Looking for bloggers to join the iPad Mini Giveaway Event!

Here is a great opportunity for bloggers to participate in. Click the below link to get in on the giveaway. There isn't a fee! You can also enter to win this iPad Mini  May 27-June18.             

iPad Mini Giveaway Event!

Sponsored by: BuyVia.com

Organized by: GoPromoCodes.com & WithASideofThriftiness

Prize: iPad Mini 16GB

Event Dates: May 27 - June 18, 2013

This event is free for bloggers to join. Click here to join this giveaway

event and for more details. If you click to join this opportunity please put that SusieQTpies Cafe invited you! Thanks!

101 Mac n' Cheese Recipes & Pinterest Party

Guess what? I just recently reviewed a cookbook with 101 mac n' cheese recipes! It is such a delish cookbook that I wanted to make sure you had a chance to check out the review and enter the giveaway for Mac N' Cheese to the Rescue. Do you have any favorite mac n cheese recipes? If so I would love for you to link them below. I will add them to my Pasta Recipes Pinterest Board and/or my Ding Dong it's Dinnertime Pinterest Board.

My other featured board is my Top 25 Weekly Blog Parties Board on Pinterest. Find out where to find link parties! If you have a weekly party you can be added to the board. Leave your blog party link in the comments. 

HOW TO JOIN THE LINKY Party (all optional)

1) Pin this Party Post to Pinterest- Please! 

2) Link up your most clicked on post, most followed Pinterest board, favorite pinterest pin, etc...anything goes.

3) Add your Pinterest name to the linky.

4) In turn pin a few things on the linky.

5) Please follow my boards on Pinterest- SusieQTpies Cafe and cohost Crystal and Company and 3 Boys and a Dog. We do follow back.

Mac N' Cheese to the Rescue Recipes and Giveaway

Does your family like mac n' cheese? Do you just buy the blue box or do you have a family favorite recipe? Our taste varies and we are always on the look out for something new to create. I just got the chance to review a cookbook with 101 new mac n' cheese recipes!

This sponsored post is my own tasty opinion. The cookbook, Mac N' Cheese To The Rescue by Kristen Kuchar is bursting full of fun, ingenious & tasty Mac N' Cheese recipes for the family. My teen looked through the cookbook before I had the chance a few weeks ago. For the first time ever she said, "Can I have this cookbook?" so I said yes! Miss College girl will now have 101 recipes to try. She then went through the cookbook and picked out some new recipes for us to cook. I will be buying several copies of this cookbook to include as gifts for bridal showers and graduations!

This cookbook was created to "spice up everyone's favorite boxed comfort food" and sure to please any fan of mac n' cheese. All of the recipes use a box of mac n' cheese. If you make your own basic mac n' cheese then substitute the same amount as 1 box mix. 

As with any of my cookbook reviews, I love sharing the chapters and a few of my favorite recipes. 

Chapter 1 Breakfast- Fiesta Omelet, Good Morning Mac n' Cheese, Bacon Omelet, Healthy Start Omelet

Chapter 2 Snacks and Appetizers- Taco Party, Spicy Mac Balls, Mini Mac Burgers, Bruschetta Mac, Jalapeno Mac Cornbread

Chapter 3 Soups and Salads- Chicken Mac-Tilla Soup, Mac-Estrone Soup, Cajun Country Gumbo, Chicken Caesar

Chapter 4 Sandwiches, Pizzas, Tacos and Burritos-Cowboy Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza Mac, Not Your Mama's Grilled Cheese, Windy City Mac, Simple Fish Tacos

Chapter 5 Vegetarian-Skinny Mac, Spinach Artichoke Mac, Corn Chowd-A, Creamy Fiesta Mac, Thai Mac, Amore Mac n' Cheese

Chapter 6 Poultry & Fish-Chicken Parm Mac, Italian Mac, Chicken Enchilada Mac, Superbowl Mac, Not Your Grandma's Tuna Casserole

Chapter 7 Pork-Octoberfest Casserole, New Orleans Cajun, Bacon Lover's Mac, Carolina Pulled Pork (click to get that recipe), Jalapeño Bacon Mac, Chinese Take In, B.L.T.M

Chapter 8 Beef & Lamb-Lonestar Mac, Meaty Mac Loaf, French Onion Mac, Sloppy Joe Mac

We will be trying many of these or I should say that my teens will be cooking may of these. Here is the first one made by my 14 year old and she also took the picture. I was so impressed at how beautiful it turned out! She knew I needed the picture for my blog.

Southern Fried Chicken Mac N' Cheese

Turn leftover fried chicken into an entirely different meal by adding it to man n' cheese. A touch of creamy ranch dressing completes the dish. Serves 4-5

Ingredients

1 box mac n' cheese

1 cup shredded leftover fried chicken

1/2 cup prepared creamy ranch dressing

Directions

1. Cook the mac n' cheese as directed.
2. Add the chicken and ranch dressing to the cooked man n' cheese, stirring until well blended.

Kitchen Notes- Use any type of chicken for this recipe. It is great to use with leftover roterseri chicken. My daughter topped hers off with bread crumbs from her mac n' cheese box. Remember you can use any type of Mac n' Cheese! Don't think this book is only for the box mix.

Enter to WIN a copy of this cookbook. Open to USA/Canada. Ends 5/25/13

Easy entries do as many as you want.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5-Want to increase your chance to get this cookbook? My friends are also giving away a copy. Check out their recipe and enter to win a copy on their blogs! Let me know that you entered on their sites for an extra entry for each one!

Katie-Carolina Pulled Pork Mac n' Cheese
Carrie- Amore Mac n' Cheese
Nichi- Jalapeno Mac Cornbread
Susie-Southern Fried Chicken Mac n' Cheese
Little Island Studios Cookbook Giveaway

7 Healthy Summer Nutrition Tips for Families

School is just about out for your kiddos. How do you provide healthy summer nutrition for them when most of the time they are on the go? Check my kid friendly recipes for ideas and enjoy these 7 healthy tips! If you have some of your own, please share them in the comments. If you have some on your blog, leave links and I will come check them out!

7 Healthy Summer Nutrition Tips from Funky Monkey Snacks

 1. Get Your Fill of Water- Hydration is critical, especially in the southern states where the sudden transition from air conditioning to high heat can shock the body. To help avoid muscle cramps and headaches—and to nourish skin—drink plenty of liquids, especially water.  The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition outlines the following choices along with the maximum recommended daily eight-ounce servings: water (9 for women, 13 for men), unsweetened tea (8), unsweetened coffee (4), diet sodas and calorie-free beverages (4), skim or low-fat milk (2), 100% fruit juices, whole milk, or sports drinks (1), soft drinks or juice drinks (1).

2. Find a Farmer- There isn’t a better time of year to visit local farmers markets where an amazing array of healthy produce awaits.  Many vegetables are high in nutrients and fiber —kale, chard, and mustard greens offer Vitamins C and E, which are good for eyes strained by the sun.  Potassium-rich potatoes and spinach help avoid muscle cramps as well.  Try putting vegetables on the backyard grill along with your main course for a special treat.

3. Up Your Fruit Quotient- The sun can wreak havoc on skin during outdoor activities.  To nourish skin, complement your increased water intake with fresh fruit like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, all of which have antioxidants and vitamin C.  Bananas are also good sources of potassium; make smoothies or fruit kabobs to add variety.  Freeze-dried Funky Monkey™ Snacks are also a good fruit alternative—crunchy, bite-sized 100% real fruit snacks that are nutritionally equivalent to their fresh fruit counterparts and made with bananas, pineapples, apples, papaya, raisins, and açai.

4. Lighter is Better- Eating smaller meals more often is always a good idea, but especially in summer when people tend to miss eating at meal times or are suddenly presented with a picnic or party smorgasbord.  Lighter fare is also a good way to get nutrients without excessive calories—make gazpacho or other cold soups, and try BBQ alternatives like turkey or skinless, marinated chicken.  Chili is another convenient and fun summertime entrée; make a potful in advance, using nutrient-rich chicken or vegetables, so it’s on hand when no one feels like cooking.

5. Go Fishing- Fish, along with lean meats, beans, chickpeas, and soy products, are all high in protein, making them great not only for muscle development, but also to help hair that is overcome by exposure to sunlight and saltwater.  Grill fish for a great summertime meal—and while you’re at it, up your consumption of eggs, another important source of protein.

6. Limit High Calorie Treats- It’s easy to make ice cream a habit during warm weather, but ice cream, not to mention cookies, popsicles, pies and fried desserts, can add fat and calories much faster than increased summertime activity can work off.  Newer low-fat versions of ice cream or sorbet are better-tasting than ever; another alternative is to eat a healthy meal and then plan an after-dinner diversion to take everyone’s mind off big desserts.

7. Think About the Kids- Erratic eating can be especially hard on children during the summer—and their demand for treats can ruin anyone’s commitment to good nutrition.  Try to maintain a regular meal schedule as much as possible, and keep only healthy snacks in the house, so no one is tempted.  Having healthy snacks in the car at all times also helps when kids suddenly start complaining.  Funky Monkey Snacks are easy to carry and better for kids than dried fruit or fruit snacks (dried fruit does not preserve all the nutrients of fresh fruit, and fruit snacks often contain added sugars, colors, flavors and preservatives.)This article was provided and no compensation was given. 

Kid Friendly Recipes

• 11 Kid Friendly Recipes
• Confetti Veggie Salad
• Veggie Critter Snack Attack
• Spicy Ranch Dip and Flower Power Artist Veggies
• Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
• Dehydrated Apples and Strawberries
• Healthy Green Smoothie Recipes

More Summer Travel and Healthy Food options

• 10 Tips for a Healthy Summer Vacation
• 7 Healthy Travel Tips
• 15 Healthier & Savvy Travel Tips
• 6 Summer Salad Recipes
• 7 Healthy NutritionTips for Families
• 6 Healthy Foods for the Savvy Traveler

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Dunkin' Donut Coffee Lover test Summer Flavors #sponsored

When was the last time you had Dunkin' Donuts coffee? Do you have a favorite flavor? I have the best memories over the past 30 years or so going into Dunkin' Donuts and picking out a favorite donut. As I got older, I alway loved their fresh brewed "DD" coffee. We no longer live by a Dunkin' Donuts so I'm thrilled that I can get their coffee in my local store. 

These memories are why I love that I can pick up Dunkin' Donuts coffee at my local store to brew at home. I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consultingfor Dunkin' Donuts. I received a Dunkin' Donuts Party Kit to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Do any of us need a special occasion to get together and drink coffee? Most of us probably do not need a special occasion but if so, all that is needed are coffee cups, Dunkin' Donuts Coffee, sweet bread coffee cake, donuts and all the goodies to go inside the coffee. I'm always amazed at how different every single person takes their coffee. Some of us like it all black, creamer with no sugar, frozen, sugar only, topped with whipped cream and more!

Dunkin' Donuts has 3 new flavored coffees to get you ready for spring. Click on their name to go read more about these new flavors. I got to share these flavors with family and friends a few weeks ago. The new flavors are Coconut, Triple Berry and Strawberry Shortcake. These were all new to my friends and here are some of their comments related to these new coffee flavors:

• Deb- "Just had my second cup of coconut coffee from Dunk in Donuts, I love it!. Thanks for "hook in" me up!"
• Maggie- "That coconut coffee is good, thanks."
• Lynda -"Thanks for that extra coffee. I took it to worked and shared it with my friends. They loved the triple berry flavor."
• Anna- "Why is this coffee nutty?" in regards to the Coconut Coffee.
• Jen- "Thank you. I love Dunkin' Donuts coffee, the fun bag and awesome coffee cup. I"ll use it to make more of the iced coffee."
• Trish-"Love that Strawberry Coffee. Perfect coffee for Cinco de Mayo."
• Naomi- "I prefer my coffee plain and black."
• Emily- "Yummy flavors! They work best for the summer as iced coffee."
• Me- "Coupons to buy MORE MORE MORE Dunkin' Donuts coffee!!!"
• Pastor- "Why do all of these coffee bags have smiling faces on them? They look over caffeinated :)"

I was impressed at how well people took to the new Dunkin' Donuts Coffee flavors. People who normally drink plain, no flavored coffee really liked the new flavors. They also shared their coffee with others! Coffee drinkers are the best. 

Our little town does not carry these three new flavors now that our Kroger is closed. For us, that was the spot to purchase all the new Dunkin' Donut seasonal flavors. I always bought my fall and winter flavors there. My friends were given coupons to buy more Dunkin' Donut coffee and for those who live near me they will have to go to a neighboring town to pick up more seasonal flavors. 

My daughters love iced coffee and frozen coffee. Dunkin' Donuts shared with us their iced coffee recipe. It can also be turned into a frozen drink by tossing of the ingredients into a blender. 

Dunkin' Donuts Iced Coffee or Frozen Coffee

Ingredients

3/4 cup of your favorite Dunkin' Donuts coffee

3 cups of cold water, divided

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup half-and-half

Whipped Cream (optional)

Directions

1-Brew coffee using 3/4 cup of ground coffee and 1 1/2 cups cold water.

2-Combine hot bred coffee, sugar and half-and-half in a pitcher. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.

3-Blend in 1 1/2 cups cold water.

4-Chill until ready to be served.

5-Pour over ice in tall glasses or cafe mugs. Top with whipped cream and serve immediately. 

Kitchen notes- Blend all together in a blender to get the same taste but a frozen variety. 

I don't know about you, but I look forward to seasonal flavors of coffee. Dunkin' Donuts brought out these new flavors just in time to kick winter out of our town and usher spring into our kitchen coffee makers. You'll have to try the new flavors and let me know which spring flavor is your favorite. Mine, I have decided is the coconut. It reminds me of a coffee that I would drink while on an island. We can dream from our own kitchens, right? Enjoy the new coffee recipes, too!

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Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Skookie Cookies

We tried making cookies with less sugar. Our experiment was a huge success. The cookies turned out great. My daughter and I did not tell anyone that we used the blend of Domino Light All Natural Sugar & Stevia and NO ONE NOTICED a difference! NO ONE! I have been baking these cookies for almost 20 years. We aren't telling them, either. So if they actually take the time to read my blog then they will know about the change. 

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies 

2 c. butter Crisco
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup Domino Light All Natural Sugar & Stevia Blend
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking soda
5 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
16 oz chocolate chips, your choice

Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, soda and salt. Mix in chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Bake longer for a crunchier cookie.  Make 100 cookies.

Kitchen Notes- Use this dough for a skillet cookie. Bake it at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Have you ever baked a cookie in a skillet? We have and it is just the right size dessert for one person if you use the Skookie Cookie Pan. We plan on using other cookie recipes for this, too. Enjoy this chocolate chip cookie recipe. It is a family favorite for over 20 years. 

There is an actual kit for the Skookie Cookie. It comes with individual size skillet pan and a lot of recipes. We used the cookie kit for this recipe the first time. Other cookie doughs can be used, too. Here is one of our cookie recipes below. Check the Skookie Cookie link for more details on this cast iron cookie.

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CHUNKY GUACAMOLE and more Avocado Recipes

I love eating avocados all Spring and Summer long. They seem to taste the best during these two seasons. Here is an easy guacamole mexican recipes for you to try. Let me know if you like it.

CHUNKY GUACAMOLE

Ingredients

4 ripe avocados

3 limes, juiced

1/2 red onion, chopped with the KB710 blender

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Serrano chilies, sliced thinly

1 big handful fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Halve and pit the avocados. 

Scoop out the flesh with a tablespoon into a mixing bowl. 

Use the “chop” setting to cut the avocado pieces, leaving them somewhat chunky. 

Add the remaining ingredients, and fold everything together using the “mix” setting. 

Lay a piece of plastic wrap right on the surface of the guacamole so it doesn't brown and refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

More Avocado Recipes

• CHICKEN TINGA TACOS WITH AVOCADO CHILE CREMA& CHIPOTLE LIME SLAW
• Quick & Simple Avocado Relish
• Avocado Hot Dog Relish
• Chilled Avocado Soup with Roasted Corn and Pico de Gallo Garnish

More Mexican Recipes

• Grilled Sweet Corn with Lime Chive Butter
• Sweet Mexican Corn Cake
• Robert's Corn Dip
• Stuffed Corn Bake
• Mexican Fiesta Pinterest Board

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