My cheesy pasta and beef casserole recipe

The other night I found myself standing in front the pantry surveying what groceries I had left. In the refrigerator, I had a pound of ground beef thawed out. So I was now trying to decide what to cook with it. I came up with the following and it pleased even my pickiest of eaters. Enjoy!

What you will need:
1 package of pasta (I used penne)
2 cans cream of celery
1 lb ground beef
Chopped onion (however much your family likes)
Garlic salt and herbs of your choice
About a half of a block of cheese shredded
1 can of mixed vegetables

Cook and drain the pasta as well as the ground beef. Spray 13 x 9 inch pan. Combine pasta, ground beef, cream of celery, chopped onion, vegetables, and some of the cheese in the pan. Sprinkle the garlic salt and herbs on top. Spread remaining cheese over all. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven on 400 for about 20 minutes or so until the cheese is completely melted and everything is hot.

I’d normally add bell peppers and chopped tomato as well, but I didn’t have any on hand.

Leave me a comment if you try it and how your family liked it!

Journey Bar new flavors review

Journey Bars are amazing! I did a review on them quite a while back. After that initial tasting I've since kept in touch with Marguarette, the co-founder of Journey Bar. She recently contacted me about the new flavors they have added to the collection as well as some great changes they made to a favorite. The new flavors are Sea Salt and Sesame Ginger.

I thought the Sea Salt one was pretty good. Its chewy, tastes lightly of sea salt with the grainy flavor of the quinoa and amaranth.The Rosemary still tastes wonderful but now comes in chewy goodness.
I shared the latest ones with my mom to get some variety in the opinions, though, we often enjoy the same things. Here's what she had to say about them:
The Rosemary was good. I like it soft. It allows us old folks to chew it. I like the taste just as I did before. It is nice that it isn't full of sugar. When I eat a lot of sweet things it makes me wanna keep eating which is bad for my weight. I tried the Sea Salt one. Not bad. I still like the Rosemary one best. The Sesame Ginger has a much milder flavor than the Rosemary. It is good. Not too sweet and doesn't taste like cardboard. I could eat it. I am going to eat them as a meal replacement bar. Thanks for sharing them.
All of the bars are chewy, gluten-free, vegan, with added protein. I plan to get more and use them as my work meals. It saves money (even more so than normal brown bag lunches would). One of these bars and my reusable water cup keeps me energized and satisfied. And it would amount to about $2 for my lunch!
You can buy the Journey Bars online by checking their website here. Or search for a store near you that has them. I checked online and did some pricing: A sample pack that consists of 1 of each flavor is $10 or you could get the 12 variety pack for $22. There's another website (Drugstore.com) that sells them 12 for $18. That's a real deal on a healthy meal for someone on the go!
If you are out and about, you don't neccessarily want something sweet, sticky and messy. Sweets can make you hungry for more which adds pounds, sticky messes get everywhere and require wipes or a stop to wash hands. That's where savory, flavorful bars have their competitors beat. Check them out and let me know what you think! They have a Facebook Page as well as a Twitter account. Follow them and watch to see where they will be going next since they do events.

Runa tea

I like trying teas of different kinds. Especially a potentially healthier type. I was allowed the chance to sample some Guayusa tea from Runa. Guayusa plants are grown in the rain forest under the shade of other trees. I enjoyed reading about the process on the Runa.org website. If you want to learn more, check out this link. I like that Runa has tea in various forms: bottled, bagged as well as loose leaf. The benefit to Guayusa tea that most interested me was how one cup of it has an equal amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, however, it has twice the amount of antioxidants. Get the vitamins with the energy kick!

Runa sent me samples of 4 flavors: Traditional, Mint, Ginger-citrus, and Cinnamon-lemongrass.
I drank the Mint flavored one in the morning before breakfast. You can definitely taste the mintyness in it. It was strong, but not overpowering.
The Traditional one was sweeter (though since I flavor my teas with honey instead of sugar... could've been the honey?) than most teas I've had. I found I enjoyed this one the best.
In the Citrus-lemongrass I could taste the citrus. It wasn't a strong taste but it was good and on the sweet side as well.

I'm sorry I didn't try the Cinnamon-lemongrass one. Most cinnamon-flavored things makes me feel sick. My husband said he'd be up to try it and if not my mother might. Once they do, I'll add their comments about it.

As far as being energizing, I had them mostly early in the morning as a wake up kick-start or late in the evening when I felt ready to keel over. It gave me just enough boost to get back on track but I wasn't wired for hours on end. Runa has put together plenty of information concerning the health benefits they offer in their Guayusa teas. You can read about those here.

They are looking to push boundaries and expand a world of clean energy. In doing this, they have an ambassador program for "movers and shakers". If you go above and beyond in your own way, maybe you should check them out! http://www.runa.org/community/ambassador/
Right now it seems they mostly sell in New York. But you can also order from them online. Check them out and leave me a comment about what you think.

Pentel Pens via Shoplet.com review

Everyone uses pens. Everyday we have to write things. Letters, lists, love notes... Or perhaps if you are creative you might write stories, books, and poems. I love to write. Almost as much as I love reading. But not every pen is created equal. I like trying out different pens to see what feels best in my fingertips as I write. I find I prefer to have a smooth ink as it makes your writing look of a higher quality. Gel ink rolls out with the stroke of your letters. It also has a tendency to keep the pen from getting caught on the paper and potentially tearing a hole in it. Pentel sent me a few of their pens and a mechanical pencil to test out for a review. You can find these and other office supply products at Shoplet.com. Shoplet.com offers many office supplies to satisfy your needs.

I received the Pentel EnerGel X Roller Ball Retractable Gel Pens in several colors as well as the EnerGize X Mechanical Pencil. They are sleek with each one having a clip (nerds like these for pockets!). They have grips for your fingertips to grab on as your hands translate what you brain submits. Besides the normal black and blue ink pens they also have the neon colored pink, neon orange, red, light blue, green and purple. Each of the colors matches the ink inside. This is helpful when you go to grab a pen but need a specific color. The bright colors are wonderful for creative writing. I like to write letters but a boring paper with black or regular blue ink on it is just that sometimes. Red is a color I use for adjustments, grading and editing.

I like that each of these gel pens comes with an easy to remove seal on the end. This way the ink doesn't get shaken out or leak before you use it. I also like the vividness of the colors and how smooth the ink flows. Call me a dreamer but my ink glides! I prefer retractable pens to pens with lids. When I'm in a hurry, I like to "close" up my pen before running off. It's a bit of an OCD tick of mine. It's like leaving something partially undone.
While I like the grips on the pens, these seem to be a little thin on the grip-able side. They are too smooth. This can be a problem for someone like me who writes a long amount of time per sitting and sometimes my hands get a little clammy or sweaty... With weak grips my hands might slide forcing me into a break I'm not wanting to take.

Compared to other pens I've used in the past, these are really nice overall.

Some other perks to these pens would be that the grips are latex-free. So if you have an allergy to latex, you can still still enjoy the non-slip pens. These pens are refillable. Pentel refill packs are also sold on Shoplet.com. They are a part of Recycolgy, which means they are made from a minimum of 50% recycled materials excluding consumable content (ink) and refills (again the ink). The pens in particular are made of 84% recycled plastic. Great way to keep some plastic out of the landfills.

***These items were sent to me for free for the purpose of this review. I was not reimbursed in any other way nor was I told what to say. These are my opinions alone.***

Paper Lanterns by Divine-Planet.com review

I love to decorate our home using unique things. Unique and colorful! So I was really excited when I was granted the chance to review 3 paper stars from Divine-Planet.com. They are vibrantly colored and so easy to fold out. It adds a cheery lighting option to any room. Each paper star lantern is hand-made; from the glue, paintings and folding!

I requested the The Fire Star Lamp, Butterfly Star Lamp, and the Hologram Lantern in Silver. The Hologram Lantern in Silver is covered in a holographic shiny material. The light actually reflects off it and catches in a pretty way. It goes in any room!
The Butterfly one I hung above my daughters bed. It's like have a cheery lighted mobile that glitters and catches her attention.

The Fire Star hangs above my kitchen bar and adds a bright edge to my fiesta-styled kitchen decor. It is reminiscent of the Harley style and colors.

I decided to include a video showing you just how easy they are to put together and enjoy.

 

They measure 24 inches from point to point.

You can also choose not to order the light cord if you just want to hang the star around your home.

They also have a Facebook page you can check out for updates.

We put one in my sister's closet. It adds a soft glow inside.

***I was sent these items for free for the sole purpose of doing this review. I was not paid or otherwise reimbursed. I was not told what to say. These are completely my opinions of the products***

Style J Skirt review

I love blue jean clothing. It's durable, long lasting, always fashionable, goes with anything - day or night.

I especially enjoy blue jean skirts. They can be so cute and flirty while still being modest depending on the length and style. I recently was given the chance to review one of the new jean skirt styles from Style J. You can check out their selections at this link.

I received the box from them pretty quick. They not only sent me the skirt but this really amazing card with "Thank You" inside!

As well as a multi-colored ink pen. Talk about going the extra mile! It was a really nice surprise.
At first I requested the wrong size, so I offered to send it back to exchange it. They were very nice about it and agreed immediately.

The skirt is a really cute design. The blue jean material is stretchy and the button was unique with the Style J design on it. It's really not like your run of the mill designs with just a name on it.

I suggest getting a skirt 1-2 sizes smaller than your measurement if you aren't really sure. Or definitely read their guide on skirt sizing. The jean material is stretchy and has a little more room to expand in than normal jean products. I liked how easy the button fits into the button hole. I know it might sound weird, but I've had skirts and jeans that had a hole so small I had to fight the button to go in. Or on the opposite side, one so loose the button lets itself open. So having a button/hole that is just right = great craftsmanship. The pockets have a very cute design on them too. I love cute pocket designs. It adds class to the rear ;-)

It's not a stiff blue jean. It's actually flexible and soft.

They offer skirts for girls as well as women in many shades, sizes, and styles. They even have maternity skirts! I was also amazed by the Extra Tall selection. I'm a tall woman and finding long skirts that go at least to my ankles is very difficult. I'll admit, being in skirts and dresses makes me feel like a true lady - but only when they reach that perfect length! They go by waist measurements instead of standard sizing. I think this works better (provided you measure yourself correctly!) since every company out there has their own ideas on what equals size X, Y or Z. Going by waist measurements is much easier for someone like me. My hips aren't aligned right from the scoliosis so wearing skirts is a plus. I don't have to worry about finding jeans that fit perfectly.

One other thing to point out is that once they sell out, that style is gone! So if you see something you like, get it while they have it.

You can subscribe to their mailing list to receive updates on the latest additions and deals. You can also Like them on Facebook. Check them out and leave a comment about what you think! Also, you can check out their affiliate websites: www.trendyskirts.com and www.officeskirts.com.

I let my mom try it on and even though she is slightly bigger, even she fit it since it does stretch.

***I was sent these items for free for the sole purpose of doing this review. I was not paid or otherwise reimbursed. I was not told what to say. These are completely my opinions of the products***

Envision Home Dish Drying Mat Review

I'm all about hygiene in my home. But I also like convenience. Especially in the kitchen. Some things I don't like drying by hand. Takes up too much time that I could be using to do other more important things. And with 3 children, I have to prioritize. So if something gets hand washed I usually leave it to dry on a towel near the sink unless I need it right away. Towels though soak easily and slide sometimes. It can be very frustrating especially for someone who is OCD about things being in their proper place.

Envision Home has some great choices to offer instead of just a towel. The Dish Drying Mat is an excellent choice. While being a colorful addition to your kitchen, it has a strong practical application. It doesn't slide around and is very absorbent without feeling soaked through. It's made of microfiber which feels really soft and sponge-like. I love that it's machine-washable since that makes it easy to clean after a few uses. It is best to let it dry between uses, but it doesn't seem to take as long to dry as my towels did. There is also a nifty hook to hang it up in between uses. I like this since I don't want to have it laying there when guests come over but at the same time, my storage space is limited. However, it does fold easily to fit into your drawer should you want to do it that way. Since it is so beautiful with the simple design and bright color, I also don't mind having it hanging or on the counter everyday as it adds to my homes style.

 

I like how its thicker and has more cushion to it. If a delicate dish falls over on it, its not as likely to break. Its the right size that you could use it under your dish drying rack instead of using a plastic drain board. I personally don't like the plastic boards. Every one that I have tried before has been difficult to clean and gets moldy. Thus I was always using towels...

Another suggested use is to place it under your kitchen appliances such as your mixer, blender, coffee pot - to protect your counters from being scratched and scuffed. This is especially true if you are renting a place like me. Damages to anything in a rented space will mean more money you have to pay when you move out. This can save you from such expenses.

The Care Instructions they have for these dish drying mats are:
Allow the Dish Drying Mat to thoroughly dry between uses. Frequently machine wash with like colors in cold water with a liquid detergent, and before first use. Tumble dry on low. Do not iron. Do not bleach (unless you are looking to tye dye your mat...), use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
I really like their guarantee which is printed on the packaging: This product is guaranteed to provide satisfactory performance. Any item found to be defective in material or workmanship will be replaced free of charge. This shows they are sure of your satisfaction in their products.
You can check out their Facebook Page to keep up with whats new.

***I was not paid or reimbursed in any way. Envision Home provided me with a Dish Drying Mat free of charge in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My opinions are strictly my own.***