Back to the Box

So from time to time I participate in #RunChat’s Sunday Twitter chats*. Last Sunday I decided to participate in the Sunday chat just because I was still excited about completing Peachtree. Long story short, it was sponsored by Runnerbox that offered a code for free shipping. I decided to order the gift box.

I tried a six-month subscription to Bulu Box. I did discover two products that I have continued to use – Energems and Natural Calm. Overall, I was disappointed. With that said, I have been thinking about trying Runner Box, so this code was right on time. I received the giftbox, $24.95 yesterday. It’s packed with all sorts of stuff.

My first impression is that I should give RunnerBox a try. I initially went with Bulu Box because it was a monthly subscription. RunnerBox is a bimonthly subscription. There’s a “2 Box Starter Pack” I think I’ll order. Now that I am focusing on strength training, I’m looking for different protein and BCAA supplements to try.

It looks like there are about 10 or so products in this box. It's going to take a while to get through all these products, but I am looking forward to seeing what I discover.

*Did I mention I sported a #RunChat tattoo during the Peachtree Road Race?

December Bulu Box

I received my December Bulu Box a few weeks ago. I'm just getting around to trying out the products.

I am pretty impressed with this month’s box. The sample sizes are very generous.

Although I am not one for taking pills, I received a 30-day supply of Creative Bioscience 30 Day Diet. I do think it’s nice to have a full 30-day supply to see whether or not they’re effective. I know me. I don't like pills. I already did some research. They seem harmless -- herbal extracts, African mango, raspberry ketones, to mention a few. I’d rather drop pounds the old fashioned way – healthy diet and exercise. I started taking these today.

The next product is Mediterranean Snacks Tapaz to Go. I love hummus and crackers. It’s one of my favorite snacks. I hope it tastes as good as it looks. I'm taking this to work with me tomorrow. Although I've been too lazy to do it, I'd rather make my own hummus and avoid all the sodium and stuff.

I also received Barlean’s Omega Swirl Mango Peach. This is probably something I should be using. However, I have a bottle of Flax Seed Oil I've never finished.

Last but not least, I have Mestrength to try. Seems like something for bodybuilders....

Energems

I loved these things! It was like eating giant peanut M & Ms! I had my reservations about whether or not they’d work. A serving size, three pieces, is supposed to be the equivalent on one energy drink. In addition to caffeine (75 mg. per serving), they also contain B vitamins.

I’ve had a very unhealthy relationship with energy drinks--they’re packed with lots of sugar and caffeine. Yummy for my palate. Yucky for my health. When I read the part about being Energems like an energy drink, I thought, uh oh, this is not for me. Trigger alert!

Truthfully, I’m surprised a product like this would be in a weight loss box. I guess they’re marketed to people like me who like the rush of an energy drink but can’t afford all the extra calories. Each gem is 15 calories so that’s 45 calories a serving versus 200 - 250 calories per energy drink.

Anyhow, I decided to give them a try. I tried them right before a run. I think they gave me a nice boost. I tried them a second time before going to the gym to lift weights. I didn’t notice much difference. I’m saving the last serving.

Would I buy this product? No! It’s like eating candy and as recovering compulsive overeater I do not want to eat something that reminds me of candy. I could see how they would be good for someone running a marathon or something. They’d provide a great caffeine boost without drinking coffee (which could cause stomach distress) or a high-calorie energy drink. If (or when) I ever work my way up to running longer distances, I may give them a try again.

They’re $2.99 a box. Considering my favorite energy drinks are about $1.79 to $1.99 a can, they’re pretty economical.

NeoCell Beauty Bursts

NeoCell Beauty Bursts are gourmet collagen soft chews. Per the label, the benefits it’s a skin rebuilder (Collagen type 1 and 3); Skin Hydration (Hyaluronic Acid); and Collagen Enhancer (Vitamin C). It had a weird consistency, more sticky than chewy. I didn’t like the taste. It was medicine-like. These candy-like supplements are not my thing.

I don’t see the benefits of this for me. My skin and nails are okay. I use a good skin cleanser and moisturizer. Plus, I have good genes on my side. The best way for me to keep my skin hydrated is to drink water.

Review Round Up -- October Bulu Box

Here's a review of the remaining three items that were in my October box. I had photos but I do not know what happened to them.

Vibrant Cleanse – I liked this product. Great taste, nice kick. However, I could make this myself with fresh ingredients– lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne. If this was sold in individual packets, I may purchase it if I was travelling or something, for the convenience. Truthfully, for personal health reasons, I would never do a full blown Master Cleanse.

Simple Being Slimming Smoothie – I really liked this smoothie mix. It has a great taste and is packed with protein – 26 grams! Would I buy it? Probably not, but only because of the price.

Natural Vitality CALM – I loved this product. I liked the taste and I truly believe it had a calming effect on me. I was interested in this product because it's a calcium and magnesium supplement. I've tried calcium chews before. My previous primary doctor thought I should be taking them. Not sure if they were doing any good. I've had my current doctor for about two years and she's never mentioned calcium supplements. I’ve seen this product in Whole Foods; it’s sold in a canister and individual packets. I purchased another packet for 99 cents. Yep, I liked it again. I was sold. Bulu included a coupon for 40% off a box of 30 individual packets. I’ve been drinking it right before bed. I’d purchase it again, when it’s on sale. 

So, out of five products, I made a full-size purchase of Natural Vitality CALM and I would Simple Being Slimming Smoothie, if the price was right.

November's Bulu Box

I received my November Bulu Box. I realize I didn't finish reviewing the products from my last box. Stay tuned....

I'm already excited about this box because the sample sizes are much better. I received:

Energems -- three servings - I LOVE caffeine! I can't wait to try these.

Shapeology Burn Blend -- seven servings - I already have negative opinion toward Shapeology but I'll give it a try.

Yaff Bar - one bar - made for you AND your dog. Hmmm....

Beauty Bursts -- one chew - seems total useless to me.

I'll post the remaining reviews from October's box before trying these.

Burn360 Revisited

I tried the second pill today 30 minutes before my weight training. I was sleepy before taking it and I was sleepy after. Before I left for the gym I was tempted to take a sip of coffee but didn’t want to chance that Burn360 would kick in. Nothing.
I went on www.bulubox.com and some people experience a burst of energy after taking this product. I think it doesn’t do a thing for me because I have a very high threshold when it comes to caffeine.

I am glad I was able to give Burn360 a try without wasting my money on a whole bottle of this stuff. I guess that’s the whole point of Bulu Box. Eventually I will find a product that will support my fitness goals. This stuff is not it.

Burn360 Review

I was very curious and nervous about trying this product, especially because it contains raspberry ketones. I was curious to see if it would really work. I read a few reviews that the product did give an extra boost. I was nervous because I am very leery about fat burners, etc. I remember back in high school one of my friends took some pills (I can’t remember the name). They helped her drop weight but she was very jittery. Her mother kept complaining that she was going to “ruin” her heart so she stopped taking them. This was before the whole Fen-Phen fiasco. When it comes to diet pills, theses two incidents have been etched in my brain. Again, I’m not one for pills but here goes....

I decided to take it 30 minutes before going out for my run. I was feeling pretty good before taking it. I’d been hydrating. I also used my new massage ball earlier that day to work on my tight glutes, hamstrings, and calves.

Well, I did not notice a difference. I took one pill 30 minutes before my workout. Nothing. It is now four hours later. Nothing. As I was driving to the Greenway, I was thinking maybe I needed, since I’m so heavy, to take both pills.
Tomorrow is weight training. I will give it another try.

So far, what I do not like about both samples is that I do not feel the sample size is adequate. I think a week’s supply should be given in order to be able to see if a product really makes a difference. The downside is that the price of the box would be raised.

Powbab Review

The first product I tried from my October Bulu box is Powbab Baobab Superfruit Chews

Great smell! They had a nice fruity taste for the first couple of chews. The more I chewed the chalkier the taste became.
I’m really not sure what these chews are supposed to do. They’re supposedly an “everyday health booster.” One chew meets the daily antioxidant needs, the equivalent antioxidant level of:

- 2.5 tomatoes
- 2.5 cups of spinach
- .5 orange

I definitely would not buy these on my own. Mainly because I’m not convinced this is something beneficial and they remind me of Starburst candy.

I’ve taken calcium chews before. I gave them an honest effort for a few months. They were probably doing some good but without being able to notice any difference I wasn’t motivated to continue taking them. I’m sure I’d end up doing the same with these Superfruit chews. I give them two thumbs down!

Bulu Box and Other Products

I did something very spontaneous this morning. I signed up for a subscription of Bulu Box. Right now they're having a 50% off sale. I signed up to a six-month subscription for $30 -- that's $5 a box! It was such a great deal I couldn't pass it up. I've seen reviews here and there on blogs and YouTube. I also figure that the stuff I don't use I can save and create a goodie box for my brother.

Speaking of trying out products, I purchased some tart cherry juice. Running While Chunky mentioned it on her blog so I had to try it. I was pretty good but way too sweet for my taste. I started adding water to it. I was worried about it being too sugary and spiking my blood sugar. Fortunately, my local Whole Foods starting selling the light version. So I was pretty happy about that. The main reason I wanted to try tart cherry juice is because it is suppose to have anti-inflammatory properties. We'll see....

A few weeks ago I also grabbed a tube of nuun. This was the same day I purchased that pepper spray. Now, it has been sitting on my dining room table. Someone I follow on Twitter mentioned it. I don't even remember what she said about it. I guess I'll give it a try one of these days.

I'm not one for taking a bunch of pills and supplements. I just decided to try all this stuff out of curiosity. I figure it can't hurt and it might help.