November Classic Conscious Box Review and Giveaway

I had been a Conscious Box subscriber for about a year back in 2012, but I stopped my subscription because I wanted to try other boxes and couldn't afford to stay subscribed to all of the ones I wanted to receive.  Conscious Box had always been one of my favorites, though, because of their commitment to connecting sustainable brands with like-minded consumers and aiding subscribers in finding a way to healthier living.  They've made a lot of changes since I was subscriber (all of them great!), so I was more than happy to have the chance to share their November box with you!

The first thing I noticed was that the box design is different (see the original design here).  I like that it's clean and simple, but I did enjoy the different postcards they used to send with the old box.

The contents of the box were wrapped in tissue paper adorned with the Conscious Box logo, with a card on top with a quick rundown of what the box is all about.  Towards the tail-end of my subscription a few years ago, I recall that they stopped sending full informational cards that listed all of the products, and instead emailed the information to their subscribers.  I'm assuming they're still doing that, since there was no product card in the box.

Conscious Box has a few different options, and this is a review of the Classic Plus Box.  The three box options are Classic, Gluten-Free, and Vegan, and the size options are Plus and Taster.  Each option boasts hand-selected food, bath, beauty, and home products, but obviously the gluten-free and vegan options have products appropriate to those labels.

• The Plus option costs $19.95 a month and contains 8-12 products
• The Taster costs $9.95 a month and contains 5-8 products
• Shipping is free for both boxes.  Currently Conscious Box only ships to the U.S. (including HI and AK), overseas APO addresses, and US territories.

• Me & The Girls Lip Moisturizer Lipstick Base and Topper ($7, full-sized) - I love lip balms, especially organic ones.  This one has a vegan formula that softens and protects dry, cracked lips and stays on longer than beeswax formulas.
• Primal Pit Paste in Lavender (~$1.12 for .25 oz) - I reviewed two of Primal Pit Paste's products back in August so I'm quite familiar with this.  A lot of people are wary of natural deodorants (I often hear people saying that they don't "work"), but I think this one is perfect.  It has minimal ingredients and smells really nice.
• The Argan Tree Serum for Hair and Skin (~$1.62 for .18 fl oz) - I'm guessing on the volume of this since it isn't listed on the container, but the full-sized 2 fl oz bottle retails for $18.  Argan oil is definitely the oil du jour, and for good reason.  This contains 100% cold-pressed organic argan oil and can be used to treat everything from treating acne to moisturizing hair.  Even better, $6 of every full-sized serum purchase is returned to the company's 60 woman cooperative in Morocco.
• Xlear Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol (~$2.33 for .25 fl oz) - Again, I'm guessing on the volume of this because it also is not labeled with the size.  Xlear is pronounced like "clear" and this is patented, non-addictive nasal spray that will help clear the sinuses and relieve irritation.  I think it's interesting that it contains xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener often found in gum and breath mints.
• Life Soap Company Relax Lavender Bar Soap (~$3.75 for 2 oz) - I absolutely love bar soaps, especially ones that smell as lovely as this one!  Lavender is so calming, and natural soaps are not nearly as drying on your skin as your average store-bought ones.  This one is USDA organic and paraben-free.

• Organic Coffee Co. Java Love ($1.99 for 2 oz) - I love coffee!  All of The Organic Coffee Co.'s coffees are 100% certified USDA organic, meaning they are grown without harmful pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers.  The Java Love flavor is made with Indonesian and Latin American blends
• Amore di Mona Coffee Caramela (~$.35 for .25 oz, price approximated from here) - I really wanted to love this piece of chocolate because I love coffee and caramel, but it wasn't for me.  It has coffee grounds in it and I found their texture to be off-putting within the chocolate.  The flavor was still pretty good, though, but if you don't like a strong coffee flavor it might not be for you.
• MRM Vegan Bone Maximizer (~$.67 for 2 capsules) - This sample contains two capsules of a vegan dietary supplement that assists in increasing bone strength, density, and health.  As an Asian woman I know I'm prone to osteoporosis, so I try to exercise and weight lift to increase by bone strength and density, but a supplement like this won't hurt, either!  Oh and I'm not great at swallowing pills, but these are about the size of your average pain reliever so they shouldn't be an issue.
• Justin's Maple Almond Butter (~$.37 for .5 oz) - I've tried other Justin's products before and they were all delicious, so I'm excited to try this almond butter.  Maple is one of my favorite flavors so I'm sure it's tasty!  I'll probably use it on toast for a quick breakfast one of these mornings.
• Bolt Tape (~$3.50 for one strip) - Bolt Tape is a kinesio tape that is to be used to treat or prevent athletic injuries.  My friend Sara ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon back in February and she raved about this stuff.  I'm running more myself, so I'm willing to give this a try; I'll most likely apply it to my calves.  I wish there were two strips, though, so that I could apply one to each calf.

Even though it's been a while since I received my last Conscious Box, I can see that they're still sending a wide variety of interesting products.  This one had a good mix of food, beauty, and lifestyle products that are appropriate for people of all ages.

• Visit Conscious Box to learn more and subscribe. Use coupon code FREETRIAL to get your first box for free (just pay shipping)!
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube

Bottom Line: If you're looking for an easy and fun way to learn more about eco-conscious brands, I think Conscious Box is the perfect subscription for you!  I like that they offer boxes at different price points plus options for people living vegan and gluten-free lifestyles.

Want to WIN a 3-month subscription to Conscious Box?  Check out my Instagram post to enter!

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Conscious Box.  Press samples received for review purposes.

Conscious Box Coupon - Get Your First Box for FREE!

Every time I write about Conscious Box I start out the entry the same way -- I love them!  Sorry to sound redundant, but they really are an amazing company and I love their subscription service.  I was a member for over a year (I only cancelled because I wanted to cut back on my spending) and thoroughly enjoyed my boxes.  You can view all of my reviews by clicking here.

Some of the loot from one of my previous boxes

If you want to give Conscious Box a try, they have generously created a coupon code that will allow you to get your first box for free!  You will have to pay shipping, but trust me--it's well worth it.  Use code "SECRETCODE" at checkout to score your free box.  They have three options available: a vegan box, a gluten-free box, and their original box.  The regular price for each subscription is $19.95 a month (shipping included).

If you can, please consider signing up through my affiliate link by clicking the banner below (thanks so much if you do)!

New Conscious Box Website Launch and Giveaway! [CLOSED]

I am a huge fan of Conscious Box and I'm excited to announce that in celebration of the launch of their new website, you can enter to win a 3 month subscription ($59 value)!  Although I'm not currently subscribed to Conscious Box, I was a subscriber for a year and loved every single one of my boxes.  If you'd like to see my reviews, you can do so by clicking here.

Conscious Box offers the best in eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle items, and for $19.95 a month they'll send you a box packed full of goodies straight to your door.  The new website now includes a program where you can review the items you receive in exchange for discounts on products right from ConsciousBox.com.  The more points you earn, the higher the ranking you can achieve as well.  I just signed up for an account (no purchase necessary) and am currently a "Seedling."

Want to win a 3 month subscription to Conscious Box?  Enter using the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This sweepstakes is open to US residents aged 18+ only. It begins on 3 March 2013 and ends at 12:00 AM EST on 11 March 2013. One winner will be chosen by random by this Rafflecopter widget and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. All entries will be verified. Conscious Box is responsible for shipping the prize to the winner.

January Vegan Conscious Box Review

I really love Conscious Box for a lot of reasons, and I'm always eager to host reviews and giveaways for them.  I've shared a lot of unboxings over the past year, and as a thank you to some of their blogger partners Conscious Box sent us a free January box!

I received the vegan box, which was fun for me because before I was a subscriber to their "regular" service and had never gotten the vegan kind.  Aside from the regular and vegan choices, they now have a gluten-free subscription that will begin in February.  Check out my unboxing video below and scroll a little further for a list of what was inside.

• Hail Merry Macaroons Choco
• Simply Straws Handcrafted Glass Straw
• Peeled Snacks Apple Clusters Berry Crunch
• Happy Squeeze Treat Chocolate Pear
• Amazing Grass Kidz Superfood
• Dr. Singha's Mustard Bath
• Dale's Raw Protein Bar Raspberry Hazelnut
• MAAKOA Koopuwa
• Bodhichitta Botanicals Cafe Macchiato Body Oil
• Nutiva Hemp Seed
• People Towels

I'm not vegan, but I appreciate the lifestyle and would purchase these items anyway.  As with a lot of my past Conscious Boxes, this one was a mostly food, which is okay once in a while.  The reason I cancelled my subscription after a year was because I was noticing less of a variety of items (i.e. a lot of boxes were mostly food), but I still think it's a great subscription for people who are interested in learning more about leading a sustainable lifestyle.

• Learn more about Conscious Box and sign up for a subscription ($19.95/month)
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

More photos after the "read more."

Epic New Year's Conscious Box Deal!

I'm excited to announce that Conscious Box has created a special offer that is only being promoted through a select number of bloggers, and I was chosen as one to share this deal with my readers: for today only, you can get your first month of Conscious Box for only $7.95, shipping included!  This is an awesome deal because the box normally costs $19.95 with shipping.

Here's a look at what I've received in past boxes (I was a subscriber for the past year, but am not currently subscribed):

Look good to you?  I know I thoroughly enjoyed receiving my Conscious Boxes.  They are filled with 8-10 (and sometimes more) lifestyle items that are all environmentally conscious.  If you want to see more, you can view all of my past reviews here.

• Sign up for Conscious Box and receive your first month for $7.95 (shipping included) using this link!  This is not a referral or affiliate link and I don't receive any benefits from you signing up, I just wanted to share it with you because it's a service I truly enjoyed while I was subscribed!  This link expires tonight at midnight (EST, I'm assuming, although they don't specify) and is good for either the vegan or regular subscriptions.

December Conscious Box Review

Last month was a little bit rough as far as shipping and some other things for Conscious Box, but they more than made up for it with the December box!  I know that some new members were discouraged by the difficulties they encountered in November, but if you're one of them and you're reading this I encourage you to give Conscious Box another chance.

But anyway, I was really happy with my classic box.  I was going to cancel last month, but I decided not to because I really do love this service and I wanted to stay on for one more month for two reasons: 1. December is my birthday month, and 2. I received my first box last December, so it would mean I'd have been with CB for a whole year.

This box had a lot more variety than the past few, which made me very happy.  Here's what was inside:

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• Truebar - A gluten-, GMO-, and dairy-free bar.  The flavor I received was "Coconut Cashew."  I don't love coconut or cashews, but I'll probably eat this as a breakfast on-the-go.
• NuturMe Sweet Bananas - This is an organic baby food powder.  I don't have any kids but I know people who do, so I will pass this on to someone who can use it.
• 7th Heaven Naturals White Thai Mud Mask - I love doing masks and this one was really nice!  I used it last night and it was perfect for my oily skin, though I'm not sure if it would be too tough on sensitive skin.  It had a nice, light scent and my skin felt tingly and refreshed after.

• Eden Allure Argan Oil - This is the tiny little bottle to the right of the playful wash packet.  I haven't used it yet but I like using argan oil on my hair, so this was a good item to receive.
• Avalon Organics Lip Balm in Soothing Vanilla Rosemary - I'm a lip balm lover and welcome any additions to my collection.  I probably have way more than any one person needs, but at least I know I'll never run out!  I haven't used lip balms from this company, but I have used other products of theirs and I enjoyed them.
• Episencial Playful Wash - I love the packaging on this because it has Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar.  This is a pediatrician-recommended wash for babies with sensitive skin.  Again, no babies for me, but it doesn't mean I can't use this for myself!
• Lemi Shine Original - This is a cleaner you add to your dishwasher to get out hard water stains on glass and such.  I'll use it eventually, but I'm not in a rush to try it.
• eBoost - I really hate eBoost.  I just don't like the way they taste and I think they're kind of lame.

• 18 Rabbits Gracious Granola - Yum, I love 18 Rabbits granola!  All of their products are delicious and I'm sure I'm going to love this one.
• St. Claire's Organics Ginger Pastilles - I still haven't tried these yet, but I'm planning on eating one or two if I ever get a stomach ache because ginger is great for that.

• Divine Milk Chocolate with Spiced Cookies - This bar was amazing!  I couldn't wait to eat it and it was as delicious as I hoped it would be.  On the inside of the wrapper there's information about the fair-trade farmers from Ghana that produce the chocolate, which was actually a really interesting read.  I'm definitely going to buy more Divine bars in the future.
• Weleda Pomegranate Firming Eye Cream - I don't go through eye creams quickly (who really does, though?) because a little goes a long way, so I'm not going to open this just yet.  I haven't tried any Weleda products but I've heard good things.
• Beanfields Crispylicious! Bean & Rice Chips - These were another yummy snack.  They were nice and crunchy and had a good pepper flavor.  I really enjoyed them and I'm going to look for them in the store next time I'm grocery shopping.

I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do for next month.  I really love Conscious Box, I can't say it enough, but part of me wants to cancel my subscription for a few months just because I've had it for so long, and I feel like I've seen everything that they have to offer.  It's all very good, but part of me wants to use the $20 a month to try other services, and then maybe come back to CB at a later time.  As of right now I'm undecided, so maybe there will be a January unboxing, maybe not!  If you'd like to view my video for this box, check it out below (and please subscribe!):



Bottom Line: After a few so-so boxes, Conscious Box was great for December.  I liked the variety of items and was overall happy to find that most of them were things I would use.

December Conscious Box Giveaway [CLOSED]

This December will mark my one-year anniversary of receiving Conscious Box, one of my favorite subscription services!  My first box was actually one I received from them to review, but after trying that box I quickly subscribed and received my first "official" box in January.

Last year's December box

Conscious Box has offered a December box for one of my readers to win, and I'm so excited to give you all the chance to fall in love with their service the way I have!  CB costs $19.95 a month and you can sign up for a regular or vegan-only subscription, and they send 8-10 eco-friendly items straight to your door.

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.  This sweepstakes is open to US residents aged 18+ only. It begins on 9 December 2012 and ends at 12:00 AM EST on 17 December 2012. One winner will be chosen by random by this Rafflecopter widget and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. All entries will be verified. Conscious Box is responsible for shipping the prize to the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

November Conscious Box Review

I was really excited to receive my November Conscious Box because they advertised on Facebook that it would be packed with lots of items, from beauty products and balms to bamboo toothbrushes.  So to my dismay, I opened up my box and found that it contained none of those things: it only contained food items.  After an email to their customer service department, I learned that there was a mix-up where their marketing person confused the packing lists and that all of those fun items were actually only in the vegan box, to which I'm not subscribed.

November marked Conscious Box's one-year anniversary, so I had high hopes for this box.  I have to be honest and say that I was really disappointed with what it turned out to be.  I've mentioned in past posts that sometimes they'll have boxes that are mostly food, which is fine every few months or so, but I've noticed that recently there have been more food items than anything else.  I actually sent them on email to cancel since I figured that by now I've seen all that CB has to offer, but they convinced me to stick around for December.

But aside from that, Conscious Box has been one of my favorite subscription services.  They've had some hiccups recently with political posts on their Facebook, shipping delays (mostly USPS's fault), and recalled items, but overall I still enjoy them.  I'm also getting the hang of video unboxings, check it out below (and please subscribe!):



If you'd rather read than watch, keep scrolling.

• Simply Organic Minced Onion - I was craving a cheesy snack the other night, so I sprinkled some of this onto some garlic bread I made.  It was good.  Pretty standard onion, but good.
• SweetLeaf Sweet Drops Sweetener in Vanilla Creme - No matter how hard I try, I do not like stevia (or any sweetener that isn't sugar, for that matter).  This is a liquid stevia product and it didn't have a terrible flavor, and I'm sure it would be really yummy to those who like stevia, but I just don't like the weird aftertaste I get from these types of products.
• Justin's Organic Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - These little guys caused some controversy!  Some people (myself included) received items that were included in a recall of Justin's products for potential salmonella exposure.  I'm not mad at CB about it, nor do I care to have them send me a replacement.  It's not worth making them pay the postage; I know I can pick these up at my local grocery store so I'll grab some the next time I'm out.

• Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix - This mix is gluten-free and contains 8 grams of whole grains per serving (the package itself is one serving).  I love pancakes and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this tastes.
• Lush Nuts in Dark Cocoa Chili - I haven't tried these yet but I think they're going to be delicious.  They're chocolate-coated peanuts, and I love when dark chocolate is paired with chili.
• Teeccino Herbal Coffee - There were three Teeccino products total, but the one in this photo is a bag of the 75% Organic Mocha flavor.  I don't really understand what this is supposed to do -- it's "naturally caffeine free," but is supposed to replace coffee.  I drink coffee for the caffeine, so I'm hoping that this gives me the same boost.  Oh well, I'm willing to try it.

• Freekeh Grains - How fun is that to say?  According to their package, it's pronounced "free-kah."  I've never heard of this grain before, but apparently it's similar to quinoa.  I'm not in love with quinoa but I'm willing to try this.  It's the Tamari variety.
• L'Ecuyer's Gourmet Caveman Rub - This rub sounds suuuuper yummy.  I'll probably put it on some chicken.
• Organic India Tulsi Tea - There were two packets inside, one Green Tea and one Original.  I'm up to my ears in tea, so whenever I get more it doesn't really stand out to me anymore.
• Bloomers! Snow Peas Seeds - The packaging on these is so cute.  I'm going to save these for if I ever start a vegetable garden.  I keep saying I want to, but I just never end up doing it.

• Teeccino - Lastly, we have the other two Teeccino packets.  One is Hazelnut and the other is French Roast.  These are in tea bag form, which is interesting.  Also USDA organic.

Bottom Line: In the past I've said that I never planned to cancel my Conscious Box subscription, but recent boxes have only been so-so.  If December's really blows me away I might stay on for a few more months, but as of right now I plan to go on a hiatus after December to try out other services.  November's box didn't have the variety I was hoping for, but my past boxes and interactions with customer service have been great.

*Disclaimer: I purchased this box with my own money and was not asked to review it.  I was not compensated for this post in any way and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

November 1-Year Anniversary Conscious Box Giveaway! [CLOSED]

November is Conscious Box's 1-year anniversary, and to celebrate they have offered a November box for one of my readers to win!  I'm a Conscious Box lover and I'm super excited about this box.  All of their boxes have been amazing (I've been a subscriber since January), but this one is going to be their best one yet.  Here's a teaser they posted on their Facebook:

This November all our boxes are geared towards a "Green Gifts Guide" theme. We've got a huge variety from multiple beauty products, body balms and scents to delicious treats, healing potions, spices, and even bamboo toothbrushes! We know many of you say this every month, but the November boxes are our best ones yet. November is Conscious Box's 1 year anniversary and we've truly out done ourselves!

Sound like a good deal (believe me, it is!)?  If you'd like the chance to win this box, enter below using the Rafflecopter form after the cut.  Or, if you'd rather not leave it up to chance, sign up for Conscious Box by November 6th to ensure you'll receive the box!  You can sign up at ConsciousBox.com.

September Vegan Conscious Box Review

The winner of my Vegan Conscious Box giveaway, Bev, was kind enough to provide me with her thoughts on the first-ever vegan box.  Check them out below!

• Funky Monkey Freeze-Dried Fruit in "Purple Funk" - Didn't like the texture of these, not a dried fruit fan I guess.
• Happy Squeeze Orange Mango Coconut Milk - This was very good!
• Artisana Goji & Milk Thistle Nut Butter - YUM!
• Teeccino Maya Herbal Coffee - One large package and two smaller tea bag sizes, the tea bags were good but I don't have a regular coffee maker to try the larger package.
• Clean Well Disinfectant Wipe - Just a standard wipe in my opinion, it smelled good though.  I cleaned all the doorknobs in the house :)
• C3 for Stress - I have tried these in other boxes and don't really care for them
• Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil - I added this to a smoothie, added that extra coconut flavor
• Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer - Didn't really care for this or really have any use for it as I don't use pre-workout energizers
• Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil - I admit I was afraid to try this.  Spraying something like this on my body seemed odd.  I noticed at my massage last night that they had the same stuff but I forgot to ask about it.
• Madecasse Chocolates - Two small bars.  These were good, but I think I'm just used to regular chocolates, so for me these had a bitter aftertaste.
• Vaska Laundry Detergent - I have tried this before and I like it.
• Hurraw! Coconut Lip Balm - I really like to try different lip balms and this was good, although it didn't have much staying power.
• 100% Pure Cabernet Grape Nourishing Body Cream - Two small packages.  Love, love, love this stuff!  I could see myself purchasing this.
• There were several coupons/inserts as well: $5 gift certificate for Core Defender Meal (got one in my regular Conscious Box also), 25% off the Ancient Minerals, $10 credit for opensky.com, a couple inserts having to do with the founder of Vega, 20% discount for the Madecasse website, and $1 off any Vaska product.

Bev says, "It was like Christmas getting this vegan box and my regular Conscious Box.  I love trying all these new items and finding new favorites."  Thanks again to Bev for sharing her review!

October Conscious Box Review

October's Conscious Box was full of goodies for me to eat.  I like when they send boxes that are mostly edibles because then I can eat them and be done with it and not have more samples hogging up space around my room.

I was more excited than usual for this box because October and November are my favorite months, and I was hoping for some fall-themed items.  I can't say that the items quite fit that idea, but they were an interesting mix.

She's not as miserable as she looks in this picture, her eyes are half-shut because of the flash

Someone came and plopped herself onto my bed to investigate when I brought the box upstairs to open.  It's true, cats love boxes.

So, as you can see, mostly food this month.  I've noticed (and I've stated before here) that every few months Conscious Box will send a box that's mostly food.  I'm thankful that they do, because I do have a ton of samples piling up, and I really just like to eat treats, too!  There were 11 items total, not including the postcard.  I don't ever try to calculate the true value of the items, but in case you're wondering the box costs $19 ($12 and $7 for shipping) total and generally has about 10-13 items.  I think it's well worth the price.

Here we go, in order from clockwise left to right (sort of).  Sorry that the above photo is blurry, guess I didn't focus that one too well.  I was too excited about breaking into the items!  Oh and this month Conscious Box actually included descriptions of the items in the packing list email (they did away with the index card lists last month to conserve), which was much more helpful than just linking to the survey like they did last month.

• GoodLight Natural Light Candles - I love candles.  This is a nice sized package of six unscented tea lights.  They're paraffin-free and non-toxic.  Now I just have to get a cute owl tea light holder to burn them in.
• Larabar - I received the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor, and it was okay.  Larabars aren't my favorite.  I was hoping this would be a little sweeter than it was.
• GeoDeo Natural Deodorant + Detox - I've heard so many people whining about how natural deodorants "don't work," but I think that this one works great.  I got the Island scent, and not only did it keep me feeling fresh all day, it also smells amazing.  I think sometimes people forget that deodorant is not the same as antiperspirant, and if you're sweating like a beast through a workout you're going to smell no matter what deodorant you use.
• TeaTulia - I have more tea packets than I think I'll ever drink in a lifetime.  This one is "Whtie Tea" and it's USDA organic.  The label says it's "medium-bodied with notes of peach," which sounds yummy.
• VitaRocks - These came in my box a few months ago and they're really fun.  They're basically vitamins in Pop Rocks form and Lemon Burst flavor.

• Yummy Earth Organics Lollipop - I got the Wet Watermelon flavor and it was delicious.  I've had these before and I love them, I just wish they were a little bit bigger.
• BumbleBar Organic Sesame Bar - I haven't tried this one yet but I like their packaging a lot.  It's the Original Peanut flavor and it's gluten-free.  Looks like there's some cinnamon in there, too, so I think this is going to be pretty good.
• Postcard - Conscious Box started sending these a few months ago.  I don't really send postcards, so instead I put a few of them (along with the photos they attach to the inside of each box) into a frame that's currently hanging over my desk.

• Crum Creek Certified Organic Soy Nut Mix - I'm not a fan of nuts so I might pass this off to my dad or my brother.  But then again I'm looking at the ingredients and it contains organic chocolate chips, so maybe I'll keep it for myself after all!
• Zarbees All-Natural Children's Cough Syrup - I love the cute little bee on this, too!  Obviously I'm going to save this for when I have a cough/cold.  It's grape flavored and a 100% drug-free dietary supplement.
• Clandestino Banana Bar - This was also included in a previous box, so I've had it before.  I have mixed feelings about these bars--they're tasty because they're covered in chocolate, but I'm not a huge fan of the taste of banana.  But I think someone who liked banana would really enjoy this.

• RW Garcia Dippers 3 Seed Curry & Mango - Oh. My. GOD!  I can't even describe how delicious these chips are, but I'll try.  THEY ARE AMAZING.  I opened them up as soon as I got the box (the cat was also interested in them, she stuck her nose in the bag because I think she thought they were treats) and I devoured them.  I mean, really devoured.  Took no prisoners, left no survivors.  I even went to the grocery store later that night and picked up a full-sized bag (not realizing, of course, until after I had returned that there was a coupon for $1 off inside the box).  They are the perfect mix of sweet and salty and OMG I just want them all the time!

Bottom Line: By now you all know how much I love Conscious Box!  Even though I've said in the past that I want to stay a subscriber forever, I've been considering putting my subscription on hold for a few months recently.  It's not that I don't love them, it's just that it is a bit pricier than other services and I think I've seen most of what they have to offer by now.  I might take a temporary hiatus to try out some other services, but I'm not sure about that yet.

*Disclaimer: I purchased this box with my own money and was not asked to review it.  I was not compensated for this review in any way and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

September Conscious Box Review

My September Conscious Box took over a week to get to me this time, which made me really anxious because I love getting my monthly surprise in the mail.  There was a shipping delay, which is totally forgivable because I've never had a problem with their shipping otherwise.

The theme was "Embrace the Vitality," encouraging members to reinforce the balance in daily routines as summer transitions to fall.  This box wasn't my most favorite ever, but it still had some quality products that I enjoyed trying.

Now that Conscious Box also has a monthly vegan box, they wanted to cut down on the amount of paper they use, so they no longer include a card with all of the information about the items on it.  Although I completely understand the impetus behind this change, I don't really like it.  I would have preferred they stopped sending the postcards (this month's is of a mountain, in the center of the picture above) instead, because one of my favorite parts of opening my box was reading the details about each product.  They do still send an electronic list in the form of a survey, but it's just not the same to me.

Here's what I got, in clockwise order from top left in each photo (approximately):

• Wild Rose Aromatherapy - This little packet contained two vials, a Wild Man Beard Conditioner and a Total Attunement Balancing Moisturizer.  I gave the beard conditioner to my boyfriend because, try as I might, I just can't grow a beard.  I love the moisturizer.  It has a really nice, earthy smell and it's a great dry oil.  I've been using it at night after cleansing for my face.
• Primavera Hand & Nail Cream - I love this little sample!  It was the bonus item for the month, which can be earned in a few different ways (mostly through interactions on their Facebook page).  It's a .15 fl oz hand cream in the scent "ginger lime."  I love the texture of it and I wish I had more.
• Barlean's Organic Oils Omega Swirl to Go - I am so nervous to try this because the words "fish oil" really freak me out.  It's supposedly a "great tasting" Mango Peach flavored Omega-3 Fish Oil supplement that you can drink on its own or with a smoothie, etc.  Okay, I just opened it and it doesn't smell bad at all.  Here we go...oh it's not bad!  It really just tastes like a mango smoothie, and mango is one of my favorite flavors.

• Artisana Raw Cacao Bliss - I've had this before, I think I first sampled it through Eco-Emi.  It's a 100% organic raw chocolate coconut butter.  I'm still meaning to use my other coconut butters in my hair, but since this one is chocolate flavored I'm going to eat it!
• Avalon Organics - These are a set of Bath & Shower Gel and Hand & Body Lotion (2 oz each), both in a Lavender scent.  They smell so nice and are Leaping Bunny certified as cruelty-free, and contain 70% organic content.  The lavender scent is so relaxing.

• Jovial Einkhorn Pasta - I love me some pasta and I'm really interested to try this out.  It's 100% organic whole grain and is made from einkhorn, "the most ancient wheat."  I recently found an awesome diavolo sauce at the grocery store (Wegmans, anyone?) so I think I'm going to have to try it out on this.
• Amazing Grass Amazing Meal - This is the Original Blend, and it's a powder that provides a "satisfying blend of protein and superfoods."  It's organic, gluten-free, raw, vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, and has no added sugar.  It's also USDA organic.  I'm not sure what it's going to taste like, but I'm willing to give it a try (mixed with water).
• HealthForce SuperFoods Vitamineral Green - Here's the product that I would have liked to have had that info card the most for, because I couldn't figure out how I was supposed to use it.  It's another supplement, which I guess can just be mixed in with whatever you want to mix it with.

• Joy's Teaspoon Loose Leaf Teas - I got a packet of Lemon Zest and Emperor's 7 Treasures, which I'm going to assume was the same as everyone else because that's usually how it goes.  I haven't tried these yet, but Emperor's 7 Treasures sounds especially interesting.
• 100% Pure Body Creams - Two little packets, one with a Honey Almond scent and the other with Coconut.  I tried the Honey Almond and it was a little too much honey for me, but the texture was great and it really moisturized my dry skin.  The packet size is also perfect for one application on the arms and legs, which I really appreciate.  I hate when I have a packet of lotion and I only use half, because then the half-full packet just ends up sitting around because I forget about it.
• Defend+ energy - This was another supplement that I actually did use.  It had a Berry flavor that I really enjoyed, and it seemed slightly effervescent (though I may have just imagined that part).
• Warrior Meal (not pictured) - There was a $5 off coupon for a Warrior Meal in this box, which I'm pretty sure has been included in previous boxes too, but I didn't use the last one and I won't use this one because their products cost more than $5.  Sorry, I already spent $19 on the box, I would like to try your product if it's included in that price.  They couldn't include it, though, because it wouldn't stay fresh.

Bottom Line: Not my most favorite Conscious Box ever, but definitely not anything that would make me want to cancel.  I'm really looking forward to the next few months, because fall and winter are my favorite seasons and I'm excited to see what kind of goodies CB will include!

*Disclaimer: I purchased this box with my own money and was not asked to review it.  I was not compensated for this review in any way and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Vegan Conscious Box Giveaway! [CLOSED]

This is my third time hosting a Conscious Box giveaway and I couldn't be happier to share my love of this eco-friendly subscription service with you all! Debuting in September is their special 100% vegan subscription option, and the awesome Conscious Box team has kindly offered one for one of my readers to win.  To learn more about the service, you can read my past reviews of their non-100% vegan service here.

The first vegan box is being curated by Brendan Brazier, former pro Ironman triathlete, bestselling author of Thrive, and formulator of Vega.  Brendan is known as the top authoritative source for the vegan, plant-based diet and has used his experience to help create one of the most incredible Conscious Box experiences yet!  I'm sure that even non-vegans will love this box.  If you're interested in winning one, please enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

This is not the vegan box (it's my August box), but I'm sure it will look similar

This sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents aged 18+.  It begins today, 14 August 2012 and will end at 12:01 AM EST on 22 August 2012.  One winner will be randomly selected via the Rafflecopter widget and will be notified by email.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond via email to claim their prize, or a new winner will be selected.  All entries will be verified.  The sponsor is responsible for shipping out the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored giveaway. I was not compensated for hosting this giveaway.

August Conscious Box Review

My August Conscious Box arrived yesterday, and I'm still amazed at how quickly it arrives.  But then I always remind myself that I'm paying $7 for shipping, so it had better arrive quickly!

I especially love the cover photo this month, so pretty!

August's theme was "Rediscover Your Groove," and the items included were based on the idea of rediscovering what makes you happy.  Out of all of the (Conscious) boxes I've received thus far, this one is my least favorite -- but that's not to say that it was bad.  I just didn't love the items as much as I've loved some that were included in the past.

August's box contained 12 items, not including the postcard in the upper-right hand corner and the miscellaneous coupons and inserts.  As you can see, it was mostly food items, which I've noticed they do every three or four boxes or so.  I actually like it; I have such a massive buildup of unused samples that it's hard to find room for more.  If I can just eat them all then that problem is solved!

• berryplus Laundry Soap - This item is a repeat, which kind of surprised me.  I also received some of this in my first Conscious Box back in December.  It's a very useful product, though, so I don't mind getting another one.
• I Love Chicken Poop Lip Junk - This made me smile simply because of the name.  There is no poop in it!  I'm not really sure why the name is Chicken Poop, but it's a nice beeswax-based lip balm.
• Crispy Green Crispy Mangoes - I love mangoes but I didn't care for these freeze-dried ones.  The texture just freaked me out and I didn't like the way they felt against my teeth (does that sound weird?).  They tasted great, though, I just couldn't get past the texture.
• Crunchmaster Sea Salt Multi-Grain Crackers - I opened these up after failing with the mangoes and I loved them.  They're pretty simple, just delicious, gluten-free crackers.
• St. Claire's Organics Raspberry Tarts - My informational card says that they're watermelon, but I received raspberry.  I'm fine with either flavor.  I haven't tried these yet, but I'm sure they're great because I'm still loving the St. Claire's Organics peppermints I got last month.
• Honest Tea Honest Kids Berry Berry Good Lemon - I love Honest Tea products and I also love juice, so I'm really interested in trying this one.  I like the sound of the flavor and I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
• Natural Vitality Kids Natural Calm Multi - I've blogged about Natural Vitality products quite a bit, and I've used both their Natural Calm and Natural Calm Plus Calcium.  The Kids variety is Fruity Splash flavored.
• thinkThin Crunch - I received two thinkThin bars in a Cravebox once and I hated them.  They really tasted terrible.  This time I got "Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts" and "Blueberry & Mixed Nuts."  The blueberry one wasn't bad at all, and I'm hoping the chocolate one will be good (I think it was just something about their peanut butter flavors that was really gross to me).
• Weleda Pomegranate Firming Serum - I have a feeling this is going to be a lot of peoples' favorite product.  It retails for $45, and I've heard great things about Weleda before, but I'm not sure if I'll end up using this.  I'm overloaded with creams and serums already, so I might sell this.
• Wexy Bags - These are so cute!  They're biodegradable, BPA-free snack bags with fun monsters on the front.  They're obviously targeted toward children, but I'm going to use them for my lunches at work!
• Go Raw Real Live Apricot Bar - This was the extra item for the month (which you can receive by interacting with Conscious Box on Facebook).  It's USDA Organic, vegan, and certified wheat/gluten free.  It looks like one of those fruit leathers with seeds in it.

Bottom Line: Lots of yummy treats were included in August's Conscious Box, but it didn't wow me the way boxes in the past have.  I think that was mostly due to the fact that there wasn't a ton of variety this month.  I still was satisfied with this box, and am looking forward to what they'll include for September.

Check out more photos after the read more.

July Conscious Box Giveaway! [CLOSED]

Now that you've read my July Conscious Box review (many thanks if you have!), enter to win one for yourself!  The kind folks at Conscious Box have promised one free July box to one of my readers.  Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

This sweepstakes is open to US residents aged 18+.  It begins today, 11 July 2012, and ends at 12:01 AM EST on 19 July.  One winner will be selected at random via the Rafflecopter widget and will by notified via email, so be sure that you enter with an email address you have access with.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond via email to claim their prize, or a new winner will be chosen.  The sponsor is responsible for shipping the winner their prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

July Conscious Box Review

My unconditional love for Conscious Box has been well-documented on this blog, so are you surprised to learn that July's box is yet another one I'm going to rave about?  But even better, after this entry you'll have a chance to win a free box for yourself!

This month's theme is "The Simple Joys of July," with the products reflecting the "vibrant summer season" (as stated on the card attached to the top of the box).  I can confidently say that this box is by far one of the best simple joys I have in my life right now.  I always know that each Conscious Box is going to be packed with things that I'll use and enjoy, and July didn't disappoint.

Conscious Box is a lifestyle box, and it always includes a good variety of items.  While I was opening the box I first noticed how heavy it was, and then I heard some mints jingling around inside.  I usually rip right into the box and take out all of the items as quickly as I can while still being careful, because it's so much fun to see what surprises are in there!  It's Christmas every month, it really is.  Here's what was in the box:

• The All Natural Face Vegan Eyeshadow - I received the shade "Honey Gold;" I'm not sure if everyone got the same shade or if there was a variety.  I've used The All Natural Face's cosmetics before and I love their eyeshadows!  Honey Gold is the perfect shade for me, and the sample is pretty decently sized.
• Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Deck - This is what was making the box so heavy.  At first I didn't know what it was, but it's a deck of 54 cards with information about all different types of aromatherapy ingredients (ginger, lavender, etc.).  I'm interested to flip through them and see what they have to say.
• Aura Cacia Brightening Pure Essential Oil - This is a .5 fl oz bottle of "Sweet Orange" scented 100% pure essential oil.  It smells absolutely amazing and I'll probably combine it with water to use as a refreshing mist, as the text on bottle suggests.
• Just Great Stuff Organic Superberry Acai - I love getting food bars in my boxes because I take them to work and eat them for snacks.  This flavor sounds really yummy and I can't wait to try it tomorrow.
• Naturally It's Clean Floors - I have another packet of this from an Eco-Emi bonus box that I still haven't used, but it will get used eventually.
• Jadience Herbal Formulas Muscle and Joint Therapeutic Cream - This is perfect for me because I have a little bit of chronic back pain.  I fractured my tailbone when I was 10 and I've been a little achy ever since.  Nothing too terrible, but enough to be uncomfortable at times.  I'm definitely going to use this next time I'm feeling sore.
• Madhava Natural Sweeteners - I can't lie, I really like using plain old sugar in my coffee.  I am interested to give these a shot, though; the package contains an Organic Coconut Sugar and an Organic Agave Nectar and a $1 off coupon.
• GoGo squeeZ - Okay, I love these!  My favorite product this month is this package of "applesauce on the go."  I even got the Apple Mango flavor, and mango is my favorite flavor of everything all the time!
• Tea Forte Teas - I've had Tea Forte's mints before and they're really good, but never their tea.  I got Cherry Marzipan, Cucumber Mint, and Honey Yuzu.  They all sound delicious.
• St. Claire's Organics Mints - These mints are USDA Organic, vegan, and allergen-free.  The tin is a good size, 1.5 oz, and the flavor is peppermint.  I like to have mints in my purse so these will be great for on-the-go.
• Sun Warrior Warrior Blend Raw Protein - I think I'm going to pass this one on to my brother.  It's vanilla flavored and is gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free and non-GMO, but I'm just not a protein powder user.
• Mighty Leaf Iced Tea - Mighty Leaf is one of my favorite tea brands because they taste so awesome.  I received the Ginger Peach flavor, yum yum!
• Powbab Baobab Superfruit Chews - This is the bonus item for July, which can be earned by writing on Conscious Box's Facebook wall.  These are made with the African Baobab fruit pulp and delivers daily antioxidant needs.  The packaging is kind of large for only a few chews inside, which seems wasteful to me, but otherwise I'm excited to see how these taste.

So much amazing stuff, right?  I just can't say enough about how much I love Conscious Box.  For those who haven't heard of them before, a monthly subscription costs $19 ($12 for the box and $7 for shipping).  It's a bit more expensive than other services out there, but just look at all of the items I got!  It's totally worth the price: it's consistently amazing and the shipping is also really fast (my box usually arrives within 2 days of receiving the shipping notification, from California to New York).

• Check out Conscious Box at their website
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter
• If you like what you see, you can enter to win a July box here!

Bottom Line: Sign up for Conscious Box!  It's my all-time favorite subscription service and I hope I never need to cancel.

Check out more up-close photos of the items after the "read more."