Tips for Becoming a New Dog Parent

This Saturday, August 19, is Clear the Shelters Day to encourage more people to consider adopting a pet from their local animal shelter.  “What to Expect When Adopting a Dog” by Diane Rose-Solomon (www.sop3publishing.com) is a wonderful guidebook to read ahead of time to answer many of your questions regarding dog ownership.

Rose-Solomon covers a wide range of topics, including an assessment to know whether or not you are ready to add a dog to your family mix, the best places for adopting a dog, preparing your home and tips for successfully integrating your new canine pal into your household, other family members and your routine. The better prepared you are, the more likely you will make a good match with one of the many shelter animals looking for their fur-ever home!

What to Expect When Adopting A Dog by Diane Rose-Solomon – Gotta Love It!

Lori’s Original Lemonade Offers Sweet Refreshment

It will soon be time to start packing those daily school lunches as the kids return to the classroom this fall. Instead of sugary soft drinks, we recommend a bottle of Lori’s Original Lemonade, made from organic lemons instead (www.lorisoriginallemonade.com).

The company, based in Ventura, CA,  recently rolled out two new flavor offerings to their lineup of organic gourmet lemonades, Wild Strawberry (our favorite)  and Original lemonade, joining their already popular and unique Lavender, Ginger and Lemongrass Lite lemonades. Each 16 oz. bottle provides two generous servings, with just the right mix of tangy tartness and sweetness.  When life hands you lemons, pour yourself a glass of Lori’s Original Lemonade!

Lori’s Original Gourmet Lemonade – Gotta Love It!

Be a Hero: Book Pick of the Week

Although there seem to be plenty of reasons to become fearful these days, being prepared for certain unwanted situations can help any individual feel more in control. John Geddes and Alun Rees do an excellent job of providing the reader with strategies to survive active-shooter events in their recently released “Be A Hero” (www.skyhorsepublishing.com).

The topics covered may not be pleasant to think about, but offer lifesaving information on how to fight back, escape and evade, tone down disabling fear and provide medical assistance to those in need. This is a must-read book that every member of the family can benefit from in the event the unthinkable happens  at school, at the mall or in other public places.

Be A Hero: The Essential Survival Guide to Active-Shooter Events by John Geddes and Alun Rees – Gotta Love It!

Smallmouth Bass Are Biting

Anyone searching for a new outdoor sport to pursue can get a wealth of information about fishing from James Root’s new “Smallmouth Bass Fishing for Everyone: How to Catch the Hardest Fighting Fish That Swims”  from Skyhorse Publishing (www.skyhorsepublishing.com). 

Root is a tournament fisherman who knows the ins and outs of identifying smallmouth bass and where they live, providing readers wtih expert advice on everything from outfitting your boat to discovering his 25 top destinations to pursue smallmouth bass fishing.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing For Everyone by James Root – Gotta Love It!

 

Popcorn Makes the Party

During the Dog Days of August, you don’t need an official reason to throw an impromptu party, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money on the fixings, thanks to KingOfPop.com.

Their Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler makes party entertaining easy.  This collection features  10 bags holding bold and sassy flavors, including Hickory Maple Bacon, Honey Mustard, Buttered Corn on the Cob, Chipotle BBQ, Dill Pickle and Cajun. Simply pour into platters, add sangria, wine and beer to quench your thirst, and you’re ready for a fun, pop-up party, anytime and anyplace. 

The Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler from KingOfPop.com — Gotta Love It!

 

Caesar’s Kitchen Meals Fast & Nutritious for Back to School

Summer vacation days are numbered as another school season looms on the horizon. Be ready to simplify mealtimes for your children, and yourself when schedules get crazy with the USDA certified organic and gluten-free single serve frozen entrees available from Caesar’s Kitchen (www.caesarskitchen.com).

We recently had the opportunity to taste test Caesar’s Kitchen Gluten-free Gourmet Buffalo and Chicken Mac & Cheese and 3 Cheese Herb Rigatoni & Meat Sauce, as well as their Organic Goodness Spinach & Tomato 4 Cheese Ravioli and the Asiago Mushroom Penne Pasta entrees. Each provided a nicely seasoned, satisfying meal, with tantalizing aroma and easy to microwave directions.  Within 5 minutes, we were able to enjoy a nutritious, protein-rich meal that tasted as good as homemade!  We also like the fact that no artificial ingredients or preservatives are used in preparing Caesar’s Kitchen entrees, available in your supermarket freezer case.

Caesar’s Kitchen Gluten-Free and Organic Goodness Single Serve Frozen Entrees – Gotta Love It!

 

Sample New Microbrews with Summer Seasonal Beer Bucket

GourmetGiftBaskets.com offers the perfect treat to take to your next barbecue — their Summer Seasonal Beer Bucket filled with half a dozen seasonal limited edition beers, complimented with an array of sweet and salty snacks.

The Summer Seasonal Beer Bucket comes handsomely packaged in its own reusable aluminum bucket, perfect for filling with crushed ice to keep your bottles nicely chilled. This goodie-filled bucket makes the perfect gift to extend your thanks to a caring host or hostess or treat yourself to a delicious array of craft beers and tasty snacks (including nuts, popcorn, crackers and tender beef jerky)  to make the dog days of August more tolerable.

The Summer Seasonal Beer Bucket from GourmetGiftBaskets.com — Gotta Love It!

Enjoy Summer Escape With Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen

Racehorse Publishing (www.skyhorsepublishing.com) has recently premiered a very handsome volume of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fair Tales, illustrated by Kay Nielsen.

This book offers a wonderful way to escape into the world of “once upon a time” and “happily ever after” with stories about brave, noble, silly, ingenious and authentic characters summoned by Andersen’s vivid imagination and beautifully illustrated in four-color by the artistry of Key Nielsen.  If you are in search of a lazy day or beach book to round out your summer reading, Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales fills the bill.

Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales, illustrated by Kay Nielsen — Gotta Love It!

Toast Good Times with Deor Italian Sparkling Wines

Any good news is worth celebrating with something bubbly and thanks to Guarachi Wine Partners (www.guarachiwinepartners.com), Cuvee Deor, The Gold Collection will soon be available in your area.

The company will roll out its Deor Gold Extra Dry Sparkling and its Deor Pink Extra Dry Sparkling wines to 25 additional states this fall, with nationwide availability in 2018.  The very handsome glistening bottles give just a hint of the deliciousness that awaits inside. Deor is a sparkling wine that turns even a simple meal into a celebration! Crisp, refreshing, and simply beautiful in the glass. We predict that Cuvee Deor will be the must-try wines for the upcoming holiday season.

Cuvee Deor, The Gold Collection Italian Sparkling Wines – Gotta Love it!

Horses that Save Lives: Book Pick of the Week

If you are in need of a hyacynth to feed your soul this summer, we heartily recommend Cheryl Reed-Dudley’s “Horses That Save Lives” (www.skyhorsepublishing.com).

These are heartwarming and inspiring stories of how horse and human intereactions and encounters led to wonderful changes in one or both of their lives.  These tales are a wonderful reminder of the mutually beneficial relationship that can exist between mankind and the animal kingdom.

Horses That Save Lives by Cheryl Reed-Dudley – Gotta Love It!