Convincing the Hubby that Crock Pot cooking is AWESOME!

My hubby is always nice and eats what I make for dinner. (yes he cooks occasionally as well) But he always told me that my crockpot meals were not his favorite. Being a HUGE fan of the crockpot (I think it is the most genius piece of cooking equipment since fire!) this was not making me happy. SO I investigated further -- over several years;) His issues with my crock pot meals were:
1. The texture of the meat
2. Everything tasted the same

Well I was stumped for a few years. I'd make him suffer through a crock pot meal every month or so since they are so easy and I LOVE them. I tried a few new recipes, added seasoning, but still got the same "It was OK" response. At the time I was home with a preschooler and a new baby -- dinner time was NOT a time for elaborate concoctions!

And then I found this freezer meal workshop online, went and created 10 meals in 2 hours and brought home cooking instructions. One of them was a crockpot recipe -- OY! Well I was super excited about it. The recipe asked me to brown the meat before placing it in the crockpot. I NEVER did this before and always thought it was a waste of time and clean pots! But this time I followed the instructions and browned the pre-seasoned meat on all sides, put it and the other items in the crock pot and went about my day. Served dinner and got "that was really good" after dinner -- REALLY??? I mean I thought it was fantastic AND easy (which means it was a 10 for me), but never thought Hubby would agree.

So I experimented with a few old recipes. I seasoned and browned the meat before putting it in the crock pot -- JACK POT every time!! He liked them all!!!

I'm not a scientist, I'm not sure what browning the meat does to change the texture but it does work. I do think that seasoning the meat before browning allows that spice to penetrate the meat and give it a different more abundant flavor than when it is all seasoned together. I also find he is happier if I use a different seasoning on the meat than what is called for in the crock pot recipe. I think it adds more depth for him.

And now we are all living a happily ever after crock pot life!!!! WHEW!;)

Talk about a Ground Floor opportunity!!!

Wildtree made INC. magazines Top 5000 List!!!

Inc. projects Wildtree's growth @ 248% in 3 years! What a great decision I made joining this company in 2010!!

Initially I was using the WT products to make dinner time easy and delicious, then I decided to utilize the discount and have others pay for my dinners by joining as a rep the beginning of this year. Now I get paid to share these great food products with the WORLD!! With VERY few reps here in SO Cal I thought, what a great time to get in on a ground floor opportunity with a great company and all while eating healthier and yummier food.

If you are looking for an additional stream of revenue and love eating healthy, delicious food -- Wildtree is the place for you! Feel free to contact me with any questions or you can join my team via my Wildtree website under the Our opportunity tab.

Stock your freezer with quick, delicious and healthful meals!

Just in time for back to school...Freezer Meal Workshops.
Stock your freezer with 10 quick, delicious and healthful meals to help you get back into the routine!
This month's menu includes:
Lime Dill Fish
Fancy Shmancy Chicken
Pork Tenderloin with Asian Spiced Pears
Seasme Sun Butter Chicken
Harvest Frittata
Chicken Skillet Meal
Turkey Stroganoff Skillet
Mexican Skillet Meal
Cheddar & Herb Skillet
BBQ Beef Stew

Redondo Beach workshops September 24 @ 7pm or September 25th @ 10am

Reserve your spot via email at wildforwildtree@gmail.com or via phone at 310-850-6443

Similar workshops are being held this month in Culver City (September 23) and Beverly Glen.

Healthy Lifestyle does NOT mean Bland

So you’d love to be healthy but you just can’t fathom eating bland, boring salads each day or banning butter and cheese from your life?

Come taste the flavorful side of healthy with Certified Personal Trainer Dr. Mandy Rhodes and Yvonne Hall of Wildtree Herbs at 6:30pm on Thursday, September 16th at the Redondo Beach Neighborhood Grinds. Dr. Rhodes will describe how important it is to be healthy with some simple ways to incorporate healthfulness into your life, and Yvonne will let you taste the differences in foods and show you simple steps to making the meals. They will give you some ideas of how to cook healthy, flavorful, easy meals while watching your caloric and cholesterol intake. Here's how:

* Make beneficial cooking oil choices

* Use alternate preparation and cooking methods

* Search for and Banning some health busting ingredients

You won’t be disappointed at this fun and delicious excursion to healthy.

RSVP to wildforwildtree@gmail.com

Mandy R. Rhodes, CPT, DC is the founding owner of Active Balance and can be followed on her blog at activebalance.blogspot.com

Yvonne Hall, Southbay Wildtree Herbs representative, can be followed on her blog at wildforwildtreecooking.blogspot.com

August Newsletter

Summer Days falling away
Summer is quickly passing!! I just confirmed my baby for his first day in preschool that begins in just a few weeks -- where does the time go??!!! And although this means I may have some more time a couple days a week -- it also means those evenings will be jam packed with prepping. After picking the kids up from preschool I'll still have to get dinner on the table, lunches packed for the next day and of course bedtime routines. Having that much on my plate will be new for me and I am so glad I've got some quick, healthy dinner favorites in my back pocket ... and in my freezer!
August brought a lot of "new" to my business:
New Blog
New Facebook Fanpage
New Business Email
New Wildtree Products
New Wildtree Computer System
And that of course also means lots of new
announcements below;)
So please read on and enjoy the last fleeting moments of
your summer!
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Recipe of the Month!
Not only was this a freezer meal workshop recipe but I also featured it at a Tasting party and a networking anniversary party and it was BY FAR the most requested
recipe of the month! Even in our house we've made this 3 times in the last few weeks; originally with wings, then with Chicken breasts and finally with boneless pork chops! Each time it was a hit! Hope you enjoy it with whatever
protein you choose.

Honey Zing Wings

1 lb. Chicken Wings/thighs/breasts
1/2 cup WT Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
2 TBSP WT Pacific Fusion

In container/freezer bag combine Chicken, Honey Mustard Vinaigrette and Pacific Fusion. Shake to coat evenly. Let marinate 30 minutes – 24 hours.

Oven/Crock Pot Instructions: Remove wings from bag/container saving juices. Place wings on broil pan and cook in 400-degree oven for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer hot wings to crackpot. Cover with remaining marinade/juices from bag/container. Cook on Med. Hi heat for 3 or 4 hours until chicken is tender and almost falling off the bone.

Grill Instructions: Heat Grill to Medium Hi and place wings on grill. Baste the chicken often with the marinade juices. Cook until done.

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Freezer Meal Workshop
Over the weekend, several families took advantage of "Going Vegetarian" the Wildtree way and each created 10 meals in a 2-hour workshop. These workshops are always fun and it felt so good knowing that these families would benefit from a healthy, home cooked meal that was super easy to make!
Next month's workshops are on Friday, September 24th @ 6 pm or Saturday, September 25th @ 10 am. Just in time to fill your freezer with quick & easy meals to help ease the back to school transition. We'll be featuring a few vegetarian meals this month's menu and can always help you determine substitutions for your health restrictions.
Reserve your spot today by replying to this email!
Here are some of the recipes we will be making...
Thai Sesame Sun Butter Chicken & Noodles
Lime Dill Fish
Summery Pasta
Harvest Frittata
Pork Tenderloin with Asian Spiced Pears

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Wildtree's NEW Computer System
Wildtree is growing at a phenomenal rate - 200% each month for almost 3 years in a row! To keep up with the demand, they have implemented a new computer system with a LOT more capabilities. See below for changes to the Culinary Club Membership and Hosting a Tasting.
___________________________________________

Book Your September Tasting...
and receive a Skillet Meal of your choice.
In addition to Wildtree's generous Host benefits, I am gifting my September Hosts with a Skillet Meal to help ease the Back to School craziness. We have several different flavors and they are all one pot wonders! My month is filling up quickly so contact me now to book your Live or Virtual Tasting. Your guests will receive a Pumpkin Bread Mix with a $75 order!
Our new system can send Evites for you to invite your family & friends to a Live or Virtual Tasting as well as provide a link for them to order online and ensure you receive the full credit. When they order, they can choose to have the items sent to you (for the discounted party shipping price of $5.50) or directly to them at regular web rates.
_________________________________________
Culinary Club Changes
With Wildtree's new computer system come a few changes to the Culinary Club. You NO longer need to go to www.wildtreeclub.com, instead you can just go to my website, www.mywildtree.com/yvonneh/ and click LOGIN in the upper right hand corner. Then sign in as a Culinary Club Member with your password to receive your 20% discount. If you are not a Culinary Club Member and would like to become one, please let me know.
Order $60 through the Culinary Club between by August 30th and receive a Tia Rosa's Enchilada Sauce.
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August Specials
There are still a few days left. Take advantage of the
August customer specials.
Spend $50...receive our Adobo Seasoning.
Spend $75 to receive BOTH our Adobo and
Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

September Specials
Spend $75...receive our Pumpkin Bread Mix. (This is an all time favorite that is perfect for making mini muffins to send as a school snack!)
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Come join my Facebook Fan Page at
'Wild for Wildtree Cooking' and check out my blog for lots of easy recipes, tips and events!

Let me know if you have any questions or need any help!
My business is successful due to the wonderful recommendations my customers give to friends and family - so please feel free to share my info with anyone whom you think may benefit and enjoy! No matter where you live, I can help you with all your Wildtree needs.

Happy, healthy cooking!

Wildtree products contain NO additives, preservatives, food dyes, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, use minimal or no salt & sugar and are 100% PEANUT-FREE. Wildtree is committed to using ingredients with no GMOs and their Grapeseed Oils are expeller pressed.

SALAD FRENZY!!!!!

I'm prepping for this month's Freezer Meal Workshop and have found some great salads to accompany our veggie meals this month. Hope you enjoy them!

Asian Broccoli Slaw
Combine:
* 2 cups broccoli slaw
* 1/2 cup cashews
* 1/2 cup Wildtree Asian Ginger-Plum Dressing & Marinade
Let marinate in fridge for at least 30 minutes. Serve chilled.

Artichoke Salad
Combine:
1 medium tomato, diced
1/2 C green pepper,
1/4 C red onion
1 jar of marinated artichoke hearts
Let marinate for about 30 minutes. Serve cold.

Tabouleh Recipe from www.lebaneserecipes.com

* 3 cups of finely chopped flat leaf parsley

* 1/2 cup of finely chopped mint

* 4 or 5 finely chopped spring onions (with green)

* 4 tomatoes medium size chopped small

* 100g of fine burghul

* 1/2 cup lemon juice

* 4 tbs olive oil

* Salt and Pepper

For the ultimate Tabouleh dish, follow these simple instructions:

Soak the burghul in cold water for 1/2 an hour then drain. Mix all the ingredients together, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with lettuce leaves .

Gourmet Dinner on the table in 40 minutes!!!

Italian style chicken with garlic wilted baby spinach on a bed of Parmesan rice. Sounds pretty fancy and complicated right? Well good -- that is the intention!!!!

I had this meal on the table in 40 minutes -- and that included making another dinner for the kids AND checking my email! And it was Delicious too! Can’t beat that.

Recipe coming soon (and maybe a less fuzzy photo too)!