2011 January

Recipe Roundtable – Superbowl Sliders and a Giveaway!

January 30, 2011 By Big Binder 6 Comments

I just used Random.org to choose the Recipe Roundtable winners from last week and I’m just waiting to hear back from one of them. If either of them are unable to fulfill their duties as prize winners, the crown will be handed to a runner up.

So next week is the Superbowl.

The Steelers are playing, but frankly, I have no idea who they are up against. I only know that because my husband is a die-hard Steelers fan. To me, the Superbowl is about one thing and one thing only:

Snacks.

I loved the idea of a “Build Your Own Slider Bar” for the Superbowl, so I did a trial run tonight at dinner.

This was the spread.

Unlike the Superbowl, there were no losers, only winners. My husband and Maybelle loved the Meatball Sliders, A.P. loved the Popcorn Fish Sliders, and I consumed an embarrassing amount of BBQ Sliders.

It was a fun dinner, and it will be a GREAT Superbowl spread. Here are the recipes:

BBQ Slider

1-2 oz Byron’s BBQ

1 slider burger roll

Cabbage slaw:

Bagged cabbage mix (or be sneaky and use Broccoli slaw!)

½ cup mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. cider vinegar

¼ tsp celery seed

Dash of salt and pepper

I also set out the homemade pickles.

Popcorn Slider

1-2 oz SeaPak Popcorn Fish or Shrimp

1 slider burger roll

Lettuce and Tomato

Tartar sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. pickle relish

Sprinkle of salt and pepper

Meatball Slider

2 Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs

1 slider burger roll

1 Tbsp. marinara sauce

1 slice mozzarella cheese

Along with these great recipes, I’m excited to give away a copy of the book “101 Things To Do With Meatballs“. I love it just for the title alone. Want to win?

Just fill out this form!

Now it’s time to hear from YOU! Do you have a fun Superbowl recipe?

Link up with us! This weekly feature is co-hosted by http://www.thebigbinder.com/ and http://www.sarahsdeals.net/. Each blog will host it’s own recipe, but share a common linky. The co-hostesses links will appear at the top of the list and you are welcome to join in.

Please link to your ACTUAL POST and not just your home page so people can find it easier. Also please put the recipe title in parentheses to help out the other readers. Old recipe posts are fine. While we appreciate a link back or the addition of the button above, it is NOT required. Thank you for participating!

I received product samples. All opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: Recipe Roundtable

Things I Love Thursday – Collective Bias!

January 27, 2011 By Big Binder 2 Comments

Yesterday I told you that I was attending the Blissdom Conference. It’s the first day, and it feels a little like summer camp. All of the people who came last year are hugging and talking, and all of the new people (like me) are pretty wide-eyed and just taking it all in.

I mentioned that my attendance here is being sponsored by Collective Bias. People like to attend conferences for a lot of reasons, but my personal goals are to:

Connect with other local event bloggers from other cities and share best practices and ideas. I”m happy to say I’ve already made a few connections today!

Learn more about the technical aspect of blogging. My CSS and HTML are as good as my French, which is to say, terrible.

Network with conference sponsor on behalf of Collective Bias, who made this whole thing possible for me.

Introduce new bloggers to the Social Fabric, which is the community of bloggers and social media influencers who help craft campaigns and then participate in them.

My involvement with Collective Bias began last year, and I was soon working on really fun campaigns like Younkers, Dayspring, UPS, Pedialyte Singles, and Bergan. In November, I became a Collective Bias Community Leader, which I absolutely love. I work on the ‘other side’ of campaigns, and I organize the blogger involvement part of them. It has been a great experience all around and I am really exited to be here because of Collective Bias!

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Filed Under: Enjoy, Things I Love Thursday

Grand Rapids is SO Not Dying

January 26, 2011 By Big Binder 1 Comment

You may have read or heard about the recent Newsweek article that declared Grand Rapids ‘a dying city’. The figured since the population of under 18 year olds had decreased at a higher rate than the rest of the country, we’re just waiting for the official time of death.

Since the young set in Grand Rapids is kind of my thing, the Grand Rapids Social Diary asked me for a guest post about this issue. I’d love for you to go and read it, and let me know what you think.

Is Grand Rapids a dying city?

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Filed Under: I Just Feel Like Blogging

Things To Do! January 26-31

January 25, 2011 By Big Binder 2 Comments

I’m going to tell you about all the fun coming up in Grand Rapids a little early this week because I’m going out of town (so you’ll have to enjoy it for me!)

Tomorrow at a painfully early hour, I’ll be flying down to Nashville where I’m attending the Blissdom conference, thanks to my awesome sponsor Collective Bias. I am THRILLED to be representing this amazing company!

Enjoy your week; this is going to be a great experience for me and I know it will help me make Big Binder a better blog.

******************************************************************

(Ongoing) January 20 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM $1 admission to Family Night at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

(Ongoing) January 21 10:00 AM – 12:00 Bouncin’ Babies and Tumblin’ Toddlers at Kentwood Recreational Center $1.00 per child.

(Ongoing) Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle. Hours are: Monday-Tuesday 6:00-9:30p.m. Wednesday-Thursday 12:00noon-9:30p.m. Friday-Saturday 12:00noon-10:00p.m. Sunday 12:00noon-9:30 PM. Admission fee to the rink is $1.00. Skates are free with I.D.

(Ongoing) Saturdays from 10:00AM – 3:00 PM Skate and Create at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Grab a coupon at the GRAM warming shelter and get admission to the Art Museum for $2.00!

Friday, January 28 7:00 PM Evening story time with Curious George at Barnes & Noble, Rivertown Crossing.

Saturday, January 29 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Super Science Saturday at Grand Valley State University. Interactive, hands-on science fun for K-12 students, teachers, parents, and community members!

Saturday January 29 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sparta Kids Winter Snow Break. Lots of winter fun!

Saturday, January 29 10:30 AM Alto Branch of Kent District Library. Egypt Program!

Saturday, January 29 1:00 PM “There’s A Monster In My Lunchbox” program at Barnes & Noble, Woodland.

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Filed Under: Enjoy, Things to do Thursday

Recipe Roundtable – Two Day Cha Cha Chili & A GIVEAWAY!

January 23, 2011 By Big Binder 2 Comments

Another Sunday, another Recipe Roundtable, another giveaway! This time it’s for Red Gold Tomatoes, and TWO winners will get this very sweet prize pack.

This prize pack includes a cook book, recipe cards, three varieties of Red Gold diced tomatoes, Red Gold Sloppy Joe Mix, Red Gold Ketchup, and Red Gold Jalapeno Ketchup (my husband is beside himself about this one). There is also a clip magnet, a key-chain, a refrigerator magnet, and a tote bag. Phew!

My recipe this week is a made-up one that works really well, because it:

Is inexpensive (hello dried beans!)
Makes a double batch, so you have enough for lunch the next day AND enough to freeze for another meal.
Is ridiculously easy for how healthy it is.

I call it “Two Day Cha-Cha Chili“. Watch my Whrrl to see how it’s done (and to find out how to enter my contest!). Good luck – I’ll draw the winner next Sunday! My partner Sarahs Deals has added some great Red Gold recipes too, so be sure to check those out as well.

More check-ins at my kitchen

This giveaway is now closed.

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Filed Under: Eat, Recipe Roundtable

Things To Do – Free, Fun and Frugal In Grand Rapids – With Kids!

January 19, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

This is about the time of year I am getting sick of winter, and just hanging around until Groundhog day to see how much longer we’re in for.

This winter has been a pretty fun one so far though! Maybe it’s because I’m not working outside of the home. Maybe it’s because my husband has hit his stride as a student and isn’t as stressed out. Maybe it’s because my kids are loving school right now.

I don’t know – but whatever it is; I’ll take it.

Next week is going to be full of winter fun. We are talking about skating rinks around town on my brand new “Grand Rapids Great Kids Blog Frog” community – come over and tell us what your favorite patch of ice is (or find a new one!).

Here is what I have found that is free, frugal and fun for kids in Grand Rapids!

(Ongoing) January 20 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM $1 admission to Family Night at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

(Ongoing) January 21 10:00 AM – 12:00 Bouncin’ Babies and Tumblin’ Toddlers at Kentwood Recreational Center $1.00 per child.

(Ongoing) Saturdays from 10:00AM – 3:00 PM Skate and Create at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Grab a coupon at the GRAM warming shelter and get admission to the Art Museum for $2.00!

January 22 and 23 Great Skate Winterfest Rosa Parks Circle. Family events, dog sleds, ice skating – SO much going on, you do not want to miss this!

January 22 10:00 AM Lowes Workshop, build a Ball Toss Game!! This looks great too!

January 22 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM Peter and the Wolf Lollipop Concerts, Grand Rapids Symphony $5.00.

January 22 2:00 – 3:00 PM Blandford Nature Center Anishinabe Program, $3.00 per person. Learn how the first people of Michigan lived and hunted in the winter. Visit our wigwam and hear a story around the fire.Learn how the first people of Michigan lived and hunted in the winter. Visit the wigwam and hear a story around the fire. Call to RSVP 735-6240.

January 22 3:00 PM Master Arts Theatre presents Driving Miss Daisy. Free will offering!

And then – come back Sunday for ANOTHER giveaway (not just for you Grand Rapids people!). I know! Just go ahead and subscribe so you don’t miss anything

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Filed Under: Things to do Thursday

Animal Adventures in the Tropics (A GIVEAWAY!)

January 17, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

Have you ever been to Animal Adventures in the Tropics at Meijer Gardens? It’s fun! And entertaining. And inexpensive. And educational. And warm.

We’ve been quite a few times and it’s a little different every year. This year, Animal Adventures in the Tropics will be Monday, January 31 and February 7 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, and the cost is $5 members and $7 for non-members.

John Ball Zoo has gotten involved, and it’s going to be pretty sweet. There will be three tropical animals, live animal presentations, and fun activities. Also, there will be “a hissing obstacle course and art projects like beard flare, toothpick art and armor making.”

I don’t know what any of those things mean, really, but they sound fun.

You do have to get a reservation by calling John Ball Zoo at 616-336-4310 or Meijer Gardens at 974-5239.

This contest is now closed.

I’ll announce the winner on Friday, January 21. Good luck!

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Filed Under: Contests

Recipe Roundtable – Home Made Mac & Cheese

January 16, 2011 By Big Binder 7 Comments

First things first! The winner of the Country Bob’s Cookbook has been chosen, and I’ve sent out an email with some information to the winner, so be on the look out for that!

Don’t worry if you didn’t win; I have another great contest coming up tomorrow so you can come back and visit me then

For now let’s just take a look at a new recipe.

It’s a family recipe, handed down from my Grandma. Her recipes did not bother with cups, teaspoons and tablespoons; it was a box of this and a container of that. Very practical really.

A word of warning: this is dangerous. You will eat the whole thing, even though there is a whole pan of it. DO NOT plan on leftovers. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Home-made Macaroni and Cheese

1 large box (16 oz) macaroni – shells, elbows, whatever

16 oz container sour cream

16 oz container small curd cottage cheese

3 eggs

3/4 stick of butter cut up

2 lbs sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (This recipe was created before the time of pre-shredded cheese. In the interest of consistency; this really should be “1 bag of cheese”).

Put in a casserole dish and bake at 350 uncovered for one hour.

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Filed Under: Recipe Roundtable

Grand Rapids – Frugal Fun With Kids!

January 14, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

I’ve posted a few deals on my Facebook page that I don’t want you email and RSS readers to miss out on!

First, for winter sports lovers on a budget check out these money-saving deals:

The Fox 17 Lift ticket is a $172 value for $30 and can be used at Cannonsburg and two other ski areas in Michigan.
Cold Is Cool makes it possible for fourth graders to ski for free at several ski areas across the state!

I also updated the Frugal Fun This Week page with some goodies.

January 13, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Celebrate Dino-Hockey. Celebrate the children’s book Dino-Hockey with a very special visit from Grand Rapids Griffins mascot, Griff! Skate on paper plates, participate in a snowball bounce, and a marshmallow stacking contest. For ages 10 & younger. Grand Rapids Public Library, Madison Square Branch.

Sunday, January 16, 2:00 – 4:00 PM East Grand Rapids Library. Family Sunday: Puppet Making Fun! Create a felt or sock puppet with our huge variety of craft materials. Don’t forget to give your new friend a name and a personality!

Wednesday, January 19 2:00 PM Plainfield Library, Egyptian Program that I wrote about!

Have a wonderful weekend!

See you Sunday at the Recipe Roundtable when I’ll announce the winner of the Country Bob’s Cookbook. There is still time to enter! (Did you get your free bottle yet?). Make sure you tune in Monday for another great contest I know you’ll want to hear about!

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Filed Under: Free and Frugal, Things to do Thursday

Hey Grand Rapids: I’m Mad At You

January 13, 2011 By Big Binder 2 Comments

Today I am breaking a cardinal law of blogging. Or maybe it’s an ordinal one. Or maybe it’s just one I made up, I forget sometimes.

I am writing while I’m angry. At Grand Rapids.

You know that doesn’t happen often. Here’s the deal.

FIVE YEARS AGO, little A.P. went to a Martin Luther King, Jr. event at the Grand Rapids Public Library. He was smitten. Instantly, he had a hero. When your two year old decides someone like that is their hero – you run with it.

We started celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday. Naturally, there was cake. My “in real life” friends will remember that we had a framed picture of A.P.’s hero hanging in our kitchen for several years.

As a family we started collecting books about civil rights leaders. Rosa Parks. Ruby Bridges. And we started to learn that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great civil rights leader – but he was much more than that.

He was a good American. He fought for social justice. For everyone.

King fought, but not with guns. He believed strongly in non-violence, which was not (and still is not) a popular way to get messages across. Really now. Today as our country is standing in the middle of two wars and a set of funerals kicked off by one for a a nine year old who was attending a political speech could we not stand to hear a word or two about peace and non-violence?

Last night, I set about to write a lovely post for all of you. A post about all of the childrens’ events going on to celebrate this great man’s birthday. MLK day has become a ‘national day of service’, so I was also looking for opportunities where kids could serve.

I found one.

ONE.

To it’s credit, the David D Hunting YMCA is holding a “Martin Luther King Day of Play” Monday, January 17 from 4-6pm at David D. Hunting Branch. It’s open to the public and free.

I searched this-a-way, and that-a-way. And found nothing. I hopped on Twitter, and said this:

(The 140 character limit on Twitter precludes eloquence. You have to get right to the point)

The Grand Rapids Public Library responded:

Taste of Soul is the celebration of African American heritage put on by the Grand Rapids Public Library. It’s an awesome event, but in my opinion is quite separate from the issues of justice and equality that Martin Luther King, Jr. made his life’s work.

I am grateful to GRCC for their MLK day celebration. I have been to it before. In fact once I saw one of my own heroes, Juan Williams, speak there. But other than the Peace March, none of it is for children.

It’s important enough to be a federal holiday. Sadly, one that is becoming more and more just a day off and less and less about honoring a great man.

Next year, I hope this is a very different post. I hope I can report that the Dr. King will be properly celebrated by our community, and that children are welcome.

Until then, please listen to A.P. reading some of “Martin’s Big Words”