SNAPDRAGON

Vegetarian veterinarian. Addicted to strong coffee, eclectic music, documentary films, and aggressive workouts. Providing honest reviews of my life's odds and ends.

[snapdragondvm]

Participating in the Smiley360 mission for Emergen-C drink mixes and received all of the products for free to sample. As a person who works in a hospital (lots of challenges to your immune system), I realize how important it is to stay healthy. I hope that the large doses of vitamin C provided in these drink mixes can help support my own immune system in those times when I can’t get all of my fruits and veggies. I appreciate the ability to drink my vitamins because I have a very hard time taking the typical gigantic pills...also maybe I am fooling myself by thinking that they will absorb better if they are in liquid form. The powders mix well in a small glass of water and the pouches are very convenient to just throw in your purse or lunch bag. I prefer to drink them very cold. However, I am not loving most of the flavors as they are very watered down. Of the ones I have tried the Strawberry-Kiwi was my favorite because it had a strong flavor and was not too sweet. http://h5.sml360.com/-/ota0

[snapdragondvm]

Seeds of Change Mission for @Smiley360 http://h5.sml360.com/-/o8qn

[snapdragondvm]

Influenster Frosty VoxBox 2014-2015 Review

First, the Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea. It has a peppermint laced with vanilla taste that I did not particularly enjoy. However, if you like these flavors and want the restive effects of green tea, this might be the warm winter drink for you. 

The EcoTools Full Volume Styler is a well constructed hairbrush but it is not the right design for my medium length spiral curl hair. It would only work well for me if I was straightening my hair. Thus, I gave it to my cousin who has beautiful, long, thick, straight hair and she loves it.

The No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum by Boots Beauty is a lightweight facial serum with an almost powdery finish. It made my skin feel smooth after a single use. They claim that the product can "reduce the appearance of deep lines & wrinkles, for younger looking skin in two weeks." While that may be true, I had an insufficient sample size to evaluate those claims.

I am not a huge fan of licorice so I decided to try and use my sample of Red Vines Fruit Vine Bites in a recipe. I hoped that I could impart the strong cherry flavor without the strange consistency of licorice. Well, mission accomplish with the "Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes with Red Licorice Filling and Marshmallow Frosting." The recipe for these is available on the Food Network website...but be forewarned, they are VERY cherry and EXTREMELY sweet.  

The Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner has intense color and stays in place all day. It was a little clumpy to apply but that did not matter too much because I usually smudge out my liner to soften the look.

The eyeliner was so waterproof that it bested the Rimmel Gentle Eye Make up Remover. The product removed my eyeshadow well but barely touched the liner. I needed to switch back to my regular makeup remover to avoid irritating my eyes.

The McCormick Gourmet Thyme was a big hit and excellent in "Garlic and Thyme Roasted Potatoes." The flavor was wonderful and the quality and quantity of this dried herb would certainly be worth the $4.79 list price.

My favorite product in the VoxBox was the NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum. The color is so versatile and the matte finish is appropriate for many looks. It is mildly moisturizing and has great staying power.

[snapdragondvm]

Not my "cup of tea"

I received a sample of Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea in the Influenster Frosty Vox Box.

I drink iced black tea on a regular basis and occasionally drink hot black tea. I have not found a green tea that I like and the Candy Cane Lane is no exception. This tea has a very strong peppermint flavor and the vanilla comes through as well. It would be a good option for someone who enjoys those flavors and the digestive, restive aspects of a green tea.

[snapdragondvm]

Red Vines in Chocolate Cherry Cola Cupcakes = Sugar Bombs

I received a free bag of Red Vines Cherry Fruit Vines Bites for free as part of the Influenster Frosty VoxBox to try and review.

In my infinite wisdom (sarcasm), I decided to get creative with the licorice and use it in a recipe. The best recipe idea that I could find was for Chocolate Cherry Cola Cupcakes with Red Licorice Filling and Marshmallow Frosting (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chocolate-cherry-cola-cupcakes-with-red-licorice-filling-and-marshmallow-frosting-recipe.html), which apparently was used on the Food Network show "Cupcake Wars."

Even though I consider myself to have average to slightly above average baking skills, I was a little dubious about tackling this recipe. But I decided to simplify and streamline to fit the ingredients I had on hand...I used a boxed cake mix and did not add crumbled yogurt covered pretzels or the cola drizzle. Given the 10++ level of sweetness of these cupcakes, I can't imagine adding any more sugar to them.

I used a Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix and followed the box instructions for baking except that I replaced the water with cherry coke. I think the carbonation in the soda made the cupcakes rise higher than normal but it did not give the cake a detectable cherry flavor. Boo.

I made the licorice filling exactly as the recipe specified but it was not thick enough to hold form in the cupcakes. It was a thick syrup texture but I think it needed to me more viscous. If I were to do it again, I would boil it longer. The recipe also made about twice as much filling as I needed for these cupcakes.

I think separating the 8 eggs was the hardest part about making the marshmallow frosting. A few eggs may have made it into an omelet for dinner because of my clumsiness in this task :-)

To fill the cupcakes, I used a pairing knife to cut a cone shaped piece out of the middle of each cupcake and spooned in the filling. It soaked into the cake like a sponge. I think this ruined the cake texture and made the cupcakes way too wet. However, the flavor would be just right for someone who LOVED red licorice.

I used a piping bag to frost the cupcakes and I was surprised that the frosting held its shape as well as it did. If I ever make this frosting again, I would cut the recipe down by at least half and that would still be more than enough for 20-24 cupcakes.

[snapdragondvm]

The "eyes" do not have it...

I received a free RIMMEL London  Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner and a bottle of the Gentle Eye Makeup Remover as part of the Influenster Frosty VoxBox to both try and review.

From the start, the eyeliner was a disappointment. It had to be sharpened before I could even use it or I would have given myself raccoon eyes. I use a pencil eyeliner daily so I have moderate skill in applying this type of product. The positive aspects of the Kohl Kajal liner is that it has intense pigment and staying power. However, it did clump and needed to be smudged out to achieve an even line. It is advertised as "ultra-smooth" but I would not agree with that description. If you wanted to build this into a dark smoky eye, I think you could with little difficulty but that was not the look I was trying to achieve. I believe that it is well priced at $4.49 but I will not be switching from my current Urban Decay eyeliner.

While the eyeliner was OK, the makeup remover was a big fail. After soaking 3 cotton pads with it and wiping my eyelid for a few minutes, it had removed most of my eye shadow and mascara but it barely touched the waterproof eyeliner. It is advertised as being particularly good with waterproof makeup but I had to give up before I rubbed my eyelid raw. I switched to the Make Up Forever Sens'eyes that I currently use and the eyeliner was gone in one wipe. For $7.49 you get a large bottle of the product and, unlike many make up removers, it does not leave a residue. However, believe that this product would only be fully effective for someone who does not wear waterproof make up.

[snapdragondvm]

I received a free sample of McCormick Gourmet Thyme as part of the Influenster Frosty VoxBox. As a vegetarian, I knew immediately that I was going to use this fragrant dried herb in a roasted vegetable dish. As I already had everything else in my pantry that was necessary for "Thyme and Garlic Roasted Potatoes" that is what I decided to make first. The dish is very simple: 4-5 medium potatoes washed and cubed, enough olive oil to lightly coat them (about 2 Tbsp), minced fresh garlic (I used about 5 cloves because I love garlic!), dried thyme (1.5 Tbsp was used in the pictures above), and sea salt to taste. Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl and then spread 1 layer thick on a baking sheet. Cook for 40-50 minutes in a 400F oven, turning potatoes after 30 minutes. I served these flavorful and filling potatoes with a large salad for dinner and I will use leftovers in a frittata for breakfast tomorrow. Thank you McCormick for the excellent thyme that really heightened the flavor of this dish.

[snapdragondvm]

I received this NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum complimentary for testing purposes as part of the Influenster Frosty VoxBox. It is a great shade to complement my medium/warm skin tone and I like the matte finish. It had above average staying power but was minimally moisturizing. A good fall color but I need a lip color that provides more hydration in the winter.

[snapdragondvm]

Thank you @influensterVox for the Frosty VoxBox! Excited to try and review these  free products from #rimmel NYC #sugarplum #celestialtea No7 #getADVANCED #McCormickGourmet Fruit Vines #Sweetside and #lovemyecohairbrush

[snapdragondvm]

Necafe with Coffeemate

I recently received a free sample of the new Nescafe with Coffee-mate Sweet and Creamy Original flavor as part of a Smiley360 mission (http://h5.sml360.com/-/gqvh). My first thought when I opened the canister was that it should come with a scoop. I mixed the recommended 2 Tbsp into a mug of hot water and found that amount to be too weak so I added more. I liked that it did not have a chemical aftertaste like so many instant drink products but I wish there was more coffee flavor and less sugar. Overall, I think I might use this product in a pinch if I was traveling or out of milk at work, but it will not be my first choice. I have coupons for 3 free canisters that I will share with friends that like sweeter coffee and click on the link above for your own 75 cent off coupon.

[snapdragondvm]

Free Pillow from SleepNumber and Smiley360

  Follow up to my post about the Sleep Number SleepIQ mission for Smiley 360...I received my free Coolfit Foam Pillow for participation in this mission. It is certainly the nicest pillow I have ever owned. I have slept on it a few nights I am still getting used to using a contour pillow...in the past I just stacked 2-3 pillows together. I think my neck is going to thank me in the long run for all the support. Yay! http://h5.sml360.com/-/fot5

[snapdragondvm]

Sleep Number beds and SleepIQ

I visited the Sleep Number store during my lunch break today as part of a mission for Smiley360 (http://h5.sml360.com/-/fot5). Shamra, the "sleep expert" who assisted me, was very pleasant and did an excellent job demonstrating the Sleep Number bed (found out my Sleep Number is 35 :-) and the SleepIQ technology. I had never tried the beds before, and I was amazed that they are so comfortable and responsive to each sleeper's needs. The beds are pricey but they come with a 25 year warranty so the longevity of the product should be factored when considering purchasing one. In learning about the SleepIQ, I found that it does almost the exact same things as my FitBit One including quantifying the duration and “restfulness” of your sleep. However, it is also a heart rate monitor and can record information about both sleepers at the same time. Additional selling points for the SleepIQ are that it provides one integrated system with the bed and the technology is reasonably priced at approximately $300 (compared to about $100 for the FitBit). That price tag is probably well within the budget of a sleeper who is willing to invest $2000-10,000 on a high end sleep system to try and improve their good night’s sleep. (Disclaimer: For my participation in this Smiley360 mission, I will be receiving a free Sleep Number CoolFit™ Foam Contour Pillow.)