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Wednesday, January 17, 2024

The Best Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa Bombs — An Outstanding Low-Carb Treat

We're in the thick of winter snowstorms here in New England. Since I have a bad back, my husband does the snow shoveling. I always greet him upon his return with a steaming cup of hot cocoa to warm him up and show my appreciation.

Since we both stopped eating sugar a few years ago (and feel so much better as a result), now I make sugar-free hot chocolate. If it's the weekend, I usually prepare my Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate recipe, which is rich and decadent and has pretty much spoiled commercial hot cocoa mixes for us, but takes a bit more time and effort than using an instant hot cocoa mix.

However, when sugar-free ChocZero Hot Cocoa Bombs launched a few months ago, I was anxious to try them. Fortunately, they did not disappoint!

Now, if I want to make delicious hot cocoa with mini marshmallows quickly and easily, I just heat some almond or macadamia milk, drop in a ChocZero hot cocoa bomb, and stir until dissolved. Here's my product review of this outstanding low-carb treat.

Image created using Canva generative AI

I have talked about ChocZero sugar-free chocolate and other sweet treats sweetened with natural monk fruit here on Review This Reviews, including ChocZero's mini marshmallows in my High-Protein, Sugar-Free Rocky Road Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe (still one of my favorites!); their regular sugar-free marshmallows in my Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats recipe; my review of the best sugar-free chocolate hazelnut spreads; ChocZero's fabulous truffles, chocolate keto bark, butter cookies, chewy caramels, jams, cookie spread, honey, and Rhea chocolate peanut nougat candy bars in my review of An Awesome Low Carb Gourmet Gift Basket Everyone Will Love; ChocZero's coffee syrups in my Refreshing Vanilla Italian Soda recipe; their sugar-free strawberry jam in my Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes recipe; and more.

So, even though I have been somewhat disappointed in the low-carb, sugar-free hot cocoa mixes I have tried, I knew ChocZero's sugar-free hot cocoa bombs would be worth a try.

What I Love About ChocZero Hot Cocoa Bombs

Awesome Packaging

ChocZero Keto Hot Cocoa Bombs - Premium Zero Sugar Added Milk Chocolate Melting Bomb Gift Set - Filled with Sugar-Free Marshmallows (4 Count)

The first thing you notice when you receive your order of ChocZero Hot Cocoa Bombs is the fabulous packaging.

The clear plastic box is printed with the ChocZero brand, product name, product image, and other pertinent information.

Because the outer box is clear, you can see through to the inside, where each hot cocoa bomb is snugly wrapped in festive bright gold foil that makes it look extra special.

There are four hot cocoa bombs per box. Inside the outer box, there is a protective molded plastic shell with four spherical depressions that cradle the foil-wrapped chocolate spheres and prevent them from being broken or otherwise harmed during transit.

The first two boxes I ordered were a gift for my husband since he loves hot chocolate so much.

Convenience

My husband and I really love my Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate recipe and if I have all the ingredients on hand, it's a special treat.

However, the ChocZero Hot Cocoa Bombs are the first low-carb, sugar-free hot cocoa "mix" we've tried that we really enjoy.

They are also quicker and easier to prepare than my from-scratch recipe when we're looking for instant gratification.

And unwrapping each gold foil-wrapped ball really does add something special to the experience of making hot cocoa!

Rich Chocolate Taste and Luscious Mouthfeel

Like my ultimate keto hot chocolate recipe, the ChocZero Hot Cocoa Bombs include both cocoa powder and chocolate.

The chocolate shell creates a richer chocolate taste and a more luscious mouthfeel than the hot cocoa mix inside alone.

The chocolate shell also contains not only the sugar-free hot cocoa mix but also sugar-free mini marshmallows, which my husband and I both love in our hot cocoa.

Unlike most sugar-free hot cocoa mixes we've tried, we don't need to add anything to make this taste better, although we often enjoy adding a splash of one of ChocZero's flavoring syrups.

How I Use ChocZero Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa Bombs

We start by unwrapping each hot cocoa bomb and placing it in a large mug.

Next, we heat the milk. Although you can use any kind of milk you prefer, we prefer to use either unsweetened vanilla almond milk or unsweetened vanilla macadamia milk to make our hot cocoa, since they are lower in natural sugar and carbs than dairy milk. We sometimes add a splash of heavy cream for added richness.

It's important to heat the milk very hot before pouring it over the hot cocoa bomb, and it takes a bit of stirring to completely melt the outer milk chocolate shell and dissolve the cocoa mix.

ChocZero Sugar Free Peppermint Syrup for Coffee - Keto Flavoring Syrups - Low Calorie Simple Syrup for Flavored Drinks (26.5 ounce bottle/750ml)

My husband and I love the flavor combination of chocolate and peppermint, so we usually add a splash of the awesome ChocZero Sugar-Free Peppermint Syrup into our prepared hot cocoa.

We also enjoy our cocoa with a splash of other ChocZero flavoring syrups, especially caramel or hazelnut. They're fabulous and don't have the unpleasant aftertaste or questionable sweeteners used in other brands of sugar-free syrups.

This flavored hot cocoa makes such a satisfying, sweet, low-carb treat that we often enjoy it for dessert.

What's Next?

I noticed the packaging includes the descriptor "Milk," so I'm hoping that ChocZero will be adding dark chocolate hot cocoa bombs in the future.

One of the things I love about this brand is that they are always improving their products and adding new ones based on customer feedback.

So, ChocZero, if you're reading this, I hope you'll consider making dark chocolate hot cocoa bombs next! 💓🍫

The Best Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa Bombs — An Outstanding Low-Carb Treat by Margaret Schindel

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

The Best Ultrasonic Humidifier: Ultra Quiet, Easy to Clean & Fill

We live in New England, where the winters are cold and the indoor air is dry from the heating system. I am also susceptible to respiratory illnesses such as colds, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia in the winter, so using a humidifier is necessary for both health and comfort.

We have found that ultrasonic humidifiers, which we prefer for reasons I'll go into below, tend to last only a few years. So, we have tried a variety of brands and models. The Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier we purchased a month ago is our favorite by far.

Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

The Levoit LV600S is the New York Times Wirecutter's top pick as
The Best Humidifier of 2023. We love ours!

How to Choose a Room Humidifier

After purchasing multiple humidifiers over the years and doing a lot of product research before each purchase, we've gotten good at choosing a good one. Here are the key considerations when shopping for a humidifier.

Type

There are four main types of portable room humidifiers we considered, which differ based on how the humidity is generated.

Warm mist humidifiers heat the water to create the vapor, i.e., steam. They're great for cold, dry winter climates like ours, and the heat cuts down on germs and bacterial contamination. We have found that they can create a lot of humidity — sometimes too much if you don't keep an eye on the moisture levels. However, warm mist units tend to be noisy, use more energy, and be more difficult to clean than cool mist models. Also, if you have children or pets, a reservoir filled with boiling water may not be the safest choice.

Cool mist units increase the humidity of the room without raising the temperature, so they're ideal for dry, warm climates. They tend to be pretty energy efficient. The units emit a humming sound that may bother some people, while others may experience it as "white noise" that is acceptable. We have found that they can be prone to developing mold and mildew and need to be cleaned more frequently than other types.

Evaporative humidifiers are a subset of the cool mist category. These units create vapor by using a fan to blow air through a moist filter, speeding up the natural process of evaporation, and that vapor is emitted or blown into the room. Like other cool mist models, evaporative humidifiers are safe for children and pets (because the mist is cool or room temperature), and are energy efficient. The filter needs to be changed regularly.

Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency sound vibrations to break the water into droplets, which are then expelled into the air. These units are very energy efficient and extremely quiet, making them a great choice for bedrooms. Many models offer the option of producing cool or warm mist. They may or may not require a filter.

After having tried several types, we prefer an ultrasonic.

Size of Room

As with choosing an air conditioner or space heater, it's important to choose a model designed for rooms of a similar size to the one for which you are purchasing the unit. The power of whatever is creating the mist determines the volume of space the unit can humidify.

Reservoir Capacity

The size of the reservoir determines how long the unit can produce vapor (not how much it can produce) and, therefore, how often you will need to refill it. For that reason, it's important to make sure the reservoir is at least large enough to continue producing mist throughout the night, while you are sleeping.

I look for a large-capacity reservoir that I can fill only once or twice a day.

Ease of Filling

A top-fill reservoir is much easier to fill than a bottom-fill tank. A top-fill reservoir can be filled without removing it from the base unit, whereas a bottom-fill reservoir must be lifted off the base, carried to a faucet, and inverted under the tap to fill it. This can be messy (the water drips) and, if you have a large tank, heavy after you fill it.

Our last ultrasonic humidifier had a bottom-fill reservoir, and we hated it. The sink in our master bedroom's en-suite bathroom is old and small, and we couldn't get the opening of the reservoir under the faucet. That meant we had to carry the dripping tank to and from the kitchen.

Also, since a humidifier should only be on when the reservoir is in place, we had to remember to turn off the power, remove the tank, fill it, replace it, and turn the unit back on.

Ease of Cleaning

It's important to clean your humidifier frequently to avoid breathing vapor filled with germs, mold, and mildew. So, choosing a model that is easy to clean has become one of our top criteria.

Consider the size of the reservoir opening (can you reach inside easily?), and the size and number of corners, nooks, and crannies in the base and tank.

Controls

Consider whether you want manual or automatic controls or a choice. For example, you might want to manually set the rate at which the unit produces mist (regardless of the ambient humidity level), or you might want to set a target humidity level and let the unit automatically start and stop producing vapor as needed to maintain that humidity.

If you live in a climate where the humidity is fairly constant, manual controls are fine. However, if you live in an area with more variable weather conditions, like New England (where the saying goes, "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute"), a unit with an automatic setting to maintain a target humidity level will be important.

Price of Consumables

Some types and models require water filters, mineral absorption pads, or other consumables, some of which may be optional (like the aroma pads for our new unit) or may depend on whether you have hard or soft water in your house.

It's important to determine which consumables, if any, are required, how often they will need to be replaced, and how much they cost, to help you determine the total cost of ownership over the expected lifetime of the product.

Customer and Expert Product Reviews and Recommendations

When my husband and I are researching products like humidifiers, we always do our due diligence. We comb through Amazon product reviews and look to expert product reviews and recommendations such as those from Consumer Reports and The New York Times Wirecutter to help us narrow our short list of candidates and finalize our product selection.

Levoit LV600S ultrasonic humidifier and filtered water pitcher

The Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier can crank out plenty of humidity when needed, and for a long time, thanks to its powerful output and large-capacity, 6-liter water tank.

Why We Love the Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

After trying so many different humidifiers over the years, here are the reasons we love our new Levoit LV600S humidifier.

The NYT Wirecutter's Top Pick

This ultrasonic humidifier topped our list of candidates after we read the New York Times Wirecutter article "The 6 Best Humidifiers of 2023" and saw that the Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier was their top pick. That was a compelling expert recommendation, and when we looked at the Amazon customer reviews for this product we were extremely impressed with the overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Hybrid Warm/Cool Mist Ultrasonic

If you're not sure which type to buy, the Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier gives you the best of all worlds. This model defaults to cool mist, but there is a Warm Mist button that cycles through your choice of warm mist settings (low heat, medium heat, high heat, heat off).

For example, if someone is sick and has chest congestion, you can select one of the warm mist options to help them breathe easier.

The brand's "exclusive" Warm Mist mode claims to have improved mist dispersion and a powerful output: "Set at 550ml/h, the warm mist function generates temperature variation, boosting air circulation for 4× faster relief from discomfort" vs. cool mist.

There is also no risk of being scalded by hot vapor, as the mist is released at a safe temperature of 86-120 °F.

Designed for a Large Room

With its powerful 550ml/h output, the Levoit LV600S is designed to humidify an area as large as 753 square feet.

Large Reservoir

One of the things we love about this model is the large 6-liter capacity reservoir. We keep our humidifier cranking 24/7 during the cold, dry, New England winter months, and although we top up the water daily, the tank is usually still about half full after 24 hours.

Depending on the settings, the manufacturer claims the unit can produce humidifying mist for up to 50 hours on a single tank of water.

Easy to Fill

The Levoit LV600S is a top-fill model. So, instead of having to turn off the power, remove the water tank, carry it to the sink, turn it over, unscrew the cap, maneuver it under the tap, fill it, replace and tighten the cap, carry it back to the base, and seat it properly before turning the power on again, as we did with our previous model, we can just lift the lid, top up the tank with filtered water from our Brita pitcher, and replace the lid. Easy peasy!

Easy to Clean

This is by far the easiest-to-clean ultrasonic humidifier we have owned. The large opening in the tank makes it easy to reach inside, and the interior corners of both the base and the water tank are very accessible. The cleaning brush that comes with this model is also larger than those from our previous units.

Ease of Operation

The Levoit LV600S has simple, intuitively labeled buttons on the front control panel and a large, easy-to-read, digital display (which is turned off automatically in Sleep Mode).

Automatic Humidity Control

Since we live in New England, the ability to have the unit adjust the volume of mist output automatically to maintain a desired target humidity level is essential. We love this set-it-and-foreget-it mode. However, you can also set the mist output level manually, if you prefer.

Reasonably Priced Consumables

The Levoit Replacement Mineral Absorption Pads should be replaced every 2–4 weeks depending on the hardness of your tap water. A pack of 10 costs $9.99 on Amazon at the time of this post's publication. You can also find less expensive replacement pads that claim to be compatible with this model.

The Levoit Water Filter Sponges should be changed about once a month, depending on the water hardness in your area. At the time of this article's publication, a 10-pack costs $9.99 on Amazon.

There are also optional Levoit Aroma Pads that can be used with essential oils and placed in the Aroma Box compartment at the back of the base. The mist will diffuse the aroma when the humidifier is in use. A pack of 16 costs $9.99 on Amazon as of this writing.

Extremely Quiet

At a noise level of less than 28dB, the default unheated, cool mist mode is practically silent, which we love. The sound increases when the Warm Mist settings are used to heat the water, but this model is still extremely quiet compared to our previous humidifiers.

Sleep Mode

The Sleep Mode turns off the lighted controls display and changes the mist setting from a manual mode (if applicable) to an automatic mode and uses the humidity sensor to automatically adjust the mist level to maintain 50-60% relative humidity.

Sleep Mode also turns off the warm mist, if applicable, to reduce noise, but you can press the Warm Mist button to turn it back on if desired.

My husband can't sleep well unless our bedroom is completely dark, so being able to keep the display turned off is a great feature for us. We keep our set to Sleep Mode all the time unless we need to change a setting manually, which makes this appliance much more unobtrusive.

Minimal "White Dust"

After running our Levoit LV600S nonstop for the past month and filling it with filtered tap water from our Brita pitcher, we still haven't seen any sign of the dreaded mineral residue on our furniture or floors.

Timer

Although we have not yet needed to use it, you can set a timer to automatically shut off the unit after a preset interval (between one and 12 hours).

Memory Function

This model will remember your Mist Level, Humidity Level, Warm Mist, and Wi-Fi settings even when the unit is turned off or unplugged. It will not remember your Sleep or Timer settings, however, and the display will turn on automatically when the unit is turned back on.

Aroma Box

At the back of the base, there is a compartment called the Aroma Box. You can pull it out, put 8–10 drops of essential oil onto an Aroma Pad, place the scented pad into the compartment, and replace it. This will lightly scent the water vapor. We have not tried this yet.

“No Water” Indicator With Auto-Shutoff

If there is no water in the tank, this indicator will blink 10 times and the humidifier will shut off automatically. The indicator lights up when the water tank is removed and remains on until the tank is re-seated on the base.

Mobile App

What makes the Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier "smart" is that it is Bluetooth- and VeSync-enabled. VeSync is a smart home app that allows you to control connected devices remotely from anywhere.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-humidifier/

Screenshot of the VeSync smart home mobile app on my iPhone. The app lets you
control your humidifier and other VeSync-enabled devices from your smartphone.

We only started using the app this week, and it's a great option with an extremely intuitive, easy-to-use interface. It's also nice to know that we will be able to control our humidifier remotely when we travel.

The app allows also you to access additional smart functions including a sophisticated Plant Mode and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.

Sleek Design

Although appearance is less important to us than function and features when we choose an ultrasonic humidifier, this one has the advantage of looking streamlined and unobtrusive and doesn't detract from our home decor. A nice bonus!

Helpful Humidifier Tips

Optimize the Humidity Level

If you live in a climate with cold winters, keep the humidity level low enough so the mist doesn't condense on your windows (and potentially rot the wood window frames).

Consider a Standalone Indoor Hygrometer

A humidifier's built-in humidity sensor (humidistat) measures the humidity in the immediate vicinity. For a more accurate measure of the room's humidity, we put an inexpensive indoor hygrometer on the far side of the room and set the humidifier's target humidity so that our desired humidity level displays on the hygrometer.

Protect Against Possible Leaks

The only time we had an ultrasonic humidifier leak, it was the result of user error. (It had a bottom-fill tank and when we refilled and replaced it on the base, we didn't seat the reservoir correctly, so the water leaked onto the table.) So, as a precaution, we now put our ultrasonic humidifiers on an old plastic cutting board on top of a sturdy plastic 12-gallon lidded storage container. The cutting board provides a stable surface for the unit to sit on, and the interlocking flaps at the top of the crate are not water-tight, so if there is ever a leak, the water would fall through the interlocking flaps and be contained inside the crate with no risk of damaging our hardwood floors.

If you want to keep the humidifier manual and consumable supplies (e.g., filters) next to the humidifier, as we do, put them in a zippered plastic freezer bag to keep them dry and protect against possible leaks.

Use Distilled or Filtered Tap Water

If your tap water is hard, you can cut down significantly on the dreaded white mineral dust (the residue from the minerals in the water after the emitted mist evaporates) by using distilled or filtered water. We keep a Brita water filter pitcher next to our humidifier and use the filtered water to refill the reservoir.

In fact, the manufacturer of our model recommends that all users use distilled water or filtered water to fill the Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier instead of tap water, which they say "might leave white dust and grow mold."

LEVOIT LV600S Smart Warm and Cool Mist Humidifiers for Home Bedroom Large Room, (6L) 753ft² Coverage, Quickly & Evenly Humidify Whole House, Easy Top Fill, App & Voice Control - Quiet Sleep Mode

Give the Gift of Health and Comfort

If you know someone who lives in a cold or dry climate, has respiratory issues, or gets colds easily, the Levoit LV600S Smart Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier would make a great gift!

The Best Ultrasonic Humidifier: Ultra Quiet, Easy to Clean & Fill by Margaret Schindel

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Genuine Wax Flameless Candles — An Elegant Gift Everyone Will Love

One of my favorite gifts to give or receive is genuine wax flameless candles with a lovely, flickering "flame," a timer, and a remote control that lets me "light" them or "blow them out" from across the room at the touch of a button.

When flameless wax candles first came out, the quality of the "flame" from most manufacturers was pretty poor. Fortunately, the technology has improved and prices have come down a bit over the years. Now you can buy nice ones that are suitable for both gift-giving and home decor at moderate as well as premium prices.

Whether you buy a single flameless pillar candle, a pair of tapers, or a set of votives, they're sure to add beauty and timeless elegance to your home and be a gift that keeps on giving.

Gift and Decorate with Flameless Real Wax Candles

Flameless wax candles are elegant and safe to leave unattended.
My favorites also include a timer and remote control that let you "light" and "blow them out" from across the room.

Why Choose Flameless Candles?

Here are some of the qualities that make flameless candles appealing for both gifts and home decor, during the holidays and year-round.

Long-Lasting Beauty

These flameless candles let you enjoy the timeless beauty of genuine wax candles that never burn down. We have used ours frequently for many years with no end to our enjoyment in sight (unless we run out of batteries).

Flickering LED "Flame"

The flame on these LED flameless candles moves randomly to simulate the flicker of an open flame on a traditional wax candle. Close-up, of course, no one will mistake it for a real flame. However, from farther away, the "dancing flame" effect can be quite realistic.

No Drips

Unlike traditional candles with wicks, the wax body of these flameless candles remains at room temperature and won't melt or drip (unless you subject them to excessive heat). A grouping of pillars or some tapers make a lovely centerpiece that can't set your tablecloth on fire if they're accidentally knocked over while passing a serving dish. You could even use them on a finely finished antique wood table without fear of marring the surface.

No Smoke

Another advantage is that flameless candles are smoke-free. You can "burn" as many of these beautiful candles as your heart desires without worrying about setting off the smoke alarm! I love the look of candles everywhere, especially during the holidays.

Candlelight That's Safe for the Whole Family

Since there isn't an open flame, these flameless candles can be left unattended, unlike traditional wax candles. They're safe to leave on in your windows during the holidays. They provide a romantic glow in the bedroom, with no worries if you happen to fall asleep before turning them off.

They're also safe to use around children and pets.

Perfect for the Dark Winter Months

Here in New England, the winter months can be brutally cold and the sun sets quite early. We have flameless LED candles in nearly every room of our house, and during the winter we set them to turn on at dusk, so we never have to walk into a completely dark room. The LEDs draw very little power, so a set of batteries usually lasts us the whole winter and beyond.

Melted edge wax flameless pillar candles

Two of our Luminara flameless pillar candles with our set of three color-changing flameless pillars

Luminara Flameless Candles: Perfect for Gifting

There are many brands of flameless candles, and the quality can vary significantly. We've tried a few inexpensive brands and have mostly been disappointed. The brand we count on for consistently high quality is Luminara.

Luminara makes top-of-the-line flameless candles made of hand-poured paraffin wax. Most styles have a timer and a remote, and all are boxed for easy gift-giving.

The company offers a wide range of styles, from everyday essentials to specialty items like real birch flameless candles filled with paraffin wax (gorgeous for country or rustic home decor) and Christmas-themed styles.

Here are some of my favorites.

This set of three Luminara melted edge wax pillar candles is one of the company's best sellers. The graduated-height, 3-inch wide pillars are 4.5", 5.5" and 6.5" tall, respectively.

Luminara Realistic Artificial Moving Flame Pillar Candles - Set of 3 - Melted Top Edge, LED Battery Operated Lights - Unscented - Remote Included- 3" x 4.5", 3" x 5.5", 3" x 6.5" (Burgundy)

The included remote control operates all three candles. Even if you split them up and place them in three different locations, you can control each one with the same remote, which is very convenient.

These are unscented (although Luminara does make some scented styles), so they're ideal for someone who is sensitive to scents, has allergies, or prefers to use other home fragrance products such as potpourri or sprays.

These also come in a choice of colors. I think the burgundy is very festive for the holidays and would be great as an accent color in a mostly neutral decor palette, while ivory or white are more subtle and very elegant any time of year.

We own this set of three pillars in ivory as well as a tall pillar in a discontinued color (blue sage) that coordinates with our living room color scheme.

Another choice that will grace your or your gift recipient's dining table for years to come is this set of Luminara ivory flameless wax tapers.

Luminara Set of 2 Moving Flame LED Taper (1x9.75), Flameless Candle, Melted Edge, Smooth Wax, Unscented (Spring Lake)

Luminara Set of 2 Moving Flame LED Taper (1x9.75), Flameless Candle, Melted Edge, Smooth Wax, Unscented (Ivory)

Elegant wax tapers are a classic, timeless style for good reason. Classic elegance with the safety and convenience of a flameless "flame" is a win-win!

Measuring 1" wide by 9.75" high, these flameless tapers can be used in any standard taper candle holder. Even reheated leftovers can become a festive meal with these flickering beauties on the dining table.

Although these do not come with a remote control, they do have a timer function that allows them to turn on for 5 hours and then shut off automatically for 19 hours.

These flameless taper candles come in classic ivory as well as a variety of colors for a more contemporary style.

As with all Luminara candles, they come nicely boxed for easy gift-giving.

Another of my favorite flameless candle styles is this hand-poured Luminara wax pillar wrapped in genuine birch bark.

Luminara Realistic Flameless Candle (4" x 5") Wrapped with Real Birch Bark - Moving Flame LED Light- Unscented

Every time I see one in a store I am tempted to add one to our collection. We bought one as a gift for my mother-in-law this Christmas and she loves it!

This is available in a selection of sizes including 3.5" x 4.5", 3.5" x 6.5", 4" x 5" and 4" x 7".

Just one of these is striking enough to make a statement in any room. Investing in a group of them in different sizes would make a real conversation-piece display!

The on/off switch on the bottom also has a timer setting.

Although this beautiful birch pillar doesn't come with a remote, it is compatible with Luminara's on/off remote, sold separately, which is well worth the extra money, in my opinion. We use our Luminara remotes all the time.

Color-Changing Flameless Candles

One of the best gifts I ever gave my husband was a set of three color-changing wax flameless candles. I prefer white Christmas lights and he prefers colored ones, and it was a big concession for him to go with white icicle lights along our roof and on our Christmas tree. So, one year I decided to give him a form of colored lights we both could enjoy: color-changing flameless candles.

These turned out to be an even bigger hit than I had hoped. I took a video of ours to show the color-changing effect, which was hard to capture on video and is MUCH prettier in person. (If you can't see the YouTube video below, you can access it via this link to my color-changing flameless candles video.)

In real life, the color changes are smooth and seamless, and the unsightly flickering of the image caused by the low-resolution video doesn't exist. I wish I could show just how beautiful these are in person!

The candles have an on/off switch and a remote control that allows you not only to turn the candles on and off but also to choose from a wide range of different colors or rotate through the colors, as shown in the video.

There is also a timer feature, which we use to automatically turn on the candles in our bedroom at dusk and turn off either 4 or 8 hours later, depending on the time of year (and how late dusk arrives).

The brand I purchased a couple of years ago is no longer available. However, I found a similar set with a subtle, elegant, tone-on-tone damask pattern in the wax shell that makes them even prettier, in my opinion.

If you want to splurge, Luminara also makes lovely color-changing pillars.

Don't Forget Batteries!

Whether you're buying these for yourself or as a gift, make sure to also buy the appropriate batteries for your candles and, if applicable, the remote control.

The set of three Luminara pillar candles, the smaller Luminara birch pillars, and the Luminara tapers take AA batteries. The larger Luminara birch pillars take D batteries. The remote takes a CR2025 button battery.

The three candles in the set of color-changing pillars I featured all run on AA batteries.

Beauty, long life, safety, and convenience — just some of the reasons to treat yourself and those on your gift list to some genuine wax flameless candles!

Genuine Wax Flameless Candles — An Elegant Gift Everyone Will Love by Margaret Schindel

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

An Awesome Low Carb Gourmet Gift Basket Everyone Will Love

Food gifts are always popular for the holidays. Unfortunately, traditional gourmet gift baskets aren't as popular as they once were. There is so much feasting between Thanksgiving and New Year's that a basket of typical high-calorie, starch- and sugar-laden holiday treats can be an unwelcome way to pack on even more unwanted pounds. Recipients may give away the high-calorie, high-carb items in the gift baskets they receive (or eat them and feel bad afterward).

Fortunately, as more and more people are choosing to eat low carb, savvy manufacturers are creating an ever-increasing array of delicious foods that consumers can indulge in without negatively affecting their health or piling on the pounds. A gourmet gift basket filled with tempting low carb treats they can indulge in guilt-free is a present everyone can enjoy.

You can customize the contents of each gift basket to suit the recipient's taste, preferences, and dietary restrictions by choosing sugar-free, keto-friendly, gluten-free, or dairy-free products.

Have fun picking out the perfect low carb goodies for your holiday gourmet gift baskets!

Fill a fabulous gourmet gift basket with luscious low carb treats

The first thing you'll need to do is to choose your low carb gourmet treats. Then, you'll pick a suitable basket or another container to fill with the items you've chosen.

From luscious chocolates and caramels to festive cookies, savory meat sticks, high-protein pasta, low-carb baking mixes, and more, you'll find recommendations here to delight everyone on your holiday gift list.

Festive (and Guilt-Free) Sweet Treats

If your gift recipient has a sweet tooth, the holidays are the time to indulge!

Chocolates for Connoisseurs

My favorite low carb chocolates hands-down are made by ChocZero and The Good Chocolate. Both these companies have extremely high standards for quality, flavor, and mouthfeel. Everyone on your list, regardless of dietary requirements or preferences, will love these luxurious, gourmet chocolate treats!

ChocZero Keto Chocolate Truffle Gift - Premium Healthy Chocolates - Low Carb Present - Zero Sugar Valentine's Day Hazelnut Truffles - 16 Truffles, 8.5 Ounces Total

The ChocZero Royal Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles are absolutely divine. Silky milk chocolate sweetened with monk fruit enrobes a hazelnut center and crushed gluten-free cookies. No one would ever believe there's no sugar in these fabulous truffles!

Each truffle is wrapped in elegant metallic gold foil and nestled into its own depression in the custom-molded inserts in the clear, hard plastic presentation box beautifully designed for gift-giving to even the most discerning recipient.

These are no-added-sugar masterpieces from a truly talented chocolatier. A perfect pick that's also gluten-free and keto-friendly.

(Bonus: They also contain healthy prebiotic fiber to support gut health and help you feel full longer!) I'm so excited that ChocZero will be introducing additional flavors of truffles in the coming months!

I wrote an in-depth product review of The Good Chocolate bars that explains in detail all the reasons I love this company's terrific chocolates.

The Good Chocolate - Keto Chocolate Variety Pack, Zero Sugar, Lower Net Carb Snack, Lower Calorie Chocolate Candy Variety Pack, 6 Flavors, 6 Bar Value Pack

Although their products aren't inexpensive, this is a luxury product that any chocolate connoisseur would appreciate.

They have an excellent variety of flavors including some unusual gourmet options, such as Dark Chocolate with Ginger and Dark Chocolate with Coconut & Turmeric (which sounds weird but is absolutely delicious!).

I also love their Signature Dark Chocolate, Salted Dark Chocolate with Roasted Almonds, Dark Chocolate with Himalayan & Sea Salt, and Milk Chocolate bars.

I highly recommend adding an assortment to your low carb gourmet gift baskets so your gift recipient can find his or her favorites. For example, The Good Chocolate Keto Chocolate Bar Variety Pack includes one bar of each of the above flavors except the Dark Chocolate with Coconut & Turmeric.

ChocZero Keto Candy Bar - Zero Sugar Added - Peanut, Caramel Milk Chocolate Nougat Rhea Bars (10 Bars Per Box)

Another terrific option for people who love Snickers bars but not all the sugar they contain is the new ChocZero Rhea candy bars. These are positively decadent! I defy anyone who tries them to guess that they don't contain any added sugars.

This is a real, good old-fashioned candy bar that tastes like that famous childhood favorite but contains no added sugars.

Each Rhea bar is yummy nougat topped with loads of chopped peanuts embedded in gooey caramel, and then the whole bar is enrobed in a coating of decadent milk chocolate.

An interesting tidbit: The Rhea in the name is ChocZero's wonderful Chief Growth Officer, who not only leads the brand's excellent marketing (which is both principled and transparent) but also is actively engaged with customers.

I really love this company, its products, and its people! It's no wonder they are growing so quickly and have such a loyal following.

ChocZero Dark Chocolate Peppermint Keto Bark - Sugar Free, Vegan, Low Carb, Christmas Gift Box (48 Bars - 19.2 Ounce Tin)

ChocZero Chocolate Keto Bark is one of the brand's most popular products, and for good reason. It comes in a wide range of delicious flavor choices, with new flavors introduced from time to time and some occasionally retired. My husband and I really love these delicious squares of rich, luscious chocolate either filled or studded with flavorful additions.

Some of our favorites include Dark Chocolate Peppermint, White Chocolate Cookies & Cream, and Milk Chocolate Almond.

They are all sweetened with monk fruit and are the perfect size to satisfy a sweet tooth without overindulging.

They are available in bags and, new this year, in large, collectible gift tins that also bring down the cost per piece. We always have a good selection of flavors on hand at our house!

Chewy Caramels

Another of this year's sweet innovations is ChocZero's Soft Sea Salt Caramels. These soft, chewy candies have that yummy salted caramel flavor that is deservedly popular among foodies.

ChocZero Sugar Free Caramels - Keto Caramel Candy - All Natural, Classic Candies - Low Carb Snack (9 ounce Jar)

Sweetened with monk fruit and salted with fine Celtic sea salt, these individually wrapped, kettle-cooked, classic caramels will remind you of old-fashioned homemade caramel candies. These sugar-free treats contain no sugar alcohols or corn syrup.

A serving of three of these yummy caramels has just 100 calories, 0 grams of sugar, and 2 net carbs.

Bonus: You can also melt these down to make a luxurious sugar-free caramel sauce!

Marshmallows

ChocZero Sugar Free Marshmallows - Keto Marshmallow - Gluten Free, 0g Fat, Zero Sugars - Healthy Low Carb - 10.5 Ounce Bag

Another exceptional sugar-free treat from ChocZero is their marshmallows.

They make regular marshmallows, mini marshmallows, marshmallows in fun seasonal shapes, twisted rainbow Unicorn marshmallows, and freeze-dried mini marshmallows like the ones in many popular kids' cereals.

I haven't been able to stop eating them since they launched earlier this year! They're perfect for floating in hot cocoa, snacking, and using in recipes.

For someone who loves Rice Krispie Treats, consider including a bag of ChocZero Marshmallows and a copy of my recipe for Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats.

Low Carb Cookies

There are a lot of commercial keto and low carb cookies on the market. Frankly, very few of them are worth eating. Here are some noteworthy exceptions.

ChocZero Keto Butter Cookies - Sugar Free Danish Shortbread Gift - Gluten Free, Low Carb (1 tin, 12 oz)

ChocZero Premium Butter Cookies look just like the wonderful Danish butter cookies we all know and love, right down to the round blue collectible tin, but minus the added sugars. They are crisp, sweet, buttery, and delicious!

They would make a great addition to your low carb gourmet gift baskets!

HighKey Snacks is best known for its delicious, bite-sized mini cookies.

HighKey Mini Cookies come in a wide variety of flavors, including Double Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Vanilla Wafers, Vanilla Shortbread, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Lemon, and Ginger Spice.

HighKey Sugar Free Cookies Variety Pack - 6.75oz Keto Snacks Zero Carb No Sugar 3-Pack Chocolate Chip Cookie, Snickerdoodle, Brownie Bites Low Carb Gluten Free Diabetic Snack Diet Friendly Food Sweets

The Ginger Spice are definitely a holiday favorite and are great crushed to make a flavorful cheesecake crust. (I love them as a crust for pumpkin cheesecake!)

The Classic Variety 3-Pack includes one bag each of Double Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chip, and Snickerdoodle mini cookies, so your gift recipient can try a few flavors.

I've also written an in-depth product review of HighKey Sugar-Free Sandwich Cookies, which are my favorite Oreo alternative and a gift any Oreo lover who's trying to cut back on sugar would appreciate.

HighKey High Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies- Protein Snacks Keto Snack Healthy Snacks for Adults Gluten Free Snacks Almond Butter Soft Baked Protein Cookies Keto Snacks Individually Wrapped Snacks 6ct

The newest HighKey cookie offering is also a winner and might be my favorite cookie from this brand!

HighKey Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies are very large, soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies packed with a whopping 14 grams of protein per cookie.

They're individually wrapped to keep them soft and fresh, and they're as nutritious as they are delicious.

I love bringing these along in my purse or carry-on bag in case I need something to stave off hunger pains on the go.

I really hope HighKey decides to make these in additional flavors. They're a terrific addition to their product line!

Savory Goodies

If your gift recipients prefer savory to sweet, here are some tasty picks they're sure to enjoy.

High-Quality Meat Sticks

Meat sticks are a convenient low carb snack. They're high in protein, low in calories, and great to tuck in a purse or carry-on bag for a satisfying protein boost on the go.

My favorites are PaleoValley 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks. According to the manufacturer's website, "Paleovalley 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks are the only beef sticks in the USA made from 100% grass-fed/grass-finished beef and organic spices that are naturally fermented." These delicious, individually wrapped, grass-fed beef sticks come in several tasty flavors: regular Summer Sausage, Garlic Summer Sausage (my personal favorite), Jalapeno, Teriyaki, and Original.

All the flavors except Teriyaki have 6 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and 70 calories; the Teriyaki beef sticks have 80 calories. They are non-GMO, gluten-free, grain-free, corn-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.

I also love PaleoValley 100% Pasture-Raised Maple Bacon Pork Sticks. These are made primarily from pasture-raised pork with organic spices and a touch of sweetness from organic maple syrup. They are naturally fermented to make them shelf-stable without the use of preservatives.

Each delicious maple bacon pork stick has 80 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 2 net carbs. They're gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, with no added sugar, no artificial nitrates, or nitrites.

The PaleoValley beef and pork sticks are soft and moist. If your gift recipient prefers a firmer, chewier, beef jerky-style meat stick, I highly recommend the CHOMPS Grass-Fed Beef Sticks.

CHOMPS Grass Fed Original Beef Jerky Snack Sticks, Keto, Paleo, Whole30 Approved, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Allergy Friendly Snack, High Protein, 90 Calorie Snack, 27.6oz Pack

These individually wrapped, jerky-style sticks are made from grass-fed and grass-finished beef. They come in your choice of Original, Habanero, Jalapeño, Italian Style, Sea Salt, and Taco Beef flavors.

Each CHOMPS beef jerky stick has 9 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, 90 calories, and no gluten, soy, or dairy.

The flavors range from extra-mild to medium spicy to suit the recipient's preferred spice/heat level.

Pasta and Sauce

Kaizen Low Carb Pasta Fusilli - Gluten-Free, High Protein, Keto Friendly, Plant Based, Made with High Fiber Lupin Flour - 8 ounces (Pack of 3)…

A low carb lifestyle can include pasta, as long as you choose the right kind.

Although low carb pasta doesn't have an identical taste or texture to conventional pasta, there are some satisfying options.

One of my favorites is Kaizen pasta made with high-protein lupin flour. It's available in a variety of popular pasta shapes including fusilli, ziti, cavatappi, and radiatori.

I recommend cooking it a bit longer than the package directions suggest, since otherwise, it can be a bit chewy.

Raos Specialty Food Rao's Tomato Basil Sauce, 24 oz (Pack of 2)

Because the taste is a bit different than that of conventional pasta, I highly recommend pairing it with a robust low carb sauce.

We really like Rao's Homemade Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce made with fresh basil.

It's more expensive than some other brands, but the taste is worth the premium price, and the ingredients are fresh and high quality, like those you would use to make your own marinara sauce at home.

Another good low carb option to try that's considerably less expensive is Yo Mama's Keto Marinara Sauce. It's a lesser-known brand that deserves more recognition.

Baking Mixes

I've reviewed several low carb and keto baking mixes here on Review This Reviews. Two of my favorite brands are Scotty's Everyday and Good Dee's.

Keto Pizza Crust Zero Carb Mix - Keto and Gluten Free Pizza Baking Mix, Vegan - 0g Net Carbs Per Slice - No Erythritol, Easy to Make - No Nut Flours - No Sugar Alcohols - Makes 1 Pizza (8.4oz Mix)

Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix is a fantastic option for enjoying fresh, homemade pizza. It makes a delicious crust that has 80 calories, 2.5 grams of protein, and an amazing zero net carbs per slice.

We like baking ours on a pizza stone to get a thin, crispy crust. It's the closest thing to real pizza dough that's also keto-friendly!

Read my in-depth product review of The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs to learn more about why this baking mix is a winner.

I've reviewed Good Dee's Low Carb Cookie Baking Mixes here on Review This Reviews. We recently made a batch of my favorite (butter pecan cookies) and they were delicious!

Good Dee’s Corn Bread Baking Mix - Grain Free, Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, and Low Carb,7.5 Oz

I also love Good Dee's brownie mixes, cake mixes, and bread mixes. Good Dee's Corn-Free Bread Mix is a key ingredient in my Low Carb Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins recipe, which is delicious and one of my husband's favorite meals.

A package of the Corn Free Bread Mix along with a copy of my cheddar corn dog muffins recipe would make a great addition to a low carb gourmet gift basket.

This mix is the best alternative to cornbread for people who are avoiding corn and grains, especially when enhanced with additional corn flavoring, as I do in my low carb cheddar corn dog muffins recipe.

You really can't go wrong with any of the Good Dee's baking mixes. They also make sugar-free rainbow sprinkles that would be great paired with one of the cake mixes!

Livlō baking mixes are another great option. Livlo makes high-quality keto baking mixes, such as the biscuit and scone mixes I use in my yummy Low Carb Blueberry Biscuit Scones recipe. Check out my recipe to learn more about these excellent, easy-to-use mixes.

Wholesome Yum White Keto Bread Mix (2g Net Carbs) - Low Carb Almond Flour Baking Mix (14.5 oz) - Non GMO, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free

Another great addition to your low carb gourmet gift basket would be the Wholesome Yum Soft White Keto Bread Mix.

I've written a detailed review of this bread mix prepared both according to the package directions and according to the yeast bread recipe. Both methods make delicious loaves.

Read my Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe review and consider adding the bread mix and the yeast bread recipe instructions to your basket.

A good low carb pancake or waffle mix would also be a welcome treat. Scotty's Everyday, Wholesome Yum, Livlo, Good Dee's, and Nüsh Foods all make excellent ones.

High Protein Healthy Pancake Mix by Nush Foods (Original) | Original Protein Pancake Mix – (2 Pack) - Gluten Free, Grain Free Snacks, Paleo Pancake, High Omega 3, Diabetic Friendly, Maximum Muscle Gain Pancakes, Waffle Mix

Since my husband and I try to prioritize protein in our diets, especially first thing in the morning, we really like the Nüsh Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix, which packs a hefty 20 grams of protein and 8 net carbs per serving (three protein pancakes).

This protein pancake & waffle mix is gluten-free and high in flax fiber and Omega-3s. It's also quick and easy to prepare—just measure out the desired quantity of the mix and whisk in half as much water by volume (e.g., 2 Tbsp. water for 1/4 cup dry mix), and then cook on a greased, preheated pan.

Although Nüsh also makes a blueberry protein pancake & waffle mix, we prefer to add our own fresh berries to the prepared mix batter. A mixture of fresh raspberries and blueberries is a favorite in our household.

Don't forget to include a bottle of high-quality sugar-free maple syrup! We love Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup and ChocZero Maple Syrup.

Crackers

A lot of low carb and keto crackers taste like cardboard. Fortunately, there is one brand I can recommend enthusiastically.

Real Phat Foods Almond Flour Crackers - Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto & Paleo Friendly Snack - 4.5 oz (Variety Pack of 5)

My favorite, far and away, is Real Phat Foods almond flour crackers. They're made with simple, clean ingredients "with no artificial anything ever." They're grain-free, gluten-free, yeast-free, soy-free, and GMO-free, and all flavors except cheddar are also dairy-free.

A 1-ounce serving has 150 calories and only 1–2 net carbs per serving.

I've tried and enjoyed all the flavors, which include Rosemary, Cracked Pepper, Original, Cheddar, and Sweet Cinnamon Crunch.

The cheddar and cinnamon are my top picks, but the Original flavor is great paired with your favorite cheese or jam.

I suggest getting the assortment with one bag of each flavor so your gift recipients can find their favorites to reorder.

Jams, Spreads, and Honey

Keto Strawberry Jam, No Sugar Added - Monk Fruit Sweetened, Gluten Free Spread from ChocZero, 12 oz

This is another category where ChocZero has been knocking it out of the park. ChocZero jams are the best quality sugar-free jams on the market, in my opinion.

They're sweetened with monk fruit instead of unhealthy artificial sweeteners, chock-full of real fruit, and taste fantastic. They're also thick and jammy, not watery or gummy like some other sugar-free jams I've tried.

ChocZero Jams come in Grape, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Orange Marmalade flavors and the brand-new Black Cherry jam should be coming to Amazon soon. These are great for PB&J sandwiches, with crackers, to fill thumbprint cookies, and lots of other tasty uses.

ChocZero Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Spread - Keto Friendly, No Sugar Added, Best Low Carb Dessert, Perfect Topping for Almond Flour Pancakes, Naturally Sweetened with Monk Fruit (1 jar, 12 oz)

For the Nutella lovers on your holiday gift list, both ChocZero and Livlō make excellent sugar-free chocolate hazelnut spreads.

My favorite is the ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Spread, which is also vegan, but the closest to Nutella is the ChocZero Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (shown at the left) or the Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.

ChocZero Cookie Spread is also fabulous!

Sugar-free honey is a relatively new invention. ChocZero Keto Honey Substitute is a vegan clover honey alternative that comes in an adorable bear-shaped bottle. It has only 1 net carb per serving and packs 18 grams of dietary fiber per serving. It's sweetened with monk fruit instead of artificial sweeteners and tastes delicious! It's a 1:1 replacement for honey in any recipe and is delicious in tea.

Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute (Keto Honey) - Natural Sugar Free Honey Alternative With Monk Fruit & Allulose - Zero Net Carbs, Non GMO, Gluten Free, No Aftertaste (11 oz)

The other low carb honey we love is Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute.

This keto-friendly honey alternative is sweetened with monk fruit and allulose and has only 15 calories and 0 net carbs per tablespoon. It also has 6 grams of dietary fiber.

It has the same consistency as honey from the bees and, like ChocZero honey, is designed to be used in recipes as well as drizzled on pancakes or toast, stirred into tea, etc.

The most notable thing about Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute is that it comes in different flavors: original, cinnamon, jalapeno, turmeric ginger, and orange. Imagine using the orange honey in a glaze or marinade for chicken or the jalapeno honey to make hot honey chicken wings!

Any of these jams, spreads, or honey choices would be excellent paired with Wholesome Yum Bread Mix, Livlo biscuit or scone baking mix, Real Phat Foods almond flour crackers, or Nüsh protein pancake or waffle mix.

Baskets and Other Container Ideas

Whenever I receive a gift basket, I always save the container to repurpose. That's what I did to make the low carb gourmet gift basket pictured below.

I repurposed the wicker basket from a gift I received, wrapped the handle with fancy ribbon and a decorative pick, and filled it with delicious sweet and savory low carb treats.

If you don't happen to have one on hand, Amazon has a huge selection of wicker baskets for gifts in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit your needs.

You could get creative and stow your gourmet treats in a crockpot or air fryer for a more extravagant gift.

The easiest approach of all would be to tuck your low carb goodies into a festive holiday gift bag. My friend and fellow Review This Reviews contributor Raintree Annie has some great suggestions for Reusable Christmas Gift Bags.

Alternatively, if you want to give mostly smaller treats, you might use them to stuff a beautiful Christmas stocking.