Pringles Multigrain Chips

When it comes to snacking, we are a family that loves to break open a bag of chips to watch a good movie or just to have a little something with our sandwiches for lunch.  Snacking on chips isn’t exactly a way to promote healthy eating and I almost always skip the ones that say multigrain.

I will be the first to admit that I usually pass over the multigrain selections in the chip aisle because I feel like they are lacking in the flavor department or taste a bit like cardboard.  Recently, Pringles and Mom central gave us the opportunity to give Pringles’ new Multigrain chips a try.  I was eager to see if these chips would be something that my chip loving husband and kiddos could tolerate.    We were sent Truly Original, Cheesy Cheddar, and Creamy Ranch flavored Multigrain Pringles and let me tell you that, all three containers were gone within the week!  Not only that, they have a ranch flavor that I love, and for some odd reason ranch flavored chips are hard to find.  So now I have one that I love again, and its healthier too.   The one thing that I found which doesn’t effect the taste at all, was that the chips seem a little thin which seems to make them break more easily.  But they are definitely yummy and everyone here loved them.

Pringles is also part of a really wonderful initiative called U Taste. We Donate.  Supported by celebrity chef, Tyler Florence, the campaign seeks to aid Share Our Strength with its mission to end childhood hunger in America.  For the 17 million children facing hunger in America, every dollar counts, and I believe that no child should go hungry!

Here’s how it works. Enter the UPC code from any Pringles Multigrain product at PringlesMultigrain.com, and Pringles will donate $1 to Share Our Strength through June 30, 2010.  You can choose from any of the three New Pringles Multigrain flavors including, Truly Original, Cheesy Cheddar, and Creamy Ranch.  And to support this new campaign,  Tyler Florence created three unique and incredible recipes to go along with each flavor of Pringles Multigrain – a perfect snacking inspiration.

I cannot think of a better way to have your chips and eat them too.  You will be helping a great cause, eating great food and snacking on yummy multigrain chips from Pringles.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pringles Multigrain and received a tote bag with samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

How Wheat Works Do you know?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Wheat Food Council. All opinions are 100% mine.

We often take for granted how easy it is to serve up a meal, or grab a loaf of bread from the grocery store.  But have you ever delved into the thought process of how our favorite foods are made and brought to our local grocery store?  I was always intrigued by how we get the wheat that makes our bread.  I have driven by many fields of wheat blowing in the wind, but I am totally clueless about how they get it from the field to our table.

There is a really neat site called How Wheat Works that is designed to answer the very question I have.  How Wheat Works is cool online experience that provides a  farm-to-fork education on wheat.  It shows you the amazing transformation from the time the wheat is planted to when it arrives on your plate as bread, or other common foods with wheat.  You will get to plant, harvest, mill and even bake up the product you picked.

And for each person that completes this fun and educational program, The Wheat Foods Council will donate two pounds of flour to OperationHomefront.net. This non-profit organization provides help to needy US troops and their families.  I cannot think of a better incentive to see just How Wheat Works, and in the process of becoming educated, you can help families in need!  They are also extending this wonderful program  to the youth through www.wheatfoods.org. I encourage you to check out How Wheat Works, and this is also a fun way to get kids involved and teach them about where their food comes from.

Holey Donuts Oh My Goodness!

Ok, I will admit that I have weakness for all things sweet and bad for me.  Normally when I hear the words low fat or no fat, that usually means that “tasting good” took the train to neverland and isn’t coming back any time soon.  I have personally tried some of the low fat foods and something just isn’t  right about how they taste.  I remember trying some low fat cookies that tasted more like sweetened rubber than anything remotely akin to a cookie.  If you are going to depress  me by making me eat low fat, at least make it taste worth my while.

And then I won the lottery….

The heavens opened up and the rays of light shone down on me and I heard a voice that said, “you will have your cake (or donuts) and eat it too.”  Well, not exactly, but close and it came in the form of an invitation to try Holey Donuts.  Naturally, I was skeptical, because how good could  low fat donuts really be? I vowed to put my skepticism aside and surrender myself to giving them a try.

The box arrived at my doorstep and I gingerly opened (ok well I tore open) the box.  There before me neatly packed in a cooler with dry ice were three boxes that were completely frozen, that’s right….frozen.  Let me just comment on the packing.  I have had companies in the past send me refrigerated items before and none of them arrived remotely cold, but it is obvious that Holey Donuts is a first class operation all the way.  Packaging and shipping is a little pricey, but it is because they want your donuts to arrive in perfect condition.

I could feel the love emanating from the cooler as I removed each box and put them in the freezer.  I was again skeptical and was questioning how good a frozen solid cinnamon bun could actually be, but the following day would put all my fears aside.  I woke up the next day and suggested to the boys that we have donuts for breakfast.  Everyone was excited, including me. I took out the Reduced Fat Blueberry Vanilla Cinnamon Buns, popped them in the microwave for a few seconds and passed one over to one of my sons and took one for myself.  I didn’t hear much coming from my son, as he was thoroughly enjoying his, and I took my first bite and heard the hallelujah chorus.  How good was it?  Well let’s just say I am going to hide the rest of my stash and anyone who touches them, is in big trouble. The Reduced Fat Blueberry Vanilla Cinnamon Buns are to die for and I cannot believe that there is only a mere 5 grams of fat in this more than ample size Cinnamon Bun.  Compared to Cinnabon which is a whopping 24 grams of fat, this puts them to shame!  I kept rechecking the package for all the calorie information because they tasted so good, I could hardly believe my taste buds.

The Holey Donut Story

Back in 1958, my father was literally one of the first franchisees with what is today the world’s most successful donut chain. Spending my childhood in the back of a donut shop eventually led to me running and owning my own donut shops. Always having a love for donuts, I set out to create a donut like no other; something that would elevate donuts to a new level; something more high-end, more gourmet, and really just the best donut you could make. Then one day, I walked away from the deep fat fryer and began to actually cook my donuts in a different way. Then at first bite, I said “HOLY $#!%, these are really good!” Thus, the name Holey Donuts! read more here.

So, I cannot think of a better way to indulge without feeling guilty. If I had known about Holey donuts a long time ago, I would have been a few pounds lighter and little less depressed about eating something low fat, because these are simply delicious! Now my only worry is having to choose which kind I want to try next. Holey Donuts you are awesome!

HOLEY DONUTS! WOULD LIKE ONE LUCKY READER TO WIN A Holey Donuts! Holiday Pack of

1- Full box of Jumbo Low Fat Cinnamon Buns (4)
1- Full box of Our Awesome Jumbo Low Fat Blueberry Vanilla Buns (4)
1- Full box of Holey Donuts! Low Fat Cinnamon Bun Middles (16)

+$150 Holiday spending cash!

Enter to win by emailing; info@holeydonuts.net. You will need to put the name of our blog DoubleBugs in the subject line in order to enter. Please only enter once!

For a limited time you can Buy 2 and get 1 Free!!  All you have to do is place 3 or more assortments in your shipping cart, then at checkout, enter the code HGLL and click recalculate, and BAM! your 3rd assortment will be free (up to a $11.95 value)!  Offer good until 12/15 2009.

**Holey Donuts sent me three boxes of their product free for my review, the opinions that I have expressed are strictly that of my own**

Hickory Farms and Holiday Traditions

I have almost always love the holidays, not for the hustle and bustle, but for the memories they create.  We have a huge family on  my Mom’s side and I can remember the huge gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I also cannot forget the food that occupied the tables in every corner of my Grandmother’s home.  We are all well fed by the time we left her house.

She always had a spot set up with cheese and crackers and sausage from Hickory Farms and in a tiny dish off to the side those strawberry hard candies that often come in a gift basket from them.  I loved the selection of  summer sausage, and cheeses, and I would always set up a plate as a kid, and stuff a few of the strawberry candies in my pockets.  That wasn’t the last I saw of my favorites because my mom would almost always bring home a Hickory Farms gift basket from the bank where she worked.

Fast forward to today, I still love to stop by the Hickory Farms displays in my local stores and occasionally pick up some of their summer sausage and cheese and set them out for the boys and the family to snack on. Recently, we were sent a wonderful gift basket for our family to try from Hickory Farms in this totally awesome tool bag that will come in handy for my husband to use around the house.  It is a great way to sort of give two gifts at once.  This gift basket came loaded with gouda cheese, mini sausages, crackers, mustard and many other wonderful signature items that Hickory Farms has to offer.  I loved the gouda cheese with the sausage and the boys gobbled it up.  The best way to serve the sausage is cold in my opinion, even though you don’t have too.  Once the packages is open in this house, you won’t have any leftovers.  I cannot think of a better way to add to holiday entertainment or making a classic statement in gift giving.

We loved all of the wonderful things Hickory Farms sent us, and the only thing missing this time around was the strawberry hard candy.  Hickory Farms has been around for as long as I can remember and have always offered a wonderful selection for gifts. It is a perfect gift to give for someone special or when you cannot think of something specific,  Hickory Farms makes gift giving easy.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a Hickory Farms gift basket to facilitate my review.”

Ultimate Party Meatballs A Crowd Pleaser For Any Occasion

It is that time of the year when holiday festivities are about to be in full swing.  Every year my husband and I are invited to at lease several events that involve bringing a favorite appetizer or dish.  If you are a busy mommy like me, my ambitions are usually greater than my energy level in creating some new found masterpiece to bring to a gathering.

Over the weekend we were invited to a football party and it was a “bring a favorite dish” type party, so I found myself thinking about what I should bring. I quickly remembered that I had a new recipe to try, and I had all the ingredients to give it a test.  Heinz and Ocean Spray have teamed up to create a really easy yet great tasting addition to any holiday gathering.  Their Ultimate Party Meatballs recipe takes three ingredients and they taste unbelievable.  If I had known how easy this was all along, I would have been coined the meatball lady at all these parties!

I chose to do the crockpot method of preparation.  All you do is throw in a bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce and Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce, and two sof frozen meatballs and put your crockpot on high for four hours and you are good go.   They smell totally awesome and they taste even better.  I couldn’t stop stealing meatballs from the crockpot,  at least I made a double recipe. They have the perfect combination of salty and sweet tangy zip that make you want to keep coming back.  I came home with just a few lone meatballs left.

Here is the official recipe

If you like a little bit of a kick to your meatballs you can add a dash of tobasco to them to give them a little kick. I refrained from adding it this time because some people might not like the spicy. They were so yummy that I took the last of the meatballs and made a sub out them for my late night snack.

Whether you are heading out to a party this holiday season or if you are looking for something easy to make for an appetizer. Ultimate Party Meatballs by Heinz and Ocean Spray are a perfect addition!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Heinz and Ocean Spray and received the ingredients necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Eating Healthy and Breaking the Bank

I typically make a conscious effort to make relatively healthy meals for the boys.  From day one I had vowed that I would offer them as many fresh fruits and vegetables as I could.  They have developed a love for just about any fresh fruit except cantaloupe, and love just about any vegetables. But, the reality is that, eating healthy is expensive.

What I have found, is that it is getting increasingly difficult to buy fresh produce for us, without literally spending $60 to $100 per week in efforts to get fresh things to prepare. You would honestly think that the cost to buy fresh, would be a little more reasonable than buying all these processed foods. Something in this country is very backwards. If we made the healthier choices more accessible, I would think that insurance costs would go down (less cardiac disease, less diabetes, and cancers). If people had more incentive to eat fresher foods, the benefits to their health are enormous and it might save this nation some money and make insurance more affordable.

I personally think realistically, that we are too far gone in this world of “get it now and convenience” to truthfully go back. When it comes right down to brass tax, we want everything right now, in the fastest manner possible and eating fresher foods just simply requires more time and effort. As a Mom, this isn’t what’s always best but I am also hard pressed to save a buck. It is dizzying to see how many of us spend sometimes hours in the grocery store with stacks full of coupons to feed our families, but I can guarantee none of those coupons offer a dime off of fresh produce. It’s an admitted rush to leave the store with $200 worth of groceries for $100, even though it can live in our pantries for years, is it really all that healthy? It is no wonder why people are unhealthy, they can’t afford to eat whats actually good for them! One of my favorite places to shop is Whole Foods (I love love love this place!), but with the economy and money being tight, I can only make a trip there as a treat rather than a weekly visit.

I am all for indulgence and I certainly don’t deny my kids the occasional chips or cupcake and I even make dinners from a box, but I would love to have a coupon for lettuce, broccoli, and some of the things that their body actually needs. Local grocery stores should make these coupons available and I bet they would draw in more customers. Eating healthy should be rewarded not a financial burden.

Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combinations *review*

Making lunches and finding different ways to make the ordinary interesting for kids is often a task that us moms dread at times.  You often hear about how kids are bartering away their lunches in the school cafeteria in exchange for something they find more exciting.

I was recently given the opportunity to try out Oscar Mayer’s new Lunchable Lunch Combinations.  My husband is a huge fan of the smaller Lunchable packets and he takes them for a snack at work or in the morning.  Even though my boys aren’t in school yet, I can see that this would be a perfect alternative to brown bagging it.

In comparison to an unhealthier choice of fast food or cafeteria foods, this at least offers a source of more rounded nutritional value.  We tried the Ham and American Sub combination and I was surprised at how much was actually in the package.  Included in the package was ham, american cheese, sub bun, mayo,sugar free jello, chewy chips ahoy cookies, water and kool aid drink mix packet.  The only thing that I personally would have liked is that there just be plain water in the meal, regular jello since I am not one to give the kids artificial sweetener, and maybe apple slices in place of the jello or the cookies.  I think it is a great idea especially on days where you are running behind and it makes for a hearty meal.  I think if I were a kid this would be a real treat and you wouldn’t find me trading a single morsel.

You can find Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combinations in your grocer’s refrigerated section next to the packaged lunch meats.  There are six new varieties that include: Turkey + Cheddar Sub Sandwich, Ham + American Sub Sandwich, Turkey + Cheddar Cracker Combos, Ham +American Cracker Combos, Deep Dish Cheese Pizza and Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza.

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Oscar Mayer Lunchables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.**

Mrs Dash Makes Creative Cooking Healthy *Review*

As a stay at home mom, I do a lot of cooking.  Sometimes it isn’t always easy coming up with new ways to make scrambled eggs, or new ideas for that frozen chunk of chicken sitting in your freezer.   I have spent many days just staring into the pantry or fridge wondering what I could whip up for dinner that night.

After awhile you just have to find ways to be creative in preparing the same old chicken breast or steak.  I have spent days where I pounded chicken, breaded it, boiled it, you name it, just to make it interesting.  A few times, it wound up in the trash or I got some “what is this?” look from all members of my family including my twin toddlers.

I am always looking for healthy ways in which to prepare our meals and I usually tend to use a lot of butter or something to compensate for the lack of taste in some of the things I have made.  I have found, that using the right seasoning can make a world of difference when you are preparing a meal.  You can often give chicken a totally different taste based on what seasoning you use.

I recently received a bottle of Mrs Dash Fiesta Lime seasoning and I was more than eager to give it a try.  When I saw that it was Fiesta Lime, I automatically thought of a meal with Mexican flair.  So I cooked up plain old chicken breast and sprinkled a little of this on it.  We made some spanish rice, cut up some fresh tomatoes from the garden, lettuce, and warmed up some soft tortillas.  It gave the chicken a southwest flair and wasn’t overly spicy either.It was delicious and the only thing I added to the chicken was Mrs Dash!  The whole family devoured everything on their plate and my sons were asking for more.

Mrs Dash has no salt or MSG which makes it a nice healthy alternative to overloading your food with sodium and butter.  It was as if I created an entirely new meal and the only thing I added was a different seasoning.  It was a refreshing change from the ordinary yes using familiar ingredients which made meal preparation easy.  Mrs Dash has a whole collection of various seasoning you can try and they aren’t just good on meat.  You can sprinkle a dash here ans there on your salads vegetables and even soups.  It is a great addition to your spice cabinet and can make ordinary meals you have prepared over and over have a new an exciting taste without adding a bunch of unhealthy ingredients.

Thank you to Mom Central and Mrs Dash for sending out a sample for me and my family to try.

Pillsbury Simply Refridgerated Cookies

We love cookies in our house and one of my most favorite snacks has to be chocolate chip cookies and milk. They are the best when they are out of the oven, but I am not always in the mood to go though the whole spiel of making homemade cookie dough.

I have always been a fan of baking and usually steer clear of pre-made cookie dough. I try and make things that have natural ingredients especially when it comes to sweeteners. It seems like so many things these days contain high fructose corn syrup and not just normal sugar. Everything is ok in moderation, even sugar, and it’s actually probably healthier than the modified high fructose used to sweeten just about everything these days.

We were given the chance to try Pillsbury’s new Simply refrigerated cookie dough and the boys and I were very excited to bake them. The new cookies come in two flavors, Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter. They are made with wholesome ingredients like flour, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla and have zero grams trans fat, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors or flavors and no preservatives. They are just “Simply” made with all the good stuff that makes them taste homemade without the mess of making the dough yourself.

I made the cookies with my boys and it was nice to include them. They had fun putting the cookies on the baking sheet to go in the oven. They were very eager to eat the cookies, so they were really excited to see that they were done in just about 13 minutes. The chocolate chip cookies were so good and we polished a dozen cookies off by the end of the day between the four of us. The next batch I make, I think I will have to hide them. Pillsbury Simply cookies taste just like homemade without the mess, so I will definitely keep a couple packages on had for those sweet tooth cravings.

Thank you to My Blog Spark for giving us this wonderful opportunity to try Pillsbury Simply Cookies!

Would you like to try Simply cookies for yourself? DoubleBugs and My Blog Spark are giving readers a chance to win a fabulous prize pack that includes A coupon for free Simply cookies, a cookie jar to put these wonderful cookies in, a notepad for your grocery list, and a reusable canvas tote (perfect for your grocery shopping trip to get your cookies).

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!

Pillsbury is also offering a coupon for $1.25 off Simply cookies if you “simply” must try some now!

Here’s What You Gotta Do!

Tell me a way in which you simplify cooking or your everyday life and leave me a comment about it

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*winners chosen via random.org*

Wendy’s Boneless Wings

As a busy mom to twins I don’t always necessarily want to cook three meals a day, 7 days a week.  You tend to get burned out really fast.  For me it is a treat when my husband brings me home something, or makes a late night run, or when we can all just grab something that doesn’t require me standing in the kitchen.

One of my favorite things to eat are chicken wings, but the worst part about them, is the fact that they are all bone and not enough of the good stuff and tend to be rather messy.  I like mine a little on the hot and spicy side but I also love  barbeque wings as well.  To my surprise, Wendy’s now has new boneless chicken wings.  Made with 100% whole chicken breast,  hand tossed in one of three sophisticated flavors: Bold Buffalo, Honey BBQ, and Sweet & Spicy Asian Chicken you are sure to find one that you will love.  We really enjoy going to Wendy’s especially for their Frosty’s in the Summer, and I love the fact that you can get more than just a plain burger when you go.

In addition to a great menu, I also feel like Wendy’s offers a healthier selection of food.  I can’t wait to try their new Boneless Chicken Wings!  I might be sending my poor husband on more late night runs to Wendy’s.  You gotta love cravings!  You are sure to find something to please all members of the family, and it is a great way to give Mom a break from the kitchen to let the whole family indulge in something they all love.

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog and giveaway campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Wendy’s and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.**

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