Black bean dip

In our house, we LOVE mexican food and this dip was an instant winner. I found it in a weight watchers recipe book back when I was on that diet (about 5 diets ago. I am always looking for the bigger better diet. As long as it doesn't involve any form of exercise, I am willing to try it.). In case anyone out there wants to know, this recipe is 1 point for 1/4 of a cup (53 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 2.7 grams of fiber).

This is the easiest dip. All you do is throw all the ingredients in a food processor, or a blender and chop them up.

Then put it in a bowl and serve. So delicious.
Recipe:

1 15 oz. can of black beans

1/4 c salsa

1/2 c cilantro

2 tsp olive oil

2 drops of hot sauce

Tracy

An actual post.

Yes, I am actually writing a bloggy post. This is a very rare occasion for me. I have spent so much time doing reviews and giveaways (woo, those things are time consuming!) that I haven't had the opportunity to chat, and by chat I mean talk basically to myself, in a while now. 

Most of our "followers" are fairly new. Welcome! Since you probably don't know me or if you do know me and are in serious need of a Megan catch up, today is your lucky day! 

My husband, my son, and myself are currently living with my parents. Blehhhh! Oh and my brother, his wife, and their son are ALSO living with my parents. It is quite a full house. Literally. All we are missing is Michelle Tanner (was that a lame joke?). We have good days and bad days all living together. It isn't very ideal, but unfortunately we are all forced into this situation due to some serious financial hardships. My parents have been super generous to allow us to all live here and we do feel blessed for that.

My husband is in school right now. Thankfully, he will be done in about a year. He works really hard for our little family. I think sometimes he probably gets the impression that I am not proud of him or not thankful for all he does because I complain so much about living with my parents. I am a complainer, I can be mega annoying, I just can't help myself. Let me set the record right here, though. I am so proud and thankful for my sexy hunk husband! He may not be able to provide me with all the cash that my wardrobe is aching for, but he provides love to me and our son unconditionally.  Our son wakes my husband up everyday by smacking him across the face so I do mean unconditionally.

Speaking of my little son, whom I have lovingly nicknamed "Terd Fart" (immature?) because he does a lot of both, him and I did not get along when it came to sleeping. The older he got, the more times he would wake up each night. It breaks my heart to hear him cry so I just could not do the cry out method. I know, I am a wimpy mom. Well...at almost 14 months, he is sleeping through the night!!! I weaned him from nursing last week and he has slept like a little angel. That is bliss, my friends. 

Well, I think I have shared way too much info. I am sure all of you are just giddy knowing my life story. 

Now readers and friends, tell me something about you. What would you like to share about yourself or family?

Happy Green Bee Review & {GIVEAWAY!!} CLOSED

Happy Green Bee was created by Roxanne Quimby. Roxanne and her partner, Burt, who both are earth loving people, started Burt's Bees (Sound familiar at all??). Once Roxanne sold the very profitable company, she decided to get involved in some new projects. Seeing a void in organic children's clothing, Roxanne got to work!

Roxanne has said, "We created Happy Green Bee so that a child can be a child, first and foremost. By using organic cotton, a comfortable and practical fabric, and simple bee-striped patterns, children feel as comfortable as they look while their parents take a small step in making a big difference in the environment their children live in."

Going through their bright, cheery, and comfy looking designs, it is hard to believe that it is all organic, but it is! I haven't had the opportunity to try out their clothing, but I seriously want to. Everything is quite cute. I am a huge stripe fan, especially for my little one. If you are too, Happy Green Bee is the place to shop!

I had the opportunity to review the Mom's on the Go Kit. While I can't necessarily testify about their clothing line yet (though from the looks of the line, I am sure everything is amazing), I can say this kit is unbelievable! The kit included:

-A 4 oz. non-toxic biodegradable eco-friendly laundry detergent

-A 2 oz. home-made diaper ointment formulated with organically grown comfrey, Vitamin E, lavender, and a blend of botanical oils

-A 2 oz. sample size of calendula oil made from organically grown calendula flowers and botanical oils

-A 4 oz. herbal room spray which uses all natural essential oils

-A keepsake tooth fairy tin

-Everything you need to plant your child's birthday apple tree

I haven't tried everything in the kit yet, but I have used the diaper ointment and the room spray. My son had a diaper rash and I decided I would try my Happy Green Bee ointment. By his next diaper change, his rash was completely gone. To say I am impressed is an understatement. I am swearing by this stuff. I may never use any other diaper rash ointment again.

The room spray is also incredible. I started spraying it in my son's room to get rid of the dirty diaper stench, but I loved it so much that I decided I would keep it in my room for my pleasure. Selfish of me? Probably.

Now, like I said before, Happy Green Bee has some seriously cute clothes for the little ones. They offer several choices of tops, bottoms, sportswear, dresses, hats, socks, tights, and even a few fun gifts.

WIN IT!

Happy Green Bee has generously offered one of our lucky readers their choice of any item on their site valued up to $40.

Mandatory entry: Visit Happy Green Bee and come back and let us know what item you would choose.

You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):

1 Entry: Follow our blog publicly (found on right sidebar).

1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader

5 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to Happy Green Bee (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).

2 Entries: Favorite us on Technorati

1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment).

5 Entries: Add our button to your blog.

Good luck! Contest ends on June 10th at midnight. Winner will be announced June 11th.

Winner will be chosen through random.org.

Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks!

Kokopax Review AND {Discount!!}

I have a thing for companies that create fabulous products that are not only functional, but fashionable as well. This is why I am so excited to introduce you all to kokopax.

kokopax™ was founded in 2007 by Sarah Spoor. As a mother of four young children, Sarah discovered the benefits of the old Gerry backpacks purchased at thrift shops. She and her husband Lincoln relied on the lightweight carriers to carry their infants and still keep track of their other children while cooking, traveling or attending school activities. The carriers became a necessity for everyday life. While she loved their functionality, Sarah found the style outdated. With this in mind, she embarked on a mission to develop a new modern and fashionable lightweight framed carrier with enhanced style and functionality that could be used every day, everywhere.

Kokopax carriers are designed to keep you fashionable while toting your toddler through daily life. And with gorgeous 100% cotton canvas fabric, an anodized aluminum frame, padding everywhere, and weighing in at only 2.7 pounds, this carrier delivers!

I was lucky enough to review this gorgeous Kokopax Tote. Looking for a multi-functional bag that is sturdy and functional and gorgeous? Found it! First, the fabric choices, all made of heavy-duty canvas, are beautiful and right on trend. The rings are such a fun and unique feature of the tote, only adding to it's beauty. But the interior is where the real magic happens. It is fully lined in nylon, creating durability and making clean-up a breeze. It comes with an attachable mini-tote in the same fabulous fabric, adding organization and convenience. The tote boasts three large pockets, one huge zippered pocket, and one bottle/beverage pocket.

Like I mentioned, a totally multi-functional and beautiful bag. I will use mine as a diaper bag. You might want to use yours as your every-day bag. Regardless, we will all look fashionable with the Kokopax Blakely ring tote on our arms.

And how about these adorable sun-hats?? Made of canvas and featuring a chin-strap for the little ones, has sun protection ever been cuter??

All kokopax products are made in coordinating fabrics, making me think I really need one of each. And lucky for me, and you, kokopax is offering 10% off any order from www.kokopax.com. Just enter code Jfmay2009 at checkout! So don't just take my word for it; go visit kokopax now and find the perfect, functional, and fashionable item for you and your child! Happy shopping everyone!!

Bibi & Mimi Shoes Winner!!

And the winner of Bibi & Mimi is....

Result:12Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Rebecca and Jason said...12

i have your button

bexdaboo at yahoo

MAY 20, 2009 12:40 PM 

Congrats, Rebecca and Jason! I will be e-mailing you. You have 48 hours to respond or I will choose a new winner. 

Thanks everyone for participating. Make sure to check back often!

Win a FLOR rug at Mommas Review

Mommas Review is giving away a FLOR rug. Use her link to enter.

Ends June 3rd.

Boojiboo Winner!

#363 WINS!

Sasha222 said...

Daily Tweet Tweet 5/24

http://twitter.com/Sasha222/statuses/1905958275

MAY 24, 2009 5:13 PM 

Congrats, Sasha! You win a Boojiboo apron of your choice! You did a lot of work to win so you totally deserve it! 

Thank you everyone for participating. Make sure you enter all our other giveaways and follow our blog...there are lots more goodies to come!

UV Skinz Review & {GIVEAWAY!!} CLOSED

UV Skinz was created my a wife and mom who tragically lost her husband from malignant melanoma. In her site, she shares her husbands story and her inspiration to create a way for children and adults to stay protected from harmful UV rays. 

"On September 14th 2001, at the far-too-young age of 32, Darren succumbed to skin cancer. The legacy that Darren wanted to leave was to encourage people to “stay healthy” and to “take responsibility of their bodies.” Darren’s wife, Rhonda Sparks, her family and the couple’s friends founded the Darren Lee Farwell Foundation on December 1st, 2001 to help fulfill Darren’s legacy.

The Foundation was created to raise general public awareness of the ever-growing dangers of UV radiation from the sun; to educate children and adults as to how to protect themselves from over-exposure by using sunscreens, hats and UV protective clothing; and to facilitate early detection of skin disease by teaching people to be aware of their bodies and to look for the warning signs of skin cancer development.

Skin cancer is 100% preventable if caught early! Protecting your skin during the first 18 years of life can reduce the risk of some types of skin cancer by up to 78%. Darren wants his children and ALL children to be safe from the dangers of the sun. But we must take action toward eradicating this disease. Educate yourself! Enjoy all that life has to offer under the sun but BE SUN SAFE!"

With so much knowledge about how harmful the sun is and with a very pale son, I feel a great need to keep my son protected from the possibility of skin cancer. I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep my boy pale! 

With a UPF rating of 50+, which blocks 98% of the sun's harmful rays, I am confident that my son is being protected while wearing his UV Skinz and sunscreen. I want my son to be able to enjoy playing in water without me worrying about his sensitive skin and exposure to sun.

UV Skinz offers options for babies, children, men, women, and even plus sizes, giving everyone an opportunity to be protected from the sun!

If you are not convinced about the importance of protecting your family from the sun, please read these 8 Shocking Facts on Skin Cancer.

Now, get your family protected! Check out the Kid's UV Skinz Aloha Combos.

And make sure you take care of yourself, too! The women UV Skinz choices are numerous, leaving you no excuse to not wear protection from the sun.
I had the opportunity to review the Casey Navy/Blue UV Skinz. I have decided that every summer from now on, my son will live in these! 

PROS-

*With my son's sensitive skin, I don't have to worry that he will break out all over his body from sunscreen.

*I am confident that my son is being protected from the sun.

*I love that I have the option to choose long sleeve for more coverage.

*The UV Skinz are stylish and come with a cute rubber bracelet! 

*Once my son was out of the water, his UV Skinz dried almost instantly so he wasn't cold.

CONS-

*I wish that the back had a zipper or had buttons or something. My son gets really mad when I have to squeeze his head into the top of the shirt.

All in all, I feel that this is a great product. I highly recommend it to all of my readers. You will not be disappointed! 

WIN IT!

UV Skinz has generously offered one of our lucky readers any UV Skinz item of your choice. 

Mandatory entry: Visit UV Skinz and come back and let us know what item you would choose.

You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):

3 Entries-Sign up for the UV Skinz monthly newsletter (left side of their homepage).

2 Entries- Subscribe to their RSS feed at the UV Skinz blog.

2 Entries-Follow UV Skinz on twitter.

1 Entry: Follow our blog publicly (found on right sidebar).

1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader

5 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to UV Skinz (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).

2 Entries: Favorite us on Technorati

1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment). 

5 Entries: Add our button to your blog.

Good luck! Contest ends on June 5th at midnight. Winner will be announced June 6th.

Winner will be chosen through random.org.

Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks! 

Open to U.S and Canada only.

Wordless Wednesday: Bliss

A Break from the Ordinary Before Baby.

Mr. Linky is having issues, as we are all aware.  Click on button below to link.  Thanks!!

My Monkey Moo Review & {Giveaway!} - CLOSED

We mommies obsess over our strollers. Spend hours shopping for the perfect one. Find the perfect one. Stare at the perfect one. Then finally use that perfect one. For the first month or so, we wipe it down after every outing, determined to keep it just as perfect as day one. Then, life takes over, and the perfect stroller just becomes another item we need to function. Greasy fingerprints, milkshake stains, and goldfish crumbs become ignored. Perfect stroller still functions perfectly, but is not so perfect to look at. Imagine my excitement when I discovered My Monkey Moo- a company that keeps our perfect stroller perfectly beautiful. My Monkey Moo offers gorgeous stroller pads and blankets that I promise will get you excited over your stroller all over again!

The stroller blankets are 26″ wide by 32″ long, which is the perfect size for covering up your little one without having to worry about it dragging, and they are gorgeous!! No stressing about this beautiful blanket getting tangled in the wheels, forcing you to repeatedly stop to readjust and ultimately question if putting the now grime-infested blanket back on your baby is such a good idea. My Monkey Moo has you and your baby covered, literally. Oh, and did I mention this already perfect blanket can double as a changing pad??? Love it!!

The stroller pads are completely dreamy. My Monkey Moo has created them to conveniently adapt to fit most strollers, compatible with most 5-point harness systems. All

pads are 13" wide x 32" long and are available in a variety of gorgeous and stylish patterns! And did you see that adorable little bow at the bottom?? As if I needed any other convincing that this pad needed to be on my stroller!

Both the stroller pad and blanket are completely reversible, just to make sure we mommies don't get bored (or can flip should the milkshake stain arrive before we are ready to throw in the wash). While the front side boasts a gorgeous pattern, the back side is created of a plush chenille that I promise you will want to sink your face into. Both sides are incredibly well constructed, creating a product built to last. The best part...the stroller pad and blanket are really, legitimately padded. So, not only are you adding class, style and cleanliness to your stroller, your are adding luxurious comfort for your little one as well. Finally, both pad and blanket are machine washable, ensuring that our perfect stroller stays perfect!!

I am so madly in love with my Creme stroller and blanket set. I honestly have yet to find one aspect of this product that I am not impressed with.

Get your own fabulous set by visiting My Monkey Moo now, and fall in love with your stroller all over again!

WIN IT:

My Monkey Moo has generously offered one of our readers a dreamy stroller pad and blanket set in the pattern of their choice!!

Mandatory entry: Visit My Monkey Moo and come back and let us know how many patterns they offer and which is your favorite. You must answer BOTH questions in order to be eligible.

You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

Extra Entries (Leave a comment for each entry):

1 Entry: Follow our blog publicly (found on right sidebar).

1 Entry: Subscribe to our blog via reader

5 Entries: Post about this contest with a link back to our blog AND a link to My Monkey Moo (Leave a link back to your post in your comment).

2 Entries: Favorite us on Technorati

1 Entry: Follow us on twitter and tweet this contest. You may do this once daily (always leave the link in your comment).

5 Entries: Add our button to your blog.

Good luck! Contest ends on June 3rd at midnight. Winner will be announced June 4th.

Winner will be chosen through random.org.

Please be sure to include your e-mail or have it in your profile so I can contact you if you win. Thanks!

Open to U.S and Canada.

Strawberry deliciousness

Hi everybody! I am really excited to have a place to tell people about some of the wonderful recipe's I have tried out and found to be amazing. I am by no means a wonderful cook and have never invented a recipe of my own, but I have recently discovered that cooking isn't as hard as I always thought it was, and that there are so many things that I never thought I could make that aren't actually all that difficult to whip up. Any recipe I post on here will most certainly be something that is low expertise as well as low cost (gotta love that). Enjoy!

This week I went to a u-pick strawberry farm and came home with a gallon of incredibly delicious strawberry's (side note: don't ever buy strawberry's in the grocery store again. Seriously, it is so much better being able to pick them yourself so you know what you are getting, and no one is sneaking in the moldy or overripe ones in the middle of the other strawberry's where you can't see them until you are already home. Gah! I hate that. Plus, I think it ends up being cheaper to pick them yourself too. I paid $10 for a gallon. Is that cheaper? I don't dabble in math that much, but it seemed like it was a better deal). After using less then half the gallon on homemade jam, I decided to make a dessert using some of the remaining strawberry's.

I got this recipe from a friend and it is one of my all time favorite desserts, and there is almost nothing to it. I made a box yellow cake. I think a white one would have tasted a little better but I already had a yellow one at home so I went with that.

I forgot to take a picture but after the cake had cooled, I took the bottom side of a wooden spoon and poked holes all over the cake. There is no certain number, just make it so there are plenty of holes throughout the entire cake. At least one hole for every slice of cake you would serve someone.
Then make a box of jello according to the directions.

I didn't get a picture of this part either, but as soon as the jello is mixed up in the pot and you have added the cold water, pour it over the entire cake. It will seem like you are going to make the cake really soggy, but it ends up soaking most of the juice up and not being soggy at all. Put it in the fridge for a few hours to cool off and then frost it with a container of cool whip.
Then add the strawberry's on top. After we ate this, I decided I didn't like the strawberry slices being so big on top. Next time I make this, I think I will dice them up and let them sit in some sugar for a little while so they get soft and juicy, and then put them on top. I think it would taste better that way. It was still pretty good with the big slices though. The entire cake was gone within 24 hours which is always a good sign.
One of the added perks to this recipe is that if you are looking to make it low sugar or low fat, it is a piece of cake (pun intended) to alter all the ingredients to make it either way. Every ingredient that is used to make this also comes in low sugar and/or low fat form.

Introducing...

Hey readers! We are going to have a new contributor here. I am so excited to introduce you to Tracy. She will be posting every weekend, mostly about recipes and such. I have had this woman's cooking and while she won't claim to be, she is an amazing cook! I seriously recommend trying out whatever she suggests! Make sure to send some welcome love her way!

Coco Bonbons 60% off sale!

Coco Bonbons is having a HUGE SALE! They are offering 60% off your order. Use the coupon code, 'WAREHOUSE' to get your 60% off. You do not want to miss out on this amazing offer!

Quanties are limited and coupon is only good through Sunday, May 31 so shop now!

Only one coupon code can be used per transaction and

this offer does not apply to previous orders.

 

All Sales Final.

No Returns, Refunds, or Exchanges.

Josie Cupcake Criss Cross Dress

WAS-$46.50

WITH 60% OFF-$18.60