Crockpot meals are low cost. The idea behind a crock pot is to drop your protein and let it cook and marinate. You can add anything you want to your crock pot meal like veggies, grains, sauces, spices and more veggies! And the added bonus is that dinner will be done when you get home.

An easy way to save on money is stick with proteins like chicken and beef. Chop up lots of vegetables and purchase some chicken stock or flavored salad dressing that sound delicious to you. You can also freeze in a zip lock bag and later drop in the crock pot later in the week for an easy, inexpensive dinner. Here are two low cost recipes that are under $3 per serving to get you started:

Triple-Layer Lasagna (from Prevention.com)

Prep: 20min Cook: 6hr 10min

• 1 lb extra lean ground beef
• 14 1/2 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 C sliced mushrooms
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 9 oven-ready lasagna noodles
• 28 oz tomato sauce
• 16 oz fat-free cottage cheese
• 2 C shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese

NOTE: Ingredients for a changed serving size are based on a calculation and are not reviewed by the author or tested. Please also consider scaling up or down cooking containers as needed.

1. Combine beef, tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, and garlic in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until meat is no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Coat 4-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Place 3 noodles, side by side, in bottom of cooker. Top with one-third each of the tomato sauce, cottage cheese, beef mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat layers two more times, ending with mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
3. Cover. Cook on low 5 to 6 hours, or until lasagna is cooked through and cheese is bubbly.

Barbecue Pulled Chicken (from EatingWell.com)

Prep: 25 minutes Cook time: 5 1/2 hours

• 1 8-ounce can reduced-sodium tomato sauce
• 1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sweet or smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced

1. Stir tomato sauce, chiles, vinegar, honey, paprika, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, ground chipotle and salt in a 6-quart slow cooker until smooth. Add chicken, onion and garlic; stir to combine.
2. Put the lid on and cook on low until the chicken can be pulled apart, about 5 hours.
3. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred with a fork. Return the chicken to the sauce, stir well and serve.

Author Bio:

This is a guest post from Laura Backes, she enjoys writing about all kinds of subjects and also topics related to internet providers in my area.  You can reach her at: laurabackes8 @ gmail.com.

So let’s take a look at; what is gluten?
Gluten is a composition of four types of proteins called prolamins, glutelins, albumins and globulins.

Albumins and globulins are real perpetrator as far gluten intolerance is concerned. Source of these types of proteins are wheat, barley, rye, spelt. A study found that these grains contain eighty percent of gluten composition. And other two type of proteins i.e. albumins and globulins are commonly found in grains such as corn and rice. Taking all these proteins into your meals makes you prone to be hit by the disease called celiac. The most common blood test for celiac disease actually looks for anti-gliadin antibodies in your bloodstream.

What is gluten free Food
It is not easy to find out if your food is gluten free or not and how to avoid gluten if it is so all-encompassing and sinister in our food manufacturing. But if you are smart or if you keep a little vigil around, you can keep eyes on these intricate things. First and foremost you need to avoid packed food. It would be good to you if you eat natural food that has been prepared by you. Because mostly premade or packaged foods have hidden source of gluten. So if you want to be healthy and free from gluten free it is important for you to take on more activities of cooking and food preparation.

Gluten free foods will exclude anything that has wheat, rye, barley, kamut and most of the oats. All these grains are full of gluten in them. Make it habit to have fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet. As these fresh vegetables don’t have gluten and contain proteins that are not harmful to a person suffering from Celiac, and keep you fit and healthy. Gluten free frozen waffles, plain frozen fruits and vegetables, ices are some ingredients that you can take into your regimen. These are not only free from gluten but taste delicious. Instead of cereals grains like simple rice, wheat, barley or any other cereal food that contain gluten, I would suggest to you take Wild Rice, Brown Rice and Brown Rice Flour, Bean Flours, Buckwheat into your diet.

Next comes why should take these gluten free food in you eating routine.
As has been discussed above that having gluten into your food makes you prone to attacks from diseases like celiac. Your immune system can also misfire, causing various diseases. So if you are attacked with celiac disease, taking food laden with gluten is very risky to you. A study of Medical researchers in America found that symptoms of celiac disease are so widely that diagnosis is difficult. A gluten-free diet is the only way to heal your damaged intestinal villi, The diet does not cure sprue, but manages it.

Not only gluten that’s laden into your food cause celiac disease but it is the main problem of people suffering from wheat allergy. The easiest way to avoid the allergen is to adopt a gluten-free diet. This problem commonly outgrows between the ages of three to five, wheat allergy is rate in youth and adults.

There may be other reason that you are required to take gluten free food habit into your eating routine such as weight loss, treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and relief of autism symptoms.

In nutshell taking gluten free diet not helps you to prevent several sever ailment but help you to add few more days into your life by keeping you fit and healthy. It will increase nutrients that may make your body thrive, and in the short-term you will see increased energy levels and overall increase in health levels. If you suffer from other medical conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Parkinson’s disease or Osteoporosis, then choosing a non gluten diet is a great way of losing weight, and getting healthier quicker.

The author is an expert in writing on topics like Food, health and Medical Issues. She is a fitness freak and believes that nutritious food and good health are the essential elements of life that help a human being lead a quality life. Being gluten intolerant she is a big time advocate of a Gluten Free Food and Gluten Free Recipes.

After the birth of our son, my husband and I quickly re-prioritized our wants, wishes and needs.  We buckled down with a budget, spent wisely and saved as much as we could.  We had someone other than ourselves to worry about.  Life was grand after the birth of our son and money was rarely ever tight.  My husband had an excellent job that provided well for our little family.

Twenty four months later, every thing changed.  My husband lost his job two weeks before the birth of our daughter.  The shop he worked at for nearly six years closed down and relocated to Mexico.  Not only did we lose our source of income, but we lost our healthcare.  The loss of his job completely rocked our world and for the first time, we had no idea what we were going to do.  We had enough in our savings to hold us over for three months maximum.  It was at the point in our lives that we knew we needed to do what no parent really wants to do– we had applied for public assistance.  It was a hard thing for us to swallow, but it is what saved our lives.  We had health care and our children had food in their bellies.

Our past experience is what has made the person I am today.  Our families uncertainty about the future has made me compassionate for those who struggle each and every single day.  It has also made me a big contributor to causes that matter, such as the Child Hunger Ends Here program by ConAgra Foods.  On their website you’ll learn about Food Insecurity*, alarming statistics** and ways to help keep the bellies of children full.

This is where you, my loyal readers, can help.  When you purchase participating brands (e.g. Chef Boyardee, Orville Redenbacher’s, Healthy Choice, Peter Pan, etc), look for a code on either the back or side of the can and enter on the Child Hunger Ends Here website or clicking the logo below. For every code that’s entered, ConAgra Foods donates one meal to Feeding America and you get a free song to download.  So please, help us help ConAgra Foods to end child hunger!

For more information about the Child Hunger Ends Here program, please visit their website.

Child Hunger Ends Here is ConAgra Foods community built to raise awareness and fight child hunger in America. For every code that is entered on behalf of CHEH, ConAgra Foods donates 1 meal to Feeding America.
Users will be able to enter their code directly into widget in exchange for a free download of the “Here’s Hope” song – sung by Jewel, Jay Sean & Owl City. Once the song download is complete, users can share (via Tweet or Facebook) the content with their friends.

“Disclosure: Compensation was provided by ConAgra Foods via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of ConAgra Foods.”

**1 in 5 children in America does not know where their next meal is coming from.

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves

2 teaspoons finely chopped white onion

2 teaspoons minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies, seeds and membranes removed, if desired

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

2 large ripe avocados, preferably California Haas, peeled and seeded

2 tablespoons cored, seeded, and finely chopped plum tomatoes (1 small tomato)

2 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lime juice

8 6-in corn tortillas

6 cups canola oil

Instructions:

1. Heat canola oil to 375 degrees in a deep fryer or large sauce pot.
2. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
3. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings, and serve with a basket of warm corn tortilla chips or veggie sticks, for a lighter option.
4. Cut tortilla strips like a pie into eighths. In batches (as not to overcrowd fryer) place chips into hot oil and fry until golden, two to three minutes.
5. Drain on a paper towel and serve chips warm with guacamole.

1 part Sauza® Tequila (Sauza® Silver Tequila recommended)

½ part Triple Sec

1 part fresh lime juice

1 part blueberry-pomegranate juice

Blueberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake hard: Strain into a margarita glass with fresh ice.
2. Garnish with fresh blueberries

When I first got married, my grandmother and mother purchased me cookbooks.  I thought these things were amazing and tried re-creating recipes from them all the time.  It took me a few years to notice a pattern in these recipes.  They were all super fattening, made with not-so-overly-healthy ingredients and took a long time to prepare.  My husband and I were starting to put on the bulge!

After receiving an excerpt from Tania N. Boughton’s cookbook, Eating Light, Done Right: Simply Sinless Recipes from the Single Mom Next Door (Inspire On Purpose), I wound up purchasing the entire book a few short days later.  Not only is it a cookbook, but also a story about this woman’s journey with food, weight and struggles with emotional eating.  People, this story is truly amazing and inspirational.  I fell in love with her story because I could relate to her and her recipes?  Absolutely amazing and delicious!

Here’s one recipe that I felt the need to share with y’all, as I’m a HUGE pasta/carb junkie:

Low-Fat, Short-on-Time Lasagna

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds 93% lean ground beef
• Cooking spray
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 jar pasta sauce (I like the Healthy Choice or Ragu Light versions)
• 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 1/2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan (reduced-fat if you can find it)
• 3/4 cup egg whites
• ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Oven-ready lasagna noodles (I prefer whole wheat for nutritional value)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the lean ground beef in a large saucepan coated with fat-free cooking spray over medium heat until browned. Drain off excess fat and stir to crumble. Add water and pasta sauce and bring to a near boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Combine 2 cups of the mozzarella, cottage cheese, Parmesan, egg whites, parsley, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until thoroughly blended.
3. Spread 1 cup of beef mixture in the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and arrange three or so noodles on top. Top with 1 ½ cups of beef mixture. Spread half the cheese mixture on top of beef. Continue layering noodles, beef, and cheese, finishing with one more layer of noodles and one more of beef.
4. Cover and bake at 385 degrees for 45 minutes. Then remove from oven and uncover, add remaining cup of mozzarella, and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes or until brown and bubbly.
5. Allow to cool and set for 15 minutes prior to serving.

With three girls in my neighborhood graduating from high school this year, I wanted to do something special.  Luckily for me, I was introduced to a fabulous company called La Bella baskets.  Through their website, I can purchase each and every single one of these girls a care package or gift basket (of choice and suitable for their personalities).

La Bella Baskets was kind enough to send us their All American Favorites Snack care package.  Our care package items were neatly tucked away into a red box.  My husband and children were eager to dig right into it upon it’s arrival.  Inside our care package we found:

• Starburst Fruit flavored candies
• Cheez Its crackers
• Chex snack mix
• Reese’s peanut Butter cups
• Snyder’s pretzel twists
• M & M Plan Candies
• M & M Peanut Candies
• Planters Roasted & Salted peanuts
• Skittles fruit flavored candies
• Cracker Jacks
• Classic Hershey chocolate bar
• Nestle Crunch & Munch
• 2 Movie Butter Microwave popcorn
• Rice Krispies Treats
• Payday Candy bar
• Kit kat chocolate bar
• Twizzlers Red Licorice vines

Honestly, I am not sure there could have been a better suited box for our family than this.  Thank you, La Bella Baskets, for giving my family the opportunity to enjoy one of your care packages!

Not only is cooking with your child fun, it can also be very educational. I have taught my daughter how to stir, add water, and measure. Her favorite cooking experience was making a cake for mother’s day, she really enjoyed putting the sprinkles on the cake. As holidays are approaching, we have already made a list of goods to bake for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. To start off our journey in baking, Sesame Street has released a book, “B i s for Baking” which is perfect for a stocking stuffer or a Christmas present for your child.

“B is for Baking” has 50 nutritious meals for you and your child to make together. Most of the meals are made from scratch, healthy, and easy to make. There are different recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and of course the special occasions. My daughter and I made our favorite, Banana Nut Bread.I smashed up the bananas and she added all the ingredients and stirred. “B is for Baking” gives tips to let you know when child can participate and when adults should perform the task, such as putting the food into the oven or using a knife. Of course the kitchen was a little messy from the flour and the stirring, but the experience was fun and the bread was delicious.

You can purchase “B is for Baking” at Amazon.com for only $11.55.

enLiven yogurt (www.enlivenyogurt.com), the new low-cost and tasty probiotic yogurt, which launched exclusively in Walmart stores in February 2011, will be sampled at 700 Walmart stores located in 45 states June 2-5, 2011. For exact store locations, visit enlivenyogurt.com/walmartsampling.

Walmart shoppers will have an opportunity to taste all four delicious flavors of enLiven yogurt – vanilla, blueberry, strawberry and peach – and pick up a four pack at an average retail price of $1.88 or just 47 cents per serving.

“Yogurt is a wonderful and versatile food that can be enjoyed any time of day,” said Carl Freund, vice president of consumer products at Ganeden. “We are thrilled to offer enLiven yogurt at an affordable price to help Americans spend wisely and to benefit from eating healthy foods.”

enLiven yogurt has no artificial flavors or coloring and is made by Ganeden , the nation’s leading distributor of over-the-counter probiotic products. enLiven yogurt is 99 percent fat-free, low in sodium and contains beneficial GanedenBC30 probiotics which offer significant amounts of live and active cultures to help support digestive and immune health.

For more information and to see what consumers are saying about enLiven yogurt, visit enlivenyogurt.com or facebook.com/enlivenyogurt.

You have finally started to plan your wedding; with your special day, comes a ton of celebratory events! Whether you are sipping on afternoon cocktails at a bridal party brunch, digging up some recipes for your elegant rehearsal dinner or treating wedding guests to a personalized drink menu, celebrate your nuptials with Tequila Avión. Cheers to love and tequila!

AVIÓN SENSATION
INGREDIENTS
· 1 ½ oz. Tequila Avión Reposado
· 1 oz. Guava Puree
· 1 oz. Fresh Lime Sour
METHOD
Place ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake until frothy and strain over fresh ice and garnish with toasted coconut flakes to complete the beverage.

AVIÓN FLYING APHRODITE
INGREDIENTS
· 2 oz. Avión Tequila
· 1.5 oz. Rose Water (can use Monin Rose Syrup mixed with water as an alternate)
· 1 oz. Prickly Pear Juice
· 1.4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
METHOD
Shake all ingredients over ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a crimson rose petal and fresh strawberry.

AVIÓN LEMON LOVE
INGREDIENTS
* 1 1/2 oz Tequila Avion
* 1/2 oz Fresh Lime juice
* 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon juice
* 3 oz Tonic water ( Lavender Soda Option)
METHOD
Build over ice in a Highball Glass. Garnish with a Lime wedge

Steeped in style and packaged in sleekly sophisticated tins, Talbott Teas explores combinations of unexpected flavors, spices and aromas from the finest quality ingredients from around the world. The exclusive line of teas is available in Bloomingdales, The Oprah Store, select merchants & salons and talbottteas.com

About Talbott Teas:
Talbott Teas was founded in 2003 by Shane Talbott, after establishing his reputation for creating exquisitely rich, lustrous hair at his own salon in Chicago and at the on-location salon of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Women, including Ms. Winfrey, turn to Shane for his unerring eye and sense of style that enables him to capture and enhance their own individual essence and infuse their world with beauty.

One of the premier colorists in the country, Shane further developed his finely honed sense of style on a quest for luxury tea for his sophisticated customers. Utilizing only Fair Trade Certified tea growers, Talbott Teas creatively combines all natural fruit, flowers, herbs and spices from Europe, without the use of any chemicals or preservatives. Talbott Teas uses a multi-step process intended to bring out the subtle nuances and rich essences of the finest tea leaves and aromatic flavors. Talbott Teas is sold in Bloomingdales, The Four Seasons, hair salons and www.talbottteas.com.

I’ve heard folks say that everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day . Although it may or may not be true, I’ll bet eating this great round loaf is a good start.  It’s a simple, purist’s loaf – the way I like it; no fanfare, just enjoy with hot tea.

4 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 Tbsp. butter (do not use margarine)
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Sift the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl. Using the tips of your fingers work the butter into the mixture until it looks like coarse meal.

Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and buttermilk into this well; mix it in with a wooden spoon until the dough is too stiff to stir anymore. Dust your hands with a bit of flour then gently knead the dough right in the bowl just long enough for it to form a rough ball. Transfer it to a surface that you’ve lightly floured and shape it into a round loaf.

Transfer loaf to a large lightly greased baking sheet or even a cast iron skillet is good – grease that too. Make an X shape about 1/2? deep with a serrated knife on top of the dough. Place into the oven and bake until it’s golden brown – about 45 minutes. Let it cool briefly and serve warm or room temp. This recipe makes fantastic leftovers!

Red -Tomatoes have lycopene which has been shown to help with certain cancers and heart disease. Canned tomatoes, like Del Monte Diced Tomatoes, can actually have more lycopene than their fresh counterparts.

Green – Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach are chock full of nutrients and antioxidants. Sneak spinach into turkey wraps instead of iceberg lettuce for a health boost.

Yellow – Corn is rich in vitamin B constituents, especially Thiamin and  Niacin. Add a handful to your next salad!

Tan – Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and wheat tortillas are going to provide fiber and magnesium that are good for your heart. Use them more often than white grains to add more color and get better nutrition.

TIP: Start with breakfast–the most important meal of the day just got more colorful with Del Monte’s Confetti Breakfast Wrap (recipe below)!

It’s a fun way for kids to make healthy and delicious food choices.

Learn more online at http://solutions.delmonte.com/

CONFETTI BREAKFAST WRAPS

Courtesy of Del Monte Foods

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cooking Time: 5 Minutes

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 egg, beaten

2 egg whites

1 can (15.25 oz.) Del Monte(R) Whole Kernel Corn, drained

1 can (14.5 oz.) Del Monte(R) Diced Tomatoes, well drained, squeezing out excess liquid

1 cup spinach

3 oz. low-fat, low-sodium, shredded Jack cheese

1/4 cup sliced green onions

8 warm whole wheat tortillas

DIRECTIONS:

1. Beat egg and egg whites. Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Add eggs and scramble, breaking up into small pieces.

2. Combine eggs, corn, tomatoes, zucchini, cheese and onions.

3. Spoon mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up and secure with a toothpick.

Heat in microwave 30 seconds on high or until warm and cheese is melted.

Super premium ice cream brand goes national with its lauded perennial, seasonal and exclusive flavors said to elevate the ice cream experience ‘from ordinary to extraordinary’; Company now taking personal, gift and special event volume orders online to ship throughout the continental U.S.

Foodies and fine-living connoisseurs rejoice! Cowabunga Ice Cream company today announced that, with the re-launch of its new Web site at it’s super premium “designer ice cream” brand has gone national, with its inimitable ice cream and probiotic frozen yogurt offerings now available for online purchase – minimum product order $50.00 – to ship to consumers throughout the continental U.S.

“Cowabunga Ice Cream elevates the ice cream experience from ordinary to extraordinary by combining divine premium ingredients with distinctive flavors that leave our customers longing for more,” notes Ellen Schack, founder of Cowabunga Ice Cream. “While our inspired ice cream blends are ultra rich and luxurious on the palate, our brand uniquely blends this exquisite epicure experience with the fun and relaxed sensibility of surfing and beach culture. This I call the ‘Cowabunga lifestyle,’ which translates to living life to the fullest and in abundance until it overflows. We’re anxious to share our ice cream and the culture it represents, with food-and-fun-loving consumers and event planners across the nation.”

Cowabunga was recently featured at a Philadelphia Sak’s Fifth Avenue “Girl’s Night In” event at the store, where attendees delighted in the company’s sumptuous frozen confections as they shopped and socialized. Cowabunga offers such on-site tastings and full-scale ice cream catering for special events nationwide.

Whether for personal enjoyment, as a decadent gift for others, or in bulk to elevate corporate, social and other special events, Cowabunga Ice Cream offers a wide variety of perennial and seasonal flavors, with many that are exclusive to the brand. Offerings in its current designer ice cream line includes:

Cookie Dough – Cookie dough flavored ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough chunks and dark chocolate chips mixed in

Mint Chocolate Chip – Cool mint flavored ice cream with dark chocolate chunks

Cake Batter – Cake batter flavored ice cream that takes like it just like out of the mixing bowl

Almond Joy – Coconut flavored ice cream with almonds and dark chocolate chips mixed throughout

Coffee Espresso – Rich coffee flavored ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans scattered throughout

New York Cheesecake – Luxurious creamy cheesecake flavored ice cream including real cheesecake chunks and graham cracker swirled through

Classic Chocolate – A rich and decadent chocolate ice cream

Death by Chocolate – Chocolate ice cream with chocolate chunks, chocolate cake “crunchies” and fudge swirled throughout

Chocolate Peanut Butter – Chocolate ice cream swirled with creamy peanut butter

Very Vanilla – A smooth and velvety vanilla ice cream unlike any other

Take 5 – Vanilla ice cream with peanuts, caramel, chocolate covered pretzels mixed in

Rice Krispy® Treat – Vanilla ice cream with marshmallow swirled throughout and with Rice Krispies® mixed in

* Red Velvet Cake

* Peanut Butter

* Chocolate Cable Car

* Strawberry

Those wishing to order Cowabunga Ice Cream may do so online at: www.cowabungaicecream.com

Cowabunga Ice Cream was originally founded to give the Jersey Shore community a friendly place to gather and enjoy high-caliber classic and healthy frozen desserts. As word spread about the taste and quality of Cowabunga ice cream, the company inspired to offer its unique approach to ice cream on a national level. Today, Cowabunga Ice Cream is known as the world’s first designer ice cream offering a luxe epicure experience that leaves consumers longing for more. In addition to its bevy of beloved ice cream flavors, Cowabunga also offers healthy frozen yogurts containing probiotics – the natural way to promote healthy digestion. The company’s ice cream and ice cream cakes are also available in bulk orders for special events.

Bear Naked™ Pure & Natural Soft- Baked Granola Cookies in Double Decadent Chocolate ,and are these cookies to die for.  I sampled these cookies and had to recheck the label to make sure I was not given wrong information about the product! I was told these were all natural granola cookies. No way! Everyone who knows me knows my passion for chocolate.  These cookies were so decadent and rich and chocolaty you will never know they are good for you unless someone tells you! Seriously, they are really that good. Bear Naked(tm) Pure & Natural Soft-Baked Granola Cookies:  Tasting as fresh as a homemade cookie, one serving of its decadent Double Chocolate flavor offers 10 grams of whole grains. Now that’s one smart cookie!

This February, surprise your Valentine with refreshing, innovative treats that leave the guilt behind. Rather than typical sugary candies, liven up the holiday with sugar-free Metromint, a crisp mintwater made from 100% real mint and free of preservatives. With just one sip, you and your date will have instant fresh breath for a goodnight kiss!

Here are just a few of the flavors they offer:

GOODBERRYMINT (NEW): In its stylish, pink bottle, Goodberrymint matches

the theme of the holiday. It combines the natural essences of acai berries, pomegranates, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, to taste just as exciting as it looks.

CHOCOLATEMINT: Leave the heart shaped truffles behind for a more modern approach to chocolate. With the essence of rich chocolate, purified water and real mint, you and your sweetie can satisfy chocolate cravings with this zero-calorie drink.

You can check out both of these products by going to their websites at: www.bearnaked.com and www.metromint.com

Tantalizing Asian flavors are no longer off limits for anyone on a gluten-free diet. We all know soy sauce and most Asian sauces are made with wheat-filled soy – hence, taboo for adults or kids sensitive to gluten. Not anymore! With San-J sauces, go ahead and stir up an authentic Asian dinner for your sweetheart that is 100% natural and certified gluten-free.

San-J offers a line of organic certified gluten-free sauces that are 100% natural and contain no wheat. The line includes: Organic Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce (made with 100% soybeans), Organic Gluten Free Reduced Sodium Tamari Soy Sauce, Gluten Free Asian Cooking Sauces, and Gluten Free Asian Salad Dressings. How about gluten-free Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks?

Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks

Ingredients
4 8-ounce fresh tuna steaks, cut about 1-inch thick
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided salt and pepper to taste
1 cup untoasted sesame seeds

Tamari-Ginger Sauce Ingredients
¼ cup San-J Organic Gluten Free Tamari
1/8 cup rice vinegar
1/8 cup fresh lime juice
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Preparation
Pat the tuna steaks very dry using paper towels. Using 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil, rub both sides of each steak and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sesame seeds onto a shallow plate or dish. Coat each side of the steaks with the sesame seeds by pressing the fish into the seeds.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a nonstick sauté pan over high heat until the oil is very hot and just about to smoke. Add the tuna steaks and sear for 45 seconds without moving the steaks. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 1 1/2 minutes. Flip the steaks over and cook for another 2 minutes for rare tuna steaks, or 3 minutes for medium-rare. Cut the steaks on the diagonal into 1/4-inch thick slices. Plate the tuna steak slices on a platter lined with lettuce leaves.

Easy, Sophisticated Hors D’Oeuvres for Every Occasion

What a great collection of tasty treats to make and serve, and just in time for the holidays, you can put together a spread they will talk about until next year! Easy to follow instructions and beautiful pictures make this book one you will want for your own, and will want to give as a perfect gift to the cook in your life.

Good food is more than just good taste; it’s the fun and joy of creating something beautiful and sharing it with others, especially children.

Tastefully Small Savory Bites: Easy, Sophisticated Hors d’Oeuvres for Every Occasion by Kim Hendrickson outlines recipes and tips for the most creative bite-size appetizers.  Kids and adults enjoy making and eating them.

Everyone loves an hors d’oeuvre. Beauty, flavor, and novelty, all packed into a small bite, are what give a good “appetizer” its name. This collection of more than fifty original morsels, from Wild Mushroom Rugelach to Thai Shrimp Baskets, Orange Pecan Brie Cups, and Country Pâté Truffles, gives you the know-how to dazzle even the most discerning guest.

Step-by-step instructions, vibrant color photos, and lovely watercolor illustrations make the most dramatic dishes easy. Every recipe includes both bite-size and full-size versions and variations. Nearly every item can be made either all or partly in advance, giving you more time with your guests.

Author Bio

Kim Hendrickson, is the author of the Tastefully Small™cookbook series, and the winner of two Florida Publishers Association gold medals. She has catered for the New York Metropolitan Opera, and the Penguin Rep Theatre, the Bizarre Food show and Slangman’s World. She is a regular presenter at the World Tea Expo, the John C. Campbell Folk School, and at culinary events throughout the New York are. Kim teaches that good food is more than good taste; it’s the fun and joy of creating something beautiful and sharing it with others.

For more information please visit www.salviapress.com.

To get one of these beautiful books for your own to either keep or gift, follow the rules below. What a great holiday gift this will be(even to yourself)!

Rules:

1. Contest is open to US residents only.

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4. You may write about our contest on your blog.

5. Join our Google Connect

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CONTEST ENDS ON: December 18, 2010 at MIDNIGHT EST

The idea behind Hint is simple: pure water, nature’s original refreshment, accented with a hint of natural flavor. No sugar, no artificial sweeteners: Hint is a refreshing alternative to sodas, juice and other sweetened drinks and it tastes great.

Sound good? It tastes even better.

HINT is simple, Premium essence water with a HINT of flavor.

HINT offers beverages with no calories, sweeteners or preservatives and is a great alternative to juice and soda.

HINT is available in 10 delicious flavors: Watermelon, Honeydew, Hibiscus, Blackberry, Mango-Grapefruit, Pomegranate-Tangerine, Lime, Raspberry-Lime, Pear, Cucumber and Strawberry-Kiwi. Now with those choices there is a HINT for everybody!

HINT has appeared on popular shows such as: Grey’s Anatomy, Boston Legal and CSI, in addition to the Early Show, Power Lunch and good Day New York.

HINT is releasing limited-time Yogi Bear and Boo Boo bottles in its Strawberry-Kiwi flavor for the release of the Warner Brother’s 3D Yogi Bear movie due out this Christmas.  The film, which stars Justin Timberlake, Dan Aykroyd and Anna Faris, is an adaptation of Hanna-Barbera’s cartoon and will follow Yogi and Boo Boo as they try to save Jellystone Park from being closed down forever.

Smarter (and more health-conscience) than the average bears, Yogi and BooBoo will be drinking HINT, the beverage that contains zero calories, carbs and artificial sweeteners unlike other flavored waters, sodas or energy drinks. HINT is distributed to fine grocery stores and retailers nationwide.

Enter to win free movie tickets at: http://www.drinkhint.com/yogi/

We are also offering two readers the chance to win a case of this wonderful HINT water to try for themselves.  Follow our rules below to participate and good luck everyone who enters!

Rules:

1. Contest is open to US residents only.

2. You MUST leave a comment.

Additional Entries:

1. Subscribe to our email RSS Feed with the same email as you use in your comment.  MAKE SURE YOU CONFIRM IT.

2. Subscribe to our @pjmommy Twitter account.

3. Tweet saying: I’ve entered the “HINT Water” Giveaway over @pjmommy.

4. You may write about our contest on your blog.

5. Join our Google Connect

6. Join our Facebook Fan page

Contest ends on December 11, 2010 at MIDNIGHT EST

So, why has this product outshone the other products within the same field? There are several reasons to choose the NutriSystem Flex program. First of all, this special diet plan hand delivers five days worth of meals directly to your door. The other two days of the week are considered “flex” days where you have the opportunity to choose your own meals. You can choose to stray from your diet or to follow a healthy meal plan. Obviously, NutriSystem encourages you to maintain a healthy diet on these days. Because you are only eating five days worth of meals from NutriSystem, the program costs over $100 less per month than the other NutriSystem programs.

The meals that Nutrisystem offers are delicious and filling. They supply three meals per day as well as a couple of snacks. You can choose your own meals and snacks or have them chosen for you based on a meal plan. NutriSystem sticks to a basic plan which offers 55% carbs, 25% protein, and 20% fat. Women are give roughly 1200 calories per day while men are given 1500 calories per day. This is what helps to keep you full while losing weight.

The NutriSystem Flex program is the right choice for anyone trying to lose weight and get in shape!

Clicking over to the website here will get you even more recipes.  At pjmommy.com, we’ll share a recipe to whet your appetite and get you started.  We all need a little help these days with expenses and getting dinner on the table, why not let Melissa help you?  Check it out.

Fish Skewers with Basil Chimichurri
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
* 1/4 cup chopped white onion
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* Juice of 1/2 a lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
* 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Fish Skewers:
* 10 ounces firm white fish, such as cod, haddock or halibut, cut into 16 pieces (about 1-inch
* each)
* 3 small zucchini and/or yellow squash, about 1 1/4 pounds, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 8 cherry tomatoes

For the Chimichurri Sauce:
* 1 1/4 cups fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
* 3/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped sweet onion
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1/3 cup olive oil
* Juice of 1/2 a lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
* 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
* Special equipment: 8 (10-inch) wooden skewers, soaked in water for about 30 minutes

Directions
For the marinade: In a medium glass bowl, mix together the onion, garlic, oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper, to taste. Add the fish and squash and marinate at room temperature, about 15 minutes.

For the chimichurri sauce: Combine the basil, parsley, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, to taste, olive oil, lemon juice, and vinegar in a food processor bowl and pulse until the ingredients are just combined and chunky.

Preheat the grill on high.

For the fish skewers: Thread the marinated fish and squash onto the soaked skewers, 2 pieces of fish per skewer. Place one cherry tomato on the end of each skewer. Place on a well-oiled grill and cook until lightly charred on the outside and the fish is just cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. While the fish is still warm, drizzle with a little chimichurri sauce and serve more on the side for dipping.

Noodles are the world’s greatest meal-makers. If you’ve got a good supply of noodles in your cupboard, you never need to worry about dinner. Especially if they’re Annie Chun’s Noodles… and you happen to have some Annie Chun’s Sauces around to go with them! Everybody loves a bowl of noodles. If you can make spaghetti, you can enjoy a flavor-packed, healthful bowl of Asian noodles. They’re perfect hot or as cold salads. Add one of our sauces, a few veggies, a little meat, chicken or seafood, and you’ll be amazed at what you can create.

Annie Chun’s noodles worked perfectly with some roasted asparagus and grilled chicken; we used the new noodles, Pad Thai Brown Rice Noodles, and did not have any leftovers for the next day.  With that being said, we next tried out the Maifun Brown Rice Noodles, made with 100% whole grain and they were delicious in a cold salad with cucumber, sweet red peppers, green onion, well, you get the idea!

Hop on over to Annie Chun’s website then hop on over to your grocer to pick up some new Asian foods you can make at home for your family!

Here are some recipes to entice you! For more exciting recipe ideas, visit http://www.bluediamond.com/.

Quick Cinnamon-Almond Rice Pudding
Ingredients:
¾ cup leftover cooked rice, preferably basmati or jasmine
¾ cup Almond Breeze® Original
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ sliced Blue Diamond almonds, roasted
1 teaspoon honey

Directions:
Combine rice, almond milk and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Turn heat to medium and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes, until milk is thicker and rice is a bit creamy. To serve, place in a bowl, top with almonds and drizzle with honey. Microwave instructions: Combine rice, milk and cinnamon in a microwave-safe serving bowl. Cook on full power for 1 minute, then stir and cook 1-2 more minutes, until milk is thicker and rice is a bit creamy. Top with almonds and drizzle with honey. To roast almonds: Spread in an ungreased baking pan. Place in 350ºF oven and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant; stir once or twice to assure even browning. Note that almonds will continue to roast slightly after removing from oven.

Tres Leches (Milk Cake)
Ingredients:
Spongecake
6 large eggs, separated
2 cups sugar, raw, unrefined
2 cups flour, unbleached
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp. sea salt
½ cup Almond Breeze® Vanilla

Topping:
1 cup Almond Breeze® Vanilla
¾ cup Cream of Coconut
½ cup corn syrup
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk

Directions Spongecake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9″ x 13″ pan. Start beating the egg whites at low speed, increasing the speed to high until soft peaks form. Add the sugar gradually, letting it dissolve well between each addition. Beat until stiff peaks form. Add the egg yolks to the whites, one-by-one, beating well after each addition. Mix the flour with the baking powder and salt and add to the egg mixture alternating with the Vanilla Almond Breeze®. This must be done quickly or the batter will lose its lightness. Add the vanilla. Blend. Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake 25 – 30 minutes. Top will spring back when touched.

Topping: Whisk ingredients together in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer on low until the mixture thickens, approximately 10 – 12 minutes. Remove from heat and pour topping evenly over warm sponge cake. It is not necessary to poke holes in the cake, as the syrup will be absorbed by the sponge cake within 3 – 4 hours. Serve with assorted berries, lactose free yogurt or ice cream.

EDIBLE GIFTS PLUS OFFERS THE HOTTEST TREND IN PARTY FAVORS WITH DELICIOUS AND ADORABLE CAKE POPS

Custom Decorated Cake Pops Are The Latest Trend For Weddings, Baby Showers, Birthday Parties, Holiday Parties, Anniversaries, And More

Calling all cake lovers! The team at Edible Gifts Plus.com has put a twist on your favorite treat sure to have your mouth watering for more… that is if you can get past how cute and adorable they are to even indulge in them.

Cake Pops, sometimes called cake balls or cakesicles, are the latest creation from Edible Gifts Plus that are quickly becoming the latest trend in party favors. As their name implies, cake pops are smaller pieces of cake made into a ball shape and perched on top of a traditional lollipop stick, then covered in beautiful decorations for a variety of occasions. Instead of licking your way to the center, cake pop fans just take a moist and chewy bite into a hand-decorated piece of cake.

“The popularity of cake pops soared last year and continues to surprise our expectations,” says Edible Gifts Plus. Cake Pops are quickly replacing custom decorated lollipops as this year’s #1 party favor for a variety of events and occasions.

What makes the Edible Gifts Plus cake pops so special is that they can be hand-decorated to resemble any design, using any colors, toppings and decorations. For example, the hand-decorated Mini Cake Pop Animals ($3.25) are created using a rich and fudgy double chocolate cake recipe that is made into bite size pops, shaped and decorated into adorable animal faces. How fun for kids birthday parties!

The Mini Bride and Groom Cake Pops ($3.95) and the Mini Wedding Party Favor ($3.95) are perfect for sharing with guests on your special day. The pair of Bride and Groom Cake Pops are made from a rich chocolate cake recipe, then each is decorated to symbolize the bride or the groom.

Instead of serving traditional cupcakes for your party, offer a twist with Mini Cupcake Pops ($4.50) featuring the added bonus of a yummy chocolate cup base!

Celebrate the arrival of a new baby with the personalized Mini Baby Cake Pops ($3.95) featuring an adorable tiny baby footprint, decorated with your choice of colors and fondant flowers.

Corporate events are also a great setting for Customized Mini Cake Pops ($4.50) featuring a company’s logo.

Other popular designs include the Mini Christmas Tree Cake Pops ($2.50), Mini Cake Pop Ice Cream Cone ($4.50) and the Mini Cake Pop Smiley Face ($3.25).

“The popularity of cake pops soared last year and continue to surprise their expectations,” says Edible Gifts Plus. Cake pops are quickly replacing custom decorated lollipops as this year’s #1 party favor for a variety of events and occasions.

The full collection of cake pops is available at http://www.ediblegiftsplus.com/category_s/498.htm.

Let our new shape inspire yours.

Okay, that line worked for me so I had to pick up some Tropicana Trop50 Beverage Product. Wow! This stuff is delicious and good for you.  Here’s why:

A great taste and nutrition you expect from Tropicana but with 50% less calories.
It’s made with real fruit juices
Contains no artificial sweeteners
Has a full days supply of vitamin C and a good source of antioxidant vitamin E

Starting this fall, you can bring home their new flavor, Farmstand apple. There are now several delicious flavors in the chilled juice section at your grocery store.  Check out all of them:  Pomegranate Blueberry, No Pulp, Pineapple Mango, and Some Pulp.

Their packaging may have changed, but their bold flavor has not! Trop50 is naturally flavored with PureVia.

OK, PJ Mommy followers of New England, let’s show New England Country Soups™ what we are made of (or more important, what our soups are made of)! Anyone who has bragged about how much better their own homemade soups are compared to store bought can now put your soup where your mouths are!

I was sent three soups from New England Country soup to try, Chicken Corn Chowder, Caribbean Black Bean and Chicken Pomodoro.  I was also sent three competitors soups in the same flavors.  What a big difference New England Country Soups are.  I was amazed at how different the colors are in The New England Country Soups and how fake or unnatural the colors are in the processed soups.  Just because the soup is corn chowder does not mean that it should be neon yellow!

Just in time for soup season, New England Country Soup, a manufacturer of all natural, ready-to-serve soups, launches the Soup Challenge, a fun cooking competition that gives New Englanders the opportunity to enter their homemade soup recipes in a head-to-head taste and nutrition test against New England Country Soup flavors.

The Soup Challenge(tm) was created to demonstrate to consumers that New

England Country Soup’s eight New England-inspired recipes are as delicious and nutritious as their own homemade recipes and great alternatives when consumers simply don’t have the time to prepare soup at home.

From now through January 9, 2011, New Englanders can enter the Soup

Challenge(tm) at www.soupchallenge.com<http://www.soupchallenge.com> in a

few easy steps:

1.Choose the New England Country Soup recipe they would like to challenge; recipes include Chicken Corn Chowder, Yankee White Bean, New England Clam Chowder, Chicken Pomodoro, Lentil, Nana’s Chicken Soup, Caribbean Black Bean and Sweet Chicken Curry.

2.Select to compete in either the Boston, Providence or Hartford Soup Challenge(tm) semi-finals.

3.Enter recipe details including ingredients, step-by-step instructions and number of servings.

Five winning recipes will be chosen per city, three by popular vote and two by New England Country Soup. Winners will get the chance to prepare their recipes for a panel of local, accomplished “foodies” such as media personalities and nutritionists on the following dates:

*Providence:  January 29, 2011

*Hartford:  February 5, 2011

*Boston:  February 12, 2011

The judges will score each recipe on taste, and each recipe will receive a nutritional analysis from an independent group of food scientists. Taste and nutrition scores will be combined and each recipe will receive an overall score comparing its taste and nutritional profile to that of its New England Country Soup competitor.

One winner from each city will compete in the ultimate Soup Challenge(tm) in Boston on March 5, 2011, for bragging rights and a New England weekend getaway for two to Martha’s Vineyard.

“For years, our customers have told us that our soups are as delicious as their homemade, and now we are ready to put that claim to the test,” said M. Peter Thomson, president of New England Country Foods LLC. “Take on our Chicken Corn Chowder, go head-to-head against our Caribbean Black Bean, or challenge our classic New England Clam Chowder. This is your chance to not only show off your culinary skills, but have some fun and win a great prize.”

Interested consumers can visit the Soup Challenge(tm) community at www.soupchallenge.com<http://www.soupchallenge.com> to learn more  about official rules and entry information, share their recipes and stories behind their soups, and read culinary tips and “foodie fodder” on the Soup Challenge(tm) blog. For more information about New England Country Soup, please visit www.newenglandcountrysoup.com<http://www.newenglandcountrysoup.com>.

copyright New England Country Foods LLC

About New England Country Soup

New England Country Soup is a brand of all natural, ready-to-serve soups that are high in flavor and low in sodium from New England Country Foods LLC based in Cambridge, MA and Manchester, VT. The company is  committed to good, simple, safe and healthy food. In addition to great tasting soup, New England Country Soup provides its consumers with an Ingredient Tracker(tm) on its website so they can see where each ingredient for each pouch is sourced. To reduce energy and waste, each soup is packaged in a light-weight, BPA-free microwavable pouch. Through its Eat Well, Do Good(tm) program, the company aims to make a positive impact through its work with several non-profit organizations. New England Country Soup is sold in Stop & Shop, Market Basket, Big Y, Hannaford, Roche Brothers, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Dave’s, Donelan’s, Trucchi’s and other fine New England retailers. For more information, visit www.newenglandcountrysoup.com<http://www.newenglandcountrysoup.com

The recipes below were specially designed for children with food allergies, but we’re confident everyone will find them delicious! The information may be published in part or in its entirety. Please credit Todd Adelman, Director of Nutritional Services for Block Institute . Block Institute is a New York City educational facility dedicated to providing services to children and adults with special needs.

Stuffing (Yields four cups)
Ingredients:
16 slices bread, toasted with crust removed
½ cup celery, finely diced
¼ cup onion, finely diced
1 Tbsp. margarine
2 medium apples, grated
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. dried thyme
½ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. white pepper
½ cup chicken stock

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut bread into cubes & set aside in large bowl. Sauté celery & onion in margarine until soft. Add celery mixture & remaining ingredients to bread cubes. Toss until liquid is absorbed. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Serve. Serving suggestion: Add your favorite combination of dried fruit, nuts, etc.
Dairy Allergy: Use milk-free bread & milk-free margarine. Gluten Allergy: Use gluten-free bread. Egg Allergy: No substitutions needed.

Sweet Potato Boats (Yields 16 “boats”)
Ingredients:
8 medium sweet potatoes
2 apples, peeled & cored
¼ cup orange juice
½ tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. margarine
½ tsp. salt
1 egg
16 marshmallows

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice potatoes in half, lengthwise. Cut small slit in center of potato. Bake for 45 minutes or until tender when pierced with knife. Scoop out pulp of sweet potatoes being careful to leave the skin intact. Add salt to pulp & set aside. Cut apples into thin slices. Toss apples in orange juice & add cinnamon. Sauté apple mixture in margarine over medium heat, stirring constantly until apples are soft & liquid is absorbed. Add apple mixture to sweet potato pulp & process (or mash) until smooth. Beat egg into mixture. Fill potato shells to rim. Bake on foil lined cookie sheets at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.Slice marshmallows in half. Top each potato half with 2 pieces of marshmallow. Broil until golden brown. Serve immediately.
Milk allergy: Use milk-free margarine. Gluten allergy: No substitute needed. Egg allergy: Substitute 1 ½ tsp. egg replacer mixed with 2 Tbsp. of water for egg. Use egg-free marshmallows.

You’re hosting America’s biggest meal of the year. Simply following recipes and trying to replicate the finished photo may not be enough for you to produce a successful spread. Questions you may have along the way like “How do I crimp a pie crust?” or “What should the consistency of the gravy be?” cannot be answered by a recipe. What you really need are high quality how-to videos to walk you through the steps and confirm that you are where you need to be throughout the process.  how2heroes,  http://www.how2heroes.com provides all the videos you need to bring a successful, delicious Thanksgiving feast to life.

On how2heroes, you’ll find over 100 original Thanksgiving how-to videos featuring master chefs with tricks up their sleeve as well as talented home cooks with tradition under their belts. From a guaranteed moist Cider-Brined Maple-Glazed Turkey to Guaranteed Pumpkin Pie from King Arthur Flour’s Test Kitchen and creative sides from Cranberry Chutney to Sweet Potato Crunch to Eight Stuffing recipes from all corners of this great country of ours. For some out-of-the-ordinary leftovers ideas, you’ll find Egg Nests from Annie Copps of Yankee Magazine and Turkey Croquettes from the Whole Foods Test Kitchen. And in the midst of all the planning and hubbub, if you forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving, watch The History of Thanksgiving, shot at Plimoth Plantation, where it all started.

All our Thanksgiving videos as well as our full library of over 1,500 videos can be viewed on the iPad or iPhone as well if you’re more comfortable bringing your portable devices into your kitchen.

Visit http://www.how2heroes.com/videos/thanksgiving to make a successful Thanksgiving a sure thing.

Entertaining your family and friends has never been easier and your guests are sure to leave abuzz about drinks such as Marcela’s Warm Winter Margarita, a traditional Mexican recipe passed on to Marcela from her grandmother… an old family recipe that she’d love to share with you.

WARM WINTER MARGARITA : Perfect for a cold day. This drink is full of flavor and makes the tequila blend smoothly.
Ingredients – Serves 4:
3 ½ cups apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
2 cups dried fruit of your choice
2 tbs granulated sugar
4 shot glasses Sauza® Silver Tequila

Directions:
Combine apple juice and cinnamon in a heavy pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick carefully. Add sugar, dried fruit, and tequila. Mix well. Serve warm.

CRANBERRY MINT MARGARITA:
As families gather for Thanksgiving festivities, cranberries seem to be on everyone’s plate. So why not have them in your glass as well?
Ingredients:
16 oz. cranberry/raspberry juice
8 oz. lemon/lime soda
6 oz. Sauza® Silver Tequila
8 mint leaves for garnish

Combine all ingredients except mint leaves in a pitcher. Serve over ice and garnish with two mint leaves.

© 2010 Kim Hendrickson, author of Savory Bites: Easy, Sophisticated Hor d’Oeuvers for Every Occasion

Finally the Cook book I have been waiting a long time for! Anyone who is a fan of Buddy Valastro A.K.A. The Cake Boss from the Learning Channel (TLC) on cable TV will be as thrilled as I am to have his book.  I love this show, not only for the whole family’s fun prank filled days at the Bakery, but the humor in which they all approach life in their everyday lives.  I love that this Pastry Shop has been in business since 1910, and bought and taken over by the Valastro Family in 1963.

Buddy is a fourth generation master baker born in Hoboken, New Jersey and the proprietor of Carlo’s Bake Shop where he and his staff which consists of his sisters and their husbands, cousins, and family friends who turn out thousands of wedding cakes, specialty cakes and homemade pastries every week.  Carlo’s is known for their traditional pastries as well as its innovative, show- stopping cakes. Today, Buddy demonstrates his art and craft as he toured around the country.  His award winning designs have been featured numerous times in every major bridal, and baking magazine, and Buddy and Carlo’s Bake Shop have also been featured in national print media and on television including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, Good Morning America, Rachael Ray and The View.

Buddy is real and it comes across in his show where he deals everyday with his loving sisters, and his wonderful mother! His three brothers in law are right there helping him with both the baking and his sisters! I always wondered when I could actually try his recipes as every week I watch The Cake Boss” I want to try the cakes he shows and to now be able to be a part of this legendary Bake Shop and its famous recipes is an honor for me! I love this book, and I will put it right up there next to Julia and Fanny! You are defiantly a legend Buddy! Thank you for sharing your story and recipes with us.  This is a cook book every baker and cook will love to have, so get them for the holidays, and I promise they will love you for it, and you will love the cakes and pastries that come from it! God bless!

In conjunction with the book's launch Free Press is hosting a giveaway toa few lucky readers to see Buddy while he is on tour at city nearest tothem (http://buddyontour.com/). They can enroll for a chance to win here:http://www.simonandschuster.com/sweepstakes/the-cake-boss-sweepstakes.

Now for the very best part.  You can win a copy of this for your own (or gift giving) just by following the rules below.  Please enter to win this fabulous book.

Rules:

1.      Contest is open to U.S. residents only.

2.      You must leave a comment.

Additional entries:

1.      Subscribe to our email RSS Feed with the same email as you use in your comment.  Make sure you confirm it!

2.      Subscribe to our @pjmommy Twitter account.

3.      Tweet saying: I’ve entered..The Cake Boss Book Giveaway over @ pjmommy.

4.      You may write about us on your Blog.

5.      Join our Google Account.

6.      Join our Facebook fan page.

Contest Ends:  December 4, 2010 at MIDNIGHT.