Private Selection Makes for Happy Holidays!

Its the season for friends and family..  Having guests drop in can be so wonderful - sitting down with a cup of coffee in hand and some snacks, and catching up on how friends have been reminds me of the things I love about the holiday season.  Kroger's Private Selection line comes to the rescue in those moments, helping ease my mind by providing high quality gourmet foods at a price that won't break the bank. 

 

Here at our home we enjoy our snacks.. the kalamata olives and water crackers were delicious paired with a variety of cheeses and meats on Thanksgiving.  A green apple slice topped with Private Selection marbled cheddar cheese, on a water cracker has become our new favorite "fast" appetizer. Warmed slightly in the microwave, the cheese melts down over the apple slices and onto the crisp crackers.  It took me a minute to make them and everyone was impressed.  The great thing was the only "work" I had to do was washing and slicing the apples... it was so simple.   

Our mornings are much more alert, thanks to the Private Selection coffees.  Kroger has a number of roasts and strengths - from a milder "Breakfast Blend" to the bold "Costa Rican Tarrazu" (our new favorite coffee) there is something for everyone to enjoy.  And its impossible to tell that you are having a "store brand" as the quality is gourmet and delicious. With the finer grind of the coffee we have also found we are getting more pots of coffee for our buck and we love that. 

The Private Selection line at Kroger can be found throughout the store - from the deli area, to the baked goods, and even in the crackers, coffee, and frozen section.  I am keeping my eye out for the brown "Private Selection" labels at Kroger.  With quality I can depend on and prices that beat the national brands, Kroger is going to save me stress and pennies (that I can give to the bell ringer at the door!) this Christmas!

I had the chance to try a few items from the Private Selection line thanks to my friends at Bzz Agent. A free coffee bag, crispy water crackers, coupons for free olives and cheese, along with coupons to use and share on other items provided me with a taste of the Kroger Private Selection gourmet line of foods.   I love getting to try products and give my honest opinion - I love being a BzzAgent!

Delicious Fish in a Flash!

With shopping to be done, parties to attend, and family coming into town, the holidays are wonderful, but so very busy. Keeping my diet in check while making sure the family is happy adds another challenge to the mix. Thankfully Gorton's has come up with a new fish sensation that helps both me and the family!

Gorton's new Skillet Crisp Tilapia is SUPER easy to use. You just choose the number of filets you want to prepare, follow the easy instructions on the box, and dinner is ready in no time. No thawing necessary - which I loved. You can prepare the filets stovetop or do what I did and cook them in the oven. I liked that because it freed the stove top up for me to heat the rest of dinner and have it all on the table in under half an hour. Either way, the end result will be a fish filet that your family loves.

My family said again and again,"Mom, these are so good!" and "These taste like they are from a restaurant"... who gets that kind of praise at dinner? I sometimes do, but rarely with prepared foods. The fillets were light and flaky - the perfect texture and tasted great.

My family tried the Classic Seasonings flavor of the filets - it was lemony and lightly breaded. We loved that because there was more fish and less bread. The Garlic and Herb flavor is also available... I love that when I read the side of the box there was no MSG, artificial flavors or colors... more like the fish I prepare for my family without Gorton's help.

Each box comes with 4 fillets, so for my family of 5 I had to get 2 boxes, but they ate them up and really enjoyed that great flavor! These would be good as dinner, but also great as lunch, in a pinch, if you were at home.

Gorton's has done it again - brought fish to the family, made it taste great, and surprised me by making the preparation super easy! Thanks to BzzAgent for the coupons so I could try this great fish out and tell everybody what I think. I love being a BzzAgent.

Glade Expressions - Design for a Lovely Home

 

With the change of seasons I switch up the decor in the house.  We hang a new colored wreath on the front door, change out the table cloth for something that echoes the colors on the trees, and I bake apple pie and pumpkin bread.  Glade has made creating that inviting home a little more fun with their additions to the Glade Expressions line. 

The new design of the Fragrance Mist container is so pretty.  It looks more like a vase than a spray bottle.  I have mine sitting in the living room and I don't feel like I need to find a place to hide it.  I chose the Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice Scent - it really goes with the fall decor in my home.  To spray it you grasp the top of the outer shell and gently squeeze it.  After using it a few times, I find myself thinking of my mother...this container would be ideal for her to use - no funny button to push and nothing to figure out.  The ease of use is wonderful and the apple and spice scent is so nice!

If I would have a complaint with the Fragrance Mist it would be that the scent doesn't linger.  It takes care of those immediate smells that you want to dispel, but once its done, its done. 

That provides a great opening for me to talk about the oil diffuser.  The new container for the oil diffuser is very pretty - it adds to the decor instead of being a problem item that I need to hide.  I chose the bamboo container with the Pineapple and Mangosteen scent.  We have a room that has a "smell" and I put the diffuser in there.  I immediately noticed the pleasant scent that lightly lingers in the air.  The fragrance isn't overwhelming and I haven't found myself avoiding that space because the scent is too strong.  In fact, I was walking down the hall close to the room and did a double take - trying to determine what the nice scent was.  Its great that no plug in is required for this to work, too, and you have 30 days (or so) of great scent.  

I knew I would like the new products from Glade - they are a brand name that I have come to trust and they are good at creating fragrances that I like.  But the addition of great design to this line has won me over.  I hope to find an oil diffuser with the Fuji Apple scent, before fall gets too far gone.  I want that spicy scent to linger in the air.  

Here is a big shout out to BzzAgent - thanks for sharing these great products with me.  Its fun to try new products and tell my friends about them.  I love being a BzzAgent. 

Saving the Day - one meal at a time

 

There is a pleasant surprise in a great new product from Progresso - Recipe Starters.  They come in a variety of great flavors and "styles"- right now there are 5 sauce types.  Not all are strictly Italian or made for chicken or tomato based - anyone could multitask with these ready to go sauces... Creamy Parmesan Basil, Creamy Portabella Mushroom, Creamy Roasted Garlic, Creamy Three Cheese, Fire Roasted Tomato...

The most pleasant part of these Recipe Starters is the fact that most of the ingredients on the label read like a recipe card in my little box on the shelf - cream, Parmesan cheese, flour, basil, butter, salt, sour cream, condensed milk...  I like that.  Knowing what is IN my food brings me joy!
 
Progresso makes it easy to get a great meal pulled together in a pinch - Each can provides a recipe (on the label - no need to hunt online, unless you want to) and its all set up for 4 servings.  Even better, with your smart phone you can scan the QR code on the label and have 30 days of recipes in your hand! 

It takes 2 cans to feed my family, but one can is just right for smaller families, retirees with limited space, folks who are in a hurry to entertain a few friends after work... the options are unlimited.  I suppose you could even take these along camping - a great way to keep a passle of hungry campers happy is gourmet food!

Lest you find yourself worried that you might get tired of these sauces, Progresso has online support - tons of recipe ideas at their website.   I was excited to see that not all of the recipes are the standard "pasta and sauce" (a rut I find myself in) - They have pizza, casseroles, rice dishes, and sandwich ideas.  Your family doesn't need to know you are getting help from Progresso - the variety of ideas will keep them surprised and satisfied. 

When companies hear the cries of home cooks and answer with creative solutions that meet their needs the masses rise up and cheer.  For myself - I know these will be a "go to" as the school year gets busy, the holidays approach, and we have out of town guests.  Progresso's new Recipe Starters will save the day for my family!  Great idea Progresso - I can't wait to try the other flavors!

I have to say thanks to Bzz Agent for connecting me to a free sample and some coupons to try out this great product.  I love being a BzzAgent.

Smoothing the years away - Covergirl and Olay Tone Rehab 2 in 1

 

I recently had another birthday and I have a handful of people who know what number I celebrated...  With each passing year I keep tabs on the fine lines, the smile lines, and the crow's feet... and we have done pretty well so far!  But with this birthday I have begun looking for more ways to keep those lines at bay...

Enter Covergirl Makeup infused with Olay.  BzzAgent has provided me with samples (and coupons!)  of the new COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation and COVERGIRL & Olay Pressed Powder.   I will admit to being a little skeptical.  I like great coverage when I want it, but I also like the light feel of a foundation that isn't going to look caked on. 

The foundation is silky smooth, covers and makes my skin look and feel wonderful.  I love it.  It covers the occasional spot of discoloration and has a nice moisturizing quality.  It is very lightweight and easy to put on - the makeup comes in a pump, so no accidental spills, too.  The scent is light and fresh and fades - doesn't clash or stand out.

I have less to say about the powder.  It just isn't my thing.  Initially I really liked it, but I find myself avoiding using it - it cakes on and I feel like it actually makes me look older.  Its just not for me. I did like it when I was feeling a little shiny - it took that right out - but I don't know if it will be part of my regular routine when I am putting on my makeup in the morning.

Overall, though, the foundation is great and I love it.  There are a smattering of shades - making it easy to find one that matches your skin tone - and the texture and scent are wonderful, along with the coverage - lightweight but a good cover for discoloration and the occasional spot!

I love being a BzzAgent and getting the chance to try and talk about products that are on the market!  Thanks BzzAgent!

Summer is the season for frizzies - from those humid nights to just walking around during the day, hair feels the heat and humidity and frizzes up.  Enter Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution Lightweight Frizz Control.  Thanks to Bzz Agent I have received both a full sized bottle and some samples to share of this great, lightweight product.  (Its great - I receive samples to try and talk about... sharing my honest opinion of all types of different things... I love being a Bzz Agent.)  For my hair, which tends to curl just enough to tangle and look messy, a little of the Frizz Solution made my hair look smooth and beautiful.  It added a great "healthy looking" shine that I liked, too.  That dullness from those hours in the pool and the sun was gone.

I tried it on one of my daughter's hair, too.  She has very long, thick hair that is very, very wavy.  I used the recommended number of drops on her hair and that just wasn't enough.  Her hair frizzed and tangled.  The next try I added more and it looked better, but the amount of hair she has is a LOT.  I think I will have to continue to experiment with the thick, full hair until we find the balancing point of "enough" with her hair and the solution. 

Overall, this product did what it promised to do, though.  The frizzies were controlled really well on my hair and I loved how it looked and how it made my hair smell!  Two thumbs up for Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution Lightweight Frizz Control!

Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance Pet Food

I am on a new Bzz Campaign with Bzz Agent and they have connected me to some food for my cat to try. My cat is a pretty good sport, most of the time, and she will give food of any shape or form a try. I as her owner, on the other hand, am a little more discriminating. I like her. I really like her.. she is a good pet friend and I want to care for her well.

We have been paying top dollar for EVO grain free cat food. We like it because (while we do spend more on the bag of food) she doesn't consume a lot of it and she has been very very healthy. Her weight continues to stay at the right place, she has free feeding options (so she can graze if she wants to) and she eats her food up and likes it (when the bowl is empty she comes meowing for more!). She is doing well with this food and it came highly recommended - when we brought her home from the cattery (yes, she is one of those pure bred cats with the extended name) the cat breeder told us EVO food was all she fed her show cats.

That said, I was excited to see that Hill's Science Diet was ALSO offering a Grain Free cat food. I ordered my free bag (Thanks again Bzz Agent) and waited eagerly for it to come.

Then it came.

And it is GRAIN free, but they use POTATO as a filler.

WHAT?

yeah - potato.

I have yet to see my cat eat potato of her own volition. Why would I want to have it in her food? That I pay for. To feed her with.

My cat (and her not so discriminating palate) is sure to eat up all the Hill's Science Diet food. But I just can't bring myself to commit to a brand that will label something as GRAIN FREE (which implies there is a LOT of meat in it) and then sells it with potato as a filler. So I am disappointed with this as a pet owner.

But I did take the time to look at the Comparison Tool available on Hill's Science Diet's website. And honestly, compared to the regular grocery store brands that a lot of people feed their cats - Hill's Science Diet is an improvement. So for those owners who want to provide better nutrition to their cats... Hill's Science Diet is a step in the right direction. But my vote for "Best Cat Food" is being cast for EVO....

Healthfull Bread...

Bzz agent has hooked me up again with some new products to try.  This time it is Orowheat/Arnold/Brownberry Brand Healthfull Bread.  It has whole grain, fiber, 5g of protein and 80 calories per full-size slice.  I will have to say - this bread is hearty and delicious.  The flavor is really tasty.  It does tend to be a little dry - but that can be ok as long as it is paired with some lettuce, tomato, and low cal meats or avocado slices.  The price point is a little high - at $4.50 a loaf it is an investment.  Although my kids will taste it, at that price, they won't be eating Peanutbutter and jelly on it (they always end up eating only half, anyway... but I digress!).  I like it and its great for me with watching what I eat.  The 80 calories and protein are an added bonus.  I can't say that I am completely sold on this bread, but I am enjoying my free loaf (thanks to Bzz agent I get to try products and talk about them!).  I think future purchases of this bread will go straight into the freezer, then I can preserve the flavor while keeping the bread fresh - and then a quick defrost of a couple of slices in the microwave will moisten things up too.  Give it a try - look for the brand in your region... its either Orowheat, Arnold (that's what we have here where I live) or Brownberry ...and the bread is the Healthfull Bread!  Enjoy!  You can take a look at their website HERE where there is more information about the breads, delicious sandwich recipes, and some company information on the Arnold Bread Company! 

Are you Smarterer?

This is a new Bzz campaign I have been invited to - with a company called Smarterer. Its an interesting site where you can take quick quizzes and then blast the results (only if you WANT TO) out to the world... you know.. to show who, in fact, is SMARTERER....

You can show off your basic math skills, your knowledge of Facebook, coffee, the Twilight series... basically if you know something about something, there might be a quiz on the site for you to show off (and then challenge others with) your great skills.

If you don't see a ready quiz, you can even create one of your own.. so, say you are in the know about Zoe Deschanel's show New Girl.. and you want to shout it loud and proud... just create a quick quiz, post it, take it and link your results to Facebook. Easy as that.

Just click here to give Smarterer a try!


Now I just need to decide which quiz to take first... Thanks Bzz agent for connecting me to Smarterer... I love being a Bzz agent and having the opportunity to try products and then give my honest feedback.