Rozoni Smart Taste Pasta & Contest!!

"Spaghetti Stud"

My kids love eating pasta, noodle meals. If they could, I am sure they would eat these kind of meals most always. Our family goes through a lot of pasta, not only is it a more affordable meal

to make for a large family, but it goes a long way. I have been searching the nutrition facts on the boxes of pasta, and it can be a challenge finding a pasta that offers lower calories and higher fiber, but still be affordable. Rozoni's Smart Taste is a great tasting pasta/noodle and it offers the higher fiber and lower calories, yet it isn't over priced. Our family has made the switch over to Smart Taste over other brands because we love the taste, it is lower calories, and it is in our budget. We have tried other brands in the past, and we really can't taste any difference between the brands, so it is an easy choice.

Here is what the website says:

"What's so special about RONZONI SMART TASTE? It's the first white pasta to be enriched with Fiber, Calcium and Vitamin D-- and lots of it. RONZONI SMART TASTE is an excellent source of Fiber and contains Calcium and Vitamin D equal to an eight-ounce glass of milk. Studies show that many diets are lacking in these three important nutrients. Plus, RONZONI SMART TASTE is lower in calories and fat than traditional pasta. That means RONZONI SMART TASTE is the same great taste -- the smart taste --your family loves but with greater nutritional value. RONZONI SMART TASTE Taste comes in seven delicious varieties:
Elbows
Rotini
Spaghetti
Thin Spaghetti
Penne Rigate
Angel Hair
Extra Wide Noodles
RONZONI SMART TASTE is part of New World Pasta, the leader in healthy pasta. Our family of brands consists of Ronzoni Healthy Harvest® and the New World Pasta classic white pasta brands of Ronzoni®, Creamette®, Prince®, American Beauty®, Skinner® and San Giorgio®. New World Pasta is also home to Light 'n Fluffy® egg noodles. Learn more about New World Pasta."

Our family loves the Rozoni Smart Taste pasta! We made the Spaghetti noodles with Vodka cream sauce and grilled chicken, and it was delicious! Our kids happily ate their meal, as you can see in the photos, and they all wanted seconds. The family doesn't notice any difference in the taste of the pastas, and for the nutritional values of the Smart Taste, our family will eat Smart Taste!

With reviewing the Rozoni Smart Taste Pasta, I have a chance to enter the photo contest for bloggers!

Please Vote for my little Spaghetti Stud! (see picture at top) I have a chance to win the grand prize of $500 and a year’s supply of Smart Taste Pasta!
Voting will be open on June 14th at http://www.Ronzonismarttaste.com/blogger and stay open until June 25th.
You can vote once per day, and I would be forever grateful if you could help me out.

Thanks so much!!

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Ronzoni and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review and photo contest entry. In addition, I received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Save money with Holiday meals shopping Walmart (plus 2 giveaways)

Looking to save money with shopping for the big family meals, whether you shop for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or just a family meal~ check out Walmart!

Walmart’s Thanksgiving Dinner for Eight could fit into an affordable price range of $20! With Christmas right around the corner, I think Walmart will be a great place to buy our groceries with our budget in mind. I enjoyed looking over the wonderful information found on the Holiday Meals site for Walmart. The website has great recipes, and options to make your dollar stretch. One recipe that I am excited to try for the Walmart site is: Pumpkin Roll Cake with Warm Cinnamon Caramel Sauce! Yum, this looks so tastey, and the presentation is mouth watering! I usually make Pumpkin bars with the cream cheese frosting for our family gatherings, but trying something new could be fun, and great tasting. Walmart teamed up with the Food Network's Melissa d'Arabians. She is talented~ and you can even watch a video of her talking about food ideas.

I have a fun contest for you! Enter to win a Walmart gift card for $30! To enter: share some of your own favorite memories or money-saving tips. some great recipes from the Food Network’s Melissa d’Arabians.

This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until December 16th, 2009.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add something else you found on the Walmart website (you didn't know they sold). Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Walmart. In addition, I received a Walmart gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate and two to offer as a giveaway.

Oscar Mayer Lunchables

I enjoy bringing quick and easy snacks or foods to the park or on outings with the kids, like to the zoo. I have always been a fan of Oscar Mayer Lunchables, and I was excited to try out the new

Oscar Mayer Lunchables. My kids love getting the lunchables, because they are tasty, fun, and a treat. I like that they are healthy options for a fun treat or lunch. I like to give my kids better-for-them lunchtime options, and the new Lunchables line of Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combinations, is a great way to go.

The Lunchables Lunch Combos come with new items, like spring water, sub sandwiches and applesauce.
The six new varieties include: Turkey + Cheddar Sub Sandwich, Ham + American Sub Sandwich, Turkey + Cheddar Cracker Combos, Ham +American Cracker Combos, Deep Dish Cheese Pizza and Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza. Both the Turkey + Cheddar Sub Sandwich and Deep Dish Cheese Pizza meet the Kraft Foods Sensible Solution criteria for nutritional value. We got the Deep Dish Cheese pizza, which is microwavable, and tasted good. My kids enjoyed having a mini pizza for snack. I liked that the pizza is made with Kraft 2% cheese, and the crust is whole grain. I think that the Oscar Mayer Lunchables are made with quality products.
The product line also offers the following enhancements:
· First-ever sub sandwich
· Turkey made with 100% turkey breast: a good source of protein
· Bread made with whole grain
· Kraft 2% cheddar: an excellent source of calcium
· Applesauce
· Dessert like Chewy Chips Ahoy! Cookies and Mini Nilla Wafers

My kids and I think the new Lunchables are a great step up to the originals, and our family approves the new Lunchables Combinations! I think these would be great to bring to a day out (stored in a cooler). The only thing to remember is, some of the lunchables would taste better if you have access to a microwave.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Oscar Mayer Lunchables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Give your kids healthier choices with Earthbound Farm this school year! (plus a contest)

It can be a challenge to send healthy options in our kid's lunches, whether it is to school, or for a picnic lunch. I know it can be hard to send fruits that are easy to eat (like cut up) and trying to keep them fresh! I was recently sent some samples from Earthbound Farm, and these products are not only healthy, but they stay fresh and taste super! From the samples, I had the baby carrots and the apple slices. I think it is great that Earthbound Farms offers individually wrapped apples and carrots in a single serving bag. This is so convenient and your child has their own bag of goodies. I was surprised that the apples and carrots stayed fresh, and didn't lose the coloring. The carrots and the apples were Very fresh, and crunchy! Best of all, my kids had no complaints when I handed them their "healthier" part of their picnic lunch. I am a big promoter of the Earthbound Farms Organic products. Our family buys the Spinach and Mixed salads all the time~ weekly, in fact, and we love the quality leaves! Now, you can get individual salads for when you are headed to the office, or a day trip. It sure is better than picking up a fast food meal, and healthier, too!

These lunch options are certified organic, fresh and ready to drop in a bag, bento box, tote or briefcase:
Organic Apple Slices – These fresh, crunchy apple slices are the perfect size and ready to eat. (5 2oz bags for $3.99)
Organic Mini-Peeled Carrots snack pack – (10 2oz bags for $2.99)
Organic Carrot Dippers with Ranch Dressing – This perfect combination will help sneak in that serving of veggies at lunch (3 packs for $2.89)
Grab & Go Salads: Caesar Salad, Mixed Baby Greens or Baby Spinach Kits ($3.69 a box and includes salad, dressing, topping, fork and the clamshell package can be used as a bowl)
Organic Raisin snack packs – A sweet treat in a little box (6 1.5oz boxes for $2.99)

I would highly suggest picking up the Earthbound Farms certified organic lunch options at your grocery store. These products are great for you and your kids! These would make a great "after school snack" for your kids, too!

Earthbound Farms has recently launched a web-based contest seeking quotes from children for the inside of its clamshell salad labels. Kids will be encouraged to submit quotes thanking those who purchase organic for helping protect the future. If you’re interested in posting this contest on your site for your readers participation please let me know.

For each child’s quote that is chosen, they have the opportunity to win:
1. A $500 US Savings Bond for your child’s future education

2. A $500 donation in your child’s name to their choice of one of these dedicated nonprofit environmental organizations:American ForestsBeyond PesticidesEnvironmental Working GroupHealthy Child Healthy World Natural Resources Defense CouncilOrganic Farming Research FoundationPesticide Action Network North AmericaUnion of Concerned Scientists

3. Winning quotes will appear on the back of our new salad labels and on the Earthbound Farm website!
They have switched to post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic for their salad containers, and they are designing new labels that carry the PCR symbol. Winning quotes will appear on the back of those labels, and on their website, too. They will select a new winner every month through the end of 2009!
To enter the contest, visit Earthbound Farms Kids quote contest
This contest is open to legal US residents who submit their entry with the permission of their parent or guardian, and who are 17 years of age or under at that time. Winning quotes will be identified by first name, age, and city/state on the Earthbound Farm website and on package labels. Parents or guardians must provide their name, e-mail address and daytime phone number in case their child’s entry is a winner. Either adult or child must provide their Social Security Number to receive their prize and register their bond. Earthbound Farm respects your privacy; we won’t share your personal information with anyone else.

PIllsbury Cookies (Review & Giveaway)

I love cookies~ and it is getting to be "that time of year again" when cookies are at the top of the baking list. I was given the chance to try out the New Simply... Pillsbury cookies, and I was happy to do so! I have had Pillsbury cookies in the past, and I can attest that they are very tasty! Being a member of MyBlogSpark, I was sent a coupon to get a freepackage of the Simply... Cookies, a cookie jar, and a canvas tote. I am thinking about painting the cookie jar and filling it with cookies to give as a gift to someone this winter. Anyway, the new Simply... Pillsbury cookies are easy to make and they have good ingredients (flour, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla). Not only do they contain good ingredients, they don't have any preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, trans fat or artificial colors/flavors. Pure ingredients and pure YUM! Being a mom of 4, I am thankful for quick and easy treats. The Simply Pillsbury cookies are ready to bake, so you just place them on the baking sheet, bake, and eat! Can't get any easier than that!
There are two flavors to chose from for the Simply cookies: Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter. I love both flavors, so I recommend both!
Here is a coupon for $1.25 off for the new Pillsbury simply... Refrigerated Cookies which can be found through this link: Pillsbury simply...TM Cookie Coupon!
You can enter to win a Pillsbury gift pack! You will get a cookie jar, canvas tote bag, and a coupon for a free Simply...cookie coupon. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers residing in the USA. Simply just leave a comment to enter to win. Contest ends on September 7th, 2009.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or facebook this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

Santa Cruz Organic and R.W. Knudsen (Review and 3 HUGE giveaways)!

Our family has become more aware of what we put into our mouth, and knowing if we are putting "pure" products into our bodies. I am a firm believer that we all feel better, and can function better with less chemically made foods entering our systems. I am even more careful about what my kids are getting for their snacks and meals, and trying to give them healthier options with their food. I was thrilled to review products from Santa Cruz Organic and R.W. Knudsen Family. Santa Cruz Organic sent me 2 jars of their Organic Peanut Butter. I love the taste of this peanut butter, and I greatly appreciate that Santa Cruz products are real...no chemicals to corrupt the ingredients. The Peanut Butter from Santa Cruz tastes just like crushed peanuts. You need to stir the peanut butter when you first open the jar, due to settling...then you store it in the refridgerator to keep it fresh. Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butters are made with USDA certified organic peanuts and have unique flavor profiles made up of both light and dark roast varieties. I am not sure which I prefer between the dark or light roast, but both are extremely delicious and good for you! Even though I am usually a "Creamy Only" when it comes to peanut butter, I really liked Santa Cruz Organic Cruchy peanut butter. Santa Cruz peanut butters were one of the few brands NOT recalled this winter.

I was also able to review the Santa Cruz Organic Fruit sauces in the variety of flavors: Apple Blackberry, Apple Apricot, Apple Cinnamon, and Apple Raspberry. My kids love the Apple Cinnamon the best, but I really like the variety. It is nice to pull out a new one each day, and have something new. I think it is super that the Fruit Sauces from Santa Cruz are made from organic fruit and provides 100 percent of the USDA recommended daily value of vitamin C. The single serving cups are great to add to a lunch to work, school, picnic, or other. I am excited that Santa Cruz offers such great products that parents can give to their kids and know that it is good for them! I think my favorite flavor of the Fruit Sauces is the Apple Blackberry.

The Sensible Sippers from R.W. Knudsen Family are just as flavorful as other brand juice boxes, however, you don't have the same sugar and calories! R.W. Knudsen Family juice boxes are made with 50% organic juice and 50% water. Each contains 40% less calories than traditional juices boxes and the 4-ounce boxes make it easier for tot’s petite hands to handle. Flavors include apple, mixed berry, tropical and banana. I was sent the mixed berry and the apple flavors, and both are great tasting...and my kids love them. They really enjoy the Berenstain Bears, too...and that is the logo/theme on the Sensible Sippers. I would love to try the Banana and Tropical flavors for the Sensible Sippers, too. I love this option for a juice box for my kids...healthier and smaller portions.

We highly recommend these great products, and we are so thankful that we got to try them out and tell you about them.

Would you like to win a great gift pack from R.W. Knudsen Family and Santa Cruz Organics? The companies are generously sponsoring a giveaway to one lucky Sassyfrazz reader. Here is what the prize will be: 2 packages of 6 juice boxes (from R.W. Knudsen), 2 jars of Peanut Butter from Santa Cruz, and 3 packages of 6 Fruit Sauces from Santa Cruz. Isn't that a generous prize? Here is an even greater surprise...they are offering this prize package to 3 WINNERS!! So, here is what you need to do for your first entry: Go to either R.W. Knudsen Family website or Santa Cruz website, and find out something interesting. This contest is open to bloggers/non-bloggers of the USA, and will end on August 20th.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or facebook this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

The *NEW* Trix Swirls & Creative Kid gift basket (plus 2 giveaways)

I have never tasted a cereal that tasted so fruity before I tasted the new Trix Swirls cereal! The cereal was so colorful~ like tie dye. The taste was sweet and it included the great Twix flavors of lemony green, berry berry blue, and rasporangey orange! MyBlogSpark sent me the Creative Kid basket to review which included: one box of the new Twix Swirls cereal, a tie dye apron, watercolor paints, brushes, supply box, sketch paper and watercolor pencils.

Caleb was super excited to wear the apron, and it matched his new shirt that he just made, so that was very cool! The kids both loved the cereal, too.
My kids love to do art projects. They fully enjoyed painting and talking about the colors. We talked about how the colors look when they mix~ just like the Trix Swirls cereal.
It was such fun watching the kids create their masterpieces. They do the art activities almost daily, and the watercolor painting is top on their list now. We really had a great time reviewing the Trix Swirls cereal, and having fun with the Creative Kid gift basket!
Thank you MyBlogSpark for the Creative Kid Basket and Trix Swirls cereal! We heart you!!
You have a chance to win a Creative Kid gift basket, too! There will be two winners! Here is what you can win: a sample of the product along with a colorful apron, a set of watercolor pencils, watercolor paints, brushes, a sketchbook, and an art supply box!! To enter: ask your kids how they think the colors got together (did they dance around? Spin with one another too quickly? etc.), or You can ask what are some of their favorite things they would swirl together? Contest ends on August 13, 2009.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or facebook this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

Aroma Houseware's Rice Cooker

I love the Aroma Rice Cooker that I got to review! I made great tasting brown rice yesterday! I couldn't believe how easy it was to use this rice cooker! I rinsed out the brown rice, then drained it. I poured it into the bottom of the inner pot and added the correct amount of water. I used the special spoon that came with the rice cooker, and leveled the rice out. I then shut the lid, it latched, and I pushed the brown rice button. No hassle, no sticky mess, and delicious rice! My kids loved the rice and I was very impressed at how easy, convenient and worry-free Aroma made my rice making! I love that the Aroma Rice maker, model ARC-998 8-cup, has a brown rice, white rice, steam, and warm/off button. Not everyone likes white rice, so it is nice to have the two different rice settings. I also made steamed broccoli in my Aroma Rice Cooker! The broccoli came out perfect, and it only took 5 minutes! I really like that the rice cooker is multi-functional! I am really looking forward to trying some of the recipes found on the Aroma Housewares website! I know that the fall/winter season is coming up quickly, and it will be great making stews and soups in the rice cooker from Aroma Housewares!
I think that the Rice cooker is easy to clean and assemble. There is an inner pot and steaming tray. After each use, you have to take off the steam vent, wash in warm, soapy water and wipe it clean. The Aroma Rice Cooker came with an instruction guide, and inside you will find a cook & steam chart to help you with your food preparation. I found the guide to be very helpful! The Aroma 8-Cup Cool-Touch Rice Cooker prepares up to 16 cups of rice and keeps it warm and for up to 12 hours! I think that is impressive! But, the best part of the rice cooker, in my opinion, is that you can assemble and prepare a full meal in it! I recommend this great product to everyone who loves rice, steamed vegetables, or stews/soups. I think the price to value is great, too!($59.99)
You can get more information and check out all the other Aroma products on their website.