Dr. Oetker Pizza Review & Giveaway

Congratulations Courtney, selected randomly via random.org (1-11>2)

Awhile back, I got to participate in a fun Valentine's Day discussion hosted by The Motherhood.com and Dr. Oetker. I knew that down the road I'd get an opportunity to sample their frozen pizzas, which are now available in the US. So I was pretty excited when one of my friends commented and mentioned that she's been using Dr. Oetker baking products for years. As a company with a history of selling quality baking products, I expected great things from it's frozen pizza, and I wasn't disappointed.

Sad to say, but we eat a lot of quick meals in our household. We're not usually home from work and daycare pickup till about 6:10pm and the kids are HUNGRY-not to mention the nights we have to quickly turn around and leave again within 30 minutes for an activity. But the best part about this pizza is that it's quick AND really delicious. I would absolutely buy Dr. Oetker Ristorante frozen pizza and I would could cook it for a quick dinner or even a leisurely family meal.

I received a sample of their spinach pizza and mozzerella cheese pizza. You better believe that spinach pizza was gone on Day 1.

As soon as I opened the package, I was really impressed with how much topping ingredients were on the pizza. It was covered with cheese and spinach.

 

I cooked it for a few minutes over the recommended time just to get the cheese a little extra brown. I think the box suggests the pizza should be 2-3 servings. I tried to put away half of it...but I kept going back to the kitchen every 30 min for one more piece. My favorite part about the pizza was how flaky the crust is. The toppings were really flavorful, too.

Enter for a chance to win Dr. Oetker prize pack (cooler bag, apron, pizza cutter, coupons):

*1 comment = 1 entry. Go to town - enter as many times as you'd like
*5 more entries for google friend connect followers (I've recently decided to ditch my separate review blog and offer all of my giveaways on my main blog, so make sure this is the one you're following)

*Feel free to tweet this giveaway as much as you'd like for extra entries. Tweet must include @JulieBouf and a link to this post.

If you have a non-reply google account or don't have a google account - include some way for me to contact you in your comment (e-mail address, twitter handle, etc...if I don't already know you personally).Please leave a separate comment for each entry type.

Note: Dr. Oetker products are available in limited geographic regions at this time - if the brand name is new to you - check their website to make sure it's in your area. 

This giveaway will close on April 30, 2011(11:59pm).

Winners will be selected randomly by Random.org.

About Dr. Oetker: Dr. Oetker (urt-ker) is a fifth-generation family-run business headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany.  Begun in 1891, it has grown into an international food business leader and a market leader in many of its product lines. In 1985, Dr. Oetker launched Ristorante frozen pizza in Germany with only two varieties. Today, Dr. Oetker is the market leader of frozen pizza in Europe and sells Ristorante in more than 30 countries – and Italy’s #1 frozen pizza is now available in your area, giving you Italian restaurant style pizza taste without paying restaurant style prices!

To learn more about Dr. Oetker, visit http://www.oetker.us/
This post was sponsored by The Motherhood.com and Dr. Oetker and I will be compensated for participating in this campaign.

Do you love the chance to enter giveaways and win free stuff? Check out what other giveaways are being hosted this week by the Philly Social Media Moms!!

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Stress, Relief, Laughter, Stress, Relief, Laughter

Katie has some issues, there's no question about that.
(fyi, if you're new to The Other Boufs, Katie is the dancer all the way on the right)

It's perfectly ok that I make fun of her dancing since I love her so much.

But honestly, that dance recital was a smashing success since she actually wore her black leotard AND her dance shoes. The "legwarmers": an added bonus. Truth is, I had worked myself up the entire day about getting her cooperation to dress appropriately. I entered The Little Gym apprehensive and sick to my stomach, but prepared, with makeup and hints of a celebration cupcake for a job well done. This was her 3rd recital and to date, she had never worn what the group was supposed to wear, without accomodations. Of course, the first go at putting on the leotard resulted in an episode and some hasty thrashing in efforts of wripping it right off, but we were able to finally compromise and she wore one of her favorite leotards underneath so she wouldn't even feel "the itchy one".

So, after our celebration date at the diner (it was just the girls since Timmy had puked all over himself at dinner and had to stay home with dad), we drove home.  Katie was unusually peppy and verbally lucid for that late at night. I began to tune some of the non-stop chatter out of my head until I was certain I had heard the "F" word.

I couldn't really blame her since I do tend to swear like a sailor, but I really DO try to hold back in front of the kids. In 5 1/2 years, she's only ever repeated "damn it" or "what the hell?!?!". We quickly discussed both phrases and nipped them in the bud. I thought I was in the clear.

I asked her to tell me again what she had just said, breath held. She proudly repeated herself and I took an audible sigh of relief when she repeated, "I said 'Oh GREAT now we have to go get STUCK at this red light'"*****

Well thank goodness, at least I'm not a terrible parent who makes fun of her kid's dancing AND has her kid dropping F-bombs.

Do you have a funny story about a funny misunderstanding with your kids, other family members, or friends where what you thought you heard was a little different than what was actually said? I'd love for you to share it here in the comments section. And if you think it's like the funniest story ever submit it on the Alka-Seltzer Facebook page to enter their Said/Heard Mishaps contest.

The winner of the Said/Heard Mishaps Contest will receive:

· A trip to New York City to star in an Alka-Seltzer online video featuring their entry
· The winning spot will premiere on the Alka-Seltzer Facebook page!
· Plus $5,000 to spend toward whatever they wish.

The makers of Alka-Seltzer want you to remember that while miscommunication can be funny and entertaining it can also lead to stress. And when stress gives you heartburn with headache, Alka-Seltzer Original gives you relief fast. Use as directed.

Abbreviated Contest Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 18 years or older. Contest ends 2/25/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including prize description, visit http://www.facebook.com/AlkaSeltzerOriginal?v=app_7146470109&ref=sgm. Void where prohibited.

This post was sponsored and compensation provided by Alka-Seltzer.

*****Ok, so this isn't really exactly how the conversation went down. In reality, she began with "I said 'Oh GREAT now we have to go get STUCK..." and I felt an immediate sense of relief that I had really heard her say "STUCK" and not something inappropriate. But, then she continued as clear as I ever heard this little girl who has been in speech therapy for 3 years "...at the F%^#ing red light!" I double checked 3 times. And heard that "really bad word for a mom to say in front of her kids and even worse to have them repeat" all three times.

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In the Meantime

I'm having a little trouble shaking the winter blues. Things have been busy, sick, lazy, crazy, sick, cold, snowy, and sick over here at The Other Boufs for the last month. But, today's my birthday and next week is Valentine's day so I'm determined get my mojo back on.

In the meantime, come visit me at The Motherhood today, where I'll be double-dutying my lunch break at 1pm Eastern to join a live talk with other moms and Dr. Oetker (Ullie Kammler). The talk will be live later this afternoon, but feel free to stop by sooner to submit a question or comment.

 About Dr. Oetker: Dr. Oetker (urt-ker) is a fifth-generation family-run business headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany.  Begun in 1891, it has grown into an international food business leader and a market leader in many of its product lines. In 1985, Dr. Oetker launched Ristorante frozen pizza in Germany with only two varieties. Today, Dr. Oetker is the market leader of frozen pizza in Europe and sells Ristorante in more than 30 countries – and Italy’s #1 frozen pizza is now available in your area, giving you Italian restaurant style pizza taste without paying restaurant style prices!

To learn more about Dr. Oetker, visit www.oetker.us

We'll start out discussing the Dr. Oetker brand and quickly move on to a Valentine's-themed discussion about spending quality time with loved ones. For me, this Valentine's Day will mark the first year in 12 years that my husband isn't in the throes of financial audit busy season, working to 10pm+ January-March... But even still, I look forward the most to a quiet evening of not cooking and a day of enjoying my family!

This post was sponsored by The Motherhood.com and Dr. Oetker and I will be compensated for participating in this campaign.

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Wordless Wednesday - Electricity

 

I'm participating in Wordless Wedneday here and here and Wordish Wednesday.

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Happy Holidays

From our home to yours, we hope your holidays are merry and bright.

 

And as to THIS little dilemma... Katie was excited to see that Santa did bring her a Cinderella Castle, unwrapped and front and center in the living room.

 Timmy's favorite surprises were his roaring, walking dinosaur and his new lawn mower. 

Mommy and daddy left their big big surprises of a tool bench, bike and barbie size doll house in the family room.

Timmy surprised us all by being a present opening machine. He did not fall into our tradition of taking turns opening presents and had to be stopped from opening everyone's.

 

Katie proudly read out the recipient and giver of each gift she picked up.

Among other things, mommy got this:

Family came for dinner and a little Kinect play at night.

It was a good, good day.

Thank you friends and family for being in our lives and most especially,

thank you God for delivering us your newborn son. 

Participating in 5 Minutes for Mom Christmas 2010 Linkup.

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My Virual Gift to the Mommies of the Blogosphere that are not already in AA

If you haven't gotten one of these from me in real life, just keep in mind....it's the thought that counts, right? And I was thinking of you...

 

I may or may not have bought one for myself. Because it's funny and true. Not because I can't handle the kids I have. I may or may not have bought myself one of these too:

The back of the mug reads, "Inner Peace Through Impulse Buying".

This one is still on my wish list:

I really just don't understand why everyone tells me I'm hard to shop for.

 I have no problem shopping for myself at all. I wish I did.

These are just a few of the hilarious products that caught my eye at Our Name is Mud. And really, with the amount of money I spent on their products for holiday gifts...they really should throw a giveaway my way. Don't you think?

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To Torture or Not To Torture

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning are chock full of traditions at The Other Boufs. For one, we don't just attack our presents and finish the whole present opening in 5 minutes flat. From as early as I can remember, I have savored the present opening and would open my own presents really slowly while I kept an eye on what my siblings were unwrapping. I didn't want to miss anything. I wanted the  magic to last as long as possible. Since Katie is my mini-me in so many ways...she has fallen right into my present opening technique. We take turns and pass presents out. Katie also tends to like to play with every new toy right away...so some years, we've even resumed opening presents later in the day...or the next day. (insert gasp as I look up and reminisce about how long Katie's hair was just one year ago.)

Some Christmas mornings, during my childhood, Santa would hide the present I wanted more than anything - and I would get some hints that there might be something else for me once I had opened the rest of my presents. It may have only been once, but I remember that Christmas morning that I found my new Pound Puppy in the laundry room like it was yesterday: the wonder, the thrill and excitement, the satisfaction. To pass on a bit of this excitement to my kids, I have guided Santa into leaving the most exciting gift in the family room (our tree is in the living room). And at least through last year, Katie has never remembered this tradition and hasn't even wondered about whether there might be something more in another room.

It began in 2007, when Katie was 2 1/2. Although, I must admit, we were really left with no choice that year. Santa and mama had gone a little crazy with only one child to buy for and there really wasn't any room left in the living room - you know...with the Radio Flyer rocking horse and trampoline. Katie was ecstatic to find a new train table later in the morning as we assembled for breakfast.

 (pre-addition)

In 2008, Santa surprised the kids with a racecar and jumparoo. 

But as I prepare to begin the wrapping process for 2010, I am pondering - do I want to torture my kids this year? Do I want to torture myself? See, last year was the year that Katie became a brat.

 

Although she got the 3 specific items she had asked for and did show some excitement a few times,

she looked like this most of the morning. 

 

She didn't verbalize what was bothering her and told us "nothing" when we asked, but I theorize that it was eating at her that she saw the push car and was jealous that there was only one "big" gift in the room...and it was her brother's. We knew big excitement would follow when she found her biggest surprise. But frankly, it pissed me off. Everything on her list had been received. 

And then Timmy saw something in the family room...and Katie went to investigate...and there was the reaction I had anticipated.

 

So this year, I'm wondering...do I have Santa set up the kids' big exciting gifts in the family room? For the first time, it won't be an unanticipated gift. I expect Katie's biggest surprise will  be the item highest on her list:

Timmy is getting the monorail set (if he's good).

Do you do anything similar at your house or do you have any unique present opening traditions? Is it worth potential silent pouting to buildup the excitement?

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