When you have leftovers, what do you usually do? Put them in storage containers and before you know it – it is next week and you forgot about them and they go to waste… right? I will not deny that we have been guilty of that. I have been trying to freeze any leftovers or when I am cooking, to make a little extra and set some aside for hubby for lunches during the week at work. Foodsaver is here to help us save money in 2010, as well as to help us monitor our leftovers and stop tossing out good food!

Now more than ever it is important to start saving – save money, save time, save space and save your favorite foods. Introducing the innovative and easy to use FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System with exclusive SmartSeal™ Technology – simply insert a FoodSaver® bag and the machine does the rest! Take all the guesswork out of vacuum sealing with automatic bag detection and hands-free operation. Plus, the attractive vertical design looks great on your counter, making it more convenient to save money every day.

I love this Foodsaver! Not only is it pretty to look at, but from the older Foodsaver that I remember mom having when I was growing up, this one stands up so it takes up less space on the counter or if you store it, but you wont want to store it. The one we have is Stainless Steel and is pretty as can be! It is sleek and gets a job done, fast!

I am on a mission for 2010 to make our buck stretch as much as we can and to utilize leftovers, along with freezing portions for easy reheat if I am not in the mood to cook. I did a video walk through to show you how easy it was for me to get started.

In my video, I froze leftover meatballs with just a little sauce in them.

Admit it. These are sleek, aren’t they?

Available in black, white and stainless steel at all major retailers and on www.FoodSaver.com

Keep food fresh up to 5 times longer and save up to $2,700 a year!
MSRP: $139-$169

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

Earlier this month, I posted my excitement for opening a box from Pretend Play Kitchen Shop that included the Gudecraft Wood Kitchen Helper. Why was I excited right off the bat? Well, its because I was expecting a ton of pieces to be in the box and a good hour to put it together, but it CAME already assembled!

I have really been trying to let the kids in the kitchen more, but we never had a way to let them ‘up’ near the bar area where I get meals ready, other than a bar stool where they could fall off of it. With the Kitchen Helper, all our problems are solved! Tucker is able to help get meals ready

With my increased love for cooking & baking, I really want the kids to be able to come and help in the kitchen more. Why? Letting the kids in the kitchen really helps with their learning and also to help teach them chores and helps them learn things from baking, helping mom with dishes and so much more! Giving your kids responsibilities are an early age really helps with so much! When you let your kids in the kitchen, let them help cook/prepare meals and even do things like help to wash dishes, this really gives your kids a sense of responsibility and that they can do it. Tucker is so proud when he is allowed to help and that he CAN do it. Here’s a video of him helping make muffins.

I cannot tell you how much I love the Kitchen Helper! When not in use, the Kitchen Helper folds very nicely and can be stored away. We keep ours before you go in to the pantry area. Fits perfect and takes up no room at all!

About the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper from Pretend Play Kitchen Shop:

Guidecraft Wood Kitchen Helper

Kitchen Helper – Lightweight, easy to move and easier to store. Our Kitchen Helper safely and securely allows children to reach countertop height so that they can take part in many learning and sharing activities that are normally not accessible to them. Easily adjust to three platform heights. Wood construction with a rich maple toned finish.

Features include:

• Made of sturdy WOOD construction!
• Childproof EZ folding design
• Folds FLAT for easy storage – less than 7″ wide
• Lightweight – weighs under 18lbs
• Adjust to 3 heights to grow with your kids
• Platform bolts in place for added security
• Attractive Maple toned finish
• Dry erase and chalkboards for floor-level fun
• Ships assembled
• Dimensions: 20.25″L x 20.75″W x 36.75″H
• Weight: 18lb

I have absolutely no ‘mom improvements’ on the Kitchen Helper to suggest. I love everything about it from packaging, delivery, weight, storing, to use, to price. We don’t have a large kitchen, so knowing that this folds up for easy storage is so great! We are looking forward to many more kitchen adventures, chores and baking to share with you all throughout the holidays, and beyond! Pretend Play Kitchen Shop has the most adorable pretend play kitchens that I have seen in a while. I love the colors, the accessories and the endless fun that your little one will have.

For more information, please visit www.pretendplaykitchenshop.com/ and be sure to sign up for their newsletter and you will get an INSTANT $5.00 coupon!

Mommy Goggles Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I have personally tested and used in my home, and all opinions expressed are my own.

I am all about my kids, well any child, having fun with pretend play. We received the ">Step2 Lifestyle Deluxe Kitchen a couple of months ago and this has been nothing but pure fun in our home! While the kitchen itself is amazing and so much fun, there are so many fun accessories that you can add to this set to make it an entire shopping experience.

Here are some of the kids’ favorite things to play with. Seriously – hours of entertainment! We have a small ‘entry way’ that was built in, in the front of our house. This is the kids’ ‘kitchen’. It’s perfect for their Step2 Kitchen and to go grocery shopping!

I cannot tell you how madly in love with the Little Helper’s Grocery Cart that I.. er… the kids are in! First of all, there is nothing to put together. When you purchase this adorable grocery cart, it is all in one, no pieces, no tools needed. Un-box and play!

Little Helper’s Grocery Cart
Kids can really shop till they drop with this easy-to-push, super durable grocery cart.

• This cart is designed with a low and wide shape making it easy to handle, even for early walkers
• Large, durable wheels roll smoothly
• Features a wide open basket space that provides trouble-free access to items inside
• Extra storage space down below on the lower shelf for more fun cargo
• Works perfect for a play stroller too – seat space is perfect for a favorite doll or stuffed animal
• Made in USA of US and imported parts
• Ships fully assembled for instant out-of-the-box play
• Accessories and play food not included

The Little Helper’s Grocery runs just under $35 and is a perfect addition to any home. The kids also use it for picking up toys in the house. It is a dual purpose toy. Fun for kids, great for mom!

We have a hard time finding play food that doesn’t break, isn’t thin and flimsy, so when I browsed around Step2’s website, I had to check out their play food.

Play Food Assortment

This large 101 piece play food assortment is a must have for playtime cooking

• Includes a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, pastries, sandwiches, breakfast, snack, dessert, Italian, Mexican and Japanese foods
• Enhances playtime experiences with Step2® kitchens and playhouses
• Made in China
• Serve up all this great food with with a LifeStyle™ Dining Room and Pots & Pans Set! (sold separately)
• Food assortment was recently updated and contents may vary per order

This play food set has to be the best that I have been able to find so far. We went all around Omaha to local stores to find play food, but all we could find was thin, cheaply made play food that would have been deteriorate before we had a chance to play with it. I was really excited to see that the pieces were thicker than the local retail places had to offer. There were a few (very few) pieces that were thin, but overall, I would say at least 99% of this play food assortment is very well made and very well worth the price tag that is just shy of $25.00 retail price. Tucker’s favorite of all the 101 pieces is the tacos. So realistic!

We have been getting in to baking, so having the Step2 Lifestyle Deluxe Kitchen, the kids have been getting more in to it as well. They love to help, but also love to pretend. While I think the Cooking Essentials 20 Piece Baking Set is more ‘realistic’ and could very well be used IN the real kitchen, the kids have a blast with this set in their ‘kitchen area’. We have a table and tiny chair setup in their area where they can set the table and have all their pretend play and bake mommy some play goodness.

Cooking Essentials 20 Piece Baking Set

Introduce your aspiring chef to the essence of gourmet baking with the Cooking Essentials™ 20 Piece Baking Set. This Step2® baking set is the perfect complement to Step2® LifeStyle™ kitchens, and includes all the necessary tools for your little ones to “bake” breads and pastries!

• Authentic-looking bakware is sized for children
• High-quality wood, stainless steel, plastic, and fabric construction
• Includes wooden pastry board, rolling pin, pastry wheel, pie server, spoon & spatula, stainless mixing bowl, bear-shaped cake pan, loaf pan, 3 cookie cutters, oven mitt, pot holder, measuring spoons and measuring cups
• Dishwasher safe
• Made in China
• The perfect accessory set for Step2® LifeStyle™ Kitchens

The potholders are adorable and so real like! Tucker is 4 ½ and watching him show his sister how to be safe and take hot things from their Step2 oven is priceless!

We will be using the Cooking Essentials 20 Piece Baking Set in mommy’s real kitchen this baking holiday season, so check back for more fun in the kitchen with the whole family! We use a lot of the Step2 products, play food, shopping cart, and even the kitchen IN our real kitchen. To me, role play is a huge part of our family and kids’ lives. It brings out so much in them.

(Sorry the video is fuzzy.. trying to get the kinks fixed)

For more information and other fab products for your home and pretend play, visit www.step2.com

Mommy Goggles Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I have personally tested and used in my home, and all opinions expressed are my own.

We live in an old home. With this comes old pipes and .. well, we don’t like to drink our water due to it really needing to be filtered. We were given the chance to try out Homedic’s new Restore Water Purification System.

What is Restore? A new state-of-the art and innovative in-home water purification system that combines filtration and UV Clean Technology

What makes it different? Just because its filtered, doesn’t means it’s purified!

Restore uses Ultraviolet (UV) Clean Technology to go beyond filtering by removing bacteria, viruses and more.

Restore is California certified for microbiological water purification, a first for a water pitcher utilizing UV technology and is Gold Seal Certified to National Sanitation Foundation standards by the Water Quality Association. UV Technology has been used for over 60 years for its germicidal properties in hospitals and laboratories. For the first time, an application of this unique germ-killing technology is available for home use in an affordable, easy to use water pitcher.

Restore benefits:

• With state-of-the-art technology that is comparable to many installed systems with none of the hassle.
• Unlike leading brands of water filtration pitchers such as Brita & Pur, Restore takes clean water to a whole new level by removing bacteria & viruses.
• Delivering cleaner, great-tasting water right from the tap, Restore water is cheaper than bottled water

Here is a video to show you all the details about the Restore Clean Water System

Revolutionary Dual Process System
Step 1: Filtration
Reduces heavy metals, chlorine (taste and odor) and some industrial and agricultural pollutants.

Step 2: Purification
Breakthrough UV Clean Technology purifies and removes:
99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses, and 99.95% of microbial cysts

Restore is a breakthrough solution:

• With state-of-the-art technology comparable to many installed systems with none of the hassle.
• Unlike leading brands of water filtration pitchers such as Brita and PUR, Restore takes clean water to a new level by removing bacteria and viruses.*
• Delivering cleaner, great-tasting water right from the tap, Restore water is cheaper than bottled water.

Certified Performance

• California certified for microbiological water purification, a first for a water pitcher utilizing UV technology, and Gold Seal Certified to NSF standards by the Water Quality Association.
• BPA Free

System Includes:
8 cup capacity pitcher with built-in UV lamp, replaceable filter, 1 power adaptor

It was so easy to set up. Right out of the box, it was a nice experience to set up and get started.

I sped up the video so you would be able to see my initial set up. Sorry if you got dizzy. LOL

With our pipes and drinking city water, we aren’t really ‘sure’ what all is in our water. I have been buying bottled water just because it tasted better than our tap water. After trying the Restore Clean Water System, I can see a difference and taste a difference. Huge difference actually. At first, I wasn’t sure what this water system would do, but I decided to give it a whirl. If you click here, this will let you see all of the details about the Restore Clean Water System, literally so many technical and amazing specs that even blew my mind away.

If you are looking for a water filtration system, that you don’t have to hire someone to come install and that won’t break the bank – this is the one for you. I like the size of the pitcher and how you can easily move it from countertop to the fridge. I drink a lot of water, so this is a perfect size. I like how the pitcher is see though so I can also keep track of how much water I am drinking in a day.

For more information, please visit http://www.homedics.com/restore to purchase online or to find a retailer in your area.

Mommy Goggles Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

With my increased love for cooking & baking, I really want the kids to be able to come and help in the kitchen more. Why? Letting the kids in the kitchen really helps with their learning and also to help teach them chores and helps them learn things from baking, helping mom with dishes and so much more! Giving your kids responsibilities are an early age really helps with so much!

I was recently introduced to a company that seriously had…me…at…hello! Pretend Play Kitchen Shop. One of the things that we received was the Guidecraft Wood Kitchen Helper.

Kitchen Helper – Lightweight, easy to move and easier to store. Our Kitchen Helper safely and securely allows children to reach countertop height so that they can take part in many learning and sharing activities that are normally not accessible to them. Easily adjust to three platform heights. Wood construction with a rich maple toned finish.

Features include:

• Made of sturdy WOOD construction!
• Childproof EZ folding design
• Folds FLAT for easy storage – less than 7″ wide
• Lightweight – weighs under 18lbs
• Adjust to 3 heights to grow with your kids
• Platform bolts in place for added security
• Attractive Maple toned finish
• Dry erase and chalkboards for floor-level fun
• Ships assembled
• Safety tested to ASTM Standard F963-07
• Safely supports up to 125 lbs. total weight
• Dimensions: 20.25″L x 20.75″W x 36.75″H
• Weight: 18lb

I will have a whole other review for this, but in the meantime, I had to introduce you to this product and I even had to video it straight from the box. From the box? Why? Well, I was so excited to see how it arrived. No tools needed!

I was totally expecting to whip out all the tools and spend a good 30 minutes assembling this, but it came already assembled!

Watch out soon, and all throughout the holiday season for our experience with the Guidecraft Wood Kitchen Helper, as well as many more fun and fab products for you to add to your little ones’ holiday shopping lists!

Not only does Pretend Play Kitchen Shop have the Kitchen Helper, but there is a great selection of pretend play kitchens & pretend play food. I will have some more fun posts coming up, so stay tuned!

For more information, please visit www.pretendplaykitchenshop.com/

Mixin’ Kitchen Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

I have to say that I never thought I would be making my own applesauce. Seriously. Well, since I became a stay at home mother, a lot of things have changed for me. I have become a regular Betty Crocker.

Today, I decided to make the plunge to make homemade applesauce. Well, I was almost forced to when hubby walks through the door with about 200 apples.

I started looking around online to see what recipes I could do with the kitchen appliances that I had. I couldn’t really find anything just right, so I decided to sit and read for a bit, then thought I would get up and just start messing around. Guess what? My recipe that was invented off the bat – well, the kids love! I, personally do not like applesauce, but I tried this and I have to say that it was pretty darn good!

I did not use any measuring cups, so the below is my guesstimate, so feel free to taste as you go along.

• Take a large pot, fill it with about an inch of apple juice and about an inch of water.
• Take your apples, peel them, cut them in to wedges – core out. I used a $10.00 apple peeler that I bought at a local kitchen retailer. It was on sale from $20. What a steal! Also, the apple corer was about $4.00.
• Boil the wedges on high, until you can poke a fork through them softly.
• Once they are soft, drain and put in a food processor. I used my Cuisinart Elite Collection 14-Cup Food Processor
• Pulse until they are at the consistency that you like.
• I did not add any sugar to the mixture, but I did add sprinkles of cinnamon to taste as the kids like.
• If you like your applesauce sweeter, then you can add white or brown sugar to taste, otherwise the apple juice that the apples are boiled in, will give them a nice sweet flavor.
• Once the mixture is done to your liking, you can freeze in to servings for up to a year, in a good deep freeze.Otherwise, you can make mixtures in jars to can. Applesauce will can very nicely!

Pictures of my adventure:

Here is a video I made throughout my process showing you what I did. I hope this will help explain what I didn’t verbalize in words.

I do not have the proper canning materials yet, so I chose to freeze in portions for snacks, until I can get the proper canning materials. Freezing tastes just as well as canning and fresh applesauce!

Happy Applesauce making!

Who loves Hostess Cupcakes? *raises hand & waves * Are these just not the most addictive things ever? Hubby loves to put them in the freezer and eat them once they are just cold & frozen enough. I tried it and .. well, he was right. Did I just say that a man was right? Yup! If you haven’t tried frozen cupcakes, you seriously need to try it. Yummy!

Hostess® is proudly celebrating 90 sweet years of the brand’s iconic squiggle-topped cupcake – the best selling snack cake in history. For almost a century, the delicious icing, freshly baked cake and signature vanilla-crème filling of Hostess CupCakes have made this treat one of America’s favorite snacks generation after generation.

• Call it a cupcake caper. Mystery surrounds who “invented” the original Hostess CupCake in 1919, however, we know it was baking executive D.R. “Doc” Rice who, more than 30 years later in 1950, added the signature seven squiggles and vanilla-crème filling. While others have tried to capitalize on the popularity of this ubiquitous decoration, the squiggle – which features seven loops on every cupcake – is unmistakably Hostess.
• Hostess CupCakes are the best selling snack cakes in history. And it’s the Hostess CupCake – not the Hostess Twinkie® – that holds the spot as the best selling Hostess snack cake year after year.
• Americans eat more than 600 million Hostess CupCakes every year.
• One of America’s BBQ capitals has a sweet spot for Hostess CupCakes. Residents of Memphis, Tennessee eat the most Hostess CupCakes per capita of any city across the country followed by:
  o St. Louis
  o Cincinnati
  o Las Vegas
  o Louisville
• While it’s hard to improve on perfection, consumers have been able to sink their teeth into a few twists on the original over the years, including the popular Golden CupCakes, which debuted in 1999. Hostess also offers seasonal themed cup cakes including “Baseballs” in the spring – cup cakes with vanilla icing and red-swirl “stitching.”
• Captain CupCake, who was introduced in the 1970s, is one of several Hostess snack “mascots” along with everyone’s favorite cowboy, Twinkie the Kid.
• The original Hostess CupCake slogan was “You get a big delight in every bite!”

Kambry is now a fan too

Hostess Snacks are also perfect for kids’ lunches. This will be one snack they won’t want to trade!

For more information about Hostess products visit www.hostesscakes.com and follow Hostess Snacks on twitter at http://twitter.com/Hostess_Snacks.

I am so passionate about my new Frigidaire Stainless Steel Fridge from the Gallery collection, not only because it is pretty to look at, but it really DOES save me time. How? I cannot tell you how long it took me to clean my old fridge. The shelves were a pain, the plastic inside was so hard and it was just hard to maneuver inside the fridge to get things cleaned. With my new Frigidaire Fridge, I can pull shelves out, lift them up, rearrange to fit the food and storage containers in my fridge and the outside is a breeze to clean up as well. Take a peek at this video to show you what I am talking about.

I will be honest and say that I was scared to have a Stainless Steel Fridge in my home with two small kids. Fingerprints and don’t forget about the water drops that stay on the front of the fridge (oh, food fights too), but clean up, inside and out, is so easy! Lets face it: No matter what kind of appliance you have, there is bound to have fingerprints, smudges and dirt on them. Why not have gorgeous appliances with easy clean up?

I am very impressed with the clean up and how easy it is to get and stay clean. Real stainless steel with a protective coating that reduces fingerprints and smudges so it’s easy to clean. The shelves are SpillSafe™ Shelves that are designed to keep spills contained, making clean up a breeze. We have had some spills from the kids’ drinks inside on the shelves and with the SpillSafe, it prevent the spilled liquid from running down the inside of the fridge as well it is very easy to wipe up. The lighting inside is awesome! We have had 3 gallons of milk on the top shelf, where the light is, and we still have tons of light inside to see what we are doing.

For more information and other fabulous appliances to help save you time, please visit http://www.frigidaire.com/