Enjoy a Summer a BBQ with Staples Sustainable Earth Products - Below budget, Above expectations

When it comes to celebrating the 4th, keeping our country clean and healthy should be a priority. All those barbeques are fun, but think of all the waste they leave behind. Thankfully, there are lots of ways we can make a difference. Just one of those ways is by making wise purchasing decisions.  Sustainable Earth by Staples are the perfect way to enjoy your barbeques on the 4th of July and all summer long.  These eco-preferable products are made with renewable resources, recycled materials and are third-party certified to validate their environmental attributes. Here are just a few examples of the products they offer:

Whether it's for an office party or a holiday get-together, these compostable cold cups are the perfect choice.  They won't leak or crack, but they are also biodegradable so you won't have to worry about them sitting in a landfill somewhere. Great for serving sodas or cocktails.

The Sustainable Earth Compostable Plates are something to rave about. They are nice and thick so you'll never cut through the plate with your knife or have pizza grease leak all over your hands, but they are a better choice for the environment. They make for easy cleanup without any guilt. 

Last but not least, this sturdy cutlery will complete your table settings. They have forks, spoons, and knives, all available for affordable prices. 

This weekend we had a big summer barbeque before the fireworks started, and the Staples Sustainable Earth Products made all the difference. We were able to set out the whole table with everything we needed including dishes, cups, bowls, napkins, and plastic-ware.  The settings looked lovely and these heavy duty products held up better than any paper plates we've ever used.

The best part about using the Staples Sustainable Earth Products was the simple cleanup. It only took a few minutes to gather up all the disposable dishes. We didn't even have to turn on the dishwasher. The only thing left to clean was the grill. With less work to do, we were able to make it to the boardwalk early and get a great spot to watch the fireworks.  Staples Sustainable Earth Products helped make our 4th of July a night to remember. Best of all, we know we made the right choice about the products we used. Every footstep counts, and this summer the only thing we're leaving behind are the footprints in the sand.  

These are just a few of the awesome green products in the Sustainable Earth line. They also have notebooks, calculators, pens and so much more. They are below budget, above expectations. To view the full collection be sure to stop in the store or visit their website. To keep up with future projects and promotions, follow Staples on face book or twitter.  

Stubb's Legendary BBQ Gift Pack #Giveaway

Now that the warmer weather is upon us, it’s prime time to get out and barbecue. Rocky Stubblefield, Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q brand ambassador and grandson of founder C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield, offers a few tips and recipes he’s picked up over the years to make you the grilling hero of any barbecue, family gathering or even weeknight dinner. Stubb’s is the maker of authentic, premium, BBQ sauces, rubs and marinades and was founded by C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield in 1968.

Stubb didn’t just make barbecue, he made friends, serving up his slow-smoked brisket, cole slaw and beans, all with his wide, trademark smile at his restaurant in Lubbock, Texas. It was during this time that Stubb first began bottling his now famous sauces at the request of his friends.

Rocky’s Grilling Tips

Today, Stubb’s heritage lives on in his legendary sauces, marinades and rubs, continuing to make people feel good all over the world.

• Use indirect cooking for larger meats (indirect is cooking away from the fire), and direct cooking for smaller meats (direct is cooking over the fire).
• When marinating, beef chicken and pork can be marinated up to two days in a refrigerator. You should only marinate seafood for a few hours.
• When using charcoal, allow coals to ash over before adding meat to the grill.
• When cooking burgers, make a thumbprint in the middle of the patty before putting it on the grill. This will help the patty come out nice and flat (not puffy in the middle) and the meat will be cooked evenly throughout.

 

Stubb’s Toasted Pecan Burger

 

• Soak vegetables in cold water before grilling – it keeps them from burning or drying out too fast.
• For a juicier steak, let your meat rest for at least 10 minutes after it is done to allow the juices that were forced into the center of the meat when cooking to distribute throughout the steak.

Grilled Ribeye Steak, Stubb-Style

• Don’t cook ribs ‘til they are falling off the bone – ribs should be grilled until they begin to pull away from the bone, but you should be able to bite into and leave a bite mark as you eat it off the bone. Overcooked ribs become dried out and less flavorful – even a little bit mushy.

Sweet Baby Back Ribs

Clean grill after every use. You can use a ball of foil or an onion – just cut the onion in half, and while the grill is heating up, rubs the onion across it. The juices from the onion clean the grill and get it ready for use.

Now for the fun part! Head below for your chance to enter the giveaway below to win a personalized grilling set, Stubb’s branded spatula Stubb’s heavy duty, hand-carved cedar wood cutting board, Stubb’s hat, bag, T-shirt and $30 in Stubb’s coupons this fantastic set is worth $150! Perfect for making your Fourth of July celebration Legendary!! Giveaway is open to US Resident only and ends on 6/26 at 11:59pm EST.  

Entry-Form

Disclosure:All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.. Open US only must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Elia At Conservamom

Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q #Giveaway

May is National Barbecue Month, and Austin, Texas-based Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q is offering a variety of tasty recipes for a quick and easy blog post to help celebrate the kickoff of BBQ season. Here is some of my favorites.

 

Stubb’s Toasted Pecan Burger

Ingredients

·         1 pound ground chuck

·         ¼ cup chopped red onion

·         ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted

·         1 tablespoon finely chopped green bell pepper

·         3 tablespoons Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce

·         2 tablespoons Stubb’s Bar-B-Q Spice Rub

·         Lettuce, mayonnaise, and toasted buns, for serving

Cooking Instructions

Mix together the chuck, onion, pecans, bell pepper, Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce, and Stubb’s Bar-B-Q Spice Rub. Shape into 3 large or 4 average-size patties. (The burgers may be mixed and shaped earlier in the day; refrigerate until ready to use.)

Prepare a grill for direct cooking. For a charcoal grill, when the coals are ashed over, rake or spread them out in the bottom of the grill so the food can cook directly over the coals. (For a gas grill, fire up the burners so the food can cook directly over the heat.)

Grill the burgers over direct medium heat, first on one side then on the other, 7 to 10 minutes, until they reach your desired degree of doneness. (Medium burgers register an internal temperature of 160°F.) Serve with lettuce, mayonnaise and toasted buns.

Craft-made Stubb’s, the leader in authentic BBQ sauces, rubs and marinades, is the only nationally available BBQ sauce brand (available in 85% grocery stores) to carry the Gluten-Free Organization Certification seal and contain no high fructose corn syrup (the first ingredient in most national BBQ sauce brands.) The company is also working with the Non-GMO Project to verify its line.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive  free coupons for Stubb's Legendary  Bar-B-Q Sauce. To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on 6/6/15. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to the sponsor for offering this fantastic prize.

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Zak! Summer BBQ Essentials - Review & #Giveaway

Backyard barbeques have become a tradition that defines summertime all across the country. But as enjoyable as barbeques are, they certainly aren’t hassle-free. Zak De­signs’ new Kitchen to Table ™ line, however, is designed to make the favorite sum­mertime tradition simpler and more convenient. 

The Kitchen to Table line includes the Original Caddy that’s available in a 2-, 3-, or 4-section option. The Caddy comes complete with a removable handle that makes it easy to transport from the kitchen to the table or patio. The sectioned insert can also be removed to allow the Caddy to hold and serve sides of baked beans, corn on the cob, potato salad, or many other favorite side dishes. With the sectioned insert in place, the Caddy can hold store-bought bottles of ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and other BBQ essentials, but it’s also designed as a simple way to store and transport the Spicy, Zesty, and Saucy containers that are part of the line.

The Spicy container features a ceramic grinder backed by a lifetime warranty that can be used for freshly ground salt, pepper, or other barbeque seasonings. The Zesty con­tainer has a lid with a narrow pour spout for specialty vinegars and thin sauces while the Saucy lid has a wider opening perfect for homemade barbeque sauce and other thick marinades. 

 The Kitchen to Table line also includes the Corny corn on the cob dishes and skewers as well as the Buttery butter applicator with a removable insert that allows it to fit both the East Coast and West Coast sizes of butter sticks. Rounding out the collection is the Handy locking tongs with silicone ends to ensure a good grip on corn, steaks, salad, or anything else that’s being served at your barbeque. Whether you’re hosting a fun family gathering, or a huge backyard celebration, the Kitchen to Table line will help take some of the hassle out of America’s favorite grilling tradition.

My Thoughts

 If you're entertaining this summer, this threesome from Zak! Designs is the perfect way to stay organized. Each piece is a backyard barbeque essentials. Let's start with the Spicy. If you enjoy fresh ground pepper, you need to have one of these in your kitchen. It crushes spices to just the right consistency. The pieces are never too big or too small. The blades are sharp, but designed so that it's both safe and functional. If you enjoy grinding other herbs, like cloves, natural sea salt, or anything else you can think of, this will work just as well.

Next up, we have the Saucy. This is perfect for any type of sauce, dressings, or even gravy. The lid snaps firmly shut so it never leaks. The lip allows for a even pour. You never get too much so you never drown your salad. It works great with all consistences, even thick dressing like blue cheese. The nozzle is big enough that even the hunks can escape with ease. Best of all, they come in a variety of colors that look so much nicer on your table than plastic bottles from the store. When you're done using it, it's dishwasher safe.

Finally, you have the caddy, and this brings all the pieces together. Both the Spicy and the Saucy fit in the slots perfectly. When you're carrying your condiments outside for a barbeque or into the dining room for a big family dinner, you can transport them with ease and create a lovely setting for your guests.  When you arrive at your destination, the handle can be removed so no one has trouble lifting the bottles. It's a very sturdy caddy, easy to clean, and comes in a variety of colors to match any kitchen decor.

 In addition to the items I tried out, Zak has plenty of other fun items for your house and home. They have unique table top settings, Salad and Serve ware, and more. They also make adorable lunch boxes and table settings for kids, which are fun and practical gift ideas. Zak Designs are available in a number of nationwide retailers like Walmart and Target or you can order direct from their website. Shipping is free in all orders over $50!  To see a full list of retailers check their website. And for lots of recipes and dinner time activities, check out their mealtime fun section. The full line of Zak! products can also be found on Amazon.

The Giveaway 

One lucky winner is going to receive a caddy, saucy, and spicy! To enter just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Open to the US only. Giveaway will end 8/1/14 at 1pm EST. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Zak! for offering this fantastic prize.

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Unveiling the Perfect Veggie Burger: Sweet Earth Natural Foods

Unveiling the Perfect Veggie Burger: Sweet Earth Natural Foods Adds Middle Eastern-Inspired Za’atar Flavor to Popular Line of Plant-Based Burgers

Authentically Delectable New Flame-Broiled Burger Is All-Natural, Non-GMO & Protein-Rich

For countless healthy eaters, the question of whether any brand would finally be able crack the holy grail of meat-free cuisine – a truly delicious, authentically textured and purely nutritious veggie burger – was answered with the introduction in 2012 of two delectable plant-based burger flavors from health food industry innovator Sweet Earth Natural Foods (www.sweatearthfoods.com).

This year, just in time for burger-friendly season, Sweet Earth – a fast-growing brand responsible for a diverse array of affordable, plant-based and farm-fresh foods – is pleased to expand its veggie burger line with the introduction of a bold new Middle Eastern flavor: Za’atar.

Za'atar is a provocative, ancient Middle Eastern spice that typically contains sesame seeds, dried oregano, or thyme, sumac and sea salt (with some regional variations including cumin and basil). A true gift from nature that has found its way to kitchens and markets around the world, Za’atar can enhance everything from breads and vegetables to olive oil and meats. And now…a kitchen ready veggie burger!

Offering a tantalizing exotic mixture of authentic Middle Eastern accents and naturally fresh plant-based ingredients, thie new Za’atar burger features bold woodsy spices and such endemic Middle Eastern flavors as Za’atar, tahini, garbanzo beans, mint, lemon, bulgur, farro and lentils. Other ingredients that contribute to this bold new product’s great texture and flavor rhapsody include spinach, flaxseed meal, quinoa, carrots, tofu, green onion, olive oil, toasted sesame oil, lemon juice, garlic, fresh cilantro, and spices.

Powered by 18 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, Sweet Earth Natural Foods’ new Za’atar burger has only 230 calories per 4 oz. patty. Each package (fresh, not frozen like most meat-free burger products) contains two ¼ pound burgers that can readily be prepared by today’s on-the-go consumers.

Retailing for $3.99, Za’atar Veggie Burgers – boasting a full 120-day shelf life – will be available at natural food retailers around the country beginning in May.

A veritable passport to the perfect veggie burger, the new Za’atar flavor joins Sweet Earth Natural Foods’ two previously-introduced veggie burgers flavors: Teriyaki and Santa Fe. All

of the company’s veggie burgers feature an authentically tender texture (rare in the category), hold up well on a grill, are flame-broiled not fried, and contain Sweet Earth’s proprietary blend of authentic farm-fresh vegetables, herbs and gourmet grains. 

Sweet Earth Natural Foods is also unveiling a new vegan bacon line and a Marigold Tea Bar flavor addition to its Sesame Squares energy bar line this Spring.

Reinvented and rejuvenated by CEO Kelly Swette and President Brian Swette two year ago, the 36 year-old Sweet Earth Natural Foods has long been a pioneer in manufacturing quality vegetarian and vegan farm-fresh food. And now they are actively educating the public about the benefits to humans, animals and the environment of following a purely plant-based diet.

Today, Sweet Earth – which operates a sunny and inviting 35,000 square foot manufacturing facility and garden in Northern California’s picturesque Moss Landing – is known among consumers and retailers for innovating a wide range of cost-effective but premium-quality plant-based foods that are not only packed with flavor, but free of fillers, GMO, and artificial preservatives.    

Beyond veggie burgers, Sweet Earth Natural Foods’ menu of products includes internationally-themed and hand-crafted burritos; seitan; soups; vegan pies; and sesame square bars – all of which are poised for line expansions as more consumers embrace the Sweet Earth Natural Foods lifestyle.

***No compensation received. Information was provided by the company or representative***