In the Kitchen: FunBites

I received a FunBites to review and I have to say I think it is a very cute and creative kitchen gadget to have especially if you have small kids in your home. If you've ever used a cookie cutter then the FunBites will be a piece of fruit! FunBites works great on sandwiches, cheese, some fruit/veggies and other foods. I recommend making sure that the cutter is completely dry inside before cutting anything dry such as bread or cake if not the food will stick to the inside corners which can be kind of hard to clean and possibly ruin your creation. The cut-outs are very small so this would be a really good way to introduce toddlers to different foods at snack time; it's both fun and educational. FunBites come in four different cool colors and three shapes; hearts, squares, and triangles. I'm a major girly girl and so is my daughter so we both loved that it came in the heart shapes. :-) FunBites is a MIUSA (made in the USA) product, is BPA FREE, dishwasher safe and retails for under $15. For more information about FunBites or to purchase please visit www.FunBites.com.

Date Night at Dave & Buster's Summer of Games + Fun

This is a sponsored post.

If you've never been or if it's been a while since your last visit, now is a great time to check out Dave & Buster's. I went the other day with my partner and the kid and we had a BLAST! Recently D&B introduced new summer inspired drink and food menu items and FREE game play on 5 of the 8 new 4D game versions of popular mobile app games like Fruit Ninja and Temple Run. As part of the “Summer of Games” promotion, Dave & Buster’s will give guests free play on five of the newest games when they purchase or re-charge a PowerCard, from now through August 25th and D&B now has a mobile APP, so now you can skip the lines and recharge your game card right from your phone.

Music: Mariah Carey Rocking a Sling and Supporting Hurricane Sandy Relief

Butterflies and fellow lambs, I've been a MC (Mariah Carey) fan since I could remember and this makes me like her even more. Apparently she was filming for a new video last week when she fell and injured her shoulder but a dislocated shoulder is no match for a Diva, the show must go on right? Rocking two very cute bedazzled and feathered arm slings, Mariah owned the stage at the MLB Sandy Relief Concert in New York. Check out the photos (courtesy of getty images) and video of her performance below.

 

Visiting Texas: Houston’s First Salata...the Next Generation Salad Bar + Giveaway

I've been wanting to check this place out for a while but honestly never took the time. As of last week I can officially say I had the pleasure of trying Salata and it was a real treat! Salata is a salad bar eatery with over 50 toppings to choose from including an array of lettuces, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, seeds, nuts, 10 different house-made dressings and your choice of several different chicken or seafood protein options. I think the serving bar set up is a great customer friendly idea. Let's face it, how many times have you been in line ready to order and the person in front of you didn't know what they wanted? Well Salata has thought up a neat way to make ordering lunch and eating healthy a little simpler by offer two choices; a salad or wrap.

Before trying Salata I heard a couple of people complaining about the cost per salad/wrap so that had me a little skeptical about if this would be I place I would enjoy but I am so glad I decided to give it a try for myself. I personally think it's fair priced at $8.00 per salad and $7 per wrap (not including a chicken or seafood add on) considering the unlimited toppings they offer and how large the salad bowls are.

All together I really enjoyed my Salata experience, the staff were friendly and very knowledgeable and I thought it was superb when I learned that all of the dressings, marinades and soups that Salata use and offer are gluten free which brings me to the Salata Fresh Combination Challenge. Salata recently entered into a partnership with the Houston Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics under the Salata Fresh Combination Challenge where registered dieticans provided sample salad and wrap combinations that individuals with special dietary needs (or individuals who just want to eat healthier) can use as a guide for making healthier meal choices when dining at Salata which I think is very awesome!

In addition to the portion size and topping options I really like the home-like vibe I get from eating at Salata although the salads I make at home are no competition for a Salata salad. All Salata dressings are gluten-free,  preservative-free and can be purchased at $6 for a 12oz bottle at any location to be used as a dressing or marinade. I brought home a bottle of Chipotle Ranch but because there are no preservatives I had to use in within the week before it went bad; it can last up to two weeks refrigerated.

My Favorites:

Lettuce - Salata Mix

Chicken - Herb Marinated Chicken or Asian BBQ

Tortilla - Cool Cucumber

Dressings - Balsamic Vinaigrette or Chipotle Ranch

Soup - Tomato Basil

Bread - Seedful Wheat Bread

Tea - Raspberry Tea

Salata has several locations in the Houston, DFW and Los Angeles areas with other locations opening soon. They're open for lunch and dinner and breakfast at some locations. Salata also offers catering and delivery to locations within their deliver area so be sure to verify before placing your order.

Check out these and all the photos from Salata visit HERE!
Also check out the BLS Salata Chipotle Ranch Chicken recipe HERE!

 

Giveaway:

Want to try Salata for FREE? Then enter our giveaway below! After you've entered be sure to check out our other current giveaways.

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was invited to try this product in exchange for my honest review. The giveaway is also sponsored by the same company, as they are providing the prize. All thoughts, opinions and expressions above are my own.

In the Kitchen: Salata Chipotle Ranch Chicken

Hola Butterflies, this one will be super short and simple so if you have a hectic schedule like me I know you'll love it (the quicker the better right?) and it's super YUMMY! Last week I had the pleasure of trying out a new local eatery, Salata! I really enjoyed my entire experience eating there and the best I got to bring some of it home with me in the form of a bottle. I brought home a bottle of Chipotle Ranch dressing; all Salata dressings are gluten-free, preservative-free and can be purchased at $6 for a 12oz bottle at any location to be used as a dressing or marinade. 

Also, because there are no preservatives in the dressings I wanted to use it within the week to avoid it going bad on me (talk about motivation to cook lol); dressings can last up to two weeks refrigerated. Check out how to make below!