January 2013 "Just Right" BarkBox Review!

Hey everyone!

Boomer and Sookie received their January BarkBox last Friday! They are always excited when any box comes because they think it's their precious BarkBox that has arrived, but usually it's another one of mommy's boring beauty boxes that they can't enjoy at all. However, they were really excited this time because they could smell something in particular that was especially delicious (to them) in there! I chose for them to get a medium BarkBox since Boomer is about 40 pounds. Sookie is a small dog, but since they're sharing it, I figured I should get the bigger size.

Quick rundown of the things you should know about BarkBox:
- $29/month including shipping, price goes down with the more months you buy at once ($17/6 months)
- 4 to 5 goodies in each box
- 10% of each box goes to a dog shelter
- Different items in each box (sometimes) for different size dogs
- Delivered by USPS

- AWESOME referral program (Get one person to sign up, and get one month of barkbox for free!)

Dog Stats:

Boomer
Breed: Catahoula Leopard Hound/Dachshund mix
Weight: 45 lbs
Sex: Male
Age: ~1 and a half years old
Temperment: Scared of everything. Ferocious when it comes to destroying his toys. Always has to jump on you. Always.

Sookie
Breed: Chiweenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund mix)
Weight: 14 lbs
Sex: Female
Age: ~1 and a half years old
Temperment: Brave and curious. Plays with her toys gently and prances around throwing them in the air to herself. Complains and groans when she's sleeping next to you and you move.

January BarkBox Unboxing!

What was in this month's box?

Dog Treats Toasters in Lamb from Superior Farms, YumZies Soft-Moist Dog Treats in Natural Cheese Flavor from Nootie, Twisted Long Bully Stick from Barkworthies (low-odor), and an Elton the Octopus Rope Toy from Jax and Bones

Total Value:

$34.98

Dog Treats Toasters in Lamb from Superior Farms ($7.99/3 oz):

These treats are grain free and gluten free and the actual treats come in various sizes, as you can see in the pic below. They have a pungent smell, as most treats do. I think it mostly smells like liver treats. They're pretty light and crunchy. Boomer and Sookie seemed to enjoy these as well.

YumZies Soft-Moist Dog Treats in Natural Cheese Flavor from Nootie ($7.99/6 oz):

Boomer and Sookie loved these dense, hearty treats. It's chewy and soft, and smells like very pungent cheddar cheese. Since the main ingredient is chicken, Boomer can't have very much of it since he has a chicken allergy (we think). But they are smaller than the lamb treats that we got, so these can be just hers. They're also grain-free and have omega-3 in them, so that's good! I don't even have enough omega-3 in my diet.

Curly 8"-10" Bully Stick from Barkworthies (~$5.00)

This was the first thing that they wanted out of the box. They are definitely familiar with bully sticks. Henry ended up having to chop it into thirds with a hedge clipper so they'd be able to share it. Boomer finished his piece pretty quickly (~4 minutes), while Sookie took a little longer (~10 minutes). I think it was harder for Sookie to work around the twists since her mouth is much smaller than Boomer's. It smelled pretty pungent in our small living room, but I think it's because the bully sticks we normally get are "odor-free", while this one was a "low-odor" one. In any case, I'm not sure if I would purchase these regularly because of the high price tag, and the odor. I usually buy the Cadet brand at Costco. It comes out to about $2-3 a stick, are "odor-free", and they last pretty long. Boomer and Sookie definitely enjoyed it though. And the twisting does seem to make it last longer, at least with Sookie.

Elton the Octopus Rope Toy from Jax and Bones ($14.00):

This was a cute toy, but I was almost certain it wouldn't last that long with Boomer and Sookie, since they've had a similar looking crab rope toy and tore that to pieces. Surprisingly, after a few days now, it's still intact, with only some of it's arms coming unfurled. I think it's because we're teaching Boomer not to destroy his toys anymore, which seems to be working pretty well. My little Sookie is the one who usually loves and appreciates toys, but I think this one was a bit too heavy for her. And of course, it doesn't have a squeaker, which makes it less interesting to play with. She does bring it to me for an occasional game of fetch though. I've seen pictures on the Barkbox facebook where some dogs just left a pile of chewed up rope in their wake of playing with it, so I wouldn't say it was very durable. Luckily, our Elton still has most of his arms and his head is still the way it came. Success! You can see a cute picture of Boomer playing tug of war with him below, and Sookie trying to push Elton in Boomer's face to get him to play with her in the video. They crack me up.

Overall, I enjoyed this month's Barkbox, but I always do. Boomer and Sookie always get so excited and happy when they get to try new treats and play with new toys, and since they're a huge part of my life, I'm always so happy to see them happy! I was also pleased with the value of the box this month, since it was a little better than last month's value. I think getting a 12-month subscription for Barkbox at $18 a month is worth it, but I'm not sure if I would pay $29 a month for the month to month. You save more in the long run if you pay for your 12-months up front. I've always been satisfied with Barkbox, so I probably wouldn't mind paying the 12-months up front. I'm only cautious with new subscriptions to decide if it's worth paying ahead since you aren't able to cancel your subscription at any time. In the case of Barkbox, the difference is a pretty large difference (in my opinion) between the month to month and the 12-month plan.

If you'd like to get your special companion a Barkbox, just click here and get $5 off your first month! It's one of my favorite ones to open during the month since it's a way for us to bond over the items. :)

Thanks for reading!

TheRxNina

December 2012 "Just Right" BarkBox Review!

I was so happy to finally get my December BarkBox! I actually got mine in January because something happened last month where I didn't recieve it... it said it was delivered, but I never got it. So I contacted BarkBox to see what I could do, and they were so sweet about it and offered to send me December's Barkbox without charging me again for it! That started off my New Year pretty well... Thank you BarkBox! I saw what was in the December box through other customers and thought, "I really Boomer and Sookie to try it!" So finally, they can.

Quick rundown on what you should know about BarkBox:

- $29/month including shipping, price goes down with the more months you buy at once ($17/6 months)
- 4 to 5 goodies in each box
- 10% of each box goes to a dog shelter
- Delivered by USPS

- AWESOME referral program (Get one person to sign up, and get one month of barkbox for free!)

Dog Stats:

Boomer
Breed: Catahoula Leopard Hound/Dachshund mix
Weight: 45 lbs
Sex: Male
Age: ~1 and a half years old
Temperment: Scared of everything. Ferocious when it comes to destroying his toys. Always has to jump on you. Always.

Sookie
Breed: Chiweenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund mix)
Weight: 14 lbs
Sex: Female
Age: ~1 and a half years old
Temperment: Brave and curious. Plays with her toys gently and prances around throwing them in the air to herself. Complains and groans when she's sleeping next to you and you move.

December Medium BarkBox Unboxing!

Boomer and Sookie were excited to see what was in their box!

And don't worry, Boomer always looks sad. It's his floppy lips.

What was in this month's box?

Holiday Feast Treats from Bocce's Bakery, Oatmeal Shampoo from Fresh Dog, 12" Holiday Moose Toy from Simply Fido, and Wheat-Free Red Velvet Puppy Cake Mix and Frosting from Puppy Cake

Total Value:

$29.10

Holiday Feast Treats From Bocce's Bakery ($5.70/3 oz):

Another treat bag! I feel like I'm accumulating so many treats that we just don't get through in a month. This one is nice though because it's made in a local bakery in New York, and it's preservative and wheat-free. This flavor had a mix of roasted chicken, pumpkin, and cranberries; a limited edition for the holidays. Boomer and Sookie like it, which is a good sign, since they aren't very fond of biscuit type treats usually. I thought it was also cute that these bags were made especially for Barkbox since it says "Bocce's <3 Barkbox" on the front.

Natural Oatmeal Shampoo from Fresh Dog ($1.41/2 fl oz):

I got to try this on Sookie last week and it seemed to work well. I usually have to use a special shampoo for Boomer since he was prone to allergies before, and we just don't like to take chances on his dry skin. The small size was a little disappointing. I wish we had gotten a bigger size, since this would only be good for 2 or 3 baths (maybe just one if you have a big dog). It didn't smell like oatmeal to me though, definitely smelled the almond part of it much more. I still felt the need to use conditioner on her afterwards, but that's probably because it's Arizona. I'll probably save whatever is leftover for a trip.

Wheat-Free Red Velvet Puppy Cake Mix and Frosting from Puppy Cake ($6.99/box):

I haven't had the chance to try this yet, but it sounds like such a fun idea! I'll probably end up baking something this weekend, since we didn't throw them a birthday celebration back in May. It's pretty cool that you can microwave it. This flavor came in Red Velvet, but they also have banana, carob, and peanut butter. I'll update with some pics of our awesome cupcakes and probably a video once we actually find some time to make these!

12" Holiday Moose Toy from Simply Fido ($15.00):

This was super cute. I was worried though, since it's more of a Boomer-size toy than a Sookie-size toy. Sookie enjoys tiny toys that she can prance around with like a gazelle. This one was almost the same size as her, and I knew that it wouldn't last through a game of Tug-of-War with Boomer. It turns out, she does like to cuddle with it. But it's just too big for her to run around with. Boomer only likes playing with toys when we are willing to throw them or play "keep away" where he brings it to you for you to throw, but then holds onto it for dear life when you actually go and try to grab it. I guess that's a common behavior though, hearing from friends! This one is still in pretty good shape too. The arms and legs aren't stitched directly into the body. Instead, the arms and legs slide through a hole in the body where you can pull it all the way to one side where the arms would then be uneven. Unfortunately, Boomer chewed through a bit of the arm piece before we could stop him, so I don't know how long Moose will have his arms for.

Overall, I liked December's Barkbox, since I thought the cake baking would be fun to do and we can finally throw them a belated birthday celebration. The only critique I have is that I wished we had gotten a bigger size of the shampoo, or a fifth item since the shampoo wasn't full sized. Then it wouldn't have looked/felt so empty. I thought the value was not good this month since you would normally pay $29 for the box itself. I find that the purpose of a subscription box is to be able to try new items at a big discount. Since you don't control what is in the box, having a higher value than what you paid for it kind of makes up for the items in the box that you didn't care for or enjoy. But that's just my take on what a subscription box should be. Luckily, I got mine through Groupon and for about half off. But looking from the perspective of someone who paid the full amount, I would probably not be a happy camper. Although, I personally do very much appreciate that they sent me this box for free in place of my missing one. I think Barkbox has great customer service. I've never had a bad experience with trying to contact them about anything or had to wait very long. And if they somehow do miss your email and you haven't heard back in a few days, you can drop them a nice, quick post on their facebook page to remind them. I also love that they have an awesome referral program where if you get just one person to sign up through your link, you get a whole month free. Usually, you have to get 2-4 people to sign up for other boxes to get a free month. I still love my Barkbox since it makes my pups really happy. And they always have high quality items in the box, where the treats are usually made in the US, and they try to get toys that aren't made in China (although they say that sometimes they do have toys that come from there, but that they always test out each toy/treat with their own pups to make sure that it's the best).

If you'd like your own BarkBox for the pup in your life, click here to sign up and get $5 off your first subscription! It's always a fun time opening the box with my pups since they always love the items that come in them.

Thanks for reading!

TheRxNina

January 2013 Must Have Popsugar Box Review!

Hey everyone! 

Happy new year! 

Hope everyone's resolutions are going well. I decided that mine would be not to bring home any snacks or desserts from grocery shopping, but still allow myself to indulge in a dessert if I go out to eat. I tend to do a lot of stress eating at home, so instead of grabbing a bag of chips or some ice cream out of the freezer, I'll have to turn to real food if I'm hungry. Hopefully this will help me shed some pounds this year.

Anyway, speaking of resolutions, that was kind of what the theme of the Must Have Popsugar Box was geared around this month! I just got mine in today, which I was really excited about.

Quick rundown of the things you should know about the Must Have Popsugar Box:
- $35 a month (It used to be $30, but I guess they've bumped it up this year)
- Lifestyle box for women
- Guarantees at least $100 worth of items every month
- Shipped by FedEx, then tendered to USPS at final destination
- Referral program (Get 2 friends to join, get one month free. Then, get 3 more friends to join and get 3 months free)

January Must Have Popsugar Box Unboxing!

Cute wrapping paper with an "Enjoy!" sticker on it.

Foldable catalog that highlights each product:

They don't include the retail prices of everything though.

A $15 off purchase voucher code for Casetagram (Voucher Code: PSNWJ6HF), which is a website that you can use to customize your own cell phone case or tablet case. I won't be using my code, so whoever would like to use it, can! Unfortunately, it says it only works for Must-Have subscribers only, although I'm not sure how they would keep track of that sort of thing. The cases are $34.95 at retail price, so you'd still have to pony up about $20 (plus shipping, maybe) to redeem one. I also got a coupon for $1.00 off two Think Thin Bars, which I might use if I end up liking the bars.

What was in this month's box?

This month's items:

Popbar Hot Chocolate On a Stick in Milk and Dark Chocolate Flavor ($2.99/each):

I'm excited to try these, although I'm a little disappointed in the fact that it's just solid pieces of chocolate that you melt in hot milk. It's a novel concept, but not that innovative, in my opinion. I wish we had been able to try a flavor that was fun and funky at least, especially at 230 calories a bar (not even counting the milk or little marshmallow bits I plan to put in it)! It's definitely not good for my diet, but hopefully it'll be good for my soul. I do love the chocolate. I'll update once I decide to try it.

Think Thin Divine Bar in Dark Chocolate Coconut ($2.00/bar):

Think Thin Bar in Creamy Peanut Butter ($2.00/bar):

Think Thin Crunch Bar in Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts ($2.00/bar):

This one was the first one I tried and it was really delicious. Not overly sweet, but just enough to satisfy you if you are looking for something sweet. I enjoyed the crunch of the nuts and whole almonds. There was a layer of chocolate on the bottom of the bar, which also added to its tastiness. I'm not sure where it would stand in my daily food log though... I had it for lunch, although I think it tastes more like a dessert.

.:I will definitely update when I try these, which should be soon. I've heard that Think Thin bars are good, so I'm going in with high expectations.:.

Jet-Puffed Vanilla Mallow Bits ($6.50/3 oz):

These are cute and taste just like the marshmallows in Lucky Charm Cereal. I might actually sneak these into my Nutrisystem cereal more than anything else, although there is a delicious sounding recipe for hot cocoa cookies on the back, which I might try one day. Maybe. I definitely plan on using them with my Popbar Hot Chocolate that came in the box.

Epicuren Discovery Lip Balm in Tea Tree Oil ($9.50/0.25 oz):

I am a fan of lip balms. Living in Arizona, you always need lip balm all year round. This one has an SPF 15, which is nice, and also contains tea tree oil and aloe vera. Mine was a little leaky when I opened it, like the tea tree oil was running out. It might have been from sitting in my hot mailbox. I don't like that it came in a pot, since I hate having to wash my hands first before I use it every time, but once I opened it, I realized why it has to come in that form. It has a very ointment-like texture to it, almost like petroleum jelly (although it contains none of that). I rather like how smooth it goes on because of this, but I prefer a stick form of lip balm only because it's so much more convenient. Tea tree oil has a very distinct smell, which might not be for everyone. I know I didn't like the smell at first, but I've grown to like it now. Henry likes to use it in his shampoos, but I'm not sure if he'd be willing to kiss me if I had this on. I like that they make my lips feel tingly though, as if you're putting on peppermint. In terms of how well it prevents and soothes chapped lips, I will have to update to let you know.

The Remix Timebomb Watch in Black ($44.95):

So I was disappointed to see a watch in the box, only because I'm not a watch kind of girl. Most everyone uses their cell phones nowadays to look at the time anyway, even the people who wear watches! It is an accessory though, and I'm not the best person to be a judge of this since I don't accessorize very often. My first impressions of the watch was that I thought it seemed pretty cheap, like something I could buy in Chinatown (but never would). The very first thing I saw was that it lit up with different color LED lights (see video below), so that was a little cool. It also has a distinct ticking sound, which would drive me nuts if I was trying to have some quiet study time. The silicone band, which is interchangeable, also seemed to catch a lot of dust and lint (not attractive). Also, the watch is HUGE on me. It's definitely not low key, but some people might like that about it. I think I will probably end up letting Henry have it, if he wants. Some other things about the watch... the battery can be changed if you unscrew the back, and it is a "splash-proof" watch, which basically means that you can maybe get some water on it while washing your hands, but anything more than that could mean damaging the watch. It also has a 90 day limited warranty, but it only covers if it was a manufacturer defect. There are a lot of great watches out there if someone wanted to pay for one which look way better, do more things, and are water-resistant. I wish they had spent this $45 on a better item, instead of giving us a mediocre one.

.: Update - Success! After showing Henry the watch, he said he would wear it, and got even more excited when I showed him that it lit up. He's not a picky guy, so I'm lucky in that sense. Now the watch won't go to waste. :) :.

Merrithew Stability Ball 65" in Green ($38.99):

It was really odd for me to see this in our box because I feel like a stability ball isn't a one-size fit all item. There are different size balls you should get depending on your height (read more here), as a wrong size reduces the benefits of the ball and can actually increase your risk for injury. I, being 5'1-1/2", have to use a 45" diameter ball. Luckily, I have one already at home, which is in my size. I feel like a good majority of females own a stability ball, which also puzzled me as to why they would choose this as an item in our box. The thought of trying to make exercising easy at home is nice, but you actually need a fair amount of room to use one, which not a lot of people have. They also included a card with some basic exercises to give a person who's never worked with one some direction. They also suggest swapping it out for your regular desk chair to improve posture, which does work, but I know that my old company wouldn't let me swap it out at work as they didn't want to be responsible for any injuries. I'm not sure how lenient other companies are with this rule, but I feel like if you can't sit on it where you spend the most time sitting on it, it's not very useful in that way. I will probably save this to give away for a white elephant gift next Christmas or something. Just disappointed because they definitely could have given us something better in place of this.

Total Value:

$111.94

($126.94 w/ voucher code)

Overall, I was a little disappointed in this month's box... but maybe that's just because I would really only have one practical item to put to use, and that would be the lip balm. The stability ball was an odd choice for them to pick, in my opinion, since people of different heights would require different sizes. The watch I wouldn't wear, only because it's just so... big, and bulky. But maybe Henry will wear it sometime. I guess I lucked out getting a black color since that's unisex. I would never purchase that particular watch for myself or Henry in real life though, especially for it's steep price tag and cheap feeling quality. I did like that they put some of the Think Thin Bars in our box so I would be able to try different flavors, but I get a lot of these types of bars in my Conscious Box, so I was hoping for more practical items like in December's Must Have box. The marshmallow bits and hot chocolate bars are an interesting concept, but I would have rather had something else in its place, since it doesn't help me much with my no snacks or dessert at home resolution. Hopefully next month's will be better, although I'm a little sad since I was hoping this month would have some Valentine's Day stuff in it since we will be getting our boxes late next month after Valentine's Day.

I will still continue my subscription to Popsugar though, since I feel like the value of the box definitely outweighs the cost. They guarantee that the items are worth up to $100, so I do like that aspect of it. Although I was overall disappointed with the box, I'm sure there are others who loved it. It just didn't hit my demographic this time. I would still highly recommend getting a Popsugar Must Have box as a subscription, since there are boxes that I saw reviews on where I would have absolutely loved getting one. I thought December's was great!

If you'd like to sign up for a Popsugar Must Have Box, click here, and use code "REFERFRIENDS" to get $5 off your first box! Using my link helps me earn free months, which is nice, because I love doing reviews for you guys and eventually Henry will make me cut down on some... which means I won't be able to do any more reviews on Popsugar's box. Sad face. So please use it! It'd be mighty appreciated. ^_^

As always, thanks for reading!

TheRxNina

January 2013 My Glam Bag by Ipsy Review!

Again, Ipsy is not a disappointment! I could already tell by the sneak peeks on their Facebook page that I would love everything in the bag.

Here's a rundown of the things to know about My Glam Bag by Ipsy:
- $10/month including shipping (Canada - extra $4.95 for shipping)
- Receive 4-5 beauty products each month
- Ships to US and Canada only- Shipped by USPS (for US shipping)
- Started by Michelle Phan
- Community participation with other Ipsters on the website
- No referral program

- May have to be put on a waitlist when signing up, depending on how many spots are open

January My Glam Bag by Ipsy

What was in my bag this month?

SOHO "Get a Grip" Concealer Brush, Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer, Big Sexy Hair Play & Spray Volumizing Hairspray, Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Mini Body Butter, Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

Total Value:

$48.98

This month's theme: A True Star Will Always Shine

Liked the bag this month! Super cute color with the little stars inside. 

Another little travel bag to add to my collection. :)

SOHO "Get a Grip" Concealer Brush ($7.99):

This brush varied by bag. I think you could also get it as an eyeliner brush or a crease brush. A part of me wishes I had gotten the crease brush, since I feel like I use that more often than a concealer brush. In any case, I'm glad I got this brush too. It's very very soft, and I can use it to take when I travel since the tube is reusable, and I don't have a concealer brush in my travel brush set.

Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Frappe ($13.00):

This is a sheer pink nail polish, and I absolutely love the color. You could also get it Bloody Mary, which is a true red color. In my beauty profile, I picked "natural" describing my preferred style, so that's probably why I got the light pink. It's very girlish, and reminds me of an OPI color that I have (but is getting old), so I can't wait to try this one on.

Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray ($10.00/1.5 oz):

I was happy to see this in my bag, since I love travel size hairsprays. I really don't use hairspray enough since I'm so lazy, but I've got these crazy baby hairs that stick up so I probably should try to put an effort to calm those down. Hairspray seems to be the only thing that really works. I wish I knew how to do more with my hair so I could use this to my full advantage. I'm going to put that on my youtube list, "easy hairstyles". I've actually got a bunch of these little hairspray samples now, which I've been saving for travel, but I'll probably end up putting one in my locker at school in case I ever need it.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Mini Body Butter ($7.00/2.5 oz):

I was hesitant at first to see this in the bag, since I ordered the same brand in Hawaiian Ruby Guava but it smelled nothing like what I thought it would and never ended up using that one. Fortunately, this one smelled pretty nice. Very orange smell, like if you were to rub your hands with an orange peel. I think it would make an excellent lotion for the summer, since it's so bright. I might save it for a possible cruise trip (hopefully one day).

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil ($10.99/5 ml):

I was really excited to see this in the bag because I've seen Josie Maran Argan Oil in Sephora, but never bought it since it was so pricey. I'm glad I finally get to try it! I loved that they included on the little box how you can use it. I will personally probably use it for my hair only since I tend to get oily on the forehead area. The winter weather is so harsh on hair, so hopefully this will help soften it up. I will report back once I try it!

Overall, I loved my bag this month. I was actually really happy that they didn't include any makeup in the bag this month, just because I'm already so backed up with cosmetics that I can't use up all at once. Another win! I recommend getting a My Glam Bag subscription. Valentine's Day is coming up! I would think about getting a subscription like this for the woman in your life (or convincing your significant other to get you one). It's only $10 a month and you definitely get your money's worth! It's like getting a gift every month in the mail, and who doesn't like that feeling?

If you'd like to sign up, click here!

Thanks for reading!

  

TheRxNina

January 2013 Conscious Box Review!

Hey everyone!

So I decided to get Conscious Box again in December (I haven't finished the review on that yet) because they were offering a bonus product to all subscribers for a mishap they had in November, although I'm not sure if I can recall what it was about, since I didn't receive November's box. Plus, they were offering a great Cyber Monday deal where you could get a free month if you bought a 3 month subscription. So it looks like I'll be signed up for it until March! I also decided to purchase the Valentine's Day box, which came as a separate box from the actual February box. It's going to be an "adult-themed" box, which will vary from chocolate to other intimate things... if you catch my drift. They said they only made 100, so of course, I had to snatch one up! I actually can't wait to see what a Valentine's Day box will be like. Excited!

I've decided that since Conscious Box includes SO many samples, that I'm going to do their reviews in a different format than my usual ones. They don't include a list of their items in the box, since there are so many samples that usually come in them. And I'm sure it's also to be a little more environmentally friendly. So what I'm going to do is copy and paste the packing list that they email out to all their subscribers, insert my pictures, and then write about my personal thoughts on each product below it's description. Anything with quotations around it will be what was written by Conscious Box in their packing list. I usually don't get through trying everything right away, but I'd like for you guys to at least see what came in my box for the month. Is that good? Good!

Quick Rundown on Conscious Box:

- Subscription box full of pure and sustainable products

- Includes TONS of samples every month

- $19.95 a month including shipping (less if you get more months at a time)

- Vegan AND Gluten-Free option available now

- Ships out around the 7th-10th each month

- Ships through USPS

- Ships only to the US (including Hawaii and Alaska)

- No referral program

January's Conscious Box!

I always love the little cards that come in the box. It always contains some kind of uplifting or calming message. A much needed thing in the life of a stressed out, hectic paced, pharmacy student.

This month's postcard:

A unicorn! Without the horn.

Looks like this month's box was curated by personal trainer, Joel Harper!

What was in this month's box?

34 Degrees

"Bite into the more natural, thinner, crispier cracker. Perfect with your favorite cheeses or just on their own, 34 Degrees crackers are delectable treats suited for any culinary creation. Made with unbleached wheat flour, a hint of natural cheese flavor, sesame seeds, and a pinch of salt. Yum!"

My thoughts: These were pretty good. They were crisp, and light, although there was a flavor in there that I couldn't distinguish. It definitely wasn't the cheese flavor I had imagined, but perhaps it came from the sesame seeds. I liked these. They probably would go well with some fancy cheese.

Teeccino 
"Looking for a seriously superfood cereal? Check out Teechia, the high performance super seeds that pack a serious punch of fiber and protein. A bowl of Teechia will provides lasting energy with lasting satisfaction. Whip up a bowl and take your first spoonful of chia, quinoa, amaranth, ramon, and pumpkin seeds!"

Q.Bel 
"Don’t say we didn’t warn you. These crispy mint wafers are incredibly delicious and deserving of a savory taste bud addition. Non-GMO, whole grain, dairy-free, and made with 70% cacao makes this a healthy alternative to any cookie that might be stocking the pantry."

Update 1/17/13: I got to try these just now and they're delicious! I would definitely purchase these again, although I don't know if they would be good for my diet, being as the package is a total of 180 calories. It is nice that it's whole grain though and is made out of dark chocolate, so you don't feel as bad for indulging. My wafers were sitting next to my cold juice box in my bag, so mine were a little hard when I tried it, but I'm sure it would've had a better texture if I had eaten them at room temperature. Love mint. Love chocolate. Now I love Q.Bel.

Peeled Snacks 
"Who said snacking can’t be healthy? With 1 serving of fruit per bag, completely gluten-free and 100% organic, Peeled Snacks set the standard for healthy munching. No fat, no preservatives, and of course, non-GMO. A healthy serving of fiber will also help keep you full - move over potato chips!"

Update 1/17/13: Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try these since Henry ended up putting it in his lunchbox for work! But he did report to me that they were good. A little bit of a denser snack than rice puff crisps but still crispy. I wish I had been able to try a piece so I could tell you more about it. They are gluten-free, so that's a plus!

Nutiva Hemp Seed 
"Hemp Seed is one of nature’s wonders, just now becoming re-celebrated by so many in the health community. These seeds are an incredible 33% protein and are filled with omegas perfect for building a better brain and body. Eat plain, add as a condiment, or mix in a shake. "

Update 1/17/13: Henry brought these to work and I wasn't able to try these either, but he also reported these as being good. Unfortunately, I couldn't get much more out of him about describing it except that it was also a little moist, which he liked. He ate them right out of the package.

BONUS! Nordic Naturals 
"Fish oils are great for supporting brain function, memory, and mood. The benefit comes from omega-3 and omega-9 oils, which have anti-inflammatory alongside anti-clotting benefits. Nordic Natural only uses the finest fish oils, third party tested for environmental toxins like heavy metals and dioxins. As a result, they produce fish oils that far surpass international standards."

My thoughts: At first, I was a little confused about why a capsule that you swallow had a "Great strawberry taste!" to it. But then I remembered that fish oil supplements produce a "fishy" burp, and thought it might actually be fun to try. And supporting brain function, memory, and mood? Sign me up, please! So I tore open the package, and downed the two very huge capsules. It actually does make me burp a little but alas, there is a very nice strawberry taste to it instead of a fishy one. It kind of tastes like when I'm sick and have eaten a bunch of strawberry Halls cough drops. I've heard great things about Nordic Naturals, and I'm really happy I got a chance to try it. As for the memory and mood... I will yet have to test that after I'm done with this review. I would definitely recommend this brand when I'm a pharmacist though. Best quality fish oils out there, I've heard.

Waxalene 
"Drop the old petroleum jelly and go with something more natural. Organic Soy oil, Beeswax, natural vitamin E, and organic rosemary oil makes this a healthy, nourishing moisturizer and base for everything from dry skin to make up. No petroleum, not greasy, completely biodegradable and free of animal testing."

Dale’s Raw Protein Bar 
"Dale has been whipping up some of the best raw food around for quite some time, and boy are we excited to be loading you up with one of his incredible bars. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and loaded with protein, Dale knows what it takes to make an awesome treat. No artificial preservatives or sweeteners. Simple ingredients for a simply awesome snack. (PS. Don’t sweat the refrigeration suggestion. Dale suggests refrigerating to prevent falling apart in warmer climates.)"

Pamela’s Products 
"We fell in love with Pamela’s Products within the first bite. These wheat-free, gluten-free brownies are not only delicious, but they’re also super quick and easy to make. Pamela’s also regularly supports autism and celiac organizations, and is a member of the American Celiac Disease Alliance. Go Pamela’s!"

LARABAR 
"We’re excited to be trying out the Uber. What’s different? This bar has got big texture (along with big taste!). This gluten-free, non-GMO, all natural, and Kosher scrumptiously succulent bar is packed with a flavor profile that’ll stick to your memory without sticking to your teeth. No refined sugar and made with dry-roasted nuts (no oil added)."

MAAKOA 
"Koopuwa. Just say it a few times. It’s fun! Koopuwa! What is it? It’s a super food, super antioxidant, super-stimulating blend of phytonutrients with deliciously distinctive flavors coming right from fruits. Drink right from the pouch or mix with the morning smoothie to get all the Cupuaçu, Acai, red grape, pomegranate, and berry berry goodness inside!"

Chia Shots
"The Chia Co is proud to pumping out chia seeds all day long. Why’s that? Because Chia seeds are one of the richest plant-based sources of omega-3, dietary fiber, protein, and antioxidants. The Chia Co also works with nature to ensure sustainable agriculture; this means strategically timing crops, using the best soil, and enacting smart methods of growing, like gravity fed irrigation and chemical-free mechanical harvesting."

Tea Forte 
"Refresh yourself with this invigorating mint from Tea Forte. With a taste that will make your taste buds tingle, Tea Forte is the perfect follow up to lunch, the morning coffee, or anything else that might make your coworkers’ olfactory wonder what’s up. Fortified with antioxidants makes this a mint that helps support your body’s defenses too."

Update 1/17/13: These were really yummy! I have put them in my purse and the packaging is so cute. The flavor does ring true to "lime mojito", it definitely tastes like it. It's refreshing and just slightly minty with more of a sour taste to it. I also like that it's made by Tea Forte. I got to try some of their teas in my Popsugar Must Have box and they were delicious. I didn't know that they made mints also. I really liked the little "R" in "Resist", since it looks like an "Rx". ;)

These are just coupons that came in the box also.

Conscious box usually includes several of them each month.

Overall, I was pretty with this month's box. I usually am when it comes to Conscious Box. They always give plenty of new samples that I've usually never tried before. I usually try to price the items in the subscription boxes that I get to figure out if it's worth it or not. Conscious Box is one of the very few (if not only) subscription box that I don't apply this to, because they include so many small samples usually that it would be very difficult/impossible to price everything. I truly believe that with the amount of things that come in the box (13 in this box, up to 20 in other months I've gotten), it more than makes up for the value of the box. I do wish that we had gotten a sample of the chocolate macaroons in our box, which came in some others, but it's okay. Another critique is that I would've also liked to see samples other than edibles in box... sometimes they'll give out skin care samples or lip balm, and I would've loved to try something new in those categories. Since I haven't been able to try a lot of the items yet, I usually update as soon as I get a chance to try several things. I would recommend getting a Conscious Box. If you'd like to sign up for one, just refer to the links below!

- Regular Conscious Box

- Vegan Conscious Box

- Gluten-Free Conscious Box (New!)

Currently, I'm only subscribed to the regular one, as I'm not a Vegan, nor do I need Gluten-Free items in my diet... I wish I could try all of them, but it's one of the more pricier boxes. I am definitely content with my regular subscription though. I've tried some of their vegan boxes, and they were great as well. They also have excellent customer service, if you ever need to contact them!

Thanks for reading!

TheRxNina