Some sharing, some crackers and
cheese and some smiles make me happy. I recently wrote about the weekly 4 p.m.
happy hour at the senior center where my aunt lived in Katy. She’s moving to be
closer to her daughter’s family. Boy, did all her friends there and at church
say some emotional goodbyes. It’s easy to see how people gravitate to her light
and spirit.
So this particular happy hour always
drew families in to visit and they spread out your basic sweet and savory bites
of pretzels, supermarket platters of cheese and meats and maybe some individual
guacamole packets. Easy and good. I love to get all fancy, but sometimes you
just don’t have the time. My personal favorite picnics often include canned
fish and dolmas with fresh bread. Point being, it’s the company that often
makes a gathering happy. But also, I’m perfectly pleased to have a happy hour
with my own self. If I’m overlooking the water, even better.
Good Dee’s – Good Dee’s Carrot Muffin & Cake Mix, as
a cake, was a hit at the senior happy hour. Especially since I pointed out this
gluten-free treat was also low carb, it went fast. People love a carrot cake
flavor. Now Good Dee’s Corn Free Bread, a keto-friendly mix, is something I
kept for myself! Just add eggs, butter and apple cider vinegar to this quickie.
Both were very easy to produce and enjoy. Read about the creator’s journey at www.gooddees.com
Sipping Streams
– Put some matcha in your
lip balm and discover Alaskan Fireweed in your creamed honey. Who says tea is
boring? There are so many flavors and varieties from Sipping Streams you may be
choosing by color and texture. The little buds are colorful and the flavor is
supreme. Their site, www.sippingstreams.com, will take novice tea lovers to another
level and I’m betting tea fanatics can also learn a thing or two. Excuse me,
I’ve got to get back to the creamed honey. It’s sooo smooth.
SVRY Nutrition – Cheddar & Jalapeno is a count-me-in
flavor. Tired of sticky-sweet health bars? Go savory with satisfying Cheddar
& Chive, Parmesan & Black Pepper, Tomato & Basil, etc. These are
great for road trips and desk drawers. I don’t climb rocks like people on the
site do, but everyone needs a nutritious pick-me-up and these flavors are
“designed to fuel your taste buds, body and goals.” Get a tasting order with
ready-to-mic bone Bone Broth, Coffee and Rooibos Tea for a protein boost. Not
every company is proud of their healthy stuff and can offer such a wide
variety. These guys are champs. I enjoyed the flavor and ease of the products. In
fact, I kept one in my purse during a trip and just had a nibble at a time over
days for delicious sustenance. www.svrynutrition.com
Darragh Doiron is
a Port Arthur area foodie working toward a Lenten season heavy on the beans and
rice. darraghcastillo@icloud.com
