Mom Knows Best

10 Travel Essentials You Need For Your Next Trip

Do you have a trip planned that involves a flight or a train ride? Check out some of the best products for traveling by plane or train. These travel items are essential for your next trip.

There are so many travel accessories and gear available for purchase, but how do you decide which ones are worth buying? After many years of traveling by plane, train, and car, I have some travel products that I bring with me on every trip. These are the must-have travel items that I pack every single time.

These are travel items that make my trip easier and more comfortable. Some of the travel products even save me money. There are also products that keep me safe. From travel products that make it easier to carry everything to ones that help me pass the time to ones that help me sleep on long trips. Discover my favorite travel essentials that I pack in my travel bags.

Travel Essentials You Need For Your Next Trip

1. Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand

Most people use their phone to entertain themselves while traveling. From watching movies to watching their favorite shows, they are holding their phone for long periods of time. A phone stand comes in handy for traveling.

The Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand is ultra-thin and light, making it perfect for tossing into a travel bag. The grip uses MagSafe technology to stick to the back of your phone. The stand has a 350° adjustable hinge that flips out to hold your phone at basically any angle. It works on any MagSafe® phone or case. For those who don't have MagSafe on their phone, the Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand includes an adapter for Androids.

Purchase Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand

2. illo Travel Pillow

Think back to your last long trip on a plane and the struggle with trying to sleep. That bulky, uncomfortable neck pillow you lug around just made things worse. No matter the position you used the neck pillow, you were unable to sleep. You may have even left the flight with a sore neck.

Illo is the anywhere, anytime sleep companion. This unique wearable pillow blocks out light, softens ambient noise, and creates a cozy, cocooned sleep bubble that’s perfect for nights, naps, and especially flights.

This wearable pillow combines the best of a sleep mask and a travel pillow to elevate your sleep anywhere life takes you. This lightweight pillow can be used at home, on a long flight, a road trip, or anywhere in between. You will fall in love with the cooling mulberry silk and breathable Modal fabric. The contoured design snuggles your head, helping you find the perfect position for comfort. This pillow may look strange, but trust me, it is ultra-comfortable. Check out my full review of the illo Pillow.

Purchase illo Travel Pillow

3. Gonex Compression Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are the perfect suitcase organizer. Packing cubes can help you separate your clothes by type of outfit, and they give you quick access to items without having to unpack your whole suitcase. They are also great for separating the dirty clothes from the clean clothes.

If you are looking for the ultimate space-saver, Gonex compression packing cubes are the best for traveling. Compression packing bags have 2 zippers, so you can compress the air out of the bag just like those space-saving bags. Check out how I was able to pack for a 5-day trip with a carry-on suitcase with these compression packing cubes.

Purchase Gonex Compression Packing Cubes

4. Huel Complete Meals

Face it, airport food is expensive and unhealthy. So packing some ready-to-eat meals in your travel bag is important. I am not talking snacks; I am talking complete meals that can be made in minutes.

Huel complete plant-based meals are perfect for traveling. From meal powders that can be made in a shaker bottle to satisfying, hearty meals that only need hot water, these meals are made with healthy ingredients. They contain complete nutrition and can replace any meal.

Huel Hot Instant Meals - When you want something hot, quick, and genuinely satisfying. These meals are made with grains, pasta or noodles, real veggies, and all 27 essential nutrients. They have up to 25 g of protein, plenty of carbs, and fiber. Just add hot water for a warm, hearty meal that’s ready in minutes. They are available in a variety of flavors and can be ordered by the pouch or in a cup.

Huel Powder Meals - Huel offers 4 different types of powder meals. Each one contains a 100% nutritionally complete balance of protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, and fiber. The main difference between the meals is the grams of protein, carbohydrates, calories, and superfoods.

Use code MOMKNOWSBESTHUEL to save 15% on all Huel products

5. LectroFan Alpha Sound Machine

If you need help with sleep, you need to grab a sound machine. The LectroFan Alpha sound machine is a portable white noise machine that is ideal for creating a calm environment to induce sleep. Its small size makes it perfect for travel.

The sound includes seven non-looping sounds, like 2 ocean wave sounds, heartbeat, white noise, brown noise, and 2 fan sounds to support a soothing backdrop for restful sleep. The rechargeable device lasts for up to 40 hours on a single charge.

Purchase LectroFan Alpha Sound Machine

6. Nugo Nutrition Bars

Make sure to pack healthy snacks for your trips. You never know when hunger will strike. I like to pack delicious protein bars that are covered in dark chocolate. These healthy plant-based bars taste like a candy bar and prevent me from buying junk food at the airport.

NuGo Organic Bars are made with USDA Organic-certified ingredients. They contain no synthetic pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics. There are no artificial ingredients or sweeteners – just pure plant-based nutrition made the way nature intended. They are certified vegan and gluten-free, contain 10g of protein, and are coated in real Dark Chocolate.

Grab this special 50% off for your first NuGo Dark variety pack order, plus free shipping with this link

7. Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds

Traveling can be noisy! So block out the noise with a great pair of wireless earbuds. The earbuds will be perfect for listening to music and watching your favorite movies.

The Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds have active noise cancellation and adapt to environments, blocking up to 40dB of noise while preserving audio clarity for focus in commutes, offices, or travel. Check out my full review of the Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds.

Purchase Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds

8. FlipBelt Zipper Travel Belt

A travel belt is a must-have travel item for convenience and security. These belts have many pockets to hold important items like cash, tickets, credit cards, and more. Some even have pockets for your phone. The belt keeps your items close to you and hidden from thieves. No more having to dig around in your bag for important items.

The FlipBelt may be a running item, but it can also be used for traveling. The belt has many pockets, including a zipper pouch to safely carry small, vital items. Designed to pull on and lay flat on your hips without slipping, it is a light alternative to purses and crossbody bags. FlipBelt provides easy storage for folks on the go, no matter where their day takes them

Purchase FlipBelt Zipper Travel Belt

9. American Tourister Carry-On

Airlines are rough with suitcases. I have seen many hard-sided suitcases get broken. I like to travel with a soft-sided suitcase. They are more durable and easier to pack.

My favorite affordable brand for soft-sided luggage is American Tourister. After having several hard-sided suitcases damaged by airlines, I decided to replace mine with soft-sided luggage. My soft suitcases hold up to the abuse from airlines. I have never had my checked soft-sided suitcase get damaged.

Purchase American Tourister Carry-On

10. The Foldie Travel Bag

The Foldie Travel Bag is the best bag for traveling. This bag helps me stay organized and holds a lot! This bag fits under the airplane seat, so it is the perfect carry-on bag.

The Foldie is the ultimate travel bag that combines functionality and convenience in one sleek package. Whether you're a frequent traveler or just looking for a compact way to carry your belongings, The Foldie is the perfect solution.

The bag's unique foldable design allows it to be easily stored when not in use and expands to provide ample storage space when you need it.

One of the best things about The Foldie is how easy it is to use. Simply unfold the bag, pack your belongings, and you're ready to go. The bag has multiple compartments and pockets for organized packing and a sturdy handle for comfortable carrying.

Purchase The Foldie Bag

These are some of my favorite travel items

Tips for Recovering Well After a Cardiovascular Event

A heart attack, stroke, or another serious condition affecting the heart and blood vessels can forever change your daily life in a matter of seconds. Fortunately, prompt medical interventions can dramatically reduce the mortality rates from these health emergencies. That said, a full recovery where your body functions as it did before the incident can take months or even years of consistent work.

Factors such as your overall health, genetics, the type of cardiovascular event you experienced, and your doctor's recommendations all serve to influence the pace of healing. Still, you might find that in the process of healing, many of the habits you develop eventually lead to an overall better quality of life for you. The following practical tips can help you approach recovery safely and regain everyday vitality and self-assurance.

1. Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Using a blood pressure monitor at home helps you understand how your body responds to medications, physical activity, stress, and lifestyle changes, without having to stay under observation in a hospital. Be sure to take your measurements at about the same time each day, or as directed by your physician, and record the results to share during follow-up appointments. Home monitoring is not meant to replace professional medical care, but it can provide your physician with valuable information to enable better treatment decisions.

2. Take Your Medications Exactly as Prescribed

Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe various medicines to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, prevent blood clots, or help your heart work more efficiently. Even if you begin feeling better, do not change the dosage or stop any medication without medical advice. If you experience side effects or have concerns about the treatment plan, do not make adjustments on your own. Instead, record these side effects in a diary or even just a notepad app on your phone and discuss them with your healthcare provider.

3. Ease Back Into Physical Activity

Although rest is important during the early stages of recovery, remaining inactive for too long can lead to physical deconditioning and slow your progress. Gentle movement, when approved by your doctor, can gradually improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and endurance, getting you ready for regular day-to-day activities.

Start with activities that match your current abilities, such as short walks or simple rehabilitation exercises. As your recovery progresses, your healthcare team can recommend safe ways to increase your activity level that don’t place unnecessary strain on your heart.

4. Choose Heart-Friendly Foods More Often

Your physician is probably going to tell you to limit foods high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars and, instead, to focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, legumes, and healthy fats. Unfortunately, this tends to be the most difficult adjustment for many who have had cardiovascular events.

For that reason, you should aim for gradual, easy-to-maintain improvements rather than sweeping overnight changes. Small adjustments, such as preparing more meals at home or choosing healthier snacks, can become lasting habits that benefit you even after recovery.

5. Attend Every Follow-Up Appointment

Even if you’re doing home monitoring, regular follow-up visits allow your healthcare team to more closely gauge your recovery and identify potential concerns before they become more serious. Additionally, these appointments may include tests that cannot be done at home, such as physical examinations, blood tests, imaging studies, or adjustments to your medications.

Ahead of your appointments, you’ll want to prepare questions ahead of each visit and mention any new symptoms or medication side effects, even if they seem minor. This avoids missing any potential red flags and helps ensure your recovery plan continues to meet your changing needs.

6. Prioritize Restful Sleep

Much of your body’s healing process happens during deep, high-quality sleep. Still, getting enough good-quality sleep can be challenging, as cardiovascular events often lead to discomfort, anxiety, or changes in routine. Additionally, there are some heart medications that either directly or indirectly interfere with sleep.

To get better sleep, try to maintain a consistent bedtime, create a relaxing sleep environment, and avoid stimulants like coffee late in the day. If sleep problems continue, let your healthcare provider know so they can identify possible causes and recommend the right solutions.

7. Manage Stress in Healthy Ways

Recovering from a serious health event can make you feel uncertain about the future or about the way things have been going up to the event. While these feelings are normal, prolonged stress (more accurately, the prolonged release and accumulation of stress hormones) may actually impact your cardiovascular health as much as it does your emotional state.

We’ve already discussed the need for better quality sleep, but you must also have a strategy for coping with stress during your waking hours. Simple relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, light exercise, or committing to spending more time on enjoyable hobbies may help reduce baseline stress levels and keep your recovery on track. Talking with qualified mental health professionals can also provide valuable emotional support during these times.

8. Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol

Last but not least, vices like smoking and drinking alcohol damage blood vessels and place additional strain on the cardiovascular system, making it especially important to stop these habits after a cardiovascular event. If quitting tobacco or reducing alcohol intake feels difficult, ask your healthcare provider about programs and resources that can help you succeed.

Your Recovery Is Always Worth Investing In

Healing after a cardiovascular event takes time and, even more importantly, a genuine commitment to healthy daily habits. Don’t forget to keep tabs on your recovery at home and to work closely with your healthcare team. Soon enough, the lifestyle changes you started to protect your heart in recovery could lead to a more holistically healthy lifestyle in the years ahead.

Discovering New Healthy Products at Newtopia Now

Last month, my family drove to Golden, Colorado, to take my 2 youngest sons to college. After we said our goodbyes to the boys, my husband and I drove to downtown Denver to check into another hotel. I was there to attend Newtopia Now.

What is Newtopia Now?

Newtopia Now is the destination for new product innovation and a can't-miss discovery opportunity for retailers and industry leaders. It connects brands—whether launching for the first time or expanding their product line—with buyers, investors, and experts who provide feedback, explore opportunities, and help prepare products for the next stage of growth in the natural and organic marketplace. It’s where untethered experiences and conscious products grow—and where those in the know go to stay ahead.

Learning about A New Era of Conscious Products

As a health and wellness influencer, I get to attend events like Newtopia Now to connect with brands and learn about new products. These events are a way to network with the brands and meet new people who have a focus on living a healthy life. It is also a way to try new products, like healthy food, allergy-friendly food, and supplements.

By trying these products, I can share them with you to help you make informed decisions. When I try new supplements, I can experience the benefits of the product. I love all the wealth of information that I get from attending these events. I admit, I also love the samples that I get from the events. The samples help me learn about the product without having to spend money.

10 New Brands that I Discovered at Newtopia Now

Every time I attend a health and wellness event, I like to share the top ten products that caught my eye. These are the products that made me say, "I need to try that product!"

When a product gets my attention, I make sure to talk to the brand to learn more and ask for a sample, so I can try the product out at home.

Below are the 10 products that you need to discover

1. Unbroken® Recovery Drink

The Unbroken booth caught my eye when I saw the bold, colorful tubes that the product was in. I love the convenience of tablet supplements and wanted to know more about the drink tablets. When I discovered the tablets were a recovery drink made from salmon, I was very intrigued. I love salmon.

Unbroken is a recovery drink that is powered by salmon protein. The recovery supplement contains all 25 Amino Acids – including all 9 EAAs in free-form for ultimate muscle support. It also contains 11 important vitamins and minerals – packed with B12, zinc, and selenium.

I learned that Unbroken was made to fuel your body to support your performance and recovery. This drink would also help with joint health and muscle sorness. Since I am always tweaking my fitness performance, I wanted to see how Unbroken could benefit my workout.

The company sent me home with a couple of tubes of product to put to the test. I have only used the product for a couple of days, so it is too soon to see results. I do have a conference call scheduled to learn more about the product. I can report that the drink has a nice, sweet fruit taste.

Learn more about Unbroken Recovery

2. Humble Deodorant

While I have been using Humble Deodorant for a couple of years, I never knew the backstory of this company. Once I learned that this natural, clean-ingredient deodorant is made in New Mexico, I knew that I had to help you discover the Humble brand.

I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 2 hours away from Taos, New Mexico, the town where Humble is made. This aluminum-free deodorant was created in a kitchen in Taos, New Mexico, in 2015, and now it is sold in over 10,000 retailers nationwide.

Humble is made with simple ingredients and no synthetic fragrance. It is a natural deodorant that comes in many natural scents. Humble's deodorant keeps me odor-free, even on hot days.

Learn more about Humble Brands

3. Fresco Flavors Freeze-Dried Herbs

When I discovered Fresco Flavors' freeze-dried herbs at Newtopia Now, I was amazed at their beauty. Their freeze-dried herbs are packaged in clear glass jars, and through the jar, I could see the herbs' vibrant color.

I had to stop and talk with the representive from Fresco Flavors. I wanted to know more about their herbs. The person opened a couple of jars of their herbs for me to look at. The aroma from the jars smelled so good!

The freeze-dried basil smelled like it was growing in my garden. When I looked at the jar of red chile peppers, the little rings of sliced peppers were so pretty. I wanted to taste all of the herbs that were on display. Thankfully, the brand sent me some of their freeze-dried herbs.

Discover my review of Fresco Flavors freeze-dried herbs.

4. Bloom 5.5 Prickly Pear Skincare

Bloom 5.5 was smart to have samples of their skincare products in the press room. Their cute sample bag led me to their booth to learn more about their skincare products that are made with prickly pears.

I live in New Mexico, where prickly pears are in abundance. These tasty fruits come from a cactus, and I make a beautiful pink drink with them. So, I had to know how Bloom 5.5 was using the prickly pear in their lotions, since the product was not pink.

Bloom 5.5 was founded on the belief that effective skincare should be simple, thoughtful, and made to support skin's natural balance. The heart of Bloom 5.5 formulas is cold-pressed Prickly Pear Seed Oil, a prized botanical known for its antioxidant-rich profile, lightweight feel, and ability to help skin look radiant, soft, and healthy. Each product is formulated to support the skin's ideal pH of 5.5, helping maintain a balanced, comfortable feel.

Learn more about Bloom 5.5

5, Ourkraut

What led me to Ourkraut was their beautiful pink booth. I love the color pink, and I also love sauerkraut. I had to taste the pink fermented cabbage. One bite and I was hooked on this delicious product.

The first time, I stopped at the booth; the brand representive was busy talking to someone. So I came back later. The brand person must have remembered me by the pink shirt that I was wearing. She said, "You must like the product." I replied that it was delicious and I loved the pink color.

Once I learned that Ourkraut made its debut at Newtopia Now and how it was made with organic ingredients, I had to take another sample. Gaby gave me a whole jar of the delicious fermented purple cabbage in exchange for a mention on my website. That was a delicious deal!

Learn more about Ourkraut

6. Shubug DEET-FREE Insect Repellent

My husband loves camping, and my younger boys love hiking. They need protection from mosquitoes. I dislike that they use a chemical insect spray, as it is not good for their health. So I am always on the lookout for a natural insect repellent that works.

When I discovered that Shubug was a DEET-free insect spray and that their formula used natural ingredients like coconut oil, lemongrass, rosemary, and geraniol, I had to put it to the test. I was happy that they gave me a sample. I love that their formula feels light on the skin and has a nice scent. The best part: it kept the mosquitoes away.

Learn more about Shubug DEET-FREE Insect Repellent

7. Be Love Clean Energy and Hydration

I am all for clean energy drinks, and I am glad that I discovered Be Love. These colorful cans caught my attention on my first day at the show. So I decided to give them a try. I drank the Grape Awakening drink before I went running, and it gave me awesome energy without any hyperness. When I finished my workout, I drank the Citrus Zest hydration drink, and it was delicious. These drinks come in many delicious flavors, and of course, I tried them all.

Be LOVE™ was born from a simple idea: life feels better when we’re in balance. When we move and connect with intention. When we nourish our bodies and our relationships. When we choose love.

Their drinks are crafted to support that kind of living. Clean. Functional. Delicious. Made to help you hydrate and find your flow. No extremes. No empty promises. Just the good stuff that helps you show up as the real you.

Learn more about Be Love Clean Energy and Hydration

8. Women's Bean Project

My husband and I run the food pantry at our church. We have experienced not having enough money to buy food, as well as being unemployed. So we want to help others in our community through tough times.

When I saw the fancy packages of bean soup mixes at the Women's Bean Project, I had to know more about them. When I discovered that these gift-giving bean soup mixes were made by women in their job training program, it led to a great conversation with the brand representative.

Women's Bean Project provides job training and employment to women facing significant barriers to work, selling high-quality food products made by these women to support their mission. The products that the ladies make are perfect for gifts and can be bought on their website.

Shop soups and chili mixes, baking mixes, spice blends, gourmet gift boxes, snacks, and more, all made by women gaining meaningful employment through Women's Bean Project in Denver, Colorado.

Learn about Women's Bean Project

9. Local Weather Sports Drink

The bright, colorful cans of these sports drinks caught my eye. I love that they are packaged in resealable aluminum cans. The drinks have a light, sweet, fruity taste, and of course I had to try every flavor. My favorite was the mango passion fruit.

Local Weather is a functional sports drink made for those who move. This is proper hydration for your body as well as your mind. It contains electrolytes from coconut water and other sources, vitamins, minerals, and only 6g of real cane sugar per bottle. Made with clean ingredients and available in 4 delicious flavors.

Learn more about Local Weather Sports Drink

10. Bappies Skincare

I love when companies understand babies' delicate skin and make products that don't cause harm. Many years ago, I learned that most brands of baby skincare contained ingredients that were not safe for a baby's skin. I only discovered this after my baby would scream after I applied baby lotion to his skin. The lotion also caused his skin to have severe eczema. Once I started using natural skincare products, the eczema went away.

Bappies has a whole skincare line for babies, including laundry detergent. All of the products are made with pure and simple non-toxic ingredients. They are also made without parabens, silicones, phthalates, and fragrances. The products are made with herbs that nourish, hydrate, protect, and soothe your little one’s skin, keeping it soft and healthy.

Learn more about Bappies Skincare

So many brands that are perfect for a healthy lifestyle

The above are just a few of the amazing healthy brands that I discovered. I loved attending Newtopia Now for so many reasons. Being around people who are interested in living a healthy lifestyle and learning about new products is the main reason.

Then there is the wealth of health information that I learn about supplements and how they can benefit me. As I told my husband, these conferences are better than going to a doctor. Many of the supplements that I have learned about over the years have helped me in my healing journey.

Another benefit to attending the conferences is learning about allergy-friendly foods. Being able to taste them has helped me know which brands to buy and recommend to others.

Then there are the connections that I make with the brands. I love helping them get the word out about their products. I get excited when I see their products on the shelves at my local grocery stores.

Who Gets the House During a Divorce?

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For a lot of divorcing couples, the family home is basically the biggest asset they share, so it becomes one of the most argued-over parts of any settlement. How it ends up being divided doesn’t hinge so much on feelings as on which of two property systems a given state follows.

Nine states, including California, Texas, and Washington, count as community property states, where marital assets are presumed to split right down the middle, 50/50. The rest, the other 41 states along with the District of Columbia, use equitable distribution. This means courts divide up the property in what they call a reasonable manner, and somehow that still doesn’t always line up with exactly equal.

Is the House Even Marital Property?

Before a court can split up the house, it has to figure out if the residence is counted as marital property first. Usually, whatever was acquired during the marriage is treated as marital property, even if the deed is in just one person’s name, while the stuff owned before the marriage or received on its own through a gift or inheritance is generally tagged as separate property and stays with the original owner.

The line blurs quickly in practice. A house bought before the marriage but paid down with joint income during it, or renovated using marital funds, can end up partly marital and partly separate, which is often where disputes over the home begin.

What Courts Weigh When One Spouse Keeps the House

Judges in equitable distribution states don't work off a formula. They weigh a handful of things instead. How long the marriage lasted. What each spouse earns now and what they're likely to earn down the road.

The money one spouse puts into the home, but also the quieter contributions nobody puts a price tag on, matters. This includes raising kids and keeping the household running. Also, whether the kids are still living there matters too.

A longer marriage or a significant earning gap between spouses can shift the outcome toward the lower-earning spouse keeping the house. This is particularly true if children are involved and stability is a priority for the court.

Illinois follows the equitable distribution model too, and its courts lean on the same basic factors. How long the marriage lasted, where each spouse stands financially, what they're likely to earn going forward, and where the kids will actually be living.

If the rest of the divorce needs sorting out too- parenting arrangements, spousal maintenance, or whatever else is tangled up in the settlement- Rockford family lawyer Erin E. Walsh handles that alongside the property questions.

Equitable Does Not Mean Uniform

Two states can claim the same general framework and still land in completely different places once you look closer. Take Indiana, for example. The starting point is an assumption that marital property gets split roughly 50/50. This includes the house and property. If one spouse wants something other than an even split, the burden falls on them. They have to bring real evidence showing why equality wouldn't actually be fair.

Kentucky also uses equitable distribution, but it does not begin with the same 50/50 presumption found in Indiana. Instead, courts consider factors such as each spouse’s contributions, financial circumstances, and the length of the marriage when deciding how marital property should be divided. A closer look at who gets the house in a divorce shows how these differences can affect the outcome when spouses own a home together.

When neither spouse can afford to buy out the other or maybe just doesn’t want to keep the property, couples often end up with a couple of practical ways to proceed. In some cases it’s basically selling the home and dividing the proceeds based on whatever split the court ends up ordering, or one spouse refinancing the mortgage just in their own name to buy the other's share, or, less often, agreeing to a delayed sale so the home stays put until the children wrap up school.

None of these paths is automatically better than the others, or even always worse. What usually matters is whether either spouse can qualify for a mortgage alone, how much real equity is in the property after it gets valued, and how disruptive a sale would be, compared with continuing shared ownership for a set stretch of time after the divorce is final.

Freeze Dried vs Dried Herbs With Fresco Flavors

Do you know the difference between freeze-dried herbs and dried herbs? Discover which herb is best for cooking.

If you cook with herbs and spices, you want the ones that have the best flavor. Most people assume that fresh herbs are the best for flavor, but unless you have an indoor herb garden, that is not the case.

Fresh is not always the best when it comes to the best flavor for your recipes. Those fresh herbs that you buy at the store may not be all that fresh; who knows how many days it has been since they were picked.

Problems with fresh store-bought herbs are

+ Freshness: How many days/weeks since the fresh herbs were picked?

+ Bacterial Contamination: How many people have touched those fresh herbs? Proper washing may strip flavor from herbs.

+ Food Waste: Stores sell you large amounts of herbs when you only need a small amount. You end up tossing the rest.

+ Improper Storage: Many fresh herbs start wilting the moment you pick them. Others don't like cold storage. This can affect the herb's flavor.

+ Cost: Fresh herbs from the store can be expensive.

Freeze-dried vs. dried herbs: which are better?

While both jars of freeze-dried and dried herbs may say “dried herbs” on the front. They are not the same inside. These herbs are processed in different ways. The aroma, taste, and color of the herbs are so different.

Discover what I learned about the differences between freeze-dried and dried herbs from Fresco Flavors

Dried herbs process

Air drying pulls water out of a leaf with heat. The trouble is that the compounds that make a herb smell like itself are volatile — they leave with the heat too. The leaf collapses, browns, and what is left in the jar is mostly texture and a memory of the plant.

Freeze-dried herbs process

Freeze drying takes a different road. The herb is frozen solid first. Then the pressure around it is dropped so far that the ice turns straight into vapor without ever melting. The water leaves, the aromatic oils largely stay, and the leaf keeps the shape it had when it was frozen. That is why freeze-dried basil is still green and still smells like basil, and why it comes back to life the moment it touches something wet.

Take a look at this side-by-side herb comparison chart

I discovered Fresco Flavors at Newtopia Now

I attended a natural brand event last month and discovered Fresco Flavors Freeze-dried herbs. When I saw their organic freeze-dried herbs, I was amazed at their beauty. Their freeze-dried herbs are packaged in clear glass jars, and through the jar, I could see the herbs' vibrant color.

The representive from the freeze-dried herb company introduced me to their product. They asked me if they could send me a box of their freeze-dried herbs to use in my recipes. Like a kid in a candy store, I said, "Yes," and gave them my address. I could not wait to cook with the herbs.

About Fresco Flavors Freeze-dried Herbs

+ Organic freeze-dried herbs in glass

+ One ingredient, nothing else

+ $5.99 a jar

+ 17 different freeze-dried herbs

+ 3 cooking kits of six jars, one cuisine

The herbs are grown, picked, and freeze-dried within hours, from Fresco Flavor's own farms beside Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Herbs are grown in the open air. Learn more here.

My first recipe with Fresco Flavors Freeze-dried herbs

I was sent a variety of organic freeze-dried herbs. The herbs that I was sent were

+ Chives

+ Dill

+ Red Chili

+ Mint

+ Oregano

+ Basil

I was excited to try and taste the herbs. I grabbed a package of gluten-free biscuit mix and decided to use the freeze-dried chives. I added the chive rings directly to my biscuit dough mix. After I added the milk to the mix, the chives rehydrated in a couple of seconds. I loved that I did not have to rehydrate the herbs!

As I was dropping the biscuit dough on the baking sheet, I thoroughly enjoyed the aroma of the chives. My biscuits tasted so good!

If you love cooking with fresh herbs, you need to try Fresco Flavors Freeze-dried herbs.

FANY Luna Smartwatch Is The Fashionable Choice For Women

Discover why the FANY Luna is the best smartwatch for women. From its ultra-lightweight design to its fashionable design and the many included features, this is the perfect fitness smartwatch for ladies.

I never thought that I would join the smartwatch world until I discovered a stylish smartwatch from FANY Luna.

I was happy and content with my health and fitness tracker. I loved the small size of my fitness tracker. I mainly used my tracker for checking the time and occasionally my step count. I was not concerned with tracking any other metrics.

When fitness smartwatches became popular, I was turned off by the huge, heavy faceplates. Sure, there were times that I was intrigued by knowing some of the fitness-focused metrics like my VO2 Max. Once I found out that some companies were charging for a subscription plan to get certain metrics, I was no longer interested.

Then I discovered a smartwatch that did not look or feel like one.

Meet FANY Luna Smartwatch: The Fashionable Choice For Women

A company reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to review their smartwatch. I was hesitant to say yes, as I had no need for a smartwatch. I decided to take a look at FANY Luna Smartwatch, with the intention of gifting it to my daughter-in-law.

Once I saw the smartwatch from FANY Luna, I quickly changed my mind. This smartwatch was gorgeous and did not look like a typical clunky smartwatch. The FANY Luna was slim and fashionable. It looked like a stylish watch.

About the FANY Luna Smartwatch

+ Fashionable comfort: Ultra-lightweight at just 0.84 oz, with a classic round shape and stylish band options that make it comfortable and easy to wear every day.

+ Customizable: Select from 150+ Diverse Watch Faces & Custom DIY Designs

+ Health-focused companion: Tracks sleep, heart rate, stress, emotions, and menstrual cycle to support better self-care and everyday wellness.

+ Fitness support: 110+ workout modes including running, yoga, and strength training, with tracking for calories, duration, and heart rate to support fitness goals and daily activity.

+ Smart everyday accessory: Combines style and function with call/message alerts, weather, alarms, customizable watch faces, 7-day battery life, and water resistance.

+ Long battery life: The FANY Luna lasts up to 7 days on a single charge.

+ Affordable price: No subscription needed to access health and fitness metrics.

I was sent the FANY Luna Smartwatch & Butterfly Bracelet Gift Set in exchange for a review. When I opened the box that contained the watch, I liked what I saw. Then I held the watch in my hand, and I was surprised at how light the watch was.

The watch setup was super easy. I loved how quickly it paired with my phone. Once I had the FANY app on my phone, I began to explore the many features of the smartwatch. I loved that I could select from over 150 faceplates or create my own.

Then I used the FANY Luna Smartwatch

The next day, I went running outside. I placed the Luna smartwatch on my wrist, with the intention of just wearing it for my exercise. Most watches feel uncomfortable to me because they feel heavy on my wrist.

I selected the outdoor running mode on the watch and went for a 45-minute run. I was doing 4 X 4 intervals, and I loved that I could see the time on the watch, even in the direct sun. With my old fitness tracker, the faceplate was never bright enough to check the time when I was outside.

Once I got home from my run, I checked my fitness stats. I loved that I was able to see my VO2 metric! With my old fitness tracker, I had to pay for a subscription for that feature.

Lightweight and Slim: Barely Noticeable, All-Day Comfort

After my workout, I went about my regular daily routines. When it was bedtime, I realized that I was still wearing the smartwatch. The FANY Luna is so slim and lightweight; I barely noticed it on my wrist.

Weighing in at 24 grams, the FANY Luna smartwatch is suitable for “all-day wear.” Traditional sports smartwatches, in their quest to pack in as many features as possible, can weigh up to 59 grams. They tend to also catch on sleeves during daily use and can feel heavy during physical activity.

With its stylish design and practical wellness features, the FANY Luna smartwatch is perfect for women who enjoy fashion finds, self-care, and useful everyday accessories.

Get your FANY Luna Smartwatch & Butterfly Bracelet Gift Set and save 12% OFF with Code: MOMKNOWS02

Grab the FANY Luna Smartwatch here & save 12% OFF with Code: MOMKNOWS01

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