**REVIEW** Silk Almond Coconut Blend

I have been a fan of Silk's Vanilla Soy for a long time. Matter of fact, when I gave up drinking milk, this was my total replacement. Thanks to BzzAgent, I got to try the newest member of the Silk family: Almond Coconut Blend.

Here's the thing: I'm not a big lover of Almond flavored anything (with the exception of a delicious candy bar that has the word "Joy" in it), and I haven't really fallen in love with coconut milk the way I thought I would. Trying this blend was pushing it for me.

also comes "unsweetened"

 I can definitely taste both the almond and the coconut. While I didn't dislike the flavor, I wasn't blown away. That is just because I don't really like either flavor separately.

looks like the vanilla soy

"films" like 2% milk

 The blend looks just like my beloved vanilla soy. Since I don't drink vanilla soy straight from the glass, I decided to do a "cereal test." I had a little packet of cereal left from the plane trip so I tried it with the blend. Not bad. The almond and coconut taste was taken down a notch, which helped.

Basically, if you like an almond or coconut flavored product, this will certainly be your fix. I will warn you that this is a pretty sweet drink. Good thing it comes in an "unsweetened" formula.

I won't do a PRO/CON summary because this is the kind of product that really - for me - doesn't have any CONs. I just am not crazy about the flavor. I will be sticking with my vanilla soy beverage. Not the most helpful review I've ever done, but... You will have to try this one out to see if you fall in love with the blend of flavors. That's what this is all about: flavor

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts

When I received my BzzKit with the Dr. Scholl's Orthotic Inserts on Wednesday, I didn't realize how perfect the timing was.

It came just in time

My Thursday started at around 5AM. I stuck the inserts into my Skechers and hopped on my Gazelle glider for twenty minutes of exercise. (NOTE: The inserts are thicker than I expected and they take up a bit of room in my shoes.) The rest of the day was running from errand to errand. I was on the dirt, concrete and grass while outside; then I was at the hospital for a few hours, walking back and forth from waiting room to car to coffee vendor.... It was a long few hours. After that, it was to the grocery store and to one grocery warehouse. I almost made it home before I remembered two more errands.

Basically, I started my day at 5AM and ended it somewhere around 2058 AD. It wasn't until I was finally able to kick off my shoes that I remembered the Dr. Scholl's I'd been wearing all day.

Right there was the proof to me that there is something good about these inserts. I had had a lot on my mind all day, but I hadn't thought about my feet. This is kind of a big thing with me. Ever since I gained all that weight, my arches dropped and, for whatever other reasons, my feet tend to bother me when I am on them for long periods. Usually, during a busy day, I will slip off my shoes just to massage my feet against a chair leg or something.

I think that I gave the Dr. Scholl's inserts a pretty good workout yesterday. Since I really like the way my feet felt at the end of the day, I'm going to be looking forward to Saturday's Walk for Women.

I received my Dr. Scholl's inserts courtesy my membership at BzzAgent. Notice that these are "Custom Fit" inserts. I used the kiosk at a local Walmart to get the correct insert recommended for my feet. The kiosk uses pressure sensors to create a "FootMap" of a users pressure points, arch, and length. Once that's done, the user will be shown which custom insert is best for their feet. (It was kind of a fun process, by the way. Wear clean socks when you go!)

Here's what Dr. Scholl's has to say about the inserts:

• Fit® Orthotic Inserts that are right for you!
• Provide all-day relief for tired, achy feet
• Offer customized heel cushioning to relieve foot pressure
• Contain a CradleFlex® Support System that gives your arches customized support and stability
• Places your feet into a more supported position and disperses pressure levels more evenly

Here's what I can tell you based on my experience:

• After a long day of a lot of walking... my feet felt great.

That's what's most important to me. I don't want to have to think about my feet when I have so much other stuff to worry about. These inserts are not cheap. They run in the $50 neighborhood in my local store. If you can afford them, they are great and worth having at least one pair around. I'm very lucky that I am able to say #GotItFree :-)

Peace

--Free

DISCLOSURE: I received this product free of charge because I am a BzzAgent. 

Waiting to Review Dr. Scholl's...

Sometime in May, I'll be getting the chance to review a product that I need, need need.

The folks over at BzzAgent don't know how glad I am to be picked for their Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts campaign. I have been griping for the past year about my feet. When I gained the prednisone weight, my arches dropped and I started having a lot of discomfort when walking. Even after dropping the pounds (yay!), my feet didn't forgive me.

When I heard from BzzAgent about this campaign, I just about broke my neck getting to Walmart to the "footmapping" kiosk. The computerized kiosk is set up to check my arch type, pressure points and, of course, foot size. It didn't take that long and I had some fun watching the on-screen sensor images. (I'm such a child.)

I plan to use the inserts in my boots and sneakers. Not these Athletic Works sneakers:

Bottom came right off! On both shoes...

Can't even find a website for the brand. I should've looked before buying.

No, no. Those sneakers are going to a research lab for ticked-off consumers. I spent about 22 bucks on those off-brand things at Walmart and, while that's not a lot of money, I expected them to last more than 6 months. I bought them especially for the gym and only ever used them for my 3-days-a-week treadmill walks. (Maybe I shouldn't have washed them?) You know Walmart won't take them back without the receipt, right? From now on, I'll get my shoes from somewhere else. And never again will I buy the Athletic Works brand.

Anyway, I'll be back here in about a month to tell you about the Orthotic inserts. If you've already heard about them, you know they can be pricey, so here's a link to a coupon.

Peace
--Free

"Influence" Sites for Bloggers

(Okay, this is not just for bloggers, but for anyone on social networking sites.)

When I realized that some of my more popular posts here are the ones for reviewing products, I thought it might be a good idea to explore some of the sites made for that. Also, let's be real: I'd love not to have to spend so much money on products that I might be able to try out for free.

Anyway, I've been looking at some of the places online focused on product review. I've even signed up for some of them. Here's what I can tell you about my experience so far:

1. Klout - while this is more of a site for measuring someone's "social influence," I joined because I think that it may help me get chosen to review products. PRO: gives me an idea of my personal online "klout." CONS: is a little intimidating for the first-time user; not very user-friendly right off the bat; is centered around popularity, which makes me feel both pleased and ashamed (it's like high school cliques meets social networking); I'm not sure yet how much clout my Klout score is having. Klout tells us to "be known for what we love," but it's really about be known for how many people know you. Not complaining yet. I'm going to work on learning how to better use the site first. By the way, this is me on Klout. 
2. TapInfluence - is for "influencers" and "brands." I can't really tell you much about this one since, like with Klout, I think this one if mostly for folks with high numbers of social followers. [PROS: Interesting concept. CON: Not immediately user-friendly.]
3. Izea  - similar to TapInfluence in some ways. You can sign up as either an advertiser or creator (influencer). As a creator, you bid on jobs as they are listed. I've bid on one opportunity and am still waiting for the outcome. Izea calls itself a "sponsorship marketplace." Best description is here.
4. House Party/Chatterbox - Since I'm not interested in throwing house parties for products, I only interact with the Chatterbox part of this site. I think their are more House Party opps than there are for Chatterbox. I recently applied to be a "Chatterbox" (that's me!) for a product, but I am waiting to see if I am approved. This site seems like it's going to be a lot of fun. 
5. SheSpeaks - this used to be one of my favorite WOM (word-of-mouth) sites... Then they started doing more stuff through Twitter parties instead of directly with individual members. I think they are still one of the best WOM sites, but I don't have a lot of time or patience for sitting in on Twitter parties. I can better promote a product by trying it and blogging (or Tweeting and G-Plus-ing) about it on my own schedule.
6. BzzAgent - Along with #5, this was one of the first WOM sites I used. It's still a favorite, but there I haven't seen many opps (for myself) lately. They do have some great campaigns though.
7. Sverve - I only mention this one because I have joined it. Thing is, I have no clue how to use it to any advantage. I'm going to have to take time soon to figure out how it works or if it's worth being involved with. If it weren't for a lovely person - Kim Lewis - endorsing me, I'd have no interaction there at all! LOL (By the way, thank you, Kim.)

There are many other sites like these that I attempted to try out that exclude me by my Alaska residence. Too bad. You'd think they would want to get the word out to the consumers up here.

I do enjoy participating with these types of WOM and influencer sites, but I offer a thought: you give up a lot of information when you join or fill out surveys. I know that privacy is a big issue these days. I think about the privacy issue myself, but for those of us who've spent so much time online, I think privacy is an illusion anyway.

I want to hear here (or on G+) about any other sites like the above.

Peace

--Free

Word of (Sour) Mouth

A looong while back, I told you all about some of the word of mouth marketing programs I like(d). Two of them were my favorites: She Speaks and Vocalpoint. (It only took me a short time to not like Influenster.) As of now, I have to revoke my endorsement of She Speaks and Vocalpoint. I am doing this with regrets, but I try to be honest about what I do and do not like when I share things here.

She Speaks used to rely on their own site for trying out products and getting feedback. Things have changed. These days, every She Speaks notice I get requires me to use Twitter and/or Facebook to get involved. That might not bother some folks, but I don't want to be forced to use my other social networks. Since I refuse to use Facebook, I resent that so many online sites (from news to android apps and on) almost try forcing users to tie themselves to FB. I do use Twitter, but I didn't join Twitter to use She Speaks. I joined She Speaks for one reason and Twitter for another. Occasional use of Twitter to tout She Speaks is fine, but do I really have to always go to Twitter in order to benefit from my She Speaks membership? Maybe She Speaks ought to change their sign-up info.

My boredom with Vocalpoint probably comes out of their laziness. There aren't many exciting products to try and the site has become sort of ho-hum.

Since I am on this rant, I can tell you that I wasn't ever super-crazy about Influenster. Okay, that's a lie. I really liked the idea of Influenster. They presented themselves wonderfully. Then I joined and worked hard at getting involved with everything on the site. And... nothing. I got nowhere with getting any offers or additional invitations to be involved. It was all kind of a dud.

Maybe all of this is a sign that I should give up on any word-of-mouth sites. You all know how I love trying and reviewing products, but I can do that on my own. I refuse to give these dud sites my contact information so they can re-sell it. Okay, that is another lie. I don't mind giving up some of my information in return for the chance to get a discount on or try a product. I just don't like not getting anything out of the deal.

Lately, I've been considering doing promotions for samples on this blog. Of course, I don't know how Google feels about that, so I have to do some checking first. Until then, if any of you know of some good product try-and-review sites, let me know.

By the by: Bzz Agent is still standing (IMO) as a worthy site. It requires participation, but doesn't hold you hostage to Facebook or Twitter.

Peace
--Free

(Notice that, other than Bzz Agent, I didn't link to any of the sites mentioned in the post? They don't deserve the promotion.)

UPDATE: She Speaks emailed me about their Lancome program just minutes after my post today. When I tried to go and sign up - surprise, surprise, I had problems logging in. Go figure. Of course, they will contact me to say they fixed the problem, but it will be too late to join the campaign. This is the first campaign invite in months. Whatever.

Oh Yeh for Fage!

Recently  I got coupons to try Fage's Total Greek Yogurt totally free. (This is one of the two best benefits of joining BzzAgent: trying out products and trying them for free!)

(If you have heard of Fage, you might already know that it's pronounced Fah-yeh. I was saying "Fage" and saying it with an attitude like I just knew!)

Now, as excited as I was to try this yogurt, I had forgotten I'd had Fage before. It was back when I was still kind of sick and suffering from memory problems. I have no idea what it was like back then, but I can tell you now that it is YUMMY.

I have always liked yogurt. It's a fun food. Reminds me of when I was young and had a love for things like Jello - I could eat it night and day and liked nearly all the different flavors. If someone had come up with an improved Jello, I'd probably feel the way I do about Greek Yogurt.

If Greek yogurt is an improvement (IMO) over "regular" yogurts, then Fage's Greek yogurt is an improvement over all the Greek yogurts. It's very rich and creamy. I don't usually like plain yogurt, but I gave this a shot and I've decided to use it in place of sour cream and fruit toppings. It's that good.

Hilariously, I did a very Trudy thing and forgot the dang coupon for my freebie when I went to the store so I paid for the first couple containers. (Don't worry, I will be going back!)

I gave my sister a taste of the strawberry yogurt. My sister is not into what she calls "weeds and berries and such," but she was all up into that yogurt! LOL I gave her a coupon to get her own container.  Since Fage puts the leaves the fruit separate from the yogurt, one thing my sister liked was the ability to add as much (or as little) of the fruit into the yogurt.

My favorite things about Fage?

• The creamy texture. You get that by stirring the yogurt well before mixing in the fruit (or just eating the plain). 
• The taste of the fruit. Not too sweet or tart or "fake" tasting. (The fruit flavors partly from concentrate, by the way.)
• The 11 grams* of protein. (Important for some folks, like my sister)

For vegetarians and other health-minded folks, the calories run from 170 to 220* and the product is gluten-free. Other nutrition information is given here.

Aside from eating the yogurts right out of their containers, you can serve them up prettily (like this), or you can try some of the recipes given by the folks at Fage. Also, check out their tzatziki sauce (for savories, like gyros) and their feta.

If you haven't joined Bzz Agent yet (and why not?), check back to see if Fage has coupons available. In the meantime, if I know you, I'll hand you a coupon the next time I see you!

Peace

--Free

* for the 5.3 oz Total Zero variety

DISCLAIMER: I received coupons for free Fage yogurt from BzzAgent.