Taste of Italy

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Smith's Food and Drug. 


Hurry! Only a few days left to pick up your Taste of Italy items before they are gone!  Taste of Italy is a two week event in which Smith’s  stores will carry authentic Italian food items imported straight from Italy. These items will only be available during this two week period.  They also have a large selection of "Free with Purchase" items, we picked up a few things this past weekend and my husband (who's the cook) whipped up an amazing pasta!  We are a house full of foodies! When we can get our hands on something new or some true authentic food, we'll be there!  We purchased the Orti d'Italia Pasta Sauce and got the Di Martino Pasta free!  We also splurged on the   Italian Sausage and got a package of Fresh Antica Pasteria Pastra free! Nothing like fresh pasta, right!  This is what my husband used to make our Italian pasta we had over the weekend. It was so good!!  If you are not a cook like my husband who can just throw a few things together, Smith's has plenty of Taste of Italy recipes  you can find on their site! They even have a Tiramisu recipe which I think I might try next.  That is one of my favorites! My husband usually will cook the main meal and I am the baker, so I'll follow up with an awesome dessert!

Eat like an Italian' as Smith's makes it easy to explore savory antipasti offerings, flavorful sauces and pastas, classic desserts, famous cheese and spirited wines.  In creating the inspired offering, a team of Smith's food adventurers traveled to the Mediterranean country to discover some of Italy's finest offerings - which are now available at Smith's stores.  

 During the food-centric event, customers can enjoy delicious foods sourced directly from food and wine producers throughout Italy such as dry-cured prosciutto and salami, aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and varieties of olives.  They will also find fresh pasta, 100 percent Sicilian extra virgin olive oil, the perfect tomato sauces, tiramisu and wines for every occasion, including Prosecco, Chianti from the best Tuscan regions and pinot Grigio from the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

Visit Smith's "Taste of Italy" page to find recipes, coupons, enter their sweepstakes and so much more!  #TasteofItaly

Wedding Bells: Trudeau Marries The Perfect Pairing



**Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, no monetary compensation was received.

You're invited to a wedding...now what should you get the happy couple?
Trudeau offers a wedding gift to stand the test of time—a gift on which the couple will be able to look fondly and say "Our friend gave us that for our wedding."



Introducing the perfect pair, Trudeau’s gift boxed 8-inch Professional Pepper and Salt Mill duo in stainless steel marry every décor style while offering just the right amount of taste!

These high quality professional mills uphold a reputation for being durable and efficient. Meant to withstand heavy usage, these sleek mills are constructed of resistant 18/8 stainless steel.  These are simply stunning! It is truly a gift that will keep the memories alive while serving up the perfect seasoning meal after meal. 

The Pepper Mill has a unique carbon steel grinding mechanism for peppercorns and the Salt Mill has a stainless steel mechanism that is protected from salt corrosion. Both have spring-load technology to ensure a consistent grind selection. Trudeau’s signature knurled  knob provides a maximum grip even when adjusting the grind selection with oily hands. A stylish set to add to any new household and comes ready for giving in an attractive gift box. SKU #071360, MSRP $119.99 Simple, Classy & Elegant www.trudeau.com

Bacon: Man's Best Friend's Best Friend



*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, we were sent free product to help facilitate this feature. No monetary compensation was received. 

Pup-peroni has our pup saying 'woof yeah' this International Bacon Day! (month) 

Is there any better feeling than sharing a moment of pure happiness with your pooch? Literally nothing makes me happier than seeing our dog's tail wagging when he gets a taste of his favorite treats - I feel like I'm just as excited as he is! So when I saw that International Bacon Day was in September, I wanted to find a way to celebrate all month long one of my favorite foods (who doesn't love bacon, am I right??) with my favorite four-legged friend. (pictured above)
 
We picked up Pup-Peroni's new Filet Mignon & Bacon Flavors treats and brought them home for a taste test with our pooch. These treats are no joke - they're made with delicious angus steak and pack a bacon-y punch that our dog absolutely loves. Plus the soft, chewy texture gets his tail wagging - I can tell he's really loving these treats. I think I enjoy giving him these Filet Mignon & Bacon Flavors treats as much as he loves eating them! Now, on Sunday mornings when the smell of bacon is throughout the air, we both are happy and content, enjoying our Saturday  mornings together! 


 
No matter how you celebrated 'International Bacon Day', your pooch will be saying "woof yeah" to the tasty flavor of Pup-Peroni Filet Mignon & Bacon treats!
 
Learn more about Pup-Peroni Filet Mignon & Bacon flavored dog snacks at 



How to Raise Kids on a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet


**Disclosure: We were provided with a complimentary copy of the book.  No monetary compensation was received.  


FORKS OVER KNIVES FAMILY is simply for today’s families who want their kids to eat healthier. My family has struggled with gravitating to what we know and grew up with.  We have tried a plant based way of living a couple times, and while we could definitely see the change, it was hard to adjust and keep it up.  I loved the first book Forks over Knives and was excited to learn they had a family edition coming out.  We will be making our first dish from the book this week and I will be posting pictures on our social media accounts to let you all know how it went and what the family thought!  This is Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy Kids on a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet by the husband and wife doctor team Matthew Lederman, M.D. and Alona Pulde, M.D. They also appeared in theForks Over Knives documentary and are authors of the New York Times bestseller The Forks Over Knives Plan (Touchstone). 


FORKS OVER KNIVES FAMILY is simply for today’s families who want their kids to eat healthier.

The book shares relatable insights into the Drs. Pulde and Lederman’s own journey of raising two young daughters on a whole-food, plant-based diet and covers topics such as:


  • Can we transition to plant-based living if we already have a houseful of kids?
Yes—and the key is gradual change. Be patient and transition at a comfortable pace for the entire family. For instance, split the week’s dinners evenly—three nights whole-food, plant based, three nights omnivore, and one toss-up. Be flexible! Allow your kids to opt out completely if they resist what you’re serving. (Cereal or a peanut butter sandwich are good alternatives to end a fight.)

  • What about social gatherings?
Plan ahead! Preparation is the best way to ensure that your kids can fully enjoy social gatherings. If there’s a buffet table at a party, check the food options before your child does. Ask the host for guidance about which dishes are appropriate. Then you can gently steer your child towards what he can have, rather than focusing on what he can’t.

  • What happens if my kids rebel?
Compromise! Denying your child cake at a friend’s birthday party may seem like a win in the short-term, but it can lead to rebellion. If your child is absolutely determined to eat the same cake that everyone else is eating, don’t push back. When your teenager wants to grab fast food because “all her friends” are going, remind her she can get food that is at least vegan—but don’t fret if she eats the non-vegan options her friends eat.

  • What are some popular kid-friendly snacks and meals?
Many parents fear they must sacrifice delicious for healthy. This is not the case! Some of the (many) delicious kid-approved dishes include chocolate chip coconut pancakes, black-eyed pea burgers, chickpea and spinach pizzas, and mac ‘n cheese. And don’t forget snacks and desert: herbed popcorn, fudgy brownies and peanut butter “ice cream” are some of the tastiest.  


  • Can I transition to a plant-based, whole food diet while pregnant?
Of course! The Forks Over Knives guidelines for pregnant women are no different than for anyone else. Eat whole, plant-based food—fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains, and legumes—until you are comfortably satiated. And when you are pregnant, eat as often as you need to in order to feel satisfied.

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the release of the Forks Over Knives film which made the convincing case that modern diseases can be prevented and often reversed by removing meat, dairy, and highly refined foods from one’s diet. The documentary sparked a medical and nutritional revolution, leading more and more people to adopt a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle—including celebrities like Ariana Grande, Dr. Oz, and Katy Perry. 

The Most Rewarding Way to Shop Online



**Disclosure: This is a sponsored post which may contain affiliate links.  All opinions are of my own.

I absolutely love to shop!  But I shop smart - that is the key!  I will never pay full price for anything, nothing.  With the upcoming holidays approaching, cash back programs are the easiest ways to earn cash back on your holiday purchases.  Years ago, I use to love shopping in person.  Nowadays, the crowds and craziness just keep me away.  I probably do ninety percent of shopping online.  You can still find the same sales, the same products and the same discounts - you just have to look and shop around.  I recently came across Giving Assistant.  Cash back programs are great when shopping online and this one seems to be of the best I have come across so far! 

 Giving Assistant is a free digital loyalty program with over 1,600 of the largest retailers, averaging a 5% cash reward after each online purchase.  Giving Assistant isn't simply just a "cash back" program.  Giving Assistant is on a mission to transform everyday shopping into charitable actions, by being the best loyalty program for saving more and supporting charity with such ease.  

What I love about Giving Assistant:

  • No memberships or fees - completely free to join
  • Has a browser extension button you can add to your browser, which helps me from forgetting to use it! 
  • Minimum payout is very small at only $5.01
  • Payout is every Monday
  • Select from thousands of charities to give a portion of your payout to
  • They also offer coupons, which you can use and still get your cash back
  • A meal is donated to a needy family for every qualifying purchase
  • Over 1800 stores to shop!
  • Includes Amazon, Ebay, 

Connect with Giving Assistant

Learn to Swim with these free online video lessons



**Disclosure: This is a compensated post in partnership with AquaMobile

Swimming is one thing that I feel is so important for my kids to know,   Not only is it important to know in case you are ever in a situation where it could be a life saver, but also because I want them to have that experience and be comfortable around water.  I want them to be able to go to the beach and enjoy it without overcoming feelings of not knowing how to swim.  I want them to be able to go to the lake and swim with confidence.  What I don't want is them avoiding water as they get older.  Those are experiences I want them to enjoy, not be afraid of.   I have put my kids in swim lessons offered by the city.  Although those also work, those can also be intimidating when you're in a class with fifteen or so other kids.  

When AquaMobile contacted me, I had never heard of "mobile" swim lessons.  But just hearing the name, it sounded like such a great idea!  Especially for those who may be even more nervous in a class setting and would like a little more "one on one" without a heavy price point.   It not only offers the convenience and flexibility, but also trust worthy swim instructors who have had a minimum of three years experience and go through a rigorous training program.  Each instructor also undergoes a background check and is fully insured! 

AquaMobile wants to see 1 million kids swimming proficiently in the pool!

That’s why they’ve launched the #1MillionSwimmers initiative. A FREE video series of swimming tutorials geared towards kids, using songs and games to help teach each basic swim skill. Check out the first in the series below.


    How can you help them reach their goal?

  1.  Share their FREE YouTube Learn to Swim Videos (Their videos are a great resource for kids to learn to swim.  Alternatively, they are also fantastic for parents who need a lesson plan. 
  2.  Talk About Water Safety on your Social Media Channels!  Help us get the word out that swimming lessons are important and readily available to everybody! Use the hashtag #1MillionSwimmers to help share in the cause. 
  3. Post Your #1MillionSwimmers Moments on Social Media!  Chances are, some of your friends don't even know how to swim.  Show them how much fun you're having in the pool and don't forget to use the #1MillionSwimmers hashtag and they may feature you on their social media pages!  Water safety is serious business, but it doesn't mean we can't have fun along the way!
For More Information Visit:

Smith's Food & Drug Click List


Do you ever feel like you just don't have time to run to the grocery store?  In between work, chauffeuring the kids and their friends around, making sure there's always dinner on the table, making sure the bills are paid, cleaning the house and everything in between, when do we honestly have time to go to the store.  And when we are able to squeeze it in, it can be quite a task to pick up only what we need with kids in tow.  Smith's Food & Drug Stores are stepping up to the plate and giving us a resolution to this very problem.   Introducing - Smith's ClickList! 

Smith's ClickList is on online grocery ordering service, offering customers 40,000 items you can order directly from your desktop or mobile device for next day curbside pick-up.  As a very busy mom and knowing that I end up spending so much more when I take my whole family with me, just thinking of the time AND money I will save using this service.   As an introductory offer, Smith's will waive the $4.95 service charge for your first three orders.  


Once you place your order a specially-trained ClickList Smith's associate then handpicks your items based on personal preferences provided.  Special attention is given to the selection of the produce and other perishable items.  The products are then stored appropriately until you arrive.  When you arrive to the store, you need to look for the clearly marked pick-up area to notify the ClickList team of your arrival, purchase your order and have the groceries quickly loaded into your car.  

ClickList Facts

  • No minimum or maximum order required
  • No need to get out of your car - pay and pick up in your vehicle
  • Online prices reflect the prices in stores on the day an order is picked up
  • Digital coupons loaded to your card will automatically be applied to your order at pick up and discounted from the total.  Paper coupons can be presented and redeemed at the time an order is picked up
  • Order selectors will hand select produce, meat & seafood items for each order with quality and freshness as a top priority. 
  • You can add specific instructions to every item you select.  For example, when ordering bananas, you can specify if you want "green bananas only"
For more information & to start your ClickList visit:


Share your experience using the hashtag #ClickList


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