HealthMaster Elite Blender Review...

Montel Williams and the HealthMaster Elite

Give the gift that combines 20 kitchen appliances

"Barbecue season is coming into full swing and Americans are turning to burgers, brats and beer. With 35% of Americans classified as obese by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s time to think about healthy, nutritious alternatives to the usual menu.

Emmy-winning talk show host and wellness advocate Montel Williams is passionate about diet, exercise and overall health and he wants to share his suggestions for healthy summer fare, all made using the breakthrough product that he uses every day to manage his weight: the HealthMaster Elite.

This revolutionary product helps Montel emulsify fruits and vegetables, which amount to 70% of his everyday diet."

Here are just a few recipes you can whip up with Montel's HealthMaster Elite:

Low-Fat Spinach Artichoke Dip

35 calories and 1 gram of fat per serving

1 can artichoke hearts, drained

1 cup nonfat sour cream or yogurt (try Greek yogurt for extra nutrition)

1 cup nonfat mayonnaise

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1 package dry vegetable soup mix

Add all ingredients, except spinach, into the HealthMaster pitcher and run until blended. Add spinach and pulse til spinach is chopped. Serve with fresh raw vegetables or baked tortilla chips.

Traditional Iceberg Wedge with Low-Fat Bleu Cheese Dressing

Dressing: 45 calories and 3 grams of fat per serving

1 cup low-fat yogurt

½ cup low-fat cottage cheese

2 cups bleu cheese, crumbled

½ cup fat free mayonnaise

¼ cup nonfat sour cream

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Add all ingredients to HealthMaster pitcher and pulse until creamy. Serve over iceberg lettuce; add tomatoes or red onion for extra flavor.

Pepper Feta Burgers

2Lb. cubed beef chuck meat

1/3 bell pepper

2 scallions

½ cup 1 Tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Place the cubed beef into the HealthMaster and pulse until ground. Remove the meat and place into a bowl. Place the scallions and pepper into the HealthMaster and pulse until chopped. Add all the ingredients to the bowl mix and form desired size patties. Grill until desired doneness, serve with whole wheat buns and fresh vegetable garnish.

Montel’s Healthy Summer Smoothie

3 cups chopped watermelon

2 cups chopped pineapple

1 peeled banana

A handful of spinach

1 cup coconut water

1 tbsp SafSlim (if you’re on a diet, it helps reduce belly fat and curb appetite)Add all ingredients to HealthMaster and blend until smooth.

What we thought:  Wowza!  There is some serious power behind this blender!  It can emulsify just about anything in a matter of minutes!  This is really great when you want to keep the nutrients found in the peels of most fruits in vegetables, but you want a completely smooth end result.  We have made many different smoothies and slushies with our HealthMaster Elite and I love that you can control the consistency so easily.  It works great with frozen fruit and ice:)  And clean up is a breeze!  The accompanying cookbook is fantastic and full of tons over yummy recipes.  We can't wait to try some of the soups this fall!  What a great way to easily "healthify" your snacks and meals:)  ABCD Diaries gives the HealthMaster Elite an A+!

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a sample for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Snipe Hunt Review...

Education Outdoors Transforms the Lore of the Snipe into a New Game

Locate and capture your opponent’s mythical creature first to win the Snipe Hunt

"If your family enjoys spending time in the outdoors camping or if your children are in the scouts, chances are you have heard of the elusive creature of the forest, the Snipe. Traditionally nothing more than a campfire prank, Education Outdoors has transformed the story of the Snipe into a new family board game called Snip Hunt.

A tradition passed down through the generations, the Snipe Hunt originated as a tall tale told by parents and teens to younger children. Inexperienced campers are told about a bird or animal called the Snipe and the usually preposterous method of catching it, such as running around the woods carrying a bag or making strange noises such as banging rocks together. As children set off in search of the Snipe, their elders take in the antics and try to contain their laughter.

A twist on this fruitless quest, Snipe Hunt is an indoor or outdoor game of hide-and-seek where players try to be the first to find their opponent’s Snipe and return it to its nest. To play, the teams choose an area that will be the Snipe nest and two areas to hide their Snipes.

Each team turns their Snipe on and disappears to find the best hiding place for them. In five minutes the Snipes will begin chirping and their eyes will start flashing red so teams must hurry to get back to the nest before they giveaway the direction their Snipe is hiding. Once both Snipes are hidden, the hunt begins! The first team to return their opponents Snipe to the nest is the winner.

Each game comes with two snipes, (named Biela and Smartin) and a Snipe nest. The packaging tells the story behind the legendary campfire animals. For more information on the game, including rules, visit www.educationoutdoors.net. Snipe Hunt retails for $24.99 and can be purchased at Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, Books a Million stores and specialty retailers nationwide."

What we thought:  The kiddos have had hours of fun with this game!  We all take turns hiding the Snipe toys and see who can find them the fastest.  We have come up with some pretty great hiding spots:)  This game is great because it can be played both indoors and outdoors so it can be played year-round.  I especially love it because the kiddos have yet to lose interest in it which makes it a great investment!  ABCD Diaries gives Snipe Hunt an A+! 

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a sample for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

OcuFresh Review and Giveaway...

We recently reviewed several products from Optics Lab.  We especially loved the OcuFresh drops!  They are great to carry in the beach bag for when the kiddos get sand in their eyes or too much salt water dries them out and makes them red.  These are definitely a must-have for our family this summer!  Easy to use and convenient, not to mention they work really well:)  ABCD Diaries gives OcuFresh an A+!

"Win a tote bag filled with soothing, refreshing eyecare products (a $50 value) from Optics Lab the maker of OcuFresh (www.ocufresh.com).  OcuFresh is the safe choice for cleansing your eyes!  It is great for easing seasonal allergies, calming chlorine-irritated eyes and fixing beauty blunders. OcuFresh from Optics Lab is a Summer must have - the perfect pick me up for your eyes after a day of sun, sand and surf!  And all four products from Optics Lab come in a travel-ready boater-style bag - easy to re-use for Summer road trips.  Like us on Facebook to enter to win the OcuFresh tote and products from Optics Lab."

Snyder of Berlin Snacks Review and Giveaway...

"Leading snack company, Snyder of Berlin, is celebrating its 65^th anniversary with special packaging and a photo contest!

From now until December 31, 2012 photos submitted for the Snyder Snack-Shots contest should show how Snyder of Berlin snacks are enjoyed this spring, summer, and fall.  The photo can be solo, with friends or family, at any event or occasion, or just at home enjoying lunch or a snack.

Great prizes will be awarded to many:

-One grand prize winner will win $1,000 in cash, new camera, and a year’s supply if Snyder’s snacks.

-Three runners’ up will receive $500 in cash, and a year’s supply if Snyder’s snacks.

-Each month there will be monthly winners who will win a Snyder of Berlin Party Pack of Snacks and also have a chance to be a grand prize, or runner-up.

For more information log onto www.snyderofberlin.com and click on the“Snyder Snack Shots” image to enter."

What we thought:  These snacks are perfect for summer barbecues and picnics!  We sampled the kettle chips and cheese curls.  They were delicious!  The whole family enjoyed Snyder of Berlin Snacks:)  The Snyder Snack-Shots contest sounds like a lot of fun and the prizes are awesome so don't forget to enter!  ABCD Diaries gives Snyder of Berlin snacks an A+!

Celebrate National Hot Dog Month with French's Recipes!

July Is National Hot Dog Month –

Celebrate America’s Birthday with Hot Dogs and America’s #1 Mustard!

Did you know that hot dogs and mustard were both introduced in 1904 at the St. Louis Worlds Fair? Ever since that time, hot dogs along with Mustard have been an integral part of America’s family summer celebrations – from ballgames and backyard barbecues to picnics and state fairs. In 1915, French’s® Mustard made baseball a permanent part of its heritage by incorporating its name into the iconic red pennant we know today. So as you gather family and friends to mark America’s birthday, remember that July is National Hot Dog Month and celebrate with hot dogs and French’s®, America’s #1 selling mustard (Source: IRI share data).

On July 4th, why not revisit French’s® storied history as hot dog’s favorite topping and join in celebrating the people we love, the moments we treasure and the food we savor. In honor of America’s birthday and National Hot Dog Month, you can also try these recipes below that offer a twist on the traditional hot dog or visit www.frenchs.com for additional recipes. In the meantime, see how much you and your friends really know about the classic summer refreshment and check out these facts & figures:

Fun Facts about Hot Dogs and Mustard*:

·       2.3 billion hot dogs are consumed during National Hot Dog Month which occurs in July

·       During hot dog season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 7 billion hot dogs are consumed which translates to 818 hot dogs every second during that time period

·       Mustard is the number one hot-dog topping in America

·       On July 4th, Americans will enjoy 155 million hot dogs—enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. over five times

·       Every year, Americans eat an average of 60 hot dogs each

·       Classic Yellow mustard is 100% natural with zero calories, making it one of the healthiest condiment

Important Dates:

            1839- Baseball invented by Abner Doubleday

1903 – The inaugural World Series between the National League (formed in 1876) and American League (formed in 1900) champs.

1904- French’s® Cream Salad (yellow) Mustard introduced at the St. Louis World’s Fair.

1915- French’s® Pennant became the brand’s official logo.

1926- Reckitt and Coleman purchased RT French Company.

2000- Reckitt and Coleman changed its name to Reckitt Benckiser, the current parent company of French’s® Mustard.

2004- French’s® Celebrates 100^th Anniversary of Classic Yellow Mustard

2010- Today French’s® Mustard offers Spicy Brown, Honey, Honey Dijon, and Horseradish flavors in addition to its Classic Yellow Mustard and new Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.

* Courtesy of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council

HOT DOG BURRITOS

A quick, easy meal for back-to-school days. To serve for lunch, spoon bean mixture into Thermos®-style containers.  Great for serving at picnics, too!

Prep Time: 5 min.   Cook Time: 5 min.

1 (16 oz.) can    baked beans

8                      frankfurters, sliced 

1/3 cup                         ketchup 

2 tbsp.              FRENCH’S® Classic Yellow® Mustard

2 tbsp.              brown sugar 

8 (8 inch)           flour tortillas, heated 

1.   COMBINE beans, sliced frankfurters, ketchup, mustard and sugar in medium saucepan. Simmer about 5 min. to heat through.

2.   SPOON mixture into tortillas, dividing evenly. Roll up jelly-roll style.  

Makes 8 servings 

Tip: Try topping dogs with FRENCH’S® French Fried Onions before rolling up! 

KIELBASA  & KRAUT HEROES

For barbecues, place this mixture into a heavy foil pan. Cover and heat on grill 15 minutes. Spoon on heroes just before serving. 

Prep Time: 20 minutes   Cook Time: 20 minute

1 tbsp                           vegetable oil 

2                                  large, red onions, cut in half lengthwise and  thinly sliced 

2lbs                              kielbasa, thickly sliced 

2 lbs                             sauerkraut, rinsed and well drained  

1 can (12 ounces)          beer or non-alcoholic malt beverage 

1/2 cup                         FRENCH’S® Spicy Brown Mustard or FRENCH’S® Horseradish Mustard 

1 tbsp.                          caraway seeds 

8                                  hot dog or hero-style buns 

1.   Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add onions; cook 5 minutes or just until tender, stirring often.  Remove from skillet. 

2.   Add kielbasa to skillet; cook and stir 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Drain off fat. Stir in onions, sauerkraut, beer, mustard and caraway seeds.  Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Serve in buns. 

Makes 8 servings 

GERMAN POTATO SALAD WITH GRILLED SAUSAGE

Grill sausage at your next barbecue and add to potato salad just before serving.  Ideal for tailgating parties.

Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 15  min.

2/3 cup                                     prepared vinaigrette salad dressing 

1/3 cup                         FRENCH’S® Spicy Brown Mustard or FRENCH’S® Horseradish Mustard 

1 tbsp.                          sugar 

1 ½  lbs.                       red or boiling-type potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes 

1 cup                            chopped green bell pepper 

1 cup                            chopped celery 

½  cup                          chopped onion 

½  lb.                            kielbasa or smoked sausage, split lengthwise 

1.   MIX salad dressing, mustard and sugar in large bowl; set aside. 

2.   COOK potatoes in boiling salted water to cover for 10 to 15 min. until potatoes are tender. Drain and transfer to bowl. Add bell pepper, celery and onion; set aside.

3.   Grill sausage over medium-high heat until lightly browned and heated through. Cut into small cubes. Add to bowl with potatoes. Toss well to coat evenly. Serve warm. 

Makes 6 to 8 servings 

FRENCH’S® Foods, a division of Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of FRENCH’S®  mustards, is a leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of food and household products. Some other well known, trusted household names in the Reckitt Benckiser Inc. family of food products include FRANK’S^® REDHOT^® Cayenne Pepper Sauce,FRENCH’S® French Fried Onions and FRENCH’S® Worcestershire sauce.

Disclosure:  We were in no way compensated for this post.

Bonkazonks Face Case Review...

"Bonkazonks is the newest way for heroes and villains to battle your way in this collectable, free-form, stunt-battling game! Players can flick, spin, or stack their mini Bonkazonks figures —featuring favorite Marvel characters — to wage battles with friends or perform tricks and stunts by playing on their own. Each Bonkazonks Face Case comes with a stunt card with an online code to unlock more fun at Bonkazonks.com and a display tray to show off your Bonkazonks collection! With over 100 Bonkazonks available, there’s no limit to how you can collect and play!"

What we thought:  D is in love:)  He is REALLY into super heroes right now, especially Spider-Man and he was very excited to get to review this set of Bonkazonks.  B and D have played with this set every day since we've gotten it.  They love to play the different tricks and stunts and make up their own as they go along.  Even A and I have gotten in on a few games and these little guys are pretty fun:)  If you have a super hero lover in your family, they are sure to enjoy these new Bonkazonks Face Case sets! ABCD Diaries gives Bonkazonks an A+!

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given samples  for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

"Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Stress" Review...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Stress: Manage Your Problems, Big and Small, Every Day

Publication Date: May 22, 2012 | Series: Chicken Soup for the Soul

"Everyone feels stressed out at some point in their lives. Many have trouble getting their stress under control and want help. This book, combining inspirational Chicken Soup for the Soul stories written just for this book and accessible leading-edge medical advice from expert clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School instructor Dr. Jeffrey Brown, will encourage, support, and help stressed out readers."

What we thought:  "Say Goodbye to Stress" is full of inspirational stories and great advice on how to control the stress in your life.  It is a quick read and has a lot of helpful information for dealing with stress in a positive way.  ABCD Diaries gives this Chicken Soup for the Soul title an A+!

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this book for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.