Review - thinksport body care products & reusable bottle

I like taking surveys ... go figure. A question which often comes up is whether or not I believe a brand is "fun". I never quite understood that concept until I was introduced to thinksport.

The email I received, inviting me to collaborate with thinksport, was signed by their "Chief Thinker" ... that made me smile. I checked out the company and, deciding that their philosophy fit with mine, agreed to try some of their products.

I ALWAYS read labels. Thinksport labels list ingredients and even show the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) rating for each element along with a link to EWG's skin deep database so that we can check out their claims for ourselves. They include all the legal stuff and information about missing ingredients ... things like parabens, phthalates and harmful chemicals. So where's the fun part, you ask?

The shampoo label makes it clear that it won't help you solve Einstein's Theory of Relativity or ride your bike faster. It directs users to apply the product to "wet stinky head and body". After noting that the conditioner is only tested on humans, the user is encouraged to "go play". And, the skin lotion label points out that if we fail to use a lot, then it will take forever to buy more. Fun!

A humorous label is nice but how seriously do they take their mission statement to provide safe consumer products? In my opinion, they are committed to their goal. Their website states that they don't wait for a material to hit the headlines with negative press about safety before taking action. They are proactive in testing, learning and making changes before concerns are raised.

I received thinksport's After Sport Skin Lotion, Sport Shampoo & Body Wash, Conditioner and an Insulated Sports Bottle to review.

The skin lotion has a light, citrus scent. It feels silky and absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy film. I used the lotion on my body, including my face, without any skin irritation. With ingredients like Aloe, Vitamin E and Witch Hazel, the lotion nourishes and repairs.

I love the shampoo & body wash. As a shampoo it leaves my hair feeling clean. The grapefruit scent is refreshing. The product washes out completely leaving no residue ... just squeaky clean hair.

This conditioner leaves my hair feeling soft and looking shiny. A little goes a long ways so this product, in addition to being effective, is also worth the cost. True to the label's claim, I didn't become a super hero after use.

I received the 25 oz (750 ml) insulated water bottle to test. If you've never tried an insulated bottle, you are missing out. This double-walled stainless steel bottle keeps water cold for hours. It has a clever wire mesh filter so that ice doesn't escape when drinking (don't you hate it when you have to battle ice to get the water). It is sweat-free and the lightweight construction makes it easy to hold and carry. My bottle, the purple one, is beautiful.






By the way, this company also offers baby products such as safe bottles, nipples, shampoos and sunscreen. If you have little ones, check out Thinkbaby.

I recommend Thinksport. They are a dedicated company, taking our health and the planet's seriously. They are also fun!


I received products in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the material reviewed.

Review - TAKEYA® Classic Glass Beverage Bottle

Believe it or not, I wasn't always as "green" as I am today. I know ... shocking (but true). There was a time when we stopped at a local convenience store to buy a bottle of water whenever we left the house. The longer the trip, the more we bought.

Not only was it expensive, it created a lot of waste! According to treehugger 40 billion water bottles end up in landfills each year.

When reusable bottles first hit the shelves, there weren't a lot of options. In fact, the majority of them were made of plastic. Yes, they were BPA free but still there were concerns about recycling them at the end of their life cycle and the fact that plastic is a petroleum-based product.

Today there are a number of safe, Eco-friendly and inexpensive options available ... beautiful bottles which come in a variety of sizes and colors. One of my favorites is the TAKEYA® Classic Glass Beverage Bottle.

Check out these great features:

• made with thick, durable glass
• silicone jacket provides soft grip and protects the glass bottle
• shock absorbent bottom
• bottle and sleeve are dishwasher safe
• no metal or plastic taste
• leak-proof airtight twist cap
• wide mouth opening fits ice
• see-through window for checking fluid level

I received the blue 16 ounce bottle. In addition to all the great features listed above, here's what I really like:

• It's the perfect size for my grip ... not too wide around to comfortably hold.
• The silicone has a nice "feel" and keeps condensation from dripping onto the table top or my clothes.
• The "loop" around the neck of the bottle is sturdy making it convenient for clipping onto a backpack or bicycle.
• The mouth of the bottle is the perfect size for sipping.
• There's nothing harmful leaching into my drink.
• When this product is no longer useable, the materials can be recycled.

Are there any concerns about this bottle? The only downside, in my opinion, is that the cap is not attached which may make it easier to lose. I should also mention that while I've been assured that the glass won't break if dropped, I really like the bottle and can't force myself to intentionally drop it for testing.

I'm looking forward to enjoying my TAKEYA® Classic Glass Beverage Bottle this summer with the knowledge that it's safe for both me and the environment.

Do you have a reusable beverage bottle?

UPDATE (11/23/13) - Yesterday I dropped this bottle in my kitchen. It survived!! It continues to be one of my favorite bottles!


I received a TAKEYA® Classic Glass Beverage Bottle in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the product reviewed.

Buyer Beware!

In July, when I began this blog, I wrote a post on plastic bags (you can read that post HERE). Reusable bags are one of the mainstays of living a green life ... right along such basics as replacing light bulbs with energy efficient versions and lowering the thermostat by 5 degrees.

In the beginning, not many people carried reusable bags into the store ... but now it is very common to see people with their giant totes carrying groceries to their cars. It has become so common, in fact, that companies want in on the "green" action and reusable bags with a store's logo or an advertiser's slogan are popping up all over.

The same thing is happening with reusable water bottles. They have become trendy and the perfect medium for advertising.

Unfortunately, these products are being made out of fresh plastic ... not recycled soda bottles ... not sustainable materials ... not earth friendly. Manufacturers will boast that their product is made out of polypropylene and tell you that polypropylene is easy to recycle and totally earth friendly. But it is plastic ... a by-product of oil refining processes. Yes, it can be recycled but the recycling process degrades the plastic's properties and recycling is difficult and expensive. That means that much of it will end up in our landfills and oceans.

So today's tip is easy ... be sure to find out what those reusable totes and water bottles are made of. If it's fresh, virgin plastic ... just say no. Choose, instead, bags made out of recycled or sustainable materials and stainless steel water bottles.

I'd like to leave you with the following video. It is the reality of plastics in our world.




As always ... I would love to hear from you!