Garnishing

Our Tupperware Organization holds several Cooking Schools each year.  There are usually 6 - 8 tables where a consultant is doing a demo of a particular product and a dish made with that product. It's a fun way to show off what's new in Tupperware and give guests a chance to taste some great food. 

At the last one, I was asked to demo our FridgeSmart® Containers and Chef Series™ Pro Knives.  I had a blast looking at garnishing websites and tried to duplicate a few them.  I certainly need more practice, but the result was adequate, at least.  I do have to admit to being proud of that lobster.  I decided at the last minute to do this one and didn't have the exact fruit on hand that was in the example online.  Improvise, improvise!

I've used a few of these garnishes since and they do "guild the lily" for a special meal!  Do you use garnishes when serving kitchen creations?

Fruit Lobster

Pepper, Radish, Carrot, & Scallion Flower

FridgeSmart™ Display

Southwest Chipotle & Green Goddess Guacamole Dips
With Scallion Brushes & Hot Pepper Flower

Marthine - Chris - Cindy (2 of My Team & I)

On Hiatus

Hi Everyone!  Happy Spring!

As I told you HERE, I am in the middle of a career transition.  At the end of April, my full-time corprate job will end and my full-time Tupperware job will begin.  After having gone through ALL the possible emotions regarding this change at 62 years old, I can honestly say I am thrilled!

In the meantime, I have one job to finish and my YOB (your own business) to begin to ramp up.  I am placing many things "on hold" until May 1st.  Obviously, viewing the date of my last post, this blog is one of them.  I will be back though!  May 1st will be here before we know it. 

I'll catch up with you then...

P.S.  I have been advertising Tupperware on one of my favorite Decor blogs: Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, and she's hosting a Tupperware Chop 'n Prep Giveaway HERE.  Hop on over and visit her beautiful blog.  Tell her that Chris from Refining Life/Today's Organized Kitchen sent you, and I'll enter you in the drawing too!

TTFN!

A Fun Gift Idea!

Disclaimer: As many of you know, I am a Star Manager with Tupperware. I very occasionally bring something over from my Tupperware Blog to Refining Life if I think it's a wonderful recipe, good sale or just great info. The following is one of those posts. So if you are in anyway annoyed by this type of posting, here's your chance to give it a pass.

Tupperware is always providing us with great time, money & space-saving ideas. I know this one isn't new, but I think it's pretty cute.

If you aren't into Tupperware, (you're not? *Ü*) this would be really cute made in a great old canning jar with a circle of Christmas fabric tied to the top.



In this case, it is presented in a Tupperware spaghetti dispenser, which is a cool kitchen tool. The special insert allows for easy spaghetti pouring and measuring. Great for breadsticks too! Contents stay fresh and quantities visible. It's a clear container with choice of seal color: Passion (red) or Brilliant Blue.

You'll find the Spaghetti Dispenser and all of Tupperware's Modular Mates® containers on MY WEBSITE, listed under "Storage".

Would you like some printable tags with the recipe? Just go to MyOrganizedKitchen.com & sign up for my monthly newsletter on the right side of the home page. I'll email you some cute tags that have "To & From" on the front and the recipe on the back. You can print these 3"x5" size tags on card stock, punch a hole & tie them onto your container.

Enjoy! Chris

And the Winner is...

Thank you to everyone for joining in on my giveaway! Please remember to do your part to help eliminate toss away products from our environment! Plastic water bottles, plastic shopping bags & styrofoam cups & containers are JUST NOT GOOD!!

So here's the fun part!

The winner is...pammiejo!

Pammiejo, I hope that you'll love your new FlatOut containers!! I'll contact you at your blog and we can make arrangements to get your gift to you!

Enjoy! Chris

Arrgh! Plastic Water Bottles & Styrofoam Cups & Containers!

(Hint: There is a duplicate of this post over at my Today's Organized Kitchen blog, with a different giveaway! You can enter both!)

Did you know that Americans consumed 50 billion single serve water bottles in one year? It is estimated that only 2 in 10 bottles are recycled. Where are the rest? You got it, in landfills. These PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles take 1000 years to biodegrade! Then, you need to consider the energy consumed in the manufacture, transportation and disposal of these items. Does this concern you?


Now, let's talk about Styrofoam (Polystyrene) cups & containers! While the technology for recycling polystyrene is available, the market for recycling is very small and shrinking. Most of it ends up in the landfills, and it often breaks up into small pieces that can choke animals & clog their digestive systems.

I plan to eliminate these things from my home and lifestyle! Won't you join me? It's pretty simple really.

• Get a nice sturdy travel mug for you hot beverages


• Purchase a reusable sports bottle for drinking water on-the-go


• Take your own "to go" box when you eat out. Stick it your purse and when it's time to corral the leftovers, you won't be taking styrofoam home.

(Tupperware's FlatOut collapsible bowls are perfect for this!)

Edited to add: My buddy Doodles reminded me that I neglected to mention plastic bags! Here some info that she has provided on her blogs that are MUST READ! Thanks, my friend!

Recycle a T-shirt into a reusable bag> HERE
Reusablebags.com>HERE

Giveaway!

I think this is so important! If you'll leave a comment on this post by Saturday April 11th, I'll enter you in a drawing to win the 2-pc. FlatOut Set mentioned above! And please, spread the word!

Cheers! Chris

A Gift Idea!

I don't often write about my Tupperware business here. We all get "advertised to" enough I think!

BUT...

Occasionally, something special comes along that I feel is too good not to share. This is one of those times. I think this Mother's Day Lunch Set is so pretty and practical! I hope you will too! It will be available starting Saturday, March 28th. To order, click here and enter your contact info and I'll get back to you to place your order.

You can save money and be kind to the environment with this exclusive set of microwave-ready containers in a beautiful, reusable Lunch Bag. A floral-print design and bright colors make for on-the-go, whether for lunch or out-of-town trips.

The set includes a CrystalWave Soup Mug, a 2-1/2 cup CrystalWave Container, a 16 oz. Tumbler with seal and the floral-print Lunch Bag, all packed in a decorative Gift Box that can be reused to store and organize crafts, magazines or keepsakes. This $50 value is a great deal at only $30.

It would make a great gift for your mom or mom-in-law, daughter, sister or even yourself!

P.S. If this side trip into Tupperland "steams" you, my last post contains a calming video walk in a beautiful garden. Please view it and accept my apologies. *Ü*

Enjoy! Chris

Tupperware Lunch Sets

Very seldom do I post here at Refining Life about my Tupperware business.

I prefer to reserve that information for my Today's Organized Kitchen Blog. But every once in a while, an exciting new product or a "super-duper" sale comes along that I feel I should share with you all. This is one of those times.

I think our new Salad & Sandwich Lunch Sets are terrific! They conveniently allow you to carry lunches from home, which is healthier, less expensive than purchasing lunch out and is a "greener" solution. (Did you know that the average family will use 7000 plastic bags in the next 10 years? Tupperware products can be recycled and rarely end up in landfills.)

If that weren't motivation enough, the Lunch Sets are on sale @50% off! So, if you're looking for a new lunch set, visit Today's Organized Kitchen for information on how to order.

Happy Monday! Chris

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Baggage Check

Crud! I started this blog, then immediately became paralyzed by the seemingly huge task ahead (putting my plans to refine my life down in writing)! See what I mean about needing to make some changes?

I have TOO MUCH BAGGAGE! I am trying to check onto a flight that will take me to a new place in my life, and the extra bags are costing (or weigh) too much! Some are going to have to be left behind. Aye, there's the rub! Which bag(s) do I leave?

How about the "Fat" bag? It is so comfortable to continue to eat just whatever I want, despite the health consequences! Finding the right way to eat and exercise has become a matter of great importance if I am to remain on this planet! And FAT has been a major part of my life for so long…I want that baggage gone!

Or maybe it should be the "Possessions" bag? Which one of my collections (roosters, teapots, pumpkins, finials, red transferware, depression glass) can I part with? How will I refine my home to achieve the serenity & calm I seek?

I know, it must be the "Carreer" bag! That is certainly a full one!

There’s the full time proposal-writing job. That's the one that is our bread & butter! Probably have to keep that one...

Maybe Tupperware? Oh but I love my Tupperware (http://www.partycareer.com/)! I love the parties, I love the people! But I haven't been giving it my best. Why is that?

The Refined Room (http://therefinedroom.com/) is hanging out there in limbo most of the time. I love decorating, and believe that I truly have the gift for it. But having a full-time day job makes it difficult to take that one anywhere. Who wants to move furniture in the evening, after dinner, with the husband & kids to help?

There is another "network/internet" marketing business I'm holdin' my back pocket that is either the greatest thing since sliced bread or a train wreck! Not sure which yet, but I'm counting on the former. When I know for sure myself, you can bet I'll be sharing that story!

I certainly can't leave the "House & Home" bag behind! After all, I must have a place to hang my hats. (That's another bag for another discussion...Red Hatting!) House & Home is one bag I must keep with me on this journey, but I definitely think I can re-pack it to lighten the load! Might even make it a source of not only necessities but also comfort.

The "Relationships" bag is my carry-on. I would NEVER check that one. It contains all that is most precious to me.

I have a wonderful, loving husband who "gets" me. He is able to see me as I am, and still loves me! I am completely and passionately in love with him, even after all these years!

My daughter is a fabulous child! She is bright, good-hearted, generous, hard working, and she loves her mother! Which in itself should attest to her brilliance!

I have sisters and a brother whom I love dearly. But more importantly, they are people I would like & respect even if I wasn't related to them.

Then, there are my friends! I have girlfriends with whom I share deep, personal (sister-like) bonds. My husband & I have couple friends that enrich our lives so much! Then, there are those who are just fun to be around, if only occasionally. I feel like I am truly blessed with friends.

I am sure there are a few smaller bags that are tucked amongst the larger ones that I haven't considered yet. As I have written this entry, I have realized that as I embark on this journey, there are definitely some of these bags that will simply be left to spin on the luggage carousel until someone places them in the unclaimed pile. But others can be consolidated, re-packed, or ticketed for another destination. Somehow, that seems an easier, less heart-wrenching task!

Now, I just have to get on with it!

Chris