Over the past year I’ve shared some of my most favorite freezer foods and thought now would be a great time to recap.  I keep these items on hand for days that I don’t feel like cooking, don’t have time to cook, have a house full of teenagers, and to have tasty treats for anyone that happens to show up.

If you get the All You Magazine, you’ll find awesome coupons for many of these items in it!  If you don’t, you should. It’s one of my favorite magazines!

1) DIGIORNO PIZZA - I am LOVING the combos they have come out with!  What a great way to kick pizza night up a notch!  The ones to try are the DIGIORNO Pizza & Wyngz, Pizza & Cookies, and the Pizza & Breadsticks.

2) STOUFFER’S FARMERS’ HARVEST -  These are delicious and feature ingredients like sea salt, olive oil and whole grains.  As with any product that has whole grains, I’m always skeptical because of how whole grains can taste but these were divine!

3) LEAN CUISINE MARKET CREATIONS - These are by far one of our most favorite foods to keep on hand for when it’s just me and my husband.  He loves the one with shrimp and I Love the chicken alfredo one.  They are a much healthier option for us and are just the right portion size.

4) HAAGEN-DAZS VANILLA CARAMEL CONES - HELLLLOOOOOOOO, it’s ice cream, do I need to say more?  These are new and absolutely heaven.

5) SKINNY COW!!!! – Thank gawd for Skinny Cow.  For reals. You can’t even tell that’s it’s lower in calories at all, just ask my boys.  We love every single one of the varieties too.  How about a little Cookies ‘n Cream Truffle?

6) STOUFFER’S LASAGNA - If you don’t already know, this is my favorite thing ever.  It would be what I’d request for my dying meal.  I like to get the edges a little crispy. YUM!  We buy the party size…cause we eat a lot.

7) HOT POCKET SNACKERS - These are new and another great option for kids!  Truett can hold these in his hands easily and it’s really just the right size for him.  Make a ton of them and let the older kids grab and go.  LOVE!

LEAN CUISINE SPRING ROLLS - Yay for these!  Very tasty and a great way to keep your healthier eating habits in check.

9) EDY’S PEACH FRUIT BARS – DELICIOUS! Anything with real fruit is fantabulous of course.  These are only 100 calories per bar and boy do you feel like you’re getting a real treat with them!  Truett LOVES them and so do I!

10) LEAN POCKETS PRETZEL BREAD – I love these, wish my kids didn’t.  I try to keep ‘lean’ stuff for me but they seem to find it, love it, and eat it all.  I guess that speaks for taste.  It’s a nice alternative to the traditional ‘pocket’.

I have this little booklet full of recipes you can make using Carnation Evaporated Milk and what do you think my kids chose?  Yep, fudge.  Of course they would because even though the pear pie and quiche looked fabulous, their sweet tooth tells their brain to pick the fudge. So fudge it is.

Now I have, on several occasions, heard about this recipe before. I’ve heard how it’s creamy sweetness is like no other but is it true?  Well, according to my bunch and apparently the folks who reviewed it at the Very Best Baking site, say it’s the best ever!  And talk about easy to make–recipes just don’t get any easier than this.

My pieces are thinner because I only had a bigger pan but that didn’t hinder the taste a bit;)

INGREDIENTS

• * 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• * 2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk
• * 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• * 1/4 teaspoon salt
• * 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• * 1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• * 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.  I used an 8×11 because that’s all I had.

COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.

In keeping with transparency, as always, I did receive a gift card from One2One Network and Carnation for ingredients to create this delicious fudge but in no way was my opinion of evaporated milk bought– fudge, or anything else for that matter.  It’s always been a staple and if you want to search my recipes for it, you’ll know that’s the truth;)  {{giggle}}

When the kids go back to school, I tend to stock my freezer full of ready made products.  You know, the ones that take minutes to cook or heat up?  I do this because A) The kids are usually starving right after school and supper isn’t ready until 6 and B) back to school usually means I’m the one helping with most of the chores here on the ranch instead of the kiddos, well, because they’re at school!  That means my time will get eaten up by chores, the little cowpoke (since the kids won’t be around to help watch), and trips to and from school helping out.

I love to cook from scratch and do it often but there are times when the kids need something fast to hold them through until supper or sometimes we need a meal in less than 30 minutes because we’re headed to town or school function.

Something I buy are Hot Pockets, Fully Cooked Chicken, and Stouffer’s Easy Express Skillet meals.  I’m obsessed with the Stouffer’s lasagna but don’t always have time to cook the family version of it so the express meals come in handy!

We have two freezers, one big one for our beef and other stuff and our top freezer on our fridge. This is where the quick foods are easily accessible.

As you can see, it’s not very well organized. I’ve got veggies on bottom, hot pockets, chicken, Popsicles and bacon on top.  My other freezer holds the Stouffer goods because well, obviously I can’t fit much else in here!

Here is one of my 20 minute meals using the Stouffer’s Easy Express Meals. First, I use Easy Express Skillets Grilled Chicken & Vegetables.  It has the vegetables already in it but I still need one more filler. Since these meals literally only take 20 minutes, I need something that takes the same amount or less.  That’s where biscuits come in!  Bread is always a great filler and I’ve got a recipe that takes 20 min or less.

BISCUITS!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 c. flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• dash of salt
• 2 Tbl. sugar
• 1/2 c. butter
• 3/4 c. Carnation Evaporated Milk

PREPARATION:

Mix dry ingredients.  Add butter, milk and form into soft dough.  Do not over knead!  Pat into a ungreased 6×6 pan.  I use a pie pan myself so you can use whatever.  Cut into serving size portions before you cook.  Bake at 400′ for 15 to 20 minutes or until done and golden brown.

$500 Walmart Gift Card

I usually make my giveaways pretty simple, and while this one is still simple, it requires a bit more thought than the others I’ve done in the past.  Hey, it’s $500, if you wanna the chance to win something big like that, it’s gonna take a bit more work!

TO ENTER

Leave a comment here with a recipe using one of these Nestle products that would be great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack:

• Carnation Evaporated Milk
• Nestle Raisinets
• Haagen Dazs Ice Cream (any flavor)
• Nestle Coffee-Mate Creamer (any flavor)

ONLY ONE RECIPE COMMENT PER PERSON! Put a little effort into the recipe folks. Please don’t be lazy;)  I’d like to try some of the recipes myself!  In fact, those of you who are saying, ice cream between two cookies, etc–WILL NOT COUNT!!!  Geez!

Additional/Optional ways to enter, leaving each one in a separate comment:

• Twitter the giveaway, including a link back here and my handle, @ACowboysWife -1 entry
• Share on facebook or similar social networking site and leave a comment telling me. -1 entry
• Create a Whrrl story using photos of your recipe and I’ll give you an additional (include link to story)-25 entries!

FINE PRINT

This giveaway is sponsored by Nestle.  Giveaway closes on August 18th at about 10pm CST.

With the hustle and bustle of back to school, parents are struggling to renew lunch box ideas and will most often just throw something together but it doesn’t have to be that way.

One of the most important things you can do to insure that your kiddo doesn’t just toss or even trade off their lunch, is simply by including them in the shopping and making process.  By letting them pick and help with their lunch, you’re making them feel like it is their lunch and not yours. Also, once your child gets the “packing a lunch” routine down, they’ll be able to help you out in the mornings, giving you one less thing to worry about.

LUNCHBOX TIPS THAT ARE FUN

• *Buy a cool lunchbox.  Gotta have a cool one you know!  You can also get a reusable bag and let them decorate it with markers and stickers.
• *Put some notes in their lunch.  These could say things like, “Have a great day!”, “Look under your sandwich for a surprise.”, or maybe you’re telling them a knock knock joke!  And for the smaller children that can’t read, try drawing a dog with the word “DOG” written above it. You get the idea yes?!
• *This blog is ‘My Wooden Spoon’ so did it ever occur to you to put wooden utensils in your kiddo’s lunch instead of plastic?

LUNCHBOX FOOD TIPS

• *Always include a healthy beverage such as Juicy Juice (100% All Natural Juice) and happens to be little man’s favorite!
• *Make it colorful with fruits and vegetables.
• *Create your own snack mix!  Try mixing up some pretzels, crackers, and cereal and for an added treat, throw in some Raisinets!  *MY FAVE*
• Change up the bread on the sandwiches. Try using tortillas and hot dog buns.
• Throw in a surprise like candy. Yes, I said candy.  You don’t have to do it everyday but what a nice little treat for them to have.  Our faves?  Well, mine is Wonka Gummies.  Gawd how I love these. And the boys are loving the Wonka Kazoozles.  All three boys in fact!  And there’s something about the name Wonka….they are known for their candy, the movie, and fun!

There are endless ways to mix things up with lunches. What tips do you have to share with those of us who are preparing for back to school?

Because I recently attended an event with Nestle, I was asked by them to help get the word out about a Voluntary recall.  I’m including the entire press release which I don’t normally do but I feel the all the information is valuable.  If you have any concerns about one of the products, there is a phone number below that you can call or visit the Very Best Baking website for up to date details. Please don’t hesitate to call them.

PRESS RELEASE

(SOLON, Ohio) – June 19th, 2009 – Nestlé USA’s Baking Division is initiating a voluntary recall of Nestlé® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough products. Nestlé is taking this action out of an abundance of caution after being notified that the Food and Drug Administration, together with the Centers for Disease Control, are conducting an investigation into reported E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses that may be related to consumption of raw cookie dough.

A number of consumers reporting illness reported consuming raw Nestlé TOLL HOUSE refrigerated cookie dough. While the E. coli strain implicated in this investigation has not been detected in our product, the health and safety of our consumers is paramount so we are initiating this voluntary recall. We have been and will continue to cooperate fully with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control in this investigation. Providing safe, high quality products to our consumers is our number one priority.

No other Nestlé TOLL HOUSE products are impacted, including already baked TOLL HOUSE cookies purchased outside the home, all varieties of Nestlé TOLL HOUSE morsels, chocolate baking bars, or cocoa, and Dreyer’s and Edy’s ice cream products with Nestlé TOLL HOUSE cookie dough ingredients.

We want to strongly advise consumers that raw cookie dough should not be eaten. This message also appears prominently on our packaging. Nestlé TOLL HOUSE cookies made from refrigerated dough are safe to consume when baked as directed on the package.
Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them. Instead, we are asking that consumers return these products to their local grocer for a full refund. We invite consumers with questions to contact Nestlé Consumer Services at 1-800-559-5025 and visit our web site at www.verybestbaking.com.

The products involved in the voluntary recall include all varieties of Nestlé TOLL HOUSE refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub; Cookie Dough Tube; Limited Edition Cookie Dough items; Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. Variety information is included in the list below.

Description Consumer Unit Code (UPC)

Nestle Toll House Cookie & Brownie Dough

COOKIE & BROWNIE DOUGH BAR
Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz      0 50000 62231 3
Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz      0 50000 11308 8
Chocolate Chunk bar 16.5oz   0 50000 62235 1
Walnut Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz    0 50000 62233 7
Jumbo Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz     0 50000 62237 5
Oatmeal Raisin bar 16.5oz       0 50000 06219 5
Sugar Cookies bar 16.5oz      0 50000 62244 3
Sugar Cookies bar 16.5oz      0 5000012178 6
Mini Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz      0 50000 62242 9
Mini Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz     0 5000012188 5
Mini Brownie Bites bar 16oz       0 50000 62227 6
Fudgy Brownie With Peanut Butter Filling 19oz     0 50000 00820 9

COOKIE DOUGH TUB
Chocolate Chip tub 40oz      0 50000 62246 7
Chocolate Chip tub 80oz (5 lb)     0 50000 00934 3
Sugar tub 40oz.    0 50000 62253 5

Gingerbread tub 40oz     0 50000 44060 3
Peanut Butter tub 40oz     0 50000 44062 7

TUBE (CHUB) DOUGH
Chocolate Chip tube 16.5oz     0 50000 62239 9
Chocolate Chip tube 32oz     0 50000 00400 3

ULTIMATES COOKIE BAR DOUGH
Ultimates Peanut Butter Cups, Chips & Chocolate Chunks bar 16oz   0 50000 00922 0
Ultimates White Chip Macadamia Nut bar 16oz   0 50000 00923 7
Ultimates Chocolate Chip & Chunks with Pecans bar 16oz   0 50000 00925 1
Ultimates Chocolate Chip Lovers 16oz   0 50000 00926 8
Ultimates Turtles bar 16oz 0   50000 00928 2
Ultimates Peanut Butter Lovers bar 16oz   0 50000 00507 9
Ultimates Chocolate Chip with Caramel Filling bar 16oz   0 50000 44066 5
Ultimates Chocolate Chip with Chocolate Filling bar 16oz   0 50000 44069 6

SEASONAL COOKIE & BROWNIE DOUGH
Valentine Hearts Sugar Cookie Shapes 15.5oz   0 50000 12009 3
Valentine Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz   0 50000 00931 2
Fudgy Brownies With Raspberry Filling 19oz    0 50000 20090 0
Easter Eggs Sugar Cookie Shapes 15.5oz   0 50000 52009 1
Easter Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz   0 50000 00932 9
Easter Swirled Mini Brownie Bites bar 18 oz   0 50000 20093 1
Red, White & Blue Swirled Choc Chip bar 16oz   0 50000 00937 4
Halloween Pumpkin Pals Sugar Cookies 13.5oz   0 50000 06217 1
Halloween Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz   0 50000 00929 9
Halloween Swirled Fudgy Brownies bar 18oz 0 50000 00088 3
Christmas Shapes Sugar Cookies 15.5oz   0 50000 00505 5
Christmas Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz 0 50000 00930 5
Christmas Swirled Fudgy Brownies bar 18oz 0 50000 00089 0
Limited Edition Mint Swirled Chocolate Chip 16oz 0 50000 00827 8

Discontinued Varieties
Valentine Hearts Sugar Cookies 13.5oz 0 50000 44056 6
Easter Brownie Bar 18oz 0 50000 00518 5
Easter Bunnies Sugar Cookies 13.5oz 0 50000 44058 0
Halloween Sugar Shapes 15.5oz 0 50000 00829 2
Christmas Sugar Cookie Tube 16oz 0 50000 00448 5
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookie Tub 48 oz. 0 50000 62229 0

I know, you’re saying, “Gah, where are all the recipes??”.  I’m sorry, I’m swamped at the moment and haven’t had time to get anything prepared.  I promise I’ll catch up and get back to normal soon.  In the mean time, enjoy some good food that was served to us during our trip to Stouffer’s, which is owned by Nestle.

And you know what, since you’ve been very patient with me, I’ve got coupons to give away for free Stouffer’s Corner Bistro, Stromboli or Flatbread Melt!!

I’ll giveaway 10 sets of 5 coupons!!

Just leave a comment here telling what your favorite Nestle or Stouffer’s product is.  That is if you even know all the products they make!!  If you aren’t quite sure, check out this list of Nestle brands. I think you’d be surprised!

Additional ways to enter, leaving each one you do in  separate comment please.

• Subscribe to my blog via email or with your favorite RSS reader.
• Join the foodie forum and start a thread.

Ends on May 12th.  Good luck!

Last week, I had the chance to attend a Stouffer’s event  in Ohio.  The goal was to learn more about bringing families together at the dinner table and engaging in conversation with our kids.

Did you know that families who sit at the table to eat, have teens that are less likely to do drugs?  Or have better grades?  Or are more likely to go to their parents when a serious problem occurs?  I could go and on but the facts are just that, proven facts!

There were a few experts we had the chance to hear from and while they were all great, it was family therapist, Carleton Kendrick who brought tears to my eyes.   Not only can you see his passion for what he does, it was his story telling about his family at the table that touched my heart.  You see, we really didn’t sit at the table to eat. My mom was a single, hard working woman.  Many times she worked late and I had to fend for myself but most of the time she came home, whipped something up and stood at the counter to eat.

I have vowed to make sure our family eats the table every chance possible.  We’ve always done this but hearing how much it can improve the relationships between us a family, in a positive way, it just encourages me even more to continue what I’ve been doing with my kids.

TAKE THE LET’S FIX DINNER CHALLENGE!

• 1. Sign up and register. It takes no time at all folks!
• 2. Set your family’s weekly dinner goal. (you’ll be entered into a sweepstakes too)
• 3. Update your family’s dinner status each week.  You’ll be entered to win more prizes!

When you sign up to take the challenge, you will be helping a hungry family.  For every person that signs up to take the challenge, Stouffer’s will donate to help feed hungry families.

I am taking the challenge and hope you do the same. It’s always a good thing to spend time with the family doing it at the dinner table, kills two birds with one stone!

Thanks so much Stouffer’s for allowing me to attend this event, not just for the educational purpose of it, but also because it really hit home for me and made me realize just how important it is to have that family time.  I’m grateful for it.

To the rest of you, I’ll be posting more on this in the coming days, including some footage from Antonia Lofaso, who was on Top Chef, along with other great photos at the event!