A Lovely View at Severn Inn in Annapolis

Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Budget: $30-50/person
Address: 1993 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21409

That is the nice view you'll see when you dine in at Severn Inn in Annapolis. The water does look brown but it looks a lot better when you dine out with that kind of view. Those who love to sail can dock their boats too if they want to stop by for lunch. There were at least two families who did so just before I took this photo.

So how did we end up here? We were supposed to visit the Naval Academy when we decided not due to the availability of parking spaces. It was during the peak season so it is expected. We drove a few miles to find other places to visit and we ended up in a park where you can rent kayaks, then we got hungry! I noticed right after we left the park that there were some cars going into the other direction - where Severn Inn is. I somehow realized due to the nice view, that this would be our 'expensive meal' trip.

Food
Don't mind the Nesquik brand if you notice it in the photo. It's not available at the restaurant. My daughter was just trying to finish the drink. Anyway, back to the food. I'll say it plain and simple - everything we ordered looked fresh and they all taste great, even the sauces! The price was really worth it. The only thing though that I didn't like (which is not related to food) is the look on some people's eyes as we walk towards our table. I was wearing shorts and a simple top with flip flops on and my husband noticed somebody looked at me from head to toe. Oh those people, they think they own the place and probably thought they're the only gods and goddesses allowed to eat in more-than-the-average kind of restaurants. LOL!

Kid's Meal

Homemade Ice Cream with Fudge

The homemade ice cream with fudge cost almost $5. That's just one scoop with definitely not Hershey's syrup kind of fudge. By the way, even the fries taste different, although as usual, it's the only thing we were not able to finish.

Cleanliness
Well-maintained. Even the bathroom was clean considering it was lunchtime and there were a couple of people coming in and out of room.

Kid-Friendliness
They didn't have crayons and stuff but they do have a couple of kid's meal. They also have high chairs in the air-conditioned room which they can always bring down to the waterfront dining area.

Customer Service
They were nice but I thought they don't come to you as often, especially when you're dining out. It took us more than 10 minutes to have our drinks refilled.

Complimentary Stuff
Parking is free but if you can't find one in the area, maybe you can park at the nearby park which is walking distance anyway.
I just wanted to say that their regular drinks (soda and tea) are refillable, if you are wondering. I've been to some who doesn't offer refill and I swear I won't ever go to those places again unless I'm only thirsty for water. LOL.

DISCLOSURE

I was not paid in any way to do a review of the product/s or service/s mentioned above. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

The Perfect Party Trays for Gatherings

Have you ever been invited to a party and didn't know what to bring? Or do you always have surprise guests who suddenly appear on your doorsteps? Well, I'd say the new Hormel Gathering Party Tray is the perfect answer to that! There's no need for you to prepare, the ingredients are already there, ready to be served! You don't even need to prepare a serving plate! :)

As you'll see in the pictures above, each ingredient is individually packed and sealed to maintain freshness. If you bought one and won't be using it the same day, place it in the fridge because the cheese might melt. You also need not worry about the crackers being stored in a cool place because it's crunchiness won't be affected. Now let's talk about the ingredients of the party platter:

• Honey Ham - The round bite-sized shape makes it easier to swallow. It is tender and sweet. My favorite to top my appetizer!
• Turkey - Like the honey ham, it has the same shape and size, probably three times the size of a quarter. Anyway, it is soft and it looks really fresh. 
• Cheese - You have two options but both are equally delicious - Sargento Colby Jack and Sargento Mild Cheddar. I loved both because they are smooth and tasty.
• Crackers - Crunchy and I'd say sweet rather than salty. To my fellow Filipinos, if you are looking for crackers similar to Fita, you bet this cracker taste similar to it . It's hard to find it here in the US, now, I know where I can find it! 

I deeply apologize for not having taken closer (and opened) photos of each, I brought this at a party and there were too many people already taking bits and pieces and I didn't want to bother them by taking photos of the food. Well, I'd say I definitely have at least three friends who liked it sooo much, besides my husband and daughter who can't stop eating them! 

Just for you to know. :)

If you prefer other meats to go with the crackers, they also have other Hormel Gatherings Party Trays - Hard Salami & Pepperoni Party Tray AND Supreme Party Tray. I can't wait to bring and try the other for upcoming events!

DISCLOSURE

I was not paid to do a review of the product/s mentioned above. As a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, Mom's Tried and Tested was given a sample to try but was not required to do an online review of the product/s or service/s they provide. This post was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Delicious Non-GMO and USDA Organic Cereals

Since my daughter was born, I became extra careful when feeding her. It scares me now-a-days because almost everything is manufactured with chemicals. I am so glad that natural and organic foods are making it's way back to the grocery aisles!

Speaking of grocery aisles, I was able to find a cereal at Food Lion - Barbara's Organic Snackimals cereals! I was with my 3-year old and she got really excited upon seeing the animals. She pointed at the Panda and said, "I want that Teddy Bear!". LOL! Then she saw the other box and said, "Oh no, I want the Fox!", "Oh no, no, no, I want that one, what's that one?". It was a tiger, she might have thought it was a cat. Ha!

Barbara's Snackimal Cereals come in three different flavors - Cinnamon Crunch, Vanilla Blast and Chocolate Crisp. Before sharing them with my daughter's friends, we had to taste them first. So one breakfast, we decided to try each flavor. I tried to take a picture before pouring the milk so you'd see the difference in color and possibly the shape of the cereals (though it's kind of hard to focus on the shape using my camera).

 

I was surprised a 17-year old girl founded this delicious lineup of organic cereals! I am not a fan of cereals, I buy them only for my daughter. I guess this is the first time I actually liked a "puffed" one. Well it's like semi-puffed because when you bite it, it's crunchy but it's not as soft like the cheesy junk foods. Vanilla Blast is my favorite, I can even eat it on it's own. My daughter likes Chocolate Crisp which is not a surprise. My husband, doesn't really have to choose because he likes all the flavor! LOL! Maybe I should serve him Barbara's Organic Snackimals cereals again tomorrow. Haha!

By the way, I read the labels before opening the boxes and I was surprised to know that besides the healthy stuff they offer:

• Only 7g sugar and 8g whole grains
• Good source of Calcium and fiber
• Non-GMO
• USDA Organic
• The carton is made from 100% recycled materials
• Rainforest Alliance certified

Barbara's also give back to the society by helping non-profit organizations like National Audubon Society's Project Puffin.

Those are not the only products they offer. You can learn more about Barbara's via their website, Facebook page, Twitter profile, Instagram account or Pinterest boards.

DISCLAIMER

I was not required nor compensated in any way to do a review of the product/s mentioned above. I applied via Mom's Meet for a chance to share the product with my friends. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Chicken the Taste You Want It!

Overall Rating: 4/5

Budget: $13-$18/person

Where It's At: 7000 Arundel Mills Circle #229, Hanover, MD 21076 | 443-296-6415

Ever since my husband heard that there's also Nando's Peri-Peri in the US, he was very eager to visit and show me the place. His first was in Britain and he loved it. I saw a cousin in Ireland enjoying Nando's too so I guess it's kind of popular. Well, there's a couple here in Maryland I guess but we decided to visit the one within a mall so we can do other activities too. 

Food 
Several of our friends has been there, most liked it, the others don't. I personally liked it. Their chicken are flame-grilled including those they put in their sandwiches. You can buy them in whole, halves and quarters. You can tell them how 'hot' (spicy) you want it or add the sauce you like right after. You can pair your chicken with some sides like rice, fries, coleslaw and more.

The way you order food is as casual as it is: Fall in line, order your food, they'll give you a number then they will call the number once it's ready for you to pick-up. You refill the drinks yourself like and you just leave the utensils on the table when you're done.

Cleanliness
I found a few crumbs on the chair and a hint of dried sauce on the table, so... I guess it's not as clean. Good thing I always have a sanitizer with me so I can wipe the table and chairs as quickly as possible when dining out, it happens a lot!

Kid-Friendliness
They have highchairs and they provide a activity sheet with crayons too. I guess with the puzzle and all the fill in the blanks, the sheet can be enjoyed by kids up to 7 years old. Just kind of weird because I would have thought they'd put chicken or farm animals instead of sea creatures. LOL!

Customer Service
An employee approached and asked us if it was our first time, my husband told him not so she just seated us and handed us the menu. She looked approachable too.

Complimentary Stuff
Parking because it's within the mall.
The activity sheet with crayons for the kids as mentioned above.
Unlimited sauces, if dining in I guess. ;)

DISCLAIMER

I was not paid in any way to do a review of the product/s and/or service/s mentioned above. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Wasted Money on Wilton Springform Pan

Tip: Use trusted brands and read reviews before buying.

I bought two 6in. (diameter) Wilton springform pan separately at different stores. I have tried using the first Wilton springform pan I bought and the batter leaked on the bottom. It was my first time to use a springform pan and I thought I did something wrong. I called the customer service and the person who I spoke with asked what kind of batter am I using. I told him it was carrot cake and he responded that that certain pan is not supposed to be for liquidy batter. What the?! I was new to baking then but I thought his reason was sooo ridiculous. A few weeks after, I bought some bigger pans of a different brand and they worked perfectly well. No mess at all!

I just bought a second one because I wanted to save time and energy for a 6in high cake. I want to put 2 pans at the same time. I bought the same 6in. Wilton springform pan just because I had it already. I think I was wrong because look at what happened:

Before buying the second pan, I tried to raise the pan in an angle where there is light so I can see if there's going to be a leak when I use it (I read that review somewhere). I saw none. That process was useless. Yes, both of them leaked, again! Instead of smelling the freshly baked cakes, you'll smell something burnt. And the terrible part is, I have to do additional cleaning and it left a stain on my oven floor! Argh!

 

I contacted Wilton via email and Facebook message (because I don't want to publicly announce the problem if we can resolve the issue provately first) but I didn't get any answer. I even sent a follow-up message, but I guess I am just a nobody because they didn't bother answering at all. I sent them the very same photos I am showing you. I am just frustrated with the kind of customer service they have. I use some other Wilton products and it's the first time I experienced this and what support do I get for buying their product? None! I just wanted to share with all the bakers out there because I don't want them to experience the same frustration of not getting an answer from a well-known brand.

 

DISCLOSURE

I was not compensated in any way to do a review of the product/s or service/s mentioned above. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Easy Breezy Oven-Ready Turkey

I hosted the recent Thanksgiving party at home and I should say it was easy breezy because I found Jennie-O turkey which can be prepared with no hassle! Why? Because it's oven-ready! I didn't really know how to cook a whole turkey so I thought of serving it in a different way.

 

I bought two kinds of turkey in "loaf" - one white and one white & dark. There's really not much when it comes to taste, both appeared to be soft but not saggy and you'll see the meat was processed perfectly because it's "full" or "packed", unlike the others where you'll see bubbles in the meat itself. One more thing, there's no need to buy gravy because it's already included in the pan (and by the way, the pan is included too!)! And the serving is generous! It is normally sold at $599 at Safeway but I bought it on sale for $4.99 each. Really not bad with everything in it.

 

 

In the box, there were recipe and serving suggestions. I didn't add anything so I'd know the real taste. Besides, there's really no need to put or mix it with anything because it was already good on it's own.

 

I tried to follow the instruction written on the box, and that is to bake it well-done at 165 F. It took me 3.5hrs to bake both because I wanted to make sure they are well well well done and since they were still frozen when I popped them in the oven! Tee-hee! I served it in a flower-like presentation and didn't tell my guests it's turkey until they put some on their plate. I just told them it was meatloaf, which was true, and they were surprised when I announced that it's turkey. Hahaha! This serving is one loaf, I had two of the same presentation. :)

 



So, having tried and tested it, am I going to get some! Yes, and I am going to try to put the meat in a salad, cubed! Or I can just try some other Jennie-O products.

DISCLOSURE

I was given free coupons to try Jennie-O Oven-Ready Turkey but ended up buying the products mentioned above. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Quick Meal: Home-made Burger

I am always in a hurry when in comes to cooking, even if I am a homemaker. I want something that can be easily done and served. I often fry and this is one of my favorite recipes to prepare. A homemade burger! :)

 

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground pork or beef, thawed

3-4 pcs garlic, minced

1 pc small onion, chopped

2 large eggs

2 teaspoon soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground pepper

Procedure:

1. Mix the ground pork, onion and garlic in a bowl.

2. Add 2 well-beaten eggs

3. Add salt and pepper

4. Add the soy sauce. Don't put too much because it can cause burnt burgers.

4. Mix well and get ready to fry! :)

 



 

For the gravy, I have tried home-made but whenever in a hurry and when I have visitors, I serve McCormick's Brown Gravy. I have tested many brands and varieties but this is my favorite. Even my guests love it. ;) You can also add mushrooms if you like.

 

That's it! A meal in less than 30 minutes! 

 

I made this recipe on my own and it was fairly good. My daughter loved it! When kids love something that means it's good, right? I can't disagree with her. ;)

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in any way to do a review of the product/s or service/s mentioned in this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Lulu Bananas Gourmet Marshmallow Review and Giveaway

Sponsored By: Lulu Bananas Gourmet Marshmallows

Hosted By: Life With My Two Kids

Co Hosted By: Mom's Tried and Tested

Please take a moment to read the review.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE
Life With My Two Kids & Mom's Tried and Tested are not responsible for prize. If you have any questions about this giveaway please send an email to lifewithmytwokids@atlanticbb.net. All entries are optional, if you do any of the tasks you can collect the entries, even if you do one entry you can get the extra 1 entry but if the winner tasks is a tasks you did not complete, a second winner will be chosen. If the winner tasks is the one you did you will be the winner.

Care for a soup in a box?

I remember when I was a kid I used to drink milk in tetra paks. When I'm thirsty my mom would get me an orange juice in tetra pak and I also used to bring it at school. Tetra pak is what they call "it". All the juices in boxes and even foil but not canned ones is "tetra pak". It has become a proper noun than common. I didn't know Tetra Pak was a brand until I turned 30. Seriously, kind of stupid but that's the reality.  

 

I am used to seeing some processed fruit and vegetable food in all sorts of packaging. But this one is new to me, my favorite Chicken Noodle Soup by Chicken Soup for the Soul in Tetra Pak! I was really excited when I saw this product online. I wondered how it really looks and taste. I am also excited to see how the box was made. LOL. Fortunately, just a few weeks ago, I got a chance to try the product myself! Well, maybe not only me but my 2-year old and husband too.



 

I'll discuss the taste first before the packaging. First the soup base, it's a bit creamier than maybe the ones you do at home and compared to most soups you order from restaurants. The noodles are thicker therefore the texture is not as smooth. But it still does taste good. What surpised me are the carrots and chicken. The carrots because it's not at all soggy as I thought it would be. And the chicken, my, it tastes and looks fresh. The chunks are big you'll know it's real chicken! Also in the picture above, you'll see how much the content is. It's good for one person or maybe two. Almost fits one regular bowl. And I also don't think they have a bigger size than that, but I have to check.

 

Remember I said I was excited to see how the box looks like, I am talking about the inside. It's somehow wrapped with foil which protects the carton from sogging. It makes it easy to clean for recycling too. If you want to know more about their packaging you may visit their site, just because I may not be able to clearly explain how they do it in layman's term.

I also took a photo of the Nutrition Facts if any have any health or diet concerns.  

 

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the product/s or service/s mentioned in this post. I was given the samples via BzzAgent. Everthing was based on my 100% honest opinion.

A Dinner (and Lunch) My 2-Year Old Liked

I am a stay-at-home mom and I prepare meals almost everyday - lunch and dinner. I didn't include breakfast because it means cereals and/or bread with spread. Most of the time, I ran out of ideas on what to serve to my family. If you're in the same shoe as I do, you'd know.

I went to the store the other day and tried to find a Jennie-O branded marinated turkey to review as a requirement for a part-time job, that I can't disclose. Nobody knew I was going to review this, not them, not my husband and neither did I until I tasted it. ;)

I haven't tried any store-bought marinated thing ever. I usually do it myself or if not, my husband. And this was all new to me, I haven't eaten turkey, again, ever. Not even during Thanksgiving.

So, the only available flavor at the store is Applewood Smoke. There are more flavors, I believe. It was already marinated so I didn't try to change the taste and put some other kind of sauce. I didn't add anything. It was in the frige section, hence, I was able to bake it in the oven at 375F for 30mins as soon as I arrived home.

The turkey breast tenderloin was not as bad as I expected. It smelled delicious, even after opening and while cooking. There's this certain aroma that will lure you to try it, must be the applewood scent. At first I thought it was a bit dry because I love sauces. But after tasting, it was just right. I wish I knew the perfect side dish for this. I wish maybe they can put a note on the package - "suggested serving".

Anyway, the picture you'll see below is the exact thing I served to my 2-year old. She is a very picky eater but she loves chicken. I told her that was chicken and she ate it! (It tasted somewhat like chicken anyway with a more stronger smell.) She of course was not able to finish everything because the portion was too big. I placed her leftovers in the fridge and she asked it for lunch, just awhile ago.

By the way, there are two pieces of turkey tenderloins in one pack. It is indeed good for two people or three if you have a toddler. :)

Because of that, I am very glad I tried this. It caused me no hassle to prepare, just toss in the oven! And the most important thing is, my daughter liked it!

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. I will be reimbursed for the cost of the product by the company I was working with which I can't disclose. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Sunset Grille Waterfront Restaurant and Bar

Overall Rating: 5/5
Budget: $40-60/person

When we travelled to Connecticut we had very limited time to roam around the place. Good thing I took a copy of the free map that was offered at the previous restaurant we dined in. I saw this place called Norwalk Cove Marina, and on the map, it looked like an island with a not so big waterway around it. There were boats being shown too, like you can have dinner on a cruise. I told my husband about it and he was the one who looked for a place to eat. I think his co-worker recommended the place.

There was a heavy traffic on our way to Sunset Grille because it was July 3rd and we didn't know there were fireworks display scheduled that night. It all looked great when we arrived. I love the ambiance and I knew the first time that I'm going to like it.

Food

Crispy Fried Calamari and Brownie a la mode

 Fish 'N Chips

I was not able to take a photo of what my husband ordered, it was The Minnow Seafood Platter for 2. Though we didn't share it. The whole humongous plate was just right for his big but empty growling stomach! Haha. The platter included shrimp, oyster, clams and 1/2 lobster. I should have taken a solo shot of it so I can show you (I have a photo but he was on the picture and he didn't want to share his face publicly. Haha!) because the presentation looked so yummy you'd want to eat them all together. I asked him if it was worth the price and he did say yes. That was just what I wanted to know.

The Fish 'N Chips was for me. I don't remember where the chips are anymore because it's not in the picture. Haha. Maybe I didn't notice because it was also served with fries and coleslaw. Coleslaw is my all time favorite side dish. I'd say the fish was battered right. It wasn't that salty and it doesn't smell like raw fish. Though they did serve lemon. It was one of the rare moments for me to finish a whole plate, including the fries! Either I'm just hungry or it was really good. I suppose it's the latter. ;)

Brownie a la mode is a kind of dessert you'd see in most restaurants. But as you can see in the photo, not all are served that way. The presentation adds to the delicious look of a food. The brownie was moist and it was a bit sweeter due to the caramel and mocha syrup. Oh, my daughter loved the whipped cream. I thought a la modes only have a scoop of ice cream on top, so that was a plus again.

The Crispy Fried Calamari was good, not great that I won't forget it, but good. The sauce was also good though it looked like a 'regular' sauce at first. It was red but it doesn't taste a lot like tomato sauce. If you get what I mean. I'm just tired of tomato-sauce based food because I used to cook with it 3x a day at home. LOL.

Cleanliness
We stayed outside and it was fairly maintained. There was a big group of family in one table and they have four kids. After they left I didn't see anything on the floor. The table outside were made of plastic so it was easier to clean wipe and dry.

Kid-Friendliness
There was no need to ask for a highchair anymore, but I did saw some. We didn't need to order kids' food because my daughter's favorite is calamari and she shared some fish with me. You'd think that you can't sit outside with a kid because it looked like an adult-only corner, but no. There were actually a couple of kids with their families outside and I think they'd enjoy the outdoors that eating inside.

Customer Service
They don't go very often to tables to ask if anything's okay but if you need them, there are always . people doing something and with that, I mean they're somewhere that can be seen. Haller anytime. :)

Complimentary Stuff
There's a huge parking space because it was near a dock, behind a dock, on the dock. Haha.
When I told you about the fireworks, you can actually see 3 different fireworks displays from there. So awesome! Some people paid $20 for the parking just to see the fireworks, it was free for us. And we had a good view too.

So, after having tried and tested it, are we going back! I'd say yes, if we have a budget. ;)

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Gracie's

Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Budget: $30-$40/person

During our trip to Vermont, we arrived at our hotel later than scheduled and found this place called Gracie's. We were so hungry and this was the nearest place to dine in. It rained and the parking lot is not cemented so just imagine the mud on our shoes. To the restaurant, poor floor... For our car, poor me because I'd have to clean it afterwards. LOL. Anyway, we're supposed to be talking about food here so let me start.

Food
First of all, I raised to budget to up to $40 because you'd probably want to try on more food. I tell you they are sooo good!

The New England Clam Chowder tastes as good as the other clam chowders I've tasted, only better. It has the right amount of seafood and there's no shell in the soup! No crackling sound therefore. LOL. Trust me, I have tried clam chowders that looked like the ingredients were not properly handpicked. This one is smooth and creamy! Plus, they give generous packs of crackers. The Chicken Jambalaya was great. For me, they served the right proportion of  chicken (, sausages and all) vs. rice.

New England Clam Chowder and Chicken Jambalaya

Now, they have my favorite kind of Calamari. The plain and small breaded ones. There's no need to put lemon because it doesn't smell fishy at all. I've only ordered a calamari which smells slate once and I can't even remember the place. Gracie's even serve it with a sweet soy sauce, ironic right? That instantly became my favorite sauce! And do I need to review their mac and cheese? It's Kraft so it's good! I serve it for my kid at home and I like it to!

 Calamari and Kraft Mac and Cheese

Cleanliness
It was dinner time and it was a busy day. They do clean up the tables immediately but I did have to wipe it once just to make sure. As for the whole place, I didn't see anything that would make me want to lower my rating just because I have issues with cleanliness.

Kid-Friendliness
They have high chairs and kid's menu. I think that mac and cheese is the second to the lowest with regards to price. First time for me to see an almost $15 worth of kid's meal, well, what can I say, it's an 8oz. NY strip sirloin. The servers and even the other guests were kid-friendly too.

Customer Service
The customer service was excellent! From the greeter to our server. They were very friendly and though

Complimentary Stuff
Free parking.
Free bread! I love the other but not much of their famous corn bread. That's because I have a favorite corn bread which is thousand miles away from the U.S. LOL!

So, having tried and tested it, are we going back? Yes! It is now one of my favorite places to eat! I hope we have Gracie's somewhere near. ;)

DISCLAIMER I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.