Finance Foodie’s Favorite (Foodie) Things: Holiday 2010

By: Finance Foodie

….Well, not really, as the unseasonably warm weather this year has left the grounds devoid of fluffy white power (thanks global warming :p). Regardless of the awkward weather situation, the holiday season has indeed snuck upon us. So trim that tree, light the menorah (or kinara), and get ready for some holiday gift exchanges!

Now, most of my friends are fellow “foodies”, but like with all generalized labels, there are many sub-sectors to think about. And especially during this hectic time of year, I know it’s obviously verrrry difficult and time consuming to find gifts suited for each personality. Therefore, I’ve scoured the web and stores far and wide to come up with this handy-dandy gift guide to address multiple segments of the foodie universe. It’s a hard job, but somebody’s gotta do it! You guys can thank me by commenting ;)

(In my best Oprah voice): So without further ado, here is:

---------------------------------(cut on dotted line)----------------------------------

Finance Foodie’s Favorite (Foodie) Things for Holiday 2010


For The Environmental-ista Foodie
Pura Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Did you know that 38 billion water bottles end up in landfills every year AND that it takes up to 1,000 years for disposable plastic water bottles to decompose?? Well I didn't, but I'm sure all my environment saving crusader buddies are well aware of this epidemic. And that is precisely why I'll be gifting the Pura water bottle to those folks come Christmastime.

Pura Stainless water bottles were created with a simple vision - to make a difference by responsibly manufacturing toxin-free, durable, and cost effective alternatives to bottled water and other plastic reusable bottles. Their bottles not only come in a variety of trendy colors (probably to appease the fashion-ista environmental-ista), but are also 100% Bisphenol-a (BPA) and lead free. Truly the ultimate reusable bottle!

Cost: $17.99
Where to Purchase: www.purastainless.com

For The Over Indulgent Food-ista
Del Monte's “Rethink Your Plate”
As much as I try and maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet, I know there are times were I've slipped and overloaded the plate with pasta. Luckily, Del Monte created a plate to guide me (and other foodie with carboholic tendencies) in utilizing my plate to carry more veggies and lean proteins.

The dishwasher safe nine inch plate is imprinted with photographic images of healthy foods, sectioned into appropriate portions. This plate is perfect reminder for healthy meal, especially after an indulgent holiday season!

Cost: $9.95 (with free shipping!)
Where to Purchase: www.rethinkyourplate.com

For The Baker-zilla Foodie
Alice's Tea Cup Cookbook
When I lived in NYC, some of my favorite afternoons were spent sipping tea and nibbling on scones. My favorite tea spot was always Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper West Side; and now this fun and whimsical tea spot just launched it first ever recipe and entertainment how-to book.

The book contains unique recipes for everything afternoon tea -- from Cumin Carrot Sandwiches to Alice's Tea-jito (their tea twist on the mojito!) -- and also includes tips on how to host your very own tea party! A great gift for any baker or tea enthusiast.

Cost: MSRP $24.95
Where to Purchase: www.amazon.com, www.alicesteacup.com

For The Cooking-zilla (In Training) Foodie
Benihana “Be The Chef” Package
Most of my friends (myself included) aren't cooks. With the demands of work and the daily discoveries of new and exciting restaurants, it's super tempting to ditch the pans and head out for a dinner out the house. However, it's always fun to pick up the pan once in a while, especially if there is an opportunity to cook with and learn from a skilled chef.

And this is where Benihana steps in. This teppanyaki dinner theater of a restaurant's "Be The Chef" package for the holiday season gives the wannabe Top Chef recipients the opportunity to prepare a REAL MEAL for their guest (with master chef supervision, thankfully!). The package includes a Be The Chef holiday card announcing their gift, a training session for the recipient with one of our master chefs, followed later in the week by a special dinner performance by the guest chef and three guests where the recipient can show off their teppanyaki cooking skills, and a diploma certifying them as a "Master Teppanyaki Chef.

Cost: $140
Where To Purchase: Visit the Benihana nearest you www.benihana.com

------------------------------(cut on dotted line)---------------------------------

***Giveaway***

Congrats #2: Bianca@Confessions of a Chocoholic (cookbook) and #34 chenny (gift card)!

Just like Oprah’s favorite things, it’s much more fun reading about cool products when there is an opportunity to win them! Benihana and Harper Collins, wants to give TWO lucky readers a present of their own.

Prizes up for grabs:

One (1) Alice’s Tea Cup Cookbook

One (1) $70 gift card to Benihana (its 2 $35 GCs )

There are THREE ways to enter:
1. REQUIRED In my comments section, tell me what gift you would like to recieve (the Behihana gift card or cookbook). Please leave an email address so I can contact you. 
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends December 10, 2010 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night!

Benihana and Harper Collins provided me with the prizes for the giveaway