Time Out for Snack Time

Snacking is an art. That's why I try my best to get to know as many different snacks as possible. When it comes to Asian flavors, there are no better appetizers I know of than those offered by Pagoda.



Through the last month or so I've been trying all of the different varieties offered by Pagoda. These are quick prep, quick eat appetizers that offer a few servings per box. All of them can be prepared in the oven/ on the stovetop or in the microwave. I must admit, as much as I love microwaves, you do get better flavor and texture if you prepare it without this modern marvel of convenience.

Out of the eight varieties available, I can honestly tell you that I would sit right down and eat any one of them--no questions asked. But my top three favorites are crab rangoon, pork potstickers and chicken egg rolls. Each of these has a great flavor that is comparable to what you would get at an Asian restaurant.

Have you tried and Pagoda snacks for yourself? Which one is your favorite?

*I received coupons for free Pagoda products courtesy of BzzAgent. All opinions are my own.

Enjoying a Twist on a Classic Dish

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy cheese. I mean, if I'm eating a meal, chances are I put cheese on at least one thing on my plate. Spaghetti, quesadillas, casseroles--you name it, I cheese it up. That's why I was so glad to be able to try out the fine cheeses made by Arla Dofino (I received a free coupon from BzzAgent to try it out). They have a wide range of products and different types of cheese also come in a variety of flavors. When I made mac and cheese for dinner last night, I knew that I had to spice it up with one of these flavors.




I made my mac and cheese with Arla Dofino's chili lime gouda. It has a kick to it that gives it a rich flavor without being considered hot or spicy. I melted a few chunks in my mac and cheese, then baked it with some Panko crumbs on top. I didn't know how well it would pair with my mac and cheese, but it tasted great! I can't wait to try the chipotle flavored gouda next time.

A Fun Week

You may have already noticed this on my social media feeds, but this week is all about product testing. I've been given the opportunity to check out all of the products in Influenster's #GoVoxBox and so I've been sharing my thoughts on all the products. Not only is it really cool to get a box of free stuff in the mail, but it keeps my product review skills as sharp as a tack. And the VoxBox isn't the only thing on my plate right now--I'm also in the middle of a few BzzAgent campaigns as well. Lots of free stuff... and you can't beat that!

* received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes

However, it's the summer slump in the writing arena, so I'm getting ready to go badger friends to see if they know about any summer jobs opening up. If I want to feel good about my life by my 30th birthday in a few weeks, I'm going to have to make some changes. The status quo will never cut it. But the print version of Unfolding Life is still on the way, so stay tuned for updates about that.