Sunday, December 5, 2010

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:

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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

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***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

88 comments:

  1. I would like the cookbook.

    slb3334@gmail.com

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  2. Great list! I'd love to win the cookbook. I love baking and I love tea, it sounds perfect for me ;)

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  3. I would have to select the cookbook since I live in the boonies and am nowhere near a Benihana's, haha.

    cody_endres(at)hotmail.com

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  4. I would pick the Benihana gift card.

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

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  5. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter; rhoneygee

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

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  6. I would like the Behihana gift card.

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  7. I would love the the Behihana gift card. My husband and I haven't gone out on a date in a long time. This would be perfect.
    chipdip2010(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. I would LOVE to win the Behihana gift card! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  9. I would love the Benihana gift card...my husband and I love the restaurant..thanks for the great giveaway

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  10. I would love to receive the Benihana gift card. Thanks for the chance to win~!

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  11. Oooh. It's a toss up. Can I say both? Maybe I'm leaning towards the cookbook.

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  12. I would like to win $60 GC to Benihana.

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  13. http://twitter.com/#!/hminnesota/status/11865241323307009

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  14. I would love to receive the Benihana GC as I've never eaten there yet and my friends say it's good.

    autum22(at)gmail(Dot)com

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  15. Follow Finance Foodie on twitter-@AutumH

    autum22(at)Gmail(Dot)com

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  16. tweeted this giveaway-http://twitter.com/AutumH/status/11869125156544512

    autum22(at)gmail(Dot)com

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  17. I would LOVE to win the Benihana gifcard. Its one of my fave restaurants.

    hebert024 at aol dot com

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  18. BENIHANA GIFT CERTIFICATE!!!! YAY :-)

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  19. I've shared this post with my Twitter & Fbook peeps!

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  20. I would love the Benihana gift card... I lovvvvve hibachi restaurants!

    krtrumpet [at] aol [dot] com

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  21. I would love the Behihana gift card.

    tmoobc at gmail dot com

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  22. I follow on twitter. @lolturtle

    tmoobc at gmail dot com

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  23. I would love to win this cookbook. I've been on a real scones kick lately, and would love some new recipes.

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  24. I would love to win the Benihana GC.

    txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com

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  25. TWitter follower

    sll1038

    txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com

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  26. I'd love to win the cookbook! I had a fabulous brunch at Alice's Teacup during an NYC visit!

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  27. The Benihana GC would make for a fun date night!
    bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  28. i would love the alice's teacup cookbook! : D


    rainelyn@gmail.com

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  29. Benihana please - love that place!

    chen1521Q at hotmail dot com

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  30. Benihana gift card for me.
    Flyergal82 (at) YAHOO dot (com)

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  31. The giftcard would be awesome!

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

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  32. Twitter follower

    parkerozgood

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

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  33. Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/parkerozgood/status/12620391298105344

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

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  34. I would like the Benihana gift card
    fatseal13 at homemail dot com

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  35. I'm following you on twitter and I'd love the Benihana's gift card
    fatseal13 at hotmail dot com

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  36. the Behihana gift card!!!!!

    benjamin.lewis.bell@gmail.com

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  37. What a great give away! I would love to use the gift card to treat friends for a night out.

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  38. The cookbook would be excellent to have for my family!

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  39. I would love either but if I had to choose , I would choose the Benihana gift card. I have been wanting to go try it out.

    jas8929 at gmail dot com

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  40. I would like to win the gift card.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    imjessica(at)mail(dot)com

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  41. I would pick the Benihana gift card, thanks!

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

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  42. Following on Twitter (@Hotsnotty2) Thanks!

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

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  43. I would love the Benihana gift certificate-I've never been there!

    amycastellano74(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  44. The Benihana Gift Card would be my choice!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  45. I'd like the benihana gift card! honeypie411 at yahoo dot com

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  46. I would love to have the Benihana gift card!

    stormraven at gmail dot com

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  47. I would like the cookbook

    jim.coyne2@verizon.net

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  48. I follow Finance Foodie via Twitter

    @JCoyne1031

    jim.coyne2@verizon.net

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  49. I follow on Twitter (@psychotichouse)

    stormraven at gmail dot com

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  50. I collect cookbooks, but I love Benihana, so either would be perfect. Thanks for the giveaway.

    president(dot)peaches(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  51. I would choose the gift card to Benihana. This is such a fun place to go. semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  52. I would like the gift certificates to Behinhana.
    couponsiwant(at)frontier(dot)com

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  53. I would love Benihana, oh mama!

    rudymangual @ gmail . com

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  54. I would loooove the Benihana gift card. It is one of my fave restaurants. Thanks!
    pjgirl74 at aol dot com

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  55. I would LOVE the Behihana gift card

    nesta 67 {at} live dot com

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  56. tweet http://twitter.com/LuckyJinxy/status/13117644932653056

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  57. i would like the benihana gift card
    angukena at hotmail dot com

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  58. i follow you on twitter
    @angukena
    angukena at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. i tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/angukena/status/13147800250359808
    angukena at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. i would choose the gift card, i follow on twitter and i retweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life/status/13177964166381568

    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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  61. Thanks for the giveaway...would love to win a Behihana gift card !

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Following you via Twitter: @brianpiero

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/brianpiero/status/13190976654807041

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I'd like to win the Benihana gift card. I've never eaten there before.
    traymona[at]aol.com

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  65. I would pick the Benihana gift card

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

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  66. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter susan1215

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  67. http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/13269578654154752

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  68. I'd adore the Benihana gift cards!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  69. Alice’s Tea Cup Cookbook
    rosaphillips2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  70. i would pick the gift card. yum
    Familytiesandgrowingpains@gmail.com

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  71. follow on twitter
    @FAMILY_TIES

    Familytiesandgrowingpains@gmail.com

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  72. I like both but if I had to choose I'd pick the Benihana gift card. I just looked up their locations and there are 2 nearby. I haven't been to one is so very long it would be nice to go back for a date night :)

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  73. I would be happy with either, but I'd probably rather win the Benihana's since there's one near me. Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)aol(DOT)com

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  74. I would like to receive the Benihana gift card. garrettsambo@aol.com

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  75. OK- If you know me at all you KNOW I am obsessed with High Tea...so cookbook please!

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  76. I am a follower...not literally, but on Twitter!

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  77. I'd like $70 gift card to Benihana
    danvice[at]yahoo[dotcom]

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  78. I would love to get the Benihana gift card.

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  79. I would pick the Benihana gift card, please. I love to eat at Benihana, but rarely get a chance due to the prices.
    Thank you,
    Diane Baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

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  80. I would love to receive the cookbook. Sad to say there isn't a restaurant anywhere near me. :-(

    ceemlovee at yahoo dot com

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  81. I tweeted this
    http://twitter.com/#!/hminnesota/status/11865241323307009
    ceemlovee at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I would love the Benihana gift card.

    longbarb1@aol.com

    ReplyDelete