review Archives - Page 6 of 34 - My Life: A Work in Progress

Review: Sweaty Bands (Body after Baby)

28 October, 2013 9 Comments

If you have any hair at all (and maybe even if you don’t!), you probably need a reliable headband for your workout sessions. While researching online, one company that continually stood out to me was Sweaty Bands. I contacted Sweaty Bands, and they happily sent me two headbands- one to review and one to give away.

About and My Experiences:

Sweaty Bands are no-slip headbands that feature a ribbon-like material on one side and felt on the other. Available in two sizes -narrow and wide- Sweaty Bands come in dozens of patterns and colors. Custom designs are available.

One thing I really like about Sweaty Bands is that the founder -Donna- started this business sewing headbands in her basement. Since then, her company has grown until her headbands are now sold in more than 1,000 locations including all Nordstrom stores. Since I’ve started looking, I’ve spotted Sweaty Bands in two different fitness stores here in Hampton Roads. I think it’s fantastic that this female-founded business has grown at such a rate and still makes its headbands right here in the U.S.

My contact at Sweaty Bands let me know that the best way to wear my headband was near my hairline, so that’s what I’ve been doing. It has never slipped. I have not had to readjust the band even one single time while it was on my head. I’ve worn my Sweaty Band for numerous runs over the last three weeks, including a six-mile jog. My Sweaty Band has stayed on during aerobics, running errands, cleaning, and even while sleeping.

I have read a few negative reviews online (a very small fraction compared to the positive reviews), so obviously these bands don’t work for everyone. We all have different head shapes, head size, and hair texture. But I’m confident that Sweaty Bands will work for the majority of women, because I’m one of those people who has never had good luck with a headband until now.

For reference, I’m 5’10”, and usually wear a 7 1/4 cm hat size. My hair is fine and quite slippery. My Sweaty Band is also the narrower version.

At around $15 each band, they may seem pricey, but if Sweaty Bands work, it’s worth it in my opinion. It’s always driven me batty when I’m trying to exercise, and I have pieces of hair sticking to my face! Plus, these are made here in the U.S., so yes, they’re going to be more expensive than headbands sewn by little kids in certain foreign countries.

As far as keeping the sweat out of your face, the Sweaty Band does help. It’s not going to keep all the sweat from your face though, because these bands go over your hair, not your lower forehead. If you sweat below the band, the sweat is still going to run into your eyes. I have noticed a difference wearing my Sweaty Band, so I know it’s keeping my head sweat (yuck!) out of my eyes.

Hand wash your bands to ensure they last. I take mine in the shower with me to wash, then hang to dry. My band is usually almost dry by next morning. I’m planning on buying a second one, so I can rotate between the two bands.

If you’d like to see some of their styles and learn more about Sweaty Bands, click HERE.

Want to win your own Sweaty Band? Stand by for a Body after Baby Fitness Event Giveaway. It’s starts later today!

What’s your favorite Sweaty Band color or design?

Compensated Pink

Body after Baby

Review: Road ID wrist identification band (Body after Baby)

28 October, 2013 6 Comments

When preparing for the Body after Baby fitness event, I reached out to RoadID.com to see if I could feature their products in a review. I was thrilled when they said, Yes. They sent me an e-coupon to redeem on their website, and I eventually settled on the Wrist ID Elite.

Road ID- the Wrist ID Elite. Find the review on My Life: A Work in Progress — Yes, I marked out some of my personal info…Hubby would not like any prank calls to his cell!

About and My Experiences:

Road ID was founded by a father and son team for cyclists, runners, and really for anyone who wants to get out and be active. The identification products Road ID sells include wrist IDs, shoe ID, shoe pouch ID, ankle ID, and more. The ID plates on all of these are customizable to contain information you’d want EMS to know in an emergency.

Although I often run with a jogging stroller and my son in it, sometimes it’s just me. Last week while visiting relatives, I ran alone on a path I’d never been on before. I prefer to not carry anything while running, and I don’t have a special running belt/pack. Even if you do, in an emergency, you could easily be separated from your wallet if it’s in a bag or jacket.

My ID plate has the following information: First and last name, year of birth, nationality, blood type, health insurance provider, three emergency contact phone numbers, and a motivational phrase. Knowing this information was literally attached to my wrist really reassured me while I was running alone.

I’d originally thought about getting the Wrist ID Slim. Like the name says, it’s one of Road ID’s slimmer designs. I thought I’d find it more comfortable than the Wrist ID Elite, but Hubby really encouraged me to get the Elite, because he liked the concept of a watch-style buckle, so that’s what I chose. I paid a little extra to have an “Army” badge added to my Wrist ID (in case you didn’t know, I’m an Army reservist).

The Wrist ID Elite is a little bulky, but to be honest hasn’t bothered me at all. I started wearing it immediately after receiving it, because I figured I’d get used to it then before running. And I did! I actually don’t notice it now and have even been wearing it while sleeping. If you like the concept of a Wrist ID, but aren’t sure about the bulkiness (I’m not exactly a petite woman), then I’d recommend checking out the Wrist ID Slim.

Road ID has products appropriate for men, women, and even kids and dogs! I’ve been reading through the testimonials on their website, and have been really impressed with how these IDs have helped people in emergency situations. One couple had Road IDs on both their children, and it came in handy when their youngest child disappeared from their sight at a busy zoo. An employee called the number on their child’s Road ID, and the relieved parents were reunited with their child just a few minutes later. Having emergency information attached to your person just makes sense to me!

If you’d like to know more about how they got started as well as the different products they sell (it’s not just IDs!), click HERE to reach their website.

Want to win one? You can win a $35 e-coupon to RoadID.com during the Body after Baby Fitness Event Giveaway. The giveaway starts at 5pm EST today, so make sure to return and enter!

What ways do you think you could incorporate a RoadID product into your life?

Compensated Pink

Review

Milk Unleashed- Anytime, Anywhere

22 October, 2013 3 Comments

*I received a pack of shelf-stable milk to sample for review purposes.*

Shelf-stable milk on My Life: A Work in Progress

About and Our Experiences:

I actually never thought about shelf-stable (also called shelf-safe) milk until I had my son. Yes, I’d seen cartons of milk on shelves in the store, but somehow it just never clicked in my mind what exactly it was (and how awesome it is!). Then I read another blogger’s post, talking about how she’d started using it. That’s when I noticed that the little carton of organic milk I’d occasionally pick up for my son at the coffee shop said, “Refrigerate after opening,” on the back. I started buying shelf-stable milk to keep in the pantry. In fact, I have some in there right now! They’re great for grabbing and tossing in the diaper bag or those days when you forgot to get to the store before your jug of milk ran out.

Shelf-stable milk on My Life: A Work in Progress — He approves.

As far as taste, the one percent milk tastes a little different to me, but I’m not used to one percent in general…so that could be part of the problem. Baby J has no problem drinking any type of milk (except goat’s milk…I tried that for months). The other flavors I’ve tried myself -chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and fruity trudy- were all delicious. Now, I’ve noticed that the flavored milks typically state “natural flavors” in their ingredients. I wonder what exactly “natural flavors” entails, but soda also contains “natural flavors.” In fact, start picking up products in the grocery store and read ingredient labels. You may be surprised how many of them contain mysterious “natural flavors.” Since I don’t know what is in the natural flavoring, I prefer to buy white milk. But if I have to choose between sugary “natural flavored” soda with no real nutritional value and “natural flavored” milk…I’ll take the milk.

So how is it shelf safe? The milk is heated at a much higher temperature, but for a shorter time than traditional milk. This allows the milk to retain taste and nutrition, but have a much longer shelf life.

If you haven’t tried shelf-stable milk, pick up a carton and give it a try. We’ve found shelf-stable milk extremely handy for traveling, day trips, playdates, etc.

Want to know more about shelf-stable milk? Read more about the UHT (ultra-high temperature) pasteurizing process on the Milk Unleashed website. Follow Milk Unleashed on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest for news and even contests!

Have you tried shelf-stable milk? What did you think?

Note: 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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