Product Review

New Brauer Paw Paw Products by Linda Anderson
in Product Review
4 Apr 2012 | 1 Comment
I have long been a user of a Paw Paw product for both myself and my children. I have always used it for my lips and for my children it has served as nappy rash cream, mozzie bite soother and general healer for small cuts & grazes.

Recently I had an opportunity to meet with the team from Brauer who recently released a new Paw Paw balm and were keen for me to try it. The first words out of my mouth were "I already use a Paw Paw product and love it. What makes your different or better? Why will I want to use it?"

They had 2 very good reasons:

1. Their paw paw products contain twice as much actual Paw Paw (about 80%)

2. Their product contains NO PETROCHEMICALS. I actually had no idea my existing brand might contain petrochemicals!

So I agreed to take home a selection of products to try for myself. The Brauer Paw Paw

products are available in the following sizes:

LIP BALM TIN - easy to tuck into my handbag or pocket

TUBE - perfect for out and about

LARGE CONTAINER - perfect for keeping near the baby change table at my house

I have been using these products for a few weeks now and I am very impressed! The things I like most are:
- great range of sizes
- the texture - it feels creamier, less oily than my previous brand
- the smell - delicious ... I could almost eat it!
- and very reassuring to know it definitely does not contain petrochemicals ... after all my kids might actually eat this behind my back!!
I am converterted!

Mums on the Go has a great giveaway from Brauer coming soon ... stay tuned ...

Linda x
Wagner’s Probiotica P3 by Linda Anderson
in Product Review
16 Nov 2011 | 0 Comments

This is a Sponsored Post

Last week as I had to throw out a few things in my fridge before I turned it off for transport to Sydney.

2 things I hated throwing out were:
1. Dry Yeast - for making bread, container was almost full, but has to stay cold
2. Probiotics - half full bottle from last time my husband was on anti-biotics. They have to stay cold so had to go in the bin. They are pretty expensive so it felt like a waste.

Well, I was amazed this week to discover there is now a probiotic available that does not need to be refrigerated!

Wagner’s Probiotica P3 requires no refrigeration, unlike most probiotics currently available in Australia, and independent laboratory testing has proven its stability four years after manufacture.

The product contains a blend of three scientifically researched acid-resistant strains of good bacteria that are guaranteed to be alive on consumption and is designed to help alleviate gas and bloating, reduce toxins formed in the gastrointestinal tract, can help prevent and treat Candida, and speed up recovery from diarrhoea or constipation.

Probiotica P3 is also perfect for people who are on, or have recently used, antibiotics (which kill good bacteria in the gut along with unfriendly bacteria), as it helps repopulate the gut with the good bacteria.

Unlike most products on the market, Wagner’s product can also be left on the bench, put in a purse or left the car, so it is ideal for travel or for those who are busy and don’t have time to worry about keeping their probiotics in the fridge.

Around 70 percent of the immune system is located in the gut, so having a functioning digestive system plays a fundamental role in supporting general health and wellbeing. Taking a probiotic like Probiotica P3 helps restore the intestinal flora balance and control the levels of harmful bacteria in the gut, so is the perfect way to insure against digestive nasties.

Probiotica P3 is available from all good pharmacists in Australia and is free from preservatives, sugar, sodium, milk, yeast, gluten, artificial colours and flavours.

For more information, visit http://www.wagnerproducts.com.au
Vivenda - Home Cooking - Product Review by Linda Anderson
in Product Review
14 Nov 2011 | 1 Comment
In the past month I have been consumed by the addition of Melbourne to our child-friendly directory and the reality of moving our family back to Sydney. It has really been an intense, busy, and challenging time. I am only human and there is a limit to how much I can juggle at once so I thought my family might have to eat Baked Beans on toast for a month ... that was until I met Sarah from Vivenda who invited me to trial her home cooking service ... how could I say No?!!

* this service operates in Melbourne plus Casey, Greater Dandenong, Knox, Geelong, The Bellarine Peninsular & Torquay*

Let me give you a brief rundown of her service before I tell you what I thought of it. Basically Sarah come to your home, cooks up a whole lot of meals for you, bundles them into 2 person serves, pops them in the freezer, and leaves your kitchen cleaner than when she arrived. You preselect the meals you want her to cook from her menu, you can adapt them to personal taste such as 'no mushrooms please' or 'go easy on the chilli' ... Sarah even does the grocery shopping for the meals.

Sounds pretty good doesn't it? Here is what I thought of the whole experience:

Choosing Meals
The menu had lots of very yummy things to choose from and mostly "European" in style. I wanted to choose things that I thought Miss 3 would eat as I had no intention of cooking her separate meals over the past few weeks ... I wanted this home cooking to really make my life easier.
I actually asked my husband to pick three things but he chose things that I didn't think Miss 3 would eat ... which defeats the purpose of having someone else cook dinner! So I chose:
- CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON AND MUSHROOMS
- LAMB STEW WITH PARSLEY DUMPLINGS AND YOUNG CARROTS
- BRAISED PUMPKIN AND LAMB
On the Day

Sarah arrived right on time and brought all her boxes of goodies into the kitchen. She brings all her own knives and pots and pans so other than a quick tour of how the oven works she didn't need anything else from me. I went back to my home office to work and she got cooking. Normally she would arrive at someones house before they go off to work and she would just lock the house behind her when she finishes.

Fast forward through lots of yummy smells and a few hours later all the cooking is complete. Sarah packages everything up into containers, labels them with meal name, suggested sides and reheating instruction and stocks the freezer.

She then cleaned up my kitchen and it looked better then when she had arrived!

There were a few left over fresh herbs which she popped in the fridge for me with some ideas on what else I could use them for.

** note - if a recipe calls for "a little bit" of something like a sauce, dried herbs etc Sarah just brings these from her pantry supplies - they are not part of your grocery shop.

Ease of putting a meal on the table
The meals were easy to defrost and then reheat either on stove top or in the microwave. Sarah did point out to me that meals would state better if reheated on stove top.
I found each "serve" from the freezer would feed my husband and I and Miss 3 if I added 2 vegies and pasta/rice/potato as sides which was perfect.

Taste test
Even though Sarah told me meals would taste better reheated on stove top I have to say the reality of my household is that 99% of her meals were reheated in the microwave.

So how did our meals taste?

DELICIOUS!!!!

My husband loved having more "interesting" meals than I cook during the week and Miss 3 especially loved both lamb dishes once she got over the fact they "looked different" ... in fact one night she pinched extra from her Dad's plate that was waiting for him to reheat when he got home from work.

The flavours were quite strong and interesting which we loved. I have always brought up Miss 3 to eat quite grown up tastes so I was glad she liked these ... otherwise it back to bake beans on toast!

How much does this cost?
When you combine the grocery bill and the session fee it works out that each "serve" costs about $12. In our house that meant 2 serves fed 2 adults and a 3 year old so it was definitely better value than Thai takeaway.

A full session costs $285 + the groceries and Sarah offers a great sample session for new customers. And if you feel worried about spending the money when you have not tried Sarah's cooking she even offers a Money Back Guarantee!
You are really left with so much food after a session it is fantastic. We were eating these meals 3 nights a week and it still felt like it lasted forever.

Christmas is coming ...
I can understand that the up front cost of this service would be hard to justify in many families but it really was such a wonderful experience and made my life SO much easier that I would love EVERY (Melbourne) Mum to enjoy this too.

Have you put in your Christmas wishlist yet? If not, ask your family for a Vivenda gift voucher ... I know I would rather have the gift of time, energy and convenience for Christmas than more "stuff" that I probably don't need.

** this would also make a lovely baby shower gift from a group of friends ... much better than another cute newborn outfit that may not ever be worn

A final word ...
It is pretty clear that my family and I loved the taste of food and the convenience of not cooking during such a busy time in our life. I would also like to say that I have found Sarah a pleasure to deal with. She is thorough, reliable and easy to deal with ... and of course an angel in the kitchen!

Linda x
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector - BB Cream - Product Review by Linda Anderson
in Product Review
28 Oct 2011 | 0 Comments
Have you seen the ads on TV lately for Garniers Skin Naturals Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-In-One Moisturiser or otherwise known as BB Cream?

It suggest this product:
1. Hydrates for 24hrs
2. Evens tone
3. Corrects blemishes
4. Boosts healthy glow
5. UV Protection SPF 15

and the Garnier website states "Australia's 1st BB Cream by Garnier, new Miracle Skin Perfector is the ultimate daily all-in-one solution for instantly flawless, healthy glowing skin."

Sounds all a bit too good to be true doesn't it?

As you may know I am a great fan of simplicity when it comes to looking good ... as a Mum of 2 and business owner I don't have time to fuss over my beauty routine but that doesn't mean I don't like to look and feel good. So when Garnier offered to let me trial their "Miracle Skin Perfector" of course I said "yes"

I have long been a fan of tinted moisturisers for adding a little boost to my face without looking "made up" so I have tried quite a few.

So what did I think of this BB Cream?
- Feels really light and smooth to apply. It was very easy to blend into my skin which means no ugly "tide lines"
- My skin felt really soft to touch after application
- It has very light, natural look once applied. Perfect if you don't want to look "made up" but perhaps not the right product if you want something verging on foundation.
- Love the fact it is SPF 15 ... skin protection without having to remember sunscreen
What about all the claims made in the TV ad? Well, I can only take their word that it hydrates for 24 hours; I definitely think it evened my skin tone and corrects blemishes; and yes, I agree it gives me a healthy glow.

Available in 2 shades, Light and Medium and with RRP $13.95 it won't break the budget. I will be adding this to my staple items that help me look good in 2 minutes or less!

Linda x

ps - wondering what BB stands for? Blemish Balm
Blackmores - A Trusted Family Brand - Product Review by Linda Anderson
in Product Review
4 Oct 2011 | 0 Comments
Once upon a time I had beautiful fingernails ... the kind of long, beautifully shaped and strong nails that people would actually comment on. The wonderful thing was I didn't even need to do anything, except give them an occasional tidy up file, to have them look so great. That was before I had children ...

After more than 3 years of being constantly pregnant or breastfeeding the hormonal and nutrient demand on my body has taken its toll on my fingernails. These days they are short, they flake easily and as soon as a few start to actually grow they snap off again ... not very pretty. So when Blackmores gave me the opportunity to try out their 'Nails, Hair, Skin' supplement I was very happy to try it out!

I returned home excited to make a start. I even took "before" photographs of my hands so I could show you the difference this product was (or was not) making.

I read the fine print on the bottle which says things like:
- May help to strengthen soft or brittle nails, reduces splitting and chipping, and increase nail thickness
- Stronger nails from 12 weeks
Sounds like the product for me!

However, 2 things niggled at me:
- the word "may" ... I wanted a product to tell me it WILL make my nails stronger
- 12 weeks ... did I really have to wait 3 months to see a result? Sigh
I started taking this supplement every morning after breakfast. This only last 5 days though. I have to confess I have always struggled to take any tonic or tablet consistently. Even when the objective has been to conceive a baby I only manage about 80% compliance (my naturopath will vouch for that).

So the fact I didn't end up taking the Nails, Hair, Skin supplement for any length of time is a reflection on me ... not on Blackmores ... and as I type this I can see my nails are still looking worse for wear.

I am happy to say though that Blackmores is a trusted family brand in my household. Products that have regularly featured next to the toaster are:
- Super Strength Horseradish, Garlic + C - I get onto these the second I feel a cold/flu on the way and find it very effective and fighting off the bugs. and of course I only have to take them for a few days in a row which works for me - LOL
- Vitamin C - my husbands prefered fight a cold option
- Fish Oil 1000 - makes an appearance when we are trying to conceive
- Bio Zinc - on my husbands list when we are trying to conceive
So for now I have deleted the "before" photos on my camera and have resigned myself to brittle nails until I stop breastfeeding. Perhaps then I may feel more inspired to commit to a daily supplement ... who knows?

Linda x

GIVEAWAY - Blackmores have kindly offered a gift pack worth over $100 for one lucky "Mum on the Go". To WIN click here
Protect.A.Bed Sheet Protector - Product Review by Mums on the Go
in Product Review
26 Sep 2011 | 0 Comments

I was recently offered the chance to try out a Protect-a-Bed Sheet Protector. Normally this is a not a product I would review for Mums on the Go as it is a "kid product" not a "mum product".

At the time I was particularly sleep deprived thanks to my very independent, not even 3 yet, child who had decided she didn't want to wear nappies anymore. I was happy to support her initiative but was getting up several nights each week to change sheets & PJ's. So I decided this product might have great worth in reducing the amount of time I was up in the night and therefore help me feel a whole lot better.

Of course, no sooner did the sheet protector arrive and my daughter decided she would like to wear nappies again - LOL ... so I invited Yvonne Robinson and her 'just about to turn 5' year old son to trial it.

Here is what Yvonne had to say:

I have been using it for a few weeks now and it's been great, very easy to take off and put back on again.

My son didn't like it on at first, I think just because it was over his sheet and not under it like others we have used, but after the first night he was fine with it.

The only thing I don't seem to like, is that when it's been on for a while and hasn't needed to be changed due to lots of dry nights (YAY!!!) that it can get very messy and keeps needing to be tucked under to keep it from moving around too much (that could just be that I have a son who moves a lot in the night though!!!)

I found it really easy to wash, no problems there and drying was good too, I only have a clothesline, so it either went outside or inside on a drying rack, dried really quickly so was able to put it straight back on the bed for the next night.
Garnier Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-on Product Review by Linda Anderson
in Product Review
2 Sep 2011 | 1 Comment
This week I had "one of those nights" that I am sure every Mum reading this blog has had.

It went something like this:
3.45am - Miss 3 has a nightmare, hubbie gets up to be with her
4.15am - hubbie brings her to our bed ... she want to get up and sit on the couch to watch TV. I tell her TV doesn't work in the middle of the night. So she lies with me and talks a little and sings me some songs
4.45am -alarm goes off as hubbie has to go to airport. Miss 3 still awake so she now starts crying because Daddy is leaving.
5am - we are waving goodbye and blowing kisses from the bedroom window as hubbie drives off.I point out the stars in the sky and suggest that it is STILL nighttime and we really should go sleep
5.05am - back into bed ... Miss 3 is crying because she misses her Daddy.
5.40am - Miss 3 FINALLY falls asleep so I close my eyes and hope I can get at least an hour of sleep.
5.50am - Miss 9 months wakes and decides it is time to start the day

Needless to say I felt like crap at this point and I also looked like crap!! I was heading to the city to meet up with my Mum (visiting from Perth) so decided to put on some "nice" clothes and pull out the Garnier Skin Naturals Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-On Concealer that I had been given at the recent Bloggers Brunch.

According to Garnier this is "the first 2 in 1 eye cream that provides clarifying care with cosmetic cover up, Garnier Skin Naturals Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-On is a true innovation for brighter, younger looking eyes. Enriched with clarifying lemon essence, caffeine and combined with the cooling stimulating massage ball, Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-On helps reduce the skin’s surface swelling and intensity of dark circles."

I was definitely hoping this was all true ... the circles under my eyes looked awful!

I have never used an under eye concealer before so I have nothing to compare this product to but I was pleasantly surprised:
- the roll on application was easy to use and mess free
- it immediately felt cool(as in temperature not mood) under my eye which was very refreshing
- I then blended in the concealer using my finger. I was very pleased with how it blended in with my skin. I think I could have worn it without any other makeup on. As I needed a major mood lift that day I also put some foundation and powder on.
- I noticed the skin under my eyes felt a little firmer but not sticky or uncomfortable in anyway
When I stepped back to look at my face in the mirror I can honestly say I could see the improvement. The dark circles were not 100% gone (which of course I secretly had hoped would happen) but I looked "normal" rather than the sleep deprived, eyes hanging out my head, Mum that I really was. Because I looked better I felt better and that was just what I needed to get through what was going to be a very long day.

Garnier Skin Naturals Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-On Concealer gets a thumbs up from me.

Available in 2 natural shades, Medium and Medium to Dark, Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-on is available from Supermarkets, pharmacies, variety and independent stores. ESP $18.95

Linda x
Homedics Massagers - Product Review by Linda Anderson
in Product Review
11 Aug 2011 | 0 Comments
After recently attending the Bloggers Brunch in Melbourne I was lucky enough to trial several Homedic Massage products.

I know one thing in life I don't get enough of is a good massage. In between breastfeeding, carrying children around awkwardly on my hip and spending many hours a week on the computer (perched on the kitchen bench in a very unergonimical way!) so I always have plenty of knots in my neck and shoulders ... My husband, bless him, gives a pretty bad massage so I was very excited to be able to bring some products home with me!

Massage is a very personal thing ... what style you like, do you like it soft or hard, relaxing or remedial. Personally I like a nice hard massage that gets deep into my muscles so my review is influenced by that. However, I have attempted below to describe my experience with the products in a way that will let you see if it may suit your prefered style of massage.

"Tapping" Neck & Shoulder Massager

This is going on my Christmas Wishlist! I only used this for a few minutes at the Bloggers Brunch and fell in love. New to the market so yet to be listed on their website.
- It drapes around your shoulders feeling like a cross between a Wheat Bag (softness) and a Scuba Diving weight belt (solid pressure).
- When you turn it on it feels like someone is pounding on your shoulder muscles with a closed hand. I actually turned around to see who was tapping me on the shoulder!
- It gives a really deep tissue massage with variable intensity control. Optional heat available too.
- Would be easy to take on holidays as quite compact.
- Instant bliss
Neck & Shoulder Massager - with Infrared Heat

Homedics very kindly sent home all attendees of the Bloggers Brunch with one of these. Having trialled several of their products I have to say this one didn't really work for me because of the style of massage I like but I think if you like a gentle, soothing style massage you will really like this product.
- I love the heat feature in this product. Really nice for stiff neck muscles
- The massage is a gentle vibrating sensation so it doesn't work into any particular muscles but offers a soothing experience instead
- Operates with AC adaptor and batteries to provide mobility (don't have to sit near a power point) - however, the heat function only works when hooked up to AC adaptor
Total Coverage Shiatsu Cushion

Homedics gave away 4 of these Deluxe products as Lucky Door prizes. Guess which lucky duck got to take one home with her ... yep, that would be ME!

Have you ever been to a Nail Salon for a pedicure and sat in a massage chair? That is my favourite part of getting my nails done and the Total Coverage Shiatsu Cushion is just like having one at home! Very indulgent
- it fits easily over most chairs - dining room chair, office chair etc.
- Ideally you would have a child-free chair that it could always be set up on. In my house that doesn't exist so I have to pack away in between usage which means I don't use as often as I could.
- Offers a vibration AND Shiatsu massage mode so no matter what kind of massage you like you can have it
- You can set automatic programs so that all you have to do is sit back and relax OR you can "drive" the massage to a particular place on your back using the little joystick
- You can have neck/shoulder and back massages operating together or just one at a time which is great
- Love the heat option - so soothing
- there is a height adjustment button so that you can have the shoulder massage exactly where you need it. This means both my husband and I can set it for a great massage.
- I can't wait to have my mobile beautician visit for a summer pedicure ... now I can have my very own nail salon experience in the comfort of my own home!
Overall I thought the Homedic Products were of a very high quality, offer great variety in products for different needs. They can be purchased through retailers such as Myer, Harvey Norman & Dick Smith so I would recommend going instore to trial first so you can find the one that best suits you.

Leave a comment below if you have any Homedic experiences to share :)

Linda

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