Zero Calorie Soda with NO artificial sweeteners? It's possible... but does it taste good?

Soda is full of calories (thanks to sugar), but the usual chemical alternatives (aspartame for instance) are usually linked to diseases such as cancer. And "all-natural" alternatives are often presumed to taste bad.

Do they though? We put four kids & a mom to the test with Zevia sodas (made with stevia as a sweetener) to find out!

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet™ program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet™ blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

A Few Zevia Facts!

• Zevia is sweetened naturally with a blend of high-purity Stevia (grown in the US!) and Monk Fruit.
• Zevia comes in 15 different flavors so everyone can get their favorite!
• Zevia contains no calories, sugar or artificial sweeteners.
• Zevia is kosher, vegan and gluten-free.
• Zevia retails in a 6-pack for anywhere between $3.99 and $5.99.

Our Testers:

In addition to our mom-tester (gotta have mom's stamp of approval, right?) we enlisted four volunteers (two boys and two girls) between the ages of 4 & 12 to test out the Zevia soda. "L" is an 9-year-old girl; "N" is a 12-year-old girl; "B" is a 4-year-old boy; "J" is a 7-year-old boy. And our mom tester says she's been "21" for the past decade. Check out the test results & commentary below!

Zevia Root Beer

"L" & our mom tester both thought the same: "The first taste is good, but the aftertaste isn't."
"N" says: "It's good, but I don't like the aftertaste.
"J" & "B" both think it tastes good all-around.
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Root Beer again? 100%

Zevia Cola

"L" & "N" agreed: "The first taste is just like Pepsi, but the aftertaste is like off-brand cola."
Our mom tester, "J", and "B" all liked the cola flavor and agreed it was better than the root beer.
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Cola again? 100%

Dr. Zevia

"L" says: "It tastes like really healthy strawberry soda.
"N": "It tastes like candy."
"J": "I think it tastes like cherries."
Our mom tester and "B" both liked it. Everyone agreed it was better than the root beer and cola flavor.
Percent of our testers that would drink the Dr. Zevia again? 100%

Zevia Cream Soda

"L": "Aftertaste is medicine-y."
"N": "Really good at the start but the aftertaste is bitter."
"J": "I think it tastes like fizzy root beer."
Our mom tester: "After the kids said it was a bitter, I thought I wouldn't like it, but I think it tastes pretty good!"
"B" sat the rest of the tests out after this one because his tiny tummy had about as much carbonation as it could take for the afternoon!
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Cream Soda again? 50%

Zevia Black Cherry

"L": "Smells good, but tastes bad. I thought this would be my favorite."
"N": "Definitely better than the cream soda, this is my favorite so far."
"J": "I love it!"
Our mom tester: "It's better than I thought it would be."
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Black Cherry again? 75%

Mountain Zevia

"L": "Tastes like sweet kiwis, but I don't like kiwis."
"N": "Tastes like citrus water. I think people who like citrus would like this, but I don't like citrus."
"J": "I love it!"
Our mom tester: "The taste is okay, but it doesn't smell very good!"
Percent of our testers that would drink the Mountain Zevia again? 25%

Caffeine Free Zevia Cola

"L": "I wouldn't drink this again."
"N": "It's not my favorite, but I like it better than Mountain Zevia."
"J": "I like it but it isn't my favorite either."
Our mom tester: "I don't care for it. It's missing something."
Percent of our testers that would drink the Caffeine Free Zevia Cola again? 25%

Zevia Orange

"N": "It has a bad aftertaste but I love it on the first taste."
"L": "It's good, but it has a bitter aftertaste."
"J": "Hey! I like this one a lot!"
Our mom tester: "It's a bit too bitter for me."
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Orange again? 25%

Zevia Lemon Lime

"L": "It's just okay."
"N": "Starts good, but ends bad."
"J": "I love this one too!"
Our mom tester: "This one is just okay."
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Lemon Lime again? 50%

Zevia Grape

"N": "This is surprisingly good! It tastes like the regular [name-brand] grape soda."
"L": "Smells like grape candy and tastes similar."
"J": "I love it, this flavor is very awesome."
Our mom tester: "This one is good!"
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Grape again? 100%

Zevia Gingerale

"L": "Yuck!"
"N": "It's good!"
"J": "Totally awesome!"
Our mom tester: "This is pretty good gingerale!"
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Gingerale again? 75%

Zevia Grapefruit

"L": "What? This is the best one!"
"N": "I don't like grapefruit, but I like this!"
"J": "This was definitely the very best one."
Our mom tester: "Wow, this is surprising. I didn't think I would like this flavor, but this turns out to be the best of all!"
Percent of our testers that would drink the Zevia Grapefruit again? 100%

Our Mom Tester Sums It Up:

"I think that in an ideal situation, this is the type of beverage that is perfect for someone who already has cut sugar out of their regular eating habits for dietary reasons or otherwise. After you get bit by the sugar-bug, it's hard to let go! I noticed that "J" had an easier time accepting all the sodas, and I think it's because he hasn't been given many sweet sodas in his lifetime. While I'm not certain how completely I trust the stevia ingredient at this point, I know that it's a lot better than aspartame. This is definitely one to think on, and I'm going to share this with my diabetic friends for sure - this would be a game-changer for them. It's also nice to know that if I decide to do a low-carb diet again, this will be here waiting for me. I got so sick of drinking "just water" last time I dieted!"

Connect:

Are you curious about Zevia's line of sodas? Find them on their website at www.Zevia.com. You can also find them on social media via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, or Instagram.

Have you ever tried a product with stevia? If so, what did you think of it?

Chat with me in the comments below, I love hearing from my readers!

You won't believe which diaper brand is my favorite... Hint: It's a store brand.

When you think of "quality" diapers, popular name brands are probably the first ones that come to mind. When people think about buying "cheap" diapers though, they usually think of store-brand diapers that are perceived to be flimsy.

I've actually discovered a diaper that is both inexpensive and high-quality, and it's not from my usual grocery or super store.

The diapers I found were at Walgreens.

I discovered these thanks to a helpful pharmacist who asked if I'd tried the diapers in their Well Beginnings line yet. I hadn't, and when I checked them out, I was thrilled to see that they were not only cheaper than my usual name-brand, but they came with more diapers!

When Moms Meet (a site I absolutely love for finding great products) asked me if I'd like to apply for a campaign promoting this brand, I hopped on-board with confidence. Although I received a Well Beginnings product package from Moms Meet for free in order to do my review, please know that my opinions and ideas are my own.

So what makes these diapers so great?

In addition to being affordable, these diapers were fantastically leak-free. I also discovered that the Newborn, Size 1 and Size 2 diapers all come with a wetness indicator that turns blue when baby needs a change. That means you'll be able to find out whether your little one needs a new diaper without disturbing them too much!

Did our baby have leaks?

For the most part, we had zero leaks. However, we did have one of those "Number 3" moments, which is really only something a parent can understand, and it's difficult to explain it in words. We got through our #3, but not without a bit of "Oh-my-goodness it's on the bed!!! Somebody do something!!!" being screamed by both my husband and I. Barring an episode like this though (by the way, don't feed your baby apple juice and applesauce in the same meal or you will have this episode) these diapers hold up really well.

Another great selling point?

These diapers are made in the U.S.A. Why is that good? Because 'Murica! Seriously though, as someone that grew up in the Midwest I can honestly say that having products manufactured in the US is not only great for our country because it promotes a good economy, but because in some instances a single factory can be the difference between a community's success or failure. My own hometown is largely dependent on the factories around us, and whenever they close or have big cutbacks, hundreds of families are left in desperate need.

Well Beginnings isn't just for diapers though...

This line has lots of products that will fit your baby needs! Wipes, baby wash, baby powder, training pants, etc. I was sent some baby wipes, baby wash, and pediatric electrolyte solution in addition to the diapers, and I was just as happy with those products as I was with the diapers. I haven't used the electrolyte solution because (thankfully) my kiddos are feeling fine for now, but if we get into a situation where dehydration is a possibility I will definitely write a separate review.

As for the wipes:

They were nice and soft. I loved that they were gentle but thick. Some thick wipes bother me because it feels like I'm just sliding the "mess" around on my baby's bum, but these actually absorb the yucky stuff without feeling flimsy.

As for the baby wash:

It was awesome! My daughter is a wiggle-worm in the tub, so I've got to wash her in a rush. The fact that this doubled as a shampoo was a time-saver for me. Usually I don't care for the 2-in-1 type of products because I've seen so many that cause my hair to be coarse, but this left my little sweetie's hair soft and manageable. Just look at that mop of pretty curls!

Bonus #MomHack!

Because Well Beginnings is a big supporter of moms helping other moms, they've asked me to share one of my #MomHacks! Mine is that I got my kids to love salads by cutting up chicken nuggets on top of lettuce and adding a little cheese and ranch dressing. It's super-easy to prepare, and because kids tend to associate nuggets with food-happiness, they will devour it in no time! My kids both ask for salad now when we go grocery shopping, and I think that is pretty awesome.

Overall:

I am definitely happy with this product line. I was already a fan before this campaign, and I hope that any moms out there who are reading this will take this brand for a test-drive.

Connect:

You can find the Well Beginnings product line exclusively at Walgreens. Find out more on their website at www.Walgreens.com/WellBeginnings or connect with them through social media on Facebook,  Pinterest or Twitter!

Have you tried these diapers before? What's most important to you about a diaper?

Chat with me in the comments below, I love hearing from my readers!

Disclosure: As I mentioned above, I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog, but my opinions are (as always) my own. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. Curious about joining Moms Meet? 

School Supply Stock Up Giveaway!

Back to School season is upon us once again and that means it's time to buy school supplies! We like to buy supplies like crayons, markers, notebooks, folders and glue in bulk because we know we'll need them later on and they are definitely cheaper this time of year!

Staples can help you Make More Happen with your budget and they want to help you with your Back to School shopping this year by offering one lucky reader the chance to win a $25 Staples Gift Card!

My fellow blogger Krista over at Savory Savings received an assortment of the fun school supplies that are offered at Staples and she shared her thoughts HERE in her review!

Are you ready for the school year? What kind of supplies do you stock up on?

Chat with me in the comments section below, I love hearing from my readers!

Keep scrolling to enter the giveaway!...

Welcome to the School Supply Stock Up Giveaway!

This giveaway is sponsored  by...

Staples

and hosted by...

Savory Savings

A big thank-you to your co-hosts, Swanky POV and Failing Perfect!

(The giveaway associated with this post has expired, please check out our Giveaways tab to see upcoming present giveaways!)

Disclosure: Krista from Gloriously Green Gal and Savory Savings received products from this sponsor to facilitate her review, no other compensation was received. UnboundInspiration.com and all other participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is in no way associated with social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. UnboundInspiration.com is not responsible for the distribution of this giveaway.

Fall Fashion is here! Check out these COACH bags in 2014 colors!

I love the fall! Apple cider & hot soup, sweaters & scarves, hayrides & pumpkins, fresh boots & new handbags!

This past week I took some time to browse through the new 2014 fall colors (per the Pantone fashion report) and spent some time looking through new handbags. I found some great ones on Amazon (a few are even priced at a discount!) and wanted to share them with you all to help you get a head-start on your fall collections!

Check out my picks from the links below. If you decide to buy, please send me some love by using one of my affiliate links on this page so that I can keep my blog running! ♥

For Radiant Orchid...

This shoulder bag from COACH is made with Signature Op Art fabric and has leather trim. It has a center zip compartment and fabric lining. I love the pop of orchid throughout the bag and think it makes a great fall piece - especially with the grey trim so similar to the "aluminum" shade on the 2014 Fall Colors list! Click the picture or link to find out more.

For Royal Blue...

I love the royal blue stripe running up the middle of this COACH bag and adore the double handles. Bonus: This bag is currently listed for half off the MSRP, so grab it quick before the deal is gone!

For Aluminum...

This bag is too gorgeous! I couldn't find an exact shade of grey that I think went perfectly for fall's "aluminum" color-scheme, but I fell in love with this COACH bag that is a combo of silver & natural colors. I think that combined, they do the job pretty well! Bonus: This bag is currently 11% off the list price!

For Aurora Red...

I think out of all the bags, this COACH Poppy Signature Tote is my favorite. It's red, it has double handles, a subdued design, and is just the right price at 33% off list!

For Misted Yellow...

This COACH Signature Jacquard Swingpack has a crossbody strap and a cute pattern. It has an open pocket for cell phone storage and slip pockets on each side of the bag. Bonus: This one is currently 12% off list price!

For Sangria...

My second favorite bag is this wine-colored COACH bag with a convertible shoulder/crossbody strap and chain accent. It's made of jacquard satin with leather details and has a fun design. Bonus: This bag comes with free shipping & gift wrap is available!

For Mauve Mist...

The shade of mauve used in this fall's fashion is light & playful. It's almost a reminder of the coming snows and the beauty of winter that comes just after the autumn season. For my line-up I chose this COACH Lexi Satchel Shoulder Bag with light lilac & khaki colors. The inside has three compartments and fabric lining.

For Cognac...

This brown COACH bag has a gorgeous gold stripe that perfectly accents the darker tones of the design. I love the hobo style, and the fact that this purse comes with a shoulder & crossbody straps makes it a winner! Bonus: This Amazon listing is currently 47% off!

For Cypress...

Last but not least we have a COACH Signature Striped Shoulder Tote in gorgeous green & khaki colors. With brass tones & leather trim to offset the python-design on the stripe, this bag is great whether you're headed to work or headed out for a day of shopping. Bonus: This Amazon listing is currently 52% off of list price!

Now that you've got your handbags covered, swing on over to our sunglasses post HERE to see our picks
for some new fall shades (for those of us that are lucky enough to live in a sunny-year-round state)!

Are you pumped for the fall fashion season? What do you think of the bags on this list?

Chat with me in the comments below, I love hearing from my readers!

(The COACH Summer Event that was associated with this post has expired; please check out our giveaways tab for a list of available contests! Please take a look at our Winners List or contact the good people over at MyPoshMedia.com if you have questions about the results of this giveaway.)

Disclosure: UnboundInspiration.com was not responsible for the distribution of this giveaway.

Wondershare AllMyTube Overview

This is a sponsored post written in conjuction with Wondershare. A big thank-you to them for being a supporter of our blog!

Last year my husband & I were given the opportunity to work with a company called Wondershare. We loved their software and really enjoy being able to take a look at all the neat downloads they come out with.

Check out the details of one of their cooler products below!

Wondershare AllMyTube, the Best Online Video Downloader Ever?

Entertainment forms and the way entertainment is delivered to the public are constantly evolving. Videos uploaded online are a consistently changing part of this. It doesn't just stop at YouTube or your favorite funny website though - there are some TV shows that can't even be seen unless you watch them online! The only constant in all of this is that there will always be videos online that you want to grab or bookmark to watch later.

So what does this software do?

WonderShareAllMyTube is a software program that provides a video downloading service both for Windows and Mac users. WonderShare AllMyTube offers more than just grabbing videos from the internet though. It is also has a conversion feature to help you convert videos so that they fit into your portable devices.

Here's a list of the formats which this software can convert videos into:

• MP4
• MP3
• AVI
• MOV
• MPG
• WMV
• HD
• M4V
• HD
• AVI

... plus many more!

In addition, all these files can be transferred to a number of different devices after conversion; including Android, iDevices, and PSP (just to name a few!)

Is this software easy-to-use?

Yes! It is convenient and very easy to use, although, first time users might need to run through the directions a few times until they are comfortable with all the features. In order to make it easier, a detailed guide of using AllMyTube to download online videos is provided as below.

You need to first download this program by clicking here and install it on your computer. You can download the basic version for free, or the advanced version for $29 in order to really get full use out of it!

Launch the program to get yourself familiarized after installation, then follow these instructions to start using the software!

Step 1: Locate the video that you want to download.

Go to your favorite sites to find videos you like. There are tons of video sites to choose from! (You can find a full list of supported sites HERE.)

Step 2: Download the videos.

Open the videos to play and get ready to download them. There are two ways to download videos and you can choose either one to add as many videos as possible to the downloading queue.

Click the Download button that will appear in the right corner of the video.

OR

Copy the URL of the video and click the Paste URL button on the program.

Step 3: Convert the videos to other formats.

Go to the Downloaded library on the program to find videos after downloaded and click the Convert button on the right of each video item. Choose a format in the pop-up window and click OK to get the video converted.

Quite easy, isn’t it? The next move is clear. Just check out the stats and download this program here and you will experience convenient and fast video downloading service!

Have you used a video-downloading program before? How did you like it?

Chat with me in the comments below, I love hearing from my readers!

Makeup by One Direction "Up All Night" Kit Tutorial & Review

I love trying out new makeup products, especially when they come in collections!

This One Direction collection is one of three different sets currently being produced in Limited Edition tins. Each set is a different "look" and is named after a different album. The one pictured here is the "Up All Night" collection.

I received this kit for free from BrandBacker, through Markwin's International (the company producing this line for One Direction) but of course as always my ideas & opinions are my own.

On to the good stuff!

What's the kit come with?

It comes with a 4+1 Eye Shadow Palette in blues & neutrals, a black volumizing mascara, an aqua-blue metallic nail varnish, a glitter pink lip gloss that glows neon orange under a UV light (too cool!), a bubblegum pink lipstick, a dark blue eye & body crayon, and a 5 piece stencil decorator set so that you can decorate yourself or your stuff (I called them tattoos in my video, but I totally meant to say stencils!)

What did I think of this kit?

Honestly, this was a good look for me. I love wearing fun, bright colors that show off my playful side, and this collection definitely did the job. In my husband's words, I looked "young and hot!" Anytime my hubs thinks I'm lookin'-good, I'm sold.

The Good:

I actually loved everything except the mascara and the nail varnish. The eye & body crayon has a smooth glide, the lip products looked amazing, and blues with neutrals are one of my favorite color-combos for eye shadow.

The So-So:

I didn't hate the mascara or the nail varnish, but they weren't my faves. The mascara is just your run-of-the-mill drugstore quality (not necessarily a bad thing) but I love a mascara that really brings out the curl on my lashes. As for the nail varnish, it had a nice color and good shimmer, but it took too long to get it just right. I don't have a lot of time as a mom to wait for nail-polish/paint/varnish to dry so that I can apply multiple coats. If I spend more than 10 minutes on my nails, I start to get antsy. (And my kids start trying to break down the bathroom door!)

My Favorite Thing:

Oh my goodness the lip gloss is amazing! I love, love, love the color and adore the applicator tip. I have a love-hate relationship with brush applicators because I adore how soft and pliable they are but I get icked out by the thought of gunk getting stuck in the bristles. This lip gloss came with an applicator that had all the smooth movements of a brush applicator with none of the gunk-hiding bristles. And because hot-pink is one of my most-wanted shades, the pop of bright color was a definite plus in my book!

I Almost Forgot...

I didn't use the stencils. I just turned 30, so I'm a little bit past the body-art phase of my life, but I'm gonna hang onto them for my next 80's theme-party!

We've got a video!!

You can watch me create my "Up All Night" look in the video at the link HERE! Find out more about the makeup collections from One Direction (including where-to-buy and release dates) on my info post HERE.

What did you think of this look? Are you a fan of One Direction's new makeup line?

Chat with me in the comments below, I love hearing from my readers!

Get help for your skin with Zim's Advanced Crack Creme!

If you've ever had to deal with a recurring rash, you know what a nightmare they can be. For the past two years I've struggled with one that insists on making it's appearance on the worst place of all: My face.

I don't know what the rash is from, I don't know why it comes and then goes, and not even my doctor has been able to pinpoint a probable reason so far. All I know is that I don't like it.

Keeping my face lookin' good isn't a vanity-thing for me, it's a confidence thing. I have to put my face "out there" for a lot of the reviews that I do, and the last thing I need is the entire internet looking at a big red splotch on the side of my nose. (You know, instead of the something-awesome that I'm reviewing.)

I was thrilled when the good people over at Zim's asked me to do this review. Although I received one or more free items in order to facilitate my review, same as always, my opinion is my own!

Read through my review then make sure to scroll to the bottom for your chance to win some Zim's & a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

Organic? Love it!

First of all I have to note that I was immediately impressed by the fact that this product has "organic" written right on the front of it. Using organics is important to me, not just because I know I'm promoting my own health, but because I'm sending a message to product manufacturers that I want more organic products to be made.

Wait - what's Arnica?

I saw that two of the ingredients listed were already a couple of my skincare faves when it comes to treating rashes or skin problems: Aloe & Hydrocortizone. But I paused when I saw that there was "arnica" in it. I'd never used an arnica product before, so I did a little research!

I soon discovered that arnica is a herb and a major ingredient commonly used in anti-inflammatory treatments, commonly used in this type of preparation for centuries. Although pure arnica is poisonous, the diluted version used in homeopathic remedies or ointments (like in Zim's) is considered to be safe. Arnica has been used for everything from reducing chemotherapy-related mouth ulcers to diabetic retinopathy.

Time for a test!

Now that I knew what I was dealing with, it was time to test the product out. The ointment itself has a sort of spicy-smell that reminds me of the Christmas Tea my Grandma Arlene makes. (I count that as a good thing, because her teas are awesome!)

Luckily (or rather, unluckily depending on how you look at it!) I had the perfect spot to test the cream out on since my rash had decided to make a reappearance shortly before receiving my Zim's package. Check out my Before & After picture below to see what a difference the cream made in just a couple of days!

What makes my Before & After so amazing?

Usually it takes weeks for my rash to clear up - even if I'm trying to treat it with different products. I was so happy that the Zim's made my face look smooth & rash-free again, and I hope that if any of you are suffering from a problem like this, you'll consider giving it a try.

Are there any downsides to the product?

There aren't downsides to the product that I can see, but there is a drawback to the arnica involved in it. Although this cream worked great for me, arnica is a strong herb that shouldn't be used by everyone. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, it isn't advised to use any product (not just this one) that contains arnica. Additionally, if you suffer from allergies due to certain types of pollen, you may be susceptible to an arnica allergy. After all, it is made from a plant.

Where to buy?

Of course, I'd love it if you made your purchase through my Amazon link so that I can get an affiliate bonus. The pennies I make will go towards coffee to keep me sane (insane?) as I type away, I assure you. ☺ You can find Zim's Advanced Crack Creme on Amazon HERE , or click the picture below.

You can also head directly over to the Zim's website to purchase this cream or any other products on their huge line-up.

Connect:

Find Zim's on their website at www.zimsusa.com. Then follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on product info, deals, coupons & more on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or YouTube!

Do you struggle with a recurring skin problem? What do you use for it?

Chat with me in the comments below, I love hearing from my readers!