Destination Dinners! Review and Giveaway (Closed)
My Destination Dinner is for sure in my top 5 of unique reviews and items I would purchase again. We had a blast and we didn’t even drink any of the recommended Red Stripe!
Let me explain just what Destination Dinners is, and what they do:
The Greenest Way to travel the world!
Recipe Kits by Destination Dinners combine food, travel and beautiful design into an incredibly memorable gift. Seasoned chef or first time cook, our kits make cooking authentic international dishes fun and easy.
Each kit beautifully displays the pre-measured hard to find spices, sauces and dried items as well as step-by-step instructions, a shopping list for fresh ingredients and fun facts and trivia about the destination you are “traveling” to.
Craig and I reviewed a Recipe Kit, but they also have complete Dinner Kits that would be fantastic for a double date night, or to share with your kids. Although I do think these should be used for romancing! I do think kids would have a great time with the trivia, music and authentic vibe that comes in each dinner kit.
The Dinner Kits include specialty items like decorative bowls, forks, plates and then they get even fancier and more fun.
Each kit come with everything you need for your dinner except the fresh veggies, meats and any adult beverages that you may want. Spices, oils, tea, noodles, random dry ingredients for each destination and even woodchips are included. Plus a nice “fresh” shopping list of everything you will need. That is awesome! No more copying from the box! Everything is perfectly portioned, and all fantastic quality.
Another incredible feat that Destination Dinners has created is making most of their Dinner Kits- eco-friendly! Pressed Balsa Wood, Bamboo and other small factors that all make a big impact on our planet!
Destination Dinners also carries Gift kits. These would make great hostess gifts, wedding gifts etc. Each comes with a Recipe Kit, plus a unique gift, such as a bamboo cutting board, Thai Rice Bowl, etc. Everything is classy, put together, easy to follow and downright a novel idea!
Craig and I used our kit the day after Thanksgiving. We finished our leftovers for lunch. (boo hoo) and prepared the BOSTON BEACH, JAMAICA which included Jerk Chicken & Shrimp BBQ a Slow Grilled Caribbean Dish.
We actually grill out a lot so this was perfect. And it included woodchips for just the right smoky flavor punch. Now Craig isn’t a big veggie fan, so no veggies were grilled. (or bought, lol) so I ahem, made a can of corn on the side for me.
This is what ours looked like, minus the corn.
Before
After
I know, not the prettiest presentation, but it was scarfed. yes scarfed.
This is what the kit looks like.
Delicious I tell you. Although after looking at the picture, I have a hankering for Sweet Potatoes. That is usually the dish I make for Thanksgiving, but this year there were only 3 of us (compared to the normal 40-60) and I was the only one that would have ate them. =)
Destination Dinners wants to brighten and enlighten one Prissy Green reader with a Eco-Friendly Dinner Gift Set of their choice.
To enter, visit Destination Dinners and comment on which location that you would most like to taste-bud travel to! Find a list of locations here.
Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)
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- Unlimited entries. Post on any non-giveaway post. Leave link. It must be relevant to the topic. Only one comment per post, but you can do this for as many posts as you like. Each comment is worth 1 entry, so you can not use it for multiple giveaways.
Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 12/25. Open to US.
disclosure: I did receive items for review, but was under no obligation to report with a review. opinions are still 100% my own.
Late July Organic Snacks Review & Giveaway
Late July Organic Snacks is a family owned and operated company that cares deeply about family and the integrity of our products. All of their products certified USDA organic and proudly wear the organic seal. And on any given day you can find three generations at work including six-year-old Stephen and two-year-old Benjamin.
Late July doesn’t only make Organic Snacks, but makes them with no high fructose corn syrup in it, no hydrogenated oils, no trans fats and containing whole grains and antioxidants! Can you even believe it?
And they don’t taste like cardboard! They are actually quite tasty! As most of you know I am not a chocolate fan, so I wasn’t sure I would like either flavor, the Milk Chocolate or the White Chocolate, but I ended up eating nearly the whole box of Milk Chocolate Mini Sandwich Cookies! 
Late July also makes two other varieties of a sandwich cookie. Both have chocolate cookies, but the filling is what separates them! One type filled with vanilla bean and green tea filling and the other with dark chocolate. Their names are aptly, Vanilla Bean and Dark Chocolate.
Late July also carries organic Peanut Butter Crackers. One of my favorites! They also have Rich Saltines and Classic Saltines. I am sure I missed something over there, so go take a peek and tell me what you want to try!
Late July Organic Snacks are sold online at at Late July and find them at Amazon.
Late July Organic Snacks also wants to let one of you readers take their healthy treats for a test drive! One winner will receive one of each cookie box and a sampling of all their single serve snacks – around a $25 value.
To enter, go browse around the Late July Organics Snack site or their online shop and tell me something cool you learned!
Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)
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Disclaimer:I was provided me with a samples of these products to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
Contest will conclude on 12/2/09 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be picked via random.org and verified per the rules. Open to US only.
Dean’s Dip Dipstakes + Giveaway
I have a major burning love for Pro-football. I can’t get into college football because there are just too many teams, too many names (that change at least every 4 years). I do like to watch college ball, but my heart is in the pro’s. I don’t like to go to bars to watch games. it gets loud and people get annoying, but I do like to watch with friends and/or family at home. Actually I LOVE to!
If you hadn’t already guessed, since my address is Indianapolis, I am a HUGE Colts fan. Ginourmous. The win against the Pats Sunday was pure and complete bliss.
So why am I am talking about this? Because I want to tell you about a cool sweepstakes Dipstakes that is happening! Perfect for us pro-football fans too!
Vote on your favorite dip while predicting the outcomes of the games each week and you’ll be eligible to win awesome prizes like tailgate party supplies, football memorabilia and sporting gear. There will also be a big grand prize drawing in January for a home entertainment system.
Like fantasy football, but tastier. Super easy to play as well – it’s all on Facebook. Pick your dip and pick your teams. that is it! And you want to get your main entry in at Dipstakes.com, all you have to do there is enter your name and address. On Facebook you can rack up points everyday!
I am a Onion Dip fan. but now that I know they have Guacamole, I am going to have to run and get some!
You didn’t really think I came here and wrote this up and wasn’t going to give Prissy Green readers an even bigger chance to win from the Dipstakes did you?
3 winners!
1st place winner will receive a sweet Stadium Blanket. ($25)
2nd place winner will receive a snazzy Dip Tray to entice all dipping football fans everywhere! ($10)
3rd place winner will receive THREE FREE Product Coupons good on any Dean’s Dip! ($9+)
To enter you must be an email subscriber! Simple!! Just leave a comment stating you’re an email subscriber to enter!
Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)
- Sign up for my RSS feed.
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- Follow Prissy Green and DipStakes on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
- Tell me who your cheer for on Sunday and Mondays!
Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 12/1. Open to US.
Disclaimer: There was no exchange for this promotion. It is just FUN!
just for recap, Enter here at Dipstakes and enter weekly on Facebook! but don’t forget, you can rack up points DAILY onFacebook!
Should You Go Organic?
November 6, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Info You Want to Know
Here’s evidence that organic foods are worth the pricier price tag:
Kids who ate pesticide-free foods had levels of organophosphates six times lower than those on conventional diets, University of Washington researchers have found.
Organophosphates are chemicals linked to neurological damage, leukemia, and other cancers
The study was a comparison of 24-hour urine samples from 18 kids, ages 2 to 5, who ate a diet of 75 percent organic foods and 21 kids eating the regular stuff. They measured breakdown products from organophosphates (OP pesticides), which are among the most common agricultural pesticides in the US. (hello developmental defects)
Because organic foods can make your grocery bill higher, try opting first for organic versions of foods highest in pesticides:
- apples
- apricots
- bell peppers
- cantaloupe
- celery
- cherries
- cucumbers
- imported grapes
- green beans
- peaches
- spinach
- tomatoes
Try using frozen varieties when you can. They have more nutritional value then the produce at the store. Because they are flash frozen the nutrition is not compromised. Just don’t microwave them in the plastic bags they come in. Even if it tells you that you can.
How to Roast a Lamb Review and Giveaway
A rising star in the food world, Michael Psilakis is co-owner of a growing empire of modern Mediterranean restaurants, and one of the most exciting young chefs in America today. In How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking
A key point to me? The recipes are on one page or dual pages, and the photos are on others. So no interfering with page turning while cooking. love it!
Psilakis’s cooking utilizes the fresh, naturally healthful ingredients of the Mediterranean augmented by techniques that define New American cuisine.
Home cooks who have gravitated toward Italian cookbooks for the simple, user-friendly dishes, satisfying flavors, and comfortable, family-oriented meals, will welcome Psilakis’s approach to Greek food, which is similarly healthful, affordable, and satisfying to share any night of the week.
This book is not for the beginning chef. Most of these recipes do call for some experience, but there are also quite a few that are simple to prepare and have rather simple, but tasty ingredients.
If anything, this book is a coffee table book. It is just gorgeous! It would make a beautiful gift either for the Holidays or as a Hostess gift for all the holiday parties coming up!
I have one hard cover copy of How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking
To enter, tell me your 3 traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)
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FTC disclosure: North Atlantic Books sent me a review copy of this book, and will be sending a copy to the winner.
Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 11/18. Open to US.
Relish! Review and Giveaway
It’s Worth The Fight.
No matter what we do, sometimes the battle over our children’s eating habits seems more trouble than it’s worth. It doesn’t take a PhD to know that too much junk food is bad and more fruits and vegetables are good but sometimes the struggle is so tough that we slowly give up. Next thing you know the entire family has a weekly menu consisting of chicken nuggets, hot dogs and mac and cheese.
We could drone on and on about the benefits of trying to get your kids to eat healthy and we could serve up a nice helping of guilt and anxiety. But we’re not going to do that. Some kids just don’t like the texture or taste of vegetables and many kids just need to be prodded a little more than others.
Here is a list of strategies and tips that we’ve found work for a lot people. If you have picky eaters, peruse this list and perhaps you’ll find one or two strategies that actually work. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up.
- The number one rule is to be patient. Studies show that it takes 10-20 “encounters” with a particular vegetable to get your child to tolerate it.
- It’s just as much about texture with vegetables as the taste. Soggy, dingy vegetables are a big turn-off with kids. Steam your vegetables just until cooked but make sure they are still crunchy and colorful. Putting vegetables in an ice bath after cooking keeps the color bright.
- Kids like raw vegetables! Cut up some carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, cherry tomatoes, and sliced bell peppers and serve with ranch dressing or even hummus. You can even make a face using the cucumber rounds for the eyes, carrot sticks for eyebrows, cherry tomatoes for nose and mouth and arrange the pepper strips to form the face. You can even drizzle ranch dressing as the hair. I know it’s a lot of work but might be worth it.
- Using your blender or food processor, puree vegetables (like broccoli, carrots, beans) and include them in spaghetti sauce, hamburgers and soups. Begin introducing muffins and breads with carrots and zucchini and other vegetables.
- Start with sweeter veggies like corn, beans and peas. Slowly introduce bitter vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts and kale later.
- Make the “no thank-you bite” a strict rule at the table. Tell your kids they have to have one small bite of the vegetables every night.
- Set a good example. If kids see you eating healthy vegetables, it’s much easier to teach them.
- Kids love stir-fry. As long as you keep the vegetables crisp, kids tend to really gravitate towards stir-fried meals. Add crunchy water chestnuts and/or nuts to it. Same goes with pasta and soups. Remember to keep the veggies crisp and colorful!
- Introduce good healthy foods and vegetables at a very early age, it will pay off in the end. And never make a separate meal for your kids, it makes more work for you and might backfire when your kids get older.
Log on to Relish! and get ready to treat yourself to weekly dinner menus that are customized to your own tastes. Choose the Express Menu and download our picks for the week or choose what you would prefer from our Custom Menu. We offer a selection of vegetarian, kid-friendly, quick, low calorie and simple-gourmet menus. Just click the five you’d like to prepare during the week and your recipes/side dishes and grocery list will be assembled for you! Every day food just got easier.
I used Relish! this week, and what a difference it made! The grocery store shopping was done in no time, and each night we simply choose which meal we want.
Relish! Has offered up one FREE YEAR of this service to one Prissy Green reader!
To enter tell me the single hardest thing about planning dinners.
Extra Entries:
Be an email subscriber
Twitter this contest!
Contest is for one day only! Ends Friday 10/23 at 11:59pm EST. US and Canada. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and verified per the rules.
Annie Chun Review and Giveaway
oooh, Annie Chun. How your noodle bowls stole my heart! Compostable bowl, delicious food, and save your boxes, and after 10 you get one FREE! What is not to love?
Oh yeah, and they take about 2 minutes to prepare. They taste fresh, and authentic! They are 100% natural and have no MSG or preservatives. Need to cooking time, just a little warm up, and you are ready to treat your taste buds!
Annie’s has just come out with three new Noodle Bowls.
Garlic Scallion- made with fresh cooked hokkien noodles and the company’s award-winning Garlic Scallion sauce. Inspired by the Chinese restaurant favorite, chow mein, the clean and savory flavors of this delicious sauce are combined with fresh, tender noodles. Makes an easy lunch or afternoon snack. Combine with fresh vegetables, tofu or meat for a complete meal.
Korean Sweet Chili Noodle Bowl- (my fave!) Annie Chun grew up enjoying the savory flavor of gochujang red chili paste, a popular Korean condiment used in stews, marinades, salad dressings, and dipping sauces. This uniquely sweet and spicy condiment can be found in simple, traditional Korean dishes such as Bibimbap – a healthy one-dish meal of rice topped with a mix of seasoned vegetables, beef, and a fried egg. With this noodle bowl, Annie Chun’s has combined the same authentic flavor of gochujang with fresh-cooked hokkien noodles for a quick and easy Korean-style meal that can be eaten anywhere and is ready in just two minutes.
Kung Pao Noodle Bowl-fresh cooked noodles and sauce. She has taken soft, fresh-cooked hokkien noodles – not your ordinary dried noodles – and paired them with my delicious, mildly spicy Kung Pao sauce.
All of these have proven to be excellent! When I purchased items for shipping to my brother in Bahlad, I bought extra Annie Chun Meals because I knew they would be a hit! They really taste better then what you get a cheap restaurants, and frankly a whole lot fresher!
I have THREE prizes to giveaway today! Three winners will receive Annie Chun’s Newest Noodle Bowls and a darling Annie Chun’s Tote Bag!
To enter, go check out Annie Chun’s other items and tell me one you would love to try out!
Extra entry for Tweeting!
And an extra entry for being a email subscriber!
US Only, Contest is one day only! So get your entries in now!
As always entries will be verified per rules, and winner selected by Random.org. Contest ends 10/15/2009 at 11:59pm.
Go Girl Energy Drinks! Sugar Free! Review
I don’t drink Energy drinks very often, but whenever I do, I am always struggling to find one that won’t give me a 
sugar crash. and again, this isn’t so much a “green” review, but I love what they do, and sometimes i need a pick me up!
The Go Girl Sugar Free Energy drink is not only sugar free, but also contains a plethora of the B Vitamins plus Inositol, Taurine, and Garcinia Cambogia. (see the nutritional label) The Garcinia Cambogia is Super-Citrimax® aka Garcinia Cambogia is extracted from the South American garcinia cambogia, it contains standardized levels of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been clinically shown to suppress appetite and inhibit fat production.
The drinks are delicious, the original Go Girl not too sweet to drink during the morning hours! And the Go Girl Bliss is a peach tea energy drink. The caffeine from Yerba Maté tea leaves gives you that get up and go without the jitters. Yerba Maté evenly distributes the caffeine through your body, making way for that blissful feeling.
Go Girl GLO is a refreshing pomegranate and star fruit mix with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to boot! Who said that an energy drink couldn’t help with your complexion? GLO also has calcium, Super Citrimax®, and CoQ10 – a dietary supplement that benefits that heart and mind.
And you aren’t just putting bucks in a bricks and mortar corporation, but also helping a great Cancer mission!
Go Girl proudly displays the ribbon everyday.
Go Girl Energy Drink’s Mission is to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer research and prevention, while supplying networking opportunities for those in need to learn more about these deadly cancers and get help through our partners.
The Pink Cause
More than 2.4 million women in the U.S. are living with breast cancer. This is why Go Girl Energy Drink is committed to help raise funds for those in need. Go Girl Sugar Free Energy Drink and Go Girl Bliss Energy drink are proud to wear the pink ribbon on their can. $.50 of every case sold is donated to breast cancer research, awareness and prevention. In 2008 alone, Go Girl donated over $70,000 to the cause.
Since a portion of proceeds of each case of Go Girl™ Sugar Free Energy and Go Girl Bliss Energy will support breast cancer research, women can rest assured that their mind, body and soul will be lifted with each purchase.
The Teal Cause
Go Girl GLO Energy Drink not only shares the Ovarian Cancer teal color, but also has a passion for the cause, donating $.50 for every case sold to Ovarian Cancer Research. Ovarian cancer affects one in every 58 women, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition with the help of Go Girl GLO, is committed to raising awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms 365 days a year.
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