Celebrate Pets with American Girl Magazine

American Girl Magazine is celebrating furry, fluffy, feathered, finned, four-legged friends -- basically any kind of animal that girls love -- with their We ❤ Animals issue for March and April.  It couldn't have come at a better time, since April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.  In addition, March 23 is National Puppy Day and April 26 is National Kids and Pets Day!  Here's a sneak peek at what's inside:

* A true story about how 12 year old Brooke and her wild mustang, Jacuzzi
* 13 horse posters
* Tips for taking great pet photos
* How to make a menagerie of sea creatures out of clay (The Pea really wants to try this!)
* Cute photos of readers' pets
* Fun quizzes: what animal best represents your personality and style?
* Decorating ideas for animal cupcakes
* Recipes for animal-themed dishes like Animal Crackers, Monkey Bread Muffins, Pigs in a Blanket, Birdseed Bars and more.

Today we treated ourselves to the Grasshopper Shake.  It's cold and minty and oh-so-good, and the green color makes it perfect for St. Patrick's Day!  I've copied out the recipe for everyone to enjoy:

Grasshopper Shake
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups mint chocolate-chip ice cream
2 crushed chocolate-sandwich cookies (we used 3 Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies for extra minty-ness!)
chocolate syrup
whipped cream

Put milk and ice cream in a blender.  Ask an adult to blend until smooth.  Remove the pitcher from the blender, then stir in 2 crushed chocolate-sandwich cookies.  Before serving the shake, drizzle some chocolate syrup down the inside of a glass.  Pour the shake into the glass and top with whipped cream.  Serves 1-2.

Next up on our must-try list:  Frozen Purple Cow shake (made with vanilla ice cream and grape juice) and fun variations on the traditional Ants-on-a-log.  If your American Girl is an animal lover, this issue is a must!  You can buy the single issue online , or subscribe for the entire year.


Disclosure: I received a sample copy from American Girl Magazine for review.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Giveaway: Southern Living Complete Quick & Easy Cookbook review & giveaway

The holidays are always a busy time, and with everything that has to be done, home-cooked meals often suffer.  But they shouldn't!  With Southern Living Complete Quick & Easy Cookbook, you can choose the dishes you want to cook based on the time you have available -- 30, 20, or even 10 minutes from start to finish.

You'd never guess that dishes like these could be super fast to prepare:
Basil Okra 'n' Tomatoes
Sausage-Shrimp Gumbo Soup
Garlic Fried Chicken Breasts
Broccoli Cornbread Mini-Muffins
Apple Shortbread Crisp
Tortellini Carbonara

What's more, you'll be able to identify which recipes can be made ahead, and many of the meals only require you to use a single pan (less mess to clean up!).  It's the perfect cookbook for busy parents!

About the book
In this book, you'll find fast and fresh dishes, many of which can be made in 30, 20, or even 10 minutes or less, start to finish -- such as Sausage-Shrimp Gumbo Soup, Garlic Fried Chicken Breasts, and Broccoli Cornbread Mini-Muffins.

Recipes are rigorously tested by the Southern Living Test Kitchen for convenience and variety. Enjoy quick and easy classics such as Chicken Parmesan, with a crispy crust topped with melted cheese, that you can have on the table in only 24 minutes; Tortellini Carbonara, a one-dish meal with a 5-minute prep time that dirties only one pan; and Apple Shortbread Crisp, with apples baked beneath a buttery shortbread cookie topping, that takes just 7 minutes to prepare.


Win a copy of this cookbook
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a copy of the Southern Living Complete Quick & Easy Cookbook.


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me your kid's (or your) favorite quick and easy dish.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1)  Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

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I entered the Southern Living giveaway!

6) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once a day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Enter to win a Southern Living Complete Quick & Easy Cookbook! Giveaway ends Nov. 26 at http://ow.ly/eZngg #giveaways

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on November 26, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on November 27 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.



Disclosure: I received a sample copy of the Southern Living Complete Quick & Easy Cookbook. Review copy and giveaway prize copy are provided by YC Media. Product information (in italics) is provided by YC Media. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Enter the 45th Pillsbury Bake-Off (and a giveaway for you!)

I love cooking contests; Food Network Challenge, Iron Chef and Cupcake Wars are some of my favorite television shows. I'm just in awe of how the contestants perform under pressure, and of course I enjoy looking at their amazing creations. All the Food Network contestants seem to be professionals, but there even amateur cooks can win big at the original original cooking challenge, the Pillsbury Bake-Off. They contest is now on its 45th Bake-Off, and they are now accepting recipe submissions! Just think, that red velvet cake you made for your kids' birthday could win you a million dollars. This is one cooking contest I sure hope will be televised, because I can't wait to watch it and try out all the winning recipes! Here's more information about the 45th Pillsbury Bake-Off: Calling all home cooks! Do you have a million dollar recipe idea? The 45th Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest is open for entries and one simple recipe idea could help you take home the dough! Pillsbury is looking for original recipes that taste and look delicious, are easy to prepare and that families across America will love to eat. Consumers can submit recipes in one of four recipe categories: * Breakfast & Brunches * Entertaining Appetizers * Dinner Made Easy(TM) * Sweet Treats Entries are being accepted online between now and April 18, 2011, at www.bakeoff.com. One hundred lucky finalists will compete for a chance at the grand prize during the contest finals, which take place March 25-27, 2012 at the Peabody Orlando Hotel in Florida. You´ll also find contest details, including eligible products, prizes and the official rules, on the web site. Win a Pillsbury Bake-Off prize pack One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Pillsbury Bake-Off® gift pack that includes a Pillsbury Bake-Off® apron, recipe book and pen. Required Entry Leave a comment on this post and share your favorite Pillsbury Bake-Off® recipe , or which Pillsbury Bake-Off® recipe you'd most like to try. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count. Extra Entries For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.). 1) Grab my blog button and post it up on your blog (1 entry). 2) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates (1 entry). 3) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Networked Blogs (1 entry). 4) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry). 5) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet): Enter to win a Pillsbury bake-off prize pack on @bonggafinds http://www.bonggafinds.com #giveaways #myblogspark 6) Join any of the giveaways currently running on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for each giveaway you've joined). The Rules This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on February 15 , 2011; I will draw a winner at random on February 16 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a prize pack identical to the one being offered as a giveaway. Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Pillsbury for providing both prize packs! Contest information is provided by the Pillsbury and is clearly indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Ann Clark Cookie Cutters

I'm sad that Halloween is over, but the good news is that the Holiday Season is here! Pretty soon we'll be having lots of get-togethers with friends: glitzy cocktail parties, cozy morning get-togethers with tea or hot cocoa, cookie baking parties, and of course, big family get-togethers filled with food and fun.

All these upcoming holiday parties give me a great excuse to bake lots and lots of cookies, which I really enjoy because cookies are fun to bake and even more fun to eat. In past years I've stuck to bar cookies or drop cookies because I've always found cut-out cookies too "fiddly". But at the beginning of this year I had a cookie epiphany: making cut-out cookies can be fun and easy if you have 3 things:

* a good recipe
* parchment paper
* rolling pin rings

Over the last month I've discovered a fourth item to add to that list: a good cookie cutter that cuts cleanly and lifts easily. Ann Clark Ltd., "The Cookie Cutter People From Vermont", sent me an assortment of their classic tin cookie cutters to try out for my holiday baking, and I've seen the light!


The Basics
Ann Clark Ltd. is the largest cookie cutter company in the gift industry. They produce a broad product line of handcrafted cookie cutters and associated giftware. Cookie cutters retail for $3.99-$6.99, and gift sets start at about $7.99. You can buy them online at www.annclark.com or at gift shops, cooking/baking stores, gourmet shops and bookstores nationwide.


The Bongga
I am loving these Ann Clark cookie cutters! They are so much better than my plastic cookie cutters. They cut the dough really well, and they lift right out without sticking -- I don't even need to flour the dough or the cookie cutter! The bigger cookie cutters have handles so kids can grasp them easily and push down firmly without touching the dough. I think these cookie cutters are very cleverly designed: there are no long, skinny edges or anything too complicated that might break off or stick to the cookie cutter, yet the designs manage to convey exactly what they're supposed to be: for example, a moose head actually looks like a moose head, and not a whale's tail! And speaking of designs, the variety they have is staggering.

Thanks to Ann Clark, I've been baking up a storm all October with just these two shapes -- the Haunted House and the Ghost. All month long I've been using these cookies to celebrate the season -- at our Halloween party, for the kids' class Halloween parties, and for playdates. I even gave every member on 3Po and Jammy's soccer team a little frosted ghost cookie to take home after their soccer game on October 30. Everyone thought the cookies were adorable, and they tasted amazing.
The Haunted House cookie cutter makes a cookie that's about 5 inches tall; it's part of a set that also includes a smaller Ghost cookie cutter and a recipe for sugar cookies and icing (every cookie cutter comes with those two recipes so you can start baking right away).


Speaking of recipes, Ann Clark's basic sugar cookie recipe is worth its weight in gold (or butter) -- it's simple, it stands up well to the kids' vigorous mixing/mashing/rolling efforts, it rolls and cuts into shapes quite nicely (as long as you chill it for a little while before you start rolling and cutting), and it's so delicious you don't need to frost it. This recipe is so good, it has actually replaced my previous go-to recipe for cut-out cookies.

The kids have had so much fun cutting them out, and they look so festive. I'm still getting the hang of the frosting consistency, but they're so cute just the way they are, even my amateur decorating skills can't ruin them:

Ann Clark's cookie cutters have gotten me all excited about baking cut-out cookies once again. I can't wait to get started on my pumpkin and turkey-shaped cookies!

The Blah
I have absolutely no complaints about these Ann Clark cookie cutters -- the only thing I would love would be instructions on how to clean and care for them. Can they go in a dishwasher? Should they be hand-washed? Will they rust or discolor if they're not dried immediately? Should I oil them? It would be great if the tag that comes with the cookie cutter also includes this information along with the recipes.


The Bottom Line
Ann Clark cookie cutters make cookie baking easy and fun -- and with so many designs to choose from, they've got a cookie cutter for any occasion and theme!

Disclosure:I received an assortment of tin cookie cutters from Ann Clark, but was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by Ann Clark and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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New Disney Online Web Series: The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora

About a month ago I attended a blogger event to celebrate the launch of Disney Online's new web series, The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora. It has great recipes and cooking tips brought to you by Iron Chef Cat Cora and The Muppets. Each webisode is just like an episode of the Muppet Show, with hilarious appearances by Gonzo, Fozzie and other Muppets. They've even created a new chef muppet, Angelo, just for the series!

The event was held at the Professional Culinary Institute in Campbell, and rather than just chatting and sitting down to dinner, all the bloggers gathered in one of the Institute's test kitchens and cooked our own dinners. Bloggers were divided into groups and put in charge of making one item; each item was a recipe that can be found on The Muppets Kitchen website.

Dishes ranged from Greek Burger sliders to Thai Chicken spring rolls to Orzo Pasta to cold Watermelon Soup. We rushed around like we were contestants on the Food Network (fortunately no one dropped anything, and the chefs from the Professional Culinary Institute were extremely helpful, not pompous like Alton Brown or rude like Gordon Ramsey!) and got everything done in about an hour (which says wonders about how easy these recipes are).

My group was in charge of dessert: yummy Lemon Shortbread Cookies, made with lemon juice and lemon rind. We cut the cookies in rounds, but couldn't resist making three Mickey-shaped cookies just for us.

Every dish looked amazing, and tasted as good as it looked. Now that the holiday season is approaching, I'm definitely going to The Muppets Kitchen website to look up those dishes.

While we were pretending to be Food Network Challenge competitors, our kids were having some fun of their own, doing some arts and crafts, watching old Muppet Show reruns and assembling their own pizzas to eat for their dinner. Each of them received a kid-sized Muppets cooking apron (which was great, since they've outgrown the orange Home Depot aprons I got for free about 5 years ago!). They also took home a DVD of The Muppet Show, and they're now big Muppet fans (Alfie and I find it so amusing that our kids are now fans of Kris Kristofferson and Leo Sayer)!

I was so proud of my kids that night, because they didn't stick to their pizzas for dinner; rather, they tried each and every one of the dishes the grownups cooked. They loved the sliders, the watermelon soup and the thai chicken rolls -- which proves that the recipes on The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora can be enjoyed by both adults and kids.


Click here to see more photos from the event. Oh, and speaking of the Muppets, I just heard that there's a new Muppet Movie coming out in December 2011. Here's a sneak photo from the upcoming film:

Disclosure: My kids and I were treated to dinner and sent home with an assortment of promotional products. I was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Hellman's Real Food Project

Hellman's and Best Foods Mayonnnaise is following last holiday's Real Holiday Helpings Program with a great new site that features real meals and real food: The Real Food Project. Once again, Bobby Flay is providing how-to videos and great recipes.

If you find yourself tempted to break open that packet of ramen noodles because it's dinnertime and you're too tired to cook, STOP! Go visit the Real Food Project for simple but delicious recipes. I've tried making the Italian-Style Baked Crispy Chicken Breasts that I found in the recipes section, and they are so yummy -- and so easy to make! Next up on my list: Hellman's Dijon Pepper Tuna Cakes. There are even coupons you can print and prizes you could win.



Here's a description of the site:
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay and actress/mom Lori Loughlin have teamed up with Hellmann's® and Best Foods® Mayonnaise to unveil the Real Food Project on Hellmanns.com, a comprehensive online resource offering tips and ideas on how to create real meals made with Real Food.

Because videos are great for multi-tasking moms, The Real Food Project features a series of entertaining how-to tutorials, hosted by Bobby Flay, to give us tools and techniques to prepare great-tasting, at-home meals for our families. Just by visiting www.Hellmanns.com, you can access a wide range of recipes, including sandwiches, entrees and side dishes, all designed to please picky palates. There are even chances to win great prizes like a kitchen essentials bundle, Bobby Flay Grill It and Hellmann's® and Best Foods® products by playing the "Wheel of Real" instant win game and entering the Real Food Sweepstakes.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Hellmann's® prize package in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place. Unless clearly stated, the views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Betty Crocker Review and Giveaway

I do a lot of baking in the spring. First of all, there's Easter, with all the fun bunny cakes and Easter cupcakes that go with it. Then there's The Pea's birthday, so I have to bake up brownies or cupcakes for her to celebrate in class, plus more yummy stuff for her birthday party. And with the days getting longer and the mornings getting sunnier, I'm actually inspired to bake up casseroles and pancakes for brunch. My Blog Spark recently shared a great website with me, Betty Crocker's Bake Sweet Memories, that has lots of recipes, tips and coupons. They also sent me a great Betty Crocker Spring Prize Pack to inspire to bake even more yummy treats -- and they're offering one to give away too!


The Basics
This spring, Betty Crocker is making life a little sweeter with fun spring-themed recipes at BakeSweetMemories.com, and special sales on select Betty Crocker products at Safeway.

The Bongga
Bake Sweet Memories has some great recipes! I tried a couple of them, including one for Monkey Bread and this Impossibly Easy Breakfast Bake. My family has informed me that both are definite keepers. Check out the cheesy goodness of the breakfast bake:


Unfortunately I was not able to take a photo of the Monkey Bread because it got gobbled up before I could stop stuffing my mouth long enough to grab a camera. But I assure you, it was delicious.

My Blog Spark also sent me a coupon so I could try the Betty Crocker Warm Delights microwaveable brownie. I made this one while the kids were at school so I wouldn't have to share. It's so easy, just add water to the mix, pour it into the microwaveable bowl, squirt some frosting on top and microwave:


It turns out warm and delicious! For maximum presentation value I would scoop it out of the microwaveable plastic dish and serve it on proper dinnerware with vanilla ice cream, but I wanted to eat the thing right away and didn't want another plate to wash, so here's how it turned out:


Not quite as good as the regular Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix, but close, especially when you want to treat yourself and don't have a whole lot of time. Speaking of Betty Crocker fudge brownies, The Pea and her best friend swear I make the best brownies ever, which I find really funny because I actually use Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix. Shhh, don't tell them, okay, because I want to keep the good-cook credit, and I'm sure Betty C. wouldn't mind.


The Blah
I wish they would put more alternative preparation methods on their baking mix boxes, like using applesauce instead of oil for a low-fat version.

The Bottom Line
Betty Crocker cake and brownie mixes make baking fun and delicious treats so easy, you can focus on baking spring memories with your family instead of just baking cakes.



Save on Betty Crocker Mixes at Safeway!
Check out this awesome deal -- from March 24th through April 6th, visit the Safeway family of Stores to purchase Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake and Traditional Brownie Mixes at the special price of $0.69!

Even if you miss the sale, check BakeSweetMemories.com for great coupon offers that download right to your Safeway Club card.


Win a Betty Crocker Prize Pack!
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Betty Crocker "Spring Sweet Treats" prize pack that includes a silicon baking pan, stainless steel mixing bowl, oven mitt, Betty Crocker mixing spoon, and a $25 Safeway gift card.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite spring treat.

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following, (you can only do each extra entry once; please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Networked Blogs (leave a comment with your FB id).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(leave a comment with your Blogger profile name).

3) Tweet this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your tweet). Here is a sample tweet you can copy and paste:

Win a Betty Crocker Spring Treats prize pack - mixing bowl, pan, mitt, $25 Safeway giftcard - on @bonggafinds http://ow.ly/1uNqA #giveaway

Maximum of 4 entries per person. This giveaway ends at midnight PST on April 19, 2010; I will draw a winner at random on April 20 and post the winner's name as soon as the winner confirms acceptance. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Spring Treats prize pack and a VIP coupon for a free Betty Crocker product, as well as the Spring Treats prize pack for the giveaway, courtesy of Safeway and Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark, but was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Unless clearly stated, the views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Bead Studio

One activity my kids have always loved is stringing beads to create bracelets and necklaces. They started out with big, chunky plastic beads and pipe cleaners when they were toddlers, and now their fine motor skills are good enough to handle more grownup supplies like bead wire, seed beads, pliers and crimp beads. But they still like creating kiddie jewelry from good old plastic pony beads and yarn. So when I told them we'd be reviewing the Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Bead Studio from Jakks Pacific, they were pretty excited: it's an activity they love, plus they get to eat the results!

The Basics
The Girl Gourmet line of toys from Jakks Pacific lets girls create their own delicious cakes and sweets. Their Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Bead Studio comes with a beading compartment, candy stamps, frosting glue, edible ink markers, and enough candy string and beads to make 24 pieces of jewelry. You can find it at most major toys stores (ToysRUs, Target, Walmart, etc..) and online for $19.99. Here's a description of the toy from Girl Gourmet:

Girl Gourmet® Sweets™ brings you the hottest trend in food... edible jewelry! The Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Bead Studio™ set lets you customize your own fashionable and fun edible jewelry for you to enjoy or share with your friends.


The Bongga
Making candy necklaces and bracelets is such a fun activity, and this kit makes everything so easy! I like the fact that the kit takes the bead stringing concept one step further. Girls can really get creative by stamping designs on bigger beads with edible ink, or coating a bead in icing and sticking smaller candy pieces on it. Also, the tray really helps contain the mess because all the candy beads have a place to go. There's more than enough candy beads and string to make jewelry for half a dozen girls, so it's perfect for a party or sleepover -- in fact, The Pea took it to a sleepover last week; as you can imagine, she was quite the hit :)




The Blah
Even though it's the best tasting candy in the whole bunch, I kind of wish they had done away with the gummy string and just provided plain old elastic string instead. The gummy string is difficult to tie and it breaks way too easily. Plus, what parent wants all that sticky string rubbing on their kids' wrists and neck?


The Bottom Line
The Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Bead Studio would make a great present for a crafty little girl; it also makes a great sleepover or birthday party activity!

I received a sample in order to review this product, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Tiana's Cookbook: Recipes for Kids

Disney's new animated movie, The Princess and the Frog, opens tomorrow. I definitely want to watch this one, not just because I think no one does classic cartoon movies quite like Disney. I also think it will be interesting to see how Disney moves this fairytale from its traditional blond-princess, medieval/french rennaissance setting to Louisiana and the bayous. And I think it's great that The Princess and the Frog will help bring elements of Creole and African-American culture into young kids' consciousness.

To help us get jazzed up for the movie, Disney Consumer Products and Disney Press sent us a copy of Tiana's Cookbook: Recipes for Kids, along with a Princess and the Frog doll, some fun Princess and the Frog party goods and an apron. We had a grand time cooking up some of Tiana's recipes! Here's more about what I thought of the cookbook:


The Basics
Tiana's Cookbook: Recipes for Kids is Disney's latest movie-themed cookbook containing recipes from Princess Tiana's world that kids can make themselves. Here is what Disney Consumer Products and Disney Press have to say about the book and the movie:

Opening nationwide December 11, The Princess and the Frog is a magical fairytale set in New Orleans that marks Disney's return to musicals and the warmth and grandeur of 2D hand drawn animation. The film also introduces Disney's newest princess in more than 10 years, Princess Tiana. From the heart of Louisiana's mystical bayous and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale of love, adventure, comedy and heart where food and cooking are central to the storyline. Tiana's Cookbook: Recipes for Kids offers great Bayou-inspired dishes like those Princess Tiana would prepare. The recipes are rated on a five-frog scale in terms of difficulty so you can select the one that works best for your children.


The Bongga
There are going to be a lot of Tiana fans after families start watching The Princess and the Frog, and this cookbook is a fun way for those fans to explore Tiana's world! There are a variety of recipes for different tastes and abilities, and the recipes are rated for difficulty so you can decide which ones your child can tackle. I really like the fact that the recipes, while mostly simple, aren't "dumbed down" for children. No mashed potato faces or pigs in a blanket here; you get real food like gumbo and crumble. Of course, there are fun recipes like froggy cupcakes and alligator cake, but grownups will enjoy making and eating every single recipe -- even the peanut butter sandwiches cut into cute flower shapes make great tea sandwiches.



The first dish we tried was Tiana's famous beignets, which are dense, moist doughnuts. The recipe was super easy to follow, and The Pea was able to do practically everything by herself, even the deep frying.



In retrospect I would have cut the dough up into smaller squares (the recipe says it makes 16 doughnuts but I would have cut it up to make 32), but the end result was delicious! I've never been able to identify the difference between a donut I love and a donut that's so-so, but thanks to Tiana's recipe, I can now -- it's the nutmeg. The nutmeg is the magic ingredient! After munching on those beignets, my kids and I can't wait to see The Princess and The Frog, and we'll definitely be enjoying more of Tiana's recipes in the future.

The Blah
Since this is a kids' cookbook, I think it should have included step-by-step photos, especially for the more complicated recipes.


The Bottom Line
Tiana's Cookbook: Recipes for Kids is a fun memento for kid who enjoy The Princess and the Frog movie and a nice way for them to explore Tiana's world. It' s also a great cookbook and a wonderful way to introduce kids to a new kind of cuisine.

I received a sample in order to review this product, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Bosch MIXXO Cordless Immersion Blender

I'm a big fan of soup: tomato, cream of broccoli, cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, pumpkin, butternut squash, split pea and ham, cauliflower and white beans, lentil, black bean... the list goes on and on.

We have soup about once or twice a week. Soup is nutritious and filling and cheap, and it's so easy to throw everything in a pot and simmer it on the stove, but I'll admit that sometimes I get lazy and open up a ready-to-serve can or box. Those are usually the soups that require blending to smooth out the lumps, like tomato soup or cream-of-anything. I just hate having to transfer everything to the blender and back again, so we usually have lumpy soup :)

Bosch appliances recently invited me to review their cordless handheld immersion blender, the Bosch MIXXO. I've never owned an immersion blender and have never owned a Bosch-branded appliance, so I was definitely interested to see how it would perform. Here's what I thought:

The Basics
The Bosch MIXXO Handheld Blender has all the convenience of a cordless device -- you can take it anywhere, and in particular, you can use it to blend food straight in whatever dish the food is in. Then just place it in its holder to charge it up. The MIXXO doesn't just make soups; you can also use it to make smoothies and cocktails and baby food. It even comes with a chopper accessory so you can chop onions and herbs and other small quantities of food.

Here's what Bosch has to say about their product:
The Bosch MIXXO Cordless Handheld Blender is a revolutionary cordless handheld blender used to prepare tasty food and refreshing drinks without the hassle of cords or plugs. The unit utilizes cutting-edge lithium battery technology – the first among kitchen appliances – to provide twenty minutes of continuous powerful blending; nearly twice as long as other handheld blenders.

The cordless feature of the MIXXO allows for ultimate multi tasking. Imagine being able to answer a phone call on the opposite side of the kitchen and continue blending a smoothie for an on-the-go breakfast, baby food for the newest addition, soup for tonight's dinner, and a cocktail for after a long days work. Even better, imagine cutting down on mess and cleaning time by being able to blend your food in whatever bowl or cup you serve your dish in.

The Bongga
You know how once you've set up a wireless router at home you wonder how you ever survived with archaic wired-up printers and computers? Using the Bosch MIXXO is kind of like that. Once you try it, you won't know how you got along without it. When I think of all the times I've had to put soup in a blender -- with all the spills and cleanup that implies -- or had to make do with lumpy soup...... The blade may be small, but it gets the job done. I've gone through 3 soup-blending sessions and it's still holding its charge! And cleanup is a snap, because the blade attachment twists right off. Oh, how I do NOT miss having to wash up that huge glass blender jar.



The Blah
I wish the blender tool had a snap-on cap or something that I could cover up the blades with; I feel like I can't put it down whenever my kids are in the kitchen! Also, I wish this blender had an attachment for mixing dough and batter. I haven't dared to try it on mashed potatoes or cake batter or anything like that because I don't want it to break, but I really wish I could! I know, I know, I'm being greedy but the ease and convenience of cordless has me hooked, and now I want it all!


The Bottom Line
The Bosch MIXXO cordless immersion blender frees you up from the messiness and inconvenience of a corded blender. If you're big on creamy soups, it's a must-have!

Win It!
Sorry, I'm just teasing. No giveaway today. But I will be giving away one of these babies in a couple of weeks. So stay tuned -- keep logging on to Bonggamom Finds or subscribe to receive updates so you don't miss this giveway!

I received a sample in order to review this product, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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A Century of Flavor Review and Giveaway

Win this cookbook! To find out how, keep reading.....

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/whatever winter holiday you like to celebrate is almost here! I'm so excited to begin all our fun holiday traditions, like driving around and looking at all the beautifully-lit houses, baking cookies, wrapping presents and hanging stockings.

Over the holidays I give free rein to treats and goodies, so the house is always brimming with smells of cinnamon, apples, butter... and vanilla. I love using vanilla in my baking, and I always put in double the amount the recipe calls for. I have no idea whether it makes the recipe better or worse, but the smell is worth it. Mmmmmmm......... So when I was invited to review a cookbook that included vanilla in all the recipes, I was ready! The Nielsen-Massey vanilla company sent me a copy of their cookbook, A Century of Flavor. Here's what I thought of it:

The Basics
Here's what the publishers have to say about this cookbook:
The delightful aroma of the kitchen during the holidays – with smells of cinnamon, peppermint, chocolate and vanilla – is a scent that many associate with long lived memories. The holiday season is a perfect time to create flavorful memories with your family and loved ones. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas A Century of Flavor cookbook provides moms with a variety of holiday recipes. Vanilla Carmel Corn Crunch can be made with your young chef, while Creamy Vanilla Sweet Potatoes is a perfect side to your family’s main course. This vanilla-inspired cookbook, published by family-owned Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, celebrates the exciting nuances of one of America ’s most-loved and versatile ingredients – pure vanilla. It is filled with 50 of the most tantalizing recipes, highlighting the intricate, yet delicate flavors of pure vanilla and is written for the novice cook as well as the seasoned chef.


The Bongga
This ain't no plain vanilla cookbook! Gorgeous photos and an informative introductory section on vanilla make it almost like a coffee table book that you can leave out for guests to look at and enjoy while they're waiting for dinner to be served. The recipes are as fine and elegant as the Nielsen-Massey vanilla itself. Each recipe contains vanilla, in some dishes that I would never have thought of. Vanilla in eggplant parmigiana? In osso bucco? Sounds weird, but I tried making the eggplant, and it was delicious! I also love the section where noted chefs like Rick Bayless contribute their own recipes with vanilla in them.

The Blah
The recipes in this book are not for lazy cooks. And substituting other vanilla brands is not easy in some of the recipes that call for very specialized Nielsen-Massey ingredients, such as a vanilla bean pod or vanilla bean paste. Now that's something you can't grab at your local convenience store!

The Bottom Line
This cookbook has great some great ideas for holiday meals, and the vanilla in all of them makes them extra special. So crank up the holiday tunes, get cooking with your loved ones to create your next delectable holiday meal.



Win it!
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a copy of A Century of Flavor. To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment here and tell me your favorite vanilla dish. Don't forget to leave an email address or some other way of contacting you.

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

1) Grab my button -- it's on the left hand sidebar, or click here to get it -- and post it on your blog! (leave a comment here with a link to your site).

2) Blog about this giveaway and include a link to the giveaway post (leave a comment here with a link to your post).

3) Tweet this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your tweet). Here is a sample tweet you can copy and paste:

Win a Nielsen-Massey vanilla cookbook from @bonggafinds http://tinyurl.com/yj7t32v


Maximum of 4 entries per person. US mailing addresses only. This giveaway ends at midnight PST on December 12, 2009.; I will draw a winner at random on December 13 and post the winner's name on the comments section after the winner confirms acceptance . For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

I received a complimentary copy in order to review this book, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Near East Pearled Couscous

I first tried Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food about fifteen years ago, when I first came to the US.  I have no idea how I survived so long without it!   Now I adore hummus, tabouleh salad, gyros wraps, lamb with couscous and more.  We usually buy this kind of food at restaurants, but I always have boxes of Near East's couscous and tabouleh, for when I want to add a bit of ethnic flavor to our dinners.  I recently received some boxes of Near East's new Pearled Couscous variety; here's what I thought of it:

The Basics
Near East makes boxed grain dishes like couscous, pilaf, tabouleh, and other grain dishes that incorporate flavors and cuisines from around the world.   Their new Pearled Couscous is made with pasta pearls that are larger than traditional couscous.

Here's what Near East has to say about their product:  New Near East Pearled Couscous brings the elegance of Mediterranean cuisine straight to the kitchen. Near East Pearled Couscous, made with all-natural ingredients and Certified Kosher, is ideal for consumers looking for a flavorful and versatile side dish.  It adds elegance to any meal in just 20 minutes.



The Bongga
I'm a gal who likes to decide what we're going to have for dinner an hour in advance, then throw everything together -- so there's nothing like the convenience of Near East couscous.   It's so easy -- just boil and add spices. Even better, the Gourmet Meal Kit allows me to have a fancy-tasting Middle Eastern meal on a whim.  I don't usually have these kinds of spices readily available. I'd have to decide I wanted to prepare a Middle Eastern dish days in advance, get a recipe, shop for ingredients, hope everything turns out well, etc....  so the Gourmet Meal Kit really works for me.

I was a bit surprised by the gummy texture of the pearls, but I have no complaints about the taste whatsoever.  We've tried it plain, as a side dish, and I'm dying to try the Sicilian Caponata and Couscous salad by Near East chef Michael Psilaskis (go to NearEast.com for the recipe).  Stay tuned for the results!

The Blah
Pearled couscous can take some getting used to if you don't have an adventurous palate.  Half of my family liked it, the other half didn't (interestingly, the 3 girls -- me, The Pea, and Alfie's mum -- liked it, and the 4 guys -- 3Po, Jammy, Alfie, and Alfie's dad -- didn't).  Everyone liked the taste, but the boys weren't too fond of the pearls.  I guess the pearled texture isn't for everyone. 

The Bottom Line
New East Pearled Couscous and Pearled Couscous Gourmet Meal Kits are a great way to add some sophistication and global flavor to your meals, without much work!


I received a sample in order to review this product, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Win a $100 Visa Card from Ragu!

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Ragu.
Keep reading to find out how to win a $100 Visa Card!

My family loves tomatoes, and there's nothing like a simple, fresh red sauce on pasta al dente. But I don't always have the time or energy to make it all from scratch. So one pantry staple I cannot live without is jarred pasta sauce. I recently participated in a BlogHer review of Ragu pasta sauces, and I have to say it's great to know that I don't have to sacrifice convenience to feed my family well. According to their website, half a cup of Ragu's red sauces contain a full serving of vegetables. And unlike many jarred foods, these sauces have no additives or preservatives. All those delicious, healthy tomatoes already peeled, seeded, sauteed and simmered for you -- what's not to love?

Bonggamom Finds is giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of Ragu! Click here to continue reading and to enter.......

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Cats, Dogs, Hamsters -- whatever you call-em, the Tasty Baker makes'em

When I host a themed party, I can get pretty anal about taking it all the way and making sure the theme is reflected in every aspect of the party. So at this weekend's hamster party, I had to think long and hard about what to serve the kids to eat. I thought Ham(ster) sandwiches would be clever (even if the younger kids didn't appreciate my wit, they appreciated the sandwiches!), and we found that Captain Crunch cereal looks just like (but fortunately tastes better than) hamster kibble. But I have no idea what hamsters eat for dessert.

Lucky for me, the 5-in-1 Tasty Baker came to the rescue. No, it doesn't have a hamster mold, but the dog mold was pretty close. I poured brownie batter into the dog mold, told the kids they were hamsters, and the kids loved it! The Tasty Baker also has train, heart, cat smiley face, birthday cake and alphabet block molds, which give you dessert options for a multitude of themed parties -- Baby's First Birthday, Valentine's, Thomas the Tank Engine, halloween, pinky kitty, etc...

Of course, it does take a while to prepare if you only want that one design (which is why I wish the Tasty Baker had removable mold plates and the option of purchasing extra molds so I could make seven of one style). But the kids were only too happy to have me pour batter into all the molds, save the dog-hamster ones for the party, and eat the rest.



I received a product sample in order to review the product and write this post, but no monetary compensation. The view and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Cooking Eggs with the Tasty Baker

We've had the 5-in-1 Tasty Baker for about a week now, and it's still so much fun to "play" with our food. However, this post's featured Tasty Baker dish isn't even one of the five top foods you can cook with the Tasty Baker (hence the name 5-in-1: pancakes, waffles, muffins, cakes, or breads). I read on the box that the Tasty Baker can cook eggs, too!



The thought of heart and smiley-face scrambled eggs was just too irresistible, so I heated up the Tasty Baker and cracked half a dozen eggs (the molds are small, so you could use just one or two). I whisked them with a splash of milk and some grated cheese, then poured the mixture onto the mold. The eggs puffed up beautifully...........

.... but, as anyone who has baked an egg or made a souffle will tell you, they collapsed almost as soon as I lifted them off the mold. The molded eggs got more and more wrinkled as they cooled, but they did hold their general shape, if not the detailing. It certainly didn't affect their taste -- my kids loved them -- and I think it might be cute if you made biscuits or bread using the Tasty Baker, then sandwiched these eggs between the same-shaped biscuits, so you get teeny little egg sandwiches shaped like a birthday cake, dog, cat, train, heart, smile face and blocks.

I did make one batch with some Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, which thickened the batter and made the eggs hold their volume and detailing much better -- but my kids didn't like the taste of the Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. I think I'll try adding plain or panko breadcrumbs next time. And yes, there will be a next time for these Tasty Baker eggs!

I received a product sample for this post, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Making Tasty Treats with the 5-in-1 Tasty Baker

Anyone who cooks for kids knows that the cardinal rule is: Looks are Everything. Kids are far more likely to try new foods if it's presented in a fun, appealing way. Hence the popularity of broccoli "trees", smiley-face pizzas, and mashed potatoes shaped like Spongebob Squarepants.

But what if you're not the creative kind? What if your attempt at a heart-shaped pancake always ends up looking more like a shapeless blob? We recently reviewed an appliance that lets even the most challenged baker turn out baked treats worthy of Martha Stewart: the 5-in-1 Tasty Baker.

The Basics
The 5-in-1 Tasty Baker is a bit like a waffle maker -- except it's not. You can use it to make not just waffles, but also pancakes, muffins, breads, cakes and brownies. Just pour batter onto the nonstick molds, close the lid and let it bake. When it's done, you end up with cute, bite-sized treats in cute, kid-friendly shapes.

The Bongga
Today we made whole-wheat pancakes. The recipe couldn't be simpler:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Just dump everything into a bowl and mix. Plug in the Tasty Baker and set it to a 3. When the green light comes on, open it up and pour the batter into the molds. The little batter scoop that comes with the Tasty Baker is perfect because one scoop is just about the right amount you need for each mold. Close the lid, wait for 3 or 4 minutes, then lift the lid. This is what you'll see:


Now use a silicone spoon to lift each little pancake off the molds. The nonstick material is wonderful! I initially sprayed the mold with cooking spray, but I don't think I actually needed to. The recipe above made about 4 batches, and each batch lifted off the molds beautifully (and since nothing really stuck to the surface, clean-up was a breeze).

Aren't they adorable??? Can you imagine the Oooh's and Awwww's at our next playdate or party? Our version has seven shapes -- birthday cake, dog, cat, train, heart, smile face, blocks -- and they're perfectly bite-sized (or two-bite-sized, if you're being polite and trying to refrain from stuffing them into your mouth) and so much fun to eat. My kids loved preparing them with me, and they loved eating them even more!


The Blah
Any pancake recipe will do, but it would have been nice if the instructions had included a couple of recipes, or recipe ideas. Also, I wish the molds could have been interchangeable, so that you could buy extra molds and make 7 of a single design, instead of 7 different designs (for example, for a Valentine's Day party, you're only going to want the heart mold).


The Bottom Line
The 5-in-1 Tasty Baker is easy to use and clean, and kids love the results!

So we've done pancakes, but they don't call this the 5-in-1 for nothing. We've still got cakes, brownies, muffins, breads and waffles to make! Stay tuned for more review posts as the kids and I continue creating all kinds of yummy treats with the 5-in-1 Tasty Baker!

I received a product sample for this post, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Play-Doh Burger Builder

It's Back-to-School for kids, but that doesn't mean parents have to put the Play-Doh away. It makes a great afterschool activity for little kids -- but guess what? My big kids love it too! So far I've reviewed the Play-Doh Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe and the Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory. And with the return of the Play-Doh Burger Builder for Fall 2009, our food court is complete! We were sent a Burger Builder playset to review, and we put it to good use while my sister and her kids stayed with us for a short visit.

The Basics
The Play-Doh Burger Builder set has everything kids need to set up a great pretend hamburger stand! It has 3 mold pressers with interchangeable molds so that kids can make Play-Doh tomatoes, lettuce, buns and more. It also comes with an extruder, a "Twist-a-Chip" tool for cranking out potato chips and pickles, and 5 2-ounce cans of Play-Doh. It's available at a retail price of $14.99 at most major toy retailers nationwide, and online at HasbroToyShop.com.
The Bongga
This Play-Doh set is sooo much fun -- we had an older version of the Burger Builder when I was a kid so I have great memories of making Play-Doh burgers too! This new, updated version goes one better with the addition of the Twist-a-Chip Super Tool. It's like an extruder with a crank handle -- you pop in the Play-Dough, screw in the top, turn the crank handle, and out come Play-Doh potato chips or pickle chips! And after the kids move on to something else, I really appreciate the fact that the set is not too bulky, so it's easy to put into a bin for storage.

By the way, the age recommendation says "Ages 3 & up", which usually means that 2 and 3 year olds like the toy. But not with Play-Doh! You're never too old to play with Play-Doh -- even my nine-year-old nephew loves it! Check it out: six children (one's not in the photo) between the ages of five and nine, completely absorbed in restaurant pretend play. They're all busy molding and rolling and extruding Play-Doh to make enough goodies to feed an army. Do you know what kind of bliss that is for my sister and I??

The Blah
Not much to complain about here -- other than my usual cleaning-up-PlayDoh-bits-stresses-me-out line. But I'm trying to get past that and into a zen place where stuff like that doesn't bother me. Lighten up, bonggamom! It's just a little vacuuming up, right, and I'm grateful that Play-Doh can still occupy my kids for such a long time....ohmmmmmmm...

The Bottom Line
The Play-Doh Burger Builder is a classic toy that has stood the test of time!

I received a product sample for this post, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory -- Oodles (and noodles) of fun!

In my opinion, Play-Doh is both a blessing and a curse. Here's my lame poetic attempt to explain why....

Play-Doh can be a real Godsend.
It keeps kids busy for hours on end.
It's not a video game.
But kids love it just the same!

It develops fine motor skills
And a good imagination
It even smells great
It's a squishy sensation!

But I must confess --
I hate the mess.
Bits everywhere.
On your clothes. In your hair.

But the kids love their Play-Doh!
What's a mom to do?
Listen well
I have two tips for you:

Let the Play-Doh dry.
Then take a vacuum.
And suck those suckers out of your room.
Or take the Play-Doh outside
So the bits have nowhere to hide.

You can keep your house clean
All summer long.
Play-Doh's the best
Millions of kids can't be wrong.

Yes, I know, I'm not holding my breath for that Poet Laureate nomination. Besides, I can't think of any more rhyming words. So I'll have to wax poetic about Play-Doh's latest set -- the Play-Doh Spaghetti factory -- in prose.

We were so happy to receive this latest playset from Play-Doh to review. With a fun pasta extruder, two ravioli molds and over 25 molds, kids can make all kinds of yummy Play-Doh pasta dishes to serve to their parents. Kids can finally release their inner chef! And it goes perfectly with the Play-Doh Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe playset that I reviewed last year!

There's a lot to like about the new Play-Doh Spagetti Factory. 3Po and Jammy liked the pasta extruder and the plastic playmat with pictures of food that they could copy. And they were so proud of the pasta dishes they made:





I liked 2 things about this playset in particular:

* The play pieces in the Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory have multiple uses. For example, the spoon and fork have holes in the handle so if more than one child is playing, the child who's not having a turn with the pasta maker can still make his own pasta by pushing some Play-Doh through the spoon or fork holes. Also, the 2 pasta molds serve as a bowl and plate to hold any finished creations.

* When playtime is over, the Spaghetti Factory can be disassembled for easy cleaning and easy, compact storage. This was one of my main complaints about past Play-Doh equipment, so I'm really psyched that Play-Doh got it right this time.

This Play-Doh set is definitely more of a blessing than a curse, and now that I've realized cleanup is a breeze when you take it outside, I'm so happy we have it in our summer toy box!

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Recipe for a Great TV Show

When The Travel Channel informed me that Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods show was beginning a new season this week, I was happy to take a sneak peek at the first episode. Check it out:



I love food and I love travel, so shows about global cuisine are right up my alley. And two of last season's episodes were particularly close to my heart: Bizarre Foods Philippines and Bizarre Foods UK. Of course, as the title suggests, Bizarre Foods doesn't really showcase your everyday, run-of-the-mill cuisine -- which probably makes it even more fascinating. So you've got that gross-food-reality-TV shock value mixed in with the gorgeous scenery, fascinating cultures and yummy food. And of course, you've got Andrew Zimmern, who I think is a great guy with a heart of gold and a stomach of steel. That's a winning recipe!

Bizarre Foods Tanzania premiered last Tuesday, April 14, but Andrew still has a lot of globe-trotting to do this season. He'll be visiting South Korea, the Australian Outback, Sydney, Singapore, Texas, Nicarague, Puerto Rico and the jungles of Mexico. Grab the Pepto Bismol!

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Win an ALL HEART Family Cookbook

Today I'm teaming up with Momfluence and Sara Lee to help raise awareness of heart disease. Did you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States? This is why women should be maintaining a healthy weight, getting exercise, and making heart-healthy food choices every day! To support the campaign, Sara Lee Fresh Bakery is offering heart healthy sandwich recipes in the WomenHeart’s ALL HEART Family Cookbook and will contribute one dollar for every cookbook ordered up to $35,000 to the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

Are you interested in trying out this cookbook for yourself? Sara Lee and Momfluence are giving away a copy of this cookbook to 2 lucky winners! Just click here to enter. (The contest is open to all U.S.Residents and ends Wed., April 15th).

If you don't win, don't worry -- you can still get your free copy of the WomenHeart's ALL HEART Family Cookbook if you act before 6/30/09. Just collect 6 proofs of purchase from any Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious or 45 Calories & Delightful products, add $3.95 shipping and handling, and send it all in.

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