WINNER ~ Soda Stream Fountain Jet!!

Drumroll please. The winner of the Soda Stream Fountain Jet soda Maker with 3 of the winners flavors chosen by Random.org is:

Fashion Frugality

Congrats to you because this is an awesome little machine! I have used it a lot recently since I am on the Nutrisystem program and can drink diet soda! It is so easy to use and I know you will love it. I have emailed you. You have 48 hours to get back to me. After 48 hours, I will choose a new winner. So send me your info!! Once I get all the info, I will send it our wonderful sponsor.

I want to thank Soda Stream USA for this great prize and the opportunity to give it to my readers. I also want to thank everyone who participated. I wish I had more to giveaway because I know a lot of you really wanted this cool soda maker. Check out my Dove NutriumMoisture giveaway and coming in the next few weeks, I will have an Alight.com and CSN Home Decor giveaway coming up! I have also started adding more reviews, freebies and deals to the blog so you can be in on them so keep checking back.

Some Cool Giveaways to Enter

Win a $100 apple card over at Mommy Musings and Me and My Boys. Not bad. You can surely get some good music with $100.


Protect a Bed matress Pad - Keep those bed bugs away!! Go over to Organize With Sandy and enter!



Win a cool Pepsi Natural Prize Pack over at My Red Apron. It includes a tote, yoga mat and, of course, Pepsi Natural!

Saucy Mama's Extraordinary Condiment Contest Part 2

I am still creating recipes with the wonderful condiments I received from Barhyte and Saucy Mama. If you remember a few posts back I blogged about a few recipes I had created. This is part of contest they are holding. 25 bloggers were chosen and sent a Blogger's Kit that included:

- Saucy Mama Lime Chipotle Marinade
- Saucy Mama Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Saucy Mama Parmesan Garlic Marinade
- Saucy Mama Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Saucy Mama Chipotle Mustard

I tried the Lime Chipolte Sauce with Chicken and potatoes. And the Raspberry Vinaigrette was to die for in a salad. The other day I was at the grocery store and they had some sirloin steak on sale so I bought some. I decided the other day to try the Sesame Ginger Dressing with steak and make a stir fry. I am still dieting so this is a pretty low cal meal as well. And this is very fast and easy to make.

Sesame Ginger Stir Fry with Steak

I marinaded the steak in the Saucy Mama Sesame Ginger Dressing overnight with a fresh grated ginger and fresh garlic.

Then I was very lazy and bought a packet of Stir Fry veggies. I also realized that I had some green onions in the garden so I grabbed a bunch. I also grabbed some mushrooms I had in the refrigerator. I cut the steaks into strips.

Heat some peanut oil in a pan until it is smoking. Add the steak strips. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir fry. Once steak is browned, add in the veggies and some extra Saucy Mama Sesame Ginger Dressing. Stir up until cooked but still firm. Serve on white rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

I served Tom's plate with rice but opted for me. I took my stir fry beef and served over salad greens that I dressed with the Sesame Dressing. I couldn't believe how yummy this was. The Sesame Ginger dressing is delish. I have tried other stir fry recipes and I have to be honest and say they don't come out that well. But when I served Tom this he commented on how good it was. It was easy to make especially if you cheat like I did and use pre-packaged veggies.

Yummo! Thanks Barhyte and Saucy Mama!

Don't Miss These Great Giveaways

Okay Peeps, here is another of those contests done on several different blogs. This is a pretty good one so don't enter because I want to win!!

This Lunchbox Builder - $150+ Give Away!

@ The Centisible Sawyer

@ Frugal Family Life

Cool lunchbox stuffed with:
An iPod Shuffle (2nd generation - color may vary)
Sharpie pens in multiple colors
Colored Pencils
A Smuckers Uncrustables Container
An Optical Mouse
A Smuckers Belt Pack
A Motts Reusable Shopping Bag
A Smuckers Strawberry
Pencils
Coupons
A Walmart Gift Card
A Pedometer

A Keurig Brewer over at Double Bugs

Branson, MO ~ Something for Everyone

I have always wanted to go to Branson, Missouri. Why? Because it seems like an adult version of Disneyland. I have wanted to go when I learned that the city is filled with so many entertaining things to do. I don't think you would ever get bored.

If you are into shows, you can find a new one every night. They have shows from people like Dolly Parton, Jim Stafford to magicians and comedians. They also have Vegas type shows as well as acrobats and Broadway type shows. There is something for every everyone including the kids. There is an abundance of nightclubs to go dancing or to have drinks with friends. And let's not forget about the food. Whatever your taste, you will find it in Branson. There are BBQ restaurants, buffets, fast food, family restaurants, steakhouses, ethnic food, fish restaurants, cafes, pubs, gourmet restaurants, waterfront restaurants and outdoor fare. There are so many choices, you will be able to pick a different type of food every day you are a guest in Branson.

For the kids they have mini golf, theme parks with cool rides, museums, go-carts and, in the summer, water parks. How fun are water parks? But you are getting the idea that there are so many things to keep the family entertained. And for the grown-ups, besides the shows Branson is a great place to shop, eat and golf. Branson has world-class golf courses.

Branson is also a great place for special events. They have special holiday shows and they host many world class events. In September 2010, the Ironman 70.3 will be held in Branson. The Ironman 70.3 Branson will serve as one of the 34 worldwide qualifying events for the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida. This will be a fantastic event. Branson is also a great place to hold conventions or conferences.

While looking around the websites with Branson travel info I found the Hilton Branson Convention Center. The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel offers guests access to shops, boutiques, restaurants, a river walk and other attractions. It is within easy driving distance of Branson’s championship golf courses, lakes, museums and 49 live entertainment theaters. With so much to offer, this exciting vacation community is perfect for everyone!

There are so many things to do and see in Branson. And you can always find some great deals. So if you are looking for a family friendly hot spot, you might want to check out Branson. Maybe I'll see you there!

Cool Giveaways to Enter

Here are some new giveaways that I am blogging about. Good Luck!!


Looking for a cute summer dress? Look no further. Go over to Nerdlike.com and check out this groovy Tie Dye dress. Since I am losing weight on Nutrisystem, I want to have this so I can wear when I am skinnier!!

This is awesome. Win a HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web Printer Giveaway ($399.99)over at Mom Fuse. This baby will print your pictures like nobody's business. This is a printer I can so use.

I love these swimsuits. Win a Slimperfect swimsuit over at 5 Vinez Monkeys. These slim you down for the pool or beach!

Head over and visit Trying to Stay Calm and enter for a chance to win a Monopoly Game. I love Monopoly!

Visit Wicked Stitch Designs for an awesome camera bag.

Paper Culture Review

I recently got the opportunity to review some new stationery products. I received a few samples of modern stationery from Paper Culture. Paper Culture specializes in high end invitations, announcements and premium quality, eco-friendly stationery.

I am all about green products so I was excited to be able to review these. All Paper Culture papers are FSC certified as 100% post consumer recycled paper. All envelopes and packaging made from recycled paper. They strive to minimize their impact on the environment. Plus, they also support organizations that promote sustainability through Paper Culture Cares. Paper Culture Cares promotes causes that are close to the ideals of the founders and their community. A portion of their proceeds go towards supporting the local community. I support any company that strives to make a difference not only for the environment but in the community. I wish more companies would adopt this philosophy.

But the company also has to have great products. Paper Culture does. I love all types of stationery. It's something I have always loved since I was a little girl. I don't know what it is but sending cards or letters is something very intimate and civilized. I am still one of those who sends thank you cards and personal notes to friends.

The samples I received were so darling. The paper is high-quality and heavy. It is also smooth. The cards come with rounded edges that makes them look fancy and the envelopes are very nice as well. The designs are fantastic. They are simple and clean thus making them classy and beautiful. If you have kids, these are great because their invitations are cute and sweet.

I especially loved the line of adult birthday invitations. I felt they were hip and trendy and very retro. I would certainly buy these for any party I throw. I love the invitations with the wine bottle. Paper Culture also has modern baby shower invitations, birthday party invitations for kids, thank you cards, blank cards, moving announcements, housewarming cards, baptism announcements and so much more.


The downside is the price. The cards can be a little pricey but you have to expect that if you buy quality products. I am always willing to pay a little more for products that I find to be high-quality. I also think that because these are eco-friendly, they are worth the extra money.

Paper Culture also has a great program. The Mail and Message program allows you the option of having Paper Culture stuff, address, stamp and mail the cards your cards, and until January 1, 2010, the only charge for this service is the actual cost of the stamps! Think of all the stress that will take away during the holiday season! You just pick and personalize your cards online and they do the rest. Awesome.

Right now Paper Culture also has a limited time offer until August 31. If you make a purchase of $75 or more, you will get $15 off your order. How can you beat that? What a fantastic deal.

I am so glad I got to review these products. If you want high-quality invites, announcements or cards, Paper Culture is a site you will want to check out. Plus, because Paper Culture cares about reducing its carbon footprint you are also helping the environment by supporting them. But the best reason to go check out Paper Culture is that they have some wonderful and unique items for any occasion.

More great $500 Walmart Card Giveaways

Here are some other links to win a $500 Walmart card! Good Luck peeps because $500 would go really far at Walmart and that rocks. These are Walmart Your Zone giveaways. If I find more, I will add them. Look at some of the cool stuff you can buy with that card.




A Happy Hippy Mom

Three Different Directions

A Day in My Life

Mama of 3 Munchkins

Mom Knows it All

I am on the Nutrisystem Program and Loving it!

I am blogging my experiences on Nutrisystem on my personal blog, Carolyn in Carolina, but thought I would share it here as well. I partnered with Nutrisystem to slim down and get fit. They are providing me the food free of cost so I can lose weight and I want to thank them for it. I started in the beginning of August and after about 3 weeks, I have lost 5 pounds. The food is fantastic especially their new line of frozen foods. They are quick and easy to fix and except for a few items, I am enjoying the food a lot. I am learning about portion control and what types of foods I should be eating and not. I am not feeling hungry and I eat at least 6 times a day. I even cheated once or twice and still lost weight. My cheating just meant eating out but eating a little and not a lot. So I wanted to share my experiences so far here on this blog. I have copied 2 of my blog entries here for you to read. You can follow my progress every Monday on Carolyn in Carolina


It's Time to Get Fit Folks!
Let's face it, it's time I got serious about my weight loss. If you know me and/or read my blog, you know I am no skinny minny. Now I have never been a skinny minny either. But I have been skinnier than I am now. I am probably at my heaviest at this moment. Why? Let's be honest. I love eating and I hate exercising. That's the truth. I want to say stress has something to do with it but I am not that stressed anymore. I think both of us gained a lot of weight last year when we moved to North Carolina. We actually had about 4 months where we were eating out every day because we were selling our house, moving and then when we moved to Sylva we moved into a temporary house that had a caca kitchen so we continued eating out. I love eating out but it is deadly for a diet!

Plus, as you have seen, I LOVE cooking and I am not talking about cooking light healthy meals. I am like Paula Deen who thinks butter should be in every meal including salad. Then I am lazier than sin. People who know me, know this to be true. So being lazy and eating a lot = Fatty McFatty. Plain and simple, no excuses.

Well, I am going to lose weight now. Not because I want to be a skinny model type. I realized a long time ago I would never be really skinny unless I got some horrible disease or won the lottery and went to Beverly Hills and got the fat sucked out of me. Otherwise, it ain't gonna happen. But that's okay. I also learned a long time ago that I am very comfortable in my skin. I like myself and who I am. My weight only becomes an issue when my health is involved. And I am not at a healthy weight. I could stand to lose 70 pounds and be really skinny or I could lose 30 and be perfectly fine. I am opting for 30.

How am I doing this, you ask. I am going on the Nutrisystem program. Now I have been on the program before and it has worked for me. But if you don't change your lifestyle, you don't change your habits and you get nowhere. But I knew I needed help to get started. A good start has been the Wii. As evil as it is, it motivates me to do something at least everyday. Even if it's just a few stretching exercises, running for 30 minutes or even just playing tennis, it gets me moving and that's important.

I like the Nutrisystem program because it's easy. I don't have to do a thing except make sure I follow the plan. They provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. I provide the the filler meaning side salads, dairy or protein servings, veggies and fruits. Basically the food and the extras equal anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 (depending on the extras and what you decide to eat that day) calories per day. That's a good range to lose one to 2 pounds a week. What I like about the program is that I don't have to think about weighing food, measuring stuff or cooking. I am on the Advanced program as well as the New Select program that includes frozen meals. I am not going into details because if you are really interested visit Nutrisystem and read all about it. The food is measured and color coded so I know what I am eating every day. Easy peasy, lemon squeesy. That's what I need because it makes me follow a plan. Otherwise, left to my own devices, I am so willy-nilly about what I eat.

Since I have been on the program before, I know most of the food is pretty good. Now to be honest they have some food that is not so good but it all depends on what you like. I had a friend who loved one entree while I hated it. It is a matter of taste. I actually like most of the food. There are very few things I wouldn't eat again. But overall the programs have some tasty meals. You can have cereal, scones, pancakes, french toast for breakfast. Lunches include pasta and chicken, pizza, soups and my favorite: rice and beans. For dinner you can eat meatloaf, ravioli, shrimp alfredo (I had this today and it was delish), pot roast and burgers. The best thing are the snacks/desserts that include chocolates, pound cake, ice cream and cheese puffs.

Now Tom is not on the program but that doesn't mean he won't be eating because I will still cook for him. He will be getting the usual stuff but I will be adding more salads and veggies to his meals. It's harder that he is not on the program but then again it's all about willpower and wanting to succeed. I have a choice whether to eat a salad or a sundae. Okay sure I usually pick the damn sundae but hopefully now I will go for the salad.

The program comes out to about $11 a day or about $330 per month not including the fillers like salad and fruit. It's pricey but it's a good way to learn how to eat better and about portion size. There is also a whole online community on the site if you need to find others to support you. Full disclosure here folks, Nutrisystem is providing complimentary food to me. I am blogging about my experience, good, bad or indifferent. I will be perfectly honest about the food and the program. But the results will speak for themselves. If I lose weight, then that's the best testament to the Nutrisystem program. If I don't, then it's not the right program for me but that doesn't mean it's not a good program. I have tried a lot of diets and I find this one to be one that has worked for me in the past. I want to thank Nutrisystem for helping me get fit.

Also, me being on the program doesn't mean you will hear about this every time I post, you won't. But it is part of what I am doing so you will occasionally get an update. You will see pictures of the food or me like you see pictures of my garden and veggies. Frankly, I can't wait. Damn, I have some clothes that I haven't worn since last year because they are a little too tight and I want to put them on again.

So we will have to see if I can do this and lose weight. I am not setting deadlines or going to push myself because one thing I learned is that you have to just do what you can.

I have before pictures that I might post soon but they are frightening so I might wait until I have a better picture if I lose weight. And don't be asking me my weight because I am not telling.

So peeps wish me luck on my journey. And if you see posts that are particularly snarky, bitchy or mean, it's the hunger talking. It's not me. (hee hee) And I can't wait until I can post a picture of a skinnier me. And I can't wait to see this stupid stuffed tamale Mii slim down as well.



____________________________________________________
Dear Carolyn. . .
I have been asked about the Nutrisystem program I am on. So I wanted to give some answers. I think I might update you weekly, probably on Mondays. I will just give you an account of weight lost and/or any interesting facts. People have asked me what I eat and how the program works so here goes. I have actually lost 2 pounds since I started last week. Yay!

Basically, I am eating all day. I was hit or miss on breakfast before but now I eat breakfast every day. I eat a Nutrisystem meal, coffee and a piece of fruit. If I eat cereal, I add skim milk. If I eat French Toast or Pancakes, I add sugar free syrup. I had French Toast, which is one of the new frozen foods, with fresh raspberries the other day. It was pretty good. The portions are small folks so that's why it is important to follow the meal plan. So I can have a fruit serving and dairy or protein with breakfast. A note about dairy and protein servings. You can have yogurt, a hard boiled egg, some lean meat, low fat or fat free cheese, milk, beans etc. You get to choose.

Then for lunch it's basically the same thing. A Nutrisystem meal, a salad, dressing and I can have a protein or dairy product. For lunch this particular day I had another of the frozen foods, a ham and cheese sandwich. I also had a salad and some cheese. Okay, the sandwich is really like one of those hot pocket things but it was good. There was something about the dough used that made me think of the empanadas I have had in Costa Rica. I loved it.

In the afternoon, I can have a fruit serving or dairy or protein serving. Sometimes I take those servings and transfer them like adding cheese to dinner or something like that. I try not to be too strict with myself but still try and follow the plan.

For dinner, again a Nutrisystem meal. I get two veggie servings which I usually toss into my salad since I can also have a salad. I also get a fat serving. That could be avocado, dressing etc. Mainly I am doing either a veggie or a salad. It depends what I am eating and how I feel. Again, I am having big salads so I feel like I am eating a lot. I would rather lose weight slower than to feel like I am not eating enough. This night I had the Nutrisystem Salisbury steak with Mac & Cheese. Then I sauteed up some of my squash as a side. The meal was quite good. It is also one of the new frozen foods. And I have to say that I LOVE the frozen foods. They are tastier than the non-frozen food. Although today for lunch I had some Vegetable Beef Soup and it was very tasty. But the frozen foods are so good and I am glad I get to try them. They make the program so much easier to follow!! Good going Nutrisystem.

Then I get a Nutrisystem dessert. This night I had pound cake with fresh strawberries and a dollop of Cool Whip. Cool Whip is my new best friend. I have to say I love their desserts. I had cheese puffs the other day and Nutrisystem now has ice cream! YUMMO!

Do I get hungry? I actually only get hungry late at night. I think it's because I stay up way too late sometimes. If I went to bed earlier maybe that wouldn't happen. But again, it depends what time I eat and what time I eat. If I get hungry in between meals, I go to the handy dandy meal plan and see if I missed anything. Like I can have a fruit with breakfast but sometimes I don't so I can have that when I get hungry. I also found that a piece of cheese, a few olives or a handful of almonds will take away any of the munchies I get.

For the most part, I am liking their food. I did have a cereal the other day and frankly, it didn't have much flavor and it was like eating rice cakes. I don't like rice cakes. Thank goodness I mixed it with a banana. But I will not order that product again. I find that some of the dry non-frozen food is hard to cook. Like the Rice and Beans I had the other day. I added boiling water to the bowl it comes in and let it sit but some beans were still a little tough. I finally put it in the microwave and it worked out.

I am exercising with the evil Wii and now just having fun dancing around the house for an hour or so. Yeah, it's a little weird but all people should just dance around the house every once in a while. I hurt my foot (and it still is sore and I have no idea what is wrong with it), so I stopped the Wii running. I am hoping I can get back to that. And I need to do more cardio because that burns the fat. Overall, the program is pretty easy to follow. I like most of the food especially the new frozen foods. I have lost weight. You can't tell yet but I know because usually the first place that I lose weight are the girls. And the girls are definitely down. I had to start using the regular scale to track weight loss. The evil Wii is so wonky on weight. Like I had said before the Wii fluctuates like crazy. I could be down 2 pounds one day and then up 4 the next day. I have no idea why. I think the scale will be a better tool to track the weight.

So I hope that answers some of the questions people had. I am sure some of you are like who cares but the blog is the place to detail my life so you will be hearing more.



_______________________________________________________

Short Post on Nutrisystem Progress
Hi all, just a short post to let you know I am down 2 more pounds because of the Nutrisystem program! YAY! I lost weight even though I cheated on Thursday for Tom's birthday. I am starting to see that the program is making me think twice about what I eat and really how much I eat. I think as long as I can keep the portion sizes smaller and fill up on the good stuff, I can cheat every once in a while.

I can't really write today since I am in mega prep mode for tonight's party. Let me tell you that is has been hard looking at all the yummy appetizers I have been making and preparing and not being able to shove them down my throat. I have been so good. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't have a meatball or two or three or four. Or maybe just one deviled egg. And I can have cheese and maybe not crackers but I might have a little teeny tiny taste.

But wanted to keep the updates going since I decided to do them every Monday! I am still loving the Nutrisystem frozen foods. I had some really great pizza the other day and I had some Nutrisystem chocolates, which I loved! I can't believe I can have chocolate!

Well gotta run and prepare for the party. I am all alone today and have to do so much!! Will post some pictures this week from the party if I don't forget to take pictures and if people allow me to post their picture on my blog! These are Tom's peeps so they might not be too savvy on blogs and such. But I will post pictures of FOOD!! Yummo.

Some Giveaways to Check Out

I had a friend win the Marx Food contest that I posted the other day. She won a whole set of recycled picnic ware. That is an awesome prize! Congrats! And she also said she visits my blog for info on giveaways so I thought I would start posting more because why not share with you guys. I might get some good karma out of it and I might win some myself. I will try and post more so you can go out and win some!!


Here are just a few:

Here is a good one. Over at Life Starring the Kids & Me , Victoria is giving away an indoor/outdoor grill. Look at this cool thing! I would love it so I can grill inside in the wintertime! So don't enter because that baby is mine!!

Gift certificate to DiningRooms.com at Pour Some Sugar On Me
Cool Asian Inspired dining set along with Wanchai Meal coupons at Momma Findings







Another yummy Wanchai Ferry Meals Prize pack at Sage & Savvy
Okay weird but cool socks over at Dream Sequins












Carolina Pad giveaway at Saving with Mama Nordy. I love these Carolina Pad paper goods. You will to.

Good Luck all!

Got Green? Switzerland Does. . .

If you are looking for an Eco-friendly country to visit, then you must check out Switzerland. I bet you didn't know that Switzerland is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Sustainable Switzerland is a perfect place to visit because the Swiss have taken a tough stance on pollution and it also charges fees for water and waste management as well as environmental taxes that promote personal responsibility and keep the country healthy.

All countries should strive to be more like Switzerland. In today's day and age, being green means bringing green to your country in Eco-tourism. So, if you are a traveler seeking a beautiful place to visit and supporting and Eco-friendly location, Switzerland is for you. It offers the Eco-friendly traveler so many things to see and do.

I have always wanted to go to Switzerland since I was little. I would see the Swiss Alps in movies and thought it was the best place in the world. It is definitely on my list of places to visit. Traveling in Switzerland is easy because train travel is easily accessible, it is a bike friendly nation and you can find many hotels and resorts that ascribe to the being green. Switzerland has dramatic landscapes, historic castles, quaint villages, skiing, hiking, cycling and so many other thins to do and experience.

I took a look around the MySwitzerland.com site and it looks great. I would love to take go to Lake Gruyere. I don't like hiking but even I would go hiking in the Ormont Valley located in the Lake Geneva Region. I would love to go cycling around the alps. But most of all, I would love to visit one of Switzerland's wellness resorts and get pampered. How fabulous it all looks. What I love most is that traveling to Switzerland helps support the idea of sustainable traveling and keeping the Earth green and healthy.

If you ever wanted to take an Eco-friendly trip, then consider visiting sustainable Switzerland. It is a pearl in the heart of Europe.

Another Great BlogHer Contest!!

Or should I say BlogHer contests!! I have shared quite a few of these and they are always goodies. This one is for a $200 Visa Card. SO peeps get on it and enter!! And if you win, you can always send me a gift or finder's fee!! ;0)

• Chickens in the Road
• House on a Hill
• Our Cup Runneth Over
• Amoores
• Smockity Frocks
• Little Bites of Heaven
• Pensieve
• Retro-Food

Saucy Mama's Extraordinary Condiment Contest

Okay, I love to cook but by no means am I that great. But I saw this interesting contest and decided to give it a go. I am not a big follower of recipes and usually cook willy-nilly. The deal is that I am to create a new recipe with the Saucy Mama products.

I received a “Blogger Kit” containing:
- Saucy Mama Lime Chipotle Marinade
- Saucy Mama Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Saucy Mama Parmesan Garlic Marinade
- Saucy Mama Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Saucy Mama Chipotle Mustard

I am getting healthy and fit so I created a lower-calorie meal that fits with my new lifestyle and also would be a good meal for Tom, who is not dieting. I created 3 very simple recipes that take about 30 minutes to make. I am omitting the potatoes from my plate but I am having the chicken and the salad. These are so simple anyone can make them.


Lime-Chipolte Grilled Chicken

4 Chicken Breast
Saucy Mama Lime Chipolte Marinade
Fresh chopped cilantro
1 tsp Minced fresh garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tsp. Lime Zest
Lime juice to taste

Mix all ingredients and marinade the chicken breasts preferably overnight. Grill chicken on outdoor grill about 30 minutes or until done.


Lime-Chipolte Roasted potatoes

Cut up 1.5 lbs. potatoes into bite size chunks
Saucy Mama Lime-Chipolte Marinade
pinch of cumin
pinch of coriander powder
pinch of onion and garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Lime Zest
1 tsp. Lime juice

Mix all ingredients and mix with potatoes. Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. When done, serve with a garnish of fresh cilantro.


Very Berry Salad

Assortment of fresh salad greens
1/2 cup fresh Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries (you can use all or just one)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
Gorgonzola cheese (I also use Bleu Cheese)
Saucy Mama Raspberry Vinaigrette

Put together the salad and mix in walnuts and berries. Crumble the Gorgonzola cheese over salad. Dress with Vinaigrette.

Overall, the dinner came out very yummy! It was fast and quick and Tom loved it. I made myself just a chicken salad and skipped the potatoes although I did sneak one or two or three or four just for the recipe's sake. But the meal still fit into my diet plan and yet was filling and delicious. I love the Lime Chipolte Marinade and want to use it on some skirt steak because I think it taste really good. The raspberry Vinaigrette is possibly some of the best dressing I have ever had.

I want to thank Barhyte and Saucy Mama for giving me the opportunity to taste their sauces for this contest. I am already planning a few more recipes with the other marinades. Yummy!

Dove Body Wash with Nutrium Moisture Review & Giveaway!

I am very lucky because I get to review a lot of bath products. As I have said before, I am not a girly girl but I do have an unhealthy obsession with any type of bath product especially soap. But it is not limited to soap. I love bath gel, body wash, shampoos, conditioners and anything I can slather on my skin and hair. I love it. So when I was contacted to review the new line of Dove's NutriumMoisture body wash, you know I was all over that like white on rice. How could I say no? I couldn't.

According to Dove:NEW Dove Body Wash with NutriumMoisture™:
• Repairs and maintains skin’s protective layer during cleansing
• Unlike moisturizers in other body washes, Dove Body Wash with NutriumMoisture™ penetrates surface skin deep down to replenish and nourish
• Clinically proven to significantly reduce dryness and improve moisturization
• Available in Deep Moisture, Sensitive Skin and Gentle Exfoliating

Dove has made a groundbreaking skin care advance by discovering how to restore skin’s natural moisture while cleansing (with body washes). With the most effective natural nourishment ever only new Dove Body Washes contain NutriumMoisture™ patent-pending technology. While moisturizers in other body washes sit on top of skin; only new Dove NutriumMoisture™ penetrates the surface of the skin to replenish and nourish.
The thing I really like about Dove NutriumMoisture Body Washes is that these body washes are all about your skin. They have three types. I tried the Deep Moisture because my skin has been really dry lately. A lot of regular body washes cause skin damage because they dry out the skin. And I can attest to that because I have come across a lot of those. The minute you get out of the shower and towel off, your skin is dried out. I hate that. But this Dove according to their literature penetrates the surface of the skin to replenish and nourish. I am not a scientist, so I can't speak to that but I can tell you that after I showered my skin did feel soft and smooth. Even hours later I was sitting in the living room watching TV and I kept rubbing my leg. I think Tom thought I was being weird. But I couldn't help myself. My skin felt soft and silky and I liked it.

The body wash was thick almost like lotion but it totally washed off and didn't leave any filmy residue. The smell is more towards what I call perfumy. I am a fan of more clean smells like citrus, linen, peppermint etc. but I do perfumy. And this one is not so strong. It is a light scent. It feels good when you put it on and it feels good after you wash it off. I used it to shave and it made it so easy! Overall, I would recommend the product if you have skin that dries out with other body washes or have dry skin. I didn't use lotion after one shower but my skin still felt soft hours later. And I loved that because like I said before, my skin is very dry sometimes.

To get more info you can visit http://www.dove.us/ to learn more the science behind NutriumMoisture.

And if you would like to try it for yourself, you can also enter my giveaway. I am giving away two (2) bottles of this new body wash to two (2) of my wonderful readers who love giveaways!! YAY! You know the drill! Just follow the rules, enter and cross your fingers!!

ENTRY RULES

Mandatory Entry: Visit the Dove site and tell me something you learned about Dove NutriumMoisture products. They have tons of info, so please try not to write what you read in my review.

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Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!

Deadline: Friday, September 4 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use random.org to pick a winner so everyone has a chance to win. **PLEASE leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Win a Laptop at these sites!

Hi all! Another great BlogHer giveaway! Win an Acer Aspire Timeline. I have listed the participating sites where you can enter this giveaway. Good Luck peeps!! Ends August 31!!

Deb on the Rocks
Owlhaven
Scurtiny of the Masses
Bacon is my Enemy - OMG what a great name for a blog.
Petroville
Mocha Mom
Busy Mom
wantnot.net

Fantastic Contest at Marx Food!!

Hi folks, visit Marx Food and enter to win these cool Eco-Friendly Palm Leaf Plates. These are great for those summer picnics and BBQ's. Click on the image to enter and good luck!!

Hey Guys Remember. . .

How I said I was dying to win one of these awesome Subway bags?


This Subway Car Kit includes: an insulated lunch tote for healthy snacks, a $10 SUBWAY gift card, car games, etc. (approximate value = $35-40) similar to the below picture (colors or games may vary).

Well, I finally snagged one. Whew! I really want one of these and I have no idea why. I just love that bag and think it's one of the coolest prizes I have seen around the internets. AWESOME!!! I want to thank Shannon over at The Mommy Files for the opportunity. Now I am on a quest for those sports bras!!! And, of course, wouldn't it be great to win one of those $500 Walmart cards I posted about. Let's all cross our fingers.

Where Does Your Taste Take You? Stouffer's Knows.

Another reminder to my Canadian readers. Sorry US peeps, this is is for our friends in Canada. Go enter because this is a fantastic contest from Stouffer's promoting their new line of sandwiches. I know I have a few Canadian readers out there so I am happy you get this experience this wonderful opportunity. This is a cool new instant win contest from Stouffer's.

Stouffer's is having a new promotion for their new line of Stouffers-panini sandwiches. The contest celebrates the launch of 4 new Stouffers-panini varieties: Bistro Meatballs & Peppers, Bistro Chicken Souvlaki, Lean Cuisine Grilled Vegetables & Goat Cheese, Lean Cuisine Mango Chicken Tikka. These look so delicious and I love that these feature flavors from around the world. I know I will have to try them especially the Mango Chicken Tikka. YUMMO!!

The Where Does Your Taste Take You? Contest has several cool prizes. Here is what you can win:
- 3 Grand Prizes: Choice of India, Greece, Italy and France destinations ($10, 000 Gift Card)
- 12 Secondary Prizes: Sony Digital Camcorders (Value of $500)
- Daily Instant Prizes: Free Stouffer’s Product coupons

When you first register you will get a free play. Then you can enter as much as you want as long as you have a unique UPC code that can be found on the box of the Stouffers-panini sandwiches.

Sorry to my US friends, this one is only for Canadians!! And boy are they lucky because these prizes rock the house!! Where do you find this fantastic contest? Go register here. And good luck because I know I would love to have any of these prizes!!