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SHOPPING @Walmart FOR ALL YOUR THANKSGIVING NEEDS

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?

@BOUNTY & @GIANTS HOST MOM’S FOOTBALL CLINIC #football #sports #nutrition

9 Nov

Sports are the ultimate classroom where kids learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, respect for authority and rules and how to win with class and lose with dignity.

The New York Giants and Bounty NFL Prints teamed up to host a mom’s football clinic at Quest Diagnostic Training Center at MetLife Sports Complex to promote those ideals and reinforce the importance of exercise, character and nutrition to local moms. In addition to learning basic football skills attendees also had the chance to meet New York Giants Safety Stevie Brown and watched and enjoyed a healthy cooking demonstration led by Giants chef Angelo Basilone, Executive chef of FLK a International. Chef Basilone transformed some favorite game time meals into healthier options.

Bounty is my favorite paper towel and the NY Giants is one of my favorite teams. I am a New Yorker. I definitely was interested in learning more about nutrition and learning basic football skills. Tailgating foods are so good and if I could still make them but in a healthier way then I had to be in attendance to learn more. Stevie Brown, his mother and chef Basilone cooked a delicious vegetarian chili and a turkey chili. Both were great and there were baked potatoes to add the chili on and other toppings like sour cream, cheese, salsa, etc. They also showed everyone how to make amazing whoopie pies.

We sat and listened to a panel of Giants staff professionals talk about getting your kids into sports and keeping them active and how to prevent injuries and know the warning signs when injured. Also, not forcing your kids to take on a sport just because it’s the parents favorite sport. Your kids will know what sport they enjoy. There was also a Q&A. On the panel were:

Karla Brown (Stevie Brown’s mom)
David Tyree (Director of Player Development of NY Giants)
Mike Haynes (USA Football Heads Up Football Manager)
Presenter: Steve Kennelly, New York Giants Assistant Athletic Trainer)

Info on Football Camps: All info can be found here: http://usafootball.com/ the info talked about during the hands on seminar in the training room was the Heads Up Football approach.

We were taken to the the training center where the actual Giants practice so we could run a few practice sessions as well. It was fun. We had to come in our activewear so I knew we were going to go through a few drills and needed to be ready. They also demonstrated how to properly be fitted for uniforms. I learned so much and had a great time.

Equipment Fitting Presentation – Education on Proper Equipment Fitting (Helmet and Shoulder Pads) (Presenters: Ed Skiba, New York Giants Assistant Equipment Manager or Vincent DiGaetano, USA Football)

Drills on field (Led by USA Football Master Trainer, Vincent DiGaetano) (Field House)

Check out the new Bounty NFL Prints available at Walmart.
Online : http://bountypapertowels.com/
Twitter: @Bounty
Giants on Twitter: @Giants

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are always mine 100%. Gift bags were given at the end of the event.
Enjoy the pics!

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Categories Fitness, Food, Fun, Health, Invitational Event, Sports, 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?

FUN TIMES AT MY SECOND BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC #NilimonickyBTSPicnic

15 Sep

Summer seems to have come and left so quickly this year. It also seemed like school started much earlier than last year. I decided to have my second Back To School Picnic. Friends and family were invited. This time I had it September 7th in Central Park again of course. It turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day. With the help of my friend Denise from @boyzruleourwrld we headed downtown to pick up a catering order from the famous Hill Country Brooklyn. They were very, very generous in donating food for my picnic to feed my guests. They provided us with BBQ Chicken, Cornbread and Texas Black Eyed Caviar. Everything was amazing and everyone was able to get more if they wanted. I am in love with their new location in Brooklyn located at 345 Adams St. It is huge and as soon as you get out the train it is right across the street. The BBQ is delicious and there is also live music. Great for any event or party and on Mondays they have an All You Can Eat special from 5pm-10pm for $30 per person and kids 12 and under eat free when accompanied by an adult. I definitely will be taking my kids and a few friends with their kids to enjoy this special. For more info visit their website and check out the menu http://www.hillcountrybk.com and their Twitter handle is: @hillcountrybk Thank you again for donating food, utensils and paper products.

Crayola hooked the kids up with their fabulous New Ultra -Clean Washable Markers. Just the fact that they are washable made me and every parent happy. Where were these when I was growing up? Crayola has always been my favorite brand when going back to school shopping with my mom. I always asked for the 64 crayons with crayon sharpener built in. I still buy Crayola for my kids and will always use their products. Find them at http://www.crayola.com and on Twitter: @crayola

Bitsys Brain Food is one of my favorite snacks for kids. Made with organic ingredients, nutritious, real fruits and veggies. They donated their fabulous Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. I found out about these at an event I went to and fell in love immediately. The toddlers at my picnic loved the cookies. I gave extra to everyone to take home. There are 4 flavors to try. They also make cereal as well. Check out their website and try all the delicious flavors. http://www.bitsysbrainfood.com on Twitter it’s: @bitsysbrainfood

Pirate’s Booty blessed me for my picnic last year and again this year with their aged white cheddar puffs. Kids love these and my guests went home with enough for their kids to take as a snack in their lunch bags. You can never go wrong when there’s Pirate’s Booty snacks around. Check out other flavors on their web at http://www.piratesbrands.com and on Twitter: @piratesbooty

Vera Bradley was gracious to send me a stylish backpack to give away. I recently visited her showroom in Manhattan because my daughter modeled there for a back to school fashion show and we fell in love with everything from bags to accessories. My winner was Tanisha Gomez from My Journey With Josh. She was so happy because she’s starting school and really needed it so I am so glad she won. What’s your favorite style? Check for beautiful selections now: http://www.verabradley.com and on Twitter @verabradley

Arizona Beverages provided everyone with their famous iced tea. From the kids half and half to the adults lightly sweetened, lemon and unsweetened Oak Brewed Tea drinks we were hydrated throughout the day. The kids drinks were just the right size for smaller hands and perfect it fits in any lunch bag. I loved all the Oak Brewed Tea flavors made with Black Tea. My kids like opening their lunch bags and finding an Arizona inside. Find your favorite at http://www.drinkarizona.com Twitter: @drinkarizona

Krusteaz known for their pancake mixes, dessert bar, pie crust, muffin and crumb cake mixes and a variety of others sent me coupons so I could make their products to serve at my picnic but I couldn’t find the lemon bars anywhere so I just handed out coupons to guests so they could get a free box of their favorite. I will find the lemon bars and make the and serve at my next party. If you like baking go to their website http://www.krusteaz.com and on Twitter @Krusteaz

Hefty famous serving, storage and disposal products brand sent me a coupon to use for plates or bowls. I appreciated the coupon but didn’t use it yet because the food that was catered provided us with plates. However, I will be using this as well at my next party. Need products? http://www.Hefty.com and @Hefty on Twitter.

Musselman’s Apple Sauce sent over packs of applesauce. Best tip they shared with me was to freeze the cup of applesauce and use it as an ice pack in the lunch bag. By lunch time the cup is thawed enough to eat as a healthy slushie. Isn’t that a great tip? I think so. So I tried that tip and the day of my picnic forgot to bring the applesauce with me. OMG. I was so upset. I knew I would see some of my guests over the next few days after the picnic and gave some out. My kids enjoyed the slushie in their lunch bags. For more awesomeness check out http://www.musselmans.com and @Musselmansapple on Twitter.

Aquaball the great sugar-free naturally flavored water for kids sent over a variety of drinks with Disney characters on the labels. Flavors included fruit punch, berry, grape and orange. The kids loved having their favorite Disney character to collect on their bottles like Disney Princesses, Marvel Avengers and Disney Planes. Aquaball does not add any artificial colors and flavors. No high fructose corn syrup which I make sure not to give my kids. Zero calories. What parent wouldn’t want that? Don’t buy the sugary drinks, give Aquaball drinks a try. Visit http://www.theaquaball.com for more info where to purchase. @AquaballDrink on Twitter.

Poketti Plushes reached out to me with their adorable animal pillows with back pocket designed by 14 year old Sydney Loew from Palo Alto, California. These are great pillows and you can stuff a favorite toy, glasses, pacifier, cell phone or even a tooth for the tooth fairy in the back pocket. There’s Baxter the Puppy, Roxi the Kitty, Sydney the Penguin and Toni the Bunny. My guests got to choose their favorite. These pillows are super soft plush with 100% cotton and are great for any age. I find myself sleeping with one and putting my phone in the pocket. These are available for purchase and are currently on sale. Check http://www.poketti.com for price and stores that sell Poketti. Twitter @PokettiPlushies

GoGo squeeZ kept everyone happy with their 100% fruit squeezable applesauce. I personally love their commercial and products. There are a variety of flavors available and the package is so convenient it fits in anything. My kids take them to school and my oldest always grab one as he leaves and when he comes home. Come on, who doesn’t love applesauce?
I always find them on sale at my local Target store. The parents had a good time getting our GoGo squeeZ on as well. You’re never too old for GoGo squeeZ. Find them on Twitter @GoGosqueeZ

Vamousse I recently met at an event and wanted me to provide their product in the gift bags. Non-Toxic and Pesticide Free head lice products that treat, prevent and protect children and their families against lice, eggs and super lice. I didn’t even know there was a super lice. I’m sure no parent wants to experience any type of lice on their children. It’s good to have this product ready just in case. For more info you can check them out at http://www.vamousselice.com and @Vamousselice on Twitter.

Thank you to everyone once again who donated, attended and helped out. I really appreciated it. Let me know if you visited any of the Sponsors listed above and what you thought of their products.
Enjoy the pics. I can’t wait for the next #NilimonickyBTSPicnic

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Categories Family, Food, Fun, Kids, Picnic, 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.

Comments 14 Comments
Categories Beauty, Blogger Event, Cooking, Food, Fun, Giveaways, Invitational Event, What's Going On?

LAUNCH ALERT: I SCREAM FOR CARVEL’S NUTELLA ICE CREAM #Giveaway

28 Jun

I remember my mother taking my sister and I to Carvel to get flying saucer ice cream sandwiches. Those were our absolute favorite. I also enjoyed the old fashioned sundaes and the brown bonnet. As I got older their milkshakes and soft serve I’ve cream cones were a must have on a hot day. My kids now enjoy Carvel’s with me. I love summer time when ice cream shoppes launch new flavors for their customers to try. Carvel is doing that this summer with their new flavor Nutella launching June 30th. In my house we are huge Nutella and Carvel fans so this flavor couldn’t have come to a better ice cream shoppe. Nutella will be available in (participating) shoppes starting June 30th. Grab your family and head to Carvel, try it out and let me know what you think. July 1st through Sept. 30th (all) Carvel shoppes will have the Nutella flavor.

The flavors include a hand-scooped chocolate ice cream that’s layered with Nutella hazelnut spread, Carvel Crunchies and topped with more Nutella. A soft-serve ice cream made with Nutella spread. The Sundae Dasher with Banana (Nutella soft-serve and bananas topped with whipped cream and more Nutella). The Sundae Dasher with Chocolate Crunchies (Nutella soft-serve with banana and Carvel Crunchies).

Also Sunday, July 20 is National Ice Cream Day. Guests can receive a junior soft serve cup or cone for 80 cents with coupon. The coupon will be sent to Fudgie Fanatic members. If you’re not already a member, readers can sign up on their website by July 14 to receive coupon. http://www.Carvel.com/join-Fudgie-fanatics (If you join by July 20th you are entered to win a year of free ice cream!)

I know where I’m going. Will you head to a Carvel”s to try the new Nutella flavor? Let me know if you do and how you like it.

Giveaway: Carvel provided me with gift cards to give to a few lucky readers.
Mandatory entries:
Comment below and tell me which Nutella ice cream will you try that I listed above.
Like my page on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/FIVElittleWORDS
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nilimonicky
Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nilimo
Follow Carvel on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CarvelIceCream
Winners will be announced on July 7, 2014

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I did receive swag. My opinions are 100% mine.

Comments 24 Comments
Categories Family, Food, Fun, Giveaways, Launch

MY KIDS #POWERUP WITH DANIMALS SUPERSTARS GREEK LOWFAT YOGURT

25 Apr

Dannon recently launched the new Danimals SuperStars Greek Lowfat Yogurt. My kids, cousin, and I were excited to attend the launch and try out their new product. I’ve always loved yogurt and my kids eat nonfat yogurt. The Greek lowfat yogurt would be something new for them to try. There a variety of flavors to try and my kids seemed to have liked the Cotton Candy flavor the most. I liked the Strawberry Slide.

Dr. Tanya R. Altmann talked to the group about nutrition. She said kids need 15-25 grams of protein a day, depending on their age. Adults need 50 grams. Kids also need 3 servings of dairy products a day. With this Greek yogurt you can make a smoothie, dip, milkshake, or substitute the cream cheese on a bagel with the yogurt. Physical activity is important and should be 1 hr a day for kids. Sports is great for learning to interact with other people, following instructions, and getting along with other people. Role modeling healthy habits is important because whatever you do kids will follow.

Growing up I remember my father telling me I couldn’t get up from the table till I finished everything on my plate. Was he being a good parent for saying that? Was he really concerned about me eating healthy, or did the thought of me wasting food something he didn’t approve of? Well I can honestly say the food he was feeding me was not that healthy, and I think he used to say “there are kids starving out here so don’t waste your food.” Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t junk food he was giving me. It was more like steak and potatoes, Spanish dishes, flan for dessert, an occasional octopus which I’m pretty sure I told my mom I’m not eating that. Lol.

What I’m trying to say is in the present now that I have kids and have learned what’s good and not good for my kids, I wouldn’t give them anything I wouldn’t eat. I don’t think my parents were reading labels on products back in the 70’s. If they only knew what chemicals were going into our bodies I’m sure they would have not fed it to us.

When I go into the grocery stores the first thing I look for on labels is “high fructose corn syrup.” If it doesn’t contain that or any artificial flavors and I think it can benefit my kids I will get it. If I knew what soda had in it I wouldn’t have drunk it when I was growing up. I gave it up years ago and it is banned from our house.

My kids are very active at school and after. There’s not a day that goes by when they are running, jumping, playing, or just singing. They love outdoor activities, and I love taking them on adventures. We like to explore and find new things to do. I make sure that my kids are fed a healthy breakfast that would keep them satisfied till lunch. Every kid is different when it comes to food. My daughter loves her fruits, my son loves his eggs, and waffles, my other son likes breakfast sandwiches, and my oldest will grab coffee and eat when he gets to work.

Danimals SuperStars Greek Lowfat Yogurts can help provide kids with the nutrition they need. Each cup is a good source of calcium and Vitamin D, which help build strong bones, along with an excellent source of protein (25 percent of the Daily Value). Also, similar to other Danimals products, Danimals SuperStars has no artificial colors or flavors and no high fructose corn syrup.

Each cup of Danimals SuperStars will help fuel even more than young bodies. With educational and Power Up fun facts found under the lid of each cup, Danimals is helping stimulate children’s minds as well!

Danimals SuperStars is available in 4oz 4-count packs in five delicious flavors made specifically for kids, including: Strawberry Slide, Strawberry Banana Sprint, Cotton Candy Thrill, Mixed Berry Half-Pipe and Cherry Rush.

In addition to playing outdoors on a regular basis, it’s important for kids to eat well and get the right balance of foods in their diet, such as dairy, which includes nutrients like calcium. Kids can get calcium from products such as Danimals Greek lowfat yogurts, nonfat yogurts and dairy smoothies.

Danimals dairy products make snacking fun – they taste great. Kids will love Powering Up with Danimals SuperStars, experiencing the burst of fruity flavor in Danimals Smoothies, and mixing fun toppings from Crunchers into delicious nonfat yogurt. All Danimals products contain a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D, which help kids build strong bones and regulate muscle function. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identify calcium as a nutrient of concern for American adults and children, and recommend increasing intake of foods that provide it.

We enjoyed the day with Dannon and trying the new flavors. I will be buying my kids their favorite flavors and I will stashing a few for myself as well.

For more info:
Danimals Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/danimals
Instagram Page: http://instagram.com/dannonyogurt
Twitter Handle: @Dannon

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. My kids were given gift bags and the product to try. These are my opinions 100%.

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Categories Blogger Event, Family, Food, Food Reviews, Fun, Invitational Event, Kid Reviews, Kids, Product Launch, Product Reviews, 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.

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Cooking, Family, Food, Free Events, Fun, Fun things to do in NY with Family, Giveaways, Kids, What's Going On?

STUFF YOUR EASTER BASKET WITH NEW LICENSED PRODUCTS FROM HERSHEY’S #bunnytrail #Easter

3 Apr

“Mama always said, Life was like a box of chocolates.” “You never know what you’re going to get”, as (Tom Hanks) once put it in the movie Forrest Gump. I agree, and with Easter on the way no one knows what they are going to get, but I know what everyone wants. C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E!!!!! Easter just wouldn’t be Easter without chocolate candy, the Easter bunny, jelly beans, or a scavenger hunt but I’ve got even more things to add to the list for your Easter basket.

When I was invited to the HERSHEY’S Easter Blogger Event given by The Licensing Company I knew I was going to be in for a chocolate treat but what I’m about to share with you will make you stop what you’re doing and re-arrange your Easter gift baskets if you’ve already started working on them. You are going to want to add more to it.

Have you ever received or given your child an Easter basket filled with HERSHEY’S flavored lip balms? How about JOLLY RANCHER nail polish or pink BUBBLE YUM LIP GLOSS? Sounds yummy right? Well now you can kick your Easter baskets up a notch and show your kids there’s more ways to be creative and have the neighbors kids saying “Where did you get your basket?” Did you know HERSHEY’s even have woven accessories? What about throwing in a headband made from HERSHEY’s wrappers? They even have wallets, bracelets, and key chains. You can get these items in your favorite brands like REESE’S, HERSHEY’S KISSES, WHOPPERS, ALMOND JOY, etc, etc. I don’t know about you but I love arm candy and a cute headband.

Your Easter basket will be the talk of the parade. You can also throw in your favorite HERSHEY’S t-shirt. Whatever HERSHEY’s brand you like you can now wear it in style. Why stop there? Grab a sweatshirt, or sleepwear too. HERSHEY’s is doing big things and want you to be comfortable.

If you could have saw the look on my face when I saw the headphones that HERSHEY’S branded. Take your pick from earbuds, mini speakers, even DJ-styled headphones from Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, Bubble Yum, Reese’s, etc, etc. Throw these in your basket as well and your Easter basket will thank you.

Growing up I really didn’t want to play with dolls, so I asked my father to buy me a train set. I got my train set and was very happy. To this day when I see a train set I just want to play all day with it. Well, if you thought I was amazed when I saw the headphones I was even more in shock when I saw the HERSHEY’s branded model trains, and toy train sets. I wanted to take it home at that very moment but I left it for the other guests to look at. Trains come in HERSHEY’S brands such as Hershey’s Kisses, Milk Duds, Mr Goodbar, and more just to name a few. They have Bubble Yum tank cars, to Ice Breakers Hoppers. The Little Lines HERSHEY’S Train Playset is a great gift for your little one. I know if I would have gotten this in my Easter basket I would be the happiest girl in the world.

HERSHEY’S is stuffing your Easter baskets full of goodies from health & beauty, to accessories, clothing, electronics, and toys. Make Easter better than it was before and incorporate all these wonderful items in your basket. Also, remember these products can be given all year around. What are you waiting for? Let the shopping begin!!

I also have a great DIY craft project for parents and their little bunny hoppers to work on. It’s called “Easter Critter Cups.” My kids and I love arts and craft projects and this looks like a fun craft. Here’s what you will need to get you started.

5 oz plastic cups
Pipe cleaner or chenille stems
Craft foam – Pink, white and orange
Scissors
Wire cutters
Low temperature hot glue gun and glue sticks
Wiggle eyes
Black magic marker
Pompoms
Yellow feathers
Construction paper – yellow and white
Tape
Easter grass
A variety of HERSHEY’S Easter chocolates and candies

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using the template cut out the construction paper and wrap it around the cup. Secure the construction paper ends together with tape.
2. To make the handle, use the wire cutters to cut a pipe cleaner (chenille stem). Then with the glue gun, glue each end of the pipe cleaner to the inside of the cup. Let dry.
3. For the bunny, use the white craft foam to cut out two separate ear shapes. Then use the pink foam to cut out the inner ear – mimic the shape of the larger white ear, but size it down slightly. With the glue gun attach the pink foam onto the white foam and then glue the ears to the inside front of the cup. To create whiskers, take the wire cutters and cut a pipe cleaner into two equal pieces. Twist the whiskers into the desired shape and glue to the front of the cup. Let dry.
4. For the duck, take the orange craft foam and cut out an oval shape to create a beak. Fold the craft foam in half and with the glue gun attach the beak at the fold to the front of the cup. For the feet, cut out a u- shape and on the straight side cut out little triangle pieces to create the toes, (four toes for each foot). Glue the feet to the bottom of the cup. Let dry.
5. Glue two wiggle eyes to the front of the cup near center.
6. For the bunny, glue a pompom below the eyes for a nose and use the magic marker to draw the mouth and teeth.
7. For the duckling glue yellow feathers to each side of the cup.
8. Let it dry completely.
9. Put a little Easter grass in each cup and fill with HERSHEY’S Easter chocolates and candies.

You can also go on the website and check out other craft ideas. https://www.hersheys.com/pure-crafts.aspx

Retailers for Hershey’s health & beauty products can be found at:
Walmart, Target, Claire’s, Big Lots, Dollar Tree, etc
Est. retail price: $3.50- $12.50

Retailers for woven accessories are:
Kohl’s, TJ Maxx, Shoe Show, and accessory boutiques nationwide.
Est. retail price: $9.99- $20.00

Retailers for clothing:
Walmart, Fred Meyers, Burlington Coat Factory, Walgreen’s, etc.
Est. retail price: $9.99- $20.00

Retailers for electronics:
Walmart, Walgreens, TJ Maxx, Toys R Us, Best Buy, ITS SUGAR, Ross
Est. retail price $7.99

Retailers for toys:
Walmart.com
Brookstone
TRU.com
Sears.com
Amazon.com
Est. retail price: $54.99 per train set item, $74.95 for Little Lines Playset

I love all types of chocolate. What’s your favorite chocolate? What accessory would you like in your Easter basket? What would your little ones’s love added to their basket or scavenger hunt? Leave me a comment.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. These are my own words 100% all the time. I was given a gift bag of swag.