One of the benefits of being a food blogger is that I get to try out – and fall in love with – products I wouldn’t normally have the chance to try. That’s certainly the case with Holland House cooking wines! That’s why I’m giving away a starter kit of three bottles of Holland House cooking wines, a recipe booklet, and an Amco stainless steel measuring cup and spoon set to help inspire you to use their cooking wines in all your meals. Enter below!!

Another way to get inspired to use Holland House Cooking Wines in your kitchen is to sign up for the Splash Recipe Club e-newsletter to receive coupons, special offers, and recipe ideas using all of Mizkan’s great products, like Holland House, NAKANO rice vinegars, and more!

Holland House Cooking Wine starter kit giveaway is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Johnson & Johnson has created a cool new app you should check out. It’s called Donate a Photo, and it allows you to give back to causes you care about just by sharing a photo – any photo. For each photo shared through the Donate a Photo app, Johnson & Johnson donate $1 to one of these non-profit partners:

• Safe Kids: One photo helps protect a child from a sports injury
• Keep America Beautiful: One photo helps restore a public park
• Save the Children: One photo helps a newborn get medicine to thrive

When a cause reaches its goal, another takes its place.* This is not a one time deal either as you can donate one photo a day, every day.

The app is available through iTunes and Google Play. For more information, go to donateaphoto.com. Here’s a video that tells you more about the app and how it can help a good cause.

Save with Healthy Essentials coupon book

If you still have last Sunday’s newspaper, check it for Johnson & Johnson’s Healthy Essentials™ coupon book. It contains over $50 in savings on everyday products for your family like Band-Aids and Neosporin. Didn’t get the newspaper? You can also print out the Johnson & Johnson product coupons online here where you can get coupons for everything from Benadryl to Neutrogena Naturals.

It’s a great time to stock up on Johnson & Johnson’s products, especially those related to allergies and ouchies. (I don’t know what it is about my kids, but spring and summer means more cuts, bruises and the need for bandages and Neosporin. Bet your kids are the same way!)

Healthy Essentials giveaway – win $100 worth of Johnson & Johnson goodies

I’m giving away a box of assorted Johnson & Johnson products, approximate retail value $100. The winner will receive these products or something similar:

• AVEENO® Skin Relief Ointment
• AVEENO® Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo
• BAND-AID® Brand Flexible Fabric Bandages featuring QUILTVENT® Technologies
• BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages featuring Jake and the Never Land Pirates
• BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages featuring Hello Kitty®
• Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS® Brand Products – Gauze and Tape
• LISTERINE® Antiseptic in COOL MINT®
• LUBRIDERM® Soothing Relief Daily Lotion 13.5 fl. oz.
• NEOSPORIN® ORIGINAL OINTMENTBAND-AID®
• NEOSPORIN® ECZEMA ESSENTIALS DAILY MOISTURIZING CREAM
• NEUTROGENA® Naturals Acne Cream Cleanser
• NEUTROGENA® Naturals Acne Treatment
• o.b.® Tampon Product Comfort Regular
• VISINE® Tired Eye Relief

*Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and you can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn't reached, the cause will still get a minimum donation.

Making the world a better place one photo at a time {Johnson & Johnson #HealthyEssentials $100 giveaway} is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve signed up once again to be a brand ambassador for NAKANO and Holland House. It’s my third year working with these awesome products and their parent company, Mizkan. One of my duties is to let you know when they’re running a special promotion or contest, like NAKANO’s Splash Shootout giveaway on Facebook. The sweepstakes is running through April 12th, so enter soon to win one of three great prizes:

• One Grand Prize: $500 pre-paid Visa® Gift Card.
• One First Prize: $100 pre-paid Visa® Gift Card and a $50 NAKANO product prize pack.
• One Second Prize: a NAKANO product prize pack worth $50.

All you need to do is fill out the form with your contact info and vote for your favorite Nakano rice vinegar in their March shootout bracket. Make sure to check the box to sign up for their Splash Recipe Club newsletter too! It’s full of recipes, serving tips, and discount coupons.

After voting, make sure you click on the recipe button to check out all sorts of Mizkan product recipes. Or you can check out the NAKANO recipes and Holland House recipes I’ve created here at This Mama Cooks! On a Diet. Finally, don’t forget to check the Mizkan website for coupons!

Enter the NAKANO Splash Shootout! #NAKANOSplash is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

I met the Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices team when I was at Food Blog South earlier this year. Now I’ve known about Gourmet Garden for years having seen the tubes in the herb section of the produce aisle at my grocery store. However – true confession time – I’d never used their product! So I was thrilled when they sent me a full set of 11 Gourmet Garden tubes to try out.

I’m so glad they did because I now ADORE Gourmet Garden for so many reasons. Here are a few:

• Eliminates waste – Ever buy a bunch of cilantro only to use a small portion and have the rest turn into a science experiment at the bottom of your vegetable drawer? Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices last up to three months in your refrigerator.
• Easy to use – When you’re rushing to get dinner on the table, it’s so easy to squeeze a bit of garlic or basil into a measuring spoon to add to whatever you’re making. There’s no need to get the cutting board out and spend time mincing fresh herbs and spices. When cooking, use Gourmet Garden just like fresh. So if your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh dill, measure 1 teaspoon of Gourmet Garden Dill.
• Makes cooking fun – I’ve been having such a fun time experimenting with Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices. I’ve squeeze some into eggs, spaghetti sauce, chili, fajitas and more. Recently, I’ve used Gourmet Garden in Shrimp Puttanesca with Quinoa, Healthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken and Ranch Sliders, Spaghetti with Spicy Cauliflower Sauce, and Taco Soup, too!
• Delicious – Made with organically grown herbs, Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices are harvested and simply washed, chopped, blended and packed fresh into squeezable tubes. They’re refrigerated (never heated or dried) so they retain their fabulous flavor, aroma and color. My kids love using Gourmet Garden, too! I’ve caught both of them squeezing Gourmet Garden Cilantro on their pork tacos. Try it! It’s soooo gooood.

For more information about Gourmet Garden, check out the Gourmet Garden website and connect with them on Facebook.

Win a set of 11 Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices Tubes!

From now on I’ll be keeping a set of Gourmet Garden in my refrigerator. I’m convinced that you’d do the same if you only had a chance to try them, which is why I’m giving a way a soft-sided cooler with 11 Gourmet Garden tubes (value $55). Since they have to be refrigerated, please do not enter the giveaway unless you can receive an express shipment. They’re happy to send it to your home, workplace, or to a friend, relative or neighbor’s home.

Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices giveaway {$55 value} is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Even though I had my shoulder surgery last October, I was still experiencing a lot of pain during the recovery process. My neck and shoulder muscles were especially affected since they were over compensating for weak rotator cuff muscles and were tight and swollen. I was also going to physical therapy two to four hours a week, which was making me sore as well.

My pain made it hard to sleep comfortably, so I was excited that the folks at Nature's Sleep sent me their Vitex Memory Foam Pillow to try out. I needed a pillow that had better shoulder and neck support along with the comfort of memory foam. (I was already using a memory foam pillow, but it didn’t have a lot of support.)

The Vitex Memory Foam Pillow is a solid molded memory foam pillow, not shredded foam like the kind I was using. Not only does this give a lot of support, but it makes making the bed a snap in the morning since you don’t have the fluff and punch your pillows into shape!

Nature’s Sleep Vitex Memory Foam Pillow uses their proprietary ViTex memory foam, which is a high density pressure relieving memory foam with a softer feel. It comes in a traditional pillow shape either in a Euro Queen or a Jumbo size. (I was sent the EuroQueen, which was perfect as I have a queen sized bed.) What’s especially nice is that the Vitex Memory Foam Pillow comes with an 80/20 cotton polyester cover that you can wash. This is especially important if you drool or are sweaty when sleeping.

Why I bought another Vitex Memory Foam Pillow

The first night I slept with the Vitex Memory Foam Pillow I not only slept through the night (very usual for me) but I slept like a rock. My sleep was so deep that my daughter, who tried to wake me in the middle of the night, couldn’t rouse me. In fact, I had no idea she even came in my room! Since I usually wake up because of all kinds of noises in my house, I figured it must have been sleeping on such a comfortable pillow!

I was so thrilled that I ordered a Vitex Memory Foam Pillow for my husband. (He had borrowed mine the next night and loved it, too.) The price of the Vitex Memory Foam Pillow is $135 and comes with free shipping and handling within 1-2 business days. Now I know that you’re thinking that’s a lot of money. However, Nature’s Sleep runs a lot of specials and sales, which you can find out via their Facebook or Twitter page. I was able to get 65% off the price of the Vitex Memory Foam Pillow I bought during a one-day March Madness sale, so keep an eye out for discount codes!

Click on the banner below to get a Buy One Get One Free deal on a Vitex Memory Foam Pillow.

Win a pair of Nature’s Sleep Slippers!

To introduce you to the joys of Nature’s Sleep Next Generation Memory Foam, Nature's Sleep has provided me with a pair of their super comfy slippers to give away! Here’s how to win:

ONE winner will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send me your full name and mailing address along with your size, style and color preference to pass on to Nature's Sleep so they can mail out your prize. The giveaway is valued at $25-30 and is only open to legal residents of the Continental United States, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. One pair of Nature’s Sleep slippers will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

A great night’s sleep with Nature’s Sleep Vitex Memory Foam Pillow {memory foam slippers give away!} is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

I love, love, love my KitchenAid mixer and don’t know how I’d cook without it. I think all my readers should have one, which is why I’m participating in the Spring KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway with Musings From a Stay At Home Mom, Juggling Act Mama, Angela’s Analysis, The Mama Experience, The Mama Report, Capri’s Coupons, This Mama Loves Her Bargains, Kelly’s Lucky You, and other fabulous bloggers so you can have a chance to own one, too!

Already have a KitchenAid Mixer? This would make a great wedding, shower or graduation gift!

What you’ll win:

One very lucky person will walk away with a fabulous KitchenAid 5 Quart Artisan Stand Mixer in their choice of color (valued at $349.99)! As an added bonus, we’re also offering you two additional prizes – second place will win a $100 Amazon Gift Card and third place will win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

This giveaway is open the US and Canada and ends on April 14, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST. (Canadian winners will receive an Amazon.ca giftcard for $350 toward the purchase of the mixer.)

Enter the Spring KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway!

ONE winner will be chosen at random for the KitchenAid Mixer. ONE winner will be chosen at random for the $100 Amazon card and another for the $50 card. You must be willing to send Erika at Musings From a Stay At Home Mom your full name and mailing address so she can mail out your prize (or your email so she can send you the Amazon gift card code). The giveaway is valued at $349.99 for the KitchenAid Mizer and $100 and $50 respectively for the Amazon gift cards. The giveaway is only open to legal residents of the United States or Canada, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. One KitchenAid Mixer, one $100 Amazon gift card and one $50 gift card will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

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Disclosure: This prize has been sponsored by the participating blogs. The prize will be shipped directly to the winner by Erika at Musings From a Stay At Home Mom.

Enter to win a KitchenAid Mixer! {$349.99 value} is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

I've joined up with a few of my blogger friends to give away an 11 piece Cuisinart Cookware Set valued at $249.99. I hope having new cookware will inspire you to try some new, healthy dishes this spring! I have a very similar set and find that it’s just about perfect for most of the cooking I do. Don’t need to replace your set? Think about entering to win one for a young person moving into their first apartment or for friends who are getting married this spring or summer.

The 11 piece Cuisinart Cookware set (model no. 77-11G – valued at $249.99) includes the following:

• 8 inch skillet
• 10 inch skillet
• 1 1/2 quart covered saucepan
• 2 1/2 quart covered saucepan
• 3 quart covered sauté pan
• 8 quart covered stockpot with a steamer insert

This gorgeous cookware set from Cuisinart is made of premium stainless steel construction with aluminum encapsulated base that provides fast and even heat distribution. The cool-grip handles are made of cast stainless steel, which provides for a safe, secure grip. The tempered glass covers lock in moisture and nutrients, while the tapered rims allow clean, drip-free pouring. The cookware is dishwasher safe and is oven safe up to 500 degrees F. The Cuisinart cookware set also comes with a manufacturer's lifetime limited warranty.

How to enter the Cuisinart 11 Piece Cookware Set “Spring in the Kitchen” giveaway

This giveaway is open to US residents that are 18 or older and runs from 12:00 am EST on March 15 until 11:59 pm EST on March 30, 2013.

ONE winner will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send the owner of Simply Budgeted your full name and mailing address so she can mail out your prize. The giveaway is valued at $249.99 and is only open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. One Cuisinart 11 Piece Cookware Set will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

Cuisinart 11 Piece Cookware Set “Spring in the Kitchen” giveaway brought to you by:

Hosted By: Simply Budgeted

Co-Hosted By: Supermom Challenged

Sponsored By:

• The Rebel Chick
• Just Short of Crazy
• This Mama Cooks! On a Diet
• Mommy Has to Work
• My Little Me
• {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker
• A Hen's Nest
• The Diary of Ana Phylaxis
• Texas Type A Mom

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Disclosure: This prize has been sponsored by the participating blogs. The prize will be shipped directly to the winner by the owner of Simply Budgeted.

Win an 11 piece Cuisinart Cookware Set! {$249.99 value} is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Recently, I wrote about Sweet Relish at Organize your online shopping with Sweet Relish. To share the good word about their cool online shopping wishlist service, they’ve provided me with a box of healthy goodies to give away to my readers!

The Sweet Relish Healthy Goodies Box (approximate retail value $77.75) contains:

Eco Lunchbox Three-in-One from @ECOlunchboxes – Toss the plastic baggies once and for all and check out the ultimate in good-for-you food packaging. The Eco Lunchbox is BPA-free, making it "healthy for people and the planet!" Perfectly sized for a sandwich, salty snack and fruit, this option is made solely with cotton and stainless steel, and even comes with bamboo utensils. It's nice to know that in the midst of plastic tubs and paper bags, there's a compact, cost-effective solution for meals on the go. My daughter can’t wait to use this box for her school lunches! (Retails for $24)

Zing Anything Citruszinger from @ZingAnything – Before Zing Anything was a reality, its creator flavored his water by mashing up fruit, breaking it down in a tea steeper, then placing it in a water filter. The
process was effective, but messy. Then, the Aquazinger was born: A stainless steel bottle with a fruit grinder on the bottom to perfectly infuse your water. I don’t know about you, but I tend to drink more water if it’s flavored with fruit! (Retail value $16.95)

Feetures Socks from @Feetures – These no show socks are amazing for running long distances. They provide cushioning and support in all the right places and stay dry with special iWick fiber. Give your feet the comfort and support they deserve! (Retail value $14.99)

Cleanwell foaming hand sanitzer, spray hand sanitizer, disinfecting foam hand sanitizer and liquid soap (not shown - 32 fl. oz. bottle of orange vanilla Nature’s AntiBac Liquid Soap) from @Cleanwell – Keep your hands clean and pampered with these all-natural hand sanitizing products from Clean Well. Great for on the go or at the kitchen sink, leave your skin feeling soft! Who can’t use more hand sanitizer, especially ones that smell that good? (Retail value $21.81)

Here’s how to enter:

ONE winner will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send me your full name and mailing address so I can pass it on to the folks at Sweet Relish so they can mail out your prize. I’ll announce the winner on this blog. I won't share your mailing info with the public, just your name.

The giveaway is valued at $77.75 and is only open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. Up to EIGHT entries per person. ONE Sweet Relish box will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

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Disclosure: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Sweet Relish. I was provided product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Win over $75 of healthy goodies from Sweet Relish! is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

The folks at Welch’s recently conducted a survey looking at family meal time, which they compiled in the Welch’s Kitchen Table Report. They found that 71 percent of respondents say their families eat dinner together as often as or more than their families did when they were kids.

Over 70 percent of American families use the kitchen table as a place for catching up as a family, playing games, doing homework, or arts and crafts. In fact, 84 percent said that one of their favorite parts of the day is when their family eats together. Nearly 80 percent of respondents say they use their kitchen table for at least eight separate activities together as a family with 94 percent enjoying a family dinner at the table.

Family mealtime serves as the hub of family life with the kitchen table at its core. According to the Kitchen Table Report:

• 75 percent of families eat most meals and snacks in the kitchen.
• 18 percent of parents saying they eat at the couch.
• 3 percent of families say they eat in the car on the go.
• 3 percent of families say they eat in a restaurant or fast food chain.

Families still face challenges

Despite all this good news, families still face challenges since 40 percent of the survey respondents cited the lack of time to cook meals, especially healthy meals, as a top barrier to family mealtimes. The same number cites busy schedules as another reason it is difficult to eat meals together as a family.

That’s why Welch’s put together a Family Mealtime Moments Toolkit that includes family-friendly meal plans, tips on how to help create more family mealtime moments, heart-healthy recipes featuring Welch’s 100% Grape Juice made with Concord grapes, and meal makeovers. To learn more about it and Welch’s Kitchen Table Report, visit Welchs.com/KitchenTableReport.

Win $50 worth of Welch’s juice coupons!

To help make family meal time a little easier, Welch’s has given me $50 worth of Welch’s juice coupons to give away to one lucky This Mama Cooks! On a Diet reader.

ONE winner will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send me your full name and mailing address so I can mail out your Welch’s juice coupons via USPS. I’ll announce the winner on this blog. I won't share your mailing info with the public, just your name.

The giveaway is valued at $50 and is only open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. Up to EIGHT entries per person. ONE set of Welch’s juice coupons will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

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Disclosure: I was provided with two packs of coupons – one to facilitate this review and another to give away. All opinions and experiences are my own.

How often do you eat dinner with your family? {Welch’s juice give away} is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Usually I’m very disappointed with celebrity cookbooks as the recipes are just the same old stuff and the quality of the recipe and book are usually so-so.  Well, that’s not the case with Made With Love: The Meals On Wheels Family Cookbook! The recipes are unique, modern and interesting, and the photographs are beautiful. Even better, the profits from each sale help the Meals On Wheels Association of America.

Recipes in Made With Love come from celebrity chefs like Mario Batalli, TV food personalities Paula Deen and Martha Stewart, and movie stars galore like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench. The cookbook even features recipes from politicians like Senator Al Franken, whose Wild Rice & Turkey Hot Dish is something he makes for his family every Thanksgiving. Another politician whose recipe I admired was Alabama Governor Steven L. Beshear’s Spoon Cornbread. It’s a family recipe that’s been made for generations and is served at family functions at the Governor’s Mansion.

Other recipes to check out include Adam West’s Sawtooth Mountain Pot Roast, which is shown on the cover, and Maya Angelou’s Jollof Rice. (Yeah, Batman and poets can sure cook!) Both are on my “To Make” list! For more information on Made With Love be sure to check out the book trailer, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Robert Egger’s recipe for Posole

Made With Love also features recipes from Meals on Wheels volunteers and others who help feed the needy, like Robert Egger. Robert is the president of DC Central Kitchen, which provides meals for thousands of at-risk individuals. DC Central Kitchen also helps train once-homeless adults in the culinary field. This recipe was created in honor of his wife’s stepdad, Grant, who was from New Mexico.

Grant’s Green Chile Posole

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 pounds chicken tenders, or boneless, skinless breasts, cut into strips
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 (15-ounce) cans hominy, drained
• 3 (32-ounce) containers chicken broth
• 4 (2-ounce) cans chopped green chilies
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• Flour tortillas, warmed and buttered, to serve

Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm oil. Add chicken and cook until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add onion and garlic, and continue cooking until onions soften, about 2 minutes.
2. Add hominy, broth, chilies, and oregano and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Ladle into bowls, and serve with tortillas.

Win a copy of Made with Love: The Meals on Wheels Family Cookbook

One lucky reader will win a copy of Made With Love (retail value: $29.95). Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

Giveaway closed. Congrats to Shannon B.!

• Comment below on why you’d like to win the cookbook.

You have until midnight ET on Sunday, February 10, 2013 to enter.

ONE winner will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send me your full name and mailing address so I forward it to Made with Love’s publicist. I’ll announce the winner on this blog. I won't share your mailing info with the public, just your name. If you have a blog, I’ll link back to it when I announce the winner.

The giveaway is valued at $29.95 and is only open to legal residents of the United States and Canada, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. Up to ONE entry per person. ONE copy of Made With Love will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

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Disclosure: I was provided with two copies of Made With Love, one to facilitate this review and another to give away. All opinions and experiences are my own. Amazon links are affiliate links. A commission may be earned from a referred sale to their website.

Made with Love: The Meals on Wheels Family Cookbook {give away} and Green Chile Posole is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!