Product Review ~ Newman's Own Organics Hermits Cookies

Today I would like to introduce you to the company called Newman's Own Organics and their line of organic Hermits cookies. These soft and chewy old-fashioned cookies come in 3 flavors: Original, Cinnamon and Ginger, they come in 9 oz. packages and each package contains twelve cookies. These spicy flavorful cookies are made with organic ingredients like organic raisins and are sweetened with organic molasses. Each cookie is approximately 80 calories with 15 of those calories being fat.

My Review: I received 2 packages of Newman's Own Organics Hermits to try out for my product review. I received a package of the Cinnamon Hermits and a package of the Ginger Hermits. I had never heard of hermits until I got these packages for my review. I was really interested in trying these cookies out as I have TMJ and sometimes chewing can be a big problem for me...so anything that is soft and chewy is appealing to me. First up...the Cinnamon Hermits. I really appreciated that they indeed were soft and chewy! (I have bought cookies before that stated on package soft & chewy but once I got them home and opened up...they were brick hard)...these were definitely soft & chewy! This flavor has the perfect blend of organic raisins, cinnamon and organic molasses. I love the combination of those ingredients as its a very pleasant tasting cookie. LOVE THEM! Next up...the Ginger Hermits. I am usually not a fan of ginger but these surprised me as being tasty! They are a blend of organic raisins, organic figs, ginger and other spices. I really couldn't taste the ginger but loved the combination of raisins and figs in this one! Loved these too! I asked hubby to try them out and he liked them both but preferred the Cinnamon Hermits.

Overall Impression: We both enjoyed Newman's Own Organics Hermits Cookies! They are definitely soft and chewy so if you have any jaw problems or just prefer soft & chewy cookies, these hermits would be perfect for you! Would I ever purchase these? Yes I would and I plan on purchasing particularly the Cinnamon Hermits on my next shopping trip.

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the product(s) listed in this review. Shelly did not receive any type of monetary compensation for her review. Shelly did receive free product(s) to try out in her own home so that she could offer her honest and unbiased opinion about them. Your opinion & thoughts might differ from her own. Please read the Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy of this blog. All information on this blog is copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.

Product Review ~ Newman's Own Organics Licorice

Do you love licorice? Have you ever tried organic licorice? If you have never tried organic licorice you are really missing out! Today I would like to talk to you about the fabulous company called Newman's Own Organics who has a line of organic licorice products.

The Newman's Own Organics licorice line includes 4 delicious flavors! You can purchase the classic black licorice and strawberry flavored licorice or you can step outside the box and try their pomegranate and tangerine flavors. All of their licorice is made with certified organic sugar and they are low fat! They have no artificial flavorings and no artificial colorings. Standard serving size is 5 licorice twists which are about 130 calories per serving.

My Review: I received 4 packs of Newman's Own Organics Licorice to try out with my family for this product review. We received one 5 oz. package of each of the 4 flavors that they make. First up, I like the taste and texture of this licorice. It's not a sour or bitter taste but a nice taste that leaves no after-taste in your mouth. The licorice is soft and chewy and not hard like a rock like some other brands. I shared my licorice stash with a few of the gals in my walking group as an after walk treat. We all liked the licorice but we each had different favorites. My 2 personal favorites were the Pomegranate and Tangerine...guess I am a fruity type of gal. My friend Kathy and my daughter Jenelle both fell in love with the strawberry and trust me...those two were bribing each other on who was getting the last licorice twist! My friend Mary and my husband Sam both were in love with the classic black.

Overall Impression: I was really impressed with this organic licorice. The only flavor I didn't personally try was the black as I knew I wouldn't like it as I am not a black licorice fan. However, I did try the other 3 flavors and enjoyed them a lot. Would I ever buy these products? You bet! The 3 flavors that I did try...I liked! They were flavorful, soft and very chewy. I don't like brick hard licorice and this is certainly not that! I am definitely going to pick up a few packages of Newman's Own Organics Licorice and keep it on hand for when I get in the licorice mood!



Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the products listed above. Shelly was not compensated for her product review other than receiving free product to try out in her own home so that she would write about her honest and unbiased opinion of the product she reviewed. Please read the Terms of Service and Disclaimer Policy for this blog. All posts and content is copyright 2011 by the Shakin 'N Bakin Blog and it's owner Shelly Hill.

Superbowl Game Day Recipe Exchange

My friend Noel from Noel's Kitchen Tips asked me if I wanted to participate in her Superbowl Game Day Recipe exchange and I of course said yes! I mean really...who can refuse football and great tasting food? Not me! This year I am super stoked because my team the Pittsburg Steelers are playing for the Superbowl title. Go Steelers! (rah rah rah)

I thought today I would share some of our favorite game day recipes that we like to make.

First up...Spicy Hot Wings! No superbowl party is complete without some great tasting chicken wings!

Spicy Hot Wings Recipe

24 chicken wings
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 tbsp. white vinegar
2 pkgs. Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dip chicken wings in mixture of melted butter, pepper sauce and vinegar. Place in a baking pan. Sprinkle with 1 package of dry dressing mix. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Turn wings and add the second package of dressing mix. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and sprinkle paprika on top while the wings are still hot.

Next up...my favorite recipe for crock pot country style spare ribs!

Crock Pot Country Style Pork Spare Ribs Recipe

2 1/2 to 3 lbs. pork spareribs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 (1 lb) can sauerkraut, drained
1 apple, cored & diced
1 tbsp. sugar

Cut spareribs into serving-size pieces. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Place on rack in baking pan. Brown in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes, turn andbrown on other side for 15 more minutes. Pour off drippings. Spoon sauerkraut into slow cooker pot. Top with apple, sprinkle sugar over the apple and put the ribs on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender and done. Makes 4 servings.

Next up...my aunties recipe for baked beans! My hubby loves them with his chicken wings!

Auntie D's Homemade Baked Beans Recipe

4 (28 oz.) cans Baked Beans
1 1/2 lb. bacon
2 medium onions.
1 1/2 to 2 lbs. brown sugar (to taste)
1/2 to 3/4 c. ketchup (to taste)
2 heaping Tbsp. sweet relish

Cut bacon into small pieces. (I use kitchen shears to do this). Place in skillet on stove and fry. Dice up onions and add to bacon while it is frying. When bacon pieces are crispy, turn stove down to warm and add the brown sugar, ketchup and sweet relish. Continue to heat until brown sugar dissolves. (mixture should taste sweet). Remove from heat and add baked beans and mix. Pour mixture into a baking dish and bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or place into a crockpot for 4 hours on low.

Besides the 3 recipes above, we also like to make a variety of appetizers such as my hubby's seafood layer dip for our Tostitos, my spinach dip to go with our veggie sticks and I always make a big cherry cheesecake for dessert. All of these recipes can be found right here on my blog.

What kind of food do you like to make for Superbowl Game Day? Do you have any recipes to share with my readers? If so, let me know and I would love to post them! After you are done reading my post, please head on over to Noel's Kitchen Tips and check out her favorite game day recipes too!

Gourmet Picnic Baskets For Family Picnics or Romantic Picnics for 2

With winter hitting us hard in the state of Pennsylvania, I long for warmer temperatures when I can get outside and be with my family. One of the things we enjoy doing in the spring and summer months is going outdoors for picnics.

When we go on picnics...sometimes it's a family affair and sometimes it's just a romantic picnic for two! Planning your own family or romantic picnic is not hard to do but you will need some affordable quality picnic supplies.

When I think of picnic baskets...I think of a nice large basket that is easy to carry and one that can carry everything inside it that I will need for a family picnic. I love purchasing and using lined wicker baskets just for this task! You will need a good sturdy basket to hold all of your items which should include your picnic cloth, dishes, food, beverages and utensils.

When hubby and I go out for just a romantic picknic for two, we sometimes use our family picnic basket but most times since it is just the two of us, we will use our picnic backpack. What I love about picnic backpacks is that they are great if we are going to be doing a lot of hiking, backpacking or walking because they are lighter weight and can be carried on our backs which leaves us hands-free (great for those who want to hold hands *wink*). I love going out with hubby for a nice romantic picnic!


Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written on behalf of the advertiser. I was compensated to write this post on behalf of them. However, my words, thoughts, ideas and opinions about the products I am discussing are honest, unbiased and of my own. Please read the Terms of Service and Disclaimer Policy of the Shakin 'N Bakin Blog for additional information.

Product Review ~ Newman's Own Organics Newman-O's Cookies

Today would like to introduce you to the company called Newman's Own Organics and to their fantastic Newman-O's cream filled sandwich cookies. This cookies are organic and contain No Partially Hydrogenated Oils and No Trans-Fatty Acids. They are a great healthier alternative to the standard sandwich cookie you find out in the market place.

The Newman-O's sandwich cookies are sold in two convenient sizes, the 9 oz. and 16 oz sizes. They are available in 6 delicious flavors: Peanut Butter filled chocolate sandwich cookies, original creme, mint creme, creme filled ginger cookies, wheat free - dairy free and chocolate creme filled chocolate cookies.

My Review: I received 2 packages of the Newman-O's for my product review. I got the mint creme filled cookies and the peanut butter filled chocolate sandwich cookies to try out. I have always bought that popular brand that you see out in the marketplace but have never tried the Newman-O's brand until now and boy...I was really impressed with these! I enjoy having cookies and milk a few times a week since I am not a milk drinker...I always have to have something to dunk in my milk and these cookies are just perfect for that! I love the smooth creamy filling in both of these varieties and love both equally well. (okay...I think I might prefer the peanut butter ones just a hair more LOL). I decided to share the cookies (yes, it was hard for me to share them) with my family. Hubby loves his cookies straight out of the package so he gobbled up the mint creme filled ones pretty quickly. My little grand daughter seemed to prefer the peanut butter filled ones (just like her nanny) and my 25 year old daughter sided with hubby and preferred the mint creme filled ones. These cookies make the perfect delicious little snack when you are in the mood for cookies and they pack well in workplace and school lunch bags. They had a nice sweet taste but not overly sweet...I would say just perfect!

Overall Impression: Well...we loved the cookies! We will buy both of these varieties when we go shopping and are in the mood for sandwich cookies! We now have a new favorite brand in our house and it is Newman-O's! If your family loves sandwich cookies, I invite you to try out the Newman's Own Organics line on your next shopping trip.

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the products listed above. Shelly was not compensated for this review. Shelly's opinions are truthful and unbiased, your opinions may differ. Shelly did receive free product from the sponsoring company so that she could honestly try them out and offer her opinion to her readers. For additional information, Please read my Terms of Service Policy. Thanks!

Mediterranean Macaroni and Cheese Dinner Recipe

How To Make A Mediterranean Mac 'N Cheese Dinner With Recipe

Are you tired of the same old boring macaroni and cheese dinner? Looking for a new way to enjoy your favorite dish but with more added gourmet flavor? If so, I got the perfect recipe for you.

This Mediterranean Macaroni and Cheese dinner recipe will take about 35 minutes to prepare and another 60 minutes to bake, so...I would say it is best suited for a weekend dinner. Once it is done baking, it will feed about 6 adults. It is great served with a fresh Italian salad and with Italian bread. If you have any left-overs, you will need to refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Ingredients Needed To Make The Recipe

8 ounce pkg. uncooked macaroni pasta noodles
8 ounce uncooked mild Italian pork sausage
1 (8 ounce) pkg. cream cheese, softened and cut into 1" pieces
2 cups stale Italian bread cubes (1" pieces)
1 cup black olives, halved
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon softened butter (not margarine)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sage
1 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups milk (we use whole milk)
1 large tomato, sliced thin
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook macaroni according to package directions and then drain. While the pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove casings from the Italian sausage. In a large frying pan, simmer the pork sausage until brown and no longer pink, drain off grease.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cooked sausage, softened cream cheese, Italian bread cubes, black olives and the Mozzarella cheese.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour, sage, table salt, thyme and ground black pepper. Stir in the cold milk using a nonstick spoon. Turn up the heat on your burner to medium and continue stirring this mixture until it has thickened and is hot and bubbly. Remove from heat and pour sauce over the cooked pasta in your bowl. Using your spoon, gently stir mixture until it is well combined.

Spray a 2 to 3 quart casserole dish with nonstick vegetable cooking spray and let it sit for a couple of minutes before proceding.. Pour pasta mixture into the casserole dish and cover. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and top with your thinly sliced tomato slices and Parmesan cheese. Place back into the oven and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

This article was written by Shelly Hill, copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.

Product Review ~ Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies

If you have been following my blog for the past few weeks you will have read several product reviews that I have written for Newman's Own Organics and today I have another product to share with you. Today's review is on the Newman's Own Ogranics Champion Chip Cookies line of products.

The Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies are available in 5 delicious flavors. They come in: Orange Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chips, Espresso Chocolate Chip and Double Chocolate Mint Chip. Wow...just typing those names made my mouth water!

I consider myself to be quite the cookie lover...if you ask my hubby, he will tell you that I bake a batch of cookies every week! With that said, I don't purchase a lot of prepackaged cookies so I was really excited to receive 3 bags of Newman's Organics to try out. I received the Orange Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chocolate Chip and a bag of the Double Chocolate Mint Chip.

The first ones we decided to try were the Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies...after all...a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips in it is just too tempting! The first thing I want to say about these cookies is that they are the perfect texture and what I mean about that is that they aren't too hard and they aren't too soft where they fall a part when you grab them. I also like the size of the cookies as I am not into big jumbo cookies that are like eating a meal, nor am I into eating mini cookies. I like the normal sized cookie and these are exactly that. These are a chocolate base cookie with chocolate chips and let me tell you...it only takes one chocolatey bite to instantly get hooked on this flavor! At times I enjoy warm cookies so I placed a few on a plate and microwaved them for 15 seconds and they tasted warm and delicious, just like if I would of baked them myself and had just taken them out of the oven.

A few days later (after we demolished bag #1) we decided to try the orange chocolate chip with our morning coffee. I wasn't sure if I would like this flavor or not because usually I am not a big fan of citrus flavored baked goods...however, I was pleasantly surprised that these cookies tasted great. They do not have an over-whelming orange flavor to them...just a slight one which makes them perfect!

After we had finished off that bag, I served the Double Chocolate Mint Chip cookies to my girlfriends after we came back from a long chilly walk. (I participate in a neighborhood walking group). Anyway, I fixed us all some hot cocoa and served my lady friends this particular flavor of cookies. Each bag holds 10 oz. and let me tell you...within 30 minutes 5 grown ladies had completely eaten the entire bag of cookies. I asked my friends what they really thought of the cookies? My friend Mary told me that she has had them before and already knew she liked them. (okay, she doesn't count LOL) but my other girlfriends had never tried any of the Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies and they told me they were surprised that prepackaged organic cookies tasted so good. They thought they would be very bland and hard as rocks. I then asked them if they would ever purchase them? All of my lady friends either said yes or nodded their heads. I guess that means this is a "glowing" endorsement that the Newman's Own Organic Champion Chip Cookies are truly CHAMPIONS!!! yeah!!!

If you have never tried this line of cookies before, I highly recommend that you check them out. My favorite of the 3 varieties that we tried is the Chocolate Chocolate Chip but then again, I am a total chocoholic! I went to the store yesterday to look for the Espresso Chocolate Chip variety but they didn't have it, so now I am on a mission to find them as I love chocolate and I love espresso! I will check to see if Giant sells them in a few days.

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the products listed above. Shelly was not compensated for this review. Shelly's opinions are truthful and unbiased, your opinions may differ. Shelly did receive free product from the sponsoring company so that she could honestly try them out and offer her opinion to her readers. For additional information, Please read my Terms of Service Policy. Thanks!

Product Review ~ Newman's Own Organics Chocolate Bars

If you have been reading my blog postings the past few weeks you will have noticed that I have been writing a lot of product reviews for the great company called Newman's Own Organics.

Today is another one of those postings and this review is about their fantastic organic chocolate bars which are all made with 100% premium organic chocolate! All of Newman's Own Organics chocolate bars are USDA certified organic which means that at least 95% of the ingredients used in them are certified organic ingredients.

The chocolate bars are available in two sizes: 3.25-ounce and 2.25-ounce. They are available in 6 mouth-watering delicious flavors: Espresso Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Orange Dark Chocolate, Mocha Milk Chocolate and the Super Dark Chocolate candy bars.

My Review: I received one bar of each of the 6 varieties that they sell and let me tell you...it was really hard deciding which bar was my favorite! I decided to not be greedy with my new chocolate stash and decided to share them with my family and a few of my local friends. My hubby was madly in love with the Espresso Dark Chocolate and the Orange Dark Chocolate bars. I was madly in love with the Mocha Milk Chocolate (my absolute favorite) and the regular Milk Chocolate bars. My 61 year old mother was head over heels in love with the Super Dark Chocolate bar and she enjoyed having a small piece of my Mocha Milk Chocolate bar. My daughter was all over the Espresso Dark Chocolate bar and had to bribe her dad to share it with her (she gets to clean the bathroom next weekend LOL). My BFF Renee was in love with the Orange Dark Chocolate bar. As you can see...we all had our preferences on which one we liked the best but I will admit...they were all delicious!

Overall Impression: These Newman's Own Organic chocolate bars rock!!! They tasted so fresh like they were just made a few hours earlier. I love how the chocolate is smooth and just melts in your mouth and leaves your taste buds wanting more! These organic chocolate bars are a HUGE and I mean a HUGE hit in our home. We will definitely be buying more of these very soon! My only suggestion to the Newman folks would be...please make us some chocolate chips so that we can use them in our baking using your same organic chocolate!

The next time you head out to purchase some delicious chocolate bars, I want you to consider purchasing Newman's Own Organics line of chocolate bar products! I will (almost) guarantee that if you are a chocolate lover of FINE chocolates, you will enjoy these bars!

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the products listed above. Shelly was not compensated for this review. Shelly's opinions are truthful and unbiased, your opinions may differ. Shelly did receive free product from the sponsoring company so that she could honestly try them out and offer her opinion to her readers. For additional information, Please read my Terms of Service Policy. Thanks!

Product Review ~ Newman's Own Organics Fig Newmans Cookies

Today I would like to introduce you to the great company called Newman's Own Organics and their fantastic organic Fig Newman's line of products. If you are not familiar with what a Fig Newman is, I am going to tell you all about them. The Newman's Own Organics Fig Newmans are a fruit filled cookie that is made with organic figs. They are available in 3 varieties: Fat Free, Low-Fat and the Wheat Free/Dairy Free Varieties.

Nutritional Information: Serving Size is 2 Fig Newman's at 120 calories per serving with 0 calories from fat.

Newman's Own Organics sent me a large box of their organic products to try out in my own home so that I could write honest and unbiased opinions about them. I am breaking this down into several smaller product reviews so I hope you continue to follow along over the next few weeks as I post them.

My Review: We were sent 2 packages of Fig Newman's to try out in our own home. We love the other major brand of cookies like this so I was excited to try the Newman's Own Organics brand to see how they measured up. We received the Fat-Free and Low-Fat varieties. The first ones that we opened were the fat-free ones as I wanted to give those to my 20 month old grand daughter for her afternoon snack. While she was having her snack, we tried them out too! (we weren't going to let her have all of the fun!). The Fig Newman's have a nice soft cookie layer and inside are delicious tasting figs. The cookies almost melt in your mouth! They have the perfect blend of cookie and figs without them being too sweet. They are the perfect size for little or adult hands and a great snack to have any time of the day. In regards to the low-fat variety, they didn't taste any differently than the fat-free ones! Seriously, I couldn't tell a taste difference at all and both were equally good.

Overall Impression: My family has always loved cookies like this but we have never tried the Newman's Own Organics Fig Newmans until now. Wow...I am going to admit to all of you... that these are a lot better than that other big name brand of fig cookies! What I really liked about this brand as compared to most of the others is the fact that they weren't too sweet and I appreciated that the seeds of the figs were a lot smaller and barely noticeable as you chewed the cookies. (some of the other brands have big seeds in them that get stuck between your teeth, you know what I mean!). Another plus for the Newman's Own Organics Brand is that they of course are made with organic figs which means they are a lot healthier for you to consume. If you have never tried this brand of fig cookies, I would like to invite you to pick up a pack and do your own comparison taste test. I bet after you taste them that you will agree with me that these Fig Newmans rock!

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the products listed above. Shelly was not compensated for this review. Shelly's opinions are truthful and unbiased, your opinions may differ. Shelly did receive free product from the sponsoring company so that she could honestly try them out and offer her opinion to her readers. For additional information, Please read my Terms of Service Policy. Thanks!

Product Review ~ Newman's Own Organic Dried Fruit Snacks

Today I would like to introduce you to the great company called Newman's Own Organics and their fantastic organic dried fruits line of products. What I love about their line of products is that all of them are USDA certified organic!

Newman's Own Organics is proud to partner with U.S. Certified Organic Farms and Processors whose commitment to Certified Organic practices make these fine organic dried fruits available to you, the consumer.

Newman's Own Organics sent me a large box of their organic products to try out in my own home so that I could write honest and unbiased opinions about them. I am breaking this down into several smaller product reviews so I hope you continue to follow along over the next few weeks as I post them.

My Review: Newman's Own Organics sent me 2 bags of their organic dried fruits for my review. I received a bag of their Berry Blend and a bag of their Apples to share with my family. First up The Berry Blend. This particular blend contains organic raisins, organic cranberries, organic blueberries and organic cherries...the perfect berry blend! I love that they come in a zipper closure bag so that we can keep them fresh as we consume them. The taste...oh my! This berry blend is absolutely perfect for the berry lover like me! I love snacking on dried fruit snacks through out the day and this bag was quickly demolished by my husband and I. What I really appreciate besides the fantastic taste is that a 1/4 cup of the berries is only 120 calories. Munching on dried fruits is a lot healthier for you than other traditional snack foods.

The other flavor we got to sample was their wonderful dried apple snacks. Wanna know what is really impressive about this one? It contains nothing but dried organic apples! I kid you not, the ONLY ingredients is apples! A 1/4 cup serving is only 120 calories so it's a great snack for those who are watching their weight.

Overall Impression: My family and I have totally enjoyed snacking on both the Berry Blend and the Dried Apples. Both are incredibly tasty, moist and chewy. There is nothing dried, hard or chunky with these snacks. Besides using them as a snack food, you could toss some into your favorite quick bread recipe and back up a great tasting bread or muffin. My personal favorite was the Berry Blend but my hubby preferred the Apples. We give these products a big 2 thumbs up and will be purchasing them on our next grocery store run!

I would like to thank Newman's Own Organics for sending me the organic dried fruit snacks to try out for my product review! We loved them!

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the products listed above. Shelly was not compensated for this review. Shelly's opinions are truthful and unbiased, your opinions may differ. Shelly did receive free product from the sponsoring company so that she could honestly try them out and offer her opinion to her readers. For additional information, Please read my Terms of Service Policy. Thanks!

Product Review: Newman's Own Organics ~ Pretzel Snacks

Today I would like to introduce you to the company called Newman's Own Organics and their fantastic line of organic pretzels. What I love about this particular company and these pretzel snacks is that they are USDS certified organic and they are made in the good old USA!

The great folks at Newman's Own Organics sent me a huge box of various goodies for me and my family to try out over the next couple of weeks. To make this easier on myself, I will be writing up separate product reviews for each of the product lines we are sampling.

My Review: Today's review features the Newman's Own Organics Pretzels line. They sent me a full size bag of 3 different types of their pretzels to try out. We received a bag of their Mighty Minis Pretzels, a bag of their Salted Rounds Pretzels and a bag of their Pretzel Rods to try out. We have never tried organic pretzels before so we were excited about trying them. I pack a lot of sack lunches for my hubby and daughter to take with them to work so I decided to use the salted round pretzels for their snacks yesterday. After they returned home I asked them what they thought? Hubby loved the taste and size of the pretzels as he is not a fan of rock hard large pretzels. These pretzels were just perfect for him. I asked daughter what she thought and she said they tasted great and that they had just the perfect amount of salt on them. Both of them came home with empty bags and asked me to pack more for them tomorrow. I decided to snag the mighty mini pretzels for myself. These pretzels are fabulous! I love the taste of them with the perfect blend of salt...they are not overly salty at all! Hubby decided to take the bag of the pretzel rods to work for their afternoon meeting to serve to his associates since he had ordered a veggie tray with dip and he thought the pretzels would make a nice addition. I asked him what they all thought about the pretzels and he said...well, I didn't ask them but they were all gone within 30 minutes. I will take that as they were a "hit" with the associates!

Overall Impression: My family and hubby's employees all enjoyed the pretzel snacks that we taste tested. Truth of the matter is this, when I go grocery shopping, I will be buying more of Newman's Own Organic Pretzel Snacks and will be purchasing this brand as our new preferred pretzel brand! We give this product a huge 2 thumbs up!

I would like to thank Newman's Own Organics for sending me the pretzels to try out for my product review! We loved them!

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the products listed above. Shelly was not compensated for this review. Shelly's opinions are truthful and unbiased, your opinions may differ. Shelly did receive free product from the sponsoring company so that she could honestly try them out and offer her opinion to her readers. For additional information, Please read my Terms of Service Policy. Thanks!

How To Make Your Own Chocolate Dipped Strawberries For Valentine's Day

Are you considering making your own chocolate dipped strawberries this year for Valentine's Day? Making and dipping your own fruits is really a lot easier than you might think and only take a few minutes to do.

If you don't have a fondue pot, you can still make them by using a double boiler or by using specially made chocolate that you can melt in the microwave oven. When dipping fruits, you always want to purchase fruits that are ripe, firm and free of blemishes. Wash and air dry them before you even begin.

Here is what you will need to make your very own Tuxedo Striped Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.

milk or dark chocolate
white chocolate
fresh whole strawberries (not frozen)
fondue pot, double boiler or purchase chocolate that can be melted in the microwave oven
tongs
silicone spatula
waxed paper
wooden spoon

Step 1: Lay waxed paper on top of a baking sheet. You will lay your dipped fruits onto the waxed paper to harden.

Step 2: Melt your white chocolate first until it is smooth and creamy with no lumps. I use a silicone stirring spatula so that the chocolate doesn't stick to my spatula.

Step 3: Take your tongs and grab the strawberry at the top. Dip your strawberry into the melted white chocolate covering about 3/4 of the berry. Hold the berry over the pan to let the excess chocolate run off and back into the pan for about a minute. Place berry onto the waxed lined baking sheet to dry.

Step 4: Once all of your berries have been dipped in white chocolate, clean out your pot and melt your milk or dark chocolate. Again, make sure it is completely melted before you start to dip. Using your tongs, grab the berry and dip it into the chocolate at an angle so that it makes a v-shape onto the berry to resemble a tuxedo jacket. Hold berry above the pan and let the excess drain back into the pot.

Step 5: Dip the end of a wooden spoon into the chocolate and make two tiny circles on the white chocolate to resemble the jacket buttons. You only need a little bit and apply those circles while holding the berry sideways. Once done, lay the berry onto the waxed line baking sheet to dry.

If you are in a hurry, place the baking sheet into the refrigerate to speed up the hardening process. Once they are completely done, store them in an air tight container in the refrigerator. If you started off with nice berries, they should keep for up to 3 days refrigerated.

This information, directions and photograph is copyright 2011 by Shelly Hill, All Rights Reserved.

How To Make Drop Sugar Cookies For The Holidays With Recipe

How To Make Drop Sugar Cookies For The Holidays With Recipe

When it comes to making and baking cookies for my family, I love easy to prepare recipes and this one is exactly that! When you make these deliciously sweet sugar cookies, there is no need to use cookie cutters, unless you want to use them!

With this particular recipe, you can make your dough up ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before you need to use it. If you are into once a week cooking, you can prepare the dough up and then freeze it for up to 2 weeks before you need to use it. If you decide to freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it into a plastic freezer storage bag. When you are ready to use it, let it thaw out in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.

Holiday Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe

2 cups all purpose white flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
2 medium or large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar (for the batter)
1/4 cup colored granulated sugar (for the topping)
2/3 cup vegetable cooking oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Tips: You will want to change up your colored granulated sugar to match the holiday you are baking the cookies for.

Directions: In a medium sized mixing bowl, sift together the all purpose flour, baking powder and table salt. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until they are light and fluffy. Add in the granulated sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla extract until the ingredients are well combined. I find it better to use an electric mixer other wise, it is too hard stir.

Pour the sifted flour ingredients into the large mixing bowl with the wet ingredients and beat until all of the ingredients are well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, but you will want to use the batter up within 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a tablespoon to drop batter onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving 2" between each drop to allow for expansion. Flatten each dough ball with the back of your spoon. Once it has been flatten, sprinkle colored sugar on top.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until each cookie is lightly browned. Remove baking sheet from oven and allow them to cool for 1 minute before transferring them to a wire rack to finish the cooling process. Once cooled, store them in an air tight container.

This article was written by Shelly Hill, copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.

Appetizers - Delicious Bacon & Mushroom Crowns Recipe

Love the taste of mushrooms and bacon combined? Looking for an easy appetizer recipe that takes less than 25 minutes to make including prep and baking time? If so, you have got to try out this yummy recipe below! It is a great appetizer to serve at parties and family get-togethers and everyone seems to love this recipe!

Bacon & Mushroom Crowns Recipe

40 medium mushrooms
1/2 lb. bacon, crisply cooked & crumbled
1 c. shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. corn chips, crushed
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons onion, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon red wine

Remove mushroom stems & chop them. Combine the chopped mushroom stems with the remaining ingredients in the recipe. Fill the mushroom caps with the mixture. Place in a baking dish with the stuffing side up. Broil for 5-7 minutes or bake for 7-10 minutes or until they are browned and bubbly.

Fabulous Tasting Kona Coffee from Koa Coffee Plantation!

Are you a coffee drinker? Do you love the great smooth taste of Kona Coffee? If so, You have got to check out the Koa Coffee Plantation web site store! Koa Coffee Plantation offers some of the best tasting Kona Coffee on the planet! When you vist their web site store you will find:

* Grande Domaine Kona
* Hawaiian Espresso
* Private Reserve Kona
* Organic Kona Coffee
* Estate Kona Coffee
* Peaberry Kona Coffee
* Prime Roast Kona Coffee
* Kona Fractional Pack
* Decaffeinated
* Flavored Kona Coffee
* Green Coffee Beans
* Hawaiian Ka’u Coffee
* Bulk Kona Coffee
* Coffee Gift Sets

You can purchase coffee from Koa Coffee Plantation in whole bean or ground and in 1 lb. to 5 lb. bags. All coffee from Koa Coffee Plantation is fresh and of the highest quality!

If you want a little taste of Hawaii then check out their chocolate covered macadamia nuts, chocolate covered peaberry beans and premium macadamia nuts.

So the next time you want to purchase some great tasting Kona coffee, head on over to the Koa Coffee Plantation and check out what they have to offer.

Disclaimer: The Shakin 'N Bakin Blog is an affiliate of the company listed in this blog post. The Shakin 'N Bakin Blog Owners do make a certain percentage of each sale that occurs through their posted affiliate link contained in this blog post. We were not paid to write this post and all thoughts, opinions & ideas in this post are of our own words. Please read the Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy for this blog. All information contained on this web site is copyrighted by The Shakin 'N Bakin Blog, All Rights Reserved.

High Definition Makes My Favorite Cooking Shows Come to Life

This guest post from Walter Horn

I love to watch all of my favorite cooking shows from the Food Network in High Definition. The picture is so clear that I feel like I am sitting in the audience.

Watching my favorite cooks preparing their signature dishes on HD is like having them cook for me in my own kitchen. I feel like I'm the only student in a cooking class. I can even watch it while I'm cooking in the kitchen. The camera zooms in so close and precisely that I can see the techniques used to clean, chop, season and cook each dish.

I didn't always think High Definition TV was such a big deal. Then we went away. The people we were visiting didn't have HD TV and it was a real eye opener. Now I really appreciate our HD and don't want to be without it. I really don't know why all the channels aren't available in HD yet. What are they waiting for? The technology has improved for our pleasure, so we might as well take advantage of it.

My life just wouldn't be the same if I couldn't watch my favorite cooking shows in High Definition on Satalite TV. I know I would survive, but it wouldn't be as much fun.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated on behalf of the advertiser. The content and information posted on the Shakin 'N Bakin Blog is copyrighted 2011 and All Rights Reserved!

Sponsored Post ~ Tabasco Original Red Sauce!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love to cook as all of you have guessed if you have been reading and following my cooking blog for any length of time. One of my favorite products to have on hand is Tabasco Original Red sauce because this wonderful tasting red sauce can be used in so many recipes to give them flavor and a little extra kick.TABASCO® Original Red is definitely a staple here in our home, what about yours? What are some of your favorite ways to use Tabasco Original Red sauce? Here at our home we love it on grilled steaks, in our favorite chili recipe, on our chili dogs, as a dipping sauce for our steamed shrimp, on chicken wings, in our pizza sauce and when I make homemade salsa I like to add a little Tabasco Original Red to give our salsa that little spicy kick.

The Superbowl is just around the corner and did you know that Tabasco Original Red has a great Game-Day Party Menu on their web site? The perfect pizza for Game Day would be the 4 or more Cheese Pizza recipe on their web site. On top of all of that cheese I would add mushrooms, fried bacon and some pineapple chunks as that is how we like our pizza here at my home! You could invite all of your family and friends over for Game Day and bake up some wonderful pizzas and don't forget the Tabasco Original Red to make that pizza taste delicious!

If you love homemade pizza like we do, I invite you to check out their Pizza Perfected page on their web site. I love all of the easy to make recipes that they have and all of these recipes would be a hit with your family and friends come Superbowl Game Day!

Here is what I love about the Tabasco Original Red Sauce: This sauce only enhances the taste of your food and the ingredients that you use. Other similar sauces have their own unique flavor which can change the taste of your food to be 'their' flavor. When I cook, I like to 'enhance' and not change! This sauce was developed back in 1868 and to this day, it is their number 1 selling sauce and I can totally understand why!

I think every home should have a bottle of Tabasco Original Red in their pantry and it should be a staple ingredient as it comes in handy when you want to prepare every day dishes or dishes for special occasions.



Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated on behalf of the advertiser. The content and information posted on the Shakin 'N Bakin Blog is copyrighted 2011 and All Rights Reserved!

Easy To Make Russian Instant Hot Tea Recipe

This is a really great recipe for those who enjoy flavored instant hot teas. Mix it up ahead of time and store the ingredients in a plastic air-tight container or plastic storage bag.

Russian Hot Instant Tea Recipe

1 jar Tang
1/2 cup instant tea
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

To make tea, use 2 tsp. mix to 1 cup hot water.

Mochalate with Nutmeg Hot Beverage Recipe

Today I am sharing another vintage recipe with all of you from the late 1960's that was given to me by my great aunt. If you love chocolate and coffee...I think you will love this hot beverage recipe. It is perfect for the fall and winter time when it's cooler & cold outside and you want a nice hot beverage to drink. This recipe makes 4 servings.

Mochalate with Nutmeg Hot Beverage Recipe

1 oz. square unsweetened chocolate
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups freshly made hot coffee
1/4 cup whipped cream

Chop the chocolate and place in a double boiler pan over hot boiling water. Stir in the sugar and 1/2 cup of milk. Slowly cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the chocolate has melted. Throw in the pinch of salt and pour in the remaining milk. Turn heat down to low and slow cook mixture, stirring often over low-medium heat. Remove from heat and beat with an electric mixer until frothy. Pour in the freshly made hot coffee and then pour into a beverage pitcher.

Pour Mochalate into cups and garnish with a spoonful of whipped cream before serving.

Purchase Great Seafood Online!

Do you love fresh seafood? I know here at our home we enjoy eating seafood about once a week. We love fish, oysters, shrimp, lobsters, crabs and clams...to name just a few!

When it comes to purchasing fresh seafood online, we like to check out all of the daily specials at I Love Blue Sea. You really need to head over to their web site on a daily basis to check out all of their specials. While you are there...make sure you sign up for their email newsletter so that you will receive specials and coupons via email on their fabulous seafood products.

When you order seafood or order fish online from I Love Blue Sea, you are getting fresh and great tasting seafood shipped directly to your front door.

One of the beverages we enjoy when we have our family seafood dinner nights is some great tasting wine from wine.com where you can purchase just about type of wine that your heart and tummy desires.

So, the next time you are in the mood for some great tasting seafood and wine...check out both of the companies that I recommend in this post.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated on behalf of the advertiser. The content and information posted on the Shakin 'N Bakin Blog is copyrighted 2011 and All Rights Reserved!

Delicious Ham, Spinach, Mushroom & Pasta Casserole Recipe

Now that the holidays are over...I have been coming up with new recipes to use up my left-over holiday ham. Luckily for me...I froze the left-overs which are good for up to 3 months if properly frozen.

A few days ago I experimented and came up with a delicious casserole recipe that I wanted to share with all of my blog readers.

Delicious Ham, Spinach, Mushroom & Pasta Casserole Recipe

8 oz. dried elbow macaroni pasta
1 small onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup freshly sliced mushrooms
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk (we use 2% milk)
1 3/4 cups fully cooked ham, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 (10 oz.) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
1/4 dried seasoned bread crumbs

Cook the elbow macaroni according to box directions and then drain.

In a large saucepan, place the finely chopped onion, minced garlic and butter in the pan together and saute until tender. (about 3 minutes).
Stir in the sliced chopped mushrooms and saute for an additional 2 minutes. Stir in the all-purpose flour, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook this sauce until it thickens, about 5 minutes over medium heat. Stir in the cooked pasta and ham, stir in the drained chopped spinach.
Pour all ingredients into a 2 or 3 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs on top.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. This will feed a family of 4.

Sponsored Post - Bright Beginnings Diapers

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a mother and now a grandmother of a 19 month old little grand daughter, I am always looking for great quality diapers at an affordable price. Since the majority of my blog readers & followers are mothers and grandmothers, I decided today that I would let you know about a great site where you can get your babies diaper. You can buy on diapers.com which is a great site that sells diapers at an affordable price!

One of the brands of diapers that I like purchasing for my little grand daughter are the Bright Beginnings diapers that are sold on diapers.com. I love how easy it is to navigate their website, how all of the products sold there are of great quality and I love how fast they ship your purchases to your home.

Right now they have 2 amazing specials going on! You can get 30% cash back on your diaper purchase and 10% OFF everything else! Please see their web site for the coupon codes!

If you love the Bright Beginnings products or if you would like to learn more about their products I would love to invite you to check out and join their Bright Beginnings on Facebook page!



Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated on behalf of the advertiser. The content and information posted on the Shakin 'N Bakin Blog is copyrighted 2011 and All Rights Reserved!

See’s Candy Makes The Very Best Peanut Brittle

Every one that loves candy has heard of See’s Candy. And if you haven’t, you need to get on the bandwagon and check out this site. See’s has been making candy the old fashioned way since 1921. A west coast tradition, they use only the finest ingredients in their candy and you can taste it in every single bite.

I love a great brittle and See’s Candy has been making this fabulous Peanut Brittle for years. It is so fresh and packed with peanuts, you know it is like no other. I remember the first time I had peanut brittle. We used to buy it from someone that sold it door to door when I was a little girl in the Midwest. Ever since then, I have loved it. I was so lucky that someone took pity on me this Christmas and gifted me with my very own box of Peanut Brittle. Yes! I was so happy.

As I opened the box for the first time, the scent of butter wafted out and then, the lovely smell of sugar and peanuts. You can just smell the freshness. This is not some drugstore Peanut Brittle that has been packaged for a year that you are buying. No way. Always fresh. The taste is like butter. Melt in your mouth and never hard, you are going to want to hide it from everyone and savor this all by yourself.

If you are looking for the perfect gift idea for any reason, come by and take a look at the See’s Candy website. Their selection on homemade candy is awesome. I know you are going to love it!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated on behalf of the advertiser. The content and information posted on the Shakin 'N Bakin Blog is copyrighted 2011 and All Rights Reserved!

Easy To Make - Artichoke Chili Dip Recipe

If you love artichokes and looking for a great dip recipe that has a 'little' kick to it, then you have got to try out my aunt's recipe! This dip only takes a few ingredients, whips up quickly and is great served with party breads, tortilla chips, chips or even fresh cut veggies.

Artichoke Chili Dip Recipe

1 (8 1/2 ounce) can artichokes, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can chopped black olives
1 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

In a medium sized bowl, mix together all of the above ingredients except for the grated Parmesan Cheese. Place mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until done. This tip is best served warm.

Sponsored Post ~ Blue Sky Scrubs

Years ago I used to work in the medical field for 8 long stressful years and back then...we didn't have great stores like Blue Sky Scrubs to buy nursing scrubs from. Blue Sky Scrubs carries a large selection of medical & dental scrubs, white lab coats, scrub hats, jackets, scrub shirts, medical coats and all of the accessories to go along with them.

What I love about this store you might ask? I love all of the wonderful colors and styles that are available at their store! Furthermore...if you like matching tops, bottoms and scrub jackets, you can find matching scrub sets at Blue Sky Scrubs! If you are looking to buy medical uniforms, this is the store you need to shop at!

You will find scrubs for both men and women and all of them are affordably priced! You will find them in so many different colors that it is amazing the selection that they have. (note: I am partial to their French Lilac color scrub set). If you are looking for a few accessories to go with your scrubs, check out their earrings and beaded lanyards...really pretty items! If you are a nurse in uniform, I know you will appreciate their selection and affordable prices.

I have many blog readers, friends and family members who currently work in the medical & dental fields and I invite you to head on over to the Blue Sky Scrubs web site and check out their amazing selection of scrubs and accessories!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by Shelly Hill on behalf of the advertiser. I was compensated to write this post on behalf of the advertiser. The thoughts, opinions and writing is in my own words and is an honest interpretation of the subject matter I have written about. Please read the Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy regarding the Two Classy Chics site. The content and information posted on the Shakin N Bakin Blog is copyrighted 2011 and All Rights Reserved!

Crock Pot - Slow Cooker Pork Roast and Sauerkraut

Every year for the past 30 years on New Years Day I always cook a pork roast and some sauerkraut in my crock pot for dinner later that day. I like to serve buttered corn and mashed potatoes on the side along with a cherry pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Making a pork roast in your slow cooker is really easy to do! You simply place it into your crock pot with enough water to cover the roast. Slow cook it on the low setting for 6-7 hours or on the high setting for 4-5 hours. I like to drain off a lot of the water when its done cooking and then add in either the canned sauerkraut or bagged sauerkraut and cook it for another 1-2 hours.

This has become a family tradition every New Years Day and my daughter requests this meal a few times through out the year too!

What does your family enjoy eating on New Years Day?