Review: Swiffer WetJet

From Mommy I'm Hungry



From Mommy I'm Hungry

We were sent a Swiffer WetJet Mission Impossible kit that included a new Swiffer WetJet, one large bottle of multi-purpose cleaning solution, a 12-count box of cleaning pads, batteries, and a very cool mission dossier.

When you open the large case, there's an automated message welcoming Blog Moms for their top secret mission (I did a short video recording of it, but I'm not able to download it since my PC isn't working). Very Mission Impossible! The kids went crazy over what was inside! They loved the magnifying glass, cool shades, jar of jelly and of course the keepsake case! Of course I went crazy over the Swiffer WetJet, lol.

I love the Swiffer. I used to own one but it malfunctioned and quit squirting out the cleaner. I like that they are super easy to use, perfect for in between mopping, especially great if last minute company is coming over, or for just those little spills! It's great for smaller rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, but I personally wouldn't do the whole house with it (yes, I do like to get the mop water out and scrub my floors with a bigger mop, we have 2200 sq ft of fugly brown flagstone flooring).

I tried this for this review at our back door, right where the kids come in from the dirt pile outside, and it's also in the laundry/food photo set up area. I swept the floor and applied some of the grape jelly they offered, let it sit for a few then proceeded to mop. Since I didn't let it dry enough to use the scrubber on the WetJet, I wanted to show how nice the disposable pads are. They really hold the dirt and grime in there plus getting the area cleaned! I also like how fresh and clean it leaves the room smelling.

This mission is accomplished! At least for today. Until the next spill....

Thanks SO much Swiffer and MyBlogSpark for providing this review!

SheKnows Review: Kraft Easy Mac Cups

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From Mommy I'm Hungry

I am part of the Moms 100 panelist at SheKnows. That means I am sent a trial of packages to review and blog about. Remember my past reviews on the Wild Harvest Organics? This time I was sent Kraft Easy Mac Cups in orginal and Triple Cheese flavors.

They are simple to prepare, just add water and put in the microwave for a few minutes then stir in the cheese! You don't even need to add milk or butter! They are portable with a disposable cup that makes clean-up easy too. Look for these next to the Kraft mac and cheese boxes, they come in many flavors! At my store they usually run about $1 each for a 2.05 oz cup.

Original
Triple Cheese
Bacon
Cheesy Taco
Roasted Garlic Parmesan
Alfredo

From Mommy I'm Hungry

I love how fast and easy they were to make, easy enough for my 12 year old to make, and they tasted pretty great too, just like their regular blue box mac and cheese. They would make a great snack or as a side dish for lunch.

Thank you Kraft and SheKnows!

A Rainbow Birthday Cake

From Mommy I'm Hungry

click photos for full view

Earlier this month we celebrated a Birthday in our family. Brooke from Conversations With A Cupcake blogged about her colorful fruity cake, and I knew I had to make one for my little girl who's now 6! How fun is this cake?

This was a HUGE hit! She didn't know about it being rainbow until I cut into it! I shared a preview of this on Facebook, and everyone loved it. It was the tallest cake I have ever made! So tall I had to remove shelves in my fridge! Even though the layers aren't a full layer size, the cake still equals out to being 4 regular layers tall, each cut in half, get it?
Each layer has it's own wonderful fruity flavor! *I used a 16 oz bag of frozen berry medley which had the berries I needed.
I used a double batch of frosting, and it wasn't enough. As you can see it's pretty much plain, I didn't have enough for piping and such. So make a triple batch if you want to decorate all out.

*Here's a cake support tip: stick a cake dowel rod in the middle of the whole cake to keep it in place!

(I just noticed, you can see how tall it is, sitting next to a gallon of milk in the fridge!)

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Double batch of boxed white cake mix -2 boxes (or homemade batches if you prefer minus the egg, water, oil below)
6 eggs
1 c. water
2/3 c. vegetable oil
Zest of 1 orange + 2 T. juice
Zest of 1 lemon + 2 T. juice
Zest of 1 lime + 2 T. juice
1/2 c. fresh or frozen raspberries, mashed
1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries, mashed
1/2 c. fresh or frozen blackberries, mashed
Wilton's gel icing colors in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple

6 bowls
6 disposable round 8" foil cake pans (square pans would be fun too, check the $1 store!)

Make the batter for the cake as directed using the eggs, water and oil. Scoop 1 Cup of cake batter in each of the 6 bowls.

In the first bowl, mix raspberries and 1/4 tsp. red coloring in the batter.
In the second bowl, mix orange zest and juice, and 1/2 tsp. orange coloring.
In the third bowl, mix lemon zest and juice and 1/4 tsp. yellow coloring.
In the fourth bowl, mix lime zest and juice and 1/4 tsp. green coloring.
In the fifth bowl, mix blueberries and 1/4 tsp. blue coloring.
In the sixth bowl, mix blackberries and 1/4 tsp. purple coloring.

Prepare six 8 inch cake pans by greasing and flouring each generously. Using a spatula, spoon and spread each color of batter into its own cake pan. Bake in an oven, preheated to 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes, or until tops spring back when touched lightly. Allow to cool completely. Frost.


Cream Cheese Icing (For this cake, I doubled it -to the right)
1/2 c. butter (softened) -1C.
8 oz. pkg cream cheese (softened) -16 oz.
4 c. (1 lb) confectioner's sugar -8 C. (2 lb)
1 tsp Vanilla or lemon extract

Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and extract. Beat on high speed until smooth, light and fluffy. Frost cake.

From Mommy I'm Hungry

I am sharing a piece with Tina @



enjoy,

Review and Giveaway -CLOSED-: $30 Gift Card for Kroger's Mega Savings Event

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Now let first say this...my kids checked the mail for me during the Summer time, so I had some mail I never paid attention to. Days kept going by and I never save my $30 Kroger Gift Card! So I finally thought I wasn't getting one. Then out of the blue, on Friday, I grabbed a random envelope from a pile and it was from MyBlogSpark!! It was my gift card!! It had been here all along! So needless to say I caught the last week of the The Mega Savings Event at Kroger/Ralph's! Bummer! However (read on below...)

Are you a bargain shopper? Can you get a cart full of groceries out the store for half of what's in your wallet? Maybe you clip coupons and run from store to store to get great deals? Me, I am not like that. Tried it before but it's too much anxiety for me, lol. Too time consuming to clip all the coupons, find the sales, ads, running from store to store...so I just shop sales looking for the best deal on the spot and will even buy store brand on some items to help us save.

The Mega Savings Event is taking place at the Kroger Co., Family of Stores Aug. 16th thru Sept. 2nd - Click here to see a list of participating stores (You should also see your stores or website for exact dates since the special sales dates may vary by area). Look for the double yellow (or blue) tags in-store.

Their deal was when you buy 10 participating brands in ad for that week, and use your Shopper Card, you automatically save $5! There is not limit on the number or rewards you can get per transaction.

MP Energy
Aquafina
Betty Crocker Baking Mixes
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
Cascadian Farms Cereals and Bars
Cap'n Crunch
Cheerios
Cheetos
Chex Mix
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Cocoa Puffs
Dole Juices and Juice Drinks
Fiber One
Fritos
Gatorade
Golden Grahams
Green Giant
Hamburger Helper
Life
Lipton Tea
Nature Valley
Old El Paso
Pepsi family of 2 Liters
Pillsbury
Progresso
Propel
Quaker Instant Oatmeal
Quaker Chewy Bar
Starbucks
Sobe Life Water
Totino's
Trix
Tropicana
Yoplait
and MORE!

So, after figuring out a list with coupons and all, here is what I got with my $30 gift card plus $2.13 out of pocket. All the red items above is what I bought and on sale. Most things were $2.49 ea. on sale, plus I had coupons. PLUS! Most items have box tops, for my kid's schools! Yay!

From Mommy I'm Hungry

I went to my Ralph's website and through them (shortcuts.com) and was able to download additional coupons into my store's savings card! Plus I printed off coupons from coupons.com! Plus Ralph's will double coupons up to a $1. Now I find it confusing reading the receipt, so I'm not sure if it let me use the coupons I had double for with my store card and paper coupon. I hoped they wouldn't know. haha.

So after I already made my list and hoped I was getting the "buy 10 save $5" deal...I realized it was only for items in ad for that week only! Of course nothing I had on my list was in ad this week! Darn it!! So I messed up savings there. Then I had to take my 2 little ones with me, so it wasn't a real organized shopping trip or I could ve rethought my sales with the B10S5 deal, I just grabbed what was on my list and tried to keep it separate from my regular shopping! Oh well, I still did good having coupons! If only I had found my card sooner, maybe I could've done much better! lol

From Mommy I'm Hungry

So I get to give away a $30 Kroger Gift Card to one lucky reader!! I am SO sorry you will miss this "buy 10 save $5" deal, but hey....it'll be $30 worth of free groceries for you! So if you have a store near you, or know someone who does and you'd like to send it to them, you can enter to win! Look here for Kroger locations. (please note, you do not have to buy just Kroger brand items or items in the list above, you just have to use the card at a Kroger store)

*ENTER TO WIN: Just answer me these:
Do you like to save while grocery shopping?
Are you a big couponer bargain shopper? If so, tell me your biggest deal!
don't forget your email!


*BONUS: Optional, earn up to 4 more entries by showing some "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" bloggie luv with #1 and #2 below! Please post yourself the extra comments for entries.

1. 2 extra entries: Tweet about this giveaway, copy this & post your tweet urls below:
Win a $30 GC for Kroger Groceries @MommyImHungry http://bit.ly/78aE5 pls RT

2. 2 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway with this link back on your blog & then post your link below.


This Giveaway ends soon: 7 pm pst Wednesday, September 2, 2009.
Please read the fine print:
-Open to all USA residents (due to shopping/shipping)
-You must leave me your email so I can contact you if you've won
-Winner(s) will be posted on my Blog & Twitter
-I will choose my winner(s) using Random.org


Don't forget to follow along so you don't miss new and exciting things!

We received these gift cards from General Mills, Pepsi Co and MyBlogSpark! Thank you!



sorry this formated so goofy!

My Yoplait Gift Pack Winner Is....

#6 Tina @ Mommy's Kitchen!

You won this prize pack! Watch your email and reply asap! Congrats!!

*I am having more issues with my 'puter. I had to download AVG anti virus and update my Java. Now I can't get my javascript to work (yes it is enabled) and I can't do anything on sites such as Facebook or log into blogger (the SIGN IN button isn't there)! I wonder if AVG is blocking something, and how can I fix it especially when most of the buttons won't show up? I'll use the laptop when I can, but that just means no new posts until I get it figured out. *sigh* If there's any puter savvy tech out there, please email me with some solutions! help! thank you! Ldylvbgr AT hotmail.com

Big Bob Gibson's White Sauce

This is a new recipe for us so I was trying it out. You know Paula and how she makes it all look good! I saw this on a Paula Deen special, it's Big Bob Gibson's White Sauce as seen here. From everything I've seen online for reviews of this sauce, it sounded like it's a winner!

*Please note the recipe posted in the link has a typo for the amounts. Going by the comments there, I have corrected the recipe and posted it here. This is basically a white BBQ sauce.

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Makes about 1 cup. Toss grilled chicken in sauce before serving.

I had to use my immersion blender to really whip this up. I thought the sauce was really runny and reminded me of a cole slaw mix. I basted some on while grilling, then tossed it with the chicken and it tasted pretty darn good!

Review and Giveaway: Yoplait Whips Gift Pack -CLOSED-

Since I'm finally back online, how about a cool giveaway to make up for my absence!

Have you tried the delicious taste of Yoplait Whips! as a frozen treat? Simply place your favorite Whips! yogurt cup in the freezer overnight and you will have a chilled yogurt indulgence for you to enjoy!

Yoplait Whips! are currently available in a variety of delectable flavors Strawberry Mist, Chocolate, Key Lime Pie, Orange Crème, Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon Burst, Peaches 'N Cream, Vanilla Creme and Raspberry Mousse.

I was sent a "Summer Cool Down" gift bag that included two free coupons for Yoplait Whips!, cooler tote, Popsicle molds and a set of 12 color-changing spoons.




I have been wanting decent Popsicle molds and these are just perfect! So easy to use, and makes a generous size Popsicle! I must get me some more of these, since 3 will not be enough. =)

My store only had a very few flavors to choose from, so I grabbed us the strawberry mist. I love freezing yogurt so I knew this would be good. The kids are enjoying the color changeable spoons too!

There's also a down loadable coupon for Yoplait Whips! - where you can save $0.60 when you purchase three cups of any Yoplait Whips! Click here to download.

Additionally, right now, new members who sign-up to become subscribers of Betty Crocker's newsletter, will receive a free coupon for Yoplait Whips! **Click here to join. **This free coupon is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee.


How would you like to win an end of "Summer Cool Down" gift bag? One winner will win this:

*ENTER TO WIN! Please tell me, What is your favorite yogurt? Comment below and don't forget your email!

*BONUS: Optional, after you do the above, earn up to 2 more entries by showing some "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" bloggie luv!

1. Tweet about this giveaway, copy this: Win a Yoplait Summer Cool Down Gift Bag @MommyImHungry! http://bit.ly/8FHmk

2. Blog about this giveaway with a link back on your blog & post your link here


This Giveaway ends soon: 5 pm pst Wednesday, August 26, 2009.
Please read the fine print:
-Open to all USA residents (due to shipping)
-You must leave me your email so I can contact you if you've won
-Winner(s) will be posted on my Blog & Twitter
-I will choose my winner(s) using Random.org

Don't forget to follow along so you don't miss new and exciting things!

We were provided with this information, gift basket and product for sampling by MyBlogSpark and Yoplait Whips! Thank you!

Break Time...

I'll be offline for a bit, but hope to be back soon with new recipes, reviews and giveaways.
I'll have to play catch up when I have my full access back.

Sorry!

Tuesdays with Dorie: Brownie Buttons

It's Tuesday again! Jayma of Two Scientists Experimenting in the Kitchen selected Dorie's Brownie Buttons for her TWD.

I heard these were all the rave from our P&Q at TWD so I was excited about them. However, since I was out of chocolate except for 2 baking squares and some cocoa powder I decided to substitute. I baked them for about 11 minutes, because baked good in mini tins do not take much time at all! Then I tried to melt my white chocolate chips in a double broiler (and then again in the microwave but scorched them!), and they weren't melting, but getting ruined. I asked about it in the P&Qs and was reminded that white choco. chips do not melt down so easily anyway! Bummer! So I dusted them with powdered sugar and orange zest and took them on a photo op.

Well, I am sad to report that my brownie buttons came out sort of dense and dry. Something had gone wrong, and I think it was the chocolates. I also couldn't detect any of the orange flavor from the zest.

I would love to try these again with no substitutions because they sound amazing! See for yourself at Jayma's blog, and make yourself some!



enjoy,

Chocolate Oreo Cake

When I saw this cake posted, I knew I wanted to make it for Father's Day. It was a huge hit! You have to make this for your next big event!
Yes it's taken me that long to blog about it, but I was remembering it today and hurried to post about it.

Chocolate Oreo Cake found here

For cake:
2 c. sugar
1-3/4 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. Hershey's Cocoa
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 c. milk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c. boiling water
10-15 oreos twisted to separate cookies and reveal cream center
15 oreos, chopped directly in half through cookie

For icing:
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted
2/3 c. Hershey's Cocoa
3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

For filling:
1/3 c. whipping cream
2 tsp powdered sugar
small dash vanilla extract
1/8 c. oreo cookie crumbs, made from reserved oreo sides

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare two 9-inch round baking pans, lining with parchment. -On one layer of cake, place cookie halves that have been separated into the bottom of one pan, cream side up. Repeat for second layer.
-Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
-Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes.
-Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).
-Pour batter very carefully into prepared pans.
-Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
-Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans and place onto wire racks.
-Remove parchment and cool completely.

-Meanwhile, make frosting:
-Stir melted butter into cocoa.
-Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.
-Add small amount additional milk, if needed. -Stir in vanilla. (About 2 cups frosting.)

-Meanwhile, make filling:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff.
-Gently fold in the cookie crumbs.
-Scoop the mixture into a piping bag (or gallon sized ziploc bag).
-When cake is completely cooled, make icing dam around the top edge of the layer of cake that has oreos baked into it.
-Fill icing dam with a layer of cream filling.
-Place other cake layer on top, and frost with chocolate frosting.
-Place oreo halves around bottom edge and top of cake.
-Serve or store in refrigerator.






saving a piece for:



enjoy,

Review: Hebrew National Hot Dogs

About a month ago I was asked to join in an online blogger briefing about Hebrew National Budget Friendly Barbecues with food marketing expert Phil Lempert, aka The Supermarket Guru. Phil is the food trends editor and correspondent for the Today Show, where he reports on consumer trends, food safety and money-saving tips. for a presentation where Phil shared his tips on how we can best navigate our grocery store when planning for a barbecue on a budget; the best tactics for making our list, how to do our pre-shopping research, how to avoid splurging on products we don’t need, and more.


I'm sure you've all seen their commercials, and what I liked about them are basically they are better for you than other hot dogs, they are made with 100% fresh kosher beef, and nothing artificial. Although I've never had a Hebrew National hot dog, I thought I thought this would be neat to experience, so I signed up. I was able to watch a live presentation, listen (via phone), interact in that meeting and also talk about it on twitter.


You can find some of the Hebrew National hot dog talk on Twitter here #HNLempert. OOPS. looks like that chat is gone now, sorry! We were then sent coupons for Hebrew National hot dogs and a cute little grilling kit.




click photo to enlarge

I picked us up some of their classic beef franks to grill. I grilled them for about 7 minutes over a medium-low heat, turning them to get the pretty grill marks all around. They fit perfectly in the bun, had a great taste of flavor and had that snap when you bite it. I paired this with an easy veggie pasta salad for lunch. Yum!

Thanks Hebrew National, Phil and everyone who helped put this together, I think we all had fun!

PW's and Pastor Ryan's Chicken Tikka Masala

You've probably seen this posted at The Pioneer Woman Cooks, when she had their friend, Pastor Ryan come over and make them dinner. This is what he made. (go check it out for step by step photos!)

Well when I saw it and read through the comments, I knew I had to at least give it a try. A lot of people said it was better than what they get at a Restaurant. We have never had Indian cuisine before (I don't think British Curry Chips count do they?), and I know Mr. would never be willing to try it at a Restaurant.

So this would be the only way, is if I made it. I do know that Indian cuisine is flavorful so I was worried about how my family would like it.

I happened to find at my local Henry's Market, Garam Masala in the bulk spices (actually a Twitter pal mentioned I might find it in bulk). So instead of paying $6+ for a bottle of it at the grocery store (and not knowing if we'd like it), I was able to buy the 3 TBL what I needed for less than .40 from bulk! I smelled it from the jar to get an idea of it's flavors, and I detected cinnamon and other warm scents. I was a little iffy about meats tasting like those flavors, but I carried on! I wanted to venture out of our norm and try new dishes!

So, the recipe is really easy to do, it's just it took me forever (see I enjoy being in the kitchen-haha)! I also decided to make a curry garlic Naan. It was 3 hours from start to finish! It's a good thing I do not run a Restaurant! lol

I followed everything as Pastor Ryan suggested, leaving out the heat components of course. I was already worried about the flavors, I didn't want it to be to spicy for everyone too! As I was cooking down the sauce, they kept coming into the kitchen and I would ask, "Does it smell good in here? Do you like it?" Trying to get them excited about it. The rice was simple too, it just makes a load, so you might want to use half the recipe? It was very flavorful with the Turmeric added, and pretty too! Then I let them watch me cook the Naan. That was neat (another post).

So the verdict is, it was good, but not our favorite, they're just different flavors than we're used to. The little kids didn't care for the Tikka Masala much, but ate some of the Naan. Mr. kinda shrugged his shoulders about it, but ate a second helping, plus more Naan dipped in the sauce! I thought it was ok too, I loved the Naan and sauce also. I ate leftovers for a couple of days!

We had lots of leftovers so I had some for lunch the next day, and wouldn't you know it...little boy wanted mine! So I gave him a plate too, and he ate it! Maybe it was better the next day!

I'm glad I made it, and I wish I could compare it but I have nothing to compare it too. I might make this dish again, but I'd also love to try other Indian cuisine. Definitely making more Naan though!

Anyone have any Faves for a newbie to try out?

enjoy,

Curry Flavored Naan

I made Naan to go with our Chicken Tikka Masala dinner, and after seeing 1. how expensive it was in the stores for just 2-3 pieces 2. seeing the different flavors it came...I decided to try it myself. Trader Joe's carries a curry Naan, so I used that idea. After searching online about Naan, I decided with this recipe.

I added in about 1 TBL of curry powder with the flour. Once the dough is made, it doesn't look like much, but once you cut it into 6 pieces and roll them out, it's plenty! They are generous sizes too. The recipe says to stack the dough while it rises a last time....lay some parchment paper between each dough or they'll proof and stick together and you'll have to re cut and roll. Not fun during baking time. I went ahead and cranked up my oven to 500' and put our cast iron tortilla pan in there for a bit. 2 fit perfectly, and they baked up great! I brushed them with some garlic infused melted butter afterwards. They were delish!!

enjoy,

Tuesdays with Dorie: Classic Banana Bundt Cake

Mary of The Food Librarian chose Classic Banana Bundt Cake for this weeks TWD. This was really good! It's a nice simple recipe and what I liked best about it, was there were no spices, nuts or raisins in it! I like my quick breads like that. This did fill my bundt pan, causing it to overflow in the oven (so you might want to either put a sheet pan under it, or use 2 loaf pans). I used 1 1/2 Cups of mashed bananas which was 4 bananas, I think? It had a lot of banana flavor, but I would've used 2 Cups if I had more. I also used 3/4 Cup plain yogurt and 1/4 Cup sour cream. During the last half hour of baking, I covered it with parchment, because I don't like my baked good to get too dark.



As Dorie suggested, it really is even better and even more moist the next day. The kids ate it right up! I served it plain, but the lemony glaze sounds good too, as Dorie mentioned.

Please stop by The Food Librarian and grab the recipe and make some of this! It's a bread to snack on any time of day!

*there are no photos of the whole bundt, it was that good that I had to hurry and get some photos of the last 1/3 of the bundt before it was gone.



enjoy,