Home Maid Simple

Tag: food

Fiesta to Feed Families and Twitter Party #Fiesta4Kids

*This post is sponsored by Champions for Kids and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own*

Giving back to our community is something I am extremely passionate about. So when The Motherhood reached out and asked if I could help spread the word on Simple service to help kids get the nutrition they need, I had to jump on board.

See, over the years we’ve periodically had to rely on the help of others to put food on our table. It’s frustrating, full of tears, and extremely humbling. It is also a wonderful experience to allow others to have the opportunity to serve. You see service does not just benefit those being served; it serves the givers as well.

Even when you don’t have a lot, it doesn’t take much to give back to others. Which is the message we’re sharing today. It’s SIMPLE! Want to know just how simple? Let me tell you about our Taco Party.

I used Facebook to let all my friends know we were having a Taco Party. Usually people will ask if they can contribute anything to the meal, so this time, instead of asking our guests to contribute to our meal, I requested they bring some non-perishable items to be donated to our local food bank.

So simple, plus for many this was even cheaper than contributing to our meal. Our friends, even though I know many of them are on limited incomes as well, simply went through their cupboards and brought cans and boxes of food they most likely would not be eating. You know we all have some of those. Some families brought a small bag of goods, others brought multiple bags full. It was truly a wonderful thing to see.

Thanks to Jennie-O we had a delicious Taco Bar set up so through out the party everyone could get fill their plates as needed. Truly the night could not have been more simple to throw together. We did it open house style, since our apt is fairly small and we were planning on around 50 people – both adults and kids.

Friday morning, the kids and I headed out to the Provo Food Bank – find your local food bank – to drop off the many bags our friends and family willingly shared with us. We had about 6 grocery bags full of canned vegetables, soups, tuna, pastas, meal kits, and peanut butter.

I wasn’t entirely sure who to talk to when we arrived, since the inside was just like a large warehouse. But we found a bell to ring, and someone came out and helped us get the food inside to the correct bin. Before he left though, I asked if he would take a moment and tell the kids what exactly they do with all the food that is donated, and how it helps.

Bless her little heart, while the worker was talking, Princess V pulled out her wallet and donated some coins. When it comes to giving to others in true need, this girl is always forefront in helping out. He then let the girls all grab a small box of food and try out the night time drop off chute. They thought that was a ton of food seeing the food drop into the bin after dropping it through the chute.

What kind of Simple Service will you do?

Join us for ideas and kid friendly recipes at a TWITTER PARTY

When: Tuesday, June 24th at 1pm ET

Hashtag: #Fiesta4Kids

Sponsor: @Champions4Kids

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @theMotherhood25, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann

Prizes: 5 $25 Walmart Gift cards and coupons for Jennie-O products

So what are you waiting for?! RSVP to the party

June 21, 2014
Cheeseburgers with Kraft and Blippar #SayCheeseburger #shop

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. #SayCheeseburger

Have you ever been wandering around Walmart, knowing you need groceries to fill your semi empty fridge, and knowing you should probably have a plan for dinner…but it was a crazy weekend, so you never actually did your meal planning?

Yeah me too. Frequently it seems these days.

Then I heard about the Blippar and Kraft Cheeseburger App. Problem solved! I just need to grab some Kraft Cheese, scan it using Blippar, and then view the many different recipes for Great American Bacon Cheeseburgers. A quick view at the key ingredients, and I could pick up everything I needed while still at the store, and then head home for a quick but delicious meal of cheeseburgers!

Easy Peasy! Just Blip it and Grill it!

Don’t those look amazing? I loved that I can get everything I need, from a simple scan with my phone over a package of cheese. Sounds too simple doesn’t it? Let me walk you through it. I’ll be honest, it did take me a little bit to figure out the app, but that’s possibly because I’m still learning how to use my smartphone.

So first you’ll want to download the Blippar app. It is a free download, and works with apple, android, blackberry or windows device. Once you’ve got the app, head out to Walmart and search for Kraft Cheese products.

Now that you’ve found the cheese, pull out the Blippar app, and give it a scan. HINT: Make sure there are no big glares from the lights, it will recognize the cheese a bit faster.

Once it recognizes the cheese, the Kraft Cheeseburger App will load. Recipes ideas, a place to take a picture with Brad Paisley, and an area to claim some Paisley Points will pull up. Choose what you want to do, and use the arrows on each page to navigate between menus.

You did always want to take a picture with Brad right? I had Princess V hold some cheese while I took a picture, but didn’t tell her that Brad would be with her. Her response when I showed her the picture –

“MOM! Who’s that? They weren’t there! How did they get in the picture?”

The app makes it really easy to share you picture with Brad for all your friends to see as well. Come on, you know you want to! Don’t forget to claim your Paisley Points after purchasing the Kraft Cheese. You can win tickets to a Brad Paisley concert, signed merchandise, and more just by uploading your receipts to the app.

What kind of Cheeseburger will you Blip this summer?

June 9, 2014
Foodie Friday Featuring Memories By the Mile

I would love it if you took a moment to visit my co-host Diane at Simple Living and Eating.

If you’re new to Foodie Friday, here’s the run down

1. Link up your recipe or any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, no spamming involved. Sign up over there ——>

Next Friday is newsletter day!

Just a fun little update on me – this week my parents gifted me a ticket to visit my brother in New Hampshire. So for one week I get to go hang out with my nephew and nieces (and their awesome parents), before they move to Belgium. YAY!

And on that note – in an effort to continue reconnecting with each other, despite the distance between us all, we’ve started a Video Blog…err Vlog! You can come view us in real life time at The Greene Grass Grows. We get silly, serious, and maybe a little boring at times if you’re not part of our family. Most updates will happen every Saturday there.

And the mention of that leads into why I chose our featured blogger this week – my baby brother has challenged us to eat something spicy once a week. He must think we’re wimps or something. So I’m on a search for spicy recipes – hook me up!

This weeks Featured Blogger

Wanda Ann has been sharing recipes with us on Foodie Friday for quite some time now. She also hosts her own Treasure Box Tuesday link party that you should all join in if you’re not already. A fun fact you may not know about Wanda Ann – she is a mother, grandmother, but also a truck driver! Together with her husband they travel the country making Memories by the Mile.

Last week Wanda Ann shared her recipe for Chipotle Turkey Wrap. It of course caught my eye as something I need to try for this spicy challenge. It sounds like it’s got the right amount of heat but in a wrap so it’s perfect for summer. I’ve been browsing Memories by the Mile for more spicy recipes to share with you, and hopefully inspire you to try a little more spice as well. Here’s what I’ve found –

Chipotle Turkey Wrap

Smoked Jalapeno Avocado Cucumber Relish

Santa Fe Turkey Burger

Connect with Memories by the Mile

Facebook * Google+ * Instagram

Most clicked on recipes from last week:

#1 Wanda Ann’s Chipotle Turkey Wrap

#2 Pear Tart from Living the Gourmet

#3 Healthy Potato Salad from Simply Fresh Dinners

An InLinkz Link-up

May 30, 2014
Foodie Friday Featuring Mothers Day Recipes

I would love it if you took a moment to visit my co-host Diane at Simple Living and Eating.

If you’re new to Foodie Friday, here’s the run down

1. Link up your recipe or any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, no spamming involved. Sign up over there ——>

This week I’m featuring some recipes for Mom’s day. If you’re a mom, share this with your kids and husband and let them know what you want, but then sit back and let them take over the kitchen this Sunday.

Start Mom’s day out with these delicious looking Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze from Cook with Sara

Add an OREO Overload Milkshake from Love Bakes Good Cakes for the perfect chocolate fix Mom needs.

Or perhaps your mom would like to start her day out with this Mixed Fruit Crumble from Living the Gourmet.

For dinner treat Mom to some Garlic Parmesan grilled Chicken Wings from This Silly Girl’s Life

She’s also got a fabulous looking Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.

Finally end mom’s night right with a a little sweetness from this 4 ingredient Strawberry-Kiwi Sorbet from Family Food Friends.

How are you celebrating Mothers Day?

An InLinkz Link-up

May 9, 2014
Foodie Friday Featuring Rustic Peach

I would love it if you took a moment to visit my co-host Diane at Simple Living and Eating.

If you’re new to Foodie Friday, here’s the run down

1. Link up your recipe or any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, no spamming involved. Sign up over there ——>

April’s issue is out this Friday!!

This weeks Feature is

Liz is the owner, writer, baker and photographer behind the Rustic Peach blog. When I visit the Rustic Peach I feel transported in time to simpler days, where family and good food are the main focus of every day.

Take a look see, and enjoy these delicious pics, then head to over to Rustic Peach for the recipes.

Korean Style Fried Chicken

Malaysian Cake

An InLinkz Link-up

May 2, 2014
Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop!

This hop is hosted by I am a Reader and Read now Sleep Later.

I have been so excited for this giveaway my friends because I am bringing you gift certificates for TWO of my favorite things in life – Food, and Book related stuff! Exciting right? We need food to live, but books make living so much better. With spring finally showing up, that usually means a little crazier schedule as we try to catch some sun. Hopefully this giveaway will give you a little time back to enjoy the more important things in life – like family. So enough suspense, let’s welcome these sponsors.

Schwans! I met Myesha (love her name) at a Home and Garden show a month ago. She was so friendly to talk to. I told her the story of how as a kid, one of the most exciting times for us was when the Schwans Man came driving up our driveway (it was a long drive..). Living in the backwoods of NH, we didn’t get an ice cream truck, and I believed they were just in stories and movies (until I moved to UT and actually saw one, and bought ice cream from one…). To us, the Schwans Man WAS our ice cream truck. My mom would sit down with him in our living room, look through the catalogue he brought, check out the weeks specials, make an order, and bam – there it was, in his truck all ready for her.

FlASHBACK!

My older brother, and my baby sister and brother hanging out on the Schwans truck.

Currently Schwans offers over 350 products flash frozen at the peak of freshness. As a mother myself now, I placed my first Schwans order last week online (oh the days have changed) of Bomb Pop Jr Frozen treats and the LiveSmart Creme Bars, and it arrived Monday night. Of course I couldn’t help myself, and while our Schwans man was at the door we went ahead and ordered some raspberry lemonade and pecan pie. It took all of 2 minuted for him to grab those out of his truck and be back at our door. Freshness delivered to me – I could get use to this! Plus Schwans has a reward system now! 5% back online for every order placed. Sweet deal.

Along with the Giveaway today Myesha has more savings for you when you visit www.schwans.com

myesha2 for $5 off a $25 order or $10 off a $50 order.

or

myesha15 for $15 off a $75 order

Our next sponsor is one I’ve been crushing over for awhile. When they said they would love to be part of this giveaway, I was like a giddy school girl. GoneReading is THE place to shop for all your reading accessories and gifts for readers. Not only can you find some pretty awesome products, like Oh these Open Book Platters that you can serve up your Schwans on, but all after tax profits go to fund libraries and reading related charities! And there you go – my 3rd favorite thing in this world, doing good for others with no expectation back for you.

FYI – you all should totally follow my Book Stuff board on Pinterest.

Now on to the real fun part!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Enter on the rafflecopter below.

Must be 18+ and live in the US

Giveaway ends April 24th at midnight. Winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

**As of posting this there seems to be a problem with the GoneReading website. Hopefully it’s just my computer, but if not, I’m working on figuring it out**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now HOP on to the rest of these awesome giveaways!

April 17, 2014
Cilantro and Beets – what to cook

*this post is not sponsored and does not contain affiliate links*

A couple weeks ago we went to a Home and Garden Show. I love going to these shows and seeing all the local and national home products. They give me some great ideas to share with you, and for my own home. At the last one Mark and I decided to sign up with Winder Farms. We always debate over them because we are in love with their juice, but weren’t sure the prices were worth it.

I’ve also been thinking about signing up with Bountiful Baskets for weekly produce. Mark and I decided to start with Winder because it means I don’t have to get up early on Saturdays to go pick up my produce, since Winder delivers it directly to my doorstep. I’m still not sure the price difference is worth it, but I am pretty excited about the new produce we’re getting to try.

For example – last week we got 2 large bundles of Cilantro and today there was a yellow and red beet in the box. Two ingredients I don’t use frequently in my cooking. So what did I do? I headed to Foodie Friday and found some recipes from my favorite bloggers – You guys!

Vegan Cilantro and Black Bean Chili

I actually just made a chili last night and added cilantro to it…YUMMY!

Orange Cilantro Dressing

Lisa also shares a Southwest Chicken Salad to serve this on.

Beet Salad with Lemon and Mint

This looks like the perfect way to try Beets for the first time.

Beets with Skordalia

Another simple way to prepare beets.

Beet Pancakes

You will never guess the secret ingredient that make these pancakes! I really want to give these a try asap.

How do you eat your beets and cilantro?

March 31, 2014
Foodie Friday Featuring Cooking on the Front Burner

Welcome back to Foodie Friday.

I would love it if you took a moment to visit my co-host Diane at Simple Living and Eating.

If you’re new to Foodie Friday, here’s the run down

1. Link up your recipe or any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

It’s a new month and that means another Foodie Friday Newsletter!! If you are not signed up to receive the monthly newsletter, you can do that over there —->
Recipes with the most clicks from each week during the month are featured in the newsletter, plus any food related posts you may have missed here on Home Maid Simple.

This weeks Feature

Deb is the blogger behind Cooking on the Front Burner. While reading about her food journey, I was taken back to my mothers kitchen and the well used and loved Joy of Cooking cookbook – the first cookbook Deb purchased when she moved to college.

I love visiting Cooking on the Front Burner each week as Deb shares some tantalizing recipes with photo’s that almost let you taste the food! Just take a look at these Limoncello Cupcakes, Lemon Chicken Stew, and Minty Shamrock Cheeseball!

Limoncello Cupcakes

Lemon Chicken Stew

Minty Shamrock Cheeseball

Please take a moment and say Hi to Deb! You can find her on these social media outlets

Facebook * Pinterest * Instagram

An InLinkz Link-up

March 7, 2014
Taco Salad in Home Made Tortilla Bowls
So we’re lying in bed one night, and Mark turns to me, and says “Taco Salad”.

That’s all it took. I had recently gone shopping and filled our vegetable drawer to overflowing, so I had everything on hand for the salad. I just needed to figure out the tortilla bowls.

I thought about going out and purchasing some premade bowls, or seeing if I could just bake the premade flour tortillas into a bowl shape, but why make it easy? I decided to pull out an old favorite for homemade tortillas, but instead of frying them on the stove, to bake them over a bowl in the oven.

Yum! Besides being extremely simple, the kids loved the tortilla bowls, and I think managed to eat some vegetables with their dinner. I debated putting radishes in since it’s not something you find in a normal taco salad, but I couldn’t resist their pretty red color.
Taco Salad in Homemade Tortilla Bowls

2016-02-11 08:00:12

Taco Salad tossed in homemade tortilla bowls with choice of dressing.

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Ingredients

1 batch of dough for home made flour tortillas – http://bit.ly/1Q9ymXP

1/2 cup iceberg lettuce, chopped

1/2 cup Romaine Lettuce, chopped

1 tomato, chopped

1 radish, sliced and quartered

1 TBS chopped olives

2 TBS Black Beans

Dressing of your choice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Roll out the dough, and drape across an overturned, oven-safe bowl** sprayed lightly with cooking spray.

Pinch around the edges to make some nice creases in your shell.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Prep your vegetable while the bowls are baking.

When removing the shells from the bowl, gently slide a knife between the shell and the bowl to loosen, and then carefully flip it off.

Toss ingredients gently together inside shell.

Drizzle with your favorite dressing*** and enjoy.

Notes

*Will make up to 12 shells. Salad ingredients are for one salad.

**I used an overturned muffin tin and draped it across 4 muffin wells.

***In the photo’s I was using Poppyseed dressing, but I also enjoy this with Kraft’s Sun dried Tomato Dressing. Absolutely delicious no matter your preference. My kids preferred ranch. If you’re looking for more of a traditional taco flavor, toss it with a scoop of sour cream, and leave off the dressing

By Home Maid Simple

Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
Grab the recipe for Flour Tortillas.

Enjoy!
March 3, 2014
What saved my sanity? and a Giveaway to save yours!
*The Del Monte products, information, gift pack, and gift card have been provided by Del Monte*

Del Monte fruit cups and Fruit Burst Squeezers saved my sanity.

If you have a child that eats non stop….like seriously NON.STOP. The kind that isn’t quite 2 years old and yet knows how to get the cheese out of the fridge and a knife out of the knife block to cut the cheese…non stop eater. You know what I’m talking about.

Prince L is that kind of eater. If I’m not playing trains with him – and let’s face it, there’s not much variety to saying chugachugachoochoo – then I can almost guarantee he’s in the kitchen trying to find something to eat.

I love giving him fresh fruit, and he’ll eat carrots too, but he will not wait for me to prep food. If it takes longer than me picking it up and handing it to him there is usually screams, tears, or self preservation by getting whatever he wants out of the fridge…like maple syrup (don’t ask).

So to save my sanity, and his sanity and growing little body, I try to have quick snacks on hand. Unfortunately there isn’t much out there that is quick and also healthy. But Del Monte has us covered.

Now when Prince L is in his eating mood, I can quickly grab one of the squeezers from the cupboard or fridge if we decide to make them cold, and away he goes. He loves taking the lid with him too, and twisting it back on when he’s not currently eating the goodness.

I still feel like he’s getting great nutrition but we get to avoid the meltdowns and little boy knife antics (yes I should probably put the blog up even higher). We are becoming much more conscious of what’s in our food, especially packaged products like Del Monte. When I read through the ingredients though, I know we’re good.

Just check out what’s in the Peach-Mango Fruit Burst Fruit+Veggie Squeezer:
- Peach-Mango: Pear puree concentrate, water, pumpkin juice concentrate, peach puree concentrate, pear juice concentrate, carrot juice concentrate, carrot puree, mango puree concentrate, natural flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid.
We use the fruit cups in Princess V’s lunchbox. Since they are sealed I don’t have to worry about leaking fruit in a tupperware. Have you ever had to clean applesauce out of a lunchbox, or strawberry juice? Not.Fun.

Since she is my picky eater, and rarely eats anything, I know the Del Monte is providing her a healthy side to her lunch that she also enjoys. Saving my sanity on both her health and from sticky messes.

Keep up with Del Monte on Social Media

Pinterest * Twitter * Facebook

Giveaway!

Del Monte wants to send one of you 2 free product coupons so you can try the Fruit Burst Squeezers and Fruit Cups as well. Plus they’re throwing in a $25 Walmart gift card!!

Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. It is in no way affiliate with facebook, twitter, or any other social media outlets. Giveaway is shipped by sponsor. Must be 18+ to enter. All entries will be verified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
February 16, 2014