I admit, I am a HUGE fan of Coca-Cola! It’s definitely my go to drink of choice. Until recently I had never really thought about cooking with it. I had heard of people doing just that but I personally never thought beyond the cup….until now. Thanks to My Coke Rewards Meals I am learning all sorts of fun things you can make with Coca-Cola, along with some other recipes that don’t call for it.  Today I want to showcase a recipe I made that does call for Coca-Cola, not as a drink beside the dish, but as an ingredient in it.  I will go ahead and apologize at the look of my photo, I don’t claim to be a good food photographer but I hope to learn one day LOL.

I caroused the recipes and saw dishes like Coca-Cola BBQ Wings, Coca-Cola Pork Loin, and my pick….Coca-Cola Beef Stew.  Once I saw the beef stew recipe I knew it was meant to be.  This particular recipe is from chef Ingrid Hoffman:

I watched her how to video and decided to make the recipe a bit my own.  Here is the original recipes from the site:

I left my roast whole for this.  I also took out the yucca’s, the fennel, the tomatos, and added a can of cream of mushroom soup.  Rather than in the oven I decided to do it in the crockpot so it was all in one dish.  I used baby carrots so there was no peeling and quartered my onions instead of thinly slicing them, we like chunks of onions.  I put all of the ingredients into a crockpot and cooked on low for 12 hours.  It was falling apart when I took it out and my mouth was watering.  My kids were ready to dig in all day thanks to the aroma in the house (one thing I love about crockpot cooking is your house smells so yummy all day).  I served it up and in we dug, with a side of mashed potatoes (not in photo).  Check out our yummy meal:

Oh my goodness, the roast was so tender, in other words perfect.   The carrots and onions were cooked just right, not too hard and not smushy.  Adding the cream of mushroom added a hint of thickness and made a yummy gravy.  We just used a regular sized soup can of it.  My kids ate it up and asked for seconds, that is a HUGE thing for my picky eaters.  I was so surprised to see a recipe for beef stew that used Coca-Cola.  I will definitely look at Coca-Cola as more than just a drink now.  With so many other recipes to choose from on MCR Meals, you are sure to find something with or without Coca-Cola to try, but you have to hurry because this part of their site is only going to be there until May 31.  So head over, find some recipes and print them off!  Get to cooking with Coca-Cola, you don’t know what you are missing!

*Compensation was provided by Coca-Cola, but Coca-Cola is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this pin/post. All opinions expressed are my own and not those of Coca-Cola. For more on my policies please see my disclosure under the PR Friendly tab.

The McCormick Look Book is a great place to find and bookmark recipes that look and sound simply delish:

Really, how is one supposed to choose between Cinnamon Sticky Buns and Mini Cheesecakes? So I caroused the recipes for a bit, adding, adding and adding some more to my look book….

14 saved recipes later I decided spring time is perfect for a fruit salad. McCormick had a simple and very yummy sounding fruit salad recipe that included cantaloupe, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple. Check out this simple, simple recipe:

I decided to make it geared toward the two favorite fruits of the little ones in my life and made it with just strawberries and blueberries! Where the regular recipe called for a total of 7 cups of the mentioned fruits we just did 3.5 each of strawberries and blueberries. So I gathered my ingredients which included Strawberries, Blueberries, Confectioner Sugar, and McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract. Mixed the fruit together then added the vanilla and sugar, coated and refrigerated for an hour.

I mean seriously can you get a more simple recipe? It was a hit with my kids. They get a little bit of a sweet treat (that’s not candy) and are eating good for you fruits. I whipped it up dirtying only 3 dishes and it only took 10 minutes to prepare. I’d say that’s a win/win for this mom.

I am loving McCormick’s look book as a way to find recipes I love and them all in one place. It sure beats my current method of bookmarking each recipe that I love (I have way too many favorites). This puts all your recipes in one place so you can find them quickly and easily. McCormick’s Look Book also makes it easy to share or add this to your recipe book at home because they have a button to pin, a button to email, and a print button. The look book is like fashion for food, you get everything at a glance and to get more information you just simply click. Head over and check it out today. Have you tried McCormick’s Look Book yet? I would love to know your thoughts on it.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for McCormick. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for participating. For more on my policies please see my disclosure under the PR Friendly tab.

Over the last few weeks I have been sharing with you some of the ways men can be easier to feed than to understand. I announced my partnership with Ball Park, shared my husbands funny ways and a recipe we use Ball Park for. Today you get a chance to bring some Ball Park into your life.

With spring right about the corner it’s time to break out the grill.  One thing that is definitely easy to understand about the men in my life is they love to cook out and cooking out we will be with Ball Park Franks. One reader will win 3 full value Ball Park coupons to bring in spring with. You can  use them in a recipe like I did in a previous post, have a memorial day cookout, whatever his heart desires.  So what are you waiting for…get to entering!  Oh, one more thing head over to Ball Park’s facebook and keep up with current happenings there!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored post. Ball Park product and additional incentives were provided to me. All opinions stated are 100% my own. For more please see my disclosure.

Have a great Wednesday and cook up something great!

Upon my doorstep came a huge box full of goodies that included a very colorful mixing bowl set, Curious Chef measure and prep kit, Le Creuset bakeware and some fun Chef Boyardee goodies (aprons, hat, notepad, coupons). We had almost all the stuff for a great dinner party. Here in our home we have 5 of us, but more often than not we eat with my parents, siblings, and some others so there is always anywhere from 10-15 of us. Could the Chef Boyardee recipes make a meal that is going to feed that many? We found out Saturday evening. I grabbed up my little kitchen helper and the supplied and we made Taco-roni!

Check out the action and finished product:

I have to say I have probably the cutest kitchen helper and she had the magic touch because her pouring of ingredients was spectacular. After she got everything in my pan, being the responsible mom that I am, I made her leave the cooking area so I could do the hot part.  The recipe was so easy, you literally put everything (minus the cheese and chips) in a big pan and cook for about 25 minutes total then top with shredded cheese and corn chips.  I loved it, the only thing I might have done different is instead of putting the chips on top is used them and made it a dip instead.  It was a hit with everyone who was over that night and everyone can’t wait for me to try some of the other recipes from Chef Boyardee.

You can share your recipe experience and be entered to win a weekly prize of $500 and $75 in Chef coupons, you have to hurry though this ends on March 11.  If you enter and are picked as the weekly winner you then are entered in groceries for a year!  Groceries for a year, could you imagine!!!!  Go ahead and cook your Chef Boyardee creation and then head over to the facebook contest before March 11 so you can enter!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a In Home Party campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Chef Boyardee and received product samples to facilitate my party and review, and a promotional item to thank me for participating. For more information about my policies please see my disclosure.

Over the last few weeks I have been sharing with you how sometimes men are easier fed than understood. Though I am sure my husband would argue that point could apply to women, but we aren’t talking about women here are we. My husband and sons are sometimes a mystery to me but mystery or not they have to eat and feeding them is something I understand completely. The most important meal of the day is breakfast and there are times Ball Park helps bring that breakfast right along in a tasty way.

Ball Park Breakfast Burrito’s are a favorite in my house and while we don’t eat them every day, we do treat ourselves to this yummy and simple meal. My youngest son would live on these! What my husband loves about these is you can make the mixture ahead of time, refrigerate so making breakfast in a hurry isn’t a problem. Today I am sharing with you our Ball Park Breakfast Burritos!

This really is such a simple recipe and it’s such a hit with the men in my life.  To add a little flair use some hot sauce or salsa.  If you are watching your carbs leave out the cheese and tortilla and just eat the Frank ~N~ Eggs, I had some this morning splashed with hot sauce and it’s just as good.  When it comes to breakfast I don’t want it difficult, I want it easy and this is definitely that.  Tasty and easy, definitely easier to understand than my husband is sometimes!  Don’t forget to check out Ball Park on Facebook.  I’d like to know what are some of your favorite recipes to cook with Ball Park Franks?

This is a sponsored post. Ball Park product and additional incentives were provided to me. All opinions stated are my own.

They always say women are hard to understand.  Now, I’ve never claimed to be an expert on my husband when it comes to certain things. I mean really, who can explain this:

Definitely behavior that can’t be explained wouldn’t you say. Okay, seriously, that was Christmas Day and I was lucky enough to catch him playing the Kinect, I knew it would come in handy sometime and it did! There are some things I haven’t quite figured out about my husband though…

• Why he spends months researching something.  Like now it’s motorcycles.  Sure, sure research is great but I think spending months researching something might get boring.  I guess it just goes to show who the responsible one is…him.  Well research away while I buy in a moment of  want.
• Why does he leave dirty clothes in the middle of the bathroom floor, in fact this goes for my oldest son too.  Granted their are times when I don’t have the hamper in there but even when I do somehow those socks end up right in the middle of the bathroom floor.
• Why does he cover himself up with the comforter literally from head to toe with only a little hole for his nose and mouth?  It’s quite adorable but I think I would feel smothered.
• Does shouting at the players during the game really help?  Oh wait, that’s usually me and yes it does

Needless to say there are so many behaviors of his that I am not quite sure what to make of.  However, if he didn’t have those funny and quirky little things, he wouldn’t be the man that swept me off my feet.  One of the things I can understand easily about him and my boys are their appetites.

When it comes time to eat there is no guessing from this wife and momma that whatever is for dinner better be something that can fill them up.  Thankfully Ball Park understands that growing boys and men have appetites and they help us women fill those tummies.  After a long day sometimes this little lady wants a quick meal that can hold up to the appetite of the men in my life.  That’s when I pull out the Ball Park bun-length angus beef franks, cook on our George Foreman grill and slap in a bun.  For the boys (and the princess) it is usually as simple as putting on ketchup or mustard but for myself and my husband we like a little extra something so it’s chili dogs all the way.   Really what is better than a messy chili dog with extra cheese.  It’s a guilty pleasure for taste and for the quiet moments my house has as the men (okay and girls too) dig in.

Sometimes men are definitely easier fed than understood, but if we understood them all the time what fun would that be.  Just make sure to keep them fed so that the misunderstandings can keep coming!  To get a discount on some good food head over to Ball Park’s Facebook and check out their $1.00 off coupon, why not save a little money! So, what are some of those quirky things the men in your life do?

This is a sponsored post. Ball Park product and additional incentives were provided to me. All opinions stated are my own.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and I thought I would share with you some of the great ideas I have come across while carousing Pinterest.

Wake the one(s) you love up with a tasty breakfast that includes this Heart Shaped Bacon:

Source: Uploaded by user via Toni on Pinterest

A little mid-day snack would be perfectly themed with these Heart Shaped Fruit Kabobs:

Source: bestfriendsforfrosting.com via Toni on Pinterest

After dinner enjoy a dessert of these cute (and delish) Heart Shaped S’mores from Haniela’s Food & Photography:

Source: hanielas.blogspot.com via Toni on Pinterest

My daughters class has to make boxes for the valentines they receive during their class party, so reuse those cereal boxes to make these cute Cereal Box Valentine Card Holders:

Source: plaidonline.com via Toni on Pinterest

A different kind of Valentine to hand out in class, Valentine Bookmark made from paint strips:

Source: Uploaded by user via Toni on Pinterest

If you are making a treat for a party check out these adorable Valentine’s Cake Pops by Bakerella:

Source: bakerella.com via Toni on Pinterest

 

Will you be making any special crafts or foods this Valentines Day? Leave a link and I’ll pin it to my Valentine’s Day Fun board.

I love bacon. I don’t eat it every meal or anything but I do love to incorporate it occasionally. With Superbowl right around the corner there are so many meals, appetizers and snacks you can make for your party that use bacon. Petite Jean Bacon is what you will find us cooking with when we have it on hand. It’s our first choice for bacon. My husband loves their peppered bacon and I am a fan of their hickory smoked bacon.

This year Petite Jean Meats became the official bacon of the Dallas Cowboys. So to celebrate they are giving away a gift pack of bacon to one of my readers. Right in time for those superbowl parties where Bacon Jalapeño poppers would be a hit or possibly Swiss and Bacon Dip

WIN IT:

One reader will win a Dallas Cowboys Bacon Lover gift. That includes: 2-24 oz. Dallas Cowboys Hickory Smoked Bacon & 2-22 oz. Dallas Cowboys Hickory Smoked Peppered Bacon.

So what are you waiting for, enter to win this prize pack perfect for breakfast, BLT’s or that superbowl party you are planning! Enter using the rafflecopter entry form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s that time of the year where football playoffs are in full swing. College ball has ended and NFL is headed toward the Superbowl. One thing is for sure, divided or not on the teams we can all agree the games require some good food. When I am watching the game I get so worked up I need some fuel to keep me going and I want that fuel to be tasty. Here are some dip recipes I want to bring to Superbowl Sunday or maybe not..I might want to hoard them for myself.

WARM ARTICHOKE SPINACH DIP…

BLUE CHEESE “HOT WING” DIP..

LOADED BAKED POTATO DIP…

PIZZA DIP…

and last but certainly not least is the staple of most parties, SALSA…