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Dippable Appetizer with Kraft Anything Dressing

Home Entertaining

I’ll admit that I do a lot of entertaining in my home.  Whether it’s a “Mom’s Night Out” party or family gathering, I love to share food and time with the people I care about the most.

The fact is, I’m not a “chips and dip” kind of gal.  I can’t set out a bag of potato chips and then call it a party.

At the same time, I’m a busy on-the-go mom with a lot on my plate (pun intended).  Therefore, I’m always looking for delicious and classy appetizers that are easy to prepare in very little time.

Reuben Appetizer

Reuben Dips with Kraft Thousand Island Anything Dressing

Easy and Delicious Appetizers

While shopping for an upcoming get-together, Walmart was hosting demonstrations for Kraft Anything Dressing to use in dippable appetizers.  Prior to the demonstration, I had never really thought of Kraft Dressing for anything but salads.

But the demonstration got me to thinking; and I quickly came up with the idea for my Reuben Dips.  I grabbed a bottle of Kraft Thousand Island Anything Dressing then headed off to the deli for some shaved pastrami and Swiss cheese.  After swinging by the bakery section for some mini bread sticks, I was set for a visually inspiring and delicious snack for my friends… not to mention, easy.

Kraft Anything Dressing

Shopping at Walmart for party food and supplies

 

Kraft Anything Dressing in Thousand Island

For more photos from my shopping trip to Walmart, check out my Google+ photo album here.

 

The Recipe

If you’re hosting a party or family gathering, here’s my recipe for Reuben Dips that is sure to not disappoint.

Reuben Dips using Kraft Anything Dressing in Thousand Island

 

Reuben Dips Recipe:

Ingredients:

  1. Kraft Pourable Anything Dressing- Thousand Island
  2. Shaved Deli Pastrami- 1/2 pound
  3. Swiss Cheese- 1/2 pound
  4. Mini Bread Sticks (the perfect ones are found in the salad dressing isle close by Kraft Dressings)
  5. Spring Salad Mix (optional)

Ingredients

Directions:

  1. Slice cheese into strips
  2. Wrap a cheese slice around the tip of the bread stick
  3. Wrap a slice of pastrami over the cheese; the pastrami is moist enough to stick
  4. Spread salad mix over plate
  5. Place each wrapped bread stick on top of the salad
  6. Pour dressing into dipping bowl
  7. Serve

Kraft Anything Dressing in Thousand Island

 

Dip!

 

To find out if there is a demonstration at Walmart in your are for Kraft Anything Dressing, visit In Store Now.  And, to find more recipe ideas, follow Kraft on Twitter at @KraftDressing or on Facebook.

 

I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Kraft #cbias #socialfabric.

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Champions For Kids Donation Drive

Making Any Event An Opportunity To Give

I enjoy getting the ladies together in my home from time to time to unwind, mingle and have silly girl fun.  Sometimes I make the party into a play date for the kids at the same time.  But whatever the occasion, I never miss the opportunity to turn any event into a simple fundraiser for my community.

Moms Night Out Party

Moms Night Out Party

 

As the Co-Founder of Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation, I know all too well that half of the challenge for any fundraiser is getting people to the event.  So if people will be in my home anyhow for a party, it’s so easy to hold a donation drive at the same time.

Last December I had many local female bloggers here in my home to sample holiday food and wine.  After putting together the party details- food, wine, games, invitations, etc., I simply sent out an email to the attendees letting them know that I would be collecting food for my local food bank if anyone wanted to bring a donation.  As a prize for the person who brought the most food to donate, I gave away a beautiful apron.

Blogger Party

Blogger Party

 

I think that by turning the simplest of events into a small donation drive, I’m making it easier for friends to be philanthropic.  While someone may not think its worth it to drive a small bag of food to their local food bank, they may bring one to a party they were planning to attend anyhow knowing that their small donation will be combined into a much larger donation.  And what’s even better is they don’t have to drive it to the food bank themselves, I’m taking time out of my schedule to do so.

Champions For Kids

This past weekend, I held an intimate afternoon party in my home to talk about a business opportunity for bloggers.  The ladies and I enjoyed some food, drinks and girl talk while the kids had fun collecting and sorting donated items for our Champions For Kids donation drive.

Champion for Kids

My girls sort donated items for our Champion for Kids donation drive

 

Champions for Kids is a national non-profit working to improve the lives of children across the country.  As part of this campaign with Dial Soap, Champion for Kids is encouraging people- like me- to make a difference by holding donation drives for hygiene products to donate to local schools or children’s shelters in need.

Because I was already having this party in my home, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to hold Simple Service Project for Champion for Kids at the same time.  I emailed guests before the party to let each one know that I would be collecting items to donate to our local charity, Safe Nest.

 

Planning The Party

Just like any party, I started with invitations letting my friends know about the party.  I let everyone know on the invitation that I was collecting hygiene products for my own Champion for Kids donation drive, and that I had a special prize to give away to whomever brought the most donations.

Planning the food was simple, with some cupcakes, cheese tray and other goodies from my shopping trip to Walmart.  I was able to purchase my own Dial Soaps and other hygiene items for my donation to the drive and the party food and drinks at the same time.  Check out more photos from my shopping trip in my Google+ photo album here:

Google+ photo album

 

It could be me, but I feel like everyone enjoyed the party more knowing that we were doing something for the children in our community at the same time.

 

I encourage anyone who is having a party in their home to Dial Into Giving with Champion for Kids by turning any small event into an opportunity to hold a small donation drive for the local community.

For more information about Champions For Kids, visit championsforkids.org, Twitter or Facebook.

 

I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Dial Soaps #DialCFK #CBias #SocialFabric but the views and opinions expressed here are very much my own.

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Dole Tropical Fruit Pizza at Safeway

In our house, summertime brings swim parties, barbeques and lots of fun.  To celebrate the end of summer, I’m throwing a luau swim party for the girls with a few friends and have found the perfect recipe to serve- Tropical Coconut Pizza with Dole Tropical Fruit.

Fruit Pizza Recipe

Dole Tropical Fruit Pizza Recipe

 

Dole Coconut Pizza Recipe

Dole Coconut Pizza

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Calories per serving: 212

Fat per serving: 12g (9g sat)

Dole Coconut Pizza

Ingredients

  • 1 container (8 oz.) cream cheese with pineapple, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup thawed whipped topping
  • 1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted
  • 1 can (15.25 oz.) DOLE Tropical Fruit, drained
  • 1 cup sliced DOLE Strawberries
  • 1 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

Instructions

  1. Beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Fold in whipped topping and coconut.
  3. Line baking sheet with waxed paper.
  4. Spread cream cheese mixture into 8-inch circle, on baking sheet, building up sides slightly with back of spoon.
  5. Freeze 4 hours or until firm.
  6. Place cream cheese crust on serving plate.
  7. Garnish crust with additional toasted coconut, if desired.
  8. Arrange tropical fruit, strawberries and kiwi on crust.
  9. Serve immediately.
  10. For more Dole recipes, check out http://recipes.dole.com/

Notes

Per Serving: 212 calories, 12g fat (9g sat.), 22mg cholesterol, 112mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 15g sugars), 2g protein, 6% Vit A, 42% Vit C, 5% calcium, 2% iron, 5% potassium, 2% folate

https://tonispilsbury.com/dole-tropical-fruit-pizza-at-safeway/

 

Shopping at Safeway for Dole fruit was a piece of (fruit) cake.  I felt like a VIP when the produce manager saw me shopping for Dole Strawberries and asked if I would like to sample them first.  He opened a carton and pulled out a knife to trim the tops handing one to each of my daughters first.

Dole Bananas at Safeway

 

After picking up fresh fruit like Dole Strawberries, Dole bananas and kiwi, I headed to the canned fruit isle to find Dole Mandarin Oranges.

DoleTropicalFruit

Buy one get one free at Safeway- sweet. I’ll use one can for my Dole Coconut Pizza and one for a Chinese Chicken Salad.

 

Preparing the fruit pizza took just minutes, but must be done ahead of time to give the crust time to freeze.

Dole Fruit Pizza Recipe

Dole Mandarin Oranges, Dole Strawberries, kiwi and coconut

 

how to toast coconut

Toasting coconut is simple- just put it on a baking sheet and cook in oven on 350 for a few minutes

 

After mixing cream cheese, sugar, coconut and whipped topping together, spread on wax-lined baking sheet forming a circle

 

slice strawberries and kiwi

 

arrange fruit on pizza in any design you desire

 

serve immediately

 

This is the perfect recipe for kids to help make- my girls enjoyed mixing the cream cheese and arranging the fruit.  Stay tuned for photos from our small luau when our guests get to sample this delicious summertime treat.  For more photos, check out my Google+ album!

 

For more recipes from Dole, visit http://recipes.dole.com/ or on Twitter and Facebook!

 

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Dole #CBias #SocialFabric”.  All opinions here are very much my own.

 

 

 

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4th of July Backyard Inspirations with Sears

I decided that my backyard needed a lift before our Fourth of July celebrations.  With the holiday falling on a Wednesday this year, we’re making our festivities intimate with a simple family barbeque.

4th of July Patio Table

 

Our patio is home to an outdoor living set with couch, table and chairs, but I wanted to add a small dining table where we can sit, each and watch the fireworks while enjoying the plants and flowers in full bloom.

 

I assessed the area to determine the criteria for our perfect patio set.  I wanted a small round table with chairs to fit in with the outdoor couch set we have now.

My “before” backyard patio

 

Before heading out to the store, I went online to Sears Style Hub and shopped for my new patio table and chairs.  With many options, including sizes, shapes and styles, I quickly found the perfect set for us.  Ordering online was simple, and most importantly- free for any patio set over $299.  And, online ordering can be done from home or from the store if your local Sears does not carry your patio set in the store.

Sears Style Hub

 

I decided that a simple but elegant dark resin table and chairs matched perfectly.  The fact it was on sale was a nice bonus!  Once the table arrived, assembly was easy.  Then it was time to create my Fourth of July backyard “inspiration” with this year’s theme being intimate and simple.

Patio Set

A perfect fit! Time to start decorating for dinner.

 

To add to the Fourth of July celebration, Sears is having a sale on the Menlo 5-piece patio for half price with free shipping.  And, by using the Sears Shop Your Way Rewards program, you earn points towards discounts on future purchases.  That’s a sweet deal.

Menlo Sears Sale

Menlo 5-piece patio set on sale for $499 at Sears

 

Time to start the grill!

 

In keeping in mind my “intimate and simple” themed barbeque, I made this super easy- but festive punch.  I used Crystal Light in Pomegranate flavor and added fresh blueberries.

4th of July Punch

Crystal Light in Pomegranate flavor is quickly transformed into a festive beverage by adding blueberries.

 

Now it’s time for our distinguished guests to enjoy their Fourth of July barbeque.

 

 

4th of July Smores

Now it’s a party!

 

Whatever your plans are for Fourth of July, you can always use a little inspiration.  Whether inspiration comes with a new recipe, a trip or a backyard lift, I hope this Fourth of July is the best yet for you and your family!

And, Sears is having a sweepstakes for you to win a little inspiration in the way of  some outdoor grilling prizes in the Win BIG this Summer in the #GrillingIsHappiness Facebook sweepstakes (6/1 thru 7/7)!

Happy Fourth of July!

 

To find more styles and deals from Sears for your outdoor barbeque this Fourth of July, visit Sears on Facebook, Twitter or check out the Weekly Local Sears Ad.

You can also follow Sears Shop Your Way Rewards on Twitter.

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Sears #CBias #SocialFabric”, but the opinions and views expressed here are very much my own.

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