Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Jimmy Dean Better Breakfast Better You! and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Jimmy Dean.
However the opinions and feelings expressed here are my own.

The holiday season is nearing an end my friends. Unless you count Valentines day...and in that case the holiday season is just 3/4 of the way through! Let that put a little sparkle in your eye, now. However whether you count it or not, January is staring us right in the face.


January. The old girl is usually pretty cold in my neck of the woods. Also a  bit boring. No one wants to make anything with butter and sugar anymore, holiday parties are over, and my pants are too tight. Not really my favorite month...if you catch my drift. 

But with January also comes the opportunity for change. A fresh start, if you will. That is something to smile about. While I love (and have a serious addiction) to butter and sugar...it is bit refreshing to take a break from them for a spell. I cannot deny it. I often tend to get in a butter/sugar frenzy by the end of December. Come January I am ready to bring in a replacement! Something that is a little bit better for you!


A couple of weeks ago I was given some samples of Jimmy Dean Delights breakfast sandwiches. 


Jimmy Dean has come out with several options for breakfast that have less fat, while still tasting great. I have to say I was a bit skeptical of these breakfast sandwiches at first. I'm more of a grind-the-wheat-make-the-bread-from-scratch kind of chic. However I am finding in my ever increasing busy life...I make better choices when there are "better choices" available quickly

I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of these products! They are really good. They have a lot of protein and much less fat than Jimmy Dean's regular product. Two things that are a great bonus. I have found (in my many years battling the bulge) that eating more protein really helps a lot. Protein combined with whole grains is a magical potion. I am looking forward to hanging out with both of these two. More of these, less of the butter/sugar combo we discussed earlier. The new Jimmy Dean products will be a great addition to my routine. I look forward to having them as an option on a busy morning. Ok...let's be honest. I can count on one very tiny finger the mornings that aren't super busy around here. Must be the mother-of-five gig I'm trying to pull off.


If you would like to enter to win the $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway leave me a comment telling me one choice you are going to make this January to improve your self. One simple way you plan to make a better you.


Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
This giveaway will run from December 28th to January 30th

.
The official rules can be found here.

To visit the other bloggers participating in this giveaway click here.




Monday, December 13, 2010

Snowman Pop-Tarts Sled and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.



THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED


If you are looking for a fun little kitchen project, 
give these Snowman Pop-Tarts a go!
I had a fun time with my kids while we put them together. 

If you would like to enter to win the $100 Visa Gift Card  from BlogHer leave me a comment below telling me the thing you love most about Christmas! Be sure to leave me your email address as well. You have until December 25th to enter.
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
 
The official rules can be found here.
There will also be a second opportunity to enter next week. Watch for another Pop-Tarts post that will include a video my family and I put together.
Click here to see the other 9 bloggers participating in this campaign.



Snowman Pop-Tarts Sled
Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 sleds
Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!

Royal Icing:
4 C powdered sugar
3 large egg whites
1/2 t cream of tartar

Sleds:
12 Pop-Tarts
1 bag extra large marshmallows
1 bag regular marshmallows
24 candy canes
assorted candy....red hots, hard cinnamon candies, mini chocolate chips...what ever suits your fancy!
Big Red Gum
Edible Color Markers (totally optional...but fun!)


1. To make the Royal Icing put all ingredients in a mixing bowl, or a stand mixer. Beat on medium high speed for at least 7 minutes. You want it to hold a peak.
2. Leave the icing white, or add food coloring if you choose. I opted to turn a bit of it red. 


3. Glue the candy canes to the top of the Pop-Tarts with the Royal Icing. 
4. Build your self a little snowman with the marshmallow. Use the Royal Icing to stick each part together.


5. I used these fun Edible Markers to draw faces on the snowmen, and to add little details to the scarfs. (made from Big Red gum)I got the markers at my local WalMart.

Use your imagination! Have FUN!!!!!