I am an avid traveler and Verizon Wireless recently loaned me some tech gadgets to demo a few weeks. All of these items are great. It is now time to return the items and I am reluctantly sending them back as they were way too handy. I especially loved the Bose headphones. Below is some top tech gadgets to make your travels run smoothly.
Smart Phone – It is pretty much a given these days that most everyone has a smart phone and is a must for travel. Not only does the phone work with all of these top gadgets, it is necessary to have that form of communication to get information on flights, transportation and keep in touch with those who matter most.
Milk and Honey Leather Pocket Case – This case fits snugly around your iPhone to protect it from the wear and tear from travel. The built in leather pocket makes a great holder for credit cards, id, a few bucks or any other items you may need handy until you reach your final destination.
Mophie Powerstation XL – With dual USB charge ports this quick charge external battery can juice up multiple devices at once. This powerstation gives 10+ hours to a large tablet, 14+ hours to smaller tablets and 48+ hours to your smartphone. This compact powerstation will make sure you never get stuck with a dead battery again!
Bose Quite Comfort 35 Headphones – These wireless, bluetooth, acoustic noise canceling headphones will make you feel as if you are the only one around. They are adjustable to fit just about one and the deep bass gives you a surround sound experience.
Nest Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Alarm – This unit thinks, speaks and alerts your phone if it detects smoke or carbon dioxide. Having the security of this device protecting your home and family while traveling is priceless and the perfect addition to other smart home products and alarm systems you may have paired with your smart phone.
All of these Items can be purchased at the Verizon Wireless website and make great gifts this time of year for the avid traveler in your life.
Toruk – The First Flight is Cirque du Soleil’s newest show and will be running January 26-29, 2017 at Intrust Bank Arena and I have tickets to giveaway to the Wichita, Kansas tour stop.
With James Cameron’s input, Toruk – The First Flight is a prequeal to AVATAR, and takes 27 semi trucks full of props and equipment to pull off this visually stunning traveling show.
The show takes place in the majestic land of Pandora, thousands of years prior to AVATAR. This stage production follows two adolescent Omaticaya boys who are courageously trying to save the Tree of Souls from a natural disaster. In order to keep the tree safe they must travel through the Floating Mountains and find the red and orange predator, Toruk, who rules the Pandoran sky.
If you have ever experienced a Cirque du Soleil show you know the talent, detail and theatrical phenomenon these shows entail. The majority of the magnificent Cirque du Soleil shows primarily run in Las Vegas with a select few that tour different cities. How Wichita got lucky enough to get a stop on their tour I will never know. How exciting to have such worldwide sensation grace our town.
I am set to check out the show on January 26 and have a giveaway courtesy of the show for two 2-packs for the Jan 26 show as well! I also have a special link that gets you a $10 discount on tickets should you not win the giveaway but still want to go tot he show. This link discounts Scale 1 and 2 lower bowl. Tickets to the show would make a great gift this time of year for the AVATAR fan in your life. Full price and other seat section tickets can be purchased here.
To enter the giveaway for the tickets just comment below if you have ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show. Contest will end midnight December 20. Two winners will chosen using random.org. Each winner will receive 2 tickets. Winners will be notified via email. Tickets will be available under winners name at the Intrust Bank Arena will call booth the night of the show.
The Trilogy Advanced Skincare Line will hydrate dry skin and is New Zealand’s number one skincare brand, where a bottle of Trilogy Rosehip oil is sold every 22 seconds.
When sisters Sarah Gibbs and Catherine de Groot discovered the powerful benefits of rosehip oil for skin, back in 2002, they created Trilogy, a natural skincare line that started out with a range of five rosehip skincare products.
The Trilogy line now crafts over 40 incredibly effective natural alternatives to use in place of all the synthetic skincare, body care and hair care products that are out on the market. These natural and effective alternatives are sold in over 20 countries around the world.
The Trilogy Skincare Line has been added to the Whole Body Department at Whole Foods Market as it falls in line with their philosophy that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body.
All of the beauty products at Whole Foods Market meet the strictest standards for quality sourcing, environmental impact, results and safety. For more information on these standards, as well as a list of 400 unacceptable body care ingredients visit Whole Foods Market Whole Body Page.
As a Whole Foods Market Ambassador we are occasionally sent samples and items to try that meet Whole Foods Market quality of standards. This set of samples included items from the Trilogy Skincare Line.
I’ve been using these products for about a week and I am loving the way my skin feels and looks.
The samples included a holiday limited edition Bare-Faced Beauty Kit, Ultra Hydrating Face Cream and Vital Moisturizing Cream.
The Bare-Faced Beauty Kit included a mini bottle of the rosehip oil antioxidant plus. Hydrating beauty mist and make up be gone cleansing balm.
My skin is on the drier end of the spectrum and I found it soaked up the rosehip oil without leaving a greasy film. I have been applying it to my face after I shower to help lock in some moisture then again at night before the ultra hydrating face cream and my dry skin is loving it!
I carry the hydrating beauty mist with me in my purse. The scent is intoxicatingly floral and when I just need a little refreshing pick me up during this day this mist does the trick.
The make-up be gone cleansing balm gently removes make up and I really like using it under my eyes to get that last bit if eyeliner off that my face soap just can’t seem to get.
I have been using the Trilogy ultra hydrating face cream at night after I wash all of my make up off. The ultra hydrating is no joke. This face cream is thick and rich but glides on smoothly and is easily absorbed and no greasy film.
The vital moisturizing cream is lighter than the hydrating cream and absorbs well. I have been using it the mornings as a moisturizer for under my make up.
My niece is an esthetician at a dermatology clinic and is always giving me samples of other high end and high priced skincare products so I have tried quite a few and I have to say, so far the Trilogy line seems just as good and it is half the price!
I encourage you to pick up a variety of Trilogy products at Whole Foods Market to try for yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Not only is this healthy apple tart gluten free, it is also egg and dairy free as well. My daughter was having some health issues last year and a food sensitivity test came back to avoid dairy, eggs and gluten.
These results came in just before the holidays so was I in bind to figure out how to make a gluten, egg and dairy free Thanksgiving. I mastered some killer brussels sprouts with bacon, almonds and cherries and a gluten, egg and dairy free butternut squash and quinoa stuffing and an amazing herbed butter to season my turkey with. My friend over at Delish Girl made this healthy apple tart for our dessert and was sweet enough to pass along the recipe. I took a stab at making it again for a later holiday gathering and it turned out delicious and is absolutely gorgeous!
The dairy free healthy caramel sauce that gets drizzled on top is also delicious over some dairy free or regular ice cream or use as a dipper for fruit. You can put it your coffee for a healthy home-made caramel macchiato, drizzle over a brownie or anything else you like. You can find the recipe for the healthy caramel sauce here as you will want to make it ahead of time.
This recipe works best in an 8″ or 9″ tart pan with a removable bottom. If you have a larger tart pan, I would double the crust recipe so it can evenly cover the sides and bottom of pan. You want a fairly thick crust so it holds its shape when sides are removed from pan.
I know there are many out there who are on special diets but still want and crave those comforting holiday foods. This healthy apple tart would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving or holiday table and your gluten free guests will love it. Enjoy!
Healthy Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce
1 cup of finely ground almond flour
⅓ cup tapioca flour
2 tablespoons of coconut sugar (or sweetener of choice, such as unrefined cane sugar, organic evaporated cane sugar, maple sugar)
¼ teaspoon unrefined salt
⅓ cup cold butter, or non-hydrogenated palm shortening (for a dairy-free version, use one of the palm shortenings listed above – firm coconut oil could also work, but is a little more finicky)
2 tablespoons cold water
3 large Honeycrisp apples
Juice from half a lemon
¼ cup coconut sugar ((or sweetener of choice, such as unrefined cane sugar, organic evaporated cane sugar, maple sugar)
2 tablespoons tapioca starch/flour, arrowroot flour, or organic cornstarch
2-3 tablespoons of caramel sauce
Directions Make caramel sauce, and set aside to cool (can make a week ahead, if desired)
In a food processor, combine the almond flour and tapioca flour with the salt and sugar.
If using butter, cut into cubes and add, or measure the palm shortening out and place in the food processor.
Pulse until the shortening or butter is blended into the flour in small pieces (biggest pieces should be the size of a small pea). Pulse after each addition of tablespoon of cold water. (You want the dough just to be moist enough that it sticks together when you pinch the dough into a small ball. I found that two tablespoons was just enough.
Press into the tart pan, making sure that there is a good ¼ inch or so of dough pressed along the side all around the tart pan. This will help make the tart more stable once cooked. Place in fridge. (you can prepare this hours ahead of time, if desired, just cover).
Preheat oven to 375F.
Peel the apples, core them, and then thinly slice. Toss them in a medium sized bowl with the lemon juice, sugar, and tapioca starch. Take the tart pan out and artfully fan out the apple slices in the pan in a circular pattern (if using a circular pan). You want the apple slices to be angled, but not flat (as you wouldn’t be able to fit many slices in that way). Leave any remaing juice from apples in bowl. DO NOT pour it over the top as it will make the tart too soggy and will not bake properly.
Take the previously prepared caramel sauce, and brush on caramel sauce over all of the apples. Set tart pan on cookie sheet and
place in oven. Cook for 40-70 minutes or until the apples are fork tender, and the crust is cooked. I covered with foil at 40 minutes to keep the crust from over browning.
Take out of the oven and cool thoroughly before removing the sides of the tart pan. Slice, and enjoy plain, or with whipped cream or ice cream, served with extra caramel sauce. Enjoy!
It is so easy to make and can keep for a week or two in the fridge. Enjoy!
Ingredients
2/3 cup granulated coconut sugar
1/2 cup honey
4 tablespoons coconut oil or butter
Dash or two of unrefined salt (more for a “salted caramel taste”)
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
In a small saucepan, put in the coconut sugar, honey, and coconut oil or butter, along with the salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring to evenly melt the honey and coconut oil or butter.
As soon as it’s starting to bubble, set the timer for two minutes. Stir the bubbling mixture once or twice during these two minutes.
Very carefully stir in the coconut milk until it is mixed in.
Once it has returned to a low simmer, simmer for another minute or two, or until the mixture has thickened up again (it won’t be super thick while hot…but will thicken up considerably as it cools. You want it to be thick enough to coat a spoon, but still thin enough to be very easy to drizzle. Don’t heat longer than two minutes).
Take off of the heat, and stir in the vanilla. Let cool to desired temperature before serving. If you want a warm caramel sauce, simply reheat before serving.
Will keep at least 1-2 weeks refrigerated. Makes 2 cup.
The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach Florida may just be the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Whether you are traveling, as a couple, with family or friends or even solo, The Breakers Resort will not disappoint.
History buffs will enjoy the hearing the story of The Breakers dating back to 1896 and seeing the architecture that was modeled after the magnificent Villa Medici in Rome. 75 artisans were brought in from Italy and together they completed the intricate paintings, detailed across the ceilings of the 200-foot-long main lobby and first-floor public rooms, which remain on display today.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
The Breakers Resort, Palm Beach, Florida
The room accommodations are perfectly polished and well maintained for the age of the property.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
The bathrooms are sleek and modern with the Breakers own amenities and nightly turn down service will leaves you with a sweet treat to end the evening.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
Families will enjoy the many activities available such as bike rentals for a family ride, game room, bungalow rental and convenience of the zero entry pool. There is also a kids club available with all day activities so parents can have a little beach time alone!
Foodies will appreciate the amazing dining and delicious dishes from over eight dining options including the historic Flagler Steakhouse to the modern Seafood Bar with its incredible views of the ocean along with the fish tank countertop bar you must see to believe.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
The outside dining options include incredible views of the pristine beach along with dishes to match.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
If you love fitness, golf or tennis there is no better view than the one from The Breakers well equipped gym facility and personal training center. The golf course facilities are fit for pro’s with a magnificent 18 hole course as well as a training academy for the novice. There are 10 tennis courts available for play from 7 am to 9 pm and private lessons, clinics and junior programs for those wanting to learn the game.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
If you are looking to relax and unwind, the spa and many lounge chairs by the pool and beach will do the trick. The spa offers a variety of treatments including massages, skincare, hair and nail services and more.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
The beach and pool offer a variety of bungalow rentals and lounge chairs and an infinity style 21 and older adult pool.
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
I have traveled to quite a few resorts and The Breakers is by far one of my favorites and on my list to go back too. For more information You check out The Breakers website.
