walmart - kraft independence day sampling event

July 1st through July 3rd select Walmart locations are hosting a Kraft Independence Day Sampling Event - FREE. Each day the samples will be offered from 11AM until 4PM. Eight new Kraft products will be available for you to sample:

1. Hot Dogs (Angus Bun Length)
2. Kool Aid Fun Fizz
3. Crystal Light Pure
4. Dentyne Pure
5. Oreo Fudge Cremes
6. Ritz Munchables Pretzel Thins
7. Jello Mouse (Mint Flavor)
8. 100 Calorie Cheese Bites

Note: It is my understanding that the following Walmarts will be participating: Leeds, Trussville, Springville, Pell City, Oxford, Anniston, Jacksonville & Gardendale. This is not an exclusive list, just the Walmarts I figure most of my readers will be close too.

the wednesday dish

This is a new recipe. I found it in a magazine. I love making pasta dishes, but have never made one in a slow-cooker. Overall it was a pretty good meal (my husband said he liked it anyway). I served it with a salad and garlic bread. The only bad part is that it's not your typical slow-cooker recipe where you let your food cook all day. Preparation begins about 3 hours before you want to eat, so it's not that convenient for those who work. For those who don't have time to make it during the week, it's definitely worth trying on a weekend!

slow-cooker baked ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 15-oz. container part-skim ricotta
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 lb uncooked ziti
• Two 25-oz jars marinara sauce
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained (optional)

Preparation:

1. Combine all three cheeses and salt in a medium bowl. Rinse ziti under cold water in a colander, allowing some water to cling to pasta.
2. Mist inside of slow cooker with cooking spray. Place half of pasta in an even layer over bottom of cooker. Spoon half of sauce over pasta. Dot with half of cheese mixture and half of basil. Repeat with remaining pasta, sauce, cheese and basil. Pour in 2/3 cup water.
3. Cover and cook on high until pasta is tender. Approximately 2 to 3 hours.

*If you choose to add ground beef. Brown first and then mix with the jars of sauce.

the wednesday dish

I made this dish tonight (Tuesday), but I completely forgot to snap a picture of it to include in this post. It's simple to make, and a recipe I learned from my Nanny. It has no official name, but when I tell my husband I'm making it for dinner I usually just call it beef, gravy and mashed potatoes. It's one of those recipes that is next to impossible to mess up!

beef, gravy & mashed potatoes

Ingredients:

• mashed potatoes (however you like to prepare them - homemade or not)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 jar of Heinz Beef Gravy

Preparation:

Cook ground beef and onion in large skillet. Drain. Place meat and onions back in skillet, and mix jar of beef gravy in. Warm. Serve over your prepared mashed potatoes.

a little useful information

I LOVE all you magazine! So much so that I received a subscription as a Christmas gift. Each month's magazine is stuffed full of money saving ideas, and even better, it is stuffed with coupons! The coupons I get out of the magazine and actually use save me enough money to pay for the magazine and then some. For example, I use Neutrogena foundation, and about every other month there is a $3 off coupon for Neutrogena makeup, and that one coupon alone pays for my magazine. You can click here if you're interested in a free trial of all you.

In the June issue I ran across an interesting article and I thought I would pass along a little of what I learned from it.

1. Wash your dishwasher: Fill the detergent cups with 1/2 cup white vinegar then run your empty dishwasher through a complete cycle.
2. Clean your garbage disposal: Once every few weeks, put a handful of ice cubes into your disposal. Turn on the disposal while running cold water, and the ice will help break up grease that collects on the blades. To add a bit of freshness toss in some orange, lemon or lime peels into the disposal.
3. Keep sponges sanitary: After using your kitchen sponge, rinse, squeeze and place in the microwave for three minutes. The heat will help kill any bacteria.
4. Keep the trash clean: Take old newspaper and line the bottom of your kitchen trash. The newspaper will help soak up leaks and absorb odors.

This is just four of 30 ideas they gave. The ideas seem so simple, but I had never thought of them myself. I thought I would pass this new knowledge on!!!

the wednesday dish

I recently discovered this recipe in a recipe book I've had for years. I can't remember liking a squash casserole before this one! It's got a really good taste. I love the fact that there's cheese in it:)

Squash Casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked, drained squash (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded, sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 small onion, chopped (I usually cook the onion with the squash)
• 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients together, and place in glass baking dish. Top with crushed cracker crumbs and melted butter. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

sally hansen product review

I'll admit, I was a skeptic of this product from the start. I think it just sounded too good to be true. The can boasts "no touching - no spreading - no mess", how wonderful if it were the case

! I know I've had my fair share of nasty, stinky Nair moments. Just the thought of Nair makes my stomach turn. I'll never forget the summer I bought the cucumber melon scented Nair expecting it to actually smell like cucumber melon - I was completely let down when I squeezed some into my hand and it smelled like, well, Nair! So, when I saw this new, spray on formula, I was interested! Then to top it off, I happened upon a $1 off coupon, so that sealed the deal. I bought a can just in time to try it out on my beach trip.

Here are my thoughts on the product. It worked pretty much like they said. I just sprayed it on, and did not touch it at all...just let it set on my legs for approximately 3 minutes, then jumped in the shower and rinsed it off.

I found a few negatives while using the product. When I sprayed it on my legs, it was COLD! It took me by surprise the first time I did it. Also, the can suggests you spray it on yourself while standing in the shower. I did not do this, so I had a very slick floor to clean up thanks to the over spray. Also, it worked much better on my upper legs and the finer hair than on my knees and lower legs. Lastly, for the $7 something I paid for the can, I expected it to last longer, but after about 7 uses, it was gone.

Overall, I would buy this product again, and as long as this item is on the market, you will never see Nair in my shopping cart again.

what a no-fun weekend

Today I got to have a little "me" time. That's right, 2 whole hours without my kids. It was a totally unexpected couple of hours, and definitely 2 hours I would have much rather spent with my kids. Heck, I would have rather watched paint dry or grass grow! Why? Because my 2 hours alone were spent in the emergency room (and they wouldn't let the kids go back, so Patrick took them to walmart instead).

I'm ok. There was no blood or broken bones. Just a horrible case of food poisoning! It started late Friday afternoon after a meal at - dare I say it - Taco Bell. I won't go into the yucky details, but lets just say I felt like I was pregnant again...nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and stomach cramps that went all the way up my back and mirrored the way I felt when I was in labor with Griff. On a side note, I was just starting to get minor baby fever, since my youngest will be 2 in a couple of months. Let's just say that this weekend nipped that fever in the bud. No new babies for me, thank you.

They drew blood, took a urine sample, and gave me an IV of fluids laced with antibiotic for pain. I started to feel much better, and even enjoyed playing a little Diner Dash 2 on my cell phone. The final diagnosis: acute gastroenteritis. Actually, the doctor said it is either food poisoning or a virus. There's just no way to know with 100% certainty without a stool sample. And my body was not excited nor willing to hand one over. Instead they've sent me home with a little kit to collect one myself and bring it to their lab when I do. I'm, of course, praying for a miraculous healing before I have to "go" again, so no stool sample will be needed.

As I'm typing this, I still feel a bit weak, but not nauseous. Come tomorrow morning I should start feeling a good bit better, because Patrick is going to fill my Vicodin and Zofran prescription. Oh how I would love to be doped up tonight, but the nearest 24 hour pharmacy is just too far. Patrick's willing to make the drive, but honestly, I would just rather have him home with me.

I've spent over 48 hours feeling puny, so maybe, just maybe, I'll be back to my old self soon. Goodness, all I've ate today was a strawberry cereal bar and about 8 tater tots. I'm starving! But, I'm too scared to eat - afraid of a relapse! I'll tell you what, when I do get my appetite back, I already told Patrick we're heading to a buffet:)

FREE kotex sample pack!!!

Want a free kotex sample pack? If so, click here. As if the news of something free weren't good enough, there's more good news!!! You get to pick from 4 different sample packs, so you're sure to find something you will use. Plus, you can request up to 2 packs per household (so make sure you click the link in this post twice to score a double freebie!).

the wednesday dish

I love eating chicken pot pie! I always have. Patrick makes a delicious one with homemade crust that he basket weaves (inside joke between the two of us) on top. It's a Paula Dean recipe, I think. Anyway, it's very good. But...that's not the chicken pot pie recipe I use! Seriously, do you think I have the time to make homemade crust when I have two kids running loose in my house? Of course not. So I found an easier and quicker pot pie that is still pretty stinking delicious!!!

My Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 12 ounce bag frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, & corn)
• 2 cooked chicken breast halves, cubed
• 3 small potatoes, peeled, cubed & boiled*
• package 2 count pie crust

*Optional ingredient. I've made this recipe with and without potatoes.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat 1 TBS evoo in medium saucepan. Add onions, garlic, salt and pepper, cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent. Stir in 1 cup broth. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup broth and flour, and gradually whisk into mixture in saucepan. Bring to a boil, still whisking. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add frozen vegetables and bring mixture back to a boil. Add chicken and potatoes to boil.

In a glass pie dish place 1 of the pie shells. Press firmly forming the shell to the dish. Pour pot pie mixture into pie shell, and cover with other pie shell. Seal the edges of the pie shells together with fork, and then cut slits in the middle.

Bake 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

the wednesday dish

This Wednesday post is going to be a little different! Why? Because I'm at the beach. I have not cooked a single meal all week. Therefore, I have no recipe to share!

This week it's your turn! I want to know your favorite recipe! Maybe it's your signature dish... maybe it's a family favorite...either way I know it will be delish, and I want to know how to make it too:)

So please, leave a recipe comment or two! When I try it myself, I'll be sure to blog about it, and give you props for giving me the know how!

kristen's 25 random things

Can you come up with 25 odd and random things about yourself? I did. It's a lot of fun to do:) If you're up for the challenge, make your own list. Post your list on your blog and then link it below. Don't have a blog? Not a problem. Just leave your list as a comment.

Have fun with this! I can't wait to read about you!

1. I have to have an Avon Moisture Therapy chapstick with me at all times.


2. I took piano from the time I was 4 until I was 17, but rarely play anymore.


3. I straighten my hair every morning. If I didn't, it would be VERY frizzy.


4. At least once a day, I turn on some music and dance with my kids.


5. I could watch the Game Show Network, all day, every day. Family Feud has been my favorite for years!


6. My dream job: to be a game show host.


7. I am spoiled rotten by my husband.


8. I sleep in socks...year round.


9. As of May 19, 2010, I have been out of high school for decade. I'm starting to feel real old.


10. Mopping is my least favorite chore and cleaning the toilet and laundry would be my favorites.


11. I classify myself as blind! I've worn contacts and glasses for so long that I honestly cannot remember being able to see without them.


12. My favorite sound: My two kiddos belly laughing. Precious...precious...precious.


13. I had Griff with an epidural...not by choice...he just came too quickly.


14. I love to sing along to Sirius 32 Hear the Message in my car.


15. I am a night owl. I'm most productive after 8 pm...that's also when I do most of my blogging.


16. I've been swept into the Twilight Saga...Team Edward.


17. I was a bank teller for 5 years. Boy do I have some stories from that experience.


18. When Griff kisses me, my heart melts.


19. I love Debbie Cakes. Always have...always will.


20. Cheese is my favorite food.


21. I have been to the Jay Leno Show and The Price Is Right in California.


22. I love letting Jules "fix" my hair. It gives me a reason to sit still, plus I think she enjoys having control over mommy for a change.


23. I have to iron everything (with the exception of underclothes & socks) whether it needs it or not.


24. Call my crazy, but I think I want one more child...certainly not right now, but maybe in another year or two.


25. I come across as shy until I get to know you, then I become quite crazy...just ask my friends:)