Category: Eating

If you have any Star Wars fans in your home, homemade ice pops that look like light sabers are sure to be a popular treat!

This Star Wars glowing lightsaber ice pop maker lets you freeze any drink into clever lightsaber ice pops that are sure to please Star Wars fans of all ages. Each ice pop hilt (handle) has an LED light on it to light up the blade. The ice pops are six inches long and the hilts are five inches long.

To use the Star Wars glowing lightsaber ice pop maker, fill the molds with Kool Aid, fruit juice, or a fruit puree. Freeze the pops, then screw on the hilts and push the button to make the lightsabers light up. (Since the hilts have the LED lights, they should not be frozen.)

The components of the Star Wars ice pop maker are made from food safe plastic. The tray and inserts are dishwasher safe, but the hilts should just be wiped clean with a damp cloth to avoid damaging the power source.

As far as I can tell, the main drawback to this mold is that it only includes four saber hilts. You can make two Luke and two Vader ice pops at once, but that’s not nearly enough for a true Star Wars fan. Even with one child, I’m fairly certain I’d go through more than four ice pops a day. They’d be awesome party treats, but buying two or more sets would get expensive very quickly.

You can purchase the Star Wars glowing lightsaber ice pop maker on the Think Geek website for $34.99.

Photo credit: Think Geek

The next time you’re craving something sweet, I highly recommend picking up a package of BarkTHINS. These thin slivers of rich chocolate are easily snappable into perfect portion sizes.

Available flavors of BarkTHINs include:

• Dark Chocolate Almond
• Dark Chocolate Pretzel
• Dark Chocolate Mint
• Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed
• Blueberry Quinoa
• Milk Chocolate Peanut

The Dark Chocolate Almond, Dark Chocolate Mint, Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed, and Milk Chocolate Peanut flavors are gluten free, but Dark Chocolate Pretzel is not. All BarkTHINS are Non-GMO Project Verified and made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. There is a 60-65% blend of cacao in all of the dark chocolate BarkTHINS flavors.

If you’re trying to be a socially conscious snacker, you’ll be pleased to hear that BarkTHINS are made with Fair Trade certified ingredients. The certification from Fair Trade USA means that the farmers who grow the cocoa beans used to make BarkTHINS are paid a fair wage, which lets them invest in their business and gain access to better education and healthcare for their families.

BarkTHINS are available at grocery stores nationwide, including select Whole Foods and Costco stores. All flavors come in a 4.7 ounce package size and there are about 3.5 servings per package. Visit the Ripple Brands website for details.

The Dark Chocolate Almond flavor is the only one I’ve had a chance to personally try yet, but it was seriously amazing. My sample arrived on a day I was having serious PMS-induced chocolate cravings and BarkTHINS turned out to be just what I needed. I’m not entirely sure I like the idea of Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the other flavors next time I’m grocery shopping.

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.

Photo credit: BarkTHINS

If you need a morning pick-me-up and you’re not much of a coffee drinker, Runa’s guayusa herbal teas are an excellent alternative. Runa means “fully alive” or “fully living human being” in the indigenous Kichwa language of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Guayusa is the Amazonian cousin of yerba maté, a plant native to the Atlantic Rainforest in and around Argentina. Guayusa provides similar health benefits to yerba maté, but without the bitter taste. It is silky and clean with a sweet finish.

Guayusa has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but twice the antioxidants of green tea. It’s also much less likely to cause the nervousness and jitters that some people get when drinking coffee.

The Ginger Citrus and Cinnamon Lemongrass Runa teas are my favorites. I love their fruity flavor and the energy boost they provide, since I’m really not a morning person and I hate the taste of coffee. I tried the tea bags, but Ginger Citrus and Cinnamon Lemongrass are also available in tins of loose leaf tea if this is your preferred brewing method.

Runa teas are kosher and certified organic. The Non-GMO Project verified Runa teas as non-GMO in September 2013.

From a social perspective, you’ll be happy to hear that Runa earned a Fair Trade certification from Fair Trade USA in February 2012. Runa teas help improve the lives of over 2,000 indigenous Amazon farmers. The company plants over 150,000 trees per year and invests over $20,000 per year in community development efforts through the Runa Foundation.

Visit the Runa website to learn more or to find a store that sells Runa teas near you.

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.

Photo credit: Runa

I don’t know about you, but my bakeware has been in need of replacement for quite some time. I’m still using the stuff I received at my bridal shower 12 years ago and it’s showing definite signs of wear and tear. So, I was thrilled to have a chance to test out a few items from the Bialetti Aeternum bakeware collection.

This new product line features a distinct red exterior with heavy-gauge, aluminized steel construction. The interior uses innovative white ceramic technology and stain-resistant non-stick coating for easy release and quick clean up, although hand washing is recommended.

I’m not a huge fan of items that I can’t put in the dishwasher, but I suppose this doesn’t matter as much for bakeware. The bakeware I was using was dishwasher safe, but I hand washed it 90% of the time anyway because it took up so much room in my dishwasher.

Bialetti Aeternum bakeware is lightweight and does an excellent job of cooking food evenly. I was particularly impressed by the performance of the cookie sheet.

I also like that the Bialetti Aeternum bakeware is non-toxic and free of PFOA and PTFE. When you’re cooking for young children, I feel that it’s important to avoid anything that could potentially leech dangerous chemicals into your food.

From a purely cosmetic standpoint, this is the prettiest bakeware I’ve seen in quite some time. The red and white color combo is a perfect match to my apple-themed kitchen!

The Aeternum Bakeware line is exclusively available at www.bialetti.com and Bed Bath & Beyond. Prices for all of the items in Bialetti’s Aeternum bakeware collection are as follows:

• 9” round cake pan - $19.99
• 13” x 9” oblong cake pan - $24.99
• 17” x 11” large cookie sheet - $24.99
• 9” x 5” loaf pan - $19.99
• 12-cup muffin pan - $29.99

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.

Photo credit: Bialetti

If you’re looking for guilt-free snack options for your family, Late July offers a line of organic multigrain tortilla chips made from 100% whole grains and seeds like quinoa, flax, chia, brown rice, millet, and amaranth.

These tasty chips are gluten free, kosher, allergy friendly, and able to stand up to the heartiest of dips. Late July products are also Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Tortilla chip flavors in the Late July product line include:

• Summertime Blues
• Red Hot Mojo
• Mild Green Mojo
• How Sweet Potato It Is
• SubLime
• Dude Ranch
• Sea Salt by the Sea Shore

My personal favorite chips from Late July were the Dude Ranch flavor. They taste almost like Cool Ranch Doritos, which are one of my top junk food cravings but something I don’t allow myself to indulge in very often. If you’re looking for a mild chip for your kids to enjoy, my nine-year-old really liked Summertime Blues and Sea Salt by the Sea Shore. These would be great treats for summertime picnics or camp lunches.

Late July organic multigrain tortilla chips retail for $3.49 and are available at retailers nationwide.

Late July is an independent, family-owned company founded in 2003 by Nicole Bernard Dawes and her late father Steve Bernard. Nicole’s children act as taste-testers for new products in the company’s snack line. You can follow the company on Facebook for access to product updates and special promotions.

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.

Photo credit: Late July

I’ve only recently become a tea drinker, but I love the Takeya iced tea maker. If you want fresh iced tea with no waiting, this gadget is a must-have.

Using this pitcher to make ice tea is very easy. Fill it half full of boiling water. Add your tea into the tea infuser. Brew for the recommended time frame, then remove the tea from the infuser. Add ice cubes to fill the pitcher to the top. Close the pitcher, then shake for 30 seconds. The patented flash chill system instantly cools your tea so you can enjoy a fresh brewed cup of ice tea with no waiting.

Takeya makes loose leaf tea in preportioned pouches that you can buy for use with the flash chill iced tea maker. However, you don’t need to purchase special tea unless you want to. The flash chill iced tea maker will work with any brand of tea bags or loose leaf tea.

The Takeya iced tea maker is BPA free, stain proof, odor proof, and dishwasher safe. The mesh filter is designed to be reusable.

Since we started using the Takeya iced tea maker, my husband and I have been drinking tea on a more regular basis. When iced tea is easy to make, there’s no excuse to reach for soda instead.

The Takeya iced tea maker comes in one quart or two quart sizes. I would recommend the two quart pitcher for family use.

See the Takeya website for details or to purchase an iced tea maker for your household.

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.

Photo credit: Takeya USA

Mona’s Granola was recently named the top granola in a test conducted by Cooking Light, making it a great addition to your family’s pantry.

Mona’s Granola is 100% natural with no GMOs and no artificial colors or flavors. It has been made in America in since 1981. Available flavors include cinnamon pecan, honey almond, and original.

Mona’s Granola uses rolled oats, sunflower seeds, raw wheat germ, wheat bran, honey, non-GMO safflower oil, and pure vanilla to create a wholesome product that the entire family can enjoy. The granola contains no added sugar, salt, or preservatives.

I like Mona’s Granola because it has a softer texture than other granolas I’ve tried in the past. I have very sensitive teeth and extra-crunchy granola can be hard for me to chew. My son also has an aversion to crunchy foods, so the softer texture of Mona’s Granola was a plus for him.

Granola can be eaten as dry cereal with milk, but I’m fond of adding a bit of granola to my yogurt in the morning. The honey almond flavor tastes great on strawberry yogurt since it adds a bit of sweetness.

You can also try baking with granola to make tasty yet healthy treats for your family. Granola is great for adding to homemade trail mix, cookies, muffins, and more. The Mona’s Granola website has a recipe for banana granola muffins that your kids are sure to love.

Mona’s Granola is a good source of fiber, which helps regulate digestion and keeps you feeling full longer. Mona’s Granola also contains 4 grams of protein per serving, which provides energy and helps repair muscles, skin, hair, and organs.

If you tend to get hungry between breakfast and lunch, try adding Mona’s Granola to your morning routine to provide the energy you need to get through your day.

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.

Photo credit: Mona’s Granola

If your kids like jellybeans, Wonka’s Nerds Bumpy Jelly Beans are sure to be a hit addition to their Easter basket. These jelly beans have a crunchy Nerds candy shell and a sweet jelly bean interior.

The bag includes grape, lemon, orange, lime, and cherry flavors. The jelly beans are surprisingly addictive. The sample bag I received was gone in no time at all, since my husband, my son, and I couldn’t keep our hands off these tasty jelly beans.

Wonka’s Nerds Bumpy Jelly Beans were voted “best sour jelly bean” by Good Morning America. I didn’t find them to be overly sour, however. They had a little more “kick” than typical jelly beans, but I liked them even though I’m not normally a fan of sour candies.

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I thought the jelly beans themselves were gorgeous. The bumpy texture and the bright colors make them a great choice for displaying in a clear glass candy jar. Fill a mason jar full of jelly beans, add a printable tag from Nifty Mom, and you have a quick gift idea to celebrate the season.

If you really want a sugar fix, try using the jelly beans to decorate a Peeps cake for Easter! I made one of these desserts last year and it was a huge hit. I just make a plain round cake with peeps around the outside and jelly beans on the top, but Made for Pinterest has a cool polka dot version that looks like lots of fun.

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.

Photo credit: Target

Do you need a little help figuring out what to feed your family?

Cooking Planit is a website and mobile app that provides you with step-by-step instructions to create full meals while organizing the meal planning process to save you time and money.

The makers of Cooking Planit describe the site as a “GPS for the kitchen.” Users can filter meals by main ingredient, occasion, dietary restriction, and/or type of dish. There are also options for searching for kid-friendly meals for picky eaters or quick and easy meals for your super busy days. Each recipe has a full list of ingredients and all of the cooking utensils that you need.

I love that this site gives you coordinated meal plans that include main dishes and side dishes instead of individual recipes. The directions are very detailed, which would be ideal if you’re trying to get your teens to help you out in the kitchen.

Once you’ve decided what to make, you can add all of the needed ingredients to a grocery list to simplify your shopping process. You can even sync your account across the web, your iPhone, and your iPad.

The only potential drawback I can see to the Cooking Planit site is that I can’t easily find nutrition information for the recipes. So, this might not be the best site if you’re really concerned about calories, fat grams, carbohydrates, etc. unless you’re fine with just filtering out unacceptable recipes based on the dietary restrictions guidelines the site has.

Visit the Cooking Planit website to check out the desktop version of the service or download the free iOS app.

Photo credit: Cooking Planit