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Udi’s Gluten Free Bread Review – Have a Gluten-Free Holiday!

By Mindi Cherry on November 30, 2011
in Moms Need To Cook, Reviews

I first heard about people going Gluten Free, but never knew much the reasons behind it or even tried any Gluten Free products.  Udi’s recently sent me a box of their breads to try and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how good they were!

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye that some people cannot tolerate – some reactions are more severe than others, but it is estimated that 1 in every 200 people is sensitive to gluten. Udi’s specializes in gluten free bakery products for those who eat gluten-free due to Celiac’s disease, gluten-intolerance, or by choice. Not only are Udi’s products gluten-free, but they are made with only high quality ingredients so they are as good for you.

As I said, I didn’t know much about the taste and textures of gluten-free bread, but as an avid baker, I knew how important gluten is to bread-making. The breads were smaller and more dense that I am used to, but I dove right in to start trying them!

Whole Grain Bread Loaf- I hadn’t made a Bread Pudding for quite some time and was having a craving. Adapting a recipe from Make It Fast, Cook It Slow, I whisked together 2 eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 t vanilla, 1/2 t vanilla, 1/2 t. nutmegs and a pinch of cloves. I grabbed my 2 qt crockpot and buttered the inside of the pot. Then I took about 7 slices of Udi’s Whole Grain bread and tore them to pieces and folded the bread as well as about 1/4 cup of raisins in to the egg mixture. I poured that mixture in to the buttered crockpot and let it cook on low for about 4 hours.  The result?  a bread pudding that nobody could ever tell was gluten free or “different” in any way!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread - this made the most AMAZING French Toast. The kids wondered why it looked a little different than their regular bread (I have 3 VERY picky eaters), and I told them to just try it! We ended up using the entire loaf for 1 breakfast because they just would not stop eating it! Beyond that, it is just amazing toasted with a little bit of butter on it!

If you are thinking about going Gluten Free (or have an upcoming guest who needs GF foods), Udi’s would be a great choice. Not only will you be meeting the needs of your guests, but they are products that anyone would find tasty after they leave and you are left with products to finish!

You can find Udi’s on Twitter and Facebook.

I was given a 6 pack variety pack of Udi’s bread to facilitate my post. This Post was written by me and was not edited by the sponsor.

Photo Credit

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Cooking With Lawry's – and a Giveaway!

By Mindi Cherry on August 14, 2011
in Giveaways, Reviews

I recently had the opportunity to get together with some of my favorite Philly Bloggers as part of a campaign with Lawry’s.  We are participating in a national recipe contest as “Team Philly” and our challenge was to come up with some new recipes for a “Holiday Dinner”.  Seeing as it is still summer and we are in the heart of Grilling Season, we decided to design a couples-themed Labor Day party!

The requirements were to come up with an appetizer, a main dish and a dessert.  However, since this was also a get together with some of my favorite Philly Bloggers, we decided to go above and beyond and have a little extra fun!

The menu:

Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip

Pineapple Salsa

Cedar Plank Salmon with Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Corn – see recipe below

Sweet and Spicy Peaches and Strawberries – see recipe below

Lawry’s Sweet and Seasoned Surprise – see recipe below

I have to admit, the thought of creating a dessert and our little “add-on” of a cocktail was a little strange to me.  When I think of Lawry’s, “sweet” is not a word that typically comes to mind.  I was pleasantly surprised by the Peaches & Strawberries and BLOWN AWAY by our cocktail!

Make sure that you check out Moms Need to Cook for the Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip, Pineapple Salsa and Cedar Plank Salmon with Grilled Vegetables recipes

Corn on the Cob

  • Remove outer layers of corn husks
  • Soak corn in cold water for 20 minutes
  • peel back husks and dribble olive oil and shake on Lawry’s seasoned salt
  • push corn husks back around cob and grill for 20-40 minutes, turning every now and again
  • remove corn and serve

Sweet and Spicy Strawberries and Peaches

  1. cut tops of strawberries and slice peaches into slices
  2. marinade in water, marinade, and sugar
  3. place in foil and grill for 5-6 minutes
  4. serve with vanilla ice cream or greek yogurt


Lawry’s Sweet & Seasoned Surprise

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 2 ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1/2 cup frozen peaches
  • Juice of ½ Lemon
  1. Lawry’s seasoned pepper
  2. Mix above in a blender.
  3. Pour some Seasoned Pepper on a plate
  4. Wet Margarita glass with a lemon and dip in Lawry’s seasoning
  5. Enjoy this salty and sweet drink!

The Giveaway

Lawry’s is offering one reader a giveaway package with: 16 oz Seasoned Salt, Balsamic Herb Marinade and a Seasoned Salt Marinade. YUMMY!!!

To enter: Leave me a comment! Tell me which recipe we made that you would try.

This giveaway will remain open until Saturday August 20, 2011 at 12:00pm EST at which time I will pick a winner using the And The Winner Is plugin.

Disclosure:  I was compensated for my participation in this campaign

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Smuckers Uncrustables Contest – Win a Trip to Yosemite!

By Mindi Cherry on August 9, 2011
in Reviews


This post brought to you by Triad Retail Media. All opinions are 100% mine.

Kids are funny.

I don’t know what it is about bread crusts that makes a sandwich “uneatable”, but Elizabeth REFUSES to eat any crust at all.  I have always known people with children who insisted that the crusts be cut off their PB&J, but never thought I would have one myself!  While I tend to make her PB&J at home, I like to keep a box of Uncrustables in the freezer for those times when we need to “grab & go”.

I was even shocked to visit Jonathan at school one day during his lunch period, only to find that his school offers Uncrustables as a lunch option (although it is a larger size than is available in the grocery stores).  It’s not that he is “anti-crust”…he just really prefers to eat those than the typical school lunch (except on Taco Day). Considering what I have been hearing lately about school lunches lately (thanks Jamie Oliver!), I would much rather he eat an Uncrustables than “mystery meat!  I also like that a recent addition is that they are available in a whole-wheat variety!

Right now Uncrustables is having a contest with the Grand Prize being a 5-day/4-night trip for winner and 3 guests to Yosemite National Park, CA, with round-trip coach air transportation, hotel accommodations and $4,000 cash! Just head to the Uncrustables site and upload your photo of your family that shows their unstoppable qualities in action, along with a short caption.

Of course, I am always looking for coupons for the products that we use, so make sure that you are following Uncrustables on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the latest promotions!

Have you tried Uncrustables?  What is your favorite flavor (I have to admit, they used to have a grilled cheese one that my kids loved…but I think they discontinued it!)?

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In Theaters Now: Selena Gomez in Monte Carlo

By Mindi Cherry on July 2, 2011
in Reviews


This post brought to you by Monte Carlo. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I was young, I was always a big fan of horror movies.  Now that I am older and have children of my own, it is the romantic comedies that tickle my fancy.  Life is stressful enough and sometimes you just want a nice light movie that makes you laugh.

Selena Gomez is a huge name around our house.  Both my boys AND my daughter love her and when I showed them the trailer for Monte Carlo, they immediately asked me if we can go to see it.

Grace (Selena Gomez) is an ordinary girl who becomes an accidental heiress when a summer trip to Paris turns into the fantasy of a lifetime (although as far as I am concerned, just the trip to Paris is a fantasy of a lifetime!). After saving all her life in order to go to Paris, her dream trip is not all that it is cracked up to be…bad tours, crummy hotels and more plague her trip.

That all changes when she is mistaken for a British socialite named Cordelia. She and her friends decide to “go with it” and assume Cordelia’s life of privilege and they head to Monte Carlo.

Of course, what would a romantic comedy be without the romance?  Grace soon meets a gorgeous young Frenchman and there are love interests for her friends.  In between the chance-of-a-lifetime adventures, the three girls discover that the greatest adventure is finding out who they really are.

Monte Carlo has been added to my list of must-see Summer Movies.  It looks like a nice wholesome movie that not only entertains, but will teach pre-teens a valuable lesson about the importance of being true to yourself.

So head on over to Fandango to check movie times and grab tickets….this is going to be a hot movie this summer!  In the meantime, you can always head to the Monte Carlo Facebook page and chat with other Monte Carlo and Selena Gomez fans!

Visit Sponsor's Site

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Walgreens And Saving Money

By Mindi Cherry on June 30, 2011
in Reviews, Walgreens

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Pharmacist

Although I have been posting Walgreens coupon matchups for some time, it is only in the last year that I have had a Walgreens near me and been able to shop there.  Walgreens quickly became my favorite drug store.  While I am able to stock up on many items with coupons, there are oftentimes where someone gets sick or has a problem and needs a product that you just don’t have in your stockpile.

Of course, I am talking about Brads feet!

Brad recently came down with a bad case of athlete’s foot and asked me to run out to grab him something to get rid of it.  I headed to Walgreens (not only is it my favorite drug store, it also happens to be the closest one to me).

As I stood in front of the foot care section, I went in to “sticker shock”.  Not knowing what the difference was between the products, I grabbed a few, including TOLNAFTATE and went to ask the pharmacist for a recommendation.  The pharmacist pointed out to me that Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products contained the same active ingredients as the name-brands, at a considerable savings.  She also let me know Walgreens brand medications are 100% guaranteed so if it didn’t help Brads problem, I could get my money back.  That was enough for me and I headed home with the TOLNAFTATE.  Thankfully, it worked and Brad was back on his feet (pun intended) quickly!

Of course, I will continue to work the Register Rewards deals at Walgreens, but now I know that I can trust Walgreens-brand products for those items that we need.  Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products helped me to save money and the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ means that some of my purchase was donated to help others.

Have you tried any Walgreens-brand products?  Which ones have worked best for you?

Oh – and there are a few bloggers hosting giveaways of Walgreens gift cards.  Be sure to check them out!

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#WinGiveaways: Otterbox $50 Credit (2 winners)

By Mindi Cherry on June 7, 2011
in Gift Ideas, Giveaways, Reviews

There are not many things we splurge on in this household, but technology is one of them. Protecting those investments is very worth it to me, and considering the wear and tear that our phones, ipods, and now the newest ipad receives, having these cases be nearly indestructible is a worthwhile expense.

I was first introduced to Otterbox last year, getting a case for my Blackberry as well as a an iPad case for my mother-in-law. When I bought a new phone and an iPad for Brad for his birthday, there was NO QUESTION that we were getting Otterbox cases for them. With the kids always asking to play with our phones and iPad, we need them as protected as possible!  They have been dropped more times that I can count and, because they are protected, are still working great!

I love Otterbox’s Defender Series, and if you are a person on the go, or have children sharing technology with you, I highly recommend this series. It’s part of their most rugged line of cases, utilizing multi-layer technology and designed to withstand just about any environment. Don’t worry about losing any access or functionality in the Defender Series; they’ve designed it so you can use all of the features right through the case. The inner polycarbonate shell has a foam interior to protect the back from scratching, while the durable silicone skin works its magic by absorbing shock. If you are needing a waterproof case, there are cases that meet that need as well.

As part of our Father’s Day Bash Giveaway, two winners will have their choice of an Otterbox case , up to a $50 value, and trust me, if you enjoy technology, there is something for everyone.

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know what case you would buy for your technology.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Otterbox giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a0W

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, December 13, 2010 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
Bargain Briana
Common Sense With Money
Coupon Cravings
Frugal Coupon Living
Mommin It Up
Passion for Savings
Saving Cents with Sense
Savings Lifestyle
Southern Savers
Stretching a Buck

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Otterbox gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

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#WinGiveaways: 1800Baskets and Cheryl's Cookies!

By Mindi Cherry on June 7, 2011
in Gift Ideas, Giveaways, Reviews

Father’s Day is often one of the hardest time of the year to come up with original ideas, or ideas that will be within your budget.  Many dads see something they want and they just buy it…or when you ask them what they want, they answer “Whatever you get me is fine!”.  There are only so many ties and socket sets that you can buy for Dad before the gifts become just more clutter. One of the ways to avoid giving a gift destined for the back of the closet is to give a consumable gift!

1800Baskets has an amazing selection of gift baskets and there is one for every budget! Is Dad a golfer?  The Taste of The Tour Tote Bag & Snacks with its snacks, golf balls, tees and cooler would be a great gift!  Is Dad always trying to fix everything around the house?  Help him keep his energy up with the Handyman’s Snack Gift Set.

So many dads will spend Father’s Day in the backyard cooking on the grill, making the Happy Father’s Day Classic BBQ  Gift Set the perfect gift set for any dad!  Stuffed with Jim Beam® Spicy Bourbon BBQ Rub, Steven Raichlen® BBQ Rub, Robert Rothschild® Onion Horseradish Dip, Crisp Red Tortilla Chips, Smoky Cheese as well as some handy barbecue tools, Dad can “step out of the hamburgers and hot dogs box” and experiment with new flavors.  There is even an adorable Cheryl’s Cookie that looks exactly like a hamburger! The whole thing comes packed in a box that looks just like a grill!

If Dad prefers the sweet to the savory, you will want to take a look at Cheryl’s Cookies.  Cheryl’s Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good! Each cookie is baked fresh from the best ingredients and individually wrapped. Their seasonal buttercream-frosted cookie collections are always a big hit with any cookie lover!

One Moms Need To Know reader will win a Happy Father’s Day Classic BBQ  Gift Set AND a 12-count box of Cheryl’s Cookies, wrapped perfectly for Father’s Day!

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know which gift basket the dad in your life would love the most.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the 1800Baskets/Chery’l Cookies giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a0D

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

  • Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
  • Bargain Briana
  • Common Sense with Money
  • Frugal Coupon Living
  • Passion for Savings
  • Saving Cents with Sense
  • Southern Savers
  • Stretching A Buck
  • The Savings Lifestyle

    • (and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

    Full Disclosure: 1800 Baskets gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    #WinGiveaways: $100 Credit to Red Envelope

    By Mindi Cherry on June 7, 2011
    in Gift Ideas, Giveaways, Reviews

    Looking for a great gift for Dad for this Father’s Day?  Check out Red Envelope, the site has gifts for every dad.  With prices as low as $29.99, there is a gift to fit every budget.  Check out some of my favorites:

    This gadget charger for the car will help out gadget friendly dad charge almost anything.  With 2AC outlets for laptops, DVD players, phone chargers, camera chargers, etc. and one USB power port for iPods, MP3 players and cell phones, it’s great for car trips!

    For the dad that loves to play golf, these good luck golf tees will bring him a little but of luck and also a chuckle.  Each one comes with a humorous good luck quote on it. Examples include, “May your ball have the wings of an eagle” and “When there’s a wood, there’s a way.”  Each set includes 100 tees.

    This personalized poker set is a winning bet for the dad that loves to play the game.  The set comes with 300 top-quality composite clay poker chips, two sets of professional-grade playing cards, a dealer chip and five dice.

    For the cigar aficionado, you can’t go wrong with this personalized cigar humidor.

    This car trunk organizer would make dad and mom happy!  it includes a cooler in it, perfect for tailgating.  But the organizing compartments would help keep the mess in the trunk contained making mom happy.

    If Dad just needs a little stress relief, get him a set of Bucky Balls!  I got these for Brad and he can’t stop playing with them!

    1 Lucky Winner will win a $100 credit to shop at Red Envelope

    To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

    1. Leave a comment letting me know what you would get if you won.

    To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

    :: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
    Enter to win the Red Envelope giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a11

    This giveaway will remain open until Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

    Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

    Good luck!

    (and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

    Full Disclosure: Red Envelope gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    #WinGiveaways: $100 Novica Gift Certificate

    By Mindi Cherry on June 6, 2011
    in Gift Ideas, Giveaways, Reviews


    Do you ever fall in love with pieces of art while you’re traveling and wish later that you had purchased it? What if you don’t travel and you’ve always wanted that special piece of art with the cool story attached?  NOVICA is an awesome website that has come up with a way to help you in both of these areas!

    Novica gives artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity.  They give people like us access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values!  NOVICA wants you to feel an attachment to the product you’re buying and and the hands that made it.  They don’t charge artists for posting items on their website and the artists remain fully independent.

    With Father’s Day coming up, check out some of the amazing things they have.  You’ll be the talk of Father’s Day as everyone thinks you went to Africa just for dad’s gift! I love their hammocks!  They’re really unique and not terribly expensive.  I’m sure most dads wouldn’t mind hanging out on one of these this Father’s Day.  For the next week they are also offering FREE shipping on most items!

    Don’t need a gift for Father’s Day?  Well – I can’t.stop.drooling over their jewelry!

    Want to win? One lucky Moms Need To Know reader will win a $100 credit to NOVICA!

    To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

    1. Leave a comment letting me know f you could travel somewhere just for their art, where would you go?.

    To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

    :: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
    Enter to win the Novica giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a0I

    This giveaway will remain open until Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

    Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

  • Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
  • Bargain Briana
  • Saving Cents with Sense
  • Southern Savers
  • Stretching A Buck

    • Good luck!

    (and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

    Full Disclosure: Novica gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    #WinGiveaways: $100 To Spend at Tanga.com

    By Mindi Cherry on June 6, 2011
    in Gift Ideas, Giveaways, Reviews

    Tanga is a great daily deals site offering 24 hour discounts at 7PM PST every day on Electronics/Gadgets, T-Shirts, Magazine Subscriptions and more.

    If you are looking for hot Father’s Day bargains this year, you are in luck! Tanga is offering our readers 3 exclusive Win Giveaways Father’s Day Bash sales to help you with your Father’s Day shopping.

    First up is a 1 year subscription to Golfweek Magazine for just $2.99!

    Enter coupon code GOLF at check out to take advantage of this great deal.

    If the man (or men!) in your life could use some new shoes, be sure to check out these Tommy Bahama Journey’s End Mens Shoes. Tanga is currently offering these comfortable and stylish shoes for $34.99 + $5.99 shipping – a savings of 70% regular retail price of $135.

    [Read more...]

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