Create a Family Cookbook: Recipes, History and Tradition

A couple of months ago, I mentioned my partnership with Land O’Lakes, whose tagline is ADD A LITTLE GOOD™, which started me thinking about ways that I could bring good to others as an individual. There are all sorts of ways to bring good to others, from something as large-scale as volunteering in the community to something as simple as holding an elevator door for someone.

I decided that moving forward on a project that I've been planning in the back of my mind for years was a great place to start. I've been wanting to create a family cookbook. But when I say cookbook, I mean more than just a recipe collection. I mean a book that holds memories, photographs, history, tradition...and maybe even a few secrets. But also, recipes.

Win a $25 NOVICA Gift Card - it's holiday shopping time!

This post is sponsored by NOVICA in conjuntion with US Family Guide.

I'm very excited to once again be partnering with NOVICA, an online global marketplace that features handmade and fair trade products, to offer one of my readers a $25 online gift code just in time for holiday shopping season! NOVICA offers a beautiful site full of artisan-produced treasures that range from cocktail rings to table and glassware to clothing to chess sets and unique gifts for that hard-to-shop-for person in your life—all crafted loving by artists whose profiles you can actually read and get a feel for. They live by one simple (but all-important) mantra...SPREAD HAPPINESS.

In this world of mass produced products that we often have no clue of the conditions of their origin, NOVICA gives us the choice to choose products that we, as consumers, can feel good about. They operate a transparent system where artisans have control to raise or lower their own prices, put their own products on sale, or even remove their items at any time. Basically, it's like going to a local farmer's market (if we consider this beautiful world of ours as our neighborhood).

But NOVICA goes even further by offering 0% interest loans to artisans looking to expand their business and bring more income to their wider communities. If you'd like to read more about their mission, you can do so here.

I admit that I want more than I'll ever be able to buy when I visit their site. A few of the things I've purchased from NOVICA in the past are this Talavera Plate that these Carnitas are on...

...and the Confetti Festival Highball Glasses and Recycled Glass Pitcher that are featured in my tutorial for making Cheater's Horchata.

Enter to win a $25 Gift Code to NOVICA by visiting the NOVICA website, looking around, and then coming back and leave a comment on this post letting me know what you would buy first (although I won't hold you to it)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to check the box in the rafflecopter widget after you leave your comment for the mandatory entry - this will also open up more ways to enter. This giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere - but please note that shipping charges (and any taxes or duties) are your responsibility if you are overseas. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday November 24, 2015 at 11:59 pm. A winner will be chosen from qualified entries within 1 week of the close of this contest and the gift code will be sent to them electronically.

Can't wait? 

Save $7.00 off your first purchase at NOVICA right now using code: Save7Novica

Click HERE to start shopping!

Libre Tea Glass: feature + discount code

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Most of us want to lead healthy, active lives and inspire our families and friends; now we can enjoy a tea moment anywhere anytime with the stylish and convenient solution for teas, herbs, and fruit infusions on-the-go.

The Libre tea glass is a pretty and practical choice for convenient leaf tea on-the-go. Its removable filter keeps all the leaves, or the bag, in the glass away from your mouth; also great for fruits or soothing herbal elixirs. You can create your own flavorful beverage and enjoy. Wonderful herbal teas are a great way to wind down at the end of a long day. The "how to" video (at the bottom of this article) shows three ways that you can use the Libre tea glass.

The 100% BPA free Libre tea glasses keep drinks hot or cold, are durable, and ensure a fresh taste every time due to their easy-wash glass interior - it's the only to go thermos you'll need at the soccer field, yoga class, on a hike, the morning dog walk, or curled up on the couch. We love to inspire tea moments anywhere, anytime - take a sip, watch your tea leaves dance, and enjoy relaxing tea moment for yourself.

This holiday, give your friends and family an inspired and unique gift you can use all year round. Choose from their Classic Collection - sophisticated metal trim with gold detailed lids, or their Libre Life Collection. They have great deals on 6-piece Holiday Gift Paks for all the tea lovers on your list. My readers get to save (great for holiday gifts, calm moments, and traveling)!

Get 10% off until November 15, 2015 by placing your order HERE and using code: USAMoms10.

Read my Libre Tea Glass review!

Save on a new ECOCENTRIC MOM Box Subscription!

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Ecocentric Mom is a subscription box discovery service created just for moms. As a mom-owned business, we know how busy you are. As much as you care, you don't have time to research and shop for the healthiest and best products for yourself and your family. Each month, we will introduce you to brands and products that we know use only the best ingredients and none of the worst. You'll receive home care items, kid-friendly snacks, wellness and green beauty items that we think are both useful and fun. Plus, every box has a "keeper" item that you will use again and again rather than 'use up'- what's more eco than that?

Subscribers choose between the pregnancy, mom & baby, and mom subscription box, and switch to the next box when they are ready. The pregnancy box features pregnancy care items, as well as items to help you prep for the big arrival - and doesn't contain anything that is potentially harmful to your growing bump. The mom and baby box includes goodies for the new mom and her little, and is a great solution to navigate the demands new mommyhood from your sleep-deprived fog. The mom box is mostly about pampering you, mom, and a little bit about helping you pamper your family.

Your Ecocentric Mom subscription is about more than helping you be "green" or be a mom - it's about making you feel special each month. We think it's time someone takes care of mom for a change!

My readers get to save! New subscribers will receive a 3-month subscription for $50 using code: USFamily! 

Click HERE to subscribe.

Check out my review of the Ecocentric Mom "Mom" Subscription Box HERE!

Flavored Sea Salts {DIY}

I hate to tell you this, but there is just over a month left until Christmas.  The time has come to to make a plan.   Will you brave the Black Friday madness or shop like mad from the comfort of your own home on Cyber Monday?  Maybe you've already been picking up little gifts here and there.  Maybe you're way ahead of me and your shopping is already done.  If so, you have my admiration.  I, however, am still trying to shake off the holiday denial.  Why does it always come so fast!?

Now, as much as I love to shop, I also love making gifts from my kitchen.  Last year it was homemade extracts and all-in-one beer bread kits.  This  year it's homemade liqueurs and do-it-yourself flavored sea salt.  Next year I'm thinking do-it-yourself flavored sugars, lip balms, and sugar scrubs.

Pewter Measuring Spoons (w/ Angel stand) from Crosby & Taylor {product review + holiday gift idea}

 product: Pewter Measuring Spoons (w/ Angel stand) from Crosby & Taylor

category:  kitchen utensils

about:  This gorgeous pewter "angel stand holds two spoons in her outstretched arms and two hang from her wings. Each spoon is embellished with stars and one word from her message of: Love, Hope, Peace, and Joy."  It includes  1 Tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, and ¼ teaspoon measures.  (fun fact: this is a Paula Deen holiday pick) 

my thoughts/review:  I think this (and all of their products, actually) are a work of art.  The detail is astounding...and I love the slight "heft" of the spoons.  But not only is it pretty to look at, it's practical.  I use measuring spoons regularly and it's nice to reach out and grab one from atop the counter.  I think it would make a fabulous gift that would be cherished by the recipient.

further product/company information:  This is a family business producing artisan crafts (pewter & stoneware) for 25 years now.  Reading through their website, I was able to see the love, joy, and care that is poured into each and every product they offer.  I loved learning more about pewter from their site as well. 

Note: Through November 15th, they are including one of their new 2011 Collectible Snowflake Ornaments with each Angel purchased (no coupon code needed).  Order here.  Gift wrapping is available.

Find Crosby & Taylor on: Facebook and Twitter

Learn a little more about "who" the company of Crosby & Taylor are if you like by watching this quick video...

*I received a set of these spoons w/ the stand from Crosby & Taylor to test/review at no cost.  All thoughts and opinions stated in this post are 100% mine.