Thursday, August 25, 2011

Friday's Two for $10! Oh, yeah!



Disclaimer time!
This sponsorship is brought to you by Friday's® who we have partnered with for this promotion.

Now, on to good food and fun!

Attention Chicago area Friday's fans!
Head on over to your local Friday's now to pick 2 items for only $10!

Enjoy some of Friday's® delicious specials (including appetizers, entrees, and desserts):
  • Spinach Florentine Flatbread

  • Savory Dragonfire Chicken

  • Pan-Seared Parmesan Flounder

  • Delicious Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

This offer is available every night of the week!
For the full menu being offered, please visit:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;244940024;55575682;l?http://www.tgifridays.com/menus/pick2for10.aspx

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Super Simple Tips That Don't Cost a Penny!

Don't you just love quick and easy solutions?
This one is so fun!

Grab a ketchup bottle before it hits the recycling.
Clean it, maybe have your kids decorate it.
Keep it in the pantry till you need it.

How do get the pancake batter *into* the bottle?
Well, I'll tell you how I do it. I use a 29 cent oil funnel from the hardware aisle of the grocery store.

Now, I'm not telling YOU to do that.
I mean, it's not like that's food-grade plastic or anything.

But, I haven't died... yet.

(Obviously, I have only use it for food - not oil changes. Funnels are perfect for adding powdered drink mixes to left-over 2 liter bottles, too. Just in case your pitcher and its unsecured lid tends to hit the dirt so-to-speak making a red drink kid pool on the kitchen floor. 2 liter bottles are kid friendly.)

Oh, and ketchup bottles are not only free...
but they are great for little hands, too!

Here's another handy tip I use.
We've all seen these manicure sets which go for anywhere from $8-25.

Well, I have lots of tweezers and clippers around...and I certainly have lots of no longer used cases from glasses long gone. Snap! There's your travel manicure set for your purse or travel bag.

Gosh, I love saving money!
What are your easy-breezy tips?
Tell us in the comments below!

Wanna read Part 2 of Simple Tips?
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Healthy Snacking Tips - Fruits and Veggies

Our family is trying to eat more fruits and veggies.
One way we're accomplishing our goal is making healthy snacks as easy to grab as chips.

Way back in college I learned that commercial kitchens do the prep ahead of time.

Grab and go is our new motto.

So, just like in the college cafeteria, I'm now taking seedless grapes off the vine and putting them in water in the fridge.

Same goes for carrots.
(Well, not the vine part.)

And, I sometimes cut up celery sticks, etc.
Every few days, just change the water out.
(But, it's even nicer when they're all eaten!)

Disclaimer:
Sure I could chop carrot sticks, but the baby carrots were free with a coupon. Score!

What are you doing to ensure that you eat your fruits and veggies?
Tell us in the comments below!


Linking up to:


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Monday, August 22, 2011

Leak-Proof Tavel Bottles!
You had me at "Toxic-Spill!"

You know I'm a big fan of The Container Store and that I'm not making a penny form them telling you of their goodness.

Today, I found out their Nalgene travel bottles and I almost squealed in delight.

(I resisted. It was difficult.)

I'm getting soooo tired of cleaning out my travel case from shampoo spills. I have even gotten to where I put the shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, etc. in a gallon sized zip-loc, to be sure it won't get all over my brush and makeup. Bleck.

Laboratory quality seals?
Nalgene, you had me at "toxic spill."

(That's what it feels like to have to clean-up shampoo after a trip. My brain actually read, "toxic spill" rather than "toxic chemicals" - that's how much I hate cleaning up shampoo...)

I'll be getting these bottles.
No question.


Did you catch our Healthy & Handy Lunch Packing Tips?
I think for Christmas, my wish list will just say, "Gift cards for The Containers Store."
For you, what is the most frustrating thing about travel?
Tell us in the comments below!



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Monday, August 15, 2011

Pressure Cooker - Inspirational Story of 3 Students Longing For a Culinary Future

Looking for an inspiring movie for yourself or your teens? This isn't pretty...it's gritty and real - focusing on a Philly teacher's culinary class and a group of 13 students vying for scholarships to culinary school. Three student stories are highlighted.

In between touchdowns, taking are of special needs siblings and in many cases, assuming the parental roles in the family - these kids find the time to practice their tourné.

Pressure Cooker is available on Netflix for DVD and streaming - so you can watch tonight.

Want a preview?


Three Philadelphia high school students negotiate the challenges of the inner city and the demands of their tough-minded culinary arts teacher, Wilma Stephenson, to become contenders in a citywide cooking competition. Charming and surprisingly hilarious, Jennifer Grausman and Mark Becker's inspiring, Emmy-nominated documentary showcases the heights young minds can reach, regardless of their environment, when they're expected to succeed.
Enjoy :)
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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Healthy & Handy Packed Lunch Tips - For Kids & Adults

Now that's an idea I can really sink my teeth into. The Container Store is really getting into the lunchtime containers - and they teamed up with Whole Foods to offer a video about it. (Link below.)

I'm imagining all of the veggies and dip I could put in my own lunch with this baby. And, I like their idea of sushi, too - as long at it's veggies and not seafood!


I learned a lot about both The Container Store and Whole foods in this vid. For example, these containers are all "BFA Free." This cube is cute, huh? It folds up nicely.


Learned a lot about Whole Foods, too. Didn't know that when you shop there you are getting no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. And, no hydrogenated oils, either.

(Not that I mind a bit of butter in my pie crust - or lard in my fried chicken, just being honest here. LOL)

This box looks like it would be nice for adult sized sandwiches. Of course, at your local grocery store there's colorful one for kids. I'm not sure if the Wonder Bread container is BFA free yet. Might be.
If you have a moment, you can see the whole video from the fine folks at Container Store and Whole Foods. And, nope, I didn't get a penny from The Container Store or Whole Foods for telling you about them!

As a kid, what was your favorite packed lunch?
What did you hate?
If modern containers were available then,
what would you have liked to find in your lunch?
Tell us below.

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Denim Walls - Sigh...

If I had a den, study, corner nook, breakfast nook, room under the stairs... a place to sit quietly and read a book. The walls, might be in denim.

Sqooshy leather chairs would also be present, but my imagination is more free flowing than my budget. If you catch my drift.

It's the Ralph Lauren Home Indigo Denim collection.

Anyone else now have an ear worm from the Princess Bride in their heads?
"You keel my fathere, prepare to die!"
I digress...

Do you have your little corner of the world?
What does it look like?
If it's only in your imagination...
Feel free to share it below in comments.




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Monday, August 8, 2011

FREE ALBUM from FIGHT WITH MONSTERS! (Don't miss it!)

Don't miss it!

From the band:

OUR ALBUM IS ONLINE!
You heard correctly. The entire thing is available to stream at www.soundcloud.com/fightwithmonsters/sets/sack-o-tunes

Now, if you want to purchase said album and download it, head to www.fightwithmonsters.bandcamp.com/releases

Hope ya like it!
Fight With Monsters
or find us at...
Fight With Monsters...on Facebook


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Cute video! Jessica's Daily Affirmation

Cute kid, eh?
Click on the video below to hear Jessica's Daily Affirmation.



You can click HERE if the embed stops working.

Yeah, I know this vid has been around for a while.
But, I needed a smile today.
Thought I would pass it on!

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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Now, THAT'S expensive!

Now, that's one might expensive sandwich!
Saw that a while back at a local eatery.

I'm sure they just forgot the decimal.
But, it still cracks me up.

Speaking of the price of food, boy it's gone up! I still work the deals, buying about 3 months worth when things reach their "lowest of low" prices - which occurs about every 12 weeks. So, there's always food in the pantry.

While the sign above is about Italian beef...
I'm wondering about hamburgers.

What's the most expensive hamburger you've ever purchased?
Where? What was on it? Worth it?
What would be the most you would ever pay?
What would be on it?

Comment below!


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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Today's Grin: Noodles Pho U

This made me smile.
A local Vietnamese Noodle House showing a sense of humor.

For who?
Noodles Pho U!
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Monday, August 1, 2011

Wonder Why You're Hungry After Chinese Food?

I'm sure we'll still frequent our local (and amazing!) Chinese take-out place. (Yeah, I know it's not really Chinese.) It's delicious, it's fast, easy, inexpensive...and we like supporting neighborhood sole-proprietors.

But, I thought this was interesting...

I'm not a dietitian, nor do I play one on TV. But, this gals is. She says that MSG is an appetite stimulant. Did you guys know that? I didn't.



Here's the direct link for that video.

So, I guess that's another reason to cook your own food at home. And, since many stores now carry an "Asian veggie blend" right in your frozen food section - it's easier than ever.

If I'm in a rush, I think I'll just ask the nice lady behind the counter to leave the MSG out of my beef with broccoli :)

What's your favorite "Chinese" food?
What food related surprises have you come across?
Share below!

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