Whether preparing a family dinner or a party feast, professional chefs and home cooks alike are always looking for unique and simple ways to spice up their dishes. Char Crust ® dry-rub seasonings consist of premium herb blends, spices and other natural ingredients that can be simply rubbed onto the surface of uncooked meat or fish, or sprinkled over raw vegetables then broiled, baked, grilled, pan-seared, roasted, or sautéed.

• Roasted Garlic Peppercorn features the robust flavor of roasted garlic and onions with the zing of peppercorns and a hint of Worcestershire and lavender. Its versatility has made it a best seller. It complements steaks, lamb, seafood, pork, poultry, and potatoes.

• Ginger Teriyaki is a balance of sweet teriyaki, fragrant ginger, plus a tingly touch of wasabi that lends a new dimension and creates a modern teriyaki interpretation. It complements chicken, fish, and steak.

• Amazin’ Cajun is a spicy-sweet blend of piquant cayenne pepper, onion, garlic, oregano and a mélange of other Mardi Gras flavors. It brings the sublime heat of New Orleans to catfish, chicken, shrimp, and even “dirty” rice.

• All American Barbecue takes the best flavors of American barbecue and blends them into a tangy-sweet, slightly spicy rub. It has rich molasses from Memphis, tangy tomato from Kansas City, mustard, pepper and vinegar from the Carolinas, plus a wisp of smoke from Texas.

My Thoughts

My wife hates to touch “raw meat”! For some reason she explains that it’s just gross. So…I was more than happy to step in and provide some “manly” feedback regarding the delicious dry rubs presented by Char Crust. I’m not a big oven cooker so I decided to test this product on the grill using two different types of red meat. Since I love to grill, this was a no-brainer. And …unlike my wife…I have no problem rubbing my meat with a great spice!

First…let’s talk burgers. I topped two freshly ground patties with the Ginger Teriyaki rub and two patties with the Amazin’ Cajun rub. I must admit the Cajun rub looked a little dark when I applied it to the meat, but all my fears disappeared after I grilled them to perfection and dug in. They were wonderful!

The Ginger Teriyaki was just as good. The burgers all had a slight crust that “sealed in the juice” …coupled with a ton of flavor. Two thumbs up!

Next, I opened the packages of All American Bar-b-que rub and the Garlic Peppercorn rub. I used these two flavors on a few marbled pieces of tri-tip steak.

After sizzling on the grill for approximately 40 minutes, these steaks were absolutely delicious. The All American rub was sweet and tangy at the same time. The garlic peppercorn rub had just the right balance of both flavors sealed into the steak.

I can honestly say that Char Crust Rubs are a new favorite addition to my collection of “special seasonings and rubs” that I pull out when I want to impress my dinner guests! Just in time for the summer grilling season!

Highly recommended!

“The” IE Daddy

The End Result

GIVEAWAY

One (1) Reader will One set of Char Crust Rub Seasonings

(Roasted Garlic Peppercorn, Ginger Teriyaki, Amazin’ Cajun,All American Barbecue)

This is only open to my readers that do at least two of the following:

• Friend me on Facebook

• Follow me on Twitter

• Friend me on Google Friend Connect

If you are not at least two of those…then get on over there and do it then come back and enter.

Mandatory Entries:

1. Tell me what ways you follow the IE Mommy – Needs to be at least two of the ones mentioned above –
   (1 entry PER WAY YOU FOLLOW)
   
2. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and Tweet: RT – I Want to WIN the  Char Crust Dry Rub Seasonings Giveaway @iemommy #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/05/15/char-crust-giveaway (*First tweet is Mandatory)
3. “Like” Char Crust on Facebook and leave a comment that you did.
   

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and Tweet: RT – I Want to WIN the  Char Crust Dry Rub Seasonings Giveaway @iemommy #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/05/15/char-crust-giveaway (One Entry, per tweet, per day)
2. Enter one of my other contests… or leave a comment on another post. = 1 entry per contest and/or post
3. Leave a comment about this giveaway on your Facebook wall. Leave the link in the comment section.
4. Post this giveaway on your blog or website. Leave me the link in the comment section.
   

Contest Ends – May 25th

Who doesn’t love strawberries? Ok, yes except for those that are allergic…but really aren’t strawberries one of those rare fruits that everyone adores. Think about it? Strawberry pie, shakes, candy, smoothies, cookies and the list goes on! That is just the stuff we can eat…what about perfumes, body lotions, candles, room scents. Wow!! Strawberries have to be “the” most glorious, delicious and yummy fruit around!

Maybe I’m a little biased but I have good reason to be! I have tickets to give away to the California Strawberry Festival!

“Jam-packed with strawberries and all your indulgences, the 29^th Annual California Strawberry Festival Celebration Saturday and Sunday, May 19, 20 in Oxnard is pure goodness with proceeds benefiting charities. What’s not to enjoy with non-stop concerts, Strawberryland For Kids with free rides, attractions,  and the “Jest In Time” stage with non stop puppet shows and clowns, 250+ Arts & Crafts exhibits, celebrity chef demonstrations, incredible food, and yummy delicacies like strawberry pizza, deep fried strawberries, chocolate dipped strawberries and even strawberry beer. The character Strawberry Shortcake will be strolling the grounds to pose for pictures and give out hugs. The tart toss and pie eating contests are perfect for kids and get your face in the fun that runs 10:00am to 6:30pm. On 50 acres, the Festival is among the nation’s top outdoor celebrations. Tickets start at $5, and are available with more information at http://www.strawberry-fest.org. or call 888-288-9242. Use the free park n ride shuttle to get there fast and save $10 on parking. Amtrak also offers a special “Kids Ride Free” weekend fare http://strawberry-fest.org/getting-there/amtrak/

LOCATION:

Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard.

PARKING

Oxnard is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. The free park n ride shuttle cuts down on gas and time getting to the festival http://Strawberry-fest.org/Plan/shuttle-service-strawberry-express-park-n-ride

Limited parking is available on site for $10″.

ADMISSION:

Adults: $12; seniors 62+, active military and dependents with ID card: $8; Youths (5-12): $5, Free for kids 4 and under.  Advance tickets available for purchase on line with no additional fees at http://strawberry-fest.org/Plan/buy-tickets

24 HOUR GIVEAWAY

FOUR (4) Readers will a Family four-pack of tickets to the California Strawberry Festival!

This is only open to my readers that do at least two of the following:

• Friend me on Facebook

• Follow me on Twitter

• Friend me on Google Friend Connect

If you are not at least two of those…then get on over there and do it then come back and enter.

Mandatory Entries:

1. Tell me what ways you follow the IE Mommy – Needs to be at least two of the ones mentioned above –
   (1 entry PER WAY YOU FOLLOW)
   
2. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and CaStrawFestival andTweet: RT – I Want to WIN the a Family Pack of Tickets to the @castrawfestival @iemommy #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/05/13/win-tickets-california-strawberry-festival (*First tweet is Mandatory)
3. Tell them why you are excited to go and mention this contest on the California Strawberry Festival Facebook page.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and CaStrawFestival andTweet: RT – I Want to WIN the a Family Pack of Tickets to the @castrawfestival @iemommy #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/05/13/win-tickets-california-strawberry-festival (One Entry, per tweet, per day)
2. Enter one of my other contests… or leave a comment on another post. = 1 entry per contest and/or post
3. Leave a comment about this giveaway on your Facebook wall. Leave the link in the comment section.
4. Post this giveaway on your blog or website. Leave me the link in the comment section.
   

Contest Ends – May 14th

As One Devil to Another is an astonishing debut work that C. S. Lewis’s biographer and foremost Lewis authority Walter Hooper calls “a stunning achievement, the finest example of the genre of diabolical correspondence to appear since this genre was popularized by C. S. Lewis.”

Enter into this chilling and diabolical tale, one that reveals the very tricks and strategies of Hell. Through a series of letters between devils created by Platt, senior devil Slashreap trains his young protégé, Scardagger, to win an individual soul away from Heaven and into their clutches. As the devils plot their way to triumph, they reveal the spiritual dangers and risks we face in today’s society.

Their frighteningly accurate perspective on issues such as contemporary technology and sexual mores is interwoven with timeless matters such as the power of prayer, the purpose of suffering, and the promises held out by Heaven . . . and Hell. Destined to become a modern classic, As One Devil to Another is a brilliantly written, deeply unsettling perspective on twenty-first-century society . . . a glimpse of ourselves through the eyes of those who have embraced their underworldly existence.

My Thoughts

I love C.S. Lewis. His writings, his story and his life are all very fascinating and intriguing. Many of his books have “special” places on my bookshelf.  I was excited to read One Devil to Another by Richard Platt since it was a book that “voiced” the “spirit” of C.S. Lewis styles and distinctly his book, The Screwtape Letters.

I went to a women’s retreat this past weekend and thought it was the perfect quiet time to read this book and really digest what it was all about.  What I learned was this…while One Devil to Another is a fascinating example of how quickly, easily and willingly our adversary, Satan, likes to distract, diminish and destroy our quiet time and relationship with Christ…this book was not a light read and maybe not the best choice for my retreat time.

One Devil to Another is based on fictional letters written from Slashreap to his nephew, Scardagger. As a Christian I can clearly see the truth in the letters regarding the schemes and strategies of Satan. But as a reviewer I found myself having a difficult time following the letters and had to start and restart chapters and passages over and over again.

One Devil to Another is one of those books that is worth reading and getting to the end…but it may be a little bit of a journey getting there.

Christine
The IE Mommy

GIVEAWAY

One (1) Reader will WIN a  Copy of “One Devil to Another”

This is only open to my readers that do at least two of the following:

• Friend me on Facebook

• Follow me on Twitter

• Friend me on Google Friend Connect

If you are not at least two of those…then get on over there and do it then come back and enter.

Mandatory Entries:

1. Tell me what ways you follow the IE Mommy – Needs to be at least two of the ones mentioned above –
   (1 entry PER WAY YOU FOLLOW)
   
2. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and Tweet: RT – I Want to WIN One Devil to Another by Richard Platt @iemommy #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/04/30/one-devil-to-another-by-richard-platt-review (*First tweet is Mandatory)
   

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and Tweet: RT – I Want to WIN One Devil to Another by Richard Platt @iemommy #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/04/30/one-devil-to-another-by-richard-platt-review (One Entry, per tweet, per day)
2. Enter one of my other contests… or leave a comment on another post. = 1 entry per contest and/or post
3. Leave a comment about this giveaway on your Facebook wall. Leave the link in the comment section.
4. Post this giveaway on your blog or website. Leave me the link in the comment section.
   

Contest Ends – May 11th

Building off their Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games sponsorship, the world-renowned brand of baby diapers continues its commitment to the littlest of athletes – babies.

From crawling and walking to balancing and tumbling, the efforts they go to in order to overcome everyday challenges are podium-topping in their determination. To celebrate this unique spirit of play, Pampers has partnered with two-time Olympic Games Gold medalist (Beach Volleyball) and Team USA Hopeful, Kerri Walsh, to help introduce Pampers Limited Edition “USA” diapers and wipes, which will be hitting shelves this mid-April, and a new sweepstakes just for Pampers Facebook fans.

In celebration of these great products, Pampers will launch a Facebook sweepstakes of ‘podium-topping’ proportions. Beginning April 16th through May 19th, parents can visit the “Team USA Sweeps” tab on the Pampers Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/Pampers) and register for a chance to win the grand prize trip for a family of four to attend the London 2012 Olympic Games and attend the first ever Pampers Playground event alongside Team USA Hopeful, Kerri Walsh, and her husband and sons. The recipient of the grand prize trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games will be drawn on or around May 21st. Additionally, Pampers will be randomly selecting weekly winners between now and August 12th to receive a prize pack consisting of one month’s supply of Pampers Limited Edition “USA” diapers and wipes as well as a souvenir volleyball signed by Kerri Walsh.

GIVEAWAY

One (1) Reader will WIN a Pampers Limited Edition
“USA” diapers and wipes

(Size 4 – economy box MSRP $50; approx. 140+ diapers depending on sizing)
(MSRP $3.99; approx. 72 wipes)

This is only open to my readers that do at least two of the following:

• Friend me on Facebook

• Follow me on Twitter

• Friend me on Google Friend Connect

If you are not at least two of those…then get on over there and do it then come back and enter.

Mandatory Entries:

1. Tell me what ways you follow the IE Mommy – Needs to be at least two of the ones mentioned above –
   (1 entry PER WAY YOU FOLLOW)
   
2. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and @pampers Tweet: RT  @Pampers 2 launch Facebook sweepstakes on 4-16 for chance 2 win trip 2 Games 2 London www.facebook.com/pampers @iemommy http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/04/20/pampers-2012olympics (*First tweet is Mandatory)
3. Like Old Orchard Juice on Facebook – leave this comment on their wall “I  just entered the Old Orchard Aruba Sweepstakes thanks to The IE Mommy”
4. Share on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.facebook.com/pampers

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and @pampers Tweet: RT  @Pampers 2 launch Facebook sweepstakes on 4-16 for chance 2 win trip 2 Games 2 London www.facebook.com/pampers @iemommy http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/04/20/pampers-2012olympics (One Entry, per tweet, per day)
2. Enter one of my other contests… or leave a comment on another post. = 1 entry per contest and/or post
3. Leave a comment about this giveaway on your Facebook wall. Leave the link in the comment section.
4. Post this giveaway on your blog or website. Leave me the link in the comment section.
   

Contest Ends – April 29th

OLD ORCHARD TO HOST “FAN CLUB FANATIC” SWEEPSTAKES TO SEND ONE LUCKY JUICE FAN ON A 5-NIGHT TRIP FOR TWO TO ARUBA!!

Leading “better-for-you” juice manufacturer, Old Orchard Brands, introduces its Fan Club Fanatic sweepstakes in an effort to reward 12 of the leading juice brands’ loyal fans with free juice for a year. In addition, one lucky person will win a grand prize, five-night trip for two to Aruba.

Visit Win.OldOrchard.com to register for the Fan Club Fanatic sweepstakes. Participants earn 1,000 Reward Points just for signing up for the Old Orchard Fan Club and can earn additional points that can be redeemed for subsequent (multiple) entries. Additional points can be earned in a variety of ways, including playing online games, answering surveys, sharing recipes, Reward Codes from product purchases, etc. There are no limits to the number of points that can be earned or number of entries submitted.

In addition to the Grand Prize trip to Aruba, weekly winners will receive an Old Orchard Beach Club prize pack with everything needed for a trip to the beach, plus coupons good for a year’s supply of Old Orchard juice.

The Fan Club Fanatic sweepstakes begins Feb. 3 and runs through April 30, 2012. The contest is open to all persons residing in the United States who are at least 18 years of age. Winners will be chosen at random. No purchase is necessary to enter or win and the sweepstakes is void where prohibited by law. Grand prize winner of the Aruba vacation must redeem the prize before June of 2013.

Aruba’s sugar-white beaches are among the softest, widest and cleanest in the Caribbean. Make sure to ‘Like’ Aruba on Facebook to receive some very special offers and deals. Visit www.Aruba.com to learn more.

About Old Orchard Brands – For more about Old Orchard, visit OldOrchard.com.

GIVEAWAY

One (1) Reader will WIN a  Beach Prize Pack

This is only open to my readers that do at least two of the following:

• Friend me on Facebook

• Follow me on Twitter

• Friend me on Google Friend Connect

If you are not at least two of those…then get on over there and do it then come back and enter.

Mandatory Entries:

1. Tell me what ways you follow the IE Mommy – Needs to be at least two of the ones mentioned above –
   (1 entry PER WAY YOU FOLLOW)
   
2. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and @oldorchardjuice Tweet: RT – Enter the Old Orchard Juice Aruba giveaway and win a Beach Prize Pack from @iemommy @oldorchardjuice #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/04/20/old-orchard-aruba (*First tweet is Mandatory)
3. Like Old Orchard Juice on Facebook – leave this comment on their wall “I  just entered the Old Orchard Aruba Sweepstakes thanks to The IE Mommy”
4. Claim Your FREE Entry at Old Orchard Juice
   

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. TWITTER - Follow the IE Mommy and @oldorchardjuice Tweet: RT – Enter the Old Orchard Juice Aruba giveaway and win a Beach Prize Pack from @iemommy @oldorchardjuice #giveaway http://www.theiemommy.com/2012/04/20/old-orchard-aruba (One Entry, per tweet, per day)
2. Enter one of my other contests… or leave a comment on another post. = 1 entry per contest and/or post
3. Leave a comment about this giveaway on your Facebook wall. Leave the link in the comment section.
4. Post this giveaway on your blog or website. Leave me the link in the comment section.
5. Do one or all of the extra entry steps at Old Orchard Juice

Contest Ends – April 29th