Introducing Tartufi Italiani Truffle Infused Oils, Salt and Honey
As everyone knows, Italy is renowned for its truffles. High end restaurants, specialty shops, and other gourmet establishment carry truffles as a staple – albeit a pricey indulgence. And now, we bring the luxury of truffles to Hazelton’s Gift Baskets Toronto!
Hazelton's Truffle products are the ultimate culinary indulgence. Tartufi Italiani Truffle Inflused Oils, Salt and Honey are simply …. Luxury!
For more, check out our blog!
New Mother's Day Gift Baskets for 2013
Over the last few weeks, we have been busy purchasing new products for our 2013 Mother's Day Gift Baskets. We have new luxury soaps and fragrances, new trays with inset ceramic tiles, hand painted trays and spa accessories.
First Look at Our Mother's Day Gift Baskets
All of our 2013 Mother's Day Gift Baskets include interesting and unique containers. The basket above features a wicker and wood cart that can be used as a pot for a potted plant. It is lined with plastic and is best suited to a small to mid sized flower such as a Petunia or Geranium. We have included our new Marich Chocolates, three European Soaps, Elsa's Story Crackers, and Strudels in the basket as well as bubble bath and a fragrance from Pre de Provence. Our Fine Cheese Co Rosemary Crackers, a Petite Maison Tapenade and a Sour Cherry Jam complement the other incredients.
Some of our other Mother's Day Gift Baskets (Toronto, Canada made) feature bright pink and metal buckets and containers.
Stay tuned for more!
Is Going Gluten-Free a Healthy Decision? Probably Not
I woke up this morning to the “Gluten-Free Controversy" – an issue which is complicated and often misunderstood by the general public.
CBC Newsworld Report
It started with a CBC Newsworld report in the early morning by Kim Brunhuber. The CBC reported that “One of the more popular diet trend these days is gluten-free. Now some go gluten-free for medical reasons but a growing number of people are going gluten-free as a lifestyle choice. And not all experts think that is a great idea . . .”
Gluten-Free Quinoa Skinny Crackers
Moments after this report was finished, our first order of gluten-free Quinoa Skinny Crackers from Enerjive arrived. We were quite excited that we could add another healthy, wholesome and clean product to our inventory. But should we be excited given the CBC Newsworld report?
We have always chosen gluten-free products for our gift baskets, when possible, which is great news for our customers with celiac disease, who for health reasons should not eat wheat with gluten. It is also great news our customers who chose gluten-free for lifestyle reasons.
It is estimated that less than 1% of North Americans have celiac disease and should go gluten free. The rest of us who are going gluten-free or gluten-reduced, are doing it for lifestyle reasons – so we feel better!
But is Going Gluten-Free a Good Idea? Does It Make Us Feel Better?
The general perception in the marketplace is that a gluten-free diet is healthier. The fact is that a totally gluten-free diet isn’t better for most people. For people with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is essential. But for most of us, a gluten-free diet can lack vitamins, fiber and minerals. The CBC report by Brunhuber also noted that gluten-free diets are often higher in calories and fat!
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye and therefore in whole grain foods related to wheat, including bulgur, farro, kamut, spelt, and triticale. Many of these whole grain foods are rich in vitamins, fiber and minerals and should not be cut out of our diets.
So What Should We Do About Gluten?
The solution suggested by experts interviewed in the CBC report and in medical community is that a Gluten-Reduced diet is a good idea for those of us who do not have celiac disease. Like everything, moderation is the key in our diets. Reducing gluten is good advice but not at the expense of many whole grain foods.
The Hazelton's App for Windows 8 is Almost Here!
Over the last few weeks, we have been hard at work turning the Hazelton’s store into an actual app for Windows 8 desktops and tablets! We have submitted the App to Microsoft and expect to be live in 2-3 weeks.
It takes all of Hazelton’s existing collections & products and automatically makes them available to you, our valued customer, via a Windows 8 app version of our store. This new Windows 8 App can be installed onto your desktop or tablet. This means that you can access our store at any time with one click (or touch), providing a better, easier shopping experience for you!
Why Windows 8?
As you probably know, Microsoft Windows is the #1 most popular operating system in the world by a long shot! Windows 8, the latest version of Windows, has been very well received, especially among young people. If you’re not familiar with Windows 8, one of the key features is the new Windows 8 App Store that allows to you to connect to the Windows 8 Apps with only one click!
One of the wonderful features of Windows 8 is that the apps work on all of your devices, including desktop computers, as well as their tablets (the Surface RT and Surface Pro) and soon the Phones too.
How does it work?
When you installs the Hazelton’s Store App, it will appear on your “Metro” home page that displays every time you turn on your computer. This is essentially the new “Home Screen” for Windows users. As an installed app on your computer/tablet you don't even need to open a browser to visit our store, it's right there! Our store will be at your fingertips every day, every time you time you turn on their computer!
Our Launch Date
As mentioned above, we expect the Hazelton’s Windows 8 App to be available to you in two to three weeks. We will provide regular updates!
Happy 2013 to all of Our Customers & Staff!
2012 was a banner year for Hazelton's. We wish you all the best for 2013 and continued success in the new year!
