Go To Marco's Pizza For Your Game Day Eats

If you live in the south, you know just how important college football is. My family loves to support our teams, and trash talk our opponents' teams. It's all good, clean fun that we really look forward to every year. One key component to any tailgate event, or even if you are catching the game from home, is definitely the food! We feel like you can't ever go wrong with pizza and wings. We went over to our local Marco's Pizza to pick up a takeout order, *compliments of the restaurant, for our at-home tailgate party. It's hard to get all five of us together at once to dine out, so takeout if often a better choice.

Marco's Pizza offers a delicious variety of specialty pizzas, subs, salads, and sides like chicken wings and chicken dippers. One thing I can say for sure is that Marco's offers high quality ingredients, and they do not skimp on toppings or portions. Let's talk about what we ordered. We got the XL Chicken Florentine pizza, family size Greek salad, Buffalo wings, and for dessert, Cinnasquares.

When Marco's Pizza says extra large, they mean it! The pizza is enormous and generously topped with delicious grilled chicken, spinach, onion, Roma tomato slices, and their three-cheese blend along with feta. Did I mention that they do not skimp on the toppings? Their pizza is mouthwatering good with the perfect texture crust. I judge all pizza on crust and cheese, as well as how well it reheats. I enjoy how light and crisp the bottom of the crust gets when reheated in the toaster oven. It's is SO good!

We went with Buffalo wings that came with ranch and blue cheese dip. The wings surprised us because they weren't hard or dried out like some can be. Even my husband who isn't a huge Buffalo wing fan gave it a thumbs up.  

The wings were perfect as a side to the pizza. Marco's offers a barbecue version that we will be sure to try next time. 

The family size Greek salad did not disappoint! It was HUGE. I love that they use Romaine lettuce, and not iceberg like some pizza places do. The combination of the lettuce, tomato, black olives, red onion, banana peppers, and feta were a true winner. 

You can't have a meal without dessert. The Cinnasquares hit the spot, and satisfied our taste for a sweet finish. The cinnamon sugar on top of the perfectly baked buttery pastry was perfection. The vanilla icing was just enough. I'd definitely get this again!

If you live in Columbia, SC, be sure to stop by the Forest Drive location that is right across the street from Trader Joe's. You can easily place your order online and get either delivery or takeout. Take a day off from cooking and head to Marco's Pizza today! Find a location here. 

*Disclosure: We were given a complimentary meal in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own as always. Thanks for stopping by today. 

Local Food Find: Famous Toastery Columbia, SC

For several months now, I have been following a restaurant on Instagram called Famous Toastery Columbia. For some reason I assumed that it was located in downtown Columbia or even further away. Turns out that it is super close to where I lived, so the husband and I went for a breakfast date. Being newbies, we were overwhelmed by the menu. They have a lot of options for breakfast including everything from shrimp and grits, to pancakes, French toast, and omelets. Unlike most breakfast joints, Famous Toastery serves up the perfect brunch-worthy cocktails. Deciding what to order was hard. 

My husband already had the idea of pancakes stuck in his head so he went with the apple cinnamon pancakes paired with turkey sausage, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The word lobster caught my eye from their weekend special menu, so I went with the lobster scramble with potatoes on the side. I also splurged and got a Bloody Mary because I was feeling a little fancy. 

Isn't this cocktail so pretty? It was so delicious and full of zesty, spicy goodness. 

Our server brought over a small basket of homemade cornbread with a delicious apple compote type concoction. We decided to only take a nibble to save room for our meal. Trust me, I would have devoured all three pieces if I could! We didn't have to wait very long for our entrees to come out. Everything was presented so nicely and the server was super sweet and accommodating. 

I'm a huge potato lover so I had to take a bite of that first. Oh man, it was perfectly cooked with the right amount of seasoning. The lobster scramble was everything I hoped it would be. It had nice pieces of lobster nestled inside the soft scrambled eggs, along with some veggies. I loved this dish! The hubby was so happy with his pancakes and turkey sausage. We both were impressed with that made-from-scratch taste you normally don't get from most chain places. We were also pleased to see how many non-pork and non-meat options were available. Perfect for vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. 

We will definitely head back to Famous Toastery, northeast Columbia location to try out some of the other menu items. The food, drinks, and service were all excellent. It's a perfect spot for a girl's brunch. I know my daughters will love it! If you're ever in Columbia, SC, you should check out Famous Toastery for yourself! There are also locations in a few other states as well. 

I did not receive any incentive to post this review. We simply enjoyed our meals and wanted to share our review with you. Thanks for stopping by today. 

Show Dad Your Appreciation With A Gourmet Gift Basket This Father's Day

It's June and that means Father's Day is on its way. I start thinking about Father's Day gifts well in advance when it comes to my husband. He is fairly easy to buy for, but I know a lot of people struggle with their spouse or dad. One great idea that you can't ever go wrong with is food. I mean, what dad does not like food? If you have limited time to go shopping, no worries, GourmetGiftBaskets.com has exactly what dad will want and is only a few clicks away!

You can browse their wide selection of gourmet gift baskets to suit every dad's taste. Whether he loves beer, cheese, cookies, snacks or healthier fare, you will find the perfect gift. They offer free shipping and have gifts to fit every budget. The best part is you simply order and Gourmet Gift Baskets will take it from there. Each basket is packed with care and filled with high quality goodies. I chose the Orchard's Abundance gift basket for my husband since he is very health conscious. This basket is filled with enormous fresh fruit, cheese, crackers, peanuts, a couple chocolaty treats, and the most incredible sea salt caramel sauce for those crispy apples!

The package will arrive at your doorstep complete with the card attached to the outside of the box. The recipient can read the special message before tearing into the package. I guarantee any dad would have a huge smile on his face receiving a gift like this.

You can really see the care that goes into packing these beautiful baskets. They really do use premium products. This is a very well received gift not just for dads, but anyone! If you get stuck on what to give dad, give GourmetGiftBaskets.com a try. They have same day shipping so you can be sure the gift will get there fast. My advice is to make sure the recipient will be home to collect the gift since it does contain food items. You wouldn't want it sitting out on the front porch for very long.

Check out the amazing selection of gourmet gifts and order something for the special dads in your life today. They will love it like my husband did. Follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest promotions and updates. Don't delay! Hurry and order your dad or husband a Gourmet Gift Basket today!

Disclosure: We received a gift basket for review. All opinions are 100% our own as always.

Now Available at Publix Stores- Tabanero Hot Sauces #TabLife

If you like hot and spicy, I have something you are sure to like. Introducing Tabanero Hot Sauces, now available at your local Publix Supermarket. Tabanero sauces come in 3 varieties- Original Hot, Extra Hot, and Agave Sweet & Spicy. The Original Hot variety is actually more of a medium heat to me, so if you can't handle too much heat, this is a good one to try. It goes well with chili, soups or most savory dishes that need a little kick. 

I personally love the Agave Sweet & Spicy. It has a good balance of sweet and heat. It works well to add a kick to your chicken or meat marinade. The thing that makes Tabanero unique is that it's all-natural and not vinegar based like most hot sauces. Also, its unique flavor comes from the combination of carrots, onions, garlic, Key Lime juice, red habanero peppers and Agave nectar; which balances out the heat of the habaneros and adds a hint of sweetness. The perfect balance of flavor and heat to spice up any dish with a flavorful zest. They refer to their sauces as "Healthy Heat". 

Tasting is believing! You can incorporate Tabanero sauces into so many savory dishes and surprisingly, even a couple of sweets. Check out some of the recipe ideas on their website. Tabanero products are available in many restaurants across the country and can be purchased online as well as in Publix Supermarkets. Be sure to follow Tabanero on Twitter and Facebook for their zesty updates. 

I received product samples to review in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions are my own as always. 

How to Make Anything Taste Better With Finlandia Butter and Cheese

June is a special month.  It marks graduation, the start of summer, weddings, vacation season. But did you know that June is also National Dairy Month? Finlandia is a brand that has been crafting some of the highest quality cheese and butter for over a century. Their butter and cheese products are all-natural and do not contain additives such as growth hormones, preservatives, and dyes. All you get is pure deliciousness that you can feel good giving your family. 

Many of my family and friends refer to me as a food snob. I'm okay with that label and I think more people should be food snobs as well. Caring about the quality of your food and eating real food is important.  Finlandia Butter is made from pure, hormone-free milk, which comes from happy cows that live on family-owned farms in Finland—the greenest country on Earth.  No hidden chemicals, no factory farms—just pure, creamy goodness. Let me tell you something, Finlandia butter is perfection times 20! It's so creamy and delicious and perfect as a spread on your toast or incorporated in both sweet and savory dishes. 

I love a good omelet (or scramble as mine tends to turn into) and the addition of Finlandia butter and cheese make it extra tasty. Oh and you can't forget the crunchy buttered toast. 

When you put quality ingredients into your dishes, you will be able to taste the difference. I am currently obsessed with Finlandia's perfectly salted butter. I'm waiting on some bananas to get overripe so that I can bake up a loaf of banana bread. Oh, and I'm thinking about a nice pound cake too! 

Be sure to check out the Finlandia website and follow on Facebook for recipes and promotions. 

I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and I absolutely love this brand!

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water Is The Real Deal

Do you ever have a taste of something or even a scent that transports you back to your childhood? I grew up in Miami, Florida and it was very common to see vendors on the street corners selling fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and various goods. One of my favorite things to get was the fresh water coconuts as we called it in my culture. You would get a fresh green coconut that was sitting in a huge cooler of ice and watch the vendor chop the top off with a machete. They would then stick a straw in it and hand it to you to enjoy. There is nothing that can compare to drinking that gorgeous chilled coconut water straight out of the actual coconut. Once you have experienced the real thing, you can't have it any other way. Fast forward... I have lived in South Carolina for close to 18 years and it has been more than 20 years since I have had coconut water like I did in Miami.

I was doing some crowd sourcing on Facebook a month or so ago asking what natural food or drink was rich in potassium. One of my old friends from Florida mentioned coconut water. I told her that would be a winner if I had access to proper coconut water like I did in Miami. She told me to look for one called Harmless Harvest. She is also Guyanese so she knows I know what real coconut water is supposed to taste like. I finally got around to trying it with full hesitation. You see, I've tried about 2 or 3 brands already and I ended up pouring it out in the sink from pure disgust. I took into consideration that Harmless Harvest is refrigerated and is simply organic coconut water with nothing added. It is free of GMOs, toxic pesticides, artificial additives, and irradiation.

I poured some in a glass and was a little intrigued by the pink color. Honestly, I didn't realize that it can be that color (clear to pink). I took my first sip and guess what? I was on transported back to being a kid again. It was the real deal and what coconut water should taste like. No lie, I closed my eyes each time I sipped. I can finally have that taste back in my life all the way up in South Carolina. You can find Harmless Harvest Coconut Water in grocery stores including Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods in the refrigerated organic/health foods section near the produce department. Check out the amazing story behind Harmless Harvest here.

The back of this t-shirt says "I'm Harmless" :-) 

Harmless Harvest coconut water is the perfect hydrating beverage to help beat the summer heat. Have you tried it yet? If you haven't, I really suggest you do!

I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. It doesn't get more honest than this.

Warm Up With Numi Organic Pu-Erh Tea

Are you a tea drinker? My husband drinks tea every single day, even if it's 100 degrees outside. When I received the Organic Pu-erh collection from Numi Tea, he was thrilled. 

The Pu-erh organic teas are exceptional and full of rich flavor. We received the ginger, chocolate, cardamom and Emperor's varieties. These teas are sourced from 100% real, non-GMO ingredients and that is it. Why would you want anything else? They use biodegradable filter paper for their bags and even the package can be recycled or composted. 

The flavors of these teas are so nice. I'm a strong cup-of-tea girl and these fit my taste just right. My current favorite is the ginger variety. It has a spicy, balanced taste. I like mine with a little organic honey. My husband loves the cardamom and Emperor's blends. He drinks a cup of hot tea after each meal. You certainly can tell the difference in quality from these teas. The fact that they are all made with so much care for the earth and fair labor practices makes it even better. You really can feel good about every cup. 

To learn more about Numi Pu-erh tea and to purchase them, you can order from their website or check their store locator for local stores that carry them. I was lucky to find a couple health food stores locally that carry Numi tea. I look forward to trying out their turmeric teas for the great health benefits. 

If you are a tea lover, you must try these out for yourself. Be sure to follow Numi Tea on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates. 

I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Kimchi Korean Cuisine in Columbia, SC Review

I was out a couple weeks ago with my husband and we stumbled across a new Korean food place in our area called Kimchi. I love, love, love all Asian cuisine so I knew it wouldn't be long before we headed over there to give it a try. This place is very cozy and you are immediately greeted as you walk in the door. The sweet lady who greeted us welcomed us and said, "come on, come eat". She was everything you would expect from a Korean mom or grandmother. So warm, sweet and ready to feed you. We previewed the menu beforehand so we already knew what we wanted to order. We had William with us and he went with the vegetable fried rice. Me and the hubby got the Bulgogi (Korean barbecue) which came with the most perfect sticky rice.

Of course you can't have an authentic Korean meal without all of those glorious vegetable side dishes (which comes with your meal). You get everything from kimchi, pickled daikon radish, coleslaw, bean sprouts and the most ridiculously delicious potato salad I have ever had. I wonder if I can order a pint of it? I'm serious, it's just that good. 

This was the lunch special and it was only $7.99! Oh and I promise, you will be stuffed! The food was so delicious and fresh. William's veggie fried rice (not pictured) was made with all fresh vegetables including tiny pieces of zucchini. He loved it and only got half way through his meal because he was getting very full. They have soft drinks and sweet tea for $1.50 and have a wide variety of delicious offerings on their menu. They have plenty of vegetarian and seafood dishes for those who don't eat meat. We plan to return again to try out some other items. Their prices at lunch run about $7.99 for an entree and you can even get a lunch or dinner box to go. Their dinner prices range from about $10-$30 depending on what you get since they have many specialty dishes.

Kimchi Korean Cuisine is located at 1807 Decker Blvd #6 in Columbia, SC near the Hyundai Oriental Market. Their phone number is 803-790-7778. You can place a take-out order.

This is NOT a sponsored post. I simply wanted to share the good experience I had in case you are local and looking for something new to try. Please consider sharing this post with a friend!

Double-Dipped French Toast from IHOP (Review)

I recently stopped by my local IHOP to try out their latest menu item-- Double-dipped French Toast. They come in two flavors:  Lemon Strawberry and Cinnamon Sugar. I decided in the Lemon Strawberry because it screamed summertime. I had the bacon combo which came with 4 strips of bacon, 2 eggs and hash browns. I was definitely most looking forward to trying the French Toast first. The fact that they use brioche made me already know that it was going to be extra delicious. The entree came with two thick slices of French toast that was dipped in a vanilla batter, then dipped a second time in crispy corn flakes and oatmeal, griddled, then topped with cool lemonade cream and glazed strawberries. The actual French Toast had a very light texture and was cooked to perfection. For some reason, I was expecting it to be a bit crunchy on the outside and it wasn't. I'm glad! I think the texture was exactly what you would expect from perfectly cooked French toast. The lemonade cream was so smooth and creamy with a nice balance of both sweet and tart. The strawberry topping was delicious and the perfect pair with the lemonade cream. It was like summer on a platter. There was not a single bite left on my plate! 

This lemon strawberry French toast was not too sweet and oh so scrumptious! 

I plan to go back this weekend with my family to try the Cinnamon Sugar variety to celebrate the kids going back to school. The Double-Dipped French Toast at is available until September 20th, so grab your family and head to your local IHOP to try it out for yourself. I promise, you'll love it and will want it to be a permanent menu offering (hint, hint IHOP).  

This combo was fairly priced. Perfect for a family meal out. 

Be sure to stay connected to IHOP on their website, Facebook and Twitter for their latest updates and promotions. Don't forget, IHOP gift cards make great gifts for teachers, college students and as a "just because". 

I received a gift card to try out the latest menu offering from IHOP in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

Amaize Sweet Corn- Truly The Best Corn Ever!

Today's post is sponsored by Amaize Sweet Corn. All opinions are strictly my own. 

It's summertime and we are all about the summer veggies. One of our favorites is the classic, fresh corn on the cob. I was watching a segment on a health-related news show a while back and was blown away to find out that close to 90% of our corn is genetically modified. I find that really scary to say that corn is such a common go-to vegetable for families. I was thrilled to be introduced to Amaize sweet corn. Amaize sweet corn is bred using traditional methods through hybridization and is not genetically modified. Amaize is grown locally using conventional farming methods.

So why is this corn so special? It is the sweetest, most crunchy corn I have ever tasted. Some corn tends to get mushy once its cooked. Not Amaize. It stays so crisp and pops in your mouth when you eat it. My family is pretty traditional when it comes to how we like our corn cooked. One of my favorite ways to prepare fresh corn is parboiled in some plain water and then seasoned and grilled on my stove-top cast iron grill. 

I love adding a little something extra to my grilled corn and either grated Parmesan or crumbled feta is a great addition. You can transfer your grilled corn onto a piece of aluminum foil and sprinkle lightly with your choice of cheese and a small pat of butter if desired. Put it back on the grill just for a couple minutes and you will have the most perfect corn on the cob! 

Feta adds a nice salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the abundant sweet taste of the corn. My family raved about how sweet and tasty the corn was. My husband insisted that I must have added sugar to it and I had to ensure him that I did not! It is just that delicious. 

Amaize sweet corn is only available for a limited time-- from June- September in select stores. I am so happy that it is available at my local Food Lion stores. I will be purchasing some to freeze so that we can have some extras for after the summer ends. Check out some of the cooking tips and recipes here and be sure to follow Amaize Sweet Corn on Facebook and Youtube. 

If you are lucky enough to get your hands on some Amaize sweet corn, let me know how you liked it! I am pretty certain that you will LOVE it :) 

Celiac Awareness Month with Tandoor Chef Gluten Free Entrees

Are you or any of your family members on a gluten free diet? It seems as if many people are going gluten free either because of Celiac disease or just out of personal health concerns. Tandoor Chef, the #1 frozen Indian food in the US, is a great option to incorporate into your gluten free lifestyle. They offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options--15 gluten free options to be exact! The varieties include:

Tandoori Chicken Wings, Lamb Vindaloo, Masala Dosa, Chicken Tikka Masala,
Chicken Tandoori with Spinach, Chicken Curry, Chicken Biryani, Vegetable Pad Thai, Balanced Vegetarian Vegetable Korma, Balanced Vegetarian Paneer Tikka Masala, Balanced Vegetarian Mutter Paneer, Balanced Vegetarian Palak Paneer,
Chicken Pad Thai, Palak Paneer, and Channa Masala.

My personal favorite it the Chicken Tikka Masala variety. This is the only frozen meal I have ever tasted that compares to what you would get in a fine restaurant or cook yourself at home. The best part is that you can enjoy all of the authentic Indian flavor in the comfort of your own home with no cooking! I just can't get over how juicy and succulent the chicken pieces are and how much flavor is packed into the sauce. The rice tastes as if you just scooped it fresh out of a rice cooker. I love that they use all real ingredients. It gets 5 stars from me!

Look at all of that REAL food! 

Tandoor Chef will have a special page on their website where readers can guess weekly what the gluten free dish of the week is. Every week, we will choose one winner from those who answered correctly and they will win a month supply of Tandoor Chef. The contest is going on from May 4th - June 1st.

Be sure to visit Tandoor Chef on their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for product updates and promotions.

I was provided with product coupons to purchase items and post an honest review. All opinions are my own as always.

Marco’s Grilled Chicken Florentine Pizza is back for a limited time!

A couple nights ago, I walked into my local Marco’s Pizza to pick up my order I placed by phone. To my surprise upon opening the door to the store, about 5 people back in the kitchen greeted me at the same time saying, “Welcome to Marco’s Pizza!” They all seemed like they were having a great time baking up those delicious pizzas. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Florentine pizza that is currently back at Marco’s until 6/21/15 at participating stores. If you haven’t tried this pizza yet, you better hurry! I tried it last year for the first time and fell in love. We’re talking grilled chicken, Parmesan garlic sauce, fresh spinach, fresh red onion, fresh Roma tomato slices and their perfect blend of cheeses including my favorite, Feta on top of the most crisp, light and airy crust. Truly, pizza perfection! We just love authentic Italian pizza.

#ad @marcospizza Grilled Chicken Florentine Pizza is amazing! Love that fresh spinach! @nicheparent #pizza #veggies #chicken #MarcosPizza #spinach #spreadthespinach

A photo posted by Shelly (@momfiles) on Mar 24, 2015 at 6:43pm PDT

The flavors all go together so well and my whole family can’t get enough of it. This will be our Friday night take-out until they stop offering it. That makes me wonder why they would only offer something so delicious for a limited time. I would LOVE to see it available as an everyday menu item (hint, hint Marco’s!) If you order online, you can view all of the specials they have. I believe most stores offer delivery within a certain area. We are lucky to have two nearby locations so it is never a problem to go pick it up. Give the Marco’s Grilled Chicken Florentine pizza a try and let me know what you think!

Find Marco's Pizza on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

I received a complimentary pizza voucher to try the Grilled Chicken Florentine Pizza in exchange for spreading the word about Marco’s limited-time offer. All opinions are deliciously my own as always. 

New at IHOP Criss Croissants-- A must-try!

I had the absolute pleasure of sampling the latest menu item from IHOP. The all-new Criss Croissants. Breakfast lovers the world over have long enjoyed the unique taste and texture of the classic French croissant—that delicate, buttery flaky pastry that practically melts in your mouth.  Now, IHOP restaurants introduces a brand new way to savor that treat—by taking that distinctive dough and baking it in a waffle iron so that you have the luscious taste of a croissant with the distinctive criss-crossing of the waffle iron pattern, and voila!  Criss-Croissants!

Oh boy, these are out of this world! Criss Croissants are available in two irresistible flavors: Strawberry Rhubarb and Blackberry Lemonade. I'm a strawberry gal so I knew that was the one I would want to try first. I won't lie, I anticipated that the cream would be too sweet for my liking. To my surprise, it wasn't at all. It was lightly sweet and the fruit was bursting with a sweet and tangy flavor. It was the perfect combination. I had mine paired with the bacon and egg combo and I ate every last bite. My husband tried it too and enjoyed it as well. We noticed that many people sitting around us were ordering the same thing. I don't blame them :)

Strawberry Rhubarb: A warm waffled croissant filled with perfectly sweetened cream cheese, and crowned with a strawberry rhubarb topping.

Blackberry Lemonade: A warm waffled croissant filled with refreshing lemonade cream and topped with sweet blackberries.

Criss Croissants are available as part of a breakfast combo at participating IHOP restaurants through April 5. If you can make it out to IHOP, you must try Criss Croissants. You won't be disappointed! Be sure to check out IHOP on the web and follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I received a gift card to try out the latest menu offering in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

$3 Wine that is actually good?

Hey, y'all! I just wanted to share a great wine I stumbled upon in my local Kroger store a couple months ago. I noticed that they have cases of the Bay Bridge Vineyards brand of wines displayed at the front of the wine aisle and I would walk past it because, how good can a $3 wine be? I see people picking up 3 and 4 bottles at a time and the display cases sometimes look like they have been hit hard. This heightened my curiosity *ahem* 

I finally decided to try the Merlot, since I figured I can always cook with it if I wasn't too crazy about it. It turns out that I LOVE it, and love the price even more! I was so surprised that it really does taste really nice and I can stock up without feeling a big hit to my wallet. I have not seen this brand in any other store before so if you have a Kroger in your area, it is worth trying a bottle. Let me know if you do! Enjoy :)