review — Page 44

Macy’s Heart of Haiti – Rwanda Baskets

October 18, 2012 By Anne

A few years ago I wrote a few posts about Macy’s heart of Haiti and featured some beautiful neckalces.

Macy’s is back with Rwanda Path to Peace, featuring beautiful hand woven baskets.

What is Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace?

Rwanda Path to Peace is a healing journey and a source of sustainable living that utilizes the incredible skill of weaving that is passed down by generations of Rwandan women. These beautiful hand-made baskets are made by theRwandan women as a way to generate a sustainable income, support their families and rebuild their communities (sold at Macy’s for $50 value).These women have seen their neighbors and their families destroyed by genocide and ethnic cleansing, leaving many of them broken and hopeless, lost in a country where women are considered second-rate citizens because of their gender. Although the genocide was over a decade ago, the recovery from a tragedy of this magnitude is a constant struggle. The sales of the baskets through Macy’s has given these women a source of sustainable income and pride. Your readers can also read actual stories from some of the weavers at Macy’s mBlog — http://t.co/d7CWBzOa

I love that these women found ways to restore hope and love among their communities and families with the sale of their baskets. They have gained respect among the men in their community and have been able to provide new clothes and food to their families and children because of the money they have raised. The baskets are a symbol of strength and courage among the Rwandan women who weave them. For more info go to www.Macys.com/Rwanda

I received a Rwanda Basket. So beautiful in person. The baskets are 12 inches in diameter. I choose to place mine in the cneter of my table to hold my cloth napkins. Each basket is individual and color and size may vary. Each basket also comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

These would be great on any table or even hung on your wall.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Kashi Chocolate Soft Baked Squares

October 14, 2012 By Anne

When I think of Kashi I think of cereal. Good, healthy, organic, real ingredients. But did you know they make other food products as well?

Kashi has a whole line of snacks including Soft-Baked squares in a variety of flavors. A tasty snack the whole family can enjoy!

We got to try the Chocolate Soft Baked Squares through Moms Meet . These have seven whole grains, sweet potatoes and black beans. Sweet potatoes and black beans? I’m not telling my kids that, they’ll never eat it!! lol The Squares have agave, a natural sweetener and 4g of fiber and 300mg of ALA omega-3. Lots of goodness in there for sure!

What did we think? My daughter loved them the best and continually asks for them! No one else seems to eat them. But hey? At least my daughter will be getting a great snack! I thought they were a little dry and tasteless. Maybe too many years of eating the bad stuff?

Check Kashi on Facebook too!

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

Anne

Learn the Basics in Home Cooking

October 12, 2012 By Anne

Don’t know what you’re doing in the kitchen? Then Southern Livings Home Cooking Basics is for you! I know it is for me, that’s for sure!

This book has just what it says, the basics, from the set up, the ingredients, the prep, methods and finally some recipes. Cause you have to know all the basic stuff before you can start on the recipes, right?

The Set Up section explains all the necessary cookware, bake ware, knives and other tools you need. There is even a section telling you how to set a proper table. There are beautiful pictures of everything throughout the book.

Ingredients go over every spice, salt, vinegar, oils and grains you can think of and more. I never knew there were so many kinds of corn, nuts and cheeses.

The Prep section explains every technique possible and then some. I never knew how to seed a cucumber, but now I do!! Instructions on how to zest a lemon are there too! I just recently learned this when I made desserts.

Many Methods are explained such as how to grill, saute, steam and “basic” ones like how to bake and boil. While explaining the different methods, recipes are included.

There are so many recipes to choose from, but since I love breakfast so much, I thought I would share a breakfast recipe.

Sausage and Cheese Frittata

Recipe Type: Breakfast

Author: Home Cooking Basics Cook Book

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 (12 oz) package reduced-fat ground pork sausage
8 large eggs
1/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. butter
1 cup (4 oz) shredded 2% reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350. Brown sausage in a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 10 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink;drain and transfer to a bowl. Wipe skillet clean.
Whisk together eggs and next three ingredients until well blended.
Melt butter in skillet over medium heat; remove from heat and pour half of egg mixture into skillet. Sprinkle with cooked sausage and cheese. Top with remaining egg mixture.
Bake at 350 for 23-25 minutes or until set.

I received the above book to review. Opinions are my own.

Anne

Get Real – UNREAL Candy

October 12, 2012 By Anne

Halloween is right around the corner and that means tons of candy!!

A couple years ago, I started limiting my son’s artificial color and flavor intake. He has ticks, uncontrolled movements. They go in spurts and change. I read that the artificial colors and flavors may have something to do with it. For Valentines and Halloween last year I bought most of candy from him. I wanted him to still have something tangible, but didn’t want him eating all of the candy like in years past.

Now I find out about UNREAL Candy and I only wish all my neighbors would buy it so my kids would get it in their trick or treat bags!! But at least I can swap out his candy for the UNREAL Good Stuff!!

I received a few samples to try and the kids and I tried a few bites of each candy bar. Everyone loved them!! They tasted the same if not better than the Junked version.

Check out this video. It’s about 4 minutes long but very informative.

Nicky Bronner, a kid determined to prove he could unjunk candy, and Adam Melonas, an innovative chef, have collaboratively brought an UNREAL™ idea to life. UNREAL™ products are made with wholesome ingredients, with more fiber and more protein. (this needs to be meet FDA’s requirements for “more” claims) The dairy comes from free-range, pasture-raised cows without antibiotics or added hormones. The palm kernel oil hails from a sustainable, organic farm in Brazil. The cacao beans are actually traceable, sourced from farms in Ghana and Ecuador.. UNREAL™ takes the extra step in developing their candies because it’s the right thing to do for people and the planet. With a simple idea brilliantly executed, UNREAL™ Brands has become a magnet for creative professionals. One from Google. An interior decorator. A P&G’er. A guitarist from Glaceau. A dog named Lola. In short, an eclectic mix you’d never find in any other company in the world. But it works. Why? Because they’re drawn together by a common mission. To challenge what we’ve come to accept in our food. To change the way junk food is made.

I received a few candy bars to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own.

Anne

Glade Expressions Pefect for You Home

October 8, 2012 By Anne

I’ve always loved Glade Candles, so when asked if I wanted to try the Glade Expression Oil Diffuser and the Expressions Refillable Fragrance Mist, I jumped at it!

I took my coupons and headed to Target and picked up the Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice. It’s a ripe, spicy blend of sweet pears and crisp apple with a dash of cinnamon and clove. I’ve very sensitive to scents, but can always do cinnamon. Plus this would be perfect for the holidays coming. I love the scent of cinnamon during the fall and winter months.

I originally placed the diffuser in my laundry room to help mask any kitty litter smells. But then moved it my hallway, just outside the laundry room. This way you can detect the smell when you come into the house. The diffuser is attractive enough to place in any display. The Glade Expression Diffuser is refillable, o no need to keep buying the whole product. The holder comes in bamboo or white and is chic enough to go with any decor. These last up to 30 days!

Then, I went and purchased another one and place it in the living room. I love these!! The scent is not too potent, just enough to smell wonderful!

Other scents available:

Cotton & Italian Mandarin, Lavender & Juniper Berry and Pineapple & Mangosteen.

I also received the Refillable Fragrance Mist. I use this after the garbage gets taken out to freshen up the kitchen. Or after the a smelly dinner. Or just to freshen the air and enjoy that cinnamon smell! Just a small squeeze and you get a light mist of fragrance that lasts!