I was thinking about those fantastic little items that no one should have to live without. I am a huge proponent of anything that makes life easier, faster, AND is environmentally friendly. Since I’ve done numerous product reviews, I thought that it was probably high time for me to share a list of favorites (many of which I have yet to review, but are amazing nonetheless). So, without further ado, my favorite things (at the moment):
1. True Blues Ultimate Household Gloves
. Not only are they SUPER cute (come one, PINK and PURPLE dish gloves?!), but they’re affordable, WASHABLE, and will stand up to just about anything (even Ish and oil changes!).
2. Charlie’s Soap Powder – 2.64 lb Bag (80 Loads)
. At only about a quarter for a load of laundry, this stuff CANNOT be beat. Did I mention that it’s safe for baby AND sensitive adult skin??
3. Everholder FURemover Broom and Brush Combo
. Not only is it great for pets, but it also gets all the little gritty ickies that get on your kitchen floor AND cobwebs off the ceiling! Did I mention that you can wash with soap and water??
4. Orka 12-Ounce Blue Silicone Steamers, Set of 2
. I love having both of them, since I like lemon juice on my steamed veggies and Ish likes butter (EarthBalance, of course!). Not to mention that fresh veggies (or frozen) steam in about 1/3 of the time with about 1/4 of the water!
5. bungalow360 Natural Canvas Wallet
. This is something that I simply cannot live without. SUPER roomy, functional, AND it’s funky! I get SO many compliments on my wallet. Everyone wants to know where to get one. And yeah, I’m over 20, but who cares? I’ve had my current wallet for over a year, and it still looks just as good as new (and if it gets dirty, I can WASH it!)
6. Deva Vegan Vitamins
are absolutely the BEST vitamins I’ve ever taken. I actually NOTICE a difference when I forget to take my morning dose (like this morning!). I take the prenatals (and have been for the past few years), because my doctor had mentioned that anyone of child bearing age can benefit from them. I also take their algea DHA (direct from the source, unlike their fishy substitute) and sublingual B-12. I L-O-V-E their B-12!! I feel so much more energized after taking one in the mornings. It’s like going for a run (kind of…)! Did I mention that there are no icky animal products in any of the Deva Vitamins??
7. Cardio Fight Essentials DVD with Wally Holem
!! If you know me (or if you’re a diligent reader) you know how much I absolultely HATE cardio that feels like cardio. I am drawn to things like dance, running, and fighting. This Cardio Fight DVD ROCKS. It’s a great workout, and I honestly forget that I’m working out (which is A GOOD THING!). While I’m restricted due to my preggie-ness, I cannot wait to get back into the swing of things (heehee) when Tater gets here. I plan to go back to my routine, which includes RUNNING, barre (which I’m still doing now), kettlebells and some extra Cardio! In fact, I love this DVD so much, I’m going to GIVE ONE AWAY to my readers! YAY for you!! A brief overview: this is a mid-to-high impact workout that incorporates total body. Yes, you can take it easy, but then you won’t get an amazing workout! This workout pulls from MMA/ Brazilian jiu-jitsu moves, and is SUPER challenging. You also get some core and flexibility (bonus!). BE SURE TO WATCH THE TUTORIAL BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE WORKOUT (I don’t want anyone to get hurt!). This workout is VERY different from anything else that I have tried, and I must say that the music ROCKS (which cannot be said of all of my barre workouts…sad.), which helps keep me going when I just want to keel over.
View this video and post your thoughts for a chance to win: http://www.cardiofightvt.com/index.html?videoid=1
Now for the boring details: Contest is open to EVERYONE. One entry per person. Contest runs until SUNDAY, March 21, 2010 at MIDNIGHT EST. I will randomly choose the winner based on the responses that I recieve. Good luck and I hope that you enjoy some of my favorites as much as I do!!
THE CARDIO FIGHT CONTEST HAS ENDED. You can still purchase the DVD here: Cardio Fight Essentials DVD with Wally Holem
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And now the important information: Who won?? After a random drawing of names…it’s…APRIL!! Congratulations! Please email me your address so that I can get your workout shipped out to you!
I’m definitely going to check out those vitamins! And, ok, I’ll bite…. is this how I’m entered for the give away? I’d love to try Cardio Fight! I’m not a cardio hater, but I love to do toning or weight lifting that has a cardio effect to get more “bang for the buck”, such as kettlebells.
Congrats on your pregnancy!
Well – hello there, Prego!!!!!!
How are you feeling??? I watched the video for this cardio fight – and I LOVE the looks of it! I am currently in the market for some exciting new cardio dvd’s and this is in my top 5 most wanted list! 
And I’ll have to check out those gloves too – very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beth,
They are the ONLY vitamins that don’t make me sick. I heart kettlebells, too. I cannot WAIT to get back into the “swing” of things!!
Hey Bree! It looks like this would be an amazing workout and good for me since I’m not doing any sort of workout right now. I hope I can get into a routine soon! Hope you are feeling well!
Hey Brea! Okay this workout looks amazing and like a must have for the new home gym…really trying to mix things up and would love to add this to the collection….Ally would love this to and might actually stick with it with me…you are looking amazing by the way!
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe only four people have commented on Cardio Fight—-that is my kind of exercise! The only cardio I have been interested in for quite some time is kickboxing—it just makes you feel strong and capable (and takes the focus off the boring and tedious task of burning flab). I honestly wish that I liked to jog, or do the elliptical, or any other cardio, because there just aren’t that many kickboxing videos out there–and I’m limited to what my library has—the frugal lifestyle of a social worker with a teacher for a husband. (my shameless plug for winning Cardio Fight!)
Have you tried Hip Hop Hustle by the creator of Turbo Jam? I’m afraid I just dont’ have the coordination to make it fun, but if you do—that oughta be some cardio that passes quickly
Thanks a million for sharing those reviews, every one of those products sounds particularly useful in my life, and I tend to spend hours that I should be doing something else pouring over the internet for reviews before I ever make a purchase.
Anyway, thanks for introducing me to Cardio Fight, I’m thrilled that there are more martial art type workouts out there to discover. I’ll be checking your website regularly now that I know it’s here for more terrific ideas
take care,
Dara
I would love to win Cardio Fight. I have never heard of it before and I love trying new things especially a workout that isn’t boring. I just barely stumbled across your blog and like what I see. – Nancy