Ninja Coffee Bar - Giveaway

Welcome to the Ninja Coffee Bar giveaway 

hosted by The Kids Did It and The Mommy Island!

The Ninja Coffee Bar^™ brewer changes the game, bringing rich flavor home—turning your favorite ground coffee into anything-but-basic black. Not to mention all of the refreshingly robust Over Ice drinks and frothy, flavorful Specialty beverages you can whip up at the touch of a button with our concentrated coffee.

Check out Amanda's Ninja Coffee Bar Review, so you can see how easy it is to whip up some magically delicious coffee with this simple, but fancy machine!

Terms & Conditions: One entrant will be selected to receive a Ninja Coffee Bar ($200 ARV) Open for entry in the Continental US, 18 years and older from 03/17/16 thru 03/31/2016 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to the notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. See Gleam Form for official rules. Hosts & participating bloggers are not responsible for fulfilling prize obligations. 

Ninja Coffee Bar Giveaway

Vons Farm Fresh & Local Produce Tour

I am immensely grateful every single time I enter the produce department of my local grocer. The fruits and veggies are always lined up so neatly. The colors are eye-catching, the smells inspire stomach growls, and every now and then I sample a grape (don't tell anyone). I have often wondered where all that deliciousness comes from and how far it had to travel to get here.

A few weeks back I was invited on the Vons Farm Fresh & Local Produce Tour. Vons has partnered with local farmers for more than 75 years, bringing fresh goodness to our neighborhoods.

We visited Tutti Frutti Farms, which is located in beautiful Santa Barbara County. Tutti Frutti Farms is owned by fifth generation farmer, Chris Cadwell and his family, and they've been growing organic produce since 1988.

This gorgeous farm sits on more than 200 acres, near the Santa Ynez River.

Photo Credit: Vons

Chris is not only a great farmer, he's also a fabulous story teller too. He talked talked about various farming challenges like growing during dry seasons (this year was one of them), pesky bugs, and test crops.

One of Chris' most popular crops (which also happens to be my new favorite thing) is Heirloom Tomatoes. Tutti Frutti Farms has several varieties, including: Pink Brandy Wine, Chocolate Stripe, Persimmon, and Purple Cherokee. If ever you have wondered whether or not a tomato was a fruit or a veggie, once your mouth gets a taste of one of these babies, you'd wonder no more!

Photo Credit: Vons

The fresh from the vine taste at Tutti Frutti farms is great, but everything about the farm makes for an incredible meal too! Look at this beautiful spread:

Photo credit: Vons

The tour was awesome! The weather was hot, but breathtaking. The food was fresh and delicious. The people were warm and friendly. The experience was absolutely priceless. I had a great time!

Photo credit: Vons

As a California native, I am still completely in awe of this gorgeous state. My trip to Tutti Frutti farms made me fall in love with the land, all over again. I have always known that relationships make the world go round, but this experience confirmed it. The relationship that Vons has with local growers makes life better - for everyone.

Photo credit: Vons

The next time you're in the market, ask where your produce comes from. You might be surprised to find out how close to homegrown it really is!

This is not a paid post. Travel and accommodations were provided. All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Filippo Berio EVOO review

I was invited to participate in a Filippo Berio Olive Oil review through BzzAgent.

I have been an olive oil user for a very long time. It's the only oil that I use every single day. It is also a fabulous moisturizer... try it!

Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil is delicious! I love the rich flavor, it compliments food deliciously.  Filippo Berio EVOO can be substituted for butter or margarine (conversion chart). Although I personally don't bake with EVOO, but you could.

If you're not already an olive oil user, let me give you a few reasons to give it a try:

• High in monounsaturated fat (the good fat)
• Sugar free
• Salt free
• Gluten free
• Helps control blood pressure and blood sugar levels

It should be no surprise that people who live in Mediterranean regions have lower rates of heart disease and Alzheimer's, and they also have high life expectancy. Why is that? Health experts believe that olive oil plays a strong part in this. 

I'm a believer! 

You can find Filippo Berio in your local grocer. 

This is not a paid post. I received a sample of Filippo Berio through BzzAgent. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Cascade Platinum Pacs are Terrific! #sponsored

I participated in this campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I am the child of a bona fide clean freak! I grew up in a household where pillowcases were ironed, dust was nonexistent, and not a dish was left in the sink overnight. My mother's first name should be Tidy!

While I am certainly not my mother, I am her child, so you won't be surprised when I tell you that I wash every dish (thoroughly) before placing them in the dishwasher.  I do this because I want to make sure that the dishes are clean.

Cascade Platinum Pacs may be the answer to my dishwashing prayers! These little packages not only clean dishes (including 24-hour stuck on food), but they're also designed to prevent hard water buildup in the dishwasher. But what I'm most impressed with is that Cascade Platinum Pacs ELIMINATE the need for pre-washing.

When your dishes are clean you can not only feel good about the food you're serving, but you can feel confident about the presentation as well. I think clean dishes make food look even more delicious. If you agree I encourage you to enter the Cascade #MyPlatinum Instagram Contest!

Cascade has partnered with Top Chef Judge, Gail Simmons, to discuss why presentation is so important (especially now that everybody shares everything that they eat on social media):


Go on and snap some shots of your favorite dishes and enter the contest! Two lucky winners will receive a brand spanking new Whirlpool Dishwasher every week (contest will run until 6/30/13). One grand prize winner will receive a Platinum Kitchen makeover!

There are still two weeks to enter:

Week 3 (6/17 - 6/23): My Platinum Clink - show us your sparkling glasses.
Week 4 (6/24 - 6/30): My Platinum Table - show us your tablescape
Grand Prize Entry (6/3 - 6/30)

Be sure to include the #MyPlatinum hashtag and @MyCascade with your entries. Good luck!!!

Become a Cascade Facebook Fan so that you can be the first to know about other contests, cool giveaways, and tips!

Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Stain Remover Gel Review & Coupon Giveaway

I received a free bottle of Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Stain Remover as a Purex Insider to facilitate this review.

Mold and mildew are the enemy in my house. I have been known to throw away good containers simply because the contents got a little fuzzy. It chaps my hide when I see mildew developing in the grout. Mold and Mildew cannot live here - period!

For years I used a popular mold and mildew stain remover whose name I shall not mention in this post (starts with the T), but the fumes are brutal. The chlorinated smell gets inside your nose and stays for hours. While it is effective, you have to open every single window in the house if you use the stuff.

Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Stain Remover is way less pungent. I mean you can still smell it, but it doesn't permeate the air with the same harshness. More importantly it's effective. I love that it's just thick enough to stick, but not too thick to get stuck, it "clings," and it's effective, see:

This is mold and mildew stain remover can bring back the white your grout used to know. It's pretty excellent! So it seems that my old brand just got replaced by Soft Scrub and I'm completely okay with that!

Buy it: Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Stain Remover in a store near you.

Of course your want a chance to try it out for free, right?

Win it: It is always my pleasure to present an opportunity for you to try out fabulous products. So I'm giving away a coupon for one free Soft Scrub product to two lucky winners!

Mandatory Entry: Leave me a comment telling me how you currently treat mold and mildew in your home.

Bonus Entries: (leave a separate comment for each, including your name and email address):

 (1) Like Soft Scrub on Facebook
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
 (1) Become a Just Say I Told You So Facebook Fan
 (1) Subscribe to Just Say I Told You So via email (in the right side bar at the top)
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Pinterest

Two winners will be chosen at random and contacted via email. The winner(s) will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST on 6/19/13.

I received a free Soft Scrub product through Purex Insiders. All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

eMeals update - *WARNING* awesome recipes inside

I've been an eMeals blogger for several months now and I have to tell you that I'm LOVIN' it! I love to cook, so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I especially like serving up something new, because let's face it eating the same old stuff is just plain old BORING! And I don't get bored easily.

Here are a few of the recent meals that I've cooked up since becoming an eMeals blogger:

Coconut Vegetable Curry

1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Thai red curry paste
2 (13.5oz) cans coconut milk, divided
1 Tbsp honey or agave
1 small red pepper, diced
2 carrots, sliced diagonally
2 cups mushrooms sliced
1 cup broccoli
2 cups napa cabbage (sliced)
1/2 cup peanuts (coarsely chopped)

Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion; saute about 8 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, curry paste, and 1 cup coconut milk, whisking until smooth. Add remaining coconut milk,; bring to a boil. Add honey, red pepper, carrots, mushrooms and broccoli; simmer for 5 minutes. Add cabbage; season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, uncovered, 5-6 minutes longer. Serve over rice.

Comments: This smelled so delicious! I added extra curry paste, omitted the cabbage and the mushrooms, and added potatoes (for more texture). A little salt is strongly suggested.
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Lentil Soup w/ Fusilli

1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2" piece fresh ginger, peeled & grated
1 cup french lentils, rinsed & drained
6 oz tomato paste
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cup water
1 tsp dried rosemary
8oz fusilli
3 cups of spinach
1/2 tsp salt

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 min. Add lentils, tomato paste, broth, water and rosemary. Bring to a oil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, on medium heat about 20 min. Bring soup back to a boil; add pasta and cook for 5 minutes or until pasta is al dente.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Comments: My soup wound up a stoup, as a result of adding too much pasta. Although I ruined the consistency (at least according to the directions), it was delicious and very hearty. My family loved it.  Great topped with parmesan.
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Miso Vegetable Soup

Package dried rice sticks
7 cups water
1 large turnip (not greens), diced
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1" piece ginger, pelled and thinly sliced
2 carrots, thinly sliced diagnolly
1/3 lb snow peas
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp white miso
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp soy sauce

Remove 1/3 package rice sticks and place in large bowl; cover with hot water. Let stand 10-15 minutes; drain and set aside. Bring 7 cups water to a boil in large saucepan; add turnip, shallot, garlic and ginger. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes. Add carrots and snow peas; simmer another 2-3 minutes. Combine miso and 1/2 cup water. Slowly add to soup stirring well. Toss drained rice sticks with soy sauce; add to soup. Cook for an additional 1 min. Remove ginger before serving.

Comments: This is my favorite recipe thus far. Easy peasy and tasty too! I've made this one twice and it was a hit both times. I followed the recipe exactly... perfecto!

I received a free vegetarian meal plan from eMeals. All items purchased to prepare the above-mentioned meals were paid for by me. All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So!

Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Cleaner - Review & Coupon Giveaway - CLOSED

Soft Scrub has done it again! They have improved on greatness, if you can believe that! The Total All Purpose formula now rinses easier. I have been using Soft Scrub for a long time, and don't get get me wrong, I really liked it before - but now I love it!

What I like best about Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Cleaner is that you can use it just about anywhere!

* On the stove
* In the bathtub
* On the counter top (kitchen and bath)
* In the toilet
* In the shower
* On the refrigerator

I could go on, but you get where I'm going with this, right? Not only can it be used nearly everywhere, but it's easy to use. Squirt... Rub... Rinse... Wipe. Easy-peasy! Soft Scrub gets out touch stains, without ruining surfaces. They have also changed the design of the bottle, including the cap, which makes it easier to use. What else can I say, it's great!

Of course seeing is believing, right?


Win it:
I am giving away a coupon for a free Soft Scrub product to two lucky winners!

Mandatory: Leave a comment with your name and email address.

Bonus Entries: Leave a separate comment for each (including your name and email address)

 (1) Enter the Don't Worry be Happy Sweepstakes
 (1) Like Soft Scrub on Facebook
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
 (1) Become a Just Say I Told You So Facebook Fan
 (1) Subscribe to Just Say I Told You So via email (in the right side bar at the top)
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Pinterest

Winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook and Twitter. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST on 04/05/13.

This is not a paid post, I received a free sample of Soft Scrub Total All Purpose for the purpose of this review. The views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So!

Soft Scrub Review & Coupon Giveaway (CLOSED)

When purchasing household cleaners I am always looking for something that will be effective, but non-abrasive. I mean it totally defeats the purpose to clean your counters only to have the surface all scratched up, which is what some cleaners do.  But Soft Scrub is different, it always has been. With Soft Scrub I get the clean I want, without defacing my own property!

I recently tried two new Soft Scrub products:

The Soft Scrub Total line is awesome! The All-purpose Total with Bleach is great for the kitchen or the bathroom, it works wonders on grout! The Total Bath & Bowl is great for all bathroom surfaces (toilets, sinks, showers...).  What I like best about both cleaners is a little novelty actually, the bottles spray upside down too!

It's nice to have a cleaner that I can trust to do tough jobs, gently. This is a great segue for the Soft Scrub Tough & Gentle Sweepstakes! Click on the link to enter for a chance to win! One lucky winner will receive $1,000 and fifty winners will receive a $40 in gift cards!

Buy it:
You can purchase Soft Scrub Total products almost anywhere cleaning products are sold.

Win it:
I am giving away a coupon for a free Soft Scrub products to two lucky winners!

Mandatory: Leave a comment with your name and email address.

Bonus Entries: Leave a separate comment for each (including your name and email address)

 (1) Enter the Tough & Gentle Sweepstakes
 (1) Like Soft Scrub on Facebook
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
 (1) Become a Just Say I Told You So Facebook Fan
 (1) Subscribe to Just Say I Told You So via email (in the right side bar at the top)
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Pinterest

Winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook and Twitter. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST on 10/12/12.

This is not a paid post, I received two free samples of Soft Scrub Total for the purpose of this review. The views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So!

Glass Dharma Review

When my daughter was a toddler,  I remember being over the moon when she learned how to drink out of a straw. While this may seem like a minute milestone in the bigger scheme of things, it marked the end of bottle washing for me! All these years later, straws still excite me (strange I know) and Glass Dharma has given me another reason to love straws! 

Founded in 2007, Glass Dharma creates glass drinking straws.  These beautifully crafted glass straws provide a great alternative to plastic straws, the best part is they're reusable. 

It is the responsibility of every individual to protect our planet, glass drinking straws provide an easy way to make a difference in your household, while lowering your carbon footprint.  Not to mention, if you're like me and have been purchasing drinking straws for years, you can save a ton of money!

Glass Dharma straws come in four different diameters, which means you can sip everything from cocktails to boba (yes they thought about the tapioca lovers too!).

photo credit: Glass Dharma

Check out these Glass Dharma FAQ's:

• Lifetime Guarantee - if your straw breaks they will repair or replace it.
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
• Glass Dharma straws are made from borosilicate glass (think Pyrex®)
• Say goodbye to toxins, glass straws DO NOT leach toxins into food.
• Glass straws can be used in hot or cold beverages
• Every Glass Dharma straw is handmade in the United States 

I can't tell you how much I LOVE these straws! I will be ordering another set so that I can have plenty on hand when I have guests.  I'm sure I will rack up plenty of cool points for being the first of my friends to have glass drinking straws in the cupboard!

Head over to the Glass Dharma website to order straws for your house too! You can also "like" them on Facebook, follow via Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ too!

I received free glass straws to facilitate this review. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So. 

Core Bamboo Review & Giveaway (Closed)

Did you know that bamboo isn't a tree? It's actually grass, which is why it grows so fast! Now that the world is finally recognizing the importance of reusable resources, bamboo is becoming increasingly popular.

Core Bamboo manufacturers "the world's finest" bamboo products. From bowls and cutting boards to spice racks and vases, they've got a bamboo solution to all your home needs.

Their products are high quality and because bamboo is "naturally anti-microbial," you will never have to worry about bacteria growth. Core Bamboo is not only an ethical and socially conscious company, but their bamboo is "100% organically grown." They pride themselves on the fact that all of their products meet FDA and European equivalent standards. Talking about going green is one thing, but being green is something else and the folks at Core Bamboo get it!

I have always loved bamboo products. I have been using a bamboo cutting board for years, but I have to be honest I was initially drawn to bamboo because I thought it was pretty and not because it was eco-friendly. Now I know that bamboo is not just beautiful, it is also stronger than Maple and lighter than Oak, it can grow up to 7 feet in four short years, and it regenerates itself.

Is it just me or does everyone want to make a salad whenever they see a bamboo bowl?  Well Core Bamboo has a great selection of bowls and utensils to choose from.  They even have salad hands, so you can toss your salad until your heart is content!

Core Bamboo Modern Round Bowl & Salad Hands

Buy it:
Visit the Core Bamboo website to see the full selection of products. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook too!

Win it:
If you're familiar with bamboo you know exactly how awesome it is.  But if you're not, it's your lucky day!  Core Bamboo is giving away a pair of Salad Hands to one lucky reader!

Mandatory:
Visit the Core Bamboo website and leave a comment (including your email address) telling me what product you liked the most.

Extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):
 (1) Like Core Bamboo on Facebook (include your Facebook name)
 (1) Follow Core Bamboo on Twitter (include your Twitter handle)
 (1) Like Just Say I Told You So on Facebook (include your Facebook name)
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter (include your Twitter handle)
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So via GFC in the left sidebar (include the name you used to follow)

This giveaway is open to US residents only. Winner will be selected at random.org and will be notified via email.  The winner will have 48 hours to reply. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook or Twitter. The product will be shipped directly from distributor. Giveaway will end on June 24th at 11:59 PST.

This is not a paid post. A bamboo bowl and salad hands were received free of charge for review purposes. All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So. Core Bamboo logo obtained from http://www.corebamboo.com/.