Category Archives: Food and Drink Products

Crispy Green: Crispy Fruit Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Crispy Green. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Crispy Green: Crispy Fruit Review and Giveaway- Tangerine, Apple and Mango

I never really gave any consideration to freeze-dried fruit other than my outdoor camping friends have praised it for years. After all these years, I can honestly say that I understand why it is so popular – it is really good!

Let’s back up to a conversation that I was having with Jason a couple weeks ago about dehydrated fruit and meat, It was mentioned that a favorite snack of his was beef sticks, cheese and dried fruit. I thought at the time that he was a step below in the evolution of his taste buds but have found that really I was the one low on the taste evolution scale.

Crispy Green was kind enough to send us 3 packages of their Crispy Fruit in Tangerine, Apple and Mango. The varieties that they offer are wide-ranging and include Asian pear, banana, cantaloupe and pineapple as well as tangerine, apple and mango. The fruit is kosher certified, peanut tree nut free, gluten-free, dairy free and vegan – the reason for this is that all that is included is 100% pure fruit dehydrated.

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Nick’s Stick’s Review

Nick’s Stick’s Review and Giveaway

Jason has been patiently wanting meat sticks and cheese for quite sometime and the truth of the matter is that I have never really given meat turned into sticks much thought. I was under the impression that they were a conglomeration of random meat by products and other mystery meats – I could not have been more wrong!

Nicks Stick’s was generous enough to send us one each of 4 flavors to try including; Grass Fed Beef, Spicy Beef, Free-Range Turkey and Spicy Turkey. This is a simple snack that is as versatile as it is delicious and the beauty in these little sticks is their simplicity. Made of simple ingredients such as meat, water, (jalapeño in the spicy blends), Redmond seasoned salt, lactic acid and celery juice, that’s IT!

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ginnybakes Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of ginnybakes. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

ginnybakes Review & Giveaway

I think I have mentioned in the past that I am a cookie monster. I really do love my cookies and will devour almost any flavor and any variety. When I was young a highlight of the winter season was receiving that magical tin of cookies with crispy sugar on the tops. Looking back I realize that these were simply shortbread cookies and have become available year round. Why am I mentioning this holiday staple? The answer is simpler than you can imagine. It is because I found a cookie that reminded me of this holiday indulgence.

I found ginnybake cookies and I was caught by their commitment to creating a gluten-free safe product. This is made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and was started by a holistic nutritionist. Ginnybake Cookies are a family owned company whose passion is to create outrageously delicious and nutritious treats.

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Bobo’s Oat Bars Review

Bobo’s Oat Bars Review and Giveaway

Confession time again! Despite my best intentions I usually run about 5-10 minutes late. This is usually due to wanting either a snack or drink to go, and this has been happening since I was young. I wish 30 years ago on the cold mornings I was running late, that there was a breakfast snack like Bobo’s Oat Bars. Bobo’s Oat Bars are mini loaves of compressed oats.

Bobo’s Oat Bars are available in 10 regular flavors including original flavor, cinnamon raisin, peanut butter, cranberry orange, coconut, chocolate, almond, banana, strawberry and apricot. Bobo’s also makes 6 gluten-free flavors including peach, maple pecan, lemon poppy-seed, chocolate almond, apple pie and peanut butter/raspberry jelly.

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Naked Infusions Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Naked Infusions. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Naked Infusions Review and Giveaway

I am a fan of chips with salsa, unfortunately my stomach feels very different about this. As I have gotten older I am sad to report that my stomach and I do not agree on many food decisions. I love chips and salsa, and I was thrilled when I heard that there was a salsa company doing it different. Despite the battle waged in my stomach when tomatoes are involved, that does not deter me from my quest of salsa discovery.

When I think of salsa I think tomatoes and some spices. I have never really given thought to adding other ingredients to enhance the natural tomato flavors. Lucky for me there is a salsa company that is thinking outside the proverbial box and combining flavors: Naked Infusions Salsa.

All of Naked Infusion’s salsa is certified organic , Non-GMO verified and Gluten-free. The salsa are made with fresh ingredients and are not the ultra chunky salsa, but a nice fine blend that makes chip application easy.

Naked Infusion was generous enough to send me a complete sampling of each flavor they offer including:

Signature Ripe Tomato (hot, medium and mild): 4 oz received – Mild, medium and Extra Hot available – This was fresh tasting and what the other flavors are based on – this is the original recipe.

California Burnt Sage: 4 oz received – Medium Heat – The sage popped first and foremost and it added a fresh quality to an already fresh and clean salsa. The ingredients are as tasty as they are fresh.

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Nii Bars Review

Nii Bars Review and Giveaway

There are many companies that are creating bars and protein snacks. The common thread in these bars is dates. I will be honest when I say that I know little to nothing about dates, other than their appearance. If I am being really honest I will tell you they have never been high on my list to try as they are visually unappetizing. The great thing about these bars and protein snacks is that the visual look of the ingredients is less important, and the sum of the parts becomes the focus.

The way in which I discovered Nii Bars is different than most ways I come across these type of products. One night Jason and I were watching Food Network and came upon a show that showcases up and coming companies seeking an investment to grow their business. I was immediately intrigued by what I saw on the screen and knew that I wanted to sample these for myself. Mom to three children, Shanais Pelka started Nii Bars in her kitchen. Her passion for feeding healthy, vegan, whole, nutrient dense foods to her family grew into an Nii Bars.

Nii Bars are organic, gluten-free, Non-GMO certified, vegan, soy-free and kosher. The ingredients in each bar are cold-pressed and they are sweetened with coconut nectar. They come in 5 flavors including Almond Chocolate Chip, Berry Cashew, Peanut Butter, Cherry Coconut and Cacao Coconut.

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Taffy Town Taffy Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Taffy Town. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Taffy Town Review and Giveaway

Confession time: When I was young anytime I was offered salt water taffy I declined because i thought that all salt water taffy tasted like salt water (who wants to taste beach water?). Finally one day in my late teens I decided to try it because all my friends loved it, and a love affair with taffy was born.

Taffy Town is a well established company in the taffy world, they have been around for almost 100 years. Taffy Town makes 1.3 million pieces of taffy per day of their almost 100 varieties. The taffy at Taffy Town goes through a 24 hour batch conditioning process before it is made into the flavors that are so recognizable. The taffy pieces contain no peanuts, no tree nuts, are gluten-free and are kosher dairy safe.

Taffy Town was generous enough to send DealsAmongUs a couple of bags to review. We received 3 bags which included Tropical Taffy, Sassy (Sour) Taffy and Melon Mix Taffy.

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Goodie Girl Cookies Review

Goodie Girl Cookies Review & Giveaway

My nickname when I was a child was “Cookie Monster”. I grew up in the age of the talking puppets and I reminded my parents of this iconic blue puppet. As a child I embraced this nickname and became a cookie connoisseur, or at least as much of one as a 5-year-old can become. If I am being honest, he actually became one of my favorite characters of all time. I am still a monster when it comes to cookies.

I am always looking for new and unique cookies to try and I hit the mother-load when I discovered Goodie Girl Cookies. These are one of the most delicious cookie brands I have ever come across.

I love that this New York based mom wanted to create a delicious cookie for the gluten-free people of the world. After sampling these cookies I would say that she accomplished her goal. Not only are Goodie Girl Cookies gluten-free but they are made of simple ingredients such as white rice, brown rice, tapioca and quinoa flours. To substitute for the lack of wheat, corn and potato are used in their place.

So, like any good Cookie Monster I dove right in to the “Goodie”ness in front of me, including:

Crunchy Midnight Brownie : The first thing I thought after my first bite was that this cookie reminded me of a high quality Mississippi mud pie made into a crunchy cookie. This would be awesome crumbled on top of a vanilla bean ice cream cone.

Goodie Girl Mint Slims: I am not going to lie, these immediately reminded me of their obvious inspiration counterparts. These were so good that it was extremely difficult to not eat these all in one sitting – especially for a cookie monster like myself.

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The Spice Lab Gourmet Sea Salt Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge from The Spice Lab Gourmet Salt Collection. This in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

The Spice Lab Gourmet Sea Salt – The Chili Head Salt Collection – Review and Giveaway

When I was younger I was under the impression that there was only one type of salt, the traditional table salt that is found in almost every cupboard, restaurant and kitchen in the world. I, like many people, thought that there were limited variations on the salt widely available. I am still in the early stages of learning how to cook, and am beginning to branch out into the flavorful world of addition of flavors, enter The Spice Lab. I was given the opportunity to review their Chili Head Collection and thought this was a good way to play with a staple of cooking.

The Spice Lab is a woman owned business based in Pompano Beach, Florida and boasts over 180 different salts from over 30 countries and has the largest selection of sea salts available from a single source. The salts come in test tubes, in either 5, 6, or 11 sets, with a handcrafted wooden base that is American made from recycled shipping pallets, Colorado pine, sustainable bamboo bases among other discarded wood.

The items offered are plentiful, creative and include salt plates, wooden spoons, salt collections and even bath salts. The Spice Lab has received numerous awards including the Silver Sofi Award, The Gourmet Retailer’s Editors’ Choice Award, Scovie and Hot Pepper Awards, 2014 Suppliers Achievement Silver Award for Most Creative New Entry Designed for Business Gift Use, as well as becoming one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2013 (the Himalayan Salt Shot Glasses)

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Canyon Bakehouse Bagel and Brownie Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Canyon Bakehouse. This post may contain affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Canyon Bakehouse Bagel and Brownie – Review and Giveaway

I have mentioned in the past my affinity towards bread and bread products. My love of bread extends to toasted breads, sugared and cream cheese covered breads and chocolate breads. I think the bottom line and common thread is that I love bread.

In March I had the opportunity to review Canyon Bakehouse’s breads (see review here) and loved them. I recently received an email that was announcing that Canyon Bakehouse was launching 3 new products: Plain Bagels, Everything Bagels and Brownie Bites. I was beyond excited that Canyon Bakehouse was releasing more products as I really enjoyed the items I reviewed in March.

Now Jason does not quite share my affinity towards bread. That is not to say that he is not a bread fan, just not a 1/2 loaf in one sitting kinda bread fan. Despite his not so passionate love of bread he even enjoyed these new gluten-free offering’s from Canyon Bakehouse which included Plain Bagels, Everything Bagels and Brownie Bites.

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