Zatik Naturals Organic Extracts: Here’s to Health and Wellness in 2019

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It takes a lot to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Most people don’t get past the three-month marker on their New Year resolutions. Reasons may be time, financial, or just life getting in the way as it tends to. But you can take small steps to a better health and wellness lifestyle in the new year. If you don’t have the time or the budget to go to the gym or buy organic foods, there are steps to a healthier lifestyle. Essential oils and extracts have taken over the wellness and beauty industries in 2018 and there’s no stopping in it in 2019. When we were younger, it was mandatory to take health aids such as castor oil, turmeric, etc, every morning. We thought we’d revisit that old ritual with these organic extracts from Zatik Naturals. We’ve been trying out Zatik Naturals Black Seed Supercritical Liquid and Turmeric Supercritical Liquid; keep reading to get acquainted with both of these wellness wonders below:

Black Seed Supercritical Liquid, 1.0 oz – $24.00 and 6.76 oz – $39.00

A golden-hued, premium quality, cold-pressed Organic Egyptian Black Cumin Seed oil that is highly anti-inflammatory, certified organic, and is created with supercritical CO2 extraction method. (Note: Zatik Naturals uses CO2 extraction to efficiently produce high quality, ultra-concentrated extracts.) We started using this 2 1/2 weeks ago. It’s still a bit early to ascertain benefits (they usually say give anything you try a minimum of 4 weeks to see results), but we do notice a reduction of how many migraines we’ve had. We also find we’re waking up feeling more refreshed and energized (and we’re not morning people).

Turmeric Supercritical Liquid, 1.0 oz, $26.00

Turmeric Supercritical liquid

Turmeric is highly prized for its high nutrient content and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The market is currently inundated with Turmeric based products. What makes Zatik Naturals’ Turmeric Supercritical liquid stand out from the rest? Its supercritical form and the fact that is blended with black seed oil. We’re 2 weeks into using this and we have seen a decrease in our migraines. We know with longer use, the benefits to our bodies will increase and we can’t wait to see the other positive ways our bodies react.

All Zatik Naturals ingredients are vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, soy free, alcohol-free, ph balanced, biodegradable, and certified organic. Every product is made in small, limited batches and also rated clean on the EWG Skin DEEP database.

If you’re looking to jumpstart your wellness journey or just kick it into overdrive, you should definitely get to know these wonderful Zatik Naturals organic extracts.

Perfect Pumpkin Recipes

Perfect Pumpkin Recipes To Use Well After the Fall Season

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Pumpkin is a harvest classic and shows up in many iconic fall dishes. But just because pumpkin is frequently used in autumn dishes doesn’t mean you can’t use it later in the year as well. Here are a few ways to make use of this healthy vegetable in baked goods throughout the year, even in some dishes that might not be quite as healthy, but just as delicious. Keep reading for three Pumpkin recipes to enjoy well past the fall season.

Pumpkin Rolls

Pumpkin Roll Photo from Food Network

This take on a dessert classic is perfect for a rich treat the whole family will love. Pumpkin rolls incorporate pumpkin puree into a layer of pumpkin cake, spread with a layer of ice cream, and then rolled to create a swirl in the center of the dessert. It’s great for the holidays, but there’s no reason you can’t indulge in this sweet year-round.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Photo from POPSUGAR

Chocolate chip cookies are a classic dessert that is sure to please every palette. Adding pumpkin and a bit of pumpkin pie spice takes this common cookie jar staple and adds a bit of a harvest flavor to it. Experiment with the spices if you’re not a fan of pumpkin pie to find a combination that’s perfect for your personal tastes.

Pumpkin-Parmesan Biscuits

Pumpkin-Parmesan Biscuits Photo From Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen

Not all pumpkin foods have to be sweet to be utterly delicious. Parmesan can add the perfect savory taste to accompany the pumpkin in this hearty side. The flavor pairing is complex but goes perfectly with the many hearty main dishes of winter.

Before doing any baking with pumpkin, make sure to account for the high water content of this ingredient. Pumpkins are 90 percent water, so be sure to properly prepare your pumpkin ingredients before incorporating into any baked good, or it might throw off the moisture content of your final product.

Even if pumpkin is typically used for fall classics, it can be an excellent ingredient to make use of year-round that adds excellent depth of flavor to many baked goods. What are your thoughts on these Pumpkin recipes? How will you make use of this unique vegetable in your future baking?

Brooklyn Bites Cookie Brittle

Brooklyn Bites Cookie Brittle: Healthy & Delicious Snacks You Will Enjoy

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Now that Christmas Eve is over and Santa has gotten his cookies, we hope you saved some for yourself. If you haven’t, we have a great range of cookies for you and your family to indulge this holiday season. As you head out to take advantage of the after Christmas sales, make sure you pick up a bag or two of Brooklyn Bites Cookie Brittle. Available in a nice variety of six delicious flavors, Brooklyn Bites Cookie Brittle, is a healthier yet delicious specialty treat. The only cookie brittle available in the market that is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. They are also made without white sugar, eggs, or preservatives. What more can you ask for in a delicious snack?

Made with gluten-free oats instead of white flour, these thin, vegan-friendly cookies are a delicious way to snack. This is especially important if you’ve overindulged this Christmas. Other high-quality ingredients include coconut oil, low-glycemic coconut sugar, and almond milk. Treat yourself to decadent, guilt-free bites of deliciousness like Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Crunchy Creamy Pretzel, Chocolate Nutty Sea Salt, Coco Crispy Rice, Chocolate Lovers Delight, and White Chocolate Brownie (not pictured). Each flavor is 110 calories or less per serving.

Brooklyn Bites Cookie Brittle

The Brooklyn Bites Cookie Brittle was created by mother-and-daughter-duo, Sara Bibi and Barbara Dayan. With one bite, we know you will love this latest launch from this woman-owned, healthy artisan snack and treat company. Trust us when we say you certainly won’t miss the bad ingredients.

The Brooklyn Bites cookie brittle flavors are currently available at several retail locations. These include Wegmans, Fairway Market, Best Market, Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, Westside Market NYC, 7-Eleven NYC, and more than 150 gourmet and specialty retailers. The cookie brittle will also soon be available at Kings Marketplace, Balducci’s, Shoprite, Giant Eagle, Market District and many more. They are also available on the company’s website for $7.99 for a 6-ounce package.

Bokksu Tasting: An Evening with the Ambassador of Japanese Snacks

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During the summer we introduced you to Bokksu, the ultimate foodie’s guide to Japanese snacks and a great gift idea for snack food lovers. Well, we’re back to remind you why it makes such a great gift during the holiday season; and to highlight meeting Bokksu Founder Danny Taing, the Ambassador of Japanese Snacks.

We enjoyed an evening of sushi, sake, and of course Bokksu snacks. We had the delicious opportunity to try some of Bokksu’s exclusive snacks, all of which are not available outside of Japan. It was wonderful to speak with fellow Bokksu fans, some of whom hold unboxing get-togethers, enjoy the variety of wonderful snacks; and meet the man behind the exclusive subscription snack box.

Some of the Japanese snacks we enjoyed include Green Tea Cream Sandwich, an assortment of Foliage Rice Crackers, Edamame Rice Crackers, Matcha Chocolate Covered Azuki Beans, Kinako Mochi, and Olive oil Salt Senbei.

Along with the above-pictured snacks, we also enjoyed exclusive snack reveals from their November and December holiday boxes. These artisan snacks included the White Chocolate Strawberry, the world’s first chocolate-infused strawberry. It is a delectable organic strawberry which has been carefully preserved with and infused with White Chocolate for a delicately tart and sweet confection, unlike anything you have tasted; handmade Apple Hard Candy, and Sweet Potato Langue De Chat.

Last but certainly not least was the Holiday Bokksu “Snow Festival” snack box, a Limited Edition Bokksu x Bento&Co. box featuring Hokkaido delicacies. The Holiday Bokksu is the first to feature a pristine white and gold box, with limited edition gourmet Bento boxes available. Hokkaido, due to its unique climate and agricultural focus, is renowned for its wide variety of gourmet cuisines and artisanal delicacies.

The December Bokksu features innovative new snacks including the Mimosa of Snow White Chocolate and Cheddar Cheese bars, alongside all-star favorite Bokksu classics such as the White Strawberry (pictured above). Delicate melt in your mouth savory snacks includes the Milk Mochi and the Potato Butter Rice Crackers. The Holiday Bokksu also includes their brand new private label Mikon Orange Candy and a warming Hojicha Green Tea Latte pairing from gourmet maker Hoshino. You can purchase the holiday Bokksu as a subscription or by itself.

The Limited Edition Bokksu x Bento&Co. with a collectible Bento box – $79.00
The Classic Bokksu – $39.00 (less with subscription)
Tasting Bokksu – $25.00 (less with subscription)

What do you think of these delicious snack offerings from the Ambassador of Japanese Snacks? Will Bokksu be added to your holiday gift list for the foodies in your life?

New York Welcomes the 1st EVER Jarlsberg Pop-Up at Sockerbit

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Jarlsberg Cheese, the nationally recognized brand of cheese with a mild, mellow and nutty taste is celebrating over 60 years of its Norwegian heritage. New York is the chosen location for the first-ever Jarlsberg Pop-Up at the wildly popular Swedish candy store, Sockerbit. Located in the West Village, the candy store is transformed into a Nordic cheese haven.

Jarlsberg’s roots go back to 1956 when their original recipe was developed in Norway. Their cheese is known around the world for their nutty, mild flavor and large holes. As one of Norway’s most iconic brands, Jarlsberg connected with Sockerbit’s Scandinavian style – “Sweet & Swedish” meets “Nutty & Norwegian” became a natural, fun fit! Learn about Jarlsberg’s rich history and their cheese making process.

The Jarlsberg Pop-Up is open from now through October 7th; visit this fun pop-up to enjoy samples and pairing advice at the Tasting Table; inspiration on creating your best cheeseboard ever; and plenty of other tasty treats. Their Tasting Table features Jarlsberg cheese plate inspiration by Brooklyn based food blogger, Marissa Mullen. Visitors to the Jarlsberg Pop-Up can also watch Marissa build two fabulous cheese plates on September 29th from 4 pm – 6 pm, which attendees will then have a chance to sample.

“We are thrilled to be debuting our first ever Jarlsberg pop up store In NYC,” says Valerie Liu, Marketing Manager for Jarlsberg.  “Some of life’s best moments revolve around enjoying food with family and friends – and we can’t wait to share amazing cheese plates and pairing concepts to inspire your next special occasion.”

With high-end cheese wares provided by BOSKA Holland, this Nordic trio comes together to create a memorable and delicious experience. Not only will you be able to enjoy samples, but you can purchase Jarlsberg cut fresh from the 22lb wheel; any size or shape you desire. When you buy Jarlsberg cheese at the pop-up, bring home a BOSKA Holland mini cheese planer as Jarlsberg’s free gift.

Another NYC-based sponsor of the Jarlsberg Cheese Pop-Up Store is ABC Beer (Alphabet City Beer Co.).  This craft beer store and bar in the East Village gives you the opportunity to expand your experiences with brews.

ABC Beer at the Jarlsberg Cheese Pop-Up

“One of the few things we love just as much as sweets is cheese, and especially Scandinavian cheeses. This is a great opportunity to experience the best of both worlds,” says Steffan Ernberg, co-owner of Sockerbit.

Celebrity Chef George Duran was at the Jarlsberg Pop-Up and will visit again to share his favorite Jarlsberg pairings. He also provided personalized tips on making your next special occasion even more memorable and delicious.

One of our favorite things from the Jarlsberg Pop-Up was the tire swing, which we couldn’t resist getting on for a fun Instagram boomerang. The pop-up has interactive areas to take photos and a hashtag printer on-site so you can take home printed copies of your Instagramable moments. There are so many reasons to come visit the Jarlsberg Pop Up. You only need one to experience the world of Jarlsberg Cheese for yourself.

Pereg Natural Foods Ancient Grains

The Latest Exotic Spices and Ancient Grains From Pereg Natural Foods

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One of our favorite things about attending the Summer Fancy Food Show is the introduction of new foods, food trends, and seeing what’s new from our favorite food brands. One of our favorite brands, Pereg Natural Foods, a brand we’ve previously written about, has added lots to their lineup. Along with new flavor additions to old favorites, like their exotic spices and ancient grains, they’ve introduced new products to make your meal even more healthy and delicious. Let’s get to know them……..

Fine Breadcrumbs & Seasoned Panko

Pereg Natural Foods Ancient Grains

Pereg’s seasoned breadcrumb collection just got even bigger with the introduction of three delicious new flavors: Thai Sweet Chili Panko Crumbs, Whole Wheat Panko, and Golden Crisp Bread Crumbs. They join a crunchy family that includes Classic, American, Viennese, Mexican, and Italian Fine Bread Crumbs and their Japanese cousins Spicy Panko, Coarse Panko, and Fine Panko. Grab the 9 oz re-sealable bags for $4.85 each.

Pereg’s Whole Wheat Panko Crumbs are baked to an airy, lightly textured goodness to enhance your favorite recipe. They add a distinctive crunch to vegetables, baked macaroni & cheese, meatloaf, seafood, or chicken dishes. You can use it as a coating on sliced potatoes and bake as an alternative to frying.

Pereg’s Thai Sweet Chili Panko Crumbs are also baked to an airy, lightly textured goodness to enhance your favorite recipe. They add a deliciously flavorful crunch to chicken wings, seafood, and pasta dishes. Boasting a delightful balance of sweet and spicy, your taste buds will love the kick of flavor. Try it as a coating on sliced potatoes and bake as an alternative to frying.

Flavor Infused Quinoa

Pereg Natural Foods Flavored Quinoa

In addition, Pereg features new flavors of Quinoa side dishes, including ginger sesame, quinoa with lentils (pictured above), quinoa with nuts and berries, and quinoa with roasted garlic in 6 oz boxes retailing for $3.99. Quinoa, the “mother of all grains”, is a healthy and easy food to prepare. It holds a pleasantly light, fluffy texture when cooked, with a mild and slightly nutty flavor. We love the flavor varieties and how they paired perfectly with things like Freshé ready-to-eat superfood; a meal in a tin (see them pictured together above).

Freekeh Grain 

Pereg Natural Foods Freekah Grain

If you’re tired of rice or just looking to cut it out of your diet. We have a great alternative for you. Freekeh is a young, green wheat that is roasted over an open flame for a rich smoky flavor and cracked to reduce the cooking time. This grain makes a great alternative to rice or couscous for a delicious and healthy side dish. Grab a 5 oz bag for only $3.99.

Gluten-Free Flours

Pereg Natural Foods Gluten-Free Flours

Gone are the day when only one type of flour existed. Thanks to Pereg Natural Foods, you now have six flour varieties to bake with, including Almond, Banana, Buckwheat, Chickpea, Quinoa, and Coconut.  Available in 16 oz. re-sealable stay-fresh bags, the flours are the perfect healthy alternative when you want to create sweet treats and savory dishes. Imagine Buckwheat, Quinoa, or Chickpea dumplings or homemade pasta. How about flavorful cookies made with banana, almond or coconut flour. With these Gluten-Free Flours, the possibilities are endless. Get them all for $4.99 each.

Are you up to trying out these specialty flours, exotic spices and ancient grains from Pereg?

The Ginger People Ginger Products

Food Trends: All Things Ginger From The Ginger People

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For the past several weeks, while office AC units have been set to Siberia levels of cold, overindulging in delicious foods and drinks, interacting with a few sick people, not getting enough sleep, and basically running ourselves ragged. Normally, all of this would result in us being very sick right now, but NOT surprisingly we’re not and that is thanks to products from one brand – The Ginger People. No, we’re not talking about a group of cool redheads; we’re talking about the makers of the most wonderful ginger-based products we’ve ever had.

The Ginger People Ginger Products

We are now all aware of the amazing health benefits that ginger has to offer and the products from The Ginger People are what we have to thank for getting us healthily through everything we mentioned above. Ginger energizes and stimulates the circulatory system, it helps with nausea, is an amazing anti-inflammatory food, a powerful anti-Cancer, helps with digestive issues and anti-flatulence, is a fantastic cold and flu remedy, a great migraine reliever, highly antioxidant, and of course wonderful as an aphrodisiac. We had the pleasure of getting to know the delicious product from The Ginger People including Ginger Rescue Ginger Shots, Turmeric Latte Mix, Gin Gins Ginger Candy, Ginger Soother Tonics, Arjuna Organic Ginger Bites with Turmeric, and Ginger Rescue Chewable Ginger Tablets.

Ginger Rescue Ginger Shots

The Ginger People Ginger Shots

Enjoy a healthier day with one shot of caffeine-free boost of energy. The Ginger Rescue Shots are available in three flavors: Wild Turmeric, Lemon & Cayenne, and Coconut. All three offer a potent supply of proven health benefits your body will thank you for. Each shot is intense and made with 30% ginger juice. Non-coffee drinkers will love this as a caffeine alternative. You’ll love the sweet creaminess of the coconut, the earthy and peppery taste of the Wild Turmeric, and the hot and spiciness of the Lemon & Cayenne. We highly recommend this for those sluggish feeling days.

Turmeric Latte Mix

The Ginger People Ginger Turmeric Latte

Another of The Ginger People’s great turmeric and ginger combinations is their Turmeric Latte Mix. It’s double the health benefits in an addictive hot creamy beverage. This caffeine-free, plant-based powdered mix is supercharged with ginger and Curcumin, the power behind turmeric. All you have to do is add your favorite milk and prepare to indulge in this nourishing hot drink. If you’ve ever enjoyed a golden milk, this will blow you away.

Ginger Soother Tonics

The Ginger People Ginger Soothers

Say goodbye to your upset stomach with these delicious, soothing tonics. These stomach-settling ginger elixirs are available in two flavors: Lemon & Honey and Turmeric. They are made with antioxidant-rich, fresh-pressed punchy Peruvian ginger, lemon juice and pure honey and wild Fiji Red “Aromatica” turmeric respectively. These should be your go-to drink whenever you and your stomach has a disagreement.

Gin Gins Original Chewy Candy

The Ginger People Ginger Candy

Chewy ginger candy is one of our favorite things and to say we’re addicted to The Ginger People’s delicious original ginger chews is an understatement. As the #1 selling ginger candy in North America, we know it will be your favorite as well. You’ll never worry about the fear of nausea again once you grab a bag of these. In fact, the only thing you have to worry about is how to stop eating Gin Gins. We’re still working on that.

Ginger Rescue Chewable Ginger Tablets

The Ginger People Ginger Rescue Chewable Tablets
For those who need a little more potent way to fight nausea, just grab a pack of The Ginger People’s 24 chewable and tasty tablets. These drug-free tablets boast greater ginger actives to help promote digestive health, relieve motion sickness, and ease gas and indigestion. Available in two options, Strong and Mighty Mango for kids and those with sensitive stomachs, one tablet works wonders, especially when you need fast relief.

If you’ve been looking for a way to integrate ginger into your health and wellness regime, check out all the products from The Ginger People. You’ll thank us.

Kind Bars Kicks Off #giveKINDatryNYC Campaign w/ Protein Bars

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Against the backdrop of one of the most luxurious views in the city, we had the opportunity to celebrate Kind Bars. Along with welcoming their new delicious protein bars, we helped kick off the #giveKINDatryNYC Campaign with TechStyle NYC. With the help of some amazing brands that promote wellness, we were ready to kick off this city-wide campaign. And what better place than the stunning penthouse apartments of One Vandam in downtown NYC to celebrate the kick-off.

The Kind Protein From Real Food bars delivers 12 grams of protein and is made from real food. Not only do they taste delicious, but they also deliver protein from premium, whole ingredients; so you don’t have to choose between health and taste. The gluten-free, kosher bars boast a creamy, crunchy texture that packs a lot of nutrition. They are a good source of protein and fiber, have zero trans fats, no genetically engineered ingredients, a low glycemic index, and are low in sodium.

The launch event featured several activations from Fabletics, Nini Bissap Beverages, Velvet Eyewear, Gotham Greens, SnappyBooth, and Summer Stage. We were more than happy to be treated to the great wellness brands that perfectly complimented the #giveKINDatryNYC campaign.

All the event’s participating brands are a must for anyone looking to have a better-balanced lifestyle, both physically and mentally. We think we’ve found ourselves a new favorite healthy and delicious beverage in Nini Bissap. After getting better acquainted with the new Kind protein bars, we ventured upstairs to the penthouse apartment’s spectacular rooftop deck to enjoy the city views. A beautiful sunset, spectacular views, and refreshing Deep Eddy Vodka cocktails were the perfect way to celebrate the #giveKINDatryNYC campaign.

We want to know, have you tried the new Kind Protein Bars? Are you interested in finding out more about the #giveKINDatryNYC Campaign?