How Would You Top New Progresso Chili?

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All experiences and opinions are my own. #ProgressoChili, #PlatefullCoOp

A warm bowl of chili doesn't have to be a day away any longer. Now Progresso has introduced "homemade" quality chili in an easy to make, easy to store pouch. And now I can focus on what I will top my favorite chili with, instead of slaving away in the kitchen to make it.

With the kids heading back-to-school soon, it is time to start looking towards Fall, warm soups and comfort foods. At the top of my husband's list would be chili. During the colder months when I meal plan and ask for his input I already know what his answer will be... chili.

If you are a fan of Progresso soups, or just a chili fan in general, then stand up and take note. This delicious bowl of chili only took me 5 1/2 minutes to prepare! Yes, and it was full of slow cooked flavor and perfect for me to top with cheese, freshly diced tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream.

I tried the Southwest Style White Chicken Chili with Beans first. It is a creamy blend of all-white meat chicken, white beans, green sweet peppers, tomatillos and onions  I prefer a white bean chili, but my husband is more a fan of the tomato based, darker, chili. There was plenty in that pouch to dig my spoon into. Thick with tender beans and large chunks of chicken meat, it was a great option for a quick but hearty lunch.

The other chili option from Progresso is the Smokehouse Pork and Beef Chili with Beans. This one is unique with  Andouille sausage, beef, and a secret blend of spices, all slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, green sweet peppers and pinto and red kidney beans. I would like to eat a bowl of this cuddled up with a good book, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, green onions and just a few sprinkles of crispy bacon. The sausage already makes this one rich and delicious, but I think it needs something crunchy to top it.

And you know they mean business when they put a clear bottom in the package so you can see exactly what is in their chili! You can find New Progresso Chili in the soup aisle.

So how would you top your Progresso Chili?

Suddenly Grain Salads - Making Dinner Fast and Delicious!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own. #SuddenlyGrainSalad

I try to add whole grains to my family meals daily. One of my biggest pet peeves is having time to create a new and delicious whole grain dish that will be well received. Brown rice gets kinda old after a while, right? Not to mention that I have to plan enough ahead of time to get everything rinsed and cooking.

So I was intrigued when I heard Betty Crocker had created Suddenly Grain Salad Mixes. There are 3 different flavors, but all are a wholesome grain blend from the Suddlenly Pasta Salad mixes line you may have already tried.

I was sent all 3 flavors; Tuscan Grains, Harvest Grains and Southwest Grains and enjoyed both the ease of preparation and the flavors used.

The mixes contained 2 or 3 pouches. One contained the grain mix and was in a special perforated bag that was placed straight into the boiling water. This eliminates the need for a strainer! Brilliant. Yes, this mix would be a great addition to a vacation house meal or even for camping!

Another pouch held the seasoning mix. Once whisked with a little water or oil, it was ready to be tossed with the cooked and rinsed grain blend.

The Tuscan Grains even came with an additional pouch of nuts and driend fruit to garnish the top!

Prep was easy and the flavors are great! They are tasty but not too salty or overpowering. Even my toddler ate fist-fulls of the grain blends.

One thing I appreciated was these are not overly processed boxed grains. They still held some of the bite and texture that I expect when eating whole grains.

These Suddenly Grain Salad Mixes can be found with the rice, grains or pasta at all major grocery stores.

What would you serve with your Suddenly Grains Salads?

New Betty Crocker Bars at Target - Bake up Some Fun!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own. #NewFromBetty 

Ready to have even more sweet fun in the kitchen? This is so easy, you are going to flip.

I know, I might be just a little chocolate crazy, but I think everyone is going to be excited to hear that Betty Crocker and HERSHEY'S have teamed up for 3 new products sure to sweeten up your day. There is the HERSHEY'S S'mores Dessert Bars, REESE'S Dessert Bars (which I was sent), and HEATH Dessert Bars.

My husband and I both love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter so I made the REESE'S Dessert Bar Mix first.

3 steps led to 3 layers of delicious goodness in bar form!  The Mini REESE'S PIECES were not included in the mix, but I had them on hand and wanted to dress up the top. I love how simple it was to have a little added fun with these bars.

I was a huge fan of dessert mixes when I invited friends over for sleepovers. My daughter is getting closer and closer to that age, so I know bar mixes like this will come in handy for the friends she has over. There is something really exciting about creating a simple dessert all on your own. My favorites were boxed brownies with an occaisional no-bake cheesecake mix made with really special friends.

The REESE'S Dessert Bars were fabulous! Rich and creamy chocolate and peanut butter over a peanut butter flavored crust. I shared a bar with my husband over a tall glass of cold milk and it was the perfect afternoon treat!

These dessert bars are currently available in Target and I bet they will be a huge hit.

Which Dessert Bar do you want to try first?

Gluten Free Baking Made Easy with Immaculate Baking Mixes

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Immaculate Baking through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own.#IBBakesWell

If you have a gluten allergy or intolerance, even a simple plate of cookies can be a dangerous thing. Luckily, you can still enjoy an array of fast and easy baking mixes with Immaculate Baking. 

These are a great option for whipping up a fast treat. They use  the same ingredients you would use if you were to bake up cookies, cakes, and brownies from scratch, Immaculate Baking’s eight new dry baking mix items have 0g trans fat, and do not contain artificial preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.

They are as simple as any shelf boxed mix. I grabbed the Double Chocolate Cookie Mix to try first. I just needed to add vegetable oil and eggs.

But, of course I wasn't going to stop there! I wanted to add a little extra crunch to my chocolately cookies so I rolled the dough in gluten free crispy rice. See how easy that was?

Now, I have worked with different starches for baking and wanted to note that it is important to let the cookies set for just a minute or two for the moisture to be fully absorbed. Don't worry if the mix seems a little dry at first. Don't add any additional oil or water or the cookies will be too wet and won't rise properly.

I chillded mine slightly before baking, as I would any cookie recipe. They baked up nicely! Rich and full of chocolate while still being soft and chewy. The extra crunch from the cereal was a very easy touch.

You can find these delicious Immaculate Baking Mixes at your local Target. Connect with the brand on Facebook for more fun.

Immaculate Baking is in the Back to School coupon book event handed out on 8/17, 8/24 and 8/25. Coupon is for $.75 off one Immaculate Baking Item.
What would you add to your cookies?

My Keurig® Makes Oatmeal? Now it Does with Nature Valley™ Bistro Cups

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own. #BistroCups #PlatefullCoOp 

I enjoy a warm cup of oatmeal year 'round. It is one of the few things that truly keeps me feeling full till lunchtime. When I heard that there was an actual Keurig Oatmeal option, I knew I had to try it for myself. I mean, my Keurig may just be the most important appliance in my whole kitchen.

Shhhh... don't tell the other appliances.

No, it is even more sophisticated than just putting hot water from the Keurig over a bowl of instant oatmeal. I was sent both new flavor options, Nature Valley Apple Cinnamon Almond and Brown Sugar Pecan Bistro Cups which was perfect because my husband and I are a house divided.

He thinks Apple and Cinnamon oatmeal is the only flavor worth eating.

I think Brown Sugar and Pecans are the bee's knees.

I guess now we can both be happy.

The box contains 3 servings with 3 parts to each serving. There is the Bistro cup with all the cinnamon and flavors, a packet of oats and in the case of the Brown Sugar Pecan Bistro Cup, there were dried cherries, cranberries and pecans to mix in.

Making a cup of oatmeal was easy! First I put the contents of the oatmeal packet in my mug,  inserted the Bistro Cup and selected the 6 oz. setting on my machine. After my cup "brewed" I stirred in the mix-ins and waited a minute for the oatmeal to set up.

I really enjoyed that these whole grain oats were not broken down or mushy Quick foods often loose quality, but these were still intact. They were nuttyand had a good "bite" to them after being cooked. It was a great option for a fast morning meal.

These would be perfect for keeping in a desk at work, if you have access to an office Keurig sytem, or for taking on trips to visit family. I know everyone in my family owns a Keurig.

You can find these Nature Valley Bistro cups in the hot cereal aisle at Target. You can connect with Nature Valley on Facebook for product announcements and promotions.


Which Nature Valley Bistro Cup would you try? Apple Cinnamon Almond or Brown Sugar Pecan?

A New Snack Sensation - Chex Mix Popped

The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own. #ChexMixPopped #PlatefullCoOp

Can I offer you a snack?

If you have kids you probably constantly hear, "Mom, I'm hungry. Can I have a snack?" I try to keep a wide variety of options on hand from fresh fruit or vegetables to salty or sweet snacks. My mood is constantly changing and my kids? Well, I am pretty sure they will try anything ... at least, once.

Choosing is always the hardest part about snacks. What sounds good? What am I in the mood for?

I was sent the new Chex Mix Popped in both White Cheddar and Sweet & Salty. This seemed like the perfect solution to having to choose. I mean, I love Chex Mix... but I also love a bowl of popcorn. Can you say perfect pairing? The mixes are a fabulous collection of flavors, textures and fun.

My favorite was the White Cheddar.

With cheese triangles, light and crunchy cheddar popcorn and crunchy wheat and corn Chex, this was the perfect snack for late nights. I am not always hungry when I am working past the kids' bedtime, but I do like something easy to munch on.

My kids loved the Sweet and Salty which was full of caramel popcorn, pretzel sticks and more Chex pieces! Okay, I enjoyed this one too, but I did share.

Now, I have always loved munching on Chex mix, but with the addition of popcorn  in this snack just got better. I found my favorite flavors in my local Walmart, but look for these Chex Mix flavors and more in your local grocery store.

Now I just need the perfect Summer movie to go along with my Chex Mix Popped!

Follow Chex and all the fun on Facebook or Tumblr.

What is your snacking personality? Sweet or Salty?

Getting Cinco de Mayo Read with Old El Paso Frozen Entrees for Two

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Old El Paso® through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own.

With Cinco de Mayo fast approaching, my palette has been hankering for a little Mexican food. Fajitas just happen to be my favorite, but I rarely can find the time for all that prep and cooking. 

So for a quick and tasty lunch I grabbed the Old El Paso Chicken Fajitas, entree for two. No slicing, dicing or searing necessary. 

One pan and just a few minutes made us a tasty and colorful meal. I added in my own flour tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and salsa. With a side of blue corn chips, we were set. 

It was a fun and festive change from usual lunch leftovers or sandwiches, and it didn't take any more time. 

I loved that the onions and peppers came out tasting like I had grilled them myself. You might find yourself saying, #NoWayThatsFrozen.

I grabbed my bags at my local Walmart, but check your local grocery store's freezer section for Fajitas and other entree options like enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos.

You can connect with Old El Paso on Facebook to stay up on all the latest products and promotions.

And for our Cinco de Mayo? I am planning getting a little help from Old El Paso along with a big pitcher of homemade horchata. What are your plans?

Cheerios Cheer On Reading with Every Spoonful

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. #cheerios #familyreading

With a new and enthusiastic reader in the house, books have become hot collectibles. My son proudly reads anything he can get his hands on.

As a child I remember reading and re-reading the cereal box mornings before school. Luckily for my son, he doesn't have to resort to reading the box because in each box of specially-marked boxes of original Cheerios, Multi Grain Cheerios Peanut Butter, Chocolate Cheerios and Apple Cinnamon Cheeries are storybooks for children ages 2 to 8 years-old, printed in both English and Spanish.

With 6 books to collect, you can read:

• “That’s What I’d Do” by Jewel
• “Bear Says Thanks” by Karma Wilson
• “1-2-3 Peas” by Keith Baker
• “Chicks Run Wild” by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
• “Please, Baby Please” by Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee
• …and returning favorite “Jump!” by Scott M. Fischer

There is also a chapter book in specially marked boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios for older readers to enjoy. Broken into 3 parts, this year’s book  is “Phineas L. MacGuire…Gets Cooking,”.

This is the 12th Anniversary of their commitment to literacy through such programs as Cheerios Cheer On Reading and Spoonfuls of Stories™. Cheerios created the program in 2003 to help get books into kids’ hands and encourage parents and kids to read together.

To support the books included inside Cheerios boxes, the Cheer on Reading website has corresponding activities to go with each book. My daughter decided to the maze that went with our copy of, "Please, Baby Please." and my son and I tried the "O So Far Out Adventure" activity from the Chocolate Cheerios box. It was fun to have some added things to do with our cereal in the morning.

Look for these specially marked boxes the next time you are shopping for your Cheerios. Encourage the little readers in your life.

Is there a young reader in your life?

More Nature Valley Options for On the Go!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own.

I enjoy variety, so having a few different, but fast and easy, breakfast options is important to me.

I want to stick with smarter choices, but I also don't want to skip my morning meal. Decisions, decisions! So learning that there were some new Nature Valley products on the shelves, I knew I had to try them out for myself. You can find all three products at a great savings at your local Target right now.

I already am a fan of Nature Valley granola bars, so it was worth a try.

Granola is one of my morning favorites. A little bit of oat and crunch in my morning bowl helps to make me feel complete. The Nature Valley Protein Crunchy Granola has 10 grams of protein per serving and makes for an easy and delicious fruit  and yogurt parfait.

I like to use vanilla or maple yogurt and pair it with rotating fruit favorites like blueberries, strawberries or banana slices. Then I top my parfait with granola for a little crunch and added texture.

This new product is also just fun to munch by the handful, or mixed in with some nuts and dried fruit for an easy breakfast trail mix.

The Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits were great with a bit of almond butter smeared on top and then loaded with banana slices. They are also great for eating plain while waiting for my son's bus in the morning.

And then there are the Nature Valley Greek Yogurt Protein Bars which fit perfectly in the side pocket of my purse. I love the yogurt coating on the outside. These are a real treat to eat out when I am too busy to eat breakfast at home.

I tried the Strawberry version, but keep your eyes peeled for the Mixed Berry as well.

So, from granola to biscuits and bars, Nature Valley has presented 3 new ways to keep my on the go lifestyle, going!

You can stay connected with Nature Valley on Facebook to stay up on new products and promotions.

Have your tried any of the #NewNatureValley products? Which would you try first?

Get Baking with the Pillsbury Bake-Off - Winning Recipes + Enter Your Own

Baking kit sent courtesy of #PlatefulCoOp in order to help me write this post. All opinions and exeriences are my own. #BakeOff

I don't really need an excuse to roll up my sleeves and get baking. I have never entered a baking competition though... I have lots of respect for the talented folks who have submitted their culinary creations to Pillsbury's Bake-Off each year.

I was sent a copy of the Pillsbury Bake-Off 100 Winning Recipes and some supplies to get me baking. I found and had to try out the Cream Cheese Brownie Pie.

With a Pillsbury pre-made pie crust, Pillsbury brownie mix and few other ingredients, I was able to quickly make this beauty.

Yes, I can see why this recipe was a winner!

Ready to don an apron and break out your creative genius? Hurry, the entry deadline for the next recipe category is May 9th! Start creating a recipe for your chance to win $1 million dollars in the Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest.

Enter online at www.BakeOff.com. Official 46th Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest Rules and FAQs

Add a Little Super Hero Fun to Your Cereal Bowl

The information and free cereal have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. #PlatefullCoOp

As a kid, I distinctly remember being swayed in my cereal choices by what toy or treat was in the box. Of course, taste was important, but ultimately I looked for those fun extras like prizes or back of the box fun.

My son is just like his Mama.

Right now participating Target stores have specially marked boxes of General Mills cereal that contain a DC Comics Justice League comic book inside.

My son had no idea what a comic book was. I have a feeling that he will be talking in sound effect bubbles soon. He was blown away by all the fun onomatopoeias.

Since Cheerios is already a cereal I enjoy for snacks and as a finger food for the baby, I am happy to grab one of the specially marked boxes to keep my oldest son happy. 

Currently he wants to read anything and everything. Glad that General Mills can help fuel his love of reading.

Now I just have to get him to remember to eat breakfast. 

What is your family's favorite General Mills cereal? 

Target Exclusive - Betty Crocker Watermelon Cupcake Mix #BiteIntoSummer

The information and cake supplies have been provided by Betty Crocker through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Are you ready to #BiteIntoSpring ? Well, this fun cake mix and frosting exclusively at Target from Betty Crocker have be itching for a bite of the real thing. Yes, the mix and frosting are not only iconically colored to remind you of the juicy Summer fruit, but they are flavored like watermelon as well!

I whipped up this fun afternoon treat for the kids with the Betty Crocker mix and my half round pans. I had a burst of creativity for this little cake baking endeavor. I did have to promise the kids there would also be some regular cupcakes for them to decorate. They just love frosting their own!

Fast enough to whip up for an everyday occaision, I had my kids help me with the mixing and pouring. I set them to bake while my son was at school. It would be plenty of time to let my cakes cool completely before he returned. It also gave me some time to create my own little watermelon.

To Create Watermelons

Take two half round of cake. Spread a little frosting between them and secure with toothpicks. I took a small amount of the Betty Crocker Watermelon frosting and mixed in a little more dark green gel food coloring. Frost the entire round with the lighter green frosting and then streak with the darker frosting to give your cake a varigated rind. With a piping bag and small tip, I piped the watermelon vines onto the plate surrounding the cake.

My kids opted to decorate some cupcakes I made with the remaining batter. They enjoyed my creation, but wanted to create their own.

The cake is a classic "watermelon" pink with a lovely fruity flavor. There are even little "seeds" inside. The frosting is a little shockingly green...but it pairs perfectly with the cake.

The cake was gobbled down quickly. Smiles abounded and I totally scored as a cool Mom. Yeah, watermelon in March, it does happen.

You can find this Betty Crocker Watermelon Cupcake Mix and Betty Crocker Watermelon Frosting exclusively at your local Target and only for a limited time.

Follow Betty Crocker on Facebook and Twitter to learn about products, promotions and other tasty news.



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