Tag Archives: product review

{Review} Morningstar Farms Meatless Burgers

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I love a good burger. A big, juicy, meaty, medium-rare burger, with lettuce, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mayo. I am not a veggie burger kind of gal. I love many vegetarian dishes, but I didn’t really see myself picking up a package of frozen veggie/soy burgers from the market. So, when I was afforded the opportunity to do so for free thanks to my participation in a BzzAgent Campaign for Morningstar Farms products, I gave it a go.

We do try to eat one meatless meal a week, and while I prefer a whole foods meatless meal, sometimes that just doesn’t happen. And if the choice is between a semi-healthy veggie burger from the freezer, or a completely unhealthy fast-food option, I think the decision is a no-brainer.

bzz agent morningstar farm blog review

The other day I decided to try out these Morningstar Farms burgers. I chose Spicy Black Bean Burgers and a package of “Grillers” — which are supposed to taste like real hamburgers. I did not tell my kids they would be having veggie burgers for dinner.

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As you can see, frozen out of the box they don’t look too exciting. They are definitely smaller than a burger I would make with fresh beef or turkey, but we were having soup, salad, and fries on the side so I didn’t think portion size would be an issue (and it wasn’t).

I served the kids first and asked them to let me know what they thought. (I served them the “Grillers” with their usual toppings — trying to see if I could fool them.) The response was overwhelmingly positive. My 10-year old thought they tasted a little different than usual, but not in a bad way. My 7-year-old also really liked the burger and finished it without having to be prodded, even after he learned it was a veggie burger. I’d say that’s a positive review!

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For myself, I made up a black bean burger with pepper jack, lettuce, jalapenos, salsa, and mayo. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. Drew had one of each (bunless), and liked both of them, but felt that the “Grillers” were a better substitute for someone craving a burger.

Of course, there is always a caveat. In this case, the long ingredient list is kind of a put-off to me:

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I am not really sure if a processed “veggie” burger is healthier for me than a burger made with high-quality beef. It is also unclear if Morningstar Farms uses GMO soybeans, if that is a concern to you.

Would I purchase these products again? Even with my hesitations I would probably buy them again. I’m not sure I would make them a regular item on my menu. Honestly, I prefer a less processed vegetarian option (and truthfully, one that does not use soy as a primary ingredient). But as I said at the beginning of this review, in a pinch and between a Morningstar Farms veggie burger or a fast food burger, I think the veggie burger wins on both convince and overall healthfulness. And it is surprisingly tasty.

As  member of BzzAgent, I received coupons for Morningstar Farms products, including a coupon to try a product free of charge. I did not receive any further compensation. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

dr. oetker ristorante pizza {product review}

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In honor of “Pi Day” I thought I’d write up a quick review of one of my favorite kinds of pie — pizza! I don’t eat it as much as I used to, but on occasion I still indulge. I like to make my own, but sometimes it’s easier to pick up something at the supermarket. There are plenty of options in the grocer’s freezer case, but most of them are just OK. So when I was offered a chance to participate in the Dr. Oetker Ristorante BzzCampaign (I’ve been a BzzAgent for years!), I looked forward to trying something new.

I’d heard of Dr. Oetker products before. In fact I’ve purchased the creme brulee and other dessert mixes and I enjoy them. So I was hopeful that the Ristorante pizzas would deliver great taste, as well. The first pizza we tried was the Spinaci (spinach). When I took it out of the box, I was impressed by how much cheese was on the pizza. Usually, with frozen pizzas you get a sprinkling at best.

bzzagent dr. oetker pizza campaign

But the real test was yet to come. After baking it in my oven, I served it for lunch with a side salad. The pizza had a great flavor and if I hadn’t been sharing it, I would have been tempted to eat the whole thing. (Yes, it really was that good!) The spinach flavor wasn’t overwhelming, the cheese was tangy, and I really liked it a lot.

bzzagent dr. oetker pizza campaign

The other pizza we tried with the Speciale, which is topped with pepperoni and Canadian Bacon. Here it is frozen, out of the box. There is noticably less cheese on this one than on the spinach pizza.

bzzagent dr. oetker pizza campaign

This tasted more like a standard frozen pizza. I wasn’t all that impressed because I think the spinach version set the bar pretty high.

bzzagent dr. oetker pizza campaign

One thing I liked about both of the pizzas, though, was the thin crust. I could have a serving of pizza and not feel like I was completely sabotaging my diet. There are six different varieties including four cheese, mushroom, vegetable, mozzarella, spinach, and the pepperoni and Canadian bacon. Dr. Oetker pizzas are routinely on sale at my local Stop & Shop, and in the future I would probably pick one up to have as a quick meal.

Disclosure: I received promotional materials and coupons to try Dr. Oetker Ristorante pizzas for free as a result of my status as an active BzzAgent and my agreement to participate in this campaign. I did not receive any financial compensation for this post. The opinions expressed are my own.  This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

{product review} caveman cookies – rainforest flavor

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It’s been killing me to see all these delicious-looking cookie recipes posted on blogs this month. After all, December is the month of cookie swaps, homemade gifts, and treating yourself. Still, I am trying hard to resist the temptation and avoid as much flour and sugar as possible. So when I read an e-mail about Caveman Cookies, I was intrigued. Paleo cookies? That I don’t have to make myself? Why yes, I would be very interested in trying those!

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Caveman Cookies are made with Paleo-friendly ingredients including nuts, honey and berries. They are certified Kosher, gluten-free, and dairy-free. I was sent a package of the new Rainforest flavor for my review. The flavor is described like this in the marketing material:

The cookies feature an exotic combination of Brazil nuts and chewy dried cherries, with a kick of cayenne pepper. The other ingredients are honey, almond meal, chopped almonds and nutmeg.

Drew and I both tried them before we read the ingredients and thought there had to be ginger in the cookies – we were very surprised there wasn’t! There’s a definite kick from the cayenne and I guess when combined with the nutmeg, you get that taste of ginger.

We also had very different opinions on the flavor. Drew didn’t like them at all, I am sorry to say. I thought they were interesting and I kind of like them. They are very different from your standard chocolate-chip cookie, or even one made with coconut flour, but I found the slightly sweet taste and sticky texture enjoyable. The cookies are also available in original (similar to oatmeal-raisin), Alpine (carob and hazelnuts), and tropical (coconut and macadamia nut).

Here’s a peek at the nutrition facts:

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A bag of 12 cookies costs $9.95. While that seems pricey, the ingredients are expensive and they’re not loaded with the junk found in most other mass-produced cookies. They’re not that big, but I found one was plenty to satisfy my sweet tooth, and technically the serving size is two cookies, so if one doesn’t do it — go for the second one!

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You can purchase different sized bags (including sampler bags) on the Caveman Cookies website. Each cookie is individually wrapped in a cello bag to preserve freshness (which also means you don’t have to eat the entire bag as soon as you open it). As I read through the reviews on Amazon, I noticed that there is some argument as to whether or not these cookies are really Paleo. There seems to be a lot of bickering lately about what, in general, a Paleo diet means, but as far as I am concerned the ingredients meet the definition. (Of course, I am not a strict Paleo person by any means, as evidenced by the milk in my tea in that photo at the top of this post.) At the very least, these are certainly a great choice for those following a GF diet.

To sum it all up: I love the idea of a healthy cookie that I don’t have to bake myself. And although the Rainforest flavor is a little spicy for my taste, I’d give another variety a try without hesitation.

 

Disclosure: I received one free bag of Caveman Cookies in the Rainforest flavor to review on my blog. I did not receive any financial compensation for this post. The opinions expressed are my own.  This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

hartstrings kids clothes review

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Heartstrings Kids Review

Laura is a girly-girl. She loves getting dressed up. She loves fancy clothes. And she really likes picking out what to wear. So when I was offered the opportunity to choose an outfit from Hartstrings Kids to review on my blog, I knew that my little lady would want to have a say in it.

Hartstrings offers a selections of boutique clothing for babies, boys, and girls. I had such a hard time narrowing down my choices because there are so many outfits I loved. Ultimately, I picked my three favorites and then asked Laura which one she liked best. (She might be two and a half, but she definitely has strong opinions!) She loved the Long Sleeve Sweater Dress from this season’s Fair Isle Collection. I was kindly sent a pair of matching leggings to complete the look.

Heartstrings Kids Review

Shipping was speedy and the clothes were safely packaged in a plastic mailer. I ordered a size 2T for Laura. Typically she wears anywhere between a size 18 months – 24 months because she is a tiny little peanut, but I wanted her to get extra wear out of this pretty dress. I would say it is true to size. It is a little big on her, as I expected it to be, but not so big that it looks baggy. The knit is very soft and she was really comfortable. Actually, I had to bribe her with candy to take off the clothes and put her play clothes back on!

Heartstrings Kids Review

The clothes at Hartstrings are on the pricier side, but I think the prices are reasonable for special event or holiday clothes. Plus, as I browsed through the site, I noticed that quite a few choices were on sale. If the quality of the clothing I received is indicative of the rest of their offerings, I would (and probably will) order from Hartstrings in the future.

Heartstrings Kids Review

I think I’ve also seen Hartstrings specials on some of the daily deal sites, so you can always look for those too 😉 I know that we’ll get a lot of mileage out of this bright and cheery dress. In fact, Laura will have her first chance to wear it next week at her cousin’s birthday party!

Be sure to follow Hartstrings on Twitter and check them out on Facebook to be one of the first to learn about specials, deals, and new items.

Disclosure: I received free products from Hartstrings for review as part of my participation in a campaign by MomSelect.  I did not receive any financial compensation for this post.  This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

cooking thursday: a taste of thai

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I thought that Cooking Thursday would be the perfect time to share some of the recipes I made at my Thai Kitchen® Deliciously Different BBQ House Party. I was thrilled, and I mean thrilled to have been selected for this one because I love Asian cuisine, but just can’t make it at home. The Thai Kitchen and Simply Asia products are supposed to make it easier and believe me they did. They took all the “brain work” out of it. Here’s a photo of all the great samples they sent me. I can’t wait to make Red Curry, Tom Yum Soup, Coconut Rice, Spicy Thai Wings… oh, the list goes on and on!

thai kitchen house party

But for my party (which happened to be a get-together for my MIL’s birthday), I tried three of the suggested recipes: Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce, Cold Thai Broccoli Salad, and Ginger Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps (this was my favorite, and it will be going into regular rotation).

Everyone loved the Chicken Satay, and considering the peanut sauce is just straight out of a jar, I was impressed with the taste. Jake’s favorite was the Broccoli Salad (seriously — I’ve never met a nearly-9-year-old who like veggies as much as this kid). He had three helpings. The best part about these recipes is that they are fast. Don’t get me wrong — I love scratch cooking and I think you all know that. But with three kids, sometimes you just suck it up and take a little help from some packaged sauces and seasonings. And with that, here are the recipes!

Ginger Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps
thai kitchen house party

1 tablespoon oil (coconut oil adds a subtle flavor, but olive or vegetable oil works too)
1 pound ground chicken or ground turkey
1 pouch Simply Asia® Ginger Teriyaki Stir-Fry Sauce
lettuce leaves (I find that Romaine or Boston lettuce works best)
Toppings: shredded carrots, bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, chopped fresh cilantro and chopped scallions

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink. Add Stir-Fry Sauce; cook and stir until heated through. Spoon chicken mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf. Add desired toppings. Fold sides of lettuce over filling and roll up to serve.

Cold Thai Broccoli Salad
thai kitchen house party

8 cups water
4 cups broccoli florets
1/4 cup Thai Kitchen® Sweet Red Chili Sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded carrot

Bromg water to a boil in a large pot, add broccoli and cook just until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water. Mix chili sauce, lime juice, and salt in a large bowl with a wire whisk until well blended. Add broccoli and carrots; toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.

Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce
thai kitchen house party

1/2 cup Thai Kitchen® Coconut Milk
2 tablespoons Thai Kitchen® Premium Fish Sauce
2 tablespoons Thai Kitchen® Red Curry Paste
2 teaspoons minced fresh lemon grass ***
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch wide strips
Bamboo skewers
1/2 cup Thai Kitchen® Peanut Satay Sauce

Mix the coconut milk, fish sauce, curry paste and lemon grass in a small bowl until well blended. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag or a glass dish. Add marinade; toss to coat well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Remove chicken from marinade. Discard any remaining marinade. Thread chicken strips onto skewers. Grill or broil over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked through. Serve with Peanut Satay Sauce for dipping.

***I did not have lemongrass so I substituted a bit of lemon zest and some freshly grated ginger root. It tasted great to me!

Be sure to visit Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom to check out other delicious recipes!

wasa flatbread review & giveaway

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wasa giveaway

*** This giveaway is now closed. ***

I was first introduced to Wasa crackers a few years ago when I initially went low-carb. I read dozens of message board posts about how wonderful they are and once I tried them — I was hooked. So when I was asked to review the new Wasa thin & crispy flatbreads, I was really excited.

The flatbreads come in three flavors: rosemary, sesame, and original. We had a small gathering for my mother-in-law’s birthday, so it was the perfect time to try them out. They were a hit with everyone — especially the rosemary flavor. Paired with a little dill havarti, they were scrumptious! But the great thing about Wasa crackers is that you can use them in so many different ways. They’re not just for cheese platters (although my husband was very proud of his artistic food presentation here):

wasa giveaway

One of Drew’s favorite ways to enjoy Wasa is with a fried egg on top. This is so yummy on the original flatbread, especially when you add a dab of salsa. As for the sesame, I like to top a sesame flatbread with hummus and a little roasted red pepper for a mid-morning snack. If you are short on ideas, check out Wasa’s Snackspiration promotion on their Facebook page. You can create your very own Wasa recipe with the new Create-A-Snack app for a chance to win a trip to Canyon Ranch Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

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If you would like to try out these amazing new Thin & Crispy Flatbreads from Wasa, here’s your chance! Wasa has generously offered to send a gift package to one of my readers. You can enter up to three times.

To Enter:

  1. (Mandatory) Like Wasa’s Facebook page and leave a comment on this entry telling me you did so.
  2. Leave me a comment and share your own Snackspiration creation. Which Thin & Crispy Flatbread would you like to try and how would you top it?
  3. Like my blog’s fan page on Facebook and leave a comment on this entry telling me you did so.

Simple as that! This giveaway will close Friday 8/12 at 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The winner will be chosen at random and announced around noontime on Friday. The winner must respond within 48 hours to claim the prize.

Disclosure: I received a gift pack of Thin & Crispy Flatbread crackers from Wasa in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed are my own and I received no further compensation from Wasa or their representatives.

the eyes have it: l’oreal review

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l'oreal review

Lately I’ve been trying out quite a few new products. Some I recieve because I am members of programs, some because I sign up for a lot of freebies and coupons, and some because… well, I just like to try new things. So I thought that I’d designate Wednesday as the day I post reviews. I’m trying (trying!) to get some kind of blogging schedule going, but it’s hard because I’m used to writing in a very unstructured way.

At any rate, today I’m writing about makeup. I am a member of BzzAgent, which many of you have no doubt heard of (and you might be members yourselves). I was sent two full-sized L’oreal product samples to try: their new One Sweep™ Eye Shadow and Double Extend® Eye Illuminator Mascara. I’ve been using the products since the end of March. While I wasn’t so sure about the mascara at first, after using them I can say that love them both!

The One Sweep™ Eye Shadow

This eyeshadow allows you to apply three shades at one time, simplifying the process of having great-looking eyes. Normally I don’t bother with more than one color of shadow, even though I like the look. With One Sweep, it’s the best of both worlds. It took me a little bit to figure out the best way to use the applicator (I obviously didn’t want to apply the lightest shade to the bottom of my lid.) But once I got the hang of it, the application was super easy. The name of the product is a bit of a misnomer, as I needed at least two or three sweeps in order to get good coverage.

l'oreal review

 

Double Extend® Eye Illuminator Mascara

I have a love/hate relationship with mascara. I love the way good mascara accentuates my eyes, but I hate many of the mascaras I’ve tried. I was a little skeptical when I saw the tube of L’oreal Double Extend. One end is a traditional mascara brush, but the other side is  shaped like a ball, and the color is bronze. (This is the “illuminator” part of the mascara.) I’m 35 years old, so I feared this would be a little too much.

l'oreal review

Actually, the sparkle from the illuminator end is really subtle. It gives your lashes just a hint of sparkle — perfect for a night out. The traditional end of the mascara tube includes a brush that makes your lashes appear fuller. The makeup is a little on the thick side, so it helps if you have a lash comb to separate out your eyelashes. Overall, I think it is better than most of the other mascaras I’ve tried.

Both of these products are available at stores like CVS and Target, so you should have no problem finding them if you want to try them out for yourself!

Disclosure: I received these samples as part of my participation in the BzzAgent program. The opinions I’ve expressed in this review are my own and I receive no further compensation for posting them.