Monday, April 9, 2012

Giveaway: $100 Whole Foods Gift Card from the Spinning Cook!

This is obviously not a food blog, unless you include Dots candies or maple donuts with strips of bacon on them. However, preparing healthy and home cooked meals is an absolute priority for me, and I’m proud to say that 90% of what we eat is cooked from scratch by yours truly. If I was really cool I would have a running blog and a blog about cooking quick and healthy meals for your family (Shut Up + Cook Crap), but who has the stinking time?

That said, even though I work from home, it is still a challenge to be creative with meal planning, to get the damn grocery store and to cook. I’ll take any help and shortcuts I can get.

That’s why I was stoked (hahaha! have not used that word in ages, if ever, but I just was feeling it) that I was contacted by Ryan of the Spinning Cook to try out his new app – Spinning Meals. I am not an App person, hell I don't even have a smart phone (that’s how smart I am). I do, however, have an iPad that is supposed to be mine but it has been taken over by the family and I hardly ever see it between their games of Angry Birds.

Anyway, after downloading the App (it costs $2.99), and asking Ken exactly what an App was (like how I admit how stupid and uninformed I can be? You try it! It’s fun to be vulnerable), I got down to the business of learning what Spinning Meals had to offer.

P1120487

This thing is slick! I was stoked! Here’s how it works:

  • You enter in recipes that you can import from your favorite places on the web (CookingLight.com, Allrecipes.com and Epicurious.com are a few of mine).
  • If you don’t want to import, you can enter recipes manually.
  • The app automatically adds the ingredients into a shopping list. You can edit the list as needed.
  • You can set up your meals for the week, indicating which meals you want on your menu, or letting the app “spin” (think Candyland) for you and randomly select your meals. It’s just that easy.
  • You can choose which meals you want to include (for example, I would only do dinners Monday through Friday, but you could add in lunch, breakfast, whatever).
  • You can also give preferences for which types of ingredients you want to see more often (BACON) and you can group recipes by seasons so that in the summertime it will only select meals from your summer recipes.

I experimented by importing two of my favorite recipes: Broiled Parmesan Tilapia and Fiesta Chicken Salad. The recipe loaded quickly into the app format and the ingredients were put into my customized shopping list. Voila!! Easy as pie.

But, don’t take my word for it, check out this short trailer :

You can also find information on the Spinning Cook about the app.

And, just for taking the time to get informed about the app, the Spinning Cook would like to give away two gift cards – a $100 Whole Foods gift card and a $20 itunes gift card (there will be two winners, each getting one of the cards).

To enter simply (one comment for each):

Giveaway ends April 13 and the two winners will be chosen randomly. You MUST leave a way for me to contact you in case you win, especially if you do not have a blog of your own where I can leave you a comment. Do not leave “anonymous” or “Sue”, I can’t find you that way. If that info is not there, I won’t consider you as a winner if you are chosen.

SUAR

PS: The winner of the Champion giveaway is #256 - Todd. Good thing he can give the bras to his girlfriend, Vanessa, and doesn’t have to wear them on his head or as a jock. Email me at beth@shutupandrun.net to claim your bras!

Fine print: Spinning Cook provided the items for the giveaway, and gave me a promo so that I could download the Spinning Meals App for free.

267 comments:

  1. I like that the app will tell you the frequency of a meal eaten. I tend to rotate a lot of meals throughout the weeks.

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  2. Ok, facebooked, liked, I don't have a tweet account :( I like them because I eat the same thing every week!!! HELP!

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  3. I learned that you can group meals by seasons as well. Very interesting.

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  4. Liked on FB. I'll be using this one!!

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  5. I love that it generates a shopping list!

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  6. I liked SC on Fb & followed on Twitter

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  7. I like the the App generates the shopping list - I always get carried away and buy things I don't need and end up with an overstocked cupboard!

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  8. I like that you can pick the frequency. I tend to plan the same meals all the time and it gets borning. This looks really cool!

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  9. I'm following SC on twitter. camelfam at g mail {dot} com

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  10. I liked SC on facebook.
    camelfam at g mail {dot} com

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  11. I follow spinning meals on Twitter!

    therothgirl@sympatico.ca

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  12. Checked out the site... I really like the ability to import recipes as well as input my own.. Great stuff!

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  13. I 'Liked' Spinning Cook on FB!

    therothgirl@sympatico.ca

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  14. Liked Spinning Cook on FB. Nice that you can adjust based on time - allows for the days with kids where we have activities and need the quick meal.

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  15. Just checked out the website, I like being able to group recipes based on seasons so automatically in the winter I can find my favorite cozy stews and soups. Yum!

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  16. Oh so glad you are doing this. Ryan and this app= awesome! I'm not entering but just letting you know that you are NOT alone in this lack of app/smart phone know-how. I want an iphone but I'm cheap and I'd have to give up all sorts of things to get one because our monthly bill would double with an iPhone. I think for now, I'm good being without and spending money on races. Ha! But this app looks way too cool and I think I need it!! okay, stoked...so funny. Check out this video on kids today getting "stoked" (from the Onion): http://www.pinkbike.com/video/141926/

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  17. I "liked" Spinning Cook on Facebook
    I shared the giveaway
    I like the meal planning part of this app. Makes shopping easier and takes the guess work out of "what's for dinner, mom?"

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  18. I'm following Spinning Cook on Twitter

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  19. I tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/oowidescrnoo/status/189355788056264705

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  20. I love that you can let the app select what meal you will cook! I'm horrible at making decisions, so anything that will help with that--is A+ in my book!

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  21. Hi there! I entered all 4 ways!

    Shared on my FB +1
    “Liked” Spinning Cook on FB +1
    Followed Spinning Cook on Twitter +1
    And, I think I will like the app because I *don't* have to put in my own recipes... so I can try something new, with minimal effort! +1

    iamamanda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. 1) Liked Spinning Cook on FB....

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  23. 3) Followed Spinning Cook on twitter

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  24. 4) I like that this thing will THINK FOR ME. I never know what to make for dinner. At least this step can now be covered, right? Also, my comments link to my Google+ profile, so you can email me or comment on my blog.

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  25. Anything that helps keeping real food in the mouths of babes is a win in my book. I will give the app a try.

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  26. I like Spinning Cook on Facebook with my username Mary Happymommy.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  27. I took a look at the app and I really like that you can organize recipes by prep time.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  28. would LOVE to win either gift cards! I now like spinning cook on fb now- sounds like a really interesting concept!

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  29. I'm also following spinning cook on twitter!

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  30. I like that you can group recipes into meals and have the app pick a random meal. I always have to pick the meals and I run out of ideas a lot!

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  31. I shared on Facebook:

    https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=128989633897634&id=100000611160195


    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  32. Some recipes are provided or you can provide your own. That's pretty cool!

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  33. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  34. I follow Spinning Cook on Twitter!

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  35. I like Spinning Cook on Facebook!

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  36. I HATE GROCERY SHOPPING! I always get overwhelmed. I like the shopping list part of the app. I need to check it out.

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  37. Brilliant App Beth! I work full time, have one kid left at home and my aging parents(read - don't let them near the stove and also three loads of pee laundry daily) live with us. My adorable husband expects dinner every Mon-Fri on the table at 6 pm. I need to work, get my running in, dream up a meal for 5, prepare and present it daily. I used to hang a menu from a local diner on the fridge and we'd "pin the tail on the meal" to determine what I'd be cooking that night. Menu tattered, perhaps it's time for an official App.
    Best,
    stacey
    kennysmunchkin@twitter.com

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  38. jenny.glade@yahoo.comApril 9, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    I like the ease of it picking what you cook and the shopping list feature. I liked them on fb.

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  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  40. I love that with this the app I can create a meal plan that suits my schedule and the seasons of the year!
    laurel_cedarblade@sbcglobal.net

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  41. I like Spinning Cook on Facebook!
    laurel_cedarblade@sbcglobal.net

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  42. I follow Spinning Cook on twitter!
    laurel_cedarblade@sbcglobal.net

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  43. I tweeted! @pace_of_laurel
    laurel_cedarblade@sbcglobal.net

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  44. AALIYAHROBERTSON@ymail.comApril 9, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Liked SC on FB!

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  45. aaliyahrobertson@ymail.comApril 9, 2012 at 8:23 AM

    I love the generated shopping list, because every time I hit the grocery store I forget something. Without fail..every time.

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  46. I love that you can organize by season and frequency!

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  47. I like the "recurring items" shopping list feature - I hate when I forget the necessities!

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  48. I followed @spinningcook on Twitter.

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  49. I like how it comes up with meals for you. I'm not very creative when it comes to thinking of what to make.

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  50. I'm sure this is kind of like entering the Mega Millions contest last week, but I'll go tweet about it. And if I win, I'll hold a press conference with my lawyer and file my nails in the background (did you see that? hilarious)

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  51. I tweeted and FB'd the giveaway @ConcreteNCoffee (facebook.com/ConcreteNCoffee).

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  52. I followed on twitter & followed on FB :)

    raby[dot]jenr[at]gmail[dot]com

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  53. I just liked the Spinning Cook on Facebook.

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  54. And now I am also following him on Twitter!

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  55. I love the grocery feature. There's always something I forget!

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  56. Liked on FB...also I like that I can make dinner time a "game" with my little ones. Don't have to deal with sibling rivalry (I want this, no I want that---let the wheel decide!!) and/or finicky eaters. Muahaha! Mom wins....yes! LOL


    Email: racheal (dot) Pettigrew at yahoo (dot) com

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  57. I am following Spinning Cook on Twitter!

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  58. I love that it gives me my grocery list!!

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  59. Following on Twitter.

    I have so many recipes, mostly digital (a ludicrous number, really, I take after my great-aunt and her bookshelves of cookbooks), that I love the idea of going *spin* "Here, choose for me! I can't make a decision!" once in a while.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, forgot my Twitter handle, @theladysybil.

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  60. This sounds awesome!
    bfeh0402 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I should have added that I like how all my favorite recipes are in one easy place.

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  61. Great app!!I am following Spinning Cook on Twitter!

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  62. Wow - this app sounds like such a great concept. I have so many recipes saved in my inbox and this would be a great way to store them all. megmarie412 at gmail

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  63. Will post on my blog giveaway section.

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  64. Creates a meal plan? Oh heck ya!!

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  65. I liked spinning cook on fb!

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  66. I like that I can have you plan my meals, since you already have the app

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    1. Thanks for twatting. I am planning your first meal now. Heavy on the lard and sauerkraut.

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    2. Love you and I don't use Twitter but what is a twat? I thought it was a tweet! Toemato momahto haha

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  67. A recipe + grocery list from my beloved phone = brilliant.

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  68. I LOVE to be creative with meals... but lately have not been so... gift card + app = possible rejuvenation for my love of finding new meals!

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  69. I follow the Spinning cook on twitter @runschicago

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  70. I like that the app sorts by cook/prep time.

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  71. LOVE that you can customize ingredients you'd like to use more often! Uh..yeah..I would like more bacon in my life! :) Liked on FB!

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  72. I love the shopping list generator!

    GFC eclairre(at)ymail(dot)com

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  73. I liked Spinning Cook on FB!

    deepsouthrunner@gmail.com

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  74. I tweeted! @deepsouthrunner

    deepsouthrunner@gmail.com

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  75. I shared this giveaway on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=337250102998807&id=100002433695748

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  76. I like your facebook page as Elena Istomina

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  77. Follow you on Twitter @ElenaIstomina

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  78. I checked out the site and I like that you
    can import recipes and submit your own

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  79. I checked the site I like how it automatically create grocery lists off the recipes.

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  80. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  81. I liked it on fb! (Ilene Murakami)

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  82. I like the spinning part of the app. Looks cool.

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  83. https://www.facebook.com/tcarolinep/posts/205987612844397

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  84. https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/189441444879151105

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  85. “Like” Spinning Cook on FB

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  86. Follow Spinning Cook on Twitter @tcarolinep

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  87. Easy recipes are my favorite feature of the app. Very helpful and convenience when it comes to menu plan.

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  88. blogged.http://tcarolinep.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/giveawayshut-up-and-run/

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  89. I followed Spinning Cook on twitter! :)
    j dot miles at wowway dot com

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  90. Just twated about the giveaway!

    In case I get lucky, here is my email:

    laura7799 at yahoo dot com

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  91. I liked Spinning Cook on Fbook!

    Once again, in case I get lucky, here is my email:

    laura7799 at yahoo dot com

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  92. Now following Spinning Cook on twitter!

    My email again:

    laura7799 at yahoo dot com

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  93. And finally, I tweeted about this fabulous giveaway!

    My email:

    laura7799 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Oops, I already said that. I meant that the feature I like best about the app is the meal scheduler. That sounds rockin'.

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  94. I liked them on facebook! (Email: laniehoneycutt@yahoo.com

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  95. Tweeted!
    rcreed (at) gmail (dot) com

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  96. Liked on Facebook!
    rcreed (at) gmail (dot) com

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  97. Following on Twitter!
    rcreed (at) gmail (dot) com

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  98. I like the capture from Epicurious, the one online recipe source I use pretty often.
    rcreed (at) gmail (dot) com

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  99. I like the spinning cook on fb.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  100. Follow Spinning Cook on twitter @hewella1.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  101. What a great idea - and just when I was renewing my commitment to cooking at home more often - both for my pocketbook and my health. I'm going to try it out. I wish they had a link to recipes from Eating Well - but maybe I'll figure out a way to do that as well as importing my many favorites from World's Healthiest Foods. Thanks SUAR for passing along a great idea!

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  102. Following Spinning Cook on Twitter @BakeRunLive

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  103. posted on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=164611746994684&id=100003375801046

    jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

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  104. I like the spinning cook on facebook as Jessica F

    jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

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  105. I follow @spinningcook on twitter @jfong1130

    jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

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  106. I like that you can set a meal that recurs every week... we have burger night every Wednesday!

    jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

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  107. I liked Spinning Cook on Facebook!

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  108. I follow @spinningcook on twitter. runnermom.judy at gmail dot com

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  109. I agree with doing whatever it takes to have the family eat dinner together. I believe it is very important for the kids. runnermom.judy at gmail dot com

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  110. I really like how I can put in my own recipes and the app will make a shopping list for me. No more dragging raggedy papers all over the grocery store!

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  111. I put the give-away in my sidebar at http://martimessnerfamily.blogspot.com.
    cmessner@myuw.net

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  112. I learned that there is not really an ipad app which is what I have which is not a good thing but I did learn that it is coming which is a good thing.

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  113. I shared on fb https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=356484194388861&id=100001622773262
    mermont84 at yahoo.com

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  114. I liked spinning cook on FB.
    mermont84 at yahoo.com

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  115. Follow Spinning Cook on Twitter @mermont84
    mermont84 at yahoo.com

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  116. I like that it comes up with meals for you - and a shopping list!
    mermont84 at yahoo.com

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  117. I'm an organizer so I like that you can organize by category.

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  118. Liked spinning cook on facebook

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  119. I follow Spinning Cook on Twitter.

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  120. I liked Spinning Cook on Facebook!

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  121. I learned that you can import recipes from all sorts of websites and also that you can add weekly reoccuring items to your grocery list! Awesome!

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  122. Tweeted the giveaway:

    https://twitter.com/#!/calidreamin87/status/189550185821650944


    calidreamin87 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  123. I like Spinning Cook on Facebook. (Deanna Cali)


    calidreamin87 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  124. I follow Spinning Cook on Twitter. (@calidreamin87)


    calidreamin87 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  125. I like that you can organize by prep time! :)


    calidreamin87 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  126. I like that you can organize your meals by prep time!

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  127. I liked spinning cook on fb!
    Jennifer.m.marsh (at) gmail.com

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  128. I like that you can customize the frequency of each recipe in the rotation. Thanks!

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  129. I like the ability to categorize meals by season!

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  130. i Follow Spinning Cook on Twitter (onitnaram)

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  131. like that i could organize by prep time so when im busy i can flip to quicker recipes

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  132. Tweeted! @vivalameaganx3

    --Meagan
    Cheercfa07 at aol dot com

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  133. I follow you on twitter!

    --Meagan
    Cheercfa07 at aol dot com

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  134. I like the variety that is available!

    --Meagan
    Cheercfa07 at aol dot com

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  135. FB about the giveaway!

    kaelinhrse@aol.com

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  136. Liked his app on FB!


    kaelinhrse@aol.com

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  137. I like that you can pull all your recipes together from different sources and make your own!


    kaelinhrse@aol.com

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  138. Ok, we really need a Whole Paycheck in Longmont. I like Boulder and all but when you just want some food from the salad bar at WF, it's a haul. I just downloaded this app, it's right up my alley. I've gotten super lazy with meal planning. My favorite part is making the shopping list for me. I ALWAYS forget at least one ingredient for meals I do actually get around to planning.

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  139. Liked on FB, Following on Twitter - I love it, although I use an app called MealBoard that does similar things, but without the capture. The capture part intrigues me tremendously. I am not seeing on the website that you can import from Cooking Light - that would be a big plus. Were you successful with this site? I love the seasonal aspect and it may encourage me to stretch out of my comfort zone and try different things throughout the year as a result!

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  140. https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/189726382501265411 scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  141. i like them on FB scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  142. Are you freaking kidding me? I win something, and it's bras?

    Hilarious!! I've never worn a bra as a jock....on my head, yes; on my...ummm...junk, no.

    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. All you need now are some leg warmers and you've got this years' Halloween costume... ;)

      Delete
  143. random meals. what part of my life WON'T i let technology dictate?

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  144. Hahaa! If you ever start that Shut Up + Cook Crap blog, count me as a subscriber! I'd love to hear about your exploits in the kitchen!! LOL And that is so awesome that the winner of bras is a dude. I'm going to be chuckling about that all day...

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  145. I love that it imports the shopping list!

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  146. I learned that they are currently working on a way to synchronize your recipes, meals, shopping lists, and meal plans, across multiple supported devices.
    geminicalli@yahoo.com

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  147. I follow via twitter as freefragments.
    geminicalli@yahoo.com

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  148. Liked on Facebook.
    erinballou(at)charter(dot)net

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  149. Follow on Twitter.
    erinballou(at)charter(dot)net

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  150. This looks pretty awesome. I love that it will find recipes for me from my favorite sites. I love trying new recipes, but sometimes just finding them can be the hardest part.

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  151. Checked out and following on Twitter. tracybcurtis(at)gmail(dot)com

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  152. Also liked SC via FB tracybcurtis(at)gmail(dot)com

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  153. and I shared your blogpost link on FB...tracybcurtis(at)gmail(dot)com

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