Friday, July 31, 2009

Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing



Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing is a pantry staple in our home. This flavorful dressing is much more than simply a salad dressing (although it does taste great on a simple salad of mandarin oranges, chicken, almonds and chopped lettuce).

Our favorite use is as a stir fry style sauce. Here is what you will need to try it at home:

Stir Fry with Pasta

1/2 cup Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
1 Tbs Peanut butter
1/2 tsp Chili garlic paste (optional, this is spicy and adds heat to the dish, if you have kids who are sensitive to spicy, I would leave this out. You can find this in the ethnic foods section of your local grocery store in the Asian section)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces (uncooked)
1/4 cup sliced carrots
1/4 cup sliced celery
2 Tbs chopped almonds or peanuts (or use chunky peanut butter above)
1-2 green onions sliced (white and green parts)

1/2 of a 1lb package of fettucine-cooked al dente

Add the dressing, Peanut Butter and Chili garlic paste to a frying pan or wok over med heat. Heat through for a minute then add the chicken, carrots, celery and nuts. Cook over med heat until the chicken is no longer pink in the center. Toss chicken mixture with the cooked pasta and green onions.

Another favorite use is creating a kicked up, Asian style barbecue sauce! This is awesome on chicken (especially if you use the dressing as a marinade before cooking. We also love to add this to hot dogs while grilling or frying. My kids can't get enough of hot dogs with kicked up barbecue sauce!

Asian Barbecue Sauce

3 parts your favorite barbecue sauce (we usually use Kraft, but it is great with other brands as well)
1 part Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing

Just mix up in a bowl. I sometimes add a bit of garlic powder, but it really doesn't need it!

The great part about this dressing is that you can find for about $1.60 at your local Wal Mart super center. Keep an eye on your coupon circulars as well, since they often have coupons for as much as $1 off, making it a great, inexpensive pantry staple.

-Christine

*This post is my personal opinion of a product that I purchased for my own use. I did not receive payment or free product for my review.

I took some time off...

I have taken a little time off lately from this blog. My family got really busy and I wasn't happy with the way the blog was running. I really wanted to offer more to you as readers than simply a breakdown of other reviews and giveaways around the internet. I have decided to take this blog in another direction. While I will still point you in the direction of giveaways and freebies that I think are worthwhile, the focus of this blog will be sharing my thoughts and tips on products, services and more that I find helpful and fun as a mother, wife and woman.

These will often be products that I buy and try for myself, but some will be those provided by sponsors (I will indicate at the bottom of each post whether the review was sponsored in any way). I promise to give you my honest opinion on each product. (I may even let you know when I find a product that truly did not live up to the hype).

I have a few posts in the works (including a super fun giveaway from Trix!), so please check back soon!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Blog Party Going on Right Now!



Pink Lemonade of Life has gotten a facelift, and to celebrate they are hosting a Blog Party Bash, complete with tons of giveaways!! You don't want to miss this one. I will highlight some of my favorite giveaways here on the blog, but don't miss out on the rest, check out the whole site and let them know what you think of the new look!

Sorry to have fallen off the face of the earth!

Last week I experienced and internet outage and that really through me off. I have been back up for a bit now, but just have not been able to get back into the swing of things since. Look for more giveaway posts, a giveaway of my own and a couple product reviews in the next week!

Monday, May 25, 2009

A little escape (freebie alert)

I have a confession to make. I love romance novels. There is something about romance and love that makes me smile and just helps me to relax from the stresses of life. Having said that I love romance novels, I think I need to clarify something. I do NOT like to read about a steamy sex life, nope I would rather leave that to the imagination (and the bedroom). So what is a girl to do? I want romance without the steamy stuff (steamy kissing is all good though =)).

About five years ago I discovered an author that provided just what I was looking for! Romance and lots of kissing, but no steamy scenes that make me blush! Marcia Lynn McClure writes mostly historical novels(my favorites are her cowboy books!) but she has written a few modern day novels and ebooks (you gotta read Kissing Cousins!). Her books are such a fun escape. Filled with romance and suspense (mostly wondering if they will REALLY end up together), each of her books offers a couple hours of escape from a crazy world.

To top it all off, Marcia (pronounced Mar-see-uh NOT Marsha) has to be one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. She hosts a meet and greet here in Utah in the summers and I have been able to attend twice. She takes the time to chat with everyone there and is so sweet. And just to prove how nice she is, if you sign up to receive her newsletter (don't worry, you won't start receiving a ton of mail from her, just monthly (and occasionally more often) updates on her current projects) you can recieve a free download of her ebook The Rogue Knight (and $8.95 value)! Yep, you get to try one for free! My guess is that once you read one of her books, you will be hooked. Luckily, she offers all of her books and ebooks (for those of you who just can't wait and have to have more Marcia NOW!) for sale right on her website! Her newest book A Crimson Frost is available for pre-order right now. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my copy.

So..why are you still reading this...haven't you headed over to Marcia's website to request your free ebook yet! Go....NOW =)

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cheerios Spoonfulls of Stories Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered my most recent giveaway! I had 52 entries!

Here is your random number (courtesy of Random.org)

Here are your random numbers:

21 

Timestamp: 2009-05-23 14:18:31 UTC


That is tarahsfoodreviews who said:

tarahsfoodreviews said...

I love "Goodnight Moon"

Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com




I will be emailing you soon for your contact information!

Thank you again to all who entered! I have another giveaway for you soon!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Adorable Romper from Small Potatoes


Do you have a little girl who would look adorable in one of these A Line Rompers from Small Potatoes? I am seriously so sad that my little girl can't fit one (they make them in sizes up to 3T and my little girl is nine years old..eeek). If you do have a little girl who fits 3-6 months through 3T, then hop on over to Thrifty and Chic Mom to enter for your chance to win!
All you have to do is leave a comment here with your favorite item from Small Potatoes (other than the romper). US entries only, contest ends May 30th.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Foxy Mineral eyeshadow and lip gloss from Fiesty, Frugal and Fabulous


I am always looking to try new makeup. I think I get bored easily because, by the time I run out of one I am ready to try something new. I have yet to really dip my feet in the mineral make up pool, but I have been a curious bystander for the past several months. Tennille from Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous is offering 1 winner 2 eyeshadow and one lip gloss from foxy Mineral Makeup. They appear to have some great shades to chose from, and all reviews that I have read about them have been very positive.
For your chance to win leave a comment here with your color choices by May 26th at 10PM CT. There are ways to earn additional entries as well.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Hotel for Dogs from 5 Minutes for Giveaways

Have your kids been begging you to buy this movie every time they see display when you head to the store? Here's your chance to make you and your kids happy: a chance to win a free copy of Hotel for Dogs! 5 Minutes for Giveaways (a sister site to 5 Minutes for Moms) is offering five copies of this new movie from Dreamworks and Nickelodeon.

All you need to do is leave a comment here by May 22nd.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Fur Real Friends Pomeranian giveaway by Dealicious Mom


Do you have an animal lover in your house? I have several in my house who would love to have this little Pomeranian Pup by Fur Real friends. If you do too, then you are in luck. Dealicious Mom is offering one lucky winner a Lil Patter Pomeranian Pup of their own!

Fill out the form here (just name and email addy, super simple) by 05/20 for your chance to win.