Thank you to Sweet Tomatoes for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Summer is here and my family is already experiencing the summer blues. In Arizona, the heat is constant and unbearable, lasting the majority of the day and sometimes all night. We as a family grow tired of being home all day and get tired of the same old thing. So, we decided to try something new as a family. I am a strong believer in finding healthy food options for my family. Knowing the foods my children eat now will define their patterns of eating when they are adults we went to Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. Also, in Arizona during our 100+ degree days in the summer, a salad is so refreshing. The biggest bonus for me is that kids eat free all day on Tuesday’s all summer long. Being a family of 5 any time we can save money we jump on it.

Every month Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes offers new items and the month of July’s theme is Star Stripes and picnic delights. One of my favorite things about Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes is they have updated their menu to cater to all dietary needs. With their monthly offerings providing vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free offerings how could you go wrong? During our visit, I had a delicious salad with romaine lettuce, spinach, peas, corkscrew pasta, croutons, and delicious Italian dressing. from the salad bar. Once I finished my salad I had the Garden Fresh Vegetable Marinara with Spaghetti with Cheesy Garlic Focaccia and a Gluten Friendly Lemon Muffin. For dessert, I sampled and enjoyed Brownie Bites, Tapioca Pudding, Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, and Buttermilk Cornbread. Everything was so delicious and I had certainly eaten my fill by the time we left.

The wonderful folks at Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes shared with my two of their July offering to share with you. Check them out and let me know what you think of them.

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Joan’s Broccoli Madness w/ Bacon and Cashews

Joan’s Broccoli Madness is a light, refreshing and flavorful salad that is quick and easy to prepare. Serves 6 – 8.

¾ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup granulated white sugar
5 ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
¼ cup cooked crumbled bacon pieces
7 cups 1” broccoli florets
¼ cup chopped salted cashew pieces
¼ cup black raisins
1/8 cup 1/4” diced red onion

In a medium-sized bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Whisk to combine and dissolve the sugar. Set aside for later. Cook bacon and cool. Cut bacon into ¼” pieces. Prepare broccoli florets, cashews, raisins, and red onions. Add to bowl and thoroughly mix to coat and combine. Serve on chilled salad plates.

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Wildly Blue Blueberry Muffin

2 ¾ cups white flour
½ cup wheat flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon table salt
1 2/3 cups buttermilk
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
¼ cup cracked eggs
1 teaspoon blueberry extract
½ lb blueberries

Pre-heat convection oven to 325°F.

Combine white flour, wheat flour, baking powder, and table salt in a 1-quart mixing bowl and thoroughly mix to combine. Set aside.

In a separate 2-quart mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, sugar, canola oil, eggs, and blueberry extract and thoroughly whisk until sugar is thoroughly dissolved.

Add dry mixture to wet mixture and thoroughly mix to combine.

Gently fold in blueberries.

Grease muffin pan with pan spray. Spoon muffin batter into muffin cups, filling each cup 3/4 full. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until batter is firm and springs to the touch. The muffin will be a light golden brown.

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A random fact, but I love the little cards Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes leaves on their tables. I hate having to wait at the table for someone else to come back so we can take the kids. These cards let the employees know if you’re getting more food or have left and are a great touch for families. It allows me to take all my kids to get their food and no one has to wait on anyone else!

Not only is Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes catering to families this summer but they are also running a promotion for seniors. Every day between 2-5 PM you can eat and drink for only $8.29! I love taking my grandmother out to lunch and this deal provides a great way to spend time with your family members and save some money.

I am so excited to finally share with all of my readers that the wonderful folks at Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes has given me 4 lunch/dinner complimentary meal passes to giveaway* to one lucky reader. To Enter just complete the task below

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Answer the question in the Rafflecopter form

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Must be 18 years or older and reside in the contingent 48 states.