Thursday, August 5, 2010

good earth Prize Pack Review and Giveaway!

I’m not a person who often buys prepackaged or boxed food (cereal doesn’t count). Part of it is because I didn’t grow up eating it (with a family of 10 people, you learned how to cook!), part of it is because of the expense, and part of it (the biggest part) is because boxed food isn’t generally healthy. When MyBlogSpark contacted me to do a review of General Mills’ new good earth Restaurant Favorites line, though, I was pretty excited. For the first time, there seemed to be a healthy boxed dinner option---which is like the equivalent of receiving a foot massage for a pregnant lady with a toddler and a kitchen that’s torn out due to remodeling! I was more than happy to try it out.

My family made the Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta box and we were all impressed. It was easy (boil some pasta, coat some chicken, cook the chicken, stir in water, milk, and some seasoning packets and then simmer—20 minutes tops). It required very few cooking dishes. And it tasted amazing (I would be impressed if someone served this to me in their home; it doesn’t taste like it came out of a box). The biggest thing I liked about the taste is that it wasn’t too salty like one would expect from a seasoning mix and that my toddler loved it as well (in fact, I caught her with her hands in the main dish more than once). One little change I did make in preparing the meal was that I used chicken breast cutlets instead of slicing chicken breasts like the directions suggest. Using cutlets saves on time and reduces your exposure to salmonella which worked out great.
The main ingredients in the box are whole wheat pasta and flour, water, cheddar cheese, tomato, whey, and olive oil. There is no MSG or added salt, though one prepared serving does give you 22% of your daily sodium intake. We love chicken and whole wheat pasta (the only kind we buy!), so it wasn’t hard to fall in love with a whole grain and poultry meal. On top of having a base of wholesome ingredients, there are five servings per container and they aren’t skimpy, either! I was surprised by how much food it actually made. We were able to eat leftovers quite a few times after our initial dinner.

Visit RestaurantFavorites.com to see all of the different dinner varieties they offer and get ready to “stay in and go all out!”

Win It! One lucky person will win not only a good earth Restaurant Favorites Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta dinner, but you will ALSO receive two sets of bamboo flatware, two bamboo dishes, a bamboo utility board, and a 100% recycled grocery tote! To enter, you just need to be a follower/friend/subscriber of mine (only one way is necessary) and then leave me your best healthy-time-saving food tip below. Be sure to leave an email address and separate comment for EACH entry! Contest will end August 19, 2010 at noon, EST.

Additional Entries:
*Blog about this contest or tell people about it through a parenting forum (2 entries)
*Subscribe to or follow me (each different way = 1 entry; Blogger, Google Reader, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

*Fav me on Technorati or otherwise vote me up somewhere

*Grab my regular button (2 entries)

*Tweet about this contest with a link and @LifeMoreSimply included (can tweet 2x/day)

*Have another great idea to spread the word? Do it and tell me how you did!


I received a good earth prize pack from My Blog Spark and General Mills for this review and giveaway. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are all mine. :-)

73 comments:

  1. I'm subscribed in google reader. My tip would be to stock up on canned beans and diced tomatoes, those can be the base of so many quick and simple but healthy meals.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eat frozen yogurt (with live active cultures, Kemps makes a ton of different flavors) instead of ice cream :) if you're going to snack might as well choice something that is not only good for your digestion, but tastes so good you don't know it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have your button on my blog.

    I follow you on FB and blogger.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Publicly following Life More Simply with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}] -- I save time in the kitchen by using a crockpot/slow cooker; no slaving over a hot stove or oven :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Subscribed to Life More Simply in reader
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Life More Simply button is in my Blogroll, Buttons K - N { 1 }
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Life More Simply button is in my Blogroll, Buttons K - N { 2 }
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  8. GFC follower. Stock up on fruits,nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews etc.) and yogurt. These are healthy snacks and good for midnight cravings.

    mandalarctic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Subscribed via Google Reader

    mandalarctic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Following you on Twitter (@mandalarctic)

    mandalarctic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. E-mail subcriber

    mandalarctic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like to slice up a bunch of onions, green peppers, zucchini - anything that I like to have on hand to add to meals that freezes well - and flash freeze them. Then I have them readily available to add to whatever I want!

    gitrecca at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow you on GFC

    gitrecca at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like you on facebook

    rebeccamackay

    gitrecca at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm a follower. My tip would be to buy produce at the beginning of the week and cut it all up and portion it out at one time so you have all your healthy snacks/meals ready for the rest of the week and you don't have to rush around each day trying to find something healthy or give in to junk food.
    glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. follow on blogger
    glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. following with google friend...my tip, when making dinner one night, make a double batch and freeze it for another night
    jen
    levysue @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. following on twitter @n4zfk
    levysue @yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. subscribe in google reader
    glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I already follow you through Blogger. And Facebook. And Twitter. :-D

    ReplyDelete
  21. One way I save time in my daily healthy routine is by shredding a little extra cheese every time I need some cheese. Once I have the block of cheese and grater out, it only takes seconds to grate twice as much cheese as I need, then put the extra in the Rubbermaid container where I keep my cheese in the fridge. That way, I skip a step next time we need grated cheese for a snack, a meal ingredient, a garnish- whatever.

    ReplyDelete
  22. ...And my email, because I forgot it above:
    MRBLayaw AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow on twitter. My tip: Use frozen veggies which have stew mix in the bag to get your stew or soup started up. :)

    laurastoicescu*at*yahoo*dot*com

    ReplyDelete
  24. i plan out our meals for the whole week. i write the list down and put it on the fridge, then it easy to decided whats for dinner without having to think about it each. and when i get home from the grocery store i prewash everything so that its ready to go when i need to cook. i follow you on facebook and the blog i think. luv it! lisa mawson

    ReplyDelete
  25. I follow your blog. My best tip: I make sourdough pancakes from scratch, so sometimes I'll make a triple batch and then freeze them and just pop a couple in the toaster oven for breakfasts later in the week.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I subscribe to your blog via email. (soapsbysonia at cogeco dot ca)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow you on twitter. (soapsbysonia)

    soapsbysonia at cogeco dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm an e-mail subscriber.
    I try to cut up fruits and veggies as soon as I get them home.
    jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I follow via Google Friend Connect.
    jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I subscribe via Google Reader.
    jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm a fan of Life More Simply on facebook under username Jennie Tilson.
    jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow GFC. My best tip is using the Misto instead of oil. I know they were gimmicky, but they really do work to cut back on oil!

    lbaran. pcs@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow you on gfc.

    A time saver in the kitchen would be a pressure pot, it cooks everything in no time, and makes meat taste great and very tender!

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  35. I blogged:
    http://ohmygiveaway.blogspot.com/2010/08/good-earth-prize-pack-giveaway.html

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  36. I subscribe via email.

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am a fan on fb.

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  38. I follow you on twitter @daer0n.

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  39. I have your regular button on my sidebar.

    Nury77 at live dot ca
    #1

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have your regular button on my sidebar.

    Nury77 at live dot ca
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  41. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/daer0n/status/20830225537

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  42. I shared this giveaway on fb.

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow your blog and my tip is to cut up veggies and place them in seperate individual bags, that way when you need a snack, they are already cut up and perfectly portioned so it's easier to eat.
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow you on Google Friend Connect
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow you on Twitter (tobinsmommy08)
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I faved you on Technorati (Rdemille)
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I liked you on Facebook
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. tweet http://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/20998760418
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm an email subscriber. My tip is to join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and when you bring home your produce for the week (or two), try to prepare whatever you can for a few days' of fresh food and cook and freeze the rest. This way, vitamins and other nutrients are preserved and you avoid the risk of letting the produce go bad sitting in the fridge. Also, mince a bunch of garlic, put it in ice cube trays, once frozen, store cubes in freezer. You'll have garlic on hand for many dishes to come. You can do the same for lemon juice, juice from tomatoes, etc.

    Thanks for the chance to win this.

    lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  50. tweet
    http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/status/21268213190

    lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I like you on Facebook (Laureen M-H)

    lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I follow you on Twitter (MamandeEDS).

    lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I subscribe on Yahoo RSS reader.

    lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Tweet! http://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/21288696234
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. tweet
    http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/status/21372844163

    lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  56. tweet
    http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/status/21379458554

    lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  57. GFC follower!

    For a quick, healthy snack I LOVE carrot sticks and hummus.

    thewideworldof (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  58. following on twitter @woozlewozzle

    ReplyDelete
  59. Tweet http://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/21433401956
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Blog follower via GFC. My kids eat nuts and dried fruit instead of snack bars. Saves money and is better for them! To save time, you can make little "snack packs" ahead of time and keep them in the pantry.
    sarah.robot at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Tweet http://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/21473512004
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Tweet http://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/21558771133
    rachel_demille@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Keep fresh fruit for the kids and yourself quick and easy thanks for the chance eaglesforjack@gmail.com i follow your blog

    ReplyDelete

incredibly interesting comments!