Vegas Women Who Rock :: Jennifer Garhardt

18 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Fun

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RockStarMom is not an easy name to live up to. There is so much that goes into achieving those ranks, and of course, it is different for everyone. Fortunately, I know many RockStarMoms who keep me on my toes on a daily basis. Jennifer Garhardt is one of them.

I first met Jenn 11 years ago when she started dating my husband’s best friend. Since then, we have been through thick and thin with new homes, babies, and husband’s demanding work loads. I am always so impressed by the way she is able to organize her day to satisfy the needs of her husband, kids and herself, so flawlessly. Seriously, she cooks gourmet meals almost every night, gets her kids across town for school several times a week, washes, irons and lays out her husband’s scrubs for him nightly, and still manages to find time to work out and spend time with her girlfriends. That’s pretty RockStar to me! Jenn has always selflessly dedicated the first few years of her girls’ lives to caring for them. Everything she did, routines, classes, naps, meals, was scheduled around what was best for her daughters. This year, her youngest finally achieved pre-school level, and Jenn decided to take advantage of that new found “Me-Time”. Like many SAHMs aspire to find, Jenn was looking for a motivational and inspiring company to work for, on her own time, that she believed in. She found that in Nerium, a skincare product that made her an instant small business owner.

RSMLV: Tell my readers a little about yourself. Where are you from? How long have you lived in Las Vegas? Interests, hobbies, etc.

JG: I moved to Las Vegas 16 years ago from San Francisco, Bay Area, met my husband almost 11 years ago, and we have two little girls. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. One of my favorite Vegas past times is experiencing new restaurants, and I love to travel.

RSMLV: Let’s chat about Nerium International. How did you get involved with the company?

JG: A good friend of mine introduced Nerium AD to me less than a year ago. After watching a short video about the product and company and hearing the excitement in my friends voice, I knew this was exactly what I was looking for. With my daughters, ages 6 and 3 getting older and both of them in school, I wanted to do something with my free time, while bringing home extra money but being able to work at home. Working for Nerium AD as an Independent Brand Partner provides me with exactly what I was looking for. When people ask if I work I always say no, then I realize, I do but it just doesn’t feel like it. I have reconnected with very good friends and made many new ones. I found something that energizes and excites me.

RSMLV: What about Nerium AD makes you so passionate and happy to be there?

JG: Reconnecting with old friends and making so many new ones has been amazing. The company is more of a family than a company. They are so supportive and everybody does what they can to help everyones else out. They are also generous with incentives including iPads, Lexus bonuses, all expense paid trips to Cabo San Lucas, and live better bonuses of $25,000.00 and up. They have changed so many peoples’ lives and give back in so many ways.

RSMLV: That is so great to hear! What are some of the ways they are giving back to the communities they are involved in?

JG: They give back in so many ways. They recently partnered up with Big Brothers Big Sisters and completely fund Nerium Biotech. We began our partnership with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in September 2012, and in December we had earned $83,500.00 towards their goal for 2013, which is to earn over $200,000.00. Starting in March we will seek to partner with additional non profit organizations. We also have the Nerium Gives Back program where we give back 30% of total profits to Nerium Biotech, which does research for skin cancer, alzetimers and many more.

RSMLV: Anything else you would like to share about the company?

JG: Nerium AD was an accidental discovery. When trying to research cures for skin cancer, they realized they were not curing cancer, but were in fact having amazing results with fine lines, wrinkles, hyper pigmentation, pore size, age and sun spots and emerging lines.

RSMLV: This is great information! Thanks for sharing this with my readers, Jenn. I am so happy you have found something that inspires you! Where can people go to find out more about Nerium AD and connect with you?

JG: Thank you! Yes, I am on track for receiving my $500.00 a month Lexus bonus and will become a National Marketing Director within the next 6 months which I will earn a $25,000.00 Live Better Bonus. We will be extending to Canada and Mexico very soon and going global shortly after. For more information, you can visit my websites either JennGarhardt.Nerium.com or or JennGarhardt.arealbreakthrough.com.

There you have it…another Vegas Woman Who Rocks!

A Quick Lunch at Comme Ca Las Vegas

15 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Archive It

≈ 5 Comments

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brunch, lunch

It’s no surprise. Comme Ca Las Vegas is one of my favorite spots on the Las Vegas Strip. You would normally find me there for dinner. Enjoying the remarkable handcrafted cocktail selections, and the rich farm to table food I do so enjoy. This time, however, I am here to speak to you about breakfast. Or lunch. Whichever you prefer- as long as it is done between the hours of noon and 5 o’clock.

Comme Ca is in the prime location, with the ultimate set up. The perfect place to lunch with the ladies on a quiet afternoon. Gazing over the Strip. Enjoying the bright, yet, comforting surroundings of the modern French bistro turned dining room. I want to replicate the black chalkboard that sits above the line of booths backing the main wall of the restaurant, right into my kitchen. The entire decor persuades you to have a leisurely lunch like no other.

Then, of course, the menu lures you to stay even longer with his tempting dishes such as the Duck Confit Cinnamon Roll with Smoked Bacon Frosting. Seriously? Yes, seriously. And, it’s seriously amazing. I am totally sold, and would like the Howard Hughes, please. (Darn you, Chef Meyers!)

As if that wasn’t enough to tempt my taste buds, and make it feel a little OK that I’m late picking up the entourage…I bite into the most succulent Fried Chicken Sandwich I’ve ever tasted. Really.

A quick one hour lunch with the girls has quickly turned into a 2-hour dining experience. (Where did the time go?) Before I know it, a chocolat Pot du Creme is sitting right in front of me. Well, I can’t be rude now, can I? Just a little taste before I have to dab the corners of my mouth, give hugs and mad dash to pick up the children. Ah…but it certainly gave me something to romanticize about while driving home 4 rowdy little beasts.

You know enough about Comme Ca Las Vegas by now to know the menus, cocktails and atmosphere makes this French dining restaurants one of my favorites in Las Vegas. But, here is something I bet you didn’t know. Executive Chef Brian Howard’s community efforts. Not only does he support Farm to Table produce and meats, but he also supports locally by resourcing the produce and raising his own pigs at Prime Time Farms located just outside of Las Vegas in Pahrump, NV.

This is certainly not a pig from Prime Time Farms, but the delicious Howard Hughes cocktail. A concoction of cognac, maraschino liqueur, freshly squeezed lemons, and creme de violet.

Though I took my sweet time, enjoying every moment being a lady who lunches…a very long lunch…you can actually enjoy lunch at Comme Ca in a timely manner. The Quick Lunch menu is served Friday through Sunday, from Noon to 5 o’clock. Select items on the Quick Lunch Menu are $19.50. I’m telling you, the Duck Confit Cinnamon Roll with Smoked Bacon Frosting will totally satisfy your appetite for that sweet/salty combination craved for a parfait Sunday brunch. (I’m telling you, out of this world!)

RSMLV Tip:

Dining with the little entourage or a larger party? Request the PDR or the private enclosed patio for an even more relaxing atmosphere.

Disclosure: I was an invited guest to experience the Quick Lunch menu at Comme Ca Las Vegas. Every time I go I learn something new to share with you. All opinions, words and thoughts are completely my own.

Winder Farms: Healthy Habits, Healthy Heart, Healthy Home

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Fun

≈ 8 Comments

February is a great month to remind me that I come from a long line of women who all had heart attacks at an early age. With that type of medical history, though, I have to be on top of my heart health game every month of the year.

Last Christmas, my husband purchased me a Hurom Slow-Juicer. Initially, we decided to take up juicing to help us shed a few unwanted pounds. We hoped the extra energy to get us through the day would be a side affect. We started juicing twice a day. Twice a day! Do you know how many fruits and vegetables are needed to juice twice a day, let alone how many trips to the grocery store are needed weekly? Quite a bit. Our healthy habit was commended in January when I went for my annual routine blood test to screen everything from A to Z. Along with 8 bottles of vitamins and supplements I would need to take daily in order to reduce my cholesterol, lose belly fat and lower my risk of diabetes, I was also ordered to juice twice a day. Imagine that! When I told my doctor I was already on it, he smiled proudly.

My husband and I actually enjoy juicing. We take turns coming up with our own blends. I was also given a couple of great juicing books as a Christmas gift, which have guided us in picking and choosing which fruits and veggies to blend and not blend together. What we love about the benefits of juicing is how we are able to take in much of the suggested daily amounts of fruits and veggies in one 8oz glass; incorporate a more variety of fruits and veggies; and absorb more of the nutrients better. Right away we could tell the juicing was working for us as we experienced a cleaner version of energy, versus a caffeine induced high, that also lasted longer. If the doctor is right, and I am dedicated to the cause, I should see remarkable results over the next 6 months.

Now let’s get back to where I said two things:

Juicing twice a day requires many trips to the grocery store, and juicing twice a day allows for more variety of fruits and veggies to be introduced into my diet.

I really do enjoy exploring in my grocery store, especially in places like Whole Foods where guaranteed, there is something new discovered there every trip. I also have to take into account the types of fruits and veggies that contribute to making a stronger heart and cleansing my blood of icky fats that clog up my arteries. As much as I love to think spending 5-6 times a week in a grocery store is an easy addition to my routine, well, reality check, it’s just not. I also find myself unconsciously buying the same produce over and over again because it is what I like, and my adventurous streak begins to wane.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Winder Farms to review some of their products. Right away I knew which product would be a great fit for for my new juicing routine…the Produce Box. I have been a customer of Winder Farms on and off for a few years now. Every time I was about to have one of my children, I would sign up again to ensure that milk, fruit, veggies, bread, butter…the essentials…would find their way to my house in case someone forgot to run to the grocery store. A six week driving hiatus for me meant I had to rely on friends and family for lots of stuff. I did not want to take the risk that my groceries were not going to be organic, all-natural and fresh. Winder Farms was always a great solution.

Once we were back to our routine, I would stop the service because, like I said, I actually like going to the grocery store. The Produce Box from Winder Farms, however, was always one of my favorite items, and now with juicing, it seems to make sense for us again. There have been some changes since the last time we used the Winder Farms service. Our Produce Box was delivered inside a cooler bag, right outside our door. Love that. In the desert, it’s not worth it to take a chance on leaving dairy or produce outside, no matter the time of year. The weather can be unpredictable, and a cool morning may turn into a blazing hot afternoon.

We eagerly brought the package inside. My kids are fruit and veggie fanatics and couldn’t wait to see what was in the box. I couldn’t either! Another nice addition was how neat and organized the produce was inside the box. Each item had its own compartment to keep them separated. They were protected by paper grass and cardboard. And, though one of my favorite aspects of getting the Produce Box is for the random variety, sometimes it was challenging to figure out what to do with some of the items. This time, the box came with a recipe card with two recipes utilizing some of the produce in the box. Love that!

What was in the box? Oranges, pears, cauliflower, Russet potatoes, spaghetti squash, radishes and jalapenos. Naturally, the orange and pears were a pretty obvious answer, as well as the potatoes…but what to do with that spaghetti squash, cauliflower, radishes and jalapenos? I did not have time to make the suggested recipes, but I did keep the card for a future opportunity. After juicing the oranges and pears, we roasted the spaghetti squash and added tomato sauce. It was delicious. I had challenged myself to juice the rest. I’m still searching for that perfect recipe incorporating cauliflower and radishes (I know it’s out there!) in the meantime, I was dying to juice the jalapeno!

Jalapenos happen to be one of those veggies that is heart healthy. Lucky for me, I have a taste for all things spicy. I couldn’t wait to get that jalapeno in a juice. After searching for recipes on-line and in my juice books, I decided to try a concoction of my own. It was amazing and I’m going to share it with you:

– 1/2 pineapple

– handful of kale

– 1″ of ginger

– 1/2 of a jalapeno (use less if you are worried about the heat, you can always add more later- and juice the jalapeno last!)

Seriously, delicious! It was great fun to receive the Produce Box. I enjoyed the challenge again, of finding new ways to cook and juice with the items. If you want to try out the Winder Farms service, click on their logo on the right side of the screen, and when you check out, use the code: RSMLV213 and receive a $25 credit on your order.

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