Monday, April 30, 2012

THRIVE Smart Start Review




What is included in the Thrive Smart Start?  
When you purchase all three kits (3 months) you get
  •  1 recipe book with 26 recipes from Chef Todd Lenard, monthly menu planners, and shopping list cards
  •   50 Pantry cans of THRIVE foods
  •  12 pouches of THRIVE express (one of each)

Why would you want THRIVE Smart Start? 


As a consultant the THRIVE Smart Start is a great way for you to get a lot of products.  If you are a new consultant I would recommend adding the Smart Start to your monthly Q.   I’m glad I got it.  I think that customers are going to love it and I am much more prepared to sell it now that I have it. 

As a customer the THRIVE Smart start is a great way to start the Q.  (I’m not just saying that I really do think it is).  It gives customers a chance to tray a wide variety of foods in a variety of recipes.  This is a great way for the to decide what they like and how they would use it. 

As a preper THRIVE Smart Start s is a great way to try before you buy.  Lots of prepers buy huge packages of food without ever tasting it only to find out it is not so good.  With the smart start program they get enough of the products that they can try it in every day recipes and then not have to open up the larger number 10 cans to see what is inside.

  As a busy mom—this is a great way to get healthy food on the table fast.  I know that I love having a variety of THRIVE foods in my home store, both to make dinner with and to give my kids as healthy snacks. 

Smart Start Resources:
·         Flyer: 
·         Smart Start FAQs

Things to know about THRIVE Smart Start
  • It is only available through the Q.
  • Cost is $149.99 per month
  •  It is cheaper to purchase in the Smart Start packs then to purchase individually, you receive a 5% discount with the THRIVE Smart Start pack compared to purchasing these products individually.
  • How to add Thrive Smart Start Packs to a Q.
Option 1: If you are setting up a new Q for the first time, you have the option to add the THRIVE Smart
Start pack to the Q through the THRIVE Planner. Step three of this process is called “Add Ons,” and you will be asked if you want to add the THRIVE Smart Start pack to your Q at that point. Select “Yes” to have the pack added to your Q.

Option 2: If you already have a Q and want to add the Smart Start pack, log in to your Q account. Select “View/Edit Q Settings and Shipments.” This will take you to your Q summary page. On that page, there is a left hand column. Select the “Add products” option from that column. This will bring up a “quick pick page” where you can select each of the three monthly packages.


My Review of THRIVE Smart Start Month 1. 

I was excited to get my box.  I opened it with my kids and it was super fun. 


Positive things:
  • It is a fun package to receive.  It is in a unique box that is very fun/friendly to open.
  • There are a lot of products.  I felt like I was unpacking a ton of stuff.
  • All of the recipes for the 3 kits come in the first shipment.  This is great because it has me looking forward to what will come next month.
  • I think this is a great way for people to try out a variety of the foods we offer, and really cook with the food to decide what things they like and what they don’t.  
  • I was a little worried that the recipes were going to be nothing new. But I am kind of excited to try them all.  How does Almond Apricot Thumbprint Cookies sound (from month 3) ?  Or Lemon Blueberry Crisp (from month 3)?  Or Sour Cream and Cheese Potatoes (from month 2)?   I’m pretty excited to try them. 
  • I like that the THRIVE express is included in each month.  This helps customers try a wide variety of products over time.  


Negative things about the THRIVE Quick Start:  
  • There is a lot of flour in the first shipment.  3 pantry cans of it.  I would personally never buy flour in a pantry can so I think it is kind of odd.  
  • There is no Freeze Dried Meat.  This is one of products that people really love and would have like to have had some meat in the package.  
    • The reason there is not meat is because they were trying to keep the price down and the meat is expensive.  
  • There are 5 recipes in month 1.  Cornbread, Cheese Bread, Strawberry Puree, Carmel Sauce, and Strawberry Banana Smoothie.    I thought it was kind of slim.  The caramel sauce and the strawberry puree are both toppings to put over ice cream or toast (or whatever).  But as I look at what comes in month 2 and 3 there are a lot more recipes. 
Conclusion:  I liked it. If I were buying it again I would.  I would recommend it to a friend or a customer.  I do think that if you are planning on purchasing the THRIVE Smart Start you should plan on purchasing all three months.    

Make Ahead Meals--Sweet and Sour Chicken




When it starts to get warm outside, I stop wanting to cook dinner.  I would rather be outside pushing kids on the swing.  But dinner still needs to be made.  

Last week I pulled out my list of make ahead meals/freezer meals.  These are main dishes that can be assembled ahead of time in Zip lock bags and then refrigerated (if used that week) or frozen for later use.  
  
this week I'll be sharing my favorite make a head meals, and my tricks and tips on making them.  (although dumping stuff in a bag is really not that hard). 

  Getting Started with Make Ahead Meals 

  • Choose a recipe- You can use mine or choose one of your own.  Before you invents a lot of ingredients in making multiples of the recipe be sure to try it out to see if you family will eat it. 
  • Mise en place--That is a fancy cooking word for putting everything in it's place. Get everything in order.  Find your ingredients and set them out with your recipe, and measuring cups.  Read over the recipe and make sure you know what you are doing.  This is a good idea in any recipe but when you are making a bunch of meals with raw meat it is a must. 
  • If using frozen chicken and you are planning on freezing it again DO NOT DEFROST.  Just put the frozen chicken in the bag with the other ingredients and refreeze.  
  •  If freezing your meals be sure to defrost them.  Try pulling them out of the freezer the night before or the morning of.  
  • If storing in the fridge.  Be sure to place your ziplock bags filled with meals in a spill prof container.  No one wants raw chicken to leak on the produce.  A large rectangle Tupperware or cake pan works well. 
  • LABEL all of the make a head meals that you make.  I know you are going to think.  I'll remember what this is.  Trust me you won't.  Everything looks different frozen. 
  • Flavors can intensify in the freezer so use a light hand with the spices.  If you love fiery spice try adding it at the table.   

Sweet & Sour Chicken                            
adapted from a recipe from Shannon Zaugg (who always has good recipes)

printable recipe


1 /4 tsp. lemon, garlic or plain pepper
1/2 c. ketchup
2 Tbsp. Mustard
1 /4 c. cider vinegar
1/2 c. maple syrup
4-5 chicken breasts
¼ cup freeze dried onions (don't rehydrate)

Combine all ingredients in heavy duty zip lock bag.  Remove excess air from the bag and seal.  Double check that the back is sealed completely.  “Smush” sealed bag, mixing ingredients.  

Store uncooked:  In the fridge--1 week , Frozen 3 months.

To Bake:  Fresh or defrosted
Place in a large casserole dish.  Bake for 1 hour @ 350* uncovered. Test chicken for doneness using a thermometer.  The temperature at the thickest part of the chicken should read.  165 degrees Fahrenheit.  Remove from the oven.  Serve over rice or potatoes.  

In the Crock Pot:  place contents of the zip lock bag in the  crock pot.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours on high.  Do not open the lid of the crock pot until you are ready to check for doneness.  Test chicken for doneness using a thermometer.  The temperature at the thickest part of the chicken should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  Serve over rice.  

This post is part of my Make Ahead Meals series.  These meals can be made ahead of time and either stored in the freeze for up to a week OR frozen for up to 3 months.  Here are the others in this series:

Chili Lime Mango Chicken
Manti Pageant Chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Greek Oregano Chicken
Lime Chicken Tacos 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Tell Me More About Becoming a Shelf Reliance Consultant

A few days ago a friend of mine shared an article from USA today on Facebook.  The article Direct sales (like Avon, Mary Kay) offer recession-proof jobs  is one that I read in 2009 when it was written.   At the time I was pregnant with my third child, we had just moved into a new house, and we had just had a major unexpected expenses come up (read: a catastrophic flood).   Reading the article again has made me think about why I became a consultant and it made me want to share a little more about becoming a Shelf Reliance Consultant.

  

I had not really ever thought of myself as someone who would be involved in a direct sales business.  But reading the article, for the first time in 2009,  made me think of girl I knew that was very successful in her home based business.  I met Brandi Barnard, at a Stampin’ Up party I attended about 10 years ago.  At the time I was a very poor student, who was working a lot, and going to a lot of school.  
 
I was impressed with Brandi.  She was doing something she loved, making good money and  being a stay at home mom.  One thing I noticed right away was that Brandi was always going on exotic trips and cruises, which she had earned as a part of her business.    I’m not creative enough to be a Stampin’ Up consultant and I knew it.  But I did wonder if there was something similar out there for me. 


When the time came that I started being interested in a home based business, I was at a place in my life where I needed to do something more for my family and myself, I started researching home based business.  


I started asking my friends (and random people I would run into)  that were consultants selling candles, dry mixes, dishes, or kitchen products, a bunch of questions.   




Questions I had for direct sales/home party consultants.

 1.  Are you making money?
2.  Does your company sponsor trips or cruises?  
3.  If you were starting over would you do this again?
4.  Do consultants get a great discount?


I was a little surprised at the answers I received.  I asked a friend who was a consultant for one company that I was very interested in and she told me that she didn’t really make any money.  I was surprised because she was always buys with parties and events.  She loved the products and she was able to support her "habit" by being a consultant. She didn’t go on trips.  But she did get a great discount.


That is not what I was looking for.  If I was going to spend my time on a direct sales business I wanted to treat it as a business and make money at it.  


It took me about six months to find Shelf Reliance.  I when I did I wasn’t sure it was the right thing for me.  Fortunately my husband saw that it was and encouraged me to try it out.  I became a consultant and I am so glad that I did.  



Let me answer the same four questions  as if you were my friend and wanted to know more about becoming a Shelf Reliance Consultant.   



1.  As a Shelf Reliance Consultant are you making money?

Yes.  A lot more then I thought I would.  I make more now as a part time Shelf Reliance Consultant than I did when I was teaching school full time.  

When my husband and I first talked about me becoming a consultant he said.  “This is perfect for you.  And what are we out if you try it for a couple of months and decide it isn’t for you?  $200 (the start up kit) and a little time.  It is well worth the investment because it might turn into something great.”  


How right he was.  I make good money as a consultant.  I work hard and I earn the money I make but I make great money (you can check out the specifics on what consultants make here). 

A big part of my business comes from the sales generated by this blog.  Thanks to everyone who has purchased from my site.  


2.  Does your company sponsor trips or cruises?  

Yes.  Shelf Reliance sponsors a contest each year, sending qualifying consultants to exotic destinations for an all expense paid trip.  This year's trip is to Costa Rica.  You can check out the details on this fabulous vacation here.  This year’s contest runs from April 2nd to September 1st.  



Last year Shelf Reliance trip was to Cancun Mexico.  I had two consultants on my team earn the trip.  One joined Shelf Reliance just before the contest was announced and one joined a little after.  

Are you wondering what a Shelf Reliance trip is like?  Here is a recap of last years.



3.  If you were starting over would you do this again?
    Yes.  I absolutely would.  I have had a wonderful time, made wonderful friends, and really had a chance to stretch and grow as I develop new talents.  





4.  Do consultants get a great discount?
    Yes--If they are actively working the business.  My house is now full of products that I got for free or ½ off from Shelf Reliance.  


How does the Shelf Reliance Consultant discount work?
The Shelf Reliance consultants discount is based on the consultants sales volume.  For every $500 I sell I receive $50.00 at ½ off.  I also receive 10% of orders placed outside parties in free product (I get the host benefit on orders that are not from a party, such as orders from the Black Friday sale, from my consultant URL, etc).  


Should I become a Shelf Reliance consultant for the discount if I don’t really want to work the business? 


Honestly No.  If you are looking for a great discount on Shelf Reliance products but don’t really want to work the business then becoming a consultant is not the right thing for you.   

Then what is the best way to get a great discount on Shelf Reliance Products?

  • Talk to me and I’ll help you find a great deal.  There are several unadvertised sale item that are only available through a consultant that are AMAZING deals.
  • Host a party.  You can host a party at your home or do an online party. Either way when you share a product you love with your friends everyone wins.  Shelf Reliance hosts receive a great discount.   
  • Become a Platinum Q customer.  When you have a q of $100 a month you automatically get the platinum Q club for free.  This is a great way to get a lot of discounts.
    • Each month you get a Q-pon for 15%-30% discount off the home party price of a specific product.  .
    • You accrue points through a program that works like frequent flyer miles.


If you are interested in becoming a consultant, or have questions about how to get a great discount on Shelf Reliance products.  Please contact me at heather@teamshelfreliance.com.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A new set up for expos and events.

It is event season.  

Last weekend a few members of our team had a booth at a fair.  They set up the booth a little differently and it worked out great.  

The background:  At expos events and fairs my goal is always to schedule parties, sign up consultants and to set up Qs.  I don’t sell a lot of product.  I don’t take anything to the expo to sell.  

I pass out samples because we all know that tasting the food is critical to people being interested.  But at a couple of events I have had problems with kids eating or touching all of my samples.   

The solutions:  Lori and Autumn had a great idea.  They set up the main table across the front of the booth and then set up a small table behind them.  They set their samples up on this table and then as people approached the booth they offered them a sample.  When they said yes they then handed them the sample.  It worked great!  Samples were kept under control but were still available for customers to try.  It also provided a spot for materials to but placed keeping the front of the booth clean.  

Here is how it turned out.

Look how cute Erin and Elise look!


Display of THIRVE cans and emergency products.


This is their drawing box and the things they are giving away.  

View of the sample table

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Powdered Egg Experiment

  
Spoiler:  this is a very geeky post.  As part of my formal education I took a variety of food science classes.  In those classes we experimented with the ingredients and preparations of foods.  When Shelf Reliance announced the new eggs products I was interested in comparing the old and new products side by side.  I conducted a simple semi scientific experiment with comparing the eggs using a commercially packaged cake mix (pink lemonade cake, which my daughter choose).  Here is what I found.

Shelf Reliance recently introduced new powdered eggs. With three new products.
  • New Powdered eggs (that are minus the anti caking agent sodium silicoalumnate”
  • Powdered Eggs Whites--I am so excited.  This is something I have been looking for.  
  • Scrambled Egg Mix--This is a whole egg product (it’s only ingredient is eggs) that has been specially processed to create easy to make scrambled eggs.  You might remember that I make scrambled eggs from my powdered eggs and with a little extra work it is no problem.  If you don’t want to go to the extra effort then Scrambled Egg Mix is just what you need.

NOTE:  These products are only available to home party customers until April 26th.  If you click on the links it will take to a log in screen, either log in as a home party customer OR register as a customer.  After you are logged in you may need to click on the link again.  After April 26th the link will just work.   

Let’s chat about the New Powdered Eggs.  (or you can skip down to see the cupcakes)

How are they different from the old powdered eggs?
  • They contain only “whole eggs”
  • In the past Shelf Reliance powdered eggs contained an anti caking agent “sodium silicoaluminate”.  In the new eggs (which is what is currently available) the anti caking agent has been removed.

Why did they ever contain “Sodium silicoaluminate?”
  • It is an anti caking agent that is commonly added to powdered foods to prevent the formation of lumps and for easing packaging, transport, and consumption.

Why was it removed?  
  • The leadership at Shelf Reliance is committed to having the best and healthiest products.  One of the thing they did not like was this additive.  So it was removed.

  • One of the problems that I found with the powdered eggs was that sometime when using a commercially packaged cake mix, the powdered eggs would cause the cake to be VERY crumbly.  This was the anti caking agent at work.   


So I was curious, how do the new eggs work in baking.  I made a few batches of cupcakes to try out the new eggs.  And when I say a few batches I mean 4.
  • Batch #1 as a control made exactly how the box said using fresh eggs.
  • Batch #2  made with the old powdered eggs, using the correct number of eggs and water (1 Tablespoon powdered eggs + 2 Tablespoons water = 1 egg)
  • Batch #3 made with the new powdered eggs that do not contain the anti caking agent, using tusing the correct number of eggs and water (1 Tablespoon powdered eggs + 2 Tablespoons water = 1 egg)
  • Batch #4 Made with egg white powder, according to the boxed mix directions for egg whites only.  (1 teaspoon egg white powder + 2 tsp water = 1 egg white)  I do realize that not all cake mixes contain directions for using egg whites only, but I chose one that did because I wanted to see how it compared.
Results:  


Batch #1 made with fresh eggs.  Turned out just as you would expect.  The cake held together well and the air pockets were small.
   

Batch #2  made with the old powdered eggs that contain the anti caking agent.

This batch was a little crumbly, and had a much larger crumb.  Notice the large “wholes” or in the photo.  I thought that this was an acceptable cupcake, when looking at it on its own, but when compared to the others there was definitely a difference.

Batch #3 made with the new powdered eggs that do not contain the anti caking agent.  This batch had a fine crumb (much smaller than any of the others) and held together well.  There was no crumbling.


Batch #4 Made with egg white powder, according to the boxed mix directions for egg whites only.  
This cake tore apart as I removed the cupcake wrapper.  Possibly because the lack of fat in the batter.  The crumb was large and it crumbled easily.  In my experience this is pretty typical of cakes baked with egg whites.

Summary:  Personally I prefer my food to have as few additives as possible.  I like that the powdered eggs now contain only eggs.  The cupcakes with the new eggs held together better and had a finer crumb.  I see those all as positive things.  I am pleased with the change in powdered eggs.  One of the reasons that I like to bake with powdered eggs is that it gives you a consistent result.  Fresh eggs vary slightly in water content and protein content which can cause  variations in the final product.  I am very pleased with the fine crumb that the new powdered eggs created in the cup cakes.  

The powdered egg experiment

Alert:  this is a very geeky post.  As part of my formal education I took a variety of food science classes.  In those classes we experimented with the ingredients and preparations of foods.  When Shelf Reliance announced the new eggs products I was interested in comparing the old and new products side by side.  I conducted a simple semi scientific experiment with comparing the eggs using a commercially packaged cake mix (pink lemonade cake, which my daughter choose).  Here is what I found.

Shelf Reliance recently introduced new powdered eggs. With three new products.
  • New Powdered eggs (that are minus the anti caking agent sodium silicoalumnate”
  • Powdered Eggs Whites--I am so excited.  This is something I have been looking for.  
  • Scrambled Egg Mix--This is a whole egg product (it’s only ingredient is eggs) that has been specially processed to create easy to make scrambled eggs.  You might remember that I make scrambled eggs from my powdered eggs and with a little extra work it is no problem.  If you don’t want to go to the extra effort then Scrambled Egg Mix is just what you need.

Let’s chat about the New Powdered Eggs.  (or you can skip down to see the cupcakes)

How are they different from the old powdered eggs?
  • They contain only “whole eggs”
  • In the past Shelf Reliance powdered eggs contained an anti caking agent “sodium silicoaluminate”.  In the new eggs (which is what is currently available) the anti caking agent has been removed.

Why did they ever contain “Sodium silicoaluminate?”
  • It is an anti caking agent that is commonly added to powdered foods to prevent the formation of lumps and for easing packaging, transport, and consumption.

Why was it removed?  
  • The leadership at Shelf Reliance is committed to having the best and healthiest products.  One of the thing they did not like was this additive.  So it was removed.
  • One of the problems that I found with the powdered eggs was that sometime when using a commercially packaged cake mix, the powdered eggs would cause the cake to be VERY crumbly.  This was the anti caking agent at work.   


So I was curious, how do the new eggs work in baking.  I made a few batches of cupcakes to try out the new eggs.  And when I say a few batches I mean 4.
  • Batch #1 as a control made exactly how the box said using fresh eggs.
  • Batch #2  made with the old powdered eggs, using the correct number of eggs and water (1 Tablespoon powdered eggs + 2 Tablespoons water = 1 egg)
  • Batch #3 made with the new powdered eggs that do not contain the anti caking agent, using tusing the correct number of eggs and water (1 Tablespoon powdered eggs + 2 Tablespoons water = 1 egg)
  • Batch #4 Made with egg white powder, according to the boxed mix directions for egg whites only.  (1 teaspoon egg white powder + 2 tsp water = 1 egg white)  I do realize that not all cake mixes contain directions for using egg whites only, but I chose one that did because I wanted to see how it compared.
Results:  


Batch #1 made with fresh eggs.  Turned out just as you would expect.  The cake held together well and the air pockets were small.   

Batch #2  made with the old powdered eggs that contain the anti caking agent.

This batch was a little crumbly, and had a much larger crumb.  Notice the large “wholes” or in the photo.  I thought that this was an acceptable cupcake, when looking at it on its own, but when compared to the others there was definitely a difference.

Batch #3 made with the new powdered eggs that do not contain the anti caking agent.  This batch had a fine crumb (much smaller than any of the others) and held together well.  There was no crumbling.


Batch #4 Made with egg white powder, according to the boxed mix directions for egg whites only.  
This cake tore apart as I removed the cupcake wrapper.  Possibly because the lack of fat in the batter.  The crumb was large and it crumbled easily.  In my experience this is pretty typical of cakes baked with egg whites.

Summary:  Personally I prefer my food to have as few additives as possible.  I like that the powdered eggs now contain only eggs.  The cupcakes with the new eggs held together better and had a finer crumb.  I see those all as positive things.  I am pleased with the change in powdered eggs.  One of the reasons that I like to bake with powdered eggs is that it gives you a consistent result.  Fresh eggs vary slightly in water content and protein content which can cause  variations in the final product.  I am very pleased with the fine crumb that the new powdered eggs created in the cup cakes.