The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness: September 2013
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Monday, September 30, 2013

Gorton's WICKED GOOD SEAFOOD Review and Giveaway! #WickedGoodSeafood


I have to admit, I don't eat fish. I sometimes have salmon or tuna but I would rather have something else. My husband, though, loves seafood and he doesn't get it often at our household. Every so often, I get crazy and buy some to cook but that is infrequent.

I also sometimes go and pick up some Gorton's products and make him a quickie dinner when I know he is over chicken, meat or vegetarian dishes. It works out because he gets his fish fix and I get off making an quick and satisfying dinner.


When I was asked to review Gorton;s products, I knew that would mean Hubby was going to be reviewing them. He loves fried fish so I picked up some of the Gorton's Beer Battered Fish Fillets for him. He is going to love it because I am going to make him some Fish & Chips. He loves Fish & Chips. Here is the recipe I will be making:
Gorton’s Wicked Good Fish & Chips

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2

Description:
Fish & Chips is a classic New England favorite that’s wicked delicious! Give your coleslaw a kick and add ¼ teaspoon of chipotle powder! 
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F and spray half a baking sheet with non-stick spray. 
2. Cut potato (skin on) lengthwise 4-6 times to make ~1/2"" slices, lay each slice flat and cut into ~3/16"" strips. 
3. Place potato strips in a bowl, drizzle with oil, salt, pepper, paprika (optional) and turn to coat. 
4. Place potato strips in one layer onto the sprayed side of baking sheet and add Gorton's Beer Batter Fillets to other side of sheet. 
5. Bake 14 minutes, turn fillets and fries, bake an additional 12 minutes and let cool on tray for 5 minutes. 
6. In the meantime, blend remaining ingredients in bowl (best if made 1 day in advance), refrigerate, mix well just before serving and enjoy! 
Ingredients:
4 Gorton's Beer Batter Fillet 
1 medium russet potato, washed & dried 
1 Tbsp olive or vegetable oil 
1/4 tsp kosher salt 
1 pinch black pepper 
1/4 tsp paprika (optional)1 package (10 oz) coleslaw (in produce section) 
1/4 cup mayonnaise 
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 
2 Tbsp sugar 
Notes:
Give your coleslaw a KICK and add 1/4 teaspoon of chipotle powder!
How easy it that? Even I might eat this dish! It looks so delicious! I love being able to serve tasty meals in minutes!

Gorton's Wicked Good SeafoodMake sure you visit the Gorton's site and enter the "Wicked Good Seafood” sweepstakes for your chance to win a Wicked Good Trip to Boston, MA for 4 people including airfare, lodging, activities & spending money. You know I already entered! I want to win that trip!

Also head over to the Gorton's site because besides some tasty recipes, you can print out coupons and check out all the products they sell.

I have a great prize pack for one lucky reader as well. The prize pack includes three $2 off coupons, some cute postcards, awesome recipe cards and a cool Gorton's key chain! YAY! For a chance to win, just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Friday, September 27, 2013

McCormick celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month + GIVEAWAY!!!



Hispanic Heritage Month is here. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month McCormick is bringing consumers some new tasty additions to their already fantastic spices. In case you aren't familiar, Hispanic Heritage month celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

I have to say that if you came to my house and peeked into my spice cabinet you would see that about half of the spices are the McCormick brand. I like that McCormick scouts the world, working with local farming communities and suppliers, to source safe, great tasting spices and bring them to consumers. McCormick has a long heritage and reputation for bringing rich flavors, high quality spices and innovative products to kitchens around the world for nearly 125 years.

My mami and abuelita used McCormick spices and I keep the tradition alive. I like them because they are good quality spices that I can use in many dishes including some of the Costa Rican dishes I make every so often.


Thanks to McCormick and IMUSA, I received a few products to make my cooking a little easier. In my goody package were the following items: IMUSA’s Lava Rock Molcajete, Tortilla Warmer, Salsa Dishes, & McCormick’s Black Pepper, Cumin, Mexican Oregano, Chili Powder, Cilantro Leaves, Taco Recipe Mix, Enchilada Recipe Mix, Tinga de Pollo Recipe Mix, Mayonnaise with Lime and Mexican Rice Mix.


These products are so going to make my cooking easier and tastier. I cannot wait to try the Molcajete to make some salsa using some dried green chiles I have from Santa Fe! Also, all these spices will enhance my guacamole, arroz con pollo and other tasty dishes I love to make! And the spices will always be something I use. Yummo!


Thanks to McCormick and IMUSA, I have a Cuban/Caribbean Prize Pack for one lucky reader! The prize pack includes several of the following items: IMUSA’s Wood Mortar and Pestle and Tostonera, & McCormick’s Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Curry Powder, Paprika, Cinnamon, Oregano, Black Peppercorn Grinder, Chicken Bag ‘n Season, Black Beans & Rice Mix, and Paella Rice Mix.

What a fantastic prize! You will be cooking up storm in no time. And with these goodies, you might be inspired to make your own Hispanic dishes to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month! You know drill, just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

SOLO Up for Anything™ Design Challenge + GIVEAWAY!!



Are you creative and artsy? Then the SOLO Cup Up for Anything Design Challenge might be right up your alley! SOLO wants you to go to its Facebook site and vote for his/her favorite design. Each week one participant will be chosen at random to win a $25 American Express gift card and a SOLO products prize pack.

Three submissions will be crowned the winners and this is what they will win:
1st place: $2,000 American Express gift card and SOLO prize pack
2nd place: $1,000 American Express gift card and SOLO prize pack
3rd place: $500 American Express gift card and SOLO prize pack


Here’s How it Works:

Upload one image per day onto the tab – anything that inspires you and will inspire us to design a future SOLO Heavy Duty plate. Vote for your favorite “SOLO Up for Anything™ Design Challenge” entry once per day.

The SOLO Facebook community’s votes from Aug. 15 – Sept. 27 will lead to three winners, to be announced on or around Sept 30, 2013. The promotion runs from 10:00 am ET on August 15, 2013 until 12:00 pm ET on September 27, 2013.

So what are you waiting for? Go enter or vote and you might win some cool prizes!!

To celebrate the SOLO Up for Anything™ Design Challenge, I have a prize package to give away. One lucky reader will win an assortment of SOLO products that include various cups and plates. These are great for the upcoming holidays! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

The Weekly WOO!



This week's WOO is the fact that I was once again chosen as a LATISM (Latinos in tech innovation and social media) Top Bloguera (Blogger) again this year. Last year, was the first year the organization brought together the top Latina bloggers in Washington DC. We had a retreat and had the opportunity to visit the WHite House and meet with the president's people.

This year, we headed over to NYC. Besides the retreat which included several sessions, we visited the U.N. and the other places. We also attended the LATISM conference that was going on as well. I also was able to see a lot of my old friends and make new ones as well. I have to say that the best thing about any conference is meeting up with friends! That is always my favorite part! Yay!

I will have pictures and posts in the coming weeks when I get it together and actually catch up on all my blogging stuff!

So that is this week's WOO! I am hoping I have more woo's to come in the coming months. What was your weekly WOO?

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Your Perfect Wedding Day Doesn’t Need to Cost a Fortune!


If you've recently become engaged you may be thinking about how to make your wedding a day to remember without it emptying your bank account or forcing you to use credit cards more than you should. While tying the knot is rarely cheap, a little organization can go a long way and help you to avoid falling in to financial difficulty before you've even started married life.

Here are some ideas that might help:

Consider your guest list
Many a happy couple have found themselves deliberating over who to ask along to their big day and who to miss out. If you have a large family and a big group of friends this can be tricky to deal with, not to mention expensive. With that in mind, it might be better to simply ask immediate family and best pals along to the ceremony and reception to keep down the costs of feeding everyone. Invite others along for the evening celebrations, as this way they can still share in the celebrations.

Spread the cost with a credit card
Although debts can prove problematic for some people, if credit cards are used responsibly they can prove extremely useful. The key is to apply for the right credit card for your needs and – ideally – one with the lowest interest rates. A number of providers offer interest free periods on purchases for a certain timeframe so shopping around can certainly pay. Remember to carefully read the terms and conditions of the product and for the best possible deal try to pay back your outstanding balance in full before the promotional period comes to an end.

Shop around
It’s always worth looking around for a good deal and the same is true for your wedding dress. You might be surprised at where you can find the frock of your dreams, with designer brands often available at bargain prices from charity stores and second hand shops.

Consider when you want it
While many people dream of a weekend summer wedding this can prove expensive, not to mention difficult to secure. You might be better off looking at alternative days, such as a Friday, which means guests who work a traditional Monday to Friday will only need one day off work and can relax for the rest of the weekend. Further savings might be possible if you choose to exchange vows in autumn or winter, as this time of year is considered off peak for marriages. Although this may be considered unusual by some there are plenty of ways to make it work.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Online Games Help Me Relax!






There are days when I find myself overwhelmed with so much information that I need to get away from it all. I don't know about you but after I clean the house, check emails, write blog posts, make dinner and deal with all the other things in my daily life, I like to just relax. Sometimes, I watch movies or read. Sometimes I disconnect and try to get away from it all.  But lately I have found myself trying to find some fun online games to play so I can just decompress.

I am not sure why online games relax me but they do.  I think it is because the games are not based on a lot of skill and are just fun. When I am playing games, I find myself tuning out the day's events and just focusing on the game. I like that I do not have to think too much when I am playing. All I have to do is just point and click and play. Sometimes, I like playing some games that require a little skill. I build my farm, I crush candy and sometimes kill pigs with Angry Birds but, mainly, I like playing slots and Gala Bingo.

I realized I probably do this because I actually like gambling. I can't get away to Vegas all the time. Plus, I do not have the funds anymore to head out to the closest casino so playing games online give me that thrill of winning without me spending a lot of money!

I love playing Bingo because it is exciting. There is nothing like having that last number and hitting the Bingo button on the screen. It's better in real life when you can jump up and shout Bingo! I like slots because I like the bells, whistles and bonuses! I could spend hours playing because it is really mindless fun. Some people might get bored but I love it because I cannot wait to have that big win.

So now you know how I find relaxation during the stressful times. How do you relax when life gets overwhelming?

Photos: Microsoft Clip Art

Monday, September 23, 2013

Fall is coming!

These past mornings I woke up and it was actually a little chilly! Summer is winding down and I cannot wait until the Fall. Some leaves in our area are already changing!

I love the Fall and cannot wait to see all the Fall colors. Here is a picture of how beautiful it becomes here in Western North Carolina!





Friday, September 20, 2013

During Tough Economic Times, Coupons Make a Difference



Keep the Coupons, Skip the Hassle

Tough economic times make everyone more eager to save their pennies, whether out of hard need or just prudent planning. With a whole family to take care of, however, it can seem like an impossible task. You can't just not buy food for a week, or skip out on other essentials that your spouse and kids need. One time-tested way to help lower everyday expenses is to use coupons, but it seems like a hassle, especially for folks who are moving more and more of their lives away from paper and into their computers and phones. Searching for coupons, clipping them out, keeping them organized, and making sure you have them when you go shopping sounds like a lot of work for not a lot of savings. It doesn't have to be such a hassle, though. Just a little bit of planning and effort can get you started on saving money now.

A World of Coupons, Right at Your Fingertips

One of the hassles of coupons has always been finding them. If you wait on the grocery store flyers or advertisement section of your newspaper, you have to flip through a bunch of papers, and maybe not even find anything useful. The Internet is helping to change that. You don't have to wait for your local coupon sources to come out now just to see if there's anything good this week. You can go looking for your own coupons, target exactly the brands and stores you want, and pick out the best.

There are multiple ways to go about it. If you know the specific store that you want to find coupons for, then use that as your search term and see what is available. Many stores also offer coupons you can sign up to receive by email, which means you can get coupons for your favorite stores right in your inbox. If you are looking to find the best deals across multiple stores or on specific items without needing to worry about where they come from, try generalized searches based on those items. Not all offers are listed as coupons, either. You can use a search term like "clearance savings promo codes" and the name of your desired item to find other examples of great offers.

Keeping Coupons on Your Phone

While most coupons are still of the paper variety, other forms are working their way into public use. If you have a smartphone, you may be able to take advantage of coupons that you never need to print out, right on your phone. These may come in the form of special offer codes which you can use for shopping online, or they may take the form of QR codes which are scannable by other smartphones or possibly by the cash register systems in some stores. With this kind of coupon in your pocket, you never need to worry about clipping or keeping track of paper. No binders, folders, or special drawers dedicated to coupons are needed – they stay in your phone until you want them. You don't have to remember anything special when you go shopping, either, because you've got your phone with you anyway. It's an all-around win.


Thursday, September 19, 2013

GIVEAWAY! Horizon Organic 5 Lunch Needs & 50 Ways to Please!


It's back to school time and Horizon Organic Milk wants to help make your Back to School experience easier. Horizon Organic has partnered with registered dietitian Elizabeth Somer and created a great new resource for parents!  “5 Lunch Needs and 50 Ways to Please” helps parents make smart and nutritious choices for their kids lunchboxes.

The easy to use tool gives parents 10 kid approved lunch choices under the main five food groups. This helps parents with packing the lunches their children take to school. This a great tool because the work is done for you. You can also have kids look at the site and make their choices as well. Everyone wins because your child gets a tasty lunch they will love and parents know that the lunch they are providing is nutritious. Plus, it gives parents and kids the opportunity to bond over nutritious meals.

One of those food groups is dairy and no school lunch is complete without milk. That is where Horizon Organic comes in. With shelf stable milk in a carton, you can pop one of these into the lunch box of your child and know they have something good!

Horizon Organic has DHA Omega-3. This is an important nutrient that helps support heart, brain and eye health. It is great to have these little cartons to pop into a lunchbox. The cartons are portable and do not need refrigeration. Plus, it also tastes good. I received samples of the chocolate and vanilla milk and it was delish.

You can visit the Horizon Organic DHA website for more information. Plus, you can sign up and get coupons recipes and even play games! Another benefit is that the 18 count packages of Horizon Organic Milk with 32 mg DHA Omega 3 Single Serve Milk boxes have 6 Box Tops!


To help one lucky reader incorporate Horizon Milk into your kid's lunch, I have a Horizon Organic Back to School Lunch Box Kit that includes enough Horizon Organic Milk with 32 mg DHA Omega-3 Single Serve Milk Boxes, for two weeks’ worth of packed lunches. How awesome is that?

You know the drill peeps, just enter below on the Rafflecopter widget!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE ~ Opens November 22,2013


I am super excited for the opening of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE! I am a huge Hunger Games fan. The first movie was great and I suspect this one will be too.

To celebrate the release of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, Lionsgate has begun their twelve week "TickTock" countdown! Each week, more surprises will be revealed through The Hunger Games Explorer to get you excited for the most anticipated film of the year. To kickoff the countdown, Lionsgate has revealed #TickTock12 with the announcement that movie tickets will go on sale starting October 1st!


Okay, I am not going to buy my tickets in October but you can if you head over to Fandango and MovieTickets.com. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, October 1 at 12pm EST.

Participate online with the hashtag #TickTock12 this week and stay tuned to The Hunger Games Explorer for more information! WOO! I cannot wait until November!

SYNOPSIS:
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.

Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on November 22, 2013.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Farm Rich Snacks Review and Giveaway!


Although I am trying to cut back on processed and frozen food, I like to keep some in the house because there are times when we are too busy or just hungry and need something to snack on. One of the products I love having around are Farm Rich products.

This week, I will be away for a few days so I have to make sure to have food in the house for hubby since I will not be cooking. There are times when he needs a snack at night and these will be perfect for him.

I received coupons to review  Farm Rich  products. I decided to grab some jalapeno poppers for myself and some for my hubby. I am also picking up some Toasted Ravioli before I leave so he can have other tasty treats.

The Jalapeno Poppers were delicious and easy to make.  I popped them into the toaster oven and in under 15 minutes we had a great snack. They are filled with
creamy cream cheese and crunchy on the outside. I have to say that I loved the packaging as well. The bag opens on the front and it is easy resealable. That keeps them fresh and safe from freezer burn.

I also bought some Mozzarella Bites. I love the Mozzarella Bites. They are so delicious with some fresh pasta sauce and also even Ranch dressing. I served up my Jalapeno Poppers with Ranch Dressing and it was the perfect match. But you can use any type of sauce!

Farm Rich snacks are great for parties or just afternoon snacks for the kids. I love having something quick and easy in the freezer for just such times when something is needed but you don't want to cook!!


I have several Farm Rich coupons to giveaway!! I have two (2) coupons each for four (4) readers! YAY! You know the drill,  just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Hidden Veggie Pasta Coupon Giveaway!

Although my two blogs and life keep me super busy, I still find the time to enter giveaways once in a while. And every once in a while, I actually win something!

Case in point, I won a whole truckload of Hidden Veggie Pasta coupons. I mean, I won a lot. That's the good news. The bad news is that in my little town and grocery store, they do not sell Hidden Veggie Pasta. What??

I went to the grocery store and they have regular pasta but not the type for the free coupon. I could head over to our WalMart but I usually do not shop there. I already gave some of the coupons away to friends but then I decided to share the wealth with my fellow sweepers.

So three lucky winners will win 3 coupons each for the Hidden Veggie Pasta! WOO! The coupons expire next year so you will have plenty of time to use them. So you all know the drill, just enter below on the Rafflecopter widget! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I decided to giveaway my own coupons because that's how I roll. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes because I am a huge slacker.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

The Weekly WOO ~ Week of 9/9/13 #weeklywoo


Every week I am going to do a Weekly WOO! I thought it would be a good idea to pick something from the week that made me go WOO!

This week my Weekly Woo is being featured on the Cafe Britt Facebook page! I wrote a blog post about the tour I took and they liked it. They really, really liked it. LOL So they featured it on their Facebook page. It was great.




I love that! And it did make me go WOO! If you have never tried Cafe Britt, I am sad for you but you can buy it online! If you want to try some of the candies they sell, you can enter my giveaway.

Do you have a Weekly Woo to share?

Friday, September 13, 2013

Make Lunch Special with Michelina's! #MakeItYourMichelinas

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Michelina's for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I love cooking. When it comes to dinner, I like going all out. I plan, prep and cook my little heart out and create some wonderful meals for my family. But during the day, when I am left to my own devices, I don't do much for lunch.
I end grabbing something quick and, sometimes, not very healthy. Sometimes, my meals are boring. So I decided to check out the Make It Your Michelina’s site and see if I could make my lunches special!
Michelina's combines Italian heritage with American innovation to make great tasting and exciting frozen meals! Michelina's food uses fresh ingredients. The meals are also a great value so they are affordable for any family. I have eaten Michelina's frozen meals and I love them. I love that they are delicious and I do not spend a fortune.
I headed over to the Michelina's site to see some ways I can make my lunch exciting. What I found was a bevy of recipes that were creative and looked delicious. Some of my favorites were:
  • Lettuce Wraps: made with fresh lettuce and Michelina's Chicken Fried Rice
  • Taco bowls: made with Michelina's Lean Gourmet® Santa Fe rice and beans and Tostitos scoops
  • Michelina's Gyros: made with Michelina's Ziti Parmesan and Gyro wraps
Make It Your Michelina's: Lettuce Wraps
Make It Your Michelina's: Taco Bowls
Make It Your Michelina's: Michelina's Gyro
I also checked out a few blogger recipes using Michelina's products. These were so inventive and look delicious and easy. Some of my favorites were:
Oh these recipes have inspired me to start making my lunch more exciting and more tasty. Why settle for the same old meals when you can kick them up a notch, right? It never occurred to me to use frozen meals in a different way. I know I will be getting creative in the kitchen now! I wonder if I can make Lasagna Wraps. Yum!
Remember for more great recipes or meal ideas Follow Michelina's on Facebook and Follow Michelina’s on Twitter.
Visit Sponsor's Site

Happy Friday the 13th!

I just realized it was Friday the 13th. I am hoping there are some horror movies on TV. I am a horror fan! In honor of Friday the 13th, I am posting these pictures of me with Freddy. It was taken in Las Vegas a couple of years ago. I couldn't resist!



Thursday, September 12, 2013

Costa Rica Goodies Giveaway!

Every time I go to Costa Rica, I always being back some goodies for my readers! YAY!

I had a great time in Costa Rica. While the main reason I went was for family, I did sneak in some fun. I took an Italian Cooking Class, I went to the beach, I took a tour of the Cafe Britt coffee plant, I made Costa Rican tamales, I ate lots of good food. You can go read about all my adventures on my personal blog: Carolyn in Carolina.

This is a great giveaway. I have included coffee beans, chocolate covered coffee beans and candies. You will love all the Cafe Britt goodies! I wish I had bought Cafe Britt coffee but I didn't. DOH! But any type of Costa Rican coffee is the most delicious thing you will ever taste. Yes, I am biased.



So if you want this great prize pack, just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

We Will Never Forget.


This is our 9-11 flag bought a few days after 9-11. Read all about the flag here. 


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

The Fifth Estate! Opens October 18th!


We watch a lot of movies at our house and one that we are excited about is "The Fifth Estate". This movie is about how Julian Assange and Daniel Berg started WikiLeaks. Here is a little about the movie:


The Fifth Estate refers to citizen journalism. “Fifth Estate” is used to describe media outlets (including the blogosphere) that see themselves in opposition to mainstream media (the official press), any class or group in society other than the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), the commoners (Third Estate) and the press (Fourth Estate). It has been used to describe civil society, the poor or the proletariat.

Triggering our age of high-stakes secrecy, explosive news leaks and the trafficking of classified information, WikiLeaks forever changed the game. Now, in a dramatic thriller based on real events, “The Fifth Estate” reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart into the 21st century’s most fiercely debated organization. The story begins as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl) team up to become underground watchdogs of the privileged and powerful. On a shoestring, they create a platform that allows whistleblowers to anonymously leak covert data, shining a light on the dark recesses of government secrets and corporate crimes. Soon, they are breaking more hard news than the world’s most legendary media organizations combined. But when Assange and Berg gain access to the biggest trove of confidential intelligence documents in U.S. history, they battle each other and a defining question of our time: what are the costs of keeping secrets in a free society—and what are the costs of exposing them?"

A dramatic thriller based on real events, “The Fifth Estate” reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart into the 21st century’s most fiercely debated organization.

This is my type of movie. Plus, I am a HUGE fan of Benedict Cumberbatch! He has grown on me as an actor. It seems like this will be a great movie and I am excited to see when it comes out! It opens next month and I know we will be there opening weekend for sure!




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Monday, September 9, 2013

Manischewitz Offers New Products for the Holidays + GIVEAWAY!!



Manischewitz is introducing new and exciting products for the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other holiday, Manischewitz has something for you. These new products are going to be great. Manischewitz has New Honey Apple Macaroons, Rye Tam Tams and some delicious flavors of couscous.


I received  some products from Manischewitz to review. The package was great and contained some great new products and some old favorites. The Manischewitz new Rye Tam Tams are delicious. I have tried the Garlic Tam Tams and loved them. These new Rye Tam Tams are so good. They are great for snacks and as an accompaniment to any meal.

I also received Manischewitz new Couscous Mixes. I love couscous because it can make a great entree or or a side dish. Plus, couscous is also versatile. You can add almost anything and make it a full meal. I love adding fresh veggies from the garden and sometimes I like adding a protein to make it a full meal. The couscous mixes come in Mushroom and Olive Oil, Tomato and Spinach, Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil, and Herb and Vegetable.


If you come to my house and check my pantry, you would find at least 2 package of Manischewitz Wide Egg Noodles! They are a staple in my house. From buttered noodles to chicken noodle soup, I use them all the time.

For some great recipes, visit the Manischewitz site. Manischewitz has also released a beta version of The Manischewitz Recipe & Holiday Guide. This free app contains hundreds of delicious, kosher recipes from past Cook-Off winners, kosher chefs, and home chefs. Best of all, all the recipes, from either their website or app, are so simple to make that they will allow you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests. Check it out.


I have a great Manischewitz gift pack for one lucky reader. You can win a prize pack like mine! YAY! The prize includes various Manischewitz products for you to sample. This is a great prize especially with the holidays coming up. Just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

How to Increase Your Income Online



Increase your income by selling online
In the current economic climate many of us wouldn't say no to a little extra income. There are a number of ways to achieve this, such as by selling products over the internet. This is relatively easy to get started with and is a great way to bring in a bit more cash that you can use to pay off your credit card balance, savings or simply to treat yourself every now and then.

Here are a few tips to help you make it a success:

Find the right site
There are a number of websites out there that will let you advertise your goods to others. If you use the internet regularly you’ll know some of the more popular options and may even have made a credit card application to buy from them yourself. The best way to get rid of your items quickly is to put them in front of the right audience. For example, many smaller items that can easily be packaged and posted may as well be put before the widest audience possible (such as on eBay), whereas those more difficult to transport might sell more easily on Gumtree, as they could only really appeal to those who live locally and are able to collect it themselves.

Show off the product
People will often feel more comfortable about parting with their cash if they’re able to see an image of what’s on offer. So when you upload your listings be sure to add a few snaps too. This will help you to stand out from the crowd and should increase demand. First impressions count so while you don’t need undertake a photography course, it’s worth brushing up on your skills.

Give people an incentive to bid
Everyone likes to think they’re getting a bargain, so lure in bidders with free postage. Most sites allow you to set a minimum fee you’re willing to sell the product for, so factor the costs in to this and wait for the bids to come in.

Describe things accurately
Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to selling online. Websites such as eBay allow users to give feedback on sellers, so if someone receives a product in a worse condition than they anticipated you can expect them to tell everyone else. There’s no harm in selling things that aren't in tip top condition, some people will still be happy to take them, just make sure you’re as truthful as possible.