Hershey's Moderation Nation (and a giveaway!)

So, who doesn't love chocolate?!??!  I mean, it's creamy and delicious and for me it rings a "comfort" bell that nothing else can satisfy.  And you know the saying "everything in moderation", right!

Well, Hershey's believes that motto too and have launched a new website devoted to that purpose called Hershey's Moderation Nation. This is the coolest website ever - on how to enjoy chocolate AND a healthy lifestyle!

It is full of great ideas, tools, and great recipes!  There is an app for your phone that lets you track activity called the "Snack Activity".  Check it out to get motivated!  Also, this website is full about how to do food journal, menu plans, and portion information to get you the help have "everything in moderation".  Pretty cool, huh?

The nice people at MyBlogSpark have provided me with prize pack and we are going to have our first ever giveaway here at Hick Chick!  Are you as excited as I am???

I would show you everything that was in my package of information, but I'm afraid we already ate the York's Peppermint Patties! And KK snagged the Hershey T-shirt and I haven't seen it since! LOL

But we are giving away this nifty little journal for YOU to keep track of your very own journey into the Moderation Nation!

Entering  is easy - just leave a comment here or on Hick Chick WA on Facebook and your are entered!  I will put all your names into a "hat" and draw a winner. You have until 12:00 pm (noon) Pacific Time on November 7, 2010.  In the mean time, why don't you check out the website and find our own way to a chocolate lifestyle.... in moderation!

Really Fall

Fall is really upon us..... we had our first frosts this week, it's dark by 6:30.  It's fall for sure.  I'm expecting some fujis to show up on my door step any minute (I have connections from working at an apple orchard for 20 years).  I can't wait to make some applesauce and apple pie filling for the freezer.  I also have an idea for an apple dessert (yes, a dessert from me!  I know - hard to believe!  LOL)

Our week is pretty much just normal.  SS got really sick last weekend spent this whole past week home from school with pneumonia!  She had to get a big ol' painful shot and has been on antibiotics all week too.  I'm happy to report the coughing has subsided, the fever is gone, and she will be at school this week!  I'm sad to report that the extra time momma spent with her sick baby this week, is going to translate to extra nights at work this week.  :(  Such is the way of the world.

MONDAY
Since some of the week was spent getting our baby better - I never got around to trying out my idea for the Newman's Own contest.

TUESDAY
It's volleyball tonight.  Our game is here - that means we turn to the crockpot.  I found this Simple Roast Chicken  that will translate very well to a crockpot application.  Dinner when we get home, my idea of a good day!

WEDNESDAY
I'm hopeful we will have enough chicken leftover from Tuesday to make this Chicken Spaghetti.  This version is different from most I've seen with the addition of the bacon, which happens to be in my fridge needing to be used!  Sounds like a good idea to me!

THURSDAY
No game tonight, but piano lessons instead.  Piano lessons make me so happy.... I love listening to the girls play!  I bet Christmas songs are going to be starting any week for the recital planned in December.  Last year I was so totally "Jingle Bells"-ed out!  :)  Dinner needs to be easy, and my cooking friends are all recommending this wonderful looking (and easy) Cheeseburger Chowder.  (Scroll down for the chowder).

FRIDAY
I stink at making dinner on Friday nights.  I'm tired, it feels like a long week.  Easy - easy is what I always need.  Hopefully my fujis will be here by then and we can make this easy Baked Stuffed Pork Chops  with the fried apples.  This is one pork chop dish I know that is Chickie approved and I don't get sad puppy eyes asking "why aren't they shake n baked?".  LOL

SATURDAY
Every week I ask the Chickies what they want on the meal plan.  Sometimes they get a "uh-not so much from me"... I mean, I not making KK's favorite stroganoff every week.  Or making SS spaghetti every week. But this week KK surprised me.... apparently she read a story at school and wanted something they were talking about Welsh Rarebit.  I've heard of Welsh Rarebit..... I remember looking at a recipe in my mom's old, old Betty Crocker cookbook and thinking - what a weird name for cheese sauce on toast!  Here is what Wiki says about its origins. More recently, PW made Welsh Rarebit - I think we will try her version.

SUNDAY
SS asked for "STEAK" this week.  What a great kid.  LOL How about a nice marinated London Broil? The forecast is calling for rain right now next Sunday and since I am definitely only a fair weather griller, I think this would translate well to the broiler if needed.

Everybody have a great week.   

More of the same!

It happens.  Not everything I put on my meal plan gets made.  Sometimes I'm too tired, sometimes I forget to take out the ingredients, sometimes we get better offers.  LOL  So.... here is a the new week - with a little bit of last week!

MONDAY
I didn't make the Caramelized Red Onion-Feta Burgers two weeks ago.  I know, I know..... they are my recipe after all, but I've made them so many times. LOL But the Chickies are so begging me to make them.  I bought all the ingredients - I guess I have no excuses!

TUESDAY
We are going on a favorite route with Shake N Bake pork chops, but going for a different side dish.  Squash season has hit my local fruit stand.... and even though they had lots of different kinds, I went old school with a couple of acorn.  I thought this recipe with apples would go really well with the pork chops.  I'm going to take one of the reviewers advice and slice in half and roast with the apple mixture in the middle rather than the whole boiling and peeling route.

WEDNESDAY
So, I have been entering a few contests lately.  I'm not as prolific as some people, but I have a few ideas swirling around in my head.  Today - I'm trying out an idea I had for Newman's Own Fall Into Flavor contest.  This is my second try.... let's just say the first try - nobody rated it over 3-stars!  I'm hopeful this renovated version goes over better!

THURSDAY.
KK is off to a volleyball game tonight (out of town), the only game we have this week.  SS and I will have some chicken noodle soup from the freezer.

FRIDAY
I never go the tilapia made last week.  Good thing I wanted to try this Broiled Sweet and Tangy Tilapia instead of the regular recipe.  

SATURDAY
I think we should have a fair amount of leftovers roaming around for Saturday.

SUNDAY
I have never made Cincinnati Chili before.  I thought we'd give it a try and at least try for a 3 or 4-way.  :)

Welcome to Busy!

I've got a busy week looking me smack in the face!  Three volleyball games, piano lessons, orthodontist appointments, a wedding, not to mention work and a meeting out of town!  Whew!  I'm long for NEXT Sunday already.

MONDAY

The first of the volleyball games is here tonight.  KK is feeling better from her sinus surgery and gets to play again.  She is very excited and I'm excited to see her improvement over last year.  I "hear" that she has a pretty good serve - I can't wait to see!  We need a pretty quick dinner and SS has been asking for GOOP.  It is what my family always called Creamed Eggs.  Of course, my momma never used a recipe - just made a nice thick white sauce with cut up hard-boiled eggs.  We usually had it over biscuits (which I don't think my mom used a recipe for either), but I'm partial to these Never Fail Biscuits..... and truly - they never fail!

TUESDAY

Second volleyball game tonight out of town.  I have a meeting to go to first, then I'll go to the game.  We will just grab something on the way home.  

WEDNESDAY

As I mentioned last week, we started piano lessons again on Wednesday nights.  I just love listening to them practice.  We will have some spaghetti tonight.  Quick and easy and loved by all!

THURSDAY

Another volleyball game tonight - out of time again, but I won't be able to make it.  SS & I will have some Famous Dave's Country Roasted Chicken.  I will do the whole marinate think and put in the slow cooker so it will be fall of the bone yummy when we get home.  

FRIDAY

I'm usually beat on Friday nights.  Easy, easy, easy is always what I'm looking for.... otherwise, it just doesn't happen and we eat random  cup 'o noodles or something similarly not good.  LOL No this Hudson's Bake Tilapia is easy and TASTY!  The dill sauce is yummy!

SATURDAY

Easy is the name of the game.  And my all-time favorite easy dinner, Chicken Thighs Alla Puttenesca.  Seriously if you have not made this.... YOU HAVE TO!  A few weeks ago I got a box of heirloom roma tomatoes from a local veggie/fruit stand and fire-roasted them on my gas grill and froze them.  This will be my inaugural run with those tomatoes. I can't wait!

SUNDAY

When I saw this Beef Stew with Dumplings I knew I had to make ASAP!  I can't wait until Sunday to have this making my house just smell amazing!

Have a great week and don't forget to drop by Hick Chick on Facebook to participate on the discussions over there!