere shoes in exchange for my review of their product. All opinions are my own.

I used to LOVE to wear high heels, then I had 3 kids and my feet told me no way! But I’m still only 5’3″ and love to have a little boost when it comes to height. I started noticing that wedge sneakers are becoming popular. There are tons of them popping up on Pinterest and Ployvore so when Upere offered me a pair of their super cool shoes, I jumped at the chance. I wanted something fashionable, comfy and with a bit of a lift.

I received the Upere Wedge Sneakers in Cobalt Blue. They are bright and playful, and certainly NOT boring. The shoes are Cobalt Blue suede uppers with a 2 inch wedge heel and a rubber anti-slip soles. They have hidden Velcro closures that you can adjust to your size. This is the only feature I don’t love of the shoe, I find the Velcro closure scratches my leg if I close it. I have opted to not close them and they fit fine that way. They will NOT come off. Overall the shoes are comfortable. I wear a US 6.5 and found the EU 37 to be a perfect fit.

I love that they are casual shoes that give you a little height and a fashionable look without compromising the comfort that comes with a more casual shoe. Upere offers every color combination you can imagine, some bold and some more subdued. I happen to like the Navy and the White Tongue Cream. I think they would easily be incorporated into most wardrobes. I have chosen to wear my Upere Wedge Sneakers with jeans but as the weather warms up I think they would look cute and sporty with an easy flowing skirt or if you have the legs for it, short shorts.

The Upere Wedge Sneakers have a street smart and playful look that works well with today’s styles. I love the look with skinny jeans or paired with an unexpected dress. Many of the Upere Wedge Sneakers are multicolored offering amazing styling choices and options.

You can follow Upere on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Upere is also offering a 15% discount to my readers, simply use the code “UPERE”.