DaVinci Gourmet review

Everyone may not be gourmet in the kitchen. But with a little help, they can still make a gourmet treat. DaVinci Gourmet provides specialty syrups to add that yummy element to so many things.

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, deserts and even entrees can be transformed into something to excite your taste buds with just a little something extra. They have tons of recipes you can check out on their website. For those looking to keep on the healthier path they offer the sugar-free syrups.
DaVinci Gourmet sent me several flavors to try. Sugar-free Caramel was so good in my hot chocolate! It adds a rich flavor and I only put about a teaspoon in my cup. My kids and husband were drinking up my hot chocolate as soon as I finished stirring it! The delicious smell that rose with the steam drew them in.

Then for breakfast one morning we decided to make pancakes. As a treat, I added about a tablespoon (or two) into the mix. We had yummy caramel pancakes that my boys wanted seconds and thirds... and fourth and fifth helpings of.
They also sent Vanilla, Hazelnut, Sugar-free Chocolate, Zero calorie Kahlua. They have so many flavors to choose from! I plan to dazzle up my brownies next... So check them out and tell me what you think about the products and recipes.

Sonic Alert review

Being married to a deaf guy, I've spent the past 6 years or so learning about and seeing different products that deaf people use. The technology they have made for deaf and hard of hearing (HoH) devices is getting better all the time. One of the most notable devices is a signaler.
I was given the chance to test the USS360 Universal Sound Signaler from Sonic Alert. It's a small device that you plug into the wall then you plug a lamp into it. Put it in a room you spend a lot of time in and any time there is loud sound - knocking on the door, baby crying, alarms, etc. your lamp will begin flashing. This is so helpful for our family. I have hearing issues as well but I'm able to hear my daughter cry or someone knocking on the door. However, when I'm not home my husband needs to be able to know what's going on too. This USS360 works with all other Sonic Alert receivers. Once plugged in, this device will submit a signal via the power lines in your home to any other Sonic Alert Receivers you have plugged in as well. 

Devices like these are great not only for deaf but also for those who have other degrees of hearing loss. Or maybe for those who tune everything out and drift into their own minds and need a reminder to come back to realty...

There is another awesome thing I should mention about this device; it has various degrees of sensitivity to sound. It catches my son whispering across the room just as easy as my daughters cry depending on the setting we pick.
Now as a warning, you should not use power strips or surge protectors with the Sonic Alert Signalers or Receivers because they block the signal that is transmitted from the signaler to the receiver. They must be plugged directly into a working outlet without any adapters getting in the way.
They have other things as well. Alarm clocks, other types of signalers, amplified clocks and phones as well as listening devices.
Want to learn more about their technology? Check them out on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sonic-Alert/ or at their website http://www.sonicalert.com/.

This technology is called X-10 technology. I found a link where you can get a little more info about what that means.  http://www.smarthome.com/about_x10.html

If you are looking for more specific information about this particular signaler, check out this link: http://sonicalert.com/products-signaling-systems-USS360.html

The other receivers they have available can be viewed here: http://sonicalert.com/signaling-systems-receivers.html

I'd love to hear what you guys think about this. So leave me a comment below!

Emerson Creek Pottery review and giveaway

As I've mentioned in some of my other reviews, I love companies that make and sell products right here in the United States. I also love pottery. My grandmother had a beautiful set of pottery dishes on display in her china cabinet the always impressed me. I found a company that not only sells pottery but they are made and sold here in the US. Emerson Creek Pottery makes some beautiful pieces and sets. With the holidays here, these pieces are even more appealing for all your holiday gatherings and family sharing. They have so many things that make great gift ideas as well.

I was sent a Peony Pitcher in the Copper Clay color. It's so cute. I love the deep, rich color (that goes so well with the ranch theme we have) as well as how smooth the surface is. It's the perfect size for a small bunch of flowers to make a centerpiece. I'm sure too when my daughter is old enough to have "tea parties" this is will be something she goes for first. It reminds me of a miniature size of a pitcher my mother used to have. Remember the pitcher and bowls households would keep in the rooms of their farm house so guests could wash their hands and face? Just like that!

Emerson Creek Pottery also has some lovely appetizer plates, dinnerware, bakeware, baby dishes... The list goes on. They have various colors and designs to choose from as well. You can check out their website http://www.emersoncreekpottery.com/ to see everything they have to offer. My favorite design they offer is the Field of Iris. I like that they make pottery that is not only beautiful, reminiscent of antique-like pieces, but its also made for modern life.

These dishes are safe to use in your microwave as well as your dishwasher. There is no lead in them and you can cook with them in your oven. Being heavy duty and made to last everyday makes them worth every penny compared to the cheaper imports most folks buy that break or shatter or might even develop cracks over less than a years worth of handling. As a bonus for those who love historic facts, the building that houses their showroom has a rich background going back to the 1800's.

So now for the fun part! Enter below to win a Peony Pitcher in your choice of design. As a bonus, they are also giving my readers a coupon code 867, good for 20% off, $25 or more, until 1/7/13. So check them out, enter to win, and happy holidays!


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Mediterranean Snacks review and giveaway

I'm still researching healthy products. And I've come across another bunch of goodies to tempt you with. Mediterranean Snacks sent me some things to try and write about. They provide gluten free, no trans fat, and 30% less fat than regular potato snacks in their snack foods. They sent me the Original Veggie Medley Straws, Rosemary Herb Lentil Crackers, Organic Popcorn, and the Original Veggie Medley Chips.

The Straws were a huge hit with my family right off the start! My picky son and even my husband would have devoured the whole bag in one sitting if I didn't limit them both. They are a potato snack-like chips but shaped like square straws instead. So light and airy in texture, not drenched in some salty flavoring - they make a great snack.

Then we tried the Organic Popcorn. Normally the only popcorn I like eating is covered in cheese or caramel. But I really enjoyed this! It’s so light and fluffy. They are air popped with a hint of sea salt and olive oil. My husband even LOVED them. He usually complains if he doesn't have his absolute favorite brand name popcorn, saying that everything else just "isn't as good" or "tastes so-so". And since popcorn is always on hand in our home, this is a snack I truly appreciate having around.

The Original Veggie Medley Chips tasted the same as the straws, but were shaped just like a normal wavy chip. Again, very light and airy in texture. Not drenched in high sodium content. You don't end your snacking with colored sticky fingertips.

Rosemary herb is an interesting taste. I’m not used to it, but these lentil crackers were actually pretty good. It’s a very strong herb and it was good with my moms homemade salsa.  

The prices are comparable to most other store brands you might go for, so if you're paying that much anyways, why not get something much healthier for your family? They also have Hummuz Crispz, Baked Lentil Chips, and Multi Grain Chips. So many different flavors to choose from, great prices, and they may even have a store that carries them near you! Just check the Store Locator here: http://www.mediterraneansnackfoods.com/store-locator/. And to see more about them or what they offer, just go here: http://www.mediterraneansnackfoods.com/. You can also follow them to see what's new: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediterraneanSnackFoods, via Twitter @medsnax. They also have store fronts on Amazon and Alice.com.

They are supposed to have a $1.00 off coupon on their website, but I was unable to get it to work on my computer. You can still give it a try and perhaps get it to work on yours.  http://www.couponfactory.com/share/71d858a9deef8c71486a972810f7bb05ed3d3364/

I foresee a trip to the store in a couple days when my boys run out of these good snacks!

***I was not paid anything for my reviews. They sent me the product in return for my honest opinions.***

Now for the fun part! A GIVEAWAY!!! That's right, one lucky winner will receive a mixed case of the Mediterranean Snacks Baked Lentil Chips (full size products). Just get your entries in below and good luck!

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