Caffeine-Free Energy Boost with Teeccino [Review]

What can I say about caffeine? I'm addicted to it. I love coffee. About 6 months ago, I switched to green tea as my main source of caffeine. I still have a little coffee here or there, but I find that the caffeine content is too high for me (imagine a wired feeling with someone holding your eyes open). On some days, I need more caffeine than green tea can offer. I had heard of herbal coffees before, but was very skeptical that they could do the trick. When I received my variety pack of Teeccino herbal coffees, I immediately picked a bag to brew. Teeccino caffeine-free herbal coffee is a delicious blend of herbs, grains, fruits, and nuts roasted and ground to brew and taste just like coffee.

Teeccino Herbal Coffee    

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Caffeine-free
Non-acidic
Energy boost from nutrients
Nutritious (quick absorption of nutrients)

I received a number of Teeccino products: ground herbal coffee, single-serve tea bags, and cereal.

I stated off with the herbal coffee bag (Hazelnut flavor). I liked the ease of making this herbal coffee just like I make tea. Pour the hot water over the bag, steep and enjoy. I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious aroma. I do not tend to prefer flavored coffees, so I thought of the Hazelnut Teeccino as an herbal coffee drink. Teeccino tasted just like coffee. I even got a nice "caffeine" boost. My favorite aspect is that Teeccino is nutritious and the energy comes from the ingredients and nutrients as opposed to caffeine in regular coffee.

Teeccino also comes in 11oz bags, which contain ground ingredients that you can brew in your coffee maker or French press. The varieties are mostly of the flavored kind, which might be a big change for someone who  could be used to drinking black Starbucks Pike coffee. Teeccino does offer a few standard flavors like French roast, Original, and Java.

Not only does Teeccino offer herbal coffees and teas, but they also offer nutrient-dense cereals. Teeccino cereals are gluten-free and contain super seeds to keep you energized and full all morning long. I have not yet tried the cereals, but I am confident that I will love them. Chia, flax, quinoa, amaranth, ramon and pumpkin seeds with gluten-free rolled oats, blueberries, and dried fruit sounds like something I would try to mix at home for a healthy breakfast.

I feel like a new world has been opened to me with herbal coffee. I love the different flavors and varieties of Teeccino herbal coffee. I can see myself drinking the herbal coffee in the morning or enjoying it with some whole milk in the afternoon. If you are looking for a coffee alternative that does not give you jitters or stomach aches, I recommend trying Teeccino.

Disclosure: I received the sample from Naturally Savvy in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. I am under no pressure to return the product to the company or to write this review. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest.

Higher Absorption Rate with pur-Absorb Iron

I have never been big about those synthetic, man-made supplements that I have read mixed reviews about. I have no interest in putting something into my body on a daily basis that has no hope of doing anything good for my body, let alone could potentially be harmful. If and when I do take supplements, and I do take a few here or there, I make sure they are as natural and as pure as I can find. Quality supplements are not cheap and cheap supplements are not quality. pur-Absorb Iron supplements offer the highest absorption rate, reduced scope of side effects, and a completely natural source of iron.

pur-Absorb Iron    ($19.95, 28 servings)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
High absorption rate	Individual packets not recyclable/biodegradable
Clinically proven
100% natural source
Easy to take; no water needed

One of the first things that caught my eye about pur-Absorb is the high absorption rate. pur-Absorp Iron is actually a naturally occurring iron-rich spring water which is collected and packaged right at the source (Snowdonia, North Wales, United Kingdom). Nothing else is added. The supplements are 100% natural.

To take the supplement, you open the packet and drink the water. I love that this iron supplement is so easy to take. I do not need to wash it down with water because it is already water. Although the individual packets are not very eco-friendly, I really like the convenience factor. The packets can be thrown in your purse, briefcase, or diaper bag.

Now, what about the taste? Hardly any. I did notice that water tasted different that the filtered tap water I usually drink, but the taste was not foul. It tasted like natural spring water from another country. If you have a sensitive palate, you might be able to notice a hint of iron, but it is indistinguishable.

And last, but not least. I did not notice any side effects that you could usually experience with iron supplements.

If you are looking for a quality iron supplement to boost your iron levels, I would highly recommend pur-Absorb Iron because of the ease of taking the supplement, the 100% natural source, and the high absorption rate. . 

Disclosure: I received the sample from Naturally Savvy in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. I am under no pressure to return the product to the company or to write this review. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest. I am not a medical professional. The intent of this review is not to provide medical advice. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions about taking this product.

Yes, I Took That Out of the Trash!

Last year, my office instituted a pretty good recycling program. We have the shredder bin (shredded paper is recycled), the recycle bin for office paper, and the bin for other recyclables. These are usually placed in the kitchen areas so the employees have quick and easy access. We also have smaller cardboard boxes in each office to recycle office paper. I am completely devoted to using the bins and boxes. I will admit that I get a little excited when I have something I can recycle. I still do takes a few items home, like compost, but I hardly ever use the trashcan anymore.

Today's confession: Yes, I took that out of the trash...and recycled it!

I was heating up tea and just happened to look in the trashcan right beside me. There was a plastic bottle staring at me. I looked around to make sure no one was around, quickly grabbed it and placed it in the recycle bin. Ahh, the feeling of satisfaction!
 

Oscillo Relieves Flu-Like Symptoms [Review]

As the majority of Americans are skeptical about homeopathic and natural medicine, I was also. A couple of years ago, I decided that the standard medications available in pharmacies across the United State (over the counter or by prescription) were not really doing it for me anymore. However, I was not quite ready to jump on the homeopathic and natural medicine bandwagon. One of the first homeopathic medicines I tried was Oscillococcinum (commonly known as Oscillo). Oscillo by Boiron is a homeopathic medicine that helps to relieve flu-like symptoms like headaches, body aches, chills, and fever, or feelings of being run-down.

Boiron Oscillococcinum    ($9.99, 6 doses, drugstore.com)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Natural	Plastic tubes are not recyclable
Easy to take
Kid friendly

I have taken Oscillo on several occasions, whether it was preventive because someone around me was sick or it was right at the beginning of feeling like I was coming down with something. When I did take Oscillo on a regular basis (and I'll be honest that it was less than the prescribed dose), my symptoms were relieved or went away completed. Oscillo helps to boost your immune system so that your body naturally fights any external forces that could cause you to get sick. This homeopathic medicine is easy to take, even for children.

I would recommend Oscillo to anyone who is looking for a natural, homeopathic way to prevent and treat  symptoms like headaches, body aches, chills, and fever, or feelings of being run-down. 

Please do your research about homeopathic medicine and how it works differently from your standard OTC medicines like Nyquil, Daquil, etc., which could potentially be prescribed for flu-like symptoms. Refer to the package for specific dosing instructions.

Disclosure: I received the sample from Naturally Savvy in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. I am under no pressure to return the product to the company or to write this review. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest. I am not a medical professional. The intent of this review is not to provide medical advice. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions about taking this product.

Is Composting in the Winter Possible?

Right now, I do NOT think so!

This morning, I layered with several wool sweaters, put on my big furry long leather coat with the hood on my head, and my rain boots. I told my husband that I was challenging my relatives from "deep Russia," as my dad likes to call the area where my grandma is from (farming and living off the land are the norm here). I started the trek to the compost area in the back right corner of our yard.

When I got to the compost bin and piles, they were covered in snow. I brushed the snow off the compost bin and tried to open it. The lid was frozen shut. Ok. Plan B! I can bury the food scraps in the compost piles likes I used to do. The compost bin is almost full anyways and the decomposition processes have stalled during this freezing weather.

Plan B had one challenge though - the almost-composted soil was frozen (it has been below freezing outside). I used the pitch fork to poke around until I found a soft spot that I could lift. These were the dried leaves that had not started to decompose yet. Perfect! I was able to find a few areas that I could use to bury the food scraps. Since we have a lot of critters in our neighborhood, burying the food scraps in the compost pile helps to keep them out. The smell is contained. Now, I hope the critters do not sense that an area was disturbed and start digging there for the food. Hehe.

>> What are your tips for composting in the winter??