For the very first time, Walmart has announced an innovative new contest called Get On the Shelf.  The nationwide search is on to find the latest “it” product.  In true American Idol fashion, contestants will create videos of their products for online public voting.  There will be a two-round public voting process which will determine the top three product to be sold online at Walmart.com.  One grand prize winner will have their product sold on Walmart.com and featured on the store’s home page as well as shelf space in select Walmart stores across the country.

The contest is open for submissions until February 22nd.  Beginning March 7th, the public will have a chance to vote on their favorite entries. Some of the submissions already received include a cube game, an iPad pillow and paw puffs for dogs (cute!).

Think you have the next must-have product? Enter online at GetOnTheShelf.com.

 Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

This isn’t an entirely original idea, but I thought I’d put a Valentine’s Day spin on the traditional “cookie mix in a jar” gift idea. I headed over to Walmart and picked up the following ingredients and supplies to put together this simple, affordable gift.

Two One Quart Glass Jars ($2.97 each)

A set of two heart-shaped cookie cutters ($1.88)

Red Ribbon ($.97)

Valentine’s Day Themed M&Ms ($2.68)

Ghiradelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips ($2.78)

Red Bag for Gifting ($.97)

Stickers for decorating ($.97-$1.00)

White and brown sugar ($.98-$2.82)

The total cost for the above items was just $22.93 plus tax. With these supplies I can make at least 2 gifts and still have plenty of product left over.

You can create these jars for gifting with your personal cookie recipe, but I thought I’d share my two favorites. Chocolate Chip and Sugar.

M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup M&Ms

Start by washing and drying the jar you’re planning on using for the gift. Add the ingredients in layers, starting with the white sugar, brown sugar, and then the flour, reserving the chocolate chips and M&Ms for last. Make sure to pack each layer down and keep them separate and distinct.  I decided to attach a cookie cutter to the jar along with the recipe tied with some red ribbon I picked up at Walmart.  You can also take a piece of colorful fabric and adorn the top of the jar with it.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 egg in a large bowl.
3. Add the contents of the jar and stir until well blended.
4. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until golden.

You could also put together a Valentine’s Sugar Cookie Mix. You’ll want to use a smaller jar for this recipe. Be sure to omit the Peppermint Extract and candy canes and replace them with Vanilla extract and M&Ms.

 Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

This Friday, February 10th, Walmart will celebrate the marriage of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in more than 2,700 stores. Those who purchase the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 a 2-disc DVD or Blu-ray will receive the following:

• Bella’s Wedding Special Edition featuring the collectible wedding dress packaging
• Fabric poster of Bella and Edward’s big day
• Music videos from Bruno Mars and Christina Perri

Additionally, Walmart will host Twilight parties in-stores.  Beginning at 11 pm on the 10th they will offer special giveaways, ask movie trivia, and stock in-store bakeries with Twilight-themed cakes and cupcakes.  In anticipation of the midnight unveil, shoppers can catch a cameo appearance from Rosalie Cullen on in-store television networks.

Breaking Dawn will be available on DVD for $22.96 and Blu-ray for $26.96. For a complete list of stores holding midnight events, just visit the website.

 Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Photo Credit: jade007

After a weekend of sharing, conversing, eating, and relaxing, it’s time for a post holiday clean-up.  While I strive to “clean” while I’m prepping and cooking, I reserve the “deep clean” for after the guests have left. This also gives me an opportunity to start the new year fresh by getting organized.  So what am I doing to get our home clean and ready for the new year? Here are some of my best tips for our post holiday clean-up:

1.  Don’t try to do it all in one day.  I have a routine where I focus on one area of the house each day. I set small, attainable goals and try to spread cleaning tasks out throughout the week.

2.  Pay attention to the germiest areas in your home.  Germs love the kitchen and the bathroom, filled with food, moisture and other environments conducive to their existence.  These are the areas where I use my disinfecting wipes to ensure that all germs have been eliminated from our home, particularly since we’re right in the midst of cold and flu season.

3.  Get everyone involved.  Whether it’s simply ensuring that my son understands the importance of cleaning up his toys each day or encouraging my husband to be a cleaner cook, involving each member of the family in the clean-up process can take the load off of one person.  When everyone pitches in, clean-up can be achieved quickly and efficiently.

4.  Keep it simple.  Cleaning doesn’t have to be elaborate, particularly if you maintain a regular regimen. One or two all-purpose cleaning products that can be used in multiple areas of the house on multiple surfaces will help save time and money.

5.  Be mindful of your carbon footprint. Think about those items you are throwing away and evaluate if they can be recycled or repurposed. *Tip* Check out Glad’s line of composting and recycling bags that help keep waste out of landfills.

How do you approach clean-up once you’re done celebrating?

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Product samples provided by Clorox, Snuggle, All, Glad, Vanity Fair, Dixie, Pine-Sol, Angel Soft, and Brawny

While Christmas dinner can be as elaborate as a Thanksgiving meal, many families want the convenience of picking up a few prepared items to ease the stress of prepping, cooking, and entertaining.  While I was shopping at our local Walmart this week, I spotted some of their holiday foods…fresh, festive, and fabulously affordable.  To tide our family over before the meal, I’ll be serving one of their party platters, which includes a variety of  meats, cheeses, and crackers ($18, serves 6-8), and a trio of their fresh Marketside dips with an assortment of breads, pita chips, and veggies.  I have already dipped into the Tzatziki dip and it’s delicious! Some of the other dips offered include Spinach Artichoke Dip and Roasted Red Pepper Dip ($4.98).  Additionally, we’re serving a Sam’s Choice brown sugar ham, which only needs to be heated since it’s cooked.  To finish our meal, I picked up a bundt cake and some of their mini petit fours ($3) to serve, since I am all about easy and practically effortless.

If you’re looking to compliment your family’s Christmas meal this season, consider some of the fresh, prepared foods available at Walmart (Just click on Walmart Weekly Store Ad and then click See Another Ad for their holiday food items).  You could actually create an entire meal from their food offerings, or opt to pick up a few sides, appetizers, or desserts to eliminate the work of creating these particular dishes.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Images: Walmart, Hoosier Homemade.

This year, my husband and I decided on the following menu to accompany the ham:

Scalloped Potatoes

Butternut Squash Soup

Salad

Whole Wheat Rolls

I like to prepare most foods from scratch so you won’t see a lot of boxes or cans in this menu.  Considering the price of a ham and the cost of fresh fruits and veggies, I was quite pleased with everything I was able to purchase for under $40.

Ham $19.40

Potatoes $2.47

Shredded Cheddar Cheese $2.68

Half & Half $1.66

Broth (for soup) $1.98

1 Gala Apple (for soup) $0.42

1 Onion (for soup) $0.99

Organic Salad Mix $3.38

1 container Grape Tomatoes $2.48

1 Avocados $0.74

1 Cucumber $0.74

Whole Wheat Rolls $2.38

The total cost? $39.32.  I managed to stay under $40, however, I still need to pick up the butternut squash.

What are you serving/eating Christmas Day?

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Many months ago, I attempted to shop in bulk, particularly for organic meats and sustainable fish since those are two very expensive foods.  However, our smallish family of four was not consuming all of these foods and shopping in bulk ended up costing more than we were saving.

I recently told you about the FoodSaver challenge I’ve been participating in.  The premise of the challenge is to shop for foods in bulk and use the FoodSaver System to vacuum seal them, thereby prolonging the amount of time the foods stay fresh. FoodSaver claims that by using the system, foods will stay fresh up to 5 times as long, thereby resulting in a savings of up to $2700 a year. Air is the enemy of freshness, so removing it via the FoodSaver, results in foods staying fresh longer.  Practically anything can be vacuum sealed including meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and more.  So, does it really work?

This is my very first experience using any type of vacuum sealing system, and using the machine was very easy.  With the system you can use pre-cut bags or cut them with the machine to the size desired.  I really like the option to cut the bags myself because I feel like I can be more judicious with them, thereby making them last longer.

Once you’ve selected (or cut) your bag, you simply place the food you’d like to vacuum seal inside and let the machine do the rest.  Be sure to label the bag with the date the food was sealed and the type of food sealed. From experience, it can become difficult to determine what has been sealed once the food is frozen.

One of the unexpected benefits of using the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System is the fact that I actually find my freezer much more organized than it was.  And the ability to get rid of all that extra packaging means I actually have more room in my freezer for storage.

Now that I have more room in my freezer and a system that will keep my foods fresh longer, I feel comfortable buying foods like meats and fish in bulk.  I can also prepare meals ahead of time then vacuum seal and freeze them for those times when I don’t want to cook.

The system retails for $142.93 at Walmart and additional bags vary in price.

For more information about the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System, just visit their website.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Earlier this week I headed over to Walmart to see if I could fill a stocking for under $25. I decided to take it just one step further and see if I could fill two stockings (one for each of my children) for under $25. Because I know they’re going to get plenty of toys this year, I opted for useful items I thought they would still enjoy.

Each of the stockings I purchased (one in red and one in green) were just $1.97 each.  We love books in our home, however, most of the books were and are my son’s, so I headed to the children’s book section and found an adorable holiday-themed snowman book for just $2.50. In the same section (which in our store is located in the midst of the toys), I found some flash cards for my son for just $2.50. We’re working on preparing him for kindergarten so I thought this would be something fun and educational for him.  Surprisingly, both of my children enjoy brushing their teeth.  In the stocking stuffer section I found a variety of adorable, character-themed toothbrush sets for just $5, so I bought one for each of them. Lastly, I found a set of hair ties for my daughter for just $2.98. The grand total?  $21.92 plus tax. I’m likely going to run back and pick up one more thing for my son so they each have the same number of items (children notice things like that).  And to finish my stockings off, I’ll write their names in puffy paint before I hang them.

If you head over to Walmart, you’ll find that their recommended stocking stuffers are clearly labeled with prices in boxes throughout the store. I actually think many of their ideas are unique and ones I hadn’t thought about. Other ideas that came to mind include pajamas, slippers, gift cards (particularly for my son), DVDs, and video games. As we’re getting close to Christmas, I highly recommend shopping now as items are starting to disappear. You can also browse Walmart’s Stocking Stuffer ideas online.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Over the last month or so, I’ve been experimenting with our FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System.  Sure, I’ve frozen meat and leftovers.  But simply sticking those items in freezer bags doesn’t lock in freshness and taste. In fact, very often those items I’ve frozen (including meats and fish) develop freezer burn and I end up tossing them, despite my best intentions. The concept is actually quite simple:  When foods are properly vacuum sealed, they can be stored in the freezer and kept fresh up to 5 times longer without developing freezer burn.  So buying in bulk no longer has to result in wasted food, because isn’t the goal to save money? FoodSaver claims that in one year, users can save up to $2700!  So, how do you think I did?  Stay tuned for my complete experience with the FoodSaver Vaccuum Sealing System.

If you’re interested in taking the FoodSaver challenge, you can save $10 on a system by visiting SmartSource.  To find the coupon, search for “FoodSaver” on the drop-down menu under Brand.  You can also save 10% on a system by liking FoodSaver on Facebook.

Do you buy in bulk? What tips do you have for saving money on groceries?

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

It’s been many years since I’ve lit candles in our home, again due to how inquisitive our children are.  When I first met my husband, he introduced me to a concept I had never heard of…electric candle warmers. This flameless alternative to conventional candles is sheer brilliance.

Walmart, in partnership with Better Homes and Gardens, recently introduced wax warmers, a fashionable, “scentsable” way to infuse aroma, and light into your home. Rather than using a flame, these stylish wax warmers utilize a 25 Watt light bulb to heat the scented wax and provide a soft glow.  Simply place the wax cube on the warmer. As it heats, the wax will melt and begin releasing the fragrance (it only takes a few minutes).  What I LOVE about the system is the fact that I can reuse the unused wax, simply by pouring it back into the trays provided (while hot and liquified, of course).

Walmart offers a wide variety of ceramic warmers, most classically designed which retail for just $15 each (an incredible bargain when compared to comparable warmers on the market).  Some of the scents offered are available online, in sets of four for just $8 and they’re absolutely delicious smelling (think Baked Apple Streusel and Vanilla Caramel Spice). However, I encourage you to visit your local Walmart for a more expansive selection.

If you have small children in the home, it should be noted that the ceramic warmers get very hot. Be sure to keep them up high and out of reach.

You can view the ceramic warmers online or check your local Walmart store.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.