As Seen on TV & a Plea

I’m a little weary of anything “seen on TV.” I mean, yeah, of course I love infomercials. Who doesn’t love seeing the wonder of ShamWow! (RIP Billy) I think my all-time favorite is for the magic bullet and this knife one where thy demonstrate how great it is by cutting a shoe.

Because I don’t know about you, but I’m always cutting shoes on my cutting board.

Anyways. Greens 8000 asked me if I would be interested in sampling their products, and of course I was. I like sampling things. Imagine my surprise when I saw that little “As Seen on TV” icon.

If that icon is on my appliances, I just assume it will die quickly.

If I see that icon on my food, I just assume that I will die quickly. Maybe because there’s so many diet infomercials that promise you to lose fifty pounds in three days but still have six pack abs and guns like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Long story short, but I finally braved it and tried the berry flavor this morning. I’d forgotten to take my vitamins, so why not? And I’d recently tried an Amazing Grass packet, so thought it’d be fun to compare.

In this Greens 8000 Berry Flavor:

A lot of stuff. Click here for Amazing Meal’s facts.

It was a little sweet for my liking, which makes me think it’d be well suited for getting greens and vitamins in kids, since real produce these days is (unfortunately) no where near as nutrient dense as fifty years ago. I also might have used less than the recommended amount of water. I figured if it’s awful I’d rather chug it in a couple gulps than a whole big glass! I know from taking Airborne all last winter.

I’ve yet to sprout wings from the stuff, but I’ve yet to drop dead, too. Since I am a supporter of a good daily vitamin, I’d say these products are worth investigating if you’re not looking for vitamins that supply you with 100% of your daily vitamin and mineral requirements considering the fact you probably still eat lots of nutritious foods.

One thing I really liked about it was that it wasn’t gritty at all, either. The Amazing Grass I tried the other day had a gritty texture that made it difficult to get down after a couple sips.

Anyways. Now I need some serious help.

From the wonderful NatalieDee – you want some of these shirts, I just know it.

So anyways. I am making a ton for T-givs this year. Maybe I’m exaggerating, but I don’t think so.

I knew I had to step in when my mom carted home boxed green bean casserole, canned jellied cranberry sauce and bagged stuffing mix.

I thought I remembered Thanksgiving being all homemade when I was a kid…was my mom just good at hiding things, or have the times changed? I always remember canned cranberry sauce except for last year when I made some. It was everyone’s favorite part.

…okay, not really, but it was a huge hit.

What am I getting at? I’m making:

• stuffing
• something with butternut squash
• rolls
• cranberry sauce
• potentially a pumpkin chiffon cake

Which doesn’t seem like much all typed out, but that’s a lot of time! Especially because I’m making cornbread stuffing. I’’m going to use Sarena’s idea – cornbread for the bread and baking in muffin tins, but following a recipe from Rachel Ray for mushroom stuffing. If I was clever, I’d have baked two loaves of bread when I baked on Saturday, but that’s okay. I’m really excited to try it with cornbread!

I’m thinking I’ll just roast the b-nut somehow. (How? Tossed in olive oil with salt, or tossed in butter with a bit of brown sugar? I’m  not a fan of it sweet, so idk if th fam would be)

I’m not certain what I’ll do for rolls. I was thinking these unless I hear a better idea.

Cranberry sauce, I’m sure I’ll find something. Last year I made it sweetened with maple syrup and sugar, spiced with ground clove and orange zest.

And a pumpkin chiffon cake in either the Rachel Ray mag or Cooking Light. Can’t remember.

Forgive me for these jumbled thoughts. I’m sort of thinking out loud, but asking for your input at the same time! Keep in mind it’s just four of us – nothing big or otherwise stressful. I’m actually really excited to be making so much!

So…do you have a favorite cornbread recipe?

A favorite butternut squash recipe?

A favorite roll recipe?

A favorite infomercial?

Oh, and FWIW. My mom’s taking care of the bird. And mashed taters. And microwaving a green bean casserole. And apple pie. I’m not going to bother with a protein for myself, though. I’d be the only one eating it…and I’ll have plenty of food without!