Summer Essentials Winners!

Phew!  The Summer Essentials event has finally come to a close.  I hope you enjoyed reading the helpful posts from guest bloggers, learning about great products suitable for the summer season, and for many of you – scoring the amazing prizes offered!

As I promised previously, I wanted to announce all of the lucky winners once the event was over!

• A Desirable Residence (Novel) – Jessica M., Sara D., Catherine S., Tina R., Jamie R.
• Patriotic Pillow Pets – Sara D.
• SnapMe Swimwear – Tara G.
• Hadaki Insulated Lunch Tote – Sharon O.
• Sunmaid $25 Gift Pack – Crystal S.
• Play-doh Poppin’ Movie Snacks – Lina K.
• Sahale Seasoned Nuts – Jennifer T., Sandy, Victoria L.
• Noodlehead Travel Buddy and Bag Buddy – Joan P.
• SUBWAY $25.00 Gift Card – Ann F.
• Fibers.com – Louis H.
• Bake Me a Wish Cakes - Tynishia A.
• Hasbro Snuggimals – Nicole M.
• Hayneedle (Radio Flyer Wagon) – Jodi B.
• Amy’s Vegetarian Meals – Lina K., Cynthia R., Joanne S.
• The Devil Amongst the Lawyers (Novel) - Cindi H., Jessica H., Barbara W., Cheryl S., Kelly M.
• Hearthsong Super Water Slide – Jill L.
• Powermat Wireless Charging System – Scott H.
• Izzie N Friends Toddler Dress – Andrea K.
• Yo Gabba Gabba CD & DVD – Tina S.
• Monkey Monkey Music CD – Amanda T.
• Green Mountain Coffee – Connie B.
• Katz Garden Gloves - Debbie S. and Monica G.
• Essential Swimwear – Cori W.
• For Dummies Gardening Books – Mary R., Betty D., Aleksandra N.

Thanks to everyone who took the time out of their busy lives to enter, and of course all of the sponsors for providing the fabulous loot!

Just a note about giveaways and winners going forward.  I know that many of you really loved the entry form format, but my new blog design is coming and I will have numbered comments once again.  I’ve decided to go back to comment-on-post for entries.  The entry form proved to be confusing for some, and even more time consuming for me as I still had to count all of the extra entries.  I may go back to some type of form in the future but for now I’m reverting to my old format.  As for winners, I will no longer be announcing winners in a separate post, but will post the winner’s name at the top of the giveaway post. 

Thanks again for entering, and keep and eye out.  You won’t want to miss what’s coming!!

Essential Swimwear (Review & Giveaway)

Contest Closed.  Winner: Cori W.
If there’s one product that’s a must for summer, it’s a swimsuit you feel comfortable in.  That is certainly no easy feat.  Swimsuits are like underwear that everyone on the beach will see you in.  Isn’t that a crazy thought?

For as long as I can remember, I have dreaded shopping for summer swimsuits.  You comb the racks, try on at least fifty suits in front of those strange mirrors, with fluorescent lighting that brings forth every last bit of cellulite on your body.  That was back when you had to visit an actual store to find what you needed.  We’re very lucky to now have so many online retailers that offer hassle-free returns.  One of those online gems is Essential Swimwear. 

Essential Swimwear offers tankini swim suits, and there are four gorgeous designs to choose from.  Each design is available in four different fabrics to allow you to choose the one that suits your personality. 

Seeing that the Vixen Gathered Halter Top featured ruching to slim your upper half, that’s the one I went for.  I was impressed with richness of the red color along with the quality of this top when I opened the package.  I’ve always been top-heavy (trust me, it is a curse), and I was worried about how well this would fit.  When I pulled it on I fell in love with the style, and even though it has padded soft cups, it did fit pretty well.  However, the halter string was not working.  The weight of my chest was held up by an uncomfortable knot at the back of my neck.  I was rather sad about this, because I do love the style very much – it is figure friendly as promised!  Guess I’ll have to stick with tops that have underwires and the thick straps.  If you don’t have this same figure problem, I’d recommend this top.

The bottoms were another story.  I requested the Black Skirted Bottoms, and I love them.  The skirt has built-in bottoms, a slit up the side so as not to constrict movement, and a tie at that same side which adds a nice flair to your look, and a distraction from the extra skin that slit would otherwise show.  The other thing I love is that the tie gives you control over the waist size.

The Vixen Gathered Halter Top is $32.99 and the Black Skirted Bottoms are $24.99, both available at Essential Swimwear.  And if you have a fit problem like I did, the company offers free shipping on all exchanges.  Now, I’d love to see some underwire designs in the near future, pretty please?  Because I love these swimsuits!

GIVEAWAY – One lucky lady will receive the swimsuit of her choosing from Essential Swimwear!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like Essential Swimwear on Facebook
-Like Girl Gone Mom on Facebook
-Follow the Essential Swimwear blog.
-Follow Essential Swimwear on twitter
-Follow Girl Gone Mom twitter
-If you follow us both on twitter, you’ll receive one extra entry per day for tweeting this:
Choose your favorite swimsuit from @essentialswim and #win it! ---> http://bit.ly/9YgEKN @girlgonemom #Summeressentials

No compensation was received for this post. I received a product sample in order to facilitate my honest review. Contest is open to U.S. residents 18 and older and closes at Midnight EST on August 16th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

[Guest Post] Home for the Summer

For the first time since they were born, my children are home for the summer.

Every other summer has been spent in day care, and I’ve always regretted that they never knew the joy of sleeping in until whenever and letting the sun warm your face to wake you up.

Until now. Our oldest is in middle school and her sister is home with her for company. For the first time, they have a summer without constant structure and supervision.

Midway through summer vacation, there have been no major disputes, no damage to home and hearth and no cries of boredom.

How’d we do it?

First, we set some rules for their safety and protection as well as keeping order. It was crystal clear what was allowed and what was forbidden (such as no use of the toaster or stove unless Dad was in his office at home.) They also had specific tasks to be done each day, ranging from cleaning their rooms to practicing their musical instruments. The house was to be in the same condition when I returned as I left it each day.

Next, we found them things to do. We went on a shopping spree to buy various crafts and activities they could choose to do whenever they want. We didn’t spend much but got a lot of tools for spontaneous summer fun, like a length of rope for jumping and sidewalk chalk. We checked out library books on subjects they wanted to explore and created a top 10 list of things to do from the Daring Book for Girls. They are in control of what they do and when they do it.

And, we found people for them to do things with. Playdates are an obvious choice. We also have a high school friend come over for a while each day to hang out and teach them new skills (they’re learning conversational German and water polo basics without the aid of a swimming pool!)

We’re all going to be sad to see summer come to an end. I come to a house that’s cleaner some nights than when I left it in the morning. And kids who are relaxed and happy and feel a sense of independence they’ve never had before.

And that’s what summer should be all about. Having the freedom to play and have fun and just be.

Beth Dornan is a corporate blogger who recently began her own blog at http://hodgepodge.posterous.com She’s a Mom to two tween girls. Beth loves food and cooking, supporting local businesses and charities, and a big advocate of kindness.  (My kind of girl!)

Photo Credit: Blue door on white wall

Katz Garden Gloves (Review & Giveaway)

Contest Closed
For me, gardening is a convenient source of flowers and vegetables, a way to clear my head from all of the noise of life and--during this time of year, a heart-pumping workout.  I'm an avid gardener.   You literally reap what you sow, and it's important to have the necessary tools to help you with all of the hard labor, like the supplies found at Katz Garden Gloves.

I’ve been battling hideous prickly weeds all summer.  Those nasty thorns poked right through my old gloves, but they’re no match for the Ladies EZ Grip Gloves.  They’re made of cotton which is comfortable on the skin and they’re dipped in rubber to help with keeping a grip on things and those pricklies away from your skin.  The rubber is also nice for being easy to clean off, and their not just pink to look pretty.  They support the fight against breast cancer, with a portion of proceeds going toward the cause.

Of course, my little shadow is with me wherever I go, mimicking everything I do, so she needed to get in on the action.  Now she has the proper tools to get the job done right.  She looked so cute toting around her Princess Metal Bucket, shovel, and trowel.  The Princess design is too cute!

She had a blast playing with these toys.  My babe truly loves to help her mama, and I have to say that her tools really came in handy for me to use in certain situations.  The trowel especially is nice and narrow and allowed me to squeeze into places that I can’t go with my full-size trowel.

The Princess items are metal and very sturdy, and like I said, sturdy enough to really use in your garden.  Of course they’re all very pretty and feminine with the pink rose and crown detailing.

DISCOUNT! Enjoy this 10% off coupon code: 24a4f74db6.  It will be good through December 31,
2011 – save it to do your Christmas shopping too!

GIVEAWAY!
TWO WINNERS will each receive a pair of women’s or men’s cotton gripper gloves (color not guaranteed). 

 

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Sign up for Katz Garden Gloves’ newsletter. (It’s a box on the right hand side of the page)
-Like Girl Gone Mom on Facebook
-Follow Girl Gone Mom twitter
-If you follow me on twitter, you’ll receive one extra entry per day for tweeting this:
Win a pair of cotton gripper gloves from Katz Garden Gloves! http://bit.ly/a3niNU @girlgonemom #Summeressentials

No

How I made iced coffee with Green Mountain (Review & Giveaway)

Contest closed
Despite the warm weather, I still enjoy a hot morning coffee in the summer.  But when the afternoon calls for another caffeine fix, I want something a little more refreshing.  Iced coffee is a nice mid-afternoon treat that helps put a stopper in my energy drain while cooling me down.  This is how I make my iced lattes using Green Mountain Coffee.

First, get your coffee ready!  I took out the Signature Sampler which includes whole bean bags of the customer favorites: Breakfast Blend, Vermont Country Blend^®and our Dark Magic^® Espresso Blend.  I have a coffee machine with a burr grinder to turn my whole beans into grinds.  If you want to grind your own beans and don’t have a fancy coffee maker you can get a grinder for about $15.00.  This particular morning I selected the Breakfast Blend.

 

I brewed my morning coffee as usual, but made more than I needed so that I could reserve some for my afternoon break. 

Just pour the freshly-brewed coffee into a large mug.

Add what you like.  I use fat free creamer and sugar.

In other words, just make your usual cup of coffee, but instead of drinking it right away chill it in refrigerator.  This is also a great way to use that extra cup of coffee that you didn’t want or did not have time to drink in the morning.  Later in the afternoon when you’re ready for some liquid energy on ice…

 
Take your coffee out of the fridge, add ice, and enjoy!

All of the coffees in the Green Mountain sampler were great.  Hot or cold.  I can see why they’re the customer favorites!    The only draw-back for me is that they don’t have Green Mountain t-discs for my Tassimo, yet (hint hint).  But if you use a Keurig brewer, you can enjoy Green Mountain in single cups too.

GIVEAWAY!
One lucky reader will receive one bag of Green Mountain’s whole bean or ground coffees.

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like Green Mountain on Facebook
-Like Girl Gone Mom on Facebook
-Follow Green Mountain on twitter
-Follow Girl Gone Mom twitter
-If you follow us both on twitter, you’ll receive one extra entry per day for tweeting this:
Win your choice of Green Mountain Coffee http://bit.ly/9MFct7 Enjoy it hot or cold! @girlgonemom #Summeressentials #giveaway

No compensation was received for this post. I received the Signature Sampler from Green Mountain in order to facilitate my review of their products. Contest closes at Midnight EST on August 10th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

[Guest Post] Memories of Summer and Tips on growing the best tomatoes.

When I think about summer, I think about the heat, the bright yellow sun, the beautiful flowers growing on my deck and the deep red tomatoes growing in my garden. For as long as I can remember, summer meant eating garden fresh tomatoes, first grown by my father and then later in my own garden.

As a child I would walk up to the tomato plants, pluck a cherry tomato right off the vine and pop it into my mouth! The warm, juicy tomato-ey goodness was something I craved.

As I grew older I craved the BLTs, the bologna sandwiches, the salads and the sliced tomato with a little salt with each meal. I would eat so many tomatoes that my stomach, sick from the acidic contents would ache for days.

Now that I have children, I am passing on this little tradition with them. We have planted the seeds, watched them grow into mature plants taller than themselves and in just a couple more weeks, we will be enjoying our very own tomatoes at each meal. I personally can’t wait!

For me, growing the perfect tomato has not always been easy. My father passed away before I could learn his tips and tricks. It was my grandfather, my father’s father who told me one day while walking through his greenhouse what type of tomatoes we grow in our family. After years of practice and patience, I have come up with a practice that works well for me and my favorite summer treat.

Below are some tips for you should you try to develop your own tomato-growing green thumb.

Debt Princess Tomato Tips:
-grow only Better Boys, in my opinion and that of my father and grandfather, they taste the best!
-plant in a raised bed filled with Ferti lome potting mix.
-add worm casting around the tomato plants every two weeks.
-Marigolds planted around the tomato plants to deter pests.

Don’t know what I mean by worm castings? Stay tuned, I’ll be blogging on this topic in the coming weeks. And I’ll be sure to share with you when my “Better Boys” have arrived.

The Debt Princess is Jessica, a divorced, mother of 2 special needs children who has made some really stupid mistakes. She blogs about her debt and how it is sometimes an overwhelming process trying to become debt free. Visit her blog to see how she’s doing, and to learn some great tips.

Powermat Wireless Charging System (Review & Giveaway ARV $220)

We’re constantly on the go in the summertime.  I’m exhausted by the end of our days, and sometimes I forget to charge my phone at night so that it’s ready to go for the next fun-filled day.  This is especially important now that we dropped our landline and the only way to reach me is on my cell phone.  My iPod is another story.  My jogging stroller has an mp3 speaker built into it, which is really great.  But I can never actually enjoy this feature because my iPod is always dead.

And let’s face it.  With all of the technology in a typical household these days, there are never enough electrical outlets available to keep gadgets charged, even when we happen to remember.   I have one large drawer in my kitchen dedicated to all of the power cords needed for all of our devices.  Every day I dig through it trying to find the match to whatever it is that needs charging.  Then you’re left with a tangled, knotted mess of wires on your countertop.  It’s certainly not pretty, it’s aggravating.  There is a better way, thanks to Powermat.
Stop, drop and charge!
Powermat is a system that wirelessly charges your portable devices, using only one electrical outlet.  If you have an iPhone, Blackberry or Nintendo DS, you just attach a special receiver to the back of each unit and simply drop onto the mat to begin charging.  It doesn’t get any easier than that!  If you don’t have any of those devices, don’t fret.  Each Powermat Wireless Charging system comes with a Universal Powercube Receiver, with 8 interchangeable tips for all of your charging needs.  It includes a Mini USB tip, Micro USB Tip, Apple® Tip, DS Lite Tip, DSi Tip, Nintendo DSi™, LG 1 Tip, Samsung® 2 Tip, and a Sony® PSP® Tip.  I’m disappointed that it does not include an adapter for Palm phones, but hopefully that’s in the works?  Even the storage receptacle for the tips stays put thanks to the Powermat magnets.

When I first plugged in the Home & Office Mat, it gave off an audible indication to let me know that it was on.  Actually, it startled me at first.  I’m the jumpy type, and I wasn’t expecting that!  With the activation of each device, the notification sounded and my devices lit up. It’s great that the Powermat informs you that everything is charging.  My electrical outlets don’t do that.

I’m using the Powermat to charge my iPod nano, Sony HD camera, and my husband’s phone, since there is no tip available for my Palm. A magnetic pull attracts each device to each one of the wireless charging ports.  It’s like magic!  I have to admit that when I saw the boxes I was a little intimidated.  I didn’t realize how user-friendly this system was to use. 

The Portable Powermat works in the same way, only it folds into three sections making it small and perfect for traveling with you.  It comes with a nice quality travel case that closes magnetically.  Do you see a theme here with magnets?  It really does make life easier not having to fiddle with connections and wires.  Now my iPod actually stays charged so that I can use it whenever Emma and I make the snap decision to take a walk around the neighborhood.  Now as for the phone, I’ll just be waiting for Powermat to make that Palm tip :).

The Powermat is really a must-have tool for any household, in every season.  I don’t think there’s another product as universally brilliant.  This is one of those products that anyone would benefit from, and anyone can use.  It’s that easy.

GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to the generosity of Powermat, one reader will win the
Home & Office Mat and 3 receivers from Powermat – ARV $220.00!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like Powermat on Facebook
-Like Girl Gone Mom on Facebook
-Follow Powermat on twitter
-Follow Girl Gone Mom twitter
-If you follow us both on twitter, you’ll receive one extra entry per day for tweeting this:
#Win the @Powermat Wireless Charging Home and Office Mat and 3 receivers http://bit.ly/a4clS9 ARV $220 @girlgonemom #Summeressentials


No compensation was received for this post. I received a yummy cake to facilitate my honest review. Contest closes at Midnight EST on August 10th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

Super Water Slide by Hearthsong (Review & Giveaway)

Contest Closed
With the extreme heat wave we’ve been experiencing (will we ever get relief?), we’re constantly on the lookout for ways to keep cool while having fun at the same time.  I’ve been taking Emma to indoor places as we make our way through the summer.  Museums, bookstores, and supermarkets are among the few options we have during the week.  It seems like such a shame to be spending our summer confined to indoor spaces, though.  So if there’s one essential item this summer, it’s the Super Water Slide from Hearthsong.

With the Dual Action Foot Pump, this pool was inflated in no time.  I’d say 10 minutes, tops.  After that was done, Emma helped to fill the pool.  She’s such a good little helper.   After the pool was filled, we attached the hose.  This treats kids to streams of fresh water to keep the slide slick, but Emma was happy just to play with the cool mist.
This is nothing like the water slide I grew up using on my parents’ lawn.  As you can see in the above images, the slide itself is inflated to provide padding and protection.  What were our parents thinking letting us slide down a hill on a thin sheet of plastic?  The water slide has come a long way since those days.  And speaking of long, the slide area itself is 12 whole feet in length!

At the end of the slide is a large pool offering a water-park quality splash at the end of a fun, slipper ride.  Emma’s a bit young to slide, but she still had a blast playing with the water streams and splashing in the cool pool.   This toy made for kids ages 4-15 and can accommodate the little ones too as you can see.  I was very tempted to take a turn myself.  :)

The Super Water Slide is an excellent way to cool down this summer.  And let’s face it—when there’s water involved, the kids are game no matter what the temperature.  Am I right?

 

GIVEAWAY!
Due to the generosity of Hearthsong, one VERY lucky reader will win the Super Water Slide and Dual Action Foot Pump!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like Hearthsong on Facebook
-Like Girl Gone Mom on Facebook
-Follow Hearthsong on Twitter
-Follow Girl Gone Mom twitter
-If you follow me and Hearthsong on twitter, you’ll receive one extra entry per day for tweeting:

#Win the Super Water Slide from @hearthsongtoys #Summeressentials @girlgonemom ~ ARV $82! http://bit.ly/d55Imr

 

No compensation was received for this post. I received a product sample in order to facilitate my honest review. Contest is open to U.S. residents 18 and older and closes at Midnight EST on August 10th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

Easy Tomato Salad & William Bounds Grill Mill Review

In my garden I have fresh tomatoes and basil growing.  Those are the two key ingredients for my fresh tomato salad.  This is one of the easiest and most nutritious “recipes” I know of, and it’s great as a side dish or as a topping on salad or over fresh mozzarella (Yum!). In the summertime, I’ll make a meal of it. 

You can adjust the recipe to your taste and omit anything you might not like which is why this is so easy (some people I know like this without the red onion), but this is how I make it.

Tomato and Basil Salad
Ingredients -
4 fresh tomatoes
1-2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped)
1 small red onion
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
pinch salt
pepper

Cut tomatoes into 1/4” slices, then slice in half.  Do the same with the red onion.  In a bowl, whisk the vinegar, oil and salt (to taste).  Add the tomatoes and onions and mix well.  Top salad with a few springs of basil and add fresh pepper. 

For that last finishing touch, I used the William Bounds 5-Inch Stainless Steel Grill Mill. The Grill Mill crushes the peppercorns (or sea salt) as opposed to standard mills that grind them.  William Bounds promises that it will never jam or wear down, and it is backed by a lifetime warranty.

I’m a righty and my husband is left-handed , so the other benefit of this grill mill is that it’s comfortable for both of us to use as it works in a back and forth motion.  The fineness of the pepper is adjustable as well.  The design is very manly with a textured stainless steel surface which makes it perfect for summertime grilling.

The William Bounds 5-Inch Stainless Steel Grill Mill is available at Amazon.com for $29.95 and ships for free within the U.S.

I was not compensated for this post, but I was provided with a product sample in order to facilitate my review.

Summer Reading: The Devil Amongst the Lawyers (Giveaway – 5 Winners!)

Contest Closed
Unfortunately, we haven’t visited the pool the past few weekends.  We’ve been filling our weekends with, well more active activities.  With that being said, I am still slowly working on A Desirable Residence, so I haven’t been able to even start reading The Devil Amongst the Lawyers.  I did however take the opportunity to listen to Sharyn McCrumb’s introduction, and now I suddenly have the urge to finish the last book so that I can dive into this one.

Here is a look at what the book is about:

In 1935, when Erma Morton, a beautiful young woman with a teaching degree, is charged with the murder of her father in a remote Virginia mountain community, the case becomes a cause célèbre for the national press.

Eager for a case to replace the Lindbergh trial in the public’s imagination, the journalists descend on the mountain county intent on infusing their stories with quaint local color: horse-drawn buggies, rundown shacks, children in threadbare clothes. They need tales of rural poverty to give their Depression-era readers people whom they can feel superior to. The untruth of these cultural stereotypes did not deter the big-city reporters, but a local journalist, Carl Jennings, fresh out of college and covering his first major story, reports what he sees: an ordinary town and a defendant who is probably guilty.

This journey to a distant time and place summons up ghosts from the reporters’ pasts:  Henry Jernigan’s sojourn in Japan that ended in tragedy, Shade Baker’s hardscrabble childhood on the Iowa prairie, and Rose Hanelon’s brittle sophistication, a shield for her hopeless love affair. While they spin their manufactured tales of squalor, Carl tries to discover the truth in the Morton trial with the help of his young cousin Nora, who has the Sight. But who will believe a local cub reporter whose stories contradict the nation’s star journalists? For the reader, the novel resonates with the present: an economic depression, a deadly flu epidemic, a world contending with the rise of political fanatics, and a media culture determined to turn news stories into soap operas for the diversion of the masses.

A stunning return to the lands, ballads, and characters upon which she made her name, The Devil Amongst the Lawyers is a testament to Sharyn McCrumb’s lyrical and evocative writing.

I think we’ve all seen evidence of how the press can twist and turn the real truth in order to sell more stories.  This book is based on a real-life occurence of the true story of Edith Maxwell, who in July 1935 was accused of murdering her coal mining father.  Take a look at the Visual Journey for  Sharyn McCrumb’s The Devil Amongst the Lawyers.

GIVEAWAY!
Five readers will win a copy of The Devil Amongst the Lawyers!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like my new facebook page for Girl Gone Mom.
-Follow me on twitter.
-Tweet to use for this giveaway:

#Win a copy of The Devil Amongst the Lawyers, a novel by Sharyn McCrumb ~ Five Winners! http://bit.ly/9oFQ3z @girlgonemom #summeressentials

No compensation was received for this post. I received a product sample in order to facilitate my honest review. Contest is open to U.S. residents 18 and older and closes at Midnight EST on July 30th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

[Guest Post] Zucchini and Leek Quiche Recipe

In the summertime there are so many different fruits and vegetables at our fingertips, that it’s hard to think of something to cook that brings it all together. A walk through the aisles of your favorite local farmer’s market, should provide you everything to make the recipe below!

Quiche is something I love to make. It’s versatile--a great dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Plus it’s a wonderful dinner for company, in that it frees your time up by being able to make it ahead of time, and it gets you out of the kitchen to have a glass of wine and socialize with your guests! Another thing I love about quiche is that it’s nearly fool-proof! You can add in,
or take out any ingredients you like! A great addition to the quiche below would be sautéed mushrooms, crook neck squash, or baby spinach. Plus—kids love quiche—eggs and cheese—what’s not to like right?!

Summer Squash and Leek Quiche Ingredients
1 Pie crust—either homemade or store bought
Quiche Filling:
2 cups of Zucchini,  coarsely grated and drained
Salt
1/4 pound of unsalted butter
2 cups of thinly sliced leek
4 Eggs
1 1/2 cups of whipping cream/or whole milk
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
1 cup of crumbled Chèvre cheese (goat cheese—plentiful in spring and summertime when goats are in milk)
½ cup of Mozzarella Cheese or Swiss cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat an oven to 350ºF.   Spread Pie Crust over pie pan. Bake until set and almost crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.
Meanwhile, make the filling. Place the zucchini squash in a colander set over a bowl or in a sink. Generously sprinkle with salt, mix with your fingers to distribute the salt, and let stand for 30 minutes. Gather squash in your hand and gently squeeze to release any additional moisture. Set aside.
 
Heat the butter in a sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat, add the leek, and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes Add the drained squash and sauté about 5 minutes longer; set aside. In a bowl, combine the eggs, cream, mustard, cheeses, and salt and pepper to taste and whisk to blend well. Stir in the leek and squash mixture, pour into pie crust shell, and bake in the 350F oven until filling is set and the top is golden, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Serve hot or at room temperature. Serving size 6

Maryann writes a blog called TicTacDough.  She writes about great family-friendly products (that you can enter to win!) and also shares her perspective as a mom of two young girls, complete with her adventures in raising chickens, gardening and cooking.  She also happens to be my very best girlfriend – we met in the 8th grade!

Barbeque with Amy’s Vegetarian Burgers this Summer (Review & Giveaway)

There are veggie burgers, and then there are Amy’s veggie burgers.  I myself am a meat eater, so when I go the vegetarian route, I want something that tastes as close to the real thing as possible.  Amy’s burgers have it.

Introducing the All American Burger: 
Firm, hearty, and perfect for grilling or barbecuing. Made from fresh organic grains, vegetables and protein rich soy. Just the thing to satisfy the most avid burger fan. Non-dairy/no cholesterol.

One of the reasons I do look to veggie burgers is because they are lower in fat, and healthier than the real thing.  I made the All American Veggie Burgers for dinner the other night.  Usually with vegetarian burgers I have to pile on all of the extras—the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, ketchup and more—to disguise the taste (or lack thereof) of the “burger” patty.  However I ate one of the burgers plain with a knife and fork and it was delicious all by itself.  Yum!

The Low-Sodium California Veggie Burger:
The unique savory flavor of Amy's California Burger comes naturally from a blend of organic grains, mushrooms, vegetables and walnuts, and contains only half the sodium of our regular California Burger.

This burger is great for people who have to restrict their salt intake, like my husband.  The burgers were just as tasty, if not more than the All-American version. 

Some important facts about Amy’s products:
-All foods are made with real ingredients, and without additives, preservatives, or GMOs.
-Products are made with organic ingredients.
-Everything is vegetarian. No meat, fish, poultry or eggs are used in any product.
-There are over 50 gluten-free options, more than 50 lactose-free products, and a vast amount of cholesterol free dishes included both burger varieties we tried.

The Amy’s website features a helpful guide explaining all of the special dietary benefits of each of their products.  Why?  Because they’re don’t need to hide a thing.  Don’t you love that?

Plainly stated, Amy’s products are good for your body and your taste buds.  Eating healthy is actually a treat.  Who knew?  Be sure to check out the namesake, Amy’s blog.  It’s an interesting read!

GIVEAWAY!
Three readers will each receive a Free Product Coupon, good for any burger, or any Amy's product!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like Amy’s on facebook.
-Like my new facebook page for Girl Gone Mom.
-Follow me on twitter.
-The tweet to use for this giveaway:

Three people will #WIN a coupon to buy their favorite Amy’s Vegetarian product http://bit.ly/a7fmUn @girlgonemom #summeressentials

No compensation was received for this post. I received a product sample in order to facilitate my honest review. Contest is open to U.S. residents 18 and older and closes at Midnight EST on July 29th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

Hayneedle.com ~ Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon ARV $160 (Review & Giveaway)

Contest Closed
Toddlers can become fussy about riding around strapped into a stroller when they reach a certain age.  Sometimes Emma will go right in without any complaints, but I’ve been getting more of the opposite reaction lately.  I’ve been in the market for a wagon that she can ride around in, one that also provides shade.  When I saw that hayneedle.com carried the Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon in their ridingtoys.com store, I was ecstatic.

I mean, Radio Flyer toys are an American classic.  This is one of those brands that comes to mind when I think of long-lasting quality toys.  They’ve been around for over 90 years, and the brand has thrived the entire time, even through the Great Depression.  Personally, I’ve developed a fondness for their antique and vintage toys, but when I think of what I want my daughter to actually play with, it’s their new items.  The new products have innovations that are sure to exceed expectations.

The Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon has a UV-protected canopy, which is just what I wanted.  The canopy is easily removable if you do not need it.  For help with storage, this wagon was smartly designed to allow the handle to fold over the top of the wagon.  And with cup holders galore, seats, tables, and roomy storage, this wagon does not disappoint. 

One quality that definitely stands out is the many options that you have.  The five-way bed can accommodate each of the following needs:

1. Two children in seats with parent access storage
2. One child in seat + covered storage area
3. One child in seat + extra large storage area
4. One child in seat + tray table for eating or drawing + storage area
5. Seats fold flat for flatbed wagon

Emma had a wonderful time today being chauffeured up and down the driveway.  I loved that it was easily maneuverable-the wheels turn on a dime.  This truly is a wagon for the family, with two cupholders for adults, and two more for the kids. I love all of the extra storage.  It makes trips to the park, zoo, or mall easy as pie.  I know that we’ll be using this for Trick-or-Treating this year!

The wagon is designed for children age 18 months and over, and does include safety belts.  Another safety measure is the design of the front axles, which are designed for non-tip turning. 

I’m amazed at how many amazing products are available at hayneedle.com, including the Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon for $159.99 plus only $5.00 for US Shipping.  The item arrived quickly and was well-packaged.  Unfortunately, my husband was in a big rush to put it together and did not read the directions.  He ended up putting the wheels on wrong, which resulted in him damaging some areas of the wagon during the removal and reassembly.  Learn from his mistake: Read the instructions first!

 

GIVEAWAY!!!
One Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon is up for grabs! 
-Or-
Choose a $100.00 gift certificate to hayneedle.com!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like Hayneedle on facebook
-Like my new facebook page for Girl Gone Mom
-Follow Hayneedle on twitter.
-Follow me on twitter.
-The tweet to use for this giveaway:

#Win a the Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon http://bit.ly/dcWpFt from @hayneedle @girlgonemom #summeressentials ARV $160

No compensation was received for this post. I received a product sample in order to facilitate my honest review. Contest is open to U.S. residents 18 and older and closes at Midnight EST on August 10th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

Hasbro Furreal Friends Snuggimals (Review & Giveaway)

Want a cute doggy for your children, but don’t want to deal with the of expense, walks and the mess?  I have just the thing for you.  FUR-real!  The Furreal Friends Snuggimals Puppy is an adorable toy puppy (double entendre – it’s both an actual toy and a small puppy), that wags his tail and bobs his head when you pet (really press) his back.  There are twelve different breeds to choose from, but we received the Long Bassett Hound. 

This little doggie is the perfect size for traveling – it fits everywhere!  The fur is snuggly soft, hence the name ‘Snuggimals’.  It’s powered by one AA battery to keep him in motion.  We keep ours in the car and Emma holds him in her lap.  When she activates his tail she holds it down so it’s only a matter of time before she breaks it!  Furreal Friends Snuggimals are very reasonably priced at $7.95.  That’s the least expensive adoption fee I've ever heard of!

GIVEAWAY – One lucky reader will win a Furreal Snuggimals Puppy!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like my new facebook page for Girl Gone Mom, or follow me on twitter.
-The tweet to use for this giveaway:

#Win a Hasbro Furreal Snuggimals Puppy http://bit.ly/aX0wbw @girlgonemom #summeressentials

No compensation was received for this post. I received a product sample in order to facilitate my honest review. Contest is open to U.S. residents 18 and older and closes at Midnight EST on July 27th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!