$1000 Christmas CASH Giveaway event

What would you do with an extra $1000 to spend this holiday season? How about I make the answer to that question a little easier with your chance to win $1000 cash in the Christmas Cash Giveaway event! Thanks to some amazing supporters of Raising Reagan and some all around awesome bloggers and shops, we were able to come together collectively with a CASH PRIZE of $1000!

And who do we have to thank for this amazing cash prize? Meet your phenomenal co-hosts!

From Top Left:

Sara | Confessions of a Redheaded Mama ♥ Angel | Sew Crafty Angel

Sarah | Life in a Break Down ♥ Krystal | My Life of Travels and Adventures

Dara | Not in Jersey ♥ Anna | Cuddlebug Cuties

Alex | Munchkins and the Military ♥ Rebecca | A Day in the Life of Calleigh Emma

Josi | That Suburban Momma ♥ Dawn | Dawn's Disaster

Kera | Nugget on a Budget ♥ Debra | Deliciously Inspired

Janine | Confessions of a Mommyaholic ♥ Cathy | A Peek into My Paradise

 

And let's not forget to thank the other blogs and shops that have sponsored this giveaway! Please be sure and stop by and thank them for such a phenomenal giveaway.

Our amazing participants:

Holly | Back Home Again Blog ♥ Rachel | Sultry Indulgences ♥ Sandy | Mother of Imperfection ♥ Katie | He Calls Me Grace ♥ Anyonita | Anyonita Nibbles ♥ Tiffani | Tiffani Goff at Home ♥ Natasha | Serenity You ♥ Natalie | At Home with the Hinkleys ♥ Renee | Getting Fit Fab ♥ Noel | High Heeled Mama ♥ Alison | NYC Recessionista ♥ {Enjoy the View} ♥ Brittnei | Homemaking with Style ♥ 2 Crochet Hooks ♥ Jamie | Handling with Grace ♥ Leslie | Violet Imperfection ♥ Jamie | Love Bakes Good Cakes ♥ Lisa | Chronically Content ♥ Jenn | Bad Luck Jenn ♥ Jodi | The Noise of Boys ♥ Monica | Redefining Mom ♥ Ann Marie | Growing Up Madison ♥ Michelle | A Little Moore From My Kitchen ♥ Wanda Ann | Memories By the Mile ♥ Angie | God's Growing Garden ♥ Nichi | The Mandatory Mooch ♥ Deb | Kneaded Creations ♥ Jeanie |Create and Babble ♥ Kristin | Dizzy Busy and Hungry ♥ Tina | Classic Children's Books ♥ West Street Story ♥ Betty | Losing My Gut and Gaining My Insanity ♥ Natasha | Lovely You Blog ♥ Evelyn | My Turn for Us ♥ Laura | The Rookie Cook ♥ Parenting With Parents ♥ Beth | The First Year Blog ♥ Ida | Second Chances Girl ♥ Glenneth | Let's Talk and Walk ♥ Katy |Experienced Bad Mom ♥ Melissa | Dreams and Colours ♥ Learn Like a Mom ♥ Sarah | Girlfriends Are Like Shoes ♥ Andi | The Weary Chef ♥ Tamara | Tamara (Like) Camera ♥ Melissa | Deliciously Savvy ♥ Brooke | Wide Open Spaces ♥ Barb | Second Chance to Dream ♥ Koren | My Full Time Fit Life ♥ Spit and Sparkles ♥ Tiffany | Daydreaming Realist ♥ April | 100lb Countdown ♥ Monica | Happy and Blessed Home ♥ Reagan's Toy Chest

Now you know the players! Are you ready to win some CASH? It's the kickoff of Holiday Season and we are celebrating with a

$1000 Giveaway!

Please read the official rules of all sweepstakes and contests held at Raising Reagan.

Giveaway is open worldwide to participants with a verified PayPal account.

All entries will be verified. In the event an entry can not be verified participant chooses to forfeit that entry and another winner will be chosen.

Winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email.

Giveaway will run from November 1st, 12 AM Eastern Time to November 22nd, 12 AM Eastern Time

Any taxes or fees associated with the winnings of this contest are the sole responsibility of the winner according to their county, state and/or country laws.

CASH prize is in US Dollars and will not be converted to any foreign currency.

Void where prohibited by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, y'all!Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Alfredo Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Broccoli

Growing up, I remember having Ham and Scalloped Potatoes on occasion. We didn't have it too often - so those times when we did have it, really stuck out in my mind. My parents grew up in the Midwest - where meals tend to be filling, hearty and stick-to-your-ribs!

Although I love the traditional Ham and Scalloped Potatoes, y'all know I just can't leave well enough alone. I spun this snazzy version from one I had at a party years ago. It could easily be a main course .... or a side dish!
 

Alfredo Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Broccoli
Printable recipe
Yield: 8 servings

1 jar (16 oz.) prepared Alfredo sauce
1 cup milk
5 russet potatoes (about 3 lbs.), scrubbed and sliced
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 oz. diced ham
1 box (10 oz.) frozen, chopped broccoli, thawed
2 cups (8 oz.) Swiss cheese. shredded - divided

Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9x13-in. a baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Whisk together the Alfredo and milk in a medium bowl. In a separate medium bowl, combine the ham, broccoli and 1 cup of the cheese. 

Layer half of the potatoes in the baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Top with half of the ham mixture. Spread one-third of the Alfredo mixture over the top. Repeat layers. Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of cheese. Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce over the top. 

Spray a piece of aluminum foil large enough to cover the dish with cooking spray and place sprayed side down over the casserole. Bake for 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Uncover dish. Continue to cook for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. 



Taco Tatos
Old-Fashioned Potato Salad
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!
Featured at Cookin' Mimi and Lemon Tree Dwelling

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

  

Hot Cocoa Lovers: Stephen’s Gourmet Giveaway

Hi friends! I'm teaming up with Jessica from All She Cooks and a few other bloggers to bring you the chance to win a prize package valued at $50.00! 

 

 Who doesn't love a good cup of hot cocoa? I know I do! Stephen's Gourmet offers SO many yummy varieties of hot cocoa. The Stephen's Gourmet hot cocoa flavor "Peanut Butter" sounds absolutely amazing to me! Imagine a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in a hot steamy cup of cocoa. Sounds good, doesn't it?

 

Keep up to date with all the latest flavors by following Stephen's Gourmet on Facebook and Pinterest. Enter to win a $50 Prize Package from Stephen's Hot Cocoa!

What's your favorite flavor of hot cocoa?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Piña Colada Cookie Trifle

Immaculate Baking sent me coupons and free products through the Immaculate Baking program, hoping that I might write about them. Any and all opinions expressed are 100% my own.
The other day, I really wanted a fun and tropical type of dessert. I debated on whether or not to make cupcakes, but I remembered I had some Coconut Macaroons from Immaculate Baking. I decided to try them out in a super easy Piña Colada Cookie Trifle. It was totally delish, y'all! Give it a try!


 

Piña Colada Cookie Trifle
Printable recipe
Yield: 6 servings

1 pkg. (14 oz.) Immaculate Baking Coconut Macaroon refrigerated cookie dough
3 cups Cool Whip
Desired amount pineapple tidbits
Desired amount shredded coconut

Bake the cookies according to package directions. After they come out of the oven, press them with a metal spatula to flatten them slightly. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

After the cookies have cooled, chop them into small pieces. In individual trifle bowls, layer 1 chopped cookie, ¼ cup Cool Whip, desired amount to pineapple tidbits and desired amount of shredded coconut. Repeat layers. Top with additional pineapple and coconut if desired.




Piña Colada Poke Cake
Better Than Samoas Bars
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

  

All My Bloggy Friends #70

Welcome to All My Bloggy Friends - week #70! I'm so glad you stopped by! Feel free to link up anything family-friendly ... or just browse all the great stuff my bloggy friends share! Either way, thanks for being here! :)

I do wanna let y'all know that we have some BIG changes coming to the party next week - you won't wanna miss it! I'm super stoked and i'm pretty sure y'all are gonna love it, too!

If you don't already, I would love for you to follow me on Facebook - you can even do it right here:

Just a reminder, all of the features will be pinned to my Pinterest board as well as shared on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

Without further ado ... onto the features from last week! Drum roll .....

Last week's most viewed link was:

Pepperoni Twirls from Dizzy Busy and Hungry

My personal favorites from last week's party:

Top to bottom - Left to right:

French Toast Casserole - Dominick Costa

Easy Halloween Candy Jars - Vintage, Paint and More
Painted Desert Chili Mix - In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being
Intoxicating Pumpkin Shooters - On a Wing and a Prayer
Italian Sausage and Pasta in Cream Basil Sauce - Flavor Mosiac

**Don't forget to stop by With A Blast to see Linda's faves as well :) 

If you're new to the party or if you were featured and you would like a button, you can find them HERE.

Be notified by email when the party goes live - Subscribe now!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Pineapple Peach Chipotle Pork Tacos and Why Powerless is Powerful

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Wonderbag, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #WonderBag http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO



Are you a slow cooker fan? I love to use my slow cooker year round - but for me, it's especially great in the colder months! It makes having a hot, comforting dish so easy! I was recently presented the opportunity to try a simple, but revolutionary slow cooker. It's called a Wonderbag! It continues to cook food, which has been brought to a boil by conventional methods for up to 12 hours, without the additional use of fuel. No plugs. No Fuss.


I have to admit, at first I was a little skeptical of how this would work - but was very intrigued by the idea. Having a family of seven, we try to be very conscious of how our money is spent and like most families, we hate high utility bills. It seems like we are always telling someone to turn off a light! Every flip of the switch adds up, ya know?! 

What is Wonderbag, you ask? Wonderbag has clever insulating properties that allow food that has been brought to the boil point, to finish cooking while in the bag. This greatly reduces the use of additional energy. This means families can cook appetizing, hot meals while saving energy and money. It also means less time tending to the cooking food, allowing women to spend more time with or providing for their families.


While I have the luxury to just go over and turn on my stove or plug in my slow cooker to make dinner ... some people aren't as fortunate. Wonderbag was created to help women in other countries be able to step away from cooking by the fireside and spend more time engaging and supporting their families both relationally and financially. 


Did you know that women living in poverty and third world countries typically spend 4-6 hours per day preparing meals? Wood fire cooking is the source of major social, economic, and environmental issues in Africa. Families in Africa that use Wonderbag can reduce their fuel usage by up to 30% representing a significant cost savings that eases the burden of poverty. Using the Wonderbag helps save water, reduces the carbon footprint, minimizes deforestation, smoke inhalation diseases and deaths. For every Wonderbag purchased in the US, one is donated to a family in need in Africa.


You're probably wondering how does it work? It works with 2-9 Quart pots with short handles and lid; metal and cast iron work best. To slow cook, simply bring the food to a boil on a stove, let simmer (5 minutes for rice and grains, 15 minutes for root vegetables, meat or presoaked beans), then put the pot with lid into your Wonderbag, close tightly, and slow cook to perfection up to 12 hours. Because it is not on direct heat, it will never overcook or burn. Wonderbag is perfect for bringing delicious home cooked meals to potlucks, dinner parties, tailgating, or camping. It's also perfect for holidays when stove and counter space are at a premium. Another neat feature is that it can also be used to keep cold food cold! What other slow cooker can do that?!

Since my family really loves tacos, I thought it would be fun to see just how Wonderbag compared to my regular method. To say that I was impressed, would be an understatement! It works just as well as the plug-in variety of slow cooker - and my pork fell apart and shredded just as easily as if I had cooked it in a traditional slow cooker! I can't wait to see how it handles summer picnics with a cold salad in tow!



Pineapple Peach Chipotle Pork Tacos
Printable recipe
Yield: 8-10 servings

For the pork:
1½-2 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into 2-in. cubes
1 jar (24 oz.) Peach Pineapple Chipotle Salsa (I used the Great Value brand)
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, chopped plus 1 tbsp. sauce from the can
2 cups water

Pineapple Peach Salsa: 
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple tidbits, drained
1 large peach, pit removed and flesh chopped
¼ cup red onion, chopped
Handful cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp. lime juice

Additional Ingredients:
Flour tortillas, warmed
Shredded Cabbage
Pineapple Peach Salsa (above)

In a medium bowl, combine all of the salsa ingredients. Mix well. Refrigerate until serving time.

Place all of the "For the pork" ingredients in a 3-5 qt. Dutch oven. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and place your lidded pot in the Wonderbag for a minimum of 4 hours (up to 12 hours) to finish cooking.

Remove the meat from the pot and shred. Add some of the sauce from the pan to the pork, if desired. Top tortillas with shredded pork, the fresh Pineapple Peach Salsa and some shredded cabbage.

*This can also be made in a traditional slow cooker*

Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos
Homemade Mexi-Melts
I was pleased to share with my kids that cooking with WonderBag makes a difference in the lives of families on the other side of the world. It was a great opportunity to teach them about how different cooking in Africa can be from cooking in the U.S. Cooking with Wonderbag is an eco-friendly, time and money saving option for preparing appetizing meals the whole family will love. Wonderbag is also empowering for women in other countries. Just a reminder - You can Buy One, Give One: For every Wonderbag purchased in the US, one is donated to a family in need in Africa; Families in developing countries who use Wonderbags save up to 30% of their income otherwise spent on fuel for wood stoves. It comes in your choice of Red Batik or Blue Batik. 

Every Wonderbag purchase benefits women and families in other countries, and YOU can also get involved by donating a Wonderbag. You can shop for Wonderbag exclusively on Amazon. 

You can find Wonderbag on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!Don't forget to share and comment ♥
Featured at White Lights on Wednesday and Dessert Now, Dinner Later
Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved