Campbell's

I know what you're thinking... Campbell's? They're not new - they've been around forever! Yes... they have. But you might be surprise what all falls under the Campbell's brand. And I was lucky enough to try a bunch of their items, both new and old (but maybe new to me). I was actually surprised at a few of the things that fall under their brand umbrella. But it made me like the Campbell's brand that much more.

So CrowdTap helped me discover all these Campbell's brands over the past couple of months or so. Among the items we a new V8 juice (I chose Spicy Mango!); Skillet Sauces; a new Prego flavor (light Alfredo); a new Chunky soup (Beer & Cheese with Beef and Bacon); Easy Cooking soups; Swanson Cream Soup Starter; microwavable Spaghetti-o's; another 'style' of soups for cooking (Creamy Poblano & Queso!); and Slow Kettle microwavable soup. So, it seems like a lot for one blog... but as a quick summary, I loved everything I tried and it really opened my mind up about 'easy cooking options' for a quick weeknight meal. Or a nice weekend meal. The key is they taste great!!

So what all did I actually do? Well, they helped out by including some recipes to kick start my ideas. And they helped. But not everything needed one of their recipes... I found that some of the items helped as a shortcut for my own recipe ideas. Like the Cream soup starter... it was perfect for this Roasted Cauliflower soup recipe I had. It was perfect on that first cold weekend we had. It saved so much time and so many steps! I bought another box of it the next grocery shopping trip I went on, knowing that it would come in handy as winter really set in.

I've heard about turning a can of Chunky Soup into a meal for more than one in the past (by pouring it over a starch base), so I tried that with the Beer Cheese soup I was given. It was perfect over some potatoes and Eric even loved it. It really filled both of us up.

Both of the 'soups for cooking' were surprises for me - I used the recipes they sent for both of these; Speedy Sausage Rigatoni and Creamy Poblano Mac & Cheese. Both got raves an will definitely be made again in this house. And while Skillet Sauces are already part of my regular regimen, this was a new flavor for me (Parmesan Chicken), and it, too, will be bought and made again.

I also loved all what I will call 'the simple samples' in the box, which include the V8 juice, the Slow Kettle soup, and the Spaghetti-o's... though I drank all the juice before I got to try the mango simmered rice recipe. Still want to try that one... sounds awesome!

So yeah... if you haven't tried some of these things, get out there and try them. Check out Campbell's website for recipes if you're unsure of how to use something. Or just experiment... they make it so easy to make great meals, weeknight or otherwise. And if you start with Campbell's you are sure to make a meal that will make others smile.

Scotts Naturals Tubeless Toilet Paper

I'll be the first to admit that many years ago, I started avoiding Scotts toilet paper because I felt you got what you paid for... it was cheap, and it felt cheap. Once I made that decision, I never looked back. But as a brand, they've hung around and definitely have their loyal users. Nothing wrong with that.

Well, recently, they threw out a concept that even got my attention enough to want to try it out... they went tubeless. And they brought to the attention of the world how made tubes are 'wasted' every year (recycled or not). I'm not a tree hugger, but I do care about the environment and try to be aware of the waste m household sends to the incinerator Indy doesn't do a landfill/dump) every year. Then I had a chance to try it though CrowdTap.

I was skeptical, at first. How does it stay 'roll like' and what keeps it was unrolling from the inside out? What happens when you get to the end - does it lose it's form then? To my pleasant surprise, it 'acted' just like any other toilet paper out there. Roll stayed intact through the end, though it got more squishy as it got to the center. And it lasted quite long... likely due to the single ply.

And that's where I was still disappointed with the Scott Brand. Still a little rough on a sensitive bum. Better than before, but still 'crispier' than I like - felt like what I get in my office building restroom or other public facility. not what I like to have at home. Of course, everyone has they own opinion and it might be perfectly acceptable softness to others out there.

So all it all, major probe for being environmentally aware. But no improvement, in my eyes, on the quality of the paper, itself. Except for a few ridges... but not softness. If you're already a Scott's user or are very much an environmentalist, you'll want to give this a try. In fact, it's worth a try for everyone out there. But just know that if you've come to expect the softness that so many other brands push and try to sell you on, then this will be a change from that repertoire for you.