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Fun Daisy Cottage Cheese Hearty Pasta Recipe Giveaway

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Did you see our Tropical Cottage Cheese Smoothie recipe? It was super yummy and very filling. Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese is an excellent source of protein to help keep you going throughout the day. It has 14 grams of protein per ½–cup serving! Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese can be found in grocery stores and supercenters in select markets across the country. I wasn’t sure if we had the cottage cheese in our area but we do, our local Target carries the Daisy Cottage Cheese. Oh and In addition to the select markets, all U.S. military commissaries carry the products.

DaisyCCLogoBB [Converted]

I’m a big fan of cottage cheese, it’s one of the only snacks that I can give to the kids that keep them full until dinner time. That makes me want to give it to them every day. It’s also quite fun to cook with. Try out this pasta recipe.

Ingredients
  • 4 cups dry penne pasta
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 small chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 4 ounce can mushrooms, drained
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce with Italian herbs
  • 1 14.4 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese
  • 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese

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Directions

Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions; drain and reserve. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet cook the ground beef until no longer pink; sprinkle with flour and salt. Add the onion, green bell pepper and mushrooms. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat. Add the tomato sauce, drained tomatoes, and cottage cheese. Combine the beef mixture with the drained pasta. Pour into a 9×13 inch (3-quart) baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top the casserole with sliced Swiss cheese. Bake the casserole at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until cheese has melted and started to brown.

 

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winners: susitravl, ayelet, and Emma Peel.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

22 Days Bar Healthy Chocolate Challenge

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Dropping, replacing, and starting new habits is hard. Let 22 Days [https://www.22daysnutrition.com] help you “Replace hunger with a healthy habit.” You can take the 22 Days challenge and get started on fixing your wannbe summer beach body ASAP.

Psychologists have discovered it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, so start now; that’s less than a month, you can do it! My favorite bar of the 22 Days bar line is Cherry Chocolate Bliss so that gives you a starting point. I know I had you at chocolate! What else will you like: Nut Butter Buddha Crunch, Goji Maté Firecracker, Fruit Nut Karma, Enlightened Pumpkinseed, or Daily Mocha Mantra? If you’re looking for 100% good for you with all natural ingredients that is quick and pocket-able for parents on the go … BAM!

22 bar

I also like that this bar is safe for kids (though be cautious of allergies and ingredients). Grab it and when they want a taste, you can say, “Sure.” 22 Days bars will satisfy you and not fail you in energy and as you reach from your fitness goals like other products that claim to satisfy you. There won’t be a sugar rush or crash, and you can have peace of mind knowing you did something good for your mind, body and brain.

clip_image004You all know I’ve been making changes from last year to this year to improve my health and lose my baby weight as a hopeful side effect. I’ve been sitting around 155 now for a couple of months which is great from where I started but not where I want to be. I’ve been trying to cut back on sugars and eat whole foods. Though 22 Days would classify as processed due to the fact that it’s in a wrapper you should check out the ingredients; Cherry Chocolate Bliss bar: Organic Raw Almond Butter, Organic Agave Syrup, Gluten Free Oats, Organic Raw Almonds, Organic Tart Cherries, Organic Dates, Dark Chocolate Chips (evaporated cane sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter), Organic Freeze Dried Acai Powder (with organic lime juice and/or citric acid), Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt.

The bucket list of need-to-knows:

* made with raw and organic superfoods
* no preservatives
* biologically complete hemp & rice proteins
* no artificial ingredients
* USDA certified organic
* no harmful additives
* vegetarian / vegan
* no corn syrup
* gluten-free
* no trans fats
* heart healthy fiber
* no soy
* full of vitamins, minerals & antioxidants
* no dairy

Compared to Balance, Clif, Genisay, Luna and PowerBar Harvest bars, 22 Days bars are the only vegan, non-soy protein, and raw superfood delivering bars. 22 Days are also organic and all-natural as are some other bars, but not all and not the ones you may thing! And sugars – this may vary by flavor, but an average the least was Luna at 11g, followed by 22 Days at 14g, and the other listed competitors are 17g or higher. How does your favorite bar compare? I dare you to compare! I’ll wait, go get it now … check it out.

You can find 22 Days bars in local grocery stores but you can also purchase them by the case on their website.

Follow 22 Days on their blog, on 22 Days on Facebook, and track them on Twitter @22DaysNutrition.

22 days bar logo

We received product for this review.

About Summer:

Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm.

Eating Natural and Healthy Bear Naked Trail Mix

by 10 Comments

By Summer:

I’ve been eating healthy and trying to be good with my weight loss, especially so I can give a fair and honest review to you all about Lindsay Brin’s 60 Day SlimDown. I have to admit though; I need the sugar and chocolate. I love it! I imagine most of you do too, so my secret to success with weight loss and my addiction … Moderation? Sure but it’s also the quality of the products.

Bear Naked Trail Mix CollectionOne of my tasty snacks has been sampling Bear NakedTM 100% Pure and Natural Trail Mix. They have 3 varieties: Cranberry Almond, Pecan Apple Flax, and Chocolate Cherry. I, of course, chose the Chocolate Cherry! Each re-sealable pouch offers 4 ½ cup servings perfect for snacking on the go — inside your gym bag, purse or diaper bag – or at home. Bear NakedTM 100% Pure and Natural Trail Mix did contain sugars but it contains NO high fructose corn syrup, NO artificial preservatives, NO artificial flavors, NO cholesterol, NO hydrogenated oils, and 0 grams trans fats. Perfect for a healthy snack with REAL ingredients like dried cranberries, whole grain oats, dried cherries, roasted almonds, raisins, semi-sweet chocolate chips, oat bran, and coconut. (I have your mouth watering don’t I?!?)

Bear Naked Cherry Chocolate Trail MixI got my chocolate fix in the health way, spending 120 calories munching on Bear NakedTM 100% Pure and Natural Trail Mix and I added a cup of strawberry yogurt at 90 calories for a complete 210 calorie snack; I got some fruit and dairy from the yogurt, and whole grains from Bear NakedTM 100% Pure and Natural Trail Mix.

Save Money:

So here’s the deal … REALLY A DEAL!!! You can join the Bear Den FREE and you’ll also receive 5% off every online order. You’ll get 100% YUM for less! Joining The Den will also connect you with other healthy, active people. Keep up with Bear Naked on Facebook  and Twitter @LiveBearNaked to stay up to date on the latest.

 

terracycle logoLastly, let me leave you on a green note (as would be my nature). Bear Naked has taken a proactive environmental stand by continuing to serve you even after your snack is gone. Bear Naked has partnered with TerraCycle to reduce the amount of bags that end up in landfills by repurposing them into products such as backpacks, shower curtains, umbrellas, and t-shirts. When you help Bear Naked with their Sustainable Packaging Project you also get to either earn points to get repurposed gear of your own, or earn cash for a school or organization of your choice.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Sunsweet Prunes Are Perfect for Kids’ Snacks

by 137 Comments

Sunsweet Prunes now come in a single serving and they are popping in kids mouths.

My kids love them. I actually served them at a play date and they were eaten. I’m not big on prunes so I’m not a good example but these are great to give to kids. They are individually wrapped so a single serving is easy to stick to. One mom had to take them away from her kids because there is a small fear of the “after diaper”.

What causes the “after diaper”

  1. Antioxidant rich. Prunes have a high antioxidant (ORAC) score. Antioxidants help to slow the oxidative damage to our bodies, and many researchers believe that antioxidants slow the aging process.
  2. Potassium punch. Move over bananas! Ounce for ounce, prunes have more potassium than bananas. Studies have shown potassium helps prevent hypertension and stroke.
  3. Bone health. A handful of nutrient-rich prunes a day may help bone metabolism and the reversal of bone loss for people with osteoporosis. They may also lead to improved bone formation.
  4. Low Glycemic Index (GI). Prunes are a low GI food, and therefore help to contribute to a low Glycemic Load diet and can aid in preventing and managing conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and obesity.
  5. Heart health. Prunes can help play a role in preventing heart disease and chronic diseases because they’re rich in antioxidants, which slow the chemical process of oxidation and protect key cell components from damage.
  6. Prebiotic power. Prunes naturally contain prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine. This helps dietary fiber perform well and promotes immune system and digestive health.
  7. Weight loss. Prunes are a good source of fiber, and this can help keep hunger pangs at bay. As a food component, fiber isn’t absorbed, so it doesn’t contribute calories that’s why high-fiber foods are included in weight loss diets. Plus, four prunes have just 100 calories!

Now you realize these are all good things. So this is nutritious and delicious, I just don’t like the chewing. I’d rather drink prunes.

 Pop a prune encourages healthy eating and even I need to do more of that. I should be popping prunes instead of chocolate chips then maybe I’d be losing weight.

Enter To Win:

five (5) winners to receive a Sunsweet reusable shopping bag and a Sunsweet VIP Coupon, which is good for ANY Sunsweet product up to $5.50 in value. The giveaway should be open to US addresses only and the sponsor will send prizes directly to your winners.

To Enter:

Tell me how your kids are eating healthy?

Extra Entries:

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site and tell me where you advertised it. 10 Extra Entries
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Blog about the giveaway include a link to me and to the sponsor for 10 extra entries
Tweet the giveaway (every time you tweet you get an entry) Link to the giveaway please!!!
Comment on any other non giveaway post and come back and tell me you did
Use any of the Share options at the bottom of this post: Dig, Stumble, or fav me on Technorati (two entries for each one)

Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until November 30th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Sunsweet Ones, who provided the product for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

An Alternate Halloween Treat Snikiddy Snacks and a gift basket giveaway

by 221 Comments

Snikiddy SnacksSnikiddy Snacks contacted me and asked me to do a review. I haven’t done the review yet. I have coupons from them to use, well I have to download them, print them and go to Whole Foods across town to get them. The only reason that is a problem is because my van is broken and I’m not sure when it’s going to be fixed. So I’m stuck and they wanted the review done before Halloween because a healthy snack would make a better alternative to candy and artificial sweets.

Snikiddy makes the following Products:

Pizza PuffsChocolate Chip Bites
Chocolate Chocolate Bites
Oatmeal Chocolate Bites
Whole Grain Cookies
Cheese Puffs
Grilled Cheese Puffs
Mac n’ Cheese Puffs
Pizza Puffs
Nacho Cheese Puffs

 

About Snikiddy:

Snikiddy was founded by a mom, Janet Owings and daughter Mary Schulman because they are passionate about good health and creating delicious fun foods. The Snikiddy line are made from simple wholesome and real products. They insist on only the best all natural ingredients and take pride in knowing that all of our tasty morsels will pass the real test of our families. 😉

 

Get a free Coupon

Free Snikiddy Coupon

Win some Snacks:

Snikiddy is offering a chance to win some of their healthy treats through their facebook page:

Tell us your plan to be healthy this Halloween on our facebook page for a chance to win Snikiddy

To Enter My Giveaway:

They are putting together a gift basket of 2 coupons each for 2 Snikiddy products, for a total of 4 Snikiddy products.

Follow Snikiddy on Facebook

And or

Follow Snikiddy on Twitter

And or

Visit Snikiddy and let me know what snacks you want to try.

And or

Tell us a healthy alternative to celebrate Halloween with.

Extra entries after you do two of the above

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site and tell me where you advertised it. 10 Extra Entries
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Blog about the giveaway include a link to me and to the sponsor for 10 extra entries
Tweet the giveaway (every time you tweet you get an entry) Link to the giveaway please!!!
Comment on any other non giveaway post and come back and tell me you did
Use any of the Share options at the bottom of this post: Dig, Stumble, or fav me on Technorati (two entries for each one)
You can vote for me too for five entries:

Parenting

Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until November 2nd11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org