The Cheap Gourmet

Introducing Teavana "Gifts with Meaning"

As we head into the final days of holiday shopping, I'd like to introduce you to Teavana "Gifts with Meaning". If you are still searching for great holidays gifts, Tevana could very well be the last place you'll need to shop!

Teavana provides fresh, high quality premium loose leaf teas and exceptionally unique gifts. Tea selections include: white, black, green, oolong, herbal, rooibos, mate, blooming, decaf and organic. My personal favorites include blooming, oolong and rooibos.

If you've never experienced blooming teas, you MUST check these out. Blooming teas are round balls of tea which "bloom" as they steep. Most of Teavana's blooming teas include Jasmine blossoms, which can aid in relieving stress, anxiety and headaches. Aren't we all suffering from that about now?

TEAVANA "GIFTS WITH MEANING" COLLECTIONS:

Teavana Gifts with Meaning are theme gifts and include: Love, Friendship, Beauty, Happiness, Strength, Hope, Wisdom, Good Fortune and Longevity.

Love gifts include teapot sets, coasters and trivets adorned with Eastern symbols of Love such as a butterfly, dragonfly or lotus root. Love gifts range in price from $6.00 for Azteca Fire Herbal Tea (a blend of chocolate and strawberries blended with chili peppers) to $189.95 for an exquisite Butterfly Garden Bone China Tea Set.

Friendship gifts are adorned with pine needles, the Eastern symbol for friendship. Friendship gift prices start at $12.95 for a pine needle tea cup to $220 for a one-year subscription to the Classic Tea of the Month Club (six month subscriptions are available for $120). My personal favorite Teavana Friendship gift is the Heavenly Birds Bone China Tea Tumbler; a tumbler that includes a stainless steel strainer; allowing your friends to steep tea while on-the-go. It's ingenious!

Beauty gifts feature Eastern symbols of beauty including elegant cherry, plum and magnolia blossoms or the graceful swan. Beauty gifts include Eastern Beauty Oolong Tea, Queen of Babylon White Tea, Green Cherry Blossom Sushi Set, Bella Luna Tea Gift Collection, a gorgeous Grand Peacock Infuser Tea Mug and much more!

Good Fortune gifts are a great way to give loved ones wishes for a prosperous New Year. Decorated with Eastern symbols of good fortune and prosperity such as koi fish, peony flowers, grapevine and coins. Good fortune gift selections include a coins cast iron tea cup, Abundance teapot set, monkey picked Oolong tea, Magnolia blue bone china set, Prosperity Koi cast iron teapot and more.

These are just a few of my favorite things at Teavana. There are plenty more, but it's best if you visit their website and spend time browsing around. That's where I'm heading to finish my holiday shopping. Maybe I'll see you there?

Take a moment to leave a comment  on any blog post and you will automatically be entered into our December giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a one year subscription to Real Simple magazine. Find more holiday gift ideas at www.RealSimple.com.

Happy Holidays!

The Cheap Gourmet

Five Resources for Holiday Gifts Under $20

'Tis the season for holiday shopping! Today, I'd like to share some of my favorite resources for holiday gifts under $20. There is no reason to break the bank or rack up credit card debt. The season should be jolly, not expensive! I think you will enjoy these wonderful holiday gift ideas and wish you a happy shopping adventure!

Learn more about each company and the gifts they offer by clicking on the banner located under descriptions. Each will open into a new browser; allowing you to comparison shop and locate the best deals for everyone on your holiday gift list.

Five Resources for Holiday Gifts Under $20

Adagio Teas and accessories have been featured on HGTV's "I Want That", Food and Wine Magazine, Epicurious, Washington Post, Prevention and Time Magazine. Tea selections include: Black, Flavored, Chai, Oolong, White, Green, Herbal, Rooibos, Decaf, Blooms, Blends and Iced.

Adagio offers a wide range of unique gifts for any occasion. Popular holiday gifts under $20 include: IngenuiTEA; an easy-to-use teapot that makes brewing loose tea effortless, priced at $19 and the Holiday Teas sampler set of six one-ounce tins of flavored loose teas including: candy apple, candy cane, chestnut, cranberry, gingerbread and pumpkin spice, priced at $11.

Ghiradelli Chocolate has been offering gourmet chocolates to Americans for more than 150 years. Ghiradelli has created a "12 Days of Christmas" shopping guide, with 8 of the 12 gifts priced under $20.

Under $20 selections include: 2-pack Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas Squares Gift Pack;  4-pack Premium Ghiradelli Hot Cocoa; 2-pack Limited Edition Peppermint Bark Squares Chocolates; 2-pack Limited Edition Chocolate Pecan Squares Chocolates; 5-pack Limited Edition Milk and Caramel Latte Prestige Bar; 5-pack Limited Edition Peppermint Bark Prestige Bar; and 2-pack Limited Edition Holiday Assortment Chocolate Squares.

Mrs. Beasley's is known as "Hollywood's Favorite Bakery" and offers a wide selection of decadently unique gourmet goodies. Choose from eleven holiday gifts under $20 including: five varieties of chocolate coated apples (my personal fav is the Snowball Caramel Apple), Rum Raisin Cake, Mrs. Beasley's Holiday Cake, and Holiday Cookies, Goodies and Nuts.

I love Mrs. Beasley's gifts and could easily spend a small fortune, but their gifts are unique and are perfect for those hard-to-buy-for people. They also carry an excellent line of corporate gifts including towers, gift baskets, corporate logo and photo cookies.

Starbucks Store – Everybody loves Starbucks products and you'll find plenty of fresh, fun holiday gifts under $20 at the Starbucks Store. One of my favorites is the "Wish Kit Gift Set" which includes six 1-ounce packages of White Holland Mints, six Wish cards, and six Treat boxes. These are perfect for passing out to co-workers, neighbors, postal carriers, and stocking stuffers.

Other Starbucks gifts under $20 include Tea Sampler Gift Box by Tazo Tea, Powdered Cocoa Trio, Coffee Mug gift box with Starbucks logo mug, coffee sample and cookie, Coffee and Treats Gift Pack, and Caramel Macchiato Kit.

Superior Nut Store has more holiday gifts under $20 than you can shake a stick at. Discover a whole new world of chocolate covered nuts, nuts and mixed nuts gift tins, chocolate covered fruits, dried fruits, almond bark, nut butters, gummy bears and much, much more.

Superior Nut Store is a great year-round resource for gifts and household items. Many products are available in bulk and perfect for neighborhood food co-op's. Roasted nuts are certified Kosher and every product is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

The Cheap Gourmet November Winner and December Giveaway

The Cheap Gourmet is pleased to announce Roxanne of NewSmyrnaBeachMom.com as the winner of the November Giveaway. Roxanne has won the Holiday Greeting Card Gift Pack from DogCaptionsCards.com. Congratulations Roxanne! Please check your email account for information about how to receive your gift and thank you for being a loyal fan of The Cheap Gourmet Blog!

Next, I'm excited to announce our December giveaway. This month, Real Simple magazine, a division of Time, Inc. Lifestyle Group is generously offering a one-year subscription to their amazing magazine.

I received a complimentary copy of the December issue and let me tell you, this magazine is packed with holiday gift ideas, health and beauty tips, fashion and party accessories, holiday decorating ideas, quick-and-easy recipes, and tons of money-saving coupons from a wide range of popular stores and manufacturers.

 Here are just a few items you'll find in the December issue of Real Simple magazine:

* 50 Gifts Under $50, plus stocking stuffers under $15 and inspired ideas for homemade presents

* 10 Sweet (and quick) Holiday Cookie Recipes

* No-nonsense Strategies for Better Winter Skin

*Easy Make-Ahead Hors d'Oeuvres

*How to Make Your Favorite Clothes Last Longer

* How to Save on Seasonal Decorations and Avoid Holiday–Air-travel Charges

*Party Accessories: 17 Dazzling Finds for $90 or under

* Happy Wrapping: 21 Inventive Ideas to Festoon your Presents

In sticking with the theme of Real Simple, the only eligibility requirements for The Cheap Gourmet December Giveaway is to leave a comment on any blog post. This giveaway is open to residents within the continental U.S. One winner will be selected at random on January 1, 2010. This prize is provided directly through the sponsor.

I encourage you to grab a copy of the December issue of Real Simple magazine. Not only will you find great gift ideas and deals, you will discover a plethora of unique vendors offerings exceptionally unique gifts. Real Simple is an fabulous gift idea; particularly for those on your list who are hard to buy for.

Learn more about Real Simple magazine by visiting their website at www.RealSimple.com. Take advantage of the Special 2-for-1 Holiday Offer. Buy one subscription and receive a second subscription for free!

Please support our sponsor whose generosity allows The Cheap Gourmet to provide exciting and exclusive giveaways to our readers.

Good Luck in December Giveaway and have a wonderful, love-filled holiday season!

The First Official Cheap Gourmet Contest

On September 11, 2009, we launched the First Official Cheap Gourmet Contest. All that is required is to vote for your favorite food and enter your email address by filling out the form below. One lucky winner will receive an adorable "Barker's Dozen" Greeting Card gift pack containing 13 happy-yappy cards with envelopes packaged in a reusable vinyl tote.

Each 5x7 greeting card is graced by a photograph of dogs in action - running, playing, swimming, sleeping. Beneath the photo is an appropriate caption guaranteed to bring love and happiness to the recipient. Cards are blank inside so you can write a personal note, include your favorite Cheap Gourmet recipe, or photos of yourself, family or beloved pets.

There is no "catch" to The Cheap Gourmet Contest. Your email address will only be used to notify you when  you win the contest. One lucky winner winner will be chosen at random at midnight on October 2, 2009 and notified by email on or before October 5th. The "Barker's Dozen" Gift Pack will be mailed directly to your home or office at no charge to you.

With each sale of Dog Caption Cards, 25-percent of the proceeds are donated to animal rescue organizations. If you would like to offer support to our furry friends or interested in selling the cards to raise funds for your local animal shelter, visit www.HappyDogCards.com. (You can also earn 25-percent of each sale by joining the affiliate program!)

In the meantime, simply select your favorite food and enter your email for a chance to win. Only ONE ENTRY per email or ISP address.

P.S. Stop back often as we will be hosting another contest next month. We will be offering an amazing Cheese and Wine party gift set valued at $150. Stay tuned - you're going to love all the future Cheap Gourmet Contests!

Gourmet Fresh Fruit Club

Introducing Gourmet Fresh Fruit Club: Helping You Succeed in Fruit and Veggie Day!

In celebration of our new "Fruit and Veggie Day" program, I'd like to introduce you to Clubs of America Gourmet Fresh Fruit Club. Joining the club will make it so much easier for you to participate in the Fruit and Veggie Day program because each month you will receive five pounds of seasonal gourmet fruit delivered straight to your door.

The Gourmet Fresh Fruit Club offers perfect freshly harvested and handpicked fruit directly from the grower. Each 5-pound order includes succulent, ready-to-eat fruit bursting with flavor. Each month, Gourmet Fresh Fruit Club members receive two different kinds of fruit harvested by hand at the peak of the season.

Recognized as a prominent gift club specialist,Clubs of America has been in business since 1994. They know what it takes to satisfy their customers and go above to ensure members are completely satisfied with their product order.

Every Monthly Fruit Club order is backed by an ironclad 100-percent satisfaction guarantee. There are no subscription requirements. Club membership can run for the length of time you specify. Choose from one month to twelve month programs. Should you decide to order a one-year subscription, Clubs of America is currently offering an instant $25 savings. 

In addition to receiving the world's finest gourmet fruit, members also receive Fruit Expeditions™, a monthly fruit club newsletter containing interesting facts on current selections, along with opportunities to stock up on your favorite varieties at discounted prices. 

Fresh Fruit Club makes an excellent gift certain to be enjoyed by everyone who receives it. Currently, all orders include free shipping. If you are looking for high-quality, freshly picked gourmet fruit, join Clubs of America Monthly Fruit Club today. Both your wallet and your body will be glad you did!

Click on the banner below to place your Monthly Fruit Club order today!

P.S. Visit TheCheapGourmet.com each Friday to download your free "Fruit and Veggie Day" menu planner.

Beer of the Month Club: Perfect Father's Day Gift!

Beer of the Month Club makes the perfect Father's Day gift. This unique club offers rare, microbrewed beers from all across the United States. Each month your dad will receive one 12-pack of fresh, unique, flavorful beers that will make his friends green with envy. Each 12-pack includes three bottles of four different beers.

Once your dad tastes Beer of the Month Club brews, he'll never be able to drink regular beer again. This can actually work to your benefit because Clubs of America is currently offering a $25 instant savings with the purchase of any 12 month subscription.

Another great feature of Beer of the Month Club is there are no minimum requirements. You can send your father one 12-pack of tastebud exploding brews or establish an autoship account for eternity. Seriously, Beer of the Month gives you full control over your shipment frequency and if you only want one 12-pack they won't hound you to buy more.

I purchased a one-year subscription for my husband's 40th birthday last year. Every time his beer arrives he is like a kid on Christmas Eve. This is truly a gift that keeps on giving. My husband only shares his prized mircobrewed beers with a few select friends. They think I am a Goddess for buying my husband the coolest gift on the planet. Who knew all it took to be adored and admired was a 12-pack of exotic beers once a month!

If your dad isn't a beer drinker, Clubs of America offers all types of monthly subscription clubs. Maybe your father would prefer cigars, chocolate, wine or pizza. Although the Pizza of the Month club is a little pricey, recipients receive three enormous 9-inch deep Chicago-style pies. For the pizza consummate, this is the ultimate gift. Not to mention, it pairs perfectly with the Beer of the Month Club!

If you aren't already sold on ordering the Beer of the Month for your dad, consider this... You don't have to go out shopping and deal with rude sales clerks. You won't have to fight for a parking spot. You won't have to wonder if your dad will like your gift. You don't have to buy gift wrap.

All you have to do is click on the banner below, select subscription frequency and voila! - instant gift delivered straight to your dad's doorstep. And, if you're lucky, he'll share one of his brews with you.

In closing, you must be of legal drinking age to order from Beer of the Month Club. As always, please drink responsibly and never drink and drive!

How to Make Restaurant Quality Sauces at Home

Yesterday, I was in the process of making Philly Cheese Steaks when I realized I was out of cheese sauce. One area of cooking that I have never excelled at is making sauces. I love sauces. They can enhance or completely alter just about any food. The problem is most store bought sauces contain lots of ingredients that aren't all that great for you like tons of sodium and the evil MSG.

I immediately went online to locate a homemade cheese sauce. The ingredients were few and the recipe quite simple. Problem was the sauce ended up being a big ole' glop of yuckiness. Needless to say our Philly Cheese Steaks were served naked.

I decided that I was going to conquer my sauce illiteracy once and for all. I scoured the Internet for sauce recipes and cooking videos. Then I discovered "How to Make Restaurant Quality Sauces at Home".

This instant download ebook is packed with mouth-watering sauce recipes including Merlot Sauce, Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Mushroom Sauce, Peppercorn Sauce, Mustard Tarragon Sauce, Hazelnut Cream Sauce and Orange Sauce.

One thing I love about ebooks is the fact that I can print out the recipe. If I slop food on it, it's no big deal. I just print another copy. The second thing I love about ebook cookbooks is they are affordable. I don't know if you have priced hardbound cookbooks lately, but the cheapest ones I have found are in the $30 to $40 price range.

What sold me on "How to Make Restaurant Quality Sauces at Homes" is the fact that I can save a boatload of money on sauces. Just last week, I paid over $12 for a bottle Merlot Wine sauce. By mastering homemade sauces, I can easily slash my cost by 75-percent.

If you love sauces as much as I do, check out "Restaurant Quality Sauces". For only $11.95, this cookbook is a great deal. It's backed by a 100% Satisfaction, Money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. And, best of all, if you order today you will also receive a free bonus gift of "Chef Richard's Chef's Special Sampler" - a collection of 20 tastebud tantalizing delights.

Attention All Java Junkies - Get Your Fix with the "I Love Coffee Kit"

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a Java Junkie. If I don't have 3 cups of coffee in the morning, I'm pretty much grumpy all day. There's just something about a good cup of Joe that makes me happy (and keeps me regular, LOL!).

I can honestly say I've tasted just about every coffee on the planet. From the ridiculously expensive, but oh-so-exquisite, Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee to the cheapo no-name brands and everything in between. I pretty much like 'em all unless the flavor is too strong or bitter. I'm not a big fan of Espresso. It makes me a little too zingy.

A few years back, I worked with a woman who was starting her own coffee business. She specialized in organic coffees and roasted the beans herself. It was good stuff! 

I helped her with sales copy and marketing materials in exchange for coffee. Each month she sent me a shipment of freshly roasted beans. It was like Christmas! I'd practically run to the door and rip the package out of the UPS driver's hands. If this sounds like something you'd do, you're a Java Junkie too!

The business was starting to take off when she was called to military duty. Unfortunately, I lost contact with her and all attempts to locate her have failed thus far. I was sad to lose track of a wonderful business associate and sad to lose my coffee :-(

I'll admit it... I was spoiled. I didn't have to pay for coffee and it was shipped, freshly roasted, right to my doorstep. Thing is, I really don't care for store brand coffees. I was introduced to high-quality organic coffees way back in the 90s while working at a health food store. I received an employee discount and could drink all the coffee I wanted at work for free.

The thought of having to actually pay for coffee was more than I could bear. Like I've said before, they don't call me The Cheap Gourmet for nothing!

Which brings me to the primary focus of this post.

I discovered Gevalia Kaffe years ago. I've had service with them 3 or 4 times and am currently receiving a monthly shipment.

I'll be honest. The coffee is somewhat pricey, but it's worth every penny. In reality, it is no more expensive than high-quality coffee purchased at a retail store. Plus, there are some serious perks and high-end gifts for coffee club members.

When you join the coffee club, you can select the type of coffee you want (whole beans or ground), select from a wide range of varietals, how many 1/2-pound boxes you want, and how often you want your coffee shipped. You can change your selections at any time and suspend shipments whenever you need to.

The "I Love Coffee Kit"~ Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Gevalia is currently offering the "I Love Coffee Kit", which is perfect for Valentine's Day. For $22.95 (plus $5.95 shipping & handling), you receive:

• 2 half-pound boxes of Gevalia Kaffe

• 12-cup programmable coffee maker (It's very nice and brews a good cup!)

• 1 litre Stainless Steel thermal carafe

• 14-ounce Stainless Steel travel mug

You can receive this $168 gift for only $28.90! Now, that's what I call a bargain! And, there is no obligation to continue your subscription if you don't want to. However, I can tell you that once you try Gevalia coffee you won't want to go back to boring beans.

Gesh, I'm starting to sound like a saleswoman. Sorry about that! I'm really not trying to sell you anything. I just want everyone to know about this yummy coffee and the cool gifts ;-)

Seriously though, give Gevalia a try. If you don't like the coffee, cancel your subscription and keep the gifts. The best thing is, your gifts will help you save money because you can brew a pot of coffee at home, fill up your travel mug, and avoid spending money on a cup of coffee on your way to work. Eliminating that expense will more than cover your monthly subscription.

Click on the pretty picture below and take advantage of the "I Love Coffee Kit" order TODAY!

You might also enjoy the following articles (written by me!):

Coffees from Around the Globe

A Guide to Coffee and Tea Condiments

Gift Ideas for Coffee and Tea Lovers

 

David's Cookies and Ruggalach

I have to tell you about the most delicious sweet treat I have ever had! One of my client's sent me a 2-pound tin of Ruggalach from David's Cookies and it is absolutely to die for! Ruggalach reminds me of Baklava, only better. And, I didn't think anything was better than homemade baklava!

After receiving my tin of David's Cookies delectable Ruggalach, I had to check out their website and learn more about this unique treat. I discovered Ruggalach is a Jewish pastry of the Ashkenazic origin. Ruggalach stems from the Hebrew word, 'Roglit', meaning "creeping vine".

I'm not sure where the "creeping vine" fits in with this pastry. Perhaps, it can be attributed to the rolled layers. If you stretch these treats out, they kind of look like a long vine ;-)

The Ruggalach I received from David's Cookies included four varieties: Raspberry Walnut (sweet and crunchy), Cinnamon Raisin (earthy), Apricot Cashew (subtly sweet), and Chocolate Walnut (decadently delicious).

The dough is a made from cream cheese and butter; creating a soft, chewy dough with a light, crispy crust. When your teeth sink into the fruits, nuts and spices, an explosion of flavor is released. It truly is heaven in a pastry-pillow.

Ruggalach has officially become my new all-time favorite dessert. I have one or two pieces of Cinnamon Raisin for breakfast. Then, I indulge in one Raspberry Walnut and one Apricot Cashew for an afternoon pick-me-up. I wrap up the day with a cup of tea and one piece of Chocolate Walnut.

If you enjoy pastries, I highly recommend the Ruggalah from David's Cookies. However, if pastries aren't your thing, David's Cookies offers a wide range of options to satisfy your sweet tooth. You'll find chocolate truffle cakes, brownies, crumb cakes, pies, fruit and nut assortments, gift baskets and of course, cookies.

I'm really glad my client sent me such a wonderful gift. In addition to receiving a wonderful treat that has brought my tastebuds joy for several days, I also discovered a great place to shop for gifts. With Valentines Day just 6 weeks away, it's time to start thinking about "Love" gifts. Considering how fabulous the Rugglach is, I'm thinking everyone I know would love to receive something from David's Cookies. Go check them out. You'll be glad you did!

ShopWiki: A Revolutionary Way to Shop

Have you heard about ShopWiki? If not, you're in for a real treat. But, before I expand on all that is offered, I would like to share something with you first. Considering we're in a recession, my New Year's resolution is to save more money. So, I've been developing a plan to spend less for items I buy. That's where ShopWiki comes in.

You see, I was doing a little holiday shopping last week (weren't we all??). I was looking for a stand mixer for myself. I recently created a recipe for Monkey Bread that is absolutely to die for! I'd share it with you, but my plan is to sell my mouth-watering creations to local restaurants and bakeries. If all goes according to plan, I hope to eventually open my own bakery.

Anyhoo, while searching for the various types of stand mixers, I ran across the ShopWiki website. What's cool about this place is it provides an abundance of info on just about any product known to man. Even better, you can easily find out who is offering the best price.

Before I discovered ShopWiki.com, I thought KitchenAid was the only company who offered the type of stand mixer I was looking for. Much to my surprise, I discovered there are several manufacturers including DeLonghi, Hamilton Beach, Jenn Air, KitchenAid, Sunbeam and Westbend.

Using the information provided at ShopWiki, I decided to invest in the KitchenAid Artisan Series. Although I originally wanted the pink stand mixer, I went with Empire Red because it is so incredibly sleek looking.

 

The beautiful thing about ShopWiki is the fact that they provide listings of all the stores that carry the product you are looking for. In my case, I discovered that this gorgeous KitchenAid stand mixer was sold at Home Depot. Honestly, I wouldn't have even considered shopping for mixers at Home Depot. I'd be more inclined to go to Williams-Sonoma or Cooking.com.

I swear there was some Divine Intervention going on because the day before I went on my shopping quest, my husband had received a $200 gift card to Home Depot from one of his relatives. Being the wonderful husband that he is, he gave me the gift card to purchase the mixer.

I've been whipping up my gourmet monkey bread for the past two days and can't wait to give these tasty treats to my neighbors and friends. Thanks to the KitchenAid, I can easily make my own bread dough -- the main ingredient in this decadent treat.

In closing, I highly recommend using ShopWiki before you head out the door. Doing so helped me make an informed decision and saved me a lot of dough (no pun intended!).

One more thing... Be sure to check out the Food Guide at ShopWiki. Here you'll discover a wealth of information on chocolate, cheese, spices, oils, vinegars, meat and much more. Once you spend a little time perusing the pages, you'll never have to worry about what to serve for dinner again. ShopWiki has definitely become my favorite place to shop and I'm certain it will help me achieve my savings goals for 2009.

Happy Holidays!!

The Cheap Gourmet's Top Five Black Friday Picks

In celebration of Black Friday, The Cheap Gourmet has searched high and low to find fabulous gifts at significant savings. We all need that, right? Not only will you find fabulous sale prices on Black Friday, but throughout the holiday season. The following are my favorite picks for gourmet food, kitchen and home decor, cookware, small appliances and unusual gifts that are certain to bring a smile to your loved ones.

Simply click on the banner below each description and you'll be taken directly to each merchant's website. Happy Black Friday and may you receive a bounty of savings!

Plow and Hearth - One of my favorite places to shop, Plow and Hearth offers a wide variety of gourmet foods including the infamous Peppermint Pig (a delightful peppermint candy pig complete with a hammer to crack it open and share!). Plow and Hearth offers hundreds of unique gifts for the home and garden, along with clothing, shoes, and even enviromentally-friendly gifts. This one-stop shop provides plenty of unique and affordable gifts for the entire family!

The Home Marketplace - Hard-to-find products and clever solutions for kitchen and home. From appliances and gadgets to decorations and storage, The Home Marketplace offers a wide variety of products certain to please all who receive them. Every product offers real value and is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. An enormous selection from a company you can trust!

Fingerhut - Brand-name merchandise including apparel, electronics, home furnishings, jewelry, toys, kitchenware, sporting goods and more. Enjoy convenient credit, low monthly payments, 30-day home trial and 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

Stonewall Kitchen - Save 20-percent on EVERYTHING - Friday, November 28th through Sunday, November 30th. Stonewall Kitchen offers unique and amazing gourmet food items including fruit butters, dessert sauces, jams, sauces, mustards, salsas, relishes, marmalades, chutneys, salts, pancake mixes and syrup, soups, peanut butter, pestos and spreads, gourmet crackers, pretzel dips, baking mixes, beverages, dressings and oils, Barefoot Contessa pantry, and a specialty food club for those who enjoy trying new foods all year long!

Tabasco Country Store - For those who like life HOT! The Tabasco Country Store offers amazing hot sauces, gift packs, bar accessories, clothing, luggage, posters, toys and much more. Receive $10 off all orders of $45 or more, plus a FREE Family of Flavors Gift Box. This offer is good through December 12th. Enter Code CB8 at checkout.

Beer of the Month Club - The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

My husband's birthday is July 31st. He's turning 40, so I wanted to get him a gift that would be memorable. With the passing of my mother, handling of her estate and our upcoming move, I didn't have time to head to the Mall and spend endless hours searching for the perfect birthday gift. Instead, I decided to locate something spectacular online. And, guess what? I hit the jackpot!!

I discovered, GreatClubs.com; a website that offers just about any kind of "gift that keeps on giving". They offer Beer of the Month, Chocolate of the Month, Wine of the Month, Cigars, Flowers, Coffee and even Pizza of the Month! Since my husband is a connoisseur of beer, I chose to subscribe to the Beer of the Month Club.

The Beer of the Month Club allows you to choose the length of your subscription; from one month to one year. I elected the one year subscription because I know my husband is going to flip over this gift. Besides, the annual subscription gives you an extra $25 in Club Cash. With this added bonus, Brad will receive what I refer to as the "Baker's Dozen of Beer." In essence, using the extra $25 he can receive an extra month of beer for the price of 12 months. I love bargains, don't you?

This monthly beer club includes a 12-pack of four different microbrewed beers from around the country. Each month, Brad will receive a collection of these unique mircobrewed beers right to our doorstep. With the cost of gas these days, I'm thinking of ordering everything online! He'll also receive a monthly newsletter, "Beer Expeditions", which provides information about the various beer selections. Another nice feature of Beer of the Month is members receive discounts on any additional purchases. If Brad falls in love with a particular microbrewed beer, he can order more of it through the club at a discounted price. 

Hopefully, Brad won't be reading The Cheap Gourmet blog this month. I'd hate to ruin his birthday surprise! However, I did want you to know about this service. All I ask is that you keep his gift a secret until July 31st :-) If you are looking for a gift that keeps on giving, check out GreatClubs.com. I'm seriously contemplating joining the Chocolate of the Month club and giving it to myself for my upcoming 50th birthday on July 27th. There's nothing wrong with treating yourself to a milestone birthday gift is there??

Celebrating "National Old Friends, New Friends" Week

"National Old Friends, New Friends Week" is hosted from May 18th-25th and it couldn't have come at a better time for me. As many of you know, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. I've spent the last month with her and am currently back home to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation. Next week, I will return to continue caring for mom. It's been a bittersweet time, but I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to spend this time with my life mentor.

Mom has always been an amazing cook. Everything I know about cooking, I owe to her. In fact, a few weeks ago, mom had a craving for ham salad. I'd never made ham salad before and actually turned my nose up at it, but I gotta tell you -- this stuff is amazing! I'll share the recipe with you in my next post. Today, I need to express the importance of friendship.

My good friend and business associate, Viveca Stone-Berry recently founded DogCaptions.com with her brother and humorist-photographer, Richard Stone. DogCaptions.com is offering the "Barker's Dozen" Friendship Card Pack, a collection of 13 all-occasion cards with adorable photos of dogs (and one cat!). Each card has a funny or uplifting caption printed on the front and are blank inside, leaving plenty of room to express your love and gratitude.

I've experienced an outpouring of love from old and new friends during mom's illness. My friend, Patty, treated me to lunch one day and provided me with transportation to and from the airport. My friend, Evelyn, called me several times and sent me humorous and inspirational emails. Viveca, of DogCaptions.com sent me a wonderful Kathryn Ponder book, a "Barker's Dozen" Friendship pack, a fabulous tote that folds up so you can carry it in your purse, and adorable bookmarks (called Bark Marks -- too cute!).

Mom's neighbors frequently stopped by to visit, bring food, take down the trash, scoop up dog poop and show their love. Her friends offered so much love and support to both of us. Their love and friendship made all the difference in the world. They offered a shoulder to cry on, a hug, a smile, a prayer.

Think about all the people who are important in your life. Take advantage of "National Old Friends, New Friends" week to reconnect with your friends and family and remind them how important they are to you. Go buy a "Barker's Dozen" Friendship Pack today and send cards to everyone who is important to you. Not only will you brighten their day, you'll be doing something to save a pet's life. How??

When you purchase the Barker's Dozen Friendship Pack this week, DogCaptions.com is donating up to 50% of the profits to three animal shelters. These organizations help spread the word about spaying/neutering services, adoption services, and provide shelter and medical services for these animals.

DogCaptions.com will send you a special gift when you purchase the Barker's Dozen cards this week. They have lined up some amazing sponsors who are giving you some pretty great gifts for FREE.

Share your love. Brighten your friends day. Help an animal. Go to DogCaptions.com today and pick up a pack or two of these adorable cards. Doing so will make the world a better place ;-)

SBS Teas Birthday Celebration - Save 15% on May 15th

SBS Teas owner, Lady Babs, is celebrating her 65th birthday on Thursday, May 15th. She invites you to celebrate in her joy of being eligible for "Senior Discounts" and is offering everyone a whopping 15% discount on their entire purchase.

If you've never tried SBS Teas, now would be an excellent time to order. Be careful though... once you try these high-quality loose leaf teas you'll never settle for anything less. SBS Teas offers a wonderful selection of custom-blended teas including black, green, white, chai, oolong, organic, iced teas and more.

Not a fan of tea? No worries...SBS Teas also has an amazing selection of coffees and cocoas. My favorite coffees include Bird Friendly Organic, Black Forest Cake and Rainforest Crunch. My favorite cocoa selections include Belgian Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Chocolate and Triple Fudge Hot Cocoa.

If you're like me and can't get enough coffee, tea or cocoa on the inside, you'll flip over the amazing SBS Teas body products. These all-natural products include body wash, body lotion, body scrubs and bath perfumes. These delightful bath and body products are available in a variety of scents including: Chocolate Decadence, Blackberry Sage, London Lemon Curd, Vanilla Grapefruit and Zen Tea.

Mark your calendar to join Lady Babs in her 65th Birthday Celebration on May 15th and save 15% on your ENTIRE ORDER! The discount will automatically be deducted from your order at check-out.

While you're waiting for Lady Babs birthday to arrive, take a moment to download The Cheap Gourmet's FREE Tea Report -- "Think Outside the Cup - Cooking with Tea". This 16-page report focuses on the many ways to combine tea with cooking. You'll learn how to use tea as a spice, meat and vegetable marinade, meat tenderizer and more.

Click on the banner below and place your order on May 15th to save 15%. You're going to love the massive collection of custom-blended loose leaf teas, exotic and flavorful coffees and rich, decadent coffees and soothing body products. Enjoy! and be sure to wish Lady Babs a Happy Birthday!

Dessert University: Cook Like a Chef, Even If You Can't Boil Water

Dessert University is the coolest thing I've ever seen! This multi-media collection includes over 100,000 recipes and step-by-step videos you can download to your computer and access at any time. The Dessert University package includes chocolate recipes, vanilla recipes, dessert recipes, candy recipes, sweet recipes and cooking lessons.

With Dessert University you can learn how to make any dessert known to man (or woman!). Expert videos will teach you how to make brownies, torts, truffles, cakes, exotic desserts, international desserts, death-by-chocolate desserts, gourmet quality desserts, and even health conscious desserts. You will be the envy of your friends, family and neighbors and everyone will invite you to their pitch-in events. With the click of a button you can quickly and easily become a master in the kitchen!

By now you're probably wondering how much this culinary training course will cost you, right? Believe it or not, Dessert University is currently available for only $34.95. Yes, you read that right -- you can have access to mouth-watering, tantalizing-tastebud sensations for a mere $34.95. There are no limits and no recurring fees. Once you pay the $34.95, you will have instant access to the entire Dessert University program.

This all-in-one package includes:

• The complete Dessert University Digital Download System
• The official Dessert University eCourse featuring 50 pages of step-by-step directions
• 1500 downloadable Video Tutorials
• Thousands of original recipes perfect for any party or social gathering

Order today and you'll receive Special Bonuses including: Candy Recipes, Unlimited Updates and FREE Membership to Dessert University Members group, which includes Live Personal Support.

If you're like me and LOVE desserts, you are going to go bananas over the Dessert University package. And, if for any reason you aren't completely satisfied with your purchase, it's covered by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

What more can I say? I love Dessert University and think you will too. Dessert University normally sells for $97, but if you hurry you can grab your copy for only $34.95. Don't delay or you'll miss out on this special price!

Click here to learn more and ORDER your copy of DESSERT UNIVERSITY.

My Toastmaster Toaster Oven - May You Rest in Peace

My beloved Toastmaster Toaster Oven died yesterday. To the best of my recollection, my sister gave me my Toastmaster as a housewarming gift nearly 15 years ago. As you can see, it served me well. In our household the toaster oven is an integral part of cooking, so I decided to snoop around online and comparison shop. I love being able to shop from home, don't you? Especially with the cost of gas these days!

I came across a website called Wize. This consumer research and product review site provides a wealth of knowledge on just about any type of product you could ever want or need. Wize.com provided me with 132 toaster oven reviews.

You can narrow your search by clicking on various parameters such as price range or manufacturer. The first thing I did was check to see if Toastmaster still offered the model that died. Unfortunately, they do not, but they do have a toaster oven nearly identical. The Toastmaster TOV200 offers convection cooking, which is a feature I have oftentimes said I wish the old unit offered.

The reviews weren't all that favorable on the Toastmaster brand, so I decided to see what other options were available. Being cheap, I started out by looking at toaster ovens in the "Less Than $40" category. This yielded 19 results, but none had a very high WizeRank.

Wize.com has a rating system and each product displays a button showing how consumers rank their product. According the site, a rank of 90-100 means you can buy with confidence. 75-90 means the product might meet your needs. I was looking for a toaster oven that fell into the 90-100 category.

After reviewing the various price categories, I noticed a "New Releases" link. I clicked and there it was... the perfect toaster oven! First of all, this toaster oven is manufactured by Cuisinart. I LOVE Cuisinart products and have never had a bit of trouble with them. This stainless steel beauty can bake, broil and toast AND offers the convection oven I longed for. It has room for six slices of toast, which is perfect for my family. Now I'll be able to toast bread for our BLT's and no one will have to eat cold toast ;-)

Once I decided on my toaster oven, I was provided with three places where I could buy it online. Prices ranged from $99 through eBay to $139 through Amazon. Which do you think I chose? I clicked on the eBay link, entered my info and poof, my toaster oven will be on its way next week.

Although it cost a bit more money than I anticipated paying, I feel I got a pretty good deal. The Cuisinart cost $123.19 including shipping. If it lasts as long as the last one, the amortized cost is about $8.20 per year. That's quite a bargain, eh?

It was sad to dump my Toastmaster in the trash can. I felt as if I should have given her a proper burial considering all the years of service. So, I placed her in a trash bag and tied the handles in a bow.

Next time you need a toaster oven or want to research a variety of products, check out Wize.com. It's a really cool community where you can chat with a live representative and ask questions about the products or leave a review of your own. Overall, I give it 5-stars and will definitely use the service again.

TasteBook: How to Create Your Own Cookbook

I recently discovered a unique website, TasteBook.com, where you can create your own cookbook. I'm currently working on building my own and am having a blast. With TasteBook.com, you can add your own recipes or upload more than 20,000 recipes from Epicurious, Gourmet and Bon Appetit.

The TasteBook is a hard cover book with a spiral ring inside. I find this design to be perfect for a cookbook, because you can take the recipes out of the book. What I plan to do is remove the recipes, make a copy and then if I slop something on the recipe, I won't ruin my cookbook.

TasteBook offers a variety of pre-made cookbooks. You can open one of the pre-made cookbooks, delete any recipes you don't care for and add recipes from other TasteBook collections. Additionally, you can upload recipes from the three places mentioned above or you can add your own.

TasteBook is setup in sections including Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Entrees, Desserts, Beverages, etc. These sections are separated by tabs, making them easy to locate exactly what you're looking for. No more digging through your recipe index cards ;-)

Another cool feature of TasteBook is the ability to share recipes with friends and family. You can upload contacts from your email account and when you add new recipes to your collection, you can notify your contacts and share the recipes with them as well. The website suggests having family members contribute recipes, then publishing their own TasteBook to give as a gift.

The website is super easy to use. You begin by choosing a cover for your TasteBook. There are dozens of designs to choose from and all are tastefully presented for a highly professional look. After selecting your cover, you can upload your own recipes by using Copy and Paste. The template lets users upload a photo of the recipe and includes sections for the Title, Ingredients, Preparation Instructions and also any personal notes you might want to add.

The cost of each TasteBook is $34.95, which includes 100 recipes. If you don't order 100 recipes, you'll receive recipe credits, which can later be used to order additional recipes. When they arrive in the mail, simply add them to your TasteBook.

Once I have my TasteBook created, I'll let you know more about the process. However, for those of you eager to get started creating your personal Tastebook, go to www.TasteBook.com today. I can't wait to see how my book turns out. If you create a TasteBook, please stop back by and share your experience.

OliveNation.com ~ For Italian Food Lovers

Are you passionate about authentic Italian cooking? Then I have a resource for YOU! Olive Nation offers an abundance of authentic Italian Olive Oils, aged Balsamic Vinegars, Pastas, Sea Salts, cookbooks and gifts.

Several years ago, I worked at a 5-star Country Club, famous for their amazing desserts. We served a dainty dessert on Mother's Day that consisted of raspberries filled with balsamic vinegar and dusted with powdered sugar. Shortbread cookies, spread with fresh lemon curd were arranged along the edge of a china plate with the raspberries positioned in the middle. The flavor was out of this world and I practically begged the Chef for the recipe. He never would relinquish it.

While visiting Olive Nation, I discovered the recipe and nearly fell out of my chair with excitement! Olive Nation uses San Giacomo, a Balsamic vinegar that has been aged in barrels for 5 to 7 years. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the bottle and realized this is the exact brand we used at the Country Club.

Olive Nation offers a wide range of Balsamic Vinegars. This thick, sweet smelling vinegar is made from the unfermented juice of grapes and slowly aged in wooden barrels. True gourmet Balsamic vinegars are aged from 6 months to several years, whereas the ones sold in grocery stores are aged in stainless steel tanks for only a few months. Once you taste the authentic Balsamic Vinegars offered at Olive Nation, you'll never settle for less!

As you may already know, I am a huge fan of Olive Oil and use it in nearly all my cooking endeavors. Olive oil is made from olives. First they are milled to turn them into a paste. Next, they are put under pressure to extract their oil. Olive oils are graded based on their acidity level. Extra virgin olive oil contains an acid level of less than 1-percent and presents a rich and intense flavor. Virgin olive oil typically registers an acidic level of 1- to 3-percent.

Olive Nation offers a variety of olive oil from various regions within Italy. From the southeast region of Apulia to northwest region of Tuscany, you'll find mild, bold and fruity olive oils for every occasion.

Looking for authentic Italian pasta? You'll fall in love with the selection available at Olive Nation. From organic spaghetti, penne, eliche (corkscrew) and egg tagliatelle to corn ditalini and a corn pasta sampler, you'll be certain to find something to get your creative Italian juices flowing.

Sea salt is a necessary part of Italian cooking and Olive Nation offers a wonderful selection for all your cooking needs. Olive Nation sea salts are harvested by hand and dried under the Italian summer sun. No preservatives or chemicals are added to this gift from Nature. Once you try the real thing, you'll be hooked for life. The difference in taste is absolutely astounding!

Olive Nation has an entire section dedicated to Italian recipes. Here you'll discover authentic pasta dishes including Spaghetti with Lemon Cream and Peppers, Summer Pasta Salad and Penne Pasta with Zucchini and Pecorino Cheese. Other recipes selections include Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Fries, Roasted Shrimp with Garlic Oil, Coffee Macaroons and my all-time favorite Italian dessert, Tiramisu.

Currently, Olive Nation is offering FREE shipping on orders placed before February 11th. It's their Valentine's Day gift to you. Each product is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Gift certificates are available in amounts for $10 to $250.

Learn more about Olive Nation, shop in the online store and discover amazing authentic Italian recipes at www.OliveNation.com.

Linens-N-Things Special Warm-Up Promotions

I finally found the cordless Vacu-Seal I've been looking for since November. Believe it or not, I located it at Linens-N-Things. I had no idea they carried kitchen gadgets, gourmet food, Rachel Ray cookware, bakeware, cutlery and pretty much anything you need to outfit your kitchen.

What's even better is Linen-N-Things is having a huge sale. Current promotions include:

$10 Rebate on EuroPro 6 Quart Slow Cooker plus Bonus Little Cooker with purchase.
Details: Priced at $29.99 after rebate. Rebate by mail. Offer valid until 2/06/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

Save $30 on Cook at Home 16 Piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set.
Details: Regularly priced at $129.99. Offer valid until 2/06/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

Buy One, Get One 50% Off on sale priced Martex Deluxe Heated Mattress Pad.
Details: Now priced at $29.99-$59.99. Available in Twin, King, California King sizes. Offer valid until 1/27/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

$10 Rebate on EuroPro 6-Slice Convection Oven.
Details: Priced at $39.99 after rebate. Rebate by mail. Offer valid until 2/06/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up

Free Shipping Plus Save 50% Off Wireless Boom Chairs.
Details: Offer valid until 1/27/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

New! South Hampton 8-Piece Comforter Set, only $79.99.
Details: Set includes comforter, 2 shams, 2 Euro shams, bedskirt and 2 accent pillows. Set is available in 3 contemporary colors. Offer valid until 02/06/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

Save $40! Lexington 8-Pc Comforter Super Set.
Details: Regularly priced at $99.99. Offer valid until 2/06/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

8 Piece 450 Thread Count Cotton Sheet Set, $49.99.
Details: Available in queen - King, California King sizes. Offer valid until 2/06/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

Save 25% on Entire Stock Decorative Window Hardware.
Details: Offer valid until 2/06/08.  Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

FREE $50 Gift Card with purchase of Entire Stock Eddie Bauer Comforters.
Details: Gift card by mail. Offer valid until 2/06/08. Save on Shipping, Choose In Store Pick Up.

To begin your Linens-N-Things shopping experience click on the banner below. If you're cheap like me, you're going to love this blow-out sale!

 

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas from Black Hound New York

It's hard to believe Valentine's Day is just around the corner, isn't it? I don't know about you, but even though Valentine's Day has become exceptionally commercialized, I still love to indulge my family and friends with a shower of love-gifts.

In the past, I would spend hours making handmade chocolates, truffles, chocolate covered cherries and fudge. Unfortunately, I no longer have the time to make homemade goodies for Valentine's Day. Instead, I utilize the power of the Internet and do 99.9% of my shopping online. I have found many great deals online and wanted to share one of my favorites with you today.

Black Hound New York: Now, this place isn't cheap by any means, but it's still a good deal. When I make homemade truffles, I typically spend around $100 to make six dozen. That comes out to about $1.38 per truffle. Black Hound New York has a box of 20-25 assorted truffles for $25, making their cost between $1.00-$1.25 each. As much as I hate to admit it, Black Hound New York truffles taste better than my homemade truffles AND they are packaged in a pretty box.

 

If you want to go all out, Black Hound New York offers an amazing Chocolate Creation Basket. This completely edible chocolate basket is filled with a cornucopia of chocolate treats including bittersweet chocolate truffles infused with liqueurs, white truffles, milk chocolate truffles, chocolate almond bark and chocolate hazelnut clusters. I'm telling you, it's to die for! I bought two of these last year for Valentines gifts. One of my friends (sorry Jo!) didn't receive hers. Bet you can't guess where it went, LOL.

Black Hound New York also has this very interesting Chocolate Pyramid, which I haven't tried yet, but plan to do so in the near future. It's described on the website as, "Velvety layers of bittersweet chocolate infused with Grand Marnier, milk chocolate infused with Framboise, and white chocolate infused with Calvados buried inside a luxurious coating of cocoa dusted bittersweet Belgian chocolate." Grand Marnier is a liquer made from a blend of cognacs and distilled essence of orange. Framboise is a Belgian beer that is fermented using raspberries and Calvados is apple brandy. Sounds intoxicating doesn't it?

Black Hound New York has an entire section dedicated to Valentine's Day gifts. From cakes to cookies and chocolates to pastries, you're certain to find something that will satisfy the tastebuds of all those you shower with love-gifts. To visit Black Hound New York website, click on the banner below.

Delicious Living Magazine

I am SO excited! I recently stumbled upon Delicious Living magazine and feel like a kid in a candy shop. I was introduced to Delicious Living many moons ago while working at a popular health food store in Indianapolis. Our boss was incredibly creative and as soon as Delicious Living arrived on the counters, she would grab a copy so her chefs could get to work on creating something new.

When we moved to Colorado, the nearest health food store was 20 miles one-way and I kind of lost track of the magazine. Ironically, Delicious Living is published in Boulder and at one time I was only 15 miles away from their office. If only I knew then what I know now.

Anyway, to this day, I still have Delicious Living recipes glued on index cards which I use in our family's monthly meal planning. What I love most about the recipes offered in the magazine is they always taste so good that even my picky "meat-and-potato" husband enjoys them.

So, imagine my surprise when I discovered the Delicious Living website! I can subscribe to the magazine once again AND I have access to their vast database of recipes 24/7. Life can't get any better!

For those of you who love cooking contests, check out the Delicious Living Recipe Contest. I'm going to get to work tweeking one of my appetizer recipes and get it submitted. The first prize winner walks away with a $150 gift certificate to the health food store of their choice, while one runner-up in each category is rewarded with a $75 gift certificate. I'd be pleased to win, how about you?

Delicious Living is a fabulous website and I think you will be pleased with the content, recipes, health notes, podcasts and more. Check them out online at www.DeliciousLivingMag.com.

470 Crockpot Recipes

Since we've been sharing Crockpot recipes this past week, I wanted to let you know about a place where you can get all the Crockpot recipes you could ever want. Over at Crock Recipe Pot, you'll find a phenomenal bargain -- 470 Crockpot recipes in digital format for less than $20. You can download them instantly and start cooking today!

470 Crockpot Recipes provides a solution for those who have a hectic lifestyle. And, who doesn't these days? All you have to do is prep your ingredients the night before. The next morning, get up 10 minutes early and pop everything into your Crockpot. When you come home from work, your house will smell divine and dinner will be ready. Now, that's almost as good as having a private chef isn't it?

Crockpots can be used to cook soups, stews, casseroles, meats, poultry, fish, seafood and even desserts. With 470 Crockpot Recipes you'll never be bored with the same ole' weekly meal routine. You could try something new for more than a year and never eat the same thing twice.

But wait, that's not all... (sorry, I couldn't resist!)

The founder of Crock Recipe Pot is a generous soul. When you order 470 Crockpot Recipes ebook, you'll also receive numerous bonus cookbooks including: Chicken Recipes, Fish Recipes, Chocolate Recipes, Desserts, Soups, Stews and much more. In fact, you'll receive a collection of ebook cookbooks which provide more than 8000 recipes. Now that's what I call a great deal!

If you love Crockpot cooking, you'll want to invest in this amazing collection of Crockpot Recipes. Just click on this link to order your copy of 470 Crockpot Recipes TODAY!

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe

There's nothing better than banana bread with chocolate chips on a cold winter morning. This easy-to-prepare recipe is the perfect choice for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday brunch or any holiday celebration. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread makes a fantastic gift for teachers, mail carriers, neighbors, co-workers, family and friends. Simply wrap individual loaves in colored plastic wrap, tie with ribbon, stick on a festive bow and voila!, you'll have a gift everyone will enjoy!

Banana Bread with Chocolate chips pairs well with a cold glass of chocolate milk or a cup of steamy Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa . For an exotic flavor, try SBS Teas Chocolate Flame Chai or Winter Frost coffee, a delicious hazelnut coffee rolled in white cocoa powder. Now is the perfect time to indulge in Winter Frost coffee, as SBS is offering a 10% discount during the month of December.

To obtain more servings and offer guests "finger food", slice the banana bread in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 1-inch slices. Serve plain, top with ice cream or whipped cream, or slather on a layer of peanut butter and put two slices together to create a decadent chocolate chip peanut butter banana sandwich. Yum-O!

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
Yields: 2 loaves
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 45 to 50 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups unbleached all-purpose Flour
1 cup granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 cup ripe Bananas, mashed (about 3 small or 2 medium)
1/2 cup shortening or solid Coconut oil (Coconut oil will add a rich coconut flavor)
2 Eggs
1 cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Pecans or Walnuts, chopped

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grease bottom only of two 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2-inch loaf pans.
• In large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and nuts.
• Blend ingredients well using a hand-held electric mixer set on medium speed.
• Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
• Pour into prepared loaf pans.
• Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans and transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

Fudge Pound Cake Recipe

The following Fudge Pound Cake recipe is one of my all-time favorites. But, before I share the recipe I'd like to share a story with you. Last week I made numerous baked goods for the company my husband works for. They were exhibiting their product at a trade show and provided holiday treats for everyone who visited their booth. It was especially important for the baked goods to leave a lasting impression.

Since the fudge pound cake is so scrumptious, I decided to quadruple the recipe. For some reason, I ended up with considerably more batter than I needed. I made the mistake of adding a little extra to each loaf pan. To make matters worse, I also forgot to turn on the kitchen timer. When I opened the oven door, I was aghast to see this...

At first glance I thought all was lost. After all, it's a little "crispy" on top and certainly isn't very appealing. The extra batter I added caused the pound cake to overflow, which turned out to be good for me. As I surveyed the damage, I noticed most of the outer edges could be trimmed off. First, I trimmed the edges while the pound cake was still in the pan.

Next, I flipped the cake out of the pan and trimmed up all the edges. It's looking much better, wouldn't you agree?

After trimming the pound cake, I then sliced it in half

Then, I sliced each half into 1-inch thick slices, which make for perfect finger food!

When making pound cake or other baked goods, keep in mind that just because the top is burnt doesn't mean the entire cake is a loss. Once the burnt pieces were trimmed away, this fudge pound cake was baked to perfection. Slicing it into smaller pieces is a great way to serve at any function or holiday gathering.

Below is the recipe for this decadent Fudge Pound Cake. I recommend making one batch at a time to avoid the problems I encountered ;-)

FUDGE POUND CAKE

Yield: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Butter, softened
1-3/4 cups granulated Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
3 Eggs
1-3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose Flour
2/3 cup Cocoa powder
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 cup Sour Cream (substitute with Light or Low-fat, if desired)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda.
• Blend one-third of flour mixture into butter mixture; then 1/3 cup Sour Cream. Alternate until ingredients are incorporated.
• Pour batter into a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.
• Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Support Our Troops Holiday Care Package Update

As promised, here is an update on the Support Our Troops Holiday Care Package Campaign. In less than 24 hours, we've already received $40 in contributions. A HUGE thank you to:

Tracy Bonczyk of www.MiniMeditations.com
Belinda Bigginger from Denver, CO

I spoke to Jacob briefly last night, thank God for instant messaging! He was extremely sad and distraught because two more troops were killed during a recent mission. This news breaks my heart and makes it even more important to accomplish this goal.

Last, but not least, I discovered the final mailing date for holiday packages to Afghanistan is actually December 10th. Parcel post package deadlines are today, while first class gives us a little more time to get this campaign organized.

If you can't afford $20, consider giving $10, $5 or even $1. Every donation helps us get closer to our goal. Simply click on the donation button below and enter the amount you can afford. Thank you so much for helping. May it come back to you ten-fold!

Support Our Troops Holiday Care Package Campaign

This post is rather long, but please bear with me. I'm looking for 30 people who would like to help me do something special for our troops. The young man in the photo is Jacob. He is a friend of my daughter.

Jacob was on leave in September and spent a few days with us. We took him to Sea World, showed him around town, fixed him a home cooked meal and played euchre until the wee hours of the morning. Jacob is the King of Euchre and won every time.

During his visit, Jacob didn't discuss the war much. He's a medic on the front lines in Afghanistan and sees more horror in one day than any human being should have to witness in a lifetime. His brigrade engages in missions which require them to hike 1.8 miles up dangerous mountain terrain, carrying up to 150 pounds of gear, in search of the ever-elusive Osama Bin Laden.

The one thing Jacob did discuss during his visit was how much the troops appreciate receiving care packages. They like things like Ramen noodles, pop tarts, Little Debbie snack cakes, tuna, mayo and relish, hot cocoa mixes, marshmallows, candy, chips, salsa, microwaveable meals, hot sauces, seasonings, crushed red pepper and most importantly -- socks.

Each year, I bake a ton of goodies for the company my husband works for. I promised Jacob I would bake his entire troop goodies and send them a holiday package. I've been trying to figure out how to send fresh baked goods to Afghanistan, as it can take a week or longer before they arrive. Then it dawned on me -- use a food sealer.

The wheels in my brain started turning and I thought, why not ask a few other people to chip in and we could put together one gigantic care package for these brave men and women. Wouldn't that be a wonderful surprise and boost to their spirit?

Now, you might be thinking this is a scam and honestly, I don't blame you. Seems like a lot of people are always out to put the screws to kind-hearted people; particularly this time of year. But, I assure you I am not one of those people. I have been involved in private fundraising my entire life. The last campaign I organized involved donating backpacks filled with toys, coloring books, crayons, stuffed animals, etc to children undergoing cancer treatment at Seattle Children's Hospital. I had the honor of flying to Seattle and presenting the gifts on behalf of a 12-year old girl named Sarah, who unfortunately lost her battle two days before I arrived. You can read more about "Sarah's Gift" here.

Here's my plan...

Jacob's brigrade consists of 40 troops. With the $600 in donated funds, I will put together 40 Care Packages which will include the food items mentioned above, along with a pair or two of socks. At my own expense, I will include dozens of freshed baked goods - vacuum sealed of course ;-)

When you make a donation, I will provide you with an accounting sheet to verify your donation was spent as I said it would be. I'll be posting updates and photos on the blog and in the newsletter. If you would like to include a note or letter with your donation, you can send it to me in Word or OpenOffice and I will print it out and include it in the package. I plan to include 40 Thank You cards, so regardless of whether you donate or not, if you'd like to send a thank you letter to the troops contact me via email.

Here's the catch...

Jacob informed me the deadline for guaranteed holiday shipping to Afghanistan is Nov. 14th. Obviously, we aren't going to make that deadline, but we can be close. There is a sense of urgency, simply because I want to make sure our troops receive their care packages in time. If you want to help out, please do so now. I believe we can make this happen and I thank you in advance for helping me show our troops how much we care and support them.

To make your donation, click on the button below. If you are unable to contribute $20, but would still like to donate, click on the Donate button and enter the amount of your donation. It's simple, easy and fast. Please spread the word to anyone you feel would be interested in helping with this campaign.

Thank You and May Many Blessings Come Your Way!

P.S. The name on the Paypal account is Kathy Browning - that's me, The Cheap Gourmet. I have been a verified Paypal merchant account holder since 2003.

Let Us Not Forget - RIP Brave Soldiers

 

Simplify Your Life with Menu Planning Central

I recently discovered a wonderful place that is perfect for families on the go. It's called Menu Planning Central and they offer a unique service I believe you will appreciate. The founder, Christine Steendahl, has devised a system that delivers a menu plan, recipes and a categorized shopping list.

Menu Planning Central offers three menu categories including: Family Friendly Menu, Healthy Menu and Vegetarian Menu. As a member, you receive 4 weekly menus from each category complete with recipes and shopping list. Talk about simplifying your life!

As if that weren't enough, Menu Planning Central also offers a really cool "My Menu Maker" software program that allows you to create custom menus. You can use the recipes from the weekly menus provided by Menu Planning Central or enter your own.

Now, you might be thinking this service is expensive, but it's not. After all, you're talking to The Cheap Gourmet here. I wouldn't recommend an expensive product, now would I? Believe it or not, you can subscribe to Menu Planning Central for less than the cost of a fast-food meal for a family of four.

Using Menu Planning Central can save you a boatload of money in food expense; particularly if your family frequently eats out. And, you'll benefit from having family meals that everyone enjoys.

Last, but not least, Menu Planning Central is currently offering some really nice and beneficial bonus gifts when you subscribe to their monthly service. You'll receive Kid Approved Meals, which consists of 13 weeks of kid-approved breakfast and lunch recipes - with shopping lists, of course! Then, there's the Smart Mom Library, a collection of nine ebooks that help you be healthier, save time and money. Plus, you receive a free 30-day membership in the Menu Planning Club.

Organization is the key to cooking success. Menu Planning Central is a tool that can simplify your life, free up your time, save you some money, and help you prepare meals that your entire family can enjoy together. What could be better than that?

Click the banner below to learn more about Menu Planning Central and CLAIM YOUR FREE Menu Planning Basics Report. 

Banana Spice Loaf Cake

Personally, I love loaf cakes more than just about any type of dessert. They are easy to prepare and can be served with nearly any meal. Loaf cakes make a terrific snack or stand-alone dessert. They can be topped with ice cream, whipped cream, berries or fruit toppings. You can add fruits, veggies, nuts, flavored syrups and liqueurs. In essence, loaf cakes are probably the most versatile dessert on the planet.

The following Banana Spice Loaf Cake was developed by me when I worked at a famous Country Club. We would cut it into thin slices, slather one slice with a delicious cream cheese spread and place another slice on top. Then, we would cut the loaf cake "sandwich" diagonally to create four triangles. This technique makes the perfect appetizer or bite-size snack.

Banana Spice Loaf Cake

Yields: 3 loaves
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Ingredients:

6 very ripe Bananas
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Applesauce
1/2 cup Butter, unsalted
2 cups Sugar
4 Eggs
3 cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground Cloves
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1-1/2 cups Golden Raisins, Raisins or Currants
1-1/2 cups Pecans, Walnuts, Almonds or Hazelnuts, chopped

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lightly grease 3 loaf pans with butter.
• In a medium bowl, mash bananas with a fork, then add olive oil and applesauce. There is no need to mix ingredients. Set aside while making cake batter.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar using electric mixer set on medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in banana mixture and mix well.
• Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add to banana mixture.
• Stir in raisins and nuts and mix thoroughly.
• Pour mixture into loaf pans and place in oven.
• Loaf cake is finished when a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
• Cool on baking rack for 15-20 minutes.

You can leave the loaves in the pans, or remove them and transfer them to a serving plate. Run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen cake. To freeze, double wrap cakes in plastic wrap, then wrap in aluminum foil. Cakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. To retain freshness, always cover cake in plastic wrap, waxed paper or store in airtight container.

Banana Spice Loaf Cake makes a great holiday gift. Wrap in colored plastic wrap and tie with festive colored ribbons. Write the recipe on an index card and insert inside the recipient's holiday card. They'll love you for it!

Sweet Cream Cheese Spread

Yield: 1 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) package Cream Cheese, room temperature
3 Tablespoons Confectioner's Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Directions:

• In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together.
• Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat ingredients until well-incorporated and creamy.
• Cover and store in refrigerator until needed.

If you're using this spread on loaf cakes, let it warm up a bit before trying to spread it. Otherwise, the bread slices will crumble. Leftover cream filled loaf bread sandwiches need to be refrigerated.

Cheap Kitchen Gadgets and Gourmet Food

I just found the most fabulous place to shop for gourmet food, kitchen gadgets and all kinds of "As Seen on TV" merchandise. The company is called The Home Marketplace and they offer everything from soup to nuts.

If you're hosting holiday parties, check out The Home Marketplace. You'll find all kinds of entertainment goodies! They have party decorations, tabletop accessories, dinnerware, drinkware, stemware, serveware and any other kind of 'ware' you can think of. Best of all the prices are affordable and some are downright cheap!

I found a drink mixer that I've been looking for what seems like a lifetime. This thing is so retro, I love it! I purchased the entire set consisting of the drink mixer, 2 glasses and these awesome stainless steel holders. I must be digressing back to my childhood because this comes straight out of the 50s. Check it out...

Is that cool or what? I also bought a pretzel maker. My favorite part of going to the mall is to get a fresh, hot pretzel. Yum! Now I can make them at home and won't have to pay ridiculous prices for one. I cannot wait to try this out. I bought the pretzel mix too. You just add water and voila ~ instant dough.

If all goes well, look for gourmet pretzel recipes in the near future. If you have a pretzel recipe to share, please post it here. I'm eager to experiment!

With two recent frozen hamburger patties recalls, I thought it would be a good idea to invest in a burger press and make my own.  You could use the burger press to make chicken, turkey, beef, veggie or nut burgers. When you order the burger press, you have an option to purchase a package of 350 pre-cut wax papers for $7.99. While it is time saving, if you're cheap like me, buy a roll of wax paper and cut the squares your self.

Have you ever been to one of those specialty ice cream stores where you can add your choice of ingredients? While I'm not a big fan of adding stuff to my ice cream, I do like the consistency of the ice cream after they mix it on the marble slab. So, when I saw this Smashing Ice Cream set, I just had to buy it ;-)

That's about it for my shopping spree, but I'll be going back for more soon. Each year I prepare baked goods for my husband's company. This year I'm kicking it up a notch and using some of the unique baking molds and specialty foods at The Home Marketplace. I think the recipients will be pleasantly surprised.

If you want unique stuff at reasonable prices, stop by The Home Marketplace. And, be sure to check out the Clearance section for savings of up to 80%! Click on the banner below to start saving now! For a limited time you can get free shipping on your entire order. I love a great deal, don't you?

Teas for a Cause - Fighting Breast Cancer One Sip at a Time

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and The Cheap Gourmet has partnered with SBS Teas to help support the cause. Throughout the month of October, SBS Teas will be donating 10% of all "Teas for a Cause" sales to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

SBS Teas is a small woman-owned business located in Raleigh, NC. This eco-friendly business sells organic products, uses recycled packaging and doesn't engage in animal testing. The product line includes tea, coffee, gourmet cocoa, instant chai, mouth-watering, wipe-the-drool-off-your-face desserts and a wide variety of coffee and tea accessories.

One of my favorite Teas for a Cause blend is "Remembering Betty." My mother-in-law, Betty, lost her battle to breast cancer in November 1999. Whenever I sip this tea, I toast my cup in the air and send my love to the heavens. Remembering Betty is a special blend of green tea and rosebuds. It is symbolic of the loving, caring, friendship and tenderness in the fight against breast cancer.

"Hope for Tomorrow" is another SBS Teas specialty. A lovely combination of green tea, ginger and orange pieces, Hope for Tomorrow offers a refreshing flavor and a calming affect. This tea blend goes well with shortbread cookies, lady fingers, watercress sandwiches and other light foods.

"Sisters Secrets" is a robust and invigorating blend of Wulong tea and raspberries. Also known as Oolong tea, Wulong possesses qualities of both black and green teas. It presents the aroma of black tea and the freshness of green tea. Sisters Secret is the perfect blend for sisters, mothers, daughters and best friends.

"Tickled Pink" is a delicate green tea layered with rose petals. If you're like me, you might be thinking rose petals?? I was hesitant to try this blend, thinking it would be too floral tasting. I was pleasantly surprised at the delicate, yet refreshing flavor. Tickled Pink is the perfect blend for afternoon gatherings with friends or sharing an evening dessert.

If you enjoy high-quality teas, do yourself a favor and check out SBS Teas. Not only will you receive deliciously delightful gourmet teas, you'll also be helping a good cause. To learn more about SBS Teas and "Teas for a Cause" click on the banner below.

EXTRA! EXTRA! HERE'S A BONUS!

Today, I'd like to offer you a free bonus - "Think Outside the Cup ~ Cooking with Tea". This free PDF report includes tips for cooking with tea and several mouth-watering, easy-to-prepare recipes. It's my way of saying "Thanks! for stopping by!"

Download "Think Outside the Cup ~ Cooking with Tea"

Please note Adobe Reader is required to view this document. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed on your computer you can download it for free at www.Adobe.com.