Microsoft is selling the V-Moda LP2 CrossFade headphones that won our headphone comparison this summer for only $99 as a CyberMonday special while supplies last both online and in store for those of you who live near one of their Apple Store clones. Run, don't walk to grab these while you can!
Great deal on one of the worlds best coffee makers
Amazon has discounted the price on the AeroPress, voted numerous places the worlds best coffee maker and one of our personal favorites. Normally $30, it is now $25 and a great deal for the coffee lover in your life this holiday season. We reviewed the AeroPress here early in the life of Fat Boy Heaven, you can check out what we had to say about it there and follow the link below for a great deal.
Review: Lomography's latest camera brings instant photos back to the party!
The Lomographic Society is a global organization that is trying to keep interest alive in film photography, and their latest effort is to revive the tradition of instamatic photography with their newest product, the Lomo Instant.
Dead simple to use, and very easy to get decent pictures while still flexible enough to allow for some wide ranges of creativity in settings of aperture and shutter speed that you wouldn't expect to find in an instant camera.
My first two selfies taken with the Lomo Instant
The Lomo Instant they sent me is a limited edition called the Sanremo, and the kit includes the camera and the "Lomo Instant Lens Kit". This lens kit contains a fisheye lens, portrait lens, and close up lens. These lenses give you even more flexibility than you ever had with that old Polaroid.
The bottom of the camera has a chart to help you find the right flash and shutter settings on the go
The Lomo Instant uses FujiFilm instax mini instant film, an instant film that is easily found online. It develops fast with strong clear images and is fairly inexpensive.
The last thing they include in keeping with the societies goal of reviving the lost art of manual photography is a set of cards with photos and tips on how to get similar results with your camera. They range from the very simple to some very advanced techniques in the 18 card set and are a very nice group of tips.
As with their last major project, the Impossible Instant Lab, this became a reality after a successful run on Kickstarter. This is why Kickstarter is such a great idea. It launches great projects like this into the world on a regular basis. Here at Fat Boy Heaven we love Kickstarter, and we will keep bringing new and successful projects to your attention.
Dinner Tonight: Breaded Chicken with Mac 'n Cheese Waffles
One of my favorite side dishes for fall dinners is macaroni and cheese, and I am always trying to come up with new ways to change it up. Since everyones favorite part of home made mac and cheese is the crispy edges and topping I got to thinking "what if I browned each serving in the waffle iron?". Once I figured out how to do that I started thinking about what to do as a main dish with it and thought I would go with the obvious chicken.
Read moreReview: NomadKey - The ultra portable lightning adapter
Nomad started as a KickStarter project in 2012 with a product called ChargeCard, a USB cable the size of a credit card. That project raised more than 10 times the requested startup costs, and launched Nomad onto the stage, now with a range of USB products.
Their latest product to ship is the NomadKey, an ultraportable USB lightning adapter the size of a house key. It is rugged and flexible while remaining infinitely portable. So small it ships attached to a greeting card sized mailer.
For $29.00 this MFi certified cable is the greatest accessory cable I have for on the go convenience. It and a full line of accessories are available here.
No Shave November is upon us, do you REALLY know how to shave?
What is it about these simple pieces of metal that scare guys away from shaving the way their grandfathers did?
This time of year hundreds of thousands of men will shave clean on November 1st and then forgo the razor for the rest of the month, either in pursuit of fundraising for numerous charities (most notably colon cancer) or out of corporate laziness. However the key is a clean and close shave at the start of the month, and it is the small things that make the difference in a good shave.
A while back I posted about receiving my starter kit from Wet Shave Club. There is something refreshing about taking the time to do things the old fashioned way. Over the years somehow we have gotten to five bladed disposable razors and dozens of different shaving creme formulas purporting to cater to every possible skin type at often insane prices. However my grandfather and yours managed to get close and clean shaves every morning using a double-edged safety razor, a puck of shaving soap and a brush. Shaving is becoming a lost art, but it doesn't need to be.
Here is how to shave the way our grandfathers did:
Step One: Use a new clean blade every three days or so
Step Two: Prep your shaving brush by soaking it in warm water to soften the bristles
Step Three: Prep your beard. This was often done at barber shops by placing a hot towel over the face to soften up the beard, but in my experience nothing beats a hot shower to soften up your hair and get it ready to come off.
Step Four: Build a lather with your brush. Start with as little water as you can and add water as needed to get lather to desired consistency.
Step Five: Apply lather to beard. Dab on, brushing with the grain.
Step Six: Put razor to face! Start with handle parallel to floor and then slightly drop end down until the blade just starts to grab hair. Apply as little pressure as possible, letting the razor do the work unlike disposable razors. Make sure you shave with the grain of your beard to avoid ingrown hairs.
It could take two or three passes to get a nice clean shave, but it is a beautiful thing.
Here's one for the country music fans
Yesterday morning I opened me email to find a message from Mr. Garth Brooks talking about his new album, Man Against Machine which is set to be released in a few weeks. He was excited about this great idea one of the guys at GhostTunes (the site he launched to sell digital versions of his music) came up with. The concept was to record a quick description of the song over the preview sample so that we could hear Garth's own thoughts about each song on the album.
Since the website is called GhostTunes and it was already the end of October they decided to launch the preview on Halloween. Head on over for a sneak peek, it sounds amazing. I can't wait for the album and Garth finally touring again after all these years.
From Garth's email:
"...a friend of mine at GhostTunes asked if we would take a different look at sampling for this new record...he wanted to know if we would speak a little bit on each song as a snippet of the song was playing. Because he asked, we went into studio and tried it. We were all surprised to hear how cool it turned out. Because it was his idea and his ask, I felt it fair to keep this to GhostTunes. Because it is GhostTunes, Halloween seems like the perfect time. So, for 24 hours, starting at midnight Thursday night, October 30th and for the entire 24 hours of Halloween, 2014, a sneak-peek at the new album will be available..."
You can here the preview at https://www.ghosttunes.com/garth-brooks/
Kickstarter: PopcornBall,
One of the coolest projects to come along in awhile on Kickstarter is The PopcornBall, a simple and elegant product that was designed to solve one of snackings oldest problems: How do you get butter and salt on ALL the popcorn?
A ball with finger holds on two ends to make spinning easier and a wide opening with a secure latch on the top to facilitate filling and snacking, a quick spin once butter and popcorn are added allows butter to easily and fairly equally distribute according to it's inventor.
Follow the link for video and more details, and consider backing this great product if you like popcorn. If this project succeeds you could see PopcornBalls at your local movie theater very soon.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/popcornball/the-popcorn-ball
Whiskey Review: Tap 357 Canadian Maple Rye Whisky
Another of the new whiskys I just received from Caskers.com is this new Maple Rye from Tap 357. Canadian Rye is aged 3-7 years before being mixed with fresh maple syrup and being aged an additional 6-12 months. The process leaves a wonderfully full bodied whisky that actually tastes like maple sugar instead of like someone mixed maple syrup into your shot glass as some other products on the market do.
Maple is the first and strongest note on the palate, followed quickly by a light spice from the Rye and notes of tobacco and leather. The finish smoothes into the lingering feeling that you have just been drinking with the crew from a maple syrup farm.
Not my favorite drink but I'll hold onto the bottle for the holidays.
Whiskey Review : WhistlePig's "The Boss Hog"
In my latest delivery from the folks at Caskers.com I received a couple bottles of WhistlePig's newest single barrel release, the 2014 "The Boss Hog" Rye. Bottled at 117.8 proof after 13 years from barrel number 3 this is an amazing bottle with amazingly deep flavor profile.
The first thing to hit your palate is sweet caramel followed quickly by the spice of Rye and the heat of a high test proofing. It leaves with a smooth crisp finish that lingers with hints of orange peel and leather.
If you are fortunate enough to find a bottle of this rare and elusive pig hold on tight. They are sure to make any mud hole feel like fat boy heaven.
Coming Soon: HemingWrite, "The Kindle of typewriters"
Hemingwrite is a new digital consumer product for writing composition developed by Adam Leeb and Patrick Paul. It features a distraction free experience with a singular focus on the writing experience.
The product is one of 20 new hardware devices competing in the Engadget.com Insert Coin competition this week. The competition highlights electronic hardware inventions from around the world culminating with the top teams invited to the Engadget Tech Conference in New York. Eligible companies are early startups which not have received any angel- or venture- capital financing and have not yet shipped products to consumers.
“What the Kindle did for reading, we want to do for writing,” said cofounder Patrick Paul of Hamtramck, Michigan. “Adam and I are huge fans of the simplicity of a typewriter but using one is tiresome and outdated. We set out to deliver the same distraction-free writing experience of a typewriter with all of the added benefits of modern technology: backups to the cloud, e-paper display, Cherry MX keyboard switches -- and nothing else.”
“I think what we created with our prototype is the best possible writing experience,” added cofounder Adam Leeb. “We combined all of the best aspects of the typewriter, the moleskine, and the computer to create a modern classic.”
can't wait to get my hands on one of these! This would be perfect for sitting down away from everything and just writing. Very cool in a decidedly retro way.
Hemingwrite is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.hemingwrite.com.
Coming Soon: PivotalLiving announces new wearable concept
Want to help people track their movement and sleep patterns? Give the tracker away! That is the direction PivotalLiving unveiled in a new concept in the distribution of fitness wearables with their Life Tracker1 program. The idea is pretty simple: instead of charging a small fortune as an entry point to getting healthy you get the tracker free to use for as long as subscribe to their monthly healthy living tracker. Users pay $12/mo for access to software that tracks and analyzes movement, sleep, nutrition, hydration and a number of other wellness points.
Available for pre-order now they expect to begin shipping in December of this year.
Dinner Tonight: Beef Short Rib Tsimmes
Fat Boy Heaven's take on my Father's Tsimmes, a traditional Jewish stew made from root vegetables sweetened with honey and prunes. The flavor comes from the combination of the ingredients and the way the fat in the beef renders during the slow braising. This isn't a fast dish, but it has amazing flavor for such simple ingredients.
Read moreReview: Wet Shave Club
There have been a ton of changes to the way men shave over the years, and there have been hundreds of patents filed trying to make a better and more expensive razor blade. In the last year a couple of companies have tried to fight the tide of rising prices by introducing shave clubs, most notably dollarshaveclub.com. I came across Wet Shave Club and was intrigued by their idea. Instead of reinventing the razor blade, their idea is to bring shaving back to its roots.
In 1880 the first safety razor was patented, for the first time putting a safety comb over the top of the blade to prevent accidental cuts. Wet Shave Club said "Double edged razor blades are just pennies a piece and available world wide, why not start a shave club that uses that instead of fighting it?" and they are onto something.
The Wet Shave Club starter pack includes a safety razor, blades, shaving brush, shaving soap, and astringent to help with nicks.
Here's how it works. For $29.95 a month you get a starter kit (pictured above) which includes a safety razor, blades, shaving brush, shaving soap, and astringent sticks. The starter kit also includes shaving instructions for those who have never shaved with a brush and safety razor before. After that you get a box delivered every month with an assortment of shaving soaps, blades, after shave, and other shaving products.
If you are tired of spending way too much on razors and looking to get back to an easier and better shaving experience, give Wet Shave Club a try.
The NEW Fat Boy Heaven
Our new logo
As many of you know, for the last several years we have been running two separate web properties, this site and a technology site called Teknoholics.com which featured my gadget and technology reviews as well as my family's take on various technology products. In recent months it has become clear that the best path to take from a marketing standpoint would be to concentrate on building a single brand, and combining the content. What this means for most of you is that in addition to all of the great food and beverage content you have already enjoyed, you will be getting technology reviews and our observations on life and lifestyle products. We hope you enjoy the changes.
Review: Bowpicker, historic fish and chips
On the Northern edge of downtown Astoria, Oregon, across from the Maritime Museum is an old tramp boat sitting on a trailer, with lines around the block. When you get closer it is easy to understand why: you can smell the greasy goodness of fried fish as only Bowpicker serves it up.
Read moreReview: ink, machined aluminum pens
ink began as a KickStarter project from the folks at famed Hot Rod shop KarasKustoms. Machined out of blocks of solid aluminum, they hoped to make Kustom keepsakes. Pens to last with industrial aesthetics and the weight and feel of classic writing instruments. It took some time for them to complete their task, but these are some amazingly quality pens.
Read moreFat Boy Whisky Review: Pendleton 1910 Canadian Rye Whisky
Pendleton Whisky is named after the Pendleton Round-Up, one of the most prestigious rodeo events in the world. The event has been held during the second week of September each year since 1910, and brings over 50,000 tourists to the city of Pendleton, Oregon in the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
Pendleton 1910 12 Year Old Whisky was initially crafted to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the rodeo. The whisky is made from a mashbill composed entirely of rye grains, which are mashed, fermented and distilled in Canada. Following distillation, the whisky is brought to Hood River Distillers in Oregon, which finishes and the whisky in its own casks before bottling it at 80 proof. This whisky sets itself apart from most Canadian Ryes by being a small batch rather than a blend. This opens up the potential for variety from year to year, but also removes the consistency that large blends are famous for.
Pendleton 1910 Whisky has been aged for twelve years and has a slightly sweet aroma, with hints of butterscotch, light oak and tobacco. The aroma gives way to notes of toffee, black pepper, chewy leather, honey, chili peppers and vanilla on the palate. The medium finish is well-balanced, with a touch of spice and sweetness. On the whole this is one of the smoothest Canadian whiskys I have ever tasted.
The whisky earned a score of 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and earned the Silver Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012. Here at Fat Boy Heaven we give 1910 a score of 92.
The Pantry at Rock Creek Church
I've posted before about how fortunate I feel to be able to work with the folks at Rock Creek Church in their Pantry, preparing meals once a month and now working as part of the distribution team that helps provide food for more than 125 families every week.
One of the jobs I have taken on is making the weekly run out to Unger Farms to pick up the produce they sho generously have donated this summer from their harvest.
Every Monday I have been going out to their farm store too pick up what has been left from their weekend visits to local farmers markets and their own stand. So far that has been more than 1000lbs of fresh produce which we have been able to give to families all over Washington county this summer.
Local people giving back to the community is amazing to see, and even more amazing to be a part of. If you have the opportunity please find a way to give back to your community.
FeastPDX Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting
FeastPDX is the Northwest's premier food and beverage event. Founded in 2012 by Mike Thelin and Carrie Welch, Feast Portland showcases local culinary talent and Pacific Northwest ingredients alongside internationally recognized chefs, culinary professionals and industry leaders. Feast Portland is also a festival with a mission, donating its net proceeds towards ending childhood hunger in Oregon and around the country through Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon and Share Our Strength.
The centerpiece of the festival is the Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting, a two day event in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
This is the second year Fat Boy Heaven has attended this amazing event, and this year was even better than last year. It is easy to see why everyone from Zagat to Forbes has lauded it as one of the nation's premiere food events, and while naming it one of America's top 15 food events Fodor's Travel said it was "done to such perfection you’d think one of the Pacific Coast’s biggest-catch food events was in its 30th year.”
I could write for days about the flavors and sights of this amazing event, but wiser men than I for generations have said a picture is worth a thousand words so I will give you- the sights of Feast Portland:
Bambuza was making fresh shrimp spring rolls that amazed even a meat and potatoes guy like me
BatchPDX specializes in handmade chocolates
Featuring sweet and savory baked goods Pacific Pie served an amazing sausage roll.
redDuck Foods brought some great sauces, but the most interesting was their Pumpkin Spice ketchup
Whole Foods, a featured sponsor of the event had a large tent set up on the upper level of the square featuring local products they were debuting in their styles from Portland vendors.
And there you have it, the sites and food of Feast Portland's Grand Tasting for 2014. I'm already looking forward to next year's event. Up next, a new event for this year, the Tillamook Brunch Village.