Happy Burgers ....

Or as Tupperware called them 
Drunken Burgers.

I know that burgers are not a seasonal meal, but during the summer months we do seem to have them much more often.  Personally I like to have some variety in my burger so that you aren't "bored" either in the making or eating of a burger.

This one sound easy, but interesting.  Although unlike most burgers you need to allow time for marinating so its not a "1-2-3 its dinner time" kind of burger.  I'm still loving the idea.

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1 burger

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground chuck
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 cup fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, chopped
• 1/4 tsp. ground clove
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup Marsala wine
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 medium yellow onions, sliced thin (our Mandoline would be great)

Instructions

1. Season beef with salt and pepper. 
2. Using the Hamburger Press & Keepers Deluxe Set, divide ground beef evenly between 4 keepers; insert press to form patties. 
3. Refrigerate until ready to marinate.
4. In the base of the Power Chef® System fitted with blade attachment, add garlic, salt, parsley, clove, olive oil, Marsala, and balsamic. Cover and pull cord until garlic is minced. 
5. Pour marinade into the base of the Season-Serve® container; add onions.
6. Place burger patties in marinade. Seal and refrigerate 3 hours. 
7. Flip Season-Serve® container to marinate other side of patties; refrigerate an additional 3 hours or overnight.
8. Remove burgers from marinade. 
9. On a medium grill, or in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook burgers 6 minutes; flip and cook an additional 3 minutes or until burgers register 155° F.
10. Meanwhile, pour marinade and onions into a non-stick skillet (Chef Series II have some great options).
11.  Bring to boiling, reduce heat to medium. 
12. Cook, stirring occasionally, until marinade thickens and onions become soft, about 8 minutes.
13. Serve burgers with Marsala onions and your choice of buns.

I LOVE the Season-Serve® and use it all year round.  It works great for all kinds of meats/fish/veggies.  I've use it for both wet and dry marinade as well as buttering a few ears of corn at once.

Cantonese Fish in the Microwave!

We are not big fish eaters in this house. 
Hubby likes to catch them, but not so much eating them.
He is happier with shellfish but will "humor" me from time to time.

A few years ago we went on a small charter boat when we were in Florida and I caught the only "keepers", with 3 really good size Spanish Mackerel.  
He had caught a shark that was trailing us and probably getting everyone else's bait and fish.  He loved the challenge.
But he wasn't too keen on eating my Mackerel winnings, which we had prepared at one of the local restaurants.  He did have a little bit.  
One of the things I like about this recipe is that it highlights the versatility of the Tupperware SmartSteamer.  
Who knew you could make really good fish in the MICROWAVE!!

Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1 fillet

Ingredients
For the fish

• 2 green onions, sliced thin
• 1 tbsp. minced fresh ginger
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 fresh snapper fillets, skin removed*

For the sauce

• 2 tbsp. minced shallot
• 1 tsp. minced fresh ginger
• ½ tsp. minced fresh garlic
• ¾ cup orange juice
• 3 tbsp. maple syrup
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• ½ tsp. white vinegar
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together green onion, ginger, salt and pepper.
2. In the water tray of the Tupperware® SmartSteamer, add water to the max fill line. 
3. Place steamer base inside water tray; place colander on top of steamer base.
4. Place two fish fillets in colander. 
5. Divide green onion mixture evenly between the two fillets, spread across top of each fillet. 
6. Cover and microwave on high power 9 minutes. 
7. Remove from microwave, remove cover and transfer fish to a serving dish.
8. Make the sauce. In the 2-cup Micro Pitcher, stir together shallot, ginger, garlic, orange juice, maple syrup, salt, vinegar, and cornstarch. 
9. Microwave on high power 1 minute 30 seconds. 
10. Remove from microwave, stir sauce and pour over fish. 
11. Serve warm.

Just another reason I love my Tupperware ... check it out on my Tupperware Site.  Let me know if you have any questions or if there is something that you want - maybe have a book party and/or a Facebook party with your friends and earn some FREE Tupperware!

Good morning!

Good morning (or afternoon/evening if you are just visiting after an interesting day).

I really like this one.
It reminds us that each day is a new beginning.
It also reminds us that no matter what happened during the day, we should end each day forgiving those that have hurt us, even if that someone is ourselves.

If you can not find happiness deep within yourself, deep within your heart, you will never truly be happy.

No one can "make" you happy.  
You must find it within yourself and then you can share the beauty of happiness with others.

What do you think?
Shall we begin each day this way?
I am going to try.

Good Hearts

Just in case you have forgotten,

It is great to have a beautiful "outside".
I love using makeup to "hide" my outer flaws and "play up" my better features.

But if you forget that "Beauty", true beauty, starts/shines from within, you will never truly be a Beauty!

Your Own Song

All too often, we do or say what others are doing or saying just to "fit in".

I will tell you now, that sometimes that does work.
But most of the time you end up losing yourself.

Let's just keep singing our own song to show our own UNIQUE self.
I bet in many ways, it will make you much happier than "just" fitting in.

Now being "unique" does not mean setting out to hurt someone because you want to "be yourself".  
It does mean that you are allowed to shine in your own space without being hateful or mean.

Please ... let me hear YOUR song!

Do you know what June is?

Other than my anniversary month that is ...

Yes it is also my mom and dad's anniversary (#61 this year), but that still isn't what I am talking about.  
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

If you have a teenager, or if you have what has in many "worlds" been called the teenage curse, you may know that June is Acne Awareness month.

Now I have had 2 teenagers, one boy and one girl, so I've seen it from both sides, as well as having had my own bouts with the teenage curse in my adult years, but even I did not realize that June was Acne Awareness month.

That is until I joined LimeLight by Alcone and started seeing the blog posts by Madison at LimeLight by Alcone Life.  Granted the post I am sharing is already a year old, but that doesn't minimize the great information that you can find here.

I am in love with LimeLight's skincare products.  
It was probably the second reason I joined the LimeLight by Alcone team, first being the awesome foundation, but that's another story.

I love that the skincare products are leaping bunny certified, 

and has ingredients that are good for your skin and not full of chemicals.

Interested in seeing more?
Jump on over to my LimeLight by Alcone site and look around.
Have any questions, feel free to give me a shout.

Focus, Capture and Develop

I wanted to share this one with everyone.
Sometimes we forget that we shouldn't be stuck in a situation that is not working for us.  Or is not the best situation for us.

With Graduation season going on .. perhaps it is something to share with our young folks too.

Banana Pecan Bread ... in the Microwave!

I love my Stack Cooker because I can make so many things quick in the microwave that really does taste good ... Some really great things can be made, from 1 item to a whole meal!  And of course things like this.

Banana Pecan Cake/Bread.

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 slice


Ingredients

• 1½ cups pecans
• 3 ripe bananas
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 stick (16 tbsp.) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ cup reduced-fat (2%) milk
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Grease and flour the Stack Cooker 3-Qt. Casserole with Cone Insert.
2. In the base of the Power Chef® System fitted with blade attachment, add pecans. 
3. Cover and pull cord until roughly chopped. 
4. Transfer pecans to medium bowl, set aside.
5. Add bananas, heavy cream, and cinnamon to Power Chef. 
6. Cover and pull cord until bananas are minced and mixture is well blended. 
7. Transfer bananas to bowl with pecans; set aside.
8. Replace Power Chef blade attachment with paddle attachment.
9.  Add butter and sugar, cover and pull cord until well blended. 
10. Add eggs, vanilla, milk, salt, and baking soda. Cover and pull cord until well blended. 
11. Transfer to bowl with bananas; fold in flour.
12. Transfer mixture to TupperWave® Stack Cooker. 
13. Microwave on high power 7 minutes 30 seconds. 
14. Remove from microwave. 
15. Let stand 2 minutes before slicing.

Yes, banana's are good for you but some (like my hubby) don't like bananas ... however this way is AOK.  

Check it out - light on the flour (considering it is for 8 servings) so I bet most everyone can enjoy this.

Thanks Tupperware for another great recipe to make on a regular basis.  

Now to add some extra banana's to my shopping list this week.

How about you?

You are worth more than you can imagine

So many times we forget what we are worth or why we are here.
We downplay or down right underestimate our own self worth.

Don't Do It!

I know there are some who definitely feel that way about me.  
And no I'm not patting myself on the back.  

But I also know that there are many who complete my life and, to be honest, I'd be lost without them.

Do you have negative people in your life?

I know we all have those "down" moments in our day or week.
Sometimes these down moments seem to drag on for weeks so that when you look back your realize you have been feeling dragged down for months.

I'm not talking about being depressed.  
That could be a serious medical condition that requires medical intervention.  If you are depressed, seek medical advice / help so that you will be able to look forward to each sunrise.  I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for that help.

I'm talking about that feeling that occurs when someone is always telling you that there is something wrong with you or your life or what you do.

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about (if not, I applaud you). Those are the negative people in your life that need to either change their ways or leave your life.

You will be so much better for it.

Sorbet .. Chocolate? Oh yes please

Oh oh chocolate sorbet?
I bet this could be a really sneaky way to get some veggies into those veggie haters.

I haven't tried this one yet ... but I will be soon.
This could be an interesting to your Father's Day celebrations.

Yield: 5
Serving Size: ½ cup

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 15 oz. sweet potato, cooked and chopped* 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

InstructionsMake the simple syrup.

1. In the 2-cup Micro Pitcher, stir together sugar and water. 
2. Microwave on high power 45 seconds, or until sugar has dissolved. 
3. Remove from microwave, set aside.

Make the chocolate sorbet base.

1. In the base of the Power Chef® System fitted with blade attachment, add potatoes, cocoa powder and simple syrup.
2.  Cover and pull cord until well blended and almost smooth. 
3. Transfer mixture to a Freeze-It® Medium Shallow Rectangular Container. 
4. Seal and freeze at least 6 hours or overnight.

Make the sorbet.

1. Remove Freeze-It® container from freezer; let stand at room temperature 5 minutes. 
2. Using a butter knife, gently break mixture into 2–3″ pieces.
3. Place medium bowl or Freeze-It® container below Sorbet Maker spout. 
4. Fill sorbet hopper with frozen chocolate base pieces. Place plunger on top of frozen chocolate. 
5. Gently push down on the plunger while turning handle to process. 
6. Repeat with remaining fruit.

Notes
Serve immediately or freeze up to 48 hours.

* SmartSteamer would work great for cooking this 

(and so much more)

Sorbet ... Strawberries and Cream

It's summer (ok almost) and of course for many of us that includes Ice Creams or Sorbets or Shaved Ice.  This one, using Tupperware's new Sorbet maker, looks awesome and will be made soon in my house.

Yield: 4
Serving Size: ½ cup

Ingredients

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/8 tsp. kosher salt (optional)
• 12-oz. fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries, stems removed

Instructions

1. In the base of the Power Chef® System with blade attachment, add strawberries.
2. In the 1-cup Micro Pitcher, stir together cream, sugar, and salt.
3.  Microwave on high power 25 seconds or until sugar is dissolved. 
4. Remove from microwave and stir to combine; pour over strawberries.
5. Place cover on Power Chef and pull cord until strawberries are pureed. 
6. Transfer mixture to a Freeze-It® Medium Shallow Rectangular Container. Seal and freeze at least 6 hours or overnight.
7. Remove container from freezer, let stand 20 minutes. Using a butter knife, gently break mixture into 2–3″ pieces.
8. Place medium bowl or Freeze-It Container below sorbet maker spout. 
9. Fill Sorbet Maker hopper with frozen strawberry pieces. Place plunger on top of frozen strawberries. 
10. Gently push down on the plunger while turning handle to process. 
11. Repeat with remaining fruit.*

Notes
Serve immediately or freeze up to 48 hours.

Here's another short video to help you see just how awesome this sorbet maker is!

Let's start this week STRONG

How are you going to be starting your week?

I think we need to set our goals to have something to focus our energy on.
Sometimes we get so set in our ways, or bogged down by what others think or say about us, or what agendas that they have, that we forget that we are pretty important ourselves.

Speaking of being Pretty...especially this time of year as our young people are getting ready to move on to the next grade or graduate middle school, high school or college, let's pass this on to them too.... 

We seem to get so worried 

about being PRETTY .....

Let's add these "pretties" to our "must be" objectives.

Pretty kind.

Pretty Funny.

Pretty Smart.

Pretty Strong.

It's a new Tupperware Month!

That's right, it is the "middle" of a month so its a new Mid-Month brochure from Tupperware that is opening today on my Tupperware Site.

It's a new month for some Summer Style items.

As always there are some great pieces that are considered "short term" and available at a discount for the first two weeks of the brochure.  So don't be waiting on "tomorrow" to place your order is one of these items below are what you are looking for.  Some are not available in the current Summer Catalog or at this price. 

There are just some really great pieces for this brochure, that will be wonderful for all the upcoming summer fun.  Don't miss out.

And remember, there are some pieces that are at an outstanding price/value with another purchase.  

These Purchase with Purchase (PWP) items are highlighted below.

Any questions, give me a shout.
I love my Tupperware pieces.

If you would like to do something on Facebook, leave me a message and I will get with you to set up a date so that you can have the benefits of having a party (hostess credits/bonuses) without having to have a house full of people.  Unless of course you want to have a group of people to live chat with me.

Check out these and all the other great things that Tupperware has to offer here.

Strong vs Weak

I posted this on my Instagram feed last week,
but I think it needs to be shared here as well.

I think EVERYONE needs to see this and start a dialog with their circles.  
That could be your kids or grandkids.  
It could be your close friends when someone new comes into your sphere of influence.

Too many believe that if they shout and verbally abuse others that they are the strong ones or that those that stay quiet or don't shout from the rooftops are the weak ones.

There are many times that those who are quiet, those who are seen as "weak" or "geeky" are the ones that will change the world, for the better.

Think about it.

I wish I knew who had created this picture so that I could give them some kudos for a job well done.  

How Far will YOU Go?

I guess this is going to be my mantra.

I need to branch out and stretch my limits.
I need to take some risks.
I need to be breaking out of my comfort zone, you know what I mean, so that I can find out just how far I can go.
Just how much I can do.

What about you?
Are you willing to risk leaving YOUR comfort zone to see just what you CAN accomplish?
Shall we chance it together?

Look for more, as I start my risk journey.
I invite you to 
Come with me.

3 ways to fail

I share this because
1)  I have been seeing this happen way too often, especially of late.
2)  It almost seems to be the "norm" with the popular in our society, as if NOTHING could ever be their fault.
3)  It's time, past time, to take responsibility for our actions and realize that WE are the ones who need to GROW from OUR mistakes, OUR short-comings and be better for it.

What do you think?
Is this spot on?