June Jacobs: Pore Purifying Mud Masque + Lip Kit w/ Giveaway

***I received the following products from June Jacobs in exchange for my honest opinions. All photos are copyright Momma Told Me 2013.

Momma Told Me: Your skin is lucky.

Just the other month I was sitting down at an Outback Steakhouse to enjoy an overdue meal with Momma's sister (my Aunt) and my grandfather. The service was lacking, and we found ourselves with ample time to occupy our mouths with conversation. That was when one of the single most surprising remarks, concerning me, was uttered. My gorgeous Aunt, 9 years the Senior of her husband, and measurements to match a Barbie, waved a hand and matter-of-factly asked, "So, what DO you do to keep your skin looking like that?" I was a bit taken off guard, and humbly choked, "What do you mean?" through a string of fried onion. Certainly my diet at this moment wasn't helping my skin any. She pressed forward, determined, "How do you keep your complexion so even?" For a moment I had to laugh, only to quickly cover with a forced cough. In truth, I am awful about my skin. I've been drinking my 8 glasses of water a day, lately, but I haven't always been so kind to my skin. In fact, if I had to admit, I'd divulge I wash (makeup off) my face, maybe, 2 out of 7 days of the week.

Every woman knows there are many factors to beautiful skin, some of them entirely out of our control, others more related to environment and diet. For those with hereditary oily skin, or even the opposite end of the spectrum, dry skin, it can seem like a non-stop battle. June Jacobs, spa inspired skincare helps even out the hills and valleys of bad and clear skin days. These products aren't just high end gimmicks designed for sale in spas; but a thriving brand of Paraben and Preservative Free skincare products that has been around for year. One of the things I especially like about June Jacobs is the commitment to quality through an independently owned manufacturing plant. It's rare you find a beauty brand so involved with the production process! It's no secret I have an addiction to masques, and it will come as no surprise that I jumped at the opportunity to sample one of their most popular products; the Pore Purifying Mud Masque. Just one of 7 Masque offerings by June Jacobs, this mud based compound is more of a milky salve than a thick caking masque.

With mid to premium packaging, the generous 4.2oz pot will last several months with weekly treatments. There is no added fragrance, in fact I'd call it virtually fragrance free when you discount the subtle notes of geranium, lemon peel, and rosemary. While the composition is very fluffy and soft, this compound is specifically formulated to open pores and remove dead cells without scrubbing. Because of this I highly recommend it for skin that is prone to sensitivities. Featuring a patent pending blend of three powerful tea strains, the Pore Purifying Mud Masque doesn't dry out skin in fact it, merely dries to the touch,  rather than cracking over the skin and 'pulling' on one's face. With a few light splashed of warm water the masque dissolved without scrubbing and left my skin feeling clean and rejuvenated. I tend to gravitate towards heavier 'cake like' masques, but was impressed how light this treatment proved to be for rushed nights or busy mornings.

This time around I also had the good fortune of receiving June Jacobs' Lip Kit, consisting of 3 of the brands' most powerful lip care products. Inside this beautifully packaged box, with magnetic seal flap, were 3 half ounce pots of intriguing products. I've been wanting to begin exfoliating my lips for the past year, as the Southern California heat puts them through constant stress; but have ultimately been shy of the concept. Thankfully, this was another case where fragrance was minimal, only the final phase of this treatment had a tangible scent. The Lip Scrub is less of a 'scrub,' in the typical image of tiny beads and sloughing skin; it's glycerin and silica base makes it slightly granular, but ultimately not much rougher than your standard lipstick. The user simply daubs a few spots along their top and bottom lip, then massages the compound into their skin and rinses immediately following. My lips were instantly brighter, likely due in most to increased blood flow, and the detail of my dimples and peaks seemed much more pronounced.

The second phase of the Lip Trio was as equally intriguing as the first, a tea infused Kaolin Masque that is intended to cover the entire lip surface, and sits for 2-3 minutes before being washed off. Much like my Pore Purifying Masque, this was a very soft and light masque, like a lotion, and almost fragrance free. While the formula visible tightened on my lips there was no 'pulling' or stiff sensation. In all honesty, the experience of treating one's lips was an odd one; I can't say it's an indulgence for me, though there was no unpleasantry. I've since repeated this, while using the trio in it's entirely, twice since and grow to enjoy it a little more each time. I find myself fighting the tendency to bite my lips while allowing the masque to settle, however, and am reminded that the June Jacobs line is natural and preservative free; a relief in case of minor ingestion.

The final phase of the Lip Trio Kit is a Peach and Jojoba oil Lip Renewal which very much resembles a smooth Vaseline. A tiny bit of this product goes a very long way as it virtually melts along one's lips. As I mentioned, this is the only of the three products in the kit that has a fragrance, one that is surprisingly powerful. The aroma's a bit hard to pinpoint but relies on a grapefruit base with a medicinal floral undertones. I experienced no stinging, and the compound actually kept my lips more than soft, but moisturized for hours after application. June Jacobs advises that their Lip Renwal can be applied as many times as desires throughout the day. I did, however, notice that several applications throughout the day made my lips almost anticipate the Renewal. That is to say my lips became conditioned to this serum and I could almost sense when they would began thirsting for it again.

Again, the June Jacobs brand has surpasses my expectations- Their preservative and paraben free commitment makes me more confident in my beauty routine choices, and their mid range pricing makes spa quality skincare available to every budget.

What Daughter Says: While luck plays into it, I know smart skin care decisions do too!

One Momma Told Me reader will win June Jacobs June Jacobs Intensive Age Defying Hydrating Cleanser! 

BistroMD Day 4: Curried Chicken w/Couscous + Chicken Normandy

***I received a 5 Day, meal only, plan from BistroMd for the purpose of this review series. No further compensation was provided.All content and images are original and copyright Momma Told Me 2013.
Day 4:

While I am, personally, a big champion of the BistroMD mealplans, and approved all of the possible dishes eligible for my culinary preferences, Day 4 of this round disappointed in a sense. It's not that the entrees weren't flavorful, or filling, but the specific collection of these 3 dishes, together, was a bit underwhelming. If possible, I prefer to have multiple protein sources throughout the day, and it seems this round of BistroMD meals has featured chicken predominantly. This particular day, my lunch and dinner entrees both featured a large chicken breast. I would have liked to have seen shredded or diced chicken, or even beef or pork on today's menu, but I must keep in mind that these meal schedules are designed by an actual nutritionist with the intent of providing well rounded nutrients first most. I'm sure no major harm would have come from my swapping a Day 5 entree with one of my chicken features, but I prefer to follow the plan as laid out for me.

For breakfast this day I awoke to South of The Border Egg Whites with a breakfast pinto bean medley of peppers, onions, and tomatoes. I've never had pinto beans as a breakfast side before, but I quickly realized this is not much different than a vegetarian breakfast burrito! Plating the item individually, rather in a burrito format, allows me to give them more consideration while eating, and leads to that target 'full' feeling quicker. It's always a treat when I get to enjoy egg whites in the morning, and these round patties were no disappointment. While the aesthetics weren't appetizing, to me, the zesty salsa verda smothering my entree smelled enticing and kept the fluffy eggs palatable. My only desire at the end of the meal was that thee has been more sauce to drench the beans as well.

For lunch I was greeted by a familiar entree, BistroMD's Gluten Free French Style Chicken Normandy. Okay, it sounds a little more refined than it actually is. This plate is more like what I would make for myself at home, when counting calories. It features a medium sized grilled chicken breast in a light Normandy sauce accompanied by roasted carrot sticks and an Eggplant Ratatouille. The sleeve for this entree mentions diced apples alongside the Normandy, but I couldn't find them? Regardless, the Normandy sauce baked onto the chicken sort of like a cheese and stole a little moisture form the traditionally tender BistroMD breast. Luckily the Eggplant Ratatouille was quite indulgent and rich in flavor and moisture. I consumed this lunch by wedging chunks of ratatouille alongside a fork-full of chicken. At just 310 calories for this entire meal, I was stuffed well through the afternoon, and ate every bite.

When dinner rolled around I was beginning to feel the pangs of hunger creep in and opened my fridge to pull the thawed Curried Chicken with Couscous out. This particular entree is not Gluten Free, and has a total of 330 calories. With a Thai appeal, the dish is packaged in a single compartment tray and features ingredients layered together, to be eaten as a whole component. A large chicken breast is wedged between layers of tri-colored couscous in coconut milk and torn cilantro, served atop a bed of shredded carrots, and garnished with tender raisins. It's not a culinary creation I'd ever think up, but the savory couscous compliments the sweetness of the raisins and the texture of the carrots quite well. There's a bit of chewing involved in this meal, which lends to it's hearty portioning and the content full feeling when done. I actually couldn't finish my last bite, I was so stuffed!

Day 4 wrapped with an 860 calorie count for entrees alone, and about 1350 calories overall including my snacks and a 100 calorie Skinny Cow dessert. Overall, this wasn't the most impressive day, though I enjoyed each meal, I'm looking forward to a larger variety on Day 5.

June Julep Reveal + Penny Intro Box Offer

***I am a paid subscriber to Julep Maven monthly subscription boxes. No sponsorship was provided. All images and content is original and copyright Momma Told Me 2013. Update: Get your first month's Julep Maven box for 1 PENNY, SHIPPED! Go here, do the style quiz and sign up with code PENNY (Choose 'FREE SHIPPING')!

Momma Told Me: Good things are worth the wait.

Somewhere halfway through the month I begin to get a little antsy. This feeling reminds me of being a young girl, anxiously running down the smoldering gravel fire escape path to our mailbox at the back of the condominium complex. Momma and I would hold 'contests' to see who could endure the heat, barefoot, longest. While running helped keep my feet off the hot gravel for too long, it was merely a way to get that golden key into the dull silver latch just a little bit faster. During Summers Momma and I would comb through 'send away' books; books with hundreds of addresses and contacts for free samples and send away gifts for kids. Then I would proceed to spend the remaining 2 months throwing that mailbox hatch open with the anticipation of Christmas morning. That's the feeling I get merely logging into my email on the 20th morning of each month. Without fail, there will be an email from Julep waiting for me with this month's selections. And, perhaps even better than those gifts on Christmas morn, I will have the chance to handpick the perfect collection to be sent directly to my door.

Last month we saw a beautifully vibrant brights collection unveiled, reminiscent of Miami beaches and Hollywood's young starlets. This month the vibrant hues carry over into a classical collection inspired by Eastern shores; Nantucket Nostalgia. While my default 'style profile' is set to Classic With a Twist (often less flashy renditions of classical hues and textures), I opted to go for the Bombshell box this month. One of the things I especially love about Julep Maven subscriptions is the option to change between style profiles each month, or skip a month entirely. Unlike other programs where users have to bid for boxes, or are sent the same generic collection of items as all the other subscribers, Julep offers options. Nearly all of this month's choices featured the brand's innovate new DD Cream (more on that in a second), but there were a few exclusively with polish for those with picky skin, or an aversion to facial cosmetics.

My two hues this month were Payton (a sassy bright Green) and Raegan (a beautiful deep Pink), and came alongside a full size DD cream in my chosen skin tone and a few pieces of Saltwater Taffy. Julep does a wonderful job of crafting fun and creative inspiring boxes; usually with a 'sweet' little twist to indulge in. When I had logged into Julep on May 20th I had been prompted to complete a new, extensive, beauty profile. Inside were fun graphic filled questions about my preferred cosmetics, shades, and style. This was a great indication that the brand will be working more cosmetics, and even haircare, into their future boxes. Don't worry, those of you who crush exclusively on the brand's premium lacquers will still have the option to choose classic boxes each month! Best of all, there is no charge for the 'extra' cosmetic; simply choose 3 nail care or color collections from this months picks, or one of the beauty enhanced boxes.

The DD Creme, also available in Concealer, comes in 4 shades and stands for 'Dynamic Do-All.' It features an SPF 25 base, 2 patented anti-aging compounds, hibiscus and olive oil extracts to hydrate skin, and wears very light for layering. Unlike some BB creams I have tried, and don't mistake this as one (it is missing a primer), this formula is very light and does not cake on skin or leave my complexion feeling greasy. I'd consider it moderate coverage, best for naturally clear skin, and suggest it works well with a mineral top coat when used as a foundation.

As for our lacquers this month, Sabrina (10) and I instantly new we wanted to play with the contrast of the two bright colors. For me, I went half and half and striped down the middle with Sally Hansen Instant Nail Strips in Kitty Kitty (leopard). I felt the animal print was very bold against the brights so I chose to only accent a few fingers on each hand. Sabrina wanted something more geometrical, but we found that Payton (green) went on much thinner and translucent than the Pink color. We ended up using 3 layers of Payton as the base, and only 1 layer of Raegan on the other hand. I finished off the look with a simple dot pattern using a few droplets of lacquer on a plate, with the back of a cotton swap stick. When we were done we finished with a drop of Julep's Quick Dry Polish Drops (a true marvel), we'd received in our October box. This is the perfect way to end a mani with the natural oils and aromatic experience that is quite calming.

What Daughter Says: Give yourself something to look forward to this Summer, give Julep Maven a try today.

Update: Get your first month's Julep Maven box for 1 PENNY, SHIPPED! Go here, do the style quiz and sign up with code PENNY (Choose 'FREE SHIPPING')!

#FamilyMobileSaves Time + Money So You Only Have To Worry About What To Do With More Of Both

***I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Walmart Family Mobile® #FamilyMobileSaves #cbias #SocialFabric All images and photos are original content copyrighted to Momma Told Me Blog, 2013.

Momma Told Me: Don't let technology take over your life.

Have you ever stopped to watch someone lost in their technology? No, I don't mean the early adopters who seem to have 4+ electronic devices on their person at any given time; I'm referring to those overwhelmed by the devices that seemingly have wormed their way into everyday life. I could say it's generational, but the truth is there are just as many 20 somethings who own devices with capabilities they'll never grasp, as there are 50 somethings. The simple truth is that technology moves much to fast for the average consumer to keep up. When I was a young girl Momma adopted the pager fad as part of her 'personal security' initiative. If I had a dollar for every time little 5'8, 90lb, Momma had to pull off the road in an unknown town to find a payphone, I'd be rich. But isn't it amazing how society learns to accept these little inconveniences, in exchange for the social status these devices offer? The truth is, we shouldn't have to choose between empty wallets and over-complicated devices; there is a phone and cheap wireless plan for everyone!

For me, my mobile phone has been a love-hate relationship since my first pixelated handset in high school. Machines, or technology, cannot hear our angst when data goes missing, or an important call is dropped. Smartphones, despite the name, cannot walk us through troubleshooting, or negotiate contracts; for that, a human is still required. Unfortunately, about 50% of the frustrations that come along with modern technology are due to user error or lack of operations understanding. I'll be the first to admit I've spend ample time yelling at my handset, wondering why the caller on the other end couldn't hear me, only to discover my Bluetooth device had  been left on. Technology and services seem to change so quickly, I can only imagine the classes I'll need to take to learn the next generation- 'Genius phones' here we come!

If you're like me, you've probably been thinking about upgrading your handset for months, maybe even years; but have been afraid to invest in a high end handset while still swallowing the never-ending surcharges, contract fees, and monthly service plans. I have been with my current provider for almost 3 years now. Thought I recently upgraded my father to a new Windows Phone, and switched him to a T-Mobile No Contract plan, I was still hesitant to make the switch myself. My current provider and I have a love-hate relationship that's been increasingly tipping towards the later as of late. Just last month I called to update my billing information only to be billed, twice, on my old card the very next day. I then spent over 6 hours on the phone with customer support trying to rectify the issue; which included no compensation for the time or inconvenience. Sadly, this has become a monthly event in our home; every month I have to physically call the provider and 're-opt' back into the unlimited no-contract plan. I have to verify my billing information again, and often speak to 4-5 individuals before my call is done.

I spend hours on the phone with my cellphone provider each month for technical support or to simply keep my service active. Even worse, I've found my service to be lacking as of late. As you can see in the image of my handset, up above, 90% of the calls I receive show up as 'missed.' Though I spend the majority of my day at home with my handset by my side, I miss call after call. Then I'm forced to dial in to the dreaded voice-mail, listen to messages and call offices back, playing phone tag to reach the initial caller. More of my time, wasted; and that's just the service issues when I'm at home. If my coverage can't be reliable when I'm standing in one spot, how will I be able to rely on it while out and about in an emergency? Even more concerning, our household is paying $10 a month more than some competitors for this spotty service and rotating billing issues. That's right, my family wants to reclaim me from my mobile plan!

Recently it was suggested I make the switch to the new and improved Walmart Family Mobile plan. Currently the other half and I maintain independent providers in a no-contract relationship, simply because our phones were not 'unlocked' to be activated on outside networks. (That tells you how old my smartphone is.) Today, it seems more and more major cell phone brands are producing phones than can surf between networks and be activated across multiple plans. The Walmart Family Mobile plan offers the freedom of buying a new handset in store, or bringing your own handset to their comprehensive no-contract unlimited plans. Operating on the T-Mobile wireless network; my father has trusted for over 10 years; the Walmart Family Mobile plan has extensive coverage nationwide. Prospective customers can easily check their coverage map (our home is in an 'Excellent' zone), to determine if the network is right for them. While I knew our hometown received consistent coverage on the T-Mobile network, it was great to see it in black and green!

While it might sound a little intimidating for those currently in contract plans, or independent no contract relationships, the Walmart Family Mobile plan is actually fairly straight forward. For $40 a month a customer can enjoy unlimited web access, US calls, and texts. While the plans support 4G devices, it does seem the current service caps 3G speeds at 1GB, then proceeds to drop down to 2G for the remainder of the month. Additional lines, for a total up to 5, are $35 more per month, though the 3G data cap is shared among users. How the difference in speed will effect me, remains to be seen but, is my primary concern. Regardless, I journeyed into our local Walmart to learn more about the plans and devices available. As it turns out, the department manager was not only knowledgeable about the Walmart Family Mobile plans, but a user himself! He was more than happy to walk us through the set up process, verbally, and set us up with the one time activation pack ($25/device), which would provide us with our first month of service upon activation.

As it turns out, my new handset is actually a much newer rendition of my old one; the Optimus L9 Walmart Family Mobile smartphone will be replacing my old Optimus Net device. It features 4G capability with a beautiful 4.5" qHD touchscreen, 5MP flash capable camera, with front facing camera, Android 4.0, and more. Setting up my new handset and Family Mobile plan was as simple as following the easy steps outlined in my Walmart Family Mobile Starter Kit. Not only could I port over all of my old contacts and images, etc through Google+, but I was able to keep my old phone number on the new plan! A quick recap of the phone logs from the past 3 months, and I've spent an astounding 9.4 hours on the phone with my old provider, in that quarter year alone! I'm hoping, not only will I be saving time, and stress, by making this switch, but I know I'll be saving an extra $5/month (and more if Jay and I join plans) as well. Just think of all the things I could be doing with that extra time and money!

It's too early to say if the cheap wireless plan will live up to the hype, and my expectations, but the full bars on my new Optimus L9 are a good start! I'm looking forward to having a fresh new contract free plan that works into my lifestyle, not the other way around. Not to mention all the extra time I'll have to spend time with my family doing the things we love; more berry picking at the farm, more girls spa days in, more baking delicious treats- more 'Win' all around. And what will I do with that extra money in my pocket each month? I just might indulge in some ice cream on the boardwalk, after all, we all deserve something a little extra sweet, don't we? Check back in a month to see our update on the Walmart Family Mobile plan, and hear if Jay's going to jump on the savings wagon with me! In the mean time, check out our trip to Walmart and see how we narrowed our new plan down in our #FamilyMobileSaves Google+ album.

What Daughter Says: Modern technology should enhance your life, without making you broke. #FamilyMobileSaves modern families money, while pairing the best handheld devices for every family member with trusted T-Mobile network service.

@SpinMasterToys: Doctor Dreadful Edible Zombies + Bugs

Momma Told Me: Eat veggies, not people!

I suppose I should begin by stating that this is NOT a sponsored post. As it turns out we all decided to head out shopping last week in search of a new (general) dress for me, on account of my dropping 40lbs, and wound up at Michaels with some 40% off coupons. You should have seen Sabrina (10) mope and drag her feet through Kohls and the dressing room (for the whole 20 minute ordeal), then proceed to play pout as we entered the craft store. I usually try to have some sort of project, baking or craft, planned for Fridays as she gets out an hour early (1PM); and with the school year wrapping knew we would be in need of kid friendly projects to fill extra time. We walked nearly the entire store, me commenting and reflecting on things I did in my childhood, with Sabrina staring at the ground and acting nonchalant.

As we rounded the corner towards the educational kits and exploratory companions I knew our luck was about to change. You may recall a post I did during Spring Break about an Orb Factory Make Your Own Volcano Kit. Sabrina (10) loves painting her nails and girling out as much as the next tween girl, but she can also hold her own as a pretty rough and tumble tomboy. She's constantly finding spiders and creepy crawlers around the house to give names and secret identities too. That's precisely why I wasn't surprised to see her finally light up as she clutched a Carnivorous Plants Terrarium Kit (more about that in an upcoming post). I let out a sigh, finally some interest and it was in a 'project' that would require minimal setup and months of 'waiting'. I promised we'd acquire this kit, which featured (eventually) living Venus Fly Traps, and begged her to be a little more open to the other options.

As it turns out, Sabrina hadn't been uncaring of the task, she had been restraining herself, "But I don't want to make you spend a bunch of money, " she explained. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle as Jay and I tried to explain that we had coupons to cut the prices in half, and we were searching for things we could all do, together; so it wasn't an imposition.That was all it took for us to begin filling our arms with projects and crafts. Naturally, the thing that caught her attention most was on sale (the only exclusion to these amazing little coupons), but it was hard to argue with something that was already half off to begin with. Umagine's Doctor Dreadful Zombies range, also available in Alien Autopsy, featured mortifying creation labs that produced edible oddities such as gummy bugs, and a complete Zombie head culinary station. Ranging from $15-$40 (retail) these kits all interconnect together and have flavor packet refills for continued use year round.

The first kit was the smaller of the 2 Doctor Dreadful ones we had bought; Zombies: Bug Lab, which consisted of a fairly simple guillotine styled injector system. We simply measured out the required number of 'bug powder' scoops, and equal scoops of warm water into the injector's base,  mixed, then slid the mold down until it forced the mixture up into the mold. We had a little trial and tribulation with this; if the water is not warm enough the mixture will harden too quickly to fill the entire mold (after all, we are working against gravity sending the candy up, rather than pouring it in), and if the water is too warm it will make the mixture runny. This becomes an issue if you think you're being smart, *cough* like me, and try to overheat the water for better molding, then pull the mold with the giant hole up too soon. You guessed it, bug guts everywhere!

Surprisingly, Sabrina actually was the best at this. Both of us adults struggled dearly at first. In any case, the kit comes with 2 molds, and each mold takes about 5 MINS in the fridge to chill, before being peeled and consumed, so kids can stay busy between bugs. I was certain these quasi gummies would have a granular taste, but the consistency and flavor was tolerable to me, and delicious to Sabrina. We didn't have much trouble peeling them out of the molds, though the beetle was a little more intricate than the centipede, and two colors/flavors were included with the kit for a little variety. As an adult would expect, and fear, this is a kids activity set that deals with sugary substances- something children gravitate towards, but parents might avoid. Fear not, 10 year old Sabrina happily cleaned each and every part (molds, scoop, and base) between molding her critters. Do place this on a dining plate or tablecloth outside though, just in case of spill overs.

#EverydayDairy Summer Recipes To Delight the Whole Family

***I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Neptune Retail® #cbias #SocialFabric All images and photos are original content copyrighted to Momma Told Me Blog, 2013.
Momma Told Me: Life's richer with a little dairy.

I'm addicted to dairy, and so is Jay; even if he shouldn't have it in large quantities, that doesn't stop the constant craving for something melty, milky, or creamy. Which is precisely why we buy Lactose Tolerance tablets in bulk, but that's a tale for a different post. The point here is that we love dairy so much, like a moth to the flame, it doesn't tend to stick around in our house very long. Even worse, I've not only resorted to stockpiling great sales on Sargento shredded cheese and other Everyday Dairy staples, but I've come to learn how to hide my own stash of sliced snacking cheese from grubby little dairy thieves (aka Jay and Sabrina). I could tell you I happily munch on mozzarella strings to reduce my risk of Type 2 Diabetes, or make a warm Gouda Cheddar Ham Melt to get my daily requirement of Calcium, but these would just be enabling excuses for the underlying problem. That's right, I have a problem. It's not normal for a family to consume dairy in the alarming quantities we do!

From an early age I craved dairy, though I can't recall a time Momma ever bought milk higher than 2%. I always found it odd, even when Pop began watching his cholesterol, how the only dairy product she would skimp on was the actual dairy itself! Naturally, I've adopted these habits within my own family. We keep Soy and 1% milk on hand at all times, only buying heavy cream and whole milk for cooking or homemade cheese projects. But our cheese, which we love so very much, is always completely in tact, in all it's dairy glory. You name it and we likely have it on hand, from Philadelphia Cream Cheese to Kraft Snack Slices and Kraft with Touch of Philadelphia Shreds, even fresh made Alfredo Sauce and bricks of Velveeta. We're not cheese snobs, but we usually have a few 'premium' cheeses on hand too, like fresh shaved Parmesan and Havarti. Dairy never goes to waste in our household, but I'm still left scrambling to stock up when the sales come around.

This week a month long sale kicked off at our local Vons (and Safeway affiliate stores nationwide; Randall's, Tom thumb, Pavillions, etc). Featuring revolving bundles of the hottest dairy brands and products, each week special items will be advertised as part of a Buy $15, Save $5 promotion. This means you can enjoy the exclusive Safeway sale prices and stack the savings by shaving an additional $5 off your purchase total, instantly, when you purchase $15 or more of the participating dairy items. I'm not ashamed to tell you we have 8 bags of Kraft Shredded Cheese in our freezer at this very moment, a personal stockpile triumph for me. Just don't ask me how many shelves are dedicated to our cheese and mil products right now! Naturally, with a dairy obsessed family like ours, I do have to get a little creative incorporating all these rich dairy products into healthy #EverydayDairy meals and snacks. The key is to use your favorite dairy products to enhance the dish or snack, not serve as the main ingredient.

The past week we've been indulging in some of my personal favorite, and simple, dairy based recipes; beginning with a light and fluffy breakfast of Gluten Free Whole Grain Waffles and Whipped Orange Creme. You'll find my printable recipe for the Gluten Free Waffle batter is made entirely in the blender or food processor for a contained baking experience that is great for on-the-go mornings. The Philadelphia Cream Cheese base in this Orange Creme leaves the texture silky, yet thick enough to dollop or whip much like that classic pie topping found in the freezer aisle.

Whipped Orange Creme

***Click for printable recipe.

Ingredients:

*8oz Philadelphia Light Cream Cheese Brick (Not Fat Free)

* 6 TSP Granulated Sugar

* Juice of 1 Fresh Navel Orange

* Zest of 1 Navel Orange

* 2 TSP Vanilla Extract

* 1 C Heavy Cream

Directions:

1.) With the cream cheese still in the wrapper manipulate it until it becomes pliable.

2.) Place the cream cheese in a large bowl with sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla.Whip until smooth and sugar is dissolved entirely. (You should not be able to feel sugar granules when you rub the mixture between 2 fingers.)

3.) Add heavy cream and continue to whip until mixture resembles thick, softly whipped, cream cheese.

4.) Chill a minimum of 30 minutes prior to serving.

Sometime last year on Pinterest I pinned a meal concept I was sure I'd never attempt, but knew my family would love. I say this because, well, I am odd about ground or processed meat, even if I am the one grinding it directly. It's a textural thing, really; I simply don't care much for sausage or 'patty' products. That being said, the concept of Baked Chicken Parmesan Minis was too much to pass up, and this has quickly become one of our family's favorite quick make meals for busy nights. Not only can these little mini 'meatloaves' be make in bulk in advance, but the little contained portions are great for snacking at lunch, or adding to a side of fresh steamed veggies for dinner. It's as simple as combing your favorite chicken Parmesan ingredients in a bowl, mashing by hand, then plopping the mixture into muffin tins to bake for 25 minutes. The result is one that won me over, and fills the house with an aroma to rival the finest Italian eatery.

Baked Chicken Parmesan Minis

**Click for printable recipe.

Ingredients:

* 1.5lbs Raw Ground Chicken Breast, Turkey Substitute okay

* 1 Large Egg, AND 1 Large Egg White
* 3/4 Cup Ground Italian Bread Crumbs
*3/4 TSP Dried Basil

*3/4 TSP Dried Oregano
*2 Garlic Cloves, minced
*1 Small Onion, minced
*3/4 TSP Salt
*1/3 TSP Black Pepper
*1C Touch of Philadelphia Kraft Shredded Cheese
*3/4 C Pasta Sauce (We use Chunky Mushroom)

*3/4 C 2% Kraft Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

**Optional: Kraft Shaved Parmesan to Garnish

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350F

1.)  Lightly coat muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.
2.) In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, egg whites, breadcrumbs, basil, oregano, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and Kraft Parmesan and Mozzarella shredded cheeses and lightly mix together. Do not over handle.
3.)  Form the meat mixture evenly into the 12 cups of your prepared muffin tin. Spread the pasta sauce evenly over the tops of each muffin. 

4.) Bake for 20 MINS and remove from the oven. Top each muffin with about a tablespoon of shredded cheese/Shaved Parmesan and then return to the oven for 2-3 MINS until the cheese is melted. Garnish if desired.

To round out our week of dairy indulgence I had Sabrina help me make some Orange Strawberry Creamsicle Pops. A while back we invested in a set of 6 generic popsicle molds for about $7 on Amazon to help get us through the hot Summer months with healthy frozen treats. Given my druthers I'd reach for a Drumstick to munch on every afternoon, but these creamy little popsicles have just enough dairy, thanks to Activia Vanilla Yogurt, to keep from getting icey and satisfy my cravings. As it turns out, it's also a great way ton incorporate all of the excess frozen strawberries we stockpile from our trips to the local Pick-Your-Own Farm. And, when we happen to have some fresh fruit on hand we slice them up thin and slide them down the sides of the molds for a little extra 'surprise' when eating. I've had plenty of trials and tribulations in home-made frozen pops, so let me impart my gem of wisdom onto you; when adding dairy into a frozen base, rely on frozen ingredients to keep the mixture from separating!

Orange Strawberry Creamsicle Pops

**Click for printable recipe.

Ingredients:

Yields 6 frozen pops

* Half a Can (6oz) of Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate

* 1 (4 Pack) of Dannon Activia Vanilla Yogurt

* 2 TSP Vanilla Extract

* 1/2 C Frozen Strawberries

* 1/4 C Pulp Free Orange Juice (Simple Orange Pineapple preferred)

Directions:

1.) Combine all ingredients in blender and mix until evenly smooth.

2.) Pour into designated Popsicle molds, leaving 1/4" for any desired fruit slices.

3.) Freeze Solid (about 2 hours)

Whether we're  whipping up a nutritious Italian inspired dinner, or cooling of poolside with homemade popsicles, great quality dairy from our favorite brands is a Summertime staple. Buying delicious cheese and dairy products can be expensive for the ordinary family budget, but shoppers can take advantage of great savings and stock up on Kraft favorites all month long, thanks to promotional specials at their local Safeway chain. Visit our Google + album to see a sneak peek at some of the great savings in store this week, then head to your local Safeway location to create memorable dairy rich meals the whole family will love.

What Daughter Says: We're a dairy addicted family, and proud!