Bottoms Up! Rivertown Brewing's Hop Bomber Pale Ale

Hop Bomber Pale Ale from Rivertown Brewing Company is described as:

"an American pale ale named after the famous B-24 Liberator bomber. This beer has a wonderful malt backbone from the use of dark English crystal malt and spicy fresh rye malt. It is dry hopped with two varieties of American hops for a crisp, refreshing flavor". 

Here are my interpretations of this beer.

Appearance-Hop Bomber from Rivertown Brewing pours a dark honey hue with a very thin head and almost no lacing.

Smell-The smell of this brew is sweet and perfumey with a hint of spice.

Taste-An interesting blend of hoppy bitterness paired with malty sweetness and a touch of spice. Each flavor is distinct but nNo one flavor overpowers this brew.

Mouthfeel-Medium body and carbonation make this beer a quick drink. It is a little dry.

Overall Impression-This is a good all around beer. I was expecting the hops to be a little more assertive, but it is a very easy drinking beer. Pair this beer with tangy cheese, such as feta, asiago or parmesan, steak, prime rib, roast beef or lamb dishes.

Hop Bomber is brewed locally by the Rivertown Brewing Company from Lockland ( Cincinnati), Ohio. It is available for sale in 12 ounce bottles or on draft. Bottles may be purchased as a six pack or as a part of a variety sampler. It can be purchased in bottles at Heather's Coffee and Cafe, located in Springboro. For more information, please visit the Rivertown Brewing website or Facebook page.

Starbars are surprisingly delicious snack bars that truly are good for you

Every once in awhile you come across a food product that piques your curiosity and simply begs you to try it. For me, Starbars was once such product. I learned about Starbars from an email I received from a public relations firm. Intrigued, i started researching the bars online and decided that I needed to give them a try. I read that "Starbars™ healthy food bars, combine raw, organic ingredients and the most powerful "superfoods" with a taste that people love."

Up until now, I have never followed a raw or organic diet and have only taken a superficial look into "superfoods". I have always been the type of person to eat what I want, when I want and damn the consequences. Now that I am turning 41 in less than a month, my attitudes toward food are changing-I am wanting to eat healthier and enjoy life just a bit longer. When I was offered the chance to receive samples of Starbars, I eagerly accepted!

I was the lucky recipient of 4 full size bars: Beauty, Brain, Detox and Libido. Each bar is made with a unique blend of raw, organic, whole food ingredients that work together to improve different parts of your life:

• Beauty (Apple berry chia flavor) "Glow from the inside out with the raw organic Beauty Bar. This gluten-free foodbar offers the powerful combination of omega-3 rich chia seeds along with antioxidant-packed blueberries and pomegranate, superfoods which aid in the synthesis of collagen and beautiful skin." These bars are made with green apple, dates, chia seeds, blueberry and pomegranate. I admit, I was most skeptical about trying this particular bar and saved this sample for last. The idea of eating chia seeds seemed weird to me, as these are the seeds used for growing the familiar Chia Pets so many of us give as gag gifts during the holidays. I was expecting a gritty, grainy bar similar in texture to a Fig Newton-kinda gooey with annoying seeds mixed throughout. I was soooo far from the mark! This bar was so packed full of fruit and flavor I was blown away. And no annoying seeds to get in the way of my enjoyment. It turns out Chia seeds are much smaller than I was anticipating and I hardly noticed their presence in this amazing bar. Some bars claimed to be filled with fruit and let you down with an occasional dried berry or sliver of fruit, but the fruit in these stand front and center. Soft, flavorful and in abundance! 
• Brain (Mint chocolate chip flavor). "An invigorating combination of cacao, peppermint and supergreen foods full of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids make up this raw organic food bar. Stimulates mental alertness, promotes clarity, preserves memory and increases brain power." These bars are made with peppermint, almonds and cocoa. I wasn't sure what to expect from a health bar that is mint chocolate chip flavor, but I was pleasantly surprised by this bar. It was rich, chocolatey, crunchy and just plain good! 
• Detox (Strawberry Apple Ginger flavor) "This fresh combination of raw ginger, strawberries and chia seeds in the raw organic Detox Bar is designed to combat free radicals and eliminate harmful toxins. Detox today to feel pure, cleansed and energized with this healthy gluten free food bar." These bars are made with green apple, strawberry, ginger and lemon. This was the first bar I sampled and my second favorite of the batch. Once again, the fruits were flavorful and made their presence know, as did the ginger. What I was most pleasantly surprised at was the very up front, in your face presence of ginger. So many times ginger takes backstage to other ingredients and is barely noticeable. Not in Starbars it isn't! Ginger is front and center and adds a delightful warmth to your mouth as you eat these bars. 
• Libido (Chocolate covered raisins flavor) "The Libido Bar raw organic food bar is comprised of the superfoods, cacao and maca. This gluten free food bar is sure to increase energy, endurance, physical strength, enhances mood and libido. Maca is a great way to remineralize the body and naturally supports hormonal balance." This bar contains coconut, dates, cocoa and raisins. I was a little uncertain about trying this bar as well, as I am no fan of dates, but I am glad that I did! It offers a rich, chocolatey, chewy bar that bursts with flavor. I didn't notice a boost in my libido, but my taste buds were singing for more. This was the chewiest of the bars I tried, but it is made with raisins and dates, so that was to be expected. 

The Starbars line of products is a definite must try in my opinion if you want to add healthier snacking options to your diet. I can see adding Detox and Beauty to my diet as a strive to take better care of myself. They are the perfect size for snacking and the seeds, nuts and fruits in them do an amazing job of quieting hunger in between meals. I can also see these as a part of a healthy breakfast for anyone on the run. 

I only have two complaints about the products-packaging and price. I love the bright colors and clear photos of the foods used in these bars, but I think the photos need to include ALL of the key ingredients instead of just three. Had I realized that the Brain bars contained almonds, I would have let someone else sample and review that particular bar for me as I am very allergic to almonds. I gave the ingredient list a cursory glance and looked right over the almonds on it and proceeded to snack myself into analphylactic shock. I always read the labels of the foods I am trying to make sure they are safe before I proceed, but as I didn't see almonds pictured on the label, I merely glanced at the ingredient list. I know better, but I did it anyway and paid a hefty price.

My other complaint is price-Starbars retail on the company website for $47.88 for a case of 12 ($3.99 each). I realize that such high quality ingredients command a higher price, but my concern is that Starbars are too expensive for the average consumer. For me personally, they would be an occasional treat, not an every day snack, no matter how good they are for me compared to similar products in the market place.

After sampling the Starbars, I am considering trying their sister product, Juice Doctor Cleanse. Spring is right around the corner and now is the perfect time to clean out my system for a summer full of fun! For more information about Starbars, please visit the company website, Facebook fan page and Twitter feed. 

Super Foods Used In Starbars and Their Properties:

Bottoms Up! Helles Lager from Rivertown Brewing

Helles lager, from Rivertown Brewing Company, is described by its brewer as:

"true symbol of our German heritage. A rich, crisp, full flavored Bavarian style Lager brewed with the finest imported German barley, choice hops, and natural water". 
 
This description, while adequate, comes off as a bit vague. Here are my interpretations of this beer.
 
Appearance-Helles lager pours a golden yellow hue with some sediment; very little head and little lacing.

Smell-This lager offers a crisp, clean-almost grassy-scent; sweet and fresh.

Taste-Tastes clean and smooth. It is neither hoppy or malty-strikes a nice balance between the two.Tastes similar to its smell-somewhat grassy.

Mouthfeel-Medium carbonation and a little thin; crisp flavor.

Overall Impression-Nothing stood out to me as exceptionally good about this lager, but nothing stood out as exceedingly bad, either. It is a very easy drinking brew that would be perfect on a hot summer day. When pairing with food, this unassuming beer will work well with Mexican, barbecue, burgers and salty snacks such as chips, pretzels and popcorn.

Helles Lager is brewed locally by the Rivertown Brewing Company from Lockland (Cincinnati), Ohio. It is available for sale in 12 ounce bottles or on draft. Bottles may be purchased as a six pack or as a part of a variety sampler. It can be purchased in bottles at Heather's Coffee and Cafe, located in Springboro. For more information, please visit the Rivertown Brewing website or Facebook page.

Bottoms Up! Shock Top Lemon Shandy

Several months ago, I was sent several bottles of Shock Top's Lemon Shandy to review and I am just now getting around to tasting them. First, I want to apologize to the powers that be at Shock Top Brewing Company for taking so long to review their product. Second, I need to apologize to my taste buds for not trying this seasonal brew earlier. Shame on me!

Shock Top's Lemon Shandy is described as:

"Brewed with two row and six row malted barley and five different types of hops, this Belgian-Style Wheat Ale is then combined with citrus peels, coriander, natural lemonade flavor and a hint of sugar for a subtle sweetness. The end result is an incredibly refreshing, crisp and smooth beer that hits the spot as the thermometer heats up. "

I always read a brewery's description of the product with a grain of salt-they always want you to be titillated by their words so you will rush out and buy it. Well, for once in my life, I agree wholeheartedly with words gleaned from a product page. Here are my interpretations of this beer:

Appearance-This brew pours a bright hazy yellow hue that is topped with a fluffy, fast receding white head. The head reduces quickly to a thin amount of lacing that tops the beer and the glass.

Smell-Lemon Shandy has a very light scent that is reminiscent of wheat bread and fresh lemon.

Taste-Upon tasting this beer, I was immediately struck a bright lemon flavor that is neither overpowering nor cloying, like so many lemon flavored foods are. It fades to a malty sweetness that leaves you wanting more.

Mouthfeel-The feel of this beer is very light, very wet and lightly carbonated, making it a very easy beer to drink on a hot summer night. It appears much more bubbly in the glass than it actually is on the palate, which was a pleasant surprise.

Overall Impression-I was very impressed with Shock Top's Lemon Shandy. Other reviews on the internet are not so positive and I'm not completely sure why. Some complain that it is too weak while others say it is too strong. I felt it struck a nice balance between sweet and tart. If you are expecting the flavor of a hard lemonade, you will most certainly be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a lightly flavored wheat beer to enjoy when the temperatures soar, Lemon Shandy should fit the bill nicely. I would recommend serving this beer with the lighter flavors of summer-fruit and cheese trays, salads and fish dishes.

Bottoms Up! Black Lager from Guinness

I will never forget my first experience drinking a Guinness Stout. It was while visiting the Ohio Renaissance Festival with my dad sometime during the 1990's. Up until then, my beer experience had been very limited and I was unsure of what to think about something so dark. We overheard a husband and wife discussing her first taste of a Guinness and she described it as "urine filtered through a dirty sweatsock", but she wasn't quite so eloquent with her words. That obviously colored my opinion of the beer and I wasn't too thrilled with it when I took a sip. Since then, I have experienced a huge range of beers, from organic fruit ales to oatmeal stouts and all kinds of other specialty beers in between. I am now able to fully appreciate Guinness without comparing it to unpleasant things.

Guinness describes its black lager as:
"Guinness Black Lager is an easy-drinking lager, so it’s a completely different product from Guinness Draught, which is a nitrogenated stout. Lagers and stouts are made in quite different ways. Lagers are brewed for longer at lower temperatures for a crisp, refreshing taste. This is what we do with Guinness Black Lager. But we use our signature roasted barley to bring a new taste to lager, combining the refreshing taste of a lager with the character of Guinness."

Here are my interpretations of this beer:

Appearance: Dark and unable to be seen through. It has a very light, airy, ample fluffy head that is  light tan in color. Head fades to some light lacing in the glass.

Smell: This beer smells quite yeasty and bready. There is a definite alcohol presence in the scent of this. There is also a light malted smell with a hint of molasses.

Flavor: Guinness Black boasts of a deep, roasted flavor, I didn't find this brew as bold as I was expecting it to be. There are some malt flavors and light spicy/hoppy finish with a slight sweetness in the middle.

Mouthfeel: This feels very thin for depth of color. I was extremely disappointed that this lager wasn't "heftier" feeling. Beers is crisp with medium carbonation.

Overall: I am well versed in the differences between lagers and stouts, but judging by what Guinness was hoping to accomplish, I was let down by this beer. It was nowhere near as hearty as I was expecting it to be. It IS a decent beer-very crisp, very clean with a lingering bitterness on the palate. The nature of its aroma and taste turn sweeter as it warms. I would serve this beer on a hot summer evening with flavorful foods, such as smoked or grilled meat, bbq, Latin American or German foods. For more information about Guinness and their family of beers, please visit them on the web, Facebook or Twitter.

Cookbook Review:Dairy Hollow House Soup & Bread Cookbook

Cover via Amazon

The Dairy Hollow House Soup & Bread: A Country Inn Cookbook is something of a novelty as far as cookbooks go-it is every bit as fun to read as it is to use for cooking. The book's author, Crescent Dragonwagon, does a wonderful job of introducing the readers to Dairy Hollow House, the country inn and restaurant she used to own with her late husband and a long-time friend. The inn received accolades from such magazines as Conde Nast Traveler, was featured on Good Morning America and  was celebrated by locals and travelers alike for its unique cuisine. Dragonwagon shares many of her recipes in this inspiring cookbook.

Diary Hollow House Soup & Bread Cookbook will provide its readers with a delicious assortment of recipes for soups, breads, salads and dressings. She walks you through such basics as making stocks, kneading dough by hand, boosting flavor and so much more. As you read through this book, you will learn the history of some of the included recipes, food history, personal anecdotes. It is hard not to smile to yourself as you read through this delightful book.

While somewhat heavy on the soup recipes, Crescent Dragonwagon was sure to include the recipes to some of her most popular breads in this book. When looking for a new recipe to try, you can choose from such mouth watering selections as:

• French Country Bread
• Herbed Mezzaluna Bread
• Multi Grain Granola Berad
• Skillet Sizzled Buttermilk Cornbread

I originally received this book as a birthday gift from one of my sisters and it was used extensively once I moved away from home and was living on my own. Soups, stews and breads were always a staple of my single life diet (plenty of leftovers, easy storage, easy to reheat). Somewhere along the line, I lost my copy and have missed its tasty recipes. I recently purchased a replacement copy for myself and I have been enjoying long forgotten goodies. My favorite to make and eat was always the popovers (recipe follows below).

If you are a fan of soup or a lover of bread, I highly recommend getting a copy of Dairy Hollow House Soup & Bread Cookbook. It is packed full of delicious recipes and witty insights from the author. You will be smiling as you read through the book and grinning from ear to ear once you sample the goodies you have made. Crescent Dragonwagon has a gift for writing and an even greater gift for cooking. If you are one of the many cooks who prefers to see a photo of the completed recipe, you will be disappointed to find the complete absence of photos in this book.

Lean Cuisine Chef's Pick a more delicious and nutritious frozen meal

As a foodie and a chef, it is rare when a new food item hits that market that really makes me sit up and take notice. So many items at the grocery are the same old, same old or a slightly different twist on the same old, same old. When I first heard about Lean Cuisine's new Chef's Pick line of frozen meals, I was intrigued. With offerings such as Garden Vegetable Dip with Pita Bread, Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli, Steak Tips Portobello and Spinach Artichoke Ravioli I knew these weren't going to be ordinary frozen dinners. When I was presented with the opportunity to review them for Daily Buzz Food, I pounced! This was an offer too good to pass up.

For this review program, Lean Cuisine and Daily Buzz Food provided me with coupons that allowed me to sample any of the Chef's Pick on their tab. For that, I am grateful. I am a single mother of four who runs a pretty tight budget. A budget so tight, in fact, that spending money to try new things is truly a luxury. While out running errands one day, I stopped at my local Wal Mart to seek out these products and decide which I would be sampling. I truly wanted to try the Asparagaus Ravioli and the Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce, but my store did not carry either of those options, so I chose Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli and Steak Tips Portobello.

The first dinner I tried was the Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli. I was in the middle of making a quadruple batch of chocolate mousse for a customer and I wanted something quick to eat that wouldn't slow me down as I worked. I chose well-after two shorts trips through the microwave, my ravioli was ready to enjoy. And enjoy I did! This chef inspired recipe features a blend of Romano and ricotta cheese, portobello and button mushrooms, red peppers, spinach and a creamy Marsala sauce. If it sounds divine, let me assure you it tastes so much better than it sounds! This dish offers an amazing blend of flavors-from the rich, smokey cheeses to the earthy mushrooms, this is a frozen meal that makes you forget you are eating a frozen meal. Normally I rush through dinner when I am working on orders, but I actually sat down and took the time to savor this ravioli. The pasta was nice and firm, instead of mushy like many frozen pastas are. The addition of red pepper and spinach gave this dish a brilliant splash of color and flavor. I enjoy pasta of all shapes and flavors, but I honestly say this has become my new favorite pasta dish.

The Steak Tips Portobello was purchased with the intent to enjoy it on another day, but things changed when a day filled with mousse and cupcakes left me wore out and famished at 12:30 a.m. As I was cleaning up my kitchen for the night, I realized just how hungry I was. I decided to treat myself to a little steak and mushrooms before going to bed and I popped my second Chef's Pick entree of the day into my microwave. In a few short minutes I was enjoying the most tender beef I have ever eaten from a frozen meal. A lot of microwaved meat comes out chewy or hard, but this was fork tender and packed full of flavor. Another plus is that there was little fat contained in the meat. I usually avoid frozen beef products because of the over abundance of fatty tissue, but this meat was really, really good! The sauce is smooth and rich, not greasy and bland. My only complaint about this entree is the lack of mushrooms. My serving only had two pieces of portobello. One was a nice sized piece, but the other was on the smallish side. One of the reasons I chose this entree was for the mushrooms. I can't seem to get enough of them. The steak tips in this meal are paired with a serving of broccoli. Broccoli is a tricky product to freeze and reheat well, but somehow Lean Cuisine did it. It is tender, not mushy, and tastes great.

Both of the products I tried for this review were much better than I was anticipating and I can't wait to try more of the Chef's Pick line from Lean Cuisine. Some of today's hottest chefs, including Michelle Bernstein, Brad Farmerie, Paul Kahan, Anito Lo, Lior Lev Sercraz and Lucien Vendome had come together in Lean Cuisine's kitchens to create these meals and they do not disappoint. While the Lean Cuisine line is looked upon many as a "healthy eaters" line of products, anyone who appreciates delicious, fresh tasting foods can appreciate these meals. For more information, please visit Lean Cuisine on their website, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

I have partnered with Lean Cuisine through DailyBuzz Food to help promote their new line of Chef's Pick products. I have been compensated for my time commitment to work with this product. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. Thank you Lean Cuisine!

Frozen yogurt bars from Yasso are as delicious as they are nutritious

I was recently contacted by someone representing Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt about the opportunity to try their products and share a review. Hhmmmm, a free box of goodies to sample and share with my family in exchange for doing something I love to do-write? Sure seemed like a win-win situation to me! A few days after I sent my reply back, an envelope with coupons arrived in my mail and the sampling began.

I visited the Yasso website to find out which stores in my area carried the frozen yogurt bars and found that Kroger was the closest location. Perfect! I live right across the street from the store, so it was convenient for me to stop and redeem my coupons. One night on the way home from work, I stopped and got a box of blueberry and strawberry bars to treat myself and my kids to. Yasso also makes raspberry bars, but my store does not carry that flavor. Shame on them! When I got home, the kids surrounded me, asking what was in the bag. When I told them frozen yogurt bars, their enthusiasm was immediate and quite loud. As I took the bars from the bag, we decided who would be trying what flavors and our snacking adventures began.

Immediately I began to hear the words "delicious", "yummy", "the best thing since bacon" begin to be uttered in between bites. Yes-you read that right-the BEST thing since bacon! My kids have such a way with words, don't they? It was obvious to me that my kids had fallen in love with these creamy treats. I could see why my kids were enamored-Yasso's bars are smooth and creamy, have a delicious, mellow fruit flavor and are substantial enough that they don't melt and drip all over everything. Let me repeat that last part: They don't melt and drip all over everything. This is key for moms everywhere as we have to clean so much already, having to clean up a sticky, melted snack is a royal pain in the rump. Over the course of several days, we all had the opportunity to try both the strawberry and blueberry bars and it was impossible to pick one as better than the other. But beyond their yummy flavor and dreamy texture, these frozen yogurt bars offer great nutrition. Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars are:

• only 70 calories
• all natural & fat-free
• 6g of protein
• gluten-free
• made with rBST-free milk
• good source of calcium
• no corn syrup
• kosher certified

While the nutritional value of each bar varies slightly, all contain 6 grams of protein and 15% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium.

In addition to frozen Greek yogurt bars, Yasso also offers frozen Greek yogurt smoothies in strawberry banana, mango pineapple and mixed berry flavors. Add to one cup of skim milk for a smoothie that is fat free, low in sugar and offers 4 grams of fiber and 8 of protein.

While the first Yasso bar was sold in the Spring of 2011, the company is quickly making a name for itself. Men's Health magazine recently named them "Best Frozen Treat" in their 125 Best Foods For Men list. The company is very involved with charity work and supports Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Horizons for Homeless Children, among many others. This is definitely a company that cares about producing a better product while making the world a better place. If you would like to know more about Yasso, please visit their website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Pinterest boards or sign up for their newsletter.

If you would like to try a package of Yasso's frozen Greek yogurt bars for free, please take the time to enter our giveaway. One lucky winner will win a coupon good for the flavor of their choice. There are 6 ways to enter, take advantage of all 6 to increase your chances of winning! The giveaway will close at 12AM on Sunday, January 27th. The winner will be posted no later than noon. If you are the winner, you will need to email us at aimeeplesa@gmail.com by noon on January 30th. If the coupon goes unclaimed, a new winner will be chosen at 5PM.

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Product Review International Delight Iced Coffee

International Delight may be best known for making delicious coffee creamers, but they are expanding their horizons into a new line of products: Iced Coffee. The company describes this new line of products as "the taste of the coffeehouse at home". I must admit, I was skeptical of this claim, as many coffee based products seem to fall just short of providing a true coffeehouse experience in the comforts of my home. The true coffee flavor is either weak or over powered by too much flavoring. Since I have enjoyed many of International Delight's coffee creamers, I decided I would give their Iced Coffee a try.

International Delight's Iced Coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans and features authentic coffeehouse flavors that are expertly blended and come ready to drink straight out of the carton. Three flavors are currently available: original, mocha and vanilla. Knowing International Delight, more flavors are on the horizon.

As I previously stated, I was a little skeptical about trying this product, but I will admit I am glad that I threw caution to the wind. To date, I have only tried the mocha flavor, but I was pleasantly surprised at the flavor of this drink. It is a delicious blend of coffee and chocolate flavors, with neither overpowering the other. It is like the perfect glass of chocolate milk with a splash of coffee thrown in for a new twist. Unlike chocolate milk, I advise NOT sharing this drink with your kids. If your children are anything like mine, they don't need the coffee buzz that may accompany this beverage.
In honoring the spirit of iced coffee, this drink is supposed to be served over ice, but since it comes straight of out the grocery store's milk cooler, no additional chilling is needed to enjoy this on a hot day. To be honest, serving it over ice may water down the drink and ruin the flavor. The consistency of the iced coffee is thick and creamy, once again, adding it to ice may thin it down too much.
International Delight's Iced Coffee has managed to live up to the reputation the company has cultivated for itself. It is rich, it is creamy and it is full of flavor. I am looking forward to trying the other two flavors and deciding which is my favorite. Another thing I am looking forward to is experimenting with this drink in my kitchen. I am already planning on iced coffee milkshakes and possibly using it to flavor baked goods. With my imagination, the possibilities may truly be endless!

Product Review: Caffe D'Vita Irish Cream Cappuccino

Those of you who know me personally know how much I love getting freebies and reviewing products. Last month, Caffe D'Vita was sponsoring a small contest on their Facebook page in honor of St. Patrick's Day and I was lucky enough to be one of the handful of lucky winners. My bounty? A sample packet of their Irish cream cappuccino. My sample arrived within days of the contest's end and I greatly enjoyed my prize.

Irish cream is traditionally a liqueur made from a blend of Irish whiskey, cream and other ingredients, such as coffee. The most widely known brand is Bailey's Irish Cream. It is commonly served in coffee, as an ingredient in mixed drinks or served as a shot. Caffe D'Vita's cappuccino mix gives you the delicious flavor of Irish cream and coffee without the alcohol.

I must admit, I am fussy when it comes to my coffee drinks. I don't care for an overly strong coffee flavor and a too strong brew seriously upsets my stomach. I was pleasantly surprised that Caffe D'Vita's Irish cream cappucino offered up exactly what I was hoping for-rich coffee flavor without the painful side effects. The flavor of the Irish cream was clearly evident but not overpowering. It was a beautiful marriage of flavors that pleased my tastebuds while warming my belly. The best part of Caffe D'Vita's Irish cream cappiccino was how easy it is to make. Simply heat a mug of water, stir in the powder mix and enjoy! No fancy machines or kitchen gadgets are needed to enjoy this beverage. This makes it a great product for us busy moms.

Caffe D'Vita boasts that it uses Arabica coffee and the finest flavorings and ingredients available, and this shines through in the delicious taste of their cappuccino. Their products are low in fat, contain no hydrogenated oils or trans fats and are gluten free. I have tried other coffee mixes that use hydrogenated oils in their products and I am always left with an oily residue in my mouth after drinking a mug. Not this time! The drink goes down smoothly and doesn't leave a funky film behind.

Caffe D'Vita's Irish cream cappuccino is available for purchase on their website for the home consumer, cafes and retail establishments. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, they are currently running a special where you can purchase 3 canisters of their Irish cream cappuccino and 3 canisters of their mocha cappuccino for $25.00. Each canister weighs a full pound and a case (6 canisters) typically costs $33.90. Custom built cases are $36.00. This is a great savings for cappuccino lovers! If you know you can't drink this much coffee, share the savings with your friends and split the case. At $6.00 a canister, it will save you some serious pennies over stopping at the local coffee shop to get your daily java buzz!

Locally, you can purchase Caffe D'Vita products at Kroger, Meijer and SuperValu. If your favorite store doesn't carry these delicious products, speak with the manager and urge them to add Caffe D'Vita to their coffee aisle. Caffe D'Vita can be found online at the following locations:

• Their website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

In addition to their powdered cappuccino mixes, Caffe D'Vita also sells mixes for smoothies, iced coffees, hot chocolate, espresso and more! If you enjoy coffee, their website is a must visit.

Have It Sweet's Fleur de Sel Caramels are sweet and salty heaven

I came across a delicious looking shop on the internet and immediately knew I would be making a purchase. It was just a matter of deciding which yummy looking treat to indulge in. When you are faced with such decisions as organic blueberry pie swirl marshmallows (picture below), heavenly vanilla caramels, pumpkin pie marshmallows, Belgian dark chocolate (see below) and fleur de sel caramels (see side), you know you have stepped in confection heaven. Have It Sweet is certainly heavenly!

Organic Blueberry Pie Swirl Marshmallow

After looking through the Have It Sweet site a few times, I decided on a familiar favorite with a new twist-sea salt caramels (fleur de sel caramels). I love caramels and I love sea salt, so it was a natural decision to indulge in them. I placed my order and waited for my goodies to arrive.

Today was the day-my fleur de sel caramels arrived safe and sound from California. I literally tore into the box (darn packing tape) and proceeded to unwrap what is probably the tastiest caramel I have ever indulged in. If you enjoy a sweet/salty flavor combination, these caramels will certainly hit the spot. Imagine the rich, buttery taste of homemade caramels with a sprinkling of sea salt across the top. This is how the confectioners at Have It Sweet describe these morsels"

"This is not like traditional caramel and is very different from our other flavors. It is sweet yet slightly salty. This is truly an amazing caramel and our signature flavor. Our Fleur de Sel (French Sea Salt) is hand harvested and unrefined. We use truly the best ingredients and we take our Fleur de Sel Caramel very seriously. You will never look at caramel the same way after you savor one of these amazing golden sweets. "

I coudn't agree more! The flavor is quite unique for a caramel and I have become an instant addict.

Begian Dark Chocolate

Have It Sweet is located in Glendale, California. The owners, Vincent and Bethany, have a love for confections that shines through in their finished product. Every item is made fresh to order in small batches to ensure every bite is delicious. Their kitchen is state licensed and the pair are both "Serv-Safe Certified".

Many of the Have It Sweet offerings are organic and they are always all natural, gluten and preservative free. Their packaging is recyclable and biodegradable. This is definitely one company that truly cares about their customers and the environment.

My experience with Have It Sweet was flawless. Easy ordering, fast shipping and delicious products make this a must visit shop if you are a candy aficionado. I can safely say that I will be a repeat customer-there are many more sweets I want to indulge in. The organic blueberry pie swirl marshmallows are at the top of my list.

For more info: visit Have It Sweet on the internet at www.HaveItSweet.com

All photos courtesy of Have It Sweet

Product review: Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars

I was lucky enough to get a box of Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars in the mail earlier this week. I know a lot of you are wondering how I could consider myself lucky to get such a treat in the mail. LOL Normally, I would agree, but I am impressed with what Fiber One has done to make fiber palatable. Actually, they are doing a darn good job of making fiber fashionable! Their slogan has become "Cardboard no, Delicious, yes". And it really is true!

It used to be that when I heard the word fiber, I thought of my father dutiful eating a bowl of All Bran. BLECH! I tried that stuff and had to load it up with sugar to make it go down. The sugar helped the taste, but did nothing to help with the texture. That stuff was harsh! I felt like I was eating ground up, reformed twigs. Being a kid, I only tried the stuff because my dad asked if I wanted to. It sure wasn't because I needed more fiber in my diet. Now that I am older, I have developed some digestive issues (more specifically IBS) and the added fiber helps to keep it in check. I have tried various powders and mixes and supplements and such. Trying to choke some of that stuff down is torture-gritty, clumpy, no flavor or horrible flavor. The list of complaints goes on and on. All I can say is "Thank you Fiber One for giving me hope".

The Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars I received are soft and chewy and very flavorful. The texture of these little guys is better than nearly all chewy granola bars I have tried. Dry? Nope. Gritty? Nope. Bland? Far from it! To be honest, I never would have thought these would provide 35% of the daily recommended allowance of fiber. Here are the full nutritional details for ya:

I have read other reviews of these bars that have complained about the flavor. I will admit, they are a bit strong on the coffee flavor, but in my opinion, that is what sets these apart from the rest. Too many coffee flavored items are too light on the coffee. You hope for a full robust flavor and get weak and watered down. These are definitely a tasty way to boost your fiber intake. And let's be honest with ourselves ladies-we aren't getting the fiber we need. I know it. You know it. And just why do we need fiber? Lemme tell ya:

• Fiber helps ward off colon cancer. It's not just for guys y'know.
• Fiber decreases your risk of diabetes.
• Fiber can help satisfy your appetite and manage your weight.
• Fiber can help keep your digestive system on the right track. (I can attest to this!)
• People with high fiber diets tend to have healthier body weights.
• Fiber can help prevent heart disease

Do I need to go on? LOL If the idea of Chocolate Mocha doesn't appeal to you, Fiber One offers 5 additional flavors of the fiber packed bars. Choose from Oats & Chocolate, Oats & Caramel, Oats & Peanut Butter, Oats & Strawberry or Oats & Apple Streusel. I really think they offer a flavor for every taste. Are you interested in trying some for yourself? Visit HERE or HERE to print off a coupon and save yourself a little money.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided courtesy of the manufacturer. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this review. This review contains my personal opinion of the products.