July Taste Trunk Gourmet Box Review

I have been a subscriber to Taste Trunk for several months now. I think it's maybe even close to a year by now. I have loved every single box I've gotten. So many wonderful food products by companies I never would have heard of if it wasn't for this subscription.

My July box.

Taste Trunk does an excellent job of packaging everything. I have never had anything arrive broken. They wrap up all glass products with bubble wrap and it arrives all in pretty tissue paper and a ribbon. They also include cards with ideas/recipes on how to use the included products and also a bit more about the company they've come from.

This month my box contained Hickory Liquid Smoke from Lazy Kettle Brand, 1849 Tri-Tip Meat Marinade, Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar from Amphora, CC Made Pistachio Nut Caramel Corn, and CC Made Rosemary Caramel Sauce.

My husband is looking forward to using the liquid smoke and meat marinade in one of his next grilling adventures. We grill a lot all year. Well he grills. :o)  We've also recently gotten an electric smoker so we're always up for cooking up something delicious outside! 

The pistachio nut caramel corn was good. I would have liked a few more pistachios but I love pistachios! I think I'm going to try the rosemary caramel sauce over a plain cheesecake. I'm not sure I liked it over ice cream. It was a bit of an odd combination but I'm thinking it might be tasty with cheesecake. I haven't tried the balsamic vinegar yet but am guessing it will be mixed with something over a salad. I've received other products from Amphora like olive oil in past boxes and think the quality and taste are great. 

This is one of the very few subscription boxes I've kept. I love it so much. They do an awesome job with their boxes. Taste Trunk's customer service is excellent also. 

If gourmet is not your thing they also offer BBQ, Healthy, and Sweet boxes. I like that mine has included a variety of things. In the past I've received chocolate, flavored sea salts, scone mix, marinades, dip mixes along with the cutest dip serving bowl. I'll have to find the photo I took of that and add it later on. 

If you'd like more info on Taste Trunk you can visit their webpage here.  They offer many different options for subscribing or gifting. They are also on facebook.

* I pay for my own monthly subscription to Taste Trunk. Opinions are my own. 

The VB6 Cookbook - Book Review

I had recently read Mark Bittman's VB6 book. So when I had the chance to review it's companion, The VB6 Cookbook I was excited to see what tasty recipes were in it.

The beginning of the book has a brief bit about Mr. Bittman's story of why he changed his lifestyle to being Vegan Before 6. There is also a great section of what you should have in your pantry and the best uses for it. A four week calendar of menus finishes out the intro of the book. I like that pages numbers are included for each so you can quickly turn to that page.

The book contains a wide variety of recipes including breakfast, snacks, desserts and so on. A fair amount of them include beautiful pictures of the food. What I really liked is that almost every recipe included variations at the end. So just by changing up a few ingredients you have another completely different meal or snack. I found several recipes I would like to make. Several of the snack and dessert recipes I know my whole family would like. There is a fair amount of recipes that call for tofu and I am not a fan of tofu at all. I know it is used to replace meat but I just can't get myself to like it so we will be skipping those recipes. He also includes dinner recipes that include meat, poultry, and fish which goes along with the Vegan Before 6 theme.

Overall I think this is a great book to help you eat more plant based foods and less meat, dairy, and processed foods. Most ingredients are easy to find. A lot of them are stuff I keep on hand in general. Of course most of the veggies and fruits are easy to grab at the store.

If you'd like to read a sample of the book you can do that here. If you'd like more info you can also go here and you can check out Mark Bittman's facebook page here.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. Opinions are my own.

Treat Yourself- Book Review

I recently received a copy of Treat Yourself by Jennifer Steinhauer to review. If anyone knows me well, they know how much I love cookbooks. I read them like novels. I love a bit of adventure in the kitchen and my family is always good about trying new recipes. Well, sometimes my kids more than my husband. :o)

This book has 70 recipes of snack foods we all grew up with and some of us still eat today. Included are recipes for cookies, savory snacks, candy, and frozen treats. You can make your own Thin Mints, Nilla Wafers, Cheez-Its, Twix Bars, Bomb Pops, and more.

I love the way the author included a bit of history or a little tidbit of info before each recipe. It's funny how as I was going through the book and looking at different recipes I'd remember something I did or where we were when we would eat certain snacks. She mentions in the book about how it's the memories of what we were doing at the time and not necessarily that the snack we were eating was as good as we remember. Also being able to make these treats, you know what you are putting into them. Not all the chemical stuff they use so they can sit on the shelf for long periods of time. Still they are full of sugar and butter and other ingredients not so great for the waistline, so I can't imagine eating these treats all the time. For special occasions though, so many fun things to make in this book.

Most of the recipes contain ingredients that you probably have in the house or are easily found at the store. I had all the ingredients to make the Oatmeal Creme Pies so that was the first thing we made. They were super easy to make. My kids loved them. I actually liked the creme inside more than the actual cookie. I liked it so much I may find other things that need this creme just because it is so yummy.

Our Oatmeal Creme Pies

We will be testing out more recipes as time goes on. I can't wait to make the Candy Dots and Zebra Cakes. It will be fun too when we have family over. As I was looking through the book certain recipes made me think of different family members. It will be great to surprise them with one of their favorites. 

For more info about this book you can go here and if' you'd like a sneak peek at the book click here.

* I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. 

Bianca Jade Mizzfit Quarterly Box Review #MIZ02

I can't tell you how excited I was to get this box! I just happened to find out about it on the Quarterly website and had missed the first box and almost missed this one but Mizzfit herself (Bianca Jade) responded to a tweet of mine and made sure I was able to get signed up for this one. I love that she took the time to reach out to me! That meant a lot to me.

Back to the box. So many wonderful things to keep me excited about working out! I absolutely love the goji bites! Takes just a couple to hit the spot and they are great to eat a bit before a workout. The jump rope has gotten a lot of use! The handles are so nice they don't get sweaty and it's just the right weight for me. Nice and light and fits in my hands just right. I have had 2 other jump ropes in the past and just didn't like them. I can't wait for the snow to melt so I can jump outside instead of in the house!

I have used the Exhale Core Fusion Power Sculpt dvd a few times. It has 5 short sections but I do them all through at once. It was such a nice flow and I felt energized and relaxed but at the same time I was sweating a little bit towards the end. I did use weights and thought this was a nice change of pace from my Focus T25 with Shaun T. I used the snakeskin socks while doing the exhale dvd since they help to prevent you from sliding.

I was also excited to see some protein powder in the box. I have used the Acai Berry a few times and mixed it with almond milk and some frozen berries. Nice treat for after working out! Going to try the chocolate in the next few days.

I'm looking forward to using the Klingg magnet clip once the weather gets better and I can get outside to run since I signed up for my first 5K! I'm a wimp and don't like to be out in the cold if I don't have to. I haven't had a chance to listen to the music that was included or use the ring protector but it's on my list to get to!

The box also comes with a note from Bianca herself telling about each of the items she has chosen and why. I loved how it all flowed into the next item. You can tell she really put a lot of thought into which items to include in the box. It was totally worth the $50 for the box. To me you can't put a price on being healthy and fit. I think of my subscription to this box as a reward to myself for keeping on track! I can't wait for the next one!

You can find out more about Mizzfit's Quarterly box here.

Serenity Tea Sips Converting Me into a Tea Drinker!

This winter has been so long and cold. Some days I just can't get warm enough no matter how many layers I have on. I don't like to turn the heat up too much so that everyone else is roasting. I was drinking a lot coffee trying to keep warm from the inside out and getting into coffee overload. I have tried tea a few times in the past and wasn't such a fan but a good friend of mine recommended a company called Serenity Tea Sips. It's run by a woman in Texas. She offers a wide variety of loose leaf teas and tisanes and also tea related gifts and accessories. 

My tea stash at the moment. 

I started out by ordering a few fruit tisanes. I knew I needed to work my way into becoming a tea drinker but thought this was a good place to start. I wasn't a coffee drinker until I got married and that was an acquired taste too. However, I think my cup is still more creamer than coffee! Anyways, back to tea drinking. I ordered the Tutti Fruity, Coconut Infusion, and Blueberry Muffin my first round. I also received a sample of the Fruity Hibiscus from a giveaway on her facebook page. They are all very good. The Blueberry Muffin is my favorite at the moment. So good!! And the color is just beautiful. I like to drink it from my clear mug so I can get the whole experience of sight, scent, and taste! 

My favorite tea drinking mug. This photo doesn't due it justice but trust me it's the most beautiful dark blue/purple.

My last order I tried a few more fruit tisanes including the Apple Strudel which is my 2nd favorite. A little tart but just sweet enough. A perfect balance. So yummy and a beautiful deep red color. I also ordered the new Strawberry Cream flavor. Oh, that is good too! I haven't tried the Cherry Tart yet but I'm sure it will be just as good. All of these can be served over ice too but since it's still freezing here I have to wait a few months I guess until I can try them that way!  

I also ordered the Shh..Quiet Time hoping to it will help relax me on the nights I need a little extra help unwinding. It's very calming and relaxing. I have tried other chamomile tea before and wasn't a fan but this is nice. Cindy was also kind enough to send me a few samples to try out as I wasn't sure where to go next in my adventure of tea drinking. I am working my way to trying them all and enjoying every moment!

There is just something so comforting and relaxing about taking the time to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea. I look forward to it every day and am always so content afterwards. And warm too! 

I highly recommend checking out Serenity Tea Sips website. You can also find her on facebook here. I love supporting small businesses and especially one owned by a woman. This gal knows her teas and she is very friendly and helpful!

*Opinions are my own. I'm just wanting to share how much I've enjoyed these teas and tisanes and my excellent experience with ordering from this company. 

Not a Winter Girl

I do not like winter. I never have and I never will. The only positive thing about it is generally we don't have to worry about tornadoes. With the crazy cold and snow we've had this winter it makes me want to flee this frozen state even more. I'm a beach girl not a cold and snow girl.

I'm so thankful I'm a stay at home mom and don't have to go out unless necessary for appointments or groceries. Our social life this winter has been pretty much nonexistent. Every time we plan the weather doesn't cooperate. I am Mrs. Worrywart for my husband who has to drive all over the cities for work. So many people have no idea how to drive in winter weather and the roads have been nasty because it's so cold the chemicals don't work.

 I  feel like this winter we have been held hostage more so than normal. It's been extreme cold. So cold the kids can't even play outside for more than a few minutes. When it's -40 it's not fit to even think about going out! On the bright side I feel like I could compete and win in an Olympic event that entails pushing a cartful of groceries through the parking lot that's full of snow, slush, ice, or a combination of any of them, not dumping it over, and doing it at record speed to get out of the icy wind. :o)

I so look forward to spring in several weeks and being able to open my windows and take off my 3 layers of clothes. Well, I'd still leave 1 layer on. Until then I'll just keep consuming large amounts of coffee and tea and dreaming of a beach somewhere.


Here are a few photos of our winter wonderland.

Our backyard

 Where is our driveway?

Hubby making a path.

Suave Products Review

 

 

I was very happy to be picked  to receive a Suave Family VoxBox from Influenster. We received a nice variety as there was something for everyone to use.

 

I have been using the Creamy Milk & Honey Body Wash. One of the perks of being the only female in the house is I don't have to share it with anyone! It has a really nice light scent and lathers really well. I also like that it doesn't leave my skin feeling heavy or greasy.

 

My husband and our teenage boy have been using the 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner. The scent is called Ocean Charge and is very clean smell. They both like that it's not too strong but a nice manly scent.

 

A couple of our younger boys have tried the Suave Kids 3-in-1. It's a shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. The scent we got was razzle dazzle raspberry. Not the best scent for boys but it works and gets them clean. I'd like to see if they have other more boyish ones though.

 

We have enjoyed using these Suave products and will continue to use them. I'll more than likely keep the Suave Kids in the closet though for when we have overnight company with little girls.

 

 

*I received these products courtesy of Influenster to review. Opinions are my own.