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TAILGATING INDOORS WITH @Johnsonville BRAT CROCK TURKEY CHILI DOGS

Tailgating will be done at home this year. With the help of Johnsonville brats it gonna be a slow cooker fun time. Instead of getting up early and prepping to feed my large family my slow cooker will come in handy. This Brat Crock recipe will be calling your name.

I was asked by Johnsonville to come up with my creation of a Brat Crock tailgater’s paradise indoors. My recipe is so easy you will be done way before the game starts. This will leave you time to make side dishes, desserts, and play bartender. The most important one is you will have time to actually sit down with family and friends and watch the game. I think crock pots are the best thing ever invented. I can go out and come back and the house is smelling amazing. I don’t have to worry about anything because of how long I programmed the slow cooker. It automatically turns to warm after it finish cooking.

My family and I have been a fan of Johnsonville for years and I love coming up with recipes. So whose ready for a touchdown Johnsonville brat crock recipe?

What you’ll need:
*1 large slow cooker
*Johnsonville Brats ( I used beef and beer brats)
*3-4 cans (12 ounces) beer ( I used 1 (24 ounce) can
*1 medium yellow or white onion, sliced into rings ( I used lots of onions & a red onion as well)
*1 large green pepper
*1 large red pepper
*2 (15 oz.) cans turkey chili with beans
*Jalapeños to top
*Mustard
*Potato rolls

What to do:
*Pour in the beer, add butter, peppers, onions and turn slow cooker on high
*Heat a grill pan or heavy skillet to medium high and grill or sear the brats on all sides until fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 160F.
*Add your Johnsonville Brats to the slow cooker and heat till brats are cooked about 2 hours.
*Reduce heat to low to keep the brats hot throughout the game.
*Heat chili as instructed on can
*Open a potato roll, add brats and onion mixture then top with chili, jalapeños and mustard.
*Enjoy!!

I had two so far. Maybe going back for thirds. I have to save room for dessert too. I had fun creating this brat crock recipe.
Please let me know what you think of my recipe and if you make the recipe for your friends and family let me know how you like it.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post with a gift card to buy groceries and coupons for the brats. As always opinions are mine 100%.

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Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Food Reviews, Fun, Sponsored Post, What's Going On?

NEW HOLIDAY BRUNCH RECIPE: MINI EGG OMELETS STUFFED WITH @Johnsonville SAUSAGE

22 Dec

It is always fun when I get to create new recipes for my family and friends. My family enjoys being the testers and my kids love helping me out in the kitchen. My kids want to be chefs and I encourage them to get messy and have fun in the kitchen. I’ve never written down any recipes I’ve created because I have it all up top, but for Johnsonville I made an exception.

When Johnsonville asked me to create a holiday brunch recipe I was very excited to participate. We all know how hectic holidays are especially when you have to do the shopping, prepping, cooking, serving and cleaning. I like to make fast, easy dishes that tastes great. I also like a meal that I can prep at least a day ahead.

I decided to use Johnsonville Maple Brown Sugar and Honey breakfast sausage for this recipe. Those flavors together are amazing and I knew I could create something that not only looked great on your plate but tasted even better.

What I like about my easy recipe is you can eat it anytime of the day. The 12 that I made was gone in one day. I’ve made this before but I kicked it up a notch with Johnsonville breakfast sausage and a few more veggies.

My dish is called: Mini Egg Omelets stuffed with Johnsonville Sausage

Yield: 12 mini omelets
Level: Easy

Ingredients:
12 cup muffin pan
1 package of Johnsonville maple brown sugar and honey breakfast sausage (after cooking chopped)
6 to10 large eggs (more or less whatever fills up all 12 cups)
1 tomato chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 yellow onion chopped
Sharp cheddar cheese grated or chopped (as much as you want)
Cooking spray
Pinch of salt
Black pepper

Directions:
Pre- heat oven to 300 to 350 depending on your oven.
Crack eggs in mixing bowl, beat, add chopped veggies, salt, pepper and cheese put to side.
Spray frying pan and heat. Once hot add Johnsonville sausage and fry till done.
When sausage cools chop and add a few pieces to each cup in sprayed muffin pan.
Next, add egg mixture over sausage. I used a glass measuring cup to pour mixture in muffin pan which was easy for me. If your mixing bowl has a spout then use that.
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes. Let cool then pop out of pan and enjoy!!

I also served hash browns made in the muffin pan too, coffee and egg challah rolls. We enjoyed this dish and my kids loved the breakfast sausages so much they keep asking for them. They are addictive. Try all the flavors.

How easy is that? Let me know what you think. Did you add anything else? Did you make 24 mini instead of the 12? Did your family enjoy?
You can also check out http://www.johnsonville.com for more recipes.

Disclosure: Johnsonville I am always grateful for creating a new dish for you. Johnsonville provided me with a gift card and coupons to bring you this recipe.

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Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Food Reviews, Home, Shopping, Sponsored Post, What's Going On?

ALL MIGHTY PAC STAINLIFTERS WITH OXI (SAY GOODBYE TO GREASE STAINS)

3 Dec

I don’t mind doing loads and loads of laundry, but when it comes to grease stains that’s when it gets frustrating. I don’t like any kind of stains in my clothing or linens. I have pre-treated grease stains, Nothing. Tried tricks that people swear gets the grease out and Nada. So what happens? I wind up throwing out clothes or covering up linen with props so the stain doesn’t show. I even get grease burns on my skin but that’s another topic. Is there a detergent strong enough for my clothes and linens that will actually do the job? The answer is yes!!
All Mighty Pacs Stainlifters are the answer to my prayers.
According to All Holiday Stain Report:

Heading into the heaviest cooking and baking time of the year, you spend your time worrying about over cooking casseroles and undercooking holiday turkeys. That being said ‘all laundry recognizes that with all of this time in the kitchen and at the dinner table it is primetime for tough holiday stains.

* Grease and oil top the list of food stains during the holiday season. Making holiday gravy a major culprit.
* With lasagna and meatballs being very prevalent winter dishes, tomato-based sauces and condiments are some of the most frequent and toughest food stains.
* Spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, tomato sauce and ketchup are the worst offenders.
* When it comes to baking, a majority of people experience stains from snack bars, baked goods and sweets.
* However, All laundry has this covered because when it comes to the difficulty of removal and their frequency, both are generally low.

To help families with one less thing to worry about this holiday season, try ‘All laundry’s full line of tough cleaning products and combat holiday stains.

There are so many varieties to choose from and Oxi is included in some of the detergents. Check out the full line at http://www.all-laundry.com

I don’t purposely put grease stains or any other stains in my clothes or linens but if there happen to be a stain it’s good to know All is there for me to lift the stain as if it was never there.

Disclosure: I received samples if the mighty Pacs and detergent to test out on grease stains and other stains from clothing and linens. I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are 100% mine as always.

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Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Reviews, What's Going On?

SHOPPING @Walmart FOR ALL YOUR THANKSGIVING NEEDS

22 Nov

When it comes to Thanksgiving I’m a beast in the kitchen. Ok, I’m a beast in the kitchen regardless because I love cooking. I love trying new recipes and letting my kids help me cook. I’ve gotten better prepping the night before and even making a few side dishes or appetizers to save me time the next day. I’m up at 4 am everyday regardless so this is perfect time to have the kitchen nice and quiet, Keurig is programmed to pour me coffee and house smelling like good home cooking. What I also like is this year I have 2 crockpots which saves me even more time because I just put whatever I’m cooking in and let it do it’s magic. I don’t have to keep checking, just leave it alone. Once everyone gets up breakfast is served and kids are ready to help me in the kitchen.

I notice my local supermarkets start putting main products on sale weeks before Thanksgiving and a week before they rack the price back up. Stuffing always sells out, turkey’s are too high and so frozen you need a few days just to thaw it out, macaroni that’s on sale sells out, cheese is priced so high if you don’t get it when I said it goes on sale and you know you can’t use just one type of cheese in your Mac and Cheese. Green beans also by the pound can be priced high and sold out if you’re not quick. Also, the lines in my supermarket are ridiculous as if were having a snowstorm and everyone is afraid to run out of food so the entire neighborhood decided to shop on the same day. Geez Louise. I love a 24 hr supermarket because while everyone is sleep I shop or just go very early or do it when the sales are on.

Some people don’t have to worry about cooking because they either eat at a restaurant or go house hopping to relatives. That’s where bringing a dish or gift comes in. If I am invited to my relatives house or anyone’s house I always bring a dish or gift. Usually a pie, wine, or platter of cheeses and or meats is good to give as a gift. If I cook I bring whatever I had time to make.

I attended Walmart Holiday event and found amazing gifts at amazing prices. There was a Columbus Salame Gift Pack that include 3 varieties of salame for $15.98. (That’s how it’s spelled). This can be served as an appetizer with crackers and cheese. Rembrandt Aged Gouda Cheese that has been aged for one year. Ideal for cheese boards and pasta dishes for only $5.98. Looka Desserts- Macarons are an assorted box of French meringue sandwich cookies in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, pistachio and raspberry. Come on, who doesn’t love a macaron? All this deliciousness for $7.96 a box. There’s also a Butterball Cajun Spiced Turkey. Yeah you heard me, CAJUN!!!! This 3lb boneless frozen turkey breast is great and comes with Cajun seasoning and gravy packet for only $9.98. Doesn’t hurt to have boneless meat knowing that all of it won’t be wasted. No bones!!! Yippee!! With baking you either got it or you don’t. If you don’t and want to bring a great pie with you pick up Walmart’s 10″ Apple Pie made with Apple slices and a dash of cinnamon. This pie contains gluten, nuts and dairy so read labels first. Only $5.98.

You can buy a gift basket and combine a few of these things and Mae it look like you spent a lot.

That’s just half of what Walmart has to offer. There’s also great appetizers, liquor gift sets with glasses included, Cinnabon has a baking kit your house will be smelling great. From crustless quiche to spanakopita. You can never have enough appetizers while the main course is cooking. Check out all the goodies at your local Walmart and see how much you save and all the great gift ideas and food you can purchase. Also check Walmart online: http://www.Walmart.com

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was invited to their Holiday Event.opinions are 100% mine as always.

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Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Home, Shopping, What's Going On?

MY RECIPE FOR SMASHED POTATOES & BRATS WITH @JvilleGrilling

11 Oct

Cooking is my absolute favorite thing to do. I learned to cook by watching my father and grandmother. I never wrote any recipe down I just watched, listened and asked questions. My memory was very good and so was my appetite. My grandmother never measured anything. I never seen her pull out a recipe card or book unless she found something in a magazine she wanted to try. When I post pictures of a dish I made I can tell you what I put in it but as far as the measurements go you’re on your own with that. I guess I took after my grandma. Lol. Now don’t get me wrong I do follow recipes and measure when it’s a new recipe but if it’s a dish I’ve been making for a long time or just something I made up then I’m not measuring. However, baking gets my undivided attention because pies and cakes should be measured exactly the way the recipe says. All I can say for that is do not mess up my desserts.

I cook everyday unless I’m sick or we ate out or someone else cooked. Summers are so hot and I try my best to stay away from the stove. My favorite season to cook is in the Fall. Temperature changes, leaves falling, and kids are in school and ready to eat when they get in. There are also so many new recipes to try or make up myself. Some days I pull out my crock-pot throw everything in and just relax. Homemade food is the best. I love when the whole family eats together. I also love when my kids help me out in the kitchen. I want them to become great chefs.

Johnsonville reached out to me to and asked if I could create a homemade recipe now that it’s getting chilly out. Johnsonville is known for their delicious sausage like their Andouille, Cheddar or Smoked fully cooked sausage. There are so many things you can add sausage to like pasta, soups, chili, stuffing or omelets. We also love a good sausage and peppers hero. It’s a must have in our house.

With the free coupons provided I decided to use Johnsonville Beef Brats (smoked beef bratwurst) for my recipe. We are a meat and potatoes family so I had fun coming up with the recipe I call: Smashed Potatoes and Brats.

Ingredients:
1 pack of Johnsonville Beef Brats
1 large onion
1 large green pepper
Jar of fire roasted red peppers (few pieces)
Bag of mini golden potatoes (Yukon)
Minced garlic in jar (put as much as you like)
Parsley flakes
Old Bay seasoning
Salt (pinch)
Pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. After washing potatoes pat dry, add seasonings and olive oil then rub all over. I used parsley, old bay seasoning, salt and pepper. Place potatoes on cookie sheet and bake till crispy about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your oven. In a hot frying pan pour small amount of olive oil then place sausage. As sausage is cooking after about 10 or 15 minutes add your onions and peppers to pan. Once onions and peppers are cooked to your liking add garlic last. If you add garlic too early it will burn before everything else is cooked.

Once everything is done take your potatoes and smash them with your palm on a plate. They will be slightly open. Cut up your brats into bite size pieces and add your onions and peppers. I also added more smashed potatoes on top and made it like a sandwich.

Serve with your favorite bread and a glass of sparkling apple cider. I also made more food with this meal but my recipe was for Johnsonville sausage.

I enjoyed making this recipe and we all enjoyed eating it. Sorry I didn’t get pictures of everyone eating their meal but we were busy stuffing our faces to smile. Lol.
I hope you try my recipe with your family and let me know how they like it. Maybe you added something to it or used a different Johnsonville product. You can comment below or leave me a tweet on Twitter @nilimonicky. I will be creating more meals so be on the lookout for more recipes on the blog.

Thank you very much Johnsonville.
Check out http://www.Johnsonville.com
Like on Facebook.com/Johnsonville
Twitter @JvilleKitchens for awesome recipes @JvilleGrilling

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post with a gift card to purchase groceries and coupons for free product. Opinions are mine 100% as always.

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Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Home, Sponsored Post, What's Going On?

I’M FALLING FOR THE NEW MENU AT OLIVE GARDEN #OGTastes #OliveGarden

24 Sep

As fans of Olive Garden hubby and I always make sure we visit a few times a month. He requested to go for his birthday this month and as always we have a great time enjoying our favorites.

When I found out there was going to be a lunch menu tasting for the media I immediately signed up. I met with other bloggers at the Times Square location in NYC and we sampled 10 courses in an hour. Can I just say I came hungry and left stuffed in a good way.

Earlier this year, Olive Garden unveiled the most significant menu evolution in the restaurant’s history, including more than 20 new menu items that broaden the choice, variety and value it offers guests, prepared with new cooking techniques that accentuate new flavors. Olive Garden’s new menu is designed to appeal to the evolving palettes and preferences of casual dining guests, while providing guests with more options to customize their meal experience at both lunch and dinner.

• Risotto Bites (“Small Plates”) – Bite-sized blend of Italian cheeses and rice, lightly fried and served in marinara sauce.

• Polenta Shrimp alla Greca (“Small Plates”) – Sautéed shrimp served on creamy polenta and topped with a fresh blend of olives, capers and tomato sauce.

• Spicy Calabrian Wings (appetizer) – Chicken wings tossed with garlic and chili peppers from the Italian region of Calabria, served with gorgonzola dipping sauce. Available for a limited time.

• Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad Topper – Fresh mozzarella bites, roasted tomato, bell pepper, basil, kale and an extra-virgin olive oil drizzle.

• Smashed Chicken Meatball Sandwich – Smashed chicken meatballs with roasted bell peppers and mozzarella on a focaccia bun.

• Bucatini with Spicy Three Meat Sauce and Meatballs – Served as part of Never Ending Pasta Bowl. Starting Sept. 22 through Nov. 9, guests can enjoy a variety of more than 150 pasta combinations, plus homemade soup or garden fresh salad and fresh baked garlic breadsticks – all unlimited and starting at just $9.99. Learn more and see additional combinations here.

• Chicken Abruzzi (Olive Garden Specialty, Lighter Italian Fare [under 575 calories]) – Grilled chicken breast in a savory broth simmered with cannellini beans, kale and garden vegetables.

• Grilled Chicken with Butternut Squash Alfredo Fettuccine – Grilled chicken breasts served on a bed of fettuccine tossed with creamy roasted butternut squash alfredo and fresh spinach. Available as part of the fall menu and for a limited time only.

• Pappardelle Pescatore (Olive Garden Specialty) – Sautéed shrimp, bay scallops and clams tossed with pappardelle pasta, fresh asparagus and tomatoes in a creamy red pepper seafood sauce.

• Pumpkin Cheesecake – A seasonal favorite, this is a pumpkin cheesecake topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and ginger cookie crumbles. Available for a limited time only.

My favorites were the Spicy Calabrian Wings. If you read the description above you see why. I am a spice fanatic and these are off the hook. Just the right spice (for me) you can be the judge. I really hope these stay on the menu forever. Even though they are an appetizer I enjoyed them as an entree with a salad and breadsticks I would be happy. Please Olive Garden keep these Spicy Calabrian Wings.

Polenta Shrimp was another one of my favorites. Everyone that knows me knows shrimp is my number one favorite seafood. I enjoyed this dish very much. The combo of the capers, olives and tomato sauce was very very good.

Smashed Chicken Meatball Sandwich was melting in my mouth. It tasted like a chicken parmigiana sandwich. The roasted peppers and mozzarella cheese really complimented that sandwich.

Bucatini with Spicy Three Meat Sauce and Meatballs. (Mama Mia) This entree had me going back for thirds. Yes thirds. I loved it. Once again anything spicy as long as I can taste the heat is a plus in my recipe book. This is part of the never ending pasta bowl so I will be back before it ends Nov 9. My birthday is in October so it’s all good.

Who goes to a restaurant and not order dessert? Well if you ate everything I mentioned above you would have ordered dessert to go but at least you have it for a midnight snack. This is where the Pumpkin Cheesecake comes in. Yes this is seasonal so I can’t ask Olive Garden to keep it on the menu forever unless I’m the one donating pumpkins year-round and doing the baking. Lol. I tried. I enjoyed my cheesecake very much and maybe for my birthday I can get a whole pumpkin cheesecake. (Wink,wink). Delicioso!!!

New Dinner Menu Highlights:

· Fall Flavors: Celebrate the flavors of fall with Olive Garden’s brand-new Grilled Chicken Butternut Squash Alfredo Fettuccine and the return of guest-favorite, Pumpkin Cheesecake.

· Small Plates: Expanding the Tastes of Italy section to include eight small plate dishes for guests who want to explore different flavors.

· Antipasti and Caprese Salads: Creating new ways for guests to enjoy Olive Garden’s popular signature salad through the addition of antipasti or caprese toppings.

· Lighter Italian Fare: Enhancing variety within the under-575-calories menu section by introducing additional dishes for calorie-counting guests.

· Specialty Entrees: Bringing new culinary-forward entrees to the chicken and seafood sections of the menu, enhanced by preparation on a new Piastra flat-top grill for a more evenly cooked, tender and juicy taste.

I had a wonderful time stuffing my face and learning about the new fall flavors and under 575 calories menu. The manager and servers were friendly and always made sure we had something on our plates and in our glasses. I also won a $25 gift card for participating in a social media contest while at the restaurant. My birthday meal is looking pretty good thanks to Olive Garden.

Disclosure: I wasn’t compensated for this post. Opinions are always mine 100%. I received lunch, a t- shirt and won a gift card.

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Categories Blogger Event, Cooking, Family, Food, Food Reviews, Invitational Event, What's Going On?

SOCIAL HOUR WITH VIVE MEJOR & CELEBRITY GUESTS #ViveMejor #Beauty #Latinas

16 Jul

I was invited to the Hudson New York Hotel for Vive Mejor Social Hour for an evening of pampering and scrumptious recipes with Celebrity Beauty Expert and Hairstylist Mario Anton and former Real Housewives of Miami and Celebrity Chef Ana Quincoces.

My friends and I walked into a beautiful penthouse filled with beauty and food products, cupcakes, amazing appetizers, drinks, a DJ spinning great tunes, beauty station, manicure station, and a roof deck where you could take gorgeous pictures.

I immediately went for a cupcake then proceeded to the beauty station to see the gorgeous hairstyles that Mario Anton was creating on guests throughout the night. Easy to do and beautiful hairstyles for every occasion. Beauty product full size samples were available for guests to take home and we were given a bag to stock up in the goodies. Food product samples were also given so we could try the amazing recipes that Ana Quincoces created when she demonstrated how to make quick appetizers using Knorr products. Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Ragu spaghetti sauce my favorite was also given out. Beauty products were from a Dove, Suave, TRESemme, Ponds, Caress and Clear. Everything from lotion, shampoos, conditioner, BB Cream, soap and body wash.

We danced the night away and it turned out to be a beautiful evening because it rained earlier but the skies cleared up and we had a ball. Any event with beauty products, music, food, drinks, and swag you already know it’s gonna be a night to remember. We didn’t want to leave. Lol.

Vive Mejor encourages Latinas to rethink their food, beauty and lifestyle routines to make them better. Check out their site here: http://www.vivemejor.com for inspirational ideas to help you live better!

I can’t wait fir the next event. I could do this every month.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was given swag. Opinions are 100% mine.

Giveaway: I am giving one of my readers a gift basket including items from TRESemmé, POND’s, Dove, Caress and Suave.

Mandatory entries:
Follow @vivemejor on Twitter
Follow @nilimonicky on Twitter
Follow @nilimo on Instagram
Like http://Facebook.com/fivelittlewords
Leave a comment below telling me which product you want to try most and why.
Good luck! Giveaway ends July 30,2014.
Winner will be announced on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Categories Beauty, Blogger Event, Cooking, Food, Fun, Giveaways, Invitational Event, What's Going On?

SPRING BREAK AT THE CULINARY KIDS FOOD FESTIVAL #GIVEAWAY #culinarykidsnybg

11 Apr

Celebrate Food With the Family at the
Culinary Kids Food Festival!
April 14-21; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

As part of the Garden’s Edible Academy initiative, join us for a family-friendly, weeklong food festival celebrating the relationships among plants, farms, and your favorite foods. Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden staff and the culinary team, Growing Chefs, will be on hand offering cooking demonstrations, recipes, and hands-on activities, with plenty of music and tastings to add to the fun. Bring your Festival passport along as you tinker with the science of kitchen chemistry and get to the root of foods from honey to sprouts at a variety of activity stations. The daily 1 p.m. cooking demonstration will feature kid-friendly recipes and tasty samples, while local chefs will share tips and recipes. For more information, visit nybg.org

Giveaway: Who wants to win a family four-pack of tickets to the festival? Leave a comment below telling me what your kids are looking forward to for Spring Break.
A winner will be picked April 13th and tickets can be used on one of the days between April 14- 21.

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Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Free Events, Fun, Fun things to do in NY with Family, Giveaways, Kids, What's Going On?

#GIVEAWAY ticket for @CricketAzima cooking class @KidsFoodFestFun @BryantParkNYC #KFF #TCK

28 Feb

The Kids Food Festival at Bryant Park is back again this year!!! March 1, 2, 2014 is a weekend of fun for families. Presented by Creative Kitchen , kids engage all five senses through hands on, food related activities. Kids can also attend hands on cooking classes at the James Beard Foundation Future Foodies Pavilion where renowned chefs pass on their recipes, skills, and love for all things culinary to a new generation of learners. There is a scavenger hunt for kids where kids bounce between exhibitors and activities to sample tasty, wholesome snacks while learning the importance of achieving balance in their food choices. Families will enjoy live musical performances, a disco dance party, fitness workshops, and more. Each activity, relays a special message about healthful eating!!

Founder, Cricket Azima has a passion for providing cooking classes to children in New York City. The Kids Food Festival combats the very serious issue of childhood obesity in such a fun and effective way. This festival reaches thousands of families in one weekend which is incredible.

General admission to the event is free, and tickets to the hands on cooking classes in the James Beard Foundation Future Foodies Pavilion can be purchased at http://bit.ly/KvR2Hphe

Visit http://www.Kidsfoodfestival.com or @KidsFoodFestFun on Twitter for more info.

My kids and I enjoy going to KFF and taking cooking classes, scavenger hunt, cooking demos, entertainment, and tasty, healthy food. We also enjoy the raffles and giveaways. I encourage everyone to get out for a weekend of fun.

I am offering my readers a free ticket for a hands on cooking class in the James Beard Foundation Future Foodies Pavilion with Cricket Azima.

Leave a comment and tell me why you would love your child to attend Cricket’s class.

Winner will be picked tonight. Contest ends 9 p.m.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. My kids will attend Cricket’s class. Opinions are my own.

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Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Free Events, Fun, Fun things to do in NY with Family, Giveaways, Kids, What's Going On?

Richard Blais/Alli Luncheon #60DayKickStart

10 Jan

I kindly accepted the invitation to meet Richard Blais at the Andaz when I found out I was going to learn how to eat healthier especially during the holidays when everyone pigs out. (Yes we all do it). I wanted to know how to swap and still have a meal good enough to fill me and my family’s tummies up.

Richard Blais, chef, restaurateur, and winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars”, has partnered with alli®, to find high fat ingredients in your holiday favorites and swap them with healthier options that taste just as great.

He has been working with alli® in creating a bevy of menu options that work in tandem with the supplement for better and longer lasting results.

Alli (60 mg orlistat capsules) is the only FDA approved over-the-counter weight loss aid clinically proven to help boost weight loss efforts. alli® is for weight loss in overweight adults,18 years and older when used along with a reduced-calorie and low fat diet.

He prepared a fabulous 3 course meal for all those in attendance. He also talked about his cookbook and his his show “Cook Your Ass Off” that I finally got to see on the HLN network channel 58 on Time Warner Cable. I think if he wasn’t a chef he would make a great comedian because I couldn’t stop laughing. The recipes for the meals he created will be posted below. I can’t wait to try the recipes from the cookbook as well as the Alli cookbook too.

With my diabetes I am really trying to eat more healthy not just for me but for my family as well and this luncheon couldn’t have came at the right time. I also heard about Alli years ago but didn’t know if it was right for me but after speaking to nutritionists and doctors I might give it chance. I have to control my diet and exercise more. Richard lost a lot of weight by taking Alli and eating right.

Follow Richard Blais on Instagram and richardblais.net
If you want more info on Alli check out myalli.com

If you can’t see the recipes clear enough let me know and I will get you the link.

Disclosure: I received a gift bag full of goodies. Opinions are 100% all mine.