Category Archives: Product Review

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Diva Stuff Beauty Bundle Giveaway – $40 value (all natural skin care products)


This Giveaway Is Now Closed As of 
August 9, 2013.  

Last month Vanessa, a representative from Diva Stuff, contacted me and asked if I would be interested in trying their all natural beauty and skin care products.  I was hesitant at first, because as you know, I make my own lotions, face cream, body spray, etc.  But I always try and keep an open mind when companies contact me – I’m very exclusive here on The Tasty Alternativeonly the best, most natural, non-toxic and (if possible) environmentally friendly products.  So I did some searching around on the Diva Stuff website with my trusted Skin Deep Cosmetic Database Resource and checked through quite a few products and the ingredients.  Everything looked all natural with ingredients I recognized.  But you will have to contact the company for the entire list of ingredients.  For some reason, they are not all listed on each product.  I know many of you out there suffer from severe food allergies, so please, PLEASE, make sure you know exactly what you are putting on your skin and email the company to verify the ingredients if need be.  

Before we jump into the giveaway, I want to share two product reviews with you.  Here’s my honest opinion about these products.

#1 
Black Charcoal,black Walnut Hull And Vodka Detox 
& Acne Soap Bar, for Face & Body 6oz

I don’t have a huge issue with face or body acne (just your typical monthly acne),  but I love charcoal (I take it internally for bloating) and so I was totally intrigued by this soap.  I can honestly say, after using this soap for about a week, that it did help clear up the small clogged pours on my chest, shoulder, and back.  Just a few things to consider: (1) it’s black (obviously) so it will transfer onto your shower and make a bit of a mess if you don’t have a nice spot for bar soap, and (2) it has a fairly strong scent.  I asked for the full ingredient list to make sure there wasn’t anything synthetic or unnatural in there.  It all checked out, but just be mindful of the scent factor.  It’ not totally overwhelming, but I have pretty severe chemical sensitivity, so everything smells strong to me.
(here is the full list of ingredients: soap–glycerin soap, vodka, charcoal powder,black walnut powder, natural fragrance face wash– distilled water, charcoal, sulfur, tea tree oil, lime oil, vitamin b3, xantham gum )

#2
 Premium Acne Face Wash With 
Charcoal, sulfur And B3, 6oz

I’m a total snob when it comes to facial cleansers.  I mean really, I have very high standards.  It has to be completely all natural, not overly drying, and it must effortlessly remove all my eye make-up without stinging my eyes.  I was happy to find that this charcoal face wash removed all my eye make up and did not sting a bit.  It is a little drying in my skin, but understandable giving this is a acne face wash, but nothing too extreme.  My husband likes this product as well.  

~Diva Stuff Giveaway~

If you’re interested in trying Diva Stuff Products, you can enter to win 5-piece beauty bundle (a $40 value).   

Here’s what the bundle includes:

1- Honey Lime Face Scrubbies—glycerin soap, honey, lime oil

1-Ancient Mayan Secret Chocolate Mint Face Mask


1-Fountain of Youth Wrinkle Cream


1- Pampering Peppermint Foot Cream


1-Orange Cream Cupcake Lip Balm


Here’s how to enter:

You have ways to enter and therefore 4 chances to win!

1.  Like the Tasty Alternative on FB and leave me a comment saying you are a new fan or established fan.  

2.  Like Diva Stuff on their FB page and leave me a comment saying you are a new fan.

3.  Leave a comment here sharing what Diva Stuff product you would like to try.

4.  Share this giveaway on FB and leave me a quick comment saying you shared (I will check the shares on the FB post to confirm).

Guidelines and Details: 

1.  The giveaway is available to US readers only.  However, international orders are welcome on the website

2.  The contest will end on Thursday August 8th (at 11:00 pm) and a winner will be announced by random.org and announced on August 9th.  

3.  The contest winner will have 24 hours to claim the prize  Please email me within 24 hours.  I will continue to pick random entries until the prize is claimed.

4.  A good way to keep updated on the contest is to follow The Tasty Alternative via email.  Visit The Tasty Alternative and find “Follow By Email” option on the left sidebar.  

5.  Can’t wait for the contest winner announcement   Diva Stuff is offering 1st time customers 20% off  by using this code during checkout: DIVAVP20

6.  As you know, The Tasty Alternative is a green living blog, dedicated to decreasing waste and advocating for the use of non-toxic materials.  I do no support companies that use Styrofoam as packaging, and I’ve asked Diva Stuff to please use paper and other easily recyclable materials in their packaging.   

Good luck!!
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Posted by Amber at

Labels: giveaways, Product Review.

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Blue Mountain Organics: Cashew Cream Review (and special discount for my readers)

Saying good-bye to dairy nearly nine years ago was difficult, but so worth it.  My health drastically improved from this change.  But saying good-bye to ice cream was honestly difficult.  I mean, hasn’t ice cream been in you’re life forever?  It’s a part of our childhood and our memories.  For me, special memories of summer, my grandpa, friendsa simpler time.  It’s a treat enjoyed by children and adults alike and something that weaves a bond of love and tradition between us.  But going dairy free doesn’t mean missing out on delicious ice cream – no ma’am.  In fact, it means a world of delicious healthy alternatives is wide open.  

Just in time for summer, Danielle, from Blue Mountain Organics, contacted me and asked if I would review some of their cashew based ice creams.  Below you’ll find our thoughts and opinions on 4 of their ice cream flavors.  (Please note, we were not paid for our personal comments).  

Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery makes a variety of cashew-based ice creams made with the highest quality organic ingredients available – made with organic raw superfoods!

  • Rich and Creamy
  • Dairy-Free, Vegan, Raw
  • USDA Certified Organic
  • Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, GMO-Free
  • Agave Sweetened, Low Glycemic Index
  • Made in a Peanut-Free and Soy-Free Facility
  • ___________________________________________
    #1

Strawberry was my favorite flavor 
(in fact, I’m eating some as I type this review).  
The first thing I noticed about their ice cream was the texture.  It’s like nothing else I’ve experienced.  Velvety is what comes to mind.  In looking at the ingredients I saw they add shea butter.  This is new to me in food, but it makes perfect sense and yields a luscious, creamy texture.  The color is darker than most strawberry ice creams (not a bright red color), but don’t let this put you off.  This is packed with berry flavor.  My daughter also likes this one.  She said it tastes like gelato. 
#2
Mango was my son’s favorite flavor.  The first thing he said when he took a bite was, “Yummy, sooo good Mommy.”
The mango has great color and a distinct mango flavor with hints of pineapple.  Very refreshing with a tropical feel. 
My daughter had the flu last week and wasn’t interested in eating much, but she gobbled down this ice cream.  I felt great giving her this healing, raw superfood.  It was the perfect balance of nutrition and calories while she was healing.    

#3
My husband went a little nuts for the mint cacao chip.  
To quote him:
“This was one of the most delicious ice creams!  I’m so impressed with the creamy texture and the mint flavor.  I also love these cacao nibs (what are these?).  I can NOT tell this is cashews based, WOW – this honestly tastes just like traditional ice cream.”  He was equally impressed with the ingredients, stating, “I can’t believe something so tasty is so good for me.”  
#4
The final ice cream is chocolate.  
In general, chocolate isn’t my favorite flavor of ice cream.  I don’t crave chocolate like my husband, so one night I had another bowl of mango and my husband had a bowl the chocolate (and raved about it).  But he’s a huge chocoholic, so of course he loved it.  But the next day I was craving something during afternoon snack time (something rich), and I remembered this ice cream I thought I would give it a try…. 

 Let’s just say I didn’t even get a chance to put it in a bowl. I devoured it like a maniac right out of the carton.  It was amazing.  I’ve never tasted chocolate ice cream like this.  Again, the texture is like none other, soft and creamy.  It’s not overly sweet which I appreciate, and the chocolate flavor is deep and rich (you can tell it’s real chocolate).  It’s a superb dessert.    
When my husband went for some more chocolate ice cream that night I gently told him it was gone, and he sadly walked away from the freezer (and I wasn’t at all sorry I finished it offokay, maybe a little).
   
I’m very particular about what products I share and what companies I promote here on The Tasty Alternative, and I can tell you this company is special with superior products.  In additional to their cashew cream, they also offer other healthy, delicious foods, such as: raw desserts and snacks, raw and sprouted seeds and nut butters, & grains/ cereals/sprouted flours. 

Blue Mountain Organics is offering my readers 10% of their order with the code: “BLOG”

Please take advantage of this discount!  
Click here to browse their many fabulous products, and to place your order.  

Note: If you’re ordering the cashew cream, it will be sent to you in a Styrofoam box with dry ice.  Danielle from Blue Mountain Organics informed me that you can send back the Styrofoam box (at your own expense) so it can be reused.  I sent mine back!
Blue Mountain Organics
1011 Floyd HWY North
Floyd, Va 24091


Thank you and happy summer!

Posted by Amber at

Labels: ice cream, Product Review.

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

New Grist Gluten Free Beer

Who says Monday night dinners are boring?  Not I says the girl who just made the most delicious veggie turkey burgers – EVER!  Oh, and did I mention the gluten free beer.  So here is an excellent example of living and eating without sacrifice, without regret, without leaving anything behind (ahem, except a bloated gut).

Okay so about the beer.  My local Coop has a nice selection of gluten free beers.  Thought it would be fun to pick some up.  My preference has always been dark beer, the darker the better.  Guinness is my favorite.  Particular is the word to describe my preference: when it comes to beer, I turn down the light variety faster than a poor college kid can down a warm can of Natural Ice (ouch, bringing back some memories here).  But alas that delicious Guinness does not love me.  I don’t know if it’s the Crohn’s Disease or just age, but a bottle of Guinness can tare me up pretty quick.  I’ve had about 5 glasses in the last 6 years.  No can do in the Guinness department, but I was determined to enjoy a glass of beer with burger night.  

Let me share my husband’s response to the gluten free beer.  Keep in mind that he does not discriminate when it comes to beer.  He likes imports, but he will drink Coors light just the same (gag).  
Okay, he said, “Wow, this beer is really good, I like it. It has a caramel taste to it.  It reminds me of a Pacifico. Yeah, good stuff.  You can’t tell it’s not a wheat beer.  The carbonation is a little different.  Overall I like it, it goes down smooth, it’s great {and I love this part} I feel way less bloated!”

My response to his critique, “I didn’t know you experienced bloat from beer?!” Learned something new tonight about the man I’ve loved for nearly 13 years – he gets bloated too (I am apparently way too boisterous about my bloat).  
Back to the review.  I noticed something different about this beer right off the bat: I didn’t hiccup when I took a drink.  Regular beer never failed to induce an instant hiccup at first sip; and overall I despise carbonation for this gas factor and also because it’s weird (hence my love of Guinness).  So no hiccup and no nasty light beer after taste.  Come to think of it, no remarkable after taste at all.  Like Scott said, it’s very smooth.  It’s light of course, but flavorful.  I experienced zero bloat.  It was a strange sensation at first.  I’m so used to immediately unbuttoning my pants shortly after that first sip.  
I like it, I will buy it again, I will bring it to parties (if we ever get to one) and I will trick my friends and lay the gluten free factor down like “What, gluten free is awesome and fun.”  

CHEERS!   
Posted by Amber at

Labels: beverages, Product Review.

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