Bruegger's Bagels fall menu*

* no compensation was received for this post. I was provided information about the new fall menu and some coupons to check out the featured items. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

I think I can comfortably say that fall is one of my favorite seasons. Not only does my birthday occur in the fall, but there are so many things that I love about the fall. I love the crispness of the air, the crackle of the leaves beneath your feet, the fun of bonfires and hayrides, and especially, the tastes of fall. For me the tastes of fall include apple, pumpkin, candy corn and of course, all of the fixings for Thanksgiving. The fall also brings the coolness necessary to really start cooking again - chilis, roasts, desserts...as much as I love grilling and the fresh fruits and vegetables of summer, there is something really comforting about the foods of fall.

Bruegger’s Bagels introduced their new fall menu last month "and it full of all our fall favorites along with some great new flavors.

Bruegger’s Bagels summer Sriracha Egg sandwich received such rave reviews that it is now available on the permanent menu. In keeping with on trend flavors, Bruegger’s Bagels introduces the Chimi-Cheddar Egg Sandwich, featuring chimichurri sauce. The Chimi-Cheddar Egg Sandwich uses the traditional Argentinian sauce to spice up Bruegger’s Bagels’ classic egg, bacon and cheddar sandwich and is served on a plain bagel.

You will also be delighted to see the return of cool weather favorites, the Pumpkin Bagel, Pumpkin Cream Cheese and Pumpkin Spiced Coffee. Last year everyone so enjoyed the Cranberry Apple Bagel that it too makes a return to the fall menu.

[You] can order their pumpkin favorites until Nov. 27. The Cranberry Apple Bagel and other featured menu items will be available until January 2014."

On Sunday, we headed to lunch at Bruegger's. I decided to check out the new Chimi-Cheddar Egg Sandwich, which I had on an whole wheat bagel. I am a big fan of breakfast sandwiches and must say that I really liked the addition of the green pepper and the chimichurri sauce (although, I had to look up chimichurri sauce to learn that it was a mixture of parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil and vinegar, but can also be seasoned with other spices and/or hot sauce). The green pepper gave it a nice crunch and the chimichurri added some additional flavor. My husband enjoyed one of their flat bread paninis, my son a breakfast sandwich and my daughter a toasted blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese and strawberry jam (clearly a berry fan!)

I enjoyed my sandwich with a cup of Pumpkin Spiced coffee. I was never a big coffee drinker until a few years ago - I had survived college, my first job, and two children without developing an interest or taste in coffee - but when I changed departments at work, meeting my old group for coffee breaks became a social activity and I slowly started to actually have coffee on the coffee breaks. Now that I enjoy coffee, one of my favorites is Pumpkin Spiced coffee, and their brew did not disappoint.

We also grabbed some bagels to go - Blueberry for the kids and Pumpkin for my husband and I. I enjoyed mine with a little bit of honey butter and it was delish, I had considered toasting it, but I love the chewiness of their bagels and decided to not warm it up.

We have some soccer games next week near a Bruegger's Bagels and I think I might just have to swing by for a bagel and coffee snack for the game.

What are your favorite fall flavors?

No compensation was received for this post. I was provided information about the new fall menu and some coupons to check out the featured items. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

Making Kid Friendly Chopsticks

This post is courtesy of my son. We went to lunch Tuesday at a Thai restaurant, his first visit to a Thai restaurant. When I requested chopsticks, he wanted to be able to use them too. He is not yet comfortable using chopsticks in a traditional way, but he had previously used special kid chopsticks at another restaurant. As a result, he knew what he needed to make a set of kid friendly chopsticks out of a standard set of restaurant chopsticks. He headed up to the hostess stand and asked for a rubber band. We made up a set and he used it to enjoy his lunch.

After we were done eating, he wanted to take a video of me making the chopsticks. So, based on his request, here is a picture of the three supplies that you will need - a rubber band, a set of chopsticks and their wrapper:

Here is the video that he shot of me making the chopsticks:

As you can see, you simply roll up the paper that the chopsticks come in and place that between the chopsticks on the non-eating end of the sticks, leaving just enough room to attach the rubber band. Attach the rubber band securely above the wrapper, and Voila!, chopsticks that a child can easily master and use to enjoy their meal...just like mom.

(I guess this is my first Vlog...does it matter that I didn't say a thing? He certainly had what feels like an odd angle and I feel like I look a mess, when he moved the video to show me - but all in all, I can now say that I have Vlogged.)

This post shared at Works For Me Wednesday.

Valentine's Day at the Rusty Bucket

Looking for a tasty way to celebrate Valentine's Day with the whole family? Why not head over to your local Rusty Bucket and share a meal tonight - the kids eat free. Plus, they will have balloons, candy, Cupid's Cup kid beverages and more!



I have never been to the Rusty Bucket, but after checking out their menu, I am excited to give them a try.

"Comfort Food At Its Best

The Rusty Bucket features an extensive American menu of your family favorites. There’s something for everyone!"

Find the Rusty Bucket location nearest you here.

No compensation was received for this post. The information about the special was provided by the Rusty Bucket.

National Pancake Day - Free Short Stack at IHOP!

I love pancakes. I could eat them for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner - and have. There is just something that is so satisfying about a warm stack of pancakes with that touch of warm maple syrup. If you like pancakes, and live near an IHOP, today is your lucky day - today you can score free pancakes (consider making a donation though).

Flip for Free Pancakes!
February 5, 2013
Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $10 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 5, 2013, guests from around the country will once again celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes*. In return for the free pancakes, guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© ** or other designated local charities.

You can learn more about National Pancake Day and find a location near you, on IHOP's website. Of course, there are restrictions - like limit of one short stack per customer, dine in only and while supplies last to name a few...so, as always, I recommend confirming with your local restaurant before heading out.

Entertainment Book - a giveaway

I like to save money, it is no secret. One tool that I have used to help me save money for several years (over 20 years to be sure!) has been the Entertainment Book. I first learned about the book when I was a kid. My parents had the book and I can remember using the coupons. It was when I went off to college and started dating that I became a first-time owner of my own Entertainment Book.

It may seem odd that a college student would own an Entertainment Book, but I got a book with my boyfriend because of all the fine dining offers. The offers in the front of the book, were BOGO offers at local fine dining locations. It allowed us to be 'fancy' in dating while still on a college budget. It was also a benefit for us when we would order pizza or go to the movie.

When I moved to Pittsburgh after college, I got an Entertainment Book for a different reason - to help me explore the area. Being new, I wasn't familiar with the local restaurants and entertainment venues (movies, bowling, sports, and more), but with the Entertainment Book, I was able to flip through by neighborhood and find places that were near to where I lived or where I was. It gave me a chance to try new things and save.

Now that I am married and have kids, we still use the Entertainment Book. There are a number of offers for local movie theaters, local mini-golf and entertainment centers, local sports teams (minor league), and zoos and museums. Since these are things that we would do anyway, it is nice to be able to save while we have fun with the kids. We still, of course, use the restaurant and the dry cleaning coupons too.

The book has gone more high-tech in recent years. Now, when you register your book online, you gain access to additional coupons through their website and now, through your phone too!

We also like giving the Entertainment Book as a gift. They are a great option for those in your life that like to try new restaurants or like to golf or like to check out the arts and culture in their community.

If you haven't checked out the Entertainment book, I highly recommend that you do. Review the discounts and deals in the book for your area. If you can find two or three offers that you know you will use and cover the cost of the book, then any other offers you use will be a good return on your investment. As an example, if you do a lot of dry cleaning, there are coupons in my book for 50% off your dry cleaning order, up to $10, each month. If I used these every month, I could save up to $120. Those coupons alone will pay for my book. If you are a golfer, or someone in your family is, there are a number of local courses that offer a free green fee with green fee, the senior rate to everyone, a free bucket of balls at the driving range, and more. Again, the savings opportunity for the golf alone will cover the cost of the book.

Giveaway!
Courtesy of Entertainment Book, I have the chance to give away to one A Busy Mom of Two reader an Entertainment Book for the community of your choice. Choose one for you or give it to a friend or family member (Christmas gift?!?)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through December 6th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. One winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary Entertainment Book to facilitate my review and one to give away to a reader. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Free Pasta on World Pasta Day

Who knew? Thursday is World Pasta Day. I am starting to think that if you have a passion for anything, you can either find a National/World day for it or you can create your own!

This Thursday, if you celebrate World Pasta Day at Buca di Beppo, you can enjoy a free Spaghetti (with purchase). Then, they will send you home with a coupon for $10 off your next visit and 1# of pasta.

You will need to head here to print a coupon. Be sure to check out the details, such as with purchase, on Thursday only, one per table, etc.

Free Lunch at Macaroni Grill on Friday!

Whoever said that there is no such thing as a free lunch, may have been wrong!

Right now, you can get a coupon for a Free Lunch at Macaroni Grill.

Simply, head on over to the Macaroni Grill Facebook page, Like them, Click on the Free Lunch Friday tab and you can print a coupon for a Free Choose 2 Lunch Combination on Friday.

There are a limited number of prints and it is restricted to one offer per table, valid during lunch hours only on Friday September 28.

Now, if only there were a Macaroni Grill close enough to work that I could actually take advantage of this offer.

Kids Eat Free At Olive Garden this week

Here is a great deal, that I think we may try to take advantage of this weekend. We were planning to eat out and I happen to have an Olive Garden gift card, adding this coupon will make it an inexpensive dinner out.

"Take a break from homework and cooking. Get one kid's meal FREE with the purchase of one adult entrée."
Offer valid 9/10/12 - 9/16/12. Limit 2 kids meals per coupon. For children 12 and under.

You can print your coupon here.

Tax Day Freebies

As seems to be the case each year, many businesses embrace Tax Day (and the days leading up) by offering some special deals.

From now through April 17th (tax day) Bruegger’s Bakery Café is offering a Big Bagel Bundle for $10.40, a reference to the 1040 tax form. The bundle includes 13 bagels and two tubs of cream cheese, which amounts to savings of between $4 and $5, depending on location. You can become a fan of their Facebook page to get the coupon that is required to take advantage of this offer.

Arby’s is giving away a free order curly fries on Tuesday, April 17th. You can print the coupon when you like them on Facebook. In addition, you can enter to win $5000 in Tax Relief.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is offering a 15% discount on meals Tuesday. Happy Hour deals and PF Changs for Two are excluded. You can use this offer on dine in or carry out. I can't find anything that suggests a coupon is requried.

Sounds like a tasty day to me!

There are several other Tax Day offers out there. What offers have you heard about?

Olive Garden Trip to Italy Sweepstakes (and a giveaway)

I love to cook and bake. If time and money were no factor, I would love to go to Culinary School. I'm not sure when I first started to love baking and cooking, but it is something that I honestly enjoy. Maybe it is a little bit of Grandma shining through. I can remember nights spent at her house and I would wake to the sound of Grandma humming in the kitchen. She was a great cook and baker - everything from Chicken Noodle Soup, to Goulash, to Seedless German Rye, to Apple Strudel, to Strawberry Rhubarb cake - she made it all.

Home Ec in Junior High School was my first real opportunity to spend time in the kitchen. Then, as I got older, I would help Mom out by getting dinner started. I can still remember the first time she asked me to help her get started by browning ground meat for dinner and she would finish the meal when she got home. I put it in the pan and it started to brown, a few minutes later, I decided I was done. When she came home, she explained to me that the meat should all be brown, not pink as my browned ground meat was.

In college, when I was working as a co-op and living on my own in unfamiliar cities, I took quite a few cooking/baking courses offered at local school and grocers. It was not only fun to learn new things, it was a great way to entertain myself and not just sit around my apartment.

I still try to take classes here or there that are offered locally. Right now, Olive Garden has a sweepstakes going on with a grand prize that I would love to win! They are giving away a Trip to Italy and interactive classes from the Culinary Institute of Tuscany's Master Italian Chef, Paola Lafata. First, let me say that an eight-day trip to Italy with my husband would be a wonderful getaway - like a second honeymoon. But, add cooking classes to that and it becomes even better!

Now through May 9th, 2011, Olive Garden is offering Italian food lovers the experience of a lifetime: an eight-day immersion into Italian cuisine and culture and an insider’s look at the Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany.

The sweepstakes will reward four grand-prize winners with an eight-day guided trip for two, including visits to some of Italy’s most popular cities and interactive classes from the Culinary Institute of Tuscany’s Master Italian Chef, Paolo Lafata. Also, 600 first prize winners will receive a $20 Olive Garden gift card to be used towards a genuine Italian dining experience at their local Olive Garden. Your readers can enter at www.olivegardentriptoitaly.com.

Giveaway
Thanks to Olive Garden, I have the opportunity to giveaway a $25 Olive Garden Gift Card to one A Busy Mom of Two reader.

To enter: Leave a comment sharing what your favorite item is at Olive Garden?

Additional Entries (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Follow A Busy Mom of Two on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. This can be once daily, please be sure to leave a link to the tweet in your comment.

Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your post

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Add my button to your sidebar or my blog to blog roll. Leave a link letting me know where you added it.

Giveaway will remain open until April 14th at 6pm and is open to US residents. Winner will be selected using Random.org random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (Please make sure that your email address is either in your comment or clearly visible on your profile or blog) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be selected.

As a side note, I think that Olive Garden must have a very effective slogan and ad campaign, because each time I write Olive Garden or read it, my brain finishes it with: "when you're here, you're family." Of course, my husband thinks I'm an advertisers dream, as I sing along to not only the music but also to all of the ads on the radio. The funny thing is that half the time, I don't realize that I am doing it. And, there are still songs from ads floating around in my head from my childhood - places that were local to where I grew up and maybe even some that aren't in business anymore.

No compensation was received for this post. Olive Garden provided me with a $25 gift card for myself and one to use as a giveaway.

Free Restauarant Deals

It's last minute, but today only, at IHOP, kids 12 and under can get a free Scary Face Pancake. Offer is limit one per child and is available for dine in only.

This one you will want to verify your local Applebee's is participating. On Sunday, Trick or Treaters (children 12 or under, in costume) can receive a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal. I can't find this on their website (they do mention their Veterans Day offer), but I know that they did it last year, have seen it in articles online and was told that my local Applebee's is participating.

If you or your family is planning to dress up as a Horrifying Processed Food Item, head to Chipotle on Halloween for a $2 Burritto, Bowl, Salad or order of Tacos. This seems a little more challenging then dressing as a Burritto, where they will accept it as long as you have foil on.

TGI Friday's has some Halloween weekend deals that start today at 5 pm and running through Sunday. You can find the details here. Today and Saturday, the offer is a free appetizer on Friday and Saturday (need to be in costume) and on Sunday, the kids in costume eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.

Chili's is also offering free kids meals on Halloween. You need to sign up for their E-mail Club to get the coupon. Plus, it looks like if you sign up, you can also get the free Chips and Queso coupon still.

I'm sure that there are other deals and offers out there...have you seen any? Share them in the comments so everyone can enjoy.

National Lasagna Day

Today, July 29th is National Lasagna Day and to help you celebrate, there are a few free/cheap lasagna offers.

Buca di Beppo is offering a FREE lunch-sized portion of their famous Lasagna when you purchase any Buca Small® or Buca Large® Pasta or Entrée. They don't indicate the time frame within this offer is valid, so you might want to call ahead and see if you can get this offer at lunch and dinner or only lunch. There is also a $10 off of $20 coupon available on RedPlum - not sure that you can use both offers, but it is worth a shot.

Spaghetti Warehouse is offering a Lasagna meal for only 4.99 with coupon, available to print on Facebook if you didn't get one by e-mail. It also does not mention any time of day restrictions, so you might want to call ahead to confirm it is valid all day.

BRAVO! Cucina Italiana and BRIO Tuscan Grille restaurants are giving guests an irresistible treat by offering their lasagna for half price at both lunch and dinner on Thursday, July 29. This offer is Dine In Only and limit one per guest.

Anyone know of other National Lasagna Day deals? Leave a comment and let everyone know.

National Waffle Week

I just had to share this deal.

Every time we are home visiting my parents, my mom takes the kids to Waffle House. They love it. It started as a way for my mom to let me sleep in a little bit by taking my early riser son to breakfast and get him out of the house. But, it turned in to a tradition. As soon as my daughter was big enough, she had to go too. On a few occasions, I am allowed to join them at Waffle House, but normally it is a mom-excluded event. The staff there love my kids (I'm sure they love them all, but I think it is great that they make them feel special). My son's request is to sit at the tall counter where he can see everything. Because my daughter is still younger, they tend to sit at the divide with my son on the tall counter and my mom and daughter at the small counter.

I think it is great that my kids have an experience like this. I can remember as a kid going with my Grandparents to Long John Silvers. I thought it was awesome and even have a picture of my Grandpa in a Long John Silver pirate hat.

Anyway, as I was saying, this week is National Waffle Week (September 6 - 12) at the Waffle House. You can go here to print a BOGO waffle coupon.