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U.S. Senate Passes Un-Potato Bill to Stimulate Family Dinners

by Ray on April 18, 2011

Even the potatoes support the Un-Potato Bill

#unpotatofest

Washington DC – The Senate today passed a new law intended to stimulate family dinners. Informally called the “Un-Potato” bill because it effectively bans boring potatoes from the dinner table, the legislation will give each American family $2.51 to buy three packages of Stove Top Stuffing Mix.

“Americans have suffered from boring dinners for far too long. That’s why this bill is desperately needed, we must stimulate family dinners,” said Senator S.O. Hungry (D-California).

If signed by the president, the bi-partisan legislation will direct the U.S. Treasury to send a stimulus check to every American family beginning on June 1, 2011. All checks are expected to be sent by March 31, 2015.

“Studies show again and again that boring dinners plagued by too many potatoes lead to shorter meals resulting in less conversation at the table,” said Senator Les Potatoes (R-Texas). “It’s tragic and that’s why we had to act.”

Opponents of the bill, primarily senators from potato consuming states, contend that Stove Top Stuffing Mix is too exciting and will unfairly punish people who want a less mouth-watering dinner.

A conference committee will meet and work out the differences between the House and Senate bills. Among the most striking differences, the Senate refused to outlaw the potato completely, unlike the House version which would have rounded up all potato farmers and taken away their seeds.

The Un-Potato Bill will stimulate family dinners

I have received compensation for participation in the “Un-Potato” campaign from Kraft Foods, through Technorati Media. Submit your own “boring” potato entry for a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card. Full contest rules at: http://technorati.com/stovetop-unpotato-contest

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Cheesy – In a Good Way

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on April 7, 2011

On a rainy day, long ago (it seems), we received a package delivered to our doorstep. We were very excited to see what was in this box. We all needed something to bring a smile to our faces. Inside this package was a bright orange Baby Loaf and in it was a cheese slicer, a heart-shaped sandwich cutter and a handful of coupons for free cheese.

You may be wondering, Why cheese? But, we were thinking, Yay! Cheese! And one of our favorites, to boot – Tillamook!

I know… it seems strange that we would get so excited about cheese, but we love cheese around here.

Look at that cheesy grin!

cheddar cheese

jack cheese

cream cheese. Oh wait, is cream cheese really cheese?

um…..

gouda

fetta

swiss

pepper jack

dubliner

parmesan

mozzerella

american

You get the picture.

What is your favorite kind of cheese? How do you like to eat it?

Ray likes any cheese that is a bit “sweaty”. I like it either really cold or melted, and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar has always been my absolute favorite (free or not). And the kids? Well, they just like cheese.

You know what I would be thrilled to be able to do someday? I’d really like to make it the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the Oregon coast. Maybe. Someday.

Why Tillamook?

Tillamook Cheese is a 101 year old farmer-owned dairy company in Oregon that makes a variety of cheeses including the flagship, award-winning Medium Cheddar – made from the same recipe for more than a century. Tillamook Medium Cheddar is naturally aged and made using only the highest-quality milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones so you can be confident it’s safe and healthy for your family.

Visit www.tillamook.com to find a variety of recipes for any time of day. There are some great chef-inspired recipes that use kid-friendly ingredients and deliciously grown-up versions of old favorites like the Grilled Cheese Trifecta or Mom’s Apple Pie Melt – in cute videos that are quick and easy to follow. The site also has several fun activities like Know Your Cheese and where you can find out your cheese IQ.

You can even like Tillamook on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to connect with other cheese fans, trade recipes and find coupons for Tillamook products.

Benefited post, as mentioned above.

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Chicken ~ It’s What’s For Dinner

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on May 7, 2010

As most of you know, I’m very particular about what I eat these days. On most nights my family holds their breath as they ask what’s for dinner because, quite honestly, most often it’s pretty much up to them {“them” meaning Daddy}. Except for when I have a hankering for something specific.

ChickenBreastStripsPackage Well, lately I’ve been craving fresh green salads. Throwing together a salad takes very little time and energy, both of which are very limited for this pregnant mama. Of course we need our protein, too, and that’s where Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken comes in. As the name suggests, this chicken is fully cooked, making it quick and easy to throw on a salad.

I recently purchased a bag of Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Strips from my local Walmart and created a mouth-watering salad that we all thoroughly enjoyed. {Well, not all of us – I have yet to convince my youngest kiddos that salad actually does taste good!}

Unfortunately taking a picture was an afterthought, and who really wants to see an empty bowl? You’ll just have to use your imagination… Here’s what I threw together::

I tossed together a Spring Green Mix, sliced strawberries, honey-glazed walnuts, and Feta cheese, in olive oil and vinegar, with a squeeze of fresh lemon. I then topped off the salad with Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Strips and served it with our favorite Roasted Garlic Sourdough Bread from Costco.

A quick, easy, and delicious dinner, thanks to Tyson. One that satisfied my every craving!

Collective Bias & Tyson provided me with a gift card and free product coupons to share a recipe and my thoughts on the Grilled and Ready products.

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Is It All In My Head?

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on April 3, 2010

Let’s talk about food for a minute.

Really I could talk about it all day, because… well, I pretty much think about food all day.

I’d like to blame my recent food obsession on this baby I’m growing. You see, I can’t wait until I’m hungry to eat. In fact, I haven’t experienced hunger pangs for several weeks now. Instead, I wait until the nausea kicks in. Nausea caused by the simple fact that I am pregnant. Nausea that I feel when I do not eat. Because, unless I am literally putting some sort of food in my mouth, I am nauseous. I wake up nauseous, thus I wake up thinking about food. I lie in bed, tired as can be at the end of a long day, and think about food, all due to the fact that I am nauseous.

Now, let’s talk about cravings.

When I am craving a certain food, my palette is not satisfied until I’ve consumed said craving. With few exceptions these cravings must be satisfied by my own hand; meaning I must prepare whatever it is my body tells me I need. Lucky for my family I’ve insisted on making Fried Chicken, Tacos, and Grilled BBQ Chicken this week, simply because I was craving these things.

Some of my most recent cravings ::

Kool-Aid
Burritos {just like those my Mom makes}
Cupcakes
Greek Salad
Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
Strawberries
Cupcakes
Cheddar Cheese and Apple Slices {yes, together}
Breakfast Casserole

Did I mention cupcakes?

My wonderful husband has made me Breakfast Burritos twice in one day, and many a night will you find me in the kitchen looking for food, long after the rest of my family is asleep and snoring. Why? Yep, you guessed it – I’m either nauseous or craving something specific.

So, I have a question for you ::
I know the nausea is real, but are these cravings all in my head?

I’m sure Ray would like to think so.

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