Yummy Review: Pure Madness Chocolate

When I arrived from our family's spring break vacation, I was surprised to see a package from BzzAgent. Could it be the campaign I was so looking forward to? My first food product. Indeed it was the Pure Madness Chocolate line. Truffles and chocolate bar.

The packaging the gorgeous: black ans sleek. This company sure does know women. Every little chocolate truffle is unique and beautifully crafted. They are small - woman-sized, if you will. I was glad to see they were not your normal two-bite truffles. You can just pop these in your mouth and enjoy the overall flavor. I think my favorites in this 9-piece sampler was the sea salt caramel and the hazelnut. Next, I tried the Pure Madness Chocolate bar. BzzAgent must have known my tastes because I received the Hawaiian Bar. Coconut and milk chocolate is just a wonderful combination.

So, would I try it again? Yes, yes, and yes. These chocolates and gift baskets would make a great gift for my lady friends. Bachelorette parties would not be complete without these decadent treats!

Comments? Questions? Share below!

Read More

Product Review: Playtex Secrets Bra

When I received my Playtex Secrets bra from BzzAgent, I was skeptical. My body had completely changed since I had my son, and I've been having a heck of a time dressing myself. Using nursing bras has been my go-to since I am with my baby most of the time. Now, however, I have been leaving the house without him for mommy time. I recently realized, I do not need to go out looking like a disheveled mom every time I leave the house. I can wear a normal, supportive bra and dress myself in my not-so-nursing-friendly clothes.

So, when I went to visit a girlfriend of mine, I decided to test out the new Playtex Bra with truSupport. I was really happy with the results. I felt good, supported, and I felt like my posture was even better. The back did not pinch my skin, and the sides fit well. The side fit is important to me because I have a short torso, so bra sides tend to dig into the skin under my armpit uncomfortably. Overall, I am really happy with this product and would suggest it to friends looking for minimal shape wear.

Do you have experience with Playtex Bras? Share with us!

Read More

Product Review: Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge

I received the new Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge from BzzAgent a couple weeks ago. In between caring for a teething 4 1/2 month old, working, and taking care of a household, I'm lucky if I get to brush my teeth before 3PM, let alone shower. Garnier Fructis' Hydra Recharge shampoo, conditioner, and 1-minute treatment promises I will only have to wash my hair every 2 days.

I am one of those people who doesn't wash their hair daily, but I'd be lying if I said the second day, my hair didn't look a little oilier than the first. In this case, the Hydra Recharge's claim delivered. I did not have to wash my hair for 2 days, and I think I could have waited another day. I styled my hair minimally after the first wash and treatment. It maintained so well, I forgot what day I had done my hair. "Has it really been 2 days?" I asked myself. It had, and I was pleased. I will be suggesting this to anyone who wants to save some dough and get a lot out of their shampoo.

If you are concerned with hair products and the way they smell and lather, I'd say Hydra Recharge is good on both counts. You don't get that complex salon smell, but is smells clean and fresh. The lather is thick and washes out well.

Questions? Comments? Let Casita know!

Read More

Vegan Tacos with Zukes and Sweet Potatoes

Our household has switched to a mostly vegan diet. We still eat meat on special occasions and when we go out to dinner. Although, I find myself ordering seafood more and more often on our few restaurant trips. Slowly, I am learning to cook without the creams, meat stocks, and butter that I would often use to add flavor to dishes. I still love these things, but frankly, they're not good for you. One of our mid-week dishes that also happens to be gluten-free is vegan tacos using corn tortillas. My goal was to add as much color to the dish as I could find in my crisper drawer and pantry. Enjoy!

Vegan Tacos with Zukes and Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

1 sweet potato, cooked in microwave
1 tbsp. olive oil (or vegetable stock for a fat-free dish)
2 small zucchinis, cut into large pieces
1 large onion, cut into large pieces
4 oz button mushrooms
4-5 small, multicolored potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2 tsp. Goya Adobo of choice (or more to taste)
Salt to taste

Directions
Once your microwaved sweet potato has partially cooled, peel and cut into large chunks. Set aside. Heat oil or stock in a cast iron pan or other heavy bottomed skillet. Non-stick skillets are best if you are using the veggie stock. Then, add all ingredients except sweet potato into skillet. Add Adobo. Saute on medium heat until veggies are fork tender. Add sweet potatoes until heated through and coated with juices. Serve atop corn tortillas with a side of refried beans and corn.

What are your favorite vegan dinners? Share below!

Read More

Neutrogena Cosmetics Product Review: Mama's Lookin' Good

Tried out the new Neutrogena Cosmetics today through BzzAgent. The products I was sent were one MoistureSmooth Color Stick (Sweet Watermelon), two of the Crease Proof Eye Shadows, and one Healthy Lengths Mascara.

Since my son was born last November, it's been a tough go looking and feeling pretty - especially during the week. Once I got my vegan chili in the slow cooker, I showered up and got to work on the new makeup. A couple minutes later (literally two minutes, I had a hungry baby waiting on me), I had applied everything and was looking great. I can't wait for my husband to get home and check me out. He'll probably ask me what the occasion is.

The eye shadow was easy to apply. The mascara was not clumpy or dry. To my surprise, what I liked most about the mascara was the long wand. I am so used to using these stout mascara applicators that I can barely hang on to. Neutrogena thought of everything. The wand is long and light weight. Finally, the lipstick was sheer with a touch of color. Looks like lipstick feels like lip balm. It went on super smooth and looks very natural.

Overall, I'd recommend this stuff to friends, especially mom's who only have a minute or two to get themselves together.


Like Neutrogena? Recommend any of their products (or not)? Share below!

Read More

5 Affordable Snack Ideas

Being 3 weeks from my due date, I am often hungry, but I believe having lots of snack options around the house is generally a good idea. It’s so easy to buy processed, individually-wrapped snacks. They are always on sale at your grocer and much easier to buy and eat than fresh foods. It doesn’t have to be so! Put aside your bar-shaped future food and stock your cupboards and fridge with basic staples to make easy to access snacks. Not only is it better for you, it can save you money.

Hummus and crackers or veggies
High in protein and fiber, you can dip just about anything in hummus. I especially like it with baby carrots and tortilla chips. The hummus has a pretty good shelf life, certainly a week or more. This makes it an ideal snack in that it doesn’t need to be consumed quickly. My favorite hummus contains horseradish and can be purchased at Trader Joe’s for $1.99/8oz container.

Apples with nut butter

It’s apple season. I got a 5lb bag of Gala apples at my local grocer for $1.99. Apples have a great shelf life when refrigerated. An apple with a bit of peanut or almond butter is a quick a nutritious snack.

Quesadillas
I always keep some El Milagro corn tortillas around the house ($.39 for 1 pack). They freeze very well, too. I also always keep a stock of shredded chihuahua cheese around (my local grocer sells it bulk for around $2.99 for a ½ lb package), but you can use whatever salty, low-fat cheese you have laying around.

Frozen fruit smoothies
Tis the season for frozen fruit since berry season is over, and tropical fruits don’t look so great (not the ones in my produce marts, anyway). We like to buy fruit when they’re on sale and just about to go bad. Our fridge is currently filled with bags of mango and pineapple. You can even toss bananas that are about to go south in the freezer. Just peel them, cut into chunks and toss into a plastic bag.

Yogurt popsicles
I recently bought this silicone mini-popsicle tray. I use whatever yogurt I have on hand (usually plain) and add fruit, jam, honey, and/or nuts to it. Fill the trays, and you have yourself a gourmet cold snack! I have some lemon-rhubarb jam just waiting to be used for this.
feature photo by:  Albertas Agejevas

What are your favorite snack foods? How do you prolong the life of food that’s about to go bad? Share below!

Read More

Papa’s Slow Cooker Cuban Black Beans

photo by:  cookbookman17

Last week, my father shared with me his tried and true slow cooker Cuban black bean recipe. My grandmother often made this recipe on the stove or in the pressure cooker, but for today’s working family, the slow cooker provides a hands-off method suitable for a mid-week meal. Enjoy!

Papa’s Slow Cooker Cuban Black Beans

Ingredients:
1 lb bag black beans (rinsed)
Water
½ large onion, peeled but intact
½ large green pepper
1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
1 bay leaf

For sofrito:
2 tbsp. olive oil (maybe a splash more)
½ large onion, diced
½ green pepper, diced
5 garlic cloves, peeled and diced
1 tbsp. salt
Pepper to taste
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. oregano
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. white vinegar

Directions:
Add beans, onion, green pepper, garlic clove, and bay leaf to slow cooker. Fill will water until ¾ full. Cook on low for 6 hours.

For sofrito:
Sauté diced ½ onion, diced ½ pepper and diced garlic in large frying pan with olive oil. Add salt, pepper, cumin and oregano until onions are translucent (about 7-10 minutes). Add this hot mixture to a blender along with two ladle fulls of cooked beans and some of the broth. Blend thoroughly until smooth textured.
Add this mixture to the slow cooker in order to thicken the cooked beans. Taste for salt and add more if needed. Once the salt content is satisfactory, add the sugar, vinegar and remaining olive oil, stir and taste.

Serve with white rice.


Like what you see! Tell us about it. Leave comments below.

Read More