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Apricot Preserve Rolls

Waking up starving is a common occurrence around here. I have to come up with quick but yummy ideas to satisfy that early morning hunger. The best ideas no doubt have to include some type of bread! I don't know about you but I am a bread-a-holic. They have meetings for that, at the diner next door, in the room next to the choco-holics anonymous.

 

 

 

This morning, before my meetings at the diner, I baked up some yummy creations. They are super simple! I probably could have done something a little more but I needed a quick fix because I was starving!!!!

All I needed was a can of Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls and a jar of apricot preserves. You could really use any flavor jam or jelly.

 

I popped the can and laid out the rolls into 4 sheets like this. After spreading a thin layer of jam on top of each sheet I rolled them from the short ends. It is also a good idea to try to pinch the seams together a little because they will puff and separate.

 

 

You will end up with 4 of these small rolls. It is a pain in the jelly roll if you try to cut these with a knife! So I used some dental floss. I saw this on a cooking show who knows how long ago.

 

 

Just pull a piece of floss, big enough to handle easily, grab both ends and slide the middle under the roll, cross the ends over the top of the roll and as you pull the ends top the opposite sides it will slice the roll! I was so excited when I first learned this trick. It is such a big help. 

 
 

After slicing all the rolls into about 1/2 inch slices, I laid them out on a cookie sheet. Leave some puff room! Bake for about 12 minutes at 350.

 

 



I used the cookie sheet from my green pan collection. You will notice this is just another test on the awesome ability of this pan. I think I put a little too much jelly on the rolls. It didn't all come out, but it still left a nice glaze to them. I thought for sure this would be another pain in the jelly roll to clean, but surprisingly most of it came off with the rolls. Cleaned right up!

 

 

 

These turned out so soft and delicious. A nice sweet taste but not too sweet!

 

Thanks for reading and tell me what other recipes you would like to see me make!

 



Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox

Super Bowl Time!!!

 

A super bowl of yummy food that is!!!

The only thing I think of at super bowl time is food, fun, and commercials.

Who cares what team is playing?  Not this girl.

I do, however, care what yummy food is in my Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox!!

 

I believe my mailman is going to start hating me pretty soon.

To begin with, this box was

  supposed to be $15. I signed up, I referred a few other people to Cravebox and that entered me into a drawing for free boxes. So guess what!?!?! This box was totally FREE. So , for me, everything in here is a profit!  And on top of that..... It was all doubled!! Amazing!!!!!!

First opening it looks pretty packed in a larger than usual size box.

 

I have a good idea in mind for this creole seasoning. I want to make some batter-dipped  fish and use some of this to give it a little more flavor.

I made a pitcher of this tea as soon as I got it and loved it!

Oh yeah, no skin was shown to collect these beads!

These are such an awesome addition to this box. Family Size Jambalaya mix!!

 I will be making this very soon.

Again, another awesome addition, Red beans and rice is the known meal for Louisiana Creole Cuisine. It is a staple around my house.

 

Creole Mustard, I haven't tried this yet. I want to think of a yummy creative recipe to make with it. I was thinking something with chicken. If you have any ideas or suggestions leave them in the comments below.

All in all, I think this was an awesome box! A great themed box and super value! Thank You +Cravebox.

 

Check out my previous post to learn more about Cravebox and how you can enter.

Back to School Snacks Cravebox

 

Yay! It's here....

time for the kids to go Back to school after the horribly long Holiday!

And My Cravebox.... full of Back to School snacks for the kids!

 

 

I have so enjoyed Cravebox and this box was no different!

The kids even look forward to getting mail and they were excited for this one for sure!

 

 

This was the first thing I noticed because I am a self proclaimed Pasta-Holic!

Barilla Microwavable Penne with Basil Tomato sauce. Yum... and a coupon for $1 off my next one!

 

Honest Kids Organic Juice... The kids haven't tried this yet but I have faith it will be gone soon! Less sugar than other juice brands.

 

 

Kraft Handi-snacks.. the old standby with a little tweek! pretzels sticks now instead of what I remember as crackers with a little red plastic stick to spread the cheese! Still just as yummy as ever!

 

 

Good Health Natural Foods Veggie Stix... These were kind of like eating cheese puffs. Only not cheesy lol! They were good though I like them! A good replacement for chips.

 

ID gum... not sure what the hype is exactly. This is good gum but not sure exactly what is so super special about it. It does have a magnetic closure though so that is pretty cool. Nobody likes gum dumped out in the bottom of their purse!

 

 

 

Then there was this cute little Organic Farming coloring book and a coupon for a free Earthbound Farm Product.

 

SunRype 100% fruit strips. These were just as good as the bigger thicker ones from the Resolutions Cravebox!

 

 

 

 

 

Overall I think I got a pretty good Box! I love Cravebox and will definately keep 'em coming!

 

If you sign up don't forget to tell em I (antonia37355) sent you!



The Crave about Cravebox

Here is another service I will be discussing a lot about. I think just explaining the services in one post is much easier than telling you about it each time I mention it.

 

 

 

 

 

Cravebox!!

 

 Cravebox is focused on product discovery.

 

They have curators that hunt down new or unique products to share with us cravers. They group items together into a theme for each box.  The boxes cost $12- $15 per box. You only get the boxes you sign up for.  Each time they have a new box ready a drawing opens up.

 

There are only a certain number of boxes. So, if you think you might be interested
you better grab it!

 

When the drawing opens you go and answer a few questions. It will let you know then the cost of that particular box. After the drawing closes (usually about a week or 2) they pick from the entries and send you an email letting you know if you were chosen to receive a box. If you are chosen you will get charged for that box when it ships, usually only a day or 2 after the drawing closes.

 

There are contests and twitter parties very often with opportunity to win other products or boxes. I have already won a few things and just now getting started! You can take a look at the Cravebox Blog to see past winners and that lets you in on exactly how many contests there are and how many boxes you could win!

 

Here are only a few of the upcoming boxes!!

Cravebox is also offering instant boxes now too!
With most Craveboxes, discovering what’s in the box is part of the fun. But since Instant Boxes were already given out as past boxes, they give specifics about what’s in them up front. That way, you know exactly what you’re getting.

 

Sign up here and in the About Me section of your profile please say that I (antonia37355) referred you.

 

Look for the posts of boxes I have received.

 

I hope you enjoy your Craveboxes like I have!

What is BzzAgent?

 

Being a BzzAgent is so fun and easy to do I have jumped right into it without even explaining how YOU can join in the fun.

 

 

BzzAgent is a program designed to gain feedback on certain products. You sign up with them and fill out a bunch of surveys (to begin with) to tell a little about what you like, use, and enjoy. That gives them an idea of what campaigns to offer you.

 

As you complete different aspects you will get little achievements along the way to let you know you are doing well. You will also get rewarded on a points system with My Points. 

 

The campaigns they offer can include anything from your daily life. Here are some recent campaigns they have done.  When you get chosen for a campaign they send you out a BZZKIT. It will either include the items for you to try or coupons to get the items for free from a local store. Most often it will also send out extra coupons for discounts to give away to your friends and family to share the BZZ!

 

After your get the items, they encourage you to try them out before spreading the word. BzzAgent wants your HONEST opinion.  You will then go back into the campaign to submit your feedback on that item.

 

As you complete campaigns and send in your feedback, you will increase your Bzz Score, which in turn makes them want to send you more campaign offers. As you receive new offers be sure to accept them quickly as they will fill up quickly and you could miss your spot.

 

I have had a lot of fun participating with BzzAgent. I hope I have encouraged you to try it out for yourself.

 

Sign Up Here

 



BzzAgent - TruMoo

I just love getting free stuff. I am so very glad I signed up for BzzAgent. I wasn't sure I would get much  action when I first signed up. I was so wrong. I have been signed up for about a month. I got my 3rd offer for a campaign today!  I got the Redbox Instant trial first and loved the free month of movies. Tru Moo chocolate milk is the latest I have finished. 

I got my Bzzkit in the mail. It included a coupon for a free gallon of chocolate milk for me to pick up and try out. Simple! Wal-Mart carries it and comparably priced to other chocolate milks. 

I brought this stuff home and the kids all but went crazy! We don't usually have chocolate milk around here. Like now... we still don't have any in the fridge! With a family of 5 it was gone in a couple days. 

I loved this brand for 2 reasons. It is made with 1% milk so less fat. And 2... it is not gritty and super thick like some other chocolate milks I have had. 

I am so excited to be a BzzAgent! They have already offered me a 3rd campaign. The Glade Expressions home scents campaign. I will be getting my BzzKit for that soon. 

And guess what!!!!! I will be doing my first ever giveaway!!!!

How exciting!! I need to get some feedback from my readers so I know what you all want to read about. I think I have given a good sample of all topics I will be blogging about in posts to come. Which do you like best? What do you want to see? 

Please add me to your circles on google+.  

My Julep Maven Experience

I love getting packages in the mail!

 

 

Julep is a subscription nail polish service. You sign up for their Maven program and they send you a couple new polishes and a product each month for $19.99.  

 I love nail polish and getting cool new color and stuff but I do not think this stuff is worth that price. I did NOT pay that for this box. I paid $.01 Yes, You heard it here first! ONE PENNY!!!

 

 

I received these colors and a bottle of cuticle oil. The polish is a pretty good quality and went on smoothly.

 

 

 

 

 And, these little glitter pots which I have seen in a lot of videos so I think they must send them quite a bit in different colors. You just sprinkle the glitter on your wet nails and then cover with a clear polish and VIOLA glittery nails ready for fun!

 

 

I was so excited to get my intro box when I first signed up and after the issue with the initial box that got lost in the mail I was slightly disappointed. I am pleased with only paying so little for this because I would have been very upset had I paid almost 20 for  this.

 

So here is what I recommend.

 

Sign up for the intro box and enter your PENNY code at checkout and then cancel if you agree that $20 is too much for a couple polishes.

 

 

 

 

 

How it works

Steps to becoming a maven

1. Take our fun quiz. Take the Julep Maven style quiz. It’s quick, free and helps us pick the colors that are SO. YOU.
2. Discover your style profile. Then check out your first Julep Maven Box with at least two gorgeous polishes and other beauty favorites chosen just for you.
3. Congrats! You're a Maven Welcome. Your introductory box will ship within three business days—it’s just the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Becoming a Julep Maven gives you exclusive access to COLOR. Each month we hand-pick trendsetting new nail colors, cult faves and cutting-edge beauty products that are just right for you. Commitment shy? No problem. YOU decide how often to receive your Julep Maven box, and you can cancel at any time.

My first Cravebox!

 

Yay!!!  

 

 I signed up for cravebox a couple weeks ago and enter for my first box, the resolution box for the new year. I was selected to receive one and was charged $15 then it shipped right away. I have heard so many good things about cravebox I couldn't wait to receive my first box.

Finally... I have been waiting in suspense for days!

 

 

 

 

Of course it is beautifully boxed!

 

 

 

 

First up: We got a Wholly Guacamole Chip clip and Coupon for one free (not a few cents off but FREE)  Wholly Guacamole Product! Value up to $6.50

 

Celestial  Metabo-balance green tea supplement and coupon for $.75 off one box.

 

Next a coupon for a free Smart Ones Value up to $4.00

Of course they couldn't ship those products themselves because of refrigeration. So the next best thing is coupons for free items! I love it!

 

 

 

 

This Cocoa Via I haven't tried yet but will soon. They are little flavored supplement packs. I got 4 of them a sweetened dark chocolate, unsweetened dark chocolate, summer citrus, and cran-raspberry. You can mix them into hot or cold drinks, yogurt, oatmeal or smoothies.

Sounds Interesting.

 

 

 

 

This is a Perfectly Simple Nutrition Bar in toasted coconut flavor. Only has 8 ingredients. 10g protein and it's gluten free! They also included a $1.00 off coupon for 5 bars.

 

 

 

I couldn't wait to try these. SunRype fruit bars, they are kind of like fruit roll ups for grown ups.

Very yummy!

 

 

 

 

These drinks will not last through tonight I promise. 

But I can feel less guilty with only 10 calories!!

 

 

 

 

 

Pantene Moisture whip!

This is going to be perfect for Kt's Hair. It is a moisturizer/ styler. This is a sample size can but still a good find in my cravebox!

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Kay Time Wise Repair volu-firm renewal cream. Smooths wrinkles!!! Can't wait to try this.

This is a full size product Valued at $40 on the Mary Kay website.

 

What a great find!!

So it turns out my first box was well worth it! I will be trying for another for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

Visit Cravebox to get signed up for your own box. Please put me down as a referral (Antonia37355) so we can get entered to win a box.



Who doesn't love free stuff?

Have you ever heard of  Influenster, or BzzAgent?

 

 

 

I recently signed up after seeing a lot of hype about them on YouTube. For both programs you fill out some surveys and reviews and they, in turn, offer you free products to try out and review for them.

 

 

I have already received a BzzAgent campaign for Redbox Instant by Verizon and loved how it worked. Super simple and more affordable than Netflix. You can watch instantly by streaming at home, or you can rent from a redbox with credits you receive monthly. 

 

After filling out my review for Redbox BzzAgent decided I needed another campaign. I am now waiting on my TruMoo bzzkit. I get to review some chocolate milk! The kids are going to love this one.  I know they will be sending extra coupons for friends as well so you guys can get your hopes up for that if you want one. I will share with you guys all I can.

 

I have also been invited to Influenster and have filled out several reviews on their site. I am still waiting on my first Voxbox from them. I am sure it won't be long though I know they send out some good stuff too. 

Puppy Paws

We got a new addition to our family recently and

I have to tell ya she is the feistiest thing in our house!

 

She is a Pit bull puppy we had gotten from a friend. Her name is Chyna. The hardest thing I have ever had to do is housebreak a puppy. Still trying to perfect that! Our other dog is Joker and he stays outside so we didn't have to housebreak him. I didn't realize how much of a trouble maker Chyna  would be until she got settled in and more comfortable with this as her home.

 

 

 

We introduced her to Joker right away because he would have to approve since he is the top dog around here. 

 

 He approves!



 

There is quite a size difference between the 2 of them but we love them both big and small.

Chyna is quite the little playful pup. We have lots of toys for her. It is almost like having a little baby in the house again. Chew toys all over the floor to step on! And, just like a child playing with the box the best toy came in at Christmas, she chose to chew on the phone charger! I guess we have to be trained to pick up our stuff just as she needs to be trained to leave our stuff alone.

 

She has taken over my bed!

 

 

 This is her today!

 

She has grown so much in the 2 weeks we have had her. Chyna is also a very photogenic pup, which is good because she will be getting her picture taken a lot around here. I will post every now and then and update on her growth and any new adventures she is taking part in.

 

Stay Tuned!