About Kathia Rodriguez

My name is Kathia, and I'm original from Costa Rica, I love to cook and create new recipes, it's my passion. I love sharing my experiences, tips and recipes with you, hoping the my passion for cooking is transmitted in these delicious dishes. I invite you to join me in this journey of flavors.

FALL’S FOR YOU #StitchFix


The kids are back in school and you finally have time for yourself. And now is the time to check out your closet and get rid off those styles are not good for the season anymore.

Check out some of the trends and got the advantage of having hand picking close just for you. It is a great opportunity and you must give it a try. Stich Fix will be your best friend from now on, I can tell you that you will not be disappointed.

Quality close especially picks for me. You have the questions I have the answered to all in terms of fashion.

Take a look because Stitch Fix is the personal style service that evolves with your tastes needs and lifestyle.

Women Goals and Finance #WomenInspired #Ad

This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Prudential and DiMe Media. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
women-goals-and-finance-womeninspired-ad
Hi, today we are going to talk about money, yes, you knew that we need it to have this conversation for a long time. And the thing is us women don’t really talk about finances as a topic when we have a girls night and we do really need to do it more often.

I recently had the pleasure to attend an event with Prudential to learn more about what we as women need to know about our future and let me tell you, it completely opens my eyes in a very good way.

We learn about the issues with money and woman, on how the men had taken the role of the family to provide and we are more low key sometimes and stay home and assume some responsibilities as has bean the costume.

But the topic that was more in tune with me was that me as an entrepreneur I tend to price myself really low and don’t value the work that I do. I love the idea that I’m the solution to many other women out there and we are completely capable of competing with men on a financial level.
What financial challenges have you faced and conquered? How did you do it?
What are you doing to sustain your financial wellness, work towards retirement and invest in your own legacy?
Is there such a thing as work / life balance? Learn how to prioritize.
Juggling work and family to reach your goals isn’t easy, but it can be done. Finding dependent childcare or eldercare, requesting a flexible work schedule or asking the family to help around the house are a few ideas. #WomenInspired http://bit.ly/1XnczUc

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I want to grow my business and be a useful person, and sometimes we only think about today and no tomorrow. Remember, personal finances is a personal responsibility. Besides your family and loved ones, what inspires or motivates you to keep going?

The best advice I receive: Reach to your Prudential Adviser, they can help you reach your goal for you and your loved ones. Work with a professional that has the knowledge that you need to guide you.

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We have the tools to built the most amazing business, my homework for you is to sit down with your family and talk about your financial future. Call and as for a Prudential Adviser, to learn and ask as many questions you have is never too late to start saving for your future.

We all love to have the means to enjoy our life when we are older right? Well is not only saving, the key to all this is knowledge and having our money in good hands.

Protecting the work of a lifetime – pointers for business owners and individuals
Building wealth isn’t easy. But it can be even harder to keep it. In this panel discussion, three financial professionals explain everything from starting a business to money management and succession planning. In the end, devising a plan and putting it into action may be the most crucial job of all. Hear what they are saying in this video. #WomenInspired http://bit.ly/29qHYTT

kathia-and-patrice-womeninspired-ad

OxO Barista Brain 9-cup Coffee Maker #OXOisOn #ad

I received this product complimentary for testing purposes, and all opinions are my own.

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I have been using this wonderful coffee maker for a while and is the best thing ever, it makes delicious coffee and is so easy to use. I, personality love the looks and the different way to brew my coffee every morning and afternoon.

Yep, I drink coffee multiple times a day, especially on my very busy days, I also like how easy it is to clean and it can keep my coffee warm for a good amount of time.

It doesn’t take lots of space and the set up is very simple, my coffee is richer, bolder and just perfect. You must look for it and change the way of coffee, I’m sure you’ll love it as much as me.

Gimme Jimmy’s Cookies #Freshness #Review

Thanks to Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies for providing me with a tin of cookies for my review.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Gimme Jimmy's Cookies #Freshness #Review

I got a delicious tin of Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies and let me tell you, this is one of the best cookies I have tried. The challenge for us, taste the freshness each day. So we need it to eat one each day to see how everything was going, my job is so hard :).

On day one, I just could not resist eating about 3 with my cup of coffee and my girls definitely enjoy them too. The only downfall I have is that some of the cookies were broken, but either way, we eat them all.

GJCookies #review

By day 4 the cookies were still fresh and delicious, one key element is to keep the cookies in the original tin, this will keep them with zero expose to any element that can make them soft.

By day 7 most of the cookies were gone, but the freshness was still there, I kept some for more time and let me tell you, the cookies were delicious, fresh and full of flavors.

#GJCookies #review

I really want to encore you to buy and try Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies. Check out their website for more information and here are their social channels.

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Back To School Ghostly Snacks #BTSSpirit #ad #CollectiveBias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BTSSpirit #CollectiveBias

Back To School Ghostly Snacks #BTSSpirit #ad #CollectiveBias

Back to school is around the corner, and we can’t wait to start a new and exciting year. My girls are almost ready, they just need a few last-minute items to help with a successful first day of school. This year I’m super inspired by the Ghostbusters movie and making all snacks a little more ghostly, with the help of specially marked Ghostbusters branded bottles of M&M’s® and MARS treats, I’m sure we would have a perfect back to school.

#BTSSpirit #ad #CollectiveBias #walmart

Me on the other hand, I have my day full with lots of shopping and prepping to have everything we need on hand. This is one of the reasons I love to go to Walmart because I can find all the items I need to make this year snacks. And to keep it even more exciting I came up with the idea of incorporating some ghostly theme to our snacks.

#BTSSpirit MARS candy

So, with the help of MARS treats I made some very delicious combinations to help with this year all around snacks. Not only for school but also to have on hand for those after school programs. And let me tell the minis are perfect to keep in my purse for a boost of energy, not only for the kids but for me too, you know we all need it every day, and thanks to the minis I can have one or two. Ok let be honest, I love to have a bag of SNICKERS® Mixed Mini Bags on hand, because is my absolutely favorite.

#BTSSpirit #ad #CollectiveBias #tutorial

Is very simple all you need is:

Mixed Mini Variety Bag
M&M’s® Milk 42 oz
M&M’s® Milk Chocolate Bottle
6 oz transparent container
Labels
Pen
Peanuts
Pirate Booties
Sour Gummies
Mini Graham Crackers

It is very simple, I like to make different combinations and place them in the container, for example:

M&M’s® Milk and Cookies

mm's milk chocolate and cookies #BTSSpirit

M&M’s® Milk and peanuts

mm's milk chocolate and peanuts #BTSSpirit

M&M’s® Milk and sour gummies

mm's milk and sour gummies #BTSSpirit

M&M’s® Milk and pirate booties

mm'smilk and pirate booties #BTSSpirit

You can also use the M&M’s® Peanut Bottle or peanut to place some of pretzels or cookies for them to take to school.

mm's peanut bottle and cookies #BTSSpirit

Or just mix them all and you will have a great tray of flavors.

trail mix #BTSSpirit

Place them on the container that is especially white for my ghostly theme, label with the name or just the day to make sure they grab the right one. Remember to keep and eye for in-store coupon to save $0.75 of 1 M&M’s® Bottle through September 30.

#BTSSpirit #snacks on the go

 

And of course, you can definitely take some to the movies to enjoy the Ghostbuster movie, in theaters now.

Balance Your Day #CraveFreely #ad | #Giveaway

I partnered with Balance Bar® and Mom It Forward on this compensated post. All opinions are my own.

Balance Your Day #CraveFreely #ad #Giveaway

We are always looking for good and better nutrition for our selfs, as a mom I’m always in the hunt of those snack that keep me going and give the energy and nutrition I need to keep me going on my daily chores.

The best part is that I had the chance to try different flavors and let me tell you all of them are great but my favorite is the Dark Chocolate Turtle and I’m sure yours will be too. But don’t get me wrong all the Balance Bars are delicious and full with nutrition.

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And today I’m so happy to share with all of you the new addition to my daily nutrition Balance Bars, are a scrumptious treat that is nutritionally balanced, each new bar is 190 calories or less, contains 5-7 grams of protein and 5-6 grams of fiber.

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Balance Bars are also available in four delicious NEW flavors, including Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat, Chocolate Peppermint Patty, Dark Chocolate Pecan Turtle and Dulce De Leche & Caramel and they also just relive a new packaging that features the original flavors in full-size bars and new flavors in two mini bars. For the first time ever, Balance is now also packaged in single mini bars – perfect for easy enjoyment to keep up with your on-the-go lifestyle.

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You can find this great product on CVS, Amazon and select Walmart stores nationwide.

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Also, come and participate in the Giveaway, you can win 1 6-pack box of Balance in  Chocolate Caramel Peanut NougatChocolate Peppermint PattyDark Chocolate Turtle orDulce De Leche & Caramel varieties.

Follow Balance Bar on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

10 Activities to make your Summer Olympics a 10 #Olympics #summer #kids

The 2016 Summer Olympics are Here! And we can’t wait to watch it. It is the first time we are going to enjoy this amazing event and had the opportunity to tune in to enjoy this fabulous event.

Now until August 21st the whole world will be abuzz with Summer Olympics, and there is so much opportunity for learning and getting active! Here are (a perfect) 10 tools to foster Olympic-worthy learning and help you host your own Olympics at home!

Tip: Use code GETREADY at Educents for free shipping on any order.

Learn About the Olympics

1. Summer Olympics Fun Pack – Printable!

SO fun pack

This pack has crosswords, medal tally sheets, coloring pages, and my favorite – a Venn diagram comparing modern and ancient Olympics! A lot of punch in one downloadable package, making it a great start to learning fun with Olympics. Suitable for Pre-K – 5th-grade levels. $4.75.

2. 2016 Summer Olympics Lapbook with Study Guide – Printable!

study guide

Get the details on all of the summer games, the history of the Olympics, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Created by one of my favorite resources, Knowledge Box Central. Tip: You can print as many of these lap books for your family and friends to build knowledge and community while you watch the games. $5.

3. Sporting Events Interactive Foldable Booklet- Printable!

foldable booklet

For the avid sports – watching kiddos, this foldable game tracker allows them to track scores in each game for the summer 2016 Olympics. Use this as an opportunity to practice math based on their skill level – whose in first, second and third place? What percent is 4.8 out of 10? I love this handheld, interactive, printable tool! Just $1.

4. 2016 Summer Olympics Interactive Bundle – Printable!

SO BUNDLE

There’s a little something in this bundle for everyone, from writing prompts, to coloring – great for the littles who need an activity while the group watches swimming. Suitable for 6-10-year-olds. $4.99, down from $7.99.

5. Summer Olympics Bingo!

bingo

Whether you’re planning a viewing party with other families, or you have a class full of excited viewers, this is a fun group activity for all ages. Bone up on Olympic vocabulary with this classic game with a timely theme. Speaking of which, let the games begin! $2.

6. Olympics Online Unit Studies

online unit

For homeschoolers looking to mix things up this summer, this online course by 5-star reviewed Online Course features self-directed research projects, unit studies, and a deeper dive into the history and global meaning of the Olympic games. Great for elementary and middles school level kiddos comfortable with the internet. $15.

 

Host your Own Olympics at Home!

7. Scoop and Toss Game

scoop game

Scoop and Toss Game features 2-15″ scoops and a softball-sized plastic ball can be used for a number of outdoor games including baseball, jai alai or catch. This would be a great game for field day!

8. Playground Balls

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These classic rubber playground balls come in a set of three assorted designs. Inflate with standard pump and needle.

9. Play Ring Set

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These fun play ring sets can be used in the yard, park, in the pool or at the beach! The big foam-ring paddles have a stretchy nylon center that makes toss and catches games tons of fun.

10. Resistance Tunnel

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Many children love the feel of climbing through the tunnel. Some of the benefits that can be realized are deep pressure input/touch, increased a sense of body awareness, motor skills, balance, coordination, prone extension, and self-regulation.

May the best Olympians win!

6 Educents Must-Haves Cheaper than Amazon #Kids #Learning

I’d love to be able to shop around for the best price always, but sometimes there isn’t enough time in the day! And of course, I rather be with my family having a great time than browsing around.

I received a list of items that are cheaper on Educents, (one of my favorite online stores for educational resources) than on Amazon. I was shocked to find some items were $100 cheaper on Educents than Amazon. So, of course, I wanted to share this time-and-money-saving list with you!

Hot tip: Use code GETREADY to get free shipping on every order, no minimum required.

Hooked on Phonics Learn To Read Kit for PreK-2nd – Save $170.00

hooked on phonics review

 

 

 

 

Hooked on Phonics is one of the most trusted brands in teaching children how to read. This set is for Pre-K-2nd graders who are looking to create a strong foundation in phonics. This set includes workbooks as well as access to the HoP online learning portal.

Retail Price – $299.99 / Amazon Price – $265.00

Educents Price – $129.99

Maestro Classics Musical Stories Set Save $112.00

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This 12 CD collection features perennial classics you’ll remember from childhood like Peter and The Wolf, The Nutcracker, and The Tortoise And The Hare. Each disk also includes activities to complete for students after they have finished the story.

Retail Price – $200.00 / Amazon Price – $93.43

Educents Price – $88.00

Times Tales Animated DVD Save $10.00

timestales

 

 

 

 

Times Tales is one of the best ways to teach kids multiplication – period. One mom said, “Best money spent on math. It really worked. Within a week my 9 and 11-year-old completed 110 problem text with scores of 99% and 100% respectively. Wow.” Audio, visual, logical – what’s more to ask?

Retail Price – $29.99 / Amazon Price – $28.99

Educents Price – $19.99

Reusable Human Body Sticker SetSave $9.00

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The Mona MELissa reusable sticker playsets are an amazing way to create a hands-on learning experience in your home, classroom, or anywhere with a wall. Teach kids all about anatomy – and make it stick (literally!) – with this scientifically accurate set.

Retail Price – $28.99 / Amazon Price – $24.99

Educents Price – $19.99

Tegu Magnetic Building Blocks: 40 Piece Set – Save $27.50

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Tegu blocks are the wooden magnetic blocks that are captivating children’s attention worldwide. Aside from being an outside-of-the-box toy, Tegu cares about creating social good, and hires workers in Honduras to create these wonderful toys. Plus they plant a tree with each purchase. 🙂

Retail Price – $110.00 / Amazon Price – $110.00

Educents Price – $82.50

Hooked on Phonics Spelling Program Save $20.00

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Spelling Bee here we come! The Hooked On Spelling program is no exception to the quality of Hooked on Phonics programs and teaches spelling in a way that’s unique and fun at the same time.

Retail Price – $79.95 / Amazon Price – $130.22

Educents Price – $59.95

Top 5 Prep Ahead Snacks #ZiplocBacktoSchool #ad #CollectiveBias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ZiplocBackToSchool #CollectiveBias

Top 5 Prep Ahead Snacks #ZiplocBacktoSchool #ad #CollectiveBias

 

In my crazy life, there is always a way to get organized and ready for back-to-school, and I’m so happy I can rely on amazing products with great quality like Ziploc® brand products. I can’t imagine my life when school starts without my go-to essentials.

I want to share my top 5 prep ahead snacks along with tips to make back-to-school fun and super easy for you. Why not make the last days of summer productive because we need to work just a little bit during summer time to make our life so much easier for school?

#ziplocbacktoschool products

First, we need to talk about all the supplies that we will need to make some personalized Ziploc® brand Bags. You know the kids love when we take our time to make something super special for them, and these bags are super easy to personalize so that every time they open their lunch box, a smile will appear on their faces.

materials #ziplocbacktoschool

For me, this is also an easy way to have everything on hand and to keep my kids from fighting about their favorite lunch or how different they want their snack because my girls like different things all the time.

Ok, here we go, we need:
Markers
Stickers
Ziploc® brand Snack Bags
Ziploc® brand Sandwich Bags or
Ziploc® brand Containers

Have you seen the super amazing feature of the Ziploc® brand Bags with Easy Open Tabs®? They are totally different and great for the kiddos to open their bags by themselves with ease.

I like to personalize the bags with their names and adding some decorations or stickers. They love it and it is a great way to keep all snack and lunches out of the reach of other kids. You can make some of these personalized Ziploc® brand Storage Bags with Easy Open Tabs® ahead of time and have them on hand. I like to keep one box on my fridge and another on my pantry.

Now that we have our bags ready I would love to share my prep ahead snacks. I have so many recommendations but my favorites are the ones you can have ready and the week before.

1- Raisins and cheese: you can have portions of ¼ cup of raisins and one string cheese in your fridge.

2- Grapes: go to the market, wash and dry your grapes and portion about 20 grapes per bag.

3- Oranges: every week peel and portion half of an orange in a bag. Cool, fresh and delicious.

4- Crackers: about 8 crackers are perfect or about ¼ cup of cheese crackers to complement the snack.

5- Carrots and celery: perfect for hot days, and you can use a small Ziploc® brand Container to add caramel, ranch dressing or peanut butter.

snacks #ziplocbacktoschool

RECOMMENDATIONS

To make it easy and more organized, keep your snacks in a big Ziploc® brand Container on the fridge as well in your pantry. An organized life is a better life.
Make your prep on Sundays because in general, Sundays are a slow day and you only will need to make a week’s worth of snacks and lunches.

organizing at home #ziplocbacktoschool

Let me hear about your favorite Ziploc® brand products and your favorite go-to snacks. And remember, back to school is around the corner so make your life simple and prep ahead as much as you can.

Join the conversation and find more ideas here Ziploc®

Be sure to also follow Ziploc® brand on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube

Healthy Summer Foods Are Easy to Find

Healthy Summer Foods Are Easy to Find
As summer gets into full swing, healthy eating becomes an increasingly trendy topic. Luckily, it’s easy to find perfectly delicious, healthy food that’s in season throughout the summer, and the fact that there are so many options available makes it easy to adhere to a healthy diet. Depending on where you live, there will be different seasonal options available at different times, so by purchasing what’s readily available, you can create unique recipes that will expand your horizons.

Eating Local
Another perk of utilizing seasonal ingredients that are readily available is that those ingredients will be local, so, in turn, you will be supporting local farmers and producers. Ensuring that your local economy, especially in terms of food, is thriving is a great way to create a more sustainable economy as a whole.
Purchasing locally sourced food also creates sustainable farming and production practices that have less of an impact on the environment. Not only will you be eating food that is healthier, you will be reducing your carbon footprint. There’s a symbiotic relationship that occurs naturally between those who produce food and the consumer when there’s a focus on eating what’s readily available.

The Versatility of Beets
A great vegetable that grows in summer, beets offer a wonderful flavor that can be used in many ways. Beets can be cut up and used raw in salads, roasted and served with goat cheese, or pickled and saved for later use. No matter how they are prepared, beets are packed with antioxidants and are known to be a great anti-inflammatory. Such a tasty, versatile vegetable should have no problem finding its way into your diet.

Tomatoes and Corn
Nothing says summer like these two powerhouses. There is no better time to eat tomatoes than in summer, which is the season for a number of delicious, juicy varieties that grow just about anywhere. Tomatoes are also high in antioxidants and can be used in as many ways as you can think of. Corn is another summer staple; nothing rounds out a summer barbeque like corn on the cob. With these two options available in just about any locale, there’s no reason not to make them frequent additions to your summer diet.

Add Delicious Fruits to Your Diet
Vegetables aren’t the only healthy food readily available during the summer. There are plenty of delicious fruits, too. Berries, watermelon, peaches, and much more are around in the summer and make for tasty, refreshing treats during those hot days. Not to mention, most fruits are rich in essential vitamins. Nothing tastes quite as good as fresh, in-season fruit, which is just another reason to enjoy all the options while they’re at their peak.

Learn New Recipes and Ideas
Yet another benefit of adhering to what’s locally available to you is that you will find new recipes and ideas that you may not have tried previously. By experimenting with new foods that you may have had little experience with, you will be challenging your palate and your cooking regimen. Opening yourself up to new ideas, in terms of cooking and eating, is the best way to discover the most delicious dishes around.
There are plenty of resources that offer recipes and ideas that’ll get you heading down the right path. Hampton Creek is one of many sources of ideas and information. Take advantage of what you can do with fresh food and fresh ideas.

Get the Entire Family Involved
Everything from shopping at your local farmer’s market to going on a berry-picking excursion can be great fun for a family. You can meet the people who make your food, and your kids can take in the knowledge that comes with learning about seasonal ingredients. Don’t hesitate to get everyone involved in the process.

Do What It Takes to Create a Healthy Lifestyle
Simplicity makes everything easier, and your health is no different. If what comes easy happens to be incorporating healthier foods into your diet, you’re sure to take control of your eating habits in a meaningful way. Do what it takes to create a more sustainable, locally driven approach to food and you will be rewarded. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with different options in order to find new combinations that appeal to your taste buds.