Chicken Brats & Sausages

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Gold ‘n Plump to see if I wanted to review their new line of Chicken sausages and brats.  It’s not often that I do a product review, since I (a) have to know the product is free of tree nuts and (b) want to find local, healthy products that work for our family.  This one fit the bill. 

Growing up in Minnesota, the Gold ‘n Plump brand of chicken is a familiar one to me – as they are a Minnesota company.  I appreciate the way they farm:

• Farmers are local & independent {and have been since the company started},
• Farmers use modern, climate-controlled barns,
• All barns are cage free, and they are an  
• Environmentally friendly company!

While 100% organic chicken is the ideal, the reality is that sometimes you have to do the best with what you have and where you are at the moment.  We certainly enjoy the Gold ‘n Plump chicken – esp. their natural line of chicken products.  They also have a new line “Just Bare” chicken, that is also excellent.  So, when we had the chance to sample their new chicken sausages, this was a product I was excited to try. 

We first sampled their Apple & Maple Breakfast Chicken Sausages – served them alongside Martha’s Buttermilk Pancakes, and fresh fruit. 

The flavor was subtle, but wonderful. 

We cooked them according to the package directions – using a frying pan.  However, we’ll have to work on perfecting the cooking technique, as they did not cook as directed! 

Next, we tried the Chicken Brats & the Hot Italian Chicken Sausages for a family BBQ. 

We boiled the chicken brats in beer, just like we do with all our brats, for a comparison. 

We were hoping they’d be great because regular brats have over 22 grams of fat & these clock in at 7 grams.  A good tasting brat that is good for you too!?  I’m in.   

The result: 4 out of 4 family members approved!

My dad took one bite of the Hot Italian Sausages and said “these have some kick!”, and my husband polished off two of them. 

My mom and I agreed the brats were fantastic!  Just as a brat should be – from the texture to the flavor, and wonderful boiled in beer.  They actually remind me of brats, rather than other chicken sausages which have more of a hotdog consistency. 

Thanks, Gold ‘n Plump for allowing us to sample these new products!  We’ll certainly enjoy these again before the summer ends. 

Gold ‘n Plump sent me packages of their new chicken sausage & brat line to sample.  All opinions and review thoughts are my own. 

Breakfast Bar

One of the things I love most about our kitchen is the new quasi-island breakfast bar in the center of the kitchen and dining room.

When CSN Stores contacted me about doing a product review, we were blessed with an opportunity to not only do a product review but also host a giveaway for you! Today, I'll be sharing with you our review of our new breakfast bar stools!!  Coming this week, I'll be offering a giveaway for goodies like an Ice Cream Maker and bakeware from Le Crueset!!

Frog Prince and I placed our order for the Derby Wheat Back Bar Stools {in Cappuccino} from CSN Stores on the 28th; our order was shipped on March 2 and the chairs arrived on March 4!  Talk about a fast turn around.  We were impressed.

First up: Taking them out of the box.

Within a few minutes, we had all the parts laid out on our living room floor.

Everything was there, unscratched/undamaged, and we were excited. We thought we'd need to dig out our power screw driver to assemble the chairs, but everything we needed was right in the box.

The Allen wrench worked wonderfully to assemble the chairs. We used a Phillips head screwdriver too, for the other longer screws.

Within an hour, we had the seat pads fastened to the chairs and sitting in our kitchen!  For two newbies to this home ownership thing, and for our first shot at assembling furniture we were pleased with the process.

And, our green carpentry skills didn't have any influence on the outcome -- these chairs are sturdy as can be!

In fact, I've hardly moved from these chairs ...

And, we had a blast breaking them in with our friends who stayed with us last week.

They are perfect for breakfast, for lunch and dinner too, and add a great opportunity to have conversation in our kitchen.

We ordered the counter top height and they fit perfectly under our counter top.

The chair pads are soft to sit on, and the cappiccino finish is rich and very nicely finished.

We love the backs - they are quite comfortable to lean against and don't rub on your spine uncomfortably like some chair backs do!

All in all - we love them.  It was a bit nerve-wracking to shop for chairs online without being able to see them in the store or even sit on them before they arrived in our house, but CSN Stores made the process easy.  The product reviews online for these chairs said good things, so we were convinced.  

We highly recommend CSN stores and thank them for this opportunity to review the Wildon Home Bar Stools for our kitchen.

Check back next week for your chance to win an ice cream maker and bakeware from Le Creuset courtesy of CSN Stores!!

Exciting things, coming soon!

January and February at Finding Joy in My Kitchen will bring some exciting things!

At the beginning of February, I will be doing a product review for CNS Stores.  

And, you'll have a chance to win something fun too!  

Maybe you're thinking new modern bedding?  

Maybe, some nice storage containers for your kitchen?  

Or, better yet, that ice cream maker you've been dreaming about!

Come back at the beginning of February for a fun chance to win.  

And... coming soon - a tour through out kitchen!!

{I'm so excited to share this new space with you}