Petit Vour July 2014 Subscription Box Review

Petit Vour is a monthly subscription box filled with generous sized samples of vegan and cruelty-free beauty products.  This is my first box ever from Petit Vour and I am very excited about it.  I've been reading reviews about their boxes for months now and couldn't help but notice they consistently send out amazing products.  Earlier this month, I finally broke down and signed myself up for a three month subscription.

Petit Vour July 2014 Subscription Box:
Cost: $15/month

Each box comes with an informational card detailing the items sent.  This month Petit Vour teamed up with vegan lifestyle blogger, Logical Harmony, to fill the box with some of her summer loves.  I wasn't familiar with Logical Harmony's blog but have since then checked it out and like what I see.  I'm always excited to discover new blogs to read!

LVX Nail Lacquer: Full Size!!!  - $16
I always love getting full size products in my subscription boxes.  LVX is 5 free, non-toxic, vegan and cruelty free.  The color I received is Lolli.  It is a ballerina pink color, which I think is a great summer color.  I'd never heard of this brand before, and am eager to try it out.  I foresee a pedicure in my immediate future!

Modern Minerals Eye Shadow:  Full Size!!! - $12.50
Modern Minerals is a mineral based make-up which is formulated without parabens, synthetic dyes or fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates and triclosan. My make-up cabinet is sorely lacking in the eye shadow department, so I was thrilled to see it in my box.  The color in every box varied.  I received Lola which the website describes as "warm apricot and rose pink with subtle bronze shimmer."

Pelle Beauty "Balance" Facial Oil:  1/8 fl.oz.  ~$7
Pelle Beauty is another new brand to me.  They are free of parabens, synthetic dyes or fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates and triclosan.  The sample included should last a couple of weeks, since a little oil goes quite a long way.

Schmidt's Natural Deodorant "Bergamot + Lime":   0.5 oz. ~ $2.50
Schmidt's Natural Deodorant is free of aluminum, parabens, synthetic dyes or fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates and triclosan.  It's active ingredients are baking soda and arrowroot powder which help keep the odor and wetness at bay.  This is actually my favorite brand of natural deodorant. You can read my review here.

The July box surpassed all my expectations.  I received about $38 worth of great products, three of which were new to me brands.  What did you think of the July 2014 Petit Vour Box?

~Chrissy

Disclosure: I am an Amazon.com Affiliate.

Pineapple Cucumber and Lime Summer Salad

After a brief respite from the brutal summer heat last week (Our temperature felt more like Fall then Summer), it's back in full, scorching force!  As much as I enjoy the summertime, the intense heat oftentimes has me searching for any kind of cool and refreshing escape.  Enter in this flavor popping, sweet & sour, mind-blowing good Pineapple Cucumber and Lime Salad. 

I found this recipe while scouring the lovely universe that is Pinterest.  The unique combination of ingredients as well as the pure simplicity of it sucked me right in.  I knew I had to try it for myself.  It was love at first bite!

Pineapple Cucumber and Lime Summer Salad (recipe slightly adapted from Mom On Time Out)
Ingredients: 
1 Pineapple (cut into small chunks)
1 large Cucumber (remove seeds & cut into small chunks)
2 Limes (juiced)
Zest from 1 Lime
1 Tbsp Cilantro, minced
Directions:
1.  Mix all ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.  
2.  Set aside and allow all of the juices to marinate, about 30 minutes, before serving. 
3.  Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

I enjoyed every last minute of this dish, so much so that I was even known to drink up all the leftover juices from the bottom of my bowl!  I know, so unlady-like, right?  But the juice was equally amazing and has inspired me to try juicing a refreshing drink using these same ingredients in the not so distant future.  I'll be sure to post it if it's as amazing as I hope it will be. 

If I haven't raved enough yet, you've simply gotta try this delightful dish before the summer is over!  
~Chrissy

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Mexican Casserole

In my household, my husband is currently steering clear of meat and dairy products for health reasons so I have been making more meatless dishes that we can both enjoy.  Over the holidays, I had to bring a dish to both of our families Christmas parties.  I wanted something hearty and filling and most importantly full of flavor.  This dish I came up with, which is inspired by a dish I saw on Homegrown & Healthy, satisfied all three of these things!

 Sweet Potato & Black Bean Mexican Casserole

by Herban Adventures

Ingredients:

1 cup -  Red Quinoa

2 cups -  Broth (vegetable or chicken, depending on dietary preference) or Water

4 cups - peeled, diced Sweet Potatoes (about 2 medium sized sweet potatoes)

1 (8oz) can - Strained Tomatoes or Tomato Sauce

1 1/2 cup - Water

4 Tbsp - Taco Seasoning (I used one packet of Simply Organic Southwest Taco Seasoning) 

2 (15oz) - Black Beans (drained & rinsed)

1 - small Onion (diced)

1 - Red Bell Pepper (diced)

1 container - Grape Tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup - Nutritional Yeast
Salt & Pepper
Cornstarch or Arrowroot powder (optional)

Garnish:  Sliced Avocado (optional)

Directions:

1.  Allow red quinoa and broth to come to a boil in a small sauce pan.  Reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.  Take off heat, stir and cover, allowing the quinoa to absorb all the broth. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

2.  In a small sauce pan, add strained tomatoes, water and taco seasoning.  Stir and let come to boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer on low for 10 minutes to allow it to thicken a bit. (If you want your sauce thicker, add a little bit of cornstarch or arrowroot powder until reach desired consistency. I made it with both a thick sauce and a thinner sauce and they were equally delicious!) Take off heat and allow to cool a little.  Add the nutritional yeast and stir.

3. Fill a large pan with water, let come to boil and add sweet potato.  Cook until the sweet potato is tender.  Drain.

4.  In large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, black beans, onions, bell pepper, tomatoes, sauce and quinoa. 

5.  Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

6.  Cool and serve.  Top with avocado slices as a garnish, if desired.

~Chrissy