Disclosure: I received a sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Digital photography makes it easier than ever to take as many pictures as you want. However, many people end up just keeping those pictures on their phone or camera where no one can really enjoy them. I recently discovered mpix, a website that makes it simple to order quality prints and create photo products to display precious memories.
I decided to make a personalized blanket for my dad for Father’s Day. The mpix website was really easy to navigate. The hardest part was figuring out which pictures to use. I ended up creating a collage from the Alaska Disney Cruise that we took in 2017.
I was amazed that my mpix personalized blanket arrived just a few days after I ordered it. According to their website, all mpix products are made by hand in the Midwest. I was really impressed with how clear the pictures came out! The blanket is lightweight, (but not too thin) and incredibly soft. I was very pleased with the quality.
I was excited to give this blanket to my dad. He said it brought back great memories. My mom said it was a nice conversation piece. These blankets would make such a thoughtful gift for anniversaries, grandparents, milestones, etc.
How To Order
Visit mpix online, and check out all of the different photo products they offer. Right now they are offering 25% off your first purchase when you sign up for a free account and there is free standard shipping on orders over $35.
Giveaway Time
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win an mpix personalized blanket!
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I really admire the story behind Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica developed her gluten-free granola, mixes and syrup in response to her own family’s gluten-free lifestyle. I think it is amazing when someone sees a market need and creates a business. While our family does not follow a gluten-free diet, I am always interested in healthier eating. Therefore, I was excited to try some of the gluten-free products offered by Jessica’s Natural Foods and today I am going to share them with you.
Jessica’s Gluten-Free Granola
My family really likes granola, so we were excited to try out Jessica’s Gluten-Free Granola. This granola starts out with certified gluten-free oats and adds in natural ingredients such as ground flax, coconut, organic honey, real maple syrup and pure vanilla extract. It is made by hand in small batches and contains no artificial colors or ingredients. Jessica’s Granola comes in the following flavors:
Gluten-Free Almond Cherry Granola
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Granola
Gluten-Free Vanilla Maple Granola
Gluten-Free Cherry & Berry Granola
Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola
Gluten-Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola
We had the opportunity to try the Chocolate Chip Granola and the Cherry & Berry Granola. Both of the flavors that we tried were hearty and delicious. I like how there are sizeable clusters that offer a satisfying crunch.
I like to use granola as a topping for a fruit and yogurt parfait. It would also be good with some milk or just eaten by itself as a snack.
Jessica’s Gluten-Free Mixes
We also had the opportunity to try Jessica’s Muffin Mix and Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix.
Although I enjoy baking from scratch, I also really appreciate the convenience of using a mix! Jessica’s Muffin Mixes contain ancient grain teff and oat flour. I was very curious about ancient grain teff, as I am not sure whether I have tried this ingredient before. According to the package, teff contains protein, fiber, calcium, amino acids and iron. Sounds good to me!
I used the muffin mix to whip up a batch of blueberry muffins. (You can use any add-in that you want, such as other types of fruit or chocolate chips). They turned out really tasty! The muffins had a really tender texture with lightly crisped edges. I would not have guessed that these muffins are gluten-free.
Baking cookies with this mix was super quick and easy. As you can see, the dough looks just like traditional cookie dough. The cookie mixes are also made with ancient grain teff and oat flour.
My family (including my son shown here) really enjoyed these chocolate chip cookies. I think the butter that I used was a little too softened, so the result was a really thin and crisp cookie. However, my daughter said she actually prefers her cookies this way, which I never knew-ha! Again, I would not have guessed that these cookies are gluten-free. I like that I can feel good about the ingredients, and I am sure that feeling would be that much stronger for those that are gluten-free.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Today I am excited to share about Steeped Coffee, a company based in Santa Cruz, CA that delivers coffee in a whole new way.
Steeped Coffee is a convenient way to make coffee without the need for a coffee maker or any special equipment. Each packet contains a filter bag of 100% specialty coffee (much like a tea bag).
Steeped Coffee comes in the following varieties:
Sunrise Light Roast
California Medium Roast
Odyssey Dark Roast
Driftwood French Roast
Eventide Decaf
The directions for Steeped Coffee could not be simpler. Place the Steeped filter in a cup and pour 8 oz. hot water over it. Dunk for 15 seconds and let it steep for five minutes (or more) according to how strong you like your coffee.
The quality of the Steeped Coffee was quite impressive. Their direct trade, ethically sourced coffee is hand roasted in small batches and does not involve any additives, solubles, crystals or freeze-drying. Steeped Coffee does not taste like “instant” coffee, but more like coffee you would make in a French press. It is nice how you can control how strong the brew is just by letting it steep longer. (I prefer mine on the stronger side.)
Steeped Coffee makes it really convenient to enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee at work or home. I can also see how Steeped Coffee would be great to take along on a camping trip or while traveling.
Where to Purchase
Steeped Coffee can be purchased on their website and they also offer subscriptions.
Giveaway Time
Enter the giveaway below and enter to win an assortment of Steeped Coffee and a Steeped Coffee mug!
Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
I always look forward to checking for our mail each day (except Sundays, of course!) Packages are always the most exciting, and a Kawaii Box is cause for celebration!
Each monthly box has a different kawaii (“cute”) theme. The theme of the May 2020 Kawaii Box was “Kawaii Birthday Home Party”.
Opening this Kawaii Box really is like a birthday in a box for the recipient. There was a nice assortment of products and they were all “kawaii”!
Sweet Bow Hair Tie Set
I miss the days of using cute hair accessories for k’s hair. Any little girl would love these hair ties.
Butterfly Blossom Pen
This elegant pen writes really smoothly. Since I love office supplies so much, I think there should be a separate Kawaii Office Supply Box!
Chocoball Brisk White Soda Japanese Candy
It is always interesting to try candy from other countries. This one is unique because it has popping candy inside that crackles when you eat it.
Little Fairy Tale 2-in-1 Sharpener & Eraser
I like the dual use of this sharpener and eraser in one.
Neon Candy Highlighter
The shape of this highlighter really tricked me into thinking it was candy. This would be a fun addition to a pencil box.
Amuse Character Egg Shaped Hair Brush
This is a nice compact brush that would be good for travel.
Sakura Washi Tape Set
Can you ever have too much washi tape? These sakura (cherry blossom) patterns are really lovely.
Kawaii Dreams Handbag
This bag is my favorite item in the box! Love the design, and the rainbow charm is an extra bonus.
How To Subscribe to Kawaii Box
To subscribe to Kawaii Box, sign up here. There are 1 month, 6 month and 12 month plans available. A box of cuteness will be delivered to your doorstep.
Giveaway Time
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a Kawaii Box!
Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
With summer vacation here and literally no where to go, the kids have a lot of time on their hands. STEM Lab offers kits that teach science and engineering in a fun, hands-on way.
I liked how the everything you need is provided in the kit (aside from water and potatoes). n was able to follow the detailed directions and make the light bulbs work all by himself. It is recommended for ages 8 and up, and I would say that is accurate.
Potato Battery
The idea of a battery powered by potatoes is such an interesting concept. It is difficult to see the small LED light in this picture, but it really worked. However, I’m not sure it would be practical to use as a nightlight as suggested-ha! The direction booklet also suggests different experiments that can be done by using various fruits and vegetables such as lemons or tomatoes. The direction booklet also has a kid-friendly explanation of how batteries work which I also found informative. STEM Lab kits are great learning tools for kids who are curious about how things work.
Where to Purchase
STEM Lab kits can be purchased through their website here or Amazon.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
If you have been to a Japanese restaurant, you have probably enjoyed a nice steaming bowl of miso soup to start your meal. MiSOgood makes it super easy to enjoy miso (and all of its health benefits) at home.
MiSOgood products are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. As for health benefits, miso contains essential minerals, various B vitamins, vitamins E and K, and folic acid. Because miso is a fermented food, it provides the gut with beneficial bacteria that keeps the gut healthy. (Information taken from the MiSOgood website).
MiSOgood is available in 6 different flavors that can be used for soups and sauces:
First, I tried the Sweet & Savory White Miso as a soup base to make a bowl of miso soup.
Just add 3/4 c. boiling water to 1 T. MiSOgood miso, and you’re set! I added some tofu and green onions.
The miso soup had a nice rich flavor. My family loved it! It will be a nice addition to a quick lunch or dinner at home.
I also wanted to try the Sweet Miso Salad Dressing recipe I found on the MiSOgood website. We eat a lot of salads in the summer, so this is a good dressing to have on hand. It has a nice tang and adds umami at the same time.
Finally, I made a quick stir-fry with the MiSOgood Sesame Miso. Just saute some tofu and add 2 T. of the MiSOgood sauce. Add some vegetables and rice and you have a complete meal in minutes. The Sesame Miso has a nutty flavor with a hint of spice from red pepper and ginger. I can’t wait to try it with chicken or salmon as well.
Where To Purchase
MiSOgood products can be purchased on their website here and they offer free shipping!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Judging by the popularity of some of my recent posts, my readers enjoy snacking as much as we do! Poptime Snacks is another company that I missed seeing at Expo West this year. They currently offer four different lines of snacks, and today I am excited to have the opportunity to share about ALL of them with you!
Poptime Popcorn
First up is Poptime Popcorn. Our family has been having a lot of movie nights recently, so popcorn is always a good snack to have around. Poptime Popcorn comes in six delicious varieties:
Honey BBQ
White Cheddar
Butter
Spicy Jalapeno
Sea Salt
Sweet & Salty
You can munch on this popcorn without the guilt because it is non-GMO, cholesterol-free, contains zero trans fat, is gluten, dairy and nut-free, and contains no preservatives or artificial flavors.
Our family especially liked the white cheddar flavor. To me, it had just the right amount of cheesiness/saltiness. I was also impressed that there were hardly any unpopped kernels or popcorn “crumbs” that you often find with bagged popcorn.
Poptime Creations
For those who like exciting flavor combinations, check out the different varieties of Poptime Creations popcorn:
Sriracha & Lime
Marshmallow & Cinnamon
Truffle Herb & Parmesan Cheese
Chocolate & Vanilla
Don’t these flavors sound amazing?
This is the popcorn to choose when you want an “elevated” popcorn experience. The fun flavors would be perfect for a picnic or a party! Pop Creations popcorn is non-GMO, dairy-free and kosher. This line of popcorn also contains no artificial ingredients, trans fat, or preservatives.
Poptime Popped Chips
Poptime Popped Chips are “popped” potato chips, and they come in the following flavors:
BBQ & Honey
Sea Salt
Jalapeno
Truffle
These snacks are non-GMO, cholesterol free, gluten free, dairy free and nut free. They contain zero trans fat, no added sugar and no preservatives or artificial flavors.
These Poptime Popped Chips are so good! They are light and crispy and full of flavor. They are exactly the type of snack that my kids like to pack in their school lunches. I like that they are a lower-fat alternative to regular potato chips.
Big & Bold
Sometimes you just want a big bag of popcorn. That is when you need Poptime Big and Bold Popcorn. These large bags come in the following flavors:
Salt & Pepper
Butter
Sea Salt
Sweet & Salty
Poptime Big and Bold Popcorn is vegan, dairy-free, kosher, non-gmo, has 0g trans fat, and contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
This popcorn definitely lives up to its name! Each bag contains several generous servings, and the flavors are definitely bold. Sometimes air-popped popcorn can taste like nothing, but that is not the case with Poptime Big and Bold Popcorn.
Where To Purchase
Poptime Snacks can be purchased through their website and Amazon.
Giveaway Time
Poptime Snacks is generously offering a giveaway prize of one bag of each of their snacks–18 bags total! You will be all set for summertime snacking!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Lebby Snacks is another company I missed seeing at Expo West this year. When I first heard about their sweet chickpea snacks, I was intrigued. I think most people associate chickpeas with savory foods, such as hummus. However, after trying these dry-roasted chickpea snacks, I can say that Lebby Chickpea Snacks are a satisfying sweet and crunchy combination.
Lebby Snacks come in four flavors:
Sesame Honey
Mocha
Dark Chocolate
Milk Chocolate
For me, my favorite is a two-way tie between Mocha and Dark Chocolate. I found them addictive! The Sesame Honey reminds me of honey roasted peanuts. The Milk Chocolate would be sure to please any chocolate fan.
Lebby Chickpea Snacks start with a dry-roasting process that gives the chickpeas a delicious light and crunchy taste and texture without any oil, salt or additives. They are gluten-free, non-gmo and kosher. So far, I have only tried eating Lebby Chickpea Snacks out of hand, but I can also see trying them on top of ice cream, yogurt or as part of a trail mix or cheeseboard.
Disclosure: I received sample product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite parts about blogging is connecting with small business owners. I enjoy being able to support them, as I have always admired the entrepreneurial spirit. Today I want to introduce you to Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts, a small business based in Leavensworth, Washington.
This company specializes in premium fresh nuts that they roast in small batches. Almond Blossom offers a wide variety of flavor combinations, from sweet to savory to spicy. D and I had the opportunity to try six of the flavors, shown below:
First of all, I was really impressed with the freshness and quality of all of the nuts we tried. The small-batch roasting process really brings out the nutty flavor.
New York Style Bar Mix: Consists of cashews, pecans and almonds with a rosemary sweet/salty glaze. The variety of nuts in this mix is really nice and the fresh rosemary adds a wonderful flavor. This was D’s favorite.
Cinnamon Vanilla Almonds: Almonds are probably my favorite type of nut, if I had to choose one. This flavor combination reminds me of Christmas, and was my favorite.
Curry Coconut Cashews: I am a fan of both curry and coconut, so this interesting flavor appealed to me. Their recipe also contains lime juice and black sesame seeds, and the combination is superb!
Cinnamon Vanilla Pecans: Eating pecans seems so decadent to me, maybe because of their larger size. Pecan lovers will really enjoy these.
Maple Chipotle Almonds: Perfect sweet-spicy combination!
Thai Chili Lime Cashews: This is another unique flavor with just the right amount of heat.
Where to Purchase + Discount!
Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts can be purchased on their website here. They also offer a variety of gift options where you can mix and match different flavors in an assortment of containers and have them shipped. (Supporting a small business AND no-contact shopping, yes!) Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts would make a thoughtful gift for Father’s Day, birthdays, teacher appreciation, etc.
Use code DAD20 through 6/21 at check out for 20% off your entire order AND they ship to any U.S. address for only $4.95!
Giveaway Time
Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts has generously offered to give away one 4-compartment gift wheel of nuts to THREE different winners! Be sure to enter the giveaway below:
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Zubi’s was one of the brands featured in the latest #NewHopeBloggerBox. Zubi’s is unique because they make salsa and dips that are free from the most common allergens.
Zubi’s generously offered samples of their salsa, crema and queso for us to try.
Zubi’s Salsa
Our family loves salsa, so we were eager to try this one. I like how it contains all natural ingredients:
Hot Sauce (aged red cayenne peppers, vinegar, salt)
Jalapeno
Garlic
Kosher Salt
Cumin
This salsa had a nice, fresh and bright flavor. It definitely has a kick, but it is not too spicy. It would definitely add “zing” to whatever you add it to, such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, etc.
Zubi’s Crema
I was wondering how Zubi’s Crema could be dairy-free. Look at this clean 6-ingredient list:
*Jalapeños
*Safflower Oil
*Onion
*Lime Juice
*Garlic
Kosher Salt
*Organic Ingredients
It is amazing how creamy Zubi’s Crema is, considering there is no cream! I am still not sure how they do it. Although the main ingredient is jalapenos, it is not overly spicy.
Zubi’s Queso
Again, I was somewhat skeptical of how dairy-free queso would taste. It contains the following ingredients:
*Yellow Onion
*Sweet Pepper
*Safflower Oil
*Lime Juice
*Garlic
*Nutritional Yeast
*Jalapeño
Kosher Salt
*Cayenne
*Organic Ingredients
My son, who is a big fan of regular queso (or anything with cheese, for that matter), really liked this version. I think the onion and sweet pepper give it a sweeter taste. If anyone has had to go dairy-free and misses queso, I would recommend trying this product. We microwaved it and drizzled it on top of tortilla chips and carnitas, along with the Zubi’s crema and salsa.
Loaded nachos!
Where to Purchase
Zubi’s salsa and dips can be purchased on their website, at a store near you, and Amazon. It is shelf-stable (refrigerate after opening), which makes it easy to order online.
