Tuesday, February 28, 2012

THRIVE Fine Dining

  Because I am a very adventurous eater and because I love trying new things in my own kitchen, I knew the following recipe was going to be one I would love, especially since it was going to give me the opportunity to take THRIVE to a very sophisticated level. I was schedule to do a THRIVE class last week and thought it would be a great opportunity to try out my new-found recipe on a group of un-biased tasters. The recipe is for Coconut Cookies with Passion-Fruit Curd. I had been saving a large amount of powder in the bottom of my can of Passion Fruit Yogurt Bites for something special; this recipe was the "something special" I was looking for.
  The cookies were incredible and a huge hit with guests at the class. So much so that I had to reassure them the recipe would soon make it onto my blog. There is only one downside to the whole thing. I only got to taste half of a cookie (my children and hubby wanted to try it) and the rest were eaten at the class. Now I am out of Passion Fruit Yogurt Bites with not a cookie in the house to satisfy my very intense craving for them!

THRIVE Coconut Cookies with Passion Fruit Filling
(Adapted from Martha Stewart's Coconut Cookies with Passion-Fruit Curd

Photo Credit-Martha Stewart
Cookies:
1/2 c. THRIVE White Flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. THRIVE Salt
1/4 c. THRIVE Butter Powder
1/4 c. THRIVE White Sugar 
1/4 c. water
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. THRIVE Whole Egg Powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. THRIVE Macaroon Mix

Filling:
3/4 c. THRIVE Passion Fruit Yogurt Bites powder (or crush the actual bites to a powder)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 c. THRIVE White Sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 c. cold, unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
1/4 c. heavy whipping cream

   Make the curd: Bring yogurt powder, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and cornstarch to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. You will want to whisk often to make sure the yogurt does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Cook just until the mixture comes together as a very thick sauce. Slowly whisk in egg yolks. Cook, whisking constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat. Whisk in butter until melted. Pour through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on surface of curd. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
  Make the cookies: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Put butter powder, granulated sugar, water and oil into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. Mix in the egg powder and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Stir in coconut macaroons. Let dough rest 5 minutes in bowl. Cover the dough with plastic wrap, pressing to the surface of the dough. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop dough onto parchment or Silpat-lined baking sheets (making sure to have an even number of cookies, as you will need a top and bottom for each). Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
  Bake until edges of cookies just turn golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Baked goods made with THRIVE Butter Powder will not brown on the top like those made with fresh butter do. You should bake your cookies until they are set to the touch and just golden on the bottom. Let cool completely on sheets; transfer to wire racks.
  Remove the filling from the fridge and remove the plastic wrap. Add the cream to the filling and beat until very fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  Using a very small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop about 1 teaspoon filling onto flat side of a cookie; sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with remaining filling and cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 
Yields: Approximately 14 cookie sandwiches

  Note: The filling begins to get a little runny with time, but is so delicious you'll happily lick it from your fingers!
  Also, here's the deal with the photo: I had exactly 10 minutes from the time I assembled the cookies until I had to be out the door and was unable to find my camera in that amount of time. My cookies looked much different than the photo above because I had made so many alterations to the original recipe, but I wanted you to get a feel for the end result.
 



                                                                                                                      Autumn Christiansen
                                                                                                        Independent Consultant-Shelf Reliance
                                                                                                    To purchase products, visit my online store:                                                                                                    http://THRIVEwiththebasics.shelfreliance.com
                                                                                                                          Join my team!

New Products Reviews

  Shelf Reliance has released a slew of new products over the last couple months. Although I had tried many of them, I had not yet tried them all...until recently. My fabulous Upline hosted a team tasting at which we tried all the new products released last November and this year. I have to give Shelf Reliance a huge "thumbs up" on the fantastic new THRIVE foods! Here's the run-down:



 Freeze Dried (FD) Seasoned Chicken Slices
-Cooked chicken seasoned with salt and sliced
-Great for salads, wraps, fajitas and more
-I love the texture of this chicken and will definitely be adding it to my Home Store!


(FD) Beef Dices
-Large chunks of cooked beef
-Also perfect for fajitas
-I love our Roast Beef, but will be adding the Beef Dices for recipes when I want larger chunks of meat. It has a fantastic texture and is more tender than the Roast Beef.
 

(FD) Tomato Dices
-Tomato Dices will be a great addition to any Home Store. If you find yourself wanting tomatoes for a recipe and don't want to head to the store, these are a must-have!




(FD) Green Chili Peppers
-I have been using the Chili Peppers for a month now and LOVE them! I don't often purchase canned green chiles, because I find myself wasting half a can for recipes that would be too spicy for my children. With the THRIVE Chiles, I simply rehydrate what I want.
-THRIVE Green Chili Peppers are cheaper than canned green chiles at
                               the supermarket.
                               -THRIVE Green Chili Peppers are spicier than canned green chiles, so
                              alter the amount you use in your recipes to fit your family's tastes. 
                                
 
(FD) Red Bell Peppers
-The Red Bell Peppers are large dices. You may want to break the chunks into smaller pieces for those with finicky tastes.
-These peppers have a very sweet taste to them and reconstitute well. I tried them in fajitas and they were delicious.
-The freeze dried peppers do not have seeds in the can like the Mixed Bell Peppers do.



(FD) Green Bell Peppers
-The Green Peppers are large dices. You may want to break the chunks into smaller pieces for those with finicky tastes.
-These peppers have a very potent bell pepper taste. These were also in the fajitas I tried and were very tasty.




(FD) Zucchini
-I have been using the zucchini for a couple months now and they, like the chili peppers, are one of my new favorites.
-I tried sauteing the zucchini with my Ham Fried Rice recipe with fantastic results. If you're careful not to over-cook the zucchini it comes out incredibly close to the same texture of fresh zucchini when sauteed.
                               -THRIVE Zucchini is not nearly as cheap as growing your own in a
                               garden, but an awesome way to get zucchini in your diet during the
                               winter time when zucchini is so expensive at the supermarket.
    

(FD) Whole Strawberries
-Maybe I'm a weirdo, but I thought the Whole Strawberries were sweeter than our Strawberry Slices. It could just be the difference in berries (you know how some are always sweeter than others.
-The consensus at the tasting was that we are not sure what the benefits would be of having whole strawberries in your storage over 
                               strawberry slices, but the whole strawberries are less expensive, so
                               I'll buy them!


 (FD) Sweet Cherry Halves
 -Love, love, love the cherries! These have a delicious flavor and texture.
 -Heather at Cooking with My Food Storage came up with the most fantastic recipe for Cherry Chocolate Cookies that you absolutely must try!
                               -These cherries are a little pricey at $4.69/cup, but to me, are worth 
                               having in your Home Store. If we happened to have a cherry crop 
                               failure, I'll sure be grateful to have some stored!



Apple Sauce
-This product has me a little lost. The texture is about the size of millet, so not the smooth applesauce I'm used to (I make my own). I was not a huge fan of the taste, but will store some so that if in the case of an earthquake I lose all my home-canned applesauce, I will still have some for baking.
-The apple sauce is not sweetened, so it would be good as baby food 
                               or to use in baking.
                               -As a heads up, you can replace unsweetened apple sauce for oil 
                               called for in baking, cup for cup. This will greatly reduce the amount 
                               of fat in your baked goods and make them more moist.
                               -Some of the other consultants at the tasting suggested sprinkling it 
                               dry on granola, yogurt and oatmeal.



(FD) Red Seedless Grapes
-My children and I love the grapes. I love the flavor and texture and the grapes themselves are huge. We have been using them as a snack in our home.
-Some of the consultants at the tasting suggesting reconstituting them and using them in chicken salad and jellos. I take THRIVE Chicken Salad (see recipe below) to classes and it's always a huge hit. I think 
                               I'll try it with grapes next time.
                               -I'm finding that people either like the grapes or don't. I think it's 
                               mostly a texture thing.

THRIVE Chicken Salad
1 c. THRIVE FD Chicken Dices
1/3 c. THRIVE FD Celery
1/4 c. THRIVE FD Onions
8 THRIVE FD Grapes, smashed with a rolling pin 

Place above ingredients in a medium saucepan. Add three cups water and half a teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil; boil 3 minutes (I think the boiling makes the chicken more tender). Drain very well-the chicken tends to hold water and will make the salad runny if you don't drain it well enough. Place the salad mixture in a bowl; add Mayo, salt and pepper to taste. That's it! Chicken salad in less than 10 minutes!
 


(FD) Fuji Apple Slices
-We really enjoy the fuji apple slices as a snack at our house. These slices have the skin on, so you're getting all that added nutrition.
-Because these are freeze dried, they have a much crisper texture than the dehydrated apples we carry.



(FD) Granny Smith Apple Slices
-These apples are skinless and are very fluffy, almost to the point of dissolving in your mouth.
-Very tart apple taste. If you like granny smith apples, you'll love them freeze dried.
-I will be experimenting with using these apples in turnovers and  
                               tarts to see how they hold up in baking.
                          

 
Cherry Yogurt Bites
-My favorite yogurt bites are the strawberry and vanilla because of their creamy texture. The Cherry Yogurt Bites have the most crunchy texture of any of the yogurts so far.
-Many other people have told me they think they have a great cherry taste. To me they taste sweet, but without a distinct cherry flavor.


  Overall I think Shelf Reliance really hit the mark with the new products. I am looking forward to adding them to my family's Home Store.

  Is there a product you're interested in having me do a review of? Leave a comment letting me know.

                                                                                                                    Autumn Christiansen
                                                                                                         Independent Consultant-Shelf Reliance
                                                                                                     To purchase products, visit my online store:                                                                                                    http://THRIVEwiththebasics.shelfreliance.com
                                                                                                                         Join my team!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Two of the Most Delicious Snacks!

  I had the opportunity a week ago to attend a team tasting that Heather Lorimer, one of my incredible uplines, was so great to put on for us. At the tasting we tried all the new THRIVE foods and some things that were made with those products. My review of all the new products will come soon, but I wanted to share with you two recipes Heather created and had for us to taste: THRIVE Green Chile Dip and Cherry Chocolate Cookies. I have to say I have been cooking quite a bit with the green chiles and they are one of my new favorite products. I also am in love with the cherries, so you can imagine how much I enjoyed dip and cookies. I am typically not a fan of cherry-chocolate things because they come out tasting very artificially flavored. Certainly not the case with THRIVE cherries. These cookies are one of the best I've had in a very long time, and that's saying a lot considering my particularities when it comes to cookies!


Photo Credit-Shelf Reliance Leaders
Photo Credit- Shelf Reliance Leaders



                                                                                                                      Autumn Christiansen
                                                                                                        Independent Consultant-Shelf Reliance
                                                                                                    To purchase products, visit my online store:                                                                                                    http://THRIVEwiththebasics.shelfreliance.com
                                                                                                                           Join my team!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Powdered Cheese Blend...Oh so versatile!

   My enroller and I were talking a while back about the THRIVE Cheese Blend. The cheese blend was not something she had experimented with much and was curious about my thoughts on it. I realized the only thing I had really used it for thus far was to make "Mac and Cheese"-which my children love, and I love because it tastes better than anything you can buy in the supermarket (see my THRIVE Mac and Cheese recipe below). I knew you could use it as a base for cheese-based soups, but I decided at that moment that I was going to find many more uses for my Cheese Blend.
  Last week I got the itch to make Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches from a portion of a chuck roast I had. I've made many cheese sauces before, so I decided to focus on THRIVE ingredients and make my own "Cheese Whiz" (a much tastier version, of course). The cheese sauce turned out incredible and I quickly realized that by adjusting the rue to liquid ratio I could create a cheese sauce for any occasion, so I did just that. Over the course of the week I made not only "Cheese Whiz" for our Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches, but nacho cheese sauce (also using the new THRIVE Green Chiles) to top our nachos (we also topped our nachos with THRIVE Taco TVP and THRIVE Instant Black Beans) and Mac and Cheese (creamy "Velveeta" style). Here's THRIVE Cheese Blend 4 ways:

THRIVE Mac and Cheese Sauce (creamy "Velveeta" style)

2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. THRIVE White Flour
1 c.THRIVE Chicken Broth (1 cup warm water plus 1 tsp. THRIVE Chicken Bouillon)
1 c. THRIVE Powdered milk, reconstituted
1/4 c. THRIVE Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 c. THRIVE Cheese Blend
salt and pepper to taste

  In a bowl combine shredded cheddar and chicken broth. 
  Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook about one minute, until foamy. Slowly whisk in milk then broth/cheese mixture. Add cheese blend and continue to whisk until thickened and cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve over 6 ounces of cooked THRIVE Elbow Macaroni.

THRIVE Nacho Cheese Sauce

3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. THRIVE White Flour
1 c.THRIVE Chicken Broth (1 cup warm water plus 1 tsp. THRIVE Chicken Bouillon)
1 c. THRIVE Powdered milk, reconstituted
1/4 c. THRIVE Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 c. THRIVE Cheese Blend
2 Tbsp. THRIVE Green Chiles
salt and pepper to taste

   In a bowl combine shredded cheddar, green chiles and chicken broth. 
  Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook about one minute, until foamy. Slowly whisk in milk then broth/cheese mixture. Add cheese blend and continue to whisk until thickened and cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve over nachos or with tortilla chips as a dip.

THRIVE "Cheese Whiz"

4 Tbsp. butter
4 Tbsp. THRIVE White Flour
1 c.THRIVE Chicken Broth (1 cup warm water plus 1 tsp. THRIVE Chicken Bouillon)
1 c. THRIVE Powdered milk, reconstituted
1/4 c. THRIVE Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 c. THRIVE Cheese Blend
salt and pepper to taste
   In a bowl combine shredded cheddar and chicken broth. 
  Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook about one minute, until foamy. Slowly whisk in milk then broth/cheese mixture. Add cheese blend and continue to whisk until thickened and cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve over sauteed steak and onions in a hoagie bun for Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches.

THRIVE Mac and Cheese (like "Kraft Mac and Cheese")

4 Tbsp. butter
1/4 c. THRIVE Powdered milk, reconstituted
1/2 c. THRIVE Cheese Blend
6 oz. THRIVE Elbow Macaroni

   Cook THRIVE Elbow Macaroni in a saucepan according to directions. Drain noodles then return to saucepan. Add above ingredients and stir until combined. Serve.


                                                                                                                      Autumn Christiansen
                                                                                                        Independent Consultant-Shelf Reliance
                                                                                                    To purchase products, visit my online store:                                                                                                    http://THRIVEwiththebasics.shelfreliance.com
                                                                                                                           Join my team!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

My "All-time Best Screamin' Deal Ever!


  The following are some "Screamin' Deals" you can only get through me, an Independent Consultant with Shelf Reliance. Each of these already offer killer savings on THRIVE products, but I'm about to make it even better. 

  *Now through March 31st, purchase $500 or more in "Screamin' Deals" and your shipping is FREE! That's an additional $25 savings on top of everything else!

  **I'm going to go even further and offer my "All-time Best Screamin' Deal Ever". Purchase all 7 of the following "Screamin' Deals" for $1015.35 + tax and not only will you save over $365 from purchasing each of these cans individually, but I will give you the choice of free shipping (a savings of over $50) or a case (six #10 cans) of your choice of one of the following:

*Dehydrated Apple Chips ($75.69 value)- Great for snacking
*FD Green Beans ($81.99 value)- Fantastic steamed or in stir-frys
*6 Grain Pancake Mix ($56.29 value)- The pancake recipe in the THRIVE Cookbook is fantastic!
*Powdered Milk ($89.39 value)- Great for cooking and baking. Will thicken when used for puddings.
*Taco TVP ($83.09 value)- Great for meals in a flash. Less expensive and healthier than ground beef.
*Brown Sugar ($59.19 value)- Have you ever known brown sugar to last 10 years?!
*Fudge Brownies ($81.99 value)- Absolutely delicious! Great comfort food in a time of crisis.
It doesn't get any better than that!!


THRIVE Fruits Variety Pack Screamin’ Deal 
Contains one #10 (gallon size) can of each of the following:
Freeze-Dried Raspberries (48 servings)
Freeze-Dried Strawberries (45 servings)
Freeze-Dried Blueberries (50 servings)
Freeze-Dried Blackberries (49 servings)
Freeze-Dried Peach Slices (43 servings)
Dehydrated Apple Slices (48 servings)



 
Price today $112.20          
Each can individually would total $174.84                  A savings of $62.64

 

FD Tropical Fruit Package Screamin’ Deal
The following freeze dried fruits in #10 (or gallon size) cans:
Banana Slices
Mangoes
Pineapple Chunks
Peaches
Apricots
Pears

Price today $118.70          
Each can individually would total $164.74                  A savings of over $46

 

Veggie Variety Pack Screamin’ Deal 
The following vegetables in #10 (or gallon size) cans:
Freeze Dried Green Peas
Freeze Dried Sweet Corn
Freeze Dried Chopped Onions
Freeze Dried Broccoli
Dehydrated Carrot Dices
Dehydrated Potato Chunks

Price today $67.25            
Each can individually would total $96.54                   
A savings of over $29

 

Cheese 6 Pack Screamin’ Deal


2- #10 Cans Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2- #10 Cans Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
1- #10 Can Shredded Colby Cheese
1- #10 Can Mozzarella Cheese

Price today $185
Each can individually would total $244.04                  A savings of over $59
 
Yogurt Variety Pack Screamin’ Deal 

The following freeze-dried Yogurt Bites in #10 (or gallon size) cans:
Vanilla
Strawberry
Blueberry
Orange
Pomegranate
Passion Fruit

Price today $162.20          
Each can individually would total $230.64                  A savings of over $68


Chicken & Beef Package Screamin’ Deal

Three #10 (or gallon size) cans each of Freeze-Dried Chicken and Ground Beef (48 servings per can)


Price today $185
Each can individually would total $222.24                  A savings of over $37


Premium Meat Essentials Pack Screamin’ Deal

2 #10 (or gallon size) cans each:
Freeze-Dried Roast Beef
Freeze-Dried Chicken
Freeze-Dried Ground Beef

Price today $185               
Each can individually would total $249.54
A savings of over $64




Contact me today at 435-723-0977 or autumnchristiansen@gmail.com to order my "All-time Best Screamin' Deal Ever" or any of the Screamin' Deals you see here.


                                                                                                                     Autumn Christiansen
                                                                                                        Independent Consultant-Shelf Reliance
                                                                                                    To purchase products, visit my online store:                                                                                                    http://THRIVEwiththebasics.shelfreliance.com
                                                                                                                           Join my team!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Fruit Variety Pack Screamin' Deal!

I love when I find these amazing deals on Thrive food.


  As your personal food storage consultant I truly want you to be thoroughly prepared with the best long-term food on the market, so I have this FABULOUS deal for anyone who wants to order through me! You won't find this deal anywhere else, only through an Independent Consultant.
 

THRIVE™ Fruits Variety Pack Screamin' Deal
Contains one #10 (gallon size) can of each of the following:

    * Freeze-Dried Raspberries (48 servings)
    * Freeze-Dried Strawberries (45 servings)
    * Freeze-Dried Blueberries (50 servings)
    * Freeze-Dried Blackberries (49 servings)
    * Freeze-Dried Peach Slices (43 servings)
    * Dehydrated Apple Slices (48 servings)

When you buy this pack from me you pay only $112.20! A savings of $62.64 or 36% off "Home Party" pricing! Blueberries alone are $41.29! It's like getting 2 cans of fruit for free.

  As always, call (435-723-0977) or email me (autumnchristiansen@gmail.com) to place your order on this Fruit Variety Pack. If you want to see what else is in the Thrive food line visit my Shelf Reliance online store: http://thrivewiththebasics.shelfreliance.com/
 

  Throw any of the fruit into this granola recipe for a satisfying whole grain breakfast or quick snack-on-the-go.

Coconut Almond Fruit Granola
Yield: 6 cups
 
2 cups THRIVE Quick Oats
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/3 cup THRIVE Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons honey
¼ cup THRIVE freeze dried Strawberries
¼ cup THRIVE freeze dried Raspberries
¼ cup THRIVE freeze dried Blackberries
 
Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Melt
butter with honey in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Pour over
granola mixture and toss well. Spread out mixture on baking sheet.
Bake 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Continue to bake until grano-
la is golden brown, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes longer. Cool
on the baking sheet. Toss with freeze dried fruits.  Can be made 2
weeks ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
 
Suggested serving options: serve over milk or yogurt or eat as a
snack on its own.



                                                                                                                         Autumn Christiansen
                                                                                                           Independent Consultant-Shelf Reliance
                                                                                                    To purchase products, visit my online store:                                                                                                    http://THRIVEwiththebasics.shelfreliance.com
                                                                                                                             Join my team!