Lean Green Breakfast Machine!

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I mentioned a couple posts ago how much I love my new blender! (Thanks Mom!!) It's amazing how many different things you can make with it.
This last Saturday, my two littlest guys (who are 2 and 1 years old) woke up with mild fevers and runny noses. Awesome way to start your weekend, right?! So I whipped out my new Cuisinart and made them (and the hubs & myself!) a yummy green breakfast smoothie packed with tons of vitamins and minerals. It was so delicious and kept me full for hours! And I'm happy to say, I haven't caught their cold! I would like to think the smoothie is the reason why... ;)

LEAN GREEN BREAKFAST MACHINE:
Ingredients:

• 1 peach, sliced
• 1 banana
• handful of raspberries
• handful of blueberries
• 5-6 strawberries, hulled & halved
• about 1/4 cup blue agave sweetener
• 1 (6-oz) cup vanilla or plain yogurt (I love using Greek too but this was all I had in the fridge!)
• splashes of milk, eyeball it
• about 5 oz. spinach (4-5 cups or handfuls)
• couple handfuls of ice

Directions:
1) Throw it all in your blender and blend it up! Serve right away.

You can tell I eyeballed a lot of the measurements. Have fun and play around with it! Let me know what you think, enjoy!!

LINKING THIS RECIPE TO THESE FUN PARTIES:Tasty Tuesdays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Homemade Projects, Crazy Sweet Tuesdays, Works for me Wednesdays, Lil Luna Link Party, Look What I Made, Cast Party Wednesday, Tuesday Talent Show, What I Whipped Up Wednesday,

Little Vittles a place to buy/sell homemade goodies

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 Everyone knows that the internet has brought great success to many men and women who are starting up or expanding their home business.  There are many websites where you can buy or sell specialty items that are made by hand.  I have many friends that are successful at making and selling anything from blankets to cards, or  from paintings to photography, and everything in between.  Quite a few of my friends sell on Etsy and I purchase things there all of the time.  Did you ever wish you could buy or sell homemade goodies to eat online?  Well now you can through a new online website that is just starting up called LittleVittles.com.  You can sign up for free to either buy or sell.    Here is a Video telling all about it!

   


You can find anything to buy from homemade chocolate chip cookies to organic maple syrup.   Now you finally have a safe place to sell your Grandmother's secret salsa that everyone is asking you for!  I don't currently have anything that I make to sell but I am definitely interested in some of the things I have seen to buy on this site already!

Just click "Account" on the website to log in, or browse around without logging in at first.  Once you sign up for free, you purchase and/or sell products through a secure paypal account so there is no need to be bogged down with payment issues.  You can refer people as an affiliate and get a reward for doing so. 



 The most unique and intriguing thing that I found there was Yummy Candy Sushi made from Rice Krispie Treats!  How creative!  I can't wait to try the Chewy Nutella Brownies I've ordered.  Be sure to check it out and do let me know if you decide to sell something of your own so I can check it out!  I bet it's only a matter of time before websites like this are the next BIG thing.




Disclaimer*  I was compensated for sharing this blog post, although ALL my thoughts, words and ideas are strictly my own.

Brave Movie Review

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I was lucky enough again to be able to screen a Disney movie early.  I'm an animated movie lover and am easily entertained so when I had the chance to see this one I jumped at it!  I loved the thought of a spunky, red-headed,  tomboy,  princess, with a will of her own.  Merida is not your typical Princess and in today's world that seems very fitting indeed.   It didn't hurt that the tale was set in Scotland and that there were great accents and beautiful scenery, even if it was animated.  I must say that her hair had a life of it's own and I found myself mesmerized by it!  This movie had everything it needed such as action, heroism, love, humor, suspense, surprise and even a witch!  Brave reminds you that one small decision can change your fate.  But like any good fairytale you will come away with a great feeling of knowing that something, even if it is just a children's movie, is all right in the world!   





 


Our theater was full of a mixture of both children and adults that were all enjoying this show.  Unlike many Disney movies and like some Pixar movies, this movie is rated PG due to, what IMDB calls "scary action and rude humor".  As you will see, their ratings reviews are usually very descriptive and helpful.  Yes I saw a couple of cartoon bottoms that surprised me!  Be sure to go to Disney/Pixar Brave Website for official preview and information and a chance to win a trip to Scotland!  Anything you want to know about products and info regarding this movie you can find there too.



As an added bonus, which happens to be a favorite part of seeing movies for me, there is a new short movie.  It's right before the feature film, and it's called La Luna.  You will LOVE!

  

"Our fate lives within us... you only need to be BRAVE enough to see it."

Do you have children who will want to see this latest Disney/Pixar movie?  Maybe you are like me and have to borrow a child or find a reason to see it for yourself!  If you've already seen Brave then tell me what you thought of it.  I'd really like to know.  Oh and while I'm thinking... "What is your favorite animated movie?"

 





 

Disclaimer * I was provided a free ticket to see this movie but ALL thoughts and reviews are my own.     

How to Make a Cold Pasta Salad {Recipe}

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 Simple Cold Pasta Salad
When it's HOT outside, the best thing for dinner is something cool!  I live in the desert so I know what I'm talking about when it comes to HOT Summer Days!  I've shared this recipe with you before but since I have so many new followers, and I was inspired by my Farmers Market Today, I am sharing it again.


So when life gives you these colorful peppers...

and heirloom cherry tomatoes...

The simplest thing to do is to mix it all up into a colorful and tasty Cold Pasta Salad!
I simply cooked, and then cooled, a box of spiral pasta and then added my cold chopped vegetables.  This is what I had on hand today.  Yellow, Orange, Red, and Green Bell Peppers.  You could use whatever vegetables you happen to have.   A mixed variety of Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes.  One bunch of skinny Green Onions.  I stirred up a batch of Good Seasons Italian Dressing  and tossed it all together!


Simple, colorful, tasty, and cool.  Just what we needed on this HOT Summer Day!  You could also try my famous Chinese Noodle Salad that I shared last year.  I'll be sharing more of my favorite salads with you this Summer, so stay tuned! 

Oh, and tell me again, "What is your favorite Summer Salad?"  I really want to know!

Deal or Bust

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Today I am giving a BIG shout out to my friends that are living and shopping in the Las Vegas area.
 
Do you like saving money and getting a deal?Do you like supporting local business?Do you like being able to give back to a local charity?I say YES to all three but if you said yes to even one of these then you will want to check out Deal or Bust.

I'm sure you've all heard of Groupon, well Deal or Bust is similar but even better.  It is FREE to SIGN UP for notification of the deals.  Each day a different DEAL will be offered at a great discount to you.  If the predetermined number of deals available that day is reached then it's considered a BUST and one randomly chosen person gets their DEAL for FREE!  The bonus is that a percentage of every DEAL goes to the featured non-profit charity that day.  Wow it's a WIN WIN for everyone!  

My friends Jason and Kristin Smith have been researching and planning this deal site for the past two years.  They dealt with Groupon in their own business and know the ins and outs and worked very hard to make this even better.  The big bonus is that EVERYTHING is local to the Las Vegas Valley.  They are business people here in the Las Vegas community and have a great desire to give back to it for very personal reasons.  That is how Deal or Bust was born.  Take a minute to read the story behind them and their passions and you will learn more about Deal or Bust and how it works.  Also if you are a small business owner in Las Vegas you can contact them to be included if you want to offer a DEAL and get new business to your shop.


                                                

PLEASE be sure to follow Deal of Bust on FACEBOOK and/or TWITTER to see what the new deal is every day!  I just took a peek at today's deal and it's a good one!  I actually had the chance to meet the really nice couple who own the business that is featured for today's deal, and ladies can I just say that it has to do with shoes and accessories!  Tomorrow's deal is just as good! This is the launch week for DEAL OR BUST and there are many great things to come for this organization, so you won't want to miss out on the deal that is right for you.



                                                   

I am pleased to be part of launching this new great deal site on it's opening week.  Today and for the next couple of days, the non-profit charity that will benefit donations from purchases is MY charity of choice.  It is The Achievement Academy.  I have had the privilege to know and work with these ladies for many years when they started the Aspergers Support Group for the Las Vegas Valley in 2002.  I also watched 4 years ago as they started this non-profit private school, for children in our community that need extra help.  So check it out and watch the deals and purchase one to help the children if you can.  EVERY purchase for the next few days will benefit MY charity.  Thanks!  I love you guys!  So tell me... what is the best deal you have ever received?  I'd really like to hear about it. 


 
 Disclosure - I am a Vegas Blogger and was compensated for this campaign but ALL thoughts and comments and reviews are mine own!

Chinese Noodle Salad {Recipe}

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I get at least five calls a month asking for the recipe for my Chinese Noodle Salad.  This happened again yesterday and it got me to thinking about salads again!  Yes the Summer heat has hit here in the desert, which puts us officially into salad mode around here.  So since I reshared my Simple Cold Pasta Salad  with you again yesterday, I decided to reshare my favorite-salad-to-make-of-all-time with my new followers today.

So here is my original recipe.  Enjoy!

One of the great things about Spring is the official arrival of Salad Season!  Yay!  Here in the desert the Summer temperatures get so hot, that there are many days when you don't feel like even eating. It's on days like that when a salad, and an ice cold slice of watermelon, make the perfect meal.

I'm sharing with you an old tried and true favorite of mine, and everyone that tastes it.  It's always great to have a quick recipe that you know will be a success and this is just the salad for that!  I've been making it for 26 years now and it has delighted people hundreds of times. The original came from a church friend who was in college cooking class and came up with it.  Don't want to get story or name wrong so that is it...I've only changed it a bit to my liking by adding a bit more of some of the ingredients and adding one of my own.





Chinese Noodle Salad {WendysHat Style} 


YOU WILL NEED:
FOR SALAD-
1 head cabbage
1 bunch long green onions {5-6 stems}
1 jar sesame seeds {2.5 ounces}
1 1/3 cups slivered almonds {6 ounces}
2 packages Chicken Flavored Top Ramen {noodle soup mix}
1 Tablespoon butter {optional}
 FOR DRESSING- 
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup Rice Vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 flavor packets found in Top Ramen Soup
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. In pan melt butter, which is optional, and toast almonds and sesame seeds together.  Let cool.
2. In large salad bowl crunch up dry Ramen Noodles.  You will not cook them, the dressing will soak in and soften the noodles. This is why I usually make this salad the night before so there is time for the noodles to soften.
3. Pour toasted almonds and sesame seeds in same salad bowl now.
4. Finely chop your onions and cabbage and add to salad bowl.
5. In a large glass measuring cup I now add all ingredients for the dressing.  Stir and pour over salad.  Mix well and then salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cover bowl and let sit overnight in the fridge so noodles have time to soften.
7.  Serve and eat!

MY ORIGINAL BIG ADDITION is when I add chicken and make it a meal!  I barbeque 4 large boneless skinless chicken breast, that have been smothered in Yoshida Brand Oriental Sauce, and then cut them up into small pieces and add right into the salad mix. ENJOY!


Mine is in the fridge just waiting for tomorrow.  My mouth is watering already! Sure wish I could have you over for lunch.  This is such an oldie but goodie that I'm sure you have already tried it. So...what is your favorite Spring/Summer Salad? Do you have a recipe to share?