Review: Elegear Silver-Infused Cooling Blanket*

If you're anything like me, sleeping during the summer is a gamble. When the nights get hot, it is so hard for me to sleep; I like a cold room, but that’s easier said than done when the nights are still 75+! I also need something on me when I sleep — the weight of a blanket is so critical for me. I was given the opportunity to review the Elegear Arc-Chill 3.0 Cooling Blanket, and after using it for the last few weeks, I've got some thoughts.

What Makes This Blanket Different

Before I get into my day-to-day experience, I think it's worth explaining what's actually going on inside this blanket, because it's not just "thin fabric" doing the work.

The blanket is built around Elegear's Arc-Chill 3.0 fiber technology, developed with Japanese textile engineers specifically to pull heat away from the body on contact. The fabric is woven with conductive fibers designed to speed up moisture evaporation and trigger a cooling reaction the moment it touches skin — which is why it feels cool even before your body heat comes into play. 

Layered on top of that is silver-ion infusion, woven directly into the fabric. Silver ions are naturally antimicrobial, so instead of just feeling cool, the blanket also resists odor buildup and bacteria growth over time — a nice bonus for something that's going to be next to your skin all night, every night. This is also what makes it a good option for people with sensitive skin, since it's designed to stay cleaner and less irritating between washes than a typical blanket. Elegear markets it as suitable for babies and allergy-prone sleepers too, which tracks with what I've felt using it — nothing scratchy, nothing that felt like it was sitting on my skin funny.

Knowing the "why" behind the blanket made the rest of my experience make a lot more sense.

My Thoughts

Lightweight: The very first thing I noticed when I unwrapped this blanket was the weight — or rather, the lack of it. It's genuinely one of the lightest blankets I've ever used, but it does still feel substantial. You still feel covered and cozy, just without any of the trapped-heat, weighed-down feeling that comes with a traditional blanket.

Cooling Effect: I have never used a cooling blanket before, so I wasn’t sure what it would feel like or how effective it would be. But the cooling effect is real. It definitely feels cool to the touch and when you’re sitting with it on your lap, it helps keep your temperature lower. It's not a gimmick; the Arc-Chill fabric genuinely does what it says, drawing heat away instead of trapping it like a normal blanket would. That cooling sensation held up throughout the night too, not just for the first few minutes.

Texture: Texture matters a lot when you're trying to actually fall asleep (I can’t stand an itchy blanket!), and this blanket doesn't disappoint. The fabric has a silky, smooth feel against the skin — nothing scratchy or synthetic-feeling, which is a relief given how many "cooling" fabrics can feel more like a gym towel than bedding. It glides over your skin in a way that feels almost luxurious. 

Fit & Sizing: I was a little worried this would be one of those blankets that either swims off the sides of the bed or feels too small to actually tuck in properly. Thankfully, that wasn't the case — it fits my bed well and drapes evenly without bunching up or hanging awkwardly off the edges. I love that it comes in a variety of sizes so when my kids inevitably ask for one, I can get one to fit their beds too.

Appearance: Sometimes, blankets that serve a purpose kind of look utilitarian. However, I really love the basic, neutral color — I picked light gray, but it comes in several colors — it helps blend into my existing bedding without feeling out of place. 

Final Verdict

If you're a hot sleeper who's tired of overheating in the middle of the night, this blanket is worth trying. It checks all the boxes: lightweight, genuinely cooling, soft against the skin, and a solid fit for the bed. It's become part of my regular summer sleep setup, and I don't see myself going back to a traditional blanket until temperatures drop. It also makes a great couch blanket for relaxing in the evenings. 

Rating: 5/5 — Light, cool, and comfortable. Exactly what it promises to be.

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Disclaimer: As noted by the asterisk (*) in this post’s title, this product was provided free in exchange for a review. Posts like this help keep the lights on here at Writing Between Pauses. To learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.

King of Christmas Review: Are These Viral Christmas Trees Worth It?

A few months ago (although it feels like I just blinked), I received the opportunity to review a King of Christmas tree. If you’ve spent any amount of time on social media, and especially if you follow home decor, mom bloggers, etc., you’ve seen the King of Christmas trees. They always look so gorgeous and high quality.

I’ve had the same Christmas tree since 2019 — I bought it for about $200 at Walmart because my (also cheap) Target tree had stopped working. Last year, I knew that tree was on it’s last leg: I’d replaced so many lights and it was just limping along. So getting the opportunity to review a tree from a brand I’d wanted to try was so, so exciting.

I chose the 6.5’ Yorkshire Fir with warm white lights. Controversially, my husband is a colored lights guy and I’m a white lights only girl; it’s been a source of contention. We were both so excited for this tree though that I think he was willing to accept my top choice.

This tree came in a shockingly small box! When I opened it, I wasn’t quite sure how it would come together into a 6 1/2 foot tall tree. However, come together it did — in only a few minutes. Violet was helping the entire time and was so excited to see a Christmas tree come alive in just a few short minutes.

Together, we fluffed the branches, got it plugged in, and put on the tree skirt.

She was obsessed — and only got a few wayward pine needles stuck on her foot!

A few things I loved:

• The quick and easy assembly. It goes without saying, but with 2 kids and now a tiny puppy in our house, having something just… come together in a few minutes means a lot.

• It comes with a storage bag. I’m so excited about the storage bag! Every year, I struggle to get my tree back into my storage closet in my office (it’s a big storage closet, but it has a short ceiling) and it will be so nice to get rid of that big, bulky box.

• Fluffing it is so easy. Some trees you can fluff for days and they still look like a spindly tree that came out of a box. This tree definitely looked full from the start and just about 5-10 minutes of working on branches left it looking incredible.

In sort, I’m obsessed and cannot wait to get out the rest of our Christmas decor to decorate this tree and get it looking incredible.

If you’re in the market for a new Christmas tree to last you for years to come, I cannot recommend King of Christmas enough. They’ve got so many trees to chose from, unlit and prelit, and so many varieties… there really is something for everyone.

Disclaimer: As noted by the asterisk (*) in this post’s title, this post is part of a product exchange partnership with King of Christmas.

Alltrue Summer Box 2021 Review*

I’ll admit that I’m a total sucker for a subscription box.

I love surprise packages showing up at my door. I love tiny samples of things (my continued Ipsy subscription is proof of this). I love trying new stuff. I love that thrill without having to put mental energy into picking things. I’m never going to randomly buy 3 different face washes—but if Ipsy sends me 3 face washes? It’s on, baby!

Alltrue, formerly known as CAUSEBOX, is a seasonal subscription box that sends you a curated selection of sustainable and fair trade products. It’s an excellent mission and one I really admire! Quarterly Alltrue members pay $54.95 per season; however, if you sign up for Annual membership, you pay $199.80. That’s a savings of about $20.

What kind of products does Alltrue send you? Well, they were kind enough to send me their Summer 2021 box, so let’s look at what I got:

• Brand with a Heart OMG Smooth Leave-In Conditioners ($24 value)

• Hanalei Hawaiian SPF Lip Trio ($18 value)

• REDUCE To-Go Bowl ($20 value)

• SANCTUARY PROJECT Thick Gold Hoops ($28 value)

• Pepper + Vetiver Set of 3 Nesting Bowls ($30 value)

• Bala 1/2 LB Weighted Bangles ($45 value)

In total, the box I received is valued at about $165. (Some of the values, specifically for the set of nesting bowls and the weighted bangles, I had to estimate; I couldn’t find the 1/2 lb weights specifically on Bala’s website and the Pepper + Vetiver Bowls are based on resellers on eBay because that’s all I could find for them!)

Either way, for $54.95 (or slightly under $50 if you pay annually), that’s pretty good value!

The question, of course, is always: will you use everything you get? I obviously can’t speak for anyone else and I can’t tell you if you will personally find value in what you receive. Each season, you get the chance to pick a few options and customize your box. For example, in the summer, you could choose between the Hanalei Lip Trio and a nail care product; or the nesting bowls and a retinol serum. You pick one item from each category and create your box. It’s fun, it’s simple, and you end up with products that ultimately you do get to choose.

I personally like just about everything I got. I’m planning to gift the SANCTUARY PROJECT earrings to my sister (shhhh, don’t tell)—but everything else I have already used!

You might be thinking: this sounds really similar to Fab Fit Fun. And you’re right! But I think the big difference is Alltrue’s commitment to sustainable products. Yes, it’s still a subscription service; you are receiving products that ultimately aren’t needs. But I think having a sustainable mindset while finding joy in trying new things is totally possible. (Alltrue’s curation commitments and 2020 impact report can be found here.)

Alltrue is currently running an Intro Box promo where new members get their first box with $150 worth of products for only $25! You can sign up for your first box here. And if you sign up, let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I received the Alltrue Summer Box in exchange for review. You can learn more about my disclosure policy here.

Beauty Review: Color&Co At Home Hair Dye Kit*

As most people have in the last year, I’ve really leaned into coloring my own hair at home. I don’t do anything that wild with my hair—I just try to dye it my natural color to cover up my (fairly significant for my age, or at least that’s what people tell me) grays. For years, I’ve used eSalon; I’ve written 2 reviews about eSalon on this very blog. While eSalon always worked in a pinch, in the last year, I’ve gotten really bored with my hair color—it never felt quite right for what I was asking for and the process to have them change the color was really complicated and felt impersonal.

Enter Color&Co, a custom hair color delivery service by L’Oreal. They emailed me a few weeks ago about trying out a colorbox designed specifically for me. Who can turn that down? I jumped at the chance because, as a primarily at-home hair colorist, I am always willing to try something different to see if it really works. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the entire process—from sign up to coloring my hair.

The Process

When you sign up for a Color&Co colorbox, you have the option to take a quiz about your hair or have a free consultation with one of their specialists. If you’re like me and think your hair color is pretty straight forward, I encourage you to do the consultation—primarily because in my consultation, my consultant, Deb, asked some questions I had never thought of before. Once you select consultation, you’ll schedule a time with one of the consultants. Then, you just wait for that appointment time!

During your consultation, you’ll talk about your hair, of course: your goals for it, if you’ve dyed it in the past or recently, what you usually choose for hair dye. You’ll also talk about the specific tone of your hair you want, how much gray you have, and more. One of the best parts of this process for me was talking about my gray hair; I guess it didn’t occur to me previously, but I have “stubborn gray hair” that resists coloring. With previous hair dyes, my gray has started to show within 2-3 weeks. Deb gave me some extra steps to do why coloring my hair to help color those grays.

Once your consultation is done, you’ll go to an order screen where you purchase your colorbox; once it is formulated by your consultant, it’s shipped out to you. Super easy and highly personalized!

Receiving Your Box

Get exciting—your colorbox has arrived! In my consultation, we talked about how the ends of my hair have been bleached. In February 2020, I got probably the most ill-timed balayage done, which meant I’ve been coloring over blonde ends that aren’t particularly happy about the situation. So my kit was a little more complicated than the standard: I received a permanent color for my roots to cover my stubborn grays and then a semi-permanent color for my ends.

The kit comes with your color, the developer that you’ll mix with it, 2 sets of gloves, a packet of stain guard, a packet of stain remover, and a packet of conditioner.

In my case, I had 2 colors and 2 different developers. You’ll also receive a packet of personalized instructions; mine had instructions for doing my roots first and setting a time for 35-45 minutes to really cover my grays. Then, 10 minutes in, I would apply the second color to my ends.

When it comes to actually coloring your hair, if you’ve done it a lot, you probably have a process that works for you. I know I do! However, if you’re new to coloring your hair at home, I highly recommend chatting with your consultant about how to do it. If it helps, there are lots of YouTube videos out there to help you. The back of your hair is always the most daunting part, at least to me. But you can do it, I promise.

What I Liked Most

When it comes to hair dye, there are a few things I always specifically look for. The main one is that a lot of at home hair dyes drip really badly—they tend to be on the thinner side and it can get messy fast. What I liked about the color I received from Color&Co was that the dye itself, once it is mixed, is fairly thick; I still needed to be careful, of course, but it wasn’t drippy and messy like a lot of at home kits.

Another thing I look for: smell. A lot of at home hair dyes smell really strong—so strong that I usually turned on a fan and opened a window to keep from getting overwhelmed. The Color&Co dye did not smell nearly as strong—it definitely still smells like hair dye, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t super strong.

I also loved how easy it was to wash out of my hair. I have a lot of very fine, straight hair, which can be hard to wash; I miss shampoo on my crown at least twice a month. However, when I sectioned my hair to wash, it was just so much easier and didn’t get as tangled. I didn’t feel like I had to spend 20 minutes in the shower rinsing! The packet of conditioner that comes with the kit is also lovely—it smells so good and made my hair so shiny and soft immediately.

Ok, now, let’s talk about the thing you’re probably most interested in: the results.

I love my color! I feel like it did such a good job of blending my bleached ends with my gray and grown in roots. It’s the tone I was looking for—I wanted a chocolate brown with a more coppery undertone, which is exactly what I got. I’ve already gotten a ton of compliments on my hair! It’s super shiny after coloring and doesn’t feel damaged, especially on those more empty ends.

All in all, my final verdict is that I would absolutely use Color&Co again—the entire process was so easy and yet, made me feel like it was personalized to me. (Because it was!) A ColorBox is $29.99 and that includes the free consultation; if you sign up for autoship, it drops to $21.90.

If you’d like to try ColorBox, visit them here!

Disclaimer: As denoted by the asterisk (*) in the title of this post, I received the Color&Co Colorbox for free in exchange for review. However, all opinions remain my own. If you’d like to learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.

Everything You Need to Know About Hungryroot

New Year, New Me—except just like in January and February of years past, I’m writing about Hungryroot. Some things really never change. For me, one of those things is how much I love getting groceries delivered to my front door. (The pandemic has also definitely increased this love for me!)

If you know me, then you know I love Hungryroot. I’ve gotten at least 2 Hungryroot deliveries every month for the past… 2 years? If you want to read a bunch of my old posts about Hungryroot, here’s a round up!

Hungryroot has added a ton of new items in the last 6 months—pretty much since I last wrote about them! Every week when I customize what’s coming in my shipment, I get super excited to see what new items I can add and try. With winter setting in, the pandemic not letting up, and things feeling darker than usual, one way you can take care of yourself and reduce your stress is to get the things you need delivered. This is a huge privilege, obviously, but it’s one that I encourage you to use if you need it.

Here are my top 5 favorites right now (and how I use them!).

Roasting Vegetables with Herbs - these aren’t necessarily a new item, but they are seasonal and I had been looking forward to them all summer. They make the besssst soup. I usually just roast or steam them, blend them up with veggie stock, add the herbs, and simmer on the stove for a few minutes. So quick and easy.

Microwave Ready Potatoes with Herbs from the Little Potato Company - these are an every single order item, easily. We love them in our house! I’ve used them for potato salad, for quick evening dinners, everything. I usually microwave them (5 minutes is perfect); let them sit for another 5; then slice all the potatoes in half and put them sliced side down in a hot pan with butter. Top with the included herbs and ugh! They’re so, so good.

Vegetable and Beef Blended Patties - another absolute winner, these patties are a combination of ground beef and vegetables, primarily mushrooms and kale. They are so good as burger patties. However, you can also break them up and use them as taco meat—a great option for kids who need a little extra veggie!

White Flour Tortillas from Maria & Ricardo’s - these are my absolute favorite tortillas. They’re just so good, they taste fresh, and they crisp up so deliciously for quesadillas. We always have a pack in our fridge.

Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds from Skinny Dipped - I know everyone has had these almonds, but it is such a treat to get them delivered every month with my groceries! I usually add a small handful of these to my oatmeal in the morning—that just add such a nice crunch and it’s like eating a dessert, to be honest. They’re the perfect sweet snack for the afternoon.

You may have noticed: Hungryroot has expanded the brands they offer! You can get Beyond Meat, Skinny Dipped items, oatmilk, cold brew coffee, bread, lunchmeat, salmon and shrimp, veggies, packaged breakfasts and lunches… brands you recognize, foods that look delicious.

If you want to try Hungryroot, they are having a really, really great January deal right now: 40% off your first order with the code PAUSES at Hungryroot. If you get the small box, that would make your first delivery around $42—which is a great deal. Visit Hungryroot, check out all the new options, and let me know what you think!

I Tried Banish Acne so You Don't Have To*

A few weeks ago, Banish approached me about reviewing their line of acne fighting products. I, of course, said yes. I love trying new skincare products, even if it’s not what I write about everyday. And I don’t know about you, but ever since March, my skin has been absolutely out of control. Stress, masks, the fires in September… it felt like my skin was being attacked every day!

Banish kindly sent me the Banish Starter Kit, plus the All Clear Mint Cleanser. As you might know, I’ve struggled with my skin for most of my life. A few years ago, a combination of going dairy free and using jojoba oil religiously gave me the best skin of my life. However, times change, our bodies changed, and what used to work doesn’t work anymore. Story of my life, am I right?!

Here’s a quick and easy review of the products I received and how I liked them!

The Banish Starter Kit

The Banish Starter kit is one of the best, all-inclusive sets Banish offers. If you’re looking to really rejuvenate your skincare routine, this is the one for you.

Banish focuses primarily on Vitamin C and all natural ingredients to help fight acne, plus reduce the appearance of scars and hyper pigmentation caused by acne.

Here’s what comes in the Starter Kit and what I thought of it:

Banish Oil: this is a vitamin C serum that is intended to help reduce the look of acne scars. I liked this oil, but found that as far as a serum goes, it wasn’t my favorite. It made my skin feel really sticky and grimy. But that being said, I did notice an improvement in my scarring on my chin!

Vitamin C Beauty Elixir: this is a facial mist that gives a boost of Vitamin C and moisture. It’s great for applying throughout the day. I kept this on my desk for days when I felt rundown and in need of a little extra TLC.

The Banisher 2.0: This is a microneedler. I’m not here to tell anyone what to do necessarily, but this is the one product I disliked the most. I don’t believe in microneedling, but mostly just believe that you should leave this to the professionals. I was personally too scared to use this, so I didn’t. However, I know some do love using it! It’s just not for me.

The Pumpkin Enzyme Masque: This was my favorite product. It smells like pumpkin; it makes your skin feel amazing; and it contains AHAs and BHAs that act as natural exfoliators. On the days after I used this mask, my skin definitely felt 100% better and I noticed my redness that I get at the beginning of my cycle was diminished a lot.

Fighter Gel: This gel is a water-based, aloe vera gel that helps calm redness and inflammation, as well as other skin complaints. It smells incredibly mentholated, however, so be careful of that. I did really like this gel! It makes your skin feel very soft and soothed!

Vitamin C Creme: I’m on record as saying Vitamin C all over my face tends to make me break out bad. However, this cream was an exception! It’s 20% vitamin C and is heavy enough for a winter moisturizer. I used it at night and loved how soft it made my skin!

All Clear Mint Cleanser

I love a good cleanser! This cleanser is a gel-based one with chamomile leaf, mint, and vitamin B5—all intended to get your face clean while reducing inflammation. This was really the perfect morning cleanser; really light, but with a smell and feel that is perfect for a wake up call!

Who is Banish best for?

If you’ve had acne most of your life, or cystic acne at any point, you probably have some scarring. I know I do. My chin is a wreck these days thanks to several years of pretty bad cystic acne break outs. Banish is designed to soothe existing break outs and skin conditions, while also fading those scars and areas of hyper pigmentation. If you struggle with any of those issues, Banish is definitely worth a try.

Even better, it’s just nice to be able to get everything in one go: moisturizer, cleanser, etc. It’s nice to have one line up to turn out! Some items are definitely better than others, but overall, I think there is potential for every product to work for somebody who needs it.

Final Thoughts

If you are struggling with your skin’s texture or appearance due to scars, I think this is a line that will work perfect for you. To try Banish, visit their website here. Thank you again to Banish for sending me these products to try!

Disclaimer: As denoted by the asterisk (*) in the title of this post, I received products for free in exchange for a review. However, all opinions remain my own! If you’d like to learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.

Boost Your Immunity with Easy Salmon with Summer Salad Featuring Hungryroot x Hilma*

If you’re like me, the last few months have been eye-opening when it comes to groceries. I feel like I’ve never saved so much money (spending less on takeout, not going to restaurants, not going to TJ Maxx every weekend) and, at the same time, like I’ve never spent more on groceries. 

We get weekly grocery pick up orders from my local Fred Meyer (my favorite grocery store, hands down!)—but even though I love Freddy’s, it’s hard for me not to be able to pick up my own produce. Just this past week, I got a completely moldy pack of strawberries and out of the 4 sweet potatoes I ordered, 3 were completely rotten and mushy. The day of my pick up! 

That’s I’ve started using Hungryroot more than ever. If you don’t know what Hungryroot is, let me help you: it’s an online, grocery delivery service that helps you stock your fridge with your favorite groceries. They partner with Beyond Meat, Elizabeth, Joolies, and tons more, plus have their own range of groceries. I’ve written about them a ton before; you can read more here. 

With Hungryroot, I can get some of my favorite staples (like my preferred oat milk, vegetables, and more) delivered to my door. 

Hungryroot recently paired up with Hilma. When they reached out to me for this post, I was so excited. More than ever, I’ve been working to boost and take care of my immune system. While there is a lot of misinformation out there, I truly believe that doing all you can to eat healthy and take care of your body is beneficial. 

What is Hilma?

Hilma is a new brand on a mission to upgrade your medicine cabinet: they focus on natural remedies that are also backed by science. With Hungryroot, they’ve curated a selection of immune-supporting groceries. 

Hilma sent me their Immune Support to try. It has six essential nutrients in one little packet that you mix into hot or cold water. (It’s delicious both ways, but on these hot summer days, I’ve been mixing it with cold water and adding it to my morning smoothie!) It contains Vitamin C, Echinacea, Zinc, Ginger, and Turmeric with no fillers. 

If you’d like to try Hilma, you can take 20% off using my code MICHELLE20! I love Hilma’s Immune Support and I can’t wait to see what you think. 

Easy Salmon with Summer Salad

When it comes to dinners during the summer, I have a few requests: 

• Contains my favorite things about the season (corn!)

• Easy clean up

• Tastes good

• Doesn’t make my kitchen 400 degrees

This summer salad checks every single box! 

Plus, it contains a few of my favorite Hungryroot ingredients—and even better, they are all immune boosting! Here are the ingredients: 

Ingredients:

• 2 packages of Hungryroot’s Hot Smoked Roasted Salmon (or 2 salmon fillets)

• 1 package of Hungryroot’s Superblend Salad

• About 1/4 cup of Hungryroot’s House Dressing

• Garlic Salt

• 1 package of Sweet Baby Broccoli from Hungryroot

• 1 cob of corn

Salmon is so good for you and your immune system because it contains vitamin D, which helps keep your immune system working. Not getting enough vitamin D can actually increase your risk of infection. It also has protein and omega-3s, two nutrients that are vital for a strong immune system. Alongside baby broccoli (so much vitamin C!) and Hungryroot’s Superblend Salad (kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and more), this dish packs a one-two punch of immune boosting nutrition. 

Here’s how I made it: 

1. Start heating up your barbecue or grill. 

2. Cut the kernels off your cob of corn. Cook them in a pan over medium heat with a little bit of garlic salt and nonstick cooking spray until they are done and slightly charred. 

3. While your corn cooks, add 1/4 wish cup of Hungryroot’s House Dressing (so good!) to your salad bowl; I added a pinch of garlic salt and some pepper, but this is totally optional. Add your bag of Superblend Salad and toss. 

4. Once the corn is done cooking, toss with your salad and set aside. 

5. Create 2 separate foil packets. In one, add your baby broccoli, a drizzle of olive oil, and some garlic salt. Wrap it up. 

6. in the second foil packet, place your roasted salmon with a little more garlic salt. (Since this salmon is already cooked, you are just warming it up and creating a crust!) 

7. Cook on the barbecue for about 10-15 minutes for the broccoli, and under 10 minutes for the salmon. 

8. Serve! 

So easy and delicious, light for the summer and the clean up can’t be easier. 

Want to try Hungryroot? 

I’m so excited to be able to offer you FREE Black Bean Brownie Batter for life from Hungryroot. Their brownie batter is one of my favorite things—I always have a tub in my fridge for emergencies!. Just use the code PAUSES to get 40% off your first order of Hungryroot.

Don’t forget to use code MICHELLE20 at Hilma to receive 20% off your order as well. With both Hilma and Hungryroot, you can have delicious, immune boosting supplies for your pantry and medicine cabinet. 

Disclaimer: Per my disclosure policy, the asterisk (*) in the title of this post denotes that I was provided product for free to review and post on my blog and Instagram channel. However, all opinions remain my own—I created this simple recipe on my own! Posts like these help me keep the lights on here at Writing Between Pauses. I do receive a small commission from use of my Hungryroot and Hilma code. To learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.

Starting My Morning with Cacao Tea Instead of Coffee*

Nothing starts my morning like a cup of coffee.

But I’ll be the first to tell you that I know I need to break my coffee habit. (Just typing that sentence hurt a little bit!) Migraines are a huge issue for me and while I’ve gotten way less migraines in recent months, I know that my coffee habit plays a huge role.

I also know that caffeine doesn’t do a lot for my stress level: it can leave me aggravated and on edge.

But… I love coffee. And starting my morning with coffee is a huge part of my routine. And you all know I love routines! Breaking the habit is a hard one.

When Cacao Tea Co. reached out to me to review their product, I was instantly interested. I love chocolate; I love tea; and I love starting my morning with something slightly sweet and delicious. Was this the answer to my prayers?

What is Cacao Tea?

Cacao tea (which is also known as chocolate tea or cocoa tea) is a 100% natural tea which is brewed from cacao husks (also known as cacao shells). The tea is a loose-leaf style tea which, when steeped in boiling water, results in a delicious tea which tastes like chocolate.

It’s a great alternative to coffee because it wakes you up without containing caffeine. It’s also super gentle and not super stimulating like coffee can be. If you’re in need of something a little more gentle to wake up with in the morning (but don’t like tea!), this is a really great alternative.

Here are a few more benefits to cacao tea:

• Natural sweetness

• Heavenly chocolate taste and aroma

• Delicate stimulating effect, making it the perfect healthy alternative to coffee

• High in antioxidants

• Completely sugar-free, caffeine-free, gluten-free and dairy-free.

• No artificial flavouring, additives or preservatives

How to Brew Cacao Tea

The first time I made cacao tea, I used my tea strainer (a standard metal ball for loose leaf tea) and while I liked that first cup, I knew I needed something better. I checked out Cacao Tea Co’s instructions and they recommend using something covered (like a French press or simply covering your cup). I use my French press to make some for both Danny and I and the difference was huge.

It was so. darn. good. Slightly sweet, chocolatey, and delicious. I was hooked, immediately.

For more information on brewing cacao tea, check out their blog post here.

My Final Thoughts on Cacao Tea

I’m so glad I got to try cacao tea! It’s definitely provided me with an alternative on days where I know coffee is just going to aggravate a migraine or increase my stress. Plus, it just plain tastes good—so if you, like me, often need that afternoon pick-me-up (but you know coffee is going to keep you awake all night), this makes a great afternoon beverage.

I’m excited to try it iced as well! I think it would be delicious as a cold tea on a hot, summer afternoon.

If you’d like to try cacao tea yourself, check out Cacao Tea Co!

Disclaimer: As indicated by the asterisk (*) in the title of this post, I received product in exchange for this review. However, all opinions remain my own! If you’d like to learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.