#2. the beverages... are so good and so cheap... to get a decent fruit tea in the US is like 5 dollars. here it is 2 dollars and tastes

[zhuhongs]

i'm thinking of moving to taiwan after college, how has it been treating you? a lot of people i know who did move to taiwan only talk about how hard the language is (even if they're taiwanese 🥲) but i wanna now how like, your everyday life is!

oooo, that sounds so exciting, wherever you end up i hope you enjoy it! But yea, so I live just outside of Taipei in New Taipei but New Taipei is actually huge and there are many parts of New taipei that are like super far from Taipei proper and are pretty hard to live in without a having a scooter or car. I'm assuming you've been to taiwan before if you think you want to move there but ya never know! I tbh knew very little abt taiwan before coming here but yea. Just giving you an idea of where I live and that i can't speak for all of Taiwan, just my area thats just outside of taipei but still served by their metro system (which is honestly super dope, shout out to the MRT).

So like I overall love living here sm, I'd love to live here someday for work or smth and not just studying abroad. The transportation is amazing, the nature is. so lovely. Like tbh no matter where I am in the city I am no more than 10 km away from the river or the mountains and everything is so green and nice. However in order to be so green all the time, taipei is very rainy and very humid. Legit my hair was such a nightmare when i got here, if you are from a dry climate, you will notice so many changes. Like my skin is rlly nice bc of the moisture, but my hair was unmanageable so i chopped it off. But I also have was less allergies now. If youre originally from a humid climate it should be nbd.

My daily life is honestly pretty easy. I live in a dorm so I didn't have to deal with things like speaking to a landlord or finding someone who would rent to me, or having to deal with utility bills, or dealing with the semi confusing garbage disposal system. But, I do know ppl that did have to do these things and speak way less chinese than I do and were just fine. Honestly, ppl say that you can live in the Taipei area without speaking chinese and be just fine bc most ppl speak english. Tbh idk how anyone does that, I rarely speak to anyone in english here but I think thats bc I always try speaking chinese first. Most people can speak a decent amount but unless you speak to them in english first theyll speak in chinese. I feel like most things you can learn just by living your daily life and learning high frequency words and when all else fails use google translate. But honestly, my life is very easy and pleasant. If I'm hungry I can easily go to a food stall or grocery store or convenience store near where I live. If I really don't want to leave the house, I can order food with a reasonable delivery fee (well reasonable to me, ik food prices are going up here).

Personally, I find that making friends here is pretty hard, but I'm not a very social person and find it hard to start conversations with ppl idk, and most taiwanese people don't talk to you if you don't talk to them, so this might be hard. But I feel like everyone is very friendly for the most part its just kinda finding the chances to make friends is rare if you aren't working or going to classes or know someone here already.

But overall yea no taiwan is a great place to live, there's a lot of things I'm gonna miss abt taiwan when i go home but somethings in my home country are hard to find here. Some of the traditional taiwanese food isn't bad, but not like my cup of tea, but you can find a lot here. It's just that most like foreign cuisine is more expensive or geared towards the locals so its not very authentic. I def miss hispanic food and some foods are hard to recreate here bc of lack of ingredients but taiwanese food is also very nice. Some dishes may look boring but are actually very good. I hope you like living in taiwan if you end up living here!

[himblebo]

answer ALL those questions BIH 1-97 or however many there are

Great panini Michelle... every damn time...1. Would you have sex with the last person you text messaged?Uhhhhhhhh yeah2. You talked to an ex today, correct?Idk I guess technically?3. Have you taken someones virginity?Lmao nope4. Is trust a big issue for you?YEAH WHOO BOY YEAH I have a lot of issues and trust is a huge one5. Did you hang out with the person you like recently?Yes yup I definitely did. She told me I looked pretty and it was the first time I've ever been sure she was flirting with me. 6. What are you excited for?Going back to school holy shit. I've had a countdown going. I move back in at the end of the month. I can't fuckening wait. 7. What happened tonight?I told myself I was going to shower and clean my room but instead I'm sat here watching dan and Phil games videos?8. Do you think it’s disgusting when girls get really wasted?I don't think it's disgusting I just worry for their safety. I'm the mom friend that takes care of the lightweights. 9. Is confidence cute?Hell yeah10. What is the last beverage you had?Brisk iced tea with lemon 11. How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?I wanna say like three. I don't have an exact count because I've managed to direct my daily life to have very few males and I can only think of three men I regularly interact with. 12. Do you own a pair of skinny jeans?Yeah and my fuckin thighs are wearing a HOLE IN THEM which means I need to order a new pair but they're EXPENSIVE and I hate CAPITALISM 13. What are you gonna do Saturday night?That's a good fucking question. I have nothing planned, nothing to do within walking distance, and no license. Probably masturbate in all honesty. 14. What are you going to spend money on next?Well I just spent like $150 on an old navy order today so probably not clothes Oh you know what I need a new bookbag so probably that. IKEA has some good ones. 15. Are you going out with the last person you kissed?The only person I've kissed was for a scene in acting class so no. I had a really elaborate dream the other night where I was kissing my crush but alas also no. 16. Do you think you’ll change in the next 3 months?Oh for sure. 17. Who do you feel most comfortable talking to about anything?Honestly???? Reese. 18. The last time you felt broken?This is more or less a weekly to daily occurrence but the most intense instance I can recall was Saturday night at my cousin's wedding! Being most likely the only gay person out of a group of 300 people made up of mostly married couples with children was absolutely horrific because as soon as one cousin gets married the aunts start placing bets on who's next and each time I'm closer to the top of the list. Combine that with varied intrusive thoughts and you've got a lovely shitstorm of self loathing!!!19. Have you had sex today?Not ever m'dude20. Are you starting to realize anything?That if I want to be less anxious when shopping for clothing, I need to only shop at places that actually cater to my body type aka I've just accepted that I have a mom body and will always look better in well made and sort of pricey old navy clothes over cheap shitty forever 21 clothes. 21. Are you in a good mood?I'm kind of eh. All I've done today is watch the MSNBC news cycle for hours on end and that was really depressing and anxiety inducing but I've isolated myself in my room for a bit since then and had a nice salami sandwich so I've mellowed. 22. Would you ever want to swim with sharks?Hell yeah. Sharks are nowhere as violent as media portrays them and need to be protected like any other species. Also I went to the aquarium yesterday. 23. Are your eyes the same color as your dad’s?Yes between my parents I got pretty much all of my father's genetics and it's really funny. 24. What do you want right this second?Someone to cuddle with because I realized when I was staying at a hotel that I literally can't sleep unless I'm holding something and every single night my body pillow is a little bit more pathetic. 25. What would you say if the person you love/like kissed another girl/boy?Fuckin jokes on you she's married 26. Is your current hair color your natural hair color?Technically no. I mean I am a natural blonde but currently I am several shades blonder because my natural shade is on the darker end of the blonde spectrum and I'm so pale that I need to lighten and warm it up from time to time so I don't look like a less stylish Addams child. 27. Would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh?That's a hard fuckin pass m828. What was the last thing that made you laugh?I answered this before but I've laughed again since then soS A N D R A29. Do you really, truly miss someone right now?Yes. 30. Does everyone deserve a second chance?Yes, as long as they are actually willing to modify their behavior/habits/what have you. Life is a learning curve. I believe in third chances too, under the same conditions. At some point, however, you have to acknowledge that some people just will not change and it isn't worth the energy you're investing to try and force it. Then it's time to cut bitches off lmao. 31. Honestly, do you hate the last boy you were talking to?My brother is walking a fine line right now. He's a shit head but I don't hate him. 32. Does the person you have feelings for right now, know you do?I think so. 33. Are you one of those people who never drinks soda?Cherry Pepsi flows through my veins. 34. Listening to?I've honestly been listening to the original London cast recording of The Witches of Eastwick the musical on repeat for like a week? That and the original cast recording of Sunset Boulevard. Which reminds me, I downloaded Dangerous Liaisons...35. Do you ever write in pencil anymore?Yeah... do people like... stop writing in pencil at some point? Y'all hate erasers????36. Do you know where the last person you kissed is?Probably somewhere in Pennsylvania where I left her. 37. Do you believe in love at first sight?Maybe chemistry at first sight? I think you have to know a person before you can love them. Chemistry doesn't have to be romantic either, I think it's just a significant reaction. I'm a fan of hate to lover arcs in fiction. Cough cough swan queen. 38. Who did you last call?Probably my brother to tell him to preheat the oven. 39. Who was the last person you danced with?My aunt when she was trying to convince me not to leave the wedding reception even though I was dead on my feet and dissociating so hard I felt like I wasn't in my body40. Why did you kiss the last person you kissed?Because that's how Phyllis Nagy wrote the script. 41. When was the last time you ate a cupcake?The wedding reception. It didn't have frosting because my brother brought me a fucking cupcake without frosting. 42. Did you hug/kiss one of your parents today?No43. Ever embarrass yourself in front of a crush?Countless times! I'm strong but clumsy so when she asks me to move things for her it's like a 50/50 chance I'll drop it. She never makes fun of me though. 44. Do you tan in the nude?I don't tan period because I am pasty and extremely at risk for skin cancer *finger guns*45. If you could, would you take back your last kiss?If by take back you mean literally take it back by purchasing the full play to read it 46. Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night?I usually do47. Who was the last person to call you?Idk probably my dad to tell me to preheat the oven. 48. Do you sing in the shower?Am I even showering if I'm not singing49. Do you dance in the car?I'm generally pretty cramped in most cars so no50. Ever used a bow and arrow?Yes! I'm a pretty decent archer. 51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?Probably my headshots that I got when I was doing my dance photo shoot senior year. 52. Do you think musicals are cheesy?I'm a theatre major what fucking kind of question is this. In this house we respect triple threats. And have a healthy fear of the wrath of patti lupone 53. Is Christmas stressful?Half my family is EXTREMELY Roman Catholic and a quarter is Jewish so if it's not stressful it's definitely complicated 54. Ever eat a pierogi?Fuck yes holy shit we had a cooking unit at camp and they'd make staff lunch and they made pierogies from scratch like dough potatoes and all and I swear I nutted. 55. Favorite type of fruit pie?Lemon meringue. Oh fuck elies mom made such good pie last year. 56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?Forensic examiner! I wanted to do autopsies! Like deadass I wanted to be Doctor Jan Garavaglia from the discovery channel. Also retrospectively definitely had a crush on her. That was when I was in like elementary school though. In middle school I wanted nothing more than to be an Imagineer and design attractions for Disney. 57. Do you believe in ghosts?I'm from New England. Next question. 58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?Yeah holy shit I see stuff from my dreams a lot. 59. Take a vitamin daily?These strawberry flavored fuckers for hair skin and nails they're so good!60. Wear slippers?Not so much at home but at school I practically live in them because our dorm is always disgusting 61. Wear a bath robe?Yes I have a super fluffy long one62. What do you wear to bed?Ideally nothing but I have to wear clothes because my room gets too hot to sleep with the door shut so normally a t shirt and underwear and then I keep shorts or sweatpants by my bed so I can put them on quickly if I have to leave my room. Plus I have a roommate at school so no naked napping there either. 63. First concert?Probably one of the free concerts Eight to the Bar used to do in my mom's hometown64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?Target I'm a loyal Pinterest mom65. Nike or Adidas?Neither. Whatever is on clearance at Kohls. 66. Cheetos Or Fritos?Cheetos. I'm not a fucking heathen. 67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?No. Cashews. 68. Favorite Taylor Swift song?LOVE STORY (The og country version) IS THE REALEST BOP IVE EVER HEARD69. Ever take dance lessons?Hahaha only 16 years of them70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?Something creative. Strongly probably theatre related. 71. Can you curl your tongue?Yeah72. Ever won a spelling bee?No but I performed a song from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?Short answer yes. Long answer: please see my post on Tired Thesbian about Indecent directed by Rebecca Taichman and written by Paula Vogel 74. What is your favorite book?To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf75. Do you study better with or without music?With, but it has to be instrumental. I really like film scores; Cracks, The Hours, and the Mildred Pierce miniseries are my favorites. Honorable mention for Carol. 76. Regularly burn incense?Not allowed to. 77. Ever been in love?Yes. 78. Who would you like to see in concert?Fleetwood Mac/Stevie, Celtic Woman, Dolly Parton, Florence + The Machine. That's the non showtune half of my music taste. Isn't it an unsettling combination. 79. What was the last concert you saw?I don't really go to music concerts but I went to the so you think you can dance tour a couple years ago. 80. Hot tea or cold tea?Porque no los dos 81. Tea or coffee?Porque no los dos 82. Favorite type of cookie?I'm a slut for shortbread but that's more of a biscuit soooooo Oreos. 83. Can you swim well?I've never drowned 84. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?People can't do that?85. Are you patient?I guess so86. DJ or band, at a wedding?Dj BRUH 87. Ever won a contest?I won a writing contest in eighth grade!88. Ever have plastic surgery?No but I'd love to get some for various reasons. And when it comes down to it, we really shouldn't judge others cosmetic choices be they hair color or plastic surgery. Insert Dolly Parton. 89. Which are better black or green olives?Olives are evil and I was once locked out of my dorm room over this argument90. Opinions on sex before marriage?Holy fuck heterosexual culture is wild isn't it91. Best room for a fireplace?Already answered 92. Do you want to get married?Maybe not married but certainly in a committed long term relationship. To quote Lily Tomlin, I'm not particularly keen on imitating heterosexuals. Holy fuvk that took like a full hour

[basketdouble29-blog]

Mulled Wine

There exists a long tradition of warming wine and fortifying it with fragrant, sweet spices, particularly during winter months, and as ancient Romans conquered much of Europe, they brought with them the traditions of viticulture.  Throughout western Europe, you find variations on mulled wine recipes: glogg in Nordic nations often features bitter orange, cardamom and vodka; vin chaud in France features lemon; Hungarian forralt combines wine with spices and amaretto, while Moldovan izvar combines wine with honey and black pepper.

What is Mulled Wine?

Mulled wine is wine that has been fortified with spices, herbs, fruit and fruit juices, hard alcohol and a sweetener like honey or sugar or any combination of those ingredients.  It is simmered long enough to allow the spices to infuse the wine with their aroma and flavor, before you ladle it into mugs and serve it nice and hot – about the temperature of tea or coffee. It’s an intensely warming drink, and so is often a welcome addition to the table during the winter holidays, and it is sometimes called “Christmas Wine” for this reason.

What Goes Into Mulled Wine

Mulled wine includes red wine (though it is occasionally made with white) and fragrant and sweet spices like cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, star anise and cloves.  It occasionally contains other sweet spices like coriander, anise and fennel, too.  You can buy mulling spices, which are a blend of many of these spices, but you’re better off blending whole spices yourself which will give you better flavor and greater nuance than if you bought a mix.

Some mulled wines also include herbs like bay leaf or elderflower, and many recipes call for further fortifying the wine with hard alcohol, like brandy, or a sweetener.  Most recipes will also call for fruit, notably citrus fruits like oranges and lemons as those are in season during the winter months when mulled wine is typically made.

I use a variety of sweet and fragrant spices in my mulled wine recipe, and couple them with California bay which has a spiced, herbal flavor that pairs beautifully with citrus.  Oranges, with flesh, rind, pith and all, bring brightness to mulled wine with the faintest hint of bitterness and it’s that hint of bitterness that stimulates the digestive process, making mulled wine a fantastic pairing for heavier meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

How to Make Mulled Wine

To make mulled wine you need to combine all your ingredients together – herbs, spices, fruit, sweeteners and wine – together and heat it hot enough to release the volatile compounds of the spices into the wine and long enough to truly infuse those flavors into the wine.  And you need to do it without overcooking the wine or losing its booziness.  After combining the ingredients in a pan, you’ll heat it until it begins to simmer, and then immediately turn down the heat low enough to keep it warm as all those flavors begin to mingle.  Usually thirty minutes is enough to suffice.

And while you want to give time to allow all the spices to release their aromatic oils and flavors into the wine, if you let them steep too long, your mulled wine will develop bitter notes and a distinct perfuminess that’s better left to potpourri.

Where to Get Organic Spices for Mulled Wine

The flavor of your mulled wine depends largely on two factors: the quality of wine you use and the quality of spices you use.  And while you can pick up mulling spices at any grocery store, often those spices are of poor quality; they’re rarely organically grown or produced through fair trade.  What’s more, they’re often stored in clear glass jars for a lengthy period of time which means loss of flavor and potency.

Alternatively, you can buy high-potency, fresh herbs and spices online here through Mountain Rose Herbs that are also organically grown and fair trade.

Recipe type: Beverage

Cuisine: Europe

Author: Jenny McGruther

Simmering wine with oranges, spices and honey together for this mulled wine recipe is one of the easiest things you can do during the holiday season. This mulled wine recipe produces a deeply fragrant, faintly sweet fortified wine that's lovely on a cold winter day or around the holiday table. You can order organic mulling spices online here.

Ingredients

1 bottle medium- to full-bodied red wine like Zinfandel

4 cups soft apple cider

1 cup brandy

½ cup honey

1 orange, sliced in ¼-inch rounds

6 whole cloves

4 cardamom pods

6 allspice berries

3 star anise pods

2 cinnamon sticks

2 bay leaves

Instructions

Pour the wine, cider and brandy into a large sauce pan set over medium-low heat. Whisk in the honey, and when it dissolves, toss in the sliced orange, spices and bay leaves. Allow the wine to simmer over medium-low heat for thirty minutes, and then strain the wine through a fine-mesh sieve as you ladle the wine into mugs.

If not consuming all the wine right away, turn the heat on the burner down to low and allow it to keep warm.

Notes

Slow Cooker Variation.Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker set to low heat and warm for one hour before serving.

3.5.3251

How to Choose a Wine for Mulling

Mulled wine is only as good as the wine that goes into your pot. And while it’s tempting to buy a cheap wine of uncertain quality to mull, since you’ll add oranges, honey, and spices, those ingredients can’t mask a bad wine.  It’s worth your time to invest in a good quality wine with a decent rating and, fortunately, many good wines come with affordable price tags.

I order wine here, where you can search for sustainably produced, highly rated wines at a good price.

For mulled wine, you want a medium- to full-bodied red wine with strong notes of berry and red fruit.  Since we’re adding potent, fragrant sweet spices, a medium- to full-bodied red will hold up nicely against the strength of those spices while notes of berry and red fruit will complement mulled wine’s sweet, fruity additions.  Zinfandel makes a particularly nice choice.

How to Serve Mulled Wine

Before serving mulled wine, you should strain it to remove any whole spices or herbs.  Serve it warm, about the temperature of hot tea or coffee.  It pairs beautifully with roasted meats, like Slow-Roasted Turkey or Maple Citrus Turkey.

You can also serve wassail as a dessert wine, provided the sweets you make are rich in complementary spices like Gingerbread, Molasses Cookies or Sugar Plums.

If you’re not sure Mulled Wine is right for your Christmas table, you can always make a boozy wassail, spiced ale or spiced cider.

Love it? Share it.

Source: https://nourishedkitchen.com/mulled-wine-recipe/

[mlmcompanies]

In an industry where most things are overly complicated, simplicity stands out.

And this commitment to the basics seems to be working for Vida Divina, a relative newcomer to the health and wellness space.

Vida Divina is a wellness MLM that sells all sorts of health products, from miracle capsules to goji berries to detox teas and more.

Sounds like…a typical health and wellness MLM, right?

Vida Divina has actually done pretty well in a competitive space (see: Neways). They’ve avoided lawsuits and other negative PR, which bodes well for their future.

But should you get involved? Here’s what you need to know.

FAQ

1. What does Vida Divina sell? Vida Divina creates products that people need to live a better life: health, cosmetics, food and drink, weight loss, and even healthy treats for pets. Natural blends and unique formulas that can enhance the body’s abilities to cope with the stresses of a modern world and the lack of nutrients in today’s mass-produced food.

2. What are Vida Divina’s most popular products? Their top-selling product is TeDivina, a detox tea with persimmon leaves, holy thistle, Malva leaves, marsh, blessed thistle, papaya, myrrh, chamomile, ginger, cranberry, Siberian Chaga, Ganoderma, and fiber. This tea was designed to cleanse your mind and body. Factor Divina is their other claim to fame. It’s a fruit and vegetable beverage with 32 health-boosting components and antioxidants, including Chaga, Noni, and other savory ingredients. Another popular product is their coffee: black, cappuccino, hot chocolate, cafe latte, cafe mocha, hazelnut latte, Tongkat Ali, and Sculpt, which is a unique pairing of Ganoderma lucidium and Garcinia Cambogia to help burn fat and control the appetite.

3. How much does it cost to join Vida Divina? When you sign up with Vida Divina, you’ll need to buy one of four starter packages. The Standard package is $120. The Popular package is $300. The Premium package is $600. The Supreme package is $1,200.

4. Is Vida Divina a scam? Vida Divina is a legitimate business selling health-related products. They’ve done a great job of avoiding the typical traps of health and nutritional products—making overblown promises and health claims. They’re also pretty straightforward about the ingredients in their products, which is refreshing.

5. What is Vida Divina’s BBB rating? C+

6. How long has Vida Divina been in business? Since 2016

7. What is Vida Divina’s revenue? $153 million

8. How many Vida Divina distributors are there? This information hasn’t been shared online.

9. What lawsuits have been filed? We didn’t see any lawsuits listed online.

10. Comparable companies: Rain International, Total Life Changes

Product-wise, this company is solid. Business opportunity-wise, they’re decent, but there’s certainly better options out there.

Click here for my #1 recommendation

Either way, here’s the full review on Vida Divina.

Overview

Vida Divina was founded by sales genius and charisma king Armand Puyolt, who got his start in door-to-door sales when he was a kid to help out his family financially. He was already being recognized on stage as a top salesperson by the young age of 16.

He’s done a lot since then. By 18, he bought his own home. By 20, he hit a million. By 25, he reached 5 million.

Puyolt has been involved with ACN, Metabolife, Kyani, and even Total Life Changes, where he was a million dollar earner. Vida Divina is his biggest venture yet into launching his own company, and he definitely hit the ground running.

Within 2 months of Vida Divina’s launch, they’d already hit $23 million in sales. Most MLMs struggle to make that much in their first YEAR. [1]

Vida Divina’s core goal is to help everyone lead a “divine life” by valuing its members and employees as the most important component of the business. According to their website, “the true measure of a company’s success is measured by wealth achieved by the many, not the few.”

If they really believed that, they probably wouldn’t be in this industry, considering that providing success for only the top few is what makes MLM function.

One thing that does raise a red flag is their announcement that they’re “FDA Certified.” Now, this could be a language barrier thing. Puyolt could really believe that registering with the FDA means his company is certified and, therefore, safe from legal problems. But the reality is the FDA doesn’t certify companies.

If a company (like Vida Divina) wants to import food and beverage products, it must register its facility with the FDA. It costs $195 to do that, and all it does is alert that FDA that it will be producing products that will be imported to the U.S. for sale.

How much does Vida Divina cost?

In order to become a Vida Divina Affiliate, you have to purchase a start-up kit, and they’re not cheap.

The most affordable start-up kit is $120, and it comes with a 3 month supply of Te Divina. Other starter kits range from $300 to $1,200. And the more you pay, the more commissions and bonuses you qualify for.

On top of that hefty start-up cost, you must also meet a minimum of 120 PV in auto-ship requirements every single month in order to stay active.

Products

The products here fall into the health and wellness category, with all your typical findings: detox teas, weight control, nutrition, performance, and skin care. Although, the company does offer a few fairly unique products.

Vida Divina has two flagship products: Factor Divina and Te Divina.

Factor Divina is a nutritional supplement drink made with over 32 vitamins and superfoods, including blueberry, green tea, goji berry, mangosteen, acai, spirulina, zarzamora, amalaki, and 20-something other hard-to-pronounce nutrients.

Te Divina is a detox and weight loss tea. It contains 12 different herbs that are designed to rid your body of toxins and parasites. The tea is $60 for a box with 6 satchels, and each satchel makes one gallon of the tea. $10 for a gallon of tea isn’t the worst price I’ve ever heard, but it’s certainly not cheap.

One of their most commonly used ingredients is chaga, a powerful medicinal mushroom that supposedly helps with everything from digestion to blood pressure to memory, allergies, ulcers, energy, and stress. It’s found in their Factor Divina supplement as well as their coffee, nutritional capsules, chocolate milk, and nutritional chews.

The company also sells a chewing gum that helps with digestion, tongue strips containing HCG, and even a pomegranate flavored “sexual enhancement gel,” lol.

Benefits:

The main ingredient in most of their products, chaga (a mushroom), has definitely been shown to have some powerful benefits. It’s been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in places like Russia and Poland to cleanse, disinfect, fight stomach and liver diseases, and even cancer.

Chaga contains a lot of antioxidants, and there is good evidence that it stimulates the immune system. There’s also research to show that it could lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

The mushroom’s antioxidant properties come from the protection of cell components against free radicals. That same protection has been shown to protect against oxidative damage to DNA. In one study, cells penetrated with chaga were shown to have 40% less DNA damage than those that were not. [2]

So, when the company says that their products can actually protect your DNA, they’re not lying.

In fact, the mushroom was even shown to have some anticancer effects in a study in 2011. [3]

Their weight loss tea, Te Divina, has 12 different herbal ingredients, but the top listed ingredient is persimmon leaves.

Now, I usually call bull on these weight loss teas, but a study back in 2006 fed rats super high-fat foods and then gave one group a bunch of persimmon leaves, and guess what? The ones who consumed a persimmon leaf didn’t retain as many lipids – i.e., the leaves actually suppressed weight gain. [4]

Side Effects:

When taken in conjunction with medications such as aspirin, chaga can increase your risk of bleeding. You shouldn’t consume it if you have a bleeding disorder or before or after surgery.

There really hasn’t been enough research done on chaga to identify all of its potential side effects, so it’s not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It’s also possible that since chaga activates the immune system, it could increase your chances of certain autoimmune diseases, so it’s not recommended for people who have multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.

As for the tea, it’s all made of herbs that are generally pretty safe. It can cause constipation (there’s a lot of fiber in those herbs) and fluid retention, though, which are pretty opposed to weight loss.

Compensation Plan

Retail commission with Vida Divina is 28%. Not bad, but nothing special compared to some of the top MLMs out there.

They do offer fast track bonuses at a whopping 50%-70%, but those only last so long. If you start out strong, though, you can go in making decent money.

Other bonuses include a 20% presentation bonus, a 50% generational matching bonus, a home mortgage bonus, vacation bonuses, and free product bonuses.

They also offer binary team commission to anyone with 2 personally sponsored, active affiliates, one on their right leg, and one on their left leg. Binary commission start at 5% for the lowest ranking qualified affiliates and go up from there. Everything up to Bronze level stays under 10%, but once you hit that, your team commission could get all the way up to 20% at the highest ranks.

Of course, the minimum pay leg volume to hit those highest ranks is 1 million. Good luck with that.

Recap

Vida Divina is not a scam. In fact, their products are decently legit, for a health and wellness MLM.

Their founder sounds like he definitely knows what he’s doing, too.

The compensation plan is nothing spectacular, but it’s definitely fair.

That being said, the start-up costs are high, and the monthly auto-ship requirements are more than some people’s car payment.

Unless you have a network of family and friends who are DESPERATE to buy lots of weight loss tea and nutritional supplements, and I mean lots, you’re going to be stuck with a closet full of the stuff, and you’ll have lost more money than you made.

Look, I’ve been involved with network marketing for over ten years so I know what to look for when you consider a new opportunity.

After reviewing 200+ business opportunities and systems out there, here is the one I would recommend:

Click here for my #1 recommendation

[antionetterparker]

Vida Divina: Keeping things simple for impressive growth [Review]

In an industry where most things are overly complicated, simplicity stands out.

And this commitment to the basics seems to be working for Vida Divina, a relative newcomer to the health and wellness space.

Vida Divina is a wellness MLM that sells all sorts of health products, from miracle capsules to goji berries to detox teas and more.

Sounds like…a typical health and wellness MLM, right?

Vida Divina has actually done pretty well in a competitive space (see: Neways). They’ve avoided lawsuits and other negative PR, which bodes well for their future.

But should you get involved? Here’s what you need to know.

FAQ

1. What does Vida Divina sell? Vida Divina creates products that people need to live a better life: health, cosmetics, food and drink, weight loss, and even healthy treats for pets. Natural blends and unique formulas that can enhance the body’s abilities to cope with the stresses of a modern world and the lack of nutrients in today’s mass-produced food.

2. What are Vida Divina’s most popular products? Their top-selling product is TeDivina, a detox tea with persimmon leaves, holy thistle, Malva leaves, marsh, blessed thistle, papaya, myrrh, chamomile, ginger, cranberry, Siberian Chaga, Ganoderma, and fiber. This tea was designed to cleanse your mind and body. Factor Divina is their other claim to fame. It’s a fruit and vegetable beverage with 32 health-boosting components and antioxidants, including Chaga, Noni, and other savory ingredients. Another popular product is their coffee: black, cappuccino, hot chocolate, cafe latte, cafe mocha, hazelnut latte, Tongkat Ali, and Sculpt, which is a unique pairing of Ganoderma lucidium and Garcinia Cambogia to help burn fat and control the appetite.

3. How much does it cost to join Vida Divina? When you sign up with Vida Divina, you’ll need to buy one of four starter packages. The Standard package is $120. The Popular package is $300. The Premium package is $600. The Supreme package is $1,200.

4. Is Vida Divina a scam? Vida Divina is a legitimate business selling health-related products. They’ve done a great job of avoiding the typical traps of health and nutritional products—making overblown promises and health claims. They’re also pretty straightforward about the ingredients in their products, which is refreshing.

5. What is Vida Divina’s BBB rating? C+

6. How long has Vida Divina been in business? Since 2016

7. What is Vida Divina’s revenue? $153 million

8. How many Vida Divina distributors are there? This information hasn’t been shared online.

9. What lawsuits have been filed? We didn’t see any lawsuits listed online.

10. Comparable companies: Rain International, Total Life Changes

Product-wise, this company is solid. Business opportunity-wise, they’re decent, but there’s certainly better options out there.

Click here for my #1 recommendation

Either way, here’s the full review on Vida Divina.

Overview

Vida Divina was founded by sales genius and charisma king Armand Puyolt, who got his start in door-to-door sales when he was a kid to help out his family financially. He was already being recognized on stage as a top salesperson by the young age of 16.

He’s done a lot since then. By 18, he bought his own home. By 20, he hit a million. By 25, he reached 5 million.

Puyolt has been involved with ACN, Metabolife, Kyani, and even Total Life Changes, where he was a million dollar earner. Vida Divina is his biggest venture yet into launching his own company, and he definitely hit the ground running.

Within 2 months of Vida Divina’s launch, they’d already hit $23 million in sales. Most MLMs struggle to make that much in their first YEAR. [1]

Vida Divina’s core goal is to help everyone lead a “divine life” by valuing its members and employees as the most important component of the business. According to their website, “the true measure of a company’s success is measured by wealth achieved by the many, not the few.”

If they really believed that, they probably wouldn’t be in this industry, considering that providing success for only the top few is what makes MLM function.

One thing that does raise a red flag is their announcement that they’re “FDA Certified.” Now, this could be a language barrier thing. Puyolt could really believe that registering with the FDA means his company is certified and, therefore, safe from legal problems. But the reality is the FDA doesn’t certify companies.

If a company (like Vida Divina) wants to import food and beverage products, it must register its facility with the FDA. It costs $195 to do that, and all it does is alert that FDA that it will be producing products that will be imported to the U.S. for sale.

How much does Vida Divina cost?

In order to become a Vida Divina Affiliate, you have to purchase a start-up kit, and they’re not cheap.

The most affordable start-up kit is $120, and it comes with a 3 month supply of Te Divina. Other starter kits range from $300 to $1,200. And the more you pay, the more commissions and bonuses you qualify for.

On top of that hefty start-up cost, you must also meet a minimum of 120 PV in auto-ship requirements every single month in order to stay active.

Products

The products here fall into the health and wellness category, with all your typical findings: detox teas, weight control, nutrition, performance, and skin care. Although, the company does offer a few fairly unique products.

Vida Divina has two flagship products: Factor Divina and Te Divina.

Factor Divina is a nutritional supplement drink made with over 32 vitamins and superfoods, including blueberry, green tea, goji berry, mangosteen, acai, spirulina, zarzamora, amalaki, and 20-something other hard-to-pronounce nutrients.

Te Divina is a detox and weight loss tea. It contains 12 different herbs that are designed to rid your body of toxins and parasites. The tea is $60 for a box with 6 satchels, and each satchel makes one gallon of the tea. $10 for a gallon of tea isn’t the worst price I’ve ever heard, but it’s certainly not cheap.

One of their most commonly used ingredients is chaga, a powerful medicinal mushroom that supposedly helps with everything from digestion to blood pressure to memory, allergies, ulcers, energy, and stress. It’s found in their Factor Divina supplement as well as their coffee, nutritional capsules, chocolate milk, and nutritional chews.

The company also sells a chewing gum that helps with digestion, tongue strips containing HCG, and even a pomegranate flavored “sexual enhancement gel,” lol.

Benefits:

The main ingredient in most of their products, chaga (a mushroom), has definitely been shown to have some powerful benefits. It’s been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in places like Russia and Poland to cleanse, disinfect, fight stomach and liver diseases, and even cancer.

Chaga contains a lot of antioxidants, and there is good evidence that it stimulates the immune system. There’s also research to show that it could lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

The mushroom’s antioxidant properties come from the protection of cell components against free radicals. That same protection has been shown to protect against oxidative damage to DNA. In one study, cells penetrated with chaga were shown to have 40% less DNA damage than those that were not. [2]

So, when the company says that their products can actually protect your DNA, they’re not lying.

In fact, the mushroom was even shown to have some anticancer effects in a study in 2011. [3]

Their weight loss tea, Te Divina, has 12 different herbal ingredients, but the top listed ingredient is persimmon leaves.

Now, I usually call bull on these weight loss teas, but a study back in 2006 fed rats super high-fat foods and then gave one group a bunch of persimmon leaves, and guess what? The ones who consumed a persimmon leaf didn’t retain as many lipids – i.e., the leaves actually suppressed weight gain. [4]

Side Effects:

When taken in conjunction with medications such as aspirin, chaga can increase your risk of bleeding. You shouldn’t consume it if you have a bleeding disorder or before or after surgery.

There really hasn’t been enough research done on chaga to identify all of its potential side effects, so it’s not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It’s also possible that since chaga activates the immune system, it could increase your chances of certain autoimmune diseases, so it’s not recommended for people who have multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.

As for the tea, it’s all made of herbs that are generally pretty safe. It can cause constipation (there’s a lot of fiber in those herbs) and fluid retention, though, which are pretty opposed to weight loss.

Compensation Plan

Retail commission with Vida Divina is 28%. Not bad, but nothing special compared to some of the top MLMs out there.

They do offer fast track bonuses at a whopping 50%-70%, but those only last so long. If you start out strong, though, you can go in making decent money.

Other bonuses include a 20% presentation bonus, a 50% generational matching bonus, a home mortgage bonus, vacation bonuses, and free product bonuses.

They also offer binary team commission to anyone with 2 personally sponsored, active affiliates, one on their right leg, and one on their left leg. Binary commission start at 5% for the lowest ranking qualified affiliates and go up from there. Everything up to Bronze level stays under 10%, but once you hit that, your team commission could get all the way up to 20% at the highest ranks.

Of course, the minimum pay leg volume to hit those highest ranks is 1 million. Good luck with that.

Recap

Vida Divina is not a scam. In fact, their products are decently legit, for a health and wellness MLM.

Their founder sounds like he definitely knows what he’s doing, too.

The compensation plan is nothing spectacular, but it’s definitely fair.

That being said, the start-up costs are high, and the monthly auto-ship requirements are more than some people’s car payment.

Unless you have a network of family and friends who are DESPERATE to buy lots of weight loss tea and nutritional supplements, and I mean lots, you’re going to be stuck with a closet full of the stuff, and you’ll have lost more money than you made.

Look, I’ve been involved with network marketing for over ten years so I know what to look for when you consider a new opportunity.

After reviewing 200+ business opportunities and systems out there, here is the one I would recommend:

Click here for my #1 recommendation

via https://mlmcompanies.org/vida-divina/

[geekade]

Geekade Top Ten: Stock Your Spice Rack

You’ve graduated from ramen and mac n’cheese and Sriracha isn’t doing it for you anymore. But when you venture into the spice aisle, row after row of little glass bottles stare you down, each more gnomic than the last and each price tag suspiciously steep for an ounce of dried leaves or colorful powder, and you always slink out of there with nothing more than another set of those disposable McCormick’s salt and pepper shakers.

You deserve better. This list includes ten essential seasonings to keep your salt and pepper shakers company without breaking the bank. Most of them mix and match well, and appear (or can be substituted for more esoteric ingredients) in basic recipes. (You can substitute dried herbs for fresh, but dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor than fresh, so use less.) When you want to cook these seasonings will enrich your marinades and dry rubs; when you don’t they will punch up your frozen pizzas and jar sauces.

Foodies will tell you that herbs come from the leaf or stem of an aromatic plant, and spices come from their roots, bark, fruit, and seeds. This list includes both. Foodies will also tell you that you should buy spices whole and grind them just before using them. They’re not wrong, but unless your idea of a relaxing after a long day of work includes laboring over a spice mill, go ahead and buy pre-ground. I won’t tell on you if you don’t tell on me.

Without further ado, here are the top ten seasonings to start your spice rack:

#10. Celery salt – Celery salt is just what it says on the tin, a mixture of ground celery seed and salt. You know that bright, sharp, green snap of aroma fresh celery gives off when you bite or cut into it? Celery salt is that snap, dried and concentrated into the secret weapon for all your dry rubs, marinades, and broths. Used sparingly – you never want your food to taste of celery salt – it neutralizes gaminess in chicken, pork, and occasionally beef, perhaps most famously in the classic Chicago hot dog. If a recipe calls for fresh celery and you don’t have any on hand, a tiny bit of celery salt can cover for you. And if you like Bloody Marys – I understand such people exist – celery salt smooths out the acid and umami collisions between (*shudder*) tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce.

#9. Garlic powder – After a long day, one of the biggest obstacles between me and a home-cooked meal is the prospect of peeling and mincing garlic. (Yes, the blade-smash trick is excellent, but it doesn’t make mincing any less of a PITA.) I may love garlic, but I love being a lazy bastard more. Enter garlic powder: all the flavor of garlic and none of the fuss. This shelf-stable shortcut can help along marinades, sauces, and breading mixes, especially on those nights when you Really Just Can’t, and/or you belatedly realize that was the one thing you forgot to grab at the grocery store. I have swapped it into marinades that called for actual fresh garlic cloves and mixed it (along with Italian seasoning) into breadcrumbs for everything from chicken/eggplant parmigianas to breaded zucchini to stuffed mushrooms. It’s not quite as good as the real thing, but it’s still pretty damn good.

#8. Cumin – Cumin seeds come from a flowering plant related to parsley. They provide the pungent signature notes of chili and shakshouka and add an unmistakable and unmissable richness to spice blends. On those winter days when you are too cold and miserable to bother with anything, potato wedges or cauliflower pieces tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin and roasted in the oven will warm the cockles of your grim and frozen heart.

#7. Coriander – Coriander seeds (technically a dried fruit, but who wants to buy “dried coriander fruit?”) are an enduring mystery to me, because I do not understand how it is possible for my arch nemesis, cilantro (aka coriander), to produce something so delicious and essential. Coriander is both earthy and fresh, with an almost lemony aroma that brings out the best in fish and chicken. It pairs well with cumin, with which it often appears in salsas, curries, and dry rubs. Alongside orange peels, coriander also traditionally flavors Belgian Witbiers, so you home brewers have an extra reason to keep some on hand.

#6. Chili – Every spice rack should have at least one kind of chili pepper, even if you don’t like spicy food. Chilis, bell peppers’ spicier cousins, are sweet, bright, occasionally smoky and always delicious. They enliven everything from goulash to roast chicken to toasted nuts. Mixed with salt, they make a savory rim for tequila- or mezcal-based cocktails. If you only have one chili powder, cayenne has a bright heat that’s welcome almost anywhere. The jack-of-all-trades chili, cayenne powder can heat up a stew, a plate of eggs, a batch of cornbread, or even a mug of hot chocolate. But if heat really isn’t your thing, grab a bottle of smoked paprika instead. Its smoky, mellow notes add a nice touch of chili flavor with almost no heat. I wouldn’t add it to cocktails or hot cocoa, but it’s still great in marinades, dry rubs, and stews. In a pinch, you can mix either cayenne or paprika (I do both, but I’m a capsaicin fiend) with cumin, coriander, garlic powder, and a little oregano or Italian seasoning for a quick chili powder.

#5. Crushed red pepper – You might be thinking that I already told you to get a chili pepper, but crushed red pepper flakes’ texture set them apart from their ground counterpart. If I told you, for example, to sprinkle cayenne or paprika on your pizza instead of crushed red pepper flakes, you would be well within your rights to get me blacklisted from every reputable pizza parlor on the Eastern seaboard. The fact that they’re more whole than ground chilis but small enough to require no extra work from you means you can sprinkle them directly on a dish (like pasta or frozen pizzas, which often need the help) or infuse them in another solution, like a salad dressing or a dipping sauce. If you’re not persuaded enough to buy a bottle, just stow those little pepper packets from the pizza place. One day you’ll need a little heat, and your palate will thank you.

#4. Bay leaves – The dried leaves of the laurel tree, bay leaves add a savory, grassy, faintly woody aroma to broths, soups, and stews. This is one herb to buy and use whole. A leaf or two will do for a whole pot of chili or chicken soup or braised pork shoulder or tomato sauce, and almost anything improved by braising or long simmering will benefit from the addition of a bay leaf. It is best to pick them out when you’re done cooking, though; they don’t soften, and much like tea leaves, they’re not something you actually want to eat.

#3. Italian seasoning – Despite the name, Italian seasoning has applications way beyond Italian cooking. A collection of savory herbs that go well with broths, meats, sauces, and stews – it usually includes oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and marjoram – Italian seasoning pre-mixes spices that frequently get used together anyway. You can often get away with using it any time a recipe calls for just one of the herbs it includes. Mixed with coriander, celery salt, and black pepper, it makes a decent chicken rub. With olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard it rounds out a sweet and savory steak marinade. A few shakes can help along a jar of red sauce that leaves something to be desired or turn plain olive oil into a dipping sauce for bread or breadsticks. Italian seasoning is the spice rack equivalent of a pocket multitool: It gives you versatility in exchange for precision and specialization. In a perfect world you would buy your oregano, thyme, basil, and marjoram fresh and dry them from the rafters of your picturesque kitchen, snipping off bits as needed. In the real world you crack open a bottle of Italian seasoning and call it a day.

#2. Kosher salt – This is miles apart from the iodized salt sitting in your salt shaker. Iodized salt contains iodine, which can lend the salt – and any food you season with it – a vaguely metallic flavor. The metallic edge is negligible unless salt will play a defining role in a flavor profile, as it does in brines or when sprinkled directly on a good cut of meat or fish. Kosher salt comes in bigger grains and packs more salt punch by volume* than iodized salt, and the lack of iodine means a clean, unadulterated flavor. Less complex but also less expensive, it’s also a cheap but viable alternative to sea salt, which can get real pricey real fast. Once you try Kosher salt on a steak instead of iodized, you will wonder where it has been your whole life and you will never go back. *The two major brands, Diamond and Morton, produce different-shaped salt crystals. Morton’s are flatter, so a teaspoon of Morton Kosher salt is saltier, by volume, than a teaspoon of Diamond. Most recipes base their measurements on Diamond’s crystal size; if you’re using Morton, start with half the specified volume and adjust to taste.

#1. Cinnamon – Cinnamon is the sweet, fragrant, inner bark of a tree from the same family as the bay laurel. Although best known for spicing baked goods like apple and pumpkin pies, cinnamon is the flavor you never knew you always needed in a surprising variety of beverages and savory dishes. You can sprinkle it over grounds before brewing or directly into your cup for more flavorful coffee, or add it to hot cocoa alongside cayenne. It is essential for mulling cider or wine and pairs well with whiskey and brandy cocktails, either directly or simmered into a simple syrup. And a tiny dash added to beef or pork, as a dry rub or in a stew, produces a result as irresistible as it is inexplicable.

The secret to stocking your spice rack affordably is to avoid that supermarket aisle as much as possible (except for the Kosher salt, which has less pricing variance). The absolute cheapest way to maintain your spice rack is to purchase from a bulk supplier. This is easier than it sounds – even Target carries bags of bulk herbs and spices, mostly for $1-2 a pop. The second cheapest way to stock your spice rack is to start at Trader Joe’s and World Market, both of which price their seasonings very reasonably and package them in durable, reusable glass bottles. Buy the glass bottles once and you can refill them from bulk purchases pretty much forever.

Now go forth, and never eat bland food again.

[easyweight101]

reBloom Review: Don’t Buy Before You Read This!

What is it?

reBloom is a sleep aid and rejuvenation drink made with natural ingredients said to work better than a placebo. A study was performed showing when compared to placebo; it improved sleep time, quality, restfulness, and the ability to go to sleep with ease.

Since it does not contain harsh ingredients, it’s said to be not habit-forming, so it won’t cause addiction or jitters. This is said to help relax one’s mind and body. They advise to drink it chilled, shaken, and around 30 minutes before sleep. The best nootropic solution made with natural ingredients was found to be Memotenz. Users have also provided testimonials which showcase how potent and reliable it is. Gain insights into Memotenz and its benefits by clicking the link here.

Do You Know the Best Brain Enhancement Supplements of 2017?

reBloom Ingredients and Side Effects

D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate Cyanocobalamin Magnesium Lactate Dihydrate Valerian Root Extract Chamomile Flower Extract L-Theanine Melatonin Filtered Water Malic Acid Lavender Extract Natural Flavors Salt

D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate: A unique form of vitamin E that is used as a general antioxidant. This version is easier to add in pills as it preserves well, and it is lower in acidity. This is often reviewed in clinical studies and shown to be effective and easy to absorb by the body.

The benefits include reduced damage to cells including brain cells. It can also be used to treat dementia and other health compilations.

Cyanocobalamin: Synthetic vitamin B12 ingredient that is taken to prevent anemia. It may cause side effects such as:

Tingling, itching, and shock.

Hives, difficulty breathing, and rash.

Dizziness, headaches and leg pain.

It is not considered as easy to digest by the body as other forms of vitamin B12. Vegans also often have to supplement with some sort of B12, as it can only be found in foods such as meats.

Magnesium Lactate Dihydrate: Natural mineral that the body uses to regulate the nervous system, digestive system, and heart. Often only used by people who are deficient in magnesium.

In large amounts this can lead to:

Upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea.

Hives, rash, and swelling in the face.

Cited here is an expert crafted list of nootropics which can boost mental performance with ease.

Valerian Root Extract: Used as a general sedative which can treat migraines and relieve pain. There is mixed studies on whether or not it can actually reduce insomnia.

It is advised not to take it with antihistamines and depression treatment drugs as it can interact negatively.

Potentially it can lead to withdrawal effects. Other unwanted potential symptoms can include:

Agitation, headaches, and uneasiness.

Headaches, insomnia, and slowed down nervous system.

Chamomile Flower Extract: Calming herb that is used to regulate the nervous system and aid digestive health. It can cause potential symptoms such as:

Allergic reactions, vomiting, and drowsiness.

Eczema, irritation to the eyes, and blood thinning.

Often found in herbal teas as a non-stimulant additive.

Melatonin: Hormone made by the pineal gland which affects both waking up and sleep. This is considered safe when used in controlled amounts, but long-term studies are limited.

It may cause:

Depression, irritation, and stomach cramps.

Sleepiness, dizziness, and inability to relax.

Malic Acid: Used to turn carbohydrates into energy, often found naturally in vegetables and fruit, and in particular apples. It can help regulate energy.

For the complete list of top ranked nootropics of the year, click this link.

Do You Know the Best Brain Enhancement Supplements of 2017?

reBloom Quality of Ingredients

Most of this is made up of vitamins and minerals which can be found already in foods. There is one hormone and 2 herbs used which are cheap in price and can be found in tea blends.

These ingredients are decent, but they’re not meant to do much more than provide relaxing effects. They’re not meant to provide strong nootropic effects, and they won’t enhance overall mental clarity, sharpness, and memory.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this product with a proven brain enhancement supplement such as Memotenz for better results.

Price and Quality of ReBloom

Pricing varies on the specific amount chosen:

7 pack: $20.

14 pack: $40.

28 pack: $60.

Reduced prices are offered for auto-renewal plans each month. Though it’s important to watch out for businesses who apply this kind of policy, as there are certain companies which will make it difficult to escape this, and they may even add additional fees.

Overall the price for this beverage is about average of what you would expect for the kinds of ingredients use. There are mostly vitamins and minerals which can be sourced elsewhere for a reduced price. The rest of the herbs and one hormone can also be found inside supplements for a cheap price.

Click here to determine for yourself which of the top 10 nootropics suit your needs.

Business of reBloom

Innovative Brands LLC owns this brand and their contact details are:

Address: 2525 East Camelback Road Suite 850

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Email: help@rebloom.com

Phone Number: (602) 680-3700

Only partial returns are offered but not for first time orders. There also has to be approval under unspecified terms, making it impossible to determine who is eligible for a return. Gain insights into the best nootropics of the year which can aid memory and mental sharpness by following the link.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results, our experts recommend using brain enhancement supplements for at least 3 months. Save your money by buying a few bottles at once.

Customer Opinions of reBloom

More of the opinions on this are mixed, the following are a few reviews found online:

“it was ok but it gave my friend nightmares”

“didn’t really see it was better than melatonin”

“awful taste, helped me go to sleep but it did not keep me sleeping”

“it works for a good nights sleep, I drink about half a bottle”

Most users have mentioned mixed benefits. Flavor for some was a concern, as there was difficulty drinking it.

Some also said it helped give them better sleep, but side effects were also an issue for certain customers. Nightmares and restlessness during the day were a concern for certain people.

Though there weren’t many reviews to examine, the few users who commented on the effects had different experiences. It did not seem like a comprehensive solution for overall sleep and rest. Learn about which nootropics made it to the top 10 reviewed list by following this link.

Conclusion – Does reBloom Work?

reBloom has some ingredients in it which can benefit sleep, such as the hormone melatonin. There are also only natural ingredients used which is good. The main issue with this is that reviews on it have been mixed, and first time users are not allowed to get their money back. There is also many other ways to get the same basic ingredients either via whole foods, or by drinking tea blends. Overall there isn’t enough in this to ensure overall brain benefits.

The top ranked nootropic as seen by our review experts and users alike is Memotenz. Its studied ingredients can help boost performance, help retain memories, improve one’s ability to focus, and many other well-rounded brain health benefits.

It is free of any stimulants or artificial additives, and users have provided testimonials to show how it helped give them a boost in mental function. They also make it in a GMP certified facility which ensures each batch is produced in a clean and safe facility. For more details about Memotenz and its ability to aid mental health, click this link.

from Easy Weight Loss 101 http://ift.tt/2qAM6XF via The Best Weight Loss Diet In The World

[acresoflentils]

“Real food” you can find at a big dollar store

Since food access in America (and possibly other countries) is very unevenly distributed, I know that not everyone has a reasonably priced full-service grocery store within a convenient distance.  I checked out the nearest big Dollar Tree (i.e., one with refrigerator/freezer cases) to see what kinds of groceries they had.

The main disadvantages of dollar stores are the lack of fresh stuff, and the fact that the fairly small packages generally translate to higher cost-per-pound.  (An eighteen ounce bag of pinto beans is generally going to cost more per pound than a 5 pound bag of pinto beans.)  But if you’re only cooking for yourself and you wouldn’t be able to use a 5 pound bag of beans in a timely fashion, you can still find some decent deals.

Snacks: If you’re going to buy junk food (and everyone does, including myself, I am not judging), it might as well be cheap junk food.

Nuts and things: 7.5 oz cans roasted peanuts, 5 oz sunflower kernels, 2 oz cashews or almonds, 4.5 oz cans mixed party nuts, 3.5 oz wasabi peas or edamame, 6.5 oz sunflower seeds in the shell

Various single-serving packs of nuts and snack mix

Pretzels: many varieties, mostly in the 8-12 oz range.  Honey wheat pretzels, pretzel nuggets, mini pretzels, pretzel sticks, 8-packs of small lunchbox-sized bags of pretzels, etc.  I also saw 6 packs of frozen soft pretzels in the freezer section.

Chips: tortilla chips, corn chips, potato chips, Bugles, etc.  The 8.5-oz bags of tortilla chips are probably the best deal.

Popcorn: 3-packs of microwave popcorn.  I’ve also seen plain popcorn kernels at my local little dollar store but they’re not always available.

Fruit: 6 oz banana chips, 3 oz craisins, 4.5 oz raisins

Lots of cookies and candy

Crackers: The markup on crackers at upper-middle-class supermarkets can be pretty ridiculous for something that’s mostly flour, so it’s a good idea to check if the dollar store has the kinds you like.  I’ve seen 7 oz Whale Crackers (Goldfish), 9 oz graham crackers, 10 oz club crackers, saltines, generic Ritz, etc.

6 pack granola bars

Frozen food: Your local store might not have this, if they’re a smaller operation, but it’s worth checking out, especially if you don’t have easy access to a proper supermarket.

Frozen fruit and vegetables: Produce, baby.  Steam-in-a-bag peas, frozen broccoli, a few different mixes, even asparagus if you want to get fancy.  And frozen fruit is good for smoothies.

Small packages of popsicles or ice cream bars.  

8.8 oz pack Microwave spring rolls

Mini pizzas

Big burritos

2 pack veggie patties (vegetable-based, not soyburgers)

Hash browns and shoestring potatoes

Margarine

Beverages: 

4-packs of cute little 4 1/2 oz juice boxes - apple or orange

6 packs of bottled water

quarts of shelf-stable milk: 1%, 2%, or soy

46 oz canned tomato juice

Fruit drinks: 16 oz prune juice, 25 oz cranberry cocktail, 33 oz mango nectar

Cute little 8 oz Martinelli’s sparkling cider

1  1/4 liters flavored seltzer

Black, green, peppermint, and chamomile tea bags

Seasonings and Condiments:

8 oz picante salsa

19 oz fruit spread: strawberry or grape

17 oz dill or sweet pickles

10 oz pimentos, 12 oz pepperoncini, 5 oz fancy olives

24 oz ketchup, 20 oz mustard, 12 oz fancy mustard, 12 oz pickle relish, 10 oz mayo

Salad dressings: Italian, blue cheese, ranch

White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, shelf-stable lemon juice

Sauces: Barbecue sauce, Louisiana-style hot sauce, Mexican-style hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Steak Sauce

Spices: 26-oz salt, 16 oz sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic powder, cayenne, chili powder, basil, oregano, onion powder, pepper and coarse salt w. grinders

Canned coconut milk

Baking:

Sprinkles

Food coloring: 4-pack of red, yellow, green, and blue

16 oz vegetable oil

Cake mix: yellow, vanilla, chocolate

Brownie and chocolate chip cookie mix

Butterscotch chips

Canned frosting

Graham cracker piecrust

16 oz Pancake mix

Muffin mix: corn or blueberry

16 oz light brown or white sugar

2 lb all purpose flour

Staple foods:

8 oz instant potatoes

10 oz hydrogenated peanut butter

various pasta and rice mixes

Dry beans: 1 1/2 lb pinto beans, 1 lb red kidney beans, Northern beans, or black beans

24 oz unenriched pasta: penne, elbow macaroni, or spaghetti

12 pack small flour tortillas

12 oz lasagna or egg noodles

24 oz canned Hunt’s spaghetti sauce

3 oz parmesan-flavored sprinkles

29 oz tomato sauce or diced canned tomatoes

various canned vegetables and fruit

Two-pack of Lipton’s onion soup mix

14 oz tomato or cream of mushroom soup

19 oz canned pinto beans

1 lb quick-cooking rolled oats

7 oz raisin bran

Two-pound bags of unenriched white rice may be available (my little local store often has them)

[forgottenliving-blog]

Homemade Chia Seed Beverage

Most of you have probably heard about chia seeds. It is enjoying it's time in the limelight in the health food circles lately, kind of like kale did the last few years, and flaxseed meal is starting too. SUPER-FOODS! I hate that term. It gives the impression of trying too hard. Goji berries? Super-food. Chia seeds? Super-food. Blueberries? Super-food. Kale? Super-food. Salmon? Super-food. You get my drift. Perhaps it has something to do with the superhero craze of the last several years that causes companies to think that foods have to be labeled as 'super-foods' in order to try to get people to eat them. "Captain America enjoys green smoothies every morning...super-food!" Why can't they simply be 'good for you and, most of the time, delicious foods'? "But Sarah", you say, "all these uber-healthy foods are too expensive for me to eat regularly!" Oh I hear you! The price tags on things like Maca powder and goji berries have me rolling in laughter on the grocery aisle floor. But never fear! Sarah the Cheap-ass Homesteader is here!!! (Sorry, I figured with all the super talk, I may as well get in character. Unfortunately my alter ego is also my every day self. Sigh. I should at least sew myself a mask or something.) Anyway....I got way off topic there. Where was I? Oh yes, healthy eating while not breaking the bank. Some foods are just ridiculously expensive and they are likely to stay that way. For instance, I've never tried Goji berries because $13/lb?? Hahahahahaha, yeah... no. (You can grow your own, though!) However, some companies that sell high priced items in the grocery store are just trying to convince you that you have to pay those prices because their  product is magical and made by unicorn/centaur hybrids in Herpty Derpty Land and you couldn't possibly find it any where else, for the same quality, at a lower price. But of course, half the time, you can, by making it yourself. I'm using for my example today: chia seed beverage. They are just the cat's pajamas in health-centered grocery stores right now, followed closely by kombucha drinks (which you can also make at home). You've likely seen them in the single-serve coolers at the store. Cute little bottles (usually 12 ounces or less) of exotically flavored juices filled to the brim with swollen chia seeds. They sell for anywhere from $2 to $5 a bottle. First, before we do some math (which will be brief, since while I am decent at math, I hate doing it) and I tell you how to make your own chia beverage, let's talk about why chia seeds are called a 'super-food', or basically, what their health benefits are. Every ounce of chia seeds contains 139 calories, 4.4 grams of protein, 9 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates and 11 grams of fiber (1/3 of the daily recommended intake for adults!) In addition to various vitamins and minerals, such as: Calcium, helps maintain healthy teeth and bones: 18% daily recommended intake per ounce. Manganese, good for your bones and helps your body use biotin and thiamine: 30% daily recommended intake per ounce. Phosphorus, helps maintain healthy teeth and bones AND is used by the body to synthesize protein for cell and tissue growth and repair: 27% daily recommended intake per ounce. (Chia seeds are great to consume as an after workout booster.) Chia seeds pack nearly 5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids in each ounce. Omega-3's are vital to overall brain health. Chia seeds slow the digestion and have a stabilizing effect on blood sugar, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes in diabetics. Chia seeds also have tryptophan, which helps regulate appetite, sleep, and improve one's mood. Unlike flax seeds, you can reap all the benefits of chia in it's seed form, so you don't have to worry about grinding chia seeds into meal. Recipe time! I usually make a triple batch a week, but this recipe is for a 16 oz amount, or two 8 oz servings. Measure out 8 fluid oz (or one liquid cup) of water and bring it to boiling on the stove top (you could also heat it up for a minute or two in the microwave). Put the hot water in a preferably glass container and add 3 Tbs (or 1.2 ounces) of chia seeds. Stir them up, cover the top of the container in plastic wrap and let it sit for about 4 hours, or until the chia seeds absorb the water and are now a smooth gel. Now stir in 8 fluid ounces (or 1 liquid cup) of whatever flavor liquid you'd like. I've tried 100% juices of all kinds of flavors, I've used plain green tea sweetened with a touch of honey, I've done a homemade tea of rooibos tea leaves, hibiscus, rose hips, elderberries and juniper berries...whatever you like! You could make green tea and flavor it with homemade ginger or lavender syrup. The possibilities are many.

And there you have it. Chia seed beverage. It takes a total of about 5 minutes of hands on work. Now let's do some math, kiddos!! Let's say you pick up a chia seed beverage from a certain mass merchandiser popular in the US. It will cost you $1.98+tax for a 10 ounce bottle. That works out to about 20¢ an ounce. Recently a health food store in my area, that sells chia seeds in bulk, had them on sale for $2.99/lb. I stocked up. Two stores that usually have chia seeds in bulk for fairly good prices are Natural Grocers and Sprouts Farmer's Market. If you have either of those stores in your area, check their bulk sections before buying chia seeds pre-packaged. The prices tend to soar for the pretty packaging. By weight, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds = 0.4 oz net weight. There are 16 Tbs in 1 dry cup, which means that are 6.4 oz of chia seeds per cup, or 2.5 cups per pound. Each 16 oz serving of homemade chia beverage uses 3 Tbs, or 1.2 ounces, of chia seeds. So with 1 pound of chia seeds, you could make about 13 sixteen ounce batches.  I snagged some chia seeds in bulk at $2.99/lb, or about .19¢ an ounce. For an example made with green tea, you can usually find a box of good quality green tea that has 16 bags in it for around $3, which is about .19¢ a tea bag. So here's the break down for one batch made with green tea: 16 fluid ounces of water = negligible/varies by location 3 Tbs (1.2 oz) of chia seeds = 23¢ 1 green tea bag = 19¢ 3 tsp of honey = (calculated by what I pay for raw, organic honey) = 16¢ Grand total for a 16 oz chia seed beverage? 58¢ So, you would save $1.40, and get 6 more oz of beverage if you made it at home versus purchasing it from the store. For an even better comparison, here's the breakdown of the triple (48 oz) batch I make once a week. And we'll even use my grocery stores regular chia bulk price of $3.99/lb, or about 25¢/oz. 48 fluid ounces of water = negligible/varies by location 9 Tbs (3.6 oz) chia seeds = 90¢ 3 green tea bags = 57¢ 9 tsp of honey = 48¢ Grand total = $1.95. 3¢ cheaper than the 10 ounce bottle from the store. With chia seeds at $2.99/lb, it would've had a grand total of $1.74. But that's just for the 10 ounce bottle. If you wanted the equivalent amount from the store, or about 50 ounces, it would cost you just shy of $10, or about 5x more! If you drank five 10 ounces servings each week for a month, that would be about $40 a month. Homemade (one 48 oz batch a week) it would be about $8. Of course, if you used store bought fruit juice, the homemade price would fluctuate a bit. But it would still be vastly less than purchasing chia drink from the store. Okay, math class over! By the way, you can also add some chia seeds to a glass of almond milk, coconut milk, cow's milk or what-have-you, refrigerate it for an hour, stir it up and then leave it in the fridge overnight for a yummy chia seed breakfast beverage the next morning. (A very good friend of mine gave me that tip!) Too long, didn't read? Make you own chia seed beverages. It'll save you butt-loads of money. Click to Post