Cooper

“Dinnertise” Your Dinner With Lawry’s – Plus a Giveaway!!!

May 30, 2012 by Cooper

We are so excited to be working with Lawry’s and 25 AMAZING bloggers to bring awareness to their exciting new “Dinnertising” campaign and several new spice blends and marinades, and we encourage you to check it out!

(Photo from Once A Month Mom)

Lawry’s is hoping to insert dinnertime excitement back into the typical weeknight routine through Dinnertising, which will feature the first digital “advertising agency” designed to help bring new flavors to families. Some of the new flavors include Mediterranean Herb Seasoned Salt, Fire Roasted Chile & Garlic, Roasted Garlic Salt, Santa Fe Chili Marinade and Mediterranean Herb and White Wine Marinade.

Dinnertising is all about making meals interactive and fun for kids. By getting kids more involved, it helps to create a spirit of excitement around dinner time – whether they’re helping prep the recipe or crafting their own videos. (More information can be found at http://www.Dinnertising.com)

As part of the fun, 25 fantastic bloggers have created a recipe using one of the Lawry’s spices or marinades, and they have also made Dinnertisements of their own. Plus, each of the bloggers is hosting a really fun giveaway, which we hope you’ll enter! Here’s the fabulous prize:

(Photo from Charlene Chronicles)

The list of participating blogs is below, and through each link you’ll find their giveaway too. You’ll just need to make a Dinnertisement (it really only takes a minute) and grab the link (we listed the steps below) and post it in the blog’s comments. It’s easy and fun!

Check out the yummy posts and enter to win on any of these participating blogs!

Charlene, Charlene Chronicles: http://www.charlenechronicles.com/health/lawrys-dinnertising

Denise, Wholesome Mommy: http://wholesomemommy.com/pan-roasted-chicken-with-roasted-garlic-salt-marinade

Diane, Turning the Clock Back: http://www.turningclockback.com/2012/05/giveaway-and-recipe-vegetarian-stuffed.html

Heidi, Honeybear Lane: http://www.honeybearlane.com/2012/05/cpk-santa-fe-chicken-pizza-recipe-giveaway.html#more-2892

Janel, A Mom’s Take: http://www.amomstake.com/2012/05/lawrys-dinnertisment-recipe-and-giveaway-lawrysmom

Jennifer, The Rebel Chick: http://therebelchick.com/kidfriendly-southwestern-recipe-santa-fe-chili-ribeyes-lawrysmoms

Kelsey, The Naptime Chef: http://www.thenaptimechef.com/2012/05/herbed-white-wine-chicken-kebobs-lawrys-giveaway

Kristy, The Wicked Noodle: http://www.thewickednoodle.com/chicken-burgers

Kristy, Mommy Hates Cooking: http://www.mommyhatescooking.com/2012/05/slow-cooker-mediterranean-herb-white-wine-chicken.html

Laurie, Guessing All the Way: http://guessingalltheway.com/2012/05/making-dinnertime-fun-lawrys-dinnertisement-giveaway

Lisa, Life With Lisa: http://www.lifewithlisa.com/dinnertisement-grilled-santa-fe-chili-chicken-recipe-giveaway

Lisa, Mommyality: http://www.mommyality.com/2012/05/lawrys-chicken-summer-dinnertising-and-you

Louise, MomStart: http://momstart.com/2012/05/lawrys-dinnertisement-santa-fe-chili-marinade-recipe-lawrysmoms

Melanie, Modern Mami: http://www.modernmami.com/recipes/tilapia-fish-recipe-garlic-rosemary-white-wine

Natalie, Mommy of a Monster & Twins: http://mommyofamonster.com/2012/05/grilled-mozzarella-stuffed-chicken-recipe.html

Nicki, The Home Guru: http://www.nickiwoo.com/2012/05/memorial-day-meal-santa-fe-oven-fajitas.html

Rachel, Following in my Shoes: http://followinginmyshoes.com/my-recipes/rustic-new-potato-and-bean-salad

http://followinginmyshoes.com/giveaways/getting-kids-excited-for-dinner-with-lawrys-dinnertisements-giveaway

Renee, Cutie Booty Cakes: http://cutiebootycakes.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-pasta-with-lawrys-and-giveaway.html

Sarah, Sarah’s Cucina Bella: http://sarahscucinabella.com/2012/05/25/avocado-cilantro-and-lime-rice-with-santa-fe-chili-london-broil-and-a-giveaway

Sarah, Sunnyside Up: http://www.sarahrosemary.com/2012/05/22/dinnertising-with-lawrys

http://www.sarahrosemary.com/2012/05/29/dinnertising-with-lawrys-herb-and-white-wine-chicken-salad

Shannon, Potamus Prefers: http://potamusprefers.net/2012/05/25/lawrys-introduces-flavors-lawrysmoms

Tammy, Tammy’s Two Cents: http://www.tammystwocents.com/2012/05/dinnertising-with-lawrys-so-much-fun

Tricia, Once a Month Mom: http://onceamonthmom.com/dinnertising-lawrys-grilled-mozzarella-stuffed-chicken-giveaway

Wendy, Around My Family Table: http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/05/shrimp-and-bacon-kabobs

Here’s how to to create a Dinnertisement and enter to win on the blogs:

1) Visit www.dinnertising.com

2) On the right hand side, click the sign that reads “Create Your Own Dinnertisement Now”

3) Click on the sign that reads “Choose a Recipe & Get Started!”

4) Click on the dishes to see a variety of recipes

5) Select the recipe you like best and then click the arrow that reads “Next Step”

6) Select the theme you like best and then click the arrow that reads “Next Step”

7) Upload your photo by clicking the sign that reads “Click to upload”

8) Enter your family name and click enter

9) Read the consent and click the arrow that reads “Yes, I Do Agree”

10) Watch the video and at the end of the Dinnertisement, click on the envelope to email the link to yourself.

11) Copy and paste the link to your Dinnertisement in the comments section of one of the above blog posts to be entered to win the Rachael Ray Stoneware giveaway!

Good luck!

Happy Mother’s Day!!!!!

May 12, 2012 by Cooper

We wish everyone a beautiful weekend to celebrate YOU.

In honor of the downtime and relaxation you will be doing, we offer a couple fun Mother’s Day musings for your enjoyment!

Hugs to all of you! Have a fabulous day!

Excerpt from Anna Quindlen’s book, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake called “Advice to My Younger Self”

The Last Mother’s Day by Timothy Egan

The Mouthy Housewives, Motherhood in Six Words

Make your own Mother’s Day Fantasy Video via MomsRising

Who’s Mother’s Day is it? From Motherlode

Are Dad’s the New Moms? from The Wall Street Journal

How to Show Appreciation on Mother’s Day from Crappy Pictures

Awkward Family Photos Mother’s Day Slide Show

Baby animals and their moms from Daily Beast

Happy Mother’s Day!

Get your grill going! Live Talk from a celebrity chef’s backyard grill

April 3, 2012 by Cooper

Hi everyone!

Please join us on Thursday, April 5 for a delish and delightful virtual cooking school class called Firing Up the Grill: New Recipes, Flavors and Ingredients to Kick-Start Barbeque Season. The class is part of the Cooking Connections series on The Motherhood.

When: Thursday, April 5, at 1 p.m. ET. It will last 30 minutes.

Where: TheMotherhood – here is where the class will be held

About the class: It’s been a warm spring, giving us a head start on grilling season! Join celebrity chef George Duran, coming to us via live video feed from his own backyard, as he shares his top grilling techniques and new flavor twists on old favorites.

Giveaway! We are also giving away two summer grilling gift baskets for class participation – don’t miss out! There are TWO methods of entry if you’d like to get involved:

1) post your own idea for a hot dog or hamburger recipe in the text chat on this page. You must use one of these required ingredients in your recipe: Hebrew National, Ro*Tel, Hunt’s Ketchup, Hunt’s Canned Tomatoes, Gulden’s Mustard or Wolf Chili.

2) go to ReadySetEat.com, pick a recipe you’d like to try the next time you grill or host a barbecue, and post the name of the recipe in the text chat on this page.

The class is sponsored by ReadySetEat.com and ConAgra Foods, and it is hosted by TheMotherhood. We’ve got a great group of co-hosts, who will be sharing their own yummy grilling recipes and tips. JOIN US!

Amy, Cajun Inspired Living, http://amybayliss.com/
Caryn, Rockin’ Mama, http://rockinmama.net/
Faith, An Edible Mosaic, http://www.anediblemosaic.com/
Jennifer, Mom Spotted, http://momspotted.com/
Kate, Stolen Moments Cooking, http://stolenmomentscooking.com/
Kelly, Kansas City Mamas, http://www.kansascitymamas.com/
Lisa, Life with Lisa, http://www.lifewithlisa.com/
Monet, Anecdotes and Apple Cores, http://anecdotesandapples.weebly.com
Vanessa, The Sew*er, The Caker, The Copycat-Maker, http://sewcakemake.blogspot.com/
Victoria, Veep Veep, http://www.veepveep.com/

Join us for a Tweet Chat with the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance on March 21st at 8 pm ET

March 20, 2012 by Cooper

This week we’ll be co-hosting an informative and interesting Tweet Chat with the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to discuss where food comes from, consumer issues, responsible farming and any questions you might have.

We will be joined by a real-life farmer/rancher, Jeff Fowle (@JeffFowle), to provide additional insights into how farmers work to improve the way they produce food.

We hope you’ll join us. Here are the details:

When: Wednesday, March 21, 8 – 9 p.m. ET

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #FoodD hashtag to track the conversation.

Hashtag: #FoodD

Prizes: USFRA will give away six total prizes – five skillets (one every 10 minutes) and a grand prize (a set of pots and pans) at the end of the Twitter party. Winners will be chosen randomly from among participants who respond correctly to trivia questions.

Hosts: @USFRA, @JeffFowle, @mombloggersclub & @theMotherhood

RSVP here!

If you are new to Tweet Chats (also known as Twitter Parties):

1) Join Twitter by signing up for a free account

2) Follow the party hosts: @USFRA, @JeffFowle, @mombloggersclub, @theMotherhood

3) Search for the party hashtag to follow the conversation: #FoodD (and be sure to type #FoodD at the end of every tweet you post during the party, so your tweet is “filed” into the conversation)

4) Use a free program, like Tweetgrid, to help you follow all the action. Here is an example of how Tweetgrid could help you follow the USFRA Tweet Chat (you’ll need to sign into your Twitter account to be able to post)

Other info: USFRA’s Facebook page

We’ll be joined by a fantastic line-up of blogger co-hosts. Be sure to follow them!

Amy of Grinning Cheek to Cheek, @GrinCheek2Cheek
Angela of Untrained Housewife, @UntrainedHW
Anne of Upstate Ramblings, @lunaj1456
Becca of Mama B Blog, @mamabmy
Connie of Brain Foggles, @ConnieFoggles
Lisa of New York Chica, @NewYorkChica
Liz of A Nut in a Nutshell, @blueviolet
Jenn of Frugal Upstate, @JennFowler
Karen of 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires, @_Karen
Stefany of To Be Thode, @ToBeThode

About USFRA

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is a coalition of more than 70 farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners who have come together to open a conversation about how our food is grown and raised.

It marks the first time farming and ranching groups at the national, regional and state levels, and our partners, have collaborated to lead the dialogue and answer Americans’ questions about how we raise our food.

American farmers and ranchers are stewards of the environment who responsibly care for our land, our animals, and our communities.

We believe in farming and ranching that is sustainable, and that continuously improves the health of our planet and grows strong American businesses.

Most important, USFRA is committed to solutions that provide healthy choices for people everywhere.

The stories and experiences of real farmers and ranchers are often left out of the conversations happening around America about food – USFRA is committed to helping consumers connect with farmers and ranchers to enrich the information available.

About Food Dialogues

The USFRA Food Dialogues program involves public forums, local and national events, and an ongoing discussion on the website – all with the goal of creating an open conversation.

The Food Dialogues website is managed by USFRA and was created to answer Americans’ questions about how our food is grown and raised.

USFRA hopes to bring together differing viewpoints on farming and ranching and the future of food to solve our most challenging problems.

Anyone is welcomed to post comments, participate in online conversations, and use hash tag #FoodD to join in the Food Dialogues discussion.

Navigating Hypothyroidism: Update

March 1, 2012 by Cooper

Thank you everyone for your amazing comments, ideas and feedback on my post last week about the (not so) joys of being hypothyroid. I have learned so much in such a short time from all of you. Once again, magic of the internet prevails! Thank you!

This week I’m underway with several of your recommendations and have found some great suggestions through some of the research I’ve been doing, too:

1) Eliminated Gluten. Oh I do miss a warm baguette. But I’m on day five of eating no gluten – and the one big thing I’ve noticed is I’m not itchy! It wasn’t until you guys posted in the comments about gluten last week that I wondered if maybe it was gluten that made me so itchy around mealtime. Isn’t that crazy?

2) Increased thyroid-friendly veggies and cut out most sugar. Loving asparagus, avocado, greens, sauteed spinach, and lean proteins like chicken breast and flank steak. Lots of salads and steamed veggies mostly this week, and hummus and veggies are my “after school” snack of yumminess. My husband was not so wild about the rather dry ground turkey meatloaf, but he’ll get used to it.

3) No coffee or wine (for now!) I thought a little detox would be helpful so green tea is my morning cup of sunshine this week! I do miss my evening vino, but I’ve replaced it with a cup of lovely chamomile tea. I’m definitely sleeping better these days.

4) More water! I’m taking a big, huge glass of water to work every morning (with a slice of lemon in it – makes me feel fancy) and then filling it up through the day. And, yes, I’m constantly going to the ladies room.

5) Exercise. The dog is thrilled, he and I have been taking long walks everyday. Next week I’m thinking “gym” and walks with my pup.

I also bought some new things at the grocery store like almond butter and coconut oil. I keep reading that coconut oil is a super food, metabolic, etc. so why not! I’ll keep you posted if it gives me super powers.

Taking a first step has put a spring in mine and I have all of you to thank.

If you have any gluten-free resources or ideas, let me know and I’ll post them here. Also, any other links you’d like to share link them in the comments and I’ll share in my update next week!

Hugs! It’s a start!