Review: Bondi Bands

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Andrea

I have seen Bondi Bands all over the running blogsphere this summer. They intrigued me. A headband that is designed to keep hair and sweat out of your face. It’s also supposed to be able to fit any head-shape and stay in place.

Now they have my attention!

I have a super small head that is also skinny. I also have super small ears but that’s another story for another time. I do not have the luxury of having thick flowing locks of hair either, I have poker straight super fine hair. The kind where if it’s humid, while everyone else goes frizzy, I end up looking like a reject from The Brady’s. My hair is thin, flat, and lifeless. I’m not hating on my hair, I’m just stating facts. I actually am in love with my hair now! It was a long process but we’ve made peace.

Because I have a small head with thin hair, getting headbands to stay on my head is a battle that I just cannot win. Those little tiny elastic headbands that are popular now a days to help keep flyaway hair out of your face?

Review: Pur Fiber Wrist Bands

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Andrea

I’m trying to make the wrist band stylish again, one race at a time. If you’ve been following OHC for any length of time, you know that I wear wrist bands on all my summer time runs. I need something to wipe the sweat off my face and wrist bands are the right tools for the job. They are small and light weight, easy to slip on and off, but more importantly, great for wiping the sweat off my face.

On super hot days, sometimes I’ll wear two of them.

When it comes to what I consider essential running gear for the summer, it’s safe to say that I don’t leave home without them.

I was contacted by America’s Nutrtion (shoutout to Stephanie!) asking me if I would be willing to review a product that they carried in their store. I debated about this for a while because looking at the site, America’s Nutrition also carries weight-loss supplements which is not something I support.

Review: Snikiddy Cheddar Fries

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Andrea

Have you guys ever had those Andy Capp’s Cheddar Fries? They can be found in the chip aisle at the grocery store and they are completely horrible (Here’s Good Guide’s Nutrition Stats for the Cheddar Fries) for you, yet totally addictive tasting. Some people like the Hot Fries the best. You know those fries?

Well I used to love those cheddar fries. For serious. I would sometimes have them as a snack with a glass of red wine because that’s the kind of Klassy girl that I am. Plus they are cheap! And if you were lucky enough that your grocery store was having them on sale, you could get them even cheaper!

Now the times have changed and you all know that I limit my intake of processed foods down to the bare minimum. Yes I still eat packaged crackers and I still love me some chips. I’m only human after all! I also try really hard to look for healthier alternatives to some of my favorite stuff just so I can have a treat every now and again.

Review: Rogue Chipotle Ale

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Andrea

Scott and I are lucky that our local Kroger carries a very well stocked line of Rogue beers. What we can’t find at Kroger we can usually get at another local joint, The Anderson’s (who has some great brews!). After being introduced to Rogue Ales last year at the Foodbuzz Festival, it’s been my goal to try as many as I can.

One of the beers that recently caught our eye was the Chipotle Ale. Neither Scott nor I have ever had a beer spiced with a smoked hot pepper. We’ve had spices and nuts and berries but never a pepper. As we were picking out beers for the next few months, we decided to add the Chipotle Ale to the list.

As is custom now, it sat in the fridge for a long time before we had a chance to try it. Beers need to be consumed at the right moment around here and we try to ensure all conditions are perfect, especially when a new beer is involved!

Review: Aquabling

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Andrea

Last year, Evie, owner and creator of Aquabling contacted me asking if I would like to try out her product. I checked out her website and my first thought was, “Well, this really doesn’t apply to me.” You see, Aquabling is a little clasp that fits around the top of a water bottle, distinguishing it from other water bottles so the bottle doesn’t get misplaced or swiped by someone else. I don’t really have to worry about that since I don’t use a generic water bottle when I workout therefore I don’t have to worry about someone swiping it or confusing it with their own.

I almost told Evie that I would pass on the review but decided to think it over for a few days. This is when I realized that Aquabling doesn’t have to be used only for water bottles, it can really be used on anything. One of the best uses for Aquabling is during networking events. Think about it, you go and there is always some sort of drink situation going on. Whether it’s a meeting over coffee or a social networking event at a bar, typically you will find yourself with a drink.

Review: Breckenridge Brewery Vanilla Porter

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Andrea

Porters and stouts, I love ‘em! Okay well I love stouts a little bit more than I do porters but don’t tell porters that. I’m trying to keep our relationship smooth and casual.

Scott and I were perusing the beer aisle not long ago and we came across this vanilla porter by Breckenridge Brewery.

A dark beer brewed with actual vanilla beans? You don’t say. Interesting!

And because curiosity got the best of us, we purchased it.

It sat waiting in the fridge for the perfect moment. Even though I do love beer, I have to be in the mood for beer. I don’t want to waste a good beer on a moment when I’m not digging the carby goodness. That doesn’t do anyone any favors. Plus it could tarnish what would otherwise have blossomed into a beautiful affair.

Eventually it was beer night at the house and we poured ourselves some vanilla porter. I couldn’t wait, I was so excited to try it! Crossing my fingers and hoping with all my might that it did not disappoint.

Review: Applegate Farms Breakfast Sausage

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Andrea

Guys I tried these ages ago and have been meaning to talk about them ever since! Several months ago the Applegate Farms fairy visited several blogs dropping off chicken goods. I wasn’t one of those blogs so I bought this box myself.

Chicken breakfast sausage usually makes an appearance here for Sunday Breakfast. I love it! In an effort to expand my chicken sausage palate I am constantly looking for new brands of chicken breakfast sausage.

Applegate Farms strives to bring the customer the best possible product using minimal ingredients and high quality ingredients.

They talk about happy chicken although the box does not say that the chicken is cage-free, barn-roaming, or free-range. No buzz words here.

The ingredient list was simple and not the length of my forearm, so I bought the chicken and sage flavor. Now this sausage is already cooked so all I had to do was heat it up. Simple enough. I am sorry that I don’t have any pictures of the actual sausage for you. In my haste, I didn’t get a shot. I realize this is a strike against my food blogger reputation.

Review: Rogue Beer Mocha Porter

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Andrea

I was going to start this review off with a little song. I was going to share some lyrics that involved drinking a 40 and hanging out with my pistol fo’ shizzle. Or you know, something like that. But rap is not something I’ve very intimate with so I had some trouble finding appropriate lyrics. Oh sure, I like some stuff here and there but on the whole, rap isn’t really my style.

I just talk the shiz, I don’t listen to it. So, my friends, you are going to have to make it through this post sans awesome rap lyrics and instead read about my newest dark lover.

I’m going to assume you are alright with this change in direction and proceed with my story.

The first time I had Rogue beer was last November when I was in San Francisco for The Foodbuzz Festival. It was an afternoon of tasting and people were talking about how fantastic the chocolate stout was. We all know how much I am in love with the dark side and we definitely should know how much I love me some chocolate stout. Please see links if you need a refresher. Basically I like my beer how I like my men, with some color. That might be easier for you to remember.

Review: Sam Adam’s Holiday Porter

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Andrea

Sam Adam's Holiday Porter

Hi gang! It’s been a terribly long time since you and I have discussed some dark beers and I am about to change that right this minute. You know that I am:

1. A sucker for a really tall and dark beer.

2. A sucker for holiday and seasonal beers.

Thankfully my husband is also the same way so when he loaded the Sam Adam’s Winter Classics case into the grocery cart, he knew he would get a two thumbs up from me.

The Winter Classics pack is awesome and if you see it, totally buy it! You won’t be sorry. However, I’m only going to chat you up about one of the beers in the pack: Sam Adam’s Holiday Porter.

Oh Sam, you had me at Holiday Porter.

The porter looks exactly the way a good porter should look. It’s dark, pours smooth, and has a lovely creamy head that contrasts nicely with the dark coffee color of the beer itself. The head also lasts a good while, which in my unprofessional opinion, indicates a pretty decent thicker style beer.

Review: Mizuno Breath Thermo Gloves

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Andrea

Mizuno Breath Thermo Glvoes Two things that get cold on me the quickest when the weather turns chilly are my ears and my hands. You would think this could be easily remedied, but yet I have the hardest time trying to find hats that are long enough to cover my ears or gloves that keep my hands warm. My hands are small and get cold pretty quickly. I typically have to double up my gloves and even that doesn’t work. I need some serious gloves!

I was introduced to these Mizuno Breath Thermo Gloves at a running event for women last winter. I watched as the Mizuno Rep talked about the material that the gloves are made out of and how they actually use your own body heat to help generate more heat to keep your hands warm.

Wow! I thought that this was exactly the product that would work keeping my hands warm during runs and while out walking Rocky. I happily shelled out the $20 for the gloves.