Author Archives: Chuck Gregory

Prospector Popcorn

Prospector Popcorn is more than just a gourmet popcorn brand, but one that provides competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities. They sparkle and transform their passions into professions, while earning paychecks with competitive wages. Approximately 75% of its 125 employees self-identify with a disability.

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Devilish Dill – The Spice House

A brand new launch between Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily and The Spice House! Together they have brought their collaboration, Devilish Dill, to consumers nationwide. The mustardy melange is a delicious accompaniment for eggs, featuring mustard, sea salt, garlic, pepper, dill, tarragon, and chives.

Steele is known as the “Queen of the Chicken Coop.” Her Fresh Eggs Daily blog is read by thousands looking for new and improved egg recipes. She is a fifth-generation chicken keeper, cookbook author, lifestyle expert and an authority on raising chickens.

“I eat eggs almost every day and was looking for an interesting spice to switch up my scrambled eggs,” said Steele. “I was especially interested in combining my favorite flavors, including herbs like dill, tarragon, and chives, with garlic and mustard. I turned to the wonderful team at The Spice House since they’re a trusted purveyor who can help me develop a signature blend that is a perfect addition to scrambled and deviled eggs. The result is great for preparing fresh farm eggs, meat, fish, and vegetables.”

The Spice House is known as the top purveyor of the finest spices, herbs, blends, and extracts, catering to customers that range from renowned Michelin-star chefs to novice home cooks. The brand’s partnership with Lisa also celebrates the launch of their new collaboration initiative, The Shared Table, a program born out of the ethos of bringing people together around a shared love of food.

“As the name implies, the deviled eggs lover will be on cloud nine with what we’ve created together,” said The Spice House’s Alex Wilkens. “Lisa is a delight to work with and no one better to create a signature product like Devilish Dill that brings egg recipes to a new level. It’s a welcome addition to our over 400 spices, herbs and seasonings.”

Devilish Dill is priced at $10.99 a jar and will be available on TheSpiceHouse.com and at all Spice House stores (Chicago, Evanston, Naperville, and Milwaukee Public Market).

For meal ideas, visit the Fresh Eggs Daily blog for egg recipes.

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Macadamia Nut Milks – Milkadamia

Discover Milkadamia Plant-Based Milks This Summer

New for 2023, the brand just launched Milkadamia Coffee Latte, made from 100% arabica coffee and balanced with smooth macadamia milk, and Milkadamia Milk Tea, a delightful combination of delicious macadamia milk and floral black tea. Talk about refreshing!

Unsweetened – The delicious, milky taste you love without any added sugar.
Unsweetened Vanilla – A smooth and creamy vanilla flavor to help you unplug.
Barista – Subtle and creamy so the coffee notes can really sing for latte artists.
Unsweetened Barista – Froths and foams like a dream, proving you don’t have to be sweet to be loved.
Creamy – Lightly sweet, perfectly creamy and original, enjoy how milk tastes now.
NEW Milkadamia Coffee Latte – Creamy, smooth, balanced, and delicious, made from 100% real arabica coffee for an elevated morning classic.
NEW Milkadamia Milk Tea – An authentic tribute to a global favorite, made with smooth macadamia milk and real black tea.

Milkadamia milks are quickly becoming a must-have for everything from your morning cup of coffee or tea to smoothies, sweet and savory recipes, and more. You can find them at most grocery stores nationwide and many fine coffee shops.

What makes Milkadamia so noteworthy? The raw macadamias come from Milkadamia’s farms, Jindilli (the indigenous word for macadamias), near Australia’s Eastern Coast. The brand is a forerunner in regenerative farming practices (restoring the biodiversity and composition of the soil to yield more nutrients and sequestering carbon to let the Earth breathe easier).

All this has made the global brand a welcome source for vegans and those looking to consume less dairy, turning to nature for nourishment and making dairy-free products more mainstream. Top that off with the fact that macadamias are low in carbs, high in healthy fats, and rich in antioxidants and consumers have all the more reason to try it.

Heart and Soil: The Why Behind the Brand

Supports regenerative farming methods helping keep carbon levels in balance and making mindful choices for the future of the Earth.
Utilizes minimum tilling and cover crops and feeding the soil – it’s dirt done right.
Our macadamias grow on ‘free range trees’ in eastern coast of Australia, where they’re native to – with no artificial irrigation, just abundant rainfall. They’re free range – trees supporting life, not trees on life support (like other irrigation-dependent agriculture).
Promotes low-impact, gentle farming that’s good for trees and soil regeneration.
Makes switching to a plant-based diet easier, flavorful, and nutritious, better for ourselves and the planet.
Encourages the power of our food choices and selecting regeneratively farmed items to allow an abundant future for our planet.
Great as a delicious glass of milk or add to your morning for coffee, favorite smoothies, and baking.
Made from the finest raw, never roasted macadamia nuts for a smooth, easy flavor.
Products are vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO certified.
Preserves the subtle flavor, milky creaminess, and health benefits of macadamia nuts into a delicious plant-based milk made with care and flair.
Elevated texture is closer to dairy than any other plant milk.
Conveniently available at Whole Foods, Kroger, Costco, and other fine grocery store retailers nationwide and online, Amazon, Thrive Market and other online grocers.

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WakeUp!® your day with BioLift

I have grown to LOVE this beverage and drink it daily around 2 PM ET for a mid-day pick me up 🙂

We’re excited to introduce you to WakeUp!®, the first patented formula designed to harmonize with your body’s biological clock and support focus and concentration throughout the day. This revolutionary beverage is the outcome of a decade of clinical research by InnoBev, an Israeli food-tech company specializing in Chronobiology, the science of time and its effects on living systems.

Chronobiology is the study of how every living organism – including humans – responds to the cycles of the sun and moon. Our internal biological clocks dictate our daily oscillations or circadian rhythms that repeat in cycles throughout the day – for example, sleep-wake cycles and body temperature cycles. WakeUp!® is rooted in this science. Their scientific board and advisors, specializing in Chronobiology, have found a botanical solution for naturally alleviating daytime drowsiness by aligning with these biological rhythms.

WakeUp!® isn’t just another energy drink. It’s a game-changer, improving cognitive performance and focus by up to 20% within minutes without raising heart rate or blood pressure, and without creating tolerance over time. Moreover, it’s formulated with four globally recognized extracts that work in harmony with human biology:

Guarana: Originating from the Amazon forest, Guarana contains Guaranine, a molecule similar to caffeine but released slower in the body (3-6 hours). This makes it more effective than caffeine in mental and physical stimulation without the common drawbacks.

Ginkgo Biloba or Green Tea: Powerful antioxidants that support blood circulation, assisting in delivering oxygen to the body and brain, affecting concentration, mood, fatigue, and response rates.

Elderberry: Known as the “medicinal tree”, Elderberry’s flowers have anti-viral and antioxidant effects, contributing to the proper function of the immune system.

Carob and Apple Extract: These natural, low glycemic sweeteners derived from fruits help manage fatigue by maintaining a constant sugar level, reducing a decline in energy levels for better, longer-lasting physical and mental results.

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Le Portteus Red Wine Decanter

This thoughtfully designed hand-blown glass piece rethinks the wine sipping experience. Equipped with elegant cleaning beads, a cork and stopper ball for efficiency, product use increases oxygen exposure and releases natural aromas and deep flavors. Le Portteus improves the taste by softening astringent tannins and releasing fruit and floral notes.
With its high-quality crystal, slanted spout, it holds a full 750 ml wine bottle and can be used to spice up any kitchen counter, bookshelf, bar, library or serving area. The wide bottom makes it an effortless pour, eliminating the frustration of wine drips and stains. Indulge your taste buds with peace of mind and clean with ease since the beads are tough on grime, removing buildup without leaving a scratch. The high-grade steel pellets are an easy cleaning solution – reuse repeatedly.

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Highly Nutritious & Insanely Delicious™ Crunchy Tomato Chips

Highly Nutritious & Insanely Delicious™ Crunchy Tomato Chips from Just Pure Foods are now available on Amazon in an 8-pack for $19.99, shipped in Recycled Packaging. Made with real tomatoes, these 100% Dehydrated, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Nut-Free, Farm Fresh, Allergen-Free, Calorie Conscious, Keto Friendly and Non-GMO snacks are neither baked nor fried. Instead, they are low-temperature dried to keep enzymes and nutrients intact. Besides ordering online, the Healthy Tomato Chips are available in California at Ralphs and Bristol Farms.

“At Just Pure Foods we believe in creating melt-in-your-mouth Healthy Tomato Chips made with vine-ripened tomatoes,” explains Dr. Scott Feldman, Founder of Just Pure Foods. “Fresh and delicious, try our incredibly cheesy, spicy, and smoky flavors. Stay tuned for more guilt-free, delicious, and nutritious snacks.”

Just Pure Food’s strategic partner, Master’s Touch Brands, has been growing top-quality produce at Nase Farms in Vizcaino Baja, California, for more than 30 years. These healthy alternative snacks are made using sustainable farming practices by upcycling tomatoes that would have been plowed under because they are not the right size, shape or have ripened too early.

Besides being tasty, tomatoes contain tons of important nutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds. They’re rich in lycopene, an antioxidant compound thought to have anti-cancer properties, and rich in potassium, which can help reduce blood pressure and stroke risk while stimulating neural activity and boosting metabolism.

Try all three flavors:

Spicy Jalapeño Tomato Chips

A tasteful combination of Jalapeño, Onion, and Chickpea. A mouth-watering, unique flavor for daring palates! Just 50 calories per serving.

Cheesy Tomato Chips

Fresh and cheesy, with natural flavor and garlic tasting, it’s a mouth-melting-delight. Only 50 calories per serving.

Barbecue Tomato Chips

A natural BBQ peppers mix combined with garlic and onion. It’s the classic, delicious, and slightly sweet flavor! Just 60 calories per serving.

About Just Pure Foods

Just Pure Foods specializes in the creation of great-tasting products for superfoods and healthy lifestyle customers by manufacturing and distributing innovative plant-based snacks. Future products include Healthy Salad Toppings, Basil/Spinach and Sour Cream/Onion Tomato Chips, Pineapple Chips, Bell Pepper Chips, Jicama Chips and more. Learn more at Just Pure Foods.

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I’ll Drink to That! Broadway’s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired

We’d like to propose a toast! Broadway has always raised a glass to celebrate itself, both on-stage and off. I’ll Drink to That! is a celebration of theatrical tradition, a souvenir of magic moments on stage, and a practical guide to make one-of-a-kind craft cocktail recipes inspired by the best of Broadway.

I’ll Drink to That! expertly mixes clever cocktails that pay homage to Broadway shows, such as the Rainbow High from Evita and the Bali Ha’i M’ai T’ai from South Pacific with authentic recipes for drinks that play supporting roles in beloved shows, like the infamous Vodka Stinger from Company, and shakes it up with a history of the cocktail on Broadway, detailed by one of the leading musical theater historians, Laurence Maslon.

Featured throughout are fantastic images, from vintage liquor ads featuring Broadway stars, to profiles of classic shows and the luminaries famed for their effervescence. The specialty cocktails get their own spotlight, photographed by the legendary Broadway photographer Joan Marcus at the iconic Sardi’s restaurant, home to hundreds of opening nights for the past 100 years.

With thirty unique drink recipes ranging from Mame’s Mint Julep to Beetlejuice’s the Dead Thing, and illustrated with a wide range of rare drawings, posters, and advertisements, as well as original glamorous photographs by Joan Marcus, I’ll Drink to That! is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the theater, enjoys an elegant bend of the elbow, and wants to be part of long and bubbly theatrical history.

I’ll Drink to That!

Broadway’s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired

By Laurence Maslon, Photography by Joan Marcus

Weldon Owen | 7.5 x 0.47 x 9.5 in | 176 pages

Hardcover | $27.99

ISBN:978-1-68188-965-8 | May 23, 2023

About the Author

Laurence Maslon is an arts professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, as well as associate chair of the Graduate Acting Program. His most recent book is an updated companion volume to the PBS series Broadway: The American Musical. He is also the host and producer of the weekly radio series, Broadway to Main Street (winner of the 2019 ASCAP Foundation/Deems Taylor Award for Radio Broadcast) on the NPR station WLIW-FM. He edited the two-volume set American Musicals (1927-1969) for Library of America, as well as their Kaufman & Co., Broadway comedies by George S. Kaufman. Other books include the companion book to Come From Away, Broadway to Main Street: How Show Music Enchanted America (Oxford), The Sound of Music Companion, and the South Pacific Companion. He is the writer and co-producer of the PBS American Masters documentary, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me, and wrote American Masters documentary Richard Rodgers: The Sweetest Sounds. He served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards from 2007 to 2010. He has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Opera News, Stagebill, and American Theatre. Mr. Maslon, otherwise a nice guy, mixes a mean drink.

Joan Marcus is one of the preeminent theatrical photographers working in the US today. Over the past 25 years, she has photographed more than 500 shows on and off Broadway and regionally. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joan graduated from George Washington University. In 2014 she received a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater.

About Weldon Owen International

Founded in 1984, Weldon Owen International is a high-quality, nonfiction book publisher specializing in producing innovative, richly illustrated lifestyle books in the categories of food and drink, sports and fitness, popular science, craft and design, and popular culture for the global market. Weldon Owen International illustrates great ideas and breaks down complex skills so anyone can learn them, while being entertained and inspired along the way. Weldon Owen is a division of Insight Editions. For more information and inspiration, visit, weldonowen.com.

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The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook

Eggs are geting a lot of buzz these days because let’s face it, they are an essential food with unending uses!
Easter brunch season, Passover, Mother’s Day – you name it. Spring is the best time to enjoy eggs! Just ask the wonderfully talented Lisa Steele, dubbed “Queen of the Chicken Coop” by the media.

This fifth-generation chicken keeper, lifestyle expert, and blogger is the authority on raising chickens and the best-selling author of a must-have new book, The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook, an Amazon Editor’s Pick with over 100 fabulous recipes!

Lisa is the “Eggspert” to keep on your radar for in-studio live cooking demonstrations. The backdrop of her beautiful farm in Maine is splendid for a spring story!

For over a decade, Lisa has offered her sage advice through the popular blog Fresh Eggs Daily with Lisa Steele, and countless features (The View, Martha Knows Best on HGTV, Wall Street Journal, NPR’s Here & Now and The Splendid Table, and the Hallmark Home & Family Show, to name a few).

Watch as Lisa prepares a recipe from her new cookbook, such as Asparagus and Parmesan Omelet, Fried Egg with Asparagus and Hollandaise, Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies, or Deviled Eggs with Avocado Oil and Sage.
Spring go-to recipes for everything from breakfast and brunch staples, like Eggs Benedict and a classic French trifold “omelet,” to breads, sandwiches, beverages, snacks, soups, salads, pasta, cakes, pies, and condiments.
Learn everything you don’t know about eggs—such as what the different labels on grocery store egg cartons mean—and bust some common egg myths.
Discover new and exciting ways to incorporate fresh eggs into your daily cooking and baking repertoire year-round.

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Make your Irish Coffee with Volcanica Coffee!

We’re too late for Saint Patrick’s Day this year, but it’s never too late to enjoy an Irish Coffee! So try out these tasty recipes.

VOLCANICA COFFEE’S IRISH ESPRESSO MARTINI RECIPE

1.5 oz of Irish Whiskey
½ oz of coffee liqueur
½ oz of Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 oz of cooled espresso using Volcanica Coffee’s Café Cubano Miami Espresso Blend

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker glass, pour in your ingredients. Fill with ice and shake until shaker is frosty.
  2. Strain into martini glass.

VOLCANICA COFFEE’S IRISH COFFEE RECIPE

1½ to 2 oz (45 to 60ml) Irish whiskey, to taste
4 oz (120ml) fresh-brewed Dark Roast Costa Rica Nespresso Coffee Pods
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 oz (60ml) heavy cream, very cold
Unsweetened cocoa powder, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill the cups with hot water to warm them up.
  2. Whip the cold cream until thick, but not stiff; it should still be able to run off of a spoon. Set aside. Tip: The key to success for whipped cream is to keep it very cold, so put your whisk and a stainless steel bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes before.
  3. Pour the warm water out of the coffee mugs. Fill ¾ full with coffee, add the brown sugar and stir well until dissolved. Add a few drops of coffee into the whipped cream and stir to combine.
  4. Add the whiskey into coffee and stir to combine.
  5. Hold a spoon upside down over the coffee, the tip touching the glass edge and the surface of coffee. Gently pour the cream over the back of the spoon, allowing it to gently pool on top of the coffee; filling to the top of the mug. Do not stir. You should obtain a lovely layering that looks like a pint of Guiness!
  6. Using a stenciled shamrock, sprinkle cocoa powder over the cream to make a beautiful drawing.

ABOUT VOLCANICA COFFEE

Volcanica Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster that imports 150+ exotic coffees from volcanic regions around the world. The mineral-rich soil from volcanic regions produces coffee that is aromatic and remarkable in taste. The company carries a broad line of estate, peaberry, decaf and flavored coffees. Volcanica Coffee’s website offers subscription and individual purchases.

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Jordan’s Skinny Mixes Introduces New Naturally Sweetened Syrup Flavors at Natural Products Expo West

Jordan’s Skinny Mixes, the number one brand for no-sugar syrups, introduced four new flavors to its Naturally Sweetened Skinny Syrups line at Expo West. These syrups are made with zero-calorie natural sweeteners and are free of artificial flavors and colors yet still boast a full, delicious flavor. The new varieties include French Vanilla, Caramel, Pumpkin Spice, and Peppermint Mocha, as well as the existing favorites, Vanilla Bean, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Dolce, and Chocolate Mocha.

The Naturally Sweetened Skinny Syrups were created based on loyal Skinny Mixes customers’ evolving needs and lifestyles. These products are the newest innovation of zero-calorie, guilt-free goodness with no artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, or funky aftertaste. Satisfy your morning coffee shop craving for a fraction of the cost, or use the syrups in smoothies, baked goods, and desserts for a delightfully sweet infusion that tastes anything but sugar-free.

“The Naturally Sweetened Syrup line has been such a fan favorite among customers, so it was a natural to add more of our most popular flavors to the collection, ” said Skinny Mixes founder Jordan Engelhardt.

Skinny Mixes is unveiling these new flavors at Expo West, which is being held in Anaheim, CA, this weekend. Visit us at Expo West – Hall A Booth #342 to get a taste of the new Naturally Sweetened Skinny Syrup flavors and Natural Margarita Mixes.

Skinny Mixes products are available at www.SkinnyMixes.com and over 13,000 local retailers across the US, Canada, and Europe.

About Jordan’s Skinny Mixes:

Skinny Mixes empowers people to make healthier choices full of flavor and fun, from coffee to cocktails and everything in between. Enhance your favorite foods and beverages with guilt-free

sweetness and flavor. Skinny Mixes is the leading manufacturer of low-calorie cocktail mixes, zero-sugar coffee syrups, sauce toppings, on-the-go flavor bursts, and many other specialty beverage items and gift sets. Skinny Mixes features best-selling Skinny Syrup flavors like Salted Caramel and Vanilla and fruity flavors like its viral Mermaid flavor burst, plus their fall fan favorite, Pumpkin Spice. Skinny Mixes and Syrups are proudly produced in the USA and are Gluten Free & Kosher. Skinny Mixes can be found in over 13,000 specialty retail locations across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

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Fabrizia Spirits Establishes Lemon Grove in Italy

Fabrizia Spirits, the leading limoncello producer in the United States, announces the establishment of their own lemon grove in Italy.

“We are proud to announce that with the help of our lemon agricultural partner, Gruppo Villari, we have established our own lemon grove in Sicily! Considering our humble beginnings, peeling lemons in the garage of our parent’s home, this is a monumental achievement for the company. These lemons are grown in a perfect microclimate in south eastern Sicily near Europe’s largest active volcano, Mt. Etna. The rich volcanic soil and warm winds from the Mediterranean Sea produce the most fragrant lemons in the world. We now control the fruit from orchard to bottle, and can ensure the highest quality finished product” said Phil Mastroianni, Co-Owner and Co-Founder, Fabrizia Spirits.

The lemons are hand picked, cleaned, and shipped directly to Fabrizia’s facility in New Hampshire. Every lemon is inspected upon arrival, washed again, and peeled by their Italian manufactured lemon peeling machine, nicknamed Giuseppe. The Zest is then infused in pure alcohol, which produces the bright yellow color found in their Limoncello. The remainder of the lemon is juiced to form the foundation of their canned cocktails.

“The ability to source the finest fruit from Italy to produce our Limoncello freshly in the United States, without adding artificial coloring, flavors or preservatives, puts our company in a unique position to provide the USA market with an authentically prepared outstanding limoncello” said Nick Mastroianni, Co-Owner and Co-Founder, Fabrizia Spirits.

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