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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Arla Dofino: As Gouda as it Gets.

BzzAgent gave me the opportunity to try out Arla Dofino cheese. I do so love cheese..it made me smile.


After much deliberation (and stomach rumbling), I chose Gouda.


I pondered all the usual uses, and then my husband suggested fondue. But can you make fondue with Gouda cheese?

Yes, you can.


Creamy, rich and delicious...A testament to the fresh taste that is Arla Dofino cheese. Want your own? The recipe is below.


print recipe

Gouda Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup white moscato wine
  • 8 oz, shredded Gouda cheese
  • 1 TBS cornstarch
  • dash black pepper
  • 1 loaf French bread, toasted and cut in strips
  • Assorted fresh vegetables
Instructions
1. Prep a fondue pot or small crockpot. 
2. Pour wine and garlic into medium saucepan. 
3. Simmer for about five minutes to infuse the garlic, stirring often. 
4. Toss the cheese and cornstarch in a bowl until evenly combined. 
5. Reduce the heat under the wine/garlic mixture and add the cheese mixture. Stir continuously until smooth. 6. Stir in pepper. 
7. Warm fondue pot and pour in. Serve with bread strips and fresh veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot sticks. Cubes of ham are also good.

I received products from BzzAgent for testing and review purposes. My opinions are my own.

Gleam By Melanie Mills - My Time to Shine.

So I was given the opportunity to try out a cool makeup product from Gleam By Melanie Mills: Body Radiance in Light Gold.

Look how cool.

 

 A bit of background: Melanie Mills is one of Hollywood’s leading style-makers and beauty consultants, known for her glamorous flair, supreme talent, and vivacious personality. In 2007, Melanie was selected as the Makeup Department Head for ABC television’s global phenomenon “Dancing with the Stars,” where she defined the look of the series and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup Design in 2008.

So what is Body Radiance? It's defined on the website as "the go-to professional face and body makeup that transforms skin into a perfect velvet canvas, hiding imperfections and improving overall skin texture." In short, it's a lot of different coolness situations in one little tube.

I decided to start with the body makeup test. I apologize in advance for making you look at my leg. This is before...note the blotches, fine veins, and other unattractiveness.


And this is after. Pretty darned close to a "perfect velvet canvas", in my opinion. The skin texture can't be felt through a pic, but it was incredibly smooth...and we're talking dry as a bone legs here to start with...more canvas than velvet, for sure.


No photo tricks here. Same light, same background, same leg. It added a faint golden glow, too, and a little sheen. Another cool aspect? Look at this.


What the heck is that? It's the inside of my pants leg two hours later. No transfer. Body Radiance doesn't rub off at all, even though I walked, ran and sat. It came off easily with my regular body wash, though.

I also gave it a whirl on my face. Here's the before:


And after. HUGE difference. Again, same light, no photo fixing.


It feels really light, and I didn't find it irritating at all. It also made a great primer for my other makeup...I didn't have to touch it up at all. It's a moisturizer as well, so you're actually doing your skin a favor when you use it. It's not full coverage...as you can see, my pimples are still visible, but it really takes care of the major issues. It matched my skin tone perfectly, and that's unusual.

Oh, and if you're worried about ingredients, don't be.  Their Facebook page clears that right up:

• NO animal testing or products
• NO sulfates
• NO parabens
• NO harsh ingredients
• NO phthalates
• NO GMOs
• NO petroleum products

I think this is a wonderful multi-use product that makes glamor easy even for everyday, and I'll be very interested in seeing what else it can do.
I received a free product from Gleam by Melanie Mills for testing and review purposes. My opinions and terrible skin tone are my own.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Fast Acting Advil® Film-Coated: Just When You Think it Can't Get Better...

I'm an Advil fan, so when Crowdtap gave me the chance to try their latest innovation as part of the Fast Advil Fanatics, I was so on it. Or it was on me.


I get headaches all the time, ranging from a mild twinge in the temples to full-blown migraines. I need speed relief to keep going. Fast-Acting Advil Film-Coated contains a fast-absorbing Ion Core and a thin-quick-dissolving shell that claims to do just that. Take a peek.


They feel a bit lighter to the touch, and the coating is more matte. As for the effect, it really does work faster. I usually feel relief after about twenty minutes after taking medication, but within twelve minutes, it had kicked in completely. Others may vary, but that was my experience, and a welcome one. Grab this up pronto if you hate pain. For real.

I received samples from Crowdtap for testing and review purposes. My opinions and results are my own.


Monday, October 20, 2014

Fanny Foozle Review and Giveaway, Hosted by It's a Mom Thing Reviews and More!

If for no other  reason, you gotta enter this giveaway just to say Fanny Foozle. It's so giggle-worthy.

*This is a promotional post for Fanny Foozle. They are sponsoring the post and the giveaway!*


If you are a parent of a preschooler and haven't heard of Fanny Foozle you are missing out! Fanny Foozle apps are geared toward children between the ages of three and six. There are three different apps based around Fanny Foozle Fanny Foozle fun, Fanny Foozle Pop, and the Fanny Foozle ebook available on iTunes! Fanny Foozle lives in the town of Flamboozle with her parents, her dog Foodle Dog Sam, and her best friends Fenelope and Dumple! Her adventures in Flamboozle help kids prepare for daily challenges while promoting physical activity through bouncing, hopping, and dancing! These apps are perfect for any parent of a preschooler! You can download the ebook, the Fanny Foozle fun app, and the Fanny Foozle Pop game for free in the iTunes store. The ebook is also available in the Android and Kindle store.

To download for iTunes visit the links below!
Download the Fanny Foozle Ebook HERE!
Download the Fanny Foozle Fun app HERE!
Download the Fanny Foozle Pop app HERE
To download the ebook for Google Play visit HERE!
To download the ebook for Kindle visit HERE!

Enter to win a copy of the
Fanny Foozle Book! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit Fanny Foozle's Website HERE!

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Limited Edition Wii U Holiday Giveaway, Hosted by Saving My Sanity!

People you GOTTA get in on this one. I know my entries are going right in. Wii U. With Mario. Enough said.

Brought to you by Saving My Sanity!

As the Holidays approach, I wanted to be able to Give my fans a chance to win a great little prize for the whole family. This Limited edition Wii U was sponsored by McDonalds, and I am giving it away to one lucky fan this Holiday season.



This Limited edition Wii U comes with the system plus two games, and will make someone very happy on Christmas morning.  Easy rafflecopter entry below:
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, October 17, 2014

Ragu: Mastering the Sauce for a #NewTraDish!

My latest free escapade from Crowdtap takes me into very familiar territory...Ragu sauces.

My kids live for Ragu spaghetti sauce, In fact, when I make my own homemade, it's only acceptable if it tastes like Ragu...or close enough. This challenge was to take that comfort food standard and give it a different spin...shake things up, and not just the jar to get every bit out.

For my gratis sauce, I chose the Cheese Creations Double Cheddar:


It's good stuff, by the way. I totally didn't lick any off the jar. Okay, I did. Anyway...

I pondered and then looked at what I had in the pantry, and a Chopped moment later, this was the result: Tricolor Cheesy Rotini with Smoked Sausage and Broccoli.


It's really, really good. Hearty and filling, with that great cheesy comfort-food feel.


Very simple to make. Cook the pasta, slice and brown the sausage, toss it and some thawed and drained frozen broccoli into a skillet with the pasta, and mix in the cheese sauce. Simmer until hot, and go to it.

Considering my kid's addiction to the Traditional red sauce, I had to come up with at least one idea starring that. Again consulting my pantry, I found lasagna noodles. Of course, no ricotta, so lasagna was out. I did spot recipes for a rollup version and thought, to heck with the ricotta, I'm going super basic.

My ricotta-free Ragu Roll-Ups were the result.



Again, very simple. Cook the lasagna noodles. Brown a pound of ground beef, and mix in Ragu Old World Style Traditional Sauce. Some people like it really meaty, some not, so this is a matter of taste. Spread sauce on the noodle. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top (I used a blend of Mozzarella and Jack). Roll it up and put in pan, seam side down. Top with more sauce and cheese, bake at 350 until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly, about 20 minutes. Great way to use up leftover lasagna noodles.

Both dishes were very much appreciated by my family, so I believe I will seek further inspiration...and deliciousness.

I received free products from Crowdtap for testing and review purposes. My opinions and somewhat cheesy persona are my own.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Kidfresh: How to Hide Veggies and Make Kids Smile.

Moms Meet recently gave me the opportunity to share Kidfresh Frozen Meals with my mom group. It was a very welcome opportunity, as I am ALWAYS looking for frozen meals that I can feel good about serving.


I chose the Wagon Wheel Mac + Cheese, the Rainbow Rice and Chicken, the Totally Twisted Pasta + Meatballs, and I got three boxes of the Super Duper Chicken Nuggets, because I knew they would be popular.

So what's so cool about Kidfresh? 100% Natural ingredients. Non-GMO ingredients. BPA-free tray and green packaging. And the best bit: they hide veggies in all of them. Yes, even in the chicken nuggets. There's cauliflower in there. For real. 

Speaking of the the Mac + Cheese...here's something you don't see every day in frozen mac and cheese...Actual visible cheese. Check it:

 

A tote was sent, and I used it to improv a light decor. Don't worry, it came right back down unharmed after.


Then to set up the table.., complete with sampling cups and coupons. My son was the guide.




People dove right in. Caught on camera, a teenager eating veggies!


I made sure there was an assortment of dipping sauces for the chicken nuggets. The writing on the cups is a food color based marker...safe, and wipes right off.

 
They are all super tasty, too. The nuggets were the most popular, and were wiped out quickly. There is no way you could tell there were veggies in there. The Mac + Cheese was the next up favorite. Carrots in it. Seriously. No clue from the taste.

The kids weren't as on board with the rice and Twisted Pasta...the texture of the rice bugged them, and the Twisted Pasta apparently had a sweeter flavor than they were used to. The parents raved about those two, though...said that they would buy them for themselves as the perfect portion controlled lunch option.They picked the Rainbow Rice as their number one. I liked it myself, but I'm sold on those Chicken Nuggets as my fave.

Everyone left with coupons, and I let them know that I had found them at the local Harris Teeter. One woman said she was leaving to go shopping, and would pick some up right away. Her son was happy to hear that.

I received products from Moms Meet for testing and sharing purposes. My opinions are my own.

The Sweet'N Low Recipe Contest: It's ON. #TeamSweetNLow #Sponsored

I'm a member of Crowdtap, and along with the many benefits of membership, I am offered challenges, and opportunities to win. The latest, from Sweet'N Low, is a recipe challenge, which I love.

We were required to come up with an original recipe using Sweet'N Low, which is tricky. Not because I can't make up a recipe, because that's how I roll all the time, but I usually don't measure, so passing it on can be difficult. However....I rose to the challenge. Here they are... My Sweet'N Low Applesauce Bars.


They're healthier, because I cut the sugar with Sweet'N Low and the fat with applesauce.  They're firm enough to  be hand food, but still has a nice, cakelike texture. There's no sweetener taste, either...just a nice spice flavor. 

Recipe? Here ya go.

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup sugar 
2 tbs Sweet'N Low (24 packets) 
1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda 
1 and 1/2 tsp salt 
1/4 tsp baking powder 
1 and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
1/2 tsp cloves 
1 and 3/4 cups unsweetened applesauce 
1/2 cup water 
1/4 cup (4tbs) butter, softened 
2 eggs

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour oblong cake pan, 13x9x2 size. Mix all ingredients together until completely blended. Pour into pan. 

Bake until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cut into bars. Indulge without guilt. Go go go!


Sunday, October 12, 2014

New GoPro Cameras at Best Buy: Be Ready for Those Can't-Get-Back Moments!

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All images are courtesy of Best Buy.

We've all been there...wanting to capture an exciting moment or a fantastic event and keep it forever, whether it's the ultimate selfie, an important milestone, the scenery flying by, or all of the above.


It either takes a photographic memory, or the right photographic equipment. The memory is a matter of genetics and is difficult to share on social media, but I can give you the 411 on where to get the equipment.

Best Buy is the home of the latest cameras and camcorders, including the full line of new GoPro cameras, plus a broad assortment of accessories. GoPro cameras make perfect holiday gifts for everyone, from kids and teens, to gadget gurus. GoPro’s new line of cameras allow you to beautifully and authentically capture and share the experiences that bring purpose, adventure, and joy to your life.

What's a GoPro? It's the line of photographic equipment that will be there to nail down that moment for posterity in even the wildest situation. Like this, for instance:


Don't want to miss out on all the action? The GoPro line has fabulous accessories to keep you in the game, from a large range of mounts to remote controls. Yes, remote controls for your camera. I would have WAY too much fun with that.

Well, that sounds fun, I know, but I'm sure it's the cameras you really want to hear about. Let me toss you some specs!

I'll start with the GoPro HERO4 Black.

 

The most advanced GoPro ever, featuring improved image quality and a 2x more powerful processor with 2x faster video frame rates1, HERO4 Black takes award‐winning GoPro performance to a whole new level.

 Next, if you prefer shinier things, The GoPro HERO4 Silver.

 

The first-ever GoPro to feature a built-in touch display. Controlling The camera, playing back footage and adjusting settings is ultra-convenient—just view, tap and swipe the screen. With 1080p60 and 720p120 video, and 12MP photos at a staggering 30 frames per second, HERO4 Silver combines powerful, pro-quality capture with the convenience of a touch display.

Last but not least, the GoPro HERO.


Featuring high‐quality 1080p30 and 720p60 video, and 5MP photos up to 5 fps, HERO captures the same immersive footage that’s made GoPro one of the best-selling cameras in the world, featuring a 12x more powerful processor, with 2x faster video frame rates.

Sounds good to you? Check out www.bestbuy.com/GoPro or visit your local Best Buy to check out the latest cameras in person, and maybe give those power selfies a test drive.

There are some amazing videos on the site that are very worth the watching. A quote from one of them says it well: "Life is either an incredible journey, or it's nothing at all." Be ready for the journey with GoPro!



Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Zim's Max-Freeze: Real Pain Relief at Your Fingertips - Literally. Giveaway!

I was approached to try out Zim's Max-Freeze. No, it's not a hiberation chamber, it's a pain reliever!


From the website: Zim's Max-Freeze Maximum Muscle and Joint Pain Relief is a topical solution intended for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with simple backache, arthritis, strain, bruises and sprains.

Active Ingredients: Natural Menthol USP 3.7% (Purpose: Topical Analgesic)

Inactive Ingredients: *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, *Arnica Montana Extract, Camphor, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, *Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Tea Tree Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Water.

Nice to see all those natural ingredients, right? And it's also very convenient, packaged in roll-on form.


Now, I obviously spend a lot of time online, and it's a literal pain in the neck. After a while, the muscles in the side of my neck start to ache rather badly. I rubbed on some of the Max-Freeze, and it went to work right away. First the coldness, then a slight tingle, then I could feel the tight muscles loosening. What usually took a long time with a heating pad to fix only took Max-Freeze a few minutes.

It also did wonders for my headaches. I get all sorts, from tension to cluster, and a small dab on each temple was immediately soothing, even to the most stubborn ones. The natural menthol also helped with my cantankerous sinuses.

Fear smelling medicinal? Not to worry. The scent rapidly fades. Not even my kids noticed it after a while, and they notice EVERYTHING.

Zim's Max-Freeze is also available in a gel and spray form.

Intrigued???

Well, Zim's is kind enough to offer one of the roll-ons for me to give away. Enter now!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received product from Zim's for testing and review purposes. My opinions are my own.

Blogger and other bloggers involved or sharing this giveaway are not responsible for the fulfillment of the prize.  Prize will be fulfilled by the manufacturer. 

Dentisse Natural Reflection Toothpaste *FLASH* Giveaway, Hosted by Daily Deals From A Nerd Mom!

Who doesn't want shiny teeth? Super fast super flash giveaway from Daily Deals From A Nerd Mom! This ends at 6pm tonight, so GO GO GO!

Dentisse Natural Reflection toothpaste

Dentisse Natural Reflection Toothpaste *FLASH* Giveaway!!
Enter for your chance to win your own tube of Dentisse Natural Reflection toothpaste!
Gently smooths and polishes tooth enamel, safely removing surface stains and harmful plaque. When used regularly, it prevents plaque and stains from forming. Your teeth will be noticeably brighter and smoother, your breath will be fresher, and your smile will take on a new radiance within a couple of brushings!
RULES: Daily Deals From A Nerd Mom and all other participating bloggers are not responsible for prize shipment. Dentisse is in charge of that. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media. The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by email. Winner will have to respond ASAP (in other words...TODAY) before a new winner is drawn. US only.

GOOD LUCK!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Dave's Killer Bread: Not Just a Clever Name.

Thanks to Moms Meet, I was given the opportunity to try out Dave's Killer Bread. Though Halloween may be coming up, there's no need to fear; Killer refers to tasty fabulousness, not violence. See?


 From the website: "We started as the favorite organic bread at our local Farmers Market in Portland, Oregon. Less than a decade later, we’re the #1 best-selling sliced organic bread in the country* – and we’re quickly heading toward becoming a national brand... Our organic, power-packed breads always have been and always will be GMO-free and are all non-GMO Project Verified. We’re all killer – no filler. Always."

You can see even through the bag that there's a gorgeous coating of seeds on the crust. That's all them.  "We hand-wrap our breads all the way around with seeds and grains instead of just dusting with seed “toppings”.  Dave’s Killer Bread is seeded all the way around and all the way through with flax, sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds (among many others). Don’t be surprised to find ingredients like amaranth, barley, spelt, blue cornmeal and quinoa. The result is bread that is power-packed with Omega- 3s, fiber, protein and whole grains."

Quinoa, people. Fancy that.  In bread. They're not kidding. Here's a closeup of the Good Seed if you don't believe me.


Now, if bread is going to hang out in my house, it has to run the gauntlet of the classics and rock the flavors. I started with a basic PB and J, using grape jelly.


Awesome for both types. The nuttiness of the grains adds a wonderful flavor and texture. I personally preferred the Good Seed version best.

Next, the old school grilled cheese. I was a bit wary of this, but my fears proved unfounded.


The nut flavors and touch of sweetness made a great counterpoint to basic American cheese. Both worked great, but the Thin Sliced 21 Grain edged past its brother on this one.

Next, I forayed into the meatier choices with a BLT, made with Good Seed, and a turkey sandwich, made with the Thin Sliced.


Both added a great additional flavor to my favorite standards, and an interesting side effect. I noticed that I filled up faster and stayed fuller longer than with white bread. Not bad, considering I'm trying to watch my weight.

I then put this bread to the true test: breakfast. First, my egg sandwich. With bacon, of course. The combo of savory and sweet was a real wake-up call.


No breakfast is complete without toast. My personal favorite, cinnamon, was the BOMB with this bread. It bordered on pastry-like, and was very filling.


And of course, Vive la France. This was a great way to combine decadence with healthy options. Both breads were WONDERFUL for this use.


After all that breadly excitement, I thought of dessert. Once again, Dave's Killer Bread to the rescue. Behold, Killer Bread Pudding (with apples!).


The perfect combo of good eating habits and dessert. I even used stevia instead of sugar to add another level of goodness.

The nutshell review, pardon the pun, is that Dave's Killer Bread is a great spin on your basic whole-grain breads, and both the flavor and texture are excellent. You still get the soft bread interior, and the nutty crust adds a great texture to anything you do with it. The other major plus is that it made me feel good, both about my eating habits and in my digestion. This is whole grain done good, and I really recommend it.
  Connect with Dave's Killer Bread!
 daveskillerbread
 @killerbreadman
 DavesKillerBread


I received products from Moms Meet for testing and review purposes. My opinions and whipped cream are my own.