Posted on

We’re TWINs!

Untitled
No, I didn't badly photoshop that picture of Em onto her van. Why do you ASK!?

That’s right, kids. Emily and I are TWINs – born 20 months apart, from different parents, but TWINs nonetheless…we are thrilled to announce we are a part of the Toyota Women’s Influencer Network!  You already know from previous posts that we both looooooove Toyota.  And currently, she and I are both proud owners of only Toyota vehicles, including our super-cool Toyota Siennas.

So, we’re already brand-loyal to Toyota, but that’s not even a requirement of the program. (Just a bonus for Toyota, lucky them!)  Next week, I’ll be flying to Los Angeles to meet with twenty or so other TWINs to learn about the latest and greatest technology from Toyota, as well as their community efforts.  I cannot WAIT! Emily’s not coming with me because she couldn’t stand to fly on a plane with me twice in one month. I mean, because of her dumb JOB.

Over the next three months we’ll be sharing our insights and opinions about Toyota and their products (and maybe answering some burning questions – like – “When will the United States see a hybrid Sienna!?)  So stay tuned, and we’ll soon be telling you more Toyota stories, and we hope to hear more of yours, too!

In the meantime, you can get more info about Toyota on all your favorite social networks:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toyota
Twitter: @toyota
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/toyotausa/

_________________________
Disclosure: We were selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of Toyota.

Post to Twitter

Posted on

Pin for the Wednesdays: Grilling with Cilantro

I loooooooooooove cilantro and in my opinion, you can never have too much – as evidenced by my “Food & Drinks” pin board. Cilantro, cupcakes and pretty cocktails. Those are my three favorite food groups.

I also love to grill, so last weekend I was excited to try out a couple recipes I found on Pinterest.

The first – Margarita Chicken.

The original recipe is from DisneyFamily.com.

Margarita Chicken

Ingredients
zest from one lime
1/3 cup fresh lime juice, from about 4 limes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons tequila, optional
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1 teaspoon chile powder
pinch salt and pepper
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, 6-8

Directions
Place all ingredients, except for the chicken, in a gallon-sized zip top plastic bag. Squish to combine. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight.
Coat grill pan (or grill) with cooking spray. Heat pan (or grill) to medium-high. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning breast a quarter turn after two minutes if cross hatch marks are desired. Serve immediately.

Unfortunately I made this approximately three minutes before I wanted to put it on the grill, so it didn’t have time to marinate. It was still good, but I think it would have been even better if it had had time to soak up all the flavor.

Like I said, I have a thing for cilantro, so I went with this as a side dish.

Roasted Corn with Cilantro Butter

From one of my favorite recipe sites, SkinnyTaste.com. I put all the seasonings on the corn, wrapped each ear in aluminum foil, and grilled them for about 20 minutes. YUM!

So that’s what I’ve been up to… what about you??

There are just a few rules:

1) In your post, please link to your original source – the pin you got the idea from.

2) Make sure and link back to our original Pin For the Wednesdays Post here at Mommin’ It Up! (please!)

3) In the Mr. Linky below, leave a direct link to your Pin FTWednesdays post, not to your main website.

4) Totally optional – grab our cute #PinFTW button! The code box is over there in our sidebar.

Don’t have a blog?  Just leave your winning pin in the comments!

We can’t wait to see what you have to share!

Post to Twitter

Posted on

RO*TEL “Spring into Summer” giveaway!

Last week on Pin for the Wednesday I mentioned I was working with RO*TEL tomatoes on their “Spring into Summer” campaign, and I showed you my winning pin for their Guacamole that Rocks!  Well, this weekend I put even more yummy RO*TEL recipes to the test when I helped my BFF Luanne throw and 18th birthday/graduation party for her daughter, and my kids’ favorite babysitter, Krisha!

 

krishajenny2
Not only is she 18 & beautiful, she's also TALL! I am on my tiptoes in this shot.

eighteencandles

To help Krisha’s party guests spring into summer, I made five delicious party foods with RO*TEL and RO*TEL recipes! They are, from left to right: Guacamole that Rocks, Spicy Black Bean Salsa, Zesty Franks Ole‘, Ultimate Chicken Quesadillas, and Fiesta Seven-Layer Dip. Don’t they look tasty!?

Rotelfoodcollage

I had a lot of fun making the recipes, and most were really easy.  The Spicy Black Bean Salsa was probably the easiest, and the Ultimate Chicken Quesadillas required the most effort (but were WELL worth it!) A fun thing I did was use different kinds of RO*TEL – I used mild RO*TEL in some of the recipes to make them more kid-friendly and less spicy, and I used Original RO*TEL in some recipes and RO*TEL with lime & cilantro in others! So they all had that RO*TEL kick but at different levels. Everything was SUPER tasty! I think my favorite was still the Guacamole that Rocks followed closely by the Fiesta Seven-Layer Dip, or maybe the Spicy Black Bean Salsa, I don’t know – it was all amazing! Krisha’s party guests thought so too:

Rotelemptyfoodbowls
Everyone was hungry!

The RO*TEL recipes really made Krisha’s party great!  Are you in a party mood?  To help you spring into summer, RO*TEL has given me a great party prize pack to give away to one lucky reader!  The winner will receive these items to throw their own party with great goodies from RO*TEL:

  • Two cans of RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles
  • Recipe cards
  • Chip-and-dip serving bowl
  • Green chili string lights
  • Outdoor game set

Here’s how to enter to win!  You can enter up to four times!

1) Leave a comment on this post telling me which of these RO*TEL recipes looked yummiest to you

2) Like RO*TEL on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post telling me you did so

3) Follow RO*TEL on Twitter, then leave a comment on this post telling me you did so

4) Follow RO*TEL on Pinterest, then leave a comment on this post telling me you did so

One winner will be chosen at random on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 6pm EST.  Good luck!  And don’t forget to think RO*TEL recipes when you’re planning your next get-together!

____________________

I am being compensated by RO*TEL for this post and received RO*TEL product and party supplies to faciliate my review.  All opinion about the product and the recipes are my own.

Post to Twitter