Archives for February 2016

Looking for a cute and cuddly gift for Valentine’s Day? The  Discovery Stores has tons of furry friends, soft enough to sleep with, and peppy enough to play with. Your child will love these! I received a few cute and cuddly friends of my own and I love them so much that I had to keep one of them for myself! I love Sea Creatures of all types especially Sea Lions and Seals so I was thrilled to find out they have the softest Sea Lion and Harbor Seal! But, my absolute favorite is a Pink Jellyfish!

Made of polyester, all stuffed animals are spongy and squeezable, perfect for cuddling with in the winter weather. With these fun animals representing jungle, desert, forest, and ocean life, you’ll be sure to find your kid’s favorite!

To check out the whole selection of stuffed animals visit Discovery Stores.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Top Photos Credit: Discovery Stores.

Sometimes the best – and easiest – romantic candlelit dinners may not be in a restaurant. I mean….really..sometimes restaurants are overly crowded and a meal at home is a great ideal! Maybe Dinner isn’t your favorite meal! Maybe, it is Breakfast! I know I love breakfast in bed! Shopping at Whole Foods Market makes meal planning super easy!

Here are some great ideas and recipes from the culinary pros at Whole Foods Market.

I went shopping at Whole Foods Market, and can’t wait to bake these Mini Yogurt Tea Breads for the upcoming holiday!

Here are some great tips to check out:

• Five-star-worthy surf and turf for half the price: For prime flavor, opt for dry-aged steaks. Whole Foods Market’s butchers take the most prized cuts of beef and age them
  in-house for 21 days in a humidity- and temperature-controlled environment. This process reduces the moisture content for a concentrated, robust flavor and a very tender final cut.In other words, pretty fool-proof. Whole Foods Market’s lobster tails and crab legs are also a delicious (and sustainable) choice. Both can be simply steamed and served with drawn butter for a shockingly simple but impressive dinner.

• Enjoy the vino for a fraction of the cost, and pair like a pro – Restaurant markup for beer and wine is usually upwards of 200-300 percent, so you can get a significantly better bottle for less at the grocery store. For seafood dishes, try De Chanceny Cremant de Loire Rosé Brut, a lively pink sparkler that’s perfect for the holiday. For red meat dishes, pair Globerati French Cabernet Sauvignon, a medium-bodied red with juicy black currant and earthy pepper spice. Whole Foods Market’s wine specialists can also help you pick the best bottle for your dish.

• Undetectable store-bought shortcuts – Many Whole Foods Market stores will steam fresh crab and crack the shells for you, so you can save your cutie from cracking duty. Or check the bakery department for fresh chocolate-covered strawberries. Serve them on a pretty plate at home and your Valentine will think you hand-dipped these sweet treats. The Bakery has some great choices. I love the little Tarts!  I don’t think that I can even walk into Whole Foods Market without checking out the Bakery.

• Shuck it – Whole Foods Market offers the highest quality, fresh oysters at a fraction of restaurant prices, and offers local varieties in many regions. Our fishmongers will shuck themfor you at no charge. Shoppers will also find the Responsibly Farmed logo on all farmed mollusks at Whole Foods Market (oysters, mussels, clams and scallops), which ensures our quality standards are being met.
• Say cheese – A good rule of thumb for a nice, balanced cheese plate is to choose four different cheeses made with different milks – goat, sheep, cow and a classic blue or alpine style cheese. When in doubt, ask your local Whole Foods Market experts. We employ the largest amount of Certified Cheese Professionals (over 300) in the country.

• Don’t forget flowers– Restaurant details like fresh flowers go a long way at home too. Classic roses are always sweet, especially when you opt for Whole Trade^® blooms from Whole Foods Market, which means your blooms are sweeter on the planet and farm workers, too.

I love the flowers I find at Whole Foods Market!

Here are my favorite Breakfast recipes from our friends at Whole Foods Market:

Cupid’s Arrow Breakfast:

Cauliflower and parsley omelet for two 

Mini yogurt tea breads

Cherry rooibos steeped grapefruit

I am also going to attempt to make this delicious Omelet this weekend!

Check out Whole Foods Market for your Valentine’s Day Menu planning this week!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Self Disclosure: I received a gift card to purchase products to facilitate this special Valentine’s Day post. No other compensation was received. 

Looking for something unique this Valentine’s Day? This Baking Mold and Cookbook are a Must-Buy! It is fun, clever and quite different! I also like that it can be used for a variety of different things such as making soap, cakes and so much more!

New York and Utah based magician friends Brian Daniel South and John Reid have created the perfect SOMETHING to get for that special SOMEONE! With their unique new book of creative ideas and recipes that comes along with a silicone baking mold, it’s the perfect two-in-one gift that’s sure to delight sweethearts and friends alike who just want that little extra Something to let them know you care!

Something started years ago when a friend showed Reid (Magician, Balloon Artist, and Founder of Epic Balloons) a sponge in the shape of the word “something.” He laughed for days thinking about the simplicity of this silly prop created for clowns. Not long after he’d purchased a box of somethings, he realized he didn’t have a gift for a housewarming party. In a pinch, the magician and balloon artist grabbed one and brought his host “something for the new house.” The reaction was outstanding and it was the hit of the party. He knew right then that he was going to give everybody “something” when they got a new house…when they had a baby…in fact, one year, everyone got a little “something” in their stockings for Christmas!

In an effort to share the fun and get this wonderful idea into the hands of more people, Reid decided to make a cookie cutter in the shape of “something.” Calling on his friend, fellow magician, and founder of Teach By Magic– Brian South, who he says is “one of the most creative people I know”, South immediately wanted to be a part of what he figured could really be “something” big! The two made a cookie cutter and then quickly realized that a silicon bake form would be even more versatile, and they also knew they had to include book of creative ideas and recipes that could be used with the mold. So–reaching out to friends and family for help, and the help of dozens of other new friends who shared their amazing ideas–they compiled the SOMETHING book with 365 ways to use…well, SOMETHING that they hope will create smiles for years to come!

Truly versatile in his talents, “Something” is not the first thing to bring John Reid notoriety, however.  Having dazzled and enchanted audiences for over 20 years with his sensational balloon displays and live magic performances, Reid has traveled from trade shows and conventions to Disney and even The White House…where he has been the President’s balloon twister of choice for their 4th of July celebrations for the past 5 years!! Having broken the World Record for the biggest balloon sculpture built by a single person at the 2014 Salt Lake City Comic Con with the Transformers inspired “Poptimus Prime”, Reid and his Epic Balloons are some of the most visually delighting spectacles to ever be created. Often being called on to teach other balloon twisters and judge balloon sculpting contests, he’s also known for his dazzling balloon dresses and couture designs which were recently featured in Vegas Magazine. John has made over 200 and counting for fashion shows, celebrities, and even a wedding dress! As a magician, he’s been able to delight audiences with his comedy magic show combining laughs with fantastic tricks that engage kids through audience participation.

The SOMETHING mold is made out of food-grade silicone, is dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe (up to 400°F)! With recipes that include homemade fudge, classic cake, homemade breads, homemade oatmeal, the homemade bath bomb and homemade soap for relaxation and bathing, chocolate chip SOMETHING, and even bird-feeder and homemade dog treat SOMETHING’s, there’s a SOMETHING for every occasion!

I received a sample and I can’t wait to make “SOMETHING” very soon!

Self Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received.

With so much of SOMETHING to offer, Reid and South have come up with the perfect individual or gift idea that’s ideal for this upcoming Valentine’s Day, and also year-round!

For More Information, or to Purchase your “SOMETHING”, VISIT: https://www.bakingsomething.com/