Popcorn Indiana Review

February 12, 2013 By

I was provided with samples of Popcorn Indiana to facilitate my review, but all opinions are my own.

Popcorn Indiana Drizzled Cinnamon Sugar Kettlecorn

Popcorn, Indiana is a pretty fun company. First their name is Popcorn, Indiana and they have a little icon in the shape of Indiana with a dot depicting the location of Popcorn. I think that is pretty cute and pretty clever. Secondly, they say their popcorn is the “best invention on the planet since Caller ID”! That is pretty good popcorn, and they aren’t modest. Thirdly, I don’t think the popcorn is actually from Indiana, it is distributed by Popcorn, Indiana in Englewood, NJ. See, funny and fun.

My Thoughts on Popcorn Indiana

When I was given a chance to do a Popcorn Indiana review, I was pretty excited. I love popcorn. Being on a diet, popcorn is one of my favorite go to snacks if I’m feeling really hungry and can’t seem to fill up. Now, usually I eat plain, air popped popcorn, but some days I am just hankering for something sweet and I love me some kettlecorn (who doesn’t right?) I did a quick run down and the Popcorn Indiana Drizzled Cinnamon Sugar Kettlecorn is only 4 Weight Watchers points for 1 cup. I think that is actually really good. One cup is usually enough to satisfy and this give you a decadent, sweet, crunchy and delectable treat without a ton of points.

Popcorn Indiana Drizzled Cinnamon Sugar Kettlecorn

Speaking of the Drizzled Cinnamon Sugar Kettlecorn, I’m sure you really want to know what it tastes like. Let me start off by saying I gave each boy a few kernels to try this morning before school. Shh, don’t tell anyone! Nico told me it was so good that he wanted it for dessert tonight. I think that covers the yummable factor. To me the popcorn is crunchy but there is this wonderful hit of cinnamon and vanilla. Then all of a sudden you get a soft, sweet taste of white chocolate. This is a perfect combination of flavors. The white chocolate works beautifully with the cinnamon to produce a richness that is delicious.

Popcorn Indiana Dark Fudge Chocolate Chip Kettlecorn

Where the Cinnamon Sugar kettlecorn is creamy and rich, the Dark Fudge Chocolate Chip is full on dark chocolate headiness. At 140 calories for 1.5 cups, it is really the deal when you need that deep, dark chocolate flavor. I love that it still retains the crunch of the popcorn while offering the sweetness of a chocolate candy.

Both popcorns are gluten free and kosher. They do contain milk and soy, and are produced in a facility that uses milk, soy, peanuts and tree nuts.  I think these are fantastic treats that have no preservatives, zero transf ats and use Non-GMO Corn! You know how I feel about that.

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Children’s Book Review

January 29, 2013 By

Every night I read to my boys. They love to have me read a short story book first and then we read a chapter or two from one of our chapter book series. So when I was given a chance to review four new books available in March and April I jumped at the chance. Who doesn’t want to do a Children’s Book Review?

Moustachapillar

The first book is The Moustachapillar by Jonty Lees and is just an adorable, sweet book about a young boy who wants to grow a mustache. When he sees that he can’t grow one he tries all sorts of fake mustaches until one day he meets a caterpillar and they become friends. And the caterpillar pretends to be his mustache. I don’t want to give away the ending but I will say that it is a touching book about friendship, and a book that my boys ask me to read to them over again.

Hedgehog in the Fog

The second book, Hedgehog in the Fog, is based on sketches by Francesca Yarbusova to the award-winning animated film directed by Yuri Norstein. The book is truly lovely. It is heavy and well made, and beautifully illustrated. The story centers around Hedgehog and his nighttime trip to see his friend bear, but during that trip he encounters fog and many ethereal creatures in that fog. This is a dream-like book that allow your children to imagine.

Mishmash

This book, too, is illustrated by Francesca Yarbusova and I feel really shows her Russian background. The artwork evokes traditional Russian drawings while the story, by Korney Chukovsky, reminds me of Russian stories. The book starts off very playfully with animals that don’t want to make the noises they are supposed to make, but it takes a turn that I don’t think would typically appear in an American story. I think that is what I find so endearing with the story. It reminds me of the “old country” and it is an aspect of life that I think many Americans are yearning for.

The Fox and the Hare

The last book, The Fox and the Hare, is a Russian folk story told my Vladimir Dal. Again, it contains sketches by Francesca Yarbusova to the award-winning animated film directed by Yuri Norstein. This is a beautifully crafted book, but as the mother of 3 young boys I didn’t love some of the aggressiveness of this particular book. I think because it is based on a folktale, it uses some harsher words and concepts; harsher than maybe we are used to today. I do think it would be a great piece for someone that loves to collect folk stories and it is the kind of story to help open up discussions. The story follows a hare who has lost her home to a fox. Several animals try to get the fox to leave the hare’s home, but no one is successful until the Rooster comes to help.

These four books would make lovely additions to your library and may spur you to look for the Yuri Norstein films some of them are based on.

I was provided with free copies of the book to facilitate this review.

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L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream Review

January 24, 2013 By

L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream photo provided by L’Occitane

Winter Skin

Winter plays havoc with my skin. The cold air outside and the dry, hot heat inside sucks every last bit of moisture from my epidermis. I hate how parched it makes me feel. That is why I’m always on the lookout for healing body creams. And of course if it smells delicious too, well, that is just icing on the cake. L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream does just that. This stuff is 10% shea butter and smells like pure heaven.

L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream

L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream comes in this adorable tin can that reminds me of well crafted, handmade products. The cream is whipped making it light, like a souffle. A small amount goes a long way and it leaves my skin looking soft and well moisturized. My skin has a radiance and suppleness since I started using it. I actually keep the tin next to my computer and use it on my hands all day long. You know how dry a mom’s hands can get after all that washing they get put through.

The scent is subtle and slightly floral, as if the honey were from orange blossoms or jasmine flowers. L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream feels very expensive and left me a little heady. I adore the scent and would love to wear it constantly. At $22.00 for 2.5 oz it is an indulgence I can easily allow. And the adorable container it comes in can easily be used for holding small things around the house after you have lavished the L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream all over yourself.

I was provided with a tin of L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream to do this review. All opinions are my own.

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Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day Review

January 21, 2013 By

photo provided by Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day

Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day Review

Have you ever found a product that just met all your needs? That is how I feel with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products. A few months ago I needed to pick up some countertop cleaner and some all purpose cleaner. While at my favorite local organic market I saw Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, it was reasonably priced and was available in some great sounding scents so I opted to buy some. I used the countertop spray for everything in the bathroom and couldn’t believe how well it cleaned. Then my usual floor cleaner had run out and I didn’t feel like running to the store so I used the All Purpose Cleaner on the floor and now I won’t go back. But I think the my favorite thing about Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is that it cuts through grease like nothing I’ve used before.

Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day Review: How Well It Works!

I have a hood over my stove that gets covered with grease from all the cooking we do. I hate to have to clean it because it is so difficult to wash. I always end up using a Mr. Clean Eraser and still it takes a bit of effort. Today I decided to try spraying a little Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Countertop Spray on the hood and wow, the Mr. Clean Eraser just wiped everything away. It was amazing. And the scent, I used Orange Clove (a seasonal scent), was refreshing and warm.

Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day Review: The Scents

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day has a new spring scent; Radish. It has a light floral fragrance that reminds me of Easter. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day are available in other garden-fresh scents like Basil (a personal favorite), Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Geranium and Rhubarb among others. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day include products that are biodegradable, packaged in recyclable bottles, don’t include ammonia, chlorine bleach, parabens or phosphates and are not tested on animals.

Where to Buy

If you want to purchase Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day you can head over to their website where you can still buy some of their seasonal products at discounted prices (they have Iowa Pine and Orange Clove). I have a personal affinity for their Iowa Pine scented soy candle. Or you can check them out at Target and pick up the Radish scented Liquid Hand Soap or Liquid Dish Soap. I love keeping a beautifully scented hand soap in all our bathrooms. It seems like such a luxury, but is really very simple.  Which Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is your favorite?

 

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