~ Enter my NibNaks Giveaway Here! ~ For the longest time, I was getting acrylic tips done at the nail salon and so I could not properly enjoy doing my nails myself… until now! I got in touch with the … Continue reading
BlackBox by Cult ~ July 2013
Monthly Archives: July 2013
MunchIt ~ July 2013
~ Enter my NibNaks Snack Pack Giveaway Here ~
As I casually snack on the delicious Banana Split trail mix provided to me by MunchIt, I already know I have found a good-quality company that believes in simplicity and affordability! What is MunchIt? A brand-new subscription box company that sends out weekly snack packs every Wednesday (cute little boxes with real stamps on them!) containing 1 snack that has 2 servings, 1 tea either hot or cold brew, 1 pack of gum and 1 candy.
Best of all, you get to put in your preferences! Hate dried fruit? You can check off all the boxes that are fruit-free. Like Minty tea? You can also opt for one of the many options that they have to offer! For me, I mentioned my adoration for sweets: I prefer mixes with fruit, chocolate and nuts over something really salty or savory like dried veggies or nut-only mixes. Now before you go crazy on me and say “but there’s bananas in it!” (if you know I’m not a fan of bananas…) the one thing I actually can eat and enjoy are banana chips! It’s something about the texture and not-overpowering flavor.
So if you take a closer look, you’ll see this cute carton is called Banana Split and is a mix of dried banana coins, butter toffee almonds and honey roasted peanuts! That sounds like a great combination to me, as it combines the sweet of the toffee, honey and banana with the nutrition and health of almonds and peanuts. After tasting it, it’s funny to say the nuts are sweeter than the bananas. I definitely think the bananas need a splash of something: sugar, salt, cinnamon, I’m not too sure what! But besides that, it is delectable. The nutritional info is on the back of each package, so this one weighs in at 170 calories per serving, which as they say, is just about the equivalent of a little candy bar. I’d definitely choose this mix and tea over a candy bar!
It’s like they read my mind by sending the cold brew tea instead of a normal hot tea. I mentioned that I liked almost all kinds and really have a love for green or fruity teas. This is perfect for a hot summer day so I can brew it in 1-2-3 without waiting around for it to cool down. I’m also already a fan of Twinings, which in my mind is a pretty good brand.
A little pack of Glee sugar-free mint gum also came as promised, perfect pocket-size and kinda reminded me of a pack of matches just by the little box and case. I will definitely keep this in my car or bag as a go-to whenever I need to freshen my breath!
And of course, a candy! This sour apple organic hard candy by Go Naturally is actually a throw-back for me! I recieved 2 different flavors in my first Love With Food package in June and thought it tasted great. I almost wish they tossed 2 of them in!
Finally, I loved this card! They include a cute little business-card sized Thank You card had their contact information and details on one side, and then this cute animated squirrel cartoon on the other. Just a unique little touch!
Has anyone else signed up for MunchIt? It’s only $3.58 per week! WHAT!? Yeah, really! That includes shipping too. The only downside is that they only currently only deliver to Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Maryland,New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and West Virginia. However, they are working on expanding! And they’re smart enough not to ship chocolate in the middle of a heat wave.
I’m definitely going to give it another round and see the other snack options they have to offer and compare them to other food subscriptions I’ve either been receiving or looking into like Nature Box, Love With Food, Graze, Goodies Co, etc. If you want to give it a try, sign up here. I have my fingers crossed for either: 4th of July or the Red Eye snack blend, with another fruity tea in tow!
xo, Kenzie
*I recieved this complimentary box for reviewing purposes*
NibNaks ~ Review and GIVEAWAY!!! Enter NOW! Ends 8/22!
For those of you who may or may not remember, I recieved a package of “Under the Boardwalk” NibNaks healthy snacks in my Juniper box in June this year! (click here to see my review) Since I loved them so much: the combination of flavors of dried pineapple, mango and banana, along with the health-conscious ingredients and lack of additives, Marta da Camara found my blog and asked me to review the whole collection of products, PLUS host a GIVEAWAY (all the way at the bottom of the post! Keep reading! xo)
Marta de Camara is the founder of NibNaks, a company that believes “Eating healthily all of the time can be hard work, especially if you’re not used to doing it, but small changes to your diet, can make all of the difference. By consuming more natural, wholesome ingredients such as dried fruit, nuts and seeds, you’ll have increased energy and help your digestive system stay in tune. We’ve worked out the best portion serving size and carefully by hand weight each ingredient to get the right balance – a snack is enough to satisfy and keep you feeling full and avoid temptations for a bag of cookies.”
In terms of quality and ingredients: NibNaks are all low-calorie, and contain no added sugar, no preservatives, are high in fiber and a good source of vitamins and minerals. PLUS for those of you with food allergies or who have to watch what you eat, they are also gluten-free!
Each variety has such a unique name like this one: Crancherry Tart, which is a combination of dried cherries, cranberries and natural almonds! Each package is 1 serving size, this one weighing in at 168 calories. Now you’re probably thinking this is high- HOWEVER almonds are beneficial to the human body in so many ways: they lower bad cholesteral, build strong bones and teeth, they provide healthy fats and so much more. Plus this mix if a good combo of sweet and nutty, chewy and crunchy!
Apple Cosmo is a pure-fruit mixture, made up of dried apple rings, raisins and cherries, and weighs in at only 90 calories, woohoo! This combo of flavors and fibers is definitely one of my favorites. They are just sweet enough without additives, and the perfect snacking size for when you need a pick-me-up.
I was really excited to try this blend called Sundance because of the chocolate covered sunflower seeds! While the chocolate and seeds do up the calorie count a bit more than the fruit-only blends (140 calories), I think this is the perfect combo of chocolately, salty and sweet due to the raisings and dried mango pieces. It really hits the spot and curbs every craving.
Under the Boardwalk was the first flavor that I have tried and still is one of the best! While I’m not a huge fan of banana (just the flavor in general, regardless of if it is dried, blended, mushy, etc) I absolutely adore tropical fruit and so I think the combo of dried mango and pineapple is perfect! I would definitely choose dried fruits (only 90 cals) like these over sugar gummy bears because they taste just as good and don’t give you that sugar crash later on.
Lastly we have Aloha, which is a blend of dried Pineapple, Banana and Raisins and weighs in at only 80 calories! This combo is a bit sweet and tropical, while also having that bite from the raisins. Chock-full of fiber and healthy no-additive ingredients, Aloha is definitely the ‘lightest’ blend of the bunch. Like the others mentioned before, I love dried pineapple and raisins so I will definitely enjoy this bag as well, and pass my bananas onto Kevin!
If you visit their website, you can learn all about their story and the different package options that they have to offer. You can easily order online and get “The Fan” which contains 1 of each 5 flavors, an “8-Pack” of your favorite flavor (which is what I’m giving away!!!), The Foodie for $39.95 (20 packs), The Family for $59.95 (30 packs) or finally, the “Just Fruit” for $59.95 (30 of Fruit-Only Packs)
I absolutely loved NibNaks and I think you will too! NOW, not only do I have this GIVEAWAY for you on my blog and their Facebook, but you can also sign up for the NibNaks e-newsletter (sign up on their homepage) and get $5 off your first order from their website!
You know you want to… ENTER THE NIBNAKS & STYLISH IN SUBURBIA GIVEAWAY HERE
Giveaway closes at midnight on August 22, and Winner will be revealed the following day!
xo, Kenzie
JackedPack ~ July 2013
I loved last month’s JackedPack and so I decided to not only continue my subscription, but to upgrade it to a JackedPack “Custom” box (normally $30, but got it half off, woohoo!) which not only includes the original round of samples (plus I think a few more!) but also a deluxe sample with 7-14-servings of an item of your choosing. While you can’t pick the actual brand, product or flavor, you do get to choose the category of your deluxe item: a pre-workout, post-workout, protein, fat burner or ‘mix-it-up’ option to surprise you.
Here’s the entire package dumped out on my table so you can see everything! I liked that for some samples, they either gave you two different products from the same brand, or duplicates of samples so you can test them out more than once. You can also slightly see my deluxe sample in the back-right corner!
They always include a clever info card that has a theme on the front, like this month’s 4th of July “We want YOU to hit the gym” image, along with the details about the different products included. Now.. onto the samples!
I received two VPX Life Lift Cinnamon Buns Ablaze bars, which sound DELICIOUS to me. I like most protein bars that are either chocolate, peanut butter or cookie-flavored, so I’m definitely feeling these. They are sugar-free and packed with 20g of protein, however they also have 20g of carbs and an average calorie count for a protein bar (~200) so they would be ‘inbetween’ a meal and snack for me.
BSN is a well-known workout supplement brand and so I was really happy to see it in this package.
I’ve been interested in trying Syntha-6 Isolate (protein powder) for a while due to not only it’s awesome combination of ingredients, low carb-count and quality, but also it’s flavors! It comes in chocolate cake batter, choc. chip cookie dough and peanut butter chocolate. Serious chocolate overload.
The other BSN product is called Nitrix 2.0, an advanced strength nitric oxide precursor formulas, designed to support pumps, endurance and performance. You can take it prior to working out, as well as afterward, depending on how your body reacts with it.
Cellucor is another well-known brand which I am excited to try out! I got two samples of Cellucor Super HD, a high0def weight-loss supplement that is supposed to help burn fat, tone and increase energy. Only downside is that each pack only contained 1 capsule, whereas I’d like to have at least 2 full days worth.
Beast Sports Nutrition has a product called Creature, which is a creatine complex to help with muscle growth and strength, as well as recovery. I may give it a try or pass it on to Kevin, we’ll see!
Next up is Pump-HD a pre-workout muscle builder by BPI Sports filled with stimulates, amino acids and electrolytes. I
VPX 12-Gauge Shotgun is supposed to “deliver the extreme mental acuity and intense energy required for explosive workouts in the gym and on the field.” It is a pre-workout formula that not only gives you energy, but also is supposed to pump your muscles and increase stimulation and strength. When reading about the product, they make it sound so intense I’m almost scared to try it out!
Now here is my deluxe sample! I asked for a pre-workout, and while I’m sad it’s not MusclePharm or Cellucor (brands I know I love) I am willing to give this new product a try! While trying to do some research on the product, I was a little confused as RSP Nutrition Fast Fuel comes in this black and fire-colored bottle, however it also comes in a white and blue ice-y looking bottle too. I’m not sure if it’s a different type or if they had some re-branding done. Anyway, their claim is “Fast Fuel is supposed to give you the energy you need for your workouts and the complete nutritional profile to endure and maximize every training session or competition. Fast Fuel’s proprietary Energy and Intensity Matrix immediately activates your body’s central nervous system and muscle fibers with a unique blend of pump-intensifying Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate and energy-boosting B-vitamins, L-Tyrosine, Taurine and Caffeine.” Sounds good to me! Let’s get to working out already!
Has anyone else tried JackedPack? If so, let me know what your favorite products were so I can compare them to the ones I’ve recieved so far. I’m really excited to try my deluxe pre-workout, as well as sample the different products from Life Lift Cinnamon Bun bars to the various recovery formulas. I hope next month includes a protein powder sample in a new fun flavor (like birthday cake or peanut butter cookie dough.. mmmm) however I’m very happy with this pack!
Get your first JackedPack “Heavyweight” Box for FREE (normally $14.50, just pay small shipping fee) by using THIS LINK, a “Custom” Pack for half price (normally $29.50) by using code CUSTOMDEAL or 50% off their biggest pack using 50OFFXXL (normally $49.50)
xo, Kenzie
BuluBox Weight Loss ~ July 2013
So this is my second month of recieving BuluBox (the Weight Loss box option) and they accidentally sent me two boxes, since I signed up for a 3-month subscription and it didn’t cancel out my monthly. Good thing I liked a few of the items in the box, however a few will get passed on as well. BuluBox is a combination box of health, wellness and fitness. What I like is that they try to provide some snacking options while also workout supplements or dietary products.
On top of all the products are the fact sheets/info cards which explain the different products included, as well as their monthly theme.
Here’s a quick picture of all the items included! You can see there is an interesting variety and mixture of snacks (PowerBar energy packs and Total Soy Protein shake mix) along with supplements (like Shortcutz and Vivavin).
First up is the Performance Energy Blend by PowerBar, which came in two different flavors. I apologize for the glare, but it’s from the type of packaging! This fruit-based energy pack came in Apple-Mango-Strawberry as well as Banana-Blueberry. Well, for those of you who know my feeling about bananas (i.e. not a fan of Banana Jam from Taste Trunk, even though I loved everything else!) you know I’ll most likely pass this on to Kevin. The Apple-Mango-Strawberry, however, will definitely come in handy either pre-workout or when I need a pick-me-up at work.
I love protein powder and protein shakes! Especially chocolate!!! So I’m definitely pumped to try out the Naturade Total Soy meal replacement shake. However, I’ve heard it’s not the best to go all-soy in terms of protein (basically can counteract contraceptive pills and throw off your body if you’re not used to so much soy) so I think I’ll be having these in between my regular Optimum Whey Nutrition ones. This meal replacement is lactose and gluten-free which is good for those with allergies, however I will most likely be making it with skim milk or almond milk.
Shortcutz is a thermogenic combination of CLA, raspberry ketones and taurine. I’ve had many energy drinks with Taurine in it, and currently take CLA (oil pill supplements) and tried out Raspberry Ketones before so I’m willing to give this a try. Anyone have any success with it so far?
These cute little individual mints and gums are made by Zellies and are supposed to freshen your breath and give you healthier teeth, so I think I’ll give them a try!
Vivarin is a caffeine alertness aid, which I definitely could have used back in college (ugh, if only I knew). However, now I usually get my energy and alertness from a combination of coffee, tea and energy/pre-workout supplements. I’ll probably pass this along to a friend in grad school who will be needing it during midterms and finals time!
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All in all, this was not my favorite month of BuluBox Weight Loss, however it did have a few things I liked. There’s a card for DailyBurn, the Total Soy meal replacement and gum that I’m interested in, while I’ll probably pass on the Vivarin and PowerBar Banana pack. I’m really hoping next month is a little better, as I looved the protein pancake mix from my June box.
PLUS! There are a lot of sales going on right now for 50% off a 6-month or 12-month subscription if you check out Plum District or BuluBox.com.
xo, Kenzie
Platinum Box July 2013
Hi all! So while I do often post on beauty and fashion, I am really into health and fitness! I believe that eating clean, eating small meals more often and working out (cardio AND weights) a few times a week, helps not only to center you but increase your health and happiness. And so I’ve been ordering from JackedPack for a few months, and then came across the FitBox by PlatinumBox. I had recieved a box from them in May/June, but was not happy at all with the contents, until I learned that it was switching ownership and so it really wasn’t at the level that it should be. So, when Robbie of PlatinumBox responded to my many requests and sent me a July box, I thought I would give them a chance for a real review.
On top of everything was a letter from Robbie and Vinny promising to include more items, more variety, etc and also encourage customers to check out their new website.
Here is the little while box with all of the items that were included. I am really happy at the variety: some pre-workouts, some post-workout recovery formulas, some thermogenics and ‘general health’ samples. Some of them are brands I already know (either have heard of or use) and some are new to me, which is always good.
The blue packet “G Fuel” is a Blue Ice-flavored energy supplement that is comprised of Taurine and L-Tyrosine to give you an immediate increase in Energy, Focus, and Endurance, along with antioxidants and caffeine.
The red packet PTF is a pre-workout that is different from your other standard workout supplements as it is low calorie, no sugar, no crash/jitters and packed with B-Vitamins and antioxidants.
These two samples are made by Gamma Labs. G Fuel is more of an energy drink alternative (that you can use while working out too) while PTF is actually a pre-workout with Creatine and other Amino Acids.
MRI NO2 RipCuts is an orange-flavored ‘cellular fat burn’ product that is supposed to accelerate fat burn, support lean mass development, deliver energy and focus without causing a “crash” and ignite the metabolism. You can use it daily (or just workout days), and it’s supposed to give you an extra boost when working out.
Xtend Intra-Workout Catalyst by Scivation (in Grape Escape) is a BCAA-stocked intra-workout supplement that is meant to build muscle, burn fat, and help with recovery as well. Calories, carb and sugar-free, this is a good go-to if you want to gain muscle and lose weight, however I would definitely try one of the other 8 flavors over the grape!
PowerBar Gel is a vanilla-flavored carb and electrolyte gel that is supposed to give you more energy. Instead of taking a shake or eating a powerbar, you just need this little packet. I’m not a huge fan of ‘gels’ but am willing to give it a chance. I actually just got some similar products in my KonaKase and BuluBox so I can really evaluate the company.
I’ve actually tried a few different Acai products and so I was excited for the Healthy ToGo brand Natural Acai Energy. Acai is a superfruit and so this energy booster drink mix is full of antioxidants.
I use these Emergen-C like they’re water if I’m feeling a cold coming on or just need a perk up. Full of Vitamin C, D and Calcium, they’re supposed to help with balancing out your body and giving you the vitamins you need to stay healthy.
It seems as though this was a good box, full of different samples of energy boosters, pre-workouts and thermogenics. I hope next month changes up the brands and includes a protein powder and/or another type of recovery product. With 7 samples for the price of $14, I think it’s a pretty good box for workout junkies or those who want to try new products. It’s about the same price as JackedPack so I’ll be comparing the two to see which one I should continue to subscribe to!
If you’re interested in FitBox by PlatinumBox, you can check out their website at: http://www.myplatinumbox.com/
xo, Kenzie
What’s On My… July 26th
It’s time for another “What’s on my…” round-up with my favorite foods, outfits and more!
What’s on my plate:
Salad!!! I have been loving salad all week from homemade ceasar salad with chicken to mixed greens, berries, goat cheese and walnuts, to tuna salad with tons of crunchy veggies mixed in! I always have some combination of greens, protein and veggies: if you eat just lettuce and carrots, you’ll be miserable! This delicious one was from yesterday: mixed greens, all topped with egg, turkey bacon, avocado, red pepper, cherry tomatos, strawberries and raspberry vinaigrette, mmmm! I always like having a healthy lunch because it not only keeps me feeling light, but also gives me the fuel to get through the rest of the work day! I usually have it with a side of: fruit, veggies and hummus, trail mix or some variation. And why ruin a good lunch with soda or calorie-stocked juice? I opt for either water, fresh brewed green or fruit teas, or light versions of drinks so that I don’t end up consuming 100-200 calories just from a drink!
What’s on my body:
Oh hey! This was my awesome outfit from yesterday. I apologize for my mess of a room, but it’s the only full-length mirror I could work with. Anyway, some days I am just super lazy and throw on whatever I can find for work. However, every once in a while when I’m feeling motivated or fashionable, I put together a great combo like this one! Top from Akira Chicago, Bottom from Forever 21, Necklace from Forever 21, Sandals (which you can’t really see, sorry!) from Urban Outfitters. Awesome sock bun by me.
What’s on my Recent Buys:
I am a chunky-necklace fiend. And I will never apologize or feel bad about it! I hate dainty little necklaces UNLESS they are either real-jewel gifts (like Kevin’s diamond heart-necklace I got for my birthday last year) or a long daingly chain with a charm/brooch/bottle on the end of it. Basically, statement pieces are my thing. So anyway, I had purchased a chunky white choker necklace in a slight flowery-shape a few months back, but unfortunately it just wasn’t made very well and I kept having to krazyglue parts back together, and it just finally broke this week for good. So, luckily I was at the mall the other day and saw this gem (HAH-GET IT!) at Forever21 and it was the last one in white! I had a tough time deciding between light pastel pink and white, but this one was the winner! Can’t wait to wear it and I’m sure you’ll all see pictures of it soon.
What’s on my Shopping List:
So I went to Trader Joes this week expecting to pick up about 6 items… and left with like 60! Once I enter that store, I just can’t stop buying! I absolutely love everything they have from their organic 19 cent bananas to their array of healthy chips and frozen snacks. While you can only see a few of the items in this picture, here’s a list of my favorite things I picked up: Speculoos Cookie Butter, Chocolate Cat Cookies, Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk, Black Bean Soup, Red Curry Sauce, Honey Goat Cheese, Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, PB&J Chocolate Bar, Zico Chocolate Coconut Water, Green Juice and sooo much more!
Stay tuned for more subscription box reviews, giveaways and more! It’s going to be a busy weekend/next week.
xo, Kenzie
Stylish in Suburbia 
