Katie DeVito's Personal Blog

Recently I had the opportunity to try out Carapelli Olive Oil. I use olive oil on a regular basis so it was right up my alley to try out this brand.

 

Did you know their are 4 S’s of Olive Oil tasting? Neither did I. I learned so much by reading the Carapelli press kit and by visiting their website.

 

The Four S’s of Olive Oil Tasting:

Pour one tablespoon of oil into a glass. To gently warm the oil, cover the glass with one hand while holding the bowl of the glass in the other. Olive oil is best sampled at 70 degrees F.
1. Swirl – This releases the oil’s esters (the molecules that contain aromas).

2. Sniff – Inhale deeply. Aroma is the key to the fruitiness of the oil.

3. Slurp – Sip the oil while “sipping” a bit of air. This slurping action emulsifies the oil and helps spread it throughout your mouth. Note the various tastes and sensations.

4. Swallow – Swallow the oil. It should leave your mouth with no aftertaste. Note any peppery or stinging sensation in your throat.

 

Very similar to wine tasting, right? I thought so too. Pretty cool!

 

I’d love to share four holiday recipes from Carapelli Olive Oil, bursting with the rich flavors of Tuscany. These recipes will enhance and lighten up your holiday favorites with the distinctive taste of heart-healthy olive oil. Carapelli’s Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made with the highest quality 100% Italian olives and boasts a robust flavor. Whether you are entertaining a large crowd or serving up a small family-style dinner, this Tuscan Roast Turkey will be the centerpiece of your holiday table. The juicy flavors and crisp, golden brown skin come from a Tuscan Herb Paste made with fresh herbs and a blend of olive oils. After you’ve tried Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes, you may never want to go back to plain mashed potatoes again.  For another amazing side dish, try sweet and salty Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Prosciutto.

 

Tuscan Roast Turkey

Serving Size: 16

1 16-pound young turkey

Kosher salt, to taste

1 cup Tuscan Herb Paste

1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

2 teaspoons celery salt

3 fennel stalks with fronds, rough

chopped

3 onions, large dice

1 stalk celery, small dice

2 1/4 quarts chicken stock

3 ounces all-purpose flour

 

Remove giblets from turkey’s cavity, rinse cavity and pat dry, set aside. Season turkey inside and out with Kosher salt. Mix Tuscan Herb Paste with crushed fennel seeds and celery salt. Starting at the neck of the bird, slip your hand between the meat and the skin to loosen.

Rub half the paste mix under skin, and rub remaining paste inside the cavity and over the rest of the turkey. Season all over with kosher salt. Place two-thirds of the chopped onion and fennel stalks inside cavity. Truss bird. Place turkey in a roasting pan. Roast at 400°F for 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325°F and continue cooking the turkey to an internal temperature of 160°F, approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Baste turkey often during cooking with juices from pan. If turkey begins to overbrown, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

As turkey roasts, simmer giblets (neck, heart and gizzard), the other one-third of the fennel stalk, onion mix and diced celery in 1 quart chicken stock until tender, approximately 1 1/2 hours. When turkey is done, remove from roasting pan and set aside to rest. Degrease roasting pan, reserving 3 ounces of fat to make a roux. Deglaze pan with a small amount of chicken stock. Transfer stock to a saucepot, and add remaining stock and broth from giblets. Bring to a simmer and degrease. Make a blond roux with reserved fat and flour. Add roux to the liquid, whisking well to prevent lumps. Simmer 15 minutes. Strain gravy through a fine-meshed strainer. Adjust seasoning.

 

 

Tuscan Herb Paste

Yield: 2 1/4 cups

3/4 cup Carapelli Extra Light in Taste Olive Oil

1 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tablespoon fresh basil

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary

1/2 packed cup fresh Italian parsley

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

2 tablespoons fresh sage

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

 

Blend herbs and crushed red pepper with light olive oil using a blender or food processor, then stir in extra virgin olive oil. Serving Ideas: Rub under the skin of turkey for Tuscan Roast Turkey. Use to flavor vegetables for grilling and mushrooms for roasting.

 

Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes

Serving Size: 12

10 8-ounce potatoes, (about 5 pounds)

peeled and cut in half

3/8 teaspoon white pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt

1/2 cup Tuscan Herb paste

1/2 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 cup heavy cream, warmed

 

Boil potatoes in salted water. When cooked tender, mash potatoes. Mix salt and pepper with Tuscan Herb Paste, olive oil and warm heavy cream. Fold into potatoes.

 

Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Prosciutto

Serving Size: 12

2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, blanched,

quartered

4 tablespoons Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 onion, julienned

1 1/2 ounces prosciutto, sliced into 1/2-inch strips

4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

Sea salt

Fresh cracked black pepper

 

Trim stem end of Brussels sprouts. Discard wilted outside leaves. Boil in salted water until cooked through (about 7 minutes) until just tender. Shock in ice water. Quarter the cooled sprouts. In large skillet over medium high heat, caramelize onions in olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from pan. Place in bowl, mix with prosciutto. In the same skillet, over high heat, lightly brown Brussels sprouts. Add onion-prosciutto mix, toss. Deglaze by adding white balsamic vinegar and scraping bottom of pan. Season with salt and pepper.

 

For more recipes that will turn any meal into an unforgettable feast visit www.carapelliusa.com. Carapelli is also offering an online coupon for $1.00 off any one bottle of Carapelli Olive Oil, 17 oz. or larger.

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This past Tuesday I was invited to the launch event of The Honest Co. hosted by Mom Trends at ABC Kitchen in NYC. Stay tuned for a post on ABC Kitchen as dinner was amazing.

 

The Honest Co. was developed by Jessica Alba and Christopher Gavigan. The event was great and I was able to take a look at their new line and even walk home with some of the products. Both Jessica & Christopher talked to the guests about their new line. I am not a mom but hope to be one day and I truly learned a ton from these two who are both parents.

 

I found Jessica’s story extremely fascinating. Before she had her baby her and her mom talked a lot and her mom said ok you need to wash the baby clothes now in XYZ detergent because that’s what I used for you and bath the baby in XYZ because you did and it’s tear-free and so on and so forth. So Jessica started preparing and washing her baby clothes in preparation of her new baby when her arm broke out in a rash from the detergent. She knew that if she broke out in a rash who knows what it would do to her baby. She knew she needed to do something and create a product that would be healthy for her baby. After chatting with Christopher Gavigan and a few others, they came up with the concept for The Honest Co. a baby friendly line that was non-toxic, green, affordable and convenient for the busy mom on the go. Oh wait and super stylish! The Honest Co. offers delivery right to your door of the products. Not only do they carry baby products but they also carry cleaning products as well.

 

Both Jessica & Christopher were a delight to chat with. On the day I met them Christopher had just announced on Twitter that he and his wife (actress Jessica Capshaw of Grey’s Anatomy) were expecting their third child. When I congratulated him he was giddy with excitement. I can only imagine what an amazing father he is.

 

Not only were the entire mom’s in attendance at this fab event impressed, but since the launch many celeb moms have been on The Honest Co. bandwagon. Celebrity mom and stylist Rachel Zoe loves this line for her new baby Skylar.

 

And it’s not just for the babies. It’s for adults too. I have to admit I’m a bit obsessed with the Honest Face & Body Lotion for myself. Most of the products are completely fragrance free but the Shampoo & Body Wash has an amazing sweet orange vanilla fragrance that’s just plain yummy while the Honest Hand Soap smells like organic lemongrass. Oh and the fragrance free Honest Healing Balm is the most amazing moisturizer for your lips. Its my new fave lipbalm.

 

And if this isn’t reason enough to check out this new line…. Here’s yet another…. They give back! With every purchase you make they give back to the community. Right now they are working with Baby2Baby.

 

For more information on The Honest Co. visit their site http://www.honest.com/. Check out their Press Release and Press Kit! Follow them on Twitter @honest and make sure you follow @momtrends.

 

 

 

 

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By Celebrity Nutritionist Keri Glassman

 

1. Set Goals for Yourself
In order to stay motivated throughout the entire year (not just until mid-January!), make sure your goals are both attainable and reasonable. Instead of strictly avoiding certain foods, eat empowered by focusing on what you should eat to help increase your overall health and meet your weight goals. Goals to keep you healthy throughout the New Year might include things like, incorporating a vegetable into your dinner daily or exercising for 45 minutes four times per week. Make goals that work for you, but it’s ok to set the bar high, too!

2. Incorporate a Superfood Into Every Meal
Superfoods are those foods that go beyond basic nutrition and offer extraordinary health benefits. Try adding blueberries to your morning oatmeal, having a hearty black bean soup for lunch, and salmon with broccoli and a baked sweet potato for dinner. Other amazing Superfoods include – spinach, apples, oranges, pumpkin, walnuts, and almonds.

3. Eat More Whole Grains
Whole grains are a key component of healthy eating. They are a great source of fiber (as well as essential vitamins and minerals). Fiber promotes satiety and keeps you feeling full which prevents you from snacking throughout the day. Whole grains will also help keep you healthy by lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Arnold®/Oroweat® Sandwich Thins® rolls are a great way to get them in! Other delicious sources include brown rice, oats, quinoa, and even popcorn!

4. Stash Healthy Snacks
It is easy to make poor food decisions when you are on the go, so keep your purse, car, gym bag, etc. stocked with nutritious and filling snacks. Have your emergency go-to stash that works for you. Here are some ideas:
.       Nuts such as pecans, cashews, almonds, walnuts in individual bags
.       High fiber crackers (they act as a good “vehicle” for turkey, peanut butter or cheese)
.       Whole fruit (apples and bananas are least messy!)
A little planning ahead will help you say no to unhealthy temptations throughout the year!

5. Fill Up On Water and Tea
Drinking enough H2O is one of the most important things you can do for your body every day. Not only does it play a role in many body processes such as flushing out toxins and delivering key nutrients to cells, it also helps you to avoid overeating. You won’t mistake hunger for thirst if you are properly hydrated.

 

Meet Keri by visiting her website http://www.nutritiouslife.com/meet-keri/.

 

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I’m a self admitted beauty junkie! My name is Katie and I’m a beauty addict. Which is why I so excited to win the Ageist contest and received a plethora of amazing gifts.

 

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correction
I’ve been using this serum after washing my face. I use one drop of it and the one drop goes a long way and covers my entire face. After I apply this serum I follow it up with my regular moisturizer. It makes my skin feel super smooth and in a way I feel like it exfoliates my skin a bit. According to Caudalie the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is an alternative to laser. It penetrates deep to improve the appearance of dark spots and even out skin tone.

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills All Eye Want Palette

The colors in this palette are gorg beyond belief. Many of them have glitter in them which gives your eyes a beautiful glow. I like putting a little bit of the gold shadow in the corner of my eye to make my eyes pop even more. This color palette is perfect for me as I have greenish hazel eyes with lots of green, yellow and brown in them so the gold and brown in this set really makes my eyes pop.

Here’s a closeup of the colors.
Plus it’s on sale now at the Anastasia website click HERE for deets.
The Socializer Can You Keep a Secret Lip Exfoliator & Conditioning Balm
 

I’ve got to admit I wasn’t that impressed with this product. The caps on both ends were broken and it took me a while to figure out how it worked. The exfoliator side vibrates which I was a bit surprised by. It claims to only take 3 clips for the exfoliator balm to come out but I spent at least a minute clicking and clicking until it finally came out. I also wasn’t a big fan of the smell of the lip balm.
La Mer Collections Wrap watch

This super cute watch is stylish and functional. I love that it’s more like a piece of jewelry than a watch because it’s so trendy and fun. It looks like a leather wrap bracelet on my wrist. So cute!

Barely There totebag & Ribbed Tank

I received the Smooth A’Tude ribbed tank and love it. It’s meant for tummy and torso control and is considered more shapewear than loungewear I would say. It is very confortable and I love how it doesn’t ride or roll up on you and stays in one place. Often times I find that shapewear doesn’t always stay where its supposed to but this tank totally does.

Express Faux Fur Hat

The faux fur hat from Express is soooooo cute as you can tell from the pic. Plus it looks super cute with my faux fur vest and matches it exactly. Love this and perfect for winter!

 

 Molton Brown Golden Solstice Candle
I completely adored this candle. Notice I said adored. I’ve burned the entire thing already. Filled with joyful aromas of bergamot, lemon, tangerine and blackcurrant brighten your senses, delivering a buoyant mood and a refreshed outlook. Very clean fragrance.

 

 

Follow @AgeistBeauty on Twitter!

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Wednesday night I had the wonderful opportunity to hang out at the Marina Maher Communications offices in NYC and watch the People’s Choice Awards, sample some amazing food from Honey Bunches of Oats and try the new wine Entwine by the Food Network.

 

I had such a blast chatting with fellow influencers at the MMC offices and especially chatting it up with the MMC staff. They really have the sweetest gals working for them. (I’m looking at you Samara, Kristen, Taylor & Ashley.)

 

I love award shows the fashion, beauty and bantar. Who doesn’t? Kristen and I noticed a trend in the mesh sleeves and mesh dresses with lace overlays. The MMC sent around a ballot for us to vote on who we thought would take home each category. Needless to say I think I lost every category.

 

Honey Bunches of Oats , yes the cereal, had tons of food on hand. Yes I said food! Appetizers, desserts, you name it you can make it with Honey Bunches of Oats. It’s not just for your milk anymore kids. It’s an ingredient!

 

Here are some of the great recipes you can try at home with Honey Bunches of Oats.

 

 

My personal faves were the mousse and the caramel squares. They also had an amazing crabcake with a chipotle sauce at the party that was too die for.

 

While I may have failed guessing who would win each category of the night I came out a winner because I learned so much about Honey Bunches of Oats.

 

Best Ingredient goes to Honey Bunches of Oats!

 

Follow Honey Bunches of Oats on Twitter @HBOats!

 

Read the Fruit Blends Fact Sheet HERE and the Honey Bunches of Oats press release HERE.

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