New DohVinci

Taken from the Buzzagent Website:

lET HER IMAGINATION RUN WILD

The Memory Masterpiece or Flower Tower Frame Kit is a great place to start, but from there your creative kiddo can use her DohVinci Styler to draw in 3D on almost any surface* — from wood and metal to plastic, glass and even duct tape! Kick-start her creative process with some fun art-ivities like these:

• Festive planter pots: Let your little one help with the gardening by decorating some ceramic starter pots
• Mason jar candles: Grab some mason jars and tea candles at the hardware store, then put your DohVinci Styler to work!
• Pencil box makeover: Get the jump on next year’s school supplies by giving this year’s pencil box a unique new look

My option: I love the ease of this project. Very little clean up . Dohvinci is great for all ages 2-13, children can create a project independently with no plugs, no extra glue and no frustrations. 

Paula's Choice Lotions

Taken from the BuzzAgent website :


When it comes to pores, size does matter. But an effective exfoliant can shrink enlarged pores and do much, much more. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid is unlike any other product on the market. While there are many BHA (short for beta hydroxy acid) products available, formulating them at the pH level needed to penetrate pores is extremely difficult. This leave-on exfoliant:

• Rapidly exfoliates the skin’s surface and inside the pore, reshaping the pore lining, unclogging pores and improving skin cell turnover rate
• Increases collagen production and drastically smoothes the surface of skin
• Attacks blemish-causing bacteria at a faster and deeper rate
• Fades discolorations caused by dark spots and acne marks

The result is a dramatic improvement in your skin’s appearance, feel and function. In short: simply healthier skin!
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid works on all skin types, but its texture is especially suited for people with normal to oily or combination skin, stubborn blackheads or blemish-prone skin. Learn why it pays to exfoliate >>

• Effective for anti-aging, blackheads, enlarged pores, keratosis pilaris (red bumps on arms and legs), redness, rosacea, wrinkles and acne breakouts
• Exfoliates to reveal smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin
• Calms redness and builds collagen
• Creates radiant, clear, even-toned skin
• Is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free, with no added dyes or irritants
• Is never tested on animals

Please Note: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid

My review, the skin reflecting liquid seems wonderful. I tried it on a spot on my cheek and became rather itchy. My lips also had a funny sensation, tingly. If you are sensitive to products you may want to spot check this product on your arm first. I would try a different product by this company just be aware to try first before you apply liberally to your face. I am not paid or compensated in any way. i simply receive the samples and provide my own opinion.

St. Peter's Chairs 2/22/2014

Today is the Feast of St. Peter's Chair. We made our chair's after the ones posted at :
http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2011/02/edible-chairs-for-feast-of-chair-of-st.html

 

Baked Cod with Ritz Cracker Topping

Excellent recipe on it's own with a touch of lemon juice. Can be served with tartar sauce.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pounds skinless cod fillets
• Salt
• 1 sleeve of Ritz Crackers (about 34 crackers)
• 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• Lemon and parsley for garnish (optional)

PREPERATION:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a small baking pan or casserole pan with butter or a little oil. Rinse off the fish fillets with cold water, pat dry. Use long nose pliers to remove any pin bones from the fillets. If you want, cut the fillets into large serving pieces. Place the fillets at the bottom of the pan, sprinkle with salt. 2. Melt the butter. Crush the Ritz crackers over a bowl: they should look like course breadcrumbs. Mix the melted butter with the breadcrumbs. Pack the crumb mixture over the top and sides of the fish fillets. 3. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily. (Thin fillets may take less time, very thick fillets may take longer.) Serve the fish with lemon and parsley.

Soft and Fluffy Hamburger Buns

1 cup warm water

I made these to go with salmon patties. They were easy and quick. A bit dense.

                       

2 tablespoons canola oil

                       

3 cups bread flour

 

1 tablespoon white sugar

                       

3/4 teaspoon salt

                        

1 teaspoon vital wheat gluten

                       

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

1. Place the water, canola oil, flour, sugar, salt, vital wheat gluten, and yeast into the pan of a bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer, select the Dough cycle, and turn on the machine. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. When the cycle is finished, remove the dough to a lightly oiled work surface, and knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Cut the dough into 12 equal-size pieces, and roll the dough into balls by cupping your hand, with open fingers, over each piece of dough. Roll gently, with just a little pressure, to form a dough ball with a silky surface. Place the dough balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheets, and flatten each dough ball gently into a bun. Cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled, 30 to 45 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Bake the rolls in the preheated oven until the tops are golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool on racks before slicing

No Knead Beer Bread

This recipe was easy to put together but a bit dense.

1. 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2. 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
3. 1/2 cup warm water (100 degrees F or 38 degrees C)
4. 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
• all-purpose flour for dusting
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal

1. Stir together yeast, 1/2 cup flour and warm water in a large bowl. Cover and let sit in a warm spot for about 30 minutes.
2. Stir beer, remaining flour and salt into the bowl. Mix until all the flour is incorporated and forms a thick sticky dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 2 hours, until doubled in size.
3. Scrape all the dough from the bowl with a rubber spatula, and place on a well-floured surface. Generously flour the top of the dough and form into a loaf shape.
4. Sprinkle a baking sheet with cornmeal. Transfer loaf to the baking sheet and sprinkle the top with flour. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for 30-40 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
6. Place a small loaf pan of warm water on a lower rack to humidify the oven.
7. Slash a long slit in the top of the loaf with a sharp knife or razor. Place the baking sheet on the rack above the pan of warm water in the oven. Bake for 35 minutes, until the loaf is golden brown.
8. Transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.

"Olive Garden Style" Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

For this recipe I omitted the garlic and onion. Next time used regular pasta. The gnocchi was a bit heavy in the soup.

 

 

 

1 tablespoon extra virgin oil

4 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons flour

3 cups of milk (we used 2%)

1/2 cup celery, finely diced

1/2 cup onion, finely diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2-3 cups of low sodium chicken broth depending on how thick you like your soup

1 cup shredded carrots

1-2 cups of shredded chicken, I just used a bag of frozen precooked, shredded chicken we had on hand

1 package gnocchi, cooked or the equivalent homemade

handful of spinach leafs, ribboned ( I used frozen, chopped)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon parsley

1.) Heat the butter and olive oil in a large soup pot. Saute the onion, celery and garlic in the oil and butter until tender.

2.) Stir in the flour and cook for a minute before adding in the milk. Add the carrots and chicken and let the mixture simmer until it starts to thicken.

3.) While it is simmering, cook the gnocchi according to the directions on the package. Strain and set aside.

4.) Once mixture is thickend, add chicken broth to reach desired consistency.Once mixture tightens up again, add the gnocchi, spinach and seasoning. Simmer until fully heated through.

5.) Serve with your own hearty Italian bread.

Banana Cake Muffins

This recipe is great. Not overly sweet. Would be great with chopped walnuts on the top.

Original recipe makes 1 - 9x13 inch pan                    

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 1/8 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1. 2 teaspoons lemon juice
2. 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
3.  
4. 1/2 cup butter, softened
5. 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
6. 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9.  
10. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice, set aside. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
11. In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Stir in banana mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
12. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place directly into freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.
13. For the frosting: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.
14.  

From the BuzzAgent website:

 

The Keebler^® Elves have been busy baking away a new tasty treat in The Hollow Tree Factory, but truthfully, they could just as well have been hard at work in your kitchen. That’s because Keebler^® Simply Made cookies are made with ingredients typically found in most cabinets. Though, we suppose your rolling pin might be a touch difficult to maneuver with elf-sized hands.

Baked with butter, sugar, eggs and wheat flour, Keebler^® Simply Made cookies contain wholesome ingredients that you’ll feel good about serving to your family. With flavors like Butter, made with a hint of vanilla, and Chocolate Chip, which contains 100% real cocoa, it’s easy to treat everyone to great tastes.


My opinion: great flavor, no chemical aftertaste. The chocolate had tons of chocolate and the butter cookies had a real butter flavor. I would buy these cookies again because they have no high fructose corn sugar and they are tasty.

From the BuzzAgent  website:

NEW Fiber One^® Protein Cereal gives you the powerful combination of protein and fiber so you can get your day started right by reaching for just one box! The only decision left to make is which delicious flavor to choose.

• Cranberry Almond – a masterful mix of crunchy almonds, delicious cranberry pieces and sweetened granola
• Maple Brown Sugar – a bountiful blend of sweetened granola and crunchy pecans topped with the taste of maple brown sugar

Why stop at breakfast? Fiber One Protein Cereal contains 10g of protein when served with milk and 20% daily value of fiber, making it a great option all day long!

BuzzAgent  is a website that you can sign up to join campaigns for free products. You provide your honest opinion and you are not paid but compensated by free products.
My opinion: good cereal with a great aroma. I wish there were more pecans. Each box has 1 Boxtop for Education on it which is a bonus. I would buy in the future with a sale and coupon. Does not get soggy on my Greek yogurt.

From the campaign BuzzAgent website:

Hypoallergenic Moisturizing Serum infused with Shea Butter. 5 Curve-Sensing^™ blades. Skin Guards. All those features might just sound like bells and whistles for now, but trust us – as soon as you take a few strokes with Schick_® Hydro Silk_® Sensitive Care_® razor, everything will make perfect sense.
Winter can be especially tough on sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested Schick_® Hydro Silk_® Sensitive Care_® razor delivers a better hydration boost than any other razor. The Hypoallergenic Moisturizing Serum hydrates your skin for up to two hours after shaving while the 5 Curve-Sensing^™ blades protect your skin from irritation. So even while you’re bundled up in a parka, your legs will feel like hitting the beach all winter long.
https://www.bzzagent.com/member/CampaignHome.do?campaignId=3756032811

My opinion : Great razor, my legs felt silky smooth after using for the first time. suction cup actually works. I would definately buy this in the future.
BuzzAgent is a website that you can sign up to join campaigns for free products. You provide your honest opinion and you are not paid but compensated by free products.