I Like Free Stuff and I Cannot Lie

(Old post, but moving it from other blog to this one. Original post date 5/6/14) So, I'm a member of a couple of sample panels on-line. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to do two campaigns through Smiley360 at the same time. The first is for Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails gummy supplements. Given my thin hair and fragile nails, I was quite excited about this one. Check it out here if you would like. My sample was enough to get me through 40 days. Can't say I've noticed a difference yet, but I realize it would take months to see a real different in hair or nails.

My other current mission is for Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant toothpaste. I also got a free, battery-powered spinbrush with this one. Check it out here. I love the flavor of the toothpaste, although it isn't something I'd be able to use exclusively as I need a sensitive formula. But the taste is great and I love the way my teeth feel after using it. The toothbrush is decent. I find it to be louder than other power toothbrushes I've used, and the brush head is a bit on the large size. But it gets the job done. I would definitely take it with me when I travel. smiley360
Arm & Hammer

Brookside Chocolate Crunchy Clusters

Thanks to CrowdTap, I got to try a sample of Brookside Chocolate Crunchy Clusters in berry flavor. Overall, I found the treats to be quite tasty, and given how fast my husband was going through them, I think he agrees.

The pluses:
- Great flavor. The blend of dark chocolate, sweet berry filling, and crunchy cereal is great.
- They pair really well with other food. I tried them on yogurt, but I bet they'd be great on cereal and oatmeal.

- The coating is also pretty solid, so I had no problem with any melting.

The negatives:
- Don't refrigerate them. If you do, the berry goo becomes very tough and chewy. Unpleasantly so.
- The coating is a bit waxy. Not too bad, but if you don't like that texture, these might not be for you.
- Inconsistent size. This was perhaps the biggest negative. Some pieces were tiny and some were huge.(See picture. And I probably don't even have the smallest pieces in my hand.)


So, out of five stars, I'd probably give them a conservative 4. They won't be my go-to chocolate snack, but will definitely be one I'd consider.