LetPot Hydroponic Growing System - Fresh Herbs at My Fingertips!

I was recently gifted the LetPot Hydroponic Indoor Gardening System.

As someone with a hectic schedule, the LetPot system has been a lifesaver. I've always struggled to keep my herbs and veggies alive, but the LetPot Indoor Hydroponic Garden changed the game! With its smart app control, I can effortlessly monitor my plants' needs. 

The setup is a cinch, and the app guides you every step of the way. Plus, it looks super cool on your countertop, adding a touch of nature to your kitchen. 🌱

Hot tip - adding a sprinkle of Cinnamon to the soil helps to prevent mold growth.

The automated watering and lighting ensure my plants get exactly what they need without constant attention. I've been growing cherry tomatoes and lettuce; the results are fantastic. Fresh, home-grown produce without the fuss—what more could you ask for? Plus, it's a sleek addition to my kitchen decor. Highly recommend it for any home cook!

This indoor 12 Pod Growing System garden features a 24W Growing LED, 5.5L Water Tank, Pump System, and Automatic Timer. It's also easily controlled via an app.

LetPot has turned my brown thumb green – it’s a must-have for anyone who wants to benefit from a garden, without all the fuss. Check it out here.🌟

Benefits of the  LetPot Hydroponic Growing System

• Year-Round Gardening: Grow herbs, vegetables, and fruits regardless of the season or weather conditions.
• Space-Efficient: Ideal for urban living, these systems require minimal space, allowing you to grow plants in apartments or small homes.
• Water Efficiency: Uses significantly less water compared to traditional soil gardening, making it an environmentally friendly option.
• Faster Growth: Plants often grow faster and yield more produce due to optimal nutrient delivery and controlled growing conditions.
• App Control: Monitor and manage your garden from anywhere using a smartphone app, ensuring plants receive the perfect amount of light, water, and nutrients.
• No Soil, No Mess: Eliminates the need for soil, reducing mess and the risk of pests and diseases commonly associated with soil-based gardening.
• Automated Systems: Many systems automate watering, lighting, and nutrient delivery, reducing the need for constant attention and making gardening more accessible to beginners.
• Healthy Produce: Grow your own organic produce, free from pesticides and chemicals, ensuring healthier food for you and your family.
• Customizable Environments: Easily adjust light, temperature, and humidity to create the perfect environment for a wide variety of plants.
• Educational: A great way to learn about plant biology and the science of growing, making it an excellent educational tool for kids and adults alike.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a touch of greenery and modern design to your home, enhancing your living space's ambiance and air quality.

The Foodie Bag Review

I was gifted The Foodie Bag in exchange for an honest review. 

If you're a foodie who enjoys taking photos of food - whether it be creations of your own or something on the go then this is the kit for you! The Foodie Bag has everything you need to elevate your photo-taking game to the next level. Learn more about the brand behind the bag - the Paper Bag Company here.

So what's The Foodie Bag all about?

It's a big, lightweight, and limited edition,12oz cotton zip-up bag that has an internal zip pocket and mesh divider. The bag comes with a 5 in 1 pop-up reflector, an 8 postcard set with handy tips, and 4 photographic backgrounds.

The four backgrounds are the perfect size to flat lay dishes and props while adding a burst of life to the background. As my photos depict, The Foodie Bag is not just for food photography - the creative possibilities are endless!

This was my first time using any kind of photographic reflector or diffuser, so I've got some learning to do on my end, but I'd say it was a great first attempt! I'm excited to continue using The Foodie Bag and learn more from the tips on the included postcards.

The photos I've taken are from my phone, but you could use a professional camera if you have access as well.

I love how convenient The Foodie Bag is for pictures on the go and for easy cleanup and storage at home.

Pros & Cons of The Foodie Bag

I really appreciate how big and roomy the bag is. It's able to easily hold everything the kit comes with and more! I was able to fit my Canon Camera, and mini tripod in the bag comfortably. The straps on the bag are made well and sit nicely on your shoulder.

The backgrounds are made of durable paper, which can be wiped clean with ease. I would caution against anything that could leave a residue or ring mark though. The backgrounds do need to be rolled up and stored in the provided tube, which is a pro or con depending on your personal needs and point of view. I found this to be a non-issue since I wasn't taking photos away from home. However, it could be a frustration for on-the-go photo taking. Perhaps this is a challenge to tackle for a future The Foodie Bag.

The pop-up reflector is pretty handy and though I'm still learning how to utilize it properly, I love its portability! It twists and folds down super easily and fits like a charm into the supplied pouch, thus taking up very little room in The Foodie Bag itself. 

An added bonus is the included photo cards with photography tips on framing, lighting, and editing on the reverse side. These tips are courtesy of renowned phone photographer Matt Innwood. I plan on spending some time reading these cards thoroughly and implementing the advice with future photos.

Would I Recommend The Foodie Bag?

I would - It's a fantastic tool for anyone who loves taking flat lay style photos! You can purchase one for yourself (or as a gift for the photo-taking foodie in your life) over at The Paper Bag Company. 

#TheFoodieBag sells for £39.95 and is capable of being shipped overseas - Contact The Paper Bag Company for more information here. 

Give the Paper Bag Company a follow on Instagram

Review: Delicious Without Gluten

I was recently contacted by the folks at Delicious Without Gluten and asked if I would like to review some of their products. They were kind enough to send me a lovely care pack with a variety of their baked goods.

Some quick facts about Delicious Without Gluten

• Everything is made without gluten, dairy, peanuts and tree nuts
• They are certified by the Canadian Celiac Association, thus bearing the logo
• Products are Kosher
• They have expanded into the Foodservice industry, offering a variety of goods to cafeterias, hospitals, convention centers, and restaurants
• A Canadian company, based out of Quebec
• They offer custom orders 
• You can find their products throughout Ontario and Quebec
• Everything freezes and defrosts beautifully

So What Did I think?

Full disclosure: I had heard a lot about Delicious Without Gluten and was beyond excited to sample away. One of the first things that I noticed was how fresh everything smelled and tasted. You can really tell that that a lot of thought has been put into creating this product line. 

I'm happy to report that the bread items can be enjoyed without the use of a toaster. That's right, they were light, airy and didn't fall apart. Awards should be given out for gluten-free bread that can be eaten sans toaster. But, if you do enjoy your bread products toasted, they fair well in the toaster as well. Both the bread and paninis make fantastic sandwiches. 

Side note: The Challah Rolls make for some excellent french toast.

 Banana Chocolate Chip Cake

I have a love-hate relationship with banana bread so I went into this unsure of my expectations. What did I think? Well, the Banana Chocolate Chip Cake was pretty wonderful! It had just the right amount of chocolate chips to provide a sweet surprise, but not take away from all that yummy banana. I enjoyed it both with and without a light spread of margarine. Both options are extremely enjoyable.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

 

Look at all of those chocolate chips! Seriously, these muffins were AMAZING. They're fluffy, full of chocolate chips and not at all dry. It's wonderful to be able to eat a gluten-free muffin that doesn't disintegrate into a crumbly mess. These are top of the line in my opinion. 

I usually try to find both positives and things which can be improved upon when I do a review, but I honestly loved everything I sampled. The only downside I can think of is that Delicious Without Gluten is not widely available on store shelves across the country. To that I say, if you enjoy their products, contact your local grocery stores and ask them to carry DWG products. 

You can find out where to buy Delicious Without Gluten products by searching their store locator.

Keep up with Delicious Without Gluten on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram

Review: Red Apple Lipstick

I received free product for review purposes. Opinions are entirely my own.

As someone who eats gluten-free due to Celiac disease, it's important that my cosmetics are free from gluten as well. Let's be honest, if it's on your face then it's easily ingested. It can be overwhelming to read cosmetic labels all the while trying to decipher hidden gluten sources. Often the ingredients are listed in the worlds smallest fonts, making reading those scientific terms all the more difficult.

Are there any Gluten-Free Makeup Brands?

Enter Red Apple Lipstick. They take serious pride in using only the finest, highest quality ingredients to create their products. On top of being certified Gluten-Free, Red Apple ingredients are Vegan, Soy Free, Paraben-Free, Lead-Free and Vitamin E Enriched. All products are created in small batches to ensure freshness.

Exfoliate Stick and Magic Momint Lipgloss

I tried out a lipgloss and an exfoliate stick.

This was my first experience with an Exfoliate Stick so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It comes in an elegant lipstick tube and has coarse-grained bits all throughout the product. The coarse grainy bits are what scrub the dry patches from your lips. Using it is quite simple and not messy at all. Just apply like you would lipstick and then wipe off with a small cloth or some water. The creamy texture is really enjoyable and I adore the cooling mint flavor - so refreshing! As someone who regularly endures chapped lips, the Exfoliate Stick has earned a fan in me! 

Cost: $17.00

Next up, I tried the Mint 2 Be lipgloss - Magic Momint

I tend not to wear lipgloss often as I find it to generally be a thick goopy mess that ends up drying out my lips. So no fun there. On a happy note, Red Apple Lipstick has exceeded my expectations with their lipgloss formulation. Magic Momint feels airy and light when applied. It has a very satiny feel and a luscious spearmint aroma that is a pure winner. The pigment is so darn gorgeous! It goes on slightly sheer and allows for easy to control intensity by applying a lot or just a little. A big highlight is that the colour lasts for a long time and feels silky and conditioning on the lips.

Cost: $18.50

For more information on Red Apple Lipstick, check out the following social media links:

Red Apple Lipstick Facebook Page

Red Apple Lipstick Twitter

Red Apple Lipstick Pinterest

Red Apple Lipstick Instagram

Product Review: GoGo Quinoa Supergrains Pasta

One of my go-to meal solutions is pasta. It's hearty, healthy and versatile. Another plus is how quick and easy it is to make. When GoGo Quinoa asked me if I'd like to give their new Super Grains Fusilli Pasta a try, I had to say yes! Let's talk about what has this pasta standing apart from the crowd - the ingredients.

Ingredients:

Organic sorghum flour, organic white quinoa flour, organic amaranth flour, organic chia flour.

Nutritional Values:

The pasta is a good source of fibre and Iron with 25%  of iron and 24% of fibre per portion (1 cup). 

What IS Sorghum Flour?

GoGo Quinoa’s sorghum is grown in Bolivia. This small grain is an edible hull which is rich in antioxidants. Sorghum is very nutritious, packed with carbohydrates, fibre, iron, protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Eating it can help maintain a healthy balanced diet.

What Did I think?!

I had never tried Quinoa pasta before so I  was quite curious to see what it was like. Although I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, I went into the experience with an open mind. Taste and texture is a big deal - no one likes mushy pasta or an aftertaste. The Super Grains Fusilli Pasta came through, big time! It holds up really well and does not fall apart after cooking. Plus, no aftertaste! I always make enough to ensure there are leftovers and reheating them has been a success. That's a big plus in my book. The pasta has a nice hearty bite to it and there is zero aftertaste with it.

With school back in session and Fall weather upon us, I decided to cook up a little comfort dish with the GoGo Quinoa Super Grains Fusilli. 

Butternut Squash Autumn Supergrains Pasta

You will need:

GoGo Quinoa Supergrains Fusilli Pasta

1 Butternut Squash

5 strips of Bacon 

3 stocks of Celery 

a handful of Chives

1/4 Cup Milk

Handful Grated Parmesan

3 Tablespoons Butter

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons Paprika

1 Teaspoon Nutmeg

Salt & Pepper to taste

Pasta Cooking Instructions: Bring 3-4 litres of water to a boil. Add salt if desired. When the water is boiling well, add the pasta and cook for 9 minutes for an Al Dente texture while stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse promptly with cold water. Serve immediately with your favourite sauce and condiments. 

While the pasta is boiling: puree a butternut squash and add it to a saucepan.
Then add 1/4 cup of milk, 3 Tablespoons Butter, 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 2 Tablespoons Paprika,1 Teaspoon Nutmeg and Salt & Pepper to taste. After giving everything a good stir,  add some diced celery (3 stocks) and some finely chopped bacon (5 strips). Give everything another stir and add in the pasta.Then add a handful of grated parmesan cheese and gently incorporate the pasta into the sauce. Once plated, top with some fresh chives.

You can find GoGo Quinoa Supergrains Pasta in Costco stores across Canada.