French's Review...

"With spring and summer just around the corner, everyone is thinking of family barbeques and outdoor parties. Nothing makes a party extra special like delicious foods, and nothing makes food more delicious than French's mustards!

This year, try some of French's NEW mustards - French's Dijon Mustard with Chardonnay Wine and French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce. Both of these mustards are perfect for topping foods from burgers and hotdogs to chicken and salmon. The Honey Mustard sauce is also the ideal dipping sauce for any finger foods like french fries or chicken fingers.

New French’s Dijon, made with real chardonnay wine, has a deliciously balanced flavor and is also a high-quality mustard offered at a great price. French’s Dijon Mustard is an ideal ingredient when you’re looking to add more complex flavor notes to favorites like potato salad, deviled eggs and tuna salad. Moms love it as a great way to make everyday recipes and sandwiches taste a little more special and delicious. The suggested retail price for French’s Dijon Mustard is $2.99.

French’s Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce is a creamy and sweet condiment with a perfect balance of sweetness and smoothness that compliments all kid and family favorites such as chicken nuggets but is also ideal for dipping other finger foods like veggies, fish sticks, french fries and even pretzels. French’s Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce is available in a 12 oz. squeeze bottle and has a suggested retail price of $2.49."

CHICKEN WITH CREAMY DIJON HERB SAUCE
Prep Time:			5 mins	Cook Time:		20 mins
1/2		cup			chicken broth
6		tbsp.			FRENCH'S® Dijon Mustard
1/3		cup			cream cheese spread, softened
1		tbsp.			minced herbs (parsley, basil or chives)
1		tbsp.			oil
4		(6 oz.)			boneless skinless chicken breasts
1		tsp.			minced garlic
1.	MIX broth, mustard, cream cheese and herbs until well blended; set aside.
2.	COOK chicken in hot oil in nonstick skillet until browned on both sides, about 15 min.
3.	STIR in mustard sauce and garlic. Simmer over medium heat 3 to 5 min. until sauce thickens slightly and flavors are blended.
Makes		4 servings
Tip: Substitute 2 tbsp. prepared pesto sauce for the herbs. What we thought:  We really enjoyed both of these French's mustards.  The Dijon was great for sandwiches and for using in recipes, like the one above.  The French's site has many other yummy recipes that incorporate a variety of their mustards which is a really useful tool.  The Honey Mustard dipping sauce was delicious for dipping chicken tenders and nuggets.  The kiddos really loved this one!  ABCD Diaries gives French's line of mustards an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Sahale Snacks Review and Giveaway...

"Sahale Snacks are packed with flavor and loaded with nutrition because they are made with whole, natural and organic ingredients. Sometimes it’s about what is not in a product that makes it so good….no added fats, no trans fats, no preservatives…no junk." 

What we thought:  Sahale Snacks are DELICIOUS!  The two varieties we tried had everything we look for in a snack...salty, sweet, crunchy and definitely on the healthier side!  Just a handful of these between meals was a satisfying and filling snack and the whole family loved both varieties.  The resealable packages make them great for on-the-go snacking as well.  Sahale Snacks also has more savory flavors in their snack line up and we can't wait to try them!  ABCD Diaries gives Sahale Snacks an A+!

Coppertone Review...

We recently had the chance to review a few new products from the Coppertone sun care line.
Coppertone products have always provided us with great skin coverage to protect us from the sun and these products were no different:)

"Got sensitive skin? Try COPPERTONE® Sensitive Skin. This fragrance and alcohol-free sunscreen lotion is hypoallergenic and water resistant. Clinically proven appropriate for sensitive skin, this product provides powerful, yet extra gentle broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Looking for a simple, moisturizing sunscreen? COPPERTONE ® ultraGUARD is a water resistant sunscreen retains SPF after 80 minutes of activity! Try this non-greasy lotion that screens out the sun’s burning rays to help prevent sunburn.

Need something soft and gentle for the little ones? COPPERTONE® Water BABIES® Sunscreen Foaming Lotion is the #1 pediatrician recommended brand. This delicate sunscreen glides on as a soft, moisture-rich foam. The mild formula won’t sting or irritate baby’s sensitive skin."

We did have some issues with the foaming Water Babies.  Since the formula is so lightweight and we were on a windy beach when we applied it, it would often blow right out of my hands before I got it on the little ones:)  Other than that, we really enjoyed these products and will be using Coppertone all Spring and Summer!  ABCD Diaries gives Coppertone products an A+!


Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

InfraShine Spring Curling Iron Review and Giveaway...

InfraShine® Spring Curling Irons- InfraShine Spring Curling Irons use only real ceramic infused barrels that are powder coated and highly polished for the ultimate in smoothness. They also feature PTFC heaters, which were originally designed by the NASA space program. With this new technology these PTFC heating elements work like a brick oven and hold in moisture. Using less wattage and electrical current, the gentle infrared ray-radiant heat with the ceramic multi-layered PTFC heating elements creates negative ions that close the cuticle layer, smooth and defrizz even the coarsest hair adding controlled curls, waves or bends where desired along with unbelievable shine.

These premium ceramic tools heat quickly, produce evenly controlled heat with no cold spots and adjust to six temperature settings from 170-360 degrees Fahrenheit. InfraShine Spring Curling Irons also feature an ion generator light that pulsates when the desired temperature is reached. An extra long 9-foot UL approved swivel cord allows ease of use and prevents tangling. The sturdy built-in stand makes the iron stable and easy to reach while the textured handle provides excellent grip and control for precise styling.

InfraShine Spring Curling Irons are available in ¾-inch, 1-inch and 1 ¼-inch barrel sizes (diameters) to accommodate every styling need.

For more information on the InfraShine line please visit www.InfraShine.com.

What we thought:  This curling iron is AWESOME!  It heats up quickly and creates perfectly smooth, bouncy curls without causing a ton of damage to my hair.  I'm really impressed how smooth and shiny my hair looks after using this iron to style it.  My hair is generally frizzy and using heated styling tools tends to make it feel coarse, but not the InfraShine Spring Curling Iron!  I also the variety of temperature settings.  and the long cord.  This iron would be a great addition to anyone's hair styling tool box:)  ABCD Diaries gives the InfraShine Spring Curling Iron an A+!

You can find out more about these great styling tools at InfraShine! Follow InfraShine on Facebook for all the latest info!

Dale and Thomas Easter Treats Review and Giveaway...

Check out the yummy goodies Dale and Thomas has for celebrating Easter this year:

Whether you choose the Easter Popcorn Tin overflowing with three Dale and Thomas favorites, the Easter Chocolate Tower with toffee, Popsters and more, or stick to the more traditional Four, Six or Twelve Pack Sampler, you won't be disappointed!  Dale and Thomas always provides delicious popcorn treats made with  high quality ingredients.  From mouthwatering chocolate varieties to satisfy that sweet tooth to savory, salty-sweet options, Dale and Thomas has got your Easter treats covered!  ABCD Diaries gives Dale and Thomas an A+!

FunBites Review and Giveaway...

BITE-SIZED FUN SHAPES. Try with even the pickiest eaters!
"Each funbites^® Pack includes a high performance curved blade cutter that quickly creates small bites and a matching popper top that pops out food instantly so hands are clean, food is untouched. FunBitesfunbites^®funbites^®funbites^®funbites^®funbites^®funbites^® is 100% MADE IN THE USA, top shelf dishwasher safe and BPA Free."

What we thought:  FunBites cutters are super handy!  They make cutting up a snack or meal fun and easy in just one step.  A loves taking quesadillas in her lunch and with the heart shaped FunBites cutter I can quickly turn her quesadilla into a puzzle that is a fun to eat as it is tasty:)  She loves showing off her cute little bite-sized snacks!  The square cutter works wonders with fruit, cheese and sandwiches to make perfectly shaped finger foods.  I love that the cutters are dishwasher-safe...easy peasy!  These cutters help you add a little fun and creativity to so many foods!  ABCD Diaries gives FunBites an A+!

Want free shipping? Use the code MarchMadness at FunBites.com!

Sun-Maid Review...

"Sun-Maid has served consumers and customers since 1912 by providing premium quality raisins and dried fruits from the raisin and fruit farms of California to homes and eating establishments around the world. As a cooperative, Sun-Maid Growers of California is owned by family farmers who grow raisin grapes all located within 100 miles of each other in the Great Central Valley of California, midway between Los Angeles to the south and San Francisco to the north.
This fertile agricultural valley produces some of the best fruits and vegetables in the world, including a wide assortment of grapes, peaches, plums, apples, figs, apricots, blueberries, strawberries, and melons. When appropriate, Sun-Maid reaches beyond this geographical area to source a complete array of dried fruits."

Sun-Maid offers a variety of recipes on their website from old favorites like oatmeal raisin cookies to more savory dishes like the one below:

Lemon Garlic Chicken with Raisins

Carrots provide the vitamin A and lean chicken breast supplies the protein, while raisins, lemon and garlic add an intriguing twist to this entrée. There’s plenty of niacin (vitamin B3) … 147% DV to be exact. Niacin has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 2 cups sliced carrots
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 cups hot, cooked brown rice
• 1/2 cup Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro


Directions:
HEAT olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat; add garlic and cumin and sauté until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
ADD chicken breasts and sauté about 2 minutes, turning chicken over to brown on all sides. Add lemon juice and bring mixture to a simmer.
COVER and simmer 20 to 30 minutes until chicken is fully cooked, adding lemon zest and carrots after 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
COMBINE cooked rice, raisins and parsley.
SERVE chicken over brown rice.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrients per Serving: Calories 583; Protein 60g; Fat 11g (Sat. Fat 2g); Carbohydrate 57g; Dietary Fiber 6g; Cholesterol 137mg; Sodium 212mg
Daily Values: Vitamin C 29% Vitamin A 151% Protein 119%   

What we thought:  We have always loved Sun-Maid raisins.  Whether we are making cookies, granola bars or adding them to our main dishes, we are never disappointed with their quality!  Raisins make great healthy snacks and are super convenient too.  I would definitely recommend taking a look at the recipe collection on the Sun-Maid website to get a little "raisinspiration" for some yummy ways to incorporate raisins into your family's diet:)  ABCD Diaries gives Sun-Maid an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.