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You are here: Home / Meatless Friday / Small Backyard Makeover + Veggie Fare

Small Backyard Makeover + Veggie Fare

August 11, 2014 By Jenna 101 Comments

When we bought our house, one minor drawback was the size of the backyard. It’s, well, tiny. I happen to love that aspect of it because I do not have to leave my perch to know where Thing 1 and Thing 2 are at any given moment. Mike, however, wanted a place where he could entertain people and grill out like a man. Understandable. So, he got this patio idea into his head. And, I’ll be honest, I didn’t think it would happen. I thought it would be one of those things that we talked about forever, but never really sunk our teeth into. But, Mike dove in after weeks of making me look at bricks until my eyes bled, and he and my dad did the darn thing. Me being in my pregnant state and all, I was left to cater lemonade and other refreshments to the menfolk. No complaints on that front. Want a little drab before and fab after?

before

everything behind the metal fence is not ours. small.

photo 1 (3)
photo 3 (2)

pictures in the winter and at dusk? jenna, you shouldn’t have. 

So, naturally, we have been using the thing and being very Bear Grylls and outdoorsy by sitting on patio furniture and grilling various store bought noms. And, when I suggested to Mike that we give Morningstar Farms a go, he looked at me like,
photo 1 (2)

mike, how skeptical are you?

But, he was able to forge on and grill us up some fine Spicy Black Bean Burgers (loaded with protein!) to which he responded, “Hmm. Actually not so bad.” He even asked to finish mine… Perhaps next on the menu I can tempt the fam with Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers, Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Burgers
, Buffalo Chik Patties, or Original Veggie Sausages. And with 30+ products and 600+ recipes, MorningStar Farms has more ways to eat smart. Check out their website for frequently added new flavors and products.
photo 3 (1)

hanging with the big boys

photo 2 (2)

summer on a plate

picstitch (4)

sam was all…

Other ways we use Morningstar Farms in our house:

  • Seriously the best mom lunch: nuke a Mushroom Lover’s Burger with a little mustard (and a slice of tomato if you’re feeling fancy) and you have something yummy, filling and healthy.
  • My kids still haven’t figured out that the Chik’n Nuggets are soy and not chicken. Dunk them in ketchup and steal them from your kids’ plates when they aren’t looking.
  • Original Sausage Patties broken up and scrambled with eggs makes an excellent hash. We may eat this for dinner on nights when mother forgets to plan.
  • While we are not a 100% meatless family, we do try to go meatless a couple of times a week for health, savings and Friday fasting. MorningStar Farms makes it easy to eat smart, whether you go meatless every day, or every now and then.
  • When it comes to recipes, feel free to create your own, or head to http://www.morningstarfarms.com/recipes to search their recipes by product or category.

 For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave a comment below letting me know which MorningStar Farms product you would most like to try!

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
  3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/11-9/14/2014.

Be sure to visit the MorningStar Farms brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

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Filed Under: Meatless Friday, Reviews & Giveaways

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  1. Rosie says

    August 11, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    I would totally try those chickpea burgers – are they new? We tried Morningstar Farms stuff a while ago for a promotion and the verdict was a big thumbs down… And everything’s so loaded with soy that I steer clear! But we all seriously love chickpeas (well, except the legume-hating husband)…

    Reply
  2. sistersara says

    August 11, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    My kids LOVE chicken nuggets, so I would want to try those!!

    Reply
  3. Michelle @ needle and nest says

    August 11, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    Those black bean burgers sure sound tempting! I might even be able to get the hubby to try them.

    I love your backyard reno. Very well done!

    Reply
  4. Laura says

    August 11, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I’m always in search of more ways to get my kid to eat protein, so I’ll definitely check out their products. Thanks :-)

    Reply
  5. Melody says

    August 11, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    Black bean burgers sound delish!

    Reply
  6. Elena says

    August 11, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    I want to try the Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers.

    Reply
  7. Elena says

    August 11, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/498962202414436352

    Reply
  8. Nicole D says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    I would love to try the Morningstar farms Chipotle Black Bean Burgers next time we grill.

    Reply
  9. Nicole D says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    my tweet– https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/498984790687633408

    Reply
  10. Mary Happymommy (@mami2jcn) says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    I’d like to try the Baja Black Bean Pizza.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    Reply
  11. Mary Happymommy (@mami2jcn) says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/498989341381636097

    Reply
  12. heather says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    I most want to try the morning star original veggie burgers.

    Reply
  13. Cat W. (@windmill_cat) says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    I’m definitely a kid at heart, because I definitely want to try the chik’n nuggets.

    Reply
  14. Kelly D says

    August 11, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    I would like to try their Italian Herb Chik Patties.

    Reply
  15. Kelly D says

    August 11, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/Kellydinpa/status/499008253200592896

    Reply
  16. thisisliferemix says

    August 11, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    Would love to try the MorningStar Farms® Asian Veggie Patties

    Reply
  17. thisisliferemix says

    August 11, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    Tweeted https://twitter.com/AdorableSweetp1/status/499010891786883075

    Reply
  18. Efficient Momma says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    The Bean burger :-)

    Reply
  19. Tori says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:52 pm

    The chipotle black bean burgers sound yummy!

    Reply
  20. Dwija Borobia (@HouseUnseen) says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Oh, I would be all OVER those breakfast sandwiches. Breakfast, man. Breakfast…

    Reply
  21. Mia says

    August 11, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    I would love the Baja Black Bean Pizza.

    Reply
  22. Mia says

    August 11, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    I tweeted https://twitter.com/miainthewoods/status/499031294966108161

    Reply
  23. Nell @ Whole Parenting Family says

    August 12, 2014 at 8:01 am

    Yum. I’ll eat anything from them. Except their facon. :)

    Reply
  24. Stephanie K. says

    August 12, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Spicy black bean burger?! Yes, please!

    Reply
  25. Courtney says

    August 14, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    I would love to try the mushroom lovers burger :)

    Reply
  26. D Schmidt says

    August 14, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    We would love to try the MorningStar Farms buffalo wings, they look delicious and my whole family would enjoy them! We would love to incorporate MorningStar items into weekday meals with salad and baked potatoes.

    Reply
  27. D Schmidt says

    August 14, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Tweeted
    https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/499993820054822914
    mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

    Reply
  28. maria cantu says

    August 16, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    The roasted garlic & quinoa burgers.

    Reply
  29. Gina M says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    I would love to try the Mediterranean Chickpea Burger!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  30. Gina M says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/500772287130644481

    Reply
  31. Debbie B says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    i would like to try the Buffalo Chik Patties

    Reply
  32. Debbie B says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    i posted a tweet:

    https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/500778734132006913

    Reply
  33. Jessica To says

    August 16, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    I would really like to try the Spicy Black Bean Burger.

    Reply
  34. anna pry says

    August 16, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    i want to try the buffalo chik patties most pryfamily5@gmail.com

    Reply
  35. anna pry says

    August 16, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    i tweeted https://twitter.com/thepryfamily5/status/500790656516636672 pryfamily5@gmail.com

    Reply
  36. shelly peterson says

    August 17, 2014 at 4:00 am

    I would like to try the Buffalo Chik Patties
    cshell090869 at aol dot com

    Reply
  37. shelly peterson says

    August 17, 2014 at 4:02 am

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/500915370367008770
    cshell090869 at aol dot com

    Reply
  38. tcarolinep says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    I would like to try MorningStar Farms Breakfast Sandwich Veggie Scramble with Cheese.

    Reply
  39. tcarolinep says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    -https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/501210273743519744

    Reply
  40. Janice Cooper says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    I would like to try the Parmesan Garlic Wings

    Reply
  41. Janice Cooper says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/501479183092940801

    Reply
  42. Katt Lewis says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Chik Patties–I’d like to try them.

    Reply
  43. Katt Lewis says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    https://twitter.com/kattzzz/status/501480992402440192

    Reply
  44. Tina M says

    August 18, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    i want to try Buffalo Chik Patties

    Reply
  45. Tina M says

    August 18, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/501544154594152448

    Reply
  46. couponboss says

    August 18, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    I’d like to try the Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Burgers


    Reply
  47. couponboss says

    August 18, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/501569196782657536

    Reply
  48. BusyWorkingMama says

    August 20, 2014 at 10:19 am

    I’d like to try the Baja Black Bean Pizza. I love Morningstar products and have used them in a variety of recipes.

    Reply
  49. Natalie says

    August 20, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    I tweeted under twitter id @yarbr012 https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/474704361398886400!

    Reply
  50. jennifer horn says

    August 21, 2014 at 11:48 am

    I’d like to try the BUffalo Chick Patties.

    Reply
  51. jennifer horn says

    August 21, 2014 at 11:48 am

    https://twitter.com/jen_r_horn/status/502482207932305410

    Reply
  52. Kimmy Ripley says

    August 21, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    I have had the Morningstar Farms Chik Patties before and I love them! Great chicken substitute! They taste just like it!! Would love to try the buffalo flavor patties.

    Reply
  53. Rebecca W says

    August 22, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    I would like to try their buffalo chicken patties. We love spicy food.

    Reply
  54. injaynesworld says

    August 23, 2014 at 1:00 am

    Parmesan garlic.

    Reply
  55. injaynesworld says

    August 23, 2014 at 1:01 am

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/Jayne_Martin/status/503044260686348288

    Reply
  56. Rebecca Thomas says

    August 28, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    I would try Mediterranean chickpea pizza first!

    Reply
  57. Christina says

    August 31, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    The Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Burger one sounds yummy!

    Reply
  58. Birdiebee says

    August 31, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    I would love to try the MorningStar Farms® Chipotle Black Bean Burger. The ingredients with corn and peppers make this burger sound so delicious.

    Reply
  59. Birdiebee says

    August 31, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    I tweeted.

    https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/506179285833777153

    Reply
  60. sandra says

    August 31, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    I want to try the Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Burger

    Reply
  61. Elle says

    September 4, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I’d love to try the Mediterranean Chickpea Pizza burgers!

    Reply
  62. Elle says

    September 4, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/507592096014802944

    Reply
  63. steven weber says

    September 4, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    The Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Burger

    Reply
  64. Jessica Beard says

    September 4, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    The buffalo chik patties look yummy!

    Reply
  65. janetfaye says

    September 5, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    I would like to try Morningstar Farms® Grillers® Original.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply
  66. janetfaye says

    September 5, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/507937122217914369

    Reply
  67. Susan Smith says

    September 5, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I would love to try the MorningStar Farms® Chipotle Black Bean Burger

    Reply
  68. Susan Smith says

    September 5, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/507995019912155138

    Reply
  69. Howell says

    September 5, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers sound best to me.

    Reply
  70. Cheryl W says

    September 6, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    I would like to try the Morningstar Farms® Meal Starter® Veggie Meatballs. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    Reply
  71. Cheryl W says

    September 6, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/508439352574099456

    Reply
  72. rachel says

    September 7, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Yay for quinoa. I want to try the Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Burgers
.

    Reply
  73. Lisa Brown says

    September 9, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I would like to try the MorningStar Farms Mediterranean Chickpea Pizza

    Reply
  74. Lisa Brown says

    September 9, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/509431830634708992

    Reply
  75. Tabathia B says

    September 10, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    I want to try the MorningStar Farms® Baja Black Bean Pizza

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  76. Tabathia B says

    September 10, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/509890374509158401

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  77. Robin says

    September 11, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    The Breakfast Sandwich Sausage Egg and Cheese sounds really good for busy mornings!

    Reply
  78. Julie says

    September 11, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    The spicy black bean burgers are a staple in our house. I’d love to try the garlic quinoa burgers!

    Reply
  79. Kerry says

    September 11, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    I really want to try the MorningStar Farms® Baja Black Bean Pizza!

    Reply
  80. Kerry says

    September 11, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/510209189809889280

    Reply
  81. angie lilly says

    September 12, 2014 at 10:19 am

    I am a vegetarian and have pretty much tried everything they make at least once! LOL However, I went to their website and discovered one of my fav products now comes in an organic soy formula! WOOT!! LOVE THAT! Would love to try the MorningStar Farms® Sausage Patties made with Organic Soy!

    Reply
  82. angie lilly says

    September 12, 2014 at 10:19 am

    I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/510432084406435841

    Reply
  83. neiddy says

    September 12, 2014 at 11:25 am

    The Baja Black Bean Pizza sounds yummy! I would love to give it a try

    Reply
  84. neiddy says

    September 12, 2014 at 11:29 am

    tweeted -https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/510450016364670976

    Reply
  85. ewhatley says

    September 13, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I would like to try the Parmesan Garlic Wings.

    Reply
  86. Wanda McHenry says

    September 14, 2014 at 12:48 am

    I would try the Parmesan Garlic Wings first!

    Reply
  87. Wanda McHenry says

    September 14, 2014 at 12:49 am

    tweet: https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/511013829258805249

    Reply
  88. Betty Curran says

    September 14, 2014 at 1:05 am

    I’d like to try the Baja Black Bean Pizza.

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  89. Betty Curran says

    September 14, 2014 at 1:06 am

    Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/511017984572133377

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  90. Amanda Sakovitz says

    September 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

    I’d love to try the Mediterranean Chickpea Pizza!

    Reply
  91. Amanda Sakovitz says

    September 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

    https://twitter.com/aes529/status/511169720599740417

    Reply
  92. Thomas Murphy says

    September 14, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    I want to try the MorningStar Farms Buffalo Chik Patties.

    Reply
  93. Thomas Murphy says

    September 14, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/511194607103639552

    Reply
  94. whitneylynn88 says

    September 14, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    I would like to try the Chipotle Black Bean Burger

    Reply
  95. whitneylynn88 says

    September 14, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    I sent a tweet: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/511218583867641857

    Reply
  96. Erica Best says

    September 14, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    Parmesan Garlic Wings sound yummy

    Reply
  97. Erica Best says

    September 14, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/511220415516377088

    Reply
  98. ellen casper says

    September 14, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    I’d like to try the Baja Black Bean Pizza.

    Reply
  99. ellen casper says

    September 14, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    https://twitter.com/usnamom2014/status/511292731638181888

    Reply
  100. Stephanie Phelps says

    October 4, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    I would love to try the Buffalo Chik Patties first because we love spicy food and I could use this over a salad.

    Reply
  101. Stephanie Phelps says

    October 4, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    I tweeted
    https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/518579417069518848

    Reply
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