Ridgecrest Herbals Review and Giveaway: Natural Energy and Adrenal Fatigue Fighter

I’ve never been a coffee person. At first, I didn’t like the taste — it was far too bitter and acidic for me. I stuck to my strongly caffeinated British tea and diet coke at lunch, just enough caffeine to give me a quick hit to get through the afternoon. Then, I went to grad school while working full-time, and my husband, a pot a day kinda guy, swore that this would be it, that I’d come over to the dark side and succumb to the coffee gods. It didn’t happen! I started to embrace mochas and lattes more, but never became a daily coffee drinker. Fast forward a few years, and I had my first baby. I was deep in the throes of exhaustion and broken, scant sleep, and again, my husband hoped this would be it, that he’d have someone to share his addiction with. Still didn’t happen. Two years later, another baby. STILL no coffee, but am trying to kick my diet coke habit, and am relying heavily on my morning black tea to wake me up. Well, hopes of caffeine addiction aside, I’ve found a little something that puts pep in my step without stimulants, taurine, or yellow food coloring — and it’s from Ridgecrest Herbals.

Adrenal Fatigue Fighter

Waaaaaay back what feels like 10,000 years ago, I went to Shiftcon, and met Will and Nicole. I instantly hit it off with them, and could tell I was with my people. I had a really deep and heartfelt chat with Will about my struggles with weight, and I happened to win their coloring contest by doodling a psychedelic third eye on Will’s forehead. They sent me home with some Thyroid Thrive and Adrenal Fatigue Fighter, and woo, Nellie, let me just say! Adrenal Fatigue Fighter is nice because when you take it you don’t really feel like you took anything, you just feel more alert and focused. Focused is a very good feeling for an ADHD Social Media Manager whose time is spent darting from one platform to the next all day. And I mean, look at this product description. My copy-writer loving heart swoons. “Let’s talk about Adrenal Fatigue Fighter. But could you give me twenty minutes? I just got a call – my toddler bit someone and they say I have to go and apologize to the kid’s mother. Oh, but I have an appointment at twelve to get my oil changed. So maybe two? Oh, wait, I already have a meeting then. Can we pick up this discussion around three? I’ve got from 3:06-3:10 free, does that work for you? Bear with, just need to answer this text…”

Also, Adrenal Fatigue Fighter is packed with powerful herbs like Astragalus Root. “First appearing in the original text of the Divine Husbandman, Astragalus root is one of the 50 core herbs in TCM. Adopted in western culture as a supplement, it is often used to aid sleep, boost energy, and promote a healthy libido. It is also often used to support effective urine flow, promote clear breathing, and help sustain a positive metabolism.” I saw an acupuncturist for a year following my pregnancy with Holly, and she talked often of the poers of Astragalus. My best friend is also on a kick with Ashwagandha, which is an Ayurvedic herb, in Sanskrit Ashwagandha translates to the “smell of a horse,” and is traditionally believed to impart the energy and vigor of a stallion to those who use it. Science has shown Ashwagandha to include alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, withanolides, and amino acids, which support a number of bodily systems. With over 200 scientific studies done, Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb often used to promote calm, support cognitive health, and help protect a healthy immune system.”

That’s just two of many potent and powerful herbs in Adrenal Fatigue Fighter. I’ve been using it as needed on days when I feel sluggish, and you can take the dose you feel like you need. Usually just one is perfect for me some extra energy without any of the jitters I get from coffee. Despite the fact that these herbs actually work, I really like the company ethos of Ridgecrest Herbals. Will was telling me during the huge Santa Rosa fires (adjacent to my hometown), they shipped pallets of Clear Lungs and Anxiety Free supplements to the region, just to help people out. That’s such a thoughtful thing to do — and other than goodwill and admiration, RC Herbals didn’t expect a thing. You don’t often hear about companies stepping up like that these days.

 

Now, to further add to RC Herbals awesomeness, they’re giving away 1 bottle of ClearLungs and 1 bottle of SinusClear, in addition to a few other small goodies. Please use the Rafflecopter widget below — and if you run into any troubles, leave a comment! PS – I’m heavily weighting extra giveaway entries for social media action, because Ridgecrest deserves to see some buzz about their brand. GOOD LUCK!

 
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Pot of Perfection: Petit Pot – Pot de Creme Review and Giveaway

Ever since I embarked on the journey of physical fitness, I knew that part of making an active, gym-rat lifestyle sustainable for myself would be to find balance between going 110% and sweating all day every day and eating nothing but kale, to finding space in life for little treats and little delicacies. It’s hard finding the sweet spot between using food as a reward and just enjoying good food, but I seem to be navigating okay in the last few months. I actually stumbled upon the Munchery, a meal delivery service, thanks to a friend (pssst you get $20 free if you try it out using the link), and couldn’t resist trying a dark chocolate petit pot for dessert — an adorable little jar with an orange lid, filled with organic dark chocolate ‘pudding’. I’m a sucker for dark chocolate, and I liked that they used all organic cream, and the adorable jar was just the “take my money” end factor.

Berries & Vanilla #potdecrème: lovely pairing! ?☁️❤️ #happymothersday

A photo posted by Petit Pot (@petit_pot) on

I ordered my meal with that as dessert, and when I had my first bite, holy shiskabob. It was like the creme de la creme of chocolate lava cakes blended into a smooth, rich pudding, dancing on my tongue with each bite. It was so good I promptly tweeted them and asked if they worked with bloggers… ‘cuz I wanted to share the goodness. It was my lucky day because in exchange for this review, I got one pot of each flavor and a cute orange hat. Here are my thoughts:

  • Dark Chocolate: Still my favorite. Rich and complex without being cloyingly sweet. Made with 70% cacao and the most traditionally French recipe.
  • Vanilla Bean: A close call to be my favorite. Loved the texture of real vanilla bean specks against the creamy, milky pudding.
  • Coffee: A very subtle coffee taste, would be delicious with a light biscuit and dessert coffee.
  • Salted Caramel: Perfect for butterscotch lovers, one of the more “noticeable” flavors
  • Lemon Curd Pot de Crème: is made with organic California lemon juice to create a zesty balance of tart and sweet.

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All of the pot de cremes are gluten-free, certified organic, and made with love by real French chefs Max and Pierre in San Francisco. This is the kind of “buy local, buy real” that I love: a quick visit to their website shows very clearly that this brand isn’t being made by MegaCorp Foods, Inc. in some grim warehouse in the middle of the country.

Now: for dieters, this isn’t a treat you’re going to be able to enjoy every day simply because it is made with all natural, all delicious, high-fat cream and sugar. However, this is the type of treat you save up for and then enjoy slowwwwwly, bite by bite, perhaps in a bubble bath? In fact, I suffered the wrath of my former trainer’s anger when she saw I ate one after a good workout on Twitter, but it was totally worth it. Sorry, trainer: your anger < delicious pudding. 

#fmsphotoaday: V is for Vanilla, found in this super yummy @petit_pot that you can win soon on the #DoubleChinDiary.

A photo posted by Alyssa Curran (@lyssacurran) on

Also, each pot de creme comes in an adorable little glass jar. I’m already imagining using the jars to re-plant some of my baby succulents, so they get high marks for creativity and efficiency in packaging. In fact, a recent email of theirs states they’ve saved over 230 pounds of plastic by using glass instead. Well done!

How would you like the chance to try your own little set of Pot de Creme? The kind folks at Petit Pot are offering one lucky Double Chinner a whole set of Petit Pots, 3 boxes of French mini cookies, and a Petit Pot t-shirt. Sounds pretty good to me! Use the rafflecopter to enter below. Giveaway will end on Friday, August 5th at 12:00 a.m. and is open to those 18+ in the lower 48. Good luck!
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Dunkin Donuts comes to Encino… and a Giveaway!

A few days ago I was trollin’ FB as I do, when a post caught my eye. My friend Melissa had posted about a grand opening for Dunkin Donuts in ENCINO! Encino is about 6 minutes from my house. Color me excited! Now, I’m not a huge donut lover (that’s the hubby), even though there’s a donut in the DCD logo. However, I am a huge lover of the occasional delicious treat, and the Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Kreme donut fits the bill! Also, growing up in Chicago, Dunkin Donuts became a landmark of weekends – whenever a dozen donuts showed up at our house, it officially signified the start of a special weekend.

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Dunkin Donuts is now open from 5 AM to 11 pm in Encino, at the intersection of Balboa and Ventura.

I headed over today for the grand opening and got myself some delicious donuts and lunch. For lunch I chose the egg and bacon sandwich on a pretzel roll. Super yummy! I loved the crunch of salt against the chewy pretzel roll. I also got a massive unsweetened iced tea ($1.99, holla), because DD knows their beverages – no watered down tea concentrates here. (Hubby is a fan of the DD coffee). I loved how all of the staff at the Encino DD were friendly, smiling, and hustlin’. It felt like a taste of the Midwest here in LA!

Bacon and Egg Sandwich on Pretzel Roll with Large Iced Tea - yum!

Bacon and Egg Sandwich on Pretzel Roll with Large Iced Tea – yum!

To celebrate the grand opening of Dunkin Donuts Encino, you have a chance to win a $20 Dunkin Donuts Gift Card! You can use this gift card at any location in the United States – hooray! To enter, use Rafflecopter to submit your entries. The give away starts at 12:00 a.m. on 6/10 (Early birds reading this on 6/9: sorry for the delay!). I’ll choose a winner next Wednesday, June 17th. United States only, must be 18+. Good luck – and if you win, get a Chocolate Kreme (or Blueberry Cake!) donut in my honor 😉

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Are you a fan of Dunkin? Visit DunkinDonuts.com to find a location near you 🙂

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Disclosure: I was offered a $10 giftcard for writing this post and the $20 gift card for giveaway. All opinions are my own and I wanted to share as a Midwesterner happy to see some Midwestern food love coming to California 🙂

 

Alyssa’s California Avocado Adventure: Rancho Rodoro and Mission Packing Plant

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Stuff my lawyer made me say: Holy guacamole! The California Avocado Commission provided me free lodging, transportation, meals, and awesome avocado swag. I am not under any obligation to write or share about my trip.

After our first tour of the day at the avocado nursery, Brokaw Nursery, we boarded the bus and headed out to Rancho Rodoro — a beautiful avocado farm nestled in Santa Paula, Calif. Rancho Rodoro is named after the farmer Randy Axell’s parents, a combination of their names Ross and Dorothy. Randy has been growing California Avocados for over 40 years, and he grows Hass and Lamb Hass avocados. It was really interesting to hear him talk about how avocado farming works; how precise the weather, soil, water, and nutrients need to be to produce a bountiful avocado crop. The photo below shows buds of soon to be avocado babies.

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We were given the opportunity to pick some of our own avocados, and that was a blast. I spotted this beauty and knew it had to be mine!

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Did you know that avocados don’t ripen on the tree? Avocados only ripen once you pick them. Once we all  harvested to our heart’s content, we headed into Randy’s awesome barn, where Chef Pink from Bacon and Brine of Solvang was preparing us a delicious lunch.

Farmer Randy, Jan, the VP of Marketing for California Avocado Commission, and Chef Pink of Bacon and Brine share a laugh in Randy's barn

Farmer Randy, Jan, the VP of Marketing for California Avocado Commission, and Chef Pink of Bacon and Brine share a laugh in Randy’s barn

To start, Chef Pink prepared avocado gazpacho, bacon and kim-chi sliders with avocado, and while I unfortunately can’t remember the name, this delicious appetizer that was a very thick, wheaty slice of bread with avocado and crushed almonds and peanuts with Korean seasoning. It was like eating a grilled cheese — the flavor had the savory intensity of amazing cheese, yet there was no cheese at all.

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All of this deliciousness clearly only whet our appetite, as our main course was a slow cooked pulled pork with avocado apple relish. This sandwich was just the hearty meal I needed to pull me out of my mid-day slump. It was served alongside mixed greens with ruby red grapefruit slices and avocado (of course)! Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of it (I wolfed it down too fast to stop and snap… whoops), but trust me when I say we ate some amazing food that weekend, and the pulled pork was my favorite!

Once we all wrapped up our lunch, we said our thank yous to Randy and his wife, and were back on the bus for our last stop of the day, the Mission Avocado Packing Plant in Oxnard, California. Mission Packing had just moved into their new facility, which was formerly a post office! While we weren’t able to snap photos at all points during the tour, I did get a few photos of the packing process. It was mind-blowing to see pretty much all of the state’s avocados rolling through conveyor belts, being weighed, and then being bagged up in variously colored mesh nets.

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We got a great tour by Mission Packing’s Project Manager, and you can bet we rocked our sexy hair nets. Don’t we look great?

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Several of the rooms in this plant were ice cold to keep the avocados a consistent temperature, but what I was most impressed with were two things: 1) the cleanliness of the facility and 2) the efficiency. This facility was squeaky clean, spotless, and it felt VERY secure in terms of being a place where food comes from. I’ve been in other food facilities before and this one felt immaculate! Also, the efficiency here couldn’t be debated. From the machinery to the employees, you could tell Mission has productivity and packing down-pat. Those avocados were preparing for their journey from machine to mouth in a highly-effective fashion.

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It was really cool to see the exact same kinds of avocados I buy (from Costco) get bagged up and ready to go to the store. Did you know that stores can specify a ripeness of avocados when they order them wholesale? There is something called a ripening room that releases the gas ethylene, which causes ripening (you can do this for free in your house by placing an avocado in a brown paper bag with an apple).

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We left with our own sack of avocados and headed back to the Four Seasons Westlake, where our last avocado treat was an amazing dinner full of avocado goodness. Before dinner, we got to hear from R.D. Katie Ferraro (in green) (standing next to Jan, VP of Marketing for CAC), who told us about some of the nutritional benefits of avocados and showed us her go-to method for avocado toast (hint: mash the avocado before you put it on the bread. I always did it after and would end up tearing a hole in my toast!). Another thing she told us that I tried this weekend with rave results was how to store a fresh cut avocado: sprinkle the fruit with lemon juice, lime juice, or white vinegar and place it in an air tight container. Your avocado will remain springy green! Also, if you have an abundance of ripe avocados, consider freezing them. Pureed avocado freezes very well and can be used on sandwiches and in dips, if you use it within four months.

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What are some of the nutritional benefits of California avocados? Let’s discuss!

  • One fifth of a medium avocado has 50 calories and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.
  • California avocados contribute 11 beneficial carotenoids to one’s diet, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and alpha and beta carotene. In California avocados, the greatest concentration of carotenoids is in the dark green fruit of the avocado closest to the peel.
  • Avocados contain 23 mg of beta-sitosterol, which may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

After Katie’s informative sesh, we headed into the beautiful Four Seasons dining room for our last avo-amazing feast. Here’s the menu from our feast!

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This avocado adventure was totally amazing, and just one more rad opportunity made possible by this lil’ old blog over here! Big thanks to the California Avocado Commission and Golin Harris for hosting an action-packed, informative, and delicious weekend in Ventura County. Now: because I’m sure you guys love avocados too, leave me a comment telling me your favorite way to eat avocado for a chance to win a California Avocado Commission avocado masher. This stainless steel gadget looks like a mini-potato masher, but makes mashing your avocados (for toast, guac, baking, you name it) a breeze! US only, must comment to win.

(Need some avo-inspiration? Check out my grand prize winning recipe, California Avocado Mascarpone Tartlets with Nectarine and Strawberry, or Guacahummus.)

Mamma Chia’s Clean Energy Drinks Review and Giveaway

Hi everyone! The day after Christmas, I started to get that too familiar tickle in my throat. The next day it got a little worse, until finally, I got a full blown cold. The cold is pretty much over (whew), but then today I woke up with a cough and sore throat….boo. Pretty sure I caught what my friend has. Gah, weakened immune system! Needless to say, my house being the equivalent of the sick bay on a ship isn’t helping me plow through my work day. What is helping is homemade chicken soup and a few well-timed boosts… like the Mamma Chia Clean Energy Drink.

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It is the FIRST beverage that combines the power of chia (remember these gummy, crunchy seeds?) with the clean energy of guayusa (gwhy-you-sa) resulting in a yummy drink. It’s made with organic fruit juices and is lightly sweetened (14g cane sugar). One bottle has:

  • More than an entire day’s worth of Omega-3s (2500 mg)
  • 25 percent of one’s daily fiber (6 grams)
  • 4 grams of complete protein
  • 90 mg of natural caffeine (about as much in an 8 oz. cup of coffee)
  • Twice the antioxidants of a cup of green tea
  • Calcium, powerful antioxidants and valuable minerals
  • 120 calories
  • The filling power to tide you over until your next meal, thanks to those jelly seeds.

These drinks, which come in four flavors, (my favorite is grape!) are Non-GMO Verified, gluten-free, vegan, Kosher and USDA Certified Organic. These will be about $2.99 and can be found at Vons, Whole Foods, Safeway and Target, starting now. Now, what good would it be if I raved about them without giving you a chance to try? Mamma Chia has kindly offered 1 Double Chin Diary reader a whole set of Mamma Chia Energy Drinks (4 drinks), a Mamma Chia Camel Bak Water Bottle, and a week supply of Mamma Chia Chia Squeezes!

Just follow the steps listed on the Rafflecopter to earn entries, and don’t forget to tell your friends. US Only, 18+. Good luck!!!

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The Epic Double Chin Diary Holiday Gift Guide

Ah, the holidays. The smell of chestnuts roasting (really, who does that?), family fighting (now that’s more likely), and the season of sales, sales, and sales, causing us all to stress out about the perfect gift when really it doesn’t matter. However, because gifts are kind of a thing, I’ve rounded up some new favorites for your consideration for those who like relaxing, cooking, fashion, and exercise. All of these gifts were sent to me gratis in exchange for mention (but only if I really liked them – two got the axe!). This post also contains affiliate links, so if you click on something and buy it, I might make four cents (I’m rich!). Enjoy — and be sure to read carefully as you have a few chances to win some of these goodies for yourself!

1) Royal Silk Scarf by World Vision

Looking for the perfect thoughtful gift for your world conscious friend? Consider this royal silk scarf from WorldVision. Vietnam’s Ma Chau villagers weave these traditional silky smooth scarves, helping to provide them with a sustainable income. This scarf is 68″ long, and has the most incredible colors and vibrancy.  Each is unique; size and color may vary slightly. You can make a suggested donation of $95, or enter an amount that’s meaningful to you. Want to see how purchasing from WorldVision works? Click here.

Alyssa rocks the World Vision Royal Silk Scarf

Alyssa rocks the World Vision Royal Silk Scarf

You know you want one of your own… so follow the steps below for your chance to win!
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2) Tiger Tail Classic

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Foam rolling both terrifies me and delights me; the concept of massaging painful, tight muscles is initially scary, mildly painful, and then after it’s sweet relief. When I heard about Tiger Tail, I knew I would need one of these puppies (kitties?) for my post-walk soreness. I packed it along with me on my trip to San Diego, and this thing was passed among my teammates with more enthusiasm than a box of chocolates. The small, compact size and quality build make it perfect for bringing along on trips, or for stashing in your house. Our traditional foam roller is bulky and giant, and this removes a lot of heft but still packs a punch. Plus, look at how adorable the packaging is! I loved this thing post 3-Day, and am super psyched about using it to roll out my muscles post-hike. The Classic is priced at $34.95, is made in the USA, easy to clean, and has a 3 year warranty. The next thing I’ll try out is the Knotty Tiger — I can really see that sorting out the giant knots in my neck!

The cutest sticker on the packaging!

The cutest sticker on the packaging!

3) Creekside Farms Kitchen Herb Wreath

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it’s too bad smellovision doesn’t exist yet on the web!

This is the type of thing that doesn’t come across my inbox too often; a gift that simultaneously makes me go “ooh, pretty” and “Ahhh, it smells good.” While I was initially struck by the photos of how stunning Creekside Farm’s Kitchen Herb Wreath is, when I received it, it was the amazingly lush smell of lavender, dill, oregano, sage, and rosemary that won me over. It looks great outside (away from direct light) and also inside, where you can see the naughty cat that isn’t supposed to be on the table. (She argues that the wreath smelled so good she just HAD to be closer to it.) This wreath would be the perfect gift for the Foodie in your life, and if you want a different style, check out my other favorite, the Sunflower wreath. Creekside Farms grows all of their own herbs, and they dry everything on site, truly making these family-created products artisanal.

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Stunning Kitchen Herb Wreath Scents Up The Kitchen

Visit Creekside Farms on Facebook here, and on Twitter here. Want 15% off your order? Use code CURAN. I know that I personally will be making an order for one of these beauties!

Gorgeous Up Close Shot of the Kitchen Herb Wreath by Creekside Farms

Gorgeous Up Close Shot of the Kitchen Herb Wreath by Creekside Farms

4) Natracure Heated Booties

So what if these are technically for Arthritis – after walking a ton of miles this past weekend in the 3-Day, I couldn’t wait to slip these babies on my feet. With separate microwavable gel inserts, you heat up the pads, stick ’em in the bottom of the super fuzzy velour slippers, slip them on and oooh and ahh your way to toasty relaxation. Better yet, these booties are coated on the inside with a smart gel lining, with 7 botanicals. My feet did actually feel smoother and smelled like a foot that had been freshly scrubbed at a spa. One tip with these: don’t walk in them! Thankfully I Googled it online before I took a step and burst the gel packs, but these booties are meant to be worn 5-10 minutes at a time to heat up your tired tootsies, and they’re worn best when you’re relaxin’ in one spot. These retail for $49.99 and are great for people with foot pain and stiffness, and you can also find a pair designed just for the hands. Time for relaxation!

Cozy and comfy in Natracure's Heated Booties

Cozy and comfy in Natracure’s Heated Booties

5) Goody QuikStyle Brush

Ever since I got my hair cut and colored, I’ve been making an effort to actually style my hair rather than throwing it in a sloppy bun. Part of that means blow drying my hair, and since I’m lazy, I like to exert minimal effort. That’s where the Quikstyle comes in – an awesome, space age looking hair brush that has microfiber tufts between the bristles. I had actually seen this brush in stores and wanted to try it, so when it came through my inbox I figured this would be a fun one to review.

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The awesome Goody Quikstyle

While initially I was skeptical, it does actually dry your hair as you brush through it. And, it’s designed smart, so antimicrobial microfiber keeps the brush fresh and inhibits mold or mildew growth. Seeing is believing, so how about you enter to win one yourself by following the steps below? The Goody Quick Style Paddle Brush is six bucks on Amazon.com, a perfect stocking stuffer for the lady in your life who needs a darling ‘do on the go.

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I hope you’ll consider some of these goodies for the loved ones in your life this holiday season. What’s on your wishlist?