U.S. Postal Service Release 4 New Forever Stamps with Skateboard Designs

The U.S. Postal Service, also known as the USPS, has continued its path of embracing different American cultures and lifestyles in its stamp designs, including the Thrasher way of life. The release of 4 stamps on March 24, 2023 is collectively called the Art of the Skateboard, and if you’ve ever seen skateboarders in the Olympics, or just Tony Hawk, plus the cool graphics on their boards, then you know that’s a very accurate title.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp issuance, using photographs of skateboards created for these stamps. The bold artwork emblazoned on a skateboard deck is often as eye-catching and individualistic as a skater’s most breathtaking moves. As described by the USPS, “Fiercely independent and often rebellious, the skateboarding subculture crackles with raw creative energy.”

The Art of the Skateboard stamps are denominated as Forever stamps and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. These four stamps celebrate the Art of the Skateboard with vibrant designs that capture skateboarding’s excitement and reflect the diversity and influences of the four artists whose work is featured:

  • Crystal Worl, an Alaskan artist used a blue and indigo salmon formline design to express her Tlingit/Athabascan heritage.
  • William James Taylor Jr, a self-taught Virginia artist created an energetic red and orange graphic abstraction.
  • Federico “MasPaz” Frum, a Colombian-born, Washington, D.C.-raised muralist painted a stylized jaguar.
  • Di’Orr Greenwood, of Arizona represented her Navajo culture with a turquoise-inlaid skateboard that features eagle feathers and colors of the rising or setting sun.

Collectors, and mailers, can find the stamps at Post Offices and at usps.com/shopstamps.

Time to Gen Up on Zaddy’s Next Gin-eration Canned Cocktails

 

The world continues to look for more convenience in its pleasures, and that extends to convenient and delicious pre-made cocktails. Zaddy’s Next Gin-eration Canned Cocktails has gained quite a following, especially among Gen Z drinkers. These pre-mixed cocktails come in a variety of flavors that make it easy to enjoy a tasty drink without having to find the ingredients, the recipe, and then mixing it yourself.

The range of flavors offered by Zaddy’s Next Gin-eration Canned Cocktails is impressive. There are several different gin-based flavors.

The first flavor we tried of Zaddy’s Next Gin-eration Canned Cocktail is the Gin Sonic, a blend of gin, lime, mint, and splash of seltzer water. This light and refreshing drink is perfect for a hot summer day or an outdoor party. It also pairs perfectly with light snacks or appetizers.

The second flavor was the Gin(ger) Fizz, a blend of gin, lemon, ginger, raw honey, and seltzer. This bright and zangy cocktail is good for a summer brunch or a poolside party. The honey and lemon and ginger pair smoothly with salty snacks (or really anything that’s not very sweet).

The third flavor was the Corpse Reviver. Yes, that is a skeleton on the can, and it apparently gives you the impression that this one is going to wake you up from the dead. Or maybe from a hangover you already have. The Corpse Reviver is a blend of gin, orange, lemon, fennel, and seltzer. We’re not going to attest to any supernatural powers, but it is definitely tasty.

The convenience of these canned cocktails is what really sets them apart. All of the cocktails are pre-mixed and ready to drink, so no time is wasted on mixing cocktails. The cans are also environmentally friendly in that their labels are perforated to allow the shrink sleeve to be efficiently removed from the aluminum and then correctly recycled.

If you are watching your calorie consumption when you eat and drink, it’s good to note that the Zaddy’s can are all low in sugar (2 to 3 grams), and have only 100 calories. That’s actually less than a can of San Pellegrino Limonata, which checks in with 9g of sugar per 100ml and 120 calories a can… and that’s alcohol-free water!

The taste is also excellent, offering a balance of flavors that is sure to please even the pickiest of palates, and Zaddy’s Next Gin-eration Canned Cocktails do not disappoint. Each of the cocktails is well-balanced and flavorful, with just the right amount of sweetness.

See more at drinkzaddys.com

 

These Brazilian Vegan Lip Tints from Eco Lips Make Your Mouth Look and Feel Better

 

If you want to keep you lips feeling fresh, protected, and healthy, a good balm or tint can be very useful. EcoLips has a new line of colorful lips tint that are not just smooth to the touch, they are also vegan, via way of Brazil.

 

 

Eco Lips has developed a luxurious, creamy formula with a pristine satin finish, comfortable and nourishing for everyday use. The line features ethically sourced, Fair Trade Certified™ Babaçu & Pracaxi Oils along with Cupuaçu Butter, native to the tropical areas around the Brazilian Amazon. These oils and butter nourish, moisturize and protect lips. The tint is created by adding a hint of natural mineral colors and the fruity, floral flavor of passion fruit.

The Brazilian Lip Tints come in 5 colors: Bold, a deep rosewood with hints of burgundy and mahogany; Blessed, a rouge pink color that’s soft, rosy; Blissful, a soft dusty rose for a perfect barely-there flush; Brave, a strong, muted pink-red color with a hint of purple; and Brazen, a tawny burnt sienna color with reddish undertones.

Find them here

 

ABOUT ECO LIPS

Founded in 2003, Eco Lips is the original organic lip balm. They manufacture the best USDA organic and Fair Trade Certified™ lip care products FOR the world. Eco Lips products are also Non-GMO Project Verified, Leaping Bunny Certified, and gluten free. Their 86,700 sq ft manufacturing facility located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is powered with 100% renewable energy. Eco Lips is a certified B Corporation focused on the triple bottom line – people, planet, and profit. With the recent purchase of Simply Soothing, makers of Bug Soother bug repellent, Eco Lips continues to be focused on creating effective and sustainable personal care products and being true innovators in the market.

These Two New Cocktail Cookbooks on Tequila and Bourbon will Make You Both Thirsty and Hungry

 

If you love good spirits, especially Bourbon or Tequila, then today is your lucky day. These two cocktail cookbooks will keep you in the kitchen (or the bar) making a plethora of tasty recipes that give you a really good excuse to both eat and drink, and drink and eat.


 

Bourbon Is My Comfort Food

Not only truly gorgeous, Bourbon Is My Comfort Food is also a lot of fun… and mysterious. The texture, printing, layout and photographs are quite lovely, far more than most books on beverages present. It is also fun, especially in its celebration of the Bourbon lovers’ lifestyle in photos and in various titles throughout the edition, ranging from “Cask and You Will Receive,” to “Ice: The Most Important Ingredient (Besides Bourbon.” Heather Wibbels delivers a first class homage and ambassador to the Bourbon spirit.

It’s mysterious because, well, there’s apparently a lot of people having fun with Bourbon about whom we are just now learning, and that’s very mysterious. Someone send us an invite!

Bourbon Is My Comfort Food reveals the delicious beauty of bourbon cocktails and the joy of creating them. Whether readers are new to bourbon or steeped in its history and myriad uses, they will gain the knowledge to make great bourbon cocktails, share them with friends and family, and expand their whiskey horizons―because the only thing better than bourbon is sharing it with a friend.

From building your home bar to basics on cocktail technique, Heather Wibbels showcases more than 140 variations on classic bourbon cocktails―like the Old-Fashioned, the Manhattan, Whiskey Sours, Highballs, Juleps, and more―in approachable ways. The book also features several Cocktail Labs, which invite readers to explore classic cocktail elements and experiment with flavors, textures, infusions, syrups, and garnishes.

Bourbon Is My Comfort Food is a celebration of ten years of bourbon education and cocktails by Bourbon Women, the first group dedicated to women and their love of the spirit. Wibbels celebrates with cocktails from the Bourbon Women leadership team, branches across the nation, and winners from the group’s annual Not Your Pink Drink contest. Get out your cocktail shaker and explore the wide world of bourbon cocktails with Heather Wibbels and Bourbon Women!

Publisher : University Press of Kentucky
Hardcover : 288 pages

FIND IT HERE ON AMAZON

 


The Tequila Diet: Exploring Mexican Food & Drink with the World’s Greatest Spirit

People often joke that they are on a liquid diet, and if you are a Tequila fan, that can be pretty close to the truth. The flavor of tequila has a miraculous way of adding nuances and enhancement to not only drinks like a Margarita, but also to food. Chef Dave Martin’s Tequila Diet book is a perfect blend of both culinary and mixology creations.

Created by Top Chef Alum Dave Martin, the Tequila Diet is made from a collection of recipes influenced by Dave’s adolescent years growing up in Southern California, combined with his adult adventures traveling throughout Mexico.

The Tequila Diet: Exploring Mexican Food & Drink with the World’s Greatest Spirit pays mucho respect to a great spirit and is a guide to popular and classic foods of Mexico. The recipes range from cocktails that can be shaken by a novice bartender to authentic Mexican dishes that can be prepared by the home cook or aspiring chef.

Readers can enjoy simple Salsas & Ceviche or attempt your own Homemade Empanadas or Triple Chile Enchilada Sauce (pasilla, chipotle & guajillo). Learn how to recreate regional favorites like Mole Negro (a chocolate & chile based sauce), Birria (slow braised beef, goat or lamb) or Posole (a stew of pork, hominy & pinto beans). There are lighter takes on traditional dishes that will please even the pickiest eaters. Pan Roasted Fish Tacos, Tequila Braised Carnitas and Baked Chile Rellenos are packed full of flavor and friendlier to the waistline.

Paperback : 176 pages

FIND IT HERE ON AMAZON

These Two Olive Oils are Some of the Best from California

When you are looking for great Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) to taste, use, or to gift, don’t miss Wild Groves and 43 Ranch. They have recently been named two of the best from California, the leading extra virgin olive oil producing region in the United States.

The California State Fair announced the winners of this year’s California Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. A panel of 12 certified sensory analyst judges gathered at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds, to swirl, sniff, sip and analyze samples of olive oil from producers all over California. The annual competition celebrates the olive-growing and olive oil producing industries in California, and is open only to Extra Virgin and Flavored Olive Oils made from 100% olives which are grown, pressed and packaged in California.

This year 468 shining, new bottles of olive oil lined the cellar shelves of Cal Expo. Each of the 117 entries arrived with the hope of their producers that their care, expertise and hard work would result in a coveted Best of Show Golden Bear Trophy.

This competition honors Olive Oil producers at all production levels. The Best California Extra Virgin Olive Oil by a Large Producer (more than 5,000 gallons annually) went to Arbequina by Wild Groves of Newcastle, California. Wild Groves won several additional honors, as did Central Coast producer 43 Ranch, which included “Best of California”.

 

WILD GROVES

Dewey Lucero and family are the fourth generation of Lucero olive farmers, producers, and blenders, with over a century of tradition. Their groves in Corning, California are some of the oldest in the country, where they produce extra virgin olive oil, Certified 100% by the California Olive Oil Council (COOC).

Awards from the California Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition:

  • Wild Groves Arbequina EVOO Single Variety Delicate Arbequina Best of California Large Producer
  • Wild Groves Arbequina EVOO Single Variety Delicate Arbequina Gold
  • Wild Groves Foxy EVOO Single Variety Robust Any Other Cultivar Silver
  • Wild Groves Robust Blend EVOO Blend Medium Any Other Cultivar Silver
  • Wild Groves Ascolano EVOO Single Variety Medium Ascolano Silver

43 RANCH

43 Ranch is produced by fifth and sixth generation farmers from the southern Salinas Valley, whose terroir is similar to that of Old World olive growing regions, and where they however use state of the art equipment.

Awards from the California Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition:

  • 43 Ranch Picual EVOO Single Variety Robust Any Other Cultivar Best of California
  • 43 Ranch Miller’s Choice EVOO Single Variety Delicate Koroneiki Best of Class
  • 43 Ranch Picual EVOO Single Variety Robust Any Other Cultivar Best of Class
  • 43 Ranch Miller’s Choice EVOO Single Variety Delicate Koroneiki Gold
  • 43 Ranch Picual EVOO Single Variety Robust Any Other Cultivar Gold
  • 43 Ranch Helen’s Blend EVOO Blend Robust Any Other Cultivar Silver

 

Competition Head Judge Orietta Gianjorio

Competition Head Judge Orietta Gianjorio enlisted the talents of an exceptional group of skilled and experienced judges, some with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Gianjorio commented on the judging event, “It is always an honor to participate in the California State Fair Olive Oil Competition. All judges are incredibly talented and gifted tasters, deeply committed to the industry and high quality. The excitement in the room is palpable. After a couple of years of absence, we are all very happy to finally taste together and share our passion for California Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We are all thrilled to share our comments and taste amazing oils produced from this wonderful state of California.”

Zavor’s Noir Cookware Collection bring Design and Function to the Kitchen

Zavor recently announced new pieces for their first line of cast aluminum cookware – The Noir Cookware Collection. It gives even more design opportunities for the home kitchen, or as a great gift for the passionate cook.

The Noir line’s pieces are made of cast aluminum, one of the best and most popular materials for cookware. The cast aluminum provides excellent heat conductivity that is better than that of stainless steel and has a lighter weight than cast iron. Zavor’s Noir Cookware Collection sports a black finish with a Whitford Fusion Ti nonstick ceramic coating, and is designed to be both durable and to retain heat while looking quite nice on display or in use.

Despite the name “Noir“, the collection also includes color options. These consist of customizable color selections for the removable and replaceable black pan & skillet handles and silicone pot grips. They can be swapped out for others in colors like red, butternut squash orange, royal blue, purple, sky blue, and mint green.

Says a Zavor spokeperson, “Since one of the more unique features of the cookware is the removable handles, we thought it would add another aesthetic element to offer the handles in colors. It gives user’s an opportunity to match their kitchens, their cooking, the season, or even use them to identify allergy or diet-specific cookware.”

The removable handles allow skillets and pans to be placed in the dishwasher much more comfortably and provide a more compact storage solution. Another benefit is that when the handles are removed, the skillets, pots and pans in this collection are oven safe up to 535°F. From a performance standpoint, the pieces in the collection have interiors coated with a smooth ceramic layer, which helps to make them easy to clean, and a smooth 430 stainless steel base that is compatible with all cooktops ranging from gas to induction.

 

The Noir Cast Aluminum Cookware Collection includes

  • 8” skillet
  • 10” skillet
  • 12” skillet
  • 11” grill pan
  • 4.5 qt sauté pan
  • 6 qt sauté pan
  • 5 qt Dutch oven
  • 7 qt Dutch oven
  • a skillet set with 8” and 10” skillets
  • a skillet set with 10” and 12” skillets
  • a 7 piece cookware set ($229.95) including a 12” skillet, 4.5 qt sauté pan, 5 qt Dutch oven, and 1.5 qt saucepan.

For more about the Zavor Noir Cookware Collection visit: www.zavoramerica.com.