The Cheap Gourmet

Announcing the Goya Foods Birthday Bash

The Cheap Gourmet was recently contacted by Goya Foods with a request to let you know about their exciting Birthday Bash. The company is celebrating their 75th birthday and want to invite you to join the party!

The Goya Birthday Bash consists of a mega cash prize of a whopping $75,000. This promotion can be played four ways. There's an online game, an on-pack game, mail-in sweepstakes, and Goya's Greatest Fan video/photo/essay contest. Participants have 10 different opportunities to potentially win $75,000.

In addition to the Goya Birthday Bash promotion, participants can receive  the 75th Anniversary Series GOYA Recipe Booklets featuring cuisine from Mexico, Caribbean, South America, Central America, Spain, and Latin Fusion. These cookbooks can be yours at no cost by mailing in 75 UPC codes from Goya products. All participants will be entered into a drawing to receive 1 of 75 digital cameras.

I was introduced to Goya Foods years ago while working at a health food store. We used their beans, rice, and condiments in nearly all of our recipes. My personal all-time favorite is Adobo Seasoning. I use it on pretty much everything, but it is particularly tasty on chicken. It adds a hint of color and a delightful seasoning that eliminates the need for salt.

Goya carries over 1,500 products from every region of Latin America and Spain. Some of the more popular include: beans, seasoned rice mixes, green olives, olive oil, nectars and juices, tomato-based products, spices, hot sauces, and salsas.

The Goya website offers a wide range of delicious recipes including: Starters and Salads, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Desserts, Drinks, Quick Meals, Affordable Meals, New Classics, and Latin Fusion. Visitors can setup their own recipe box which allows them to personalize each recipe, add notes, and create customized meal plans.

Visitors can subscribe to the Goya Foods mailing list to receive regular newsletters consisting of cooking tips, brand new recipes,  special promotions, and money-saving coupons.

I have been enjoying playing the Goya Birthday Bash online game. All that is required is to put in your birthdate, hit the pinata until Goya products fall to the ground, and click on a product to reveal a number. Collect all numbers in your birthday and you could win $75,000.

I hope you will take a few minutes to check out the Goya Birthday Bash and Goya product line. These are great products that will infuse your meals with flavor and pizzazz!

 

Disclosure: The Cheap Gourmet received the Special Edition, 75th Anniversary Series Goya® Recipe Booklets as a thank you for sharing the word about their products.

Introducing Shari's Berries Chocolate Covered Gifts (Money Saving Coupon Code for The Cheap Gourmet Readers!)

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Shari's Berries and provide you with a money saving coupon code exclusively offered to The Cheap Gourmet readers. Shari's Berries is part of the ProFlowers group that offers an exquisite line of unique gifts, along with topnotch customer service and fast home delivery.

Shari's Berries product line includes hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries, caramel apples, and cherries, along with cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, and brownie pops.

Shari's Berries is the perfect place to purchase chocolate gifts for all occasions. They offer baby gifts, romantic gifts, birthday gifts, anniversary, thank you, get well, sympathy, business, wedding, and holiday gifts.

Shari's Berries Thanksgiving Gifts

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you can fulfill your gift giving needs with a variety of Thanksgiving gifts. Shari's Berries offers hand-dipped autumn berries, swizzled berries, fancy berries, brownie pops, cheesecake trio with hand-dipped fancy berries, autumn chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, Mrs. Fields autumn bites gift basket, hand-dipped football berries, red velvet cupcakes, Tiramisu Classico cake, cognac pumpkin cheesecake, gourmet chocolates, and much more.

According to Shari's Berries website, "The Pilgrims and Indians actually had berries at the very first Thanksgiving Dinner. Giving gifts of food at Thanksgiving has been a treasured tradition since that time. Thanksgiving has always been about sharing food and spending time with family and loved ones, and being grateful for the friends and family that we have."

As we head into the holidays, Shari's Berries makes it easy to express your gratitude and love. They offer the highest quality chocolate and freshest berries money can buy. Impress your family and friends with decadent gifts they are certain to love. And save money in the process.

Shari's Berries has graciously offered The Cheap Gourmet readers the opportunity to save 20-percent off all orders over $29, not including shipping and handling. To take advantage of this generous offer visit www.Berries.com and enter the Promo Code of "DAKQ" upon check-out.

Shari's Berries sister site, Cherry Moon Farms offers a bountiful selection of fruit baskets, snack baskets, fruitful birthday gifts, organic fruit baskets, gourmet popcorn, hand-decorated cookies, and a gorgeous array of Thanksgiving gifts.

Both Shari's Berries and Cherry Moon Farms provide exquisite and unique gifts that are certain to tantalize the taste buds of everyone on your gift list. Both allow you to shop from the comfort of home and relax knowing that whatever product you order is of the highest quality and carefully shipped to arrive in perfect condition. 

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and greatly appreciate you taking time to visit The Cheap Gourmet blog. Take a moment to subscribe to our mailing list by entering your email address in the "Get the Scoop" subscription box on the right sidebar. We do not rent, sell, share, or trade your information and only contact you to provide additional money saving offers and easy-to-prepare recipes.

 

 

NutsOnline.com ~ Great Deals on Nuts, Spices, Snacks and Sweets

I discovered NutsOnline.com last year when looking for a place to buy 25 pounds of shelled peanuts. The peanuts were a gift for a friend's 60th birthday bash and Nuts Online offered the best price. The nuts arrived within a day or two and were some of the freshest I've ever tasted. Sadly, I forgot about the company until a few weeks ago when I needed to hunt down Turkish figs for a new recipe.

I'm very glad I rediscovered NutsOnline.com because they have some amazing deals. This resource is too good not to share! We go through mountains of black peppercorns at our house. I don't know if you've checked the price of fresh black pepper lately, but it has gone through the roof. I was able to purchase 1 pound of whole peppercorns for a mere $5.99. I also ordered 1 pound of dry roasted almonds and Turkish figs and NutsOnline sent a sample of dried apricots. I love freebies, don't you? By the way, the apricots were really good!

You can purchase just about anything you need from NutsOnline.com. Their online catalog includes a dizzying array of nuts, dried fruit, chocolate and sweets, snacks, coffees and teas, cooking and baking supplies, and plenty of organic choices. Most products can be purchased in bulk at wholesale prices.

In addition to offering fresh products at discounted prices, Nuts Online ships your order lightning fast. I placed my order late afternoon and had it in my hands 2 days later. Customer service is great too. You can actually speak with a real person! And, they send a follow-up email to make certain your order arrived in perfect condition. It's rare to find a company with humans manning customer service and is a refreshing change.

I liked the NutsOnline.com product line so much that The Cheap Gourmet has become a product affiliate. They have become my number one source for all my cooking and snacking needs. Discover what NutsOnline has to offer by clicking on the banner below.

Omaha Steaks Spring Clearance Sale

Attention Steak Lovers! Check out Omaha Steaks Spring Clearance Sale and save up to 68-percent! If the economy has forced you to cut back on meat intake, you will appreciate the savings offered through Omaha Steaks. In addition to saving money off your grocery bill, you will receive high-quality cuts of meat that will tantalize your tastebuds and satisfy your meat craving.

Specials offered through Omaha Steaks spring clearance sale include the American Collection, the Entertainer, and All Time Favorites.

Omaha Steaks American Collection includes:

4 (5 oz.) Top Sirloins
4 (4 oz.) Boneless Pork Chops
4 (4 oz. approx.) Boneless Chicken Breasts
2 (4.5 oz.) Stuffed Sole with Scallops and Crab
4 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers
8 (3 oz.) Gourmet Franks
8 Potatoes au Gratin

Regular cost of the American Collection is $180.00. Sale price is $64.99 for a whopping savings of $115.01!

Omaha Steaks The Entertainer Collection includes:

4 (5 oz.) Bacon-Wrapped Fillets
4 (5.75 oz.) Stuffed Baked Potatoes - filled with generous portions of whipped potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon bits and chives.

Regular cost of The Entertainer is $78.00. Sale price is $39.99 for a savings of $38.01.

Omaha Steaks All Time Favorites Collection includes:

2 (5 oz.) Filet Mignons
2 (9 oz.) Boneless Strips
2 (6 oz.) Top Sirloins
2 (1 lb. pkgs.) Sirloin Tips
6 (4 oz.) Gourmet Burgers
4 (5.75 oz.) Stuffed Baked Potatoes
1 (4 in.) Carnegie Cheesecake

Regular cost of All Time Favorites is $204.00. Sale price is $89.99 for a savings of $114.01.

Nearly every Omaha Steak product is on sale. All products are backed by Omaha Steaks Unconditional Guarantee. If you aren't happy with your order, Omaha will gladly replace your purchase or refund your money. You have nothing to lose and money to save! Click on the banner below to begin your shopping journey.

Omaha Steaks Overstock Sale!

Disclosure Policy

Hard to Find Spices Available through The Cheap Gourmet

I recently discovered a plethora of hard to find spices and wanted to share my resource with you. Located in North Branford, CT, Cooking Enthusiast is a gourmet cook's dream come true. In addition to offering hard to find spices, this company also offers an abundant selection of cookware, cutlery, cook's tool, hand-painted pottery, gourmet coffee and tea, cookbooks and a host of BBQ gear.

Unique and hard to find spice offerings include:

Windward Island Seasoning - an exotic island spice which complements seafood and chicken. This is a fabulous seasoning blend for crab legs, boiled shrimp and lobster tails and tastes fabulous on boiled red potatoes. 

New Orleans Seasoning Blend - a combination of spices, garlic and onion with a hint of natural essential oils. A great seasoning blend for Rock Shrimp Stuffed with Asiago Cheese and Jalapenos.

Chipotle Espresso Rub - This must-have spice is phenomenal on grilled foods and adds an intense flavor of smoky chipotle and rich, robust coffee with a hint of garlic, spices and lime oil.

Red Bell Pepper Seasoning - A sweet seasoning perfect for soups, homemade salad dressings, pasta dishes, chip and vegetable dips, and scrambled eggs. 

If you love to spice up your food, you owe it to yourself to pay a visit to Cooking Enthusiast. Be certain to check out the Clearance section to obtain big savings on close-out items! Start your culinary journey by clicking on the banner below.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The Cheap Gourmet is a Cooking Enthusiast affiliate and earns a small commission on referral sales through this website. Thank you for shopping with our carefully selected merchants. Your purchases allow us to continue offering recipes, newsletters and contests at no charge.

It's Not Too Late to Order Valentine's Day Gifts

If you haven't bought your sweetie a Valentine's Day gift yet, don't worry! The Cheap Gourmet has you covered! One of my personal favorite places to order gifts when I'm short on time is Flower Delivery. Not only do they offer the traditional bouquet of roses, but Flower Delivery also has a fabulous assortment of gourmet food baskets, chocolate gifts, teddy bears, cookie baskets, wine gifts, live plants and gorgeous orchids.

At Flower Delivery, you can order Valentine's Day gifts for you mom, dad, husband, wife, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandma, grandpa, neighbor, co-workers and friends. Flower Delivery has something for everyone at affordable prices.

Many of the Valentine's Day gifts can be delivered the same day you place your order. But, you can't procrastinate much longer considering Valentine's Day is Sunday. I highly recommend you get online now and order your Valentine's Day gifts today.

SAVE $10 - Use Coupon ID 'fd' on items $50 and over

One of my personal favorite gift baskets is the 'Francis Ford Coppola Loves Food and Wine Basket'. My husband proposed to me in Napa Valley after a day of winery tours. The Francis Ford Coppola Winery was one of our favorite places and it holds a special place in my heart.

The Francis Ford Coppola Loves Food and Wine Basket includes "Mammarella", a line of organic pastas and sauces honoring Coppola's mother, Italia Pennino Coppola, two bottles of Coppola wines and a Mammarella kitchen towel.

Another favorite is the 'Say it with Chocolate' Gift Basket which is filled to the brim with a variety of Ghiradelli chocolates, chocolate-covered sandwich cookies, chocolate-covered espresso beans, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-covered graham dunk, and chocolate wafer rolls.

Regardless of your Valentine's Day gift needs, Flower Delivery offers something for everyone. Express your love with flowers, chocolates, gourmet food baskets, plants, balloons or teddy bears by ordering your gifts through Flower Delivery. But, hurry! Time is running out!

SAVE $10 - Use Coupon ID 'fd' on items $50 and over

Disclosure Policy: Thank you for shopping with our affiliates. The Cheap Gourmet earns commissions when visitors purchase from our carefully selected merchants. Affiliate earnings help offset business expenses and allow us to continue providing free recipes, giveaways, product deals and other fun stuff!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Copyright © The Cheap Gourmet and Kathy Browning 2010. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright and intellectual property rights. Reproducing or electronically submitting this article without written permission from the author is prohibited by law. Govern yourself accordingly. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Bloggers, webmasters and social networkers are permitted to reblog by clicking on the button below. Attribution and a backlink to The Cheap Gourmet are required.

10 Things I Love About Real Simple Magazine

This month's giveaway is a one-year subscription to Real Simple magazine. Real Simple is one of my favorite publications because it truly does simplify my life. In the spirit of December countdown, I would like to share 10 Things I Love About Real Simple magazine:

10: Home and Organizing: New Uses for Old Things ~ Got rubber bands? Real Simple shows you how to use them to decorate Easter Eggs, open jars, bring order to your dishwasher or wrap a gift.  Have an old Twister game mat lying around? Use it as a tablecloth for a children's party (although grown-ups like it too!). Tired of searching for hair barrettes, scrunchies and ponytail ties? Use a… (click here for the answer).

9. Green Living: This section of Real Simple shows you how to recycle and reuse anything. Did you know you can use plastic grocery bags as knee pads, hand protectors, paint brush preservers, and rain hats? Discover more recycling tips and start the New Year off by being green!

8. How to Pack a Suitcase: Planning to travel during the holiday season? If so, you don't want to miss this great video on packing your suitcase. Learn the secrets of packing light and avoid expensive luggage fees!

7. Beauty and Fashion: Ever wonder what ingredients are in your skincare products? Real Simple provides a comprehensive list to help you determine what to look for and what to avoid.

6. Health and Nutrition: Ready to shed those extra pounds? Real Simple provides 20 Little Ways to Drop Pounds, which includes smart tips for taking off and keeping off unwanted baggage.

5. Mind and Mood: Do you worry too much? Are you stressed out? Need more energy? Too wound up? Real Simple provides simple techniques to stay calm, become energized and stop worrying, along with 29 low-cost, make-you-smile ideas.

4. Money: If you're like most people, you're looking for ways to slash expenses. Real Simple shows you How to Save $5,000 in 2010 without cutting back on essentials.

3. Holidays and Entertaining: Need help planning a party? Real Simple has you covered. From weddings to birthdays and baking to buying gifts, you'll find everything you need to make every occasion special.

2. Food and Recipes: Looking for decorative tabletop ideas? Real Simple provides a gallery of 26 Beautiful Table Settings guaranteed to make your guests feel special and turn you into a decorating goddess.

1. Food and Recipes – It only makes sense that my favorite section is Recipes! This year I plan to focus more on healthy foods that provide fewer calories but offer a burst of flavor. Have you ever noticed that a lot of healthy foods taste like cardboard? Well, no more! Real Simple offers an entire section dedicated to Healthy Meals. Start the New Year off in the right direction by including these tasty, yet healthy, recipes into your weekly meal planning.

Learn more about Real Simple magazine at www.RealSimple.com. Order a subscription for yourself and a friend. And, while you're there be certain to subscribe to Real Simple newsletters to receive Weekly Tips, Daily Finds, Daily Thought and Daily Recipes.

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.

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.

Boca Java Coffee - Exceptional Deal on Extraordinary Coffee

Today is the one week anniversary of me falling down the stairs and breaking my right foot. At first, I thought it was a nasty sprain, but as the day wore on and my foot began to swell up to the size of Texas, my husband insisted I needed medical attention. Six hours after the incident, I was sitting in the ER feeling like an idiot.

Due to my injury, I haven't done much cooking this week so I don't have any new concoctions to share with you. However, I have had plenty of time to sit in my favorite recliner and surf the Web for cheap gourmet deals. I am happy to report I found quite a few that I will be posting throughout the upcoming week.

The first deal of the week is an unbeatable offer from Boca Java Coffee. Boca Java is by far one of my favorite brews. Their corporate headquarters are located in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Since I am a Floridian, I like to support local businesses. But, I'd buy Boca Java even if they weren't located in my home state because their coffee is so darn tasty.

What I love about Boca Java is the fact they roast your coffee to order and ship it the next day. You can rest assured knowing your beans are fresh and haven't been sitting on the grocery shelf for God only knows how long. There's nothing worse than stale coffee. Yuck!

Boca Java is currently running a smokin' deal that is hard to resist. For a limited time, you can receive four (4) half-pound bags of coffee for only $9.95 and that includes shipping! That equates to a mere $4.97 per pound of premium, fresh roasted coffee delivered to your doorstep. Considering I can't drive since I broke my right foot, home delivery is the perfect solution for me :-)

Boca Java offers an extensive range of coffee choices. You can choose from light, medium or dark roasts; flavored coffees; and whole beans or ground. A few of my favorites include: Brew of Bravery, Coastal Costa Rica, Cool Breeze Colombian, Guatemalan Adventure, Palm Beach Passion and Sumatran Sunset.

If coffee isn't your thing, Boca Java offers a wonderful selection of teas, chai and cocoa. Teas are available as loose leaf or tea bags. Chai and cocoa are powdered mixes and include Wild Raspberry Chai, Spiced Chai Latte, Tahitian Vanilla Chai,  Double Dark Chocolate Cocoa, Caramel Praline Cocoa and my personal favorite, Chocolate Hazelnut Mocha - Yum!

Last, but not least, Boca Java offers a fabulous line of food products including mixes and sauces, snacks, baked goods and candy. You MUST try their Bali's Best Iced Tea Candy. Infused with real tea extract, this delectable treat is 100% natural and contains zero trans fat. Best of all, it costs less than a dime per piece. Now that's a bargain!

Take advantage of this exceptional offer on extraordinary coffee today by clicking on the banner below. You will be taken directly to Boca Java Coffee website where you can chose your selections. Let me know when your order arrives so we can enjoy a "virtual cup of Joe" together!

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

 

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.

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. 

Free Sample of Gourmet Coffee

Folgers Coffee has a new line of Gourmet Coffee available in 7 different flavors: Vanilla Biscotti, Espresso, Lively Columbian, Morning Cafe, Caramel Drizzle, Hazelnut Creme, and Chocolate Truffle.

Their website states that it takes 6 to 8 weeks to receive your free sample, but my sample arrived in the mail about 3 weeks after I requested it.

NOTE: This offer has expired, but you can subscribe to Folgers Coffee mailing list to be added for future promotional offers.

Impromptu Gourmet

Impromptu Gourmet is a division of Schwan's Home Food Service. Impromptu Gourmet isn't actually cheap, but their product line won't break the bank either. They offer a variety of time-saving gourmet dinner programs. You can order everything from gourmet pizzas to complete meal experiences that serve up to 12.

Impromptu Gourmet has a Dinner Club that serves 2 or 4 people. It includes an elegant meat entree, homemade soup, 2 gourmet side dishes, a loaf of fresh artisan bread, dessert and dinner music.

At the very least, you should check out the Dessert menu at Impromptu Gourmet. If you're like me, you'll have a hard time deciding between the Tiramisu or the Rocky Mountain Mudslide Cake. If you're adventurous, try the Shot Glass Dessert Sampler. It truly is to die for!