‘Giveaway’ Articles at Sweetnicks, Page 2

Recipe: Cheddar Broccoli and Chicken Casserole (Country Crock) & a Giveaway!

June 16, 2013 · Ad-Free

Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned cooking with Country Crock? I finally did it. Broke down and used Country Crock for something besides spreading onto my warm toast (which it is still totally awesome for, btw).

I ended up going with a recipe straight from Country Crock themselves, namely their Cheddar Broccoli and Chicken Casserole. Broccoli is one of a handful of green vegetables that my kids clamor for. Nick will eat it raw with dip, and they both can’t get enough of it when it’s roasted. So when I saw this easy recipe combining broccoli with chicken and cheese (more kid-approved ingredients), I was in.

Especially since I happened to have all the ingredients on hand already.

And that it’s basically a two-pot dinner, thereby not destroying your kitchen terribly. And a casserole with cheese? Puh-leeze. It’s got my name written all over it. Comfort food, thy name is casserole.

So the verdict? Really good. Simple to make. And another great way to use Country Crock (which has a whopping 70% less saturated fat than butter!), thereby breaking me out of my just-spread-on-toast rut.

Thank you and amen.

The kind folks at Unilever would like to make it easy for YOU to try Country Crock and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter too! Comment below for your chance to win a $50 gift card to Wal-Mart!

PRIZE: One $50 gift card to Wal-Mart
TO ENTER: Leave a comment and share your favorite summer recipe
FOR MORE ENTRIES: Tweet this post. Or Pin this post and comment that you’ve done so. Or follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram, if you don’t already (and come back and tell me you do).
GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 11:59 pm EST
WINNER ANNOUNCED: In an upcoming post and via Twitter. If winner doesn’t respond with address info within 48 hours, a second winner will be chosen.
NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
FINE PRINT: The winner will be selected using random.org.

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Review: Kona Cafe {Polynesian Resort, Disney World}

May 29, 2013 · Narrative

If money were no object and someone asked for a hotel recommendation at Disney World, I will always recommend the Polynesian Resort. When we visited Disney a few years ago, when Nick was four, we found ourselves continuing to go back to the Polynesian Resort time and time again.

For, what I consider, the best gift shop out of all the resorts.

For the awesome character family-style breakfast and dinner at ‘Ohana.

For the gorgeous environment.

And now, after our most recent trip, I can say that another draw of this particular resort is that they have the self-serve Dole Whips, a must-eat when visiting Disney World.

When we arrived on the Friday night of our weekend away, after checking into our hotel, we headed straight over to the Polynesian Resort, intent on killing two birds with one monorail trip.

Dinner. And (our first ever) Dole Whip.

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Review and Giveaway: {Origami Owl}

May 27, 2013 · Narrative

Nick and I love to watch Shark Tank. It’s a show that features a panel of multi-millionaires, and guests come on the show to pitch their idea for the next big thing. The panel (or “the sharks”) then choose to invest in the person and their idea, or pass. We love to hear the pitches, the stories behind the idea, and see the decision making happen. And it’s even more fun when we walk into a store and see the actual product for sale. It’s a smart show, which is the perfect counterbalance to the reality TV I watch.

I have always loved the whys, hows, whens, and wheres of business development, so when I heard about the story behind Origami Owl, I was more than intrigued. A business started by a 14-year-old about two years ago. A business that is so successful that it consistently has a waiting list of designers (their name for consultants) to sign up that numbers in the tens of thousands.

How’s that for a good “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” essay?

When a friend of mine started selling Origami Owl a few months ago, she offered a locket to me so I could see the quality first-hand. I love the concept behind it. The lockets are designed to be filled with charms of your choice, so you can tell your own story. You can put in charms with your children’s birth dates, for example. Or maybe charms that depict some of your favorite hobbies. Or things that are particularly meaningful to you. Or with Communions and Confirmations coming up, perhaps a locket with religious symbols as the perfect gift for a family member. Or a locket for the special teacher your child had this year.

With tons of different charms and stones to choose from (and 100 more just recently added), the possibilities are endless. And with the customization, each quality-made locket is specific and special to the wearer. It doesn’t get more personalized than that.

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emBARK on Pet Health {Sergeant’s Pet Care Kit Giveaway}

March 16, 2013 · Narrative

Remember a few weeks ago, we were talking about emBARK and the work that Sergeant’s Pet Care was doing to donate pet care kits to animal shelters? Well, they are generously providing me with a pet care kit to give away to one lucky Sweetnicks’ reader.

PRIZE: One pet care kit from Sergeant’s, which includes:

Sergeant’s Whiff Shampoo
PurLuv Sizzlin Strips
SENTRY Petrodex Dental Kit
SENTRY Calming Collar for dogs with Good Behavior pheromone technology
Sergeant’s Vetscription Joint Eze Plus

TO ENTER: Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite pet.
FOR MORE ENTRIES: Tweet this post with the hashtag #SergeantsPet. Or Pin this post and comment that you’ve done so. Or follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram, if you don’t already (and come back and tell me you do).
GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 11:59 pm EST
WINNER ANNOUNCED: In an upcoming post and via Twitter. If winner doesn’t respond with address info within 48 hours, a second winner will be chosen.
NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
FINE PRINT: The winner will be selected using random.org.

Good luck!

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Mushroom Toast Points {Progresso Recipe Starters}

February 1, 2013 · Narrative

Does the phrase “toast points” bring you straight back to the 1970s or what?

When it comes to developing recipes for clients, the projects usually fall into two categories: 1) They’re looking for a new, original recipe along a certain theme (holiday, event, season, what have you) or 2) They would like you to use a certain product.

I love both angles of it, but the latter is a good opportunity for me to find out about new products I might have otherwise missed. Like it’s how I discovered Pillsbury’s whole wheat artisan pizza crust, which is now one of my favorites.

And this time? It introduced me to Progresso’s Recipe Starters. Whether you use it as a base to build a recipe, or just make a soup out of it, it’s a new, unique product that is worth hunting down.

When I saw that one of the flavors was a portobello mushroom one, I instantly thought of toast points. I don’t know why. Sometimes I can’t explain my mind.

Caramelizing an onion and some garlic first, and then adding a boat load of mushrooms, the recipe starter, and cooked chicken … and man, did it ever amount to a pan full of deliciousness.

To that point that as I was sampling the sauce, I burned my tongue.

And that didn’t stop me from going back for more.

Reduce the sauce a bit so it thickens up, and gently spoon it over a few pieces of toast.

Total comfort food from the inside out. And perfect for this arctic freeze that has been coming through over the past few days.

Did you hear there’s a big game this weekend? While this is *not* a finger food in the least, it is something super quick that you can make for your guests, leaving you more time to enjoy your company and the game, and less time slaving over the hot stove.

Like 20 minutes and you’re done.

Super savory. Simple. Comforting. Filling.

Touchdown.

You knew I had to go there.

If you’re looking for more tips, ideas, and recipes for your own Super Bowl Sunday party, you might want to check out this Land O’Lakes link for more. And now … a giveaway.

Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite party food or recipe to share and you’ll be entered to win a Land O’Lakes giveaway. The winner will receive an Emile Henry pizza stone, a large white serving platter from Crate & Barrel, a reusable refrigerated grocery bag and a high value coupon from Land O’Lakes. Extra entries allowed if you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest (this is only for new followers), or if you follow Land O’Lakes on Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And extra entries for tweeting this giveaway. Entries accepted up until midnight on Tuesday, EST. Good luck!
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Come Together and Pass the FUZE {Giveaway!}

November 10, 2012 · Ad-Free

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. Besides the fact that it’s a few days early this year, we were seriously gypped with Hurricane Sandy robbing us of Halloween (and, of course, so many fellow New Jerseyans are still without power as I write this). That being said, the positive thing about Thanksgiving being right around the corner is that it’s the universal signal to start eating comfort food.

Hell to the oh yeah.

In fact, I’m not even going to wait that long. As I plan our menu for dinner with guests tomorrow, it’s all.about.the.comfort.food.

Because after 8 days of being without power, there is nothing more I’d like to do than to wrap myself up with a warm blanket of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Yeahbuddy.

Now speaking of coming together for the holidays, the folks behind FUZE juices are about to help YOU come together in a fun giveaway. To the tune of a $50 Amex gift card for one lucky winner.

Before I get to the details on that, they were also kind enough to send us a package of their FUZE juices (a product from The Coca-Cola Company). The kids, particularly my oldest, have gotten into the habit of tearing open boxes before they’re barely in the house. With Christmas coming, and online shopping underway, I delivered a gentle lecture that if someone accidentally tears into a box that is not addressed to them, and it turns out to be a Christmas present, then it’s getting donated.

And that was the end of that.

But not before they had torn into the box of FUZE juices that landed on our doorstep. Nick finished the Strawberry Lemonade flavor in one weekend. And loved it. With only 15 calories per bottle, it also boasts 1330 mcg of Vitamin A, 120 mg of Vitamin C, and five more important vitamins and nutrients. Although it does contain a bit of sucralose, we keep a keen eye on artificial flavors, and it’s the exception, not the norm.

And now the good part… in the spirit of coming together, I would love for you to create a Pinterest board with the theme “Come Together and Pass the FUZE.” On it, share any meal ideas or recipes that you enjoy (or might enjoy!) with your friends and loved ones. I bet you know the perfect dishes to include, especially with Thanksgiving planning in full swing. Your entry for the $50 Amex gift card will be by commenting below with the link to your “Come Together and Pass the FUZE” Pinterest board. Additional entries (after the first required Pinterest board) can come by way of following me and/or Coca-Cola on Twitter, tweeting this post, and/or following me on Pinterest and Instagram. So after the first required entry, that’s 5 more entries you can have!

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Celebrating Halloween {2012}

November 5, 2012 · Ad-Free, Narrative

Last year, our Halloween was delayed because of a freak snowstorm. This year, it’s anybody’s guess when it will happen. Luckily Madeline’s school had arranged a trunk-or-treat event the Sunday before Hurricane Sandy struck, so they were able to squeeze in a little bit ‘o festivities beforehand.

There are some schools of thought that in the grand scheme of things, Halloween shouldn’t matter or even be a second thought when there is so much devastation and restoration to contend with.

I don’t agree.

The kids need a little bit of happy in their lives right now. Let us adults deal with the grown-up stuff. The kids have all been such troopers in the last week, if we can give them a little piece of Halloween, why not? Nick’s school is in the process of organizing a trunk-or-treat for this weekend, and I think we’re all looking forward to a bit of regular life amidst things like dealing with power loss and gas shortages. And the trunk-or-treat guarantees the kids’ safety so we don’t have to worry about contending with down wires, fallen trees, and road closures….

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Review: Dove Body Wash

July 18, 2012 · Narrative

Dry skin runs rampant in our family. Like full-on cracking skin through the winter. Nick seems to have avoided the dry skin curse so far. Madeline and I are not so lucky.

When I was in 8th grade, I would get chapped lips so bad. I couldn’t resist licking them, and would invariably end up with a chapped ring around my mouth. Just what brings all the boys to my front door.

Natch.

I’m sure that has nothing to do with my chapstick-in-every-corner healthy obsession now.

Not one bit.

When Madeline was born, she had eczema. No amounts of liberal lotion lathering seemed to do the trick. No matter what I used.

Thank goodness she has outgrown that period.

But knowing our predisposition to dryness, we slather lotion and creamy body washes on with wild, reckless abandon.

True story.

To say we are pretty dedicated to awesome skin care would be an understatement.

So when the folks at Dove wanted to send me a bottle of their new body wash, we were willing guinea pigs.

Does she not have the most awesome tan ever? I have been calling the kids my little brown babies since the beginning of the summer. During the summer, they get the most delicious brown skin ever. Glorious tans that bottles can’t produce. And the heartbreaking part? They don’t spend any more time in the sun than any other kid. Their predisposition to the fabulous summer glow comes straight from their Dad and his Cuban lineage. ‘Cause it sure as heck ain’t from me. I get a little light color on my arms, and that is the end of that.

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Review and Giveaway: Stonefire Bread

November 18, 2011 · Ad-Free

I am always on the look-out for a new bread to try, and happened upon these garlic-flavored naan packages from Stonefire during the early summer. They have just the tiniest hint of garlic infused into them, and my favorite way for using them is by making flatbread pizzas. Caramelized mushrooms and onions, melted Cambozola cheese, and a smattering of fresh herbs, and it’s seriously, hands down the best homemade lunch ever. Like I could totally eat it every day and not complain a lick. That good. And my girls who love Cambozola will agree.

The day after I last made that overstuffed deliciousness, I happened to get an email from a PR rep who works for … wait for it … Stonefire. I mentioned how much I love their bread, and she mentioned how she’d love to do a giveaway. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. I happen to love how sometimes things are fun and happy in the PR world of random pitches, as opposed to telling you about all the completely off-target pitches I delete on a daily basis. She didn’t need to ask me to tell you how wonderful the bread is ’cause I would have done that anyway. It’s soft, with a nice chew, and stays fresh forever. Especially if it gets buried on your counter amongst all your other bread finds and you discover it some time later. Yep, still good!

So here’s the skinny. Want to win some Stonefire bread of your very own to try out? Here’s how you can get yourself some entries:

Comment on this post and tell me your favorite go-to lunch. Bonus points if you tell me your favorite Stonefire product, if you’re already a devotee.
Tweet this post and come back and tell me about it.
Follow me on Twitter, if you don’t already, and come tell me.

You can do all three of those options if you’d like for extra entries. I know, tough, right? US residents only. Winner will be chosen by random generator. No entries after 7 pm EST on Monday, November 21, 2011 will be considered. Good luck!

And the pizza recipe? Once I find the scrap of paper I wrote it down on, it’s all yours. Swear.

I *will* be back here tomorrow with the Thanksgiving centerpiece idea for you guys – see ya then!

Giveaway: Luna Protein Bars

August 26, 2011 · Ad-Free, Narrative

Thank you to LUNA Protein for providing me a LUNA Protein sample pack to review. The opinions I’ve expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint.

When I started clean eating and overhauled my whole way of thinking, one of the things I added to my cobbled together program was to have snacks in between meals. Handfuls of nuts. Hummus and whole wheat crackers. Greek yogurt. Granola bars. Frozen grapes. You get the picture. Since we’re always on the go, I also make sure to keep a stash of reasonably healthy Cate-approved snacks in my purse, work tote, car and work desk drawer. This way, there are no excuses. Well, except if I forget to replenish said stash.

The folks at Luna sent me a few of their protein bars to give a look-see. Or a bite-see. Natch. I will be the first to say, I am super picky about protein and granola bars. Mostly because a lot of them taste like cardboard. This was my first foray with the offerings from Luna. The bars are gluten-free, have 12 grams of protein, folic acid, calcium, iron and vitamin D. They are a nougat bar, which I totally wasn’t expecting and had to get used to. Mostly because my mind’s tastebuds weren’t expecting nougat chewiness. Reading the label first might have fixed that problem. I went through all the flavors and I think my favorite was the chocolate peanut butter one. You can taste the chocolate goodness on the outside with a hint of the peanut butter on the inside. I wouldn’t go so far as saying it tastes like a Reese’s Peanut Putter Cup. ‘Cause this is pretty healthy and that, um, is not. But when you have the munchies on the go, these are the perfect little thing to have within arm’s reach.

Beyond these tasty little treats, Luna has been in production for ten years now and is a company big on sustainability. I have to say, I kind of love that.

Need some Luna protein bars of your very own? ‘Tis your lucky day, my friends. Five lucky readers will receive a fun little giveaway pack from Luna. To enter, leave a comment below sharing your favorite grab-and-go snack – I love new ideas! Your comment will be your entry. You can tweet this post (and come back here to let me know) and that will count as a second entry. Contest closes at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 2nd (winner chosen by random.org), so you have all week to enter and spread the Luna goodness. Good luck and happy weekend!

Please click here to learn more about LUNA Protein. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #cleverLUNA