One Mother. One Daughter. One love for food.

Tabañero Hot Sauce Turns Up The Heat For National Hot Sauce Day On Jan 22nd

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:38:00 +0000

We had no idea National Hot Sauce Day existed until we agreed to sample Tabanero Hot Sauce. Well why shouldn't there be a National Hot Sauce Day when there is National Pancake Day, National Donut Day and National Pizza Day, all of which have become our favorites as well. Some officially sanctioned by the government and some simply adopted by the masses but all with one common driving factor, a passion for food.

In celebration of National Hot Sauce Day we will be making Buffalo Chicken Dip. We usually use buffalo wing sauce, but we will be using Tabanero.

Ingredients

1 (8 oz. pkg.) Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Tabanero Hot Sauce
1/2 cup bleu cheese or ranch dressing
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup crumbled bleu cheese or your favorite shredded cheese (optional)

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350°F.

COMBINE all ingredients in a 1-quart baking dish.

BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers and/or vegetables. We like to eat this with Ritz Crackers.

On January 22nd, National Hot Sauce day sets the stage to heat up kitchens across the country by celebrating the flavorful diverse & ever growing world of hot sauces. This year, Tabañero Hot Sauce celebrates the auspicious holiday encouraging folks to break out of bland and turn up the heat to honor one of the most popular of condiments.

As part of the planned celebrations, Tabañero will be offering a collection of unique online and onsite hot sauce experiences including giveaways (a year's supply of Tabañero Hot Sauce), special anniversary recipes and a "Tabañero Takeover" in Los Angeles. The "Tabañero Takeover" will include a hot sauce "trade in" (where fans can turn in a bottle of their current hot sauce for a bottle of all-natural Tabañero Hot Sauce) as well as onsite giveaways, complimentary Tabañero-inspired foods and cocktails and much more.

"Tabañero Hot Sauce is all about getting rid of the bland whether that bland relates to one's food or one's everyday routine," said Kevin Peake, co-founder of Tabañero Hot Sauce. "National Hot Sauce Day is a great opportunity for us to bring together hot sauce aficionados in celebrating the best of the condiments."

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Valentine's Day Cocktail Recipes - How To Make Simple Cocktails

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:05:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is coming up before you know it, and we'd like to give you more time to fall in love instead of slaving away in the kitchen. Whether you're in a happy twosome or celebrating Valentine's Day with your pals, tip a glass to love with cocktails that are so quick to make you'll have more time to celebrate.

It seems like Powell and Mahoney has cocktail recipes for every holiday and of course we are able to share them with you.

For Lovers. You will instantly fall in love with the Passion Margarita. In a shaker, combine 1.5 oz. 100% blue agave blanco tequila, 1.5 oz. Powell & Mahoney Mango Passion Margarita, 0.5 oz. almond syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters and the juice of half a lime.

Don't have a Valentine? No problem. For those celebrating Singles Awareness Day, celebrate bromances and Galentine's Day with these delicious libations.

For guys. Celebrate your singlehood with your buddies with a batch of Spicy Snapper. Pour 4 oz. Powell & Mahoney's award-winning Sriracha Bloody Mary mix, ½ oz. fresh lemon juice and 1 ½ oz. gin in a shaker and gently shake. Strain into a pint glass filled with ice and garnish with a lemon wedge and celery leaves.

For gals. What better way to celebrate than with the original girl's night cocktail: the Cosmopolitan? It's so much better to be pink than blue with the Cosmo Berry Spritz in hand! Mix 2 oz. Powell & Mahoney Cosmopolitan mix, 1 medium strawberry and 3 oz. dry white wine in a shaker. Muddle strawberry and gently shake. Strain all ingredients into a wine glass filled with ice and stop with a splash of soda and garnish with an orange wheel.

For the love curmudgeon. If you're just down on love for the time being and aren't puckering up for anyone this V-Day, feel free to express your bitterness with The Sour cocktail. Pour 1 ½ - 2 oz. spirit of choice and 1 oz. Powell & Mahoney Lemon Sour mixer into a shaker and gently shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

We hope these recipes add a little spice to your Valentine's Day!!!

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for post.

Celebrate National Irish Coffee Day, January 25th! - Alcohol Mixers Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 19:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year! While the New Year brings a fresh start, it also tends to bring a fresh blanket of snow. January officially marks the doldrums of winter. Lighten it up, stay in and chill out with easy-to-make, delicious-to-drink cocktails that will help you weather the January and February cold.

National Irish Coffee Day on January 25^th gives you an excuse to warm the cockles of your heart the only way a freshly spiked brew can -- with an Irish Coffee of course! For a classic Irish Coffee, pour 1.5 oz. Irish whiskey, 1 oz. Powell & Mahoney Simple Syrup and hot brewed coffee into a glass coffee mug. Give a stir and top with unsweetened cream, lightly whipped. We have only tried Irish coffee while dining out. We now know how to make it at home.

February 1^st is Super Bowl Sunday, so get ready to kick off your Super Bowl XLIX party with effortless cocktail mixers. Take home the trophy with this large-group cocktail punch.

Here is a great recipe:

Super Punch Bowl:

Combine 1 cup Powell & Mahoney Pomegranate mixer, 2 bottles of chilled sparkling wine, 2/3 cups chilled white wine, 2 thinly sliced oranges, 1 cup diced fresh pineapple and ice cubes as needed. Makes 10-12 servings.

Powell & Mahoney has a variety of mixers that will appeal to your taste.

Disclosure: Product/Compensation was received in exchange for review.

Survival Energy Bar Review - Hallelujah Diet - Best Protein Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 23:32:00 +0000

The New Year is here and many of us have made resolutions to eat healthier. Over the holidays we tried Hallelujah Diet and its "Survival Bars".

They could not have come at a better time, we had just completed our first Spartan Race and had a stronger desire to eat lean and exercise.

Ironically, the day our box of Survival Energy Bars arrived we were trying to figure out what would eat, these bars saved us. We could not wait to try the Cranberry Blast and Cinnamon Explosion. We had a friend with us, but we cannot remember which flavor we gave her. I guess that explains how hungry we were.

These bars can act as a snack or a meal They are so filling. Aside from them being so filling they are delicious. They are so delicious our friend, who did not read the label asked us one week later, what was the brand of the bar she had eaten. We were pleased to send her a photo, so she would not forget. This girl does not eat healthy at all, so for her to like the Survival Bar, this is awesome. She had no idea that Survival Bars are a premium, raw food body fuel that defies comparison.

We have been packing them as a meal and as a snack. They are perfect for when we are hiking, oh yes and when we are driving. We refuse to go through a drive thru. They have an exceptional, nutritional blend of 100% organic superfoods and delivers an abundance of living enzymes to keep your living cells running at peak performance.

Survival Bars are the best tasting bars of their kind — not too sweet, and just the right balance of protein, essential fats, and carbs from healthy, whole foods. It’s like a complete meal that fits in your pocket… and a far cry from the soy-laden, sugar-loaded junk food of typical energy bars.

They contain all of the following or in this case do not contain:

- 100% vegan
- Organic, non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- No soy
- No salt
- No refined sugar
- No preservatives
- No artificial flavors or colors
- No trans fats

While eating the bars as a snack we did not finish the entire bar. When eating them for lunch or breakfast we ate the entire bar. Depending on how full we were, we were not hunger for the next hour and half or two hours.

Eating these health bars allowed us to not go over board during the holidays. We cannot forget, we are training for our next Spartan Race and the Survival Bar will be apart of our meal plan.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Gaslamp Pumpkin Spice Pie Popcorn Review - Gaslamp Sea Salt and Olive Oil Popcorn Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 23:13:00 +0000

Over this holiday season, we have shared Gaslamp Popcorn with our friends and family.

Just the other day a friend came over as good hostesses we offered him Gaslamp Popcorn. He had a choice of Pumpkin Spice Pie or Sea Salt and Olive Oil. He wanted Sea Salt. We do not know what popcorn he eats, but he kept saying, "This tastes like gourmet popcorn." Our friend does not normally like anything that seems healthy. We did not want to reveal that this popcorn is gluten free, Non-GMO and low calorie. We will let him know at the next time he comes over. We are more than positive he will be asking for more. We love it when we are able to share healthy good snacks with others.

The sharing did not end there. Our cousin moved into her new apartment and did not have time to purchase groceries during her move. We have all been there. We gave her a bag of Pumpkin Spice popcorn. She was so pleased, because this is a convenient snack. She is watching her weight, so this was a plus. A week after giving her the popcorn she said, she had been sending her son to school with this popcorn as a daily snack.

We have spread a little holiday cheer with Gaslamp Popcorn.

We cannot wait to see what Gaslamp comes with in 2015.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

NestFresh Cage Free Eggs Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:00:00 +0000

We have been baking quit a bit over this holiday season. Over the weekend we baked oatmeal cookies chocolate chip and Snickerdoodles with NestFresh Eggs or in some stores you will find them as NatureFed Eggs.

NestFresh Eggs is committed to producing eggs that are cage free and they have increased their commitment to sustainability and humane treatment by introducing even more products such as organic, free range, pasture raised, and the first Non-GMO Project Verified Eggs.

On the day that we went to the store, I did not tell Ari which eggs we would be baking with. When I returned to the car and asked her to hold the eggs, so they would not crack, she looked down and then read package and said, "These are the real deal!" Mind you, this is coming from someone that does not cook, but knows quality. She was fine with knowing they are non-GMO, organic and omega-3. She likes anything that is healthy.

We were pleased that we used NestFresh Eggs as apart of our recipe. Like many people we want to eat healthier foods. I think for us we like knowing that these eggs are 100% cage free.

We most often cook with eggs and love to find new recipes. We have looked over some great recipes http://www.nestfresh.com/, maybe you will also. You can also submit a recipes on the site as well.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Powell & Mahoney Cocktail Mixer Recipes - Easy Cocktail Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:30:00 +0000

It’s officially the holiday season! This December, Powell & Mahoney award-winning, all-natural cocktail mixers are bringing joy to the world this holiday season. It’s easy to get in the holiday spirit by combining a Powell & Mahoney cocktail mixer with your favorite spirit.

Here are a few, simple recipes for the season that will give you more time to spread goodwill instead of Scrooge-ing it up in the kitchen.

December is National Eggnog Month, and Powell & Mahoney provides an easy and delightfully delicious way to mark (er, drink) the occasion. All you have to do is add 1 oz. of Powell & Mahoney Ginger to store-bought eggnog and bourbon.

Next in the month known as the holiday season is another drinking day -- December 5^th, National Repeal Day, which began in 1933 to celebrate the end of Prohibition. While it may not be a traditional holiday, some people consider the end of Prohibition a cause for celebration. Legally raise your glass in thankfulness with the New York Sour.

New York Sour:

Glassware: Martini or Old-Fashioned. In a shaker: 11/2 -2 oz. spirit of choice and 1 oz. Powell & Mahoney Lemon Sour mixer. Shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass or over ice. Garnish: Lemon twist.

Survive all that last-minute Christmas shopping playing Santa Claus by relaxing with the Very Berry Christmas cocktail.

Very Berry Christmas:

In a cocktail shaker, combine 4 oz. vodka, 4 oz. Powell & Mahoney Pomegranate mixer and 1 oz. orange-flavored triple sec. Shake and strain into two highball glasses with ice. Add soda water and a couple blueberries for garnish.

When the big day finally comes, there really is no place like home for the holidays, so have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and get everyone rocking around the Christmas tree with Powell & Mahoney’s Cool Candy Cane cocktail.

Cool Candy Cane:

Combine ¾ oz. berry vodka, ¾ oz. peppermint schnapps, ¾ oz. white crème de cacao, ½ oz. Powell & Mahoney Grenadine syrup. Shake well and pour into a martini glass with the rim covered in crushed peppermint candy canes. Fill with half and half. Add a splash of sparkling water to finish.

New Year’s Eve is also known as National Champagne Day and no countdown to 2015 is complete without a festive cocktail such as the deliciously zingy Powell & Mahoney Easy French 75 champagne cocktail. Out with the old sip of champagne and in with the new Powell & Mahoney Easy French 75, so let that bubbly blow at the stroke of midnight!

Classic Hot Toddy:

Heat 4 oz. of Powell & Mahoney Hot Toddy mixer in a kettle, sauce pan or microwave until steaming or boiling. Pour into an Irish Coffee mug and add 1 ½ oz. of either spiced rum or whiskey. Stir gently until combined. Garnish with a lemon wedge, a cinnamon stick or sprinkle of cinnamon powder or nutmeg (or both). Serve HOT.

Scotch Hot Toddy:

Combine 1 ½ oz. single malt scotch, ½ oz. Powell & Mahoney Hot Toddy mixer and the juice of one lemon wedge in a glass. Add 1 ½ oz. hot water. Garnish with one cinnamon stick, star anise, allspice berries and a wedge of orange peel studded with cloves.

Irish Coffee:

Pour 1.5 oz. Irish whiskey, 1 oz. Powell & Mahoney Simple Syrup, and hot brewed coffee into a glass coffee mug. Give a stir and top with unsweetened cream, lightly whipped.

Crimson Pepper Martini:

While not hot temperature-wise, this pepper-infused vodka will surely warm you from head to toe. Shake 1 oz. pepper-infused vodka, a few drops of Powell & Mahoney True Grenadine and the juice of ½ a lime in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lime slice or a hot pepper.

Spiced Ginger Cider:

Bring 8 oz. apple cider and 4 oz. bourbon to a simmer in a small saucepan. Stir in 3 oz. Powell & Mahoney Ginger mixer and add lemon juice to taste. Divide 4 cherries between 2 glasses or mugs and pour in cider combination. Sprinkle with pepper and add a few Luxardo cherries to finish.

Easy French 75:

Glassware: Tall glass. Fill tall glass with ice. Pour 1 oz. dry gin, 1.5 oz. Powell & Mahoney Lemon Sour, and 3.5 oz. chilled Champagne over ice. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon.

Powell & Mahoney mixers make the perfect hostess gift for all of those holiday parties, too! And the $5.99 to $7.99 mixers are affordable enough to bring more than one flavor. A bottle for everyone you know is waiting for you at select Target stores, finer natural foods & grocery stores and where fine wine & craft beer are sold...also at www.powellandmahoney.com

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for this post.

Crunchmaster Review - Healthy Fun Snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 18:20:00 +0000

It is so hard to watch what we eat during the holidays. Keeping this in mind, we have been snacking on Crunchmaster Crackers.

Initially, I had been keeping them to myself, until the other night Ari was up studying for finals and she saw me eating multi grain crackers, while working. Before I knew it we had eaten the entire bag, without saying a word.

We did not regret eating the snack, because they are high in fiber, gluten free and oven baked.

We had not eaten carbohydrates in a while, so this was a treat for us. After eating the crackers I had to try the Edamame chips. I should be ashamed to share this with you but over the course of maybe two days, I ate the entire bag by myself. They were so delicious. Since I am confessing, before we decided to cut back on our carbohydrates, I ate most of the 7 ancient grains also. I could not stop eating those because, not only were they delicious, but the smooth texture of these crackers make them irresistible.

The texture of the cracker is smooth that gives it a classy feel. They are perfect for holiday entertaining. Crunchmaster has recipes, but so far we have just been snacking on them.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Marukan Rice Vinegar Review - The Best Vinegar

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 04:09:00 +0000

We could not have been more excited to have received bottles of Marukan Rice Vinegar and Yuzu Ponzu.

We have been using Marukan products for years. We love adding it to our salads,, but are willing to add it to many other recipes. Last month we decided to eat protein, vegetables and fruits. On our cheat day we prepared a salad that had apple, broccoli slaw, cinnamon (on the apple slices) and rice vinegar. We wanted to add dried cranberries, but we did not have any. This was the perfect treat. We were not eating with any sauces or condiments, that is why this was a treat.

We have only used Marukan rice vinegar and yuzo ponzu so we are a little biased towards the wonderful taste.

Marukan uses it's traditional, slow-brewed process to make the World's Finest Rice Vinegar that is rich in flavor and mild in taste. The rice vinegar is all natural, gluten free and non GMO verified.

Marukan products are great for use in sushi, salads, stir-fry, stews, marinades, on vegetables and fish, and more. As you can see we have created our own recipe. Actually, we were just eating what we had in the refigerator, but we plan on finding recipe ideas. You can do so as well. For more tips, recipes and information, feel free to check out our website at www.Marukan-USA.com or visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MarukanVinegar) or Pinterest page (www.facebook.com/MarukanVinegar).

Disclosure: Product/Compensation was received in exchange for review.

Jeju 16 Water Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 19:50:00 +0000

We have been training for the Malibu, Spartan Race and have had a need to quench our thirst more often. We always drink nothing but the best water while doing so. Recently we sampled Jeju 16 Water and thought it could be added to our list of healthy water.

Jeju 16 Water is a bottled water brand from an island called Jeju, a volcanic island off the coast of South Korea.

We have been told there are 6 reasons as to why Jeju 16 Water is different than any other bottled water brand on the market.

1. In all, Jeju 16 Water travels through 16 layers (1,400 feet) of purifying, mineral-rich volcanic bedrock inside Mt. Halla, resulting in an 18-year puriﬁcation process.

2. Jeju 16 Water has an alkalinity similar to the body’s pH balance (pH7.8, great for body absorption), making it one of the healthiest waters on the market.

3. Jeju 16 Water contains high levels of Mg(Magnesium) and Ca(Calcium) levels which is important for energy metabolism.

4. Celebrities such as Viola Davis, Christina Milian, cast members from Orange is the New Black, Jonathan Cheban, J Woww, Big Ang, and more have been seen drinking Jeju 16 Water.

5.Jeju 16 Water contains beneficial micro components like Vanadium (effective against disease including diabetes) and Silica (effective for arteriosclerosis, anti-aging).

6. Jeju 16 Water customers are those who care about their health, their activities, and their approach to life. They want natural products but also don’t want to overpay for them. Our bottled water is positioned in the market to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.

While sampling the water we did not notice a specific taste that would differentiate the taste from other brands of water we drink. However, we do drink high quality water, so that says a lot about this brand. Yes, we did like it. Jeju 16 did not have an after taste or anything that would prompt us to stop drinking it. Knowing that it contains high levels of magnesium and calcium was all the more reason to drink this water.

It is important for us to drink water like Jeju 16 Water, because it does offer some great benefits. See for yourself.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Jennie-O Oven Ready Whole Turkey - Ready Made Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:18:00 +0000

While I was in Albertsons yesterday. I overheard two woman discussing which turkey was the best turkey between two turkey brands. Neither of the turkeys were Jennie-O. I contemplated telling them about Jennie- O Oven Ready Whole Turkey, but as I looked around I did not see any in the store. Where they sold out?

As these women stood over the frozen turkeys, they discussed how they would have to allow the turkeys to thaw out a day in advance, take out the gizzards and liver and then season it. I remember those days and am not trying to return. I will definitely be going the easier, tastier route with Jennie-O turkey.

I wish I had shared this information with the two women in the store. Next time I will not stand in silence.

Last year my mother prepared Jennie-O Oven Ready Whole Turkey and was so pleased with the ease of preparation and of course the taste.

Jennie-O Oven Ready Turkey goes directly from our freezer to our oven with no thawing, easy clean up and no worries.

This year I will be preparing this turkey at home. We will have a turkey at home to feast on before and after dining at my parents home.

We will also be heading over to the Jennie- O Holiday Table Section that features, menus, recipes, how tos and tools.

Disclosure: Product/Compensation was received in exchange for review.

Chop Daddy's Review - BBQ Food Restaurants

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:23:00 +0000

We have been wanting to visit Chop Daddy's for about a year now. We finally had the opportunity and found something on the entire menu for everyone to enjoy.

The first item everyone sampled was the ribs. These ribs are smoked in-house and topped with their special rub and BBQ sauce. All I can is they looked so good. I was tempted to taste them. I have not had ribs in over 20 years, but I decided not to. Now, Ari on the other hand, could not wait to get her paws on these ribs and loved them. Since she is know longer vegetarian, she happily ate them and told me they were good. Just look at all of the spices and seasonings. I believe her, because they looked amazing.

While I sat waiting for the sample of the Chix (It is made with chicken, so I could sample that.) to come out, everyone was sampling the Chop. It is brisket smoked for over 12 hours in our in-house smoker then chopped. Topped with our homemade BBQ sauce and Cole Slaw on a brioche roll. I

We brought the little guy along and he devoured the Mac & Cheese the Melt and baked beans.

What kid does not like Mac & Cheese? Everything got cheesier when the Melt came out. It is has grilled cheese pressed and served on sourdough bread with homemade tomato sauce. I do not think he dip it into the tomato sauce. I just knew that it was there one minute and then gone the next.

As he sampled more of the food. He was so fascinated by the baked beans. He kept saying, "These beans taste like real baked beans." I do not know how many times we have been to a restaurant and they do not taste like the ones I bake at home. These baked beans were a hit with the little guy. The owner, Jon made sure this kid's belly was full with mac & cheese, baked beans and grilled cheese.

Chop Daddy's has a special surprise in every sandwich. The sandwiches are wrapped with a yummy, chocolate chip cookie inside.

They have a wide range of BBQ dishes that appeal to everyone. Before we made our way over to the restaurant, I was concerned if there would be a selection for the little guy, but he was more than okay. His belly was full when we left. If we had stayed longer, we would have had to roll him out.

Chop Daddy's is in one of the best locations. I do not know how many times we have gone shopping on Abbott Kinney and did not stop in.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for post.

Gaslamp Popcorn Holiday Flavors Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:50:00 +0000

We are starting off our holiday season with Gaslamp Popcorn.

Last month, the little guy and I were in Ralph's and he noticed Gaslamp Popcorn in the store. Mind you as we are passing someone was looking over the packages to purchase a bag. I wonder if they knew October was National Popcorn Month?

We celebrate National Popcorn month all year long. When heard Gaslamp just released three unique and addictive holiday flavors: Apple Crumble Pie, Holiday Cookie, and Pumpkin Spice Pie we could not wait to add them to our daily popcorn snack.

These flavors are perfect for the holidays. For the past few years as soon as October hits we begin eating pumpkin everything. We cannot get enough of it. When we saw that one of the flavors was Pumpkin Spice we lost our minds.

When we have guests over Gaslamp Popcorn is placed on the table and our guests seem to like it. They always ask, "What kind of popcorn is this?"

We'd like to give you an opportunity to try these great holiday flavors as well. Here is an opportunity to enter for a chance to win bags of Gaslamp Popcorn. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Product/Compensation was received in exchange for review.

Better Breakfast Month - Ideal Healthy Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 21:58:00 +0000

Just this morning I was getting on Ari about her food choices. We are training for the Spartan Race and she is not making the best food choices, lately. I do not want to tell you what she ate, but I cannot wait for her to read this post. We are always looking for healthier food options for breakfast, but I know it is not always easy. In honor of Better Breakfast Month, here are breakfast ideas. Better Breakfast month is year around, in our house.

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket: One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids so naturally, they're a great option for breakfast. Instead of cracking one in the middle of a fried piece of white bread, bake your egg in ½ of an avocado and you get the added heart-healthy fatty acids with a punch of omega-3

Cut the calories in your morning indulgence: Hoping to wake up and celebrate with a morning cocktail? Save your calories for the delicious food you're about to eat by swapping out your mimosa for a low-cal, low-alcohol option like FriendsFun Wine's flavored Moscatos. Only 75 calories as compared to a mimosa which has anywhere from 140-150!

I do not drink, but I sampled Friends Moscato and it was very lite and tasty. It did quench my thirst. It was not too strong. I decided to drink it late one night, after going to Queen Mary Dark Harbor. I was so frightened I needed a drink. Let me tell you I slept like a baby and I was not concerned about extra calories.

Get your sugar fix the natural way: While a bowl of fruit and a bowl of fruit-flavored cereal are both high in sugar, a bowl of fruit is packed with added health benefits such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, something those artificially colored cereals are seriously lacking

I guess Ari and I have something right. We both do not like to eat fruit, but we are quick to juice it or make a smoothie. Almost every morning we have a fruit smoothie. Like I said, almost every morning, because someone did eat something that was worse than cereal, fruit or a smoothie.

Have your cake and eat it too: You don't have to feel guilty after eating a short stack of some home-made flap jacks. Instead of using white flour, and topping your pancakes with sugar and a few slabs of butter, use whole wheat flour and finish with fresh fruit. You'll be getting a great source of fiber and B-vitamins from the whole grains!

We have never had gluten free pancakes, but we are definitely open to it. Just the other day we made gluten free brownies and they were very tasty.

So you see, there are many options available, that are very delicious and feeling. It is not hard to adjust to this lifestyle and it is okay if you cheat every now and then. That is including Ari also.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Cascade Ice Two New Flavors - Ice Water Flavors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 23:19:00 +0000

We know one person who enjoyed the new flavors of Cascade Ice. We affectionately call him 'the boy'. Well, the boy loves water. Normally he takes his refillable water bottle to school. Well for five days he took that and a bottle of Cascade Ice.

Cascade Ice has two new flavors: Organic Blueberry and Organic Grapefruit to join the lineup with Mixed Berry, Lemon Zest, Citrus Twist and Lemon Lime.

The kid says, "I really loved every nice and cool flavor. When i took it to school I felt so good having the sparkling water because, there have been a hot days at my school. I loved Organic Blueberry the best. It had more flavor than the other drinks. It taste just like blueberry and juice."

He began drinking Cascade Ice about a year ago, this is the first time he has been so excited about them. He loves to drink water and is considered this to be a treat.

The drinks are USDA certified, have no calories, no sweeteners, no sodium and are made with premium water. This is one drink we should all feel comfortable drinking. We are glad he found something good to save him on those hot days.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Craft Coffee Review - Coffee Services

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 01:21:00 +0000

It was fun figuring out our coffee DNA. Yes, there is a such thing as coffee DNA. Ari and I sat down about a month ago and found her coffee DNA with Craft Coffee.

Ari was best at sampling this because, she drinks more coffee than I do and is always looking for great new flavors and blends. Craft Coffee has recently launched the Coffee DNA Project — a revolutionary customized coffee subscription service powered by your taste buds.

Through extensive research, science, and technology, Craft Coffee found that when it comes to coffee, people want two things – experience and convenience. With just a 30 second survey about your coffee preferences and habits, they deliver hand-roasted coffees right to your doorstep on your schedule. Great for coffee drinkers who simply need a pick me up to those who love to savor it, Craft Coffee offers freshly roasted coffees that are guaranteed to fit your personal price range and preferential coffee treatment. Craft Coffee also stands out as the only service on the market that tailors their coffee services to each drinker individually, and boasts a convenient delivery schedule that arrives whenever you need it there.

We really liked the survey experience and then finding out what Craft Coffee came up with was even more fun. We did make one mistake, we asked for whole bean. We do not have a grinder, so we had to go out to and have someone grind it. Do not make the same mistake we made.

The coffee came in very detailed packaging, that provided the roaster, date roasted, producer, origin, elevation, process and their notes that described the flavor of the coffee.

The coffee smelled very fresh and continues to. Ari does drink a lot of fresh coffee. Craft Coffee is fresh, it does not seem as strong as other blends. It was prepared in our stem brewer, we wanted to make sure all of the flavor would come through, nice and smooth.

It was nice having the coffee delivered to the door. Ari has enough coffee to last her a while. Craft Coffee is generous with their coffee. This girl definitely needs it for her all nighters and it helps with her busy schedule.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Indian As Apple Pie Review - Indian Spices Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:45:00 +0000

Sampling Indian As Apple Pie was right up Ari's alley. The girl loves Indian Cuisine! She may not be able to cook, but sampling Chaat Masala has given her hope in the area of cooking.

With it's easy to following directions anyone can feel like a chef after using Indian As Apple Pie.

Ari loves to dine at Indian restaurants. She suggested that I prepare an Indian dish. Well, I have not, but now, she is trying her hand at preparing Indian dishes at. This will definitely save her some money.

All spice blends are from Singla’s own recipes, which she has developed through the years as an Indian American mother of two. The eight blends include:

Chai Masala: Often incorrectly referred to as Chai Tea in the West, Chai Masala is a balanced mix of cardamom, cloves, and other spices that add full flavor to Indian tea
Chana Masala: A perfect combination of tartness for the classic Indian dish of flavorful chickpeas in a thick broth
Tandoori Masala: Mix this natural spice blend with yogurt and lemon juice for the perfect marinade for any protein, especially chicken
Chaat Masala: A great mix for sprinkling over fruit and vegetables along with a little lemon juice – great for the kids
Sambhar Powder: A south Indian blend perfect for inclusion in rich vegetable stew
Rasam Powder: A powder traditionally used in spicy tomato soup, but also fitting for a rich stew
Pav Bhaji Masala: Used to make the Indian vegetarian version of sloppy joe’s
Kala Namak: Umami to Indian cuisine, black salt is the secret ingredient for the pop of flavor found in most Indian street foods

These eight spice blends are available for purchase individually or as a set, and are priced at $9.95 per jar on Singla’s website, www.indianasapplepie.com, and on Amazon.com. Try your hand at Singla’s authentic and healthy chana masala, a vegan, gluten-free adaption of her recipe from her first cookbook, The Indian Slow Cooker.

Dump and Go Chana Masala
Ingredients
3 cups dried chickpeas, picked over, washed, soaked overnight, and drained
1 medium yellow or red onion, minced
1 medium tomato, diced
1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated or minced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1-6 Thai, serrano, or cayenne chiles, stems removed and diced, optional
1 tablespoon cumin seeds (or powder)
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon chana masala
1 tablespoon red chile powder or cayenne, optional
1-2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
8 cups boiling water
Directions 1. Dump all of your ingredients from the drained chickpeas to the boiling water in a 5-quart slow cooker.
2. Cook on the High setting for at least 8 hours.
3. Garnish with chopped cilantro and fresh onion. Serve with basmati rice/brown rice-quinoa, roti or pita.

*Recipe courtesy of Anupy Singla.

Disclosure: Product was received in exchange for post.

RITZ Goes Fun-Sized with RITZ Fresh Stacks, Just in Time for Back-to-School

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:49:00 +0000

Ritz Crackers is the one snack you will always find in our cabinets. I grew up eating Ritz Crackers and of course Ari eats them. Actually, they are her top choice.

For parents, back-to-school season means the dreaded return of packing schools lunches each morning. And don’t even get us started on finding a good after-schools snack! Well, RITZ Crackers is here to help with new RITZ Fresh Stacks – a more convenient size of America’s favorite flaky, buttery cracker.

A little more than two servings (each RITZ Fresh Stacks package contains 13 crackers), RITZ Fresh Stacks is a versatile addition to any school lunch and makes snacking quick and easy. Try the Original, Whole Wheat and Everything flavors for a great taste that both kids and adults will like.

This has been the perfect snack for Ari over the years. She will grab a stack and go. She eats them plain or are with other food choices:

Here are some other fun ways to eat Ritz Fresh Stacks:

Ritz Crackers with peanut butter
Ritz Crackers with deli meat
Ritz Crackers with Nutella
Ritz Crackers with chocolate
Ritz Crackers with peanut but and jelly
Ritz Crackers with soup
Ritz Crackers with cheese
Ritz Crackers with tuna
Ritz Crackers with chicken salad
Ritz Crackers with grapes

Well, just about anything is good with Ritz Crackers. When you are looking for a great snack that kids will love,

we think Ritz Fresh Stacks is a good choice. They are quick, easy and fun.

Although, Ari is in college now she still enjoys eating Ritz. Now, I still have the little guy and he eats them, but not as often. He likes them best with tuna or chicken salad. That is a real treat for him. Trust us, our family has been eating Ritz for generations and we love them.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Birds Eye Giveaway - Veggin’ In LA With Laura Marano Sweepstakes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 02:54:00 +0000

Our family does not have a problem eating vegetables. It has been a while since we have eaten Birds Eye vegetables, but this will be an easy meal or side dish for Ari to prepare. The little guy will love them, when we went to the store he selected the vegetables we should have.

As a parent, how hard is it to try and convince your child to eat vegetables?! As you can imagine, you’re not alone, and it’s a daily battle that all parents dread. The reality is that 9 out of 10 Americans are not eating the recommended amount of vegetables, BUT as the leader in the frozen vegetable category, Birds Eye vegetables is in a unique position to help parents show kids how tasty and fun vegetables can be!

Today, Birds Eye vegetables and the Walt Disney Company are launching the Veggin’ In LA With Laura Marano Sweepstakes presented by Birds Eye. The sweepstakes runs through September 24^th and features a grand-prize trip to Los Angeles to “veg out” with Laura Marano (one of the stars of Disney’s hit TV show, Austin & Ally) and enjoy a private dinner party with a Birds Eye chef. Click here to enter.

The giving does not end there. One lucky person has a chance to win: 3 coupons and Birds Eye veggin' pens, bracelets, freezer bag clips.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Gluten-Free Maple Walnut Bread Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 22:16:00 +0000

We’ve all heard the buzz about the gluten-free lifestyle—the various health benefits, the ease of gluten substitutes, etc. However, “gluten-free” can too often translate into flavor-free. Cue Pure Maple Syrup sourced naturally from Canada. Maple syrup is the perfect wholesome ingredient to add depth and complexity to gluten-free dishes that tend to be bland.

We were surprised by the lite, sweet taste of Cur Pure Maple Syrup It is not as thick as the syrup we are used to, but it was an easy adjustment. We were able to slip this past the little man. He could tell the difference.

As an all-natural, gluten-free and vegan sweetener, maple fits a variety of lifestyle and dietary needs, and can easily be substituted into your favorite recipes. In fact, they have created our own Gluten-Free Maple Walnut Bread recipe, developed in their maple test kitchen for your taste buds’ enjoyment. You won’t miss the gluten in this recipe and everyone is sure to enjoy it, even gluten lovers!

Igredients

2 ¼ cups gluten free flour blend (such as King Arthur)
2/3 cup tapioca flour
2/3 cup potato starch
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons xanthan gum
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 large eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl combine flours, starch, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, cinnamon and salt.
Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter turns a nut brown color. Remove from heat. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine maple syrup, buttermilk and eggs. Stir in browned butter.
Add wet ingredients to the dry. Stir until just combined. Stir in walnuts.
Pour into a well-greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Bake 55 to 60 minutes, until risen and a toothpick in the middle comes out clean.

Please note: Maple is a better, all-natural sweetener choice, though it is still a sugar and it should be enjoyed in moderation.

We have been using in moderation. Last night we added Cue Pure to our barbeque sauce and it added the right amount of sweetness and thicken the sauce just a bit.

A little can go a long way with Cue Pure Maple Syrup.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Los Angeles County Fair, 8/29 – 9/28 2014 #LACF #lacountyfair @LACF

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:51:00 +0000

We attended the Los Angeles County Fair preview and sampled some of the best food the fair has to offer.

New worlds are being discovered at the 2014 Los Angeles County Fair, from August 29 - September 28. This is a celebration of 92 years of Los Angeles County Fair.

Chicken Charlies was a huge hit for us. Ari had been dying to eat the Krispy Kreme burger, because she was a vegetarian when we attended last years preview and clearly she is no longer a vegetarian. This was her first time having beef in years.

I can say the fried Oreos were my favorite. This is something I have been wanting to try for a while. They were more than what I expected. They were yummy, delicious, melt in your mouth good!

Chance attended this event with us. He knows that I do not eat beef or pork. When he discovered Mrs. C's Famous Egg Rolls, he kept bringing me more and more. He and I could not get enough of the chicken egg rolls, veggie egg rolls and coconut shrimp.

Ari is beginning to look like she ate a lot, but as soon as we arrived she sampled Juicy's- funnel cake sausage dog. She instantly liked it. She said it reminded her of sausages my mother makes. That is a compliment, because my mom is known for her good cooking skills.

There was a lot to choose from. The three of us were all able to find foods that we liked. All of these vendors provided great food, for a fun kick off of the LACF.

Mrs. C's Famous- Egg rolls and coconut shrimp,
Cornucopia Foods -wood grilled flatbread topped with toppings from The Farm, Coconut Water,
Glissando Capital- Ramen Burger,
Juicy's- funnel cake sausage dog
Lori's Concessions- rellono pretzel burger, blue cheese burger
Ray Cammack Show - Big Daddy Corn Dogs, Gluten Free Big Rib, Big Chicken, Biggy Sausage, Deep Fried Pecan Pie, Deep Fried Pickle Chips, Tequila Jalapeno Pickle Popper and Assorted Gluten Free Candy Kettle Corn, Chocolate Covered Rice Krispy, Strawberries and bacon and mini cinnamon rolls.

We definitely had a wonderful time and will be returning. We only get food like this once a year.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Jennie-O Uncured Turkey Bacon Review - Fat Reduced Bacon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:32:00 +0000

We have always loved Jennie-O turkey bacon, but we love it even more since we have tried Jennie-O's Uncured Turkey Bacon.

This natural turkey is thick, gluten free, and lean with only 2 grams of fat per serving.

We like our bacon crispy, but one person in our family does not. The cooking instructions suggest baking it, but we opted to place in a skillet. It turned out well, but we will try the baking option next time. The bacon cooks pretty well, it does not stick at all as opposed to the thinner slices.

We did not eat it with anything fancy. We rarely eat biscuits, so we had bacon and biscuits. Jennie-O has recipes that include their uncured turkey bacon on their site. Please click here for some of the recipes. We have to admit the first day we tried it, we just had it by itself. It taste so good we did not need anything else.

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

Jennie-O Oven Ready Turkey Breast Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 05:54:00 +0000

Although, school is back in session, the holidays have been fast approaching and Jennie-O Oven Ready Boneless Skinless Turkey Breast has been consumed quit often.

We love many variations of turkey sandwiches, but we were pleased to prepare the turkey breast for Thanksgiving. It is the worst when you are invited to someone's house for Thanksgiving and then when you come home you do not have any leftovers. Well, we prepared a small dinner as well, so well could feast for a couple of days like normal people do.

It was so easy to prepare, we were happy we did not spend an entire night or day watching a turkey. We had given a Jennie-O Ready Whole Turkey to our mother/grandmother to prepare and she was pleased as well. Visit Free and For Me for the review.

Being able to take a 3 pound turkey breast out and just placing it in the oven to cook for a couple of hours is the best. We were able to focus on everything else that needed to be prepared. You know, the side dishes and desserts. The directions were so easy to follow. Again, this is great for someone learning to cook. It is good for seasoned cooks, but seasoned cooks may question, is that all and find it unbelievable, because they want to do something else. Just follow the simple directions and voila.

When it was time to eat the cooked turkey it was seasoned very well and it was so moist. It was liked we seasoned it ourselves. It also came with gravy. We had been to every local store looking for smoked turkey parts to make gravy and they were sold out. We finally gave up and when we returned home and opened the turkey breasts bag, guess what we found? A bag of gravy. That is what we get for not reading the package before hand. The gravy was good, but we would have liked to have prepared gravy with turkey parts in it.

If you are looking for a quick fix either for sandwiches, a small meal or even for a holiday meal, we are recommending Jennie-O Oven Ready Turkey Breast.

Happy Holidays!

Disclosure: Product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

San-J Tamari Lite Sauce- Tamari Lite Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 06:30:00 +0000

Cooking lite seems to be imperative around the holidays, especially after eating lots of heavy foods. Every year we find ourselves over indulging, but this year we are not going to abandon our healthy lifestyle. To stay true to eating lite, we cooked with Tamari Lite Sauce.

We received a bottle of Tamari Lite Soy Sauce to sample. Our family loves soy sauce. The little guy likes to eat on plan rice all of the time. It is hard to keep it in the house. We usually opt for soy sauce that does not have a lot of sodium. Tamari Lite has 90% less sodium and we enjoyed it.

We decided to sample it by preparing a stir fry, we had to before someone used it all on their rice.

We made one vegetable stir fry and on chicken stir fry and they both were pretty good. They soy sauce was pretty lite, it seemed a bit lighter than the other brand we get from Trader Joe's, but we did not mind. Tamari soy sauce is made soybeans with just a touch of wheat as opposed to other brands that are made with 50% soybeans and 50% wheat, that may explain a lot. We did not compare the labels, but it would be interesting to see the difference between the two brands. Our family believes if it is good for you, it tastes good. We are very conscious about our sodium intake, so this soy sauce was a perfect fit for our family. The true test was when the little guy at it only with his plain rice and did not notice the difference.

San-J Tamari Gluten Free Soy Sauce is naturally brewed with 100% soybeans and no wheat; it displays a noticeably richer and smoother taste than regular soy sauce. No artificial preservatives or MSG are added. San-J Tamari is certified gluten free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, certified kosher by Orthodox Union and is Non-GMO Project verified.

San-J has a wide selection of products to choose from and can be found at a wide range of grocery stores.

Now after trying the soy sauce we have to try other San-J products!!!

We would like to share a couple of San J recipes:

http://www.san-j.com/holidaydelights.asp
Winter Spring RollsUses Tamari Lite Sauce

Disclosure: product/compensation was received in exchange for review.

New Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes Review- Crock-Pot Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 04:02:00 +0000

Crock Pot season has officially arrived! Just the other day we tried New Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes. This is the time of year that we love to prepare comfort food. In our household, using the Crock-Pot means left overs, good food and saving time.

Over the weekend we tried the New Savory Herb Chicken seasoning mix. Before we begin, we still have a vegetarian in the family, so we prepared two meals, one with chicken and one without. Since we made one with all vegetables we just increased the amount of vegetables. Considering there was not any broth from the chicken, the vegetables were seasoned very well with the mix. We made sure not to overload the pot, but just enough to make sure the food would be well seasoned. As for the chicken we just followed the directions and viola! The directions were easy to follow and the ingredients were simple enough, that we had everything in the refrigerator, no rushing out to the store. Oh, did we forget this was very inexpensive?

These new seasoning mixes are good for seasoned cooks or someone just learning to cook. It is close to impossible to mess a meal up when using Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes. If you are trying to impress someone this is a great start.

Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes blend affordability, accessibility, and convenience in one pot. The collection is now available in six delicious varieties: NEW Savory Herb Chicken, NEW Original Chili, NEW Beef Stroganoff, Hearty Beef Stew, Savory Pot Roast and BBQ Pulled Pork. Each single-serving packet seasons two to three pounds of meat and fresh ingredients in a slow cooker. Arriving just in time for slow cooker season, the mixes can create crowd-pleasing dinners, tailgating fare, and much more.

On September 26th Crock-Pot kicked off a contest. Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes encouraged home cooks across the nation to show off their slow cookin’ skills as the brand kicks off their second annual Crock-Pot Slow Cookin’ Recipe Contest. This mouthwatering competition let slow cooker owners show off their talent and submit their own slow cooker recipes using one of the Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes. On October 24th 10 semi-finalist were announced and the voting began. From October 24th - November 14th public voting is in play. If you would like to vote please click here. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on November 21st. The winner will be selected based on a few selection criteria, including public voting. The Grand Prize winner will win a year of free groceries worth $8,000, a year’s supply of Crock-Pot® Mixes, and will also be featured in product/brand marketing efforts.

So head over to your local super market and purchase New Crock-Pot Seasoning Mixes and do not forget to stop by the contest and place your vote.

Disclosure: Products/Compensation was received in exchange for review.