• food,  Gift Guide,  Los Angeles,  San Diego

    Your Dad Deserves The Best Olive Oil – 100% California Olive Oil from Sciabica

    If you are still searching for a gift for this upcoming Father’s Day, no worries! I know it is literally this Sunday, but here I have a great idea for you. The perfect gift for a dad who wants to be healthier in eating, I will recommend Sciabica’s Olive Oil. The Sciabica Family is proud to say that their olive oils contain no artificial flavorings or additives, they’re all GMO-free, sustainably farmed, and artisan-crafted in small batches, which is why they taste so great! Every single drop is from California Grown Olives and is backed by their “100% You’ll Love it Guarantee”.

    When you want to give a distinctive gift that people will enjoy, again and again, Sciabica’s gift packs are the perfect choice. Featuring their award winning artisan crafted 100% California Extra Virgin olive oils, Fresh-Picked flavored balsamic vinegars, and elegant skin care products, there’s something for everyone – and so many to choose from!

    Actually not only your dad, your in-law family, friends, colleagues, and clients will enjoy these deliciously different gift packs! Whether you’re looking for something small and simple or elegant and extra special, you’ll find the ideal gift at Sciabica’s.

    My choice for dad is “Uncle Tony’s Cocktail” pack, and now available in ‘mini’ size! ‘UNCLE TONY’ is a legend at Sciabica Company. He was actually the founder’s first-cousin, but all of the team members and customers called him “uncle”. At 100 years old, ‘Uncle Tony’ was selling in the Sciabica’s Gift Shop in Modesto pushing his own recipe for a fabulous olive oil & balsamic dressing, dubbed “Uncle Tony’s Cocktail”. Simply mix one Part each of Basil, Garlic, and Jalapeño olive oils with Sciabica’s new Sticky Balsamic for a savory & sweet flavor explosion. Perfect for salad dressing, bread dipping, and meat marinades.

    Often called ‘co-milled’ or ‘fused’ – Sciabica‘s artisan master-miller carefully selects the ripest fruits & most flavorful herbs, and cold presses them with their just-harvested California olives, resulting in a delicious flavor fusion that sets the bar for “flavored” olive oils. Cold pressing preserves the delicate flavor of the fruit or herb that are destroyed through heat-infusion, and are not present in extracts.

    And about the Sticky Balsamic, indulge your taste buds with this perfect balance of sweet and tangy, accented by delicate hints of caramel, honey, fig, and ripe raspberries. The creamy-thick consistency of this versatile ‘sticky’ balsamic vinegar makes it a joy to use for decoratively drizzling over seared veggies, cheese, fruit, salad, and even desserts. Add superbly rich taste while dressing up your grilled meats and poultry. It’s the simplest way to decorate like a pro and enhance flavor… the delicious possibilities are endless!

    Olive oil should be used every day because it reduces harmful LDL cholesterol while maintaining beneficial HDL. LDL cholesterol sticks in our arteries and causes blockages. Conversely, Jonathan Sciabica calls HDL cholesterol the “Roto-Rooter” for our system. HDL’s job is to flow through and remove the bad LDL, leading to lower risk of heart attack and heart disease. Extra Virgin olive oil retains all of the natural health benefits of the oil. Refined olive oils, such as “100% pure” may not have the effect on your health that EVOO offers. Since all of Sciabica‘s oils are extra virgin, you can’t go wrong, though there is some evidence that shows stronger (fall harvest) olive oils have better antioxidant properties which have been correlated with reduced rates of cancer. That’s why you should gift dad a thoughtful and healthy olive oil from Sciabica, the award winning Extra Virgin Olive Oils come from California’s oldest olive oil producer!

  • Eco,  food,  Los Angeles,  San Diego,  WorldWide

    Hydration with a twist. Just what we need for warm weather days like today!

    Experts predict that by 2025 there will be one pound of plastic in the ocean for every three pounds of fish. At least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year and make up 80% of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Oh no, we have to do something to change that. Boxed Water paper-based carton is a better option than plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Their box is 92% renewable, plant-based and 100% recyclable. Lower your carbon footprint by 36% and protect our planet from the overuse of single-use plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

    More than 10 years ago (in 2009), Boxed Water was the first to offer a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles. They created a new category and changed the way water is shipped, sold, and enjoyed. Please use tap water whenever possible. And when you can’t, reach for their 92% plant-based box. The most renewable option in the water aisle: Boxed Water carton is made from 92% renewable materials. The water is sourced close to the consumers to reduce carbon footprint (instead of islands like Fiji). All cartons are 100% recyclable, refillable, and BPA free.

    Boxed Water™ is a proud member of 1% For The Planet and a partner of the National Forest Foundation and Ocean Blue Project. Together, they have planted over 1 million trees and cleaned beaches from Coast to Coast.

    And good news recently, Boxed Water fruit flavors are BACK just in time for summer.

    • The Lemon flavored water uses award-winning 100% purified drinking water with the natural flavor of bright lemon. With zero sugar or artificial ingredients, this classic taste will soon be your new staple. The new line of fruit flavored water will refresh your day as you help renew our planet with the classic 92% plant-based box.
    • The Cucumber flavored water uses award-winning 100% purified drinking water with the natural flavor of fresh cucumber. The cool and calm taste will have you dreaming of the spa, with the bonus of zero sugar or artificial ingredients.
    • The Grapefruit flavored water uses award-winning 100% purified drinking water with the energizing kick of natural grapefruit. The tart-yet-sweet taste is sugar free and free of artificial ingredients. We can’t think of a better way to brighten your morning.
    • The Blackberry flavored water uses award-winning 100% purified drinking water with the natural flavor of fresh blackberries. Its subtle taste brings a brightness to your water routine while remaining sugar free and free of artificial ingredients.

    It’s not enough anymore to say you’re recyclable. At Boxed Water, they look at the global impact through their entire product lifecycle and, most importantly, how their plant-based cartons stack up compared to aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Learn more about Boxed Water at https://boxedwaterisbetter.com/.

  • Eco,  food,  Las Vegas,  Los Angeles,  San Diego

    Rubio’s Giving Free “Life’s an Ocean, Find Your Wave” Bags for World Oceans Day, June 8

    Celebrate World Oceans Day at Rubio’s on Wednesday, June 8. Guests who dine at Rubio’s in California, Arizona and Nevada will receive a FREE reusable tote bag with any purchase. This year’s reusable tote is made from recycled water bottles, with a fun, retro design reading “Life’s an Ocean, Find Your Wave.” It’s perfect for a day at the beach, park or any outing.

    Celebrating the eatery’s long-standing commitment to the ocean and sustainability, Rubio’s dedication to ocean conservation includes serving a menu of craveable dishes featuring sustainable or responsibly sourced seafood, using reusable catering bags, Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)-certified paper cups and compostable takeout containers. Rubio’s has celebrated World Oceans Day for ten years by giving away reusable bags. To receive this year’s bag, guests are encouraged to order ahead through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’sFacebook and Instagram.

  • food,  Gift Guide,  New York

    Make your day extra special with MarieBelle New York custom chocolates

    Make your wedding events all the sweeter with an unforgettable takeaway for friends and family: custom wedding chocolates from MarieBelle New York personalized with your own unique design hand-made to celebrate and mark your special day.

    Simply drop an email at info@mariebelle.com with a few details of your big day (design, aesthetic, colors, etc) and any artwork or design you might already have in mind and MarieBelle will get back to you within 24hrs!

    Some ideas:

    2pc Spring Party Favor

    This box is customizable

    Add a hint of spring and decadence with this adorable white box that opens to reveal two pieces of MarieBelle New York ganache. Each is crafted from the finest ingredients and all-natural flavors, in particular, the flavors in this box are Lavender and Dark.

    6pc Chocolate Ganache Blue Box

    Treat yourself to a chocolate lover’s fantasy with this collection of hand-made chocolates featuring six pieces of MarieBelle New York gourmet ganache featuring our whimsical year-round designs. Made from the finest ingredients and culinary practices, they feature flavors like Passion Fruit, Milk Chocolate, and Pistachio, all artfully packaged in this signature blue MarieBelle New York boxes. A jewel-like treat to give as it is to receive, it’s no wonder it’s New York’s sweetest indulgence.

    Note: Designs pictured may be subject to change based on availability. Flavors are pre-assorted and can not be changed.

    MarieBelle fascination with chocolate is accentuated by a profound obsession with its provenance and preparation. All MarieBelle chocolate products are handmade from the highest quality single origin cacao resulting in rich complex flavors not commonly found in chocolate.

    (MarieBelle Mother’s Day Collection)

    MarieBelle chooses only the finest selection of Criollo cacao beans from all over the world. What the fine Arabica bean is to coffee, the even finer and rarer Criollo bean is to chocolate. Criollo cacao makes up less than 10% of worldwide chocolate production, and as such, is highly sought after by connoisseurs. Chocolate made from Criollo beans has a distinct reddish color, and an equally distinctive complex taste, which can include flavors of caramel, nuts, vanilla and tobacco.

    MarieBelle chocolates are all handmade by passionate chocolate artisans. Their startling creativity and gift for harmonizing flavors have been the source of continuous innovation in their chocolate-making process and techniques.

  • food,  Los Angeles,  New York,  San Diego

    You Love Sriracha, You Love Gochujang, You Can’t Miss Bushwick Kitchen’s Gochujang Sriracha

    Sriracha has been growing in popularity as the go-to spicy condiment for quite some time now, and with good reason. It adds a delicious dose of heat to everything from pizza to deviled eggs to Bloody Marys. This versatile sauce is also great for cooking and can help you breathe some fire into even the most exhausted of your tired old recipes. If Sriracha is everywhere nowadays, you should notice another Asian spicy sauce is getting more and more popular. It is gochujang, which origins from Korea and is used in a lot of Korean foods.

    No matter sriracha or gochujang, on its own or combined with a few other simple ingredients, they make an excellent marinade. Ditch the barbecue sauce – let some ribs, chicken wings or shrimp soak up its heat and throw them on the grill for a new take on some old favorites. Add it to strips of steak to take your fajita game to the next level. If you don’t eat meat, you can use sriracha or gochujang as a marinade for baked or grilled tofu. Don’t have the time or patience to marinate? Mix some them into shredded chicken for savory sandwiches or add it to ground beef for fiery sloppy joes.

    The sweet/heat you’ve come to expect from these two spicy sauce. When classic sriracha meets the fermented complexity of gochujang chili paste. It’ll give you weak knees. Bushwick kitchen brings sriracha and gochujang together, here comes one of my favorite spicy sauce – Gochujang Sriracha.

    (I use it as a marinade a lot, it definitely gives meat a hint of delicious spicy and sweet taste.)

    Gochujang Sriracha is great on eggs and avocado toast, but there are so many other ways you can put it to use at breakfast and brunch. Add it to waffle batter for a sweet-and-savory treat. Mix it into cream cheese to up your bagel game. Add a little into Hollandaise sauce for killer eggs benedict. Turn your Bloody Mary into an extra-spicy standout at brunch. Like your shakshouka extra spicy? Gochujang Sriracha! A little heat can wake up your senses even better than a cup of coffee (well . . . maybe).

    The Super Spicy Bloody Season is coming. Stir your favorite amount of Bushwick Kitchen Gochujang Sriracha into your Bloody this weekend and don’t scrimp on the garnishes. The Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha gets cranked up for the heat seekers. Here comes the super spicy Gochujang Sriracha, which sriracha plays nice at first, but as the gochujang flavors develop so does the heat from the addition of habañero peppers. Enjoy! Please play with Bushwick Kitchen Gochujang Sriracha sauce and let me know if you create some new and fun recipes.

  • food,  Gift Guide,  Las Vegas,  New York,  San Diego

    Make The Graduation Day Memorable with A Perfect Gift Box from gourmetgiftbaskets.com

    Graduation is a big deal. All those nights of cramming for major exams, making it through those awful gen eds, and waking up for boring 9 AM classes with dull professors is hard work. Sure, it was fun too, but don’t underestimate how taxing college life can be. Graduating should be rewarded with a gift that shows how excited you are about their accomplishments. That’s why gourmetgiftbaskets.com created the collection of special graduation gift baskets which are complete with everything you need to say congratulations on the big day.

    Fruit for My Grad

    As graduation approaches, it’s time to start thinking of a gift for the graduate-to-be! They’ve worked hard to receive their diploma and this fruit gift basket is the perfect way to say “congratulations!” The beautiful gift is filled with the perfect mix of snacks that are healthy, sweet, and savory. Order your favorite graduate this special fruit gift today!

    Contents

    • Sea Salt Caramel Sauce by Stonewall Kitchen – 12.25 oz.
    • Stoned Wheat Crackers by Eleanor + Flynn – 4 oz.
    • Chocolate Covered Cherries by Marich – 2.3 oz.
    • Classic Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese by Cabot – 8 oz.
    • Butter Peanut Crunch by Hammond’s – 3 oz.
    • Belgian Chocolates by Annalie’s Chocolates – 1.76 oz.
    • Red Apples – 4 qty.
    • Oranges – 2 qty.
    • Pears – 2 qty.
    • Water Hyacinth – Medium Tray

    Graduation Champagne Gift

    Commend their achievement with this stunning arrangement! You can choose one of four exceptional sparkling wines, which are expertly paired with an unparalleled assortment of decadent gourmet treats. Boasting irresistibly smooth truffles, delicate cookies, and Belgian chocolates, this gorgeous basket makes an already memorable day completely unforgettable.

    *Champagne flutes are not included.
    *5107B ships with Vanilla Wafer Rolls instead of Key Lime Cookies.

    Contents

    Choose One of the Following Sparkling Wines:

    • La Marca Prosecco – 750 ml
    • Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label – 750 ml
    • Dom Perignon – 750 ml
    • Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne – 750 ml

    and

    • Key Lime Coolers by Dulion – 4 oz.
    • White Chocolate Truffle Bar by Lindt – 3.5 oz.
    • Assorted Truffles by Lindt – 5.1 oz.
    • French Chocolate Truffles by Truffle Basket – 3.5 oz.
    • Chocolate Caramel Grahams by Annalie’s Chocolates – 2.6 oz.
    • Belgian Chocolates by Annalie’s Chocolates – 1.76 oz.

    Around The World Beer Bucket – 12 Beers

    The great beers should know no borders. That’s why gourmetgiftbaskets.com has sought out delicious brews from around the globe and united them in this Around The World Beer Bucket! Perfect for anyone who enjoys a cold one, gourmetgiftbaskets.com brought together beers from many different countries and artfully arranged them inside of the galvanized steel bucket. And since nothing goes with a tasty brew like good snacks, gourmetgiftbaskets.com carefully chose some of their most beloved gourmet foods to include, handcrafted popcorn, tasty nuts, beef jerky, beef garlic sausage, and more, creating a special gift that’s impossible to not enjoy!

    *Beer glasses not included.

    Contents

    • Grey Lady Ale by Cisco Brewers – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Lager by Moretti – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Sam Adams – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Hefeweissbier by Weihenstephaner – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Porter by Founders Brewing Company – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Pale Lager by Moosehead Brewery – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Pale Lager by Red Stripe – 11.2 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Pilsener by Bavik – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Pale Lager by Dos Equis XX – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Pale Lager by Stella Artois – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Pale Lager by Kirin Brewing Company – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Brown Ale by Shed Mountain – 12 oz. – BOTTLE
    • Garlic Sausage by Hanover Smokehouse – 5 oz.
    • Garlic Cheese by Mountain View Farms – 6 oz.
    • Premium Duet of Roasted Almonds & Cashews by Second Nature – 2 oz.
    • Roasted Pistachios by Second Nature – 1.5 oz.
    • Original Water Crackers by Capeachio’s – 4.4 oz.
    • Everything Seasoned Beef Jerky by Field Trip Snacks – 1 oz.
    • Cheesy Cheddar Popcorn by GourmetGiftBaskets.com – 1.3 oz.
    • Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Kettlecorn by GourmetGiftBaskets.com – 1.3 oz.
    • 16 Quart Metal Bucket

    Post-College Survival Kit

    Life after college can be hard to get used to. That’s why gourmetgiftbaskets.com put together this Post-College Survival Kit, which is equipped with all of a recent grad’s favorite eats! Inside one of their signature boxes, they’ll find an assortment of delectable snacks, including premium gourmet cookies and irresistibly sweet candies, helping make life on their own a little easier.

    * Products are loosely placed in the box

    Contents

    • Pepperoni Pizza Pretzels by Combos – 1.80 oz.
    • Milk Chocolate M&Ms Theater Box by Mars Wrigley Confectionary – 3.1 oz.
    • Skittles Original Theater Box by Wrigley – 3.5 oz.
    • Swedish Fish Theater Box by Mondelez Global LLC. – 3.1 oz.
    • Oreo’s by Nabisco – Snack Pack
    • Cheesy Cheddar Popcorn by GourmetGiftBaskets.com – 1.3 oz.
    • Blasted with M&Ms – Rice Krispies Treats Bar by Kelloggs – 2.1 oz.
    • Peanut M&Ms by Mars – 1.69 oz.
    • Goldbears by Haribo – 5 oz.
    • Original Pretzels Crisps by Snack Factory – 1.5 oz.
    • Roasted & Salted Almonds by Blue Diamond – 1.5 oz.
    • Oats & Honey Granola bar by Nature Valley
    GourmetGiftBaskets.com was founded in 2002 with family values and the desire to provide exceptional gifts for all of life’s special occasions. Through years of working in his family’s flower shop in New Hampshire, President & CEO Ryan Abood naturally realized an opportunity to provide handmade, high quality gift baskets. What began with two family members in the basement of a flower shop has exploded into a multi-million dollar company recognized multiple times by Inc.500, Internet Retailer, Enterprise Bank, and more, while still remaining true to its core values of exceptional gourmet ingredients handcrafted with care. As this entrepreneurial family spirit continues in the next generation with the birth of the youngest A bood last spring, this proud family business will continue to exceed gourmet gifting expectations.