Whole Foods Market: December Favorite Things

*the following is a post in which I may have been compensated by Whole Foods Market. All Photos unless noted are mine, and so are all opinions. 

December:  A few favorite things

‘Tis the season! And from presents to music and good food there are so many things to love about the holidays. But keeping up with the hectic schedule of parties and shopping can be tough.  Then everyone is home and they ALL want to eat. ALL. the. time. 

Whole Foods Market is the destination for unique foods and offerings this time of year and to make it easy here are a “few favorite things” (that can only be found at Whole Foods Market) to keep you festive, and those restless natives merry:

1. A large selection of "grab and go" desserts and treats made especially for WFM. Stop in on the way to your Christmas parties and celebrations. 

2. Festive bouquets and plants for the Hostess or to make your table merry.

3. Don't forget those with special dietary needs, Gluten free shouldn't mean "treat free".

 4.  A perfect gift that gives back to the community and causes that you care about. 

5. Bulk foods like roasting nuts, Organic popping corn, and bulk spices for your seasonal recipes.

6. Citrus everything!! Like some sweet snacking satsumas.

7. Supplements and diet aids to get you back on track. 

Here are a few other items that are just right for the Holiday season.

1. 365 Maple Gingerbread Sandwich Cremes & 365 Candy Cane Chocolate Chip cookies These seasonal favorites are perfect for snacking- free of artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners you can feel good about sharing with your family and friends.

They are only around a limited amount of time so grab ‘em before their gone.

2. Diestel Turkey (available in natural, organic, Non-GMO Project verified, and heirloom options)

Humanely and sustainably raised on a 4th generation family farm in California

3. Uniekkas Robusto Cheese:

Made exclusively for WFM this combo of a Gouda with parmesan starter is nutty, crunchy, and tangy—an all-around favorite!

4. Organic cranberry walnut baguette

This 100% organic, baked fresh in-house and Non-GMO project verified baguette is our original recipe and available only for a limited time!

5. Madécasse Chocolate

Heirloom Chocolate grown and made in Africa. Madécasse uses some of the world’s last genetically pure cocoa to craft these Fair Trade chocolate bars.

Citrus, citrus everything!

This may not be the most commonly thought of ingredient for the holidays but many citrus fruits are in peak season this time of year and make great additions to your holiday feasts.

Here are some favorite recipes that incorporate this seasonal produce:

Breakfast Recipes (With company in town, breakfast options are a must!)
Cherry, Orange, & Pecan Coffee Cake
Eggnog and Ruby Red Grapefruit Muffins

Main Roasted Ham with Maple & Orange Marmalade glaze

Desserts Mandarin Cake

 

And lastly don't forget, to take any opportunities to make memories that last many moments later!

source

Cirque du Soleil in Wichita

Varekai, a world deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano. A kaleidoscope forest, with fantastical creatures is the setting for an extraordinary adventure of a young man and a life rediscovered.  Catch this drama with acrobatics expressed in the universal language of movement, at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, this coming January 14-18th, 2015.

Tickets are already on sale for this performance. With amazing costumes, musical score, and vibrant sets, it is sure to be a show for the senses.

I'll be bringing you more info about this show after the holidays, and a ticket giveaway soon. But meanwhile, tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Varekai may be just the gift for that couple or individual that loves fine art, acrobatics and theater. A performance to best be seen live, get more information at www.cirquedusoleil.com, and purchase advance tickets at Intrust Bank Arena. 

Half Past December, Letting Go

oh December.

cheer

a "90th" birthday celebration

impromptu date night

 
Half way through, and so much has already happened, and so much more to go.

It takes stomach bugs,
  schedule changes
     and exhaustion,
to make us slow down and refocus.

Then, cookies happen,

cookie time

family and friend {love} happens,
mini reunions happen,
and lots and lots of smiles.   And laughing.
Can't get enough of laughing.

I started this month with lots of fear. Worry. Anxiety. (Anxiety is my middle name.)
Then it became clear,
That everything, would be alright.
No matter what.
That living for this moment, and not in fear of the next,
was more important than my need to control it.

Tacos with "teeny tiny"

I was placing uncertainties on the alter,
making it more about me, and less about HIM.

Because I know He is always good, because He is God.
But I know that I don't deserve good, and that makes it that much harder to accept that He wants and plans good for me.  The best.

Storms are brewing in the distance.
But aren't they always?
and haven't I had a storm or two (or four) before?
Yes. And every storm,
brings every evidence of good.  And best.
And rain comes, and love, and laughter and good does too. Always.

source

Gordman's for the Holidays Giveaway

The countdown to Christmas is on, and time is running out! Put Gordman's on your list for the hottest, most wished for toys this season. Lego and Frozen merchandise are all at Gordman's.  

You can find the most current Lego sets in the City series, The Lego Movie, Ninjago, Lego Friends, Disney Princesses and more!  All at low prices. There is a HUGE display across from girls clothing at the east Wichita store that is packed full of Frozen merchandise from dress up trunks to Bedroom decor.  There are also some really low priced smaller items, like jewlery and keychains, that would be perfect for stocking stuffers.  The great news is you can use a Gordman's store coupon towards these items saving even more!! Coupons are rare and hard to find for anything Lego!! (Check in-store info on text message coupons, and sign up for emails to get a 20% off coupon at their website, here!) www.gordmans.com 

I was able to check several items off my list on my last visit, and thank you to Gordman's for a little help this Christmas, so I could shop and then tell you all about it! Gordman's is so excited to share what great finds they have in their toy department this year, that they also sent me a $25 gift card to give to one of my readers!! I will make this a quick giveaway to allow the winner time to get there by Christmas! Simply enter in the Rafflecopter box below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FREE Santa pics and Hot Gift Demos, this weekend!

This weekend, Wichita area Walmart's are helping parents with holiday gift-giving with in-store events. 

The largest ever, there will be FREE pictures with Santa, a chance to test drive the hotest holiday toys and gadgets, and even holiday food sampling and recipes. 

Only at the following Walmart locations: 

 ·   Walmart – 11411 E. Kellogg Drive, Wichita, 67207

 ·   Walmart – 6110 W. Kellogg Drive, Wichita, 67209   ·   Walmart – 10600 W. 21^st St. N, Wichita, 67205

Here's the breakdown of what is happening and the times for each event. This will be the same for all three participating Wichita locations.   

Free Santa Photos:  December 6-7 10am - 2pm   

Free 5X7 picture with Santa or Christmas themed photo. Includes keepsake frame, candy cane or treat and gift from Santa.

Taste of the Holidays:  December 6  11:30am-4pm

Create quick dishes on a budget with a Taste of the Holidays food sampling and recipe demo.

Toys and Gadgets Demos: December 6 Noon-4pm
Try before you buy with demonstrations of top electronics and entertainment gifts. Includes smartphones, tablets, video games and gaming consoles.

. 6 –10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Paddington Bear and Chuck E. Cheese!

It's always a good time at Chuck E Cheeses' and we went last week to have some family fun, and get the new Paddington Bear Travel Tags for the new Paddington Bear Movie in theaters December 25th!  You may remember Paddington Bear from your childhood, and now he's back in a new live action film that looks to be super cute! (Guys, you gotta watch the trailer, this looks to be good fun for the whole family! Watch it at youtube here.)

So we got our Travel Tags, and we can now bring them back anytime in December, (until the 28th), and receive 3 tokens free when we show them our Paddington Travel Tag! Travel Tags come with any food or token purchase. These little tags are super sturdy and have room for your name and contact info to put on your littles' luggage, diaper bags or backpacks.

Paddington Bear travel tags and free token offer is in Chuck E Cheese locations now through December 28th.

Here's some highlights from our visit!

Whole Foods Market for the Holiday Season

source 

The kitchen is about clean,
the guests are almost gone,
and the time of thanksgiving is over.
Bellies full,
hearts warmed,
and the preparing begins for the next season of giving, preparing, and filling...

source whole foods market

Now we search,
to make up for where we overfilled, and now we overflow,
our waistbands.

My fridge is full,
of leftovers and containers.

source whole foods market

Sweet reminders of the deliciousness I *should* only indulge in
rarely.

A cup of coffee,
by the fire,
to finish an evening, of laughter, and memories, and togetherness.

Some popcorn
to round out a family game of Scrabble, and Life.

source whole foods market

And life is getting brighter,
with boughs
of glittering
     shimmering
lights
and bows, and ribbon.
Shopping and not
shopping,
dropping from the shopping,


Time to start planning
Parties and gatherings.
For the HOlidays have begun.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may the upcoming season be delightful, healthy and fun!

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Visit Wholefoodsmarket.com for Holiday party ideas, creative recipes for any leftovers.
and stop by for gifts and gift cards this holiday season.

Kids Headphones for safe listening

Henry in the Surf Dawgz headphones

*the following is a review in which I was compensated by product to provide my opinion and product information. All opinions are my own. 
Headphones are a hot product for teens, tweens and adults. With all the technology and devices available to all ages, kids need something they can wear that can be fun and safe!

Animalz headphones are just that. Retractable, tangle-free cord with volume - limiting technology so you don't have to worry about overexposure to developing, sensitive ears. According to the Journal of Pediatrics, more than 10 percent of children ages 9-19 have noise-induced hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to sound louder than 85 decibels can damage a child's ears, causing permanent hearing impairment. Animalz's volume limiter sets 85 decibels as the max volume for optimal protection.

Fun, fuzzy animal designs make these cozy and as cuddly as a stuffed animal.

My two youngest were super excited to use these, and I will have to order a second pair! Super soft, great sound quality, and the retractable cord and tangle-free cord makes them easy to store away when not in use.

Available in six lovable soft fabric animal designs: Biker Bearz, DJ Panda, Jam Bunneez, Scuba Shark, Skate Monkeez  and Surf Dawgz*. Kids can now enjoy listening to their own music, playing games or watching movies all with their favorite Animalz!

Animalz are available at more than 15 U.S. retailers including Amazon.com®, Best Buy® and Toys“R”Us®.  For a full list visit: http://myretrak.com/ANiMALZ/.

*Panda and shark designs are available at Best Buy starting Nov. 3, 2014, and are exclusive to the retailer until March 2015.

Take a fun Buzzfeed quiz here, to discover which Animalz headphones are your kids' spirit animal!

Holiday hair bows and Personalized Christmas stickers at Groopdealz

Holiday Accessory Blow Out Sale!
This sale features beautiful holiday accessories for babies and little girls. Sale ends on 11/23.



48 Personalized Christmas Stickers - 8 designs!
Create your own personalized Christmas stickers to use on gifts and holiday treats. Sale ends on 11/23. 




Holiday Accessory Blow Out Sale!
48 Personalized Christmas Stickers - 8 designs!
GroopDealz 

Please comment below!

Groopdealz Review

I am now a Groopdealz affiliate and will be bringing you the latest great deals from this awesome deal site. I have always loved the selection of fashion, accessory and home items. It is a boutique to shop from home with non boutique prices.

Since I am a new affiliate, Groopdealz sent me some store credit to do a little review for my readers! So exciting!!! My oldest who is 14, had been asking for a "leather" or "leather-look" jacket. She wanted something that would go with about anything, and make a great style impact, not specifically for warmth.

I picked out a colored faux leather jacket from Lucy and Lyla.  I chose a light tan color with grey hood. We received the item much quicker than expected, and so far we are really impressed with the quality. The "leather" like material is super soft and supple, not plastic-y like some faux leather. The color is a nice clay shade of tan, going well with grey, black or brown. My daughter likes how comfortable, stylish and versatile the jacket is. For $16.99 plus the $5.99 shipping this was a great deal, and an item she'll enjoy for many seasons.  Sizing ran a bit on the smaller size, so check sizing and measurements before ordering. You can see the weekly Spotlight items in the post below, or head on over to Groopdealz here.

Up to 70% off daily boutique deals at GroopDealz.com!
Shop daily deals at GroopDealz


Perfectly Patterned
Featuring pretty patterns, this collection highlights kids apparel, accessories, women's apparel, and more. Sale ends on 11/13.



Silver and Gold
Silver and gold are favorite colors for the holidays. Stock up on home decor, accessories, jewelry, apparel, and more. Sale ends on 11/15. 



Out of the Woods
Inspired by the woods and cute animals, this collection features home decor, accessories, jewelry, and more. Sale ends on 11/16. 

Kids Style Quiz and hot prices for clothing

fabkids by Christina Applegate.
New Members get 2 outfits for $29.95, with free shipping and exchanges.
Check it out here!

*this post may contain affiliate links in which I may receive compensation for clicks or purchases. Thank you!

Cheese, Glorious Cheese, Part 2: Pastry wrapped Brie

There is a whole world of cheeses to be found, and cheese is a great starting point for the perfect appetizer, or as a dessert.  Brie is an excellent dessert cheese and goes well with sweet. Brie is best known as a french cheese and also called the "Queen of Cheeses".  I was excited to try some Brie and make my very own pastry wrapped Brie with Brie from Whole Foods Market.
 I tried the Belletoile Triple Creme Brie, from France. Not in the traditional round "wheel" but a triangle.
I then bought one tube of 365 Everyday Value croissant dough, fresh Organic Gala Apples and a Sour Cherry Jelly all from Whole Foods Market.  You can find the Croissant dough in the refrigerated milk and dairy section, and the Sour Cherry Jelly is in the deli near the cheeses at the Wichita Whole Foods Market.
Cut the cheese into a square.
Unroll the scored dough and press together to form two squares. Use a cutter to cut the corners off one piece and set to the side. (You'll use these later).
Place your cheese on the cut dough square, and then lay the second square of dough on top, folding the edges around the cheese wrapping it up loosely.
Take one beaten egg and brush the entire thing, place the cut dough pieces on top and brush with egg.
Bake in your oven on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Or until golden.
Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Slice and serve with the cherry jelly and apple slices.
Very fall and very scrumptious!! I can't wait to bring one of these to my next holiday get together!
You can find a variation of this recipe here.
and a yummy looking version with Phyllo dough.  Substitute ingredients with Non-GMO and organic products from your local Whole Foods Market to serve your family the healthiest safest treats.

Holiday Craftapalooza and Vintage Market 2014 Wichita

THIS SATURDAY ~ NOVEMBER 8^th, 2014

Wichita's HOLIDAY

CRAFTAPALOOZA & FABULOUS VINTAGE MARKET

10AM TO 4PM

CENTURY II CENTER

WICHITA'S FAVORITE SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

Grab your friends for a fun filled day of shopping at the HOLIDAY Craftapalooza & Fabulous Vintage Market. NOVEMBER 8th from 10am to 4pm at the Century II Center, Exhibition Hall, North Entrance! Wichita Kansas

The  HOLIDAY Craftapalooza & Fabulous Vintage Market is a one day shopping extravaganza featuring over 90 fabulous booths showcasing an eclectic blend of handmade one of a kind items, sparkly jewels, antique décor, vintage bliss, bling & glam boutiques, home decor and inspiration, repurposed ~ reloved funky junk along with FABULOUS finds for your creative soul!

Handmade, Vintage, Antiques, Bling & Glam, Boutiques & FABULOUS JUNK!!

Admission is $3.00 under 12 free!

SHOP EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTIONS !!

   

Join us Saturday November 8th, 2014 for a fun & fabulous Craftapalooza Vintage Market day!

See you there!

For additional information contact

www.montagefestivals.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wichita-Craftapalooza-JUNK-Market/288582677868955

BOGO and unique items for your Holiday Shopping

*Disclosure:The following post contains affiliate links. Your participation through clicks or links goes to support my site. Thank you!


The time is now to start your Christmas shopping. I LOVE Groopdealz for the cutest fashion, and trendiest home decor for a bargain AND I don't even have to leave my house! And Shipping is always super low keeping those discount items affordable.  I have already started making my lists. 


BOGO FREE Wizard Posters
These Buy One Get One Free Wizard Posters are perfect for Potter fans. Featuring art that's reminiscent of the story, these professionally-printed posters look great with any decor. Sale ends on 11/9 BOGO FREE Wizard Posters



Mason Jar Wall Vase/Sconce
Decorate your home for the holidays with these handmade Mason Jar Wall Vase/Sconces. You can fill them with candy canes, mistletoe, tea lights and more. Once the season is done, fill them with other decorations for a new look. Also makes great gift containers! Sale ends on 11/9. Mason Jar Wall Vase/Sconce



Wooden 3D Animal Head
These adorable animal sculptures look great with any decor and they're half the price of their ceramic counterparts. Sale ends on 11/9. Wooden 3D Animal Head



Lucy & Lyla Holla Back Event 
Your fall favorites are back. Shop for sweaters, tunics, shirts, leggings and more at this fashionable event. Sale ends on 11/12. Lucy & Lyla “Holla Back” Event



Find something for everyone on your list, at GroopDealz  



Lucy & Lyla “Holla Back” Event
BOGO FREE Wizard Posters
Mason Jar Wall Vase/Sconce
Wooden 3D Animal Head
GroopDealz