Julie's Journal

I got the chance to try [me]&Goji Cereal awhile back when they offered to send me a free sample to try, and we really love it! They are a custom cereal company where you can create a cereal or granola from 50+ all natural ingredients. They then mix your custom cereal, and ship it directly to your doorstep.

The idea behind [me] & goji is simple: We collect the healthiest foods from around the world and you fuse them in combinations that satisfy your unique tastes and nutritional needs right down to the last chia seed. Our library of ingredients is like the table of contents for a world’s healthiest foods list. want proof? Starting your day with [me] & goji means starting your day with the confidence of knowing you possess the essential building blocks for exceptional health: vitamins, minerals, fiber, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, phytonutrients…all for under $1 a bowl!

We’ve tried a couple other custom cereal making sites, and this one is the best tasting one so far. My custom cereal included, golden granola, choco goji, raspberry, almond and pine nuts. It was just the right mixture of crunchy and sweet, making it super delicious, and my kids LOVED it also. I urge you to give it a try, it’s a great bargain and so healthy for you!

The guys at [me]&Goji have been generous enough to offer my readers a discount code so you can try it yourself. Just login into [me]&Goji Cereal and use the coupon code JUSTJULIE for a 10% discount on your order. This offer is good until 11/16/2009.

Follow @meandgoji on Twitter.
Become a fan on Facebook

Have you guys tried the High Fiber Soups from Progresso yet? I tried them for the first time when I went to the Betty Crocker Kitchens at General Mills, and they are really yummy! All the Progresso soups have 28% of the recommended Daily Value of fiber per serving (7 grams) and have no added MSG* or artificial flavors. The new varieties include Chicken Tuscany, Creamy Tomato Basil, Hearty Vegetable and Noodles and Homestyle Minestrone.

I’ve got a neat prize pack for one lucky reader that includes two branded soup mugs, two branded spoons, and a can of Progresso Chicken Tuscany soup. MyBlogSpark sent me a prize pack also for hosting the giveaway on my blog and it’s really nice!

How To Enter the High Fiber Soups from Progresso 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!

1. Leave me a comment on how you try to incorporate more fiber into your diet
2. Blog about my giveaway and link back to my post.
3. Become a fan of Julie’s Journal on Facebook
4. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter.
5. Add me as a friend on Facebook
6. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
7. Tweet: Enter to win the High Fiber Soups from Progresso Giveaway from @JustJulie http://bit.ly/25nSvx

Contest ends Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 36 hours to respond.

Thanks to MyBlogSpark for sponsoring my giveaway.

Here’s another great recipe from the General Mills Table Talk event that we cooked in the Betty Crocker Kitchen. I have a weird hang-up about Hamburger Helper, but this was pretty tasty. I was surprised.

Latricia (1stopmom), Lisa (Growing Up Mo), Jennifer (J. Leigh Designz) and Jeri (Pink and Posh)

Garden-Fresh Lasagna
Prep Time: 35 Min
Start to Finish: 30 Min

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
• 2 1/2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 box Hamburger Helper® lasagna
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 small tomato, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1 small bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced (1 cup)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)

1. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain.
2. Stir in hot water, milk, uncooked pasta and sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper box), oregano and garlic powder. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato, bell pepper, zucchini and cheese. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; uncover (sauce will thicken as it stands). Stir before serving.

Nutrition Information:
5 servings
1 Serving: Calories 370 (Calories from Fat 140)
Total Fat 16g (Saturated Fat 7g, Trans Fat 1g)
Cholesterol 70mg
Sodium 1020mg
Total Carbohydrate 31g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 8g)
Protein 26g
% Daily Value: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 15%; Calcium 20%; Iron 15%
Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 3 Medium-Fat Meat
Carbohydrate Choices: 2

Here’s another great recipe from the General Mills Table Talk event that we cooked in the Betty Crocker Kitchen. This was really tasty, and I don’t normally like skillet dinners.

Kate (Mom Trends), Amanda (Gourmet Mom on the Go), and Jill (Musings from Me)

Amanda from Gourmet Mom on the Go made her’s extra special so the kids would like it. Great presentation Amanda! You are safe from elimination this week

Spicy Skillet Chicken
Prep Time: 25 Min
Start to Finish: 25 Min

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 can (11 oz) Green Giant® Mexicorn® whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained. Or 2 cans (11 oz) Green Giant® Southwestern style corn, undrained.
• 1/3 cup Old El Paso® Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
• 2 cups hot cooked rice

1. In small bowl, mix chili powder, salt and pepper; sprinkle evenly over both sides of chicken breasts.
2. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).
3. Stir in beans, corn and salsa. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are hot. Serve with rice.

Nutrition Information:
4 servings
1 Serving: Calories 510 (Calories from Fat 80)
Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0g)
Cholesterol 85mg
Sodium 1070mg
Total Carbohydrate 63g (Dietary Fiber 11g, Sugars 5g)
Protein 43g
% Daily Value: Vitamin A 6%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 8%; Iron 25%
Exchanges: 3 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Other Carbohydrate, 4 1/2 Very Lean Meat, 1 Fat
Carbohydrate Choices: 4

Here’s another great recipe from the General Mills Table Talk event that we cooked in the Betty Crocker Kitchen. These were so yummy with the cole slaw, and really close to the authentic ones we get in the Mexican restaurants.

Maria (SavingQueen), Elizabeth (Busy Mom), Lindsay (Suburban Turmoil), and Gina (The Clan McLeod)

Easy Fish Tacos
Prep Time: 10 Min
Start to Finish: 50 Min

Ingredients

• 1 package (10 to 12 oz) breaded or battered fish fillets (6 fillets)
• 1 box (4.6 oz) Old El Paso® taco shells (12 shells)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
• 1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix (any variety)
• 6 cups coleslaw mix (from 16-oz bag)
• Old El Paso® taco sauce, if desired

1. Bake fish fillets as directed on package. Cut each fillet into bite-size pieces.
2. Heat taco shells in oven as directed on box.
3. In medium bowl, mix mayonnaise and seasoning mix; stir in coleslaw mix. Let stand 5 minutes. Fill shells with fish pieces and coleslaw mixture; top with taco sauce.

Nutrition Information:
6 servings (2 tacos each)
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.
1 Serving (2 Tacos): Calories 300 (Calories from Fat 160)
Total Fat 17g (Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 3g)
Cholesterol 15mg; Sodium 1000mg
Total Carbohydrate 30g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 6g)
Protein 7g
% Daily Value: Vitamin A 20%; Vitamin C 45%; Calcium 8%; Iron 4%
Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1/2 Other Carbohydrate, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Medium-Fat Meat, 3 Fat
Carbohydrate Choices: 2