Saturday, June 2, 2012

A Not So Well-Kept Secret, Living In Utah

      I've lived in some great states.  I can't say I have experience with the whole U.S., but I know I've lived in some of the best.  I was born and lived in Craig, Colorado for my early childhood years.  I remember the beautiful, peaceful summers, the cold winters and my Grandmother's beautiful garden with the hollyhocks, rhubarb, and corn. Follow Me on Pinterest
 








I've since been back and spent time in Winter Park and love it for vacationing.  
      I called the California San Joaquin Valley home during my pre-adolescent years all the way through early adulthood and absolutely loved it.  The smell of California Sycamore Trees in Fall burns a memory in my mind forever.  
    Small town Virginia was the lush, green state that I lived in for 10 years.  The people were lovely and I got my college degree there.  I have some wonderful memories.  I've been to the Smoky Mountains several times and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway on a regular basis because it was right around the corner from where I lived.  So very beautiful!  
       Now I live in Utah and I think I've found the place where I'll probably spend the rest of my life.  Why?  Here are a few reasons. 
      Utah also has beautiful country.  The mountains here are so spectacular!  In some places they are barren and brown, but in other places, like where I live, they are full of color because of all the trees.  I think the mountains in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon are gorgeous and remind me of the Alps!
 

There are many places to hike, bike, fish, and sight see, including 5 National Parks and who knows how many state parks--a lot!  Just because there is no ocean doesn't mean there is no water.  The lakes here are clean, clear and ready to be fished or boated on.  I take full advantage of all this nature and take my Border Collie named Evee on amazing hikes in the nearby mountains and I also go on beautiful bike rides on my local river trail that meanders for 15 miles along the river and into the canyons.  But I'm also really near to the conveniences of civilization, since I live in a metropolitan area of over 300,000 people.  It's amazing how I can feel like I'm in the middle of nowhere with all of that hustle and bustle so nearby.  And did you know that there are now fireflies here?  Yep, they were just discovered here in Utah this June!  The magical lightning bugs that I loved in Virginia are now here in Spanish Fork, UT.
      The people here are generally very good.  How do I really know that personally?  Well, let me tell you and confess at the same time.  I have a terrible habit of leaving things behind.  I don't know how many times I have left wallets, credit cards, cameras, sunglasses or any number of things at public places.  Almost every single time I do this, people will return them.  Just last week I left my debit card at the local Cold Stone Creamery, one of my favorite places.  I knew that I had probably left it on the counter when I was being handed my ice cream. I guess I got a bit too interested in the ice cream rather than take care that my card was safely back in my wallet.  I walked out of the store, oblivious that I left it and didn't miss it until a day later.  I figured I left it there.  But my vast experience with this type of thing let me go about my business without much worry.  In fact, I didn't get around to calling the establishment until a couple days after I missed it.  When I did call, sure enough, they had found the card and saved it for me.  I had my husband pick it up while he was out doing errands.  I'm just grateful that people here are so decent. 
       Along those same lines is the fact that Utah has the highest volunteer rate in the nation.  This was found by the Census Bureau, now for 6 years running.  And with all that volunteerism are the programs that are kept running for the elderly and for school age children.
  
'Meals on Wheels' is one program that uses a lot of volunteers, as does 'Parks & Recreation' and one really important one, The Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City.  Every year it allows visits for approximately 60,000 elementary students free of charge and gives out 500 Astronomy Teaching Kits to their teachers.  Last year Salt Lake County had 20,000 residents that volunteered, which is the equivalent to 457 full-time employees!
      And have you ever had fry sauce on your french fries?  I'm pretty sure this is a Utah thing.  Basically it's a combination of mayo, ketchup, and maybe some liquid smoke.  It's in all the restaurants and it's pretty good, if not very healthy.  A good brand of fry sauce to try out is Some Dude's Fry Sauce!  Careful, though.  It's addictive!
     There you have it, just a few reasons why I love living in Utah.  But could you keep it a secret?  I want it to stay this way!

Disclaimer: This is my own post, my own opinion.  Yours may vary!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Keranique Volumizing Shampoo, Conditioner and Mousse #Giveaway (ARV $89.95)


      Having thick, beautiful, healthy hair is such a gift!  There are many reasons that women don't have the thick, beautiful hair they once had or maybe never even had.  Men and women are basically different when it comes to skin and hair care. So using a man's hair regrowth treatment to get thick hair wouldn't be the best option. Whether you want fuller, thicker hair, healthier hair or actual hair regrowth, Keranique has the solution for you!   Keranique's scientific formulation is for females who suffer from hair loss, thinning hair, and bald patches. It is an advanced hair therapy for regrowth, specifically formulated to treat thin, dull or lackluster hair for women of all ages and hair types!  And  Keranique contains the only FDA approved ingredient for thinning hair called Minoxidil!  Engineered specifically for women, these products deliver outstanding results for all hair types.  The Keranique haircare system follows a simple three-step process:  cleanse, condition, and treat.
     If you are just looking for thicker, fuller hair you would want to try the Thicker, Fuller Looking Hair Kit!  It includes Revitalizing Shampoo, Volumizing Conditioner, Follicle Boosting Serum and Volumizing Lifting Spray. While the kit certainly isn't cheap, retailing at $159.90, the results are indeed very good!  I was able to try 3 of the products and I was very pleased with the initial results.  (See my review)
      If you are actually looking to regrow your hair, you would want the Hair Re-growth Kit!  It includes Revitalizing Shampoo, Volumizing Conditioner, Hair regrowth treatment and Volumizing lifting spray.  Again the price is $159.90 and it includes everything you need for a successful treatment plan to get your hair back! 
                            Here are some things that actual customers said about this product!  (Reviews from DermStore)
 "I started using Keranique Revitalizing Shampoo about 6 months ago...since then my hairline has actually stated to grow back in....my hair feels stonger and thicker than before. I am very happy to see these results and will continue to use this product."  Review posted 5/25/2012
"Makes my hair soft and shiny.I use it every day and there is no build up.I have been using Keranique for over a year now and notice a huge difference in the amout of new growth and the over all strength of my hair. I love it! :)"  Review posted 1/23/2012.
"I just purchased Keranique the whole kit Shampoo, conditioner and volumizing spray and I love it. I have very thin hair and after I used this product I feel this is the product I want to contiue to use.It gave my hair shine, lots of volume and silky looking. I will most definetly buy this shampoo and conditioner again and I highly recommend it. It is pricey but I have tried many other products and I have not had the results I just had with Keranique..."  Review posted 1/16/2012



Now it's time to host a giveaway for 3 of  these great volumizing hair products.  Keranique has generously offered to give one Gal Pal three of their products, the Revitalizing Shampoo, the Volumizing Conditioner, and the Fortifying Mousse!  (ARV $89.85)  I can tell you that you will really love these products, just like I did!
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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Fabulous Finds For Father's Day #Giveaway Event and Gift Guide!

Fabulous Finds For Father's Day Winner Takes All Giveaway (ARV $500)
I am really excited to be able to participate in this amazing event and hope that you'll check out all of the amazing gift ideas for your own Dad and any and all special men in your life!

 Do you dread Father's Day because you can never find the perfect gift? The Collective Media Magic team, Closer To Lucy, Have Sippy Will Travel, Just Like June, 3 Princes and a Princess 2, and That's What She Said, have found awesome gifts for any dad. Whether he's high tech, healthy, or laid back, we've got a gift that's sure to please. Join us and our friends as we make dads feel like a king! 


One Grand Prize Winner will receive a prize pack of the following items valued at approximately $500:


Linksy EA2700 wireless router Router  with unrivaled speed (value $109) -winner cannot have won a Linksy router in the last six months  


 
A copy of Microsoft 2010 (value $119)




  An Eat Smart Retro Food Scale (value $40)



A Cafe Press Gift Certificate (value $50)



A Pair of Shoes from Shoes For Crews - Winners Choice 
(no price limit on the pair of shoes! $100 value)





Plus Work Out Gear (winner's choice of item)  
and a 
Series of Books For Dads (value $30) 

 The Fabulous Finds For Father's Day  Event will begin at 12:01 AM May 31st and end at 11:59 June 14th. Contest Open to US only due to company shipping restrictions. 




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Keranique Hair Thickening Treatments! #Review


 I have always had thick hair and it has been, at the same time, a blessing and a curse.  I am also quite lazy when it comes to fixing my hair, preferring to let it grow long and just run a brush through it before I go somewhere.  I would much rather fool with make-up than hair.  Out of necessity, though, I have been forced to do more with it recently and just bought 2 brushes to help me blow dry it better, along with all the hair products to help control the wildness of it.  Also, since I have gotten older, my unwelcome grays have made my hair more coarse, dry and curly/frizzy.  Then on top of that, I now have some thinning hair, even though I still technically have "thick" hair.  It's just that in some places, my scalp shows where it parts way too easily.   I just thought you might need the background of my hair so you can see what my experience with Keranique has been.
 
I thought that I might not notice any difference with these products because it is for "thinning" hair and I technically have thick hair.  But I was wrong!  I enjoyed some real benefits.  Although I can't say that my hair has become thicker because I've only used it awhile, I can say that it is softer, more manageable and the texture is better.  It also stays put and doesn't part so much in places that it shouldn't.   I loved the light peppermint smell which goes perfectly with the bath and body products I have been reviewing (see my Aromafloria Review).  

Keranique Volumizing Shampoo - "Thinning, fine hair needs a special shampoo.  Hair that is thin, fine and weak has low resistance to harsh cleansers, but unless properly cleansed well, scalp oils, weigh thin hair down and make lasting volume a challenge". -Keranique   This shampoo seems to cleanse the hair without stripping it of moisture!
 Keranique Volumizing Conditioner - Designed specifically to help thicken and volumize thin, fine hair-without weighing the hair down like traditional heavy conditioners, it conditions as it adds volume, fulness and thickness. And, unlike other conditioners, it contains a keratin enriched formula to coat the hair.
 Fortifying Mousse - This product provides thermal protection from curling irons/ blow dryers and creates a smooth after feel.  It is scientifically blended to maintain body without adding stiffness and is a great detangler that helps restore the hair's optimum moisture balance for less breakage when brushing. 
Just what is Keratin?  Keratin is the substance which the hair (as well as the nails) are made of. Frequently abusing hair with styling and heating and chemical applications causes it to lose keratin’s quality. The hair shaft becomes spliced and uneven, and gains a dull, unmanageable appearance. Fortunately, scientists have devised a way to extract keratin from other sources, like animal wool, and turn it into a mixture that acts like liquid hair. Applying this product to human hair returns the keratin to the hair shaft’s cortex and fills it up, turning it soft and shiny again. It can even make frizzy or curly hair so much easier to straighten. The additional keratin coating can also make the hair more resistant from elements like the sun, wind, or extreme changes in temperature.

Keranique has harnessed this substance and their products contain the only FDA-approved keratin ingredient for thinning hair!

Although I haven't tried the product for much more than a couple week, I am very optimistic about the outcome of my hair based on the preliminary results!  You can buy this product at various beauty websites, including at Keranique.  Currently, Keranique is having a giveaway on their Facebook page for a 4-piece set valued at $159.90! 

Disclaimer:  I was provided with the above 3 products to review.  All opinions are my own!  Your opinion may vary. 












Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Kashi Cereal Coupons & More Through Recyclebank

Like Kashi much?  I happen to be a huge fan of Kashi Cereal.  It is more than a thumbs up kind of like.  I mean, I REALLY love Kashi Cereal.  I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I never have done so, but I definitely could!  

When the whole controversy about Kashi not being all-natural because of its GMO content came out, I was very disappointed.  How could Kashi do that and more importantly, how could I give up my Kashi Cereal?  There is nothing that tastes better when you're in a hurry and want something good and good for you.  For me, it wasn't just the nutrition, it was also the taste.  I was very sad.  

Then I ran into an article written by the Huffington Post and they found that Kashi, about a year ago, partnered with the Non-GMO project and have since earned approval on 7 of their food products!  And among the 7 are my cereals, which include Island Vanilla, Cinnamon Harvest and Autumn Wheat!  That makes me happy!


 Another thing that makes me happy is that I found a place where I can get a never-ending stream of coupons for my Kashi addiction.  Have you ever heard of Recyclebank?  The basic idea is do something good for the environment and get Recyclebank Points that you can redeem for thousands of goodies!

So for instance, with my Kashi cereal--I recycle a Kashi box and provide Recyclebank a special code written inside the box.  Every box I recycle I get 50 points.  When I earn 60 points, I get a coupon for $2 off 2 boxes of Kashi!  I can accumulate points and use them for many other great rewards or I can choose to donate them to one of Recyclebank's green projects!  

Besides Kashi there are many more participating companies who care about the planet and will reward you for helping them take care of it.  For instance, Stonyfield, Macy's, Sodastream, Dick's Sporting Goods, Bumblebee, Sunglass Hut, Shoebuy.com and many more will give you valuable rewards for helping the planet.  You can register at Recyclebank and start getting rewards for going greener. 

Recyclebank helps create a more sustainable future by rewarding people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from more than 3,000 local and national businesses. 

Not only can I feel good about feeding my Kashi addiction, but I can feel good about helping make the planet a better place! 

Also, you can get referral points for referring a friend to Recyclebank.  If you learned something or like this article, please use this code to register for Recyclebank!

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated in any way for this post.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

#Giveaway - Aromafloria Muscle Soak #Spa Package


    Aromafloria began in 1985, founded on the rich heritage of aromatherapy as a means of achieving wellness. Ancient cultures placed great emphasis on the healing properties of aromatic oils. As one of the modern pioneers of holistic aromatherapy, we continue to embrace and evolve this ancient art. This "complementary and alternative" therapy has been a way of life for Aromafloria, not just a lifestyle trend. 
    At the heart of Aromafloria is a fervent desire to help people empower themselves in their search for balance and well-being. In our increasingly high-tech and low-touch world, we invite you to create quiet, restorative moments and meaningful rituals that will elicit relaxation and keep you on your road to wellness.
   Today is your lucky day!  You can win 3 Aromafloria Products from their Muscle Soak Line! Please take a look at my review to see what my personal experience with these products was!   
    One lucky Gal Pal will win the following 3 products for their own aromatherapy, muscle soak experience.  
Bath Salts - Muscle Soak Bath Salts (23 oz.) $16 
Body Scrub - Muscle Soak Body Scrub (12 oz.) $14
Body Wash - Muscle Soak Body Wash (6.7 oz.) $9.50
Contest will run from May 22 - June 9!
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#Giveaway - eShakti dress of choice!

How many times have you seen a dress that you absolutely love except for maybe one thing?  The sleeves may be wrong, the length, etc. That is why eShakti is such a great place because they have easy customized dresses!  This Spring they have many new arrivals and a newly spruced   up website!  Here are some of my favorite dresses!






eShakti is giving one of my gal pals a dress of choice from their website!  Enter the giveaway on the rafflecopter form below!  All of their dresses can be custom sized and custom styled!  Good luck!

You choose the style you want for your dress!

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Monday, May 21, 2012

Muscle Soak by Aromafloria #Review

 I was the lucky recipient of some products in one of Aromafloria's Aromatherapy lines, Muscle Soak.  First of all let me say that Aromafloria is amazing because they have such a comprehensive line of therapeutic aromatherapy solutions.  As I browsed through the website, I was amazed.  I saw so many great scent solutions! For instance, Plane Solutions Inhalation Beads address the concern of flying in an enclosed plane and being exposed to airborne  immune system attacks.  Memory Boost Inhalation Beads help your brain become sharper and more alert.  Then there are whole lines that address specific problems like Muscle Soak with many products to help achieve a specific result.  In this case, designed to relieve achy muscles and tissues caused by overwork, too much stress and fatigue.  


Here are the 3 products that I tried from the Muscle Soak line:



Bath SaltsI absolutely love the smell of these salts.   It made my bathroom smell so aromatic.  The base of sea salts also has eucalyptus leaf, peppermint, and lemongrass oils in it.  It also has sweet almond oil and seaweed extract to round out the therapeutic effect.  Simply put ½ cup of it into your bath and soak for about 15 – 20 minutes. I received the 23 oz. size and it was good for about 4 - 5 soaks.  Next time I would choose the larger 42 oz. size because I really like it! 

Body Scrub -  This scrub has the exact same ingredients as the salts with the addition of 2 different sugars and honey!  I liked it very much!

Body Wash - The reason you want to use Muscle Soak Body Wash and Body Scrub with the Muscle Soak bath salts is to keep the aromatherapy going.  If you use a perfumy body wash while using the bath salts, it would ruin the therapeutic effect.  You don't want to smell competing scents when you're in "therapy"!  
  I thoroughly enjoyed my Aromafloria experience and felt more refreshed and relaxed as a result of it!  So I give it A GAL NEEDS...thumbs up!

Disclosure:  I received the 3 items above for review purposes.  All opinions are my own and may vary from others who use the same products.