CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

There is a Lot to Say About Bagged - Yes, Bagged! - Wine

Oh sure, we've all heard of boxed wine but did you know you can snag some pretty amazing wine in a BAG?

 

Currently enjoying these surprisingly delicious wines from @drinkbonfire and super excited to blog about them! #wine #californiawine #blog

A photo posted by AJ (@ajfeuerman) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:08pm PST

This holiday season, while we're party-hopping, house-hopping, or frankly, just sitting at home drinking our emotions because DAYUM, the holidays are stressful, please consider ordering some of your wine-ventory (Yep! New word. You're welcome.) from Bonfire Wines. Here's why:

•  Bonfire is all about having the freedom to enjnoy delicious, quality wine wherever and whenever you want. I'm totally on board with that mission.
• They focus on convenience and quality sourcing. Every product they create has a minimal impact on the Earth. Bonfire utilizes highly sustainable packaging that has fewer raw materials, less Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and an improved product-to-package ratio. Overall their packaging creates 80% less carbon footprint than the equivalent glass bottle. 
• Want more? ONE truckload of Bonfire Wines = 14 truckloads of regular, bottled wine.
• Want even more reassurance than that? You have got to see how they are bringing clean water to third world countries with their amazing "Water Vest." This is going to change everything. 
• Plus, one pouch = two bottles that last for days and days and days. I put this to the test. Ten days after opening my red wine pouch, it still tastes delicious. Um, hello? Are you reading this? 
• Why does this happen? Their trademarked pouch protects natural flavors using several layers of high performance FDA approved (BPA free) materials designed to preserve the quality and care that goes into crafting each Bonfire wine.  As you pour, the package deflates, minimizing exposure to oxygen and extending the freshness up to four weeks after opening. This makes total sense -- I don't know a ton about bottled and boxed wine but I do no oxygen exposure is what makes it go sour so quickly after opening. WHY ISN'T ALL WINE IN POUCHES, YOU GUYS?  
• Seriously, it does not taste like cheap wine. It really is wonderful. The red is warm, full-bodied and aromatic. The white is crisp and refreshing. (The red, predictably, was my favorite of the two. I have ordered more already.) 

The puppy at the office agrees it's good. I mean, look what happens to this broad after a couple glasses....

And I want to be clear here, because I know what kind of stigma is attached to boxed wine. Don't think I'm above it, either. I've certainly enjoyed the boxed wine from time to time. But let's just establish right here and now that this is a new tier of convenient, transportable, affordable wine. 

Make this your Christmas party, White Elephant gift, New Year's Eve party, days-that-end-in-Y wine! I'm such a fangirl now. You will love it and I hope you buy it and come back to tell me so. 

More:

• Bonfire Wines website
• Follow them on Twitter and Instagram
• Currently, Bonfire is only physically available in Chicago, Nashville and Denver (with plans to expand in 2015!) but for us Californians, it is easy to order here. (One pouch - just $14.99!)

 P.S. I wanted to show you how it works so here's a little goofy video of me helping myself to some red:

 

The New Vibrating Device in My Top Drawer

I've always wanted to try one, you know. 

I guess I was intimidated. Would it.... tickle? Would it... get the job done?

So when Cenoire asked me if I'd like to review their new line of electric toothbrushes, I simply could not resist.

The sleek and surprisingly hip Eluo Sonic Toouthbrush from Cenoire is an ideal stocking stuffer. It's compact and just $14.99! It's super easy to use (I mean, why should an electric toothbrush be complicated?!) and while it's designed for people on the go in mind, it's probably pretty kid-friendly, too. In fact, since it's a rather small brush size, it would - I imagine - fit well over kids' teeth. (I'm a kid expert.)

But as for the on the go aspect... It's battery powered (no chords), it's built into its own casing, it's aerated so it won't get gross or anything in your carry-on bag. You could even throw it in your purse! It would be terrific to have handy at the end of the work day if there's an after-work adventure ahead. 

And all the designs -- LOVE!

 

I guess I''ve always been put off by price and the prospect of it feeling weird to have a vibrating toothbrush in my mouth but I'm won over now. You can't beat the cost or efficacy. Plus, the backside of the brush is a simple tongue cleaner. (Do you brush your tongue? If not, you should. It's actually a habit I took up a long time ago and always practice. So I was delighted to find the second use for this device.)

The Eluo Sonic Toothbrush’s sonic vibration does all the work for you; just add toothpaste and you’re good to go. A simple on/off button gets your toothbrush going and then approximately 23,000 brush strokes per minute work to keep your pearly whites clean – faster and more effective than normal toothbrushes. The electric vibration strokes do the work for you, freeing you from the back and forth motions of traditional toothbrushes. Once you’re done, just rinse the brush, pop on the protective cap and toss your toothbrush back in your bag (or, you know, into the top drawer). Weighing less than an ounce, your brush will never be a burden. When used twice a day, the toothbrush head will last up to 90 days and it comes with two more so at $14.99? A genuine bargain, I say! 

So now that I've given it a go and it was ever so satisfying, go out and get your own. They're available right on Cenoire's website and if you're an Amazon die-hard, it's available there for $1 more.

Disclosure: In case you didn't gather as much from my post, Cenoire sent me a device to try in exchange for my review, which is honest, I promise, and rather amusing, if I do say so myself. 

Baking With Beer? I'm Down.

Something from my list this year? Bake something new! 

So what is beer bread? Well, quite simply, it is flour, beer and sugar. No joke. And it comes out beautifully. Check me out - I'm a professional baker, guys:

It really couldn't be easier. Except that it could. Because if you give Boardwalk Food Co. a little but of dough, they send you a box of dough. Simply add your favorite beer (or, in fact, any carbonated beverage will do), mix it up, add some melted butter - poof! A beautiful loaf of bread.

Mine is lemon poppy-seed and warmed up a little with some butter on it, it was absolutely DELICIOUS. And what beer did I use? The only one I had - an apple cider. 

There's an "original" mix but I wanted to try something with a little more flavor. And the poppy-seeds presented a challenge. If you don't mix it well, those things will go everywhere. You can also try rosemary sea salt or their cornbread beer bread. And please do -- let me know how they turn out. 

They're only $7.99 each! And for my readers, if you use the code COFG25OFF, they're just $5.99 each so how can you beat that?! 

One more thing -- I've been asked by a few people who saw on Instagram and Twitter when I was baking -- most of the actual alcohol burns off in the baking process. Any that's left is minuscule and distributed evenly throughout the loaf. It's totally kid-safe. But like I said, any carbonated beverage works. Use a club soda if it makes you feel a little safer. If you use a lemon lime soda like Sprite, it will even be a little sweeter. 

 

More:

• Official Website (Don't forget, use COFG25OFF to get 25% off your purchase!) 
• On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (and OMG such good food porn) and Pinterest

A Little Wine, A Little Proseco, A Little Extra

I know everyone knows I like vodka but it's not an exclusive arrangement! I absolutely love wine. Red is mmy most favorite. My love of wine happened a little "late" in life. I didn't care much for it in my twenties but somehow it changed. 

So let's talk Italian wines for a moment. Chianti, a dry, Italian red wine, was a gateway wine for me. As I was learning about wine, trying to decide if I liked it or not, I discovered this bottle of Chianti at the market next door to my apartment building (at the time). And that was it. 

I was excited when Tiziano Wines reached out to me and asked if I'd like to try some of their wines because I remember that "gateway wine" with such affection. They sent me Chianti and, to get me out of my comfort zone a bit, some Proseco. 

Off I went on a nostalgic wine tasting adventure. :)

The Chianti Classico was just wonderful. It's a richer than I remembered other Chiantis being but I loved it. I had it with steak which was ideal but I imagine it would pair well with anything, though. It's a really full bodied wine having been aged for five years. Italians make good, good red and I'm glad I was reminded of that.

Bonus - yummy recipe you can make with the Chianti!

I was more wary of the Proseco. I don't usually do well with sparkling wine (it makes me too warm!) and actually, I've only tried Proseco once before. However I must confess I found this one enjoyable. It was a really refreshing, sweet, endcap on a long day and I am grateful I received more than one bottle because now I look forward to sharing it with friends and family for the holidays. As far as pairings go, I drank it on its own but think it would be a perfect drink to enjoy with rich seafoods or pasta. 

Bonus - mix it with the Chianti, a cup of brandy, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 can of club soda, 1/2 cup of cranberry juice, and whatever chopped fruit you desire and you've got some pretty sensational Sangria on your hands! 

Such a fun experience. I'm so glad I had the chance to revisit a classic, old fave and to try something sparkling, sweet and new.

More:

• Tiziano Wines - official website. Many more fabulous recipes and DIY ideas there! 
• On Facebook and Twitter
• They have a terrific "Wine 101" on their site - check it out! 

Disclosure: I received product in exchange for my honest review of this product. I promise I was sober when I wrote it.

All of the Menchie's, Pretty Please

Self-serve frozen yogurt is everywhere but it's a huge responsibility! There's so much pressure! Do you go cup or cone? I'm a cup girl but I always hesitate.... Which flavor to get? Do you combine two? Three? Which toppings will perfectly accentuate the flavor of your selected yogurt? Do you go fruity? Sprinkles? A lot of sprinkles? 

What about syrups? Oh sure, a good hot fudge is always a good way to go but it does kinda melt the yogurt down. Maybe a butterscotch drizzle would do the trick...

Before you know it, you're that lunatic with a four pound yogurt paying $19, debating between the pink or green plastic spoon. But let's simplify this a little. A new partnership between Menchie's a a treasured dessert classic will make everything easy from here on out...! 

All the flavors step aside. Except maybe cake batter. Nothing can replace my beloved cake batter.

But all your other flavors? Mere runners up to the newest Menchie's frozen yogurt flavor, CINNABON.

But get it now -- it's only with us throughout November. RUN, don't walk. It's really delicous.

And it's not just yogurt we're talking about here. Because also:

And there's a special topping. It's called "Cinnabon Morsels." I love the sound of that and I love the taste even more.

Oh gosh, all the gooey, wonderful texture and taste of a classic cinnabon in  a cup of FroYo. SIGN. ME. UP. Well, I already tried it, so sign me up for more. 

Click here to find the Menchie's location nearest to you. Call ahead, though. Make sure they have the Cinnabon. You don't want to miss out! 

Disclosure: This PR rep was like "You wanna try this?" And I was like "Duh." Opinions are my own.

Is That the Holiday Season I Hear?

Hark! The holiday season is upon us! Even earlier than last year, I'm afraid, as some cable networks out there did us all a favor and kicked off holiday programming on Halloween. That gets a humongous thumbs down from me, people. I love Halloween and I love Thanksgiving. I don't need Christmas any sooner than November 30 on my TV, but for whatever reason, they won't let me run the TV industry. 

A lot of bloggers put together gift guides but that's never been my style. Hell, it's too much work. What you can count on from me, though, is an occasional gift recommendation. And as I am a huge audiophile, I decided my first one needed to be in that vein... AND this is a giveaway so pay attention! 

Here's why I love the SOL REPUBLIC PUNK bluetooth speaker. 

• It's small. You can hold it in one hand. As evident in the photo above.
• Subsequently, the Punk is light-weight and you can easily pack it or put it in your purse/work-bag/backpack, etc.
• But don't let the size deceive you! The sound is amazing -- it gets pretty loud! There is no reason you couldn't use it to play music at a holiday party with it, bring it to the park, the beach, and so on. I wanted you to experience it a little, so I took video:

 

• The exterior shell is essentially rubber. And while I'm not saying you should throw it into the floor, I imagine it will survive a few drops. 
• It comes in a few colors, so while I always buy black everything, you are welcome to get it in blue or red as well. 
• Sleek packaging. Because when I give someone a gift for the holidays, I want it to look expensive and chic. This certainly does. 

• And hey, it looks pretty cool outside the box. No wires necessary except to charge it (or if you want to play the music with a wire for whatever reason, you can). BTW, the charge lasts eight hours. 

You may recall I'm quite a Sol Republic fan in general so I had high expectations for this device and am pleased it met and exceeded all of them. I think any music lover would be thrilled to unwrap this so add it to the list! It is available now for $69.99 from Best Buy or directly from Sol Republic.

I know I mentioned a giveaway. Don't worry, I'm not a fibber:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Farm Fresh and in Your Fridge

Farm Fresh To You delivers organic, delicious fruits and vegetables to your doorstep, fresh from their very own farm.

It is super easy, customizable and completely affordable! Pricing starts at just $26 and it goes from there. You choose all-fruit, all-vegetable or mixed. The boxes vary in size and the delivery frequency is also up to you. You can't go wrong with this! 

Even better, on the Thursdays prior to your delivery, FFTY publishes the box contents for the following week. From there, you can log in to your account to see what’s arriving and make changes to the items! I picked an all-fruit box because I'm so picky about vegetables, but when I had the chance to review the contents, I decided to at least get some carrots and fresh cherry tomatoes, so I swapped out some kiwi (never liked it) and oranges (I'm allergic). I also added a bag of pistachios, which ended up being a perfect at-my-desk snack.

You even have up to two days before to change your mind. 

But finally, the box arrives! 

It was perfectly presented -- in this box, you know right away that this is a fresh delivery. The box is simply to open and under some protective plastic, THE GOODS:

Isn't it colorful and glorious? I let my co-workers share some of the contents because even though I set my delivery frequency to once a month, I didn't want anything to go bad and I can't eat this much on my own! A large box like this would be tremendous for a family, but for me, it was a perfect office share. 

I even put my favorite items right into my little desk fridge for easy access. The lemons are especially great to have handy - I've been using slices in my water.

I've been enjoying it ever since! It's wonderful!!!

The Granny Smiths were my absolute favorite. I wish I'd asked for more of them. 

I'm happy to support such a lovely, family-owned and operated, California-based company. If it saves me a trip to Trader Joe's, whose parking lot has often almost caused my demise, everybody wins! 

More: 

• Official website
• Check out their blog - lots of great recipes! 
• Watch 'em on YouTube
• Follow on Facebook and Twitter

Please note, Farm Fresh To You is only available in select zip codes in California. Check here to ensure they visit your area.

 

 

Disclosure: I was able to try Farm Fresh via the Sverve blogger network. All opinions are my own. Al the fruit is in my belly.

Shake it Up, Shake it Up!

Fear not, loyal readers, for this post is certainly not about Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off." 

I know. I was worried for a second, too. 

Instead, let me tell you about something awesome Hard Rock Cafe has unleashed. At their Hollywood and Universal City Walk locations, they are giving guests the opportunity to play bartender for the night, to be trained in the tricks of the trade and “SHAKE IT UP” (get it now?) with new group bartending classes conducted by Hard Rock’s own skilled mixologists.

I had an opportunity to take a class myself recently. I learned the following:

First, that fellow blogger Anne Hogan has unearthly knowledge about tequila and she is a really good friend. She had a martini ready for me when I arrived. 

Second, I make a really strong margarita. Like, really strong. It went a little like this...

And per the instructors, who were awesome, some valuable bartending tips. You won't get this top secret bartender insider knowledge just anywhere!

• When in doubt, make it red
• Bartending is 1% making drinks and 99% talking to people
• Memorize and use "Really? Well, that's how we do it."
• The three Cs of bartending - Competence, Care, Cool (as in, BE cool)

It always amazes me that here in Los Angeles, one of the biggest, most diverse cities in the world, it's not that easy to find group activities, so this is perfect. I could totally see doing this for a birthday party, a bachelorette party, company team building (well, if you work for a cool boss), or even just as a fun day or night out with friends for no reason. (Because who needs a reason?) 

The “Shake it Up” package includes hands-on instruction to craft 3-4 different drinks and guidance in various cocktail techniques like building, blending and shaking. Each class lasts 1-2 hours and can accommodate groups from seven to 40 people. Packages may be purchased stand-alone for $42 per person or as part of a lunch or dinner package that includes a three-course meal from Hard Rock Cafe’s newly revamped menu of appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts for $65 per person. (I mean, you spend how much on your own going out for a meal that nice with friends anyway, right?)

Book your reservation today by calling Hard Rock Universal at  818.622.7660 or the Hollywood Blvd. spot at 323.606.7150. Reservations are also taken via email (love that cause I am phone-lazy) losangeles_sales@hardrock.com.

It's a blast! Book it! And invite me! 

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the mixology class so that I could knowledgably report on it to my homies. It was a hosted event.