Review: MiO Liquid Water Enhancer

Husband and I were doing our grocery shopping at Walmart last week when he found these gems.

I'm not a huge fan of the powder flavor packets so I wasn't too excited about trying these, especially since they were almost twice the price.

The pros: Unlike the powdered versions you don't have to necessarily have a water bottle to enjoy the flavor experience. You can easily squirt some into a cup and stir. You can also amp up or dial down the flavor easily. Each squirt adds more flavor, so if you've got a overpowering flavor you can go light on the drops until you get the flavor perfect for you.

The cons: It's not as cheap as the powdered stuff. It's a big hit and everyone loves it so they don't seem to last very long in our house.

Bed, Bath & Beyond: 20% Off Coupons Never Expire!

You read correctly.

Those big blue and white coupons you get from Bed, Bath & Beyond via snail mail DO NOT EXPIRE.

I'd heard the rumor from a few friends, but was still skeptical as to the validity of their claim. I mean, why would BB&B put expiration dates on the coupons if in fact they didn't really expire?! Well, while on a shopping trip to BB&B to purchase a new down comforter for those chilly winter nights I decided to clear up this little mystery. First, I asked one of the nice ladies working the customer service counter whether or not my expired coupon would be honored and she assured me that all BB&B cashiers would still honor expired coupons. I wasn't 100% assured.

So I asked the general manager the same question, to be given the same response. All BB&B 20% off coupons would be honored past their expiration date, but special event (ie: Labor Day Sale, Black Friday) discounts and coupons would not.

So go forth and save 20% with expired coupons my fellow frugal shoppers!

Click here to sign up for BB&B coupons via email and/or snail mail

Feta, Shrimp and Artichoke Bake

Ingredients:

1lb shrimp, shelled and deveined

2 cans diced tomatoes (14.5oz size)

2 gloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, chopped

3/4 cup crumbled feta

1/4 cup parsley, chopped

1 tbsp dill

1/4 cup artichoke heart

1 tbsp olive oil

Pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Over medium heat warm oil in large frying pan. Saute onions in oil until tender, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer 15 minutes allowing sauce to thicken.

Remove from heat and pour into a 3qt baking pan, add shrimp, parsley, dill, artichoke heart (chopped into 8ths and separated), salt and feta. Mix and place into oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until shrimp are cooked.

Serve over pasta, rice or with french bread.

How To: Create Your Own Photobooth

While planning my wedding, which as most know was done for right under $5,000, I was trying to think of cute alternatives for both the traditional favors and costly photographer fees. I ended up becoming interested in a photobooth, but renting the equipment and buying the photo paper wasn't cheap either. So I took the basic principals of a photobooth: blank back drop, low quality-high fun photos, and decided I'd make my own DIY photobooth.

What you'll need:

Solid Full size sheet - whichever color you'd like. (I used a solid white sheet, and stenciled on a location & time stamp)

Wedcam or any device that will capture pictures with a timer.

Props

An imagination

When trying to find props, think cheap! Those "party" stores will have some stuff you can use for cheap, but don't forget to check places like Goodwill (we found scarves, funny hats, a hard hat and other random goofy things) and Target. Target has a discount section near the front doors most of the time, and it's normally stocked full of stuff for the upcoming holiday or season. I know the last time I went they had rabbit ears and really colorful props that would work great.

Also, you don't need a million different things. A good variety of items, great friends and lots of fun!

Free Sample of Purex Complete with Zout

Sample packets will be sent by mail in about 12 weeks. Sample is only available in Fresh Morning Burst fragrance. US households only. Limit one per household per 12 months. While supplies last.

Click here to claim your free sample.

Stuffed Jalapenos

Ingredients:

-10 Jalapenos

-1 package soft cream cheese

-6-10 slices bacon

Directions:

Cook bacon thoroughly and set aside on paper towel to cool. Cut off top and slice jalapenos length wise, remove seeds and rinse. Once bacon is cool enough to handle crumble and stir into cream cheese. Fill jalapenos with cream cheese and bacon mixture and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes on 375 degrees, or until tops start browning.

Word to the wise: be careful when handling the jalapenos. I suggest wearing plastic gloves so the juice doesn't get on your skin, because it can BURN and it's not pleasant.

Free Sample of U by Kotex

Free sample pack from U by Kotex, which includes two U by Kotex Click® Tampons, one U by Kotex® CleanWear® Pad and a money saving coupon.

Click here to claim your free sample.

How To: Make a Tye Dye Cake

My husband is a huge fan of the peace sign (and the meaning behind it). I mean, will buy almost anything so long as it has a peace sign on it - even if he has absolutely no need for said item. So when it came time to make his birthday cake it was pretty easy to imagine the design.

To make a tye dye(or rainbow) cake you'll need the following items:

2 boxes of White Cake Mix(and the ingredients to prepare cake mix)

Food Coloring

Mixing bowls (one for each different color you'd like to use)

2 round 9" baking pans

a bit of patience

1. Mix your cake mix as described on the box.

2. Separate the mix into bowls.

3. Add/Stir a few drops of food coloring to each bowl until the desired tint of color is reached.

(Suggested colors are: Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink - Yellow tends to not come out so well as it just looks like yellow cake)

4. You can either layer (patience! patience! patience!) the batter, OR you can do what I do and take a spoonful and randomly splatter the batter in the pan (kind of like splatter paint).

5. When all of your batter is in your pans gently tap the pans on the counter to release any air bubbles and to distribute the batter more evenly.

6. Bake. Cool. Ice.

It's really simple and in the spirit of true tye dye you really can't mess it up. Play with colors and how you want to get the batter into your baking pans until you come up with what works best for you.

Free SunMaid New Taste of Tradition Recipe Book

Sun-Maid Natural California Raisins have been a family favorite for generations. Now, we've gathered together a delicious collection of our classic raisin recipes and given them a taste twist!. With a few simple additions or easy substitutions, you can create a refreshing variety of new dishes. The recipe book contains a dazzling array of over 45 kitchen-tested recipe ideas.

Get a free electronic or print copy of the SunMaid New Taste of Tradition Recipe Book.

Click here to claim your recipe book.

Coffee Mate Coupons

Your coffee, made just the way you like it, every time. For just a fraction of the cost of a coffeehouse drink, there are over 25 ways to add your flavor. Take your time exploring all the different flavors Coffee-mate has to offer.

Your flavor. Your coffee. Your home.

Click here to claim your coupon(s)

Kitchen Must Have: Basmati Rice

My first encounter with Basmati rice was when I lived in Los Angeles. A friend of ours had invited us over for dinner and a few rounds of Sorry, which was our game of choice. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the biggest fan of plain white rice, so when I saw what seemed to be just that sitting in the serving bowl I was hesitant to serve myself any. But, feeling as though it would be rude to forgo after she had cooked this meal for us I spooned a small amount on my plate. To my surprise after a few bites, I realized this was not your ordinary run of the meal plain white rice. No sir. This rice had a great flavor, nice texture and complimented the meat and vegetables almost perfectly.

After inquiring about what type of rice and how she had cooked it I was a little taken back. The cost seemed a bit high to me (about $10 for a pound at the local market). Needless to say I refrained from purchasing the outrageously yummy, but costly rice until I happened to find it on one of our trips to CostCo.

From that day forward I'd say 80 percent of all rice dishes I prepare are made with Basmati. It's such an aromatic, light, fluffy rice that in my completely honest opinion makes even the most boring of dishes come to life.

Review: Oriental Trading Company

I've known about Oriental Trading for many many years, but only recently started using them. In fact, the first time I ever ordered anything from them was when I was planning my wedding. My initial order consisted of 4 packages of their buttermints in black (used as part of my red/white/black candy bar at the reception).

I had done my homework; researching candy prices online through bulk distributors and at my local Sam's club. If I could find great prices on the candy, the shipping would be outrageous (seriously! one place wanted twice the amount of my order for shipping.) Aside from red, it was virtually impossible for me to find candy in solid black or white at my local stores.

My roommate at the time would receive Oriental Trading's magazines every now and then. I was flipping through the pages when I saw that they had candy by color! I immediately got online to read reviews and figure what the true cost would be.

The price for the amount of candy I would need, plus shipping was by far much lower than any other place and option I had come across. So, I placed an order for 4 bags of buttermints.

A little over a week later my order arrived, which seemed a bit slow (I had placed an order through a wholesale candy site the same day, and received that candy 4 days prior). However, I was more than pleased with the quality of the candy. They were packaged correctly, so there weren't any pieces I was unable to use, and the candy tasted great!

I definitely plan on using Oriental Trading again in the future. My only issue was the snail-like shipping, but even that wasn't enough to deter my future business.