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    Keurig Rivo: Cappuccino and Latte System {Review}

    May 21st, 2014
    Disclosure: I received a Keurig Rivo to review. All opinions are my own.
    I have always wanted to own a Keurig because there are simply some days that I really do not have time to make myself a quick cup of coffee. My coffee gets cold as I get distracted with my kiddos at home. I am sure there are a lot of moms that feel this way.

    When I received the Keurig® Rivo® Cappuccino & Latte System to review I knew this appliance would be my ultimate favorite. Even though I enjoy drip coffee all the time, I am really a cafe latte and Americano type of gal. I like the flavor of espresso with added hot water or warm milk but yet who has time for that? It also gets expensive stopping for those drinks at my local Starbucks so I knew the Rivo would be a perfect fit.

    We have been testing this for close to a month and we like the convenience. I also find myself drinking less coffee than I need be. On occasion, I make myself a quick espresso in the afternoon along with a water chaser but it is just great!  

    Now what coffee did Keurig choose to produce such quick espresso? Lavazza, of course! Our family enjoys Lavazza quite often especially since they now have ground coffees available but they specifically use freshly sealed packs that come in 4 varieties:

    • LavAzza Espresso Classico is a medium roast and full bodied blend with notes of tropical fruit. Sweet floral qualities with a lingering fruity finish
    • LavAzza Espresso Decaf is also a medium roast Balanced flavor with gently sweet aromas of grape and dried fruit. A satisfying, smooth finish
    • LavAzza Espresso Delicato is also a medium roast with a pleasant aroma with balanced acidity. Slightly sweet with notes of chocolate and a long lasting citrus finish. 100% sustainably grown coffee.
    • LavAzza Espresso Intenso is a bold, full bodied blend with aromas of butter and caramel. Subtle hints of smoke with a pleasantly crisp finish.

     When we received the Rivo it already came with a 12-count variety box so it is nice to have a few options before buying the Lavazza coffee of your choice. I liked the Intenso because I like anything bold. It was great as a shot or two of espresso too!


    So what kinds of drinks can you make with the Keurig Rivo? You can make pretty much make any espresso-based drink. Here are a few more details:

              • Consistently froths any type of fresh milk to make
                hot or cold espresso based beverages
              • At the touch of a button simplicity
              • Three frothing modes: Cappuccino, Latte, and Cold Froth
              • Two Espresso sizes – short (1.4oz.) or lungo (2.8oz.)
              • Dishwasher safe parts for easy cleanup


    The only thing we really did not think was true to nature was the Americano drinks. We would brew 1-2 of the Lavazza packs and put 6-8 ounces of hot water and it still would taste weak. It was strange. The espresso would taste intense for the lattes but just water would not cut it for us.



    The frother was especially exciting. Even though I have a hand-held frother, the Rivo has a frother pitcher that froths the milk for cold or hot drinks. A major PLUS is that it froths almond and coconut milk PERFECTLY and frothy. Check out my latte below made with almond milk.

    Add the amount of times you go out for specialty coffees at your local coffee and you will see this appliance as an investment. This one is a sure keeper!

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    Watermelon – Pineapple – Mint Margaritas

    May 19th, 2014


    There have only been a handful of days this spring where it has been pleasant to be sitting on our porch. Our family enjoys grilling and eating outdoors so we’re hoping to get more days before it starts getting really hot outside.

    When it comes to grilling, it is usually my husband’s job to make sure the main portion of the meal is prepared. I work with sides or if I plan it correctly, even the sides require grilling then all I have to do is the bare minimum. How about that?

    Of course, this only means my part has to be delicious and enticing. During our second year of marriage I started working on creating unique margarita recipes. The recipes would include ingredients that were seasonally available and then given a little twist.



    Watermelon is definitely available everywhere right now but how to pick one is usually the hardest challenge. Luckily at Watermelon.org helps anyone with tips on picking the best watermelon for individual consumption or for any recipe. 

    I had so many ideas for recipes but when it came to it, I decided to make my Watermelon Margaritas with some fresh mint and pineapple juice. Tropical margaritas are usually not thought to contain watermelon and even at that I thought it would be a little overpowering. My recipe has an even balance with all ingredients, including the tequila, to make this a perfect summer drink.

    Check out the National Watermelon Promotion Board for more seasonal recipes, facts, and tips on watermelon. Check them out on Facebook and Twitter too!
    Watermelon – Pineapple – Mint Margaritas

    by Noelle Kelly

    Ingredients (serves 4-6 people)
    • 4 cups of watermelon chunks
    • 2 cup pineapple juice
    • 2 limes, juiced
    • 1 cup tequila
    • 2/3 cup triple sec
    • 1/4 cup honey
    • 1/4 cup packed mint leaves
    • ice and cocktail shaker
    Instructions
    Peel the watermelon from the rind and cut watermelon in chunks. Place watermelon in a Viamix blender or other high-powered blender and blender.

    Add the lime and pineapple juice, honey and mint into the blender and mix well.

    Place the juice into a pitcher and add the tequila and triple sec to the pitcher. Add a cup at a time into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake and serve into a margarita glass OR add 2 cups crushed ice to pitcher and serve immediately.

    Powered by Recipage

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    New Health and Beauty Supplements

    May 13th, 2014

    Now that winter is officially over there are a lot of reasons why a cleanse seems more attractive. Winter dries the skin and spring not only brings blossoms but also brings seasonal allergies. 


    I am always on the lookout for healthy alternatives for healing and nourishing my body so when I got a chance to review the following items, I was happy because I could finally test and see the results.


    One of the supplements I tried over the winter that I believe helped me stay healthy was Herb Pharm’s Organic GoldensealThis is one of their most popular herbal supplements for cold and flu symptoms and it is native to the United States and Canada. It has been used for centuries for its natural anti-inflammatory and infection-fighting properties. Goldenseal is also popular because of its natural astringent effect, which can help to soothe inflamed or swollen tissues in the sinuses or throat that might be irritated from a cold or flu. Goldenseal is also commonly used as an expectorant for easing coughs. In addition to taking it orally, one tip is to break a capsule, mix the contents with water and gargle as a sore throat remedy.

    It actually got a sore throat once this winter and used a tea tree oil before I actually received this product but I cannot wait to use it as a sore throat remedy! I only got a cold along with my girls this winter but that is because I was not being consistent. I am a huge advocate of taking herbs and teas for easing any ailments.

    Each vegetarian capsule contains 540mg of organic goldenseal and is take two to three times a day with liquid. The capsule contains no gelatin by the way. I will definitely keep taking these until the weather settles itself on a season.



    The next supplement is a squid ink supplement called Calamari Ink’s Calagenesis. I had read that black foods are higher in antioxidents have potent immunity boosting properties and even higher than blueberries. At first I was a little thrown off by the fact I would be taking squid ink capsules but then I read the benefits and decided to give it a try. 

    Here is a little about Calagenesis:

    • Maintains a healthy immune system*
    • Maintains healthy cell growth*
    • Maintains breast & colon health*
    • Maintains bones, joints & muscle health*
    • Maintains memory and concentration*
    • Maintains healthy cholesterol & blood pressure levels*
    • Maintains energy level*
    • Maintains cardiovascular health*
    • Maintains healthy skin and hair*
    • Maintains a healthy anti-inflammatory response*
    • Maintains a healthy menstrual flow*
    • Maintains cartilage liquidity*

    Important minerals in squid are Natrium, Potassium, phosphorus,Calcium, Magnesium, & Selenium, besides rich protein. Squid is also a good source of vitamins B1, B2, B12, Tiamin, Riboflavin, Niasin, Folic acid and fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E,& K) all these vitamins are necessary for maintaining, boosting, & promoting a healthy immune system.

    While I did not see any results in the month I took them, I do not think there is anything wrong with taking these capsules. I imagine that after a lengthy period of time there would be more results.

    You can purchase a month supply from their site. 



    The last product in my round-up is Natural Beauty’s Organic Argan Oil. Before receiving my sample, I had heard a lot about this oil but was not quite sure what all the hype was about. 

    Argan oil is removed from a tough and drought resistant tree found in southwestern Morocco. Used by the people of ancient Morocco for generations, argan oil has long been prized for not just its taste, but also for its exceptional health and beauty benefits.
    Argan oil works wonder for treating dry, damaged and brittle hair and can be used as a whole body moisturizer. For generations, argan oil has been prized for its anti-aging properties as well as its ability to reduce the symptoms of a variety of skin problems ranging from winkles to psoriasis, eczema and more. Those looking for an all-natural way to health strength and beautify hair will love what argan oil can do! No greasy and scentless argan oil absorbs quickly and can be used to great effect on hair, face and skin.

    I already knew I had to hydrate my skin after this LONG winter but I did not know how much my hair needed it. My hair had become coarse from all the salon sessions and I actually was not sure how to make my hair softer. I used argan oil and slept with the oil in my hair overnight and took a shower in the morning. My hair was so soft and and I hardly needed to use any styling products and it still felt nice and silky after using my flat iron too!

    Before going to sleep I applied the oil on my hands and elbows which I liked because my hands hand felt really moisturized. What I learned is that my FACE did not like the oil. I already have a T-zone so the oil just gave me small little bumps on my forehead. I stopped using it and the bumps or small acne went away. It is all a learning time and I learned my hair and body like this oil for sure.

    You can find this organic argan oil on Amazon. 

    What beauty or health product have you been wanting to try?


    Disclosure: I received a sample of these products but all opinions are my own.

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    #BringBackOurGirls

    May 9th, 2014

    Sixteen days ago, an estimated 234 girls between 16 and 18 years old were taken from a school in northeastern Nigeria by a group of Islamic militants called Boko Haram. That’s what we know for sure.


    The girls are believed to have been taken into Sambisa forest. The forest, reportedly quite thick and swampy and containing a sizable wildlife population ranging from monkeys to elephants, is a Boko Haram stronghold. Escapees report that once there the girls were asked to cook for the insurgents. Bystanders in the general area say that the girls have now been split up and subjected to mass wedding ceremonies. Some say they have been taken out of Nigeria. Some also say the girls are now “sex slaves,” though that worry has been around from the time the girls disappeared, of course. The oft-reported rumor is they’re being auctioned off for the equivalent of $12 USD. No one has yet verified these reports with any degree of certainty.  Source Gawker.com


    I cannot even imagine what these moms must be feeling right now but all I know is that I would want anybody and everybody to help and to put a stop to the madness. It saddens me that women everywhere have to be aware that abductions are not just happening overseas but they are happening everywhere. 

    What if this happened to my own daughters? I know that we live in an evil world with people that have evil intentions to harm but that is because of the world we live. I only pray and ask everyone that you pray that these girls can be found. 


    Nigeria has offered  $300,000.00 REWARD FOR INFORMATION Source Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/07/us-nigeria-girls-idUSBREA450IO20140507?irpc=932

    Some quotes from a man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau  Source http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/05/world/africa/nigeria-abducted-girls/

    “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah,” a man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said in a video first obtained by Agence France-Presse.


    “There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell. I will sell women. I sell women,” he continued, according to a CNN translation from the local Hausa language.


    Boko Haram is a terrorist group receiving training from al Qaeda affiliates, according to U.S. officials. Its name means “Western education is sin.” In his nearly hourlong, rambling video, Shekau repeatedly called for Western education to end.


    “Girls, you should go and get married,” he said.


    How can you help or get involved?

    Here’s what you can do:

    1. Sign the Petition

    http://www.change.org/petitions/over-200-girls-are-missing-in-nigeria-so-why-doesn-t-anybody-care-234girls

    2. #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

    Use social media to spread the word about the situation in Nigeria. Put massive pressure on the government, security forces, and the neighboring governments to spur them to action. Use the hash tag, #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS. Change your profiled picture to Bring Back Our Girls. (see attached)

    3. Get More Information

    Read more by World Moms Blog contributor Jennifer Prestholdt in The Advocates for Human Rights post, “Nightmare for Nigeria’s School Girls,” at:

    http://theadvocatespost.org/2014/04/30/nightmare-for-nigerias-school-girls/

    4. Show we are united and take it to social media! Take a photo with the #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS hashtag and show you support our girls!!!!! Sign prompts “What if it was your daughter” “Where are our girls, we want them back”

    5. Like Bring Our Girls Back on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bringbackourgirls

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    Healthy Products for Families {Round-Up}

    May 8th, 2014
    I received samples of all the products below. All opinions are my own.

    The last few weeks I have been able to taste test the listed products and have enjoyed having my family give me their opinions. Funny enough, even my young girls had an opinion. It was obvious which products we would be purchasing in the future. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy a little about each product.


    Bitsy’s Brainfood

    Info
    On a mission to make healthy food delicious and fun, Bitsy’s Brainfood, the world’s first “smart” snack brand for kids, launches a line of organic fruit and vegetable cereals built around its core principles, that healthy bodies and healthy minds are connected, and learning to “eat smart” should be fun.
    Created by moms Alexandra Buckley Voris and Maggie Jones Patton, the new line offers families a smarter cereal alternative made from organic ingredients and real fruits and veggies, all packaged in way that’s educational and fun. Bitsy’s cereal is available in three tasty flavor combinations:Fruit and Veggie 1,2,3Carrot Raisin Crunch, and Banana Squash Squares.
    While there are many cereals that are organic “healthy” options for kids, very often they are low in vitamins and nutrients. Bitsy’s cereals are unique, with12 essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy development, plus Zinc, which helps brain and body cells to develop and grow; Iron, which helps deliver oxygen to the brain and body; and Vitamin B12, which can help support the nervous system and brain function.
    Bitsy’s Brainfood cereals are now available in retailers throughout the U.S. and at major online retailers for a suggested retail price of $4.99-$5.99.

    Opinion
    I liked the Carrot Raisin Crunch cereal the most of all three. It was flavorful and was unique and and healthy alternative to Raisin Bran cereal. My kiddos are too young for dry cereal but the Banana Squash Squares made for an easy on-the-go snack instead of eating Cheerios. Even though this cereal is geared towards kids, I believe adults would benefit from these cereals instead of a standard bran cereal. My husband, who is very particular, did not care for these. 



    Kiss Me Organics Green Matcha

    Info
    ALL DAY ENERGY AND FOCUS: Lift your vitality and concentration with the slow release natural energy from Organic Matcha

    CALORIE BURNING BOOSTER: Support your weight loss goals with an all-natural way to increase your body’s metabolism

    LATTES | SMOOTHIES | BAKING: Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder arrives in an easy-to-use airtight health grade packaging allowing for as much or as little use as you need for any occasion. Enjoy a relaxing latte in the morning, bake a dozen cupcakes or simply add a small boost to your morning smoothie

    137x ANTIOXIDANTS OF BREWED GREEN TEA: USDA Organic Matcha Green Tea can only be used in a powdered form because, unlike brewed green tea, it contains the entire tea leaf which dramatically increases the nutritional content.

    FREE MATCHA RECIPE GUIDE EBOOK WITH PURCHASE: 50+ Recipes All Yours – Emailed After Purchase. The cost for a 4-oz bag is $25 but it lasts a while.

    • BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF on Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder by Kiss Me Organics – IMPORTANT – Must place 2 bags of Organic Matcha into your shopping cart for this promotion to work. LIMITED TIME Enter code 8FZV8FL5 at checkout. Here’s how (restrictions apply)
    Opinion
    I have enjoyed matcha for a long time but I read that the best quality of matcha is bright green and is best if it is organic. I added this matcha to my green smoothies and I made some almond milk matcha lattes which were both delicious! I also like making a cold and icy almond milk smoothie with 2 teaspoons of matcha. It definitely gives me a boost especially in the late afternoon but only one dose a day! 


    Casacadian Farms New Protein Bars 


    #proteintakesyouplaces

    Info:
    At Cascadian Farm®prides themselves on using real, wholesome ingredients, such as creamy peanut butter and sweet chocolate chips, because they know that real food tastes great. They are thrilled to share new bars with pea protein, an organic protein that is derived from plants.

    They have a Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and a Honey Roasted Nut. Each bar delivers the same great taste you expect from Cascadian Farm with 9 grams of protein

    Opinion
    EVERYONE in my family loved these bars. My husband would take them with him for an afternoon break when he would have long days. Since each bar has 9 grams of protein it held him over until dinner. I thought the Honey Roasted Nut was a tasty and healthier version of a PayDay bar. Oh yeah. So delicious. My toddler loved these bars so much too. She kept asking for a “BAAAR” all the time


    Info:
    Jen and Joe’s, the gourmet home-style cookie dough, has announced its arrival to the frozen food section of Weis Markets throughout the Mid-Atlantic region including locations in Pennsylvania.
    Jen and Joe’s Cookie Dough always uses real eggs and butter and never adds artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, additives, trans fats, or hydrogenated fats.  It is conveniently baked into individual servings so you can bake just one or the whole box, making it a perfect for last minute parties, an after-school treat, or to satisfy a sweet-tooth craving!   It comes in six scrumptious flavors: Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Spice, Oatmeal Toffee, Lemon Drop, and – for the adventurous—White Chocolate Wasabi.

    Opinion
    I loved the colorful packaging of each cookie because it tantalized me with their unique flavors. I really enjoyed the fact that the frozen cookie dough came in individual servings because it was easy to bake 2 cookies if there was a sweet craving.

    I did have a chance to sample all of the cookies at one time. My oldest toddler enjoyed 2 cookies and I think she liked them because she got cookies. I do not give her too many sweets. When I had a chance to sample a piece of each cookie I realized that it seemed like they had all been rolled in sugar. Every cookie seemed a little too sweet, BUT it might have been the fact that I had a piece of 6 cookies at the same time. When I had one White Chocolate Wasabi, I really liked having just one. It satisfied the sweet tooth. I enjoyed the fact that real ingredients were used in this product because it would be something I would make at home if I had time. 


    Which product tantalizes you the most?

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