Bacon Ranch Alfrado Mac & Cheese - With Prego® Light Alfrado Sauce and Hidden Valley Ranch Dip

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This is another fairly simple recipe, even if Kyle and I decided to complicate it a bit. Well, he's not to blame at all, it was all me. I may have read the directions wrong. I'll give you the recipe that I was given and add my comments in the instructions.

Ingredients

• 1/2 of a 1-pound package penne pasta, cooked and drained
• 1 Jar (14.5 oz) Prego® Flavored with Savory Bacon Alfredo Sauce
• 1/2 of a 1-ounce envelope ranch salad dressing mix
• 1/2 Cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350*F
2. Stir the penne, sauce, dressing mix and half the cheese in a large bowl. Spoon the penne mixture into an 8" x 8" x 2" baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until the penne mixture is hot and bubbling.

My recipe followed this one quite closely but there were a few changes that I made..... by accident. Below are the steps I followed:

1. Heat the oven to 350*F
2. Cook the 1/2 of a 1-pound box of penne pasta - it's pretty hard to measure out 1/2 of a box so it might have been 3/4 of a box in my recipe.... Never mind, I totally misread the recipe and used the whole box of pasta.
3. Cook 1/2 of a 1-pound package of bacon - I microwave mine but in a skillet is fine too, let it cool before use.
4. Mix the penne pasta with 1 Jar (14.5 oz) Prego® Light Alfredo Sauce
5. Add the 1-ounce envelope ranch salad dressing
6. Crumble the bacon into the pasta, ranch, Alfredo mix
7. Mix in 1/2 of the cheese
8. Spoon mixture into a 9" x 13" x 2" pan
9. Cover the pasta mixture with the remaining cheese
10. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350*F for 30 minutes
11. Remove the aluminum foil and back for another 10 minutes.

Our company LOVED the pasta, the bacon was probably the best part!

Kaylyn and Drake also provided dessert - Funfetti Angel Food Cake, home made whipped cream and mulberries!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Ricola Revitalizing Herb Drops with Vitimin B - Crowdtap Sample and Share

Yesterday I received this sample of Ricola Revitalizing Herb Drops with Vitamin B from Crowdtap, a user testing, review, and input site. These samples were given to me for free so that I might review them the opinions I share here are 100% my own.

I love the effervescent center of these drops, their fizzing is an interesting addition to a normal cough drop. I'm not sure if I should be glad or not to NOT have had a sore throat when I tried these but as soon as I do, I will update my review further.

The packaging states that the effervescent center restores energy which I cannot attest to but these lemon flavored drops did not have an overpowering flavor which I enjoy in a cough drop.

Checkout the Ricola website for a chance to win in their spin-to-win game and try to win a free package of Ricola Cough Drops for yourself!

I recently suffered from a really sore, swollen throat and cough for a few days. I was tired even afdter hours and hours of sleep and I felt feverish without the high temperature.

I immediately reached for these cough drops excited to finally have an excuse to try them. As soon as I opened the bag, I rummaged to get one. I popped it into my mouth and savored it. The fizzing didn't do much for the sore throat but I did feel a slight uptick in my energy after the fizzing stopped.

My throat felt much better and I realized I wasn't wincing anymore when I ate or drank anything. The swelling in my throat had either miraculously gone down or these drops were helping a lot! These drops really took the edge off my sore/dry throat.

These drops really helped with my minor mouth irritation/coughs too. For a major flu/cold, I don't know...but I love how it's not overpoweringly sweet either and is made from mostly natural stuff.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  

V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail Recipes

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The last recipe I shared was pretty easy and rather than take it up one notch, we're going full throttle! Today's dinner, shared with some of my friends here in Ohio is....... Drumroll please ........

Grilled Chicken, Simmered Mango Rice and Spicy Mango Margaritas almost all made with V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail!

Simmered Mango Rice

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups - V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail
• 1/2 cup - Uncooked regular long-grain white rice
• 1/2 cup chopped pineapple (the recipe calls for fresh pineapple but I used canned pineapple and saved the juice for the other recipes)

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Instructions

1. Heat the V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a boil.
2. Stir in the rice.
3. Reduce heat to low.
4. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the vegetable juice is absorbed. (Stir occasionally to keep the rice from burning or sticking to the saucepan.)
5. Before serving, stir in the pineapple and let stand for 5 minutes.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2 (doubles easily)

Spicy Mango Margarita

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Ingredients

• 1 cup - V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail
• 1 cup - Pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup - Tequila
• 1/4 cup - Triple Sec
• 1/4 cup - Lime juice
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Stir the V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail, pineapple juice, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice together in a pitcher.
2. Fill a glass with ice.



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3. Pour mixture into glass.

Alternately you can make a frozen version of this margarita:

1. Mix the V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail, pineapple juice, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice together.
2. Pour the juice mixture into a blender.
3. Add 2 cups ice cubes.
4. Cover and blend until the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour into a glass.

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Serving suggestion: Cover the rims of the glasses with a mixture of coarse sugar or salt with grated lime zest.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6

Grilled Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts

I decided to not marinate the chicken since there was so much flavor in the rice.

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Instructions

1. Start the grill (I use a gas grill, so it's only a matter of turning on the propane tank and turning on the burners.)
2. Place the chicken on the grill.
3. Flip a few times and ensure that the chicken is cooked through.
4. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through.
5. Remove from the grill.

Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

I'm basically in love with this V8 juice. I would have never thought to use it in so many ways! The taste is crisp and clean and you can really taste all the vegetables.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Zep Clean Like A Pro Sample and Share

Last week I received this sample of Zep Commercial cleaning supplies from Crowdtap, a user testing, review, and input site. A few months ago (oops, sorry it's taken so long) I also received a few Zep Commercial samples from PINCHme  another site that offers samples monthly for users to try, review, and share their opinions. These samples were given to me for free so that I might review them the opinions I share here are 100% my own.

The kit from Crowdtap included:

• 2 bottles - Zep Commercial Quick Clean Disinfectant
• 3 bottles - Zep Commercial All-Around Oxy Cleaner and Degreaser

The products I received from PINCHme were:

• 1 bottle - Zep Commercial Air & Fabric Odor Eliminator
• 1 bottle - Zep Commercial CleanStone Plus Cleaner & Protectant

My reviews of each of these products can be found below. I was also asked to share the extra samples with friends, family, and coworkers. I gave my extras to my mother, sister-in-law, and coworkers. 

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Zep Commercial  Quick Clean Disinfectant

This product is colorless and odorless. The product overall works well but I found it took more work to get a good clean than other products that I have used in the past (different brands, extra strength products, etc.)

The products does a great job as a disinfectant and knowing what I do about germs, they're everywhere so it's important to keep areas such as the kitchen and bathroom clean. I have used this product to sanitize kitchen, laundry and bathroom surfaces, including the shower which rarely gets disinfected.

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Zep Commercial All-Around Oxy Cleaner and Degreaser

This is a reasonably strong cleaner with a pleasant but non-flowery smell, and unlike some other products it doesn't cause coughing just being in the room with it and breathing through your mouth.  

I have found it does just about any cleaning job but I didn't need my rubber gloves to use it, unlike other products. I have used it to clean multiple surfaces in my house such as the stove top, the floor in the entry way, and even in my car.

This product does contain hydrogen peroxide.

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Zep Commercial Air & Fabric Oder Eliminator

This product is colorless, but NOT odorless. This product is Zep Commercial's version of air fresheners such as Febreeze and it is useful in the same types of applications. The product is great on fabric, spray it on something you want to freshen up, and in the air, spray into the air to freshen up a room. The scent is nice and clean and smells like clean laundry, slightly floral but fresh and airy.

If you're a cat person, I can attest that this product cleans up the air around a litter box and you don't even notice it being there! 

Just like many other air fresheners, Zep Commercial makes no claims about killing germs or anything like that, that's what their other products are for! If you like it, gallon-size bottles of Zep Commercial can be found inexpensively at one of the major home center chains.  

NOTE:  Zep Commercial Air and Fabric Oder Eliminator is already pre-diluted so what you buy is what you get.

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Zep Commercial CleanStone Plus Cleaner & Protectant

I was very excited to try this product and to test it on our granite kitchen counter tops. This product has definite strengths and a weakness.

A very reasonable price for the size of the bottle and the product that is contained therein.

This product leaves a mirror-like shine on granite counter tops, and resists fingerprints, a must with little ones around.

Like all of the other Zep Commercial products I have tried, this product has a nice oder that isn't chemical and using it indoors is not cause for an open window.
 

I found that this product is really more of a protectant than a cleaner. I suggest using one of the above Zep Commercial products to clean and then use this product to seal the granite and keep it clean. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com or PINCHme.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  

MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom - Toni Robbins - Book Review

I received a free sampler of the book for the purpose of my review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Before this book, I hadn't heard of Toni Robbins but the video he posted "assured me" that he knew what he was talking about, being rich and all. He really built himself up in this first chapter (what I was provided to review this book) to be knowledgeable and a real "bring yourself up by the boot straps" kind of guy.

I'm usually not one for self-help books. I usually think they won't possibly me anything I couldn't figure out myself. I begin reading this book with some skepticism, but I tried to keep an open mind that maybe this book could help me or I might get something more out of it than its face value of self help.

All in all, this chapter left me unsatisfied and wondering if his seven steps could or would actually help me. I just wanted hims to tell me his advice. I understand building himself up as an "expert", though he doesn't have the formal education to back it up.  After reading the forward and the preface, I was left wondering how good his advice could be.

While the preface and first chapter did not offer me the opportunity to read about his seven steps to mastering the money game, it built up his credibility. His style of writing made his points easily understandable but as I was unable to read his whole book, there was not enough for a full, deep dive review. 

Because I only read the first chapter, I am unsure if the book would be worth buying. My advice for the author would have been to rework the organization of the book so that the first chapter would have been the start of his advice, giving me more of an opportunity to review.

Soup and Bisuits - Hearty AND Easy

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I received most of the ingredients for the recipe for free Crowdtap and Campbell's®, a user testing, review, and input site. Some of these samples were given to me for free so that I might review them the opinions I share here are 100% my own.

For my first recipe, I made a biscuits-n-gravy like meal. It's SO simple -- actually one of the easiest recipes I have made in a long time.

Ingredients

• 1 can - Campbell's® Chunky Soup - I used Beer-n-Cheese with Beef & Bacon
• 1 pkg. biscuits - I used Meijer brand jumbo biscuits

Procedure

Follow the cooking directions on the biscuit package, preheating the oven, placing the biscuits on a cookie sheet, and baking

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While the biscuits are cooking, empty your can of soup into a pot on the stove. Warm the soup on low - medium the entire time that the biscuits are cooking, stirring occasionally.

Remove the biscuits from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes while the soup is still warming.

Place one or two biscuits on a plate or in a bowl and spoon soup on top.

My Observations

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I found that by opening the biscuits before putting soup on top made it go further. With these two ingredients, I mad a meal that fed myself for four meals in total so, with two biscuits each, this could easily feed a family of four, easily.

This recipe could easily be used to top mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or baked potatoes. It all depends on the soup and your preferences.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  

#DiscoverCampbells New Products - Crowdtap Sample and Share

About a week ago I received this sample of assorted Campbell's® products from Crowdtap, a user testing, review, and input site. These samples were given to me for free so that I might review them the opinions I share here are 100% my own.

Campbell’s® is releasing a bunch of new products, and can’t wait for you to try them! Until the end of December I have been asked to check back to the Campbell’s® Tasters on Crowdtap for specific challenges with each of the new Campbell’s® products. So stay tuned for delicious Campbell's® inspired recipes! These recipes may be created with any of the ingredients included in this box. It’ll be an adventure! 

As I create these recipes and complete challenges, I will link them to this post so stick around!

  

Kit includes:

• 1 pkg - Campbell's® Skillet Sauces - Creamy Parmesan Chicken
• 1 can - Campbell's® Chunky - Beer-n-Cheese with beef & bacon soup
• 1 pkg - Campbell's® Slow Kettle Style - Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup
• 1 pkg - Campbell's® Spaghettios Micros - Original (microwaveable pasta)
• 1 pkg - Campbell's® Soups for Easy Cooking - Savory Portobello Mushroom
• 1 pkg - Swanson Cream Starter - Traditional
• 1 jar - Prego Alfrado Sauce - Light, Homestyle Alfredo (made with fresh cream)
• 1 can - Campbell's® Condensed Soup - Creamy Poblano & Queso
• 1 coupon - Free V8 Vegetable Juice Cocktail
• Spoon
• Cutting Board
• Tote
• Shaker
• Recipe Booklet with Coupons
• 1 set of Sampling Instructionss

Recipes and Challenges (links): 

• Soup and Bisuits - Hearty AND Easy
• V8® Spicy Mango Vegetable Juice Cocktail Recipes
•  Bacon Ranch Alfrado Mac & Cheese - With Prego® Light Alfrado Sauce and Hidden Valley Ranch Dip 
• Speedy Sausage Rigatoni - With Campbell's® Soups for Easy Cooking 
• Loaded Potato Soup Made With Swanson Cream Starter Broth
• Creamy Poblano Mac & Cheese Made With Campbell’s® Condensed Creamy Poblano & Queso Soup

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Crowdtap.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.