Ben And Jerry’s July Is national Ice Cream Month *pint a day giveaway!*

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream month???  I don’t know about you, but I love ice cream.  Ice cream is a comfort food that I love most in the Summer time, and when you are having a blah day it is always nice to snuggle up to your favorite pint.  Well, not exactly snuggle, but a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a spoon in hand is sure to bring a smile to your face!  When I head to the store, I always find myself staring into the ice cream case at all the different Ben and Jerry’s flavors and I can almost never pick out one flavor because something new always catches my eye.

National Ice Cream Month is celebrated by the US every July. This month was designated as national ice cream month by Ronald Reagan  in 1984. He also appointed the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day Reagan recognized the popularity of ice cream in the United States (90% of the nation’s population consumes ice cream) and stated that these two events should be observed with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Unfortunately, many people do not even know that America even has a National Ice Cream Month.

Some of my most favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors include the ever popular Cherry Garcia, Karamel Sutra, and my newest favorite and one of their newest editions Mission to Marzipan (let me wipe the drool from my keyboard).  Let’s face it you can’t just buy one pint and head home, you at lest have to get a few days worth or even a week’s worth so you don’t have to pout when you polish off a pint while watching a sappy love story, or you have had a stressful day, or just because you gotta have it.  At least you know you always have more!

I don’t know how they do it but they manage to pack the right amount of stuff into that little pint, that make your taste buds do a little dance, and make your happy endorphins go crazy.  I don’t know how they make the caramel in Karamel Sutra stay perfectly gooey in the middle but I do know that their ice cream is one of the best in my opinion!

Here at DoubleBugs, I decided that it would be fun to celebrate National Ice Cream Month and my love of Ben and Jerry’s.  We (Ben and Jerry’s and I) came up with a fab giveaway to make your mouth water and keep your freezer stocked with Ben and Jerry’s!

We will be giving away one pint a day for the month of July.  3 Lucky Winners will win a 7 day supply of Ben and Jerry’s (one pint for every day of the week), and a Fourth Grand Prize winner will win (10 pints of Ben and Jerry’s and few extra goodies too!).

I know, I know, you are gleaming with excitement!  But we are gonna make you do a little work for your ice cream.  Don’t worry we won’t ask you to sell your soul but you might consider it, since it is Ben and Jerry’s HA!

So here is the scoop (get it? scoop?) Ok, I’ll quit with the cheesy jokes.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

This is what you gotta do

(read carefully!!! You wouldn’t  want to lose out on a few pints)

You Can visit their site for inspiration

*For Main Entry into this Fab Giveaway, You Must Do One of The Following*

1.) Come up with your own poem about Ben and Jerrys (50 words or less) Your own ode to the pint so to speak

2.) Come up with a recipe using your favorite Ben and Jerry’s flavors

3.) Do a little dance, go crazy, make a video or send us your pictures of you enjoying your favorite Ben and Jerry’s (you can post me a link to them)

4.) Create a new ben and Jerry’s Flavor that you think you might like to see

5.) Do a little bit of everything above

Grand Prize winner will be selected based on the most creativity!!! So the more you do the better your chances! We want you to have fun with it!

***For Additional Entries(please post a separate comment for each additional entry)***

Grab the Ben and Jerry’s Giveaway Button and post it everywhere to share the love! Please provide me a link to your site  (3 entries gained when you post this)

Tweet about this Fab Giveaway

Blog about it tell people not to forget to grab the Ben and Jerry’s button to share with all their friends (please provide the link to your post) (3 entries gained).

Add me to Your Technorati Favorites

Subscribe to my blog

Contest Starts July 1, 2009 and Ends July 31, 2009

Good Luck!!!!

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Pure Indulgence Without The Guilt

With the weather warming up we spend a lot of time outdoors as a family.  One thing that I love about summer and remember as a child was the local ice cream truck that came through the neighborhood.  So, I have always associated the warmer weather with ice cream and who doesn’t love ice cream?

Nowadays when I have ice cream, I always feel like I am over indulging, and most ice cream is high in sugars and fat, so if you just look at the container it seems like you can gain five pounds.  Until recently, I had never tried any low fat ice cream, simply because I figured that it would be rather tasteless as most fat free things can be.  They either taste horrible or have no taste at all.  Thanks to Mom Central, I got the chance to try Skinny Cow ice cream.   I had always seen it in the store but just assumed it wouldn’t taste that great.

Skinny Cow’s low-fat ice cream sandwiches are a great way to enjoy ice cream as part of a healthy lifestyle. Each ice cream sandwich only has 150 calories and 2 grams of fat,so you don’t have to feel guilty about when reaching into the freezer for a snack. The light and creamy frozen treats come in seven different flavors, including cookies ‘n cream, chocolate peanut butter, and mint.   These sandwiches taste anything but low fat, and I love them!

So if you are looking to enjoy an ice cream with your kids without feeling like you have to skimp, Skinny Cow is definitely a healthier alternative and it tastes like you are getting a real treat.  I tried out the Truffle Bars as well, and I wound up hiding the box in the freezer so I could have them all to myself!  Thank you Mom Central for this wonderful opportunity!

Macaroni Grill Meals Made Easy Review and Giveaway

We are huge fans of pasta and Italian dishes of any kind in our house.  I love to cook  in general and I love trying new things.    We were recently given the opportunity to try Romano’s Macaroni Grill Favorites, courtesy of My Blog Spark.  Not only was I excited to try these new meals, but I am a huge fan of Macaroni Grill Restaurant, so if it tasted anything like what I bought at the restaurant then I am a happy camper.

I must admit I have never been a huge fan of meals in a box but I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised!  We tried the Creamy Basil Dinner, and all you have to do is add chicken and a little milk.  The meal was extremely easy to prepare and took about 20-25 minutes to make.

The boys completely finished their plates and were saying “mommy more pastas please.”  So, for them this was a big hit.  Toddlers can be some of the pickiest eaters around, and I think they tend to get bored with the same things, so this adds a little variety and they loved it.  The only thing is that I would have to prepare two boxes to feed out family of four, but other than that it was delicious.

The dinner kits include everything needed to create a high-quality meal in one box including premium ingredients such as such as vine-ripened tomatoes, select cooking wines, specialty herbs and 100% semolina pasta. All you have to do is add one pound of chicken or your choice of proteins such as shrimp or Italian sausage. Varieties of Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites dinner kits include Garlic & Herb Chicken Penne, Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta, Chicken Alfredo with Linguine and Chicken Marsala with Linguine.

I have only tried the Creamy Basil so far and I am very eager to try the others, because if they are anything like the first, then I will have 3 more easy meals to prepare.  It helps to take the guess work out of what’s for dinner and makes it easy when you have had a really long day, or you just want something that is quick.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

Would You Like to Try Macaroni Grill Favorites?

DoubleBugs and My Blog Spark are giving away What’s For Dinner Gift Baskets to 3 lucky readers.

Gift Basket Includes

Sample of the Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken Pasta variety

Three coupons for you to try the other varieties the next time you visit your local grocer,

A Colander

Serving spoon

Cheese grater.

Here’s What You Have to Do To Enter

How to Enter

1.  Visit restaurantfavoritesathome.com and tell me which other Romano’s Macaroni Grill flavor you think you would enjoy.  You can also print out a $1 coupon on this site.

2.  Subscribe to my blog vis RSS or Email, then leave me a comment to tell me you have done so.  If you are already a subscriber, leave a comment to let me know.

For Additional Entries ( Leave a separate Comment for each additional entry)

1.  Add Me To Twitter

2.  Add my blog to your Technorati Favorites

3.  Tweet About This Giveaway

4. Blog About This Giveaway

I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.

You can enter anytime now through June 8, 2009 at 11 PM EDT. Three winners will be selected at random. I will contact the winners by email shortly after the giveaway ends, and the winners will have 48 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within that time frame, an alternate winner will be announced.  Open to US residents. Must be over 18 years of age.  Void where prohibited.

Bob Evans Has A New Look!

Bob Evans has taken their store and restaurant favorites and built a new home online to make the Bob Evans experience even better. A new store locator, menu information, and a special kids section make the site even better than ever!

Bob Evans has always been one of my favorite places to go for breakfast.  The best part about getting breakfast is that you can order it at any time of the day.  There isn’t anything better than breakfast for dinner in  my opinion.  Bob Evans has always been known for their wonderful home cooked style meals and the prices are great too.  As a family of four now, my husband and I, almost cringe at the cost for all of us to eat at a restaurant these days.  We love heading to Bob Evans however, because we can all eat at around $30 for the entire family.  This is so wonderful, especially during this economy, and we can all feel like we get a chance to go out.

They also have a newly revamped online site where you can go to get tasty recipes each with a mouthwatering picture and even coupons to help you make a culinary masterpiece.  There is a little something for everyone including the kiddos!  They have fun online activities as well as, a Kid’s Club where they can sign up to receive a free kid’s meal for their birthday!  It’s very easy to navigate and it offers information on their full line of products available at the grocery store, their restaurant menu, store locations, and much more.

With Bob Evans you will almost never be at a loss for knowing what there is to eat.  You can try a new recipe, try one of their yummy products like their sausage, or side dishes, or head up the road to your local Bob Evans restaurant and enjoy a wonderful home cooked meal in a warm and homelike environment.  The possibilities are endless whether you have a big family to feed, you are on the run, or you just want to keep it simple. I love having all the choices and especially at the grocery store too!  There is something that is sure to please.

This Contest Is Now Closed

Would you like to try some wonderful Bob Evans products from your local grocery for free?

DoubleBugs and Bob Evans would like to give readers the chance to win 5 free frozen product coupons valued at $5.00 each to one lucky winner!

Here’s What You Gotta Do!

Visit the Bob Evans site and let me know what you like about the new site

For Additional Entries

• Tweet about this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog
• For 5 additional entries blog about this contest link to me and Bob Evans in your post and leave me the link
• Add my button to your blog

Contest Starts May 12, 2009 and Ends June 1, 2009

Good Luck!!!

Edible Gifts Plus Review and Giveaway

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and if you are like me, I am always thinking of something that is different or original. for gifts.  When I think of Mother’s Day, it is a special time where you get to honor Mom and give her a day that belongs only to her.  I enjoy the simple things, like a clean house, not having to cook, and maybe something to indulge in.  These are the things that I think of.

A delightful package showed up at our doorstep over the weekend from Edible Gifts Plus.  I was so excited to receive this special box of goodies to try.  I’ll have to admit that I went and hid while opening the box, otherwise I would have to share.  I am all about sharing, but these treats were all mine!  I received a few samples of some really yummy things like chocolate dipped rice krispie treats, and chocolate covered fortune cookies just to name a few.  Everything Edible Gifts Plus has to offer makes it very hard to choose, because I wanted just about everything I saw!

Even more special than all the wonderful things on the site is how it all got started.  Owner Margo Rappel started her confectionery  about 1 1/2 years ago.    Margo is a single mother with three children and single handedly runs all aspects of Edible Gifts Plus including product buying, website production, order processing and customer service.  Margo credits the success of Edible Gifts Plus to her “above and beyond” customer service philosophy and offering customers many delicious ways to make an impact with a personalized gift without breaking the bank.

In her own words “Edible Gifts PLUS is the result of years of party planning, research, and lots of delicious sampling!!  It is this experience and lifestyle that has enabled me to arrive at this business.  My enthusiasm for this special collection of cookies, chocolates, dipped fruits, pretzels, popcorn, and so much more is evident with each and every customer. “

Everything we received was so wonderful and decorated so pretty that it just gives it that personal touch and would be a perfect thing to give as a special gift for Mother’s Day, or for any special occasion where you want to make a statement.

Would you  like to give some of these tasty treats a try?

Edible Gifts Plus and DoubleBugs would like to give you a chance to win a $40 gift certificate to buy some of these tasty treats of your very own. Also, if you just can’t wait you can use the coupon code doublebugs10 for 10% off your purchase!

Here’s What You Gotta Do!

Mandatory

Visit Edible Gifts Plus and come back here and leave a comment on what you might like from their site and who you would give it to.

*For additional entries

Tweet about this contest

Blog about this contest

Put my button up on your sidebar

Subscribe to my blog

Contest Starts April 30, 2009 and Ends May 14, 2009

Good Luck!!!

Dole Make Me A Chef

We are huge fans of Dole products in our house, and we almost always have their pineapple on hand in the fridge and in the pantry.  My husband likes to eat his straight out of the can and cold and I like to cook with it!  My most favorite things to do is to put it on my baked hams, and on my pizza.  I know that it isn’t the most creative but it adds a whole lot of flavor and the boys gobble it up.

About Dole Make Me A Chef Contest

Win the chance to cook alongside acclaimed chef, Ben Ford. Ben has created four signature recipes with DOLE Canned Fruit and wants to share his culinary tips with you and three of your friends at his latest hot restaurant in Los Angeles. Enter your short essay and you could win a beautiful weekend in Los Angeles in June cooking and sharing a feast with Ben Ford!

How To Enter

During the Promotion Period, visit http://www.dolemakemeachef.com and  complete the free registration and submit your essay in 200 words or less telling them why Dole is a staple in your pantry.

You can also win daily with giveaways of $100 worth of dole to stock your pantry, or one of 2 $500 Visa cards just by logging in each day or passing on the word about this great contest by referring your friends.

Would you like to win $25 worth of Dole to stock your pantry???

Visit  www.DoleMakeMeAChef.com to get new recipe ideas from celeb chef Ben Ford.  Come back here and comment which recipe is your most favorite.  For 5 additional entries head over to DoleMakeMeAChef and submit an essay and come back here and post an excerpt from it as well.  You can then enter 4 additional comments

For More Entries

• Twitter about this contest
• Put my button on your blog
• Blog about this contest
• Subscribe to my Feed
• Add Me to Twitter

Contest ends April 30, 2009

Winner will be chosen via Random.org

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Pillsbury Bake Off Means Time To Get Creative

Are you a creative mastermind in the kitchen?  Have you surprised yourself when you accidentally combined a few extra ingredients?  Well now is your time to shine and who couldn’t  use, ohhh let’s say, one million dollars? Pillsbury is giving you that chance.

Pillbury Bake Off History

In 1949, the Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest began as the “Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest,” set in the elegance of New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. To celebrate Pillsbury’s 80th birthday, executives at the company’s advertising agency created the contest and invited homemakers to share their treasured recipes. Response was so great that Pillsbury decided to hold it again the following year, and the year after that, until it became an institution.

A New Name is Coined
Almost immediately, the media dubbed the Grand National the “Bake-Off®” Contest. The name fit so well that Pillsbury adopted it as the contest’s official name. And the rest is history–60 years of American cooking and baking.

This is last years winner

Pillsbury is looking for original recipes that taste and look delicious, are easy to prepare and that families across America will love to eat. There are four recipe categories – Breakfast & Brunches, Entertaining Appetizers, Dinner Made Easy and Sweet Treats.

It’s time to get creative in the kitchen for your chance at a million! One hundred finalists will win a trip to the finals, April 11 – 13, 2010, at the Waldorf-Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek hotel in Florida.

Entries are being accepted online between now and April 20th, 2009, at www.bakeoff.com. You’ll also find contest details, including eligible products, prizes and the official rules, at the web site.

Now Get Cooking!!

Somebody’s Mothers Chocolate Sauce

I am definitely a chocolate lover, but who isn’t?   Id probably have chocolate with every meal if you let me, but that isn’t very good for the waistline, but great for releasing the happy joy endorphins.   I am always on a quest to find some of the most divine chocolate creations on the market, when someone suggested I try Somebody’s Mother’s Chocolate sauce and they were nice enough to send over their Chocolate Sauce, White Chocolate Sauce, and Caramel Sauce which I have now strategically hidden in the refrigerator

About Somebody’s Mother’s

When Somebody’s Mother’s three children were little, Somebody’s Mother hoped that their summer lemonade stands, which focused on advertising, cash flow and customer service, in addition to flipping quarters, would awaken in them an interest in business so that one day they might actually support themselves. Two of the three are now in college studying…acting.

In April 2005, Somebody’s Mother and her children launched a company in order to produce and sell a really great chocolate sauce (made often over the years at home by Somebody’s Mother’s Mother) which can be eaten warm over ice cream, at room temperature fastened to fruit, or cold straight out of the jar. What began as a grown up lemonade stand has become a nearly booming business.

We had planned this past weekend to have a bit of an ice cream social in our house, and the boys were very excited to get ice cream.   My husband said since I twisted his arm, that he would love a sampling as well.   So I scooped up the ice cream, drizzled it with Somebody’s Mothers Chocolate and Caramel Sauces and added a few colorful sprinkles, and I didn’t hear a peep out of anyone.  Meanwhile I am hanging over the jar with a spoon of the chocolate sauce in my mouth.

The sauce has no preservatives and is just plain chocolate, which I love.   There isn’t anything that you cannot pronounce in the ingredient list.  You can eat the chocolate cold or hot, and I’m pretty content with a spoonful of it either way.   The boys bowls were cleaned, and faces were messy which is a pretty good indicator that this is some of the best stuff around!  In the afternoon after a particularly stressful day a bowl of Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream with Somebody’s Mother’s Chocolate sauce is an instant stress reliever.

For Stress Relief

You can serve this chocolate sauce over just about anything, dip your strawberries, dip your spoons, over ice cream, over brownies.  The white chocolate sauce is divine over baked pears with cinnamon.  The possibilities are endless.

You can also check out their new gift boxes, a perfect anytime gift or even better, Mother’s Day is coming up and Somebody’s Mother’s would make a perfect gift!

Dole Fruit Parfaits Review

My two just love fresh fruit of just about any kind.   They are huge fans of anything that they can hold in their little hands, and sort of have their own personal snack because sharing with your twin brother is a difficult thing to do.

We received a few packages of Dole’s Fruit Parfaits to try, and let me just tell you, that there aren’t any left in the house! Dole Fruit Parfaits are a perfect combination of fresh fruit with a layer of light creme.  They are just the right size for a snack or to put in your child’s lunches, and offer a healthier alternative to sugary snacks.  If I am craving something sweet, this has just enough to satisfy that craving without overdoing it.  Dole Fruit Parfaits are also excellent in the winter months when some of the seasonal fruits are a little more scarce.   Both of my boys ate these with great relish and the Peaches and Creme Parfait was their absolute favorite flavor.

For me, I like the fact that they are convenient, and an easy snack when things are hectic.   It is always nice to just have something relatively quick and healthy on hand.  They are just the right size for little hands to hold on to, and a perfect treat for kids, because they think they are getting something special.  We will definitely be keeping a stash of these in the fridge.

You can find Dole Fruit Parfaits in your grocery store usually with all the canned fruits and jarred applesauce.  They don’t need to be refrigerated so you can store them in the pantry until you are ready to eat them.  We like ours really cold but you don’t have to refrigerate them.

Dole is also running a really great contest Called The Dole Fruit Parfait Sweet Retreat Contest!

Here is how the “DOLE Fruit Parfait Sweet Retreat Contest” works:

From now until March 14, 2009, take a picture of your DOLE Parfait Moment at home, at work, at play, with your friends or on-the-go.  Upload your photo and caption to www.DoleSweetRetreat.com.  A panel of judges will choose the best picture in each category.
The Grand Prize is a three day/ two night luxury Spa Retreat Getaway for two at the 27-acre Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, AZ., set amidst flowering cactus and framed against the majestic McDowell Mountains.  Here, breathtaking desert vistas blend with intriguing Native American culture and pampering amenities. The prize includes airfare, accommodations, $500 gift certificate to the Avania Spa, a one-of-a-kind, holistic, total-immersion experience that is synchronized with the body’s changing rhythms and requirements. Also included in the prize is a $750 VISA gift card to cover your meals and other hotel amenities you feel like taking advantage of including, championship golf, water playground or tennis.

Five First Prize winners will receive a Homedics Personal Massage Lounger valued at $100 to have a relaxing moment anytime in their home.
It is just that simple, and best of all you get to enjoy a fruit parfait while dreaming of a luxury resort getaway.  Just picture yourself after a long stressful week relaxing to a massage with beautiful scenery, this every mom’s dream.

Chocolate Some of My Favorites

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and even though my hips really don’t need the chocolate, I would really like something fancy from my dear husband.  I’m not sure where I was, when I ran across the Godiva website where I saw these heart shaped chocolates and I was already drooling.

So I started thinking of my absolute favorite chocolates and thought I would share them with you.

Hershey’s chocolate bar with almonds–  This is a childhood favorite and I love just about any kind of nuts and chocolate except walnuts.

Almond Joy–  I never have been a fan of coconut but for some reason this is a favorite of mine.

Dove Raspberry Caramels–  OMG these are to die for, you will have to take the bag away from me.

Ghirardelli Caramel Choc Bar–  I like mine out of the refridgerator

Lindt-Excellence Toffee Crunch Bar (ok this is my ultimate, better not touch it or ill get you)  This is the best tasting chocolate bar and their Double Crisp bar is just as good but I love the Toffee

M&M’s–  I love these things with a glass of milk and almost any chocolate I eat I grab a glass of milk.

Godiva–  Well what girl doesn’t love Godiva?   I don’t have it very often because I can’t afford it, but feel like I am really getting pampered when I get Godiva.

What are your favorites???

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