Category Archives: Product Reviews

Product review of family, living, cooking, fashion,kids,toys, healthy including Photography and honest reviews.

Turkey Chicken Pasty


chicken pasty

When I was a little girl my mom used to bring home pasty which are meat pockets from the church.  She would work all day with the ladies at the church, peeling potato and making dough for these meat pockets, then the church would sell them to raise money around the Thanksgiving.  Traditionally made with beef or veal, the meat pasty were made by coal miners wives for them to take into the mines for lunch.

So started making variation of the pasty, like using turkey/chicken, and my family loves them.  Smothered them in gravy and they are a filling meal.  So when asked to take one of my recipes and use “I can’t believe it is not Butter” instead of my usually butter I was excited. I purchased the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buttersticks.

The result My husband said the best crust I ever made.

His comment “I love this crust and I normally don’t like crust, it is very flaky ”

My son asked for 2nds.

Chicken Pasty Homemade meat pockets

  • 2 ½ cups for flour
  • 2 ½ sticks of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt
  • ¼ ice cold water
  • 1-2 potato
  • 1 turnip
  • Leftover turkey of chicken cooked
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 small onion
  • Hot sauce (optional)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)

 

  1. In a mixer with pastry hook or with knives cut 2 sticks of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” into 2 cups of flour, thyme, salt,  scraping sidesmaking dough
  2. Add ice cold water till well mixed and dough starts to form
  3. Add remaining ½ cup of flour so the dough is not too stickydough
  4. Cut dough into 6 equal parts chill in fridge while prepping filling
  5. Cut all veggies
  6. In a pot sauté onion with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter till onions become caramelized, remove from pot.
  7. Fill pot (you just used for onions- leaving the bits) with water and par boil carrots, potatoes, and turnips –  once semi soft drain,
  8. Chop poultry to smaller bites size pieces and mix chicken and peas with other veggiesfilling for chicken pasty
  9. On a floured surface roll out the dough using a dish 6” to create a circles
  10. Transfer dough circles to parchment paper on baking sheets
  11. Fill dough with filling,  add a pat of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”, and few drops of hot sauce.pasty filling
  12. Wet edge, (with finger dipped in water) and fold dough over filling to make the pasty, using a fork push down edges to secure, slice vent hole
  13. Optional use mini cook cutters for decorative dough attach with water
  14. Mix egg with some water and brush outside of pastychicken pasty
  15. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes (you can also freeze prior to baking for a dinner later)

While baking make gravy

Amazing Chicken  gravy

  • 4 tablespoons of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
  • ¼ all purpose flour
  • 16 oz of chicken broth
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 1 onion diced
  • ¼ of chicken diced
  1. In a pot sauté onions, carrots, and chicken
  2. When onion combo is  soft , transfer to (mini chopper or blender)
  3. Pour in some chicken broth and blend till smooth
  4. In same pot make a roué using “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!” and  flour  Add remaining chicken broth and onion blend back to pot stir till gravy thickenschicken pasty

Disclosure:  This post is a sponsored post for Unilever spreads

 

Hot Iron Holster Review

Review of Hot Iron Holster.  I love this product it solves a problem I have. I use curling Iron, blow dyers and I have a tiny bathroom with no counter space I need a hot iron holder. The solution: Hot Iron Holster gives me more space a place to put my hot tools so the are safe. I normally hang my curling iron on the towel bar where it falls on the floor.  While on the floor I have to watch I dont step on it or worse the kids.  I was ecstatic when I received the Hot Iron holster because it made out of silicone so it can with stand heat.Hot iron holer attached to a sink

How does the  Hot Iron Holster  work?  Press the flat side on a clean dry surface..  it use the silicon smooth side to create a self stick against without any adhesives or suction cups.  So you can remove it and reposition with ease.

Clean it with water or rubbing alcohol ( just in case you get hair spray on it)

Colors available in white, pink, purple, black

Perfect for travel, gym,  and more.

Great gift idea for teens, moms, or any beauty lover.

The hot iron hostler was design by a mom in her kitchen.  I love mom owned businesses.

where to get it :  HotIronHolster.com or at select retailers.

HotIronHolster Discount !   Use the code SuperHot25 for the 25% off coupon code for SuperExhausted fans . It will apply to only the Hot Iron Holster Original for all colors. until 11:59 pm EST on Nov. 30.

Just so you know, on Black Friday-Cyber Monday (Nov 23-26) we will have a separate 30% discount on all BLACK holsters. This will not be able to be combined with the SuperHot25 coupon.

Cost is $24.95hotironholster on the toliet

Disclosure: I received this product for review,  the opinions in this post are all my own.

Aveeno Review

aveeno bottelsRecently received Aveeno Positively Nourishing body lotion at the MomMixer.  My husband because of his psoriasis uses a lot of lotion because his skin cracks because of his condition.   He has always been a fan of the Aveeno because he like the active Naturals and colloidal oatmeal.  While at the event a friend of mine share her lotion with me for Jeff due to his psoriasis coverage 110% he goes through about a tube of lotion a week.

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming

  • The scent is Lavender and chamomile  not over powering , He said it was perfect and not over powering, (for me nice lingering smell)
  • Calming he said it really calms down his skin from the dry burning he feels
  • Last for many hours
  • Absorbs quick
  • The Colloidal Oatmeal helps to sooth the skin
  • Perks of this my daughter uses a little lotion on her hand every night .. we call it her “sweet dream cream”  I read smelling lavender or a pleasant smell makes you sleep better.  This lotion fits the bill.
  • Price runs from  $5.70- 6.99  walgreens was the lowest

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Energizing

  • The sent is Pomegranate and Grapefruit  the sent is light and refreshing
  • The lotion feel more invigorating wakes up your skin.
  • last for hours
  • Absorbs quickly

 

aveeno

Aveeno is a Johnson and Johnson product.  They had some other great product in the Positively Nourishing line of products.  I cant wait to see if they help my husband.

Disclosure I received samples from the mommixer from gift bag.

 

 

Little Passport Review

little_passport_1442Today a Philadelphia MomMixer,  I learned about Little Passport.  Which is a monthly subscription service that you can join  that provided your child with a new travel learning experience delivered right to your mailbox. The main characters of Little Passport  Travels are Sam and Sofia.  They visit the world and share there experience with your child, in the form of activities stores and visually 3d projects.  Little passport has a new USA  version starts at 11.95 a month and features 2 states every month.  Little Passport also have a world version where you child can explore one country every month.

Little_passport_1445
For the first month, your USA Editionsubscription starts with our Discovery Kit which comes in a custom Sam and Sofia USA Portfolio and includes:

  • An introductory letter from Sam and Sofia
  • USA Field Guide
  • USA Scratch Book
  • USA Wall Map
  • Disposable Camera and Photo Scavenger Hunt

Every month thereafter, your child will visit 2 new states and receive:

  • A 32-page activity-packed journal covering 2 states
  • Stickers
  • Pop-out Models
  • Postcards
  • Access to more information and activities online

The recommended age range for our USA Edition is 7 to 12 years old

Little_passport_1446
For the first month, your World Edition subscription starts with our Explorer Kit which includes:

  • Fun travel suitcase with an introductory letter from Sam and Sofia
  • World wall map
  • Travel passport
  • Fun stickers
  • Activity sheet
  • Access to online games and activities with our boarding pass

Every month thereafter, your child will receive country-specific packages filled with:

  • Adventure letters from Sam and Sofia
  • Fun souvenirs (Japan sushi eraser, Egypt pyramid dig kit and more!)
  • Stickers for your suitcase, passport and map
  • Photos
  • Activity Sheets
  • Boarding Passes to access more online games and activities

The recommended age range for our World Edition is 5 to 10 years old.

I love the idea of a Little Passport for a gift,  every month you child get a new travel adventure.  I was really impressed with all the materials I was able to review the bight colors and fun activities.  I love the idea the kids building a 3d item in there kit such as a car or a bus. The travel kit provide hours of activities that will expand your childs knowledge of the world. Check out the Little Passport and see if it is a great idea for your kids as it is for mine.

Little Passports

This post contains affiliate links which help defer the cost of running this blog.

Great Gifts to look for this Holiday

MomMixer_1495

Love seeing my blogging buddies  and this weekend when I went to Holiday Showcase with Mom Mixer Event Colleen Padilla & Whitney Wingerd at the gorgeous XIX, the 19th floor and the top of the Hyatt Bellevue in Center City Philadelphia. They had some great sponsors with some of the latest items.

Check at Hasbro.. Furby and  Spiderman is the hot toy this holiday season.
Hasbro_1502
Knex-  I was impress to learn the creative play Knex are 90% Made int he USA.. so buy USA made!
knex_1433
American Girl  The new released doll Caroline is so pretty in person.  My daughter is in love with American girls.   So this is a top pick on our list.
american_girl_1472
Stella and Dot with there line of got to awesome jewelery and they also have scarfs.  Stella and dot are go to one stop shop for all your accessory needs.
stella_a_dot_1397
Tommy Hiliger from Headquarter had great pieces that are available at Macys. Check out he holiday boys fashion.
Kid_headquaters_1465
Cherchies Gourmet Specialty Foods  the lemon dill dip was amazing on verggies and so easy to make,  Cherchies also offers soup and other specialty food.
cherchies_1404
VZ Wraps are a Mom-owner and created gift wrap that are reusable made out of fabric.. so great for the environment.
vzwraps_1420
I have some more to share this week be sure to check in tomorrow for a gift I love for the kiddos

The bloggers received a swag bag filled with some great items.
MomMixer_swag
Disclosure: I did receive products but the opinions in this post are my own.

Ninja Cooking System Review and Ginger Beef

Ninja cooking systemMy review of the Ninja cooking system:  a few weeks ago I was invited to a Ninja Cooking system party.  During the party we learned about all the cool functions of the Ninja.  The Ninja is a slow cooker with a stove top and bake function.   Which means you can brown your meat without going to a stove top. The ninja does it all in one place.  No moving of hot pots around the kitchen,  so it  is safe with little kids running around under foot.   The Ninja also has a backing function, you can bake brownies, cakes and more.

There is a also a steam basket which allows you to layer your meals. You can put you pasta, rice, and or couscous  with veggies on the bottom of the ninja then place your protein in the steam basket to cook to perfection leaving all the favor in the meat.   The protein cooks with steam allowing for the moisture to stay in the food.

So once  I received the Ninja and I had to try it out.  My husband could not wait to see it it worked, we used it the 1st night.  He wanted to try out the pasta method. He cooked ground Italian sausage in the ninja and  then added the other ingredients  the sauce, dry pasta, and 4 cups of water in the Ninjia and cook for 20 minutes.    The result awesome baked pasta,  I loved it because it was not watery, yet fully cooked the tomato sauce and sausage flavor was infused the pasta.  baked pasta

This Sunday I get to church and realize it is the pot luck luncheon.  So I skip the sermon ran home and made my potluck pasta  in less than 30 minutes.   I made the pasta, transfer it to my pot luck dish  put cheese on top threw it under the oven broiler then brought a pipping hot dish to church.  The Ninja saved me from embarrassment. I received a a ton of complements on my pot luck dish.

Next I made Ginger Beef  using the layering method cooking in stages.

  • 1 lb of stew meat sliced ( or an inexpensive cut)
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 tbls of oil (vegetable or sesame oil)
  • 3 carrots peeled and Jillane
  • 1/4 tbls powered ginger
  • 2 tbls of soy sauce
  • 2 cups of rice
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1  (14oz) can of beef broth
  • 1 head of broccoli cut
  1. Turn Ninjia to stove top high add oil Cook onions  till golden and caramelizedonions cooked
  2. add beef, ginger to ninja cook till beef is brown
  3. add soy and carrotbeef cooking with carrots
  4. turn to slow cooker function cook for 1-2 hours on slow cooker till the beef in infused and tender
  5. Add 3 cups of water, 1 can of beef broth and 2 cups of uncooked dry rice   cook for 2o minutes on Ninja  stove top functionuncooked rice on beef
  6. Add uncooked broccoli to top of rice, cover cook another 5-10 minutes till rice is cooked and broccoli is tender broccoli with rice

Mix broccoli in serve and enjoybeef with rice Finally thoughts: Why I really love the Ninja cooking system.

  • It is easy to use
  • Variety of functions backing, stove top, steam,  and slow cooker
  • I am excited to bring it camping when we go next year.
  • Options It gives me so many different things I can make
  • Healthy way to cook with less oil
  • Keeps moisture in the food
  • Clean up is so easy, because it is one pot so no extra stainer too clean (less pots)
  • Ninja cooking system  easy non stick surface.
  • Ninja in stores is approximately $159.99 and the $199.99 is the price for the online package, as it comes with some additional items.

This is the beginning of my Ninja adventure.. I cant wait to see what I can make with it going forward.. chicken and dumplings maybe??

Want to win a Ninja valued at $199 one check one of my Blogging Buddies (enter all 3) who running a Giveaway PhillyFun4kids  Monderdaydonnareed  and Look What Mom Found

Do you have a Ninja Cooking System I would love to read what you tried ? link your post


Disclosure : I received my Ninja for the purpose of this review. All the opinions in this post are of my own.

Harsh Periods – You can change your Cycle.

femine productsSo after turning 40. I thought how wonderful I get to truly be me the kids are older and in school I have more time to focus on me. One problem 7-9 days out of the month I am not me. I feel like I am a 14 year old girl again with raging hormones. My period has reverted back to  my teen years and I am not about to tie a sweatshirt around my waist.
It is an interesting thing I have talked to menu of my friends and they are experience the same wickedly harsh heavy periods. With cramping so bad it is sending most of us back to bed or miserable on the couch.  Going out mid period I live in fear of leaks and destroying clothes.    There are days I just want to end..I am not alone 1 in 5 women suffer with menstruation pain.
So at conference this year I learned about ChangeTheCycle.com, a site that encouraging other real women to talk about their heavy periods so that they can find relief! The site is run by Hologic’s (a women’s health company) and teaches women about what options are available so we don’t have to suffer. Like NovaSure procedure, endometrial ablation – a solution for heavy periods that can put an end to your period or reduce your period. I am looking forward to learning more and discussing it with my gynecologist.
I also got a chance to meet Vick Lovine the author of a Girlfriend guides series.  She had the Nova sure procedure done.  She wrote a brochure that is available at ChangetheCycle.com Get “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Heavy Periods” discussing the NovaSure procedure and which has answered questions I have had.
What I love about the site is I am not alone. That there are other women out there suffering like I am. I am intrigued about the options I have that there is a procedure that can end my suffering. I love hearing about they women who taken action against suffering and reduced the revisiting of our teen years. Because I am tired of suffering.
So please visit the ChangetheCycle.com and research for yourself. I am enjoying reading that I don’t have to be not me for 9 days and I can do something about it. I am in control of my own menstruation and can change my cycle.

This is a sponsored post. I am truly considering have a nova sure procedure done. you should discuss all medial procedures with a Medical health professional.

Mobile Safety School and $50 Visa Card Giveaway

Girls talking about other girlsThere are real issues that kids face today when it comes to mobile phones: bullying, privacy, over-usage, texting while driving and more. AT&T has made a commitment to be a leader in providing education, resources and tools to help families better manage mobile safety. If you are interested in learning more, AT&T is offering the opportunity to one of my readers to attend a virtual Mobile Safety School session – along with a $50 VISA gift card.

The virtual Mobile Safety School schedule is as follows:

Oct. 23 at 1p ET – mobile safety for kids 8-11
Oct. 24 at 1p ET – mobile safety for kids 12-14
Oct. 25 at 1p ET – mobile safety for kids 15-17

To enter this $50 visa gift card  giveaway, Leave a comment and  in rafflecopter what is your biggest safety concern and what date you would like to attend the Safety school.

I will choose a winner by  Saturday, Oct. 20.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by Att.

Sesame Place Halloween

sesame place halloween

So I got to take the kids to Sesame Place  Spooktacluar  Halloween celebration. I have to say I think this is a great time to go to Sesame Place not too hot not too cold.  The kids really loved it. I brought my daughter age 7 and my son 11 and his friend 12.  They all have a good time, There was plenty to do for the big kids.

Pumpkin Decorating which is super fun they punkins were very reasonably prices starting at $4.  The Sesame Place personnel provided paint, stickers, duck tape and more.. so much fun for the kids.sesame place halloween

The kids also loved the Un Haunted house.  The house had interactive station as you walked through it. Like fun house mirrors and count the bugs.  The Kids really loved the interactive pumpkin that responded to them and talked to back asking questions then responding tot he children.sesame place hay maze

They also have  trick or treating.. you hunt through out Sesame Place to find the treats.  The kids really loved trying to find all the locations.sesame place halloween

The also had all Halloween themed shows and the great rides.  My daughter and son friend rode the roller coaster 7 times.

The decoration are also a ton of fun all count colors and pumpkins to look like the characters. sesame place

So you want to go they have a great Line up of Spootackular Weekends:

Check out SesamePlace Deals
October 20th and 21st — Abby Cadabby’s Fairy Pumpkin Party ‐ Help everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends celebrate Abby Cadabby’s birthday with her very own Fairy Birthday Party! This hour long party includes an all‐you‐care‐to eat dinner buffet, singing, and dancing with your Sesame Street friends. What birthday party would be complete without singing Happy Birthday to the Fairy‐in‐Training! Dinner is at 5:00pm and is by reservation only. Children under 2 are free. Visit www.sesameplace.com for complete information.
October 29th and 30th—The Count’s Halloween Party‐ Take a break from all of your Halloween fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular and enjoy the new dinner menu at Dine With Me! Celebrate Halloween with a terrific all‐you‐care‐to eat dinner buffet plus singing and dancing with all of your favorite Sesame Street friends at their very own Halloween Party! Dinner is at 5:00pm and is by reservation only. Children under 2 are free. Visit www.sesameplace.com for complete information.
October 30th — Halloween Costume Contest ‐ Come dressed in a Halloween costume to compete in the annual costume contest at Sesame Place! Registration will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Monster Rock Theater and there will be competitions for boys, girls, and families. All of the contests will take place at Monster Rock Theater and winners will be posted at the Welcome Center. All winners will be invited to be special guests in the Neighborhood Street Party Halloween parade.
###the count at sesame place

Disclosure: I received the compliment tickets to sesame place for the purpose of writing this post.  The opinions in this post are my own.

Want to link up your Sesame Place Post:   Add them here :


Teach your Kids to Give back – Little Red Wagon Movie Review

little red wagon movie post

I was fortunate to receive a copy of the Little Red Wagon movie to review.  So last night I sat down with my 7 year old daughter to watch the movie.   The movie is a true story about a 7 year old Zach Bonner  and his family (sister Kelley and mother).  Zach and Kelley start collecting items to help people who were homeless because of hurricane Charley. They use a a little red wagon to collect the supplies.   Then withing a year,  Zach started a non profit,  The Little Red Wagon foundation.  The foundation supplies backpack for homeless children filled with toiletries, food, and a toy.   The story continues when Zach gets the idea to walk to Tallahassee and raise money to help end childhood homelessness.   The story covers the families journey of the walk and growth of the nonprofit.Zack Bonner walking

The director also include a secondary plot of a mother and child entering to to homelessness,  the downward spiral that can occur.   From the family losing there home, to losing a job, losing an apartment, to living in a car, and then finally finding hope.

What I loved about watching the movie with my kids was the questions my daughter and statements made:

Once my daughter saw that Zach go the idea and started collecting,  she stated “Mommy, Zach is a good boy”

Then as the movie continues she asked questions like ” Mommy why are those sleeping people in the gym?”

“Why are those kids outside at night?”

“Mommy Zach is really brave .. that is a long way to walk.. why is he walking”

“Mommy why are there so many kids without homes?”

“How come the mommy and boy are eating out of the garbage?”

My 11 year old son was in the other room doing his homework and he kept on coming in making comments.   He seemed to have a greater understanding of the idea of homelessness.   When the young boy in the movie had to give up his stuff and leave his home..

His comment was “The boy was being selfish not understanding his mom was having a hard time…. Mom the economy sucks”- of course I explained to my son the little boy did not understand and that was party of the story the little boy grew up the hard way.

I have to say his comment did break my heart.  I found a great level of compassion and understanding from my son to the idea of parenting.. Since my husband lost his job sometime ago.. My son does.. get the concept of sacrifice and sometimes things are not always easy.

I can highly recommend this Film! as a great teaching tool and dialogue starter with your kids.  Plus it is a uplifting inspiring movie.

So where can you see the film?

LITTLE RED WAGON, which opens at the Regal Oaks on Friday, October 5th

Disclosure: I did receive this movie to review.  the opinions stated above are completely my own.