The Nutritionist Reviews

January 31, 2011

Pet Head Review

Do these bottles look strangely familiar? They do to me! They look just the lovely salon line of products Bed Head. These are high quality pet products called Pet Head .  I have seen them in pet shops and have wanted them for my pups for awhile now! Finally, I was sent some for review and got to try some of these great products. I had to include this picture from the website because it was way too cute not to! When I opened this package, my little guy Jaxen was so excited because he knew that it was for him.  He literally jumped into the shower with me so I decided to give him a bath with this Dirty Talk shampoo.  It smells great and deodorizes (thank god!).  Jaxen smelled amazing after and still does two days later.  I also got to review the Fears for Tears shampoo which also smells awesome.  Thanks for helping my stinky puppy get clean in a jiffy and smell so sweet.

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January 31, 2011

Teatulia Review and Giveaway

Teatulia is a line of 9 different organic teas.  I was send a sampler pack of one of each flavor.  My favorite is the tulsi infusion tea which is a black tea that is spicy and exotic.  It tasted delicious and did not need anything added to it. The teas come in pretty little see through pyramid teabags.  The green tea on it's own was a little too earthy for my taste but mixed with some caramel coffee syrup, it was quite good. For a box of 16 teabags, it costs $9.22 and can be purchased on the company's website. ***If you sign up for the company's newsletter (located on the bottom of this page), you can get 20% off of your first order! Giveaway The giveaway will be for three eco canisters of tea (16 bags each) including white tea, bengal breakfast tea, and earl of bengal tea (about a $30 value).  The giveaway is open until Midnight on Tuesday February 15th. Winner will be chosen on Wednesday February 16th using Random.org.  Mandatory: Visit

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January 30, 2011

Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic Review and Giveaway

Anna Getty is the author of the cookbook Easy Green Organic .  This cookbook is full of fun, simple, and delicious recipes. Some of the recipes that caught my eye were John Pepper's Exotic Green Beans, Spicy Garbanzo Bean Burritos with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, and Mini Strawberry Rhubarb Crumbles.   I cannot wait to try some of these great recipes. The book retails for $24.95. Giveaway The giveaway will be for one Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic cookbook.  The giveaway is open until Midnight on Tuesday February 15th. Winner will be chosen on Wednesday February 16th using Random.org.  Mandatory: Tell me what your favorite meal is...it can be anything! ***Please make sure that your email address is either in your profile or left in a comment. Also, extra entries must be left as a separate comment. Extra Entries:   -"Like" my Facebook page on the right side of my page (2 entries) -Subscribe to my blog via Google Fri

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January 30, 2011

Swilt Review and Giveaway

What is a Swilt you ask? A Swilt is not a sweater or a quilt but a mix between the two.  You can wear it on the couch as a blanket or roll it up and wear it as a sweatshirt. It can be worn for a cold football game and you could wear it as a sweatshirt or a blanket that way.  Also, it has a foot pocket on the bottom too! This retails for $29.99. I got to review the Swilt and chose the grey one.  It is very warm and functional.  Of course it may be a little silly looking for going out in public in but if it is cold enough, you won't care how you look (trust me, I live in Michigan).  I like the foot pocket too because it is rugged on the outside so that it won't get ruined if you are wearing it outdoors. ***The company is offering FREE SHIPPING on any order right now! Check it out before this offer is gone. Giveaway The giveaway will be for one Swilt in the color and size of your choice (a $29.99 value!).  The giveaway is open until Midnight on Tuesday February

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January 30, 2011

Simple Green Review and Giveaway

My husband is a huge fan of these Simple Green products.  He sells them at Autozone where he works as a manager.  Since it is winter, I cannot use these particular products until some of the snow melts but since my hubby has used all of these, I asked him to help me review them. The hand cleaner gel is great to use when you don't have water.  It is very effective on cleaning your hands quickly. The motorsports cleaner and degreaser is great on cars and can be used indoors too.  The scrubbing pads and car wash are great products that he highly recommends to people.  I can't wait till it is warmer out to be able to use these products on my car (okay, to let me husband use them on my car : P). Giveaway The giveaway will be for the set of Simple Green products seen in the picture above including Simple Green Car Wash, Extreme Simple Green Motorsports Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Hand Cleaner Gel and a Simple Green Scrubbing Pad.  The giveaway is open until Midn

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January 30, 2011

Shenzhen Peeler Review

Shenzhen Knives is a company that sells mostly ceramic knives but also sells ceramic peelers too.  I got to review this ceramic peeler listed above.  It retails for $9.99 but is on sale for $8.99 now. Because it is ceramic, it will not rust and will stay sharp for longer than other peelers.  What I like about it is that it is very wide so that you can peel more at once. It is a great peeler! Also, the company sells ceramic knives at a great deal.  They have different specials listed on their site. Check 'em out!

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January 29, 2011

MarDona Review

MarDona is an awesome brand that sells many oils, vinegars, honey, salts, butters, etc.  They are very gourmet and taste great. They are pretty affordable and can be purchased on the website. My favorite products are the basil olive oil and the garlic butter.  The butter is perfect on a piece of toasted whole wheat bread.  The basil olive oil is great on a salad mixed with romaine, shredded carrots, tomatoes, peppers, honey balsamic, and apple cider vinegar. I tried this combination for dinner last night and it was so good. I can't wait to try the rest of the products! I'm sure that they are equally as good as these ones are.

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January 29, 2011

Playing Puppies

Sometimes, my dachshunds get a little crazy...it's too good not to get on film!

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January 29, 2011

Skinny Bitch Review/Giveaway

Skinny Bitch is a very well known book that changes many women's lives. It takes a semi-brutal approach at educating people on how a vegan and healthy diet is the best for you.  To be honest, I was not a huge fan of the original book because I am not a vegan and therefore, found some parts to be offensive.  This cookbook looked really neat though so I decided to email the company to review one. I got to review Skinny Bitch in the Kitch and Skinny Bitch Ultimate Everyday Cookbook .  I really love both of them.  They take a less harsh approach on showing you how to eat a healthy vegan diet.  The recipes are great and the pictures make you want to get up and cook right then and there! I really enjoyed reading all of the background information in the Skinny Bitch Ultimate Everyday Cookbook on healthy living.  I will be making one of these recipes in this book ASAP!! Giveaway The giveaway will be for one Skinny Bitch Ultimate Everyday Cookbook .  The giveaway is open un

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January 29, 2011

Tukaiz Calendar Review/Giveaway

Tukaiz is a company that makes personalized products such as calendars, posters, folders, etc.  I had the pleasure of reviewing a calendar with my name on it and one with my husband's name.  As you can see in the pictures, each picture incorporates your name which is really neat.  My husband LOVES his calendar and literally told me that it is the coolest thing ever! I am going to take mine to work and track my important meetings and such on it. Desk calendars cost $14.99 and wall calendars cost $19.99 which are both very affordable.  They come in different designs so you can choose which one most suits your personality.  Check them out, they are so cool! Giveaway The giveaway will be for a personalized calendar in the design of your choosing from Tukaiz.  The giveaway is open until Midnight on Tuesday February 15th. Winner will be chosen on Wednesday February 16th using Random.org.  Mandatory: Visit the Tukaiz website and let me know which calendar des

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January 28, 2011

Winter Diet vs. Summer Diet

A reader asked whether you should eat differently in the winter than the summer.  My answer for the most part is no, but here are some things that you may want to do differently this time of year. Summer and Winter Fruits In the summer, fresh fruits and vegetables in many varieties are available for a relatively good price.  In the winter, it is hard to find a huge variety (I know that I am sure getting sick of citrus and root vegetables!).  Winter Diet My suggestion is to make sure that you are still getting enough variety of fruits/veggies in the winter because different foods have different nutrients in them.  For example, tomatoes are high in lycopene, spinach has iron, and oranges have vitamin C. Summer and Winter Vegetables   Also, frozen vegetables and fruits are often cheaper and have about the same amount of nutrients in them as fresh.  These can be a great option when fresh produce is not available for a decent price. Just make sure you get the no added sugar fruit and

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January 28, 2011

Ask the Nutritionist: 100 Calorie Snacks

Snacks are great and I eat them all day long.  Here are some great options to try for only 100 calories: Source 100 Calorie Snacks - Fruits and Vegetables Small apple, sliced with 1 tsp of no-sugar added natural peanut butter slightly melted and drizzled over top (109 calories, 4 grams fat, 4.1 grams fiber) 2 cups sliced strawberries (106 calories, 1 gram fat, 6.6 grams fiber) 1 cup hearty veggie soup (87 calories, 1.8 grams fat, 4 grams fiber) 1 medium sized banana (105 calories, 0.4 grams fat, 3.1 grams fiber) 1/2 cup edamame, steamed (95 calories, 4 grams fat, 4 grams fiber) 1 cup blueberries (84 calories, 0.5 grams fat, 3.6 grams fiber) 3 stalks celery with 2 tsp slightly melted all natural peanut butter for dipping (83 calories, 7.6 grams fat, 2.9 grams fiber) 2 cups cubed cantaloupe (106 calories, 0.6 grams fat, 2.8 grams fiber) 2 carrots and 1 cucumber, sliced (95 calories, 0.6 grams fat, 4.9 grams fiber) 1 cup grapes (104 calories, 0.2 grams fat, 1.4 g

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January 27, 2011

Honeycat Cosmetics Review

Honeycat Cosmetics is one of the coolest bath and body products out there.  I was sent these different products to try for review and really got to see how nice they really are.  I was sent the Warm Milk Martini milk bath, Chocolate Bath Melt Treats, Brandy Peach Shower Gel, and the Chick of the Sea Bath Crystals. These products all smell amazing; especially the peach brandy shower gel! It smells just like a fancy cocktail.  The shower gel made my skin soft and smell great.  The products are natural and not tested on animals. These Honeycat Cosmetics will provide many wonderful and relaxing baths and showers. Here is some information about the company : "Honeycat products are created and developed by owner Theresa Spruill. A veritable feast for your skin that we know you're gonna love! Honeycat makes grooming time an event. Our products promise pleasure for your entire body. They are sexy, sensual, safe and chock full of what's-good-for-your-skin-stuff. Honeyca

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January 27, 2011

Zippo Candle Lighter Review

Zippo is a very well known lighter brand that is commonly thought of for their high quality products.   I am not a smoker, so I figured that Zippo was not for me. Once I further investigated their website, I found that they also sell these neat candle lighters .  I chose the leopard one and love it! It is super easy to use and does not blow out quickly. The lighter retails for $14.95 and comes in other neat patterns such as snowflakes and asian floral.  I love to light big candles and have struggled to not burn myself when using a match.  This lighter makes lighting a candle easy and safe.  I would definitely recommend them!

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January 26, 2011

January Beach Trip in Michigan

 Troy and I decided to take a walk on the beach this past weekend. We got to walk on the frozen lake which was really neat and took some neat pictures. Enjoy!

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January 24, 2011

Turkish Towel Company Review/Giveaway

Considering that my dogs love to rip up my towels, it was definitely time to get some new ones.  The Turkish Towel Company sent me two of these beautiful Zenith espresso towels.  They are nice and soft! The towels seem very well made and I love the brown color.  They are made from the finest two ply Turkish cotton. These towels are going to be put up high so the dogs can't get to them. Check out the site for many different cute towel options. One thing that I love is the black towels that say "makeup".  Those would be perfect to help wipe off black eye makeup or colored foundation.  Thanks Turkish Towel Company for sending me these great towels for review. Giveaway The giveaway will be for two Zenith towels like I received in the color of your choice from The Turkish Towel Company.  The giveaway is open until Midnight on Monday January 31st. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday February 1st using Random.org.  Mandatory: Visit The Turkish Towel C

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January 23, 2011

BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza

 Today, I decided to cook a big pork loin that I defrosted from my freezer.  I cooked it in a crockpot on high all day.  Then, around dinner time, I wanted to make something other than just plain meat so I made pizza...best idea ever! Ingredients:  (portions used are approximate, please adjust to your tastes) -1 cup cooked pulled pork -1/2 cup BBQ sauce (I used my favorite- Open Pit Original) -1 pizza crust (I used Fabulous Flats Multigrain Stone Baked Pizza Crust) -2 tablespoons green chopped olives -1 cup shredded jalapeno Havarti cheese (bought from Aldi) Steps: 1. Take pizza crust and top with BBQ sauce followed by the pork. 2. Spread shredded cheese over pizza and top 1/2 with olives (the husband HATES olives so only my side get them). 3. Bake in the over for about 15 minutes at about 350 degrees. We also had a caesar salad on the side with chopped cucumbers. The dinner was sensational and very memorable.  In fact, it is 8:41 AM and I am going to have a slice fo

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January 22, 2011

Nuts Online Review and Giveaway

Nuts Online is a company that I have been wanting to review for a long time.  Finally, I got the opportunity to review this column dried fruit platter.  It includes my favorite kinds of dried fruit including dried peaches, pears, and plums. It also has coconut dates on it.  The fruit is so delicious! I have never tried dried plums besides prunes before.  It really is different. The dried plum is tart and yummy.  This tray retails for $22.99. I would definitely recommend this fruit tray. The company also offers nuts, chocolates, coffee, tea, and other great snacks.  They have many different options at affordable prices. Check out Nuts Online today! Giveaway The giveaway will be for one pound of dried fruit of the winner's choice from Nuts Online.  The giveaway is open until Midnight on Monday January 31st. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday February 1st using Random.org.  **Please note this giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only. Mandatory: Visit the

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January 22, 2011

Friday Night Dance Party

Last night, Troy and I had the best time.  We played the Wii game "Just Dance" and put on a bunch of music and were dancing to that too.  Here are some pictures:  I think Troy looks so good here!  It was a wonderful time and I can't wait for a chill movie night tonight!

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January 20, 2011

Garden Botanika Review and Giveaway

Garden Botanika is a wonderful company that sells perfume, makeup, skincare, bath and body products, etc.  I got the pleasure of reviewing their Pure Genius perfume, Vanilla Conceal and Reveal Foundation, and Cherry Lip and Cheek Stain. I love all three of these products.  The perfume smells wonderful and stays on your skin for a long time.  My sister described that it "smelled like summer". It is a "warm spice and spicy pomegranate" scent.  This is a scent that can be worn to work or out on a date. The Conceal and Reveal Foundation is a great color on my skin and helps to cover blemishes.  The Cherry Lip and Cheek Stain is great for giving a natural color while still looking really nice. Giveaway The giveaway will be for one Cherry Lip and Cheek Stain and one Eau de Parfum of the winner's choice ( a $47 value )! The giveaway is open until Midnight on Monday January 31st. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday February 1st using Random.org.

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January 20, 2011

Mexican Avocado Soup

Fajita Soup This recipe is extremely easy and delicious. My husband and I both loved it.  One really neat thing is that the refried beans mix into the broth and thickens it but you cannot even tell that it is mostly beans. Ingredients: 1 package freeze dried veggies 1 can fat-free refried beans 1 32 ounce box reduced sodium chicken broth 1 cooked turkey breast shredded 1 cup salsa 1/2 avacado cut into chunks 1 handful tortilla crushed chips Light sour cream and hot sauce to taste Steps: 1. Add the first five ingredients in a pot and boil until vegetables are soft and mixture is hot.  2. Top with chopped avacado, chips, sour cream, and hot sauce. Yum! This quick soup was a winner in my book!

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January 19, 2011

Smart & Sexy Review/Giveaway

Smart & Sexy is a company that gets many great reviews on different blogs.  I was excited when they agreed to send me some items for review. I got two bras, a pair of underwear, and a teddy. They are great quality and fit very well. The company also sells very cute pajama nightgowns as seen above, bridal lingerie, and bra and panty sets. They are very affordable and many bra & panty sets are around $12.  They carry sizes 34A-42DD. Check them out for great valentine's day lingerie. Here is some information about the company : " At Smart & Sexy, we believe that a woman can wear a matching bra and panty everyday without breaking the bank - we offer boutique lingerie & swimwear at budget friendly prices! Plus, Smart & Sexy is the brand that supports women in more ways than one! For every garment sold, a donation is made to organizations that support women." **Please check out this free shipping code: VDAYBLOG- free shipping w/$25+ order, Vali

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January 19, 2011

Healthified Tuna Salad

Traditional tuna salad is full of fattening mayo.  This one only uses a small amount of mayonnaise and substitutes with light sour cream.  It still tastes great and you cannot tell the difference. Healthified Tuna Salad Ingredients: -1 can tuna -1/4 cucumber -4-7 dill pickle hamburger slices -1 large slice of raw onion -1 stalk celery -1 tablespoon mayo (this is the probably the only time you will EVER see this ingredient in one of my recipes) -1 1/2 tablespoons light sour cream -Black pepper Directions: 1. Chop pickles, cucumber, onion, and celery up into small pieces.   2. Place in a bowl and add tuna, mayo, sour cream, and pepper. 3. Mix together well and put on toasted whole wheat bread. This meal satisfied my tuna craving that I could not get out of my mind the last week.  My husband refused to eat it so tonight while he is at work, I got my yummy tuna! P.S. brush your teeth after eating this meal!

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January 18, 2011

Ruffwear Review and Giveaway

Ava and Jaxen are loving their new Mt. Bachelor Pad from Ruffwear that they were sent for review.  Right when I got the package, they knew it was for them and started going a little crazy.  They love laying on it. The bed retails for $59.95 and is is a nice shade of green.  It seems to be good quality which is necessary because Ava loves to chew these up.  It is portable and has straps to roll it up so you can take it on car rides or vacations.  I know that this will continue to be their new place to lay for a long time! Giveaway: The giveaway will be for the TurnUp toy pictured above.  The giveaway is open until Midnight on Monday January 31st. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday February 1st using Random.org. Mandatory: Visit the Ruffwear site and let me know what item you love for your pet! ***Please make sure that your email address is either in your profile or left in a comment. Also, extra entries must be left as a separate comment. Extra Entries:

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January 18, 2011

BBQ Chip Chicken

Tonight, Troy made an awesome dinner! He used my new Better Homes and Gardens cookbook as an inspiration and came up with this. BBQ Chip Chicken Ingredients: -Two boneless skinless chicken breasts defrosted -1 egg -2 tablespoons milk -1/4 cup breadcrumbs (he used Italian) -1 handful of BBQ ruffles chips -A few dashes of paprika Steps: 1. Cut off any visible fat on the chicken.  Crack an egg and beat with milk using a fork.  2. Crush chips and mix with the breadcrumbs and paprika.  3. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture and then in the chip mixture.   4. Bake at 375 degrees for 45-55 minutes. This chicken was amazing and I ate the whole huge piece (which is amazing because I usually can only eat a little chicken). We also had a salad with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and crumbled cheddar cheese. I topped mine with balsamic vinegar.  It was a great dinner and I am full now!

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January 18, 2011

Quick Healthy Meals from a Dietitian

Reader Ava (same name as my puppy!!) asked about some quick breakfast and lunch options.  Here are some ideas of things that I love to eat for these meals: Breakfast: Source -Instant oats (in a packet or from a larger container) microwaved and topped with peanut butter, nuts, and/or fruit. -Toast with peanut butter, bananas, and a drizzle of sugar-free syrup. -A couple eggs scrambled up with salsa, ground beef (leftover from a previous dinner), and topped with a little cheese. -A bagel thin with a couple slices canadian bacon, ketchup, and a slice of reduced fat cheese (yum!). -A smoothie with fruit of your choice, spinach (I swear you cannot taste it at all), yogurt, milk, and whatever else you feel like! Lunch: Source -A sandwich with hummus, veggies, and lunch meat (I have a George Foreman so I love to grill up these sandwiches. It takes less than 5 minutes and makes the lunch seem like it's from a restaurant.) -A whole wheat tortilla filled with refried

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