Deals & Steals – 02/19/10

Here’s the information I’ve come across this week and want to pass along to you! 

Note: Many of these are not in my own words, but taken straight from the e-mail or press release that I received. I have re-worded or re-written where I thought it was necessary or helpful, but am not responsible for the content of these items or anything that may be posted on their sites.

Don’t forget to check out the Baby Relay casting call – now live on Pampers.com! All videos featuring babies crawling from left to right that are uploaded by this Sunday, Feb. 20, will be included in a casting call for a commercial that will air on Feb. 28!

Target^® is offering terrific sales on electronics to help you navigate a stress-free tax season. Huge savings on Epson printing products including:

• $30 off Epson Stylus NX215 All-in-One Print, Copy, Scan (only $49.99)
• $30 off Epson Workforce 315 All-in-One Print, Copy, Scan and Fax (only $69.99)
• 10% off savings on all Epson ink

Shop Now to Save Up to $25 Throughout the Tiny Prints site! For a limited time only, you can save $10 off orders of $75 or more, or $25 off orders of $125 or more, which makes now the perfect time to shop for birth announcements, thank you cards and more! Just enter the coupon code FEBSALE at checkout to enjoy these special savings before this offer expires at 11:59 pm (PT) on 2/23/10. You can also enjoy $3 shipping on party invitation orders of $25 or more, including baby shower invites, birthday party invites and baptism & christening invites. Just use coupon code 3SHIP at checkout. This offer expires at 11:59 pm (PT) on 2/23/10.

There is no better time than the present to learn new skills in the kitchen and tackle everyday cooking challenges. Whether you are looking to incorporate new recipes into your repertoire, you need help hosting a dinner party or you’re stumped on the difference between light, pure and extra virgin olive oil, Crisco wants to hear your “cooking chronicle” – a success, statement, story, question or tip related to cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or snacks – at www.crisco.com/chronicles. 

Starting on February 16, Crisco^® is calling on all home chefs to expand their kitchen skill set and conquer their cooking fears and with Crisco Cooking Chronicles.

Crisco Cooking Chronicles provides a forum for consumers to connect and share their cooking and baking stories via a message board function.  Crisco.com/Chronicles will also serve as a hub for video tutorials and tips for tackling everyday cooking and baking challenges so home chefs can learn to make the most out of their time spent in the kitchen.  Kicking off with an olive and canola oil theme, the tutorials section will help consumers incorporate more easy and delicious recipes into their everyday diets like “Herbed Parmesan Bread Dipping Oil, “Grilled Salmon with Maple-Dill Glaze” and ”Classic Blueberry Muffins.”

Consumers who upload a “cooking chronicle” on Crisco.com/Chronicles will be entered into a series of drawings, with four monthly Grand Prize winners receiving a basket of Crisco products and $500 for kitchen supplies. Additional consumers will receive a Crisco spatula while supplies last.

When it comes to supporting ovarian cancer research, Electrolux and Kelly Ripa have proved to be an awesome combination! Whenever they get together, they bring us fantastic campaigns that are not only fun to participate in, but allow us to contribute to an extremely worthy cause. Their latest campaign,“Kelly’s Cake Off For a Cause”, is no exception. And this time they’ve even added an element that all Moms can get on board with- Cake!

Kelly and accomplished master baker and cake decorator Buddy Valastro, from TLC’s “Cake Boss,” recently joined forces at a fun event to bake lavishly decorated cakes in support of The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). To add to the excitement, five teams of baking enthusiasts were invited to take part in Kelly’s Cake Off, where they used what they learned from Kelly and the Cake Boss, to decorate their own cakes.

Although you might not get to taste these virtual masterpieces, you can still weigh in on the results! By visiting Kelly-Confidential.com, you can cast a vote for your favorite cake from Kelly’s Cake Off. 

For every vote cast, Electrolux will donate $1[1] to OCRF as part of its $500,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer! And since love is on everyone’s mind these days, you can even decorate and send a special virtual cake to a friend, family member or someone you love.  For every cake sent, Electrolux will donate another $1[1] to OCRF.  Plus, Buddy’s top cake decorating tips are available — sure to inspire baking enthusiasts and novices alike.

If that’s not enough to get you to click over, everyone who logs on to the site and sends a virtual cake will be automatically entered for a chance to win every baker’s dream: a stylish new Induction Range from Electrolux. 

America’s third largest lunch meat company, and largest family-run lunch meat company – Land O’Frost – has grown so fast over the last decade that most people aren’t aware that it’s a national brand, let alone that it comes in third behind Oscar Mayer and Hillshire Farms.

Once you take a bite out of that information, it’s easy to see that it’s time for a coming out party … so Land O’Frost decided to reach out to their biggest consumer where she spends most of her time – moms in the online space. Land O’Frost has launched www.landomoms.com, where moms can exchange parenting tips, log in with Facebook Connect, interact directly with some of today’s most influential mom bloggers, access helpful and relevant  articles from Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal, trade simple-to-prepare recipes and download valuable coupons to help them save money on their regular grocery bill – all from one single URL.

With the launch, Land O’Frost is offering a $2 off coupon to the first 25,000 people to the Web site!

Wendy’s restaurants, in partnership with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, will collect donations from employees and customers to help the critical needs of orphaned children of Haiti.  Customers can make donations in the coin canisters in the restaurants until Feb. 28^th, or go to www.wendys.com and donate online. 

“Wendy’s and the Dave Thomas Foundation have a long tradition of helping foster children in need of loving, adoptive homes,” said Denny Lynch, Foundation president.  “After learning about the thousands of Haitian children who lost their parents in the earthquake, we knew we had to act.  Helping these children is the right thing to do.”

Participating Wendy’s restaurants in the US and Canada will collect funds for the Haitian children from February 10 – 28.  The Dave Thomas Foundation will work with child-serving organizations that are addressing the critical needs of the orphaned children of Haiti.

“The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption focuses intensively on the 150,000 children in North America’s foster care systems desperately waiting for adoptive families of their own, but our hearts also go out to the children devastated by the earthquake in Haiti.  Sharing our mission and some resources with these children is what Dave Thomas would have wanted us to do,” said Rita Soronen, executive director of the Foundation.

After Feb. 28th, canister funds will continue to support Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, a signature program of the Foundation, which directs monetary grants to hire adoption recruiters throughout North America to find adoptive homes for children in foster care.

Wendy’s is one of the world’s most successful restaurant operating and franchising companies with more than 6,600 restaurants worldwide.  Wendy’s is a member of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc (NYSE: WEN).  More information is available at www.wendys.com  or www.wendysarbys.com.

Ultimate fans of Twilight have a reason to howl with excitement: a sneak peek at The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.  Walmart has announced it will be the only retailer to carry The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition on standard DVD and Blu-ray, with never-before-seen footage from the upcoming The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Walmart also will feature “Twilight Saga Shops” in stores – a dedicated shopping experience for Twilight fans to bite into a variety of Twilight­-themed clothing, jewelry, and merchandise, including new items to show their wolf- or vampire-fan pride.

Fans can pre-order The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition, as well as the national two-disc Special Edition DVD or Special Edition Blu-ray, at Walmart.com.  With the new movie and 50 minutes of extra footage and interviews, The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition also contains an exclusive, 7-minute sneak peek of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.  It begins with an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the production of the newest film.  New interviews with stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, as well as with series-creator Stephenie Meyer, are integrated with revealing on-the-set footage of some of the key scenes and sets from the upcoming movie.  This first-look at The Twilight Saga: Eclipse concludes with the world premiere of an actual scene from the upcoming film.

With the movie release scheduled for March 20, 12:01 a.m., fans can be among the first to own the DVD, joining friends nationwide at midnight release events in more than 2,600 24-hour Walmart stores.  The midnight release last year of the first Twilight movie brought hundreds of thousands of fans together online and in stores, becoming the most pre-ordered movie and most successful DVD movie release event in Walmart history.  

Walmart’s Twilight Saga Shops, designed for both the “fan-pire” and “wolf-lover,” will open in stores mid-March and will feature a variety of items themed around the Twilight series and favorite movie characters.

Among the items in Walmart Twilight Saga Shop are:

• Wolf and vampire lover tanks ($7)
• Twilight Saga themed tees ($9)
• Jacob Black and Edward Cullen tees ($9)
• Twilight Saga-themed jewelry (bracelets, pins, key chains, earrings, necklaces) ($5 )
• Twilight Saga-themed messenger bags ($12) and totes ($9)
• Twilight Saga books, including “The Twilight Saga: New Moon Official Illustrated Companion Book” – ($13.24)and “Life Story” magazine cover issue featuring Twilight ($8.95)
• The Twilight Saga New Moon Ultimate Fan Poster – exclusive DVD cover art ($5)
• Party snacks and beverages to prepare for DVD viewing parties
• New Moon Special Edition Two-Disc DVD and Blu-ray – available 12:01 a.m., Mar. 20
• The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition Two-Disc DVD ($24.96) and Blu-ray ($29.96) and  The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition with Forks documentary DVD ($29.96)  – all available 12:01 a.m., Mar. 20

Customers can also find more items such as character dolls Bella, Edward and Jacob ($24.88), movie soundtracks, as well as New Moon The Movie Board Game and SCENE IT? Twilight Movie Edition THE DVD GAME at select stores.  Walmart will host its dedicated Twilight Saga Shops in all stores through mid-April, and continue to carry Twilight merchandise through the year, although some items are for a limited period only.

As excitement builds for this upcoming DVD release, Walmart will announce additional special events and activities for fans in the coming weeks. 

Imagination Movers “Tooth Fairy” – When Gladys, the new and slightly bumbling Tooth Fairy, has trouble doing her job without waking up the kids, the Movers help show her how to get the job done in a new episode of “Imagination Movers,” SUNDAY, FEBRUARY, 28 (10:00-10:30 a.m., ET/PT).  Cheri Oteri (“Saturday Night Live”) guest stars as Gladys the Tooth Fairy.

“Imagination Movers” stars the popular New Orleans band of the same name – Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott “Smitty” Smith – and introduces preschoolers to the Movers’ energetic rock and roll style of music while emphasizing creative problem solving skills.  The series also stars Wendy Calio as Nina and puppeteer, Kevin Carlson as Warehouse Mouse. “Imagination Movers” airs 6:30a.m. and 9:30a.m. ET/PT weekdays, and 10:00a.m. ET/PT weekends. 

“Tooth Fairy” was written by Scott Gray & Randi Barnes & Rick Gitelson & Michael G. Stern; the episode was directed by Linda Mendoza.

“Imagination Movers” carries a TV-Y parental guideline.

Preschoolers can celebrate the Chinese New Year with a new episode of Nickelodeon’s Ni Hao, Kai-lan during “Year of the Tiger” week, Monday, Feb. 22 – Friday, Feb. 26, at 1:30 p.m. (ET/PT).  In the new episode, premiering Friday, Feb. 26, at 1:30 p.m. (ET/PT), Kai-lan teaches Rintoo the Tiger the importance of taking turns.

The schedule for the Ni Hao, Kai-lan “Year of the Tiger” week is as follows (all times are 1:30 p.m. ET/PT):

• Monday, Feb. 22 – “Happy Chinese New Year” It’s Chinese New Year, and Kai-lan and her friends are thrilled because this year, they are old enough to carry the huge dragon costume.  It’s going to take a whole team of friends to carry it for the celebration, but when Rintoo is assigned to march in the middle of the dragon, he walks away!  Rintoo doesn’t think the middle is important enough, but the group can’t carry the dragon without him.  Kai-lan, with the help of the viewers, must find a way to show Rintoo that every job on a team is important.  The episode introduces preschoolers to the word red (Hong Se) in Chinese.
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 – “Rintoo’s Big Flip” Kai-lan and her friends go to see the Chinese rabbit acrobats and are amazed by their tricks. When a rabbit acrobat invites Kai-lan and her friends to be in his show that night, everybody’s excited to practice flips except Rintoo, who doesn’t think he needs to practice.  But when his flip turns out to be harder than he thought, Rintoo quits the show.  Kai-lan needs the viewers’ help to convince Rintoo to practice so he can be in the show.  The episode introduces preschoolers to the word circle (Yuan xing) in Chinese.
• Wednesday, Feb 24 – “Rintoo Makes a Splash” YeYe is taking Kai-lan and her friends to a super special, magical water park.  Everyone’s having a blast until Rintoo starts splashing, cannon-balling and playing rough.  When no one wants to play with Rintoo anymore, it’s up to Kai-lan and the viewers’ to help him play more gently so everybody can enjoy the water.  The episode introduces preschoolers to the word water (Shui) in Chinese.
• Thursday, Feb. 25 – “Roller Rintoo” Kai-lan and her friends are off to a roller rink to go skating, but Rintoo is scared of roller skating.  Everyone is surprised that Rintoo would be scared of anything, and they all band together to help him.  With some inspiration from the Hula Ducks, Kai-lan and the viewers’ help Rintoo get over his fear of skating, so everyone can go to the roller rink.  The episode introduces preschoolers to the word fast (Kuai) in Chinese.
• Friday, Feb. 25 – “Tolee’s Turn” – PREMIERE  Kai-lan and her friends are sailing in a beautiful dinosaur boat and playing hide and seek with some dolphins.  But when Rintoo won’t give Tolee a turn steering the boat, things come to a standstill.  Kai-lan needs the viewers’ help to show Rintoo that when you take turns, everyone gets to play, and everyone has a good time.  The episode introduces preschoolers to the word dolphin “Haitun” in Chinese. 

Ni Hao, Kai-lan, created by Karen Chau and executive produced by Mary Harrington, is the first original half-hour series that teaches Mandarin words and phrases and Chinese culture to preschoolers. Ni Hao, Kai-lan is also Nickelodeon’s first play-along, think-along series to feature an intergenerational family.  Through the eyes of a five-year-old Chinese-American girl named Kai-lan, the series explores the colorful aspects of her upbringing and background, her relationships with her family and friends and the world around her.

The series focuses on issues common to preschoolers such as taking turns, disappointment and jealousy, and supports an emotional intelligence curriculum highlighting cause and effect thinking in the social/emotional world. Ni Hao, Kai-lan provides simple coping strategies, set to song, that teach valuable lessons.  Kai-lan strives to understand how things are linked together and she always wants to find out the reason why.  Every episode follows the adventures of Kai–lan and her friends as they learn to identify their emotions and stop to consider the feelings of others.

The 2010 Winter Olympics are here, and Nick Jr., the 24-hour commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, is getting into the spirit with a brand-new episode of the Emmy^® Award-winning hit series Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, featuring figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 7:00 p.m. (ET).  Kwan voices “Michelle Kwanzelberry,” the greatest WuzzOlympian in WuzzOlympic Games history, who coaches all of the participants.

“I knew I had to say yes when I was asked to guest star as Michelle Kwanzelberry in a special episode of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!,” said Michelle Kwan.  “My nieces, Olivia and Sophia, love the show and are so impressed that I actually got to meet Wubbzy.  The positive message about working hard and being a good friend is perfect and I had a great time working with creator Bob Boyle and the Wubb-crew.”

In the new episode entitled “Run for Fun,” everyone in Wuzzleburg is so excited that the WuzzOlympic Games are coming to town – especially because this year’s official coach is none other than the record-shattering Michelle Kwanzelberry (Kwan).  Wubbzy and his pals get geared up to compete in the big sporting event, the Wuzzleburg Wacky Dash, and Michelle advises them to prepare, practice and have fun. While Wubbzy, Widget and Walden all devise shortcuts so they can reach the finish line the fastest, Daizy follows Michelle’s direction and helps her friends and young viewers learn that slow and steady wins the race!

Although Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!’s world is more fanciful and imaginative than our own, Wubbzy, Daizy, Widget and Walden deal with the same social and developmental issues faced by preschoolers.  They learn how they fit into the group, how to understand their own feelings and those of others, and how to get along with one another.  As preschoolers watch Wubbzy and his friends tackle these issues, they learn the value of friendship and community.

Nick Jr., the 24-hour commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, currently reaches more than 70 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite TV.  Nick Jr. is like preschool on TV, with educational programming both on-air and online at www.nickjr.com.  Nick Jr. and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Disney Channel will get preschoolers dancing to a new beat with the premiere of new Playhouse Disney short-form series “Dance-A-Lot Robot” on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 (6:25 a.m., ET/PT).  The series supports Disney’s ongoing commitment to helping kids and parents achieve healthier lifestyles by engaging preschoolers in fun physical activity.

A combination of animation and live-action, “Dance-A-Lot-Robot” stars Dance-A-Lot, a robot with rhythm who teaches preschoolers simple original dance steps including the robot, the blue jay, the dinosaur stomp and the clock, all set to the music of Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh.  PlayhouseDisney.com will feature a “flip book” highlighting a variety of dance moves from the series. 

“Dance-A-Lot Robot” will regularly air daily at 8:55 a.m., ET/PT during Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.

A new show on the CW Network called “Life Unexpected” premiered in January and so far has received rave reviews from critics with People.com proclaiming that The CW has “another hit on its hands with ‘Life Unexpected.’”  To watch full episodes of the show you can visit the CW network’s website which has previews, full episodes and an option to send links of the show via Twitter or Facebook.   There are even interviews with the show’s producers that’ll give you a behind the scenes look at each episode.  The next episode airs Monday, February 15 at 9 PM.  While “Life Unexpected” currently airs Mondays at 9 PM ET/PT, the series will move to 8 PM when “Gossip Girl” returns March 8th.

The world’s most interactive weather map from wunderground.com has just gone full screen, as Weather Underground has announced the launch of fullscreenweather.com. The ultimate weather tracking tool, fullscreenweather.com  enables anyone in the world to quickly zoom in on the Google Maps interface to view the most granular data available from Weather Underground’s unmatched network of over 16,000 personal weather stations before zooming out and scrolling across the world to view the weather conditions affecting friends and family.

Launched in an effort to make weather tracking easier and more interactive, fullscreenweather.com also allows users to select and view a high-resolution precipitation layer (radar) or cloud layer (satellite) plotted on the map—both of which can be animated. Additionally, severe weather alerts that have been issued for the locations in view on the map are displayed in the bottom corner of the screen and can be clicked upon to view the full alert weather statement.

“At Weather Underground we continually embrace the latest technology trends and adapt to meet our users’ changing needs,” said Weather Underground President, Alan Steremberg.  “Our Full Screen Weather map provides a simple yet engaging way for people to view weather information across a multitude of devices.”

Perfectly suited for viewing on any PC or laptop, this engaging new product was developed with touch screen technology firmly in mind.  Apple iPad users will be able to use the scrolling and zoom functions and touch any specific weather station to view details.

It’s never easy to hold in laughter, but a survey shows that half of women with light bladder leakage (LBL) are trying to do just that. The Poise brand says let them laugh, with a candid Webisode series starring Whoopi Goldberg released recently that may finally open up the dialogue on LBL.

In the humorous Webisodes, called “Great Women in History,” Whoopi appears as famous women who may have had LBL: Cleopatra, Eve, Helen of Troy, Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva, Mona Lisa, Princess and the Pea and the Statue of Liberty. Each character discusses her great achievements, but also admits that LBL may have played a role in her story, like it does for 1 in 3 women today. The series can be viewed at www.1in3likeme.com, a new Web site and online community from the Poise brand.

Although 1 in 3 women experience LBL, it is often kept a secret because of shame and embarrassment. A survey from the Poise brand and Women’s Health Foundation (WHF), a non-profit organization committed to championing women’s pelvic health issues, shows that almost 60 percent of women do not talk about LBL with friends or family and almost 40 percent do not even talk to a health care professional. In fact, 70 percent of women with LBL were surprised to learn that LBL affects so many other women. The Poise brand has teamed up with Whoopi to reduce the stigma associated with LBL so women feel empowered to seek the information, support and solutions they need to deal with this issue.

“Nobody ever wants to talk about LBL!” said Whoopi. “For some reason, we’ve decided there’s something taboo about it – but so many women experience it and we should be able to talk about it openly! Leaks don’t discriminate, we all go through it – I tell women this all the time.”

Additional results from the survey show that almost half of women with LBL feel there is a stigma surrounding it, and many wish they could be more open about discussing LBL with each other.

“If women were more comfortable talking about bladder leakage, there would be a greater awareness of the many options available to manage it,” said 45-year-old Jill Hope, who dealt with bladder leakage after the birth of her son eight years ago. “I’m so glad that the Poise brand and Women’s Health Foundation are working to make women feel more comfortable talking about this. It isn’t something women need to be ashamed they have. It’s so common and women should know that there are solutions to help them manage it.”

Understanding LBL

LBL can happen for a number of different reasons. The most common type of LBL is involuntary leakage upon physical effort or exertion, like laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting or exercising. Few women know that LBL is often caused by weak pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the pelvic organs and are critical for healthy bladder control and sexual function. Being overweight or obese, pregnancy, childbirth and hysterectomy can weaken the pelvic muscles. LBL can affect women of all ages and life stages – not just older women.

PARADE, the most widely read magazine in America, will add two new editorial columns that will focus the spotlight on some of the best untold stories unfolding across our nation, it was announced today by PARADE Executive Editor Lamar Graham.

“The Back Page” will feature a rotating lineup of articles by some of America’s most well-known writers, including “Tuesdays With Morrie” author Mitch Albom, noted CNN political commentator David Gergen, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist Connie Schultz of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, comedian and Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson, and best-selling thriller novelist Harlan Coben.

“The Back Page” will launch in the February 21 issue of PARADE with a wry, uplifting piece by Albom about an unemployed autoworker turned professional bowler. Says Albom: “I love writing about America and who we are and what we value – not the Hollywood version, but the smaller stories that resonate loudly. It’s what I’ve tried to do in my books, and will do on the Back Page. It’s also what Tom Smallwood is all about – dreams, desire and a hopeful ending.”

“Our Towns” is a new feature written by the brightest voices from America’s best newspapers. Each installment of “Our Towns” will come from a different part of the country and will tell a short local story that touches, inspires, or amuses giving readers insight into the challenges and triumphs that happen every day in cities big and small across the country. Topics will vary, but each edition will reflect the passion and promise of the area from which it originates. The columned debuted on Feb. 7 and highlighted the weekly “bluegrass breakfast” at a restaurant called the Prairie Winds Café, in Molt, Mont. (pop. 13). It was written by Ed Kemmick of the Billings (Mont.) Gazette.

“PARADE has a long history as America’s magazine, and we want our editorial content to reflect the current mood and concerns of our 74 million readers,” says Graham. “We created these new features to give readers more of the kinds of inspirational, everyday stories they expect from PARADE.”

“These new initiatives align tightly with our editorial mission to entertain, inform and inspire,” adds PARADE CEO Jack Haire. “But they are also indicative of PARADE’s plan to continually evolve and provide our newspaper partners and advertising clients with a varied and positive environment for their products.”

Van de Kamp’s® and Mrs. Paul’s® Seafood make life easier for those observing Lent by offering creative meal ideas that cater to dietary needs and combat the perpetual challenge of creating fresh ideas in the kitchen. Celebrity chef, cookbook author and radio/TV personality Kevin Roberts has created a series of delicious snack and meal ideas that ensure easy preparation and nutritious dishes that the whole family can enjoy.

Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s Fish Sticks are made from only 100% Whole White Fish Fillets for a great tasting, crunchy fish stick that you can feel good about. Some brands of fish sticks are made from minced fish, which means that bits of the fish have been pulverized and reformed into the form of a stick. It’s the superior quality and great taste of Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s products that has earned them the ChefsBest® Award for “Best Taste” since 2008 by an independent panel of professional chefs.

Try these no-fuss recipes as a great way to get kids “hooked” on fish:

FISH STICKS IN A BLANKET            Yields 4 Blankets

8 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked

• 4 Taco-sized Flour Tortillas
• 4 pieces, Cheddar Cheese (or use your favorite)
• 4 tablespoons ketchup

Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package. Heat up the tortillas so they’re nice and toasty. Add 1 cheese slice in the center of each tortilla. Spread the ketchup around tortilla, add 2 fish sticks on top of the cheese, fold and roll the tortilla around the fish stick.

CRUNCHY FISH STICKS OVER MAC & CHEESE              Serves 2

• 4 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked & chopped
• 1 box, Macaroni & Cheese (use your favorite) 
• 1 tablespoon, milk
• 1 tablespoon, butter
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 small tomato, diced

Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package. Boil the macaroni until desired doneness. Strain and move to large mixing bowl. Mix cheese sauce, milk, butter, ketchup and tomatoes with the macaroni. Chop up Fish Sticks. In 2 bowls, evenly divide the macaroni and cheese, then top with the chopped fish sticks.

ZESTY FISH STICK CRESCENT ROLLS                    Yields 4 Rolls

• 4 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks
• 1 can refrigerated Crescent Rolls
• 4 teaspoons mustard
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted in microwave

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Separate the crescent roll dough into 4 pieces. Place a fish stick on the wide end of each roll. Add a teaspoon of mustard to each fish stick. Roll up the fish sticks so most of the fish stick is covered in the dough. Brush the dough with the melted butter. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

SWEET & SALTY FISH STICK LETTUCE CUPS         Yields 4 Lettuce Cups

• 8 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked and chopped
• 4 Iceberg Lettuce Leaves, use ones that are more cupped shaped
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package or until heated through and crispy. Wash the Iceberg lettuce leaves and pat dry. In a medium mixing bowl, add the honey and soy sauce. Mix together and then add the fish sticks. Coat well. Fill the lettuce cups with the fish stick filling.

FISH STICK TACOS WITH AN AVOCADO CREAM                  Yields 4 Tacos

• 8 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked
• 1 avocado, peeled and mashed until creamy
• 4 teaspoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese blend, use your favorite
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded

Directions: Bake fish sticks at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes until heated through and crispy. In a bowl, mix avocado, sour cream and lemon juice until creamy. Heat up tortillas, spread the avocado cream in the center, then add cheese, 2 fish sticks and then top with cabbage.

FISH STICK SANDWICH WITH SPICY KETCHUP    Serves 2

• 6 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked
• 4 slices of bread or bun, use your favorite
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2 slices Cheddar cheese
• 1 small tomato, sliced

Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package or until heated through and crispy. Toast the bread slices. In a small bowl, mix the hot sauce and ketchup together. Spread equally on the bread slices. Now build your sandwiches. Add the 3 fish sticks, cheese and tomato slices. Plate and serve.

FISH STICK MELTS      Yields 2 Melts

• 6 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked
• 2 slices of bread (use your favorite)
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon relish
• 2 slices Jack cheese

Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package or until heated through and crispy. Keep toaster on. Lay bread slices flat. Mix the mayonnaise and relish together and spread evenly onto both slices. Add 3 fish sticks to each slice, line up side by side. Lay a piece of cheese over each set of fish sticks. Bake until bread is crispy and cheese is melted.

For the times when a quick fix is what you’re looking for, here are some easy tricks you can use:

• Topper: Chop up Van de Kamp’s or Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks and sprinkle over coleslaw for a crunchy and creamy bite.
• Mixer: Mix Van de Kamp’s or Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks with some rice and soy sauce for a flavorful, crunchy super snack.
• Dipper: Bake your crunchy fish sticks and then dip them into your favorite sauce. Try some of these flavorful favorites: mix equal party mustard and honey or equal parts ketchup and hot sauce.

About Van de Kamp’s Seafood

The Van de Kamp’s® Seafood story began in 1915, when Theodore J. Van de Kamp founded a potato chip stand in Los Angeles. By 1930, the business had expanded into a thriving chain of restaurants featuring a popular batter-fried halibut. As the years passed, the focus turned to frozen foods including a line of frozen fish with batters unique to the market. Today, the Van de Kamp’s tradition lives on with the original halibut, fish fillets and crunchy fish sticks, all made from 100% whole white fish fillet, offering great-tasting and convenient seafood. For more information on Van de Kamp’s Seafood, log onto www.vandekamps.com .

About Mrs. Paul’s Seafood

The Mrs. Paul’s® Seafood story began in 1946 when Philadelphia power plant worker Edward Piszek started selling deviled crab cakes to earn extra money while his plant was on strike. Due to great success, Piszek and his friend, John Paul started a frozen seafood business. They named the business “Mrs. Paul’s Kitchens” after John’s mother (originally naming the brand Mrs. Paul’s Kitchen). Today, Mrs. Paul’s Seafood is a beloved brand that provides the original crab cakes, as well as fish fillets and crunchy fish sticks all made from 100% whole white fish fillet, offering great-tasting and convenient seafood. For more information on Mrs. Paul’s Seafood, log onto www.mrspauls.com .

That’s it for this week, happy Friday and check back next week for more ‘Deals & Steals’!