Manitoba Harvest’s Hemp Yeah! (Protein Bar Review)

Oh no, here it is. Another protein bar review. Do they ever end? Truth be told, it seems like there is a never-ending supply of ready-to-eat protein snacks out there. It is hard staying on top of them all, but for us, it is important to know what exists because we’re asked for recommendations ALL THE TIME! We rarely find a product that is worthy of being coined innovative in any stretch of the imagination. When we do find innovative products, they’re not necessarily win-wins. For example, our review of Built Bar gave them credit for making a product that had a very strange texture. While we weren’t fans of it, we figured someone out there might be. Innovative? In a way. Enjoyable? Not for us. Enough of that old news though; what about Manitoba Harvest’s Hemp Yeah bar?

Attractive packaging

Jun112013

A Sweet Tooth’s Delight: Peddler’s Creamery (Los Angeles, CA)

While we were back in my home town (Santa Monica, California), we traveled to where my brother lives–in Downtown Los Angeles. Not exactly my most favorite part of LA, but what are you going to do! He shares a really nice apartment with his awesome girlfriend, Sophie. And there’s two Famima!!s right underneath them–you really can’t do better than that. Anyways, onto the good stuff-THE FOOD! Sophie works at a fantastic local ice cream shop called Peddler’s Creamery, and that, my friends, is where the magic happens.

She works there as a “Maker,” meaning she literally develops and creates ice cream flavors. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Best job ever, am I right? And Peddler’s is special because not only is it locally-owned, but the ice cream is made by them using a bike to churn it. Get a workout and then eat ice cream–sounds like a good day to me. I love how unique this place is and that they literally churn their ice cream by using a bike. And not only do they use organic ingredients, but they use fair trade ingredients too! A huge plus for me.

Sophie, my brother, and my mum

It’s a small little shop with some outdoor seating–very cute. You can see an old-fashioned bike in the front and the one they actually use in the back. We met the owner, who gave each of us a handshake and a genuine greeting–it’s not often you get that from the owner of a food joint, very nice guy. When we visited, the scooper was patient and very friendly as we all (my family and Chris) took awhile to decide between all the unique flavors.

The inside…there’s Sophie!

Now the flavors. These flavors change daily and are subject to season (another awesome) and are probably the most unique ice cream flavors I’ve seen to date. Some special ones are Mexican Chocolate, Chile Mango, Honey Lavender, and Kumquat. I got the cinnamon (I have a crazy obsession with cinnamon-type desserts, see: CHURROS) and boy did I make the right choice! Each bite was infused with the creamy “spicy” flavor of cinnamon. It was a melt-in-your-mouth kind of deal and also a where-did-my-ice-cream-go moment too. I was reluctant to share with my family, but I did. They got some yummy ones too like the Honey Lavender and a Mocha one.

Cinnamon flavored ice cream…SO GOOD

If I worked there, I would be as big as a balloon and probably get fired for eating too much on the job. If you are anywhere in the Los Angeles area, GO HERE. I have linked the website with the address and everything several times throughout this post, but here it is again. This adorable, eco-friendly local shop serves top-notch quality ice cream with interesting flavors and great service to boot. You’re missing out if you don’t find this gem! I will always be hungry (and fit!) for Peddler’s Creamery!

You may also like:

Jun042013

H&F’s Friends: BaliAsli (On Etsy)

We love Etsy and, although neither one of us has the skills to create any crafts or goods to sell on the site, we window-shop and admire everyone else’s talent. A few days ago, a new Etsy shop opened in Boulder, CO and it already offers some tremendous products. April has brought tremendous talent across the world from Bali and has made authentic and handmade crafts available for everyone online. The store currently has seven products available. These include various dolls and candles. The dolls are all crocheted and of the highest quality. We personally are purchasing the bear for our nieces. (Shh… don’t tell them.) The other dolls are durable and well-sized with great attention to detail.

The other products are eco soy hand carved candles. These candles are made to order and the best part is that you can request what scent you want. The carvings are of bears, owls, and a beautiful flower from Southeast Asia, if I’m not mistaken. All of the products that are currently available are low in stock so hurry to guarantee one for yourself. If you don’t make it in time, you have nothing to worry about because April’s talents allow her to recreate her projects to order. The shop’s motto is “With love we create and share” and that is exactly what they are doing here. They are creating goods full of love with their hands and sharing them to the rest of the community, no matter how far away.

As you know we already declared Gammianne’s Attic as our friend and BaliAsli is our second friend from Etsy alone. So again, please keep an eye on this new shop so you can have the first look and chance to buy April’s newest products before they get too popular! And if you’re looking for one of the bears, you’re going to have to wait in line because we want one first!

For more information and amazing gift ideas for children (nieces, nephews, grandchildren) and adults (grandparents, aunts, uncles, coworkers, parents) please follow this link or check our friend’s page for more information.