Category Archives: Giveaways

Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa – A Holiday Tradition

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This post was sponsored by Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa and Mom it Forward. All opinions are my own.

When I was a little girl, my favorite drink was hot chocolate, bursting with mini marshmallows. Even now, decades later, I can remember how excited I was to find a steaming cup waiting on the kitchen counter for me when I returned home from school.

Now that I’m a mom, I’m passing it along. My littles ones are always asking for some, especially during the winter when they do outside activities like sledding, skating, and building snowmen. I’m happy to indulge their cravings since it makes them so happy!

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Of course, not all chocolate is created equal and it’s the quality of the cocoa itself that makes a truly tasty treat. For me, it has to be rich, creamy, and full of flavor. That’s why I love Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa. This decadent delight is available in standard cans (great when cooking for a crowd) and K-cups (perfect when only a single cup is needed). As for variety, they make a bunch like:

  • S’mores
  • CandyCane
  • Mint Truffle
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Salted Caramel

My youngest is obsessed with S’mores while I always go for CandyCane (must be the combination of chocolate and mint—Yum!).

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Cocoa makes a wonderful present, too. In the past, I’ve added some to a food gift basket and used it in baking mixes. This year, I tried something new: homemade beauty gifts for Hanukkah!

It only takes 4 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of time to create a fantastic cocoa lip balm that every lady on your list will enjoy.

To make some, you will need:

  • 2 Tsp. coconut oil
  • 3 drops vitamin E oil
  • 1 Tsp. cocoa butter
  • 2 Tbsp. CandyCane cocoa powder

Heat a pot of water on the stove. Place all of the ingredients in a glass bowl. Set the glass bowl in the pot. Stir until everything is melted and fully combined. Using a small ladle, fill individual sized containers, and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

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See how cute these are? And the taste? Fabulous.

Craving your own cup of Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa? Enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Karma Baker Gluten-Free Giveaway

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Flour, butter, sugar, eggs—sounds like a typical recipe for most baked goods…and a total disaster for those who are allergic to any of those common ingredients!

With heighted awareness about medical conditions like Celiac disease and the environmental impact of consuming animal products, many people are seeking a viable alternative, causing an explosion of goods that are Gluten-free and/or vegan. While most of them are considered safe, they lack a key component: taste! (Anyone who’s ever eaten a dry, crumbly, bland Passover cake made from almond meal knows what I’m talking about.)

An innovative Kosher company in California has created a solution. Karma Baker believes that food should taste good, be good for you and for the planet—what they call “Enlightened Baking™.”   

What you won’t find in Karma Baker:

  • Animal Products (gelatin, lard, butter, etc.)
  • Gluten
  • Wheat
  • Dairy 
  • Eggs
  • Hydrogenated Oils 
  • Cholesterol
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • GMOs
  • Artificial Flavors & Colors
  • Preservatives

After looking at that lengthy list, you may be wondering what that leaves to actually bake with (I certainly was)! After considerable experimenting, they developed a unique, proprietary blend of flour that produces the lightest and fluffiest baked goods imaginable. It includes sorghum, white and brown rice, tapioca, and potato starch.

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On the back of the bag, a recipe for Pumpkin Crumb Muffins is featured. Following the directions exactly, I made some in my own kitchen. I’ll admit that I was somewhat skeptical beforehand, but the result was truly unlike anything I’ve ever eaten before. They looked/smelled like regular muffins, with a delicious texture and flavor. It’s not simply a substitute product, but something I’d actually make and eat by choice.

In addition to their famous flour, Karma Baker prepares and sells baked goods in their own store. They generously shipped me some goodies to sample.

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Cookies:

Available in chocolate chip, classic oatmeal, and old-fashioned snickerdoodle, it’s impossible to say which flavor was my favorite. Large in size, filling, and will definitely satisfy a sweet tooth.

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Brownies:

Dense, fudgy, and moist. The right amount of cocoa for an intense chocolate taste. I have always preferred brownies with nuts, so I loved the walnut version. Plain (nut-free) and peanut butter are also available.

With treats this amazing, we no longer have to choose between taste and health. Karma Baker provides both in ample quantities.

Eager to try some? One winner will receive a 2-lb bag of their fantastic flour!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bachelorette Gift Box Review & Giveaway

Selecting the right gift for a bachelorette can be tricky…especially if she’s getting married for the third time! While I doubt I’d be brave enough to try again after two divorces, my cousin is, and I want to share in her excitement. (A lot of folks are being very negative. That’s understandable, but I don’t judge!) Since I offered to plan the party, it was up to me to create something special, something different than she had done before.

When I asked for her input, her requests included bride-to-be gear, a night out, and champagne (sounds pretty reasonable, right?). I started by visiting a local party store, thinking it would be easy to pick everything up there. Not so! A lot of the bridal stuff looked cheap and junky, but the prices were outrageous. What I needed was a kit that had everything included.

While the store didn’t offer such a thing, I was pretty sure I could find one online. The Something Blue box from Novel Erotics was exactly what I had in mind.

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The kit is packed into a hollow book. It features a one page story and these awesome party favors: 

  • Pink bridal sash
  • Tiara
  • Veil
  • “Dare to do It” activity cards
  • Collar/bowtie/cuffs set for the groom-to-be

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The plot of Something Blue features a group of friends who go to see a male dancer show. While the story is a bit racy, it’s by no means filthy and anyone who likes the Chippendales wouldn’t be offended. Obviously, it’s just for grown ups, though.

Knowing my cousin so well, I wasn’t worried about her reaction. As expected, she loved it! I told her to wear a plain black dress and the accessories from the box matched perfectly. She wore her hair down with the veil/tiara pinned securely on top. (Like any tiara, it was a bit heavy, especially as the hours wore on, but not unbearable.)

Because I am a firm believer in responsible drinking, we had a designated driver. My wonderful hubby waited for us as we went to dinner and then to a wine bar. He sat in the car throughout, playing video games on his phone, and never complained. Such a sweetheart!

As we enjoyed a few drinks, we took turns reading from the “dare” cards. Between the bride-to-be accessories and our hysterical laughter, lots of attention was directed our way. I’ll admit we did get a bit goofy, but nobody was sloppy or dangerous, and it was all in good fun!

Something Blue is definitely the perfect gift for the bride-to-be that’s adventurous. If you’re getting married soon—or know someone who is—you’ll want to enter this giveaway. It could be yours for free!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

This review and giveaway was made possible by iConnect Influencer Management and Novel Erotics. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.