**BIRCHBOX** August 2012

Caldrea / Hand Soap

Full size $10.50
"A delicious-smelling soap loaded with aloe vera and olive oil to soften hands."
                                                                          
DDF / Brightening Cleanser

 Full size $38.00
"This forming gel uses an all-star team of skin brighteners to fade discoloration and even out skintone."

   
Juicy Couture / Viva la Juicy La Fleur

Full size $70.00
"This modern scent is a feminine blend of wild berries, mandarin, and waterlily."







Per-fekt Beauty / Lash Perfection Gel

Full size $28.50
"Amp up your lashes with this multitasking primer, conditioner, and mascara."

                                                                      

Extra
Schick Hydro Silk razor

He is 3 month old!!

He is now 3 and half months old to be precise. 

It seems this three months past quick, but at the same time, I feel like it's been more than three months...

Because I had some problems on the way, like mastitis, ken's jaundice, eye infections....

Now everything seems going fine. 

I finally feel comfortable breastfeeding him after 2 and half months of struggle...

He's getting bigger and bigger, AND cuter and cuter... :)

He is now able to identify his daddy and mommy. 

And he knows that I'm the one who give him milk....

I know it because when he is fussy and hungry, as soon as he finds me, stares me and if I don't do anything, he starts crying for milk.

Every time he does this, I'm filled with happiness that I am his mom that I am needed.

He started talking... well cooing, gooing, and ahhhing... not really talking.. and smiles a lot.

His smile melts my heart.. 

Eco Emi July Box

Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts crunch bar by. ThinkThin 

$1.99 per bar
Box of 10 $16.90

"Think Thin Bars are delicious, vegan, kosher, high in fiber, gluten free, high in protein and contain no refined sugar."

***Yay, Chocolate!!!!
      I cannot wait to taste it :)


Pomegranate deodorant towelettes by. Crystal Essence 

24 packs $9.99

"Made with all natural mineral salts plus natural pomegranate extracts and essential oils."




Lip Shimmer in Merlot or Rose by. DeVine Lip Shimmers 

$4.50

"DeVine combines both creating a truly unique and wonderful lip balm containing both Polyphenols and Resveratrol along with 100% natural ingredients. "

***I got in Rose. It tastes good!! I cannot explain what kind of taste it is though...
     And Rose looks like a champagne pink and shimmery.



 Lavendar Essential Mists by. Hugo Natural 

8 oz $12.99
"A handcrafted blend of purified water and natural essentials oils. This mist is safe for skin and fabric. Revive your skin with a refreshing spritz on the go. Spray clothes or linens to give them an herbal scent of French Lavender. Or wear as a soft, easy fragrance."

***I love the scent. It's soft and subtle scent so I don't get headache.
   I have another one in Vanilla & Sweet Orange scent. This smells good too.


Soothing Caramel Bedtime Tea and Raspberry Passion Perfect Energy Tea by. Yogi Tea

1 box 16 bags $4.99 each

"Perfect Energy tea is a unique blend of invigoration herbs that energize the body and focus the mind. Soothing Caramel tea is formulated to support relaxation by calming the body and mind to promote a good night's sleep."


Soap in Tequila Bar and Polar Bar by Biggs & Featherbelle

$4.99 each
"Handmade with unique recipes to meet all skin types, using the properties of natural resources to heal and nourish. Every ingredient is clean & good fro you. "

***I got it in Polar bar (Eucalyptus & Lavender)
Lavender scent is strong..I don't mind though.

i-Chill relaxation drink shot by i-Chill Beverages 

2 pack $8.00
"iChill consists of Melatonin, Valerian Root, Rose Hips and B Vitamins. You relax, sleep well and wake up with no grogginess associated with other sleep aids"






Agave light Sweetener 11.75 oz $9.18
Blonde Coconut Sugar 16 oz $5.19 by Madhava

"Organic Agave and Organic Blonde coconut sugar have mild but sweet flavors and are perfect for hot and cold beverages, baking, and desserts. They are healthy, easy and completely natural."




Body Cream in Lavendar by. The Seaweed Bath Co.

6.0 fl oz $12.89
"This body cream combines the nourishing properties of seaweed with a variety of natural ingredients, including Shea Butter, Kukui Oil and Argan Oil, to soften and moisturize dry skin. Paraben free, sulfate free, gluten free and no animal tested. "


Calm plus calcium Organic Raspberry lemon flavor by Natural Vitality 

8oz $14.97
"Natural Calm Plus Calcium is excellent for athletes and anyone who works out. It assists in preventing muscle cramping and helps reduce lactic acid. This formulating is packed full of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, boron and vitamin C in a yummy Raspberry, Lemon flavor!"

Meal idea: pork chop with honey soy sauce and bean salad

Another meal idea!
It's pork chop this time.

We had this the other day and I forgot to blog about it.
Now it's 6:30 AM, I haven't slept whole night...
Whether it's because I drank almond milk tea before going to bed, or I am just a crazy mom of almost-three-month-old-baby....



Anyway, here is the recipe.... courtesy Foodnetwork

Pork chop with honey soy sauce
Ingredients for 2:
[For honey soy sauce]
oil
1 shallot, thinly sliced
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
Salt and black pepper

[For pork chop]
2 pork chops
Oil
Salt and black pepper
Honey soy sauce

[For the sauce]
1. Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, add the shallot and cook until soft.
    Stir in the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Add rice vinegar, honey, and soy sauce and cook until just heated through.
    Remove from the heat and season with pepper to taste.

[For the pork chop]
1. Heat the grill to high. Brush the chops with oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper.
2. Grill until golden brown on both sides, and just cooked through.
3. Add the honey soy sauce and cook about 3 minutes, occasionally pour sauce over pork.

Bean Salad
Ingredients for 2:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 cup shelled edamame
1/2 of 15oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed---I didn't have it so I used chickpeas
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

In a small nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rosemary and set aside.

Mix beans, garlic mixture, salt and pepper.


    

Meal Idea: Sausage and Tortellini Soup

We got this huge package of tortellini from the Costco the other day.

And tonight, I used this and made soup.

I loved this soup so much!!

It became one of my favorite dishes!!!

1/4 kielbasa cubed
1/4 onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/4 cup beef broth
1/4 cup water
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1 small carrot thinly slice or chopped
1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
2 oz can tomato sauce
2 oz tortellini pasta


1. Sauté sausages, onions, and garlic in a pot.
2. Add beef broth, water, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce.
Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes.
3. Add tortellini and cook it for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.


And that is it!!

sooo delicious!!

Comfort food!! 

Meal idea: Penne with Eggplant and Basil Pesto

This is our today's lunch dish.

We'd been eating meats whole week, so I just figured it's time to take a break from eating meat.

Penne with Eggplant and Basil Pesto

It's not a vegetarian food since I use Parmesan Cheese, but you can make it without cheese if you are vegetarian.
This was the second time I made pesto; last time I made arugula pesto.
And I truly wished we had a food processor...
I used a cheap blender for making the pesto, and I had to mix it several times to get the blender going.

Here is the recipe.

Ingredients: 2 servings
Penne pasta or whatever short pasta you like for two
1 medium eggplant, cut into cubes
1 packed cup basil
1/8 cup roasted pine nuts
1 clove garlic
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Salt and pepper

For the bail pesto:
Put basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper in a blender or food processor, and pulse them together until finely chopped.
Add olive oil while the machine running until pesto is smooth and thick.
Incorporate cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Cook pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water

In a large skillet, cook eggplant with oil stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown. Remove the pan from the heat and cool a bit.
Add the pesto and toss until the eggplant is coated.

Toss eggplant mixture and pasta together until everything is coated with pesto.
Thin out with pasta water, if needed.

Serve it with sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

My husband and I loved it!
I love basil pesto so this is a perfect dish for me.

Try it!!

**BIRCHBOX** July, 2012

The Birchbox teamed up with Glamour whose July issue celebrates the five senses of summer this month.

An nick Goutal/Eau d'Hadrien

Full size: $85.00

"Take a mini-vacation with this winning citrus scent, which evokes a sunny Tuscan orchard."

boscia / B.B Cream SPF 27 PA+++

Full size:$38.00

"This powerhouse multitasker works as a primer, serum, foundation, and SPF. The sheer formula feels weightless and adjusts to match your skin tone."

Color Club / Blue-Ming

 Full size:$8.00

"Use this green-turquoise polish on fingers and toes all summer long."

***I'm so glad it in the box this month. I love this color!!***

stila / lip glaze

Set of 3, $12.00

"This gloss from the limited edition It's GO Time Lip Glaze Trio combines shimmery color with mega-watt shine"

LIFESTYLE EXTRAS

Tea Forte/minteas

3 tins $9.95

"Keep these refreshing, tea-infused mints on hand for quick pick-me-ups."

***I got this exactly same thing from birchbox or ecoemi before and still have it...I like it but I don't use it often since I am a stay home wife and mom..***

Birchbox Excclusive / Earbuds

"We designed these neon headphones just for you. Pair them with your best playlist."

***This is a good surprise. I love this green color! I'm not fond of this pink color though..***

Overall, I love this month box. Since I can get to try B.B Cream and love the nail polish and headphones.