Archives for December 10, 2014

   

Yes, the emerging outbreak of the Ebola virus throughout the world has made us ALL more mindful of germs and, quite frankly, a little more understanding of the growing and incessant need for clean!

 

This holiday season, we will wash our hands a little extra and avoid the mistletoe, but we all have someone on our lists with some cleanliness “quirks” that take it a bit further… Think Howie Mandel (wrote a book about it), Cameron Diaz (opens doors with her elbows), Megan Fox (once went a week without eating because she was afraid of restaurant cutlery contamination), and Donald Trump (refuses to shake hands or touch elevator buttons).

 

Help them out with HealthySole, an elegant “first to market” device that leaves up to 99% of infectious germs at the door – not on the soles of shoes.  Step on this sleek, innovative mechanism (looks similar to a bathroom scale) that uses safe, green UVC technology and shoes will effectively be disinfected from bacteria and viruses in a little as 7 to 10 seconds—and the Company has the R & D and science to prove it!

Most don’t know that germs and pathogens live longer on the soles of shoes than anywhere else in the household. Recent studies by The University of Arizona and ABC News have shown that bottoms of shoes carry millions of units of bacteria, even more than the average toilet seat. These pathogens are transferred from our shoes to the floors of our homes, offices and living environments causing infections and disease.  

We received a sample to try out and I have to say I am quite impressed with how well this works!  It is really easy to use!  I was also surprised how quickly it works! Before using this product, we would constantly have muddy footprints on the carpet or random leaves and dirt. My husband was skeptical that this product would work and he was quite amazed at how it cleans the bottom of shoes. It even cleans my son’s dirty sneakers and there are no more dirty footprints! We also had a friend try this out and he was thrilled with it. His family usually take off their shoes when they enter their house, but he said that with this product there is no need to do that anymore. One of the best things is that it works so quickly.

To use, simply place the HealthySole unit at the front door and step onto it for 8 to 10 seconds when entering indoor environments. The rechargeable battery-operated system lasts two weeks, and fits every size shoe, with an additional template included for children. What a great way to stay healthier this Winter  and the Cold & Flu season!

With a retail price of $269.00, Healthy Sole is now available for purchase through www.healthySole.com.

Self Disclosure: I received a free product sample to facilitate this feature. Now, that I have tried it, I highly recommend it!  Photo and press info credit: HealthySole. Any opinions expressed are my own.

     

It’s almost officially Winter and the Holiday season is here! It’s time for entertaining, having Christmas and Holiday parties and having fun! If you are looking for party items such as Holiday Plastic Tablecovers, plates,napkins and more…BuyCostumes.com has you covered!  I received the Frosted Holiday Plastic Tablecover (see above!) and the Frosted Holiday Dessert Plates (that seem to have sold out!). They have really great prices too! So, check out Buycostumes.com this Holiday season for all your party accessories. They have really cute costumes and hats too! I received the Bumble-Hoodie Hat and it is too cute! I can’t wait to wear it this Holiday season! Stay tuned! I will be posting photos on our Facebook page!

 

 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this Holiday post.

It’s that time of the year for baking and entertaining!  If you are like me, you may be looking for new recipes and I love these from Heilala Vanilla! I recently received a sample and this is now my new favorite Vanilla! Actually, I didn’t have a favorite Vanilla until now! I am also excited that it is available at Sprouts because that is also one of my favorite stores!  I received the  Heilala Vanilla Extract! It is great to use with baking and since I bake Christmas cookies and fudge, this one is a Must-Have!

More info:

No chemicals or nasty synthetic imitations  are used in Heilala’s Vanilla Extract.   Only the best organic vanilla beans are used before Heilala’s cold extraction and unique aging process takes place, resulting in a true vanilla aroma and the purest taste imaginable. This versatile extract is perfect for all baking needs.  Whenever a recipe calls for vanilla extract or essence, Heilala Vanilla Extract is the icing on the cake in terms of 100% pure vanilla.

Sugar Free,Kosher certified, Gluten Free.

Available in 50 ml bottle

Recommended retail $10.99.

New Zealand-based Heilala Vanilla Limited (www.heilalavanilla.com), premium vanilla grower and a producer of a range of high quality vanilla products, is pleased to announce that is has expanded its national distribution to include Sprouts Farmers Markets (www.sprouts.com), the second largest natural and organic specialty retailer with more than 180 stores in 10 states.

 

“We are so proud to partner with Sprouts to bring our premium vanilla to Sprouts shoppers across the U.S.,” said Jennifer Boggiss, Co-Founder and Owner, Heilala Vanilla Limited.  Sprouts is recognized for offering innovative fresh, natural and organic food brands catering to consumers’ growing interest in health and wellness.  We are thrilled they have chosen to add our premium 100% pure vanilla products to their shelves.”

 

Heilala Vanilla Extract is made from only the best organic vanilla beans using their cold extraction and unique ageing, resulting in a true vanilla aroma and the purest taste imaginable. This versatile extract is perfect for any and all baking needs whenever a recipe calls for vanilla extract or essence and really is the icing on the cake in terms of 100% pure vanilla.

 

The rock star of the vanilla world, Heilala Vanilla paste has recently won several highly coveted ‘foodie’ awards.  Made to a secret recipe by the Colonel Garth Boggiss, this superstar vanilla paste is the real deal. After extensive trialing and research, Heilala Vanilla Paste is made by reintroducing Vanilla seeds to their Vanilla Extract and adding a natural seaweed thickener to produce a paste that is not laden with fillers, thickeners or sugar to achieve the magic consistency. With an NZ Food Award in 2010 and Supreme Runner Up of the 2011 Cuisine Artisan Award in tow, this paste is a fantastic alternative to using a vanilla bean as it is convenient and economical in any recipe to add a gourmet touch by showcasing the seeds alongside the full vanilla flavor.

 

Sprouts will offer Heilala Vanilla extract (60 ml) and paste (50 ml).

 

For a complete list of Sprouts locations and for more information on Heilala Vanilla visit www.heilalavanilla.com.  Also available at Bristol Farms in Southern California!
Here are two of my new favorite recipes for the Holiday season! Thanks Heilala Vanilla!

  

Blueberry Vanilla French Toast  ( Perfect for Christmas morning!)

 

12 slices day old bread( crusts removed)

2 8oz. pkgs. cream cheese

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

12 eggs

2 cups milk

1/3 cup syrup or honey ( we used Heilala Vanilla Syrup)

 

Sauce

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp vanilla extract (we used Heilala Vanilla extract)

1 cup water

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 Tbsp butter or margarine

 

Cut bread into 1-in. cubes; place half in a greased 13″x9″x2″

baking dish. Cut cream cheese into 1″ cubes; place over bread.

Top with blueberries and remaining bread. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and syrup; mix well. Pour over bread mixture.

Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator

30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake 350 for 30 minutes.

Uncover; bake 25-30 minutes more or until golden brown & center is set.

In saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; add water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 3 minuets; stirring constantly.

Stir in blueberries reduce heat. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until berries have burst. Stir in butter until melted and add vanilla extract. Serve over French toast.

 For the Adult Holiday parties:

Heilala Vanilla Martini adapted from Emeril Lagasse’s Vodka – Vanilla- Kiss – Me Tini from Food Network

 

2 ounces vodka

3 tablespoons heavy cream

2 tablespoons vanilla syrup- we used Heilala Vanilla syrup (he makes his own)

1 tablespoon ameretto

¼ vanilla extract

Heilala Vanilla sugar for the glass

 

 

About Heilala Vanilla

Heilala Vanilla began as an aid project over eight years ago, when a vanilla plantation was established by a New Zealand family, in partnership with a local family from the village of Utungake in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga. In 2005 the first crop was harvested and brought back to New Zealand, and was snapped up by local chefs.

 

Since these small beginnings and a first harvest of 40kg of dried vanilla pods, Heilala Vanilla has grown spectacularly, harvesting over 4 tons of vanilla in 2013. This has had a significant impact on the local community, providing employment and infrastructure.

 

Products are sold into specialty food retail and fine dining establishments and gourmet food manufacturers. Markets have been established in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Brazil, Denmark and the United States.

 

Retired New Zealand dairy farmer John Ross and his son-in-law Garth Boggiss, who has a horticultural background, have built up a vast knowledge of growing this very specialized crop by meeting and visiting vanilla growers in many parts of the world (including Tahiti, Reunion Is, Madagascar and Costa Rica). A plantation in both Tonga and in Tauranga has enabled a complete focus on the intricacies of growing vanilla.

 

In 2013 Heilala Vanilla established the Heilala Vanilla Foundation to further their commitment to the people of Vava’u.  The company contributes a percentage of sales of vanilla beans grown and exported from Vava’u, and some funds from other sources, to the foundation for local community projects including education programs.

 

The Heilala Vanilla award-winning range of  100% pure vanilla products includes Vanilla Syrup, Vanilla Beans, Vanilla Extract, and Vanilla Paste, Vanilla Sugar, and Ground Vanilla powder.  For more information visit www.heilalavanilla.com.

 

Follow Heilala on:

• Facebook at  com/heilalavanilla
• Twitter at @heilalavanilla
• You Tube at youtube.com/user/heilalavanilla
• Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=heilala%20vanilla

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this Holiday feature. Photo Credit: Heilala Vanilla.

 

 

 

    

The tradition of giving greeting cards as a meaningful expression of personal affection for another is deeply ingrained in society. According to the Greeting Card Association, the most popular Seasonal cards are Christmas cards, accounting for 45% of all cards sent each year.

 

To really get into the spirit, below, please find some of Hallmark eCards’ vintage wishes from the vault, as well as new Christmas cards perfect for sharing with loved ones this holiday season.

 

A Christmas Poem (1950s)

Holly Jolly Jingle – (1960s)

E-mail-able Wishes (1950s)

A Gingerbread Christmas

Santa Drops In

Dueling Knitters

Max Lucado: Ordinary No More

I love Hallmark Cards and ecards! I can’t imagine the holiday season without them!

 

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. SoCal City Kids is a big fan of Hallmark!

 

OzoGroove, the newest app from the makers of the world’s smallest programmable robot known as Ozobot, proves that robots can glide and dance with grace. Until now robots have been getting a bad rap for their mobility with humans taunting them with “The Robot” dance, well, no longer! Techies, kids and game enthusiasts can now download the free App from Google Play or the iTunes Store and cue their favorite music, then code their amazing buddy to perform a Waltz, do the Tango, or whatever you dream up!

 

For anyone not familiar with the hottest smart toy in augmented reality, Ozobot can be programmed for action in thousands of ways, making Ozobot quite the versatile game piece, strategy game and now a dance star.  Not sure where to start with Ozobot’s sweet new moves? OzoGroove comes with built-in demos, versatile dance tools and even a help desk. Simply download, cue your music and sequence a few moves. Over time users can master their skills and create uber cool moves within the app’s PRO editor option.  Finally something that will thrill emerging geeks, artists, grownup techies and luxury lovers! For only $99 for two or $49 for one, these brand new tiny robots pack a huge punch of play and educational value in one small price, and they’re small enough to stash in a purse or backpack (or pocket) for on-the-go fun.

 

Friends can even gather their Ozobots together to create a dance troupe and choreograph a routine! Online shoppers can find these tiny robots for holiday giving at Ozobot.com, sharperimage.combrookstone.com, momastore.org and amazon.com.

 

You can also personalize your Ozobot using liquid glue and ordinary craft supplies with one of the “skins or helmets” that came with your Ozobot! This month, their website will sell a four-pack of skins so you can create different personas.

You may remember that we featured Ozobot earlier this Holiday season as a Holiday Gift suggestion! This toy is sure to be a hit!

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. We have featured Ozobot in our Holiday gift suggestions and received a free product.