Reviews

Brilliant Organizer for Cans and Other Pantry Items… Even Dishes

December 5, 2022 By Joi Sigers

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!).

Torani Strawberry Flavored Syrup Makes VERY Memorable Tea, Matcha, Milkshakes, Smoothies…

November 2, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Torani Strawberry Flavored Syrup (Amazon link)

If you have tea lovers on your shopping list, a fun, unexpected gift idea is flavored syrup. Torani makes about a gazillion flavors and each is a knockout. Strawberry is a personal obsession, so it’s one of my favorite flavored syrups.

Adding a little Torani Strawberry Flavored Syrup to tea or matcha (whether you’re drinking your tea hot or iced) gives your drink a wonderful flavor, but the possibilities don’t stop there. You could also add a little unexpected zip and flavor to coffee or, if you choose to… hot chocolate. Personally, I wouldn’t dare of adding anything to or taking anything away from a hot cocoa but to each their own!

In addition to adding a little fun personality to tea, I love the idea of adding a little flavored syrup to milkshakes or smoothies – especially in the winter when you have to use frozen fruit. They need the extra flavor a great syrup brings.

I’ve also used flavored syrup to sweeten homemade whipped topping for iced matchas and iced coffee drinks.

You can find Torani’s complete line of extraordinary syrups – and more! – on Amazon (Amazon link to Torani products). You can even find Torani Flavored Syrup with dispensers (Amazon link)!

Gorgeous Purple Dutch Oven… My Ideal Soup Pan!

October 31, 2022 By Joi Sigers

I couldn’t possibly be MORE in love with this Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven (Amazon link). Seriously, I’m half-certain it’s going to be a Christmas gift TO me, FROM me this year. I love the Amazon Basics brand (phenomenal quality at very, very reasonable prices) and the color (purple) is my absolute obsession.

If this particular color doesn’t float your boat (what are you thinking?!), know that this gorgeous Dutch oven comes in a wide variety of colors:

blue
gray
white
navy
red
pink
green
matte white
orange (very good looking)
teal
purple (some things are worth repeating)

Features:

6-quart cast iron Dutch oven pot for cooking and baking in the oven or on the stovetop; Oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Smooth enamel finish provides long-lasting durability and non-stick convenience
Cast iron provides even heat distribution and retention; Hand wash only
Dual side handles and fitted lid
Roast meat, bake bread, marinate food, sauté vegetables, prepare soups, stews, casseroles, and more
Backed by an Amazon Basics limited 1-year warranty

See Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven (Amazon link) for more information and to see the other gorgeous colors…. in addition to the stunning purple.

As Simple as it Gets Japanese Broth Soup (The Possibilities are Endless)

October 28, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Japanese Broth Soup with Maifun Rice Sticks

When I had to start eating gluten-free years ago (Celiac made the decision, not me), one of the things I missed most was Japanese food. Sushi, salad, and soup at one of my favorite restaurants became something I “used to enjoy.” Over the years I’ve looked for different options but it’s been pretty much one disappointment after another (gluten-free Japanese food is a wide-open field if any company wanted to pave the way!).

I always, always, always scour the Asian section at my favorite supermarkets for new products. Recently the magic words (“gluten-free”) caught my eye when I spied a box of Simply Asia Japanese Inspired Ramen Chicken Broth.

Into the cart it went! I envisioned rice noodles or rice sticks and green onions in what was going to be a quickly thrown-together lunch, so I grabbed a package of Dynasty Maifun Rice Sticks (Amazon link). I use these QUICK and easy noodles in so many cold salads and hot soups!

I came home and heated the broth, placed the rice sticks in warm water for about 10 minutes, then added them and some chopped green onion to the broth to simmer. I wish I had grabbed some Shitake mushrooms at the store, too, because very thinly-sliced mushrooms would have been amazing.

This broth is PHENOMENAL and the possibilities are honestly endless.

Check your favorite grocery section for the Simply Asia Japanese Broth (Amazon link) or click through and grab some on Amazon. The flavor will blow your mind.

The Makings of a Ridiculously Quick & Easy Japanese Soup (Gluten-Free!)

Healthy and Delicious New Favorite Snack

October 24, 2022 By Joi Sigers

I have a confession to make… I am, quite possibly, the biggest fan of crunchy & salty food in the entire world. My “sweet tooth” isn’t a problem – I’m fine with the occasional cookie, candy, or fudge and don’t feel I have to have it on a daily basis. Chips, pretzels, Funyuns, Fritos… these are my problematic friends! My brain and taste buds crave them (I’d wrestle a crocodile for a Dorito right about now).

I’m trying to simply keep healthier snacks on hand and turn to them when I feel the urge to snack. Fortunately I love fruit, healthy bars, and vegetables, so it goes pretty well – until, that is, I find myself face to face with the cute little bags of deliciousness at the grocery store. Somehow one or two seem to always follow me home.

I have happened upon a snack, however, that I have literally chosen over chips like 4 times in a row. I’m kind of astonished if we’re being honest.

My husband and I have been buying the Chobani Greek Yogurt you see pictured above for some time now. It’s simply incredible… never in a million years expected to be this infatuated with a yogurt, but here we are. I’ve found that adding just a little good honey (like one of my favorites, Nate’s 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey – Amazon link ) on top makes everything even better.

I’ve also started adding some chia seeds and Bob’s Red Mill Flaxseed Meal (Amazon link)… and often whatever fruit I have on hand. Berries, bananas, apples are all outstanding.

It’s a filling, wholesome snack that makes you feel like you’ve done something good for yourself instead of bad. I hope you’ll give this combo a try soon – it might just become your new favorite snack too!

Christmas Gnomes: Dishes, Bowls, Salt & Pepper Shakers, Candy Bowls, Cookie Jars…

October 22, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Gnome Sweet Gnome

Over the past three years, I have fallen head over heels in love with gnomes. I love them, I collect them.. quite frankly, they have my undying devotion, whether they know what to do with it or not.

I honestly have no idea where this infatuation started – after all, when it comes to Christmas collections, I’ve always been ALL about snowmen, Christmas bears, and gingerbread men… somewhere along the way, gnomes just joined the party.

The snowmen don’t seem to mind, so it’s all good.

When it came time to make the image for the food blog’s Christmas Gift Guide 2022, there was very little doubt who the guest-star would be. I also thought it perfectly fitting to start the whole shebang off with a post about Christmas Gnomes in the kitchen, so I’ve rounded up a great assortment of gift ideas for the kitchen – after all, there are a LOT of other gnome collectors out there.

You may even be one, yourself! If so… like me… you’ll want as many of these as you can get your mitts on for your Christmas table.

Click through any image or link for more information and a closer view. These are absolutely gorgeous and would surely bring a lot of joy and smiles to your gnome home. All of the links below are Amazon links. ~ Joi (“Joi”)

Bico Christmas Gnomes 11 inch Dinner Plates (Set of 4)

Bico Red Gnome Candy Bowl

Bico Red Christmas Gnome Cookie Jar

Bico Christmas Gnome Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

Bico Christmas Gnomes Ceramic Spoon Rest

Holiday Gnomes Doormat

More Christmas Gnomes are on Amazon (click through any of the Amazon links above or in the Amazon graphic below). I love all of them and am crazy about the fact that most (like the doormat above) can be used all winter.

Adorable Wilton Halloween Cookie Cutter Set PLUS Tips for Baking with Children

October 21, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Wilton Halloween Cookie Cutters (Amazon link)

While I have always loved to cook and bake, it have never been more enjoyable and rewarding for me than when I am in the kitchen with one of my daughters (when they were children or today!) or grandbabies.

Children make the entire affair messier, slower, and considered (by some anyway) to a bit less “Instagram-worthy” – however, they also make it all a perfect and absolute joy. More about cooking and baking with children in a moment, but first I want to show and tell you about a wonderful set of Halloween Cookie Cutters (Amazon link) from Wilton. They’re pictured above and in many of the photos shown below of me and Maddox (4) in action yesterday.

Halloween Cookies by Maddox!

His little brother Jacoby (3) fell asleep just as the cookies were coming together, so we plan to make more next week so he can take part. That ought to be worth the price of admission!

This adorable set of Halloween cookie cutters includes pumpkin, ghost, and candy corn shapes. We actually ran out of yellow food coloring, so we pivoted mid-cookie decorating and turned the “candy corn” into witches hats.

Pumpkins, Ghosts and an Unexpected Witch’s Hat

As Maddox said, “That works anyways!”

When we went shopping for our sugar cookie and icing ingredients, we grabbed some really pretty sparkly sprinkles for the ghosts… they’re very much glamour ghosts, you understand. Fortunately we (somehow!) still had some of the Wilton Sprinkles I told y’all about yesterday. Jacoby was (wide) awake for that one, so (trust me) having sprinkles left is thisclose to a miracle!

The Wilton Halloween Cookie Cutters (Amazon link) are extraordinary – VERY well-made and comfortable to use (for small hands and larger hands). Some cookie cutters are floppy and awkward, these are an absolute dream. I know they’ll be used for years and years and years with my grandbabies… all three will will make memories with me with these and that fills my heart with all kinds of sweet joy.

Tips for Baking with Children

Maddox Rolling Out the Dough

Through out boy/girl stereotypes. As a mother of three girls who always helped in the kitchen and three grandabies who are all boys (ages 2, 3, and 4… how cool is that?). I will admit that there are many things that are quite different between the two. However, cooking is wonderful fun for everyone! Helping clean up, afterward, isn’t quite as fun, but with the right energy, you can make it as fun as possible (putting on a song they love like “Monster Mash” helps). Never assume the little boy(s) in your family won’t enjoy cooking and baking just as much as the little girls. After all, think of all the male chefs in the world. Their passion very well may have started in the kitchen with their parents, aunts/uncles, or grandparents.
Supervise, don’t smother! When cooking with children, you want them to enjoy the experience… you want them to, hopefully, fall in love with both cooking and spending time with you. One sure way to keep that from happening is to criticize or hyper-direct their every move. Let them get creative…. let them do as many (safe) things by themselves as possible…. let them have an eye-level view of everything going on (a chair helps with the real short ones!)… let them have fun… and, for goodness sakes, let them be kids! When my girls were small and now with my grandbabies, I obviously knew that if I rolled the dough, it would be more even and if I chose the colors or did the icing, it would look more “professional” but where’s the fun in that?! Maddox decided halfway through the icing that he wanted some ghosts that were his favorite color (blue), so by gosh, we made that happen. He said they were “Sonic the Hedgehog ghosts” and he even put red shoes on one of them! Unfortunately, he bit the shoes off before I could get a picture (the shoeless Sonic ghost is pictures somewhere above.. just look for the bite marks!). If you make a child feel successful and confident, he/she will be much more inclined to want to pursue the interest. Make him/her feel like they’re letting you down or that you have to “correct” or “fix” their every move and you’re going to lose the cutest help you could ever hope for.
Obviously, keep them safe. This almost goes without saying, but I have to say it. Be sure they stay away from knives, hot pans, hot water, and the stove.
Use it (and everything!) as a FUN learning experience. Turn off the tv, apps, and the outside world and just live totally in the moment with your child(ren). Count cookies, use math, teach color combinations, shapes, etc. When making cookies, all sorts of opportunities for new words come up (rolling pin, flatten, dusting with flour…). I also love the fact that lessons for “planning” and “reasoning” comes up… for example, when cutting cookies, deciding which shape can be used as the dough dwindles down or which shape can be used the most often. Maddox figured out at one point (as I watched silently… the best learning is ALLOWED to happen after all) that turning the triangle shape “opposite” ways allowed him to keep from rolling the dough again…. not that he didn’t love doing that!

Maddox, Concentrating on His Ghosts!

Also, keep in mind that (to a very large degree) people love to be around us because of the way we make them feel. Make the children in your kitchen feel loved, welcome, and downright cherished!

I want to extend a large, heartfelt thank you to Wilton for sending me their WONDERFUL products in exchange for telling you about them. They helped me create extra special memories this Halloween and I know they will for many years to come.

Find Wilton’s Phenomenal Baking Products on Amazon (Amazon link).

Wilton Halloween Sprinkles and a SIMPLE Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

October 20, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Jacoby (3) With One of His Creations!

Two of my grandbabies and I made Peanut Butter Cookies recently and decided we simply HAD to use our Wilton Halloween Sprinkles on top… it is the Halloween season after all! Like all Wilton sprinkles, they’re perfectly delicious and have ZERO hint of an artificial flavor (some non-Wilton brands do taste a little artificial).

Peanut Butter Cookies and LOTS of Sprinkles

Our Gluten-Free 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Egg

SIMPLE Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix your ingredients – sugar, peanut butter, and egg – in a bowl. You don’t even need a mixer!
Spoon cookie dough into heaps onto an ungreased cookie sheet (use parchment paper for easier cleanup).
Cust fork in sugar and use the tines to make criss-cross pattern on each cookie before baking.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Do not overbake! They’re best soft.

Maddox (4) with Sprinkle Lips!

Now, obviously, you can use these sprinkles judiciously and make VERY eye-catching cookies, candies, pies, cupcakes, and cakes… but if you’re lucky enough to have little kitchen elves, you can make a joyful, chaotic, and beautiful creation!

Let the Sprinkles Rain AND Reign!

You can find a great number of Wilton sprinkles and sanding sugars (Amazon link) on Amazon. The one my little kitchen elves and I used, here, is available on their website and in stores.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds Make Fancy Pies Possible… Just in Time for Pie Baking Season!

October 15, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Pumpkin Pie

It’s here… Holy cats, it’s finally here! Pie season is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited. Making, baking, and eating pies is one of my favorite things in the world and this is basically my Super Bowl. Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Chess, Pecan (my favorite!), chocolate, apple… never met a pie yet I didn’t adore.

Having to eat gluten-free poses a bit of a challenge in most areas in the kitchen, but never more so than when it comes to bread and pastries. Gluten-free flours simply behave differently, period. Fortunately, I’m almost always up for a challenge, so I’ve stuck with them until I’ve mastered the situation.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds (Amazon link)

Making a Fancy Pie Crust

When it comes to making a pretty pie presentation, let’s fact it, most of us just don’t have the time or energy for all the fuss. The old-fashioned (and, let’s face it, pretty darn impressive) fork tines pressed around the edge serves most of us well. Yet, we often yearn for a real show-stopper pie on our table.

One of the most-respected names in the business, Wilton, has come to our rescue. I’m, by nature, a very brand-loyal person and this brand is one of the ones I have an unwavering devotion to.

Something about never being let down has something to do with it. Another thing I love about them is pictured right here in this post… they never stop or rest on their laurels. The creativity keeps flowing and they keep coming up with new tools to help home cooks and bakers make their dreams come true.

They make us look good and, by gosh, I love them for it.

These Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds are among their newest products and I absolutely love them. They’re incredibly easy to use (and reuse and reuse and reuse…), VERY well made and durable, and work like an absolute charm.

Back of a Pie Crust Mold Package

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Mold Features:

Create impressive pie crust designs with this silicone mold
Color: Red
Material: Silicone
10.5 x 5 in. (26.6 x 12.7 cm)
Top-rack dishwasher safe; however for best results, hand wash in warm soapy water before first and after each use; rinse and dry thoroughly

I was sent two of these wonderful pie crust molds in exchange for telling my food blog readers about them and I recently put them to use with my first pie of the season, a delicious pumpkin pie.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds

I made a double batch of pie crust, one for the pumpkin pie and one batch for “playing” with the molds! The photo of the pumpkin pie shows the fluted edge and a few of the cut outs I placed on top. For those of you who don’t have to eat gluten-free, you have it made in the shade… you can use store-bought pie crust dough and play all day! Those of us who have to make our own gluten-free dough have to be very judicious with our dough lmao!

Fortunately, these molds are so easy (and outrageously fun) to use that anyone can do it. Heck, I did it with my 4 year old and 3 year old grandbabies playing King Kong vs Godzilla all around me! I was even told at one point, “Be a Skull Crawler, MiMi!” so I did my best. I’m guessing skull crawlers roar and chomp their teeth?

Back of Pie Crust Mold Package

As you can see from the directions on the backs, the instructions are incredibly clear and straightforward – so easy a skull crawler can follow them.

I 100 percent recommend these molds for the best and most beautiful pies this Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re very thick, sturdy, and do an outstanding job. The dough doesn’t stick to the molds and you can let your creative juices really flow.

Please click through for more information:

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds (Amazon link) – This link goes to the Pie Crust Mold pictured first, the one with a gorgeous apple pie on the front.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Mold – This link goes to Wilton’s website where you can find the mold set with the leaves (the one pictured second!) – This one doesn’t appear to be on Amazon, unfortunately.

I hope you’ll click through either link and give these a try. I just love them so much! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Pumpkin Pie

A Couple of Delicious “Healthy Snack” Finds

September 19, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Healthy Snacks On Hand – Half the Battle!

As I’ve talked (and talked, and talked, and talked…) about before, the Pandemic served as a wakeup call to all of us. The healthier you ARE, the better your chances will be when something frightfully unexpected comes along. When we’re at a healthy weight and have our vitamin levels where they should be, it gives us the edge we need when it comes to fighting off viruses. Obviously, anyone can get sick.. BUT when you’re in the best health you can be, your chances of recovering quickly and completely are much better.

I mean, a lot of it’s just good old-fashioned common sense, isn’t it?!

I’ve seen more healthy snacks and foods over the past few years and I think it’s outstanding. I wish fast food restaurants would follow the healthy-eating trend and offer better meals and sides. It’s all but impossible to eat a completely healthy meal in a fast food restaurant and that’s a real shame… and Heaven help you if you have to eat gluten-free! I mean, McDonald’s doesn’t even offer side salads anymore and another of my favorite restaurants (Culver’s) puts croutons right on their pre-packaged salads. I would LOVE if they’d stop that madness and just made their gorgeous looking salads available, safe for all of us to eat.

While we can’t (obviously) control everything a fast food (or sit down) restaurant offers, we can absolutely control what food we have in our own kitchen. Not only do I want to, personally, eat healthier, I want my entire family to eat healthier – including my grandbabies (ages 2, 3, and 4). Keeping healthy foods that are also delicious is something I spend a lot of time thinking about and striving for.

While favorites like bananas, apples, strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, carrots, celery, cucumbers, and salad-makings are always on hand, I also like to have tasty new things for all of us to enjoy. Let’s face it, snacking IS going to happen – whether it’s while watching tv, coming in from work (or school), or simply a case of, “I’m a little bit hungry… let’s see what’s in the kitchen..” snacks are both okay and expected – we just have to be smart about them!

Within the past two weeks, I have come across three different healthy snacks and wanted to tell you about them.

First off, Luna Mash-Up Bars – they come in Lemonzest + Raspberry (pictured above) and Lemonzest + Blueberry and they’re outstanding. I buy both regularly (Kroger and Target carry them) and even my grandbabies love them.

Another healthy snack I’ve found is Genuine Coconut Coconut Chunks (Amazon link). These are so delicious, it’s absolutely unreal. They’re basically like someone has taken a fresh coconut and cut the deliciousness into convenient little squares for you. While I enjoy mine straight out of the bag, they’d also be ridiculously good in a smoothie bowl or bowl of oatmeal.

I found these coconut chunks at Kroger – I haven’t seen them in any other stores, yet.

The Genuine Coconut Coconut Chunks (Amazon link) are also available on Amazon – in fact, they’re available in several different flavors (I’ve only seen the one above in stores around here). As for the Luna Mash-Ups Lemonzest + Raspberry Bar pictured, I can’t find it on Amazon, but they DO have another delicious variety, the Luna Mash-ups Lemonzest + Blueberry (Amazon link). It’s every bit as delicious as the Raspberry flavor.

All Luna bars and products are outrageously delicious but these new mash-ups may just be their best item yet. Seriously, I’m addicted!