Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The 100th Post = BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!

This is my 100th post! I have enjoyed writing each and every post and learning along the way all about blogging and finding some of my own favorite blogs in the process. The blogging world is incredible. Especially the food blogging world. There are some extremely talented people out there and I am thankful for the inspiration I receive from them.


I began this blog on labor day weekend after some encouragement from several friends who just wanted my recipes in one place I think! I didn't realize what a true portion of goodness in my life it would become. I have heard such encouraging words from so many of you and I feel truly blessed to enter into your world each time you click on a link and read my latest post.

Some interesting things have happened along the way. Some funny things too. Here is a list of a few.

- I have become the grocery store police. I have run into some of you at the store and you don't want me to see what is in your cart. It makes me laugh!
- My children now wait when we sit down to eat not because we have to pray but because I have to take a picture of the food.
- I have been reduced to my recipes. My husband said the other day that at least if something happened to me he would know where to find my recipes!
- I now wish that my brain understood science much better. I never thought I would wish to like science but it would sure be nice to have some credibility when I am talking to someone about nutrition.
- My favorite stores have become Whole Foods and Trader Joe's instead of Pottery Barn and Gymboree.
- I am pretty sure I have made my kids hate the word green, as in, "Is there something green on your plate? or How much green food have you eaten today?"
- People often text me from the grocery store to ask where they can find a certain product. Have you all seen me reading labels and spending hours there or something? Funny thing is I usually know where the product is located! 
- The word quinoa is a regular part of my vocabulary now and surprisingly it has been added to the vocabulary of tons of people I know. I even know some 9th grade boys who know about quinoa. That excites me!
- I have forked over more money on healthy food than I ever thought my frugal brain would allow. In fact I am pretty willing to pay good money for something I think is healthy like my $5.50 Sunbutter or my $4.50 Sprouted Pretzels.
- I regularly find my own husband reading my blog. He even looked up my recipe for mustard vinaigrette so he could make it himself one day.
- I have had more fun than I could have ever imagined doing this!

My last point brings me to the reason for this post. It has been so fun and I feel the need to thank you for valuing the things I have to say enough to keep coming back for a visit. I love it when you share about a recipe you have tried or the steps you are taking to make a more healthy life for yourself or the color you are adding to your plate! It all excites me! So I wanted to give you the opportunity to win something fun as a way of thanking you for your continued support. Nothing major but just a few of my favorite snacks, gadgets, and foods.

So here is the loot..............


Nature's Harvest banana chips, dry roasted pepitas, and oat bran sesame sticks.

Your very own BPA free microwave popcorn popper. I am also hoping to add some organic popcorn to the loot. They didn't have it at the store today.

My very favorite lemon juicer. I use mine all the time.

This is the best sugar free chocolate bar! I usually don't like anise but it is subtle enough in this bar that I don't mind.

Of course you knew I would have to throw some quinoa in the mix. It would be wrong of me not to. I also use a ton of Bob's Red Mill products and I thought you should try some wheat berries in case you haven't yet.

These are just some fun little prep bowls I use often that I got at Target. I also like to serve my Just Bananas Ice Cream in these. They are the perfect size for that.

I love these cocoa roasted almonds. I like to keep a pack in my purse just in case.

Last night my husband said he would really love to open this bag of pretzels. I said go ahead. I will get another one tomorrow for the blog giveaway. He ate some and then my children promptly followed slightly arguing over the bag. The bag is now empty. I went back for more today and they were out. I promise to get a full bag before I send/deliver this to the winner. They are crazy good!

This is just a fun little milk frother. I picked one up at IKEA after reading about it on another blog. It does an incredible job for such a small thing. It is fun to have some frothed cream or milk in your coffee or tea occasionally. I will include the batteries.


And finally a BPA free cup with a straw to get you to drink more water. I have had a cup like this for quite some time and a couple months ago I got some for the kids. They drink a ton more water with these. Then Miles felt left out so I got him one this week and he loves it. In my defense the man usually has 4-5 Nalgene water bottles going somewhere so that is why he didn't get one sooner.

I might find something else fun to throw in there too when I go looking for the organic popcorn at our local health food store, Potpourri.


So this is how you can get your name in the drawing for the loot! I am trying to keep this fairly simple but still give you several chances to get your name in. For each thing you do I will add your name giving you 4 chances to get your name in the drawing.

#1 - Become a follower of my blog. Just click on "Join This Site" where you see all the other little faces. If you are already a member then you automatically have one entry. Hooray for you!
#2 - Leave a comment on this post telling me something you have learned, enjoyed or about a change you have made to your lifestyle. If you don't have a google identity just comment as anonymous but be sure to type your name in so I know who you are.
#3 - Share a link to my blog on your facebook or twitter account and tell me you did so in a comment here, on facebook, or email. My email address is pamrohde@q.com
#4 - Tell me about a recipe you have tried from the blog in a comment, on facebook, or through email and why you liked it.
#5 Invite me over for dinner. Just kidding. No bonus entry for inviting me to dinner!

Unfortunately because this will be a heavy box to ship I will not be shipping overseas or to Canada this time. I do still love all you lovely people reading from all over the world. Next time I will do something like a gift card that is easily shipped! You have until Monday night April 9th to enter for the giveaway. I will have my lovely assistants help me draw for the winner on Tuesday morning and announce it first thing. Please make sure I have your contact information so the rightful winner can be notified!

Again thank you for making this blogging experience a true Portion of Goodness in my life. You are appreciated!

26 comments:

Jenn said...

I will have you over for dinner any day, you choose!

Danae said...

I have been reading your blog for some time now and love trying to tweak my recipes to be healthier.

Lori said...

Hi Pam-Day 17 without SUGAR-I've never felt so good and your blog's recipes are going to help me change my lifes eating habits forever!
Thank You!
I have shared your blog through links on my facebook and email to several people..I hope they joined or were informed!
Keep up the great work! We all appreciate your hard work!!!

Bernice said...

Pam, You are such a wonderful inspiration to many, but especially to me. I am not posting this to enter for your drawing, just wanted to tell you that I am so proud of you and what you are accomplishing with this blog. Super job honey, love ya.

Anonymous said...

Pam...you are inspiring in more ways than food.....God has wonderful purpose for you and Miles! This is just one way you shine! I think of you each time I open a bag of spinach! HAHA!! I love learning from you and your sense of humor like"All you Walmart haters will have to just suck it up" I laughed out loud! Keep blogging girl and we'll keep learning! Janelle

Ka-Lee said...

I have enjoyed your blog so much! I have made your chicken sausage and onions and peppers and my hubby liked. I LOVE your sundried tomatoe spread and usually have some in my fridge for my lunches. I also have to tell you that I just got home from costco and seriously bought dates! That is something I NEVER would have touched 100 blog enteries ago;) Now I have to try them! Thanks Pam.-Ka-Lee

Abbyd333 said...

Just found your blog through a friend...I am desperate to get more healthy foods into my family's lifestyle! So glad I found you, I'll be reading more!

Anonymous said...

Joani Kannegaard

#2 I have made Quinoa a part of my daily life. I just love eating it! My grandchildren eat it as well and really enjoy it! My great grandson will be trying it for breakfast in the morning. I am hoping he likes it too!

#3 I have shared a link to your blog on my facebook.

#4 The recipe i have tried is the Quinoa with greek yogurt and mixed berrys! I love it! YUM!!

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work, Pam! We love cocoa almonds. Sam's sells a big jar of them for around $10. My boys love them! I added your link to my facebook page, too! Love you!

Anash said...

I follow on google connect as "anash"
Thanks for this giveaway
anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Anash said...

Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/anashct3/status/188599525613637632
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Anash said...

something i changed recently is drinking green smoothies, i have renewed energy! Thanks for a super giveaway!
My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Anash said...

the recipe found here is my kids fav

http://portionsofgoodness.blogspot.com/2012/01/just-bananas.html

My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

MaDonna Maurer said...

Okay, I'm signing up, too. I will be in the US in a month, so if I win you can mail it to my mother's.
I have posted on FB.
I follow you...of course!
I have tried your Fiesta Rice Salad and it was a hit at a party.
I have been more intentional about drinking water and RUNNING.

So glad that you are blogging about this. I know that the scientific stuff may seem daunting, but it is really convincing to the readers. Keep it up, my friend! Great job!

Jenny said...

I'm a follower! I'll come back later with more entries.

Lori said...

Pam-Happy Easter!
You don't have to be kidding~I'll invite you over for dinner! Organic chicken on the grill, rutabaga fires and asparagus along with a spinach salad:)
Happy 100th blog!!!
Well done!!!

Jenny said...

I know I've tried several recipes from your blog - a couple from Thanksgiving because they looked a little different than my usual holiday recipes (chard gratin and stuffing) and the banana icecream (can't go wrong there - yum), I know there are others...I still want to make the layered Mediterranean Dip.

Tina said...

Pam I just wanted to tell you how dear you are to me! You are definitely an inspiration! I love you! <3 Tina Nill

Jenny said...

I like that you are able to provide information and encouragement in a non-judgmental way. And I think you make healthy eating look fun and attainable.

Jody White said...

Pam, You know I love to bake and not healthy! We started to make big changes in our lifestyle about the same time as you and Miles. Not easy but I lost 50 lbs. and Corey is in great shape (except his brain)! I LOVE you blog and have learned soooooo much! The "Dirty Dozen" was way too eye opening. Thanks for all your hard work and creativity. Love all the pictures. Here is a young mom who needs and wants to start eating right. I don't know how to get her here to your blog http://facebook.com/cheryl.leffler. Much love to you and your beautiful family. We have shared many a meal around a table with great memories.

Sara Lowery said...

Pam,
Being a new mom and wife, your blog could not have come at a better time! I am trying to not take the easy way out and make things that are convenient and unhealthy. You have inspired many women from the church including myself to put good into you and get good out. I loved making your CrockPot Oatmeal with the dried fruit and spices especially because it was ready for me when I got up in the morning! It was very filling and tasty! Also, my pantry is filled with things I had never heard of before your blog including: Steel Cut Oats, Quinoa, and Agave Nectar..yum! Thanks for all the time and effort you put into your blog!

Anonymous said...

From Amy Hisken

Pam, I have really enjoyed your blog. You don't just tell us something is healthy you tell us why which I really appreciate. You also tell us where to find something at the store which I really, really appreciate. I love Sunbutter. Love. I love dates and figs which I NEVER thought I would. I read labels more carefully. I actually like soy milk because of your blog. My favorite recipes are Date Bars and Overnight Oatmeal. Also love using Joseph's pitas to make my own mini pizza's. Spaghetti bake is delish. Keep it up girl. I told my sister to check out Portions of Goodness because her son has a gluten allergy.
P.S. Pick me for the popcorn popper

Anonymous said...

I really do not know what I'm doing but wanted you to know that I like looking at your receipes and love the pictures. We would all do well to eat more green vegetables and I do. Simple is best for me. Linda Kirk

Amy Hisken said...

Okay Pam, I am going to give this one more try...For some reason I am having a hard time posting a comment. so I will just give you bullet points.
1. love your blog. Love. it
2. sunbutter. enough said
3 date bars. enough said
4. figs, pepitas, soynuts. love.
5. above items are my fav snacks i have gotten from your blog
6. totally appreciate all the info you provide.
7. totally appreciate you telling us where stuff is at the store.
8. totally appreciate your encouragement.
9. totally appreciate the humor at which you write the blog. I find myself smiling when I read it. thank you.
10. I have tried foods I never thought I would come to LOVE.
11. Most used recipes: date bars, overnight oatmeal, special k bars, wrap and salad ideas.

Keep up the great work Pam!! You definately have a gift. Thank you for answering all my questions too! you are a sweetheart!
Amy Hisken

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and am always interested in trying new healthy recipes I see pop up on here! Some of your recipes have helped Mitch start to really like the healthy side of life! Thank you.

Laura Schwitters

Anonymous said...

Pam, I forgot to tell you that I love your passion and the energy you funnel to the readers of your blog . You make me want to try all those Greek receipes.
Thanks for taking the time to educate us about good food. Linda Kirk