Red Hot Blendtec Giveaway

WELCOME TO THE RED HOT BLENDTEC GIVEAWAY

Most of you have probably known me as an advocate for VitaMix, so why on earth would I be reviewing the Blendtec now? Let me share a story with you about how this BLENDTEC giveaway came about. When I was on vacation in New York City last November 2012, my girlfirend and I were surfing TV channels and happened upon one that was talking about Vitamix and Blendtec. It explained how Vitamix had copied another company's (Blendtec) mixing jar. That case was taken to court and the court agreed with Blendtec. Vitamix lost, and Blendtec from K-Tec, Inc. was awarded a multimillion dollar judgment. I almost had to pull my jaw up from the floor! My friend and I looked at each other, and I asked her, "how can I promote a company that stole another company's design"? If you want the details, you can read more about this federal court ruling here. I will now be affiliating with Blendtec.

Sponsored by Blendtec Blenders

 

Hosted by My Vegan Gluten-Free Life. I also want to thank my special Co-Hosts: Coupons with Q, Mom Blog Society, My Old Coke County Home, The Saturday Evening Pot, Stay a Stay at Home Mom, Kids Cooking Activities, To Cook With Love, Bay Area Mommy,

Blendtec is offering their Blendtec Designer Series blender with a Wildside Jar and a Twister Jar as a Prize for this Red Hot Blendtec Giveaway! The winner can choose from a base that is Red, Black, White or Champagne and get a Wildside Jar and Twister Jar to use with the base unit. This Prize is valued over $500! Thank you Blendtec!

 

You have got to watch this funny video from Blendtec: "Does It Blend?"

 

PICTURE OF THE BLENDTEC BLENDER I CHOSE FOR MY BLENDTEC REVIEW:

The Blendtec Designer came in one package with the Wildside Jar, Spatula, and 2 Cookbooks. The Twister Jar came separately. Both were packaged extremely well and nothing was dented or damaged.
 
I was really excited about the cookbook that came with the Blendtec. It is spiral bound and hard sided and someone that is really into eating healthy has put down some fabulous recipes! The recipes are labeled as to whether they are Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan, RAW and low sodium recipes as well as regular recipes that require wheat, meat and dairy. There are even recipes for exfoliating and skin care, plus recipes for your pet as well! The recipes also have nutritional and calorie counts. In addition there are recipes for making your own flour. You do NOT need a separate container to make flour like you do for the Vitamix. That is a huge plus in my book. And there are recipes for making your own nut milks. Speaking of nut milks...I decided to see how Blendtec compared with the Vitamix in making Almond Milk since I use alot of home-made almond milk.   I was thrilled because the lid of the Blendtec is much easier to use than the lid on the VitaMix. Previously, I had to ask my husband to take the lid off the VitaMix because my arthritic hands could not unlock it. I was shocked at how powerful the Blendtec machine is in comparison. I do not soak the Almonds when I make Almond milk. I use them straight out of the bag. The Blendtec has pre-programmed cycles, so I pressed the cycle for the milk. This machine is fast and powerful! When the cycle ended and I poured the ingredients into the strainer I noticed the feel of the almond pulp was much finer than the other machine and the milk seemed to have more almond flavor.
 
My next comparison was to blend a quick gluten-free bread. I couldn't believe how quickly this machine whizzed this mix together. I pulsed the Blendtec a couple times, scraped down the sides once and hit pulse again and it was done! The bread turned out fabulously and my husband loved the texture and flavor. I have to mention, again, how easy the lid is to handle on these Blendtec containers. I also like the wider container size that has the same volume as the taller Vitamix container. The Blendtec WildSide container is easier for me to handle. The Blendtec also fits on the machine and under my cabinets where the other machine does not.    
The Twister container is used for tackling thicker dough and comes with a small recipe booklet. There are recipes items that require high speeds or have heavy doughs such as Dairy-Free Ice Creams, pasta dough, pizza dough, nut butters and many other recipes. To test the Twitster Container I made the recipe for Whole Wheat Spinach Pasta but substituted gluten-free flour and I didn't have spinach, so I substituted cilantro. It was a very thick dough but I used the special spatula, Spectacula, as it is called, which made it very easy to remove the ingredients and very easy to clean the container. This dough was very easy to make with the Blendtec, and the noodles held up very well despite using gluten-free flour!

        My final thoughts on the Blendtec are that it is a more powerful machine than the Vitamix and you do not need a plunger to use with the Blendtec. I like the fact that I do not have to open the top of the lid to push down food when you use a Blendtec. It is very easy to use and I like the fact that Blendtec provides a separate container, the Twister Jar, to handle thicker projects. I also love the Blendtec lids. I can easily use them and remove them myself without any help. This fact makes it much easier for me to cook when I am at home alone. I also love the service that Blendtec has provided me in the short time I have known them. I am proud to be affiliated with Blendtec and I highly recommend them.

I've been wanting a Blendtec for a long time! Good luck and I'll be jealous of the winner!

This Giveaway is open to the US and will close February 12, 2013 at 12:59 PM EST

You must be 18 years or older to win.

Enter on the Rafflecopter Below and Good Luck!

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Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Ultimate Mobile Mom Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Ultimate Mobile Mom Giveaway sponsored by MobileMom.com, Rakuten.com Shopping, Snugli, and Britax!

Before we get to the giveaway I want to introduce to you MobileMom.com! Mobile Mom is a collection of apps for your smartphone that provide pregnancy info on your mobile device — anytime, anywhere! If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, these apps were designed just for you! The following apps are currently available (for FREE!) in the Apple Store and Google Play:



Ovulation Calculator — This app will help you determine your most fertile days to increase your chances of conceiving each month.
Due Date Calculator — This app will calculate your due date and keep track of important pregnancy milestones.
 Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator — Concerned with keeping your weight in check during pregnancy? The Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator will help you stay within your healthy range.
 Pregnancy Test — Think you might be pregnant? Determine the likelihood with this intuitive app by answering just a few questions. It’s proven algorithm will provide you with an answers! Baby Names Finder — Browse through thousands of unique, traditional, and popular names to find the perfect name for your baby! Find out a name’s origin, meaning, popularity and create a list of your favorites to help you narrow it down.
Pregnancy Talk — This app hasn’t been released yet but it’s coming soon! Find friendship and support from other moms during the most important time in your life. Join the Pregnancy Talk community for 24/7 access to moms who are going through or have been through the same things you are! Ask questions, give advice based on your own experiences and more! If you have any friends that are pregnant or trying to conceive, please pass this info along to them — I’m sure they’d appreciate it!

These are some amazing apps, and it's so awesome to have all that information at your fingertips!

So, what three things does every mobile mom need? A carseat, a baby carrier and a great diaper bag! Read on to find out more about what we are giving away.

Well made and versatile, the Britax Baby Carrier is a must-have for moms and dads alike. The adjustable waist belt is one size fits all (22 inches to 56 inches) making it easy to switch from one parent to another. It is designed to distribute weight across shoulders, back and hips for comfort and extended wear. A removable infant insert makes the carrier suitable for infants from 8 pounds to toddlers up to 32 pounds. The Britax Baby Carrier features multiple carrying positions, one handed buckles and snaps for ease of use and harness straps that adjust in front for a customized fit. These are just a few of the many features of the baby carrier. Britax really has thought of everything! Also available in an organic version, the Britax Baby Carrier retails for around $129. For more information visit www.britax.com.
 
Snugli has just introduced a new line of car seats that feature OUTLAST temperature management technology designed to keep children safe and comfortable by maintaining their ideal body temperature. This technology has the ability to absorb and store excess heat to reduce overheating. Similarly, when the child’s temperature drops, the car seat’s stored heat is released always keeping the child comfortable. The Snugli All-In-One Carseat which accommodates children ranging from 5-110 pounds (internal harness up to 65 lbs) features 3 layers of side impact foam technology to reduce side impact crash forces by 50%. The LATCH system connectors allows quick and easy installation while the TruTether feature gives you peace of mind with it’s green indicator which notifies you when the tether has been properly tightened. This carseat also features 3 position incline. You can find out more about Snugli Carseats by visiting www.snugli.com.
 
Last but not least, you’ll find just about everything you need for baby at Rakuten.com Shopping, including a number of top of the line diaper bags, such as this Coach Signature Stripe diaper bag, to make sure you're stylish while on the go. In fact, Rakuten.com Shopping is providing one lucky winner with $500 worth of Rakuten Super Points to shop for all your baby necessities, through the convenience and ease of shopping online, if you win the Ultimate Mobile Mom Giveaway! To learn more and experience great prices and a convenient shopping experience for yourself, visit www.rakuten.com or @RakutenShopping on Twitter.

Feeling lucky? Enter to win all three of these great prizes by filling out the form below.
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Shower in Style Giveaway

Is your shower an experience? Do you feel like you're standing in a waterfall? If not, this is the giveaway for you!

Sponsored by Change your Bathroom.com, and hosted by S.O.S. Mom, Real Momma and The Bunny's Reviews, one lucky person will win an 8" LED lit shower head (as seen in picture above)! Prize is valued at $120. Pimping your shower, yes we are!

Change Your Bathroom is at the cutting edge of today’s popular home design trend. Their years of experience will guarantee a seamless finish. Whether budget style, or texture is at the front of your mind, they have the right look for you.

The team is composed of Josh, the tile installer/electrician. who has worked in remodeling for 14 years and is proud to be a 2nd generation home builder. His passion lies in turning his concepts into reality. He has created several products including but not limited to the inflowAIR dust containment system and our very own hidden drain system for curb-less showers. He also loves to create beautiful spaces and for the past seven years has made bathrooms his specialty. From custom projects including hidden TVs to more traditional projects, Josh enjoys a challenge.

Michelle, who is in charge of customer service and design. Her passion for design developed around her extensive travel through Europe. She sets new standards in the design industry. Michelle incorporates the strength of ancient architecture and beauty of modern concepts to create a whole new world of design options. Working with the home owner every step of the way, she works to bridge the gap between the contractor and the client. Michelle custom designs each bathroom as a work of art to be enjoyed forever.

And finally, Jesse the plumber/tile installer. Jesse is trained as a skilled tradesman and has been in the construction industry for over 10 years. As a 3rd generation plumber and 2nd generation remodeler, Jesse understands all aspects of the trade from demolition to completion; he has an eye for detail and strives for perfection. Jesse has been with the team for 5 years and continues to keep every project running smoothly. He enjoys working closely with the home owner to make each project simple and seamless.

Please visit Change Your Bathroom at this address http://www.changeyourbathroom.com to get acquainted with the work they do and offer. 

This giveaway event will be running until February 9th inclusively and is open to US residents only. To enter, simply fill the form below to gain entries to win.

Special thank you to co-hosts Give Oh Giveaway, Simply Sherryl, Tabby's Pantry and Tunica Mama. 

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Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Today I spent most of the day in the bathroom...

And no, I don't have the stomach flu.

Today was day one of potty training Princesa. I'm trying a different method this time (for us anyways) and I'm using a timer which goes off in 30 minutes. Then we spend 15 or 20 minutes sitting in the bathroom, with Princesa on the potty, reading books. Once she's done sitting she gets a sticker for trying and we reset the timer.

So far, every time she's had to pee it was during the 30 minutes of wearing the Pull-up! I'm hoping tomorrow will be more productive :-)

What potty training methods worked best for you?

Prep ahead freezer to Crockpot meals

Okay, so some of you may remember that in October I posted that I had started to conquer my fear of the Crockpot, by prepping and freezing 10 meals for it. And I promised that I'd come back to share recipes. But I wanted to try them first, so I wasn't passing on boring recipes (or ones that didn't work).

I've finally tried them all, and so here goes...

Here's how you take this pile (plus a lot of meat!) and make it into this...

12 meals made and put in your freezer, in 3 1/2 hours. With only a few dishes used. Honestly, I used fewer dishes for this prep than I normally do to cook 1 meal!

We're making:

Wolfgang's Goulash (2 batches)
Honey Rosemary Chicken
Chicken Pot Pie (3 pies, maybe 4)
No Peeking Peking Chicken (2 batches)
Savory Vegetable Beef Soup (2 batches)
Moroccan Lamb Stew  (2 batches)

I've included the links to where I found the original recipes, although I made changes to several of them.

Here's your shopping list (it seems scary, but a lot of it is already in your house!)

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Onions - 12-16

Garlic Cloves – 16

Carrots – 18-20 (I used about 2lb of baby carrots)

Celery Stalks – 10

Red Potatoes – 9

Scallions – 3/4c

Red Pepper – 1

Sliced Mushroom – 1 package

Beef – 1-1.5 lb

Beef Shank - 5lb

Chicken Breasts – 6-8 lb

Chicken Thighs – 8 (skinless, boneless would be nice)

Boneless Lamb – 4lb (don't use a boneless leg, it needs too much trimming!)

Bacon - .5 lb (optional, but divine!)

Green Beans (frozen) – 2c

Corn (frozen) – 1 bag

Snow Pea Pods (frozen) – 1 bag

Small Can V8

Diced Tomatoes – 28oz, 2 reg cans

Peas (14oz can) – 2

Tomato Paste - 6TB

Beef Broth – 1 c

Chicken Broth – 58 oz

Cream of chicken soup - 3 cans

3 foil pie pans (optional if you have a lot of pie pans!)

3 boxes of pie crusts

Worchestershire

Parsley

Basil

Thyme

Salt

Pepper

Sugar

Butter

Soy Sauce

Honey (about 2/3 cup)

Ginger

Sesame Oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Olive Oil

Fresh Rosemary

Sweet Paprika

Smoked Paprika

Spicy Paprika

Marjoram

Bay Leaf

Cumin

Turmeric

Red Pepper Flakes

Seasoning Salt

Chipotle powder
Gallon Freezer bags and lots of plastic wrap! 

Once you have all your food in the house, there are a couple of steps:

1. Label your bags:

(2 bags) Goulash - Add 1 can chicken stock. Cook on low 8 hours
(2 bags) Vegetable Beef Soup - Add 1 1/2 c water and 15 oz Beef Broth. Cook on low 8 hours.
(2 bags) Moroccan Lamb Stew - Add 1 can chicken broth. Cook on high for 4 hours (low for 6)
(1 bag) Honey Rosemary Chicken - Defrost completely in fridge. Add 1 cup water and cook on   high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5. 10 min before serving add cornstarch to thicken sauce.
(2 bags) No Peeking Peking Chicken - Thaw on counter for 30 min. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

For the chicken pot pie you can write on the plastic wrap, but I used masking tape/painters tape and stuck it on top. Chicken Pot Pie - Thaw in fridge for 2 days. 350 degrees, 45 min or until golden.

2. Pull out your cutting board and start chopping! I chopped onions and measured them into all the bags, then all the carrots, celery, etc. Once the produce is done I prepped all the meat, then mixed up each of the sauces and added them to the bags. Flatten them out and stack in your freezer!

3. After you freeze everything, sit down with a margarita! I had a sore finger from how I hold the knife!

Here's the recipes and my notes on how I changed them/what I noticed about them.

Savory Vegetable Beef Soup
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• Chop 1 Onion
• Chop 2 Cloves of Garlic
• 1-1.5 lb Beef (I used steak but ground beef will work). Brown all together.
  
  
• 4 whole carrots chopped
• 4 celery stalks chopped
• 6 Red Potatoes chopped
• 1 small can v8
• 28oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 cup frozen green beans
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire
• 1 cup Beef Broth
• 2 TBSP Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp Basil
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• ½ tsp Chipotle
• 2 TBSP sugar
  

Split into 2 bags.
*Place in Crockpot with 1 1/2 cups of water and 15 oz Beef Broth. Cook on LOW 8 Hours.
(This had a bit of a strange flavor to me, but it may be because I'm not used to tomatoes/V8 in my beef stew. Do not double! It won't fit in the Crockpot!)

-->
Chicken Pot Pie

--> --> 6 chicken breasts
3 onions
6 carrots
6 celery stalks
3 small potatoes
½ lb bacon
4 T butter
42 oz chicken stock
3 boxes of pie crusts
2 – 14 oz cans peas (drained)
3 – 10 oz cans cream of chicken soup
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp chipotle
2 tsp seasoning salt
1 package sliced mushrooms


Put chicken breasts in a pot of water on the stove and cook on med-med high heat for 30 min or until cooked through.
Chop onions, carrots, celery, potatoes.
Cook bacon. Crumble or chop into small pieces.
Melt butter in lg saucepan and add all veggies except potatoes. Shred chicken breast and set aside.
Add chicken broth and potatoes after 5 minutes and let simmer over med-med high heat until reduced by half.
Remove 3 boxes of pie crusts from fridge to warm up.
Stir chicken into stew. Add peas, cream of chicken soup, pepper, chipotle, seasoning salt, bacon and mushrooms.
Line each of 3 pie pans with crust. Evenly distribute mixture into each pan. Top with crust. Pinch sides together and cut 2-3 vents in top. Wrap well with plastic wrap. Using a permanent marker write “Chicken Pot Pie, the date, 350 degrees 45 minutes or until golden.” Place in freezer.
*This makes a lots of pot pie. If you're using the foil pans, you can probably make 4 pies (they're smaller than my 9 inch pans, and I had a serving or two left to eat :-)

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Moroccan Lamb Stew

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4 pounds boneless lamb
4 large onions chopped
2 can or 2 cup chopped tomato
4 cups carrots
4 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons salt

Divide everything into two, one gallon freezer bags and label.  When ready to cook, dump into slow cooker , add 1 can chicken broth and cook on high for 4 hours.  Serve with couscous.
 *This recipe was missing something for me, but I'm not sure what.

No Peeking Peking Chicken
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8 chicken thighs (definitely use skinless! Boneless might be good)
salt and pepper
3/4 cup chopped scallions
8 cloves garlic
½ cup soy sauce
6 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. ginger
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 bag frozen corn kernels
1 bag frozen snow pea pods
1 red pepper chopped

Divide meat and veggies evenly into two, 1 gallon sized freezer bags per recipe. Mix sauce and divide into both bags. Seal and freeze. On the day of, thaw the bag on the counter for about 30 minutes, dump into the Crockpot, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
*Make sure you use skinless, otherwise it's way too greasy! If you use boneless, think about cutting it into 2 pieces for more flavor in the chicken.

Honey Rosemary Chicken

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2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into large pieces
1/3 c balsamic vinegar
1/3 c honey
1/3 c olive oil
3 T chopped fresh rosemary
1 t salt.

Let marinate for several hours in the refrigerator before freezing.
TO COOK- Let defrost completely in the fridge. Add 1 cup of water and the contents of the bag to the crockpot. Then cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours. Ten minutes before serving, add cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
TO SERVE- Serve over couscous (or rice). Be generous with the sauce as you ladle- it’s fabulous.
*The original recipe calls for the chicken to be cut into bite size pieces, and it overcooked quickly. Cut into larger pieces (or leave whole).

Goulash

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 8 cups onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoon hot paprika
• 4-6 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 4 teaspoons spicy paprika
• 4 teaspoons marjoram
• 2/3 teaspoon thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 5 pounds beef shank, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and saute onions and sugar until caramelized. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add paprikas, marjoram and thyme. Saute another minute. Add tomato paste. Deglaze with vinegar and stock. Add salt and pepper.
Split beef between 2 bags and put a bay leaf in each one. Split onion mixture between the two bags.
To cook, add 1 can chicken stock. Cook on low 8 hours. Serve over egg noodles or spaetzle.
*The onions should cook down to become part of the sauce. The first batch I made I let simmer on the stove for 1/2 hour to reduce and let the onions break down more (while the noodles were cooking).
*This is my favorite of all the meals! Of course, this was already a favorite of mine and I converted it to be a Crockpot/freezer recipe.

Winter Crafts and Treats

Just after Thanksgiving I discovered Pinterest (thanks to my fellow bloggers!) Since then I've spent WAY too much time doing crafts and cooking!

Here's a few of the fun things we did with winter themes... you still have time to enjoy them this year, or pin them for next year.

Use marbles (or foil balls) to make cupcake snowmen. This also works for hearts at Valentine's Day!

Sorry for the bad pic, but I was rushing to finish them before my Girl Scouts got there. The original pic (in a magazine) had coconut on them, which would cover up some of the flaws :-)

These sleighs are quick to make with a hot glue gun. I stuck money/gift cards in them and gave them as gifts so that people would have more as a gift than a gift card!

These snowflakes were popular with both grown ups and kids! Take a flour tortilla, fold it and cut a snowflake out of it. Lightly butter and cover with cinnamon sugar, then bake until crispy. Taste, edible snowflakes!

To finish it off, here's how San Francisco City Hall dresses up for the holidays:

and my dishwasher thinks it's Santa:

(it flashes Ho Ho Ho while it runs)!

Keepin' it Cool Refrigerator Giveaway

Welcome to the Keepin' it Cool Giveaway Event hosted by Life With Two Boys!

One lucky reader is going to win an Amana 18.5 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator (ARV $1399-$1599) in their choice of color!

About the 18.5 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator:

This refrigerator's design makes the food you use most often within reach, while frozen items fit neatly inside the EasyFreezer pull-out drawer. Adjustable Spillsaver glass shelves help keep messes contained.

Key Features:

• ENERGY STAR Qualified
• Temp Assure Freshness Controls
• Reversible Door Swing
• Four Half-Width Adjustable Spillsaver Glass Shelves
• Two Humidity Controlled Garden Fresh Crisper Drawers
• Gallon Door Storage
• Dairy Center
• Deli Drawer
• Adjustable Door Bins
• EasyFreezer Pull-Out Drawer
• Slide-Out Upper Freezer Basket
• Glide-Out Wire Freezer Basket with QuickSplit Organizer

Prize: Amana 18.5 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator (Winners choice of color!)

Event Dates: January 21 - February 8

Open to: US Residents only

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!

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This is an amazing giveaway! Good luck!

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Kranich's Jewelry Giveaway

Do you have someone special to shop for this Valentine's Day (or for a birthday, or even just for you?) 

Sponsored by Kranich's, and hosted by S.O.S. Mom, Real Momma and The Bunny's Reviews, one lucky person will win his or her own choice of one (1) piece of jewelry from a selection of dazzling and gorgeous earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces and watches! Prize is valued at up to $150. All choices can be viewed via the following link here.

Kranich's Jewelers was established in York, Pennsylvania, in 1903. The company was originally called Kranich Brothers Jewelers. The Kranich Brothers had stores in York, Lancaster and Altoona, Pennsylvania as well as one in Worcester, Mass. The Altoona store opened in 1923. Charles and Mildred Kranich operated and expand the Altoona operation. In 1962, Charles and Mildred were joined in business by their son, Michael. In 1976 the Kranich's opened a store in Downtown State College, the home of Penn State University. Charles and Mildred Kranich died in 1978 and Michael took over the family business. Michael Kranich, now retired, was succeeded by his sons in the 1990’s. In 1996 Kranich's opened a second State College location at the Nittany Mall. In 2000 Kranich’s opened a location in the Johnstown Galleria. In 2008 Kranich’s dramatically expanded their Logan Valley Mall location and Corporate offices. In 2012 Kranich’s opened a huge new store on North Atherton Street in State College.

Throughout its history, Kranich's Jewelers has specialized in fine diamond jewelry and engagement rings. Today, Kranich's Jewelers also specializes in fine timepieces, colored gemstones, gold and platinum jewelry and pearls. They feature selections of Designer Jewelry, Estate Jewelry, Penn State Jewelry and Fine Crystal. Kranich’s features pieces by Simon G, Verragio, Ritani, Hidalgo, Belle Etoille, Swarovski, Pandora, Gucci, Burberry, and Michael Kors. In recent years, Kranich’s has actively grown their ecommerce business (kranichs.com). Kranich’s Jewelers is able to provide a high level of personal service at competitive pricing. The internet has given the company an international reach. In Central Pennsylvania, Kranich's Jewelers remains the leading source for Fine Jewelry and Gifts.

The Kranich family believes it is very important to contribute to the communities they serve. Consequently, they are involved in many civic and charitable activities. In 2003, Kranich's celebrated their 100th year. In recent years, Kranich’s has been inducted into the Blair County Business hall of fame and has been named one of Central Pennsylvania’s leading businesses by Pennsylvania Business Central Magazine.

Visit Kranich's at these two following addresses to view their beautiful collection, www.kranichs.com/simon-g and www.kranichs.com.

This giveaway event will be running until January 29th inclusively and is open to US residents only. To gain entries to win, simply fill out the form below. Good luck! 

Special thank you to co-hosts: Mamacita La Cuponera, Sanity Is For Those Without Children, Simply Sherryl, Kelly's Thoughts On Things and Stay A Stay At Home Mom. 

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Win a $150 Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

Do you love to read (even half as much as I do)? If so, THIS is the giveaway for you!

Tip Hero has teamed up with a bunch of fabulous blogs to offer you an amazing gift card! One lucky reader will be the winner of a $150 Barnes & Noble gift card. It will be delivered electronically, so you can shop from home (immediately)!

The giveaway begins on January 16th and ends on January 30 at 11:59pm ET. Open to US and Canada, 18+.

Enter below for your chance on the PromoSimple form below. Be sure to come back daily for more opportunities to enter. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. My opinions are my own and may differ from yours. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Kranich's Host Page

Please like all of the following pages on Facebook, then return to the main Rafflecopter and  claim your entries for these likes/follows.

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This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability.

CarryTheWhat Review and Giveaway

I'm part of a strange family... everyone in it (except the toddler) wants a 3D printer! We've seen them in action at the Maker Faire, and we all have our own ideas for what we'd make first.

So when I found [carrythewhat?], who specializes in 3D printing, I was in love. I originally discovered them because of their Minecraft swords and pickaxes, which I figured would make hubby and the big kids happy.

Aren't these awesome? All their 3D printed items are made of ABS plastic (like Legos), so they're durable and strong. Plus they have TONS of colors to choose from!

My favorite items from CarryTheWhat are their Mechanical Gear Hearts!

 These are 3 dimensional hearts that are gears, so you can turn the whole heart on its axis.

I love how fun these hearts are, and my kids can't put them down. They love trying to figure out all the different shapes you can create while turning the heart.

Want to find some for yourself? Find them on [carrythewhat?] Etsy page here. You can also find them here.

Want to win one for yourself? CarryTheWhat is offering one of my readers a small heart gear in your choice of color! Just enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

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Disclosure: I received the gear hearts shown above to review. My opinions are my own and may differ from yours. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Keepin' it Cool T3

If you’re a follower of the following blogs on Twitter, you are entitled to 10 free entries into the Keepin' it Cool Giveaway. If not, you can become one by clicking the links below.

Free Melissa & Doug Blogger Event

Free Blogger Event!

Hosted by Coupon Gator Mommy

Prizes: $250 Melissa & Doug Toys Gift Card

2 Runner Up Prizes: $50 Melissa & Doug Gift Cards

Free Link with Announcement Post

Event Dates: 02/01 - 02/26

Bloggers Sign Up Here!

Music Lovers Giveaway

   

Do you love music? Or know someone who loves music? This is the giveaway for you!

Sponsored by: Sol Republic Co-Hosted by: Mom Blog Society, She Informed, Geeky Gamer Mom, Jackie's Reviews, Mom Does Reviews, Rout 249, S.O.S Mom, Swank Savings, Spend With Pennies, Zoes Printable Coupons, Verging On  

SOL (Soundtracks Of Life) is all about, and known for their premium quality for sound and merchandise. My Tracks Ultra Headphones are a navy blue base with white cushions on the inside. On top of it's sleek design it is also equipped the brand new V12 HD sound Engine's with SonicSoft. If the look of the Track Ultra isn't up to par with your taste buds then luckily your new headset has customizable parts sold separately. You can change from the color of your band, to the color of the wires you plug in to your Droid/iPad/iPod/etc.  

    

• Video: Now you can watch episodes of your favorite TV shows, Hollywood blockbusters, free video podcasts and home videos on your iPod nano. View them on the widescreen 2.5-inch Multi-Touch display. Tap to play, fast-forward, rewind and pause
• Design: About the size of a credit card, the iPod nano is just 0.24" (5.4mm) thin. The 2.5" Multi-Touch display is nearly twice the size of the display on the previous iPod nano, so you can see more of the music, photos and videos you have
• Bluetooth 4.0: Pairing iPod nano with Bluetooth-enabled headphones and supported speakers is a cinch. With no wires in the way, connecting to Bluetooth devices is hassle free
• Music: Tap to play your favorite songs, entire albums or everything by one artist. You can even browse by genres or composers. Flip through your music by album art. To keep things fresh, give the iPod nano a shake and it shuffles to a different song in your music library
• Radio: FM radio keeps you up on what's going on out there, whether it's the game, the top news stories or your favorite talk shows. Just plug in your headphones and tap to see the controls. Flick the radio dial to change stations

Open to USA 1/9-1/14 12:59 pm est One lucky winner will win all! Simply enter the Rafflecopter Below for your chance to win. GOOD LUCK!

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 Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.    

13 things to do in 2013...

Okay, so I've never been a resolution person (because frankly, what's the point when you're going to break them anyways and then feel bad about it!) but I recently saw someone post a list of 13 things to do in 2013. I can get behind lists!

Some of my items are sort of like a resolution, some are one time things, some are daily or weekly, and some are just for fun. Plus I won't restrict myself to 13... if I figure out more I'll add them as I go.

0. Write this list (not as easy as I thought it would be!)
1. Potty train Scooter (aka my little one)
2. Be more patient
3. Bake regularly (bread, not treats!)
4. Use my Crockpot at least weekly
5. Walk more again (I fell out of the habit so far this winter)
6. Take more time out for this blog!
7. Drink more water
8. Get Scooter out of our room and into Little Miss' room
9. Stay better organized
10. Get back to serving at least 2 veggies per meal
11. Be more positive
12. Go to 3 places I've never been before (cities/states/countries, not stores!)
13. Spend more time outside

What about you? If you made a list of 13 things, what would be on your list?

Huge Valentine's Day Giveaway!

     

Are you going to be able to get away this Valentine's Day? We won't be able to, but you can, if you're one of the winners of this amazing prize pack!

Prizes: 4 WINNERS

4 Holiday Inn Vouchers for 2 Nights and 3 Days Stay 

4 1800Flowers 

4 Chocolate Covered Strawberries 

4 $50 Applebees Cards 

The event dates: 1/7- 1/18 Open to US Only

Sponsored by: Holiday Inn | 1800 Flowers | Co-Host: Mom Blog Society | Jackie's Reviews | Geeky Gamer Mom | She Informed | Mom Does Reviews | Route 249 | Stuff I Love | As Mom Sees It | Finger Click Saver | Make this Valentines Day a Day To Remember. For a chance to win, simply enter via the Rafflecopter below. GOOD LUCK

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Kivelli Baby and Paypal Giveaway

Looking for some gorgeous baby or children's items? Have we found the place for you!
 
S.O.S. Mom and Real Momma are bringing you a fantastic grand prize! Two amazing gifts that will be awarded to one lucky reader! The first prize, sponsored by Kivelli Baby, is a Luxe Nap Mat of a retail value of $104.99. And the second great prize to finish it off is $50 in Paypal money, sponsored by The Bunny's Reviews. 

For those of you who aren't familiar with Kivelli, here's a bit of background info on them. This online company is purely unique, classy and has the most original and beautiful children items out there! Sam Brown, the person who is behind the greatly successful Kivelli store, started designing and making baby products as a passion and hobby for his firstborn. He never even thought of turning this hobby into a business. But as things turned out, friends, neighbors, and their friends just kept asking to make them jewelry designs as gifts for their friends. A shortwhile later, a handful of local stores started to request them based on word of mouth. They started with jewelry just a few years ago as a hobby, and recently, in March of 2012, launched a full line of blankets, bathrobes, and stroller liners, among other products. The company was created to produce blankets and accessories which are different from that of other blanket and accessories products currently in the baby market. They keep their strong ideal of producing products and designs that could not be found elsewhere, as well as different designs, colors, and innovative new products for "Mom" which are pretty, practical, and play-friendly. Their products are as resilient as the kids who use them, satisfying mom's need for fashion appeal without compromising the quality of the products for their munchkins.

The Mia Damask Collection represents the elegant side of Kivelli. It truly is stunning! Countless hours of design work were put into it and it took about a year in development. It is a classic vintage design mixed with vibrant, bold and beautiful colors. These blankets were designed with fuchsia plums and pink colors so they can match pretty much all strollers. Each product has its own story and background.
Mia Damask Nap Mats feature an elegant damask pattern and the signature Kivelli ultra plush and cozy feel. The Mia Damask Luxe Nap Mat features a black canvas backing, removable pillow and nap mat inserts for machine washing. It folds up for easy storage and travel and measures 28" x 43". It is made from a blend of cotton and polyester and is machine washable.

Please take a few minutes to visit Kivelli Baby on their website, Facebook page or Twitter page and view their fabulous collection!

Now prize time! As mentioned, one person will take it all, the Damask Luxe Nap Mat and the money, representing a total prize value of $154.99! This event will kick off on January 7th and will be taking entries until January 21st inclusively. It is open to US residents only and the money prize will be given as Paypal cash only. To earn entries, please fill out the form below. We would like to give special thanks to our co-hosts Crazy for Savings, Aubut Family, Simply Sherryl, A Fluff Addicts Blog and Simple Happy Life.

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The Great Sourdough Disaster of 2013...

So I've been trying to bake breads more often lately (I'm basically a beginner at it and I'm trying to branch out and make it more natural to me).

Late last night I decided to try sourdough, so I made a starter, a basic one that was on numerous websites. Most of the sites said to let it grow in the oven with just the light on for warmth, and since it's crazy cold here (for us, not for Missouri or other such cold places) I figured it'd be a good way to let the yeast rise and grow without killing it off because of cool temperatures.

So I mixed it up about 12:30am and tossed it in the cold oven with just the light on. I got up this morning and went to "feed" it, and it was BAKED! The center of it was liquidy and bubbly, but the edges were baked for an inch or so down!

 

Isn't it nasty looking?

 

I've had sourdough starter before, and this is not it! So I tossed it and I'll try again tonight, I just have to figure out where to store it while it grows. Any ideas?

We like it hot! Jenkins Jellies Review and Giveaway

We're spicy people in our house... almost everything I cook has heat in it (even grilled cheese has chipotle on it!)

However, I'd never tried pepper jelly until a couple years ago. I remember my mom eating it as a child, and once I was grown up I thought it wouldn't be spicy enough for me (mom doesn't like heat as much as we do).

But boy was I wrong! I tried some at my MIL's house a couple years ago and love it. I've canned my own several times and shared it with friends and family. And when I first heard about Jenkins Jellies and their Hell Fire Pepper Jelly, I was intrigued.

I mean, really, how can you go wrong with this label? And when I discovered that they had a cookbook, I was ecstatic! I've only ever eaten pepper jelly on cream cheese and crackers. To be perfectly honest, I couldn't figure out any other possibilities of recipes to make with pepper jelly.

I received the Happy Hellfire Gift Basket to review:

It came beautifully packaged and ready to gift (or to tear open and eat!)

Which is what I did! I stirred it (using the adorable spoon that came with it), and poured it over cream cheese and paired it with Wheat Thins (my all-time favorite cracker, and perfect for pepper jelly!)

I only put a bit on the plate since it was just hubby and I.

This is one perfect bite. It's a bit sweet and a lot spicy. It's creamy and nutty and crunchy. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it! I have to say, of all the pepper jellies I've tried, this is my all-time favorite!  And for $12 a jar, it's a wonderful price to buy for yourself or to give as a gift.

We tried several recipes out of the cookbook, including Melt-Me Baked Brie and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. They were delicious, and I can't wait to try more of them. Jenkins Jellies has opened a whole new world for me with uses of Hell Fire Pepper Jelly!

They also have several other flavors of jellies, including Guava Brava, Fiery Fig and Passion Fire. I'd love to try them all.

Want to try some for yourself? Find it on the Jenkins Jellies website, or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Want to win one for yourself? Jenkins Jellies is offering one of my readers the same gift pack that I received! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below and good luck!

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Giveaway ends at 11:59pm 1/13/13.

 Disclosure: I received the gift basket shown above from Jenkins Jellies to review. I received no other compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Sanity is for those without children is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.  

Ryobi 18V Drill Kit Giveaway - 4 Winners!!

4 Winners - Ryobi Drill Kit

The event dates: 1/2- 1/12 Open to USA

Sponsored by: Ryobi | Mom Blog Society | Jackie's Reviews | Geeky Gamer Mom | Route 249

Co-Hosts: Swank Savings | S.O.S. Mom | Simply Sherryl | Homeschooling Mom 4 Two | Spend With Pennies | My Devotional Thoughts | A Medic's World | Cotton Ridge | Embracing Beauty |

DESCRIPTION

RYOBI 18V ONE+ introduces lithium-ion performance at Ni-Cd prices. This kit is powered by new and improved lithium-ion batteries, the very best value in lithium-ion performance. They hold a charge 4X longer, offer up to 20% more runtime and are 45% lighter weight than Ni-Cd batteries. Best of all, like all 18V ONE+ batteries, these new lithium-ion batteries work in every RYOBI 18V ONE+ tool ever made. Batteries stored on the IntelliPort charger are conditioned for peak performance. The drill includes a 1/2 inch heavy-duty single sleeve, keyless chuck with a 24 position clutch to match your drilling and driving needs. The drill features the exclusive MagTray and on-board bit storage, which allow convenient placement of bits and screws.

• The drill features a 24 position clutch and 2-speed gear box to match your drilling and driving needs
• MagTray magnetic holder for convenient placement of screws and bits
• Lithium offers 20% more performance than NiCd batteries
• 45% lighter weight batteries reduces user fatigue
• This kit includes Drill, 2 Ryobi 18V ONE+ batteries, charger and carrying case
• Join Ryobi Nation and have an opportunity to win prizes, share your Ryobi power tool experiences and receive exclusive offers for Nation members, Just click on the link to get started https://www.ryobitools.com/nation 

This is an amazing prize package that anyone would love to have!

Simply enter for you chance to win via the Rafflecopter below. GOOD LUCK!

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