Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Even More Fun with Molds


I've been working with the molds that I received from WholePort.com. The molds are fun to use and easy to clean and store. Plus, my kids like anything that comes in a cute shape. I used the cute mini molds above to make homemade fruit chews which have become my son's favorite snack.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

"Six Sisters' STUFF": A Cookbook Review

Six Sisters' STUFF
Published by Shadow Mountain

If you're a fan of the blog, Six Sisters' STUFF, then you've been eagerly awaiting the release of this cookbook. The six sisters - Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra - have collaborated to bring you a cookbook full of recipes, crafts, and helpful tips straight from their popular blog and right into your home.




The recipes are arranged in a traditional format: main dishes, slow cooker, sides, salads, breads and desserts. Craft projects and ideas for family fun are scattered throughout the recipes. Some of the most popular recipes from the blog have been included here in this cookbook which, like the blog, focuses on family-friendly food.

The majority of recipes use common ingredients and are easy to prepare making this the perfect cookbook for beginning cooks. But even if you're an experienced cook, you'll find find recipes that will appeal to you such as Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken, Slow Cooker Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken, Snickers Apple Pudding Salad, Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls, Orange Creamsicle Cookies, and Sugar Cookie Bars.

I think the word that comes to mind when I read this cookbook was "fun". I can tell that the sisters had fun working together to compile the recipes and have included recipes that are fun to cook and eat. While I'm not a crafty person, I did enjoy reading through the craft sections and wondering what it would be like to be that creative. Again, if you're a fan of Six Sisters' Stuff, you'll want to add this cookbook to your collection.

When it came time to test one of the recipes from the cookbook, I did something a little different for me. I normally gravitate towards desserts, but this time, I decided to make these homemade fruit snacks. My older son loved them and I've made them a couple of times since I tested these the first time. Plus, I had these really cute molds...

 
 
 
 
 
To celebrate the release of their cookbook, the sisters are issuing a challenge to all of their fans, having dinner with your family four nights per week for four weeks. For more information on the 4x4 Family Dinner Challenge, visit the Six Sister's Stuff blog at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/p/family-dinner-challenge.html. Or, like the Six Sisters, STUFF on facebook page and comment that you are joining the 4x4 Dinner Challenge https://www.facebook.com/SixSistersStuff
Disclaimer: The publisher provided me with a review copy of the cookbook; however, the opinion expressed here is my own.


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Green Giant's Giant Surprise!




Whenever I think of quality canned and frozen vegetables, my mind always goes to one brand name first and that is Green Giant. We've all grown up with the friendly face of the Jolly Green Giant on cans of green beans and bags of frozen corn kernels. I recently discovered that Green Giant has been working on a giant surprise for all of us. The company has taken those famous vegetables and used them to create Veggie Snack Chips!


Green Giant's Giant Secret: Veggie Snack Chips

If your kids are like mine, they are always rummaging through the kitchen looking for chips. I'm happy that there is now an alternative to the standard potato and corn chips. With these Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips, I'm able to feed the children chips that are made with real vegetables and are full of whole grain goodness. And, the best part is that flavor is not compromised. Both varieties of the chips I tested were crisp and flavorful.

I want to incorporate more whole grains into my family's diet, but I want it to be an easy process, a simple addition to our eating routine. I can't think of anything that is simplier than opening a bag of chips and snacking our way to better health. Both varieties of these chips are tasty and positive additions to my children's daily lunch routine.


Roasted Veggie Tortilla Chips - Zesty Cheddar Flavor
 
Product Information: The Green Giant™ Roasted Veggie Tortilla Chips – Zesty Cheddar Flavor are made with real vegetables, 17 grams of whole grain per serving (48g are recommended daily), and are naturally flavored.
 
My opinion: I enjoyed snacking on these chips. The flavor and texture were similar to one of my favorite non-healthy chip. These chips are perfect to eat alone or alongside your favorite sandwich. I also have a recipe that uses tortilla chips and I think these chips would perfectly in that recipe. These were a winner!


Multigrain Sweet Potato Chips - Sea Salt Flavored
 
Product Information: The Green Giant™ Multigrain Sweet Potato Chips – Sea Salt Flavor are made with real sweet potatoes and made with 14 grams of whole grain. Plus, they contains 40 percent less fat than regular potato chips*!
 
*Green Giant Multigrain Sweet Potato Chips (6g per 28g serving) have 40 percent less fat than regular potato chips (10g per 28g serving).

My opinion: Even if you're not a fan of sweet potatoes, you'll still want to try these chips. The sweet potato gives the chip a faint sweetness in the background. The sea salt partners perfectly with that slight sweetness. Because those two flavors are not overwhelming, these chips will work perfectly with your favorite dip or salsa.

For more information on Green Giant's Giant Surprise, check out Green Giant's Facebook page or see the surprise talents that Green Giant has unearthed at the Green Giant YouTube channel.
 
Thank you to The Green Giant™ for being a sponsor. Show the Giant your surprise talent at www.facebook.com/greengiant
 
#AGiantSurprise, #spon