9 Glorious Reasons to Vacation on Sanibel Island

As we roll into summer, it's time to plan out a vacation that is well worth your money plus ensuring everyone will have a fabulous time. Do you need a family resort? A romantic getaway? A place to chill with your girlfriends for amusing days of GNO? 

Think about Sanibel island, Florida. It's on the Southwest side of Florida, stretched out into the Gulf of Mexico shaped like a little boomerang, with the Sanibel Lighthouse on the eastside and Captiva island to the North.

Here are 9 great reason why Sanibel Island should be your next vacation destination.

The Shells—Sanibel Island of the most sought-after locations for shelling in the world. Its geographical location out in the Gulf and salty tidal flows mean some of the most beautiful shells around (like scallop, whelk, and coquina) wash up on its white sandy shores, earning the phrase 'the Sanibel Stoop' for those who walk along and peer the shoreline for these amazing shells. Swim out into the Gulf for hidden treasures in the sand, or walk along the beach at sunrise.

The Food- Yucatan shrimp at Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, the Grouper basket at the Lazy Flamingo, shrimp and grits at The Island Cow, fresh coal-fired pizza at Dante's, incredible hot dogs and ice cream at Schnapper's Hots, plus so many other incredible places to enjoy island cuisine, this isle has so much on offer to please all your taste buds. 

Plan out your food travels in advance with the Sanibel Visitors Center.

The Feel- I love this island because it's so tropical and exotic, yet so domestic and familiar, all at the same time. 

The grocery store, the bars, the restaurants, the clothing stores, plus the everyday places you need- health clinic, vet, nail salons, even a Goodwill. You'll feel right at home as you relax on island time.

The View- on these islands, there's a view everywhere you turn. There are no high-rises, nothing is built higher than the tree line, giving this small island the feel of a jungle. You'll never know what you'll spy through the trees- a glimpse of a small lagoon, the Gulf of Mexico, a crocodile, perhaps. 

The sunrises and sunsets are amazing- especially the sunsets- right before the glorious sun sinks into the water, a green flash happens super-quick. Even a bar on neighboring Captiva Island is named after this phenomenon when the atmosphere causes the sunlight to 'flash' out into different colors.

The Wildlife- Manatees, turtles, sharks, dolphins, sting rays, fish, raccoons, alligators- keep your eyes open, you never know what you'll see in the wandering by on a trail or while you're relaxing on the pool deck. You can also visit the wildlife areas around the island for a super-close up look at local wildlife- the CROW Clinic – Caring for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife and the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Take a class at the Sanibel SeaSchool to learn more about the birds and aquatic wildlife of the Gulf.

The Activities- there is no shortage of activity on this island. You can get virtually anywhere by walking or biking, plus stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking and of course swimming and snorkeling with beautiful scenery everywhere you turn. There's always something new to delight in. A typical day includes shelling, boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and hiking.

The Culture- The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, the BIG ARTS StraussTheatre, Island Cinema, bookstores, clothing shops, gift shops—there's something for everyone. Check out the Sanibel Island Light lighthouse at the South end of the island- one of the first lighthouses on Florida's Gulf coast.

The People— there are a lot of tourists, yes, but they're all here on vacation and super friendly. The locals are laid back and relaxed, and always pleased to see you. See everyone at the Sanibel School Seahorse Festival in May!

The Places to Stay- Sanibel Island Beach Resort, The Inns of Sanibel, Song of theSea, plus plenty of Airbnbs and VRBO brings a taste of comfy home to your stay. There are no high-rise or stuffy hotels to be found on the island of Sanibel. Here you are on island time, and that means restful rooms, easygoing places to eat, and down-home bars that locals and tourists both relax with their beers and island punch.

Vacationing here is a dream. Fall in love with the Gulf. Take a week, a weekend, or a month. Just be sure to pack your bikini and plenty of sunscreen, plus a little mesh bag for all those glorious shells you'll spy.

No vacation contemplation here- chose Sanibel Island.

Eat Your Veggies with Explore Cuisine and Veestro

Did you know June 17^th is National Eat Your Veggies Day?  

Engchik Eats has got you covered with creative ways you can consume veggies!

Gone are the days of relying on raw, sometimes tasteless, vegetables and sad salads.  

With creative options like Explore Cuisine pasta alternatives, plant-based meal delivery service Veestro and Field Roast grain meats, it is easier and more delicious than ever to hit those daily veggie servings.

Explore Cuisine is a leader in innovative cooking using organic ingredients of the highest quality. All Explore Cuisine products are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and jam packed with nutrients.

Original Bean Power: 

One Ingredient.  

ORGANIC BEANS – that's it.  

In only seven minutes, your family can indulge in a delicious, healthy and satisfying meal, power-packed with high protein and high fiber. Varieties include Black Bean Spaghetti, Edamame and Mung Bean Fettuccini, Soybean Spaghetti and more. 

 Italian Signature Selection: Made from organic lentils and chickpeas, these pastas are high in protein and a great source of fiber and iron. Vegan, organic, and gluten free- it's a perfect dish for everyone at the table. 

In just minutes your family will be enjoying fresh pastas made in Italy. Varieties include Red Lentil Penne, Green Lentil Penne, Chickpea Fusilli, Green Lentil Lasagne, and more!

Field Roast, the original maker of grain meats, uses only fresh, natural ingredients – grains, vegetables, legumes and spices – to craft artisan plant-based meat and cheese offerings. Since the company's debut in 1997, Field Roast has been an innovator in the vegan and vegetarian market by creating flavor-rich products rooted in culinary tradition.

Veestro, the leading plant-based meal delivery service, offers convenience without sacrificing nutrition, taste or authenticity. With delicious offerings, think Veggie Burgers, Veggie Lasagna and Veggie Empanadas, you can easily meet your recommended amount of vegetables daily – no chopping, cooking, or cleanup required. All meals are chef created, ready to heat-and-eat, 100% plant-based, made with organic ingredients and preservative free.

Time to Voke Up

The afternoon slump is real and it isn't just you.  According to WebMD's sleep expert, Michael J. Breus, PhD, that midday sleepiness is like a miniature version of the drowsiness you feel just before bedtime. "It has to do with a dip in your core body temperature," Breus says. "Right before you go to sleep at night, your core temperature begins to drop, which is a signal to the brain to release melatonin. The exact same thing happens on a smaller scale between 2 and 4 in the afternoon. It's a mini-signal to your brain to get sleepy."

I love these and it def helps in the afternoons instead of drinking a ton of coffee or eating snacks. 

We could all use a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon, before a big corporate presentation or after a long flight, but coffee is not always the answer.  Neither are energy drinks filled with chemicals and ingredients you’ve never heard of.  The answer is all-natural Voke®.  

These energizing tabs provide almost instant mental clarity and focus in a convenient, healthy chewable tablet without the annoying jitters that accompany other alternatives. Voke is gaining popularity in the corporate world business travelers, in the gym and amongst students for providing a great solution to a universal issue of needing a quick pick-me-up without the usual side-effects.

Voke’s convenient tin fits easily into your pocket or purse and you can count on 3 hours of smooth energy after consuming just one tab.  Take a Voke® before important meetings or public speaking engagements for heightened mental focus and increased energy. This magical tablet is great for waking up in the morning, long commutes, road trips, air travel (helps you bounce back from jet lag), or staying strong through a workout.

Just how does it work? Voke® utilizes the Guarana Berry which is one of the world’s best natural sources for improving mental acuity. The unique combination of pure Guarana with a moderate amount of natural caffeine from Green Tea is what enables Voke® to deliver so much mental benefit without the jittery after effects. 

• Strong Mental Focus & Alertness

• Improved Short Term Memory

• Increased Mental & Physical Endurance

• Each tab contains 100% of your daily Vitamin C Antioxidants

• Beet Juice Antioxidants

• No Sugar, no artificial junk, no calories & no jitters or crash after affect

Introducing Nielsen-Massey's New Line of Organic Pure Flavor Extracts

Nielsen-Massey just launched a new line of Organic Flavor Extracts featuring four flavors: Almond, Lemon, Orange and Peppermint. These new flavors are made with certified organic ingredients.

  

Raspberry-Rose Refrigerator Jam

Give this recipe a try with your sample of Organic Pure Lemon Extract. Try other recipes using the new line of flavors, including these Lemon-Almond Cream Scones, Blueberry-Vanilla Bean Refrigerator Jam and Mini Mint Chocolate Chip Bundt Cakes. Enjoy!

●        ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided

●        1 ½ teaspoons pectin

●        4 cups (2 pints) fresh or frozen raspberries

●        ¼ teaspoon salt

●        ½ to 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Rose Water

●        ½ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Organic Pure Lemon Extract

In a small bowl, stir ¼ cup of the granulated sugar and the pectin together until well-combined. Set aside until ready to use.

In a large pot, combine the raspberries, the remaining ½ cup of sugar, and the salt. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, while stirring frequently to avoid the fruit from scorching, until the berries have broken down and some of the water from the fruit evaporates, about 10 minutes. 

Slowly sprinkle the sugar and pectin mixture over the surface of the raspberries in the pot and stir until combined. Increase the heat to high and cook to a rolling boil for 2 minutes. 

Remove the raspberry jam from the stovetop and add the rose water to taste. Stir in the lemon extract.

Let cool to room temperature in the pot. Transfer the jam to desired airtight containers and refrigerate until ready to eat.

#NielsenMasseyInspires