Chicken and Avocado Soup #Recipe and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway #AmazingAvoCinco #spon

Chicken and Avocado Soup #Recipe and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway #AmazingAvoCinco #spon

May 2, 2013 by · 248 Comments

This chicken and avocado soup recipe is sponsored by Avocados from Mexico and The Motherhood but all opinions expressed are my own.

Have you ever gotten together with friends for a pot lock meal and been awed by someone else’s creation?  Sometimes, I am amazed at the different types of recipes that people can come  up with when given the same ingredients.  One person may see peanut butter as a dessert ingredient while another might see it as part of a spicy dip for chicken.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating new recipes out of a few basic foods.  I was recently asked to get together with a few other Atlanta bloggers to see what we could create with avocados.  And not just any avocados, either.  Our food blogger mission was to create a cool recipe using Avocados from Mexico and then share the recipes with each other and with our readers.

avocado soup ingredients

Avocados are extremely versatile.  They can be eaten alone or used in many different types of tasty recipes.  Fresh avocados go great on sandwiches, toast or even as a substitute for higher calorie spreads to reduce your intake of calories  fat, sodium and cholesterol.  Avocados contain what is called ‘good fats’….the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fast that we are supposed to be eating.  One ounce (3 slices) of an avocado has only 50 calories but contributes almost 20 different vitamins and miners to your diet.  They have a wonderful flavor and an incredibly creamy texture which I absolutely love!

how to use avocado

Avocados are really easy to prepare.  You want to find one that is dark in color and  firm but gives slightly when you press gently on it.  Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand and gently slice all the way around the middle with a large knife.  There will be a large pit in the middle so don’t try cutting all the way through!  When the cut is made all the way around, twist the two halves in opposite directions and they will pop right apart!  On one side you will see the large pit…use your knife to remove it. I sortof chop the sharp end of the knife right into the pit and then turn.  It will come out easily!  Scoop the soft center out of the avocado with a large spoon and then dice.  Very easy!

chicken and avocado soup toppings

For my recipe, I chose to combine a few of my favorite flavors from some classic Mexican dishes.  I made this as a ‘top your own’ soup recipe to give my kids a chance to get creative and have some control over their meal.  Top your own dishes are always a big hit in my house!  I used fresh cilantro, chopped avocado, crushed tortilla chips and spoonfuls of fresh lime juice to create the finished product.

chicken and avocado soup with banner

Chicken and Avocado Soup

4.5 from 8 reviews

Chicken and Avocado Soup
 
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Author:
Recipe type: soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6

Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic,minced
  • 4 fresh jalapeno peppers, chopped
  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into bit sized pieces
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup crushed tortilla chips

Instructions
  1. In a large stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add in chopped onion, minced garlic and diced jalapenos
  3. Saute 4 to 5 minutes or until onions are translucent
  4. Add in cubed chicken and cook until almost done, about 5 minutes
  5. Add in stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil
  6. Turn down heat and simmer 10 minutes
  7. Add salt and black pepper to taste
  8. To serve, spoon into bowls and top with crushed tortilla chips, cilantro, chopped avocado and 2 TBSP (or to taste) fresh lime juice.

 

For our #AmazingAvoCinco recipe swap, I got together with some other great Atlanta area bloggers via a Google hangout.  It was a fun way to show off what we made without the stress of a drive, traffic, scheduling, etc.  Who joined the recipe swap with me and what did they make?  Here are a few of their creations…head over to their blogs to get the recipes!

 

Meghan from Ja Monkey made Avocado Ice Pops
avocado ice pops
Renee from Cutie Booty Cakes made Avocado Lime Yogurt Parfait
avocado
Dawn from My Home Sweet Home made Fire Roasted Corn Guacamole
FireRoastedCornGuacamole_039-Edit

Are you an fan of Avocados from Mexico?

If you like avocados as much as I do, here are a few fun contests from Avocados from Mexico that you may want to enter!

Pinterest Contest:

Avocados from Mexico are available year round and right now they are having a Pinterest Contest!  From Tuesday, April 16th to Friday May 3rd you can enter the “Most Amazing Cinco Fiesta” Pinterest contest.  All you have to do is create a “Most Amazing Cinco Fiesta” Pinterest board to highlight all the key elements that you think are needed to make a perfect Cinco de Mayo celebration.  The grand prize winner for the best board will receive a $500 gift card, while two weekly winners receiver a $50 gift card and some authentic molcajete.

Facebook Contest:

From April 26th through May 5th Avocados from Mexico has a quiz you can take on their Facebook page.  It is a quirky and interactive way to identify with the Amazing Avocado.  How?  The quiz links your unique personality traits to avocado based recipes with similar characteristics!  Possible avocado personalities include Rocker Guac-er, Classically Cool, Sweetheart Style, and Globe Trotter.  Which one do you think you are?  Take the Avocados from Mexico Facebook Quiz and find out!

100-visa-gift-card

The Giveaway

Avocados from Mexico would like to give one of my readers a $100 Visa gift card!  That is a LOT of avocados you can buy!  This is a Giveaway Tools contest so just follow the directions in the form below to enter!

 

Disclaimer: I was compensated for providing you with this information as part of a campaign through The Motherhood and Avocados from Mexico.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Easy Dessert Recipe: Banana Spice Parfait and a Newman’s Own Cookie #Giveaway #spon

Easy Dessert Recipe: Banana Spice Parfait and a Newman’s Own Cookie #Giveaway #spon

April 25, 2013 by · 69 Comments

This easy dessert recipe is sponsored by Newman’s Own Organics but all opinions expressed are my own.

I have mentioned my love affair with dessert many times on my blog and I absolutely love creating new sweets to share with my family.  My kids always look at me in shock when I tell them there is no dessert after dinner!  Finding a quick and easy dessert recipe that can still wow friends and family isn’t too hard.  Fruit desserts are one of my favorites since I can kid myself that they are slightly healthy.   Today’s easy dessert recipe used a homemade vanilla pudding with nutmeg, sliced bananas, and crushed Spelt Ginger Snaps from Newman’s Own Organics.  I made up the pudding and crushed the ginger snaps ahead of time so when it came time to serve I just layered everything in a parfait cup and that was it!  Crushed cookies are very useful when making desserts, not only in parfait but they can also be used for pie crusts or as a topping for ice cream.

newmans own cookies

I received several varieties of the Newman’s Own Organics Family Recipe Cookies and they were all delicious!  This line of all natural cookies comes in several varieties including Chocolate Chip, Orange Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Ginger Snap, and their newest product the Spelt Ginger Snaps.  All of these cookies have been certified organic by Oregon Tilth. They are loaded with actual REAL ingredients like organic unbleached wheat flour, eggs, sugar, and contain nothing artificial at all.  They also added a new cookie to their Newman-O’s line which is a vanilla Newman-O.  You can actually see real vanilla bean seeds in the filling and the flavor is absolutely yummy!

newmans own ginger snaps

I loved all of the flavors of the Family Recipe Cookies that I tried.  The Orange Chocolate Chip is a unique idea and I love the blend of flavors in it.  It contains natural orange oil so no artificial flavors in it at all.  The cookies are all crispy and flavorful but I must admit one of my favorites was the new Spelt Ginger Snap.  It is nice and crunchy and has a bold, spicy flavor without being overly sweet. It contains candied ginger and spelt flour, along with lots of other natural ingredients.  It was the perfect cookie to use as the filling in this easy dessert recipe.  I think next time I am going to make a chocolate pudding, chocolate cookie crumbs and sliced strawberries!  Oh, the possibilities are endless!

Banana Spice Parfait easy dessert recipe

 

Easy Dessert Recipe: Banana Spice Parfait

4.8 from 5 reviews

Banana Spice Parfait
 
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Sweet delicious with a both ginger and nutmeg flavor.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 3 TBSP corn starch
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 TBSP butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • 4 bananas, sliced into ½ inch rounds
  • ½ cup crushed Newman’s Own Organics Spelt Ginger Snaps

Instructions
  1. In a medium sauce pan, heat the milk over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edges
  2. In a small bowl, mix the sugar, corn starch and salt. Add this mixture slowly to the hot milk while whisking quickly. Do not let the milk come to a boil.
  3. When all of the sugar mixture is incorporated, continue whisking and heating the pudding over medium heat until thick enough to coat a metal spoon.
  4. Remove from heat and add the butter, vanilla and nutmeg. Stir until melted and combined.
  5. Place a layer of plastic wrap directly over the pudding so that a skin does not form on top as it cools. Place in refrigerator and chill 3 to 4 hours.
  6. When pudding is cool, layer the pudding, crushed ginger snaps and sliced bananas into a parfait dish right before serving.

 

If you would like to learn more about these Family Recipe Cookies you can follow Newman’s Own Organics on Facebook.

The Giveaway

Newman’s Own would like to offer one of my readers a prize package that contains an assortment of their Family Recipe Cookies.   Maybe you can create your own easy dessert recipe that features these delicious cookies!  This is a Giveaway Tools contest so just follow the direction in the form to enter!

Disclaimer: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples  in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.

 

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Piggy Paint Makes Sick Days More Fun! #sp

Piggy Paint Makes Sick Days More Fun! #sp

April 1, 2013 by · 83 Comments

This post is sponsored by Piggy Paint but all opinions expressed are mine alone.

Piggy Paint sick day

This past Sunday was Easter and instead of spending it doing an egg hunt with my kids, I spent the morning at the doctor’s office with a sick girl child.  Half way through church, she laid her head on my shoulder and a quick kiss to the forehead told me that she was coming down with something.  Word from the doctor was that she just had a nasty virus….nothing to do but go home and hunker down for a few days.  You know when your kid is sick enough to not be in school but well enough to still feel like doing something?  Well, I was seriously happy to have been sent a whole selection of Piggy Paint natural nail polish to play with because she is home sick today and chomping at the bit for something fun to do.  Piggy Paint to the rescue! Who can feel sick when they have pretty fingernails, right?

piggy paint nail polish set

Piggy Paint Natural Nail Polish

My daughter and I have used Piggy Paint natural nail polishes in the past and I love that they are as natural as mud!  Piggy Paint contains no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, Bisphenol A, ethyl acetate and acetone.  It is a water based formula that is hypoallergenic and cruelty free.  They have an amazing variety of  vibrant colors that are given really cute names to appeal to little girls like “Sea-quin” (shiny turquoise), “Glass Slippers” (clear sparkle), “PINKie Promise” (glam pink), and “Girls Rule” (bright, shimmery lilac).  Piggy Paint products are  made in the U.S.A. and can be bought at select Wal-Mart stores, www.walmart.com and specialty children’s boutiques nationwide. They also offer a chemical free nail polish remover, cute accessories and really nice gift sets.

piggy paint fun

I honestly loved the selection of colors that we were sent from Piggy Paint to try out.  My daughter loves bright colors and her very favorite thing to do with her nails is to do every one a different color.  Seems crazy to me but what do I know, right?  I am apparently OLD! The colors are vibrant and bold, some of them shimmery and some more of a solid, matte style.  We used only one coat on her nails and I think they came out great.   I love that these natural nail polishes are odor free.  I can’t stand the smell of traditional nail polishes and I always worry when she is using those.  It can’t be good for a kid to be inhaling fumes like that!  These nail polishes are water based so it does take a tad bit longer for them to harden than traditional nail polishes.  One way to speed them along is to use a hair dryer on low setting to ‘blowdry’ them.  You can sing a few songs to keep little ones entertained while you wait.  Thankfully, mine is old enough to be a little bit more patient…but just a LITTLE bit!

a piggy paint rainbow

My daughter and I loved spending some time together on her sick day doing her nails.  It made the time pass by a little faster and hopefully just looking at her pretty little Piggy Paint nails will make her feel a tad bit better today.  I think she is crossing those prettily painted fingers that  she is better tomorrow and go back to school.  Staying home with mom is fun, but still not as much fun as hanging out with her friends!

Enter the promo code “PiggyFun” at checkout for 15% off your purchase.

This offer expires April 30th 2013

Enter to Win  A Toe-Tally Fancy 3 Polish Set of Piggy Paint Nail Polish

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Piggy Paint. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.

 

 

 

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Healthy Eating Tips: Easy changes for better health #spon

Healthy Eating Tips: Easy changes for better health #spon

March 20, 2013 by · 73 Comments

Disclaimer: This healthy eating post is sponsored by Zevia but all opinions expressed are my own.

I have tried hard over the last several years to get my family on board with my healthy eating plan.  I find that by changing the way I shop and by taking more time to prepare foods from scratch I tend to eat healthier.  Healthy eating isn’t always easy for me.  I like chips and junk food just as much as the next girl but keeping it out of my house is the first step towards not eating it!  Sure, when I go out with friends I splurge on chips and queso or an ice cream sundae but I try to avoid keeping those temptations in my house.  I readily admit that I have zero willpower when it comes to saying no to snacks.  If you want to make healthy eating a priority in your house, I thought I would offer some very basic tips on how to make changes in your diet so that you don’t feel like you are totally sacrificing the foods you love.  If someone told me I had to live on beansprouts and tofu for the rest of my life, I would toss my healthy eating plan right out the window!  So, in order to eat a bit healthier here are a few ideas on what you should and should NOT be eating!

Healthy Eating Tips

bagels for healthy eating

1.  Instead of donuts and muffins, choose a bagel:  I am not talking about gigantic chocolate chip bagels, either!  Buy whole grain, raisin, or sesame seed bagels and toast only half of it.  Top with nut butter or jam instead of cream cheese or butter.  Add a side of fruit and low fat milk and you have a balanced breakfast.

2.  Drink your iced tea unsweetened:  Down here in the south, sweet tea rules!  However, there are a ton of calories in one glass of sweet tea.  Learn to make your own tea at home and start dialing back on the sugar.  A better choice than sugar is a natural sweetener like agave nectar, honey or stevia.  By gradually reducing the amount of sweetener you use, you will eventually get to the point where you prefer your iced tea without that sickening sweetness!

3.  Make smarter choices for pizza toppings:  While sausage, bacon and pepperoni might make your mouth drool, processed meats are really very unhealthy.  Choose vegetables instead or just opt for a plain cheese pizza.  You will be saving yourself a ton of calories and avoiding some very unhealthy overly processed meats.

healthy eating tips

4. Skip the sports drinks:  I am not a huge fan of most sports drinks.  The average human that is doing moderate exercise really only needs to replace the fluids they lose with plain old water .  If you don’t care for plain old water, try adding a spritz of lemon or lime juice to it.   Unless you are training for a marathon, you probably do not need electrolyte replacements.  Also, most sports drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial colors and flavors.  If you really want a natural and very low calorie electrolyte replacement, try coconut water instead.

5.  Rethink your salad dressings:  So, you decide that to get on board with the healthy eating idea you will make yourself a salad.  Then, you top it with a ton of ranch dressing.  Well, you just added lots of fat and calories to your otherwise healthy meal!  Choose a lower in fat variety like the yogurt based dressings by Bolthouse Farms or make your own wild orange vinaigrette so that you can control the ingredients that go in it.

6.  Rethink your diet cola!  Artificial sweeteners are so tempting because they allow us to enjoy the sweetness we have come to expect in our drinks without all the extra calories.  However, artificial sweeteners are just that: ARTIFICIAL!  There is nothing natural about aspartame and I would prefer to avoid it whenever possible.  For me, healthy eating means getting back to more natural foods but I admit, I have a huge weakness when it comes to soda.  It is one of those things that I crave!  In order to feel better about my occasional soda weakness, I have switched over to Zevia natural sodas, which are sweetened with stevia.

zevia mixed 6 pack

Zevia comes in 15 different flavors and is naturally sweetened with stevia.  What is stevia?  It is a plant that is related to the sunflower and is 300 times sweeter than sugar with absolutely no calories.  It also has no effect on blood sugar.  All Zevia products are also non-GMO, kosher, vegan, and contain only natural flavors.  Zevia is a great way to get your soda fix without the calories or artificial ingredients of most traditional sodas.

Click HERE to grab a Zevia coupon!

I have tried many different flavors of Zevia over the last few years and some are nearly identical to what you are probably used to.  Honestly, the root beer and cream sodas are absolutely delicious!  My kids love the grape, orange, and other fruit flavored varieties and my husband’s favorite is the Dr. Zevia (their version of the good old Dr. Pepper flavor).  While the cola doesn’t taste exactly like a Diet Coke, I enjoy it and am happy to have a zero calorie, natural soda to add to my healthy eating plan.  If you want to try Zevia for yourself, keep reading!  I would love to hear your suggestions for healthy eating in the comments below!

THE GIVEAWAY

Zevia would like to offer one of my readers *FIVE* free product (6 pack) coupons.  That is an average retail value of approximately $30. This is a Giveaway Tools contest so follow the directions in the form to enter the giveaway.  The contest is over at midnight EST on April 5th, 2013.

 

Disclaimer:  In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples  in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.

 

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Beekeeping Book: Homegrown Honey Bees #sp

Beekeeping Book: Homegrown Honey Bees #sp

March 15, 2013 by · 21 Comments

Disclaimer:  This beekeeping book was provided to me at no cost by Storey publishing in exchange for my honest review.

My husband and I have been wanting to get our own bees for years now but don’t feel that we live in a good location.  Between the kids and the dog and the close by neighbors, we have finally admitted to ourselves that it will have to wait til we move out of the burbs.  However, we keep doing research on beekeeping so that as soon as we are ready, we know what to do and where to buy our beekeeping supplies.  I recently received Homegrown Honey Bees from Storey Publishing to review and am happy to add this to my beekeeping library.  Here is a bit about the book if you are thinking of trying your hand at beekeeping.

beekeeping book

Beginner Beekeeping Guide

 

Title:  Homegrown Honey Bees

SubTitle: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping Your First Year, from Hiving to Honey Harvest

Author: Alethea Morrison

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; 1 edition (January 29, 2013)

ISBN: 978-1603429948

Format/Length: 160 pages (paperback)

From the Publisher:

This beginner’s guide clearly explains everything you need to know to keep bees successfully, from getting your first bees to harvesting your first crop of honey. Spectacular macro photography by Mars Vilaubi brings the inner workings of the hive to life, while the playful text gives you the information you need to make it through your first year. Everything is addressed here, from allergies, permits and restrictions, and how to deal with the neighbors to hive structure, colony hierarchy, and bee behavior.

About the Author:

Homegrown Honey Bees author Alethea Morrison and photographer Mars Vilaubi lived in San Francisco before stepping into the wild yonder of rural Massachusetts to raise their son, keep bees and chickens, brew beer, sew clothes, grow heirloom beans, and otherwise slow down to smell the flowers of a handmade life. Their experience raising chickens was chronicled in Chick Days. They both work as creative professionals, and Alethea serves as president of the Northern Berkshire Beekeepers Association.

My Review:

As a gardener, I am very aware of the importance that bees play in our food system.  I love that the author starts out this book with a few pages of why we, as a society, need to be concerned with the health of our planet’s honeybees.  Beekeeping is a great way to help ensure that there are enough pollinators in your area to help keep crops growing and flowers blooming.  Ms. Morrison does a good job at giving the reader a realistic look at getting into beekeeping.  She discusses the costs involved and encourages readers to educate themselves, join clubs, find a mentor and keep a journal.  She delves into other issues like fear, allergies and the legal aspects of beekeeping in your area.  That last one is important to research before getting started since many areas ban them.

The author delves very deeply into the science of beekeeping.  Bees are truly amazing creatures and the photographs in this book are stunning.  There is detailed information in this book for the absolute beginner.  What type of bees should you choose? Where do you put the hive? How to handle them, how to harvest honey, and how to spot signs of trouble.  I love the author’s honesty in this book when she says that there is a steep learning curve to beekeeping and not to get too discouraged when things go wrong.  I think this book is very well written in a way that makes it incredibly easy to understand.  Anything that needs detailed explanation is broken down into a step by step how to guide.

If you are a beginner looking to delve into bee keeping, I think that Homegrown Honeybees is a great reference to get you started.

The Giveaway:  Enter to win a copy of Homegrown Honeybees from Storey Publishing.  This giveaway ends at midnight EST on March 29th. 2013.  Follow the directions on the form to enter.

Disclaimer:  In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples  in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.

 

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