Influenster Sugar 'n Spice Voxbox

INFLUENSTER Sugar 'n Spice Voxbox

• NECTRESSE Packets by Splenda
• belVita - Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Biscuits
• Colgate Optic White
• Toothbrush
• Paste
• Mouth rinse 
• Dickinson's Witch Hazel Towlettes
• Vaseline Spray and Go - Total Moisture

I was ecstatic to be able to try these products and see what they would bring to my daily morning routine.

REVIEWS:

• NECTRESSE packets

These are sweetened with monk fruit and are zip, zero, zilch calories. I opened a packet and tasted a bit, it does have a different flavor from other sweeteners.  No bad after taste like Stevia, but a distinct lightly fruitly flavor which I guess is the monk fruit?!?  I tried them in my morning cup o' joe and I couldn't tell a distinct difference between my normal sweetener.  I sprinkled a packet on some beautiful, but not quite ripe berries and my daughter ate them before I could try, so I guess they tasted good!  I haven't tried them in baking and probably won't since opening up a zillion packets would be time consuming, but for small sugar needs, I think the packets do the trick!

• belVita breakfast biscuits

Small and crunchy they are packed with a delicious brown sugar flavor and they are delish dipped in your coffee and my sweet kiddo said they were "very tasty" in her milk too!  I like that they are not just biscuits but are integrated with nutrients and vitamins making them a great choice for a non-breakfast fan, such as myself, to get a healthy start on the day!  I did notice that I was hungry early than usual and craving sweet things, but that could be for a zillion reasons!!

• Dickinson's Witch Hazel towelettes

Natural...so I honesty was biased towards it to begin with. But they cleaned off my make-up with breeze (please note I do not wear mascara so I can't attest to that).  The smell was slightly medicinal (the witch hazel). My skin felt clean and not irritated or burning.  So I hope they continue to work well as I am always up for new, natural skin care products! 

• Colgate Optic White

I have to admit I have sensitive teeth so I was a bit leary to give these the ol' college try.  So my husband got too!!! We are an electric toothbrush family so we didn't use the brush, but the taste seemed to be ok for the paste and rinse and he said his mouth was left feeling "clean and fresh".  I hope to come back and update this once he has had a week or two to continue trying.

• Vaseline Spray & Go

Easy to use, fun, and seems to leave my skin so soft.  The smell is ok and mild, but in researching online, I think I will find a blissful companion in the cocoa butter one, especially this summer-I love cocoa butter!  Just like the commercial shows it is easy to apply and no pumping to worry about.  My husband wonders if there is as much product as a similar weighted pump lotion since it is an aerosol lotion, but I think that residual lotion that hides on the bottom of the regular bottle,  or the stuff that clings to the sides, or is forever lodged in the pump straw kind of equals out! Just an FYI for moms....do not leave your kids unattended, don't ask, just let your imaginations take you to the place where a 5 year old girl discovers spray lotion and all it's fun HA HA HA.

DISCLAIMER: These products were provided through the Influenster program from their respective companies at no cost or obligation to me.  These reviews are my own, honest, and not influenced by anything other than my own personal experience. No further compensation, outside of these sent products, has been given.

Turkey Sausage & Kale Soup

Turkey Sausage and Kale Soup

Well, it may not look pretty, but it is healthy and uber scrumptious...oh and easy peasy to make!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground turkey (I use 99% lean)
• 1 large bag chopped kale (1.5 lbs, I use Glory Foods washed, cut Kale)
• 32 oz, chicken broth/stock
• 1 tbsp sage
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4+tsp ground red pepper
• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Saute ground turkey with sage, garlic, red pepper, and a dash of salt & pepper. Stirring and chopping it until cook through.
2. Add broth and kale greens, if there seems to be not enough broth add a bit of water or broth (we like ours more stew like with less broth)
3. Simmer over low to medium low heat for 10 mins, or longer, kale should be tender but not mushy
4. Serve! 

• season with crushed red pepper for more heat, 
• parmesan sprinkles, 
• add in rice for more heartiness
• cooked quinoa, 
• cooked barley, 
• cooked pearl pasta .

 

Chicken Chile Verde

• Canned Chicken (I LOVE Sam's Club canned chicken...will NOT use any other!) or 2 chicken breast boiled in stock and shredded
• 12-16 oz chicken stock (use this to boil chicken if using chicken breast and re-use in the soup for extra richness)
• 1 can green diced chilies (any size can, the more you use the more MILD spice it adds)
• 1 can cannellini beans or other white bean (you can either rinse or add in straight from can)
• 8 oz verde salsa, green chili sauce, or green enchilada sauce
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed in with 1/4 cup cold water

ADD-INS

cheese, crushed tortilla strips/chips, sour cream, salsa, rice

Makes about 5- 1 cup servings, this is a low calorie soup that will fill you up, just watch the add in's if you are watching calories! Use low fat or no fat options to decrease calories and fat content!

1. Cook and shred chicken if using breasts, otherwise add in all ingredients except beans and cornstarch mix.
2. Cook over medium low heat for 10-15 mins stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom
3. Add in beans and cornstarch/water mix
4. Turn up heat to medium and while constantly stirring, allow mixture to reach slow boil, turn heat to low and simmer a few minutes

Serve with crushed tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, sour cream, whatever tex-mex soup add-ins/ons are your favorite!! Or serve over a bed of Mexican rice or a baked potato

It is a mild soup that warms you up!!! If you like more spice add in a few drops of your favorite hot sauce or crushed red pepper flake