T.L.C. VoxBox

I just received a free TLC VoxBox from Influenster.  It was sent to about 10,000 moms with free samples from different companies.

Here are the things it included and my thoughts about the box:

1) Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card 

• In all honesty, this was kind of a lame "sample" considering you can sign up for these at any Shell station or online.  In fact, I already have one and use it regularly.  I love it, but I was looking forward to trying new products. The good news is... if you have one, you can save 3 cents at the pump just for carrying around the car.  So... saving money... always a plus in my book.

2) Breyers Gelato Indulgences Coupon

• I was really excited about this because I love ice cream, fro-yo and all things sweet/cold.  My hubby and I tried the Triple Chocolate gelato and it was HEAVENLY! It was quite pricey for the size of the container, but if you are thinking about picking up some delicious ice cream, you can't go wrong here. 

3) Puffs to Go

• Again, this is a product that I feel like has already been around and don't get me wrong... I LOVE these purse-sized tissues, but it is nothing new.  It's a pocket/purse-sized tissue.  What's not to love?

4) Neosporin Neo to Go

• This is awesome and super handy for any mom (especially moms with boys).  Kids are always getting hurt and needing a little scrap "fixed".  This can go on a keychain or in a purse perfectly.  Two thumbs up. 

5) Ivory Bar Sop

• It's a bar of soap.  Period.  I actually don't really like bar soap-- I prefer body wash.  So, I am not sure how I feel about this. 

6)Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother

• I have super sensitive skin and it doesn't like all beauty products I test.  We shall see how this goes... 

My first impression was that I was honored to receive the box.  Was it a box full of innovative new stuff?? No--I had used/seen most of these things.  But, it did give me a chance to try some new stuff out.   I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5.

All of these products were mailed to me as a free product testing courtesy of Influenster.com.

Who Doesn't Like Free Stuff?

Early this year, I was introduced to an awesome website called Influenster?  Influenster is a place where one can use social media to review and/or promote products.   They will occasionally send out free samples of products with the hope that the companies can gain exposure.  And that's where you come in... you can sample and review these products.   It's a win-win situation!

I will be occasionally posting about products I might receive for free from Influenster.   Feel free to jump on in and join up with the rest of us at www.influenster.com!

Meals: Breakfast for Dinner || Stuffed French Toast

Breakfast for dinner, in my opinion, is absolutely delicious, not to mention pretty inexpensive.  I could eat it once every week.

Last night, we had the missionaries from church over.  The problem was... we had an ice storm and I couldn't make it to the store.  I had to rely on what we had in our house and something quick that my husband could pick up on his way home from work.

I found this recipe in one of my favorite recipe books: The Gathering of Friends, Volume 2.  I had to make a few modifications because we don't like some of the ingredients and didn't have some other ingredients.

Sweet Stuffed French Toast
(adapted from The Gathering of Friends, Volume 2)

Feeds 4; 45-50 minutes total time

Ingredients:

• 20 thinly sliced pieces of french bread (slice the loaf into pieces a little less than 1/2 inch; about the size of a regular piece of bread)
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 6 tbsp. of butter
• 1/3 c. of syrup
• 4 tbsp. sugar
• 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 1 c. whole milk (the recipe calls for 1% but we only have whole in our house)
• 1 1/2 tbsp. vanilla
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9"x13" glass pan with cooking spray.

Brown Sugar Glaze

Melt butter in microwave in a medium-sized bowl.  Add brown sugar, maple syrup and mix together well.  Put the other half to the side.

Spread about 1/2 of the brown sugar glaze mixture on the bottom of the pan.  

Add 10 slices of bread on top of the brown sugar glaze. 

Cream Cheese Filling Mixture

In another bowl, whip the cream cheese until creamy.  Add sugar and cinnamon and mix well.  Spread cream cheese mixture onto one side of the remaining 10 slices of bread.  

Place these slices of bread (cream cheese mixture side down) on top of the bread in the pan... like you are making a sandwich.  

Egg Mixture

Beat eggs, milk, vanilla and nutmeg together.  Pour over bread.  Let the bottom pieces of bread soak up the egg mixture.  

Spread the remaining brown sugar glaze on top of the bread.

Bake for 15 minutes.  Flip each "sandwich" over to allow the egg mixture to soak the opposite side.  Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.  Make sure egg mixture is completely cooked (it shouldn't be runny anymore). 

Broil for 3-5 minutes to reach a golden-brown.  

Top with whipped cream and strawberries... and ENJOY!

Serve with scrambled eggs and hashbrowns for a wonderfully inexpensive meal.  Most of these items can be found in your kitchen already!