Whole Foods Market serves up top 10 trends for 2017




As we approach the new year, we wanted to share the latest from Whole Foods Market – who announced their top 10 trends for 2017!  This year’s predictions came from Whole Foods Market’s experts and industry leaders who source items and lead trends across the retailer’s cheese, grocery, meat, seafood, prepared foods, produce and personal care departments, and spot trends for the retailer’s more than 465 stores.

  • Wellness Tonics – the new year will usher in a new wave of tonics, tinctures and wellness drinks that go far beyond the fresh-pressed juice craze. The year’s hottest picks will draw on beneficial botanicals and have roots in alternative medicine and global traditions. Buzzed-about ingredients include kava, Tulsi/holy basil, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, medicinal mushrooms (like reishi and chaga), and adaptogenic herbs (maca and ashwagandha). Kor Organic Raw Shots, Suja Drinking Vinegars and Temple Turmeric Elixirs are just a few products leading the trend.
  • Products from Byproducts – Whether it’s leftover whey from strained Greek yogurt or spent grains from beer, food producers are finding innovative – and delicious – ways to give byproducts new life. Eco-Olea is using water from its olive oil production as the base for a household cleaner line; condiment brand Sir Kensington’s is repurposing leftover liquid from cooking chickpeas in a vegan mayo; and Atlanta Fresh and White Moustache are using leftover whey from yogurt production to create probiotic drinks.
  • Coconut Everything – (this is my fav! I love anything coconut) Move over coconut oil and coconut water – coconut flour tortillas, coconut sugar aminos and more unexpected coconut-based products are on the rise. Virtually every component of this versatile fruit-nut-seed (coconuts qualify for all three!) is being used in new applications. The sap is turned into coconut sugar as an alternative to refined sweeteners; the oil is used in a growing list of natural beauty products; and the white flesh of the coconut is now in flours, tortillas, chips, ice creams, butters and more. New picks like coconut flour Paleo wraps, 365 Everyday Value Fair Trade coconut chips and Pacifica Blushious Coconut & Rose Infused Cheek Color demonstrate coconut’s growing range.
  • Japanese Food, Beyond Sushi – Japanese-inspired eating is on the rise and it doesn’t look anything like a sushi roll. Long-celebrated condiments with roots in Japanese cuisine, like ponzu, miso, mirin, sesame oil and plum vinegar are making their way from restaurant menus to mainstream American pantries. Seaweed is a rising star as shoppers seek more varieties of the savory greens, including fresh and dried kelp, wakame, dulse and nori, while farmhouse staples like Japanese-style pickles will continue to gain popularity.The trend will also impact breakfast and dessert, as shoppers experiment with savory breakfast bowl combinations and a growing number of mochi flavors like green tea and matcha, black sesame, pickled plum, yuzu citrus and Azuki bean. This is playing out in products like 365 Everyday Value® Sweet Sabi mustard, Republic of Tea’s new Super Green Tea Matcha blends and recipes like Coconut Mochi Cakes.
  • Creative Condiments – From traditional global recipes to brand new ingredients, interesting condiments are taking center stage. Once rare and unfamiliar sauces and dips are showing up on menus and store shelves. Look for black sesame tahini, habanero jam, ghee, Pomegranate Molasses, black garlic purée, date syrup, plum jam with chia seeds, beet salsa, Mexican hot chocolate spreads, sambal oelek or piri piri sauce, Mina Harissa, and Frontera Adobo Sauces (Ancho, Chipotle and Guajillo varieties).
  • Rethinking Pasta – Today’s pastas are influenced less by Italian grandmothers and more by popular plant-based and clean-eating movements. Alternative grain noodles made from quinoa, lentils and chickpeas (which also happen to be gluten free) are quickly becoming favorites, while grain-free options like spiralized veggies and kelp noodles are also on the rise. That said, more traditional fresh-milled and seasonal pastas are having a moment too, which means pasta is cruising into new territories with something for everyone.  
  • Purple Power – Richly colored purple foods are popping up everywhere: purple cauliflower, black rice, purple asparagus, elderberries, acai, purple sweet potatoes, purple corn and cereal. The power of purple goes beyond the vibrant color and often indicates nutrient density and antioxidants.  Back to the Roots Purple Corn Cereal, Jackson’s Honest Purple Heirloom Potato Chips, Que Pasa Purple Corn Tortilla Chips, Love Beets and Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes are all examples of this fast-growing trend.
  • On-the-Go Beauty – “Athleisure” is not just a fashion trend; the style is now being reflected in natural beauty products, too. With multitasking ingredients and simple applications, natural beauty brands are blurring the line between skincare and makeup products, and simplifying routines by eliminating the need for special brushes or tools. Trending products include Mineral Fusion 3-in-1 Color Stick, Well People Universalist Multi-Stick and Spectrum Essentials Organic Coconut Oil Packet.
  • Flexitarian – In 2017, consumers will embrace a new, personalized version of healthy eating that’s less rigid than typical vegan, Paleo, gluten-free and other “special diets” that have gone mainstream. For instance, eating vegan before 6 p.m., or eating paleo five days a week, or gluten-free whenever possible allows consumers more flexibility. Instead of a strict identity aligned with one diet, shoppers embrace the “flexitarian” approach to making conscious choices about what, when and how much to eat.  Growing demand for products like 365 Everyday Value Riced Cauliflower (used for clean-eating favorites like gluten-free pizza crusts), Epic Bison Apple Cider Bone Broth and Forager Cashew Yogurt point to growth in this clean-eating category.
  • Mindful Meal Prep – People aren’t just asking themselves what they’d like to eat, but also how meals can stretch their dollar, reduce food waste, save time and be healthier. Trends to watch include the “make some/buy some,” approach, like using pre-cooked ingredients from the hot bar to jumpstart dinner, or preparing a main dish from scratch and using frozen or store-bought ingredients as sides.  Fresh oven-ready meal kits and vegetable medleys are also on the upswing as shoppers continue to crave healthier options that require less time. Whole Foods Market’s Freshly Made video series highlights the kinds of recipes and ingredients shoppers are seeking.

Operation North Pole



**Disclosure: Operation North Pole hosted our visit to help facilitate this feature. 

In need of a new tradition or tired of the same ol' thing?!  We've got the perfect thing for you Vegas!  Operation North Pole!  That is our daughter above, standing at the entrance to the "North Pole".   Once those doors open up, you're in for a magical journey, just as if you are actually in the North Pole and Santa's workshop!  Operation North Pole is a 75 minute tour starting out in the candy shop!  You are welcomed by cute elves who are very interactive with everyone.  They really go out of their way to make sure everyone feels welcomed and comfortable throughout the entire experience.  You will visit four different rooms along your journey.  First is the candy room where you'll get to learn about all the candy making that happens in the North Pole along with some cotton candy that you can take with you to munch on while making your way to the next room.   Next up, where you will spend a majority of your time, is the Toy Workshop.

I don't want to show you too much of the workshop, some has to be to your imagination, but let me tell you - that is where the fun is! Those elves!  They love to play and have fun with the kids!  There are benches for the adults if they want to just sit back and it's a good time to get some video or pictures in.  They have craft tables set up where the kids can make ornaments.  But you definitely will not find the elves just sitting there!  They are like a bunch of kids themselves - singing, playing games, joking around and simply just having a good time with the kids. Every child also receives a stuffed bear to take home with them.   After at least a half hour in the Toy Workshop, we headed to Mrs. Claus Kitchen where she was busy making cookies.  We all took a seat at the table while she told us about the reindeer out back.  The cookies were passed out with some hot cocoa.  My daughters favorite part was Mrs. Clause going around to each of us individually, sprinkling our cookies with her "dust" and giving us some inspiration for the year.  It was on a very personal level and the kids, especially our daughter loved that.   The final room of the evening, was yes, you guessed it!  Santa's room!  It was very beautifully decorated!  We came to the conclusion, that this just might be the real deal!  The kids enjoyed that he was very talkative with them, engaging in conversation, which made them feel as if he was really listening to them. They do not allow any photography in Santa's room, but they do have an elf in the room taking pictures that you can purchase on your way out.  The room is so beautifully done, I would recommend getting the whole family in the picture, it would be a great pic for those holiday cards!    

All in all, I highly recommend Operation North Pole!  This is something that the kids will look forward to year after year! Bring your camera and get ready for an experience to remember! 

Operation North Pole Facts: 

  • Over 3,000 square feet of fun! 
  • 75 minute experience
  • The entire North Pole was put put together in two weeks!
  • Location: Tivoli Village at 440 S Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89145
  • Children 0-18 months are free
  • Tickets are $36

**The two ladies who are behind the magic are very passionate about children and generously give back to several local charities including Marty Hennessy Inspiring Children Foundation, Boys and Girls Club and Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.opnorthpole.com

Connect with Operation North Pole via the following links:

NPHY Is Still In Need of Hundreds of Presents for Homeless Youth!


Still In Need of Hundreds of Presents For Homeless Youth Here in Las Vegas!

 Please Order or Drop Off Your Gift No Later Than Wednesday, December 14th - 
Thank You So Much!
Fulfill a Holiday Wish!


Fulfill the wishes of homeless youth right here in our community! Purchase a gift from our NPHY Holiday Wish ListClick here to download the flyer! For more information, please contact Cassandra at events@nphy.org.

Purchase From the Comfort of Your Own Home 
!

Want to make a difference from the comfort of your own home? Purchase a gift card or gifts for homeless youth through NPHY's quick and easy Amazon Holiday Wish list on Amazon.com. Once items are ordered, they will be shipped directly to NPHY's Drop-In Center. Click here to browse our Holiday Wish List and make your donation today!
Join us for our First Annual "It's a Wrap" Holiday Block Party!


They LOVE their supporters and because of that they wanted to bring everyone together this year for a very special celebration, NPHY's Inaugural "It's a Wrap" Holiday Block Party this Saturday!

We invite you to bring your family, friends, and co-workers to join in our festive day filled with holiday cheer, a coffee and hot chocolate bar, a bake sale, games, and fun, all while volunteers help NPHY sort and wrap gifts and create holiday cards for homeless youth here in our Drop-In Center.

To find out more about our NPHY's "It's a Wrap" Holiday Block Party, or to RSVP, please go to www.nphy.org/wrap or call 702-383-1332. Click here to download our Holiday Wrap Block Party flyer and be sure to spread the word!
Thank you for making the holidays extra special for thousands of youth who are enduring homelessness right here in Southern Nevada. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (702) 383-1332 or events@nphy.org. 

Amazon Prime Photos has all new features! Plus an opportunity to win a $500 gift card provided by Amazon.com



*Disclosure: Thank you to Amazon for sponsoring this post and providing prizes for the giveaway!

I have to admit, I am an Amazon junkie!  I love Amazon and it's my go to for almost everything! Amazon has now launched an all-new Prime Photos experience with Family Vault. Now, Prime members can share their benefit of unlimited photo storage with up to five family members or friends at no additional cost.  Prime Photos is free for Prime members and makes it easy for family members to safely store and share all their favorite photos.  


Additional new features include: Image Search, People View and Places View.  And Prime members can now order photo prints, cards, photo books and calendars directly from their Prime Photos account.  Download the new Prime Photos app here: www.tinyurl.com/PrimePhotos.  Just another reason to love Amazon Prime! 

Amazon, Fire and the Amazon Fire TV logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.










Holidays in Havasu


*Disclosure: We were provided with a media rate at the Island Inn to help accommodate this feature. No monetary compensation was received. 

 Our family absolutely loves to travel!  I really believe that the time you spend with your family making lasting memories are so much valuable than material things.  When you think of Lake Havasu, AZ - most will automatically
 think "party town"  the town that all the college kids go to party come summer and spring break.  While that may be true to some extent, the off season is the perfect time for families to visit.  Lake Havasu is only a two and a half hour drive from Las Vegas, not bad!  And if you like to sight see, there's plenty of places to stop along the way like Nelson's Landing and Searchlight.  Once in Lake Havasu, it reminded me a bit of Boulder City, just bigger.  One thing we really enjoyed was no matter where we went, we pretty much always had the lake in view.  The major attraction within Lake Havasu City is London Bridge.  The London Bridge was purchased in 1964, then dismantled and shipped by boat from England to the U.S. It was rebuilt on a peninsula on Lake Havasu in 1971.  A Channel was excavated under the bridge and a replica English Village was built next to it.  This by far was my favorite part of the city and I'm actually looking forward to returning just to spend more time there.  Saturday was horribly windy and cold, so we didn't get out to much to sight see, but we did quickly walk the shops and check out the bridge - just beautiful!

The English Village was decorated for the holidays and even had Santa visits available.  This past weekend was also their annual "Parade of Lights" event which featured brightly decorated boats in their holiday best cruising through the Bridgewater Channel under the London Bridge. What a sight to see!  I was afraid they would cancel it due to the high winds, but it had calmed down enough for them to sail.  We ended up having dinner at  Javelina Cantina on Saturday night during the Parade of Lights and was able to watch it from the restaurant, just make sure to make reservations early as it does get crowded.  Parking can also be tough, so if your planning on coming down to the Village, allow ample time, you might want to get there a couple hours early and make a night out of it.  The London Bridge Resort does have an ice skating rink up for the holidays which you can enjoy leading up the show.  The visitor center at the London Bridge also has a walking tour available which takes about an hour and is $10 for adults, kids are free.  

We stayed at the Island Inn right across the bridge on the island.  If you're looking for a budget hotel this would be a great option.  It's not even a two minute drive across the bridge.  The hotel is a bit dated, but the price is very accommodating as well as it's appeal to families. They has a pool, spa, eating area and even a ping pong table set up to keep the kids busy.  They do also serve a continental breakfast, but I would recommend going elsewhere for breakfast - they had bagels and store bought donuts, all hard and not fresh.  Our room was decent, with no complaints.  The beds were soft and comfortable and the view from our room was gorgeous!


When you're looking for your next weekend getaway, I highly recommend giving Lake Havasu a try - you will be glad you did! 
Visit  www.golakehavasu.com for more information and help in planning your next trip!

About Lake Havasu - 

Lake Havasu City, home of the historic London Bridge, is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Havasu on the Colorado River border of California and Arizona. The City was established in 1963 by Robert P. McCulloch, Sr., as a self-sufficient, planned community. Lake Havasu City is located in Mohave County, Ariz., and encompasses 42 square miles with 428 miles of streets. Situated off Arizona Highway 95, an 18-mile drive north leads to Interstate 40, and a 65-mile drive south leads to Interstate 10.

Lake Havasu City is located on what is known as the “West Coast of Arizona,” three hours driving time west of Phoenix, 2½ hours south of Las Vegas and four to five east of the Los Angeles region. The area attracts 775,000 visitors a year thanks to its calm waters, beautiful beaches, and desert weather with more than 300 sunny days a year. There is a range of restaurants and lodging, plus a boatload of annual events.







You Can Be A Holiday Angel for Homeless Youth in Southern Nevada!



You Can Help Make This A Brighter Holiday For Thousands Of Homeless Youth Here In Southern Nevada!
For over 14,000 homeless students enrolled in Clark County schools last year, the holidays can seem a little gloomy. But with your help, NPHY can make the season bright! YOU can help them bring gifts, cheer, and hope to so many youth during the holidays. Here's how you can help:
Fulfill a Holiday Wish!

Fulfill the wishes of homeless youth right here in our community! Purchase a gift from our NPHY Holiday Wish ListClick here to download the flyer! For more information, please contact Cassandra at events@nphy.org.
Host Your Own Holiday Drive!

Hosting a holiday drive can have a bigger impact on homeless youth this holiday season. Host a holiday drive in your office, school, or church and collect items from our NPHY Holiday Wish List.  Click here to download their Holiday Wish List  and contact Cassandra at events@nphy.org to get signed up.
Purchase From the Comfort of Your Own Home
!
Want to make a difference from the comfort of your own home? Purchase a gift card or gifts for homeless youth through NPHY's quick and easy Amazon Holiday Wish list on Amazon.com. Once items are ordered, they will be shipped directly to NPHY's Drop-In Center. Click here to browse their Holiday Wish List and make your donation today!
Join their First Annual "It's a Wrap" Holiday Block Party!

They LOVE their supporters and because of that they wanted to bring everyone together this year for a very special celebration, NPHY's Inaugural "It's a Wrap" Holiday Block Party.

You are welcome to bring your family, friends, and co-workers to join in the festive day filled with holiday cheer, a coffee and hot chocolate bar, a bake sale, games, and fun, all while volunteers help NPHY sort and wrap gifts and create holiday cards for homeless youth here in our Drop-In Center.

To find out more about NPHY's "It's a Wrap" Holiday Block Party, or to RSVP, please go to www.nphy.org/wrap or call 702-383-1332. Click here to download our Holiday Wrap Block Party flyer and be sure to spread the word!
Thank you for making the holidays extra special for thousands of youth who are enduring homelessness right here in Southern Nevada. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact them at (702) 383-1332 or events@nphy.org. 
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth
702-383-1332 |   

National Cake Day with Korger



Tomorrow is National Cake Day! What better way to end the busy holiday weekend with a easy, luxurious, hassle free cake! The Thanksgiving meal is done, family is heading home, shoppings been done and now - time to relax with a hot cup of coffee and Kroger's new, Ready to Pour Cake Batters! Aren't the bags gorgeous?! Just the packaging alone attracts me to the product!  Just beautiful!.  

  Quick Facts: 

  • Makes an 8x8 cake or fills 8 muffin size cakes
  • No need to add a thing!
  • Pour straight from the bag
  • Bakes in less than 15 minutes
  • Comes in three decadent flavors - Chocolate Lava Cake, Salted Caramel Lava Cake and French Lemon Cake

I would recommend paying attention to the cooking time.  If you cook to long, you won't get that "lava" center.   We also cooked it in muffin tins and we popped them out, upside down and sprinkled powdered sugar over it.  They were so good! We all had our favorites. Of course the kids was the chocolate, mine was lemon and my husband was the caramel fan.  So next time you run to your local Krogers, pick these up - they are what every busy mom needs! Simple, affordable and decadent!