Filling a Man Sized Hunger with New STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen

This STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc.  its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerfulProtein #CollectiveBias

My husband doesn't work in an office anymore. He ditched the cubicle to get back to nature a few years ago. In truth, it was in his blood. He is the 4th generation to work this land and carry on his family's farm.

His daily office "view" changes depending on the weather and what is currently in season. He was raised here on the farm and learned a lot from his Dad, his Grandpa and now his Uncle.

There is a lot of multi-tasking that needs to be done on a farm. One crop may need to be planted while the ground is prepared for another, there are always field crews to direct and, this time of year, hay to keep an eye on. And the hours are rarely steady or predictable.

Farmers are not only skilled at multi-tasking, but also wear various hats throughout the long day. One day my husband may be planting, harvesting or baling while another day he has to be a mechanic, welder or source for the newspaper on a local agriculture piece.

Of course, there is rarely a day that goes by my husband doesn't come home covered in grease, oil, hay or dirt. That all just part of the job.

But the truth is he loves what he does. He loves feeding our community as well as feeding our family. He loves to be outside and watch a simple seed and dirt field turn into the year's crop. He works hard to manage and be knowledgeable about over 60 crops here on the farm.

There is beauty all around us. Simple beauty in the neat little rows, the orchards and the fields of alfalfa.

There is beauty in the hard work and sweat that went into planting this new peach orchard. It has been amazing watching those little sticks mature into young fruit bearing trees. The peaches this year are just amazing!

But hard farm work and long, irregular hours mean my husband often returns after a long day needing to eat fast, or needing to eat later than the rest of us. I am always looking for better ways to keep him fed with a warm and hearty meal befitting his day (and often night) job. You could say that he needs #PowerfulProtein to do this job day in and day out.

Because weather, plants, and perfect growing conditions don't wait for dinnertime, I have to find flexible meal solutions to fill a man-sized hunger.

I have to make dinnertime work for my husband's schedule.

Have you tried STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen meals? These may have been made for busy farmers, or  guys with irregular hours who want something to leave them feeling satisfied. Each variety contains 25 grams of protein or more and takes just 10 minutes to prepare! 

I grabbed the STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen Steak Fajita, along with several other varieties, on my last trip to Walmart. You can find them in the freezer aisle with STOUFFER'S® Single Serve Entrées.

My husband enjoys beef, so I knew he would enjoy the STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen Steak Fajita. This one has tender prime rib steak in a smoked red chile sauce with a mix of red and green peppers and seasoned brown rice. 

There are 6 varieties of STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen meals available:

• Steak Fajita
• Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Rotisserie Seasoned Turkey
• Bourbon Steak
• Oven Roasted Chicken
• Monterey Chicken

Now I want to know, which STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen meal would you like to try first? Do you have a hard-working man in your life who would love to try them?

Herdez Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls

Thank you to the makers of the HERDEZ® Brand for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to try the Herdez Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls! All opinions and experiences are my own. #HerdezFrozenBowls

I love how everyone has asked me what I am doing with all my free time now that my two oldest children are in school.

Hold on, what free time???

Despite sending them off on the bus each morning, my "free time" has all but evaporated as I spend all my time getting two little people ready for school each morning. There are breakfasts to be made, personal hygiene to be checked on (a Kindergarten and First grader are often in too big of a hurry to brush hair and teeth!), then each child to be walked down to the bus stop at their appointed time. My daughter is in Kindergarten which means a half day and mid-morning drop-off.

Yeah, that means I trek down to the bust stop 3 times a day.

Her stop is just before lunch, so I race home to have lunch ready for my husband and baby. That means lunch is now a quick affair. Luckily, HERDEZ® Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls give me a fast and easy option.

There are many Mexican food favorites like Beef Barbacoa and Huevos Rancheros available in the freezer section of the grocery store. I grabbed our Herdez frozen bowls in my local Walmart.

I am a huge fan of Huevos Rancheros but rarely have time to go to all that work. This gave me a chance to grab, microwave and finish lunch in time to move on with my day. And the Beef Barbacoa bowl was just as simple, and yummy!

If your lunch and dinner time are as hectic as mine are, you might want to try out these easy and authentic frozen lunch meals and have a few ready to go in your freezer.

HERDEZ® Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls come in 10 delicious flavors, and the top three favorites include Beef Barbacoa, Carnitas w/ Charro Beans & Pork Chile Verde. I can totally understand why the Beef Barbacoa Bowls sell so well! It was tender and flavorful.

Want to check out these HERDEZ® Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls for yourself? Go ahead and download the coupon for $1.00 off!

Keeping Our Adventures Cool with Fruttare Fruit and Juice Bars and Free Printable

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Fruttare, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Seems like Summer has just started, but as the days get hotter, I have been hearing, "Mom, we're bored!" followed closely behind by, "Mom, we're hot!"  Neither of which I want to be hearing right now. It's Summer! With a little added incentive I peeled my kids off the couch and got them outside to explore.

What did I use to entice them to go outside willingly? Well, it didn't take much. I created a little field guide for my fearless backyard adventurers. You can grab the "Fearless Backyard Adventurer" badge printable and create your own little field guides. I wanted to leave it open to add activities or just plain paper for nature sketches, etc., so it ties in the back and  I created the cover with plain chipboard, punched  holes to tie closed with natural twine and glued the badge to the front with glue.

But, to really beat boredome I went a step further and created a scavenger hunt for them that was tailored to our area. 

I created my scavenger hunt to take us all around the farm. The kids were so excited! Yes, for once they weren't worried about the heat, they were just excited to see how many items they could find. Could they do it all?

Decked out with their favorite adventure gear, binoculars, magnifying glass, camera, and gadget vests they set off on their little farm adventure. 

The first item on the scavenger hunt was, "Find something you can eat." I drew a little fork for my daughter who will be starting Kindergarten this Fall and can't read the instructions without help.

Here on the farm that could have been a clue for just about anything. We grow a lot of edible vegetables and fruit. They could have gone into our garden, the cherry orchard, or the row crops. No, they went straight for the blueberry patch. 

I don't blame them.

First item was found and we could already feel the temperature rising. Luckily they were focussed on whatever the treat for completing the scavenger hunt would be. I promised them it would be worth all the work.

But, it was going to be a surprise.

The little ladybug was found in record time, and my son found the smallest apple on our backyard tree. The last 3 items went just as fast and the kids were so wrapped up into the challenge they almost forgot there was a super secret surprise for completing the challenge.

To celebrate their adventure I broke out the Fruttare Fruit and Juice Bars. Yes, the perfect cold treat to end a fun morning together. I had picked up several flavors at my local Fred Meyers (Kroger store) to help us beat the heat. This time of year I keep our outside deep freeze well stocked for these hot days.

For the kids I had the Mango and Black Cherry, and my favorite is the Coconut and milk. I also wanted to try the other berry and milk combinations. The guys work hard on the farm and I love being prepared with afternoon treats. Yeah, adults deserve treats, too! 

I just love the creamy texture of the fruit and milk bars. My kids are fans of the real fruit flavors offered. We have a big cherry orchard, so my kids don't care for poor immitation cherry flavor. These bars are just as good as I could make in our freezer with fresh fruit - but without all the work! 

So after running around the hot farm all morning, we could finally sit down and relax under the shade of a tree and enjoy our treats. Now, isn't that the secret to a great Summer? Play outside all day and break for frozen treats?

My kids approved and they can't wait for me to create another fun activity for their field journals. They already put in their orders for which Fruttare bars they want afterwards.

What can I say? I have to keep my little adventurers cooled off, and this is much better than them being inside all day. Embrace Summer and savor every cold bite.

Fruttare currently has a great promotion - Buy one Fruttare item and take advantage of the $4 music reward by visiting the Fruttare site to activate rewards while supplies last (offer valid 7/1 - 7/31). 

You can connect with Fruttare on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for product announcements and promotions.

Which Fruttare Fruit & Juice Bar flavor would you like to try?

New Tillamook Tillabars and the #BacktoSummer Contest

I received samples in order to facilitate an honest review. All opinions and experiences are my own.

It has started to heat up around here. Lase week we even reached 96 degrees, for Oregon in May, that isn't so common. It was hot and we were all eager to get outside and play. For days like these I like to keep an assortment of frozen treats in the freezer.

Of course, my tastes are a little different from my kids'. I like something with a little chocolate, or a little salted caramel, or even with a little coffee flavor.

These Tillabars were everything I wanted and then some. My ultra picky husband was pleasantly surprised at the high quality chocolate and smooth ice cream. I would say that kids would love them (ice cream, chocolate, what is there for them not to love?), but these are a great treat for more mature tastes as well.

Ice cream bars just grew up.

The Tillabars come in 4 lucious flavors:

• Lemonilla 
• Mooocha Latte 
• Old-Fashioned Vanilla 
• Salted Caramel Swirl

And though I adore high quality chocolate, the Lemonilla Tillabar blew me away! I was sure the Mooocha Latta would have been my favorite since I adore coffee flavored anything. It was good, and a close second, but the Lemonilla stole my heart. It wasn't the usual artificial lemon flavor found in sweets and ice creams. It was tart, but slightly sweet and perfect for me. The tart lemon sorbet perfectly complimented the white chocolate coating. 

Just a little happiness on a stick for Mom.

So while my kids enjoy their cold treats this Summer, I will be keeping a stash of Tillabars reserved just for me and my husband. He can have the Old-Fashioned, the Lemonilla are all mine.

You can check out all the nutritional information and ingredients for the Tillabars, as well as all their other delicious products on the Tillamook website.

Check out the #BacktoSummer Contest

From now until Monday, May 26th, you can enter for a chance to win a Summer supply of Tillabars! Yeah, that is over 45 bars. Join in the fun on Instagram and Twitter.

I know you are already sharing your warm weather fun on both Twitter and Instagram, so why not follow Tillamook, tag your shares with #BacktoSummer and see if you come into an ice cream bar windfall. You can find more information and rules in the Tillamook community.

Good luck!

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?

New Breyers Gelato Indulgences - Please Don't Make Me Share!

I received samples in order to write my review. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Call me weird, but I don't only enjoy my cold treats in the warmer months. In fact, I am known to want a bowl of ice cream, frozen yogurt or gelato anytime of year. I am always game for a creamy and sweet cold treat.

But the temperature really heat up here the other week. We got all the way up to 75 degrees. Now, in Oregon, that is crazy for Spring weather. It had me turning on the air, breaking out short-sleeved shirts and hungering for ice cream.

Only I found something better.

Have you noticed the new Breyers Gelato Indulgences in the store?

They are currently sitting in my Walmart on the endcap of the freezer section. I took notice because I had a chance to try out two of the 4 flavors, Vanilla Caramel and Tiramasu.

"Indulgences" is the perfect name for this cold treat, because they are not only indulging on the tastebuds (I mean, "Wow!") they are filled with different textures like peices of lady fingers in the Tiramasu or the Caramel shavings on top of the Vanilla Caramel.

There are 4 flavors in total. They include: Triple Chocolate, Raspberry Cheesecake, Tiramasu and Vanilla Caramel. Check them out on the Breyer's website. They come in these great little clear tubs so you can see the ribbons of chocolate, caramel or graham cracker bits right in the gelato.

I loved both the flavors, but was especially smitten by the Tiramasu. Oh, boy! I have already purchased another tub to enjoy. It was the perfect blend of custard, coffee and chocolate to make my little heart sing.

These flavors were definiately sophisticated enough for grown up tastes. I will happily buy my kids their usual tub of vanilla and a round of toppings, but I would rather have all the goodies ready to enjoy in a loaded gelato like this one.

This is one treat I just am not going to be sharing this Summer.

Connect with Breyers on their Facebook page or Twitter to stay up on new products and promotions.

Old El Paso Frozen Entrees - Hey! #NoWayThatsFrozen #spon

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

Looking for a new Mexican Food fix from the freezer? Well, Old El Paso has a few new options to stock for those busy week nights.

I headed into my local Walmart and saw there was a new selection of Old El Paso frozen entree meals for two. They had everything from Quesadillas to Burritos, Enchiladas and Fajitas. I grabbed an assortment in beef or chicken and headed home to try it out.

Most of the items are individually wrapped and are microwave ready, the exception was the Steak Fajitas. Those take about 13 minutes in a skillet on the stove top.

Instructions suggest serving with flour tortillas, but I wanted something a bit lighter. I made my steak fajitas into a steak fajita salad. It was delicious!

There were plenty of seasoned and fire roasted onions and sweet bell peppers, along with strips of steak.

Since my husband is the Quesadilla fan, I made his in the microwave and tried a chicken burrito myself.

My chicken burrito was filled with rice, beans and a tangy salsa verde. Very filling for just one. The Quesadillas were filled with meat and cheese.

All the items were ready to go and just needed to be heated before serving. So easy and fast for a quick meal.


You can find all 8 varieties of the Old El Paso Frozen entrees for two in the freezer aisle. Connect with Old El Paso on Facebook for more fun.

Stay In with New Simmering Samurai options

I was provided samples in order to create my review. All opinions and experiences are my own. 

Though I love knowing how to cook food from scratch and adore learning about new flavors and techniques, sometimes I want someone else to cook for me for a change.

But, as life goes, sometimes eating out just isn't in the cards. ...and the kitchen is not where my husband chooses to spend his time.

So I think all Moms keep a little stash in the freezer. You might have pizza or frozen lasagna in yours, but I tend to have things like chicken fried rice, pot stickers or something from the new Simmering Samurai line of frozen Asian American cuisine.

Simmering Samura comes from Ajinomoto USA - a Japanese food company I am very familiar with. Believe me, I can sing a fair number of their jingles in Japanese after living there for 4 years. Good times.

But, I also know, they know food. So I was thrilled to see what kind of frozen offerings they had for me to fill up on for lunch.

Currently there are 5 different flavors to choose from:

• Broccoli Beef &; Fried Rice
• Chicken Fried Rice
• Vegetable Chow Mein
• Orange Chicken Fried Rice
• General Tsao's Fried Rice

Straight from the freezer to the microwave, each dish comes with instructions and are ready to eat in 7 minutes. Yes, even I can wait 7 minutes. Easy!

Most of the dishes required poking a fork hole in the plastic, microwave-safe bag and then heating in the microwave. The beef and broccoli also came with a sauce packet that I thawed in a bowl of water.

Afterwards I had this...

I loved the large spears of broccoli, the fluffy rice and bits of tender beef. It was very flavorful.

I also had the Vegetable Chow Mein which was packed with crisp-tender veggies,

And I enjoyed the Chicken Fried Rice with big, tender peices of chicken, rice, egg and veggies.

I picked up my Simmering Samurai at my local Walmart, but you can also use the store locator on the Ajinomoto site to find the closest location near you. Looks like there are stores up and down the West Coast so far.

My favorite dish out of line is the Vegetable Chow Mein. I am a sucker for pan fried noodles and don't get the chance to enjoy them very often in the US. I was impressed with the portion sizes of these frozen items. It would be more than enough for me to eat alone, and still an ample enough to make a few and share with multiple guests. These would be perfect for "family style" meals at home.

Overall I was impressed with both ease of preparation and flavor. It was a great way to give myself a "night off" from cooking and still have a dinner the whole family could enjoy.

Which of the 5 Simmering Samurai dishes would you try first?