Easy Christmas casserole

Guest post written by Natalie Rubin

Over the years I've figured out ways to streamline all of the extra stuff that I have to do for the holidays, so that I'll actually have more room to enjoy the holidays instead of stressing out over them. Even though putting up two different Christmas trees doesn't sound like streamlining things, it definitely helps because I put the presents for me, my husband and kids under one tree and the ones for everyone else under the other tree. That really helps instead of digging around one huge pile for a friend's present.

Splitting up the cooking with other members of my family for the big meal together really does help a lot and that's something that I've been doing for years now. I was actually online looking up a recipe to make for our big holiday meal about a week ago and while I was doing that, i came across the website www.Clearwirelessinternet4g.com and signed up for an internet package on there.

I found this really good sounding Christmas breakfast casserole that I thought would be good to fix ahead of time and just heat up while the kids are seeing what Santa brought them. I think that'll make things a lot easier than actually cooking that morning.

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Old Orchards Cranberry Naturals Review

I am a Cranberry Juice fan although I haven't always been.  When I was younger I couldn't stand to drink the stuff but now as an adult it actually tastes good and has great health benefits.  Cranberry Juice is something I try to keep on hand at all times at my house.  If I feel funny at all I either grab OJ or Cranberry Juice. 

I recently had the opportunity to try out the New Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals Cranberry Juice Cocktails.  Old Orchard is right out of Michigan's fruit belt which has been in the farming business for over 25 years.

The Naturals variety is naturally sweetened and has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.  It is available at stores nationwide in January 2011 running about $2.99 for a 64 oz bottle.  That's a pretty good competitive price compared to other brands I've tried and bought at the grocery store. 

You'll see many varieties of the Old Orchards Natural brand in stores if you haven't already like Cranberry Blueberry, Cranberry  Pomegranate, Cranberry Grape, Cranberry Apple, and Cranberry Raspberry.  In my experience with the Cranberry Naturals, I thought it was very good.  There is definitely a very cranberry taste with a dot of sweet on top. I'm a blueberry lover so my next trip to the supermarket I'm going to try the Cranberry Blueberry!

For more information you can visit their website directly at http://oldorchard.com/.   There's fun and games for the kids, healthy resources and promotions!


There was no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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The Easiest Sticky Buns - Almost like Homeade!!

My Grandmother makes the most delectable homemade Caramel Rolls and Coffee Cake that you can imagine ever!  All of us Grandkids have watched but no one yet can duplicate her efforts.  She just makes them like she has for years and doesn't really measure but they always come out fabulous!  Every time we visit, that's my one request that she makes!

I will leave the homemade version up to Grandma but here is a fast and easy take that's definitely worth making especially for a quick morning breakfast.  I tried this out of FAVORITE BRAND NAME COUNTRY CHRISTMAS that my mother n law bought at a flea market.  This is my new favorite cookbook.  All I did was use what I had on hand and omitted the brand name's.  It's full of yummy recipes that anyone could make. 

Ingredients
8 count can of refrigerated biscuits
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
About a teaspoon of Cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.  Melt your butter in a round baking dish with sides.  I used a pie dish.  Mix your sugar, pecans, and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Sprinkle your mixture over the butter.  Then place your biscuits on top of that so that the sides of them do touch.  Bake in oven for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and biscuits are done.
When they are done, quickly place a plate over the dish and flip upside down.  Scrape out any extra sweet onto your biscuits and enjoy!!!  Best if served while still warm.

You'll be surprised how good these are considering they are not homemade!

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No-bake Christmas cookies

Guest post written by Sharon Earhart

Like most of my friends that live in tiny apartments, I never actually use my oven. If anything ever needs to get cooked, I just use the microwave. In my apartment, the oven is to store my out-of-season clothes. When I tell some of my friends and family members about that they're a little mortified because they obviously have a lot more storage space or a lot less clothes than I do.

However, I really do appreciate good food and just almost always eat out instead or get take out. But I was really wanting some Christmas cookies a couple of days ago, so I went online with my Direct tv internet bundle and actually found a cookie recipe that was no-bake so I didn't have to worry about actually using my oven.

My no-bake Christmas cookies turned out pretty great. I always really liked no-bake cookies anyway so I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me that I should fix those, Who knows, I might even throw together another batch of them before Christmas.

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Cheesy Enchiladas

I have always loved making Enchiladas.  They are super easy and very good.  It's not "homemade" per say but who's calling the authorities?  Not I!..LOL.  Anyways, I really love it with corn tortillas but flour tortillas will do.  That's actually what I used recently but I do reccomend the corn torillas, I think they bring better flavor to the table. 

Ingredients
8 large tortillas fried for a couple of minutes in oil on both sides
2 8 oz bags of shredded cheese
1 onion chopped
1 can green chillies
1 large can of enchillada sauce
1 lb of hamburger
simple spices to taste - chilli powder, cayenne pepper, s/p etc.

Directions
After you have prepared your tortillas by frying them start on frying your hamburger or do both at the same time.  I add onion and green chillies to the hamburger once it starts browning some.  When your hamburger is nice and browned drain if you desire then mix in about a half cup of enchillada sauce to it and spices to taste.  I used 2 casserole dishes to place my enchilladas in but if yours fit in just one that is fine.  I put enchillada sauce at the bottom of my casserole dish just enough to cover.

On a plate I place a tortilla and layer hamburger and cheese then roll up and place in my casserole dish and repeat until you use up all your tortillas.  Once done pour remaining enchillada sauce over top of your enchilladas in your casserole dish then top with remaining cheese.  I used about a pack of cheese for the inside of the enchilladas and a pack of cheese for the top.  (I'm a cheese a-holic so adjust down if desired).   Once done  place in the oven uncovered at 350 for about 20 minutes or so until your cheese melts nicely.

Top with Sour Cream if desired and Enjoy!

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Food Design Scrubs at blue sky

If you work in any field where you are required to wear scrubs, finding cool looking scrubs may not always be easy.  You may want to check out blue sky scrubs.   After browsing their site I found a few that I think are cute and seem to be reasonable price wise.  I'm partial to black but  I was glad to see a cupcakes womens scrub top. How cool is that especially for working with kids.

There's even scrubs for kids and stylish toggle clasps for name badges on the blue sky website.  I personally have never worked in the medical field but have had to wear scrubs before while visiting at a hospital many times.   I'm by far not an expert on scrub prices but thought someone could make use of this site and its stylish scrub uniforms. 

For me personally I think it's always nice to see a cheery scrub on a nurse when you are feeling ill, especially for the kids.  Don't you like these food scrubs too?

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Holiday Mac N Cheese

I make this Mac N Cheese just about every holiday and from time to time switch it up a tad.  Basically, the foundation is the same.  I don't usually measure but did my best so that I could share it with you.  My mom used to say that the key to great mac n cheese is all in the mix!

Ingredients
8 oz macaroni noodles cooked and drained
1 can evaporated milk
2 blocks sharp cheddar cheese (1 1/2 block cubes and the rest shredded)
1 egg
1 stick butter
milk (optional)
mustard (optional)

Directions
I put my noodles in a big mixing bowl so that I can really get the mix coated well.  I usually have add a good bit of liquid to my noodles for a moist dish. 
First, I melt the butter in the warm noodles. I then add my can of evaporated milk.

Once it's nice and wet, I add my egg mixing it well in there so you can not tell at all that you added one.  Then I add my cubed cheese to it stirring well.

At this point, I determine whether it has enough liquid to make it a moist dish.  If not, I may add a few dollops of milk to it if needed.  I also (don't throw an ewww face up) taste it.  More often than not I add a tablespoon or so of mustard as well to bring out all the sharp cheese flavor.  But that is entirely up to you.  I then taste it again and see if it's just right. If so, I go ahead and place it in a casserole dish and bake at 350 just until the cheese starts to ooze.

Once your cheese gets melting well, take it out.

Top with your shredded cheese, then toss back in the oven.

Once it's entirely melted nicely or if it starts to brown, it's about done.  I personally take it out before it browns too much so the top noodles don't get hard. 

Enjoy!!  Serves about 8

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Easy snowmen donuts

Guest post written by Renee Thompson


This year for our holiday office party, everyone has to contribute something. In the past, the office has covered expenses but because of the economy the office can't really provide as much stuff for it. But I think that everyone in the office understands. I'm already planning out what I'm going to be bringing so that I'll have all of my stuff ready to take because I'm just getting into the onslaught of countless Christmas parties and plays I have to attend.

I've been searching online for a relatively easy holiday treat that I can take to the office party but that will still be good to eat. While I was doing that the other night, I came across this site  that had a bunch of home internet packages on it and after I read through it some, I signed up for one of them for my internet access at my apartment.

Well, I think the easiest thing that I've found to make for the office party has been these snowmen donuts  that you just use some powdered mini donuts for and then just stick some stuff on them to make them look like snowmen.

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Welch's in the Morning

I've altered my morning routine just a bit to give the Welch's Grape Juice Healthy Start a whirl.  I'm usually an OJ kind of girl but thought I'd try on another pair of pants in the morning.  I'm a big 100% juice fan so I try to look for that when I purchase any juices. 

What I liked about the Welch's Grape Juice Healthy Start is that it is 100% juice without any added sugar.  I can get two servings of  fruit in one 8oz glass.   While I am not a health guru, I do like to know that something healthy can indeed taste good and satisfy your taste buds in the same process.  I honestly think that 100% juice tastes better than the sugary stuff any day! 

So far the delicious and satisfying Welch's Juice Healthy Start is available in 3 flavors: Grape, Blueberry Pomegranate Concord Grape and White Grape Orange Mango.  Sounds like it could also be a kicked up adult beverage as well doesn't it?  If you'd like to try it be sure to print off this $1.00 coupon to save on your first purchase!


Disclosure - I received  Welch's information and coupons from Bzz Agent to review in exchange for my honest opinion.  The opinions expressed are 100% my own.

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Quick Bacon and Cheese Ball

This is sooo simple to make and yet sooo tasty.  This like many other things the ingredients can easily be swapped out and replaced with your choosing.

Ingredients
1 bar cream cheese total room temperature
1 tbs thick worchestershire sauce
3 tbs chopped green onions
3-4 tbs cooked crumbed bacon
2-3 handfulls of walnuts


Directions
Once your cream cheese reaches room temperature and is easy to work with place it in a bowl and add all other ingredients except for walnuts.  Mix these well.  Meanwhile take your walnuts and place in a plastic ziploc bag and crush with mallet or whatever you have on hand then spread them on a flat surface.  Next I take my cream cheese mixture and mound it into a ball in my hand.  Then I roll it in the crushed walnuts.  Refridgerate after to firm it up.  I serve this with Tollhouse crackers.  Yum!

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Upcoming CSN Review

Have you ever heard of CSN Stores? They are a collection of over 200 online stores where you can find nearly anything whether it be a simple bar stool, tools, cribs, lighting and tons more! Whatever your needs I'm sure you can find what your looking for at CSN Stores.

I will be reviewing a CSN item coming soon so stay tuned...............

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iTunes App with Recipes!

Kim Haasarud presents her Holiday cocktail creations with the Apple App. Kim is a mixologist for companies such as Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons Resort Maui, Moet Hennessy, SKYY Spirits and many more.

Her cocktails have been featured in newspapers including the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, etc. She has served as a guest judge on Iron Chef America, and her movie premiere credits include the signature cocktails for the Sex and the City premiere.

The cocktails in this app (which have a 5 star rating) range from a Blackberry Rum Punch to festive Bellinis to a Salted Caramel Mocha. The four categories include: Champagne Cocktails, Punches, Martinis & Toddies. Each cocktail features an elegant picture, recipe, directions and how to batch for 12 servings.

It also includes a glossary of various spirits and ingredients so you know exactly what they are and how to get them as well as quick tips on garnishes and making some of your own ingredients.

Sounds pretty cool doesn't it?  To check out this new iTunes App simply run over here!

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Country Bobs Gift Set ENDED

Whether your cooking up steak, hamburger, chicken, fries or barbeque Country Bob's is the sauce for you!  After being an avid worchestershire sauce LOVER for years, I was surprised to find a new found love in Country Bob's sauce!  It's definitely a very well rounded sauce.  It works great as a marinade, dip or steak sauce.

I totally recommend marinating steaks with Country Bob's for great taste and extra tenderness.   Country Bob's is just the right amount of spice and nothing is too much or too little. Not only that but it's kid approved here at my home ;)  which is a wonderful bonus!

Recently I received their gift set to try out and is a dynamite gift for any sauce lover ($19.99)!  My personal favorite around the holidays is to make bbq lil smokies!  I used Country Bob's bbq sauce which came in the gift set and it was a HIT.  Gone, Fast, Good!

WINNER #101

101. janetfaye said...

I like Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce on FB - Janet Fri janetfay......

December 20, 2010 6:37 PM

Want to win it?

One lucky reader from Time 2 Eat Yall will win the Gift Set of their very own which has FULL SIZED bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce, Seasoning, BBQ sauce, Apple Chipotle Sauce, and Honey Habanero!  WHoooHoo!

EASY BREEZY - Visit Country Bob's and tell me what recipe you would try one of your sauce's on if you won!

Simply leave me a comment with your email ex.  time2eatyall at gmail dot com

Bonus Entries

-Follow Time 2 Eat Yall via GFC
-Tweet about this giveaway!! 1 per day
-Follow Country Bob's on Twitter
-Comment on ANY other post on Time 2 Eat Yall and come back here and tell me which one
-Blog about this giveaway!! 1 per blog
-Follow Country Bob's on Facebook
-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via a Reader
-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via email and verify

That's it!!  GOOD LUCK!!

Giveaway ends Saturday - Dec 20, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.  Winner will be chosen at random and will have 48 hours to respond.


There was no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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Musselman's Hot Mulled Cider

YUM, FESTIVE, WARM, HOLIDAY GOODNESS!

Musselman's sent me some of their delicious cider with a recipe to try for the Holiday season.  I haven't had hot apple cider in a very long time and was blown away at how good this recipe was!  I absolutely loved it and may make it every year.  You gotta give it a whirl!

Musselman's Hot Mulled Cider

Ingredients

1 gallon Musselman's Fresh Pressed Cider
3 Cinnamon sticks
1 Tbsp whole cloves
1 tsp whole allspice (I used ground and still came out great)
1/2 orange, slices, rind and all (optional)

Directions
Pour one gallon of Musselman's apple cider into a large pot on the stove or into a crockpot/slow cooker.  Place the cinnamon sticks into the cider.  Wrap the whole cloves and whole allspice in a square of cheesecloth (or coffee filter)  and tie closed.  Add to the pot. Add orange slices if desired.  heat the cider until it just starts to boil, lower the setting to simmer for another 15 minutes to allow for infusion of the spices.  Stir occasionally.

Remove the spices and oranges from the pot and ladle hot mulled cider into mugs.

Tips!!

Leave the pot uncovered so that you and your family can enjoy the warm, delicious aroma

Add a splash of run or brandy when serving to make a festive adult beverage.

If you are leaving the crockpot out for your guests at a party, you can stud an apple with cloves and allow that to float in your cider.  Or leave the cinnamon sticks and oranges in the cider for decoration.

Serves 16



There was no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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Oh Nuts $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway CLOSED

Oh Nuts is offering one lucky reader from Time 2 Eat Yall a $25 Gift Certificate!  There are 3 ways to enter!

1. Visit the Oh Nuts Christmas gift baskets page and choose your favorite Christmas Gift or Hanukkah Gift and leave a comment under this post with the name and url of the gift you like the most.

2. Visit the Oh Nuts facebook page  and post on the wall the url and name of your favorite  Hanukkah Gift OR Christmas Gift. You should also write "I am here via Time 2 Eat Yall's Blog"  Leave a comment under this post telling me you did so!

3. Follow @ohnuts on Twitter and tweet "Win a free Hanukkah or Christmas Gift from
http://bit.ly/dUpizt  . Leave a comment under this post telling me you did so!

GOOD LUCK!  This giveaway will go on for 1 week and will end on December 13, 2010.

WINNER

13. Brianna! said...

Commented on their FACEBOOK!!! xoxo Brianna

Disclosure - In running this giveaway I will also receive a gift certificate from All Nuts.  The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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Gourmet Gift Basket Review and Giveaway ENDED

Gourmet Gift Baskets have been featured in Food and Wine magazine, Food Network and loads more!   They sell a variety of fantastic gourmet gift basket for just about every occasion you can think of!  They are filled full with high quality and tasty full size items.

For review I received a delightful Christmas Gift Basket.  It came super quick with a holiday ribbon and fully in tact. This is the kind of gift basket to send to someone around the holidays!  This is one of their most popular Holiday Gift Baskets which includes a festive assortment of gourmet snacks like Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip and Chocolate Cherries!  YUM.

As nice as the gift basket is, it also comes with special message which you can personalize when you order!  All the gift baskets at GourmetGiftBaskets.com come with one of a kind, award-winning ingredients and are handmade!  Perfect for those who are hard to shop for and just the right variety for anyone on your holiday list.

Some of the varieties they carry are Cat Lover's Pampered Cat, Healthy Mini Basket, Gardening Basket, Fishing Basket ....YOU name it, they probably have it!

12. Stephanie said...

like GGB on FB tvol......

December 7, 2010 1:11 AM

One lucky reader will win the Christmas Gift Basket of their very own!

US and Canada

Mandatory Entry - 

“Like” (become a fan) Gourmet Gift Baskets on Facebook and/or post on their wall about one of the products you like from their website!  Leave a comment here letting me know you did!

Extra Entries

-Follow Time 2 Eat Yall via GFC
-Tweet about this giveaway!! 1 per day
-Blog about this giveaway!! 

-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via a Reader
-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via email and verify

That's it!!  GOOD LUCK!!

Giveaway ends December 16, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.  Winner will be chosen at random and will have 48 hours to respond. 

There was no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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Cowgirl Chocolate Review

Cowgirl Chocolates give the old term "sugar and spice" something to reckon with.  Specializing in high quality chocolate, Cowgirl Chocolates add a unique twist to an old favorite.  This sixteen time award winning chocolate bridges the gap between sweet and a little hint of heat.  No worries if you are not a spice fan, Cowgirl Chocolates come equiped with a flavor guide ranging from mild to spicy.  

I was sent the Fancy Pants Gift Box which includes 1/4 pound of nine Fancy Handmade Truffles. This gift box is a set of spicy and mild truffles including flavors: Raspberry Dark Chocolate, Double Dark Chocolate-spicy, Hazelnut Milk Chocolate, Cappuccino, Double Dark Chocolate-mild, Milk Chocolate, Ivory Orange, Raspberry Lemon, and last but not least Habanero Caramel!
These delicates came specially wrapped in a red tissue and the trademark sticker.

Upon opening the Cowgirl Chocolates I was pleasantly surprised to see the extra care that had gone into the presentation of the chocolates.  You see after I unraveled the tissue I unveiled a beautifully decorated box complete with a bow, gift tag and charm.  Perfect for gift giving!

Being a whimp, the first set of chocolates I tried was the mild ones.  I figured I would ease my way into the transitition in case the spicy ones were indeed hot.  They were delicious!  I let my husband try half of the Milk Chocolate piece (these are nice size pieces) and had to keep his hands off the rest of them, as he kept saying "give me another one".  If you are a chocolate lover like myself you must try these.  It's even husband approved!

The spicy truffles have a hint of spice but still just as delicious as the mild!  The Cowgirl Chocolate's bring incredible flavor.  I am totally in love!  The hot one in the box was the Habanero Caramel!  There was definitely heat in this one.  If you are a fan of hot then this is a must have for you to try!!  I can't imagine sweet and heat in any better combination than I've found in the Cowgirl Chocolates. 

Cowgirl Chocolates have been featured in popular media such as Food Network, Cottage Living, CNBC, The New York Times and tons more!  To check out this amazing chocolate, treat yourself or give as a gift visit the Cowgirl Chocolate website.


There was no compensation for this review.  The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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