#PriorityChef Knife Sharpener

I received this product to facilitate my review.  For more information regarding product review, please refer to my media kit.

I know that you know there can be a lot of "dangers" in your kitchen if you aren't careful. But did you know that one of the most dangerous is a dull knife?

That's right.  A dull knife.  My father in law was a butcher and I know that he always ALWAYS made sure that he had sharp knives. And I have heard on more than one occasion, on the Food Network among other places, that you need to have sharp knives for your safety as well as for making nice clean, even cuts.

But how many of us can say that their knives are sharp right now?  I know that I can because, although my father in law is gone, I have a pretty nice knife sharpener from Priority Chef to keep them sharp.

One of the things I really liked about this product is that isn't bulky or heavy or difficult to use.  It would be very easy to keep this in a draw close to your kitchen workspace and use it to keep your knives sharp for every use.

If you have a really dull knife, use the coarse Stage 1 first, but most of us will only need to use the Stage 2 on a regular basis to keep our knives sharp.  


I use mine before I do any "serious" cutting. If I am just making a few slices, I know my cuts will be fine.  But if I am major cutting, like when I cut bacon slices from a whole slab, I want to make sure that my knife is very sharp so I have a nice even cut and I can cut through the meat with very few repeat cuts.


The other points I like is the ergonomically designed handle that is comfortable in your hand yet is modern looking.  And the base has a non slip service so that you can stay in full control as you sharpen your knives.  No accidents from an unstable sharpener!

Visit the Priority Chef's Facebook Page and see what they are up to today.  If you check out their website, you can see what other products they have that just may be for the chef in your life.



Product was received from Priority Chef as part of the Tomoso.com review program in exchange for my honest opinion.  Please read more on our review policy in our Media Kit

Tupperware's Cyber Monday 2015 Deals

Good Morning! It's ...

I don't know about you, but I didn't do the Black Friday Sales .. I stayed at home with my family and had a really relaxed day.  Today I will be doing some shopping like millions of you.

Tupperware has a huge deal for you ... FREE shipping on orders of $99 or more on my Tupperware Site, that will ends tonight when Cyber Monday ends at midnight.  

Shopping online means you cut out the crowds .. which now a days is an awesome thing/benefit for me ... I'm not big on the crowds pushing and shoving for everything (and half the time you don't end up finding what you want anyway or they only have a handful in the store).    

And you get to place your order with the click of a key!

I hope you will check out my Tupperware Site and pick up some great deals, like this one, as well as FREE SHIPPING through midnight tonight!

Oh and get all of this for just $39!  That's an $81 value...WOW

And of course we like to make it super easy for you here on my Tupperware Site, so you can use Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Questions?  Leave me a message/email me and I will get you an answer ASAP.  You just know I love my Tupperware.

#KOVOTHolidayCHEERSandJOYStemlessWineGlass

I received this product to facilitate my review.  For more information regarding product review, please refer to my media kit.

The KOVOT Holiday Cheers and Joy Stemless Wine Glasses are an awesome pair of glasses that I think could be used all during the upcoming holiday season.  If you are looking for a gift for your "party animal" or a hostess gift, these would fit the bill.  

These stemless wine glasses are a nice substantial size, 16 ounces, that would be great for all kinds of parties, get-togethers or celebrations.  They are heavy/substantial enough for just about anyone to hold without fear of breaking.  They could be used for wine, obviously, but I think they will be great for cocktails or mocktails or even "fancy" holiday drinks including eggnog.

I could also see these being used for a party dessert or even an every day dessert made special.  A nice mousse, peppermint or mocha for the holidays, would look very nice in these with a big dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.  
As you can see I've already started thinking about all the ways I will be using these glasses this holiday season.  

I have way too much to do to get ready but I'm thinking these may make an early entrance.  Yes they really are going to find their way into every day use in my home.  I just may have to pick up another box so I will have a set of 4 for when company stops in.

Now I just have to figure out how to "hide" these so they don't end up being appropriated by my daughter and taken back to her college apartment to help ring in the holidays with her roommates.


Product was received from Sharp Gear as part of the Tomoso.com review program in exchange for my honest opinion.  
Please read more on our review policy in our Media Kit

Small Business Saturday 2015

Today is 

Sometimes we forget that not every business is run by big corporations.  Many small businesses are run by moms and pops or some of the direct sales folks that you see on Facebook or a Vendor Fairs.



Many of us try very hard to satisfy you the customer by doing whatever it takes, sometimes meaning we make very little if any profit.  But we do what we can to make our customers happy.

If you are looking to get your holiday shopping done, come check out my Tupperware Site and see what wonderful things we have to offer this year.  If you have a question, please feel free to message me and I will get you an answer as soon as possible.

You know I love my Tupperware so my cabinets and counter tops have many of the pieces available.  But we aren't obsessed with Tupperware, oh no but we could be a Tupperholic, just sayin'.

Beef Stew and Biscuits

Cold weather is starting to settle in here in the Northeast so of course I wanted to share another great "warm your insides" meal.  
Here is an easy Beef Stew for you to try.  And if you can add some home-made biscuits .. well that's a pretty complete meal in my book! Once again Tupperware has the tools to make it easily.  

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions, roughly chopped 
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced using Chop ’N Prep 
• 2 ribs celery, thickly sliced
• 1 lb. carrots, peeled and thickly sliced
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. Steak & Chop Seasoning Blend, divided
• 2 lbs. beef tri-tip, cut into ¾" cubes
• 2 lbs. baby red potatoes, quartered
• 3 tbsp. tomato paste
• 3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 32-oz. carton no-salt-added beef stock, divided
Biscuits
• 1½ cups biscuit baking mix
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
• ½ cup beer or milk
• ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Stew
1. Preheat oven to 355° F.
2. Place onion, garlic and carrots in UltraPro 6-Qt. Roasting Pan.
3. In large bowl, combine flour and 1 tbsp. seasoning blend. Add beef cubes and toss to coat. Add beef and excess flour to roasting pan, cover and microwave on high power 6 minutes.
4. Remove from microwave and add potatoes.
5. Whisk together tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and 1 cup beef stock in 2-cup Micro Pitcher. Add to roasting pan, along with remaining stock, and stir to combine.
6. Cover and transfer to oven 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Biscuits
7. In medium bowl, combine biscuit baking mix, remaining seasoning blend and sugar.
8. Add beer or milk and mix until just combined.
9. Stir in cheese. Remove stew from oven and uncover.
10. Invert cover and brush with oil. Drop biscuit dough, by the tablespoonful, onto the inverted cover of UltraPro pan, making 14 biscuits.
11. Stack cover over roasting pan containing stew, place together in oven and bake 30 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

If you are interested in the Tupperware pieces used in this recipe (and can be used in so many more) you can check them out on my Tupperware Site.  One of the awesome pieces, the UltraPro, can be used in both the microwave or the oven or in both to tandem cook.  Really makes for wonderful meals in a flash!

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

As we all gather around with family and friends I wanted to take just a few minutes out of your day to wish you all 

What I do hope that you will do today at some time during the day is think about this.

I know that I am thankful for all those things that are shown here as well as the opportunities that I am given every day. But I will admit that sometimes I can get really overwhelmed with things going on and I forget to look for those things that I am thankful for and smile because they are there.  

But there is something else that I am thankful for.

I hope that you all realize this.  It is the visits and the comments from you that round out my day and make me smile.  It is something that I look forward to seeing, especially if its been a difficult day.  Thank you.

But I will leave you now to spend more time with your friends and family and that big turkey and all the "fixings".  Unless this tickles your fancy ...

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato and Sausage Penne

Ingredients:

• ½ lb. penne pasta
• 8.5-oz. jar sun-dried tomatoes, with oil reserved
• ½ lb. Italian Sausage, casings removed
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped using Power Chef® System
• 1 large yellow pepper, chopped using Power Chef System® System
• 1 large red pepper, chopped using Power Chef® System
• 1 tbsp. Italian Herb Seasoning Blend
• 1 tsp. coarse kosher salt
• 12-oz. can evaporated milk
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Crostini:

• 8 baguette slices, ¼"/.6 cm thick
• 2 tbsp. tomato oil (reserved from jar)
• ¼ tsp. Italian Herb Seasoning Blend
• 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

Pasta Dish:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F/175° C.
2. Prepare pasta according to package directions using the Microwave Pasta Maker; set aside.
3. Place 1 tbsp. of reserved tomato oil in fry pan over medium heat; cook Italian sausage until browned and cooked through. Remove from fry pan and set aside.
4. In same fry pan, heat additional 1 tbsp. reserved tomato oil over medium heat and sauté tomatoes, garlic, onions, peppers, seasoning blend and salt 2–3 minutes.
5. Add milk and cream to fry pan.
6. In small bowl, whisk cornstarch into water until dissolved, add to fry pan and bring sauce to a low simmer.
7. Stir Italian sausage into sauce in fry pan.
8. Combine pasta and sauce in UltraPro 3.7-Qt./3.5 L Casserole Pan and stir.
9. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and casserole is warmed through.

Crostini:

1. Place baguette slices into inverted UltraPro Casserole Pan cover.
2. Using a pastry brush, brush tomato oil onto top side of baguette slices.
3. Combine seasoning blend and Parmesan cheese and sprinkle on slices.
4. Bake 12–15 minutes or until crispy.

Tupperware has really made your meal planning and preparing so much easier.  This just looks like an awesome dinner for just about anyone.  Don't have the Tupperware pieces mentioned here?  Check them out on my Tupperware Website.  Have a question, just ask.

Kitchen Classique Modern Wood and Glass Salt and Pepper Grinders #kitchenclassique

I received this product to facilitate my review.  For more information regarding product review, please refer to my media kit.

If you have a food fanatic in your house or among your family and friends, I am sure you have heard on more than one occasion that having fresh ground salt and pepper just make your meal so much more.  I know from my personal experience that fresh ground pepper is always "stronger" in flavor because it hasn't been sitting around. Once spices are ground, the flavor starts to escape into the air so if you don't grind your spices until you are ready to use them .. the stronger the flavor and smell will be.

Kitchen Classique has come up with a real winner with this set. 



There are just so many good things about this set.  I know I can't believe I am gushing over salt and pepper grinders, but I am.

I can see these grinders being used at the stove when you are preparing your meals, but I think that if you just leave them on your table you will get much more use/flavor out of them.  Yes, you do use salt and pepper while you are cooking, but most people will use them to "customize" their meals to their tastes.  

Some like more pepper or more salt, or if you are like me and try to use a little less salt (you need some but can cut back while cooking) having this grinder on the table allows your diner to add what they want and need.  I can also see these being used for the "fancy flavored" salts that you can get from the Himalayas or Hawaii, among other places, that I have only seen in a coarse grind that begs for something like this.

They have a simple yet elegant profile that makes them perfect for just about any table. Another thing I really like about these is the fact that they hold quite a bit of coarse salt (3/4 of a cup) and peppercorns so you aren't refilling all the time.  Although it is rather easy to refill.  

I love the fact that the grinding mechanism is on the top, so you don't end up with "leftover" ground pepper or salt on your table and the ceramic grinder is non-corrosive so you don't have to worry about having salt ruin the grinder (as I have had with other grinders).  

I think if you have any foodies on your holiday list or even as a house warming present, the Modern Wood and Glass Salt and Pepper Grinders from Kitchen Classique with some specialty salts would make an awesome gift that will last a lifetime!

Product was received from Kitchen Classique as part of the Tomoso review program in exchange for my honest opinion.  
Please read more on our review policy in our Media Kit

Caralluma Lean Review #carallumafimbriata

I received this product to facilitate my review.  For more information regarding product review, please refer to my media kit.

There are a lot of things to offer in this little bottle of Caralluma Lean.  





I think this pretty well lays out what it is that they say taking Caralluma lean will bring to you.  




As you can see below, most of the ingredients in this capsule, are things that are known to help in weight loss.  I believe that some of the individual ingredients have been for sale or commented on by Dr Oz in the past, although I don't know where he stands on these today.

From my experience, I can say that I did experience less of a desire to "eat" even if it was junk food or desserts.  I have to say that in and of itself is a huge benefit, at least for me.  I know in the past I could say I wasn't hungry, but then I would be tempted by chocolate or cheesecake or .. well you get the idea, and then I would end up feeling stuffed and uncomfortable.  
With this I found I really wasn't tempted.  If I wasn't hungry I wasn't hungry and nothing changed that, so it really was easy to say no thank you.

The capsules themselves are not that big, about an inch in length max. So if you have a problem with swallowing pills, this should not lead to a big problem.  However, you could take the capsules apart and mix the powdery inside with yogurt or applesauce and take it that way.  It was not difficult to separate the capsules, basically a small twist and it opened.

Taking 2 capsules (or the powder within) per day does not cause a major disruption to your day, but could be a good start to any weight loss plan.

I have been using this for just about 2 weeks and have really only noticed the decrease in appetite and some energy boost.  But I am not sure if that energy boost is the product itself or not being bogged down by extra food, either way I will take it!  I did not experience any feelings of "nervousness" or  have any of those "jiddery" feelings that you sometimes find with other appetite suppression products. I think this product needs to be used for a longer period of time to give it a fair try.  
I have also not weighed myself during this time, as I know from past experience that weighing myself more than once a month leads me to freaking out with the numbers and then I end up sabotaging myself.  I will finish the bottle and see what happens then. The major test though, will be this week with the start of the Holiday season with Thanksgiving on Thursday.   

Product was received from All About Health Products (AAHP) as part of the Tomoso review program in exchange for my honest opinion.  
Please read more on our review policy in our Media Kit

Just in time we have a Classic Roasted Turkey recipe

It's almost Turkey Day here in the States!
I love the smell of turkey roasting in the oven, but it usually takes forever to make and takes up the entire oven ... but here is a solution from our friends at Tupperware.  I just love all my Tupperware pieces, but the UltraPro pans are just wonderful for all kinds of things, including a 10 pound turkey!

Ingredients

• 10–12 lb. turkey 
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. coarse kosher salt
• ½ tbsp. black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Place turkey in base of UltraPro Roasting Pan. Brush the bird with olive oil and season liberally with salt, pepper and any other desired dried spices.  (I like poultry seasoning, garlic, rosemary and paprika.)
3. Place in oven and bake 2–2 ½ hours or until turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165° F and juices run clear. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Note:

If desired sprinkle with additional dried rosemary, oregano and/or thyme.  I like to put some spices inside the cavity of the bird with some lemons and or oranges if I'm not stuffing it (stuffing in its own casserole dish leaves more crunchy topping for everyone)

Help with Home-made Holiday Gifts

Sand Art Brownies

1 cup plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
½ cup candy coated chocolates
½ cup chocolate chips
½ cup chopped nuts

Layer dry ingredients in Spaghetti Dispenser. Seal and attach baking instructions, including ingredients, below:

1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup canola oil
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350° F degrees. Combine above wet ingredients in medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add dry ingredients from Spaghetti Dispenser to bowl and stir to combine, creating batter. Pour batter into lightly greased 8 x 8′′ or 9 x 9′′ (the UltraPro square would be great) baking pan. Bake 40–50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Tortilla Soup Mix

1 cup converted long grain rice
1 seasoning mix recipe (below)
2 – 2½ cups multi colored tortilla chips – separate by color and crush

Seasoning Mix
4 chicken bouillon cubes
2 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried cilantro
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. cumin
1 ½ tsp. kosher salt
¼ cup dried minced onion

To assemble: pour rice into Spaghetti Dispenser and top with seasoning mix. Layer crushed tortilla chips on top separated into colors. Seal and attach baking instructions, including ingredients, below:

1 Spaghetti Dispenser of Tortilla Soup Mix
1 cup crushed tomatoes
4 oz. can green chiles
8 cups water

Empty tortilla chips into bowl. Add rice and seasoning mix to base of 3 Qt. Stack Cooker. Pour remaining ingredients into rice and seasoning and stir to combine. Cover and microwave on high for 20 minutes. Remove and stir in crushed tortillas. Microwave 3-5 minutes longer, stir and serve warm.

Love all the options from Tupperware to help with your home-made gifts (still the best gifts because they come from the heart).  Check it all out on my Tupperware Site

Cranberry Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Do you bake cookies for the holidays?
Are you part of a cookie exchange?
Here is another wonderful (and easy) recipe for this year.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

As always, you can grab your own Tupperware pieces mentioned in this recipe (Quick Chef Pro, Silicone Spatula, Silicone Wonder Mat and Cinnamon-Vanilla Seasoning) on my Tupperware Web Site.  Have any questions or need help, send me a message and I will help or get you an answer if I don't know it already.  You know I love sharing my Tupperware!

Poblano Chicken Chowder

Cold weather means Soups and Stews in this house.  I shared a wonderful Chipotle Ranch Chili recently, so here is another wonderful soup recipe for you to add to your cold weather repertoire. 

Poblano Chicken Chowder 

Ingredients:

Instructions:

One of the reasons I love the Power Chef System is because you can pop things like the chilies or onions and garlic into the base and have them as finely chopped as you want without worry of "chopping" a finger while you chop the "little" ingredients.  Oh and it fits nicely on your counter top without taking up too much space, less than most food processors, so you can use it every day if you want!

Don't have one?  Check it out on my Tupperware site, in your PJs if you want. Sometimes I do too, so don't worry its allowed!

Have a question?  Ask.  
Let me know what you think when you make this one.  I can see this as the star of the winter season.

Don't forget, you can always join my team if you like what you see and earn money AND have fun.  Oh and get all the great products at a discount ... just sayin'.