GNC Total Lean Shake BURN

I recently got invited to try a new product called GNC Total Lean Shake BURN courtesy of GNC and Crowdtap. If you know me you know I don't hit the gym much, but really enjoy running and doing in-home workouts. Recently in my weight loss journey I've hit a plateau so I was happy to mix it up a bit and try something new.

I've never tried to boost my workouts with protein powder but, I'm willing to try it to get to my goal. According to the GNC Protein Number (88) I should be consuming 88g of protein daily. If you'd like to calculate your protein number you can find the GNC calculator here: GNC Protein Calculator  I should also mention that when you do find your protein number you can also receive a $10 off select GNC proteins coupon if you give them your email address.

I am supposed to consume 88 grams of protein daily to continue my weight loss

OK, enough of that and onto the results. I was hesitant when I received it that it would actually taste anything like "Chocolate Fudge", and more like chalk. However, I didn't think it was bad. It reminded me a lot of the powdered NesQuick as a kid... but mixed in water; instead of milk. Had I mixed it into milk I think I would've loved it.

I tried to mix it in a clear glass to show what it looked like mixed, unfortunately I only had a green glass

When you 1st try it, if you are new to it only do half a recommended serving until you know how your body will react. It took me a couple days to get comfortable with upping the serving. The first gave me crazy amounts of energy, but I was almost a little dizzy or spacey so I was afraid to go for a run with my head buzzing. The next day it wasn't nearly as bad. By the 4th day I felt completely comfortable and didn't really notice anything but the insane amount of energy I had. On day 5 I upped the ante and went up to a full dosage strength.

I will say, that I'm glad I didn't stop after that first day. I had continued my workout regimen but hit a plateau at 149 pounds. I attribute the weight that I've lost in the last few weeks to the change-up in my protein intake since starting GNC Lean Shake BURN. I'm now down to 140 so I've lost 9 pounds which puts me so much closer to my target of 130# I can almost taste it. The GNC Lean Shake BURN is really great a curbing my appetite so I'm not finding myself craving donuts or wanting to eat anything I can find.

My husband has been trying it with me as well. He says he can feel the difference and we both have noticed he's lost some pounds but he hasn't been keeping track like I have so I can't officially report his progress. All-in-all I found it to be a good product that I plan to keep up with. Once I hit my target goal I think I'll use it to maintain my target weight, or even see if I could go just a bit lower. I'm not sure if I'll try any of the other flavors since I'm happy with the chocolate fudge, but I know I'll find myself buying the "to go" bottles.

Ivory® 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash Trial

I recently got an opportunity from a company I'm new to called, Influenster. I had no idea what product they were going to send me aside from the fact that it was a 2-IN-1 shampoo/conditioner &  body wash. It's the kind of thing I'd buy for hubby (who could care less about the hair under his baseball hat all day everyday) and something I'd immediately dismiss for my own use. But figured I'd at least stick to my word and give it a shot. After all, I'm a busy full-time mother of 2. I find it hard enough to find time to change my clothes let alone find enough shower time to shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse, body wash, rinse....

A couple weeks ago I got the package at my door. Excited to see the brand and smell what I'd be showering with for the next 2 weeks (yes, I was going to stick it out for 2 weeks, good or bad before I gave a fair review). Having extremely long, blonde hair I'm very fussy about my hair products because if it doesn't work, I'll be spending all that extra shower time I saved trying to fix whatever it did to my hair each day.

Contents of the package I received from Influenster.

The box arrived shortly after being accepted. Here's what I found:

• Welcome Note
• 1 full sized bottle of Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash
• 3 coupons for $0.75 off 1 bottle of Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash

First things, first... the smell. I had nothing to go on yet aside from the smell since I'd already showered for the day and would start the next day. I gave it a quick sniff and can't say it was anything too overdone. It actually reminded me of a bar of soap. It wasn't real feminine like the products I'm used to, but not masculine either. It was a very clean scent though, one I could live with.

The next day I threw caution to the wind and grabbed it quick before I hit the shower. I was in a hurry anyways so I was really hoping it would cut my shower time down. When I put some in my hand I was surpised it didn't lather quite as much as usual shampoo, but then again it was supposed to be different. Rubbing it in my hair I thought felt a bit odd, but soon enough after a quick washdown and rinse I'd cut my shower time in half (impressive since I usually have to take fast showers anyways, as my 2-year-old allows me little to no privacy).

Rinsing my hair felt clean and ready to go. A quick towel off and I felt fresh head-to-toe. Brushing my hair I have to say wasn't quite as easy as when I use my normal product, but it was much easier then after I use those shampooing conditioner bottles you find in hotels. A quick spritz with my detangling spray and I was set.

I have to say, once my hair dried I was FLOORED! I don't remember the last time my hair was so shiny... yes, actually I do. After the last visit to the salon! I figured for sure that first trial had to be a fluke, surely it must have been the detangler that I sprayed in my hair. I made a mental note to brush through the mess the next day with no detangler. That seemed to work fine anyways because I didn't seem to need it as much the next day (maybe I just had awful bed head the first day)? Later, my hair dried... it sounds so egotistical of me and self centered but it was a sunny day and I had the sunroof open and with the sun shining in on my hair I could NOT stop looking at it.

My mom happened to be visiting and not wanting her to think I was a total ego maniac I told her what'd been going on and I was using the new Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash. Apparently she was intrigued and very excited when I said it was made by Ivory. She said, "Really? Ivory? That means it's affordable too!" Later she was headed to the gym and I caught her sneaking some from my bottle into her portable shampoo holder. She said she was out of shampoo and figured the gym (where she's always in a hurry to shower) would be the perfect place to try. She returned raving about it and telling me I had to give her one of my coupons.

I also tried it out on the kids' bath time and not only is it quick and easy, I found that it doubles as bubble bath. The kiddos love this stuff as much as I do!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

BOGO Ujuice Coupon

You can get a coupon for a BOGO FREE Ujuice when you register here. You can find where to buy them here.

FREE Travel Sleep Number Pillow

Sleep Number is giving you a coupon on their Facebook page for a FREE Sleep Number travel pillow. To get yours "like" them on Facebook here & print the page out. Take it into your nearast Sleep Number store fast (these usually go quick) and get yours.

$5 off $25 at Cub Foods

Save $5 off $25 at Cub Foods when you sign-up to get emails. Today I gor 2 FREE pounds of babanas! The $25 is before coupons, so you can save a lot. You can also refer friends and get up to 5 additional $5 off  $25 coupons. You can sign up here.

FREE Scotch Tape at Target

This week, Target has Scotch Magic Tape on sale for $1. The 3M site has a manufacturer's coupon for $1 off making each roll FREE! You can print yours here (it's on page 2).

FREE Hershey's Bar & Toothbrushes at CVS 7/3 - 7/9

Did my CVS run today & there's definatly some good deals going on! First, make sure you stop at the magical machine to get your ExtraCare Bucks if you haven't picked up your quarterly returns yet!

Make sure you scan your card until it says there are no more coupons available. Mine printed a lot of stuff.

Hershey's Air Delights bar = FREE from ECB scanner

Starburst/Skittles - $2.50
Use $2/1 from ECB scanner
Total = $0.50

Coke 2-Liters = $0.69

Oral-B Pulsar Toothbrush $5.99 (Buy 1 get $3 ECB - 2 Limit)Use $3/1 Oral-B Adult or Kids Battery Toothbrush from 6/5
Pay $2.99
Get $3.00 ECB
Total = -$0.01 (Moneymaker)

Oral-B Advantage or Cross Action Toothbrush $3.00 (Buy 1 get $1 ECB - 2 Limit)Buy 1 Oral-B CrossAction Toothbrushes ($3.00)Use (1) $2/1 Oral-B CrossAction
Pay $1.00
Get $1.00 ECB
Total = FREE
Here's another scenario for the same deal

Oral-B Advantage or Cross Action Toothbrush $3.00 (Buy 1 get $1 ECB - 2 Limit)Buy 2 Oral-B CrossAction Toothbrushes ($3.00)Use (1) $2/1 Oral-B CrossAction
Use (1) B1G1 Oral-B CrossAction Toothbrush from 6/5
Pay $1.00
Get $2.00 ECB
Total = -$1.00 (Moneymaker)

Coupon for $1 off Wisk Detergent

Head over to Wisk's Facebook page for a coupon good for $1/1. This coupon will come in handy when it goes on sale for about $3. You can get yours here.

You Can Still Get Your FREE Pantene if You Had Issues

If you had issues getting your FREE Pantene, you're still in luck!

"We’re so sorry for the glitches with our giveaway this week, and we want to make it up to you! If you weren’t able to claim a coupon due to technical issues, email us (Pantene.im@pg.com) with Your Name, Your Address, Your Email and we will send you a coupon for FREE Pantene. (US Only, until 07/05/11) (Free shampoo or conditioner up to $4.99, excluding trial size. US only, 18 or older, 1 coupon per household.)" 

You can find their post here.

BOGO Charcoal at Lowe's (as low as $1.74/bag)

***UPDATE***
I was just looking through the Cub Foods Summer Savings booklet I picked up in store this afternoon, inside is a coupon for $1/1 Kingsford Charcoal (16.6# or more). Grab 2 of these and you should get this deal for at least $2.74/bag!!!

BOGO free Kingsford 16.6# bag of Charcoal at Lowe's, now through the 4th. The 1st bag is $7.48 the 2nd is free making it just $3.74/bag. If you wew lucky enough to score that $2/1 coupon available yesterday, you could be looking at a total for 2 bags of $1.74/bag (if they'll accept a coupon on the free item)!

The coupon however, says you need to purchase a KC Masterpiece, or Hidden Valley Ranch product. IF Lowe's has these you can print the $2/1 coupon here, and use your KC Masterpiece coupon from the 5/15 SmartSaver. There's also a coupon for $1/1 Hidden Valley product here.

Make sure after your coupons print, you hit the back button to print it a second time.

If the deal works correctly you should get 2 bags of charcoal + 2 bottles of BBQ sauce for $3.48.

FREE Old Orchard Juice

You can get a FREE full sized Old Orchard juice when you register to become a member of their fan club + take a short survey. You'll earn 1,000 points for registering and another 1,000 for the survey. You can redeem 2,000 points for a coupon mailed to you for a FREE 64oz bottle of juice. You can register and find the survey here.

FREE Fiber Choice Sample + Coupon

FREE sample of Fiber Choice here. There's also a $2 off coupon located here.

FREE Full Size Pantene *HURRY*

"We're celebrating our fans today by giving away up to 100,000 FREE coupons NOW! Click below for your opportunity to receive a FREE coupon for a Pantene shampoo or conditioner up to $4.99 (excluding trial size). Good luck! (US residents only, 18 or older. Limit 1 coupon per household.)"

Find them here.

Old Navy Tankathon - $2 Tank Tops + Coupon

Old Navy has their Tankathon this weekend, Saturday & Sunday for the general public. There's a coupon here for $5 off $30.

FREE Bowling

GoBowling.com is trying to break a world record for most games bowled in America in a day on August 6th. What does this mean, find out here.

"While supplies last, Participants will receive a coupon for two (2) free bowling games at participating bowling centers (each, a "Coupon"). . The Coupons will be mailed to the Participants at the address provided by the Participants in their Submissions. The Coupons will be mailed 4-6 weeks after Sponsor's receipt of a Participant's Submission. 

The Promotion begins on June 15, 2011 and shall end August 31, 2011, or until supplies of coupons shall be exhausted (whichever occurs first). Coupons valid for one free game of bowling. Valid daily from June 15, 2011 – August 31, 2011 between the hours of 8:30am and 6:00pm."

 

Old Navy Tankathon - $2 Tank Tops

Old Navy has their Tankathon this weekend, Friday & Saturday for the general public. There's a coupon here for $5 off $30.

If you want to get your tanks before everyone else and sleep in, you can get a pass to get your tank tops today here.

FREE Crest Pro Health Samples

Walmart has a FREE sample of Crest Pro Health mouthwash, floss & toothpaste. You'll also receive a coupon for toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, and a toothbrush. Get your samples here.

Hy-Vee Michelina's Match-Up 6/23 & 6/24

Michelina's is on sale today and tomorrow only at Hy-Vee for $0.49 & to make that deal better, Michelina's a coupon on their site for $1 off 5. That'll leave you paying about $0.29/each! Find your coupon here.

$2 off Renu Contact Solution

Renu contact lens solution has a coupon for $2 off. This will be especially useful if paired with a sale. Print yours here.

BOGO Lipton Iced Tea - Take this to CVS

BOGO Free Lipton iced tea. Hit your back button, print the 2nd and head to CVS where these are on sale for 4/$5 with $1 back in Extra Care Bucks! Find it here.