Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

It's Grilling Time! Stepping Up For a Challenge...

I was recently challenged to go to Sams Club and shop for supplies to grill something amazing in preparation for Easter. Yes, I said Easter, and yes you can grill your meal on Easter. You don't have to simply use your oven! Anyway, I scoured my books and recipes and found an amazing looking pork tenderloin recipe that I knew would be perfect. The one that I found was called: Disappearing Tenderloin. Yes, this name sounded very promising, as with having two little divas with tastes that vary, I wanted something that would disappear from their plates. The recipe was found in the [amazon_link id="0811831973" target="_blank" ]Big Weber's Grilling Cookbook [/amazon_link]-a cookbook I highly recommend!


The recipe include the following:

CookingHeat Instruction - Cook With Indirect Heat on Medium

FOR THE MARINADE:
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 pork tenderloin, about 1 pound each

FOR THE RUB:
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic

FOR THE PICO DE GALLO:
2 cups finely chopped ripe tomatoes
1 cup finely diced red onions
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 to 2 teaspoons minced serrano chiles, including seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Extra-virgin olive oil

TO MAKE THE MARINADE: In a small bowl whisk together the marinade ingredients.

Trim any excess fat and silver skin from the tenderloins. Place the tenderloins in a large resealable plastic bag and add the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place in a bowl, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, turning occasionally.

TO MAKE THE RUB: In a small bowl combine the rub ingredients.

TO MAKE THE PICO DE GALLO: In a medium bowl combine the pico de gallo ingredients and mix thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour to fully incorporate the flavors.

Remove the tenderloins from the bag and discard the marinade. Coat evenly with the rub and lightly brush or spray with olive oil. Allow to stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling.

Grill over Indirect Medium heat until the centers are barely pink and the internal temperature reaches 155°F, 25 to 30 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Remove from the grill, loosely cover with foil, and allow to rest for 3 to 5 minutes before cutting in thin slices on the bias. Serve warm with the pico de gallo.

From [amazon_link id="0811831973" target="_blank" ]Weber’s Big Book of Grilling[/amazon_link]. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

Back to my experience, this was a multi-step recipe and I am more of a one step kind-of-guy, but I tell you this was fun. I did document my experience at my local Sams Club below and I hope you will go and check it out.


More check-ins at Sams Club
Powered by Whrrl
I have to say that I was amazed at the variety that Sams Club provides its members. It had been a little bit of time since the last time I was at my local Sams Club, and in going this past week I was happy to find that the idea of providing bulk amounts for reasonable prices has continued in earnest.

I was happy to find some very good deals for people preparing for Easter including:
  • Kingsford® Original Charcoal ($16.68) – Lights easier and burns longer with Sure Fire Grooves®. Ready in about 15 mins
  • KC Masterpiece® Barbeque Sauce ($5.98 for two)
  • Greek Orzo Pasta ($4.38 per pound) – Made fresh daily
  • Delmonte® Corn ($5.58 for 8) – Perfect side dish
  • 3-Gallon Beverage Dispenser with Removable Ice Core and Infuser ($19.88) – Ice core is great for keeping beverage cool while infuser can be used for adding flavor
  • Easter Lilly ($16.88) –Traditional Easter plant with fragrant white trumpet flowers
  • Porcelain Platter and Oval Bowls Set ($19.98) – Beautiful for entertaining, yet durable for everyday use
There were a ton of other great deals (some of which I used myself). What I am getting at here is that if you are not a member of Sams Club, or you haven't been there for a while, you should go and check it out as you may be pleasantly surprised, like I was, at the breadth and depth of what they have to offer customers!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Book Review - Polish Classic Recipes

About the Book
Hospitality and hearty food are the hallmarks of the Polish dining experience. This classic and concise cookbook features dozens of favorite Polish dishes showcasing a variety of flavors, preparation techniques, and ingredient selections. With titles given in both Polish and English, recipes range from cucumber salad and beet soup to pork cutlets and potato pancakes. A chapter devoted to pierogi presents the dumplings with an assortment of fillings, and the final chapter of sweets tops off any meal in true Polish fashion. Like all the books in Pelican's Classic Recipe Series, the entries in this collection were carefully selected to provide a cross section of memorable and authentic dishes. Organized by course, the offerings range from appetizers and salads to sides and sweets, featuring the most iconic and national of dishes--Hunter's Stew and Barszcz--alongside simple comfort food and a handful of desserts, including honey cake, poppy seed rolls, and chocolate mazurka.

Designed for the modern kitchen yet retaining traditional roots, each heritage recipe has been tested to perfection. Accompanied by notes on Polish holiday customs, history, and menu pairing suggestions, these dishes offer a flavorful sample of the Polish dining experience, as passed down from generation to generation.

About the Author

Laura and Peter Zeranski are a husband-and-wife team who have been cooking and eating classic Polish food together for decades. Peter Zeranski was born in Europe to Polish parents. He is a retired marketing professional. His family's love for Polish cuisine and traditions is showcased in The Art of Polish Cooking, the critically acclaimed cookbook his mother Alina Zeranska wrote in 1968. Laura Zeranski learned to cook Polish dishes from her mother-in-law and began preparing Sunday family dinners and special holiday celebratory meals. Laura is a retired health records administrator who has consulted with clients throughout the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The couple resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

My Take on the Book
My wife is half polish and she enjoys sharing her family's culture and food with our family as she can. One of our favorite family meals are pierogi's. When I was asked to check out this book I knew that she would be excited to try out some of the recipes. When she went through the book I was not disappointed. Her eyes lit up and she was immediately drawn to some of the recipes she remembered her Grandmother making. She was very excited to see Angel Wing Crisps as they were one of her favorite memories of her Grandmother growing up. She immediately wanted to try them out, and let me tell you... though they are not healthy, they are delicious.

So if you are polish, or simply love polish food, this book has a great variety of traditional recipes that are easy to make and delicious, check this book out today!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Monday, April 11, 2011

Seneca Farms Fruit & Oatmeal - Has Oatmeal Ever Tasted So Good?

It’s not groundbreaking news that breakfast provides us and our kids with the nutrition and fuel our bodies need.  And we all know that eating oatmeal and other whole grains are an essential part of a healthy diet and promote overall good health.  But, busy mornings and finicky kids can make it hard to find the time to make something that is both nutritious and delicious.

 Did you know that*…
  • Nearly 60% of U.S. parents of children ages 3-17 admit that their child skips breakfast, with more than half of U.S. Moms wishing their child ate a more nutritious breakfast.
  • 58% of U.S. Moms say they skip breakfast regularly. 46% of Moms who skip breakfast say they do so because they do not have enough time to prepare or eat it.
  • 57% of single adults say the number one reason they skip breakfast is that they don’t have enough time to prepare it.
  • While 71% of U.S. adults agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, 67% of those admit to skipping breakfast.
*Results of 2011 Children's Nutrition Survey, conducted by Harris Interactive for Seneca Farms 

Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit – launched on April 4 at Wal-Mart – is the perfect choice for anyone who has trouble finding time for breakfast in the morning.  In less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee, heat the six-ounce microwaveable cup – no milk or water necessary – in the microwave for 45 seconds.  Seneca's Oatmeal & Fruit has no trans fats or cholesterol, and is a great source of Vitamin C.   Two initial flavors are being introduced – Apple Cinnamon and Vanilla Peach.   More flavors and retailers will be added in the coming months.

Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit is not only a quick and healthy breakfast option, but it is a satisfying mid-afternoon snack and it even works as part of a healthy weight loss plan for those looking to lose or maintain weight loss

My Take on the Product
I eat oatmeal all the time and usually mix in fruit (for me most of the time it is raisins). This new product from, Seneca Farms takes Oatmeal and Fruit to the next level. With its east to use containers this product was a quick and easy breakfast (or even dessert) option for parents and kids alike. Consistency wise, the oatmeal comes out very well, not too runny but instead, just right.

The only two things of warning with this product that I put out there is that if you warm up the product like it says to in the product directions, the contents can get quite warm, and the cups tend to keep it warm for quite some time as well. Second, this product has a high sugar content (22 grams) in one cup, which equates to close to two poptarts. So just be aware that with good tasting things sometimes come caveats.

Though I have shared the above two caveats, I would get these again, as they were delicious, and though higher in sugar, they also were high in many other valuable nutrients as well. So go and check out this new Oatmeal today! If you are so inclined, go and get a coupon today as well here!

This post was written for Family Review Network & Seneca who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Monday, March 21, 2011

You CAN make seafood family friendly

Tilapia is rapidly becoming one of the most popular “catch of the day” items in the United States.  It’s a good source of protein and vitamins and contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Sam’s Club is celebrating this mild, family-friendly fish this month and has a 200% satisfaction guarantee 1 all year long on all of its seafood. So, how about swapping out the weekly fish sticks or another routine meal this week for something new?

Excite your family’s taste buds with this Zesty Lemon Garlic Tilapia, quick and easy enough to make after a soccer practice or day at work. This simple dinner is perfect for chefs at any level to show off their skills and add a fresh infusion of flavor and nutrition to everyone’s night. 

1 Sam’s Club offers Members 200% guarantee for fresh products. Sam’s Club will refund double the Member’s purchase price or refund the purchase price and replace the product. A 100% guarantee will be offered to all other customers.

In our ongoing effort to promote worldwide seafood sustainability, Sam’s Club U.S. requires all fresh and frozen, farmed and wild seafood products we sell to become third-party certified as sustainable using Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), or equivalent standards.




Zesty Lemon Garlic Tilapia

Delicate tilapia is the perfect foundation for a zesty blend of seasonings. This quick, easy dish takes 5 minutes to prepare. While it bakes, the rest of your meal comes together to have a healthy supper on the table in just about half an hour.

Ingredients:
1 tsp. Tone’s® Lemon Pepper Seasoning
½ tsp. paprika
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1 tsp. minced onion
½ tsp. dried dill or basil
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
4 (4-oz.) tilapia fillets
1½ Tbsp. ReaLemon® Juice

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F.  Combine all dry spices and oil in a small bowl.  Stir to create a paste.  Drizzle lemon juice over tilapia.  Rub spice paste into tilapia.  Place tilapia on a cookie sheet and bake for 7 – 8 minutes or until cooked through.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Introducing Potluck Favorites: A New Bookazine From the Editors of Good Housekeeping, REDBOOK and Country Living

The spring and summer seasons are all about enjoying great food with friends and family, and now, Potluck Favorites, a new bookazine from the editors of Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and Country Living is the ideal resource for big group celebrations, bringing together 126 delicious recipes that are easy to make and good to go.  Featuring crowd-pleasing main dishes, pastas, salads, sides, desserts and drinks, Potluck Favorites ($9.99) also includes tricks for fuss-free grilling and baking and product reviews of travel-friendly gear to ensure everything arrives fresh and picture-perfect to the buffet table.

Filled with backyard barbeque staples like Ultimate Ribs (pg. 58) and six types of kabobs, as well as variations on the classics like the Inside-Out Burger (pg. 50), Potluck Favorites also includes speedy three-ingredient sides (pg. 91), easy-to-make appetizers like Cherry Tomato Lollipops (pg. 93) and five variations on stuffed eggs (pg. 93), along with savory, slimmed-down versions of timeless favorites, such as Low-Fat Lasagna (pg. 8), and Healthy Makeover Fried Chicken (pg. 24) – even sweet treats, like a Slimmed-Down Key Lime Pie (pg. 105) that takes just 20 minutes to prepare.  A detailed recipe index (pg. 115) divides dishes by category, making it simple to build the perfect menu.

Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com), one of the nation's largest diversified communications companies with interests in magazines, newspapers, digital media, business media and television.  As one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines, Hearst Magazines publishes nearly 200 editions around the world, including 14 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited. Hearst Magazines is a leading publisher of monthly magazines in the U.S. in terms of total circulation (ABC June 2010) and reaches 73 million adults (Spring 2010 MRI).


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. 
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Unhealthy 'Health' Foods from Consumer Reports' ShopSmart magazine

Some health-food masqueraders can fool even the savviest shoppers and people who pride themselves on their nutritional know-how. A new report in the April 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, unveils some foods that may seem good for you but aren’t necessarily—and advice on truly healthful foods to choose instead.
Don’t let seemingly healthful foods derail your diet,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “If you think you’re making a good choice by having a bran muffin or trail mix for breakfast instead of a bowl of cereal, you could be undermining your health—with lots of fat—and sabotaging your waistline—with excess calories.”

Here is a sampling of ShopSmart’s unhealthy health foods and what to try instead:
  • VEGETABLE CHIPS
Their colors may be mesmerizing, but they’re usually high in calories and fat and they don’t count as a serving of vegetables.
TRY THIS instead! Have some air-popped popcorn or dried veggies. Try the Just Tomatoes brand of dried vegetables because they have no added fat, salt, or anything else.

  • GRANOLA CEREAL
It’s usually high in sugar, fat, and calories and relatively low in vitamins and minerals. There are about 400 calories in a cup.
TRY THIS instead!  Have a bowl of an airy, oat-based cereal, like Cheerios, which topped ShopSmart’s  last tests of kid-friendly cereals. For extra crunch and sweetness, add just a sprinkling of granola on top.

  • TURKEY HOT DOGS
A lot of turkey hot dogs are surprisingly high in fat, and some are even higher in fat than regular hot dogs. They also might contain loads of sodium and nitrates.
TRY THIS instead! A turkey breast sandwich is a better choice. But if you’re really craving that hot dog, read packages and go for the turkey version with the least fat.

  • VITAMIN INFUSED WATERS
While vitamin infused waters do have some added nutrients, they’re often loaded with sugar and sometimes caffeine.
TRY THIS instead! Have plain old H2O with a squeeze from a lemon, lime or orange slices.

  • WRAP SANDWICHES
They’re usually huge— enough for two people sometimes—and high in calories and sometimes fat. White flour tortillas often have 300 to 400 calories alone, and offer little nutritional value.
TRY THIS instead! Have a sandwich on whole-grain or whole-wheat bread. When shopping for bread, make sure whole grain is first on the ingredient list.

  • COUSCOUS
Just like white pasta, regular couscous is a processed, refined grain with little nutritional value.
TRY THIS instead! Buy whole-wheat couscous or opt for a whole grain like quinoa or brown rice.


About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Rosemary Garlic Salmon Recipe: Sam's Club Seafood Splash Eve

According to the recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the USDA, new evidence supports increasing your seafood intake to around 20 percent of your protein per week. You and your readers can make superior quality seafood a part of the family dinner rotation by shopping at your local Sam’s Club. All of Sam’s Club fresh seafood offerings come with a 200% satisfaction guarantee,1 so you can expect restaurant quality meals but with home-cooked prices.

Salmon is considered one of nature’s superfoods because it’s loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and other important nutrients. With delicious, farm-raised salmon from Sam’s Club, your family can enjoy these healthy benefits while indulging in high quality freshness and flavor. Below, I’ve included a simple recipe for Sam’s Club Rosemary Garlic Salmon that can be ready in less than 20 minutes. It just might have your family asking for seconds.

SAM’S CLUB SEAFOOD SPLASH EVENT:
Sample superior quality straight from the sea March 19-20 from 11:30am – 5:30pm at your local Sam’s Club. Check in with your local club for details.

Rosemary Garlic Salmon Recipe
Ingredients:
1½- to 2-lb. salmon fillet
1½ Tbsp. olive oil
1½ Tbsp. melted butter
2 Tbsp. Tone’s® Rosemary Garlic Seasoning
1 tsp. black pepper

Directions:
Combine melted butter and oil and brush on both sides of the salmon. Sprinkle seasoning and pepper on both sides of the fish. Place fish in a shallow baking dish. Bake or broil 8 – 12 minutes (flip once).

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Monday, March 7, 2011

10 Ways to Combat Escalating Food Prices

Watching cashiers ring up purchases at the grocery store is becoming more painful every day. Unfortunately, things are about to get much worse, particularly for low-income consumers who don't have ready access to discount supermarkets.

According to the United Nations, global food prices hit a record high in February due to upward-spiraling gas prices and stockpiling by importers. These factors are hitting the already volatile cereal markets. Wheat, corn, sugar and edible oils have seen the sharpest price increases in the last six months, with a relatively smaller increase in rice. Produce has already skyrocketed, with prices expected to rise by roughly one-fourth to one-third in the next year.

Such price increases and the resulting extreme poverty are partially credited with recent public unrest that toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt and sparked further unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.

So what's an American consumer to do? Here are 10 ways to combat rising food prices.

1. Shop Warehouse Stores
Not all prices are better at membership stores, particularly if you tend to go overboard, but there are some really good deals to be had. Look for great buys on perishable items and shop towards the end of the day, when department managers want to unload extra inventory.

2. Use Coupons
Now's the time to get in on the extreme-couponing trend, particularly since there are so many ways to access them these days. You'll find coupons online in both Internet-code or downloadable (IP) form.. Mobile coupons are as close as your cell phone. CellFire is a great source for grocery savings.

Don't overlook the coupons that print out with your receipt at the register. Known as Catalinas, these coupons are targeted towards the purchases you've made that day. Some stores, like King Soopers, also allow you to stack manufacturer and store coupons for additional savings. Not all supermarkets allow you to stack, however, so check first.

3. Hit Dollar Stores
Whether you cruise the narrow aisles of Dollar General or hit one of the smaller chains, dollar stores offer "ka-ching" savings on boxed, bagged and canned goods. Make sure you check the expiration dates, however.

4. Use Grocery Store Rewards Cards These loyalty cards have become a necessity to access store sales, but they also have another benefit; You can download online coupons directly to your rewards card and the savings will be taken off at the register. Visit the rewards-card pages of such supermarket websites as Safeway and Food Lion to find these manufacturer coupons.

Some rewards card also provide gas savings when you buy groceries. At times, King Soopers has taken up to 10-cents off each gallon you purchase at their pumps when you spend $100 or more in their store.

5. Buy Generic
By and large, store-brand generics can be much cheaper than manufacturer products with the exact same quality. In fact, generics come off the same assembly line before being slapped with separate labels so skip the brand name items.

6. Use Discount Gift Cards
Shop websites like GiftCardGranny for discount gift cards from Kmart, Walmart and other major chains that sell food goods and produce. Paying just a portion of the card's face value gives you an instant savings on your grocery needs.

7. Make A List
Avoid impulse purchases by making a list before you leave home and sticking to it when you hit the store. Knowing specifically what you need also helps avoid duplications of products you already have at home.

8. Plan Your Meals
It's a lot easier to make a list when you have a plan. Creating a weekly menu also helps you avoid quick trips to the supermarket that end up costing you more in many ways. For last minute meals, create a gourmet dish at a deep discount by buying meats, produce and other food items that are on sale at your local grocery store.

9. One-Stop Shop
Save gas, time and money by shopping stores like Target that allow you to buy everything on your list within one visit.

10. Avoid Out-of-Season Produce To every vegetable and fruit there is a season...and a better price. Squash are cheaper in the fall while asparagus can be a bargain in the spring. Wait until prices are at their best and plan your menu around seasonal produce to save big.

###

Consumer savings expert, Andrea Woroch, is available for in-studio, satellite or skype interviews to share tips on how to combat escalating food prices. As a broadcast and print media source, Andrea has appeared on ABC News NOW, NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC and has been quoted by SmartMoney, Kiplinger Personal Finance and many more. See Andrea's recent interview on NBC Today Show


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

HAPPYFAMILY Launches Generation Happy

HAPPYFAMILY ®, the nation’s leading premium organic baby food company, announced the launch of Generation Happy – a social movement celebrating parents across America who are raising their babies and toddlers to make a difference in the world.

Generation Happy invites moms and dads to take a pledge and join HAPPYFAMILY in educating today’s children to understand the importance of eating organically, living sustainably and respecting the earth from early on in their lives. By taking the pledge, parents will gain access to expert advice and helpful ideas for living a healthy, balanced lifestyle that extends beyond nutrition, as well as exclusive offers and giveaways to support them in their journeys.

“We founded HAPPYFAMILY five years ago with a mission to make the best, most nutritious organic baby food possible, from one parent to another. Today, that vision continues to ring true with the launch of Generation Happy, a project close to my heart,” said Shazi Visram, founder and CEO of HAPPYFAMILY. “This is our way of saying thank you to the moms and dads who support us by providing them with the tools they need to be the best parents today as well as contributing to their children’s future education.”

To commemorate this national movement, HAPPYFAMILY is hosting the Generation Happy Video Contest on Facebook, inviting parents to submit a video of their babies’ special moments for a chance to win a $10,000 college scholarship savings bond.

One second-place winner will win an entire year’s supply of HAPPYFAMILY foods, and one third-place winner will earn a six-month supply of HAPPYFAMILY foods and a Stokke® Tripp Trapp®high chair. Winning videos will be determined by popular vote. Each week, for five consecutive weeks, the HAPPYFAMILY team will also select their favorite video to receive an exclusive Generation Happy prize pack filled with gifts from select campaign sponsors including: California Baby, Dr. Sears Family Essentials, Dr. Weil Baby, Eat Cleaner, iPlay, Honest Kids, KIWI Magazine, MiYim, My Gym, Sigg, Seventh Generation, and Stokke.

The Generation Happy Video Contest launches online on Feb. 15, 2011, and entry submissions close on March 25, 2011. Voting for the videos will be open for the entire duration of the contest, and the winners will be announced on HAPPYFAMILY’s Facebook page on March 28, 2011. Individuals may vote once each day throughout the contest, and parents are invited to upload as many videos as they wish (one entry per Facebook account per day). For more information on the contest and the Generation Happy campaign and to submit a video, please visit www.facebook.com/HAPPYFAM.  

About HAPPYFAMILY
Launched on Mother’s Day 2006, HAPPYFAMILY is the nation’s leading premium organic baby and toddler food brand. HAPPYFAMILY is the only brand to feature a complete line of infant nutrition – from cereals to snacks – for babies’ growing bodies. HAPPYFAMILY products are consistently recognized for their superior taste and nutrition. The company recently earned a SheKnows.com 2010 Parents’ Choice Award, as well as four “Mom Approved – Child Tested” Excellence Awards from SafBaby.com for HAPPYMELTS, HAPPYBABYPUFFS, HAPPYTOTpouches and all HAPPYBABY pouches. For more information, visit www.happybabyfood.com.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. 
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Monday, February 21, 2011

First-Ever Greek Yogurt Made for Kids

Chobani will help you start things off right with the introduction of three new palate-pleasing Greek Yogurt flavors:  2% Mango, 0% Black Cherry, and 0% Lemon; along with the introduction of the first-ever Greek Yogurt for kids, Chobani Champions (Press Release Below).

The launch of Chobani Champions embodies our heartfelt belief that if you give kids delicious foods that are also good for them, they will raise a spoon and dig in. Consider the launch of Champions the turning of the tide the against  the movement afoot to dumb down developing palates - to hide broccoli in brownies, to mask the fact that tomato sauce contains actual vegetables.  The premise doesn't give kids enough credit, and perpetuates the big lie that's what's GOOD can't be GOOD FOR YOU.

At Chobani, we believe that kids have an appetite for the truth.  We know that wholesome and "holy cow!" can deliciously co-exist.  Most of all, we believe every child has the potential to be a Champion.

Each cup of Chobani Champions is:
  • 100% natural, made with real fruit
  • Packed with protein
  • An excellent source of vitamin D (20% Daily Value)
  • A good source of bone-building calcium (10% Daily Value)
  • At 100 calories, it's a great snack for everyone!
  • Available in two creamy and delicious flavors: VerryBerry and Honey-Nana

For more information on all of Chobani's exciting products, visit www.chobani.com.

About Chobani
Chobani is America's #1 Greek Yogurt and the category leader in the Northeast. Every cup of creamy Chobani is delicious and nutritious: 100% natural, gluten free, Kosher certified, and made with hormone-free milk. Chobani is offered in a wide variety of flavors to please any palate, providing two times more protein than regular yogurt, five live and active cultures, and three strains of probiotics. Chobani retails for MSRP $1.29/6oz, $3.29/16oz, $5.99/32oz, and $3.99/Champions 4-pack. All Chobani products are nationally available at Whole Foods Market along with regional retailers across the United States. For more information, visit www.chobani.com.

My Take on the YogurtSilky and smooth with a bit more texture than other yogurt, Chobani provides great taste as well as full fruit options in all of their yogurt which provides nothing but healthy goodness. I was lucky enough to try a number of different varieties of the new and existing flavors that Chobani now has. I have to say that I loved them all. My favorite was the Mango. With actual mango chunks in the yogurt, this yogurt was awesome and was one that I would definitely go back to find in the store in the future. My girls liked the new Chobani Champions. They thought that it tasted good and I liked the fact that it was already pre-mixed. Overall, these were great and they will definitely be ones that I will be looking for in the future!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. 
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

For Special Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas: McCormick & Schmick's offer

I wanted to make sure you knew about this special Valentine’s Day offer from McCormick & Schmick’s.

“You Supply the Romance and We do the Rest”

In other words, they’ll do the leg work to help make planning a memorable Valentine’s Day easier than ever. 

McCormick & Schmick’s will not only be offering a romantic Valentine’s Day menu all weekend long (February 11-14, 2011), but any guest that makes a Valentine’s Day reservation will also be offered the “above and beyond” service.  With this service, roses will be delivered to the table upon the guests’ arrival for dinner, and the flower cost can either be included on the dinner bill at the end of the evening or billed separately.  Diners can also choose to add a unique touch by having a special personalized message included on their dinner menu or a personalized note card on the table at arrival.

Valentine’s Day reservations can easily be made straight from the website or by calling your local McCormick & Schmick’s.  I’ve also included the special Valentine’s Day menu below for quick reference.


CHEF’S VALENTINE’S WEEKEND FEATURES

Seared Ahi Tuna for Two
Spicy Sliced Ahi Tuna, Pickled Ginger, Wasabi and Soy Sauce
$11.95 (for 2)

Lobster Ravioli
Poached Maine Lobster, Fresh Spinach and Cognac Butter Sauce
$24.95

Winter Mixed Grill
Petite Filet Oscar, Grilled Salmon, Jumbo Shrimp and Scallop
Rõsti Potato, Sautéed Spinach and Salsa Cruda
$32.95

Hawaiian Seafood Trio
Seared Ahi Tuna, Grilled Shutome (Swordfish) and
Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi, Jasmine Rice and Bok Choy
$28.95




All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Monday, January 17, 2011

California Pizza Kitchen's New Reward Offer

I just found out that California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has a new reward offer for its customers. Starting today, at the bottom of every guest check, CPK is offering a 20% discount (not including alcohol) valid on the guest’s next dine-in visit within 7 days.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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