(CLOSED) QFC Invites Mommy Bloggers & $25 GC Giveaway

One of the amazing things about blogging you get the chance to meet up with other bloggy moms and go to fun events! The latest one was one of my favorite places a grocery store! Now don't get me wrong I love getting out of the house but going somewhere on a weekly basis and spend a good amount of my month budget at!

I got to the University village QFC and just fell in love with this amazing store. I'm telling you grocery shopping has hit a whole new level. I must admit the last 5 years it's a get in and get out before I or the kids are in tears! Now I've seen other daycare at grocery stores but they were always closed when I was there or the person behind the kid door did not look like a kid person. So when I walked into QFC and the friendlest lady meet me at the kids zone! I'm talking about a playzone like no other! They had a train table, a train that around the ceiling (which Cole told Rick because Cole has this in his room but it's broke) and tons of toys. Yes Caden even marched in and started to play with out even one TEAR!!! The boys had so much fun and enjoyed every minute of their time there!

After getting my mommy break I joined the group for our tour. Ok again when I shop it's the run in and run out type not the stop and look around! It was so nice to walk around and enjoy the luxury of this store. Now my QFC in my neighborhood hasn't gone threw this remodel but now I jealous and can't wait. We walked over to the Deli & Bakery area that made my mouth water, all I have to say is the pastries in that bakery blew my mind. It looked like an artist at work, I so am going to buy some of these and claim them as my own! After they killed me with things I think just smelling made me gain 10 lbs (explains the cropping of the group picture below). Then we walked by the deli that looked and smelled gourmet. Really it was so beautiful, again usually I stop here for a corn dog (yes a bribe for the boys) and we run, Deli's are usually just that but not this one it was one that you don't feel guilty eating at. Plus they have the Garlic Mash Potatoes there that are shown below, usually deli mash potatoes are the lovely kind made from flakes NOT these, they are made fresh from REAL potatoes. I know concept!

We then hit the Flower department, they had it decorated so cool it looked like a spooky village spider webs and spiders, I so wish we could take a picture it would be the way I would want my house decorated. Hmmm maybe I can make friends with the decorated and she can do my house :).

More and more we're seeing ways to make your life easy for meals. Most of us are running around either working in or out of the home (yes SAHM are working, it maybe a "non-profit" job I saw that on my friends description and loved it ... but it is STILL work) and some days you just don't have time to make dinner. Instead of opening that box of macaroni and cheese (yes I didn't say the blue box, because hello it's always store brand here). You can head over and Save Time with Ready-to-Cook Meat again most of us are thinking of the ready to cook meals from the past that the box would have been a better idea. All I must say is these meals ROCK and Mona even admitted she has claimed them as her own, yes they are that good! Check out the pictures below of the amazing chicken dishes we had the chance to try out! Plus Angie asked cross contamination and food allergies which she deals with in her life on a daily basis, and they were so aware of this it is a big part of the day too! Don't be afraid to ask the people behind the counter they can help with ingredient list of what is in each meal along with calories etc.

And the part my mom would love we toured the Wine section and get this they have Wine experts on hand! Yes we are so beyond the box wine days ladies! There wine area I think was bigger then my living room and dinning room combined! Plus they have A Perfect Pair

We then headed over to the Healthy Living department we're they demonstrated a new touch screen system they are putting into the remodeled stores. What I found to be the best feature was the allergy button, you can put in what you're taking and see if this could be a bad raction with the new product you're thinking of getting. I know my grandmother had this problem with all her medications that at one time they ended up prescribing one that reacted wrong with one she was already on. Thanks to a pharmacist to catch this, but that does not always happen. Another cool function was you could print recipes there also and it has a BUDGET center button too! I'm telling you this is the coolest thing ever, I can't wait for one to come to my store.

After our amazing tour we headed up stairs for our V.I.B.E. event oh yeah check it out it was QFC's Very Important Blogger Event doesn't that just rock and make you feel awesome, I'm tell you I love blogging and going to amazing events!

Welcome to V.I.B.E.

Donna Giordano the QFC President gave us a wonderful talk. We also meet with Nancy Moon-Elilers (VP Merchandising and Marketing), Tammy Bottcher (Sr. Director Advertising & Loyalty) and Kristin Maas (Director Public Affairs). It was like sitting around with your girlfriends talking about saving money and enjoying good food! Now if I can make every Saturday like this!

These are the amazing Save Time with Ready-to-Cook Meat

My Favorite was the Chicken Dijon with Dijon Sauce

Chicken Parmesan with Marinara Sauce

Chicken Florentine (A new addition)

And the best part Lou a Meat Manager from another store came and gave a demonstration on cutting and serving Kalbi Flank Steak. His kids call it "MEAT CANDY" and I must say it melted in your mouth and really was truly amazing! I think if I brought this home Rick would never let me make anything else again! They then prepared it with Garlic Mash Potatoes and Valencia Green Beans. It really was the best thing EVER!!! All of these are offered in the Chef's Express and Meat Department. And don't be shy ask all the question you would like on how to prepare these meals. The people behind the counter are amazing!

We ended our amazing event with the only way to go with desert!

You're jealous aren't you!

*Whole Fruit Flan
*White Chocolate Macadamia Nut flan
*Tiramisu
*Double Layer Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Filling, Chocolate buter cream frosting, chocolate truffle topping and chocolate roses.

Oh how I wish I had the courage to go up and grab the chocolate cake too ... LOL

(Stacey, Carrie, me, Kim, Shannon, Angie, and Mona)

Thank you to QFC for this amazing event and now I'm so jealous I don't live in Seattle, but soon I too will have a remodeled QFC and I'll be the evvy of you :).

Now that I have talked up QFC and you want to run over there, I have an awesome opportunity to share a $25 gift card with one lucky winner!

UPDATED!!! Card can be used at any Kroger Store. Scotts's Food & Pharmacy, Hilander, Ralphs, City Market, Food4Less, Baker's, Fred Meyer, Smith's Jay C, QFC, Dillon's, King Scoopers or Fry's. Sorry I didn't list this before.

WIN IT: Tell me what you would spend your $25 dollars on at QFC.

MUST TELL ME THIS BEFORE DOING ANY ADDITIONAL ENTRIES!

EXTRA ENTRIES - Do as many as you like just leave a separate comment for EACH:

1. Follow my blog
2. Have my button up on your site
3. Subscribe via email (2 Extra Entries)
4. Sign up for Networked Blogs (facebook - located on the right side) (3 Extra Entries)
5. Enter my Food Storage Depot Bread Mix by 10/25/09
6. Enter my The Castaways Audio Book 3 Winners by 10/25/09
7. Enter my Not So Scary Halloween ($50 Value) by 10/25/09
8. Enter my Medibuddy First Aid Kit by 11/1/09
9. Enter my Role of a Lifetime Book 5 Winners by 11/1/09
10. Enter my On the Line Book 5 Winners by 11/1/09
11. Enter my Morning Sunshine Book 5 Winners by 11/1/09
12. Enter my The Impostors Daughter 5 Winners by 11/1/09
13. Enter my Delicae Gourmet Giveaway by 11/1/09
14. Enter my TMTT ~ Thai Kitchen Giveaway (5 Winners) by 11/1/09
15. Enter my Naturel View Giveaway ($27 Value) by 11/8/09
16. Blog about the giveaway or on your side bar (3 Extra Entries)
    
17. Post on Facebook and leave me a link (3 Extra Entries)

Giveaway ends 11/08/09 Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win.

I leave you with some fun pictures of the goody bag we got to take home with us! Doesn't that rock it's like going to the awards show and getting a swag bag. But even better it's stuff I use daily! I'm in love with reusable bags and check out the awesome stuff inside, yes even a bottle of wine to make a mommy's night! Plus $50 in coupons and get it I even received a $25 gift card!! Oh momma is going to do some shopping this weekend! LOL sorry about the hair it was raining that day hard. Enjoy girls, even if you don't win you'll love shopping at QFC it's one of my favorite places to swing in.