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Friday, April 23, 2010

Everything but...and a Giveaway!

Hi guys! Friday at last!! I have lots to cover, so I'll try to keep the words to a minimum.

First up, have you heard about Sabrina's I Love Salad! Challenge? Go to her blog and check it out. My contribution? One of my favorite mixes- a Greek type salad containing spinach, cucumbers, artichokes, carrots, feta cheese & dried cherries, topped with olive oil and vinegar:




Second, I saw this recipe on the Fruit Not Fat blog for granola bars and knew I wanted to give them a go. I followed the recipe exactly (for once) and used two varieties of Galaxy Granola:

The outcome:



These bars PUFF up big time!! They're yummy, but more cakey like than granola bar like:

Third, lots of fun BAoK action going on:
  • Lindsay gave Madeline two fun BAoK gifts that really made her day!
  • Janetha (queen of BAoK in my book) gave Lauren a fun Starbucks gift card for her birthday
  • Melissa sent Sarah some Odwalla bars (because she can't get them in Canada)
  • And my fellow future housewife ;) Julie sent me the SWEETEST package containing TJs coffee (love it!) and the best protein powder flavor ever...because she knows how much Josh enjoys it hahaha (you're the best!)
Keep the BAoK going! Emails, cards, anything! Share the blogger love.
Ok, finally...for the giveaway! I mentioned previously that I had won tickets to the 2010 Taste of the Nation in Greenville, SC. I have one ticket to giveaway! If you want the ticket, please leave a comment below letting me know! The contest will be open until Monday, April 26 at noon. The winner will be randomly selected.
Have a great weekend!! What are you up to?


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54 comments:

  1. Jessica @ How SweetApril 23, 2010 at 7:02 AM

    Those bars look awesome! I love when they are thick and soft. Have a great weekend! :)

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  2. HeatherApril 23, 2010 at 7:40 AM

    Those bars look so good! Makes me want to back a batch tonight!

    Enjoy your weekend! :)

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  3. itsawrapApril 23, 2010 at 7:41 AM

    You always have the best giveaways! I would love a ticket :)

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  4. Naomi(Onefitfoodie)April 23, 2010 at 7:49 AM

    i have SO MUCH granola! i am so wanting to make those bars!

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  5. Lauren @ Eater not a runnerApril 23, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    Those bars look awesome, I do love my Galaxy Granola :-)

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  6. madeleineApril 23, 2010 at 8:01 AM

    Erica, thanks for the BAoK shout out!!! Linds definitely made my day with her surprise treats:)) BTW, the granola bar recipe looks awesome! I wonder how it would turn out with egg whites only? I might have to get cooking next week;)

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  7. Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/April 23, 2010 at 8:33 AM

    Hey sister! Of course your bars have my tummy growling!!! I've never put artichokes on my salad, but you know I will now! Can't wait to see you Sunday. Thanks for the encouragement on my last post!!

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  8. Pining for PinterestApril 23, 2010 at 8:42 AM

    I want a ticket!!! I would not even have to drive far since I live in Greenville :)

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  9. JessicaApril 23, 2010 at 8:47 AM

    that's my kind of granola bar - CAKE!
    Have a great weekend!

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  10. MollyApril 23, 2010 at 9:13 AM

    Wow I love how puffy those bars got ! Yummy!

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  11. Stephanie @cookinfanaticApril 23, 2010 at 9:25 AM

    I totally need to try making those bars, I have some galaxy granola that needs using and these look sooooo goooood!

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  12. KatieApril 23, 2010 at 9:40 AM

    I'm so proud of the BAoK progress! I'll be getting on that this weekend. Random Acts of Kindness are so spontaneous and lovely!

    This weekend I'm catching up with friends I haven't seen in a while. Enjoy yours!

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  13. AnaApril 23, 2010 at 10:12 AM

    I love artichoke hearts and feta, that salad is eight down my alley ;) Thanks for the granola bar recipe, I need to get some galaxy granola.

    Right now I have been busy finishing up loads of schoolwork. One more and I can officially say I am done with undergraduate school!! Can't wait to be free and have more time to blog, haha :)

    Hope you are having a great Friday!

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  14. Beth @ DiningAndDishingApril 23, 2010 at 10:55 AM

    I'm so excited for this weekend! A big group of friends and I are heading to a winery for the day on Sat. and then in the evening a few of us girls are going out to celebrate my friend who just became single!! haha :) I hope you have an awesome weekend too!!!

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  15. JennaApril 23, 2010 at 11:04 AM

    Those bars are calling my name I think! :)

    Not up to much this weekend. I do have to go grocery shopping for the first time since getting back from vacation, so I am actually really excited for that. Nerd alert, right here!

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  16. Jessie (Vegan-minded)April 23, 2010 at 11:05 AM

    Wow, your salad and those bars both look so good! Although I have not been formally doing a salad challenge, I am definitely trying to eat more of it on a weekly basis. Enjoy your weekend! :)

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  17. HollyApril 23, 2010 at 11:26 AM

    oohhh those bars look fantastic! must go scout out that recipe.

    yay for BAoK! what a fabulous way of giving back - i love that you are doing this project and will be contributing soon.

    this weekend...RUNNING AN 8K RACE! woot woot!

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  18. TraceyApril 23, 2010 at 11:35 AM

    WOW - those bars are puffy!

    I need to pick up some of that Galaxy granola. I'm having a hard time finding some granola I really like.

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  19. AnonymousApril 23, 2010 at 11:37 AM

    Those bars look great- going to check out the recipe right now!

    Don't enter me because I am too far away, but have a blast at Taste of the Nation. So jealous ;)

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  20. HollyApril 23, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    That is crazy timing because I've been craving salads like MAD lately! (Think it's the warm weather). I'll definitely check out her challenge! Isn't feta cheese on salads THE best?

    Hope you have a fantastic weekend, girl!

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  21. TiffanyApril 23, 2010 at 12:20 PM

    wow, i would LOVE to win a ticket to taste the nation!! i've always been envious of people who can go to food events! oh and those bars definitely look more like blondies than granola bars, but nonetheless look amaaazing! now if only i had some galaxy granola to make some with... :P

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  22. Jenny-LeeApril 23, 2010 at 12:29 PM

    i live in gvegas and would LOVE a ticket to check it out :)

    ummm, those bars look ridiculously good.

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  23. LaurenApril 23, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    Ummm do I want a ticket?!?!! What kind of question is that??? :) LOL, I would DIE for a ticket! :)

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  24. LaurenApril 23, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    Ummm do I want a ticket?!?!! What kind of question is that??? :) LOL, I would DIE for a ticket! :)

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  25. EsiApril 23, 2010 at 1:01 PM

    Don't enter me into the giveaway bc I wouldn't be able to go, but just wanted to say, have a fab weekend! I'm off to SF for a couple days.

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  26. Lazaro CooksApril 23, 2010 at 1:12 PM

    Beautiful salad. Good luck with it, I hope you win. Cheers!

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  27. MariaApril 23, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    Love that salad! I went to Combat today, will do Pump tomorrow. I am also spending time with my niece and nephew and we have a dinner party this weekend. Have a great weekend!

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  28. Jane BeallApril 23, 2010 at 1:32 PM

    I'm interested in the ticket!

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  29. AnonymousApril 23, 2010 at 2:04 PM

    Love the granola bars!

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  30. The Blonde DuckApril 23, 2010 at 2:10 PM

    I'm not a salad girl, but I love Greek salads.

    And I love the puffy granola bars! They look like oatmeal scotchies!

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  31. BridgetApril 23, 2010 at 2:22 PM

    MMm I want a bar that puffs!! Haha. Those looks really good...I want to work on a bar for my friend who's alergic to tree nuts (she can still have PB), and she's preggers so she wants a good snack with some protein. I'll have to get cracking on that!

    I wish I could go to Taste of the nation!! Sadly just a tad too far ;) Happy Friday Erica!!

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  32. JessicaApril 23, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    Salads are my FAVORITE! Those bars also look pretty amazing : )

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  33. Michelle @ Find Your BalanceApril 23, 2010 at 3:43 PM

    Thanks for telling me about the I love salads thing! Have a good weekend :-)

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  34. BroccoliHutApril 23, 2010 at 4:06 PM

    What a delicious salad--I think I need some artichokes in my life, pronto!

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  35. AngelalovesfoodApril 23, 2010 at 4:59 PM

    Sabrina is so creative, her recipes are simple and I bet they are really good. Those granola bars look so soft! Checking the recipes out now!

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  36. StaceyApril 23, 2010 at 6:20 PM

    I absolutely love Galaxy granola. I think I will check out that recipe.

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  37. kris | iheartwellness.comApril 23, 2010 at 7:53 PM

    Ok, these bars look flippin good! I must go find the recipe!!

    Mmm this coffee sounds so good. I just love coffee, but have limited myself to 1 cup a day....sniff sniff...

    Have a great weekend love!

    XXOO

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  38. Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.comApril 23, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    Bars look delicious, and so does the salad- I just love the big salads- esp with feta!!!

    I'm just trying to spend a lot of time with my family this weekend. I hope you have a wonderful few days!!

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  39. JulieApril 23, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    gah! can i win this contest? i'll walk to south carolina..

    those bars look HUNKY girl! so delicious :) i've got to find some galaxy granolas pronto!

    speaaaaking out housewives i haven't watched last night's episode yet but my sis did and said it was perrrrty good :)

    and you HAVE to let me know how fruit punch is. i'll be really upset if you drink it and turn into the koolaid pitcher. i will then regret sending it to you ;)

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  40. Nicole CarrilloApril 24, 2010 at 12:44 AM

    Ohh granola cake-like bars! It'd be like eating a slice o' good old fashion cake, only, oat-filled! I likey! haha, hope you have a great weekend!!

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  41. Janetha @ meals + movesApril 24, 2010 at 1:04 AM

    holy moses. those bars look like some amazing cookie cake bar hybrid and i WANT ONE! i wish i could go to TOTN. i love their events. thanks for the shout out. you are the queen in MY book!

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  42. CaSaundraLeighApril 24, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    I bet I would like those bars--I tend to like cakey textures vs crunchy. Your BAoK movement could possibly take off like Operation Beautiful--who knows!

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  43. AnonymousApril 24, 2010 at 10:26 AM

    Fun examples of BAoK!

    I should get some dried cherries for salads. I love them in Larabars and I love dried fruit in general in my salads, so I'm sure I'd love them in salads too.

    We don't have much planned - run this morning, movie and dinner with my parents, swim + bike brick tomorrow. That's about it. :)

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  44. teresaApril 24, 2010 at 11:28 AM

    what wonderful packages! the bars looks amazing. enjoy your weekend erica!

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  45. Deva (Voracious Vorilee)April 24, 2010 at 3:19 PM

    I just wanted to coment to say how YUMMY those bars look! We are planning on seeing a movie with some friends this weekend, hanging out, and cleaning house :-)

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  46. tamApril 24, 2010 at 4:29 PM

    Those bars look pretty damn good to me! x x

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  47. KristaApril 24, 2010 at 10:12 PM

    So glad to see the BAoK is catching on! I think it's such a great idea.

    I'm off to check out that bar recipe! Have a great rest of the weekend, Erica!!!

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  48. Paige (RAN)April 25, 2010 at 5:16 PM

    Oh my goodness those bars look yummy:) I need to use up some of my granola to make something out of it. I have about three half full bags, hehe.

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  49. AnonymousApril 25, 2010 at 7:45 PM

    I'm glad there is an AND in front of the giveaway and it's not everything but a giveaway... your creation looks so wonderful!
    Katherine

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  50. whatkateateApril 25, 2010 at 9:43 PM

    I need to do some more BAoK. I did give some of the ladies some coupons for Sunshine Burgers today at our blogger meetup though! Im paying it forward :) Have a great Monday!

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  51. Being HealthierApril 25, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    those look SO yummy and delicious I wanted to eat my computer screen!

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  52. Lori LynnApril 26, 2010 at 11:39 AM

    Oh I love this blog site from your favorite Auntie Lori Lynn :)!!

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  53. Dawn (HealthySDLiving)April 26, 2010 at 3:23 PM

    Mmmm the muffins look good! I haven't been able to find canned pumpkin either! :/
    Glad you had a great meetup! I wish I lived closer to other bloggers!

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  54. Averie @ Averie CooksApril 26, 2010 at 11:44 PM

    Wow so much great food!! The bars and the granola treats you made in the last post...you are just too sweet to bring all your girls some goodies!

    and going over to an instructors house...i bet there was alot of vino and laughter and i bet it was a ball!

    blogger meetup....OMG you all are too cute! Your hair looks stellar, not sure what you're talkin bout :)

    I would love to meet: You!!!!
    xoxo

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