love to the buff: merino wool review

Disclaimer: I received a Merino Wool BUFF® to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

If you've seen in the past, I've had the chance to test out a few BUFF® products: UV Half, the Original Full, Thermal Hoodie, and now: Merino Wool.

I have a pair of Merino Wool socks that I love wearing in the winter. They keep my feet warm and are super soft, so the Merino Wool BUFF® intrigued me. When the package came, I felt the material and to my excitement it was so nice and soft. Dimension wise it's a bit longer than the Original, but about the same width.

I really love the color options, and the one I got is a beautiful grey stripe that pretty much goes with anything. Not that I'm a super matchy person most of the time, but it's nice to have some items that you can grab without even thinking about colors clashing - you'll know it'll just go well no matter what. The print is called Cugnot and I just love it.

When I received the Merino Wool BUFF®, weather here in Chicago was starting to warm up, which made me nervous, since for me, merino wool means cold, winter weather (I know, it can be worn in summer too, but it's just not for me with how much I overheat once it hits 50s and I'm being active outside haha. I'm in that camp that needs to have on as little as possible in order to not pass out - if my eyes weren't so sensitive, I would ditch even the visor). Luckily, it cooled down some more with some very windy days, which were great for testing it out.

My favorite way to wear it was as a headband (though I suppose in the 'ways to wear' Buff calls it Hairband). It would cover my ears and keep all of my little stray hairs out of my face. It also come in handy as a neck warmer/scarf, and even as a way to keep my face warm while I waited outside for a Bruce Springsteen concert (face mask). I was very happy that I decided to toss it in my purse for a quick trip to Milwaukee. 

One run, the transformation of BUFF Merino Wool usage.

On the super windy days, which hurt my ears if they are uncovered, it was perfect for keeping them wind-burn free and warm. You guys know how easily I overheat, so I love that it could go from a hat, to a headband, to a wristband easily. Sometimes it went from headband to wristband and back to headband depending on how the wind went throughout the run. I also love that it scrunches it up well so that I can put it in the pocket of my Orange Mud VP1 if I was getting too hot to have it on at all. 

Waiting to get inside to see The Boss.

They have a great variety of colors and prints to match your style or mood. I'm eyeing a few myself. I love that there are so many great qualities about the Merino Wool BUFF®: moisture management, microclimate control, 100% Merino Wool, odor resistant (I think we all know how important this is!), thermal protection, wind resistant, semi-seamless, and natural stretch.

Most used style - 'hairband'.

A few details about the Merino Wool BUFF® from the website:
It's the classic BUFF® headwear shape, but with a few extra inches of length for cozy protection in the fabric outdoor enthusiasts love most. Made from soft 100% natural Merino Wool and feature subtle tone-on-tone designs, the Merino Wool Printed BUFF® feels great next to the skin, and it keeps you warn even when it's wet. It's the soft, breathable extra layer of insulation you need for chilly days. Plus, BUFF® donates 1% of the proceeds from Merino Wool Printed BUFF® to the plate so you can feel warm and fuzzy on the inside too.
• 100% natural Merino Wool
• 12+ ways to wear
• Merino Wool's natural qualities include: water repellent, odor resistant, flameproof, durability, UV protection, and natural stretch and elasticity
• Thermal protection from cold and wind
• Cool in the summer, extra layer of warmth in the winter
• Semi-seamless — small, unnoticeable seam on top and bottom of Wool BUFF®
• Quick drying
• One size its all adults.

Like I said, I heat up easily... and sweat a lot even on a short run.

Care instructions:
• Hand wash in warm water with mild soap
• Lay flat to dry
• Do not use fabric softeners
• Do not bleach
• Do not iron

Ways to wear:
• Neckerchief
• Sun Guard
• Face Mask
• Hood
• Cap
• Neck Gaitor
• Do Rag
• Pirate
• Foulard
• Hairband
• Headband
• Hair Tie

In all honestly, I never hand wash anything. Seriously - nothing gets hand washed. Our machine is easy-going with clothes (there's no agitator, which I think is what used to ruin some of my clothes when we had an older machine), so I wash it on delicate and then toss it on our drying rack. It's been working just fine, though I'll admit I don't wash it very often... you know, thanks to that whole odor resistant aspect ;)

The Merino Wool BUFF® will cost you between $27–32, depending on which color style you choose, and really - so many great options to choose from. Definitely a reasonable price for such a solid product.

I love BUFF® as a company - they make quality products, and they are very active on Twitter and Instagram. If I have a question they always answer promptly, and they are very nice with the likes and comments. I'd suggest giving them a follow.

BUFF® will be sponsoring #BibChat on Tuesday, March 15th at 8pm CT. Come join some fun runners/people for an hour of answering questions and discussing food, beer, running... just about everything you can think of!

Connect with Buff:
website | twitter | instagram | facebook | youtube | pinterest

What do other Pros think?
Jen | Angie | Mark | Janelle | Christine | Bradley | Katherine | Laura

bomf mardi gras chaser 10k recap

Disclaimer: I received entry into Back on My Feet Chicago Mardi Gras 5/10k to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

I had heard of Back on My Feet before, however I never really looked deep into what it was. When given the chance to run the Back on My Feet (BoMF) Chicago Mardi Gras 5k or 10k, and I was available, well... you know me. I love racing! I of course said yes. And since the race is organized by BoMF, I looked further into what it was. It really is a great organization and I feel it's only right to share a little bit about it before getting to my full race review.

Race shirt and the mask I picked out.

Back on My Feet isn't just in Chicago - there are cities nationwide that they are also based in. You can find a chapter in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, DC, Indianapolis, NYC, Philadelphia, LA, and San Francisco. Their mission is to combat homelessness through the power of running, community of support, and essential employment and housing resources. The unique running-based model demonstrates that if you first restore confidence, strength, and self-esteem, individuals are better equipped to tackle on the road ahead and move towards jobs, homes, and new lives. BoMF aims to provide practical training and employment resources for achieving independence, an environment that promotes accountability, and a community that offers compassion and hope.

I know I personally never though I'd be a runner, and even once I began, I didn't think I'd finish a half marathon. Now look at me, a bunch of half marathons completed along with TWO marathons. I said I would NEVER run a marathon, and now I've finished two (not to say they were both super successful or fast, but going through the training and crossing the finish lines gives you a certain rush that I can't completely described). It's amazing what some training, and the finish of a mile, then two, and so on can give you the confidence to do things you never though you'd do. This confidence carries over to other parts of your life, so I can definitely see how BoMF is a great idea. 

Source.

Anyway, I was really happy to be participating and helping to promote a race where ALL PROCEEDS from the race went to supporting BoMF in providing programming to change the lives one job, house, and mile at a time. 

Registration was very simple - the form was right on the event page. Pricing was as follows:

5k early bird - $35; 5k Feb 1 -$40

10k early bird - $45; 10k Feb 1 - 50

The 10k actually sold out on Feb 17, so that was quite exciting. They also offered a 'Sleep in Option' for $20 - this meant that you could support BoMF, still receive your race swag, but don't have to leave the comfort of your bed on race day. However, race morning was so beautiful I can't imagine staying in bed on a day like that! Registration for the 5k was available on race day from 8–9:30 for $45. One final thing was to spend $35 to sponsor a member of BoMF to run the Mardi Gras Chaser 5k.

Packet pickup. Source.

Packet pickup was originally scheduled on Friday at the Fleet Feet Old Town location, however, the Old Town was still undergoing the re-build from the fire that it wasn't going to be open on time. Location was moved to Lincoln Square, and was from 10am–8pm. Decent hours. Lucky for me, they also offered race day pickup from 8–9:30am. It was encouraged to get packets in advance if possible.

Source.

I always have a hard time the night before a race deciding on what to wear. I was obviously wearing my BibRave shirt, but did I need a shirt underneath it? Would it be warm enough for shorts? Too cold for shorts? Anyway, I usually give myself a few options and then the morning of, I'll check the weather before getting dressed and make my final decision.

Flat Heather mostly ready for race day.

Since I don't know the Montrose Harbor area very well (I'm so used to Grant Park or Lincoln Park area races), I wanted to make sure mom and I had plenty of time to figure out parking and grab out packets. Traffic wasn't too bad, and we arrived at about 8:25. There was a ton of parking spots on the street for free - I was expecting meters or to have to find the other parking lot a few blocks away. Luckily, being there so early it was easy peasy.

We went to get our packets. There was one person in front of us, and it was easy to get our bibs and shirts. It was then that I introduced myself to Meredith who was helping with packets. I recognized her from the spot they did on Fox News a few days prior to the race. She was also the name the emails for the race always came from (aka the race director!). She is BoMF Chicago's Senior Development and Marketing Director. It was so nice to meet her and to chat briefly. I didn't want to hold up the line, so moved it along. Along with our bib, we got our long sleeve, white tech shirts with the logo on the front, and were able to choose a Mardi Gras mask.

Bimbo showed up!

Since there was still plenty of time till the race began (10am for the 10k and 10:15 for the 5k), we went back to the car to hang out. At about 30 till, we got out to head to the porta-potty line. It seemed really long, but it was only because for whatever reason, it was just 1 line for the entire 8ish bathrooms. That system doesn't bother me. Since it was a single line, it moved pretty quickly. And with the porta-potties, they had the hand washing station with soap and water! Much appreciated.

About 5 minutes before the race, they had everyone line up. They split the 10k into two groups so that they could release us in a wave start to help with some congestion. We were in the second group, and before we knew it, we were off. We went to the LFP and went south before looping back north. The course itself wasn't anything special if you've been on the path so many times, but I don't usually run that far north, so it was nice to have a little bit of new scenery.

At the start line.

The BoMF volunteers, workers, and everyone involved out with the race were so awesome. There were groups cheering on the runners, all of the volunteers at the aid stations were friendly - great group of people! The miles were marked with signs in the ground, and the turnaround for both the 5k and the 10k were clearly marked with cones and there were volunteers/workers there to also let you know it was the turnaround for whichever distance.

Mile marker 2.

5k turnaround markings.

Mom and I did a 40 sec run, 1 minute walk interval for the whole race. Around mile 4 I started to get really tired. It might have been that I ran 2 miles at 9pm the night before. Or that I hadn't really eaten anything before the race. Whatever it was, I thought our nice pace would vanish. However, we still PRd, so I was really happy with how it went. I decided during the run that since I was pretty warm, I could have managed without the base layer, but it wasn't too bad.

10k turnaround.

At the finish, we received our medals, which were on Mardi Gras beads - very unique touch. Then was the line of goodies! So. Much. Stuff. Bananas, apples, Thomas' mini-bagels of a variety of flavors (I saw cinnamon and regular), Bimbo goods including cookies, Sara Lee cakes, and Etenmann's Little bites (I grabbed the crumb cakes - yum). What a spread. They also had cups of Gatorade.

Was able to bother Meredith post-race for a photo. She was so sweet!

The goodies! They were all a delight.

This was a fun race and I felt well organized. I enjoyed running the course (and on such a beautiful day!), and everyone I interacted with was friendly and enthusiastic. I will definitely be keeping this race on my radar for 2017. You can read my BibRave review here and see how I scored the race (high marks!).

do you pick your races based on swag?

Are you someone that takes into consideration a race’s SWAG before you decide whether it’s a race you’re interested in or not? Sometimes SWAG can really influence a runner into signing up for a race. I sometimes have had some races on my radar, but what really sealed the deal to get me registered was some sweet SWAG. 

A few examples of races I’ve done that have had great clothes, food, medals, etc with race entry:

Any runDisney race:

I love the cut and fit of their tech shirts (and especially love when it’s a winter race so you get long sleeves), plus their medals are always creative and fun every year. Plus, they change each year – even though the characters/theme stay the same, it’s a new design for the medal and ribbon, which makes running every year exciting. They also sell some great stuff at their expo. I know merchandise for purchase isn’t considered SWAG, but I do love when a race sells fun/unique items.

RAM Racing Hot Chocolate Series:

ALWAYS great SWAG - usually some type of jacket or sweatshirt, but it’s different every year and usually also include a drawstring bag. They offer different colors for men and women, though you can choose whichever you prefer when you register. The 15k race also has a super fun ‘chocolate bar’ medal, themed towards the city you are running in. And of course you can’t forget the chocolate when you are done along with all of the dipping treats (marshmallows, pretzels, etc.). Unfortunately for me, the past two years it's been over Wine and Dine weekend, so I haven't been in Chicago to race. Lucky for me this year it's in October, so you know I'll be registering for it!

RAM Racing Rock the Night 5k:

I’ve done this race two years so far, and plan on my third this year. Race registration includes a fun shirt (this past year was a long sleeve shirt that was super soft, moisture-wicking, tech material, reflective logos, and in electric purple for women and bright blue for men) along with a drawstring backpack. It also includes an amazing food spread when you are done - corn on the cob and a hamburger! Also, craft beer (last year’s option was Bell’s). I think you all know I’m a sucker for craft beer post-race. I get upset when it’s a not delicious beer option. This race is held on a weekday evening, but it’s a fun time. There are bands and it’s just a plain old good time.

Nom nom nom.

Burgers and Beer 5k:

Another weeknight race. The past two years there were tech t-shirts and afterwards, burgers (or vegan option I believe) from the Billy Goat and Goose Island. There were also chips, and the first year I ran this they had Rainbow Cone. Yum. As you can see, I love a race that basically gives you a dinner option when you are done racing haha.

I was so hungry I didn't even get a photo before
practically inhaling the whole thing. Oops.

Hot Dash 5k & 10 Mile (Saturday, March 19, 2016 in Minneapolis, MN):

Participants of the Hot Dash 5k and 10 Mile receive an awesome navy blue 1/2 zip tech shirt by Storm Creek. I love the logo on the front and back - super cute. Plus, I love blue. Another perk of registering for this race? Finisher medals, which are new for 2016. The Hot Dash has a Lumberjack theme (there’s a contest for best costume, winter beard, and Minnesotan). Head over to the website for rules. After the race, warm up by the onsite fire pits AND enjoy a hot dish (new options in 2016) and a free beer! Sounds like an awesome race. Just a heads up, as of yesterday there were only 150 spots left, so better register pronto before you miss your chance!

Want to add to your Hot Dash SWAG? I’m giving away THREE pairs of Hot Dash FITSOKS - a super cute orange and blue plaid with the logo on them (they’ll go well with your jacket or costume for the race!). Enter the rafflecopter giveaway below and I'll email the selected winners. US residents only, please (and sorry for those that aren’t). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you choose races based on SWAG? Do you like dressing up in costumes for any/all races? I’m not a big costume person, but I do often wear a fun sparkly skirt, and if it’s a runDisney race, I’ll pair it up with a fun Disney-themed shirt. I’d love to hear what you like to wear for themed races!

PS You can also enter the same giveaway from Angie and/or Gina!

being a bulugan: bulu box review

Disclaimer: I received a 3-month subscription to Bulu Box to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

I don't know about you, but I'm a fan of subscription services. Getting fun things in the mail monthly? Yes, please. Obviously when the chance to try out Bulu Box came about, I definitely wanted to be included.

First off, what is Bulu Box other than a subscription service? It's the best way to discover health, nutrition, and weight loss products that are right for you. You have the opportunity to try out 4–5 samples (based on your profile) before buying full-size so you don't waste your money on a product you don't like. It's the first health, nutrition, and weight loss discovery box designed to help you feel your best.

Here's a video on How it Works:


Also, you can earn points each month (up to 100 Rewards Point = $10) for subscribing and sharing your thoughts. You just log into your account and fill out your sample surveys about the products your just tried. Once you've earned Rewards Points you can use them like actual cash towards a full-size purchase of your new favorite product.

When I went to subscribe, I had a choice between the Bulu Box Original or the Bulu Box Weight Loss. 

What's the difference between the two? The Original box provides a well-rounded sampling of all things health and nutrition. Each box contains 4–5 premium samples such as sports nutrition, sleep, and healthy snacks. 

The Weight Loss box is designed specifically to help with the varying factors of weight loss. This box contains 4–5 premium weight loss items such as energy aids, healthy snacks, sleep aids, and fat-burners.

I chose the Bulu Box Original and then anxiously awaited my first box's arrival. I even mentioned this on twitter, and they replied to let me know that they ship out each month around the 15th, and on the 15th of December, I received an email that my Bulu Box had shipped as was on its way.

Now, for monthly plans, they have a few options. Month-to-Month, which is one box a month for $10, 3 months for $30, 6 months for $60, or you can get the whole year of 12 months for $110 ($9.17/box). I was getting a 3-month subscription so chose 3 months. Shipping is always free, and you can cancel anytime.

When my first box arrived, it was smaller than I was expecting, but it fit nicely in our mail box, so that was nice. Here is what I found in the box, along with a card describing each item:
• MHP Fit & Lean Protein Brownie
• Fru-Liscious Twists
• ERZO Vitamin Biscuit (labeled as a Prenatal vitamin)
• 8 Hour Energy Patch
• Westrock Coffee k-cup {bonus sampled}

There were also 2 bonus samples:
• Burn Blend and Garcinia Cambogia from Shapeology

The items that interested me most in this box were the protein brownie and the twists. 

The MHP Fit & Lean Protein Brownie contained 15 grams of muscle-building protein, 5g or fiber and 190 calories. They're also gluten free. I ate one after a run, and thought it was quite tasty. It had the consistency sort of like fudge more than the brownies I'm used to eating. Didn't bother me at all, and I would definitely eat more of these. You can get 12 brownies (chocolate fudge or blondie chocolate chip) for $31.99.

The Fru-Liscious were a great snack to toss in your purse or bag. They came in a box with 6 pouches that contained 2 twists in each. The flavor was Apple Strawberry and they were delicious. They are made with 99% real fruit ingredients. It was a bit like a Twizzler, but it was more sticky. I ate mine through the pouch, so I didn't actually touch the twist and have sticky fingers. Each pouch was 60 calories, 0g fat, 5mg sodium, 15g total carbohydrates, 12g sugars. You can get more info on the product here. You can purchase a container (4 boxes, each containing 6 pouches/box) for $16.99. I loved these so much I always ripped into them and ate them, before remembering I should take a photo! 

I don't have a machine for the K-cup anymore, so I can't say anything of a personal opinion on the product, but can mention what I read: it's a farmer-focused, crop-to-cup coffee company that grows the coffee in the fertile soils of East Africa. Westrock Coffee works directly with East African coffee farmers to provide a better crop-to-cup coffee and improve the lives of farmers and their families. According to the sheet provided with the box, you can get a 12 count cartoon for $10.99.

The ERZO Vitamin Biscuit was fine. I wouldn't say it's something I'd want to eat daily, but I suppose it's better than pills, which I'm not a big fan of. I think I'd enjoy one of the other flavors – they come in Oat, Strawberry Greek Yogurt, and Ginger and Apple Cinnamon. Oat is probably the most bland, so I'd be interested in trying the other two flavors. It's packed with daily vitamins, including prenatal vitamins, which are popular for promoting hair and nail growth. They are made with 100% whole, organize grains and are a good source of fiber. Get a 5 pack for $10.99, and with this purchase, Bulu Box will donate $.25 to Vitamin Angels, which helps at-risk women, new mothers, and children gain access to lifesaving and life-changing vitamins and minerals. Each package has 3 biscuits inside. 

The 8-hour Energy Patch combines only all natural energy ingredients to provide you with the best and safest way to energize. It contains a proprietary blend of B vitamins, green tea extract, caffeine, and taurine. The sample contained 4 late patches. For optimum energy levels lasting 8 hours, it is suggested to apply two patches to your skin on clean, dry, and lotion-free skin. You can place it on your upper arm (inside or out), shoulder, wrist, abdomen, or calf. Not sure on how my body would react to the product, I only tried one on my upper arm. I have caffeine on the regular, and so didn't really notice much of an energy boost. Perhaps using two at once as suggested might help out, but to be honest, I'm not really interested in boosting my energy via a patch.

I also didn't try the bonus samples of Shapeology dietary supplements. I am not a supplement person, and the pills were a bit larger than I can handle. They aren't huge, but just big enough that I chose not to try them out. 

Even though there were a few things I wasn't a huge fan of, or didn't want to try, that's the joy of the sample subscription box! You get to test (or maybe not test) a variety of products to see what works for you. And at the price of the subscription, I wouldn't feel guilty about skipping a product or two if I felt it's not right for me.

My second box came and I found it to have a few more items that I was interested in. Inside January's Bulu Box was:
• ETB (Eat the Bear) Whey Pure Isolate Protein
• Fanda Labs Driv
• Dream Water Sleep Powder
• Honey... Don't Cough
• Health Logics BioCell Collagen
• VitaPerk Energy (bonus sample)
• Earth's Care Dry and Cracked Skin Balm (bonus sample)

The ETB protein powder was a chocolate peanut butter flavor - that got me excited. I did a cup of almond milk, half a banana, and the package of powder. It was pretty tasty, though I was noticing an off flavor or after taste. I looked at the ingredients – Sucralose. Not something I'm a fan of. However, one scoop (serving) was 10 0calories, 83mg potassium, and 24g protein. You can get more nutritional info here.

For some items like this, I try not to look at the ingredients until after I've had a taste so I don't have any preconceived notions or ruin the sampling by making up my mind before tasting it. It wasn't so bad I couldn't enjoy the remainder of my smoothie, but I think if I had just added the powdered to almond milk I wouldn't have been able to keep drinking it. I think having some banana in there saved the day. You can get the protein in chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon bun, ice cream sandwich, mint chocolate, or vanilla for $52.99 for 31 servings.

Next up, I tried the VitaPerk Energy. I didn't know if there would be any flavor to this or not. I don't drink straight coffee. I'm the kind of person who wants as little coffee in my coffee drinks as possible haha, so I'm usually drinking frappuccinos or lattes. I dumped the VitaPerk (it's a powder) into my mug, then did a milk froth and a shot of espresso, and then added some Vanilla Caramel creamer and stirred it all together. I didn't notice any extra flavor in there. Anyway, if you look on the website, it describes what each option is/tastes like. I found out Energy is in fact a flavorless option.

VitaPerk is a 15 vitamin and mineral coffe boost. It's available in 30 stick packs and you can get it in original (flavorless), vanilla, hazelnut, or energy. It is gluten free, kosher, and naturally flavored. I'm into the idea of just adding a stick of VitaPerk into my daily latte to get some extra benefits from something I'm doing most days anyway. Here are the vitamins and minerals you'll be looking at: Vitamin A, C, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Biotin, Iodine, Molbdenum, and Chromium.

Next up: Honey... Don't Cough. I love honey, especially in my green tea. It's definitely green tea season, with it being cold, and attempting to ward off sickness when most everyone in the office is sick. I was expecting to open the box and find a container of honey, but instead, I found 20 little packets filled with a dark honey. This is a natural cough remedy (tell me you've taken a spoonful of honey when your throat is hurting - it's amazing) that utilizes the power of natural buckwheat honey to soothe your throat and support your immune system without any of the unnatural ingredients found in over the counter medicines. Honey is known to help enhance your immune system, it's all natural, sad for kids 12 months and up, no preservatives, gluten free, no dyes or sweetners. It suggested to either warm the honey between your hands or to put into a warm cup of water to help it come out of the package better. The first time I tried the hand warming thing, but may hands are usually pretty cold, so it was a little difficult to get the honey out. Second time around I put the packet up against my mug of hot water and it was much easier to push out the top of the packet. I liked the taste and will be using all 20 packets. For two boxes of 20 packets each is $11.92.

I tried the Fanda Labs Driv next. I didn't mention any flavor on it, so I didn't know what to expect. Driv is supposed to boost your endurance and speed up your recovery. The ingredients are meant to help improve your body's energy and increase your endurance while reducing muscle cramps and soreness. It came with a little warning: it's an effervescent powder that will fizz when mixed with liquid. For best results, place into an empty sports bottle and add 16–24 oz of filtered water, leaving an inch of space at the top for fizz. Whoa - were they right! It was a crazy amount of fizz, so I'm happy that I read the helpful tips before just adding water.

When I dumped Driv into my cup, it was purple. I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the cool fizz before I got back to my desk and tried to take a photo. Anyway, I took a sip and it was a strong grape flavor. I would definitely need to add more water next time to help make that flavor less strong - not my favorite flavor. Also, I noticed something strange in the taste. Took a look at the ingredients, and there it was: stevia leaf extract flavor. Another no no for me. As you can probably tell, I'm very picky when it comes to sweetners.

I love lotions. I hate when my hands get dry, so I try to prevent this from ever happening. However, in the winter, and with winter running, usually comes chapped/dry hands. The Earth's Care Dry and Cracked Skin Balm smell reminded me a bit like vapor rub. Nothing that bothers me though. It contains naturally hydrating ingredients to rejuvenate skin and keep it moisturized through the winter months. Two thumbs up on my end. You can get a 2.5oz tub for $10.99.

The Dream Water Sleep Powder is to be used in warm water, cold water, or straight from the package. It's a fast acting sleep powder that's easy to use, drug free and will ensure you wake up feeling refreshed. I decided against using this one, since it warns of taking with medications and to consult your doctor. You can get a container of 10 for $13.98.

The final item was the Health Logics BioCell Collagen. I refrained from this one as well, as it was a bigger pill than the Shapeology ones, which again, I have problems with. What it's supposed to do is reduce wrinkles and fine lines, improve skin tone, visibly smooth and supple skin, improves hydration, helps comfort sore joints, helps renew joint cartilage and skin collagen. It came with 2 capsules, which is 1 serving. If it's something that interests you, you can purchase a bottle of 120 capsules for $39.95.

I just received my February box yesterday (though wasn't home most of the day and just had a chance to open just now). It contains a seasoning, supplements, vitamins, a fiber drink mix, and a bonus sample of BANDA-SiL, which helps treat cuts by speeding up the healing time. Haven't had a chance to try anything yet, though.

I definitely enjoyed my experience with Bulu Box and plan on continuing my subscription, along with putting in an order for some of my favorite products throughout my 3-month trial. I will admit that I preferred the snacks over supplements, as I'm just not the type of person that takes supplements, but I am DEFINITELY the kind of person that snacks... all day long.

If you're interested, you can try out Bulu Box too for only $5 a month (month-to-month subscription only). Use code BIBRAVE5 to receive your discount of $5 (regular box is $10).

Also, mark your calendars to join BibRave and sponsor Bulu Box on Tuesday, February 23 at 8pm CT for #BibChat. It's a great chance to chat with other runners and enjoy an hour of talking about running, health, food, food, and food ;)

Connect with Bulu Box:
website | facebook | twitter | youtube | pinterest | instagram | google+