When I was sent a package from Eat Me Guilt Free, the high protein low carb products, I was a bit skeptical.  I received the following:

1 loaf of protein bread

1 chocolate cake mix

1 package of protein tortillas

1 box of assorted low carb brownies

Of course I ripped open the brownies immediately. Not knowing what to expect – they looked delicious – I took a bite. It was a little dry however it tasted good. So I put the remainder of the box in the refrigerator and the next day when I tasted a couple of the flavors, they were not as dry as my original bite. I do not know why this made a difference, but it did. I tasted several flavors that were included: 2 of each PB Bliss, Tuxedo, Red Velvet, Chocolate, Galaxy, and Birthday Cake. All I can say is “Yummy.” My favorite is the Birthday Cake. It is not chocolate yet it is really delicious. The chocolate flavors are good too, however do not expect Hershey’s super sweet chocolate. These are wonderful replacements for anyone who is watching their calories and/or carbs and boosting their protein intake (which is what my doctor advised me to do!) and still want something sweet.

The package of tortillas was a little different experience. Normally I love to eat a flour tortilla by itself or heated with butter and salsa, but for this test I tried the tortilla alone. The flavor was a little bland. Heating it in the microwave and spreading salsa on it helped. And knowing it is low-carb with zero sugar is a bonus.

The chocolate cake mix was easy to make, although I chose to make 12 cupcakes instead of one large cake. And it does not come with frosting so I added some along with sprinkles. By adding the frosting I did add a bit more calories and carbs but not too much. The cake itself without frosting is tasty but with the frosting no one could tell it was a low carb high protein cupcake. And I gave them to several people for honest opinions. Here is what these women said: “It’s delicious.” “It’s a bit dry but very good.” “It’s delicious and not too sweet.” “I would make it.”  “Dry, but OK.” So in the end, the cake (cupcakes) was a hit. When they learned the cupcakes were low carb and high protein they were amazed. This was especially important to those who were watching their sugar intake too.

 

The bread, on the other hand, was not my favorite because I do not like textured bread and this bread is nutty and requires biting a lot. I spread some butter on the top and it tasted good, yet I was still not happy with the texture. People who are used to grainy bread probably won’t mind this, and knowing it is high in protein and low in carbs will help.

Parents will undoubtedly gravitate to these products for the health of their children. High carbohydrates are not healthy and neither are foods high in sugars. Also, adding protein to a child’s diet is always encouraged.

 

In these days when everyone is watching their carbs and even going Keto, with the Eat Me Guilt Free products as replacements for grocery shelf items, it is easy to stay on low carb high protein regimen. Without giving up flavor you can still have cake (or cupcakes), brownies, bread, and tortillas. And like it says in the name, they are guilt free.

 

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

With so many devices these days we are constantly recharging them. Sometimes it is frustrating to wait for an iPhone to charge completely before unplugging it and leaving the house. And a fully charged phone or tablet or MacBook is important. Who wants to be in the middle of something only to have the battery die?

 

The mophie speedport 67 is the fastest way to charge an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro, and it is small, lightweight, and easy to put in a purse, backpack, or pocket. With prongs that fold into the unit, there nothing sticking out to snag on anything. It is just a little larger than an airpod charger.

Mophie uses the Gallium Nitride Technology. This GaN technology provides faster charging. This unit, the speedport 67, delivers 67W of power. There is also a speedport 30 which lists for $44.95 and is just a bit slower, but still very fast charging. The unit itself is also smaller, if that is a consideration for you.

 

Simply plug the unit into a wall outlet and connect it to your device. In a short time you will have a fully charged phone, tablet, or MacBook and you’re ready to get back to work (or playing your favorite game).

 

The mophie speedport 67 is designed for USB-C Devices, MacBook Air (2020), iPad, iPhone, and Apple Devices. It does not work with lightning cables so check your device to make sure it is USB-C compatible. ($69.95)  Yes, I did test it and yes, it is quite a bit faster than my old way of charging.

 

The mophie wireless charging hub is another handy little unit. It’s compact and has the ability to wireless charge one device while at the same time charging three additional devices via the power ports. Say goodbye to all those separate charging units. With this hub you can easily connect four devices at one time. And the speed is fast at 20W for the USB-C port and up to 10W on the wireless surface.

Having one port on my desk that quickly charges several devices at once is a bonus when it comes to the world of technology. We all have several devices that always need charging and usually at the most inconvenient time, and also at the same time. How many times have you been somewhere and had to wait for one device to charge before charging your second device? It has happened to me more times than I can count. ($69.95)

Check with the website for compatibility.

Security professionals have warned against charging your devices on public ports. With these two units it is easy to take your personal charging units with you to keep your private information safe and less likely to be stolen. And that is another great advantage of these chargers from mophie.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. Follow her on Twitter.

Wine connoisseurs know that aerating wine is a must. Aeration increases oxidation, which softens the tannins. Aerating a bottle of wine also assists the liquid in releasing the aroma, and we all know aroma is important.

This cool design doesn’t detract from the bottle. As a matter of fact, being clear it is almost invisible. Yet it still performs as it should. And besides aerating the wine, it also acts as a decanter. Yep, you can aerate your delicious bottle of vino then pour a glass of your favorite wine, whether it is red or white. Some wine experts say it is not necessary to aerate white wine because white wines have less tannins than red, however if you are a white wine lover, give it a try and see if you get a more robust scent and flavor.

 

Oxygenated wine makes a difference. If you watch movies and some cocky/snooty guy who wants to impress his girl asks if the waiter let the wine breathe, well, that implies oxygenation.

This little item can easily be transported with you when you take a bottle of wine to a picnic. It is lightweight and makes pouring the beverage easy without any drips. And let me tell you, sometimes red wine stains cannot be removed. (Just look at my beautiful yellow dress that is now spotted with dark burgundy splotches!)

 

Businesses can have their logo imprinted on the aerator. Imprinting names on the item makes this a great gift. Think about a housewarming gift, a hostess gift, a promotion gift, or whatever. Making it personal adds a special touch. Just contact the company for pricing information about imprinting a wine aerator.

 

Another great aspect of this handy little tool is that the vinOair Wine Aerator is made in the USA. Hallelujah.

 

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

The animated film Encanto is taking the world by storm. With its colorful scenery – and casita – as well as the beautiful costumes and endearing story, the movie has become an instant classic for Disney fans. At the heart of the story is Mirabel, a fifteen-year-old girl who is a little different than the rest of her family. They each have special magical powers but Mirabel does not. However even without magic, this little hero manages to save her family and her house.

The new plush doll stands about 18 inches high. Her dress is bright and colorful with beautiful embroidery depicting aspects of the story. Mirabel’s name is embroidered on the waistband and her family name is on her skirt. The background is a rich teal with fuchsia, bright green, orange, yellow, and turquoise embroidery making it exceptionally bright and colorful.

Mirabel’s face has her iconic green glasses embroidered on it and she sports a big, wide smile. Just looking at her it is almost impossible not to smile or feel happy. She is the epitome of happiness.

Her dark hair has some soft ribbon curls framing her face. Her hair is also soft and plush so this doll is appropriate for very young kids. The hair does not need brushing. It can be squished and hugged and not lose its style.

Is she soft and cuddly? Yes to both. And she is larger than many other plush dolls.

The shopDisney website has a singing Mirabel doll as well, and as of this writing the plush is sold out however please check back often to see when it will be back in stock. She is definitely worth waiting for.

This plush Mirabel will brighten up any room, bed, or bookshelf. And young fans of the movie will enjoy sleeping with her as well as taking her in the car on those errands with mom or dad. I can see this happy little doll becoming a child’s best friend. Who can resist the happiness and joy she inspires?

Mirabel is sitting on my desk as I write and whenever I look at her I have to smile. We all need some happiness and joy and Mirabel delivers. And no, Disney is not paying me for this review. I genuinely think this plush is well made, colorful, and inspiring.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

 

 

Just when you thought there is not new way to highlight your favorite Disney movies, the folks at shopDisney have a surprise. Their VHS line of products reimagines the fun of some classic Disney films that are perfect for decorating any room or simply enjoying the magic of the stories.

 

The films highlighted so far in this collection are Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Toy Story, A Goody Movie, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Monsters, Inc., The Lion King, Dumbo, 101 Dalmatians, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The updated VHS boxes have the original artwork on the covers and the sides have the name of the film, so they fit right in on a bookshelf or in a home entertainment cabinet.

The magnetic case opens to reveal a surprise inside. Tucked into the case is a fun plush character to go along with the film. What a great present for a fan to celebrate their favorite movie. It’s easy to display the carton semi open to reveal the little plush, or simply closed to highlight the artwork from the movie.

The plush are not super plush (they have to be somewhat flat to fit inside the box) but they are adorable and decked out in their finest.

The plush assortment includes the Beast (adorable with a little bird perched on his head), a three-eyed Alien, Pumba (with Timon perched on his head), Dumbo (holding a feather with his trunk), Sully, Goofy, the Genie, Pooh (with his honey pot), Patch, and Quasimodo. They are each adorable so deciding which one to get will be difficult. They are stuffed with soft stuffing and are suitable for even babies as there is nothing that will easily come off of the plush characters.

Pin collectors can get the VHS replica box with two pins inside instead of the plush. ($29.99) But let’s face it, those plush are lovable.

Parents can put additional items in the boxes too. Perhaps your child just lost a tooth. Maybe add a little something from the Tooth Fairy inside the box as a special surprise. Or you might want to put tickets to a concert or something else imaginative that will add some additional excitement and fun to giving a present. Even if you don’t add anything, the little plush will be adored by everyone. And this display box will never go out of style. It is the best way to bring some Disney magic to your home.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

Sensitivity to light is a common problem for many people. Migraine sufferers are especially affected by light. And people with autoimmune diseases have light sensitivity as well as eye problems. One of the ways to lessen light sensitivity is with the Allay Lamp. It was featured in our Holiday Gift Guide and is something that can benefit people of all ages, even if you do not suffer from any of the above medical problems.

First, what is the Allay Lamp? It is a portable rechargeable lamp that emits soothing green light. We’ve all heard that blue light affects our sleep prompting experts to warn against having laptops and screens on in the bedroom before going to sleep. But with green light the brain is calmed. A calmer brain leads to faster and better sleep, and we all know that having a good night sleep can help our moods and how we feel.

Pregnant women and new parents suffer from sleep problems and deprevation. Even though we get tired, sometimes shutting down our minds is a difficult task. Take note: the wavelengths of this green light help calm the mind and help people get a better sleep. And what new parent can resist a better sleep?

As a migraine sufferer who has extreme light sensitivity, this is a product I was eager to try. The green light has definitely been helpful when it comes to trying to sleep while fighting a migraine. But more than that, being someone who also has autoimmune diseases, this is a useful item. My eyes are often in pain. People cannot imagine what it is like when eyes hurt. I’m not talking about having an eyelash or something else in my eye. I have real major pain behind and around my eyes, due to my disease. This lamp emits a soothing green light that does not make my pain worse (like regular light) and it even soothes my eyes. As a matter of fact, it relieves much of the eye pain. Hallelujah.

So how does this light work? It is rechargeable and comes with a micro USB plug. Once charged, place the palm of your hand over the top of the cylindrical lamp to turn it on. Adjusting the intensity is simply a matter of sliding a finger over the top. The lamp also comes with a click-on shade to focus the light in a specific direction. Or, you can remove the shade and have a full cylinder of soothing light.

If you need regular light, simply flip the cylinder over and voila, you have a normal white light. This light can also be dimmed as well as used with the shade.

The difference between blue light and green light is simple. Blue light energizes the brain and green light calms the brain. Think of all the times you have stayed in bed with a racing mind. The narrow band of green wavelengths quiets neurons in the brain, which helps lead to sleep. And sleep is necessary for all of us. The manufacturer recommends using the green light for at least 30 minutes and two hours for ultimate calming.

New parents, pregnant women, migraine sufferers, and autoimmune patients were the focus for inventing this unique lamp. However it is not solely for those people. Students can gain benefits from this as well. Studying and preparing for exams can cause anxiety and lead to sleepless nights. The calming Allay Lamp can help. Kids who are concerned about things or anxious and eager for the next day can also benefit from a good night sleep, and that is what this lamp does. It promotes a calmer brain leading to better sleep.

Discovered by Harvard migraine researcher Rami Burstein, the Allay has been a useful tool for people around the world. And it is based on science. So if you have problems falling asleep, turn off everything in your bedroom and turn on the Allay Lamp. Let the patented narrow-band green wavelengths calm your mind.

There is a 40-day return policy so it is worth trying. It is a little pricey yet with the return policy you have nothing to lose. And if it helps with any of your problems, then it is worth twice the price! As I mentioned earlier, I do suffer from several illnesses that affect my eyes. So this has been a product that I have tried and can recommend. By calming my eyes – and my brain – the symptoms are greatly diminished. Finally there is something that helps – without medications.

I want to stress the benefit of this lamp for pregnant women. For a healthy baby it is necessary for the mother-to-be to be calm and not stressed. And it is also important for a pregnant woman to get enough sleep. But worrying about the future can lead to problems falling asleep. And once the baby arrives, think about putting this lamp in the nursery. If it calms the brains of adults, it can do the same for babies. Pregnancy is often troublesome, with nausea and other issues. It’s just part of the process. However, anything we can do to alleviate some of the discomfort to be able to enjoy the months is welcome. This is one tool pregnant women can come to rely on. And without drugs, it is definitely something that is healthy for mom and baby. And after birth, well, let’s just say it keeps on helping everyone in the family. Give it a try. With their return policy you have nothing to lose.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.