Experience the Beauty of Sakura With Sakuraco

Disclosure: I received a sample box in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The brief sakura (cherry blossom) season in Japan is a prime example of the concept of appreciating fleeting beauty. If cherry blossom trees bloomed year-round, they would not be nearly as cherished. Our family went to Washington D.C. a couple of years ago, and I remember being so excited that we caught some cherry blossom trees in the beginning of their bloom when I had thought we were going to be too early. They really are magnificent flowering trees, and I can see why cherry blossoms are cause for celebration each year.

Sakuraco is a subscription box that captures the beauty of sakura through Japanese snacks.

First, can we take a moment to appreciate how pretty this box is? Just looking at the outside of the box made me excited to see what was inside.

Look at all that pink! The variety of sakura goodness inside the March Sakuraco box is so much fun.

Each Sakuraco box comes with a booklet that explains what each snack is. The March edition also has beautiful photographs and descriptions of the different cherry blossom viewing locations throughout Japan. In addition, the booklet has short articles that tell the stories behind some of the artisan makers of the products that are included. The following are some of the highlights of the March Sakuraco box I received.

Sakura Candy

Look at the delightful detail of this Sakura candy. As the name implies, cherry blossom is a floral and fruity flavor that is not commonly found outside of Japan.

Anko Castella Cake

While this little cake is not sakura-flavored, the pink packaging makes it fit right in. I am a fan of red bean paste in Japanese sweets, so this was a treat!

A Lovely Assortment of Sakura Snacks

The Sakuraco box included this beautiful postcard, along with an assortment of these individually wrapped snacks. I have not tried all of them yet, but the ones that I have tasted have all been fresh and delightful.

Sakura Shiruko Biscuits

These biscuits have an interesting flavor profile. The booklet describes them as biscuit dough enriched with sakura powder and a touch of ume juice with a layer of sweet adzuki paste.

Neko Sakura Dish

I know that I overuse the word “cute” in describing products from Japan, but that is the word to describe this little dish. This bonus non-food item made the Sakuraco box feel uniquely special to me. According to the booklet, the design of this dish is a collaboration between Sakuraco, merry laugh and Bloom. I will continue to use this dish for years to come, and inspire me to recall the fleeting delights of sakura.

How To Subscribe to Sakuraco

Sakuraco offers one month, three month, six month and year-long subscriptions. A box from Sakuraco will be sure to bring joy and a taste of Japanese culture to the recipient’s doorstep!

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February Bake: Chewy Espresso Cookies

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

For my February baking experiment, I tried Frosting & Fettucine’s recipe for Super Chewy Coffee Cookies. Like most of my baking inspiration, I came across this recipe on Pinterest. It caught my eye since I already had a jar of King Arthur Espresso Powder in my pantry, patiently waiting to be used.

As promised, these cookies turned out wonderfully chewy and with a nice espresso flavor. Contrary to what most cookbooks advise, I always use salted butter in my baking. That is just what my Costco carries, and I think that extra edge of salt brings a nice edge to sweets.

This recipe only called for one tablespoon of espresso powder, so I have plenty left for other recipes. Do you have a favorite recipe that uses espresso powder?

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January Bake: World Peace Cookies

If only world peace could be achieved through cookies. Nevertheless, this recipe for World Peace Cookies was fun to try out.

These cookies involve rolling the dough into cylinders and cutting them into 1/2 inch rounds. My tip would be to keep each cylinder of dough in the refrigerator until you are ready to cut and bake right away. I cut the second cylinder and let the rounds sit at room temperature while the first tray was baking. As a result, the second tray of cookies spread out more. They tasted just fine, but I liked the look of the first tray better.

This recipe originated with Pierre Herme, which Dorie Greenspan then published and Smitten Kitchen then blogged about. I used mini chocolate chips as suggested by Smitten Kitchen. I like how these cookies can be made ahead and frozen, either baked, or as logs of dough. Two thumbs up!

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Give A Colorful Assortment of Ritter Sport Chocolate #RitterSportUSA #Tryazon

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Have you tried Ritter Sport chocolate? These premium chocolate bars frequently appear in our family’s Christmas stockings. I like how each individual square bar feels hefty in the hand. Plus, the flavor combinations (which are each assigned their own colorful packaging) are unique and tasty. I especially enjoy Milk Chocolate with Cornflakes and Milk Chocolate with Butter Biscuit & Cocoa Creme.

Ritter Sport has been around since 1912 and is based in Waldenbuch, Germany. I am not sure where the name “Ritter Sport” comes from, but it is memorable. One way in which Ritter Sport ensures the quality of their chocolate is that they started their own sustainable Cocoa Farm in Nicaragua, which is quite impressive!

These miniature size Ritter Sport chocolates are so cute and a nice size for a little snack break or post-meal treat. Which flavor is your favorite? Remember to look for Ritter Sport the next time you are in the chocolate aisle, especially during the holidays.

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Real Fruit Snacks: The Froot Thief

One of the most exciting new products I discovered at this year’s Expo West was The Froot Thief Real Fruit Whips. As long-time readers know, I am continuously on the hunt for allergen-friendly snacks that contain natural ingredients. The Froot Thief checks off all of my boxes, and I cannot recommend them enough!

The tagline on The Froot Thief packaging is “No added nasties!” and they mean it. The Froot Thief Real Fruit Whips are vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO. They are free of all the major allergens and contain no added sugar.

The Froot Thief is a snack that you can feel good about packing in your kids’ lunch; each serving contains one cup of fresh fruit!

The individually wrapped packets make these snacks perfect for packing on-the-go. My kids (and my husband and I) all loved the fruity flavor and chewy consistency. It is similar to a fruit snack, but in the shape of spaghetti, if that makes sense.

Where To Purchase The Froot Thief Real Fruit Whips

Currently, The Froot Thief Real Fruit Whips are available for purchase online. I will definitely be on the lookout for them at Costco, where they are coming soon.

The Froot Thief Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win 100 packets of The Froot Thief Real Fruit Whips!

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Whoa! Dough Will Make You Say Whoa!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

One of the many interesting brands I discovered at Expo West this year was Whoa! Dough. These bars will appeal to anyone who is prone to sneaking a lick of the the spoon when making cookies or brownies. It seems like eating cookie dough has become more socially acceptable, most notably in the form of cookie dough ice cream.

Whoa! dough bars improves the edible dough concept even more by offering plant-based cookie dough bars that are gluten-free, dairy free, egg free, soy free. These vegan bars use all-natural ingredients such as gluten-free whole grain oat flour and chickpea flour.

Whoa! Dough comes in a variety of appealing flavors:

  • Oatmeal Cookie
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
  • Sprinkle Sugar Cookie
  • Brownie Batter
  • Peanut Butter
  • Sugar Cookie

Here is a close-up of the Brownie Batter Whoa! Dough bar. It has a pleasant soft texture, and the chocolate-y flavor really shines through.

These bars are a nice addition to the stash of bars that we keep on hand for snacking on the go.

If you or someone you know enjoys cookie dough, be sure to give Whoa! Dough bars a try!

Where To Purchase Whoa! Dough

Whoa! Dough bars are available for purchase through their online store and at a store near you.

Whoa! Dough Variety Pack Giveaway

Enter the giveaway to win TWO Whoa! Dough Variety Packs ($30 value).

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Simple Bars Are A Simply Satisfying Snack

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Snack bars are a way of life for me. The kids in my classroom know that I bring some type of bar practically everyday for my mid-morning snack. However, the ingredient list for many seemingly healthy snack bars are not actually always that good for you. Simple Bars are the result of one person’s quest to make delicious snack bars with only simple and clean ingredients.

Simple Bars are currently available in four unique flavors:

This is a close up of the Chocolate sea salt bar, my personal flavor. As you can see, these bars contain large pieces of fresh-tasting almonds and peanuts, as well as a sprinkling of chia seeds and a touch of sea salt. In this particular bar, the nuts are held together with just the right amount of dark chocolate. Although Simple Bars are crunchy, I did not feel like they would break my teeth like some other bars that I have tried.

Simple Bars are the perfect snack for when you need a little pick me up. They are also conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking.

Simple Bars contain no sugar alcohols, stevia or artificial flavors. All of their bars are gluten-free, non-gmo and vegan. They are a simply satisfying snack!

Where To Purchase Simple Bars

Simple Bars are available for purchase through their online store. Hopefully they will become more widely available soon.

Simple Bars Variety Pack Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a Simple Bars Variety Pack!

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GATSBY Chocolate is a Great Treat

Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. This post may contain affiliate links.

Although many associate giving chocolate with Valentine’s Day, I like to look for chocolate-giving opportunities year-round. I found a great treat for a springtime basket: GATSBY Almond Dark chocolate bars (see the literary reference?).

GATSBY chocolate is unique because of its low sugar and fat content (90% less sugar and fat than premium chocolate brands).
This innovative line of chocolate is also Keto-friendly, with only 1–2 grams of net carbs per serving, or 6 grams of net carbs for an entire bar. If you are familiar with Halo Top ice cream, GATSBY was started by the same people!

Here is the nutritional information so you can take a closer look for yourself.

The outer packaging of the GATSBY chocolate bars have a luxurious look that make them feel like a special indulgence. In addition, the inner gold foil wrapper definitely gives off Willy Wonka vibes!

So how does this better-for-you brand of chocolate taste? Well, if you enjoy dark chocolate, the GATSBY Almond Dark bar will definitely satisfy. The chocolate itself has a rich premium flavor that is not overly sweet, while the bits of almond add just the right crunch. I would challenge anyone to guess that this bar is low in calories and fat.


I cannot wait to try some of GATSBY’s other varieties, including Sea Salt Extra Dark, Cookies & Cream, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

Where to Purchase GATSBY Chocolate

GATSBY Chocolate is available to purchase at Sprouts Farmers Market, Safeway, Albertsons, and in stores and online at Walmart. To find GATSBY Chocolate near you, visit gatsbychocolate.com/pages/store-locator.

Try GATSBY Chocolate for FREE!

Sign up for a free GATSBY Chocolate Bar at discover.gotoaisle.com/gatsby.

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Bake 2023: Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

This year I would like to share more about some of the recipes that I try out at home. One of my favorite categories of books to read is cookbooks. This may be strange to some, but I enjoy reading the little blurbs explaining how a recipe came about and what makes it special. Although I often feel inspired to make new recipes, only rarely do I make the effort to gather ingredients and bookmark recipes for later use.

I had Life Is What You Bake It: Recipes, Stories, and Inspiration to Bake Your Way to the Top on my library holds list for a while. When it was finally my turn to check it out, I knew I wanted to try Vallery Lomas’ recipe for Olive Oil Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Since I already had all of the ingredients in my pantry, whipping up a batch was no trouble at all.

I even had Maldon salt that I had ordered from Amazon already on hand. Flaky sea salt is listed as an optional ingredient, but it really adds a nice textural crunch and flavor. (This salt cellar is from the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection from Target, which we received as a gift).

Aren’t those flakes of salt so pretty? Rolling the dough into balls as instructed in the recipe also resulted in perfectly shaped, round cookies. This recipe is a keeper!

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The Street Food Seoulbox Will Transport You To Korea

Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

The theme of the November 2022 Seoulbox is “Street Foods”. This Seoulbox is designed to transport you directly to the lively street market stalls of Korea! As you can see, the box contains quite an array of interesting Korean products to try out. Instead of listing every single product like last time, I am highlighting my five favorite products in this month’s box.

My Five Favorite Products in the

November 2022 Seoulbox

1. Creamy Chili Sauce Potato Chips

When I opened this sizable bag, I immediately noticed the sauce container nestled among the “chips”. This is actually a brilliant idea and I wonder if U.S. snack brands will take note. The creamy chili sauce definitely has a kick to it, and it pairs well with the thick and crispy potato sticks.

2. Stubborn Sweet Potato Chips

I am not sure why these sweet potato chips are labeled as “stubborn”. However, they are tasty and different than anything that can be found on U.S. supermarket shelves. There is a notable added sweetness that makes these chips balance on the edge between sweet and savory.

3. Noodles Fit Eomuktang (Fishcake Soup)

Just look at that fit cat pumping iron!

This noodle soup will only appeal to seafood fans, as it has a strong fish/shellfish flavor. I really enjoyed the bounciness of the cellophane noodles. It would make a great snack or lunch on a cold wintry day.

4. Jelly in Jelly Lychee

If you have never tried lychee, its taste is difficult to describe. Personally, I love that it is sweet, refreshing and juicy. These qualities are all captured perfectly in these lychee jellies. I just might have to look for the mango flavor at my local Korean market.

5. BT21 Soft Keyring

If you are a BTS fan, you’re probably familiar with BT21. Admittedly, I had to look up this line of cutesy characters to see what it is all about. My daughter claimed this keyring for her BTS-loving friend. I am sure any members of the BTS ARMY will appreciate this extra goodie.

Special Black Friday + Cyber Monday Seoulbox Sale

For a limited time, use code VIPBLACKFRIDAY to get 25% off at Seoulbox! (This offer is valid from November 22-November 30, 2022).

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