Monday, November 4, 2019

Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave at Best Buy

Kitchen 


Microwave, Convection Oven, Air Fryer in One


It's early November, the official kickoff of the winter holiday entertaining season. For those of us who love to cook and bake this time of year, it's a good idea to stay updated on the latest technologically-advanced small kitchen appliances that can make our time in the kitchen more efficient and enjoyable. 





The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

Small in Size, Big in Functionality

That's why I'm excited to tell you all about the new Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave, which is actually a countertop microwave, convection oven and air fryer all in one appliance, now available at Best Buy.

The versatile Breville Combi Wave, considering it's small compact size (12.4409" high x 20.4331" wide x 21" deep), is a true holiday helper that won't take up much space. 

Depending on what you're making, this beautiful and stylish piece of kitchen equipment can be used as a microwave, oven or air fryer right on your counter top, while you have that turkey roasting in your regular full-sized oven.


Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Features

  • Brushed stainless steel exterior which blends seamlessly with all kinds of kitchen designs from classic and retro to modern
  • Three cooking modes: microwave, convection oven and air fryer
  • Large 12.4" turntable to keep food rotating so it cooks evenly and thoroughly
  • Powerful 1400W microwave cooking to defrost, cook and warm up all kinds of food and liquids 
  • Element iQ® system which employs smart algorithms for precise temperature control
  • Convection that efficiently fans and circulates heat around food during cooking to minimize hot and cold spots
  • Compact 1.1 cu. ft interior perfect for reheating leftovers as well as snacks like popcorn
  • Door is 80% quieter, when closing it doesn't slam like most microwaves; it's also a delightful 50% quieter during operation
  • Mute button option allows you control over whether or not the beeps are audible
  • Child lock prevents young kids from causing any mischief, like microwaving crayons, and cooking food for themselves without supervision

I get excited just thinking about this gem, don't you? With the affordable Breville Combi Wave you can do so much more with a single small kitchen appliance. 

On one setting you can precisely defrost, cook, and warm up food similar to using a standard microwave. Then switch to another microwave setting to air fry yummy things family and friends will love like french fries, fried chicken, roasted vegetables, and more -- all using very little oil for more delicious healthier food. Not only that, you can also use the convection oven function to bake casseroles, pizza, cookies, brownies, cakes and lots more.





What does this new small appliance not offer home cooks who enjoy spending time in their kitchens during the holidays and year-round? With Smart Cook, Smart Reheat and Smart Defrost, the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave is a real smart cookie in triplicate. Get yours, available online and in-store now at Best Buy before you start your holiday cooking and baking marathon.



Breville Combi Wave
3-in-1 Microwave Oven




Tuesday, October 29, 2019

A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish Review

Movies



Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this blog post. Opinions here are my own.


A Modern Twist on Cinderella for the Holidays


Just in time for holiday family entertainment, stocking stuffers, and gift giving, A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish (rated PG) from Warner Bros. has launched on Bluray, DVD and Digital. This contemporary twist on the classic fairytale is beautifully presented as a musical feature film that kids and parents will enjoy watching together.

All images in post © 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Laura Marano Stars in A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish
Laura Marano in A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish 


The fifth installment in the A Cinderella Story movie series, this is the first one with a Christmas theme. Part teenage problems, part high school love story, and part discovering the true meaning of Christmas, this romantic comedy stars Laura Marano (as beautiful Kat Decker), Isabella Gomez (as Isla), Gregg Sulkin (as Dominic Wintergarden) and Barclay Hope (as Terence Wintergarden). 

Special extra features on the Blu-ray DVD combo include 

  • The Looks and Costumes of Christmas Wish
  • The Mic and the Stage




A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish Movie Review



Go behind-the-scenes with costume designer Valeria Halverson for a sneak peek of one of the bonus features on costuming and the critical role wardrobe played in the filming of this movie.

A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish is available in-store and online including on Amazon.






Friday, October 25, 2019

Save The Manatee Adoption Holiday Gift Idea

Nature




Giving Back Gift to Endangered Animals


Encountering mother and baby manatees up close, not behind glass in a zoo but instead peacefully swimming side-by-side in the wild in their natural environment. That breathtaking personal experience -- the opportunity to appreciate these truly beautiful, gentle giant creatures while recently kayaking near Key West, Florida with my family -- is one memory I will always treasure and hold close to my heart. The manatee is indeed one of Florida's most beloved animals, but sadly it's also one of the region's most imperiled species due to a host of environmental and man-made causes. 






How to Help Save Manatees


With their very existence under threat, as a nature lover and advocate who is particularly fond of manatees, I'm sharing how you can join me to help. You don't even have to get into a kayak or visit Florida. From wherever you live you can make a difference in the manatees' future by supporting the non-profit organization Save the Manatee Club and their Adopt-A-Manatee program.

For the animal lovers on your holiday gift list, consider adopting real live Florida manatees for family and friends this season. This is a unique, nature-inspired gift they will love which helps increase Save the Manatee Club's protective activities on behalf of these threatened marine mammals and their aquatic habitat.



See Manatees While Kayaking or Paddle Boarding, Key West, Florida


Meaningful Gift Idea for Animal Lovers & Teens


Through the Save the Manatee Club, mom Sarah Young gifted her 14-year old daughter Sophia a manatee named Aqua. 

Young says, "I chose Aqua to adopt not only because it's my girl's favorite color, but also because this particular mammal had just given birth to a calf. Sophia was just ecstatic and says this is one of her all-time favorite gifts to have ever received. 

"We may live in Virginia, far away from where these creatures live, " Sophia's mom notes, "yet her deep love for manatees and personal involvement is inspiring my teen's dream to be a marine biologist one day. She is learning a lot, and absolutely loves the videos and pictures posted on the Facebook page, so there's no doubt the manatee is her chosen spirit animal."





There are 30+ unique manatees available for adoption by the public and these can be viewed on the club's website SaveTheManatee.org. Among the newest manatee adoptees offered are Millie and Illusion. Membership adoption levels are affordable, too, starting at just $25. 

The recipient of your present receives a personalized gift packet including an adoption certificate, photo and life history of a real Florida manatee, as well as a fact-filled membership handbook, Save The Manatee 2020 wall calendar, and more. Adoptions are available to gift givers for purchase worldwide, with free shipping in the US. International shipping details can be found on the organization's site.



About Save The Manatee Club

Save the Manatee Club is a 501(c) nonprofit organization which was co-founded in 1981 by internationally renowned singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffet and Bob Graham, former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator. Funds raised from holiday gift manatee adoptions help the club increase public awareness as well as support education, research, rehabilitation and release activities. They also work to actively protect manatees and their habitat including helping to influence boating regulations and designating sanctuaries. The group's efforts reach beyond Florida to the Wider Caribbean, Central and South America, and West Africa. 


Me at Jimmy Buffett's Original Margaritaville, Key West, Florida

Learn more about Save the Manatee by calling 800-432-5646, or by visiting the non-profit's official site where you can also see their fanciful 2019 Holiday Guide of mantee gift items. You can also stay up to date on all the news by following Save the Manatee Club on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.