*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hormel. All opinions are 100% mine. Lunch can definitely be a struggle, especially when you are juggling a million things all at once like I usually am. Half the time, I end up working right through my lunch break when I am at work because I just don't have the time to eat. I realize that this is not the healthiest option but I am honestly swamped with paperwork most of the time. Thank goodness, Hormel has taken into consideration the needs of busy on-the-go moms like me who are looking for convenient and healthy foods that are rich in protein and will give us energy throughout the day. Hormel Compleats cheesy pasta varieties are ready to eat in just 60 seconds. Now, that is the kind of delicious and quick meal that I like! These meals are microwaveable and fit perfectly into my busy life because I can prepare them easily and they taste great so I don't have to compromise flavor. They are made with real cheese … [Read more...]
Handling Ham For Spring Meals #HormelFamily
Spring is definitely in the air and you can notice it in the recent warm weather days throughout the Tri-state Metropolitan area. There is nothing like a home-cooked meal to keep everyone happy as you prepare to gather together all of your family and friends for your large group gatherings to celebrate special events during the spring. Ham is an extremely versatile and delicious protein that can be added to the menu for any special occasion. In order to help you plan a successful menu which includes ham for one of your next events, Curemaster Brian Hendrickson has some important tips for adding Hormel® Cure 81® ham to your meal: Know your Numbers: When purchasing ham for a large crowd, such as a graduation dinner, count the number of guests scheduled to attend. It’s a good idea to get about a pound of ham for every 3-4 people. Don’t forget to estimate a little extra for unexpected guests, and everyone’s favorite- leftovers! As Simple as Heat & Serve: Hams are … [Read more...]
Plan A Romantic Date In! #HormelFamily
Whenever I want to spend some romantic time alone with my husband, we make plans to go out somewhere and always include going to eat at a restaurant as part of the date. Unfortunately, these moments are few and far between because of the busy lives that we lead as parents. Since it's always so difficult to get some of that one-on-one time together, it's important to make the best of the time that we do get to spend as a couple. One way to spend some very romantic time together is to prepare a meal at home and stay in. By staying in, you eliminate some of the frustrating factors that keep married couples with kids from being able to have dates that often. You won't have to worry about fitting going to a pricey restaurant into your meal budget because you can plan a delicious and creative meal with even limited finances. Also, there isn't the added concern of finding a restaurant that is kid-friendly and can accommodate your children. Let's face it, some of us just don't … [Read more...]
Enjoy Family Soup Recipes! #HormelFamily
This past week has been a trying one in our household. It seems like everyone has been sick and it has been a struggle going through the motions of daily life while feeling under the weather. Add to that the plummeting temperatures outdoors and it has just been a recipe for disaster. When we are sick and the cold weather has us in a funk, we often prepare soup to warm ourselves up and to help our bodies heal. My Grandmother used to prepare Homemade Chicken Soup whenever anyone in the family was sick and she would deliver it to us personally in her food storage containers. She's probably the one who laid the groundwork for our family's love of soup. My children love Chicken Noodle Soup and will always request it during the winter months. Although we prefer homemade soups, the reality of our schedules often causes us to turn to canned soups in order to prepare and enjoy them quickly. Whatever your soup preference is, as long … [Read more...]
Use Those Holiday Leftovers To Prepare Cultural Masterpieces! #HormelFamily
We are very fortunate to live in a country that is a melting pot for people of all different cultures and backgrounds. Most of us join our family and friends during the holidays to celebrate and to engage in those traditional customs that we have known and loved for many generations. It is very important to celebrate our differences and to share our unique histories with one another, especially during these precious moments. Food has always been a uniting factor when it comes to holiday celebrations. We love to prepare culturally inspired dishes that please our palates as well as showcase the recipes and themes that are familiar to us and have been a staple at family meals for years. Unfortunately, we often prepare well over what we need for these meals and we end up with mountains of leftovers after the holidays. Fortunately, Hormel Foods has some great ideas regarding how you can add a cultural twist to those holiday leftovers that are still in your … [Read more...]
Win A Donation To A Local Food Bank In Your Own Community! #HormelFamily
Every year, my husband and I give a turkey away for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. Since he works at a produce market, his employers give him two large turkeys for both holidays and we figure it's the least we could do by paying it forward to some deserving families during the season. There is nothing like the feeling one gets when doing something for someone in need. It really is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. Years ago, when we were still dating, my husband and I went out with members of his mother's church to feed homeless people during the holidays. It was scary for me at first because I did not know what to expect when crawling under some of the bridges and underpasses where homeless people seek refuge. Believe it or not, these people are just like you and I except that they fell upon some hard times. The people we fed were so thankful to have a hot meal and even enjoyed having some conversation and companionship. The holidays are the perfect … [Read more...]
Make A Pizza With Your Children! #HormelFamily
October was National Pizza Month and us New Yorkers sure know a thing or to about making and eating pizza! It was first observed in the United States in 1984 by Gerry Durnell, the founder of Pizza Today magazine. He chose this month to pay homage to this favorite American food because this was the month that his magazine published their first issue. According to Pizza.com there are an estimated 63,000 pizzerias located throughout the U.S. This translates into 94% of all Americans eating pizza at least once a month. Many families enjoy preparing pizza right at home and this is a great opportunity and excuse to involve your kids in preparing a meal that the whole family will love. Cooking with your children is a great way to take advantage of a "teachable moment." You can use this time to discuss your family history or to share traditional family recipes with your them. Cooking also helps you teach your kids about proper kitchen safety and handling of cooking tools. … [Read more...]
Celebrate Autumn By Pairing New Veggie And Meat Dishes! #HormelFamily
Now that Fall is upon us, it is time to make the transition from preparing warm weather meals to foods that are now in season with the winter months ahead of us. Sometimes, pairing your meat dishes with seasonal vegetables can seem like a daunting task. September and October are great months to experiment with seasonal root vegetables. The new cool weather conditions are ideal for the growth of such veggies as broccoli, squash and cauliflower. It is important to keep a few things in mind when pairing meats and seasonal veggies. Here are some tips for planning and preparing seasonal meals for your family: * Root vegetables gain some sweetness when they are roasted and taste delicious with pork. One option is to pair a Hormel Always Tender roast flavored pork roast with carrots or a sweet potato as a tasty side. * Vegetables can be paired with different meats for slow cook dishes in the form of soups, stews, chili, and more. You can try mixing Herb-Ox chicken or beef … [Read more...]
Healthy Eating Goals For Back To School Lunches! #HormelFamily
As much as we are all trying to hold on to the last remnants of Summer, the truth is that the new school year is right around the corner. As a parent, I can tell you that making plans in advance and establishing a routine are very important to make sure that the back to school season goes off without a hitch. Many parents find it quite challenging to come up with healthy back to school lunch ideas. It is very important to create a meal plan with your family before actually heading out to the grocery store to stock up on foods. There are so many choices out there that going shopping without some kind of a plan can be extremely overwhelming for any parent. You have to be realistic about what your child will and will not eat and the best way to come to some kind of an agreement is to sit down and have a conversation with them about their preferences. Working together with your child will help them to make wiser and more nutritious food choices. Joan Hanson, the test … [Read more...]
Celebrate Hot Dog Season With #HormelFamily
Many people don't know that Hot Dog season lasts throughout the Summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. New York City is definitely the best place to be when it comes to eating delicious hot dogs prepared in a variety of ways. This is definitely a city that is well known for its famous hot dogs! The usual condiments for New York hot dogs are mustard and sauerkraut. Some people even choose to add sweet onions in a tomato based sauce. You can basically buy hot dogs on every street corner in New York City and in many delicatessens as well. New York street vendors boil their hot dogs in warm-water baths. While I was researching hot dogs, I found out some interesting facts about their history. Americans are expected to eat at least 7 billion hot dogs this Summer according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Ten percent of annual retail hot dog sales occur during July, which has been designated as National Hot Dog Month. Additionally, sausage consumption is on … [Read more...]
