Eattiamo Review

One of the best ways to experience a country is through their food.  We basically ate our way through Italy because everything we ordered ended up being delicious.  Every time I see Bolognese sauce on a menu, I think back to that small restaurant in Sienna we went to after attending the horse race of Palio.  Eattiamo, an Italian food subscription box, is the perfect way to bring Italy right to your kitchen.  Take a peek at this amazing box and see how we “traveled” to Italy without leaving our home.

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

I loved getting the whole family in the kitchen together to make a meal.  We opened a bottle of chianti, put on some Italian music, and gave everyone a task of chopping, stirring, measuring, and tasting.  I love that it brought up many memories of Italy for my husband and I and it made Italy number one on my girls’ Travel Bucket List.

Although the box gives you ingredients to make an entire meal (including an appetizer and something sweet for the end) it also gives you the leeway to show your creativity.  We added some things to the menu and removed some to make it a better fit for our family. It was the perfect way to spend a Friday night together.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

ITALIAN DETOX FOOD BASKET ($79)

This box was perfect because I was just finishing a 10-day health shred, which focused on the importance of eating well. We loved preparing this Italian feast when we got to the lake. It was the perfect way to spend the night in the kitchen together. Fireplace was lit and a bottle of chianti was opened. What else could we need?

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15 Cookbooks that Inspire Travel

One of the best things about travel is the FOOD! Eating local cuisine can tell you a lot about the culture.  Being Portuguese, I know that lots of love goes into our food and that the best memories are made around a dining room table.  Since we’re not using our passports right now, a great way to “travel” is to discover new places through their food.  I love to gather my family in the kitchen, put on some music, and start giving everyone a task of chopping, measuring, stirring, and tasting.  Here are a few of my favorite cookbooks.

Here are 15 cookbooks that will inspire you to travel the world:

PORTUGAL: Taste Portugal 101 Easy Portuguese Recipes (Volume 1)

(I can’t wait to buy her second book!)

by Maria Dias

SPAIN: Catalan Food: Culture and Flavors from the Mediterranean

by Clarkson Potter

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Puzzle Culture Review

My family has never been into puzzles until the pandemic hit.  All of the sudden our friends started posting completed puzzles on Facebook and raving about how fun they are.  We had to see what all the fuss was about and I’m glad we did because it really is a fun way to pass the time together.  It’s neat to see we all have different methods of completing our sections.  I love finding things that both adults and teenagers can get excited about.   We were thrilled when the subscription box, Puzzle Culture, sent us one of their amazing boxes.  It is such a unique box that helps families slow down and create memories together.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM

Puzzle Culture is such a great concept because the box revolves around a specific artist each month.  Everything in that box connects to the theme in the painting.  It makes you feel like you’ve walked into a museum. (Boy, I can’t wait to do that again!) I also love that the box is gender-neutral, so my husband doesn’t feel left out. (Which can happen in a house with 3 females!)

WHAT COMES IN EVERY BOX?

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Hunt a Killer

Our family loves mysteries, crime shows, and sitting around watching reruns of Criminal Minds.  We try to solve each case and love figuring out the clues.  We were so excited to find out there are subscription boxes, like Hunt a Killer, that allow you to play detective.  With these boxes you can  gather around your kitchen island, sett up a crime board, and scour over all the evidence. Here is one of the boxes we’ve discovered:

Hunt a Killer

WHY YOU WILL LOVE HUNT A KILLER

Hunt A Killer is an immersive murder mystery game told over the course of six “episodes” or boxes.  After you receive the box, you can examine the evidence to uncover critical clues, corroborate alibis, create timelines, and identify each suspect’s means, motive, and opportunity. Since each box takes between 90 minutes to three hours to complete, it makes for a fun, memorable night at home.

WHAT DID WE GET?

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Mindful Chakra Care

Mindful Chakra Care

Throughout the past year, I have been studying more about meditation and learning about our chakra. I have even started doing Yoga Nidra. I am so excited to have found Mindful Chakra Care!

There are 7 major Chakra centers of the physical body, where vital energy flows and intersects.  Through our Chakras, we transmit and receive physical, emotional, and spiritual energy.  The chakras are manifested in one’s physical state.  The ideal is to have all chakra centers clear, balanced, and vitalized for optimal well-being.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT MINDFUL CHAKRA CARE

Mindful Chakra Care has all the products you need to help with your meditation. It has amazing products such as crystals, jewelry, essential oil diffusers, harmony balls, yoga mats, chakra stones, and much more.

 Want more information about the 7 chakras? Check out their website to read all about each one.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

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Celebrate States

Celebrate States

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

One of the best things about travel is getting to know your destination.  You can learn a lot about the place by eating their food and using products made by local artists.  Celebrate States lets you “travel” around the US and explore each state.  Each box is packed full of items that will make you feel like you’ve packed up your suitcase and traveled across the country.

I love that they really give you a feel of each state…a difficult task when a state can be diverse.  When you are done using the box you actually feel like you know that state.  I also like the way each box makes you want to travel there.  It tempts you to want to explore it more.

You know I love a company that supports their communities and family-owned businesses. Celebrate States boxes are packed full of fun items from small businesses.  You will receive 6-7 full sized items that include food, beauty, and home goods. The boxes also contain interactive material and travel material about the state. I love when kids have fun while learning.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

Nevada Box

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Solo Travel…15 Things You Can Do Alone

Solo travel can be intimidating but also good for the whole family. I love my kiddos but it’s also nice to get away and have some “Me Time.”  My kids don’t mind because they know I recharge, regroup, relax and come back with much more patience.  My husband doesn’t see the fun in traveling alone and often asks me why I’d want to do it.  Friends seem shocked when I tell them I’m doing a solo trip and ask me if I’m bored and what I could possibly do while I’m there to entertain myself. 

Here are 15 things you can do when traveling alone:

 

 Dinner

 You’ve got to eat so why not make the most of it.  This trip is all about you so find something the rest of your family may not enjoy.  I always find it’s the perfect time for sushi, Thai, or Indian, since not everyone in my family will eat it.  It is also a great time to get room service, pour a glass of wine, and eat pizza in bed without anyone asking if they can have a bite!

Get Lost

  I plan everything out when I’m on a trip but when I’m alone I often leave down time to wander the streets or take a drive to see where it will lead me.  I’m open to changes in plans and welcome last-minute adventures.

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February Product Round Up

It’s that time again…Product Roundup!! Time to share some products that I love!  Take a peek at some of the products we’ve been using and loving.  We love supporting small businesses! Check them out!

Keenan Shamrocks and Shenanigans

(Handmade Keychain Wristlets and Chapstick Holders)

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

You know I love a company that cares about their community.  When Covid-19 hit, Kelly focused all her energies on making mask donations. She lost count around 1,500.

No one wants to be searching in their purse looking for their keys during a pandemic.  I try to make as little contact as possible with my stuff when I’m out shopping.  Kelly has so many design options and is constantly adding more.  (I love the buffalo plaid ones!) She loves working with people to create a special order especially for them. They would make great gifts since they’re so versatile.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

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Appalachian Mercantile

Appalachian Mercantile

WHY WILL TRAVELERS LOVE THEM?

Since many of us have put a pause on traveling, we have had to get creative with our “travels.” One unique way of exploring different regions of the US is through a subscription box like Appalachian Mercantile. Appalachia is a vast and picturesque region that boasts 420 counties across 13 states and spans 205,000 square miles from southern New York to northern Mississippi.

When you sign up for their mercantile subscription box you receive a carefully curated selection of Appalachian artisan products monthly. Each box varies with seasonal foods, crafts and home & bath items from Appalachia. You’ll learn about each artisan and, a recipe is included. Each box will make you feel like you have headed out on vacation.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

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Boston Common Coffee

During this past year, my friends have all become OBSESSED with a local coffee brewing company called Boston Common Coffee.  What drove them to fall in love with this company? The fact that they were delivering fresh coffee grinds and cold brew straight to their doorsteps during a pandemic made them an instant hit among my town. They would rave about the taste and convenience. I couldn’t wait to get back to town and try them out and I’m SO HAPPY I finally got the chance.  You have no idea how happy I was when I opened my door on a snowy February morning to find a package from them.  I can’t wait to show you what I got.

BUT FIRST…A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COMPANY

Boston Common Coffee is a local, New England company but it ships their products all around the US. In 2019 the company was sold to David Croteau and Kevin Dogherty. As entrepreneurs, they wanted to re-invent the company to focus on online sales, wholesale coffee, cold brew, office coffee services, and charity fundraising through coffee sales. Their main goal is to maintain these high standards for their product and service.  I know their company is going to be a huge success!

OK, OK…LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT I GOT!

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