Love With Food: October Unboxed a SassyHolidays Gift Idea

Love With Food:  October Unboxed

First Box is FREE:

Love with Food is a monthly subscription service.  The cost is $12 (If you pay monthly) or just $10 if you pay for the whole year!  They deliver 8-12 snacks to your door EVERY month!  They are healthy snacks!  They also have a Deluxe option in which you get DOUBLE the snack goodies!!  They also have just recently added a Gluten Free Box, for those who prefer Gluten Free Snacks!

My Referral Link for Love with Food Your FIRST box is FREE!!!!

October Unboxed....

The thing I LOVE about Love with Food, is it truly does expand my horizons food wise.  I am such a picky eater....  I almost have an aversion to health food...  If I know it is "Good For Me", I'm likely to NOT like it!!  However, since I've joined Love with Food, I've discovered that healthy eating doesn't mean gross eating...  It can really be tasty! Now, I don't love everything..  There are some items where I'm like uh... Not for me....  

Claire's Squares:

Claire's Squares on Twitter

This was a really YUMMY treat!  We added another of the October LWF items on top (the Justin's Chocolate Almond Butter) and it really was delish!!!

NutryVitta:  Cinnamon & Sugar Banana Bar

This was one of those, um... not for me moments...  This just wasn't my cup of tea so to speak...  I just didn't really like the flavor....

Surf Sweets:  Organic Jelly Beans

 Surf Sweets on Twitter

I, personally am not a Jelly Bean person...  However, Callie seemed to enjoy these.  I prefer like Gummy Bears or something.. I was really stoked until I saw these were Jelly Beans.. Oh well, you can't win them all...

Justin's Almond Butter: Chocolate & Honey

These were probably my favorite item in the whole box.  They really were delicious.  I had never tried Almond Butter before and found that it really has a nice texture and flavor!

This was one of the I LOVE MY LOVE WITH FOOD box moments!  These are what having this sub is all about, finding a new item that you will cherish and stalk after....

Connect to Justin's:Justin's on Twitter

J & M Cheese Straws

These aren't my favs...  I love cheese bits but these just really aren't for me.  I'm sure most subscribers LOVED them....  Just not me....

 Famous Brands:  Organic Falafel Chips

Famous on Twitter

These were another tasty addition to the October box that I was truly pleased with!  They are so flavorful!  They have a spicy kick to them!  I've never had "Falafal" anything, but I definitely will be looking for "Falafal" now!!

Snapea Crisps by Calbee:

Harvest Snaps on Twitter

I had previously received a bag of these from Swaggable and I have to say they are not tasty to me.  I just don't get the big deal behind these.  However, I have many friends who seem to truly enjoy them...

See, there is me and my picky eating habits giving me a headache!!!  I am sure that it's just because of my pickiness that I don't like them....

Overall:

True, this box was hit and miss for me.  But, I still found three items that I really and truly LOVED!  That's what it's all about to me.  It's about discovering new tasty snacks that you might never have had the opportunity to try otherwise.  It was through Love with Food that I discovered, Madyson's Marshmallows!!

You probably aren't going to like EVERYTHING you get in this box if you subscribe, but I truly do recommend getting it if you love snacking and want to try to find some healthy alternatives!  Our family is NOT health crazy, but we have loved these boxes and always have a few items that we just fall in love with each month!  Last month it was the Cinnamon Popcorn that LWF distributed... Sad thing is I can't find them on their site and I truly did LOVE that popcorn!!

Gift Idea:

This would make an AWESOME gift idea for someone you love!  You can save money and purchase a year subscription and it can be the gift that keeps on giving all year long!  

My YouTube Love with Food Unboxing....

Get your FIRST box FREE!!

Just click the pic below and sign up today!!

Love With Food: July 2014

Unboxing: Love With Food /July 2014

Unboxing: Love with Food July 2014

A first peek

I know, I know this is supposed to be a "Beauty Blog". But I just can't help sharing my Love with Food subscription. Love with Food is a subscription service that costs $12 a month, you get at minimum 8 snacks. (Not little snacks either). OR you can pay $20 for  16-20 snacks (I believe it's the same snacks as he snacker size box, just double the quantities. Those prices are per month prices, should you wish to pay for a yearly subscription, your cost would be $120 (or $10/ month) for the year or for the Deluxe size just $17 a month x 12. I don't have a calculator handy, so I'm not sure of the math.... Whichever way you choose to pay, it's certainly a fantastic deal.

Ok, so anyone who knows me personally would tell you that I'm the least health conscious person they know.  I'm not stressed with what bad things are going in my body.  I eat for taste. If it tastes great and it happens to be healthy, fantastic.  If it tastes good and it's not healthy, that's ok too.  So, when I originally signed up primarily because it was a free box, I wasn't holdin my breath.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much we all enjoyed the tastey, healthy snacks. I mean, even my kids enjoyed the snacks. Granted there were maybe two products none of us were really wowed by, but hey 2 out of 8 or 9 snacks isn't too shabby. I think that there was only one snack we actually didn't eat.  So, I had thought I was going quickly be canceling his subscription, but found myself not only NOT canceling, but wanting to upgrade to the new Deluxe size. 

However, the day I actually went to upgrade, there was a glitch and Inwas unable to do so.  I definitely will be upgrading for my August box. This is the only box that everyone on e family can enjoy. My daughter and I can share the makeup goodies, but for some reason my husband and son just don't get excited about them. Go figure. I've thought about getting the Birchbox Man for my husband, but e items that they send, while hey may be high quality,Mathew aren't products that he uses. So, I don't know if it's worth the $20 for the subscription. I am looking at maybe getting the Dollae Shave Club though, that seems like a fantastic deal!

Inside the box: The Goodies Under the Hood

Honey Stinger: Fruity Gummy Snacks 

12 bags: $20.50 ($14.50 subscribers)

Sample Value: Around $2

I am a sucker for great gummy snacks. My daughter thought they were gross, but I loved them. They tasted natural to me, and not like artificial flavoring. They also had a decent amount of product in the bag.  I can't even begin to guesstimate though, because as with everything else, I was busy working as I was snacking and before I knew it there was only
one left in the pack.

Will I buy more???  Umm...  Well, considering the cost for a box with 12 bags is $20.50 or $14.50, I find it highly unlikely.  That's almost $2 for a little bag that might have 15 gummies in it.  I would definitely buy if the price was more around the maybe $4 mark.  But, even with the discount, this is just too high a price point for someone in my income bracket. Very tasty though. 

Moving on...

Lentil Cracksrs by: @medsnax (Twitter)

No Clue the Price of this

I personally haven't tried this yet, these went to my son.  The bag was just shy of an ounce.  It seemed a pretty ok size, for a little snack... Ok, so just asked my son and he said they were pretty good, so I guess that's a big thumbs up!

Beanitos Puffs: White Cheddar 

We haven't tried these as of yet either. The size is just .7 ounces, but not too shabby and what you would expect to find in a vending machine. Man it took me forever to think of the word vending. Lol. Oh well. These are what we are most excited to try out!

South Asian Snacks By: Zuoq

Madyson's Mallows

 (This baby is mine!!) Just noticed I spelled Madyson wrong in the pic.  Oops.

Somersaults

A Peek at Somersaults

I have dreadful teeth, so when I went to eat this, I was unable to bite into it.  I had to let it kinda get moist to be able to bite it.  Very, very hard!  Don't know how well I like this. If it weren't so tough, it would be ok.  The chocolate is a tad bitter.  However, I love sunflower seeds (which was why I wanted to try it, upon seeing it contains sunflower seeds I couldn't help myself!

2 Degrees

Ginny Minis by: Ginny Bakes

Love with Food Product Card!

And then the many paper goods...

 

The above pic shows all the coupons and such that came along in the box.  We also had some sort of ad for Garden of Earin' Chips, although there were none in the box or on the product card.  Perhaps, they just paid to have their info in e box without the actual item??  I don't remember there being any blue chips on last months box.. Perhaps it's a sneak peek at what's to come??  One could hope! It also came with a $40 off a Fresh Food order, but it would have cost like $120 to have meals for a family of four delivered, so I opted not to try this one.  So, $40 LOOKS nice, but it will go unused.  Much like the $100 wine GC included in my Conscious Box last month ( a minimum $160 had or be ordered & we just aren't big drinkers). 

I honestly, have enjoyed these food boxes.  I've been trying to find a new food box to add along with this box, but haven't found anything in the price range I'm wanting to spend. So, if you have some good food box recommendations, please feel free to comment!  Overall, I feel we got our $12 worth!  Do you think you would pay $12 for these 8 snacks??  Do you subscribe to this or other food boxes??  

Please follow me on GFC, Bloglovin', and follow my blog... Pretty, pretty please!!  

Next post, back to beauty with- Beauty Box 5: July 2014 (My first and maybe my last box)

My Book Review Blog:  http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com

 Get Your Own a Box Today!!  First Box is FREE!!

 

Madyson's Marshmallows S'mores Kit: Edible Gift Ideas

Madyson's Marshmallows

A 2014 Holiday Gift Guide Edible Selection

(The Folks at Madyson's Marshmallows KINDLY sent this for review!)

Who They Are:

Madyson's is a family owned and run business.  They really have a cute story.  Their business began when their daughter, Madyson asked her mom how to make a marshmallow.  Of course, she's a much better mom than I...  Madyson and her father started trying out different recipes...  They, I am guessing found a winning combination of ingredients.... 

What began as a little girls curiosity, has become a full fledged business.  They now specialize in artisian marshmallow products of all kinds!

Thank you Madyson for asking your mom about marshmallows!!!!  Goodness, you have blessed those whom have had the opportunity to try these melt in your mouth goodness with this delectable snack!

Love With Food

Madyson's Marshmallows was first introduced to me in my July Love with Food subscription box (Click Here for past reviews on Love with Food).  I received just one marshmallow and oh my GOSH, I fell in love instantly.  I immediately got on Facebook and Twitter and followed them.  I also went into my subscription groups and was raving about how incredibly tasty these were.  They had a Groupon deal going on at the time and before a girl had even tasted it, just because of me raving over how delivious they were, she purchased a Groupon Deal so she could have even more!

The Marshmallow that I received in the July box, is the same marshamllow that comes in the S'mores kit I received...  It's a Vanlla Bean flavored marshmallow with chocolate chips mixed within..  Making it the PERFECT marshmallow for making DELISH S'mores!

You can see in the picture to the left, a peek at the chocolate chips inside these delectable marshmallows!!

I'm telling you these things are so mouthwatering delicious!  What a great time of year to be enjoying them as well!!

Sweet For S'mores Kit:

Retails for $24.99 on Madyson's Marshmallow's 















WHAT'S INSIDE:

• 10 Vanilla Bean with Chocolate Marshmallows
• Sugar Cookies (For the marshmallow Sandwich!)
• Skewers
• Matches!

Great Gifts!!

These are a PERFECT gift idea for ANYONE this holdiay season!  This would make a great gift for co-workers, moms, dads, kids, anyone who enjoys food will LOVE a gift from Madyson's Marshmallows!

MY THOUGHTS:

You just can't beat the taste of these marshmallows!  They truly are some of the best things I have ever put in my mouth....  I couldn't eat the "S'mores", because well I have teeth issues....  But, I definitely have about devoured this whole box of marshmallows already.  I had to hurry to review this while the taste was still fresh on my taste buds!

Way More....

There are so many other fabulous items that are also available on the site!  They have chocolate covered marshmallows, as well as a gift set with a flask and hot cocoa!  There are gift ideas aplenty on Madyon's Marshmallows site!!!  

I dare you to try just one....  You won't be able to stop at one!

Connect to Madyson's Marshmallows:

on Twitter

On Facebook

Celebrating a YEAR of Boxes

A New Addiction Begins

Celebrating MY Year of Boxes

Prior to March of 2014 I had no clue what Subscription Boxes were.  I was completely oblivious to this whole "Subscription Box World".  Now, a year later, it seems unbelievable that there are indeed people in this world that have never heard the name Birchbox or Ipsy.  

The Start of it ALL

Last year, I was obsessed with a Facebook / iOS game called "Covet", it was this really fun fashionista dress up game.  IN order to get more "IN GAME" cash, there were ways you could download apps, sign up for stuff...  One of those was Birchbox.  I had never heard of Birchbox until I found it on one of those sites.  Once I saw it though, I quickly began searching for more subscription boxes and was truly overwhelmed by the amount of boxes available.

There's literally a subscription box for just about anything you could dream up!

My First Birchbox

This was my first Birchbox and I wasn't OVERLY impressed, not when holding it next to my first Ipsy.  It seemed in the very beginning that Ipsy was the clear cut winner.  However, I would soon become disillusioned with Ipsy and it was the very first subscription I cut out.

My First Ipsy

Birchbox will always win with their point system.  Their point system along makes it well worth the money. I had only been subscribed for a short time when I first turned in my first points for a purchase, I ended up only spending $13 cash for over $50 worth of products!!

I spent a total of $13 cash after cashing in points!

A Box for Whatever

I'm not even going to begin to list all of the million boxes that I've gotten in this year.  Safe to say I've probably received at minimum fifty different subscription boxes in total.  From Boxycharm to PopSugar to The Panty Box, I've tried so many different kinds of boxes.

I still have a major love affair with the subscription box world.  There's always an element of risk when getting subscriptions, but it's kinda what make it so fun.  Are you going to fall in love with the items in your next box, or are you going to be disappointed?  Who doesn't love getting packages?  It's like getting presents every month!!

My Favorites:

I won a Benefit They're Real eye liner in June from Birchbox

Birchbox besides being among the best because of their point system, are really huge in social media.  They are constantly connected to their customer base which I really appreciate.  They have contests and giveaways often.  They truly understand their customers and how social media and being connected can only help to grow their business.  They are still my favorite, ALL TIME subscription.

Boxycharm

Boxycharm is another favorite.  Costing $21 monthly, and you get 5 full size (Occasionally you may get a deluxe sample but it's not often!) products.  They seem to have close relationships with Coastal Scents and Tarte as well as Tarina Taratino those brands are often found in Boxycharm boxes.  This definitely is one of the subs where you get your biggest bang for your buck.

FOOD BOXES

Yes, they even have subscriptions to feed your hunger.  From Love with Food to Try the World there are food subs in all price ranges to feed your soul.

www.trytheworld.com

USE CODE: SASSYTRAVELS30

to save 30% on your Try The World subscription

The List Goes ON and ON

This doesn't even begin to cover all the great subscriptions out there.  I started my blog wanting to document my journey into discovering beauty subscriptions and it's gone a little everywhere since.  It's impossible to try all the different subscriptions out there.

If you haven't jumped on the subscription band wagon, I urge you to do so!  You can checkout my unboxings over on my YouTube channel!!

SassyGalBeauty Unboxings

Thanks for visiting my blog today!  I would love to hear from you and what subscriptions you've tried and loved!!

Homemade Decadence by Joy the Baker: Birchbox Book Club (December)

 Birchbox Book Club: December Selection

Please Note:  All Pictures are my own photos of Joy the Baker's Book: Homemade Decadence

Homemade Decadence: Joy the Baker (Blogger & Author)

Please Note:  This Post May Contain Affiliate and/or Referral Links

Birchbox Book Club:

Birchbox is now a well known brand, most well known for catering to the world of beauty lovers.  The brand that started the "Subscription Box" revolution and that has relied heavily on YouTube "How-To" videos and "Word of Mouth" marketing to gain a foothold in the beauty industry, has now dipped it's toes in a variety of areas.  One of the latest items on the Birchbox agenda is their "Book Club".  Birchbox started it's book club in June of this year, debuting with the summer hit from Emily Straub, "The Vacationers".  They have since covered a wide array of book genres including fiction, as well as non-fiction books from celebs turned authors such as: Mindy Kaling, Amy Pohler and now blogger turned author Joy the Baker.

To learn more about Birchbox and their Book Club: 

birchbox.com

Homemade Decadence 

Joy the Baker: A blogger turned Author

Bloggers everywhere are probably giving a big yelp at December's Birchbox Book Club Selection.  Afterall, blogging is one of those "hobbies" that can instantly make you feel a "kindred" spirit with others.  Granted, I'm personally nowhere near as great at blogging as "Joy the Baker" is, but still it's really awesome to see someone find such success in blogging and their other pursuits.

To follow Joy The Baker's Blog:  joythebaker.com

With 145 THOUSAND followers on Facebook, 171 THOUSAND followers on InstaGram, it's safe to say that Joy has "arrived".  She started blogging in 2008 and now her list of accomplishments include weekly podcasts, two cookbooks and a huge ton of fans who follow her every move.  She must be doing something right!

She began her blog out of a love for all things cooking.  She was raised by parents who shared a love of cooking delicious food and it was a love that was passed down to Joy herself.  She's a self-taught cook, following with the likes of Rachel Ray who is also a "Self-Taught" cook.  On her "About Me" page she labels herself:  Author, Photographer, and Donut Enthusiast.  Being a blogger myself, I know that there are many more hats that she wears.

A Baker, I am Not...

I sadly am not a huge baker.  There's something about the Precise measurements that totally throw me off.  I'm a southern girl where we are raised to cook with a "pinch of this" and a "itty bit more of that", I was self-taught from watching those around me cooking and I can tell you measuring cups play almost no role in my own everyday cooking.  Give me a recipe that requires exact measurements and I'll show you how to "Sure Fire Screw it UP"!  

My mother, however, is a Queen at baking.  Growing up friends delighted in her homemade Rice Krispies (That tasted FAR better than Kellogs ever made them), her Rice Krispies recipes varied from butterscotch Rice Krispies to Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies.  So, when I found out what the December Birchbox Book Club Selection was, I knew I had to have it so that my mother could discover some new hits in which to treat her adoring family at family get-together's.

Peeking between the Pages of: Homemade Decadence

Five Delicious Sections:

Joy The Baker has cleverly placed her delicious looking recipes into five easy to navigate sections:

Intro: Table of Contents

• Brunch
• Cookies, Brownies & Bars
• Pies, Crumbles & Cobblers
• Layer Cakes, Cupcakes & Skillet Cakes
• Ice Cream Social

The sections all feature amazing recipes with unique flavor profiles and combinations.  Some of the recipes seem a tad intimidating to a self-proclaimed CRAP BAKER like myself.  However, they all look so amazingly delicious that I may someday be forced to break out of my comfort zone to try a few of these out for myself.

Delicious Recipes, Gorgeous Pictures....

Brunch: Breakfast Nachos p. 52

The mark of a great "Cookbook", in my eyes is a combination of unique recipes with flavors I haven't thought of before mixed with gorgeous photography.  This book definitely has both.  She's taken sometimes ordinary ingredients and the ways in which she combines flavors turns them from simple, everyday recipes to sensational discoveries.

With 125 different recipes, this book is destined to have a recipe or two that everyone can fall in love with.  There's even on recipe inside the Brunch section that I am definitely going to be trying as soon as I can gather all the required ingredients.  It's more "Cooking" than baking and it seems like something I definitely could try!  The recipe, found on page: 52 is called "Roasted- Potato Breakfast Nachos" and while it's labeled as a breakfast item, it seems a delicious treat anytime of day!

A Look Inside the Sections...

Just a peek at some of the type of recipes you'll find in Homemade Decadence.

The Breakfast   which starts out with "Fresh Raspberry-Honey Butter" and features recipes for different flavored scones, Hawaiian sweet pineapple breakfast rolls, Roasted Strawberry & Balsamic Grits, to French Onion Quiche there are a ton of new recipes for you to sink your teeth into! These are definitely recipes that make you get outside of your comfort zone and try new and exciting flavors!

Vanilla Bean Confetti Cookies: Page 88

The Cookies, Brownies & Bars  features recipes: Dark Chocolate, Pistachio & Smoked Sea Salt Cookies, Vanilla Bean Confetti Cookies, Lemon Bars and a sure fire hit with Toasted Marshmallow Squares (These are just a HIGHLIGHT of all the recipes featured, there are so many more delicious recipes)

Chocolate Dipped Cookie-Dough Balls: Pg. 99

Pies, Crumbles & Cobblers

Church Party Peach Cobbler w/
 Orange & Cinammon Dumplings  (Pg 169)

Joy the Baker starts out this section with "How to Make Perfect Buttermilk Pie Crust" With just a handful of ingredients she teaches us how to make our own HOMEMADE pie crust!  She makes it seem fairly simple!

Recipes range from: Happy Birthday Brownie Pie, Chocolate Pudding Pie, Lemon-Blueberry Pie, a Strawberry-Ginger Crumb Cobbler, and ends with an intriguing "Mango-Rose Water Cheesecake".

There are also a few different recipes for different crusts as well.  She seems to be taking it to the basics and teaching us "newbies" how to make magic in the kitchen.  

Layer Cakes, Cupcakes & Skillet Cakes

S'More Cake: Page 193

Much like she did with the pies and teaching how to start with a basic crust, she does the same with the Cakes!  The section begins with a Basic Three-Layer Yellow Cake recipe and features other basic cake recipes.  She's sectioned the cake recipes from the frosting recipes so that they can be easily mixed to your heart's desire.

There's even a "Vegan" cake recipe.  Recipes like Under-Baked Chocolate Chip Skillet Cake, Brown Sugar Cupcakes,S'more Cake, and Almond Angel Food Cake w/ Vanilla Scented Citrus the recipes in this section with leave your mouth watering.

Ice Cream Social:

Lavender-Earl Grey: Pg 238

Last, but certainly not least is the Ice Cream Social.  Probably not for the faint at heart, ice cream recipes require a lot of elbow grease and a ton more dedication.  But, if you are brave enough to withstand, the results I'm sure will be well worth it.  With your standard French Vanilla Bean ice cream to a bit more bold flavors like: Rose Water Ice Cream with Pistachios & White Chocolate this section probably features the most unique flavors out of the whole book.

If I sat here and talked about every yummy recipe in this book, this post would end up being a mile long.  There are truly an outstanding number of unique flavor combinations that Joy the Baker has put together in this cook book.  There are even a number of recipes for unique Drinks that have been included as well.  From Red Snapper Cocktail to Mango-Watermelon Tequila Sunrise (Pg.63-69 showcase some of the drink recipes included in the book) these are definitely some interesting flavorful drinks!

Caramel Swirled Sweet Corn Ice Cream
Pg. 241

Bread & Brown Butter Ice Cream
Pg. 250

Overall: 

Gosh, this is probably the longest book review I've ever done and trust me I've put out some long-winded book reviews in my time!!  Although I'm not necessarily a baker, I do enjoy my food and even more I love to look at delicious food.

The mark of a great cookbook should leave your mouthwatering and you searching for ingredients to see if there is anything you could make RIGHT NOW with the ingredients you have on hand.  If a cookbook doesn't make you want to rush out to the store to pick up strange sounding ingredients, you probably aren't reading the right ones.

This cookbook even has a non-baker like myself wanting to test out and try some new and exciting recipes!  While I may not try all of the recipes, there are definitely a few that are on my "Must Try" list!  I think that the recipes Joy the Baker has produced in this book are truly unique.

Buy The Book:

Homemade Decadence is available on Amazon in either Kindle or Print:

Joy the Baker: Homemade Decadence on Amazon