Monday, October 7, 2013

Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes from Mooney Farms & a Giveaway!

We all know about the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, right? This diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, chicken, fish, olive oil & nuts is said to contribute to heart health & help reduce the risk of certain cancers (among other benefits). But did you know that sun dried tomatoes are a staple of the Mediterranean region? Not only do they contain lycopene which is known for it's antioxidant benefits, but also other nutrients like vitamins A & C. But the best part, they are delicious!

I'll be honest, I thought a sun dried tomato was just a sun dried tomato & that was it. Just one flavor. I was wrong (no one tell my husband I said that).

Mooney Farms is a family owned business that started in 1987 in Chico, California. What was originally a kiwi farming operation, quickly grew into sun dried tomatoes under the label Bella Sun Luci.

The folks over at Mooney Farms were kind enough to send me some sun dried tomato varieties:

•California Julienne Cut with Italian Basil
•California Julienne Cut with Zesty Peppers
•California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic
 •California Julienne Cut

Like I said, I never knew there were different flavors of sun dried tomatoes, so I was anxious to try these out in different recipes. I made salads, soups, pizzas & pasta dishes (like my own Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes over Pasta). The uniquely robust flavor stood out without drawing away from the dish. Unless I centered it around the tomatoes of course...which I may have done one or four times.

I also received some oil packed sun dried tomato varieties:


• Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts
Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Halves
•Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne 
•Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I had never had sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil before & even though I do love the robust flavor of a sun dried tomato, I was worried that it would be too much in the oil. Yea, I was wrong again (don't tell my husband I said that either). These varieties all had a smoothness that I just can't describe, while still having just the right amount of flavor. Perfect for pasta dishes, panini's & my favorite Simple Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta.  


Oh no!
View this pic on Instagram.

I now try to include sun dried tomatoes into my meals at least twice a week. Especially since it tastes like I'm indulging myself, while still reaping all the benefits that they have to offer.

Eager to try Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes for yourself?



One lucky winner will receive the same 8 flavor assortment as I did!
The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Monday 10/14/13. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 9:00 a.m. on Monday 10/14/13. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 24 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to Mooney Farms for distribution of product. If 24 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 24 hours to submit their information. *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 
Check out recipes & contest info from Bella Sun Luci, as well as the latest updates on Facebook & Twitter.


**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Mooney Farms & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.


122 comments:

  1. I love sun dried tomatoes! Now I'm hungry!

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  2. The Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil sound delicious!

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  3. The tomato pesto with whole pine nuts sounds great to me!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

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  4. I would love to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    -Lilith Katz

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  5. I would like to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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  6. • Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts sounds great

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  7. I think I'd like the Basil Sun Dried Tomatoes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Thanks so much for this give away.

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  8. Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts

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  9. I am most excited to try California Julienne Cut with Italian Basil

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  10. Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil sounds great!

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  11. I'd love to try the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts. (Angie PreciselyMine)

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  12. ooooh brushette sun dried tomato! Soooo yummy! Melissa I hope I win this one I love sundried tomatoes!

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  13. I'd love to try any, but especially the one with the pine nuts.

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  14. I'd love to try the ones with California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic! Yummy!

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  15. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts

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  16. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts sounds yummy,

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  17. I am most excited to try the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts

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  18. The 'Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil' is tickling my fancy as we speak!

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  19. Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil sounds so yummy!!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    Joey J.

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  20. Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil on a flatout sounds fabulous!

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  21. Ooo! Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato!!

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  22. The Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sounds great!

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  23. The one with Zesty pepper sounds good

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  24. I would love to try the Italian Basil,mmmm:)

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  25. I would love to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato

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  27. Since my husband is Italian, and I do t cook Italian, we would love to try the Italian Basil.

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  28. I'd like to try the Zesty Pepper flavor
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  29. I am most excited to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

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  30. I would love to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It sounds so good.

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  32. I would like to try the sun dried tomatoes in olive oil!

    Couponclippinmommy at yahoo dot com

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  33. I would like to try the Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne
    addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

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  34. I would like to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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  35. i would love to try the sundried tomato pesto with pine nuts on a grilled sandwich with some lovely aged white cheddar. we use sundried tomatoes in all types of recipes from casseroles to chili. thanks for such a tasty and very versatile giveaway!

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  36. tomato pesto with pine nuts. yum!
    trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

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  37. I would like to try the Zesty Pepper variety.

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  38. i've tried all but Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil so i'd like to try that!

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  39. I would love to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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  40. The Italian Basil sounds delicious! I have also used the pesto before and it is super good too!

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  41. The Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts would be great to try :)

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  42. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Pine Nuts....yummy!

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  43. The Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts, sounds SOOO good!

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  44. The Italian basil sounds really good!

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  45. The Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil sounds amazing! We love tomatoes in our house; these would be gone in no time!

    Holly Storm-Burge
    hstorm799{at}gmail{dot}com

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  46. I'd love the tomato Pesto with whole pine nuts.

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  47. The Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts sound great to me!

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  48. I think the California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic sound great.

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  49. • Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts sounds great

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  50. I'd like to try Sun Dried Tomato Halves with Olive Oil and Herbs.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  51. I want to try the Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne.

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  52. I'd love to try the Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Halves!!
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  53. love to try the italian basil ty

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  54. The Tomato Pesto sounds delicious!

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  55. I am thinking the juillienned tomatoes on some pasta would be incredible!!

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  56. California Julienne Cut with Italian Basil. Would love to try these on a pizza!

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  57. The Italian herbs sound delish!

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  58. Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    rick_aei@hotmail.com

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  59. California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic looks really good

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  60. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts

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  61. I would like to try the Tomatoes with Zesty Peppers.

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  62. I"d like to try the Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne
    Thank ou!

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  63. The Italian Basil! I love cooking with sun dried tomatoes! It's almost time for my stew and I always love sun dried tomatoes on a pizza!

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  64. I would like to try the Brushcetta and the Julienne with Zesty Peppers.
    I like it zesty!

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  65. I would love to try the Sundried Tomatoe Halves with Italian Herbs! It sounds delicious and I can think of so many recipes in my cookbook that I could incorporate it in :)

    babydjs_mom@yahoo.com

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  66. I've never had sun-dried tomatoes before so I'd want to start simple with the italian herb one and then get bold trying other flavors.

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  67. OMG yummy!! The Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil!! myamurphy@mail.com

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  68. I would love to try the California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic

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  69. Basil Sun Dried Tomatoes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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  70. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts

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  71. id love to try •California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic

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  72. I'm most excited to try their Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne....I bet it'd delicious.

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  73. I want to try the pesto with whole pine nuts!

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  74. OOoh the California Julienne Cut with Zesty Peppers sounds like it is right up my alley!

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  75. They all sound very good! Sorry, I cant pick just one!

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  76. I really want to try the pesto with pine nuts!

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  77. I'm really interested in trying the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts!

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  78. The Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Pinenuts looks great. I'm a big fan of pesto.

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  79. Oooo the one with pine nuts sounds tasty!

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  81. I am excited to try the one with pine nuts!

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  82. I'm most excited to try the Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Halves.

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  83. The Tomato Pesto for sure! Yum!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

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  84. Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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  85. The Tomato Pesto <3 It sounds amazing!!!!

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  86. The sun dried tomato pesto sauces would be great on french bread.

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  87. California Julienne Cut with Italian Basil Would probably be my choice

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  88. I would like to have the California Julienne Cut. I would also like to try the Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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  89. I'm excited to try the zesty pepper. My husband loves to cook with tomatoes so he would love this prize pack.

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  90. The Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil sounds yummy

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  91. I've had these before but have not been able to find them at my local grocery store. They are delicious! I like the oregano the best

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  92. Oil packed with pesto
    jshallow01 @ hotmail. com

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  93. The one with whole pine nuts in it! That sounds really delicious!!

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  94. I would love to try the Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne :)

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  95. I would love to try the Zesty Pepper one!

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  96. I'm definitely a bruschetta girl, so I can't wait to try Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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  97. I'm excited to try the California Julienne Cut with Zesty Peppers!

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  98. I'd like to try the California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic

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  99. Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil sounds yummy!!!!

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  100. I'd love to try the one with pine nuts
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

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  101. The pesto with pine nuts.

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  102. I'd love to try California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic

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  103. The Italian Basil looks so yummy to me!

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  104. The sun dried tomato pesto with the whole pine nuts.

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  105. Bruschetta with Italian Basil Sun Dried Tomato & Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    -Brittany M Doerfler-

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  106. I would love to try the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with Whole Pine Nuts!

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  107. I would love to try California Julienne Cut with Greek Oregano, Basil & Garlic...i love freschetta with sun dried tomatoes and fresh rosemary....also add to pasta and rice...delicious!

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  108. Oooh the bruschetta! Thankful for the chance to. Win something great!
    Allison.bahr@yahoo.com

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