Posts by admin:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Sweet Fried Bananas
- Brazilian Cheese Bread
- Specialty sauces
- Valid for 15% off at prAna.com
- One-time use per customer
- Not valid for Influencers, on Gift Certificates or with any other offers
- Valid thru May 30, 2016
- (2) Protein On-the-Go pouches (Chocolate and Vanilla)
- (4) Hydration Drink Mix sticks (Lemon-Lime, Red Berry, Orange, and Grape)
- (4) KIDS Hydration Drink Mix sticks (Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Grape, and Apple)
- 1/3 cup giardiniera, store bought, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons black olives, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons roasted red peppers, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon banana peppers, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon extra olive oil
- Favorite Sabra hummus
- Chop all the ingredients and add to a bowl.
- Mix well until combined and then add as a topping to your favorite Sabra hummus.
- Dig in.
Chilean Dreams and Eats – In Memory of my Abuelito
April 30th, 2016
It had been way too long, probably 7 years since I had last heard or spoken to my Chilean grandfather. I believe a lot of the reason I cook and am what I am, is a result of everything I saw and learned growing up. When people find out that I am half Chilean and half Mexican, they are quite confused. I am sometimes confused myself. How much culture can someone have in their lives? Apparently I am influenced by so much and here I am, in my late 30s, and I am still trying to fit in one culture.
The facts are these. I am influenced by both and therefore I am at an advantage. I am a mother of three young little girls, and I struggle to find a happy medium and even introducing my children to the world I lived in. I struggle teaching them Spanish and telling them stories about any of their grandparents.
When I look at what I yearn to share with others and the legacy I want to leave my girls with at the end of my life, is something in between both worlds. It is true that a mother’s influence can go very far if used wisely, so it is evident that my mother’s family and her heritage is more of an influence in my life. I grew up going to Mexico much more often and not even to Chile at all.
I lived near my Chilean grandparents in Texas, but most of my earlier years were spent apart from them due to family disputes and what not. I heard about the political unrest and trauma my dad and his family endured while living in Chile, but happier years and how life was spent in Chile was not shared.
The closest I got to Chile was in the cuisine. My grandmother was an excellent cook and even now I can remember her in the kitchen making delicious tortas or cakes for our birthdays. I remember asking what measurements were used for ingredients and being told that all I had to do was watch in order to learn. I remember smells, laughter, loud talking, and my grandfather bellowing laughter.
After I married my husband, I decided I needed to reconnect with my grandfather because after all, I had many regrets not being at my grandmother’s death-bed because of MANY reasons. Now, I was not living my life with regrets, just sadness that I did not get to see her one last time. So when I made a choice that I wanted to reconnect with my grandfather, who now had moved back from Chile, I was afraid and hesitant.
My parents had divorced after 25 years of marriage, my Chilean grandmother died, my father moved out, and we were suddenly estranged from everything Chilean. My grandfather then moved back to Chile because it was always his dream to go back and now he had no reason to stay in Texas.
Back to calling my grandfather. In 2012, I decided to call and was greeted with the same bellow of a laugh I remembered. It was a New Years Eve and after I had made a traditional Chilean New Year’s Eve spiked coffee cocktail, I knew I had to call him.
See, while I was making and learning to make traditional Mexican dishes on my own, I was really trying to remember all the dishes my grandmother had made in her kitchen. It made me think of her and the great times we had. Is it not the times that we dine that we remember the best memories? I know I sure do! Sunday nights were kept for English tea and pan amasado, freshly baked bread the Chilean way, and jam, cold cuts, pate and more!
While I kept in touch with my grandfather over 3 years, I only chatted once each year, still very tentative on how close I could keep in touch but enough to be able to let him know that I missed him and cared about him. In December 2015, after making more pan de pascua, a Chilean fruitcake, I knew I had to chat a little more with my grandfather. I share with him how our lives were doing and he teased me on how my Spanish sounded so broken. I shared with him all the cooking I had been doing and how I still kept the memory of all that I knew to be Chilean.
Last month, my husband surprised me with a trip to Chile to visit my grandfather and I was so surprised that I started bawling. He had contacted my father who had then contacted my grandfather to find out the best dates to go visit him and my ticket was booked. I was nervous and excited.
Just a little over three weeks ago, I learned my grandfather died. It was unexpected and all of a sudden and just like that he was gone. My father called bearing the news and I lost it. My plans of connecting with him after 20 years of not seeing him were shot. It was strange because two days prior I had chatted with him telling him I was looking forward seeing him and how he was excited as well.
I do not understand why this happened but I know that everything happens for a reason, I just do not want to dwell on it. Both my Chilean grandparents are gone and my chances of really knowing who they were growing up are shot and I know that in part it is some of my fault but there is a reason why things end the way they do but I just do not want to understand them now.
I am thankful for the recipes I have now created in my life and I am going to purpose myself to learn more Chilean recipes and share them with you. Tonight I am thankful for Chilean bread in memory of my grandfather, despite the gluten, and tomorrow I start a new day. I leave you with a recording of Ravel’s Bolero, one of the pieces I remember my grandfather loving.
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A Brazilian Meat-Lovers Experience
April 29th, 2016A few weeks ago I found myself taking a last minute trip to Houston for business. Along with the 36-hour whirlwind of a trip was the fact I had my youngest daughter with me. I knew I had to find a little way to enjoy the time while I was in my hometown. Since I had missed my mother’s birthday, I decided it would be nice to try Brazilian cuisine at Texas de Brazil Steakhouse at City Centre, especially since I also knew it would be perfect for someone following a low-carb lifestyle.
Have you ever visited a churrascaría or a Brazilian-American steakhouse? It is definitely an experience and is pretty much a meat-lovers paradise as well. Texas de Brazil is family-owned and operated and started as one man’s dream introducing the Brazilian food culture to the lone star state. This included an array of meats being offered to the diner in a different way that Americans are used to in a regular steakhouse.
Since I left Houston 8 years ago, so much has changed especially the area that is now new to me called City Centre. There are a variety of restaurants and retail stores including Texas de Brazil that opened in 2013. As you enter the restaurant, my attention turned to the amount of space and gorgeous decor surrounding me. I love places with high ceilings! There were beautiful floral arrangement near the dining area and a huge floral arrangement above the large salad bar area.
We arrived on the earlier side since we had the baby with us and were seated near a window. Texas de Brazil offers a dining experience requiring a smart and business casual attire but I begged to differ due to the ambiance. It felt more of a fine dining experience especially with our very attentive waiter.
Once we decide what we wanted to drink we were given instructions on how the whole dining experience would be like. We were given a green and red place card that we would utilize for the whole evening to prompt the gauchos or cowboys to come to our table to offer us a variety of meats on large skewers that have been slow-roasting on a large grill. We tasted perfectly seasoned cuts of beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and Brazilian sausage and then received a variety of Brazilian sides to enjoy with our meats. Do you know how many meats we were able to try?
| Filet MignonFilet Mignon Wrapped in Bacon
Braised Beef Ribs Lamb Chops Pork Ribs Brazilian Picanha Garlic Picanha Brazilian Sausage |
Leg of LambChicken Breast Wrapped in Bacon
Parmesan Drumettes Parmesan-Crusted Pork Loin Flank Steak Herb-Marinated Pork Loin Brazilian Alcatra Chicken Sausage |
It was quite overwhelming, but then we remembered our place card and every 3 gauchos that would visit we would turn the place card indicating them to stop. They always asked how we wanted our meats and would go back an cook the meat over the grill if we desired it medium or well-done. We tried to stay away from well done. I believe my mother’s favorite as well as mine, were the lamb chops! So savory and tender. It is probably one meat I hardly prepare at home so it was definitely a treat.
I cannot forget to mention the spectacular salad bar. If you are vegetarian the salad bar would be an ideal. There are 50-60 seasonal items to chose from and they were all very fresh and tasty. There we also soups and pickled and roasted veggies along with a cheese and cured meats area. Along with the salad bar were the sides that came to the table like
There was definitely plenty of food to go around and Texas de Brazil is a place that requires a relaxed mindset in order to enjoy the experience. It is a place for anniversaries, birthdays and every special occasion you can think of. I cannot wait until Texas de Brazil opens in the King of Prussia area in 2017.
Check out the website to determine your location and to find out specific prices for the dining experience.
Disclosure: We received a complimentary meal experience through Texas de Brazil but all my opinions are my own.
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Comfy, Chic Everyday Clothing with PrAna + Giveaway #MMWearsPrana
April 22nd, 2016I have been working from home almost 8 years now and I am always challenged to find the best work space and the best method to stay inspired. One of the things that I forget to do is to make sure to immediately get dressed for the day first thing in the morning. While pajamas would be ideal everyday clothing, it does not make for a productive environment. I personally feel like a slob and I end up being unproductive because all I want is to be in bed catching a few more hours of sleep. It really makes a difference when I take a shower and ready my day with a nice outfit.
Don’t get me wrong though. I don’t get in a business suit to make my work day better. Sometimes just a simple outfit with makeup and a comfy up-do makes a world of difference. My husband can tell you how it works for me, truly! If I had my way I would be in yoga pants every day but it is not logically. I want to be able to look representable when I go pick up my daughter from school or even look nice at a playground.
It is my preference though. I know many do not feel the same way.
Is it too hard to ask for comfy clothing that is also stylish? Jeans tend to be heavy and hot on my legs and something I like soft stretchy cotton to move with my girls and about my daily life. I am not a hipster nor do I have a Bohemian style. In fact, I am not quite sure what my style I am but I like nice clothing.
I’ve always heard about PrAna clothing but had never had the chance to try until just recently as part of Moms Meet. Here I thought their clothing was meant for people who loved yoga but in fact PrAna offers more than that. They offer sustainable and stylish clothing for any moment of the day whether I am hiking, exercising, or active with my littles. I would say that is perfect for everyday clothing!
While I did not receive an outfit for exercise, I was able to try something more stylish like the Kara Jean and Liana Sweater. I chose my favorite color jeans in cargo green and a dusted blush color in the sweater. When I received it I was excited! I was able to wear the sweater to a conference. It made me feel comfy yet stylish.
Unfortunately the jeans were a too low-rise for me The length of the jeans was real long but I usually have an issue finding jeans for my leg length. They are a soft stretch denim that is 75% organic cotton with foldable cuffs that accent a slim fit. I liked how they felt on my legs and they stretched nicely but hopefully I can try them in a couple of months to see if they fit better.
The Liana Sweater, made of hemp and organic cotton, was a nice color and I was real excited for the asymmetrical hem and wide neck because I always feel like I am wearing something closed up. The only issue is that since it is a light sweater knit, it caught on many things like my ring, or my kids toys when they came up to me or I even got caught with something hanging from a door. Seriously. While I was not excited for that, it made me wish I had chosen something else, but I DID enjoy wearing this light sweater. I hope that it lasts a little longer because it is great every day.
Thanks PrAna for letting me try a new outfit! Next I need to try the skirts and dresses!
Enter to win the SAME outfit I chose. Open to US readers. If you want to order ANYTHING else from PrAna, then use my CODE MMS16SK for:
Discount code details:
Disclosure: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program (greenmomsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree 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 this product.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links that give me a small percentage if you purchase with my link.
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E-Hydrate for Active Families + Giveaway #MomsMeet
April 20th, 2016
Winter is completely behind us despite it just snowing last week. Hopefully I am not jinxing us, but this only means that we are going to be outdoors a lot more!! I realized yesterday that my whole family has been a little stir crazy. We love being out and being active or just going places. Since I am pretty active, it has made my girls conditioned to be that way. I love knowing and seeing that we are an active family but it also means I need to make sure we have our essentials.
When we go out for the day or even just an afternoon, I really try to pack our lunches. I fill our water bottles, make sandwiches, bag some veggies and even some pretzels to make sure my girls are not hungry come lunch time or even snack time. Since my girls are burning energy running and climbing, I make sure they are getting enough protein. Sometimes I fall into a habit of giving them empty calories that only end in a sugar crash or with cranky kids.
Moms, I assure you, make sure your kids, like us, have protein every 3-4 hours. Since January, my husband and I have followed the same routine of eating protein with some veggies, fruit, or grain to give us energy and we have seen some awesome results. Well, we have tried to implement the same with our girls and there are days I am more successful at it than others but I start over the next day.
As a Moms Meet Ambassador, I love getting the chance to sample and review products because it teaches me about new products that are perfect for my family, like E-Hydrate. E-hydrate Protein On-The-Go is made from natural ingredients and provides essential electrolytes in an attractive and tasty way.
Each pouch contains 25 grams of protein and is delivered in a ready to mix pouch with a powder that dissolves quickly. Instructions are super easy with water added halfway to mix and then more water added to the brim to enjoy as a meal supplement. It has 1.5 grams of fat and 150 calories a pouch. While it is NOT dairy-free it is gluten-free and has a mixture of sweeteners. I personally do not like that it has fructose AND sugar in the ingredient list and would much prefer JUST stevia and erythritol, so hopefully in the future they can make a sugar-free option.
This pouch is also available for kids and only delivers 10 grams of protein per pouch. Both girls enjoyed tasting a chocolate and cinnamon bun flavored pouch. They know how to drink from pouches but since it is a 1.34 ounce long pouch it might be a little to long for toddlers little hands but they manages and required a bit of help at the end. Either way, they were fans and thanked me for the treat. HA! Little did they know they were receiving electrolytes and protein. Speaking of protein, my stomach very much welcomed this drink. I did not get a stomach especially since I am normally lactose-intolerant. I also tend to get sugar crashes when I have certain protein bars or powders. This is a plus!
E-hydrate Adult Hydration Drink Mix and KIDS Hydration Drink Mix are also pretty delicious. Since summer will prove to be a hot one, I want my girls to receive recommended daily amounts of B, C, and D vitamins, minerals, and more electrolytes to keep them healthy and hydrated. I love the fact that these specific products are sweetened with all natural Stevia leaf extract and only have one carbohydrate and zero grams of sugar. E-hydrate KIDS Hydration Drink Mix has only 15 calories and is caffeine and taurine-free, while E-hydrate’s Adult Hydration Drink Mix only has four calories and 40mg of caffeine. This product is one I will definitely revisit.
A single pouch of E-hydrate’s Protein On-the-Go retails for $3.49 and a 3-pack box retails for $11.49. A 10-pack box of the Adult Hydration Drink Mix retails for $9.99 and a 10-pack box of the KIDS Hydration Drink Mix retails for $9.99.
Want a chance to try them yourselves? You can try them NOW by using the PROMO code MOMSMEET for 20% on your first order & you can enter to be the ONE lucky reader to win TWO E-hydrate Ultimate Sample Packs!
A single pack is valued at $25, so the total prize is valued at $50. Each sample pack contains:
I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program (greenmomsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree 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 this product.
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Mediterranean Giardiniera Topped Hummus #UnOfficialMeal
April 18th, 2016Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Sabra. All opinions, photos and ideas are my own.
In a household of energetic toddlers, my mission has been to make sure that my family is eating healthy. Sometimes, having a meal together is not always successful, so I try to make unofficial meals to sneak in what I think is healthy for my girls and our family. Fresh and roasted veggies are usually my way of inviting hungry girls to snack on food that is best for them when they rather be eating something for fun. Eating to live and to nourish our bodies is slowly but surely becoming more of a mission in our home.
When I am planning my meals for the week I usually try to even plan for the times that my family might be hungry which is usually always after breakfast or before dinner. Even having fresh fruits or veggies can make for a quick snack for kids and even for me if I have not eaten well for breakfast.
We spend a lot of time outdoors and usually I do not always have time to make lunches for us all, so bringing something that is easy but not exactly during an official meal is ideal. My daughters love digging into food with their hands and when I prepare roasted veggies with fresh veggies, they are MUCH more likely to consume it than if I had it during lunch or dinner.
I love bringing a container of Sabra’s Lemon Twist, Garlic or even the Classic Hummus along with pretzels and veggies for the girls and I to graze on while they are busily running around the park. We take some time out to just enjoy a favorite snack before our normal meals and it is fun just digging into hummus.
My family and I like pickled foods on most occasions so I created a Mediterranean Giardiniera as a nice topping for our favorite Sabra hummus. I took 1/4 cup of jarred giardiniera and chopped it up and mixed in chopped black olives, roasted bell pepper, garlic powder, oregano,sea salt, and olive oil and it was a great topping for our favorite hummus.
I then roast broccoli, one of my girls favorite veggies. I love seeing my girls stuffing themselves with veggies and if it means I roast them more often for them to consume it more, then I am set. It is so easy too! I simply spray broccoli florets with olive oil spray and sprinkle with a bit of garlic powder and sea salt and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
I am always looking for opportunities for my daughters to entertain themselves quietly while I make dinner and having a plate of veggies with hummus works really well. I love watching them digging in and chatting with each other about how tasty the snack is. Even better. I love watching my husband coming in from work and immediately digging in because I know he had an early lunch so a surprise unofficial meal is welcomed. Eating fresh together as a family makes me a happy person.
Adopt this moment into your home whether it is in the early afternoon or before dinner, it will be a nice way of gathering your family together and in an impromptu way. Start your Unofficial Meal in your home and share with me how it goes!
Ingredients
Instructions
