Summer Signature Pancakes at iHop

July 3, 2014July 2, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure: A gift card was provided to help facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

We love iHop, it’s one of our favorite places to eat. You can eat breakfast anytime of day, or if your not a breakfast person dinner anytime of day.
One of their newest menu items available for a limited time is there Summer signature pancakes. My kids love the pancakes, they said it’s like eating dessert for breakfast.

The Summer Signature Pancakes include 3 new flavors including:

Raspberry Peach
Blueberry Canoli
Strawberry Banana Cream

they are joined by new salads, sandwiches and teas on the menu.

We tried the new Raspberry Peach Pancakes and Strawberry Banana Cream French Toast (they also have as pancakes). They were delicious and came to our table very fast.

My daughters loved how the pancakes were topped with their favorite fruits. As I said before they think they are getting dessert for breakfast. They are a full size serving to, not one the kids menu, so my kids get excited that we always have leftovers for the new day.

What Signature Summer Pancake flavor are you going to try?

AppleBee’s Is Changing It Up For the Better #SeeYouTomorrow #SP

June 23, 2014June 23, 2014 - brandy3 5 Comments

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post. A complimentary meal was provided for my review.

I have not been to Applebee’s in a few years, the last time was on Veteran’s Day and my husband insisted on going so he could get his free meal. It seemed like your standard chain burger restaurant.

Today our visit changed my opinion for Applebee’s overall. The atmosphere and new menu were just make the whole restaurant colorful and family friendly.
First I just loved the way the restaurant was decorated. Each wall was decorated and dedicated to different things around Long Island. The wall where we were sitting was decorated with events like the Tulip Festival and information about Walt Whitman. Both are a big part of our local area and Walt Whitman Birthplace attraction is right across from AppleBee’s in Huntington Station NY. As soon as we walked in we were welcomed by the most friendly people and were seated to accustom our family. The Manager and staff were so pleasant.

Kids Menu:
It always seems like every time we go out to eat my kids are only eating French Fries. With the revamped Kids Menu, They have new menu options and tons of sides to choose from. The side options are great instead of fries you can choose from things like:

Yogurt and Strawberries
Mozzarella Sticks
salad
White Rice
Baby Carrots with Ranch
And more

My daughter decided on the Cheesy Bread Pizza (a new menu item) with a side of yogurt and strawberries. You can choose 1/2 a pizza or whole. She loved it and said it was very delicious. She also chose a new drink option they have and thought it was very sweet, The Strawberry Lemonade.

New Menu Options:

Applebee’s brings New Flavors Of Summer to their menu including

Freshcado Chicken
Grilled Vidalia Onion Sirloin
Strawberry and Avocado salad
and many more

There were so many new menu items it was hard to choose just what I wanted, but I decided on the new Chicken Freshcado.
The Chicken Freshcado is a fire grilled chicken breast with avocado relish and served with rice. The dish also includes avocado, pineapple, peppers, onions, zucchini, and more. Freshcado Chicken is also part of Applebee’s Weight Watchers Menu items at only 440 calories

The Chicken Freshcado had a great citrus taste and was just a bit spicy from some of the vegetables. It’s also a large portion, I could barely finish it myself.

My husband chose the Citrus Lime Sirloin another new menu item. The Citrus Lime Sirloin is a grilled sirloin placed over crispy red potatoes and a vegetable blend. Drizzled with citrus lime sauce and then topped with cilantro and lime juice.

He was very impressed with this dish and thought it was very delicious. The steak was very juicy and the lime juice gave it just the right touch. It is also a dairy free meal option.

New Dessert
For Dessert they have their classic brownie bites and cookie sundaes, but for a limited time they are re-introducing The Butter Pecan Blondie.

The Butter Pecan Blondie is a a delicious blast from the past. Baked With nuts and topped with ice cream, glazed pecans, cream cheese sauce and served sizzling.

I have never eaten a sizzling dessert before. I was a little nervous, but it was the best thing I have ever tasted. In all seriousness, it was delicious. The pecans, pumpkin bread, cream cheese sauce and ice cream just blended so well together.

What Applebee’s new menu item are you most excited to try?

Skippy Singles Are Perfect For Trips To the Park and Beach #HormelFamily

June 10, 2014June 10, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure: Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Summer is here for some, but for us we still have a little more than 2 weeks of school. This summer for us will be full of playing at the park and trips to the beach.
I always make sure to pack snacks or if we will be gone all day, pack lunches. My kids love peanut butter and Jelly or taking carrot sticks and celery with peanut butter to dip.
I always run into problems putting peanut butter in containers. It gets stuck or my kids say it’s not fresh. The little single cups are perfect as they fit anywhere and stay fresh.

My kids love the little cups. They have been going through them like crazy and I have to keep running out and buying more. My kids can’t have them at school because some friends have peanut allergies. So when they get home from school they ask for peanut butter and crackers/veggies for snacks.

Will you be packing some Skippy Singles this summer?

Panera Bread Wants To Know What Your Favorite Item Closed

May 9, 2014August 26, 2014 - brandy3 437 Comments

Disclosure: A gift card was received for my review. Giveaway is being handled

Panera Bread makes the best Bread, soup, salads, sandwiches and more. I love eating there it’s quick and so delicious.

Panera has launched their favorites program, and they want to know what your favorite menu item is. You can send them a tweet and let them know or read what others favorites are here.

We actually just got a Panera Bread in our village a few months ago. My kids get so excited when they get free cookie coupons from school, because we don’t need to go far to cash them in.
They have so many great selections on the menu it’s hard to choose, but I would have to say my favorite item at Panera Bread is Smoked turkey Sandwich. It’s always been one of my favorites and the kettle chips that come with it.

Some of the newest options to the flatbread sandwich family are:

Mediterranean Chicken Flatbread Sandwich – All-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, curried lentil hummus, feta, cucumber, Napa cabbage blend, Tzatziki sauce on freshly baked flatbread
Thai Chicken Flatbread Sandwich – All-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, cilantro-jalapeno hummus, Napa cabbage blend, cilantro, peanut sauce and Thai vinaigrette on freshly baked flatbread.
Southwestern Chicken Flatbread Sandwich – All-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, black bean hummus, feta, southwest corn blend, Napa cabbage blend, cilantro and BBQ ranch dressing on freshly baked flatbread.

I am giving away a $25 to Panera Bread

This giveaway is Open to NY Metro residents.

To enter: Tell me your favorite menu item from Panera.

Extra entries:

I am giving away a dvd copy to one lucky reader.

To enter: Tell me your favorite Chuggington character?

Extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed- 12 entries

Blog about this giveaway-9 entries

put my button on your site or put No Time Mommy on your blogroll-16 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-7 entries unlimited

Follow me on Bloglovin- 6 entries

Follow me on twitter-4 entries

Tweet your favorites to Panera using #PaneraFaves

Tweet this giveaway-4 entries (can be done daily)

Pin, Google + or stumble share-3 entries

Enter any of my other giveaways-3 entries

post this giveaway on Facebook-2 entries (can be done daily)

Contest ends 6/5/14

Make Mothers Day Special With Edible Arrangments

May 8, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received. A product was received for my review.

Mothers Day is only a few days away, and it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for mom.

Every year, I tell my husband and kids not to get me anything of mothers day. Secretly would I like something? Of course! But with a limited budget, I would rather receive a homemade gift.

I am the mother that will always put her kids and husband ahead of anything I need, so I will always say I don’t want anything. There has always been one thing I have secretly wanted but never received. A Edible Arrangement basket. I hunk they are the most beautiful and look delicious.

Edible Arrangements sent the most beautify basket. They delivered it fast and even called beforehand to make sure I would be home. The basket was just so beautiful. It was perfect, I didn’t even want to eat it.

I loved loved the heart chocolate dipped pineapple. It was so delicious and put the perfect touch for the bouquet. The only downside is it takes a lot of space in your fridge, that is how big the bouquets are. As a mother I would really rather receive a fruit bouquet than a box of chocolates. It is healthier and more fun.

You can choose the size of the bouquet, every bouquet has a different price range starting at $69 and going up. Which one are you secretly hoping for?

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

May 6, 2014May 30, 2014 - brandy3

I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel FoodsExtended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Did you know that Hormel owns tons of different brands? They do! including brands that are perfect for Cinco De Mayo, like Chi Chi’s, La Victoria, and more. I typically do not celebrate Cinco De Mayo, but I am trying to teach my kids about different cultures and traditions.

I just did the simplest thing I can since my kids are just so picky.

We made tacos and had chips and salsa. I also made homemade taquitos

We decided to use Chi Chi’s one of our favorite brands.

It was so good. What did you do for Cinco De Mayo

Carrington Farms Gives Healthy Options Plus Twitter Party #CarringtonAllGoodApril

April 28, 2014April 28, 2014 - brandy3 4 Comments

Disclosure: I am a Carrington Farms ambassador and received product for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

I will be the first to admit, when it comes to healthy eating I have a hard time finding the right foods. I am a emotional eater, and it can be hard to find the best foods. I am starting out low though.

With carrington Farms, they have great options to help you replace some of those fattening foods. Coconut Oil to replace olive oil, and flax seeds to replace eggs.

So, as I said I am starting slow.
In the morning I made eggs and used the coconut oil instead of EVO.

For dinner, I made meatloaf and replaced the eggs with Flax seeds and water.

Honestly, I could not tell a difference at all. It’s a healthier option for some of my favorite foods.

Carrington Farms

You can also join in the Twitter Party fun. Carrington Farms is hosting a Twitter party, about the best foods to feed your family.

The party will be….
April 29, 2014 at 8-PM ET
Follow #CarringtonAllGoodApril

New Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast at IHOP #CinnamonSwirl #IHOP

April 26, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: A gift card was supplied to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% my own.

IHOP has been introducing tons of new menu items to get everyone excited. I know my daughter has been gushing about the Berry Berry french toast since it was introduced.

Right now for a limited time when you visit IHOP you can enjoy one of their new breakfast beverages. The beverages are welcoming spring to the restaurant and include Mango Mosa, Orange Grapefruit Breeze, and Spicy Tom.

Another new menu item that was just introduced and is only available until May 25, is Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast. When we first saw this advertised, my daughter yelled dessert for breakfast. It comes with 2 thick pieces of brioche, dipped in vanilla, and grilled. Then they top it with Cinnamon roll filling and then cream cheese icing.

You can order it with a combo, which is actually a better deal for your money. I order the ultimate combo with it. Came with eggs, bacon, sausage, has browns and the Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast, all for about $11.00.

It was so delicious, I just wish the serving of just the french toast was bigger. It was like eating a really gooey Cinnamon Roll.

Have you tried their new menu options? What did you think?

Celebrate Easter with Hormel Cure 81 Hams #HormelFamily

April 19, 2014April 15, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Every Easter we like to have a nice family meal together and just have a great time. We start the day off with the kids finding their Easter Baskets, and then we just have a nice relaxing day. When dinner rolls around we like to do something that we normally don’t eat.

We usually Settle on a Ham, with all the trimmings. My kids won’t eat very much and I hate being stuck with leftovers that will last for days. So every year we go with a Hormel Cure 81 Ham. They come in smaller sizes and are already fully cooked, you just need to heat and eat.

It makes dinner so simple and easy. You can put it on a platter and cut to serve or just peel off the slices. The ham does come pre-sliced. Plus with leftovers you can always make ham and eggs in the morning.

What will be on your table for Easter dinner?

Easter Fun: Welch’s Easter Fruit Snacks

April 17, 2014April 14, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure: no formal compensation was received for this post. A sample was provided for review. All opinions are 100% my own.

For a limited time Welch’s fruit snacks are having their fruit snacks in the shapes of fun easter characters, Bunnies, chicks, eggs and more.

My kids love the occasional fruit snack, I would actually much rather them have a fruit snack then candy. They are small and convenient and can be packed for lunches and snacks at school. My kids love picking up the ones that are different shapes, they like to point them out and compare.

These are a great alternative to sugary easter basket treats as they are:

A Excellent source of Vitamin C
A good source of Vitamins A & E
Fat Free
Gluten Free
No Preservatives

You can find the Limited Edition Welch’s Easter fruit snacks until Easter at retailers nationwide.

Retail: $3.99

Will you be adding these yummy treats to your baskets?