Nanny to Mommy

As some of you may know, I am a Bzz Agent. Sometimes I receive free products in exchange to share information on my blog with all of you. But I am still very selective about what I share on my blog, because I have to feel passionate about the products or cause.



I was recently selected to participate in the Green Mountain Coffee® Fair Trade Certified™ Campaign. Not only was I a part of this campaign last year and was so excited to be included in it again since I learned the importance of fair trade, I have tried to share the importance of fair trade on my blog.

Most of the time, your coffee is the thing that just helps you power through your day, making it easy to overlook. But take a moment to reflect on the impact it can have beyond your next deadline or early morning errand. Fair Trade means a great cup of coffee for you and a better quality of life for farmers. By purchasing Fair Trade Certified™ Green Mountain Coffee® brand, you help coffee farmers receive a fair price for their beans, which means a great cup of coffee and a better quality of life in coffee-farming communities.

You might have noticed some of my updates on Facebook about October being Fair Trade Month. And in celebration of Fair Trade Month, Green Mountain Coffee® is introducing Fair Trade Certified™ Three Continent Blend, which combines the flavors and aromas of three continents in one harmonious Extra Bold blend. The only thing that might be richer than the benefits of purchasing Fair Trade coffee are the flavors. As the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, Green Mountain Roasters, Inc. (the parent company of Green Mountain Coffee®) knows that quality is second to none. That’s why they offer a wide selection of Fair Trade coffees, including brand-new Three Continent Blend, which combines the flavors and aromas of South America, Africa, and Asia into one harmonious Extra Bold Blend.

Please feel free to drop by ChooseFairTrade.org and let me know why Fair Trade might be important to you.

I am a bzz agent and all the information in this post was provided by Green Mountain Roasters, Inc through Bzz Agent. All opinions expressed here are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this post. And am sharing this to comply with FTC regulations.

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I have compiled a list of my favorite yogurt recipes from Pinterest. Yogurt make for a light snack or can complement a meal. And yogurt is a great way to boost your metabolism! Please enjoy!


These are all super easy too!



1. Yogurt Dipped Strawberries; recipe found HERE.
"Love frozen fruit, and I adore yogurt. Put the two together, and you get this yummy snack!"

2. Breakfast Popsicles; recipe found HERE
"These breakfast popsicles are really simple to make but still soooo yummy."

3. Frozen Yogurt Dots via OnGoodThing.
"Oh, and they freeze SUPER FAST! So, if you’re in a hurry for your frozen snack…. pop some dots in the freezer and in less than an hour from now you’ll be enjoying your own delicious creamy treat!"

4. Healthy Waffle Cone Ice Cream; image found HERE

5. Lemon Frozen Yogurt via Anja's Food 4 Thought
"...am in love with this. I even prefer it to ice creams, as I love the tangy flavor that the yogurt brings with it, instead of the pure creaminess that cream or milk in regular ice cream has. A truly refreshing and guilt-free simmer dessert."

6. Mango and Yogurt Ice Pops via Wholesome Cook
"Healthier than their ice cream counterparts they are low in fat and have no added sugar. To spice them up a little, I have added some coconut milk and ground cinnamon."

7. Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberry Kabobs via One Good Thing by Jillee
"Warning: making Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Kabobs will result in purple finger syndrome, despite repeated licking of fingers during the kabob making process. Don’t panic. A little “Miracle Cleaner” (baking soda and peroxide) takes it right off. :-)"

8. Strawberry Lassi via Ambrosia Baking
"...something that could be prepared really fast, required no heat, and was refreshing."

Kroger offers the delicious yogurts you and your loved ones crave. For those watching their carb intake, CARBmaster is a yogurt lover’s dream. It’s formulated to be lower in carbs, calories and sugar than regular yogurt — and it still tastes great! With decadent flavors like Black Forest Cake and Cinnamon Roll, CARBmaster cultured dairy blends make for a guilt-free dessert any day.

If you’re looking for a tangier treat, try Kroger Greek or New Greek Lite yogurt. They’re a high source of protein (16g per serving!) with no fat and varieties like Blackberry Yumberry and Lemon Crème. And with the Greek Lite packing just 90 calories, you can afford to sample every delicious flavor.

Although I received free product from BzzAgent and Kroger to provide this post, the heart of this post is all my own.

Hello lovely readers! I am sharing this recipe I discovered on the MorningStar Farms website (click either banner to find it) because as a Bzz Agent I get to try awesome products for free and this recipe is super easy and very yummy. PLUS if you join Kellogg's Family Rewards program, you can earn a $1.50 off coupon making MorningStar Farms veggie products and this recipe super cheap! ;)

*Pictures are from website.*

INGREDIENTS
3 MorningStar Farms® Sausage Links
6 eggs, lightly beaten*
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves or dillweed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
2 ounces fat-free Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sliced green onions (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Place links in nonstick skillet. Add 1/4-inch water. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until water evaporates. Remove links from skillet. Diagonally slice.

2. Wipe skillet out with paper towel. In medium bowl beat together eggs, milk, 1/4 cup onions, thyme, salt and pepper.

3. In same skillet melt butter, tilting to coat pan. Add egg mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until set. Sprinkle with links. Top with cheese. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with additional sliced green onions, if desired.

*Note: For a lower fat version, replace the 6 eggs with 1 1/2 cups refrigerated egg substitute.

I shared this recipe as part of being a Bzz Agent, to read my full disclosure statement, go HERE.

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As some of you may or may not know, I am a Bzz Agent where I get awesome FREE stuff to review and share my opinions on. The latest thing that I got to try and test out, was CoverGirl's NEW Blast Flipstick.
I love trying out make up products so this was right up alley.

What do I like about CoverGirl Blast Flipstick?
It moisturized my lips right off the bat and the color combinations you could create were awesome. Here are some of the colors I received in my bzz kit and as you can see I used a ton of variations to decide which color I liked best. And you can easily do this too.


What I didn't like about CoverGirl Blast Flipstick?
Although I felt sexy, the lip stick came off on EVERYTHING! And then when it started coming off it just stained my lips and was splotchy plus it made my lips peel. This, although, could be caused by the fact my lips were kind of dry before? But I wasn't a fan of the splotchy look.

So would I suggest buying it?
If you get it really cheap and ALWAYS carry it with you so you can apply more and expect lip stick marks on everything.

December is coming to a close but New Years is still right around the corner.

Private Selection helped me immensely this month.
As part of being a Bzz Agent, I was given the opportunity to try out The Kroger Company's Private Selection line.

My daughter's birthday being December 9th and Christmas festivities there after, this time of year we are pinching pennies. But thanks to Private Selection we were able to serve quality products without breaking the bank.

At Sweet Pea's birthday we mainly served hordeuves.
We had mozzarella sticks with Private Selection Pasta Sauce to dip and Private Selection Classic Water Crisps with hummus. Then when some guests wanted coffee, I brewed up some Private Selection Costa Rican Tarrazu coffee. It made everything so much easier this year. But everyone thoroughly enjoyed the very yummy food and it was super easy to throw together as well.

Although I did receive free a products and coupons to review these products, all opinions are my own. To view my full Disclosure Policy, please visit my tab.

Here's what you need to make it: 5x5x5 Styrofoam Block 2 wooden skewers 1 white cupcake wrapper (& one brown if you want the added design, I feel it took away from it) 6 Pecan Swirls 1 waffle cone Candy coatings and purple food coloring Green icing Green construction paper Rubber Cement Stuff to make cupcakes - I had Betty Crocker's help with this And here's what you do: 1. Rubber Cement the green construction paper to the styrofoam block. And take the two wooden skewers and stick them in the very tightly together in the top. Make sure you stick them far enough down where they will hold weight but not so far down where they won't hold all the elements of the tower. 2. Place the Pecan Swirls on the skewers. The first top down and then alternating the rest. 3. Place a cupcake in a white wrapper on top. 4. Melt candy coatings according to directions adding drops of the purple food coloring as you go. Thoroughly coat the waffle cone then put a little candy coating on top of the cupcake so when you put the waffle cone on top when they dry they will stick together. 5. Use the green icing to create the green vining around the tower.




And you're done! Easy Peasy, right? Then , if you are better at decorating cup cakes then me, you can make your cupcake look more like flowers. But the concept got across and everyone loved it.

As most of you know I am a proud member of Bzz Agent and recently I was fortunate enough to be invited to review Green Mountain Fair Trade coffee.



First of all the coffee is a little strong but a GREAT pick-me-up. And I am excited that right now you can score an awesome deal at Kroger on Green Mountain Fair Trade coffee 12 ct K-cups!
Here's the deal:
Green Mountain Coffee 12 ct K-cups $6.49
Catalina Deal: Buy 2, Get a $2 off your next shopping order catalina
Buy 2 and Use 2 $1/1 IP Facebook coupons found HERE or $1/1 for Natural found HERE
Total after coupon & catalina: $8.98 or $4.49 each OR $0.37 PER K-CUP!


PLUS Score a FREE gift! Just enter the code you get at checkout HERE. Some people have reported getting a $10 Kroger gift card!

The reason why Green Mountain has changed to Green Mountain Fair Trading, is because they are simply that. Fair Traders. Now let's take a moment to think about what that means:

Definition of Fair Trading according to First Fair Trade Town, USA:

"Fair Trade is a tool for reducing poverty in developing nations. It's a form of trade that builds equitable and long-term partnerships between producers in developing regions of the world and consumers in the north. Fair Trade guarantees many things including the following.

Producers receive a minimum set price for their goods, financial and technical support, healthy and safe working conditions, economic development of their communities, and educational opportunities for their children.

Consumers receive excellent products plus the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are actively addressing poverty, preserving the environment, and promoting an end to child labor.

The planet receives a chance at health and healing since Fair Trade actively promotes sustainable farming techniques, biodiversity, and bird and animal habitat preservation."

Grace Potter and Michael Franti are helping spread the word about how important Fair Trade is through source trips and right now if you visit Green Mountain's Facebook Page, you can get an idea of what they are doing by watching LIVE-STREAMING of their concerts.

Now that you know a little more about Fair Trading, what are your thoughts? Are you going to make an effort to buy products that are produced through Fair Trading? Do you want companies to have to prove their Fair Trading status on their labels? Please share you thoughts on the topic.

A while back I decided to buy some Progresso Recipe Starters because I wanted to try them, they were at a great price, and it seemed like such a great way to help make a home cooked meal so much easier.

Then, like a week later, I got invited on the Progresso Recipe Starters Campaign through Bzz Agent! I love this program and think it is an awesome way to try new products as well as give companies and others your opinion of different products.

I honestly thought tonight was going to be an easy night. But then when I looked in the pantry and freezer, I decided I actually wanted to cook something. BUT to my surprise it was still an easy night!

I decided to make Creamy Arroz con Pollo, simply because I had everything to make it.

Here is what you need:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb)
1 cup converted or regular long-grain white rice
2 tablespoons Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix (from 1-oz package)
1 can (18 oz) Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ creamy roasted garlic with chicken stock cooking sauce
1 can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers® frozen corn
Sliced ripe olives
Sliced green onions

Here's what you do:
1 - Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook chicken in oil 4 to 5 minutes or until browned, turning once. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.
2 - Add rice and taco seasoning mix to skillet; stir to mix well. Stir in cooking sauce and 1/2 cup water. Heat to boiling; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in beans and frozen corn; heat to boiling.
3 - Return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, rice is tender and juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Sprinkle with olives and green onions.
4 - Top with Sliced ripe olives and Sliced green onions, if desired.

You can find this recipe at Progresso's website HERE. I will admit that I did not use the exact name brand products that it states. But none-the-less it was very yummy.

This meal was very yummy, quick, and easy. I will definitely start putting this on my Monday Meal Planner list. :)

I finally found something that I felt was worthy of the Kroger Private Selection Angus Ground beef that I got from the Private Selection Taste of Summer campaign which I got from being a bzz agent. Just plain spaghetti and hamburger helper wouldn't do. And I have never been very good at making hamburgers.

My friend and I had a girl's night in. I made this and we watched 'Pay It Forward' (which I had never seen) while our girls played together. Fun night! :)

I got this recipe from Budget Savvy Diva (through pinterest).  

 

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 Minced garlic cloves - I used garlic salt because I didn't have any fresh garlic
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 jars of pasta sauce
1 box spaghetti noodles
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese - I used pepper jack because I didn't have any parm
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup of chopped onions - I used onion powder because I didn't have any fresh onion (I mixed it and the garlic salt in with the other spices)
1 Teaspoon of Italian Seasoning
1-2 cups chicken broth
Olive Oil

***Note: This picture is from their website***

Since some of you may know, I am a Bzz Agent and one of my very recent campaigns that I am on is The Pork Be Inspired campaign. So since I received some awesome coupons to try Kroger Private Selection pork products, I decided to get in the kitchen and whip up a very yummy recipe. This week it was Pork with Dijon Sauce. I got this recipe from Campbell's Kitchen.

What you'll need:

4 boneless pork chops, 3/4-inch thick (about 1 pound)

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup sliced mushrooms (about 3 ounces)

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1/4 cup milk (I used Kroger brand cream of mushroom soup)

2 tablespoons Chablis or other dry white wine (I used a Sauvignon Blanc)

1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 

What to Do:

1. Season the pork with the lemon pepper.

2. Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the pork and cook for 6 minutes or until browned on both sides.  Remove the pork from the skillet.

3. Add the mushrooms to the skillet.  Reduce the heat to medium.  Cook until the mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally.

4. Stir the soup, milk, wine and mustard in the skillet and heat to a boil.  Return the pork to the skillet.  Reduce the heat to low.  Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the pork is cooked through.

We served ours with carrots and wild rice. This pork recipe was very yummy and will be included in my recipe rotation from now on! :)