Water Drops REVIEW!

My doctor says I have to drink more water. ICK! I'm not one who enjoys just plain water and most of those water drops give the water a strange after taste. I was sent SweetLeaf Water Drops to test and I was so surprised. Surprised in a good way. It doesn't have that icky after waste.  The drops are ZERO calories and ZERO carbs which is exactly what I need for my new healthier lifestyle. I'm trying to work off my pregnancy weight. Each bottle contains enough liquid for 32 servings. They say "squeeze to taste" I found that I didn't need to use a lot to get the water to taste great. I keep a bottle in my diaper bag and one in my everyday purse. That way I can order water at a restaurant and add water drops and avoid the soda. I have two current favorites are Strawberry Kiwi and Raspberry Lemonade. They are the perfect addition to what otherwise is a very bland drink.

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

ENTER TO WIN  a set of 4

Magnetic Baby Safety Locks 

No screws or drilling needed. You get clear paper instructions as well as a link to an online instructional video.
* KEEPS YOUR FURNITURE ESTHETIC - An invisible system with a lock/unlock function. Doesn't leave a mark or holes in your furniture once you decide to take it off.
* FITS ALMOST ALL CABINETS AND DRAWERS - The magnetic key works on 1.5 inches thick cabinet door or drawer. Also, Make sure you have at least 1.8 inches of flat surface at the top of your cabinet.
* WHAT YOU GET - 4 keys and 1 magnetic lock that opens them all.

These are super easy to install and use.

The contest will run for 1 week. The winner will be posted at the close of the contest. There is NO charge to enter.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fried Tofu

I'm always looking for different things to feed Kennady. With all the allergies she has it can be really hard to find things that are wheat free, nut free and dairy free among other things.  It was suggested that I try tofu. I love tofu but had never given it to Kennady. I asked some of my vegan friends for kid friendly tofu ideas and all of them said friend tofu sticks or "Tofu Fries". Sounds good to me. I drained the tofu by putting it on a paper towel on a plate, putting a paper towel over it and sitting a skilled filled with canned goods on top of it. I let it sit for 30 minutes. I sliced it into pieces , dipped the slices into  gluten free flour (some people use corn starch) seasoned with a little bit of salt and pan fried them. I made them bigger slices and not "fry size" because I thought it would be easier for Kennady to pick up. I was right! These were a big hit. I made extra and froze them. To reheat them all you do is pop them in the oven and poof tofu sticks!

Inza

Dear lady in front of me at Walmart

Living out in the boonies sometimes one doesn't want to make the hour drive to Target (though I am going to start) which really only leaves Wally World. From my understanding Walmart price matches which sounds good in theory, right? Dear Lady in front of me: I understand that in this economy you're trying to save money. I'm right there with ya sister BUT if you are going to attempt to price match at Walmart or any store for that matter PLEASE read the rules of price matching for each store BEFORE schlepping through the door in your yoga pants , Nikes and EDC t-shirt. But hey that would be too easy right? Instead you make the choice to go and collect your already cheap shit , make your way to the check out stand and mutter the words "I forgot my ad paper" to the cashier. This of course makes the poor cashier twitch because they know what's coming. The all important and slightly entertaining Walmartian fight. The cashier tries to explain in words you will understand that he/she can't just "take your word for it" about the ad price. You now start to get loud and ask for the manager. Enter the overly tired and annoyed manager stage left. The manager also explains she can't just take your word for it either. I mean come on you could say the price was anything. Yes the ad said these $40 boxes of diapers are a dollar. Take my word for it. Uh Huh yeah sure lady. After the manager explains store policy to you yet again , you get even louder and more belligerent. By this point the line of people behind you is starting to wrap around the jewelry counter. Do you care? Nope! and of course Walmart only has ONE open check stand at a time. WHY do they bother to even have 24 of them when they never actually open all 24? But that's a rant for a later day. FINALLY you in a huffy say you no longer want the items. WAIT WHAT!??! You mean you didn't NEED the 18 candy bars , pink plates and flip flop shoes that you bitched for 20 minutes about while the rest of us waited? Gee allow me to apply my shocked face. To end my letter I beg of you ....we ALL beg of you... come prepared to the store. Have your ad and know the rules before getting in line in front of us and having us waste our time listening to you babble about products you don't actually need.


 Thanks Inza

Tater Tot Casserole

I cook for Kennady on a daily basis. I love to cook. Hell that’s how I got into Le Cordon Bleu lol  I was searching for some toddler friendly gluten free, dairy free and nut free meals and found something called

 Tater Tot Casserole. My daughter loves her tater tots so I figured it was worth a try.  I used gluten free flour and vanilla soy milk because that’s all I had. It gave it a slightly sweet taste but in a good way. I also added ground beef since it’s one of the only meats my daughter can eat.
White sauce:

• 2 cups soy milk
• 3 T. Earth Balance margarine
• 2 T. flour
• salt and pepper to taste

Casserole:

• 2 16-ounce bags of frozen veggies, I used mixed beans, peas, corn and carrots
• 1 bag of tater tots, use only enough to cover the top of the casserole, you may have some left so save them for dipping in BBQ sauce at lunch tomorrow
• 1 bag of Daiya® cheddar cheese
• 4 dollops of Earth Balance margarine

1. Over medium-low heat, create a roux in small saucepan with flour and margarine. When light brown and snappy/bubbly, remove from heat and add soy milk slowly while whisking. Take your time, make sure it’s thoroughly whisked and not lumpy.
2. Return sauce to medium heat and cook until the sauce thickens. Use a wire whisk constantly as sauce thickens.
3. Once thickened to coat a spoon, remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. In a 9 x 12 inch casserole, mix the frozen veggies, Daiya and white sauce.
5. Scatter the dollops of Earth Balance on top.
6. Top with 1 layer of tater tots, side-by-side, end-to-end.
7. Bake for 1 hour at 375° F. (My oven runs low so I use 400° F so adjust to suit your oven.)

The original recipe was found at https://snarkyvegan.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/vegan-mofo-white-trash-tater-tot-casserole-with-daiya/

Well my daughter and I both LOVED it. It was super simple to make and it stored very well. we ate the left overs for lunch the next day. This is well worth a try. You have all your favorite veggies mixed together with a yummy cream sauce with tater tots on top. What more could you ask for?

~*Inza*~

Seventh Generation Party

I was blessed enough to be able to host a party for Seventh Generation and their products. When the party box came I was in shock the number of products they sent was amazing! We got samples of their Eco friendly detergent, dish soap, baby wipes, diapers, Zarbee’s naturals vitamins and tons and tons of coupons.

The party I hosted was in my home AND online. A lot of my mommy friends have babies and I thought would love these eco friendly products. I packed up my sample kits and put them in the mail. My virtual party guests even got to play BINGO with us and take part in the end of the part raffle via Skype.

I love all of these products. I already use most of them but it was great to be able to sample the ones I hadn’t tried yet. I have a few samples and coupons left. I might do a giveaway here and on my YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/InzaMarie so keep an eye out.



I've made my Instagram public again so feel free to follow me : https://instagram.com/InzaMarie
Follow me on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/inzamarie
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/vegasinza

~*Inza*~

THIS is not a nursing station!!!

 My BFF and I took Kennady to the San Diego Safari Park (More about that in the next post). On our way out I had to stop and go to the restroom. I saw a sign that said “nursing station inside” so of course I HAD to go in and check it out. I’m all for anything that makes mother’s more comfy when feeding their children. When I walked in I was sad and disappointed to say the least. It was a wooden rocking chair next to a TOILET! Yes a toilet. Now I don’t know about you but I don’t eat my lunch next to a public toilet.

I understand the sentiment and I’m thankful they tried to give mothers a private place to feed but next to a gross toilet it not ok. I know some will say hey at least they tried and yes that is true but most mothers want a semi sanitary place to feed their babies IF the establishment has made the choice to provide a space. I walked into the bathroom and it smelled *gasp* like a bathroom. Not like a place I’d like to sit for 30 minutes or more and feed my baby. Things like this are why I nurse in public. I’d rather discreetly nurse out in the open than to sit next to a smelly toilet in a public bathroom.

I still say Nordstrom's has one of the best feeding rooms around. It is in the bathroom area but it’s a totally separate room. NO TOILET! Take note other businesses. Toilets and feeding your baby just do NOT mix.

~*Inza*~

I love Mornings

I love waking up to the calls of my almost 15 month old. Her little voice calling me is so adorable. I go and get her out of her bed and we sit and watch BabyTv together and play. She’s getting so big so fast. I value these moments. They may not seem like a big deal to many but they mean the world to me. I truly value them. You never know what could happen tomorrow.
My cousin had a stroke last year. She has to be fully cared for now. She can’t care for the daughter that her life used to revolve around. I’m taking a cue from her. I live my life around my tiny human. My cousin’s daughter remembers everything her mother did for and with her before she got sick. I think that’s an amazing gift. I plan on making as many memories with and for Kennady  so if anything happens to me she will know that her mama loved her. A child knowing their mother loves them is the greatest gift of all.

Inza