The Mom Jen, Author at Jen is on a Journey - Page 298 of 322

Hot Dog Beach BBQ for Father’s Day

June 19, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

When I asked my hubby what he wanted to do for father’s day, he commented, “hot dog barbeque at the beach!” Easy enough. So we’re packing a picnic basket and heading to the ocean tomorrow and we’re taking with us some of ConAgra Foods products, Hebrew National hot dogs, Hunts Ketchup, and Gulden’s Mustard.

Our Take: Have you tried Hebrew National dogs? We were lucky to get a coupon to try them out last week, we don’t normally buy them, they come in packs of seven and are a bit pricier than other brands. I fried them up and the kids noticed right away, “ooh these taste good mom,” something they don’t usually say about a regular hot dog meal. I think they taste worth every penny, less greasy/oily for my palate which I enjoy. Made with premium cuts of beef and no fillers, by-products, artificial flavors or colors, Hebrew National hot dogs are so good and make a perfect meal for lunch, dinner, or beach bbq!

What do you like on your hot dog? I’m a ketchup and mustard girl, and Hunt’s makes a 100% Natural Ketchup (made with no high fructose corn syrup) that is healthier for my family. My husband enjoys yellow mustard-only on his dogs and also uses it his chicken and beef marinades. We got to try Gulden’s spicy brown mustard, and a little bit goes a long way. I would love to see my husband try it in his marinade and I’d definitely make a macaroni or potato salad with it for an added “kick” of flavor. The kids are not sold on the new taste, but don’t eat a lot of yellow-mustard anyway. Grandma and grandpa enjoy it and they’ll be celebrating with us tomorrow too.

Due to price, we won’t buy Hebrew National every time, but the flavor will keep us going back once in a while for sure! Now the question is…since hot dog buns come in a pack of 8 and Hebrew National dogs come in packs of 7,what do I do with that extra bun? 😉

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of ConAgra and received a picnic bag with samples of ConAgra products to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. The opinions are our tried-and-true experience and were not influenced by any source.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas: Slix Men’s Undergarments

June 16, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

My husband is devoted to his clothing. What does that mean? He wears them and wears them out, undergarments included. I literally had to toss a handful of boxer-briefs away as they were stretched to the limit, saggy, and could not possibly be better than not wearing any at all! Not having the support isn’t acceptable for many men. So why is it so difficult for men to shop for underwear? I know I buy for my man, and it’s a fact that women take care of half of the purchases of their husband’s underwear. So recently I found out about Slix.

The greatest innovation in men’s underwear in the last 100 years, Slix does for the professional man what garment manufacturers did for athletes a decade ago. The product line offers revolutionary garments, cutting-edge textiles, and revolutionary designs, that enhance a man’s comfort and performance.

The Slix Closer Boxer Brief looked like something I knew my husband would wear!

Features:

• Superior breathability and wickability

• Slix Soft material

• Perfect 7″ inseam

• Vented and breathable pouch

• Flatlock seams

Material:

81% Cationic Polyester

19% Elastane

Our take: My husband is athletic, he is a baseball coach that gets out on the field and plays all-out with the kids, on weekends he plays recreational basketball. The last thing he wants is to be sweaty and unsupported under his clothes and uniform. After a full day in the brief, he said, “perfect, i’ll take a dozen!” The legs didn’t roll or bunch with activity. They were comfortable and the material was smooth on his skin. I admit I like the way they look and feel too, that also makes him feel sexy in them.

Available in black and white, the Closer sells for $24. Slix also makes a great snug-fitting undershirt, the Slix Influencer, and Slix Downsizer slimming undershirt, both with the same breathability and moisture-wicking material to keep you dry.

I was sent product for review purposes. The opinions are our tried-and-true experience and were not influenced by any source.

Best Western Victorian Inn, Monterey: Fabulous for a Romantic Getaway and Perfect for Families!

June 15, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

We are so very lucky to live on the Central Coast in California. The summers are warm, yet cool by the ocean, and the lanscape is just fabulous. Heading to Monterey for the weekend, you can walk on the wharf, shop on Cannery Row, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and at the end of the day, relax in your hotel room. If you are bringing your children with you on your trip, you must stay at the Best Western Victorian Inn on Foam Street!! On a recent trip, our family enjoyed this boutique hotel with it’s focus on quiet-comfort and added money-saving benefits.Located just two blocks from the famous Cannery Row, their underground garage will host your car while you can walk to food, drinks, beach, Ghirardelli, Bubba Gumps, or shopping!

We were thrilled to learn they offer a family suite in the hotel. Five of us in a standard room gets crowded quickly. The family suite offers a master bedroom/bathroom separated by a door into the living room (pull out double bed), kitchenette, and patio. The kitchenette is great when you want to bring snacks like popcorn or microwave meals to cut costs on your trip. There’s silverware, plates, and bowls available as well. There’s a television is a beautiful armoir for the kids to enjoy their show, as well as a fireplace for cozy evenings.

The master was amazing! A second patio, second fireplace, second television and mini-bar (added fee) make this space perfect for parents. Two club chairs are great for reading while anyone needing to do some business can sit at the desk and use wireless or wired internet access. The king bed was very comfortable, and if you have a little one like us…3 fit in this bed if need be ;). The bathroom is split into two rooms, one hosts the toilet, shower/tub, and a sink, while just outside that door there is a vanity area for multiple people to get ready at once.

Room service is available, but if you’d like to enjoy local wines without the big price tag, the Victorian offers complimentary nightly cocktail receptions in the parlor. Ventana Vineyards wines in red and white are featured, as is cheese, crackers, and grapes with coffee, tea, and lemonade. My husband and I enjoyed the Ventana Chardonnay, it was very good! If you are looking for a great dinner out, in the parlor you’ll find an enormous book of menus for many great local (Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey) restaurants.

Because you walked all around Monterey, you’ll be ready for the hot tub located in the garden area of the hotel. Sunken down a bit and surrounded by walls to block the wind, parents or couples can wind down. My oldest daughter and I dipped our feet and it was hot and soothing after a long day walking through the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Wake up in the morning and enjoy the continental breakfast included in your room fee. Delicious fruits, muffins, cereals, waffles, juice and coffee fill you up and keep more money in your pocket!

Thank you to the staff, who were always helpful and friendly. The hotel is clean, the area it’s located in is beautiful, there is much attention to detail and we will stay there again when we want a getaway that has all-inclusive accommodations. Next time, a couple’s weekend!

The opinions are my experience and was not influenced by any source. We were offered a compensated room in exchange for this honest post.

Taste What’s New & Delicious at Kraft!

June 14, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Now that the kids are home for the summer, the kitchen is running on empty. There are about a dozen items that we constantly have on our grocery lists, and most of them are made by Kraft. A few of the favorites were my go-to foods when I was growing up. Some times things never change. Wow, the kids are getting bigger and having larger appetites, thanks to Kraft foods we’re ready to take on the season with new takes on old favorites!

• New KRAFT HOMESTYLE DELUXE Macaroni & Cheese Dinner: a delicious homemade taste complete with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Oh so creamy and the crispy topping provides a great texture to one of the kids’ very favorite meals. The style is a lot like a casserole that gives mac and cheese a classy boost!!

• New KOOL-AID FUN FIZZ Drink Drops: a fun and delicious way to get kids to drink water with only 5 calories per serving. Just opening the tablets, the scent took me back to my youth and drinking pitchers of Kool-Aid at grandma’s house. The Fun Fizz is great to throw in a picnic lunch with a water ball and make in an instant. It’s refreshing!

• RITZ CRACKERFULS Filled Crackers: made with real cheese and 6 grams of whole grain per serving to help keep you satisfied. Again, we are all about the pack-and-go snacks and the kids and I all love crackers and cheese.

• New DIGIORNO Pizza & Breadsticks: fresh-baked taste with big juicy toppings plus cheesy breadsticks along with marinara sauce — all in one box. This is hard to share for me! I’m a pizza lover and DiGiorno reminds me of fresh restaurant-style pie! The breadstick and pizza crust has a delicious buttery flavor and has the perfect combo of cheese and sauce! Breadsticks and marinara are the bomb, we include a side of ranch dressing and our dinner is set!

• OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Meats: sliced, packed and sealed at the peak of freshness. I only buy Oscar Mayer in this house, the taste never changes and the quality is great for a delicious sandwich. The kids use these meats all year long in their lunches, and during the summer work great in picnics and on the beach!

• New KRAFT 100 CALORIE PACKS CHEESE BITES: big cheese flavor in every bite-sized piece in these satisfying 100 calorie packs. For the adults of the family, we constantly buy 100 calorie packs. There is nothing changed in the taste, solely the portion size. Keeps you swimsuit-ready for the summer!

Kraft makes all our favorites, they are made simple and prep is easy and they are consistently on our weekly shopping list.

My Giveaway: One lucky reader of Jen is on a Journey will receive a gift basket filled with samples or coupons of all the items mentioned above!
—————————————————————–
To Enter:
MAIN ENTRY: What is your children’s favorite meal?
This is your first and required entry before you can submit bonus entries!

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Jen is on a Journey is giving away a Kraft Foods Gift Basket http://bit.ly/9tuOZR @themomjen #giveaway ends 6/21

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*5 entries* Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my site.

—-Contest ends 6/21 you must include your email address or your entries will not be counted. Open to US only! Winners will be contacted and have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.

Kraft Foods has generously provided 1 gift basket filled with samples of New KOOL-AID FUN FIZZ Drink Drops, New KRAFT HOMESTYLE DELUXE Macaroni & Cheese and RITZ CRACKERFULS Filled Crackers along with gratuity coupons for New DIGIORNO Pizza & Breadsticks, OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Meats and New KRAFT 100 CALORIE PACKS CHEESE BITES, for purpose of review. The opinions are our tried-and-true experience and was not influenced by any source.

Kelsyus Mesh Backpack Chair

June 14, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Is Dad, Grandpa, or Uncle Bob an outdoorsman? How about a beachcomber, or camper? The Kelsyus Mesh Backpack Outdoor Chair is a fabulous gift for him then! Staying around the house this summer, the chair is perfect for by the pool or for a back-yard BBQ.

This seven pound chair will take the soreness out of any local sporting event bleachers and have you relaxed in style and even with room for your favorite drink.

* Kelsyus Mesh Backpack Outdoor Chair
* Breathable mesh back
* Armrests easily convert to backpack shoulder straps
* Auto-recline feature enhances comfort and usability
* Low-profile seat for relaxing comfort
* Adjustable headrest and cup holder included
* Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 lbs

Our Take: We have already used our backpack chair quite a bit, at the beach and camping, with another big camping trip coming up in August. The chair is so comfortable, and we really like the adustible head pillow that works when it’s a chair as well as back-of-the-head/neck padding when the folded up and on your back! Low to the ground it’s great for adults or children. We love that we can carry it and still have our hands free! Behind the seat is a pouch that can hold sunscreen and other personal belongings. The collapsing and opening of the chair is a breeze too, only my two younger children need a hand. The quality of the chair is great and Kelsyus is going to be a company that we’ll purchase our summer products from now on!

The chair sells for a reasonable $39.99 and can be purchased from their website, Amazon.com, The Sports Authority, REI, the Discovery Store, and other great stores! For an additional $14.95 you can add a canopy for the chair for those too sunny days!

We were sent a chair for review purposes. The opinions are our tried and true experience and were not influenced by any source.