August Conscious Box

Conscious Box sends you healthy and eco-friendly products every month for $19.95 a month.  They offer a regular box, a vegan box, and a gluten-free box.  You can review the products you receive for points, which you can redeem for full size products.

They ship as a box-in-a-box via USPS.

Every box includes a post card.  This month's isn't my favorite, but it's still really pretty.

Lemi Shine Dish Detergent Additive: ($.87)  We have a water softener, so we don't get may hard water spots.  J still used this in a load of glassware and it came out looking much clearer.

Stash Lavender-Tulsi Tea: ($.23)  I'm still trying to convince myself to like hot tea.  It's just not happening.  I have several friends who like it, so I usually force them to drink a cup when they come over.

MRM Digest-All: ($.50)  These alleviate gas and bloating and help your body absorb nutrients.  I didn't realize that my body was bad at absorbing nutrients?

Barbara's Organic Snackimals: ($.62)  Barbara's cereals are my favorite.  Puffins? SO GOOD.  These are like cinnamon toast crunch, but way, way better.

Happy Tot Super Toddler Bars: ($2.80)  They're meant for toddlers, but my non-toddler friend tried one.  It looks like a rice krispie bar, but doesn't taste like one.  He said it doesn't taste bad, but it is very dry...so certainly something you'd want to give to your kid with some milk or juice or something.

MRM Veggie Protein: ($.66)  Protein powders are very intimidating to me, but I do like that this one is veggie protein.  Hopefully it isn't horrible tasting.

Country Choice Organic Oatmeal: ($.62)  It's been too hot for me to crave oatmeal, so I haven't tried this yet.  Cranberry apple just sounds like a perfect fall flavor.

Actz Avocado and Shea Body Butter:  This lotion is pretty awesome.  It feels super nice and soaks in well, leaving my hands feeling soft but not slimy.  It starts out smelling strongly like watermelon laffy taffy, but it dies down into a more subtle scent.  They also included a 50% off code: Cbox4life

Sneakz Organic Milkshake: ($2.08) I got one of these in June box, too.  It doesn't taste bad, but it's certainly not thick enough for it to qualify as a milkshake. I think I might try using this one in a smoothie.  

Healthy to Go Go Greens: ($1.17)  I was totally stoked about this.  Organic? Healthy?  Green apple flavor? Sounds AWESOME.  Then I drank it.  Not so much.  I tasted the green, but not the apple.  And it was gritty.  Not my thing.

Sleep Squares: ($1.67)  These raspberry chocolate chews are meant to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.  I think I've said before that sleep medications knock me on my butt, but I might try this the next time stress has me awake all night.

Allimax Capsules: ($2)  These capsules are Allicin, which is made from garlic.  It apparently has several health benefits, and can improve your body's natural defenses.

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Jellies: ($1.18)  Even though these gummy vitamins are intended for kids, J took them.  He said they didn't taste horrible, but they were super slimy.

The total value comes to a bit under $15.  Not the highest value box, but Conscious Box is great for introducing you to new eco-friendly brands.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

July Conscious Box Review

Conscious Box is $19.95 a month and they send you 10-20 (mostly sample sized) products from ethical, sustainable, natural, and eco-friendly companies.

Conscious Box is a box-in-a-box for shipping, which I continue to find odd.  You would think that a subscription all about preserving the earth would use minimal packaging.

Every month comes with a post card.  They're always beautiful, so I really need to find a crafty way to use them.

Peeled Apple Clusters: ($2.19) Peeled snacks are GMO-free, which is nice.  However...these left something to be desired.  The "crunch" factor was all but missing.  When you first bite into one of these little clusters, they are a bit crisp on the outside, but then they're just chewy bits of cinnamon flavored dried apple.

Skout Trailbar: ($2.49) I got the same Cherry Vanilla bar in last month's Conscious Box, too, and I still haven't eaten either of them.

Stash Tea: ($.46) I am not usually a hot tea person, but this chocolate orange flavor has me intrigued.  I'll definitely give it a go.

Clean Ethics Bottle Bright: ($1.19) This is a chlorine-free, non-toxic tablet that is supposed to clean your water bottles, travel mugs, and the like.  I really like the idea of these, but they seem a bit pricey.

Organic Flavrz Drink Mix: ($3.37)  I got these in last month's Conscious Box AND last month's Love with Food box.  We're well stocked on flavrz.  I'm wasn't a big fan of Boost, so I haven't worked up the nerve to try the other two flavors yet.

Similasan Computer Eye Relief Drops: ($.84)  The one product in this box that I probably actually "need" and I haven't tried it.  I stare at a screen 85% of the time I'm awake...but eye drops wig me out.  I'll work up the nerve to use these one day, and I'm sure my eyes will thank me.

Equal Exchange Dark Chocolate: ($.46) I included the dime so you could get an idea how itty-bitty these bars are.  That may not be a bad thing because oh, man this is good chocolate.  For some reason, I felt guilty just thinking about eating both of these in one sitting.  So, maybe the bite-sized wrappers on these could help me with portion control.  Or, I could buy that full size Dark Chocolate Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt bar they sell. 

Nordic Naturals DHA Xtra: ($1.07) While I can most definitely use these benefits, they're not vegetarian, so I'll make J try this supplement out.  (Not that he needs mood support.) 

Ultima Replenisher: ($.80) Since I've started being outside more in the heat, I've also started feeling dehydrated more.  This stuff has great reviews, so the next time J and I spend the day running around outside, I'll take this along with me.

Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Tablets: ($.48) These are natural and cruelty-free.  They also have really good reviews on Soap.com.  J's the dishwasher in the house, so I passed them on to him to try.

Epic Xylitol Mints: ($.37) I know nothing about Xylitol.  Supposedly, it's an all-natural sweetener that's better for you than sugar.  These mints are pretty tasty, but didn't make my breath feel much fresher.

Eco-Geko Wooden Tasting Spoon: ($.04) Er...okay. This is one of those little spoons like you get when you sample food at a grocery store.  Don't get me wrong, it's cool that it's biodegradable and compostable and whatnot but...really, what am I supposed to do with this?

Orgain Healthy Kids Milkshake: ($2.69) This has a bunch of vitamins and minerals in it, and contains no corn syrup, GMOs, or artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors.  It tastes sort of like the after taste of a chocolate Luna bar and has a watery consistency.  Not terrible, but it's no chocolate milkshake. Also, J made fun of me for drinking something with KIDS printed on it in giant letters.  This is coming from a 26 year old guy who watches My Little Pony.

Episencial Soothing Cream: ($.29) This is a baby lotion, but they say it's really for ages 0-150.  It's supposed to be good for dry, itchy skin, which J has from time to time, so I passed it on to him.

MRM Hydration Factor: ($1.33) You add this to water and it is supposed to optimize hydration, improve exercise performance, and promote healthy circulation and skin. Umm...doesn't water do that all on its own? 

Last Round: ($2.99)  You drink this after drinking before going to bed.  I've only ever had one horrible hangover - the day after my 21st - so I don't think this is a product I really need.  Given the gross brown sludgy color of this shot, I'm not complaining.  Maybe one of my more hard-partying friends will appreciate this though.

The total value of this month is just a bit over the cost of the box itself.  I'm a bit annoyed by the repeat products, but there is something to be said for the variety of things they included. 

June Conscious Box Review

I tried Conscious Box a long time ago and cancelled it, but decided to give it another go when a deal popped up on Plum District.  Conscious Box sends you a collection of pure and sustainable products and samples every month for $19.95 and has a vegan option available.

Conscious Box sends a box in a box.  The inner box is very nice, but I do find it to be an odd choice for a company that sends eco-friendly products.

The box wasn't stuffed, but I was at first glance by the variety.

The info card and post card included are, as always, lovely.  I really need to figure out a creative way to use them.

Molly Muriel Volcanic Bliss Soap: (~$.60) You can smell the tea tree oil in this, but it isn't extremely strong.  I like it.  It's a really great unisex soap.

Molly Muriel Soft As Silk Shampoo Bar: (~$.60)  I adore shampoo bars!  I can't wait to use this.  It has a nice scent, even though it seems to have absorbed some of the tea tree smell too.  The use of the wrong "its" on the packaging is driving my grammar OCD nuts though.

Cloud Star Buddy Wash: ($.33)  Stella is not pleased that I have yet another to bathe her this week.

Son for men Soothe: (~$1.25)  J was just complaining about a couple razor bumps the other day.  I'll give it to him to try the next time he shaves.

Earth Friendly Products Hand Soap: ($.82)  This lemongrass soap smells good like whoa.  It lathers really nicely, too.  I'm surprised how inexpensive it is.

Skout Trailbar: ($2.49 each) Both the Cherry Vanilla and the Apple Cinnamon flavor sound delicious.  I'm a massive fan of trailbars and such, so I'm sure I'll love these.

 Organic Flavrz Drink Mix: ($4.50) I've tried the Boost flavor, and haven't decided if I like it or not.  It is better for me than Crystal Light and such, so maybe it will grow on me.

Smock Paper Thank You Card: ($5)  This picture doesn't accurately show how pretty this card is.  I've looked through their website, and all of their cards look nice.

Naked Wines $50 voucher: Again, I'll never use this.

Natural Vitality Natural Calm plus Calcium Drink Mix: ($.45)  This is supposed to relieve tension and help you relax.  I might try this next time I get buried under work.

Larabar Alt Bar: ($1.59) I adore Larabars.  Have you tried the Cherry Pie bar?  It's amazing.  This one was pretty tasty, too.  The Alt Bars have added protein but unlike other bars, they get their protein from peas.  I really want to try the Pumpkin Pie flavor, too.

Greek Island Labs Joint Mud: (~$3) This junk is expensive.  Luckily, I don't have much joint pain.  Yet.

Sneakz Organic Milkshake: ($2.08) This chocolate milkshake contains a full serving of vegetables.  It's obviously geared towards kids, but I'm really interested in seeing how well they managed to cover the taste of carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.

Grand total: $25-ish.  It's not the highest value subscription box, but you do get money's worth.  I really like the wide variety of products they include.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.