Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Backyard Bliss With Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

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

Spring is around the corner, and that means it is time to start thinking about what to plant in your garden. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds offers an amazing array of possibilities.

After consulting with my mom for some advice, here are the heirloom seeds I picked out to try from Baker Creek:

  • Cosmos Double Dutch
  • Cucumber Muncher
  • Swiss Chard Perpetual Spinach
  • Zinnia Purple Prince
  • Tomato A Grappoli D’Inverno
  • Salpiglossis Grandiflora Mix
  • Squash Zucchini, Fordhook
  • Snapdragon Tall Deluxe
  • Beans Cantare
  • Aster-China Pale Pink Dwarf Milady

I have not had much success gardening our backyard, but I only really started trying in the past couple of years. I guess being stuck at home during a pandemic really causes you to be more aware of your surroundings. Now, I find myself going outside to check on my flowers, plants and tiny patch of lawn a few times a day. These little breaks provide me with moments of calm that bring me joy.

Unfortunately, I am unable to fast-forward time and show you the growth of any these seeds just yet. My intention is to update this post with any progress, however. The glowing reviews on the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds website definitely give me hope!

Everyone always says zucchini is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. However, in the past, my zucchini plants never survive past the flowering stage. Only time will tell.

I love the pops of color that flowers add to a garden. Isn’t it amazing that such tiny seeds can grow into such beautiful flowers? That is the “magic” of gardening, I suppose.

Where To Purchase Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds are available for purchase through their online store. They also have a free catalogue that is sure to provide a lot of ideas and inspiration for what you should plant next. In addition, Baker Creek offers FREE shipping for U.S. orders of their heirloom seeds!

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate for Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds!

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Restaurant Reviews

Visiting VaKA Burger @ Mess Hall

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Visiting VaKA Burger at the Mess Hall in Tustin has been on our to-try list for a while now.

The Mess Hall has several restaurants housed together in a cool-looking building. We went for an early dinner on a Saturday night and it was pretty empty. It is probably more of a lunch destination? (NOTE: VaKA Burger is closed on Sundays!)

There was plenty of seating inside, as well as outside.

We ordered at the counter. I like that the VaKA Burger menu is simple. All burgers are currently $9.99. Fries come separately, but they cost a little less if you “add” them as a side to your burger.

n ordered the VaKA Burger: Beer Batter Tempura Ring, Muenster Cheese, Bacon Jam, VaKA Signature Smoked BBQ Sauce

D & k both ordered the TRuFF Burger: Baby Rocket Arugula, New York Sharp Cheddar, White Truffle Oil, Caramelized Firestone DBA Onions, Roasted Garlic Aioli

k says she is a fan of truffles and truffle-flavored foods-who knew?

I ordered the BRiE Burger: Baby Arugula, French Brie Cheese, White Truffle Oil, Caramelized Firestone DBA Onions, Roasted Garlic Aioli.

I am usually drawn to brie at restaurants, partly because I never eat it at home.

We anxiously waited for our buzzer to let us know that our food was ready. It took a little while, but probably felt longer because we were hungry. We only added fries as a side to two of our burgers, and that was plenty for the four of us.

Here is an inside shot of my glorious burger. It was an umami explosion! The chef who made up these flavor combinations definitely knows what he is doing. Even the house-made ketchup tasted gourmet. At first I thought the burger did not look very large, but it filled me up. Everyone in my family was impressed with VaKA, and we would recommend a visit if you are in the area.

VaKA Burger

1705 Flight Way #6

Tustin, CA 92782

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Food, Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Dewey’s Bakery Cookie Thins Are A Delectable Treat

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

Expo West is fast-approaching, and I am looking forward to attending in-person after a three year hiatus. I cannot wait to connect with more natural food brands and share about them with you. Today I am talking about one of the hundreds of exhibitors, Dewey’s Bakery. For those of you in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Dewey’s probably needs no introduction. The first Dewey’s Bakery opened there in 1930!

Dewey’s sent us an assortment of their Cookie Thins in the following flavors:

After sampling these delectable flavors, it is truly difficult to choose one standout. Dewey’s Bakery Cookie Thins are all delightfully thin and crisp. As a ginger fan, the Triple Ginger’s use of three types of ginger (candied, pureed, and ground) really spoke to me. The touch of sea salt in the Salted Caramel cookies adds just the right savory note to balance out the sweetness of the caramel. I also appreciate that Dewey’s Bakery uses clean, non-GMO ingredients and no preservatives, artificial flavors or synthetic colors.  

I paired the Meyer Lemon Cookie Thins with a mug of green tea for a lovely mid-afternoon tea-time snack. The bright citrus flavor really shines through in these cookies.

Another pairing that would make a nice Valentine’s Day surprise is a small plate of Dewey’s Bakery Brownie Crisps served alongside a cup o’coffee. The Brownie Crisps are perfect for any chocolate lover (like myself).

Where To Purchase Dewey’s Bakery Products

Dewey’s Bakery products are available for purchase through their online store, or at a store near you.

Dewey’s Bakery Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win five boxes of Dewey’s Bakery Cookie Thins!

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Food, Reviews, Sponsored

Start Your Next Asian Meal With Omsom

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

Our half Japanese-American, half-Chinese American family eats “Asian” food for dinner about 2-3 times a week. I put Asian in quotes because I would not call myself an expert in authentic Asian cooking. Our Asian meals typically consist of a combination of meat/tofu/vegetables with rice or noodles. The key component that gives these meals their Asian flavor is the sauce. That is where Omsom comes in!

Southeast Asian Omsom Sampler

I received the Southeast Asian Omsom Sampler. It includes two packets of each of the following sauces:

Each starter serves 2-3, so this sampler is enough for 16+ meals! This was an exciting sampler to receive, as I do not usually attempt to cook Vietnamese, Thai or Filipino food at home. However, Vietnamese and Thai are two of my favorite cuisines to eat when we go out to restaurants.

The Thai Larb starter is made with Red Boat fish sauce, lime juice, cane sugar, and thai dried chili flakes. It also comes with a toasted rice powder packet. I combined this starter with browned ground turkey. (The recipe card suggested ground chicken, but we eat ground turkey more often, so I just subbed it in).

I threw in some fresh spinach, stir-fried everything together, and had a delicious meal with a spicy kick in minutes. The rice powder offered a nice textural crunch that I would have never have thought of adding on my own. The best part about these Omsom starters is that they include all of the ingredients you need in a convenient packet that can be kept in your pantry. If I shopped for all of these Asian ingredients individually, I know I would inevitably end up with half-used, open bottles languishing in my refrigerator.

I also tried the Omsom Filipino Sisig starter with tofu. This sauce was not as spicy as the Larb and had more of a creamy texture. I felt so adventurous introducing my family to such new flavor combinations.

Each sauce can be used with a variety of proteins, including seafood, chicken or pork. I think I will have my husband try using Omsom’s Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ starter with salmon for our family Valentine’s Day dinner. The Omsom website has plenty of recipes using their starters that will be sure to inspire your tastebuds!

Where To Purchase Omsom

Omsom sauces and sets are available through their online store. They are currently offering free shipping for orders $35+. A package from Omsom would make a thoughtful gift for anyone who wants to add authentic Asian flavors to their home-cooking (even if that someone is yourself).

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Winning Moves For Family Fun

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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.

I have reviewed several games from Winning Moves over the past couple of years, and I am so impressed with the variety of family-friendly games that they offer. From card games to board games, Winning Moves’ games provide hours of screen-free entertainment. Today I am sharing about two games that I have never played before: 13 Dead End Drive and The Mermaid’s Jewels.

13 Dead End Drive

13 Dead End Drive is a board game that has been around for over 25 years! The object of the game is to be the last surviving heir and inherit Aunt Agatha’s fortune. Aunt Agatha’s “mansion” is quite elaborate. Just to warn you, setting up this game takes some time. As a person who likes putting together IKEA furniture, this part was fun for me. However, once you put all the pieces together, setup for your subsequent games will not be as time-consuming.

The most fun and unique aspect of this game is the five hidden traps that can knock characters out of the game. For example, the chandelier can fall down, and there is a trap door in the staircase. This game is recommended for 2-4 players, ages 8 and up.

The Mermaid’s Jewels

The object of The Mermaid’s Jewels is to gather enough “pearls” to complete your necklace. The setup for this game is quite simple. The “treasure chest” is well-designed and easy to put together. The game comes with 200 plastic colored beads, so keeping them all confined to the treasure chest might be the biggest challenge! Each player takes turn rolling the die and then choosing a pearl the same color indicated on the die. Strategic thinking comes into play because you want to create a chain reaction with two or more of the same colored pearls touching when you remove a pearl. You add the pearls in the chain reaction to your necklace to make it longer. I believe my elementary school self would have been really into this game. The Mermaid’s Jewels is recommended for 2-4 players, ages 5 and up.

Where To Buy Winning Moves Games

Winning Moves games and toys are available on their website, Amazon and other retailers near you.

Winning Moves Games Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win 13 Dead End Drive and The Mermaid’s Jewels.

*This giveaway is open to US residents only, not including Alaska or Hawaii.

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Reviews, Sponsored

Mazoola: A Smart Debit Card For Kids

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I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. This post may contain affiliate links.

Recently I have been on a search for a debit card for my kids. Both my daughter and son are now at the age where they hang out with their friends and pay for various things on their own. Unlike the “olden” days, it seems that using cash is a dying practice and considered inconvenient (especially by Gen Z). Therefore, when I heard about the Mazoola app through Moms Meet, I immediately wanted to find out more.

What is Mazoola?

Mazoola is an app that allows parents or guardians to set up a family mobile wallet. Parents electronically transfer money from their checking account to their kids “wallet” through the app. When the kids download the Mazoola app, they have access to a virtual debit card on their phone that they can use at stores (or online). This debit card can be used wherever Apple Pay or Google Pay is accepted. Parents can also set spending limits and approve or block where the debit card can be used. Of course, since Mazoola provides access to a debit card, kids are limited to only making purchases within the amount of money that you make available in their account. No need to worry about wild spending sprees!

One of the best aspects of the Mazoola app for our family is that I can now transfer my kids’ allowance directly to their electronic “wallet”. Before, I would give my kids a set amount of cash every week, but this was starting to become problematic. First, my husband and I do not keep much cash at home, and hardly ever visit the bank or ATM. Additionally, sometimes I would forget to give my kids their allowance. Then I would have to remember if I owed them double allowance the next week, etc. Using Mazoola, I was able to set up an automatic weekly transfer-so convenient!

Learning Valuable Lessons In Financial Responsibility

Although my kids do have chores around the house that they are expected to complete, our family does not directly correlate chores to allowance. However, for families who do tie chores directly to monetary compensation, Mazoola also allows parents to make a transfer of money contingent on the completion of said chores.

In addition, Mazoola can teach teens responsibility by allowing them to donate to charities and set savings goals.

Families understandably have different philosophies and systems regarding money. The tools Mazoola offers are valuable for teaching financial literacy and responsibility for everyone. In addition, Mazoola has been independently certified as COPPA*-compliant, and won ‘Best in Tech’ in the 2021 National Parenting Product Awards!

*Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act is a U.S. federal law designed to prohibit the collection and use of personal information about children by the operators of Internet services and websites. Passed by the U.S. Congress in 1998, the law
took effect in April 2000. It is administered and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Try Mazoola For Free!

I know for me, one of the main reasons I resisted trying other debit cards designed for kids is that I did not want to pay a monthly fee. The good news is that Mazoola is currently offering families a one-year membership at no cost with the ability to cancel anytime. This is the perfect opportunity to see if this kind of virtual family wallet/debit card works for your family!

Mazoola is available to download through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Mazoola is FREE for one year, plus receive $10 when you sign up* through this link: momsmeet.link/mazoolaapp.

*Eligible set-up includes the following actions: 1) Create a profile 2) Fund an account


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The Cloud Bread Company Cloudies Are Light As Air

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

Apparently, I missed the entire #cloudbread TikTok/internet sensation. When I recently attended a Nourished Festival presentation by The Cloud Company, their spokesperson said the company started making Cloudies Cloudbread because so many people had a difficult time making cloud bread at home. Although I personally never jumped on the keto train, I am always interested in trying new food products. After trying The Cloud Bread Company Cloudies, I can see why they are so popular!

The Cloud Company makes three varieties of Cloudies:

  • Original
  • Cheddar
  • Garlic-Herb

The basic ingredient list for these Cloudies is simple: eggs, cream cheese, baking soda, and baking powder. Cloudies are found in the freezer aisle to preserve freshness as they contain no preservatives. They are gluten-free, have zero carbs and are only 35 calories each.

Cloudies can be defrosted in the refrigerator or the microwave and then toasted. When I tasted one, I could not believe how fluffy and bread-like the texture was!

I made a breakfast sandwich by tucking some scrambled eggs and baby spinach between two Cheddar Cloudies. I would also like to try using Cloudies instead of buns the next time we have turkey burgers for dinner. Other suggestions include using Cloudies as the base for tostadas, mini pizzas, or even a strawbery cloudcake!

Where To Buy The Cloud Bread Company Cloudies

The Cloud Bread Company Cloudies are available for purchase through their online store or at a store near you.

The Cloud Bread Company Cloudies Giveaway

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Olivida: Outstanding Organic Olive Oil Soap

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

Did you know that olive oil has natural anti-bacterial qualities and has been used to make soap for thousands of years? Olivida Soap makes a wide variety of pure castile virgin olive oil soaps from olives grown in the Mediterranean region. I recently had the privilege to try out Olivida’s full line of liquid soaps, bar soaps, and shampoo & conditioner bars. What I found is that in addition to having effective cleaning power, Olivida soaps also add a little luxury to your everyday life.

Olivida Castile Liquid Soap

Olivida Liquid Soaps come in the following scents:

First of all, I adore the simple and elegant packaging. These bottles would look quite attractive sitting at your kitchen or bathroom sink. In addition, each bottle weighs in at a substantial 17 fl. oz, so it will last you a while.

While I enjoyed all of the scents, the Pomegranate is my favorite. The light fruity scent is unique and fun. (Hint: both the Pomegranate and Rose scents would make a pretty and thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift.) The Jasmine and Olive Oil liquid soaps remind me of visiting a spa, even if it is just for the minute spent washing my hands. All of the soaps feel moisturizing and did not leave my hands feeling stripped of moisture as some soaps do.

Olivida Soap Bars

For those of you who are fans of bar soaps, Olivida has plenty to choose from:

  • Pomegranate: antioxidant properties (reverses signs of aging)
  • Lemon: beneficial for oily skin (brightens skin)
  • Dead Sea Mud: gives skin strength, flexibility and purity (deep cleans pores)
  • Lavender: softening and balancing (recommended for youth acne and eczema)
  • Aloe Vera: soothing (treats psoriasis and eczema)
  • Tea Tree: invigorating (helps treat youth acne)
  • Olive Oil: moisturizing (good for psoriasis and eczema)

I had my son try the soaps that help treat eczema, since he still experiences flare-ups from time to time. Olivida Soap left his skin feeling more nourished and less-irritated. I personally enjoyed using the Dead Sea Mud bar in the shower. My skin felt so refreshed and rejuvenated afterward.

Although each formulation offers different benefits specific to its ingredients, Olivida Soaps are all certified organic, cruelty-free, vegan, and contain no artificial fragrances, parabens or palm oils.

Olivida Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

Finally, Olivida also offers two types of Shampoo & Conditioner Bars:

It seems like I have been hearing about the benefits of using shampoo bars a lot lately. However, my personal experience with actually using them is limited. I know that shampoo bars are more eco-friendly, but I was eager to see what they would do for my hair as well.

The Olivida Shampoo & Conditioner bars left my hair and scalp feeling clean and healthy. The scent was light and not over-powering. It felt good to use a product for my hair that contains all-natural ingredients. Again, Olivida managed to provide me with a brief spa-like respite during an otherwise routine shower.

Where To Purchase Olivida Soap

Olivida Soap products are available for purchase through their online store.

Olivida Soap Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for chance to win your choice of one bottle of Olivida Liquid Soap or four Olivida Bar Soaps!

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Spice Up Your Day With Chakra Spiced Coffee

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

Enjoying a hot cup of coffee is something I look forward to almost every day. Therefore, when Chakra Spiced Coffee offered to send samples of their sustainable, single-origin coffee blended with spices, I could not wait to try them.

Chakra Spiced Coffee is available in three unique blends:

  • California Chai: Cloves, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Star Anise
  • Bali Spice: Cardamom, Turmeric, Ginger
  • Moroccan Seven: Ginger, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Cloves, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Black Pepper

Spices have long been used to add flavor, but they also have many health benefits as well. (Read more about these benefits here). Since many people already consume coffee regularly, Chakra Spiced Coffee is a natural way to consume more of the superfood spices that support the brain, immunity, and digestion.

I tried out the California Chai flavor in our French Press, as suggested on the side of the bag. (This coffee can also be brewed in a Chemex or regular coffee pot). As soon as I opened the bag, I knew I was in for a treat. The aroma of the fresh coffee grounds, combined with the spices, was intoxicating. If you are a fan of both coffee and chai, this blend is for you.

The recommended ratio is 2.5 tablespoon of coffee grounds to 8 oz. of water. This resulted in a strong, rich cup of coffee. I shared a mug with my husband as an afternoon pick-me-up. He too enjoyed the added flavor that the spices provide.

Kickstart your brain with coffee + a jigsaw puzzle!

Another added bonus is that Chakra Spiced Coffee donates five percent of net proceeds of each bag sold to organizations that spread awareness and recovery for mental health. With mental health issues affecting an estimated 450 million people worldwide, this is an important cause to support.

Where To Purchase Chakra Spiced Coffee

Chakra Spiced Coffee is available for purchase through their online store.

Chakra Spiced Coffee Giveaway

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Food, Restaurant Reviews

Flipping Over Flippoly

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A few weeks ago we had breakfast for dinner, as I wanted to try the breakfast sandwiches at Flippoly. I believe their first location was in Buena Park at The Source (another place I have on my to-visit list). However, we visited the less-glamorous, but closer outpost in Irvine.

All four of us ordered the same sandwich, something that we do not typically do: the Bulgogi BBQ. It tastes just as good as it looks!

According to the signage, this hefty sandwich contains Bulgogi BBQ (beef), Grilled Scrambled Egg, House Sauce, Brioche Loaf, Cheddar Cheese, and Parsley. Each component is well-executed: the bread is lightly toasted and cut into a nifty pocket, and scrambled eggs are fluffy, the creamy sauce has the slightest kick and the bulgogi beef just raises this breakfast sandwich to the next level.

I thought it was a good deal for $6.99. I was not able to finish mine, so I saved some for breakfast the next day. Surprisingly, it held up really well after a quick zap in the microwave!

They also offer an array of drinks (include dalgona coffee) and soft serve ice cream. D was curious about the black sea salt flavor so he asked the cashier what it tasted like. She graciously offered him a sample:

It is not very photogenic, but tasted pretty good-kind of caramel-y? I am still not sure why it is black since sea salt by itself is not black. Is it black sesame or the trendy charcoal?

It was not too crowded when we went (around 5 p.m. on a Sunday) but I heard there can be lines at more popular times during the day. Check this place out if you are in the area!

Flippoly

14001 Jeffrey Road

Irvine, CA 92620

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