alexfranchuk
Member Since: September 24, 2015Reviews
Briogeo Blossom & Bloom™ Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo
I tried the BRIOGEO BLOSSOM & BLOOM™ GINSENG + BIOTIN VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO as a sample from Sephora and was immediately intrigued at it's "6-Free Hair Care" label - free of sulfates, parabans, silicone, phthalates, colors, and chemical fragrance!... +
I tried the BRIOGEO BLOSSOM & BLOOM™ GINSENG + BIOTIN VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO as a sample from Sephora and was immediately intrigued at it's "6-Free Hair Care" label - free of sulfates, parabans, silicone, phthalates, colors, and chemical fragrance! Pretty impressive. Briogeo is based on the belief that beauty shouldn't be compromised by harsh or harmful ingredients and the 6-Free label really reiterates that point. I love companies that strive to do well for us and the environment. Instead of the sulfates and chemicals, the company infuses their products with the finest blends of natural plant and fruit extracts, oils, and antioxidants.
I have wavy hair but the product is great for any hair texture. The shampoo did not really have any sort of smell which I don't like. I prefer to work up a lather and have the bathroom and my hair smell yummy after I get out of the shower. It also took a lot of the product to work up a nice lather. The sample size looked HUGE in which I thought for sure I would be able to get at least two uses out of it. My hair is shoulder length so two uses seemed very reasonable. That was not the case as I used the entire packet and still couldn't really work up much of a lather. It claims to clean hair without stripping the hair and give volume at the same time. I do see a bit of added volume for sure so that is a plus. An 8 oz bottle costs $30 at Sephora which I calculated would give me about 25 uses. That is not terrible for a higher quality, natural shampoo. Overall I would not purchase this again based on scent and lather ability.
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Breyers delights Vanilla Bean
I was selected to try BREYERS DELIGHTS VANILLA BEAN in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was so excited because I love Breyers, I love ice cream, and I love guilt free snack options! Breyers is my go to ice cream brand when I’m... +
I was selected to try BREYERS DELIGHTS VANILLA BEAN in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions and I was so excited because I love Breyers, I love ice cream, and I love guilt free snack options! Breyers is my go to ice cream brand when I’m in the mood for something sweet. The addition of a low calorie, protein added option is awesome and I’ve never seen something like it before!
The ice cream or frozen dairy dessert comes in a 500mL tub which works out to four 1/2 cup servings with 70 calories, 5 g of fibre, 7 g of sugar and 4 g of protein per serving! Ideally I would like to see a lower sugar count per serving but I guess sugar and ice cream is pretty standard and is expected. The ingredients list also notes skim milk, water, cream, artificial sweeteners, sugar, frozen egg yolks, natural vanilla flavors, and a few others I don’t know and can’t pronounce.
The ice cream is really hard upon opening which I actually enjoyed because it didn’t melt right away and was easier to eat. You can actually see the little black specks of what looks like vanilla beans, however vanilla beans was not an ingredient on the ingredient list... I am thinking the black specks might be the “vegetable gums (carob bean)” on the ingredient list?? I have no idea but I don’t think that natural vanilla flavour gives off little black specks.
I actually didn’t enjoy the first bite of the ice cream but I think it was just the difference in texture that threw me off. A few more spoonfuls and it felt and tasted like I was eating a bowl of regular ice cream. The vanilla flavour was nice and the ice cream was still creamy and delicious. I love supporting local and was impressed to see the “ Dairy Farmers of Canada Quality Milk” logo on the tub! I love the addition of the protein to the ice cream and even though I could have sat down and ate the entire tub in one sitting, after a dozen small spoonfuls, I was actually full!
The cons? I found it to have that artificial sweetner aftertaste. I appreciate the efforts in trying to reduce calories and sugar but I still want to be able to enjoy it. While eating it everything tastes fine but after a few minutes reality sinks in and you’re reminded that it is a little too good to be true. If I was watching my weight and needed an alternative to regular ice cream it probably wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me, but as someone who is not in that position I wouldn’t choose this product over a normal ice cream product. Lastly, the price point is very steep. At one store I found it at $6.99 and at another it was $8.79. That is crazy. Unfortunately I would not be willing to spend that much on this product but the fact that it was sold out in one of the stores I went to means that many people are.
I would reccomend this product to those who are looking to satisfy their sweet tooth and lead low sugar, high protein diets and aren’t afraid to pay for it. For someone like me to likes to indulge when that craving hits, I would not reccomend this for you!
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Knorr Selects Roasted Garlic Alfredo Rice
I was chosen to try KNORR SELECTS ROASTED GARLIC ALFREDO from Family Rated in exchange for my honest opinion... and honestly, it was AMAZING! Alfredo & garlic are two of my absolute favourite things but they are usually eaten with pasta, not rice. I... +
I was chosen to try KNORR SELECTS ROASTED GARLIC ALFREDO from Family Rated in exchange for my honest opinion... and honestly, it was AMAZING! Alfredo & garlic are two of my absolute favourite things but they are usually eaten with pasta, not rice. I was so excited to try this fun little twist and it did not disappoint!
I love simple side dishes and Knorr makes some incredible and flavorful "sidekicks" that are great when you're in a pinch! The Knorr selects line is something that i haven't tried before but each and every flavour sounds incredible. No artificial flavors or preservatives and they are safe for my vegetarian and gluten free friends! The ingredient list contains 9 items (minus natural flavours) and the only one I didn't know was Sodium Phosphate. So naturally, I googled it! Turns out it is used as an emulsifier, thickening agent and helps control the PH of some processed foods. Makes sense.
The directions were super easy to follow and the rice is made very quickly compared to other sidekick and rice dishes. It was literally made in 15 minutes. Add your package contents, water, milk and butter to the pan. Boil, turn down heat, stir stir stir, let sit and enjoy! The stirring made it seem like I was making a risotto and the creamy consistency did not disappoint! I read some of the reviews before making it and many people complained that it was too garlicky. As a Ukrainian and garlic lover, I was always told there is NO such thing as too much garlic! This definitely dances on the border lol. For me, it was perfect. For my husband and dad, this was exceptional! For the kids, it was good! They did find it a little to overpowering. You can actually see the little bits of roasted garlic chunks in the rice and sauce. YUM!
Overall this dish was absolutely amazing! It was simple and easy to make with minimal ingredients, it tasted so so sooo yummy, and it only costs about $2.29 in my local grocery store! I love that they include the website and recipe ideas on the back and I will be trying the Lemon Basil Chicken Alfredo recipe on their website! They have a few other flavours like Asiago and Black Pepper that I will also be getting my hands on. Another amazing product by Knorr and one that is going to surely be a staple in my household!
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Knorr One Skillet Meals in Spicy Chipotle Chicken Brown Rice and Quinoa
I was chosen to try the KNORR ONE SKILLET MEALS IN SPICY CHIPOTLE CHICKEN BROWN RICE AND QUINOA from Family Rated for free in exchange for my honest opinion... and honestly, I was SO impressed! Knorr is a brand that I trust and I love. I have tried... +
I was chosen to try the KNORR ONE SKILLET MEALS IN SPICY CHIPOTLE CHICKEN BROWN RICE AND QUINOA from Family Rated for free in exchange for my honest opinion... and honestly, I was SO impressed! Knorr is a brand that I trust and I love. I have tried everything from their broths to their Sidekick lines and I have enjoyed almost every single item. One skillet meals are a staple in my household due to my family's busy schedule but they are usually something I put together on my own. I have never had a one skillet meal in "a bag" until now!
I love that they have included organic brown rice, not white, as well as the super-grain - organic Quinoa! Quinoa is another staple in my household and something I cook with regularly because it is very good for you! My husband prefers to eat lower carb and/or healthier carb so he was excited to try this as well! Another bonus? The ingredient list is 7 ingredients long (minus the natural flavours) and I know and use every single one of them in my own cooking dishes! WIN! There are no artificial colors or flavours and they work with farmers to responsibly grow high quality ingredients. Yay Knorr :)
Aside from the 7 ingredients in the package, all you need to add is chicken, bell peppers and corn! I purchased all of these ingredients at my local grocery store and spent $7.47. I saw the Knorr one skillet meal package at the grocery store for just under $4 so altogether it would have cost me almost $12. It was super easy to make - I opted to bake my chicken and then shred it so for me it wasn't technically a "one skillet meal" but as per the directions, it very well could be! I seasoned the breasts with seasoning salt and pepper and that was the only other seasoning I used other then as was directed. I cooked the peppers and corn for 6 minutes, removed from the heat, and then cooked the package contents (in the same skillet!) and waited the 22 minutes it says on the package. I then mixed everything together.. and voila! A simple and easy one skillet meal!
It was delicious! A mild spice with a nice chipotle kick! It smells a lot more spicy in the package then it really is. I really enjoyed the flavour and it was husband and child approved! I also brought some over to my dad who is a spice/chipotle addict and he raved about it! It made SO much. There was enough for 4 of us to eat last night and easily enough for 3 people today for lunch. And I still may have some leftover. I added 1 lb of chicken and 2 bell peppers so there was lots of added veggies and protein so maybe that is why there is so much! I love that you are able to change it up and add the vegetables and protein of your choice. I would love to try this again with mushrooms and maybe beef!
Overall this dish tasted fantastic but I do have a few suggestions. 1. Cook the frozen corn for longer then 6 minutes. The peppers were good at 6 as they weren't wilted and added so much beautiful color to the dish! 2. 22 minutes for the rice is too long. I took it off with about a minute left because I was hesitant but I think 20 would have been perfect. 3. I wish it was more "saucy"... it was a little dry for my liking and eating what feels like a stir fry should have a little bit of sauce in it! Next time I might mix in some butter after the rice is finished. I will absolutely be purchasing this again and I can't wait to try some of the other flavors! Another great dish by Knorr :)
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Mott's Fruitsations Rolls - Strawberry Fruit Flavoured Snacks
I purchased the Motts Fruitsations Rolls - Strawberry Fruit Flavoured Snacks for my 8 year old niece when she came to have a two day long sleepover at my house because she needed school snacks! I ended up eating more of them in the two days then she... +
I purchased the Motts Fruitsations Rolls - Strawberry Fruit Flavoured Snacks for my 8 year old niece when she came to have a two day long sleepover at my house because she needed school snacks! I ended up eating more of them in the two days then she did! They are so delicious. They remind me of the "Fruit by the Foot" they used to have when I was a kid... but SO much healthier. My niece approved as well! They contain no artificial colors or flavors and the #1 ingredient is fruit puree. Mott's is a trusted brand and a brand that I love so I was really excited to see that they had expanded into the fruit snack business. I will say that I was a little disappointed by some of the ingredients... corn syrup and carrageenan really disappointed me. I also wish the nutritional value for vitamins and minerals were higher. It only contains 20% of your daily dose of vitamin A and very little to no protein. This is a very good once in a while snack as long as you don't eat an almost entire box in one sitting like I did (lol). It is much better then many alternatives on the shelves and comes in at around $3.50 a pack where I live which is awesome! -
French's Tomato Ketchup
I have always been one of those people that thinks that some things are just better brand name. Kleenex, toilet paper, antibacterial wipes... you get it. Ketchup is one of them and for me, Heinz is and will always be my #1. My boyfriend bought... +
I have always been one of those people that thinks that some things are just better brand name. Kleenex, toilet paper, antibacterial wipes... you get it. Ketchup is one of them and for me, Heinz is and will always be my #1. My boyfriend bought French's as one of our grocery stores in town doesn't carry Heinz anymore and I was soooo disappointed :( I want to support and buy this product as it recently gave all production in Canada to Canadian farmers and producers and I am all about that Canadian pride.. but I just was not a fan. To me, this tastes sweeter and is a little more runny then Heinz. It is also very messy and no matter how hard I try the bottle gets dirty after use. -
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream
I received this product as one of my free Sephora samples and was excited to try it because I know the First Aid Beauty brand is a cult favourite among many makeup gurus! I opted for the night cream because it is easy and simple to use, and is a... +
I received this product as one of my free Sephora samples and was excited to try it because I know the First Aid Beauty brand is a cult favourite among many makeup gurus! I opted for the night cream because it is easy and simple to use, and is a component that I lack in my normal skincare routine. I applied it nightly after taking a shower to ensure that my skin was clean and dry. I rubbed it on and went to sleep as usual, that easy. I drink tons of water but my skin always looks and feels dehydrated.
My skin is always dry and this serum boasts that it moisturizes for smoother-looking, hydrated skin. It’s formulated with a peptide blend to help smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, glutaline-in-tense to improve the appearance of skin’s firmness, and niacinamide to help skin appear more bouncy and healthy in tone and texture. Sodium hyaluronate, colloidal oatmeal, and conditioning butters and waxes help hydrate for healthy-looking skin...
Upon using, I did not find that it helped with ANY of the above. I did not wake up with a moisturized complexion. I did not wake up with a smoother and/or firmer appearance. The results apparently show in 90% of women after 4 weeks but I am not about to drop $50 on a product that does not seem to help at all after a week and a half. I also think it broke me out - skin was fine until using this and skin is now fine again after using this but had a breakout in between. Overall, not for me.
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Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
Campbell's is, and has always been, my GO-TO for quick and easy to serve soups! Cream of Mushroom is my favourite among their soup lines! It is so easy to make and is both adult and kid approved in my household. My favourite way to eat it is with... +
Campbell's is, and has always been, my GO-TO for quick and easy to serve soups! Cream of Mushroom is my favourite among their soup lines! It is so easy to make and is both adult and kid approved in my household. My favourite way to eat it is with milk and some crackers as a soup. The directions on the can insist that you can replace water with milk, but that does not jive with me! Milk all the way! Aside from consuming this as a soup, it is amazing incorporated into other items! Lazy Salisbury steak, over chicken or pork chops, in tuna noodle casserole, scalloped potatoes, and lastly in my famous beef stroganoff recipe! This is a kitchen staple in my household. The price where I live ranges from .50 cents to $1.00 depending on sales and I always stock up with a few cans in the cupboard! -
Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Conditioner
I got to try the Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Conditioner for free from Sephora as one of my sample options and I was so excited to try it as Bumble & Bumble is a brand that I have seen, heard and read SO much about! I have been... +
I got to try the Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Conditioner for free from Sephora as one of my sample options and I was so excited to try it as Bumble & Bumble is a brand that I have seen, heard and read SO much about! I have been making a conscious effort to switch to hair products like conditioners that contain less chemicals that are bad for your hair. I love that this conditioner contains NO parabans, sulfates, or phthalates because some of these products will actually strip your hair of it's essential oils and dry out your hair in the process. I have naturally wavy hair and was excited to know that this conditioner works great on all hair textures and types and is great for colored hair. I used it after the Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo and these are my thoughts!
This conditioner contains 6 oils that will help combat frizzy and dry hair to something more soft and silky. It claims to also provide moisture and prevent breakage, something my hair definitely needs!
This conditioner is easy to use.. simply smooth into hair from roots to ends and let soak in for a minute or two and rinse. You do need quite a bit of product as the conditioner is really thick and does not smooth over the hair easily. I found the need to put some on my scalp and then quickly run my head under the water for a second and then lather some more. Much like the shampoo, this conditioner does not smell good. It smells chemically and is not nice on the nose. I did find that upon my hair drying it does feel nice and soft and smooth. My frizziness was a lot less rampant and my hair looks quite healthy. But overall, NOT worth the price. It is $42 for 200 ml which is less than one cup of product. There are products that come in bigger containers, for cheaper amounts that work just as well. I would not recommend this product as it is expensive and mediocre. Glad that I tried this before purchasing.
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Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo
I received the Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo as one of my free samples from Sephora and I was so excited to try it as I want to switch over to shampoos that contain less products and chemicals that are bad for your hair. I... +
I received the Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo as one of my free samples from Sephora and I was so excited to try it as I want to switch over to shampoos that contain less products and chemicals that are bad for your hair. I love that this shampoo contains NO parabans, sulfates, or phthalates because some of these products will actually strip your hair of it's essential oils and dry out your hair! I have naturally wavy hair and was excited to know that this shampoo works great on all hair textures and types!
The shampoo is said to contain 6 oils that will help combat frizzy and dry hair to something more soft and silky. It claims to also provide moisture and prevent breakage, something my hair definitely needs! As someone who also dyes my hair on average every 5 weeks, I was the most excited to know that it is safe for color treated hair.
The product is easy to use.. simply put some in your hands and rub into scalp and hair, working up a lather. I did find that you require a lot of product to work up a good lather which was really disappointing. The shampoo was thick and a little bit does not go a long way. It also has a quite chemical like smell. Not nice on the nose for sure. I did find that upon my hair drying it does feel nice and soft and smooth. My frizziness was a lot less rampant and my hair looks quite healthy. But overall, NOT worth the price. It is $40 for 250 ml which is about one cup of product. Considering you need lots to work up a good lather, this is very expensive. Save your money...
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