MealEnders . . .A Review, A Giveaway and More!

 Are you one of those folks that likes to have a little "something, something" following a meal? Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, either! Sometimes you just want something else at the end of lunch or dinner. It's almost like you want or need something else, a different taste, to signal "closing time" to eating.My grandfather was one of those tall, lean, lucky fellows that was always thin. He was also one of those fellows that never missed a meal - I mean never. He had a big breakfast to begin the day, lunch (which was called dinner and believe me, a sandwich was not considered a meal) followed by a sizable supper of a meat and three. If you aren't familiar with that term it means a meat, two vegetables and a starch. In my grandfather's case, it also consisted of bread, butter, and coffee or iced tea. But the whole reason I'm telling you this is because, for him, a midday or evening meal was not complete unless it was finished with dessert. He would never have dreamed of passing up a slice of pie, piece of cake or whatever sweet treat my grandmother put before him.For him, the desert ended the meal.Well, that way of eating was all well and good for him, especially since he rarely sat down and spent hours working and then coming home to the second job of farming. These days, most of us cannot eat like that and retain any type of shape! (unless you count growing round around the middle a shape)However, oftentimes I want something at the end of a meal. Sometimes a piece of dark chocolate will do the trick. I know some folks who have a piece of peppermint or who can draw the line after having one piece of candy or other small treat. If you are one of those who just can't seem satisfied after a meal without something else on your tongue and you are being mindful of the extra calories . . . I've got something for you!Recently, the folks over at MealEnders sent me a box of their tasty little solution to that after meal struggle! These are the perfect little treats to give your tastebuds a little burst at the end of your meal. I've been popping them in my mouth when I feel like I might reach for that cookie or early Easter candy that somehow made its way into my house! I even pop one in my mouth while cooking dinner so I won't reach for a snack or bit of this or bite of that.  They are basically little LIKE hard candy treats that give you a great taste followed by a little fizz on your tongue for only 15 calories . . . that's it. I can handle 15 calories!However, MealEnders is not just some random little treat. WillPower Labs, Inc, a San Francisco start up dedicated to developing products to help folks implement healthy habits officially introduced MealEnders as a one of a kind weight management product. They are a low calorie, drug and stimulant free "Signaling Lozenga" to help avoid overeating by clearing the desire to eat more. MealEnders works with the body's natural hanger rhythms using behavioral psychology and sensory science."These little lozenges have two components: a sweet outer reward layer and a cooling/tingling inner core. So, basically the outer part is the "dessert" and the inner core engages the trigeminal nerve that senses the "taste" sensations in the mouth. MealEnders says that by keeping your mouth occupied for up to 20 minutes (the Overeating Zone) MealEnders naturally transition you away from the desire to overindulge."MealEnders come in pouches with 25 lozenges. They come in four flavors: Chocolate Mint, Cinnamon, Mocha and Citrus. I have tried them all and love the flavors and like having the choice for what my taste might be at the time. I confess that I have never been a fan of chocolate mint so I had friends and clients try the chocolate mint flavor, and got the thumbs up for it.The background and science that went into developing these lozenges is fascinating! I say again that these are not just your normal hard candies! MealEnders work with the body's behavioral, sensory and psychological aspects for effect. WillPower Labs founder and CEO, Mark Bernstein, said he was looking for a solution for his own struggle with eating too much. He realized that what he was looking for did not exist, so engaged a leading food development firm, Mattson, to help create a product to help fight the urge to overeat.As I said, they are only 15 calories. They also have only 2 grams of sugar, are low fat, gluten free, stimulant-free, kosher, and contain NO high fructose corn syrup or MSG. They are food-based so are regulated by the FDA. It sounds like MealEnders is a much better option than that handful of jellybeans or store bought cookie to end a meal . . . which probably doesn't end the meal because those treats just don't signal the brain or sensory nerves to stop eating!The website gives a few tips for best results with MealEnders.     I've been very impressed with the research and process MealEnders went into to find a simple solution to overeating and helping us all to end our meals and not over indulge. What do you think?  Would you like to try?  If you do, you are in LUCK!MealEnders is sponsoring a GIVEAWAY to one of you!  You can receive 4 packs of MealEnders (one of each flavor) !  All you have to do is leave a COMMENT HERE ON THE BLOG ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO END YOUR MEAL!  (And remember, I am off of Facebook during Lent, so you have to comment on this site!)  Okay, and just because this company is so great - if you leave a comment and do not win I will give you a code for 30% off of the purchase price if you want to try them out!  How cool is that?The GIVEAWAY ends Midnight on FRIDAY, March 27.  The Discount is good for 2 WEEKS!  I hope you participate!  I'd LOVE to have you try MealEnders and give your feedback!How do you end a meal?  Do you find yourself wanting something more?  How do you shut it down?Enjoy Your Day!