Sunday, July 28, 2013

Chobani Yogurt Review & Recipes

So I have been wondering what I could do with this fabulous yogurt. I have been wanting to create recipes with yogurt as the main ingredient. So I asked the wonderful people at Chobani if they would help. I was sent some Chobani yogurt to create these two awesome recipes.

We eat a lot of ketchup in my house. But I don't really like ketchup. Though last night I tried and succeeded in making a great alternative. It was so easy and quick and taste great. I had no problems with my kids eating it with fries, instead of ketchup.

And who doesn't love a fresh smoothie. I drink one everyday. I use different fresh fruit and sometimes even fresh veggies.. So with this great new yogurt I wanted something new. It was a quick and easy task. My kids are kinda picky. They only want the go-gurts. Which I refuse to buy as I think they are just a waste of my money. So I asked my kids to try this new smoothie. Well they loved them. They asked me if they could have this for breakfast everyday. I think this is great.

I love this GREAT CHOBANI YOGURT!!!!

Ketchup Recipe

1/2 cup Chobani nonfat plain yogurt
3 fresh tomatoes
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper

Mix all ingredients in a blender. That's it. Enjoy!

Peach Smoothie Recipe
4 cups Chobani nonfat plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups ice crushed
6 fresh peaches (peeled and pitted)
3 tablespoons vanilla
1/4 cup sugar

Mix all ingredients in blender. And voila you are done. Pour in glass and enjoy! (you can choose any fruit you want)

Over the next few days I will be creating more using this great product.



Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Saving lives

So today I decided to try and save some lives. I donated blood. How many of you believe this is a great way to save lives? Do you donate? What got you started with donating blood? How many lives do you think we save every year?


I started doing this 14 years ago. It all started when my twins were born 3 months early and needed blood transfusions. They wanted to give my kids someone else blood, I asked if I could donate for them. The doctors were so surprised... I believe it was best for my babies to have more of mine.


This is something many Americans don't do. If we can get more people aware of the lives we can save. We might be able to double the lives we save every year. I strongly believe that if everyone voids out their fear of needles we can save more lives.

If you or someone you know does this please let me know. I am thankful to all that do this!!!! If it wasn't for blood donations my babies might not have had a chance. (even though they got my blood)  Thanks for reading. Please submit your comments.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Back to school GIVEAWAY!!!

Back to SCHOOL...
Are you back to school shopping yet?  I am.  I found this wonderful company, Frecklebox.  They have personalized items for kids.  I love that I can personalize items for my son, Zachary and my granddaughter, Savannah. I was given the opportunity to pick a few items to personalize so I chose notebooks, folders, and bookmarks.  You just pick the item you want and then click on "personalize" and you add the name.  Frecklebox makes this process so simple.  The items shipped very quickly and I was blown away when I got them.  They are of very high quality and very durable.  They have many designs and colors to choose from and you cannot beat the quality. I must admit, I also got a notebook for myself.  So, if you like personalized items for your kids (or yourself), then Frecklebox is the place to shop!  Frecklebox has generously offered a $40 gift code to one of our lucky readers.  Please enter via the Rafflecopter below. Reviewz & Newz is not responsible for shipment of this prize. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Great Card for Anyone!!!

I emailed inquiring about their card. The girl who emailed me was so nice and friendly. She responded to my request promptly. I like that very much. She asked me what card I had choose.As a chef, I choose the chef Garfield one. I told her and she made sure to let me know it was on its way. I received the card in just 3 days. I was so surprised when it got to me so quickly. Every time I pull it out to make a purchase it makes a statement. A statement of who I am as a person. It has been a conversation starter.

We are also now considering getting our twins who are 14 each a card. We believe this is a great way to teach our kids how to spend and save responsibly. We just give them cash right now and that's just not as safe. With this you can control the money they get and also how often. I believe this is a perfect card for ANYONE..

You get to choose your design from some pretty cool ones. Go ahead express yourself today. Or let your teen express themselves today. ( I do believe 18+ has to be card holder) But that doesn't mean you can't get one to help start teach your child to be responsible.

The fees are far better than most prepaid cards on the market. It came with a direct deposit form as well. Most companies are changing the way the do payroll. Most of them require you have direct deposit. And well with Cards.com you can have yours earlier than some of your co- workers.
Card.com

Monday, July 15, 2013

Recipe of the day

Cheddar and pomegranate chicken salad

4-5 skinless boneless chicken breast
8 oz bottle pomegranate juice
1-2 cups mayo (depends on you)
1/2 cup of finely shredded cheddar
salt and pepper to taste
1/8 cup diced pickle or relish of your choosing
1/2 clove of garlic (minced)

Marinate chicken for 2 hours at least in juice the pour juice and chicken in pot add water to caver chicken bring to boil. Let cook for about 20-30 minutes depending on size of chicken breast. Let chicken cool to room temperature, then dice. Mix all ingredients together.  You can make sandwiches, on crackers, or on a nice bed of spring mix. Enjoy

Friday, July 12, 2013

Recipe of the day

Fried chicken with Spring mix W/ a lemon vinaigrette


Dressing
1 cup olive oil in fused with lemon
(to infuse w/lemon take 2 lemons and squeeze all juice in oil, let sit for a couple days)
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons salt and pepper

Mix all together in blender

1 bag spring mix
1 package cherry tomatoes
1 red or white onion (sliced)
1 medium size bell pepper (sliced)
1 medium cucumber (sliced)


Fried chicken
4-5 skinless boneless chicken breast
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons peppercorn
1/8 cup seasoned salt
1 gallon zip-loc bag
2 cups oil

Cut chicken breast in strips, next mix all dry ingredients in zip-loc bag. Toss strips in flour mix.
Heat oil in 10 inch skillet over medium heat. put strips in hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes (depending on thickness).

Put spring mix in salad bowl top with chicken, and other fresh veggies. ( I use onion, tomato, cucumber, and peppers). Finally top with dressing and enjoy!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Enjoying Tea Giveaway

If you LOVE tea, you will LOVE this! # enjoying tea # sweet tea

Enter to win A Smart Tea Maker (Value $19.98), and a  4 oz Tin Of Tea (Value $5.99, Winners Choice) from EnjoyingTea.com! Easy entries below.  Also check out my review for the Cherry Almond Black Tea, and Dragon & Phoenix Filtering Tea Mugs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway begins 7/10/2013 12:00AM Est, Ends 7/24/2013 12:00AM Est. Life According To GreenVics, and all other Blogs that are helping to promote are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Prizes are mailed directly from the sponsor. Winners have 48 hours to reply to winning email. If no reply is made, another winner is chosen at random via Rafflecopter. Good luck!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Recipe of the day

Chicken salad with fresh arugula and citrus dressing
4-5 skinless boneless chicken breast
5 oz package of raisin
10 oz mayo
5 oz sliced toasted almonds
1 red onion (sliced)
Cherry tomatoes
salt
pepper
1 package fresh arugula

Citrus Dressing
5 lemons
5 limes
8 oz grapefruit juice
8 oz orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons honey
salt
pepper

Cook chicken and dice in small chunks. Mix chicken, raisins, almonds, and mayo in bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Next get out your blender cut the lemons and limes in half. Squeeze all the juice into blender next add salt, pepper, sugar, honey, grapefruit juice, and orange juice. Put fresh arugula on plate top with your chicken salad, onions, tomato, and your dressing. Enjoy

Monday, July 8, 2013

Quick & Easy Dinner

Sometimes you feel like being lazy. Well I was feeling that way so made a very simple and delicious dinner. Just don't said the husband into the store to get noodles for you. I did and here was our conversation.

Me: Can you grab me the 'No yolk egg noodles' 
Husband: So you want eggs with no yolk and some flour?
Me: No I want no yolks brand egg noodles.
Husband: Yea so eggs with no yolks and some flour?
Me: Yea sure I will just make homemade noodles then.
After this and more back and forth I ended up getting egg noodles but not the right ones. LOL Gotta love it. So I hope you all enjoy this quick simple recipe.


Recipe of the day: Creamy noodles and Chicken with fresh eggplant

3-4 chicken breast (diced)
2 tablespoons oil1 
16 oz package egg noodles
8 oz can of creamy mushroom soup
1 white onion (diced)
1-2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
1 fresh eggplant (sliced)
1 tablespoon white truffle oil

Cook chicken, onion, and garlic in a skillet with the oil.  Boil noodles to preference. Drain noodles and put in casserole dish mix in mushroom soup. (I also add some of my chicken in with it) then top with chicken. Take sliced eggplant rub just a drop on each one and top with salt and pepper of your choosing.( I use a jalapeno sea salt) . Also try topping with very thin slices of fresh jalapeno. Enjoy. We did

A Birthday Giveaway

Five lucky followers have a chance to win Harvey Prince's Ageless, the Anti Aging Perfume Spray.  Little about Harvey Prince: They create Natural Sprays, The notes in Ageless are: Pink Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Mango, Jasmine, Tuberose, YlangYlang, Sandalwood. What makes this perfume called Ageless, are the reaction from the Pink Grapefruits oils that break down on your skins natural chemistry! I absolutely love Harvey Prince, because of how much it plays with the senses.  Enter below to win! 

Five Winners! Super Easy Entries Below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway begins 7/8/2013 12:00AM Est, Ends 7/22/2013 12:00AM Est. Life According To GreenVics, and all other Blogs that are helping to promote are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Prizes are mailed directly from the sponsor. Winners have 48 hours to reply to winning email. If no reply is made, another winner is chosen at random via Rafflecopter. No limit per household to enter! I'm from a big family, so I understand that rule is silly! Prize retail value $98.00 a bottle. Good luck!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Burgers

I love burgers and I know most Americans do as well. So i have been thinking bout all kinds of burgers today.  And have decided to sure one of my favorite burger recipes with all my readers today. I hope that you will give it a try. Enjoy and share your thoughts about this burger.


Recipe of the day: Mexican Burger
1-2 lbs ground beef
1 lb bacon
1 8 oz package sharp cheddar (fine)
1-2 fresh jalapeno pepper (Diced)
1 onion (Diced)
1-2 avocado (sliced)
1-2 tomato (sliced)


Cook bacon to liking, then dice it up. Mix ground beef, bacon, cheddar, jalapeno, onion, salt, and pepper.
Make your patties and toss on the grill. top with fresh avocado and tomato. Enjoy



Thursday, July 4, 2013

My first giveaway! David's Cookies

I am helping my friend and fellow blogger at Reviewz & Newz with a giveaway!  You can read the review here.  Enter below for your chance to win a one pound tin of assorted cookies from David's Cookies


Ramblings of the Chef Next Door is not responsible for shipment of prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Gardening tips

I planted some cilantro, parsley, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and different peppers. I like to fertilize my garden with egg shells and coffee grinds(used). I grind them together and sprinkle it around the bottom of my plants. I also use the skins of bananas. I just lay those on top of the ground around the plant. Doing this will give your plants extra nutrients they don't get any other way. Also you can take a multi vitamin  and crush it and dissolve in a gallon of water and feed a little to your plants every week. Make sure not to get on the plants leaves.




Recipe of the day: Pasta Salad

2 16 oz box of tri color pasta or pasta of your choice
1 red onion diced petite
1 yellow pepper diced petite
1 green or red tomato diced petite (I prefer green)
1 small squash diced petite
1 small zucchini diced petite
1 clove garlic minced
1 16 oz or bigger bottle of your choice Italian dressing



Cook pasta so that it is a little firm then drain rinse with cold water and mix all ingredients together.. Enjoy