Hamilton Beach Canada

Hamilton Beach Ultimate Summer Giveaway!

July 2, 2016 By Lena 342 Comments

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I see you, summer. And I raise you the Ultimate Summer Giveaway.

If there’s one thing that’s synonymous with warm weather, it’s ice cream. And grilled foods. And we can’t forget shaved ice, cold milkshakes and mixed drinks. You know, the basic, yummiest foods and beverages you can think of.

When I think of yummy foods, I think of Hamilton Beach.

Did you know that as one of Canada’s leading distributors of small kitchen appliances, Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. sells over 35 million appliances every year? Chances are, you’ve got a few of their innovative products in your own home – ready to chop, sear, mix or blend your favourite ingredients into a delicious culinary creation.

Of course, if there’s one time I love to pull out my Hamilton Beach standbys, it’s summer! That’s why I’m so thrilled to partner with them to bring you the Ultimate Summer Giveaway. One lucky Listen to Lena reader will win ALL FIVE of the summer-themed small appliances pictured below – for a total prize value of over $300!

So, what’s up for grabs? Only the most popular, most cutting-edge small appliances for your summer entertaining needs! …

Because We KNOW Breakfast!

November 1, 2015 By Lena 196 Comments

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

… and sometimes, breakfast is a cup of celebration cake, served with a freshly brewed cup of bold, flavourful coffee. Stay tuned for the recipe for this Birthday Mug Cake, and the chance to win a gorgeous Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker plus a Hamilton Beach Custom Grind Coffee Grinder. Because Hamilton Beach knows breakfast!
DSC_1580a So, the cold weather is settling in and we’ll all start to mentally prepare for the long winter ahead. What better time to step up your breakfast game? A warm, nutritious and satisfying breakfast fortifies your body against the elements, and keeps you alert and focused so you can make the best of your day. Hamilton Beach, the leader in small appliances, is leading the way with inventive and creative ways to enjoy breakfast. Today, I’m happy to share some of my favourite products that are must-haves for you this season. …

This Dried Fruit is Anything But Dry.

August 16, 2015 By Lena 136 Comments

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I’ll admit it; I don’t think a food dehydrator has ever been on my culinary wishlist.

I mean, I’ve never sat around on a Saturday afternoon thinking, I wish I could dry some fruit. I mean, who does… right? Except now that I have spent a Saturday afternoon drying fruit, it’s a process I’d definitely like to repeat again… and again… thanks to the Hamilton Beach Food Dehydrator.
Back-to-school is around the corner. The opportunity to load up my boys’ lunchbox with healthy snacks – without preservatives or additives – is very attractive to me. And since my little guys love fruit, why not concentrate the flavours, make it completely portable, and have it available for them when they want it? Friends, I’ve seen the light: I totally need a food dehydrator. …

Coconut Ice Cream with Buttered Rum Sauce and Grilled Pineapple

July 2, 2015 By Lena 177 Comments

And…. I made the ice cream MYSELF! Three cheers for homemade goodness on a hot summer day. You can do it too with the Hamilton Beach 1/2 Quart Ice Cream Maker – enjoy ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt or custard in as little as 20 minutes. That’s right, just 20 minutes!
There seems to be a stigma that homemade frozen desserts are difficult to make, when truly, it couldn’t be more simple. In fact, with the Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker, it’s pretty foolproof. …

It’s Always a Party! Introducing the Kettle Style Popcorn Popper!

February 15, 2015 By Lena 247 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Salty, savoury popcorn with a sharp burst of cheesy goodness and a mild, Italian herb flavour. Do not adjust your computer monitor. You HAVE just stumbled on the perfect popcorn, popped in the perfect popcorn popper.
Now I’m not one to mince words, so I’m just going to come out and say it. You need the Hamilton Beach Kettle Style Popcorn Popper in your life. You need it like meat needs salt. Like apple pie needs cinnamon. Like Kanye West needs an awards show. And once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Introducing… the very best small appliance for every popcorn lover you know.
Yeah, that’s it right there. Kind of looks space age, doesn’t it? But whether it’s a date night in or a movie-watching party with friends and family, this popper delivers. Enjoy hot and delicious theater-style popcorn that can be prepared and served right in the same bowl! Simply measure your oil and kernels into the popping chamber and turn it on. (I swear, that’s all there is to it.) When the popping slows down to two seconds between pops, your popcorn is ready to eat.

Even better? The Kettle Style Popcorn Popper is dishwasher safe, and the top and bottom nest for space-saving storage. Plus, you can pop up to 24 cups per cycle, so your family is never left waiting for more. It’s actually kind of perfect. …

New Year, New Rituals.

January 4, 2015 By Lena 266 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I can’t believe I pulled it off. I did it! I actually unplugged for almost two whole weeks. No blogging, no social (okay, a little social) and most of all, no obsessive email checking. I was officially off the grid for 10 days! Did you miss me?

At first, it felt a bit strange… especially if you consider that it’s been almost six years since I’ve had a real holiday. No seriously! The trips I take – they’re press trips, which means that I’m actually working non-stop. Even when my workplace is the Caribbean or a Disney park. But this… this was a bona fide staycation that I needed oh so much!

So what did I do? I shopped online. I shopped in-store. I re-organized my closet. I decluttered and purged. I slept in, read chick lit and mystery novels, and ate a lot of food. I joined Weight Watchers. I took time every single day to savour a few moments for myself. I made posh coffee house drinks in my Hamilton Beach Cappuccino & Espresso Maker.
And most importantly, I made a promise to myself to continue these rituals in 2015. Because a few uninterrupted moments of bliss, every day, does a mind, body and spirit good. Love the way I think? Then we need to get a Hamilton Beach Cappuccino & Espresso Maker in your home, too. …

Top 5 Gifts for College Kids from Hamilton Beach

December 20, 2014 By Lena 53 Comments

It’s no secret; college kids are the toughest demographic to shop for.

First, forget about electronics. Chances are, they’ve already got the latest gadgets… and frankly, you can’t afford the ones they really want. Clothing? Ha. Try keeping on top of the trends… like, are they still wearing skinny jeans, or have boyfriend jeans made a comeback? And I suppose you *could* get them a gift card, but really – isn’t that just what everyone does?

Do college kids really need another Starbucks gift card?

This year, get them something super thoughtful that will make their life easier. From my friends at Hamilton Beach Canada, I’ve found five small appliances that are dorm-friendly, suitable for the domestically-challenged, and of course, won’t break the bank!

Stay or Go Blender. College kids like smoothies. They don’t always like to pay $5.95 at their local juice and smoothie bar. The Stay or Go Blender is powerful enough to handle all of their blending needs whether at home or on the go. Combining the practicality of a full-size blender with the convenience of a single-serve, the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Blender fits the busy lifestyle of college kids. With four containers included, this blender is the perfect size for every job. The 32 oz. jar is large enough to serve a study group, and two 16 oz. travel cups with drinking lids are just the right size for smoothies on the go.

All of the included containers are made of shatterproof Tritan that is crystal clear, lightweight, dishwasher safe, and BPA-free. Add ingredients while blending using the removable filler cap on the 32 oz. jar, and use the pulse button for greater control.

Once this multi-tasking blender is in your college kid’s kitchen, it will quickly become their go-to appliance for preparing many different things. MSRP: $39.99

2-Way FlexBrew Coffeemaker. Quite possibly my favourite coffee maker on the planet; it’s perfect for college kids everywhere. Brew a pot for all-nighters during exam week, or pop in a K-Cup coffee pod for single serve java goodness. With a FlexBrew Coffeemaker in their dorm room, they’ll enjoy maximum brewing flexibility.

And just how much caffeine will they serve up? Brew up to 14 oz. of coffee with a single-serve pack, or brew 12 cups with the coffee pot. And of course, the coffeemaker has a programmable timer with 2 hour automatic shutoff, so they’ll never be late for class waiting on that perfect cup.

Of course, pre-packaged coffee isn’t for everyone or every palate. The 2-Way FlexBrew Coffeemaker caters to coffee aficionados by featuring a single-serve permanent filter brew basket that holds a variety of fresh-tasting ground coffee. (Brands such as Folgers, Maxwell House and Starbucks are recommended.) MSRP: $104.99 …

Double Down on Breakfast!

September 10, 2014 By Lena 164 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It’s September. The kids are back in school. The days are getting shorter; the weather is getting cooler, the nights are long and spent huddled under the covers. It can only mean one thing: It’s time to get back into the groove.

You see, summer is a luxury. Summer means lazy mornings watching television with the kids, while calmly sipping my second cup of coffee. I miss summer. I miss it A LOT.

These days, mornings are busy. And before I send the boys off to school, I need to ensure they’ve had a filling, healthy breakfast to build their stamina, stay focused, and be ready for an awesome day of learning. And I’ve found the small appliance I just can’t live without: the Hamilton Beach Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker.

Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker Why do we love it? Let me count the ways.

Your Favorite Breakfast Sandwiches – Use eggs, cheese, precooked meat and English muffins (or bread of your choice) to make quick, hot and tasty breakfast sandwiches in less than 5 minutes.

New Countdown Timer with Audible Beep – Cook your breakfast sandwiches to perfection and to your preferences, and know when it’s ready with the built-in digital timer.

Easy to Clean – Cooking surfaces are nonstick! And, the removable cooking ring with egg cooking plate is dishwasher safe, making for quick and easy clean up.

No Added Fat – Because the cooking surfaces are non-stick, you don’t have to add oils or butters to fry the eggs. So, your breakfast sandwiches are less greasy, and you can customize your sandwich to suit your dietary preferences, such as using egg whites only or substituting gluten-free bread.

Without a word of lie, by the time it would have taken me to preheat a pan and fry an egg, I have two mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches ready to go – with minimal prep and maximum versatility. Ryder likes his sandwich with egg, straight up – while Reid is a bacon and cheese kind of guy. And although the Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker will not cook the meat for you, adding pre-cooked bacon bits, a slice of smoked turkey or even a few slices of pepperoni is as easy as can be. …

Five Steps to Five-Minute Pizza #Giveaway

March 26, 2014 By Lena 339 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Pizza is a BIG thing in my house. As a mom of two boys with hollow legs, I’m constantly looking for satisfying meals and snacks that will keep the boys’ hunger at bay. In recent months, I’ve discovered that often, pizza is simply the best option; it’s loaded with protein, is a finger food, and most importantly, can be customized to suit tastes and preferences.

Yet it occurred to me some time ago that my kitchen drawer was littered with delivery flyers. My freezer was overstocked with frozen pizzas – both family-sized and snack portions. A growing fraction of our children’s diet was dedicated to convenience food; surely there had to be a better way?

Yes, I could make pizza myself. And I do! But I am also realistic: I am not the type to make my own pizza dough from scratch on a weekly basis. I choose my battles carefully, and battling with sticky dough is not a war I will ever win. So, I found a wonderful alternative in flatbreads; they’re easy to work with and offer a desirable thin crust. But the equation wasn’t perfect just yet – because making your own pizza also means you have to preheat your oven. And bake it. And watch it. Hmmm… where were those microwaveable pizza snacks?

But just when I thought I had doomed my boys to a childhood of convenience food, the heavens parted… and I was introduced to a game changer. The Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker. YES, a countertop pizza maker! It’s a snazzy, easy-to-use appliance that makes pizza, snacks and appetizers in a flash. Heat up a 12” pre-made frozen pizza or create your own delicious and nutritious pizza from (almost) scratch!

The kicker: It cooks up to 40% faster and is up to 52% more energy efficient than your kitchen oven.

Do the math, friends: in the time it takes to preheat my oven for a frozen or fresh pizza, we could have pizza on the table. And for this mom of boys who say “I’m still hungry” exactly 8.2 times per day, that is very attractive indeed!

Presenting: Five Steps to Five-Minute Pizza. Made possible ONLY with the Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker.

Step One: Get your hands on a Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker, of course! Available at TruServ, Amazon.ca and SHOP.CA, the unit retails for $69.99 and for pizza lovers, is worth every penny. In addition to cooking pizza, you can also warm appetizers, wings, cinnamon rolls and more. Bonus: the gorgeous red colour looks great on your countertop or tabletop.

Step Two: Add your frozen pizza, fresh pizza dough or flat bread to the pizza maker, and load up your toppings. Did you see that? I created my pizza directly in the pizza maker. So, there are less dishes and almost ZERO cleanup! Because my boys can get picky about toppings, I hide them between layers of shredded mozzarella. On this particular pizza, I’ve buried pepperoni and sauteed mushrooms – a classic combination. …

Be a Big Mouth with Hamilton Beach #Giveaway

March 24, 2013 By Lena 274 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Is there a “magic” potion that can help you feel more energetic, make your skin radiant, boost your health and help ward off illness and infection?

Sure, you get it by doing this little thing called “juicing”.

I’ve long been a fan of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables; drinking the cold, delicious liquid is like a rush of nutrients to your immune system. However, I’ve never been a fan of the cleanup after the fact. And I’m embarrassed to admit that this is the sole reason why my old juicer found a permanent home at the back of my cupboard.

Of course, this year I made a promise to myself to cut the crap. And even though commercially marketed 100% fruit juices are considered a “health food”, they’ll never be as healthy as extracting the fresh juice yourself. So I dusted off my old juicer and realized, OMG! It’s ancient. The motor hummed and hawed and only extracted about a 10th of the fruit. Now that would not do AT ALL.

Thankfully, my friends at Hamilton Beach Canada were on board with my mission to put my health first, and sent me their famous Big Mouth Stainless Steel Juice Extractor for review. Once it arrived, I was motivated to fill my fridge to the gills with my favourite fruits and vegetables. Health and happiness, here I come!

Caption: This is what is going into my body this week, thanks to the Hamilton Beach Canada Big Mouth Juicer. #healthyliving #juicing

The juicer features an extra large 3” chute, which allows you to juice whole fruits and vegetables with less prep time. In fact, a medium sized Red Delicious apple falls down the chute quite nicely; larger apples (like the Golden Delicious variety pictured above) should be cut in half prior to juicing. And those humming and hawing motors are definitely a thing of the past; the Big Mouth comes with a powerful 800 watt motor which literally obliterates fruits and vegetables in seconds (yielding up to 24% MORE juice for selected produce). Finally, the durable stainless steel cutter/strainer ensures that the unit is always ready when you are….

2013 HOT List: Hamilton Beach Must Haves

January 3, 2013 By Lena 51 Comments

The following post is brought to you by my love for all things Hamilton Beach.

Sure, in some instances, I was sent the product for review – and other times, I’ve had the product for years. But the fact remains that my kitchen is crammed to capacity with these terribly innovative products that just happen to be affordable too.

Toaster Ovens. Hand Blenders. Waffle Makers and more… what’s not to love?

Hence, I thought it was only fitting to start the new year off right with a few of Hamilton Beach’s most loved small appliances. If you’re looking for a little help in the kitchen this year, here are my tried and true favourites from a brand you can trust.

Instant Hot Water Dispenser

This is one of those items that I didn’t know I needed until I actually started using it. Every day. Multiple times per day. Oh yeah.

Here’s the deal: with Ryder starting school this past September, we’ve all been sick… well, every freaking week. No lie; I swear I spend more time taking the boys’ temperature than checking my e-mail. And so I’ve spent the better part of the last three months making tea, liquid medicine concoctions, spiced cider… anything to make me feel like my head is not about to pop off. Normally, I’m the type to boil water on the stove, but when you’re indulging in hot beverages 4-5 times per day, it can get tedious – quickly. Enter the Instant Hot Water Dispenser.

Now I actually took a video of the dispenser in action, but even after adding my witty commentary, I realized there is just no way of hyping up a product that boils water (nor would I subject y’all to a 1:13 demonstration of said product). But nonetheless: with a quick boil function, adjustable water flow from 150 – 300 ml and smart safety features (the unit automatically turns off when water boils), this is THE product for tea drinkers or anyone who needs hot water in a hurry. The 1.8 L reservoir ensures that you’re not refilling the unit all day long, but is not so big that water remains dormant and stale over days. I also love that it has a convenient stop button which immediately cuts the flow of hot water when you’ve reached the desired amount – another safety feature that prevents overflowing and well, scalding. #ouch

If there’s one item you pick up during cold and flu season, make sure it’s the Instant Hot Water Dispenser!
…

Hamilton Beach: 5 Gotta-Have Gizmos

May 6, 2012 By Lena 21 Comments

Some people would consider it an advertorial faux pas to put together a list of “must-have” items… all from the same manufacturer. In fact, I normally pride myself on mixing it up; incorporating great pieces from a variety of different brands. But to understand my reasoning behind dedicating an entire post to Hamilton Beach, I suppose you would have had to be there with me at last week’s media preview.

It happened, friends. That twitchy, tingly feeling at the tips of my fingers, which usually signals I’m about to reach for my wallet, slap down my Visa card and declare,

“I’LL TAKE IT! I’LL BUY IT ALL! I WANT EVERYTHING!”

The last time this happened was H&M’s Summer 2011 collection. And since the price of most Hamilton Beach small appliances are actually less than an H&M outfit (I know, right? insane!) you can imagine how giddy I felt.

Want. Want. Want. Tra-la-la-la-la.

So this season, I’ve decided to forego a predictable $39.95 H&M tunic and treat my entire family to this $39.99 Mess Free Belgian Style Waffle Maker instead. Hmm… one season of wear vs. years of breakfast time happiness? No contest.

And just what makes it “Mess Free”? First, it comes with a pre-measured batter cup, so you’ll always pour the perfect amount (excellent for those who normally just eyeball it… and fail). Second, if you’re an incurable eyeballer and decide to pour away, the batter overflow channel keeps the excess from seeping all over your countertop. And third, you can break the finished waffle apart into 8 sticks, perfect for munching on the go (also guaranteed to be a hit with the kiddos.)

So what else makes the cut? Here are four more of my fave gotta-have gizmos from Hamilton Beach:

bébé All in One Baby Food Maker – Ah, products that give you little excuse for laziness. (Er – maybe this shouldn’t be on my list, after all.) But here’s the deal: hands up if you made your baby’s food from scratch… for more than two weeks. Okay, now hands up if you could have used a product that slices, steams and blends foods all in one? PLUS, can be used as a chopper or small blender? And is dishwasher safe? Like I said, zero excuses. So I present to you, the VERY BEST baby shower gift you could possibly give a mom-to-be. The Hamilton Beach bébé All in One Baby Food Maker retails for just $69.99 for the 3-cup model; $79.99 for the sophisticated 5-cup version. Go ahead. Be a champion gifter.

Party Dipper Food Warmer – Repeat after me: “I will not bring a bottle of Merlot to an informal dinner with friends.” Instead, follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Purchase the Hamilton Beach Party Dipper Food Warmer.
2. Whip up a quick spinach, artichoke or cheese dip, and place it in the Party Dipper.
3. Bring the dip to a party. It’ll stay nice and warm, and the removable ceramic dish and lid are microwave/dishwasher safe.
4. Leave the Party Dipper for your hostess. At just $14.99, you’ve now effectively given the finger to all those Merlot-toting guests. Ha ha.

Ice Shaver – This I MUST have. Because I swear that deplorable ice cream truck always slows down in front of my house, beckoning my two boys to spend every cent I earn on cold treats. $4 for a snow cone? Buy the Hamilton Beach Ice Shaver, and it’ll pay for itself after less than 12 uses. Not only can kids enjoy slushies, snow cones & icy treats with your favorite soda or fruit juice, but mommy and her girls can tip back tropical and mixed drinks once the little ones are in bed. Retails for $44.99. Heck ya.

5 Burner Outdoor Grillstation – Okay, so this isn’t really a “gizmo” as it is the answer to your summer feasting dreams. Since I really don’t speak BBQish, click here to view the specs. But know this: every inch of this Grillstation is engineered to make cooking outdoors a pleasure. From its extra large, easy to read gauges to its ergonomically designed hood and burners, even gals can take on the role of resident grill master.

(The Hamilton Beach website is actually a wonderful resource for recipes, including ones hot off the grill – Mahi Mahi With Ginger And Dill, Southwestern Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Tomatoes with Cumin Butter and more.)

And so I’ve only left about 26 Hamilton Beach items off my “Gotta-Have” list, and yes, my hand is still twitching with the need to splurge on these affordable, incredibly intuitive products. Check out their site for more amazing items, or just stick around… I’m sure I’ll be talking about another favourite product before long.

Click here to visit Hamilton Beach Canada.