Share Your Kitchen Shortcuts With Mueller’s Pot-Sized Pasta

Are you guilty of breaking spaghetti noodles in half to fit into a pot? If you are like me, I'm GUILTY AS CHARGED.

Thanks to the geniuses at Mueller's, breaking that pasta in half is no longer necessary with their *Pot-Sized* pastas. When I discovered this.... I thought... now why didn't I think of that.... Brills!

Serving pasta on one of our many hectic evenings just became that much easier! I'm all about keeping it quick and simple on days that we are limited on time.

The kids still get to enjoy Mueller's pasta, now just in a more convenient size. Whether it served with my homemade spaghetti sauce or with butter and Parmesan cheese, I know that the kids will be thrilled with this tasty dinner option! Mueller's Pot-Sized Pasta is SO SMART... and I will be using it from here on out... no more struggling with THAT other pasta length. 

I love this NEW kitchen shortcut. I absolutely LOVE things that make our hectic life a little easier... so here's a family shortcut tip that I use quite often!

Mueller’s “Share Your Shortcut” Facebook Contest

From now through March 21, Mueller’s is asking it’s Facebook fans to “Share Your Shortcut“— ideas that help move things along in the kitchen, quicker, faster and/or better. The entry with the most votes on their kitchen shortcut will receive a $500 gift card at the end of the promotion! Plus, you can vote for your favorite shortcut once per day to be entered to win one of six weekly drawings for $100.

Vote For My Kitchen Shortcut: Soften Butter In No-Time

Hate waiting for cold butter to soften... it seems to take forever. A quick way to speed up the process: Over a mixing bowl, shred the amount of butter you need on a grater. The little pieces will soften faster than a solid stick. Easy-peasy!

Like my shortcut, feel free to VOTE for it, and enter to win $100.

What is YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN SHORTCUT?


[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from the manufacturer of a PR Agency. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." See ace and friends Disclosure Policy HERE.]

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Enjoy Eating Your Vegetables With *NEW* Green Giant Seasoned Steamers {2 DAY ONLY Flash Giveaway}

With a dash of imagination, a pinch of culinary skill, and a heap of flavor, Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™ are giving you a new reason to enjoy eating your vegetables. Shake up your vegetable routine with these flavorful, chef-inspired options that are seasoned to perfection, without a drop of sauce. Now, more than ever, you can leave your family craving more vegetables with every meal and break through meal monotony with a new palate-pleasing vegetable option for everyone! With new Green Giant® Seasoned Steamers™, eating vegetables just got easier and more delicious!

Available in six different varieties, Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™ are one of the first sauce-free seasoned vegetables to bring unique chef-inspired seasonings and premium cut vegetable blends to your dining room table.

These tasty Seasoned Steamers are bound to spice up any meal with six varieties including: Mediterranean Blend, Tuscan Seasoned Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts with Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper, Honey Roasted Sweet Corn, Honey Dijon Carrots and Backyard Grilled Potatoes.

PRINTABLE COUPON

Visit HERE to download a printable coupon for $1.00 off the purchase of one package of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™. Be sure to share this coupon with your family, friends and readers so they too can take advantage of the savings and try Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™ today!

NEED To Know More CONNECT WITH GREEN GIANT!

Green Giant on Their Site, Facebook and Twitter.

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Win It 

Thanks to MyBlogSpark on behalf of Green Giant, ONE LUCKY *ace and friends* reader will win a "Green Giant" prize pack (see above) which includes: (1) VIP coupon for one free package of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™, Apron, Green Giant, Serving Spoon, Mixing Bowl and Bag of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™

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Check Out *ace and friends* Featured in Chef Boyardee's Little Chefs FREE eBook {& Giveaway}

I am so excited to share with all of you a FUN project that I've been working on with several other bloggers. As part of the Little Chef's program, I am currently featured as part of  an eBook sponsored by Chef Boyardee. 

Little Chef's eBook has been created with the hard work of other mom bloggers just like me. I was honored to have been asked to be a part of this collaborative project. You can view my portion of the book which is part of Chapter 3 - *Everyday Fun* which begins on page 17. You can check out *ace* enjoying some VERY tasty smoothies!

As mentioned, I was part of the *Everyday Fun* section and we had a great time making all sorts of smoothies. See *ace* preparing ingredients for their smoothies (this picture didn't make it into the eBook).

Make sure to check out our eBook and learn creative new ways to enjoy cooking with the little chef's in your home. You will find lots of great tips, recipes and inspirational ideas to make everyday cooking with your little ones so much MORE fun! 

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Win It

One LUCKY ace and friends reader
will win Chef Boyardee Little Chefs Prize Pack which includes:

Kids’ kitchen measure and prep kit

Kids’ recipe box

Scrapbook album

2 Chef Boyardee chef hats

Chef Boyardee adult apron

Chef Boyardee child apron

Chef Boyardee pizza kit

Time capsule

2 coupons for free Chef Boyardee Beefaroni

5 Chef Boyardee recipe cards

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Join Me For A Little Chefs Cook-Along Class *Everyday Fun* on Thursday October 25th - #LittleChefs

What is The Little Chef's Cook-Along?

 A virtual Cook-Along called Everyday Fun, part of The Little Chefs Project series on The Motherhood.

The Little Chefs Project series consists of live chats called Cook-Alongs taking place every Thursday at 2 p.m. ET until November 15, and each Cook-Along covers a different topic around cooking with kids. Everyday Fun addresses how you and your kids can create fun, lasting memories in the kitchen around events like sleepovers or holidays, or around everyday events like family dinners.

About the class

From weekend breakfast rituals to holidays like Halloween, you can find any occasion to cook up some everyday fun with your kids. Grab a can of Chef Boyardee and join in for further inspiration and ideas for getting started. 

To Participate

Everyday Fun is scheduled for Thursday, October 25, at 2 p.m. ET.  It will last 30 minutes.

To participate,  join us at The Motherhood. Log in using your member ID (if you don’t have one, it’s easy and free to sign up) and chat away in the text based comments. There is also be a video feed running during the half-hour Cook-Along  so you’re welcome to show up simply to watch if you’d like!

The Cook-Along is sponsored by Chef Boyardee, and it is hosted by The Motherhood.  You can visit Chef Boyardee online athttp://www.chefboyardee.com/ or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/chefboyardee.

I’ll be there with several other bloggers to co-host the class, and I hope you’ll join us!  The fabulous people who will be co-hosting with me are:
     
Brett, This Mama Loves Her Bargains http://mamalovesherbargains.com/ 
Carrie, Making Lemonade http://www.makinglemonadeblog.com
Christi, Frugal Novice http://frugalnovice.com Corine, Complicated Mama http://www.complicatedmama.comKim, Shop With Me Mama http://shopwithmemama.comMichelle, Ace and Friends Co. http://www.aceandfriendsco.com Roxanne, Children Teaching Mama http://www.childrenteachingmama.com

Everyday Fun Cooking is SO easy...

4 year olds can do it too!

I have been a fan of Chef Boyardee since I was a wee-little kid. We would always look forward to having one of our many favorites, especially during the winter time. Something about Chef Boyardee + Fall = happiness. I wanted to bring those same happy memories to my own kids and incorporate their delicious line into our mealtimes. My kids always recognize the Chef Boyardee labels and get so excited to eat whatever is being served that day. We love Chef Boyardee and had a great time sharing some of our favorites with our friends while incorporating *Everyday Fun* while cooking.

Chef Boyardee products are easy to incorporate and use in simple, quick and tasty recipes. We decided to make Pepperoni Spaghetti Bake using Chef Boyardee's Spaghetti & Meatballs.

This recipe only uses 5 ingredients and was easy enough for a four year old little chef's to create. 

The Little Chef's Masterpiece!

The kids had a great time working together and creating this absolutely tasty dish! We are planning our next cooking extravaganza and plan to make Taco-roni which incorporates Chef Boyardee Beefaroni with tomatoes, black beans and corn, topped with cheese and crunchy tortilla chips for a taco-inspired dish. Add a little sour cream, avocado and salsa... that's Chef BoyarDEELICOUS!

Hope you have a chance to stop by!

[Product review & giveaway disclosure: This post was part of a compensated Chef Boyardee program through The Motherhood. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." See ace and friends Disclosure Policy HERE.]

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Balance Bar mini energy bars & Itzy Ritzy Snack Bags {Review & Giveaway}

Featured Sponsors

With three active kids, I always find myself on the go running from one activity to another... yep, I'm that mom.... Constantly in the car, I find it hard to stop and get a bite to eat. Thankfully, I have my box of new Balance Bar mini energy bars that give me that little pick me up when I'm hungry, exhausted and don't have a second to spare. 

First, About Balance Bar

Founded in 1992, Balance Bar, one of America’s original nutrition/energy bars, inspires consumers to lead active, well-rounded and balanced lives by providing great-tasting, healthy and convenient nutrition for lasting energy. Balance Bars come in seven unique product lines (Original, Gold, BARE, Café, nimble, CarbWell and mini energy bars) and are available in 23 flavors with all based on a 40/30/30 nutritional model (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein and 30% from dietary fat). 

Balance Bar®, one of America’s original nutrition/energy bar leaders, is launching mini energy bars in two popular Balance Bar flavors: Cookie Dough and Double Chocolate Brownie. They’re the perfect pick-me-up for kids and adults so everyone can feel good about enjoying them at snack time or between meals!

Each 100-calorie mini energy bar contains seven grams of protein and 23 vitamins and minerals with an excellent source of antioxidants (vitamins A, C & E). Like all Balance Bars, mini energy bars adhere to the proven 40-30-30 principle (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein and 30% from dietary fat) to help stabilize blood sugar levels, satisfy hunger and provide lasting energy.

mini energy bars are certified Kosher and come in a two-flavor, 10-count box which will be available where ever Balance Bars are sold and on their site, www.shopbalance.com.

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COUPON: To get a one-dollar Balance Bar coupon, go to www.Balance.com and click on {Get a Valuable Coupon}.

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For more information, visit their website, www.Balance.com. Follow Balance Bar for tips and nutritional information on Facebook and Twitter.

With the kids back to school, they require their daily snack. As easy as it is to use plastic bags, I always disliked the number of bags with would go through every week. I have always loved the idea of the reusable snack back, but never found one that I really liked A LOT, until recently when I was introduced to the Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened™ Reusable Snack Bags. This ZIPPERED (not velcro-ed) snack bag is keep crackers, fruit, sandwiches, new Balance Bar mini energy bars, and other snack securely in place.

Features include:

• 100% cotton exterior
• Waterproof lining interior
• FDA-approved, BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free
• Lead-free zipper top closure keeps crumbs, drips and contents securely inside –no velcro for snag free and silent snacking
• Machine washable
• Award winning

To get your very own Itzy Ritzy snack bags of your own

at www.itzyritzy.com in regular or mini size.

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Buy It

Special Offer! Buy four boxes of Balance Bar mini energy bars and receive one FREE regular-size Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened bag and FREE ground shipping. Offer is limited to the first 50 responders. Go to www.shopbalance.com.

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Win It

One LUCKY ace and friends reader will win a 10 count box of Balance Bar mini energy bars and Itzy Ritzy Snack Bag Prize Pack!

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Earn Cash and Bonus Box Tops 4 Education with Jingit #jingit4edu #CBias

As I've mentioned before, my kids LOVE collecting Box Tops (well... they actually LOVE the prize that their class gets from collecting the MOST), but I love the benefits my kids will receive from the program.

If you are a parent like me, you are probably familiar with the Box Tops 4 Education program. Recently I was introduced to Jingit, that not only allows you to earn EXTRA Box Tops for your school of choice, but extra cash too! 

You can easily earn cash from your favorite brands by watching a short video as well as locating these participating brands in-store. Getting started is super easy by signing up with  Jingit online. Immediately you can begin watching videos and earn cash.

To compliment Jingit online, you can also download the Jingit app to your phone (available for the iPhone and Android) and enjoy additional earning opportunities.

After I signed up online, I headed to Walmart to begin my shopping trip. Earning cash was very easy and I loved to hear the little *cha-ching*... when I earned my cash. The status bar maintains your cumulative total and it was fun to see my overall total continually increase throughout my shopping trip... now, who doesn't LOVE free money?!

There were many General Mills products participating in this program including: Yoplait Go-Gurt, Yoplait – Original Fridge Pack, Fiber One Brownies, Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey Granola Bars, Honey Nut Cheerios, Totino’s Party Pizzas, Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers, Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks - Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit by the Foot and Fruit Gushers. Thankfully, my kids enjoy many of these products.

Scanning products were fun and made the shopping experience somewhat entertaining. Some products require a two-step process as you will see below.

 First, I located the participating products and begin the Jingit *Check In* process.

Step 1: Scan the barcode on package #1 (this involves scanning Oats 'n Honey NATURE VALLEY Value Pack).

Step 2 (Next): Scan the barcode on package #2 (scanning Fiber One Brownies).

Final Step:  Once you select *Finish Now*... you instantly earn your cash and it's added to your cumulative total in the upper right corner.

Signing up is very simple, check out my entire Sign up process and shopping trip in my  Google + Story.

Want to learn more, make sure to follow  Jingit on Twitter and *Like* Jingit on Facebook.


Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Jingit. Any opinions expressed are my own. #CBias #SocialFabric

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2012 Back To School Guide: Sam’s Club Bonus Box Tops for Education! {& $25 Sam’s Club GC Giveaway}

Featured Sponsor

My kids LOVE collecting BoxTops (well... they LOVE the prize that their class gets from collecting the MOST, but irregardless... they still LOVE it). 

Now they have a greater chance of collecting more, because Sam’s Club is giving away 500,000** eBoxTops®. Awesome, isn't it?

Members can earn 5 eBoxTops when they shop at Sam’s Club until the 500,000 are gone. Earn your 5 eBoxTops (a .50¢ value to any BTFE participating school) by following these simple steps:

• Purchase ANY product at Sam’s Club and save your receipt
• Now thru September 30th, log in or register at btfe.com/clickandearn and enter the code found at the bottom of your Sam’s Club receipt
•  Answer a few survey questions and earn 5 eBoxTops for the school of your choice!*

**Limit one earning opportunity per email address. Limit of 100,000 earning opportunities thru 9/30/12.

Box Tops Membership Bonus - Now through September 1, 2012

• New Plus Members will receive 100 Bonus Box Tops.* (a $10 value to any BTFE participating school)
• Upgrade your current Membership to a Plus Membership to receive 50 Bonus Box Tops.* (a $5 value to any BTFE participating school)
• New Advantage or Business Members will receive 25 Bonus Box Tops.* (a $2.50 value to any BTFE participating school)

*Offer vaild only with original receipt of purchased Membership taped to certificate. Only available in-Club. While supplies last.

Looking for a Sam’s Club, click HERE to find a location near you!

And, for a full list of Bonus Box Tops items, visit www.samsclub.com/boxtops.

For more from Sam’s Club, please visit them on Facebook and Twitter!

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Win It

Thanks to Sam's Club and MyBlogSpark, one LUCKY ace and friends reader
will win a $25 Sam's Club Gift Card to start
earning extra BoxTops for your school.

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Summer With The Kids Guide: SodaStream System {Review & Giveaway}

Featured Sponsor

Summertime = increased beverage consumption! Increased beverage consumption = MORE money spent on drinks. With the SodaStream we were quick to find out that it doesn't have to be that way. The kids and I had a great time creating lots of tasty fizzy summertime drinks. 

{model: Genesis Starter Kit - MSRP $119.95}

About little more about SodaStream
(source: sodastreamusa.com)

SodaStream is the world's largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of Home Carbonation Systems. Their brands are sold in over 50,000 retail stores in 42 countries including home & electrical appliance stores, hypermarkets, supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, DIY, specialty and "green" stores, water specialists & dealers, as well as online and in catalogs.

SodaStream's long standing and deep heritage dates back to 1903, when they introduced innovative solutions to the beverage market. They continue to grow as market leaders in both technological advancements and the quality of our products.

The SodaStream system enables consumers to carbonate water and to flavor carbonated beverages at home as an alternative to purchasing pre-packed bottles or cans. This has many important benefits to the consumer including cost savings and no hassle with bottles.

Additional Benefits

• Convenience: No need to carry heavy bottles from the store. The SodaStream system is simple to use and requires no batteries or electricity.
• Environmentally-Friendly: SodaStream is an "Active Green" solution that minimizes the huge eco-footprint caused by the manufacture, transport and waste of plastic bottles.
• Variety: SodaStream offers over 100 flavors to suit everyone’s taste. Regular, diet, natural, fruity flavors, ice tea, energy drinks, sport drinks, tonic and many more.
• Space Saver: No need to store bottles of beverages or empty bottles for recycling in your home.
• Personalization: Make drinks just the way you love them… more bubbles, less bubbles, sweeter or lighter, even create your own flavor!
• Family Fun: The system is quick and easy to use. It's fun for everyone and kids just love it!
• Value for Money: Great savings compared to pre-packed carbonated water and beverages.
• Satisfaction Guaranteed: SodaStream drinks makers are of extremely high quality and include a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

{add cold water, attach bottle.}

 {press button to add fizz.}

{carbonation success.}

{add your favorite flavor.}

{give it a light shake.}

{enjoy. yum.}

ace and friends thoughts

 The SodaStream was super simple and easy to use. You have LOTS of different and delicious flavors to choose from when creating your carbonation masterpiece. You can make your drink just how YOU want it! I personally liked that it was better for the environment... reusable bottle = smiles. The kids had a FUN time making flavor selections, pressing the carbonation button, watching the bubbles form and especially drinking their SodaStream beverage. We actually made three different flavors in a matter of minutes. Who doesn't LOVE cranberry-raspberry? The flavor that I really liked was ENERGY... just like a drink with a bull on it.... and so MUCH cheaper. Again, smiles. What I truly liked was that the flavoring did not contain high fructose corn syrup or aspartame. Plus... and plus again! Check out this amazing nutrition comparison: (source: sodastreamusa.com)

Classic Flavors	Calories	Carbs	Sugar	Sodium	Caffeine
Pepsi ®	100	27g	27g	25mg	25mg
Coca-Cola ®	100	27g	27g	35mg	23mg
SodaStream Cola	34	9g	9g	2mg	15mg
7-UP ®	100	26g	26g	50mg	0mg
Sprite ®	100	26g	26g	45mg	0mg
SodaStream Lemon Lime	36	9g	9g	25mg	0mg
Sunkist ®	130	35g	35g	30mg	27mg
Fanta ®	110	30g	30g	35mg	0mg
SodaStream Orange	36	8g	8g	25mg	0mg
Dr. Pepper ®	100	27g	27g	35mg	27mg
SodaStream Dr. Pete	37	9g	9g	2mg	22mg
Mountain Dew ®	110	31g	31g	50mg	37mg
SodaStream Fountain Mist	35	8g	9g	46mg	36mg
Barq's ® Root Beer	110	30g	30g	50mg	15mg
A&W ® Root Beer	120	31g	31g	30mg	0mg
SodaStream Root Beer	37	9g	9g	2mg	0mg
Canada Dry ® Ginger Ale	90	25g	24g	35mg	0mg
SodaStream Ginger Ale	35	8g	8g	20mg	0mg
Schweppes® Tonic Water	90	23g	22g	35mg	0mg
SodaStream Tonic	35	8g	8g	53mg	0mg
Schweppes® Club Soda	0	0g	0g	65mg	0mg
SodaStream Seltzer	0	0g	0g	0mg	0mg

Final thoughts:

• SodaStream is extremely easy to use. Easy to assemble, carbonate and create.

• Taste was much better than expected. The soda was very refreshing (and fresh... if that makes sense). The diet flavors didn't even taste diet (ish)... i know, not a word, but you get the point. No after taste that you usually get with diet drinks.

• One liter bottles were the perfect size for all five of us to share without the hassle of going flat too soon. We can create new flavors on a regular basis.

• Less calories than regular carbonated sodas.

• When comparing price, the syrup averages $7 per bottle and makes approx. 12 liters. Makes it about $.58 per bottle which is cheaper than a two liter. 

We are currently loving our SodaStream Genesis and look forward to creating many delicious beverages ALL summer long.  Ahhhhhhh......... summertime!

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Buy It 

Get your own SodaStream on their site HERE

or locate a retailer near you, HERE. 

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Win It 

Thanks to SodaStream, one LUCKY ace and friends reader will win a Fountain Jet Soda Lover’s Start-up Kit (approx. $100 retail value) including the Fountain Jet (winner's choice of color), CO2 makes over 60 liters of soda, 1 reusable carbonating bottle, a sample pack of flavors, and 3 full-sized flavors of the winner’s choice. 

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