Turkey Alternative for Thanksgiving: Cross Rib Roast #FreshFinds

This is the first year that I am attempting to cook the main course for Thanksgiving dinner. In the past I made the side dishes and dessert while hubby handled the bird. Now I am stepping up to the plate, literally. I don't want to make the usual suspect so I started looking for alternatives to turkey at my local Lucky Supermarket.

I have been carefully planning the menu from the bottom up. I have roasted sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sauteed green beans, cornbread stuffing, and yeast rolls. Everything will be homemade. The only thing missing from my menu was the main dish. After browsing the meat case, I settled on the cross rib roast and pick up one to practice on.

I couldn't help but notice the amazing Buy One Get One deal the Lucky Supermarket was running on turkeys. The BOGO sale will apply to the following meats from 11/13-11/26 so you can mix-and-match:

• Riverside or Honeysuckle White Frozen Turkeys
• Cooks Ham Portions
• Master Cut Beef Cross Rib Roasts
• Pork Shoulder Roasts
• Honeysuckle Turkey Breasts

This is a HUGE savings for larger families. For me, it means I can get a backup meat for free just in case I botch the first one! But hopefully that won't happen. That's why I am doing a trial run now.

Cross Rib Roast is usually made as a pot roast, but I find it can be oven roasted too if it is marinaded to tenderize and then slow cooked which produces a firm, but juicy piece of meat. I start by letting the cut sit in the refrigerator in a soy-ginger-garlic marinade for 24-48 hours (the longer the better the results). The marinade is:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 6 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The next step is to sear the meat on all sides in a pan on high heat. Place it in an oven bag with onions, carrots and fingerling potatoes. Put the bag in a roasting pan in the oven on 200 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees (medium). This will take several hours because the slow food method is all about not rushing. My 4 lb cross rib roast took 3.5 hours.

It turned out lovely! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The first slices were medium well and the inside slices were medium. You can definitely cook it  for less time if you prefer your roast rarer (to an internal temp of 125-130 degrees).

What are you making for Thanksgiving? The traditional turkey or will you opt for an alternative? Check out the Lucky Supermarket Fresh Finds Pinterest Board for inspiration!

Orange Pumpkin Bread Recipe #FreshFinds

I am an eater, not a baker. But given the right motivation I can take on a cake (or cookies). I recently had the opportunity to check out Lucky Supermarket and shop their selection of fresh-from-the-farm pumpkins for an original recipe challenge.

Being new to the West Coast, I had not heard of Lucky Supermarkets before and was surprised that there was one not far from my house. I took my sous-chef with me and we had fun picking out pumpkins. I bought three. One for the recipe and two for carving Jack-o-Lanterns. I couldn't resist...they were 3 for $9.99! That is the best deal on pumpkins I have seen in these parts. Marlie also picked up a mini pumpkin for herself.

We went inside to checkout and I immediately noted how neat the store was. The staff was super-friendly too. A nice cashier helped me use the self-checkout and looked up the codes for the pumpkins. We were in and out in under 5 minutes.

Back home, I cut one pumpkin in two and admired the rich color. Then I wrote out my ideas for a fresh pumpkin recipe. I knew I wanted it to be free of artificial ingredients and healthy. Pumpkin is such a great food. I was determined to do it justice. After a couple of drafts, I had my recipe for pumpkin bread. It took two tries to get it right, but it was worth it! I am so proud of this recipe because it is guilt-free. I ate a slice for breakfast with a cup of chai tea. But you can serve it as a dessert with a side of vanilla bean ice cream if you want to be naughty!

Guilt-free Orange Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients 

• 2 cups unbleached flour 
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp allspice 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree* 
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 cup applesauce 
• 1/2 cup raw honey 
• 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 
• 1/4 safflower oil 
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

*To make pumpkin puree, Cut a pumpkin in half and scoop it clean. Carve into pieces, place them in a large pot and cover with water. Boil until tender. Remove skin and place softened pumpkin into a food processor. Pulse until pureed.

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
2. Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan with olive oil or cooking spray and set aside 
3. Combine dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl 
4. Gently blend pumpkin puree, egg, applesauce, honey, OJ, and oil in a mixing bowl 
5. Add dry ingredients and nuts to the pumpkin mixture and stir 
6. Pour batter into pan and bake for 60 minutes until a toothpick poked through the center comes out clean. 
7. Remove from pan and let cool on a rack

Yield: Makes one loaf. Servings: 10

Visit Lucky Supermarkets online for more ideas for your fresh finds!

Sante' Bakery Granola: Yummy and Healthy Stocking Stuffer!

I cannot stop munching on this Christmas Granola from Sante' Bakery! In between bites, I had to share this yummy discovery with you all.

I did a post about Sante' Bakery and their black currant oatmeal cookies, but in case you missed it here is the back story: Sante' in French literally means "health." The Sante' Bakery goal is to fill your life with all of the health benefits Mother Earth has to offer while preserving the environment by:

• Using local and organic ingredients only.
• Using labels made of post-consumer recycled materials. 
• Using inner wrappers that are biodegradable.
• Using vegetable-derived inks.

This granola is packed with nutritious good stuff like rolled oats, walnuts, cranberries, coconut flakes, and ginger, plus it's naturally sweetened with raisins, maple syrup and turbinado. Like all of Sante's baked goods it's all natural, vegetarian and vegan! Sante' Bakery Christmas Granola would make great stocking stuffers!

Connect: Facebook | Twitter

Buy It: 7.5 oz bags of granola range from $7.50-$8.50

Sante' Bakery Review [#WhatYouEatHop Sponsor]

They arrived in my mailbox yesterday, more than a week after they were shipped from Long Island City, NY. They made their way through Superstorm Sandy to get me. Even with the weather delay, they tasted as if they were baked the day before. It was so worth the wait!

I am taking about the Black Currant Oatmeal Cookies I received to review from Sante' Bakery. Sante' in French literally means "health." The Sante' Bakery goal is to fill your life with all of the health benefits Mother Earth has to offer while preserving the environment: 

• They use local and organic ingredients only.
• Their labels are made of post-consumer recycled materials. 
• The inner wrappers are biodegradable. 
• The inks are vegetable-derived.

The first thing I did I when I unpacked my treats was to read the label. No preservatives or artificial stuff! Every ingredient is wholesome and vegan, which is great for those on restricted diets. I could tell with each bite of delicious cookie that a lot of thoughtful care was put into making them. The cookies were not overbearingly sweet and they were satisfying too, good to the last crumb!


Sante' Bakery also makes granola, truffles, piroshki, rugelash, scones, vatrushka, and, of course, cookies! All products are baked to order and shipped via USPS. The website contains a list of ingredients and their health benefits. These treats satisfy the sweet tooth and are good for you!

Sante' Bakery baked goods would made great holiday gifts!

Connect: Facebook | Twitter

Buy It: $10/bag of 8 Black Currant Oatmeal Cookies

Win It: Enter to win $25 in assorted baked goods from Sante' Bakery during the "You Are What You Eat" Hop Grand Prize Giveaway

#WhatYouEatHop Grand Prize Giveaways, 3 Healthy Prize Packages!

Californians are going to the polls to vote on Prop 37, also known as the food labeling law. The Green Moms Network supports Americans’ right to know if their food contains genetically engineered ingredients and is committed to showcasing natural and organic eating.

So, welcome to the You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering and Marlie and Me. A team of 20 + green mom bloggers are giving away prizes valued at $20 minimum related to eating healthy. You'll find giveaways for healthful, natural or organic foods, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets and more! You’ll find the grand prize packages featured on Happy Mothering and Marlie and Me. We have 3 awesome packages valued at more than $450!

Read more »

Wordful Wednesday: Purple People-Eater Ice Pops + Recipe

It's been so unseasonably warm here in the East Bay Area that I decided to pull out the Zoku a couple Saturdays back and had the neighbors over for quick-pops. It started raining this week and I was feeling nostalgic for summer while wanting to welcome fall at the same time. I thought making ice pops would be nice, so me and the girlie threw a bunch of stuff into the blender and they turned out a pretty purple. We dubbed them our Purple People-Eaters, so fitting for Halloween (and healthy too!)...


Here's my original recipe:
Purple People-Eater Ice Pops 

• pour 8 oz Vanilla Almond Milk in a blender  
• add 1/4 cup of yogurt (I used plain whole milk Greek)  
• toss in 1 cup of mixed berries (bluberries, blackberries, raspberries)  
• add 2 packets of natural sweetener (I used organic Stevia, but Sugar in the Raw is okay too)
• blend until smooth 
• pour smoothie mixture into ice pop molds and freeze
• enjoy!

My Top 3 Picks: Raisin Bran

Constipation is a common problem  that pregnant women experience. I keep the by pipes flowing by eating raisin bran everyday. I actually eat enough raisin bran to keep a small army regular. But not all raisin bran is created equal, some are downright disgusting and taste like what I imagine is barn hay. I should know because I've probably tried every brand of raisin bran out there. And let me tell you, only a handful deserve to grace my breakfast table. They are, ranked in order from 1-3:

1. Cascadian Farms Raisin Bran.
   Pros: Organic. Hardy wheat bran flakes that don't get soggy in milk. Plump, juicy raisins that aren't covered in sugar.
   Cons: Pricey. 14 oz box doesn't last me more than 3 days. 



2.  365 Whole Foods Market Raisin Bran
   Pros: Only 200 calories per serving. Big flakes. The most protein of my picks. Cons: Pricey. 15 oz box doesn't last me more than 3 days. 





3. Mom's Best Naturals Raisin Bran
   Pros: Best value at 20 oz box.
   Cons: Unnecessary sugar on raisins=30 more calories per serving. Smallish, thin flakes.

*I did not receive any complimentary products or  compensation for this post. I am just sharing my opinions*

Monday Morning Parenting: How to make eco-eggs

Non-stick cookware made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is no-good. The chemical PFOA, used to make the coating in non-stick pots and pans like the brand Teflon, has been shown to emit toxic fumes that leech into food during preparation. The EPA even got involved after the science community labeled PFOA a likely carcinogen and recommended a voluntary phaseout program. Every PFOA manufacturer agreed to cease the production of PFOA by 2015. No word on what DuPont will use to replace PFOA.

I'm not waiting until 2015 to get rid of my chemical-coated, non-stick cookware. Until we can afford a set of eco-cookware like Chantal or Green Pan, I insist that we use only our stainless steel pots and pans. Things can get messy when cooking with stainless steel if you're not careful. Take eggs for instance. No one wants to scrap the egg remnants from a pan after breakfast. So follow these tips for making eco-friendly eggs in a stainless steel pan that won't stick:

1. When eggs taken directly from the cold refrigerator hit a hot pan, they stick. So bring eggs up to room temperature before cooking them by placing them in a bowl of hot tap water for 5 minutes.


2. Warm up the pan on medium-low heat before adding oil.

 
Now your eggs won't stick! I was going to make a demo video, but my flip camera is full and I was too lazy to go through the video library to make space. So you'll have to take my word on the eggs!

CLOSED...Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey Review + Giveaway

I am embarrassed to admit that in all my years of eating natural, organic, and traditional foods I have never had raw honey...gasp!

I think I had a psychological block against raw honey. I grew up with the copper-colored honey, sweet liquid that flowed like a river of lava from its bear-shaped plastic container. Raw honey is pale and looked rock hard to me.

My prejudices were shredded when my jar of Certified Organic Canadian Raw Honey arrived from Tropical Traditions. One spoonful proved how wrong I had been. This honey is so smooth and so rich! The best way to describe it is to compare it to condensed milk. It's sweetness is concentrated, so it only takes a little to get the job done.

I have been on a raw honey spree all week, making tea in this scorching Texas heat (it's the Jamaican in me, I can't help it) and smearing it on my Sunday pancakes. Everything tasted better with some of my organic raw honey!

This raw honey is produced under the most organic conditions in the Canadian wilderness to preserve its quality and goodness. You won't be disappointed!

Buy It: the 17.6 ounce glass jar of Canadian Raw Honey is on sale for $12.99 (regular retail price $19.50)

Win It: Tropical Traditions is giving one Marlie and Me a jar of Canadian Raw Honey! Thanks Tropical Traditions! Giveaway ends June 24, 2011.

Comments have been turned off for this post because I am using a new entry form for this giveaway called Rafflecopter. It provides simplicity and privacy of your identifying information. I hope you like using it!

CLOSED...TOATS Organic Cookies Review + Giveaway {Earth Day Party}

My regular readers know that I have been back on the healthy grind...working out and eating right. I still get those urges for something sweet, but I have to be careful not to undo all my hard work. I also have to be mindful of my sensitivity to gluten.

I sang hallelujah when TOATS sent me an individual packet of organic cookies to sample. TOATS are made from 9 wholesome ingredients: organic oat flour, organic almonds, organic flax meal, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic rolled oats, organic honey, organic pure cane sugar, xanthan gum and sea salt. They are low in sugar and salt, trans fats and cholesterol-free, and a good source of Omega 3, fiber and whole grains.

So what does a healthy cookie taste like?...D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! They remind me of my grandmother's homemade oatmeal cookies, plus they are filling. I was sad that I only had four cookies and even sadder that I had to share them with Marlie. There was a little tussle over who would get the last cookie. I told her mommy had to eat it because I had to write a review...a little low, but I had to have that cookie!

Some quick facts about TOATS shared by the company:

• handmade in the USA
• certified organic by the USDA and Quality Assurance International
• vegetarian friendly and gluten-free
• environmentally-friendly packaging
• small, woman-owned business
• headquartered in Hamilton, VA

TOATS are Marlie and Me approved!

Buy It: TOATS are sold at all Washington, D.C and metro Baltimore area Whole Foods as well as online at www.toatsorganic.com. Right now TOATS is offering customers a "buy more and save" deal. Purchase 1 box @ $7.00/each, or 2 boxes @ $6.50/each, or 3+ boxes @ $6.00/each.

Win It: TOATS is offering a 20-count box of organic cookies to one Marlie and Me reader! Thanks TOATS!
Mandatory first entry: Visit TOATS. Leave a comment here with something you learned about the product or company that I did not already mention in my review.

All extra entries listed below are worth one (1) additional admission into this giveaway. Please leave a separate comments for each extra entry you complete)

Extra Entries for Supporting the Sponsor:

• Like TOATS on Facebook (leave your FB name)
• Follow TOATS on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
  

Standard Extra Entries:

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• Add www.marlieandme.com to your blog roll (leave your URL in the comment)
• Follow Marlie and Me at Networked Blogs on Facebook (leave your FB name)
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet this message (can tweet once daily. leave the URL to the tweet in your comment): @Mommy2Marlie is hosting a #giveaway for a box of TOATS organic cookies! Enter to #win at www.marlieandme.com. Ends 4/30
• Vote for Marlie and Me at Picket Fence Blogs (click button above Google Friend Connect widget)

The Rules:

• This giveaway will end on 4/30/11 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using a random number generator
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.
• The winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product, invalid gift code). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to US only. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

Easy Organic Living Challenge #3: Give a Meal a Makeover

Your family’s food should be safe and nutritious because what’s more important than the health of your child? Choosing certified organic food is a simple way to help promote health. You can do it by taking small steps that have a big impact.

Your challenge: This week, prepare a meal for your family that includes at least one organic ingredient.

Directions:

1. Choose one of your favorite family meals to adapt.
2. Identify at least one ingredient from that meal to buy organic.
3. Enjoy making food! Savor the sights, smells, and textures and encourage children too, as well.
   

Tips:

• Wondering which organic ingredients to start with? Try those that your family eats the most — milk, meats, yogurt, fruits, vegetables.
• Find deals and discounts on organic foods by using this guide.
• Use one of the following tools to learn about risky chemicals in specific foods:
  

What’s on My Food
Brain Food Selector

• There’s an app for that! Check out this app: iScan My Food - This iPhone app allows you to scan food ingredients and contains information on harmful food additives, toxic ingredients in food and genetically modified foods.

Remember to register at Baby Center to join the Easy Organic Living Group. Share your meal makeover in the comments on the Challenge Post.

Enter my Easy Organic Challenge Gift Bag Giveaway, ends April 30th!

Easy Organic Living Challenge #2: Invent a Snack!

Sometimes it’s tricky getting kids to eat healthy snacks, but we know moms are capable of some very creative solutions. You can make your child’s snacks even healthier by using organic ingredients. Protect your family by taking simple steps that have a big impact!

Your challenge:
Create a healthy snack using at least one organic ingredient and then share your invention.

Directions:

1. Brainstorm some simple ingredients as the basis for your snack – things like fruit, yogurt, and nuts make a great healthy foundation. Choose at least one organic ingredient.
2. Consider how to use your ingredients – maybe a smoothie, a parfait, popsicles?
   
3. Try it and test it. Is it kid-approved?
4. Share! When you're satisfied with your creation, here's what to do: Type up the recipe in a traditional format — list the ingredients followed by instructions.

Remember to register at Baby Center to join the Easy Organic Living Group. Share your snack recipe in the comments on the Challenge Post. They'll select a mix of recipes from those received to share with other BabyCenter visitors. Healthy Child and Stonyfield will share on their sites as well!

EZ Organic Living: Save a Dollar Here, Shift a Dollar There

Read this previous post for an explanation about what this is all about.

This week's challenge: For a full week, make a conscientious effort to save money by using some of the tips provided. Then shift your savings to organics!

Since we buy groceries for the entire week on Saturday morning, I spent last Friday night planning our shopping trip. Our weekly grocery budget is $100. [update: Kim was surprised at our food budget, so here's an explanation: we eat very little meat. we only buy chicken and eat it as a meal every other day. we eat lots of bean dishes in between.] My goal was to stay within our normal budget. My strategy was to use the tips for this challenge-- find lots of coupons and pass the savings to the organic items I wanted to buy: eggs, dairy, fruits and vegetables.

I spent 2 hours searching for coupons and learning about organic brands (it will be much less time as I get better at this). I was surprised at how many high-value coupons and deals I found for organic brands when I looked at coupon sites like Money Saving Mom, the store circulars where I shop, and the guide at Healthy Child. Even better, I came away with stacked coupons for several brands! We hit two stores armed with coupons, reusable shopping bags and a calculator.

So, how did we do? Pretty good! We spent $104.05. It was slightly over because I picked up a couple of items we normally don't buy because the discounts were too awesome to pass up. Here is a breakdown of our coupon savings:

@Whole Foods
Sea Salt Almond Nut Crackers (we don't usually buy boxed snacks)
2.99- .75 WF coupon= 2.24

OIKOS 8 oz.Plain Organic Greek Yogurt
3/$4 on sale (bought one)
1.33-$1.00 WF coupon= .33 (my biggest score!)

Babara's High Fiber Cereal (we don't buy boxed cereal, but the double discount was calling my name!)
4.69-1.00 WF coupon-1.00 manufacturer coupon= 2.69

Organic Valley 18 Count Medium Brown Eggs
4.99-.75 manufacturer coupon= 4.24

Organic Valley 8 oz. Cottage Cheese
3.99-1.00 WF coupon-.75 manufacturer coupon= 2.24

Muir Glen Organic Canned Tomatoes
3.19-1.00 WF coupon-1.00 manufacturer coupon= 1.19

Seventh Generation 48 oz Dishwashing Liquid
4.99-1.00 WF coupon-.50 manufacturer coupon= 3.49

Total Savings=$9.75!
There is a catch. The Whole Foods we shopped at does not stack coupons, but they made an exception just this once. I'm going to have to rethink shopping there because matching up coupons is a big part of affording to shop organic for us.

With our almost $10 in savings we bought these organic produce: bell pepper ($2.89), blueberries ($3.99), and apples ($1.60). We can't afford to buy all organic produce, so we mainly stuck to organic fruit and vegetables if they were on the Dirty Dozen list of foods most contaminated with pesticide residue. It helped a lot that our second stop, Sunflower Farmers Market, was having a super sale on organic produce. We picked up more apples...plus broccoli, carrots, chard, celery, lettuce, onion, spinach, and yams:

I should also mention that I received a $.60 discount off our bill for using reusable shopping bags.

My next goal is to find a way to afford organic meat. Damon heard that Costco has decent prices on organic meat. We happen to have a free membership, but never go...so guess where we went on Sunday? Costco offered two organic whole chicken fryers for $20-$25. Not bad! We didn't purchase any this week because we had already spent our grocery money for this week, but I'm already working it in to week's shopping trip.

To learn how you can cut costs so you can afford organic and/or to try this challenge register at Baby Center at join the Easy Organic Living Group.

Disclosure: part of the Easy Organic Living program co-hosted by Baby Center and Healthy Child Healthy World and sponsored by Stonyfield

I'm an Easy Organic Living Challenge Blogger!

Healthy Child, Healthy World invited me at 24 other health-conscious bloggers to challenge ourselves and our readers to get educated about organic living. Can you guess how many cartwheels I did after I got word that I was selected to participate in this program? The answer is four.

I am all about the organic lifestyle over here, but I consider myself semi-crunchy. I don't always have resources to get organic food (the money or the shopping know-how). Well, I have no more excuses because the Easy Organic Living Challenge is going to teach me how! Over the next four weeks, I will embark on a journey toward adopting a more organic diet. Each week is focused on a different aspect of organic living (making it affordable, homemade snacks, meal preparation, and awareness about the ingredients in our food)

You should be doing cartwheels too because I will be sharing everything I learn with you on my blog. Plus, there is going to be a giveaway...an reusable shopping tote filled with organic goodies!

You can join the challenges too:

• Save a dollar here, shift a dollar here: you don’t need a bigger budget to start buying organic. Use these tips to save money then shift your savings to organics. This one has already started, visit the Easy Organic Living Group on Baby Center to jump in!
  
• Invent a snack: You can make your child’s snacks even healthier by using organic ingredients.
• Give a meal an easy makeover: prepare a meal for your family that includes at least one organic ingredient.
• You are what you eat – so what are you eating?: Spend a few minutes this week learning about your food. Read a label!

Connect with the Easy Organic Living Challenge on these social media:

• Facebook
• Follow the #ezorganic hashtag on Twitter or tweet @Healthy_Child
  

I hope you you are as excited as I am about going organic! Stay tuned for more posts as I discover how easy organic living is to achieve.

Disclosure: part of the Easy Organic Living program co-hosted by Baby Center and Healthy Child Healthy World and sponsored by Stonyfield

CLOSED...Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate Review and Giveaway

Love the rich, sweet flavor of coconut? Then you are going to do back flips after you taste Tropical Traditions coconut cream concentrate. I know I did! (figuratively, of course)

The best way to describe coconut cream concentrate is to liken it to all natural peanut butter. The kind that comes with the oil floating on top and you have to blend it together with a spoon. Due to the cold weather, the coconut cream was pretty solid when it arrived. I warmed up the jar in a pan of simmering water. Even then, it was tough stir. I had to get Damon to mix it up. DO NOT put the jar in the refrigerator like we did, otherwise you will have to repeat the melt and mix process all over again.

This instructional video shows how to prepare coconut cream concentrate for use:


So far, I have only added the coconut cream concentrate to my smoothies and to my pancake batter with delightful results. I have yet to explore the height of possibilities in cooking and baking with coconut cream concentrate, but I have some direction thanks to the Coconut Cream Concentrate Recipes page on the Tropical Traditions website. There are soups, an cakes and entrees galore! Since coconut cream is a food, you can eat it straight out of the jar too! Spread some on crackers, bread or biscuits for a tasty snack!

Shop: Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate is on sale for a limited time! Get a pint for $10.99 (normally $16) or a quart for $19.50 (normally $30). You can also receive a complimentary copy of the Virgin Coconut Oil book with your first online order by typing in my User ID # 5632947 when selecting "Referred by a friend" under the "How did you hear of us?" drop down menu after you complete your account information. The book will be automatically added to your order. If you have problems, please contact customer service and someone will gladly help.

Win: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win a 32 oz jar of Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate!

Mandatory first entry: Check out the Coconut Cream Concentrate recipes page and leave a comment with one that you'd like to tryAll extra entries listed below are worth one (1) additional admission into this giveaway. Please leave a separate comments for each extra entry you complete)Extra Entries for Supporting the Sponsor:

• Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions sales newsletter
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter (leave Twitter name)

Standard Extra Entries:

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Add Marlie and Me to your blog roll, make sure it's the new domain name (leave your URL in the comment)
• New! Follow Marlie and Me at Networked Blogs on Facebook (leave your FB initials)
• New! Follow me on Twitter and tweet this message (can tweet once daily. leave the URL to the tweet in your comment): I just entered to win a jar of Tropical Traditions Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream @Mommy2Marlie #giveaway www.marlieandme.com
• New! Vote for Marlie and Me at Picket Fence Blogs (click button above Google Friend Connect widget)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 1/28/11 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to US/Canada. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• The winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

CLOSED...Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review & Giveaway

Coconuts are an exotic fruit that does not get enough respect in my opinion. Coconut water is packed with hydrating electrolytes. Coconut milk is nutrient-rich in medium chain fatty acids plus vitamins B12 and D. Coconut oil has so many practical uses such as a hair and skin moisturizer, and it is unmatched as a healthy substitute for butter or lard in cooking and baking.

Imagine my glee when I was approved to do a review for Tropical Traditions, makers of dozens of coconut products. I have been stalking their website for months and finally got up the nerve to ask. I was sent a quart of certified organic Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try. According to the website, this is the highest quality coconut oil they have to offer. You may be asking what's the difference. The answer is in the process. The Philippines-based founders of Tropical Traditions have perfected a method of making this premium, unrefined virgin coconut oil by hand with a centuries-old process that produces the oil without using heat, chemicals or solvents. You can learn more about it in this video interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions.

The first thing I made with my Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut oil was sweet potato fries:

The fries turned out wonderfully light and crispy and they smelled so good too! The coconut oil added a pleasant flavor without overpowering the sweet potato. It definitely enhanced the taste. I also baked some heavenly, gluten/dairy-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies with the coconut oil, but I ate a cookie monster stole them all before I could snap a photo. I cannot wait to try some of the coconut recipes on the Tropical Traditions site!

Shop: The Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is buy 1 get 1 free until Thursday October 28th, that's $37.50 for two 32 oz jars! You can also receive a complimentary copy of the Virgin Coconut Oil book with your first online order by typing in my User ID # 5632947 when selecting "Referred by a friend" under the "How did you hear of us?" drop down menu after you complete your account information. The book will be automatically added to your order. If you have problems, please contact customer service and someone will gladly help.

Win: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil.
Mandatory first entry: Check out the hundreds of free coconut recipes on the Tropical Traditions site and leave a comment here telling me one recipe you'd like to try. If you are commenting as Anonymous, please include first name and an email address
All extra entries listed below are worth one (1) additional admission into this giveaway. Please leave a separate comments for each extra entry you complete)Extra Entries for Supporting the Sponsor:

• Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions sales newsletter
  
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter (leave Twitter name)

Standard Extra Entries:

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Add Marlie and Me to your blog roll (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Follow Marlie and Me at Networked Blogs on Facebook (leave your FB initials)
• New! Follow me on Twitter and tweet this message (leave the URL to the tweet in your comment): I just entered to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil @Mommy2Marlie #giveaway
  
• New! Vote for Marlie and Me at Picket Fence Blogs (click button above Google Friend Connect widget)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 11/12/10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to US/Canada. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• The winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

Monday Morning Parent: My Baby's Veggie Tales

You should see/hear the reactions we get when we tell people that we are raising Marlie as a vegetarian. Most of it is simple curiosity, like how does she get her protein? I realize we live in America where beef is king (or is it chicken?) and that meat is a diet staple in this country. But it is a big misconception that human children or adults need to eat meat for sustenance. I am not bashing meat-eaters. Hey, I eat it too...although in better qualities and far less quantities than I used to. My point is that meat is a dietary choice not a dietary necessity, not to mention the negative impact that large-scale meat production has on our environment. I'll end my preaching there.

It's not hard to prepare vegetarian meals that provide the nourishment that your child's growing body needs. You will need to educate yourself about food and buy a good cookbook. A meatless diet doesn't have to be boring or restrictive. For example, I make (un)fries instead of french fries by boiling a potato, cutting it french-style, coating the pieces in olive or coconut oil, and baking until crisp. Even fruit and veggies can be fun! I smear almond butter on sliced pears, drizzle yogurt on bananas, and sprinkle grounded flax seeds on sweet potatoes. I also experiment with smoothies by mixing greens and fruit with almond or coconut milk for a refreshing treat packed with vitamins and minerals!

Here is a sample of Marlie's daily menu:

Breakfast: scrambled egg, porridge, fruit, almond/coconut milk
Morning Snack: fruit, almond/coconut milk
Lunch: organic Greek yogurt, vegetable, breastmilk
Afternoon Snack: fruit or vegetable*, water
Dinner: beans, vegetable, almond/coconut milk
*fruits and vegetables are bought fresh (preferably organic and locally grown), cooked or ripened to soften, then cut into spears or cubed so she can hold it and feed herself.

Here is a list of Marlie's favorite foods and some of the nutrients they provide:

• almond butter: iron, calcium, protein, riboflavin, folate, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
  
• almond milk: calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, manganese, selenium, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
  
• apples: fiber, vitamin C
  
• avocados: fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium
  
• bananas: vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium
• beets: vitamin C, fiber, iron, folate, manganese
  
• blueberries: vitamin C, vitamin , manganese (also good source of antioxidants)
  
• carrots: vitamin A
  
• chickpeas/hummus: protein, fiber, iron, folate, manganese,
  
• coconut milk: vitamin B12, vitamin D (also a good source of medium chain fatty acids)
  
• eggs: vitamin B12
• kale: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K
  
• mangoes: vitamin A, vitamin C
• oatmeal, protein, fiber, iron, thiamin, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
• peaches: vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium
  
• pears: fiber, vitamin C
  
• pinto beans: protein, fiber, iron, folate
  
• potatoes: fiber, protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium
  
• quinoa cereal: protein, iron, fiber, folate, manganese
• spinach: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, protein
  
• sweet potatoes: fiber, iron, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6
  
• tomatoes: vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium
  
• yogurt (Greek-style): protein, calcium (also a good source of probiotics)
  

There are some foods that we let Marlie have occasionally, but I call these the seldom/rarely foods:

• bread (whole grain or sprouted)
  
• cheese
• chips (blue corn tortilla)
• corn/corn grits
  
• fruit juices
• ginger cookies/arrowroot teething biscuits
• pancakes
• pasta
  
• popcorn
• rice
  

Not ready to convert yet? Try a meatless day or two with your family. Happy eating!

Disclaimer: I am not a professional dietitian or a nutritionist. Consult your family physician about making dietary changes. Please be mindful that some foods such as eggs and nuts are not recommended for babies under a year old. Always introduce new foods one at a time and watch for allergic reactions. Report any suspected food allergies to your child's pediatrician.

CLOSED...Tillamook Cheese Review and Giveaway

I am toying with the idea of becoming a vegetarian. I would have to be a lacto-ovo though because I ♥ Cheese! I am a cheese snob too. I will spend the extra cheddar for high quality cheese...ha ha! All joking aside, I am thrilled to share with you a cheese brand that found its way into my heart. It's called Tillamook and it is wholesome, yummy goodness.

I received the Baby Loaf Box for review. It came with coupons for approximately 3 lbs of Tillamook cheddar cheese, a slicer and a heart-shaped sandwich cutter. Damon, in true cheese connoisseur fashion, likes his cheddar well-aged and sharp. I prefer mine mild, but Tillamook makes a medium cheddar that is the perfect compromise. Damon made this pan of mac n' cheese with it...

it was a delicious as it looks!

Tillamook cheese tastes fantastic. It is a rich and smooth with a nutty flavor. It's also aged naturally with milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones. That's a huge plus in my book! Give Tillamook Cheese a try, you won't be disappointed.
Buy It: Tillamook is available in grocery, club, superstores and natural food stores nationwide and online. Go here to find out where to purchase Tillamook Cheese products in your area.

Win It: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win the same Baby Loaf Box I received.

Mandatory first entry: Visit Tillamook Cheese and leave a comment here telling me another product you'd like to try besides their cheese. If you are commenting as Anonymous, please include first name and an email address
Extra Entries: Earn one (1) extra entry for completing each of the following (leave separate comments for each):

• Follow Tillamook Cheese on Facebook or Twitter and leave the URL in your comment below (one entry for each)
• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post (leave the URL in your comment)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 10/22 /10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• NEW RULE: the winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

CLOSED...Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Pouches: Review and Giveaway

I've talked a lot about Marlie's diet of homemade food, but sometimes it's not possible to do sit down and feed her fresh fruit and veggies like when I have to run a million errands. Those are the days when I need a grab-and-go snack that doesn't sacrifice healthy ingredients and real nutrition. Thank goodness I was introduced to Peter Rabbit Organics, makers of the 100% organic fruit snack in a squeezable pouch.

Peter Rabbit Organics 100% fruit puree pouches come in three tasty flavors: Strawberry and Banana, Apple and Grape, and Mango, Banana and Orange. There is no sugar added, no artificial additives, and best of all it's all organic!

You can check out Peter Rabbit Organics on Facebook and Twitter.

Our verdict: I wasn't sure if Marlie was going to be able to handle the squeezable pouch, but it was easy. She had no problem feeding herself, but she also had no problem turning the pouch upside down and squirting fruit puree over everything. It got a little messy! Her favorite was the Mango, Banana and Orange flavor. The 3.5 oz size pouch was more than she could consume in one sitting, so I put on the resealable cap and refrigerated the rest. The next day I placed the pouch in my purse before we left the house. When she needed a snack I handed her the snack pouch and continued my shopping without missing a beat...so convenient!

Buy it: Peter Rabbit Organics fruit pouches are available at Starbucks nationwide, in select Whole Foods Markets and natural food stores, in all Buy Buy Baby stores, and online at Amazon.com, Diapers.com, and BabiesRUs.com.
Win It: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win 10 assorted fruit pouches thanks to Peter Rabbit Organics!

Mandatory first entry: Visit Peter Rabbit Organics and find the nearest store where you can purchase the fruit puree pouches and then leave it in a comment here. If you are commenting as Anonymous, please include first name and an email address
Extra Entries: Earn one (1) extra entry for completing each of the following (leave separate comments for each):

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL where I can find it)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 8/22/10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• NEW RULE: the winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

200+ Followers Giveaway: 3 FREE Ball Park Product Coupons

Marlie and Me achieved 200 plus followers this week so I thought it would be nice to express my gratitude with another giveaway...Win It: 3 coupons for any ONE (1) Ball Park product, up to $4.79. Just in time for your 4th of July cookout!

How to Enter: Just leave me a comment telling me what your plans are for July 4th. You must be following this blog publicly via Google Friend Connect to participate

Extra Entries: Earn one (1) extra entry for completing each of the following (leave separate comments for each):

• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL where I can find it)
• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post (leave the URL where I can find it)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 6/15/10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

*This is not a sponsored giveaway*