I got the opportunity from SheSpeaks once again to recieve, test and and review a product, this time it was L’Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream. I have to say as a person who does NOT use foundation ever, or any makeup very often at all, I was excited to see exactly how this would effect my skin.

Unfortunately, I am very unpleased with this product. First, the tone made my face look washed out (I took photos, but they look awful, so I am not sharing), and dry. It did not help with the look of my skin at all It was very thin, and did not cover very easily.

Overall, I would not purchase this product for myself, and would only recommend it for someone who did not need much coverage of blemishes or skin issues, and for someone who did not require a great deal of hydration to their skin.

TRANSACTION 1:
(2) Thermacare Heat Wraps = $9.98 ($4.99 each)

COUPONS USED:
(2) $2.00/1 Thermacare, 2 ct or larger, RP 12/9 (exp 3/9)

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS BEFORE TAX: $5.98
GOT BACK $4 ECB making the two products $1.98

TRANSACTION 2:
(2) Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup = $1.98 (.99 each)
(1) SoBe Life Water = $1.25

COUPONS USED:
(1) 2 for 1 Campbells Coupon, CVS Daily Deals
(1) $1.00 off SoBe Life Water (printed at the coupon center)

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS BEFORE TAX = $1.35

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET: $3.33 = 5 products

Not too bad! And I have $4 ECB’s left to use on my next trip.

(3) Olay Soap Bars = $3.00 ($1.00 each)
(4) Hefty Sliders Sandwich Bags 15ct = $4.00 ($1.00 each)
(4) Reach Waxed Floss, 55 yards = $4.00 ($1.00 each)
(1) Scotch Tape Pop-up Dispenser = $1.00
(1) Scotch Tape Pop-up Dispenser Refill= $1.00
(2) Hormel Pepperoni (2pk) = $2.00 ($1.00 each)

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS = $15.00

COUPONS USED:
(3) $1.00/1 Olay Bath Bars, Body Washes or In-Shower Body Lotions, excludes trial/travel size and Simply Olay PG 1/27
(2) $1.00/2 Hefty Slider Bags, 13 ct or larger – RP 1/6 (exp 3/31)
(2) $1.00/2 – Reach Floss Products – (reachbrand.com)
(2) $1.00/2 Scotch pop-up tape product (3/31)
(1) $1.00 on 2 Hormel Pepperoni Packages

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS BEFORE TAX = $5.00 = 15 products

Wal-Mart Deals

2 Mahatma Yellow Rice Mix = $1.56 (.78 each)
2 Ocean Spray White Grapefruit Juice = $4.96 (2.48 each)
1 Scrabble Slam Game = $5.54
1 Planters Sunflower Seed = $1.58

BEFORE COUPONS TOTAL = $13.64

COUPONS USED
(2) -.50/1 Mahatma rice (up to 10 lbs)
(2) $2.00 On any ONE (1) 5 lb. bag of Fresh Florida Grapefruit or ONE (1) 54 oz. or larger 100% Grapefruit Juice
(1) -$4 off Hasbro Scrabble game
(1) -$1 off Planters jar, canister, bag or multipk., 6-16 oz, excl almonds, SS 1/27

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS BEFORE TAX = $3.64 = 6 items

Here is this weeks menu:

Monday – Spaghetti & Antipasta

Tuesday – Fish n’ Chips

Wednesday – Potato Soup

Thursday – Cheeseburger Macaroni

Friday – Chicken Fried Steak

Saturday – MY BIRTHDAY – Lani’s Pot O Chili and Apps

Sunday – Teriyaki Chicken and Veggies

You can find all the recipes, and photos for my meals here on my blog, and you can see my full menu plan here on this calendar.

Never. I repeat, never, have I tried a meatless product. I love my meat, and so does my family. However, I was not skeptical to give it a try because the day that I accepted to participate in this BzzCampaign, I had a friend here who immediately began raving about the quality of the MorningStarFarms product line. They said that I would NOT be disappointed.

I eagerly awaited the arrival of my BzzKit. While waiting I was certain that I would be trying the MorningStar Farms® Grillers® 1/4 Pounders to make hamburgers for my family due to my friend making mention of how much he enjoyed that particular product.

However, when planning my menu this week, I changed my mind. Instead, I had Chili planned for yesterday (Monday). When I hit the store this past weekend, I thought that I would pick up the burgers mentioned before, and tear them up into my recipe. However, I was more than astounded to find that MorningStarFarms already had me covered!

In the frozen case of my local Bi-Lo, I picked up the MorningStar Farms® Meal Starters® Grillers® Recipe Crumbles™ to use as the “meat” in my Chili recipe. So easy to use! I simply opened the package and added it to my beans and spices, and it was practically done. I let it simmer (to add depth from my spices as I usually do for about an hour).

After that time, I began to serve my family. My 10 year old, who really only likes Chili out of a can (he does not like tomatoes and onions – which I went very light on so that he would eat), devoured it and said “Mom, this is the best Chili you ever made”. Now, I am sure that had alot to do with the lesser amount of tomatoes and onion, but when I pointed out to him, and the rest of my family that there was no “meat” in it, and instead they were eating a “full vegetable meal”, they were very surprised.

They could not tell a single bit of difference between using the MorningStarFarms product vs Ground Beef. That made me a happy Mom and Wife!

I will definitely be using this particular product again as a replacement for Ground Beef in any recipe that calls for it. It is reasonably priced for the amount you receive in comparison per pound of Ground Beef, with way more perks. No pre-cooking, no fat, and just plain healthier. Kudos to you MorningStarFarms – you have definitely made me a huge fan!

For the second time as part of the SheSpeaks Blogger Program I received 2 bottles of Torani Flavored Syrups to try and review. I was a little disappointed when I opened the package because the flavors that I received are the same as the two I received last year, Peppermint and Salted Caramel.

My husband on the other hand was elated to get the Peppermint again, and has used it in his morning coffee daily since receiving it – in fact after a weekend visit with family here in my home, it was misplaced and both him and my stepdaughter were a bit miffed thinking it was gone, LOL. They were quite relieved when I found it under the cabinet with the baking supplies!

Torani offers over 120 Regular and Sugar Free Flavored Syrups which are the perfect compliment many of your your favorite drinks – from Coffee to Espresso, from Smoothies to  Teas, the possibilities are about endless on things you can make. You can also use Torani Flavored Syrups in your baking recipes – and Torani has tons of great recipes on it’s site.

I am happy that I got to try this out again – just wished I could have tried a few different kinds – think I may have to order the Gingerbread one soon!

Here is this weeks menu:

Monday – Beef Stroganoff

Tuesday – Chicken Parmesan

Wednesday – Baked Potato Soup

Thursday – Pinto Beans N Greens

Friday – Mexican Shepherd’s Pie

Saturday – Leftovers

Sunday – Smothered Pork Chops

You can find all the recipes, and photos for my meals here on my blog, and you can see my full menu plan here on this calendar.

Cinnamon Rolls – I LOVE THE BREAD MACHINE! Used it today and made up some Cinnamon Rolls. YUM! I will update this post when I make the next batch to show the finished rolls – they got eaten too fast this time

2 heads of cauliflower
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 Tbs. garlic powder, unlevel (a little more than TBS is better)
1 Tbs. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 Tbs. butter
2 onion, chopped
1/4 C. all-purpose flour, , unlevel (a little more than C is better)
2 cans chicken broth
2 cups milk
2 Tbs. red cooking wine

Preheat oven to 450. Cut the cauliflower into small florets and put in a large bowl. Add oil and seasonings, and toss to coat. Place coated cauliflower on a cookie sheet or roasting pan and roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes so as not to burn. Cook until golden and tender. Remove from the oven and set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add onion. Cook until the onion is translucent in color. Add flour to onion and stir. Add the chicken broth and milk to the pan gradually stirring constantly until it thickens, then reduce heat. Add cauliflower and wine. Take half the soup, and blend in food processor, then recombine.