Creamy Poblano Mac & Cheese Made With Campbell’s® Condensed Creamy Poblano & Queso Soup

Yummy Mac & Cheese Recipe! It's just slightly spicy, yummy though!! The recipe was extremely easy to make and it turned out creamy, smooth, and highly recommended.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup medium tomato, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon salt and ground black pepper
• 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Creamy Poblano & Queso Soup
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 8 ounces (1/2 of a 1-pound package) elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro   

Instructions

1. Heat the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and pepper and cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
   
   
2. Add the tomato and garlic to the saucepan and cook and stir for 1 minute.  Season with the salt and black pepper.
   
3. Stir in the soup and milk and heat to a boil.  Remove the saucepan from the heat.  Add the cheese and stir until melted.  Stir in the macaroni.  Sprinkle with the cilantro.

I doubled this recipe so that I would have enough for all my friends who were planning to visit.... Of course, only two of them showed up in the end. I have all kinds of left overs!

I didn't serve it directly after cooking but rather I cooked it on Friday and let it cool in the refrigerator  over night. I put some bread crumbs on top before baking at 350*F for 30 minutes.

It was still creamy and delicious! Also, as proof that I do have friends who enjoyed this meal with me, here's Bonnie and Ian enjoying the soup and mac & cheese!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Loaded Potato Soup Made With Swanson Cream Starter Broth

Another easy recipe, and SO delicious! I'm realizing again that this whole cooking thing is super easy and maybe I was making this whole thing out to be harder than it ought to be! Who am I kidding, it's always come easy! Using Swanson Traditional Cream Starter made it super easy too.

Ingredients

• 1/2 of a 1 lb. package of bacon, diced (about 8 strips)
• 1 one pound russet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carton Swanson Cream Starter Broth (Traditional or 25% Reduced Fat)
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
•  3 green onions or fresh chives, chopped
• 
  

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon in a 4-quart sauce pan over medium heat until crisp, stirring often.  Remove the bacon from the saucepan and drain on paper towels.  Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings
2. Add the potatoes and onion to the saucepan, season with salt and black pepper and cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic and cook and stir for 1 minute.
3. Stir in the cream starter and heat to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low.  Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.  Stir in half the bacon and half the cheese.  Top with the remaining bacon, remaining cheese and the green onions before serving.

As per usual, I made my own changes to the recipe. You may have noticed from one of the first image in this post that I did NOT peel the potatoes, and yes, I pluralized that. I had a lot of potatoes to get rid of and I used them all, so yes..... I doubled the recipe!

I used one package of Traditional Swanson Cream Starter Broth and one of the 25% Reduced Fat Swanson Cream Starter Broth. It was a huge hit with everyone!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  

Jack Templar: Monster Hunter Book Review

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Do you have reluctant readers in your family? A reluctant reader is anyone who does not show interest in reading. There is a wide range within the category of reluctant readers. A reluctant reader may simply be a child who needs to be coaxed into reading texts. She may also be a child who vehemently refuses to read. While any child, young or old, male or female can be a reluctant reader the largest number of unenthusiastic readers are adolescent boys. Research shows that a good number of boys who were avid readers in the elementary grades become disinterested in reading during their middle school years.

Every parent and teacher wants their children to be avid readers. We know the benefits of reading and want our children to embrace it as we have. While many children do become excited and engaged in reading (especially in the primary grades), some are reluctant and disinterested. While a child may not show a natural interest in reading, this does not mean that he cannot become a skilled and even enthusiastic reader.

Sometimes young people, especially adolescents, become disengaged from reading because they lose interest in the content of the texts they are reading. Many traditional books assigned in schools as well as textbooks fail to capture the interest of today’s children because they are used to fast paced movies, video games and Internet sites. Parents and teachers can employ high-interest reading materials to help spark an interest in reading in these children. High-interest texts are usually fairly non-traditional. They often focus on “edgy” topics or include a great deal of action.

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These books are just what your reluctant reader needs! Move over Harry Potter, there's a new kid in town - Jack Templar. The story is a wonderful adventure of good vs. evil, with friends and enemies at each and every turn -- and there's a lot of turns. The twists and turns keep the reader on a roller coaster of entertainment in the way of JK Rowling. As an adult reader, I loved this book too almost as much as when I read the Harry Potter books growing up!

This book is well written, and I read it in one sitting yesterday! I would recommend it to anyone who loves the imagination and magic of this genre. Jack Templar: Monster Hunter is written for young adults but don't let that stop you from reading it - from the very first paragraph the reader is pulled in. Be prepared to hunt monsters with Jack Templar and his friends. Jack Templar: Monster Hunter is book number one of what will eventually be a seven book series, book number four just came out in October 2014. I cannot wait to pass it on to someone who would enjoy it as well.

The book was written by a father to encourage his eleven-year-old to become excited about reading. It worked, and he's now an avid reader. He wrote about his experience with his son in a book for parents called Reaching Your Reluctant Reader. This small parenting book is available online with 100% of author proceeds benefiting Toys For Tots Literacy Program. The story of his journey with his son was featured on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1002658351.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

StudyX Review AND Giveaway

StudyX - Amazon

About the Program

StudyX is short for Study ANYTHING. This program allows you to create your own digital flashcards, study sheets, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank tests. You input the questions and answers, then use the program to quiz yourself or your student. 

StudyX has 100 languages built in and is designed to help students from elementary school through a graduate degree learn facts faster, retain them longer, and have more fun while studying. 

The program includes some built-in material students might be studying buy it also allows students, teachers or parents to enter their own as a question with a corresponding answer. Once material is entered, there are many study options include study games, on-screen or paper flash cards, autopilot studying, study sheets, and multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and matching tests. 

The program tracks students' progress while they study using digital flash cards, study games and practice tests. The software tallies correctly-answered questions, focuses on questions needing the most studying, and congratulates you on mastering material after correctly answering all questions twice. If you prefer paper flashcards, you can print flash cards, study sheets, and practice tests.

My Experience

I received StudyX to review and I knew it would take some time to get to know and I'd actually have to use it to study. I am currently in school but I haven't come across anything in my MBA program which requires me to study. Mostly it's paper after paper. I downloaded the program, which only took a few minutes, StudyX automatically prompted me with a tutorial so I could learn my way around the program.

Even though I researched before I even opened the product, the features were a surprise! Whether you are in elementary school or college, it can help you prepare. StudyX has several subjects set up and ready for you to use, though, if you can't find what you need, you can make your own study guide, flash cards, and practice tests or upload more study options from the StudyX website! You can also print out the flash cards, study sheets, and tests provided by StudyX or you can just use them on the computer and save some paper.

I decided to pick a subject I already knew a lot about, German language. I practiced with flash cards, multiple choice questions, and the practice test. There are really a wide variety of vocabulary words and you really feel like it refreshes your skills very quickly. My only complaint was that special characters, such as the double s and umlaut, commonly found in German, did not show up at all, only displaying a question mark in their place. I don't know if it was my computer or StudyX, but that could be confusing to someone who doesn't know the language as well.

You can play while learning at the same time. I wish more video games offered this! If you are doing something else on the computer, you can even program StudyX to pop up every few minutes with a new question so you can multi-task!

Overall, I really enjoyed using StudyX and think it's a great product for learning facts, especially for younger people or those whose learning can be taught via flash cards. I can't speak to it personally, however if you struggle to get your children to study, this may help a lot, especially with the built in games! StudyX delivers creative ways to tempt children to learn, with autopilot mode and games, that studying from a book just can't do.

For myself studying a subject that does not translate well into flashcards, this does not work as well, however I see potential with grade school on up in a different field.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Valentia Skin Care's NEW Even Glow Serum - 20% Vitamin C - Natural & Organic

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Valentina Skin Care's New Even Glow Serum is made with natural and organic ingredients -- including 20% Vitamin C. The product is 98% Natural Ingredients that were chosen specifically to enhance the Vitamin C's efficiency on the skin.

I noticed in the image on Amazon, the liquid looked clear inside the bottle. When I received it, however it looks cloudy and creamy. It could be something that happens to it when it gets cold but I'm really not sure. Maybe the image on Amazon was of an empty bottle also.

After one use I have noticed my skin feels firmer, more taught. My skin felt smooth, the tone more even and blemishes were less noticeable. After two uses I noticed that my pores have become less visible, smaller. After three uses, I noticed the bags under my eyes going away. Can't wait to see what continued use does for me! Do not be discouraged if you do not appear ten years younger after the first use. Good things come to those who wait.

This is an amazing product for someone who wants to take good preventative care of their skin. It is not greasy and it absorbs quickly, allowing you to continue with your beauty routine nearly immediately.

Valentia Skin Care also provided me with a 44 page Age Defying Facial Treatments Guide for F-R-E-E as a thank you for putting my trust in the company and their products! If you buy this Even Glow Serum on Amazon, you will also receive this 44 page book! The book opened my eyes to Valentia Skin Care and showed me that they are much more than this product (though I do really enjoy this one!)

Serums, unlike moisturizers, have smaller molecules and a higher concentration of ingredients and therefore deeply and quickly penetrate the pores in your skin in order to deliver our incredibly effective natural and organic ingredients. Serums are ingredient delivery systems. If used consistently, you will see more noticeable and dramatic results.
 
The antioxidants in this Even Glow Serum can take up to four weeks to completely soak into the skin and remove toxins that are causing dullness, dryness, and discoloration. The best way to apply the serum to your face and neck is to apply tiny dots all over and blend quickly but lightly.
 

I'm really looking forward to trying some of the recipes in this book. It really made me understand what is best for my skin type! The ones I'm most excited to try is the strawberry lemon wash, if this Even Glow Serum smells like divine citrus, the strawberry lemon must be heaven as well! Or maybe I'm more excited to try one of their soothing cucumber masks, I love masks! Valentina Skin Care offers so much to their customers that they really do "have you covered" (literally.) Their goal is to make sure you have beautiful glowing skin every morning and night, no matter what life might throw your way.

Buy this Valentia Skin Care Product on Amazon.com for a discounted price of $35 (regularly $85) - A bit steep of a price but for how well it works and how amazing it smells, it's very much worth it! This product is currently only available for sale on Amazon but if you act quickly, they have a buy one, get one 50% off sale going on now!

BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF on Valentia's Even Glow Serum - Vitamin C Serum & Antioxidant Treatment - IMPORTANT - Must place 2 bottles into your shopping cart for this promotion to work. LIMITED TIME Enter code LTX5ELQK at checkout Enter code LTX5ELQK at checkout. Here's how (restrictions apply)

To read more about the uses of this product and the ingredients included, continue reading below the fold.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Speedy Sausage Rigatoni - With Campbell's® Soups for Easy Cooking

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Another easy one, maybe I was making this whole cooking thing out to be harder than it ought to be! Who am I kidding, it's always come easy! Using Campbell's® Soups for easy cooking made it super easy too.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. sweet Italian pork sausage, casing removed
• 1 large zucchini, cut lengthwise in quarters, then sliced crosswise (about 3 cups)
• 1 Carton (14.5 oz.) Campbell's® Savory Portobello Mushroom Soup
• 1/2 of a 1-pound package of rigatoni pasta, cooked and drained

Instructions

1. Cook the sausage in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off fat.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add zucchini to skillet and cook for five minutes or until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in soup and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir in rigatoni and cook for 2 minutes or until mixture is hot stirring occasionally.

How I made it

I have made a habit of messing up.... or maybe more so "improving" these past few recipes. Here's my changes:

Ingredients

• 1 lb. package of Jimmy Dean Hot pork sausage
• 1/2 of a 1-pound package of rotini pasta, cooked and drained
• 2 small zucchinis, cut lengthwise in quarters, then sliced crosswise (about 3 cups)
• 1 Carton (14.5 oz.) Campbell's® Savory Portobello Mushroom Soup 

 Instructions

1. Cook the sausage in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off fat.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add zucchini to skillet and cook for five minutes or until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in soup and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir in rigatoni and cook for 2 minutes or until mixture is hot stirring occasionally.

This product is probably my favorite so far. I LOVE how creamy it is and I already know at least three recipes that I want to make with it including stroganoff. I can't wait to use this at home when visiting my family and impress them with this creamy flavorful soup for cooking. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  

Bacon Ranch Alfrado Mac & Cheese - With Prego® Light Alfrado Sauce and Hidden Valley Ranch Dip

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This is another fairly simple recipe, even if Kyle and I decided to complicate it a bit. Well, he's not to blame at all, it was all me. I may have read the directions wrong. I'll give you the recipe that I was given and add my comments in the instructions.

Ingredients

• 1/2 of a 1-pound package penne pasta, cooked and drained
• 1 Jar (14.5 oz) Prego® Flavored with Savory Bacon Alfredo Sauce
• 1/2 of a 1-ounce envelope ranch salad dressing mix
• 1/2 Cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350*F
2. Stir the penne, sauce, dressing mix and half the cheese in a large bowl. Spoon the penne mixture into an 8" x 8" x 2" baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until the penne mixture is hot and bubbling.

My recipe followed this one quite closely but there were a few changes that I made..... by accident. Below are the steps I followed:

1. Heat the oven to 350*F
2. Cook the 1/2 of a 1-pound box of penne pasta - it's pretty hard to measure out 1/2 of a box so it might have been 3/4 of a box in my recipe.... Never mind, I totally misread the recipe and used the whole box of pasta.
3. Cook 1/2 of a 1-pound package of bacon - I microwave mine but in a skillet is fine too, let it cool before use.
4. Mix the penne pasta with 1 Jar (14.5 oz) Prego® Light Alfredo Sauce
5. Add the 1-ounce envelope ranch salad dressing
6. Crumble the bacon into the pasta, ranch, Alfredo mix
7. Mix in 1/2 of the cheese
8. Spoon mixture into a 9" x 13" x 2" pan
9. Cover the pasta mixture with the remaining cheese
10. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350*F for 30 minutes
11. Remove the aluminum foil and back for another 10 minutes.

Our company LOVED the pasta, the bacon was probably the best part!

Kaylyn and Drake also provided dessert - Funfetti Angel Food Cake, home made whipped cream and mulberries!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.