Coming Soon....CSN Rreview

So I'm feeling spoiled by CSN. I love that store! ...well, technically I love all 200of their stores. CSN has given away 2 gift certificates to PBJ (No, turn your mom brain off...not peanut butter jelly...Parenting in Blue Jean) readers and has worked with me on a review. Once again, I'll be reviewing one of their products.
Now I just have to choose what that product is. And here lies the conundrum. I like pretty things but I have a house that is well, ugly would be a polite way of saying it. We're still dreaming of painting the exterior of our house by the time the snow flies and so the practical side of me thinks I should buy some new outdoor lighting. It's hard when one side of your brain is suggesting needs and the other is going, "oooh, look at those pretty throw pillows". Either way, CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from cookware (you know I love my Caphalon pans) to lights to furniture (ooh, and throw pillows) so...Coming soon, a review and you'll be able to figure out which side of my brain won out.

Review: CSN Stores (Caphalon 8 Quart Multi-Pot)

I'll probably never get to say this again...I leave for the Mediterranean next week. Don't hate. I know, it's ridiculous! Anyway, I started to worry last week and thanks to some fabulous advise from you all, I was able to let that worry go! When my head cleared I realized that if my husband is willing to hold down the fort while I'm off in Italy, France, Spain....the LEAST I could do for the man is make him and the kiddies a few meals!

So, today, I've been slaving away in the kitchen slicing, dicing, chopping, browning, and saucin'. The last meal is tucked away in the freezer, the counters have had one last wipe, the floor is swept, and the dishes are drying in a heap in the dish rack. And, what?! I have to make dinner for tonight still. Oy vey!

The only think motivating me to get back into the kitchen is that I received a new pot from CSN Stores for review. I know, I'm easily amused! Up until now, I've only had a 4 quart pot or a 20 quart pot. Hmmm....something in between please.

Here's my new pot... Yep, it does it all! You can steam veggies, cook and drain pasta perfectly, and use if for all those other times you need something in between 4 and 20 quarts. Here's my shameless plug for CSN, they are easy to shop, and with 200+ on-line stores, you can find every thing you need. Just think, no loading up the kids, no dragging the kids through the store, and no going from store to store looking for what you need...it's ALL at CSN, trust me!

So, for dinner tonight I'm cooking rotini in my new pot using the pasta basket and using it in this delicious recipe!

Rotini with Chicken, Asparagus, and TomatoesIngredients
8 ounces uncooked rotini (corkscrew pasta)
Cooking spray
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (1-inch) slices asparagus
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled goat cheese

Preparation
Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. (In my new pot...woot, woot!)

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken with salt. Add chicken and asparagus to pan; sauté 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and garlic to pan; sauté 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in pasta, basil, vinegar, and oil. Arrange 2 cups pasta mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese (or more if you're me!).

I'm Lovin' CSN

I love CSN stores! Remember how I live in our 2nd fixer upper...A.K.A. ugly 1960's ranch. Well, I've found that CSN is the perfect place to shop for the items that we need when we redecorate a room or, for that matter, when our coffee maker died 10 years to the date from our wedding....c'mon!

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from cookware to cribs to specific needs such as dining room sets and dog beds! There are so many options that I'm having a hard time choosing! Should I go with what we need...a 8 quart pot, or something fun?! Stay tuned for the review...

**I received no compensation for posting this, but I will be receiving a gift certificate to use for an upcoming review. My opinions are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

Pruduct Review: Ecostore USA

Recently, I received 2 cleaning products for review from ecostore USA. I'm always happy to clean and happier to try new products. I did a little reading first and read from their website:

Our eco-friendly, plant-based household cleaning products are as effective as the leading supermarket brands, and our body and baby care ranges are gentle on your skin and are simply beautiful to use. All of our products are made from plant- and mineral-based ingredients, free of toxic chemicals that bring people closer to nature with non-toxic, environmentally safe solutions that also help to reduce our carbon footprint.

I found the all purpose cleaner very effective at removing the grime and toothpaste from our counter tops in our bathrooms. My complaint with our old cleaner was that it left a residue that I could feel after it dried. Ecostore's all purpose cleaner cleaned up our mess without leaving any residue. Plus, I'm big on smells and the all purpose cleaner has a wonderful scent...very lemony and fresh.

I was also given a bottle of toilet bowl cleaner. I'll spare you the details, but I found that it too cleaned as well as any other cleaner I have used in the past. To it's credit, it smelled nice compared to other brands which leave your bathroom smelling like you live in a penal colony.

While I was cleaning, I noticed that there was no safety cap on the toilet bowl cleaner. At first, I was shocked. Mom 101 is keep all your cleaning products far out of your children's reach and to make sure that your safety caps are lock tight. Then I remembered that the product is non-toxic. I don't think I want my kids chugging it down, but the point is...if it requires a safety cap do you really want to be pouring it down the drain? Just a thought.

Overall, I'd recommend using these plant based cleaners to readers who are looking for a green way to clean. I found them effective at putting a shine on my house!