Finally, My Ecostore USA Winner is...

The winner of my $25 Ecostore USA Gift Card giveaway goes to...

Congrats to #42 Melissa mgonyeo!

Please watch your email, and respond asap! Enjoy!

Recap: Thanksgiving Menu

Hello! I'm still not (really) around, but I wanted to share with you, my Holiday Thanksgiving menu I put together last year. We are having it at our place again this year, but it will be more potluck style. I'm doing a 12 pound turkey (for 11-14 of us) and a ham is also being brought, so I think that should be plenty of meat. I plan to do my stuffing, gravy, dinner rolls, onion tarts, deviled eggs, cheese ball dip, and hmm, what else?

Anyways have a look at my menu from last year (my 2nd Thanksgiving dinner I've ever made!). Sorry for the photo issues, I still have not gone back to re-edit them. Perhaps once I get my PC back, I will.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Time Out!

Sorry guys, Iam without the internet until I can get my puter back from the shop. First I must backup the gazillions of photos of past years I have, so they can start from scratch. Hope to be back soon!

All recipes, giveaways and reviews will be on hold until then (including my Ecostore winner -I won't forget!). Hang tight my readers! Thanks!

Winner of The Relish! Menu Planning Guide Subscription is...

Sorry I am late posting this. We woke to a virus on the laptop so we couldn't use it all day, no worries I was busy baking 3 kinds of cookies for the Festival tomorrow anyways (remember my poll?), I will blog about that experience later. It's been a crazy week for me, so I hope it's better next week. On to the good news!





My winner is...#3 AlternateEgo you won a 1 year Relish! Menu Planning Guide subscription!! I hope you enjoy using it, and I hope it helps you and your family out!

Congrats! Watch for my email, and please respond asap!

Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with Herb Dipping Sauce

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Here's a great recipe for easy "fish sticks" that are actually real flaky fish pieces, not minced airy-empty fish sticks you could go and spend for an arm and a leg for! This is a simple basic recipe for the fish and the sauce is really great too. I used the samples from my Spice It Now review to season it.

Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with Herb Dipping Sauce
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart here.

3 large eggs, lightly beaten
coarse salt and ground pepper, to taste
2 cups panko
1 tablespoon lemon pepper
1 Cup Flour for dusting
1 pound Tilapia fillets, cut into wide strips (or other favorite white fish, thawed if frozen)

Sauce:
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or ground mustard)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
2 teaspoons prepared white horseradish

Preheat oven to 475.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside.
Place eggs in a wide shallow bowl; season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, add about flour, and in another bowl combine panko, lemon pepper. Dip tilapia into flour, then egg, shaking off excess, then into panko mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on prepared baking sheets.
Bake until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets from top to bottom halfway through.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, parsley, mustard, lemon juice, and horseradish; season with salt and pepper. Serve fish sticks with sauce and lemon wedges on the side.

From Mommy I'm Hungry

From Mommy I'm Hungry

enjoy,

Tuesdays with Dorie: Cran-Apple Crisp

From Mommy I'm Hungry

This month for TWD and Thanksgiving, we get to choose which recipe to bake and post at our convenience. It just so happens that the two I am baking, follow the list, so I won't be posting out of order. Hopefully Dorie's pumpkin tart will be picked in December, I was a little sad it wasn't this month's pick.

Em of The Repressed Pastry Chef choose Cran-Apple Crisps for this week. Even though I recently made an apple crisp not long ago, I just HAD to try Dorie's! This is another easy peasy recipe to put together. I used fresh cranberries (and froze what I didn't use) and 5 Gala apples (those were a great sale price). I was skeptical to add the coconut to the crumb topping, until I realized you grind it up in the processor, so I went for it. I also snuck in a few shakes of cinnamon to the apples and cranberries.

From Mommy I'm Hungry

A couple of weekends ago, we took a long overdue trip to one of our local Swap Meets (like a huge garage sale and then some), and I scored big time with a (probably) new Pampered Chef stoneware deep-dish pie dish! For just $3!!! I was so excited to get to use it for this! I read online about how to care for it before using it because one time I found another PC stoneware lasagna pan from the Thrift store, that broke in the oven while I used it! My friend, a PC consultant said maybe there was an air bubble in it that caused it to exploded.

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Anyways, the crumb topping came along beautifully, and it baked for the time said. I got to sneak some for the photos before my light went away (I am not liking this time change!). Mmm, this is delicious! The cranberries were great in this, not tart like you'd think they'd be, the sweetness from the sugar, apples and topping brings all the flavors together nicely.

Do make this! Em will have the recipe posted so head over to her blog to print it out!

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Here is the list for this month if you'd like to follow along.

November 3- Katya of Second Dinner: Chocolate Caramel Chestnut Cake

*November 10- Em of The Repressed Pastry Chef: Cran-Apple Crisps

*November 17- Pamela of Cookies with Boys: Sugar-Topped Molasses Spice Cookies

November 24- Britin of The Nitty Britty: All in One Holiday Bundt Cake

enjoy,

Review and Giveaway: -CLOSED- Ecostore USA and a $25 Gift Card!

*WINNER TBA WHEN I GET BACK ONLINE. sorry guys!*

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Time for another Ecostore USA product review and giveaway! I was lucky enough to have reviewed these wonderful products last year, read it here and thankful again to be able to share another review with you! I have seen many reviews and giveaways around the blogs, and I love that this company is so open to sharing their products with others. I just wish their products were available in more retail shops, but you can also order them online at their website.

Ecostore USA guarantees its products:
• are plant- and/or mineral-based and free of nasty chemicals (No nasty chemicals™)
• use safer ingredients from renewable resources • are formulated with your health in mind
• are safely super-concentrated
• meet the highest environmental standards
• have not been tested on animals
• are GE free (free of genetically-engineered products)
• are packaged in recyclable packaging

Since I just LOVE their Auto Dish Powder, I asked for some more, because I really think it's great and you should know about it! It does not leave a white nasty residue on the dishes like other detergents that I will not use anymore, and you only need 1 tablespoon per load! One bottle lasted us a long time (35oz).

Auto Dish Powder is a high performance blend of simple mineral salts, citrus and Coconut oils. Stuck on food and grease won't stand a chance when it comes to the NO NASTY CHEMICAL products from Ecostore USA.

Ingredients:
-Palm and coconut based non-ionic surfactants
-Silicates and carbonates including sodium meta silicate (simple mineral salts)
-Citrates and natural citrus oil
-Cellulose (plant based)
-Fatty acid derivative

The other new product for me that I tried was their Cream Cleanser. What sold me on it was it was perfect for glass stove tops and stainless steel! Both of which we have so I was excited to try it on those and even my tiled counter tops. It worked great, and even smelled great, not over powering, just a light scent of lemon. The directions said to apply to surface, but it didn't say anything about rinsing/wiping off. I did do a rinse wipe though to be safe. It left my surfaces clean and shiny and I felt good about using a safe product.

Using only plant-based ingredients, including Lemon Verbena oil, this wonderful cream cleanser can be used everywhere from the bathroom to the stovetop. Not gritty. Not harsh. Works wonders on stainless and just about anything that gets in its way ... gentle enough for glass stovetops. A little goes a long way. (12.7 fluid ounces)

Ingredients:
Water
Calcium carbonate (chalk)
Plant based anionic surfactants
Plant based glycerine
Plant base thickener
Xanthum gum
Lemon verbena oil

A $25 Gift Certificate from Ecostore USA for ONE "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" fan! WHOO HOO!! You can pick whatever you like!



(This is a must before any extra entries will be accepted!)
1. All you have to do is visit their site and tell me what products you'd like to try and why!

Earn up to 8 extra entries by showing some "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" bloggie ♥ !
-Please post yourself a separate comment for each, letting me know which ones you do.

2. Follow me on Twitter here (I'll follow ya back if you tweet #3!)

3. Tweet about this giveaway once, copy this: Win a $25 Gift Card to Ecostore USA @MommyImHungry's Giveaway http://bit.ly/1ZNP4A

4. (earn 2 bonus entries!) Blog about this giveaway on your blog & post your link here

5. Mention this giveaway link on your Facebook & post your link here

6. Follow "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" w/my Google Friend Connect side bar widget

7. Follow "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" w/my NEW Facebook Fan Page side bar widget

8. Add my blog button to your site & post your link here


Remember, please don't forget to leave me contact info!*



This Giveaway ends: 11:59 pm pst, Sunday, November 15, 2009.
Please read the fine print:
-Open to USA
-If it's not already in your profile* please leave your email!
-I will verify links/names to be fair
-Winner(s) will be posted on my Blog & Twitter, the following day
-I will choose my winner(s) using Random.org

As always, be sure to follow along so you don't miss new things!


I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Ecostore USA. I received free product to review and keep as compensation for my opinion of the product. All opinions for this review are that of myself & my family's. Thank you Ecostore USA!

WINNER TBA WHEN I GET BACK ONLINE. sorry guys!

Corn Potato Chowder

I love making this, it's a very simple hearty and inexpensive meal. Add some crusty bread and a salad and there you go!

Remember these recipe cards I blogged about before? It comes from those. I will cheat and just point you to her scanned image for the recipe. haha. Recipe here.

enjoy,

Taco Seasoning Mix

I saw this recipe a few years ago for Taco Seasoning and finally got around to trying it. Easy peasy! Everything was already in the cupboard, so why did I keep buying those salty packets? No more I say! This was pretty good.

Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

In a small bowl, mix all together. Store in an airtight container.

I used all of this on 2 lbs of ground beef with a little water mixed in. Added to taco shells with all the fixings and it was a great dinner!

From Mommy I'm Hungry

enjoy,

Review: Taza Stone Ground Organic Chocolate: Guajillo Chili

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Taza Chocolate is 100% USDA certified organic. The chocolate contains no artificial flavors, colorings or sweeteners. No pesticides or herbicides are utilized on the farm, and the fertilizer used contains no chemicals or animal byproducts. The chocolate is minimally processed. Taza use's authentic Mexican stone mills to grind the nibs for the chocolate which creates the signature texture and explosive flavor in every bite.

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Taza Stone Ground Organic Chocolate is revolutionizing the way we look at our favorite candy. In fact, lets call it food; with all of its nutritional benefits, Taza Chocolate is a far, far cry from a Mars Bars. Dark chocolate supplies the body with micro nutrients such as potassium, zinc, magnesium and iron. And laboratory tests of Taza Chocolate reveal it to have sky-high levels of antioxidants, more even than famed antioxidant foods like red wine, green tea, and blueberries. Antioxidants are known to slow the action of dangerous free radicals, the chemicals that damage cells and are thought to cause cancer and aging. Dark chocolate also contains anandamide, the so-called “bliss chemical.” Anandamide is believed to produce feelings of calm, anxiety relief, and the mitigation of pain.

Taza offers a variety of products ranging from chocolate bars ($6.50) to mexicana discs ($5.00) and can be found on their website for purchase.

I was sent a sample of 2 discs of Taza Organic Stone Ground Chocolate‏ Guajillo Chili flavor.

Guajillo Chili Chocolate Mexicano
Taza Guajillo Chili Chocolate Mexicano is made by hand in small batches from single source, sustainably grown cacao. To season this chocolate, we use a small amount of locally grown guajillo chili, a spice traditionally paired with cocoa in Mexico. Our Guajillo Chili Chocolate Mexicano has a rustic texture and powerful notes of citrus and smoke, with a slow-to-develop heat that's assertive but not overwhelming. 100% USDA certified organic.

Ingredients: organic roasted cacao beans, organic cane sugar, and organic guajillo chili powder. Gluten, Soy and Dairy free.

From Mommy I'm Hungry

I made some Mexican Hot Chocolate (Taza de Chocolate) with my disc. Typically in Mexico, a Molinillo Chocolate Whisk is used. A molinillo ("moh-lee-NEE-yo") is a slender wooden whisk used to create the signature tasty froth in Mexican chocolate drinks. But with mine, I heated up some milk and used my immersion blender to make a froth to top my Taza de Chocolate.

From Mommy I'm Hungry

The first sip of this Taza Guajillo Chili Chocolate Mexicano, I could immediately catch a hint of the spice in the back of my throat. I could also taste a slight bitterness from the dark chocolate, I like my chocolate a little sweeter. Overall I found this flavor a little over powering for me, but if you like a little spice in your hot chocolate, I say go for it! I would sure love to try some of the other flavors, such as Taza Salted Almond Chocolate Mexicano! I love chocolate and almonds together.

See this also mentioned here

Thank you Taza Chocolate for sending us a free sample for this review! Stock images from Google.

The Nestle New School Year Resolution Prize Pack Winner is...

Congrats!! #7 karenmed409 you won my Nestle New School Year Resolution prize package giveaway!

Watch your email and respond asap!


Everyone else, I've got another giveaway still going on, and more to come! So please stick around and enter yourself to WIN!

Can I just add, that in my rules for my giveaway you must leave me contact info...I did choose other winning entries but unfortunately they could not win because I had not way to contact them. Remember to leave your email addie if it is not already in your profile.

Winner of the FoodShouldTasteGood Chips is...

Who's the lucky "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" fan who gets 2 free bags of FoodShouldTasteGood chips?

Congrats #9 Chrystina! Go get you a couple bags, your cream cheese and salsa! I know you guys will love these as much as we did!





Also don't you all forget! I have other giveaways going on and still more to come! Whoo hoo! Stick around! Enter, enter enter!


Have a great weekend everyone!

Review and Giveaway: Relish! Menu Planning Guide

I don't know about you, but I am not really a big menu planner, I will plan for a few days up to a week. I like to cook what we're in the mood for rather than a set menu. But when you're stuck in a rut and need some new dinner ideas, or a new menu planned there's Relish! I was given a month subscription to try Relish! myself, and already into week 2, I have to say I like this! We are trying new recipes, menu planning is easy, the shopping list is great and organized. It's so easy!!

They offer the plan to get you out of your dinner rut for good and to prepare healthy and creative dinners, every night. You choose your weekly recipes, the grocery list is tabulated, shop once a week and have all of the ingredients needed for five meals. How nice, huh!

Relish! a truly cool meal-planning service for busy parents.This easy to use (really), mom-run website helps you prepare healthy, creative meals every week! You pick from a ton of excellent tested recipes, a very cleverly organized grocery list is automatically created, then all you do is hit the store for five days worth of home-cooked meals--not one of which takes more than 30 minutes to prepare.You'll find a whole lot to choose from including freezer meals, vegetarian menus, super-quick and slow cooker recipes. You’ll find tons of kid’s faves that don't include the word "nugget."

For subscriptions at $7 a month, you'll end up with five complete dinners for a family of four running you less than $95. Between the money savings and the anxiety savings, you’re coming out way ahead. Plus your menu planning and shopping list is solved, so no worries or headaches there!

For each recipe, they give you an entree with a side, and a dessert for the week. You pick 5 out of say 15 meals for that week and they even code it for ease of choosing and you can even alter it to feed 4-8 people. Every week they'll email you to come pick the next week's menu.

The Recipe Legend Codes are:

KF - Kid Friendly
Q - Quick
C - Crockpot
SG - Simple Gourmet
V - Vegetarian
LC - Lower Calorie
M - Morning Prep
O - One Pot
D - Dessert
CM - Custom Meal

So please stop by Relish! and check it out! It sure comes in handy! Plus you can always give a subscription as a gift! Here's a peek at my shopping list.

Below are some sneak peeks at 2 of the meals we've had. Both were great, especially the Minestrone with some crusty bread dipped into the soup! (no one ever mentioned the spinach in it either! haha!)

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Honey-Glazed Chicken -Q LC
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
pinch cayenne pepper

Roasted Sesame Asparagus
1 pound fresh asparagus
2 tablespoons olive oil
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

From Mommy I'm Hungry

Slow Cooker Chunky Minestrone -V C LC
5 cups vegetable broth
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed & drained (white kidney beans)
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
1 cup water
1 white onion , chopped
1 zucchini , quartered and sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
6 ounces small pasta shells, uncooked
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

From Mommy I'm Hungry

My next week's Relish! menu will be something like this:

-Chicken and Snow Pea Stir Fry Bowls -KF
-Cumin Pork Chops with Avocado Salsa -Q LC
-Spaghetti with Roasted Squash -V
-Spicy Brown Rice and Shrimp -Q LC
-Slow Cooker Dr Pepper BBQ Pork -KF C

Isn't this a neat tool! I think you would like it too!

Relish! would like to offer a free 1-year subscription ($58.80) as a prize for ONE "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" fan! WHOO HOO!!

(This is a must before any extra entries will be accepted!)
1. All you have to do is tell me if you are a weekly/monthly or day menu planner! Why would you like to win this subscription?



Earn up to 8 extra entries by showing some "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" bloggie ♥ !
-Please post yourself a separate comment for each, letting me know which ones you do.

2. Follow me on Twitter here and I'll follow ya back! =)

3. Tweet about this giveaway, copy this: Win 1 year Relish! subscription @MommyImHungry's Giveaway http://bit.ly/4pjiXu


4. (earn 2 bonus entries!) Blog about this giveaway on your blog & post your link here

5. Mention this giveaway link on your Facebook

6. Follow "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" w/my Google Friend Connect side bar widget

7. Follow "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" w/my NEW Facebook Fan Page side bar widget

8. Add my blog button to your site & post your link here


Remember, please don't forget to leave me contact info!*



This Giveaway ends: 11:59 pm pst, Thursday, November 12, 2009.
Please read the fine print:
-Open to ALL! (this is an online special)
-If it's not already in your profile* please leave your email!
-I will verify links/names to be fair
-Winner(s) will be posted on my Blog & Twitter, the following day
-I will choose my winner(s) using Random.org

As always, be sure to follow along so you don't miss new things!