Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Sweet and Smokey Turkey Breast Cutlets

This will be recipe #2 for my Cravebox Pinterest Contest
 
 
I am adapting this recipe from the Sweet and Smokey Salmon with Orange salsa that McCormick has on their site.
 
In my version I am using:
Turkey Breast Cutlets
Tomato
Onion
Mandarin Oranges
McCormick Southwest Sweet and Smokey Seasoning
vegetable oil
 
 


First you want to get your turkey cutlets into a delicious marinade.
I am making just a couple pieces. I also don't usually measure my ingredients I like to "eyeball" them.
 
So, for the marinade I used about  3tbsp vegetable oil, 1/4 orange juice,
a pinch of garlic infused sea salt, orange bits,
 and McCormick Southwest Seasoning.


I placed 3 turkey cutlets, which by the way are just whole turkey breasts slided into 1/4 cuts, into the marinade then covered and refrigerated while I made the salsa.

 
 Simple Salsa.... diced onion and tomato with some more orange bits just rough chopped.
 

Toss into a small bowl with a tsp of the southwest seasoning.
Don't worry it's natural and salt free! 
 
I love my George Foreman Indoor Grill so that is what I am going to use for this recipe!
I just grilled up my Turkey cuts until they were done completely
and topped with the sweet and smoky salsa!
 
 Delicious!!!
 
 
 Enjoy!!!!
 


The Fast Metabolism Diet- My Experience


 
Well hello there again!
First off we need to get some blog housekeeping done. I received this book 2 ways. The first copy I got was from my Bikini Ready Cravebox that I had purchased on my own. The second time I was sent this book for free from SheSpeaks to review it for them. I must say I am pretty lucky to have come across such a great book twice! So guess who gets the second copy?!?!?
 That's right... giveaway!!!
I will be trying out this diet/way of living on myself as well as reviewing the book. I will be updating this post regularly so you can follow along with my progress.
 
 
 
Now that all that is done and over with let's get to the good stuff! No it is not snack time! Or could it be.... hmmm.... that is the first thing in this diet that you are allowed to do!
But not cookies and cakes.
 
 
The Fast Metabolism diet is written by Haylie Pomroy, celebrity nutritionist, and wellness consultant. She reminds us food is NOT the enemy. It is simply the remedy to repair the messed up machine we call our metabolism. This plan is designed to boost your metabolism and keep your body guessing at which area it will be working on next, by allowing you to eat and eat and eat. It will allow you to eat 3 meals and at least 2 snacks all the while losing weight. Sounds good to me!
 
The only thing is you have to follow the plan.
There are 3 phases to follow and Haylie lays them all out for you including recipes!
All 3 phases will be complete over the course of 1 week then you repeat for the other 3 weeks. In each phase you are to focus on a different area.
 
You’re going to rotate what you’re eating throughout each week according to a simple and proven plan carefully designed to induce precise physiological changes that will set your metabolism on fire.
  • PHASE ONE (Monday-Tuesday): Lots of carbs and fruits
  • PHASE TWO (Wednesday-Thursday): Lots of proteins and veggies
  • PHASE THREE (Friday-Saturday-Sunday): All of the above, plus healthy fats and oils
  • Repeat for four weeks!



I cannot rewrite the entire book here that is why I am going to give away a copy for 1 lucky reader. I encourage anyone who recieved this book in their Bikini Ready Cravebox to join me as I go through this 28 day diet plan.

 
OVER***If you do not have a copy of this book please leave a comment on this post or on my facebook page telling me how dedicated you are to losing weight. I will be choosing a winner based on their answers. I would like to have the book in the mail Friday so I will choose a winner on Thursday evening and hopefully I will have shipping info by Friday morning. ***OVER
 
Click for
will be updated occasionally
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Fast Metabolism Diet. All opinions are my own.
 


Monday, April 29, 2013

Girl's Night in Cravebox

 
Now we all know how much I love Cravebox!
This box was just as awesome as all the others have been. I was having a party Saturday when I received this box. My guests and I were equally excited to open this and explore all the contents.
We even pondered on what night would be best for our Girl's Night!
 
 
My "everything" photo is missing the recovery patches
because I gave them to one of my party guests
before I got all the pictures taken. Oh well! I was being nice!
 

The first thing I grabbed was this big container of Hills Bros. Cappuccino!
Yummy in french vanilla!



 These polishes are very great quality! I tried them out immediately then again later on all my nails! This one is a glittery blue or purple color it was a great debate among the crowd! The one thing we agreed on though was it was a super pretty color!

 The nail file had The Mindy Project on one side and New Girl on the other side. Those are 2 new shows on Fox on Tuesday night!

  The other polish looks like a creamy white/ pink color but it is a clear top coat for the glitter polish! Together they created a beautiful set of nails!
I absolutely loved this Neutrogena revitalizing lip balm.
 

These are the Zaca recovery patches I gave away.
I knew someone who could probably use them!
She is going to report back to me!
 

I got the watermelon flavor Fruit 2 O bottled water.
I am not much of a lover of flavored water but I drank it!

I also received a $50 wine gift card from NakedWines.
I have logged into the sites and looked over their wines but I have not purchased any yet.
 

Tree Hut Renewing Hand Cream...
This stuff got passed around the room as soon as it came out of the box!
After all the oooohs and ahhhhs I finally got it back!
 

And lastly... This beautiful scarf promoting breast cancer awareness sponsored by Ford!
I am not a scarf wearer but I am merging it into my bedroom decor!
 
So overall I love love love this box and Cravebox as a whole!
If you want to sign up for free you can do so here.
It only costs if you actually receive a box!
Please  go to the about me section of your profile after you sign up and enter my user name (Antonia37355) as your referrer. I can be entered into a drawing to win future boxes.  Then you can tell people about Cravebox as well and when they put your name down YOU will be entered to win!
 
Disclaimer: I won this box through a drawing from Cravebox.com. I have not been compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

CollageIt Review and Giveaway





I know I am not the only mama that has a bazillion pictures on her computer. In this day and age everyone posts pictures one at a time on facebook and various social media sites. I was so pleased when I was chosen to review a Program that allows me to place as many photos as I want into a collage. CollageIt it so easy to use my 8 yr old daughter caught on just by watching me do it.
 
You first chose a template.... which you can later adjust completely.

Choose the photos you want and place into the main picture.
 
You can randomize the entire collage and not do a thing or
you can adjust the settings and each setting is so easy to use!
 
 

When you are all done you can then export to your computer by saving as a file, or emailing.

Or the picture can be set as a wallpaper on your background right from the CollageIt program or uploaded to Facebook!
How easy is that?
You can even create you caption for the collage before posting to Facebook or Flickr.
 


All done! How easy was that? I love this program I will be playing around with my pictures all day!
 
Guess what?!?!?
I am authorized to giveaway 20 (12 windows and 8 Mac) full CollageIt Programs.
A $19.90 value each!
 
The easiest way to do this would be to ask anyone who wants
a full copy of this program to leave a comment below.
Just simply tell me which operating system you have and I will
 get the code and link out to you right away.  
 
It will be first come first serve,
so the first 12 windows users and the first 8 mac users will get the codes.





 
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.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Antonia's Southwest Chicken Quesadillas






Around my house we always get to celebrate a birthday with our favorite meal for dinner. Today is my day so I am making up some Chicken Quesadillas. Everyone knows I am a huge fan of Cravebox and they are always having different contests to win cravebucks. I try to participate as much as possible.
This week we are focusing on the McCormick Spices that came is the most recent
Cooking Light Fast Meals Cravebox. The entries are to be recipes using the McCormick Spices. I loved the Moroccan Chicken recipe they suggest but my family wouldn't be as open to that one as I would so I am chosing to create my own instead. It is really adapted a little from a recipe I found on the McCormick website.
 
What are we waiting for? Let's get cooking....
 
I am using:
1lb chicken breast strips
 8oz can tomato sauce
McCormick Perfect Pinch Southwest Seasoning
8oz bag of mexican style shredded cheese blend

 
 
You can adapt this recipe into your own as well... That is the fun of cooking.
 
Super easy....cut up the chicken into bite size pieces and cook with a little bit of oil until done.
I didn't have to use oil because my super awesome Green Pans are just that great!


When the chicken is done I add 2tbsp of McCormick Southwest spices,  the entire 8 oz can of tomato sauce and 2-3 tbsp of water. Mix well and turn to low and allow flavors to merge together.
Turn it off and set aside...


Next, I take a tortilla and place into a small dry skillet turned on low-med heat.
I scatter shredded cheese across the tortilla and
place a couple little spoonfuls of chicken mixture onto one half.
 
Allow the cheese to melt slowly careful not to burn the tortilla
then fold in half and flip to brown slightly if desired.
 

Tada!!!
I served mine up with sour cream and avacado
But that's just me!!
 
Let me know if you try this and how you like it!
How would you adapt this recipe for your tastes?
 
 


 
 
 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Book Review: The X and Giveaway


 
 
The  X
By: Lorena Bathey

 
I have not been able to put this book down!!!! Suspence and surprise from beginning to end!
It is a clear and accurate picture of what a woman will do to be sure her most prized possesions are safe from an unbeleivable evil!
I know this is a short review but I am also allowing you to win a signed copy for yourself.

Enter the Rafflecopter below


a Rafflecopter giveaway




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.

Conscious Box April 2013

I received my first Conscious Box for free from the company to review.
Conscious Box is the best way to discover the most ethical and
sustainable products on the planet! Focusing on strict tenets of organic, fair trade,
and pure and natural products, each month Conscious Box will introduce you to healthy and honest alternatives for every aspect of your life and for every member of your family.

You have a hoice to receive Classic , vegan, and gluten free.
I received the classic box. I have mixed feelings about the packaging.
I received a box within a box which doesnt seem the most eco friendly way to go. I understand the reason for this was due to the delicacy of the inner box. It was not thick enough to be shipped alone.
The inner box did, however, have a cut-out in the lid with a post card showing through the hole to create a nice scene. To make it more eco friendly this can be used to regift the box to a friend using a cute picture picked specifically for that friend.
Anyway..... Let's get into this box....

Cram packed full of goodies!
Including a postcard complete to send out to whomever you choose!

I have Gone Nuts to think I can live without these nuts! My first thought was they were very strong with garlic but I ended up loving them and ate the entire bag and regretted every minute afterwards.

I did not get a chance to try this particular bag of chips from Beanfield's but I have had them before and was quite pleased.

Everly kickstarter water enhancer I beleive I haven't tried this yet.

Natural Veggie wash cleans your fruits and veggies without any yucky chemicals!
BWC Beauty without cruelty shampoo.

Seventh generation Mandarin Facial cleansing cloths and $1.50 off coupon. I will be reviewing more seventh generation products soon. I will included the full review of this into that post.
Naturally It's Clean floor cleaner powered by enzymes not chemicals.

Nurturme Plump Peas I have never seen these before and I have no babies at home so if someone wants this just gimme a shout!

Totlogic Body Lotion


Refine Hebal Healing serum I did try this stuff out becuase it is quite expensive and I just had to know how well it worked. I may not have been able to use enough to tell a big difference but being $50 per ounce it better be good.
 
 
Overall I loved all the products I got in my conscious box. I think they have a nice variety of products not only food products but household goods as well.
 
Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned for free to review. Regardless, My opinions are true and I only recommend products I believe to be good for my readers.
 

Got2B Powderful

 
I received this Got2B powder'ful from BzzAgent. It is designed to add volume and body to your hair.
I tried it and while I would love the concept if I had short or layered hair it didn't work as well on longer single layered hair.
My hair is very fine and limp and when I applied the product it only tangled it and fluffed the top a little. It was not stylish at all so I did not get a picture. It seemed as though it would have been better for layers similar to that shown in the picture on the box since they would be boosted layer by layer.
Maybe I can find someone with short hair that I can play around with but until then I believe this will sit upon my shelf until I cut my hair.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of this product for free to review. Regardless, I only recommend products I believe would be good for my readers.
 

Color Me Monthly Review

Does anyone else have a strange addiction to nail polish? I always want new colors. There can never too many colors. It seems no matter how many reds, mauves, purples, oranges, or greens you have, there are never enough. This could be a very expensive addiction! Could be!!
 
Thanks to Color Me Monthly we have a little cheaper alternative. They focus on the quality of their polish. Citing that, "Our Nail Polish is… Non-toxic and carcinogen-free, Eco-Friendly,
Never tested on animals, Made in the USA, and Simply AWESOME!".
 
I have gotten the opportunity to try them out first hand.

I was hoping for a WOW! factor. That didn't happen.
The polish was a thick creamy polish with great coverage. However I still didn't think it was worth $7 for just one polish. I could get this color and quality polish at any local drug store for less than their asking monthly price.

If you have faith and like the idea of a random color polish delivered right to your door every month then by all means don't let me talk you out of it. I just don't feel like this service is for me.
You can sign up by clicking here!


Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned for free to review. Regardless, My opinions are true and I only recommend products I believe to be good for my readers.


Friday, April 19, 2013

Cooking Light Fast Meals Cravebox

Continuing throughout the year by April most of has probably given up on our new year's resolutions to eat right and be healthy. Cravebox to the rescue, this box from the cooking light series is the fast meals box. To keep meal times quick and easy without losing the big goal of eating right.

The first thing I will get right to is the envelope.... I am a couponer so I am well aware of the benefits of getting coupons. When they are totally free is even better.
Included in this box was :
(2) Free Box of Triscuit Brown rice and wheat crackers
(3) Save $1 / one box of Belvita breakfast biscuits (we are no stranger to these)
(2) Save $1/ Newtons Cookies
(1) Save $1 / one Lean Cuisine Salad Additions
(2) $0.55 / Fresh Express Packaged Salad
Value: $12.10

I am not a big tea drinker but I know exactly who I can share these with.
I got a full size box of Stash Herbal Tea Sampler
This box has 2 each of 9 different flavors of tea all caffeine free....
Blueberry Super fruit
Chamomile
Mango Passion fruit
Peppermint
Wild Raspberry Hibiscus
Licorice Spice
Lemon Ginger
Cinnamon Apple Chamomile
Acai Berry
Along with a catalog for many other goodies they offer.
Value: approx. $4
 

Some yummy Popchips Nacho Flavor
I assume these were delish.... the kids stole them and gobbled them up quickly.
Value: $0.85
 

Pure Via Stevia Sweetener 40 count box and recipe booklet
I don't really use artificial sweeteners but again I love to share so someone else will be getting these.
The recipes do look good though so maybe I will give a couple of them a shot before I give it all away. You can also find recipes online here.
Value: $2.69

Again with the artificial sweeteners.
This one is Equal 50 count box and recipe booklet as well.
Value: approx. $2
 
I think this is becoming a battle box....
 

In this corner we have McCormick Perfect Pinch Southwest sweet & smoky
seasoning. You can also find recipes online here.
I did try this already and love it. It is not too spicy for the kids and was still plenty flavorful.
 Value: approx. $2.82

And this contestant is McCormick Moroccan Seasoning
I have not tried this one yet.
Value: $4.98

They also included (2)  Zone Perfect bars.
I got the chocolate peanut butter crunch and just like last time they are still good.
Value: $approx $1/ each

A lastly we have Nabisco Newtons in triple berry
I love fig newtons but I am not crazy about this particular flavor. I don't know what it is I just don't like the triple berry.
Value approx. $1/ each (maybe a little less)
 
That is my Cooking Light Fast Meals Cravebox.
Total Value approximately $33.44 and I paid $13 for it. I would say I got a good deal even if I am scoring brownie points by giving some of it away!
 
I explain more about Cravebox is a previous post. Please if you sign up make sure to add Antonia37355 to the about me section of your profile as the person who referred you. It enters me into a drawing for referrals and if I win I can do more giveaways! We both win!

Disclaimer: I am in no way compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and I would never recommend anything I do not personally feel is good for my readers.