Goodie Goodie Gumdrops! A Goodie Box Review

From time to time the Ms.Careergirl Columnists receive offers to review products. Luckily for me, I was chosen as a Goodie Box reviewer and my package arrived days before an upcoming work trip. Here is what came inside and what I thought!

Beanitos – Black Bean Chips

Pass the salsa! Great with salsa as an appetizer or healthy snack, they were not as hard or crunchy as corn-based chips so mentally, you want to prepare for this differentiation. Packed with flavor, these trans-fat-free chips were still salty enough for a sodium-craving runner like me and make for a healthy swap at your next football party. Link

Van Holten’s Pickle-Ice

Speaking of salt, triathletes and maybe expecting mothers need to check out Van Holten’s Pickle-Ice. I know, #PICKLEPOP sounds gross but I tried it after a grueling workout and was pleasantly surprised by the picksicle’s flavor and grateful for the electrolytes it promised to provide. Link

Navitas Naturals – Hemp Peanut Bar & Cacao Cranberry Bar

I know, I know, bars are not “real food”. But if it was between one of these bars and a snickers, it would depend on how hungry I was. JK, I would obviously pick this certified organic, plant-based, superfood-loaded bar! For when you’re traveling and don’t have a full kitchen, this is one of the healthier bars I have seen. The Hemp Peanut had just the right amount of sweet/salt taste and if given the choice again, I would pick this over the Cacao Cran option. Anything peanut butter-y always wins. Link & Link

Justin’s – Honey Peanut Butter + Banana Chips

This was my favorite thing in the box. (See above peanut butter FTW reference). The honey peanut butter was a bit stiff so some of the banana chips cracked on contact but that didn’t matter! I had just traveled for 6 hours and there was an adorable single serving of honey peanut butter in the palm my hand, no complaints. Link

Gutsy Products – Chewy Citrus Flavor

I have an iron stomach and so have yet to crack these Flintstone-vitamins looking tablets for GI distress. Here is what I found out about them: a Cleveland Clinic trained gastroenterologist and Harvard trained dentist has treated thousands of patients with digestive disorders and a common concern patients present at his office is gastrointestinal distress. These all natural products promote oral and digestive health with a proprietary blend of nature’s remedies: papain (papaya), licorice root and apple cider vinegar (GiGs^®). Fast-acting Gutsy Chewy™ is gluten free, lactose free and vegan friendly. Use it to help eliminate that queasy, uneasy, refluxy feeling with GutBurn™ and GutBloat™ after eating. I think I need to eat more wings or go heavier on the hot sauce to have the need for this. Link

Q Drinks – Q Ginger Beer

Calling all Moscow mule lovers, you know who you are, it’s time to get fancy. This essential non-alcoholic mixer packs an extra big ginger punch that is clean and crisp without being too sweet. It’s made with REAL ginger, organic agave, a touch of coriander, cardamom, and lime. Cheers. Link

Natralia – Anti-itch Soothing Cream

Oh, Natralia, where were you when my feet, although in fabulous strappy summer sandals, were ravaged by mosquitoes on a warm August evening this past summer? This anti-itch Soothing Cream is a cortisone-free alternative made with natural colloidal oatmeal and menthol to relieve itchy and dry skin. (mmmmm colloidal oatmeal). Anyway, used to calm irritation caused by insect bites (they love me, I’m just so sweet, or it’s the wine, idk), sunburn, poison oak, ivy, and sumac, and eczema, it has been clinically proven to work faster and better than anti-histamine gel. Beautiful autumn weather in Milwaukee = mosquito risk winding down. I won’t need it in WI for a while.  But will definitely be packing this relief for my next warm weather getaway. Link

Nootrobox – Chewable Coffee Cubes

Warning! Very strong coffee taste! If you like the aroma, temperature, and experience of drinking coffee, I recommend keep doing that and skip on these potent coffee cubes! I would recommend for endurance athletes/those who do not have access to coffee or starbys. Link

Hampton Creek – Just Mayo

Tell my old trainer in FL that said no mayo that I could probably get back with mayo! This tasted like the real deal. This Non-GMO; Cholesterol-free; Vegan; Egg-free; Dairy-free; Soy-free; Lactose-free; Gluten-free; Kosher; No artificial colors or flavors product was a treat when paired with my on-the-go lunch of leftover grilled chicken breast and ½ sweet potato. Link

JJ’s Sweets – Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels

Remember those classic caramels in different colored wax paper you had when you were a kid? They are all grown up now. And ideal for satisfying an after-dinner sweet tooth (not like I know about that or anything). Blissful Cocomels also include the many benefits of coconut oil and are organic, vegan, gluten free, corn syrup free, soy free and Non GMO. JJ is not JK, these were yummy! Link