Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

My husband recently received a thoughtful surprise package in the mail from one of his employer’s business partners. It was a box of a variety of cookies from different bakeries across the United States.

The Lemon Sugar cookies from Grey Ghost Bakery particularly caught our attention. These cookies contain actual lemon zest, which gives them a bright lemon flavor. The pearlized sugar adds a little extra crunch and makes the cookies look nice and festive.

I reached out to Grey Ghost Bakery to see if I could share about their cookies with you. They graciously agreed and sent a gift box sampler with some of their flavors. The flavors currently available on their website are:

• Chocolate Bourbon
• Chocolate Chip
• Lemon Sugar
• Almond Toffee
• Molasses Spice
• Chocolate Espresso

The Grey Ghost Bakery cookies arrived carefully packaged and completely intact. I really liked the individually wrapped packages of two cookies, which are just the right size for an afternoon snack. These cookies would make a perfect gift for a teacher, friend, co-worker, or anyone else who deserves a special treat. The small 2-packs are easy to share with others.

All of the Grey Ghost Bakery cookies that we tried have a tender crumb and taste freshly baked. The chocolate chip cookies brought back childhood memories. They pair well with a glass of milk, of course!

Where to Purchase Grey Ghost Bakery Cookies

Grey Ghost Bakery cookies are available for purchase through their online store or at a retailer near you.

Grey Ghost Bakery Cookies Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Grey Ghost Bakery Cookies Sampler Pack!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Pasta is a family favorite around here. I would estimate that we have pasta in one form or another for dinner about once a week! Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauces are a convenient way to add fresh and complex flavors to your next meal.

Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauces use premium ingredients, including vine-ripened tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs. There are several mouth-watering flavors to choose from:

• Organic Red Heirloom
• Butternut Squash
• Creamy Parmesan Romano
• Organic Roasted Garlic & Sweet Basil
• Organic Hearty Marinara
• Wild Mushroom
• Organic Spicy Heirloom Marinara
• Aged White Cheddar Alfredo
• Vegan Bolognese

All of these sauces are gluten-free and are made in the USA.

My daughter made us lunch with Dave’s Gourmet Aged White Cheddar Alfredo Pasta Sauce and it was so tasty! She added some chicken and spinach, which went well with the sauce and spaghetti.

We also recently celebrated my mom’s birthday with some Italian food for dinner. My brother-in-law made thin crust pizzas in the backyard. I paired Dave’s Gourmet Organic Roasted Garlic & Sweet Basil Pasta Sauce with corkscrew pasta. I really enjoyed the chunks of tomato and the garlicky flavor. The Dave’s Gourmet website also suggests topping pizzas with their sauces, and I bet that would be very tasty as well.

Where To Find Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauces

Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauces and other specialty food items are available through the Dave’s Gourmet online store or at a store near you.

Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauces Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win four jars of Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauce!

Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Have you heard of Poppilu Lemonade? Its bright packaging and organic label recently caught my eye at Target.

Unlike many box or pouch fruit drinks, Poppilu Lemonade is low in sugar since it does not contain any added sugar. Each serving contains only 7 grams of sugar from natural fruit juice and 100% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C.

Poppilu Lemonade is available in several delicious-sounding flavors:

• Original Lemonade
• Blueberry Lemonade
• Peach Lemonade
• Passionfruit Antioxidant Lemonade
• Original Antioxidant Lemonade
• Blueberry Lavender Antioxidant Lemonade

We tried Poppilu Blueberry Lemonade at a recent summer concert in the park. It was a refreshing accompaniment to our picnic dinner. I enjoyed the sweet tartness and the unique blueberry flavor. My kids liked it as well!

Poppilu Lemonade is perfect for lunchboxes, picnic baskets or any time you need a little pick me up!

Where To Find Poppilu Lemonade

Poppilu Lemonade is available through their online store, or at a store near you, including Target.

Poppilu Lemonade Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a coupon for one FREE 8 count box of Poppilu Lemonade. There will be three winners!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Do you enjoy spicy foods? Everyone in my family likes to add hot sauce to our food, so we were excited to try Dave’s Gourmet Hot Sauces. Dave’s Gourmet Hot Sauces come in a wide variety of flavors, with varying heat intensities. The website provides detailed descriptions of each sauce and rates them from mild to insanely hot+!

We tried the Dave’s Gourmet Creamy Garlic Red Pepper Sauce in a chicken bowl, and it added a nice and gentle amount of spice. I really enjoyed the unique sweetness that the red pepper adds. This is a versatile sauce which would complement many types of foods. The website suggests using this sauce with grilled meats, pasta or soup. I want to try it the next time we have turkey burgers.

We also tried the Dave’s Gourmet Creamy Roasted Jalapeno Sauce drizzled on a chicken quesadilla. This too was a winning combination. The heat from the jalapenos is subtle, and not over-powering. Some suggested uses are on top of eggs, salad, pizza, burgers or Mexican food. If you want something hotter, go for Dave’s Gourmet Ghost Pepper Sauce. We have not tried that one yet…need to work up the courage!

Dave’s Gourmet Hot Sauces are gluten-free, GMO-free, vegan, and contain no preservatives. These sauces really add unique flavors and guarantee that your food will not be bland.

Where to Purchase Dave’s Gourmet Hot Sauces

Dave’s Gourmet Hot Sauces and other specialty food items are available through the Dave’s Gourmet online store.

Dave’s Gourmet Hot Sauce Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win 4 bottles of Dave’s Gourmet Hot Sauce!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I must admit, it does feel a little strange to be talking about hot chocolate in the middle of July. However, I did not want to wait to introduce you to 123 Choco Hot Chocolate Sticks. I first learned about this woman-owned business through the virtual Expo West platform.

Using these chocolate sticks, it is so easy to make a cup of hot chocolate. Just warm up a cup of milk, and stir the stick until melted.

123 Choco Hot Chocolate Sticks come in a variety of flavors:

• Milk Chocolate
• Dark Chocolate
• Mocha
• Mint Chocolate

These sticks are certified Kosher, gluten-free and peanut-free.

My son could not wait to try making a cup of hot chocolate with a 123 Choco Hot Chocolate Stick. Watching the chocolate stick melt into the warm milk was quite entertaining for both of us. The result is a deliciously rich cup of comforting hot chocolate.

These hot chocolate sticks would be so fun to have at a brunch with friends or a kids’ party. They would also make a nice favor or stocking stuffer since they come individually wrapped.

Whatever the season may be, keep 123 Choco Hot Chocolate Sticks in mind when craving your next cup of hot chocolate. (They have a shelf life of over 12 months!)

Where To Purchase 123 Choco Hot Chocolate Sticks

123 Choco Hot Chocolate Sticks are available for purchase through their online store.

123 Choco Hot Chocolate Sticks Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a box of 123 Choco Hot Chocolate Sticks (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or mocha)!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

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Michel et Augustin is one of those brands that exuberates joy. I recently received a care package from them and just opening this gift box of their Cookie Squares brought a smile to my face.

I immediately fell in love with the bright colors and quirky illustrations. This gift box would surely brighten the recipient’s day!

After reading their back story, I learned that two best friends (Michel and Augustin) started the company in Paris back in 2004.

Their Cookie Squares are delicious morsels of goodness made with ingredients you can find in your own kitchen. They use real butter for the shortbread base, and the result is a perfectly crisp cookie.

These Cookie Squares come in four delicious flavors (three shown here):

• Dark Chocolate and a Pinch of Sea Salt
• Milk Chocolate and Melty Caramel
• Chocolate and Toasted Hazelnuts
• Triple Chocolate (not shown)

The chocolate to shortbread ratio is just right. You can eat a square and not feel over-indulgent. Each resealable bag contains 15 individually wrapped Cookie Squares. They are the perfect treat to share with friends and family.

Where To Purchase Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares

Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares are available for purchase through their online store, Amazon, or at a store near you. I am excited to look for them at my local Costco and Whole Foods.

Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares variety pack gift box and a “Butter” cap!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

While I am disappointed that Expo West could not be held in person this year, I am grateful to be able to connect with brands through the online platform. One brand that immediately appealed to me is Real Treat. Their USDA Organic cookies recently became the first organic cookie to win a coveted Gold SOFI Award, and their Real Treat Pantry line is a current finalist for a Nexty Award (EDIT: They won!).

The Real Treat Pantry line of organic cookies uses high quality natural ingredients that you can feel good about serving your kids (or eating yourself)! They come in four delicious flavors:

• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Brown Sugar Shortbread
• Chocolate Chunk Cookies
• Dark Chocolate Cookies With Almonds and Sea Salt (These cookies are gluten-free, although not produced in a facility that is certified celiac-safe).

All of the Real Treat Pantry cookies are the perfect size for a snack and have just the right amount of sweetness. I especially enjoyed the Dark Chocolate Cookies with Almonds and Sea Salt. The hint of sea salt provides a nuanced flavor that really makes these cookies stand out.

The Brown Sugar Shortbread cookies pair nicely with a cup of afternoon tea.

I followed the suggestion on the package of the Chocolate Chunk cookies, and put them in our toaster oven for 3 minutes at 250F. There is nothing like a warm cookie with melty chocolate paired with a glass of cold milk!

My kids agree that Real Treat Pantry Cookies are a welcome after school treat. (They would also make a delectable summer afternoon treat as well!)

Where To Purchase Real Treat Cookies

Real Treat Cookies are available for purchase through their online store, and at a store near you.

Real Treat Pantry Cookies Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a 4-Pack Bundle of Real Treat Pantry Cookies! Open to Continental U.S. and Canada residents only.