Marvis Black Forest Toothpaste Review

 More fun flavors of toothpaste that aren't intended for kids. This brand makes a lot of interesting flavors- I started with the Jasmin Mint and now I want to try them all. I already repurchased Jasmin Mint but thought it would be fun to try out another flavor and went with Black Forest because it was on sale

Marivs claims: 

The Marvis Black Forest toothpaste from the limited Blended Collection impresses you with warm and soothing notes of cherry and chocolate as well as the freshness of mint. The special harmony of the different aromas ensures a very special pleasure in your daily dental care ritual. 

The Marvis Black Forest toothpaste nourishes and cleans the teeth. At the same time, the toothpaste ensures lasting fresh breath.

Progressive, traditional and attractive: Marvis. 

Marvis stands for luxurious oral care products that provide exceptional sensory experiences during the daily dental care routine. 

Marvis is is cult. 

All Marvis dental care products are made in Florence and are 100% made in Italy.

Black Forest Cake is a german cake and you can find them everywhere here in Germany. I think Black Forest cake is OK...I never really buy or eat it though. It's just not something I would classify as a fave or something I ever crave.  Although chocolate and cherry cake does sound amazing it's just meh to me. I thought the toothpaste flavor would be nice to try though- although chocolate doesn't sound like the best toothpaste flavor. 

It doesn't really taste anything like chocolate though. I would say it's mostly cherry and mint. But lightly cherry...and way more minty. In fact, I was surprised to find this toothpaste is even more minty than the Jasmin Mint. 

Other than that, it works well and does what it's supposed to do. I would repurchase this one...and I would definitely try it out in more flavors. I am resisting the urge to not stockpile it since I think the brand is slowly becoming a favorite...if you can even have a favorite toothpaste brand.

Capri Blue Volcano Dryer Ball Kit Review

 I've got a bit of a boring review today. But it's something I did want to talk about.  I'm not great at liying a sustainable or even zero waste but I try to do what I can, when I can. I've tried to use Beeswrap instead of plastic wrap, recycle, and use soap bars sometimes to save a plastic bottle ( I alternate) and etcetera. 

I don't use dryer sheets..or fabric softener. I don't like the coating it leaves on clothing and find it to mostly be a waste of money. Also most of them don't smell that great. I do use Vinegar as a fabric softener -rarely -though. So I am saving the plastic in the sheets and also the plastic bottle by not using those. Other than that I guess I just have hard crunchy clothes 😂. Just kidding. Usually the detergents I use seem to do OK on their own. 

Capri Blue claims:

Say hello to your dryer’s new best friend! Our Volcano™ Dryer Ball Kit is designed to soften fabrics while adding a touch of your fav fragrance. It includes 3 wool dryer balls  + our famous Volcano fragrance oil - formulated with grapefruit and tangerine essential oils. The dryer balls are long-lasting, machine washable and hand-made with 100% pure wool and colorfast dye that won't bleed. But wait – it doesn’t stop there. They also eliminate wrinkles, static, and lint, making this Dryer Ball Kit a win, win for you (and your dryer)! For the ultimate fragrance experience use alongside our CB Concentrated Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener.

Non-toxic. Vegan formula. Cruelty-free. Formulated without gluten, parabens, sulfates and phthalates. No synthetic colors.

Made in USA

So I wanted to try dryer balls forever. They are made of earth friendly wool which means it will compost and doesn't just go sit in a landfill somewhere. It came in paper packaging, which is also easily recyclable.

I don't use the dryer most times. I just hang dry my clothes but for things like sheets and towels I like to use the dryer. These are good for softening your clothes, reducing drying time, and also static in your clothes. 

And I do really feel they help reduce static and make your clothes softer. 

As well as the drying time is shorted by quite a bit. I don't think it dramatic but it's noticeable and I think would make a difference overtime. 

The ones I got have a grey and decent sized. And it came with a fragrance oil that you can use on the balls to scent your clothes. 

The first couple of times I used it, you could smell it all over the downstairs area . It's the Capri Blue Volcano  juicy and sweet orange citrus scent and it smells really nice. Different form your usual laundry softener scents for sure. Probably not my favorite scent for clothes but it's fine.

I have had it for awhile and only use the fragrance oil sometimes so I have noticed it has decreased in strength over the months. I have had to use more to get the same fragrance results. I am still not using the recommended 5-7 drops per ball though. I want to conserve the oil so I can use it longer. Most times I just skip it altogether though.

I do notice when I use a decent amount it really sticks to my towels and some clothing. 

The list price is high at $32.00 and you can definitely get dryer balls for a better price right on Amazon. I waited for a sale and got mine for $21.00.

The set has since updated the dryer ball color to a pretty blue. 

Overall, I really like the set. I would buy it again when mine wears out (it shows no sign of wearing down but I know they don't last forever)  and I could find it on sale.

Marvis Jasmin Mint Toothpaste Review

 I finally dragged out my Winter Blanket and I'm so happy I did. I stayed in denial about the weather change, I think I thought if I just ignored the cold weather it would go away and the sun would come back just for me. But I'm glad I pulled my Winter blanket out it's so cozy and warm. 

Anyway...a bit of a boring review. But the flavor is exciting (to me). 

Marvis claims:

Discover the joy of the unusual: The Jasmin Mint toothpaste from Marvis combines floral notes of jasmine with fresh mint. It gives you perfectly cleansed teeth, healthy gums and a pleasantly fresh breath. Bacterial plaque and other stubborn deposits are completely removed while fluorides build up the enamel. Floral notes of jasmine and fresh mint stimulate your senses and give you a fragrant breath. This toothpaste stimulates your senses and gives you a fragrant breath.

Made in Italy 

I was going through a phase of wanting everything in Jasmin scent. I had a shower gel, jasmine pearl tea, and a candle. I'm not sure where I saw this first but it was Jasmin flavored and I wanted to give it a try.

Not much to say except it does taste really nice and leaves such a nice Jasmine taste in your mouth once you are done. I get mine from Amazon for less than five euro. 

I really want to try some of the other flavors they have like the Earl Grey, Matcha, Orange Blossom, etc. 

Ingredients:

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aqua, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Silica, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Aroma, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Citric Acid, Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Saccharin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Linalool

And I already have about three more sitting in my cart, I will probably keep one and give some to my family once I finally play my order. 

Bonus Review: Hello Fresh Watermelon Toothpaste

This is a toothpaste for kids but I was intrigued by the Watermelon flavor. It's almost like a Watermelon Bubblegum flavor. It's ok. I just don't think the toothpaste works that well though,  like it doesn't remove anything off my teeth. But maybe that's because it's for kids. I'm going to stick with my Jasmin Mint for now.

Lush Dirty Toothy Tabs Review

 I'm stuffed and need to kill some time before I play some more Dance Central. I made a Korean beef bowl for dinner. I love all the Korean food I've tried, I really should get a cookbook and try a lot more recipes. One day. 

Anyway, toothy tabs. Funny name for sure. I've always wanted to try these. I haven't really tried a variety of toothpastes. Just regular, kids, and natural. So when I saw them on sale, into the cart they went. 

Lush claims:

Flavored with just spearmint and neroli essential oils, these toothy tabs are elegant in their simplicity. A gentle base of kaolin clay powder and sodium bicarbonate will help you scrub your pearly whites to gleaming perfection. Nibble on one of these and brush your teeth to freshen up before getting down and Dirty.

Lush has really done there own thing for oral care. They have released jelly toothpastes, mouth wash tabs, and solid toothpaste. I missed out on the jellies. I really wish I could have tried those. But anyway..toothy tabs.

They come in a 100% recycled plastic container. They are easy to travel with. And are basically toothpaste in solid form. And there seem to be a lot of "tabs". I like that they don't have Sodium Lauryl Sulfate but they still foam really well. I've found with the more natural toothpaste you have to use more and they disappear really quickly and barely foam. Not so with these.

They also seem to have a slight abrasion so your teeth feel cleaner. Which is nice.

The taste isn't really a "clean" spearmint. It tastes like...something else. I can't really describe it. Maybe like what I imagine chalk taste like with some mint. It's not bad though. But not quite as minty and refreshing as I thought it would be. I have no idea what the Neroli brings to it..I didn't even know you could use it in toothpastes. It's cool they did though.

I think you get about 50 tabs. Which if you use them twice a day, they will disappear quickly. I use my other toothpaste most times and when I'm tired of that one or need a break, I reach for this one.

Ingredients:

Dicalcium Phosphate Anhydrous,  Baking Soda, Cream of Tarter, Sorbitol, Laurel Sarcosine, Kaolin, Spearmint Oil, Neroli Oil, Sodium Saccharine, Limonene, Linalool, Flavor

Overall, I like them. I think they are great for travel. But a little too pricey and toothpaste isn't really a thing I want to "splurge on" if that makes sense. If they were on sale again, I might pick up another bottle..but not full price.

Weleda Natural Calendula Toothpaste Review

 I've used natural toothpastes for the last couple of years now, I''ve been repeat buying and forgetting to post a review...cause toothpaste is kinda boring. But I'm never ever buying this one again..so I figured I would review it so I can forget about it. 

Weleda claims:

In Calendula Toothpaste, every ingredient counts towards fresh breath and a clean mouth. Calming calendula helps soothe sensitive gums, calcium mineral has a gentle abrasive action, and fennel essential oil gives a fresh, pleasant taste. There's no peppermint, so it won’t interfere or irritate palates with mint sensitivities.

Calendula seems like it would be a nice toothpaste to try. Especially for sensitive teeth. Which I don't have. But..figured I would try anyway. First off I hate, the taste. It tastes like anise/licorice. This is the 2nd time I've bought a natural toothpaste and found it tastes like this. I really hate it and the worse thing is that it kinda hangs around makes any food you eat after brushing taste awful.

It only cleans...OK. You really have to scrub, scrub, scrub to feel like it's working. It doesn't foam up as much as regular toothpaste and what you do get seems to disappear quickly. 

But I think it does help sensitivities. One of my teeth started bothering me for a little bit, but it went away quickly and the sensitivity didn't come back. So maybe it does have a purpose. But due to all of the other stuff I talked about..it's still not for me. 

I tried to do better by the environment and buy a bamboo brush. The bristles are still nylon so you can't compost that...but the handle is compostable. The only thing is I feel the handle gets stuck on my cheeks and doesn't glide like a plastic toothbrush. But...I guess at least I'm helping the environment, right? This one is the "Humble Brush"

I might try other brands to see if I can come across a better one.

Ingredients:

Water, Calcium Carbonate, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Calendula Extract, Alchohol, Myrrh Extract, Xanthum Gum, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Flavor, Limonene,

Overall, wouldn't buy it again unless I had tooth pain.

Dr. Bronners All-One Cinnamon Toothpaste Review

Winter is officially here. It's time to bring out the winter coats, turn on the heat, drink gallons of hot chocolate....and blog. I think I blog more in the winter. Most times. Anyway, I have a boring review today. But I thought I would write it anyway. I've been trying to switch to more natural products. Slowly but surely. I still haven't switched my dish detergent, or my laundry detergent. But most of my household cleaning is..more natural. Mostly I've switched the things I'm using on or in my body. Except toothpaste. I ran out one day and decided to try the natural route.

Dr. Bronners claims:

Organic Glycerin, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrated Silica, Calcium Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Potassium Cocoate (made with Organic Coconut Oil*), Organic Cinnamomum Cassia (Cinnamon) Oil, Organic Mentha Arvensis (Menthol) Crystals, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Flour*, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Organic Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf / Stem Extract
*Certified Fair Trade Ingredient

I bought this for about $4.50. Definitely more expensive than conventional toothpaste. I went with cinnamon as opposed to the mint, because I always use mint toothpaste. So I figured I would try something new. It does coming in Anise flavor. Which is licorice flavor basically. And I hate the taste of licorice. It tastes like ugly. 

But anyway, I don't find the flavor very cinnamon like. It's kind of mild. It's there but it's not. The taste of the toothpaste isn't bad. It's not great. But not bad. But then again, is toothpaste supposed to taste good?

The way it foams up is almost nonexistent. I think it's because I'm used to the commercial stuff. I feel like I have to use 2-3 times as much as the other stuff and I have to brush longer to get to the same level of clean as with the commercial stuff. 

I love the Dr. Bronners company. They support fair trade, they use mostly new ingredients, they are just an all around great company to support. I love their patchouli-lime lotion, and the lavender hand sanitizer. But...this just didn't do it for me.

Ingredients:

Organic Glycerin, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrated Silica, Calcium Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Potassium Cocoate (made with Organic Coconut Oil*), Organic Cinnamomum Cassia (Cinnamon) Oil, Organic Mentha Arvensis (Menthol) Crystals, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Flour*, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Organic Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf / Stem Extract
*Certified Fair Trade Ingredient

I am open to trying out more natural toothpastes. I would even try the peppermint one they have. I just don't think I would buy this one again.

Have you tried an all natural toothpaste? Did you like it?

Badger Sore Muscle Rub Cayenne And Ginger

I've been turning to natural alternatives for all sorts of things- headache-sniff some peppermint oil, feeling sick-raw honey and lemons, stressed-lavender oil, pain-castor oil. I could spend hours in the health stores beauty/health aisle. But I haven't tried as much as I want to, I'll get around to it eventually. I do have a habit of  working out for a couple months, then taking a long a break and then coming  back, I thought this looked like a good product to try or have on hand, for when I got the inspiration to work out again.

Badger claims:

• Cayenne Pepper and Ginger gently soothe sore muscles. 
• Smells great and softens skin; definitely not your typical smelly sports rub!
• Perfect for before and after exercise, or as part of a relaxing massage. 
• Rich in powerful skin-nourishing antioxidants found in essential oils of Rosemary and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 
• Free of artificial ingredients, fragrances, dyes, parabens, GMOs, synthetics, or harsh ingredients.
• All Badger balms are USDA Certified Organic, certified Gluten-Free, and petrolatum-free.

Relief When You Need It! Badger Bill created this original sore muscle rub to soothe his aches and pains from regular Aikido practice. Now it’s your turn to benefit! Experience the power of Cayenne and Ginger to soothe away stress and sore muscles. Perfect for using before and after exercise, after a long day, or anytime you’re feeling a little stiff. Smells great and softens skin – definitely not your typical smelly sports rub! This is our original formula and still a favorite. Rub it in - you deserve it!

Last week I decided to get back on the NIKE Kinect program. I really hate the program. Even more so now because I haven't done it in awhile and it's gotten harder. Way too hard for me. The other day I was supposed to do lunges and squats. Hard, but I pushed myself and got through it. The next day- pain!  Walking (or waddling) hurt, getting up, sitting down, bending over.  Just everything. So I used this. I've had it for awhile and tested it on and off, but this last week was really the test.

And....well it doesn't really work for me. I rubbed it all over my thighs and nothing. Not even a warming sensation. The next day, the same pain. Not even lessened a bit. I think the problem is I have really really chunky legs. And this stuff just doesn't penetrate the chunkiness to do anything for the muscle that hides underneath there somewhere. ButI have used it on not so chunky places- like my neck. And my neck will get hot, and then feel better almost immediately. But since most of the places I would need to use this are chunky- this product is basically a no for me. I get better relief mixing some eucalyptus oil into castor oil. Or even peppermint. Which did help- a lot. 

But I won't skip out on some of other details-just because it didn't work for me. It smells like "essential oils". Mostly of lemongrass but there is a little hint of ginger there. It doesn't stink- but it's not my most favorite essential oil combination either. It's decent. But I didn't buy it for scent.

The texture is balm like.  Takes a bit to absorb but it's not too greasy. Not as easy as a liquid oil or something of that nature.

Packaging is cute-although it can be a little hard to open. But I do love anything that comes in a tin and most tins can be a little harder to open. You get two ounces- which is decent because it will last you a little while. You don't need much-at least I didn't on my neck. My legs were different story. though. 

The ingredients are great! All natural- and they are organic. I don't care if my products are organic- but it certainly doesn't hurt. I like that they use Olive Oil in the ingredients- because most companies will cheap out and use Soybean or Corn Oil.They use high quality oils and sell at a decent price. 

Ingredients:

*◊Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Capsicum Frutescens (Cayenne) Fruit Extract, *Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, *Elettaria Cardamomum (Cardamom) Seed Oil, *Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Leaf Oil, *Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, *Thymus Mastichina (Wild Marjoram) Flower Oil, *Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Oil, *Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Extract.

I'm a fan of the Badger Company and really love 2/3 products I have tried from them. If you aren't chunky this might be worth a try! As for me, I'll keep searching or stick to my Eucalyptus Oil. And maybe they will come out with a stronger version that will work for me.

Have you tried anything from Badger? What do you use to get over soreness after a good workout? Let me know in the comments!