I have been pumping for 6 months now, and in that time, I have dealt with four brands of breastmilk storage bags. There is one complaint I have about all breastmilk bags. The ounce lines are never accurate (some more than others, but never right). I always look at how much I pumped with the bottle and write the total alone with name and date. This allows me to know how much is in it after I've frozen it flat and never worry about how inaccurate the lines are.
Here is my comparison of the four types of bags I've used in order of my preference.
1. Dr. Brown's Breastmilk Storage Bags -
Pros: *Very thick. *Entire opening is sealed by a pull off tab. *Very easy to fill *Stands up as you start pouring milk in. *Extremely easy to pour into a bottle. These are my favorite bag!
Cons: *On the expensive side. *Ounce lines on the side aren't as accurate as I'd like (though more accurate than others). *Only sold (as far as I can tell) in packs of 25. This wasn't a problem for me as I can only freeze a little of my milk, but if you are pumping and freezing a lot, this would be a deal breaker.
2. Bonafide Baby Breastmilk Storage Bags
Pros: *Medium thickness (not as thick as Dr. Brown's, but much thicker than NUK or Lansinoh). *Write on tab. *Easy to fill, starts to stand on its own as the milk goes in and does not collapse. *Pours easily into a bottle. *American made. I don't know about the others, but this one specifies it on their box. *Includes a non-toxic permanent marker.
Cons: *Ounce lines on the side are extremely inaccurate.
3. NUK/Gerber Seal N Go Breastmilk Bags
Pros: *Double layer zip-top. *Writing area is on the tab, not on the bag itself. *Cheap.
Cons: *Very thin. *Hard to pour into without spilling (doesn't like to stay
open). *No sealer tab. *Plastic tends to collapse when you are pouring the milk.
4. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags -
Pros: *Double layer zip-top. *Writing area is on the tab, not on the bag itself. *Top of tab has pull of sealer tab. *Cheap.
Cons: *Very thin. *Hard to pour into without spilling (doesn't like to stay
open). I have had several leak after I froze and then thawed them - this was a deal breaker for me, as I use bags solely for freezer storage.
The Bonafide and Dr. Brown's storage bags are both really good. I will probably stick with Bonafide simply because they are cheaper than Dr. Brown's. I am almost done with my current pumping time, but when my next baby comes along, I will be using Bonafide's.
I received Bonafide Baby Breastmilk Storage Bags for free or greatly
discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend
products I like and use personally.
Dr. Brown's Breastmilk Storage Bags
Bonafide Baby Breastmilk Storage Bags
NUK Seal 'N Go Milk Storage Bags
Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
FlavFusion 26oz Infuser Water Bottle
I have been wanting to try a fruit fusion bottle for a while (since my coworker got one and raved about it), so when I got the chance to try a FlavFusion bottle, I was very excited!
I have tried it with fresh blueberries, frozen raspberries, and fresh strawberries (on three separate occasions).
The fresh blueberries didn't work well. The flavor was good, but I stuffed the infuser with them, then muddled them with a knife. I ended up breaking them up pretty well and chucks of skin made it through the infuser. The first bottle of water worked ok, but after I refilled it, a hunk of skin ended up in the mouth piece. I couldn't get it to move. I ended up having to take a toothpick and slowly working it out. I don't think I'll use fresh blueberries again unless I cut them all in half first.
The frozen raspberries were my best success. The water was perfectly flavored, but more important, I didn't have to muddle it at all. Seeds ended up at the bottom of the bottle, but I didn't really have any go through the mouth piece. I was able to refill it once before the raspberries lost their redness and lost all flavor. This was my favorite so far.
The frozen strawberries were a little too big. I managed to smash them into the infuser, but it would have been better if I had cut them in half first. The flavor worked well though.
Pros:
~ Lightweight
~ Easy to clean
~ Doesn't leak, so can be thrown in your bag
~ Infuser can be removed and left out
~ Sturdy
Cons:
~ Narrow mouthpiece (means you have to have a lot of suction to pull the water through)
~ Small fruit infuser
~ Can be hard to clean
Overall, I would recommend this bottle. I think it would be better if they redesigned the mouthpiece, but otherwise, I'm happy with it and will keep using it.
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
FlavFusion 26oz Infuser Water Bottle
I have tried it with fresh blueberries, frozen raspberries, and fresh strawberries (on three separate occasions).
The fresh blueberries didn't work well. The flavor was good, but I stuffed the infuser with them, then muddled them with a knife. I ended up breaking them up pretty well and chucks of skin made it through the infuser. The first bottle of water worked ok, but after I refilled it, a hunk of skin ended up in the mouth piece. I couldn't get it to move. I ended up having to take a toothpick and slowly working it out. I don't think I'll use fresh blueberries again unless I cut them all in half first.
The frozen raspberries were my best success. The water was perfectly flavored, but more important, I didn't have to muddle it at all. Seeds ended up at the bottom of the bottle, but I didn't really have any go through the mouth piece. I was able to refill it once before the raspberries lost their redness and lost all flavor. This was my favorite so far.
The frozen strawberries were a little too big. I managed to smash them into the infuser, but it would have been better if I had cut them in half first. The flavor worked well though.
Pros:
~ Lightweight
~ Easy to clean
~ Doesn't leak, so can be thrown in your bag
~ Infuser can be removed and left out
~ Sturdy
Cons:
~ Narrow mouthpiece (means you have to have a lot of suction to pull the water through)
~ Small fruit infuser
~ Can be hard to clean
Overall, I would recommend this bottle. I think it would be better if they redesigned the mouthpiece, but otherwise, I'm happy with it and will keep using it.
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
FlavFusion 26oz Infuser Water Bottle
Nouveau/Organica 100% USDA Organic Ultra Hydrating Face Moisturizer
Since I became pregnant (well over a year ago) and began researching what I wanted to use on my son and on our family, I have become much more picky about what I'm willing to buy and use. I am also extremely sensitive to scents and especially floral scents and additives .
This facial moisturizer fit my requirements perfectly. Before I even received my order, I got an email from Teri (with the Miyahira Media Group) letting me know my jar was on its way, letting me know she was there if I had any problems, and giving me this reminder
So since I was ordering in July, I expected it to come liquefied. It did come liquefied, but unfortunately, the jar leaked quite a bit before it got to me. However, it was fully wrapped in bubble wrap, so none of the oils got onto anything except for this envelope of plastic bubble wrap! It would have been almost impossible for this jar to have gotten damaged during shipping! I tried to open it, but decided to not risk it, put it straight into the fridge, and emailed Teri back. I let her know that I wasn't looking for anything, I just wanted to inform her that it had leaked. She immediately sent me a replacement jar, apologized greatly for it leaking, and asked me to let her know if I had any other problems.
The second jar came. It was also liquefied, but it was only very slightly oily on the outside of the jar. I didn't waste any time and put it straight into the fridge. I did what the company recommends and pulled it out after 24 hrs to stir it with a wooden stick (a wood skewer this time) before chilling it for another 24 hrs. I plan to keep it in the fridge most of the time simply because it gets hot here in Colorado.
Now onto reviewing the actual product!
Ingredients (short names, see below for full names)
Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Rosehip Fruit Oil, Calendula Flower Extract, Clary Sage Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Frankincense Oil, Geranium Oil
I've done a little research on Essential Oils (again, started when I was pregnant...ah, the things that pregnancy brings on) and these are all excellent for the skin. If I was pregnant, I would be a little cautious about the Clary Sage simply because it can bring on contractions (it would probably take a lot more than what you'd use on your face, but I'm the cautious type and wouldn't want to risk it).
The scent is very mild, and I really truly appreciate that! So many moisturizers, are heavily scented and have ingredients that I am horribly allergic to. This one doesn't have any of that. I am able to use it and not spend hours with my nose running because of the scent or my skin itching because of some ingredient or another.
It does take a while to fully soak in. I don't wear makeup, so this doesn't matter to me. To me, it doesn't feel oily even while it is soaking in. It takes very little (they recommend a pea sized glob, but I don't even use that most of the time) to cover your entire face and somewhat down your neck. It will take months to use this entire jar.
Overall, this is a great product with even better customer service. I highly recommend it.
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
100% USDA Organic Ultra Hydrating Face Moisturizer
Ingredients
Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Organic Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Organic Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Organic Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Organic Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) Oil, Organic Boswellia carteri (Frankincense) Oil, Organic Pelargonium roseum asperum (Geranium) Oil
This facial moisturizer fit my requirements perfectly. Before I even received my order, I got an email from Teri (with the Miyahira Media Group) letting me know my jar was on its way, letting me know she was there if I had any problems, and giving me this reminder
REMINDER: When opening the product for the first time, please be careful in case of spilling. Because of the 100% organic content of ingredients, the product may have soften or melt/liquify depending on how hot it is in your area. Simply place the container in the refrigerator for 24-72 hours (the longer the refrigeration, the more solid the product gets). However, using it in a softened/liquid state does not reduce the hydrating abilities or nutrient content :)
So since I was ordering in July, I expected it to come liquefied. It did come liquefied, but unfortunately, the jar leaked quite a bit before it got to me. However, it was fully wrapped in bubble wrap, so none of the oils got onto anything except for this envelope of plastic bubble wrap! It would have been almost impossible for this jar to have gotten damaged during shipping! I tried to open it, but decided to not risk it, put it straight into the fridge, and emailed Teri back. I let her know that I wasn't looking for anything, I just wanted to inform her that it had leaked. She immediately sent me a replacement jar, apologized greatly for it leaking, and asked me to let her know if I had any other problems.
The second jar came. It was also liquefied, but it was only very slightly oily on the outside of the jar. I didn't waste any time and put it straight into the fridge. I did what the company recommends and pulled it out after 24 hrs to stir it with a wooden stick (a wood skewer this time) before chilling it for another 24 hrs. I plan to keep it in the fridge most of the time simply because it gets hot here in Colorado.
Now onto reviewing the actual product!
Ingredients (short names, see below for full names)
Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Rosehip Fruit Oil, Calendula Flower Extract, Clary Sage Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Frankincense Oil, Geranium Oil
I've done a little research on Essential Oils (again, started when I was pregnant...ah, the things that pregnancy brings on) and these are all excellent for the skin. If I was pregnant, I would be a little cautious about the Clary Sage simply because it can bring on contractions (it would probably take a lot more than what you'd use on your face, but I'm the cautious type and wouldn't want to risk it).
The scent is very mild, and I really truly appreciate that! So many moisturizers, are heavily scented and have ingredients that I am horribly allergic to. This one doesn't have any of that. I am able to use it and not spend hours with my nose running because of the scent or my skin itching because of some ingredient or another.
It does take a while to fully soak in. I don't wear makeup, so this doesn't matter to me. To me, it doesn't feel oily even while it is soaking in. It takes very little (they recommend a pea sized glob, but I don't even use that most of the time) to cover your entire face and somewhat down your neck. It will take months to use this entire jar.
Overall, this is a great product with even better customer service. I highly recommend it.
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
100% USDA Organic Ultra Hydrating Face Moisturizer
Ingredients
Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Organic Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Organic Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Organic Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Organic Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) Oil, Organic Boswellia carteri (Frankincense) Oil, Organic Pelargonium roseum asperum (Geranium) Oil
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Paracord Braclet and Paracord Grenade
This is a really nice paracord set. The grenade includes tin foil, fishing floats, weights, swivels, cotton, fishing hooks, fire starter, carabiner, & eye knife while the bracelet includes a fire starter. They both include a knife like tool as well. The paracord is high quality. I hope to never have to use them to save my life, but I like having one in my glove box and one in my saddle bags for when I'm trail riding. The paracord would work well to be a temporary halter or fix a broken piece of tack. This will be part of my trail riding kit from now on. The bracelet is very bulky, and I wouldn't wear it without a good reason.
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
Paracord Braclet and Paracord Grenade
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
Paracord Braclet and Paracord Grenade
Goddess Eye Masks
I have been using sleep masks for years now. I have found that I sleep much better when I am in complete darkness. They only last for so long, and I've tried several types, so when I got the opportunity to try and review this sleep mask, I was very excited. Unfortunately, this one is not my favorite. It is pretty thin. There are two thin straps that go around your head. They are not adjustable (which I have learned means that once they start to stretch, I'll have to tie knots in them to tighten them up), and they tend to work their way up or down my head. I much prefer the one wider strap.
This mask is ok though. It does block out the light quite well, and I do use it regularly. Some people may prefer the thinner type, it might be a bit cooler on your face. Not my preference though.
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
Goddess Eye Masks
This mask is ok though. It does block out the light quite well, and I do use it regularly. Some people may prefer the thinner type, it might be a bit cooler on your face. Not my preference though.
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
Goddess Eye Masks
Sleep Mask Eye Mask By Smarter Rest
I have been using sleep masks for years now. I have found that I sleep much better when I am in complete darkness. They only last for so long, and I've tried several types, so when I got the opportunity to try and review the Smarter Rest sleep mask, I was very excited. This Sleep Mask is well padded and extremely comfortable. The band that goes around your head is a single wider piece of elastic that holds the ear plugs. I find that much more comfortable than the couple of narrow elastic bands that other brands use. I do not use ear plugs, but I love that feature! The elastic has velcro, so you can adjust it to fit your head perfectly (also, once the elastic starts to wear out, you can tighten it down). This Sleep Mask also blocks out the light very well. It really does make it pitch black, which is just how I like it!
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
Sleep Mask Eye Mask By Smarter Rest
I received the product mentioned above for free or greatly discounted in exchange for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I like and use personally.
Sleep Mask Eye Mask By Smarter Rest
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