Shower sweetness on your Valentine

Some version of wine, chocolate is a must for Valentine’s Day. Give it to it, and get a little innovative with these holiday treats.

 

 

Math I like – I’m on the record for avoiding math. But I love this equation: Cream + Sugar is house-made and hand-packed artisanal ice cream from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It’s found a home in Texas via Central Market. Now we in the Lone Star can enjoy Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Huckleberry. But wait, mini ice cream “sammis” are the YESSSSS! of the bunch. Little silver-dollar sized crispy cookies hold in the creamy stuff and sprinkles just guild the lily. A whole lot of yum. I think I’ll go to Wyoming to thank them for coming to Texas. www.creamandsugaricecream.com

 

                  Chocolate is Mandatory - A square of 70 percent Congo Dark Chocolate pairs well with yellow yam and plantain chips, according to www.congotropicals.com suggests. But maybe you’ll go for something more exotic. Soursop anyone? I’ve become a fan of super dark chocolate and I confess, I like to dip it into hot tea so it melts a tad before I savor that silky warmth. www.congotropicals.com

 Cupid’s Cup – More love toward Adagio Teas later. But let’s start with Cupid’s Original Potion, a creamy and fragrant blend of hibiscus, strawberry and vanilla. Little colorful hearts in this loose tea melt into your brew. That may be a sweet secret the for the one who makes it from the one who enjoys it. www.adagio.com

 

Pirani – My Valentine knows my love language includes travel cups for good sustainability juju. But we are going to fuss over who gets the new aqua “Paradise” colored Pirani tumbler. It resembles your iconic red party cup, but you can enjoy this same one for years. It feels good in the hand and stays out of beach trash. Oh, I just found an X on the bottom where you put your name so you won’t lose your cup. Learn from  their creation video at www.pirani.life

Food&Courage – Can some flour and sugar save the world? Rachel at Food&Courage is counting some change, at least. Shaved Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Maldon Salt are dairy and gluten free and have a goal beyond being delicious. They are good, by the way, and Maldon Salt has a history worth looking up. Here’s the deal, the company also helps to end human trafficking and build a healthier America. Are you in? www.foodandcourage.com

Sovi   has Sparkling Rose and Red Blend alcohol-removed wine in cans to kick off night. This Napa couple keeps aromas and flavors by boiling off the alcohol via vacuum distillation. They add grape juice and bubbles. It’s tart. This sort of beverage is trending, so get in on the experimentation. Cans are eco-friendly for on-the-go occasions. www.drinksovi.com

 

Support two babies – Foodies, when can you borrow your baby’s blanket to fold it into a cool fashion accessory for yourself? Would you like that blanket to get softer with each washing and for your purchase to help another baby get one, too? This is too much. What if it came in your favorite color and supported sustainability? Enough already. Go to Bundles of Hope and learn what’s the latest thing hemp is doing. Baby Boomers, could you imagine wrapping your grands in such a beautiful and useful tie-dyed hemp offering? We know we’ve been consuming various parts of the plant in seeds and oils. When you order from this company, you may get a card explaining additional hemp uses from industrial textiles and carpeting to cardboard, printing ink and oil paints. bundlesofhope.cc/

‘Tis the Season – Cupcake Polish of Dallas wants to be seen in the best light. The light is what makes their holographic touch stand out. Sparkle in pink for Valentine’s Day. I’ve mentioned this product as a birthday treat. As Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas approaches, check out shades to pair with Majestic Krewe of Aurora supporters. The color Aurora Borealis is just a starter.  Zugzwang and Groovy Baby and will also stand out as we enjoy culinary adventures on a stick and grab for beads. Connect at www.cupcakepolish.com

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie striving to make everyone as happy as she most usually is. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

New Year goals include birthday indulgence

It’s time for resolutions and best choices, right? Yes, but… January is my birthday, so I get to keep being indulgent, full of rainbows and enjoy shiny things. Bear with me and treat yourself:

 

Sucker for Organization – Find things where you left them, plan ahead and look good doing it. It’s more fun with 1Thrive collections in Boho, Industrial, Minimalist, etc.  I went with the Taylor with hooks to get this all-in-one over the kitchen door. A special marker jazzes up to-do and by-day lists, a bulletin board saves love notes and coupons, a metal pocket catches big stuff and hooks and pails at the bottom could be for keys. You see this every time you leave the house so… confidence is high that you’ve corralled the info and items you need. Look for variations for your office in Sarah, Audrey, Harper, etc. at www.1thrive.com Love this: Printable calendars, goals lists and more here.

Cupcake  Polish – I don’t often polish my nails, but when I do… I choose a forgiving texture. Perhaps this Dallas-based product, which they call the world’s best holographic polish, is more geared toward school girls who draw unicorns on their notebooks. I don’t care. A girl has got to sparkle on her birthday. And every Wednesday, for that matter. These shine and shimmer the light and it makes you want cotton candy and roller skates. You may think I’d go for the most purple, Aurora Borealis, or Blue Tourmaline, but I’m practical, even in this. Oh Ship! is a classic silver that goes with… whatever I want it to.  www.cupcakepolish.com

“The Official Unicorn SPiT User’s Handbook” – I suppose I was only vaguely aware of this shiny, multifaceted bottle of stuff that goes all 3D on your craft projects. Upscale side-of-the-road wooden table finds, create a fairy wardrobe with wings, perk up your sneakers and craft just about anything from the contents within. Michelle Nicole’s story is very cool and I love that this all started when she worked with some challenged adults who enjoyed her projects. She worked to make them safe so one man could paint with his hands and arms. Get the book, get the paint/gel/stain/glaze and go to town. You can SPiT on that.

SkinTEA – Or www.theteaonskin.com charges women to be comfortable in their own skin. As I slather on creamy Pumpskin soap, with pumpkin powder for vitamins, sunflower oil, turmeric for glow and colloidal oats for exfoliation, I’m thinking this formula sounds like a recipe. Obviously it is… for skin health. A soft headband keeps product from hairlines. At least once a year, a woman ought to get treated to luxury like this line offers.

 

Karuna – Whole plant juice comes bottles offering prebiotic fiber and antioxidant. At home, please pour into a stemmed glass so you can savor the beauty and flavor of ashitaba, dark cherry and pomegranate with aronia berry and kiwi. Whole plant here sounds like the whole orchard. There’s a lot in there and you can feel the nourishment working your cells. Karviva Unwined, mentioned last week, is a Dry January wine alternative that will make you feel great as you drink it and also the next morning.  www.mykaruna.com

 

Searching for TWRL – Remember the Twrl Milk Tea I went on about last week? The Supreme Jasmine tea in a can made with tea from centuries-old trees? Twrl is an unusual product with a distinct name, and I mistyped it in the notice. Read up on all their flavors at www.twrlmilktea.com and remember to twrl the can.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie joining forces with other Capricorns this birthday season. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com