Archive for Reviews

Uglee Pen Review and Give Away – Now Closed

January 27, 2012 Jessi Home and Office, Reviews

I’ve been suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome since my third pregnancy in 2007. Doing simple things like driving my car, typing posts and washing dishes can be quite painful, and it definitely slows me down.

I’ve had to modify a lot of my regular routine, for example, rather than sweeping the floors from start to finish, I have to work on them in short bursts. I alternate activities frequently to give my hands a rest and avoid keeping them in the same position for long periods of time. In general, I’ve learned to embrace the new routine and actually find switching up chores to be a little more enjoyable.

Above all else, the worst part of having carpal tunnel for me personally, is the discomfort when I write. Holding a basic pen for extended periods just plain hurts. My hands ache, cramp up and go numb.

Since I’m a freelance writer by trade, it’s important for me to be able to write comfortably. Even though I do a lot of my work on my computer, I still do a lot of handwriting on a daily basis. Typing aggravates my hands and has to be done in bursts, so I alternate a lot.

Plus, it’s easier for me to jot things down when I’m talking to clients, planning calendars and organizing my day. In fact, because I have to leave off and pick up just about everything I do–over and over again–I have to keep a lot of lists going all the time to make sure I don’t leave jobs unfinished.

Trust me. I write…a lot.

Because I have such a hard time with my hands, I started looking for alternative writing instruments and happened upon a video about the UGLee Pen. At first I chuckled about the name, which is actually a play on the name of its inventor, Dr. James Lee. But after I heard about the ergonomic design–which means it’s made specifically to fit the human body–I was intrigued.

Could it be beneficial for someone with carpal tunnel syndrome like me?

So, I clicked on the next video, where Dr. Lee explains who the UGLee Pen is great for:

Huzzah! He actually says the UGLee Pen is the most comfortable option for folks with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, along with children who are learning to write or adults who write…well…anything.

Still, I’m a skeptic and wanted to try them out for myself. After all, I could say I make the best pot of coffee in town, but it’s not true unless others have tried it and agreed, right?

As luck would have it, a few days later I was given the opportunity to review the Uglee Pen myself, before I even got a chance to order one. Woo hoo! It must have been meant to be.

When my UGLee Pen came in the mail, I was stoked! First of all, aesthetically, it’s not ugly. It is, however, unique in appearance. The plastic barrel is thicker at the top, above the finger grip. The barrel under the grip is very slender and has a long, bumpy rubber gel grip that covers raised lines on the plastic.

When I first held it, it felt a little awkward because it’s simply not like any other writing instrument I’ve ever used before. Once I put the pen to paper, though, it was clearly superior to any other pen I’ve written with, including others with gel grips.

What I love about the UGLee Pen:

  • The long grip is the full length of the shaft where my fingers rest, making it more comfortable.
  • The gel grip provides great traction, so I don’t have to hold onto the pen tightly. SUCH a relief to my hands. NO cramping…whatsoever.
  • The pen itself appears to be wider, but the bumps and ridges actually make it fit perfectly in my fingers so it doesn’t feel bulky at all.
  • This pen is light. It’s a great size but it’s light as a feather.
  • The ink rolls on smooth as silk and doesn’t require heavy pressure for a good, solid line.
  • It’s stylish. My pen is red with a charcoal gray grip. In the grip are specks of silver glitter. So cute.
  • I can write for long periods of time when I use the UGLee Pen. I use it every morning to make my daily lists and then periodically throughout the day for notes, documents and everything else.

Final impression:

The UGLee Pen is the BOMB! I’ve never held a pen that was so comfortable and easy on my hands. It’s pretty, easy to use and doesn’t flare up my carpal tunnel syndrome the way that other writing utensils do. I’m totally sold on this pen. I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone, whether they have carpal tunnel syndrome or not.

LOVE IT!

BUY IT

You can purchase a three pack of UGLee Pens for $19.99 at UGLeePen.com. The come in a variety of colors and you can choose red, black or blue ink.

WIN IT

Dr. Lee has been kind enough to offer a pack of UGLee Pens to one lucky Mama’s Got Flair reader. Please see the Rafflecopter form below for to enter. OPEN TO US RESIDENTS, 18 AND OLDER.

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Konsyl Psyllium Fiber Supplement Review and Giveaway – Now Closed

December 3, 2011 Amy Health and Fitness, Reviews

Fiber plays an extremely important role in your day to day health. It’s vital to consume the right amount of fiber to keep you healthy and going throughout your day.

Fiber is extremely important for bowel health and function. Fiber helps prevent soft watery stools by absorbing water and adding substance to you stool making it easier to go to the bathroom and less painful in the process. It also helps prevent constipation which can be downright uncomfortable.

Fiber aids in losing weight. A diet high in fiber tends to feel more substantial and stick with you longer. Diets high in fiber tend to have fewer calories for the same volume of food, so you fill up on fewer calories.

Fiber is also lowers your blood cholesterol level by decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is bad cholesterol. Studies have shown that eating a diet rich in fiber can help reduce your blood pressure which is excellent for the health of your heart.

Fiber, especially soluble fiber, helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber helps slow down the absorption of sugar. If you or someone you love has diabetes this can help to improve their blood sugar levels.

Fiber is good for so many reasons, that when I had the chance to try out Konsyl Psyllium Fiber Supplements I took it. As someone with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and with a family history of Type 2 diabetes, it was a great opportunity. I’ve tried other brands of supplements and wasn’t familiar with Konsyl’s product line.

Konsyl comes in a few different forms: powdered (in packets or loose to measure), capsules and caplets. They have a full line of products for a variety of needs, from bladder and bowel to weight management. Their ingredients are natural and because they’re made from the psyllium plant’s seeds and not wheat, they’re gluten free.

I tried two types of Konsyl’s Psyllium Fiber Supplements, Orange and Original Formula. Both were in the pre-measured packets, which were super handy.

One of the things that I liked right away was their convenient packets and Konsyl Shaker Cup. It’s a simple plastic tumbler that has a pre-marked fill line and lid so fixing my drink is no muss no fuss. I don’t have to measure or worry about a spoon, so when I’m in on-the-go, all I had to do was grab one of the pre-measured fiber mix packets and the cup and lid and toss them in my purse. Then I could whip it up and have my fiber drink anywhere.

I know you’re wondering about the taste, because that was my biggest concern, too. The flavor of both were very light and even the orange flavored fiber supplement was really mild. Neither gave me that horrible blech reaction that I’ve had with other supplements. And I actually liked them both in my iced tea.

So…what were the results? Yeah, I’m about to talk about my bowel movements. I took Konsyl Fiber supplements twice a day, which was actually directed by my doctor (Remember the whole IBS thing? Yeah, I wasn’t kidding.), for a week. I’m embarrassed to say that this is a recommendation from my doctor that I never stuck with for more than a day or two, because it was always such a hassle.

I’m pleased to say that I was as regular as could be, and there was no straining whatsoever. My bowels were happy!

I also found that with my regular “movements” I just felt better as a whole. I wasn’t dragging in the afternoon like I was used to. It was pretty rad, and definitely encouraged me to keep going with the regimen…and I have been for three straight weeks.

Buy It:

You can find select Konsyl products at stores nationwide or purchase the full line of Konsyl products online.

Win It:

The rad folks at Konsyl are giving one lucky Mama’s Got Flair reader the opportunity to choose a product from their line. If the winner chooses a powered formula, he or she will also receive the convenient Shaker Cup.

To enter, please complete the mandatory entry on the rafflecopter form below. For additional chances to win, you can complete any or of the other actions! Lots of chances to win!

This giveaway is open to folks 18 and older in the US and Canada.

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How to Catch Happy Book Review

November 26, 2011 Amy Books, Reviews, Self


When it comes to self-discovery, we each take a different path to find out what makes us happy–and no I don’t mean your typical give me a million bucks and I will be happy–but real, true happiness. Some of us are lucky enough to find it, but unfortunately, without the right outlook, many of us may never get there.

Recently, I had the opportunity to read How to Catch Happy by Jim F. Kukral. It’s a book the author wrote about himself and three friends he met on the road to happiness. The book goes over each individual’s journey and how they came to find happiness through the common bond of fishing.

At first glance, you would assume this book is about fishing, and even though there is plenty of fishing in the book it is about anything but fishing. The main point of the book is about what is important to you and how to find what makes you completely and truly happy.

We each must take our own journey in life, and although we have responsibilities that we are beholden to, we all have a choice as to whether or not we are going to take the time out to take care of ourselves, to feed our spirit. How to Catch Happy is an incredible, quick read that emphasizes the importance of taking the time out for you. Self-care doesn’t mean that you are irresponsible, but that you’re taking the time to find the aspects of life that make you feel complete within yourself.

This book speaks my language. Life is too short to spend it being stressed out and miserable. We each hold the power to change our lives, and sometimes all it takes are a few small changes to make a huge difference.

This book has a powerful message about caring for yourself, and in turn, how that can lead to complete and utter happiness.

Preach on Jim, preach on!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Prefense 24-hour Protection Hand Sanitizer Review and Giveaway -Now Closed

November 25, 2011 Amy Giveaways, Health and Fitness, Reviews

When I was much, much younger I worked at a nursing home first in the kitchen as a cook and then on the floor as a unit helper. I learn many valuable lessons there and wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. One extremely important lesson they taught us was how crucial it was for the health of ourselves and the clients we worked for to wash our hands.

Now I must admit that working there did turn me into somewhat of a germaphobe. I cringe when I have no choice, but to go into a public rest room. In fact, I refuse to sit down, flush all toilets using my foot, wash my hands at least two times, and I ALWAYS touch the door handles when leaving with a paper towel! Provided that they have soap and paper towels for me to go through my routine, but what about when they don’t?

That’s why I wanted to try a nifty little product called Prefense. It is a hand sanitizer that lasts for 24 hours or through 10 hand washings. Needless to say I was stoked! It’s a clever little product, because I can apply it to my family’s hands in the morning or easily tote in my purse or bag if I have to travel. Since I have frequent road trips every other weekend to get my son back and forth to visit his father, my children tend to need bathroom breaks on the road, and now I no longer cringe when I have to take them into a public place.

Prefense silica-based hand sanitizer is convenient, compact, and easy to use. Simply pump a quarter size amount in your hand and rub it into your skin. It smells clean and nice without being over drying to your skin. It helps kill 99.9% of germs and will give you some piece of mind.

Because Prefense is completely alcohol-free, it doesn’t dry out your skin or lead to chapping and cracking like other hand sanitizers. Plus, its silica complex actually leaves your hands moisturized and lightly scented, rather than the heavily perfumed alternatives.

It’s important to note that any hand sanitizer doesn’t remove dirt or grime or replace regular hand washing, but when paired with hand washing Prefense hand sanitizer can help prevent the risk of the spreading of bacteria within your household. It’s a great alternative to alcohol-based sanitizers when you are on the road and you want the comfort of that added protection.

Another bonus is that your kids will find the pump and foamy consistency easy and fun to use! If you’re like me, always on the go, and in desperate need of something to help keep you and your kids healthy after having to visit a public rest stop, or just trying to prepare for the cold and flu season, then I highly recommend this Prefense!

Buy It

You can purchase Prefense silica based hand sanitizer on their website or Amazon.com.

Win It

The folks at Prefense are giving away one 8 ounce bottle of Prefense hand sanitizer to one Mama’s Got Flair reader. That’s 640 applications worth of foaming hand sanitizer! After completing the mandatory entry you may perform any or all of the additional actions for bonus entries and a greater chance of winning!

Note: This giveaway has been extended to December 12th. We’re sorry for any inconvenience.

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Healthy Eating for Kids E-Book Review

November 20, 2011 Amy Books, Reviews


healthy eating for kids book

Everyone in my family knows I love to cook! Every Christmas they get me a new cookbook filled with yummy recipes that I can try, but since adding two more young children to my brood my time is limited, and I no longer have oodles of spare time to make the huge dinners like I once did. Also, because of the limited amount of time I have, it’s been difficult for me to make healthier meals for my family.

Recently, I’ve been searching for a cookbook that will not only suit my time and have delicious, healthy recipes, but my children’s taste buds as well. I found that in Healthy Eating for Kids. This book has everything from school lunches and snacks to meals and drinks at home…and the list goes on.

Each recipe is easy to make, and you just use simple wholesome ingredients found at your local market. Not only do the children enjoy these easy to make healthy recipes, but the adults in my house, including myself, love eating these tasty treats!

Each recipe is packed with ingredients that are chock-full of healthy minerals and nutrients which are perfect for growing kids!

This cookbook focuses on the fact that teaching your children the benefits of healthy, nutritious eating will serve them well throughout their lifetime. It gives them the skills they need to help them live a healthy lifestyle.

One thing that I love about this cookbook is that it helps you to make proper portions and is always easy to decrease, or even increase, recipe yields depending on your needs. If you have more mouths to feed than the recipe was originally written for, or you’re entertaining during the holidays, that is a complete blessing.

If you’ve been looking for simple, nutritious meals for your kids, you can get the Healthy Eating for Kids e-book or buy the Kindle version of Healthy Eating for Kids from Amazon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Heelys Skate Shoe Review

November 17, 2011 Jessi Athletics and Recreation, Family, Reviews

I’ve been trying to find cool ways to get healthier, so when I got the chance to try out a pair of Heelys skate shoes, I just couldn’t resist. I’d seen kids zipping around in these rad shoes for several years now, but didn’t realize they were available in adult sizes.

Heelys are sneakers that are designed with removable wheels in the heels. They’re not like roller skates or blades, because they’re not built to roll on with your feet flat, you literally have to balance on your heels. It’s not as scary as it it sounds once you find your balancing point.

I had no idea how to even begin to go about finding my balancing point, so I went the to Heelys website and was happy to find that they actually had a video devoted solely to getting started in their Skate 101 section. Having the video made it a lot easier for me to understand, because I’m naturally a visual learner.

There are a few things you should know before I get any further into my Heelys review.

  1. I haven’t been super athletic since high school.
  2. I never could master rollerblading.
  3. I was terrified to try this, but thought if I encourage my kids to try new things, I should do the same.
  4. I’m a curvy girl. (See #1)

My Heelys

Heelys come in a wide variety of styles, colors and sizes, including youth and adult. Classic styles have one wheel in each heel and the HX2 collection has two wheels in the heels.

I chose a pair of HX2′s, because they’re easier to learn to balance in and once I got the hang of it, I could convert them into one-wheeled Heelys just by taking the front wheels out.

I went with a classic black and white style because if I use them in public, like at the walking trail, I can take take the wheels out all together, and they’d still look good with just about anything I’m wearing.

Using Heelys

As I said earlier, I was really nervous to try them out. I’m not exactly gifted with grace and balance, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get the hang of it. After watching the getting started video, I laced ‘em up and headed to my kitchen.

The kitchen seemed like a great place to try to find my balance point because I had counters to hold onto. I was surprised how easy it was to actually find my balancing point. Letting go of my counter was a little trickier, because, well, I’m an anxious person in general. And with my Heelys, I was an anxious person on wheels.

Then I remembered that I could just put my toe down and I’d be safe. That simple truth was enough to give me the confidence to take off. It took me a while to keep my balance and maintain my confidence, but after a few minutes I was skating back and forth in my Heelys…in my kitchen.

The key for me was really confidence. Once I realized that looking down was throwing off my balance, I was really able to take off and keep the good posture I needed to skate freely.

What I like about Heelys:

  • There is the option to have two wheeled Heelys for beginners, both kids and adults.
  • Their site provides  Heelys owners with a ton of resources to get started and really enjoy their new sport.
  • Stopping and regaining my balance is as easy as stepping down with my toe. No awkward stoppers in the front or back like roller skates or blades.
  • Skating with Heelys is a great workout. When I’m done skating I can feel it in my calves, thighs back and even arms.
  • Heelys are made for children and adults, so I can enjoy the sport with my sons and husband.
  • The shoe is actually comfortable and stylish! The soles are well-cushioned and with the wheels out, they look just like a regular pair of casual sneakers.

I’m still not an expert on skating on Heelys, but I’m not afraid to keep learning. I can’t say the same for roller blades. I had one terrible experience, and I was done—like, MAJOR DONE. With Heelys, I NEVER fell. Not once. If I started to get scared or lose my balance I just stepped down on my toe and I was safe and secure.

If you’re interested in trying Heelys with your family, Heelys is having a Black Friday Special!

Between Nov 25-Nov 28, Buy any pair of Heelys, get the second pair for $25. Or buy a Nano, and get a pair of shoes for $25, and get free ground shipping on all orders!

You can catch up with Heelys on Twitter or Facebook to stay on top of all things Heelys!

Disclosure: Heelys sent me a pair to review. All ideas and opinions are mine.

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