Luxury Headphones - Avanti on-ear headphone review

Avanti headphones look and sound great

On my last flight, I offered to sit next to a crying baby.

Just kidding. In fact, I actually offered to switch my aisle seat to a dreaded, claustrophobic middle seat in the last row so the mom seated there could sit with her husband and infant, who were, indeed, next to me.

And, I was rewarded for this when the stewardess then moved me up to a premium economy seat so the family could be reunited

The reason I was willing to sit next to a baby was I was testing out a pair of high quality Avanti headphones. The on-ear headphones, by Moshi, are not noise-canceling, but they are super comfortable and I don’t even enjoy noise-canceling (they are called noise-isolating) - the sensory deprivation feels odd.

What the Avanti headphones do is let you relax and listen to your music, or podcast, or a video, without sticking ear buds in and giving you a true stereo sound.

Compactly packed for travel

They have also helped me when I work in my garden, recently redesigned as an outdoor office. I don’t mind some ambient noise, but my neighbor’s son sometimes blasts distracting rap music, not rally conducive to a work environment. In fact, maybe I should get him a pair.

With the money

The headphones aren’t cheap - $199 retail - but they have a luxury feel and sound and they come with a cool carrying case to protect them when traveling or just running around the city. And they fold up compactly so you don’t have to schlep a big tote to stash them in.

Garden office - headphones helpful

The headphones also look pretty cool, with a stainless steel part over the head, and either burgundy or tan ear cups.

Noise-isolating

Noise-isolating was not a term I was familiar with, but it means that sound doesn’t leak out. You know hone you are on the subway and someone next to you is blasting music though his ear buds? You can often hear it and wonder how the guy is going to hear when he is 40. But usually you don’t want to listen to someone’s second hand music. With the Avanti headphones, you won’t annoy others around you and you will enjoy high quality sound. A win-win.

Note: I received a pair of headphones for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated and opinions expressed are my own. 

8 Favorite Orlando Resorts: Family Hotels

Liki Tiki Village. Photo Credit: Vacatia

Orlando is a family travel Mecca, led by Disney World but buoyed by Harry Potter fans and Sea World lovers too. If you are only going to Disney, you may find it easier to stay on site, but if you are planning on visiting other Orlando theme parks and attractions, there are many family friendly hotels to consider. Below, 8 Orlando resorts that should be on your radar:

1.  Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes.

Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes: for well-heeled families this is the place to go. There is a Ritz Kids supervised program for ages 4-12, a kid’s night out program so parents can enjoy a dinner without their children, a kiddie pool and a playground. But most important, besides the luxury rooms and attentive service, is the The Protect Our Little Ones (P.O.L.O.) package: electrical outlets are covered in rooms and alcohol is taken out of the minbar, both the keep adult beverages away from kids and to provide refrigerator space.

2. Waldorf Astoria Orlando 

Waldorf Astoria Orlando is another top tier choice. The large luxury rooms easily accommodate families and the golf course adds another adult activity (the WA Kids Club tends to children ages 5-12 and Astoria After Dark gives parents a night out. There is a zero entry pool, and access to the Bonnet Creek adventure pools.

3. Marriott's Grande Vista 

Marriott's Grande Vista offers family villas with full kitchens, living rooms and washers / dryers. There are two pools, plus a kiddie pool, beach campfires, Kid's Night Out, and an indoor play maze for rainy or extremely hot days. There is also plenty of family friendly dining on site.

4.Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld 

Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld is next to both SeaWorld and the Aquatica waterpark. There are two kiddie pools and three large pools, miniature golf and a putting green. The luxury rooms include allergy-free rooms, great for kids with sensitive immune systems.

5. Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld

Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld has a waterpark,a kiddie pool and a regular pool. There is a game room and ping-pong tables (remember, table tennis is an Olympic sport!).

6. Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, an all suite family resort features five pools with water slides, splash zones and lazy rivers, miniature golf, beach volleyball, BBQ & picnic areas, indoor game rooms and playgrounds. The suites have living rooms, fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers.

7. JW Marriott Orlando

JW Marriott Orlando is luxury resort that has a Lazy River Pool, guided Eco-Tours by canoe and kayak, and large rooms with connecting rooms for big families.

8. Liki Tiki Village

Liki Tiki Village has a water park with a water volcano, wave pool and water slides. There is miniature golf and plenty of family friendly dining.  If you prefer to cook, you have a full kitchen, plus outdoor BBQ pits and picnic tables.

Note: this post is sponsored by Vacatia.

Kale or Chocolate: is there really a choice?

Yum - a nice big box of Balance bars

Note: I was compensated for this post, but my opinions cannot be bought. I would buy these bars and feed them to my children. 

As a vegetarian, I really love kale - and arugula, endive, frisee, radicchio and spinach. Pretty much any fresh greens. But I also travel a lot and need snacks that are more nutritious than a candy bar. Plus a bag of salad gets all leaky in my purse.

I found a way to satisfy both my chocolate cravings and desire to get more fiber and protein in my diet with Balance bars. The tasty bars are handy if I’m running around in the city all day with my kids and I need a pick me up.

My usual running route

Consider the Balance chocolate peppermint patty bar. Actually, hold on while I unwrap one and sink my teeth in. 

The rich, delicious bar - in 2 patties so you can share or easily save half for later - clocks in at 160 calories, with 6 grams of both protein and fiber and just 15 grams of sugar. If you are craving chocolate - and who doesn’t - you can’t go wrong here.

The chocolate peppermint patty Balance barw

Other new Balance bar flavors include Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat, Dark Chocolate Pecan Turtle, and Dulce De Leche. 

I love that you can throw these bars in your bag to keep up with an on-the-go life. I track my steps and even not including 4 - 5 runs a week while I train for my first marathon, I regularly take over 25,000 steps daily.

For more information on Balance bars, go to www.BalanceBar.com. You can buy them here and follow Balance Bar for tips and nutritional information on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

You can also try Balance Bars for free! I am giving away 6-pack box of Balance in Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat, Chocolate Peppermint Patty, Dark Chocolate Turtle or Dulce De Leche & Caramel varieties. Every comment on this post counts as one entry. The contest closes on August 14 and there is no guarantee of flavor preference. Prize value is $7.74

Fierce Workout: Choose the Right Clothes

New Marika outfit

In an old Saturday Night Live skit, a character played by Billy Crystal says "it's better to look good than to feel good."

I say, why choose?

In training for my first marathon, I have definitely increased muscle tone, though weight loss ha so far eluded me. But I also pay close attention to what I am wearing. If I don't feel comfortable, I don't have a good run.

I had the opportunity to try some new pieces from Marika, including a cool top with huge air holes to make hot summer us bearable. And capris, which I like for biking since they offer a little more coverage than shorts, but don't make me hot.

The wicking fabric helps get rid of sweat and keeps me from smelling like a sewage plant.

Note: Marika provided me with these pieces but I was not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are my own.

“Milkshake” Without Milk or Ice Cream: Lactose Intolerant Indulgence

Sugarpova chocolates are sealed with a kiss

A thick, sweet milkshake is a wonderful summertime indulgence - unless you are lactose intolerant, or watching your weight.  My daughter and I can’t drink milk or eat ice cream, though small amounts of milk chocolate are fine.

We are a family of chocoholics, so I was thrilled when I was sent samples of Maria Sharapova new Sugarpova premium chocolate line. There are four flavors of the lip embossed bars:  dark chocolate, milk chocolate, milk chocolate with strawberry and dark chocolate with toasted coconut.

The milk chocolate with strawberry inspired me to make a milkshake facsimile: a couple of squares of melted chocolate, with a frozen banana and strawberries, blended together. Tire resulting shake, or smoothie, is best thinned out with a little soy or almond milk, and is a lower sugar and calorie dessert than a scoop of ice cream. Plus its loaded with fruit and it tastes great.

The non-GMO, Kosher chocolate bars are 3.5 ounces, so ideal for sharing.

Milkshake alternative:

1 frozen banana

3 strawberries

1/4 cup unsweetened soy or almond milk (you can use regular low fat milk if you can tolerate it)

4 squares of milk chocolate with strawberry, melted

Chocolate, bananas and strawberries: yummy!

Put all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth 

Serves  - and delights - one

Note: I was not compensated for this post, but I did receive samples of the Sugarpova chocolate bars. Opinions expressed are my own.