Friday, July 31, 2015

Café Bustelo Espresso and Colombian Coffee Now Available in K-cups!

Cross Country Cafe logo
After the amount of time that I've spent getting to know companies and brands over the years, it often takes a lot to grab my attention. But one surefire way? Introduce me to an unfamiliar company that offers delicious coffee!

Can you ever have too many amazing coffee options? I think not.

Therefore, thanks to Cross Country Cafe, I was thrilled to learn about Café Bustelo and their debut of Café Bustelo Espresso style blend and Café Bustelo Colombian roast K-cup coffees!

Cafe Bustelo k-cups

Started by Gregorio Bustelo and his wife in the Bronx in 1931, Café Bustelo is now world renowned as having been expert gourmet espresso coffee roasters for more than 80 years. They are now the number 1 selling Cuban coffee in the U.S.!

As Café Bustelo is a favorite of coffee-drinkers from coast to coast, the introduction of K-cups and the ability to taste their sophisticated Cuban coffee right from the Keurig has been met with overwhelming happiness from fans everywhere.

How was it possible that I had been out of the loop for so long? It was time to try out Café Bustelo for myself!

Cafe Bustelo k-cup coffee

Right away I was intrigued by the colorful designs and packaging of the Café Bustelo boxes. Combine that with the way that both flavors of this coffee were receiving rave reviews left and right and it didn't take long before I was pulling out K-cups to begin brewing.

Cafe Bustelo k-cup review

Immediately I appreciated that the Café Bustelo Espresso roast is able to provide a dark, flavorful blend without any sort of fancy espresso equipment. You can almost taste how robust and strong this is just by looking at it!

Cafe Bustelo Espresso

I always worry that dark roast coffees might be a little bitter, but this Espresso roast somehow blends the dark with the medium in their grounds and ends up with a smooth, robust taste that is full-bodied without being too strong to enjoy.

In fact, once I had added my usual cream and sugar, I found that the flavor of this coffee was so amazing that it instantly had me addicted and I found myself tipping my mug to get every last drop. LOVE!!

For a slightly less intense cup of coffee, however, the Café Bustelo Colombian provides more of a classic flavor that is medium roasted to perfection.

Café Bustelo colombian

Full-bodied and strong, medium roast, irresistible aroma, and a substantial, delicious flavor? I really couldn't ask for much more and love that Café Bustelo has made it so easy to enjoy an amazing cup of coffee like you would expect from a coffeehouse, but instead is made right in your own kitchen in a minute or two!

Whether you strictly enjoy your coffee in the morning or reach for a cup or two (or more) throughout the day, you'll love the ability to have sophisticated tasting Cuban coffee anytime thanks to Café Bustelo Espresso and Colombian K-cup coffees. I am definitely joining the ranks of super-fan now that I have had a chance to experience exactly why everyone loves Café Bustelo!

Head over to Cross Country Cafe to give them a try today!

As a Cross Country Cafe Ambassador, I have been provided with products in exchange for my continued work with their company and affiliate links are included in the above post. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Reading Here, There and Everywhere with the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge! {Scholastic Innovation Book Packet Giveaway}

Summer Reading Challenge logo
This post is part of a sponsored collaboration with Scholastic. All thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

When I first saw school supplies popping up in stores, I have to admit that I was flabbergasted at how quickly the summer is flying by (and, of course, how early stores start pushing back-to-school). Is it somehow possible that the months have passed faster simply because we've been involved in so many sports, activities, swimming, play dates, camps, and, a personal favorite, relaxing with good books?

This year the latter was even more enticing and exciting for my kids thanks to the fun and encouragement they have been receiving from Scholastic's Summer Reading Challenge!

Scholastic Summer Reading Program

If you missed my previous posts, then you've got to catch up on the facts and sign up for this great program before it ends on September 4th! Here's what you need to know...

Now in its 9th year, the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge program is a free, online/mobile reading program that helps prepare kids for back-to-school by encouraging them to read every day all summer long and lessen the possibility of the "summer slide" (the common loss of skills due to being out of school).

Kids simply keep track and log their reading minutes (online and via mobile) and, along with their peers, see if the cumulative amount can beat the world record. In 2014, Scholastic inspired hundreds of thousands of kids to set a new record for summer reading of 304,749,861 minutes!

Energizer Logo Awesome, right? This year Scholastic has also added a unique twist to the Summer Reading Challenge by giving it a theme of "Power Up & Read" Powered by Energizer®, encouraging families everywhere to find innovative ways to discover the power and joy of reading. It's a skill that will last a lifetime!

My girls have loved being a part of this Challenge and had an especially great time this past month getting to read with the Energizer Bunny himself. He showed up in the pink plush with a collection of goodies and packages to be opened on specific dates...

Energizer Bunny

...and each week we had a blast seeing where and how he suggested to read our next great book (and what fun accessories he had sent along to make it even more fun)!

Energizer Bunny costume

We ended up grabbing a book and having a great read outside, at bedtime, on-the-go, and more. What more can a mom ask for than for her kids to be delighted and enthusiastic about finding more times and places to read?

Scholastic Summer Reading

As much as we had fun with these weekly tasks, I love that the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is also making kids want to read even more with their weekly goals.

That's right! In an effort to log as many minutes as possible while attempting to break the world record for summer reading, Scholastic is setting special weekly goals for young readers. Every Monday they announce a #MondayMinutesGoal, the number of minutes for kids to read together in one week (by the following Monday).

It doesn't matter whether your child is reading independently aloud or together with an adult, Scholastic wants them to share their minutes by logging them online or on paper and then sharing a photo on social media using #MondayMinutesGoal and #SummerReading. What a great way to promote the love of reading!

MondayMinutesGoal
We've been having fun setting our own daily #MondayMinutesGoal!

There is still plenty of summer left and time to head over and sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don't delay! You can also amp up the excitement even more by following Scholastic on Twitter, Liking the Energizer Bunny on Facebook and Scholastic on Facebook, and following the #SummerReading hashtag throughout social media.

You can also find more Scholastic Resources to keep your kids reading all summer long and learn more about the Energizer® Instant Win Game!

Plus, thanks to Scholastic's generosity, one person will be even more prepared to get their child excited about hunkering down with a good book as well, because...

One lucky person will win an Innovation Book Packet* from Scholastic!

Scholastic giveaway
*Innovation Book Packet (a collection of Scholastic titles showcasing wonderful fiction and nonfiction books for kids to get lost in a great story about the world of science, STEM and inventions) includes the following titles:
  • The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip
  • The Invention of Hugo Cabret
  • Extreme Science Careers
  • Extreme Experiments
  • Plus Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge materials including reading logs, pledges, bookmarks, and more!


A big thank you to Scholastic for providing this prize pack for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Girls' Costumes for Year-Round Fun: Frozen Anna Deluxe Costume {Review}

Costume Discounters logo
Even though we have a few more months until Halloween will arrive this year (although I'm sure it will be upon us before I know it), that doesn't mean that we are lacking in opportunities for wearing costumes around here. Considering how much fun my girls have in October, it's not a surprise that they enjoy dressing up throughout the rest of the year as well.

It seems as though whatever adventures and pretend play they are involved in, I turn around and find them dressed as knights, astronauts, princesses, dinosaurs and many more!

Recently, however, I managed to turn regular dress up into something extra magical for Little Sister B with the arrival of one costume that she has been dreaming of for months and months. After all, what would recreating Frozen be when you have an Elsa but not her sister? It was high time for the Child Frozen Anna Deluxe Costume from CostumeDiscounters.com!

disney-frozen-anna-costume

Available in small (4-6x) and medium (7-8), this Deluxe Anna Costume is a perfectly simple, yet does a perfect job of duplicating the style, colors and details of Anna. Is there a better or more eye-catching way for any young Frozen fan to recreate being this unique princess?

When this decorative, girly costume arrived, there was no way that Little Sister B was going to wait even one more day before becoming a part of Frozen.

Deluxe Anna costume

There have been instances where the arrival of new costumes into our home ends up being a letdown due to the poor quality, but this was immediately not the case!

As well as the durable construction and thick, soft material, right out of the bag we were surprised to find that this costume comes in three separate pieces: a satin purple-edged petticoat, the main dress with sheer flowing sleeves and a blue satin skirt, and a soft black vest with gold designs and trimming.

Frozen Anna Costume

While having three separate pieces does make it take longer for young girls to get into this complete costume, I do appreciate that Costume Discounters made it overall very easy to wear.

Once each piece is layered on and the Velcro closure on the upper back is closed (no bothersome snaps or clasps!), the fabric is plenty comfortable and spacious enough that the wearer can play, act, walk safely (for trick-or-treating), and more. All that is left is to add some tights and shoes, if desired, and the transformation into Anna is complete!

Disney Anna costume

Just check out how cute the small details are throughout!

CostumeDiscounters Anna review

It has been no surprise that Little Sister B has been thrilled with this Child Frozen Anna Deluxe Costume since its arrival and I have no doubt that it will continue to make appearances at our house (as well as various other locations) for plenty more shine and shimmer.

Princess Anna costume

For more information about CostumeDiscounters.com, their fast shipping, their helpful customer service and their great costumes and accessories, visit their website and Like Costume Discounters on Facebook.

Other than the Deluxe Anna Costume that I was sent from Costume Discounters in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this product.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Hitting Theaters August 5th: Shaun the Sheep Movie {Prize Pack Giveaway!}

Shaun the Sheep Movie logo
I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Lionsgate. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

While there are constantly new television shows, characters and movies debuting with claims that they'll be loved by children as well as their parents, we all know that finding a true gem that fits that description isn't always that easy to do. After all, I know that I'm not the first mom to find myself cringing at the choice words, poor quality animation or overall lack of a plot of any kind.

However, this summer I'm thrilled that the whole family is excited about Lionsgate's release of one film that all ages can appreciate: the entertaining, engaging, amusing, heartfelt, visually stunning, adventurous Shaun the Sheep Movie!

Shaun the Sheep Movie poster

What started here in the U.S. on the Disney Channel, the Shaun the Sheep television series introduced young fans to animated shorts starring this lovable farm fellow who didn't follow the flock... in fact, he led them into all sorts of scrapes and scraps, turning peace in the valley into mayhem in the meadow.

While the main characters are sheep, each one has an adorable personality filled with humorous human characteristics we can all relate to (as well as making them immediately lovable). How can you not want to reach out and hug this cute, fuzzy guy?


So why not take the fun and mischief to the big screen? In the new Shaun the Sheep Movie, debuting August 5th, 2015, fans follow Shaun and his friends as an accident with the farmer's caravan and a very steep hill lead them to making a trek to (and through) the big city. When it is up to Shaun and the flock to return everyone back home, will they be able to work as a team and get the job done?

As well as the visual aesthetics and beauty of this stop-motion film (I am always blown away at how claymation is able to provide a completely different look and feel from typical computer graphics), I truly am looking forward to the underlying messages portrayed by these cute characters.

Sure, there will be laughs and sure, the adventures displayed will be completely fictional and lighthearted, but does that mean that there can't also be the promotion of educational aspects such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving, and positive relationships with one another? I just love how the Shaun the Sheep Movie brings it all together into one complete (and very humorous) package!

Shaun the Sheep characters

Aimed at kids ages 4-10, Shaun the Sheep Movie will be released nationwide on August 5th, so make your plans now to get out to see it. I have no doubt that my girls and I will be making a day out of going to see this next month... that will then be filled with plenty of baa's and giggles afterward as we recreate our favorite scenes again and again!

I mean, really. Just look at the trailer for this adorable flick and then you won't be able to deny that you want to go see it, too!

(Side note: Big Sister E and Little Sister B could watch this trailer 100 more times and would surely still crack up when a man is pictured on the toilet or when a sheep gives a big burp. Can't beat bodily functions when it comes to kid humor!)


Find out much more about the fun, feel-good antics of Shaun and his flock by visiting ShauntheSheep.com and connecting on Facebook, Twitter and at #ShauntheSheep.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of Lionsgate, one person will be even more excited about this movie and their ability to get in on the Shaun the Sheep action in their own home as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Shaun the Sheep Movie Prize Pack*!

Shaun the Sheep giveaway
*Prize Pack includes (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie Children’s T-Shirt, (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie Adult’s T-Shirt, (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie Headband, (1) book from the Shaun the Sheep Movie book series, (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie poster and (1) Serta Sheep Plush.


A big thank you to Lionsgate for providing this prize pack for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Join the Whole Grain Challenge with Nature's Harvest Bread! {Visa Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway}

Nature's Harvest logo
While there are some food fads that don't live up to the hype, there is no doubt that all of the talk about whole grains is truly important.

Did you know that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults eat 48 grams or more of whole grains daily and children ages 4-13 years old eat a minimum of 40-48 grams per day? However, studies have shown that the majority of children and adults are not consuming the recommended amount of whole grains and are missing out on vital nutrition!

Just another reason why right now is the perfect time to step it up and join Nature's Harvest® Bread in their Whole Grain Challenge!

Nature's Harvest Bread

As all Nature’s Harvest® breads are baked with at least 8 grams of whole grains per serving (as well as no artificial flavors, colors or high fructose corn syrup), picking up any of their delicious varieties is an easy way to provide the entire family with the whole grains that they need.

We're big on toast and sandwiches around here and being able to grab two pieces of Nature’s Harvest® to start the day or to whip up a quick lunch is fantastic! We've tried all of their great flavor options and have been extremely pleased with the results each time. The four varieties available include:
  • Nature’s Harvest® 100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat Bread
  • Nature’s Harvest® Honey Wheat Made with Whole Grain Bread
  • Nature’s Harvest® Butter Top Made With Whole Grain White Bread
  • Nature’s Harvest® Butter Top Made with Whole Grain Wheat Bread
However, right now is an even better time to pick up a loaf or two of Nature’s Harvest® so that your family can join in the Whole Grain Challenge and be entered to win their fun weekly sweepstakes while enjoying all of the healthy nutrition!

Nature's Harvest Whole Grain Challenge

This couldn't be much easier!

Simply head over to the Nature’s Harvest® Facebook page by August 10th to take the whole grain pledge (to incorporate 48 grams of whole grains into your diet every day) to be automatically entered into their weekly sweepstakes.

We're talking gift cards galore simply by making a healthy choice for your family and it is even easier to stay on track with the challenge thanks to the educational content available on NaturesHarvestBread.com and their Facebook page!

Nature's Harvest Whole Grain Challenge sweepstakes

We're excited to have the extra push to add more whole grains to our meals around here and Little Sister B and I even went so far as to go beyond our regular "quick fixes" recently after picking up a loaf of Nature’s Harvest® Honey Wheat Made with Whole Grain Bread.

Nature's Harvest Honey Wheat

It was time to try something new with...

Wheat Bread Pudding

Ingredients

¼ cup butter, melted
8 slices stale whole wheat bread or toasted fresh whole wheat bread, cubed
½ cup raisins
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups milk
½ cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
Powdered sugar to top

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place butter, bread cubes and raisins in 2-quart baking pan and toss to coat.

In medium bowl, lightly beat eggs and add milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Pour over bread cubes and stir to coat.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

To serve, sprinkle powdered sugar over warm pudding, if desired. Store refrigerated.

whole wheat bread pudding

As I have never made any sort of bread pudding before I wasn't sure what to expect... but this turned out delicious! I love the combination of the sweetness with the raisins and the Nature’s Harvest® bread was the perfect base with the milk and eggs.

We added a dusting of powdered sugar to top it off but I can also see making this more of a dessert with maple syrup, ice cream, caramel sauce... just about anything your taste buds desire!

bread pudding recipe

Ready to find out more about Nature’s Harvest® Bread, their nutritious varieties, which of the grocery stores nationwide that carry it are nearest you, and more? Then be sure to visit their website and connect with them on Facebook... and sign up for the Whole Grain Challenge while you're there!

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be ready to join us in adding more whole grains to their family's meals as well, because...

One lucky person will win (1) $25 Visa gift card and
(1) coupon for $5.00 off Nature’s Harvest® bread!

Visa gift card


The information and coupons have been provided by Nature’s Harvest® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Nature’s Harvest® bread. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Nature’s Harvest®. This blog is responsible for this giveaway and Nature’s Harvest® is only providing the prize.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Make a Healthy Difference with California Pizza Kitchen and the Nestlé Balance Your Plate Initiative {#MyCPKPizza}

California Pizza Kitchen logo
I am a member of the Balance Your Plate team and help spread the word about CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN® oven-ready pizzas. As a team member, I receive product and incentives in exchange for participating in brand-related activities.

Life as a mom can be fairly chaotic and somehow it never seems as though 24 hours is enough for one day. Whether it is during the school year and we're trying to fit in homework, sports and school or over the summer when we're driving from an activity to a lesson to the pool, by the time dinner rolls around, it isn't any wonder that our brains are fried.

But did you know that most Americans only meet the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for proper nutrition roughly seven days (that works out to only 2%) of the entire year? Ouch! Why is it so difficult to eat better?

Top reasons for not eating healthier include the cost and that it is time-consuming as well as complicated, but it's time to move past those excuses, isn't it? In fact, two-thirds of consumers want simple ways to follow the U.S. Dietary Guidelines with prepared and whole foods... but don't know where to look to find them.

Fortunately for all of us, Nestlé, a brand that has a presence in 70% of homes, feels a responsibility to help consumers meet U.S. Dietary Guidelines for nutritious wholesome meals and wants to help families eat better by un-complicating things. It's time that we all took part in the Nestlé Balance Your Plate initiative!

Nestle Balance Your Plate

An educational campaign to help consumers build nutritious, delicious and convenient meals that meet U.S. Dietary Guidelines, Balance Your Plate suggests simple and affordable ways to more balanced nutrition throughout the day. These easy to follow meal plans provide recommendations for pairing frozen prepared foods with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy for balanced meal planning.

freshly made simply frozen
That's right, frozen foods! As freezing is nature's "pause" button, vegetables that are picked at their peak of freshness retain the nutrients that are often lost by the time fresh produce is consumed. Many frozen options are also lower in sodium, saturated fat and calories than quick-service meals and national chain restaurants. In short, it is Freshly Made. Simply Frozen. and can be easily embraced!

At the same time, Balance Your Plate with Nestlé helps consumers find unique ways to integrate more nutrition throughout the day, while managing portions and calorie intake. For example, brands like California Pizza Kitchen use its packaging to suggest healthy meal pairings such as salads and steamed vegetables and easy to follow graphics to understand portion guidance.

Nestle Balance Your Plate initiative

This couldn't be much easier (or more tasty)!

We nearly always have a salad or steamed vegetables with our pizza, so I'm happy knowing that pairing a high quality frozen pizza from California Pizza Kitchen with veggies or fruit and a glass of low-fat milk is a great way to eat a balanced, delicious meal.

Have you tried a frozen pizza from California Pizza Kitchen recently? They're the perfect example of how a frozen entree can be the center of a nutritious meal due to their focus on high quality ingredients and unforgettable flavor!

As well as the premium ingredients (such as vine-ripened tomatoes, Fontina cheese and extra-virgin olive oil), there are a variety of crusts for taste buds of all kinds. Choose from Crispy Thin Crust, Artisan-style or Hand-Tossed Crust in delicious flavor profiles including The Works, BBQ Recipe Chicken with Bacon and California Style White flavor. There are even gluten-free options available!

We're pretty standard around here and tend to start with something simple such as California Pizza Kitchen's classic Margherita pizza.

California Pizza Kitchen pizza

Mmmm, mmmmmmm! 
.
CPK marghertia

After popping the pizza into the oven, I tend to turn to the fridge to whip up a fresh salad using the ingredients that we have on hand. However, I appreciate that California Pizza Kitchen gives ideas and inspiration right on the back of their pizza boxes and directs consumers to CPKfrozen.com for all sorts of delectable recipes and pairings.

California Pizza Kitchen salad

But no matter what salad ingredients you end up choosing, you really can't go wrong with fresh veggies, juicy fruits and more!

summer salad

All that is left is to check the serving size suggestion on the back of the package to be sure that you choose an appropriate portion size for your pizza.

Then, by making up your plate and ensuring that half of it is comprised of fresh vegetables and fruit, you can chow down knowing that the result fits right in with Balance Your Plate!

pizza and salad #MyCPKPizza
Ever tried pineapple on your pizza? I highly recommend it!

While it can be easy to see pizza as a "bad" or "junk" food, it (as well as other frozen prepared meals) can easily be part of a balanced, healthy meal and the center of a nutritious plate.

Be sure to find out more about the  Balance Your Plate with Nestlé initiative (including products, recipes and other helpful resources) as well as the huge variety of California Pizza Kitchen options waiting to star in your next meal. Bon appétit!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Introducing Bobbi-Toads Light-Ups and Bobbi-Stickers! {Coupon Code}

With back-to-school showing up online and in stores, I'm part shocked at how quickly summer is flying by and part excited about the preparation process. There's just something about crisp, new notebooks, sharp, colorful crayons, and shiny, clean shoes!

But while the main decision for colored pencils is between a box containing eight or a box containing 10, children's footwear is a category that is vast and large. Designs, quality, colors, brand, fit... the list goes on and on and, to be honest, the options all start to look the same to me after a while.

However, when it comes to finding kids' shoes that are just as unique and fun as my children, I always know that I can find just what we're looking for from Bobbi-Toads!

Bobbi-Toads logo

We were introduced to Bobbi-Toads back in 2013 and were immediately intrigued and amazed with the way that these creative shoes provided fashionable girls an innovative way to dress up their footwear. Each of the different styles were not only adorable and colorful, but featured "toes" on the rubber end that could be painted over and over again!

You can't tell me that you've ever seen shoes like these before!

Bobbi-Toads toe shoes

But Bobbi-Toads hasn't stopped with their paintable shoes, they have now debuted a second collection that offer 'All the Flash without the Splash,' the new Bobbi-Toads Light-Ups!

These new kicks still include Bobbi-Toads' signature "toes," but instead of painting them, they light up in five different colors with each step!

Bobbi-Toads Light-Ups

Just take a look at how cool and fun these are!


Did you catch that extra layer of customization available for these shoes?

Bobbi-Toads doesn't just have their footwear light up, they offer girls the ability to make them completely their own with Bobbi-Stickers, the nail stickers that can be applied to the Bobbi-Toads or right on their own real nails!

Bobbi-Stickers

Whether you have a girl in your life (shoe size 9 to 6) that is in love with fashion or you simply want to give her a way to show off her uniqueness, head over to Bobbi-Toads to see if these distinctive shoes and stickers are just the thing to make her wardrobe her own!

Bobbi-Toads Light-Ups Styles

Find out much more about these colorful toe shoes by visiting BobbiToads.com (and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter) and look for Bobbi-Toads Light-Ups in stores, including 25 Shoe Dept. Encore locations, now.

Plus, as a special treat, if you purchase a pair of Bobbi-Toads Light-Ups during July or August at Shoe Dept. Encore and send in a picture of your store receipt, they will mail you two packs of Bobbi-Stickers! Not near a Shoe Dept. Encore location? No worries, simply enter the promo code THANKSMAIL when shopping at BobbiToads.com and you'll receive 20% off + free shipping until August 31st!

I was provided a pair of Bobbi-Toads Light-Ups in exchange for posting this information but all thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Grill Up Delicious Fun with Papa Murphy's Flavors of Summer Sweepstakes! {#FlavorsofSummer}

Papa Murphy's logo
I was compensated for this post about Papa Murphy's and their Flavors of Summer Sweepstakes. All opinions and statements remain 100% my own. #FlavorsofSummer #ad

Typically when families discuss having pizza for dinner, the decision is between frozen, delivery/carryout or homemade, with each having their own pros and cons.

More versus less expensive, pre-made versus customizable, ready immediately versus waiting for cooking or delivery...

Although my family has tried just about every pizza option out there, there is only one company that we have found that manages to combine the best of all worlds (freshly made, hot out of your own oven, topped with your personal favorites, etc). There's just nothing like Papa Murphy's Take 'n' Bake Pizza!

Papa Murphy's pizza

Dedicated to bringing families together through food people love, Papa Murphy's is the world's largest take 'n bake pizza (a concept they invented in 1981) chain. As opposed to standard pizza, Papa Murphy's pizza is made to order for each and every customer.

After selecting the type of crust (their variety of crusts includes pan pizza, gluten free, thin, signature, and stuffed) and your favorite fresh ingredients, they hand-make your pizza in a matter of minutes. All that is left is to take it home, pop it in the oven, and serve it fresh to your family. It's an idea that they have appropriately termed Love at 425°!

take n bake pizza

Can mealtime get much easier? You can show up and order at your local Papa Murphy's, order online at many locations or call ahead to have your order ready when you get to the store. Then take it home and bake it up fresh and delicious! Yum!

Papa Murphy's pizza

But, wait! As Papa Murphy's is all about customizing your pizza, why not take advantage of summer by giving your meal a twist (and getting the heat out of your kitchen) by cooking your pizza outside on the grill?

Papa Murphy's has complete grill instructions on their website to give consumers step-by-step for using a gas, charcoal or wood pellet grill so that your pizza will turn out as flavorful and perfect as possible. What a perfect barbeque addition!

BBQ Flavors of Summer

To get us all even more excited about heading into the yard and grilling up a tasty pizza, Papa Murphy's is currently running a Flavors of Summer Sweepstakes on Facebook!

Simply head over to the contest tab, select if you prefer your pizza on the grill or in the oven, and you are entered to win the grand prize of a $25,000 backyard makeover courtesy of Sierra Mist. At the same time, entrants can spin Papa Murphy's pizza wheel to instantly win prizes such as a S'Mores Dessert Pizza, coupons for discounts on their Papa Murphy's purchases, and more.

Flavors of Summer Sweepstakes

Ready to make your next meal quick, easy and delicious? You can find out much more about Papa Murphy's, their locations, nutrition, deals and more by visiting PapaMurphys.com and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Then be sure to head over and enter the Flavors of Summer Sweepstakes for your chance to win fantastic prizes and to get you even more in the mood to take your next Papa Murphy's pizza out onto the grill!