Bloggers Wanted for the Summer Heat Giveaway Hop (July 21-31)

Join us for the Summer Heat Giveaway Hop

hosted by Planet Weidknecht

and LeahSay's Views

from July 21-31, 2014

By adding your blog link below, you agree to:
Post your own dedicated giveaway for this event, from July 21, 2014 at 12:01a.m. until July 31, 2014 at 11:59p.m. Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored. Giveaway prize must be worth at least $25.00. Blogs without giveaways posted by 10:00a.m. on July 21 will be removed from the linky list. Signups close on July 17.

You aren't required to post in advance of the giveaway hop, but if you'd like to add the button to your sidebar, please link it to this post so that others may join in too.

Please also join the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group at:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/WeidknechtEvents/

Your giveaway post (on July 21) must include:
Summer Heat Giveaway Hop button
Links to the hosts: Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com)
and LeahSay's Views (http://leahsaysviews.com/)
Provided linky list of all participating bloggers
Your giveaway and contest form

HTML will be provided at least one day before the hop begins, both by email and post in the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Mortarboarder - Crowd Funding for College

#sponsored

As the parent of three children who are currently enrolled in college, I can tell you just how expensive it is to send children off to get a higher education. There are admission fees, tuition fees, room and board fees, book fees, parking fees, and much more. They'll also need computers, clothing, and backpacks. Their dorm room will need sheets, blankets, towels, a small fridge, cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, and the list goes on and on. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition cost of a four year college in 1981 was $9554, and the average tuition cost of a four year college in 2011 was $23,066. In my own personal experience, student grants have tighter eligibility requirements than they used to, and student loan amounts just don't cover the cost of education anymore, unless parents are willing to mortgage their own future by taking out additional parent PLUS loans.

Recognizing that a college degree is important, but often difficult financially to attain, Mortarboarder was born out of a shared passion for creating access to education for everyone and anyone who wants it. Designed as a crowd funding program, it allows students to create a registry of exactly what they need for their college education and are matched with donors who can give towards their requests. “Mortarboarder is the pathway to college that so many students need to move their futures forward. By seeking and accepting donations, students on Mortarboarder have the opportunity to succeed without the burden of crippling student loans,” says CEO Praveen Srikanth. Whether a student needs help with buying course materials or covering tuition costs, Mortarboarder hopes to be an invaluable resource for students and parents as they navigate through the challenges of affording a college education.

If your child is considering college or already enrolled in college, I recommend you check out Mortarboarder and sign up for a free account. As a parent, I've already informed all three of my children that it would be in their best interests to create their own free account on Mortarboarder to help pay for their college education. Personally, it would be a welcome relief to my budget to have some help! Signing up is fast and simple. Personal information is private and protected. Tuition donations are sent directly to the college or university. Crowd funding works and through Mortarboard, your child could graduate debt-free!

For more information and to sign up visit www.mortarboarder.com.
Connect with Mortarboarder on Facebook and Twitter.

Lisa's Homemade Spaghetti #Recipe {and recipe linky}

Welcome to the LeahSay’s Views

and Planet Weidknecht Recipe Link Up! 

 ~ My recipe this week is Homemade Spaghetti ~

I've actually never shared this recipe with anyone. I've made it this way for over 25 years. It's truly one of my family's favorite recipes and my kids often request it. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Lisa's Homemade Spaghetti

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1/4 cup Chopped Onion

1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper

2 15oz cans Tomato Sauce

2 6oz cans Tomato Paste

1 14.5oz can Diced Tomatoes

1 tbsp Italian Spices

1 tsp Minced Garlic

2 tsp Sugar

16oz Spaghetti Noodles

1/4 tsp Salt

2 tsp olive oil

Directions:

Put a large pot of water on one burner on high heat, add 1/4 tsp of salt. This will be for the spaghetti noodles. Bring to a boil while you begin the sauce.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef on medium heat with the chopped onion, salt and black pepper. When beef is browned, drain the grease off, and reduce the burner heat to low. Place the skillet back on stovetop and add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes (do not drain), Italian Spices, minced garlic, and sugar (sugar helps prevent heartburn in tomato-based dishes). This is also a great time to add a small can of sliced black olives or sliced mushrooms if you want, but I didn't have any in my pantry tonight). Gently stir everything together and cover with a lid. Stir occasionally. When it begins to simmer and bubble, it's pretty much done.

By now the water should be boiling. Add the spaghetti noodles and reduce the heat for the noodles to medium-high, stirring so the noodles are submerged. Do not cover. Stir noodles occasionally so they don't stick together. When noodles have reached tenderness (usually at about 10 minutes), add 2 tsp olive oil to the water (this helps prevents sticky noodles) and stir. After about 3 more minutes, pour water and noodles into a colander to drain, then put the noodles back into the big pot. (Both the noodles and the sauce end up done about the same time. The entire process usually takes me about 45 minutes.) Pour the entire skillet of sauce into the pot of drained noodles and stir gently to mix everything together. Serve with Parmesan Cheese topping. 

Print this recipe HERE.

See my other recipes HERE.

Now it's your turn to share a recipe! Just add your blog link to your recipe below!

Spice Up Meals with Three Bridges Sides

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Summertime is all about being outside, not being stuck in the kitchen for hours cooking meals. Three Bridges has created some amazingly easy-to-prepare side dishes that can spice up your meals in a snap. These chef-crafted, microwaveable delights are the perfect compliment to your BBQ main meals or you can even make them part of your main entree.

The Three Bridges Chicken with Yellow Rice (previously Arroz con Pollo) features tender chicken, black beans and roasted red peppers atop Cuban-style yellow rice. It's a wonderful combination of flavors and I used it to make delicious soft tacos by scooping it into flour tortillas and topping it with some homemade salsa.

There was enough Chicken with Yellow Rice to make six soft tacos. If you've got a larger family, you could add shredded cheddar cheese and lettuce to make it stretch further. This delicious side has a generous amount of chicken in it and the black beans and red peppers make it a colorful dish.

The Three Bridges Chicken Paella features diced chicken, chorizo sausage, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and rice. These dishes take just four minutes in the microwave to prepare. The Chicken Paella was so loaded with goodies that I decided to make it the main dish for our quiet evening for two.

I added a small side salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber slices, plus fresh cubed pears. It was more than enough for the two of us and was delicious! I love being able to make a quick, healthy meal especially when our afternoon has been so busy and I don't want to spend much time cooking.

Visit Three Bridges at www.threebridges.com for more information and to check out their other four side dish creations - Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Sausage and Basil Lasagne, and Sausage and Jalepeno Mac and Cheese.

Could Making Your House Greener Make it Easier to Sell?

#sponsored

Having a property on the market for an extended period can be a rotten situation to be in. It might be that you have tried just about everything to try and move the house but simply can’t find anyone who wants to buy it. For those in this situation, experts are recommending making green home improvements because an environmentally friendly property can be sold more easily.

The following reasons outline why a greener property could seem a lot more attractive to a potential buyer.

Lower Energy Bills

Energy efficient home improvements can result in a reduction of energy usages and carbon dioxide emissions which is great for the environment and of course, those paying the bills every month. If we consider our prospect buyers, they’ll be hugely interested in reaping the benefits of low monthly energy bills.

It doesn’t usually take too long to recoup the outlay on energy efficient upgrade via the money saved on bills. However, if you take advantage of current government incentives to make home more environmentally friendly such as the “Energy Companies Obligation” and the “Green Deal” offered by such energy suppliers as npower, then the cost of the home improvements is paid for out of the savings made. The costs are deducted directly from the bill and the amount paid calculated by the difference between the bill before the improvements and after. Plus the debt is tied to the property, not the owner so in fact, it won’t cost you a penny.

Give the Buyer Less Work to Do

The majority of house hunters don’t want to have to do a lot of work on a property. Why else would so many of them be put off by stuff like old fashioned carpets or faded wallpaper? Many DIY jobs tend to be cosmetic and are relatively quick and cheap to deal with but not everyone wants to move in and then start carrying out repair work. This is especially true when selling houses which are suitable for families.

This means that if a prospective buyer sees an old boiler wheezing away or discovers that the house has no insulation, then they will be put off by the additional work that needs doing, often in spite of the money they might be able to negotiate off the price of the property.

The main job of the homeowner who wants to sell their property is to make it an easy choice. Therefore, making the home as green as possible is a smart move.

Establish a Feel Food Factor

The feel good factor is a part of the house selling process that it is difficult to put your finger on. But being able to say that it is a green home with solar panels, a new boiler and great insulation is one extremely positive point that is sure to crank up the feel good factor for anyone visiting it. Even if the viewer isn’t particularly interested in green issues, they are sure to see this as another positive aspect of the house.

Easier to Sell On

It is becoming more common for people to move on a more regular basis for work reasons or due to family commitments. We no longer always see a new house as somewhere to stay for the rest of our lives. For this reason, buyers place more emphasis on the resale value of a prospective home and the ease by which they will likely sell on the property. Because green credentials are such a core consideration these days, it makes it easier to resell an eco-friendly house, further increasing the properties attractiveness to buyers now.

Outdoor Furniture Oversized Set from BrylaneHome - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Welcome to the

Red, White and Blue Giveaway Hop Event

Hosted by LeahSay's Views and Planet Weidknecht

June 27th - July 7th

Each of the participating bloggers will be hosting their own giveaway with a minimum value of $25. You can visit all the bloggers listed below and enter for a chance to win each of the prizes!

My prize is an

Outdoor Furniture Oversized 5-Piece Set

from BrylaneHome!

This oversized outdoor furniture set from BrylaneHome is the ultimate in comfort, convenience, and style! This incredible design includes two roomy chairs with a softtop table that opens to reveal a cooler inside. There are hanging pockets on the front between the chairs, plus a sun umbrella to keep the sun at bay.

The set also comes with a coordinating travel bag that features two handles for carrying, plus a handle on the end so you can pull it behind you on its wheels. The bag zips closed to keep everything securely inside until you reach your destination.

The beautiful blues and browns make this the most stylish chair on the beach, in the park, or at the campground. We've even been using our outdoor furniture set in the backyard because it's a hundred times more comfortable than our old plastic chairs.

The chairs and table are all interconnected, giving it solid stability even when it's windy outside. The matching sun umbrella comes in two pieces so it will all fit into the bag nicely. Best of all, it's amazingly simple to set up.

This BrylaneHome exclusive is an excellent quality product. These jumbo outdoor chairs will support up to 300 pounds each. Each seat measure 19 inches, and each chair measures 24 inches W and 38 inches H. The generously-sized umbrella measures a full 57 inches in diameter.

The softtop table is the perfect spot for your snacks and you can keep your drinks cold inside the zip-closure cooler. The pockets on the front are great for storing your phone, your sunglasses, and your tanning lotion. This beach-friendly set is made of a canvas/polyester blend.

Think of all the places you could use this oversized outdoor furniture set...outdoor concerts, sporting events, camping trips, parties at the lake, air shows, and of course your picnic on the 4th of July. You can easily remove the sun umbrella to watch the nighttime fireworks show too. If you're ready to purchase this great set today, it's currently on sale, so hurry!

Check out all the wonderful items at BrylaneHome! They offer fabulous products, great prices, and special savings offers for their lucky email subscribers. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest too.

www.brylanehome.com

Win an Outdoor Furniture Oversized Set just like mine!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries will increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 7/7/2014. Winner will receive one BrylaneHome Blue Stripe Outdoor Furniture Oversized 5-Piece Set valued at $139.99. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Gauntlet: A Novel of International Intrigue by Richard Aaron

Disclosure: I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Here is an incredibly intricate book that will keep you glued to your chair for hours! Gauntlet: A Novel Of International Intrigue by Richard Aaron is a story filled with interwoven relationships among governments and terrorists. The story begins in Libya, where 660 tons of Semtex is destroyed in a huge explosion. Except, somehow, some of the Semtex disappeared before it was detonated. Stolen by terrorists and destined for a terror attack, the Semtex is moved towards America, all while the US government is trying to find it before a terror attack of unimaginable proportions happens. We follow the stories of many of the characters and slowly piece together how their lives have led them to this adventure. The reader will learn of secret government agencies, filled with a variety of interesting agents who find it just as difficult to work together as it is to find the stolen Semtex. The author describes the players within the terrorist group and the plot that unfolds as the Semtex is moved right under the noses of the US government. The best part about this book is the realization that something like could actually happen. As I first began reading, I found it a challenge to keep up with the many characters, but as the story unfolded, it was easier to see how it all fit together. The plot is well written and thrilling, with many twists and turns, and a wide variety of very interesting characters you'll never want to meet. I really enjoyed reading Gauntlet and definitely recommend it.

About the book:
660 tons of Semtex is detonated in a massive explosion in Libya. The operation seems to have gone smoothly, but within minutes of the explosion, CIA agent Richard Lawrence discovers that one shipment of the explosive has been hijacked. Days later, a glory-seeking 'Emir' broadcasts to the world that he is planning a massive terrorist strike against a U.S. landmark. And he gives a time line of one month. Now a desperate chase is on, as the men bent on attacking the U.S. use every weapon at their disposal to evade American authorities. Time and again they prove willing to destroy anything - and anyone - standing in their way. But Hamilton Turbee, an autistic computer mastermind at the newly created TTIC agency, discovers a way to track them. His flawed genius gives the nation its only chance at stopping the attack . if the American leadership will listen. As the enemies near their destination, it is up to the TTIC team to stop the massive explosion that could destroy the lives of millions.

Buy it here in Hardback or on Kindle: Gauntlet: A Novel Of International Intrigue

nio Tag Stops Smartphone Loss #tech

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Tired of losing your smartphone? nio Tag is a Bluetooth accessory that can be attached to almost any belonging you wish to keep with you, whether it's your smartphone, tablet, camera, keys, purse, or just about anything. The nio connects wirelessly via the free nio App, then acts like a buddy system to whatever you want to keep from getting lost. Just use attached the clip or lanyard included to attach the nio Tag and if they become separated from your device, both the nio and the device will alarm or vibrate to alert you.

About 100 smartphones are lost or stolen every minute in just the United States and the nio Tag will help you keep your expensive devices close by, as well as protect you from identity thieves who want the personal information on your phone. You could even use this to keep track of your dog at the park or your kids at the store. nio Tag has raised the bar in Bluetooth proximity detection!

Get your nio Tag at http://bluenio.com/store

for just $54.99

Inbru Coffee Flavors - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

I discovered Inbru Coffee Flavors about a year ago and simply love them. I'm excited to announce they have NEW flavors - Peppermint Bark, Blueberry Muffin, Vanilla Hazelnut, and Salted Toffee. There's now over 20 Inbru flavors to try! Inbru is a fabulous way to enjoy flavored coffees, without the expense and calories of those restaurant-style coffees. All I have to do is add a tiny scoop of Inbru flakes on top of my regular coffee grounds in the filter, then brew my coffee like usual, and enjoy incredible tasting coffee!

Best of all, Inbru Coffee Flavors are calorie-free, fat-free, carb-free, and you can add it to any coffee you like. One container of Inbru lasts me well over a month and the cost of one container is about the same price as ONE fancy coffee drink. For me, there's no comparison. I love Inbru, use it daily, and I'm so excited that I get to give one lucky Planet Weidknecht reader all four of these new Inbru flavors! Just enter below!

Purchase Inbru Coffee Flavors at www.inbru.com. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Be sure to sign up for their email newsletter too, so you're first to hear about new products and special promotions.

Enter to win Four Inbru Coffee Flavors!
Includes Peppermint Bark, Blueberry Muffin, Vanilla Hazelnut, and Salted Toffee
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends on July 13, 2014. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE!

Kohl's Gift Card Giveaway - Cook With Kohl's Sweepstakes

How do you cook with Kohl's? Check out my review HERE of several amazing Food Network products available at Kohl's! What would you buy for your kitchen? Thanks to Kohl's, I'm giving away a $25 Kohl's Gift Card to one lucky Planet Weidknecht reader! Enter below!

Did you hear about the Cook With Kohl's Sweepstakes? Kohl’s is giving away $500 every week from May 19th through July 6th, and winners can stock their kitchens full of their favorite Food Network products! To enter the #CookWithKohls Sweepstakes, simply use the hashtag #CookWithKohls and tag @Kohls (via Twitter and Instagram) with this week's theme. The theme for the Week of June 23 is Homemade Dips, so your social posts must align with this topic in order to be eligible for an official entry. From chip dip to guacamole, Kohl’s wants to hear your favorite homemade dip do’s and don’ts!

Win a $25 Kohl's Gift Card
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries will increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends on 7/10/2014. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE!

I'm going #UnderTheDome! #DomeAmbassadors

I am SO FREAKIN' excited to be one of the #DomeAmbassadors! I can't wait to go #UnderTheDome and get on set!

Season 2 starts MONDAY. If you missed Season 1, here is a GREAT recap of the story so far (about 45 min long) http://bit.ly/1yJtAuQ

Follow my thrilling #DomeAmbassadors journey here:

http://bit.ly/1nHDmVP
and my personal Dome Ambassador page here:
http://bit.ly/1jjE6iO

Giveaway Linkup! Wednesday Wealth (June 25-July 1)

Hawaiian Falls Seeking Nominations for Summer Blessings Program

#sponsored

Hawaiian Falls is once again blessing the community and you can nominate someone you think deserves a blessing! Hawaiian Falls wants to hear about a family or individual who needs a special blessing this summer. Nominate humble heroes who always puts other’s needs before their own. Maybe it’s a coach or teacher or someone who has had a rough time lately and just needs their spirits lifted.

Hawaiian Falls will choose 25 winners from each of its seven parks - 175 families total - to receive a complimentary Family 4-Pack, including admission, food and all day drinks, to be used any time during the 2014 summer season.

To enter a nomination, visit http://tinyurl.com/2014hfBless. All nominations must be received by midnight Monday, June 30, 2014 to qualify. Sorry, only new nominations will be accepted. Nominated families from previous years are not eligible to win. Winners will be notified by phone or email no later than July 15, 2014 and names will be posted in an email broadcast and on the website at hfalls.com.

Celebrating more than a decade of bringing families closer together, Hawaiian Falls operates water parks in Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke, Waco, Pflugerville and White Settlement. More info at hfalls.com or facebook.com/hfalls.

BodyBrite DermaOxy Facial #Austin #Texas

Disclosure: I received a facial at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Summer can be brutal on skin and it's very important to take care of your skin. BodyBrite in Austin, Texas, offers an Oxygen Facial with DermaOxy Products and I was lucky enough to go see what it's all about! Located at 3701 Guadalupe, Suite 105, BodyBrite offers a whole range of services, including hair removal and teeth whitening, to keep you looking beautiful.

My Oxygen Facial started with a short form to fill out, a bright room, and a lovely beauty specialist who offered me a comfortable spot to lie down and an elastic headband to protect my hair. Before starting the facial, she used a measurement tool to test the moisture in my skin, which was just over 20%. She then cleansed my face gently with a scrub to help exfoliate my skin.

As she cleansed my face, she massaged my face, sending me into total relaxation. To wipe the scrub off, she applied a warm, moist towel. As she worked, she explained each one of the steps of the Oxygen Facial, which was helpful since I've never had one and was a bit hesitant at first after seeing the machine.

The next step was to spray my face and neck with an anti-aging serum. The gentle airbrush felt so good on my face. It was slightly cool and slightly wet, but not so much that it ran down my neck. She worked in a pattern to ensure the serum would penetrate deeply into my skin. She explained that it also stimulated blood circulation and cell renewal.

The next step included a tool that presses the serum deeper into the pores, boosting the serum application. It sometimes made little burpy sounds as it pressed against my skin. She explained they also offer the option of a derma roller for even an even deeper boost. She also said some people become so relaxed that they fall asleep during their facial.

Once she was done with the press tool, she applied a light sunscreen to help protect my face, then measured the moisture in my skin so we could compare before and after. Following my facial, my skin's moisture increased to over 50%. That's a huge difference!

The Oxygen Facial is a great alternative to surgery or injections, and is much more affordable. In just one treatment, the increase in moisture to my face was dramatic and even over a week later, I can still see the positive effects. You can get younger, more radiant skin at BodyBrite with their Oxygen Facial for just $89 and if you'd like a package option, you can save even more! Give BodyBrite Austin a call today at 512-454-2639 or visit www.skincareaustintx.com. Look for a location in your area at www.bodybriteusa.com.

Lawn Mower Parts To Keep Your Yard Looking Good

#sponsored

Keeping the lawn looking great is easy when there is a lawn mower at the house that is operational. A brand new lawn mower can keep the lawn cut for many years before it begins to break down. However, the lawn mower does not have to be replaced when there are some problems. The problems that are present in a lawn mower can be repaired with simple lawn mower parts that can be kept at the house.

The Blades

The blades on the lawn mower can break and rust over many years of use. However, the blades are made to be removable. The blade can be pulled off and replaced whenever it begins to rust or chips. Homeowners can keep more than one blade at the house if they want to have more cutting options.

The Spark Plugs

The spark plugs in a lawn mower are often overlooked because the engine is so small. When the lawn mower will not start, homeowners need to remember that the spark plugs could have gone bad. Replacing the spark plug could allow the engine to start again. This is a good first step when the mower does not start.

The Pull Cord

The pull cord on a lawn mower is easy to break because it just a cord. Over time, the cord can lose tension or begin to unwind. If yanking on the cord is no longer effective, the cord must be removed and replaced.

The parts for the home law mower can be kept at the house whenever there are problems. Repairing the lawn mower alone is a simple job that requires simple parts.

Chocolate Halo Top Ice Cream - Review

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Struggling to get into your bikini but miss the delight of your favorite ice cream? Make a worthwhile compromise by staying skinny while enjoying Halo Top Creamery All Natural Light Ice Cream. With only 80 calories and 4 grams of net carbs, you can shake off the guilt and indulge a little! Plus, you'll be getting 7 grams of protein in your delicious Halo Top.

And if you've decided you couldn't care less about getting into that bikini, drop a scoopful of Halo Top Ice Cream on top of a homemade brownie donut. You're going to love the creamy taste of this ice cream no matter how you eat it. Chocolate ice cream is always my favorite flavor, but they also offer strawberry, vanilla bean, and lemon cake. I'm a fan! 

I found my Halo Top at my local Sprouts Grocery Store and you can find your nearest retailer on their website at www.halotop.com. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter too!

Food Network at Kohl's - Review - Plus Cook With Kohl's Sweepstakes

Disclosure: I received products from Kohl's at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Kohl's has forever been one of my favorite places to shop and I could spend hours in the Food Network kitchen products section. I happily dragged my entire family along to help me carry out my new stuff that I got during my last browsing session. I love to cook with Kohl's, because their Food Network products make cooking and baking so much easier!

The Food Network products cover every possible kitchen need, including preparation, baking, cooking, serving and much more. The bright colors are so delightful and I can mix and match the products to create the mood in my kitchen that makes me want to cook even more.

This set of 5 Mixing Bowls from Food Network is awesome! The bowls are made of a hard plastic with a rim around the edge so I can keep a firm hold on the bowl while I'm stirring. They are sturdy and having five different sizes means I have a bowl for every job. I love the rainbow of colors!

The Food Network Nonstick Mini Brownie Pan was an easy sell for me. I'm not patient enough to wait until brownies cool before I cut them, so being able to dump ready-to-eat, warm brownies out of a pan is incredible. Plus since the brownies are mini-size, there is less guilt when I eat two of them!

Making sweet breads is one of my favorite ways to share my treats with friends and neighbors, but the higher food prices climb in the grocery store, the less I get to share. This Nonstick Mini Loaf Pan from Food Network is the perfect solution for me!

I found the Food Network 3-Cup Mini Food Processor and Chopper hidden on a low shelf in my Kohl's and grabbed it right away. It's not only affordable, it's perfectly sized for all the jobs I need it to do. I use lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in my cooking and this little gadget has the power!

Using my new mixing bowls, I mixed up some amazing treats. First, I made fudge brownies in my new brownie pan. I can see why Food Network loves this pan! My fudge brownies baked up absolutely perfect and lifted up easily out of the pan.

The scalloped edges of the pan give my brownies a professional-looking presentation and best of all, this Mini Brownie Pan was a breeze to clean! Although it is dishwasher-safe, I always prefer to handwash my special baking pans because I want them to last forever.

Next, I whipped up eight little blueberry sweet breads. My new mixing bowls came in handy again! I have even been using the littlest bowl to toss my empty eggshells into, rather than try to dash across the room to the trashcan before dripping goo on my floor.

This Mini Loaf Pan baked my blueberry sweet bread perfectly and I love how the center rose up beautifully on the loaves. Since this mini loaf pan allows for better airflow, I baked my sweet bread for 3 minutes less than the recipe states, to ensure they didn't burn. I am thrilled with the result.

Since we are Texans, we must have fresh salsa handy. It's our favorite dip for just about everything! My new mini processor is the perfect tool for creating salsa. The processor comes with blades for chopping, shredding, and slicing. It's compact so it barely takes up any room on my counter top and it's so easy to clean. The assembly takes just a minute and the result is exactly what I want. I will be using my Food Network products over and over! I love them!

Check out all the fabulous Food Network products that will make your life easier, your food taste better, and your wallet feel heavier. And don't forget to go enter the #CookWithKohls Sweepstakes, because Kohl’s is giving away $500 every week from May 19th through July 6th, and winners can stock their kitchens full of their favorite Food Network products!

To enter the #CookWithKohls Sweepstakes, simply use the hashtag #CookWithKohls and tag @Kohls (via Twitter and Instagram) with this week's theme. The theme for the Week of June 23 is Homemade Dips, so your social posts must align with this topic in order to be eligible for an official entry. From chip dip to guacamole, Kohl’s wants to hear your favorite homemade dip do’s and don’ts!
What's YOUR favorite Homemade Dip?

www.kohls.com

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