Influenster Sugar 'n Spice Voxbox Review Part 1: Nectresse and BelVita

I belong to the site Influenster.



This entitles me to be eligible to receive what they call Vox Boxes.  They are boxes of products that people sample and then write reviews on, giving their honest opinion.  I was lucky enough to be chosen for a box.  I was SO excited.  I love free stuff.

So, I am going to review the products they sent me.  The products were free to me, but the opinions are my own.
Eggy was just as excited as I was when the package arrived.

He was more excited when I emptied the box so he could sit in it.

Here is everything I got.

I received:
Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture
Nectresse
Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes
Colate Optic White Regimen: Toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash
belVita Breakfast Biscuits

I used to use Sweet n Low in my coffee, but I knew how bad it was.  So, I switched to straight sugar.  I was interested to see how Nectresse tasted, since it's made by Splenda.  It is described as being "primarily from monk fruit with other natural sweeteners."

I tried it first in my coffee.  I figured if it was awful, the coffee would cushion the blow a bit.

It tasted like regular sugar, but it has a bit of a sweet after taste.  Sweeter than sugar would be, but not like other artificial sweeteners I've used.  I would say it has a more natural flavor.

There was a booklet about Nectresse and some different recipes to try it out on.  I wanted to check it out, so I made a recipe for cinnamon hot chocolate.  It was quick and easy.

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
1.5 c. hot milk
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp mini chocolate chips
2 packets Nectresse
1/8 cinnamon

Stir all ingredients together until chocolate chips melt.  Pour into two mugs and serve warm.
*I reheated the mugs after they were all stirred together to melt the chocolate chips more.  I think this would turn out better if made on the stove, but then it wouldn't have the convenience of the microwave.

Overall, I like the Nectresse.  It has zero calories and I really can't tell the difference between that and sugar.  I wouldn't use it in baking items such as cookies or cakes, etc.  I will continue to use it in my tea and coffee and I will probably make this hot chocolate recipe again.  I thought it was pretty good.

Another food item I was given to review was the belVita breakfast biscuits. They come four to one pack and that is considered a serving.  I had the flavor cinnamon brown sugar.  There's only 230 calories in it.  It was very filling.  I think the four individual cookie biscuits gives the illusion that you are eating more.  I could eat the biscuit and a piece of fruit for breakfast and be full until lunch.  It's also a great snack to munch on the whole day.  I would feel full, know how many calories I'm eating, and feel satisfied and not deprived.

The first bite I took, reminded me of the windmill almond cookies that my grandparents had when I was a kid, but better.  They were crisp, but melted in my mouth.  I ate one and was going to save the others, but I came back a few minutes later and finished them off.

The other products I will have to use a while to see how I like them.  I am interested to see if the Colgate Optic White regimen works since I am an avid coffee drinker.

Want free stuff too? Check out Influenster.

Influenster

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, but the opinions are my own"

Everyday is My St. Patrick's Day

I opened all weekend at work and committed to run with Becky Sunday after work.  I know I wouldn't have gone otherwise.  We only had to do 5 miles, but it has been a long, long time since I've gone that far.

It was St. Patrick's Day, so of course I had to wear my favorite color, GREEN!

And, yes, I wore my hair down. Long hair, don't care.

I really didn't dress as warm as I should have.  I knew it was only 30 out, but for some reason I thought it was warmer.  I have my mind set on Spring.

The run was a good one.  It was windy most of the way, but I felt good.  Maybe it was from the cup of black tea I drank before I left.  It must have given me an extra kick after being up since 4 a.m.

I didn't look at my watch except to see how far we were, so I had no idea we had been going at that pace.  I mean, maybe Becky mentioned that we were going a little fast, but besides that...lol.  I'm happy with the splits and it felt good to go out for longer than 3 miles for once.

After I took a scalding hot shower and drank some hot tea, I realized that I was exhausted.  So, like any responsible adult, I had guacamole and tortilla chips for supper and went straight to bed.

On another note, Becky has me drinking classy coffee now.  I can tell the difference.  I only need one cup of the fancy stuff as opposed to a whole pot of the cheap stuff.  Here's my new favorite.

I got it from Target.  I like their Archer Farms brand of pretty much everything.  They make a salsa that I practically eat by the jar.

As I was shopping today, I came across this Chardonnay.

I don't like Chardonnay and I didn't see this brand in any other types of wine.  I totally would have bought it.  I'm the middle sister of two brothers and I am a definite smarty pants.

Happy Monday!

What are your workout plans?  Today is a rest day for me.