Stefanie’s Favorite Things Giveaway!

October 26, 2012

Sarcastic Cooking is one year old!!!

I seriously cannot believe I started this little blog one year ago. I also am still in awe that people want to read what I have to write. Who woulda thought?

Back when I started this blog, I was feeling so miserable and unfulfilled with my work life. I was jumping from job to job and not really fitting into any position. They say that when you truly figure out your passion and what you want to do for the rest of your life, things just kind of fall into place. Once I started blogging and taking pictures of things I had cooked, I knew I found my passion.

So to celebrate the blog turning one, I decided to try and give something back to all of you! This little giveaway is just a few of my favorite things. I know it isn’t much and it is no way to even begin to thank all of you for reading every day and pay you back for all you have given me, but if Oprah can do it, so can I.

Giveaway Includes:

$25 Target Gift Card: Duh, Target is my black hole. I love this place and can never leave with just the thing I came there to buy.

$15 iTunes Gift Card: So you too can buy some fancy iPhone camera apps or even maybe a little Plants vs. Zombies. (Don’t knock it ‘til you tried it! Best game for the iPhone or iPad).

Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds: This is one of my favorite things from Trader Joe’s to crunch on.

Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze: I always have this in my refrigerator/pantry. It is the perfect finish to a fancy salad or an easy way to fancy up a pizza. Plus, it saves you the time of making your own.

Microplane: I use this tool every single day! I use it to grate garlic, grate ginger, and to zest citrus. It is amazing. If you already have one, pass it forward and give it to somebody who is just starting their cooking journey.

Maybooks Notebook: I use these eco-friendly notebooks to house my shopping lists and menu plans. They are so light I keep them in my purse at all times. Head over to the site and design your own, you will love it!

Sorry there isn’t a brand new car in the giveaway, if I could I would.

Seriously. Thanks to all of you for being here almost every day for me to talk to and bond with. I like to think if we all lived closer we would for sure be friends!

Thank you to my parents. Even though they still aren’t too sure what a blog is or where this is going from here, they still support me none the less. I hope I am making you guys proud. One day I will repay you for all the groceries I have stolen from your house!

Thanks to my husband, Mike. He puts up with a lot. He is always ok being the butt of my jokes or the main character in my stories or even jumping in with a guest post every now and then. Without your support, I would not be where I am today.

Thank you to my friends and my ever-growing family (seriously, you guys have been around to read about the births of two nephews). I love you all so much and am so grateful for the amounts of pride and love you always send my way!

Thank you to all of the other bloggers I have interacted with over the year, be it through Twitter, Facebook, or even in real life. I love this community and I cannot wait to see what year two holds for all of us!

A big shout out to all the businesses that trusted me to represent their brand. Thank you for helping me to bring your amazing products to my readers!

Now, to you, my readers. You will never know how much you have done for me. I was in a job that I felt was sucking my soul out of me every single day. When the first comment came through on the blog, I felt this creativity and passion awaken inside of me that I had not felt in quite some time.

I read your comments. I share my life, triumphs and fails with you all. I want to do better and better for all of you. I am excited to see how much this blog has grown and can’t wait to see where we are another year from now!

After all that gushing, now it is time for the logistics of the giveaway….

In order to be entered in the giveaway, just leave me a comment. You can tell me what you would like to see more of on the blog, how awesome you think I am (kidding), or even just tell me the last awesome meal you ate. Those are all just suggestions.

One winner will be chosen at random Monday at midnight Central time. The winner will be notified via email on Tuesday.

Once again, thank you!

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  • rachael
    November 1, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I love your blog. It is really getting me to try new things for my family:)

  • Shawn
    October 29, 2012 at 10:44 pm

    Yay for blog birthdays!! I love your blog, keep up the great work! 🙂 May the passion always be with you!

  • meredith
    October 29, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    Congrats! Thanks for hosting this awesome giveaway! I like your recipes – I really want to make the pumpkin granola

  • Liz M.
    October 29, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    Congrats on turning one!

  • Jenny
    October 29, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Congratulations gurl 🙂 I love seeing how happy this blog has made you. I’m so proud of you! xo

  • Amanda Wilson
    October 29, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    Congrats on a YEAR! That is really great!! As to suggestions – I had the most amazing (and I know, typical) pumpkin raviloi with a vodka butter sauce and walnuts the other day at a restaurant, and I would just love to see your take on it!! Best of luck in the coming year (and so many more)

  • Samantha
    October 29, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    Hi! I am a fairly new fan, and I will tell you how awesome you are! I adore reading your posts, and as I start on my cooking ‘journey’, I have looked to your amazing recipes for guidance, so thank you and congrats!!

  • Soleil Lean
    October 29, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    I love your recipes! Love to see more with quinoa! Keep the great ideas coming!

  • Erik Blostica
    October 29, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Congrats on the one year!

  • Anne W.
    October 29, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    Congrats on your blogiversary! I just found your site this week, but I love the recipes and your humor!

  • @bluenotebacker
    October 29, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Congrats on your year! I’m a new follower, love the clean design of your blog. Great looking recipes I can’t wait to try. Thanks for sharing!

  • megan
    October 29, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    congrats on your one year blog-versary! I just recently started reading, but have loved it so far.

  • Lisa
    October 29, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    Congrats on one year, Stefanie! I actually discovered you through Instagram and I’m so glad I did. One of my favourite things in the world, that I make all the time, are your pulled buffalo chicken sandwiches. So easy and delicious, and everybody loves them! Thanks for so many simple and yummy go-to recipes, and for sharing little bits of yourself on the blog. Here’s to many more years of Sarcastic Cooking! 🙂

  • Alaine
    October 29, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Thanks for the generous giveaway! The last fabulous meal I ate was the dinner my husband made last week- grilled salmon 🙂
    family74014 at gmail dot com

  • Haley
    October 29, 2012 at 10:00 am

    congrats on one year!!! you’ve done a lot of yummy things so far, cant wait to see what else you come up with.

  • kelly
    October 29, 2012 at 7:43 am

    Sarcastic Cooking has become such a favorite read! Love all the fun and creative recipes. It’s helped me start cooking at home again! Thanks and please keep posting.

  • Ellie Delancey
    October 28, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    Congrats on your 1 year! I would love to see more quick and easy recipes on the blog. I know you have a lot of them already, but it’s great to have more options 🙂 Thanks!

  • Gina Asavalertpanich
    October 28, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Happy 1 year Anniversary! And thanks for all the inspiration (and a skinny dish) which I wouldn’t mind more of being on weight watchers and all. Keep up the great work. 🙂

  • Jill Hartley
    October 28, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    You may have just given me the push I need to start blogging. I moved and wanted a way to blog my cooking creations. Thanks so much!

  • Kelly
    October 28, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    Congrats, Stef! The blog has come a long way– awesome job!!!

  • Kelly E.
    October 28, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Woo hoo! Congrats!! I am a fairly new reader, but I’m so glad I’ve found your blog. It has saved me many a night’s struggle when I have no idea what to cook. Thanks for being an inspiration!

  • Ashleigh
    October 28, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    Love this giveaway! I love reading your blog and all of the amazing recipes. Your stories always crack me up, too! You rock lady!

  • Georgiana
    October 28, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Congratulations on your blogoversary as it’s a very creative and fun cooking blog to learn from! Enjoying your sassy humor and delicious recipes too and thank you for the fabulous giveaway featuring your favorite things as they are some of mine too! 🙂

  • Cynthia
    October 28, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    I found this blog when I was looking for recipes for pearl barley. It’s the first blog I’ve followed and I look forward to each post! Thank you for doing such a great job with it!

  • Liz
    October 28, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Stef,
    I can remember the conversation about your “next steps” and starting up the blog like it was yesterday. It’s hard to believe its been a year. Keep calm and keep blogging on! Love you!

  • Skinny Joe Sandwiches
    October 28, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    […] be sure to enter my favorite things giveaway if you haven’t […]

  • Kristen M.
    October 28, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    All these favorite things are awesome. I’ve been shopping Trader Joe’s more frequently and so I appreciate your recommendations.

  • Jessie
    October 28, 2012 at 11:48 am

    I love the Oprah-style giveaway! I just started following your blog, but I love all the great recipes. So many different things too – it’s great that your recipes really cover the spectrum! Congrats on the 1 year mark 🙂

  • Raymond
    October 28, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Congrats on your one-year milestone and you have achieved great success on your blogoversary! I recently discovered it a few weeks ago and have enjoyed making some things for the family – my favorite being your Chocolate Banana Muffins – a great treat anytime of day! Thanks!

  • Ruby
    October 28, 2012 at 8:52 am

    Congrats! I’ve only recently found your blog and I’ve really enjoyed your posts. I love your pictures, recipes, and sense of humor. I’m actually starting my own blog soon, so excited!

  • Audrey B.
    October 28, 2012 at 8:36 am

    I only recently discovered your blog (I only recently started cooking, too). I absolutely love your style and your cooking, and that it doesn’t require me to buy 16 new things for my kitchen with every recipe.

  • Renata
    October 28, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Congratulations Stefanie and thanks for sharing your favorite things with us! Love how you put a fun, sassy twist on your creative recipes and have many more decades of blogging ahead! The last good dish that I had was my Mom’s homemade apple cinnamon raisin bread pudding! Yum!

  • Julie @ Table for Two
    October 27, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Yay! Congrats on the blogiversary! So glad to have “met” you and I am a daily reader 🙂 even if I do suck at commenting. Keep up the great work! xo

  • ShootingStarsMag
    October 27, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    I’m new to the blog, but I wanted to say congrats on one year! I wish I was aware enough to celebrate that for my blog ,but I don’t think I did anything. LOL

    -Lauren

  • Kimberly P.
    October 27, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    Congratulations on the anniversary! I absolutely love your sense of humor and writing style. Your recipes are a huge bonus!

  • Serena
    October 27, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    The last recipe I made…Ive been craving a lot of avocados lately so Ive been trying to incorporate them into a lot of foods, and Ive been loving an avocado olive quesadilla recipe – yum!

  • colleen boudreau
    October 27, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I’d dressing up as a bunny tonight for a Halloween party. 🙂
    holliister at gmail dot com

  • kimberley
    October 27, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    Just discovered you thru wehearthis.com.
    getting ready to make your sage and browned butter penne.
    Looking forward to more recipes and more sarcasm!

  • Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats
    October 27, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    Im a new reader, but I love it! You make me laugh and sometimes that better than food 🙂 Thanks for the good humor and delish recipes! 🙂

  • Stefanie
    October 27, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Congrats on your anniversary! I really enjoy reading your blog and look forward to more years to come!

  • Sarah
    October 27, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Your blog is such a fun read and congrats on one year! I always love anything with cheese and maybe a few ‘clean out the pantry’ posts? Also, I love hearing about your favorite things, as I am always in the market for new indulgences/addictions! Keep it up!

  • Christina
    October 27, 2012 at 11:23 am

    Happy bloggy birthday!! Love all your fav’s also!

  • Dawn
    October 27, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Great blog! I look forward to it everyday!

  • Shawn Brooks
    October 27, 2012 at 9:52 am

    I like your enthusiasm towards all your posts. You touch on a lot of topics that turn out very interesting. You have a good sense of humor which adds to the “sarcastic” part of you. Love it. As fas as making any changes, um…. nah ! I look forward to your posts Stefanie !!

  • Bethany
    October 26, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    I’m impressed with your blog. Keep up the good work!

  • Julie
    October 26, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    You are awesome, from what I hear! I’m glad that this year has been a year of discovery (both within and discovery of new things you love to do and discovery of new friends). It’s great to find your passion, and I hope that this next year brings you even more discoveries of things that you love.

  • sarah
    October 26, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    I just started following your fantastic blog. Keep up the good work! Don’t change a thing!

  • Julia Mrowiec
    October 26, 2012 at 9:02 pm

    Stefanie,

    Happy one year! Your recipes always turn out great. The last one I made was the baked green beans- They were easy and delicious! I am trying to cook more (I’m not much of a home maker) and you are an inspiration to me. Every time Bobby sees one of your recipes on Facebook, he has to tell me how good it looks and how lucky Mike is because he gets to eat your awesome food all the time! I also love the stories you share- the Mike stories always make me smile. There are never too many pictures of Weezer! I also have to thank you for letting me know about plants vs. zombies… I was addicted.

    I am so happy that you found your passion!! Congratulations and I can’t wait to see what’s on the blog this year!

    I would love to see some more marinades for meat and tips on cooking meat in general

  • Special "K"
    October 26, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    So proud of you!!!! You have always been a creative and out of the box kind of person, so it makes me very happy to see that you have found your passion. I will always be there for you. Love you!

    Oh, by the way ,dad is keeping a running tab on all missing food items.

  • barbara n
    October 26, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    You are awesome and I love your blog…the last awesome meal I ate was grilled salmon, couscous and borccoli and tomatoes.

  • Kim Koehler
    October 26, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Congrats on 1 year! I love all the healthy recipes…especially the easy ones for quick weekday meals 🙂

  • cheri
    October 26, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Stefanie, I LOVE this site. I have tried several of the recipes and love to read each and every day about food and your adventures. I am not even sure how i stumbled upon this blog, but it is truly a gift for this foodie! Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! I am looking forward to what the next year brings me!

  • Kirby
    October 26, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Congratulations on your 1 year blogiversary! I look forward to many more years of reading your blog!

  • Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
    October 26, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    Congrats on 1 year!!! The last awesome meal I ate was lunch today. Half a tub of Sabra supremely spicy hummus and Triscuits. It sounds lame, but I assure you, it was awesome 🙂

  • Shawna Landers
    October 26, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I have just recently started following your blog and my what I have missed over the last year. I LOVE IT!! Congrats on hitting the one year mark! Here’s to many, many more!!

  • Traci Tripp
    October 26, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Congrats on 1 year of blogging! I am glad I found you and look forward to your posts.

  • Dolly
    October 26, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Stefanie – I so enjoy reading your blog, both for the recipes and the stories that go along with them. The recipes I’ve attempted have turned out great. Keep up the good work!
    Dolly

  • Uncle
    October 26, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    Living so far apart for all these years, I never saw you & your brothers grow up or share in your growing up as a “good” uncle should. Reading your little stories brought it all a little closer.

    Your doing a great job, Im very proud of you, wish you all the best as you go into your second year.

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    October 26, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY! I love your blog so much and have loved getting to know you Stefanie! I can’t wait to see what the next year brings 😀

  • Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
    October 26, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Congrats on one year! 🙂 Oh, and I need to find those dark chocolate pomegranate seeds at my Trader Joe’s. . .they sound amazing!

  • Nicole Short
    October 26, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I just had chicken and rice with mushrooms, peas and adobo seasoning. Love your blog!

  • Julie @ Sugarfoot Eats
    October 26, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Happy Blogiversary!!! Your buffalo ranch popcorn the other day looked great! And always love pics of your pug!

  • Barbara H
    October 26, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Setting here eating a bowl of great chili and cornbread as winter weather moves in.

  • Jenna
    October 26, 2012 at 11:50 am

    Giving out that Target gift card is like giving an addict drugs.

  • Lore
    October 26, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Congratulations on one year of running this blog! I’ve only been following it for a few of those months, but I love reading every new post – and seeing all the gorgeous pictures! I especially like that even though this is an omnivore blog, you have lots of vegetarian recipes I can try! I can’t wait to make the spaghetti in red wine sauce recipe this weekend – it looks so good…

  • Leslie
    October 26, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Thank you for the fun giveway.

  • Laurel Steven
    October 26, 2012 at 11:37 am

    How awesome do I think you are? VERY! I have really been enjoying your recipes and commentary.

  • adam @unorthodoxepicure
    October 26, 2012 at 11:35 am

    From one sarcastic cook to another — congratulations!

  • Jennifer
    October 26, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Stefanie, I stumbled upon your blog about 8 months ago while I was living in the Hudson River Valley. The VIVID photos of the meals, and the wonderful instructions with process pictures really ignited my passion for cooking that had been in a lull for a while. The recipes I enjoy most are the savory gourmet recipes with butternut squash and veggies. I would love to see more “light” recipes for muffins/breads.
    I love the stories that accompany the recipes and the quick blogs even without the recipes. You seem like such a fun-spirited, creative lady!
    Keep up the great blogs!

    Smiles,
    Jennifer

  • Jacky
    October 26, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Congrats!! Keep it coming, love your photography and writing.

  • Marcella
    October 26, 2012 at 11:08 am

    I adore this website and read your blog daily. The recipes are always delicious, creative, and easy to make! The ingredients you use in your recipes are easy to find, big on taste, and budget friendly. I only discovered your blog a short time ago. So far, I have made your cauliflower au gratin and your spinach pie. These were a big hit with my family! Next, I hope to make your grandfather’s cabbage rolls! Thank you for sharing your recipes and keep up the great work!

  • Marcie
    October 26, 2012 at 11:03 am

    I gotta admit that I look forward to email post – and it isn’t just for the receipe that comes at the end. Thank you!

  • Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
    October 26, 2012 at 11:01 am

    HAAAPPPYYYYYYY BLOGGGGGIIIVVVVVEEEEEEEERRRRRSAAAAAAARYYYYYY!!! (Oprah voice, duh.)

    I’m so glad we found each other in this vast expanse of the internet – and that we are now good enough friends to have totally weird stories to tell! 🙂 Love you!!! xoxoxo.

  • kelsey
    October 26, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Congrats! This is great- I love your blog, recipes are always so YUM.

  • Cara Loffredo
    October 26, 2012 at 10:45 am

    hard cider sangria, amazing.

  • Ryan Bundy
    October 26, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Congrats on the one year anniversary for my favorite food blog! I look forward to more delicious recipes and jokes about Mike in the next coming years.

  • Heather Y.
    October 26, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Stefanie!

    I love how real and raw you are about almost everything! Thank you for being yourself and laying all out on the line. Also, my kids rave over a recipe you posted for Pretzel Crusted chicken tenders. A recipe that incorporates 2 things my kids can’t have enough of….chicken tenders and pretzels.

    Thanks again and don’t stop doing what you do!

    🙂

  • Monique L.
    October 26, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Awesome! The last great meal that sticks to mind is this grilled romaine salad I had with a tomato fennel dressing, hearts or palm, caramelized onions, and finished with a balsamic reduction and feta cheese. It was heaven!

    Congrats on one year! I always enjoy reading. : )

  • Kristin
    October 26, 2012 at 10:31 am

    You make me want to stay home and cook every night! I told my partner that I was going to quit my job and stay home to be a food blogger because of you! Haha. She wasn’t fond of that, but I would if I could! Thanks for all your inspiring ideas 🙂

  • Dan Keller
    October 26, 2012 at 10:28 am

    I love a lot of recipes with common foods. I get so many with things you could not buy in an ordinary food store. I share recipes on my website but always link back to the original site.

  • Candy Charters
    October 26, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Stefanie, I’ve been reading your blog for just a few months now, but I LOVE IT!! I especially like your “life stories” you so generously and unself-consciously share with us. (Plus, your food is amazing!) Congratulations on your first year anniversary and I hope you have many, many more years happily blogging away!