Arla Dofino

As a BzzAgent, I was recently given the opportunity to try Arla Dofino cheese!  I choose the Arla Dofino Chipotle Gouda and it is soooo good!  Very creamy and not at all spicy...just a great chipotle taste that is delicious!  I loved this cheese with crackers, but I also had a new mac & cheese recipe that I was dying to try.  It really pepped up a basic recipe.  This cheese is a little bit hard to find, but it is well worth the hunt.  Check out their website to find out more about it and to find a location near you where it is sold.

Arlo Dofino website:  http://www.arla.com/en-US/our-brands/brands/arla-dofino/

Delicious Mac & Cheese  Recipe:

One Pot Mac and Cheese

12 oz evaporated milk

1 lb elbow macaroni

2 c. shredded cheese - Try the Arla Dofino Chipotle Gouda!

Heat evaporated milk, 4 cups of water, macaroni and salt to boiling over high heat. 

Reduce heat to medium and cook 6 minutes, stirring frequently.

Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted.

eSalon

Custom blended just for you!

I was recently given a chance to try eSalon customized hair color!  I had heard of this customized hair color that you could order online on Rachael Ray and she just raved about it, so I was super excited to give this a try...professional results at home...I'm in!!

I logged on to their website and it was very easy to navigate.  You don't have to upload a picture, but it helps the stylists to see what they are working with.  After a few short questions about hair type, original color and what I wanted to achieve, they were ready to send me my first coloring kit.  I was also able to pick out some color-safe shampoo, a color enhancing treatment and renewing treatment oil.

I was going to be leaving for vacation in a few days and was excited to try it when I returned, but with their super fast shipping, it arrived before I even left!

First off, the packaging was adorable and I felt pampered right away.  Even the directions were customized and labeled for me.

I read through the directions and everything was easy to understand.  I had no problem applying the color and had more than enough for my chin-length hair.  After the 30 minutes, I rinsed out the hair color (they actually give you a tip to do this in the shower because the process involves using the leftover coloring with water added to get a lather going and IT IS MESSY) and used the Heart Lock It Color Safe Shampoo (a small packet of this and the conditioner come with the kit, so don't worry if you don't order the shampoo/conditioner with your first order).  The shampoo smelled really nice and had a good lather to it. 

After drying my hair, I was really impressed with the results.  Since I go blond, my usual hair color tends to leave my roots really pale...almost pinkish sometimes....and I was beyond pleased with the results to my roots.  It covered nicely and it also was a consistent color from roots to ends.  It covered most of my gray, with the exception of some super stubborn grays I have at my temple area.  Next time I'm going to mention this to the online stylist, as they may be able to give me some tips on how to cover this area better.

I'll have to wait to see how long this color lasts, but I plan on using the recommended products to prolong the color and keep it vibrant.  It is WAY cheaper than going to the salon and I have a feeling I will be ordering this again! You can check it out at https://www.esalon.com/.

*This product was provided to me for free, but this review is completely my own!

BUY, USE, SAVE

Wow!  Kroger is having a great deal during the Holiday Season!  BUY gift cards, USE like cash, SAVE at the pump! You always earn 2x fuel points on gift card purchases year round, but from Mid-November to early December they are offering 4x fuel points on EVERY gift card you buy...that's 4 points for every dollar you spend on gift cards...and they have hundreds to pick from!  You should check with your local Kroger for exact 4x dates, but what a great deal! 
I stopped by yesterday to check out the selection and since I buy gift cards for over half of the people on my list, I'm definitely getting them at Kroger so I can save on fuel!



BTW:  I received a coupon for bonus points for trying out this deal, but these opinions are my own!

It's in the Bag!!

As a BzzAgent, I was recently asked to try something new at Kroger!  I had never tried Kroger Skillet Meals before and I was excited to see all of the varieties I could pick from!  I chose the Sorrento-Style Gnocchi!  As usual, I was in a hurry and I was tempted to prepare it in the microwave (directions are on the bag) but decided to go with the skillet method since it said it was only 10 minutes and the recommended way to prepare it.  When I poured it out of the bag, I was skeptical of two things right away.  One, that there was enough sauce and two that it would actually be done in 10 minutes.  Well, there was and it was!!  The frozen sauce cubes melted into just the right amount of sauce and after EXACTLY 10 minutes, I had it on the table.  The sauce was good and the gnocchi were a good consistency.  I do feel that it could have used a little more spices or salt.  The price was fair and it was just the right amount for the two of us.  I wanted a couple of sides that were just as quick and easy so  I used the Kroger Fresh Selections Caesar Lite Salad Kit for our veggie and it was really good. The greens were very crisp and fresh and I just love when everything is in the bag!  I also made the Kroger Classic Frozen Garlic Bread.  First of all, this thing is HUGE!  You get a lot of bread for the money.  It was very good and was perfectly done at the exact time of 10 minutes.  If I have one complaint, it's that it is so much bread, that I only used 1/4 of the bag for our meal and the bag is not resealable.  Also, it is hard to fit a bag that size in a side-by-side freezer.  In fact, they didn't even bag it at Kroger and the gentleman bagging the groceries stated that he never knew what to do with them!  I also really liked that both frozen products, the Skillet Meal and the Garlic Bread, had the preparation time very easily displayed on the front of the bag so it was easy to plan my prep time.  I will definitely be making this delicious and quick meal again…especially during the busy holiday season! 

BTW:  I received this product free but it did not affect my opinion. 

Exuviance Age Reversal Eye Contour

So, I just turned 46 and took a good, hard look in the mirror.  I've never been one to use a whole slew of products and I have to admit that I have NOT avoided the sun.  The first thing I wanted to work on was a little bit of sagging in my eyelid area that I thought made me look tired and older.  I went to Ulta to see what I could find for my "sagging eyelids".  Surprisingly, they only showed me two or three products that seemed to target that specific area and they didn't offer me a sample of any of them.  They were all in the $65-$75 price range and I just couldn't justify spending that without trying it first.  I picked up some literature on the one I was most interested in and sent them an email. I received a very quick response that they would be happy to send me a sample and I got it 3 days later!  WOW! Already I was impressed.  I received a sample of the Exuviance Age Reversal Eye Contour and I LOVE IT! This worked really well.  I only had two small samples, so I used it pretty sparingly and saw results within just a few days. It is not greasy and soaked in quickly.  I used it morning and night and had no trouble applying my eye makeup in the morning.  It had a slight tingle to it that quickly faded away and I didn't have any type of reaction or redness. I think this cream is definitely worth the price as I believe that the full size product would last a really long time.  I will be spending the $75 on this product and I look forward to checking out some of their other products.

Curel should be called Cure-All!!

As a bzzagent, I recently received a sample of Curel Intensive Healing Cream and five small jars to share with my family and friends.  It turns out, EVERYONE had at least one super dry spot to try it out.  Every single person showed signs of improvement during the five days that we compared dryness! It isn't sticky or greasy and it soaked in really nicely!  I like the fact that it was fragrance free because I love to wear fragrance and I hate when my lotion competes with my perfume.  I was also very comforted by the fact that it's dermatologist recommended. I was not familiar with the term "Ceramides" but after reading up on it, I thought it was awesome that Curel had really done their research and that they are partners with the American Diabetes Association.  All of us were impressed and I know, for sure, that we will all be continuing to use Curel Intensive Healing Cream for the winter. 

King's Hawaiian Sliced Bread

First, let me tell you, I get super excited when I return home from work and see a box sitting on my porch.  ESPECIALLY when it's free and a surprise! 
King's Hawaiian sent me the cutest care package!  Inside, wrapped up in orange and white tissue paper, was a large, reusable shopping bag, some orange sunglasses, some coupons and a DELICIOUS loaf of their King's Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Sliced Bread!  Previously, this item was only available on the West Coast, but is now being introduced in select regions throughout the country.  I cannot tell you how much I loved it!  I ate the whole loaf in two days!  This bread made the most yummy toast I have ever had! I also made a chicken salad melt with it that was to die for.  It is soft and fluffy with just a touch of sweetness.  I am SO glad this is available in the Indianapolis area because I cannot wait to get my hands on some more!  If you see it near you....grab it!! You won't be sorry! 

King's Hawaiian provided me with this bread, but these opinions are 100% my own!