Posts Tagged "reviews"
Packing and a Fresh Produce {Review}
I’ve shared a packing post in the past but it was when I was packing five suitcases for my three guys to live out of for nearly two months. Packing for a weekend trip is a whole lot easier! It seems that no matter where we are going or how early I start to pack I always forget things for me. Never for anyone else – just me. This time I’m making sure I triple check my suitcase before we go.
One of the struggles I face when picking out new clothes is finding items that are modest, flattering and comfortable. It seems that you can pick one or the other but rarely all three. A little while ago I was contacted by Fresh Produce to review one of their items. I have looked at their clothes before and was impressed that they had many options available for someone who has modest dress requirements. There are longer length and loose capri pants (that work for me), cute cruise wear for your next adventure, and colorful caribbean clothes. There are also several maxi dresses and longer length dresses as well. The item I chose to review was the What it Seams skirt. I chose this skirt because I’m always looking for long skirts and have been searching for some type for one made out of material similar to yoga pants. They pack a lot smaller, are easier to wash and air dry (if needed), and are comfortable. The What it Seams skirt fit the bill!
You’re even getting a rare glimpse of me – well at least the skirt on me! I’m 5’4″ and this skirt is asymmetrical – it is shorter in the front than in the back. So far that hasn’t been a problem and I haven’t tripped over myself. The color I have on is called Oyster and it’s a darker color of gray. I love it. Seriously love it and want to have one in every color. (The great thing is that there are soooo many colors!)
Look at that two pictures of me! This skirt is a staple in my wardrobe now and I am deciding which color will be my next choice. Fresh Produce ships to 200 countries so any of my readers can pick up these great items!
Make sure to visit their webpage, Facebook and Twitter pages to keep up with the latest news and watch for specials and coupon codes!
** Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review however I did receive this skirt to review. As always all opinions are my own.
Pin It Read MoreKeeping Boys Busy – Fort Magic {Review}
My boys have hit an age (5 and nearly 8 ) where they would rather spend a few hours punching each other and rolling around wrestling on the floor. It seems that the days of coloring books and building blocks are just distant memories. Even more frustrating the toys that once kept them entertained for hours have been cast aside for video games and expectations of hours of TV watching. A few months ago I gained a new Twitter follower – @FortMagic and was intrigued. I checked out their website and thought they had a really cool product that would keep my kids interested and busy.
It’s a fort kit! I spent so many hours when I was a kid building forts out of blankets, chairs and tables and knew that my boys would just eat up something like this. When we got the package in the mail they immediately hauled it to the basement and started to rifle through the box. Soon there were cries for mom and dad. Right out of the box I think they were a little overwhelmed. From the Fort Magic website;
Fort Magic Contains A Whopping 349 Pieces!
A single Fort Magic kit includes 142 straight and curved sticks – in seven different sizes that can build anything kids can think of! Each kit has 77 Connector Pieces in 5 varieties of shapes and sizes for unlimited kid-building fun!
Fort Magic also contains 130 Fabric and Accessory Clips! Securely fasten accessories or fabric covers to any fort design with NO SEWING!
349 pieces left them not sure where to start. So we picked one of the designs out of the instruction book that came with and started putting pieces together. MarocBaba has limited patience with projects like this and lacks the fort-wonder effect that I have so there was some grumbling.
With the help of mom and dad we were able to assemble a fun fort (though not the most creative if you ask me!) I think that my older son and some friends would be able to put this together quite easily and on their own. However for my younger son – he was more interested in tossing around the pieces and actually playing in it after it was built. Overall I have a mixed review.
Pros:
Cons:
I see this as a great gift for a major holiday or for grandparents and/or caregivers. As mentioned, I think kids 7 and up would enjoy and be able to play constructively with this kit. Fort Magic has a really cool website with videos that show different designs for building. The kit normally sells for $279 but right now you can get it for $199.
Check them out on Facebook and Twitter too! Read More
Saffron Road Vegetarian Entrees {Review}
Have you heard?
Saffron Road Foods has come out with four all new entrees that are completely vegetarian! I can’t tell you the number of hours I’ve spent in grocery stores reading the labels of “meat-free” products only to discover they do in fact contain ingredients derived from meat. That meat tends to be pork and so sadly we can’t eat it. I’ve been so happy with Saffron Road products for a few reasons. First, they are all halal – that means I don’t have to worry about the entrees that do contain meat. The products they use are also sustainably farmed, antibiotic free and any animal products are fed a 100% vegetarian diet. Many of their entrees are also gluten-free which has become a big priority for us.
Back to the new vegetarian line. I’ve been fortunate to try out everyone of Saffron Road’s products and have not been let down by any of them. When these new entrees showed up to try out I wanted to give them the family test. MarocBaba has eaten most of the other entrees (the Chicken Biryani is his favorite) but the kids have not. So I cooked all of the new entrees and thought we’d do a family taste test. MarocBaba won’t be commenting on the Mac and Cheese or Lasagna because they do have gluten. Here’s a description of each and then our taste-testing results!
Manchurian Dumplings with Basmati Rice – An Indo-Chinese masterpiece, this exotic vegetable dumplings dish is made with cabbage, carrots, green beans and onions simmered in a spicy red chili and ginger sauce. Gluten free, vegan, all natural and an authentic recipe.
Macaroni & Cheese – Saffron Road replaced ordinary pasta with delicious, flavorful pasta made with exotic Jerusalem Artichokes and durum semolina. This classic dish makes the perfect side dish with soup or a salad and each package is big enough for two to share. Premium quality, authentic recipe, all natural and vegetarian.
Thai Basil Chili Tofu with Basmati Rice – Thai basil is no ordinary basil – it has subtle undertones of anise or licorice, and is a perfect addition to zest up our protein-rich firm organic tofu. Thai cuisine is based on balance, and each spice works in harmony with this medley of fresh crunchy vegetables to make an extraordinary entrée. Gluten free, authentic recipe, all natural, and vegan.
Three Cheese Lasagna – From sunny Italy and the south of France, two great cuisines meet in one magnificent dish. Imagine layers of the finest durum semolina pasta topped with Italian Ricotta, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. The dish is covered with layers of a Ratatouille recipe worthy of Provence, with zucchini and diced eggplant in a wonderfully seasoned and perfectly savory tomato sauce. Premium quality, authentic recipe, all natural and vegetarian.
This review has been a long time in the making. I first got a package of entrees to review several weeks ago and was waiting for a night when everyone was home and had time to taste and give feedback. When that day came I went to our chest freezer in the garage to find that someone had stolen a lot of food from us (over $200!) including the Saffron Road entrees. The company was kind enough to send me replacements so that I could give you my thoughts. I baked all four of the entrees for dinner and gave everyone a little bit.
Meet the contenders: There’s me and MarocBaba of course – as mentioned he’ll be eating only the Manchurian Dumplings and Thai Basil Chili Tofu (the other two entrees have gluten). Me I’ll be trying everything. M is 8 and my least picky eater. He tried everything. K is 5 and has recently turned into a carnivore. He also goes by “the cheese man” for his love of all things cheesy and his “cheesy” smiles.
Macaroni and Cheese: We’re a Wisconsin family and this macaroni and cheese is made with Wisconsin cheese – what’s not to like? The kids gave this a resounding yes. I was impressed that the noodles were not mush. Frozen macaroni entrees have a bad reputation with me. This was flavorful, had a good texture and the cheese was stringy – that’s a great sign! We give this a big thumbs up.
Manchurian Dumplings: This was a bit of a toss up. MarocBaba loved them but they were a little too hot for me and the kids. M likes chili peppers sprinkled on pizza or in a quesadilla (frankly he’s into hot food much more than me) but these were just a little too hot. I can’t tell you my thoughts because I only got one bite in. If you’re someone who can handle and enjoys hot then my all means this is for you!
Thai Basil Chili Tofu: I tried really hard to get K and M to take some of this but they were not interested. I really thought I would be the only one to eat it but was shocked when MarocBaba ate up half the entree. I remarked that it had tofu and he said he knew and he liked it. I really really liked this one too. I managed to get M to eat a bite of the tofu (he wouldn’t go for the vegetables) and he thought it was alright – hey not bad for his first try! The tofu is very firm and flavorful. This was my favorite entree.
Three Cheese Lasagna – I grew up eating real Italian food. I have vivid memories of standing on a chair in my grandma’s kitchen and rolling pasta and gnocchi, so my standards are high in the Italian food department. That being said the kids and I ate all of our portions. I think I should have cooked it a bit longer and might have added more cheese to the top. The three other entrees bake in the oven for 22 minutes and this one should cook for 3o minutes. I may have been a little under. Like the macaroni the noodles are firm and not mush. The flavor of the sauce is really good. I’m not a huge eggplant fan so I kind of picked around that but it was the best frozen lasagna I’ve eaten.
Overall we were impressed with the flavor and variety and liked everything. I’m sure the kids will be asking for the macaroni and cheese soon! You can get these and other Saffron Road entrees in select retailers (like Whole Foods!) Check their store locator to find the retailer closest to you. Also make sure to “Like” them on Facebook for coupons and new products as they launch.
No, I did not tell him to do this - he's getting into being a "reviewer!"
**Disclaimer – I was not compensated for this post however I did receive free products. All opinions (MarocBaba, the kids and mine) are our own. Read More
When I’m Dining Alone – An Easy Weeknight Meal
I love soup and it’s only been recently that I have been able to convince everyone else in my house to love it as much as I do. That being said they have their favorites and tend to stick to them. Recently I had the opportunity to try out Bertolli’s Meal Soup for Two.
Read MoreNew American Table: A Review
I am completely addicted to social media and not afraid to admit it. I’ve made great friends and I’ve won really awesome things. One of the awesome things won recently is New American Table by Marcus Samuelsson. I follow him on Facebook and Twitter because this chef seriously works social media. He has an awesome blog and is always posting really thought provoking and informative articles and information. A little while ago he was giving away a copy of his new cookbook. The winner would be selected from those who tweeted about the giveaway. I tweeted. I won! Even better – the book showed up autographed.
I should share that I really really adore Chef Samuelsson. I love his style because it reminds me of my own. He takes a little bit of all of his experiences and combines them to create a totally new dish. He’s not beholden to the “traditional” interpretation of dishes, though I’m certain he could pull off authentic as easily as he does his fusion style dishes. The focus of the book is on the food of America and the corners of the world that it hails from.
This cookbook is a food playground, it’s creative and fun and I assure you many of these combinations you will not find in any other cookbook. The ingredients are easily accessible, the directions are clear and the images are gorgeous. The chapters are broke up uniquely as well. Titles include, small plates, staples, everyday, weekend, condiments and many more.
Here are some of my favorite recipes;
- Harissa Rub and Chile Garlic Paste
- Grilled Lobster Noodle Salad
- Crab Cakes with Pistachio and Aioli
- Shrimp Falafel
- Chicken Sate with Baby Spinach and Garlic Feta Dip
The retail price on this hardcover cookbook is $40 – it’s on Amazon right now for $26.40. If you’re a foodie looking for a new, unique cookbook and not the same old same old recipes you need this book!
Read MoreMoroccan Modern: A Review
Several years ago a grandma who knows I have a cookbook addiction got Moroccan Modern
What you will find inside is some very classic Moroccan dishes but also some dishes that simply hint at Moroccan origins. I found the Seafood section the most interesting. As someone who has just come to really appreciate and enjoy fish and seafood these recipes are new to me. I’ve not spent a lot of time on the Moroccan coast so fish hadn’t entered my experience often when traveling. The dessert section is also lovely including a few unique recipes I hadn’t encountered elsewhere.
This is a great cookbook and I’m sure you will love it!
Read MoreEid2Eid Touchnote Challenge
We’ve just gotten home from the big Morocco trip and somehow I’m still running on high. With my work as a contributor on American Muslim Mom I’ve been selected to try out and share with you a really cool web/mobile application. Touchnote is an easy to use application, either on Android, Apple or via their website.
So what exactly is Touchnote? Remember those days not too long ago when people sent postcards to one another? I’ve got piles of them in my storage at home from an aunt in South Dakota who would always find and send my sister and I fun postcards. Well, Touchnote is bringing those days back but with a technological advantage. Now you can send postcards with your own pictures.
Here’s one that I made from the scores of vacation pictures (really we took over 1,000 pictures in 2 weeks!)
My message reads;
It’s the blue city…
Once known as Mogador…
Inhabited for centuries…
Most recently by us…
Where are we?
In under 5 minutes I made and sent this postcard off to my sister in Seattle. I do wish I would have gotten on things sooner and used this more while we were on the road. I love how fast it is and that you can mail a postcard world wide so fast without worrying about inept postal services or struggling to actually find a post especially when overseas. Onto the great part for YOU!
The Show You Care from Eid to Eid Campaign & Eid2Eid in Postcards Challenge
Now, until Eid al-Adha Touchnote wants to see how creative we can get in using their awesome app and website that turns your digital pictures into physical postcards.
The challenge: Touchnote and American Muslim Mom wants us to Show & Tell how we can creatively use Touchnote to send personalized postcards from Eid al-Fitr to Eid al-Adha. In the days of Facebook and email it is easy to forget how lovely it is to receive real postal mail. So, make someone’s day with a real postcard!
We want you to get creative and have fun! Please share whatyou will be sending, why, to who (it’s worldwide mailing!), when and where. It’d be awesome if you had your recipient take a picture of themselves receiving your postcard too! Share your conversations with the recipient as they are surprised to get the personalized postcard greeting in a fun blogpost.
> GRAND PRIZE: $100 Visa gift card <
How YOU can participate
Get Your FREE sample today & join the challenge! The first 50 people to comment & follow instructions in the Touchnote Eid2Eid Campaign will get a Touchnote postcard credit to participate in this challenge too. (Make sure to click the link to be one of the first 50 for a free credit!)
Deadline: Thursday, October 20, 2011 11:59 Eastern Time
● Blog post Deadline: 11:59 pm Eastern Time November 7, 2011.
● Judging will be conducted by Touchnote and American Muslim Mom staff. Reviews do not have to have Eid or Muslim theme.
● Winner will be posted during 1 of the 4 days of Eid al-Adha on the Touchnote blog.
You can learn more about Touchnote by liking their Facebook page, following them on Twitter and subscribing to their YouTube channel.
I’d love to know what you think of thie FREE application! Make sure to leave me a note and a link to your post too if you choose to participate.
Disclosure: I was selected for this campaign by American Muslim Mom Media Network, and received products free of charge. I was not influenced in anyway to provide only positive statements. The thoughts and opinions of this campaign are my own.
Read MoreThe Food of Morocco: A Review
Last week was a busy week for me at work. Thursday evening I came home very late after an event and guess what was waiting for me on the dining room table. If you guessed a copy of Paula Wolfert’s new book The Food of Morocco
I love it.
No really I love it.
This is my third cookbook from Paula Wolfert and it’s my favorite. One of the first “real” cookbooks I got was a gift from my grandma – it was Paula’s Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco. It was that book that I credit with keeping my husband here in the US with me instead of going home due to starvation. The Food of Morocco
What originally struck me was the images along with the food. There are a lot of pictures of great food but there’s also pictures of everyday life in Morocco. The sidebars are peppered with literary quotes from the likes of Paul Bowles and Edith Wharton. This IS Morocco in a book. It’s the words, the sights, the flavors and the stories of the country. Paula’s gift of storytelling shines through in the descriptions given of each dish. It’s so reminiscent of the street performers of Marrakech telling their tales in the night markets of Djem al Fna.
The recipes themselves are the classics and the lesser known recipes that make up Moroccan cookery. The majority of the dishes will be easy for even a novice cook to pull off. The more complex recipes are broken into steps and even have hand drawn diagrams to make the steps more clear. While I love Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco there are plenty of recipes that include organ meat I was happy to find that those recipes are few and far between in The Food of Morocco. While the die-hard foodie indulges in such delicacies many home cooks especially in the American audience are turned off immediately to those recipes. As with all of the other Paula Wolfert cookbooks I’ve used, these recipes are tried and true – and delicious!
This book is a delight for it’s value as a cookbook that encompasses the width and breadth of Moroccan cooking but also as a travelogue of sorts. I highly recommend it for those who loving making Moroccan food but also for those who simply love Morocco. The images and stories are worth the price even if you never attempt a recipe!
This cookbook can currently be pre-ordered before the October 4th official release date. Amazon currently has The Food of Morocco
I was not compensated for this review however I did receive an advance copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own based on my reading and use of this cookbook.
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