This Mama Cooks! Reviews

BOCA Burger gift bag giveaway and review

I’ve always been a fan of BOCA Burger since their original vegan burger was only one Weight Watchers POINTS and you could buy a big box of them at Costco for a very good price. However, my kids and I prefer the taste of their Savory Mushroom Mozzarella Veggie Patties and the Bruschetta Tomato Basil Parmesan. Yummy!

Not only are BOCA Burgers a healthy source of soy protein and fiber, but keeping a box in your freezer means you always have a quick and easy way to make a healthy meal. I like using them in wraps. I heat up a patty in the microwave, cut them into strips and place them and a handful of baby lettuce leaves in a whole grain wrap - very delicious, healthy and satisfying.

BOCA and Weight Watchers

That’s right! All BOCA meatless burgers, chik’n patties, breakfast links, and ground crumbles are now endorsed by Weight Watchers since they’re three Weight Watchers POINTS value or less per serving. You can learn more at WeightWatchers.com/BOCA.

Product	POINTS value per serving
BOCA Original Vegan Burger	1 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Ground Crumbles	1 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Breakfast Links	1 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Grilled Vegetable Burger	1 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Bruschetta Veggie Patties	1 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Cheeseburger	2 POINTS value per serving
BOCA All American Flame Grilled Burger	2 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Savory Mushroom Mozzarella Veggie Patties	2 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Original Chik’n Patty	3 POINTS value per serving
BOCA Spicy Chik’n Patty	3 POINTS value per serving

BOCA giveaway

To celebrate this great BOCA news, they’re providing me with FIVE BOCA gift bags(approximate retail value: $100 each) to give away here at This Mama Cooks! Reviews.

The BOCA gift bags include:

• 5 BOCA product coupons
• a reusable tote
• a BOCA yoga mat
• a BOCA branded journal
• a BOCA recipe booklet
• a weekly planner

Here’s how to win…

 

The giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to my winners:

• Sarah G.
• Stephanie G. of The Grant’s Giveaways and Sweeps
• Sappho W. of the Frugal Wife Blog
• Cathy B. of a Life Less Sweet
• Michelle M.

Dreamfields Pasta review: Rotini with Ground Beef and Spinach recipe

My friend, Michelle, and I were talking about healthy meals the other day. She mentioned that she’d like to use whole wheat pasta but that her husband hates the taste and texture. I know a lot of kids who feel the same way.

So what’s a mom to do on spaghetti night? Well, she can try a high fiber pasta like Ronzoni (see my Ronzoni pasta review here) or a low carb one like Atkins (see my Atkins pasta review here). Or even better, a high fiber pasta that has fewer digestible carbs and a lower glycemic index than regular pasta like Dreamfields. It’s a great pasta for diabetics or anyone who is trying to get more fiber in their diet or eat products with a low GI. (Go to the Dreamfields Pasta Healthy Nutrition FAQs page for more information.)

Dreamfields Pasta review

I’m no stranger to Dreamfields having reviewed it back in 2007. But since it had been awhile, I was happy to try the sample box of Angel Hair their PR person sent out. I wondered if such a fragile, thin noodle would cook up as well as regular pasta. It did!

But what about the “if your grandmother didn’t cook with it, don’t eat it” test? Well, it does have inulin, a natural fruit and vegetable fiber found in foods like artichokes, asparagus, garlic and raisins. It’s a prebiotic fiber, which means it has “good” bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) that could help to improve digestive health and promote a healthy immune system. (Learn more about inulin on the Dreamfields website.) So definitely more processed than standard or whole wheat pasta, but with some additional health benefits. You decide if it’s worth the tradeoff.

Shrove Tuesday Organic Batter Blaster giveaway and review

Happy Shrove Tuesday, also know to many people as Fat Tuesday or Pancake Day. To celebrate, I’m giving away free sample coupons of Organic Batter Blaster. (You can enter my giveaway here.)

Organic Batter Blaster Review

I had heard about Organic Batter Blaster from friends a couple of years ago when it was being sold at Costco. They loved its convenience, price, taste and that it was organic. Since my daughter, Lucie, was allergic to eggs at the time, I didn’t try it.

Well, Lucie has grown out of her egg allergy just in time for us to give Organic Batter Blaster a test run since the folks at Batter Blaster sent me some sample coupons.

First, we went shopping at Safeway and found the product in the egg case. (Use the website locator to find a store near you.)

Next, I invited Lucie’s friend, her mom, and her little brother to come over for a playdate and pancake lunch. My friend, Michelle, was very interested in trying out Organic Batter Blaster since her kids love pancakes but she prefers serving organic food whenever possible.

I got the double griddle going while the kids played. Using the spray can (like a whipped cream can) was easy – you can get the exact pancake size you want and even make funny shapes. I also tried it with some pancake molds, but wasn’t as successful since the batter wasn’t thick enough.

All in all, the kids enjoyed the pancakes immensely. Michelle and I thought they were pretty tasty too – fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a sweet and buttery taste.

Pros

• Cleanup – No bowls, measuring cups and spoons, and spatulas to clean up, just the dishes and a frying pan or pancake griddle. No drips and flour or pancake mix all over the stove top and counters to clean up either.
• Convenience – Having a can of Organic Batter Blaster in the fridge makes it easy to cook up a few pancakes for the kids on a school day morning or for a snack. This product would be great for RV camping, too.
• Nutrition – Low in fat. Two small pancakes are only 80 calories.
• Fun factor – You can “draw” with Organic Batter Blaster and make fun shapes and letters.

Cons

• Size and cost – We went through one can in one meal. (Two adults, one big kid who eats more than the adults, and three little kids.) Since my Safeway sold it for $5.29, going through one per meal is a bit pricey. (Back when they were sold at Costco, you bought a three-pack for $9.99.) Making pancakes from scratch or using a mix, eggs and milk is much cheaper.
• Organic and “natural” ingredients – The ingredient list isn’t bad, though some ingredients, like sodium lactate and dicalcium phosphate, aren’t things I’d usually use when making pancakes. In some ways Organic Batter Blaster fails the “if your grandmother wouldn’t recognize this ingredient, don’t eat it” test.
• Nutrition – Low in fiber.
• Inconvenience – It is hard to add things like fruit to these pancakes though you could attempt to sprinkle some ground flax seed or place some berries on the batter while it’s cooking for a nutritional or flavor boost.

Overall - a thumbs up for Organic Batter Blaster

The ultimate test of product is if I would buy it again. I will be buying Organic Batter Blaster when we go camping this summer since we have a small refrigerator in our popup camper. (You need to keep it refrigerated.) Anything that tastes good, is pretty decent nutritionally/organically, and prevents me from cleaning up a bunch of bowls is a good thing when camping. I don’t mind paying extra for the convenience.