Bulu Box Unboxing

I was sent a Bulu Box for review purposes.  In case you are not aware, Bulu Box is a new subscription service which is $10/month (which includes shipping). Bulu Box allows subscribers an outlet to discover vitamin, supplements and health products they may not be able to get their hands on or may be iffy to try out purchasing a full-size product. Subscribers also have the opportunity to earn 50 Reward Points (valued at $5) each month to use in the Bulu Box online store to buy a full-sized product of a product you’ve tried and enjoyed.

When signing up you can choose between two different types of Bulu Boxes: Bulu Box (focused more on health and nutrition with lifestyle extras such as DVDs, gift cards, etc.) or the Bulu Box Weight Loss (focused on helping you lose weight featuring products such as vitamins and supplements, fitness and healthy eating products).  The subscription options vary between monthly ($10), 3 months ($30), 6 ($60) months or 12 months ($110).  The price break down is different for each, so you have to be really sure you enjoy the service before signing up for an extended period of time.

The box I was sent was the original Bulu Box, not the weight loss box.  The samples received within my box are as follows:

–          Dream Water. This water is supposed to help you sleep better – it contains GABA, Melatonin and 5-HTP.

–          QSpeed CoQ10 100mg. This is a natural flavored orange, sugar free, fast melt tablets to provide heart health support, improve exercise performance and increase cellular energy.

–          Prolab Quick Fire. This is to be used to help surge your workouts by providing your body with nitric-oxide-induced blood flow for muscle contractions and promote vascular.

–          Redd Remedies atEAST PM. The natural pill is supposed to calm anxiety and nervous tension which may cause restlessness.

–          AeroShot Energy. This is an air-based shot of energy delivering a powder blend of B vitamins and 100mg of caffeine that are supposed to allow the effects to start right away.

–          iTrain Download Workout $50 gift card. iTrain offers downloadable workouts that can be loaded onto your mp3 player.

If you’re interested in signing up for a Bulu Box, do so through the company website as follows: http://www.bulubox.com/

Personally I don’t feel the Bulu Box original is something I’d be in the market to order on my own, but I am interested in seeing what the Bulu Box Weightloss has to offer since I am currently in weight loss “mode.”

QUESTION:

Have you signed up and received a Bulu box?

Plated: Seared Skirt Steak with Corn Salsa and Lime Potato Salad & Hoison Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Rice Noodles

I decided to try out Plated for a second time after receiving my initial box.  There were 3 dishes that seemed really interesting to me this time around, but I eliminated one solely on the fact I guestimated the points plus values would be astronomical.  I talked about the Plated membership during my first review of the subscription service (see here: http://shannonslifestyle.blogspot.com/2013/06/plated-membership-ft-chicken-tacos-w.html).  As mentioned previously Plated is offering a free monthly subscription and 4-plates to anyone who signs up during the month of June using the promo code: junefreegift.

I was weighing my options between the two dishes I chose and a paella dish.  Figuring the paella would translate into far too many points plus values that I’d be comfortable with I decided to order the Seared Skirt Steak with Corn Salsa and Lime Potato Salad and the Hoison Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Rice Noodles.

The first dish I put together was the Seared Skirt Steak with Corn Salsa and Lime Potato Salad.  It took about 30 minutes to put together, which was quite simple since there was very minimal chopping and mixing involved.  The only thing I altered was I eliminated a tablespoon of olive oil, seasoned my steak in McCormick steak seasoning and when my skirt steak was finished searing, I let it rest, sliced it up and then returned it back to the pan because I prefer my steak dead and buried.

The one thing I will point out is the vinaigrette which went over both the corn salsa and the potato salad was rather spicy. The chili powder was a little overwhelming, but regardless of the heat from the spice it was a pretty tasty meal.  I was able to make 2 ½ meals out of all I was provided, so points plus wise my dish was 12 points plus values.  I had 2.5 oz steak, 5.5 oz potato and 1/3 the corn salsa.

Now onto the most delicious lettuce wrap I have ever had in my life that I will undoubtedly be making again and again and again.  Hoison Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Rice Noodles probably one of the most delicious and relatively simple meals I’ve whipped together that wasn’t one of my own creations. 

The only difference from the recipe provided was I eliminated 1 tablespoon of sesame oil.  Otherwise the recipe is exactly as stated.  With this meal I was able to make 3 dinners out of the entire box provided and 1/3 of this was 13 points plus values.  This dish was the most delicious and refreshing meal.  The lettuce wraps totally lightened up the dish, but still allowed it to be filling and delicious.  My boyfriend mentioned that it should be a staple on our food menu – which I think it may very well become.

QUESTION:

Have you tried Plated?

Cravebox: Coffee Lovers (Limited Edition)

As some of you are aware, I am a member of Cravebox – which is a subscription service that provides food based and beauty/health related items to their members.  It’s geared towards being a monthly subscription – but boxes do not come monthly.  Lately, they’ve been gearing more towards limited edition special boxes for members to request to be included in the drawing for the particular boxes that are available.  I received an e-mail about a Coffee Lovers box and I immediately added myself into the drawing since I am a complete coffee fanatic.

I received my box on Friday, opened it and I have to say … I’m a little bummed.  The box, in my opinion, could have been a whole lot more spectacular, especially for the $12 paid for the box.  I will use the products I received and I am happy I got sugar-free syrup since I have a French vanilla in the cabinet that I’m using up.  The coffee is also a repeat of the Cooking Light box I received last month as well as the syrup (except this one is in a new flavor).  I feel as though when I need coffee I’m a deal seeker by heart and I’d get me some coffee for $12 – not just a bag, cookies and a syrup LOL.  So, yeah, not 100% thrilled this time around – sadly.  End tirade.

Here’s what I received in my box:

–          Tully’s French Roast Coffee

–          Torani Sugar Free French Vanilla syrup

–          Barbara’s Bakery High-Fiber Cranberry Medley

–          Biscotti Brothers Almond Biscotti

–          Biscotti Brothers Cranberry Blueberry Almond and Oats Granotti

QUESTION:

Have you ever heard of Cravebox?

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