iHerb $50 Shopping Spree Giveaway

What has Stephen jumping for joy? iHerb.com, that's what! OK. Back up. What is iHerb.com? Simply put: It's this awesome place that carries vitamins and herbal supplements (both vegan, vegetarian and even raw), cosmetics and personal care items that are organic and/or cruelty-free as well as over 1000 natural and specialty grocery items.

Now that we've got that straight, I can tell you why they are MORE than awesome. Not only did they recently give us a $50 shopping spree, but they are also giving one of you (yes! you!) a $50 shopping spree! In addition, you ALL benefit from a coupon code (NEV143) that ANYONE can use to get $5 off your first purchase.


There he goes again! Anyway, I'll be the first person to admit that we don't exactly live in the best area to find all the unique and healthy products that I often read so much about in other parts of the blog world. Enter iHerb.com . . . and, well, all that has changed. I could live in the absolute middle of nowhere and -- as long as I maintain an internet connection -- could still get the best ingredients, supplements, and other natural stuff (because there are a TON of categories on this website with anything from herbal teas to baking supplies to earthy personal care products and beyond). It's really that great.

What's better is that they have this fantastically vast inventory, and they've made it incredibly easy to search through. I'll admit -- it took me a while to pick out exactly what I wanted because there's so much. But everything is organized by product, brand, or health topic. It really helped me find what I wanted -- and fast.

Here's what 50 big ones bought me on the site:

• Kava Stress Relief Tea
• Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour
• Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Garbanzo-Fava Flour
• Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour
• Bob's Red Mill Vegan Egg Replacer
• Living Foods Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil
• Soliga Forest Honey
• NuNaturals Cocoa Bean Extract

Not sure if you noticed -- but that's a lot for $50! One of the best features of iHerb is the price. But don't just trust my word, you'll need to check it out yourself. And now you can! Here's your chance to win your very own $50 shopping spree at iHerb!

• Just leave us a comment that says I heart iHerb! telling us what you favorite natural product is (be it for baking, beautifying, healing, etc.).
• I cannot stress enough that we need SOME way to contact you. Leaving an email address is most handy. If we can't find a way to get in touch with you, you can't win.
• Feel free to tell your friends, too (on your blog, on your Facebook, on your Twitter -- however you wish to spread the word).
• The giveaway deadline is next Tuesday, June 8th at 9PM EST.
• We'll choose a winner random using Tara's Random Number Generator. 
• (Also, please note: The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and the winner must register at iHerb.com to claim their prize (it's quick and easy, I promise! And they don't SPAM you.)

And remember: Even if you aren't the lucky winner, you can still receive $5 off your first order with iHerb by using the handy dandy code: NEV143.


So, go check out what has Stephen jumping for joy over at iHerb.com. By the time you get your swim trunks on and do a few dives of your own -- your order should be at your doorstep. Yup -- their delivery is wicked fast, too.

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Coconut Water

Water, water, everywhere . . . and it all seems to be coconut water, so I just had to check it out. Not only does coconut water contain a TON of potassium (sounds a lot like the parsnips, doesn't it?), but it also tastes great. It's harvested from green coconuts -- and many are surprised to learn that there's a difference between brown coconuts (think coconut milk, the fatty kind) and green (young ones which have all the nutrition and healthful benefits -- and little if any of the fat).

I first considered drinking coconut water because it is a part of Gwyneth Paltrow's detox diet that I was loosely following in January (read about it here). I waited until now because, well, I accidentally bought a sweetened coconut water can instead of an unsweetened -- and it was so awful, I just hated it. And then I forgot about it until it started popping up on all these blogs I read.


Now, I was quite skeptical at first. I don't buy bottled water . . . so spending almost $4 to $5 (I actually can't remember if it was $3.99 or $4.99 -- sorry about that!) on this 1 liter had me scratching my head a bit. Still, I was incredibly interested in the energizing and the hydrating qualities I have read so very much about. And, to be honest, I wasn't at all disappointed. After getting used to the taste (because at first, it didn't taste amazing, but that quickly changed), I payed careful attention to how I was feeling. What I noticed most is that my energy level felt incredibly stable . . . and high . . . for the hour or so after drinking it. I also felt wonderfully hydrated.

For this reason, I think it's the perfect after-workout drink. And I'm considering replacing Gatorade with it, at least on some of my more difficult, long runs in the summer heat.

The flavor is, as best I can describe, lightly sweet. The texture is thicker than "normal" water, but very familiar. Here's the nutrition information (per one liter bottle):


Source: store.vitacoco.com

Other details:

• Coconut water goes through a flash pasteurization process (good news for all preggers ladies out there)
• Large, sealed container stays good for 48 hours.
• No additives, no preservatives, no added sugar
• Not certified organic
• Helps ease stomach pains.
• Vita Coco comes in different flavors, too: tangerine, pineapple, acai/pomegranate, peach/mango.

For more information, just check out Vita Coco's website. And for Hump Day Yoga today, I planned to feature child's pose. Unfortunately, my practice wasn't exactly relaxing yesterday . . . there were cats jumping everywhere. So, this is all I have for you:


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Review: MaraNatha Dark Chocolate Almond Spread

In my A Homemade Life review on Friday, I listed a few new foods I was planning to try over the weekend. I thought I'd start by reviewing the MaraNatha Dark Chocolate Almond Spread that has swiftly made its way to the near-top of my favorite treats list.

How does it taste? Well, the words on the jar describe the texture quite accurately: Velvety. It's sweet, but not too sweet, and just a touch salty (which I must admit is my favorite combination). I would say the texture is really the best part. It just reminds me of brownie batter -- without having to mix all those ingredients together. To me, there are few things better than brownie batter.

Ingredients: Dry Roasted Almonds, Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Oil, Cocoa Powder (alkalized), Non-Fat Dry Milk, Canola Oil, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Salt. Contains: Almonds, Milk, Soy. May Contain Peanuts and Other Tree Nuts.

Good, bad, and ugly:

• I love that it's all natural and -- per two tablespoons serving -- this spread has 4 grams of protein (versus 2 in Nutella), only 9 grams of sugar (versus 20 in Nutella), and matches Nutella on its sodium content (15 grams for both).
• I think we're already established that I absolutely LOVE the taste and texture. It goes well on fruit, in oatmeal, and straight out of the jar on a spoon (or finger -- again, I have no shame).
• I'm not too thrilled with the list price. Though I purchased my jar (OK, jars -- as in two) on sale for $4.99 at Wegmans. The stuff usually runs between $6.99 and $7.99. So, I dare not develop a strong habit.
• I'm also not happy it isn't vegan. I'm not vegan, but I'm sure many of you who are don't quite understand why there needs to be milk in the ingredient list. I don't get it either.

To check out the full range of MaraNatha Nut Butters, just visit their website.

Has anyone out there developed a cheap, quick, easy, and delicious (and VEGAN?) recipe for a chocolate nut butter? I'd love to make some of my own . . . but whenever I've tried, I've had mixed results. And usually end up spending the same amount (or more) than I would if I just bought a jar. Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker@gmail.com.

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