We're Cuckoo for Toasted Coconut at Giant Food Stores {GIVEAWAY!}

This post and giveaway are sponsored by GIANT Food Stores.

There is something that happens emotionally when the days start to stretch out, with the sun setting later and the breeze becoming warmer and the air offering the faintest scent of lilacs.

Friends? It's SPRING. 

And I'm FOR IT.

It's the time of year that the fam and I spend more time outside, we ready our garden for planting and sneeze a lot because allergies are no joke. 

And just as the earth goes through a rebirth during this season, so does my meal planning. I embrace the fresh flavors of fresh produce and the charred savoriness of grilled food.

So I am especially stoked to embrace this season's newest limited time original offering from Giant Food Stores:

THIS IS NOT EVEN A JOKE, PEOPLE.

Giant, in all of their amazingness, has introduced one of the most spring-iest and summer-iest flavors of all time: TOASTED COCONUT! We're talking toasted coconut everything: coconut cookies, coconut flavored water, coconut pancake and waffle mix, coconut gouda, coconut granola, coconut hummus, coconut popcorn shrimp (YES I DID), and (be still, my heart) toasted coconut ice cream.

Can we get a collective ::swoon:: happening right now?

Are you ready to dive in head first to this flavor season? In honor of the limited-time Toasted Coconut product line, Giant is giving one of my readers a $25 gift card! That way you can buy $25 worth of delicious coconut products while they last!

Or you can hide them and eat them all yourself. No judgement here.

Learn more about the Toasted Coconut offerings on the GIANT Food Stores website and be sure to follow Giant on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY 

Enter below! Happy winning!

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Disclosure: I was provided products to try to facilitate this review and conduct the giveaway. All opinions are, as always, my own.

Twisted Chocolate Products Are Now Available at Giant Food Stores

This post and giveaway are sponsored by GIANT Food Stores.

It's a crazy time in America, and opinions are running wild, with people struggling to see eye to eye on a daily basis. But, can we agree on one thing?

Chocolate, in all shapes and forms, is wonderful, heavenly and divine?  

See? We can all come together on the common ground of deliciousness!

Giant, my go-to place to shop, knows chocolate - and is even taking it up a notch with their limited-time original Twisted Chocolate products!

So, why "twisted?" Each product, from hummus and floral bouquets to ice cream and soda, is infused with the wonderful flavors of chocolate...and a little something extra. The subtle hints of spice adds a new level of delight to each bite!

Intrigued and ready to dive in? In honor of the limited-time Twisted Chocolate product line, Giant is giving one of my readers a $25 gift card! That way you can buy $25 worth of delicious Twisted Chocolate products while they last!

Or you can hide them and eat them all yourself. No judgement here.

Learn more about the Twisted Chocolate offerings on the GIANT Food Stores website and be sure to follow Giant on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY 

Enter below! Happy winning!

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Disclosure: I was provided products to try to facilitate this review and conduct the giveaway. All opinions are, as always, my own.

Treat Yo'self: 5 Healthy After School Snack Ideas with Giant Food Stores {GIVEAWAY}

*This is a sponsored post* 

I'm not sure about your kids, but my girls come off the bus ravenous. Before even getting a "Hello, Mom! I missed you! Let me tell you about my day" (which, let's be honest, never happens), I get a grumble that resembles some form of "I'm hungry. I need a snack. Stat."

There is a balance to be had when whipping up after school snacks. On one hand, kids are hungry after a big day at school, and need nourishment. On the other hand, it's close enough to dinner time that I don't want them chowing down and totally ruining their appetite.

So, I try my best to "treat" the kids with small, yummy snacks that will tide them over until mealtime. I like that it's a way to give them something special as a reward for working hard at school.

Giant Food Stores is a great resource for healthy after school snacks. I love their Nature's Promise organic brand, as there are so many tasty options that have a sneaky helping of nutrients, too!

Here are 5 of our favorite "sneaky healthy" after school treats:

Granola Bars

We always stock up on granola bars at Giant. I like that I can trust the ingredients in Nature's Promise granola bars, and my kids think they are getting a total treat because they are filled with things like fruit and dark chocolate! As of late, I've been particularly fond of the Ancient Grains and Chia granola bars. They are delicious and pack an extra nutritious punch! Granola Bars are also totally totable, which makes them a good on-the-go after school snack when you have activities, lessons and practice.

Carrots and Ranch Dressing

This is a great way to get kids to consume some veggies. I put out a bag of Nature's Promise Organic Carrots and a bowl of Nature's Promise Organic Ranch Dressing. It's a big hit in our house!

Granola Chips, Almond Butter and Special Toppings

I wish Granola Chips had been invented when I was a kid. SO yummy - and a great way to scoop up extra protein! Almond Butter is my go-to when trying to add something sweet but also filling. After school, it's a solid way to give the kids something that will "stick to their ribs" until dinner (which means they aren't telling me every five minutes that they are hungry. Again. Still. Always).

I scoop some almond butter in a bowl and top with things like coconut flakes and mini chocolate chips. Then let the girls scoop it up with granola chips. Win! You can also make "granola chip nachos:" spread the chips on a plate. Then, heat up the almond butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds, until it is thinned. Drizzle the chips with the almond butter and top it with coconut, chocolate chips, raisins, etc.

Organic Fruit Twists

Plain and simple. This is a win-win for us: they get a gummy treat, I get the secret knowledge that it's organic and good!

Yogurt Parfaits

We do this for breakfast sometimes, too. In a bowl, layer Greek yogurt and granola. Sometimes, if it's been a particularly rough day at school, I top with a dollop of whipped cream!

Now go treat the kiddos to something delicious...and HEALTHY!

*****

To give you a jump start in offering healthified after school snacks, Giant is awarding one of my lucky readers a $25 gift card! To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below. Happy winning - and cheers to a great school year!

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Disclosure: I was provided product and monetary compensation for this review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

How To Build a Better Lunch Box (and GIVEAWAY!)

*This is a sponsored post* 

One week.

While the first day of autumn does not arrive for another month, my family's summer is officially over in one week. Why? Because school begins!

This year is extra special. Not only because Hubby and Chica are back to the school grind (as teacher and 3rd grader, respectively). But Bug is going to be a big kindergartener!  Our program is in its last year of half day K, so it's only a few hours a day. But it will be a big shift having to put her on the bus (NO, I'm not crying - there's something in my eye) and to have everyone out of the house every day.

One of the things I'll be trying to focus on this year is offering better lunches for the girls. During the summer, since there was more time and we didn't have to pack anything, we had some great "out of the box" lunch ideas. Produce was fresh from the garden or farmer's market, and we had the time to be more creative.

My goal is to extend the same ideas to our school lunches. And, luckily, Giant Food Stores is here to help! Not only are their Nature's Promise products chock-full of healthy goodness, but their on-staff nutritionists offer great tips on building a better lunch. 

Here are some tips on building a better lunch box this school year!

Group It Up

MyPlate is a fantastic resource for what our "plate" should look like for each meal. With the pickiness of kid's palates, it's easy to get into a habit of missing some of the core food groups. MyPlate is a goo reminder to include the five food groups each day. 

Parenting Lunch Box Goal: aim to include a minimum of 3 food groups in your child's lunchbox each day.

Section It Out

I started doing this last year and I feel like it was super helpful for both me and my girls. Using a lunchbox with divided sections or separate containers helped me think beyond the sandwich and get creative. I felt free to try foods like salads or dips and vegetables that I wouldn't be able to use in a traditional lunch box. It's also a gentle reminder to include different food groups. It's a win-win, because the kiddos like seeing the different sections and not having their food touch.

Pump It Up

Pump it up...with protein! I've been more conscious of trying to incorporate foods full of protein into school lunches. Not only is protein an important part of MyPlate, but it's a great way to keep little tummies full for longer. Almond butter is one of my favorite protein sources (I always have a jar of Nature's Promise Almond Butter in my cabinet). Pack a double protein punch by adding some some granola as a greek yogurt topper.

Think Outside of the (Lunch) Box

How often do we plateau in a lunch-making routine of PB & J sandwich, goldfish crackers and a squeezy yogurt? This is a great lunch, but the same ol' same ol' can get boring. 

Use your divided lunchbox to break OUT of the box with new ideas! Try tortilla roll-ups, carrots and ranch dressing, quinoa salad or build-your-own tacos. Sometimes a smattering of random things is a great option, too. Cut up some cheddar cheese, add some crackers, hardboiled eggs, applesauce and raisins for a tapas-style meal. 

I know several parents who have had success putting mac-n-cheese or meatballs in a quality thermos and it's still warm and ready to go at lunch time! 

Shake it up - your kids will thank you!

*****

To help you build a better lunchbox, Giant is awarding one of my lucky readers a $25 gift card to start the school year right! To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below. Happy winning - and cheers to a great school year!

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Disclosure: I was provided product and monetary compensation for this review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Limoncello Products are BACK at Giant Food Stores (and a GIVEAWAY!)

It's that wonderful time of year again!

No, not the end of the school year or beginning of summer. I mean that beautiful season of Limoncello products at Giant Food Stores!

Seasonal products are my fave - it always makes me excited about the season. Give me pumpkin in autumn! Mint in winter! And when the days get longer and the temps start rising, I need me a big helping of Limoncello flavor. Like last summer, Giant is harnessing the special Sorrento lemon flavor and infusing an entire line of products that will be available in-store for a limited time only.

The Limoncello product line includes more than 30 items, from fresh to non-perishable departments. What Limoncello items am I most excited about? Limoncello cookies, Limoncello seltzer, Limoncello granola, Limoncello soap, and, of course, the Limoncello ICE CREAM.

(Note from Steph: the ice cream is DIVINE. Like. Get some. Now.)

In honor of the fantabulous limited-time Limoncello product line, Giant is giving one of my readers a $25 gift card! That way you can buy $25 worth of delicious Limoncello products for your next Summer Soiree!

Or you can hide them and eat them all yourself. No judgement here.

GIVEAWAY 

Enter below! Happy winning!

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Go Green For Earth Day with Giant Food Stores! {GIVEAWAY}

Despite being a product of the 80's, when environment and healthy diet choices were not high priorities, Hubby and I have become more and more invested in making healthy decisions for our family. We work to eat better, exercise and be more aware of the products we use in and around our home.

Not long ago, you had to go to specialty stores for products that were organic and natural. It made healthy lifestyle choices that much more difficult (and expensive) for health/environmentally-conscious families.

I love that nowadays, I can hit up my local Giant Food Store and have economically-priced organic, free and natural products at my finger tips. 

Earth Day is coming up on 4/22, and to celebrate, I'm showcasing the awesome products Nature's Promise has to offer! The Nature's Promise brand is a constant in my house, ranging from food to cleaning products, as well as quality reusable bags. It helps us make greener choices all year 'round!

Check out how the earth has benefitted from Giant's efforts:

To sweeten the festivities, Giant is giving one of my lucky readers a $25 gift card to green-ify their house for Earth Day!

To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run until next Friday, 4/15, at 12pm. 

Happy winning!

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Disclosure: I was provided product and monetary compensation for this review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Fresh Meal Kits at GIANT

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post.

Some days, I just can't keep up.

With, like, life.

And by "some days" I mean "every day."

Can I get an amen?

Since starting this blog as a stay-at-home mom (thus the name of the blog), I've transitioned to part-time work-at-home mom (WAHM). But I made the recent leap to being a full time WAHM. And friends? 

It's daunting. 

And perhaps I should come up with a better name for the blog, eh?

With an increased work load, a steady parenting load and the endless load of keeping house I am overloaded. The laundry pile never gets smaller, and although I try to stay on top of meal planning, some days we get to 5pm and I look around wondering who will be cooking tonight.

Oh. Right. Me. Hai.

I know a lot of families have opted for meal services that deliver pre-packed ingredients and a recipe right to your door. And that's nice and great. BUT. I don't want to commit to this kind of service, as I often need to decide in a moment that dinner needs to happen. Ideally, I'd be able to get the same pre-packed service, but have it available for direct purchase at my grocery store.

Which is why Giant is, as always, my BFF.

BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT OF IT AND MADE IT HAPPEN INTO EXISTENCE.

Like, for real people. The Giant Fresh Meal Kits are a godsend to overwhelmed and overburdened individuals and families alike. There is a fantastic variety of meal options, they are available at select Giant stores in the Philadelphia area and they are AFFORDABLE. Each Meal Kit is $14.99 and feeds 2 people, and 2 kits are a steal at $24.99. 

That's less than going out for dinner!

We are fortunate enough that our local Giant offers the Meal Kits, so we took them for a spin.

The meal options were tantalizing, and included:

• Pan seared chicken breast with creamy mushroom sauce, garlic roasted green beans and seasoned wild rice.
• Baked chicken parmesan with rosemary Yukon gold potato wedges and fresh ratatouille.
• Mini Italian style meatloaf with couscous and fresh vegetables.
• Peppercorn steak with creamy blue cheese sauce, chive mashed potatoes, and garlic roasted broccoli and cauliflower.
• Pan seared boneless pork chops with apple and honey mustard sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes.

You can imagine it was hard to choose.

We went with the Peppercorn Steak. And it was a great choice. Upon arriving at home, we opened up our Meal Kit, and I absolutely loved how everything was perfectly portioned and packaged. 

The instructions were included, and I found them simple and easy to read. 

Whipping the meal up was a cinch and, might I add, delicious. I am actually eager to try the other meal packs!

This is such a fantastic option for those who want a fresh at-home meal but don't have the time to scour Pinterest for recipes and gathering the ingredients at the store. Thank you, Giant, for doing it for us!

The Fresh Meal Kits can be found in select Giant's in the Philadelphia area as well as the Peapod delivery service.

For more information, visit Giant Food Stores online.

Holiday Prep with Giant Food Stores

I. Love. The. Holidays.

LOVE them.

I love the excitement, the food, the music, the visitors, the parties, the decorating, the EATING, the events, the gift and cookie exchanges and did I mention holiday food?

As much as I love the togetherness of the holidays, I often stress about the preparation.

Planning a party or getting your house ready for holiday visitors is not a task for the faint of heart. Sure, we think about heading to the grocery store to stock up on food and drinks. Yes, we whip up the perfect holiday playlists to play softly in the background. And don't forget the pine-and-cinnamon scented candle to complete your holiday regime.

But, it's the behind-the-scenes stuff that takes us by surprise, stressing us out and depleting our storehouses of holiday spirit.

To ease the pain of seasonal stress, here are 5 things to grab at Giant Food Stores and have on hand to make your holiday entertaining a breeze:

Reusable Containers
This is a MUST. When the eating portion of your party is winding down, having reusable containers to throw leftover food into is a god-send. That way, you can get food into the fridge instead of leaving it out to fester, and you can happily send leftovers home with guests as they leave. Easy, peasy. 

Cleaning Supplies
Don't endure that moment of chaotically getting ready for the party and remembering, with just an hour before guests arrived, that you forgot to clean the bathrooms? Having Giant brand cleaning supplies on hand make that last-minute cleaning a breeze. I love their cleanser sanitizing wipes, which help me to quickly wipe down counters, sinks and toilets. They are also great to have on hand to quietly spot clean during the party because I CANNOT HELP MYSELF.

Semi-Homemade Food
Cooking and baking should be the LAST of your worries when entertaining. Take the stress out of the kitchen by going semi-homemade with a few items. Grab some of the pre-made appetizers and dips from Giant's Simply Enjoy line or their Homemade Pancake Mix. Guests don't have to know it wasn't made from scratch (your secret is safe with me).

Painkillers
Because, let's be honest. This is one of the most important things. Also? It's nice to have medicinal items on hand in case a guest is in need. I hardly ever buy the name brand painkillers, as I've found the Giant Care One brand works just as efficiently for a fraction of the cost. WINNING.

Paper Plates, Napkins and Utensils
Give the dishwasher a night off. When guests visit, using disposable supplies makes everything so much easier. Instead of scrubbing dishes, just pop it all in the trash when you are done, and you are free to keep socializing. It's my favorite. Also? We use the Giant Brand disposable plates, cups and utensils ALL. THE. TIME. They are the least expensive on the shelf, but top-notch quality.


Are you ready to stock up for holiday prep at Giant Food Stores? 

In the name of holiday preparation, Giant is giving one of my readers a $25 gift card! Get ready to be PREPARED and WIN (see what I did there?)!


To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run until next Wednesday, 12/16, at 12pm. Happy winning!

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Holiday Beauty Tips + $25 Giant Gift Card Giveaway

If you're anything like me, you have a Holiday Style Pinterest board. I spend the year scouting the holiday season's best looks, from outfits to hair and make up. I have a ton of big events to attend during the holiday season. But when I do head out to a holiday soiree (WITHOUT KIDS - hallelujah) or Christmas Eve with my family, I like to bring my fashion A-Game.

Which to most people is probably closer to an L-game or M-game. 

But I try.

In my scouting, I've found some great beauty and fashion trends this year. Here are 5 holiday beauty tips to inspire you:

Go Classic
Harken back to classic looks. I'm piecing together this traditional skirt + blouse combo this holiday season:





Go Simple
Holiday style does not have to be complicated. I'm LOVING this look, and wondering why I never thought to create this simple holiday outfit:





Black skinnies and a black blouse with a statement necklace. GENIUS.

Red and Green: Don't Put Your Hands Together
On one of my favorite Friends episodes, Chandler asks Joey if he had to choose Monica's homemade jam or the girl from the Xerox place "buck naked." Joey's response? Put your hands together! This is advice NOT to follow during the holiday season. Red and green are traditional holiday colors - and can be amazing as accents to a holiday outfit, individually. Opt for a red blouse with black leggings or a green dress. Try to avoid adding both colors to the same outfit. 




All is Shimmery and Bright
Shimmer is the name of the game for holiday makeup. Go for a pale gold or silver eyeshadow so it is not overpowering. It will be enough to make a statement and give you that holiday glow!




Use The Right Tools
Getting the perfect holiday look starts with the right tools. Until recently I did not have makeup brushes (I know, cue weeping and gnashing of teeth). Then I found out about the new Etos line of beauty products at Giant Food Stores, and I was sold! 

Etos is a simple European beauty brand that's been around since 1919. I love the quality, which allowed me to try new looks with eyeshadow that I wasn't able to before. Quality here does not mean you break the bank, either. The Etos brand is affordable and easily found at all Giant locations.

Are you ready to get glam for the holidays with Etos at Giant Food Stores? 

In the name of holiday beauty, Giant is giving one of my readers a $25 gift card! Get ready to win and TREAT YO' SELF!


To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run until next Wednesday, 12/9, at 12pm. Happy winning!


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Minty Fresh Holidays with Giant Food Stores (+ $25 Giveaway!)

We can all agree: pumpkin spice is SO last season.

Or, rather, last month.

With the passing of Halloween, we've stepped over the threshold to the holiday season. And while there are many flavors that we associate with November and December, peppermint takes the cake.

My mother-in-law is a peppermintophile. The woman loves ALL. THINGS. PEPPERMINT. Before her favorite peppermint coffee creamer came off the "seasonal" list and was offered year-round, she would spend the 2 months it was on the shelves stocking up. Her downstairs refrigerator would, at any given time, be holding 10-20 bottles of peppermint coffee creamer.

Some people just know their flavors.

Giant Food Stores is, as always, on fleek with the seasonal flavor trends. And right now, they are stocked with every peppermint seasonal item you can image. We're talking peppermint brownie mix, peppermint bark, peppermint whipped topping, peppermint ice cream, peppermint cookies, and even peppermint seltzer water!

How epic will the holidays taste this year?

***GIVEAWAY***

In honor of ALL THINGS PUMPKIN, Giant is giving one of my readers a $25 gift card! That way you can buy $25 worth of delicious pumpkin products to share*!

*or eat all by yourself.

To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run until next Wednesday at 12pm. Happy winning!

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Disclosure: I was provided product and monetary compensation for this review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

FALL in love with PUMPKIN at Giant Food Stores + $25 Giveaway!

So here's the deal:

I have this group of friends (who shall remain nameless. BUT YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE). They're awesome, really. We've grown together as young moms, we do playdates almost weekly and we GNO like total bosses.  

But.

We don't seem to see eye-to-eye on seasonal issues. With September starting, they all start getting pretty cranky. It's an end-of-summer blues: they miss the long days, the warm sunshine, the trips to the beach, as well as dread the dark winter months. The lament the shortening days, the start of school, and other things that I disagree with. They detest the end of summer.

But not me.

Oh, no. I tolerate summer. But as September rolls around, I am in my element. I REVEL in all things autumn. Give me brisk sweater weather, colorful foliage, apple picking, campfires on cool nights, festive holidays and, above all things, PUMPKIN.

Give me something pumpkin-inspired, and I am a happy girl. Giant Food Stores is with me on this, because they are ushering in fall with a bursting pumpkin product line. Over 50 pumpkin-inspired products have hit the Giant Food Stores shelves. From pumpkin waffles and pumpkin bread to pumpkin ravioli and pumpkin pasta sauce to straight up PUMPKIN IN A CAN,  there is something sweet and savory for everyone!


In honor of ALL THINGS PUMPKIN, Giant is giving one of my readers a $25 gift card! That way you can buy $25 worth of delicious pumpkin products to share*!

*or eat all by yourself.  

Giveaway - How to Enter:

To enter, just leave a comment about which Giant Pumpkin product you're most excited to try along with your email address. I will choose a winner on Friday afternoon using random.org. You can enter by leaving a comment once per day - so that's a total of 3 entries!

Bonus entries:

1) Share about this giveaway on Facebook. Grab the URL of the share and copy it into a new comment on this post along with your email.

2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter. Grab the URL of the tweet and copy it into a new comment on this post along with your email. BE SURE TO TAG @DonnaReedSteph

3) Pin this post on Pinterest. Grab the URL of the pin and copy it into a new comment on this post along with your email.

In total, you have the chance to submit 6 entries. HAPPY WINNING!

And to my amazing group of friends: MWAH! I love ya. Next time you're over, I promise to treat you to some pumpkin-inspired creations.