Throw a Summer BBQ the #EcoFriendly way

The warmer weather has arrived and the grills have been dusted off---but who wants to clean a sink full of dishes after a BBQ--NOT ME!!! 
That where a great company like ECO Products comes in.

They carry a great line of plates, cups, cutlery and more--you can enjoy the party and send the guest home with leftovers all with top of the line recycled/renewable and some compostable materials. I was thrilled to try out a few of the products.

Square Sugarcane Plates
What the company says

• Made from 100% renewable and reclaimed resources
• Made with sugarcane, a rapidly renewable resource
• Meet ASTM standards for compostability
• Grease and cut resistant
• Freezer safe

 Compared to normal paper plates these seem about 20% larger than regular paper plates, holds a large portion, and the edge keeps things like meatballs from just rolling off. They're sturdy enough for a burger and fries, stand up to microwaving leftovers. These plates will even handle light knifing without issue; of course, don't try sawing through a thick steak with a steak knife.  The Eco plates are thicker and just look clean and posh!

World Art Cold Cup
What the company says

• Available in 12, 16, 20 oz
• Made from 100% renewable resources
• Made with Ingeo™, a plant-based plastic
• Meet ASTM standards for compostability
• Heat Tolerance: 105 (F)
• Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight
• 
  

I  love the great art that's on the cup!  The cup was easy to hold...and I love the white portion for writing your name and you still can read it with drink inside. It is also 100%  compostable! For once your pile of party trash will do some good!!

Look for these and other great ECO friendly products at their website  ecoproductsstore.com. You can learn so much more about the company ---and check out their Sustainability Report!

Home-Complete Meat Thermometer #REVIEW

BBQ season and we must cook  our meat thoroughly, and the Meat Thermometer from Home-Complete is my new favorite.

I own several other thermometers, both mechanical and digital. This thermometer reads with the same accuracy of the others in half the time.

BPA, Lead & Phthalate Free Meat Thermometer. Extra Wide Digital Meat Thermometer with a C/F Button--would make a great Father's Day gift  this year

I like the nice head case .

the digital read out is easy to see

You can fin this great cooking gadget on Amazon

~ I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#TBT Daddy's Little Girl

THEN

NOW

A New Take on an Old Favorite from the Freezer:...

It's whats for dinner tonight!!!

A New Take on an Old Favorite from the Freezer:...

Here's a new take on the frozen dinner: Old El Paso Frozen Entrees promise delicious Mexican food that you can take from freezer to table in mere minutes.

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Sponsored post #PlateFullCoOp
Platefull Co-Op

A lesson in how to Outnumber Hunger

A lesson in how to Outnumber Hunger

I will admit, when I first signed on to volunteer at a food bank for at-risk kids it was for somewhat selfish reasons. The year was 1988 and I had just moved from Texas to Minneapolis and wanted to meet new people in my new hometown. I chose the organization that was closest to where... View Full Post

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#WordlessWednesday ~MY GIRL~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my "little" Lady!!!

Trying a New Snack Food

Parents and Kids will love these Biscuits!

Trying a New Snack Food

I’m often on the prowl for something yummy to eat. I like to nibble. But when I get a craving for something, I need it now. I usually eat savory and salty snacks, but not always. Lately I have had a hankering for sweet treats. BUT, I’m on a quest to eat better, workout, and get more sleep. A candy just isn't a healthy option -these biscuits fit the bill!!

The kids loved the New Nature Valley Biscuits as well!!!

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Sponsored post #PlateFullCoOp
Platefull Co-Op

Old El Paso Taco Night

Old El Paso Taco Night

Taco Night is always everyone's favorite. Use Old El Paso taco kits to create dinner in under 30 minutes.

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Platefull Co-Op

Conveniant + Delicious Meals: Old El Paso...

Conveniant + Delicious Meals: Old El Paso...

We may have said adiós to Cinco De Mayo but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy authentic Mexican meals all month long from the comfort of home. Old El Paso makes this possible with their convenient handcrafted meals for 2 . These can now be found within the frozen aisle of your nearby grocery store. Whether you enjoy a hearty burrito for lunch or spicy enchiladas for dinner, Old El Paso has a variety of flavorful meals to tantalize your tastebuds. With eight different flavors of fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos, these entrees are sure to fulfill your dinner needs any night of the week. These are SO good that they will leave you and your family saying, "There is no way that's frozen!" Even my picky little Toodie loves them...Read More

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Sponsored post #PlateFullCoOp
Platefull Co-Op

David Gray - "Mutineers" -#REVIEW

Singer/songwriter David Gray, best known for his hit "Babylon" from the album White Ladder, will be releasing his tenth studio album in June. The new album,Mutineers, stretched David's creative boundaries as he strove to create music that he had never made before.


~
 

Purposefully going against the grain of his tried and true methods, Mutineers is "an album that seems to fizz with the joy of its own assembly and finds Gray steering into unfamiliar territory while cultivating a pugnacious but respectful relationship with his own history."  

Mutineers will be released in the US on June 17 and US tour dates will be announced in May. It is available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon


 “I know I've done something here that has an authority that is inspiring me and I don’t have to worry about my past or any of that. The lovely thing about this is we've had the time to experiment, and it’s been wonderful,” says Gray.



Mutineers Track Listing:
Back in the World
As the Crow Flies
Mutineer
Beautiful Agony
Last Summer
Snow in Vegas
Cake and Eat It
Birds of the High Arctic
The Incredible
Girl Like You
Gulls
Nearly Midnight (bonus track)


Last Summer and Girl Like You are my favorite tracks from the CD. His voice is so soothing  great tracks to play as I blog =)


For more information please visit http://www.davidgray.com

 Disclosure that I received a free download of the album to review from One2One Network  --options are as always  100% my own.

Spiral Slice Your Vegetables Quickly and Easily ~PRODUCT REVIEW~

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Tired of  eating boring salads day after day. Get a new vegetable spiralizer and start making some eye catching veggie pastas and long vegetable noodles quickly and easily. You can use the spiral cutter as veggie slicer for many different vegetables.
Like Carrots, Zucchinis, Turnips, Rutabagas, Cucumbers, Large radishes , Potatoes, Pears, Apples, Squash are just a few. Just twist vegetable like sharpening a pencil and have your veggie spaghetti in seconds, no need for annoying attachments and complicated preparation.

my Zucchini not quite asperfect as the photo on the box

  The spiral veggie slicer is BPA free to keep you safe and healthy while handling your food. I like how  easy  it is to clean - Use the  cute  Veggie Spiralizer Brush to clean any vegetable left overs and rinse in tap water or use the dishwasher.

The compact size is wonderful- easily stored in your kitchen drawer only 5.2" x 2.8" x 2.8" It has a  Lifetime Risk free Guarantee - If for any reason your are not satisfied with the product, they will give you a full refund no questions asked. I had so much fun reviewing this product from Home Complete...and all summer long we're going to be trying out new ways to add a twist to our meals!

~ I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#Ozeri Green Earth Textured Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Over the past few years one  of my goals was to try and make some more green choices for our household. Getting ride of non-stick pans was one because of all the harsh  chemical used in the manufacturing of nonstick coatings. Since that time,I've found that  several manufacturers have developed  eco-friendly non-stick cookware one company is Ozeri. I was thrilled to be review a pan from their Textured Series.

The line is one of the first to achieve non-stick perfection while remaining totally free of  harmful chemicals.Utilizing GREBLON -- an ultra-safe ceramic coating from Germany, the Green Earth Pan by Ozeri is one of the world's first frying pans to achieve non-stick perfection while remaining absolutely free of PTFE, PFOA and other harmful chemicals I like the comfortable handle too. The textured pan creates air pocket for more even cooking and it also helps prevent food from sticking to the bottom--EZ CLEAN UP!!!

Look at that texture!!!

Love the bold green color too!!!!!!

The Green Earth Pan can be cleaned in the dishwasher but for the best results Ozeri suggest you clean it with hot soapy water or a little lemon juice and rinse thoroughly!

I received a 10 inch pan, they also carry a 8 inch,<--BOUGHT THAT ONE  and 12 inch <--Next on my list!
 You can find them on Amazon, Home Depo's  website and Cooking.com. Lids are also available for purchase separately.

I give the pan a 5 star rating! I'm hoping to add more of this line to my kitchen real soon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#TBT ~My Baby~

A Twist on the Green Goddess Smoothie #IntheRawParty

Green juice and smoothies are quite the trend these days at our Mom's Night out I decided it was time to give the   THE GREEN GODDESS  a try. The original recipe calls for coconut water but I'm not much of a fan so I swiped it out for Green Tea.

Ingredients

bag of Kale Leaves and Spinach mix

2 Apples

1 Lime
Ginger
 unsweetened Green Tea
2 tbs Monk Fruit in the Raw

• In a blender, whirl the spinach, kale, apple and ginger with the tea for on low for 10 seconds, then increase the speed to high and whirl for another 30 seconds.
• Mix in the Monk Fruit In The Raw and pour your smoothie into a tall glass.
• Serve immediately.

 So, I challenge you to swap out your sugar and give Monk Fruit In The Raw a try!

I was making a large batch for about 7 ladies so you may have to  adjust if your only making one cup at a time.

CHEERS!!!

Benefits of Monk Fruit in the Raw:

• Monk Fruit In The Raw Sweetener is is a wholesome, zero-calorie sweetener, made from delicious vine-ripened monk fruit, native to South East Asia, and has the clean, sweet taste of sugar.
• Monk Fruit In The Raw is packaged in packets and Bakers Bags which make it easy for beverages or measuring cup for cup like sugar when used for baking.
• Monk Fruit In The Raw provides a reduced sugar and calorie option with wholesome ingredients and great taste you can feel good about serving your family.
• The main sweetener in Monk Fruit In The Raw is simply monk fruit a taste that works in any recipe that calls for sugar.
• Monk Fruit In The Raw does not contain added table sugar, sugar alcohols (erythritol) or molasses.

#WordlessWednesday Best part of Spring...

Its the best part of Springtime:

FLOWERS BEHIND THE EAR

FLOWER SOUP

RAINBOWS  IN THE AIR!

Want to Party - Here's the company that would Love to Help!

Celebrating  your little one's 1st  birthday? SweetSixteen ? Birthday Expressions has all the  supplies - everything you need but the cake!! Party  in style. Check out the Lil' Prince Birthday Party Pack!! 

 It's  SOOO CUTE!!! All very durable and it will make any party super festive and so much fun!   

Basic party pack: (start at about $20)

• 8 Dinner & Dessert Plates
• 8 Cups, Forks & Spoons
• 16 Lunch Napkins
• 1 Solid Tablecover
• 12 Solid Color Balloons (2 colors)
• 2 Curling Ribbon Rolls (2 colors)
• 16 Cake Candles
• 8 Thank-You Notes

You can also purchase party packs for up to 16 guest.  
There are super add on's:

Can order extras for the party also like balloons and this great Pinata. There are banners and other games packs available too.

The great people over at Birthday Express didn't forget about the girls. There are a super selection for them also like these cute SillyStash, Paris or Ladybug sets! I've got one of those coming soon-have to place my order!

Who is you next party for??? --- Check out Birthday Express I'm sure you'll find a theme to suit anyone!!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above from the company in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

MOMS NIGHT #NMNO14 #MNOMovie

You may have noticed a few Mommy bloggers raving about the the movie Moms' Night Out that Mother's Day weekend...I was please to host a small gathering before going with a few friends to  see the movie.

MOMS' NIGHT OUT is a fast-paced, family comedy about four moms scheduling a night out where everything can and will go wrong, yet it all turns out just fine in the end. The film features a fantastic lineup of stars like Sarah Drew (Grey's Anatomy), Sean Astin (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), and Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle).

 Thankfully our night was very relaxing and NOT as HIGH STRESSES as the ladies in this movie!

We had fun sharing our reason for needing a night out.





We enjoyed our own version of Hollywood Game Night!Were the winner took home this lovely basket of goodies. While enjoying some refreshments I had cooked up using monk fruit in the raw-- a great no calorie sugar substitute.Our favorite of the night was The Green Goddess...you can find the recipe here.

We then took a little time to discuss a few of the uplifting dog tags that were part of everyones goodie bag. There are great lil prayers and a scripture that can help uplift the spirit!

This night out has inspired us to try this every other month not just once a year---because MOM's really deserve it! 

Thanks to MomsSelects for the party pack to get my party started .

Lumenx mountable bicycle light! #REVIEW

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Never ride in the dark again!

 Lumenx mountable bicycle headlight/flashlight is a powerful 2-in-1 portable LED bike light that will shine up to 500 feet, can effectively light up your path every time and its LED lights are shockproof with a higher light output and life span than other competitive incandescent bulbs.

 It is easy to install and remove with no tools needed.<---My "handy hubby" loved this =)

 Guaranteed to be made of the highest quality materials and gives the highest safety and security possible. My daughter loves riding her bike and there have been many afternoons when she starts out on a trip and has to cut it short because I worry about her safety...now with this bike light on the front and the flashing rear light I feel much secure.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

#TBT Puddles

Nothing beats a great splash!
~2005~

#WordlessWednesday HOPPY FOR SPRING

HOPPY TO SEE SIGNS OF SPRING!!

Liberté Méditerranée New Flavors #REVIEW

The information and prize pack have been provided by Liberte Yogurt through Platefull Co-Op.

Hubby and I have been on a yogurt kick lately--he is a fan of Liberte Blackberry. I've been on the hunt for the newest Liberte Mediterranee loving the  Lime adding a handful of sliced strawberries-DELISH
They use whole milk and cream that is selected to create an indulgently silky texture. The live, active cultures add a layer of deep flavor that is punctuated with bold, real fruit. And the best part is that they do not add gelatin, sugar substitutes or preservatives to these awesome yogurts!

  Would really like to find the  Orange-Mango...but I cannot seem to locate it at any of our local grocery stores. I'll gladly keep hunting.

How I spent my Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a blessed Mother's Day. My started with a table full
of homemade love...it cracked me up that they left it on top
of the laptop.

Daughter " We knew you wouldn't MISS it there "

We enjoyed a lovely Church service...we had a Father and Daughter
 sing a duet--was so lovely had every Mom  wiping away tears.

 We enjoyed a meal prepared by my Dad and my kids and Hubby cleaned the kitchen.
My Mom " THATS the best gift!!!"
Then they presented us each with a table full of flowers,veggie plants and scratch-offs =D

I'm going to have to use my winnings from the scratch offs  to invest in a new pair of gardening gloves so I don't mess up the great manicure I got from my daughter.

We ended the day playing cards where my Mom won every game.


=)