Lizzy's Garden Organic Baby Food
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. i received complimentary products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
I have been committed to making baby good for my little ones since my first son was born more than five years ago. Even though making my own baby food is pretty simple, it can be a bit time consuming, especially now that I have three little ones. One of my reasons for making my own baby food is so that I know exactly what is in it. I am extremely happy to have been introduced to Lizzys Garden 100% organic baby food and am grateful to have some jars on hand for those times that do not have any homemade baby food available for my littlest.
Quinn Ryan absolutely loved his selection of Lizzy's garden organic baby food. They were delivered to our door frozen and I put them in the freezer till we were ready to use them. I thawed them overnight in the refrigerator then warmed them up to room temperature by placing the whole container in hot water for a few minutes. The food was a hit with my 6 month old and he even tried to feed himself a few times. Lizzys Garden baby food is available in 2 stages and offers a variety of all natural, organic baby food in lots of delicious choices. NO Fillers, NO Artificial Flavors, NO Pesticides and NO Preservatives! -SD Sign up for a monthly subscription and receive your first case of baby food FREE! |
Quinn Ryan enjoying a jar of Lizzy's garden Baked Butternut Squash
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The Perfectly Powerful Peanut Pop-Up Celebrating #PeanutPower in NYC
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.
I was invited to celebrate #PeanutPower with Chef JJ Johnson from The Cecil and Minton's and try out some of his peanut inspired food creations at the NYC Perfectly Powered Peanut Pop-Up space. The National Peanut Board which represents America's more than 7,000 peanut farming families were on hand as well as some knowledgeable peanut farmers to talk about all things peanut! The peanut inspired food was amazing and so was the signature spicy peanut cocktail of the night. But, the most important take-away was learning all about the Power of the Peanut! Make sure you head on over to check out The Perfectly Powerful Peanut Pop-Up space (The
Corner at the Roger Smith Hotel (47th St. and Lexington) New York, NY 10017 is open : Tuesday, March 31 & Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Inside the Pop-Up space, visitors can meet and have their picture taken with peanut farmers, learn about peanut farming and sustainability and find out more about how peanut products are helping to feed people in need here and around the world. And of course, you’ll be able to sample peanuts and peanut butter – as well as innovative creations from dietitians, chefs and other culinary professionals.
Inside the Pop-Up space, visitors can meet and have their picture taken with peanut farmers, learn about peanut farming and sustainability and find out more about how peanut products are helping to feed people in need here and around the world. And of course, you’ll be able to sample peanuts and peanut butter – as well as innovative creations from dietitians, chefs and other culinary professionals.
Baking with Kids (book review)
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary products for review purposes.
We love baking and i am always scouring the internet for great healthy kid friendly recipes that I can create with my boys. The book "Baking With Kids" by Leah Brooks is an essential book that combines neat recipes and safety procedures for baking with little ones. This book shows how to safely use equipment in the kitchen and explains the important ingredients they need to make a variety of delicious baked goods. There are recipes for Mini hand pies, cheddar puffs, french baguettes, soda bread, drop biscuits, muffins, scones, cakes and even graham crackers! The boys enjoyed looking through the cookbook and marking off the recipes they want to try out. They have decided that they want to make honey mustard soft pretzels first because they love eating big pretzels from the NYC street vendors and are excited to make their own!
-SD
-SD
Leftover Holiday Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins
These were made with Milky Way Bars
The holiday season is filled with tons of sweets and there is always an abundance of leftover candy in my house. I cringe at the thought of my boys trying to eat all of it and I would hate to throw it all out. My boys love muffins, so I decided to experiment with adding the chocolate bars to my simple oatmeal muffin mix (Milky Way, Snickers, Twix, Three Musketeers, Hersheys) and it was a success! The boys love choosing which candy they want in their morning muffins and help out by cutting them up.
Makes 6 muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/4 cup of olive oil
1 egg beaten 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup or (4 mini bars) of chopped up candy bar of your choice
Heat the oven to 425F. Grease a muffin pan or line them with paper cups. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir in the oats. In a large measuring cup, whisk the olive oil with the egg, vanilla extract and milk. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients and toss in the cut up candy bars. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the top are golden brown. Remove from oven and let the muffins cool in the pan on a rack until they are cool enough to be handled. Remove from the pan and eat warm or let them cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Makes 6 muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/4 cup of olive oil
1 egg beaten 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup or (4 mini bars) of chopped up candy bar of your choice
Heat the oven to 425F. Grease a muffin pan or line them with paper cups. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir in the oats. In a large measuring cup, whisk the olive oil with the egg, vanilla extract and milk. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients and toss in the cut up candy bars. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the top are golden brown. Remove from oven and let the muffins cool in the pan on a rack until they are cool enough to be handled. Remove from the pan and eat warm or let them cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Mrs. Cavanaugh's World Famous Chocolates
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary products for review purposes as part of a US Family Guide assignment.
Time was when Marie Cavanaugh spent hours in her South Dakota farmhouse each Christmas season making pecan rolls and homemade chocolates for holiday gifting.
Mrs. Cavanaugh makes it super easy to give the gift of delicious chocolates! You can create your own box or order a gift box of traditional or sugarless chocolates. There are a variety of chocolates: caramels, cherry cordials, chocolate cremes, chocolate pecan turtles, mindy mints and nuts & chews. My very favorite is the caramel chocolate bar. Buy 1 lb Get 1 lb FREE of Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolates use promo code: usfamily2014 -SD |
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#MyRocketShake is a Strawberry Pineapple Coconut Shake!
Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.
September is National Shake Month and to celebrate, we decided to Shake It Up and create a delicious milkshake and celebrate with Johnny Rockets! My boys love making slushies with pineapple & coconut, so when I asked them what type of milkshake they would like to make, they automatically decided that they wanted to try a Strawberry Pineapple Coconut milkshake! I had never tried this combination and was excited to make it! It was a success on the first try & the boys loved it! Here is our quick & easy recipe:
Ingredients: * 14oz pineapple coconut ice cream * 1 cup of whole milk * 1 tbsp strawberry syrup * whipped cream * maraschino cherries Step One: Blend the pineapple coconut ice cream with the milk Step Two: Add the strawberry syrup and blend again Step Three: Pour milkshake into glass Step Four: Top with whipped cream & cherries |
#MyRocketShake Strawberry Pineapple Coconut milkshake
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Vegetable Curry Empanadas
*I am participating in a sponsored campaign for Beano. I received promotional items and Beano products in exchange for my participation. The opinions stated here are my own.
INGREDIENTS
* 1/2 head of cabbage
*1/2 head of cauliflower
*1/2 green sweet pepper
*1/4 onion
*2 sprigs fresh parsley
*can (15.5 oz.) of chick peas drained
*1 tsp. of minced garlic
*1tbsp. curry powder
*1tbsp olive oil
*I tub (4.66 oz.) of vegetable concentrated stock
*salt
*pepper
* 2 packages of Dough for turnover pastries
Step 1: Cut up the green pepper, cabbage, cauliflower, onions and parsley
Step 2: Sauté the curry powder, onions and minced garlic in olive oil
Step 3: Add chickpeas, vegetable stock, salt & pepper and let it simmer for about ten minutes
Step 4: Add cauliflower, parsley, cabbage and green peppers, cover pot and allow to cook for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally
Step 5: Lay out turnover pastries on a lightly floured cutting board, add 2 tbsp. of filling and seal edges closed with a fork
Step 6: Fry empanadas until golden brown, flip over and repeat
Yields approximately 20 empanadas
1/2 sweet green pepper chopped
1/4 onion chopped
Add vegetable stock & chick peas and let simmer
Add 2 tbsp. of filling to dough
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1/2 head of cabbage chopped
2 sprigs of fresh parsley chopped
Add green peppers, cauliflower, cabbage and parsley
Fold dough & seal edges with a fork
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1/2 head of cauliflower chopped
Sauté minced garlic and onions in olive oil
Let cook for about 25 minutes
Fry, let cool & enjoy!
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Maia Yogurt - Low Fat Greek Yogurt
When I was younger, I was never a fan of yogurt. I don’t really have a reason why because I had never even tried it. How silly of me. When I finally did try it, I found it was quite yummy! As I began trying different brands and flavors I developed a preference over certain textures and level of sweetness. Eating yogurt has many benefits, including, but not limited to, boosting your immune system, helping to resolve gastrointestinal conditions and encourage weight loss.
I was contacted by Maia Yogurt and given a few samples to try out. I was quite impressed with the variety of flavors that were offered including, Plain, Peach, Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Raspberry Lime, Pomegranate Cherry, Blueberry and Pineapple. I had never even heard of some of these flavors! My whole family was excited to try them out. My mother tried Vanilla Bean, my husband had Pineapple and the kids tried Strawberry and Pomegranate Cherry. I delved into the Blueberry and truly enjoyed it. Everyone agreed it was delicious. My husband was never a fan of Greek Yogurt, but stated the creamy texture made a difference in enjoying his selection. I like that its not filled with sugar and comes from local dairy farmers. Even better, the company has an active social presence by Maia Yogurt donating 10% of their profits to initiatives focused on enhancing the lives of moms throughout the United States.
-MRM
I was contacted by Maia Yogurt and given a few samples to try out. I was quite impressed with the variety of flavors that were offered including, Plain, Peach, Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Raspberry Lime, Pomegranate Cherry, Blueberry and Pineapple. I had never even heard of some of these flavors! My whole family was excited to try them out. My mother tried Vanilla Bean, my husband had Pineapple and the kids tried Strawberry and Pomegranate Cherry. I delved into the Blueberry and truly enjoyed it. Everyone agreed it was delicious. My husband was never a fan of Greek Yogurt, but stated the creamy texture made a difference in enjoying his selection. I like that its not filled with sugar and comes from local dairy farmers. Even better, the company has an active social presence by Maia Yogurt donating 10% of their profits to initiatives focused on enhancing the lives of moms throughout the United States.
-MRM
Celebrate National Strawberry Shortcake day with Driscolls
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.
To celebrate National Strawberry Shortcake Day, we decided to create our own version of strawberry shortcake using angel food cake mix, Adirondack Creamery Coconut ice cream & Driscolls strawberries. First, I made angel food cake cupcakes using a pre-made boxed cake mix. After the cupcakes cooled, I cut them in half and layered them with a scoop of Adirondack Creamery coconut ice cream & sliced Driscolls strawberries. Then, I replaced the tops of the cupcakes and topped them with more ice cream & sliced strawberries. We enjoyed the delicious treats and can't wait to try out more recipes!
Check out these 14 Driscolls Strawberry Shortcake recipes!
-SD
Check out these 14 Driscolls Strawberry Shortcake recipes!
-SD
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Frozen Treat Maker
Ingredients:
Tools:
Chef “T” and his sous chef, “A” had fun using their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Frozen Treat maker to make a delicious frozen treat just in time to enjoy on a hot summer day! They decided to make the Pineapple Pizza Mutation treat following the recipe on the box. First, we gathered the ingredients needed the night before and put them all in the freezer (ice trays are great to freeze the ingredients in). Next, “A” added the ingredients into the “sewer pipe” while “T” pushed the “plunger” down & cranked the handle. In a few minutes, they had a delicious, nutritious frozen treat to enjoy!
-SD
- frozen blueberries (about 20)
- frozen pineapple chunks (about 2.5 oz)
- frozen yogurt
- frozen apple juice (about 2.5 oz)
Tools:
Chef “T” and his sous chef, “A” had fun using their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Frozen Treat maker to make a delicious frozen treat just in time to enjoy on a hot summer day! They decided to make the Pineapple Pizza Mutation treat following the recipe on the box. First, we gathered the ingredients needed the night before and put them all in the freezer (ice trays are great to freeze the ingredients in). Next, “A” added the ingredients into the “sewer pipe” while “T” pushed the “plunger” down & cranked the handle. In a few minutes, they had a delicious, nutritious frozen treat to enjoy!
-SD
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Evenflo Feeding Advanced Bottle Collection
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary produt for review purposes.
Evenflo Feeding updated its Advanced bottle collection and I am so excited to try them with Baby #3 this Fall. Evenflo is a well-known household name in the baby product world and I have used several products with my older two children. The new bottles boast the new Proflow™ one-piece integrated vented nipples that vent quickly plus the lack of extra pieces means simple assembly & easy clean up!
-SD
-SD
Evenflo Feeding
Advanced + Angled Bottles SRP: $3.99 (6 oz, 1-pack) $9.99 (6 oz, 3-pack) $3.99 (9 oz, 1-pack) $9.99 (9 oz, 3-pack) The Evenflo Advanced + Angled Bottles are the only angled bottles that include the Proflow™ one-piece integrated vented nipples. They are designed for easy assembly and leak-free feeding. The simple, one-piece nipple and vent means no extra parts to clean or lose. These BPA-free bottles are resilient, durable and alsofeature: *An ergonomic angled shape that promotes semi-upright feeding which can help reduce earaches, reflux, and gas *Soft, comfortable grips that make the bottle easy to hold Available in 6 oz and 9 oz sizes in three colors: pink, teal and green at Walmart, Kmart and other major retailers. |
EvenfloFeeding Classic Twist + Vented Bottles
SRP: $5.99 (4 oz, 3-pack) $5.99 (8 oz, 3-pack) The Evenflo Classic Twist + Vented bottles are a modern twist on an iconic classic with their new design. The bottles include Proflow™ one-piece integrated vented nipples that rapidly vent, directing air bubbles into the bottle, not baby's tummy, which significantly reduces gas, colic, and fussiness. Designed for easy assembly and leak-free feeding, the simple, one-piece nipple and vent means no extra parts to clean or lose. These BPA-free 4oz and 8oz bottles are available exclusively at Babies “R” Us in six colors: Pink, Lavender, Teal, Blue, Orange and Green. |
DANNON introduces DANIMALS SUPERSTARS
There's a new Greek Lowfat Yogurt for kids and its delicious! Dannon introduces Danimals Superstars in five yummy flavors with a great mousse-like texture: Cherry Rush, Cotton Candy Thrill, Mixed Berry Half-Pipe, Strawberry Banana Sprint & Strawberry Slide. Each 4 oz cup contains 10 grams of protein, is a great source of calcium & Vitamin D and has NO artificial colors, flavors or high fructose corn syrup. They are available in 4oz 4 count packages and an be found in the dairy aisle of food stores nationwide. We had the opportunity to sample Danimals Superstar yogurt, have some fun and #PowerUp at Chelsea Piers and get some great healthy eating & living tips from Dr. Tanya Altmann. * Make exercise part of your family's daily routine * Live active cultures are healthy for immune system * Most elementary school kids need 30-40 grams of protein per day Danimals Superstar Greek yogurts will definitely be a new staple in our house and we can't wait to start adding them to some of our favorite recipes. -SD |
"T" is loving Dannon Danimals Superstars Greek Lowfat yogurt
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iLuv my iCoffee
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary unit for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
I have been in dire need of a new coffee brewer and have been in search of one that is easy to use as well as durable. I came across iCoffee after reading about it on a blog and was immediately interested in trying it out for myself.
I received my iCoffee and could not wait to steam brew some of its infamous flavorful coffee. To my delight, my regular cup of coffee tasted exquisite. I could not believe that my iCoffee had "transformed" my coffee into a bold cup of coffee goodness. The iCoffee is easy to use, easy to clean and best of all, I find myself saving money because I am using less coffee to achieve great flavor and have ditched the filters! The iCoffee is a must have for all coffee enthusiasts who would like to enjoy a great cup of coffee at home! -SD iCoffee's SteamBrew™ technology includes, six rotational hot water jets, brew-viewing window, gold-tone filtration, 12-cup fully automatic, 24-hour programmable, automatic shut-off with 2-hour keep warm, and rich coffee crèma extraction that is seen forming in the exclusive Brew Window. The iCoffee brewer is engineered to extract only the most exquisite coffee flavors. |
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2B Sparking Drinks are Healthy Bubbles for the Whole Family!
*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with 2B Drinks, however, as always my posts are based on my opinions and experiences.
Healthy living is something that I am always trying to promote with my family, especially since I have very young impressionable little people who look up to "mommy" & "daddy" and are constantly interested in what we eat & drink. I have incorporated fresh fruits, vegetables and even substitute healthier options in some of our favorite recipes but finding healthy, tasty drinks has been tough. Hubby has always been a soda drinker and after we had children he has been slowly attempting to give them up (mostly in front of the children) but has been caught soda in hand on a few occasions where the children ask "Daddy can I have some?". We have found that it is pretty hard to explain why they can't have the bubbly drinks and even though I sometimes make them juice spritzers, I am still worried about the sugar content.
2B Sparkling was welcome in my home immediately, especially after I found out it is All-Natural, uses Pure Fruit as a natural sweetener & is only 30 calories per 12oz can! Plus it has been approved by the NYC Department of Education. Our whole family was really excited to try the Healthy Bubbles and we were pleasantly surprised by the unique taste. The boys favorite flavor is the Lemon Ice, hubby's favorite is the Vanilla (he says it reminds him of cream soda) and my Mother-in-Law loves the Chocolate. -SD Website: http://www.2bdrinks.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/2bdrinks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2Bdrinks Instagram: http://instagram.com/2bdrinks Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_grocery?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=2B+Drinks&node=16310101 |
*Winner must be a resident of the NYC Tri-State Area and at least 18 years old.
2B was developed in 2013 as a call to action for an all-natural, lower calorie beverage. 2B is the first to use Purefruit, a zero calorie sweetener originating from the monk fruit, a small centuries-old fruit endowed with unique, naturally occurring antioxidants. The result is a delicious sweet taste, but without the calories of common sweeteners. 2014 saw the release of 2B Sparkling, aka "Healthy Bubbles," which has been approved by the NYC Department of Education and is currently being sold in over 2,500 school vending machines. The 2B vision is simple, provide all-natural, low calorie beverages that are Lightly Sweet and affordable. 2B Drinks are available in the Tri-State area and on Amazon. |
TruJoy Sweets makes delicious organic candy!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary product for the event.
The holidays are usually filled with sweets, sweets & more sweets and I dread the amount of candy my little ones are given around this time. I was super excited to discover TruJoy Sweets to substitute conventional candies. TruJoy Sweets candies are made with the highest quality natural and organic ingredients. Their products are made without corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors. They use organic sweeteners to create a healthier and better tasting product. I decided to replace all the candies at the Holiday Read-a-Long I cohosted with TruJoy sweets. I offered the children organic candy canes, holiday gummy mix and organic original fruit chews. All the candy was a hit and the parents were ecstatic that they were made with organic ingredients, free of corn syrup, contained no artificial colors or flavors, gluten free, vegan, kosher and 1% of all sales are donated to environmental causes. Find out where to buy them here. TruJoy Sweets will definitely be my candy of choice for all our parties now on!
-SD |
"T" admiring his "reindeer" organic candy canes
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Organic Candy Canes
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Organic Fruit Chews
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Moms Meet WOW Summit 2013
I had the opportunity to attend the first ever Green Moms Meet WOW Summit and had a great time. The conference was held October 6-8, 2013 in Philadelphia, PA and hosted by Annie, the chief Mom Ambassador and the KIWI magazine team. The conference included amazing speakers, exhibitors and sponsors. I learned about lots of great products as well as chat with some leading experts in education, childcare and healthy living. I was introduced to some healthy and delicious products that I have been incorporating into my family's diet!
-SD
*Zevia- Zero calorie sodas in 15 flavors: cola, ginger ale, lemon lime twist, cherry cola, grape, black cherry, grapefruit citrus,
strawberry, ginger root beer, caffeine free cola, cream soda, lime soda, mountain zevia, orange & Dr. Zevia
*Applegate- Organic and natural meat including deli meat, hot dogs, bacon, dinner sausage, traditional Italian, chicken strips,
cheese, burgers, breakfast sausage, breaded chicken, corn dogs & pot pies
*Happy Family- organic meals and snacks: happy Puffs, Happy Yogis, Happy Munchies, Happy Creamies, Happy tot Toddler
Bars & Happy Squuezes
*Rudis- Organic and Gluten-Free sandwich breads, tortillas/wraps, stuffing, pizza crust, buns/rolls & bars
*Kidfresh- Healthy frozen kids meals (hidden veggies in every meal): super duper chicken nuggets, totally twisted pasta
+meatballs, rainbow rice +chicken, easy cheesy ravioli, spaghetti loops +meat sauce, muy cheesy quesadillas & wagon
wheels mac n cheese
*Dr. Praegers- Great tasting foods that are great for you: veggie burgers, veggie pancakes, veggie littles , fish, chickenless
nuggets, patties & sausage
*Bob's Red Mill- Natural foods: flours & meals, cereals, granola, mixes, grains/beans/seeds, oats, entrees, gluten-free, baking
aids, steel cut oats & gift packs
*NUK- Newborn & toddler products: Cook & Blend baby Food Maker & NEW 2013 products
*Pearls- Olives: black ripe, fresh cured, Spanish green, specialties & Olives to Go
*Sneakz Organic- Chocolate milkshake with a full serving of veggies in every box
*Madhava- Natural sweeteners
-SD
*Zevia- Zero calorie sodas in 15 flavors: cola, ginger ale, lemon lime twist, cherry cola, grape, black cherry, grapefruit citrus,
strawberry, ginger root beer, caffeine free cola, cream soda, lime soda, mountain zevia, orange & Dr. Zevia
*Applegate- Organic and natural meat including deli meat, hot dogs, bacon, dinner sausage, traditional Italian, chicken strips,
cheese, burgers, breakfast sausage, breaded chicken, corn dogs & pot pies
*Happy Family- organic meals and snacks: happy Puffs, Happy Yogis, Happy Munchies, Happy Creamies, Happy tot Toddler
Bars & Happy Squuezes
*Rudis- Organic and Gluten-Free sandwich breads, tortillas/wraps, stuffing, pizza crust, buns/rolls & bars
*Kidfresh- Healthy frozen kids meals (hidden veggies in every meal): super duper chicken nuggets, totally twisted pasta
+meatballs, rainbow rice +chicken, easy cheesy ravioli, spaghetti loops +meat sauce, muy cheesy quesadillas & wagon
wheels mac n cheese
*Dr. Praegers- Great tasting foods that are great for you: veggie burgers, veggie pancakes, veggie littles , fish, chickenless
nuggets, patties & sausage
*Bob's Red Mill- Natural foods: flours & meals, cereals, granola, mixes, grains/beans/seeds, oats, entrees, gluten-free, baking
aids, steel cut oats & gift packs
*NUK- Newborn & toddler products: Cook & Blend baby Food Maker & NEW 2013 products
*Pearls- Olives: black ripe, fresh cured, Spanish green, specialties & Olives to Go
*Sneakz Organic- Chocolate milkshake with a full serving of veggies in every box
*Madhava- Natural sweeteners
Andre Agassi's Box Buddies!
*I was not compensated for this post. I received an invitation to the event and a gift bag of products.
We had the opportunity to meet the legendary Andre Agassi and help celebrate the launch of his new snack line, Box Budd!es for kids at Bowlmor Times Square. This was our first time bowling as a family and we had lots of fun and there are lots of pictures to relive the memories. "T" and "A" loved the Box Budd!es snacks, they drank the Box Budd!es milk boxes (available in original, chocolate & vanilla) and munching on the Box Budd!es chocolate & chocolate chip granola bars. We even received a Box Budd!es swag bag that contained Box Budd!es apple sauce pouches (unsweetened apple, apple cinnamon, strawberry apple and peachy apple) which the boys really enjoy snacking on. Box Budd!es are a great addition to our snacking menu and are great for party bags & trick-or-treating!
-SD
In an effort to help empower kids to make better choices and learn about the importance of giving, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education has partnered with V20 Foods to create Andre Agassi's Box Budd!es, a line of kid-friendly snacks that will be sold in grocery stores nationwide. This new line of single serve applesauce, granola bars and milk are a perfect lunch box companion and 100 percent of Andre's proceeds will go back to the foundation, which is dedicated to transforming public education.
-SD
In an effort to help empower kids to make better choices and learn about the importance of giving, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education has partnered with V20 Foods to create Andre Agassi's Box Budd!es, a line of kid-friendly snacks that will be sold in grocery stores nationwide. This new line of single serve applesauce, granola bars and milk are a perfect lunch box companion and 100 percent of Andre's proceeds will go back to the foundation, which is dedicated to transforming public education.
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Beano "Be Natural" Virtual Cook-Off Finalists
*I am participating in a sponsored campaign for Beano. I received promotional items and Beano products in exchange for my participation
Five finalists have been chosen for the Beano "Be Natural" Virtual Cook-Off and voting is live on Facebook! Head on over and vote for your favorite recipe: Chipotle Lime Fajitas, Honey Dijon Roasted Brussel Sprouts over Cauliflower Mashed, Veggie and Chicken Sausage Linguine, Homemade Chicken Barley Soup Served with Whole Wheat Bread or Three Bean Veggie Salad with Whole Wheat Pitas & Lemon Garlic Hummus. Plus enter your contact info for a chance to WIN a Beano product! Try the a recipe or two and remember that Beano helps prevent gas before it even starts.
*Beano contains a natural enzyme that helps prevent gas before it starts. It works with your body's digestion to break down complex carbohydrates found in gassy foods, making them more digestible.
*Beano enables you to enjoy your favorite healthy foods.
*Beano comes in three varieties: Beano Tablets, Beano Meltaways and Beano To Go.
*Beano tablets are available in the antacid section of supermarkets, pharmacies, mass merchandising outlets and health food stores across the country. Beano is also available in outlets like Sam's Club and Costco. For more information visit http://www.beanogas.com/
*Beano contains a natural enzyme that helps prevent gas before it starts. It works with your body's digestion to break down complex carbohydrates found in gassy foods, making them more digestible.
*Beano enables you to enjoy your favorite healthy foods.
*Beano comes in three varieties: Beano Tablets, Beano Meltaways and Beano To Go.
*Beano tablets are available in the antacid section of supermarkets, pharmacies, mass merchandising outlets and health food stores across the country. Beano is also available in outlets like Sam's Club and Costco. For more information visit http://www.beanogas.com/
Beano "Be Natural" Virtual Cook-off!
*I am participating in a sponsored campaign for Beano. I received promotional items and Beano products in exchange for my participation.
The opinions stated here are my own.
I am so excited to participate in the Beano "Be Natural" Virtual Cook-off. I consider myself a family "chef" and since becoming a wife & mother, I have become much more creative with my cooking in order to get my family to eat healthier. I was given a list 36 all-natural, gas inducing of ingredients (grains, vegetables, beans) and had to include at least 5 of them in my recipe. I use most of the foods on the list sparingly, due to their gas-inducing effects and the thought of using at least 5 of them in one dish was a bit intimidating but knowing that Beano's natural enzymes help prevent gas before it starts gave me the confidence I needed to proceed. I immediately decided to make curry as a credit to my Caribbean background. After checking out the ingredients I picked out ingredients to include in a vegetable curry: cabbage, cauliflower, onions, parsley, sweet peppers and chick peas. I didn't want to make a simple curry dish...so I decided to attempt to make empanadas and use my deep fryer I received as a wedding gift over four years ago. I contacted a friend, who is my empanada go-to and she talked me through the process. It really sounded much easier that I expected. I was ready to start cooking! Check out my recipe below!
-SD
-SD
Salmon Vegetable Stir-"Fry"
INGREDIENTS
*4 pieces of salmon fillet
*1 bunch of fresh kale
*2 tomatoes
*1 yellow pepper
*1/2 red onion
*4 garlic cloves
*1 carrot
*1/2 tsp.powdered turmeric
*1/2 tsp. cumin powder
*1 tsp. lemon juice
*1/2 tsp. black pepper
*1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Step 1. Place salmon fillets in a pan, drizzle lemon juice on top, sprinkle black pepper, 1/4 tsp. turmeric and 1/4 tsp. cumin. Bake at 400
for about 15 minutes
Step 2. Rinse vegetables thoroughly then slice them up. Use a vegetable peeler to thinly slice the carrot into ribbons
Step 3. Mince garlic cloves and place them in a wok with a few teaspoons of water. Then add kale, red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp. cumin
and 1/4 tsp. turmeric, cover and steam for 6 minutes
Step 4. Remove salmon from oven and shred with a fork
Step 5. Add onions, yellow pepper, red onions, carrots, tomatoes and shredded salmon to wok. Stir on medium heat for about 6
minutes
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Guilt Free Grilling with Jenny Craig
Just in time for summer, Jenny Craig is offering some healthy and delicious recipes for guilt-free grilling.
Whether you want to keep a healthy weight during swimsuit season or even lose a couple of pounds, you can still look forward to grilling parties with friends. For the month of July, tweet us your favorite summer recipes with #MyJennyCraig and we’ll pick a lucky winner to win a Jenny prize pack (including an iPod Shuffle, $10 iTunes gift card, tote bag, yoga mat, water bottle, pedometer and Jenny snacks!)
See below for some great summertime recipes that will make everyone’s taste buds happy without compromising their waistlines. The recipes incorporate the Volumetrics® approach, exclusively featured in the Jenny Craig program, which emphasizes adding fresh fruits and vegetables into each dish to help with satiety and to lower the calorie density of meals. Using this principle allows you to eat bigger portions without the extra calories.
Whether you want to keep a healthy weight during swimsuit season or even lose a couple of pounds, you can still look forward to grilling parties with friends. For the month of July, tweet us your favorite summer recipes with #MyJennyCraig and we’ll pick a lucky winner to win a Jenny prize pack (including an iPod Shuffle, $10 iTunes gift card, tote bag, yoga mat, water bottle, pedometer and Jenny snacks!)
See below for some great summertime recipes that will make everyone’s taste buds happy without compromising their waistlines. The recipes incorporate the Volumetrics® approach, exclusively featured in the Jenny Craig program, which emphasizes adding fresh fruits and vegetables into each dish to help with satiety and to lower the calorie density of meals. Using this principle allows you to eat bigger portions without the extra calories.
All-American Turkey Burger
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Non-Alcoholic Mojito
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Chocolate Oatmeal Raisin Muffins
Makes 6 muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup of raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup milk
Heat the oven to 425F. Grease a muffin pan or line them with paper cups. Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir in the oats and raisins. In a large measuring cup, whisk the olive oil with the egg, vanilla extract and milk. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients and toss in blueberries. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let the muffins cool in the pan on a rack until they are cool enough to be handled. Remove from the pan and eat warm or let them cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup of raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup milk
Heat the oven to 425F. Grease a muffin pan or line them with paper cups. Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir in the oats and raisins. In a large measuring cup, whisk the olive oil with the egg, vanilla extract and milk. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients and toss in blueberries. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let the muffins cool in the pan on a rack until they are cool enough to be handled. Remove from the pan and eat warm or let them cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Strawberries, Ice Cream & Chocolate...Oh my!! Driscolls & Jacques Torres
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I was invited to the event & given a gift bag.
Driscolls Favorite Strawberry Shortcake
I had the opportunity to celebrate National Strawberry Shortcake Day at a very special ice cream social with Driscolls and Jacques Torres in NYC. This was my first time visiting any Jacques Torres store, the Husdon Street boutique was more than I could have ever imagined!
Jacques specifically designed the Hudson Square location to be the heart of the Jacques Torres experience and product line. With the help of accomplished interior designer Pierre Court, this retail store location has been beautifully designed encompassing glass around the unique vintage equipment that refines the cacao bean into a chocolate bar. Visitors can witness the heavenly process that Jacques has masterminded in action.
There were a number of decadent delicious confections available to sample including an ice cream cart where we could create our own sundaes with ice cream flavors like pistachio, strawberry cheesecake & toasted coconut, just to name a few. The cocktail of the evening was a refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Smash made with muddled Driscolls strawberries, Diplomatico white rum, fresh lemon juice & simple syrup. The star of the evening was Driscoll's Favorite Strawberry Shortcakes...yum! I am now excited to continue to #tastesummer with Driscolls & Jacques Torres!
-SD
Jacques specifically designed the Hudson Square location to be the heart of the Jacques Torres experience and product line. With the help of accomplished interior designer Pierre Court, this retail store location has been beautifully designed encompassing glass around the unique vintage equipment that refines the cacao bean into a chocolate bar. Visitors can witness the heavenly process that Jacques has masterminded in action.
There were a number of decadent delicious confections available to sample including an ice cream cart where we could create our own sundaes with ice cream flavors like pistachio, strawberry cheesecake & toasted coconut, just to name a few. The cocktail of the evening was a refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Smash made with muddled Driscolls strawberries, Diplomatico white rum, fresh lemon juice & simple syrup. The star of the evening was Driscoll's Favorite Strawberry Shortcakes...yum! I am now excited to continue to #tastesummer with Driscolls & Jacques Torres!
-SD
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Oatmeal, Carrot & Blueberry Muffins
Makes 6 muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
10 baby carrots (shredded)
24 Driscolls blueberries (approx.)
1 (4 ounce) jar of carrot baby food
1/8 cup of olive oil
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup milk
Heat the oven to 425F. Grease a muffin pan or line them with paper cups.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir in the oats and shredded carrots.
In a large measuring cup, whisk the olive oil with the egg and milk then and then add the baby food. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients and toss in blueberries. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full with the batter.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let the muffins cool in the pan on a rack until they are cool enough to be handled. Remove from the pan and eat warm or let them cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
10 baby carrots (shredded)
24 Driscolls blueberries (approx.)
1 (4 ounce) jar of carrot baby food
1/8 cup of olive oil
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup milk
Heat the oven to 425F. Grease a muffin pan or line them with paper cups.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir in the oats and shredded carrots.
In a large measuring cup, whisk the olive oil with the egg and milk then and then add the baby food. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients and toss in blueberries. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full with the batter.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let the muffins cool in the pan on a rack until they are cool enough to be handled. Remove from the pan and eat warm or let them cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Bumpboosters Pregnancy Cookies
By now you guys should all know about Milk makers! They makers are cookies that are made with ingredients to assist with your body’s natural method of milk production. Will Milk makers has gone a step further and developed a new cookie that happens to be right up my alley! Bumpboosters Cookies! Nourishing real-food snacks for pregnant moms.These Pregnancy Cookies are a delicious snack made with organic, natural, real food ingredients that are packed with the proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fats a mom-to-be should be munching on (and no preservatives!). SOme of the Key ingredients in the new Bumpboosters cookies include chia seeds (which I use daily to help curb my appetite), wheat germ, pumpkin, and whole grains.
Here's the best part of this post!!!! Now through 5/31/13 Bumpboosters is offering visitors to their site the opportunity to sample their delicious taste and nutritious effect!! See for yourself!
-AC
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.
Here's the best part of this post!!!! Now through 5/31/13 Bumpboosters is offering visitors to their site the opportunity to sample their delicious taste and nutritious effect!! See for yourself!
-AC
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.
Joovy Dood
The world of sippy cups is a vast one and there are so many choices to choose from. Joovy has come out with the Joovy Dood Training Cups and Drinking Cups to move your child from the bottle to the cup. These cups are available in a 7 ounce or 9 ounce size. These cups have innovative features that make the transition easy. The Joovy Dood is absolutely one cup that we HAVE to try and I will be reporting back after "A" tests it out! I am excited for the non-spill valves, especially because toddlers tend to want to "spill" everything out of their sippy cups!
The Dood 7oz Training Cup comes with a soft spout. The ergonomic shape of our Dood Soft Spout is specially designed to protect gums and pallet during teething. The soft spout provides an easier transition from bottle to cup and is recommended for children 6 months and older.
The The Dood Sippy Cups include the same one piece CleanFlow™ vent system as our Boob Baby Bottles. The vent provides consistent venting regardless of how the cup is held. They also include non-spill valves to eliminate leaks, flexible handles that make them easy to hold, and caps to keep spouts clean
-SD
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.
The Dood 7oz Training Cup comes with a soft spout. The ergonomic shape of our Dood Soft Spout is specially designed to protect gums and pallet during teething. The soft spout provides an easier transition from bottle to cup and is recommended for children 6 months and older.
The The Dood Sippy Cups include the same one piece CleanFlow™ vent system as our Boob Baby Bottles. The vent provides consistent venting regardless of how the cup is held. They also include non-spill valves to eliminate leaks, flexible handles that make them easy to hold, and caps to keep spouts clean
-SD
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.
Dinner Prep in 10 minutes with French's
*Disclaimer: As part of a promotional program with The Mommy Factor and French’s, I receive product samples for review purposes. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.
I love cooking for my family but dread sending tons of time prepping and coking in the kitchen. I was super excited when contacted to review the new French's Infuser Marinades. I received two flavors: Classic Steakhouse & Caribbean Jerk, that promised to "marinade from the inside out in 10 minutes". I decided to try the Classic Steakhouse marinade on a couple of T-Bone steaks we purchased from our neighborhood butcher because we have steak for dinner at least once a week. I followed the 3 easy steps and in no time, we were enjoying our steaks. I tend to stay away from baking whole chickens, but I decided to use the Caribbean Jerk marinade to make a whole chicken. Again, I followed the 3 easy steps and in a few hours we enjoyed a delicious, succulent, flavorful baked chicken. I enjoyed using these 10 minute marinades and appreciate the extra time I now have to make yummy desserts. Inject flavor into your meals. Save $1 now.
-SD
-SD
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Constructive Eating
I was introduced to the Constructive Eating company and products at Toy Fair 2013. I was immediately interested in their functional yet adorable utensils and plates. The Constructive Eating lines consist of the Construction line and the Garden Fairy line. "T" was so excited to use his Construction plate and utensil set that I figured I would put a variety of foods that he usually tries to refuse. I made steak, mashed potatoes, corn and grilled asparagus for dinner: "T" usually won't touch the mashed potatoes, corn or asparagus. At first, he ate all the steak and asked for more; I reminded him that there were other food on his plate and suggested he use his front loader spoon and bulldozer pusher to eat the mashed potatoes and corn. He tried it and became instantly interested in clearing the plate using his utensil tools. I have to admit that he didn't finish everything but he finished 75% more cooked veggies than he normally does. He is excited to eat with his Constructive Eating set and I can't wait to encourage him to eat more of a variety of foods.
-SD
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated to write this post. I received a complimentary set to use and review.
-SD
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated to write this post. I received a complimentary set to use and review.
"T" tries out his bulldozer pusher and front loading spoon
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'T" is focused and loads some corn on his spoon
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Berry Crafty!
The holidays are approaching and everyone seems to be crafting. We were invited to create delicious berry crafts with Driscoll's Berries and Melissa Klein, editor of Celebrations.com. Driscoll's has been growing berries for over one hundred years, all over the world.Their commitment is to ensure that they always provide the freshest, safest, most flavorful berries.
There were delicious berry snacks, a signatre berry drink as well as crafts for kids & adults! I am used to eating and even drinking my berries but crafting with them...this was truly something new! We had fun creating edible crafts with our berries and are inspired to continue berry crafting with Driscoll's!
-SD
*We were not compensated for this post. We were invited to attend a Driscoll's Crafting Holiday brunch.
There were delicious berry snacks, a signatre berry drink as well as crafts for kids & adults! I am used to eating and even drinking my berries but crafting with them...this was truly something new! We had fun creating edible crafts with our berries and are inspired to continue berry crafting with Driscoll's!
-SD
*We were not compensated for this post. We were invited to attend a Driscoll's Crafting Holiday brunch.
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Reindeer Cupcake Craft
Materials: Cupcake, chocolate chips, melted chocolate, 1 strawberry, pretzels, M&Ms, candy eyes 
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"T" is excited to eat strawberries & create the craft
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"T" decides to stop eating the strawberries and place one in the middle of his cupcake
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"T" adds candy eyes to his melted chocolate covered strawberry with chocolate chips
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"T" adds an M&M nose and broken pretzels for antlers...TADA!
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Driscoll's Very Berry Holiday Tree
Materials: 1 floral foam or green styrofoam cone, galvanized tin or other base, box of toothpicks, 4-1lb containers of Driscoll's strawberries, i bunch of fresh mint,
Materials: 1 floral foam or green styrofoam cone, galvanized tin or other base, box of toothpicks, 4-1lb containers of Driscoll's strawberries, i bunch of fresh mint,
All set up and ready to get berry crafty
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Pick the stems off the strawberries and secure them to the cone using toothpicks...half way done!
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Done!
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"T" decides to add a spiky defense mechanism to my perfect strawberry tree
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My boys and our spiked strawberry tree
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Really Unreal
Just in time for the sweetest season, Halloween: UNREAL Brands is here to save the day to unjunk the world one candy at a time! I was contacted to sample some of the UNREAl products and I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical. "How can you unjunk junk and make it still taste good"? I sampled a few different candies and enlisted the help of my chocoholic mother-in-law and toddler. We were sent samples of UN#77 ( peanut butter chocolate cups), UN#5 (chocolate caramel nougat), UN#8 (chocolate caramel peanut nougat) and UN#41 (chocolate candy shell). Our favorites were the UN#8 and the UN#5, they really tasted just liketheir similar products. The UN#77 was tasty too, the cups were not as overly sweet as its comparitive product. The UN#41, the chocolate candy shells were our least favorite and I am not sure why; it tasted different than those little chocolate candy shells we have been eating all our lives. All in all the UNREAL candies are tasty and definitely something that we can get used too plus they are made with only the best ingredients and they retail at a similar price range as other candies between .89-$1.29. That's not bad for candy that is tasty and good for you!
-SD *Disclaimer: I was not compensated to write this post. I was given complimentary samples. |
Michael Bronner, founder of UNREAL Brands states "Our goal is to educate people on the benefits of removing junk from products, and to provide great-tasting alternatives. With this video, we are thrilled to give consumers an inside look at UNREAL."
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