My party with Ranch! #HVRanchers

When I first found out I got selected to host a Ranch party I was so excited because we have been Hidden Valley fans since forever! I've a nice party kit which included 1 cool Team Ranch T-shirt, 1 bottle of hidden Valley Original Ranch dressing, 3 packets of hidden Valley Original Ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix and 1 party insert letting me know the details about activities and recipes to make during the party! 

I decided to make the original Ranch Roasted potatoes. Well, let me tell you I was surprised it only took me 15 min of prep. to make this delicious recipe as a side dish! (Which I'm making for the holidays now, love EASY and YUMMY). Here's the recipe so you can try it out at home! Trust me, you will love it and your kids too!

Ranch Roasted potatoes recipe:

1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
2 Lb. Small red potatoes quartered.

1 Packet of Hidden Valley Original Ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix.

Just place the potatoes in a food storage bag (I used a big bowl - I like shaking and smelling what's good). Then, add oil - seal the bag and toss to coat - After so, get the seasoning mix and toss again until coated. Place on ungreased baking pan at 450*F for 30 to 35 minutes or until potatoes are brown! (It took me 30 minutes). 

I found it very easy to make, the smell was all over my place and when my guests arrived were wondering what I was making because they were drooling just to smell the seasoning I cooked with! That's Ranch baby! 

We were sharing tips and ideas about other ways to use the Hidden Valley Original Ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix and one of the top list recipes from one of my friends was making sausages with the seasoning as a side dish for a party which sounded easy, delicious and kid friendly too. So looking forward to do that! Will post about it soon. 

Here's the recipe idea with the franks and seasoning:

1 package of large franks, cut into 4 pieces, add the Ranch seasoning mix and then fry or roast in the oven for 15 min.  You may also serve this with Ranch salad dressing (The original). Salivating as I type! haha. 

I really enjoy easy to make recipes because I'm always in a hurry with so much to do! I get invited to so many holidays events and usually bring a side dish or dessert. These recipe ideas come in a perfect time to delight my friends with Ranch! 

If you want to have a chance to host a party or to win exciting prizes just become a member of @crowdtap and start tapping! 

Jois us here:  http://www.crowdtap.com/

Drink Drip Drop for the whole family!

I'm excited to be included in the @DripDrop program from @shespeaksup. #DrinkDripDrop #spon.

 I recently got the product to try it out at home with my family and I have to say it's been a success. We've tried the berry flavor and I definitely love it! My daughter JJ who is two years old has been feeling a little bit down with a cold and she refused to eat. She has tried others hydrated drinks in the past and she wont like it a bit, the tastes is not something she will like to drink every time she gets sick and put this mamma in a hurry trying everything out! 

Well, surprise! @DripDrop worked just great. It tastes TOTALLY different, it's more like a berry juice than a "hydrated yucky taste drink". My little girl was from being in a quiet mood to start playing again with a good mood! I'd highly recommend this products to all parents out there! Give it a try!

I also helped out one of my neighbors since she has a 14 months old with teething pain, we truly know how irritable babies get when is about that! I gave her 3 of my @DripDrop hydration powder because her little guy wasn't in the mood to eat or drink milk! She was afraid he faced dehydration due to lack of rest and fluids. She was concerded because of the artificial colors and flavors. I was happy to tell her I was scared of giving my daughter artificial drinks as well and I clarified that @DripDrop has NO artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Happy moms all the way! 

It's very simple to mix, just get 8oz of water and add one packet of your favorite DripDrop flavor  -stir until disolved-  It has a delicious taste, smooth texture, it's been medical aproved and  it's used by leading hospitals and pediatricians. One good thing is "MADE IN USA" How cool is that?. I love products made in my country! 

DripDrop formula delivers 2-3 times the electrolytes of sport drinks and it's specially formulated for children over 12 months old, adults and seniors! It helps prevents dehydration resulting from vomiting, diarrhea and excessive sweating. As parents, we are always concern when we go trough this issues and @DripDrop has come to the rescue! 

Disclosure: I received this product for free to review and all of the opinions are 100% mine. I did not receive any compensation from the company. 

How to win the battle against Cancer?

I can't believe how Cancer take us away from the people we love. When less expected there's a new friend trying to win the battle. I remember when I was in high school (about 15 years ago) my mom got the sad news she had breast cancer. Worst day ever for my family! We did everything we could, we were praying everyday, she was devastated but the power of a prayer saved her from that horrible moment. Thank goodness they didn't need to remove her breast. Since then, she keeps going to yearly check ups and she tries to balance a healthy lifestyle with exercises and good eating habits. 

Recently, I have been checking around on certain sites about non organic items that might have a connection with Cancer. The conventional foods that has pesticides, hormones or other chemicals during the growing process can affect our health by providing us diseases we DON'T need or want in our life. Conventional: Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth. Scary, isn't it?. 

Organic foods apply natural fertilizers and give animals organic feeds, a balanced diet and OUTDOORS time! That's why it might be a little bit more expensive to purchase organic. But, here comes the good news: due to HIGH demand these prices are going low for families to eat better and popular stores like Walmart are now carrying organic products like fruits and vegetables for good prices. I purchased broccoli-cauliflower, organic milk (I like Horizon organic vanilla milk and so does my little girl).  You can follow them on social media as they have giveaways for you to get a chance to try out their products! You can win coupons and such. I tried horizon cookies and mac & cheese and we love it at home.

Anyway, the reason why I explain all of this is to take serious the way we are taking things in life. Why do we need to get foods that are going through chemical process? Chemicals kill us slowly and we don't even notice it! Food choices might lower a person's risk of  Cancer. The processing of meats when adding preservatives might increase the potential of these foods to cause cancer. 

Weather you stay getting conventional or organic foods the best you can do is to increase the intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables to reduce cancer risk. As a family, we are avoiding sugary drinks (I've been 4 months soda FREE) I prefer to make shakes, smoothies and homemade fruit juices like mango, pineapple or pear juice. We also walk 30 minutes daily and we are trying to get rid of Teflon cookware and some regular cleaners. Try vinegar and baking soda to clean around the house, It's a Good choice!.

Parenting is a blessing!

When I found out I was expecting a baby I've got so excited and scared at the same time, what to do? what to eat? what NOT to eat? How to walk? Do I have the proper shoes for the snow? Yeah! I was that concern in order to enjoy my pregnancy life to the fullest! So, I called mom (yea mom firsts) and I told her the big news by phone! It was such a huge surprised for her since the OB/GYN told me years ago I might not be able to have a baby due to hormones and such (haha, yea right). Anyway, after telling my family the news I asked my closest friend about a good doctor and her recommendations were just perfect. I went to my appointments ( I didn't missed any day) I started taking care of my diet, I continued walking and enjoying life carefully! No more roller coasters or running onto the stairs. Once, while I was waiting at the doctor I noticed some fliers on the table with parenting classes info. I put two of those in my purse and called the next day. I attended to a government parenting program for 3 years and it was the best decision ever. I've graduated this year 2 months ago, they gave me flowers a certificate and a $20 gift card for my dedication and consistency! The program was for FREE, I had a nurse visiting me once a week during the pregnancy, post-pregnancy and till JJ turned two years old. What a BIG great help! The nurse, Malty, helped me so much-she cleared all of my doubts and made me feel I wasn't alone in this new parenting adventure to me! (I gotta mention my mom is overseas and that's why I felt confused with tons on questions). Malty told me about the turmeric powder benefits and she gave me the best tips to take care of my daughter. We discussed themes such as budgets, meal plans, 'me' time and how to involved my significant other into the most exciting moment as  parents! I would love to encourage the new moms out there to take advantage of the FREE programs the government has to offer! If we don't use this tools they will shut down the programs! Go ahead and call the WIC program for help if you need that too! Search online and pay attention to the magazines while waiting for an appointment at the doctor. That's how I found out about FREE medical programs for women, families and I also found out about twitter parties reading the parenting magazines!
If you have any question I will be more than glad to help you out! :)