I am sure many of you have noticed by now that I LOVE guacamole. More than chocolate, more than sex, and even more than a hot bath and a good book. It's funny...Until I was pregnant with my youngest, I would never even try avocados. Yes, I am a picky eater and have been since I was a child. If something looks or smells funny in the slightest, it is not passing my lips. But last summer at a party at my Father-In-Law's house, there was this beautiful bowl of fresh, home made guacamole. And it was beckoning me to taste it. I was pregnant and ravenous, so I decided to throw my inhibitions out the window and just try it. After all, the man who prepared this dish looked oddly like Alton Brown of Food Network fame, so it couldn't be THAT bad, right? Well, I took a tortilla chip, dipped it in the guacamole, and I was immediately in love! The creaminess of the avocados, the tartness of the lime, the fresh cilantro, the smoky blend of seasonings...Lo and behold, a guacamole lover was born. And I have never looked back! Guacamole is one of my all-time favorite foods. Even if it DID take me until the age of 29 to try it! Since my introduction to the awesomeness of avocados, I have used them often in many of my dishes. Even in ice cream! And I think I have basically perfected the dish that started my love affair: Guacamole. Yes, my guac is THAT good. I spent hours tweaking my recipe to absolute deliciousness, and it is something I make often in my home. So when I got the opportunity to sample California Haas Avocados from Paradise Grove, I was very excited. I had a few recipes I wanted to experiment with, like avocado ice cream and homemade baby food, and I wanted to make a batch of my now famous guacamole with these California grown avocados. You see, not all avocados are created equal. Not by a long shot! I actually take the extra time to drive to a separate store for my avocados, since the ones at my regular grocery store are not up to par. So I will drive another 5 miles out of my way to get the good ones. Or what I thought were the good ones....Paradise Grove has blown them out of the water! Why are avocados from Paradise Grove so special? Simple! The way they're grown and harvested, and the love that goes into this process! Here is more info about Paradise Grove, taken from their website: "Our delicious California Hass Avocados are hand grown and hand picked. Blessed by the Pacific coastal climate, we nurture the finest Avocados for the American palate. Because we are a privately owned grove, we are able to harvest our fruit only when it reaches optimum size and quality. Contrary to popular belief, all Avocados are harvested green. An Avocado left on the tree until it turns black will fall off the tree while still hard and then ripen on the ground. All harvested Avocados are cut with clippers by hand, leaving a stem nub. Any Avocado you see in the store without a stem has either fallen off the tree or been knocked off by accident. This amazing fruit retains its quality through shipment and shelf ripens to perfection after a short time. We grow our avocados in Ventura, California, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean coastline. Paradise Grove is located in a unique microclimate in the foothills between Santa Barbara and Ventura, California. Paradise Grove is one of the largest independent avocado ranches in California. Our unique mountain location with a coastal influence allows us to maintain our crop on the trees for extended periods. With care, we are able to harvest Avocados nearly ten months out of the year. Our water comes partially from wells tapping underground grottos hidden deep in the Sespe sandstone formations of the Santa Ynez Mountains and partially from Lake Casitas, one of the premier Bass fishing lakes in California. Unlike Chilean and Mexican groves which often harvest when the fruit is still under-mature and watery, we wait until our fruit has fully matured and reached a size of 8 oz. You will rarely find Avocados of that magnitude in your local grocery store. Since the fruit that you purchase from our website ships directly from our trees to you, we are able to guarantee freshness. Don’t be surprised if your fruit is hard when you receive it. It may take up to seven days for it to ripen. Once ripe, we guarantee that our avocados will stay fresh and tasty up to seven days in your refrigerator. We only grow Hass avocados which are full of anti-oxidants, rich in lutein (protects eyesight), beta-sitosterol (helps lower cholesterol), glutathione (may prevent throat and mouth cancers) and vitamin E (good for the heart). Avocados also have more potassium and magnesium (good for your brain) than bananas and, as for fat, the kind in avocados is healthy, mono-unsaturated fat - the good kind!" MY OPINION: When I received my box of avocados from Paradise Grove, the first thing I noticed was the size of the avocados. They were HUGE! Significantly larger than the Haas Avocados from Mexico that I usually purchase at the grocery store. I also noticed the rich, green color of the skin. These avocados just LOOKED healthier in appearance than some I had seen in the past. I did have to wait a few days for the avocados to reach their optimum ripeness, but once they were ready to use, I decided to make chicken quesadillas and some of my guacamole for dinner. (FYI: To tell if an avocado is ripe, feel your nose! Yes, really! If it is firm, yet gives a little to pressure, (like your nose) chances are it's ready. If the avocado feels like your forehead, it could stand to ripen another day.) I found that my Paradise Grove Avocados were very easy to work with, too. They were easy to cut, and the pits were very easy to remove. I actually hold on to my avocado pits, since adding them to my bowl of freshly prepared guacamole actually helps prevent browning. The creamy avocado separated beautifully from the skin of the fruit, with very little extra scraping needed on my part. So far, so good! So while impressed by the obvious quality of these avocados, I still had one thing left to test. Taste. I eagerly whipped up a batch of my guacamole, let it chill, and waited for dinner time to arrive. It was SO hard not to go snack out of the bowl. But guacamole is best if it's chilled for awhile, as it gives the flavors a chance to marry. Once dinner was prepared, I could not wait to see how my guacamole came out! And let me tell you, it was fantastic! MUCH more flavor came through from my Paradise Grove Avocados than with the avocados I usually use. Texturally, they were superior as well.They had a beautiful creaminess to them, and were incredibly smooth. These avocados were definitely restaurant quality, and were very, very fresh. The folks at Paradise Grove definitely are experts when it comes to cultivating the perfect avocado! I loved my experience with Paradise Grove so much, I don't think I'll ever be able to look at my grocer's avocados the same again! I have been spoiled by the absolute best now! So if you've never incorporated avocados into your meals, Paradise Grove is the perfect place to start. Once you try these awesome fruits, you will find tons of ways to try them. Whether it be as a dip, baby food, on sandwiches, a surprising addition to sweet desserts, or as a key component of a main dish, Paradise Grove Avocados are definitely the way to ensure the best and freshest dish possible! And they're cultivated right here in the US! BUY IT: You can purchase Paradise Grove Avocados on their website. You can also follow them on Facebookand ontwitter for some wonderful recipes and all of their newest promotions! WIN IT: One very lucky follower will receive a box of 6 of the biggest, freshest avocados around from Paradise Grove! How cool is that?! Please use this handy Rafflecopter form to enter. IMPORTANT: For the mandatory comment entry, please include a valid e-mail address IN THE BODY OF YOUR COMMENT! Feel free to use the following format to combat spam: yourname(at)yourprovider(dot)com. If you do not do this, I may not be able to view your e-mail address to contact you if you win! This giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ and will be open until 12:01AM EST on 8/8/2011. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced here, tweeted, shared on Facebook, and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to reply and claim their prize. If I receive no response, I will be forced to draw a new winner. ***Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***
92 Comments
Melissa Lawler
7/24/2011 04:15:42 am
The Avocado and Prawn open lasagna looks amazing!
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Melissa Lawler
7/24/2011 04:25:55 am
I entered the cheese making kit giveaway.
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Mellissa Clark
7/24/2011 04:55:12 am
I like the Warm Lentil and Avocado Salad.
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MAMOTTS
7/24/2011 07:18:03 am
agree with the lasagne- and would love n any of the salads
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Joy Newlan
7/24/2011 09:10:49 am
I was looking for an egg roll recipe!
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Stephanie V.
7/24/2011 10:04:04 am
Avocado Crab Cakes with Crushed Plantain Chips - yum!
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Jill L
7/24/2011 10:17:15 am
Emeril's Kicked-Up B.L.T. Sandwiches with Avocado and Chipotle Mayonnaise looks really tasty.
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Mandy
7/24/2011 12:25:39 pm
Avocado fries sound strangely awesome!
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dianad
7/24/2011 10:12:42 pm
Avocado Quesadillas with Mango Salsa
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Chanie
7/25/2011 03:07:53 am
corn tomato and avocado salad sounds awesome! if I win, I will definitely try it, otherwise I don't buy avocados often b/c they're so expensive!
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:16:56 am
subscriber
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:18:09 am
I have never tried avocado before. The fries sound interesting.
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:18:41 am
voted
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:19:17 am
GFC follower
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:19:56 am
entered cheese making kit
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:20:36 am
entered hairbrush contest
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:21:28 am
entered laundry contest
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:22:22 am
entered P.J contest
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lisa
7/25/2011 03:23:14 am
entered tropical trad. contest
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BeautyToLove
7/25/2011 05:34:28 am
-Favorite recipe: Spicy Avocado Dip
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Diane R.
7/25/2011 06:41:32 am
I liked the recipe for Cilantro Lime Chicken With Avocado Salsa.
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Tracy L Davis
7/25/2011 12:41:24 pm
Chicken Avocados Egg Rolls
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Suzanne K
7/25/2011 03:46:06 pm
I'd love to try the Warm Avocado Salad with Spicy Chorizo
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deana c
7/26/2011 03:22:27 am
I would like to try the Spicy Avocado Dip recipe. calvad at aol dot com
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lisa
7/26/2011 03:49:44 am
voted
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Linda Lansford
7/26/2011 10:46:58 am
I want to makeMeal In a Hass Avocado Half
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Angela S.
7/26/2011 02:34:38 pm
I would love to try the Spicy Avacado Dip. Sounds yummy!
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Marilyn Wons
7/26/2011 04:00:12 pm
I would love to try the Lentil and Avocado Salad recipe!
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Jean F
7/27/2011 03:49:09 am
I would like to try the Shrimp Stuffed Avocados recipe
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lisa
7/27/2011 04:55:30 am
voted
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lisa
7/27/2011 04:56:20 am
entered phone contest
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7/27/2011 05:44:36 am
I'd like to try Emeril's Kicked-Up B.L.T. Sandwiches with Avocado and Chipotle Mayonnaise recipe. asthenight at gmail dot com
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Purplelarkspur
7/27/2011 04:31:28 pm
I would love to try the Warm Lentil and Avocado Salad
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Randy Fong
7/28/2011 01:50:04 am
Yum. I like the "Simple Avocado Beet Salad" recipe.
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lisa
7/28/2011 04:49:36 am
Are you no longer using picket fence? It's not coming up.
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Cindy Merrill
7/28/2011 07:08:51 pm
I would love to try the Emeril's Kicked-Up B.L.T. Sandwiches with Avocado and Chipotle Mayonnaise!
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7/29/2011 03:43:39 am
The Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa sounds yummy!
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Claire
7/29/2011 04:09:37 am
Chicken Avocados Egg Rolls YUM!!!
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lisa
7/29/2011 08:31:31 am
voted
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lisa
7/29/2011 08:32:15 am
curling iron
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7/29/2011 04:55:39 pm
I'd like to make the Pomegranate Mango Guacamole or the Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls!
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Kimberly
7/29/2011 08:35:53 pm
i want to try the California Avocado Egg Roll
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Alicia Webster
7/30/2011 01:25:56 am
I would love to try the recipe for the Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls.
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lisa
7/30/2011 02:58:06 am
voted
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Amanda Alvarado
7/30/2011 05:51:19 am
The spicy avocado dip looks awesome ad I'd love to try the avocado fries. They look interesting! BTW I am a huge avocado freak too! LOL We used to go into Mexico and buy them for cheap before all the drug cartel crap.
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Lara J
7/30/2011 09:09:01 am
Would LOVE to try the Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa recipe... mmmm
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Jenafer Barker
7/30/2011 12:08:35 pm
Avocado fries yum http://paradisegroveavocados.com/avocado-recipe/avocado-fries/ and Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls.
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7/30/2011 03:07:20 pm
I would love to try the Avocado Fries recipe.
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elizabeth percey
7/31/2011 01:35:55 am
Avocado lime pie sounds great! I am queenesperfect at yahoo.com
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lisa
7/31/2011 01:52:05 am
voted
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lisa
8/1/2011 02:40:24 am
voted
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lisa
8/1/2011 02:41:08 am
entered chocolate contest
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Amanda Alvarado
8/1/2011 06:45:49 am
FB post: http://www.facebook.com/amanda.alvarado17/posts/244392002250966 (also left it in the extra section on rafflecopter!)
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Christine
8/1/2011 12:53:02 pm
Avocado Crab Cakes with Crushed Plantain Chips
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lisa
8/2/2011 02:17:45 am
voted
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Susan C
8/2/2011 07:21:51 am
I would love to try the recipe for Chicken Flautas with Avocado Cream-yum!
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lisa
8/3/2011 02:17:43 am
voted
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lisa
8/3/2011 02:18:14 am
entered face wash
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8/3/2011 10:56:05 am
I'd love to try the making the Avocado and Prawn Open Lasagna with Anchovy Butter. Idk what my Fiancee would think, however... :)
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8/3/2011 10:59:11 am
Shared on FB; http://www.facebook.com/#!/danabeeman/posts/198908650164619
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rebecca shockley
8/3/2011 11:29:55 am
Emeril's Kicked-Up B.L.T. Sandwiches with Avocado and Chipotle Mayonnaise looks delicious!
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rebecca shockley
8/3/2011 11:36:23 am
https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=252936628057432&id=1849884229
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Nguonie
8/3/2011 11:36:56 am
Loving the Avocado Fries! Sounds great!!!
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debbie m
8/4/2011 02:50:46 am
warm lentil and avocado salad sounds yummy!
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lisa
8/4/2011 03:06:08 am
voted
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lisa
8/4/2011 03:06:38 am
jewelry contest
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Carole Spring
8/4/2011 04:58:02 am
I would like to try the recipe for Avocado Cake.
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Carole Spring
8/4/2011 04:58:58 am
entered Peter Rabbit giveaway
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Carole spring
8/4/2011 04:59:50 am
entered Plasma Car giveaway
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lisa
8/4/2011 06:52:18 am
lily contest
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Edie
8/4/2011 12:03:08 pm
Avocado Fries!
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Edie C
8/4/2011 12:11:39 pm
I entered the plasma car giveaway!
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Christine L.
8/5/2011 12:06:17 am
Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls
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8/5/2011 04:33:54 am
Wow!! All the recipes sound so good!! I love avodados!!! I would like to try the Crab & Avocado Crostini! Yum!
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Amanda Alvarado
8/5/2011 05:22:38 am
I think I put a non-active giveaway in the form! If so, I have entered the Peter Rabbit GA too so that one can be substituted!
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Hoa L.
8/5/2011 08:08:54 am
I'd love to try the Avocado and Mint Ice Cream recipe.
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Cori Hill
8/5/2011 01:05:43 pm
Pomegranate Mango Guacamole sounds amazing!
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amanda
8/6/2011 04:22:41 am
The avocado quesadillas sound interesting!
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Jenreco
8/6/2011 11:39:46 pm
I would like to try the Avocado Quesadillas with Mango Salsa recipe. reejen at comcast dot net
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Melissa Fitzsimmons
8/7/2011 02:41:47 am
Chicken Avocados Egg Rolls
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jennifer h
8/7/2011 04:44:03 am
I would love to try the Spicy Avocado Dip
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April bever
8/7/2011 05:57:28 am
The Chicken Avocados Egg rolls sound good
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Eileen
8/7/2011 07:49:42 am
Id love to try this fettucine recipe!
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Christina
8/7/2011 09:30:36 am
avocado and crabmeat soup
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Jodi Kershuk
8/7/2011 10:50:56 am
Avocado Quesadillas with Mango Salsa sounds yummy
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Carolsue
8/7/2011 01:50:07 pm
The Strawberry Avocado Smoothie sounds good
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Emma Peel
8/7/2011 05:23:55 pm
Lentil and Avocado Salad re
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Vicki D.
8/8/2011 09:20:09 am
I would love to try the avocado fries. I would have never thought to make fries out of avocados.
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I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com Links We Love :Archives
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