Don't Settle

I don't know if this is exactly what the author was thinking about when he wrote this, but it is what spoke to me when I saw it.

You don't need to be putting yourself into dangerous situations to take a risk.  You just need to be willing to step outside your comfort zone.  If you are willing to do so, you could end up with an extraordinary opportunity.  

So are you ready?
Or are you satisfied with settling?

Do you want more than the ordinary?
I know I do - dare yourself to take a risk.

It could turn out to be one of the best things you've ever done.

Apple Berry Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

Just had to stop and share this one!

This would be great for summer "snacking" or to go with some drinks on the deck this summer.  What do you think?

The Chop N Prep is such a useful tool ... one of my favorite Tupperware pieces that I use all the time.

Don't have one?  Check it out on my Tupperware site where you can pick one up for yourself.

Lets make the ordinary GREAT.

Sometimes I like to wonder around the web and look for things to make me smile or just make me sit up and take notice.  Sometimes I find things that make me just think - well of course that's what you need to do.  

This is one of them.

Don't wait for

extraordinary 

opportunities,

seize the 

common occasions,

and make them 

great.

Orison Swett

Marden

I think that this is more of a reminder that ANY day or event can be great, it doesn't have to be the most extraordinary thing we have ever heard or seen.  

It is what we do with the "normal" or "ordinary" that can make them great.

Lets grab today and make it great.  No matter what is suppose to happen today, it CAN be GREAT.

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Yes you can have pulled pork sandwiches any time of year.

That is if you have the Tupperware Microwave Pressure Cooker.  What?? you didn't know we had one of these?  You don't have one? You really do want one for so many things.  Check it out on my Tupperware Site to see this wonderful product with all the benefits of a stovetop pressure cooker without the "scary" parts!

Ingredients:

• 2-lb./1 kg boneless pork butt, 
•           cut in half lengthwise
• 1 tsp. coarse kosher salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

Place pork in base of Microwave Pressure Cooker and season with salt and pepper.

Pour cider and vinegar over pork, cider should cover pork and not exceed max fill line. 

Seal and microwave on high power 30 minutes.

Remove from microwave and allow pressure to release naturally until red pressure indicator is fully lowered, about 10-15 minutes.

Check to ensure internal temperature of pork has reached 145° F/63° C. 

Remove to a cutting board and shred using 2 forks.

Here is where I would remove half the liquid remaining in the pressure cooker and add my favorite BBQ sauce to the juices left so you have half juice and half BBQ sauce and mix well.  I would then add the shredded pork back into the pressure cooker and "mix".

Serve warm on buns or Texas toast with desired condiments.

Sound good?  Don't have a Tupperware Pressure Cooker?  Check it out on my Tupperware Site and you could be making this and so much more in your microwave.

See we are so much more than the iconic "Burp Bowls".

PIÑA COLADA ICE POPS

Serves: 6

Serving Size: 1 Lollitup

Ingredients

• ¾ cup pineapple, pureed
• 1¼ cups coconut water

Instructions

1. Divide pureed pineapple between Lollitups® Freezable Forms and then pour coconut water in to the fill line. Freeze.

Check out these great lollitups on my Tupperware Site for all your treasured ice pop recipes ... or come try some of mine.

Happy Memorial Day 2015

I wanted to take this time to wish everyone here in the States a Happy Memorial Day.

But most importantly to thank each and every Service man or woman, past or present for their service but to remember those who have died.

Remember 

All gave some.

Some 

gave all.

These are the people 

we honor today.

And to each I say thank you 

from the bottom of my heart.

It is because of each of you 

that we can still live 

in the land of the free 

and 

the home of the brave.

No matter where you stand 

on the politics of today

I believe we still live in the best country

I hope you feel the same way.

Hidden Veggie Burger

You many be like many of us, who face the veggie challenge with some of our family members. You want them to increase their intake of veggies (or just get them to eat SOME veggies) but they are always balking at the idea.  

Checkout the "Hidden" Veggie Burger.

What I like about this one is that the veggies are actually ground into the meat so those "picky" non-veggie eaters will not be able to "pick them out" and probably won't even know they are there.  

Just another one of the benefits of the Tupperware Fusion Master.  

I'm betting you could do the same thing with a meatloaf, whether you make it into a loaf or in muffin cups for easy individual servings.

Check out the Tupperware Fusion Master on my Tupperware Site so that you can be making your own ground meats so you know what's in what you are serving to your family. 

Individual Cupcake Holder Special!

I know that for most of you, your kids have already finished up the school year or are almost finished, so school lunches are not in your mind at the moment.

But before you know it, the time for school lunches will be back again.  I know when my kids were small and we made cupcakes (or bought them) they would want to have one in their lunch.  They really thought that would be an awesome dessert.  And it would have been if there was a way to get them to school without having it looked like someone sat on it (and they probably did).  But of course Tupperware has an answer.

Now you can't order this one online, but you can order it through me. If you want a set of 2 for just $10 (plus S,H&T) I will take orders through Paypal friends and family for this item.  I wish it was available through my website so you could just grab a set or two of your own - but this is what I can do for you.  

I LOVE these.

If you need a pitcher for this upcoming summer season for your iced tea or fresh made lemon or limeade ... check out this one. 

Now you don't get to pick which one you get at this price but WOW for $12 its a deal that you can't go wrong on.

Same offer as above with the cupcake holders. Message me and I will get you a total price to send through Paypal and I will submit your order and have it shipped directly to you.

Just remember to get these at these AWESOME prices you MUST place your order with me no later than May 28th so that I am sure to have the order submitted by Friday before it is gone!

Mexican Chicken Burgers

Looking for something "different" to make for this Memorial Day weekend celebration?

Check out the Mexican Chicken Burger!  

This is just another one of the wonderful things that you can find at Tupperware.  

Join my team or add yourself to my mailing list on my Tupperware Site and you will get a once monthly newsletter where you can find all kinds of things going on here with Tupperware.

Can't find good ground chicken?  Or are you like me and just love to do it yourself because you will KNOW what is in that ground meat? The Fusion Master is an AWESOME piece and you could get an additional attachment to make fresh squeezed orange or grapefruit juice or lemon/limeade so you know there are no preservatives in there!

I can't wait to try this one ... shhh not going to tell hubby I'm thinking of doing this one.

Sausage and Peppers ... from the Microwave

Yes you read that correctly FROM THE MICROWAVE!
That is of course if you have gotten the Pressure Cooker from Tupperware.

I LOVE mine.

Ingredients:

• 5 sausage links, about 1¼ lbs./565 g
• 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 15-oz./425 g can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp. Italian Herb Seasoning

Instructions:

Place sausage links in base of Microwave Pressure Cooker.

Add all remaining ingredients to base of Pressure Cooker.

Seal and microwave on high power 15 minutes. 

Remove from microwave and allow pressure to release naturally until red pressure indicator fully lowers, about 8–10 minutes.

Serve on a hoagie roll or over rice, if desired.

If you had already gotten one of the Microwave Pressure Cookers from my Tupperware Site, you could be making these for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and not heat up the kitchen and not have to worry about being away from the "party".

If you had our Mandoline, you could also cut up the onions and peppers PDQ as well.

Can't wait to make these.

Check out these pieces and so much more on my Tupperware Site to make your meal prep a breeze and keep you in the party.

Go for your DREAMS

We all know that I have never EVER let anything stand in my way when there is something that I wanted to do.  I hope you do anyway.  That has included anything that either of my kids wanted to do.

I have always stood behind them whispering into their ears (ok sometime yelling and pushing) that they CAN do it.  And yes, this proud mom can say that they have ... sometimes saying "I can't" all the time they were doing it!

So of course when I saw this I just needed to share with you.

Super Easy Bagel Sandwich

imagine having this in your lunch

or maybe you kids lunch

Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1 bagel
2 tbsp. desired nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew or sunflower) 
1–2 strawberries

Instructions
Cut bagel in half and spread 1 tbsp. nut butter on each side of bagel.  
I would make my own nut butter with the Chop 'n Prep so that I know it is fresh and it hasn't been sitting on the store shelf for who knows how long.  And kids love to help.

Slice strawberries using Slice ’N Wedge Kitchen Gadget.
Assemble sandwich and store overnight in Sandwich Keeper.

Note:
Sandwiches can also be frozen and, once defrosted, the fresh strawberries are more jam-like.

Here is the Slice 'n Wedge Gadget that is used here.  I use mine quite a bit for softer fruits and hard boiled eggs (which of course I make in the Smart Steamer).  If you'd like to see what else we have to offer for this Summer or during Birthday month you can check out my Tupperware Site.  All kinds of wonderful things available with new colors for Summer!

COOKIES AND CREAM ICE POPS

Ingredients

• 8 chocolate sandwich cookies
• 1½ cups vanilla yogurt
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Place cookies in base of Power Chef™ System, fitted with blade attachment. Cover and pull cord until crushed. 
2. Add yogurt and vanilla and pull cord until combined.
3. Divide between Lollitups® Freezable Forms and freeze.

Like what you see?  You can get your own Tupperware pieces on my Tupperware Site and be making some very happy people this summer when everyone wants ice cream but you don't want a huge mess!

10 Things Mom NEVER told you.

I know Mother's Day was last weekend, and I probably should have shared this with you then.
But when I saw this one I thought it was still important enough to remind you even after Mother's Day.

I don't know if I would have believed that these 10 things were possible when I was growing up.  I don't know if I would have even believed it was possible when I became an adult.

But I do know that every single one of them IS possible.

I know this because I have lived and continue to live them all once I became a mother. 
I know I would definitely do it again because my kids are just that special!  
But of course I'm not the least bit biased. 

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

I know that during the warmer months I am always on the go somewhere and usually having to grab and go for breakfast or you know what happens ... fast food breakfast along the way.

When I saw this one .. the light went on.  I can make this the night before - or even 2 days before and be ready for the "mad dash".  

Ingredients:
½ cup fat- free Greek yogurt, any flavor
¼ cup quinoa, cooked
¼ cup fresh berries
½ tbsp. honey

Instructions
Combine ingredients in the Bite On the Go container, seal and store in refrigerator until breakfast, up to two days.

I had gotten one of these Bite On the Go containers to take with me for lunches when I go to work.  I thought some fresh fruit salads would be a nice treat.  Now I have yet another reason to have this great container.

You can pick up this really nice piece, with its own spoon attached to the lid, on my Tupperware Site. 

Check it out.  It is very affordable AND for every $30 you spend this month you get a ticket into my 30-30-30 prize drawing where you could win a free Tupperware piece from me worth $30!

New Morning Affirmations for all of us

I saw this and thought it was too good not to share.  I mean we all need to be reminded that how we start our day is how we project what we want or what we are to others.

This is the second of my new morning mantras.  I think I will print this out and leave it on the refrigerator so that I will see it early each morning before I have to face the world.  

I will also print out each of these affirmations separately and leave them in a jar by my bed. Then each morning I will pick one message and make that my thought for the start of the day.

Do you know a Grill Master?

How about a Grill Father?

Maybe you are looking for the perfect gift for the Grill Master Father that won't break the bank but will be well used for many many events for many years

Once again, Tupperware has the answer.
Check out my Tupperware Site for these great pieces to make grilling (or just getting ready for your grill master) so much easier!  These could be great Father's Day gifts.  

I love using the Fusion Master to make my own ground beef or chicken (super easy and fun) to make my own hamburgers.

The Season-Serve container are great for all kinds of marinaded meats.  I use mine all year round for all kinds of proteins.  It is one of those things that have become invaluable in my kitchen.

LEMON MAYO PASTA SALAD

I love the look of this one.  

Lets face it, we all seem to make the same things every year for our BBQs or Cookouts. How about we try something "new" this year.

Here is a great idea from Tupperware for a Pasta Salad that I'm going to try this year.

Ingredients

Lemon Mayo (makes 1 cup)

1 egg yolk
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
½ lemon, juiced 

         using the Zest ’N Press™ Gadget
¼ tsp. coarse kosher salt
¾ cup canola oil

Pasta Salad

12 oz./350 g farfalle
2 green onions, quartered
2 celery stalks, quartered
¾ cup baby carrots
½ green bell pepper, seeded and quartered
½ cup Lemon Mayo
½ tsp. coarse kosher salt
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 cup cooked chicken, cubed (optional)

Instructions

To prepare Lemon Mayo:

Place egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice and salt into base of Power Chef™ System fitted with paddle whisk attachment. 

Cover and pull cord several times to blend. 

Place funnel in recess and slowly add oil while pulling cord until all oil is fully incorporated and mayo is thick. Set aside.

To prepare pasta salad:

Place pasta in Microwave Pasta Maker and fill with water to max fill line. Microwave on high power 14 minutes or until al dente.

While pasta is cooking, place green onions, celery, carrots and bell pepper into base of Power Chef™ System fitted with blade attachment.  Cover and pull cord 6–7 times to roughly chop. Transfer to medium bowl.

When pasta has finished cooking, remove from microwave, drain and rinse with cold water until cool.

Add pasta to vegetables along with Lemon Mayo, salt, pepper and chicken (if desired). 

Mix thoroughly using the Saucy Silicone Spatula. 

Chill before serving.

Note:
To create a Lemon & Garlic Aioli, follow the Lemon Mayo recipe, but finely process 2 garlic cloves in Chop ’N Prep Chef and add along with the first ingredients.

I love making my own Mayo so that it is FRESH and not with a lot of preservatives or things I can't pronounce.  The Power Chef System makes it a breeze to make.  Check it out.  You can pick up all the pieces noted above, including the Power Chef System on my Tupperware Site or you can join my team and get it (Power Chef) at a huge discount for joining this month.  

Interested?  Message me and we can talk about all the great benefits of being part of my Tupperware team.

MANGO BLACKBERRY POPS

Serves: 6
Serving Size: 1 Lollitup

Ingredients:
1¼ cup mangoes, frozen + 4 tbsp. water
1¼ cup blackberries, frozen + 2 tbsp. water

Instructions:
Puree mangoes and water in the Tupperware Power Chef™ System. 

Set aside in small bowl.

Puree blackberries and water in the Tupperware Power Chef™ System.

Layer 1 tbsp. mango followed by blackberry mixture in Lollitups® Freezable Forms, repeat once to fill mold. 

(Because of thickness of purees, no need to freeze in between layers.)

Check out these Tupperware pieces on my Tupperware Site and you could be making your own kid or adult pops this summer to beat the heat!

Its My Tupperware Birthday Party Party

Welcome to my 30-30-30 Tupperware Party! 

Here is how this will work.

For every order of $30 (before shipping or taxes) you submit through my Tupperware Site, I will enter your name into a drawing for Free Tupperware that is valued at $30.00. 

To make it really easy, you can use the link for my May's TupperConnect party.

After you have completed your order, email me with your order number so I can add you to the 30-30-30 board and then I can easily reach out to you when you win! 

I must receive your email by May 27, 2015 so that I can close out the party before Birthday Month closes on Friday May 29th.

I will reply to your email with your ticket information.  You will receive a free ticket for each $30 order. 

For example if you ordered $60 in product, you receive 2 chances in the drawing, $90 in product will get you 3 chances to win and so on.  

Each board will only have 30 spaces, so you have a good chance that you could be my winner.

I would love to have more than one board filled for this event, so that I can have more than one winner.  I love being able to give away Tupperware this way, so that I can share the wonderful products that we have.

I hope you will join me.

Have a question about a product?  Just ask and I will answer as quickly as possible.

Right now you can order from the Summer Catalog, the Mid-May brochure AND the Birthday Month brochure.

Help me make this a success.  

I'd love to be emailing you that you won a prize as part of my 30-30-30 Tupperware Birthday Month Party.

I wish you enough

Today would have been my brother Joe's 56th birthday, instead it is the second birthday that we do not have him here to celebrate the day.  

Happy Birthday Joe

I know you are with Grandmom and Grandpop, Nana and Pop-pop swapping stories and getting ready to be routing on your beloved Yankees, maybe this will be their year again.  We miss you.

For those who have read this far ... I share this story, that I'm sure you have seen many times before, but has so much more meaning when you know the story.  

I wish you Enough

At an airport I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure and standing near the door, she said to her daughter, "I love you, I wish you enough." 

She said, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom."

They kissed good-bye and she left.

She walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. 

I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

Yes, I have," I replied. 

Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Mom had done for me.
Recognizing that her days were limited, I took the time to tell her face to face how much she meant to me.

So I knew what this woman was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, her next trip back will be for my funeral, " she said.

"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?" 

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone."

She paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, she smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them," she continued and then turning toward me she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun 

to keep your attitude bright. 

I wish you enough rain 

to appreciate the sun more. 

I wish you enough happiness 

to keep your spirit alive. 

I wish you enough pain 

so that the smallest joys in life 

appear much bigger. 

I wish you enough gain 

to satisfy your wanting. 

I wish you enough loss 

to appreciate all that you possess. 

I wish enough "Hello's" 

to get you through the final "Good-bye.."

Book Review - Diet Enlightenment

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.  

One of the things that I liked about this book was that it was easy to read yet filled with a lot of information.

Rachel Pires starts her book by telling you that she is NOT a doctor or a nutritionist ... but is basically just like you and me, someone who was trying to manage this elusive life event called "weight loss" and then managing that loss for the rest of our lives.  She tells you how to change your thinking because we have been brainwashed to think weight loss is a complicated thing.  

I am very sure that many of you have tried what seems like hundreds of weight loss programs (I know I feel like I have) but don't have a lot to show for years of effort.  Oh you will lose weight while on the program but when you get back to "real life" living, those pounds and inches seem to find their way back .... and bring a few of their "friends" with them.

This isn't a book about which diet program to follow.

This isn't a book about which diet program is the best or the easiest to follow.

This is a book to help us manage our thinking about what the bottom line is in weight loss.   So that whatever program we chose to follow, it will make sense for the long run.  No quick fix, no fad diets, just simple (although not always easy to wrap your head around) information.  

It makes getting to our "healthy" weight much easier because it helps to make our program "make sense" and stop the "guilty" feels that I know I have always had, no matter what plan I have tried in the past.

This book is for anyone who wants to get to a healthy weight and then maintain it, with a plan that can work because you are taught how to make it work for you without having someone hold your hand or make you feel guilty if you slip.  It's real, its honest, its fun and most of all, gives you the tools to be successful.

Rachel Pires did it ... you and I can too.

As noted above, I received a copy of this book from the author to facilitate my review through the Tomoson program.  
I received no compensation for my honest opinions.  I will only recommend products that I feel will be of benefit to my readers.

Happy Mother's Day

I just wanted to stop 

and wish all of my readers 

Happy Mother's Day!

Now some of you will find this funny
but for those readers who are Moms 
or who knows a Mom ...
this is pretty much our life!

Edited to remove picture as I was contacted by someone stating it was "their" picture and I could remove or pay them ... since I don't know where I got it from (and never remove ownership tags) I just removed it.

Happy Mother's Day

Tupperware Birthday Month

I hope you have seen these on my Tupperware Site, but just in case you have missed it while I was away...

Welcome to Birthday Month at Tupperware!

I hope you will enjoy all the wonderful new things and new colors we have for the season. I know I do!

I just love my Stack Cooker and these sets are at an awesome price.  
If you purchase these from my Tupperware Web Site, I will send you a file of recipes to get you started.  I really love mine - from breakfast to dessert there are all kinds of things you can make with this set!

Today also starts the mid-May brochure that has all kinds of wonderful things as well.

I hope you will stop on over to my site and see what is available - so many wonderful things to make your May and Summer special!

Mocha Pops

Oh YUMMMM this would be great for a adult treat without worry of "overdoing".

Ingredients:

½ cup strong brew coffee, hot 

           OR ½ cup water and 1 tsp. instant coffee
½ cup chocolate sauce
1 cup reduced-fat (2%) milk or vanilla yogurt

Instructions:

Stir ingredients together.  

Divide between Lollitups® Freezable Forms.
Freeze.

You can always pick up anything Tupperware on my Tupperware Site. It's "always" open. The lollitups noted here are only available during the summer so pop on over to my Tupperware site and order yours today.  At just $19 for 6 I think its a great deal.  I'm going to pick up another set for me this season for even more treats.

Cucumber Mango Salsa

With Summer coming (I know can't be too soon for sure) I am getting my recipes together in one spot.  It will be BBQ season before you know it!

I think this one will be a big hit!
What about you?  Are you going to try this one?

My Quick Chef Pro will be getting a lot of work done for me this season.  

For the Love Of Day Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop in the

Welcome to the "For the Love of Dad" Giveaway Hop 

hosted by

Mama's Baby Cupcakes 
&
Mommy's Favorite Things. 

The theme of this event is 
great gifts for dads, 

each blog participating has a prize 
valued at $25+. 

This hop will run from May 4-18 

so that your winnings can arrive 

just in time for Father's Day! 

Heather at Mommy's Favorite Things 
is hosting the Grand Prize 
from Kore Essentials 

valued at $140. 

You can read Heather's full review on her blog to learn more about the company as well before entering.

My prize is for the outdoors dad

I am offering a $25 Gift Card to

I'm sure the Outdoors Dad 
will find something he will like!

Disclosure:

Mama's Baby Cupcakes, Mommy's Favorite Things and the "Love for Dad" participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations

Lollitups ... an all year round treat!

Personally I love these all year round, but Tupperware only offers these babies during the Summer months - so I would hope you would pop on over to my Tupperware Site and grab at least 1 set for yourself.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Ready for some yum, yum, summer fun? Embrace the flavor of summer. Set easily clips together.

• Includes six bases with integrated sticks and six covers
• 2.2oz./65 mL.
• In Spearmint/Tropical Water
• Dishwasher safe
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

When my kids were little and they were not feeling well, this was a great way to get fluids into them and when you were in need of getting the Pedialyte into them .... what better way than an ice pop!

Remember, they are only available for a short time so pop on over to my Tupperware Site and grab at least 1 set for yourself.  I'm sure you will be happy you did.

oh and keep a look out for some great recipes to use in these for family, friends and you!

Its a Kitchen Makeover Giveaway Hop!

I hope you just KNEW 

I had to be part of this event! 

I mean Tupperware 

has so many AWESOME things 

to update your kitchen 

and 

make cooking and storage 

so much easier!

Welcome to my stop in the

Kitchen Makeover Giveaway Hop

Hosted by 

Planet Weidknecht

and LeahSay's Views

Between May 1-14, 

visit each of the blogs listed below

and enter to win fabulous prizes 

for your kitchen.

Each blogger is hosting 
a giveaway worth at least $25.

For my prize in this event

the winner will have their choice of

a four piece set of FridgeSmart

to keep your fruits and veggies 

fresh longer in your Fridge

or 

A Stack Cooker

to make meals and desserts 

quick in the microwave

without it tasting like it was made 

in the microwave! 

The value of my prize will depend on which you chose but will be valued at least $75.

Check out my Tupperware Site for more details on these pieces. If you don't want to miss out, you can grab yours on my site. It's our birthday month so there are some great pieces on sale too!