Partying Like A Rock Star With Pura Vida

The personal blender has come a long way in the last few years. You have so many more option and breakout brands that help you create the foods & drink you’ve been dying to make in your kitchen. Living in Texas we love mason jars so whats better than a personal blender using mason jars!
Now you can blend, serve, and store your favorite blended recipes in the same glass container with the Tribest® Mason Jar Personal Blender® single-serving blender and grinder! The Mason Jar Personal Blender has all of the time saving and convenient features of the original Tribest Personal Blender®, but uses glass mason jars as the blending, serving, and storage containers. It is compatible with most* regular-mouth mason jars, making the possibilities for upgrading limitless. With the Tribest Mason jar Personal Blender, you blend, serve, and store your recipes in the same container, so there’s no waste, no mess, and no hassle.
Details:
Blend, serve and store your favorite recipes in regular mouth glass mason jars
Works with most regular-mouth glass canning jars
Great for making single servings of smoothies, protein drinks, and more
Powerful 200-watt motor crushes ice, blends frozen fruit, and grinds coffee in a snap
The PB-350 Mason Jar Personal Blender Includes:
Personal Blender Motor Base – (AC 120V, 60 Hz, 200W)
one S/S Blending Blade Assembly (4 Pronged)
one S/S Grinding Blade Assembly (2 Pronged)
Mason Jar Adapter
one 16 oz.* BPA-FREE Large Cup
one 8 oz.* BPA-FREE Small Cup
one Cup Lids
one 16 oz.* Glass Drinking Mug
one 12 oz.* Glass Mason Jar
one 8 oz.* Glass Mason Jar
one 4 oz.* Glass Mason Jar
three Mason Jar Lids
one Commuter Lid
This was such a perfect gift for my MIL who loves to cook and loves mason jars! Tribest makes some of the most rugged blenders on the market which are extremely durable and you also have access to replacement parts in case something happens…so it’s a great option for the cook who would use this almost every day like my MIL does. It doesn’t leave a lot of chunky bits, so if your looking for something to make salsa or just chop foods this isn’t really the product for that. It is however great for soups, smoothies and sauces. She’s been using it for a few months and it still runs like new, and is easy to clean which is a big deal when your cooking a big dinner, having one less thing to worry about scrubbing is a plus.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Today is November 17th, World Preemie Day! A whole day to bring awareness to preemies and how strong they all are. My last baby Damien was born unexpectedly 4 weeks early…I’d never had any issues with my other pregnancies and this one was full of scares. We had been under strict weekly observations for months due to a fluid buildup around his tiny little heart. So needless to say he was rushed off after he was born to be seen by a cardiologist. A few lonely scary hours ticked by then we got news that all was well! The only other problem we had been jaundice and had trouble nursing. I’d say all in all we were extremely lucky! Now I would like to share with you the story of little Carlee. Lacey (Carlee’s beautiful mama & blogger at Mama Needs A Bottle) was in my pregnancy group so we shared all our ups and downs together. I hope you enjoy her inspiring story…
My preemie experience started 21 months, 3 weeks, 5 days ago. On January 22, 2013, my sweet daughter, the last of my babies, decided she could no longer wait for her due date. She arrived at 8:11am, 15 inches long, 2lbs 15oz. Apgar scores of 8 & 9! A teeny tiny head FULL of black hair. Hearing her scream was a HUGE sigh of relief. I had only been pregnant with her 27 weeks, 6 days. I was terrified.
Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted 3 kids. I had my mind set on 2 boys and 1 girl just like my mom had. My first came as a surprise when I had a positive pregnancy test 2 days before my 18th birthday! Ian has been a huge blessing in our lives from that moment on. Josh and I were so young, that we waited to have another. We started trying for our second the summer of 2010, but after 11 months of trying, I deleted my ovulation tracker and felt like another baby would never happen. I found out I was pregnant a week or two after deleting that ovulation tracker. Mason has been our little firecracker ever since! After having Mason at 27, I decided I would wait a few years to have my last. My mom and Grandma would tell me to just have them close in age and get it over with. Ha! No way, ladies! That’s just crazy! Well, I missed my appointment or my IUD and BAM! I was pregnant again by the time Mason was 6 months old! I couldn’t believe it! I remember feeling a little sad that Mason wouldn’t have the same alone time that Ian got for so many years.
My pregnancy started off fine. Some all day sickness for a few weeks (Not anywhere near how sick I was with Mason!). Early on I had a LOT of pelvic pain. I figured it was because I had JUST been pregnant and I was now 28 years old! Everyone figured it was normal or maybe that I was exaggerating a little. (Don’t we all figure the pregnant lady is exaggerating a little bit?) I was really in pain a lot of the time. I told the midwife, she didn’t think too much of it at the time. We paid to find out the Gender early like we did with Mason’s pregnancy thank to The Images of Life in Melbourne. Everyone was ready for a girl! I didn’t get my hopes up too high for a girl. “IT’S A GIRL!” I cried like a little baby! Wow! “Are you sure?” I had to make sure I could start baby girl shopping right away! After being outnumbered by boys, I was so excited to be able to add a sweet little girl to our family. I even already had a name picked out, Chanel Lynn (of course changed to Carlee Mae).
After we bought tons of pink and let everyone know a sweet baby girl would arrive sometime in April, we resumed our life as normal. A SAHM of a 9-year-old and a 9 month old while 5 months pregnant! Still in pain most of the time. It hurt to walk. I felt like something was ripping apart! Once I reached 27 weeks, Mason had just turned ONE and my mom was just coming home from visiting my Aunt in CT. I was home and discovered blood streaked, mucous discharge and immediately visited Dr. Google!! He told me that it sounds like part of my mucous plug! I never noticed losing it with my 1st two full term pregnancies. I didn’t even have another appointment for another whole week and a half! My mom was due home the next day, If it was still a little bloody, I would just have her take me to the hospital while Josh worked
The next day, I told my dad to have my Mom call me on their way home from the airport. I explained to her what was going on and said, ” I can always see if I can get into the dr tomorrow if you’re tired!” She said, “Yes, please!” At my appointment, I explained what was going on and was asked if I wanted to have my cervix checked. Well, sure! “You’re 2 centimeters dilated! What’s up with that?” HA! you tell me! You’re the Doctor! He told me I need to now go home and be on bed rest. Didn’t really give any explanation as to why I was already dilating. I went home and packed my stuff up to go stay at my moms. Josh was working 6 days a week in the afternoon/evening and that wouldn’t work with a 1-year-old at home!
At my moms, she was the best. Asking if I needed anything or filling my cup with water. I was really hard for me to let someone wait on me so much! I have always been the one taking care of everyone! So I still took showers with Mason who decided to start walking the DAY I was put on bed rest! Go figure! Anytime I would move around, I was having what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions. They never hurt, just a little uncomfortable or annoying. I was put on bed rest on Thursday, January 17th, 2013.
On Sunday, the 20th, I just had a weird feeling. Can’t really describe it, just felt weird. I figured if I still felt that way the next day, I would go to the ER as instructed by my OB. Monday, I still felt weird and a little constipated. Off to the ER we went. They brought me into the “High Risk ” Pregnancy room and did a UA and the usual blood pressure and temperature readings. Normal. They called my Dr and then did a Fetal Fibronecton test that was positive. (Definition of Fetal Fibronectin from Mayo Clinic:
Fetal fibronectin is a protein that acts as a “glue” during pregnancy, attaching the amniotic sac — the fluid-filled membrane that cushions your baby in the uterus — to the lining of the uterus.
Fetal fibronectin is often present in vaginal discharge before week 22 of pregnancy. Fetal fibronectin also begins to break down and can be detected in vaginal discharge toward the end of pregnancy.
If your health care provider is concerned about preterm labor, he or she might test a swab of secretions near your cervix for the presence of fetal fibronectin between week 22 and week 34 of pregnancy. A positive fetal fibronectin test is a clue that the “glue” has been disturbed and you’re at increased risk of preterm labor.
I was also now 3 cm dilated. I was being admitted for very strict bed rest. I cried more because it was my first nght away from Mason than being admitted on bedrest. Delivering her the next day didn’t even seem possible. I was 27 weeks 5 days pregnant.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I was hooked up to monitors, IV fluids and Magnesium Sulfate (to stop any contractions), a catheter, and had many pillows and blankets! I stayed up and googled 28 week preemie all night. The more I read, the better I felt. I knew that we could handle any obstacle thrown in our way. My best friends younger twin sisters were born at 26 weeks and are now beautiful 24 year olds. I knew that even with the many challenges they faced, they have grown to be such beautiful ladies! The ultrasound I had that night showed she was close to 3lbs give or take a few ounces. What a relief! I maybe dozed off a little here and there, but by 4:30 AM, I had the most painful “bladder spasms” I swore were being caused by the catheter! I also noticed I was bleeding, which scared me! I rang the nurse who chalked it up to me having my cervix checked previously that night. By 6 am they seemed pretty regular and I could kid of predict when it would happen. (Let me just say that with my 2 previous pregnancies, I NEVER had regular contractions. NEVER!) at 6:50 am I rang the nurse again, the CNA picked up and informed me that it was almost shift change and that she would let the next nurse know. Uhhhh what? I was ready to rip that catheter OUT! I was on a contraction monitor, I saw no contractions registering. I called the nurses station again at 7:05. PLEASE come in here! The new nurse came in and immediately asked what was going on. After explaining, she felt my belly and said, “Ohhh you are having contractions!”, “Feel that?” The CNA from last shift put the monitor on wrong. hmmmm not surprised! My new nurse, Megan, called my Dr who had he check my cervix. “Um, you’re 8 almost 9 cm! We are going to the delivery room!” WHAT?! Delivery room? These were the questions in my mind, but out loud a calm, “OK.” came out. I smiled at all of the staff who watched me get wheeled away! Apparently I was the talk of the maternity ward and NICU.
By the time my Dr came in, I was 10 cm! My mom had taken Ian to school and he had an awards assembly that morning. I couldn’t get ahold of her. Josh had worked 13 hours the day before, he was still sleeping at 7:45 am, so I texted my Mother in Law, “Carlee is on the way!” She texted back, “I’m praying for you and Carlee!” so I called her and said….Can you please come up here! She said YES! ON MY WAY!
The nurse started to break my water while they waited for the neonatal staff to arrive. I still can’t believe how calm I was. I started pushing and right before she was born, My Mother in Law came in! 8:11 am Carlee Mae Cozza was born screaming! I was so happy to hear that tiny scream! They started examining her and I remember just having a huge smile on my face! She is alive and is crying! I was nervous since I was only able to get 1 of 2 steroid shots for her lungs! Before she was taken to the NICU, I was able to kiss her sweet little face. She looked like a tiny little mouse! I was full of adrenaline!
It was a few hours before they were able to let me see her in the NICU. My heart broke when I saw her. Her head wrapped up and face covered with the cpap machine. I couldn’t pick her up and just hold her. I could only rub on her little leg and foot. I was scared. I knew she was in good hands, but I was nervous. When I was back in my room, I often sat there and just thought, “Why MY daughter?” “Why, period?” There were still no answers as to WHY this even happened.
Carlee stayed in the NICU for a total of 6 weeks 5 days. She came home March 10th 2013. The time she spent in the NICU was hard. Juggling the toddler at home, the almost 10 year old at home, and going up to the hospital twice a day! It was rough (looking back now I realize that I was probably a little depressed by the situation during and after) I didn’t sleep much and worried constantly. The nurses there were all so amazing! I will be forever grateful for all of their love and care during that time! Without them, I don’t think I would have made it! I feel teary eyed just thinking about it all. I didn’t get to hold my baby until she was 4 days old. I didn’t get to really nurse her until she was 5 1/2 weeks old. She was able to finally eat from a bottle at 5 weeks old. All accomplished before she was supposed to even be born. She hade a grade 1 brain bleed that thankfully stopped by her follow up ultrasound! The girl is AMAZING!
To this day, she amazes me. Even right now just twirling around with a baby doll singing. Playing with her brothers. Climbing over the back of the couch. You would never know by just looking at here that she fought harder to live than a lot of people and she isn’t even 2 yet!
For World Preemie Day I will leave you with a few Preemie facts!
Incidence of premature birth in the United States of America
General Incidence
499,008 infants — were born prematurely (less than 37 weeks gestation) in 2003
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Rates of preterm birth
In 1995: 11.0% of live births was born preterm
In 2004: 12.5% of live births was born preterm
In 2006: 12.8% of live births was born preterm
Source: March of Dimes – Peristats
Rates of preterm birth in 2004 by race
African American: 17.6%
Native Americans: 13.2%
Hispanics: 12%
Non-Hispanic white: 11.5%
Asians: 10.4%
(Reedy, 2007)
Rates of preterm birth in 2006 by race
African American: 18.3%
Native Americans: 14.1%
Hispanics: 12.1%
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN & SHARED BY LACEY AT MAMA NEEDS A BOTTLE

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In Spring is when the trees blossom and the flowers bloom. It’s when the grass grows and the rains come. Nothing says spring like a beautiful Spring colored handbag. How about a pretty baby blue robins egg Coach purse? It’s almost Easter and what fun it would be to find out you’re the winner of this beautiful Coach bag. My blogging friends and I came together to offer an eggcellent purse in this Coach giveaway. Please be sure you follow the rafflecopter to thank all the bloggers who put their time and effort into this beautiful bag so we can have a fun giveaway.
Whatever the time of year it’s always a good time to win a Coach handbag. Have you ever carried a Coach purse? Do you love them?
Want to win this Coach bag for yourself?
Then be sure to enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
US giveaway 18 and older. Winner to respond within 48 hours or new winner will be drawn. All winners will be verified. It is up to the admin to decide if the winner met the rules.Voidwhere prohibited by law. The blogs were not compensated for hosting this giveaway. The blogs aren’t responsible for prize delivery.MyUnEntitled Life will mail the purse with insurance to the winner. Once prize is in Post Office’s hands my blog is no longer responsible.

The Book of Life, a vibrant fantasy-adventure movie, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village, comes out in only a few days! To celebrate we are giving away a gift pack!
THE BOOK OF LIFE is Rated PG & Stars Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna, Ron Perlman, Ice Cube, Danny Trejo, and more.
Fun with the Book of Life.
The Boys love the Book of Life Shop at Cost Plus World Market! Visit the Book of Life Shop in stores and online! In celebration of the release of the upcoming film, The Book of Life, Cost Plus World Market has developed exclusive Book of Life Toys inspired by the film. Products include a colorful Tin Keepsake Box, Guitar, Maracas, Manolo Rubber Duck Bath Toy, Kaleidoscopes, and more.
Want to learn how to make your own Sugar Skulls, Paper flags and more? Download free Book of Life Activity Sheets!
Official websites – #BookOfLife
Visit the Official Website
Like ‘The Book of Life’ on Facebook
Follow on Twitter, Tumblr
Now for what you have been waiting for!
WIN IT!!
One lucky Mom of 4 Boys Reader will win a $25 Visa gift card to see the film in theaters plus a Mini guitar & keepsake box from Cost Plus World Market!! This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM EST October 31, 2014. No PO Boxes. Entering this giveaway means that you accept both my rules & disclosure. I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook, twitter, or Pinterest in any way.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
First football ended, now its time for basketball season to come to an end. Creating new recipes to enjoy while hosting game night is always fun. Today I’m going to share with you a Beer Battered Fish Tacos Recipe using a provided sample of Sapporo Beer. My hubby is a huge beer drinker and absolutely loved the flavor and lightness of this beer. Now I’m not a beer drinker, but I love to cook with it..it just adds a flavor that you can’t get anywhere else!
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 egg yolk
1 ¼ cups Sapporo beer
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ to 2 lbs firm white fish in serving-size pieces
Instructions:
Sift 1 ¼ cups of the flour with a teaspoon of salt into a bowl.
Make a well in the center and add the egg yolk, beer and 1 tablespoon of oil.
Beat this mixture using a whisk until you have a smooth batter.
Let it rest for half an hour.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 370 degrees F.
Season the fish with salt and pepper.
Fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula or wide metal spoon.
Put a cup of flour in a big bowl and dip the fish in the flour.
Make sure the fish pieces are well coated and then shake off any excess.
Dip the fish into the batter until it is evenly coated, and let any excess drip off.
Drop the fish into the hot oil in batches, frying until the batter is golden brown.
Transfer the cooked ones to the oven while you finish the rest.
Set out your fish, corn tortillas, lime slices, cheese & sriracha mayo sauce and let your guests create their own tacos, or just create pre-made tacos for your guest to grab and enjoy.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 egg yolk
1 ¼ cups Sapporo beer
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ to 2 lbs firm white fish in serving-size pieces
Sift 1 ¼ cups of the flour with a teaspoon of salt into a bowl.
Make a well in the center and add the egg yolk, beer and 1 tablespoon of oil.
Beat this mixture using a whisk until you have a smooth batter.
Let it rest for half an hour.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 370 degrees F.
Season the fish with salt and pepper.
Fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula or wide metal spoon.
Put a cup of flour in a big bowl and dip the fish in the flour.
Make sure the fish pieces are well coated and then shake off any excess.
Dip the fish into the batter until it is evenly coated, and let any excess drip off.
Drop the fish into the hot oil in batches, frying until the batter is golden brown.
Transfer the cooked ones to the oven while you finish the rest.
My Sparkling Life https://mysparklinglife.com/
Whether your team wins or looses, you will win over your guests with this delicious recipe!
And for those still battling the chilly north, you might also like some comforting Game Day Crockpot Chili:
12 oz. Sapporo beer
2 T. olive oil
2 lbs. ground beef
coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
1 1/2 c. frozen corn
1 white onion
3 garlic cloves
1/4 c. chili powder
1 T. dried oregano
1 1/2 t. ground cumin
2 cans whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped with their juices
1/3 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
2 cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Brown ground beef (seasoned with salt and pepper), drain and add to Crock Pot set on low heat. Return pot to heat, add onions and garlic, saute for about 5 minutes and add to Crock Pot.
Add the cilantro, corn, tomatoes, seasonings and Sapporo beer. Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours. During the remaining 30 minutes, add the kidney beans, stirring well to combine. Season to taste with salt.
Serve with sour cream, shredded cheddar and more fresh cilantro.
12 oz. Sapporo beer
2 T. olive oil
2 lbs. ground beef
course salt and fresh ground pepper
1 1/2 c. frozen corn
1 white onion
3 garlic cloves
1/4 c. chili powder
1 T. dried oregano
1 1/2 t. ground cumin
2 cans whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped with their juices
1/3 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
2 cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Brown ground beef (seasoned with salt and pepper), drain and add to Crock Pot set on low heat. Return pot to heat, add onions and garlic, saute for about 5 minutes and add to Crock Pot.
Add the cilantro, corn, tomatoes, seasonings and Sapporo beer. Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours. During the remaining 30 minutes, add the kidney beans, stirring well to combine. Season to taste with salt.
Serve with sour cream, shredded cheddar and more fresh cilantro.
My Sparkling Life https://mysparklinglife.com/ Enjoy your game day recipes, but remember to ALWAYS drink responsibly!