CharcoCaps® from DSE Healthcare

I received a free sample of CharcoCaps from The Upside Community to try and review.

CharcoCaps are from DSE Healthcare and are made from activated charcoal. This is a porous product used to trap toxins. You can find it in all sorts of health and beauty products these days. According to the CharcoCaps website, "Unlike other anti-gas products that use simethicone (an OTC drug ingredient) or enzymes, CharcoCaps® Anti-Gas Formula binds to gas and toxins carrying them safely out of the digestive system. Activated charcoal is naturally gentle on the stomach, and safe with no side effects when used according to label instructions (some users may experience darkening of the stool)."

I've tried CharcoCaps two or three times now, usually after very veggie heavy meals, typically in the early evening. I have to say that I am pretty impressed. They haven't totally gotten rid of my gas, but they have definitely made a huge improvement. I've only done one dose when I've used them, so I imagine if I took a follow-up dose that they would totally relieve the issue, but one dose has been enough to make me pretty comfortable. I can definitely see these being a brand I do to again and again. Even a half dose provided me enough relief on one occasion to be comfortable.

Thanks to my free sample of CharcoCaps, I now have a great way to manage those days when I'm gassy or bloated. The product is easy to use and has no taste. I also had no issues with any side effects. The blister packs that it comes in means that you can just take a dose or two and slip them in your purse or pocket when you are out which is very convenient. I would definitely recommend this product to others.

Please note, due to the way this product works, it can interfere with the effectiveness of other medications you take. Do not take within two hours (either before or after) of any other medications you may take.

Ripple Plant Milk

I got the chance to try Ripple plant-based milk for free thanks to MyMagazine Sharing Network. In the interest of full disclosure, I have purchased the Unsweetened Original flavor in the past on my own and did not like it at all. I typically use this type of product as a drink or over cereal, and I found the taste to be very strong and unpleasant. I drank about half a cup and then gave the rest of the bottle to a friend.

So for this free product trial, I decided to try the Chocolate variety seen here. My usual morning beverage is chocolate soy milk, but I still have mixed opinions about consuming that much soy, so I was hoping this would be a great alternative.

Upon opening and pouring the product, I found it to be very think. Almost the consistency of cream versus milk. I took a small sip and found it to be far too thick, so I added some water. However, even that first sip was not very promising. This does not taste like any chocolate beverage that I have ever had. The chocolate does nothing to mask the underlying flavor of the pea protein. I've been trying to come up with some way to describe the flavor of the pea protein base, but I really just can't. In addition, there is an almost metallic undertone to it and it is very bitter and leaves a very bitter aftertaste in my mouth for a long time. Finally, I found myself to be very upper-GI system gassy after drinking this. I burped regularly for at least an hour after finishing one glass.

I have since had a second glass that I again watered down and this time added ice before drinking. I still don't like the product, but if I drink it quickly, I can get it down so I will not waste the bottle. However, this brand (and I have tried the yogurt as well) is not one I can recommend. I'll stick to soy milk for now.