Is Your Gut Healthy After The Feast?

We all know we had a great time feasting last week over the holiday, or at least I hope everyone did, but now we have to face the fact that eating this way does not help us be healthy and feel good. Thankfully, there are many simple ways that we can help our guts, and ourselves, feel better. One of them is to take a good probiotic.

Recently I was introduced to these Probiotics 70 Billion CFU and have been impressed. Besides the fact that I can order them from Amazon I absolutely love that they are shelf stable so I can keep them with all my other daily routine essentials. Other great features of these probiotics include:

• 70 Billion CFU Max Strength Available - includes 15 broad spectrum strains
• Doctor Formulated - made with prebiotics and probiotics based on clinical research.
• NON-GMO, Gluten Free, Shelf Stable, Vegan, No Binder, Soy, Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Peanuts, SHellfish, Additives, or Preservatives
• Patented Capsules and Heat Resistant Strains
• Naturally helps to support the digestive system and supports natural stomach balance
• Great for support for digestive health, weight loss, immune system, intestinal health, gut health, gas relief, bloating relief, constipation, and leaky gut
• Made in the USA in FDA cGMP certified facility.

One of the most common questions about these probiotics is how they have made them shelf stable. A Customer Care Specialist tells us that the probiotics do not need to be refrigerated to remain viable because they are produced by a special freezing process, keeping the organisms stable and viable at room temperature. The delayed release capsules also allow for the bacteria to survive stomach acid so they can remain alive when they reach the digestive tract where they can colonize in the small and large intestines. 

If you're looking for a simple way to boost your health and feel better a good probiotic is a great way to start! Make sure you put these on the list of things to check out.

Pizzer Time Subscription Box Giveaway

Sponsored By: Pizzer Time

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

*3 Winners* Will Receive:

a Pizzer Time Subscription Box with Extras!! 

($165 TRV Giveaway)

What's Included In The Subscription Box: Ingredients to make 2 pizzas Choice of topping for each pizza 2 Pan Pizzer Cooking Set Rolling Pin Pizza Cutter ($55 RV)

About Pizzer Time:

Pizzer was invented and collaborated on by 2 culinary trained chefs with over 30 years of experience in the pizzeria industry and owned one of the most popular pizzerias in New York City and Long Island. Our recipes go back decades and have been perfected through years of experience and culinary training. After years of our out of state customers at our Pizzeria would comment and say “you guys have the best pizza, I wish you delivered to Maryland or Florida or New Jersey”. At first we laughed it off but then we created a method that affords us the opportunity to deliver our pizza and maintain the exact same quality as if our customers got it right out of our oven in house. Whether you enjoy cooking in your home or love the taste of a hot fresh pizza right out of the oven or you want both, Pizzer offers, not “New York style pizza” but real and authentic New York Pizza with ingredients that were created and made right here in New York by New Yorkers with absolutely top quality products. We use the best tomatoes for our sauce and the best cheese money can buy and our dough recipe goes back decades. We hope you will take the opportunity to enjoy making your own pizza at home and more importantly enjoy having a hot fresh pizza right of your own oven. Buon Appetito!!

**Giveaway Eligibility**

Open To US residents ONLY in the following states; New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Must be 18+ to enter

Please Note: Sorry for the inconvenience, but the giveaway form will only give me the option to exclude a handful of states in the giveaway. Please make sure that you are not entering this giveaway from any other state other than the ones mentioned above. If you enter the giveaway anyway, and are chosen as a winner, you will not be able to collect your prize.

Giveaway Dates ~ 6/16 9:00 AM EST through 7/14 11:59PM EST

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winners will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Olde Westport Spice

Online specialty Food Company stands the test of time - Spice Company creates custom spice blends, sesonings and dry soups. Olde Westport Spice & Trading Company is a 33-year-old spice manufacturer that is still going strong. This online company operates a small plant in Goodland, Kansas, and knows a thing or two about spices, seasonings and soups. This family owned and operated company was originally founded in the Kansas City area and has stayed true to its mission of making custom spice blends for main meal dishes and appetizers as well as nearly 20 varieties of dry soups. 

Olde Westport's spice blends and seasonings include Italian, Cajun, Taco, Fajita, Chili, Jalapeno, Beef Sauce, Salsa, Garlic and many more. All of the products use quality ingredients for a balanced flavor that compliments meats, pastas and vegetables. The company also invented dry soup mixes that are simple and easy to make including Antonio's Minestrone, Country-Style Creamy Potato, Chipotle Black Bean, Creamy Broccoli and Cheese, Kansas City Steak & Ale, Gold Coast Garlic Pasta Alfredo, Mesa Flats Chicken Enchilada, New Orleans Red Bean & Rice, Southwestern Tortilla, White Chili Soup and more. Olde Westport Spice and Trading Co. is owned and operated by Bill and Judy Petersen, who along with their daughter, Ann Myers, also own and run a restaurant (Westport Grill) in Goodland featuring the products. Bill first custom created all of the spices and seasonings in the kitchen of his home. Today the company has a manufacturing facility where Bill still researches and develops new recipes and dishes for future products. For more information or to place an order, please visit www.oldewestportspice.com or call 1-800-537-6470. 

CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI SPICE BLEND - This championship spice has helped chili creators win 12 state and national championships throughout the years and all over the US! But what is most important to us about our Olde Westport Chili Spice Blend is that our customers love to use it in their chili whether it's for a national championship cook-off challenge or simply for their own family in their cozy kitchen on a cold winter's night. We've heard from countless customers that our attention to detail and quality is what makes this chili spice blend stand out above the competitors. We know you might put beans in your chili or maybe you add apples and sausage or perhaps you have a special recipe that is top secret but starts with thick-cut bacon... however you concoct your chili we hope you'll try our chili spice blend. 

GOLD COAST GARLIC SHAKE - Gold Coast Garlic Shake spice blend is truly one of those special blends of garlic, herbs and spices that our customers use in sour cream dips, sprinkle over steamed vegetables, fresh vegetables from your garden, garlic mashed potatoes or steak on the grill. There are more than 50 recipes in the Olde Westport Gold Coast Garlic Cookbook that will give you lots of ideas for quick simple meals with that high-end restaurant flavor. A garlic experience you will never forget. Check out the Olde Westport web site for a few recipes and placing orders.

A Comfortable Baby for Fall

I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition.  Consult your pediatrician before making changes to your baby’s diet or if you have concerns related to your baby’s digestive health. Please see the product label/website for acceptable use and benefits. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-800-BABY123 or through the Contact Us link on Reguline.com or Enfamil.com.

Fall is on its way in and with that means a changing of schedules for back to school. This year, our house is going to be much quieter with a second grader, a kindergartner, and two preschoolers. That means, at least until the new baby arrives, G and I are going to be home by ourselves. What a change that will be!

With just the two of us here it's going to be extra important that we work to keep each other happy and comfortable. One of the ways we have recently improved the comfort status of little G is by trying out a sample of Enfamil® Reguline™. This specialized formula was designed to promote soft, comfortable stools and to help support digestive health making it a great option for many babies.

Like most Enfamil® formulas, Enfamil® Reguline™ contains complete nutrition for babies through their first year of life. As an extra bonus, this formula is designed to help promote soft stools in infants. It has a blend of two prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of carbohydrate, also found in breast milk, that help feed the good bacteria in the digestive system and are often recommended for children and adults with digestive and weight management problems. Having experienced a recommendation of prebiotics for multiple of my children I can agree that having it included in a formula is a good way of adding them to a small child's diet then many of the other ways the doctors have suggested.

 

I love having a happy baby and I know you will too. Life is better when all is well on the inside. Once your comfy make sure you take the time to curl up with your baby and enjoy some snuggles. They grow up much to fast so don't miss out!

I received product and compensation for this sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mead Johnson Nutrition. All opinions are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition.

Stubb Bar-B-Q Sauce Grilling Tips + Giveaway

Now that the warmer weather is upon us, it’s prime time to get out and barbecue. Rocky Stubblefield, Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q brand ambassador and grandson of founder C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield, offers a few tips and recipes he’s picked up over the years to make you the grilling hero of any barbecue, family gathering or even weeknight dinner. Stubb’s is the maker of authentic, premium, BBQ sauces, rubs and marinades and was founded by C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield in 1968.

Stubb didn’t just make barbecue, he made friends, serving up his slow-smoked brisket, cole slaw and beans, all with his wide, trademark smile at his restaurant in Lubbock, Texas. It was during this time that Stubb first began bottling his now famous sauces at the request of his friends
.

Rocky’s Grilling Tips

Today, Stubb’s heritage lives on in his legendary sauces, marinades and rubs, continuing to make people feel good all over the world.

• Use indirect cooking for larger meats (indirect is cooking away from the fire), and direct cooking for smaller meats (direct is cooking over the fire).
• When marinating, beef chicken and pork can be marinated up to two days in a refrigerator. You should only marinate seafood for a few hours.
• When using charcoal, allow coals to ash over before adding meat to the grill.
• When cooking burgers, make a thumbprint in the middle of the patty before putting it on the grill. This will help the patty come out nice and flat (not puffy in the middle) and the meat will be cooked evenly throughout.

 

Stubb’s Toasted Pecan Burger

 

• Soak vegetables in cold water before grilling – it keeps them from burning or drying out too fast.
• For a juicier steak, let your meat rest for at least 10 minutes after it is done to allow the juices that were forced into the center of the meat when cooking to distribute throughout the steak.

Grilled Ribeye Steak, Stubb-Style

• Don’t cook ribs ‘til they are falling off the bone – ribs should be grilled until they begin to pull away from the bone, but you should be able to bite into and leave a bite mark as you eat it off the bone. Overcooked ribs become dried out and less flavorful – even a little bit mushy.

Sweet Baby Back Ribs

• Clean grill after every use. You can use a ball of foil or an onion – just cut the onion in half, and while the grill is heating up, rubs the onion across it. The juices from the onion clean the grill and get it ready for use.

Now for the fun part! Head below for your chance to enter the giveaway below to win a personalized grilling set, Stubb’s branded spatula Stubb’s heavy duty, hand-carved cedar wood cutting board, Stubb’s hat, bag, T-shirt and $30 in Stubb’s coupons this fantastic set is worth $150! Perfect for making your Fourth of July celebration Legendary!! Giveaway is open to US Resident only and ends on 6/26 at 11:59pm EST.
  

Entry-Form

Disclosure:All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.. Open US only must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Elia At Conservamom

Kitchen Aid & Van's Giveaway

Wahoo! At the Kerr house one of our very favorite things to do is try new recipes. I was very excited to receive this chance to share some of the new things we're trying out this week so you can try it too. Let me know what you think. It looks wonderful!

Now a word from Van's:

Hi from Van’s! As you probably know, May is Celiac Awareness Month, and we at Van’s would like to mark the occasion by sharing five of our favorite gluten-free swaps – and by offering the chance to win a Gluten-Free Gift Pack, including a Kitchen-Aid Mixer (entry form & contest rules located at the bottom of this post).

At Van’s, we are committed to providing wholesome, delicious options for a wide variety of dietary needs. That’s why we have worked for years to provide nutritious, whole-grain options for our gluten-free fans – starting with our waffles and expanding in recent years to our crackers, snack bars, cereals, chips, granola and even pasta. As our gluten-free line expands, one of our favorite things is seeing all the creative ways our fans use Van’s gluten-free foods as ingredient substitutes to make delicious gluten-free dishes good enough for the whole family to enjoy. Here are our top-five gluten-free substitutions from some of our talented blog partners:

  Gluten-Free Waffle Pudding

  Gluten-Free Cereal Treats 

 

Crushed gluten-free crackers for “breaded” chicken 

   

  Gluten-free streusel from crushed gluten-free cereal 

 

  Waffle Sandwiches 

 

Crushed Cracker Quiche Crust 

 

 Now for the giveaway! One lucky winner will win a Kitchen Aid 4 Qt Mixer and a Van's Gift pack. Total prize value is $375! So head below for your chance to enter to win. Giveaway ends on 5/17 at 11:59pm EST. This giveaway is open to US only and you must be 18+over to enter. Good luck!!

Entry-Form

Sponsored by Van's Natural Food

Hosted by Conservamom

This is a sponsored post written by Van’s International Foods, Inc. and facilitated by ConservaMom All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.. Open US only must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Van's will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. For questions on this giveaway or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Elia At Conservamom

Mamma Chia Anytime Magic + Giveaway

With back to school in full swing, our kids start Tuesday, we are frantically trying to get things finished up so they have everything they need. For mom that means there is extra running to do and for most of us, this is just the start. If your kids go to a charter or private school like mine do you will most likely be responsible for transporting them and that means you'll be racking up hours in the car over the next eight months.

Last year, our first year with a child in school full time, I found out that I was a lot more tired, even if I wasn't doing any more than usual. We were finally able to link that to me not getting good enough nutrition so this year we're working to make sure that doesn't happen again. To help with that I'm putting together a box of yummy snacks to keep in the car that I can have (and probably share with the kids) as I'm running around with the kids. The trick has been finding things I like, that don't need to stay cool - chocolate is not an option *sigh*, but won't be hurt if they freeze either.

One of the things I am most excited to have in my box are Mamma Chia's new Chia Squeeze Vitality Snacks. If you haven't tried these yet add them to your next shopping list! These snacks look just like the squeeze pouches our kids all love but they are made for an adult. Each package contains organic chia seeds and organic fruits and/or vegetables for a 70 calorie, no sugar, snack on the go. Flavors include Apple Cinnamon, blackberry Bliss, Green Magic, Mango Coconut, Strawberry Banana, and my personal favorite, Wild Raspberry. Other bonuses you get with the Chia Squeeze include, 1,200 mg of Omega-3s, 4g of fiber, and 2g of protein. Are you excited yet?

I've had these in my mama stash for about two weeks and they are an amazing go to! I get a full tummy and I'm not grabbing whatever cookies are on the counter yet I'm still getting a sweet snack. It's awesome! If you're ready to try out these amazing treats I'm excited to announce that we've got a great giveaway for a package of Mamma Chia products here! To enter simply fill out the form below. But, if you can't wait, go check out where you can find a delicious treat today!

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This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Mamma Chia. 
I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Big G Cereal - Fun Shopping Trips at WinCo With the Family + Giveaway

Shopping with all the kids can be just a little crazy. Thankfully I don't have to do it by myself very often but going to the store as a family can be an interesting adventure. Thankfully we have an amazing family friendly grocery store less than a mile away that has amazing prices every day. WinCo Foods has made my life of shopping even easier with their awesome prices and family friendly selection I can feed my kids well and do it on a budget.

I love shopping at WinCo for so many reasons but the top two are the great prices on amazing products. When I shop at WinCo I get a great price to begin with and when I add my coupons from the paper and use an app like Ibotta I know that I am getting the best deal for my dollar.

This week I am excited to take advantage of WinCo's amazing prices on General Mills' Big G cereal and then get some great cash back with Ibotta. Each week from until 5/25 there will be a featured cereal of the week that you can redeem for $1.50! If you buy 5 cereals, you can redeem an additional $2.50! Now that is amazing and you can find all the details on Ibotta's blog today.

I plan to stock up on lots of Big G cereals since they are a healthy option for my family and each of us has a different favorite. My shopping cart almost always includes at least one of the family preferences like Kix®, Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Raisin Nut Bran®, Rice Chex®, and Cocoa Puffs®. What cereal are you going to stock up on during this awesome deal? Will your kids be as excited as mine when they see what you brought home from the store? Let us know!

To help with your shopping this spring, we are very excited to be giving one reader a $50 WinCo Foods gift card to help with their cereal stock up, or just about anything else they could want. To enter please use the form below. Good luck!

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This conversation is sponsored by General Mills® via Burst Media. The opinions and text are mine

This conversation is sponsored by General Mills® via Burst Media. The opinions and text are mine.

Valentines Dinner

It's time to start thinking about what to cook for Valentines this year.  I know lots of people will choose to go out for dinner but, since I am still little introvert me, we'll be staying home for Valentines again this year and I will cook something special for the family.

So what do I have planned? This year I'm planning a fabulous dinner of meatloaf, baked potatoes, broccoli, and fruit salad. This is one of my family's favorite meals, that is that it's one of the few all the kids will eat, and it is one that is fairly simple to cook without a ton of preparation time.

The potatoes and broccoli are pretty simple, I'll leave that part of the meal up to you to figure out. For the fruit salad there are lots of options, our favorite is simply grapes, watermelon, and pineapple cut up and mixed together. So now lets focus on the meatloaf.

Kerr's No Fail Meatloaf:

1 lb ground beef (or other game)
1 package onion soup mix
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup ketchup
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350* F. Make sure your meat is thawed and then put everything in a bowl. Stick your hands in and smoosh until everything is combined. Then form into a ball or loaf and put in pan. Drizzle with more ketchup. Bake for 1 hour. Serve & Enjoy!

Note: For the Valentine heart adaptation I followed the same procedure but after putting the ball of meat into the pan I squished the bottom into a point and then made the heart shaped top with my hands. Nothing scientific about it, just until it looks like a heart.

Become a Dining Daredevil in 2014!

Restaurant.com releases their Hot Food Trends for the New Year 

Break free from the same-old dining routine in 2014 and try something new with the help of Restaurant.com. To help you start your own dining adventures, Restaurant.com has compiled the 3 hottest trends to conquer at local restaurants near you. Resident trend-guru, Restaurant.com President and Chief Marketing Officer Christopher Krohn provided his predictions that will grace our plate in 2014. With these trends, you're sure to have a spicy year, but only if you dare! 

Egg-cellent Adventures:   While it's hard to determine when this trend ignited, it's definitely picked up pace and could reach its peak of popularity in 2014. The "breakfast for dinner" craze and increasing popularity of regional specialties, like Korean Bibimbap and Mexican Huevos Rancheros, will only grow the trend of egg-y fusions. Plus, there's an emerging sense from the scientific crowd that eggs are healthier than perhaps you previously thought, which will feed consumer interest in this farm-fresh favorite. All in all, 2014 will be the year of the egg, so you might as well get cracking! We dare you: Next time you order a burger or stir fry, ask them to top it off with a fried egg or two. The added protein will help boost your metabolism and satisfy your hunger! 

Farm to Fork Diners: growing eco-awareness and their desire for the wholesome simplicity of home-style cooking and minimally- processed foods is on the rise. Riding this wave, restaurants are returning to their predecessors' roots, sourcing fresh produce and natural ingredients and cooking them up in a style that more closely resembles the authentic recipes that graced Grandma's kitchen table rather than modern, industrial food products. We dare you: When people hear "farm to fork," they immediately think of steamed vegetables, but this trend encompasses more than just radishes and such. Tender meat alternatives and locally produced cheeses are two items to look for on the menu. Don't be afraid to order something with a beet or two for an added super food bonus! 

Tea Time: All the Time Once confined primarily to Asian restaurants, tea is an increasingly popular beverage. In 2014, you'll find tea used for novel and surprising purposes. For example, ground teas like matcha and chai can be used as dry rubs and marinades for beef, chicken or veggies. Tea-smoked salmon and pork will both make headway in the new year, and English-style tea-time gatherings at local cafes will also be big. We dare you: To find these tea-fusion meals, take a trip to an Asian fusion restaurant near you and keep an eye out for tea-smoked pork, ribs, or stir fry. For an added bonus, try one of our other favorite food trends of 2014, a hot sauce like sriracha. 

Feeling brave? Why not tackle the rest of our top food trend list on the Restaurant.com blog. Your tummy will thank you!

Funbites For Christmas

We love doing stockings at Christmas but one of the things I try to avoid is putting candy in them. It's a small thing that really helps keep us sane over the holidays but in doing so that means I need to find other little things to put in the kids stockings that help encourage them to stay out of the candy bowl. This year, one of the things we are including are Funbites.

Funbites are a fun tool that allow you to easily cut food (and other items) into different bite sized pieces that you can then use to create a fun mealtime atmosphere. I am excited to use these with my kids to see what kind of creations they can make with their healthy food before the gobble it up. What do you think will be our most popular creation?

Taso Mixing Bowl Scale Review & Great Turkey Escape Giveaway

This Christmas I am planning on doing a lot of baking. I love to cook but I don't always make the time to do so. This year, that is going to change. I am very excited about my new tool that came in the mail today to help me achieve this goal.

My new Taso Mixing Bowl Scale will be the perfect addition to my kitchen this winter. I can already see and smell the wonderful goodies I will make. Orange rolls are must, they are my favorite, but of course I'll do pies, and cookies, and so much more too.

The Taso Mixing Bowl Scale is a great addition to any kitchen. This scale has some amazing features including:

• dishwasher safe, detachable bowl
• 11 lb, 2 qt capacity
• measures in - pounds, ounces, grams, cups, fluid ounces, milliliters
• tare feature
• rubber feet
• automatic shut off

Are you ready to have one of these amazing Escali scales in your kitchen? Here's your chance. Escali is going to give one Kerrific reader a chance to win their very own Taso Mixing Bowl Scale just in time for the holidays.  To enter, fill out the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

This giveaway is part of the #GreatEscape event hosted by Cheap is the New Classy. Make sure when you're done you hop along to all the other great blogs participating in this event and see what they have to offer. You'll also want to check out the grand prize, a Granite Top Tresanti Saffron Kitchen Island like the one here.

EatSmart Precision Pro - Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale Review & Great Turkey Escape Giveaway

Christmas is coming! (in case you haven't seen it in the stores yet)

This year, like every year I will be mailing a whole lot of packages but this year it will be much easier with my new EatSmart Precision Pro - Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale. I've actually already used it a few times and let me tell you, this little thing is amazing! It's perfect for everything from cooking to shipping to math homework and should be a must have item at every house.

Here are just a few reasons we love this new EatSmart scale.

Compact Design and Easy Two-Button Operation

Tare Feature; Subtract the weight of any plate or container

4 Measurement Modes: Grams / Ounces / Kilograms / Pounds

Max Weight: 11 pounds / 5 kilograms

Graduation: .05 oz / 1 gram

3 minute Auto-Turnoff

Includes 2 AAA batteries

Are you ready to add a EatSmart Precision Pro to your kitchen? Here's your chance. EatSmart is going to give one Kerrific reader a chance to win their very own Precision Pro just in time for the holidays.  To enter, fill out the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

This giveaway is part of the #TurkeyEscape event hosted by Cheap is the New Classy. Make sure when you're done you hop along to all the other great blogs participating in this event and see what they have to offer. You'll also want to check out the grand prize, a Granite Top Tresanti Saffron Kitchen Island like the one here.

Back to School with Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers + $50 Walmart Gift Card Giveaway

Back to school is always a crazy time. As hard as you try to plan it's a challenge to find a new routine that fits your family. This year, our family has had the chance to include Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers in our back to school routine. They have made our life interesting and fun but mostly, they have helped fill the gap of time between meals with a healthy snack that we all enjoy.

Everyone at my house got a chance to try Del Monte's Fruit Burst Squeezers and we enjoyed all the flavors with the exception of the peach-mango which I thought was good but the kids didn't like quite so much. Other then that, we loved these little pouches and they are sure to become part of our regular school routine.

My favorite part about the Fruit Burst Squeezers was that we could take them with us anywhere. They were a great to take in the car for my little kids that needed a snack while we went to get big brothers from their activities but they also made a wonderful after school snack or pick me up for after naps. I plan on using these for lunch boxes once I have all day school kids too. It's going to be an amazing way to help my kids get the fruit and veggies that they need. The only thing I'm waiting for is to see what amazing flavors Del Monte comes up with next!

Because we want you to try Fruit Burst Squeezers in your home we are excited to announce that Del Monte is giving away a $50 Walmart gift card to one Kerrific reader so you can get some Squeezers for your family. 

To enter please use the form below. Good Luck!

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The Kerr Family Food Solution

Recently there have been some big changes in meal times at the Kerr house. It took me a while to figure out because the difference isn't really what our family eats, it's more how much. Lunch time was the big clue. All of a sudden I was running out of bread every week. Then I realized, it's because B and C decided they needed a whole sandwich to fill them up every day instead of the half sandwich they had been eating. And it's not just at lunch the kids are eating more. The boys now require two bowls of cereal for breakfast and seconds many nights at supper. Add the fact that Baby F is now almost completely on solids now and you realize why my food budget just about doubled in August.
Thankfully, E and I were prepared for this jump in our food budget (and know that this is only the beginning with three boys). There are lots of different things that we do to help our tight budget and keep the kids eating healthy food happily and we were asked to share as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network during the Cans Get You Cooking Campaign.
The biggest thing we do to keep our food spending under control is that I cook dinner every night. Yes, sometimes that does get old at times but E is really good at covering 1-2 nights a week so I do get a break.
The next awesome thing we try to do is buy what is in season. Yes, this includes the fresh fruits and veggies but did you know that other goods, including cans, have a best time to buy? Your low buying price, the best sale price, is most likely different then mine (unless you're my neighbor) but pay attention and it's not hard to figure out when something is a really good deal and you should buy.

The best part about finding canned goods' season is that when you stock up you can stock up enough to last you a full year, or until that product should go on sale for a good price again. Canned goods are very practical this way because you can keep them almost anywhere. I'm lucky to have a small space dedicated to my canned goods, it's my under the stairs room, and although I wish it was bigger it does do a good job. If you don't have a space dedicated to canned food you can still keep your supply available. In our old house I would keep my cans under the bed, on the top shelves in the closets (you know the ones I can't reach so I never put anything there), and on a bookshelf that wasn't needed for books and that worked well too.
I think the hardest part for most people is not finding a good price or find a place to store the cans tho, it's learning how to use them. I often hear people say that canned things just aren't as good as fresh that simply isn't true. Nutritionally, canned goods are largely comparable to their fresh counterparts but they often do have a different texture or flavor which is what throws people off. What I have learned is that I have a whole separate set of recipes for my canned goods then I do for my fresh foods. This means that although my family does enjoy fresh food, if I don't make it to the grocery store, we're going to be ok because I can feed my family for about six months on my food room supply (with the exception of milk that is).
So how do I do it?

1. Stock up on canned goods when they are on sale.
2. Store your cans until you need them.
3. Learn to make recipes using only foods from your food room.
4. Save time and money while feeding your family healthy food!


Here's a recipe to get you started!

Thanksgiving Casserole

from the Kitchen of A Kerr

feeds 6-8

4 cans Chicken

2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup

2 Boxes Stuffing Mix (with ingredients to make)

Instructions: Drain the chicken and place in skillet. Add Cream of Chicken Soup and heat on medium stirring occasionally until warm. Meanwhile make stuffing mix according to microwave directions. Spread finished stuffing over chicken mixture. Cover and heat on low for 5-10 minutes. Serve and Enjoy!

Note: best served with canned cranberry sauce and/or canned corn.

To learn more about healthy eating with canned foods check out the Cans get You Cooking Campaign on Facebook, Pinterest, or YouTube today!

Back To School With Sesame Street Cereal

I can't believe B only has two more weeks before he starts Kindergarten. He's growing up so fast! In fact, last week he was sick and he curled up on E's shoulder and I could almost see the little baby, just five times as long.
Because this is our first year doing back to school for kids we're trying to make it as fun as possible. I know from experience that the biggest key to a successful school year is being excited about it so that is our goal with B. So far it's going great and he is so happy to tell everyone about how he is going to go to school and all the fun things he will learn there.
One of the things we have tried with school approaching is Post's new Sesame Street Cereal. I have a house full of cereal lovers so when I was given the opportunity to try these new, alphabet based, cereals, I figured the kids would love them and they did.

We were send a box of A (apple), B (banana), and S (strawberry) cereal. The kids had fun trying each of them and each had their own favorite flavor. As a mom, my favorite thing about the cereal is that it is made with whole grain and little sugar. That means I'm giving my kids a breakfast that they enjoy without having to deal with the sugar high after they're done.
If you're looking for a fun back to school breakfast, or snack, then make sure you check out Post's new flavors today!

Better Meat, Better Value

How does Zaycon Foods manage to provide such high quality super fresh meat and produce to its customers at such low prices? The answer is strength in numbers. And not our numbers, yours!

Zaycon Foods can sell its products at bulk rate prices to individual consumers and families because our unique sales event business model brings lots of people together, adding all their purchasing power into a combined bulk food purchase. And when you buy as part of a group that’s committing to such a large purchase, the power is in the hands of the purchaser! It’s the ultimate group buy in terms of both price and consumer empowerment.

You can pre-select exactly what you want to order from a given Zaycon sales event – sometimes you may want to stock up on our amazing meaty back ribs and sometimes it might be all about the Zaycon bacon – and then, on the day of the sales event, you and a whole big bunch of your neighbors will find yourselves in a nearby parking lot watching as an entire tractor trailer’s worth of high quality natural food is unloaded into all of your cars! You will be amazed at how quickly one of our refrigerated trucks goes from being filled with natural, fresh chicken or hundreds of gallons of grade A non-homogenized milk to being empty and back on its way to the farm!

A Zaycon Foods truck sales event often lasts less time than you would spend on a trip to the grocerystore, yet you will leave with a whole lot more food than you’d get at the market, and for much better prices, too!

When you use the Zaycon Foods sales event as your preferred place to purchase meats, milk, and any of our other fine products, you get advantages even beyond the bulk pricing that comes with our special sales model. You also have the peace of mind of knowing exactly what you’re going to get! A trip to the grocery store can involve wasted time wandering around looking for various foods spread out across the store; at a Zaycon Foods parking lot meat truck delivery (or milk or berries or fish delivery, too!) you have pre-ordered your foods, so all you have to do is show up and wait for our friendly staffers and volunteers to load up your car. 

Also, unlike in the grocery store, the prices you will pay for a Zaycon Foods product are locked in on our website, so you will know how much you are going to spend before you have committed to a purchase. 

At a supermarket, you might pay one price for chicken on one day, and then a higher price on another day. With Zaycon, you decide that you want to order a case of our fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts, you check the price and then you commit to it, knowing that from that moment on, we are committed to getting you your fresh, natural food!

To Get Started Click on this link today!

Food and Love: The True Meaning of Valentines - Day 8

There's just something about the holidays and bringing people to the table together. No wonder we feel so loved during the holiday season! I was blessed with a family that loves to cook (in fact, a few of us make it our job). Mealtimes make great family times and I love that my little family gets to sit down together for dinner almost every night. It's so fun to talk about our days and hear what others have to say. The stories are endless and the time is invaluable! If you want to read some great "around the table" stories you should check out Food and Love by Chicken Soup. This is a wonderful collection for around the table and even has recipes included so you can try your hand at making family time memorable. It's a great gift for any Valentine!

Valentines Food for a Diet - Valentines Day 4

I've always thought it was silly that we all make New Years resolutions, many of us to loose weight, and then the next big holiday is Valentines when we eat as much chocolate as possible. This year, because I am working on loosing weight, I have been working to find some fun foods to celebrate with that won't kill my weight loss just when it's going so well. Here's what I've come up with so far! As you can see we're going to have lots of fun for Valentines, and I'll still be able to meet my daily goals.

These fun Eggs will be the perfect breakfast.
Photos from Yeowzers

Source: craft-craft.net via Vicky on Pinterest
These awesome eggs and toast are another great breakfast idea!

Source: totallypinteresting.com via Jessica on Pinterest
These fun Hot Dog Snacks are going to make the perfect lunch for me and the boys!

Source: totallypinteresting.com via Ronnie on Pinterest
For dinner I'm thinking these fun heart sandwiches would be fun (since my kids love grilled cheese and tuna).

Source: mynameissnickerdoodle.com via Sharon on Pinterest
Another fun option would be spaghetti with these fun hearts. 

Source: joandsue.blogspot.com via Jo and Sue on Pinterest
For dessert I'm going to splurge on these scones. They look awesome and I'm about ready for a fun sweet treat!