Italian Days at Publix....$25 Publix Gift Card Giveaway

***Giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to Laura E., comment #21 chosen by Random.org.  Thanks to everyone that entered.***


It's Italian Days at Publix (my favorite grocery store) and I'm happy to share some information about this event as well as offer a $25.00 Publix gift card to one of my readers.

Italian Days at Publix will be from February 16th - February 29th.  You can find great prices and coupon savings on some of your favorite brands including Progresso, Green Giant and Muir Glen.  

While visiting Italian Days at Publix from February 16th through February 29th, you can also enter the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes for a chance to be 1 of 500 shoppers that will win a $100 Publix® gift card, sponsored by General Mills.

To enter to win the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes and download great coupon savings and delicious recipes, look in-store or follow the instructions below:

1. Click – Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix, by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you’re registered and logged in, you can participate in any the current promotions.


2. Call – If you’d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes.  Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).


3. Mail – If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information   (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 44257, Atlanta, Georgia 30336.

***To enter for your chance to win the $25.00 Publix Gift Card, leave me a comment and tell me what is your favorite Italian meal.


Entries will be accepted until Friday, February 24th, 2012 and the winner will be announced shortly after.  Please leave your email address in your comment so I can contact the winner.  Also, the winner will be selected by Random.org.

Note: Even if you don't live in a state that has a Publix but you have family or friends that do, you can still enter.  What a great gift to send someone that you care about.


***Giveaway open to U.S. residents only***

Disclosure:  The Publix Gift Card, information and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.  Thank you very much.  

All other thoughts and opinions are mine.  Publix is the grocery store I shop at every week.  I love the Italian Days event.  It's a great time to stock up on some of my favorite foods and ingredients.  

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  Make sure to visit the website: clickcallmail.com  to enter the sweepstakes, download coupons and get some delicious recipes.    

Giveaway - $10 Gift Card and Old El Paso Prize Pack

This giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to comment #8, Karin, picked by Random.org.  Thanks for everyone that entered. 


I'm back with a fun giveaway!  It's been a month since my last blog post.  Where does the time go?  There have been some changes in my life the past several months that have limited my time and shifted my priorities.  After being laid off from my part-time job in October (company closed), starting a full-time job in November, keeping on top of my 2 daughter's sports and activities, as well as keeping up with house and home, has left me with little time to focus on my blog.  

One thing I haven't stop doing is cooking and sharing meals with my family.  My husband, myself and my 2 daughters sit down for dinner together every night.  One way to keep my weeknights easier is to make quick but delicious meals.  Such easy family meals are Taco Nights.  "Old El Paso offers a variety of seasonings, sides, sauces, and meal kits as simple solutions for a night of catching up with the family over a delicious taco dinner."

"To satisfy your Mexican style cravings, the Old El Paso^® line up of products includes chilies, dinner kits, dips and sides, enchilada sauce, refried beans, seasoning mixes, shells, taco sauce and salsa. The Old El Paso taco seasoning mix selection includes flavors like Burrito, Cheesy Taco, Chili, Fajita, Taco, Mild Taco and even a seasoning with 40% less sodium."

Visit Old El Paso website for news, tips recipes and more.  

Also, to keep your family laughing at the dinner table, have some fun with El TacodorTM, the world´s only Family Taco Night Game. With El Tacodor, your family can share a special night at home by challenging one another to quick fire trivia, wordplay and pantomime. Visit www.ElTacodor.com today to download instructions, a score card, and a challenge sheet for even more fun on Family Taco Night! 

For giveaway specifics, keep reading......

The Old El Paso "Family Taco Night" prize pack includes:

Packet of original Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, a Cactus Chip & Dip Serving dish, a set of 3 Fiesta Chili Pepper serving dishes and a $10 gift card to purchase your taco fixings.  What a fun way to share taco night with your family!

To enter, please leave a comment telling me your favorite taco fixings.  Simple as that.

  

Comments must be received by Friday, April 8th, 2011.  I will pick a winner through Random.org.  Winner will be announced by Sunday, April 10th, 2011.

Note of Disclosure:  Old El Paso through MyBlogSpark provided me with the information and a prize pack.  They are also generously offering a prize pack to one of my readers. 

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  No matter how busy life gets, try to keep your family dinner routine going.  It's a great time to connect, stay in touch, laugh, make lasting memories and enjoy some delicious food together.   

Progesso Lemon Pepper Panko and Bottega Cookbook Giveaway

This Giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to the winner, Cathy A. (comment #16)

Please send me your address Cathy so your prize package can be sent to you.

 It's giveaway time!  The gift package includes a box of Progresso Lemon Pepper Panko Bread Crumbs and an autographed copy of Chef Michael Chiarello's newest cookbook, Bottega.

Progresso's description of their Panko Bread Crumbs.......

"Whether frying, baking or broiling, this culinary superstar adds a flavorful crunch to create simple, savory recipes. Made from the soft, tender centers of the bread, Progresso Lemon Pepper Panko combines the perfect crunch with effortless flavor to give any dish that extra punch. The large, flaky crumb has a coarser texture than traditional bread crumbs, delivering a lighter, crunchier coating or topping."

Chef Chiarello is helping cooks everywhere use Progresso´s panko to make flavorful, flawless recipes including Crispy Seafood Salad, Mama Chiarello's Stuffed Eggplant and Turkey Scallopini and Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Brown Butter.

I have personally used Progresso's Panko Bread Crumbs on fish and chicken and I love the results.  I'm looking forward to trying their newest Lemon Pepper flavor. 

Disclosure:  General Mills provided me with the Progresso Lemon Pepper Panko Bread Crumbs information and giveaway through MyBlogSpark.  They have graciously provided me and one of my readers the cookbook/panko bread crumbs gift pack for the giveaway.  See how to enter giveaway below.  

  

To enter giveaway, please leave a comment telling me how you would use or what dish you would create with Progresso's Lemon Pepper Panko Bread Crumbs.  Giveaway closes Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 11:00pm CST.  Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  Winner will be selected through Random.org and announced on Sunday, January 23rd, 2011.  Thanks for entering!

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  Check out Chef Michael Chiarello's tips for cooking with panko bread crumbs here on the Progressofoods.com website. 

Yoplait Whips! Giveaway from MyBlogSpark

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATULATIONS TO RANDI FROM LITTLE FOOD, LOTS OF FLAVOR!  (Randi was comment #7, randomly picked by Random.org)

Do you like yogurt as much as I do?  Have you ever tried Yoplait Whips!?  It's a whipped yogurt that is so light and fluffy.  How would you like a cool treat that will satisfy your ice cream cravings?  Just place your Yoplait Whips! container in the freezer overnight.  I tried this and it was a delicious way to have an "ice cream" treat without all the calories from ice cream.  

Would you like to try Yoplait Whips! for yourself?  Yoplait through MyBlogSpark is offering one of my readers a fun prize pack giveaway.  See below for the prize pack details and how to enter.

Also, check out Yoplait on Facebook and Twitter.

Flavors List

Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Raspberry

Key Lime Pie

Lemon Burst

Orange Crème

Peaches 'N Cream

Raspberry Mousse

Strawberry Mist

Vanilla Crème

Yoplait Whips! prize pack includes:  VIP coupon for a free container of Yoplait Whips! yogurt, a canvas cooler bag and a set of four ice cream cone shaped popsicle molds. 

Isn't that a neat prize pack?  I've been using the cooler bag for lunch at work and I love it.  And you can make so many different cold treats in the popsicle molds.  Your kids would have so much fun with these molds.

(Note:  The coupon offer for free Yoplait Whips! yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.)

Disclosure:  Yoplait through MyBlogSpark provided me this prize pack and will provide a prize pack to one of my readers in this giveaway.  But my thoughts and comments are my own.. 

How to enter:  Leave a comment on this blog post letting me know which Yoplait Whips! flavor would be your favorite.  Mine would probably be the Vanilla Creme because I love vanilla yogurt.  

The deadline to enter is this Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 11pm Central Time.  I will announce the winner next week.  If you don't have a blog, please leave your email address in the comment section.  Open to U.S. residents only. 

Enjoy!

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  If you are eating Yoplait Whips! from the freezer, it is a good idea to leaving it out for 5-10 minutes before enjoying.

For your information....

Hello all!  How many of you are cereal eaters?  We're big fans of cereal in my household.  Well, General Mills through MyBlogSpark passed on some exciting news to me that I want to share with my readers.  There will also be a $1.00 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals at the end of this post.   

"Recently, General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain."

I think that is great news.  Even though I limit the sugar cereals I buy for my family, anytime a product is made "healthier", such as reducing sugar, it helps me make better food choices for my family. 

"Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children’s diets."

Other cereal benefits: (statement by General Mills through MyBlogSpark) 

Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children’s diets.


Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child’s diet today.


More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.


Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

Click here to print a $1.00 off coupon for one of four General Mills Cereals.

Disclosure:  MyBlogSpark and General Mills provided me with the information stated above, the online coupon link as well as VIP coupons for 4 free boxes of General Mills cereal.

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  Click HERE to read about General Mills efforts in reducing sugar in many of their cereal brands especially those marketed for children.  See charts below for a detailed look at the lowered and current sugar levels in General Mills cereals.  I hope you found this information interesting and helpful. 

  

  

Winner of Old El Paso "Tackle the Taste" Giftpack!

Congratulations to Patsy from Family, Friends and Food!  Comment #7 was chosen from Random.org. 

Patsy said:

  "Great giveaway! I use the green chili's in a tortilla roll-up mixed in with cream cheese, ranch dip mix and pimientos & black olives... never any left by half time!"

Send me your contact information Patsy and MyBlogSpark will send you your "Tackle the Taste" Giftpack.

Thank you to everyone that left comments.  Check back later this week for another recipe that I'll be sharing. 

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  Don't forget you can get a .55 cent off coupon for a can of Old El Paso Green Chilies by clicking HERE.

A Fun Giveaway - Old El Paso "Tackle the Taste" Gift Pack

I'm having another giveaway!  Thanks to Old El Paso and MyBlogSpark for providing this football themed gift pack to one of my readers.  I was also lucky to receive one of these giftpacks and I can't wait to use it for the Superbowl on February 7th, 2010.

Included in your Old El Paso "Tackle the Taste" Gift Pack are:

 Two free cans of Old El Paso Green Chiles, a football-shaped ceramic serving platter, two sets of football-themed plates and cocktail napkins as well as a themed table runner.

See below to fnd out how to qualify for this gift pack.

I have used Old El Paso green chilies for many years.  I use it in chili, dips, nachos and many other dishes.  I used a can to make this Bean and Beef Enchilada Casserole.  This recipe came from a Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook called Every Meal Easy.  It was a very good, hearty casserole.  The green chiles add that wonderful Mexican flavor to the enchiladas.  In addition, the green chiles are also so convenient and easy to use.  This casserole has layers of corn tortillas, seasoned beef and beans, a sour cream mixture, enchilada sauce and cheese.  (Yummy!) 

Enjoy!

Click here for the Bean and Beef Enchilada Casserole recipe on the Better Homes and Gardens website.  

Old El Paso Green Chiles, which come in 4.5 and 7 oz cans, are a simple way to liven up your go-to favorites. Fat-free and with only 10 calories per serving, Green Chiles are not spicy, but will add a unique flavor to your dishes that the whole crowd will love!

Click here for a .55 cent off coupon on a can of Old El Paso Green Chiles

For a chance to win the Old El Paso "Tackle the Taste" Gift Pack, please leave a comment telling me what your favorite recipe is using a can of diced green chiles or tell me what you're planning on serving for Superbowl Sunday.

The deadline to leave a comment is this Saturday, January 23rd at 12 midnight Central Time.  I will announce a winner on Sunday, January 24th.  Winner will be chosen through Random.org.  Giveaway open to residents from U.S. and Canada only.  Please leave your email address in your comment if you don't have an email contact on your blog or if you don't have a blog.

Disclosure:  Thanks again to Old El Paso which through MyBlogSpark has provided the information, coupon, Green Chiles, prize pack to me and an additional prize pack to one of my readers.

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  If you want to keep the Bean and Beef Enchilada Casserole on the lighter side, then use lean or extra-lean ground beef, light sour cream and reduced fat cheese.

Rich Peanut Butter Cookies from Tablespoon.com and a Prize Pack Giveaway

This blog post is to share a quick and wonderful peanut butter cookie, to intoduce a new website, Tablespoon.com and to offer a prize pack giveaway from MyBlogSpark & General Mills. Tablespoon.com is a new website by General Mills where you can find over 25,000 recipes, save and share recipes. When you join the website, you can add your own recipe creations, print coupons from a variety of brands as well as the ability to rate, comment & save recipes you try.

MyBlogSpark contacted me about this new website and sent me a "Pass the Inspiration" Prize Pack that included a set of measuring spoons, a measuring cup and 2 terry cloth pot holders. They are also offering a "Pass the Inspiration" Prize Pack to one of my readers.

In order to be eligible for this giveaway, go browse the website Tablespoon.com and then leave a comment here about a particular feature that you liked on Tablespoon.com. Maybe there was a recipe that caught your eye or the printable coupons. I will choose a winner by Random.org. The deadline to leave a comment will be Tuesday, October 27th at 11:00pm (CST). I will announce the winner on Wednesday, October 28th.

Now, I want to share briefly about this cookie recipe. This is a peanut butter cookie kicked up a notch with the addition of peanut butter chips. It was so quick to make a batch and my daughters and husband were very happy to come home to these baked treats.

Click here for the recipe: Rich Peanut Butter Cookies on the website Tablespoon.com

The ingredient list

Enjoy!

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson: Keep your pantry well stocked with items to bake with such as sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, confectioners sugar, brown sugar, different flavors of chocolate chips/morsels, cocoa powder and several variety of nuts. That way, when the mood strikes, you'll be ready to make something home baked your family will appreciate.

A Summer Time Drink, A Snack & An Award

First, this refreshing summertime drink - Raspberry Lemonade. It's only 3 ingredients and I love that it has fresh raspberries in it. Click here for recipe on MyRecipes.com. Even my daughters loved this lemonade.

I doubled the recipe and it filled up this 2 quart pitcher. Perfect for a 4th of July barbecue or anytime this summer!

Enjoy!

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson: Raspberries are low in fat and calories. They are a great source of Vitamin C as well as folate and iron. This refreshing beverage will add healthy benefits to your diet.

Next, comes a wonderful snack. When MyBlogSpark asked if I would like to try the new Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters, I had to accept. We love nuts, granola & granola bars in our household. We've been eating Nature Valley Granola Bars for years. I always take some type of nuts to work as a snack. I couldn't wait to try them when we received our samples. The sample flavors are: Nut Lovers, Honey Roasted Peanut, Roasted Cashew & Roasted Almond. The granola and nuts in these round clusters are crunchy and very flavorful. They are fun to eat and perfect for a snack or your child's lunchbox. I found my husband sneaking handfuls from the pantry. My 2 daughters really liked the crunchiness and taste of these nut clusters. I've been enjoying them at work as a midday snack. I think they would be great in yogurt or even in ice cream.

How cool are these.

This is one of the Nut Lovers clusters.

Thank you MyBlogSpark for letting us enjoy these new snacks!


Last, but not least, I want to thank Kathy from Three on Food
for giving me the Kreativ Blogger Award. That was so sweet of her to think of me. Thank you Kathy!



Now, I just can't accept my award and be done with it. There are rules to this award that I will follow strictly.

The Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Here are 7 things about myself that others might find interesting (or not)

1. I will be married 18 years later this year and it all started with a blind date. My sister, Paula, arranged this blind date. Way to go Paula!

2. I collect cookbooks. At last count I had over 40 cookbooks. This doesn't include all my food magazines and hundreds of printed copies of recipes.

3. I have twin daughters who will "officially" become teenagers towards the end of this year. (should I be scared?)

4. All 3 of our pets are black and white. Two black and white Boston Terriers and a black and white cat.

5. Something I don't like to do......exercise. I know it's something I should do regularly but I just can't get in an exercise routine. I have been trying to walk more so maybe it's a start.

6. I come from a very large family. I have 6 other sisters and brothers. What's funny is that my husband also comes from a large family and he has 6 other siblings as well.

7. I love to read. I read anything: books, magazines, newspapers, on-line articles, cookbooks :) I'm currently reading "Barefoot" by Elin Hilderbrand. It's a great summer read.

I am nominating this Kreativ Blogger Award to the following 7 bloggers:

Ginger from Once Upon a Gourmet Gin

Jamie from Life's a Feast

Bridgett from La Bella Cook

Sydney from The Crepes of Wrath

Amy from Dinners for a Year and Beyond

Julia from Sometimes Lucid

Amy from Eggs on Sunday

Thank you for all the wonderful blogs out there.