Ultimate Helper Meal Mixes and Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

I admit that sometimes even I need some help in the kitchen. Usually it is because I procrastinated, didn't write up a meal plan, and have no idea what to eat for dinner. I have also had those days that are just too busy, time escapes me, and dinner is needing to be done and on the table lightning fast. I know that there are times when I need quick go-to meals to turn to when there is little to no time to prepare something else.

The contents of the Ultimate Helper Meal Mixes and Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes.

All-new Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes and Ultimate Helper mixes will help you get dinner on the table faster and create a delicious meal to feed your family. Each box comes with both seasoning and a creamy sauce. Betty Crocker Ultimate mixes come in a variety of flavors that include: Ultimate Hamburger Helper Creamy Stroganoff, Ultimate Chicken Helper Creamy Parmesan, Ultimate Chicken Helper Cheddar Broccoli, Ultimate Hamburger Helper Three Cheese Marinara, Ultimate Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Ultimate Loaded Mashed Potatoes and Ultimate Au Gratin Potatoes. I received the Ultimate Hamburger Helper Three Cheese Marinara and Betty Crocker Ultimate Loaded Mashed Potatoes plus a gift pack to try out for free to facilitate this review.

Meal spread with the Prize Pack (kale not included).

The Ultimate Hamburger Helper Three Cheese Marinara is has real tomato herb marinara sauce and an herb seasoning with real cheddar, Parmesan and ricotta cheese. The box has easy to follow instructions and Box Tops. It comes with penne pasta, naturally flavored seasoning mix, and tomato herb sauce. You will need to add 1lb lean ground beef, 1 cup hot water and 2 and 1/4 cups milk. This has artificial color which I didn't think necessary in the ingredients. (contains wheat, milk; may contain egg and soy ingredients if you are allergic)

The Ultimate Loaded Mashed Potatoes are made with real cheddar cheese and 100% real potatoes. The box has easy to follow instructions and Box Tops. These are loaded mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese, imitation bacon flavored bits and parsley. You will need to add 1 and 1/3 cups water, 2 tbsp butter or margarine, and 1/2 cup milk. This has caramel color and artificial color which I didn't think necessary in the ingredients. This box comes with enough potatoes for 2 meals (4 servings each) per box. These were very creamy and yummy. I loved the bacon flavor and the sprinkle of parsley. (contains milk, soy and wheat ingredients if you are allergic)

I included Kale from my friends garden to this meal to balance it out.

The 3-piece bamboo serving bowls are Moso Bamboo 3-piece Serving Bowl Set in Orange from Zak! Designs. These are made with 75% bamboo and are biodegradable. These are hand wash only and are not microwave safe. They have an organic shape that I really like and a radiant orange color that brightens up the kitchen (other colors you can purchase are red, kiwi and azure). I love that these are so versatile to serve all kinds of food in them. Comes in capacity of: 3.5 qt / 3.31 liters, 1.75 qt / 1.65 liters, 1.25 qt / 1.18 liters.

The Serving spoon is a Loft 12-inch Kitchen Spoon in Orange also from from Zak! Designs. This spoon has a Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) handle that is comfortable to grip and gives the spoon a pop of color. The spoon part is made of nylon and is heat resistant up to 350 degrees. This is also dishwasher safe and BPA free. This should not be microwaved. This serving spoon is great for stirring sauces, pasta and more! It is also safe for non-stick cookware.

The 4 plates are a 10-inch Square Dinner Plate also from Zak! Designs and are BPA free. They are 100% melamine and dishwasher safe. These should not be microwaved. These are great for both indoor and outdoor entertaining. The Birdcage design has a black and white geometric flower with a dash of orange color in one corner. These clean easily and are great for kids to use.

The Ultimate Mixes Prize Pack.

WIN IT
Prize: One lucky reader will get an Ultimate Prize Pack worth $55 that includes the following:

• 1 box of Ultimate Hamburger Helper
• 1 box of Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes
• 3-piece bamboo serving bowls
• Serving spoon
• 4 plates

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product to review and the same product to giveaway for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Make A Plate Art Project Kit Savings Offer

US Family Guide provided me with this promotional offer information to share with my readers. This is a sponsored post.

I’ve just been given the opportunity to review the Make A Plate Art Project and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you. If you want to follow along, my readers save 30% on their Prepaid Art Plate Kit (that’s a savings of over $5!) - USE PROMO CODE: USFAMILY at http://www.makit.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductCode=K1100PP

Makit has been in business for over 40 years. Make A Plate kits allow children to let their creativity soar in crafting a lasting gift for Mom, Dad, Grandparent or teacher. All Make A Plates are nontoxic, BPA-Free, dishwasher safe and proudly made in the USA.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Make A Plate Art Project I am getting a FREE KIT with FREE PROCESSING for up to 3 plates. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free product. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

CSN Stores Noritake Elements Marine Plates and Bowls Review

Since I am a CSN Preferred Blogger I received a $65 Gift Code free to use at their stores and review the items I got with it. I decided to get the Noritake Elements Marine Dinner Plates and the Noritake Elements Marine Multi-Purpose Bowls with it because I was lacking in a matching set of good hardy dishes in my kitchen. I wanted a set of 8 dishes each so I splurged a little and bought the extra with my own money because I went over the $65 of the gift code quite a bit, but it was well worth it in my opinion. These dishes have a beautiful deep marine blue and lighter blue textured finish to them that reminds me of the dancing moonlight on a calm rippling ocean. They are a part of the Noritake Elements Marine Collection and I am going to be coming back for more of the set :) They are wonderful because they are made of stoneware which is microwave, oven and dishwasher safe! These dishes are beautiful, very functional and practical!

The plates that I got are 10.75" in diameter and the bowls I got are 6.5" in diameter. They have other sizes in both plates and bowls in this collection, but we decided on these and we are glad we did. The plates are a very good size for a whole meal to fit on and the bowls are great for all sorts of things especially large bowls of soup or salad. They both hold quite a bit and I am truly happy with our decision! I am thinking of purchasing the mugs and salad plates too to go with these. I also love the creamer and covered sugar dish and currently have them on my wish list on CSN Stores as well :)

BUY IT:
I paid $11.85 each for them and now they are listed as $16 each...so the price will probably vary depending upon when you buy the item and how many are in stock at the time. I have also noticed that when you add them to your wish list when the price happens to be lower the price stays the lowered price listed in your wish list even if it goes up in price later on in the website and it looks like CSN Stores will honor that lower price if you add the item to your cart from your wish list. Which is neat!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to CSN Stores for providing me with the $65 Gift Code free to use at their stores so that I could review the items I got with it. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this review.