Free: Coffee Samples From Brands You Love

Black Friday Coffee Break

Free Seattle's Best Coffee
Visit and "like" the Seattle's Best facebook page to request a free sample, grab a free cup at one of their  participating stores (on 11/23/12), or print a $2 off coupon. Found under the Black Friday Coffee Break Tab. Click Here!

Try NESCAFÉ MEMENTO for FREE.

Sample pack includes two  NESCAFÉ MEMENTO stick packs and a coupon to save $1.00 on your next purchase of any NESCAFÉ MEMENTO product. Click Here!

Free Folgers Sample

Folgers' facebook fans are able to select a free sample of either the Traditional Blend or Vanilla Biscotti coffee. Click Here!

YZ Hydrating Beverage - Make Your Water Work Harder

Three Delicious Flavors

I drink water throughout my busy day. At times it is a struggle to get my family to grab a water bottle over a juice box, can of soda, or iced tea before leaving the house. I try to make water more appealing by  adding a slice of fruit to it and it sneaks a little nutrition in as well. I am always on the lookout for an alternative to water to keep my family hydrated especially during the hot summer.

I find that the majority of flavored waters and sports drinks are loaded with sugar, have no nutritional value, and are filled with unnatural ingredients and coloring. I definitely don’t want that for my family and I am happy to have found YZ Hydravescent Crystals.

What is YZ?

YZ, pronounced wise, is an all natural, effervescent product you can add to your water to improve your hydration. YZ adds great flavor and gives a kick-start to your health regimen with all natural ingredients that deliver vitamins and natural ingredients your body needs to thrive. YZ comes in packets which are added to 16 ounces of water. YZ has half the calories and sugars of leading sports drinks.

• Three great flavors: Raspberry Green Tea, Orange Mango Pineapple, and Lemon Ginger
• Three health benefits: Antioxidants, Immunity, and Digestive Health. 
• YZ uses effervescence to deliver hydration and health benefits.
• Directions: Simply add a pack to a 16oz bottle of water and shake to mix.
• YZ has half the calories of the leading sports drinks.
• YZ is sweetened with organic cane sugar and Stevia
• YZ contains electrolytes, making it a perfect after workout drink.
• YZ can be enjoyed any time throughout the day as you get your daily hydration. 

YZ All Natural Hydravescent Crystals 

My Review

My family was able to sample all three delicious YZ flavors Raspberry Green Tea, Orange Mango Pineapple, and Lemon Ginger. I performed my own version of "blind taste test" with 6 people, ages ranged from preschool to senior citizen. Without any knowledge of flavors, health benefits, etc I listed to their comments and opinions. Here is what I found:

• We all loved the bubbles and found that each flavor was light and refreshing. 
• Everyone who drank YZ beverages would drink them again and plan to purchase them in the future (adult participants). 
• Most adult participants live, work, or travels regularly near a store that sells YZ and have plans to buy a box there. 
• The group enjoyed all three flavors but Orange Mango Pineapple was the overall favorite especially among the younger tasters. 

Raspberry Green Tea taste like a "summertime iced tea". It contains pomegranate, acai, elderberry, and green tea extracts. Besides aiding in hydration, it's health benefit is antioxidant: reduces oxidative stress and fights free radicals. Only 20 calories per 8oz serving. 

Orange Mango Pineapple taste like a "tropical punch". It is infused with vitamins C and E, contains elderberry, and grapeseed extracts. This hydrating beverage boosts your immune system with only 20 calories per 8oz serving. 

Lemon Ginger taste like "lemonade". It contains prebiotic fiber and green tea extract to settle your stomach and support healthier digestion.  Consuming a full 16oz hydrating Lemon Ginger beverage contains 3 dietary fiber and only 45 calories. 

Overall, all three YZ flavors were a big hit especially when my family learned about all of the health benefits, natural ingredients and hydrating factors. I'm revealed that family loves YZ beverages as much as I do. Give them a try and let me know which flavor is your favorite. 

YZ Hydravescent Crystals are made in Centerbrook, Connecticut. They also affordable at about $5.99 box / 7 packets (approx. 99¢ per serving)

YZ is sold in Connecticut in these fine stores:

Whole Foods - West Hartford, CT

Whole Foods - Glastonbury, CT

Stew Leonard's - Newington, CT

Stew Leonard's - Danbury, CT

Food Works - Old Saybrook, CT

You can also purchase YZ online

Check here for special offers. 

To find out more about YZ visit their website www.yzchoice.com, facebook, or twitter 

Coming soon- YZ Hydravescent Crystals Giveaway

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.

Skinny Water Event - Ends 5/31

I have teamed up with Be Rich Be Frugal to present to you this wonderful review and giveaway of Skinny Water. If you're looking for the perfect sports drink that will thoroughly quench your thirst, this is the drink for you. One winner will receive a 12 pack of Skinny Waters shipped to their home.
Read on for the full review.....

Here's the skinny:

I have never been keen on drinking energy drinks, diet drinks, or anything along those lines. It's not that I am protesting against them, it's just that every time I decide to give it a try, it is always a disappointment in the flavor department. Honestly, they all taste like watered down juice to me. Nice try.

As many times as I have been disappointed, I have still kept on with my search for the right sports drink that I can truly enjoy. I don't drink soda so my sweet go-to thirst quencher is juice. Although it is a better alternative, the amount of sugar that juice contains is still rather high. If there is a diet/sports drink that can offer me some flavors I can enjoy minus the sugars and calories, I would stock up on it as if there's going to be an apocalypse. No lie.

Just as I have exhausted myself in the search to find the right drink, a great acquaintance of whom I have been so blessed to meet, directed me to another lady who was looking for people to try out their new line of sport water. Excited yet skeptical, I shot out an email with the request to try it. Immediately, I got an answer back with an enthusiastic communications director who didn't hesitate to allow me to give it a try. A week later, a big box of sports drinks landed on my door step and the 5 year old in me jumped on it like it was a gift on Christmas day.

Honestly, I don't really know what happened next. I believe it went like this:

My husband helped me open the box and upon making it's presence known to me, these sport waters seemed to have sung a melody as I nudged away the lid of the box so I can get a better look at it. I delved in and the first bottle I picked up, with all its slenderness and lure of a luxurious treat, said on its label,

Skinny Sport Water

0 Calories

0 Sugar

0 Sodium

0 Guilt

WHAT?! I couldn't believe it. With all its benefits and the 0 calories, sugar, etc., how could it pack in any flavor? All I can say is, boy was I wrong. The first flavor I tried was Goji Black Cherry. As the first drop of this amazing sport drink touched my taste buds, my eyes immediately shot open wide and I found myself gulping down nearly a third of the bottle. It was delicious. I really couldn't believe that this was in any way a sport drink. My husband glanced as me as I looked at my bottle of Goji Black Cherry Skinny Water in amazement. He's long known about my quest for a good sports drink and how many times I have been disappointed. Without a word, he held out his hand for me to hand my bottle over to him. I watch him take his first gulp and with a knowing smile, I nod at him as he nearly finishes the bottle. This is really happening....

I have found THE sport drink that I have longed for for so long. I am not one to rave about a product unless I truly believe that it is well worth it. And this? This is worth raving about. It has the perfect sweetness minus the weird thickness in the back of your throat you get from drinking sugar substitutes. It is also so refreshing. I've taken a bottle with me on my morning run and it really keeps me hydrated. 

I can't wait to have everyone try it, including you! Because the people of Skinny Water are absolutely amazing and beyond generous, they are providing me with a set of Skinny Waters to give to my readers! One lucky winner will win a set of 12 Skinny Waters sent straight to their home. 

To enter, simply do the tasks on the Rafflecopter widget below and you're set to have a chance to win! 

Good luck, everyone! Thanks for entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Love It is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.   

Check out more of my giveaways HERE!

I Love Hot Chocolate!

When I drink a cup of coco, I am magically transformed back into my childhood. Drinking hot chocolate following an exhausting day of sledding or ice skating. Cheeks rosy, fingers and toes stiff and cold, and freezing and sweating simultaneously. I waited all winter for days like this, snow days.

This winter, although it hasn't snowed much, I'm still drinking plenty of hot chocolate.  Here are a list of items to add to Hot Chocolate to make it even more fabulous.  Feel free to share any ideas that you have.

Picture found on Pinterest

Start with a cup for your favorite Hot Chocolate* then add:

Frozen Hot Chocolate:  Add Ice and Hot Chocolate to a blender and mix (on high speed) to the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Hot Chocolate Float: Top Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream. Flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee, Mint Chocolate Chip, Fudge Brownie are fantastic but really any flavor do.

Mint Hot Chocolate: Float add sprig of fresh mint and use any Mint flavored Ice Cream. Or use a Candy Cane to stir your Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate Sundae: Top Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream then add your favorite Sundae Toppings. Hot Fudge, Raspberry Sauce, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter, Strawberry Syrup, Caramel,  Marshmallow Cream,  Whip Cream, Cool Whip, Sprinkles, Candy Pieces, Cookies, Brownies...

More Chocolate: Stir in or top your Hot Chocolate with even more Chocolate. Such as Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Shavings, Chocolate Sprinkles, Chocolate Sauces, Chocolate Candy, Chocolate Milk, Nutella,  Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate

Milks and Creamers: Whole, Skim, Soy, Steamed, Heavy Cream, Half & Half, Malted Milk Powder.

Flavored Dairy Creamers such as French Vanilla, Cafe Latte, Peppermint, Mocha, Crème  Brulee , Hazelnut, Coconut Cream...(found next to the milk at the grocery store)

Coffee and Espresso: Instant or fresh brewed.  Play with the ratio between the Hot Chocolate and Coffee.  

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Steamed milk, Mocha Sauce, Toffee Nut and Vanilla Syrups, topped with sweetened Whipped Cream, Caramel Sauce and a mixture of Turbinado Sugar and Sea Salt. (recipe taken from Starbucks)

Mexican Hot Chocolate:  Mix Hot Chocolate with a pinch of ground Chipotle Chili Pepper and a pinch of Ground Cinnamon.  Top with Whipped Cream and sprinkle with a little Chipotle Chili Pepper and Ground Cinnamon.

Also Try: Nutmeg, Vanilla, Ground Chili Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Brown Sugar, Mable Syrup, Toasted Marshmallows (broil Marshmallows in the broiler (30 seconds) or campfire until they are golden brown.)

Alcohol:

Cinnamon, Butterscotch, and Peppermint Schnapps, Kahlua, Bourbon, Vodka, Flavored Vodka such as Whip Cream flavored Vodka, Whisky, Brandy, Baileys...

Sandra Lee: Semi Homemade

Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini

Ingredients

Makes: 4 servings

4 (1-ounce) envelopes hot cocoa mix, divided use

3 cups milk

3/4 cup vanilla vodka

¼ cup Mini marshmallows, for garnish

Directions

Empty 1 envelope hot cocoa mix onto a saucer. Put some water onto another saucer. Dip the rims of 4 martini glasses into the water and shake off any excess. Dip them in the hot cocoa mix. (Save the remainder for garnish.)

In a blender, combine remaining hot cocoa mix, milk, vodka and 6 cups ice and blend until smooth. Divide the mixture among the prepared glasses and garnish with the marshmallows and remaining cocoa mixture.

Best Ever Hot Chocolate

Sandra Lee: Semi Homemade

Ingredients

Makes: 2 drinks

1 cup half-and-half

1⁄4 cup milk chocolate chips

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

11⁄2 ounces vanilla flavored vodka, Smirnoff

Directions

In a saucepan, combine half-and-half, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted, stirring frequently. (Do not boil.) Pour into mugs.Stir in vodka.

*Any variety of Hot Chocolate including store bought powered mixes and homemade varieties. Adjusting the original Hot Chocolate recipe may be necessary when adding additional liquid to your beverage.  

I had a great time experimenting with Hot Chocolate. There are so many different ways to personalize it to your own taste. Have fun!

Final Tips 

The larger the mug, the more "toppings" you can add to your Hot Chocolate.

Powered Hot Chocolate Mixes can be brewed in your automatic drip coffee maker. Usually one envelop of Hot Chocolate = one cup water. Refer back to the package for exact ratio. Great idea for holiday parties or larger families.

Please Drink Responsibly