Celebrate the season with Torani!

I love a good cup of coffee.  In fact, I need a good cup of coffee to really jump start my day.  Recently I've had the opportunity to try Torani sugar free syrup.  The Torani syrup adds a little extra flavor and enjoyment to my every day coffee and saves me on the extra calories that I don't need (especially this time of year). 

Two of the flavors I've experienced are the Salted Carmel and French Vanilla.  Each of these adds a distinct flavor and aroma to my basic breakfast blend coffee.  Torani helps keep my coffee shop habit in check.  I can use these syrups in my coffee and still feel like I'm drinking a fancy barista made latte (except I'm the barista and it's a heck of a lot cheaper)!

I recommend using these syrups in non-flavored coffee.  I feel that when you use these in combination with flavored coffee and flavored creamer, you loose the taste of the syrup and it really isn't all that good with so many flavors kicking around.  Keep it simple!

Enjoy your next morning brew with some Torani's!

*This post is sponsored by SheSpeaks and Torani

Cooking Light Cravebox

I recently received the Cooking Light box from one of my favorite subscription companies, Cravebox!  The box was packed with lots of delicious treats my family is currently enjoying. Inside this fun box was:

Torani Sugar-Free Salted Caramel Syrup
Dole Fruit Crisps in Apple Pear, Apple Cinnamon, and Peach
Tully's Coffee
2 bottles of McCormick Salt Free Garlic and Herb seasoning
Nectresse sweetener

We also received coupons, a measure conversion magnet, a discount for Cooking Light magazine, and recipes for the goodies inside our box!

The first thing my family tried were the Dole Fruit Crisps for dessert.  Each package had two containers of the fruit crisps and we got three different flavors; apple pear, apple cinnamon, and peach.  The cup had the fruit with a thicker type sauce and granola topping.  I warmed them up for 20 seconds in the microwave and then added the granola topping.  They were all great but my favorite was the peach!  All the kids enjoyed them and I would definitely buy these again as a healthier option for dessert.

Next I tried the Torani Sugar-Free Salted Caramel Syrup and the Nectresse sweetener in my coffee.  I was definitely shocked at the large bottle we received and to learn that there are so many ways to use this syrup besides just in your coffee. The syrup definitely gave my coffee a nice flavor and the Nectresse helped sweeten it as well.  I know I'll be using these up in my coffee routine!

I have not tried the Tully's Coffee we were sent since I am instead giving it away as part of a coffee basket I'm making for a school fundraiser.  I have had Tully's brand coffee before and give it two thumbs up though.  I'm sure my basket will get great bids on it and someone else will enjoy it while also raising funds for the school!

I've also yet to try the McCormick Salt Free Garlic and Herb seasoning BUT I know my family will love it.  My husband and I are both big garlic fans so this is perfect for us.  I also don't use much salt in my cooking and hardly ever add it on my cooked food.  I think I will try making the chicken recipe that we received with my new McCormick seasoning.

I figure the value of the box to be over $30 and I paid $13 for this box (that included shipping).  All in all a fabulous deal for some neat products!

If you would like to start receiving your own Cravebox, you are in luck!  They have recently changed their program from a monthly subscription to a lottery style so there is no longer a wait list.  Each box will be in the form of a drawing.  If there is a box you are interested in (they don't tell you what is in each box but they are themed), you enter the drawing and cross you fingers you are selected.  You will need to have your credit card on file since they process it soon after the drawing is made.  This lottery system is a nice way to avoid getting certain boxes like the Dog box when you don't have a dog! 

I have been a Cravebox member for about a year and only once was I let down with a box.  I really recommend this program if you are looking for a treat for yourself once in a while!

*I was not paid nor did I receive any free products in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own based off my experience with the product.

Influenster's new look

Hi all!  I know it's been some time since I've been here writing but thought I'd try again.  I'd like to regularly update with current products I'm testing and tell you all what I think.

Today I'll share with you a program I signed up with at the end of last year called Influenster.  Like other test product companies, they send you products to try and you in turn give your feedback on them.  I have gotten two boxes so far, a Palmolive dish soap package (that I also subsequently won a prize with and was shipped another box of goodies) and the Mom VoxBox this past summer.  It was packed full of fun items like nails, sweetner, soap, and a Quaker Oats cookie!

In just the last couple months, Influenster has updated their website.  It is much more user friendly and faster than before.  The only thing that I missed the first time I went to it was reading the about page and I wish I would have.  You can initially only unlock 5 badges until you earn rights to unlock more.  Had I known that, I would have unlocked more badges that better fit my profile instead of going down their list trying to unlock each one.  So heed that warning if you sign up and only select badges that best fit you first!

To read more about how the program works and sign up (why not, you get free stuff) go to Influenster now!  (and don't forget to read the about page before you start unlocking those badges!)