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!

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!!

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.

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.

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!

Le Gourmet TV

Recently, I discovered Le Gourmet TV, an interactive gourmet cooking website packed with step-by-step cooking videos. What I like about Le Gourmet TV is not only can you watch how recipes are put together, you can also learn a great deal about cooking.

Le Gourmet TV also includes videos on how to choose the proper cooking equipment, how to pair wine and cheese with your meals, how to choose the proper type of beer and a "Field to Table" section which promotes Sustainable Living.

In addition, Le Gourmet TV offers a variety of channels with easy-to-understand videos. You'll find a channel for Baking, BBQ, Beer, Cheese, Coffee, Preserves, Whiskey, Wine and Tea. Other channels include the Chef Series, Cooking Gear and Roadside Menu.

Click here to visit Le Gourmet TV now or click the link below to continue reading this post.

Fingerhut Holiday Sale! Save an Extra 50% on Kitchen & Household Items

Psssssst... Fingerhut is having a HUGE Holiday Sale. For a limited time, you can save an extra 50% on already marked down Clearance Items. Many of the products are shipped directly from the manufacturer, so you won't be able to order anything from Fingerhut in time for Christmas. However, you can save a boatload of money.

The additional 50% discount is offered on all of Fingerhut's Clearance Items. This includes handy kitchen gadgets, housekeeping and organization products, apparel for the entire family, health and beauty products, home decor, indoor and outdoor furniture, and much more.

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. 

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?

Tea Trivia

For as long as I can remember my mom has consumed large quantities of tea on a daily basis. She's an avid iced tea drinker now, but when she drank hot tea she always added a splash of cream to it.

In the early 80s, I visited London as part of a group tour. The hotel we stayed at served coffee and tea in a quaint room located in the lobby. I'm not one who likes to intentionally embarrass myself, so I watched how the English prepared their tea, how they held their cup, and how they sipped.

I thought I had everything figured out until I asked if there was any cream. It was if I had just said a vulgar 4-letter word at a daycare center, because the room became silent and all eyes were upon me. Our tour guide pulled me aside and explained the following to me...

The custom of drinking tea with milk has its roots not in taste but with economics. The long journey from the Orient made tea prohibitively expensive. Milk, on the other hand, was cheap and became the condiment of choice among the lower classes. The amount of milk added became a telltale of one's social standing. The wealthy took their tea undiluted. The middle class poured the expensive tea and then diluted it with milk. The lower class filled the cup with cheap milk and then added a splash of the costly tea.

Although I had been taught to add a splash, which placed me in the middle class, I prefer to be in the wealthy class. From that day forward I have never added milk to my tea again ;-)

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.

Gourmet Italian Sausage

If you're looking for freshest homemade Italian sausage, pasta, sauces, and Italian specialties, than today is your lucky day! Landi's Pork Store is Brooklyn, NY offers their line of specialty products via their website. Landi's original rice balls were featured on "Road Tested"; one of the Food Network's programs.

Not only will you find a multitude of fine food choices, you'll also be privy to an assortment of recipes. My personal favorite is Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes.

To learn more about Landi's Pork Store, visit their website at www.BrooklynPorkStore.com.

Ten Things I Love About the Food Network

If you love cooking as much as I do, chances are good you are familiar with the Food Network. If not, be sure to visit their website at www.FoodNetwork.com. Not only do I spend way too many hours watching their incredible line-up of cooking shows, I also spend too much time at their website.

The problem is the Food Network is addictive. There is an abundance of good stuff and from the look of things, they update their website on a regular basis. There's always new stuff to learn and new recipes to try. I'm certain you'll find an abundance of things to love about the Food Network too. To help you get started, I've compiled a list of my ten favorite things...

1. Bobby Flay - The star of "Boy Meets Grill" and "Throwdown with Bobby Flay". I love both these shows, but think Boy Meets Grill must be on hiatus because it hasn't been on for awhile. Bobby is just downright cute and fun to watch. Who knows, maybe someday I'll meet him in person??
2. Everyday Italian - Giada De Laurentiis is the hostess and she is adorable. She offers easy and delicious Italian recipes. You simply must check out her recipe selection on the Food Network website. Marvelous-O!
3. Ace of Cakes - Duff Goldman is the host, but his entire team of bakers are frequently spotlighted in the show. They create the most incredible cakes on the planet. Oh, to have that kind of talent!
4. Unwrapped - Marc Summers hosts this educational and entertaining show that takes you behind-the-scenes to see how stuff is made. They recently toured "Hungry Howie's" which is a pizza delivery company that we order from all the time. Unwrapped features all kinds of crazy stuff, so be sure to watch an episode or two.
5. Challenges - These shows are competitions between chefs who are competing for a large check -- usually around $10,000. The challenges have included gingerbread houses, theme cakes, cakes made from rice cereal, and sugar sculpture competitions, to name a few. It's amazing to see what these chefs and bakers are able to create out of food.
6. Tasty Travel - This section of the Food Network website is really cool. It contains listing of restaurants in major cities around the globe. On each city page you'll find information about various restaurants, travel tips, links to hotels, recipes and more. It's quite informative!
7. Kitchen Design - Currently, we're planning a kitchen remodel and I have spent hours exploring this section of the Food Network website. You can learn everything you need to know - from choosing the best paint color to installing a sink. You can watch how-to videos, read articles, and even purchase products online. It's a beautiful thing!
8. Cooking - Everything you could possibly ever want to know about cooking can be found in this section of the Food Network website. And I do mean EVERYTHING! From cooking with your kids to holiday baking, you'll find recipes, cooking videos, cooking encyclopedia and tons more. Even if you have never boiled water, the Cooking section can quickly turn you into a gourmet cook!
9. Contests and Offers - The Food Network is always offering some kind of cool contest or sweepstakes. The grand prize always involves something related to cooking. It might be a cooking vacation, an opportunity to meet one of the network's chefs, or winning a kitchen remodel or set of professional cookware. The prizes are always great and I hope to win big one of these days!
10. The Food Network Store - Here's an easy place to melt your plastic. Everything you could possibly want can be found in the online store. You can order products offered by your favorite cooking celeb. Love Emeril's spices? You can order them online. How about Paula Deen's recipes? You can order her cookbooks directly from the website. If you're ever stuck for a gift idea, hop on over to the Food Network Store and your shopping problem will be solved.

These are my top ten. Feel free to let me know what your favorite aspect of the Food Network is. I know there are a lot of you who love the network as much as I do. I'd love to hear from you!

Gourmet Cooking Salts

Gourmet Cooking Salts

Do your friends refer to you as a "salt-aholic"? If so, you're not alone. Millions of people love the taste of salt on their food -- me included! I subscribe to the Whole Foods Market newsletter. Their recent issue featured salts of the earth. It's an interesting and informative article that helped me learn more about the various types of salt available. Click here to read "Salts of the Earth."

If you're looking for a place to purchase gourmet cooking salts, check out Faerie's Finest. You'll also find a nice selection of gourmet peppercorns, seasonings, flavored sugars and teas, cocoas, gourmet gifts and more!