In A Rush? Have You Tried Hamburger Helper Lately?

March 20, 2013 · by · 12 Comments

hamburger Helper HandThis month has been crazy for our family.  Emily has been playing soccer for her middle school and is arriving home around 4:45 p.m. every night.  If she has a game, it might be even later.  Scott and Brad just started up their soccer season and are gone every Tuesday and Thursday for practice!

We try having dinner together but lately we are having to stagger our dinners.  A few weeks ago, I received several boxes of Betty Crocker Chicken Helper and received rave reviews from everyone.  This week, I received two boxes of Hamburger Helper.

Last night was one of those nights we were all home.  Emily had a game earlier and Brad had been home sick with that bad cold.  I made up the Cheeseburger Macaroni according to the directions on the box.  We had some biscuits in the fridge so I thought I would bake them on top (keeping dinner warm until Scott and Emily made it home).  It was delicious!

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Be sure to make this in an oven safe pan.  The macaroni crisped up perfectly around the edges and was just as moist as making it on the stovetop.  Yum!  It fed our family of 4, with leftovers for lunch.  Again, I got rave reviews.

In the past, I steered clear of casseroles as my family just haven’t been fans…until now…they love Hamburger Helper!  I also am a fan, as 1 cup only has 320 calories!  I can enjoy a delicious meal with enough calories to enjoy a roll and salad along side.

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Disclosure:  I am part of the Hamburger Helper Community and received the above samples for review.  I am not compensated to write a positive or favorable review.  This is my personal opinion of the product.

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Lowfat Chocolate Cake Recipe

March 19, 2013 · by · 5 Comments

Looking for a moist, chocolatey cake that is lowfat AND tastes good?  Then I have a yummy recipe to share with you today.

Super easy to make and requires only three ingredients (two, if you don’t count water as an ingredient)!

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Lowfat Chocolate Cake

Serving Size: 1/12th

Calories per serving: 130, 260 with frosting

Lowfat Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

  • Chocolate cake mix (any brand, any variety)
  • 1 Cup of Water
  • 1 Small can of Pumpkin (not the pie filling...just plain pumpkin)

Instructions

  1. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray
  2. Mix cake mix, water and pumpkin
  3. Add to pan
  4. Bake at the temperature on the box
  5. Use the minutes suggested on the box (each cake brand cooks a little differently
  6. Let cool
  7. Add frosting (optional)
  8. Enjoy!
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Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit Flatbread ~ Walgreens $50 Gift Card Giveaway

February 5, 2013 · by · 307 Comments

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Did you happen to see my Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit Flatbread sandwich recipes? Here is the Grilled Chicken Spinach Ranch Foldit.

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I think the Egg Salad with Avocado Foldit Flatbread Sandwich was my favorite.  Anything with Avocado makes it better!

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I am still enjoying the Hungry Girl Foldit Flatbread I bought.  This weekend I made some chicken salad specifically for my foldit bread.  I haven’t found anything I haven’t liked on the bread.

I am excited to be hosting a Walgreens $50 Gift Card Giveaway so you can try the Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit Flatbread for yourself.  You can stock up at Walgreens!  They carry just about everything.

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Just follow the Rafflecopter directions below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am working with TheMotherhood on behalf of Walgreens and Hungry Girl promoting the Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit flatbread. Compensation has been received as part of the campaign. All opinion on the product are completely my own.

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Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit Flatbread Sandwiches

January 31, 2013 · by · 5 Comments

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I have been a big fan of  Hungry Girl for several years.  If you are not familiar with her, she creates healthy recipes, shares quality products and is now creating the same kind of products that won’t make you cry while getting on the scale.  She has written several cookbooks to help those of us counting calories.

She recently has introduced the Flatout Hungry Girl Foldits which is now available at Walgreens, (either displayed or by the breads).

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I ran to Walgreens a few weeks ago to purchase a few packs of the Foldit Flatout bread, excited to try it.

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Looking around, I couldn’t find it on the floor so asked one of the employees if it was available.  It was not on the floor the day I was there (yes, it’s that new) , so he brought out two packs and I added them to my cart.

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I wanted to create a hot and cold sandwich recipe so took a look at what Walgreens had available.  They carry a great assortment of food!  I was able to pick up grilled chicken and cheese, along with a few other items I thought  might add flavor to the recipes.

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The first creation I make that night.  Grilled Chicken Spinach Ranch Foldit.  Simple and healthy ingredients.

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Grilled Chicken Spinach Ranch Foldit

Grilled Chicken Spinach Ranch Foldit

Ingredients

  • Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit Flatbread
  • 1/2 Cup Light Mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning
  • 1 Tablespoon Hormel Bacon Bits
  • Pepper to taste
  • Spinach
  • 1/2 Cup Grilled Chicken
  • 1/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

  1. Mix mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, bacon bits and pepper
  2. Add to one side of Foldit bread
  3. Layer chicken, spinach and cheese
  4. Cook in a panini press for 4-5 minutes until crisp and golden brown
  5. Enjoy!
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A few days later, I wanted to try the Foldit Flatout bread cold.  I made an Egg Salad with Avocado sandwich.   Trying to stick with a hearty protein and I love spinach so added it too (more nutrients)!

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Egg Salad with Avocado Foldit Flatbread Sandwich

Egg Salad with Avocado Foldit Flatbread Sandwich

Ingredients

  • Flatout Foldit Flatbread
  • Boiled Eggs
  • Bacon Ranch Mayonnaise (from the Grilled Chicken Spinach Flatbread Sandwich)
  • Spinach
  • Avacado

Instructions

  1. Make egg salad using the Bacon Ranch Mayonnaise (see Grilled Chicken Spinach Flatbread Sandwich)
  2. Add to Foldit flatbread
  3. Slice Avacado into thin slices
  4. Add Spinach
  5. Enjoy!
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This is definitely a product I would purchase again.  I count my calories daily and if I can make a sandwich (hot or cold) for 90 calories + ingredients, I am a happy girl!  (For two slices of bread you are usually looking at 140 calories or more!)

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Check out your local Walgreens to pick up the NEW Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit Flatbread!

Disclosure:  I am working with TheMotherhood on behalf of Walgreens and Hungry Girl promoting the Flatout Hungry Girl Foldit flatbread.  Compensation has been received as part of the campaign.  All opinion on the product are completely my own.

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A Healthier Cookie That Tastes Good – Kid Approved – Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookie

January 21, 2013 · by · 9 Comments

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Brad’s birthday is coming up this Thursday so I asked him what he wanted to bring for his birthday treat.   He wasn’t sure so I told him I would look around Pinterest and see if I could come up with something yummy.    (The teacher has asked us not to bring sugary treats like cupcakes.)

I found this recipe on FarmGirl Gourmet, through Pinterest.  It sounded good and I had all the ingredients in our pantry.  Brad approved it, so we decided to try the recipe out tonight.  I love that he enjoys helping me in the kitchen so we put our baking skills to the test.

brad cooking
We of course had to try them as soon as they were out of the oven.   I loved Brad’s comment, “Just like a chocolate chip cookie, Mom!”   Brad is 9 years old (almost 10) and he means what he says.  He knew the ingredients that went into these and knew it didn’t have all the sugar they normally have.  In fact, we had a great conversation about this, comparing the sugar we would have put into the cookie dough compared to the natural honey we put in.  A great way for him to learn the good from the bad.  He wasn’t very excited about the zucchini going in but you would never even know it’s in there unless you look for it.

Here is the recipe!

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A Healthier Cookie That Tastes Good – Kid Approved – Chocolate Chip Zuchinni Cookie

Rating: 51

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 2 Dozen

A Healthier Cookie That Tastes Good – Kid Approved – Chocolate Chip Zuchinni Cookie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/3 Cup Honey
  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
  • 1 Cup Flour
  • 1 Cup Unbleached Flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
  • 1 Cup Zucchini
  • 1 Cup Chocolate Chips

Instructions

  1. Combine the first 5 ingredients
  2. Add the dry ingredients and mix
  3. Zucchini goes in next (make sure you have taken as much of the moisture out as possible)
  4. Add Chocolate Chips
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes
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Disclosure:  I did not create this recipe and I have credited the blog in which I found the recipe through Pinterest.  This is my personal experience making the cookie and wanted to share it with my readers.  Simple, easy and delicious!

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New Years Day – Clean Eat Cooking!

January 2, 2013 · by · 16 Comments

After taking a week and a half off for the holidays, I completely forgot to put up a post to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

So here is your belated Happy New Year’s wish!

photo credit: Funscrape.com

photo credit: Funscrape.com

How many of you make resolutions?  I have learned NOT to!  It seems I start out doing great but a few months later, I have completely forgotten the resolution.  Probably the way most of us are.

Last February I started on a journey to get healthy and take off some of those extra pounds I was carrying around.  Here are some pictures of the journey I have been on.   The last picture I had Emily take yesterday and I feel pretty good about the third and fourth pictures.  I have gained a couple of pounds but the biggest change has been in the toning.  Taking a few months off of working out has definitely made an impact.   My goal is to get active once again and get that toned body back…and reach my goal of 20 more pounds!  (If you are a follower you probably remember I had only 15 pounds to go…this is what the holidays did to me!)

weightloss progressToday I spent the day cooking.  I am going to try the clean eating approach…lots of fruit, veggies and protein.  I have never gone carb free but will try it for a week at a time.  It might be just what I need.

Here is picture of everything I made today and within the next few weeks, I will share the recipes that I feel are successful for me.

clean eatingIt is going to be so nice since all my food is pre-portioned and ready to just heat up or eat cold.  My family will be eating their typical foods since they are not needing to lose any weight.  Emily tried most of my recipes today and she loved all but one!  This excites me because I can incorporate some of my foods into their meals.

What was your resolution this year?

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It’s My Third Blogiversary!

December 18, 2012 · by · 13 Comments

Wow!  Time sure flies when you are having fun!  I was prepping a few posts for later this week and as I looked at the calendar I realized today is my 3rd year of blogging!  What an amazing journey it has been.  During the last three years I have met some of the most caring friends!  Connected with friends near and far and know them on a level beyond just a fan of their blog.

Thank you to everyone who has made Tammy’s Two Cents what it is today!

I was looking back at some of my first posts and found one on holiday traditions.  I thought I would share it once again because of the timing of the year.  It includes one of my favorite Christmas cookie recipe which brings back LOTS of memories of my holidays from the past.

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

Originally posted December 18, 2009

Holiday traditions are passed down generation to generation…preserving those traditions is the best present we can give ourselves.   Making new ones is fun too!  We have a few traditions around our home and I would love to share them with you.

Christmas Eve is always spent here at home, celebrating with my side of the family.  We love being in our beds that night knowing Santa will arrive sometime during the night.  Christmas morning we wake up early (actually Scott does, turns on all the Christmas lights downstairs, then wakes each one of us to open presents.)   Once we have opened all our gifts we get ready and head down to Scott’s parents for more presents and Christmas Brunch.

A fun tradition we started with our kids is opening up new PJ’s on Christmas Eve. (The real reason is, I have a soft spot and couldn’t stand the kids not opening at least one gift the night before…shhh!)  I buy PJ’s for all four of us, (again, I couldn’t stand not opening a gift myself on Christmas eve) so Dad, Mom and the kids unwrap their jammies and get into them early on Christmas eve.

One of my favorite memories growing up was making Christmas cookies with my mom and sister.  Looking back it felt as if mom baked for weeks before Christmas.  Who has time for all that? As of right now I have not started baking!! I guess with 4 days left until Christmas I should really think about doing some.  A cookies that has been passed down from my grandmother was her Yule Logs.   One year we were a little more creative and made purple frosting instead of green or red (I am sure that was my idea and am very surprised that mom went a long with it).  I wish I had pictures to show you but the frosting was more gray than purple and the cookies looked like little dead mice!  We had a good laugh that Christmas, especially when we shared them with guests!   Here is the recipe if you would like to add it to your cookie list this year.

Yule Logs

1 Cup Butter
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 teaspoons rum flavoring
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 Cups sifted flour
1 Egg
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Mix butter and sugar together, add egg, then add rum flavoring and vanilla. Now add in the dry ingredients.
Form dough into long rolls 1/2 inch wide on granulated sugar board. Cut into 3 inch length cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Icing:
1/3 Cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons rum flavoring
Blend in 2 Cups powdered sugar and 2 Tablespoons light cream. Beat together with mixer.

Enjoy the traditions your family has passed down and have fun creating new ones. What are some of your favorite traditions?

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AWARD WINNING Spooky Guacamole In A Witches Finger Bowl – Recipe

October 30, 2012 · by · 10 Comments

Last year I made this fun and spooky guacamole dish for a recipe contest.  It was award winning as I won first prize!  I thought I would share it with you today so if you are doing a quick meal on Halloween, you could add this to your spread.

 

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Spooky Guacamole In A Witches Fingers Bread Bowl

Spooky Guacamole In A Witches Fingers Bread Bowl

Ingredients

    For the bread bowl:
  • 1 package of croissants
    • For the Spookamole:
  • 2 Hass Avacados
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/8 cup chives, finely chopped
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1/3rd of a peeled cucumber, diced
  • 1 Tablespoon sour cream (put in baggie for piping spiderweb)

Instructions

  1. I used a tube of croissants and fanned them out on a round stone. I made sure that the middle would be covered since that was the base of my bowl.
  2. I added foil crunched in a circle so I could bake the fingers so they would look like they would be holding the Spookamole.
  3. I had one finger that fell during baking so I added a toothpick to it while it cooled, which worked perfectly. Once the bread was cooled and was close to serving time I added some of our ripe cherry tomatoes right from our garden. I halved them and added a little cream cheese to the fingertips to act as a glue and put the red fingernails on. (Another option would be to put black olives as the fingertips and make a spider out of an olive and place it in the spookamole.)
  4. Add the avocados to bowl and mash with a fork. Add all ingredients and mix together. Once all ingredients have been combined, add spookamole into the Freakishly Fingerbowl. Add a tablespoon of sour cream into a baggie and cut a small corner off of the bag. Pipe several circles on the spookamole, then take a tooth pick and pull the circles so that it looks like a spiderweb. Adorn with plastic spiders or make some with black olives. Enjoy!
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World Pasta Day With Barilla

October 25, 2012 · by · 2 Comments

Today is World Pasta Day!  Grab the pasta, the sauce and the cheese and let’s CELEBRATE!

It is harder and harder to get a meal on the table around our house!  Barilla found that the top triggers are 1) Work, 2) Household chores, 3) Errands, 4) Kids’ after school activities and 5) Kids’ homework.  I must agree and if I could add one more…exhaustion.  It’s hard to be creative in the kitchen when you have had a long, tiring day!

I gravitate towards pasta a couple meals a week.  It’s always in the pantry and everyone in my house loves it.  I am not alone either, it is recognized by parents and non-parents as a tasty (88%) and easy (87%) meal option and one that can be prepared using on-had ingredients from a pantry (82%).

I have actually been browning and cooking my meat (ground beef, ground turkey and chicken) once a month.  I then freeze it in small batches that easily can be added to pasta and sauces for a quick week night meal.  This has saved so much time and it really doesn’t take more than an hour or so. (The slow cooker is great for cooking the chicken, then shred and freeze.)

I made a tasty meal in celebration of World Pasta Day.  It’s super easy and doesn’t even need a meat.  I found a recipe from The Modern Family Pasta Cookbook I knew my family would love.  We had cherry tomatoes from the garden which was needed in the recipe.

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Barilla White Fiber Mini Shells with Cherry Tomatoes, Basil and Parmigiano Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4-6

Barilla White Fiber Mini Shells with Cherry Tomatoes, Basil and Parmigiano Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 Box Barilla White Fiber Mini Shells
  • 4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 small onion, diced
  • 2 Pints cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Salt - to taste
  • Black Pepper - to taste
  • 6 Leaves Basil, cut Julienne style
  • 1/2 Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to boil
  2. In a large skillet, cook onion in olive oil for 3-4 minutes or until translucent
  3. Add cherry tomatoes and saute for 3-4 minutes until blistered.
  4. Season with salt and pepper
  5. Cook pasta 1 minute less than required cooking time, drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water
  6. Toss pasta with onions,tomatoes and pasta water
  7. Remove from heat
  8. Add basil and cheese
  9. Stir to combine and serve
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It turned out so good with little or no effort.  Here I am getting ready to serve it up to the family.

As part of the World Pasta Day, please visit Barilla on Facebook and help them donate to Feeding America and receive a download of the cookbook and $1 off of Barilla pasta or sauce coupon (while supplies last).

What will you make tonight for World Pasta Day?

 

Disclosure:  I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Barilla. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

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Happy Birthday – S’more Cookie Recipe

June 26, 2012 · by · 14 Comments

Happy Birthday Emily!

Today is Emily’s 12th Birthday.   I am pretty sure she is one of Justin Bieber’s biggest fans.  She is going to be so surprised when she finds 2 tickets to his concert within her presents!   Listen for the screaming coming from Washington state! :)

We had a family party here on Sunday and she asked me to make her a S’more Cookie instead of a cake.  I found this recipe on Pillsbury and it was simple and delicious!

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Pillsbury S'more Cookie

Pillsbury S'more Cookie

Ingredients

  • Pillsbury Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (1 tube)
  • Hershey Bars (I used mini bars)
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Graham crackers, broken into small pieces

Instructions

  1. Let the dough sit out for a few minutes
  2. Shape into a ball
  3. Form into a large cookie
  4. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes (I watched it closely for the last 15 minutes so it wouldn't burn)
  5. Add Hershey bars, graham crackers and mini marshmallows and bake until marshmallows are a golden brown.
  6. Enjoy warm
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