Opal Apples

Opal Apples is a fusion of Golden Delicious Apples and Topaz Apples. The discovery was made in Europe during the year 1999. For the last 12 years, Opal Apples were tested throughout Europe and the Mediterranean 63 orchards. Opal Apples made its way across the sea to the United States during March 2010. Ralph Broetje Orchards in Washington State was the chosen recipient to exclusively grow Opal Apples.

Opal Apples has a yellow exterior with a muted white interior. The taste of the opal apple is considered sweet and tangy. The flesh of the opal apple does not brown. Opal Apples are offered only during the months of November to March. Bzzagent gave free coupons to try Opal Apples to purchase it at major chain grocery stores who have the Opal Apples in their inventory.

The Food Emporium priced Opal Apples at $3 a pound. It was expensive nevertheless, and 3 Opal Apples could be have for that price. Once at home, I sliced a Opal Apple into wedges. The apple skin was intact, thus did not brown after an hour. The Opal Apple tasted a bit sweet, more tangy. It was just like any other apple.

Opal Apples are difficult to be found in every grocery. It would be good if they could be stocked at the local grocer, making it readily available. Hence opal apples will not be on fruits to buy list.

Paula's Choice CLEAR 3-step Acne System

My face complexion has been good from 2006-2012 with the occasional acne monthly. Then in 2012 I tried a Schnaphil CC Cream and it made my face broke out internally with bumps underneath the skin. I tried Now Foods Vitamin C & Manuka Honey Gel Cleanser and Vitamin C & Acai Berry Toner, Onsen milk cleanser, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Concentrate, Reviva Labs Brighten Lighten Facial Cleanser & Reviva Labs Cream Hydratante Night Cream, Obagi facial cleanser & toner given to me as a parting gift from Christine Chin Spa, but it did not clear up the bumps. None of it worked. Therefore I was surprised when Paula's Choice facial Clear 3-step was offered to me. My sister had heard of her facial products, but was hesitant to try it as she has highly sensitive skin. I have sensitive combination-normal winter & combination-oily summer skin. Here is the photo taken of the 1st day prior to starting Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength facial regimen.

My face prior to starting Paula's Choice CLEAR 3-step was acne prone, bumpy, uneven, and blemishes. The bumps underneath the skin was caused by Schnaphil CC Cream I decided on the regular strength kit to help me combat the skin issues. A few days later using the skincare dried out the temples of my face and it was irritating the nerves. I used the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Concentrate and it calmed down the irritation. Therefore the skincare was used every night along with dna to diminish the blemishes. I saw improvement in my skin texture, being that it was no longer bumpy and smooth to the touch. Now the bb cream can be applied nicely. I still get breakouts on the chin. The Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser was watery and gentle on the skin, but it did not remove a light coating of makeup.The Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution was used with a facial cotton ball and it showed the remainder of the bb cream still on the skin. The Clear Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment took a few days to reduce the size of my acne. Overall Paula's Choice CLEAR acne kit is okay. It helps treat acne, but is drying and makeup not gone completely. So ideal for skin types of teenagers and for those whose face are covered with acne.

Dial Tone Pink Peony and Rose Oil Body Wash

The product was offered from Bzzagent and Dial Tone.

Opening the flip-top cap of the Tone Pink Peony and Rose Oil Body Wash produced an aroma of rose fragrance. The smell was mild. The bottle was adorned in pink with drawn flowers on the front and the usage details along with the ingredients on the back. The design was good and simple.

I had a dry patch on my left arm. No other body wash evened out the skin texture. I used the Tone body wash on the third day of receiving it and noticed the dry patch on the left arm disappeared within a week. I was happy and proclaimed it to my family. My sister told me she would try the Tone body wash when she gets around to it. My mom said, "Whatever you like".

The aroma does not linger on my skin. Though other people who had tried the product claims it does when used in bath soaking. I prefer it as a shower. The flip-top cap was an inconvenience, it will be better if it had a push function. Otherwise the product is cool.
Now I just need to remember where I put the coupons to purchase additional Tone body wash, but in different aromas.

General Mills Fiber One Cereals

The cereals were offered as part of the Bzzagent campaign from General Mills, fiber one cranberry almond and maple brown sugar.

The cranberry almond was chosen to be eaten first after seeing how cranberry was listed.

Upon opening the box was disappointed to find meager pieces of cranberry and almond. Nevertheless poured out a handful to munch on and it was good dry. A few days later milk was bought to try the cereals with. I poured a bowlful of cranberry almond and maple brown sugar on different days. The maple brown sugar reminded my siblings of the honey smacks cereal. Inside contained scant amount of pecans. The brown sugar coated the cereal which disintegrated in the milk and turned the milk to a light brown color. Both of the cereals became clumpy, but retained its crunch after a few minutes bathing in milk.

The cereals did not sit well with me. I have a low tolerance with sugar.The sugar content listed on the box stated 16 grams of sugar. The sugar came from fructose, corn syrup and/or maple syrup. The cereals are good to munch on and can be added to your cooking, but not with milk. The artificial flavors and ingredients was nauseating. The fiber one cereals are a no go [keeping stomach not growling for two hours], but their bars are rich in fiber and will keep you full [4-6hours].