Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Gourmet Souffle Party and review

So recently I was offered the opportunity to try Gourmet Souffle from Tryazon. I received no monetary compensation for this party. All views are 100% my own.
I was overjoyed to find out I was selected to try this awesome new product called Gourmet Souffle. Basically it is an instant souffle mix (Think betty crocker cake mixes).  Knowing that souffles were kind of hard to make I was hesitant if I could get it right. But no harm in trying right! I was shocked at just how easy this was! Just add water and souffles in less than 30 minutes!! How could I go wrong there. 

A few facts on the product from the website which you can find HERE.

Proprietary chocolate soufflé ready-to-use mix
Gluten Free
Mixing and prep time less than 5 minutes (cost effective for restaurants)
Baking time 6-18 minutes (Actual time based on size of soufflé and oven)
Prepare in the morning and serve at night
NO WASTE! Prepared mix can be stored (refrigerated) overnight. Dry mix shelf stable for up to 2 years
Bakes in ceramic or Gourmet Flavors disposable (oven safe) paper ramekins.
Tastes made-from-scratch. 


Online they sell the following products:
The gourmet souffle kit makes 4 6oz Souffles and comes with the paper ramekins for baking. This sells for $14.99
The small bag of Souffle mix makes 10 4oz or 6 6oz souffles is $10.
They sell a larger bag as well. It makes 40 4oz souffles or 24 6 oz. souffles. This retails for $29.99.
They also sell paper ramekins. The come in 100 count packs. 4oz. cost $32 or the 6oz are just $35.

So here is what the kit looks like...

 You can bake these in either a convection oven or a conventional oven. I don't have a convection oven so I opted for the conventional method.

1. Pre-heat your conventional oven to 425.
2. Measure the appropriate amount of chocolate soufflé mix with COLD water in a countertop mixer according to directions on the package, depending on how many you’d like to make.
3. Mix on high speed for four minutes or until the mix achieves a fluffy milk chocolate appearance (scraping sides of bowl half way through mixing process so nothing goes to waste).
4. Completely coat the inside and lip of each ramekin with melted butter or non-stick cooking spray.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar to the first ramekin then turn unilaterally until the inside and lip are completely coated. Excess sugar can be poured into the next ramekin.
6. Fill each buttered and sugared ramekin completely to rim. Wipe batter from the lip and sides of dish with a damp towel.
7. Sprinkle about 1½ teaspoons of sugar over top of soufflé (optional). (This just gives the top of the souffle a nice crunch. I do reccommend doing this step :P
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes depending on the size and type of ramekin. See package instructions for more details.
9. Serve & Enjoy without any topping, or top with anything and everything your heart desires.

I did top my Souffles with Bananas Foster and it was amazing!!

So yea...grab your friends and get baking! You will be a master chef in no time!!

all set to bake!!




Preparing the paper ramekins they were included...

Ready to mix...

The batter is ready to go...

Time to fill the ramekins...this completely filled them...

And a little suger to make a nice crust...

While the souffles were in the oven I focused on making the bananas foster topping...



Yay!! The souffles are ready!!



I couldnt have been more happy with the way these rose!! They had a gorgeous crust and the inside was nice and airy as it should be!

Now it is time to top these babies and enjoy! I hope you guys check out this amazing product!!







Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Mary Kay Vox Box #Clear Proof

So as a part of the Influenster community I had a chance to try out the new clear proof system on a teenager!! The system included  
Clear Proof® Clarifying Cleansing Gel,** 4.5 oz. 
Clear Proof® Blemish Control Toner,** 5 fl. oz. 
Clear Proof® Acne Treatment Gel,** 1 oz. 
Clear Proof® Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin, 3 fl. oz.
 Here is the basic info you need to know from Mary Kay...

With the Clear Proof® Acne System, you get an effective regimen clinically shown to provide clearer skin in just 7 days.* The four-product set:
  • Clears up blemishes without irritation and helps maintain a clear complexion.
  • Unclogs pores, removes excess oil and leaves skin feeling healthier.
  • Fades the look of lingering acne spots.
  • Attacks multiple factors that can contribute to acne breakouts.
So here is the before photo...

Josh has used this system for about 6 weeks.  Initially he had a severe issue with how much the product burned to the point where he was not wanting to use the product but he still tried. I think a big part of that may have bee the fact that some of his acne had large open pores. We all know boys are kinda wusses when it comes to pain LOL. But wanting the acne gone so tried to brave it out.
Products were applied as directed in this order... 
Clear Proof® Clarifying Cleansing Gel** 
Clear Proof® Blemish Control Toner** 
Clear Proof® Acne Treatment Gel** 
Clear Proof® Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
The cleansing gel was the problem with the burning. After that it was tough to get him to try the other things at first.
Now after just 6 weeks Josh's skin is starting to get better....
The acne is starting to get much smaller and seems less irritated. Mary Kay does recommend 12 weeks for full results but we are happy with what we are seeing at just 6!!


Monday, November 17, 2014

Folgers Flavor Enhancers...Coffee house coffe at home!

Ok so I admit it...I am addicted to these awesome new Folgers Flavor Enhancers! I got these to try from a Crowdtap Sample and share for the #FolgersFans #Sponsored crowd and I am hooked!! They come in 4 flavors and each one is awesome! My favorite is the vanilla. I use that in my coffee along with Heath Bar cream for a heavenly sweet treat to get me going in the am! 









Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare Disney Grand Floridian Resort Review...

Ok so on our most recent trip to Disney I decided I wanted to splurge and have a character dining experience. This is something we have not done in the past since we do not have children and hubby seems to think it is just for kids. I think I have changed his mind! We choose 1900 Park Fare for a few reasons. I was debating on if we should do this this trip and 1900 Park Fare was once of the few places it seemed pretty easy to get a short notice reservation. The only other place was Tusker House and I just wasnt wanting to go there. We booked this reservation the same week as our trip!! Reason #2...This is one of the least expensive character dining options. For adults it was only $29.99 each (Children would have been $15.) Reason #3...They have an extensive and unique menu including things like lobster Benedict and smoked salmon. However the draw for me was I wanted to try the Strawberry Soup! Finally the characters!! Not only are there a lot of them there is a wide variety. From Tigger and Pooh, Alice with Mad Hatter, & Even the wonderful Mary Poppins!!
The entry way to the Grad Floridian is stunning as I am sure most of you Disney Addicts know.
Check out the stunning tile work outside the dining room...
 Now this pic I am only including because it was HILARIOUS!! No idea why a photographer would make us stand so unnatural and still in a photo that they are going to try and pass off as a souvenir but we all felt like we were propped up by sticks LOL
 (Btw...the guy on the right is my uncle. He is a CM so he usually is with us on our trips)
Now on to the food...silly me got full quite fast but it was all delicious!!
 Can't go wrong with a mini Mickey Waffle...
I topped my waffle with an excellent Bananas Foster sauce. 
I forgot to take a pick of the omelet  hubby and I shared but it was eggs, cheese, ham & Bacon. It was awesome but I tried not to eat much of it so I could try everything I got.
I also had cheesy scrambled eggs, Bacon, A small piece of the Hickory Smoked ham with orange glaze, Hash browns that had cheese and I think bacon, some fresh fruit, A cheese blitz with strawberry topping, a divine bread pudding with a vanilla sauce. And that Strawberry soup I mentioned...absolutely amazing!!! It was basically pureed strawberries in what I think was a yogurt base. I dunno what else if anything was in it but I could not stop eating it!.
Another bonus was the house made juice. It seemed to have a base of OJ but it also had a ton of tropical flavor and was very refreshing (Again sorry for no pic...I will get better next year LOL).
Now during the course of our meal we got to see Tigger, Alice, & The Mad Hatter...




Mad Hatter was quite tickled our table remembered his Un-Birthday!
We had to wait a bit to see Pooh and Mary Poppins. However in this time cast members where very attentive and did come to our table a few times. They cam to make sure which characters we had seen so they could make it a point to send the others our way. This was quite nice as I think we may have been sitting there much longer otherwise. We were brought our check and shortly after Pooh arrived. 


Finally after we took pics with Pooh Mary Poppins was right around the corner and she was delightful!
One thing hubby was concerned about was whether or not the characters would interfere with his eating time...he does not like being bothered during feeding LOL. All the characters where great during the meal. While we were still eating they stopped only for a moment however once the plates were cleared they did linger and talk longer.
Overall it was a fun experience (Albeit very filling for a park day.) Thinking next year we will try and grab that tough to get reservation for Ohana's but if not 1900 Park Fare is very lovely. The largest complaint I hear is that the room is kinda dark with no windows and that is true. However it really didnt bother me personally. I mean do you really want other resort guests gawking at you through the windows cause I sure don't. Until next year!