Mostly Food and Crafts

Kroger Has 2X the Fuel Points

2013-05-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

I do my best to go shopping once a week. It doesn't always work out that way and I do often find myself going back to the store a few more times than planned. You know what I'm talking about right? I try hard to to get my shopping list in order before hand and fill it up with everything I am going to need for the week and then I go back and add the extras. I like that I can find everything I need at my local Kroger. The grocery items and the extras (the non grocery items I add to my list.) Being able to get it all in one place is a definite time saver for me.

On a good week my routine goes something like this - I get myself organized, I start my list by looking over the Kroger circular first to see whats on sale and then I decide on the weeks menu for the family. Then I quickly checkout the P&G Brands Circular for my "extras." This week I am hoping to grab some Viva paper towels (love these,) Hefty trash bags (lot's of yard work and trimming planned for the week,) and some Coppertone sunblock. This a screenshot of the circular along with my clipped coupons and the amount of digital coupon savings I have available.

You can also use the Kroger mobile app the same way you would the website. Download the app, create an account and register your Kroger Co. shoppers card. Then you will be able to load coupons directly to your card and your shopping list. You can also create your online shopping list and use it anytime. Check out the weekly ads from your phone too and so much more!

Let's see what else can I tell you - oh yes the post title - did you know that Kroger has 2X the fuel points on qualifying purchases on Friday, Saturday and Sunday - check it out right here and download your digital coupon - I got mine!

Alright - lets go shopping!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Loving My Pallet Garden

2013-05-20T07:06:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about our Pallet Garden! I think we may make a second one. I did place some herbs too close together in this one but don't tell hubby because he told me I had them too close and I told him he was being silly - oops! I almost did this last year and the year before and now that we have put together this pallet garden I don't know what took us so long - this was actually so easy. Aside from this fun garden we also have a big kale plant and some tomatoes. I love growing my own veges and herbs. There is nothing like creating a meal with something you pulled from your very own garden. The row that appears to be empty in this pallet, is full of mixed greens and boy are they coming in fast - soon I will have enough to start making some delicious salads.

I decided to make this after watching an episode of The Chew, Michael Symon made a pallet garden on an episode and he made it look doable. and I did it! Here's how.

Gather some supplies:
a Pallet
Landscape Fabric
Pebbles
Soil
Plants
Staple Gun

First you want to cover the back with the fabric and staple it in place.

Now go ahead and fill the pallet with pebbles you want a nice thick layer.

Add the soil

And now the fun part - add those plants. Dig a hole in the soil and add a bit of water. Loosen the roots of the plant and place it in the hole and then pack it in.

See I told you that was easy!!

Linking up to these happening parties!

Upside Down Cakes

2013-05-18T19:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Private Selection. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love baking almost as much as I love cooking. You can normally count on me to show up at a put luck with both an appetizer and a dessert. But of course, there are times when due to time constraints, I just can't get something whipped up in time. Moments like these call for a good fall back. My new favorite go to dessert for when I am in a crunch is a delicious option from the Private selection Upside Down Cakes.

Discover the indulgent new flavors of Private Selection™ Upside Down Cakes: German Chocolate Fudge – with the classically irresistible combination of gooey caramel, pecans and coconut; Double Chocolate Molten – prepared with real butter, eggs, milk, and the finest semi-sweet chocolate; and Amber Honey Apple Spice – topped with apple slices drenched in a sweet amber honey glaze. Made with only the finest ingredients, they elevate dessert to the next level. Treat yourself and your guests to the rich flavors of the new Private Selection™ Upside Down Cakes.

Kroger is executing the “Spread the Love” campaign beginning on April 8, 2013 and running through June 2, 2013. During this time you can get your hands on a Private Selection Upside Down Cakes coupon! This coupon will get you $1 off you purchase. But - check this out -you can double that coupon here at the Private Selection Upside Down Cakes on Facebook.

What are your quick dessert solutions? You should definitely add Private Selection Upside Down Cakes to that list. Did Imention how easy it is to get this cake to the table? only 3 steps to getting a premium quality dessert without the premium price to your table. 1. warm, 2. flip, and 3. serve. Thats all it takes to get a delicious dessert that tastes like homemade, thanks to only using the best ingredients.

*Coupon ends 6/2/13. Official Rules. In order to load these coupons to your card, you will need to sign into your Kroger account or set up a Kroger account and enter your card number. Limit one use per digital coupon. Digital offers are not eligible on Manager's Specials, cannot be combined with manufacturer paper coupons on the purchase of a single item, and do not double. Not all items are available in all stores. A limit of 150 coupons can be loaded per household at one time.

Don't forget to like Private Selection Upside Down Cakes on Facebook and follow Private Selection Upside Down Cakes on Pinterest

To fnd a location near you where you can get Private Selection Upside Down Cakes check here http://www.privateselection.com/store-locator/

What I Bookmarked This Week

2013-05-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday - time to share my weekly bookmarks with you. These are recipes I want to try or projects that have inspired me. Here are a few from this week I hope they inspire you as well. No crafts this week just a bunch yummy recipes!

Let's kick things off with a great recipe that I found linked up to Friday Food Frenzy. Feed Your Soul made French Toast Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Oh my goodness - yes please!!

How Sweet it is made a delicious Spicy Beer Queso with Chorizo and Black Beans.

I am definitely giving this Creamy Indian Cashew Chicken from Bev Cooks!

I am always bookmarking great sweet treats from Cookies & Cups. This week I bookmarked these Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

I can't wait for the tomatoes in my garden to come in. I would love to try these Quinoa and Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes from Diethood.

Also don't forget, if you have been bookmarked on my site be sure to grab a button.

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Friday Food Frenzy

2013-05-16T21:00:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to enter my Mothers Day giveaway!

Read more: http://www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com/#ixzz2TYPSNnBN

Close to Home ,Mostly Food and Crafts and Adventures in All Things Food welcome you to FRIDAY FOOD FRENZY where we come share your best recipes and browse others for some great and often easy recipes to try at home. How many times do you hear "What's for dinner?", surprise them with a recipe you found on Friday Food Frenzy. Outside of following the hostesses, we would just love for you to link up a tried and true recipe of your choice. Each week we will feature one recipe so be sure to stick around and click on your favorite recipes. The featured recipe will also be pinned on our Friday Food Frenzy Pinterest Board. Be sure to tell your friends we are cooking up a storm this Friday and to join the party.

Also - be sure to check back on Saturdays when I post my "What I Bookmarked This Week" list of goodies I find around the web -I might post some great finds from this link list.

Please visit the three recipes in the linky that are listed as HOST. We really appreciate your visit.

This week's Featured Recipe comes from Our Eating Habits. Dont' these Lemon, Blueberry Coconut muffins look amazing. Thank you for sharing your recipe I love finding great new twists on an favorite recipe.

Lucille Ball + A Mothers Day Giveaway

2013-05-16T09:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Mothers Day! Make sure you take some time to relax today. What better way to relax than with a delicious cup of tea. How about a Sweet & Spicy cup of tea? What - you don't have any in the house! I can help with that, I am giving some away. Two of you will each win a box of Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Tea. Keep reading to learn how.

Lucille Ball Voted Mother who
Made the Biggest Mark in Good Earth Mother’s Day Survey

(May 9, 2013 – Montvale, NJ): Being a mother is one of the boldest jobs there is, so Good Earth Tea, maker of unique and untamed blends, asked fans about their own mothers in their second annual Mother’s Day survey. Just like Good Earth’s distinct flavor combinations, the results are delightfully surprising. When asked who the most untamed, “make-a-mark” mother in history was, respondents choose Lucille Ball (38.9%) over Eleanor Roosevelt (24.9%), Michelle Obama (17.1%) or Marie Curie (13.5%).
Another unexpected survey finding is that more than 43% of fans related their mom to atypical and imperfect TV moms like frazzled but funny Claire Dunphy of Modern Family (23.9%) or snide and sassy Lois Griffin from Family Guy (19.3%). The famous TV mom that fans say is most similar to their own? The quintessential clean-cut, even tempered mom, Carol Brady of The Brady Bunch with 41.2% of the votes.

In terms of real-life mothers, fans voted Madonna as the overwhelming choice for boldest celebrity mom (41%), with Gwyneth Paltrow and Kris Jenner tied for a distant second with 16.6% of the vote each. Beyonce’ received the fewest votes (12.7%) just behind Victoria “Posh” Beckham who got 13.2% of the vote.

“Good Earth Tea’s unique fusions are inspired by the Earth’s natural wonders, and there are few natural wonders more profound than motherhood, so we love hearing what our fans have to say about moms,” said Anna Corini, Marketing Executive, Good Earth. “At Good Earth, we celebrate bold moves and untamed moments and mothers are always a source of both.”
One of those bold moves, dance moves, that is, that survey respondents thought their mothers most likely to be caught doing was “The Twist,” which received 66.7% of votes over the seductive “Tango” (15.5%). Fans must not think their mothers are YouTube fans though, since the survey shows that not many expect to see their moms getting down with “Gangnam Style” (9.9%) or the “Harlem Shake” (8%).
More than 45% of respondents said their own mother is both sweet and spicy - an ideal combination, just like Good Earth’s signature Sweet & Spicy blend.
The survey was conducted over a four-day period in April 2013 via a survey link on the Good Earth Facebook page.

Interesting survey right? Lets make this a fun giveaway - Comment below and tell me which TV mom you most relate to. Then come back and click the box in the Rafflecopter to be entered to win a box of Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Tea. I'll announce the winner next weekend - Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let's Talk Popcorn

2013-05-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

I love warm popcorn right out of the popper. None of that stuff you buy in the grocery store in a bag for me, I don't do microwave popcorn either. I like the sound of it popping and I love watching it overflow into the bowl. Read on to learn how to make your popcorn better for you and why the oils used in popping your corn make a difference.

In addition to exercise and quality sleep, living a healthy lifestyle includes eating healthy foods. Part of healthy foods are whole grains, fruits and vegetables, oils, meats and dairy. Popcorn is a grain, but let's not take all the fun out of it. Diabetics, those with heart problems and those watching their cholesterol will all benefit from this fun and healthy food. The oils used in popping corn are important. Too much heat can make oils smoke and it breaks down the healthy aspects of the oils. Popcorn supplies at PopcornPopper.com uses healthy canola and green tea oils in addition to combinations of vegetable oils. It is a given that the buttery topping on popcorn is not butter because butter burns when heated. Alternative ingredients give it that movie-theater buttery taste. To get really good theater-quality popcorn, consumers must have the proper popper. Remember the small pan with tin foil over it that people made popcorn in back in the day? Popcorn lovers can have it again, from popcorn supplies at PopcornPopper.com. Also available are poppers resembling a pressure cooker in addition to microwave poppers and air poppers. When to enjoy popcorn? At the office for an afternoon snack to keep up blood sugar levels is an ideal time to enjoy popcorn. Of course, no movie would be complete without it. Popcorn can be given as gifts in baskets at any time of the year or for any occasion. Christmas trees aren't the only places for strings of popcorn anymore.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written for Popcorn Popper

Revolt Post #3 and a Recipe for Breakfast Burritos

2013-05-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to enter my Mothers Day giveaway!

Have you been following along on my Revolt updates. In case you haven't here is a recap of this great program and be sure to check out the website as well.

Basically the program has 3 main components:
1. When you opt into this program you will receive a monthly meal plan. You will learn how to eat healthier and how to prep in advance. No thinking required throughout the week and no excuses.

2. You will get a workout plan both in print and in video format. Workouts change weekly so you won't get bored (this has always been one of my biggest excuses with other programs or DVD sets I have. I get bored with repetition.)

3. You will have access to an online support community. A group of people going through this with you as well as people to answer your questions.

You get all this for $10 a month - way cheaper than a gym membership and any personal trainer programs out there.
What do you think? I am loving it!

You know what I would love even more? Some company! Would you be interested in doing this program with me? If so let me know. Oh wait - Did I mention you can try it for FREE! What have you got to lose? Click here for your free week - and let me know if you do -I am hoping to get a team together for June - we can do this!!

In my last two posts I showed you some pictures of what I have been eating (lots of good stuff that in no way resembles diet food woo hoo!) Today I am actually going to share one of the Revolt recipes with you. Revolts recipes are not only healthy but they are tasty and super easy and they fill you up.

Revolt Breakfast Burritos
Ingredients: (amounts vary depending on your specific program)
1 egg
4 egg whites
2 tablespoons ground turkey sausage
1/4 cup peppers and onions sauteed in 1 tsp oil
1 small whole wheat tortilla

Directions:
Saute the sausage, peppers and onions. Add your egg mixture and scramble. Serve with a tortilla and add up to 2 tablespoons of salsa.

* I only had a large tortilla so my photo isn't exactly what your will look like (I shared this burrito.)

And now I ask you again - Would you be interested in doing this program with me? If so let me know.

Disclaimer I was asked to be part of this Fitness Revolution and provided a free membership in exchange for my honest review of it. I will be reviewing once a week All images and opinions I post are my own.

Read more: http://www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com/2013/05/revolt-week-2.html#ixzz2THk7Tyhh

Linking up to these happening parties!

Heart Shaped Cranberry Scones

2013-05-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to enter my Mothers Day giveaway!

This recipe is brought to you by Sweet Girl and will soon be posted on her own blog Crafty Girl + Foodie

I have to admit right off the bat, I had nothing to do with this recipe. As a matter of fact I think I discouraged it. Scones always come out about a bit dry for my liking and I'm just not a huge fan. Sweet Girl was looking through some magazine or cookbook a few weekends ago and saw a few recipes for scones and decided she really wanted to make them. She didn't even know what a scone was but her mind was made up. Hubby and I totally get this because we are exactly the same way. We get a craving, see a TV show or read a magazine and an idea for something to cook pops up and the only way to get rid of it is to - well - cook it. We told Sweet Girl to find a recipe that didn't require a trip to the grocery store and we were on board. So she did - she found this recipe for Current Scones and then we helped her to make a few modifications based on the ingredients in the house. She made these all on her own (hence the heart shape - how sweet is my Sweet Girl?)
Remember my complaint about scones - too dry? Not these, as a matter of fact she made these when I was cutting out carbs, I had to try it because she made it but I figured a bite would suffice. These were so good! I can't even tell you how many I ate. A friend of mine makes her own jam and we enjoyed these with some of that delicious jam. You need to make these - or better yet - let your 10 year old make them for you....enjoy!!!

recipe adapted from Epicurious
Ingredients:
3 cups of flour
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons of chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup dried cranberries or craisins
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons of buttermilk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly flour a large baking sheet. Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add the cut up butter and rub in using your fingertips until mixture resembles fine meal. Add in the cranberries and mix in the beaten egg and enough buttermilk to form a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Pat the dough out into a 3/4-inch-thick circle. Cut out rounds, using 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter or any cookie cutter you choose (hearts maybe?) Gather scraps,and repeat the same process.

Transfer the cut out scones to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with some milk. Bake until scones are golden brown and cooked through, about 18 minutes. These are best served warm.

A year ago I made Green Pea Hummus

Two years ago I made BBQ Chicken Pizza

Linking up to these happening parties!

What I Bookmarked This Week

2013-05-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday - time to share my weekly bookmarks with you. These are recipes I want to try or projects that have inspired me. Here are a few from this week I hope they inspire you as well.

A Beautiful Mess has done it again - I want these now please!! Chocolate Chip and Granola Bagels.

I love this Going Bananas post from Steph Chows - I have a bunch over ripe bananas in the freezer begging to be used. This is a great idea.

I love making my own granola and I am definitely trying this recipe from Phemomenon for Apple Pie Granola the next time I whip up a batch.

Butteryum made Creme Brulee Ice Cream - YUM!!

Check out this Anthropologie Inspired Key chain from Crafts Unleashed - love it!

I also bookmarked this great post about How To Photograph Products from Just a Girl.

Also don't forget, if you have been bookmarked on my site be sure to grab a button.

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These are few of the many things in the blogosphere that have inspired me this week - what has inspired you??

Friday Food Frenzy

2013-05-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

Close to Home ,Mostly Food and Crafts and Adventures in All Things Food. welcome you to FRIDAY FOOD FRENZY where we come share your best recipes and browse others for some great and often easy recipes to try at home. How many times do you hear "What's for dinner?", surprise them with a recipe you found on Friday Food Frenzy. Outside of following the hostesses, we would just love for you to link up a tried and true recipe of your choice. Each week we will feature one recipe so be sure to stick around and click on your favorite recipes. The featured recipe will also be pinned on our Friday Food Frenzy Pinterest Board. Be sure to tell your friends we are cooking up a storm this Friday and to join the party.

Also - be sure to check back on Saturdays when I post my "What I Bookmarked This Week" list of goodies I find around the web -I might post some great finds from this link list.

Please visit the three recipes in the linky that are listed as HOST. We really appreciate your visit.

This week's Featured Recipe comes from Crock Pot Greek Yogurt from Tales of Domestica.

Feel free to grab a button to link up your post as well so others can join in the fun too!

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Revolt : Week 2

2013-05-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

I did it! I made it through week 1 of Revolt and I am excited to be working through week 2. Not that I didn't think I would make it but when you don't really know what you are in for you get a bit nervous - right?

So what happened in Week one?

I became familiar with Revolt Fitness and encourage you to check out the website and learn about this program. I'll summarize for you here too.

1. When you opt into this program you will receive a monthly meal plan. You will learn how to eat healthier and how to prep in advance. No thinking required throughout the week and no excuses.

2. You will get a workout plan both in print and in video format. Workouts change weekly so you won't get bored (this has always been one of my biggest excuses with other programs or DVD sets I have. I get bored with repetition.)

3. You will have access to an online support community. A group of people going through this with you as well as people to answer your questions.

You get all this for $9.99 a month - way cheaper than a gym membership and any personal trainer programs out there.

What do you think? I am loving it!

In case your wondering what diet food looks like...

These are Coconut Macaroons - did I mention you get dessert?

I am off to workout now - I think my delicious breakfast has digested and it's time to get my hurt on...Ill keep you posted.

*Disclaimer I was asked to be part of this Fitness Revolution and provided a free membership in exchange for my honest review of it. I will be reviewing once a week All images and opinions I post are my own.

Read more: http://www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com/2013/05/i-am-revolting.html#ixzz2Sc9qljBx

Curried Lentils with Chicken & Potatoes (Slow Cooker Recipe)

2013-05-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Talk about a recipe that really makes your house smell wonderful. This would be one of those recipes. I love when the kids get off the bus and walk into the house and the first thing they say is "Wow! Something smells delicious!" Whats even better? When it tasted delicious too of course. This recipe from Real Simple was full of some of my favorite ingredients; lentils, potatoes, ginger, chicken - so good! It is kind of a cross between a soup and stew a stoup I guess? I tasty, aromatic and healthy stoup. While the Curried Lentils with Chicken and Potatoes was delicious on its own it was even better topped with a little Greek yogurt, some fresh from the garden cilantro and a squeeze of lime. What was even better than that was what I did the next day when I reheated the leftovers for lunch. I decided to spice it up so I added Harissa to the stoup and topped it with this wonderful tzatziki instead of the plain Greek yogurt. When I make it again, and I will definitely make it again, I am making it with the Harissa and tzatziki. So good ...Enjoy!!!

recipe adapted from Real Simple
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups lentils
2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped
kosher salt and black pepper
4 cups chicken broth
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 pounds total)
2 tablespoons lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or Tzatziki
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, torn
naan bread or pita, toasted, for serving
Harissa (optional)

Directions:

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients up to the lime juice. Cover and cook on low 7 hours or high 4-6. Cook until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through.

Before serving take out the chicken and shred with two forks. Place it back in the slow cooker add the lime juice and stir to combine.

Serve with toppings.

A year ago I made Slow Cooker Asian Pork

Two years ago I made Slow Cooked Pernil

Linking up to these happening parties!

What I Bookmarked This Week

2013-05-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday - time to share my weekly bookmarks with you. These are recipes I want to try or projects that have inspired me. Here are a few from this week I hope they inspire you as well.

How refreshing does this Roasted Jalapeno Margarita from SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl sound?

I Heart Eating made these delicious Chocolate-Dipped Cookie Dough Bites -they look so yummy!!

I love love love quinoa! How tasty does this Corn and Jalapeno Skillet Quinoa from Noble Pig look?

I am definitely making a bunch of this Asian Ginger Carrot Dressing from Morsels of Life - I know I am going to love this stuff!!

Tip Junkie posted 18 Things to do Make with a Shoebox, I see lots of things here to keep my little ones entertained.

Also don't forget, if you have been bookmarked on my site be sure to grab a button.

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These are few of the many things in the blogosphere that have inspired me this week - what has inspired you??

Friday Food Frenzy

2013-05-03T06:55:00.000-05:00

Thanks for joining us this week!

Close to Home ,Mostly Food and Crafts and Adventures in All Things Food would like to welcome you to another FRIDAY FOOD FRENZY where you can share your best recipes and browse others for some great and often easy recipes to try at home. How many times do you hear "What's for dinner?", surprise them with a great recipe you found on Friday Food Frenzy. Outside of following the hostesses, we just love for you to link up a tried and true recipe of your choice. Each week we will feature one recipe so be sure to stick around and click on your favorite recipes. The featured recipe will also be pinned on our Friday Food Frenzy Pinterest Board.

Also - be sure to check back on Saturdays when I post my "What I Bookmarked This Week" list of goodies I find around the web -I might post some great finds from this link list.

Please visit the three recipes in the linky that are listed as HOST. We really appreciate your visit. In honor of Cinco de Mayo we have decided to feature more than one recipe this week!

Homemade Guacamole from A Cozy Place Called Home

Sopes from Adventures in all Things Food

Mexican Lasagna from Glo's Kitchen

Feel free to grab a button to link up your post as well so others can join in the fun too!

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Arby's Roast Beef-atopia!

2013-05-02T23:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Arby's. All opinions are 100% mine.

OK - are you wondering how I can follow a post about nutrition and bettering my diet with an Arbys post? I will be completely honest with you, when it comes to road trips sometimes you just need to stop for something to eat. For us that stop is usually Arby's. Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about - you know you do it too right????

We may have a big roadtrip coming up at the end of the month and you want to see what I'm craving? (I will add right now that my new diet plan does include one cheat day a week - oh yeah!) back to Arbys ...For a limited time only, Arby's is partnering with KING HAWAIIAN brand to bring us 2 new sandwiches. The Arby’s KING’S HAWAIIAN roast beef sandwich, this comes with an extra helping of freshly sliced roast beef piled high on a soft and slightly sweet Kings Hawaiian Bun. And the one I am really looking forward to, The KINGS HAWAIIAN roast beef and Swiss sandwich, this one has an extra helping of roast beef and its topped with swiss cheese, crunchy pickles and creamy Dijon mustard. Also served on a Kings Hawaiian roll.

And one more thing - To celebrate this great partnership, Arbys is hosting the Arby’s Hawaiian Getaway Sweepstakes! The grand prize winner will receceive round trip tickets for two to Honolulu Hawaii with a 4 night stay and surf lessons at the Hawaiian Fire Surf School, one of the islands premier surf schools!

Here is all you have to do to enter-To enter this sweepstakes head over to Arby’s Hawaiian Getaway Sweepstakes from April 29-May 26. Good Luck!!

I am Revolting

2013-05-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Yup you read that correctly - I am revolting! It's a good thing though - really. I am so excited about it - you see I'm revolting against food that's bad for me and from other crazy diets that I have tried. And yes, I did lose those 10 pounds in my no carb diet last month but I also lost a ton of energy and couldn't even complete a workout.

Buh-bye no carb diet!!....Hello Revolt!!

I am taking part in The Revolt Fitness Challenge. I actually started on Monday and so far I am really enjoying it. I am enjoying the quick ~~but painful~~ customized workouts for people involved in this challenge. I am enjoying the very filling meals - I haven't eaten this much in a long time. I am enjoying grapefruit because I couldn't have it on my last diet (no fruit.) And welcome back oatmeal, if you are regular follower you know all about my love for oatmeal and how hard it was for me to give that up. And I am really enjoying the super fabulous supportive community that I now belong to. If you have any questions they are answered immediately. If you are having a bad day someone will lift you up - its really encouraging. So -want to see what I ate this morning?

I told you it was a lot!!

The other day I made these delicious crepes from the meal plan and even the kids loved them! They did have a special request for an additional topping on theirs - but still they gobbled it up.

Alright - wish me luck everyone! I am determined to get back to my pre-surgery weight and fitness level- I will keep you all updated weekly.

If you are interested in learning more about Revolt check it out here and maybe we can do this together.

Check out these other fabulous bloggers taking part in this challenge.

*Disclaimer I was asked to be part of this Fitness Revolution and provided a free membership in exchange for my honest review of it. I will be reviewing once a week All images and opinions I post are my own.

Pompeian Time To Change Your Oil Contest and Smoky Fried Chickpeas

2013-04-30T03:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Pompeian. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you're like me, you have probably read all the health benefits of olive oil and by now you have probably started turning to it in your recipes in place of some of your other oils. I use it for almost everything - especially homemade salad dressings.

Lately, I have been noticing grapeseed oil more prominently displayeed in my grocery store and I have been thinking about trying it out. I have recently learned that grapeseed oil has similar benefits to olive oil but it is also more versatile in cooking because it has a lighter taste and a higher smoke point.

Check out this delicious recipe for Smoky Fried Chickpeas using grapeseed oi l:

Smoky Fried Chickpeas

So - who's ready to hear more about the Pompeian’s Time to Change Your Oil contest?

Pompeian would like to invite you to participate in their contest for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to BlogHer Food ‘13. The conference will be in Austin, Texas, June 7 – 8. And the winning recipe will be featured throughout the event!!

If you are a food blogger you are invited to create a recipe that uses one of these products:

Post your recipe to your blog and then submit it to the Pompeian’s Time to Change Your Oil app on Facebook. Your recipes need to be entered into the Pompeian and Hungry Girl Sweepstakes.

Good Luck everyone!! I would love to hear from you guys - who's entering this great contest and why would you like to be chosen?

Big Girl Room

2013-04-29T07:04:00.000-05:00

When Sweet Girl was itty bitty she wanted to change her room. I told her we could change her room when she turned 10. 10 seemed so far away when we had this discussion. A discussion Sweet Girl never forgot. So she turned 10 last month (still coming to terms with the fact that my first born is double digits.)

Her room is a beautiful deep purple (my favorite color and once hers.) She really wanted to add a bright pink and turquoise to the room but I couldn't see attempting to paint over this purple, imagine how many coats that would take. I got super lucky, we found this great bedding at Target that we were able to agree on and both loved. The colors were everything she was looking for plus purple so it tied in nicely to her room.
First things first - if we were going to "big girl" this room up that meant it was time for her to do an overhaul. After 3 days of cleaning and clearing out all the little girl toys, books and everything else- we finally started putting things back together. She really wanted to move her bed and I saw only one option, setting it diagonal. Hubby thought this would look ridiculous but we gave it a try. Wouldn't you know it - it was perfect and the room seemed to double in size. Here is a before pic:

Kids accumulate so much stuff (junk.)

Here is an after shot:

I forgot to take a pic with the new rug and I'm too lazy to run up and do it now - pretend its there.

How about another picture?

I love how her room came out. And we aren't done - everyone in the family knew she was getting a "room makeover" for her birthday so they all sent her gift cards to buy stuff for it (that's where the rug came from too - thanks mom!)

Here is a picture of a picture I created for her wall. I used my favorite picture of Sweet Girl and the colors that were in the comforter to create this great focal point in her room.

So, what do you think? I'll post more pics as we add to it.

One year ago posted Chipotle Chicken and Rice

Two years ago I posted Lentil Mango Picadillo

Linking up to these happening parties!

What I Bookmarked This Week + Mothers Day is Coming

2013-04-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day is almost here.

Whether you're looking for a card for your mom, your wife, grandmother, sisters, or in-laws, Treat has the card for you.

Their cards are top-quality and you have 100% control of the content. They have 450+ Mother's Day designs to choose from, ranging from funny to sentimental. You add your own pictures and text to make them uniquely your style.

Here are some of my favorite best-sellers:

The best part is that right now you can get 25% off all Mother's Day orders by using the code TREATMOM25.

So visit Treat today and make sure to use promo code TREATMOM25 by 11:59pm PT on April 30 to save 25%.

And now for some bookmarks:

It's Saturday - time to share my weekly bookmarks with you. These are recipes I want to try or projects that have inspired me. Here are a few from this week I hope they inspire you as well.

I found this great recipe for {Knockoff} Lara Bars from Too Much Time On My Hands. I really want to give these a try.

The Shiksa in the Kitchen made Baked Eggplant Sandwiches - I would love one or two of these right now.

I love everything about this Vietnamese Summer Roll Salad from An Edible Mosaic.

Check out these Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies from Eats Well With Others - YUM!

One last delicious dessert- Baklava Cups (genius - right??) from Gimme Some Oven.

That's all I got this week - Its all about the food no crafts - sorry. Gosh I love food.

Oh wait - just realized its the last weekend of the month - lets see what Aprils most popular post is (how about the top 3?)

Also don't forget, if you have been bookmarked on my site be sure to grab a button.

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These are few of the many things in the blogosphere that have inspired me this week - what has inspired you??

Friday Food Frenzy

2013-04-25T21:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks for joining us this week!

Close to Home ,Mostly Food and Crafts and Adventures in All Things Food welcomes you to come share your recipes and browse others for some great cooking ideas. How many times do you hear "What's for dinner?" Surprise them with a new dish you found on Friday Food Frenzy. There are no restrictions on this linky, we would just love for you to link up a tried and true recipe of your choice. Each week we will feature the most viewed recipe so be sure and come back and click on your favorite links. This recipe will also be pinned on our Friday Food Frenzy Pinterest Board.

Also - be sure to check back on Saturdays when I post my "What I Bookmarked This Week" list of goodies I find around the web -I might post some great finds from this link list.

Please visit the three recipes in the linky that are listed as HOST. We really appreciate your visit.

I was so surprised when I started typing up this post and transferring over the HTML from Maria at Close To Home. I cut and Pasted and saw my recipe featured. Thanks Maria, I am so glad you liked the Kale Salad! You can read what she said about it below.

THIS WEEKS FEATURED RECIPE is from our very own Danielle From Mostly Food and Crafts. I chose this to feature because I made this Kale Salad. I have never eaten raw Kale before and now I know how!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Feel free to grab a button to link up your post as well so others can join in the fun too!

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Homemade Falafels and Tzatziki

2013-04-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Funny story about how these falafels came to be our dinner last weekend. The kids piled into our bed Sunday morning and were watching some early morning television. They love the show Kickin' It on Disney, in this show there is a falafel restaurant. The kids have seen this show a million times but while watching it for the millionth and one time they said, "What's a Falafel anyway?" I looked at Hubby and said, "Let's show them - feel like making falafels tonight?" and we did. What's even more ironic is that on Saturday (just the day before) in my "What I Bookmarked This Week" post I featured a great falafel recipe from A Beautiful Mess. I mean seriously - these falafels and my family - it was meant to be.

I think we may have made Falafels before by using some kind of mix we bought at the store, this was so different. This was so good! We followed the recipe from A Beautiful Mess exactly and the only thing I would change next time would be to purchase a bigger food processor (we only have a mini chop - so ours didn't puree perfectly.) Also, we never fry anything here - I can't stand the smell that lingers in the house afterward - again - this was so worth it. I couldn't believe it but Little Man gobbled these up! He has become so picky about what he eats these days so this was a pleasant surprise. Here is a picture of the Tzatziki, Sweet Girl made this one on her own...Enjoy!!!

recipe from A Beautiful Mess
Ingredients:
For Falafel
2 (15 ounce)cans of chickpeas
1 small red onion
5 garlic cloves
1/4 cup of fresh parsley
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons of salt
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/3 cup of flour
black pepper

For Tzatziki (Cucumber Sauce)
2 cups of Greek yogurt
1/2 large cucumber, chopped
1/2 tablespoon of fresh dill

Directions:
For Falafel
Blend the first 5 ingredients in a food processor until smooth (for some tips on blending this checkout A Beautiful Mess.) Once its blended transfer the mixture to a large bowl add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and place in fridge for two hours or freezer for one.

Now you are ready to fry these up. Get your pan or pot ready by filling with enough oil for the falafels to be able to float. Get the oil up to about 350 and then drop in the falafel balls, let cook for about 2 minutes or until golden brown. When done- place on paper towels to drain.

For Tzatziki:
Combine all the ingredients and let rest a bit so flavors can come together.

Serve your falafels with all the fixins; lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers...and serve on pita.

Last year at this time I posted Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Two years ago at this time I made Pretzels in the Bread Machine

Linking up to these happening parties!

Make Your Own Ice Cream Sandwich Sundaes

2013-04-22T07:26:00.000-05:00

I was going through the pictures in my camera yesterday and I saw these. This was such a fun treat for the kids, they had so much fun creating and building their own sundaes with these ice cream sandwiches. I wish this was my idea but sadly it was not. We had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and my kids polished off their delicious dinners so we let them share a dessert. The server brought out ice cream sandwiches cut into smaller pieces and a bunch of fun toppings for the kids. We recreated it at home a few times after that. This is super simple and so much fun.

My kids love anything they can customize and build on their own. This is fun because you just open p your fridge and pantry and see what you have on hand. Forget the kids, hubby and I had fun with this one too!

Ingredients:
Ice cream sandwiches (cut into smaller pieces)
Assorted Toppings; sprinkles, caramel, hot fudge, cherries, whipped cream or cool whip,etc.

Directions:
Put it all out there and let the kids get creative!

One year ago today I made Whole Roasted Chicken in Potacchio

Two years ago today I made Curried Chickpeas Over Quinoa

Linking up to these happening parties!

What I Bookmarked This Week & Teacher Appreciation

2013-04-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

If you're anything like me, you think that every day should be Teacher Appreciation Day, but May 7 is extra special.

That day is the official National Teacher Appreciation Day. And a great way to show your thanks is with a card and a simple, but meaningful gift.

Tiny Prints has a great promotion this Sunday and Monday (April 21 and 22) for 25% off all of their custom gifts, such as mugs, always a teacher favorite. You can choose from hundreds of designs for each gift type, personalize them with your child's photo or class photo, and write your own text.

Just use the promo code TAD25 at checkout by 11:59pm PT on Monday April 22 to save 25%. That is also the last day for guaranteed delivery by May 6.

And for the card, definitely check out Treat, where you can get a completely customized, photo card for only $3.49. They have almost 40 designs specifically for Teacher Appreciation Day, not to mention hundreds of thank you card designs.

If you are buying multiple cards, check out their Treat Card Club packs. A 6-card plan costs only $2.49 per card, a 12-card plan only $2.24 per card, and an 18-card plan only $1.99 per card.

At the very least, make sure to thank a teacher or two May 7.

And now for some bookmarks:

It's Saturday - time to share my weekly bookmarks with you. These are recipes I want to try or projects that have inspired me. Here are a few from this week I hope they inspire you as well.

You all have heard me mention my "need to knead" a few times on this blog. Checkout this amazing Pane Bianco Filled w/Roasted Garlic, Sundried Tomatoes & Garlic from Girlichef. I really NEED this!

I'm pretty sure I've bookmarked Falafels before but I just love them so much and still haven't made them - so I am bookmarking them again. This time the recipe is from A Beautiful Mess.

Green Eggs and Spam made Banana Cheesecake with Rum Glazed Walnut Topping 'nuff said.

Buns in My Oven made Peanut Butter Toffee Dip and it looks and sounds fabulous!

Formal Fringe has a great idea for Using Duct Tape as Water Bottle Party Labels. I sent this one to my sis for her wedding.

I love this simple idea for a Hands Free Coupon Organizer from Dollar Store Crafts.

Also don't forget, if you have been bookmarked on my site be sure to grab a button.

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These are few of the many things in the blogosphere that have inspired me this week - what has inspired you??

Friday Food Frenzy

2013-04-18T21:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks for joining us this week!

Close to Home ,Mostly Food and Crafts and Adventures in All Things Food welcomes you to come share your recipes and browse others for some great cooking ideas. How many times do you hear "What's for dinner?" Surprise them with a new dish you found on Friday Food Frenzy. There are no restrictions on this linky, we would just love for you to link up a tried and true recipe of your choice. Each week we will feature the most viewed recipe so be sure and come back and click on your favorite links. This recipe will also be pinned on our Friday Food Frenzy Pinterest Board.

Also - be sure to check back on Saturdays when I post my "What I Bookmarked This Week" list of goodies I find around the web -I might post some great finds from this link list.

Please visit the three recipes in the linky that are listed as HOST. We really appreciate your visit.

THIS WEEKS FEATURED RECIPE is a delicious Strawberry Shortcake from Mom Mart. I could not resist this recipe with all the strawberries in the markets these days. Head on over and check out her blog - she shares DIY, Crafts and Recipes.

Feel free to grab a button to link up your post as well so others can join in the fun too!

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