Passover Espresso Macarons Recipe Featured in Passover Made Easy Cookbook Review

Books

I usually test recipes in cookbooks reviewed for this blog, like the post I did on Kosher by Design Cooking Coach last month. This time around I'm in high gear cleaning for Pesach -- it's less than two weeks away now, starting Monday night, March 25th this year.  So instead, I'll describe in vivid detail what you'll find within the covers of Passover Made Easy, a newly released cookbook compendium of easy recipes that's a good resource for adventurous cooks who enjoy this holiday as much as I do.

Expresso Macarons w/ Chocolate Hazelnut Cream, Images by Passover Made Easy 

Speaking of enjoyment, loyal readers know how much I hate spring cleaning. This beautifully photographed book definitely has been a great diversion, though, from all that scrubbing and reorganizing my kitchen. From appetizers, soups, side dishes, main courses and desserts to wine pairings to Passover Seder basics like homemade Pesachdich mayonaise and more, this book offers it all from A to Z or as we say in Hebrew from Aleph to Tav.

I love to cook with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and raw ingredients throughout the year, but I really get the opportunity to go all out with these at Passover time. In fact I've already put two items from Passover Made Easy on the menu I'm planning this year that involve basics easily found at the grocery store and farmers market. These recipes include Citrus Beet Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette and Espresso Macarons with Chocolate-Hazelnut Cream. 

Say goodbye to old-fashioned canned macaroons -- I have a feeling this new espresso macaron recipe will turn out cookies that are much more tasty and pretty than either those classic rubbery macaroons or those expensive macarons you can buy ready-made. 

Heirloom Tomatoes at a Farmers Market

Whether you're a beginner cook or a gourmet home chef, you'll find something in this cook book that appeals to every skill level and every palate. Among the 60 recipes you will discover simple step by step directions for making some one-of-a-kind dishes that your family and friends will never forget. 

How about Brisket Eggrolls as an appetizer or Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Soup or Tortillas with Tomato-Mint Salsa & Guacamole that you make with ground beef? And for dessert: Hot Apple Pie with Cinnamon-Streusel Ice Cream. Yes! That last sweet treat includes the recipe for the ice cream, too. You get the idea. These recipes are most certainly out of the ordinary. An added bonus: Those who are gluten intolerant will rejoice because all but four of the recipes in this entire cookbook are gluten-free.

Espresso Macarons w/ Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Image by Passover Made Easy

I can't wait to make these macarons as soon as my house is clean and my kitchen is completely kashered for Pesach!

For sure there are a plethora of innovative ideas in this cookbook worth trying. The best part is there is a color photograph with each and every recipe so you'll be able to make anything in this book replicating what its creators intended. Now that's what I call Passover made easy. Another good thing to know: This is the first in a series of Made Easy cookbooks that will be published by authors Leah Schapira and Victoria Dwek throughout 2013 and 2014. 

Passover Made Easy - Favorite Triple-Tested Recipes by Leah Schapira and Victoria Dwek is published by Artscroll Mesorah Publications. Listed at $15.99 this softcover 125-page color photo illustrated cook book is available in select stores and online.

B'Tayavon -- the Hebrew way to say Bon Appetite!

Passover Made Easy shown here with one of our family Seder Plates

FTC Disclosure: I received the book featured to facilitate this review. I did not receive payment or any other compensation and thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

iPhone Extreme Protection Case LifeProof Review

Technology

Remember that 70s song You've Got a Friend written by Carole King but made famous by James Taylor? Among the most memorable lyrics from that tune go, "Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, all you've got to do is call." 

That is, you'll only be able to call if your smart phone works because you've been shielding it from everything in its path as the two of you go through the seasons together. Depending on where you live and your lifestyle that could include any combination of annoyances: water, moisture, dirt and mud, and other hazards associated with all kinds of weather and/or every day catastrophes like a child dropping or throwing your cell phone.

Mammoth Mountain Summit Elevation 10,000 Feet

Me at Mammoth Mountain, January 2013

To me, my iPhone 5 is like my fifth child (I have four real kids including triplets plus one more all born within a year). I'll do just about anything to protect my family, of course. But I'll also go to great lengths to protect the most valuable material possession I own, too. The one that I take virtually everywhere I go around the world. 

Guarding a cell phone against damage. That's really important when you're like me rappelling down a 200 foot waterfall or riding the zip lines for miles above the Costa Rican jungle canopy. It's essential too, when you ski down mountains with an elevation of more than 9000 feet, cycle in the rain or engage in a variety of other extreme sports in all kinds of climates. Equally, it's critical to be vigilant in situations that are not so exotic because otherwise simply dropping that smartphone in a puddle while walking the dog could mean certain death to your beloved device.

200 foot waterfall in Costa Rica, December 2012

Me hiking in the Costa Rican jungle 

Making sure my phone survives just about any possible exotic locale I venture to as much as helping me get through those Halcyon car pool driving days back home. Those are just some of the reasons why I feel fortunate to have had the chance to try out the LifeProof Fre Case for iPhone 5 and one of its companion accessories, the LifeProof Bike + Bar Mount. 

Both products -- which are sold separately -- are waterproof, dirt proof, snow proof and shock proof. Together they've given my youngest "child" the utmost in protection against the seasonal elements and all the crazy adventures I seem to be embarking on with my family these days.

2 LifeProof products for iPhone I tested for this review

LifeProof Fre Case shown with iPhone 5 inside

LifeProof Fre Case with LifeProof Bike/Bar Mount

The LifeProof Fre Case is truly impervious to both life and kids, according to Gary Rayner, the brilliant engineer and Founder/CEO behind the company LifeProof. 

In this video clip Gary presents an overview of the key features of this cool and functional case and some of the ways you can use it. For example, because it is completely immersible, you can capture great photos underwater while using this highly protective case.

I've already experienced complete protection from shock, snow and moisture while testing this out myself in the snow this winter. Not only did my phone stay bone dry and protected even when it was snowing, I was able to shoot images at Mammoth Mountain that were crystal clear. I look forward to trying this case out some more soon as the weather warms up whilst shielding my iPhone from harm on a bike ride in the rain or under water this summer.

Testing LifeProof Fre Case in the snow at Mammoth

Photo taken with LifeProof Fre Case on iPhone 5

The LifeProof Fre Case for iPhone 5 is priced at $79.99. The case is available in black, white, grey, blue, and pink. The compatible LifeProof Bike + Bar Mount for Fre iPhone 5 Case in black sells for $39.99. The company also offers a version of each of these two products for iPhone 4/4GS.

Whether you buy the protective case alone or you are a cyclist in which case you'll want to also own the compatible bike and bar mount add-on option, having one or both of these ingenius products by your side no matter what life throws at you, I can't imagine anything better. As the song goes -- Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?

And guess what, friends? LifeProof is going to be giving one lucky MommyBlogExpert reader a LifeProof Fre Case and LifeProof Bike + Bar Mount prize combo in the winner's choice either for iPhone 4/4GS or iPhone 5.  Keep reading for details on how to enter this awesome giveaway.

LifeProof Fre Case for iPhone 
Plus compatible LifeProof Bike +Bar Mount

Prize valued at approx $120

GIVEAWAY

Ends 4/20/13

HOW TO ENTER

Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends April 20, 2013 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive a LifeProof Fre Case and LifeProof Bike + Bar Mount prize package in their choice either for iPhone 4/4GS or iPhone 5. The prize package has a total value of about $120. Winner will be selected at random from all entries received and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying what why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter 

2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook
3. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Pinterest
4. Follow @LifeProof on Twitter
5. Like @LifeProof on Facebook

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ENTER Them All HERE

Disclaimer: I received the product featured to facilitate this review. In addition, LifeProof is providing the prizes and shipping for the giveaway. I received no payment or other compensation and thoughts in this post are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Woofstock 90210 Dog Festival Attracts 3,000 Humans & Even More Dogs of All Breeds & Mixes

Pets

Sunday really did go to the dogs at the 2013 Woofstock 90210 dog festival at Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills which was renamed Wiggly Park for the day. Definitely the place to be today for canine lovers and enthusiasts like me and our four legged friends from throughout Southern California.

Dexter & I at Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital photo booth

So I took the opportunity to walk our miniature pinscher Dexter over to the park to join in all the fun. Usually he's pretty selective about which other pups he gets along with. But today -- I think because he was rather overwhelmed by the thousands of other dogs milling around the event site -- he was Mr. Congeniality with his little stub of a tail wagging non-stop as he made lots of new doggie friends of all persuasions.

AKC recognized breeds and mutts -- dogs large and small, long and short, fluffy and sleekly groomed, young and old, dressed in costumes or au natural along with their doting companion humans attached to the other ends of leashes were all out in full force under blue skies in 70 degree weather.

According to the official press release for Woofstock 90210, which is an annual event that takes place every March, 3,000 adult and kid humans were expected and about 150 dogs in need of homes were to be offered for adoption at this year's event. Most attendees had at least one dog in tow and quite a few had two or even three dogs, so I'd estimate that over 4,000 canines enjoyed the day too.

Lots of fun Woofstock 90210 Swag and Samples were given away

Among the festivities were

• Pet adoptions and rescues
• More than 40 pet-related vendors
• Free samples of dog treats, dog food & Swag
• A photo booth for pets and their people
• A Pet Parade
• A Human-Dog Lookalike Contest
• Dog Stunts
• Lots More Fun

This short video perfectly captures

the overall flavor of this event...

Admission to the family friendly festival was free thanks to the City of Beverly Hills and its Parks and Recreation Department. Also supporting this year's dog celebration were major sponsors Union Bank, Natural Balance Pet Foods, AsDogTraining.com and Subaru of Santa Monica.

FTC Disclosure: Dexter and I attended this event and received a free photo as well as a variety of samples and swag from various vendors.  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.