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8 Perfect Indoor Grilling Recipes for Fall

Best Buy for MomsWhen you think Best Buy, you probably don’t think about cooking, right? You probably think gadgets and games, computers,  Geek Squad assistance, stuff like that. But – Best Buy is so much more than just smart tech – they also have super smart solutions you can use in throughout your whole home. As a member of the Best Buy Blogging Board, I get to learn about a lot of the cool new products they’re carrying for fall – but never would have expected a gadget that can feed my family breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Learn how I do it with my totally awesome new kitchen helper – the Griddler, by Cuisinart. {And prepare to have your mind blown – this thing rocks.} See it in action here…

Grilling isn’t just for summer anymore – Indoor Grilling Made Easy with the Griddler

Awesome, right? You can use it as a griddle or grill – or half and half – to cook up a super hearty breakfast for you and the fam in the morning. Then it can be used to make perfect paninis at lunch time – or use it to make quesadillas or grilled cheese. At dinner time, you can make just about anything you can think of – veggies, steaks, chicken, kabobs, pork, steaks… This baby makes it super simple to cook them all. LOVE it. You know what else I love? That I was able to clear out a whole kitchen cupboard now that I have the Griddler – I donated our quesadilla maker, the sandwich maker, our small grill, the old super small panini maker, and the waffle maker {you can buy waffle plates for the Griddler too!} – this gadget does everything that ALL of those things can do, in one super cool looking appliance.

Indoor Grilling Recipes

Eight Indoor Grilling Recipes

Want some mouth-watering inspiration for using the Griddler? It can convert to a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, half grill/half griddle – and even a waffle maker with the extra attachment plates. That means that you can cook a crazy-huge variety of stuff on it – Check out some of my personal favorite indoor grilling recipes:

  • Bacon-Stuffed Pancakes: This totally amazing idea for stuffing your pancakes with bacon can be cooked using the griddle pans of the Griddler. I’ve made these a few times – and they are definitely a “man-pleasing” breakfast choice, lol.
  • Breakfast Griddle Sandwich: This is sooooo good – great combination of sweet and savory. Again, like many breakfast choices, you’ll make this using the griddle plates.
  • Snickers Grilled Dessert Panini: I was part of a group project to come up with recipes featuring Snickers minis {see my Snickers Football Snackadium recipe} – and I came across this idea that another member of the group came up with. SO on my list of to-makes this week!
  • Vegan Philly Cheese Panini: SUPER great idea for switching up a usually Philly sandwich into a healthier vegetarian version that’s sure to please even most meat-lovers. Can’t wait to try this one too! And the Panini plates on the Griddler make it a snap!
  • Homemade Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers: This copy cat recipe is seriously delicious. I’d actually never tried the original, and have never had any type of Chili Lime style chicken. But it was love at first bite. For reals.
  • Grilled Corn with Parmesean Butter: This super simple recipe from Rachael Ray is perfect for cooking on the full grill plates – and the perfect side dish for any meal! And, did I tell you how easy clean up is, since the grill plates pop right into the dishwasher? Love that.
  • Grilled Tandoori Chicken: Cook up this amazingly good main course using the grill plates – the drip pan catches any bits of grease, the chicken cooks super quickly since the Griddler cooks both sides at the same time, and you’ve got a totally easy clean up when you’re finished.
  • Red Wine Grilled Steak: See those beautiful grill marks on the steaks? Hard to believe that this was cooked indoors! This is my own recipe – incredibly simple, and is a perfect fit for cooking up quick on the Griddler. I ove that you can get serious steakhouse quality meals cooked on this thing. Rockin’.

You’re getting excited, aren’t you? The Griddler is a busy mom’s best friend – Easy to use, simple to store, cleans up in a snap, and versatile enough to cook up anything you need to please picky eaters, finicky foodies, and starving teens. But – it’s not the only awesome kitchen problem solver that you’ll find at Best Buy – I’m telling you, check out their awesome selection the next time you’re there. They’ve got tons of stuff that I never would have expected, and awesome prices. Just like they’re total pros at choosing the smartest tech to fit your families needs – they’re also pros at choosing cool home, health, and beauty gadgets to fit your needs too {remember the Fitbit weight loss super star?}. Seriously – Check Out this Week’s Home & Appliance Offers! You’ll love it. Check out a few more of my faves…

OXO kitchen gear

Best Buy is your Busy Mom Solution Headquarters!

Seriously – how cool is it that Best Buy is now stocking other non-techy solutions that help solve the challenges of our busy lives? OXO makes some of the smartest kitchen gear – the POP containers are a super cool way to ensure that you don’t waste money on groceries, since they help keep all of your pantry staples stored safely and air-tight. {Plus, they’re a total-space saver since they’re rectangle shaped and easily stackable!} Their reusable water bottle means you cut down on waste by not buying and throwing away a ton of disposables. And there are so many other cool pieces – Cocktail shakers, avocado slicers, measuring cup with fat seperator, and more! You’ll find them all at a Best Buy near you, or on BestBuy.com.

Love it? Share it!

Learn more about the unexpected products perfect for the whole home that are available at Best Buy on Pinterest!

Best Buy WOLF Blogging Ambassador

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Best Buy Blogging Board and Product Ambassador team, I received compensation for this post in the form of the reviewed product or a gift card. All opinions and overuse of the words awesome and amazing are 100% my own. Only the best products reviewed make it onto this site – I love the Griddler & Best Buy, and know you will too!}


 

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Posted by on September 8, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Food | 16 Comments

Red Wine & Pepper Grilled Steak Recipe

Grilling is not just for summer anymore. Simple indoor grilling recipes… You guys know that I am totally in love with the Griddler from Best Buy, right? {Want one? Check out the Best Buy Free Shipping offer to get it shipped asap!} I totally cleared out a whole kitchen cupboard, and tossed a bunch of my old gadgets, since this baby does the work of them all in one sleek, easy-to-store appliance. And I am so excited to be able to do some great grilling indoors, as the weather starts to turn colder. {We’ve been known to grill outside in the snow at times – we love dinner made on the grill!} So, let me share a super simple new recipe we cooked up this week on the Griddler – Red Wine & Pepper Grilled Steak. So good.

Indoor Grilling Recipes: Red Wine & Pepper Grilled Steak Recipe

Print
Red Wine & Pepper Grilled Steak Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak seasoning
  • Pinch of white sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Dash or two of coarse black pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix up the red wine, peppercorns, Grill Mates, sugar, salt, and pepper all together in a saucepan, and heat over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring well. Let it cool a bit, then pour into a big resealable plastic bag, Add the steak, seal the bag, flip around to coat - then refrigerate for 1 hour to marinate. {Marinating is like meat magic....}
  2. Use the Griddler full grill plates, and heat to medium high. Grill for about 5 to 8 minutes for medium-rare doneness. Time will depend on thickness of steak, and how you like 'em cooked.
  3. Open the Griddler, and take steaks off the grill. Let 'em rest for 2 to 3 minutes to let the juices reabsorb into the steak. Serve. Love.
https://sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/09/red-wine-pepper-grilled-steak-recipe/

The Griddler: Smart Dinnertime Solution for Busy Moms

This recipe makes enough marinade for about 2 pounds of steaks. It’s super simple, so good, and with the Griddler it’s even easy to clean up. For more amazing indoor grilling ideas see my post – How a Best Buy Gadget Can Feed Your Family All Day Long. And if you have a fave tip or recipe for indoor grilling – post a link in the comments so I can try it out!

Learn more about the unexpected products perfect for the whole home that are available at Best Buy on Pinterest!


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Posted by on September 8, 2012 Filed Under: Food | 2 Comments

5 Great Tips to Steal from the Greek Lifestyle…

Healthy Living, the Greek way… You’ve probably heard the term “Opa!” – a popular Greek term used to express excitement and cheer, right? Greeks are super smart about finding creative ways to celebrate their heritage, food, and family every day. They seek balance in their daily lives by participating in outdoor activities and relying on a healthy diet of olive oil, grains, vegetables, fish and dairy. Clearly, this is a lifestyle worth borrowing a few tips from.

chelsie hightower healthy living tips

Healthy Living Tips inspired by Greek Living – from Chelsie Hightower

Get some great ideas for healthy living from the amazing Chelsie Hightower, from Dancing With the Stars. These 5 tips will have you living like a Greek in no time – and can help you be happier, healthier, and full of “Opa!” too…

  1. Take your workouts outside. While a walk around your neighborhood might seem less exciting than a hike around Greek ruins, try to find something in your local outdoors that motivates and excites you. Explore a local park or a new neighborhood route to change up your fitness routine.
  2. Make healthy meal choices. I try to stick to a Mediterranean influenced diet that is rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruit, fish and dairy. I enjoy finding recipes online and then trying them at home. Old London has some great recipes on their Facebook page.
  3. Go dancing. In Greece, dancing is a large part of any celebration or gathering. I love going  dancing with friends; not only do we have a great time but I also get a workout!
  4. Healthy Living = Happiness. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to plan a gettogether. Invite friends and family over just because! Ask guests to bring a dish, or set out appetizers like olives, cheese and Old London Melba Toast for everyone to enjoy. I’ve found being happy is a big step to staying healthy.
  5. Love yourself. People come in all shapes and sizes, and what works on others won’t necessary work for you. Being healthy is about how you feel. Stop comparing yourself to others and begin loving the person you are from head to toe.

Celebrity dancer Chelsie Hightower has teamed up with some awesome nutrition and culinary experts, and partnered with Old London this summer – to help you incorporate the spirit of Greek culture into your life with easy-to-manage health tips like these, and super yummy recipes to support an overall healthy lifestyle for you and your family. I LOVE these ideas, and am already using them in my own life…

super simple spinach party dip

How I bring Greek Living to my Summer entertaining

Have you ever tried Old London snacks? They’ve got some really great options that are perfect for summer entertaining, like the ones I used at last weekend’s BBQ  – Melba Sea Salt Whole Grain {perfect fit with my Nutrisystem diet}, Melba Toast in Rosemary & Olive Oil {perfectly crunchy}, and Garlic & Herb Bagel Chips {all natural, no trans fat. Awesome.} These paired up pretty much perfectly with my favorite Super Simple Spinach Party Dip. Here’s the quick steps to put it together:

  • 1 {10 oz} package of frozen chopped spinach
  • 1 package Veggie recipe soup mix
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 (16 oz) container sour cream
  • 3 chopped green onions

Directions for Super Simple Spinach Party Dip: Put frozen spinach into a strainer to thaw out. Once thawed, squeeze out any extra water, and get the spinach as dry as possible so your dip doesn’t get too runny. Combine all of the ingredients into a big bowl, stir to mix, then refrigerate for a couple of hours to let the flavors blend together. Serve with bread, crackers – or my personal fave, Old London chips and crisps!

Old London is sending one lucky winner and a guest on an all-expense paid trip to the Greek Islands!

Old London SweepstakesOne lucky Old London fan is going to get a first-hand experience of the local culture, food and activities that help the Greek stay so healthy and happy. “Say Opa! to a better you by
maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and participating in physical activities you love while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Greek Islands!” – Visit Facebook.com/OldLondonFoods to get tips on living a healthy lifestyle and your chance to
win. I cannot even imagine how amazing this trip would be… Grand Prize: 8-day/7-night trip for two to Greece. Prize includes the following: Round trip (coach class) air transportation from a major airport nearest the winner’s home address. Seven nights (double occupancy) first class hotel accommodations in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. $2,000 gift card for spending money. {Approximate retail value $9,500. Grand Prize winner may select a cash option of $5,000 in lieu of the travel prize. But who would pass up a trip to Greece, right??} So what are you waiting for? Head on over to their Facebook page today, check out more delicious recipes to help you life like a Greek – then enter to WIN a chance to REALLY live like a Greek on this sweet getaway adventure.

What do YOU think??

Do you plan to try “Living Greek” – using Chelsie Hightowers healthy living tips inspired by the Greek lifestyle, or trying some of the super yummy recipes on the Old London Facebook page? Are you from a Greek family, and have some additional fun tips to share with us? I love hearing from you guys – so don’t be shy, comment away!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. Photo Credit for first photo.}

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Posted by on June 12, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Take a Tea Time-Out for a Chance to Win – #LiptonGreenTea

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris

As busy moms, we’re often so busy taking care of everyone else that we forget to take care of ourselves. We all know we do it, we all know how important it is to carve out a little “me-time” during the week – Yet most of us still don’t find a way to do it.

Take a Tea Time-Out

I was sent an amazing package of the new Lipton Superfruit teas a couple weeks ago. I wanted to share them here with you guys – which meant I had to take a few minutes to sit and really pay attention to what I was tasting. I am so glad that I did, because this is quickly becoming my favorite afternoon ritual – When I get Abby settled in for a nap, I have some time to sit down with a my planner, a cup of Red Goji and Raspberry tea, and one of my favorite goodies – These Cranberry Chip Muffins. It’s the perfect way to kind of break away from my daily stress and craziness, enjoy a really great treat that’s packed full of good stuff, and center myself again. If you’d like to try sneaking in a “mommy break” each day too – Here’s the recipe for Cranberry Chip Muffins:

Print
Cranberry Chip Muffins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons beaten egg
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Grab a big bowl, and combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Then grab another big bowl, and whisk your juice, oil, and the egg.
  2. Next, stir the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ones, but just until they're moistened.
  3. Lightly fold in the cranberries and mini chips.
  4. Either spray cooking spray into your cupcake pan, or use some cute paper lines - then fill each cup about 2/3 full of muffin batter.
  5. Bake 'em up at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan, and cool on a wire rack.
  6. You can also sprinkle sugar crystals on top if desired.
https://sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/02/take-a-tea-time-out-for-a-chance-to-win-liptongreentea/

Join the Conversation

Now that I have shared what I would pair with these refreshing Lipton Green Tea Superfruits, I want to know, how do you enjoy your tea?

Share your tea time must haves for a chance to win a year’s supply of Lipton Tea, a tea kettle, a tea box, a mug/saucer set, a travel tumbler and a $50 gift card to Amazon.com! 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lipton Green Tea Superfruit. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

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Posted by on February 8, 2012 Filed Under: Giveaways |