Destination Dinners! Review and Giveaway (Closed)
My Destination Dinner is for sure in my top 5 of unique reviews and items I would purchase again. We had a blast and we didn’t even drink any of the recommended Red Stripe!
Let me explain just what Destination Dinners is, and what they do:
The Greenest Way to travel the world!
Recipe Kits by Destination Dinners combine food, travel and beautiful design into an incredibly memorable gift. Seasoned chef or first time cook, our kits make cooking authentic international dishes fun and easy.
Each kit beautifully displays the pre-measured hard to find spices, sauces and dried items as well as step-by-step instructions, a shopping list for fresh ingredients and fun facts and trivia about the destination you are “traveling” to.
Craig and I reviewed a Recipe Kit, but they also have complete Dinner Kits that would be fantastic for a double date night, or to share with your kids. Although I do think these should be used for romancing! I do think kids would have a great time with the trivia, music and authentic vibe that comes in each dinner kit.
The Dinner Kits include specialty items like decorative bowls, forks, plates and then they get even fancier and more fun.
Each kit come with everything you need for your dinner except the fresh veggies, meats and any adult beverages that you may want. Spices, oils, tea, noodles, random dry ingredients for each destination and even woodchips are included. Plus a nice “fresh” shopping list of everything you will need. That is awesome! No more copying from the box! Everything is perfectly portioned, and all fantastic quality.
Another incredible feat that Destination Dinners has created is making most of their Dinner Kits- eco-friendly! Pressed Balsa Wood, Bamboo and other small factors that all make a big impact on our planet!
Destination Dinners also carries Gift kits. These would make great hostess gifts, wedding gifts etc. Each comes with a Recipe Kit, plus a unique gift, such as a bamboo cutting board, Thai Rice Bowl, etc. Everything is classy, put together, easy to follow and downright a novel idea!
Craig and I used our kit the day after Thanksgiving. We finished our leftovers for lunch. (boo hoo) and prepared the BOSTON BEACH, JAMAICA which included Jerk Chicken & Shrimp BBQ a Slow Grilled Caribbean Dish.
We actually grill out a lot so this was perfect. And it included woodchips for just the right smoky flavor punch. Now Craig isn’t a big veggie fan, so no veggies were grilled. (or bought, lol) so I ahem, made a can of corn on the side for me.
This is what ours looked like, minus the corn.
Before
After
I know, not the prettiest presentation, but it was scarfed. yes scarfed.
This is what the kit looks like.
Delicious I tell you. Although after looking at the picture, I have a hankering for Sweet Potatoes. That is usually the dish I make for Thanksgiving, but this year there were only 3 of us (compared to the normal 40-60) and I was the only one that would have ate them. =)
Destination Dinners wants to brighten and enlighten one Prissy Green reader with a Eco-Friendly Dinner Gift Set of their choice.
To enter, visit Destination Dinners and comment on which location that you would most like to taste-bud travel to! Find a list of locations here.
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disclosure: I did receive items for review, but was under no obligation to report with a review. opinions are still 100% my own.
Baby Bath Oil- Make it Monday
November 9, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Recipes: Home, Skin, Food
Babies, especially newborns are susceptible to cradle cap and extremely dry skin. I know a lot of mom’s want to bath their new babies every day, but that isn’t a good idea.
When you do bath your baby try this recipe for kicking the cycle of dry skin. And you can use it yourself, because what mom doesn’t need a little bit of moisture love?
Calendula is a gentle and natural healer
Ingredients:
- ½ cup avocado oil
- ½ cup virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dry calendula flowers (if impossible to find you can use Calendula Oil, 2 tsps)
- 2 drops chamomile essential oil
Instructions:
Boil the calendula flowers in 2 cups of purified water for 1o minutes. Let it cool. Use a cheesecloth to separate the flowers from the water. (OR boil in a reusable loose leaf tea container.)
Combine all the ingredients in a a glass jar and use about 2 tablespoons per bath. If you can’t find Calendula flowers, they do sell Calendula oil. Just see what the ratio is, most manufactures add Calendula oil to a carrier oil. Use about 2 teaspoons of Pure Calendula Oil.
And don’t forget to add about 1 1/2 cups of warm filtered water if you use the calendula oil.
This would also make a great hair & scalp conditioner, cuticle treatment and whatever else might be drying up at this time of year!
See some of my other recipes in the Home, Skin and Food Recipe Category!
Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s Giveaway
Love Trader Joe’s? This new independent cookbook, Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s
Many of the recipes are vegetarian or can easily be made vegetarian. Ethnic dishes like Saag Paneer Lasagna are scattered throughout, as well as classic comfort foods like Comfy Chicken Pot Pie. Crowd-pleasing recipes include Peanutty Sesame Noodles, Black Bean Soup, Macho Nacho, Seafood Paella, Curried Chicken Pitas, Wilted Spinach with Attitude, Honey I Ate the Chocolate Bread Pudding, and All Mixed Up Margaritas.
People who don’t know how to cook or don’t want to cook will appreciate the Bachelor Quickies section, featuring frozen and ready-to-heat selections that are matched to create complete and impressive menus.
With full-color photographs for every recipe, wine suggestions, humorous personal stories, and cooking tips sprinkled throughout, this collection is a must for any Trader Joe’s fan.
Just check out these healthy made over recipes! Chicken nuggets, pizza and more! All made healthy, and kid friendly!
I have a copy of Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s
To enter, view the Cooking with Trader Joe’s blog, and tell me one of the recipes you would like to try.
Extra Entries:
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Contest Ends Friday 10/23 at 11:59 pm. Winner will be picked by random.org and verified per rules. US only please.
Make it Monday! Bath Cookies
September 28, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Recipes: Home, Skin, Food
Since I am in the nitty gritty part of my SoCal Cleanse, I am craving sweets! Then we have my Dad and Step-mom over for dinner Sunday, and what does she do? Torture me by bringing a HUGE plateful of Snickerdoodle cookies.
Of course she has no idea I am detoxing, and is trying to be nice, they are a favorite of mine! So since I can’t eat them, I decided to do the next best thing, and make some cookies I can use! Moisturizing Bath Cookies! These are a great way to add fun to the bath, but with out the hassle of Bath Bombs!
Ingredients
Moisturizing Bath Cookies
2 cups fine sea salt
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
5 tablespoons ground flax seeds (or 2 eggs)
6 tablespoons water (only if using Flax! don’t use if using egg)
2 tablespoons oil (almond, carrot, jojoba, olive, coconut, argan, etc)
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (about two capsules)
5 drops essential oil
If you are making these for others, you definitely want to add some pizazz! Try breaking candy canes/starlight mints in super small pieces and using peppermint essential oil, Or use dried lavender flowers, or chamomile. You can even break open a tea bag, but loose teas would work better.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pretend like you are making real cookies! Get out your mixing bowl and mix the ground flax seeds with water and stir until flax starts absorbing some of the water. Add in all other wet ingredients.
Mix all the other dry ingredients in s separate bowl, then fold in. Last fold in any fun pizazz ingredients! Shape dough into teaspoon size balls and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for eight to ten minutes or until golden.
Makes about 24 cookies, and don’t eat this dough. I doubt it would taste like you want it too. =)
To use, place two cookies in a nice warm bath and relax!
Don’t forget to check out my girl Kasey’s Blog on Monday’s for her Make it Monday posts! Always a treat!
Get an Extra Entry into any ONE contest EVERY DAY for voting! Vote once per day! Just leave a comment, on the contest you want the extra entry for, and leave your vote #!!
Bath Detox Recipe and Cellulite Treatment Recipes
September 23, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Recipes: Home, Skin, Food
Detox while you lounge in the tub a dub dub! I don’t have to tell you how much I enjoy my soaks!
I do want to mention that some of the products out on the market are worth purchasing for this as well. I love my Buddha Nose Detox Bath Salts, and my new SoCal Cleanse Bath Soak and I soon to be reviewed Eucalyptus Bath by 100% Pure. They have many additional ingredients such as herbs, kelp or other algae to help aid in the detox process. I am not just telling you this because I work with them, I really do love them. I used my 100% Bath Treatment, in less then 2 weeks!!! That is why I needed to find a more eco-friendly solution, and a more wallet friendly solution too!!
***If you have the time, and resources, dry brushing your skin before these treatments, and before any shower, will really help to get your lymph system moving!***
Detox Bath Ingredients
- 1 Cup Epsom Salt
- 1 Cup Baking Soda (helps rid the chlorine)
- 1 Cup Natural Sea Salt (get the stuff that says “air dried by the sun”)
- 1/4 cup grated FRESH ginger. I place this in a tea infuser so I don’t clog the drain!
The Essential oils in this, are optional, as is the Grated Ginger. Use one or the other, don’t use the EO’s and the Ginger together!
Take the bath as warm as you can stand it. Add the salt mixture and the ginger and glide it around before you sink down. This water is good for your whole body, face, hair etc. Now soak for at least 30-45 minutes. The ginger will help you sweat, and release toxins, and as the water cools down, you will start absorbing some of the yummy goodness in 
the bath. If you prefer to use the Essential Oils below, the same rules apply for length of bath.
If you have a massage tool, like the one to the right, or something similar, you can also use that massage any areas of concern while you are soaking.
Cellulite Treatment Essential Oil Bath Blend
- 6 Drops of Black Pepper Seed oil
- 6 drops of juniper oil
- 5 drops of Geranium oil
- 5 drops of Fennel
- 10 drops of grapefruit oil
- 8 drops of lemon oil
- roughly 15 Drops of a carrier oil. I suggest Avocado oil, or Carrot Oil.
Mix this really well, and add about 1 teaspoon per bath.
Use this instead of ginger! Don’t use both. all other directions from above are correct.
Cellulite Intense Massage Oil
- 5 drops Fennel
- 10 drops Grapefruit
- 5 drops Juniper
- 1/4 cup carrier oil MIX WELL.
Use this on all problem areas every morning and every night. The longer the better, and the more aggressive the better, no that doesn’t mean bruising will help! I simply mean, don’t use a light hand!
Of course drinking lots of water during this whole process is key! You can do this baths as often as you like, but not more then once a day. You aren’t going to see results immedietly but with time you will! The Dry Skin Brushing is so good for you too!
The better your diet, full of veggies and fruits and natural fibers, and no processed foods, the faster results will come as well!
Use the bathing time wisely, deep condition your hair, smooth out your heels, put on a facial mask, or even a back mask! (i do at least one of the above and read, but I know some of you have kids! maybe you can read to them from the bath? lol)
Good luck!!
Delicae Gourmet Review and Giveaway
Normally I am the queen of the CrockPot. I love being able to throw something in and forget about it. Especially in the winter months. Too cold to hit the grocery a couple (or a few) times a week, easier to stock up and deal with what you have!
Delicae Gourmet makes life a whole lot easier in these moments, and makes my CrockPot output some extremely tantalizing treats!
Take their Big Easy Jambalaya I recently tasted tested out. All you have to add is chicken, broth, sausage and tomatoes! Seriously! And if you are like me and pretty easy on the meat, you don’t have to add Chicken or Sausage, you can add some Shrimp or some white fish a few minutes before the meal is done! The Ingredients are: Rice, Dehydrated Vegetables ( Carrots, Corn, Peas, Onions, Celery, Zucchini Squash), Minced Garlic, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Thyme, Parsley and Black Pepper
We tried this out a few weeks ago, had plenty of leftovers and they heated up like a dream. It had just enough heat, and spice, with out being too much. I love spicy food, but sometimes if the whole meal is too spicy it can really ruin it for me. We had a nice big salad with it, but if you aren’t counting calories or carbs, a nice crusty loaf of bread would be excellent! The chicken was so moist and flavored beautifully.
We also test drove the Country French Pork and White Bean. Craig is a true swine lover. He loves all things pork, and I knew this would really please him, and I knew I would be able to eat more beans then pork and still walk away a happy lady. And I was right on the money! All I had to add was some broth, pork and tomatoes. Ingredients: Great Northern Beans, Dehydrated Vegetables (Carrots, Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Onions, Celery, Peas), Minced Garlic, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley and Black Pepper.
This meal had great flavor and depth, and I was almost worried after it cooked all day, that they flavors would run too much together, but like I said, it still have great depth. I know I had at least 2 servings, and I rarely, if ever, go back for seconds!
The next one on our list to try is the French Bistro Short Ribs and since Craig doesn’t like corn, i am going to make Santa Fe Chicken with Black Beans the next time we have a get together. The Corn is one of the ingredients i add, but I think if it calls for it, I better add it! Plus I love Corn in Spanish dishes!
Delicae Gourmet has all sorts of other items besides helpful slow cooker meals. Jams and Jellies, Coffee Jellies, wine Jellies, Bruschetta toppings and even salad dressings and rubs for all sorts of meats and fish. And so much more! (hello Vanilla Chai Tea Jelly!)
Delicae Gourmet is offering a $25 gift Certificate to one Prissy Green Reader. All you have to do to enter, is head over to Delicae Gourmet and pick out one item (not reviewed here) that you would like to try and tell me when you would try it!
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Make It or Break it Wednesday, Milky Cleanser Recipe!
September 9, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Recipes: Home, Skin, Food
This is a great mild cleanser for any skin type but especially for sensitive, mature and dry.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup purified water (filtered tap is fine)
2 tablespoons of baking soda
1 egg white
1/4 cup of goat’s milk (whole mild or almond milk will work as well)
whisk all ingredients together until blended well. Store in a clean airtight container, this will keep for up to 3 weeks. use with hands or a washcloth.
The baking soda with refresh by scrubbing away dead skin cells, while the milk and egg replenish and nourish skin, giving it a glow.
This is part of All Things Mama And Prissy Green’s Make It Monday!
I know, it isn’t Monday, but I had to share this wonderful recipe and I just couldn’t wait! I had an aunt ask for a Milky Cleanser recipe months ago, and this is what I came up. I saw her a few weeks ago, and she told me she loves it and that she has been sharing it with friends and teachers she works with! So then she told me that if I had not shared it with you yet, that I simply must!
Avocado, Recipes, and Their Roll in Dieting
August 18, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Recipes: Home, Skin, Food
In the later years of life, avocados promote successful aging by providing nutrients that have been linked to disease prevention, including folate, beta-sitosterol, lutein and monounsaturated fat. Avocados also can help maintain a healthy weight as a delicious, satisfying alternative to unhealthy sandwich spreads and salad dressings laden with harmful cholesterol and saturated fat.
- Folate-Lowers homocysteine levels in the blood stream, which may prevent heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease; reduces the risk of birth defects like spina bifida and promotes healthy cell and tissue development.
- Vitamin E-Helps slow the aging process and protects against heart disease and various forms of cancer.
- Monounsaturated Fat-Helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and boost HDL (good) cholesterol. Avocados are one of the only fruits that provide babies with the “good” fat. Monounsaturated fat is essential for cognitive and visual development.
- Beta-Sitosterol-Helps inhibit the absorption of cholesterol and promotes lower cholesterol levels.
- Lutein-Protects against prostate cancer and eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Glutathione-Functions as an antioxidant like vitamin E to neutralize free radicals that can cause cell damage and lead to disease.
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RECIPE!
Avocado Sweet Spread
- 1/5 ripe Avocado (1 oz.)
- 21/2teaspoons orange marmalade
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 slice whole wheat toast
In medium bowl, mash avocado with a fork. Stir in marmalade, then ginger to taste. Spread on toast and serve. Makes 1 serving.
Nutritional information per serving: calories: 182, total fat: 5.9g, saturated fat: 0.7g, % calories from fat: 29%, protein: 5g, carbohydrates: 28g, cholesterol: 0mg, dietary fiber: 3g, sodium: 173mg
Avocado Sweet Spread is a delicious substitute for butter on your toast in the morning. Spread on whole grain toast or English muffins or serve as an afternoon snack on crackers. It also makes a great dip for strips of red bell pepper, jicama or celery sticks.
To ripen an avocado, simply place in a paper bag with a banana or apple at room temperature until ready to eat, about 2-5 days.
I could easily eat my weight in Guacamole. I am a Guacaholic. I used to make it pretty plain, but I have since started adding a few more ingredients, and I am even more in love.
Karissa’s Guacamole
Ingredients:
- 3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Directions:
In a large bowl place the scooped avocado pulp and lime juice, toss to coat. Drain, and reserve the lime juice, after all of the avocados have been coated. Using a potato masher add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash. Then, fold in the onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime juice. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve.
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Avocados got a bad rap back in the 80’s for being bad for you, and for dieting because they are packed with fat. The real story, is that avocados contain a valuable good fat, monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fats can have a beneficial effect on your health… when eaten in moderation and when used to replace saturated fats or trans fats. Monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells. Monounsaturated fats are also typically high in vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin most Americans need more of.
Substitute plain mashed avocado on your sandwiches, in wraps, heck even put one on your baked potato that you just have to have! The possibilities are endless. Because they contains enough protein they can be a meat substitute as well. Plus they have FIBER! Craig loves BLT’s. Well actually I do too, but I have been trying to cut my meat intake to zelch, and so when he makes his, I simply have a ALTC, which stands for Avocado, Lettuce, Tomato and Cucumber sandwich, it is amazing and fresh.
So why is it effective in weight loss?
- Its monounsaturated fat speeds up the basal metabolic rate, as compared with saturated fat.
- Its high fat content gives a quicker feeling of satiation (”fullness”), thus helping to reduce overeating.
- Its high fat content makes an overall sound diet more palatable, reducing the temptation to binge on foods high in sugars or saturated fats.
- Its rich supply of vitamins and minerals also makes the diet more wholesome and satisfying and thus more conducive to overall health and to moderation in consumption.
Find more recipes on Avocado.org
And if you get one that is too ripe to eat? Rub that baby all up that mane! and on elbows, face etc. It has incredible healing and moisturizing properties.
Weight Loss Calculators and 2 Great Bean Recipes
August 17, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Recipes: Home, Skin, Food
I have a great website to share with you during Green Fitness Week here at Prissy Green! Nubella.com They have a great recipe section, as well as overall nutrition information!
You can see how many calories, how much fat, and fiber is in each dish, which truly is key when trying to lose weight and shape up! Making sure you are eating enough calories is just as important as cutting calories. If you diet to hard and don’t get enough calories while working out, you will not be doing your body any favors!
To find out how many calories you need to eat in a day, compared to your size weight and activity level try this awesome weight loss calculator!
A few more weight loss calculators you might be interested in: Fatty Weight Loss
So for a couple great recipes with no meat and lots of protein and fiber!
Bean Salad Pockets
Bean Salad Pita
Ingredients:
* 1 Lbs. canned black beans, rinsed and drained
* 2 Tbs. chopped pimento
* 2 Tbs. parsley
* 4 tsp. olive oil
* 2 Tbs. lemon juice
* 4-1/2 tsp. water
* 1/4 tsp. dry mustard
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 tsp. salt (optional), or to taste
* 4 whole wheat pita, warm and cut in half
Directions:
Combine beans, pimento and parsley in a salad bowl. Combine remaining ingredients, except pitas, in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add pepper to taste. Shake vigorously. Pour dressing over beans. Set aside 30 minutes. Divide equally and stuff into pita breads. Makes 4 servings.
Feel free to add more veggies, or even sprouts to this meal!
Per Serving: calories 319, fat 6.9g, calories from fat 19%, protein 13.4g, cholesterol 0.0mg, dietary fiber 12.8g
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Roasted Eggplant and White Bean Salad
Servings: 4
Roasted Eggplant and White Bean Salad
Preparation Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 45 min.
Ingredients:
* 1 Tbs. olive oil
* 3/4 Lbs. eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-0/1 inch cubes
* 1 largered bell pepper\cooked, seeded and cut into 1-0/1 inch squares
* 1 onion\cooked, cut into 1-0/1 inch cubes
* 2 clove garlic, halved
* 1-1/2 cups Italian style peeled tomatoes, drained and cut into 1-0/1 inch pieces
* 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
* 1 tsp. oregano, crushed
* 1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
* 1/8 tsp. pepper
* 1 Lbs. canned white kidney beans, drained
* 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
* 4 Romaine lettuce leaf
Cooking Directions:
Preheat oven to 450° F. Pour oil into a large jelly roll pan. Add next 4 ingredients. Toss to coat with oil. Roast vegetables 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until tender. Add tomato, parsley, oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and bake another 10 minutes. Remove from oven, set aside to cool slightly. Stir in beans and vinegar. Serve mixture on lettuce leaves.
Per Serving: calories 194, fat 7.0g, calories from fat 33%, protein 8.8g, cholesterol 0.0mg, dietary fiber 8.4g
