#MaryMary Season 2: Finally! A Real Reality Show

December 6, 2012 By

There’s nothing I love more than a good reality show.

You can ask anyone who knows me – I am a bonafide pop culture and reality TV aficionado. My mother is so proud. But I have to confess that I totally dropped the ball on the Mary Mary series. My TV-watching plate was so full that I had to cut back somewhere and sadly, missed the entire first season. But, as luck would have it, the show is back with a second season and I am already hooked.

I had the good fortune of watching a preview of the first episode of the second season – which airs TONIGHT, by the way – and I loved, loved it. The episode I watched followed the ladies on their promotional tour for their latest album – which wouldn’t have been anything particularly special or out of the ordinary – but the kicker was that one sister was very pregnant and the other had recently given birth to a newborn. Watching how they juggled travel, performing, and taking care of business while being away from home and kids AND having babies on the road (one in utero and one out) was absolutely something that resonated with me as a working mom.

The irony is that our situations are as different as they are the same: they’re living the glam life while being styled and chauffeured from hotel to show to city, while I’m literally in my pajamas in desperate need of a hair appointment as I write this; but at the end of the day our challenges are just the same:

How do we do follow our passions and do what we need to do from a professional perspective to fulfill our career goals while raising a happy family and nurturing a marriage?

I saw them calling home and checking in while on the road to make sure school stuff was taken care of and that the household was still running smoothly {Been there. done that.} I saw their mother traveling with them to take care of Erica’s baby while she was running to and fro. One scene in particular that resonated with me was when Tina called her husband from the road only to find out that he took their kids to the zoo without her. A major family event that made her angry and sad to miss. I totally felt her frustration in the moment! {Been there, done that!}

But what I appreciated most was their candor and honest emotion as they tried to get the job done while putting their family’s needs first. In a reality-TV world filled with glam and riches, where the kids are rarely seen because they’re shooed off with nannies, where moms whose bodies don’t show any signs of having carried a baby, and where superficial drama reigns, it was so refreshing to watch Erica and Tina keep it real.

Count me in for next season.

It’s situations like these that the three-time Grammy® award-winning gospel duo Erica and Tina Campbell face in Season 2 of WE tv’s hit series Mary Mary as they balance being recording artists, mothers, and wives. MARY MARY premieres Thursday, December 6 at 10|9c and moves to its regular timeslot on Thursdays at 9|8c, beginning December 13. Watch a sneak peek here!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of WE tv. The opinions and text are all mine.

Filed Under: family, life, sponsored post

Happy Holiday Countdown Week 4: Consider An Activity Ration

November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It sounds so WWII doesn’t it? I really don’t mean it to. It’s just that, during this time of year, we could potentially be going to holiday party or activities every day, all day!  Think about it – there’s Breakfasts with Santa and cookie swap parties and tree-trimming parties and office holiday parties and neighborhood association holiday parties and swim team holiday parties and…and…

And it’s so not necessary to overload ourselves physically and mentally to enjoy the season.

Unless you absolutely adore attending every holiday event possible (and if you do, more power to you!), you can make a choice right now to limit your time on the party circuit and take a way just a little bit of the hectic in your life for the next 5 weeks.  Here’s how:

Happy Holiday Countdown Week 4 Tip: Consider An Activity Ration

1. Pull Out Your December Calendar and Take Stock.  Perhaps you’ve already committed to some events.  Take note of those.  Then, take a look at the invitations you might have received but have not yet RSVP’d to.  Choose only those events that you would really love going to.  Hopefully that will help you whittle the list down a smidge.  And, if you realize that you’ve already said “yes” to an event that isn’t on your Would Love To Attend list, no worries.  You can always decline, politely. Explain that you’ve had a change in plans and that you are sorry to miss it. You could even send over a bottle of wine or a seasonal bouquet for the event.  Party hosts at this time of year understand that folks are overloaded and they’ll understand if you aren’t able to make it.  Trust me, that 30-second feeling of guilt for turning down an invitation will be instantly outshined by the feeling of joy now that you’ve freed up an evening or two to take time for you and/or your family.

2. Select Events with Special Meaning. After all, that’s what this season is all about, yes? We got started on our holiday outings early when, last week, we went to see “A Little House Christmas” at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo, MD.  My kids had a weekend-long sleepover with their cousins and the seven of us made the trip to the show.  I wasn’t sure what to expect – it’s not like any of them even knew what “Little House of the Prairie” was – but I’m a performing arts enthusiast and am grooming my kids to be too, so I thought it was worth a shot.

I’m so glad we went! The set was simple but charming: a modest log cabin with period-appropriate decor, and there were no flashy costumes or funky songs…just prairie dresses and folk songs sung to the tune of banjos and harmonicas.  And yet, my Two Chainz-loving, sparkly UGGs-wearing, iPad-addicted kids – and their cousins – sat, riveted for the duration of the show.  I was pleasantly surprised!  The moral of the performance that the adult and child cast relayed so well, was that Christmas isn’t about presents or things of course, but family, and my kids heard it loud and clear.  Afterwards, my eight-year-old said: “I really liked that show, Mom!” It was the perfect way to kickoff the holiday season.

I think our next outing will be another family one where we spend time with our cousins and Goddaughter taking a drive to see the Christmas lights.  Then, if I’m feeling up to it, I might pick back up on our Sometimes-Annual Christmas Cookie Decorating Party for the kiddos and their friends.  And, I can’t forget my girl time! My girlfriends and I will gather for our 2nd Annual Favorite Things Gift Swap.  Barring some other fabulous invite that I just can’t pass up, that will be it for us for the holidays (until we get to Miami on 12/18 when all bets are off).

A handful of meaningful events will be much more enjoyable than a social calendar jam-packed with random ones. Go forth a ration gleefully!

Disclosure: I was given complimentary media tickets for the “A Little House Christmas” show at Adventure Theatre. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

Filed Under: family, Happy Holiday Countdown, life, sponsored post

Working Parents: Feel Like You’re Always There with Karoo

September 22, 2012 By 1 Comment

Ah, I remember the days all too well (i.e. ahem, last year).  I’d be at work, an hour away from home, buried in legal docs or in a never-ending meeting when I’d get a text message from our nanny that [insert a kid's name here] just took her first step or lost a tooth or [insert other cute thing/milestone here].  It sucked and I never felt so far away from my little guys as I did during those times.  Even though I had The Best Nanny EVER.

I juggled a full-time legal career with being a mom to my 3 small kids for 8 years and trust me, I know first-hand just how stressful that entire situation can be.  Finding solutions for working moms to simplify their lives is a personal mission of mine – it all started with my sharing personal stories about the challenges of being a working mom on my first blog.  And, of course, that’s what inspired me to create the {re}Treat Yourself Lifestyle Event Series and have the focus of the first {re}Treat be on working mothers.  The exciting thing is that more and more resources are becoming available to help working parents streamline and and problem-solve and innovation promises so much more to come.

So imagine my delight (and, ahem, a tad bit of regret that it was not available before now) when I learned about a new iPhone app from Care.com called Karoo.


Features:

Karoo is an iPhone app (coming soon to Android!) from Care.com that helps parents, caregivers and relatives stay connected and share all the moments of childhood as they happen.  I had the privilege of sitting in on a demo call surrounding the beta launch of the app and logged off of the call looking forward to giving it a try and sharing it with friends and family.  Here’s the skinny:

  • It’s a Digital Memory Book, CareLog, and Private Social Network all in one.
  • Your child’s caregiver can download the app on her/his smartphone and capture and share photos, video and stories which are then shared with you (and whomever else you want in on the updates).
  • If you have more than one child, each can have their own timeline updated with their milestones and daily activities
  • YOU decide who can see the timeline, since Karoo is a private, safe network that stores the information on a secure server.
  • All of your family memories will be in one place (imagine!) and you can update everyone following your timelines at once (think: Grandparents + Aunties + Special Friends, etc.)

What I like most is the easy-to-use and aesthetically pleasing user interface.  Also, I’ve got tons of pics of my kids on my iPhone and sometimes I’m reluctant to share them on Facebook because, well, they’re my kids and privacy is important to me.  And, instead of having a slew of random texts sharing pics and updates, with Karoo everything will be in one place.

Also in the works? The ability to create a hardcopy memory book from your Karoo timelines = score!

Best of all? Karoo is FREE. Check ‘em out:

This post is sponsored by Karoo. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Apps, family, Real Working Moms, Sponsored, sponsored post, work mommy work Tagged With: ,

Invisalign…An IRL Tooth Fairy

June 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

An excitedly toothless Giggles

We’ve got a thumb-sucker.

Ever since she was an infant, Giggles has had an affinity for her thumb.  It was cute in the beginning: no need for a pacifier and “yay! she can self-soothe!”  But as she grew older and as her teeth started coming in, Hubby and I started to predict trouble.  She was showing no signs of letting up on her thumb and her adorable little baby teeth were getting bent out of shape…and so were we.

Hubby, who had been a thumb-sucker himself for more years than he cares to share, immediately went on a tear to end her habit.  He tried everything from old-school remedies: sprinkle some hot sauce on her thumb! to new school contraptions: a pink satin thumb cover from Amazon.com that she swore would help her to stop.  Nothing worked.

Here we are, 6 years in and now <cue the horror music> her adult teeth are starting to come in!

It’s safe to say that braces are in our future.

The good news is that there seems to be options that are lightyears better than the clunky metal joints that we had growing up.  Invisalign is one of them.  And, lucky for Giggles, they have a product specifically designed for teens.

Fast Facts About Invisalign

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign (also known as “clear braces”) are nearly invisible, removable appliances or “aligners” that are used to straighten teeth—alone for comprehensive orthodontic treatment or as a key component of restorative or cosmetic dental work. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens.

How Does It Work?

Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires.  After detailed impressions are taken of the teeth, the company utilizes proprietary 3D computer imaging technology to map the patient’s complete treatment from start to finish. Patients wear each aligner for about two weeks. During this time, the aligners gradually move their teeth until they achieve the prescribed final position.

Not Your Mother’s Braces

Invisalign is: nearly undetectable, removable, comfortable and the average case takes about a year.


Here’s the thing about crooked teeth: they can have a crippling effect on a person’s self-confidence, which we all know impacts so many aspects of his or her life, especially in the pre-teen/teen years where self-image and self-esteem are being tested and developed.  As silly as it may sound, having confidence in your smile is a critical piece of that foundation.

I’ve had the benefit of having a nice smile, without having the need for braces, my entire life.  I definitely think it’s been a huge asset and confidence-booster.  My smile disarms tentative or grumpy souls that I cross paths with; it’s seduced suitors (my husband will even attest); and it communicates the warmth and genuineness of my personality (I think).  I can’t imagine not being able to smile frequently and confidently – it’s a huge part of who I am.

And so, when the time comes, Hubby and I will certainly be looking into options for Giggles to improve her smile.  It just may influence her entire future.

To learn more about the Invisalign offerings, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.


Get $500 OFF an Invisalign Treatment (MD Residents)

Do you live in Maryland? Interested in saving on your Invisalign treatment? I’ve got a discount just for you!  See here for details.

Win An Invisalign Prize Pack

Enter to win a new smile for yourself or your teen by participating in the Invisalign Teen Straight Talk New Smile Giveaway with Mom It Forward.

Disclosure: This post was written as part of a paid campaign with Invisalign, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Filed Under: family, sponsored post, Style

Cool Summer Manicures + #TideCoolOff Invitation

June 26, 2012 By 4 Comments

I’m generally low-maintenance when it comes to my beauty regimen – for the most part, my nails are bare except for the occasional winter pedicure to combat the cold-weather blues.  Summer is an entirely different story altogether – I become mani-pedi-obsessed and go at least every two weeks (if not more often).  There’s just something about the sunshine, sundresses and sandals that makes women want to hook up their hands and feet in bright, juicy colors.

My latest favorite nailcolor is mint green…

image courtesy of TheBerry.com

And I’m so digging the neon comeback and am mustering up the courage to rock a neon yellow or orange pedi next week. Is this a respectable look for a soon-to-be 35-year-old?

image courtesy of Babble.com

You’re Invited

Gather your idea of cool summer trends and join the #TideCoolOff Twitter party WEDNESDAY 6/27 at 9PM ET hosted by Tide, Mom Trends and Savvy Sassy Moms for a chat about cool summer fashion and tips for staying cool all inspired by Tide’s ColdWater detergent that allows you to launder your summer best in cold water, saving you money and conserving water.  Need more cool? Fashionable prizes will be awarded throughout the hour!

Twitter Party Prizes include:
A pair of Havaianas and a $50 Visa Gift Card to get a pretty pedicure
$100 Banana Republic Gift Card to shop the Trina Turk summer collection
A set of vintage ice cream bowls from West Elm and a $50 Visa Gift Card to buy some ice cream
$100 to Sephora to keep you lookin’ beautiful
$250 gift card to ice.com to buy some summer bling

image courtesy SavvySassyMoms.com

Tweet you then!

This post is the second installment in a 3-part sponsored series inspired by Tide ColdWater…

Filed Under: sponsored post, Style

Lucky In Laundry

June 13, 2012 By 7 Comments

Hubby does the laundry in my house (for the most part).

I’m lucky, I know.

So when I came home from Mom 2.0 Summit excited about how we could cut down our hot water bill by washing all of our clothes in cold water, he really didn’t pay me any mind since he’s the self-proclaimed laundry expert around here.

“Are you telling me we can wash our whites, with bleach, in cold water and have them come out as clean as they would with hot water?” he said.

“Well, that’s what the Tide people told me!” I defended.

And so, when our free sample of Tide Coldwater arrived, we gave it a try.  Suffice it to say, I haven’t heard a peep from him and have noticed that he’s bought a bottle of the Tide Coldwater all on his own.  Now, you know like I know if it turned out that I was wrong and he was right about the whites washing properly in cold water, I would have never heard the end of it.  And so I am taking his silence on the topic (and our bright white towels and sheets) as proof that it really does work.  The collateral (and more important) benefit of washing all of our loads in cold water is that we’re helping the planet.

Check out these facts from the Alliance to Save Energy:

The heating of water is one of the largest uses of energy in a typical U.S. household

When doing laundry, heating water can account for up to 80 percent of the energy used per wash load in the U.S.

If a household switched to cold water washing for a year, they would save enough energy to:

  • Watch TV for 1,363 hours.
  • Play Xbox 360 for 684 hours.
  • Charge an iPhone 4S 30,861 times.
  • Power an average new refrigerator for nearly 4 months.

By switching to cold water washing, Americans could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 11 million metric tons annually.

By switching to cold water washing, consumers can save energy in a smart, practical way and save up to $63 per year. Based on national average electric costs (7/04), water heater at 140°F, warm to cold water switch, 7 loads/wk. and assuming the efficiency of electricity generation and transmission of 35%.

So the water temperature setting on our washing machine has been set to “cold” for the past few weeks and hasn’t moved.  I’m happy to say that we’ve taken this baby step towards conserving energy.  But perhaps what I’m most excited about is that, once again, when it came to a debate between me and Hubby…I was RIGHT.  It’s the small victories.

About Tide Coldwater

Tide Coldwater is a specially formulated detergent that provides a deep clean in cold temperatures.  It is a smart, practical choice for consumers looking to cut household costs and utilize the money and energy-saving benefits of using cold water for their laundry.

This post is the first installment in a series of sponsored posts about Tide Coldwater.  All opinions shared here are my own…

Filed Under: life, sponsored post Tagged With: , ,

Your Grocery Shopping Questions Answered! My Video Chats with Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru

July 7, 2011 By 2 Comments

For my final post as a 2011 ConAgra Foods blogger ambassador, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Supermarket Guru himself, Phil Lempert about advice for moms on grocery shopping.  It seems like such a mundane task at first glance, but we all know just how much time, energy, effort and money shopping for our family’s food takes!  To get the process down pat is an art; Phil was kind enough to answer my questions so that we moms can master the art of grocery shopping:

Must-Know Tips for Coupon Savings

Strategies for Shopping Healthy

Advice for Shopping Ahead

What to Do if You’re an Amateur Couponer

Ideas for Light and Easy Summer Dishes

And there you have it.  Straight from the expert’s mouth! Now if only we could add “Skilled Grocery Shopper” to our resumes…And, for everyday mealtime inspiration, make sure to check out Ready Set Eat!

Giveaway!
Enter to win a goody bag filled with treats courtesy of ConAgra Foods (including one of Phil’s books!). Just leave me a comment telling me which one of Phil’s tips helped you the most. Giveaway ends Wednesday, July 13 at midnight.

I was compensated for this post as part of my role as a blogger ambassador for ConAgra Foods.  While the content is brand-inspired, the opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: ConAgra Foods, food, Ready Set Eat, sponsored post, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Solving Your Top 5 Dinner Challenges with ReadySetEat.com

May 31, 2011 By 4 Comments

Here’s the thing about dinner: it happens every.night. Sure, when you’re in college or when you are single (or even when you’re a newlywed), you can get away with cereal or cold pizza for dinner on a regular basis.  But once kids enter the picture, the dinner dynamic changes – at least it did for me.

I wanted two things: (1) to make dinnertime a place where my family came together to re-connect after a busy day; and (2) to provide my family with a healthful, tasty meal that would nourish and comfort them.  I really do like to show my love to family (and friends) through cooking.  So what’s the issue? Let me share with you my:

Top 5 Dinner Challenges:

  1. Time.  This is the biggie.  For the most part, I walk into the house at about 6:15 p.m.  My kids have already been out of school for 3 or 4 hours at that point and are starved.  Sure, they eat an after school snack (or two), but by this point in the evening, they are craving  a meal.  And I have about 30 minutes to deliver in the face of homework, bathtime and bedtime.
  2. Ingredients. I try to plan out my meals ahead of time.  This is the only way I can function! Otherwise, I end up staring into an empty fridge or pantry and puzzling myself with a way to come up with a dish made with a lemon, some sour cream and leftover soup.  I need to have my meal components ready to go.
  3. Nutrition. I’ve said this before: part of my strategy in minimizing the Mommy Guilt that I feel from working outside of the house all day is to give my family a meal that is nutritious.  I have this obbsessive idea that – if all else fails – and I wasn’t at the 11am Math Open House – at least I gave you your veggies, doggonit.
  4. Ideas. There are 365 days in the year.  I need to come up with dinner ideas for at least 3/4 of those days. How many times can we eat spaghetti or tacos? HELP.
  5. Pleasing the Critics. And last, but not least, my family has to like what I make.  And I want them to.  Id’ like for my dinners to be delicious as well as nutritious so that everyone’s happy.

Enter ReadySetEat.com.  Since I was introduced to this site and invited to be on the Shared Tastes Panel, I’ve found myself consulting it on many a weeknight (and not just because I am a ConAgra Foods Blog Ambassador).  The site has taken into account many of the challenges that moms face as the Chief Meals Officer of their families and makes it so easy to find a recipe that suits their needs for that day.  I can go to the site, select the main ingredient that I have on hand (i.e. Chicken, Beef, Pasta/Rice, Meatless, Pork, Fish) and then select how much time I have to prepare the meal.  The site will consider your needs and serve up options that fit.  No brain wrestling needed!

Week before last, I made the Lemon Garlic Chicken from Ready Set Eat.  I was expecting a quick, decent chicken dish – but I got so much more!  The recipe was ridiculously easy to follow and I had all of the ingredients on hand (actually, I substituted Panko breadcrumbs for the Italian-Style breadcrumbs and threw in some Italian seasoning).  The result was fantastic.  My entire family devoured it and even I was shocked at how flavorful it was.  I served it with a salad and green beans.  Nutritious, delicious dinner in 30 minutes = mission accomplished!

And, if you’re looking for entertaining ideas, the site is a great resource as well.  With the summer season upon us, you might consider adding these crowd pleasers to your party menus:

Sloppy Joe Cornbread Bake. Sloppy Joes are convenient and easy and easy to make whether you’re cooking for two or ten. Plus this bake is a twist on the family favorite that can be made in 30 minutes and uses just 6 ingredients.

Southwest Pasta Salad. With just 7 ingredients you can have another dish ready in less than 30 minutes that everyone will enjoy.

And this one from Reddi-Wip:

Strawberry Shortcake is the quintessential summertime dessert and here’s a new recipe that takes just a couple of minutes and uses Reddi-wip as an ingredient, not just a topping, allowing you to stir in the cream as you go.

It’s a Giveaway! Pay a visit to the Ready Set Eat site and leave a comment telling me what recipe you think would make a great addition to your Memorial Day menu.  I’d also love to hear what your top weeknight dinner challenge is.  On Friday, June 3 at midnight I’ll select a winner at random for this week’s ConAgra Foods goody bag giveaway filled with treats for your kitchen.

This post is part of a month-long series sponsored by ConAgra Foods.  While the content is brand-inspired, all opinions are my own!


Filed Under: ConAgra Foods, food, In My Pantry, Moms In Mind, Quickie Meals, Ready Set Eat, recipes, reviews, sponsored post, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

My Celeb Chef Interview with George Duran

May 19, 2011 By 1 Comment


As part of my super duper role as a blog ambassador for ConAgra Foods, I recently had the pleasure of being able to interview celebrity chef George Duran!  You’ve seen him on Food Network, now check out what he had to say to FOODe about his career, background and recipe suggestions for busy moms:

FOODe:  Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions! I imagine that you are beyond busy. What’s a typical day like for you?

George Duran: Every day is a different day for me actually.  For example, today I’ve been working with a NYC artist to create these chef portraits in conjunction with their famous dish. It’s a project about color, food, and passion. Often I’m traveling throughout the US and there are quite a few months that I’m in production. So it’s really a mixed bag.

 

FOODe:  I am in awe of your story – majoring in Communications in college, a successful career in Radio and TV…and then culinary school in France? (You won’t believe this but I am living a parallel life – I majored in Telecommunications with a specialization in Radio & TV, with plans to produce awards shows and then I took a detour to law school, and now find myself obsessed with cooking.) How did you decide to turn your hobby into a career and make the leap to culinary school?

GD: I’ve always had a passion for mass media and communications. I worked in radio on the air in NYC for quite some time and then began working in television production. From there I decided to host in music television as a VJ, but I wasn’t passionate about it. I realized that food was something I loved too much and had quite a few great ideas for food shows. So I decided to move to France to study French cuisine and in less than a year I was introduced to the French cooking network (Cuisine TV). Before you know it I was hosting a show for them! A couple of years later I returned to the US and the rest is history!

 

FOODe:  A nice trend in food pop culture these days seems to be an emphasis on ethnic cuisine. How has your Armenian and Venezuelan background influenced your cooking?

GD: Everything you’ve tasted throughout your life will influence what you taste today. As an Armenian growing up in Venezuela I was exposed to a vibrant culinary world and that is what made me open up my mind (and palate) to all foods.

 

FOODe:  I have a copy of your cookbook, “Take This Dish and Twist It” that I received at Blissdom 2010 in Nashville (where your cooking demo was great, by the way!) You feature some really fun dishes – are there any that you think are especially great for kids?

GD: There are so many kids (and adults!) that hate brussels sprouts and I believe I have solved the problem with my Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts recipe. In fact, I’m often asked to do culinary demos for children and I have kids taste steamed and unflavored brussels sprouts and then my balsamic brussels sprouts. They instantly fall in love with it!

 

FOODe:  As as spokesperson for Hunt’s, what are some of your favorite recipes that incorporate the products? My household can never have too many cans of diced tomatoes on hand!

GD: Becoming a spokesperson for Hunt’s was a dream come true as I have been passionate about their tomatoes most of my life. My all-time favorite recipe has got to be my Oven Roasted Tomato Bruschetta.  I take the Hunt’s Tomatoes and add some herbs and garlic and roast them slowly in the oven. What comes out is a deep-flavored tomato topping that is out of this world!

 

FOODe:  I am a (very) busy mom and many of my readers are crunched for time in getting meals on the table for their families; what’s your “go-to” recipe for when you need a quick but tasty meal?

GD: This day and age I hear so many stories from moms about needing that quick “go-to” recipe for their families, and I created a recipe for Hunt’s that really solves this dilemma: Quick and Easy Coq au Vin. Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a French chef to create this masterpiece! But honestly, I’ve been recently getting a lot of ideas for some quick recipes for dinner from ReadySetEat.com. I find it to be by far the simplest website to use for delicious recipes made in record time!

***

As you all know, I’ve been reviewing recipes for ReadySetEat.com for the past few months and I’m loving their simple and fast recipes.  When I have exactly 30 minutes to get dinner on the table for my family after I walk in the door from work, it’s nice to be able to check out that site for recipes that don’t require tons of ingredients.  I usually have everything required for any particular recipe on hand, which is nice.  No need to run to the store for an exotic vegetable or special ingredient.

If you’re looking for some fresh ideas for dinner, you’re in luck – Chef Duran and partner to ConAgra Foods have simplified the weeknight dinner routine with two quick and easy weeknight recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less:

Skillet Chicken Parmesan and Pasta

BBQ Ranch Chicken and Bacon Wraps

Don’t those both look yum? I think I might give these wraps a try in my girls’ lunches.  If you haven’t visited ReadySetEat.com yet, you really should.  Whether you’re cooking for two or ten, the site offers busy people a faster, smarter way to dinner.

This post is part of a series of on-going content coverage for Con Agra Foods. While I’ve been compensated by the brand, my thoughts are always my own.

Filed Under: Chefspotting, ConAgra Foods, food, Ready Set Eat, recipes, sponsored post, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Happy Birthday Hubby: A Con Agra Foods Giveaway

May 10, 2011 By 3 Comments

I’m excited because this post marks the first of a series centered around one of my greatest passions in life – food!  As I’ve mentioned before, I’m going to be working with Con Agra Foods to bring you tips and tricks for meal planning and prep, recipe suggestions, weeknight dinner solutions, and I will even be sharing some insider info from Celebrity Chef George Duran and Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru.  Be sure to come back and visit often because with every post I’ll be offering up a giveaway so that you can receive some ConAgra goodies too.

This past weekend was our nanny’s wedding, Mother’s Day and…Hubby’s birthday.  Needless to say, the poor dear didn’t get to bask the Birthday Spotlight since he had to share his weekend with two other events.  The good news is that he’s not really into big birthday celebrations, but I am!  I like to make a big deal about birthdays and so, in addition to surprising him with a gift of some new kicks and a sharp shirt to add to his wardrobe, I had planned on spoiling him with a day of his favorite foods – but of course, the day did not go as planned and before I knew it, we were heading out of town for the wedding. So. I had to postpone his Culinary Carnival, but mark my words – it shall be done! And here are a few of the recipes, sponsored by ConAgra Foods, that I plan to whipping up for him:

Reddi-Wip French Toast

5 seconds Reddi-Wip
1 egg
4 Slices Bread
Oil for fry Pan

1.       In a shallow mixing bowl, whisk together the Reddi-Wip and egg.
2.       Quickly dip slices (do not soak) in egg mixture and cook on a hot griddle until golden brown on both  sides.
3.       Serve with your favorite topping.

 

Bread Pudding

3 Slices White Bread
10 seconds Reddi-Wip
½ cup eggbeaters or 2 eggs
1 Tablespoon Raisin
1 Tablespoon Golden Raisins
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Pinch of Cinnamon

  1. Tear or cut bread into pieces.
  2. Place bread and raisins into a small, microwave safe baking dish (8”x4”).
  3. Whisk remaining ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
  4. Pour this mixture over top of bread and raisins.
  5. Microwave for 2 minutes.

Caramel Sauce

5 seconds Reddi-Wip
10 Caramels

  1. Place Reddi-Wip in a microwave safe bowl and heat 30 seconds.
  2. Add caramels to bowl and heat an additional 1 minute 30 seconds.
  3. Stir to combine.

 

At first I was thinking of using the Caramel Sauce just with the Bread Pudding, but heck, we could eat it with the French Toast too!  These recipes are just perfect because Hubby adores whipped cream.   We always have a can of Reddi-Wip on hand for his morning french toast or waffles and my kids love putting it on their strawberries or in their hot chocolate.

Oh, and since this is a birthday party after all, there’s gifts for you too! Leave me a comment telling me what Reddi-Wip recipe you’d like to try and you’ll be entered to a Con Agra Goody Bag filled with these goodies:

PAM Cooking Spray (Baking), Snack Pack coupons, Birthday Candles, Ground Cinnamon, Wesson Vegetable Oil, Peter Pan Peanut Butter, Bisquick, Reddi-Wip Mugs, Reusable ConAgra Foods Bag!

A winner will be picked at random on Wednesday 5/18 at midnight.

For more sweet recipe inspiration, visit Reddi-Wip online.  And please tune in next week for a very cool interview with a very special guest!

This post is part of a series of on-going content coverage for Con Agra Foods. While I’ve been compensated by the brand, my thoughts are always my own.

Filed Under: ConAgra Foods, food, recipes, sponsored post, Sweet Tooth Tagged With: , , ,
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