Trying New Foods: Bok Choy & an easy Recipe

When I picked up my produce from Bountiful Baskets a couple of weeks ago, one of the veggies that I received was Bok Choy. I've heard of it & I know that it's used in a lot of Asian foods, but I've never bought any or eaten any. The women who run my site told me that the easiest way to prepare it is simply to chop it up & add it to Fried Rice. But I don't cook much Asian food at home so I started looking for other ways to use it.

I didn't take a photo of the Bok Choy that I received in my basket, 

but I got 6 of them & this is what they look like. 

After looking at way too many recipes (mostly for Asian-inspired dishes), I decided that I would just try to roast it like we do so many other veggies that we love. What could be simpler than that?

So I know that you probably roast veggies too but, if anyone hasn't tried it before, this is a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

Bok Choy, trimmed & sliced in half

Olive Oil

Sea Salt

Crushed Black Pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Sprinkle some olive oil on a large baking sheet. Place the sliced bok choy in a single layer. 

Brush with more olive oil & sprinkle with sea salt & crushed black pepper, to taste.

Roast for 12 minutes. Using tongs, turn each bok choy & return to roast for an additional 12 minutes. 

Serve immediately.

We really enjoyed the roasted bok choy & the only thing that I will probably do differently next time is to crush a couple of garlic cloves & add that to the olive oil that I brush onto the bok choy. Bok Choy has a flavor similar to cabbage & we always add garlic before we roast cabbage. So I'm looking forward to eating this again!

This is not my photo but this is what Roasted Bok Choy looks like.

I love finding ways to use the fruits & veggies that I get in my produce baskets so I'll be back to share more with you again soon!

Unboxing....Beauty Joy Box June 2015

This month Beauty Joy went back to their Tiffany-blue box after using a black box last month. But the tissue paper inside is the fleur de lis pattern that I look for every time I open a Beauty Joy box! 

And when I opened the tissue paper, this is what I found:

I was excited to see that little black bag because I love surprises but I was really disappointed that the products were just wrapped in tissue paper with no pretty crinkle paper like last month. It was so pretty & really made the presentation of the products much more special.

This subscription box comes with 1 hand-curated jewelry item, 1 full-size beauty item & 2 - 3 deluxe samples. Here is what came in the box this month:

Silver-Plated Rhinestone Earrings - Beautiful silver-plated lever-back earrings, 

perfect for date night! from Etsy.com/shop/LynJewels $16

Love Alpha 3D Fiber Lashes Mascara Set (full size) $15

Bulgari Perfumed Hair Cream (1.3 fluid ounce) $7.50

Nabi Aloe Lip Gloss in Brown (full size) $5

Femme Couture Get Luminous Bronzer in Sunkissed (full size) $10

The value of the items in this box is $53.50. The cost of this subscription is $15 per month & can be cancelled at any time before you are billed for the following month. Billing is done on the 1st of the month. Shipping is free for the U.S. & $5 for Canada.

So. I really like this box! I wish it had included the sparkly crinkle paper again because to me the presentation is a big part of the fun of subscription boxes. All of the beauty products are new to me. I like the color of the lip gloss & the hair cream smells so good! I'm looking forward to trying the bronzer & the 3D mascara. The earrings almost look like my birthstone which is Aquamarine so I'll have to find an occasion to wear them!

So....I can't wait to see what comes next month!

Product Reviews: Sunsella Bento Style Plastic Lunch Boxes #sunsellabuddybox Sunsella Pastry Scraper & Chopper #sunsellapastryscraper Sunsella Egg Rings (4 Pack) #sunsellaeggrings

I have previously reviewed a couple of product from Sunsella. I reviewed their Little Gems Silicone Baking Cups & Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer & I still use both of these products regularly. Today I'm going to tell you about 3 new products from Sunsella that I've been testing.

First up is the Sunsella Bento Style Plastic Lunch Boxes. This is a set of 4 lunch boxes with brightly colored lids. Each box has one large compartment plus two small compartments. They are perfect for my husband to take his lunch to work. The lids hold tight & are easy to take off but they are NOT leakproof. I don't usually pack anything in his lunch that would leak but if I do I can just put a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the food & then use a rubber band to hold the lid extra tight.

These lunch boxes stack together nicely for storing so they don't take up a lot of room in my cabinet. They are microwave & freezer save plus you can wash them in the dishwasher if you want to. I just wash mine in the sink with warm soapy water because we use them every day. They are very sturdy, BPA-free & meet FDA standards. I was so happy to get this set of lunch boxes because it made me throw out some of my old plastic storage pieces that had seen better days.

I also received the Sunsella Pastry Scraper & Chopper. This is a kitchen gadget that I didn't know I needed until I got it! It is a pastry scraper but I use it more as a chopper & it is my go-to tool of choice. It is made of high-grade stainless steel so I never have to worry about rust. It has a rubberized handle that is comfortable to hold & there is a thumb grip on each side so you can easily use this whether you are right-handed or left-handed. It has measurements etched into the stainless steel so they won't rub or wash off.

I use this cool tool just about every day for chopping & slicing. I use it to chop boiled eggs for potato salad, to slice strawberries & other fruits for desserts, to slice tomatoes & cucumbers for salads, to chop ground beef & smoked sausage, to chop veggies & so much more. I can chop, slice & scoop with just one tool so now I use this more than I use my knives!

And the 3rd product that I received is the Sunsella Egg Rings (4 Pack). I knew I would love these as soon as I saw them. I love breakfast sandwiches but when I fry eggs they spread out too much so they never fit onto my English Muffin without hanging over the sides. These egg rings solve that problem! This is a set of 4 egg rings which is perfect because I only cook breakfast for my husband & myself. These are so simple to use & I've not had any problems. The first time I used them the eggs came out just like I wanted them & we put them on toasted English Muffins with some cheese & Canadian bacon. They were so good! We don't eat fast food but I'll bet these taste better than anything you can pick up at a drive-thru!

These egg rings are made of high quality BPA-free silicone & meet FDA standards. The handles are high-grade stainless steel so they won't rust & they have a silicone tip so they are easy to pick up from your hot skillet. They are so easy to wash with warm soapy water. These can be used for those perfectly round eggs or for mini-pancakes. I haven't tried pancakes yet but I will soon.

You can purchase these products on Amazon. Here are the links to each:

Sunsella Bento Style Plastic Lunch Boxes

Sunsella Pastry Scraper & Chopper

Sunsella Egg Rings (4 Pack)

#sunsellabuddybox #sunsellapastryscraper #sunsellaeggrings

I received these products for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the products.

Unboxing....Birchbox June 2015 #birchbox

Well, shoot. The first thing I did when I was opening the packing for my June Birchbox was scratch the top of the box with my knife. I re-purpose these boxes to use for storage so I guess I'll just cover this one with some pretty paper. Oh, well....I've still got the goodies that were inside!

"Say Yes"....Adventure is a state of mind. It's about exploring the unknown, dreaming beyond the horizon, and letting go of the word "no". What's on your list? Scuba diving with sharks (hey, your backyard counts)? Here's to adventures big and small, near and far!

These are the products that I received this month:

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris (full-size $65-$110)

Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow (full-size $27)

Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner (full-size $11)

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect (full-size $32)

Supergoop Everyday SPF 50 With Cellular Response Technology (full-size $19-$48)

Bonus: L. Erickson Grab & Go Ponytail Holder (full-size $18)

These brands are new to me except for Supergoop. But it's a product that I haven't tried before. My favorites in this box are the BB Cream & the ponytail holder.

Birchbox is a monthly subscription box which comes with 5 beauty, grooming and/or lifestyle samples. The cost is $10 each month with free shipping to the US & Canada. It is delivered via USPS. This is a fun way to sample new products!

If you haven't subscribed to Birchbox yet but want to get in on this subscription box, click here.

Until next month....

Fresh Produce! And a couple things I haven't tried before.

Around Mid-May I picked up another basket of fresh produce from my local Bountiful Baskets site. I went early to volunteer my help unloading the truck, filling the baskets, helping people carry their produce to their cars, cleaning baskets once they were emptied & anything else that needed to be done. It's fun to volunteer & I always get a little something extra as a reward!

I only got a Conventional Basket even though I wanted some of the add-ons! I just knew that I wouldn't have time to get everything prepped for freezing or storing so I stuck with just the regular basket. And I got a couple of veggies that we've never had before!

Here's what was in my basket: 

12 red potatoes, 3 bunches green onions, 2 jicama, 3 cucumbers,

6 bok choy, 4 yellow corn, 3 sweet leaf lettuce, 5 bananas,

2 oranges, honeydew melon, Tuscan melon.

I chose another bunch of green onions as my volunteer "thank you". 

I got all of this for $18.50 (which includes the $3.50 which is added to each order in Texas to contribute to the fuel costs for the trucks). The jicama & the bok choy are new to us. I've seen them in the grocery produce sections but never bought either of them so we've never tasted them before. I'll share my recipes that I use to cook them in another post. The Tuscan melon is also a variety that we've never tasted. It looks just like a cantaloupe but tastes so different. Kind of like honey! 

If you want information about Bountiful Baskets, you can go here to read the New Participant Information.

Until next time....

Product Review: Old Factory Scented Candles #soycandles

One of my favorite ways to make my home feel welcoming & comfortable is using scents. I use different methods of delivering scent but candles have always been my favorites. I am very happy to share my review of these Old Factory Scented Candles with you.

These soy candles come packaged in a box that looks like a wooden crate with lettering that gives it an antique look. Each set comes with 3 theme-scented 4-ounce candles. The company states that each candle will burn for 25 - 30 hours but I haven't been keeping track of how long I've been burning each candle. These candles are made with natural soy wax & self-trimming cotton candle wicks.

I chose the Citrus Grove set which includes Lemongrass, Key Lime & Orange Zest scents. I love the way these candles smell! The fresh citrus scents really come through when I use them in our bedroom but they are not large enough to scent a larger room like our living/dining room.

There are so many scent sets to choose from that there is something for everyone so these would make great additions to a gift basket for a baby shower, bridal shower, birthday or anniversary. I know that all of my friends & family would love to receive a set!

You can purchase these Old Factory Scented Candles in your favorite scents on Amazon.

#soycandles

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Product Review: 2-in-1 Lemon Squeezer & Cap Opener #lemonsqueezer

I have an old manual citrus juicer & that is what I normally use to get juice from lemons, limes & oranges. It works but it never really gets all of the juice from the fruits. So I end up twisting the fruit rinds like I'm wringing water out of a washcloth & then I have to pick the seeds & bits of skin out of the juice. So I'm always ready to try a product that will make my life easier so I'm testing this 2-in-1 Lemon Juicer & Cap Opener from Ever Kitchen.

This 2-in-1 lemon squeezer is designed to take all of the hassle out of juicing citrus fruits & it's really easy to use. Just cut the fruit in half, place it with the rind face up (if you cut off the tip of the fruit, you'll get more juice),  then just squeeze. It's very easy to squeeze the handles.

I've used my 2-in-1 Lemon Squeezer for limes & it really does a great job of getting every drop of juice so that all I have to do when I'm finished is drop the rinds in my garbage disposal so that my sink & drain smell good! Squeezing lemons is not as easy because I haven’t found any that are small like limes so I have to squeeze part of the lemon half & then re-position it to squeeze again. But this is the only problem that I’ve had with this squeezer. There is also a bottle cap opener on the back which is handy & it works just like it should.

I wash & dry the squeezer after each use & it's ready to go for next time but it is also dishwasher safe.

You can purchase the 2-in-1 Lemon Squeezer on Amazon.

#lemonsqueezer

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Product Review: Hot Yoga Towel by Moonlite Yoga #moonliteyoga

I used to practice yoga regularly but after a surgical procedure I stopped because of the pain. In the past year I have started again. I have a yoga mat but have never had a yoga towel because I thought that my regular towel was good enough. But since I’ve been using this Hot Yoga Towel from Moonlite Yoga, I’m making more progress in my practice because I don’t have to stop to re-position my feet or wipe sweat off of my mat.

This yoga towel came rolled up & I didn’t think it looked nearly big enough to cover my entire yoga mat. I unrolled it & followed the cleaning instructions. I washed it by itself in case the color bled & dried it on the Air Dry setting in my dryer. Then I put my yoga mat down to try out this towel. I spritzed the back of the towel with water for better grip & laid it over my mat. I was really surprised that it covered the mat from top to bottom! Then I began my daily yoga poses.

At first it felt a bit odd because I was used to the feeling of the mat under my feet but I quickly stopped noticing because I was concentrating on my posture & positioning. Throughout my routine, the towel did slip or bunch up. It is not bulky feeling at all & at the end of my practice I wasn’t standing on a sweaty mat.

This towel is made of absorbent microfiber material & the stitching on this towel is tight & even. I’ve had no problem with any stitching coming loose after laundering. And the fact that I can just throw the towel in with my regular wash is a plus.

This Hot Yoga Towel comes in purple & in gray. It can be purchased on Amazon.

#moonliteyoga

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Product Reviews: Camellia Oil Moisturizer AND Tamanu Oil from BEAUTYOILS.CO #beautyoils

I find that as I'm getting older, I prefer using oils rather than lotions or creams on my skin. And I'm always happy to discover new oils. These two oils that I received from BEAUTYOILS.CO are both new to me so I was happy to get to review them.

The first oil that I received is the Camellia Oil Moisturizer. This oil is also known as Tsubaki oil & has been used in Japan for centuries. This oil is rich in Omega-9 fatty acids as well as Vitamin E, plant collagens & proteins. It is designed to moisturize both skin & hair. The only ingredient in this oil is 100% Pure cold-pressed Camellia Oil.

This clear oil comes in a 2 fluid ounce amber plastic bottle with a press top. I am using this oil as a moisturizer for my skin, not just on my face but also on my hands, arms, legs & feet. The oil absorbs quickly into my skin & has no scent. It softens & smooths my skin without any oily feeling. I use it first thing every morning & again at night just before I go to bed.

The other oil that I received is Tamanu Oil. This oil comes from the South Pacific where it is well known for its skin healing properties. This oil has anti-inflammatory, antifungal & antioxidant properties. It can be used for bug bites & stings, sunburns, minor cuts & scrapes as well as helping to heal scars & areas prone to stretch marks. The only ingredient in this oil is 100% Pure cold-pressed Tamanu Nut Oil.

This light green oil (kind of looks like olive oil) comes in a 2 fluid ounce amber glass bottle. I have used this oil on a couple of old scars, to help sunburn & on bug bites. My sunburned skin was relieved more quickly with this oil than with the gel that I had been using & the itchiness from the bug bites was quickly lessened. The oil absorbs quickly & has an earthy scent which I really like.

I have somewhat sensitive skin but have not experienced any irritation from using either of these oils. They are both paraben-free, petroleum-free & cruelty-free.

The Camellia Oil Moisturizer can be purchased both on Amazon & on the BEAUTYOILS.CO website.

The Tamanu Oil can also be purchased on Amazon & on the BEAUTYOILS.CO website.

#beautyoils

I received these products for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the products.

Product Review: Chenille Car Wash Mitt by Alaska Bear #CarWashMitt

Washing the car is not a job that I like so I'm glad that my husband is always willing to do it for me. He usually uses his giant sponge which works but sometimes just seems to push dirt around instead of cleaning. When these Chenille Car Wash Mitts from Alaska Bear arrived, I gave them to him & he went outside to try them out.

This is a set of 2 dual-sided car wash mitts. They each have one side covered with chenille. The blue mitt has microfiber on the other side & the orange mitt has a scrubbing surface on the other side. These mitts can be used either wet or dry. With all of these different cleaning surfaces, you can get every part of your vehicle clean & shiny!

After my car was clean, I asked my husband what he thought about these mitts. The first thing he told me was that these would be perfect for a Denver Broncos fan! You know, orange & blue. Then he told me that he really does like these mitts because of the two sides for different types of cleaning. The parking lot where his car sits all day at his job has a lot of trees so most days he comes home with lots of bird crap on the car. The scrubber side of the mitt gets that cleaned really easily. The elastic wrists are perfect for his hands & they are tight enough to hold but easy enough to take the mitt off. They are a bit big for my wrists but I don’t want to wash the car anyway! The mitts are large & cover more area than his old sponge did.

These Chenille Car Wash Mitts by Alaska Bear can be purchased on Amazon.

#CarWashMitt

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.