Kahiki Foods

I am a big time fan of Chinese food, and I am a sucker for egg rolls. I have purchased egg rolls from the store, and baked them in the oven. They are tasty, but it doesn't measure up to the restaurants egg rolls. The egg rolls just don't have the crunchy texture like at the restaurants. One main reason is I don't have a deep fryer. I was very impressed with the Kahiki Foods egg rolls, though. With these delicious egg rolls, you just pop them in the microwave. They are packaged in a special wrap, that when microwaved, makes them crunchy. I don't have to cook them in a deep fryer, add the extra calories and fat because of the deep fryer, yet I can enjoy the crunchy texture. The egg rolls from Kahiki foods are only 70-100 calories each. I really like that I can understand and read all of the ingredients of the egg rolls. For instance the Chicken egg rolls consist of these ingredients: cabbage, cooked white meat chicken, carrots, salt, sugar, vegetable oil (soybean, corn, and/or sunflower oil), sesame oil, eggs, spices, yeast extract. Wrapper:wheat flour, water, salt, wheat gluten, ascorbic acid, citric acid, corn starch, vegetable oil (soybean, corn, and/or sunflower oil). Sauce: water, sugar, distilled and/or wine vinegar, pineapple juice concentrate, cornstarch, natural extractive of paprika, hot sauce (cayenne red pepper, vinegar, salt, garlic powder), xanthangum, garlic, ginger, natural flavors, natural beta carotene. These egg rolls are great tasting (a little peppery) and not bad for health-wise either. They are quick to prepare, and really quick to eat. :) Kahiki Foods have 3 different selections of egg rolls: Pork & Shrimp, Chicken, and Vegetable. The packages sell with 3 in each one. I really enjoyed the Kahiki Foods egg rolls, and I know they will be on our future grocery lists.
Here is the Kahiki Story (from site):
Our visionary founder, Michael Tsao, believed that every American should experience the food and culture of the Kahiki. He wanted to take Kahiki to the masses and do it in the freshest way possible. Because frozen food is immediately frozen after it is prepared, he believed this was the best path. We have continued that vision in everything we do.
Today, Kahiki Foods produces over 70 products that can be found in retail grocery stores, membership warehouse clubs, convenience stores, and foodservice operations. Kahiki products have become so popular that the Kahiki kitchen has expanded to a 119,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility!
Our year-over-year growth has been consistent and significant. In an industry that grows between 3-4%*, Kahiki grew 22%, respectively for fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006.
Our customer commitment is simple: serve the highest quality foods made from the freshest ingredients. Authentic, convenient, great tasting foods –this is what Kahiki symbolizes. And we never add MSG to our foods.
Social Responsibility
Kahiki is committed to protecting our environment and contributing to recycling it after we use it. We even recycle our cooking oil through local farmers who in turn the oil into bio-diesel fuel. We also believe strongly in supporting our community through our support of causes such as the Stephanie Spielman Breast Cancer Research Fund at the James Cancer Hospital.

Happy New Year to all of you!!

Well, can you believe it is 2009? I think it is amazing how time flies! I can't believe we zoomed through yet another year! It has been a great year!
Terry's mom (God bless her richly) offered to take our little darlings (Caleb and Madelyn) for New Year's Eve). She has actually had them from New Year's Eve until Sunday afternoon! She is just an amazing Mother-in-Law and Grandma! I am so thankful for her! (Thanks Cheryl)!! Hope the kids are doing super! Nathaniel was with his Dad from Christmas Eve night until last night (Thursday), and it is great to have him home with us, and get some one-on-one time with him before baby comes. We rarely get the one on one time with the kids, and we so appreciate it when we can do that!
New Year's Eve night, Terry and I went to our friend's house, Jody, to bring in the New Year. It was a great night of fun, loads of laughter, game, food, and Rock Band for Wii. Lisa , Jeannie and our friend, Padma were there as well and it was great to have a "ladies night out." I have a feeling my baby will come around the time when we have our monthly LNO (Madelyn was born the early morning hours of LNO almost 2 years ago). I think we beat a record for staying up and out late...Terry and I got home about 4:40 AM. I really am impressed with Terry for staying awake that long! I never would have guessed that he would be able to handle the late night. He had worked New Year's Eve and was up at 5:10 AM, so he made it almost 24 hours of being awake. If you know Terry, this is a grand achievement. I think he has some kind of sleep issue, because he is the type that can fall asleep anytime/anywhere. Seriously, he fell asleep (in the driver's seat) at the mailbox between the time it took me to roll down the window, grab the mail, and put the window back up! It is a scary thing! Anyway, thank you Jody for having us all over, and the memories are super! It was a great night, lots of fun, and so good to be with the girl friends!
I am excited to see what this new year will bring to our household. So far, we have a baby due (in less than 2 weeks), a daughter who will be 2 in the beginning of March, a son who will be 4 the end of May, my brother is getting married in June, and my oldest will be 11 in the fall! Starting back the beginning of February, I will again join Weight Watchers! I can't tell you how excited I am to lose the weight again. Last year I hit the 41 pounds gone mark, and then I was blessed with pregnancy. Since you can't be on Weight Watchers while being pregnant, I lost all discipline (not Weight Watchers fault, just my own lack of self control). I have gained way too much weight with this pregnancy, and I can say I am rather disappointed with myself for not being more careful. I know weight gain is normal in pregnancy, but seriously~ 50 pounds is NOT what I would say is normal weight gain for pregnancy, especially since I was over weight to start with. Yes, I do get a depressed feeling about it, but I put the food into my hand and popped it into my own mouth. I just have to work extra hard at getting it off. Since I won a Wii last year (woo hoo) I bought the Wii Fit, and I am anxious to get on there and help that weight fall off. I am confident that being back on the WW program and using my Wii Fit on a regular basis will help me get to where I need to be (weight wise) the end of this year. Terry, my hubby, is also wanting to get back into shape and lose a few pounds. I know 80# may seem like an awful amount, but that is my goal to get to, and if I lose more than that, super! I am not going to say I will lose that by a certain time, but I would like to see #50 gone by winter time late this fall.
What are your goals or achievements you would like to see for this New Year?

Boon's New Saucer Plate Review and Giveaway!

When I was younger, I had a thing about keeping my food separate...so the jello didn't mix with my potatoes. I had a special plate that had dividers in it, so I could eat happily. I was so happy to hear that Boon came out with a brand new saucer plate that was divided! Now, I can let my kids eat their food separately, and they see their options.
Boon has a super selection of feeding products. I think that the Saucer Stay-put Divided Plate makes a great addition! This Saucer is made especially for those kids who think it is fun to throw their plate on the floor. This Saucer is made without edges with helps prevent little hands from lifting it off the table (this is NOT a flying saucer!). The base is slip-resistant, so it grips the tabletop to keep the plate in place.
The Saucer Stay-put Divided Plate from Boon comes in white/orange and white/pink. Retail $5.99.
I am glad that this plate is made dishwasher safe, and it is BpA-free, Phthalate-free, and PVC-free! With that, you know you can safely use this plate with your child's food.
About Boon
Designer Rebecca Finell, along with partner Ryan Fernandez, created Boon Inc. Together they come up with quality parenting innovations that are safe, affordable and helpful. From their site: "A boon is defined as “a benefit bestowed, especially one bestowed in response to a request.” Each one of our products offers a boon to parents by helping to make their everyday lives a bit easier while incorporating great design at an affordable price.n 10% of Boon's products are donated back to charity.
There are several locations both online, and offline, that you can purchase Boon's products. Click here to see.
Would you like to win a Boon Saucer Stay-put Divided Plate? Boon has offered to give one to a lucky Sassyfrazz winner! This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To get your first entry, you need to go to the Boon Website, and take a look around. Come back and comment on another Boon product you like~Also, let me know which color combo you prefer. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just leave a comment about what your favorite meal/snack is to give your toddler. If that question doesn't apply to you, you can leave a comment about what your favorite meal is. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules. Contest will end on December 15th, at 7:00 PM CST. GOOD LUCK!

Christmas time is here...

It was a great day yesterday! We went to church in the morning, and fellowship with our church family. I found out that my uncle is home after a major surgery, so that was a Praise the Lord! He had surgery on his brain to remove blood build-up from a fall he had this summer! Scary stuff! My Dad went through the same ordeal about 10 years ago. When my Dad went through the surgery, he didn't have an easy recovery, though. Anyway, I was so happy to hear that my uncle is doing great.
We came home for lunch, and made our "left-overs" into very tasty food. I had a left over roast, and neither Terry and I are big time left-over lovers....especially dry roast. Terry made up his own version of BBQ sauce, and we added some water, shredded the beef, and made a scrumptious Shredded BBQ! It was so tasty! I put mine on buttered toasted bread. Am I making you hungry? I wish there was more left-overs...isn't that funny? Well, at least I will know what to do next time we have roast. Terry is great with making new recipes from scratch.
After lunch, Caleb and Madelyn took their naps. By the way, Caleb is doing amazing with potty training! He is keeping his underwear dry at naps now! He insisted on wearing underwear to church Sunday morning. He had not been away from home in underwear yet, just pull-ups. He just keep insisting on underwear. So, we let him do it, but prepared ourselves with back-up clothing. He made it through the rides to and from church, and for the duration of church. Not only that, he made it through nap time dry, and kept it dry after nap when we went to get our Christmas tree! I am so proud of him!! I am so relieved for us, too~~
Speaking of getting our tree...it was a chillier day for it. I am so glad we got our tree earlier this year! I would love to keep it right after Thanksgiving~if possible, so we can enjoy it longer.
We have been going to the same tree farm for 3 years. It is a bit pricey, so I would like to find something cheaper. I am not a fan of the long silky needles (they are messy and the ornaments are hard to put on). I love the Scotch Fir, but those are way to pricey. So, we went with the Blue Spruce. We get the small needles, and it is very fragrant. I love it! Here are some pictures of our tree searching and cutting.
Caleb was very cold, and was not very happy...so he looks really sad in this picture.
He was a little happier in this picture because Dad said he can help cut the tree down...then, we can go home.
Caleb loves any opportunity to help out his Dad.

Nathaniel loved that he could help push the tree over. Doesn't it look like he is working tough?
Cutting the netting from the tree...
Caleb helping cut the netting, Madelyn watching in amazement...
Look how Madelyn is watching as she holds on to Daddy...so sweet!
Nathaniel was "caught" in the web-o-net. He can be such a card sometimes. :)
My three little darlings! They were so thrilled to have the tree up. We got really ambitious and decorated the whole tree, the living room, and pulled out all the other decorations! I can't believe it is all done!
Nathaniel was getting the lights all ready for stringing.
Leave it to Nathaniel to make a "chore" into something fun! He is so funny!
Nathaniel helped Terry string all the lights on! They put up 3 long strands~ one set is blinking lights.
Madelyn loved the lights. She sat right in them and was just dazzled by them!
I love this picture. She put the lights over her head and just clung on. It was like the lights were her blanket. Isn't her little hand clenched cute?
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...can you tell Terry was a rock climber? Those tools work super on our chimney with no mantle!
Maddie got to put the star on the tree.
Caleb got to place the star at the top.
Nathaniel had his turn to put the star at the top.
Terry even got his turn to work with that Star. No, I didn't take a turn. I am not so sure my belly would allow me to get very close to the tree with leaning in.

Merry Christmas from our family to you!

Appetizers? AND A GIVEAWAY!

Appetizers are such a fun treat, and it is really fun trying new ones! I really like the new Pillsbury Savorings! The scrumptious, flaky treats are so tasty and flavorful! I really like Pillsbury's crust! It is so delicious! I just tried the Buffalo Style Chicken flavor. I wanted to try the Cheese and Spinach, but our grocery store didn't carry that flavor (yet) but I really hope they get that one! Pillsbury also offers the Mozzarella and Pepperoni flavor. I think my kids would like that one best. I think that this appetizer is so easy to prepare, and tastes so good! These appetizers would go well with a glass of wine, but since I can't have that right now (with being pregnant) I like the suggestions that Pillsbury gives on their site for different drink ideas. You can get a $1.00 off coupon on the Pillsbury website if you want to give them a try.
Pillsbury has also offered to give my readers a special giftbag! This is a great contest to try for! One lucky winner will receive: coupon for a free box of Savorings, wine bottle topper (with a wooden handle), box of wine charms, bottle opener, wine and food guide, stampable wine tag and an appetizer plate that also holds your wine glass!! What a collection of great items! This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. Leave a comment telling me one of your favorite appetizers or food items you like to serve at a party. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules. Contest will end on November 10th, at 7:00 PM CST. GOOD LUCK~ There will be two winners!!

Finger Paint, or Food?

Maddie was needing a snack while I was preparing supper. She has been eating very well with a spoon and fork lately. She disregarded the whole spoon concept tonight and went in to enjoy her applesauce and yogurt finger-style.

I bet the coolness of the cold yogurt felt fun on her little hands. This is a great "finger paint" for toddlers! ~~Edible, too!

Look at her cute little face! Do you think she was having a fun time?

Using the spoon to scrape what little bit that was left in the container.

I love the look of determination on her face! I am glad she had a fun time!