Slicing Strawberries Tip

If you need to chop strawberries into small slices, simply use an egg slicer.  You will be so impressed how easy it is.

Check out this simple Strawberry Refrigerator Jam over on my other blog!

Giveaway -- Free All Natural Jamba Smoothie Kit -- Closed Winners E-mailed!

Recently I was contacted by Jamba Juice to do a review and host a giveaway.  They sent me three samples of Jamba Juice All Natural Smoothies that you can buy right in the freezer section of your grocery store.  I was excited because the closest Jamba Juice to me is a good 25-minute drive away and the convenience of being able to buy from the store is very appealing.  Following my review, I will give instructions on how you can win one of these smoothie kits!

The Facts

• The All Natural Smoothies come frozen in three very different flavors-- Strawberries Wild (my favorite), Mango-a-go-go and Razzmatazz. 
•  Each kit contains two 8 oz serving giving you 100 percent Vitamin C for the day and one whole serving of fruit. 
• To make simply blend apple juice with smoothie kit.
• Each of the Smoothie kits are fat free and only 120 calories per serving.
• No high fructose syrup, no trans fat, nopreservatives.

The Review

The smoothie kits were very easy to make and we all like easy, right.  All I had to do was measure 1 cup of apple juice into my blender and add the contents of the smoothie kit.  In about a minute, I had two smoothies ready to eat.  My favorite is the Strawberry Wild -- I'm just partial to strawberries and bananas anyway.  Normally, I don't drink smoothies at home that have yogurt, but I couldn't tell the difference with these smoothies.  The flavors are clean and sweet.  I really enjoyed having a little treat in the middle of the day that had some good-for-you stuff in it, too.

The Giveaway

The average cost for a Jamba All Natural Smoothies kit is between $2.99 and $3.29.  However, if you want to try one for free, you can enter my giveaway.  I am giving FIVE (5) lucky winners a coupon for a Free Jamba Juice All Natural Smoothie -- you pick the flavor!


To enter:  Leave a comment below stating what flavor smoothie you would like to try! (please leave an e-mail or link to your blog so I can contact you if you win!)

Bonus entries
1)  Subscribe to my blog.  Leave an extra comment letting me know
2) Follow my blog.  Leave an extra comment letting me know.
3) Promote on your blog or elsewhere. Leave extra comment letting me know

Five winners will be selected through random.org on Thursday, June 17 and will be notified through e-mail!

Blog slow down

I'll probably be slowing down on blogging a little as the summer is upon us.  Here are some of the fun things we are doing and plan on doing this summer.

• Parks (there are so many in our city in that we have many favorites)
• Zoo (free)
• Library (story time, reading program, special events)
• Biking (for Mother's Day my husband bought me the piece that attaches the bike trailer to my bike -- ah feels good to be biking again!)
• Walks (just around the neighborhood)
• Hiking (free country parks with nice trails)
• Botanical Gardens (free)
• Strawberry picking (free plus the cost of the strawberries)
• Farmer's Market (our daughter is really interested in trying the fresh produce)
• Sensory Table (I fill with water and bring the bath toys outside)
• Picnics
• Swimming (at the pool.  I hope to try a couple beaches on the lakes this summer, too)

Windfall Money!

Lately I have been getting lots of survey opportunities from the survey websites I belong to.  I have actually been able to redeem some of those points that accumulate for gift cards.  A couple weeks ago I was asked to do a survery that lasted for three days.  It was pretty easy to do (about a half hour of time each day).  I got $125 gift card to Amazon.  I also had a $5 Amazon gift card from another survey I completed, so I put them together.  I searched Amazon very hard to find something to buy that would be worth it.  I bought a couple toys and some allergy-free snacks!

Here's what I bought so far:

I have a $37 balance available on my Amazon account and am cashing in another survey points for a $10 gift card.  I plan to buy Foodsaver bags!

What would you do with $125 gift card to Amazon?

(sorry not a giveaway just a question today, but stay tuned for some great giveaways in the next couple weeks)

What's cookin' - Easy Sausage Pepper Pasta

I made this last week trying to use up so deals I've been getting to stock my pantry and freezer.  I had some homemade sauce and peppers in the freezer so the prep was pretty simple.  The taste was exceptional.

Easy Sausage Pepper Pasta

1 jar spaghetti sauce or homemade sauce
1/2 cup red and yellow peppers, chopped
2 to 3 links Italian sausage
1 lb pasta, I used penne, but any kind works
1/4 cup Mozzarella cheese

1. Put 1/4 cup water in pan and cook sausage on medium low for 10 to 15 minutes or until browned.  You may need to add extra water.  Cut sausage into 1/4 inch slices.
2. Boil pasta for 8 minutes. Drain.
3.  Mix cooked pasta, sausage, peppers, and tomato sauce together in casserole dish.
4. Top with Mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or when cheese is melted.

For more great recipes check out the Grocery Cart Challenge and Life as Mom!

Week long series on my other blog

On my other blog Life with a Dairy-Free Toddler, I am detailing meals that my toddler eats.  Even if you don't have special dietary needs, you may pick up an idea or two.  Check it out!

Winners of Scrubbing Bubbles Coupons!

All winners have been e-mailed.  


jaslvg
amberlowmiddleton
qingkirsten
couponsandcakes
ropp.5


Winners be sure to e-mail me back!