Its the SPOOKtacular Giveaway Hop 2015

Welcome to the 

SPOOKtacular Giveaway Hop

With Halloween being only 

a few shorts weeks away, 

we decided that a Hop was in order,

to help you get ready! 

This event will run from 

October 1 through October 15, 

which gives you enough time to 

hop on down the list 

to enter all the SPOOKtacular Giveaways 

for your GHOULS and GOBLINS! 

Each blogger is giving away prizes 

valued $15 or more. 
My prize is self sponsored as I am a Tupperware Consultant.  
This great prize will keep your 
little ghouls or goblins from 
getting the "munchies" 
while walking or driving around!

You get a set of 4 
SPOOKtacular Snack Set
by Tupperware.
Your Ghouls or Goblins would be the 
only ones to have these this year!
Great for lunch or for 
Trick 'r Treating!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Companies and bloggers, if you would like to participate in events like this one, visit Review Wire Media and sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by The Review Wire.

another reflection on Karma

I think that if people started to think, and I mean really think, about what they are doing to others and the fact that whatever you do will come back to you ... we might have a much nicer world to live in.

I will admit that I don't know a whole lot about Karma .. but I do believe in the few things that I do know. 

One of those things is ... 

What goes around, 

comes around

Another is ...

What you give, 

will be returned to you ten fold.

So just perhaps this is why evil begets evil 
And we need to start sharing all the wonderful things we all want to have around us ... so it can be returned to us ten fold.

Still looking for something for the Football Sunday Marathon??

Of course I have another Tupperware product and recipe to offer. And then we have you can use your imagination to figure out what to put it on ... and whether or not you want something a little more spicy.  

Football viewing is great for lots of finger foods that don't take a long time to make, like the pepper poppers I showed you here.

And as the weather starts to get cooler we all start to think about chili! What I love about chili is that it can be its own dish or it can be an addition to something else.  I love adding chili to hot dogs or baked potatoes too.

I made this recipe the other day, using ground beef instead of ground turkey and have to say it was AWESOME.  I can definitely see this one being made often in my house.

If you need any of the Tupperware pieces mentioned here, you know my Tupperware site is always open.  

Hug a teacher

Well school has been in session for at least a few weeks now.
Hopefully everyone has met their children's teachers, at least once.
Have you had back to school night yet?
Do you know what is planned for this school year for your kids?

I saw this one the other day and thought it really needed to be shared.
Maxine does have a way about her.  
Somehow she always seems to "nail it" for us even while we are laughing up a storm.

So if you see a teacher in the next few days ... give him or her a hug.  They are our hope of a better future....or at least a saner one.

Quick Pork Tenderloin any day of the week!

Surprise you CAN make an interesting and super tasty dinner in less than an hour!

Balsamic Pork in the Pressure Cooker!!
Ingredients:

• 1 tsp sage
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced (chop n prep works perfectly)
• pork tenderloin
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1 onion, chopped (again chop n prep works perfectly)

Instructions:

Combine first 4 ingredients to make a paste
Massage paste over pork tenderloin.
Add pork to pressure cooker.

Mix next 4 ingredients to combine and pour over tenderloin.
Add Onion to Pressure Cooker.

Put lid on Pressure Cooker and seal.
Cook in Microwave for 10 minutes on high. 

Allow the pressure to release naturally.

I can see this being served with a nice serving of loaded mashed potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes or spaetzel or even egg noodles.  And of course a nice salad or green beans with bacon .... let your imagination go wild since this recipe takes no time at all.

I can't remember where I saw this (it was from another Tupperware Consultant) and thought I had her info, but I don't.  So I can't give her credit ... although I will be looking for it so I can give her proper credit for sharing with us.

Want that Pressure Cooker?  Or the Chop n Prep?
Check them out on my Tupperware Site, where you know you can shop day or night, even in your PJs!  I just love that!

Have a question?  Message me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

How to treat people

This could be one of the best things I have seen in a long time that helps to explain to kids (and adults) how to treat people.

Sometimes I think we forget about the fact that everyone has challenges.  Sometimes we seem to think that we are the only ones that are facing trials and challenges so its ok to treat others "not so nice".  

Well here's another visual to send home that fact that just maybe it isn't.

Because you see, everyone has their own challenges that are unique to them.  They could be the same ones that you face, or they could be completely different.  But no matter what we see on the outside ... those challenges exist for everyone.

The question is ... can you accept that and look for and most importantly understand their challenges.  If you can, you just may figure out how to treat others everyday.

I know that I will try.  Will you?

Using a Steamer is a healthy alternative

As it starts to get cooler, we all start to think less and less about our diet.  Perhaps it is because we end up "hiding" under big heavy sweaters that "hide" any excess weight.  Then we go crazy come late winter/early spring trying to get ready for Swimsuit Season.

How about we try to eat healthier all winter long and not worry about losing those big bulky sweaters ....

Here are some great reasons to have a Tupperware Smart Steamer to cook your dishes. Steaming your food is a healthy alternative that everyone can do.

1. Cooking vegetables with steam retains their optimal texture and nutritional content.
2. Steaming is a great solution for health conscious people. Flavorful dishes can be created without adding oils and other fats simply by steaming food.
3. Steaming retains more of your food’s vitamins and minerals as opposed to boiling, when they are lost to the cooking liquids.
4. Steaming is an excellent way to preserve the true flavor and quality of your ingredients. Want to truly appreciate the nice, fresh cut of fish you just purchased? Try steaming it to appreciate the quality and flavors.
5. Have leftover pasta noodles? Using this moist method of reheating is a great way to warm the noodles without making them dry or rubbery.
6. If steaming fish with a thin tapered end, gently fold the thin end under to even out the filet’s thickness. Doing so will even out the cooking time for both ends of the filet.
7. Create fillings for your steamed fish or chicken by wrapping cheese, herbs or minced vegetables in thin fish filets or chicken cutlets and securing with toothpicks.
8. Because steam cooking retains more nutrients, it’s an excellent way to cook baby food. To make it extra easy, simply cook vegetables and fruit past the “al dente” stage and they’ll be easy to blend.
9. When using the Tupperware® SmartSteamer, keep your food items roughly the same size on each layer. This will help you get evenly cooked results—when one broccoli floret is done, the others will be done.
10. Don’t overcrowd your Tupperware® SmartSteamer. There should be enough space for the steam to circulate around the food.
11. Remember, until the water in the Water Tray begins to boil, the food inside is not exposed to heat. When creating your own recipes, keep in mind that the first couple of minutes in the microwave heats the water and has minimal effect on the food until the water begins to boil.
12. If you’ve removed the SmartSteamer from the microwave and your foods aren’t quite perfectly cooked, try leaving the SmartSteamer covered on the counter to gently finish cooking the food with residual steam.
13. Gently enhance the aromatics of steamed foods by adding fragrant herbs or citrus to the water in the SmartSteamer Water Tray.

Happy Fall

I missed the first day of Fall ... and it was such a beautiful day here!
So Happy Second Day of Fall.
Hopefully it will continue to be a beautiful time here and where you are.


Let the days that follow continue to be as lovely as today!

PASTA FAGIOLI

One of the things I really love about this time of year ... SOUP!

Oh yes I love the changes in colors and the cooler (only cooler not a fan of super cold that will be coming) temperatures and the wonderful smell of freshly made soup cooking on the stove!

Ingredients

• 5 garlic cloves, peeled 
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 28 oz./755 g can whole tomatoes
• 3¼ cups fat-free low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 (15 oz./425 g) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp. Italian Herb Seasoning Blend
• 4 oz./115 g ditalini or other small pasta
• 4 cups kale or Swiss chard, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated using Grate ’N Measure® Grater
• ¼ cup chopped parsley

Instructions

1. In base of Quick Chef® Pro System, process onion and garlic until finely chopped. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
2. Preheat a 6-Qt./5.6 L pot over medium-high heat.
3. Add olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
4. Chop tomatoes in base of Quick Chef® Pro System.
5. Add tomatoes, chicken stock, beans and seasoning blend to onions and garlic.
6. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes.
7. Cook ditalini in Microwave Pasta Maker 8 minutes. Drain.
8. Add kale and cooked pasta to pot.
9. Reduce heat and simmer 5-10 minutes until kale is wilted.
10. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley before serving.

I can't wait to try this one.

And of course the fresh grated Parmesan Cheese will be done with the Tupperware Grater Shredder (cause that is really my new fun toy!)

If you want any of the Tupperware pieces used here, check them out on my Tupperware Site.  If you make this recipe ... please share. Post pictures here or on my Facebook Page.  

I love to see people enjoying what I share.

Lessons to learn

Once we have decided which option is the one for us, make sure that you are taking with you the lessons learned.  Do not leave without having learned your lessons or you are going to repeat those mistakes over and over and over ...

Quick Pepper Poppers

Ok this just looks like it would be awesome for an appetizer.  And I bet you could use lower fat string cheese to make it very Weight Watcher friendly.  I will have to check into that one.

And of course this is yet another reason to have your very own Tupperware Smart Steamer, which if you don't have one can be picked up on my site.

I think the mini sweet peppers are just so cute.  I had gotten some of these in the spring before the peppers started arriving in the garden and chopped them up for a salad.  I should have seen this recipe then and I would have been making them all summer (I do believe).

Now it doesn't say this, but I bet you could put some Italian seasoning or just oregano over top to add even more flavor to this dish. Check out our seasonings as well, to add some awesome flavors to this.

A kiss from heaven

When you lose someone who was very special to you, you are devastated.  
And that is understandable.  
It happens to all of us at one time or another. I know it doesn't make you feel any better to be part of this group. 
At times though, we feel that they are with us still, it could be because of a brush of wind or a smell that wafts by or maybe a butterfly or bird flying by.
I think this is another wonderful event that could be something special just for you.  

I may just never look at a rainy day the same way after seeing this.

When you want to send your reply ....

What do you think?

Roasted Garlic and Feta Spread

This one could be used in so many things ... I can see this on a veggie tray but also with some French baguette slices or on some pumpernickel cocktail slices.  Oh yes this would be awesome!   I wonder how about a baked potato?  Maybe.  Or a football party! Oh yeah wanted to get to you before you go shopping today for your Football watching ...

Ingredients

• 1 bulb garlic 
• 8 oz./225 g feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 lemon, squeezed using Zest 'N Press® Gadget
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped with the Chop ’N Prep Chef
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 500°F/260°C.
2. Cut off the root end of garlic bulb, exposing the cloves. Wrap the entire bulb in aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes; cool completely.
3. Squeeze out the cloves of garlic and place in the base of Quick Chef® Pro System fitted with the blade attachment.
4. Add the feta cheese, oil, sour cream, lemon juice and basil.
5. Replace cover and turn handle to process until well combined.
6. Season mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

I know I rarely tell you to either use aluminum foil or cook at 500 degrees ... but for this one I will make an exception.

I can't wait to share this with the family with a nice glass of wine.

Don't have the Tupperware pieces noted here? Not to worry, my Tupperware Site is always "open" so you can pop on over and see what you like.

If you want to see about joining my Tupperware team, you can either message me or click on Join Us on my Tupperware Site. Questions?  Message me.

Be YOU

I, at first, didn't think this needed much of a comment.

Then I thought about how many people forget to believe in themselves.  They are so caught up in following others, that they forget about themselves.

They forget that within that simple saying is a HUGE truth

If you believe in Yourself ... 

all you have to do is 

Be You!

Do you believe in yourself?

Are you being YOU?


I have to thank my director and Tupperware for bringing this one back to our attention.
She saw this at new director training.
I think it is perfect

Cinnamon Rolls yummmm

I wanted something different for breakfast this morning, just wasn't into eggs today.  Now don't get me wrong I love eggs and the Tupperware Microwave Breakfast Maker is making it a breeze for frittatas, omelets, a scramble of sorts and with the inserts (if you were lucky enough to follow me and pick up a set last month) for poached eggs or even mock McMuffins.  But today I just wasn't feeling it, even with all these options.

But somehow those Cinnamon Rolls in my refrigerator were calling my name.  The biggest problem was that I definitely didn't want to make 8 cinnamon rolls ... cause you know I would have eaten them all - not good. Well Breakfast Maker to the rescue!  
I admit I forgot to take a picture before I put them in the microwave, but here they are 3, cooked for 1 minute in the microwave in the Breakfast Maker!

They were really easy and quick and yes tasty!  The only thing I will do when I do these again (and we will do them again) is to spray some Pam or Pam Baking spray in the bottom of the Breakfast Maker (not the sides) so they are even easier to pop out of the maker, but since its not on the sides, it will be fine to "rise" during the cooking process.

As I said before, super easy.  Just put them on a plate and put a little bit of the frosting on top and they were ready to eat!

And since I only wanted to make enough for me ... I put the rest in a ziplock bag (shhhh I know, I know, but I didn't have any available Tupperware that was small enough for the remainder) so that I can make them again ... even if its for a late night "I need something sweet' kind of night.  I can even see this if you need an after school treat.

Now I only made 3 and that leaves 5 left.  I bet you could make just 2 by putting 1 in each "corner" and they may rise and spread out even more.  I may be trying this "version" next ... and then you can get 4 "servings" if you have to.

Don't have a breakfast maker?  Well you know my Tupperware site is always open so you could just pop on over and pick one up for just $20! Yes I think it is well worth it!

Quick and Easy Mama's Enchiladas

I admit, we don't do a lot of Mexican in this house.  Jenn and I do like things like this but well ... Hubby not so much.

But I can see this as a great "care package" for her going back to school to share with her roommates for a nice Sunday night meal.  Or to have as "leftovers" during the week.

Ingredients

• 1 lb./455 g ground beef or chicken 
• ½ tbsp. Southwest Chipotle Seasoning
• 1 small onion, chopped in Chop ’N Prep Chef
• 10 oz./285 g can enchilada sauce
• 1¾ cups shredded cheese, Mexican blend
• 10 tortillas

Instructions

1. Combine ground meat, Southwest Chipotle and chopped onion in TupperWave® Stack Cooker Colander. Place in 1¾-qt./1.75 L casserole, cover and microwave on high power 6 minutes or until fully cooked.
2. Place cooked meat mixture, ½ cup enchilada sauce, 1 cup cheese in base of Quick Chef® Pro System, fitted with blade attachment. Turn handle until ingredients are well combined.
3. Place ¼ cup meat mixture into one tortilla. Place enchilada, seam side down, in TupperWave Cook-It Rectangular. 6 enchiladas at a time will fit.
4. Top enchiladas with ¼ cup of enchilada sauce and sprinkle with ½ cup cheese.
5. Cover and microwave on high power 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
6. Use remaining meat mixture to make 4 more enchiladas . Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Cover and microwave on high power 2 minutes more.

Note:

If reheating from frozen cook at 50% power for 10-12 minutes or you can defrost and reheat at 50-70% power for 5-8 minutes. Always remove seal and place cover on top.

As always, any of the Tupperware pieces that you don't have already, can be purchased on my Tupperware Site.

Dreams of Beautiful Whisper - Review

To keep Big Brother happy, I received my copy of this book to facilitate my review.  It is the only compensation I received for a honest review.  Although I received my copy, the opinions expressed here are my own.

Dreams of Beautiful Whisper is book one in The Elves of Eytherfel Series.  It is a wonderful Young Adult Fantasy story, written by Tanya Jones, that is a combination of "real" life, as seen by teens, and the world of fantasy and magic and wonder.  

I will admit that the first chapter or two were a little difficult to get into.  I think it was mainly because it was setting the ground work for the story in a way that young adults think.  I know that sounded bad but it wasn't meant to be. These chapters were more from an almost 16 year old Amanda's minds eye and how everything effected her. The story began to flow much more naturally after just a few chapters.

Also some of the names given to the characters are a bit strange, but all are necessary.  Somehow I don't see an Elf being named James, just to make it easier for the reader, it just wouldn't have fit ... he is an Elf after all.  
I did find myself becoming entrenched in the story once I adapted to the names and writing style.  

Ms Jones outlines the story on the back cover as follows

I do agree with this as a short synopsis of the story.  However, as Ms Jones fleshes out the characters and explains what has happened and what is happening, both to the reader and the characters themselves, you get pulled into the story.  I can't wait to see what happens to Amanda or Amanae as is her true name, and Caelsah, the beautiful warrior, or just how Jordan adapts to their new reality. Oh and Amanae's unseen twin that she hasn't seen since her family left their village abruptly so long ago.

My overall opinion is that this is a must read.  

It is perfectly safe for even "younger" young adults and fun for us not so young adults. There are some lessons that can be learned within the story-line on acceptance and life in general that sometimes only a story can teach. It just makes it much easier for young adults to see in their own lives.  As a parent, sometimes we over stress or over explain these lessons, but when it is shown in the context of a story that they are enjoying, the lessons become, tada, learned lessons.

I hope you will pick up Dreams of Beautiful Whisper and enjoy it as much as I have.  I understand that book 2 is in process and should be out before the end of the year ... hopefully I can wait that long.  I really want to know what is going to happen next.

I was given the opportunity to review this book through the Tomoson.com program.  For more information on our Review Policies, please refer to our Media Kit 

Is it time to be moving forward?

Sometimes we know in our heart that it is time to move on.
Sometimes, we know that the situation that we are in is not the best for us, but we just don't know how to move on.  Sometimes we don't have the strength, or at least we don't think we do, to move forward.

That is when God tries to make it easier for you to make that decision.  He always gives you the choice.  You can stay or you can go.

Just trust that God has a plan for you if we allow His plan to play out in our lives.

Yes it takes trust.
Yes it takes a belief in God's plan.

No its not always easy.
That's why sometimes,
you just have to have Faith
and believe those doors closed for a reason.

Avocado Chicken Salad

This really looks good to me.

I love avocados and we do eat a lot of chicken, so this isn't a stretch to think they would go together.

I need to thank Strong Girls for this recipe, you can check out their Facebook page here. They have all kinds of wonderful things on their page.  If you comment, let them know I sent you.  Thanks.

Now of course, I would make my chicken in the Tupperware Smart Steamer and would use Tupperware's Cilantro Mojo Seasoning, which is a wonderful cilantro citrus blend instead of just the cilantro seasoning in the original recipe.  The Quick Chef Pro would be great to chop the onion and shred the chicken breasts. It can also be used to mix it all together.

If you would like to check out the Tupperware pieces I would use to make this recipe, jump over to my Tupperware Site.  Lots and LOTS of great things can be found there ... not to mention those "burp bowls" of old!

Obstacle or Opportunity ... YOUR choice!

This is another wonderful post to take to heart and put into place each morning.

These words are so prophetic that I think every child should be given this at the start of school.

It could be something that helps them to stop feeling like they can't succeed but shows them that even when something happens that makes things difficult that it is their opportunity to grow and to learn.

Might just make for some much happier students and adults.
Might just help them realize that everything isn't rosy every day, but that there is a reason for everything - and it is their chose how they handle it.

With things like this, I am sorry to know that Mr Dyer has passed away, he was definitely someone that needed to share his brilliance with the world.  We might all be happier in the long run.

What do you think?

I will be looking for more of his work to share.

Its a Busy Mama's Lasagna ... Tupperware Style

This one is fantastic.
Makes it so easy to have dinner on the table before the "indians" go into a melt down because they are so hungry.

Ingredients

• 2 cups marinara sauce 
• 2 cups cooked ground meat (beef, turkey or chicken)
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 8 cooked lasagna noodles
• Shredded Parmesan for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Stir together marinara and cooked meat.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together ricotta and egg.
3. Spoon ¼ cup marinara meat mixture into base of TupperWave Cook-It™ Rectangular.
4. Layer 2 cooked lasagna noodles, then ½ cup ricotta mixture, ½ cup mozzarella and ½ cup marinara mixture. Place two more lasagna noodles on top and repeat layering, ending with sauce.
5. Microwave covered on high power 10 minutes.
6. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover and microwave on high power 2 more minutes.

Note:

If reheating from frozen cook at 50% power for 10-12 minutes or you can defrost and reheat at 50-70% power for 5-8 minutes. Always remove seal and place cover on top.

All of the Tupperware pieces noted/used here can be found on my Tupperware Site.  I am going to be making this one before long.  I am also going to shred my own cheese with the Master Grater Shredder (the new for Fall Tupperware piece) that I absolutely LOVE. The cheese just seems to melt so much nicer and tastes so much better (but then I am a little bit prejudice about my Tupperware pieces)

Never stop believing in miracles

I saw this one and thought now more than ever, we NEED to bring back prayer.

Oh I'm sure there are many that feel I need to shut up about prayer - but sorry I still believe we need to stop making it "evil".   We need to stop the PC attitude that is so afraid of offending others, that we allow ourselves to be offended and then take it quietly.

You don't want to pray - - fine don't.  Just don't make it something that I and many others can't do, whether it is in school or in some other public place.

I believe
All things are possible with God on my side.
Amen

It's the Mid September Brochure!

I love when the mid month brochures come out.
There is always something that is new or on sale that I want to share.

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the Freeze-It sets.  I always make "extra" (ok most of the time) so that I will have another meal or two waiting in the freezer for a day when I don't want to cook, or hubby comes home late. 

These are also great if you want to freeze some veggies from your garden or fruit compote for quick desserts when unexpected guests (I mean friends) stop by.   I even put bananas in these when they are getting ripe too fast and you can't use them all.  Make great smoothies or ready for banana bread!

Did you see the Pressure Cooker?? Its on sale this brochure for $99!!!  That's a $50 discount - and is sooo worth it.  I use mine a lot. If you purchase from my site, I will send you my pressure cooker file of recipes to get you started.   Just message me with your order number and email address and I will email it to you.

The Mickey and Minnie snack sets are available for just 2 weeks .. so if you want one or more of these sets you need to hurry.  I know the last time they were offered they sold out quickly.  This time its only offered for 2 weeks and then they will be gone again.  
They are super cute and great for the lunch crowd.  

You can always find these things on my Tupperware Site, even if you don't see the one page pictures here, on the second Saturday of each month.