Mamas & Papas Snug {Giveaway}

by Kate on February 24th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

Mamas & Papas is celebrating the Snug this week on Facebook and Twitter. And for good reason. We think this infant positioner is a winner. Indeed, following Laura’s Baby Snug review and her experience, it was named to our Best Baby Gear of 2011. We’re happy to join the celebration by giving one lucky reader a Snug Infant Positioner!

About the Snug

Two stage seat that helps babies sit up and moms sit down.

Ergonomically designed to provide support and comfort, this first seat adjusts as your baby grows. With the tray included it is easy to clean and lightweight, perfect when you’re on the move and suitable for inside and outside use.

Noteworthy Snug Features

  • Baby’s first seat that adjusts as your baby grows – just remove the soft seat insert and Baby Snug will last as they grow
  • Excellent stability with extra wide base and ergonomically designed to provide back support and comfort to baby
  • Easy to wipe clean and lightweight make the baby chair perfect when you’re on the move for inside and outside use, giving you a moment to sit down


The seat is designed for use from 3 months of age with an insert to help secure your child and ensure an upright and ergonomic position. The leg holes are wider than comparable seats, making it a good fit for every chubby-legged babes. Remove the seat insert and older babies can use the seat, too. The removable tray provides lots of flexibility and opportunity for use.

Shop! The Mamas & Papas Snug is available in Apple (green), Teal and Raspberry for a suggested retail price of $60. It’s available for online purchase from Babies R Us and FAO Schwarz.

Win! A Mamas & Papas Baby Snug!

How to Enter: Like our friends at Mamas & Papas on Facebook.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends March 9. Open to US residents only.

Kraft MilkBite Milk and Granola Bars {Review}

by Malia on February 14th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  In the Kitchen, Reviews

One thing I’ve learned is that when it comes to being a mom, eating with one hand is a valuable skill. I’m often eating “on the go.” From nursing a newborn to squeezing in a bite while running out the door to another activity it’s hard to find time to sit down to a meal. Grabbing something easy but unhealthy is easy to do. So when Kraft offered to send me some of their new MilkBite Milk and Granola Bars to review, my first thought was, “yes, something easy to eat while nursing and I need the calcium!”

MilkBite Milk and Granola Bars combine milk (they say “real milk”) and whole grain granola to create a delicious soft granola bar that provides the same amount of calcium as an 8 oz glass of milk (30% RDA). They also have 5 grams of protein and 7 grams of whole grain. They are artificial flavor and preservative free, so you’ll find these bars in the refrigerated section. They are only about 140 calories, so grabbing one for a snack is perfect (and sneaking another one for a chocolate fix won’t derail your diet).

Just in case you’ve seen the new commercials (check out milkbite.com for images and more info), these bars are way more appetizing looking than the “spokesmodel.”

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I find these bars really delicious and I like the milky flavor and eating them chilled makes them feel like more of a treat. I tried both the chocolate and strawberry and preferred the chocolate, but that is probably always true. I like the softer texture versus a crunchy or dry granola bar. And I know I can always use more calcium in my diet.

Or Not to Buy… Okay, home baked food is probably better, but if you are looking for easy, convenient and tasty these are a great option.

Shop! MilkBite Milk and Granola Bars can be found in your grocer’s dairy aisle for a suggested retail price of $3.49. Five flavors are available: chocolate, strawberry, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and mixed berry.

Kraft provided sample products. Opinions are my own.

Pork Roast with Sweet Potatoes, Pears & Rosemary {Recipe} #Publix4Pork

by Kate on February 10th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  In the Kitchen, Life

I’ll be honest: I was totally intimidated by this week’s Good & Good For You Challenge. The pork cut on sale this week at Publix is bone-in pork loin. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked bone-in meat. (It’s true. I’m not exaggerating.) But, the cut is perfect for this week’s theme of hearty and heart healthy. And the meal was definitely filling and, of course, I love knowing that lean cut pork is a healthy option for my family.

My first experience with a bone-in roast was a success! This wasn’t our favorite pork challenge recipe to date (that honor belongs to the Tenderloin Medallions with Lemon-Garlic Sauce), but it was good.

Pork Roast with sweet Potatoes, Pears & Rosemary

Recipe via PorkBeinspired.com

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 pound bone-in pork center loin roast, excess fat trimmed to thin layer
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for serving (or 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 1/2 pounds (6 medium) sweet potatoes, peeled, and cut lengthwise into sixths
  • 3 firm-ripe Bosc pears, cut lengthwise into quarters, cored1 12-oz bottle hard cider*

* You can substitute 1 cup apple juice and 1/2 cup dry vermouth for the hard cider, or use all apple juice. I used all apple juice.

Cooking Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Rub pork all over with oil. Mix rosemary, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in small bowl. Rub all over pork.
Place pork, bone side down, in large flameproof roasting pan. Roast 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Roast 15 minutes more.

Add sweet potatoes and pears to pan, stir gently to coat with pan juices, and spread as evenly as possible around roast. Season with salt and pepper. Roast, occasionally stirring sweet potato mixture, until instant-read food thermometer inserted in center of roast reads 145 degrees F and the potatoes and pears are tender, about 1 hour more.

Transfer pork to carving board.

Transfer sweet potato mixture to ovenproof bowl, tent with aluminum foil, and keep warm in turned-off oven. (If needed, increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F, and continue roasting sweet potato mixture until tender, up to 15 minutes longer.) Let pork stand for 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat roasting pan over high heat. Add cider, bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits in pan with wooden spoon, and boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Pour into sauceboat.

Carve pork. Transfer to serving platter, surround with sweet potato mixture, drizzle with 3 tablespoons of cider sauce, and sprinkle with rosemary. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Prepared Dish Nutritional Information

Calories: 250 calories
Protein: 22 grams
Fat: 5 grams
Sodium: 85 milligrams
Cholesterol: 55 milligrams
Saturated Fat: 1 grams
Carbohydrates: 29 grams
Fiber: 5 grams

Shop & Cook! Now through February 15, Bone-in Pork Loin Roast is on sale for $3.99 a pound at Publix. For more meal inspiration and bone-in pork loin recipes, visit Good and Good for You at Publix.

This is a sponsored post coordinated by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of the National Pork Board and Publix. As always, opinions are my own.

How Do You Like Your Tea? Plus Fruity Baked Brie {Recipe} #LiptonGreenTea

by Kate on February 7th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  In the Kitchen, Life

I have to admit this pregnancy my main go-to warm drink has been decaf coffee of the sweet and creamy variety. So it’s not surprising that when I was sampling the new Lipton Green Tea Superfruit tea varieties I like to add lots of honey and milk. The teas have a great flavor – classic green tea with unique with a little sweet fruity twist.

Lipton Green Tea Superfruit is available in three varieties:

  • Purple Acai and Blueberry
  • White Mangosteen and Peach
  • Red Goji and Raspberry

I’m not sure what a Mangosteen is, but it’s tasty in a tea. My favorite, though, is the Purple Acai and Blueberry. Of course, with a nice healthy spoonful of honey and a pour of milk.

When imagining my ideal way to enjoy the Green Tea Superfruit tea, I picture sitting around the kitchen table with girlfriends enjoying great conversation, warm tea and a tasty little snack. The ideal playmate, if I can say so myself – kids playing together and entertaining themselves, moms engaging in uninterrupted conversation. I immediately imagined pairing the tea with baked brie. Can you imagine the fabulousness that is that  play date. Yes, please!

Fruity Baked Brie Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 large sheet of puff pastry dough or 1 tube of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
  • 1 round or wedge of Brie cheese (do not remove rind)
  • Raspberry Jam (or Apricot Jam or some other yummy berry jam)
  • A few spoonfuls of brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. On a non-stick cookie sheet or oven-friendly serving dish, lay out the puff pastry or the crescent rolls flat and put brie round or wedge on top.

3. Spread a generous layer of jam on brie. And I mean generous. Fold dough over top. Some recipes recommend cutting the extra dough, but I happen to love it so I leave it on. Spoon brown sugar on top – you can also put brown sugar directly no top of the jam inside the dough, if you prefer.

4. Bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes, pastry should be golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with good crackers (i.e. not the ones you give your kids) and apple slices.

Now that I have shared what I would pair with these refreshing Lipton Green Tea Superfruits, I want to know, how do you enjoy your tea?

Share your tea time must haves for a chance to win a year’s supply of Lipton Tea, a tea kettle, a tea box, a mug/saucer set, a travel tumbler and a $50 gift card to Amazon.com!

Plus, the first three of you to leave a comment in the conversation below will receive a box of Lipton Green Tea Superfruit.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lipton Green Tea Superfruit. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Pork, Cheddar & Apple Panini {Recipe} #Publix4Pork

by Kate on February 3rd, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Life

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the Super Bowl is this weekend. No matter how you feel about football and regardless of the team you’re hoping will pull off the big win – there’s one thing everyone can agree on: half the fun of Super Bowl Sunday is the food. This week’s focus of the Pork Good & Good For You Challenge is to share a reduced-calorie meal that’s fun for a crowd. The Pork, Cheddar & Apple Panini is a great solution: it’s like a hearty and nutritious grilled cheese for adults.

Stuffed Pork, Cheddar & Apple Panini Recipe

Recipe via PorkBeInspired.com

Ingredients

  • 8 boneless pork loin chops, cut 1/4-inch thick and trimmed (10 to 12 ounces total)
  • 4 tablespoons apricot preserves
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 8 slices country wheat bread, 1/2-inch thick (I used some delish bread from the Publix bakery)
  • 3 tablespoons margarine, softened (I used butter)
  • 1 granny smith apple, cored and sliced 1/8-inch thick
  • 4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat (made with 2% milk/fat free), thinly sliced

Cooking Directions

In a small bowl, combine apricot preserves and mustard. Set aside.

Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Over medium-high heat, cook pork chops for 2 to 3 minutes or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145 degrees F., turning pork chops over halfway through cooking. Remove from pan and set aside 3 minutes.

Drain pan of juices and scrape bits from bottom of pan with metal spatula. Wipe pan dry with paper towels.

To assemble sandwiches, spread one side of each slice of bread with about 1 teaspoon margarine. Place bread slices, buttered sides down on clean cutting board. Spread unbuttered sides with apricot-mustard mixture. On half of the bread slices, layer pork, apple and cheese. Place remaining bread slices on top, buttered sides up, to form sandwiches.

Meanwhile, preheat skillet over medium heat. Place the 2 sandwiches in skillet without a Panini press. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. Repeat cooking remaining 2 sandwiches.

Makes 4 servings

Nutritional Information

Calories: 340 calories
Protein: 26 grams
Fat: 10 grams
Sodium: 680 milligrams
Cholesterol: 55 milligrams
Saturated Fat: 2 grams
Carbohydrates: 36 grams
Fiber: 2 grams

Challenge Results

The recipe is relatively kid-friendly, but my two weren’t interested and preferred their boring plain grilled cheese to our piled high pork, cheddar and apple sandwiches. We enjoyed sweet potato fries and peas on the side. The sandwiches themselves were very easy to make – you could easily make several batches for a football crowd. The apricot and mustard sauce added an awesome flavor to compliment the pork. And, really, you can’t go wrong with any apple and cheese combo as far as I’m concerned. Overall, we think the paninis can make you a champ on Sunday.

Shop & Cook! This weekend, and through February 7, pork spareribs are on sale for $1.99 a pound at Publix.  For a healthier alternative, we prepared a recipe using boneless pork loin chops which are also available at Publix stores nationwide. For more ideas, visit Pork Be Inspired on Facebook and follow @allaboutpork on Twitter.

This is a sponsored post coordinated by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of the National Pork Board and Publix. As always, opinions are my own.

Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust Challenge

by Shannon on January 31st, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  In the Kitchen, New Year New Mama

Allegies? Growing up, the only meaning that word held for me was “seasonal allergies” that came when everything turned yellow in the spring. In the recent decades, and since having children, that word has come to mean so much more. For my own family, it means preschool girl is/was allergic to eggs (we switched to organic and things are much better) and toddler boy has a suspected allergy to penicillin. As I’ve met other mothers and young children, I’ve learned many are dealing with food allergies. Many of my adult friends are now suffering from allergies as well, specifically wheat allergies and/or Celiac disease, making their diet a huge concern. In fact, my mother-in-law, best friend from high school and the best man from our wedding have all become wheat intolerant.

For our daughter’s egg allergy, we simply avoided baked goods and omelettes (it was a little more complex, but not much). A wheat allergy is more difficult because wheat (or traces of it) can be found in so much more. So, any relief a sufferer can get is welcome. Enter, Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods.

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods

Udi’s offers a comprehensive line of gluten-free baked goods that are produced in a 100% gluten-free facility. Their goal is to make fresh breads and pastries daily that look and taste like their conventional wheat counterparts. It may seem like a small thing, but buying bread, bagels and muffins for your gluten-free child is a HUGE thing. And buying bread, bagels and muffins that your whole family can enjoy together is a HUGE thing.

My mother-in-law is planning to visit during the upcoming Easter weekend. As such, I was anxious to try some Udi’s products to see how they compare with the conventional versions with which I am familiar. I was was happy to participate in the Udi’s January Pizza Challenge where families make their own pizzas using the Udi’s gluten-free pizza crusts.

Gluten-Free Pizza Challenge

My children and I have never made pizza at home. I know, as much as we cook we’ve never made pizza from raw ingredients, so all of us were excited to try this for the first time. And, of course, the kids had a marvelous time deciding what toppings their pizza would sport. They were also slightly full after eating almost half of the raw ingredients during assembly. We made both pizza crusts contained in the package because they average 10 inches in diameter.

We cooked the pizzas a little longer than the 5-7 minutes recommended on the crust packaging, but were very happy with the results. Our pizzas were yummy! The crust was nice and crispy on the outer edge, while still softer and chewy (er) in the middle. The whole family enjoyed the pizza and, while the crust was not like a big 2-inch thick doughy crust from some national chains, that’s not our style anyway. I think Udi’s succeeded in making a crust that can appeal to the masses, not just those suffering gluten intolerance.

I will also mention that we received a sample of their snickerdoodles and blueberry muffins as well. They are all gone. Yum! (Though I’m always a proponent of more blueberries.)

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods offers a tasty line of products that include breads, muffins, granolas, bagels, cookies, hamburger and hot dog buns and pizza crusts. For anyone avoiding gluten, Udi’s can fill the void that wheat-based products leave when omitted from the diet. And they do it with great tasting products. As a hostess, I’m looking forward to having items on hand when visitors come. I won’t feel so helpless when planning meals.

Or Not to Buy… If you and your family are not sensitive to wheat, Udi’s products may not be necessary. But those snickerdoodles might be worth a try!

Shop! Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods are available in may national retail outlets including your local grocery store, Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and online at http://udisglutenfree.com/products/. Indeed, Udi’s is now available at 50 Wal-Mart stores across the country and the store will carry 5 of Udi’s best-selling products (soft white bread, soft whole grain bread, plain bagels, chocolate chip cookies, and pizza crust) in the bakery department. To find a store near you and learn of coupons and special offers, be sure to visit the Udi’s website and check out the store locator.

Thanks to Udi’s for providing samples.

Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Lemon-Garlic Sauce {Recipe} #Publix4Pork

by Kate on January 28th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  In the Kitchen, New Year New Mama

Over the next four weeks my family is participating in “The Good and Good for You Challenge.” Each week I’ll prepare a new pork recipe using a different cut of meat with the goal of learning to better incorporate this healthy meat into our diet. I totally admit that I’m a chicken (literally) when it comes to preparing meat. My repertoire is pretty much limited to chicken and ground turkey. For that reason I’m really into the challenge and look forward to learning how to prepare another meat that is a good fit in our diet.

Publix 4 Pork

Publix, my very favorite grocery store, is the National Pork Board’s retail partner. Every week during the Challenge, Publix is offering a special sale on a cut of lean pork. We’ll be using that cut in the healthy eating challenge. This week, Pork Tenderloin is on sale at Publix so I prepared Pork Tenderloin Medallions.

Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe

Recipe via PorkBeInspired.com

Ingredients

  • 1 pork tenderloin, (1 pound), trimmed (the Lean Cut was on sale so it was trimmed and ready)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt , divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine, (for non-alcoholic, substitute low-sodium chicken broth)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
  • Grated zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice , from 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, OR or 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage or rosemary*

*To substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs, use 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley or 3/4 teaspoon dried sage, or 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

Cooking Directions

Cut pork into 12 slices, about 1-inch thick. Sprinkle pork on all sides with 1/8 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning once, until the pork is well browned and internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Transfer pork to serving platter and cover to keep warm.

Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to skillet. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the wine and broth. Increase heat to high and cook, stirring to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until the liquid is reduced by two thirds, about 5 minutes.

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper, the lemon zest and juice, and the parsley. Serve the pork medallions drizzled with the sauce (makes a generous 1/3 cup; about 1 1/2 tablespoons per serving).

Makes 4 servings

Prepared Pork Nutritional Information

Calories: 150 calories
Protein: 24 grams
Fat: 5 grams
Sodium: 220 milligrams
Cholesterol: 75 milligrams
Saturated Fat: 1 grams
Carbohydrates: 1 grams
Fiber: 0 grams

Challenge Results

This meal was a big success! The recipe was very easy – even for me, so that’s saying a lot – and it was delicious. I’ve never sautéed pork before but it was very simple and a quick method of preparation. If I change anything, next time I’ll make more sauce because it was super tasty and you can never have too much sauce. My husband raved about this meal and kept all the leftovers to himself! We served it with white rice, which was a good pairing with the zesty sauce, and steamed broccoli. One of the great things about the recipe is that several key ingredients are staples already in our kitchen (chicken stock, cooking wine, garlic and herbs) or relatively inexpensive (lemons). Overall, a VERY healthy meal with a lot of flavor. And, of course, it’s extremely healthy. This recipe will definitely become a regular in our house. Two thumbs up!

Shop & Cook! Lean Pork Tenderloin is on sale at Publix for $4.99 a pound through January 31. PorkBeInspired.com has a great collection of recipes using this cut of pork. For even more ideas, visit Pork Be Inspired on Facebook and follow @allaboutpork on Twitter. 

This is a sponsored post coordinated by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of the National Pork Board and Publix. As always, opinions are my own.

sweetriot Chocolate {Review}

by Laura on January 20th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  In the Kitchen, Reviews

Is there a mother out there who hasn’t resorted to a quick bite of chocolate (or more than just a bite) as a way to unwind after a tough day with the little one(s)? Okay, maybe it’s just me.  Regardless, when I do indulge, I like to make it count with a sweet treat that is high quality and delicious.  And if it’s lower in calories, well that’s just a bonus!  Sweetriot chocolate bars are the best of both worlds, as they are both delicious but also portion control-friendly.

About sweetriot

our identity:  sweetriot is human, globally responsible, irreverent and built for a new generation.

our values

  • We use premium, high quality, and all-natural ingredients.
  • We believe in fair trade with developing countries.
  • We celebrate culture and diversity through our products.
  • We create sweet experiences for our customers, partners and employees.
  • We are young at heart, energetic, down-to-earth and contribute to the greater good.

Tasty, Social Responsible, and Even Kind of Healthy

The riotBar comes in three varieties – 60% Dark Chocolate with Crunch Nibs, Pure 70% Dark Chocolate, and Pure 85% Dark Chocolate.  Since they are so high in dark chocolate content and made from organic ingredients, they are healthier than most commercial candy bars.  A bite into one of the 20-21 calorie squares yields a flavor that is almost airy – much lighter than your typical name brand chocolate.  For those with diet restrictions, all three bars are gluten-free, dairy-free,and low in sugar. Hooray for a guilt-free indulgence!

I especially liked the packaging for  this product, and upon reading the label I discovered that it was a limited edition wrapper featuring original artwork by emerging artists.  As if that wasn’t impressive enough, sweetriot is the first and only chocolate company to offset all of its carbon emissions and it sources fair trade chocolate from Latin America.  Foodies and celebs, including Rachel Ray, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Drew Barrymore, have endorsed sweetriot for both its healthy products and its positive social mission.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy…  It’s delicious, it’s as healthy as a chocolate bar can be, and it’s produced by people who care about their impact on the world.  I’d say those are some GREAT reasons to buy!  Plus, at $3.99 per bar, a sweetriot product is no more expensive than the other high quality chocolate bars on the market.

Or Not to Buy…  Unless you are allergic to cacao, I’ve got nothin’.

Shop!  Sweetriot riotBars are available at Whole Foods and independent retailers nationwide, or online at the sweetriot website. Shopping for Valentine’s Day? We like the riotous riotBar gift set for $25.

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