Gingerbread Pop-Tarts Video and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

Here is a fun little video we made for Gingerbread Pop-Tarts. Enjoy!

What is on your Christmas list this year? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer! Giveaway runs 12/13-12/25/10.

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more recipes and 9 more chances to win.

Rules:

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

For official rules, please click here.

Gingerbread Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Pie 12/13-12/25

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

This is one of my favorite desserts made even better by adding a Gingerbread Pop-Tarts crust. This is a dessert that will please everyone at your table. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Pie (Makes 2 pies)

What you will need:

(2) 8" Pie tins

8 Gingerbread Pop-Tarts

(2) 1/2 gallons of ice cream (I usually put chocolate on the bottom and a different flavor on top)

1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup whipping cream (not whipped)

To make crust:

Put Gingerbread Pop-Tarts in a food processor and process the Pop-Tarts until they are very fine crumbs. Divide equally into (2) 8" pie tins and press the crumbs firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the tin. You can leave it like that or you can bake the crusts in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. This will make the crust more cookie-like. Like pie crusts cool completely before filling with ice cream.

To fill the pies:

Spoon 1/2 the container of chocolate ice cream in each cooled pie crust. You might need to let the ice cream sit on the counter 5 minutes or so until it is soft before you scoop it into the crust. Put pies into the freezer to harden.

While pies are in the freezer make your chocolate sauce by putting your chocolate chips and whipping cream in a heavy sauce pan. Melt the chocolate until smooth and then let mixture cool to room temp.

Take pies out of the freezer and drizzle chocolate sauce over the 1st ice cream layer. Place back into the freezer to harden chocolate sauce.

When sauce is hardened, remove pies from freezer and spoon 2nd flavor of ice cream on top. I used a seasonal Gingersnap ice cream that was delicious! I like to mound the ice cream more in the center so that it is kind of "dome" like. Drizzle top with remaining chocolate sauce. Place in freezer to harden.

When hardened you can put it in a large Ziplock freezer bag to store. Your second pie can keep really well in the freezer until you need it. (if it lasts that long)

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer! Giveaway runs 12/13-12/25/10.

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more recipes and 9 more chances to win.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

For official rules, please click here.

How to Avoid Holiday Food Traps! Ends 12/28/10

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

'Tis the season of family parties, office parties and church parties. Parties with friends and lots and lots of awesome food! Here are some tips on how to go to the parties but stay in control of your eating.

Just like in everyday day life, it all comes down to planning and preparation. For example:

Before the party or event:

*Eat a small, healthy snack (like Laughing Cow Cheese) to keep from being so hungry at the party that you want to eat everything in sight.

*Drink water before the party to make you feel more full.

*Set a limit of how many appetizers you will eat and stick to it! Choose whatever you want to eat, but stick to your limit.

*You may want to consider bringing a healthy option to share with others at the party. Maybe something like this:

Fruit for Dessert Fruit Dip

1 container of fat free or light whipped topping, thawed
2 containers of fat free or light raspberry yogurt

Just mix together and serve with fresh fruit.

At the party:

*Use a small plate at the buffet. Fill up on fruits and vegetables.

*Limit alcohol. There are lots of calories in those drinks, but they can also hinder your judgment. Drink club soda or water instead.

*Don't waste your calories on "okay" tasting food. Eat smaller portions of what really satisfies you.

*Make the focus on other people and great conversation instead of just the food. Speaking as a "foodie" this is difficult for me!

I hope these tip can help you over these next few weeks that will be full of temptation! Most importantly....Have a great holiday and enjoy your friends and family!

What tip do you have to avoid overeating during the holidays? Leave a comment and you will be entered to win a $150 Visa gift card! Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.
Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Visit The Daily Tip hub to read health tips each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs” game and for 17 other chances to win a $150 Visa Gift Card.

For official rules click here.

Dr. Oetker Ristorante Quattro Formaggi Pizza

I was recently sent some samples of Dr. Oetker Ristorante Quattro Formaggi Pizza to try. I was glad to have this pizza all to myself. Lucky for me, my husband and kids don't have a taste for Blue Cheese. I, for one, love the stuff! This pizza was delicious. I love the thin, crispy crust and the cheese was delicious. The four cheeses are: Mozzerella, Edam, Emmental and Blue Cheese. The blue cheese especially was so creamy. It gave a very grown up and gourmet feel to this pizza. I look forward to trying the other varieties such as: Spinaci, Mozzarella, Pomodori, Funghi, Vegetale, Speciale and Generosa. You can find these pizzas in your grocer's freezer section.