Love pouring warm breakfast syrup on a stack of fluffy pancakes, but not the sticky residue it leaves behind on the bottle’s cap? You’re not alone!

The makers of Hungry Jack® Syrup and Pancake Mix have introduced a redesigned syrup cap that keeps the syrup on your plate and off the bottle. Directly prompted by customer feedback fielded by the brand, the Hungry Jack “smiley face” syrup cap skips the drip of other syrup bottle caps and allows for a more controlled pour of syrup.

How cute is this???

The new cap is available now on all varieties of Hungry Jack Microwavable Syrups, including Regular, Butter, Lite, Sugar Free Breakfast Syrup and Butter Lite.

We would like to offer you and your readers a sample of the new easy-pouring Hungry Jack Syrup cap so everyone can brighten breakfast with a smile. We can send you one Hungry Jack Pancake Party Kit to enjoy with your friends and family, review on your blogs and offer up to three additional kits to give away to your readers.

The lid, above, is adorable, isn’t it?? I grew up with Hungry Jack. This ranges from flaky biscuits to syrup. To this day, I still refuse to buy store brand biscuits, I only buy flaky Hungry Jack biscuits. This is all my grandmother would buy for us. I think I eat them out of memory for spending the summers with her, but also because they are mouthwatering and my favorite biscuits ever!

When we received the Hungry Jack Pancake Party Kit, I was excited because we make pancakes on a flat pan, but the smiley face pan sure made it more fun for the kids.

The pan was so much fun! I had a hard time with it at first, but I have never used a mold pan like this before. It was easy, it was fun, the kids loved it! Of course, topping with extras like Apple Butter, Jif peanut butter, Hungry Jack syrup… made it so much better!

No, they aren’t burnt.

• I love that the Hungry Jack syrup comes in a container that you can put in the microwave.
• I love that the Hungry Jack syrup has a heat indicator.
• I love that the smiley face is not only cute to look at in the lid, but functional as well.

Mommy Goggles gives this product:
[rating:5]
Why this rating? This is a star rating (1-5) that is based off our opinion on the product itself, use, wear & tear, price and how it fits in to our family’s lives (at home or on the go).

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

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.

For New Years’, I didn’t have all the ingredients to make the traditional Meatballs (Grape Jelly or some recipes call for Cranberry sauce), so I made up my own concoction. Mix and match to your tasting. I didn’t measure.

• 1 jar of Heinz Chili Sauce
• Country Bob’s All Purpose BBQ Sauce (I used a whole bottle, minus about a 1/4 that was previously used)
• Sprinkled with some Brown Sugar on top
• Put in crock pot with homemade or frozen meatballs
• Simmered in crock pot for about 3 hours

We had leftovers, so I froze them.

Today, I thought that making Meatball subs would be yummy, but it needed more of a ‘marinara’ taste, so I opened the freezer and had 1/4 jar of Ragu Pizza Sauce. I put a few meatballs in a small pot on the stove, put Ragu Pizza Sauce in and some sauce from the meatball mix that I made on New Years. Cooked until warm, toasted some wheat bread (both sides), put 1/2 American cheese on each slice, meatballs on top, some sauce, another 1/2 slice of American cheese & sprinkled with some Oregano. I ran out of Parmesan, but you can add. Toasted a little more and walah – Leftover Meatball Sandwich!

(Looks burnt, but it wasnt’t )

There was just a small amount of sauce leftover. I put it in a Rubbermaid container and froze in case we want to make a couple of sandwiches later on. The Country Bob’s, Heinz Chili Sauce, Brown Sugar and Ragu Pizza Sauce really made it have a real Italian marinara flavor.

I used corn tortillas that I had in the freezer, Crisco Canola Oil and Taco Seasoning. I didn’t use much since these were for the kids.

Put just a little oil in a pan, and fry tortilla (you can use flour if you want) until cooked to your likeness. I know. I know. I need new pots & pans. Like in a bad, desperate, crying way.

I freeze individual portions of cooked/ground hamburger meat. I seasoned a small amount.

We had Ranch Style beans the night before, so I blended leftovers in the Food Processor, then heated them in a pan. You can use pinto or any type of bean that you like.

Grate some cheese, put small amount of cheese, meat, beans & more cheese (to use as a ‘glue’ to hold the Corn tortillas together, then another tortilla on top. Put back in pan and heat until cheese is melted.

Cut & serve. Walah! Easy Peasy Quesadillas!

If you are looking for expand your kitchen for storage needs, be sure to explore all of your options. Home renovation is very expensive, but using what you have around the house can save you thousands of dollars. I had 3 extra 3-drawer bins in the kids’ playroom that we weren’t using to their full ability, so I moved them in the pantry last year. I added shelves that were in our old bedroom before we moved in to this house and I used extra wood to make shelves on the wall where the food is at. All were of no additional cost.

See video for before and after of our pantry. And yes – I am addicted to organization and labeling. It’s my weakness.

I truly believe in utilizing every spot in your house for what you need it for. I have been collecting Tupperware for over 10 years now. It really comes in handy! Each trip to the grocery store, we get home and empty all boxes into Tupperware containers.

1. It helps you see what you ‘need’ to buy before you go to the store, so it will save you money. I used to go to the store and buy what I didn’t think we already had. Well, I got home only to see that I already had that item, so I basically double spent on something I didn’t need.
2. Taking things from boxes and putting in storage containers will keep bugs out of your food. It is not the food that attracts bugs, it is the glue on the boxes that attracts. I learned this by working for Tupperware umpteen years ago. I found it to be true.
3. Last, but not least, it looks pretty. Doesn’t it? My lid colors don’t match, but who cares – it works!

Happy Organizing in 2010!

Recently General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets.

Other cereal benefits:

• Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.
• Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.
• More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.
  Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

As I said above, I am so excited that General Mills has branched out even more in their cereal line. I have to say that my ultimate favorite cereal is Trix. The cereals that the kids love and that we buy the most of are Trix, Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios, Chex… I can go on and on!

For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

Right now if you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals.

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own. I received free cereal coupons that were provided to me by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Coming up in January, Wilton is releasing UltraGold Bakeware, a new line of premium quality bakeware — without the premium price.

Wilton knows that bakeware may not seem all that interesting, but using good quality pans is critical to achieving baking success. Wilton has found that many beginning bakers aren’t sure what to look for in a cake pan or baking sheet and, as a result, they can end up with disappointing results or find that the bakeware doesn’t wear as well as expected.

UltraGold was developed with a unique set of features including:

• Premium Aluminum Material
• Even Heating
• Scratch Resistant Surface
• Oversized Handles
• Signature Golden Finish
• Lifetime warranty

About UltraGold Bakeware:

UltraGold is a new line of bakeware that takes the art of baking to a higher level and is the culmination of Wilton’s 80 years of baking and dessert decorating experience. Every Wilton UltraGold pan was designed with features that provide the perfect baking results decorators demand:

Premium Aluminum

• Every Wilton Ultra Gold pan is hand-crafted to ensure a perfect shape and better baking results for you.
• Even Heating – Won’t WarpUltraGold heats more evenly and holds its shape like no other brand. Our premium aluminum distributes heat evenly for a light, golden brown cake surface that is ideal for decorating.

Durable Anodized Surface

• Anodizing creates a more consistent surface finish. This means that UltraGold’s signature golden finish will look great and bake beautifully for years to come.

Oversized Handles for Easy Lifting

• Convenient extended handles help you lift the UltraGold pan safely and easily. Pan dimensions are stamped on the handles.

I was able to try out all of the below sizes for our holiday baking, and I have to say that these are the prettiest, easy to use and amazingly easy to clean up with!

• UltraGold 10 in. Round Pan: $14.99
  
• UltraGold 10 in. Square Pan: $17.99
  
• UltraGold 11×15 in. Sheet Pan: $24.99
  
• UltraGold 11×17 in. Jelly Roll Pan: $22.99
  
• UltraGold 12 in. Round Pan: $17.99
  
• UltraGold 12×18 in. Sheet Pan: $29.99
  
• UltraGold 8 in. Round Pan: $14.99
  
• UltraGold 8 in. Square Pan: $14.99
  
• UltraGold 9×13 in. Sheet Pan: $19.99
  

I baked. And I baked. And I baked! I am so impressed that I was able to make treats such as these below without them being stuck to the pan. I was ready to whip out the non-stick spray or butter the pans down, but the UltraGold Bakeware truly impressed me! Now, I don’t have to dread baking because I know that whatever I make, will be cooked thoroughly and will come off the pan easy!

For more information, please visit www.wilton.com and to check out the UltraGold Bakeware collection, go to http://search.wilton.com/?q=ultragold

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

If you are looking at creating your guests some treats, but don’t want to spend a lot of money or a lot of time, be sure to check out the Tasty Holiday Ideas website from Sara Lee. It is jam packed with yummy recipes.

I grew up with Hillshire Farm products and I continue that tradition with my kids. We love the Smoked Sausage and especially the Lit’l Smokies.

Lit’l Smokies in the following flavors:

• Turkey Lit’l Smokies
• Cheddar Lit’l Smokies
• Original Lit’l Smokies

Lit’l Smokies have been a cocktail party favorite since they launched, and with 2/3 less fat than regular Lit’l Smokies, Turkey Lit’l Smokies are sure to be a hit.

Lit’l Smokies are the perfect addition to any cocktail party or entertaining occasion and can be prepared a variety of different ways:

• Wrapped in crescent rolls or corn bread.
• Dipped in barbecue sauce, honey mustard, cheese sauce
• Simmered in a crockpot with chili sauce
• Skewered with your favorite veggies or fruit

Lit’l Smokies Cocktail Links are ideal for parties and also make a quick and fun protein-filled snack! They’re fully cooked and packed with flavor!

If you are looking for even more holiday party snack ideas, how about creating tasty sandwich bites with Sara Lee Fresh Bakery: Hearty & Delicious Products. I have to say that, growiing up, I never liked wheat bread, so I was scared as an adult to try it again. We have been buying Sara Lee Multigrain & Wheat breads for a few months now, and I love it!

Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious

• 100% Multigrain Bread
• 100% Wheat With Honey Bread
• Home-Style Buttermilk Made with Whole Grain Bread
• Country White Made with Whole Grain Bread
• 100% Whole Wheat
• Old-Fashioned Potato Made with Whole Grain Bread
• Oat with 100% Whole Grain Bread
• Sunflower Seed Bread
• White Hamburger Buns
• 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
• Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns
• Corn Dusted Kaiser Rolls Made with Whole Grain
• Center-Split Deli Rolls White

I just made a big ham yesterday. Since we are traveling for the holidays (as I type, we are in route!), I made up a cooler with sandwiches with Sara Lee Bread & leftover ham. Not only does this allow us to drive straight though and save money from not having to buy fast food, but we love the way Sara Lee bread tastes and holds up on the go.

Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious helps you go from typical to tasty with great tasting varieties of Breads, Buns & Rolls! Breakthrough your everyday routine with rich and flavorful varieties – something special just for you. Take your sandwich to the next level with great taste and texture to support your latest creation:

• From turkey with melted Swiss, avocado and bacon, to chipotle chicken breast with red peppers, these breads, buns & rolls deliver
• Whether you crave a grilled cheese, a dill chicken salad with almonds or a roast beef, we have the flavor of bread, buns & rolls for your sandwich

To fight that late afternoon fade, try a ½ sandwich for a great tasting snack

If you go to www.tastyholidays.com, you can submit your entry to the contest, and be eligible to win a $500 Walmart gift card. How cool would it be to win a $500.00 Walmart Gift Card?! Tell them how Sara Lee and Hillshire Farm have made your family holidays special. Submit pictures, or write your entry and you could be the winner of a $500 Walmart Gift Card.

For more information, please visit www.tastyholidayideas.com

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own. As a thank you, I was sent a $50.00 Walmart gift card so that we could try some new Sara Lee & Hillshire Farm flavors and recipes. Click here for Mommy Goggles Review, Press Posting & Giveaway Policy

Product Details

Marie Callender’s Pies are offered in a variety of tempting flavors including Pumpkin, Southern Pecan, Chocolate Satin, Banana Cream, Dutch Apple, Cherry Crunch and more. The “bake and serve” pies are easy to prepare and are the perfect dessert for any celebration. The “thaw and serve” cream pies are even easier… pull them out of the freezer and they are ready for the Thanksgiving table. Marie Callender’s has been baking pies since 1948!

Time to cozy up to a great meal with family and friends at a delicious price! Our new Fall Menu is here, loaded with tasty entrées created especially for the season. You’ll find traditional comfort food, lighter options and new favorites. And with the holidays quickly approaching, consider this your official reminder that it’s not too early to order your holiday pies, pumpkin cheesecakes – or even your entire Holiday Feast! This year, let our expert chefs create your entire holiday meal while you get in some quality family time. Our Holiday Guide will help you choose the feast that fits your needs. Check it out while you’re online or come in for a bite and pick one up in any of our restaurants. Our feasts sell out early, so order yours today and savor the time you’ll save. You can cehck out the tasty Pie Menu here.

Anyone that knows me, knows that my favorite, other than Pecan Pie, is Chocolate. I am drooling at the thought of a chocolate pie right now! One of my favorites that Marie Callender’s has is the Chocolate Satin pie. Rich chocolate fills a chocolate cookie crust, with a rim of freshly-whipped cream. The flavor is amazing, the overall look is beautiful and the prices of the pies are great. No one will know that you didn’t bake this pie this holiday season.

Please visit http://www.mariecallenders.com/ for more information.

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

Frito-Lay wants to help ensure you never miss a beat during the holidays. With some shortcuts and quick “better for you” recipes coupled with a little flair and presentation, you’ll have your guests asking “how does she do it?”

So, we bring you the “Holiday Party in a Pinch:” A few tips to prepare both the home and the pantry so you’re always ready to be the holiday hostess:

• Ambiance is everything – Keep a playlist of festive music easily accessible or stock the stereo with CDs so it’s ready at the push of a button…literally. Add a few scented candles and presto…instant ambiance!
• Let guests add their touch – Keep a box of ornaments on hand and ask your guests to add one to the tree.
• No clean-up necessary – Stock-up on a supply of holiday-colored paper plates, napkins and utensils to lessen post-party clean-up. And if the house is tidy before you head out for the day, there’s no scrambling once they arrive!
• Stock the pantry – Have some “better for you” Frito-Lay products on hand to lessen the stress of “what to fix?” and allow for more time to visit with your guests. Frito-Lay’s Tostitos Scoops or Baked! Scoops — with a delicious dip — are true crowd-pleasers. Serve on a festive platter or dish and presto! …festive snacks ready to share!
• Entertain with ease – Always have several fun board games accessible to keep guests entertained. And a few kid-friendly movies or simple crafts will keep the little ones busy while the adults socialize.

For more information about party planning and products, please visit www.fritolay.com