Julie's Journal

I first saw Grill Charms on ABC’s Sharktank, and I just knew they would be successful. They are small (dime-sized) solid stainless steel charms that are placed in your meat BEFORE you place it on the grill.

They are marked to distinguish spices and flavors, steak temperatures, and they can help to avoid health or allergy issues. They have a serrated stem that holds firmly in your food, so you can flip and move it around without them falling out.

When you are done grilling, everyone knows which burger, steak, or chicken is theirs. Awesome huh? These would make a GREAT gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day right?!?!

4 Grill Charm Collections – 6-piece set $19.95

• The Charmed Life Collection – 6-Piece Grill Charms Set
• The Steak Collection – 6-Piece Grill Charms Set
• The Spicy Collection – 6-Piece Grill Charms Set
• The Pink Collection – 6-Piece Grill Charms Set

10% off coupon for all purchases in March – just enter the coupon code – twitter

Website: Grill Charms

Follow @GrillCharmer on Twitter.

During the month of December, General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain. The General Mills cereal included are Trix, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Cereal benefits:

• Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.
• Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.
• More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

My boys have always loved General Mills cereal, especially the Cinnamon Toast Crunch, so it’s really nice to know they are lowering the sugars in their favorite cereal and making it healthier for them to eat. Here’s a $1 off coupon you can print out for your next shopping trip, enjoy!

Printable $1 Off Coupon on General Mills Cereals

Thanks to My Blog Spark and General Mills for supplying the VIP coupons, the online coupon link, and the information for me to share.

So how many of you will be watching the big football game on February 7, 2010? Did you know that 61% of adults plan to watch the big game? Whether you’re planning a huge party or you’re just looking forward to kicking back at home with your friends and family, Old El Paso Green Chiles can help you spice up the festivities!

Old El Paso Green Chiles, which come in 4.5 and 7 oz cans, are a simple way to liven up your go-to favorites. Fat-free and with only 10 calories per serving, Green Chiles are not spicy, but will add a unique flavor to your dishes that the whole crowd will love!

Perfect for your dips and salsas, as well as your nachos and chili, Old El Paso Green Chiles can help you score a mealtime touchdown with your guests this year. For more ideas, check out these quick (with a prep time of less than 30 minutes each!) and delicious recipes that incorporate Old El Paso Green Chiles and will have your fans cheering for more!

Old El Paso Green Chile Recipes

• Nachos
• Green Chile Dip
• Green Chile Cornbread
• Grilled Picnic Taco Nachos
• Black Bean Dip
• Slow Cooker Salsa Chili
• Seven-Layer Bean Dip
• Skillet Nacho Chili Recipe
• Southwestern Dip

Click here for an Old El Paso Green Chiles $0.55 Off Printable Coupon

One lucky reader will win a Old El Paso Tackle the Taste Gift Pack:

1. Two free cans of Old El Paso Green Chiles
2. Football-shaped ceramic serving platter
3. Two sets of football-themed plates
4. Cocktail napkins
5. Themed table runner

Old El Paso Tackle the Taste Gift Pack Giveaway

MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY

1. Visit the Betty Crocker recipe website, and in my comments tell me a recipe you would like to try that you saw on their website.

EXTRA CONTEST ENTRY

1. Follow @Betty Crocker on Twitter.
2. Sign up for the Betty Crocker newsletter
3. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
4. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
5. Tweet: Enter to win Old El Paso Tackle the Taste Gift Pack Giveaway from @JustJulie http://bit.ly/8rfwg2

WINNER #105 – Trisha

Contest ends Sunday January 24, 2010 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. Special thanks to Old El Paso and My Blog Spark for sponsoring this giveaway.

So the holidays are over and if you’re anything like me you are burnt out on turkey. We made one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas, and it will be awhile until I pull the leftovers out of the freezer. When that time comes though I have some great recipes to try that use all the Kikkoman products, and I’d like to share them with you.

5 Great Kikkoman Recipes

1. Turkey Fried Rice

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 green onions and tops, chopped
• 1 cup diced cooked turkey
• 1 carrot , cut in julienne strips
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 3 cups cold cooked rice
• 2 tablespoons Kikkoman Soy Sauce

Heat oil in large skillet. Add next 3 ingredients; stir-fry until carrots are tender, yet crisp. Add egg; cook, stirring gently, until cooked. Mix in rice and soy sauce well; cook until rice is thoroughly heated. (Makes 4 to 6 servings)

2. Elegant Creamed Turkey

• 1 package (10 oz.) frozen pattie shells
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups light cream
• 3 tablespoons Kikkoman Soy Sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• 2 cups cooked turkey, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons thickly sliced pimiento
• Fresh parsley, optional

Bake pattie shells on un-greased large cookie sheet following package instructions. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and green pepper; cook until onion is tender. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute; stir occasionally. Add cream, soy sauce and wine. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture boils and thickens. Add turkey and pimiento; cook until heated through. Remove tops from pattie shells; spoon in turkey mixture. Replace tops and garnish with parsley as desired. (Makes 6 servings)

3. Spanish Turkey Ole

• 3 pound cooked turkey, cut up
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can (14 1/2 oz.) tomatoes cut up
• 1/3 Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

Heat oil in a pan, add celery and onion to same pan; saute until transparent. Add turkey over the onions and celery. Combine next 4 ingredients; pour over turkey. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring to blend. (Makes 4 to 6 servings)

4. Terrific Turkey Tetrazzini

• 3 pounds turkey, cooked
• 1 pound sliced mushrooms
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups Kikkoman PEARL Original Soymilk
• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cut turkey into bite sized pieces. Melt butter in saucepan, then stir in flour; cooking until it starts to bubble. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring until sauce thickens, then add soymilk; salt and pepper and cheese. Add turkey and mushrooms and slowly simmer. Meanwhile cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and stir into the turkey mixture. Pour into a non-stick baking dish. Bake at 450 degrees until heated through and cheese has melted. (Makes 8 servings)

5. Quick Chinese Turkey Salad

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons Kikkoman Soy Sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon Oriental sesame oil
• 1 package (14 to 16 oz.) mixed salad greens, washed and drained
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• 1 pound cooked turkey, shredded

Combine vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, vegetable and sesame oils in large bowl; stirring until sugar dissolves. Add salad mixture and cilantro, tossing to coat all pieces. Add turkey; toss to combine. Serve immediately. (Makes 4 servings)

Do any of those recipes sound good? Which one would you like to try. Do you currently use Kikkoman products? Let me know in my comments for a chance to win a Kikkoman prize pack that includes a Kikkoman recipe book, plus two full sized bottles from Kikkoman’s line of special sauces.

Contest ends Sunday January 10, 2010 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. Special thanks to Kikkoman for sponsoring this giveaway.

WINNER #34 kim eddings

So does everyone have all their holiday shopping done yet? Are your holiday cards all signed and ready to mail out? How about your holiday dinner plans? Do you know exactly what you are going to cook and serve yet?

It’s that crazy time of year again where us moms are struggling to get everything done to make it just the perfect holiday once again. Safeway understands the constant demands of motherhood, so they’ve created holiday guides that will save you both time and money this holiday season.

With Safeways budget-conscious recipes, weekly specials and email savings they’ve got you covered on everything you need to make your holiday dinner perfect. I like using the weekly specials page to check what is on sale at my local Vons before heading out to shop.

Safeway also has these helpful pages on their website, so make sure to check them out.

• Edible Gifts
• Kid-Friendly Entrees
• Leftovers Lounge
• Decorating Tips
• Gingerbread Man Game

I’d like to help out one lucky reader of my blog this year, by giving you a $50 Safeway Gift Card to help purchase your families holiday meal. Just follow the instructions below to enter to win.

WINNER – #145 Krissy

$50 Safeway Gift Card Giveaway
Each one of the following is worth one entry into the giveaway – make sure to leave comments so I can include each thing you do!

MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY

1. Visit the Safeway budget-conscious recipes page and tell me what recipe you’d like to try in my comments.

EXTRA CONTEST ENTRY

1. Become a fan of Safeway on Facebook
2. Sign up for Safeway’s email savings newsletter.
3. Become a fan of Julie’s Journal on Facebook
4. Add me as a friend on Facebook (I friend back!)
5. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
6. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
7. Tweet: @JustJulie wants to buy your family holiday dinner! Enter to win a $50 Safeway Gift Card on JuliesJournal.com http://bit.ly/6b4pFs

Contest ends Saturday December 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. I did not receive any compensation for this post. Special thanks to Safeway for sponsoring this giveaway.