alexfranchuk
Member Since: September 24, 2015Reviews
Annie's Classic Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
My family was selected to try ANNIE'S HOMEGROWN CLASSIC CHEDDAR MACARONI & CHEESE for free in exchange for our honest thoughts and opinions and we all loved it! Easy, quick sides are a staple in our household and we were excited to see if the new... +
My family was selected to try ANNIE'S HOMEGROWN CLASSIC CHEDDAR MACARONI & CHEESE for free in exchange for our honest thoughts and opinions and we all loved it! Easy, quick sides are a staple in our household and we were excited to see if the new and improved formula really is "Yummier Than Ever!".
Spoiler alert: It was! We have tried Annie's Mac n Cheese in the past and we have enjoyed it every time. We love the Annie's brand because they use 80% organic ingredients as well as work with trusted suppliers to source ONLY non-GMO ingredients. I love when food tastes good, but I also love when I can feel good about feeding it to my family. The new formula tastes even more cheesy and delicious then the previous recipe did and we enjoyed every bite right down to the last noodle. The Mac & cheese is so simple to make and comes together in under 10 minutes so even the "hangriest" of kids (or parents) don't have to wait to long! The product claims to also be more creamier but unfortunately we did not find that part to be true.
As always, the flavour was delicious but I found the sauce to be really runny. 1/4 cup of milk was far too much and the runny cheese sauce all sank to the bottom of the pot and hardly coated the noodles at all. We each ended up spooning the sauce on top of our noodles after they had been divided. I would recommend using the eyeball test and just adding the milk to your preference. Also, making the cheese sauce in the warm pan AND THEN adding the noodles after did not work. The cheese sauce became all lumpy and clumpy and then getting it to mix properly with the noodles after was quite the task. It is far easier to add the butter, milk and cheese sauce into the warm pan WITH the noodles instead.
Overall, this product was really delicious and based on taste alone, I would purchase this again. However I don't find it overly creamy and there is quite a bit of trial and error in making what should be a rather simple side dish. I can find it in my grocery store for anywhere between $2-$2.50 which is decently priced for an organic, non-GMO product. I don't think I will replace my current side dishes completely but I will incorporate this into my lineup for sure!
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Maxwell house max boost
I received the MAX Boost Coffee to try for free in exchange for my honest opinion and I absolutely loved it! Coffee is a MUST for me in the morning and I generally drink two cups depending on how my morning is going and what I have planned for the... +
I received the MAX Boost Coffee to try for free in exchange for my honest opinion and I absolutely loved it! Coffee is a MUST for me in the morning and I generally drink two cups depending on how my morning is going and what I have planned for the day. Sometimes after my second cup I tend to get a little jittery and the regrets start to sink in as I may have overdone my caffeine consumption. One pod of these is just perfect! I feel awake and refreshed and ready to tackle my day after just one cup. They contain 1.5x the caffeine of a regular pod and contains no artificial ingredients - just the bean! The brew is said to be medium but as someone who drinks their coffee black, I would almost say this tastes more like a dark roast but amazing nonetheless! I would purchase this product again! -
Dove Exfoliating Body Polish Crushed Macadamia & Rice Milk
I absolutely LOVE the DOVE BODY EXFOLIATING BODY POLISH MACADAMIA AND RICE MILK. I have never tried/heard of a body polish before so I was super excited to see how this compared to other body exfoliates. I used it in the shower every second day or... +
I absolutely LOVE the DOVE BODY EXFOLIATING BODY POLISH MACADAMIA AND RICE MILK. I have never tried/heard of a body polish before so I was super excited to see how this compared to other body exfoliates. I used it in the shower every second day or so, and the results were instant! It's not as harsh on the skin as other exfoliating products are but the results were the same.
The product is creamy and lathers nicely with the addition of the moisturizing cream. It works great to remove any dry and dull skin and my body was left soft and smooth. The smell was amazing, 10/10 would purchase this product again just for scent alone. It seriously smells incredible. It claims to be a macadamia and rice milk (?) scent combination but I am not sure that it smells like that. It is, however, a beautiful scent and left my skin smelling and feeling nice for hours. I will absolutely recommend this to family and friends and will be purchasing this again.
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L’OREAL PARIS MAGIC SHAMPOO
I received this product to try for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was blown away! I lead a pretty busy lifestyle so a few times a week I find myself needing to use dry shampoo for a little bit of a hair refresh. I have... +
I received this product to try for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was blown away! I lead a pretty busy lifestyle so a few times a week I find myself needing to use dry shampoo for a little bit of a hair refresh. I have extremely dark, almost black hair so it’s imortant for me to find a dry shampoo that doesn’t leave a white residue or film on my hair. This stuff actually works! It refreshes my hair without any hint of residue and leaves it looking clean and volumnized. Unlike many other dry shampoos, the Magic Shampoo uses fine rice powder which is an ingredient that naturally is an oil absorber. I received the rose tonic scent and as someone who usually stays away from rose scented products, this one impressed me. The scent lasts all day and smells incredible. It’s not just a quick fix product, it has staying power and lasts through sweat and heat. The product is easy to use as well: Shake, Spray and massage! This product will replace my previous dry shampoos as my go-to. Finally a product that lives to the claim of no white residue, even on the darkest of hair colours! -
Vichy Idéal Soleil Moisturizing Self-Tanning Milk
I was selected to try the VICHY IDÉAL SOLEIL MOISTURIZING SELF-TANNING MILK for free from ChickAdvisor in exchange for my honest opinion and it far exceeded my expectations! I have been using self tanners for years but still haven't been able to... +
I was selected to try the VICHY IDÉAL SOLEIL MOISTURIZING SELF-TANNING MILK for free from ChickAdvisor in exchange for my honest opinion and it far exceeded my expectations! I have been using self tanners for years but still haven't been able to find one at a decent price that doesn't make you look streaky or orange. Vichy has changed the game!
I applied it to one of my legs first as I wanted a place that I could hide if the results were disastrous like they have been so many times before and I only did one so that I could see the difference. The tanning milk comes out as a white cream with a nice scent and is non greasy. The smell is slightly overpowering and is still strong hours after application but it is not the normal chemical like scent that usually accompanies self tanning products. I lathered it on my legs and then washed my hands thoroughly as per the directions and then I waited. I applied it after my nightly shower around 8 and waited until 10 before I went to bed.. nothing really noticeable occurred so I figured I needed another layer but decided to do it the next day. I was wrong. When I woke up the results were there! My leg was a beautiful bronzed brown. It was not super dark, just a shade darker but it was BROWN and EVEN. I couldn't believe it. I did my other leg so they would be even and then continuously applied more layers every three days. The tan is buildable and is so easy to maintain. It looks natural and real, even on pale skin.
If you have never used a self tanner before, look into care tips because the directions on the package and the tube are very vague. As someone who uses them frequently I know that you should exfoliate before use, not shave, and should be extra careful around areas such as elbows and knees and in between toes. The product retails for $26 online which I think is very fair for an amazing self tanner from a very reputable brand. The tan doesn't take one hour for results as the directions state, but take your time and be patient and you will be blown away! One application does make a beautiful difference! This is my new go to product.
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L'Oréal True Match Concealer
I was selected to try the L'Oreal Paris True Match Multi-Use Concealer in shade N1-2 (Fair) in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. The product itself is incredible but the packaging is a little difficult to use. I have various acne and red... +
I was selected to try the L'Oreal Paris True Match Multi-Use Concealer in shade N1-2 (Fair) in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. The product itself is incredible but the packaging is a little difficult to use. I have various acne and red spots on my face as well as dark circles around the eyes, so a great concealer is a must for me. This products works so well and hides every possible blemish with ease. The color is a light neutral and blended into my face makeup perfectly. The product provides full coverage and is buildable and blendable to help cover even the most stubborn spots! The applicator tip is perfect for small areas and precision, but I found it hard to use. The packaging does not come with directions and it takes a substantial amount of twists to get the initial product out upon opening. I thought that my concealer stick was broken but it was just that I hadn't twisted the bottom enough. I also am not a huge fan of the applicator tip because it is hard to judge how much product is in there because it soaks in and is not visible. Overall this is another great product from L'Oreal and I will be purchasing this again! It is a full coverage concealer great for all areas of the face and for all skin problems. The applicator is great for applying to the under eye and for precise application. -
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Power Serum
I was selected to try the VICHY AQUALIA THERMAL SERUM for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was really impressed! Vichy is an amazing skin care brand and I was excited to learn that they created a hydration line for those... +
I was selected to try the VICHY AQUALIA THERMAL SERUM for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was really impressed! Vichy is an amazing skin care brand and I was excited to learn that they created a hydration line for those with sensitive skin that will help combat aging and fine lines! I have dull skin with fine lines and wrinkles on my forehead as well as around my mouth so I was really looking forward to putting this to the test.
I love that the serum comes in a pump container because it helps prevent bacteria and cross contamination which is super important when it comes to the things you put on your face! I use 1.5 pumps twice a day, morning and night, and I loved the results! The product spreads easily on the skin and gives off a beautiful dewy finish. It looks incredible under makeup and smells wonderful! The bottle is small but it will last a long time. My skin feels and looks much more hydrated and vibrant. The product claims to help strengthen, rebalance and retain moisture and I think it does a great job of that. It says on the box that it creates replumped fine lines and I unfortunately don’t think it lives up to that claim. As hydrated and gorgeous as my skin looks, the fine lines are definitely still there.
Overall I think the product is great for helping those with sensitive skin get a little more hydration. My sensitive skin was not irritated from the serum and looked much more healthy and hydrated. I would not recommend this to someone looking for their fine lines to be erased because this is not the product for that. Other then that, I really enjoyed it and would reccomend it!
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Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream
I was selected to try the VICHY AQUALIA THERMAL LIGHT CREAM for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was really impressed! Vichy is an amazing skin care brand and I was excited to learn that they created a hydration line for... +
I was selected to try the VICHY AQUALIA THERMAL LIGHT CREAM for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was really impressed! Vichy is an amazing skin care brand and I was excited to learn that they created a hydration line for those with sensitive skin that will help combat aging and fine lines! I have dull skin with fine lines and wrinkles on my forehead as well as around my mouth so I was really looking forward to putting this to the test.
The first thing I noticed about the product was that a little bit goes a long long long way. It took me 4 days (8 tries!) before I was able to figure out how much product to apply. It applies so easily and smoothly and although the jar might seem small, it will last a long time! The cream provides tons of hydration considering such a small amount is applied. I used it twice daily, morning and night, and was impressed with the results. It gives a beautiful dewy glow and looks incredible under makeup. I love that the product claims to protect skin from pollution and provides 48hr fresh hydration. The product claims that fine lines will look visibly replumped and I unfortunately did not find that claim to be true. My skin looked more healthy and hydrated but the fine lines were definitely still there.
Overall I think the product is great for helping those with sensitive skin get a little more hydration. My sensitive skin was not irritated from the cream and looked much more healthy and hydrated. I would not recommend this to someone looking for their fine lines to be erased because this is not the product for that. I also wish the smell was not so strong and that the container was a pump container to help avoid bacteria contamination.
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Hellmann's with Avocado and a hint of Lime
I was selected to try the HELLMANN'S WITH AVOCADO AND A HINT OF LIME from Family Rated for free in exchange for my honest opinion and me and my family LOVED it! Our household is filled with real Mayonnaise people, none of that Miracle Whip stuff... +
I was selected to try the HELLMANN'S WITH AVOCADO AND A HINT OF LIME from Family Rated for free in exchange for my honest opinion and me and my family LOVED it! Our household is filled with real Mayonnaise people, none of that Miracle Whip stuff over here! Usually I just purchase the classic mayonnaise and then add herbs or hot sauce to it to change the flavour profile... we were excited to try this new flavour made with Avocado Oil and lime!
We all loved it! The consistency was thicker and more creamier to me but the same tangy taste that I know and love was still very prominent. I could make out a small small tinge of lime but it was a great addition. My family used it in tuna salad sandwiches, as a spread on turkey sandwiches and then in our favourite homemade chipotle dip. The taste was not compromised and they all tasted amazing! I actually enjoy the thickness and consistency of this mayonnaise over the regular kind. Aside from being low in cholesterol and saturated fats and ZERO trans fats, Hellmann's also uses 100% Canadian free run eggs AND canola oil from the prairies. I always feel better feeding my family ethically sustainable foods as well as things that are locally sourced and grown.
I would absolutely recommend this product to my friends and family as I love the addition of the avocado oil and the thick and creamy consistency. I found it in my grocery store for just under $5 which is a little pricey but the quality is amazing and therefore I would pay it. This was adult and kid approved in our household and we look forward to trying and experimenting with other dishes! Next up: we are going to use it on grilled cheese instead of butter! :)
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Lay's poppables honey bbq
I received the Lay's Poppables Honey BBQ to try for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was totally blown away! Lays is my favourite chip brand and although I had seen the Poppables in store, I had not yet purchased them. Now... +
I received the Lay's Poppables Honey BBQ to try for free in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was totally blown away! Lays is my favourite chip brand and although I had seen the Poppables in store, I had not yet purchased them. Now, I am hooked! The Poppables are a neat spin on the classic potato snack and provide just as much, if not more of a crunch then normal chips! They are the perfect little airy bite sized snack and they are jam packed with flavour. The seasoning is both on the inside and outside of the snack to ensure that you don't miss out on any of that delicious flavour. I also found these to be more filling then a bag of regular potato chips. I usually enjoy an entire bag in one sitting but I was able to stretch this bag into 3 sittings! I am a huge fan of the Poppables and for $1.69 you can't go wrong. I look forward to also trying the other flavours and I highly recommend these! -
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