I can see clearly now the rain is gone!

I'd like to give a special-shout-out-thanks-a-million to Quaker who sponsored me this past weekend at the Evolution of Women in Social Media Conference. It was held at The Canyons Resort in Park City, and organized by TodaysMama and Mom It Forward. I feel super lucky to have been able to attend, as I am very new to the blogging world and let's face it....

I need all the help I can get.

(Would it be too embarrassing if I admitted that last year I didn't even know how to right click?)

I had a phenomenal time to say the least and soaked up every word that was uttered.

I was thrilled to be able to spend some time with these great ladies. Tina from Mommy's Kitchen and Laura from Real Mom Kitchen.

These gals have given me a lot of blogging advise, which I appreciate so much. It was fun to be able to know them in person!

In addition to all of the wonderful classes on running a successful blog, they really pampered us well! Just look at these beautiful desserts! You know how desserts are my favorite.

These were all totally to die for.

A fun candy bar!

A fancy bottle of Diet Coke.

Thanks again to Quaker, and all of the fabulous speakers. It was a weekend very well spent

Flirty Apron from www.cookware.com

The fabulous folks at www.cookware.com are going to send one of these cute aprons to me.

Looks like we could do some really fine cooking

in one of these beauties.

Some cooking,

or just hanging out on the sofa.

www.cookware.com is going to send an apron to one of you fine readers as well.

Look for a giveaway post coming soon!

Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill Review

Several weeks ago I was invited by Mr. Rubio, owner and founder of Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, to come to a bloggers round-table luncheon. I am pictured here with Mr. Rubio

and Anne from The Changable Table.

Mr. Rubio showed us some real hospitality!

We were served 7 of the restaurants most popular dishes. He was very kind and chatted with us freely about the wonderful ingredients that go into the food there.

It was EXCPETIONAL!

I loved learning more about Mexican flavors and the different spices and cooking techniques that make the food

so popular and delicious.

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone

who enjoys Mexican Grill.

It very

fresh,

flavorful,

original

and down right tasty.

Read on to hear what I have to say about some of the

dishes I got to sample.

The Carnitas Rajas Burrito was one of my favorites. Inside the burrito is sweet pork, grilled onions and peppers, cheddar, jack and mozzarella cheeses, black beans, rice, sour cream, cilantro and chimichurri sauce. The sweet pork was not overly sweet which I really liked a lot.

 

This Balsamic and Roasted Veggie Salad is said to be only 340 calories! If you don't think I haven't been dreaming about how I can make that at home, you are mistaken. Stay tuned for an up coming recipe

post at Jamie Cooks It Up!

It was very good.

Mr. Rubio calls these Street Tacos. They are snack sized tacos with pork, chicken and steak, guacamole, cilantro and onion. Really tasty!

This is a Grilled Gourmet Taco. This dish was my very favorite. 

Did it ever taste gourmet! Mr. Rubio has added a lot of pizzazz to this fabulous Taco. It has a very original cheese that has been fried.

Yes. I said fried.

Then a succulent helping of grilled shrimp, bacon, cream sauce, cilantro and avocado. It was absolutely to die for.

Rubios is known for their World Famous Fish Taco....I thought these Grilled Gourmet Tacos beat the Fish Taco hands down.

Absolute heaven in every bite.

Rubios has a fresh salsa bar as well. All of the salsas were wonderful.

Thanks Mr. Rubio for having me!

I give your restaurant two thumbs up!

***Gogurt Giveaway 30 boxes for free*** and May Menu Plan

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Yoplait  through MyBlogSpark with a fun giveaway opportunity.

They would like to send one of you wonderful folks a free sample of Simply... Go-Gurt as well as a Go-Gurt  "Simplify Your Life" prize pack that includes a pocket Etch a Sketch, weekly planner and a seat back organizer.

There are also 30 coupons for a free box of Simply...Go-Gurt available. How nice of them! Just click on the Free Yogurt button in the picture above to print your coupon. After the 30 coupons are gone you may still access high value coupons from the picture.  

   New Simply... Go-Gurt is made from simple ingredients moms look for and contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors. Each convenient portable yogurt tube contains a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Simply stated, Simply... Go-Gurt is a good-for-you, low fat yogurt snack that you can feel good about giving to your kids.

Isn't that great!

I have been enjoying this fun prize package from MyBlogSpark and Yoplait. I picked up a box of Simply...Go-Gurt this past week and my kids gobbled them all right up. I really loved the fact that there is no high fructose corn syrup added.

To enter the giveaway leave me a comment telling me your kids favorite "healthy" snack. You may comment until Friday May 7th at midnight. I will announce the winner on Saturday morning. Good Luck! 

May Menu Plan

I do realize that it's the 5th of May today.

I'm a little late getting this posted. 

 The meals in red are back links to previous posts. The meals in black are things I am planning to post in the near future.

Enjoy your day!

Luscious Lasagna with Macaroni Grill Bread

Penne Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach

Southwest Chicken

Rumbi Mango Chicken Salad

White Chicken Chili with Quick and Easy Breadsticks

Pan Fried Fish with Saucy Green Beans

Taco Soup with Healthy Corn Bread Muffins

Asian Lettuce Wraps and Egg Drop Soup

Teriaki Chicken with Ham Fried Rice

Mexican Rice Salad

Lentil Soup with Bacon and Fabulous French Bread

Stuffing Chicken and Spinach and Fruit Salad

Healthy Spinach and Feta Pizza

Asian Chicken Salad

Bruschetta Chicken

Personal Pizzas 

 Grilled Chicken and Pepperoni Pasta Salad

Chicken Pesto Sandwiches

Snicker-doodle Bundt Cake

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Fruit Juice Jigglers

Oatmeal Pancakes

Banana Pops

Sugar Popcorn

Molten Lava Cake and ***Ramekin Giveaway***

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Wow! That picture's bright enough to knock your socks off, isn't it! 

It just shouts out....

Eat me!

Eat me!

Rah Rah!

Eat me!

No, I wasn't a cheer leader in high school.

Those of you who know me from high school are nodding your head and thinking...

"Nope, no way (chuckle, chortle) that girl is not coordinated. Isn't she the one with the husky male singing voice and really big feet?" 

Those two qualities alone do not a cheer leader make.

But if I could cheer for this fabulous Molten Lava Cake, I would!

 It is seriously like a party in your mouth my friends.

A fun old party. 

This recipe makes 8 ramekins full of heavenly chocolate bliss.

(You could easily 1/2 the recipe if you only want 4 ramekins full of chocolate bliss.)

 When your fork hits the center of the cake it just oozes out all over your plate....

I told you it was going to be a party in your mouth.

And that's not the best part.

 Cookware.com would like to send a lovely set of Ramekin dishes to one of you.

 

Now, aren't you so glad you dropped by today?

Cookware.com  sent me two sets of these beautiful Ramekins and I have been thoroughly enjoying them. The pattern on the outside is just darling, and they are very well made. They bake well in the oven and are the perfect size for using as an ice cream dish as well. 

To enter the giveaway leave me a comment telling me how you would use these Ramekin dishes. Leave your comment by Wednesday Night at midnight, I will choose a winner at random and announce he or she on Thursday morning.  

Molten Lava Cake

Yield: 8 Servings

Time: 40 minutes

 recipe adapted from: Kraft Foods

8 squares Baker's Semi Sweet Chocolate
1 C butter (2 sticks)
2 C + 2 T powdered sugar
4 eggs
4 egg yolks
1 t vanilla
dash salt
12 T flour

1. In a medium sized microwaveable dish melt your chocolate and butter. Heat it up in 1 minute intervals, taking it out and stirring between each interval.
2. When it's nice and melted stir it all around to incorporate the butter into the chocolate.
3. Add the powdered sugar and stir to incorporate.
4. Add the eggs and egg yolks and blend them in with a wire whisk. Add the vanilla and salt and stir.
5. Stir in the flour.

6. Generously butter the insides of the Ramekins.

7. Pour the batter into the cups.

8. Bake at 425 degrees for 13 to 14 minutes. You want the out sides to be firm, but the center to be soft. Take them out of the oven and let the cute little darlings just sit there for a minute or two.

9. Run a knife around the edge of the dish and turn it upside down on your serving plate. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy the party!

***Betty Crocker Giveaway*** and Emily's Birthday Cake

                                

About a month ago I was contacted by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark about a great giveaway opportunity. They sent me a wonderful Flip Video Camera, some coupons for a free cake mix and tub of frosting, and $100 gift card. All for the planning of my daughter Emily's birthday party! Isn't that fun! 

If you haven't looked at the Betty Crocker website it is a must see! There are all kinds of fabulous birthday cake ideas. They also have great ideas for party planning and hosting your child's dream party. I have added some of Betty Crockers Birthday Cake pictures and links for your easy access. Keep on a scrolling down.

The cake I made for Emily's birthday/baptism celebration is the cake pictured above. You can access the recipe complete with step by step instructions and pictures by clicking here, or just scroll down a bit and you will see it. I used three wonderful Betty Crocker Cake mixes to make this Tiered Cake with Raspberry Filling. Thanks Betty Crocker!

Betty Crocker is offering this fabulous gift package to one of you lucky readers! Included are a cake decorating kit, oven mitt, coupons for cake mix and frosting, large spoon and serving spatula. To enter leave me a comment telling me why you love a good cake mix. The giveaway deadline will be Thursday April 15th at midnight. I'll announce the winner on Friday morning. Good Luck everyone and thanks to Betty Crocker.    

                                                    Building Blocks Birthday

                                                   Firetruck Birthday Cake

                                               Zoo-rific Kids Birthday Party

                                                       Pop Star Diva Party

Charles Ingalls, and his muddy boots!

A few mornings ago I was feeding my children breakfast. There they were, all lined up on 5 soft and cushy bar stools....just waiting for their grub. Grub? Where did that word come from? I try not to make anything that might be labeled as "grub". When you hear the word "grub" do you automatically envision Charles Ingalls leaning over a camp fire cooking rabbit?

 I do.

Wonder if it was good?

Anyhow, while I was making breakfast I was thinking about a message I received from a great online store called COOKWARE.com. They offered me the opportunity to review a fine set of Ramekins.

"What is a Ramekin?" you might be wondering!

"Is that the fat rabbit Charles Ingalls was cooking for dinner?"

No, my friends. A Ramekin is a small individual sized baking dish. I have been hearing all kinds of wonderful things about them and have been eager to try them out. Cookware.com  has agreed to send me 2 sets of these Ramekins...and they will also graciously be sending a set to one of you lucky readers. That is something to smile about! I am eager to receive mine. After I have tried them out I'll post a recipe that makes good use of these Ramekin dishes and  give you a chance to enter the giveaway.

Next week I am planning to post every day for 7 days in a row.

What is the occasion?

Think Spring! Think delicious luncheon type food! Think baby shower, wedding shower....

Please.

 Do not prepare your food in the shower.

I've got a wonderful "girl food" recipe line up that includes food  perfect for any kind of brunch, shower, luncheon, or Spring holiday get together. Hope to see you next week! I've got some great things in store!

(We will not be discussing Ramekin Rabbit Stew....let's leave that for Charles and his muddy boots.)