Product Review

I Will NEVER Go Grocery Shopping Again

16 · Dec 21, 2016 · 1 Comment

Yep, it’s true! My days of grocery shopping are over and boy, I couldn’t be happier! This is my “yee haw, no more playing Frogger in the isles with other shoppers, no more wasted time wandering the store looking for items on my list, no more standing in line waiting to checkout while I’m in a rush!” I’m done.

Now don’t get me wrong; there are times when I enjoy a nice trip to the store when it’s on my terms. Not when I’m rushed for time and my fridge is empty and apparently so is everyone else’s fridge. It may seem strange, but my husband and I enjoy a nice stroll through the store together at times. They are our grocery shopping dates and I LOVE that time hunting and gathering for our family together. I wish all shopping trips were like that. Sadly, they are not.

I especially find the heading to the market around holiday times challenging. The store is extra crowded with everyone madly trying to gather all of the necessary ingredients to help make their family’s holiday magical. Strangely enough, there doesn’t ever seem to be a whole lot of holiday cheer in those isles. Just a whole bunch of shoppers feeling the pressure of the season and wanting to get this shopping trip over with as fast as possible. Not my favorite.

I know many people have started grocery shopping online through various different stores and even though I’m not a huge fan of grocery shopping, I was leery. I’m pretty picky about my produce and what if they give me subpar fruits & veggies? Would we be charged for the service? Will I be getting the best deal when I don’t have the option of shopping the different brands and sale prices? What about price matching, how does that figure into the equation? Will it still be a pain trying to navigate their websites? So many questions and quite honestly, I was just a little too intimidated to try the process. I guess I’ve been conditioned to think that there is always a catch. If it’s seems to good to be true, than it probably is. Negative, I know, but that’s is just how we are conditioned these days. Am I wrong?

Then I received an email asking if I would be interested in checking out the new Walmart Grocery program. Again, I was about to say, “no thanks, not for me. I have developed a strong glass half empty attitude when it comes to grocery shopping and Scrooge like, I plan on keeping it for years to come!”

I then sat back for a moment and thought, “how bad could it really be?”

The world is ever changing and if I refuse to evolve and get stuck in my ways, how will I ever progress. This could be a real opportunity for my family to have more time together. I will have more time and less frustration in my life for sure. It’s O.K. to let go of some of my controlling nature and not get so freaky about my veggies. I mean really, we could all use a few extra items off our plates, right?

I threw the question out to you guys on Facebook and several of you came back with really positive replies so I decided to give it a go.

First off, the website is super user friendly AND they have an app. I decided I wanted to do all of my Christmas meal shopping via Walmart Grocery and completely avoid the crazy Holiday crowds.

Not only did I avoid the crowds at Walmart, I shopped IN BED!!

I made a list of all of my recipes and using the search option on the website I quickly found all of my items and scheduled a time for pick-up the following day between 9-10 am.

The next morning at 9:00 am I received a message on my phone that my order was ready to pick-up. I dropped my little guy off at the bus and while sitting at the bus stop, I checked-in on the app and let them know I was on the way.

They then track you via GPS and know exactly when you arrive. Um, crazy awesome! They have designated parking at the store clearly marked and easy to find.

Before I could even pull out my phone to dial the number on the sign, Kim (my personal shopper) came out of the door with my order in hand.

She was SUPER SWEET and we chit chatted about the amazing weather we were having that morning. She even had a welcome kit with all kinds of goodies in it for me.

That’s pretty classy Walmart, well played. It had a bottle of water, some snacks, a nice lotion… it was amazing! They didn’t know I was a blogger and that I was scoping them out, they give the goods to everyone.

Kim was so good about explaining the program to me and letting me know all of the perks. Like for example, if they are sold out of an item they will… Well, I’ll let them explain it for you. They’ll do it better anyway.

How cool is that? Kim even explained about the fabulous Savings Catcher at Walmart.com that does all of the price matching at area stores for me! Did you hear that? THEY DO IT FOR ME! If it can get even better… Kim went through all of my produce with me to make sure they were acceptable. I didn’t even have to ask!

Walmart Grocery Produce acceptance process

So here’s the bottom line…They have no mark-up on their prices, they don’t charge for the service, they let me check to make sure my fruits and veggies are up to par, they price match for me, they even load them in the car for me. I’m totally sold and will never go grocery shopping (unless I WANT to) EVER AGAIN!Sometimes, something is truly GOOD without any catches! In true Dickens fashion, I have come to find that there is good in the grocery shopping world and I can actually save TIME and money at Walmart!

Tips & Tricks to Finding Great Cookware + Bonus Shakshuka Recipe

17 · Dec 13, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Over the years, cooking has become quite a passion for me and I’ve become a bit of an accidental expert on cookware in the process. Nothing feels better than working on creating a meal for your family and then having them melt after taking their first bite. I have so many memories of my Mom in the kitchen working on creating all kinds of tasty combinations for the family. She is a fearless cook and I’ve inherited her spunky way of cooking. No recipe is too daunting & no ingredient is too hard to find (thanks to the internet.) Frankly, most of the time we fly without wires and make up the recipe as we go. We love to experiment and play around with tasty ingredients and come up with something new and exciting.

The thing is, a cook is only as good as their cookware! Over the years, I have found some great tips for finding great cookware. Nothing is going to turn out right when using pots and pans that aren’t truly meant to stand up to the rigors of the kitchen. I remember my first set of cookware and how light it was. I could barely stir anything without holding on for dear life, in fear that the pot was going to go flying off the stove. I would constantly burn dishes because my cookware was about at sturdy as a foil pan. It didn’t conduct heat well and all around it was horrible. After doing some research and going through all kinds of trial and error, I have found the key to finding a good pot, pan, skillet or bakeware. When it comes to cookware here are a few things I try to keep in mind.

Don’t be stingy! You don’t need to buy the most expensive pot or pan but, you do get what you pay for. Cookware is an investment. You want these items to last for years and not have to replace them time after time.
A good piece of cookware is going to have a nice heavy feel in your hand. You want something that has a nice solid base that is made out of a metal that conducts heat well. Copper is one of the best.
Don’t fall for fads. There is a reason that the classics are so good.
What is the clean-up like? Are you going to have to spend all kinds of time hand washing your cookware or, can you stick it in the dishwasher? Not all cookware is created equal in this category.
If your budget is small, go for a couple of the basics that can get you by as you add to your collection. Here are a few that I would suggest.
- A set of French skillets
- 3 1/2 Quart Saucepan
Once you have those few items, then I would invest in,
Good bakeware in the kitchen is essential as well. Again, make sure they have a nice heavy feel to them. You don’t want something flimsy standing in the way of great baking. You can start small here as well. Here are a couple of my suggestions. Once you have those you can build up your collection.

I have used many of the cookware & bakeware items that I’ve listed and I LOVE them!! Like truly, madly, deeply love them. They come from a fabulous company called Anolon. Anolon makes some of the best cookware for the home and social chef. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or just getting started, these pots and pans are a true gem in your kitchen. They have that nice heavy feel to them, you can tell that with their solid base they are going to cook evenly. I especially love their Anolon Nouvelle Copper line. All of the pots and pans have copper layered in the base of the pans which promotes fabulous cooking. Remember, copper is one of the best metals to cook with.

They are hosting a great sweepstakes! Go check out their Facebook page to enter the Holiday Hosting Sweepstakes!

You can also find all kinds of great info, recipes, and deals on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube & Tumblr.

One of my favorite pots is their Anolon Nouvelle Copper 3.5-QUART COVERED STRAINING SAUCEPAN…

It’s perfect for all kinds of sauces, small batch soups and it’s lovely to use when needing to drain your pot. Look at that fabulous lid and the handy pour spout. This is truly one of my go-to pots!

Another favorite is my Anolon Advanced Bakeware 12-CUP COVERED MUFFIN PAN…

It’s nice and heavy to promote even baking and it has silicone handles that provide great grip when removing your item from the oven or carrying your muffins or cupcakes to an event. It even has a nice cover for when you are traveling and it tucks nicely under your pan for storage at your event. No more lost lids!

Another all-time favorite that I’ve used in my kitchen a bunch is the Anolon Nouvelle Copper 3-QUART COVERED SAUTE PAN WITH HELPER HANDLE. I make all kinds of stuff in this favorite go-to. I know that I can be fearless with any of these pots and pans because they are going to give me the best results. Here is my Sauce Pan in action as I make Shakshuka, a lovely Israeli egg dish perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Shakshuka Recipe from Heather Thoming on Vimeo.

This Anolon Nouvelle Copper Nonstick 3-Quart Covered Saute is great for the stove top or in the oven, so it’s perfect for a dish like Shakshuka. It’s truly non-stick but can give a good sear thanks to their premium nonstick technology. You can even use metal utensils on the non-stick surface and not destroy the pan. It’s also oven safe up to 500˚.

So, take my advice. Invest in a good set of both cookware and bakeware and your time in the kitchen will be so much more enjoyable. No more frustration because you don’t have the right tools for the job. You might even discover a passion for the kitchen that you never thought you would have!

Shakshuka

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This simple Israeli dish served with bread will soon become a favorite in your home. It's easy to prepare for any time of the day and packs all kinds of amazing flavor!

Author: Heather // WhipperBerry

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Serves: 3-4 servings

Ingredients

2-3 teaspoons olive oil
½ of a large white or yellow onion
1 cup of diced sweet peppers
salt & pepper
2 tablespoons cumin
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large can of plum tomatoes whole, diced or crushed
5 eggs
feta cheese

Instructions

In a medium to large oven safe sauté pan over medium-high heat, add your olive oil and let it heat until it starts to shimmer.
Add your diced onion & peppers and let cook for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.
Turn down the heat to medium. Add the cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper & tomato paste. Cook for another 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the tomatoes. If they are whole tomatoes crush them with the back of your spoon or with a potato masher. Let simmer for 8-10 minutes. Again, stirring occasionally.
Remove pan from the heat and add 5-6 eggs. Place in a 375˚ oven for 7-10 minutes or until the eggs are set to your desired taste. Traditionally they are pretty soft, but it's up to you.
Top with feta and serve with a nice loaf of bread or pita.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Anolon. The opinions and text are all mine.

Cinnamon Roll House Centerpiece

11 · Dec 5, 2016 · 1 Comment

There is something truly magical about baking during the Christmas season. I have very fond memories in the kitchen with my family during the holidays making all kinds of goodies. Cookies, fudge, peanut brittle, my favorite cinnamon roll and all kinds of candies and goodies to pass out to friends and family. I loved to watch my parents in the kitchen working on these projects together. When I was little, my Dad never really spent a whole lot of time in the kitchen except for Christmas. That was the time of year he would join my Mom in the kitchen helping her make up the magical Christmas goodies and making up the scrumptious plates that would be whisked off to our loved ones.

The years we made cinnamon rolls were some of my favorite. As I thought back on those memories, I thought it would be fun to make a centerpiece for our Christmas table out of cinnamon rolls. I mean really, that’s a perfect holiday centerpiece!

I headed off to Walmart to get some inspiration and boy did I find it. I found this fun Gingerbread House Bundt Pan and thought it would be great to make the house out of CINNAMON ROLLS!

It would bring back those memories in the Christmas kitchen with my parents along with bringing in a new tradition with my kiddos. To make it even easier, I decided to make our cinnamon roll house with Pillsbury Grand Cinnamon Rolls. Super easy & tasty as well.

You know when you dream up an idea and then cross your fingers and toes in hopes that it will work? Well, I was beyond thrilled with how this one turned out and it hardly took any of our precious holiday time to make the magic happen. Here’s a quick little video to show you how to make one as well…

I’m mean really, how fun is that?

All you really need to do is…

Spray your pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Layer your Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls in the gingerbread house pan. I used three cans of Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls Make sure to press it a bit into the nooks and crannies.

Bake at 350˚ for 50-60 minutes.

You may need to cover it with foil after about 30 minutes to avoid over browning on the bottom.

Once it is baked all the way through (make sure to test with a cake tester), remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a cooling rack.

I dressed mine up with holiday greenery, some cranberries, powdered sugar and then at the last minute thought I would try it with a drizzle of the icing on top.

First, I laid down some of the greenery on a cake plate.

Then I placed my cinnamon roll house on top and dusted it with powdered sugar and placed a few cranberries and a festive sprig of holly at the door…

Then I thought, you could either leave it like this with the powdered sugar, you could even decorate it with Royal Icing just like a gingerbread house OR, you could drizzle the icing that comes with the Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls on top of the roof.

I love it BOTH ways! I decided it didn’t need the full Royal Icing treatment. I love the rustic look of the powdered sugar and/or the Pillsbury icing. PLUS, it makes it so much easier to make and extra tasty as well.

So, what do you think? Are you inspired to make a Cinnamon Roll House for your Christmas table?

Disclaimer // This is a Pillsbury sponsored post. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own. Rest assured, I will never promote a brand that I don’t truly love and use in my every day life.

Pomegranate Chia Pudding Recipe // DAIRY-FREE

3 · Mar 8, 2016 ·

+ This Pomegranate Chia Pudding Recipe is brought to you by the lovely folks at SILK +

Have you discovered a great Chia Pudding Recipe yet?

It is seriously one of our family’s favorite breakfasts these days. The crazy thing is, I thought for sure my kiddos would want nothing to do with those “alien” chia seeds (they’re kind of picky) but they love this stuff!

The fun thing is that the Chia Pudding is like a blank canvas that you can top with all kinds of fun toppers. We’ve tried a number of concoctions since we first discovered this treat. We started with a standard Chia Pudding topped with berries and granola with drizzle of honey… super yummy!

Now we’ve stepped it up a notch and we are making Chia Pudding layered with pomegranate seeds, an ancient grains mixture and pumpkin seeds… simply LOVELY!

The beauty of Chia Pudding is, typically it is made with dairy, milk & regular yogurt which is fabulous, BUT… Thanks to the folks at SILK, you can also make a dairy-free version with any of the tasty Silk Milks (Soy, Almond, Cashew, Coconut, Nutshell + more) AND their scrumptious Vanilla Dairy-Free Yogurt Alternative. For this recipe, I’ve used the Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk that is only 30 calories per serving (score!) AND Silk Vanilla Dairy-Free Yogurt Alternative. You can now get the Silk Dairy-Free Yogurt Alternative in a large size which is perfect for this recipe. Click HERE for more info on all of the Silk Products.

Pomegranate Chia Pudding Recipe Ingredients

Pair all of that with some Chia Seeds and you’re golden. If you haven’t heard, Chia Seeds are one of natures super foods. They are low in calories but pack a good health punch with tons of antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, protein, fiber and more. You can check out their health benefits HERE. That combined with the plant based, non-GMO, low fat Silk products you are starting your day off right!!

The other AWSOME thing is… Chia Pudding is sooooo easy to make! Here’s a quick little video to show you how.

Chia Pudding Recipe Video

Silk Dairy-Free Yogurt Chia Pudding from Heather Thoming on Vimeo.See, isn’t that simple. Now all you have to do is let it sit over night so the magic can happen.The next morning, all you have to do is top with your favorite toppings. Today we are going to layer our pudding with pomegranate seeds, an ancient grain mixture that I just love with a few pumpkin seeds. You can pick what ever goodie you want!So think about that… You’re adding even more nutrition with your toppings as well. This is a power house house breakfast in the super food category. The funny thing is that it really is a treat. We tend to make if for dessert too, it really does feel that decadent.

Pomegranate Chia Pudding Recipe

Pomegranate Ancient Grain Chia Pudding Recipe // DAIRY-FREE

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Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

24 hours

Total time

24 hours 5 mins