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Joi Sigers

Gorgeous Textured Drinking Glasses: I LOVE These Vintage-Looking Beauties.

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This set of 6 Textured, Vintage Drinking Glasses (Amazon link) is so breathtakingly beautiful I want to order a set for me, one set for each of my three daughters, and a set for all of you as well. Unfortunately, my bank account prohibits that last one so I’ll just show them to you.

I mean that’s something, right??!

I am ALL about surrounding myself with vintage decor, glasses, lamps, books, old movies.. I guess it’s safe to say I live in a state of vintage.

I also love things that are unspeakably pretty and unique and this set certainly fits that description as well.

These beauties come in clear (shown on the right), pink, green, amber, and blue – they’re seriously all so gorgeous I have no idea how I’m going to choose. I mean the clear would be ideal for holidays, matching dinnerware of any season.. but the other colors are so stunning.

About this item:

From Amazon:

  • Vintage-inspired design and embossing that are long lost to bring you a glass that you will be proud to serve your guest with! They will elevate every cocktail or signature mocktail. They look great on a bar cart or with exposed cupboards. Great for floating shelves or behind your favorite bar.
  • Sweet tea glasses, Water glasses, juice cups, these are great for any cold drink from cocktails to mocktails and even beer! With a nice weight they feel great in your hand and look even better! The retro boho esthetic is sure to make all your guest where you got them from!
  • Looking for a hostess gift, housewarming gift, Christmas present for newly weds or anyone who likes to entertain? These drinking glasses look beautiful in a cabinet or displayed out on a bar cart for all to see! Coordinate your color choice with your cocktails this holiday for a real crowd pleaser!
  • The 13 oz. Vintage Textured Drinking Glasses are embossed with vertical ribbed lines around the base and intricate circular patterns. Not only drinking glasses, they also make a great display for shelves filled with pampas grass or small bouquets of flower, office supplies, toothbrushes and so much more!
  • Each glass measures 3.25 x 4.75 x 3.25 and are safely bubble wrapped and shipped in a brown box. The glasses have a 13 ounce capacity are Lead free.

See 6 Textured, Vintage Drinking Glasses (Amazon link) for a closer look. You’re going to flip over the gorgeous colors.

Short Message For Anyone Who Has to Eat a Restricted Diet: Tips and Advice from the Front Lines

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Salad with Chia Seeds

My Beloved Salads Have Never Betrayed Me!

If you have to eat any kind of a restricted diet, due to any of the following mood busters…

  • Celiac Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Food Allergies
  • Autoimmune Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Or any other condition that insists on being your meal planner

… you know that the challenges are very real, you know that occasional feelings of gloom WILL happen, you know that others who do not have to eat your restricted diet have ZERO idea what it is like, and you know that… well, let’s be honest… it kind of sucks.

Having said that, there are certain tips and mindset “tweaks” that can help keep a smile on your face while keeping your body healthier and, thereby, helping you stay around longer for this extraordinary ride we call life.

I’ve had to live without gluten and wheat for over 10 years. There’s a certain reality you face when you have to make the dietary restrictions as an adult… it’s actually much harder because you know what you’re missing for one thing and, for another, it literally involves throwing aside everything you know and embarking on a journey that has been planned without your consent.

I was recently reminded of this very fact when, on top of having to diligently eat gluten and wheat free, my body has decided that… while we’ve had a strained relationship for years… it needs a trial separation from dairy. Possibly permanent, but definitely trial. Seems it isn’t completely thrilled about its relationship with hamburgers or eggs either at this time.

Cool beans… No wait, I can’t eat beans either… let’s make that cool carrots…  Cool carrots, time to restructure my meals and diet and to be even more mindful of everything I put into my face.

If this sounds like complaining, I apologize. I’m not angry and I certainly don’t feel sorry for myself, even remotely. It’s just kind of frustrating, that’s all. But, as I did many years ago, when I had to walk away from all wheat and gluten, including my absolute obsessions fried catfish at my favorite restaurant and onion rings from any restaurant, I will quickly adapt. In fact, I’m very blessed and grateful that plans and diets have already been laid out for me… I’m using a combination of the Paleo diet, the Bulletproof diet, and the Low FODMAP diet… in addition to my already firmly in place gluten-free diet. I’m unspeakably grateful that so many dairy alternatives exist on the market, as well as so many clearly-marked gluten-free foods. It makes cooking a lot easier when you simply have to make a substitution.. or, in my case, usually a couple of substitutions.

Cheese is going to absolutely be the hardest thing for me. I’m hoping that, once my leaky gut or IBS (whichever has been rough-housing me) has settled down, I can reintroduce it to cheese every now and then. If I can…. great! If not… well, that’s fine. As God reminded me recently, there’s a LOT more to life than just food. I mean, I always knew that, but one day (when realizing I needed to make yet another adjustment to my eating…which btw apparently will include stopping red meat for a while) I was driving through town, looking at all the cars in the fast food drive thrus and parking lots. I remembered the days when I could simply grab a burger and a diet Coke without thinking twice. I remembered when my husband and I could go out to eat anywhere we chose, instead of having the choice determined by my restrictions.

Just as a gorgeous day was becoming overcast with my negative thoughts, God reminded me (paraphrasing, here) to look at the beautiful blue sky, listen to the birds, think of my husband, daughters, sons-in-law, precious grandbabies, and cats. He reminded me to think of my flower beds I was already so excited about. He let me know that there is SO much more to life than food.

Amen!

Truth be told, though, over the years, this was one of my only weak moments. I attribute this one to the ‘yet again” emotions – the fact that big changes had to be made. Seriously, y’all, if someone would just stop moving the goalposts, it’d be lovely lol.

It’s been a few weeks since that wake-up call and I honestly feel SO much better. In fact, implementing dietary changes has me feeling so much better, physically, that I’m kind of excited to see how it all plays out. I even lost 5 very stubborn pounds that had already become such a part of my life I had all but given them names.

A few tips for anyone who has new (or old) dietary restrictions they need to make peace with:

  1. Food isn’t everything. As a nation, we Americans pretty much make our lives revolve around food, don’t we. If we want to get out for a drive through the country on a beautiful day, we grab a quick hamburger and fries or milkshake for the journey. Every family get together (from Super Bowl Sunday to holidays) revolves around food. And while there’s no getting around it or really any reason to change things, we can be smarter. Maybe by grabbing a bag of snacks and large tumbler of tea  from home before the ride through the country. Or having get togethers center around healthier options – a taco bar or even salad bar if you have enough vegetable lovers in your group.
  2. Look at what you CAN eat rather than what you CAN’T eat. This one may seem subtle but it’s so important I would have put it first, but there’s no way I’m leap-frogging over God’s advice. I made a list and printed it out of foods I can enjoy while eating Paleo – whether it’s for a specific amount of time or forever and ever, Amen. I didn’t even write down the ones I can’t touch – after all, I already know them, I don’t want to give them any more attention. I’m turning my attention to the many foods and drinks waiting to help me out. They’re my teammates now and I’m focusing on them. A word of caution when you research what foods are and are not on a particular diet. Whether it’s FODMAP, Paleo, Keto, gluten-free, or any such diet, there is a LOT of conflicting information online. For kicks (what can I say, it was a slow day) I Googled “are white potatoes high or low FODMAP” once and got at least a dozen different answers. Fascinated, I asked Google if white potatoes were on the Paleo diet.. again, different results! This bottomless pit of conflicting information led to the next tip..
  3. Do your research! If you’re embarking on a particular diet, please do a great amount of research first. Arm yourself with information or you won’t get anywhere. I would seek out the most reputable sources possible. I have a great number of books I’ve turned to for each of the three diets I’m pulling from the Paleo and Bulletproof diets are extremely similar, the Paleo one is simply more constructed and clearly-defined…. no “maybe this could be okay..” with Paleo – it’s more of a “don’t even put it in the cart,” which is the structured approach I frankly need right now. Having a great library of books will arm you with the information you need and help take a lot of worry and stress off of you. Let someone else do the heavy lifting with you! (Books I recommend are at the bottom).
  4. If you’re cooking for yourself as well as others without restrictions, take a deep breath, it’s going to be okay! One of the things I hear most people on restrictive diets complain about the most is having to fix several different meals instead of just one. Personally, I think of it as, “I GET to cook several meals instead of one” because (A) It means I have loved ones at my dinner table and (B) It means they don’t have to restrict their options.. good on them! I think most people aren’t setting themselves up for success. They’re making life way too complicated. For example, tonight I’m making Big Mac Salads for supper (one of my husband’s favorite meals in the world!). I’ll prepare the pickles, onions, romaine lettuce and other vegetables and throw them into a huge bowl. So far, so good. Then I’ll cook his ground beef in one pan while cooking my ground turkey in another (trust me, it’s delicious!).. each will be seasoned and placed in separate bowls to stay warm. When put together at the table, he’ll be able to add his meat, croutons, and dressing made with milk to his plate while I add my meat, gluten-free croutons, and dressing made with almond milk to mine. Easy peasy.  Meal planning may take a little more thought, but half the battle is simply having your options on hand and in mind. More on that next..
  5. Have a shelf for your food in the refrigerator and pantry. It will make it a lot easier, and healthier, on you if you (after careful label-reading and research) have a designated shelf in the fridge for foods that are safe for you. I mean, who wants to go digging through the refrigerator – especially if they have to keep reading those cursed tiny ingredient lists each time. Set yourself up for success and make life easier on yourself. Do the same with the pantry. Hunting for “safe” foods is a headache and does nothing but add stress.
  6. If you’re on Instagram or Pinterest, search out reputable accounts that deal with your particular dietary needs. Instagram has been a wealth of both information AND inspiration to me and have made a huge difference in making the dietary transitions. HUGE difference.

Some books and cookbooks I highly recommend:

(All links are Amazon links)

*** PALEO and BULLETPROOF ***

The Simple Paleo Kitchen

Eating Paleo (Complete Idiot’s Guide)

Celebrations

Five Ingredient Paleo Cookbook

The Bulletproof Diet

Bulletproof: The Cookbook

*** LOW FODMAP DIET ***

FODMAP Friendly: 95 Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Recipes

My next article will feature some of my favorite Paleo-Friendly snacks and foods, dairy substitutions, and favorite gluten-free foods.  And remember, stay positive… you’ve got this! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

 

Chef Michael Symon’s 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners (Raving Review)

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Michael Symon's 5 in 5 Cookbook

Michael Symon’s 5 in 5 Cookbook

Since having to give up gluten and wheat, I have had to go back and edit a few of my cookbook reviews. I’m focusing more on gluten-free/wheat-free foods and don’t want to risk recipes or photos that could be confusing to anyone who has to eat gluten-free. The Cookbook review I’m editing and republishing today is one I absolutely love, Michael Symon’s 5 in 5 (Amazon link). Not long ago, when I told someone I collected cookbooks, she asked what my top 6 cookbook recommendations would be. The first thing out of my mouth (well, actually fingers, we were talking through Twitter DMs), was “Anything by Michael Symon…. but I’d start with his wonderful 5 in 5.”

A Few Thoughts Before Publishing my Edited Review:

  • Every cookbook can easily be altered in order to make the recipes gluten-free. You simply have to be diligent about making certain your replacements are in fact gluten-free. If you have Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disease, an intolerance, or an allergy, I HIGHLY recommend always looking for the gluten-free label on the product, itself. Don’t trust the label on the grocery store shelf – look at the product. When it comes to substituting pasta, for example in the wonderful Orecchiette with Sausage and Kale recipe in this very cookbook, more times than not I simply replace the ingredient with potatoes. I’ve used gluten-free pasta many times as well, but always love the extra goodness and flavor potatoes bring to a recipe. Bread is also very easy to “clean up,” whether it’s by using gluten-free bread, a wrap, or (my “go t0”), simply putting shredded lettuce in a bowl, adding the sandwich components, and calling it a “bowl.” The Fried Bologna and Egg recipe in this cookbook is delicious this way… you cut out extra calories AND the crunchy iceberg or Romaine lettuce adds so much to the flavors.
  • The original review was posted back in 2013 (before I had to leave gluten and wheat behind), yet this remains one of the cookbooks in my collection I turn to the most often. Most of the recipes, in fact, are memorized by now! Want to know another one I use just as often? Michael Symon’s Fix it With Food (Amazon link). There’s simply something about his extraordinary recipes I love – they’re PACKED with flavor, healthy, and never too highbrow. At this point, if he writes a cookbook, I’m one of the first to order it.

(Review Continued Below…)

Michael Symon's 5 in 5 Cookbook

Every now and then (quite often, actually), my husband does something super cool.  His recent act of coolness involved ordering me a new cookbook from Amazon. Not just any cookbook, mind you. This was the newest cookbook by one of our favorite Food Network Chefs, Michael Symon.

Like any good Food Network groupie, I knew Michael Symon’s 5 in 5 (Amazon link) was about to hit stores and like any good Food Network groupie, my plans were in place to grab a copy asap. I was beaten to the punch, but the only things that matter are that 5 in 5 is in my eager hands and that it’s even better than I’d expected.

From the Back Cover:

With his boisterous laugh and Midwestern charm, Michael Symon has become one of the most beloved cooking personalities on television. For ABC’s The Chew, he developed a brilliant, simple formula to help home cooks pull together fresh, from-scratch meals on weeknights: a maximum of five fresh ingredients that cook in five minutes. This cookbook ties into the segment, featuring dazzlingly quick, satisfying dinners that the whole family will love.

Michael first teaches readers how to set up their pantries with essentials that make whipping up dinner easy. Then he shares 120 recipes for pastas, skillet dinners, egg dishes, grilled mains, kebabs, foil packets, and sandwiches illustrated in 75 photographs. This is streamlined cooking for busy families and firmly solves the “what’s for dinner?” conundrum for home cooks everywhere. With a 5 in 5 recipe, there’s always time for a home-cooked meal.

The only exception I take with the description is this: I’ve made two of these dinners, so far, and Fantastic doesn’t even begin to cover it. These. Recipes. Will. Blow. Your. Mind.

Michael Symon's 5 in 5 Cookbook

Below are a few of the other recipes from 5 in 5:

(reminder: if you have to eat gluten-free, simply make safe substitutions you’re absolutely sure of)

  • Cavatelli with Cauliflower and Red Pepper Flakes
  • Orecchiette with Sausage and Kale
  • Lazy Meatball Kebabs with Yogurt
  • Fried Bologna & Egg
  • Spicy 50/50 Burger
  • Chicken Marsala
  • Garlic Chicken with Asparagus
  • Pork Schnitzel
  • Swiss Steak
  • Bricked Grilled Chicken with White Bean Salad
  • Grilled Skirt Steak with Chickpea Salad
  • Caramelized Banana Sundae
  • Salted Caramel Sundae
  • Ultimate BLT
  • Philly Cheesesteak with Provolone
  • Salmon with Rosemary and Garlic
  • Turkey and Avocado Melt
  • Poached Eggs Parmesan
  • Sloppy Mikes
  • Eggs in Hell
  • Plus Many more!

In the front of the book, you’ll find timesaving tips, Chef Symon’s favorite flavor combinations, and great pantry advice.  The book’s filled with gorgeous photos, including photos of Michael Symon and his beautiful wife. As one of the most genuinely likable celebrity chefs (or any celebrity or any chef for that matter!), one of the best things Michael Symon’s books have going for them is his personality – it comes through alongside his skills as a chef and the result is a cookbook you’ll always keep in plain sight.

If you love great food and love looking like a superhero to your family, you’ll want to order your own copy of Michael Symon’s 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners today. This cookbook would also make an IDEAL gift for anyone, whether it’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Graduation, or “Here’s this because you’ll love it…” basically any occasion.


Beautiful Drink Lids for Keeping Critters Out of Your Drinks this Summer…

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Marilyn Monroe Mug with Drink Lid

Marilyn Monroe Mug with a Beautiful Lid

I’m one of those people who always (and I do mean always) has a couple of drinks with her. Whether I’m in the den watching old movies or baseball, in the flower garden, playing outdoors with grandbabies, going to the store, working on my blogs, or cooking supper.. there is always a glass of tea and a mug of hot tea or coffee within reach. I may be the most hydrated human in the history of the world.

The only problem is, during the warm months, I have to watch out for flies, gnats, and other critters who think my drinks look too good NOT to dive into. In the past, I always just covered the precious drink with a double-folded paper towel, magazine subscription card, or whatever happens to be handy.

Not very glamorous for someone who adores old movies like I do.

I jumped on Amazon to see what attractive alternatives I could find and life will never be the same. There are so many options! (Amazon link) I chose a set of gorgeous silicone drink lids (Amazon link) with little diamond-looking knobs on top because, come on, I’m a Marilyn Monroe fan, I’m all about girly and glitzy.

The set I chose had one each of the following colors: Purple (my favorite color), pink, yellow, and blue. I gave one to each of my three daughters and kept one for myself.

Bet you’ll never guess which color I kept. Oh, that’s right, the proof is in the pictures.

The silicone drink lids were even more beautiful in person – very high quality. They’re perfect for covering iced drinks as well as hot drinks  – in fact, something I didn’t expect was the fact they help keep your hot tea or coffee warm longer.

Love that!

(Continued Below…)

Drink Lids: Pink and Purple

Features:

From Amazon….

  • Keep Hot: Keweilian Silicone Cup Covers are ideal for keeping your tea at the perfect sipping temperature while you attend to other things.
  • Material: high quality food grade silicone, environmental protection, safety, non-toxic.
  • Keweilian Silicone Cup Covers Fits Most Cups & Mugs (3.94 INCH DIAMETER): Our Silicone Mug Covers are perfectly designed to keep your delicious beverage.
  • High Temperature Resistant: -40~250 F,Silicone can handle extreme temperatures，safe.
  • Health: Protect your precious drink from dust.

These come in many varieties and colors – with “handles” on top and without. They’re very inexpensive and extremely sturdy and well-made.

See the many silicone drink lids (Amazon link) options!

The Bride of Frankenstein Mug with a Purple Lid

The Bride of Frankenstein Rocking Her Lid


Salmon Patties with Green Onions and Red Bell Pepper

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Salmon Patties with Red Bell Pepper

Salmon Patties with Red Bell Pepper and Green Onion

Few foods in this world make me as giddy as salmon patties (or salmon burgers, if you prefer). Seriously, if I know I’ll be making them for dinner, it casts a glow over my entire day. They’re delicious, sit easily on your stomach, and go with a wide variety of sides.

While I often change up the ingredients, the basic principle and technique is the same. Because I have to eat gluten-free, I use gluten-free dried breadcrumbs or panko. If you don’t have to eat gluten-free, use the breadcrumbs of your choice. Kroger has their own wonderful brand of gluten-free breadcrumbs – they even have a gluten-free Italian blend that’s outstanding for meatballs!

Some of my favorite options to add to my salmon patties:

  • green onion
  • red bell pepper
  • diced celery
  • shallot
  • sweet onion
  • green bell pepper
  • chopped sage
  • garlic

Choosing a combination of any of the above is outrageously good, but my personal favorite combinations are (1) diced celery and shallots and (2) red bell pepper and green onion.

The recipe below calls for red bell pepper and green onion, but (obviously) use whatever you prefer or whatever you have on hand.


GORGEOUS Acacia Wood Spoon Rest

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I ran across this handsome Acacia Wood Spoon Rest (Amazon link) a few minutes ago and fell head over heels in love with it. It’s a heckuva lot more attractive than draping a spoon over the side of a mug or pan, isn’t it?!

I actually found it because I was shopping in the Folkulture shop on Amazon. Their kitchen towels are something of an obsession to me, but I had never bothered to check to see if they had other items as well.

Lesson learned… always check!

Acacia Wood Spoon Rest:

(Description below is from Amazon)

  • This spatula rest or cooking spoon holder is handcrafted in acacia wood and measures 4.7 Inches in diameter. The ladle holder is a must-have kitchen essential which can hold spoons, spatulas, ladle or tongs.
  • These rustic spoon rests make for the perfect wooden kitchen accessories. The kitchen spoon rest for stove top comes with a rubber grip and is anti-slip unlike other ceramic or silicon spoon rest.
  •  This boho spoon rest for stove looks extremely premium and will add elegance to your kitchen decor. This tea spoon holders can even be used to store coffee or tea spoons after use.
  •  The wooden spoon rest or kitchen utensil holder has an easy circular design with a natural finish. It is easy to wipe and clean with wet cloth making it absolutely fuss-free.
  • This kitchen utensil rest will be a perfect gift for friends and family. This boho kitchen accessory makes for a perfect housewarming gift in this cooking spoon rest.

I collect wooden spoons (never met one yet I didn’t want to buy) and can’t wait to see how beautiful they’ll look resting on this great spoon rest.


Brilliant Organizer for Cans and Other Pantry Items… Even Dishes

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During the early weeks of the Pandemic (long before the lockdowns or even face masks), I fell in love with something I’ve never done before – borderline hoarding!  Not hoarding to the point of interfering with others being able to get things they needed as well, mind you, but I began stocking up for things my family and I would need for weeks at a time.

Cats included, of course!

I figured that the less I got out, the less my chances were of contacting a respiratory disease neither my asthma or I were interested in acquiring. I began using my favorite grocery store’s “click-list” (grocery pickup) and limited running into a store as much as possible.

My youngest daughter and I organized a spare room into a big walk-in pantry of sorts – not only did I want to have everything our household would need but also plenty for my other family members.

Somewhere along the way, this became such a wonderfully agreeable practice and method that I decided I’d never abandon it, even after the pandemic was in the rear view mirror. Why? Not only is it convenient, cutting back on running errands is something I (as a self-embraced homebody) very much enjoy.

It’s also handy if, say, last minute I want to change my dinner strategy – I have plenty of things on hand to work with.

Also… let’s fact it… we’re right smack in the middle of cold and flu season right now and I don’t want to be out and about any more than necessary – to say nothing of when it snows!

If you also like to stock up on pantry items, this is an organizer you may be as interested in as I am – the Adjustable Pantry and Shelf Organizer (Amazon link). While cans can certainly be stacked in front of one another, lifting and peeking to see what you’re working with gets tiresome – trust me, more than once I’ve wished for a better, easier way than playing peek-a-boo with soup cans.

This versatile shelf organizer is very affordable and would be ideal for anyone, whether they love to stock up like me or fly by the seat of their apron (not knocking it, I did it for years!).

See the Adjustable Pantry and Shelf Organizer (Amazon link) for a closer look and more information (the uses they find for this is mind-blowing and I think I want one for the laundry room and bathroom as well!).

Disposable Air Fryer Liners: Perfect for Fast Cleanups!

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One of my newest obsessions in the kitchen is our air fryer (Amazon link). For some reason, I never really thought I’d use one but, here I am, using it almost daily! It’s MUCH healthier to use than frying foods and, quite frankly, most things get so much crispier in the air fryer.. WITHOUT any greasy feel or taste.

I even use our air fryer for frozen fries and tater tots, simply put in frozen and they’re ready a lot sooner than they are in an oven – to tell the truth, they’re ready to eat in the time it takes some ovens to preheat! What’s more, they’re much better in the air fryer – especially tater tots… much crispier.

I have always used parchment paper to line the air fryer basket, but cutting and fitting is a pain in the backside… even when you buy the pre-cut parchment sheets (which I love for baking), they have to be awkwardly folded to fit the basket.

I just saw a couple of different disposable air fryer liners on Amazon and I think you’ll be as intrigued by them as I am.

The one shown on the right is the GOAUS Air Fryer 100 Pcs Round Paper Liners (Amazon link).

Product Description from Amazon:

  • Make clean up a breeze: Tired of cleanup after baking and roasting? It’s never too late to settle a GOAUS disposable paper liner inside your air fryer basket. Once you’re done cooking simply toss the liner away, and pop in another liner and continue cooking without cleanup between different foods.
  • Eco-friendly and Oven Safe: Food-grade premium material and excellent craftsmanship by GOAUS make paper liners waterproof and greaseproof and catch crumbs and grease. With heat resistance up to 428℉, no effect on food tastes itself and no sticky mess. Things you cooked still turn out crispy!
  • For 5 to 8 Qt Round Baskets: Find out correct capacity of air fryer. GOAUS parchment paper of 7.9-inch bottom diameter is intended for round air fryers whose basket capacity is between 5 and 8 quarts. Moreover, the disposable paper even fits microwaves, ovens, steamer, cookers, roasters, etc.
  • Avoid Burning: Read the instructions first before use. Do not place cooking paper without food during preheating. Hot air blowing the lightweight paper onto the heating duct will easily cause the paper to burn. Thus, place paper on bottom and weigh down with enough food.
  • Easy to Use&Tips: GOAUS disposable liners have made life so much simpler as they’re precut and “with sides” design. No mess, no fuss with these liners whether you’re baking, roasting or frying. In a case where you’re cooking something far messy and greasy, doubling the liner would be advised. Definitely worth the minimal cost for such a time saver!

Amazon also has the beauties shown on the left, the Palksky 100Pcs Air Fryer Baking Paper Square Liners (Amazon link).

Like the GOAUS liners pictured above, these come in a variety of sizes. Simply measure your air fryer’s basket and order accordingly!

Naturally, there are a lot of other liners available, these are simply the two that caught my eye.  Click through either link or image for more information about these particular liners or to search for others. These are wonderful for everyone, but for those of us who  have to eat gluten-free, they can cut down on your chances of getting cross-contaminated.

If you’re giving an air fryer to someone as a gift, these would be an excellent, very thoughtful addition!

Vegan and Gluten-Free Salad Dressings, Mayo & Butter from Plant Perfect (Exciting New Products!)

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Plant Perfect Vegan Ranch Dressing

Plant Perfect Vegan Ranch Dressing

Quite a while back, I devoured and reviewed Parma!, a Plant-Based Parmesan Cheese Alternative and, frankly, I’ve never forgotten the extraordinary, downright addictive flavor. It often comes to mind when I see other plant-based food, which is why I never, ever brush off the idea… I know better. I only wish Parma! was available in stores. It is available online and is absolutely worth seeking it out… positively addictive, I tell you.

I recently saw the following press release for a new rapidly-growing brand from Pivotal Foods called Plant Perfect. After reading the release, I found myself extremely anxious to try quite a few of the products – especially the one you see pictured above, a Vegan Ranch Dressing. See the “No Palm Oil” on the front of the bottle? LOVE that!

I’ve found a few of their delicious-sounding products on Amazon and have linked to them in photos an/or content below.

As soon as I try these exciting plant-based products, I will write reviews on the food blog and link to them here.

Ready To Pivot To A Better Class Of Vegan Salad Dressings, Mayo & Butter?

STATELINE, NEVADA – For years, countless people following a vegan diet for moral or dietary reasons have been asking the same rhetorical question: why isn’t there a dairy-free brand that actually frees us from our lifelong craving for dairy?

Happily, one company decided to answer that question by developing a line of dairy-free products so authentic in flavor and texture that even non-vegans are singing their praises.

Introducing Pivotal Foods (www.pivotalfoods.com) and its signature Plant Perfect brand, creators of a rapidly-growing line of dressings, mayo and – soon – butter that seamlessly blend mouth-watering flavor, authentic texture and wholesome nutrition in each and every bottle and jar.

Treating consumers to a literal and figurative taste of the future, Pivotal Foods is currently experiencing its most significant period of growth to date since the introduction of Plant Perfect Vegan Mayo in 2020. Indeed, largely due to word of mouth rather than the sort of massive marketing blitz usually needed to break into the crowded vegan marketplace, Pivotal Foods has already expanded its retail presence to over 2500 mainstream and health food stores around the country – most recently adding 1200 Safeway stores in six regions around the country.

Today, consumers can find Plant Perfect vegan salad dressings and mayo in such chains as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Raley’s, Lucky, and Safeway as well as on Amazon.com.. For a complete list of store locations, please visit www.eatplantperfect.com/find-us.

The Name Says It All

Living up to its name, Plant Perfect products represent a perfect fusion of great taste and important nutrition, utilizing wholesome ingredients sure to please even the most discerning vegan and non-vegan palates. The brand’s growing family of products include six distinct salad dressings that are all vegan, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO, EDTA-free (EDTA is a chemical that is added to certain foods and beverages to help them keep their color and flavor), palm oil-free and Certified Kosher.

Now Plant-Based Certified, Plant Perfect dressings are available in 8-ounce bottles in these delectable flavors:

  • Ranch
  • Green Goddess
  • Creamy Italian
  • Caesar (Amazon link)
  • Chipotle Ranch
  • Cilantro Lime

Like Plant Perfect’s Vegan Mayo, the brand’s salad dressings are 12-month shelf stable. Plant Perfect salad dressings can be found on the dry goods shelf next to conventional dressings.

Vegan Mayo Comes Of Age

Representing a deliciously nutritious dairy-free version of a classic condiment, Plant Perfect’s Vegan Mayo is every bit as tasty, rich, versatile and satisfying as its traditional counterpart. Like the brand’s salad dressings, Plant Perfect Mayo is all vegan, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO, EDTA-free, palm oil-free and Certified Kosher.

Offered in 12-ounce bottles, Plant Perfect Vegan Mayo enhances any dish and represents an ideal alternative to traditional mayonnaise when preparing meals, snacks and desserts (great news for vegan or health-conscious home cooks and bakers during the holiday season!).

Next on the menu for Pivotal Foods will be Plant Perfect Vegan Butter, slated to be introduced next year. Performing just like dairy European butter in every way – but without the cows! – the new line will initially consist of two irresistibly satisfying varieties: Original and Buttery.

A Pivotal Time In The Vegan Food Industry

Committed to developing high quality vegan food products that taste great, are healthy and minimize the environmental impact on the planet, Pivotal Foods is not only attracting a diverse range of new retail and foodservice partners, but is winning over both committed vegans as well as mainstream consumers ready to incorporate healthier dairy-free products into their diet so long as they don’t have to sacrifice flavor in the process.

Commenting on his company’s fast-track expansion, Pivotal Foods’ CEO Mark Garrison said, “Every Plant Perfect item is developed with one overriding goal in mind – to create the most nutritious and delicious vegan alternative product possible. Giving up dairy for ethical or dietary reasons is never easy, so we went to great lengths to make sure our Plant Perfect Mayo, Salad Dressings and Butter not only live up to, but exceed, customer expectations. We’re heartened by the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve received from full-time and part-time vegans alike and look forward to introducing many more vegan products over the years to come.”

For more information, please visit www.eatplantperfect.com and www.pivotalfoods.com.

 

Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot: It Has all the Good and None of the Bad (Seriously, I Love This One!)

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The great looking Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot (Amazon link), pictured above, is pretty darn special and would make a great addition to your kitchen as well as a perfect gift idea for any cook in your life.

The gorgeous Aluminum Dutch oven comes in a terracotta color that I’m pretty wild about if we’re being honest. While I tend to buy almost everything in my kitchen in the colors of purple or red, I’m totally feeling the terracotta.

Fortunately, it will go beautifully with the vibrant colors my psyche is so drawn to.

Features:

  • One of the best things about this all-in-one pot is that it can (and will) cut down on the clutter in your kitchen. It can serve as a Dutch oven, stock pot, deep fryer, sauce pot, roasting rack, steamer, braiser, saute pan and then some.
  • The pan comes with a matching lid, roasting rack, and beechwood turner.
  • Features a durable, high-performance, long-lasting multilayer non-stick coating that allows food to easily slide out of the pot for easy everyday cooking and effortless cleaning.
  • Made without PFOA, lead, cadmium, toxic metals, or nanoparticles.
  •  Although the Dutch oven is heavy-duty, the anti-warp, thick cast aluminum is light enough to maneuver in the kitchen. Given that I have the strength of an anemic songbird, I love this to distraction. It’s said to be much lighter than a cast iron skillet or your typical Dutch oven.
  • Oven safe up to 400°F
  • This All Star does it all: Steam, sauté, sear, boil, simmer, blanche, braise, flambe, poach, deep fry, stew… then lets you serve your deliciousness in style!
  • Compatible with all cooktops: electric, gas, glass, or induction.
  • Last but absolutely NOT least, The Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot (Amazon link), lid and roasting rack are dishwasher safe. Those two words are magical in my hyper-busy kitchen. 


See Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot (Amazon link) for a closer look at this beauty.