December 16, 2015

The Best Deals on the Healthiest Stuff!

December 16, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

So, we all know that healthy and organic products can be a tad pricey. For me, these products are worth the money, but, if I can find a bargain then I'm going for it! Well, let me tell you that I have found a resource that sells some of my very favorite health products for a fraction of what I usually pay. My mind was kind of blown actually.

Out of the above listed products, I use or consume the following EVERY day:
- Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar: At least one shot with water every day.
- Ceylon Cinnamon: Sprinkled on top of my english muffin.
- Argan Oil: Nightly face moisturizer.
- Turmeric: One capsule daily.

Here's how I use the others:
- Green Tea: I try to drink it often... I'm not great about it.
- Coconut Butter: In my english muffin spread rotation along with almond butter and occasionally peanut butter.
- Liquid Aminos: NEW to me. I've known about this product for a while, but, this purchase was my first time using them.
- Tea Tree Oil: Zits. (the best BTW)

So, Swanson Health Products reached out to me a couple weeks ago to see if I'd try some of their products. As I always do when a brand approaches me... I do my research to see if in fact, it aligns with my fun fit flavor brand. As soon as I visited the website, I saw about 5 products (on the first page) that I use on a consistent basis. Then, I saw the prices and immediately responded to my contact at Swanson Health Products. Guys, the savings are THE BEST I'VE EVER FOUND.

See above... as mentioned, this breakfast is a staple every single morning. I either use coconut butter or almond butter (sometimes PB) on a whole wheat english muffin with ceylon cinnamon EVERY DAY. See the one on the left? That cost me $11. Guess how much the Swanson brand is? Ready? $4.99! Ceylon? Check. Organic? Check. Ounces? 1.9 vs. 1.76. You actually get more more.

Next, Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with "The Mother". I take a shot of this disgusting but, incredibly healthy stuff every morning. (We can have a whole other post dedicated to ACV someday). But, for now... let's talk prices. Average price for this 32oz. bottle is around $10. Swanson's price? $5.39! Seriously.

This next one is a REAL DOUZY. So, I have been using the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil for a while now. It costs me... ahem, $48 at Sephora (oye). The skin health benefits are amazing, ok? Swanson's 100% USDA organic Argan Oil cost me $19.99 and I GOT ONE FREE. So I paid $19.99 for TWO bottles. Also, each bottle has 9mL more than Josie Maran's.

So, here's the breakdown of everything else that I use... I could not find these products cheaper on any other site. Ready for this?
1. .5oz Tea Tree Oil: Averages $5.96-$8.29 per bottle. Swanson Price: $3.99
2. 1lb Coconut Butter: Averages 10.99-$18 per tub. Swanson Price: $8.99
3. 750mg Turmeric Delayed Release Capsule: Averages $11.99-$20 per bottle. Swanson Price: $4.99 (whoa)
4. 100% Organic Green Tea (20 bags): Averages $3.50-$5. Swanson Price: $2.49

So, if you're wondering why they can keep their costs so low (I did), they have what they call a "7 Leaf Guarantee". They will also price match if you find a lower price. Check out the below to learn more:

Swanson Health Products has been a family-owned company since 1969. We are based in Fargo, North Dakota and ship internationally.

Swanson takes pride in their Seven Leaf Guarantee, which includes the following:
1. Offering you the Lowest Possible Prices.

2. Verifying Purity and Potency through Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audits.

3. Ensuring your satisfaction with a 100% Money Back Guarantee.

4. Enacting Security and Privacy measures to keep your information safe on our website.

5. Offering top-notch Customer Service.

6. Featuring Innovative New Products to keep up with trends and customer requests.

7. Promoting Education with research articles, supplement facts, newsletters and more.

So, I am now an official Swanson Health Products fan and will be buying the above listed items on their site (amongst other things), moving forward. Swanson did provide me with a gift card to try their items, however, opinions, as always, are my own. Also, as I was writing this I realized that I could dedicate a whole new post to why I use these items on a daily basis. Why Ceylon cinnamon is special and what makes ACV such a wonder food. Let me know if you'd like to see a post on ALLL that stuff!
Have an awesome rest of your week! xo

December 11, 2015

Friday Favs

December 11, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

Happy, Happy Friday! This is a very good day because I'm off and am planning on participating in multiple Christmas-related activities on this long weekend. I'm having a smaller Mistletoe Mingle tomorrow night and will be cleaning, cooking, and singing Christmas carols up until then. I hope whatever your weekend entails, it includes laughs, holiday activities, and a Christmas cookie or two! Here are my favs of the week.

{O Tannebaum}

{Christmas Cactus in Bloom}

{Trees Giving Light}

{Early Morning Sky}

{Copper Guild Antique Find!}

November 30, 2015

Weekend Sunshine_XLVI

November 30, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

Goooood day, my friends! I hope you all had a Thanksgiving weekend filled with laughter, stuffing, wine, TV, lawn sports, pie, and a some movement! My Thanksgiving was truly fantastic. As I mentioned in the previous post - I have so much to be thankful for this year. My mom and I got started cooking on Wednesday with my nieces and nephew. The kids helped me make stuffed mushrooms before realizing that cartoon movies at Nana's house are a little more fun that stuffed mushrooms haha!

Later that afternoon, I decided to make my (or Martha Stewart's) rosemary butter cookies. There is nothing "fit" about these cookies but they are certainly "fun and flavorful". They are delicate, delicious, and pair perfectly with a glass of chardonnay. My favorite cookie!

Later that evening, my dad came home and the three of us went for a bite and espresso martinis. Not so fit, no. Delicious, yes? (Side note: I only drink espresso martinis with real espresso... anything else just isn't as good, not to mention 100% sugar).

On Thanksgiving morning, I made my famous deviled eggs. I am telling you right now that you cannot go wrong with these eggs. They are a huge hit. Also, follow my instructions on the boil. The shells will peel off with complete ease and the yolks will be the creamiest yellow. See above and below.

I used capers in half the eggs this time... that salty brine is truly delectable.

The rest of Thanksgiving was awesome. I got in a nice boxing workout in the basement at my parent's house in the morning. After that, we headed to my sister's house and had all the best apps and dinner was of course so, so delicious (mashed potatoes and stuffing, please!). After dinner, we played soccer on the lawn with the kids before dessert. A day filled with all of my favorite things!

Friday morning, it was go-time for me. I work in the shopping center business so as you can imagine... Friday and Saturday were extremely busy days at work. I got to the gym bright and early on Friday morning to squeeze in a workout before all the madness. Sooooo many people there on Friday morning, huh?!???