toosum Snack Bars Review

I was recently sent 3 different flavors of toosum Snack Bars to try.  As a mom on the go and with a toddler who loves snacks, I am always looking for healthy foods for both of us to eat.  I was really excited when I was asked to test out the snack bars.

Let's talk a little bit about the company.  What does toosum mean?  It comes from the old English word "toothsome" and it means temptingly tasty and delicious.  Toosum's mission, as stated on their website, "To nourish a community of global citizens with delicious, healthful shelf-stable snack foods .  At toosum, we scour the world for the most wholesome ingredients and bring you 'Global Goodness.'" Also, the founder Peter Guyer had found that each region has it's own special goodness to share, for example- Slim bars were inspired by Asia with the cherries and plums.

toosum are gluten free, non GMO,  and only 100 calories per bar and the best part is...you can actually pronounce everything in the ingredients!  These bars did not last long in my house at all!  I received Slim bars that have cherries and plums, the Energize Bars with acai and cranberries, and the Digest bars with greek yogurt and blueberries.  For gluten free they are pretty good!

So I have to say that I was excited and a little skeptical at first because I am not gluten free (GASP, I know) but I do try to eat whole grains and things that are gluten free, so my family and I don't go into gluten, bloated, overload.  I have made plenty of gluten free snacks but the last gluten free granola bars that I had purchased, definitely left something to be desired!

The day I received them I was having coffee with a friend and had her try one and she instantly said, "this is pretty good for gluten free!"  I also handed one off to my daughter, who devoured it.  I thought the Energize and the Slim (which were my favorite) had a lot more flavor than the Digest that had the greek yogurt and the blueberries, but I'm sure everyone has their own opinions on what they like.    I just couldn't enough of both the Slim and Energize with the flavors of the cherries and plums as well as the cranberries and acai.  I guess I liked the combination of the more tart fruit.  My daughter on the other hand didn't care which flavor I gave her.  I thought the bars were nice and soft and packed a lot of goodness in with the fiber content and only being 100 calories. It is a great snack and I thought it filled me up.  I would love to try the Calm ones as well that has chamomile and coconut in them, yum!

So at the end of the day, if people are wondering can healthy and gluten free be delicious?  Well, my answer is yes!  Let's look at the ingredients, as you can see you can read and understand what each ingredient is!

Here are the benefits and the ingredients listed from their website:

Over all, I really enjoyed the bars and I would like to order more and have them in my pantry, my car, my diaper bag.  They are pretty tasty and really easy on the go snack, not to mention healthy!  I definitely would like to order some and take them with us to the pool this summer.  

Where can you get there snack bars?

You can purchase toosum bars on their website as well as get more info and FAQ about the products: www.toosum.com.  they can also be found on amazon now: find them here {affiliate link}

*toosum provided me with the healthy snack bars to review. The opinions I shared about the products are my own, and toosum did not tell me what to say or how to say it.** 

Real Salt Review and giveaway {CLOSED}

I hope everyone had a great long weekend, besides being off of work for most of us and grilling out and enjoying the day,  I hope everyone was thinking about all the men and women we have lost while serving this country! 

 So why not kick off the short work week after a holiday with a giveaway!! 

Have you ever walked through the grocery store and come across the brand Real Salt and wondered what's the difference?  Isn't salt bad for you?  Or if you haven't seen Real Salt in the stores you may wondering what it is anyway?

Redmond Trading Company have sent me Real Salt products to test out and are so nice to also be giving away some of these products as well.  Redmond makes a lot of natural products that are definitely worth trying, if you haven't seen my Bentonite Clay Review come check it out as well.   http://sloganadventures.blogspot.com/2014/04/make-your-own-mud-pies-inside-and.html

I'm a big fan of their products, so it's great to share products that are not only good for us, but products that I believe in to help live a healthier, more natural lifestyle!

Let's talk about Salt!!

Ok so there are a lot of options for salt out there, there is sea salt, table salt, Real salt, Himalayan pink salt, and the list goes on with choices.  So how do you choose?

Reading labels is important to know whether or not your salt has been processed or refined, yep even salt out there is processed.   Salt is not naturally white, chemicals make it white! So here we are buying organic food and then sprinkling some flavor on it with salt and what do you know you may be adding chemicals onto it?! Now I know, I know, we can't 100% stay away from chemicals and additives, but your best option is to find salt that is unrefined and not processed.  In Real Salt's information booklet about the salt, they have listed all the ingredients that you may find on the labels of salt to know whether or not it is processed and refined.  

That's a long list and did anyone else see that they will put Dextrose (sugar) in salt?  Even take a peek at those so called healthy "sea salt," they can have additives in there too! 

So what does that mean for Real Salt?  Real Salt is unrefined and not processed so the trace minerals are still present in the salt.  Trace minerals are minerals that our body needs, they are important for the immune system, as well as your metabolism.

Now you know that Real Salt is unrefined and natural but where does it come from? Real Salt also gives a description in their informational booklet of how the salt is mined. They state, "Real Salt is currently harvested about 300 feet below the surface of the earth.  We carefully follow the food-grade veins and harvest the salt using carbide-tipped equipment that basically scrapes the salt off the walls of the mine.  From there, the salt is screened and crushed to side before being shipped to our food-grade facility in Northern Utah.  Real Salt is packaged after passing through a final automatic screening to be sure no metal residue or contaminants were introduced during the process." Real Salt is pinkish in color and they say has a"sweet" taste to it. The Salt is right in Utah! 

Your next question probably is, I thought salt was bad for you? We need salts and minerals for optimal health and it's the additives and the missing trace minerals in salt after it's been processed that are not great for us.  Obviously you don't want too much and now according to research, not enough sodium intake is not great for you either.  Out body is made up of 72% salt water, we do need salt in our life!

Now on to the good stuff, I've tried it, I really like it and we have replaced all of our salt with Real Salt.  They were gracious on sending me Real Salt, Onion Salt, Garlic Salt, and Seasoning Salt.  Besides replacing our regular salt with Real Salt, we have been LOVING the seasoning salt, it's my personal favorite.  We have been using it on burgers and corn and really anything we would like to season and throw on the grill.  They pack on awesome taste and flavor!   They do taste different than the normal brands you would buy, but in a good way.  I've been working on a recipe recreating a dip I LOVED in Sedona that involves corn and the seasoning salt.  I'm hoping to share it soon with all of you once it's PERFECT. 

Here is a picture of the goods :)

They also have Real Salt Bath Salts too, what a great way to relax and detox in the tub and it's so relaxing! There are still so many Real Salt products I want to try still!

For more info on Redmond Trading Company and Real Salt you can go here: http://realsalt.com

So what is Real Salt giving the winner?!

They will be giving away this Seasonal seasoning gift pack (includes all the products shown above), so get ready for all your grilling and cooking needs for the summer!! 

Whoever wins, must promise me to put seasoning salt on their corn!

To Enter:

All you need to do is comment what product you would really love to try after visiting http://www.redmondtrading.com/product-category/real-salt/ 

(um hello, they even have popcorn salt, be still my heart!)

and to receive extra entries, you can leave separate comment for each if you 

-Like Real Salt on Facebook Click Here

-Like Real Salt on Instagram Real Salt on Instagram

-Like me on Facebook The Slogans

-Like me on Instagram  Here

-and you can get another separate entry but being a follower of this blog, leave a comment how you follow (by email, blog lovin, or by following by clicking on the follow button on the left hand side of this page)

So you have a chance to have 6 entries!!  Just make sure you leave a separate comment for every entry to get them all in!

This giveaway will end June 3rd at Midnight (CST) and I will announce the winner on Wednesday June 4th, GOOD LUCK!

AND THE WINNER IS:

JASANNA, CONGRATULATIONS- Please email me at sloganadventures {at} gmail.com so I can get your info!!

**Redmond provided me with the Redmond Real Salt products to review. The opinions I shared about the products are my own, and Redmond did not tell me what to say or how to say it.** 

Make your own mud pies, inside and on...your body! Giveaway {CLOSED}

So a few things....

We are back from vacation and I CAN NOT wait to share with you some of our adventures as well as my must do list while visiting Sedona!

What do you think about my new blog design?!!!  I'm so excited and loving it.  High Five to Peaches & Cream Designs!

To help celebrate my new blog post, why not do it with a giveaway for some free health products?!

Now I've been trying to incorporate all natural products, whether it be food, cleaning products, body care products, you name it!  I was so excited when Redmond sent me products to review and are so generous to be giving some of them away from their Redmond Clay line.

Did you know that Clay is AWESOME for your body internally and externally?  Yes as in you can eat it?!

So let's go back and get a little bit of background about Clay.  Native Indians would carry a ball of clay with them and would add it to their meals and would also use it to prevent and treat illnesses such as dysentery, food poisoning, and other sicknesses.  What is in this healing clay?  According to Redmond,  in the area that is now Redmond, Utah, a range of volcanos had erupted sending ash into the ancient Sundance Sea.  The water in the sea then evaporated, leaving a bed of mineral- rich bentonite clay.

What is bentonite clay?

Bentonite Clay is formed from the volcanic ash and has a negative electrical charge attracting positively charged toxins.  Most toxins are positively charged therefore the clay naturally rids the body of toxins as it pulls and holds toxins into it's core.

What is special or unique about Redmond Clay?
According to Redmond, "Most clay deposits are high in either sodium (sodium bentonite clay) or calcium (calcium bentonite clay).  Redmond Clay comes from an unusual deposit, high in both sodium and calcium which gives our clay a unique combination of properties.  Redmond Clay has a strong pulling capacity, which helps draw bacteria out of the body and it also has high swelling capacity , which helps it bind more effectively to toxins internally." Also Redmond Clay contains more than 60 trace minerals, that's a lot of minerals that help keep our bodies healthy!

So what exactly does this healing clay help with?

Internally: Acid Indigestion, reflux, constipation, occasional diarrhea, detoxification, stomachache, severe digestive issues, electrolyte replacement, hydration, fatigue, leg cramps, and mineral supplement

Externally: Burns, Bruises/black eyes, insect stings/bites, diapers rash, detox, severe dry skin, facials, poison oak/ivy, ring worm, scrapes/road rash, sprains, and athlete's foot.

Now you might be asking how in the world can you treat all of this?  You can drink it, take capsules, mix it with water and and use  it as a poultice (making a clay burrito with it or covering your skin and placing cloth and/or plastic wrap on it, clay baths, foot bath, baby powder, and even toothpaste.

So, I've been using the Redmond Clay and I've used it in foot baths and the tub.  I think the foot baths because it makes my feet softer and on top of it gives me detoxification through my feet! Also I've used the Facial mud which is the hydrated clay for facials and my skin is noticeably softer and looks better just after one use.

I have been loving these products.  I've had some break outs and dry skin from this winter on my face and dry skin on my hands and then I was sunburned from Sedona (oh I know poor me haha) but it really helped.  I haven't taken it internally yet but I've been wanting the hubby to try it for his acid reflux.

What I have been using is another line they have called Earthpaste and it has the Redmond Clay in the natural toothpaste and I've been using that everyday.  I recently had a root canal because I had a cracked tooth and using that toothpaste, my tooth wasn't as sore as they said and it felt a lot better within DAYS! I am a believer in this clay!


So lucky for you guys, Redmond is giving away not one but THREE products from their Redmond Clay line!

They are giving away their 10 oz Redmond clay Powder, a tube of the Facial Mud (my personal favorite!), and a bottle of the daily detox clay capsules.  So done and done, you get the powder, the hydrated clay, and then already in capsules to ingest!


Giveaway will last until Sunday night until Midnight CST.  I will announce the winner next Monday!

Here are the ways you can enter:

1. Go to http://www.redmondclay.com and come back and leave a comment of one of the clay products you would like to try!

To receive extra entries:

1. Like Slogan Adventures Facebook page by clicking here https://www.facebook.com/theslogans and leave a comment that you can done so.

2. Like Redmond Clay Facebook page by clicking here  https://www.facebook.com/redmondclay and then leave an additional comment that you like their page.

3. Become a follower of this blog and comment letting me know if you are already a follower or if new how do you follow (GFC, email, etc or Bloglovin)

So there are 3 extra entries you can get! Good Luck!!!

Be sure to check out their website www.redmondclay.com for more info and FAQs as well :)


and the WINNER is....CAROLINE CLARK, CONGRATS!!!!

**Redmond provided me with the Redmond Healing Clay products to review. The opinions I shared about the products are my own, and Redmond did not tell me what to say or how to say it.** 

Why I chose to cloth diaper

Recently I've received a lot of slack and opinions for wanting to cloth diaper.  I'm not sure what happens when people become parents and instantly want to tell you what you should do.  My favorite was "good luck with that"  Ok thanks, will do, I will let you know how it goes! It's almost as frustrating as hearing "get your rest now."  Um yeah, I have this belly and swollen feet and hands and have to get up to pee every 3 hours, how well would you sleep?!

Hey if you want to use disposables, I'm not judging or making comments about how your kids diapers will out live them in the landfills (FYI it's 500 years!), among others things that I'm not going to sit here and harp on because that's not what I do :)

Call me a hippie...

Call me crazy...

 I made a conscious decision to put soft fuzzy diapers on my monkey, and help the environment plus the other benefits for my child, plus the amount of money that we will save. It would be nice if they made them in adult sizes...who wouldn't want fleece around their bum? I've done my research on them and it was the best decision for us...it's not the best decision for everyone and I totally get that. I'm not saying I will never use a disposable-just not all day, everyday.

Recently a store opened in the Kansas City area that I was able to check out the other day.  It's called Diaper Daisy and they have a facebook page here: Diaper Daisy FB Page and a website where you can order from here.  One of the owners is who I purchased my diapers from prior to the store opening and I've very excited they have a actual store now.  They have more than just cloth diapers, they have classes, eco friendly toys, breastfeeding supplies, laundry detergent, etc.  I'm very excited to go check out one of their baby wearing classes once this monkey is out, have I mentioned that she could make her appearance any day now and I'm about a week away from my due date?!  There has been a lot of walking, drinking raspberry leaf tea, eating pineapple, and spicy food going on over here at the Cook household!  I even walked a 5k on Sunday, I'm pretty sure she loves it in there!

If you have any interest in cloth diapering that is so much information out there on the internet. Besides reading about the benefits there is a lot of different styles, sizes, etc that can make the whole cloth diapering decision making a little scary and overwhelming, how do you know which ones to choose?!  Diaper Daisy has cloth diapering 101 which can help explain all the different diapers that are out there.

When I was in the store, I purchased a few wet bags for the diapers and once she is bigger I will be going back to rent and test out the larger diapers for her to see what is the best fit.  I may buy another wet bag too for when I go back to Bikram yoga to work on this post baby body and have a great waterproof bag to put my sweaty yoga clothes after class.

Stay tuned for my adventures in cloth diapering.