Sponsored Archives • Page 5 of 9 • New Nostalgia

The Organically Clean Home

If you have been around New Nostalgia for very long, then you already know I am a huge fan of Clean Mama. She has changed my cleaning world with her homemaking advice and awesome printables, and now she is doing it again. I am so excited to tell you that Rebecca Rapinchuk aka Clean Mama just released a book called The Organically Clean Home and you are going to love it!

When I got my copy in the mail and opened the package, I just beamed with pride at this beautiful book that Clean Mama wrote. It really is a great book to look at, which made me happy because I love pretty books sitting around –especially if they motivate me to clean! I wouldn’t expect anything less from Clean Mama, as she has always done everything with such a clean, simple beauty.

This book really is the end all in homemade cleaning products. It has 150 everyday organic cleaning products you can make yourself–all natural and chemical free! It is meant to be a resource, not read from cover to cover, but I found myself doing just that. I was amazed at all the different recipes from Lemon & Clove Hardwood Floor Cleaner to Peppermint Glass and Mirror Wipes.

I made the Citrus Carpet Freshener recipe, and oh MY it smelled so good in here after vacuuming. I put the recipe in the above shaker jar, marked it with cute washi tape, and now I look forward to vacuuming again. Only Clean Mama can make THAT happen. I am going to use the second jar with the pour-flap lid to make Lemon & Clove Nightly Sink scrub. The recipe is listed link below.

Photo: Clean Mama

I am going to make a cleaning caddy, just like the one in the picture above, which she writes about here. I cannot wait to gather my supplies and start making all these wonderful recipes to use while spring cleaning.

Here are a couple ideas and cleaning recipes Clean Mama has shared from the book:

Get this book. I can’t speak highly enough of it and I just know you all will love it as much as I do. It is only $10 and it is worth every penny, and will pay for itself in no time with all the money you will save by making your own natural cleaning products. You can order it through Amazon, or it is at Barnes and Noble nationwide.

Have you ever made your own cleaning products?

Interested in Essential Oils for those homemade cleaning products? I recommend doTERRA brand.

————

This post contains affiliate links.

RECIPES/ Sponsored/ Sweets

Arroz Con Dulce – A Sweet, Sticky, Coconut Rice Treat from Puerto Rico

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puerto Rico, The All-Star Island for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is getting warmer here in the Midwest, summer is coming, and I have been dreaming of a vacation somewhere with a beach…specifically I’ve been DREAMING OF PUERTO RICO!

I’ve been watching some amazing videos about Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Tourism recently partnered with popular Trip Advisor to transform real traveler 5-star reviews into stunning short films. These short films are narrated by Puerto Rican stars, and has helped me realize that Puerto Rico is filled with world-class attractions that will turn any trip into a 5-star vacation story! I want to go!

Just watch the above video to see the beautiful El Yunque National Forest. I sat and stared wide-eyed at that waterfall. This is the only rainforest under US national park service.

A few other reasons I’m dreaming of Puerto Rico & what I would do there:

~Flamenco Beach in Culebra, cited as one of the best beaches in the world.

~I want to glow like and angel in the water in the Bioluminescent bays.

~I’d visit San Juan and enjoy its old world charm.

~The foodie in me would love to explore some of Puerto Rico’s delicacies.

Speaking of Puerto Rican food, I thought it would be fun to experience some authentic Puerto Rican food. I’m hoping that giving my family a taste of what we would eat there will get us all dreaming. A bit manipulative, yes, but a great way to introduce my family to the place I want to go and get us all on the same page. {wink}

I explored the internet and found this recipe for Arroz Con Dulce from the Noshery. It is “basically translates to rice candy. It is a sticky, coconut sweet rice treat with cinnamon and raisins tossed in. It is delicious, sweet and sticky.” It is the perfect recipe to lure my family into falling in love with the flavors of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is also knows for their Rum. Of course I had to find a fun Puerto Rican rum drink recipe, and I found a Mojito drink that is light, refreshing and full of mint flavor. I’m gonna sip and dream of being at the beach in Puerto Rico.

Mojito Diego

2 ounces Puerto Rican rum

Mint leaves

Splash of simple syrup

2 small lime wedges.

club soda

Instructions:

Muddle mint, simple syrup and lime wedges in a tall pint glass. Add rum. Add ice. Fill glass with club soda. Shake once to mix.

__________

One last HUGE reason that I would choose to visit Puerto Rico over any other tropical place is that there is no need for Passports or foreign money! We would just hop on a plane and go. I think this reason alone would get my very practical and efficient husband on board…hopefully on board that plane!

_________

If this sounds good to you and you would like to Live your own 5-star vacation story in Puerto Rico make sure you check out seepuertorico.com and share with me via comments section why you would want to go there!

Don’t forget to Like SeePuertoRico.com on Facebook and Follow @PRTourismCo on Twitter

DIY/Crafts/ FUN/DIY/ HOME/ Organizing/ Sponsored

DIY Glittered Glass With Glittered Duck Brand® Tape

This post brought to you by Duck Brand. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m so excited to share this easy DIY Glittered Glass project with you! I’m all about organization, simple beauty, and being frugal, and this project envelopes all three of those things with the help of Duck Brand Craft Tapes .

I’m a girl who loves sparkle, but the mess of glitter projects make me cringe! Thanks to Duck Brand® Glitter tape, I now can have my sparkle without the mess. Duck Brand® Glitter Crafting Tapes give a cool glitter effect without flaking! There is no paper backing to mess with as it is self-adhesive just like all of the Duck Brand® crafting tapes. It comes in fun bright colors – Pink, Aqua, Silver, and Red.

I chose the silver and aqua for my crafting project to match the colors of my bedroom. The aqua is actually a soft blue. I needed extra storage for my beauty items that I wanted on hand and ready to grab. I am using my glittered glass containers to hold cotton swabs, fingernail files and my hand lotion, and one to add a touch of green plant beauty.

At the other end of my dresser, I used a glittered glass vase to hold a candle. The candlelight reflection makes the glitter tape come alive when lit, which is really beautiful!

Here is all you need to make your own Glittered Glass with Duck Brand Craft Tapes.

~Miscellaneous glass containers

~Duck Brand® Glitter Crafting Tape

~Scissors

~Crafting knife

~Craft Cutting Board

I used the round shape of the Duck Brand® Glitter Tape as a stencil for my half moon shapes. I love anything with a curve!

I simply stuck the tape to the cutting craft board and used the craft knife to cut squares, strips and triangles.

Then the fun part! I stuck the shapes onto the glass containers, some random, some layered. When you are working with sparkles you really just cannot go wrong! Use your imagination and get creative with your shapes! Get the kids involved and let them help you stick the tape on.

_______

If you love crafting tape as much as I do, make sure to check out the other types of tape from Duck Brand®. The have Fabric Crafting Tapes, Prism Crafting Tapes and Washi Crafting Tapes! They can be used for so many things, from labeling to scrapbooking to home accents–creativity is never stifled by the Duck!

For tons more crafting inspiration, make sure you follow Duck Brand® Tape on Twitter at @DuckTape.

RECIPES/ Sponsored/ Sweets

Salted Caramel Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Dribble & Drizzle Mix

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of REESE’S® Brand for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

College basketball is a pretty big deal around our house. It is a great excuse to hang out, get loud and eat sweets, like this amazing Salted Caramel Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Dribble & Drizzel Mix. How’s THAT for a name?

For most of our home games, my Todd is gifted with tickets to the game from his Dad. Todd has been going to home games most of his life. He now takes our oldest daughter, Teagan, who has also become quite the college basketball fan. For many of the games they meet up with Grandpa and uncles and cousins to eat out before the game, then go to the game as a family.

For away games that are shown on TV, I can always count on having our basement come alive with sports fans– my husband being the biggest one. He is one of the quietest, most introverted people you will ever meet, but when a college basketball game comes on, boy…he is LOUD! I am usually upstairs chuckling to myself whenever I hear him hooting’ and hollering. I love hearing my quiet man come alive.

I also love using our home for game viewing, as it gives me an excuse to get in the kitchen and make something sweet. Todd’s all-time favorite flavors are chocolate and peanut butter, so most of the desserts I make when I am stepping away from more healthful desserts, have that perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

My all time favorite flavors are salted caramel and chocolate, so this Salted Caramel Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Dribble & Drizzle hit the spot for both Todd and I. It is sinfully delicious. It will be my go-to snack mix, as it is a real crowd pleaser, easy to make, and makes a lot.

It was so very good that I am entering it in the REESE’S® Baking Bracket Challenge and I am asking YOU to vote for me! I was asked to compete with 32 other amazing Game Day Recipes. These recipes were put together with Mom’s in mind, to help create some chocolate peanut butter family fun on game day!

If you vote for me, your name will be entered in a daily $100 Walmart gift card drawing. Winner of the REESE’S® Baking Bracket Challenge receives $2,500! That my friends, would go a long way in helping us pay off a few medical bills, so please vote for me!!

On to this awesome recipe. All of the ingredients can be found at Walmart.

Salted Caramel Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Dribble & Drizzle Mix

8 cups chocolate Chex cereal

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

3 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup REESE’S® Peanut Butter Cups, MINI size

1/2 cup Reese’s Pieces Candy

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup caramel bits (found by the chocolate chips in the baking aisle–or chop up regular caramels)

1-3 tablespoons heavy cream

1/2 cup milk chocolate baking chips

1/2 cup white chocolate baking chips

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1. Into large microwavable bowl, measure cereal; set aside. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil.

2. In a 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and corn syrup uncovered on high 1-2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth. Stir in baking soda until dissolved. Pour caramel mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Microwave on High 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Spread on cookie sheet. Cool 10 minutes. Break into bite-sized pieces.

3. Make sure Chex mixture is cool to the touch (so candy doesn’t melt.) Evenly sprinkle mini peanut butter cup candy and miniature marshmallows over Chex mixture.

4. In a small microwavable bowl, microwave caramel baking bits and cream uncovered on high about 1 minute or until chips can be stirred smooth. Use a spoon or fork to drizzle over snack.

5. Microwave the milk chocolate baking chips next, starting with 20-seconds and stirring, then at 20 second intervals until the mixture is completely smooth (microwave temps vary, so watch the chocolate and stir frequently until it’s of drizzling consistency.) Drizzle over the snack mixture. Then microwave the white baking chips in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Add heavy cream if needed for drizzle consistency. Drizzle that over the snack mixture. Quickly sprinkle coarse salt over all while candy drizzles are still wet.

6. Refrigerate until set. Break apart and store in tightly covered container.

Enjoy!

————-

Again, don’t forget to vote for my recipe by visiting the REESE’S® Baking Bracket Challenge!

HEALTH/ Sponsored

7 Ways To Avoid Sickness & Help Your Immunity System

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fellowes for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We are smack in the middle of cold and flu season, and natural ways to help build my families immunity and avoid germs is certainly been on my mind!
Here are the 7 main ways we have been fighting colds, allergies, and flu viruses. So far so good this year!

1. Green Smoothies
Lately I have been adding yogurt to our go to our go-to green smoothie recipe. We use coconut milk yogurt. It helps build good gut flora. A healthy digestive system is critical to a healthy immune system. You must be able to absorb the vital nutrients that the body needs.

2. Vitamins
We love Shaklee around here. The kids chewables are great. My girls take a multi-vitamin and extra vitamin D specifically for immunity. I have been setting my phone alarm to remind me to remind them to take their vitamins! I love how it allows me to name the alarm, and give each specific alarm a specific tone. Consistency is key when taking supplements.

3. Immunity Building Soup
We enjoy lots of soup during cold and flu season. It is a warm and comforting way to get my kids to eat their vegetables!

Here are 2 of our family’s favorite soup recipes:
Cleansing Chicken Vegetable Soup
French Lentil Soup

4. Elderberry
I am new to Elderberry, but have been SO AMAZED by it. I used it during my battle with an infection after surgery, and amazed my doctor with my bodies ability to keep the infection at bay in just the skin area. Because infection did not go all througout my body (like expected) they were able to go ahead with reconstructive surgery and get rid of all infection which was contained in a very small area.
Elderberry syrup tastes amazing. We get it from our local health food store. Take a couple teaspoons a few times a day throughout the days when you feel worn down or a cold coming on. I’ve done this several times with my family and it seems to stop the dreaded cold in its tracks. A sore throat turns into nothing the next day. I know many people who use it coupled with Vitamin D on a daily basis througout the cold and flu season as an extra insurance to stay sickeness free.

5. Washing hands
I make sure I encourage my family to wash their hands. Key moments are when my girls get home from school, before their afternoon snack; after using the restroom (of course); after blowing ones nose; and before eating meals.

6. Wiping down surfaces
I usually just use vinegar and water as my main cleaning soloution. If there are lots of cold and flu viruses going around, or if any of my family members are sick, I make my own natural disinfectant.

7. Fellowes AeraMax technology air purifier
Fellowes AeraMax™ DX-55 is another thing that I am new to, but I am sold! I care much about the food my family eats, but have just recently been thinking about the air quality that they inhale. Indoor air is 5 times more more polluted than the air outside, and 90% of Americans spend more time indoors than outdoors. This is very true for my little ‘homebody’ family! We love our home time.
Airborne germs and viruses can spread further than you might think. Some flu viruses can spread up to 6 feet away, even without a cough or sneeze to propel it, where they can live up to 24 hours! Ew.
I tell this to my kids to motivate them to wash thier hands! It works. Maybe too well…I now have a little germaphobe!

———

According to the Fellowes 2014 Cold and Flu Report, half (46%) of Americans are somewhat or very concerned about getting sick during cold and flu season. They recommend a 4 step process to reduce the risk of getting sick:

1. Ask about a flu shot

2. Wash hands regularly

3. Wipe down home surfaces

4. Purify the air indoors

——-

A few reasons why I love the Fellowes AeraMax™ DX-55 air purifier:

~it is ultraquiet

~it automatically monitors the indoor quality of air and adjusts the fan accordingly

~no more stuffy noses and sore throats when waking up

~uses a true HEPA filter, which removes 99.9% of airborn particles, including germs, viruses, allergens, dust, mold, pollen, ragweed, pet dander, and cigarette smoke.

~the LED lights on the machine clearly let you know what the machine is up to…when it is purifiying and when it is done, or when the filter needs changed.

~it is portable. I can move it from on daughter’s room to another.

~it is sleek-looking. I do not find it obtrusive.

~it is easy to find. You can buy the Fellowes AeraMax technology at BestBuy.com. Prices start at $189.99.

~it not only works for cold and flu season, but helps my girls allergy and asthma during allergy season.

———–
What are your favorite ways to stay well during cold and flu season?
Have you ever considered an air purifier?

FUN/DIY/ HOME/ Homemaking/ Sponsored

Streaming Music From Your Showerhead

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kohler Co. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I thought there was nothing better than a great showerhead with a steady stream of hot water, until I found out about a shower head that streams both water and music!

Meet Moxie. Cute name, right?

It is the new, brilliant, music -streaming shower head from Kohler.

KOHLER Moxie is a shower head + wireless speaker that will give you a new way to sing in the shower. Sync a streaming source enabled with Bluetooth technology of your choice (my choice is my iphone, my daughter’s choice is her Kindle Fire) with the wireless speaker from up to 32 feet away.
Streaming your music playlist is just the beginning! You can stream audio books, podcasts, live news…whatever you are in the mood for.

The speaker offers up to 7 hours of battery life before needing to be recharged. It pops right out of the showerhead to recharge.

Here is the cool thing. Not only can you use it in the shower, but you can also use it as a wireless speaker. You can take it poolside, slip it in your car drink holder, or just take it out in your backyard as a way to provide music for all to enjoy.

My youngest girl takes it to the art desk with her to listen to an audio book as she creates. I take it into the laundry room with me to listen to my Daily Audio Bible app while folding laundry. I also use it while I take a bath, keeping it tucked into the shower head so I no longer have to worry about dropping my iphone into the tub!

I’ve used it to play romantic music in the bedroom; I’ve put zen music on while doing yoga –the possibilities are endless.

I must say, my favorite way to use it is in the shower. There is nothing like listening to Viva La Vida by Coldplay to wake up in the morning while showering. I plan on playing a few practical jokes with it, too. Since you can stream from up to 32 feet away, I will stand outside the bathroom door and sync Madesa’s ‘Good Morning’ song when a grumpy someone is needing a little morning pick-me-up. I’m sure it will make them jump out of their skin!

I am super impressed with the sound quality of the speaker, and Kohler certainly did not compromise quality in the sprayface feature. The spray is perfection. Installation is a breeze.

My middle daughter likes to take long showers, so I plan on using the shower head as a sort of timer for her, reminding her that 3-4 songs should be long enough. My youngest daughter takes the worlds fastest showers, so to make sure she stays in there long enought to smell good when she comes out, she has to stay in there for at least 3 songs.

The cute factor does not end with its cute Moxie name. The colors you can choose from are Chartreuse, Navy Blue, Cherry Red, Retro Blue and Original White. I prefer Original white to match my simple grey and white bathroom. My daughter went bananas over the Retro Blue.

Make sure you follow KOHLER on Facebook and on Twitter to see how others are using it, and learn little fun tidbits of information–like the fact that KOHLER Moxie was inside this year’s Grammy gift bags!

What do you think?
What color would you choose?
What would be your songs of choice for the shower?
Would you use the speak outside of the shower? How?

GF, Vegan & Raw/ RECIPES/ Sides/ Sponsored

Grape Jelly Meat-Less Balls + Heinz Happy

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Heinz Ketchup for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you have been reading this blog long enough, you know I like to say “Makes Me Happy!”

You know what Makes Me Happy? Heinz Ketchup.

Why? Because they offer organic ketchup with no high-fructose corn syrup!

I make a lot of things homemade to avoid unhealthy ingredients, but I draw the line at having to make my own ketchup, and thanks to Heinz, I don’t have to!

Heinz ketchup put together a Heinz Super Bowl spot for this year’s game that is sure to make YOU happy. I got to preview it and it made me chuckle. It made me very happy to have a commercial that the whole family can enjoy. You can Watch the Heinz Super Bowl spot below, then tell me if it made you happy.

Heinz is also running a photo promotion where you can share a photo of you and your family showing off your love for Heinz. It is called Show Us Your Heinz. When I first read about this, I was reading too fast and thought it said “show us your hiney.” That, too, made me chuckle. Leave it to Heinz to make me happy that people are not showing us their bums.

On to this awesome recipe.

The happiness theme continues. I was super happy to see a sauce made from just 3 ingredients. Ketchup (Heinz of course!) lemon juice, and grape jelly.

You can make this simple sauce and toss your favorite meatballs in it. To make it even more simple for those Super Bowl Games & parties, you can buy frozen meatballs and just whip up the sauce. Throw it all in a slow cooker and keep a jar of toothpicks nearby for guests to serve themselves.

I used the sauce with this great Lentil Meat-less Balls recipe. They were delicious. We didn’t miss the meat one bit! A great little snack with a nice punch of plant protein–now THAT makes me happy!

Lentil Meat-Less Balls
2 Cups Cooked Lentils
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 Cup Ricotta (I used pureed cashews, add water until ricotta-like consistency)
1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (I used nutritional yeast)
1 Large Garlic Clove, minced
1/2 tsp. Fennel Seed, crushed
2 Tbsp. Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley
Hefty pinch of Dried or Fresh Thyme
1 tsp. Each Sea Salt and Pepper
2/3 Cup Breadcrumbs (fresh or panko, preferably)

Sauce:
1 cup Heinz Organic ketchup
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup grape jelly ( look for jelly with no high-fructose corn syrup in it!)

Meat-less Balls:
In a food processor or high speed blender, pulverize the lentils into mush.

Add the rest of the ingredients except the breadcrumbs. Mix well.
Add the breadcrumbs. Mix and let sit for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Check the lentil mix by rolling a 1″ round ball between your palms, it should hold together fairly well. If it seems pretty wet and is falling apart, stir in another Tbsp. or two of breadcrumbs until the ball will stay together. (I had to add quite a bit more breadcrumbs)

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease well. Roll the mix into balls and line them up on a baking sheet (they don’t need lots of space between, they won’t spread). If you like a bit more of a crust, brush them with oil.

Bake on the middle rack for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden brown, gently turning the balls over halfway through baking. Remove to cool slightly.

Sauce:
Melt sauce ingredients in a pan, stirring constantly. Pour over meatballs. Can keep it all warm in a slow cooker with toothpicks nearby for serving at parties!

Older Posts

Newer Posts