Our winner has been notified! A delicious congrats to Carly D.!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Blue Apron & a Giveaway!
What's for dinner? That seems to be the question that everyone is always asking. Sure we have our go-to dishes, but we don't want to eat the same things over & over. Then there's the recipes we'd love to make, that always have at least one ingredient that isn't found at any store within a 100 mile radius. But even if we have the "perfect" recipe, who says we feel like taking all the time to get everything ready (aside from a bit of prep). So, what's for dinner? How about Blue Apron?
Blue Apron is a box subscription service that gives you just about everything (aside from salt, pepper & olive oil) you need to prepare dinner 3 nights a week. Available in a poultry/meat/fish or vegetarian option, Blue Apron is delivered right to your door (in a refrigerated box of course). The best part is if you see a box that you don't quite care for, or you'll be on vacation, you can easily choose to skip that week by the given deadline date. You can also cancel your subscription at any time.
As you can see, everything comes clearly labeled, except a few of the obvious (lemon & red onion). But then again, some that are still quite obvious are labeled as well (like the carrot).
But what really had me wondering was a brown paper sack labeled "Knick Knacks". Surely it couldn't be filled with what I refer to as knick knacks (like those little odds & ends figurines).
What a relief that I was wrong (which I knew I would be). This bag was packed with all of the seasonings & clearly labeled as well (except for the garlic & shallots).
The box also included three large recipe cards for the meals that I would be making. The original recipes serve two, are roughly 500-700 calories per serving (mine were all 675 calories) & take an average of 35-40 min. to prepare.
I'll be honest here, I had checked out some of the recipes from the previous boxes & all of the recipes sounded delicious. There was one here & there that I thought it might be good. So when I received my box I made a beeline for the recipes. Instead there was only one that I thought sounded remotely good (& that was pushing it). The other two I was sure I wouldn't like them at all. But I thought, "What the heck!". If all else failed, it would be PB&J for dinner. What would you expect after already making a full meal (technically two since the kids had their own meal also).
First up, was Chicken Supremes & Broccolini with Forbidden Rice, Pepitas & Mustard Sauce. This recipe brought Chicken & Rice to a whole new level. The Forbidden Rice is actually black rice which got it's name in ancient China - it was meant for the Emperor only & was forbidden from the general population. I love rice so I was certain I was going to like this dish.
The Forbidden Rice is mixed with chopped broccolini, & toasted pumpkin seeds; served alongside a browned bone-in chicken breast which is topped with a tangy Dijon mustard sauce & chopped fresh tarragon. I have to say that even though I was the most hopeful about this dish, in comparison to the others it was my least favorite. For me, the tangy Dijon sauce was too tangy. And that was even using it sparingly. I did however find myself practically shoving the black rice mixture into my mouth (it was that good!).
Next I decided to make Pan-Roasted Hake with Roasted Fennel, Fresh Grapes & Brown Butter Vinaigrette. Hake, if you've never heard of it (I sure hadn't) is a mild white fish. I'm not really a big seafood fan, but there is some that I love, like scrod/cod which I found Hake to be comparable to. But I was really curious how the seafood was going to pair with the robust anise flavor of the fennel in this dish.
This ended up being my second favorite dish. Roasting the fennel brought out a natural sweetness that I wasn't expecting. And then there was the Brown Butter Vinaigrette! Browned butter, minced shallot & lemon juice blended with sliced red grapes & fresh parsley. All I can say is wow! It was the perfect compliment to the mild Hake, slightly sweet roasted fennel & the farro. The toasted walnuts on top were just like the cherry on top.
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| You can tell the cilantro was past its prime. |
More honesty here, I was borderline dreading this last dish. It was just full of ingredients that I was certain would not go together. Moroccan Beef Tagine with Ras el Hanout, Dates & Honey. I know what you're thinking, what the heck is Ras el Hanout?! It's actually a spice blend of coriander, turmeric, cardamom, clove, cinnamon & nutmeg. No way was that going to go with the ground beef in this dish. Also, the cilantro for this wasn't good (the only ingredient in the whole box that was past its prime) & for some reason I couldn't find any at my local stores. I had my fingers crossed that having to substitute dried cilantro wasn't going to ruin this dish. Not that I thought it could possibly be good enough to ruin in the first place.
The verdict was surprising, I absolutely loved this! I got lots of comments that it didn't look very appetizing, but I don't really blame them - it is basically a beef stew over couscous after all. But somehow everything went together perfectly, even with my dried cilantro on top. Of course I'm sure it would have been all the better with a mound of fresh cilantro to accompany the toasted almonds topping this dish. Perhaps I can track down some Ras el Hanout so I can make this again. Yep, I liked it that much!
One of the great aspects of Blue Apron is that they include those hard to find ingredients (hopefully the Ras el Hanout won't be too hard to find). Not to mention that they really make you explore your foodie side. And starting at $9.99 per person/per meal ($59.94 per box - delivery & tax included), Blue Apron is well worth it. I really love how it takes the guessing out of figuring what's for dinner. Plus with everything pre-measured & minimal prep, it's perfect for the hubs to make dinner once in a while (or 3 nights a week).
Want to try Blue Apron for yourself?
The kind folks at Blue Apron will graciously supply one lucky winner with one Blue Apron box. (The winner will have the option of choosing a poultry/meat/fish or vegetarian box.)
Blue Apron currently delivers to most of the United States including the
following states: CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, ME, MD, NH,
NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WA, WV. They also deliver to some
parts of the following additional states: AL, AR, AZ, CO, GA, IA, NM,
MI, MO, MS, NC, SC, UT, WI, WY. For a more precise delivery map, click here.
The
giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Sunday 2/16/14. Winners
will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which
will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Sunday 2/16/14. Winners will
also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners
will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be
passed on to Blue Apron for distribution of product. If 48 hours has
lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours
to submit their information. *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Keep up with the latest from Blue Apron on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram. And don't forget to check out their Cookbook for all of their past meals.
**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Blue Apron & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Tasty Tuesday: Cream of Mushroom Soup
There is nothing quite like a bowl of piping hot soup in the winter. Except maybe a bowl of piping hot soup & a slice of crusty bread. Yea, don't forget the bread.
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| Like I said, soup is always better with crusty bread. |
•3-4 cloves garlic, minced
•olive oil
•margarine
•mushrooms, sliced (any kind will do)
•onion, diced
•1/4tsp. dried thyme
•2 bay leaves
•Worcestershire sauce
•vegetable stock
•1Tbsp. cornstarch mixed into 1 1/2Tbsp. milk
•salt & pepper
•heavy cream
•milk
•crusty bread, sliced thick
*Please use desired amounts.
- In a large pot, saute the garlic in a bit of olive oil & margarine until fragrant.
- Add mushrooms, onion, thyme, bay leaves, Worcestershire & a bit of pepper. Cook over med. heat for 5-10 min.
- Add vegetable stock & bring to a boil. Lower heat & simmer 15 min.
- Slowly add the cornstarch & milk mixture, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Carefully add cream & milk a bit at a time to get the right consistency & flavor. (I like to go a bit heavy on the cream & then thin it out with the milk.)
- Season with salt & additional pepper.
- Serve with crusty bread. (Pop a loaf of French bread in the oven for about 5 min. & you're all set.)
BARE® Body Collection
I love coffee. Especially when it comes to starting my day. There's just something about that first bitter brew that seems to awaken the senses. Or so I always thought. Now I've discovered a new way to enjoy my morning coffee.
This Coffee Face & Body Scrub by BARE® Body Collection definitely had my interest piqued! So I was ecstatic when Martha Choy, the creative genius behind BARE® Body Collection, was kind enough to send me some. Along with several other goodies from her 280+ product line (that just so happens to be blended in her NY garden apartment by Martha herself).
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| View this photo on Instagram! |
The coffee grounds act as a balancing astringent since they have a pH equal to that of our skin, while fine grain pure dead sea salt exfoliates. I had the intentions of using this as a facial scrub a couple times a week, until the day I ran out of body wash mid-shower. I reached for this instead of using the kids wash & had an intoxicating experience (in a manner of speaking of course). I absolutely loved how fresh my skin looked & felt. But there was just one slight problem - the peppermint, spearmint, rosemary & sweet orange essential oils left me feeling awake & energized. OK, that's not really a problem, unless it's 10:30 at night & you just wanted a quick shower before bed. So now I enjoy this Coffee Face & Body Scrub after my morning yoga for a perfect way to start my day!
The BARE® Naked Bag Blaster is an under eye cream that was made just for me! Not really, but I like to think so. You see, I always have puffy eyes & for years I've used a little trick that I caught on Aaron Spelling's Model's Inc. in the 90's - hemorrhoid cream. But I have to say, something that is meant to go on your eyes instead of something meant to go...yea, it works much better. (And I don't get those crazy looks when I mention it.)
So what is it about the BARE® Naked Bag Blaster that works so well? Caffeine! (See, it can be good for you too.) Caffeine helps flush excess fluid in tissue when applied to the skin, so naturally it will help reduce puffy eyes. Add in aloe vera gel, shea butter, olive, almond & avocado oils for a downright soothing treatment! I even apply a bit to my upper lids to not only help with my all over puffy eyes, but to use as a primer too.
Shea butter is amazing at healing eczema, stretch marks & even rough, dry skin. Add in a Coconut Lime Verbena scent that makes you wish it was the middle of a heat wave instead of this polar vortex crap... Well, let's just say that my dry elbows will be ready for summer when it finally comes. All thanks to this handy dandy tin of Coconut Lime Verbena Shea Butter.
I may or may not be slightly obsessed about any product that goes on your lips. I've got balms, glosses & sticks, but had never heard of liqueurs (for your lips, not to drink) until now. The Crème de Menthe Lip Liqueur is made with beeswax, which means that it doesn't need reapplied 456135135131 times a day. Of course with the Crème de Menthe, I wouldn't mind if it did. But one application before my lipstick does make my lips look & feel extra good.
As you can see by the big indent in the Hot Chocolate Chip Mint BARE® Lip Booster, I'm kinda in love. And no, it's not just because it's Hot Chocolate Chip Mint, although that was what drew me in at first. Creamy vanilla, white chocolate, mint, raw sugar cane & pepper make...wait a minute, pepper?! Yea, that's the booster part. Pepper helps dilate the blood vessels in your lips, which in turn makes your lips fuller. Move over Angelina!
I love soaking in the tub, especially in some luxurious bubble bath that leaves my skin feeling silky soft. But my reality is everyone banging on the door for one reason or another. So when I do get to take a hot bath, it's usually short lived. Which is OK if I add a bit of this Coconut Lime Verbena Bath & Massage Oil to the water. Even though I don't get to "escape" for very long, my skin is silky soft like I just came from the spa. Now if only I could get the massage part...
The Bare-ly Legal Body Butter has to be one of the best body butters I've ever tried. The vegan blend of beeswax & Borax moisturizes, dries quickly & smells amazing. With hints of white gardenia, jasmine & orange blossom, this body butter screams summer. Actually, I'm already planning on this being one of my summer staples.
I have never used solid perfume before so I had no clue what to expect from these gems. But being that they're made without alcohol, the scent lasts a lot longer. And you can easily place them on all of the "suggested" spots, like behind the ears (I never understood that one).
The BARE-ly Legal Solid Perfume will most likely be a partner in crime to the body butter this summer (I love that light floral scent). But I have a special place for BARE® Ecstasy Solid Perfume...it's called date night. A feminine musk with a hint of jasmine, this solid perfume screams mystery to me. I'm not sure why, but paired with the perfect LBD & stilettos, I would probably refer to myself as a femme fatale. Keep moving Angelina!
Just so the guys don't feel left out, Martha made a line for men too! (Guys, say Thank You.) Hubs loves this Pine Cedar Beard Blaster, a shaving cream made with beeswax. The beeswax almost acts as a protective barrier, which gives a close shave with virtually no effort at all. But the part I like is that he doesn't need to pile on the aftershave when he uses this.
All of the BARE® Body Collection products are made without harsh preservatives or synthetic fragrances. Not to mention they're all tested on Martha's friends & family, not animals. So what are you waiting for? Dare to be BARE®.
**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from BARE® Body Collection & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
YoYummy is so Yummy!
Yep, that's what my kids kept saying & I have to agree. YoYummy is so yummy! Why? Because it's made with simple ingredients. Pure rBST-free Vermont milk real fruits & berries, just a touch of natural sugar for sweetness and lots of live & active cultures.
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| Everything not in YoYummy yogurt. |
Of course YoYummy comes in flavors that kids love too: Strawberry, Mixed Berry, Strawberry-Banana & Cotton Candy. I would tell you what flavor my kids loved the most, but they really did love them all (although I was a bit partial to the Strawberry). They even come in 12 pack tear-away fridge packs which I have to say I absolutely love!
YoYummy is a product of Green Mountain Creamery in Vermont, who strives to make a positive impact on their local economy by practicing sustainability. The YoYummy pouches are not recyclable, but the #2 plastic caps are. However, the pouches can be sent to Terracycle, to be converted into new products (recycled park benches to upcycled backpacks).
That must be why YoYummy is so yummy. It's the simple Vermont way of life (or so I hear). Perhaps I'll try to stock up on some when I'm in Vermont in April. I know my kids sure would love it!
The fun doesn't stop there! YoYummy has fun activities for kids, coupons for the parents & even a store locator. (YoYummy is available at Wegman’s, Costco, Hannaford, Stew Leonard’s, Fresh & Easy, Sprout’s Farmer Markets & retails for $4.99 for a 4-pack, $9.99 for a 12- pack, and $1.29 for single pouches.)
**Disclaimer: I
received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet
program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the
manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and
post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of May Media Group LLC. or the manufacturer of the product.
Moms Meet is
an online resource that empowers moms to come together in an informal
setting and talk about the latest on raising healthy families and living
green. Moms Meet offers exciting opportunities for Mom Ambassadors and
their groups to sample the latest healthy, green products. Sign up
today!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
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