Doing Ravioli the Buitoni way

I am a BuzzAgent and was recently chosen to try the Buitoni brand of pasta. I chose to sample the Shrimp Scampi Ravioli and the Crab Ravioli.

I have always been a big fan of Buitoni but these pastas always out-do themselves.

I chose to boil the Crab ravioli and then added Alfredo sauce. It was great, maybe a little salty.
I sauteed the Shrimp Scampi Ravioli in a butter and oil with mushrooms. I have to say that this was my favorite.

It added a little crunch and firmness to the noodles. I have never done it this way but think it was the better way.

As always, #GotItFree from BzzAgent and I am excited to be able to try and share anything that I get from them.

http://www.buitoni.com/Product-Category/Riserva.aspx#/riserva

https://www.bzzagent.com/

Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure

I have always loved the idea of having to just apply an already painted nail with glue to mine and be ready to go. However, for me, it has always just been an idea. I have large nail beds and the press-onn nails never quite fit my nails properly and I always feel like you can tell they are fake and that bothers me. I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster and so I thought what the heck, lets try them. Once again, I was disappointed with the fit but I don't think that its the brand, its just my nails.

Broadway Nails Press-on manicure are a great quality nail and are easy to apply and remove. I didn't wear them long enough to test the length of time that they would stay on but they are really cute and come in a variety of colors and prints. I would definitely wear them if I could.

You can get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds – simply peel off, press on, and you're done. There's no drying, a killer shine and a manicure that lasts up to a week! And, imPRESS is so easy to remove, you can change it up to match your mood as often as you want. Check out all colors and patterns, including trendy brights, classic darks and animal prints. With imPRESS, your nails will always be your best accessory.

imPress Manicure retails for $5.99 for colors and $7.99 for patterns, and is available at CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, KMart, Walgreens, Walmart and more. For a full list of online and in-store retailers, visit imPressManicure.com, where you can download an exclusive coupon and virtually try on all the colors and patterns!

Baked Kale Chips and Parsnips

BAKED KALE CHIPS
This is my first time to bake Kale into chips and I have to say that they turned out pretty great. I first tried them at my Mothers. I had seen several posts about these wonderful baked goodness but was skeptical to try it/them. But after trying my mothers, of course I was sold. I tweaked the recipe from online and from her a little bit and went with it. The flavor kind-of reminds me of that small piece of fried okra that was cooked just a little too much. Maybe you will think different but that is my take.

Here is my rendition........the amount here was just because that is what I had available.

I bunch of Fresh Kale
1 tablespoon or so of McCormick fresh minced garlic, I use the bottled kind ( as seen in pic below)
1 tsp of Kosher salt or Sea salt
1 tbsp or so of McCormick Garlic & Herb Salt Free Seasoning, my twist on flavor, and possibly what gave it the similarity to fried okra, who knows?!(as seen in pic below)
EVOO, drizzled over top and enough to cover every little inch of Kale.....

Set oven to 300* and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bake about 25 minutes, turning the Kale about half way through baking, The Kale will turn a medium brown and must be turned to get even baking and crispiness. If you do not turn the Kale it will be slightly chewy on the one side that does not lie against the cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

BAKED PARSNIPS

And next for the Parsnips.......
Parsnips look like a white carrot. they have a smell really close to carrots and the same texture. I take them and peel them like a carrot and slice them up really thin and in long slices like French fries. After they are baked they taste like a fried potato/French fry with an aromatic scent of carrot. It sounds weird but they really are great. I add a little Cayenne pepper for a kick.

Used here
3 whole peeled Parsnips
1 tbsp of McCormick minced garlic
EVOO drizzled across top, enough to cover and coat
1 tsp Cayenne pepper
1 tbsp or so of McCormick Garlic & Herb Salt Free Seasoning, my twist on flavor

Set oven to 300* and line baking sheet with parchment paper.  Slice parsnips to your liking, I did mine like French fries and small bite sized pieces. Coat parsnips with EVOO and seasonings. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and spread out evenly so that they get baked evenly. Cook about 25 to 35 minutes depending out preferred texture. I baked mine about 35 minutes so that they are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside like French fries. They will have a little kick due to the Cayenne pepper but you can omit that if you don't like pepper or that extra hot kick. I haven't found a great dip for them yet but you can experiment and find what fits you the best!

ENJOY!!!!!!!

My June Maven Box

I always love getting my new Maven Box. It is always filled with great colors and few extra little bonuses. This month I got a DD Cream and some Dolles Taffy. The colors are a wonderful summer combo of Boho Glam "Lexie" which is a bold and beautiful yellow and "Diana" which is a soft beautiful Teal or Seafoam Green. With my extra "Jules" I purchased some add on colors of Bombshell "Payton" which is a beautiful and bold Green and an It Girl "Bess" which is a strong Turquoise. I love my Julep nail polish. It has a long wear and strong colors that last.

Summer Grilling with BzzAgent and Kroger

I am a BzzAgent and have been selected to Try the Kroger brand of products to include :

100% Ground Beef Burgers or Seasoned Turkey Burgers that cook perfectly from frozen without thawing and come in a variety of lean offerings, located in the freezer aisle

Slider Buns available in 100% Whole Wheat and Honey varieties

Cheddar & Sour Cream Rippled Potato Chips also available in Original flavor

Deluxe Ice Cream available in a variety of flavors

and Big K Soda available in a variety of flavors

So with my choice options I haven't decided if I want to make Beef Sliders or Turkey Burgers. I'm sure both will be Delicious!

 



My more recent BzzAgent tries

 O Organics, Kroger CARBmaster, Garnier BB Cream oil free

Tastykake® Kandy Bar Kakes

About:
The Tasty Baking Company, founded in 1914 and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is one of the country’s leading bakers of snack cakes, pies, cookies, and donuts. As a subsidiary of Flowers Foods, the company has bakery facilities in Philadelphia and Oxford, Pa. that offer more than 100 products under the Tastykake brand name. Celebrated for their freshness and quality ingredients, the Tastykake line includes such classics as Krimpets, Kandy Kakes, Juniors, and Kreamies. For more information on Tasty Baking Company, visit www.tastykake.com.

Kandy Bar Kakes are the best of both worlds. Light and fluffy chocolate enrobed cakes come in a unique kandy bar shape with a delicious créme filling made with your favorite candy flavors. Available in S'mores, Peppermint, and Peanut Butter flavor.

Available at grocery and convenience stores across America. Don't forget to get a glass of milk to go with.



***I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster

INFLUENSTER*****Spring Fever VoxBox

 

Let me start off by saying that I love it when I get chose to sample and leave feedback on free items from Influenster. Some of the things that I get are not my style or don't prefer but most I do like.

I am a Secret Deodorant wearer and like their products but the gel has not been one of my favorites because it goes on feeling wet and then sticky. I always feel like its going to come off on my clothes and not work. I am willing to give it another shot though. It claims to last 48 hours.

The NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm has lots of moisture with just a hint of color for my days when I don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup. It fits perfect in my pocket or in my purse. It has a great, even edible smell and is filled with  Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E and Avocado Oil, no wonder is smells edible.

Press on nails, not for me. I have never worn press on nails. My nail beds are too large for them to fit properly and so I have never liked them, however, it seems like a good concept. Press on nails that are already painted and the paint doesn't chip at the ends of your nails. I will give these to someone else to try.

OSIS Gelastic Ultra Strong Flex gel. Now I have never liked stiff crunchy hair so I am curious to see how this gel performs and feels. The directions for styling list adding a little water. It claims to provide all day definition and control and dries with a firm finish.

Tastycake Kandy Bar Kakes are light and fluffy chocolate enrobed cakes with a delicious crème filling in a unique kandy bar shape. And yes they are. I love these things. My flavor for sampling was Smores and it had a great Smores flavor to it, not to overpowering. I have also tried the Peanut Butter in the past and loved those also. Great snack kake in my opinion!

If you are interested in trying free product go sign up at http://www.influenster.com/. They always have new sampling themes and opportunities. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter @InfluensterVox

The above opinions are mine only and these products were complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

Shape Diva Dash

 I do not consider myself an athlete but I do like an active challenge and will try almost anything once. I try to stay active and like to lift weights and so when I heard of a 5K run called the Diva Dash, well I was in. It is an obstacle adventure run for Women! It is sponsored by Shape Magazine, Luna Bars and Oakley.

The SHAPE Diva Dash course covers about 3 miles of trail, sand, and road. Each course is different with crazy obstacles to test your strength, agility, balance and sense of adventure. Some obstacles will have both tough and easy options so you can choose the level of difficulty that feels right to you. You should expect 10-12 constructed obstacles, not including obstacles from natural terrain. The course is different at each venue across the U.S. and has different local sponsors and cause.

Ft. Worth - Our Cause

 

The Women’s Center Inspiring, teaching and empowering women and families to overcome violence, crisis and poverty is the mission of The Women’s Center. The Women’s Center operates one of the most comprehensive rape crisis and victim services programs in the country. It is also a leader in employment programs for unemployed and underemployed women and men and is a constant source of support for women and families in crisis and transition.

Play Like a Girl! itself is a movement to promote physical activity among girls.  We are dedicated to delivering early positive experiences girls need to develop a lifelong passion for physical activity and end childhood obesity for good.  Our mission is to inspire girls everywhere to live a happier, healthier and more active lifestyle by promoting physical activity as a path to health and success.

My May Ipsy bag "Spring Fling"

 

URBAN DECAY MOONDUST eye shadow in "Stargazer" .05oz
Juice Beauty Organic lip gloss in "Pink" .14floz
NUME Finishing Serum 10ml
ZOYA nail polish in "BLU" 0.5floz
YABY concealer  in "Buff"
ST TROPEZ Instant Glow Body Lotion 1.69floz

Dog Lovers Cravebox

My "Dog Lover's Cravebox"

MIA for a while

So, I have to admit something. I have been "Missing in Action" for a while. I went thru a tuff time and found no motivation to keep my posts alive.

I have in the meantime, kept up with my Free samples, Buzz Campaigns and the such. I would like to talk a little about them to get caught up with some of the stuff that I have loved, experienced and sampled.

Do any of you subscribe to Julep? Its a Nail Polish subscription that sends out  full bottles of nail polish and little extra gifts/freebies with your order and has special monthly orders as well to try. The subscription is 19.95 a month and you usually get 2 polishes with a freebie or two.

My Maven style is Boho Glam. You will fill out a profile to your likes and it will assign you a style and send colors to match your style. Also, you can change your style if you don't like it. I would recommend check them out. I have enjoyed the anticipation of what my box would have in it but have not been completely satisfied, but don't let that deter you. Not everyone gets the same box.

Here are some pics of my boxes! and here is the  website link....http://www.julep.com/maven.html